Let the orange barrel season begin in Mecosta County! Michigan Department of Transportation officials say lane closures for road repair will take effect today from 9am to 3pm on M-66 (30th Ave) between 6 Mile Road and 7 Mile Road in Wheatland Township. MDOT Officials say both directions of traffic will be maintained on a single lane under flag control. The road work is weather dependent.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is awarding Recreation Passport Grant Program (RPGP) development grants to both the City of Cadillac and Wheatland Township in Mecosta County.  The two grants total $90,000 in new projects for the 102nd District, including a playground at Lakefront Park on the shore of Lake Cadillac and basketball courts and infrastructure improvements at Wheatland Township Park. State House Rep.

Local State House Rep. Phil Potvin will be holding office hours today in Mecosta County. Potvin will be available for local residents from 12:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Wheatland Township Hall in Remus. Potvin says It is important to hear constituents thoughts and concerns, so he can take them back to the State Capitol and ensure he is aking the right decisions for them."

In local election news Wheatland Township voters said “yes” to renew a fire protection millage of 2 mills to provide funds for firefighting equipment and for all other operating expenditures for provision of fire protection services. But township did however say “no” to an additional road repair millage of one mill for years 2012 through 2022 to maintain township roads.

Two women were taken to the hospital after a drunk driver crossed the center line on M-20 near 10th Ave.and struck their vehicle Thursday night. Mecosta County Sheriff Deputies say the 37-year old Coopersville man was traveling a east bound in an SUV when he struck a west bound mini-van driven by 23 year old Hillary Denslow of Remus. Denslow and her mother, Shirley Denslow, were both injured in the accident. Hillary Denslow was transported to MCMC by EMS. Shirley was transported to MCMC as well, by other family members. Both subjects were treated for their injuries and released.