The Barry-Eaton District Health Department, in collaboration with community partners across Barry and Eaton Counties, is proud to announce the inaugural event, Growing a Village: An Event to Support Our Families. The event will be held on Tuesday, August 4 from 4-7pm in the Nashville Community Garden, bringing together local organizations and resources to support young families and strengthen community connections.

Families can explore a wide variety of resources designed to support parents and caregivers, including breastfeeding support, nutrition education, child safety information, caregiver resources, and much more.

Maria's Tacos food truck will have food available for purchase, Lemony Lane will offer a limited supply of free lemonade along with additional lemonade for purchase, and the Nashville Fire Department will bring a fire truck for a "Touch-a-Truck" experience.

The event will also feature live music, free snacks, guided garden tours, and even more activities for the whole family.

The City of Hastings & Thornapple Arts Council is putting safety first and cancelling the Friday evening Hastings Live Concert,  Classic Women of Country feature at the Thornapple Plaza.

Friday at the Fountain featuring Doug Acker and friends has been moved to The Community Room at the Hastings Public Library at 12:00pm

With temperatures in the upper 90's Tuesday through Thursday, Barry County Emergency Management has a list of Cooling Centers in Barry County. If you need a break from the heat you may visit the following cooling centers;

Hastings Public Library open 9am to 8pm

Delton Public Library, Tues & Thurs. 9am-6pm Wed & Fri. 9am-5pm

Dowling Public Library, Wed, Friday 11am-6pm Thursday  11am-7pm

Yankee Springs Township Fire Dept.  M-F 8am to 4pm 269-795-1650

Commission on Aging, Woodlawn Ave Hastings Mon-Thurs. 9am-4pm

Thornapple Township Hall, Mon-Thurs. 9am-4pm 269-795-7202

Woodland Fraternal Order of Eagles, 125 N. Main, Open M-F at 3pm Closed Sat. 2pm Sun.  269-367-4041

Call 211 for information on the nearest cooling center near you.

This summer, one hour of your time could mean a lifetime for someone else. The Barry-Eaton District Health Department (BEDHD) is partnering with the American Red Cross to host two community blood drives simultaneously on Friday, July 24, giving community members the opportunity to donate at either of the district's office locations.

Community members can choose the location most convenient for them:

Barry County - Hastings Office:
Friday, July 24th, 2026
9am - 3pm
Barry-Eaton District Health Department:
330 W. Woodlawn Ave., Hastings, MI
Sign up: www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/drive-results?zipSponsor=BarryDHD

Eaton County - Charlotte Office:
Friday, July 24th, 2026
9am - 3pm
Barry-Eaton District Health Department: 1033 Health Care Drive, Charlotte, MI
Sign up: www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/drive-results?zipSponsor=BEHD

Appointments are encouraged, though walk-in donors will be welcomed as space allows.

"Every blood donation has the power to save lives," said Rebekah Condon, Health Officer. "Patients undergoing surgery, receiving cancer treatment, recovering from serious injuries, experiencing childbirth complications, or facing other medical emergencies rely on donated blood every day. By hosting blood drives in both Hastings and Charlotte, we're making it easier for our community to give this lifesaving gift."

At approximately 07:15 Friday morning, Deputies from the Ionia County Sheriff’s
Office were dispatched to a two-vehicle crash at the intersection of Jordan
Lake Road and West Clarksville Road in Odessa Township.

Deputies said a Chevrolet Impala was eastbound on Clarksville Road and ran the stop sign at Jordan Lake Road and struck a semi-truck that was traveling northbound. The Chevrolet Impala was being driven by a 64-year-old man from Lake Odessa who was pronounced dead at the scene.   The semi-truck was being driven by a 45-year old male, he was not injured during this crash. Their names have not been released.

Drugs and alcohol are not believed to be factors. The crash remains under
investigation.

Sheriff’s Deputies were assisted at the scene by Lake Odessa Police, Michigan State
Police, Life EMS, Lake Odessa Fire, Greens Towing, Reed and Hoppes Towing, and
the University of Michigan Health Medical Examiner’s Office.

