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News That Affects You Archives for 2018-03

Mandatory auto insurance fee going up 13% for Michigan drivers

Michigan's mandatory fee to cover unlimited medical benefits for injured drivers is going up to $192 a year, an increase of $22 over the current annual fee per insured vehicle.

 

The Michigan Catastrophic Claims Association announcing the 13% increase, which follows a 6.3% increase in 2017.

 

The fee revenue largely covers care for people with brain, spinal cord, back and neck injuries.

 

Officials say the fee hike is due to higher-than-expected claims, partially offset by better-than-expected investment returns.

 

Newaygo man arraigned on charges following standoff in Osceola Co.

A Newaygo man accused of breaking into his ex-wife's Osceola County home and making threats to her and himself then being involved in a standoff with police has been arraigned.

 

54-year old Jeffery Christensen was charged with one count of first degree home invasion.

 

The incident happened on Sunday when police got a call from a woman who said her ex-husband had broken in with a handgun and was making threats.

 

According to the Osceola County Sheriff's Office additional charges against Christensen are possible pending current investigation.

 

His bond was set at $200,000.

 

Osceola County Deputies respond to standoff on Sunday

A standoff in Osceola County on Sunday ended peacefully.

 

The Osceola County Sheriff's Office received a call about a home invasion in progress at a residence on 12 Mile Rd. Between 230th Ave and Lakeola Rd.

 

Under sheriff Justin Halladay said the caller stated her ex-husband came into her home unannounced and unwelcome. The caller stated the man had a gun and was making threats to her and himself.

 

The woman was able to escape and go to a neighbor's home to call 911.

 

Halladay said contact was then made by police with the suspect.

 

The suspect was threatening to kill himself and any officer's responding.

 

Using a combination of loud speaker commands and a flash bang outside of the home, officers were able to coax the suspect out.

 

He was taken into custody without incident.

 

The suspect has been charged with home invasion and felonious assault.

 

 

Former K-Mart space in Big Rapids to be filled with additional new retailers

Photo credit: Colliers International | West Michigan

 

Two new tenants will fill the former K-Mart building located in Ferris Commons, the retail strip at 1250 Perry Ave. in Big Rapids. Colliers International | West Michigan announced that JoAnn Fabric will occupy 15,000 square feet and Grand Rapids-based CareLinc Medical will occupy the balance of the former big box anchor after signing a lease for 10,000 square feet in March.

 

Big Rapids continues to attract major retailers that see the value and potential of the Ferris Commons location. As the interest in the Ferris Commons location increases, so does the attraction to Big Rapids for regional and national retailers, such as CareLinc Medical and JoAnn Fabric,” said Mark Ansara, Colliers International | West Michigan Associate Vice President. “Ferris State University is a major draw, as well as the convenience of US-131 just east of the location, so the right tenant mix for the former K-Mart building noticed the benefits of this location.”

 

The 80,000-square-foot anchor space was previously occupied by K-Mart, but now holds Family Farm and Home, Planet Fitness and its newest tenants, JoAnn Fabric and CareLinc Medical. Splitting these former big box stores into multiple suites follows a national retail trend and creatively reuses these large buildings. The adjacent strip center also includes Peebles, Dollar Tree, Goodwill, Buffalo Wild Wings and AT&T.

 

We are thrilled to see that the former K-Mart building is now filled with strong businesses, including JoAnn Fabric and CareLinc,” said Jennifer Heinzman, Mecosta County Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director. “We have received a number of requests from the community for JoAnn Fabric over recent yeas, so we are confident the store will thrive in Big Rapids. We are grateful for the JoAnn Fabric investment in Mecosta County.”

 

JoAnn Fabric and CareLinc are both great complements the other existing tenants and accomplishes the growth in retail offerings within the space. 

 

Reed City apartment tenants displaced following complex fire Sunday

As many as 40 apartment tenants are looking for a new home following a apartment complex fire Sunday morning in Reed City. 

 

Reed City Fire Chief Jeff Stein said they got the call about the blaze at Crossroads Apartments just before 6am, Sunday morning. 

 

No injuries were reported and everyone made it out safely. 

 

Stein says residents were taken to the R.C. Fire Department where further arraignments were made with officials from the American Red Cross. 

 

The cause of the fire is still being investigated by Michigan State Police and the Reed City Police Department.  

Rep. Hoitenga excited for counties in her district to get extra road funding

 

Michigan Governor Rick Snyder has signed legislation to boost spending on roads and bridges.

 

The $175 million increase is 7 percent above existing spending.

 

The move comes as motorists throughout the state continue to deal with horrendous road conditions and vehicle-damaging potholes.

 

Republican State Rep. Michele Hoitenga of Manton said today, an investment coming without higher taxes or fees.

 

Improving the condition of our roads is one of my top priorities, because it is one of the top priorities of just about everyone I talk to from all of our communities,” Hoitenga said after a plan she supported was signed into law. “Too many of our roads are in bad shape and in desperate need of an upgrade. This money doesn’t solve all of our problems, but it most definitely helps – especially after this rough winter and all the potholes it caused.”

