2 walsworth a skinner

Pirates’ wrestling ends 20-year district wait

Wildcats down Pentwater for 5th straight win

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Thursday, February 16, 2017

Flowers for Valentine’s Day Page 5a

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Dillon Brown’s hot start sparks win; 5-game win streak longest for Walkerville in 10 years

Shelby school plan completely restructures district operations

Closing of New Era Elementary, combining high school/middle school eyed port the last bond,” Superin2 bond proposals tendent Dan Bauer said.

“I think the most The heart of the proposal to be presented May 2 will be a $17.115 million important piece is this

By John Cavanagh

Herald-Journal Writer

A complete restructuring of how Shelby Public Schools operates could come pending the outcome of a ballot proposal to be presented to voters May 2.

In the wake of a failed proposal last August, Shelby School officials and community members have been working on a new plan they believe will be more palatable to district voters.

“I think the most important piece is this was community driven,” board President Ruth Myers said.

“We specifically asked people who did not sup-

bond (2.62 mills) to be used for improvements to the three school facilities in Shelby.

A small addition would be made to the northeast end of the high school to accommoBauer date middle school students as the high school would become a 7-12 grade building. The current middle school would also have an eight classroom addition built to its southwest corner, and the building would be converted into an elementary building.

Thomas Read Elementary would be converted completely into the Early Childhood Center and

was community driven,”

— Ruth Myers Shelby school board president

see its oldest section of the building on the north side demolished. All buildings would have secure entryways constructed and technology improvements. Improvements to the high school roof and track are also in the plan.

SHELBY PLANS TO RESTRUCTURE DISTRICT

continued on 7a

Sheriff’s office seeks info on missing man

PENTWATER — With regrets, the Pentwater Village Council accepted the resignation of village Manager Rob Allard at its regular meeting Feb. 13.

Allard said he’s stepping down for “deep personal reasons.”

He also said with the upcoming street improvement project that it would be a good time to step away so the village would not have to hire a new village manager in the Allard middle of the project.

The resignation will be effective April 30.

Personnel committee Chairman Michelle Angell-Powell said the village will begin advertising the position with the Michigan Municipal League and Michigan Rural Water Association.

Allard was hired by the village in Decontinued on 7a

Sheriff gets nod to accept K-9 program grant

The Oceana County Sheriff’s Office is requesting public assistance in locating Ryan Richard Walsworth, 50-year-old white male.

Wa l s worth was last seen leaving his residence in Mears on the mornWalsworth ing of Feb. 13 in his 2012 Ford F-150 Crew Cab. The vehicle is white in color and the license number is AC85142. It is a log/farm plate.

No foul play is suspected, but the family is concerned for his well-being. Anyone with information or who has seen Walsworth or his vehicle is asked to contact the Oceana County Sheriff’s Office at 231-8732121 or Mason/Oceana Central Dispatch at 231-869-5858.

Oceana County Sheriff Craig Mast received the nod Feb. 9 to accept a more than $12,000 grant to be used in developing a K-9 program at the Oceana County Sheriff’s Office.

The Oceana County Board of Commissioners authorized Mast to accept at $12,157 grant from the 2017 Medical Marijuana Operation and Oversight Grant for County Law EnMast forcement Offices.

The sheriff’s office also recently received a $2,678.55 donation from a benefit soup supper at the Newman Church in Hesperia for the program.

“It could be a very lucrative situation for the county,” Mast said. “I think this is a real safety issue and a huge investigative tool that we really need.”

Mast said the dog would be assigned to an existing deputy and would traveling with the deputy during regular patrols when not being used elsewhere. The dog could be used for narcotic searches as well as for tracking individuals and public relations.

“It can be a huge deterrent,” Mast said.

Commissioner Bob Walker asked Mast if any more money could be found within the sheriff’s office budget to cover the expense of the animal. Walker pointed out that the major expense in other agencies with K-9 units is in the cost for the han-

No candidates for city posts

K-9 PROGRAM GRANT continued on 7a

“It could be a very

Andrew Skinner • Oceana’s Herald-Journal

Reeling in

Denny Veine of Pentwater checks out his catch Saturday afternoon, Feb. 11 while ice fishing on Pentwater Lake during the 7th annual Ryan Williams Perch Derby, one of the many Pentwater Winterfest events taking place that day. Veine was enjoying the unseasonably warm weather Saturday while fishing in a portable ice fishing shanty/cart built by his late father.

Additional ice fishing photos from the day can be seen on Page 12a.

