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.}

On Monday night, Sep. 28, 2026, deputies from the Mecosta County Sheriff's Office responded to a motorcycle crash on Northbound US-131 near mile marker 136.

A 34-year-old man from Traverse City was traveling northbound on US-131, when he struck a deer crossing the freeway a little before 11:35 p.m. The motorcycle was also occupied by a 45-year-old female passenger from Traverse City. 

Both occupants sustained non-life-threatening injuries and were transported to Corewell Health Hospital located in Big Rapids.

Mecosta County Sheriff's Office was assisted by Meceola Central Dispatch, Ferris State University Police, Big Rapids City Fire/Rescue, Mecosta EMS, and Jerry's Towing. 

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

Ferris State University will launch its first Ferris Career Success Conference and Expo Sept. 30 through Oct. 2, with plans to coordinate the events bi-annually to connect students with rewarding careers.

The career conference brings approximately 400 recruiters from 180 organizations across the country to the Big Rapids campus to recruit students and alumni for internships and full-time employment.

More than a traditional career fair, the three-day event offers an expanded, university-wide career experience for students, alumni, faculty, staff, employees and employers—combining networking, professional development, current workforce topics, employer connections and career resources.

The conference kicks off Wednesday, Sept. 30, with a Launch Party from 7 to 8:30 p.m. on the first floor of the David L. Eisler Center.

The free, welcoming reception will feature food, activities, entertainment, giveaways, and casual networking. Students, alumni, faculty, staff, and employers are invited to connect before the expo in a relaxed setting.

For students and alumni, it is a chance to meet employers, start career conversations, and build connections before the formal expo begins.

“Whether someone is just beginning to think about a career, looking for an internship or job, preparing for their next career move, or supporting students along the way, there is a place for them in this experience,” said Angela Roman, director of Ferris State’s Career and Professional Success.

Dr. Michele Albright, Employer Relations Liaison and Career Readiness specialist, said the conference reflects how Ferris State is expanding its approach to career development.

Throughout the conference, participants can take advantage of expertise from across Ferris State and throughout the country to explore current workforce topics, trends and opportunities.

Programming includes a Technology Expo, All Majors Expo, employer information sessions, career readiness sessions, graduate school exploration and programming focused on artificial intelligence and recruiting.

The conference concludes Oct. 2 with a Career Tech Panel: AI to Get Hired, and a Future of Work keynote featuring Dr. Tarita Johnson, senior vice president, Talent and Diversity at The Right Place.

Sessions are designed for a variety of audiences, including students, faculty, staff, alumni and employers. Faculty and instructors will also have the opportunity to learn more about using 12twenty in the classroom and ways career resources can support student learning.

A new conference event app will further enhance the experience by helping attendees navigate the schedule, discover sessions and opportunities, and stay connected throughout the event.

The conference also marks the introduction of the new Ferris Career Success Hub, powered by 12twenty.

The career hub gives students and alumni a centralized place to access career resources, explore internships and employment opportunities, connect with employers and prepare for their next steps—extending career support beyond the conference and throughout the year.

The conference is the result of a university-wide planning committee and volunteers representing each Ferris college, most university offices, faculty, staff and students.

Together, they are helping bring the expertise, resources and connections of Ferris and its employer and community partners to one shared experience.

“Ferris has tremendous expertise within our colleges, departments and offices, along with an incredible network of employers and alumni,” Albright said. “This conference allows us to bring those connections together and make them accessible to our entire university community.”

_{Release and photo credit to Ferris State University.}

Monday, Sep. 21

• No arrests reported.

Calls for Service: 10

Traffic Accidents: 1

Tuesday, Sep. 22

• At 3:13 a.m., deputies made a traffic stop in Green Township. The traffic stop resulted in the male driver being arrested on Possession of Methamphetamine and an additional warrant. He was lodged at the Mecosta County Jail.

• At 10:48 p.m., deputies made a traffic stop in Big Rapids Township. The traffic stop resulted in the male driver being arrested for Possession of Methamphetamine. He was lodged at the Mecosta County Jail.

