Hart, Shelby cheer advance to regionals
INSIDE THIS WEEK
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Thursday, February 23, 2017
Oceana’s
Herald-Journal
Pirates fall just short of final 8
February 23, 2017 Section E
National FFA Week • February 18-25, 2017 •
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Oceana County's weekly news source since 1869
Page B1
Life Planning Guide
Five sections 48 pages
West Shore FFA members attending the FFA National Convention were, Devan Shea of Scottville, Nate Pleiness of Custer, Kenna Schwass of Ludington, Lexi Gale of Hart, Cassie Holladay of Hart and Jen Montgomery of Hart.
National FFA Week Section
West Shore FFA attends national convention
November during the FFA National While in Indianapolis members of the West Shore FFA chapter also got Convention. Hart HigH ScHool Senior Blue corduroy jackets could be the opportunity to attend a hypnotist Six students from the West Shore seen for miles as members checked show, visit the Indianapolis Zoo, tour FFA got the opportunity of a lifeout the convention, attended official the Indianapolis Motor Speedway time to be part of the 66,000 FFA sessions and got to know other FFA and take in the World’s Toughest Romembers from across the country members from around the nation. deo. that swarmed Indianapolis, Ind. in
By Cassie Holladay
Each year, Future Farmers of America chapters around the country celebrate National FFA Week. The week-long tradition began in 1947 when the National FFA Board of Directors designated the week of George Washington’s birthday as National FFA Week in recognition of his legacy as an agriculturist and farmer. The first National FFA Week took place in 1948. Today, FFA Week always runs Saturday to Saturday and encompasses Feb. 22, Washington’s birthday. National FFA Week did not start out as a weeklong event. At first it was National FFA Day. The 1933 National FFA Convention Proceedings records the beginning of FFA Day in this way: “Stewart of Montana requested the floor at this time to present a matter of general interest. He suggested the idea of having a special Future Farmer Day some time during 1934, preferably on one of the regular national FFA broadcasting days. It was pointed out that the various state associations could perhaps plan special state broadcasts also on that day and that chapters might plan their father and son banquets on the date specified. The idea seemed to meet with general delegate approval and after some discussion it was moved by Stewart that the Board of Trustees arrange for such a day; motion passed.”
Wyoming boy dies in hunting accident
A 13-year-old Wyoming, Mich. boy died following a hunting accident in Greenwood Township last Saturday, Feb. 18. According to a Michigan State Police press release, at approximately 3:52 p.m., troopers from the Hart Post were called out to East Cleveland Road near 192nd Avenue for a hunting accident. When troopers arrived at the scene, they discovered the boy had been shot in the head while small game hunting. Police
HUNTING ACCIDENT continued on 3a
Andrew Skinner • Oceana’s Herald-Journal
Unity March to take place in Hart Sunday
Family and friends, above, search the icy Lake Michigan shoreline near the Oceana and Mason county line Saturday morning, Feb. 18 for signs of Ryan Walsworth of Mears as a Michigan State Police Underwater Rescue boat searches the water. Walsworth was last seen Monday, Feb. 13 at his home; his vehicle was found Tuesday, Feb. 14 along Montgomery Boulevard. Below, a group of 25 people made up of area emergency personnel, friends and family members gather in the woods near the area Walsworth’s truck was found.
Search efforts for missing Mears man continue Family and friends search area woods, Lake Michigan shoreline for signs of Ryan Walsworth
The Oceana Hispanic Center is sponsoring a Unity March to celebrate the diversity of the Oceana County community. The march will take place at 1:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 26 in downtown Hart and is intended to highlight the support of all community members for the rich cultural diversity in the county. According to the Oceana Hispanic Center, this march is not a protest but rather a march of positive energy and a celebration of the area’s appreciation for all community members. People of all ethnicities, religions and political persuasions are encouraged to join in showing support for immigrant neighbors. Marchers will meet at the Hart Commons at 1:30 p.m. and will march with police escort to the Knights of Columbus Hall on Washington Street. For more information, contact Eva Berumen, executive director of the Oceana Hispanic Center at 231-301-8300.
Search efforts continued Tuesday afternoon for Ryan Richard Walsworth of Mears, who has been missing for more than a week. A police K-9 tracking dog was working in the area along the Lake Michigan shoreline at the Oceana/ Mason county line Monday and Tuesday as hopes of locating Walsworth Walsworth continued.
WALSWORTH SEARCH continued on 6a
2 new weather records set
Two new record high temperatures were set over the weekend. National Weather Service observer Bob Simonson of WEEH-FM in Mears recorded a new record high temperature of 58 degrees for Sunday, Feb. 19. The previous record high temperature for that date was 56 degrees set in 1954. The second new record high temperature of 60 degrees was recorded for Monday, Feb. 20. The previous record high temperature for that date was 55 degrees set in 2001. Weather statistics are recorded by Simonson for the National Weather Service at 7 a.m. on the date shown and are for the previous 24 hours.
