On Tuesday, September 30^th  just before 7am, Allegan Central Dispatch received a 911 phone call regarding a personal injury accident at 46^th St and 140^th Ave in Overisel Township. The Allegan Co. Sheriff's Office said a southbound car on 46^th St failed to stop at the signed intersection and was struck by a west bound SUV on 140^th Ave.  

The male driver, identified as 22 year old Austin Kasinger from the Hamilton area, was pronounced dead at the scene.  The female driver and sole occupant of the SUV received medical care at a local hospital for her injuries.  

Officers said speed appears to be a factor.

The Allegan County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by Michigan State Police, Overisel Fire Department, Holland AMR Ambulance, Allegan County Medical Examiner’s Office, Allegan Central Dispatch and the Allegan County Accident Reconstruction Team

Barry County Humane Society is offering a free vaccine and microchip clinic for cats and dogs Saturday, Oct. 11th from 10am to 3pm at the Barry County Enrichment Center at 231 S. Broadway in Hastings.  Rabies and microchips will be available for both cats & dogs as well as FVRCP for cats and DHLPP for dogs.  The Clinic also includes an exam and dental assessment.   Appointments are not required. Animals & owners will be served on a first come, first-served basis.  Dogs must be on a leash and cats must be contained in a carrier.  Current medical records are helpful if available.

The Barry County Sheriff’s Office responded to Leach Lake just north of Hastings in Carlton Township where Richard Martin, a 60 year old male was swimming from his pontoon boat Thursday evening when he went unresponsive and underwater.

Deputies arrived on scene and with the assistance of a lake resident’s pontoon boat they were able to locate Martin, pull him from the water and started CPR.  He was transported to the hospital by EMS. Richard passed away at Butterworth Hospital on the morning of 9/19.

Responding agencies included the Barry County Sheriff’s Office Road Patrol and Marine Division, Barry County Central Dispatch, Hastings Police Department, Hastings Fire Dept., and Life EMS.

Community input on what local students need to succeed has prompted the Barry Intermediate School District to seek a Regional Enhancement Millage to fund programs targeting learning and career essentials.

The 1-mill request will be on the Nov. 4 ballot for voters living in the Delton Kellogg Schools and Hastings Area School System districts. Funds would be distributed fairly and proportionally to public schools within the ISD.

Barry ISD Superintendent Rich Franklin said the ISD Board of Directors elected to put the millage request before voters based on a survey of residents conducted by Perspectives Consulting Group earlier this year. The survey asked where the ISD could improve learning and career opportunities for District students.

“Residents told us we needed to do more to address student behavioral issues, special education, and career and technical learning,” said Franklin. “They also said they would consider a reasonable millage to support that work."

A Regional Enhancement Millage, or REM, is a tool commonly used by ISDs to address critical needs not met through other resources. A REM raises funds through a voter-approved property tax to strengthen key learning areas and make local schools more competitive.  Franklin said the 1-mill REM would raise $1.49 million annually. Those dollars would go directly into student behavioral supports, special education programming, and career and technical education.

Hastings and Delton Kellogg school leaders discussed the potential value of a Regional Enhancement Millage in improving student outcomes.

“Locally, we do a good job within tight budgets to give every Panther a great education,” said Dr. Jeremy Wright, Delton Kellogg Schools Superintendent. “Where critical needs stretch across local school boundaries, additional funding in partnership with the ISD holds promise for doing better for our students.”

"Last spring, our community shared a clear vision for what our students need to succeed, and now the decision rests with Barry ISD voters. I encourage everyone to review the proposed REM, explore the survey results that shaped it, and vote on November 4 to choose the best path forward for our children’s future," said Dr. Nick Damico, Superintendent of Hastings Area School System.

To support that learning effort, Barry ISD has launched an informational campaign. A new webpage with links to a Q&A and the full ballot language is now live at barryisd.org/rem. 

“We want to make sure every voter has the details they need, that they get every question answered, so they can make an informed choice at the polls,” said Franklin.

Franklin also committed to keeping that information flow going after the vote. “Barry ISD and local schools will develop a robust communication plan to keep voters informed of how dollars are being used and how they benefit students,” he said.

Effective Monday, September 15th, Life EMS will officially take over the operations of Mercy Ambulance, a long-standing service provider in the Hastings/Barry County area. 

In mid-August, Life EMS began the orientation process of many of the current Mercy Ambulance staff. The company aims to employ as many of the current local EMTs and paramedics as possible, ensuring continuity of care and maintaining the trusted service the community has relied on for years.

For now, Life EMS will continue operating out of the existing Mercy Ambulance station at 504 S. Michigan Avenue in Hastings. The service will be deploying two fully staffed and equipped paramedic ambulances to respond to 911 medical requests in the City of Hastings, Hastings Township, Carlton Township, Baltimore Township, and Hope Township. Additionally, Life EMS will continue to serve the local hospital and surrounding regions.

Life EMS is the leading provider of emergency medical services in West Michigan, operating across more than 5,200 square miles including Kent, Kalamazoo, Ottawa, Ionia, Newaygo, Oceana, Lake, Mason, Allegan, Van Buren counties, and now Barry County.

“We are honored to continue the legacy of Mercy Ambulance in this community,” said Mark Meijer, President of Life EMS Ambulance. “We recognize the dedication and care that Mercy Ambulance staff has provided the community over the years and welcome them to the Life EMS family. We are committed to maintaining that standard of excellence while also expanding the resources and services available to the local Barry County area.”

Mark Jordan, Hastings/Birch Fire Association Chief added, “This partnership represents a significant opportunity for our community. Life EMS Ambulance has an established reputation for high-quality service, and we are confident that their expanded presence will enhance emergency medical care in Barry County. We look forward to a seamless transition and a partnership around a continued commitment to the health and safety of our residents.”

Brad Carpenter, Supervisor of Carlton Township and current Chair of the Hastings/Birch Fire Association, remarked, “The expansion of Life EMS into Barry County is a tremendous asset to our township and surrounding areas. We value the dedication Life EMS has shown to maintaining local care while bringing in additional resources and staff. Their investment in our community ensures that we will continue to have access to the highest level of emergency medical services.”

Middleville Heritage Day is this Saturday. Kassandra Clark, Community Development Director for the Village of Middleville joined Chad Henry Thursday morning to tell us about all of exciting activities planned. Click link below to listen.