With record travel expected for this Independence Day weekend, the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) is removing lane restrictions on nearly 60 percent of its road and bridge projects statewide to ease traffic delays for holiday travelers.

 

AAA estimates more than 2.6 million Michigan residents are expected to travel 50 miles or more from home during the Independence Day holiday weekend, up 1 percent from last year, establishing a new record.

 

Beginning at 3 p.m. Thursday, July 2, and continuing until 6 a.m. Monday, July 6, 106 out of 177 MDOT projects statewide will have lane restrictions removed. While motorists will see suspended operations in most state road work zones for the weekend, drivers are advised that equipment and certain traffic configurations may remain in place, like temporary shifts or shoulder closures. 

 

• Remember to buckle up, stay alert and avoid distractions at all times when driving.

To encourage safer travel this summer, the Michigan State Police, along with various local and county police agencies, will carry out focused speed-enforcement patrols throughout July.

 

“Speeding is one of the most preventable causes of deadly crashes,” said Alicia Sledge, director of the Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning (OHSP). “Slowing down is one of the simplest and most effective ways to save lives.”

 

Summer travel brings higher speeds and a higher risk as traffic volumes increase with families, young drivers, pedestrians and bicyclists taking to the roads.

 

The July speed-enforcement campaign is supported with federal traffic safety funds provided by the United States Department of Transportation and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and administered by the OHSP.

 

In this area,  the State Police Wayland Post serving Allegan and Barry county is participating, as is the Sheriff's Offices of Allegan, Kalamazoo, Calhoun, Eaton, and Kent counties.

The 91st Lake Odessa Fair begins Wednesday and runs through Sunday and Rachel Haskins from the Lake Odessa Fair talked to WBCH about all the exciting events happening this year. Click link below to listen.

 

Kellogg Community College will celebrate 30 years in Hastings this month with a 30^th Anniversary Celebration event on the College’s Fehsenfeld Center Campus.

The event which is free and open to the public, will run from 5:00 to 7:00pm, Thursday, June 25^th at the Center, which is located at 2950 West M-179  Highway just west of downtown Hastings.

 

The event will include free food, music and family friendly activities along with a program honoring the College’s past, present, and future efforts to support higher education in Barry County and beyond.

 

“We hope the community will join us in celebrating the Fehsenfeld Center’s three decades of progress and impact in offering Barry County learning opportunities to enhance the lives of local residents.”  Fehsenfeld Center Director Carole Davis said.

 

The 195 acre Fehsenfeld Center campus opened in 1996 and is named in honor of John R. Fehsenfeld, a retired superintendent of the Barry Intermediate School District and an ardent promoter of higher education in Barry County.

Tonight's  Hastings City Band performance is cancelled due to the weather at the Thornapple Plaza in downtown Hastings.

The Barry County Chamber & Economic Development Alliance (BCCEDA) is inviting community members, business leaders, and stakeholders to attend the Barry County 2026 Legislative Candidate Forum on Monday, June 15, 2026.

 

This public forum will provide an opportunity to hear directly from candidates seeking to represent Barry County in the Michigan House of Representatives and Michigan Senate. Participants will discuss issues impacting our local economy, workforce, communities, infrastructure, and quality of life.

 

The forum is designed to encourage informed civic engagement and constructive dialogue as voters prepare for the 2026 election cycle.

 

Monday, June 15, 2026

1:30–4:00 PM

Hastings Performing Arts Center

Free and Open to the Public

 

Confirmed Participants:

Alan Swank, Candidate - House District 43

Terry Frewen, Candidate - House District 78

Brandon Strong, Candidate - House District 78

Senator Thomas Albert - Senate District 18

Candidate Anthony Pennock - Senate District 18

Candidate Kaleb Hudson - House District 78

Rep. Angela Rigas - House District 79

Candidate Zach Abbott - House District 79 (tentative)

After a year of construction, a ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held at  Putnam Park in Nashville at 3pm on Friday, marking the completion of park renovations. There will be an ice Cream Social after the Ribbon Cutting, it is free and open to the public.  The park is located at 114 Philadelphia Street in Nashville.  




 

The Hastings City Council met Monday evening, and approved an amendment to the North Ridge Estates Planned Unit Development. The developer will now construct eighteen 2-unit single-family condominiums along the east side of Calgary Drive and the north side of Briar Hill Drive in Hastings.

 

The Council approved an amendment to the intergovernmental agreement for sharing urban services, and took action to adopt an agreement with Rutland Charter Township for the extension of city water and wastewater services to a defined area of the township. This is  a necessary step for the anticipated development of a Meijer store, gas station, and other out-lots on 32 acres west of Hastings at the M-37, M-43 intersection.

 

In other action, Council approved a request from “Grand River Ride to End MSA” to provide a rest station in Tyden Park on Saturday, August 29, 2026, from 8:30 AM to 12:00 PM during a recreational cycling event that supports funding research and improving the lives of those impacted by Multiple System Atrophy.

 

A request from the Barry County Republican Party  and Jon Rocha, to hold American Pride – Celebrating 250 Years of Freedom in the Tyden Park pavilions on Saturday, June 27 from 11:00 AM until 2:00 PM was approved.  The event is planned as an old school Americana celebration for the 250th birthday of America complete with food and games at Tyden Park.