The City of Hastings Fire Department responded to an occupied house fire with a possible child trapped in the house on West Grand Street between S. Park and S. Washington Streets. Chief Mark Jordan said dispatch received the initial call at 6:37 PM on Saturday, 12/27/25. Law enforcement arrived on scene at 6:41 PM. The officer confirmed that the child and all occupants were out of the house; however, two dogs remained inside.

 

The first engine arrived at 06:45 PM with four department members on board, who began the initial fire attack and a primary search for the two dogs. Members of the fire department successfully rescued both dogs. One adult family member and one child were transported to the hospital with minor injuries.

 

Hastings requested mutual aid from Thornapple Township, Nashville, and Freeport fire departments. In total, 25 fire department members were present on scene. The members spend the next three hours controlling the fire and securing the house.

 

Hastings Fire would like to thank Thornapple Twp Fire, Nashville Fire, Freeport Fire, Life EMS, Hastings Police, Barry County Sheriff, Michigan State Police, Consumers Energy, American Red Cross, and, last but not least, Barry County Central Dispatch for their assistance. This is truly a team effort to coordinate all resources needed to safely bring a fire under control and ensure all responders go home safely. During this incident, Hastings Fire received dispatches for three other medical calls in our district, making this a busy evening in Hastings. Once again, we would like to thank all departments involved for their support.

 

Hastings Fire Chief Mark Jordan said the department has responded to 4 structure/house fires in 8 days, making this a hectic month. Jordan said that fire safety is everyone's responsibility.

 

Hastings Fire and many other departments offer free home inspections to help you create an escape plan and identify fire hazards in your home and will install free smoke and CO alarms. If you would like a free home inspection, don't hesitate to contact your local fire department.

It is with great sadness that the Hamilton Fire Department announces the death of Chief David Haverdink, age 74. On December 23, 2025, at 1801 hours, Chief Haverdink was struck by a vehicle while operating at a medical incident on M40 in Heath Township, Michigan. Chief Haverdink was transported from the scene to the University of Michigan Health West in Wyoming, Michigan, in critical condition. He was admitted to the hospital and ultimately succumbed to his injuries on December 25, 2025.

 

Chief Haverdink is a 51-year veteran of the Hamilton Fire Department, with over 40 of those years serving as the Fire Chief. Additionally, he served 8 years as the Sheriff of Allegan County, Michigan. Chief Haverdink is widely respected throughout all of West Michigan, serving on numerous boards and organizations, and providing outstanding service to citizens throughout the Hamilton Fire Department’s coverage area.

Barry County United Way director Lani Forbes stopped by the WBCH Studios Tuesday morning to give a last minute update on Stuff Our Station and toys for Barry County Kids. Lani informed WBCH listeners that this year was once again a huge success and 515 families will be able to have a great christmas this year thanks to the generosity of Barry County businesses and residents. Thank you to everyone that donated toys and gifts for Barry County Kids.

A Sunday morning blaze destroyed the Middleville home of the Biermaker family, severely injuring John Biermaker and his daughter Cali.  The first report of an explosion and house fire on Ellis Street was made around 8:40am.

 

Michelle Holsey, John’s fiancée, told reporters that she, John, and other family members were already out of the house when John realized his youngest daughter wasn’t there, and heroically rushed back inside through smoke and flames to find and rescue her from an upstairs bedroom.  He was able to carry her out, but not before they both suffered severe burns.  Cali is being treated at Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital while John is being treated at Corewell Health Butterworth Hospital. 

 

Caledonia, Wayland, and Leighton fire departments were called in to assist Thornapple fire department at the scene.  The 96 year old structure was well involved when firefighters arrived and is a total loss.  Investigators indicated the fire may have started in the chimney, possibly after an animal fell inside while the fireplace was in use.

 

A GoFundMe account was established and is accepting donations to help the family with expenses.

WBCH's annual 'Stuff Our Station' gift collection ends this Friday! All the toys collected will be picked up and taken to the Barry County United Way this Friday afternoon and distributed to kids right here in Barry County.

 

WBCH spoke with Lani Forbes on Tuesday for a final update:

 

The Wayland City Police Department responded to a car vs pedestrian accident at approximately 7:20 A.M. Monday on Superior Street. The victim, a a Wayland man, was struck by a vehicle and was found lying in the roadway with significant injuries. The victim was transported to a Grand Rapids hospital where he was pronounced deceased.  The accident is still under investigation.

