Monday, November 27

Calls for Service: 18

Car/Deer Accidents: 1

Tuesday, November 28

• At 1829 hours, deputies made a warrant arrest at a residence in Aetna TWP. A male subject was arrested on a warrant out of Montcalm Co. He was turned over to Montcalm County.

• At 2048 hours, deputies responded to an assault complaint at a residence in Aetna TWP. A female subject was arrested for assaulting another female.

??Calls for Service: 12

Car/Deer Accidents: 4

Wednesday, November 29

• At around 0900 hours, deputies recovered some stolen merchandise from a residence in Sheridan TWP. The merchandise had been stolen from a business in Big Rapids on 11-22-23.

• At around 2100 hours, deputies made a warrant arrest at a residence in Chippewa TWP. A male subject was arrested on 2 warrants. He was lodged at the Mecosta County Jail.

Calls for Service: 14

Car/Deer Accidents: 3?

Thursday, November 30

• At around 1630 hours, deputies made a traffic stop on a vehicle in Morton TWP. The traffic stop resulted in the  female driver being arrested on warrants. She was lodged at the Mecosta County Jail.

• At around 2023 hours, deputies made a warrant arrest at a residence in Aetna TWP. A male subject was arrested on a warrant. He was lodged at the Mecosta County Jail.

Calls for Service: 16

Car/Deer Accidents: 3

Traffic Accidents: 1

Friday, December 1

• Nothing reported.

Saturday, December 2

• Nothing reported.

Sunday, December 3

• Nothing reported.

Chuck Thelen of Gotion Inc. on Tuesday joined 17 other civically minded companies to meet with employees at Leprino Foods in Remus to discuss job opportunities including those that will be available at Gotion’s battery components facility in the Big Rapids area.

Last month, Leprino Foods was forced to make a difficult business decision and announced it would lay off many of its workers at the beginning of the new year. The layoffs will affect more than 110 local workers. Gotion Inc. will work to expedite training opportunities and hiring plans to help local residents heal from the crippling trend of people in the region affected by multiple layoffs since 2009.

“So many local families have been affected by layoffs in our region, and the recent Leprino Foods announcement hit my conscience especially hard with it being so close to my home,” said Thelen, vice president of Gotion Inc. – North American Manufacturing. “I was motivated to try and pull ahead 2024 hiring plans and talk with dozens of Leprino employees about the tremendous employment opportunities at Gotion Inc. These are great jobs with superior benefits, and I am positive we have the talent right here in Mecosta County to help fill these positions.”

In compliance with its development agreement with Green Charter Township, Gotion Inc. is first seeking to hire people from within a 25-mile radius of its planned facility.

Thelen met with residents at the Michigan Works West Central booth, which is helping facilitate the hiring process at Gotion Inc. When fully operational, the facility will employ more than 2,300 people.

Those seeking more information about available positions at Gotion Inc. can visit MWWC.org/Gotion.

The City of Big Rapids is excited to announce it received a $150,000 grant from the state of Michigan through its Recreation Passport Program to develop a state-of-the-art skate park at Swede Hill. This generous grant underscores the commitment to fostering recreational opportunities for the community's youth and enhancing the overall quality of life in Big Rapids.

The funds will be dedicated to constructing the Swede Hill Skate Park, providing a dynamic space for skateboarders and enthusiasts of all skill levels. The project aims to create a vibrant hub tor recreational activities, promoting an active and healthy lifestyle among residents.

"'The City is beyond excited to receive this grant," said Michelle Stenger, Director of Big Rapids Community Development. "The community has worked extremely hard in making this project a reality and we wouldn't be able to do it without the support of the citizens and past employees of Big Rapids.

The total project cost with the added features is $240,950 with $150,000 from the Recreation Passport grant and $90,950 being the city's match. $2,000 in donations raised previously and a 525,000 top prize awarded from the "Consumers Energy Foundation's 2022 Put Your Town on the Map" pitch competition.

The Swede Hill Skate Park project aligns with the city's commitment to creating inclusive recreational opportunities. promoting physical activity, and fostering community.

Chris Pulliams never expected to return to Godwin Heights High School when he graduated, dreaming of playing college football.

“I had hopes of being an NCAA Division I athlete, specifically at the University of Oregon,” Pulliams said. “I decided to begin my studies at Grand Rapids Community College, with plans to transfer and move to Eugene with my father. There was a preferred walk-on offer at Oregon, but the situation did not develop, and I found myself out of college as the next year began.” 

Chris turned to his high school coach, Jake Kenyon, for direction. The veteran leader had good advice for Pulliams and, ultimately, the Bulldogs. 

“I fashioned a letter for Ferris’ coaches and the Western Michigan University football program, and both offered me preferred walk-on status,” Pulliams said. “I came to see that Ferris had the mix of campus life, education and athletics that would be perfect for me. I wound up making the great decision to become a Bulldog, and it is one I have never found fault with.” 

Pulliams was a redshirt in 1992 as Ferris made its first NCAA Division II postseason appearance and quickly went from contributing as a special teams player to joining the mix of running backs on an undefeated Bulldogs squad the next year. 

Just as a change of direction is critical in success carrying the football, Pulliams made an academic shift that changed his life and the lives of students at his high school alma mater for the better. 

“I started in the College of Business, not knowing exactly what I would do. But I believed strongly that it was a path to success for me,” Pulliams said. “As part of my football experience, I volunteered at a Big Rapids elementary school and it was as if my eyes were opened, everything about the experience felt so right. I immediately made the change in my academic and career direction.” 

Pulliams graduated from Ferris and its College of Education and Human Services in 1997 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Education, minoring in Language Arts. 

During his senior year, Chris was named the inaugural recipient of the Jack McAvoy Award, given annually to the football player who best exemplifies on-field character and leadership. The award began in the Midwest Intercollegiate Football Conference and continues as an honor in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.

