State Representative Gina Johnsen (R-Portland) returned to the Capitol Thursday to deliver a second round of testimony before the House Appropriations Subcommittee, continuing her push for key public safety and infrastructure funding in the 78th House District.

Johnsen is advocating for three major investments: $10 million for a new Barry County Public Safety Facility, $18 million to expand Ionia County’s emergency radio system, and $2.54 million to replace a failing bridge over the Little Thornapple River in Woodland Township.

“The people of my district deserve safe roads, reliable emergency response, and public safety infrastructure that works,” Johnsen said. “These are not luxuries. They are basic, core functions of government.”

The Barry County project would replace an aging jail and sheriff’s office with a modern facility that would improve security, staff safety, and emergency preparedness. In Ionia County, the proposed radio upgrades would fill critical communication gaps that currently endanger first responders in low-coverage areas. The Brown Road bridge replacement will improve driver safety and restore environmental health to the river corridor.

Joining Johnsen in support of the proposals were Lance Langdon, Director of Ionia County Central Dispatch, Barry County Administrator Eric Zuzga, Barry County Board of Commissioners Chair David Jackson, and Dave Liddell of the Barry County Road Commission, each of whom testified to the urgent need for investment in their respective areas.

“These projects reflect real needs in our rural communities,” Johnsen said. “They’re shovel-ready, community-driven, and will be built to last.”

All three proposals are led by local governments and meet constitutional guidelines for public benefit. Johnsen said she will continue working to ensure that rural Michigan receives the attention and investment it deserves.

State Rep. Gina Johnsen testifies alongside Barry County Board of Commissioners Chair Dave Jackson in support of funding for a new public safety facility to serve the growing needs of Barry County. Photo courtesy of the office of state Rep. Gina Johnsen.

Rep. Gina Johnsen and Ionia County Central Dispatch Director Lance Langdon advocate for critical upgrades to emergency communications infrastructure in Ionia County. Photo courtesy of the office of state Rep. Gina Johnsen.

Art in the Park is set to celebrate its' 50th anniversary this Saturday, August 2nd.

The popular arts and crafts fair should be bigger and better than ever according to the Lake Odessa Area Arts Commission, sponsor of the event.  With over 100 artisan booths, live music, tasty bites, kids' activities, and plenty of spots to snag something totally unique, it is considered one of the top-rated art and craft fairs in mid-Michigan.

Art in the Park take place in the Village Park in Lake Odessa from 9am to 4pm.  There is a link to the event web page and visitors guide at  wbch.com

MDOT is reporting continued delays on M-37 between Middleville and Caledonia due to lane closures:
 

Daily (9 a.m. to 8 p.m.) lane closures for road work are scheduled through August 5 on northbound and southbound M-37 (Cherry Valley Avenue) between 92nd Street and Main Street/Green Lake Road. 

The work is weather dependent.

After a 65 year career in local radio at WBCH,  broadcaster Dave McIntyre has officially retired. 

Dave was hired by Ken Radant in 1959 and has been a longtime trusted voice on WBCH AM & FM, entertaining and informing listeners throughout Hastings and Barry County day after day, year after year,  with news, sports, weather and more for over six decades.  

But he’s not done yet…  Dave will return on August 11^th to deliver the 8am news and have a little on-air fun.

WBCH General Manager Steve Radant has declared Monday, August 11^th to be Dave McIntyre day!

From 4pm to 6pm on August 11^th there will be a retirement open house at the Jefferson, 103 W. State St. in Hastings, just down the block from WBCH’s radio studio. The public is invited to stop in and congratulate Dave and share some stories and laughs and enjoy a slice of cake.

The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) is investing $1.2 million to resurface more than 3.5 miles of M-79 from Barryville Road to the western edge of Nashville in Barry County.  

Shoulder closures will be in effect throughout the project and daily lane closures will be in place between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m.   The project is expected to be completed in mid August.

Meanwhile, work is nearing completion on the M-43 culvert project near Delton and the roadway should be re-opening soon, relieving some of the inconvenience of the detours that have been in place for the past several weeks.  Re-surfacing of M-43 in the area will still require some lane closures until mid August.

On 7-11-2025 at approximately 8:06 pm, Allegan County Central Dispatch received a 911 call stating that someone had fallen into the Kalamazoo River at the Allegan Dam and had not resurfaced.  Another subject had also fallen in but was able to grab on to a tree and wait for assistance.  Allegan County Dive Team and Allegan Fire Department arrived and put their boats into the water.  A short time later, a 29 year old man was located not far from where he went into the water.  Life saving measures were attempted but were unsuccessfull. The preliminary investigation shows that there were multiple people standing in waste deep water fishing in the strong current.  The current pushed them down stream where they stepped off of a  drop off and went under.

The Sheriff’s Office was assisted by and would like to thank Allegan County Central Dispatch, Allegan County Dive Team, Allegan Fire Department, Hamilton Fire Department,  Graafschap Fire Department, Saugatuck Fire Department, Michigan State Police, Allegan Police Department, Life Ems, Medical Examiner Investigator and Allegan County Victim Services Unit.

On Saturday, July 5,  Marine Deputies responded to a boat accident on Barlow Lake in Yankee Springs Township involving a pontoon boat and three juvenile females.

Sergeant Steve Lehman of the Barry County Sheriff's Office said the females were swimming when the pontoon boat came through, striking them.  The girls were transported by family to area hospitals with non-life threating injuries.

Barry County Central Dispatch, Thornapple Emergency Services, Yankee Springs Fire Dept. and Yankee Springs Medical First Responders assisted the Marine Deputies.

An early morning blaze Thursday, July 3rd,  destroyed the house of a Hastings family. Jeremy and Rachelle Cuddahee and their three children were sleeping when Rachelle woke up around 2am, smelled smoke, and discovered their house at 512 West Grand Street was on fire. She yelled and woke up the family and they were all able to escape, including the family’s pets.

Jeremy said he went back inside to retrieve a phone and a pair of eyeglasses “That was the wrong thing to do” he told WBCH,  because he ended up being treated for smoke inhalation and released.

Firefighters were on the scene quickly but were unable to put out the fire before extensive damage was done to the structure and contents.

Rachelle is the Director of the Childcare & Preschool at the Community Education and Recreation Center (CERC) at Hastings High School.  She said she has received all kinds of support from her co-workers, who set up the Cuddahee Fire Relief Fund at Highpoint Community Bank  to assist the family with monetary donations or gift cards.

The Cuddahees have received support and love from friends and neighbors and people all across Barry County and said they aren’t taking it for granted.