Football season is now a few weeks in. Following the first few weeks, here are some players you should keep an eye out for in the CSAA.

• Max Bollman - Big Rapids - Senior - Defensive End

Bollman, who is now going into his fourth year on varsity for the Cardinals, has been a force to be reckoned with on the field. Just last season, Bollman racked up 13 sacks and earned a Division 4 all-state bid. The three-star prospect is one of the most high-energy players you will see across the state, showing no quit in chasing down sacks. He also lives in the weight room, and his strength translates seamlessly onto the field. Bollman this past offseason got his squat to 650 pounds, deadlift to 600 pounds and his bench to 450 pounds. The defensive end comes into 2026 at 260 pounds and is currently holding onto 11 Division I offers with a commitment to Miami (OH).

• Kason Coppick - Reed City - Junior - Running Back

After back-to-back 1,000-yard rushing seasons, the Reed City running back will have some eyes on him in 2026. Coppick is expected to have a larger role in this year’s Coyote rushing attack after sharing the backfield with Andrew Kianus and Jack Deitsch for the past two seasons. This season, he will have a chance to show why he is not just the best running back in the conference, but on the west side of the state. Coppick brings a great mix of strength and speed on Friday nights. If he finds open space, it’s lights out early. He currently holds two Division I offers: Kent State and Columbia, but is uncommitted.

• Micah Halstead - Tri County - Senior - Offensive Tackle

Halstead is one of the biggest tackles you’ll see across the CSAA. This season, he comes in on the roster sheet at 6-foot-4 and 285 pounds. Another four-year varsity star, Halstead has shined with the Vikings, especially last season helping running backs get to the second level of defenders. With Tri County looking to lean on the run game this year, the 2025 all-state tackle will look to match that power and execution this season. He committed to Northwood University on Aug. 5.

Honorable Mentions:

• Kai Kamanu - Kent City - Senior - Tight End/Outside Linebacker
• Trevor McGuff - Kent City - Senior - Running Back/Defensive Back

Despite the opening week loss, the Eagles ground game has always been deadly in the CSAA-White. Following the loss of double-digit seniors from last year's semi-final team, McGuff is slated to take the bulk of the carries for this year. The senior will follow his athletic tight end, Kai Kamanu, who has had a fabulous career to this point. Both players are defensive playmakers and will be on a lot of area radars, as all eyes will be on the Eagles for another playoff season.

To follow the CSAA football season, watch weekly episodes of 'The Rundown' on YouTube here: THE RUNDOWN.

Monday, August 31

• An officer was dispatched for a violation of the Controlled Substances Act, involving an illegal substance. The substance was seized and a citation was issued.

Tuesday, September 1

• An officer was dispatched to a larceny complaint. After speaking with the complainant, the officer was advised there was a misunderstanding and the stolen items were actually received.
• An officer received a criminal sexual conduct complaint. The complaint remains open pending further investigations.

Wednesday, September 2

• An officer was dispatched to a retail fraud complaint. The complaint remains open pending contact with the suspect. 

Thursday, September 3

• An officer was dispatched to investigate a property damage accident.

Friday, September 4

• An officer assisted the Osceola County Sheriff's Department on a traffic stop. The driver had an active warrant. The driver was arrested on their warrant.
• An officer was dispatched for a Domestic Assault. The suspect was arrested and lodged at Osceola County Jail. 
• An officer was dispatched to investigate a fail to pay for fuel complaint.
• An officer assisted during a community event. 
• An officer was dispatched to investigate a failure to pay complaint.
• An officer was dispatched to investigate a turfing complaint. The incident remains open pending further investigation.
• An officer was dispatched to investigate a retail fraud complaint. The suspect was located and arrested for a misdemeanor warrant.

Saturday, September 5

• An officer was dispatched to investigate a retail fraud complaint. The suspect was identified, and a report is being forwarded to the prosecutor's office.

Sunday, September 6

• An officer was requested to assist the Osceola County Sheriff's Department with a domestic assault investigation.
• An officer was dispatched to investigate a retail fraud complaint. The suspect was identified, and the complaint remains open pending further investigation. 

Ferris State University leaders are remembering Dean Davenport for his impact on Bulldog Athletics as the former athletic director and coach, while elevating the Bulldogs to new heights.

