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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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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