The Barry-Eaton District Health Department (BEDHD) is advising residents and visitors to use caution after a harmful algal bloom was found at Gun Lake.

Harmful algal blooms happen when blue-green algae grow quickly in lakes and ponds. You cannot tell if a bloom is harmful just by looking at it, so it is best to avoid any water that has visible algae.

Do not swim, wade, water ski, or play in water that is discolored or has algae floating on the surface. Harmful algal blooms can make the water look bright green, blue-green, brown, or red. It may also look like spilled green paint, pea soup, or have thick mats of algae on the surface.

Pets are at greater risk because they may drink lake water or lick algae off their fur after swimming. Keep pets away from water with algae, and do not let them drink lake water. If your pet gets into the water, rinse them off with clean water right away. Contact your veterinarian if they become sick.

People can be exposed to harmful algae by touching the water, swallowing it, or breathing in water spray during activities like swimming or boating.

Symptoms may include:
Skin rash or irritation
Red or irritated eyes
Irritated nose or throat
Stomach pain
Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
Headache
Fever
Coughing or trouble breathing after breathing in water spray
Symptoms can start within a few hours or up to a few days after exposure.

If you or your child come into contact with water that may have a harmful algal bloom:
Rinse off right away with clean, fresh water.
Wash swimsuits and towels before using them again.
Watch for symptoms over the next few days.
If you become sick, contact your healthcare provider.

BEDHD will continue to monitor conditions in coordination with state partners and provide follow-up information as needed or until the harmful algal bloom has resolved.

Michigan homeowners and renters in Alcona, Allegan, Alpena, Antrim, Barry, Benzie, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Crawford, Emmet, Grand Traverse, Gratiot, Iosco, Kalamazoo, Kalkaska, Manistee, Mecosta, Montcalm, Muskegon, Newaygo, Oceana, Osceola, Presque Isle, Roscommon, Saginaw, Washtenaw, and Wexford counties with uninsured damage to their primary home, personal property loss or disaster-related emergency needs due to the April storms and flooding may apply for FEMA assistance.

You should first file an insurance claim:

If you have homeowners, renters, or flood insurance, file a claim before applying for FEMA assistance. FEMA cannot duplicate benefits for losses covered by insurance. If your policy does not cover all your disaster expenses, you may be eligible for federal assistance.

FEMA Assistance:
FEMA may be able to help if you are displaced, have serious needs, need temporary lodging, require basic home repair costs, lost personal property or have other uninsured disaster-caused needs. The fastest way to apply is online at DisasterAssistance.gov or the Spanish language DisasterAssistance.gov/es.

You will need to provide the following information:

-Your contact information (phone number, current mailing address, email address, and damaged home address).
-Your Social Security number.
-A general list of damage and losses.
-Annual household income.
-Banking information if you choose direct deposit.
-If insured, the policy number or the agent and/or the company name.

If you need more information or additional help call the FEMA Helpline at 1-800-621-3362 for assistance in multiple languages.

In the coming days, the state of Michigan and FEMA will be offering one-on-one support to residents in community spaces and recovery centers around the affected areas.

Drivers should be on the lookout beginning Saturday as Adopt-A-Highway volunteers fan out across the state picking up litter. Participants in the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) program will clean highway roadsides from July 11 to 19 during the second of three scheduled pickups this year.

The popular Adopt-A-Highway program began in Michigan in 1990. As of last year, about 2,600 groups have adopted more than 6,000 miles of state highway through the program. An estimated 19,000 participants collected almost 40,000 bags of trash from roadsides during the three annual pickup periods in 2025.

Getting involved in Adopt-A-Highway is straightforward. Volunteers include members of civic groups, businesses and families. Crew members have to be at least 12 years old and each group must include at least three people. Groups are asked to adopt a section of highway for at least two years. There is no fee to participate. Adopt-A-Highway signs bearing group names are posted along the stretches of adopted highway.

When working in the highway right of way, Adopt-A-Highway volunteers wear high-visibility, yellow-green safety vests required by federal regulations. MDOT provides free vests and trash bags, and arranges to haul away the trash.