Davenport passed away on Sept. 3 at the age of 91.

He served as Ferris State's athletics director from 1979 to 1993 and was later inducted into the Bulldog Athletics Hall of Fame in 2009.

During his tenure as AD, the Bulldogs won the GLIAC President's Cup for all-around excellence 13 consecutive years. He was also a coach and administrator for 23 years, as Davenport’s career was highlighted by the growth and success of athletics and the recreation/intramural program at Ferris State.

The Bulldogs won a total of 73 league championships under Davenport’s leadership, and he was influential for the growth of women's intercollegiate athletics, the emergence of Ferris State’s NCAA Division I men's ice hockey program and the development of the athletics scholarship program.

Additionally, he played a role in the planning of what is now known as the R.L. Ewigleben Sports Complex.

A Central Michigan University graduate, Davenport's career in education spanned 36 years. He served as head boys' basketball coach at Traverse City High School and was an assistant at both CMU and Cal-State Northridge before becoming athletics director and head coach at Iowa Wesleyan College.

He joined the Bulldog family in 1970 as an assistant to head coach Jim Wink and was an athletics coordinator along with developing the recreation and leisure curriculum.

He also served the university as director of the health, physical education and recreation program from 1977 to 1979 when he was appointed athletics director.

Davenport's son, Terry, created the iconic Bulldog logo currently still used today and the department's annual Bulldog of the Year Award for the school's top male and female student-athlete was renamed in his honor.

Davenport was a leader in the NCAA, serving on multiple committees and as the president of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, the Central Collegiate Hockey Association and the Midwest Intercollegiate Football Conference.

While at Ferris State, he hired a number of future Bulldog Athletics Hall of Fame coaches including Dan Ley, Monica Folske, Gary Waters, Kathy DeBoer, Judd Folske, Jim Miller, Ron English, Lewis Garner, Keith Otterbein and Jill Hirschinger.

As an assistant basketball coach, Davenport helped the Bulldogs post a 167-76 overall mark from 1970-79. He also served as a consultant for the men's basketball program for several years during retirement.

Davenport was married for 65 years to his Charlevoix High School sweetheart, Joyce (Cunningham). Together they built a remarkable partnership that lasted until Joyce's death on January 1, 2023.

To share in celebrating Dean's life, memorial contributions can be made by check to the Charlevoix Junior Golf Association, 213 Nettleton Street, Charlevoix MI 49720. Arrangements are in the care of the Charlevoix Chapel of Mortensen Funeral Homes.

_{Photo and release courtesy of Ferris State University.}

The Lake County Sheriff’s Office posted a public assistance request on social media in hopes of identifying a suspect in a recent pursuit.

Deputies attempted to conduct a traffic stop of the suspect at about 6:45 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 6, on northbound M-37 in Eden Township. The suspect did not stop and led deputies on a pursuit.

Anyone with information about the suspect or the motorcycle is asked to contact Central Dispatch at 231-745-2711.

“Please reference report No. 2026-01273 when providing information,” the sheriff’s office said. “The Lake County Sheriff’s Office appreciates the public’s assistance.”

_{Images courtesy of Lake County Sheriff's Office.}

Monday, Aug. 31

• No arrests reported.

Calls for Service: 14

Traffic Accidents: 0

Tuesday, Sep. 1

• At 7:40 p.m., deputies made a traffic stop in Morton Township. The traffic stop resulted in the male driver being arrested on a warrant out of Osceola County. He was turned over to Osceola County.

Calls for Service: 18

Traffic Accidents: 2

Wednesday, Sep. 2

• At 8:23 p.m., deputies made a traffic stop in Colfax Township. The traffic stop resulted in two male subjects being arrested on warrants. Both were lodged at the Mecosta County Jail.

Calls for Service: 13

Traffic Accidents: 1

Thursday, Sep. 3

• At 5:10 p.m., deputies made a warrant arrest in Green Township. A male subject was arrested on a warrant. He was lodged at the Mecosta County Jail.

• At 7:19 p.m., deputies investigated a hit and run accident in Aetna Township. Additional investigation resulted in the location of the male driver, who had initially fled the scene. He was arrested for Operating While Intoxicated and an additional probation violation. He was lodged at the Mecosta County Jail.

