Reed City's football team has waited a long time to get another chance at the playoffs. 

After last season ended unceremoniously with a forfeit loss, the Coyotes (8-1) are back in the championship race. The team's latest hunt for a title begins at 7 p.m. Friday with a home game against the Manistee Chippewas (5-4). 

The Coyotes, led by third year coach Scott Shankel, finished the 2021 regular season winners of eight straight. The final win was perhaps the most important, a 38-28 victory over Division 4 fourth ranked Whitehall. 

"It was a huge win," Shankel said. 

A key to that win was the Coyotes' control of the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball. Shankel believes this is important to replicate as his team prepares to take on the physical Chippewas. 

"They're pretty big," Shankel said. "They're pretty physical. They play hard, they run an option offense that puts your offense in a bind at times and makes it tough." 

Reed City will continue to prepare with its run-heavy, T-formation offense. After rotating running backs throughout the season, the team has found a solid core of Bryson Hughes, Nick Wirgau and Noah Morgan. 

Morgan has been the team's short-yardage back, proving himself more than capable of breaking the big run. Wirgau is an up-and-coming sophomore who is no stranger to the light of the playoffs, having seen both his older brothers come through the program. 

Hughes, meanwhile, is a big-play threat each time he touches the ball. Despite missing games with an injury, the junior has returned two kickoffs for touchdowns and contributed numerous pivotal runs for his offense. 

Seth Jackson, a junior, remains the team's top receiver and best defensive back. He's a touchdown threat each time he catches a pass and a menace in opposing passing games. 

The Coyotes are anchored by eight seniors, each playing their own key part in the team's success. This group will be counted on Friday night as they try to make the most of an opportunity taken away last season. 

"We all know that you only get four guaranteed years of high school football, if you're lucky enough to get those four years," Shankel said. "These kids have dedicated a lot of their time to this program and sacrificed a lot to be a part of this team. We're looking for big things out of them in the playoffs and they know the next one they're not successful in is it. So I don't think they're ready to turn their stuff in."

Listen to Christian Booher & Coach Shankel's full interview @wybrfm on Facebook or @y102br on Instagram.

Coyotes kick off at home versus the Manistee Chippewas at 7:00pm Friday night.

Listen to every play on Y-102 102.3FM via the WYBR Big Rapids app, or at wybr.com

Tell the readers about yourself.

My name is Jonathan Eppley. I have had the pleasure of serving on the Big Rapids City commission since 2017. I work as a communication and marketing manager for Michigan Works West Central during the day. I live near downtown with my wife Megan and our children Alex and Madeline. I came to this area in 2010 for a job at the Pioneer newspaper and ended up falling in love and making a home here. The past four years during my time on the commission I have thoroughly enjoyed it and representing the good people of our Big Rapids community. The is truly a great community with amazing amenities like great shops, restaurants, parks and is full of incredible residents who work together. 

During your tenure as a city commissioner, what is an accomplishment that stands out to you? 

I don't know that there's one item that I feel is the best however since I've been on the commission we’ve voted to take on many projects including expanding sidewalks and side streets within the city limits, the purchase of a new fire truck, the removal of the dilapidated footbridge over State Street. The commission has taken on some more controversial things like allowing recreational marijuana businesses to operate within city limits and the new e-scooters, we have also done some great things like improve our incredible park system.

If re-elected, what do you look forward to accomplishing in the future?   

There are a couple items that I am looking forward to see come to fruition during my tenure on the commission such as the development of the former Hanchett manufacturing site and the development of the trail head along White Pine Trail near the old train depot. I think these two developments have the potential to be a huge catalyst for change in those areas of the city.  One of the most important issues I think facing the city of Big Rapids is the recently published results of the 2020 US Census which reports the city lost  nearly 2,900 residents. According to the 2010 census we had more than 10,600 residents so to say that we've lost nearly one-third of our residents is shocking to say the least. I feel this 2020 census number is inaccurate and needs to be addressed because the city has the potential of losing millions of dollars in revenue over the next decade. So it’s critical that the city appeal this number or find an alternative revenue source to mitigate the potential revenue loss. 

Why should residents re-elect you? 