Patrols at the Silver Lake State Park Off-Road Vehicle area will be featured on the Outdoor Channel’s “Wardens” series later this month.

Silver Lake State Park Manager Jody Johnston said the television film crew was in the area last year and rode

• Contributed photo

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lucrative situation for the county. I think this is a real safety issue and a huge investigative tool that we really need,”

— Craig Mast Oceana County Sheriff

Silver Lake ORV area to be featured on Outdoor Channel’s ‘Wardens’

Silver Lake State Park Ranger Andy LundBorg was one of the park rangers a television film crew rode along with during the filming of the Outdoor Channel’s “Wardens” series last summer.

To be the primary source of information for our communities

Allard to step down from Pentwater

PENTWATER POSITIONS

Ryan Walsworth last seen Feb. 13

HART — No candidates filed to run for the two available seats on the Hart City Council or the single Hart City Board of Review seat.

Incumbent Councilmen Fred Rybarz and Jason LaFever are ineligible to run due to term limits. City council members can serve only two consecutive terms before the term limit restriction applies. The city also will have a vacancy on its board of review as Mike Powers term expires. City council and board of review seats are three-year terms.

People interested in serving on the Hart City Council or Hart City Board of Review will have to run as write-in candidates. They will be required to filed their declaration of intent with Hart City Hall by April 21.

The city election is May 2.

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INDEX Church . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8a Classifieds . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-9b Court, Cops, Gov’t . . . . . . . 5b Obituaries . . . . . . . . . . . . 10a Outdoor . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12a

School . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4b Social . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9a Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B1-3 Stuff to do . . . . . . . . . . . 11a Viewpoints . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4a

with a Department of Natural Re- nel’s website, the Wardens program is sources conservation officer and with “When your job is protecting our most Silver Lake State Park Ranger Andy precious natural resources in some of LundBorg.

‘WARDENS’ TO FEATURE “They filmed all over the state last SILVER LAKE ORV AREA year,” Johnston said. continued on 7a According to the Outdoor Chan-

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Hart, Shelby cheer advance to regionals

INSIDE THIS WEEK

Page B1

Thursday, February 23, 2017

Oceana’s

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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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6a

• February 23, 2017 • Oceana’s Herald-Journal

Tree Fruit Educator

from Page 1a

Jones said while at the UW, he was fortunate to work at two different UW agricultural research stations, where he worked to varying degrees with wine grapes, apples, tart cherries, sweet cherries, raspberries, and blueberries.

“The second of the two research stations that I worked at, the Peninsular Agricultural Research Station, is located in Door County, Wis. and is a major region of fruit production in the state,” Jones said. “I worked at this station the summer following the senior year of my undergraduate degree, and it was there that I began to gain an interest in the diseases and insects that impact tree fruit production in addition to the horticultural practices that Andrew Skinner • Oceana’s Herald-Journal are necessary for good fruit production. One of the roles that I played at this station was aiding in the scouting of commercial Family and friends, above, walk along the Lake Michigan shoreline near the Oceana and Mason county line Saturday morning, Feb. 18 looking for signs of Ryan Walsworth of Mears as a Michigan State Police Underwater Rescue boat searches the water. Walsworth was last tart cherry, sweet cherry, and apple fields throughout Door Counseen Monday, Feb. 13 at his home; his vehicle was found Tuesday, Feb. 14 along Montgomery Boulevard. Below, a searcher uses a dog to ty. I particularly worked with monitoring the Spotted Wing Drolook for signs of Walsworth along the icy shoreline of Lake Michigan. sophila (SWD), a new invasive pest of sweet and tart cherries (as well as several other major fruit crops) that has caused significant economic hardship for farmers in both Wisconsin and Michigan in the past couple of years.”

