The Barry County Prosecutor’s Office on Friday, January 24, 2025 charged John Branham of Barry County with one count of Open Murder,  a felony carrying a penalty of Life in prison. Branham was also charged as a Second Habitual Offender as he has been convicted of a previous felony. 

The charges stem from an incident on Wednesday, January 23, 2025 on Lacey Road near Dowling in which Branham is alleged to have assaulted his uncle, Terry Lee Traister II, who died from injuries sustained in the assault. 

Branham was arraigned Friday and is being held on a $1,000,000.00 cash/surety bond. He will appear for a probable cause conference in Hastings District Court before Judge Michael Schipper on February 5, 2025. 

Fire broke out at a home on State Street between Church and Sherman in Nashville Friday morning.  The residence, belonging to Jason and Amy Wymer and their two children was totally destroyed.  Everyone made it out safely. 

Cause of the fire is not yet known. A  Go-Fund-Me account has been established online to accept monetary donations to help the family.

Hastings/BIRCH Fire Department provided mutual assistance to Nashville Fire Department on the structure fire with its' Aerial 36 truck, giving a much needed height advantage to the crews that were working on the scene. 

Allegan County Central Dispatch received multiple calls regarding a serious traffic crash that occurred on US-131 in Gun Plain Township Tuesday morning. Officers say an SUV traveling south on US-131 was struck by a heavy-duty pickup truck hauling an animal trailer.  This caused both of those two vehicles to hit a semi-tractor trailer.  The driver of the SUV was taken to a nearby hospital with serious injuries.  The driver of the pickup truck was taken to another nearby hospital to be treated for their injuries.  This crash remains under investigation by the Allegan County Sheriff’s Office. 

The names of the injured drivers will not be released at this time.  US-131 south bound from the M89 HWY exit was shut down for some time while the scene was being reconstructed.  Speed and weather conditions are believed to be contributing factors.

The Allegan County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Plainwell Department of Public Safety, Plainwell Emergency Medical Services, Gun Plain Fire Department, Otsego Fire Department, Plainwell Fire Department, MDOT, the Allegan County Accident Reconstruction Team, and Allegan Central Dispatch.

The Barry County Board of Commissioners has scheduled a Committee of the Whole special meeting Thursday, January 23  at 9:00 a.m.  for the purpose of conducting interviews for boards and commissions. This is in addition to the regular Committe of the Whole meeting on January 21 where a number of interviews  are scheduled to take place.

Positions to be filled are on the Conservation Easement Board, Parks and Recreation Board,  Road Commission, Transit Board, Veteran's Affairs, and Commission on Aging Board.

As sub-zero temperatures and dangerous wind chills are forecast to sweep across Michigan early next week, the Michigan State Police Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division is urging residents and visitors to take precautions to stay safe.

"With temperatures dropping below zero and dangerously cold wind chills on the way, it’s important to take extra steps to keep yourself and your loved ones safe," said Capt. Kevin Sweeney, deputy state director of Emergency Management and commander of MSP/EMHSD. "Dress in layers, limit time outdoors, and check on your neighbors who might need extra help. Staying informed and prepared can make all the difference during extreme weather like this."

The National Weather Service (NWS) forecasts that air temperatures and wind chills will drop well below zero on Monday and Tuesday. Wind chills in the Upper Peninsula could plunge as low as 30 degrees below zero, while Lower Michigan is expected to see wind chill averages around 15 degrees below zero. These extreme conditions increase the risk of frostbite and hypothermia within minutes and can lead to hazardous driving conditions.

Cold Weather Safety Tips

To stay safe during this extreme cold, MSP/EMHSD recommends the following:

• Limit time outdoors. If you must go outside, wear several layers of warm clothing and watch for signs of frostbite or hypothermia.
  • Frostbite symptoms: Numbness, loss of feeling, pale or waxy skin, especially on the face, fingers, and toes.
  • Hypothermia symptoms: Shivering, exhaustion, confusion, slurred speech, or drowsiness.
• Prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. Use generators and grills only outdoors and away from windows. Never use a gas stovetop or oven to heat your home.
• Avoid overexertion. Shoveling snow can put extra strain on your heart, so take it easy and avoid sudden bursts of activity.
• Check on others. Older adults, young children, and pets are especially vulnerable to extreme cold and should be checked on regularly. Keep pets indoors.
• Prepare for travel emergencies. If you must drive, ensure your gas tank is full and your vehicle is stocked with an emergency kit, including warm clothing, blankets, gloves, hats, and a phone charger.
  • If you become stranded, stay with your vehicle and wait for help rather than attempting to walk in the cold.