“The award was something that very much came my way at the moment, as we were focused on trying to win a national championship, which didn’t come our way,” Pulliams said. “It took a little time to realize what this accomplishment meant. That included researching Jack McAvoy and what he meant to Hillsdale College, the Great Lakes Conference and the MIFC. Those accomplishments and his philosophy drove home the significance of the honor, and I am proud of this, especially as the first recipient.” 

Pulliams had All-Conference recognition, NCAA playoff appearances in each of his varsity seasons, and his 97-yard game-winning run in the 1995 “Snow Bowl” against Saginaw Valley rivals recent national championship moments for the most iconic play in Bulldog football history. His 1,729 rushing yards as a junior remains a single-season Ferris record. 

That level of heart and commitment Pulliams gave to his on-field performance and studies has continued and serves as a reward for his hometown school district of Godwin Heights, in the Grand Rapids suburb of Wyoming.  

“It has been 26 years of trying to pay back in the same fashion all the effort and direction that Coach Kenyon had afforded me,” Chris said. “I want to see the students I work with in the classroom and on our teams able to define and achieve their goals in life.” 

Pulliams teaches English in Godwin Heights’ Alternative Education program, and before that, was a College Readiness instructor and taught Scholastic Aptitude Test Prep, beginning with seventh- and eighth-grade students. 

“It is once again leaning back on what Coach Kenyon gave me, helping students to graduate and achieve, because that is an important goal in our district,” Pulliams said. “It might sound easy, but the work is to get students to see themselves in the themes and materials, to help them pick up on and appreciate the writer’s message.” 

The contribution to Godwin Heights students continues even after classes are over. Pulliams staffs athletic events throughout the year and has been a coach in the Wolverines’ high school football program for approximately a decade and the track program for more than a dozen years. 

“It is a special relationship that develops when I work with athletes, one I just have not found to be possible in the classroom,” Pulliams said. “There are many friendships with these young people that have continued because of the time and effort we have shared. It is not about wins and losses; though we have enjoyed much success, it was due to the improvement they showed, from meet to meet and game to game. When they give themselves the chance to get to college due to their athletic success, that is so gratifying. Also, the lessons that help them achieve as competitors serving as a foundation to the way they conduct their lives can certainly be labeled a great success.” 

Pulliams has given and received as a Ferris State alumnus, with his service on the Alumni Board beginning in 2018, following his induction into the Ferris State University Bulldog Athletics Hall of Fame in 2017. More prominent in his mind is the reward from weekly worship and connection to Kentwood Community Church. 

“My wife and I became members 12 years ago when we sought to adopt our daughter,” Pulliams said. “It was the right decision then and we feel so welcome and happy as a family there. I mostly serve as an usher and I am open to whatever God is leading me to do, as I know all my accomplishments come from God, and I would not be who I am without his presence in my life.” 

Growing up a Godwin Heights Wolverine and returning for a career in his home district has been rewarding. Chris has been recognized in the media and is respected by neighboring districts.

Pulliams said as another academic calendar begins, he is looking at life at home and in the classroom in a slightly different light. 

“We have much to do as a family, as our daughter is entering her teens and high school days,” Pulliams said. “I work hard to keep my wife and daughter first, even with all my responsibilities as a teacher, coach, and mentor. My daughter’s interest in softball found us watching NCAA tournament games on TV together this spring, and she has kept tabs on the success of Grand Valley’s program. Even when I am watching Ferris’ closest rival, it has been a great joy to share that experience with her.” 

Though he is nearer to the close of his career as an educator than the beginning, considering 2023’s first day of classes found the veteran of the classroom and coaches’ corner brimming, bright-eyed, with a ready smile. 

“I am energized to keep on keeping on for the students,” Pulliams said. “I am so fortunate to have gained so many rewards from investing my time in Godwin Heights among so many great people.”

The Michigan Lottery is warning the public to be aware of scam artists claiming to be lottery agents or prize winners.

The Michigan Lottery processes all prize claims for free, and players must have a valid winning ticket to claim a prize. If you haven’t bought a Lottery ticket or played a Lottery game, there’s no way you could win a prize.

To check if a lottery prize, offer, or promotion is legitimate, members of the public may contact the Lottery’s Player Relations Division at 844-887-6836, option 2, or via email at onlinehelp@michiganlottery.com.

Lottery prize scams surface from time-to-time and have been known to pop up around the holidays. The public should always remain vigilant.

Generally, there are two types of lottery prize scams:

• A person gets a letter, email, text, or phone call to inform them that they’ve won a big lottery prize but must pay a fee to collect the prize. If the person agrees, the scam artist convinces them to mail a cashier’s check, make an electronic funds transfer, or even arranges a meeting to get the money in cash.
• A person is contacted by mail, email, text, or phone call by someone claiming to be a lottery prize winner. The scam artist tells the person they will share their prize if the person sends money to them. If the person agrees, the scam artist convinces them to mail a cashier’s check, make an electronic funds transfer, or even arranges a meeting to get the money in cash.

In some cases, after getting money from the victim, the scam artist comes back asking for more for unexpected processing costs or fees or uses some other excuse to try to get more money from the victim.

Unfortunately, the more money the victim supplies, the longer the scam will continue.

If you believe you have been the victim of such a scam, please contact your local law enforcement agency.

Monday, November 27

• Nothing reported.

Tuesday, November 28

• Trespass – Officers were called to a business regarding a subject they wanted trespassed from the property.
• Criminal Sexual Conduct – Officers received a referral from CPS regarding a possible criminal sexual conduct incident. The case remains open at this time.
• Larceny – Officers received a larceny of a cell phone complaint. The case remains open at this time.
• Breaking and Entering – Officers were dispatched to a possible breaking and entering complaint. Nobody was found on the property and there was no evidence that someone entered the residence.
• Fraud – Offices were dispatched to a residence for a possible fraud complaint. The case remains open at this time.

Wednesday, November 29

• Nothing reported.

Thursday, November 30

• Property Damage Accident – Officers were dispatched to investigate a two vehicle property damage accident.