Calls for Service: 13

Traffic Accidents: 4

Wednesday, Sep. 23

Calls for Service: 16

Traffic Accidents: 3

Thursday, Sep. 24

• At 6:42 p.m., deputies made a warrant arrest at a residence in Morton Township. A male subject was arrested on a warrant. He was lodged at the Mecosta County Jail.

• At 7:54 p.m., deputies made a traffic stop in Big Rapids Township. The traffic stop resulted in the male driver and female passenger being arrested for Possession of Dangerous Drugs. Both were lodged at the Mecosta County Jail.

Calls for Service: 8

Traffic Accidents: 6

Friday, Sep. 25

• No arrests reported.

Calls for Service: 22

Traffic Accidents: 9

Saturday, Sep. 26

• No arrests reported.

Calls for Service: 11

Traffic Accidents: 2

Sunday, Sep. 27

• No arrests reported.

Calls for Service: 10

Traffic Accidents: 3

Ferris State’s new Jim Crow Museum will house more than 30,000 artifacts, but the building itself helps tell the stories of objects of oppression and how people are working to heal and overcome.

The Jim Crow Museum – the first of its kind – is celebrating the grand opening of the standalone building near the entrance to the Big Rapids campus on Sept. 30 and Oct. 1.

The museum will be a one-of-a-kind resource that leaders say will be a space for teaching, learning, and meaningful conversations about race that inspire understanding, healing, and positive change.

But museum leaders worked with architects from Neumann/Smith Architecture and Rockford Construction to include elements outside and inside the building to help tell the impactful stories. From the selected colors to the motifs of rivers, mosaics, and veils, these design elements help the museum teach more effectively about the Jim Crow period and its lasting impact.

“Our new museum will teach difficult truths, but also lifts up the stories of those who challenged hate through courage, advocacy and lives marked by resilience and dignity,” said Dr. David Pilgrim, the museum’s founder and Ferris State’s vice president for Diversity, Inclusion, and Strategic Initiatives,

“Our mission is to educate and inspire. The very building itself is a powerful tool to spark discussion and tell the story.”

 The Jim Crow era was a prolonged period of state-sponsored racial segregation and disenfranchisement in the United States, spanning from the late 19th century to the mid-1960s. Named after a derogatory minstrel show character, it enforced systemic white supremacy and treated African Americans as second-class citizens. 

For 30 years, Ferris State has been the home of the Jim Crow Museum. It began in a modest 500-square-foot room in the Starr Building. Since 2012, it has been housed in a larger 3,500-square-foot space in the lower level of the FLITE building.

The new, $22 million, 26,000 square-foot facility will help expand the museum’s ability to serve as an important resource for scholars and draw visitors from around the world. 

The museum’s centerpiece is a 7,500-square-foot exhibit gallery with artifacts and information presented in context, telling the stories of people and the times and times, building on the museum’s themes: Witness, Understand, Heal. 

The facility will also include state-of-the-art displays, interactive artifact explorer screens, a dedicated archive and research component, and increased capacity for school groups, faith communities, civic organizations, law enforcement, policymakers, and others. 

But the storytelling begins with elements of the building’s very design.

The Steel Veil

The steel veil that wraps the museum speaks to the history and mission of the museum. The design is based on W. E. B. Du Bois’ conception of “the veil,” written about in The Souls of Black Folk.

Du Bois was a groundbreaking American sociologist, historian, writer, and civil rights leader who co-founded the NAACP.

For Du Bois, the veil represents the barrier separating Black Americans from white America: a symbol of exclusion, distortion and the reality of being seen through the lens of racism instead of one’s full humanity.

The veil also shaped what Du Bois called “double consciousness,” which is the tension of understanding oneself from both within and through a prejudiced viewpoint. Ultimately, the goal of the museum is to help lift that veil.

Rivers

In the museum’s lobby, the floor tile flows along as if it were a river. This was intentional. The Steel Veil almost flows as a river as well, giving it a dual meaning. Also, the sidewalk that runs along the side of the building bends like a river.