 

Much of the money is headed directly to counties, cities and villages for road preservation and construction. The money is left over from a previous budget cycle by various state departments, meaning no budget cuts or additional fees or taxes are required for the investment.

 

The road agency for Mecosta County will receive just over $455,000 in funding beyond what was previously planned. In addition, cities and villages within the county will get extra funding estimated as follows: Big Rapids ($70,522.49), Barryton ($3,096.25), Mecosta ($4,937.16), Morley ($4,983.62) and Stanwood ($1,995.56).

 

Wexford County’s road agency will receive just under $420,000. Cities and villages within the county will get more money on top of that allocation including Buckley ($7,280.65), Cadillac ($82,292.32), Harrietta ($2,882.69), Manton ($11,432.26) and Mesick ($5,076.31). Amounts are estimates.

 

Osceola County will receive just under $345,000, with Reed City getting an estimated $20,092.52, LeRoy getting an estimated $4,980.13 and Tustin receiving an estimated $2,880.68.

 

The extra money comes in addition to record-level road funding provided by previous long-term reforms. The state also has strengthened its warranty system designed to make sure new and refurbished roads will last longer.

 

Ferris State heading to the Division II Final Four for the first time following win over Barry

The Ferris State University men's basketball squad advanced to the NCAA Division II National Semifinals for the first time in school history as the Bulldogs pulled out a 87-84 triumph over Barry (Fla.) in the D2 Elite Eight quarterfinals on Tuesday (March 20) at the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, S.D.

 

FSU led from start to finish, but had to hold off a hard-charging Barry team down the stretch while improving to a nation-leading 36-1 overall. The victory was FSU's 24th-straight to date this year, which also leads the country.

 

With the win, top-seeded Ferris State will now face fourth-seeded West Texas A&M in the national semifinals on Thursday (March 22) with tipoff set for 7 p.m. (ET) in Sioux Falls. The national title game is on Saturday (March 24) at 3 p.m. (ET).

 

Ferris State took an early lead in the win over the Buccaneers and built a 15-point advantage with 8:12 to go in the first half. However, Barry rallied and trimmed the margin to 39-37 at the break.

 

However, despite staying close in the game, Barry never could get over the hump and never led in the contest. FSU seized control early in the second frame and held on down the stretch to pull out the triumph.

 

Senior guard Drew Cushingberry had a big day for the Bulldogs with a game-high 20 points on six-of-11 shooting, including knocking down three treys in the win. Fellow senior wing Peter Firlik added 18 points and went eight-of-12 from the floor.

 

The Bulldogs also got 15 points and 11 rebounds with three blocks from junior All-America center Zach Hankins. Finally, FSU's DeShaun Thrower also reached double-digits with 11 points in the win.

 

Ferris State shot 49.2% overall for the game and went seven-of-21 (33.3%) from downtown along with 16-of-26 (61.5%) at the line. Barry finished shooting 40.9% from the floor and hit eight-of-25 (32%) from long range in addition to 75.9% (22-29) at the stripe.

Barry was paced by Daniel Mortensen, who finished with a team-high 17 points. Standout guard Elvar Fridriksson added 16 points with Evan Walshe contributing 13 points.

 

The Bulldogs outrebounded BU 40-39 for the game and both teams totaled nine turnovers. FSU also had six blocked shots and three steals with 18 assists, including four each from both Markese Mayfield and Cushingberry.

 

Meanwhile, Barry totaled four steals and 14 assists with no blocks in the game. Bu held a 16-9 margin in second chance scoring against FSU and both teams totaled 36 points inside the paint.

 

In addition to the four players in double-digits, the Bulldogs also got eight points from Mayfield and seven from senior wing Noah King.

Barry closed its season with a 23-9 overall record.

 

Ferris State is making its first NCAA Division II Elite Eight appearance in 30 years with the only other trip to school history to the national quarterfinals coming in 1988. FSU had never advanced to the semifinals prior to Tuesday's win.

 

Thursday night's game will be carried live by local flagship station Sunny 97.3 FM and the Bulldog Sports Network at FerrisStateBulldogs.com. It will also be televised nationally by CBS Sports Network.

State House Rep. Hoitenga to run for reelection in the 102nd District

Current State House Representative Michele Hoitenga says she will run for reelection for the 102nd seat. 

 

In a statement Republican State Rep. Michele Hoitenga says:

 

Over my first year serving in the House of Representatives, I voted to reduce Michigan’s income tax, remove barriers on veteran benefits, expand skilled trades opportunities, appropriate money to fix roads without raising taxes, ensure car insurance is more affordable, make state government more efficient and transparent, protect Second Amendment rights, and expand broadband to rural areas,”

Hoitenga said. “I have a proven record of getting things done in Lansing and want to continue fighting for the good people in the 102 nd  district.”

 

Hoitenga will be on the August 7 th , 2018 primary ballot.