• Mental – Officers were dispatched to a well-being check.  Officers spoke with the subject and they did not require any services.

Friday, December 1

• Nothing reported.

Saturday, December 2

• Nothing reported.

Sunday, December 3

• Property Damage Accident – Officers were dispatched to investigate a two vehicle property damage accident.

• Threats – Officers were dispatched to a threats complaint. While investigating the complaint a subject was found to have multiple warrants for their arrest. The subject was arrested on the warrants and lodged without incident. 

Monday, November 27

• An officer received reports of suspicious events happening at a residence including a decorative fence around a garden area being knocked down.
• An officer received a report of an abandoned wheelchair. Prior to the officer’s arrival the owner picked it up.
• An officer is investigating a case that was referred to by CPS. Following the initial investigation, a 25-year-old male has been arrested on an outstanding warrant for Child Abuse in the 2nd Degree. The investigation is still open and additional charges are possible.
• An officer arrested a 30-year-old male on multiple warrants.
• An officer arrested a 33-year-old male on an outstanding warrant. He was lodged at the Osceola County Jail.

Tuesday, November 28

• Nothing reported.

Wednesday, November 29

• An officer took reports of a 31-year-old male violating his probation. The matter was forwarded to his probation officer.
• An officer investigated reports of some suspicious events happening at an apartment. After investigating, the reports were unfounded.
• An officer arrested a 24-year-old male on two outstanding warrants for failing to appear in court.
• Officers were dispatched to a report of possible mistreatment of a child. The caller is known to have hallucinations due to mental health. The matter was unfounded.
• An officer arrested a 32-year-old male on an outstanding warrant for contempt of court.
• An officer investigated reports of possible child abuse. The case is still under investigation.

Thursday, November 30

• Nothing reported.

Friday, December 1

• An officer responded to a call about a business door left unlocked. The building was checked and secured
• Officers took a report of malicious destruction of property.

Saturday, December 2

• An officer assisted an individual that was having issues with the bank deposit machine.

• An officer responded to a call, in reference to a threats complaint.

Sunday, December 3

• An officer responded to a call to do a welfare check on a 40-year-old female. She was found to be ok.

• An officer was dispatched for a civil standby while an ex-girlfriend exchanged property with her ex-boyfriend.

On Monday, Dec. 4 at 3:50 P.M., deputies from the Mecosta County Sheriff’s office were dispatched to a one-vehicle accident on Buchanan Rd. near 130th Ave. in Austin TWP.

The investigation revealed that a 77-year-old female from Remus had went off the roadway, overturned her vehicle into a swamp, and was trapped until first responders removed her from the vehicle. 

The Remus women was then transported by Mecosta County EMS to the Big Rapids Hospital for non-life threatening injuries. 

Deputies were assisted on scene by Mecosta County EMS, Morton TWP Fire and Rescue, Meceola Central Dispatch, and Currie's Towing.  

A team of 19 Ferris State University Information Security and Intelligence students posted strong results against hundreds of schools and competitor groups during the fall team event of the National Cyber League.

The virtual competition allows the ISI students to demonstrate their prowess as participants from a National Security Agency Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense.

“There are often as many as 7,500 to 8,000 competitors in NCL events,” said Jerry Emerick, a professor of Information Security and Intelligence in the Ferris State College of Business. “Ferris is generally in the top five percent, nationally, with some of the best individual participants in the nation from time to time.”

A longtime advisor to ISI competitors, Emerick noted these students worked in teams of four and five, solving cybersecurity challenges in a “capture the flag”-style contest.

“This presents various challenges that test our team’s skills,” he said. “Generally, team members will work in groups of four or five physically together, virtually, or both while working through the NCL challenges. Student teams determine how to connect and organize their response with the best chance to succeed.”

Emerick said the Ferris State Information Security and Intelligence program’s stature and history, having been organized more than a decade ago, affords its NCL competitors some benefit in the league’s schedule of events.

“The team receives real-time information on its standing through a Cyber Skyline Live Score Report. There will also be a scouting report detailing our results in the team game,” Emerick said, noting Ferris completed the Spring 2023 NCL schedule and finished 22nd out of 451 teams nationally. In Fall 2022, the team placed 15th out of 470 competitors.

Senior Chris Fidell, from Brighton, wants to pursue a Master of Science in Information Security and Intelligence from Ferris State. He is currently in his first year of competition in NCL events and other competitions. Fidell said the recent team event was a great learning experience.

“I thought I would have some idea of the range of questions we would face. There were certainly some crushing elements in the competition,” Fidell said. “I had to go to ‘the gymnasium’ to get tools and resources on those exercises involving web exploitation because that is not my strong suit. I was pleased by my abilities to respond quickly and accurately in password cracking and cryptography.”

Fidell said this was an opportunity to apply what he had learned in the classroom while collaborating with his peers.

“These events show you what you do and do not know,” Fidell said. “I think it will be very valuable for my hopes to continue at Ferris in the graduate program and as a professional when previously unseen problems and scenarios arise.”

At 8:31 P.M. Sunday night, the Michigan Department of Transportation reported a section of freeway is closed following an accident on Northbound US-131 near LeRoy.

The crash was reported around 7:18 P.M. and occurred just after Exit 168 at 20 Mile Rd. No details were reported on the accident.

Crews shortly after the crash reported that the right lane was blocked, but further reports went on to say the freeway is closed completely. 

More details will be added when they are confirmed.

The Ferris State University men's ice hockey team suffered a home Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA) loss against St. Thomas Saturday (Dec. 2) in the Ewigleben Ice Arena.

After winning their first regulation game of the year Friday (Dec. 1), the Bulldogs (5-8-1) could not complete the sweep against St. Thomas Saturday. The Tommies took an early lead and held it throughout the entirety of the game, as they led for all 60 minutes.

Quinton Pepper began the scoring at 1:03 in the first period for St. Thomas. Later, at 3:31, Mack Byers scored his first goal of the night, and the Tommies extended their lead to 3-0 at 12:46 with a goal from Ryan O'Neill. Byers assisted on O'Neill's goal, and O'Neill assisted on Byers' tally.

