12 new year's thaw a skinner by Oceana's Herald-Journal

CVCF announces 2017 schedule of events announced Page 12a

Thursday, January 5, 2017

Two sections 20 pages

Oceana’s

Shorthanded Hart squeaks by Hesperia Page B1

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Herald-Journal

Oceana County's weekly news source since 1869

Tigers D up to rally past Chippewas for 1st win Page B1

White named new Hart fire chief

Will continue as Shelby-Benona fire chief

Andrew Skinner • Oceana’s Herald-Journal

New Year’s thaw

A trio of walkers, pictured through a hole in the melting ice that had formed along the railing on the south side of Pentwater Channel, make their way along the channel walkway during an unseasonably warm Sunday afternoon, Jan. 1.

Higher fuel, vehicle taxes start in Michigan

ing the required training. Beggs said a committee consisting of four fire board members and two fire chief from outside Jack White of Hart the area was formed to now has a dual role as conduct the interviews. he begins his tenure as The committee narrowed the candidate both the Shelfield to White by-Benona and and one other Hart Area fire candidate bedepartments fore the second chief. candidate withThe Hart drew his appliArea Fire Comcation. mand Board Beggs said met Dec. 22 it’s not unusual and decided to for one indihire White as vidual to serve its next chief White as a fire chief as Ken Klotz’s for two departterm as chief came to an end of De- ments, and he thinks it cember. As chief, White will become more comwill be paid $6,000 annu- mon in the future as ally plus a wage for per training requirements become more demanding. call runs. “It’s way more comFire board member Gary Beggs said the mon than I realized as board received six appli- we got into this process,” cations for the position Beggs said. White declined to comwith one applicant being disqualified for not hav- ment on his new role.

Top news stories of 2016

By David Eggert Associated Press

LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Michigan drivers will pay higher taxes at the pump and shell out more to renew their license plate. The increased taxes, which Gov. Rick Snyder and lawmakers approved nearly 14 months ago to improve aging roads and bridges, took effect Sunday, Jan. 1. It is the state’s first fuel tax hike in 20 years and the first major vehicle fee increase since 1983. Here’s a look at where Michigan’s new gas tax ranks nationally and at other facets of the $1.2 billion transportation spending plan:

HIGHER FUEL, VEHICLE TAXES

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• Oceana’s Herald-Journal file photo

An Oceana County Road Commission plow clears a snow covered road last winter.

When and where the OCRC plows Public reminded of winter maintenance policy

The Oceana County Road Commission would like to remind the motoring public of its winter maintenance policy for the upcoming winter season. State trunklines (M-20, M-120, US-31 expressway, Hart and Pentwater Business Routes) • Trunkline maintenance shall be performed as specified in the Michigan Department Of Transportation manual. Overtime shall be held to a minimum. Patrolmen shall perform their duties as outlined in the letter from the department. Any variance from the trunkline patrol shall be charged to the respective county system.

OCRC WINTER MAINTENANCE POLICY

• Fire destroys apartment buildings • Former police chief arrested • • Double JJ joins Rothbury • Political landscape changes • Sheriff’s lawsuit out • • Voters give nod to street plan • Proposed rental ordinance draws lots of interest • • Hart’s Amy Taranko named Michigan’s 2016 Outstanding Practicing Principal • • Rail trail reconstruction completed, celebrated • Kirsten Kelly wins Emmy • While many exciting things and interesting people graced the pages of the Herald-Journal in rested. In January, the Shelby Village Council fired 2016, it’s time to reflect back on the year that was in Oceana County. The following stories, in no Wilson amid allegations he performed salvage particular order, are the ones the editorial staff deemed the top news stories of the year. al smoking in bed. In addition to battling freezing temperatures, firefighters were hampered by strong west winds which blew smoke back into the department’s staging area on the east side of the building. Aerial firefighting units from Ferry and Shelby-Benona departments were called to assist, but froze up, prompting a call Fire destroys apartment buildings for aerial assistance from the Pere Marquette One of the most devastating fire to strike in Fire Department in Mason County. Fire crews Oceana County in recent memory happened were on the scene for approximately 14 hours. just a few weeks ago in the City of Hart. Former police Six people were reported injured and more than 80 were displaced when the fire at the chief arrested Park View Manor apartment complex on East A carryover story from Main Street broke out shortly after midnight 2015, former Shelby Police Dec. 15. Two of the complex’s six buildings Chief Bob Wilson remained were destroyed. in the news through 2016 Fire investigators at the time reported that after he was fired by the it’s possible the fire was started by an individuvillage and subsequently ar-

vehicle inspections without turning over inspection fees to the village. In August, Wilson was charged with six felony counts, which included one count of embezzlement $50,000 to $100,000 and five counts of motor vehicle code — false certification. The charges were upheld by Judge Kevin Drake during a probable cause hearing in 78th District Court and the case sent on to 27th Circuit Court for trial, where it remains pending. If convicted, Wilson faces a maximum 15-year prison sentence and/ or a $25,000 fine or three times the amount embezzled on the embezzlement charge. The false certification charges carry a maximum 1-5 years prison sentence and/or $500-$5,000 in fines. After Wilson’s departure, long time Shelby Police Officer Terry TenBrink was named the police chief.