The Ionia County Health Department (ICHD) has 6 confirmed cases and 2 suspected cases of cyclosporiasis. ICHD is working closely with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) to support the ongoing investigation and response.

State and local officials are interviewing cases to try and identify a common exposure and prevent additional illness. Individuals diagnosed with cyclosporiasis are encouraged to talk to health department staff to help identify a potential cause.

Cyclosporiasis is an intestinal illness caused by a microscopic parasite. Infection typically occurs when a person consumes contaminated food or water.

Common symptoms include:
• Prolonged watery diarrhea
• Stomach cramps or bloating
• Nausea
• Loss of appetite
• Weight loss
• Fatigue or increased gas

Symptoms typically begin about one week after exposure but may appear between 2 days and 2 weeks. Without treatment, illness may last several days to more than a month, and symptoms may return. If you have these symptoms, contact your primary care provider.

• Seek medical evaluation promptly if you experience sudden or prolonged
gastrointestinal symptoms.
• Follow your clinician’s instructions regarding testing and treatment.
• Stay hydrated and monitor symptoms closely.

A Hastings woman died and two other persons were injured Sunday morning in a crash on M-37 in Rutland Township. According to Michigan State Police Troopers, the crash happened around 8am when a Ford Escape was headed westbound on M-37 near Fairview Drive when it crossed over the centerline into oncoming traffic and hit a Jeep Compass that was traveling east.

The driver of the Jeep, a 59-year-old Hastings woman, died at the scene. A male passenger in her car was taken to the hospital with non life-threatening injuries. Both were wearing seatbelts. Their names have not been released.

The driver of the Ford Escape, a 23-year-old Lansing man, was transported to  the hospital with serious injuries. His name has also not been released. Troopers indicated he was not wearing a seat belt.

State Police said drug use “may have been a contributing factor” but they are still investigating.   

M-37 was closed for about six hours due to the crash.

Alcohol is believed to be a factor in an early Saturday morning head-on crash north of Grand Rapids in which one man was killed, and six other persons were injured including a Hastings man and his five passengers.

Kent County Sheriff's deputies responded to the scene on Algoma Avenue Northeast, south of 15 Mile Road, around 12:30 a.m. Saturday. The preliminary investigation shows a man from Algoma Township was driving an SUV in the wrong lane when the vehicle collided head-on with a pickup truck. 

The driver was trapped in the SUV after the crash and had to be removed by emergency responders, according to the sheriff's office. He was taken to the hospital where he later died. 

The driver of the pickup, identified as a 19-year-old Hastings man, and five passengers in the truck were taken to the hospital "with injuries ranging from minor to serious," the sheriff's office said.

Names have not been released,  the crash remains under investigation.

 Independent Bank Corporation (NASDAQ: IBCP), the parent company of Independent Bank, with total assets of approximately $5.6 billion, today announced that it has completed its previously announced acquisition of HCB Financial Corp., the parent company of Highpoint Community Bank, with total assets of approximately $597 million, which has merged with and into Independent Bank Corporation.

“We are excited to welcome Highpoint Community Bank’s customers, employees and shareholders to Independent Bank,” commented Brad Kessel, President and Chief Executive Officer of Independent Bank Corporation. “This merger strengthens our presence by bridging a geographic gap between Independent’s primary hubs in Grand Rapids and Lansing while supporting our planned growth into Southwest Michigan. We are especially pleased to welcome Highpoint’s talented team to Independent. Mark Kolanowski will join Independent Bank as Executive Vice President and Senior Advisor, reporting directly to me, and Chelsey Foster will serve as Regional President - Commercial Lending. Their leadership, deep community relationships and commitment to relationship-based banking will help us continue delivering exceptional service and creating new opportunities for our customers and the communities we serve.”

As a result of the merger, customers will not experience any immediate changes to their banking experience and should continue using their respective Highpoint Community Bank branches, checks, bank cards, online and mobile banking, and other banking services as they usually do.

Independent Bank expects to complete a full system integration of Highpoint Community Bank’s operations on November 9, 2026.