 

 

Ferris State's Andy Bronkema Tabbed Basketball Times National Coach Of Year, Hankins An All-American

Ferris State University men's basketball head coach Andy Bronkema has been chosen as the 2018 Basketball Times National Coach of the Year for his efforts in leading the Bulldogs to the most historic season in school history.

 

Along with Bronkema's national recognition, junior center Zach Hankins (Charlevoix) was also named to the Basketball Times All-America Second Team after previously earning first team National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) All-America kudos.

 

This season, Bronkema guided the Bulldogs to a second consecutive Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) Regular-Season Championship, a fourth-straight league tournament title and the school's second-ever regional crown.

 

Basketball Times is the leading, year-round college basketball magazine since launching in 1980. The all-star roster of national writers touches on every aspect of the game from the preps to the pros, featuring all levels of college basketball, including small colleges, women's basketball, junior colleges and the international game.

 

Ferris State has never had a bigger season than the 35-1 record this season under Bronkema, including a 23-game winning streak.

 

Bronkema's route to the Elite Eight started 11 years ago when he began his coaching career as a volunteer coach at Ferris State, followed by assistant coach, interim head coach and then, five years ago, head coach of the Bulldogs.

 

Hankins earned All-America accolades for the second consecutive season this year after being a consensus All-America choice a year ago. He was the only player from a GLIAC member school chosen to the 2018 NABC All-America squad or any of the three Basketball Times All-America listings.

 

This year, Hankins has paced the Bulldogs in scoring and rebounding while also leading the conference in rebounding, field goal percentage and blocked shots. He has compiled 31 double-figure scoring efforts to date this season for the Bulldogs and ranked among the national leaders in several statistical categories.

 

Previously, Hankins was tabbed to the NABC All-Midwest District First Team squad and also chosen as the NABC's Midwest Region Player of the Year. He's currently a finalist for the NABC Player of the Year distinction, which goes to the top D2 player in the country.

 

Ferris State will open play in the NCAA Division II Elite Eight as the nation's #1 seed on Tuesday, March 20, versus Barry (Fla.) in the national quarterfinals at 3:30 p.m. (ET) in Sioux Falls, S.D.

DNR investigating bald eagle death in Mecosta Co.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is asking for the public's help in its investigation of a bald eagle death in Mecosta County. 

 

 

DNR officials say the eagle was discovered in a tree in Grant Township on March 1.

 

The bird was the victim of a traumatic injury.

 

Lab tests at Michigan State University could help determine the eagle's cause of death.

 

The penalty for killing a bald eagle is up to 90 days in jail, a fine ranging from $100 to $1,000, or both; and reimbursement to the state of $1,500 per eagle.

 

Anyone with information can call the DNR at (800) 292-7800.

 

Police locate missing Newaygo Co. woman in Texas

A missing Newaygo Co. woman who was last seen in Mecosta Township has been located by police.

 

Michigan State Police say 31-year old Becky Miller was located by authorities in Texas.

 

She was found in the area with a Texas resident, not the individual identified in a press release issued on Wednesday.

 

Police have determined Miller voluntarily left Michigan and no safety concerns were identified.

 

Police identify husband and wife in attempted murder-suicide case in Isabella Co.

We now know the names of those involved in the attempted murder/ suicide out of Isabella County. 

 

Sheriff Michael Main says 68-year old Brad Hatt shot his wife Janice multiple times before calling 911 and turning the gun on himself.

 

Main says they are still investigating what the motive could be.

 

Following surgery for her injuries, Janice Hatt is currently in critical condition at a Grand Rapids area hospital.

 

 

Police investigating attempted murder in Isabella Co.

 

One man is dead while one woman is fighting for her life in Isabella County.

 

Sheriff Michael Main says officers received a call from a man who said he shot his wife.

 

When deputies arrived to the scene, they found a 68-year old man on the floor dead and his 66-year old wife shot multiple times.

 

Police say a weapon was also on the floor next to him.

 

It happened south of Blanchard at the intersection of South Brinton Road and Jerseyville roads.

 

The woman was taken to a Grand Rapids area hospital, and her condition is unknown at this time.


 

 

Police out this weekend looking for drivers under the influence

A busy weekend ahead with March Madness, St. Patrick's Day this Saturday as well as spring break for a lot of students.

 

Local police say they will also be busy with extra patrols on the lookout for drunk drivers as part of the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over enforcement period through April 2nd.

 

The extra patrols being funded through federal grants to area police and sheriffs departments.

 

Officials say nearly 2,200 in Michigan were arrested for drunk driving during the NCAA tournament in 2015.

 

SPORTS: Ferris State Wins NCAA Division II Midwest Regional Championship To Advance To Elite Eight

A magical season continues for the Ferris State University men's basketball squad as the Bulldogs captured the 2018 NCAA Division II Midwest Regional Championship on their home floor with an exciting 80-65 victory over the Findlay Oilers on Tuesday (March 13) night before a sellout crowd of 2,434 fans at FSU's Jim Wink Arena.