• At 10:59 p.m., deputies made a warrant arrest in Big Rapids Township. A male subject was arrested and lodged at the Mecosta County Jail.

Calls for Service: 10

Traffic Accidents: 5

Friday, Sep. 4

• At 1:53 a.m., deputies made a traffic stop in Big Rapids Township. The traffic stop resulted in the female driver being arrested for Operating While Intoxicated. She was lodged at the Mecosta County Jail.

• At 11:15 a.m., deputies made a warrant arrest at a residence in Montcalm County. A female subject was arrested on a warrant. She was lodged at the Mecosta County Jail.

Calls for Service: 15

Traffic Accidents: 1

Saturday, Sep. 5

• No arrests reported.

Calls for Service: 12

Traffic Accidents: 4

Sunday, Sep. 6

• No arrests reported.

Calls for Service: 12

Traffic Accidents: 1

Monday, Sep. 7

• At 11:45 a.m., deputies responded to an assault complaint at a residence in Green Township. A male subject was arrested for Assault. He was lodged at the Mecosta County Jail.

• At 9:02 p.m., deputies made a traffic stop in Green Township. A female subject was arrested for Possession of Methamphetamine. She was lodged at the Mecosta County Jail.

Calls for Service: 13

Traffic Accidents: 0

The Speedway gas station, located near the intersection of 19 Mile Road and Northland Drive (Old US-131), will be closing on Monday, Sep. 28, 2026.

The station will then re-open as a Shell gas station at a later date. Store managers say the station conversion could take as little as a week.

Speedy Rewards points will not transfer to the Shell location, and customers are being told to use them before the rebrand.

Michigan has 294 Speedway stores, with nearby locations remain in Cadillac, Cedar Springs, Fremont, Kent City and Newaygo.

The converted store would become Big Rapids’ second Shell, joining the station at 21445 Perry Avenue. Shell is Michigan’s third-largest fuel brand with more than 400 locations, only trailing Marathon, with about 686 sites, and ExxonMobil, with about 579.

For more details, visit the location at 19246 Northland Drive.

On Monday, Sept. 7, 2026, at about 11:27 a.m., deputies from the Mecosta County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to the area of 137th Avenue and Washington Road in Deerfield Township for a reported crash involving a farm tractor.

Upon arrival, deputies and emergency personnel found a 74-year-old man from Morley who had sustained significant injuries.

According to the investigation, the man had a medical emergency while driving a Farmall tractor. He then fell from the tractor while it was still in gear and was run over by the hayrack trailer being pulled behind it.

“Mecosta County EMS provided emergency medical treatment at the scene before transporting the male to the Lakeview Airport,” deputies said.“From the airport, the male was transported by Aero Med helicopter to Butterworth Hospital in Grand Rapids for further medical treatment.”

The man sustained serious but not life-threatening injuries.

The Mecosta County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by Mecosta County EMS and Morton Township Rescue.

_{Release information courtesy of Mecosta County Sheriff's Office.}

On Saturday, Sep. 5, 2026, at approximately 5:51 p.m., deputies from the Mecosta County Sheriff's Office were dispatched to a vehicle crash at the intersection of 20 Mile Road and 80^th Avenue near Chippewa Lake.

Upon arrival at the scene, deputies located a Chevrolet Cruze in the west ditch of 80^th Avenue. The driver, a 22-year-old woman from Tecumseh, was travelling west bound on 20 Mile Road and tried to swerve and avoid a piece of debris in the roadway.

"Her vehicle left the roadway and drove into the ditch," Sheriff's deputies said. "The driver was uninjured but her passenger, a 21-year-old female from Tipton, sustained minor injuries. (She) was transported to Corewell Health Big Rapids Hospital for further treatment via Mecosta County Emergency Medical Services."

Alcohol nor drugs were found to be factor in the crash.

Deputies were assisted on scene by Mecola Central Dispatch, Hilltop Towing, Chippewa Martiny Fire & Rescue, Fork Township Fire & Rescue, and Mecosta County Emergency Medical Services.

In keeping with tradition, the Big Rapids Elks will cook meals for downtown visitors during the annual Labor Day Festival.