Jones
A new West Central Michigan tree fruit extension educator has joined the staff at the Michigan State University Extension Service office in Hart. David “Dave” Jones is a Middleton, Wis. native and will assist area fruit growers with their crops. He earned his bachelor’s degree in horticulture from the University of
Wisconsin, Madison. “Several of my mother’s family members grew sauce and cider apples, so I spent time around tree fruit production as a kid and always enjoyed it,” Jones said. “I was always more at home in the country than in the city.”
TREE FRUIT EDUCATOR
continued on 6a
No problems yet
Andrew Skinner • Oceana’s Herald-Journal
Erin Mahar of Muskegon soaks up the sunshine Saturday, Feb. 18 while reading a book along the Lake Michigan shoreline at the Stony Lake Oval.
Pentwater library to close for ‘Refresh’
Renovations to include interior layout change, flooring and new furnishings
Long awaited changes and upgrades will be made to the Pentwater Township Library this spring as part of the library’s Project Refresh renovation. However, inorder to make these changes new public restroom and a more robust wi-fi netthe library will be closed for close to three months work. with the library’s last day of operation being Fri“The closing is necessary because new wiring day, March 10. and new cabling for computers will require cutting The library’s Project Refresh renovation will change the library’s interior layout and will inLIBRARY ‘REFRESH’ clude painting, new carpeting, new furnishings, a continued on 6a
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New Tree Fruit Extension Educator joins MSU Extension Office in Hart
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Unseasonably warm weather could spell trouble for area growers
It’s not time to panic, but there is some cause for concern as record warm temperatures landed in Oceana County in recent days. Michigan State University Extension Service Tree Fruit Extension Educator Dave Jones said the warmer weather will speed the chilling requirements trees need for the season as many are already at or will soon be at the number of hours needed. If the weather returns to normal conditions as predicted for this weekend and remain there, growers should not experience any problems. “Once they start growing, they can’t go back,” Jones said. “So no trouble yet.” Jones said problems could develop if trees begin to have bud break or bud development. He said he’s keeping his figures cross that cold weather will remain for several more weeks. “We’re really hoping we don’t start getting bud development,” Jones said.
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Andrew Skinner • Oceana’s Herald-Journal
Buds on a cherry tree in Hart Township. MSU Extension Service Tree Fruit Extension Educator David Jones expects area fruit trees to be fine if temperatures return to normal over the weekend.
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Prosecutor offers opinion on Walkerville Fire Board Page 3a
Pentwater OKs monthly contract extension for village manager Page 3a
Hesperia to have state’s first districtwide integrated lockdown and lighting system
Thursday, May 11, 2017
Oceana’s
Herald-Journal
Oceana County's weekly news source since 1869
lockdown system
Page 3a
Carr expected to succeed Wheeler on planning commission Page 3a
Felony charges issued after truck rams through Hart store Driver was charged with ‘act of domestic terrorism’ following 2015 attack on Grand Haven Coast Guard Station and the arson of his family’s Mears home
Schools to give the ‘Boot’ to high electricity bills
Hesperia schools are in line to be the first public school to have a district-wide integrated lockdown and lighting system, according to Hesperia Community Schools Superintendent Vaughn White. The Michigan based Lockdown Company has bridged two important tasks facing schools today: safety and energy efficiency. The Lockdown Company, the creators of “The Boot” has developed their
Hart P.D.’s Aaron Cavner receives American Police Hall of Fame General Commendation $1.50 Award
Two sections 22 pages
By John Cavanagh Herald-Journal Writer
Andrew Skinner • Oceana’s Herald-Journal
The entrance to Hart’s Shopko Hometown department store was still boarded up Saturday, May 6 three days after Matthew Krueger allegedly drove his truck through the store’s front entrance.
continued on 6a
A Mears man previously charged with arson, false threat of terrorism and malicious destruction of property, but never convicted due to an insanity plea now faces a new round of charges for allegedly driving a pickup truck through the front entrance of the Shopko Hometown department store at 2249 N. Comfort Dr. in Hart
Krueger
last Wednesday, May 3. Matthew Lawrence Krueger, 35, of 2813 N. 34th Ave., Mears, was arrested by Hart City Police following the approximately 3:12 p.m. incident in which no one was hurt. Krueger was arraigned May 4 in 78th District Court in Hart on one felony count of malicious destruction of a build-
Krueger to face Felony charges continued on 6a
Cold snap damages Oceana crops
Andrew Skinner • Oceana’s Herald-Journal
A Hart Township cherry orchard was feeling the effects of Monday’s early morning cold temperatures as many of the orchard’s trees were showing signs of frost damage. Trees in the orchard, which is located on a hillside, showed more damage in the low lying areas while trees higher up in the hillside were spared. According to MSUE West Central Michigan Tree Fruit Extension Educator David Jones, the damage is worse going down the hill because cold air sinks. “This is typical during spring frost events. Low spots always get it worse than hilltops,” he said.