 

With the win, the Bulldogs advance to the NCAA Division II Elite Eight set for March 20-24 in Sioux Falls, S.D. The official seedings and tournament matchups for the national quarterfinals slated for next Tuesday will be announced soon by the NCAA.

 

The Bulldogs won their 23rd consecutive contest and avenged last year's regional semifinal setback to the Oilers with a strong effort fueled by the home crowd. FSU improved to a nation-leading 35-1 overall and finished unbeaten at 22-0 home this season.

 

Ferris State jumped out to an early lead and led 38-29 at halftime, but Findlay battled back and took a two-point lead with 7:56 remaining. Down the stretch, though, the Bulldogs made the big days and outscored UF 42-36 over the final 20 minutes to secure the homecourt win.

 

Senior guard Drew Cushingberry tallied a game-high 21 points and earned Midwest Regional Most Outstanding Player honors in leading FSU to the win. The Bulldogs also got a big performance off the bench from guard DeShaun Thrower, who finished with 20 points on seven-of-12 shooting.

 

Along with their performances, junior center Zach Hankins added 12 points and 12 boards along with three blocked shots. He also earned all-tourney honors along with senior forward Noah King.

 

Ferris State had to battle past a talented Findlay lineup led by standout forward Taren Sullivan, who finished with 16 points. He claimed all-tourney honors for the Oilers along with senior guard Martyce Kimbrough, but FSU was able to limit him to only six points on two-of-12 shooting in the regional final.

 

FSU shot at a 42.4% clip and hit seven-of-23 three's (30.4%) along with 17-of-22 (77.3%) free throws. The Bulldogs also outrebounded Findlay 49-35 and came up with 16 offensive rebounds, which led to a 13-6 margin in second chance scoring.

 

The Bulldogs limited Findlay to 38.9% shooting with the Oilers going four-of-26 (15.4%) and five-of-five (100.0%) at the stripe.

 

Ferris State hosted the D2 Midwest Regional for the first time in school history and will advance to the D2 Elite Eight for the second time and the first since 1988-89.

 

The win was FSU's second-straight over Findlay following a buzzer-beating win earlier this season in non-league action, but the first against the Oilers in national tournament play in three tries. UF had beat FSU in the 2005 regional final at Croy Gymnasium in Findlay.

Spectrum Health Big Rapids Hospital Walk-in Clinic to open next month

 

A new walk-in medical clinic will be opening next month to offer services in Big Rapids.

 

Spectrum Health Big Rapids Hospital Walk-In Clinic will open April 2, offering immediate care without an appointment for those who feel ill or have minor injuries-- but don’t require emergency care.

 

The walk-in clinic will be located in the Medical Arts Building, 650 Linden Street, adjacent to Big Rapids Hospital.

 

The clinic will be open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Officials say there are plans for adding Saturday hours at a later date.

 

For more information about the Big Rapids Hospital Walk-In Clinic, log on to  spectrumhealth.org/walkinclinic.

 

 

Meeting to be held to inform Newaygo Co. residents of new flood warning system on Muskegon River

 

The Newaygo Co. Emergency Manager will be holding a meeting to give area residents an update on the new flood warning system on the Muskegon River and what impacts it will have on current and future emergency notifications for their specific neighborhoods.

 

The Community Meeting will be staffed with representatives from various local, state, and federal agencies who will provide the most current information about flood monitoring and communications resources, flood warning, flood response, and mitigation resources.

 

The meeting will be held this Thursday from 6pm-8pm at Newaygo High School.

 

UPDATE: Morley man arraigned on charges following alleged assault on police

 

A 25-year old Morley man accused of assaulting a police officer on Sunday has been identified and arraigned.

 

The Mecosta Co. Sheriff's office says Juan Maldonado is being held in jail on $100,000 bond.

 

During an investigation of a domestic complaint, Maldonado is accused of fighting deputies.

 

When police took him into custody they found a knife in his pocket.

 

Morley man arrested after assaulting officers

 

A Morley man is charged after he allegedly assaulted a police officer early Sunday morning.

 

Mecosta County Sheriff Deputies say they were called to a residence to investigate a domestic complaint.

 

When officers arrived to the scene, they made contact with the 25-year old suspect.

 

The Morley man failed to comply with deputies.

 

While deputies attempted to take the suspect into custody, he began to fight with police. When a deputy deployed a taser, the suspect attempted to disarm the officer.

 

When the suspect was taken into custody, he was found to be in possession of a knife which was concealed in his pocket.

 

The Morley man is expected to be arraigned on multiple felony charges.

 

Top-Seeded Ferris State Advances To Midwest Regional Championship Game With Decisive Home Victory

The nationally second-ranked Ferris State University men's basketball team advanced to the NCAA Division II Sweet Sixteen for the second time in three years and reached the Midwest Regional Championship game as the Bulldogs beat league rival Lake Superior State 94-71 on Sunday (March 11) night inside FSU's Jim Wink Arena.

 

The Bulldogs pushed their win streak to 22 consecutive games before a large crowd and beat the Lakers, who handed FSU its only loss this season, for the third time this year.

