Ferris State University will launch its first Ferris Career Success Conference and Expo Sept. 30 through Oct. 2, with plans to coordinate the events bi-annually to connect students with rewarding careers.

The career conference brings approximately 400 recruiters from 180 organizations across the country to the Big Rapids campus to recruit students and alumni for internships and full-time employment.

More than a traditional career fair, the three-day event offers an expanded, university-wide career experience for students, alumni, faculty, staff, employees and employers—combining networking, professional development, current workforce topics, employer connections and career resources.

The conference kicks off Wednesday, Sept. 30, with a Launch Party from 7 to 8:30 p.m. on the first floor of the David L. Eisler Center.

The free, welcoming reception will feature food, activities, entertainment, giveaways, and casual networking. Students, alumni, faculty, staff, and employers are invited to connect before the expo in a relaxed setting.

For students and alumni, it is a chance to meet employers, start career conversations, and build connections before the formal expo begins.

“Whether someone is just beginning to think about a career, looking for an internship or job, preparing for their next career move, or supporting students along the way, there is a place for them in this experience,” said Angela Roman, director of Ferris State’s Career and Professional Success.

Dr. Michele Albright, Employer Relations Liaison and Career Readiness specialist, said the conference reflects how Ferris State is expanding its approach to career development.

Throughout the conference, participants can take advantage of expertise from across Ferris State and throughout the country to explore current workforce topics, trends and opportunities.

Programming includes a Technology Expo, All Majors Expo, employer information sessions, career readiness sessions, graduate school exploration and programming focused on artificial intelligence and recruiting.

The conference concludes Oct. 2 with a Career Tech Panel: AI to Get Hired, and a Future of Work keynote featuring Dr. Tarita Johnson, senior vice president, Talent and Diversity at The Right Place.

Sessions are designed for a variety of audiences, including students, faculty, staff, alumni and employers. Faculty and instructors will also have the opportunity to learn more about using 12twenty in the classroom and ways career resources can support student learning.

A new conference event app will further enhance the experience by helping attendees navigate the schedule, discover sessions and opportunities, and stay connected throughout the event.

The conference also marks the introduction of the new Ferris Career Success Hub, powered by 12twenty.

The career hub gives students and alumni a centralized place to access career resources, explore internships and employment opportunities, connect with employers and prepare for their next steps—extending career support beyond the conference and throughout the year.

The conference is the result of a university-wide planning committee and volunteers representing each Ferris college, most university offices, faculty, staff and students.

Together, they are helping bring the expertise, resources and connections of Ferris and its employer and community partners to one shared experience.

“Ferris has tremendous expertise within our colleges, departments and offices, along with an incredible network of employers and alumni,” Albright said. “This conference allows us to bring those connections together and make them accessible to our entire university community.”

_{Release and photo credit to Ferris State University.}

Monday, Sep. 21

• No arrests reported.

Calls for Service: 10

Traffic Accidents: 1

Tuesday, Sep. 22

• At 3:13 a.m., deputies made a traffic stop in Green Township. The traffic stop resulted in the male driver being arrested on Possession of Methamphetamine and an additional warrant. He was lodged at the Mecosta County Jail.

• At 10:48 p.m., deputies made a traffic stop in Big Rapids Township. The traffic stop resulted in the male driver being arrested for Possession of Methamphetamine. He was lodged at the Mecosta County Jail.

Calls for Service: 13

Traffic Accidents: 4

Wednesday, Sep. 23

Calls for Service: 16

Traffic Accidents: 3

Thursday, Sep. 24

• At 6:42 p.m., deputies made a warrant arrest at a residence in Morton Township. A male subject was arrested on a warrant. He was lodged at the Mecosta County Jail.

• At 7:54 p.m., deputies made a traffic stop in Big Rapids Township. The traffic stop resulted in the male driver and female passenger being arrested for Possession of Dangerous Drugs. Both were lodged at the Mecosta County Jail.

Calls for Service: 8

Traffic Accidents: 6

Friday, Sep. 25

• No arrests reported.

Calls for Service: 22

Traffic Accidents: 9

Saturday, Sep. 26

• No arrests reported.

Calls for Service: 11

Traffic Accidents: 2

Sunday, Sep. 27

• No arrests reported.

Calls for Service: 10

Traffic Accidents: 3

Ferris State’s new Jim Crow Museum will house more than 30,000 artifacts, but the building itself helps tell the stories of objects of oppression and how people are working to heal and overcome.

The Jim Crow Museum – the first of its kind – is celebrating the grand opening of the standalone building near the entrance to the Big Rapids campus on Sept. 30 and Oct. 1.

The museum will be a one-of-a-kind resource that leaders say will be a space for teaching, learning, and meaningful conversations about race that inspire understanding, healing, and positive change.

But museum leaders worked with architects from Neumann/Smith Architecture and Rockford Construction to include elements outside and inside the building to help tell the impactful stories. From the selected colors to the motifs of rivers, mosaics, and veils, these design elements help the museum teach more effectively about the Jim Crow period and its lasting impact.

“Our new museum will teach difficult truths, but also lifts up the stories of those who challenged hate through courage, advocacy and lives marked by resilience and dignity,” said Dr. David Pilgrim, the museum’s founder and Ferris State’s vice president for Diversity, Inclusion, and Strategic Initiatives,

“Our mission is to educate and inspire. The very building itself is a powerful tool to spark discussion and tell the story.”

 The Jim Crow era was a prolonged period of state-sponsored racial segregation and disenfranchisement in the United States, spanning from the late 19th century to the mid-1960s. Named after a derogatory minstrel show character, it enforced systemic white supremacy and treated African Americans as second-class citizens. 

For 30 years, Ferris State has been the home of the Jim Crow Museum. It began in a modest 500-square-foot room in the Starr Building. Since 2012, it has been housed in a larger 3,500-square-foot space in the lower level of the FLITE building.

The new, $22 million, 26,000 square-foot facility will help expand the museum’s ability to serve as an important resource for scholars and draw visitors from around the world. 

The museum’s centerpiece is a 7,500-square-foot exhibit gallery with artifacts and information presented in context, telling the stories of people and the times and times, building on the museum’s themes: Witness, Understand, Heal. 

The facility will also include state-of-the-art displays, interactive artifact explorer screens, a dedicated archive and research component, and increased capacity for school groups, faith communities, civic organizations, law enforcement, policymakers, and others. 

But the storytelling begins with elements of the building’s very design.

The Steel Veil

The steel veil that wraps the museum speaks to the history and mission of the museum. The design is based on W. E. B. Du Bois’ conception of “the veil,” written about in The Souls of Black Folk.

Du Bois was a groundbreaking American sociologist, historian, writer, and civil rights leader who co-founded the NAACP.

For Du Bois, the veil represents the barrier separating Black Americans from white America: a symbol of exclusion, distortion and the reality of being seen through the lens of racism instead of one’s full humanity.

The veil also shaped what Du Bois called “double consciousness,” which is the tension of understanding oneself from both within and through a prejudiced viewpoint. Ultimately, the goal of the museum is to help lift that veil.

Rivers

In the museum’s lobby, the floor tile flows along as if it were a river. This was intentional. The Steel Veil almost flows as a river as well, giving it a dual meaning. Also, the sidewalk that runs along the side of the building bends like a river.

Rivers run deep in African and African American culture. They are connected with spirituality, identity, and lived experiences. Rivers also link Black Americans back to Africa. They are symbols of African heritage. The rivers are also symbols of challenges to overcome. The concept of “many rivers crossed” is evidence of the strength and resiliency of African Americans.

Colors Within the Space

The red depicts various facets of the Jim Crow era, including its presence in society, laws, violence, caricatures and segregated spaces. The Citron yellow depicts the pushback from African Americans, whether individual or collective.

Mosaics

In the reflection space, the ceiling dome is inspired by art from the Harlem Renaissance era artist Aaron Douglas. The dome is pieced together as a mosaic of different shapes and colors. These mosaic representations — echoed in quilts, glass and various other art forms — illustrate how African Americans have crafted beauty and unity in the face of adversity.

_{Release and photo courtesy of Ferris State Unversity.}

The final cut of Andrew Tingley’s documentary about the Ferris State University Marching Band’s return after more than three decades premieres homecoming weekend at the Big Rapids Theater.

Showtimes for “Ferris State Marching Band Documentary” are 11 a.m. Friday, Sept. 25, and 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 26. Tickets are $7.50 at the door, but both presentations have limited seating. The band encourages donations at the screenings.

Tingley, an assistant professor of Television and Digital Media Production in Ferris State’s School of Digital Media, produced and directed the film. He followed the band from its first camp in 2025 through its first season back. The film runs about 40 minutes, and he is cutting a 26-minute and a 36-second version for PBS.

Although not a feature length, the film is full circle for Tingley, who played trombone at Portage Central High School and graduated from Ferris State in 2004.

“I love being a part of things that are bigger than me and feeling like I'm part of the marching band again,” Tingley said.

Starting as an idea from former Provost Bobby Fleischman, the film explores why the band disappeared and how it returned as other colleges cut marching bands and arts programs.

Scott Cohen, a retired professor of music and chair of the Department of Humanities, launched the effort to revive the band, and Ferris State hired Daniel Atwood to lead it. President Bill Pink, who once played bass drum in a marching band, also appears in the film.

Atwood calls the band “the front porch of the university,” where prospective students get a look at what Ferris State offers. Ferris State has no music major, so every member studies something else.

"They're all doing this just because they want to be a part of it," Atwood said.

An earlier cut of the documentary screened at the Festival of the Arts in February. After hearing community feedback, Tingley recorded more interviews over the summer and worked them into the film. His marching experience shaped his camerawork.