While he enjoyed working with both insects and plant pathofrom Page 1a gens, Jones said his interest in the diseases that affect tree fruit and grapes led him back to the University of Wisconsin for a masHis official status continues to the area in search for Walster’s degree in plant pathology with Dr. Patty McManus, who is be “missing.” worth, but have been unable to the fruit crop pathologist and an extension specialist for the state Walsworth, 50, was last seen locate him. A Michigan State of Wisconsin. leaving his residence early Police helicopter search Feb. “My thesis work was to determine the relative susceptibility Feb. 13 and was reported miss- 16 was unsuccessful and a state of several new wine grape cultivars in northern climates to three ing Feb. 14. His truck was police dive team entered the economically challenging diseases in our region, laying groundlater found along Montgomery water along the shoreline Feb. work for the development of several possible reduced risk spray Blvd. along Lake Michigan 17 also to no avail. State police programs using host plant resistance to disease,” Jones said. “My north of Pentwater. have also used a boat equipped specialty as a scientist is field and/or lab diagnosis and monitorSheriff’s office Lt. Shane with side-scan sonar in search ing of both insects and plant pathogens as well as horticultural isHasty said the truck was initial- for Walsworth, and local pilot sues that fruit growers deal with each year. Being offered the poly seen by a contracting crew Dan Hallack has been maksition here in West Central Michigan was a tremendous honor for and an area resident Feb. 13, ing twice daily flights over the but was reported to the sher- area. The sheriff’s office boat State Police diver. whereabouts is asked to contact me, and I was thrilled to be able to accept it. I feel very fortunate iff’s office Feb. 14. Police and was launched Sunday for yet Anyone with any informa- the sheriff’s office at 231-873- to be here as the Tree Fruit Extension Educator in West Central Michigan as a whole, particularly because there is a talented cast volunteers have since combed another search by a Michigan tion regarding Walsworth’s 2121. of growers here who I will be able to learn from for many years to come as I look to help them with my training in any way that I can. The growers here are my best resources as I look to develop relevant extension programming and research throughout this region, and I am very thankful for their support.”

Jones is married to his wife, Abigail (Abby), and she is a fifth grade teacher. She currently she teaches math, science and social studies and will remain in Wisconsin until the end of the school year.

“We met in high school and have been together ever since, and have had many wonderful adventures together over the years,” Jones said.

In his spare time, Jones enjoys home brewing beer, wine and hard cider, piano playing, drawing, hiking, fishing, camping, running and cooking.

“I am always up for trying something new, and am ready for more adventures here in West Central Michigan,” he said.

Five of the eight West Shore ESD school districts will soon join with the ESD to begin the conversion process from the current MiCase business management software to a Tyler Munis platform. Mason County Central already uses the software.

According to West Shore • Contributed photo ESD Superintendent Randy The Pentwater Township Library’s new layout will includes a re-designed children’s area with moveable Howes, agreements with the Comprehensive Vision furnishing, a multi-purpose meeting room, and lower shelving. company and the ESD are now & Eye Health Exams signed and the ESD Board has approved an expenditure of Treatment of over $450,000 to facilitate this Eye Disease & Disorders project. Local participating disfrom Page 1a Daily, Evening tricts will repay about a quarter of those upfront costs to West through parts of the library’s concrete pad also to its closing on March 10 will be due back to & Saturday Appointments Shore ESD over the next 10 for some plumbing work,” Pentwater Township the library June 6. “We would like people to Insurance Plans Welcome years, Howes stated.

Library Director Mary Barker, explained. hold on to library materials until we reopen,” Why would WSESD invest According to Barker the library’s board has Barker added. so much in this project? Howes approved $300,000 for the “refresh.” “All monAccepting “We regret the inconvenience. After the renocommented that he believes the ey is donated money, over the years, not taxpay- vations we will be providing a new and more New Patients qualitative benefits provided ers. modern library for our patrons. We are looking by the Munis software and the “All of the books and shelving will be wrapped forward to a new level of service to our patrons,” opportunity for six of the local and removed to be stored in a warehouse until Barker said. districts to significantly reduce the renovations are completed by Library DeWhile the library is closed, Baker and the libusiness services expenses sign Associates, Inc. of Plymouth the project’s brary’s five part-time employees will take part in through collaboration over time designers and project managers,” Barker said. training sessions as well as planning the summer will produce the desired return The library is expected to reopen at the end reading program and other activities at a tempoon this investment. When the of May. In the interim, libraries in Ludington, rary office in the Farmers Insurance building as transition is completed, Hart, Hart and Shelby have agreed to assist Pentwa- will board meetings on the second Tuesday of Shelby, Walkerville, Pentwa- ter Library patrons. Electronic materials from the month at 5 p.m. ter, Mason County Eastern, the Pentwater Library’s website will continue As more information comes available the www.oceanaeyecare.com and Mason County Central and to be available to all Pentwater patrons, includ- library will post details on its website, www.

44 State St. • Downtown Hart West Shore ESD will all be on ing e-magazines, e-books and e-audio and video pentwaterlibrary.org, and the library’s Facebook the same business management streaming. page. software platform.