There are three candidates vying  for the two open commission seats,  myself,  Amanda Johnson and Karen Simmon. I think all three of us are compassionate, intelligent, hardworking individuals who have the best interest of the area and its residents in mind, so in a way I think no matter who is elected out of the three of us I think we should be going to be in good hands. That being said, I do hope to get elected for a second term, having been involved with local government since my days as a reporter at the newspaper all the way back in 2010, and I used that those years of knowledge of the inner workings of the city to aid me in my transition when I was elected to commission in 2017 so I can hit the ground running and not have to play catch-up and learn how things work with the city.  That being said, I'm very knowledgeable about where the city has been in its history and where we are looking to go in the future. I want to see every aspect of this great city and the surrounding area thrive.

Tell the readers about yourself

My name is Karen Simmon, I have lived in the city for a little over 12 years now.

I work for Ferris State University in Facilities Management where I manage construction and renovation projects,  so I act as the owner's representative between Ferris and the various clients that we work with. I think having that background has made me very knowledgeable when it comes to infrastructure and planning construction projects. I was on the Parks and Recreation Board for the city for a number of years and I am on the Planning Commission right now so that job experience kind of helps me with the Planning Commission.

I'm passionate about volunteering and participating in the community where I live. I like to learn and I like to be more informed so as I represent the citizens, my role, if elected to the city commission, isn't to have my own agenda but to listen to our residents and citizens. 

Why are you running for Big Rapids City Commission?

So I always knew I wanted to run for office and this election came up and I thought why wait another couple years, let's try it and let's go for the experience and see how it goes. Obviously I want to win but I'm also doing this to get out there and meet people and hear more from people in the community. 

What issues do you think the city of Big Rapids is facing currently and if elected, what do you think to solve those issues? 

So the biggest issue I think faces the city right now is the recent 2020 census results, where Big Rapids’ population has decreased by almost 3,000 people.  So that's a very significant drop and those numbers are tied to Federal funding and grants. One option Big Rapids has is to contest the results of but that is also a long process and it's expensive. More importantly, if we are down by 3,000 citizens, why are we down by that much? and how can we start to make that up? and what can we do?. So that's one thing and then affordable housing is just so important, I can't tell you the number of times that I'll be on Facebook and people say “hey you know, we're moving to the city, where we can live?” and the answer is we have to go about 30 minutes out of town. So as a member of the community and someone who believes in living in the city, we just need to find a way to have housing for those people. 

Where do you see the City of Big Rapids in the short- term future? 

We already have a great grant writer for the city, so I would like to see us continue to grow that Grant application because that's funding we can use in the next two to three years. We definitely need to figure out how to deal with that census issue but then also make some Investments and look at  things like affordable housing, affordable daycare options.

An argument between two brothers led to one of them being stabbed with a knife at a home in Isabella County Sunday afternoon.

The Sheriff's Office says when deputies arrived to the scene in Wise Township, they found one of the brothers, an 18-year old man from Kentucky had been stabbed in the leg and had additional lacerations, none were life threatening.

The victim told police, he had been in an argument with his brother and his brother a 20-year old man from Kentucky had stabbed him with a small knife.

The brother had left the residence prior to law enforcement arriving. Deputies were told that the suspect may be headed to an address in Coleman or someplace south of there.

A Midland County deputy located the suspects car at a gas station and quickly located the suspect and placed him into custody.

The Ferris State University Department of Public Safety joined the Mecosta County Sheriff’s Department and the Big Rapids Department of Public Safety, as part of National Faith and Blue Weekend, to gather resources for Manna Pantry of Big Rapids, based at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church. Hosted across the U.S. during the second weekend of October, the goal of National Faith and Blue Weekend is to build bridges to more engaged communities.

Ferris DPS Director John Allen said on Thursday, Oct. 21, five carloads of food items and other family necessities are planned to be delivered to Manna Pantry, a food pantry serving families in Mecosta and Osceola counties. First United Methodist Church has served as a way station since their food drive at grocery stores along Perry Street on Saturday, Oct. 9.