Rivers run deep in African and African American culture. They are connected with spirituality, identity, and lived experiences. Rivers also link Black Americans back to Africa. They are symbols of African heritage. The rivers are also symbols of challenges to overcome. The concept of “many rivers crossed” is evidence of the strength and resiliency of African Americans.

Colors Within the Space

The red depicts various facets of the Jim Crow era, including its presence in society, laws, violence, caricatures and segregated spaces. The Citron yellow depicts the pushback from African Americans, whether individual or collective.

Mosaics

In the reflection space, the ceiling dome is inspired by art from the Harlem Renaissance era artist Aaron Douglas. The dome is pieced together as a mosaic of different shapes and colors. These mosaic representations — echoed in quilts, glass and various other art forms — illustrate how African Americans have crafted beauty and unity in the face of adversity.

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

The final cut of Andrew Tingley’s documentary about the Ferris State University Marching Band’s return after more than three decades premieres homecoming weekend at the Big Rapids Theater.

Showtimes for “Ferris State Marching Band Documentary” are 11 a.m. Friday, Sept. 25, and 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 26. Tickets are $7.50 at the door, but both presentations have limited seating. The band encourages donations at the screenings.

Tingley, an assistant professor of Television and Digital Media Production in Ferris State’s School of Digital Media, produced and directed the film. He followed the band from its first camp in 2025 through its first season back. The film runs about 40 minutes, and he is cutting a 26-minute and a 36-second version for PBS.

Although not a feature length, the film is full circle for Tingley, who played trombone at Portage Central High School and graduated from Ferris State in 2004.

“I love being a part of things that are bigger than me and feeling like I'm part of the marching band again,” Tingley said.

Starting as an idea from former Provost Bobby Fleischman, the film explores why the band disappeared and how it returned as other colleges cut marching bands and arts programs.

Scott Cohen, a retired professor of music and chair of the Department of Humanities, launched the effort to revive the band, and Ferris State hired Daniel Atwood to lead it. President Bill Pink, who once played bass drum in a marching band, also appears in the film.

Atwood calls the band “the front porch of the university,” where prospective students get a look at what Ferris State offers. Ferris State has no music major, so every member studies something else.

"They're all doing this just because they want to be a part of it," Atwood said.

An earlier cut of the documentary screened at the Festival of the Arts in February. After hearing community feedback, Tingley recorded more interviews over the summer and worked them into the film. His marching experience shaped his camerawork.

"One of the things that I currently teach students is when they're operating a Steadicam, I always say walk like you're in the marching band," Tingley said.

At camp, he marched inside the band’s drill to get his shots and mounted GoPro cameras on instruments. The hardest part, he said, was time: The band rehearsed constantly to bring the music and marching together.

"Get in there and just be a part of the marching band and get the shots that nobody else is going to see sitting in the stands," he said.

Knowing he couldn’t do it alone, Tingley needed a crew and didn’t have to look far to find one. Two students in a senior television and digital media production class helped with shoots, including a band performance at LMCU Ballpark. On football game days, while Tingley taught his remote television production class from the broadcast trailer, students covered the band on the field.

The shoots produced far more B-roll than the film could hold.

"It could easily be an hour, hour and a half full feature documentary," Tingley said. "But I'm just at the point where it needs to be done, and we need to get this story out there."

After the premiere, Tingley plans to submit the film to the National Educational Telecommunications Association, which makes programs available to PBS stations nationwide.

Review and scheduling take eight to 12 weeks, and each station decides whether to air it. Distribution through the association is nonexclusive, so he may also release the film on YouTube, Vimeo or Amazon, or host it on marchingbandfilm.com, where he posts updates.

Atwood hopes to eventually send prospective students a link.

"It could be a huge recruitment tool for us, for sure," he said.

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

ITC Michigan will host a series of open-house community listening sessions in October on its proposed Copperton Projects, a plan to add about 254 miles of 345-kilovolt transmission lines in central and western Michigan.