From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., the Elks will grill and serve barbecue chicken dinners with baked beans, potato salad, a roll and a cookie. Meals cost $18 and include a choice of soda or water.

“Our members will be grilling and serving dinners from 11 a.m. until about 4 p.m. or when the chicken is gone,” the Elks said. “Come see us down on the corner of Pine Street and Michigan Avenue, picnic-style.”

Kids’ meals also will be available for $8 and include a quarter-pound hot dog, chips, a cookie and a choice of water or soda.

Money raised from the event will support the Elks’ sponsorships, scholarships and community action programs.

The Big Rapids Elks tent will be near the lodge at 203 E. Pine St.

Ferris State University is making it more convenient for students to travel between the Big Rapids campus and programs based in Grand Rapids with enhanced bus service through the Bulldog Line partnership with the Rapid.

Bulldog Line service starts again on Monday, Aug. 31, with a new schedule serving as a convenient and inexpensive way to commute between Big Rapids and Grand Rapids, with stops in Cedar Springs.

The complete schedule and details on purchasing the service are available here.

One-way trips are only $5, but students can purchase unlimited use for the semester for $480 or pay $120 for 30 consecutive days. 

The 40-foot bus is unmistakable as it rides around town or on U.S. 131, emblazoned with the proud Ferris State Bulldog. The bus has seating capacity of 40 passengers and standing room for about 20 people.

The Bulldog line originates in Grand Rapids at Central Station, 250 Cesar Chavez Ave. SW, starting at 5:15 a.m.

Northbound stops are planned near Ferris State’s Kendall College of Art and Design at the intersection of Ionia Avenue and Monroe Center St. starting at 8:07 a.m.

The bus stops at the Meijer at 3700 17 Mile Road in Cedar Springs, with the stop located in the parking lot directly south of the Meijer gas station.

The first Big Rapids stop is at Bond Court, with the bus shelter outside Puterbaugh Hall, across the street from the Michigan College of Optometry.

The Bulldog Line then heads to Granger Building with the stop at the north end of building in lot 2D. Riders can stand in the north end vestibule of the Granger Building or outside under cover. 

The southbound trip includes stops again at Meijer in Cedar Springs, KCAD at the intersection of Division Avenue and Fountain Street and then to the Rapid’s Central Station.

The Bulldog Line route follows the academic year and provides transit when classes are in session. The bus does not operate in the summer or on days when classes aren't held, such as holidays.

Anyone with questions about Bulldog Line between Grand Rapids and Big Rapids can call Campus Auxiliary Services at (231) 591-5402

To see where the Bulldog Line is at any time, check the Rapid Connect webpage or download the MyStop App. For questions on bus delays, call the Rapid at (616) 776-1100.

Through the MyStop app students can subscribe to text or email messages and alerts regarding the bus. Riders are also encouraged to sign up forFerris Emergency Text Alerts to receive updates on weather related cancellations and other special announcements.

_{Release and photo courtesy of Ferris State University.}

The nationally top-ranked Ferris State University football squad will host the Bentley (Mass.) Falcons in its regular-season home opener this Friday (Sept. 4) at Top Taggart Field. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. (ET).

Friday's home opener will be presented by Century 21 White House Realty and the first 1,000 fans will receive free white rally towels. All FSU fans are encouraged to wear white for the evening "White Out" game.

Fans are also encouraged to arrive early for the Campus Communities Fan Zone, which will take place this year starting 90 minutes prior to kickoff inside the stadium games. The special area will feature a mechanical bull among other initiatives.

The two-time defending national champion Bulldogs beat fourth-ranked Pittsburg State (Kan.) by a 42-14 score in the season opener this past week. FSU currently owns a school all-time best and nation-leading 31-game winning streak and the Bulldogs are also rinding a current 29-game home winning streak at Top Taggart Field dating back to 2022.

Friday night's game will mark the Bulldogs' first-ever matchup versus the Falcons, who reached the D2 Playoffs a year ago with a 7-4 overall record. Bentley will open its 2026 season in Big Rapids.