“Detective Sergeant Tim Jacobs and I were joined by a DPS cadet for our collection at Walmart on Perry Street,” Allen said. “We were deliberate about engaging those going in to shop, letting them know what we were doing there while getting a chance to know them better. The community effort to support those in need was a thrill. It was just a fantastic response for a two-hour drive.”

Other agencies and advocates in action that day included Mecosta County Sheriff Brian Miller and Wesley House volunteer Jordan Brinker taking collections at Meijer and Big Rapids DPS officer Thomas Tanner and Rev. Jeremy Wicks receiving goods outside of Aldi.

Allen said each of the teams gathered significant contributions to the cause.

“It filled up a room at First United Methodist,” Allen said. “There were five police cars packed with goods when we completed the drive.”

Allen began his duties as Ferris DPS Director on Monday, March 1. He said collaborating with other area agencies on Faith and Blue weekend was an excellent opportunity for outreach, emphasizing helping others.

“I love doing these kinds of events,” Allen said. “Being involved in non-enforcement activities allows us to live out our departmental purpose to protect, serve and unite with the community.”

The Faith and Blue weekend activities brought in 3,154 pounds of food and 118 pounds of non-food products.

Authorities have arrested a woman whom they had been seeking in the deaths of four people in central Michigan.

The Clare County sheriff said 54-year-old Judy Boyer was taken into custody Thursday morning.

Authorities had been looking for the 54-year-old woman since Wednesday when Clare Police responded to a shooting. Two men were shot and later died.

The bodies of an 85-year-old man and 61-year-old woman were found elsewhere at the same location. Charges are pending.

For the second time in two years, West Michigan Surgery Center (WMSC) takes top honors in Newsweek Magazine’s “America’s Best Ambulatory Surgery Centers 2022.” Newsweek partnered with respected global research firm Statista to analyze more than 4,600 Ambulatory Surgery Centers in 25 states. The report ranked Big Rapids’ based West Michigan Surgery Center among the top 10 Ambulatory Surgery Centers in the state. The Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs lists 150 Ambulatory Surgery Centers in its provider directory.

Statista based its results on a few parameters, including: A reputation score and key performance indicators. The reputation score was based on three sub scores: for recommendations, quality, and for the handling of the situation regarding COVID-19 (as of September 2021). The key performance indicators took into account the quality of treatment and medical conditions. Additionally, experts from all over the US were able to participate in the survey of the Best Ambulatory Surgery Centers in the US on newsweek.com. All data was collected by Newsweek and Statista during the survey period from July to September 2021. Ambulatory Surgery Center participants were not able to recommend their business in the survey.

“We are excited about this honor, and believe it shows our dedication to providing our patients with evidence-based, cutting edge surgical treatments that offer the best results, in an affordable, safe, and effective manner,” says West Michigan Surgery Center Medical Director and Founder, Girish Juneja, MD. “Our skilled and knowledgeable medical team treats each day as another opportunity to ensure our patients receive the safest and best care possible.”

Located at 20095 Gilbert Road in Big Rapids, West Michigan Surgery Center provides services related to Pain Management, Orthopedics, and Endoscopy. Facility Director, James Harrington says WMSC physicians and staff are committed to providing high-quality and efficient patient care, ease of access to services, at substantially lower out-of-pocket costs than hospital based surgical services.

“I am proud of our team of healthcare professionals and wish to express my sincere appreciation for the loyalty and dedication that our excellent medical providers and highly skilled staff continue to offer the patients we serve,” said Harrington. “Receiving this honor for the second consecutive year indicates WMSC’s commitment to offer superior quality and significantly lower cost surgical and endoscopic services close to home.”

WMSC offers consumers state-of-the-art healthcare options that at one time were only available in larger hospital based surgical units. For complete methodology of the Newsweek study, visit: https://bit.ly/WMSCBestASC2022

West Michigan Surgery Center was established in 2006 as the only freestanding, privately owned ambulatory surgical center in the Big Rapids area. West Michigan Surgery Center is licensed through the state of Michigan and holds Medicare-Deemed Status through the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care. Accreditation by the AAAHC signifies that WMSC has met the rigorous standards of a nationally recognized third party; and indicates a commitment to providing only the highest levels of quality care to patients and the same high level of conduct in business practices. More information about West Michigan Surgery Center, its staff, and services, can be found at www.westmichigansurgerycenter.com

The Clare County Sheriff's Office is asking the public to be on the lookout for a woman who was involved in the murder of four people at a home Wednesday afternoon.

