The Osceola County Sheriff's Office is asking for public assistance regarding a recent crash in LeRoy Township

The two-vehicle wreck occurred around 1:35 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 3. One driver, who was driving a white Chevrolet Silverado, fled the scene after the crash. It is believed the truck suffered damage on the driver's side.

No images of the wreck, or the truck, were obtained by the Sheriff's Office. If anyone has information about the vehicle or the driver’s identity, please contact Deputy Dougherty at 231-872-9910.

_{Information courtesy of Osceola County Sheriff's Office.}

During October, Menards in Big Rapids will serve as a food pantry drop-off site.

“We are excited to participate in this wonderful opportunity while lending a helping hand in the community,” a Menards representative said.

Donated items will go to Manna Pantry of Big Rapids, which serves people in need in Mecosta and Osceola counties.

Nonperishable items that can be donated, many of which are sold at Menards, include cereal, canned soup, pasta, and peanut butter and jelly.

The store is located at 14777 215th Ave., Big Rapids, MI 49307.

A Frost Advisory has been issued by the National Weather Service for parts of West Central Michigan.

The advisory will be in effect from 10 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 2, until 8 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 3. This will affect Clare, Lake, Mecosta, Newaygo, Osceola, and Wexford counties. 

"Frost could harm sensitive outdoor vegetation and sensitive outdoor plants may be killed if left uncovered," NWS said in an alert. "Take steps now to protect tender plants from the cold."

Hourly WeatherEye forecasts can be heard at the top of the hour on WBRN via 96.5 FM, 1460 AM, WBRN.com and the WBRN mobile app.

Around Mecosta County, arrests for controlled substances are on pace to nearly double from last year.

So far in 2026, the Mecosta County Sheriff’s Office has reported 63 arrests for controlled substances. That is a 61.5% increase from the 2025 total, with three months left in the year.

Mecosta County Sheriff Brian Miller attributes the increase not only to more use, but also to a greater focus on patrol.

“Part of the reason we are seeing the higher numbers of traffic stops and subsequent arrests for possession of methamphetamine is because we are recognizing those who are using the drug and taking enforcement action,” Miller said. “We’ve identified who these people are due to other criminal activity they are involved in.”

The increase also tracks with arrests for cocaine and opiates.

^{Data provided by the Mecosta County Sheriff's Office.}

“The recidivism rate has continued to be a problem, as we are arresting the same people on multiple occasions,” Miller said. “We will continue to be vigilant in our patrols and enforcement action when it comes to methamphetamine and other controlled substances in our community.”

Miller also said many people who have been arrested do not follow through with the rehabilitation they are offered, which has driven the high rate of repeat offenders.

When asked whether the sheriff’s office plans to change its approach, Miller said he believes the problem extends beyond Mecosta County.

“I don’t think our community is any better or worse than any other community right now with this epidemic,” Miller said. “With some of the restrictions from the judicial system, I think the consequences and punishment aren’t where they should be.”

Miller also credited the K-9 unit with improving detection. 

Michigan continues to set records in the number of public school students taking rigorous Advanced Placement (AP) courses and the number performing well on AP exams, according to data released by the College Board and shared today by the Michigan Department of Education (MDE).

AP courses give students an opportunity to take college-level courses while they are still in high school. The College Board, the same not-for-profit organization that administers the SAT, oversees AP exams in a variety of subjects.

In 2026, 69,878 high school students in Michigan took one or more AP exam. That’s an increase of 6% from 65,898 who took at least one exam the year before, which also was a record at the time, and up by nearly 19,000 students from five years before.

This year 94,598 of the AP exams taken by Michigan public school students—or 75% of the 126,480 exams taken—earned scores of 3, 4 or 5 on a scale of 1-5, which means students who took the tests are qualified, well-qualified or extremely qualified. A score of 3 or above often qualifies students for college credit.

In 2026, 53,022 students scored 3, 4 or 5 on a scale of 1-5 on at least one AP exam. That number increased from 49,708 the year before, an increase of 6.7%.

“Michigan students, their families and local educators can be proud of continuing improvements in the number of students taking AP courses and testing well on AP exams,” said State Superintendent Dr. Glenn Maleyko. “Exposure to rigorous, college-level courses in high school prepares our students for their future.”

Even with the record improvements, there is room for further growth in access to AP among Michigan students. While the courses are available to all students either through their local schools or online via Michigan Virtual, only 52% of Michigan high school directly offer AP classes.

In addition to AP, Michigan has been working to increase student access to other rigorous learning opportunities—Career and Technical Education, dual enrollment in credit-bearing college classes during high school, Early Middle College and the International Baccalaureate program.

These opportunities contribute to progress toward Goal 4 of Michigan’s Top 10 Strategic Education Plan, to expand secondary learning opportunities for all students, and Goal 5, to increase the percentage of all students who graduate from high school.

Local school districts and MDE have worked to raise awareness among high school students and parents about the availability of and importance of AP classes. In recent years, MDE has been one of only two states to mail letters to parents of high school students who were identified by the College Board’s AP Potential Tool as likely to be successful in AP coursework based on their PSAT scores. In the 2025-26 school year, 144,027 Michigan 10th- and 11th-graders took the PSAT.

A $2.8 million investment from the Michigan Legislature and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in the fiscal year 2027 state budget has reduced barriers to AP, International Baccalaureate and the College-Level Examination Program by covering or reducing fees for income-eligible students and families.

“We want to continue improving access to AP courses,” said State Board of Education President Dr. Pamela Pugh. “It’s important for there to be equitable access to AP. I am especially pleased that AP participation and success are on the rise for students of color.”

Since 2022, the College Board said AP participation by Black students in Michigan has more than doubled, from 2,778 to 5,653, a 103% increase. Hispanic participation is up 64%, from 3,457 to 5,686. That compares to overall participation growing 34%.

The College Board said 233 of 663 Michigan districts, or 35%, don’t have direct access to AP. The lack of access is concentrated in small and rural districts.

_{Release courtesy of Michigan Department of Education.}