The FSU-Bentley football game will be broadcast live locally by the Bulldog Sports Network and Sunny 97.3 FM with Rob Bentley handling the play-by-play duties and Sandy Gholston offering color commentary. The Bulldog Tailgate Show starts at 4 p.m. (ET) with the Johnson Automotive Pregame Show beginning at 5 p.m. The contest will also be televised on FloCollege and FloSports with video coverage provided by Ferris State Television.

Tickets for Friday's game can be bought online at FerrisStateBulldogs.com/Tickets and fans are encouraged to purchase their digital tickets in advance to avoid the gameday lines. The Wheeler Pavilion Gameday Ticket Office will also open on Friday starting at 4:30 p.m. (ET). All tickets purchased at the box office and not online will be an additional $5. For more information on ticket sales, please call (231) 591-2888 or visit FerrisStateBulldogs.com.

Football tickets for Friday's game are $20 for adults, $15 for senior citizens (ages 65+) and FSU faculty/staff along with $10 for students age 5-17 when purchased in advance online plus fees. Ferris students with ID will be admitted free by showing their student identification cards.

Tailgating will be permitted on Friday starting at 3 p.m. (ET) with the gates to the stadium opening 90 minutes prior to kickoff at 4:30 p.m. (ET). All tailgating must end 15 minutes before kickoff.

Parking in lots near Top Taggart Field is $10 per car or $30 per oversized vehicle (bus, motor coach, motor home, trailer, etc.) when purchased in advance online plus fees. As a convenience to fans, credit cards will also be accepted at the ticket window along with the concession stand.

For additional information and details, please visit FerrisStateBulldogs.com.

_{Release and image courtesy of Ferris State Athletics.}

At approximately 6:26 p.m. on Thursday, Sep. 3, 2026, a 59-year-old man from Morley was taken to the hospital following a crash in Aetna Township.

According the deputies, the crash occured at the intersection of 3 Mile Road and Northland Drive near Morley. The driver, who was on a motorcycle, was approaching the intersection and got hit by a vehicle turning onto 3 Mile Road. 

"The driver of the motorcycle sustained minor injuries from the crash and was transported to Big Rapids Corewell Health," Mecosta County Sheriff's Office said.

Deputies were assisted by Meceola Central Dispatch, Morley Area Fire & Rescue, and Mecosta County EMS.

Monday, August 24

• An officer was dispatched to a dispute between two parties. The complainant advised they just wanted the incident documented and did not want the officer to contact the other person. 

Tuesday, August 25

• No calls/arrests reported.

Wednesday, August 26

• An officer was dispatched for a check wellbeing on a juvenile. The juvenile was fine and did not require any services.

Thursday, August 27

• An officer was requested to assist with a medical emergency. 

• An officer was requested to assist with another medical emergency.

Friday, August 28

• An officer was dispatched to a larceny complaint. Upon arrival, the officer was advised a subject stole beer off a delivery truck and the incident was recorded on video. The subject was identified and trespassed from the property. A report is being forwarded to the prosecutor for review. 
• An officer was dispatched to a suspicious situation. After investigating the complaint, it was determined that no criminal offense had occurred. 

Saturday, August 29

• No calls/arrests reported.

Sunday, August 30

• An officer was dispatched to investigate a property damage accident. 
• An officer was dispatched to an assault not in progress. The complaint remains open pending further investigation.

On Tuesday, Sept. 1, Consumers Credit Union broke ground on a new 5,480-square foot office in Big Rapids.

Several community leaders joined Consumers for the groundbreaking, including Big Rapids Mayor Fred Guenther, City Manager Mark Gifford, Regional Chamber President Sarah Dixon and Ferris State University President Bill Pink.

“Big Rapids has a lot of growth ahead of it, and we want to be part of that,” said Scott Sylvester, president and CEO of Consumers.

The location at 900 Water Tower Road previously housed Dr. Herbert L. Dulaney’s orthodontic practice.

The Big Rapids office, which hopes to open in spring or early summer of 2027, will offer a full range of financial services, including personal checking and savings accounts, credit cards, mortgages, lending, investments and financial education. Kate Batchelder, office manager at Consumers’ Cascade location, will lead the new Big Rapids office.

“We love putting the right people in the right place,” Sylvester said. “Kate has done an outstanding job serving members and leading our Cascade team, and we’re confident she’ll bring that same energy and commitment to Big Rapids.”