Luke Manning started the second period with a power play goal at 1:05 and gave St. Thomas a 4-0 lead. FSU answered quickly with Antonio Venuto's 11th goal this season at 3:27. Luigi Benincasa collected his 10th helper and Travis Shoudy also assisted, his 12th of the year.

From that point on, it was all St. Thomas in the scoring column. Lucas Wahlin and Byers each had a power play goal in the second period, giving the Tommies a 6-1 lead going into the third period. O'Neill assisted on both goals.

Byers completed the hat trick at 4:44 of period three, with O'Neill and Wahlin assisting. That was the final goal for either squad, giving St. Thomas a 7-1 win.

Noah Giesbrecht started between the pipes for FSU, allowing five goals on nine shots faced through 25:43 of game action. Logan Stein came in for the remainder of play, making 23 saves on 25 shots. 

Jake Sibell earned a win for St. Thomas with a 33-of-34 performance. O'Neill finished with five points on four assists, Byers had four points on three goals and Wahlin also had four points with three assists.

Both teams had 34 shots in the contest. FSU went 0-4 on the power play and killed 3-6 power play chances for the Tommies. The Bulldogs committed eight penalties for 27 minutes in the loss. St. Thomas won the faceoff battle 36-31.

Ferris State will be back in action Friday, Dec. 8 against Bowling Green on the road. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:07 p.m. (ET) with pregame coverage beginning on Sunny 97.3 and FerrisStateBulldogs.com at 6:30 p.m. (ET) from Ohio.

This opening Monday of December is slated for a large scale city commissioner's meeting.

Slated to begin at 6:30 P.M. at Big Rapids City Hall, the meeting is slated to host a pair of special orders, four different study sessions, and three points of general business.

For the special orders, new police officers Rachel Raschke and Luke Killingbeck will be introduced and welcomed.

In the community-related study sessions, the board will hear from four different groups and their leading representative for updates. These include:

• Mecosta County Development Corporation with Kelly Wawsczyk
• Redevelopment Ready Community with Michelle Stenger
• Water Violations with Steve Cook
• Commission Meeting Calendar with Karen Manoski

To round out the scheduled items, there will also be three resolutions managed within the general business section. These include:

• Resolution appointing to the West Michigan Regional Planning Commission.
• Resolution authorizing a deer cull.
• Resolution approving a mutual aid agreement with Morton Township Fire and Rescue.

For more information on the meeting, visit cityofbr.org.

Today, Congressman Bill Huizenga (R-MI), Congresswoman Annie Kuster (D-NH), and Congressman Lloyd Smucker (R-PA), introduced the bipartisan Protecting All Parents and Adoptees (PAPA) Act. The legislation strengthens the adoption process for birth mothers, adoptive families, and children by establishing a National Responsible Father Registry to increase coordination between states and involved parties throughout the adoption process.

“I am proud to team up with Rep. Kuster and Rep. Smucker to remove barriers from the adoption process and connect children with a safe, loving, forever home,” said Congressman Huizenga.  “This bipartisan legislation takes important steps to respect both privacy and parental rights while protecting victims of domestic violence.”  

“Every child deserves a loving, caring home,” said Congresswoman Kuster. “As an adoption attorney for 25 years, I saw firsthand the need to develop a comprehensive, National Responsible Father Registry to protect the rights of all parents while facilitating a reliable, efficient adoption process. The adoption process is emotional for everyone involved — I’m proud to introduce this bipartisan legislation to improve coordination between states to protect the rights and dignity of parents, adoptive families, and children.”

“Children flourish in strong and loving families. I am pleased to join Reps. Kuster and Huizenga in introducing this legislation to strengthen the adoption process by increasing cooperation among the states by establishing a National Responsible Father Registry,” said Congressman Smucker.

“This bipartisan legislation is a commitment to ensure the rights of all parties to an adoption proceeding are protected,” said Ryan Hanlon, the President and CEO of National Council For Adoption. “By connecting existing state registries, we will expand the opportunities for timely notifications so that birth parents are informed of legal proceedings and those that wish can assert parental rights.”

Currently, 37 states have registries that allow potential fathers to seek notification of an adoption proceeding, but there is no system to notify them if the proceeding occurs across state lines. This can result in delays and potential disruptions that prevent children from establishing permanent homes.

Specifically, the PAPA Act would link state father registries, creating a comprehensive national resource that would:

• Take the burden off of women to identify potential fathers, protecting a woman’s privacy, especially in cases of rape or domestic violence;
• Empower fathers and protect their parental rights by enabling them to register in one state to obtain notice of a proceeding in a different state; and
• Enable children to find a permanent home as quickly as possible.

LIONS OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR BEN JOHNSON QUOTE SHEET

November 30, 2023

Opening Statement: “It was good to have a few days off and kind of hit that reset button and take a look at why the last two games have gone the way they have for us on offense and really, when you look at it, we’ve been able to move the ball, but clearly the turnovers are the issue, so our guys know it, we’re addressing it and we clean that area up, we’ll feel good about going into the next six games of the season. Been around a coach in the past that used to say the season really starts after Thanksgiving, so kind of feels that way here this year. It’s a good thing.”

On how much of the offensive line’s performance against the Packers he considers an anomaly: “I know our guys, they’re going to respond really well. It was not the best game upfront that we’ve had, really in the last year and a half it’d be on the bottom end of that. They know that. And really, it showed up I think more on critical situations, some of those fourth downs (Lions QB) Jared (Goff)’s getting hit, third downs, Jared’s getting hit and clearly, we don’t want any of that, so we’re going to clean that up upfront. You’ve got to give a lot of credit to Green Bay. They had a great plan on a short week and they had a high intensity going into the game as well that we never really found our footing and got on a roll. So, credit goes to them on that and listen, great learning opportunity for us. We’ve got to have our best stuff each and every week.”

