Michigan State Police will hold the graduation ceremony for the 149^th Trooper Recruit School Friday afternoon in Lansing.  During the ceremony, the 50 recruits will be sworn in as MSP troopers by Col. James F. Grady II, director of the MSP.

Upon graduation, the new troopers will report to their assigned MSP posts across the state.  The Wayland Post will welcome four new troopers:

Connor Keidel from Norton Shores
Jose Lopez Jr. of Walkerville
Jordan Rundhaug of Caledonia
Branyon Vasquez from Spring Lake

Barry County Central Dispatch is proud to announce that Supervisor Kristina Nevins has successfully completed the APCO Registered Public-Safety Leader (RPL) Program, becoming the first member of Barry County Central Dispatch to earn the RPL designation. This certification is a nationally recognized leadership credential within the public safety communications profession.

The RPL program, offered by the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO International), is one of the industry’s most respected professional development pathways. The program emphasizes leadership, interpersonal communication, organizational management, and the development of skills essential to guiding high-performing public safety communications teams. Completion of this certification demonstrates a strong commitment to leadership excellence and the advancement of the 9-1-1 profession.

“Kristina’s accomplishment reflects her dedication not only to her own professional growth but to the success of our center as a whole,” said Stephanie Lehman, Director of Barry County Central Dispatch. “Her leadership, work ethic, and commitment to service make her an invaluable member of our team, and we are incredibly proud of her achievement.”

Throughout the year-long program, Nevins completed a series of leadership modules, participated in collaborative group projects, and demonstrated her ability to apply leadership strategies to real-world public safety communications challenges. Earning the RPL designation signifies her ongoing commitment to elevating operational excellence and supporting the staff and community we serve.
Barry County Central Dispatch congratulates Supervisor Nevins on this significant professional milestone and looks forward to the continued impact of her leadership within the organization.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer this year continued the Thanksgiving tradition of pardoning a turkey.

This year, Governor Whitmer pardoned two turkey sisters. The winning names, Faygo and Vernors, and were selected through a bracket-style competition on social media. These names were selected from 1,500 entries in the yearly statewide contest and voted on by thousands of Michiganders all across the state. 

“We continue our tradition of pardoning a turkey,” said Whitmer. “But this year, we’re pardoning two turkey sisters, a reminder that the most important part of the holiday season is coming together with friends and family. This Thanksgiving, I hope everyone enjoys time with loved ones, finds a way to give back to the community, and cheers on our Lions.” 

Firearm deer season began on Saturday and WBCH listeners successfully harvested deer. Congratulations!

View the pictures below:

The 98^th National FFA Convention & Expo was held last month in Indianapolis.  Two of Hastings FFA members were recognized with the highest honors awarded by the National FFA Organization.

Kaylie Carl, a member of the Hastings FFA Chapter received her American FFA Degree, the highest degree achievable in the National FFA. . Carl has been an active member for 9 years. And stayed involved with the Hastings FFA Chapter after graduation.

Spencer White of Hastings Area Schools also received the Honorary American FFA Degree.  This award is presented to individuals who have provided exceptional service to agriculture, agricultural education and the FFA organization.  White serves as the National FFA Band Director, leading student musicians from across the country who perform during sessions and events at the National FFA Convention.

Our local FFA Chapters that also attended the 98^th Annual FFA Convention, include the Maple Valley Schools; Logan Bowers received his American FFA Degree. Logan is now the 28^th member in Maple Valley History to achieve this milestone degree.

Local FFA Chapters that also attended the Annual FFA Convention were Delton Kellogg and Thornapple Kellogg.

In Tuesday’s general election,  the Barry Intermediate School District Regional Enhancement Millage Proposal was turned down by a 54% to 46% margin. There were 2,858 NO votes and 2,457 YES votes cast,  a turnout of approximately 20% of the district's registered voters.

Barry County voters who live within the Kent ISD narrowly voted in favor of a Regional Enhancement Millage Proposal but only by a 13 vote margin.