 

With the win, the Bulldogs will now square off against former Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) foe Findlay in the regional title game on Tuesday (March 13) night in Big Rapids with a berth in the Division II Elite Eight on the line.

 

Depth and play on the glass proved to be a huge factor for the Bulldogs as they scored 35 points off the bench, including 16 coming from sophomore forward Jaylin McFadden. Ferris State was led by junior center Zach Hankins, who dominated the paint with 18 points and 18 rebounds in the contest to go with three blocked shots.

 

In the starting line up, senior guard Drew Cushingberry added 15 points points and seven assists while senior forward Noah King scored 14 points and had six rebounds.

Ferris State shot 48.7% from the floor in the opening half and held Lake Superior State to only 25% shooting from the floor behind a strong defensive effort.

 

They Lakers remained within striking distance as they shot 33 times from the charity stripe for the night.

However, the Bulldogs built a 14-point halftime lead and cruised to the victory while outrebounding the Lakers 52-36 for the game.

 

The Lakers were led by the 19 points of Ke'montrece Collins. LSSU's Malek Adams had 18 points with the points for both coming off the bench.

 

Ferris State led for 39:17 of the contest and the score was only tied once for the opening 43 seconds.

FSU's strength on the glass gave the Bulldogs a 24-14 edge in second chance production as FSU tallied 19 offensive rebounds. The Bulldogs also outscored the Lakers 36-26 in the paint in the fourth matchup of the year between the two schools.

 

Overall, FSU shot 47% for the night and went 10-of-28 (35.7%) from three-point range along with 14-of-22 (63.6%) at the line. LSSU finished 31.3% overall and made only four-of-18 (22.2%) three's along with 27-of-33 (81.8%) free throws.

 

The Bulldogs limited standout Lake Superior State guard Akaemji Williams to only eight points on two-of-13 shooting overall.

 

Ferris State's win was its nation-leading 34th of the season as the Bulldogs improved to 34-1 overall and stayed perfect (21-0) at home this year. FSU has now won 27-straight games at home dating back to last campaign.

 

The Bulldogs will square off against the Findlay Oilers in the NCAA Midwest Regional Championship Game on Tuesday with tipoff set for 7 p.m. (ET) inside Wink Arena.

 

The FSU Athletics Ticket Office will be open Monday from 9 a.m. (ET) to 5 p.m. (ET) and will open again on Tuesday starting at 9 a.m. leading up to game time. Tickets can also be purchased online at StarTickets.com. Visit FerrisStateBulldogs.com or call (231) 591-2888 for additional information.

Man hits tree with vehicle in Martiny Twp; alcohol suspected

 

Mecosta County Sheriff Deputies say a man was taken to the hospital after he hit a tree with his vehicle Wednesday in Martiny Township.

 

The accident occurred when a 63-year old Mecosta man left 110th Ave just South of 15 Mile Rd in Martiny Twp.

 

The man then traveled through a field for approximately a tenth of a mile before striking a tree causing the vehicle to stop.

 

The driver told police he had passed out from a coughing spell while driving and did not remember the accident.

 

The man was taken to Spectrum Health Big Rapids Hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.

 

According to deputies, alcohol is also believed to be a factor in the accident.

 

SPORTS: Ferris State University Signee Wins BCHL Top Defenceman Trophy

 In 43 years of varsity competition, Ferris State Hockey has a long-standing tradition of developing high-end defensemen. Many, including Andy Roach, John Gruden, Chad Billins, Zach Redmond, and Dave Karpa have played in the National Hockey League.

 

The tradition is set to continue when Cooper Zech steps foot on campus for the 2018-19 season. Zech, who currently plays for the Wenatchee Wild in the British Columbia League (BCHL), is the 2017-18 BCHL Top Defenceman Trophy winner.

 

"We are very proud to have Cooper Zech join the Ferris State Hockey Program," Ferris State Hockey Head Coach Bob Daniels said. "For Cooper to win the Best Defensemen of the Year award for the British Columbia Junior Hockey League speaks volumes of his potential to have an immediate impact in college hockey."

Recently, Ferris State has had great success with BCHL alums, including the current Bulldog captain.

"Our last major award winner from the BCHL (Canadian Junior Hockey Player of the Year) was Corey Mackin," Daniels said. "We believe Cooper will make the same positive contributions to our team. We look forward to having him in our lineup next season."

 

Zech amassed a towering 69 points in 58 games for the Wild in the regular season, 13 points more than the next highest scoring defenseman in the BCHL this year. His 58 assists led all BCHL skaters, as did his 22 power play assists. 

 

One would see where Zech fits in with the Ferris State blue print. The Bulldogs consistently finish in the top ten in the country in percentage of points by defensemen and were in the top five in 2017-18.

For the second consecutive year, the BCHL's Joe Tennant Memorial Trophy for Coach of the Year was awarded to Wild Head Coach Bliss Littler. In Zech, Littler has a defenseman that has consistently led his team on the ice in games and in practice. 