"One of the things that I currently teach students is when they're operating a Steadicam, I always say walk like you're in the marching band," Tingley said.

At camp, he marched inside the band’s drill to get his shots and mounted GoPro cameras on instruments. The hardest part, he said, was time: The band rehearsed constantly to bring the music and marching together.

"Get in there and just be a part of the marching band and get the shots that nobody else is going to see sitting in the stands," he said.

Knowing he couldn’t do it alone, Tingley needed a crew and didn’t have to look far to find one. Two students in a senior television and digital media production class helped with shoots, including a band performance at LMCU Ballpark. On football game days, while Tingley taught his remote television production class from the broadcast trailer, students covered the band on the field.

The shoots produced far more B-roll than the film could hold.

"It could easily be an hour, hour and a half full feature documentary," Tingley said. "But I'm just at the point where it needs to be done, and we need to get this story out there."

After the premiere, Tingley plans to submit the film to the National Educational Telecommunications Association, which makes programs available to PBS stations nationwide.

Review and scheduling take eight to 12 weeks, and each station decides whether to air it. Distribution through the association is nonexclusive, so he may also release the film on YouTube, Vimeo or Amazon, or host it on marchingbandfilm.com, where he posts updates.

Atwood hopes to eventually send prospective students a link.

"It could be a huge recruitment tool for us, for sure," he said.

_{Release and photo courtesy of Ferris State University.}

ITC Michigan will host a series of open-house community listening sessions in October on its proposed Copperton Projects, a plan to add about 254 miles of 345-kilovolt transmission lines in central and western Michigan.

The sessions, each scheduled from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. between Oct. 5 and Oct. 22, will let residents review preliminary route options, ask questions and comment on routing, design and construction.

“Our goal is to listen early and often to ensure community feedback plays a meaningful role as the projects move forward,” said Jim Tedder, regional manager for ITC Michigan. “We are in the early stages of route planning, and we invite residents to attend the community listening sessions to learn more, ask questions and share input on the route segment networks.”

ITC, through subsidiary Michigan Electric Transmission Co., plans three double-circuit 345-kV lines centered on the Copperton substation, an upgraded Salt River facility near Coleman in Midland County:

• About 159 miles from the Ludington substation in Mason County to Copperton.
• About 55 miles from the Nelson Road substation in Gratiot County to Copperton.
• About 40 miles from the Tittabawassee substation near Midland to Copperton.

No final routes have been selected.

The work is part of the Midcontinent Independent System Operator’s Long-Range Transmission Plan Tranche 2.1, a 24-project Midwest portfolio estimated at $21.8 billion and approved by MISO’s board in December 2024. Officials say the lines are intended to improve reliability, resiliency and grid capacity.Listening sessions (noon-7 p.m.)

• Monday, Oct. 5: Doig Conference Center, 1200 Wright Ave., Alma
• Tuesday, Oct. 6: Great Hall Banquet and Convention Center, 5121 Bay City Road, Midland
• Wednesday, Oct. 7: Whitefish Lake Golf Club, 2241 Bass Lake Road, Pierson
• Thursday, Oct. 8: Holiday Inn Conference Center, 5278 E. Pickard St., Mount Pleasant
• Monday, Oct. 12: Doherty Hotel, 604 N. McEwan St., Clare
• Tuesday, Oct. 13: Osceola County Fairgrounds Community Building, 101 Recreation Ave., Evart
• Wednesday, Oct. 14: Idlewild Historic and Cultural Center, 7025 S. Broadway St., Idlewild
• Thursday, Oct. 15: The Peaks Event Center, 11515 Northland Drive, Big Rapids
• Monday, Oct. 19: Hope Hall, 601 N. Evergreen Drive, White Cloud
• Tuesday, Oct. 20: Dogwood Center for the Performing Arts, 4734 S. Campus Court, Fremont
• Wednesday, Oct. 21: Graystone Event Center, 4079 W. U.S. 10, Ludington
• Thursday, Oct. 22: Earl and Linda Peterson MSU Research Station, 5185 N. Oceana Drive, Hart

For more in depth information and details on the Copperton projects, visit here: https://www.mifuturegrid.com/copperton-projects/.

Monday, September 14

• An officer was dispatched to investigate a property damage accident between two vehicles.
• An officer was dispatched to a larceny complaint. The complaint remains open pending further investigation. 
• An officer issued two citations to minors, who were in possession of a vape and alcohol.
• An officer issued a citation to another minor in possession of a vape.
• An officer was dispatched to investigate a property damage accident. 
• An officer was dispatched to a larceny complaint. The complaint remains open pending further investigation.

Tuesday, September 15

• An officer was asked to assist the Osceola County Sheriff's Department with a breaking and entering complaint.
• An officer was dispatched to investigate a harassment complaint between two juveniles.

Wednesday, September 16

• An officer was dispatched to a civil stand by. One subject had a warrant for their arrest and was lodged on the warrant.

Thursday, September 17

• An officer was dispatched to a disturbance at a local business. A subject was arrested and lodged at the Osceola County Sheriff’s Department on multiple charges.

Friday, September 18

• An officer was dispatched for a check well-being on a subject laying in the roadway. The subject was located and transported to Reed City Hospital for further treatment.

Saturday, September 19

• No calls reported.

Sunday, September 20

• No calls reported.

An 18-year-old woman from Grand Haven was taken to the hospital Tuesday afternoon, Sep. 22, after a two-vehicle crash on Perry Avenue in Big Rapids.

According to the Mecosta County Sheriff’s Office, a 22-year-old woman from Gowen was traveling east on Perry Avenue through the traffic light at the intersection of 215th Avenue. The 18-year-old driver, who was stopped at a flashing yellow turn signal, then attempted a left turn and struck the 22-year-old woman’s vehicle.

The Grand Haven woman was taken to Corewell Health Big Rapids Hospital with minor injuries. The crash occurred around 3:20 p.m.

Deputies were assisted by Meceola Central Dispatch, the Michigan State Police, Mecosta County EMS and Big Rapids Township Fire and Rescue.

_{Release information courtesy of Mecosta County Sheriff's Office.}

Ferris State University partnered with the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential to kick off a series of regional career and educational exploration opportunities.

The series follows the success of the first MI Kickoff event, which brought more than 1,000 high school students from 40 Michigan high schools to Ford Field in April.

The event, kicked off by Ferris State President Bill Pink, connected high school freshmen and sophomores with higher education, workforce and career opportunities, helping students explore their interests, identify potential pathways and begin building a plan for life after high school.

MiLEAP leaders said bringing students onto college campuses and connecting them with people and programs that can help shape their futures. MiLEAP and its partners are expanding access to these opportunities closer to where students live and learn. 

“Every student deserves the opportunity to see themselves in a future they can imagine and build,” said Dr. Beverly Walker-Griffea, MiLEAP executive director. “By bringing MI Kickoff to communities across Michigan, we are meeting young men where they are, helping them discover possibilities they may not have considered and connecting them to the people, programs and pathways that can help turn those possibilities into a plan.” 

Students across the state will take part in hands-on career exploration workshops, receive guidance on FAFSA and scholarship applications and connect directly with college and university faculty and staff to build relationships that can help inform future enrollment decisions.

Each event will feature activities showcasing various degree programs leading to high-wage, high-demand careers, including welding, health care, business and engineering. 

“We want young men to have the information and connections they need to make informed decisions about what comes next,” said Jason Wilson, deputy director of MiLEAP’s Office of Strategic Talent Preparation. “These regional events bring those opportunities directly to students and give them a chance to explore college and career pathways before they leave high school.” 

The regional events respond to a need to reach young men earlier and help them see a clear connection between their interests, education and futures.

According to the MI Data Center, about 56% of young men enroll in college within one year of graduating high school, compared with 69% of young women. Women also earn nearly 60% of all degrees and certificates awarded in Michigan. 

At Ferris State, students will experience hands-on activities in various programs including mechatronics, electrical automation engineering technology, music and entertainment business management, plastics and more.   "Most of these students have never set foot on a college campus – that’s the barrier,” said Dr. Kasey Lynn Thompson, dean and professor in the College of Extended Studies at Ferris State University.

“Once a ninth grader has stood in a welding lab or a pharmacy simulation and talked to someone doing that work, higher education stops being an abstraction and starts being an option. MiLEAP's goal for equitable postsecondary access aligned closely with our mission at Ferris State, and that shared understanding is what made an event of this scale possible." 

Connecting more young men with these opportunities supports Michigan’s bipartisan Sixty by 30 goal to increase the percentage of working-age adults with a postsecondary credential to 60% by 2030. 

Release credit to Ferris State University. Photo credit to MiLEAP.

Michigan State Police troopers were dispatched at 1:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 21, to a home construction site in the 7300 block of Croton Hardy Drive after human remains were located.

Based on the initial investigation, the remains are not believed to be recent, and there is no indication of foul play. The investigation remains ongoing regarding the identity and origin of the remains.

The Western Michigan University Medical Examiner’s Office took custody of the remains. Further information will be released as it becomes available.

_{Release information courtesy of Michigan State Police.}

The Buckhorn Creek dam removal and bridge project is complete after about five months of work.

Just north of Paris, Michigan, the creek is now connected to 2.4 miles of cold-water habitat in the Muskegon River. Travelers on the Fred Meijer White Pine Trail can also cross the creek on a 90-foot bridge.

“When we stress-tested the new channel, there were trout and other large fish literally waiting there to swim upstream,” said Paul Haan, executive director of the Muskegon River Watershed Assembly. “It was an incredible sight and a testament to how important it is to restore stream function and connectivity throughout the watershed. The project also creates a new way for people to experience Buckhorn Creek.”