Deputies were called at 4pm to a residence on S. Harrison Ave south of Surrey for a report of a shooting that resulted in two injured victims, who have since died.

Later that night, police discovered two other bodies on the property.

Police are looking for 54-year old Judy Boyer who is described as 5’2 105 lbs with buzzed cut short pink hair last seen wearing mickey mouse pajama pants and a gray shirt. Boyer allegedly left the scene in a maroon / red colored 1998 Chevrolet Pickup Truck with Michigan registration E9507.

She is believed to be headed to the Cadillac area. She is considered armed and dangerous.

If you see her or the vehicle please contact your local police / 911 or the CCSO at 989 539 7166 immediately.

 To manage patient volumes effectively and safely, the Spectrum Health Big Rapids Hospital Walk-in Clinic at 650 Linden will no longer accommodate those seeking a walk-in COVID-19 test.

Beginning Monday, October 25, patients arriving at the walk-in clinic for a test will be referred to a local COVID-19 screening phone line, staffed by a walk-in clinic provider Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Patients must be screened to receive a provider order to be able to schedule a test.

COVID-19 screenings are also available all times of the day via an e-visit in Spectrum Health MyChart. Patients may also call their primary care office for a screening. 

Once a patient has a valid provider order, they can schedule their COVID-19 test with the Big Rapids Drive-Thru, or other testing site, in their MyChart account or by calling 833.755.0696. 

Expanded drive-thru test appointments at Big Rapids Hospital will be available Monday through Saturday, located off Willow Avenue near the dog park. 

The Big Rapids Walk-In Clinic will continue extended hours of 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and same day appointments are available to established patients at Big Rapids Family Medicine. Walk-in services in Reed City remain closed at this time.

Spectrum Health Family Medicine in Tustin has announced that they will be temporarily closing starting October 25th.

The office has been operating less than two days a week.

According to Spectrum Health, Osceola County residents who need to see a primary care provider can schedule an appointment at Spectrum Health Reed City Hospital Multispecialty Clinic or Evart Family Medicine.

Spectrum Health Big Rapids and Reed City Hospitals are hosting a free and anonymous service for people to dispose of unwanted drugs in their medicine cabinets.

The event is open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, October 23.

People are encouraged to bring over the counter and prescription medications to Reed City Hospital Multi Specialty Clinic on Patterson Road in Reed City or Big Rapids Hospital on Oak Street in Big Rapids.

Inhalers, ointments, needles, and pet medications are also being accepted.

Full needle containers can be exchanged for empty ones while supplies last.

Spectrum Health Big Rapids and Reed City Hospitals are hosting a free and anonymous service for people to dispose of unwanted drugs in their medicine cabinets.

The event is open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, October 23.

People are encouraged to bring over the counter and prescription medications to Reed City Hospital Multi Specialty Clinic on Patterson Road in Reed City or Big Rapids Hospital on Oak Street in Big Rapids.

Inhalers, ointments, needles, and pet medications are also being accepted.

Full needle containers can be exchanged for empty ones while supplies last.

Sad news out of Morton Township in Mecosta County as a Newaygo man died in a single seat plane crash Monday evening.

The Mecosta County Sheriff's Office says when deputies arrived to the scene they found the 58-year old pilot deceased from injuries sustained from the crash.

An investigation is ongoing to determine if the cause of the accident is medical or mechanical.

A Harrison man was arrested by Michigan State Police for possession of Methamphetamine following a traffic stop in Clare County.

It happened Sunday afternoon in Hamilton Township.

Troopers say they pulled over a vehicle on Athey Avenue and Townline Lake Road. Troopers conducted a roadside investigation with the driver, a 38-year-old Harrison man.

The investigation revealed the driver to be in possession of suspected methamphetamine, as well as being out on bond in Clare County.

The driver was arrested and lodged at the Clare County Jail for Possession of Methamphetamine and Violation of Bond.

He is currently awaiting arraignment.

A Detroit man was arrested for attempted murder following a shooting in Big Rapids late last week.