"He basically is taking his power play unit and there's not much we have to say to those guys, he runs it," Littler said. "He'll have them out before practice, they'll work on certain things, it could be something he saw on TV, he's definitely taken control of his power play unit."

 

One area in which the Bulldogs have excelled is in developing more undersized defensemen. Prime example, US Olympian Chad Billins led the 2011-12 Bulldogs to the National Championship Game and won a Calder Cup in the American Hockey League with the Grand Rapids Griffins the following season.

"Oh I think Zech will have a chance to be a pro, I think that he's definitely a bit undersized, but what he has is his vision's uncanny," Littler said. "Outstanding puck skills, I think those two things and being able to make the first pass on the breakout and having the ability to make people miss when they're coming at him in the offensive zone, it's rare that he ever gets a shot blocked. He just makes a lot of really good decisions with the puck."

 

Though Zech shares a similar build to Billins, he brings to the table what many successful Bulldogs in program history, including current American Hockey League forward for the Iowa Wild Gerald Mayhew, displayed fervently.

 

"We knew he had good skills," Littler said. "But he's a kid that plays with a little bit of a chip on his shoulder, he uses that as motivation, he's a very driven kid."

 

Zech figures to use that chip to his advantage. Though he had strong seasons in the North American Hockey League (NAHL) with the Odessa Jackalopes, it seems his game has only continued to elevate as the level he plays at elevates. 

 

"He's had overall an outstanding year," Littler said. "From the first of the year on, he's just made huge strides. He's playing with so much confidence, he's got such good puck skills and stick skills that, he's just a lot of fun to watch right now."

 

A South Lyon native, Zech will come to a campus that has had more than it's fair share of success in the current decade on the ice. In six years, Ferris State has reached the NCAA Regional Championship game three times, won the MacNaughton Cup and Broadmoor Trophy as WCHA Regular Season and Tournament Champions, respectively, finished as national runners up in 2011-12 and has had a Hobey Baker Top Ten Finalist. Ferris State competed in the postseason for the 21st consecutive season in 2017-18.

Barryton man arrested for a number of home invasions in Fork Twp.

 

A man accused of breaking into several homes in Mecosta County is now charged.

 

33-year old Jonathan Preuss of Barryton, who is currently on parole from multiple felony convictions of home invasion and drug charges is now charged with 2nd degree home invasion  and 4th offense habitual offender.

 

He's accused in a number of home break-ins around Fork Township.

 

Mecosta Co. Detectives say additional charges are expected.

 

Preuss remains lodged in the Mecosta County Jail on $250,000.00 bond pending further court action.

 

 

Ferris State To Host First-Ever Men's Basketball NCAA Regional This Weekend

 
For the first time in school history, the Ferris State University men's basketball team has been selected to host the NCAA Division II Midwest Regional Tournament this coming weekend (March 10-13) at FSU's Jim Wink Arena.
 
The top-seeded Bulldogs, who beat Lake Superior State in Sunday's Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) Tournament Championship Game for the program's fourth consecutive league postseason crown, will host eighth-seeded Ohio Dominican on Saturday (March 10) in regional quarterfinal round action starting at 6 p.m. (ET).  
 
The contest will be the third of four regional quarterfinal-round games on Saturday with the entire regional tournament taking place on the campus of Ferris State University.
 
The complete first round matchups and regional seedings are listed below:
 
Session 1:
12 p.m. - #3 Findlay vs. #6 Drury (Mo.)
2:30 p.m. - #2 Bellarmine (Ky.) vs. #7 Truman State (Mo.)
 
Session 2:
6 p.m. - #1 Ferris State vs. #8 Ohio Dominican
8:30 p.m. - #4 Lake Superior State vs. #5 Hillsdale
 
The winners will take part in the regional semifinal games on Sunday (March 11) with the first semifinal at 5 p.m. (ET) pitting the winners of game one and two in the quarterfinal round and the second semifinal game at 7:30 p.m. (ET) between the winners of quarterfinal games three and four. The Bulldogs would play in the second regional semifinal on Sunday with an opening-round victory.
 
The regional championship game is on Tuesday (March 13) at 7 p.m. (ET).
 
The single-elimination national tournament field includes eight regions of eight teams apiece. The Midwest Regional champion will advance to the NCAA Division Elite Eight set for March 21-24 in Sioux Falls, S.D.
 
Tickets for the NCAA Regional will be $15 per session for adults and $10 for students. 
 
Advance tickets for the tournament will go on sale Tuesday starting at 12 p.m. (ET). Tickets will be available for purchase online at StarTickets.com or at the FSU Athletics Ticket Office located inside the Ewigleben Sports Complex. NCAA guidelines do not permit any complimentary tickets to be issued.
 
All seats are general admission and no regular-season passes of any type will be accepted per national tournament regulations.
 
The box office will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (ET) this week and starting on Saturday prior to the quarterfinal games beginning at 10 a.m. (ET) with the doors to Wink Arena opening an hour prior to the first session. The ticket office will also open on Sunday starting two hours prior to the regional semifinals.
 