The project cost about $2.2 million and was made possible through collaboration with the Mecosta County Parks Commission, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, Friends of the White Pine Trail and others, with significant philanthropic funding from the Meijer, Wege and Walters family foundations.

The Muskegon River Watershed Assembly (MRWA) is inviting the public to a ribbon-cutting from 10 to 11 a.m. Friday, Sept. 25. Interested volunteers can also collect stream samples and plant vegetation Saturday, Sept. 26. For more information, visit mrwa.org/events.

_{Photo courtesy of the MRWA.}

Dan Povenmire spent years working to get "Phineas and Ferb" made. On Wednesday, he tells Ferris State University students how he did it.

The co-creator of the Disney series and the voice of Dr. Heinz Doofenshmirtz headlines "A Conversation with Dan Povenmire: A Masterclass in Creativity, Storytelling and Perseverance" at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 23, in Williams Auditorium. Admission is free and requires no ticket.

Doors open at 7 p.m. to Ferris State students who show a student ID, then to everyone else. The auditorium seats 1,644.

The show follows stepbrothers Phineas Flynn and Ferb Fletcher during their 104 days of summer vacation. Each day, the boys build massive, incredible inventions or go on wild adventures. Their older sister, Candace, constantly tries to "bust" them by showing their creations to their mom, but her attempts always fail

Perry the Platypus, the family’s pet, is a spy for a secret animal organization. Every day, Perry fights Doofenshmirtz, an incompetent evil scientist. By the end of each episode, Dr. Doofenshmirtz's gadget accidentally destroys or erases all evidence of the boys' project just before mom can see it.

Entertainment Unlimited, the student-led campus programming board, hosts the event. Co-President Cervonte' Plair and Student Engagement Administrator Ben Avery, the board's adviser, will moderate the discussion.

Avery said the board spent a couple of weeks last spring weighing its budget against names students would turn out for.

"Entertainment Unlimited, our campus programming board, was looking for recognizable names that students on campus would get excited about and want to see," Avery said.

Students supplied the questions. Submissions cover the show's creation and its 2025 return, Povenmire's creative process, the animation industry and advice for aspiring creators, alongside lore questions about Doofenshmirtz and favorite episodes. Students can add their own questions until 5 p.m. Sept. 23 through this submission form.

Povenmire built "Phineas and Ferb" with Jeff "Swampy" Marsh for Disney Channel, where it ran four seasons from 2007 to 2015 and won five Emmy Awards.

He earned 10 Emmy nominations across four categories, from songwriting to voice performance, and won outstanding writing in animation in 2010. He returned for a fifth season that premiered in June 2025 and wrapped in January.

He also co-created "Milo Murphy's Law" and created "Hamster & Gretel."

Before that, he storyboarded and directed on "Family Guy," "SpongeBob SquarePants," "The Simpsons," "Rocko's Modern Life" and "Hey Arnold!"

The talk lands in front of an audience already training for that work. The School of Digital Media at Ferris State's Kendall College of Art and Design offers three bachelor's degrees: Digital Animation and Game Design, Digital Media Software Engineering, and Television and Digital Media Production. DAGD students specialize in game development or 3D animation, build a portfolio and complete an internship before they graduate.

The program runs 45 minutes and opens a week of Homecoming events that build to Saturday, Sept. 26, when the Bulldogs host Kentucky Christian University at Top Taggart Field at 3 p.m.

_{Release and photo courtesy of Ferris State University.}

Monday, Sep. 14

• No arrests reported.

Calls for Service: 0

Traffic Accidents: 0

Tuesday, Sep. 15

• At 7:58 p.m., deputies made a traffic stop in Chippewa Township. The traffic stop resulted in a female passenger being arrested on a warrant. She was lodged at the Mecosta County Jail.

Calls for Service: 20

Traffic Accidents: 1

Wednesday, Sep. 16

• At 6:04 p.m., deputies made a warrant arrest, at a residence in Morton Township. A female subject was arrested on several warrants. She was lodged at the Mecosta County Jail.

• At 8:23 p.m., deputies made a traffic stop in Chippewa Township. The traffic stop resulted in a female subject being arrested on a felony warrant. She was lodged at the Mecosta County Jail.

Calls for Service: 19

Traffic Accidents: 1

Thursday, Sep. 17

• No arrests reported.

Calls for Service: 0

Traffic Accidents: 0

Friday, Sep. 18

• No arrests reported.

Calls for Service: 10

Traffic Accidents: 5

Saturday, Sep. 19

• At 8:58 p.m., deputies responded to a a one vehicle accident in Mecosta Township. A male subject was arrested for Operating While Intoxicated and Child Abuse. He was lodged at the Mecosta County Jail.

• At 10:53 p.m., deputies made a traffic stop in Martiny Township. The male driver was arrested on a warrant. He was lodged at the Mecosta County Jail.

Calls for Service: 9

Traffic Accidents: 4

Sunday, Sep. 20

• No arrests reported.

Calls for Service: 13

Traffic Accidents: 1

The Big Rapids City Commission will meet at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 21, at City Hall.

A featured item is a proposal from Fleis & VandenBrink for design, permitting and bidding services on the Clay Cliffs Trail project. The work would cover a 0.75-mile segment of trail in the Clay Cliffs Nature Area and is intended to make that stretch ADA-compliant. Planned improvements include accessible benches, wayfinding and educational signs, landscape restoration and two new bridges over Mitchell Creek — one replacing an existing footbridge and another farther south toward the Clay Cliffs area. Commissioners will consider accepting the engineering proposal for no more than $67,500. The city previously accepted a $391,400 Michigan Department of Natural Resources Trust Fund grant for the project.

Commissioners also will consider selling city-owned property at 126 S. DeKrafft Ave. to the Big Rapids Housing Commission for $16,000 after determining the parcel is not needed for a current or future city public purpose.

Other agenda items include:

• Amending the fiscal 2026-27 budget to carry forward unfinished fiscal 2025-26 purchases and projects
• Authorizing upfitting of a 2027 Dodge Ram 3500 for the Department of Public Works and a 2027 Chevrolet Tahoe police cruiser for the Department of Public Safety
• A study session update from Fire Chief Steve Schroeder on the Big Rapids Fire Department

Meetings are open to the public and livestreamed on the city’s YouTube channel.

On Friday, Sep. 18, at approximately 8:02 a.m., deputies from the Mecosta County Sheriff's Office responded to a two vehicle crash with injuries at the intersection of 5 Mile Road and 100^th Avenue in Hinton Township.

According to the investigation, the wreck occurred when a 24-year-old woman from Morley disregarded a stop sign and struck an eastbound vehicle, which was driven by a 74-year-old man from Stanwood. The 24-year-old woman had serious injuries and was transported by Aeromed to Corewell Health Butterworth Hospital. The 74-year-old man had minor injuries and was transported to Corewell Health Hospital in Big Rapids.

Deputies were assisted by Morton Township Fire/Rescue, Lakeview Fire/Rescue, Mecosta County EMS, Montcalm County EMS, Aeromed, and Meceola Central Dispatch.

Monday, August 31

• An officer made a traffic stop for an unreadable license plate. A controlled substance was found during the stop. The matter is under investigation.

• An officer took a complaint of public defecation. This case is under investigation.

Tuesday, September 1

• An officer responded to a crash involving a car and bicycle, with only minor injuries and minor damage.

• An officer transported an individual having mental health difficulties to the hospital for evaluation.

• An officer was dispatched for an assaultive teen. The individual was calmed and the victim did not wish to seek charges.

• An officer took a complaint of frequent spam calls. The caller was advised it is not a criminal manner and advised how to block the numbers or download a call filter app.

Wednesday, September 2

• Officers patrolled traffic, followed-up on open cases, and performed security details.

Thursday, September 3

• An officer took a reckless driving complaint. The area was patrolled, but the vehicle was not located at this time.

Friday, September 4

• An officer assisted deputies with stand-by for EMS for safety regarding a domestic assault investigation.

• An officer was called for civil stand-by regarding a couple. They were able to work out their differences and called to say they no longer needed an officer.

• An officer was dispatched for an assault. The victim declined to seek charges and a copy of the report was forwarded to the juvenile suspect’s probation officer.

• An officer was dispatched for a suicidal person. The individual was located and transferred to hospital for mental health treatment.

Saturday, September 5

• An officer was dispatched for a possible domestic. Upon arrival, all parties were separated and there was no physical altercation. No crime was committed.

• An officer issued an observed trespassing violation. A citation was issued for this incident.

• An officer was dispatched for a dementia patient walking away from treatment. The individual was located and returned.

Sunday, September 6

• An officer was called for a family argument. All parties agreed to separate peacefully.

Monday, September 7

• An officer took a complaint of a suspicious person. Interviews were completed and there was no criminal activity found.

• Officers worked on open cases, abatement enforcement, security checks, and road patrol.

Tuesday, September 8

• An officer was dispatched for a two-vehicle accident with property damage. There were no injuries and a report is on file.

• An officer was dispatched for a fraud complaint. The victim was told they won the Publisher's Clearing House award and needed to send gift cards to pay for fees. The suspect is believed to be operating from Jamaica. The suspect was contacted and advised to not call this individual again. The complainant was given information on how to make a report with the federal government, since the activity is outside the United States.

• An officer received an anonymous tip of an individual getting high off inhalants in public. Officers did not witness the act and the individual moved on.

• An officer was requested to stand by while a psychiatric patient was put in a transport vehicle in event the patient became uncooperative. No problems occurred.

• An officer was dispatched for a domestic dispute. Interviews were completed, and evidence gathered. CPS has been notified.