Area growers nervously wait to see extent of frost damage
Just how much if any frost damaged occurred to Oceana County’s fruit crops with Monday’s early morning cold temperatures won’t be know for at least a few days. The low temperatures did damage some asparagus fields, but they are expected to rebound without significant problems. Michigan State University Extension Service Tree Fruit Extension Educator Dave Jones reported that minimum temperatures at 5 a.m. ranged from 23.9
degrees in the Elbridge/Hart area to 28.9 degrees in the Benona/Shelby area. National Weather Service spotter Bob Simonson of WEEH-FM in Mears recorded a 23 degree low temperature, breaking the previous record low temperature of 25 degrees set in 1956. “Heck of a cold snap last night,” Jones wrote in a mass e-mail to growers Monday morning. “I spent the night at Rennhack’s witnessing the wind machine battle first hand. I hope that those of you
SHS graduation set for Friday
Oceana County graduation season kicks-off this Friday, May 12 as 82 members of the Shelby High School Class of 2017 will receive their diplomas. Commencement is slated to begin at 7 p.m. in the Shelby High School gym and will include class speakers Natalie Fox and Holli Schlukebir. The SHS Class of 2017 has choosen coral and aqua as their class colors and the coral and aqua carnation as the class flower. The class song is “Count on Me” by Bruno Mars and the class quote is “Keep your eyes on the stars and your feet on the ground,” — Teddy Roosevelt. Additional Oceana County high school graduations include, Hart High School Thursday, May 25 at 7 p.m. in the school gym; Pentwater and Walkerville high schools Friday, May 26 at 7 p.m. in their respective gymnasiums; and Hesperia High School Friday, June 2 at 7 p.m. in the school gym. The Oceana’s Herald-Journal 2017 graduation section will be in the May 25 OHJ.
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with machines got them fired up without too many hitches. We have more cold weather on the way tonight (though minimum temperatures are forecasted to be slightly higher), but I wanted to send out a quick e-mail blast because we already have questions coming in about what this means for us in West Central and how Promalin figures in to this equation. Jones pointed that the temperatures
Andrew Skinner • Oceana’s Herald-Journal
frost damage unknown continued on 2a
Thursday, May 25, 2017
Section C
Class of 2017
Oceana area honor students
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A stalk of asparagus, left, shows signs of frost damage Monday morning, May 8 while smaller stalks appear to be unharmed by the frost.
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Maxwell resigns Pentwater seat PENTWATER — With regrets, the Pentwater Village Council accepted the resignation of Councilman Bill Maxwell at its regular meeting May 8. Maxwell stepped down citing personal reasons after making his final report as the chair of the buildings and grounds committee. Prior to the announcement, former Councilman Dan Hoekstra said that he had heard that one of the sitting council members had planned to resign and asked if council would follow the same
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protocol it used last January when Pamela Burdick was appointed to the council vacancy created by the resignation of April Watkins. Burdick was the fourth place finisher in last November’s election for the three available council seats while Hoekstra lost his bid to be elected village president. Village President Jeff Hodges said he would solicit letters of interest to fill the council vacancy and make a recommendation to the full council at its next meeting June 12.
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2a
• May 11, 2017 • Oceana’s Herald-Journal
Garden Center
Andrew Skinner • Oceana’s Herald-Journal
Apple blossoms near a wind machine seemed to be unaffected by the recent cold temperatures.
Frost damage unknown Farm ma h t rk r o et n
from Page 1a
u
he reported were not long in duration, but that doesn’t minimize the fact that it got quite cold. “Obviously, these temperatures look scary, but we are going to have to wait and see in coming days what this will mean across the region,” Jones wrote. “The duration here is key, as is the site. We all know that we are in a region of massive microclimate, so we may end up seeing quite a bit of site specificity. That said, if you hit these temperatures there is almost certainly at least a small amount of damage. My response to people asking what kind of damage we are going to see is ‘time will tell’ right now.” As for asparagus, extention educator Ben Werling said reports from Crystal and Elbridge
p
townships suggest that low temps froze any emerged spears. “Early pickings will be lost where spears had emerged,” Werling said. “The severity of the loss will be variable. Some farms had made their last mowing of the rye cover relatively late and had few or shorter spears up. Others had longer spears that would have been harvestable soon. Wereling added that the major harvest could be delayed up to a week, especially if temps stay low as forecasted. “However, the freeze won’t have any long term impacts once picking resumes and there’s no reason to expect we won’t have good product to come and a good season,” Werling said.
Mother’’s Day Sale
annuals, hanGinG baskets & more Open...Friday, May 12th • 8am-8pm; Saturday, May 13th • 8am-6pm; Sunday, May 14th • 9am-3pm like uS On Face bOOk Brought to you by • Mike Blackmer • Brad Weesies • Kristy Sauser