On if there is a benefit to having a tough game like the one against the Packers on Thanksgiving before the season begins to ramp up: “Yeah, I mean we’ve had – we’ve kind of gotten hit in the teeth a couple times this year, really since (Lions Head) Coach (Dan) Campbell took over. Even last year, we got hit in the teeth and our guys come back and they respond. End of the year last year, Carolina kind of took it to us and we ended up cleaning it up and Baltimore got after us a little bit and then we cleaned that up and then hopefully we can learn from the Green Bay experience and play cleaner football. I think that’s really what it comes down to. The guys are, for the most part, we’re handling the scheme and we’re playing fast, it’s just some of the little things, the execution part of it, the technique, has fallen off and that’s what we’ve got to get back on.”

On how much they will lock into playing their best football with the season ramping up going into December: “I think our guys understand we are in a unique opportunity. For the guys that have been here, or at least my time here, this is my fifth season, we haven’t had a record quite like this and an opportunity to seize whatever we want to seize here the second half of the season. And so, I think just keeping big perspective and where we’re headed and what we can potentially accomplish still this year. Had a setback the last few weeks with the Baltimore game and obviously Green Bay, but still big picture, we’re 8-3 and we can improve really quickly and play some good football here at the end.”

On how exciting it was to see Lions QB Hendon Hooker practice for the first time yesterday: “Yeah, he did great yesterday. He is – you can tell he’s fired up and he threw about a million passes, it seemed like, out there and ball’s coming off his hand, he’s spinning it. (Lions Quarterbacks) Coach (Mark) Brunell and (Lions Assistant Quarterbacks Coach) J.T. Barrett have done a heck of a job keeping him up-to-speed. It’s hard, particularly for younger players, to stay engaged when it’s just all mental work for as long as it’s been for him, but now that we can combine the physical to it and get him as many game-like reps as possible will really accelerate his learning from there.”

On how much of a benefit it is to have Lions Defensive Coordinator Aaron Glenn on staff with the knowledge he has of the Saints defense from the time he spent on their defensive staff: “Yeah, and no question, he’s got some insight. We might see some things on tape and ask him, ‘Hey, what exactly is going on here?’ Because they have a lot of scheme. They play a lot of coverages, very good players in the front and on the backend, they’re about as aggressive as a backend as we’ve seen. They’re going to get up, they’re going to challenge us. Our receivers have got to – they’re going to have to buckle up and be ready to go this week, probably more so than what we’ve seen so far this year. So, AG’s been really good in kind of creating a little clarity for us and then when AG first got here, very similar schematics and so the guys that were here that first year, and some of last year, kind of – they really know, they really know what that style of defense is about. So, I do think the veteran guys in the group, they won’t be surprised by the physical style of play that this defense has.”

On if the flea flicker in the game against the Packers was not successful because they had less time to prepare for intricate plays like that one during a short week: “Yeah, we all love flea flickers, right? That’s right, no, listen, we saw something on tape that made us believe that we could take advantage of potentially getting a flea flicker. It’s a rare opportunity that you would ever see something like that. You listen to the TV copy, the entire defense is yelling draw, draw, draw and so we were getting the sell that we were looking for. But no, the execution was not what we want and just like you said, that is the danger on a short week not ever getting anything full speed of the execution being a little bit off and when you are as multiple as we are, that’s why the full-speed reps in practice are so critical because – and it really happened the first time we played Green Bay that first Thursday night game. Short week again and we had a couple plays that we were just a little bit off and I remember us as a coaching staff saying, ‘Golly, if we would have gotten a full speed, we maybe would’ve been able to clean it up and they would’ve been good plays for us.’ And so you’re always trying to do that balancing act on a short week of, hey we’ve got to have enough to attack them, but at the same time, we’ve still got to execute at a high level. So, that one we fell short.”

On if Lions WR Jameson Williams’s performance against the Packers is another step up for him in improving his game: “He’s getting better every week. You see it and because of that, the way he’s practicing, the way he’s preparing and the way he’s playing, because of that, his reps are going up. And so, he continues to get out there and the ball’s going to just start gravitating to him just a little bit more than it already has. But he’s doing a really nice job and he just needs to continue to put in the work like he’s doing right now and good things will happen.”

On how much Saints RB Jamaal Williams meant to the offense when he was in Detroit the last two seasons: “Yeah, each year’s a little bit different in terms of the vocal leaders on the team. Last year, he was certainly more on that side of things. I’m sure he’s doing that for them down in New Orleans. He’s a heck of a guy, heck of a player and what happens is when – the nature of the business is we move on year-to-year, the team never stays the same and so he leaves, someone else will step up and so we’ve got some young guys, like (Lions T) Penei Sewell’s becoming a more vocal leader for us here on offense. And we’ve got guys along in each position group that are really trying to take charge in that way.”

On how he personally thinks Lions QB Jared Goff has been taking his turnovers the last two games: “It’s really everything for him because he touches the ball every play, so he knows he has to take care of it. It’s one of the first things we do every springtime with him is we go through the uncomfortable act of watching the turnover, the bad play cut up, sacks, fumbles, interceptions, why did they happen? How can we learn from it so it doesn’t happen again? And listen, the ones that we’ve had over the last two weeks are not entirely his fault. Some of those interceptions, that’s the cost of doing business. We’re trying to throw a slant route and (Lions TE Sam) LaPorta gets knocked off his route and this corner’s there to make the play, so those are ones that we can live with and we can handle. And our defense has done a heck of a job. We put them in some tough spots the last two weeks and they’ve really played good football considering the sudden change, as many of them as they’ve been put in. But the ones that we can clean up, and I think (Lions Head) Coach (Dan Campbell) already talked about it, is we’re crossing the line of scrimmage, that ball’s got to be tucked away. We’re not thinking about holding onto it or throwing it anymore, so we’ve got to tuck it away. Jared knows that, we’ll clean that up and we’ll be good to go from there. There are a couple plays last week where he’s holding onto the ball longer than we wanted to. And that’s – they had a good defense compared to our call as well, so that’s on me also trying to help him, so that number one gets open a little more him and so it all plays a part. We all have a hand in it, but he’s certainly taken ownership of it and we’ll see some dividends paid here soon.”