• An officer was dispatched for a threat complaint. Since nothing physical occurred, and mental clarity of the individual was diminished, the individual was transported to RCH for evaluation purposes.

• An officer was called to hospital for a person refusing to leave. The individual was transported by an Osceola County Sheriff's deputy back to their residence.

Wednesday, September 9

• An officer assisted deputies on a missing person investigation. The individual was found safe and reunited with family members.

• An officer took a Criminal Sexual Conduct complaint. Both individuals were interviewed. The suspect was also served a trespassing notice. Charges have been requested.

• An officer requested charges on an individual for Obstructing a Police Officer and Public Intoxication.

Thursday, September 10

• Officer assisted Child Protective Services with interviews regarding possible criminal sexual conduct. The matter was unfounded.

• An officer took a complaint of retail fraud. Evidence was gathered and a statement was given. Positive identification of the suspect is pending.

• An officer took a complaint of trespassing. The complainant chose to not have a trespassing notice served, but will post 'No Trespassing' signs in attempt to resolve the situation first.

Friday, September 11

• An officer was called for a well-being check on an individual. The individual was located and secure.

• An officer performed multiple traffic stops, patrolled the city, completed security checks, and followed up on open cases.

• An officer was dispatched for a well-being check. The individual was located and determined safe and secure at this time. Unfounded.

• An officer performed security standby for a patient transfer at the hospital. No incidents occurred.

Saturday, September 12

• An officer was dispatched to assist Child Protective Services with an investigation of possible criminal sexual conduct and abuse. The matter is unfounded at this time.

Sunday, September 13

• An officer performed a well-being check. The individual was located and had turned their phone off. The complainant was called, and the person was safe & secure.

• An officer was dispatched for a possible runaway. The individual had been at a location in town but was out with friends. The person would be taken home upon their return.

• An officer advised a homeowner of a parking violation. The owner moved the vehicle.

• An officer spoke with a homeowner regarding a nuisance ordinance violation. The owners are out of town, but the situation will be resolved upon their return. Follow-up is pending.

• An officer performed civil standby for a custody exchange.

• An officer took a complaint of verbal threats. Nothing physical had taken place at this time. A report is on file.

A half-lit moon shows more than a full one, and Ferris State University is setting up telescopes on the Robinson Quad Saturday night, Sep. 19, to show why.

International Observe the Moon Night runs free and open to the public from 8:30 to 10:30 p.m. on the Big Rapids campus. Visitors of any age can walk up, take a turn at an eyepiece, and ask faculty about the view.

The night's main attraction is the terminator, the boundary dividing the moon's sunlit day side from its night side. Near the first quarter, that line cuts across the face of the moon and turns ordinary terrain dramatic.

"Sunlight strikes the surface at a very low angle along this line, causing crater rims and mountain peaks to cast long, dramatic shadows," said Dinesh Shetty, an assistant professor of physics and astronomy who hosts the event.

Shetty said visitors will pick out individual craters in fine detail along with the maria, the dark volcanic plains that form the familiar pattern on the moon's face. A full moon, lit straight on, flattens all of it.

Groups of 10 also rotate through the Rawlinson Observatory dome for tours across the evening. An elevator reaches the third floor, and a short flight of stairs climbs from there to the dome.

Clouds do not cancel the night. Shetty makes the weather call Saturday afternoon and posts it on the observatory website, and someone stationed on the quad will direct arrivals to Room 102 on the lower level of the Science Building, where the evening becomes an indoor observatory tour.

NASA organizes International Observe the Moon Night each year in September or October, timing it to a moon near the first quarter for exactly the shadows Shetty describes. Observers worldwide have marked the night since 2010, and Ferris State's event appears on NASA's Global Participation Map.

The Rawlinson Observatory runs on a public outreach mission year-round. Its equipment includes a large-aperture reflecting telescope on a computer-controlled equatorial mount, scientific CCD and CMOS cameras for live viewing, and planetarium software that puts the view on an indoor display.

Astrophotography has become a growing focus, and workshops there cover low-light camera settings, polar alignment, stacked imaging, and image processing.

Shetty teaches in the Department of Physical Sciences in Ferris State's College of Arts, Sciences and Education, where faculty cover chemistry, industrial chemistry, physics, physical science, geology and astronomy.

The department awards bachelor's degrees in chemistry, biochemistry and industrial chemistry, plus an associate degree in industrial chemistry technology. Working with the School of Education, it also offers a secondary teaching major in chemistry and teaching minors in chemistry and physics. The college offers more than 100 programs across nine departments.

_{Release and photo courtesy of Ferris State University.}

The U.S. House of Representatives passed the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act on Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2026, by voice vote.

The legislation would require new passenger vehicles sold in the U.S. to include AM radio at no extra charge.

Michigan broadcasters and lawmakers played a prominent role in pushing the bill forward, striking key compromises to protect public safety while addressing the auto industry’s technological concerns.

“Keeping AM radio accessible in vehicles helps ensure drivers can continue to connect with the local broadcasters and stations serving their communities every day,” the Michigan Association of Broadcasters said in a Facebook post. “The MAB applauds this important step forward and remains committed to protecting the future of local radio and the vital role it plays in Michigan communities.”

The bill now moves to the Senate, where a companion measure sponsored by Sens. Ed Markey, D-Mass., and Ted Cruz, R-Texas, is on the legislative calendar with more than 60 bipartisan cosponsors. If the Senate passes it, the bill would go to the president’s desk to be signed into law.

Read more on the bill's status here: https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/979/all-info.

The city of Big Rapids will host a ribbon-cutting at 1 p.m. Friday, Sept. 18, in Hemlock Park for a fish sculpture.

Located between the Muskegon River and the softball field, the sculpture serves as both a piece of local art and a recycling container for glass and plastic bottles. The project was commissioned by the General Federation of Women’s Clubs of Big Rapids and fabricated by Ferris State University welding engineering students.

“This fish represents the driving force behind GFWC’s Community Service Programs Arts & Culture, Civic Engagement and Outreach, Education and Libraries, Environment and Health and Wellness,” GFWC member Linda Telfer said. “This is in keeping with our motto of ‘Working for a Better Community.’”

Associate Professor Mark Prosser and students Case Hummel and Jace Burns led construction of the fish.

Representatives from the city of Big Rapids, Mecosta Recycles, GFWC and Ferris State University are expected to attend the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Monday, September 7

• No calls reported.

Tuesday, September 8

• An officer was dispatched to a threats complaint. Upon arrival, the complainant advised that two subjects were acting aggressive towards them while walking by to their vehicle. The complainant advised the subjects got into their vehicle and left will they called 911.
• An officer was dispatched to a larceny complaint. Upon speaking with the subject, they were not sure if the property was missing or stolen but wanted to file a report.
• An officer was dispatched to an area check for a person yelling. The person was found to be okay; just upset with some recent news they received. 
• An officer was dispatched to a civil dispute. The reporting party wanted officers to be aware of a dispute between them and the other party. The reporting party just wanted the dispute documented in case further issues arise that result in law enforcement being called.  
• An officer was dispatched to investigate a retail fraud, not in progress. The initial information was collected and the case remains open pending contact with the suspect. 

Wednesday, September 9

• An officer was dispatched to a fail to pay complaint. The case remains open pending further investigation.

Thursday, September 10

• No calls reported.

Friday, September 11

• An officer was called to a turfing complaint. It appeared as if a vehicle did a U-turn across the caller's and neighbor’s yards. 

Saturday, September 12

• No calls reported.

Sunday, September 13

• No calls reported.

Ferris State University is playing a critical role in this year’s Tech Week Grand Rapids, as Ferris State President Bill Pink took the stage with entrepreneurs Daymond John and Robert Herjavec to discuss the new age of doing business.

Both John and Herjavec have significantly impacted the tech, fashion and other key industries throughout their careers, and are famously known for their over decades-long appearances on ABC’s hit television series “Shark Tank.”

“We have two legends who are with us today, and I want them to realize (the caliber of) folks we have in this room and throughout West Michigan,” Pink said on Monday at the event’s kick-off event at 20 Monroe in Grand Rapids.

Pink served as the moderator during the conversation with John and Herjavec, as the two entrepreneurs used the opportunity to educate and encourage attendees by sharing their business journey and how one becomes successful in an ever-changing society.

“West Michigan is a place where we do things like Tech Week to grow our community, to encourage each other and bring in experts from across the globe to help inform what that work looks like,” Pink said.

“Shark Tank” is a business reality television series where entrepreneurs pitch their products or companies to a panel of wealthy investors, known as the "Sharks," to secure funding and mentorship.

Tech Week Grand Rapids is a six-day, community driven “unconference” taking place from Sept. 14 to 19 across the greater Grand Rapids area.

With over 1,000 people signing up, this week features 160 events including panels, workshops, student showcases and networking mixers that are free and open to the public.

Attendees have an opportunity to learn more about how artificial intelligence is playing a growing role in health care and other aspects of society. They can also explore how AI, data and emerging technology are transforming clinical care, drug discovery and patient outcomes, in addition to other conversations.

The Right Place is the proud organizer of Tech Week Grand Rapids. The organization works alongside other community leaders to create the event and establish Greater Grand Rapids as a leading destination for tech and innovation.

Ferris State is playing a key role in Tech Week Grand Rapids, with faculty and staff leading six presentations on Sept. 16 and Sept. 17 looking at how artificial intelligence is playing a growing role in health care and other aspects of society.

All of the university’s presentations will take place at Ferris State’s Kendall College of Art and Design in the Woodbridge N. Ferris Building, 17 Pearl Street.