The sessions, each scheduled from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. between Oct. 5 and Oct. 22, will let residents review preliminary route options, ask questions and comment on routing, design and construction.

“Our goal is to listen early and often to ensure community feedback plays a meaningful role as the projects move forward,” said Jim Tedder, regional manager for ITC Michigan. “We are in the early stages of route planning, and we invite residents to attend the community listening sessions to learn more, ask questions and share input on the route segment networks.”

ITC, through subsidiary Michigan Electric Transmission Co., plans three double-circuit 345-kV lines centered on the Copperton substation, an upgraded Salt River facility near Coleman in Midland County:

• About 159 miles from the Ludington substation in Mason County to Copperton.
• About 55 miles from the Nelson Road substation in Gratiot County to Copperton.
• About 40 miles from the Tittabawassee substation near Midland to Copperton.

No final routes have been selected.

The work is part of the Midcontinent Independent System Operator’s Long-Range Transmission Plan Tranche 2.1, a 24-project Midwest portfolio estimated at $21.8 billion and approved by MISO’s board in December 2024. Officials say the lines are intended to improve reliability, resiliency and grid capacity.Listening sessions (noon-7 p.m.)

• Monday, Oct. 5: Doig Conference Center, 1200 Wright Ave., Alma
• Tuesday, Oct. 6: Great Hall Banquet and Convention Center, 5121 Bay City Road, Midland
• Wednesday, Oct. 7: Whitefish Lake Golf Club, 2241 Bass Lake Road, Pierson
• Thursday, Oct. 8: Holiday Inn Conference Center, 5278 E. Pickard St., Mount Pleasant
• Monday, Oct. 12: Doherty Hotel, 604 N. McEwan St., Clare
• Tuesday, Oct. 13: Osceola County Fairgrounds Community Building, 101 Recreation Ave., Evart
• Wednesday, Oct. 14: Idlewild Historic and Cultural Center, 7025 S. Broadway St., Idlewild
• Thursday, Oct. 15: The Peaks Event Center, 11515 Northland Drive, Big Rapids
• Monday, Oct. 19: Hope Hall, 601 N. Evergreen Drive, White Cloud
• Tuesday, Oct. 20: Dogwood Center for the Performing Arts, 4734 S. Campus Court, Fremont
• Wednesday, Oct. 21: Graystone Event Center, 4079 W. U.S. 10, Ludington
• Thursday, Oct. 22: Earl and Linda Peterson MSU Research Station, 5185 N. Oceana Drive, Hart

For more in depth information and details on the Copperton projects, visit here: https://www.mifuturegrid.com/copperton-projects/.

Monday, September 14

• An officer was dispatched to investigate a property damage accident between two vehicles.
• An officer was dispatched to a larceny complaint. The complaint remains open pending further investigation. 
• An officer issued two citations to minors, who were in possession of a vape and alcohol.
• An officer issued a citation to another minor in possession of a vape.
• An officer was dispatched to investigate a property damage accident. 
• An officer was dispatched to a larceny complaint. The complaint remains open pending further investigation.

Tuesday, September 15

• An officer was asked to assist the Osceola County Sheriff's Department with a breaking and entering complaint.
• An officer was dispatched to investigate a harassment complaint between two juveniles.

Wednesday, September 16

• An officer was dispatched to a civil stand by. One subject had a warrant for their arrest and was lodged on the warrant.

Thursday, September 17

• An officer was dispatched to a disturbance at a local business. A subject was arrested and lodged at the Osceola County Sheriff’s Department on multiple charges.

Friday, September 18

• An officer was dispatched for a check well-being on a subject laying in the roadway. The subject was located and transported to Reed City Hospital for further treatment.

Saturday, September 19

• No calls reported.

Sunday, September 20

• No calls reported.

An 18-year-old woman from Grand Haven was taken to the hospital Tuesday afternoon, Sep. 22, after a two-vehicle crash on Perry Avenue in Big Rapids.