On how difficult it is for a play caller when turnovers happen on third and fourth down when they have a script they wanted to complete: “I mean, it’s – it doesn’t allow us to get in a rhythm. There’s some things we want to establish early in games, and that varies week-to-week that last couple weeks, we really haven’t been able to do and so it’s taken us a little while to get going. Fortunately, last week, our guys responded in a big way out of halftime, that was our best series coming out of halftime all year, and so hopefully we can continue that trend as well. But establishing that rhythm is really important to what we do on offense.”

On what they can learn from their first drive coming out of halftime against the Packers: “Yeah, it helps starting with two explosive plays. No, I don’t think there’s any magic in the plays, but our guys, they weren’t happy with how that first half went and so they came out with some good intensity there in the second half and got us going. Unfortunately, we weren’t able to withstand that for the course of the half and come away with the win.”

Ferris State University is partnering with Golf Links Detroit, a non-profit organization, to develop a program introducing Detroit students to sports careers, providing opportunities for entrepreneurship and introducing the golf industry to a more diverse audience.

The Ben Davis Scholars program, connecting students with Ferris State’s PGA Golf Management program, will be a first-of-its-kind effort to recruit and prepare Detroit public high school students for careers in PGA professional golf management and golf course turf management.

“We are excited about this partnership with Golf Links Detroit, especially given the focus of increasing the pool of diverse professionals in this beloved sport,” Ferris State President Bill Pink said. “This partnership with Golf Links Detroit will not only introduce Detroit students to a sport, but also to a wide variety of rewarding careers within the golf industry.”

Joe Hatch, Ferris State’s PGA Golf Management director, said the partnership is intended to spur career and economic growth for Detroit youth, boost minority leadership at metro Detroit’s golf facilities, and promote diversity, equity and inclusion in America’s golf industry.

Hatch said there are nearly 900 public and private golf courses in Michigan, creating about 57,000 jobs and generating $1.4 billion in wages.

However, the industry lags in participation from women and people of color. Of the more than 18,000 members of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America, less than 2 percent are women, and 0.2 percent identified as Black.

Ferris State’s PGA Professional Golf Management program was the first in the nation when it started nearly 50 years ago and prepares students for a variety of careers in the golf profession through specialized marketing courses and hands-on, golf-related workshops, through the endorsement of the PGA, and an internship allowing students to obtain advanced credit toward PGA membership.

Golf Links Detroit, established as a 501c3 organization in 2006, is committed to supporting Detroit students by providing advocacy through golf-centered recreation, education, and workforce development programs.

“Detroit students don’t often have access to opportunities and experiences that can provide a pipeline to new, non-traditional careers,” said Paul Avsharian, Golf Links Detroit founder and president. “Introducing Detroit students to golf has been one of our missions. This partnership will allow us to take that to the next level, creating a new pathway to higher education that can transform lives.”

The Golf Links Detroit team has experience teaching in Detroit public schools, recruiting and preparing minority students for college, and designing programs for K-12 students.

Avsharian credits Dave Kendall, owner and operator of the Washtenaw Golf Club, as a driving force in spreading the game and opportunities to Detroit youth. Kendall was one of the first Ferris State PGA Professional Golf Course Management program graduates.

The Ben Davis Scholars program is named after Erellon Ben Davis, a golf instructor who influenced generations of metro Detroit residents as the first African American professional golf instructor at a municipal golf facility, Detroit’s Rackham Golf Course. He was the first Black member of the Michigan Golf Hall of Fame and was inducted into the African American Golfers Hall of Fame in 2012.

Ferris State’s PGA Golf Management Program is part of the Ferris State College of Business. It has graduated more than 2,000 students since launching in 1975, with nearly 1,160 graduates still active PGA members.

“The College of Business prepares students to be leaders and innovators in a variety of industries,” Dean Logan Jones said. “We’re proud to have the first PGM program, but even prouder of the people who have graduated from the program and continue to make a difference in the industry and their communities.” 

The program includes preparation in golf shop operation, golf course maintenance, public relations, teaching skills, golf rules, custom club repair and fitting, and organizing and conducting golf events. The curriculum is recommended and endorsed by the PGA.

LIONS DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR AARON GLENN QUOTE SHEET

November 30, 2023

Opening Statement: “It’s been about two weeks since I’ve addressed you guys. Hope you guys had a good Thanksgiving also because I sure did. Man, we’re 8-3. Going to play a really good team, a team that I know well. A lot of the same players are still there. Some new players, obviously, going on three years. I know this head coach really well, I know that coaching staff really well. And man, I am looking forward to the challenge of playing this team, I really am. And this will be a good one.”

On the challenges a defensive coordinator faces when competing against a dynamic player like Saints QB Taysom Hill and his dominance in the red zone: “Here’s the thing about Taysom, and I want to just talk about him as a person, first off, he’s a really, really good person. He’s a God-fearing man. He’s a family man. He’s a player that’s tough, he’s competitive, he’s faster than what some people think. He’s built different than what some people think because he’s a thicker-bodied player and he has – he’s found a niche in this League where he can excel and I’m not just talking about on offense, on special teams also, because that was his first niche when I was there. But defending him, you really just don’t know where he’s going to line up a good amount of times, so you always have to be on cue on that. And we have certain defense that we’re going to play depending on where he’s at. And we’ve got to be on top of that. We’ve got to be on top of that from a personnel standpoint and then we have to be on top of it of where he’s at, as far as what position he’s going to be at, that standpoint. So it can be difficult, but I think our guys will be ready for it.”