In Castelton Township,  all three township millage requests for medical and fire services and equipment passed by nearly a 3 to 1 margin.

In partnership, the Barry Community Foundation and the Barry County United Way are pleased to offer non-profit organizations the opportunity to apply for emergency funding for food.  The Emergency Funding Grant for Food Programs has been created to assist our local organizations in continuing to operate as usual, or with an increase in requests, due to the SNAP benefit pause starting November 2025.

Lani Forbes, Executive Director of the Barry County United Way, says “this is a critical time in our community and we understand that many local households could be facing food insecurities in the next few weeks and possibility unforeseeable future.  Our goal is to support the amazing programs that are already happening around Barry County as they see an influx in requests for assistance.”

Grants may be applied for up to $10,000.  Organizations may apply anytime up until SNAP benefits are restored.  The grant dollars will be disbursed as a reimbursement upon receipt of expenditures.  Grant dollars are only allowed to be used on food purchases.

Organizations who are eligible to apply must meet the following criteria: have an IRS Not for profit status, have been in existence for 1 year, must serve Barry County residents, enrolled in the 211 information system (or become enrolled) and agree to report demographics of households served.

Forbes went on to say, “We are so thankful for the partnership with the Barry Community Foundation, especially during times of need like this.  Both organizations have local boards who recognize the needs of our community and continue to do what is best for all in Barry County. We could not do this work without everyone involved and certainly not without the local food pantries, initiatives, community meals and food programming happening across our county. Thank you to all involved.”

Further questions or to submit an application for funding are directed to Lani Forbes at 269-945.4010.

Anyone looking to donate to this fund can do so by mail or dropping it off to the Barry County United Way office at 231 S. Broadway, Hastings MI 49058.  You may also donate by using the Barry County United Way’s VENMO @barrycountyunitedway231

On Tuesday the Allegan County Sheriff's Office reported that a third person from the Ford Fusion involved in a wrong-way crash on US-131 early Sunday morning has died from injuries sustained. This individual was a 17-year-old female from the Portage area.

The driver of the wrong-way Subaru Legacy has been identified as Erin Louise Jones, a 38-year-old female from Grand Rapids. The driver of the Ford Fusion that was struck is identified as Emmanuel Browning, an 18-year-old male from Kalamazoo. Another male passenger in the Ford Fusion was also killed.

There will be no other names released by the Allegan County Sheriff’s Office out of respect to the families of the deceased victims who have made this request as well as the juvenile status of others involved in the crash. The Allegan County Crash Reconstruction Team will continue their investigation into the coming days and weeks and more information will be released if it becomes available.

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On November 2^nd, 2025 Allegan County Sheriff’s Deputies and Officers from the Gun Lake Tribal Police Department were dispatched to the report of a wrong way driver on US 131 Hwy traveling southbound in the northbound lane of travel from 129^th Avenue in Wayland Twp.

An Officer from Gun Lake Tribal Police Department traveling in the southbound lanes of travel was able to locate the vehicle near the 59MM and was attempting to catch up. The car then collided with a northbound passenger car near the 57MM in Martin Twp. The female driver of the wrong way vehicle was pronounced deceased on scene. The male driver and front seat male passenger of the other passenger vehicle were pronounced deceased on scene and three other passengers within the vehicle sustained life threatening injuries.

The names of the parties involved is not being released at this time until proper notifications can be made. This crash remains under investigation by the Allegan County Sheriff’s Office Accident Reconstruction Team. It is unknown at this time if alcohol was a factor. US 131 Hwy was shut down for several hours however has since reopened.

The Allegan County Sheriff’s Office is being assisted in this investigation by the Gun Lake Tribal Police Department, Michigan State Police, Plainwell Department of Public Safety, Wayland City Police Department, Plainwell EMS, Wayland EMS, Martin Fire Department, Wayland Fire Department, Gun Plain Twp Fire Department, Allegan County Medical Examiner’s Office, Allegan County Central Dispatch, and the Michigan Department of Transportation.