It happened on Thursday, officers from the Big Rapids Department of Public Safety say the victim reported being contacted by an unknown subject via Snapchat. A short time later, the victim noticed a vehicle following his vehicle.

In an attempt avoid the vehicle following him, he went through an apartment complex and a shopping center on Perry Ave. He told police that while he was stopped at the traffic signal to exit the shopping center, the suspect vehicle stopped on Perry and fired a single shot at him from a handgun out of the vehicle’s window. The victim returned to his apartment and called the police.

There were no injuries reported.

Later in the day, the victim called again stating he had found the car that had followed him. Contact was made with the resident of the apartment. A male, matching the description that was given by the victim, was located inside the apartment.

After further investigation, it was determined 22-year-old Amari Lee Jenson of Detroit, was the suspect who had fired the firearm at the victim.

Jenson was taken into custody.

He was arraigned on 9 nine counts and is being held on $250,000.00 surety.

Ferris State University officially broke ground on the Bulldogs' new Center for Athletics Performance project as a ground breaking ceremony took place on Thursday (Oct. 14) at the Ewigleben Sports Complex.

The major upgrade to FSU's athletic facilities, which was approved by the university's Board of Trustees and announced this past spring, will soon enable FSU student-athletes to train and compete with the best.

The speakers during Thursday morning's groundbreaking ceremony included FSU President David Eisler, recently-retired Athletic Director Perk Weisenburger, new Athletics Director Steve Brockelbank, Bulldog Football alum and project visionary Jeff Schmitz along with women's basketball student-athlete Zoe Anderson, who represented FSU's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, in addition to representatives from Granger Construction.

"I believe every student-athlete and every athletic team from Ferris State University will benefit from this important project," Eisler said during the groundbreaking ceremony.

The university's Board of Trustees approved the renovation and construction project, which will include a new and expanded strength and conditioning space, a new multipurpose arena and competition space for the volleyball program and practice area for other sports, additional and renovated locker room facilities along with team meeting spaces along with other elements.

The upgrades will offer championship-caliber training and conditioning facilities to the nearly 400 Bulldog student-athletes and 17 varsity programs.

"It was evident to me during the interview process that Ferris State places a high value on the student-athlete experience, which includes development and preparing student-athletes to compete and win championships," said Brockelbank. "I'm only four days into the job and there are very few athletic directors anywhere that can say they are part of a groundbreaking for a major project like this so early into their tenure, which demonstrates the value placed upon our teams and student-athletes."

The university community identified the need for the renovation and expansion of the Ewigleben Sports Complex as part of its Big Rapids campus master plan several years ago. The Board of Trustees officially approved a revised budget and scope for the Center for Athletics Performance in late January.

"We could not be more excited about moving forward with this extremely important project," Weisenburger said, upon announcement of the project this past spring. "We are excited for what this means for our current and future student-athletes, who will now be able to prepare themselves to compete at the highest level in modernized and much improved facilities."

An Ann Arbor-based architecture, design and planning firm, The Collaborative, is currently contributing to the CAP project. Meanwhile, Granger Construction will oversee the subcontracting firms, who will take up approximately 7,200 square feet of renovation work and the development of nearly 16,000 square feet of new construction to create the Center for Athletics Performance. This work includes a new home for the volleyball program, Bulldog Arena, in addition to a new entry and connector space.

The Center for Athletics Performance will provide student-athletes with increased space for strength and conditioning, cardio work, training and nutrition.

The Ewigleben Sports Complex was originally constructed in 1974 with the current volleyball arena, which will be transformed into the new Center for Athletics Performance, added on in 1982. Ferris State built Jim Wink Arena off the existing structure in 1999 and renovations to the ice arena were last made in 2007. The new Bulldog Arena addition will sit to the east side of the main concourse near both the existing Ewigleben Ice Arena and Wink Arena.

For additional information on the Center for Athletics Performance project, please visit this link:
http://www.ferris.edu/CAP

The father of a teen who accidentally detonated a homemade explosive at his high school in Newaygo is going to prison for four years.

David Saylor Senior was sentenced by a federal judge in Grand Rapids after pleading guilty to possession of a pipe bomb and a stolen gun.

