In partnership with Caledonia Township and the Kent County Road Commission, the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) is rebuilding 3 miles of M-37 (Broadmoor Avenue) in Caledonia Township and the village of Caledonia. The project is scheduled to begin March 1 and to be completed mid-September 2027.

The project involves extending the existing boulevard that ends north of 76th Street to 92nd Street to address operational and safety needs in this growing area.

Improvements include:

• Widening the roadway to a four-lane boulevard with indirect left-turns (Michigan Lefts).
• Installing new traffic signals with intersection improvements at 92nd, 84th and 76th streets, as well as a new traffic signal and improvements at the 84th Street/Cherry Valley Avenue intersection.
• Improve nonmotorized trails and connectivity, including a new multiuse path along the west side of M-37 at 84th Street.

Crews have already begun relocating utilities and clearing trees.

MDOT says M-37 will remain open with lane closures, flagging, and total closures at intersections. 84th Street will be closed on the east side of M-37 in coordination with a total closure of Cherry Valley Avenue from M-37 to just north of 84th Street.

It’s official… the 20 th annual WBCH Saint Patrick’s Day Parade was approved by the Hastings City Council to take place at 4pm on Tuesday, March 17.

Council also approved the Rotary and Kiwanis Clubs concession sales and beer & wine sales during events at Thornapple Plaza for the 2026 season.

Other community events approved during Monday’s Hastings City Council meeting include:

An “Explore-The-Vehicle” event, conducted by Hastings Public Library on Wednesday, June 17 from 2 to 4pm in downtown parking lot #3.

The Thornapple Arts Council was authorized to sell merchandise and accept donations during their annual Jazz Festival April 23  through 25, and at “Hastings Live”  summer events from June through August.

In other business the Council approved $17,922 for repair of city Well #3,  and approved a city mowing and maintenance contract with J&C Lawn Solutions for 2026 for $79,000.

Troopers from the Michigan State Police (MSP) Paw Paw Post are attempting to identify individuals throughout Southwest Michigan who have had contact with or entered into agreements with anyone claiming to represent Blue Frog Restorations.

Representatives of this company allegedly approach victims of storm damage and offer repair services on the condition that the homeowner signs over their insurance check.

If you or someone you know has been contacted by this company, you are urged to immediately discontinue all communication, cancel any agreements or payments, and contact D/Sgt. Ben Mahaffie at 269-845-6948.

Gun Lake Winterfest is thrilled to announce its annual winter celebration, set to take place this Saturday, February 21, 2026, at Gun Lake County Park. This year's festival promises a day filled with exciting activities, local flavors, and community spirit.

Event Highlights:
• Russo’s Winterfest Idol: Local talents have been competing since January, with the top three winners receiving cash prizes. The final performances will be showcased on the main stage.

• United Bank Polar Dip: Brave participants can take a refreshing plunge into Gun Lake with a low entry fee of $10, aiming to make this the largest Polar Dip to date.

• Birdie Blizzard Disc Golf Tournament: In partnership with Innova Discs, this fifth annual tournament welcomes players of all levels to a 9-hole course at Yankee Springs Township Park.

• Warming Tent: Complete with kid’s area, local vendors, and raffle baskets

• New this year: Broomball/hockey Score-O, Orangeville Jail, fun games including cornhole, Yardzee, and more!

• Main Stage Entertainment: The day's schedule includes:

o 11:00 AM: Opening Ceremony by the Match-e-be-nash-she-wish Band of
Pottawatomi Indians
o 11:30 AM: Remembering our friend Eric Redstone
o 11:45 AM: Winterfest Logo Winner Announcement
o 11:50 AM: Magician Alan Kazam's Show
o 12:30 PM: Gun Lake Price is Right – Audience participation
o 12:45 PM: Russo’s Gun Lake Idol Winners Perform
o 1:15 PM: Vernors Chugging Contest
o 1:30 PM: Pizza Eating Contest
o 2:00 PM: Let’s Make a Deal
o 2:20 PM: Hot Wings Challenge Finalists
o 2:45 PM: Winterfest Chili Contest Winner Announced
o 3:00 PM: Polar Dip

To enhance accessibility, a free trolley service will transport attendees between Gun Lake Park, local businesses, Birdie Blizzard, and designated parking areas, courtesy of our generous local business sponsors.

The Gun Lake Winterfest is a cherished community event, dedicated to bringing families together, supporting local businesses during the off-season, and raising funds for local charities. This year, we are proud to collaborate with the North Country Trail Association Chief Noonday Chapter.

For the latest updates, including parking information and a detailed schedule of events, please visit our official website at gunlakewinterfest.com or follow us on Facebook at Facebook.com/GunLakeTourism

The Barry-Eaton District Health Department (BEDHD) has confirmed that a bat found in Eaton County tested positive for rabies. The bat was discovered in the Charlotte area and is the first rabies-positive bat identified in the county this year.

Rabies is a serious disease that can spread to people and pets through bites or scratches from infected animals. While rabies is rare, bats are the most common source of rabies exposure for people in Michigan and the United States. Rabies is preventable when possible exposures are reported and treated quickly.

BEDHD reminds residents to avoid all contact with bats. Rabies can spread through small or unnoticed bites or scratches. Any direct contact with a bat should be considered a possible exposure. This includes finding a bat in the same room as a sleeping person, a child, or someone who may not be aware that contact occurred. Anyone who has been bitten by an animal or may have been exposed to a bat should contact BEDHD immediately at (517) 541-2641. Michigan law requires all animal bites to be reported to local Animal Control and the local health department.

Animal Control:
• Barry County: (269) 948-4805
• Eaton County: (517) 543-5755

If someone may have been exposed to a bat, please DO NOT LET THE BAT GO. Safely capture the bat for rabies testing and immediately contact BEDHD. If the bat is unavailable for testing, treatment will be recommended to prevent rabies. If the bat is tested and does not have rabies, treatment is not needed.

BEDHD does not provide preventative treatment for rabies, please contact a healthcare provider for treatment options.

Pet owners are encouraged to keep dogs, cats, and ferrets up to date on rabies vaccinations and limit contact with wildlife. If a pet may have been bitten or scratched by a wild animal, contact a veterinarian right away

For more information, visit www.michigan.gov/Rabies. To speak with a BEDHD Communicable Disease Nurse during regular business hours, call (517) 541-2641. If it is after hours, please contact us the following business day.

2/5/26:

4PM Update:  Water Main  Break repairs on N Taffee Drive have been completed and road is back open to traffic

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Hastings DPS crews are working on a water main break in the 800 block of N. Taffee Dr.  The street will be closed between W. Grant St. and W. Colfax St. and repairs are expected to be completed by 7pm.