On where he sees the defense right now and where he thinks they need to close the gap to finish the regular season out strong: “It’s funny you say that because that’s what we’ve talked about starting last week because I’ll tell guys, just from my time of playing, people remember what you do in November and December and you want to be peaking at that point. And when we look at – and that’s one of the first conversations we had last week, and when you look at last week, man there were a lot of things that doesn’t really show up statistically, but man when you look at it as a defense, there are some really good things that the guys did. Scoreboard wasn’t it, because we lost. But when you go out there and you have two turnovers and you get a ball back, you have some fourth-down stops and you get the ball back, I mean those are things that our guys have to look at and be like, ‘You know what? We took the field.’ And our motto is man listen, that’s more TV time for us any time we take the field. And man, those are the positives that I try to make sure I talk about with our guys, so we can start looking at the fact that we want to start trending, so was everything great? No, it wasn’t. And we have some things we have to work on, we all know that. So each week, I mean that’s what we’re trying to do. We’re trying to make sure we’re trending in this direction. That’s in the run game, that’s in the pass game, that’s with our pass rush, that’s taking the ball away also. So those are some things that we have to make sure we do.”

On how the communication and leadership shifts on defense with Lions LB Alex Anzalone potentially out this Sunday: “Well, that’s the reason we got (Lions LB) Jack (Campbell). He’s a true MIKE backer. And he has to be the one that makes all those checks and he’s capable of doing that. Smart, heady guy that’s tough. He’s built for these moments. I’m looking forward for him to be the actual mouthpiece of the defense going into this game.”

On the value Saints RB Jamaal Williams brought to the defense off the field when he was on the team the last two seasons: “Well, we all know he has a different personality. We all know that, in a good way, in a good way. And he’s actually brought that – just from some of the guys I know, that he’s brought that personality there because he’s not going to change who he is. But here’s what we do know about him as a player, he’s tough, he’s competitive. Anywhere when it’s short yardage at goal line, man we have to be on top of it because he’s superb in those situations, so. And our guys know that from being here. The new guys are just finding that out just watching tape of him. And I know he’s going to be juiced up, just like I’m going to be juiced up, just like (Lions Head Coach) Dan (Campbell)’s going to be juiced up. I mean he played here for a couple years and he wants to kick our ass just like we want to kick theirs. So, this will be a fun game for us to play against him and for me and Dan to go back to where we were, we were there for like five years, so looking forward to it.”

On how to unlock pressures from other edge defenders in a slump when Lions DL Aidan Hutchinson is blocked: “You know what? That’s one thing, as coaches, that we’ve got to continue to try to figure out on – and I guess I can’t figure out, keep coaching our guys on how do we generate these pressures, especially the way teams are playing us now. Because teams now, they’re blocking everything up because they know that Aidan’s a guy, so they’re putting two guys on him. And usually with the other guys, when you watch the tape, they have guys maxed out. And a guy, whoever’s in one-on-one, that guy has got to be able to win. And that’s us, as coaches, continuing to teach these guys how to make sure you always get on edges in those situations. It’s not the easiest thing, but man we are coaching our ass off to try to get those guys to be able to do that and I think the guys are trying their butts off, we just have to continue emphasizing those things. I think – going into last week, I think (Lions DL Josh) Paschal did some pretty good things as far as getting on the edges, so we’ve got to continue to work with that player in that situation.”

On if they are focusing on improvement in the red zone going against a proficient red zone team like the Saints: “Absolutely, and that’s a situation where there’s really a lot of one-on-one situations where you’ve got to win because there’s not a lot of space and you can’t really just play zone, so you have to really match up with guys. And we’ve got to understand where our help’s at also, alright. So that goes in with the players just executing and that’s us making sure we put those guys in the right positions, so any time you’re in the red zone, it is basically one-on-one. We know the ball’s coming out quick, or you’ve got to hunker down because the best teams that happen in the red zone are the teams that can run the ball, so we know we have to be better in that area.”

On how the quarterback pressures Lions DL Aidan Hutchinson produces in games can turn into sacks: “Well, that’s just finishing, that’s just finishing and I think sometimes people put so much into sacks that they get away from understanding that this player is affecting the quarterback at a pretty high rate for us. We just have to get everybody else to be able to affect the quarterback just as much as he is, alright. And I think once that happens, the sack totals will come up. And we’ve been in situations where, man sacks have come in bunches for us and that happened all last year. Even this year it’s been in that situation. Man, we’ve just got to try to unlock that, as you say, not with just him, but with the other guys too. That’s really the focal point, to be honest with you. Everybody knows what Hutch can do. It’s just getting all of our other guys. And even our second-level rushers to be able to create some pressure like that. And last week, man we actually blitzed quite a bit and we have to. I mean, that’s just who we are. You all say cut me open, I mean I like to be in man coverage in blitz. But man, I think our guys do a really good job being able to play zone then being able to play man, because that’s who we are as a defense.”

On if there is a need for tighter coverage to give the defenders up front a better opportunity to produce stops: “Man, that’s always the plan when you’re playing against a team that’s getting the ball out quick because the rusher is not going to get there. So now, when you’re in man coverage, you’ve got to win those one-on-one battles. And that’s what happens with any team that tries to get the ball out quick like that.”

On how much he has heard Lions LB Jack Campbell’s voice grow as a leader: “Here’s what I will tell you, when we’re in meetings, and sometimes I tell (Lions LB) Alex (Anzalone) don’t say anything because it’s easier for him for the most part, the next voice that you’re going to hear is Jack and that’s encouraging because what he does in the meeting actually translates to what he’s going to do on the field. And he understands this defense like the back of his hands now. Just the fact of him knowing that he’s the guy, he's the mouth, but he’s a guy that the whole defense is looking at to make sure we get into the right checks. And for him to have this opportunity right now, man I think it’s outstanding.”

On what they have to do to be more efficient at the start of games to eliminate touchdowns on opening drives: “Just play better, play better. I think everybody would say that.”