Ferris State sessions cover topics ranging from “Closing the AI Divide in Rural and Tribal Communities,” “Practical AI for Healthcare Data,” and “AI Projects Improving Pharmacy Workflows and Decisions.”

Additional information about the Ferris State presentations and registration is available here.

More information about the scheduled events and descriptions can be found here.

_{Release credit to Ferris State University. Photo credit to Shafi Subhan of Aves Films.}

Monday, Sep. 7

• At 11:45 a.m., deputies responded to an assault complaint at a residence in Green Township. A male subject was arrested for Assault. He was lodged at the Mecosta County Jail.

• At 9:02 p.m., deputies made a traffic stop in Green Township. A female subject was arrested for Possession of Methamphetamine. She was lodged at the Mecosta County Jail.

Calls for Service: 13

Traffic Accidents: 0

Tuesday, Sep. 8

• At 8:53 p.m., deputies made a traffic stop in Wheatland Township. The traffic stop resulted in the male driver being arrested for Possession of Crack Cocaine. He was lodged at the Mecosta County Jail.

Calls for Service: 9

Traffic Accidents: 0

Wednesday, Sep. 9

• At 7:47 p.m., deputies responded to a retail fraud complaint that had occurred in Big Rapids Township. It was reported that a male subject had stolen items from a local store. Deputies made a traffic stop on the suspect's vehicle, resulting in the male driver being arrested for Retail Fraud. Over $1,000 worth of stolen merchandise was found and recovered from the suspect's vehicle.  The male subject was lodged at the Mecosta County Jail.

Calls for Service: 14

Traffic Accidents: 2

Thursday, Sep. 10

• At 8:36 p.m., deputies made a traffic stop in Wheatland Township. The traffic stop resulted in the female driver being arrested for Operating While Intoxicated. She was lodged at the Mecosta County Jail.

Calls for Service: 17

Traffic Accidents: 3

Friday, Sep. 11

• At 7:52 p.m., deputies made an arrest at a residence in Fork Township. A male subject was arrested for a probation violation. He was lodged at the Mecosta County Jail.

• At 8:16 p.m. deputies responded to a domestic incident at a residence in Martiny Township. A male subject was arrested for Assault. He was lodged at the Mecosta County Jail.

Calls for Service: 17

Traffic Accidents: 3

Saturday, Sep. 12

• At 1:34 a.m., deputies made a traffic stop in Mecosta Township. The traffic stop resulted in the male driver being arrested for Operating While Intoxicated. He was lodged at the Mecosta County Jail.

• At 1:50 a.m., deputies made a traffic stop in Big Rapids Township. The traffic stop resulted in the female driver being arrested for Operating While Intoxicated. She was lodged at the Mecosta County Jail.

Calls for Service: 14

Traffic Accidents: 2

Sunday, Sep. 13

• No arrests reported.

Calls for Service: 5

Traffic Accidents: 4

Road construction projects will be continuing through September around West Central Michigan.

Here are some the projects schedueld by the Michigan Department of Transportation:

• Westbound M-82 between Howard City & Newaygo
  • Lane closures until Friday, Sep. 18
• Southbound US-131 near Mile Marker 133 & Stanwood
  • Lane closures until Thursday, Sep. 24
• Northbound US-131 near M-115 & Clam Lake
  • Weekday lane closures until Friday, Sep. 25
• Eastbound US-10 near Evart & Muskegon River
  • Lane closures until Friday, Oct. 30
• Northbound/Southbound M-66 between US-10 & M-115
  • Total closure until Friday, Nov. 6
• Northbound US-10 near M-37 & Baldwin 
  • Lane closures from Monday, Sep. 21, until Monday, Nov. 16

For more live updates, follow the MDOT Drive Map here: https://mdotjboss.state.mi.us/MiDrive/map#.

Phillip Lee Sprague, 62, of Farwell, was bound over to stand trial in the 55th Circuit Court in Clare County this past week.

He faces one count of Embezzlement from a Vulnerable Adult - $100,000 or More, a 20-year felony, and two counts of Embezzlement from a Vulnerable Adult - $50,000 or More but Less Than $100,000, each a 15-year felony. It was announced on Thursday, Sep. 10, 2026, by Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel.

It is alleged that Sprague, who was charged in February, embezzled from an 82-year-old victim who had sustained a traumatic brain injury. Sprague allegedly obtained more than $400,000 of assets from the victim. Of that, more than $300,000 was reportedly obtained through changes the victim made to his Will and Trust to benefit the defendant instead of the victim’s children and grandchildren.

“I am pleased this case has now moved forward to trial, where we will continue to seek justice for the victim and his family,” said Attorney General Nessel. “Vulnerable Michiganders should never have to worry about protecting their life savings from those meant to care for them, and my office will continue to work tirelessly to hold accountable individuals who exploit their positions of trust.”

Sprague is scheduled to appear before the 55th Circuit Court on Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2026.

_{Release courtesy of the Michigan Office of Attorney General.}

Michigan hunters planning a fall trip have a rebuilt tool to work with. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources has launched a new version of MiHunt, the state’s interactive map of lands open to public hunting, available at Michigan.gov/MiHunt.

The map is live just in time for the fall hunting seasons.

“We wanted hunters to build their own adventure rather than be handed a finished one,” said Sarah Mayhew, a data specialist for the DNR Wildlife Division. “The map opens with lands open to public hunting and nothing else. Everything beyond that is up to you.”

This approach does more than clean up the mapping process. Because hunters turn on each layer themselves, they know exactly what they are looking at and why it is there. Nothing appears on the map that the hunter did not ask for.

Some layers hunters can switch on include:

• Species management unit boundaries.
• Cover type layers showing forest makeup.
• Land management agencies.
• Special hunting areas, including Hunting Access Program properties, Turkey Tracts and Grouse Enhanced Management Sites.

Hunters can also bring their own information to the map. MiHunt now accepts imported spatial data, so a hunter can add a property boundary, a set of waypoints or last season’s tracks and view it alongside DNR-provided layers. Imported data is visible only to the person who adds it.

The MiHunt rebuild was a cooperative effort between the DNR’s Wildlife and Forest Resources divisions. Both have long contributed data to the map, and staff from each division worked together on the redesign.

“We’re hoping hunters notice how much easier the new MiHunt is to use this fall,” said Holly Toohey, a resource analyst with the DNR Forest Resources Division. “Working across divisions helped us find and fix the problems that staff and hunters had been telling us about.”

The DNR also built the new version in-house, rather than contracting the work out as it did with earlier versions of the tool.

“Bringing the development of MiHunt in-house will allow us to be more responsive if issues arise or when adding new features in the future,” Mayhew said.

MiHunt is not a downloadable app. It runs in a web browser on a computer, tablet or phone, with no download or account required. Hunters looking to buy licenses, check regulations or report a harvest from a mobile device can use the Michigan DNR Hunt Fish app.

MiHunt contains a complex map with many layers. Hunters who would like help reading or interpreting it can call 517-284-9453.

_{Release information courtesy of the Michigan DNR.} 

Monday, Aug. 17

• An officer was dispatched to attempt to locate a missing individual. The homeowner was contacted and denied knowing the person.

• An officer located an inoperable vehicle during patrol. The owner was advised of Chapter 668 in the ordinance code and given copies. A time limit has been given to rectify the abatement.

• An officer investigated a suspicious letter received in the mail. An interview was done with the suspect who admitted sending it. The person agreed to have no future contact with the complainant.

Tuesday, Aug. 18

• An officer was called for a CashApp card found. The owner of the card was located and confirmed ownership. The card holder requested the card be destroyed, so the officer obliged.

Wednesday, Aug. 19

• An officer reported a lost firearm. The firearm has been entered as missing.

• An officer followed up on a nuisance ordinance regarding animals. The animals have been removed by the owner.

• An officer was dispatched to assist EMS with an unruly patient. The patient was admitted at RCH without further incident.

Thursday, Aug. 20

• An officer was called for a welfare concern. No crime had been committed.

• An officer was called for a complaint of someone banging on a door. No subject was located at the time. Patrols have been increased in the area.

• An officer arrested a 25-year-old woman for an active warrant for Failure to Appear in court. The subject was transported to Osceola County Jail without incident.

• An officer was called for two individuals opening a door of a residence after dark. The two subjects were located and identified. Both individuals were issued citations.

Friday, Aug. 21

• An officer was dispatched for a well-being check. The individual was home and secure, and they will call the complainant and check in.

• An officer was called for a property damage complaint. Evidence was documented and a report written. An officer was called about a neighbor using heavy equipment and his neighbor suspecting he didn’t call miss dig. The officer checked on the matter. No crime was committed.

• An officer was dispatched to a car-vs-deer accident. Both airbags had been deployed, and EMS was on scene. Both parties refused treatment. The vehicle was towed and both parties were transported by this officer to meet family without incident.

• An officer served a trespass notice to an individual.

Saturday, Aug. 22

• An officer located an individual asleep on a public table. Upon awakening the subject, they fled the scene leaving behind some property. Osceola County Sheriff's Department was dispatched to assist in locating the subject, but officers were unable to locate them. The subject has been identified and has an open Friend of the Court warrant. The property left behind has been entered to the Reed City Police Department.

• An officer was called for money found at a public location. The item has been placed in Reed City Police Department property pending the owner providing proper proof of ownership.

• An officer was called for a well-being check. On arrival, the individual was secure but one of the phone handsets was not hung up effectively. The person will call the complainant and follow-up.

• An officer was dispatched to assist in a CPS investigation. Evidence and statements were gathered. This case has been referred to CPS and a police agency in another jurisdiction for further investigation.

Sunday, Aug. 23

• An officer was dispatched to assist the Osceola County Sheriff's Department with stand-by for a domestic. Stand-by for officer safety was completed during arrest by the Osceola County Sheriff's Department.

