The Mecosta County Sheriffs Department continues to investigate a bomb threat that occurred Friday at Walmart in Big Rapids. Deputies say a white male subject had gone up to a Walmart employee and made a comment about a bomb going off in an hour or 2.  The building was evacuated for approximately  2 hours while deputies searched the building and investigated the incident. The remains under investigation.

A Big Rapids woman could face life in prison after she was arrested on drug charges for the second time in less than a year. 45-year old Arlitha Gidron, was two weeks away from being sentenced for her role in numerous crimes involving drugs in 2012 was arrested again on Feburary 28th by the Central Michigan Enforcement Team . She was officially charged in Mecosta Co. Court with one count of conducting a criminal enterprise and two counts of delivering morphine. Both charges carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.

Beginning at 8am on Friday, the Mecosta County Road Commission seasonal weight restrictions on local roads will be enforced. The restriction impacts the speed and weight of various semi-trucks and even farm equipment. The restrictions are put in place to reduce damage on local roads like potholes. Violators will be ticketed and fined. For more info on weight restrictions go to mecostaroads.org or call (231)796-2611.

A Reed City man faces 14-years in prison after he was arraigned in Mecosta County District Court on charges connected to a stabbing early Friday morning outside the Gypsy Nickel Lounge in Big Rapids. 22-year old Simon Shelton is charged with one count of assault with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder, and one count of felonious assault with a deadly weapon. Police say Shelton was extremely intoxicated when he was escorted out of the Big Rapids bar when an altercation occurred a short time later and Shelton stabbed the victim in the abdomen with a knife.

A 22-year old Reed City man will be arraigned today in Mecosta County Court on charges connected to a stabbing in Big Rapids early Friday morning. Authorities say an altercation occurred outside of the Gypsy Nickel Lounge where the extremely intoxicated suspect pulled out a knife and stabbed the victim in the stomach. The suspect is currently being held in the Mecosta Co. jail on a felonious assault charge. Image by Salvatore Vuono

Four people were taken to the hospital including three children after a car/ Amish buggy accident in Mecosta County Sunday. Deputies say the accident happened on 5 mile rd near 155th Ave in Deerfield Twp.  A car driven by 27-year old Douglas Sutherland of Lakeview, was traveling westbound on 5 mile rd.  An Amish horse drawn buggy driven by 36-year old William Miller of Howard City was traveling east on 5 mile rd.  According to witnesses, the horse pulling the buggy suddenly reared up and ran into the westbound lane of traffic.

A 23-year old Austin Township man is in jail after attacking his parents with a metal pipe. Mecosta County Sheriff Deputies say the incident happened Sunday morning at 8:59AM. When deputies went to the residence to make contact with the suspect he confronted them with a knife in his hand. A Taser was deployed but it did not disable the suspect. Deputies were able to disarm the suspect and take him into custody. The suspect is lodged at the Mecosta County Jail facing charges of felonious domestic assault against his parents and felony assault on police officers and resisting arrest.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is reminding anglers that mandatory ice shanty removal deadlines are approaching, and that regardless of date, shanties must be removed as soon as the ice is unable to safely hold them. Shanties must be removed from the ice by midnight on Friday in southern Lower Peninsula counties. The northern Lower Peninsula removal deadline is midnight on Friday, March 15. After the mandatory removal dates, ice shanties may be used but must be removed daily.

As Mecosta County residents continue to dig out of the latest winter storm to hit the area. The Mecosta County Road Commission continues to buy sand and salt for the last few cold months. Manager Joyce Randell says overall, this winter is on par with previous ones for their winter budget but one difference is that they have bought 40% salt and sand this year compared to 2012. Randell says they anticipate more pothole and patch work during the spring and summer on county roads due to the winter.

More than 120 people in their best costumes took the icy plunge into Chippewa Lake over the weekend all in the name of Special Olympics. The sixth annual Polar Plunge in Mecosta County raised more than $23,000 for Area 5 Special Olympic athletes. This year's event raised more than $4,300 more than the 2012 event.