According to the Mecosta County Sheriff’s Office, a 22-year-old woman from Gowen was traveling east on Perry Avenue through the traffic light at the intersection of 215th Avenue. The 18-year-old driver, who was stopped at a flashing yellow turn signal, then attempted a left turn and struck the 22-year-old woman’s vehicle.

The Grand Haven woman was taken to Corewell Health Big Rapids Hospital with minor injuries. The crash occurred around 3:20 p.m.

Deputies were assisted by Meceola Central Dispatch, the Michigan State Police, Mecosta County EMS and Big Rapids Township Fire and Rescue.

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

Ferris State University partnered with the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential to kick off a series of regional career and educational exploration opportunities.

The series follows the success of the first MI Kickoff event, which brought more than 1,000 high school students from 40 Michigan high schools to Ford Field in April.

The event, kicked off by Ferris State President Bill Pink, connected high school freshmen and sophomores with higher education, workforce and career opportunities, helping students explore their interests, identify potential pathways and begin building a plan for life after high school.

MiLEAP leaders said bringing students onto college campuses and connecting them with people and programs that can help shape their futures. MiLEAP and its partners are expanding access to these opportunities closer to where students live and learn. 

“Every student deserves the opportunity to see themselves in a future they can imagine and build,” said Dr. Beverly Walker-Griffea, MiLEAP executive director. “By bringing MI Kickoff to communities across Michigan, we are meeting young men where they are, helping them discover possibilities they may not have considered and connecting them to the people, programs and pathways that can help turn those possibilities into a plan.” 

Students across the state will take part in hands-on career exploration workshops, receive guidance on FAFSA and scholarship applications and connect directly with college and university faculty and staff to build relationships that can help inform future enrollment decisions.

Each event will feature activities showcasing various degree programs leading to high-wage, high-demand careers, including welding, health care, business and engineering. 

“We want young men to have the information and connections they need to make informed decisions about what comes next,” said Jason Wilson, deputy director of MiLEAP’s Office of Strategic Talent Preparation. “These regional events bring those opportunities directly to students and give them a chance to explore college and career pathways before they leave high school.” 

The regional events respond to a need to reach young men earlier and help them see a clear connection between their interests, education and futures.

According to the MI Data Center, about 56% of young men enroll in college within one year of graduating high school, compared with 69% of young women. Women also earn nearly 60% of all degrees and certificates awarded in Michigan. 

At Ferris State, students will experience hands-on activities in various programs including mechatronics, electrical automation engineering technology, music and entertainment business management, plastics and more.   "Most of these students have never set foot on a college campus – that’s the barrier,” said Dr. Kasey Lynn Thompson, dean and professor in the College of Extended Studies at Ferris State University.

“Once a ninth grader has stood in a welding lab or a pharmacy simulation and talked to someone doing that work, higher education stops being an abstraction and starts being an option. MiLEAP's goal for equitable postsecondary access aligned closely with our mission at Ferris State, and that shared understanding is what made an event of this scale possible." 

Connecting more young men with these opportunities supports Michigan’s bipartisan Sixty by 30 goal to increase the percentage of working-age adults with a postsecondary credential to 60% by 2030. 

Release credit to Ferris State University. Photo credit to MiLEAP.

Michigan State Police troopers were dispatched at 1:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 21, to a home construction site in the 7300 block of Croton Hardy Drive after human remains were located.

Based on the initial investigation, the remains are not believed to be recent, and there is no indication of foul play. The investigation remains ongoing regarding the identity and origin of the remains.

The Western Michigan University Medical Examiner’s Office took custody of the remains. Further information will be released as it becomes available.

_{Release information courtesy of Michigan State Police.}

The Buckhorn Creek dam removal and bridge project is complete after about five months of work.

Just north of Paris, Michigan, the creek is now connected to 2.4 miles of cold-water habitat in the Muskegon River. Travelers on the Fred Meijer White Pine Trail can also cross the creek on a 90-foot bridge.

“When we stress-tested the new channel, there were trout and other large fish literally waiting there to swim upstream,” said Paul Haan, executive director of the Muskegon River Watershed Assembly. “It was an incredible sight and a testament to how important it is to restore stream function and connectivity throughout the watershed. The project also creates a new way for people to experience Buckhorn Creek.”