For additional information, please contact the FSU Athletics Ticket Office at (231) 591-2888.
 
The Bulldogs will be making their 13th all-time NCAA Tournament appearance and their fourth-straight appearance.
 
Stay tuned to FerrisStateBulldogs.com for additional information regarding the NCAA Regional as it becomes available.

CMU officials to provide counselors for those affect by last week's campus shooting; suspect faces murder charges

 

Central Michigan University leaders are hoping to have more counselors at the school when students return from spring break next week.

 

Students, faculty and other workers were locked down in dorms and other buildings for several hours last Friday after a student shot his parents to death inside Campbell Hall.

 

James Davis Jr. faces murder and weapons charges.

 

He was arrested early Saturday morning and remains in custody at McLaren Hospital.

 

Formal arraignment could happen today.

 

James Davis Sr. and Diva Davis were shot inside their son's dorm room.

 

The gun used was registered to the older Davis who was a police officer in suburban Chicago.

 

University President George Ross says he is exploring additional counseling services in the days and weeks ahead. 

 

SPORTS: Big Rapids Cardinal Girls Basketball Finals vs Clare on Big Country 100.9 tonight at 6:45pm

The 20-2 Big Rapids Lady Cardinals advance to the District 61 Finals to face the 13-8 Clare Pioneers tonight at 7:00pm!
The Big Rapids Cardinals are red hot after a stunning upset of the undefeated #5 Central Montcalm Hornets in Round 2 49-34 and a statement 1st Round win over Alma 50-28.
The Clare Pioneers knocked off Chip Hills to open district play Monday (45-31) before sending the 6-14 Shepherd Bluejays home Wednesday night with a 49-32 victory.
Friday's broadcast kicks off with the Big Rapids Public Schools, Curries Towing, and McDonald Chrysler of Big Rapids Pre-Game Show at 6:45pm on Big Country 100.9 WWBR Big Rapids. 
The game is also streaming online at https://wwbr.com/ and via the Android/iOS WWBR app.
Be sure to follow Big Country 100.9 on Twitter for in-game updates: https://twitter.com/BIGCOUNTRY1009
 

UPDATE: CMU Police confirm two people involved in shooting on campus are dead

 

UPDATE: CMU Police have confirmed two people involved in the shooting this morning are dead. Police believe the situation started as a domestic situation. Suspect still at large. 

________________________________________________________________

The campus of Central Michigan University in Mount Pleasant is on lock-down following a shooting of two people.

 

Michigan State Police say the suspect is armed and dangerous and still at large.

 

The shooting was at Campbell Hall, a dorm building, according to the school.

 

According to the Mount Pleasant Dept. of Public Safety, the suspect is a 19-year-old black male who is approximately 5 foot 9 inches tall.

 

He is wearing mustard yellow jeans and a blue hoodie.

 

He may have taken off the blue hoodie.

 

We will have more on this story as it becomes available.

 

Ferris State Upsets Second-Seeded Michigan Tech In GLIAC Women's Basketball Tournament

 

The Ferris State University women's basketball team kept its season alive as the Bulldogs upset second-seeded Michigan Tech 67-57 in the quarterfinal-round of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) Tournament on Wednesday (Feb. 28) night in Houghton.

The Bulldogs went point for point with the Huskies until the final quarter when they increased their advantage to 10 points and held on to move into the GLIAC Semifinals on Sautrday (March 3), which will be held in Ashland, Ohio.

Ferris State was led by its senior class as veteran guard Leah Humes had 19 points in the victory while senior center Rachel McInerney had 16 points along with 14 rebounds in a double-double showing. FSU also got 13 points from freshman guard Shaniya Huggins in the triumph.

FSU led by two points at the end of the first quarter and held a five-point lead at halftime before also outscoring MTU in each of the final two periods of action.

Overall, the Bulldogs made 27-of-53 (50.9%) field goals and went 1-of-3 (33.3%) from three-point range along with 12-of-25 (48%) at the free throw stripe in the victory over MTU.

In addition to McInerney's 14 boards, the Bulldogs got 11 from Brayene Benner off the bench while owning a 48-33 edge over the Huskies on the glass.

Overall, FSU limited MTU to 32.8% shooting with the Huskies going five-of-24 (20.8%) from three-point range and eight-of-12 (66.7%) at the line.

Elizabeth Kelliher paced Michigan Tech with 17 points while the Huskies also got 11 points from Kelli Guy and 10 by Brenna Heise.

Ferris State finished with seven steals and seven blocks in the win go go with 17 turnovers. Meanwhile, MTU had six assists and three blocks with 10 turnovers overall.

The Bulldogs were making their first GLIAC Postseason appearance since 2013 and the 15 wins to date for FSU are the school's most since 2012.

Ferris State will face archrival Grand Valley State on Saturday (March 3) in the GLIAC Semifinals with tipoff set for 4 p.m. (ET) at AU's Kates Gymnasium. The other semifinal will pit top-seeded Ashland versus Northwood at 2 p.m. with the winners meeting in Sunday's title game.