 

The victim according to police was DWAYNE GOODMAN of Wayland.

 

Wayland Police Department was assisted by Wayland Fire Department, Allegan County Sheriff’s Department, Michigan State Police, and Wayland Area EMS.  

 

 

Odessa Twp - On December 4, 2025, at approximately 4:40 PM, deputies from the Ionia County Sheriff’s Office responded to a vehicle versus train crash near the intersection of Huddle Road and Jordan Lake Street in Odessa Township.

 

A preliminary investigation indicates that a 1998 Honda Civic traveling northbound on Huddle Road was struck by an eastbound train. The vehicle’s sole occupant, a 20-yearold Lake Odessa man, was transported to Corewell Health Butterworth Hospital with lifethreatening injuries.

The incident remains under investigation.

The Ionia County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by Lake Odessa Police Department, Lake Odessa Fire Department, Life EMS, Ionia County Central Dispatch, Corewell Health Aero Med Transport and Reed & Hoppes Towing.

An Ionia Public Schools Educator was found deceased at School Tuesday, Dec 3rd. Welch High School, Ionia High School and Bulldogs Beginning Preschool which share a campus at 250 E. Tuttle Road closed Dec. 4th.  The Ionia Department of Public Safety is currently investigating.  Welch High School will remain closed Friday, Dec. 5th.

Hastings Jingle & Mingle celebration is this weekend!  The event kicks off Friday evening at 5pm with a holiday market, kids crafts, Santa’s workshop, reindeer games, and a hot cocoa bar. At 5:30 the manger scene will be lit on the Barry County Courthouse lawn,  and at 6:15 the Mayor’s Christmas tree lighting and crowning of the Jingle & Mingle prince and princess takes place at City Hall.

 

WBCH is sponsoring free rides aboard the Holly Trolley from 6 to 8pm,  and there will be freecarriage and wagon rides downtown offered on a first-come, first-served basis.

 

Saturday and Sunday are full of Jingle & Mingle activities, and free Holly Trolley rides courtesy of WBCH.  The highlight will be the Hastings Rotary Christmas Parade which will step off Saturday at 5:30pm.

 

Visit with Santa,  have a pancake breakfast with the Grinch, pet a camel and much more during Jingle & Mingle.

 

To see the full schedule,  text the word “SANTA” to WBCH at (269) 945-3414.

The Hastings DPS crew will resume leaf pickup on Thursday beginning at W. Muriel St. and N. Church St. heading North and West.

 

The Delton Kellogg High School Band travels to Waikiki, Hawaii this week, honored to be the representative High School Band from the State of Michigan invited to perform at the Pearl Harbor Memorial Parade this Sunday, December 7, 2025.

 

Students have had to raise $3,172.00 each through fundraisers over the past several months in order to participate in this amazing opportunity to honor our veterans,  with additional support coming from donations by several area businesses and organizations.

 

This is the second time the Panthers have been invited, the band performed at Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day in 2017.

 

Following the opening ceremony at Fort DeRussy, the parade will step off at 6-pm Hawaii time and proceed through the heart of Waikiki down their famous torch-lit Kalakaua Avenue.

LANSING, Mich., Dec. 2, 2025 – A Barry County educator who is known for her dedication to her students has been honored with an Excellence in Education award from the Michigan Lottery.  The award winner, Nicole Shipley, is an elementary special education teacher at Page Elementary in Middleville, one of the Thornapple Kellogg Schools.

 

The Michigan Lottery established the Excellence in Education awards in 2014 to recognize outstanding public-school educators across the state during the school year.

 

Winners of the weekly award receive a $2,000 cash prize. At the end of the school year, one of the weekly award winners will be selected to receive the Lottery’s Educator of the Year award and will receive a $10,000 cash prize.

 

Shipley was nominated for the award by the family of a former student.

 

“Ms. Shipley embodies the heart of teaching: selfless, compassionate, and devoted to the success of every student,” said Lottery Commissioner Suzanna Shkreli. “She goes beyond the classroom, tailoring learning to each child’s needs and investing her own time, creativity, and care to ensure they thrive. Her commitment to building lasting relationships with her students and families makes her an inspiration.”

 

Shipley said she wanted to pursue a career in education for as long as she can remember.