• An officer was called for an anonymous well-being check. Individuals were interviewed and there were no signs of injury, or safety concerns, found at this time.

• A 35-year old man was arrested for Obstructing Justice and an open Friend of the Court warrant. The individual was also served a trespassing notice. The subject was transported to Osceola County Jail without incident.

Monday, Aug. 24

• An officer was called for an attempted Breaking & Entering complaint involving a family member of the caller. Interviews were completed. The suspect was advised that future attempts to enter would result in a formal trespassing being served. The subject left the area willingly.

• An officer performed a well-being check for possible abuse and neglect. The home and occupants were interviewed. No evidence of neglect or abuse were found at this time.

Tuesday, Aug. 25

• An officer was called for a civil dispute. Interviews were done. One subject was gathering belongings to leave the residence willingly and was transported to a family members home without incident.

• An officer was advised of numerous 911 calls for non-emergency issues. Dispatch had advised the caller that misuse of 911 is a crime and charges would be sought. The prosecutor has been advised.

• An officer observed a dispute between a mother and child. The situation was calmed and the child agreed to behave.

• An officer followed up on multiple abatements, performed security checks, traffic patrol including schools & football practices, and worked on active investigations.

Wednesday, Aug. 26

• An officer was called for a suspicious person at a residence. The individual was the current resident.

Thursday, Aug. 27

• An officer was dispatched for an ill person on the floor in a public building. EMS was called and transported the individual. The individual’s belongings were secured at Reed City Police Department pending their return. Property was retrieved by the owner.

• An officer was called to assist CPS with a well-being check on an individual. Interviews were completed and evidence was gathered. Allegations were unfounded.

Friday, Aug. 28

• An officer attempted to serve an abatement in reference to the improper storage of trash.

• An officer was dispatched to a report of a child chasing a chicken with a shovel. Parents were spoken to. An officer performed traffic enforcement.

• An officer was dispatched to a possible domestic. It was determined to be an argument only.

Saturday, Aug. 29

• An officer took a report of a domestic assault. A 49-year-old woman was arrested and lodged at the jail.

• An officer assisted Lake County in serving a subpoena.

• An officer served two abatement notices for inoperable vehicles.

• An officer was dispatched to a 911 hang up at a local store. It was determined to be a pocket dial by an employee.

• An officer performed traffic enforcement.

Sunday, Aug. 30

• An officer was dispatched to a civil dispute between roommates. One agreed to leave the residence.

On Thursday, Sep. 10, Congressman John Moolenaar introduced legislation to designate September 11 through 17 as Patriot Week. The legislation intends to honor the victims of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, recognize the ratification of the United States Constitution, and encourage each generation to reflect on our history and freedoms.

“As we remember the heroes and innocent victims killed on September 11 twenty-five years ago, we should also recall the profound unity Americans felt in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks. Patriot Week is a time to reflect on our founding values, and encourage a deeper exploration of our history with hope to restore this national unity. I am proud to introduce this resolution to recognize this week as Patriot Week; to encourage Americans to celebrate the freedoms we cherish and honor our Constitution,” said Congressman Moolenaar.

“Twenty-five years ago, terrorists attacked our country believing they could break the American spirit. Instead, one of our darkest days brought out the very best of America,” said Congressman Zach Nunn. “First responders ran toward danger, passengers aboard Flight 93 rushed the cockpit rather than allow their plane to become another weapon, and a generation of Americans raised their hand to serve. This Patriot Week, we honor the values our Founding Fathers passed down to us, embodied by everyday Americans in the weeks and months that followed the 9/11 attacks: service before self, courage in the face of adversity, and an unwavering commitment to our nation.” 

Patriot Week was founded in 2009 by Judge Michael Warren of Oakland County, Michigan, and his daughter Leah to promote public awareness of our nation’s founding. Patriot Week begins on the anniversary of the 2001 terrorist attacks and concludes on Constitution Day, September 17. Moolenaar's resolution is cosponsored by Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (R-NY) and Congressmen Jeff Van Drew (R-NJ), and Zach Nunn (R-IA).

Congressman Moolenaar's Patriot Week resolution can be found here.

_{Release courtesy of Congressman Moolenaar.}

Football season is now a few weeks in. Following the first few weeks, here are some players you should keep an eye out for in the CSAA.

• Max Bollman - Big Rapids - Senior - Defensive End

Bollman, who is now going into his fourth year on varsity for the Cardinals, has been a force to be reckoned with on the field. Just last season, Bollman racked up 13 sacks and earned a Division 4 all-state bid. The three-star prospect is one of the most high-energy players you will see across the state, showing no quit in chasing down sacks. He also lives in the weight room, and his strength translates seamlessly onto the field. Bollman this past offseason got his squat to 650 pounds, deadlift to 600 pounds and his bench to 450 pounds. The defensive end comes into 2026 at 260 pounds and is currently holding onto 11 Division I offers with a commitment to Miami (OH).

• Kason Coppick - Reed City - Junior - Running Back

After back-to-back 1,000-yard rushing seasons, the Reed City running back will have some eyes on him in 2026. Coppick is expected to have a larger role in this year’s Coyote rushing attack after sharing the backfield with Andrew Kianus and Jack Deitsch for the past two seasons. This season, he will have a chance to show why he is not just the best running back in the conference, but on the west side of the state. Coppick brings a great mix of strength and speed on Friday nights. If he finds open space, it’s lights out early. He currently holds two Division I offers: Kent State and Columbia, but is uncommitted.

• Micah Halstead - Tri County - Senior - Offensive Tackle

Halstead is one of the biggest tackles you’ll see across the CSAA. This season, he comes in on the roster sheet at 6-foot-4 and 285 pounds. Another four-year varsity star, Halstead has shined with the Vikings, especially last season helping running backs get to the second level of defenders. With Tri County looking to lean on the run game this year, the 2025 all-state tackle will look to match that power and execution this season. He committed to Northwood University on Aug. 5.

Honorable Mentions:

• Kai Kamanu - Kent City - Senior - Tight End/Outside Linebacker
• Trevor McGuff - Kent City - Senior - Running Back/Defensive Back

Despite the opening week loss, the Eagles ground game has always been deadly in the CSAA-White. Following the loss of double-digit seniors from last year's semi-final team, McGuff is slated to take the bulk of the carries for this year. The senior will follow his athletic tight end, Kai Kamanu, who has had a fabulous career to this point. Both players are defensive playmakers and will be on a lot of area radars, as all eyes will be on the Eagles for another playoff season.

To follow the CSAA football season, watch weekly episodes of 'The Rundown' on YouTube here: THE RUNDOWN.

Monday, August 31

• An officer was dispatched for a violation of the Controlled Substances Act, involving an illegal substance. The substance was seized and a citation was issued.

Tuesday, September 1

• An officer was dispatched to a larceny complaint. After speaking with the complainant, the officer was advised there was a misunderstanding and the stolen items were actually received.
• An officer received a criminal sexual conduct complaint. The complaint remains open pending further investigations.

Wednesday, September 2

• An officer was dispatched to a retail fraud complaint. The complaint remains open pending contact with the suspect. 

Thursday, September 3

• An officer was dispatched to investigate a property damage accident.

Friday, September 4

• An officer assisted the Osceola County Sheriff's Department on a traffic stop. The driver had an active warrant. The driver was arrested on their warrant.
• An officer was dispatched for a Domestic Assault. The suspect was arrested and lodged at Osceola County Jail. 
• An officer was dispatched to investigate a fail to pay for fuel complaint.
• An officer assisted during a community event. 
• An officer was dispatched to investigate a failure to pay complaint.
• An officer was dispatched to investigate a turfing complaint. The incident remains open pending further investigation.
• An officer was dispatched to investigate a retail fraud complaint. The suspect was located and arrested for a misdemeanor warrant.

Saturday, September 5

• An officer was dispatched to investigate a retail fraud complaint. The suspect was identified, and a report is being forwarded to the prosecutor's office.

Sunday, September 6

• An officer was requested to assist the Osceola County Sheriff's Department with a domestic assault investigation.
• An officer was dispatched to investigate a retail fraud complaint. The suspect was identified, and the complaint remains open pending further investigation. 

Ferris State University leaders are remembering Dean Davenport for his impact on Bulldog Athletics as the former athletic director and coach, while elevating the Bulldogs to new heights.

Davenport passed away on Sept. 3 at the age of 91.

He served as Ferris State's athletics director from 1979 to 1993 and was later inducted into the Bulldog Athletics Hall of Fame in 2009.

During his tenure as AD, the Bulldogs won the GLIAC President's Cup for all-around excellence 13 consecutive years. He was also a coach and administrator for 23 years, as Davenport’s career was highlighted by the growth and success of athletics and the recreation/intramural program at Ferris State.

The Bulldogs won a total of 73 league championships under Davenport’s leadership, and he was influential for the growth of women's intercollegiate athletics, the emergence of Ferris State’s NCAA Division I men's ice hockey program and the development of the athletics scholarship program.

Additionally, he played a role in the planning of what is now known as the R.L. Ewigleben Sports Complex.

A Central Michigan University graduate, Davenport's career in education spanned 36 years. He served as head boys' basketball coach at Traverse City High School and was an assistant at both CMU and Cal-State Northridge before becoming athletics director and head coach at Iowa Wesleyan College.

He joined the Bulldog family in 1970 as an assistant to head coach Jim Wink and was an athletics coordinator along with developing the recreation and leisure curriculum.

He also served the university as director of the health, physical education and recreation program from 1977 to 1979 when he was appointed athletics director.