M-37 highway between Star School Road and River Road is reopened after a reported crash at around 12:25pm Tuesday.  The incident, at Mensch Manufacturing, also resulted in a power outage in that area.

The outage affected businesses along M-37 and WBCH Radio was knocked off the air until power was restored at 2:25pm.

Corewell Health Pennock Hospital is advancing care with a new MRI suite, complete with an upgraded MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) system. The MRI team welcomed patients to the new space beginning on Jan. 7, 2025.

Being part of a larger health system has positioned the hospital to bring new technology and expanded services to the rural communities they serve. Fewer patients at Corewell Health Pennock Hospital will need to travel to other Corewell Health locations for scans.

The project was designed with an emphasis on improved patient experience. The new system features current technology for increased imaging capabilities, AI algorithms for scan times up to 30% faster and improved image quality. The MRI suite offers many upgrades to help with patient comfort, including adjacent changing rooms, enhanced lighting and an audio system that allows patients to listen to music during the scanning process.

Construction lasted 15 months, and the hospital saw multiple building phases before the project was completed.

“The installation of this upgraded MRI system is a significant achievement for our rural community,” said Renee Erb, manager, imaging, Corewell Health. "This new suite not only enhances the experience for patients with a modern and comfortable environment but also reduces the barriers to care faced by our community members. By increasing our imaging capabilities, we can keep services closer to home and enhance the overall quality of care."

The Hastings BIRCH Fire Department has accepted delivery of its' new Engine 832.  The 2024 HME Pumper replaces the old 1999 truck. After it is fully stocked and in service, it will become the department's primary Fire Suppression Apparatus.

The BIRCH Rural Fire Association purchased the new truck as part of the continuing effort to update and modernize equipment and facilities.

The Michigan State Police (MSP) is seeking members of the public to volunteer as role players in scenario-based training for its upcoming Trooper Recruit School. The goal is to create a diverse pool of volunteers, reflective of Michigan’s population, to best prepare recruits to serve in communities across the state.

The exercises will be held at the MSP Training Academy in Lansing on various dates between Feb. 12 and May 8, and at the Fort Custer Training Center in Battle Creek on May 21 and 22. Deadline to apply is January 15.

Individuals are needed for the following scenarios:
• Traffic stops and/or arrests
• Domestic violence
• Civil disputes
• Larceny
• Retail fraud

Volunteers must be at least 18 years old, have a valid driver’s license, complete all sections of the application and agree to a criminal background check. Approved applicants will be required to complete a class prior to assisting, consisting of legal instruction, role player responsibilities, role player safety, scenario introduction and scenario practice.

Applications can be completed online through Jan 15. If previously accepted into the program, you do not need to reapply. Those selected will receive a confirmation email with additional instructions for the Civilian Actor Program class registration, to be held in February, and recruit training exercise registration.

“We have had great success with our Civilian Actor Program in previous trooper recruit schools,” said Col. James F. Grady II, director of the MSP. “Involving members of the public in recruit training allows the recruits, in a controlled setting, to experience more realistic interactions with the public they will serve. It is a meaningful learning experience for everyone involved.”

After being sworn in as the new Barry County Clerk, Sarah Vandenburg called the organizational meeting of the Barry County Board of Commissioners to order Thursday morning.  David Jackson was unanimously re-elected as Board Chairperson, and Dave Hatfield as Vice Chair.

The only new face on the Board is Marsha Bassett. She was elected replacing Mark Doster, who did not seek re-election.

The Board now includes:

Bob Teunessen, district 1

Catherine Getty, district 2

David Jackson, district 3

Jon Smelker, district 4

Michael Callton, district 5

Marsha Bassett, district 6

Bruce Campbell, district 7

David Hatfield, district 8

Before adopting Board Rules of Procedure & Regulation, discussion took place regarding committee structure, and regarding public comment during meetings.  It was agreed that during the first public comment period at meetings, remarks will be limited to items on the agenda only. Comments will be allowed on any topic during the second public comment period.  

The Board also approved the Chairperson’s committee assignments and meeting calendar for 2025.