On what he has seen from Lions DL Josh Paschal in games and practices that shows his growth and where he can improve: “Exactly what you saw in that game film. The thing now is, man he has to take it to another level. I mean, we drafted this player in the second round and he’s had glimpses of what you saw that last game. Now, man, it’s time to – the run game, man he’ll become a really, really good player as far as setting the edge and being able to do things like that. Now, we have to unlock the pass rush part of it to be able to transition from run, man to pass. And that’s when he’s busting his butt to be able to do that. Because that player, I mean that’s just who he is, and you guys have talked to him before, because that player, we need that player to be able to do that. Because besides (Lions DL Aidan Hutchinson) Hutch, (Lions DL Alim McNeill) Mac, I mean Paschal has to be that guy, because he has that ability.”

Ferris State University is exploring the transformational impact of emerging artificial intelligence technology, connecting high school students with potential educational and career pathways in evolving and increasingly important fields. 

Ferris State University AI Day is planned for Friday, Dec. 1, and is a collaboration with faculty from a variety of programs and student organizations. 

“Artificial intelligence is changing the world and Ferris is preparing students to be leaders in Artificial Intelligence,” said Dr. Molly Cooper, a Ferris State professor and scholar of information security, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence. “AI Day at Ferris is intended to provide students and guests with an immersive experience highlighting ethical and secure integration of AI.” 

Ferris State’s Artificial Intelligence program is one of just three AI undergraduate programs in the nation. It has close ties to industry and government partners, including the Department of Defense, National Security Agency, Department of Homeland Security, Amazon Web Services, and many Michigan companies. 

Artificial Intelligence has over 800,000 job openings in the United States and is projected to be over two million by 2026. Cybersecurity has more than 750,000 openings nationwide. The Ferris State programs prepare students for career opportunities in both fields. 

About 150 area high school students attend morning sessions at the university’s Center for Virtual Learning, which opened in August.  

High school students will participate in a series of interactive exhibits and workshops with Ferris State faculty and students focused on artificial intelligence technology, including a Deepfake Lab, an AI Social Engineering Lab, autonomous vehicle racing, working with Chat GPT, and AI’s use in space and satellite cybersecurity.  

AI Day activities include Ferris faculty presenting a discussion – “Preparing Michigan’s Workforce for the AI Wave: What Experience Tells Us” – to look at AI fundamentals, ethical implementation, opportunity for workforce enhancement, and how Ferris State is fostering the next generation of leaders to meet the needs of our industries. 

Just before 1:00 P.M. Thursday, Kent County Sheriff's Office deputies responded to the 6700 Block of S Division to the Bank of America on the report of a woman being held against her will. A female entered the bank and told tellers two male suspects were forcing her to open a bank account. When deputies arrived, they located the vehicle in question and located two males inside, along with another female.  

Kent County Sheriff's Office's initial investigation finds that two twenty-seven-year-old male suspects randomly found a 34-year-old and 43-year-old homeless women in the City of Kalamazoo and enticed them to work for them and earn money. It appears the suspects required the females to open bank accounts at several West Michigan banks in the victim's name and in turn give the financial information back to the suspects. It is still being investigated what the accounts were exactly being used for. It does appear that there are several prior incidents and thankfully the victim was able to ask for help at the Byron Township bank who in turn alerted authorities.  

As a result of the investigation by Kent County Sheriff's Office, two twenty-seven-year-old males from the City of Kalamazoo were arrested. This afternoon, the prosecutor's office authorized charges of Unlawful Imprisonment, Human Trafficking, and Resisting and Obstructing Police. It is expected the two men will be arraigned in the 63rd District Court today.

U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that USDA is making investments that will expand markets for agricultural producers and strengthen American food and agriculture supply chains. 

“The Biden-Harris Administration is championing America’s farmers and ranchers by helping to expand businesses, support more robust American supply chains and save jobs,” Vilsack said. “Today’s investments in agricultural producers and rural entrepreneurs will create better economic opportunities that spur competition and bolster food supply chains across the country. This will result in more affordable prices and choices for consumers, as well as more opportunities and revenue for farmers.”

Michigan has three projects, with a total investment of $330,000.

“These grants bring additional opportunity and resiliency to Michigan agriculture, and will help bring new jobs to rural communities,” said USDA Rural Development State Director for Michigan Brandon Fewins.

The Welcome Home Organization, in Jackson County, will use a $30,000 Rural Business Development Grant to conduct a feasibility and engineering study for a business incubator, food hub, and commercial kitchen in Jackson.  The project would repurpose the building to feature products from local beef, poultry, and herb farmers plus specialty items from small-business vendors.

Lakeview Hills Organic Farm LLC, in Leelanau County, will use a $250,000 Value-Added Producer Grant to assist with expanded sales of organic vegetables and flowers.  This grant, combined with $250,000 in matching funds from the grantee, will be used to offset working capital costs related to sales to new customers. 

Aurora Cellars LLC, also in Leelanau County, will use a $250,000 Value-Added Producer Grant to assist with working capital expenses to expand their market of direct-to-consumer sales of high-end wines through their reservation-only catered tasting experience.

Under the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA Rural Development provides loans, loan guarantees and grants to help expand economic opportunities, create jobs and improve the quality of life for millions of Americans in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community facilities such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural, tribal and high-poverty areas. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov.

At 8:09 P.M., deputies from Mecosta County Sheriff's Department were dispatched to a two-vehicle accident on Perry Ave., near Waldron Way, in front of Walmart in Big Rapids Township.

A 28-year-old female driver from Big Rapids, driving a Ford Explorer, was leaving Walmart parking lot towards Perry Ave. when they pulled out in front of a Buick Enclave driven by a 55-year-old male from Frederic. The driver and occupants in the Buick Enclave were not injured. The female driver of the Ford Explorer was taken by EMS to Corwell Hospital in Big Rapids for non-life-Threatening Injuries. 

Deputies were assisted by Meceola Central Dispatch, LIFE EMS, Big Rapids City PD, Mecosta County EMS, Big Rapids Township Fire and Rescue, Big Rapids Towing and Curries Towing.