Davenport's son, Terry, created the iconic Bulldog logo currently still used today and the department's annual Bulldog of the Year Award for the school's top male and female student-athlete was renamed in his honor.

Davenport was a leader in the NCAA, serving on multiple committees and as the president of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, the Central Collegiate Hockey Association and the Midwest Intercollegiate Football Conference.

While at Ferris State, he hired a number of future Bulldog Athletics Hall of Fame coaches including Dan Ley, Monica Folske, Gary Waters, Kathy DeBoer, Judd Folske, Jim Miller, Ron English, Lewis Garner, Keith Otterbein and Jill Hirschinger.

As an assistant basketball coach, Davenport helped the Bulldogs post a 167-76 overall mark from 1970-79. He also served as a consultant for the men's basketball program for several years during retirement.

Davenport was married for 65 years to his Charlevoix High School sweetheart, Joyce (Cunningham). Together they built a remarkable partnership that lasted until Joyce's death on January 1, 2023.

To share in celebrating Dean's life, memorial contributions can be made by check to the Charlevoix Junior Golf Association, 213 Nettleton Street, Charlevoix MI 49720. Arrangements are in the care of the Charlevoix Chapel of Mortensen Funeral Homes.

_{Photo and release courtesy of Ferris State University.}

The Lake County Sheriff’s Office posted a public assistance request on social media in hopes of identifying a suspect in a recent pursuit.

Deputies attempted to conduct a traffic stop of the suspect at about 6:45 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 6, on northbound M-37 in Eden Township. The suspect did not stop and led deputies on a pursuit.

Anyone with information about the suspect or the motorcycle is asked to contact Central Dispatch at 231-745-2711.

“Please reference report No. 2026-01273 when providing information,” the sheriff’s office said. “The Lake County Sheriff’s Office appreciates the public’s assistance.”

_{Images courtesy of Lake County Sheriff's Office.}

Monday, Aug. 31

• No arrests reported.

Calls for Service: 14

Traffic Accidents: 0

Tuesday, Sep. 1

• At 7:40 p.m., deputies made a traffic stop in Morton Township. The traffic stop resulted in the male driver being arrested on a warrant out of Osceola County. He was turned over to Osceola County.

Calls for Service: 18

Traffic Accidents: 2

Wednesday, Sep. 2

• At 8:23 p.m., deputies made a traffic stop in Colfax Township. The traffic stop resulted in two male subjects being arrested on warrants. Both were lodged at the Mecosta County Jail.

Calls for Service: 13

Traffic Accidents: 1

Thursday, Sep. 3

• At 5:10 p.m., deputies made a warrant arrest in Green Township. A male subject was arrested on a warrant. He was lodged at the Mecosta County Jail.

• At 7:19 p.m., deputies investigated a hit and run accident in Aetna Township. Additional investigation resulted in the location of the male driver, who had initially fled the scene. He was arrested for Operating While Intoxicated and an additional probation violation. He was lodged at the Mecosta County Jail.

• At 10:59 p.m., deputies made a warrant arrest in Big Rapids Township. A male subject was arrested and lodged at the Mecosta County Jail.

Calls for Service: 10

Traffic Accidents: 5

Friday, Sep. 4

• At 1:53 a.m., deputies made a traffic stop in Big Rapids Township. The traffic stop resulted in the female driver being arrested for Operating While Intoxicated. She was lodged at the Mecosta County Jail.

• At 11:15 a.m., deputies made a warrant arrest at a residence in Montcalm County. A female subject was arrested on a warrant. She was lodged at the Mecosta County Jail.

Calls for Service: 15

Traffic Accidents: 1

Saturday, Sep. 5

• No arrests reported.

Calls for Service: 12

Traffic Accidents: 4

Sunday, Sep. 6

• No arrests reported.

Calls for Service: 12

Traffic Accidents: 1

Monday, Sep. 7

• At 11:45 a.m., deputies responded to an assault complaint at a residence in Green Township. A male subject was arrested for Assault. He was lodged at the Mecosta County Jail.

• At 9:02 p.m., deputies made a traffic stop in Green Township. A female subject was arrested for Possession of Methamphetamine. She was lodged at the Mecosta County Jail.

Calls for Service: 13

Traffic Accidents: 0

The Speedway gas station, located near the intersection of 19 Mile Road and Northland Drive (Old US-131), will be closing on Monday, Sep. 28, 2026.

The station will then re-open as a Shell gas station at a later date. Store managers say the station conversion could take as little as a week.

Speedy Rewards points will not transfer to the Shell location, and customers are being told to use them before the rebrand.

Michigan has 294 Speedway stores, with nearby locations remain in Cadillac, Cedar Springs, Fremont, Kent City and Newaygo.

The converted store would become Big Rapids’ second Shell, joining the station at 21445 Perry Avenue. Shell is Michigan’s third-largest fuel brand with more than 400 locations, only trailing Marathon, with about 686 sites, and ExxonMobil, with about 579.

For more details, visit the location at 19246 Northland Drive.

On Monday, Sept. 7, 2026, at about 11:27 a.m., deputies from the Mecosta County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to the area of 137th Avenue and Washington Road in Deerfield Township for a reported crash involving a farm tractor.

Upon arrival, deputies and emergency personnel found a 74-year-old man from Morley who had sustained significant injuries.

According to the investigation, the man had a medical emergency while driving a Farmall tractor. He then fell from the tractor while it was still in gear and was run over by the hayrack trailer being pulled behind it.

“Mecosta County EMS provided emergency medical treatment at the scene before transporting the male to the Lakeview Airport,” deputies said.“From the airport, the male was transported by Aero Med helicopter to Butterworth Hospital in Grand Rapids for further medical treatment.”

The man sustained serious but not life-threatening injuries.

The Mecosta County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by Mecosta County EMS and Morton Township Rescue.

_{Release information courtesy of Mecosta County Sheriff's Office.}

On Saturday, Sep. 5, 2026, at approximately 5:51 p.m., deputies from the Mecosta County Sheriff's Office were dispatched to a vehicle crash at the intersection of 20 Mile Road and 80^th Avenue near Chippewa Lake.

Upon arrival at the scene, deputies located a Chevrolet Cruze in the west ditch of 80^th Avenue. The driver, a 22-year-old woman from Tecumseh, was travelling west bound on 20 Mile Road and tried to swerve and avoid a piece of debris in the roadway.

"Her vehicle left the roadway and drove into the ditch," Sheriff's deputies said. "The driver was uninjured but her passenger, a 21-year-old female from Tipton, sustained minor injuries. (She) was transported to Corewell Health Big Rapids Hospital for further treatment via Mecosta County Emergency Medical Services."

Alcohol nor drugs were found to be factor in the crash.

Deputies were assisted on scene by Mecola Central Dispatch, Hilltop Towing, Chippewa Martiny Fire & Rescue, Fork Township Fire & Rescue, and Mecosta County Emergency Medical Services.

In keeping with tradition, the Big Rapids Elks will cook meals for downtown visitors during the annual Labor Day Festival.

From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., the Elks will grill and serve barbecue chicken dinners with baked beans, potato salad, a roll and a cookie. Meals cost $18 and include a choice of soda or water.

“Our members will be grilling and serving dinners from 11 a.m. until about 4 p.m. or when the chicken is gone,” the Elks said. “Come see us down on the corner of Pine Street and Michigan Avenue, picnic-style.”

Kids’ meals also will be available for $8 and include a quarter-pound hot dog, chips, a cookie and a choice of water or soda.

Money raised from the event will support the Elks’ sponsorships, scholarships and community action programs.

The Big Rapids Elks tent will be near the lodge at 203 E. Pine St.

Ferris State University is making it more convenient for students to travel between the Big Rapids campus and programs based in Grand Rapids with enhanced bus service through the Bulldog Line partnership with the Rapid.

Bulldog Line service starts again on Monday, Aug. 31, with a new schedule serving as a convenient and inexpensive way to commute between Big Rapids and Grand Rapids, with stops in Cedar Springs.

The complete schedule and details on purchasing the service are available here.

One-way trips are only $5, but students can purchase unlimited use for the semester for $480 or pay $120 for 30 consecutive days. 

The 40-foot bus is unmistakable as it rides around town or on U.S. 131, emblazoned with the proud Ferris State Bulldog. The bus has seating capacity of 40 passengers and standing room for about 20 people.

The Bulldog line originates in Grand Rapids at Central Station, 250 Cesar Chavez Ave. SW, starting at 5:15 a.m.

Northbound stops are planned near Ferris State’s Kendall College of Art and Design at the intersection of Ionia Avenue and Monroe Center St. starting at 8:07 a.m.

The bus stops at the Meijer at 3700 17 Mile Road in Cedar Springs, with the stop located in the parking lot directly south of the Meijer gas station.

The first Big Rapids stop is at Bond Court, with the bus shelter outside Puterbaugh Hall, across the street from the Michigan College of Optometry.

The Bulldog Line then heads to Granger Building with the stop at the north end of building in lot 2D. Riders can stand in the north end vestibule of the Granger Building or outside under cover. 

The southbound trip includes stops again at Meijer in Cedar Springs, KCAD at the intersection of Division Avenue and Fountain Street and then to the Rapid’s Central Station.

The Bulldog Line route follows the academic year and provides transit when classes are in session. The bus does not operate in the summer or on days when classes aren't held, such as holidays.

Anyone with questions about Bulldog Line between Grand Rapids and Big Rapids can call Campus Auxiliary Services at (231) 591-5402

To see where the Bulldog Line is at any time, check the Rapid Connect webpage or download the MyStop App. For questions on bus delays, call the Rapid at (616) 776-1100.