The project cost about $2.2 million and was made possible through collaboration with the Mecosta County Parks Commission, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, Friends of the White Pine Trail and others, with significant philanthropic funding from the Meijer, Wege and Walters family foundations.

The Muskegon River Watershed Assembly (MRWA) is inviting the public to a ribbon-cutting from 10 to 11 a.m. Friday, Sept. 25. Interested volunteers can also collect stream samples and plant vegetation Saturday, Sept. 26. For more information, visit mrwa.org/events.

_{Photo courtesy of the MRWA.}

Dan Povenmire spent years working to get "Phineas and Ferb" made. On Wednesday, he tells Ferris State University students how he did it.

The co-creator of the Disney series and the voice of Dr. Heinz Doofenshmirtz headlines "A Conversation with Dan Povenmire: A Masterclass in Creativity, Storytelling and Perseverance" at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 23, in Williams Auditorium. Admission is free and requires no ticket.

Doors open at 7 p.m. to Ferris State students who show a student ID, then to everyone else. The auditorium seats 1,644.

The show follows stepbrothers Phineas Flynn and Ferb Fletcher during their 104 days of summer vacation. Each day, the boys build massive, incredible inventions or go on wild adventures. Their older sister, Candace, constantly tries to "bust" them by showing their creations to their mom, but her attempts always fail

Perry the Platypus, the family’s pet, is a spy for a secret animal organization. Every day, Perry fights Doofenshmirtz, an incompetent evil scientist. By the end of each episode, Dr. Doofenshmirtz's gadget accidentally destroys or erases all evidence of the boys' project just before mom can see it.

Entertainment Unlimited, the student-led campus programming board, hosts the event. Co-President Cervonte' Plair and Student Engagement Administrator Ben Avery, the board's adviser, will moderate the discussion.

Avery said the board spent a couple of weeks last spring weighing its budget against names students would turn out for.

"Entertainment Unlimited, our campus programming board, was looking for recognizable names that students on campus would get excited about and want to see," Avery said.

Students supplied the questions. Submissions cover the show's creation and its 2025 return, Povenmire's creative process, the animation industry and advice for aspiring creators, alongside lore questions about Doofenshmirtz and favorite episodes. Students can add their own questions until 5 p.m. Sept. 23 through this submission form.

Povenmire built "Phineas and Ferb" with Jeff "Swampy" Marsh for Disney Channel, where it ran four seasons from 2007 to 2015 and won five Emmy Awards.

He earned 10 Emmy nominations across four categories, from songwriting to voice performance, and won outstanding writing in animation in 2010. He returned for a fifth season that premiered in June 2025 and wrapped in January.

He also co-created "Milo Murphy's Law" and created "Hamster & Gretel."

Before that, he storyboarded and directed on "Family Guy," "SpongeBob SquarePants," "The Simpsons," "Rocko's Modern Life" and "Hey Arnold!"

The talk lands in front of an audience already training for that work. The School of Digital Media at Ferris State's Kendall College of Art and Design offers three bachelor's degrees: Digital Animation and Game Design, Digital Media Software Engineering, and Television and Digital Media Production. DAGD students specialize in game development or 3D animation, build a portfolio and complete an internship before they graduate.

The program runs 45 minutes and opens a week of Homecoming events that build to Saturday, Sept. 26, when the Bulldogs host Kentucky Christian University at Top Taggart Field at 3 p.m.

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

Monday, Sep. 14

• No arrests reported.

Calls for Service: 0

Traffic Accidents: 0

Tuesday, Sep. 15

• At 7:58 p.m., deputies made a traffic stop in Chippewa Township. The traffic stop resulted in a female passenger being arrested on a warrant. She was lodged at the Mecosta County Jail.

Calls for Service: 20

Traffic Accidents: 1

Wednesday, Sep. 16

• At 6:04 p.m., deputies made a warrant arrest, at a residence in Morton Township. A female subject was arrested on several warrants. She was lodged at the Mecosta County Jail.