In March, his son brought the homemade explosive to school and accidentally set it off, injuring himself and others.

Saylor says he and his son designed and made explosives for two years.

A 73-year old woman from Union Township in Isabella County is dead after being struck by a vehicle while walking back to her home from the roadway.

The Sheriff's office says deputies were called for a one vehicle accident involving a pedestrian. When they arrived to the scene, officers discovered the 73-year old female victim who had been walking back to her residence from the roadway, possible mailbox, and had been struck by a pickup truck that left the roadway.

The driver of the vehicle, a 23-year old Mt. Pleasant man told deputies that he may have fallen asleep and left the roadway striking the victim.

The woman was pronounced deceased at the scene, the driver of the vehicle was taken to a local hospital to be checked out.

Michigan State Police are warning residents in West Michigan that there is a phone scam going around.

Troopers say scammers are calling citizens stating that they are with the Michigan State Police and giving various reasons, such as they missed a court date and there is a warrant for their arrest, and they need to send money.

The Michigan State Police say they will NEVER call and solicit money.

If you receive these calls, never give your personal or banking information, and hang up.

A man from Fenton is facing charges for distributing child pornography while living in Isabella County.

According to police, the 21-year-old distributed, promoted and financed child pornography between February of 2019 and August of 2020 while living in Union Township.

The man posted a $45,000 cash or surety bond last week while in the Isabella County Jail.

He faces nine felony counts of distributing child pornography, each count fined at $50,000.

He could face up to seven years in prison.

Ferris State University’s Board of Trustees approved a new five-year capital outlay plan, a final budget for the 2022 fiscal year, room and board rates, a new campus card and access system, and a major wireless infrastructure project along with other items at its regular meeting on Friday, Oct. 8 at the Woodbridge N. Ferris Building in Grand Rapids.

As Ferris officially broke ground Thursday, Sept. 2, on its current $32 million capital outlay project on the Big Rapids campus, the Center for Virtual Learning, plans were already in motion preparing for future opportunities backed by the state of Michigan. Looking ahead, with the state five-year capital outlay plan (2023-27), the trustees approved an Interdisciplinary Healthcare Education and Allied Health Renovation as its top priority for capital projects. University officials note the design of this proposal connects Ferris’ allied health disciplines – Allied Health, Optometry and Pharmacy with a continued focus on the university’s tradition and needs of interprofessional education made even more apparent during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The trustees approved a 2022-23 room and board rate of $9,862, for a freshman, with a double room and a basic meal plan. The rate, an increase of 1.3 percent, is expected to keep Ferris’ rates among the lowest compared to Michigan university peers for room and board. The board also approved a final fiscal-year 2022 general operating budget of $195.6 million, a reduction of $3.6 million from the previous year. Included in the budget is a 3.6-percent student scholarship increase to $27.6 million. Further approved by board members was a final $25 million fiscal-year 2022 housing and dining budget.

In other Oct. 8 action, the trustees approved:

• phase II of the wireless infrastructure replacement and enhancement plan. The university performed an extensive wireless technology study in 2017. As a result, Ferris adopted Aerohive Access Points, a product line owned and operated by Extreme Networks, as a standard. Ferris has already procured 1200 access points with Phase I. This has created a significant increase in network reliability in locations where the access points have been installed. These installations are expected to be completed by December 2021. The university is planning to procure an additional 1000 access points and replace approximately 150 aging network switches and routers;

• professional services for support of the Kendall College of Art and Design’s Wege Prize Awards event. Armstrong Marketing provide event planning, project management and administrative support services. KBOgroup will deliver technical planning, scheduling and overall audio and visual management and C.C. Sullivan will provide public relations, marketing and content services;

• four appointments to the boards of directors of FSU-authorized charter school academies, a professional services agreement with National Charter Schools Institute to provide detailed student performance data analysis for each FSU-authorized academy and the establishment of the Ferris State University/Hope of Detroit Academy STEM Learning Lab;

• acceptance of FY2021 audited financial statements as presented by Andrews Hoper Pavlick;

• a contract with Atrium Campus to begin implementation of the Campus Card and Access Control System on behalf of the University. The contract is to provide services for that system for a period of five (5) years, commencing July 2022 through June 2027; and
   
• closure of the Associate of Arts, Pre-Technical Communication degree program due to shifting student interest to other programs. Students currently enrolled in the program will receive assistance to complete the degree in a timely fashion.