The building will include about 2,725 square feet for credit union operations and a 2,755-square-foot community space. It also will feature two remote TellerPlus+ units.

Project partners include builder GDK and Bosch Architecture.

_{Image courtesy of City of Big Rapids.}

After four decades in Big Rapids, Preferred Office Machines will now be undergoing a merger with Kraft Business Systems.

According to lifetime owner John Milan, the Big Rapids businessfront will be open until the last week of October.

“Your trust and loyalty over the past four decades have meant everything to me,” he said. “It has been the honor of my career to serve you, and this next chapter is about making sure you’re taken care of for many years to come.”

Kraft Business Systems, based in West Michigan, has operated since 1994. The company provides IT services, cybersecurity, copiers and printers, managed print services, document management and business process automation. It has offices in Caledonia, Southfield and Traverse City.

“You can continue doing business exactly the way you always have,” Milan said. “Your service and equipment and the relationship you’ve come to rely on will carry forward seamlessly. At Kraft, their number one priority is a relentless commitment to the client experience."

The merger is official as of Tuesday, Sep. 1. For more information, contact Preferred Office Machines on their website.

The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) is reporting the state's first case of eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) in a domestic animal for 2026. The disease was detected in an under-vaccinated one-year-old Quarter Horse colt from Clare County. The colt was taken to a specialty hospital for care but was humanely euthanized. The detection highlights the importance for all Michiganders to take every precaution to protect their animals and themselves from mosquito bites. 

"While this is the first case of EEE detected in an animal this season, there has already been one human case of the disease this year,"  said State Veterinarian Dr. Nora Wineland, DVM, MS, DACVPM. "These detections clearly indicate EEE, as well as other possible mosquito-borne viruses, are circulating in the state s mosquito population. Preventing mosquito bites is crucial to prevent mosquito-borne diseases in our animals and families."

EEE is a zoonotic, viral disease transmitted through the bites of mosquitoes to both animals and people. Cases of the disease are typically seen in late summer to early fall each year in Michigan. EEE and other mosquito-borne diseases are not spread by horse-to-horse or horse-to-human contact.

"With the recent case of EEE in a Roscommon County resident and now this new detection, it is crucial that Michigan residents take precautions against mosquito bites,"  said Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, Chief Medical Executive. "EEE is one of the most dangerous mosquito-borne diseases in the U.S., with a 30% fatality rate among people who become ill. We urge residents to take precautions such as using an EPA-registered insect repellent when outdoors, avoiding areas where mosquitoes are present if possible and wearing clothing to cover arms and legs to prevent bites."

To prevent the occurrence of mosquito-borne diseases in horses and other animals, owners can:

• Talk to a veterinarian about vaccinating horses against EEE, WNV, and other mosquito-borne diseases.
• Eliminate standing water by filling in puddles, repairing eaves, and changing the water in buckets and bowls at least once a day.
• Place livestock in a barn under fans and keep pets inside the home during peak mosquito activity from dusk to dawn.
• Use an insect repellant on animals that is approved for the species.
• Contact a veterinarian if an animal shows signs of illness.
  • If a Michigan animal is suspected of having EEE or WNV, funding is available under an arbovirus grant to cover these testing costs. Please contact MDARD at 800-292-3939 for more details.

To protect yourself and your family from mosquito-borne diseases:

• Apply insect repellents that contain the active ingredient DEET or other EPA-approved products to exposed skin or clothing. Always follow the manufacturer s directions for use.
• Wear light-colored, long-sleeved shirts and long pants when outdoors. Apply insect repellent to clothing to help prevent bites.
• Maintain window and door screening to help keep mosquitoes outside.
• Empty water from mosquito breeding sites around the home, such as buckets, unused kiddie pools, old tires, and other water-holding containers where mosquitoes can lay eggs.

For the latest information on cases of mosquito-borne diseases in Michigan, please visit Michigan.gov/EmergingDiseases for weekly summaries. To learn more about EEE, please visit Michigan.gov/EEE. The latest updates on EEE and other equine diseases can be found by visiting the Equine Disease Communication Center at EquineDiseaseCC.org.

_{Release courtesy of Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development.}