• At 8:23 p.m., deputies made a traffic stop in Chippewa Township. The traffic stop resulted in a female subject being arrested on a felony warrant. She was lodged at the Mecosta County Jail.

Calls for Service: 19

Traffic Accidents: 1

Thursday, Sep. 17

• No arrests reported.

Calls for Service: 0

Traffic Accidents: 0

Friday, Sep. 18

• No arrests reported.

Calls for Service: 10

Traffic Accidents: 5

Saturday, Sep. 19

• At 8:58 p.m., deputies responded to a a one vehicle accident in Mecosta Township. A male subject was arrested for Operating While Intoxicated and Child Abuse. He was lodged at the Mecosta County Jail.

• At 10:53 p.m., deputies made a traffic stop in Martiny Township. The male driver was arrested on a warrant. He was lodged at the Mecosta County Jail.

Calls for Service: 9

Traffic Accidents: 4

Sunday, Sep. 20

• No arrests reported.

Calls for Service: 13

Traffic Accidents: 1

The Big Rapids City Commission will meet at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 21, at City Hall.

A featured item is a proposal from Fleis & VandenBrink for design, permitting and bidding services on the Clay Cliffs Trail project. The work would cover a 0.75-mile segment of trail in the Clay Cliffs Nature Area and is intended to make that stretch ADA-compliant. Planned improvements include accessible benches, wayfinding and educational signs, landscape restoration and two new bridges over Mitchell Creek — one replacing an existing footbridge and another farther south toward the Clay Cliffs area. Commissioners will consider accepting the engineering proposal for no more than $67,500. The city previously accepted a $391,400 Michigan Department of Natural Resources Trust Fund grant for the project.

Commissioners also will consider selling city-owned property at 126 S. DeKrafft Ave. to the Big Rapids Housing Commission for $16,000 after determining the parcel is not needed for a current or future city public purpose.

Other agenda items include:

• Amending the fiscal 2026-27 budget to carry forward unfinished fiscal 2025-26 purchases and projects
• Authorizing upfitting of a 2027 Dodge Ram 3500 for the Department of Public Works and a 2027 Chevrolet Tahoe police cruiser for the Department of Public Safety
• A study session update from Fire Chief Steve Schroeder on the Big Rapids Fire Department

Meetings are open to the public and livestreamed on the city’s YouTube channel.

On Friday, Sep. 18, at approximately 8:02 a.m., deputies from the Mecosta County Sheriff's Office responded to a two vehicle crash with injuries at the intersection of 5 Mile Road and 100^th Avenue in Hinton Township.

According to the investigation, the wreck occurred when a 24-year-old woman from Morley disregarded a stop sign and struck an eastbound vehicle, which was driven by a 74-year-old man from Stanwood. The 24-year-old woman had serious injuries and was transported by Aeromed to Corewell Health Butterworth Hospital. The 74-year-old man had minor injuries and was transported to Corewell Health Hospital in Big Rapids.

Deputies were assisted by Morton Township Fire/Rescue, Lakeview Fire/Rescue, Mecosta County EMS, Montcalm County EMS, Aeromed, and Meceola Central Dispatch.

Monday, August 31

• An officer made a traffic stop for an unreadable license plate. A controlled substance was found during the stop. The matter is under investigation.

• An officer took a complaint of public defecation. This case is under investigation.

Tuesday, September 1

• An officer responded to a crash involving a car and bicycle, with only minor injuries and minor damage.

• An officer transported an individual having mental health difficulties to the hospital for evaluation.

• An officer was dispatched for an assaultive teen. The individual was calmed and the victim did not wish to seek charges.

• An officer took a complaint of frequent spam calls. The caller was advised it is not a criminal manner and advised how to block the numbers or download a call filter app.

Wednesday, September 2

• Officers patrolled traffic, followed-up on open cases, and performed security details.

Thursday, September 3

• An officer took a reckless driving complaint. The area was patrolled, but the vehicle was not located at this time.

