The Michigan State Police have released its annual drunk driving audit.

Each year the state compiles the number of arrests, crashes and more that were alcohol or drug related.

Here in Mecosta County, there were 112 total arrests connected to drunk or drugged driving, 74 males and 38 females. The more eyeopening stat in the report is just three vehicle injury accidents last year related to operating while intoxicated. 

In Osceola County, numbers are even lower with 70 total arrests related to drunk or drugged driving. That included four alcohol related vehicle injury accidents and one fatal accident involving alcohol and one involving both alcohol and drugs.

For comparison, neighboring Isabella County had 492 arrests in connection to driving under the influence. 

Fremont Police in Newaygo County are looking for a person they say is on camera stealing a car and could be linked to other car thefts.

Officials say two cars have been stolen in the city in the last week.

Both had the keys left in them however one vehicle has since been recovered.

If you have any information about the suspect or incident, contact Fremont police at 231-924-8544. 

A Six Lakes man was arrested on a number of charges including fleeing and eluding and possession of meth following a short chase Saturday night in Mecosta County.

It started on 30th Ave near 7 Mile Rd in Wheatland Twp, that's where police conducted a traffic stop of the 25-year old suspect.

The suspect then fled from his vehicle in to a wooded area.

Deputies located the suspect after a short search.

The suspects name is being withheld pending arraignment. 

Deputies at the Mecosta County Sheriff's office are still on the lookout for a couple accused of attempting to steal more than $4,200 worth of merchandise from the Walmart store in Big Rapids Township.

Police say the incident happened on Thanksgiving night when they got the call about a retail fraud in progress.

The suspects had fled in a silver passenger vehicle.

The female suspect has blond hair and was wearing a red shirt. The male has a thin build and was wearing a white MSU ball cap.

If you can identify the suspects, please contact the Mecosta county Sheriff’s office at 231-592-0150.  

A Greenville man suffered  significant facial injuries following an ATV accident in Montcalm County.

Police say family members discovered the crash on Kickland Road near Monroe Road after the the 51-year old man was late to his destination.

An investigation revealed the driver was heading west on Kickland Road when the ATV overturned. Deputies say the driver was not wearing a helmet and alcohol may have played a role in the accident.

He was taken to Spectrum Grand Rapids Hospital. 

The courtroom was jammed in Osceola County Wednesday afternoon as attorneys for the Nestle Water Company and Osceola Township tangled over the future of a proposed booster station for Nestle.

The township has denied Nestle’s request to build a booster pump at their well near Evart which would allow Nestle to pump 400 gallons of water per minute from the well there, and increase their bottling operation at their Stanwood Plant.

Nestle believes they meet the standards for a permit but county officials believe it violates zoning.

The verdict is now in the hands of the judge. 

Investigators are still trying to figure out what caused a fire to breakout at a home on South Bronson Avenue in Big Rapids Sunday night that claimed the life of an 80-year old woman.

Firefighters got the call about the house fire just before 8pm Sunday night, it took crews around two hours to contain the blaze.

Officials say they found the 80-year old woman in the kitchen area and tried resuscitate her but efforts were unsuccessful.

The home is a total loss. 

"Imagine More", that's Ferris State University's slogan and that's what they want to do moving into the future with growing the Big Rapids based school as well as offering more to its students.

FSU President David Eisler announced Thursday Now and Always: The Campaign for Ferris State University, it's the school’s first comprehensive fundraising effort in its 133-year history.

Eisler said this effort has a goal of making an impact on its students currently and those in the future.

The financial barriers that our students face are significant,” Eisler said. “We are committed to keeping a Ferris education affordable. We cannot be a university dedicated to quality education for all and not make this accessible for all.”

The multi-year campaign, aims at raising $80 million for three major priorities: investing in students, program expansion and innovation, and building partnerships. $36-million dollars of the goal will go to an endowment fund for student scholarships. 

Winter weather is here with black ice being blamed for a crash in Mecosta County late Thursday afternoon.

A man from Sears lost control of his vehicle on black ice and hit some trees.

A 39-year-old woman, a 15-year-old and a three-year-old passenger were injured and taken to a Mount Pleasant Hospital. 

Spectrum Health hospitals in Big Rapids, Reed City are warning area residents to be aware that people have received spoofing / scam phone calls from parties who claim to be representatives of Spectrum Health.

Hospital officials say these bogus calls are seeking credit card information and other personal details.

Officials ask that if you are not 100% sure of the legitimacy of providing personal or financial information over the phone to any Spectrum Health entity, that you ask the person for a call-back number and first contact customer service at 1.844.879.6180.

The persons making these recent phone calls are in no way associated with Spectrum Health and are seeking personal financial information for unlawful reasons and their own personal gain. Many of these callers are very sophisticated and are using Spectrum Health or one of its hospitals as the caller ID, making it look like a legitimate phone call.

If you receive one of these scam calls, please report it to your local police department.

No one was hurt after a  Big Rapids man accidentally drove into a business Monday in Mecosta County.

Deputies say the accident occurred at the West Michigan Pain Clinic on Gilbert Road when a 76-year-old Big Rapids man was attempting to park.

While pulling into the parking space, the driver’s foot slipped off of the brake pedal and hit the gas pedal instead, causing the vehicle to go onto the sidewalk and crash into a large window wall near the lobby of the clinic.

No patients or employees were injured from the accident.

The driver also was not injured in the crash. 

For the first time in over eight years the City of Big Rapids will be lead by someone who's not Mark Warba.

That's because Warba is term-limited as Tuesday's election takes place.

Current city commissioner Tom Hogenson is running unopposed for the Mayoral seat.

City Commissioner Lorraine James and residents Jonathan Eppley and Chris O’Neil are running for two, four-year terms on the city commission.

Big Rapids Public Schools will also be asking voters to approve a special bond proposal.

If approved, those funds would be used to make improvements for building and site purposes that include classroom renovations, security and technology upgrades and construction of outdoor athletic facilities. 

Voting precincts will be open from 7am-8pm Tuesday. 

A Blanchard man is recovering following a two vehicle accident in Mecosta County Tuesday.

It happened at the intersection of 10th Avenue and Monroe Road in Millbrook Township.

Mecosta County Sheriff Deputies say a 52-year-old Blanchard man was driving eastbound on Monroe Road when he failed to stop at the stop sign and entered the intersection, striking a vehicle driven by a 54-year-old Blanchard woman traveling southbound on 10th Avenue.

The Blanchard man was taken to the Spectrum Hospital in Lakeview for treatment of his injuries.  

A Big Rapids man is facing a host of drug charges in connect multiple cases against him.

25-year old Scott Allen Ruffin is charged in connection to delivering cocaine and ecstasy in two cases out of Big Rapids.

The alleged incidents occurred on August 30^th and October 2^nd.

Ruffin's bond was set at $75,000 and $50,000 respectively.