The current trustees are chair Amna P. Seibold, of East Grand Rapids; vice-chair Ana L. Ramirez-Saenz, of Grand Rapids; secretary Rupesh K. Srivastava, of Wixom; member-at-large LaShanda R. Thomas, of Grosse Pointe; George K. Heartwell, of Newaygo; Kurt A. Hofman, of Grand Rapids; and Ronald E. Snead, of Stanwood.

The next regular meeting of the Board of Trustees is Friday, Dec. 17, on the Big Rapids campus. Committee meetings begin at 10 a.m., followed by the full board meeting at 11 a.m.

Two drivers are recovering following a two car accident in Mecosta County Saturday evening.

It happened on Northland Drive and Arthur Road.

The Mecosta County Sheriff's Office says a female driver was slowing to make a left turn onto Arthur Rd. from Northland Dr. when a male driver did not see her and rear-ended her vehicle.

Both drivers were taken to Spectrum hospital in Big Rapids for their injuries.

The female driver sustained minor injuries; the male driver suffered from a broken neck.

He was transferred to Butterworth hospital in GR.

Mecosta County Sheriff Deputies is asking for the public's help in identifying suspects that took police on a short chase Wednesday evening.

The Sheriff's office says deputies attempted to make a traffic stop on a truck that was traveling at a high rate of speed westbound on M-20 near Costabella road in Wheatland Township.

The truck is best described as a mid-to-late-2000’s model dark blue Ford F-150 4 door pick-up truck that was covered in gravel road dirt. The truck also had silver insignia on the truck panels and had a black tonneau cover that was not secured to the bed of the truck flopping around as it drove. It was also reported the truck had two male occupants inside the vehicle.  

The suspect truck took police on a short pursuit it was then terminated near 12-mile road and 10^th Ave in Wheatland Township.

The Sheriff’s office is asking anyone with knowledge of this incident that may help to identify the driver of the vehicle, please call the Mecosta County Sheriff’s Office at 231-592-0150 or reach out to our email tip line at tips@mecostacounty.org. 

A warning has been issued after an unexpected rise in RSV cases across the state this fall.

It usually peaks in the winter.

Respiratory syncytial virus is highly contagious and spreads through droplets in the air after a cough or sneeze.

Symptoms are usually mild and may mimic a cold, but RSV can cause severe infection in some people, including infants and young children, older adults, or people who are immunocompromised.

Individuals with cold-like symptoms are being asked to not interact with children and other individuals at high risk for RSV.

To continue providing exceptional same-day care to our community, the Spectrum Health Reed City
Convenient Care Walk-In Clinic will be temporarily consolidating with the Big Rapids
Walk-In Clinic beginning October 5.

Reed City team members will be joining forces with the Big Rapids Walk-In Clinic to
support ongoing high patient volumes for walk-in services and COVID-19 screenings for
patients with symptoms.

Additionally, the Big Rapids Walk-In Clinic, located at 650 Linden Street, Suite 1, in Big
Rapids, will be extending hours to 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday.

“A very tight labor market is affecting businesses across the country, including health
care,” said Andrea Leslie, President of Spectrum Health Big Rapids, Reed City, United
and Kelsey Hospitals. “We will temporarily consolidate walk-in clinic services in Big
Rapids while we continue to aggressively look to hire additional team members.”
The Reed City Multispecialty Clinic will still be open normal hours and established
patients can be seen same-day via available appointments.

Ongoing evaluations of patient volumes, community spread of COVID-19 and staffing
needs will be addressed frequently to determine when the Reed City Walk-In Clinic will
reopen.

In a medical emergency, patients are reminded to call 911 or visit their nearest hospital
emergency department.

Spectrum Health is working hard to hire essential team members to fill several open
positions in several departments, many with sign-on bonuses available. Please
encourage friends and family to consider a career at Big Rapids and Reed City Hospitals
by viewing job postings at www.spectrumhealth.org/careers.