Through the MyStop app students can subscribe to text or email messages and alerts regarding the bus. Riders are also encouraged to sign up forFerris Emergency Text Alerts to receive updates on weather related cancellations and other special announcements.

_{Release and photo courtesy of Ferris State University.}

The nationally top-ranked Ferris State University football squad will host the Bentley (Mass.) Falcons in its regular-season home opener this Friday (Sept. 4) at Top Taggart Field. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. (ET).

Friday's home opener will be presented by Century 21 White House Realty and the first 1,000 fans will receive free white rally towels. All FSU fans are encouraged to wear white for the evening "White Out" game.

Fans are also encouraged to arrive early for the Campus Communities Fan Zone, which will take place this year starting 90 minutes prior to kickoff inside the stadium games. The special area will feature a mechanical bull among other initiatives.

The two-time defending national champion Bulldogs beat fourth-ranked Pittsburg State (Kan.) by a 42-14 score in the season opener this past week. FSU currently owns a school all-time best and nation-leading 31-game winning streak and the Bulldogs are also rinding a current 29-game home winning streak at Top Taggart Field dating back to 2022.

Friday night's game will mark the Bulldogs' first-ever matchup versus the Falcons, who reached the D2 Playoffs a year ago with a 7-4 overall record. Bentley will open its 2026 season in Big Rapids.

The FSU-Bentley football game will be broadcast live locally by the Bulldog Sports Network and Sunny 97.3 FM with Rob Bentley handling the play-by-play duties and Sandy Gholston offering color commentary. The Bulldog Tailgate Show starts at 4 p.m. (ET) with the Johnson Automotive Pregame Show beginning at 5 p.m. The contest will also be televised on FloCollege and FloSports with video coverage provided by Ferris State Television.

Tickets for Friday's game can be bought online at FerrisStateBulldogs.com/Tickets and fans are encouraged to purchase their digital tickets in advance to avoid the gameday lines. The Wheeler Pavilion Gameday Ticket Office will also open on Friday starting at 4:30 p.m. (ET). All tickets purchased at the box office and not online will be an additional $5. For more information on ticket sales, please call (231) 591-2888 or visit FerrisStateBulldogs.com.

Football tickets for Friday's game are $20 for adults, $15 for senior citizens (ages 65+) and FSU faculty/staff along with $10 for students age 5-17 when purchased in advance online plus fees. Ferris students with ID will be admitted free by showing their student identification cards.

Tailgating will be permitted on Friday starting at 3 p.m. (ET) with the gates to the stadium opening 90 minutes prior to kickoff at 4:30 p.m. (ET). All tailgating must end 15 minutes before kickoff.

Parking in lots near Top Taggart Field is $10 per car or $30 per oversized vehicle (bus, motor coach, motor home, trailer, etc.) when purchased in advance online plus fees. As a convenience to fans, credit cards will also be accepted at the ticket window along with the concession stand.

For additional information and details, please visit FerrisStateBulldogs.com.

_{Release and image courtesy of Ferris State Athletics.}

At approximately 6:26 p.m. on Thursday, Sep. 3, 2026, a 59-year-old man from Morley was taken to the hospital following a crash in Aetna Township.

According the deputies, the crash occured at the intersection of 3 Mile Road and Northland Drive near Morley. The driver, who was on a motorcycle, was approaching the intersection and got hit by a vehicle turning onto 3 Mile Road. 

"The driver of the motorcycle sustained minor injuries from the crash and was transported to Big Rapids Corewell Health," Mecosta County Sheriff's Office said.

Deputies were assisted by Meceola Central Dispatch, Morley Area Fire & Rescue, and Mecosta County EMS.

Monday, August 24

• An officer was dispatched to a dispute between two parties. The complainant advised they just wanted the incident documented and did not want the officer to contact the other person. 

Tuesday, August 25

• No calls/arrests reported.

Wednesday, August 26

• An officer was dispatched for a check wellbeing on a juvenile. The juvenile was fine and did not require any services.

Thursday, August 27

• An officer was requested to assist with a medical emergency. 

• An officer was requested to assist with another medical emergency.

Friday, August 28

• An officer was dispatched to a larceny complaint. Upon arrival, the officer was advised a subject stole beer off a delivery truck and the incident was recorded on video. The subject was identified and trespassed from the property. A report is being forwarded to the prosecutor for review. 
• An officer was dispatched to a suspicious situation. After investigating the complaint, it was determined that no criminal offense had occurred. 

Saturday, August 29

• No calls/arrests reported.

Sunday, August 30

• An officer was dispatched to investigate a property damage accident. 
• An officer was dispatched to an assault not in progress. The complaint remains open pending further investigation.

On Tuesday, Sept. 1, Consumers Credit Union broke ground on a new 5,480-square foot office in Big Rapids.

Several community leaders joined Consumers for the groundbreaking, including Big Rapids Mayor Fred Guenther, City Manager Mark Gifford, Regional Chamber President Sarah Dixon and Ferris State University President Bill Pink.

“Big Rapids has a lot of growth ahead of it, and we want to be part of that,” said Scott Sylvester, president and CEO of Consumers.

The location at 900 Water Tower Road previously housed Dr. Herbert L. Dulaney’s orthodontic practice.

The Big Rapids office, which hopes to open in spring or early summer of 2027, will offer a full range of financial services, including personal checking and savings accounts, credit cards, mortgages, lending, investments and financial education. Kate Batchelder, office manager at Consumers’ Cascade location, will lead the new Big Rapids office.

“We love putting the right people in the right place,” Sylvester said. “Kate has done an outstanding job serving members and leading our Cascade team, and we’re confident she’ll bring that same energy and commitment to Big Rapids.”

The building will include about 2,725 square feet for credit union operations and a 2,755-square-foot community space. It also will feature two remote TellerPlus+ units.

Project partners include builder GDK and Bosch Architecture.

_{Image courtesy of City of Big Rapids.}

After four decades in Big Rapids, Preferred Office Machines will now be undergoing a merger with Kraft Business Systems.

According to lifetime owner John Milan, the Big Rapids businessfront will be open until the last week of October.

“Your trust and loyalty over the past four decades have meant everything to me,” he said. “It has been the honor of my career to serve you, and this next chapter is about making sure you’re taken care of for many years to come.”

Kraft Business Systems, based in West Michigan, has operated since 1994. The company provides IT services, cybersecurity, copiers and printers, managed print services, document management and business process automation. It has offices in Caledonia, Southfield and Traverse City.

“You can continue doing business exactly the way you always have,” Milan said. “Your service and equipment and the relationship you’ve come to rely on will carry forward seamlessly. At Kraft, their number one priority is a relentless commitment to the client experience."

The merger is official as of Tuesday, Sep. 1. For more information, contact Preferred Office Machines on their website.

The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) is reporting the state's first case of eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) in a domestic animal for 2026. The disease was detected in an under-vaccinated one-year-old Quarter Horse colt from Clare County. The colt was taken to a specialty hospital for care but was humanely euthanized. The detection highlights the importance for all Michiganders to take every precaution to protect their animals and themselves from mosquito bites. 

"While this is the first case of EEE detected in an animal this season, there has already been one human case of the disease this year,"  said State Veterinarian Dr. Nora Wineland, DVM, MS, DACVPM. "These detections clearly indicate EEE, as well as other possible mosquito-borne viruses, are circulating in the state s mosquito population. Preventing mosquito bites is crucial to prevent mosquito-borne diseases in our animals and families."

EEE is a zoonotic, viral disease transmitted through the bites of mosquitoes to both animals and people. Cases of the disease are typically seen in late summer to early fall each year in Michigan. EEE and other mosquito-borne diseases are not spread by horse-to-horse or horse-to-human contact.

"With the recent case of EEE in a Roscommon County resident and now this new detection, it is crucial that Michigan residents take precautions against mosquito bites,"  said Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, Chief Medical Executive. "EEE is one of the most dangerous mosquito-borne diseases in the U.S., with a 30% fatality rate among people who become ill. We urge residents to take precautions such as using an EPA-registered insect repellent when outdoors, avoiding areas where mosquitoes are present if possible and wearing clothing to cover arms and legs to prevent bites."

To prevent the occurrence of mosquito-borne diseases in horses and other animals, owners can:

• Talk to a veterinarian about vaccinating horses against EEE, WNV, and other mosquito-borne diseases.
• Eliminate standing water by filling in puddles, repairing eaves, and changing the water in buckets and bowls at least once a day.
• Place livestock in a barn under fans and keep pets inside the home during peak mosquito activity from dusk to dawn.
• Use an insect repellant on animals that is approved for the species.
• Contact a veterinarian if an animal shows signs of illness.
  • If a Michigan animal is suspected of having EEE or WNV, funding is available under an arbovirus grant to cover these testing costs. Please contact MDARD at 800-292-3939 for more details.

To protect yourself and your family from mosquito-borne diseases:

• Apply insect repellents that contain the active ingredient DEET or other EPA-approved products to exposed skin or clothing. Always follow the manufacturer s directions for use.
• Wear light-colored, long-sleeved shirts and long pants when outdoors. Apply insect repellent to clothing to help prevent bites.
• Maintain window and door screening to help keep mosquitoes outside.
• Empty water from mosquito breeding sites around the home, such as buckets, unused kiddie pools, old tires, and other water-holding containers where mosquitoes can lay eggs.

For the latest information on cases of mosquito-borne diseases in Michigan, please visit Michigan.gov/EmergingDiseases for weekly summaries. To learn more about EEE, please visit Michigan.gov/EEE. The latest updates on EEE and other equine diseases can be found by visiting the Equine Disease Communication Center at EquineDiseaseCC.org.

_{Release courtesy of Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development.}