Office furniture maker Haworth will be consolidating its facilities and moving as many as 70 employees from its Steel components plant in Holland to its facility here in Big Rapids. The announcement came Thursday by the West Michigan company. According to company officials the move will be made in phases through the end of March. In related news, the office furniture maker will be offering 400 employees severance packages and shut down its Douglas plant by 2014.

McDonald’s Corporation announced today that McDonald’s owner/operator Eric Rodewald has taken ownership of the McDonald’s restaurant at 1020 South State Street in Big Rapids, Mich. from Marks Management, which is in Traverse City. Marks Management continues to operate 10 McDonald’s restaurants in Cadillac, Gaylord, Lake City, Traverse City and Williamsburg. “Eric is a class act and great operator,” said Molly Buttleman of Marks Management.

A 20-year old man and 18-year old female both from Stanwood were arrested in connection to a string of local storage unit break-ins around the city of Big Rapids. Police say the couple admitted to the thefts. Charges are being sought be the Mecosta County Prosecutor. A third suspect is being sought as well, he is described as a white male who identified himself as “Bill” is 35-50 years old with brown hair, a mustache, longer sideburns, medium build, being heavier in his mid-section. He was last seen driving a blue full size pickup with a greenish tint.

A 20-year old man and 18-year old female both from Stanwood were arrested in connection to a string of local storage unit break-ins around the city of Big Rapids. Police say the couple admitted to the thefts. Charges are being sought be the Mecosta County Prosecutor. A third suspect is being sought as well, he is described as a white male who identified himself as “Bill” is 35-50 years old with brown hair, a mustache, longer sideburns, medium build, being heavier in his mid-section. He was last scene driving a blue full size pickup with a greenish tint.

Lights...Camera....Action!... An ABC television crew was at Crankers Brewery in Big Rapids Friday to film segments for a new series called North American Brew Trail. The local brewery which opened this past February will be featured with a handful of other craft breweries around the country. Crankers Brewery owner Jim Crank says its an honor to be featured and its great for Big Rapids as well. He says he attributes the early success to Brewmaster Adam Mills who has created its six signature beers which includes the Professor IPA and Strongarm Stout. The series is expected to air in October.

The eighth annual Meijer Madness event in Big Rapids will welcome Ferris State University students back to campus from 7 to 10 p.m. Saturday. About 3,500 students are expected to attend the event featuring tons of drawings and giveaways from 24 local businesses outside the store including product samples and coupons. In the store, students can take Shutterbooth photos and enter to win raffle prizes or bust a move in a dance area. Meijer also is offering 10 percent off total purchases. Free busing for students starts at 7:45 p.m.

Parents of incoming freshmen help with the unloading of boxes to take into the dorm

Police are searching for a suspect who they say stabbed a 21-year old man in his arm after a verbal altercation at a apartment complex in Big rapids. Officers at Big Rapids DPS say the assault happened just before 1 am this morning in the parking lot of the Appleridge Apartments. Police say 4 suspects were identified and three of them were caught and lodged on separate charges. The main suspect has been identified as well but is still at large. The weapon has not been recovered. If you have any information on the whereabouts of the suspect please contact Big Rapids DPS at 231-527-0005.

The City of Big Rapids will file a $2.57 million-dollar federal grant application with the U.S. Economic Development Administration to expand the Baldwin Street Bridge reconstruction project. The approval to apply for the federal grant came during the Monday night City Commission meeting at City Hall. The proposed project will include new water mains and storm sewers and changing a portion of Riverwalk. In addition, the city has also made an offer to purchase the Hanchett Manufacturing facility and its 5-acre property.

As part of the Maple Street Bridge renovation project in Big Rapids, the bridge will be closed starting Friday night for weatherproofing. Officials say traffic will be diverted to the Baldwin Street Bridge starting at 9 p.m. on Friday, with the bridge re-opening by 6 a.m. on Monday. Construction is expected to be completed by September 29th.