SPORTS: Ferris State Men's Basketball To Host GLIAC Semifinals/Finals

 

The Ferris State University men's basketball team has earned the right to host the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) Men's Basketball Tournament Semifinals and Finals for the second consecutive year this weekend (March 3-4) at Jim Wink Arena.

The top-seeded Bulldogs, who beat Saginaw Valley State in Wednesday's quarterfinal game at home, will host fourth-seeded Ashland on Saturday at 3 p.m. (ET).  The second semifinal between second-seeded Lake Superior State and number six seed Michigan Tech will follow at approximately 5 p.m. (ET)

The championship game will take place on Sunday (March 4) at 3 p.m. (ET).

Advance tickets for the tournament will go on sale Thursday starting at 10 a.m. (ET). Tickets will be available for purchase online at StarTickets.com or at the FSU Athletics Ticket Office located inside the Ewigleben Sports Complex starting two hours prior to the beginning of each session. GLIAC guidelines do not permit any complimentary tickets to be issued.

Ticket prices for each session/day are $8 for adults or $2 for all students, including college students with identification. An all-tournament pass is $12.

All seats are general admission and no regular-season passes of any type such as FSU Rebounders Club or all-sports passes will be accepted per league tournament regulations.

The box office will open two hours prior to game time on Saturday at 1 p.m. (ET) with the doors to Wink Arena opening an hour before tipoff.  The ticket office will also open two hours early prior to Sunday's championship game at 1 p.m. (ET) with Wink Arena's doors opening at 2 p.m. (ET) before the title contest.

The first 100 FSU students with a valid ID card will receive free admission compliments of FSU's Administration and Finance Division starting one hour prior to each Bulldog game while supplies last.

For additional information, please contact the FSU Athletics Ticket Office at (231) 591-2888.

The winner of the GLIAC Tournament receives an automatic bid into the NCAA Division II Midwest Regional Tournament slated to be held March 10-13 at a campus site yet to be determined.

Below are the complete matchups for this weekend:

Semifinals - Saturday, March 3
#1 Ferris State vs. #4 Ashland, 3 p.m.
#2 Lake Superior State vs. #6  Michigan Tech, 5 p.m.

Championship - Sunday, March 4 - 3 p.m.

Police investigating cause of house fire in Fork Township

 

A fire in Fork Township in Mecosta County has killed several cats and dogs and destroyed the home.

 

According to the Mecosta Co. Sheriff's Office,  the fire broke out Wednesday afternoon.

 

No one was in the home at the time of the fire. 

 

The cause of the blaze is under investigation.

 

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Weather

Local High School Schedule & Scores

CSAA Basketball (Boys)

3/1/24

 District 35 Championship @Manistee

  Ludington @ Reed City - 7:00pm

    -> Game broadcasting on Big Country 100.9

2/28/24

 District 35 Tournament @Manistee

  Hart 42 @ Reed City 57

    -> Game broadcasting on Big Country 100.9

  Manistee 38 @ Ludington 67

 District 36 Tournament @Gladwin

  Chip Hills 38 @ Clare 50

 District 41 Tournament @Fremont

  Newaygo 61 @ Grant 57

 District 74 Tournament @Hesperia

  Ravenna 50 @ White Cloud 53

 

CSAA Basketball (Girls)

2/26/24 - 7:00pm

Tri County @ Montabella

2/27/24 - 7:00pm

 CSAA Tournament

  Grant @ Kent City

  Reed City @ Morley Stanwood

  Chip Hills @ White Cloud

2/29/24 - 7:00pm

Tri County @ White Cloud

 

Big Rapids Ice Hockey (12-12-1)

MHSAA Regional 21: 2/24/24

Big Rapids#4 4 @ E Grand Rapids#1 5 (OT)

CSAA Basketball Standings

CSAA - Boys

  1. Reed City 18-3 (10-0)
  2. White Cloud 16-5 (8-2)
  3. Big Rapids   15-6 (8-2)
  4. Grant   13-6 (8-2)
  5. Newaygo 13-8 (6-4)
  6. Central Montcalm 8-12 (4-6)
  7. Kent City 7-14 (4-6)
  8. Tri County 6-15 (3-7)
  9. Chip Hills 5-16 (3-7)
  10. Morley Stanwood 2-17 (1-9)
  11. Lakeview 5-16 (0-10)

CSAA - Girls

  1. Morley Stanwood 15-3 (8-1)
  2. Grant 13-4 (8-1)
  3. Kent City 15-4 (7-2)
  4. Reed City 11-8 (7-2)
  5. Big Rapids 10-8 (6-3)
  6. Lakeview 10-9 (4-5)
  7. Central Montcalm 8-11 (4-5)
  8. Newaygo 10-9 (3-6)
  9. White Cloud 7-13 (2-8)
  10. Tri County 3-14 (1-8)
  11. Chip Hills 1-18 (0-9)

This Week's Poll

What place will the Lions finish in the NFC North?