Friday, September 4

• An officer assisted deputies with stand-by for EMS for safety regarding a domestic assault investigation.

• An officer was called for civil stand-by regarding a couple. They were able to work out their differences and called to say they no longer needed an officer.

• An officer was dispatched for an assault. The victim declined to seek charges and a copy of the report was forwarded to the juvenile suspect’s probation officer.

• An officer was dispatched for a suicidal person. The individual was located and transferred to hospital for mental health treatment.

Saturday, September 5

• An officer was dispatched for a possible domestic. Upon arrival, all parties were separated and there was no physical altercation. No crime was committed.

• An officer issued an observed trespassing violation. A citation was issued for this incident.

• An officer was dispatched for a dementia patient walking away from treatment. The individual was located and returned.

Sunday, September 6

• An officer was called for a family argument. All parties agreed to separate peacefully.

Monday, September 7

• An officer took a complaint of a suspicious person. Interviews were completed and there was no criminal activity found.

• Officers worked on open cases, abatement enforcement, security checks, and road patrol.

Tuesday, September 8

• An officer was dispatched for a two-vehicle accident with property damage. There were no injuries and a report is on file.

• An officer was dispatched for a fraud complaint. The victim was told they won the Publisher's Clearing House award and needed to send gift cards to pay for fees. The suspect is believed to be operating from Jamaica. The suspect was contacted and advised to not call this individual again. The complainant was given information on how to make a report with the federal government, since the activity is outside the United States.

• An officer received an anonymous tip of an individual getting high off inhalants in public. Officers did not witness the act and the individual moved on.

• An officer was requested to stand by while a psychiatric patient was put in a transport vehicle in event the patient became uncooperative. No problems occurred.

• An officer was dispatched for a domestic dispute. Interviews were completed, and evidence gathered. CPS has been notified.

• An officer was dispatched for a threat complaint. Since nothing physical occurred, and mental clarity of the individual was diminished, the individual was transported to RCH for evaluation purposes.

• An officer was called to hospital for a person refusing to leave. The individual was transported by an Osceola County Sheriff's deputy back to their residence.

Wednesday, September 9

• An officer assisted deputies on a missing person investigation. The individual was found safe and reunited with family members.

• An officer took a Criminal Sexual Conduct complaint. Both individuals were interviewed. The suspect was also served a trespassing notice. Charges have been requested.

• An officer requested charges on an individual for Obstructing a Police Officer and Public Intoxication.

Thursday, September 10

• Officer assisted Child Protective Services with interviews regarding possible criminal sexual conduct. The matter was unfounded.

• An officer took a complaint of retail fraud. Evidence was gathered and a statement was given. Positive identification of the suspect is pending.

• An officer took a complaint of trespassing. The complainant chose to not have a trespassing notice served, but will post 'No Trespassing' signs in attempt to resolve the situation first.

Friday, September 11

• An officer was called for a well-being check on an individual. The individual was located and secure.

• An officer performed multiple traffic stops, patrolled the city, completed security checks, and followed up on open cases.

• An officer was dispatched for a well-being check. The individual was located and determined safe and secure at this time. Unfounded.

• An officer performed security standby for a patient transfer at the hospital. No incidents occurred.

Saturday, September 12

• An officer was dispatched to assist Child Protective Services with an investigation of possible criminal sexual conduct and abuse. The matter is unfounded at this time.

Sunday, September 13

• An officer performed a well-being check. The individual was located and had turned their phone off. The complainant was called, and the person was safe & secure.

• An officer was dispatched for a possible runaway. The individual had been at a location in town but was out with friends. The person would be taken home upon their return.

• An officer advised a homeowner of a parking violation. The owner moved the vehicle.

• An officer spoke with a homeowner regarding a nuisance ordinance violation. The owners are out of town, but the situation will be resolved upon their return. Follow-up is pending.

• An officer performed civil standby for a custody exchange.

• An officer took a complaint of verbal threats. Nothing physical had taken place at this time. A report is on file.