All materials checked out of the library prior Howes explained that having a high quality common business software platform provides the necessary framework to facilitate cost savings in business services. As districts continue to be challenged by scarce resources, saving money of business services allows them to keep their financial rewith potatoes, veggie, dinner roll and dessert sources directed in classrooms toward educating kids.

“It’s like having an insurance When: ...... Friday, Feb. 24, 2017 policy for critical services,” Howes said. “In an emergency Time: ........ 5-7 PM situation the common platform Where: ..... 802 S. State St., Hart allows the ESD to provide emergency back-up support coffee or tea - free for critical business services soda or bottled water - $1 each through its network of collaborative partners to districts on the same platform.”

The implementation process will begin in a few months and the conversion will be completed sometime during the 201718 school year.

Walsworth search

Financial software conversion moving forward at ESD

“Advanced Eyecare For Your Entire Family”

Library ‘Refresh’

Michael E. Jonassen, O.D. 231-873-2575

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Walkerville superintendent/principal candidates narrowed to 3 Page 3a

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England explodes for 5 goals in Shelby win over rival Hart

Herald-Journal

Walkerville Fire Authority gives nod to budget

Money to pay bills should be available soon

By John Cavanagh

Herald-Journal Writer

Andrew Skinner • Oceana’s Herald-Journal

Area residents filled the Elbridge Township Hall Saturday morning, April 22 as the township boards from Colfax, Elbridge and Leavitt and the Walkerville Village council reviewed and approved the 2017-18 fiscal budget for the Walkerville Fire Authority.

Walkerville fire Budget approved continued on 6a

Page 3a

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ELBRIDGE — Applause all around could be heard following the budget approval by the Walkerville Area Fire and Rescue Authority during its annual meeting at the Elbridge Township Hall April 22.

The 2017-18 fiscal budget’s approval actually took two votes by the four gov-

Silver Lake chamber, visitors bureau to seek joint director

Hart BioPure facility hosts Earth Day open house Page 3a

Wilson takes plea deal, averts trial

Former Shelby Village Po- seeking $70,000 in restitution, lice Chief Bob Wilson could but the matter will be reviewed spend up to six months in jail and any restitution amount will once he is sentenced on two be set following a hearing also set for June 5. convictions June 5.

Wilson, 62, of In a plea agree2560 S. 80th Ave., ment last Friday, Shelby, was arrested April 21, Wilson pled in August 2016. He guilty to one count of was charged with six motor vehicle code felony counts, which — false certification included one count and an added count of embezzlement of embezzlement $50,000 to $100,000 $20,000, but less and five counts of than $50,000. The Wilson motor vehicle code plea heads off a jury — false certification. trial that was scheduled to start this week. All oth- The embezzlement charge alleged that Wilson, as an agent er counts were dismissed.

As part of the plea agree- or employee of the Village of ment, the state attorney gen- Shelby, converted for his own eral’s office is recommending Wilson takes that any up front jail time be plea deal capped at six months. The atcontinued on 6a torney general’s office also is

Walsworth remains located along lakeshore near Pentwater

Location, location, location

Where are the prime morel spots in Oceana?

The body of what police believe are the remains of Ryan Richard Walsworth, 50, of Mears, were discovered on the Lake Michigan shoreline south of Pentwater last Saturday morning.

According to Oceana County Sheriff Craig Mast, sheriff’s office deputies were dispatched at apWalsworth proximately 11 a.m. to the Lake Michigan shore in Section 22 of Pentwater Township just a little south of the Pentwater

Hint: nobody’s telling

By Mary Beth Crain OHJ Contributing Writer

If morel hunters were realtors, they’d never sell a single property. Yes, when it comes to these prized mushrooms, it’s all about location. But revealing where that location is—well, that’s like a magician giving away his secrets. You’d be breaking some sort of sacred law.

“Morel hunters will tell you where they buried money before they’ll give away their mushroom spots,” laughs Mike Mull, a highly successful morel gatherer since childhood.

In the back room of Larsen’s Ace Hardware in Hart, Mull, a jovial, bearded fellow in cap and jeans, takes time out of his busy schedule as a store sales associate to talk about mushrooms. And not just morels. Any and all mushrooms. Armed with his personal bible, The National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Mushrooms, Mull is himself a walking encyclopedia of mushroom facts.

“I’m never without my book,” he says. “I keep it in the car. And whenever I go mushroom hunting, it’s with me.”

That’s because there are literally thousands of varieties of mushrooms out there, and you have to be able to distinguish the safe from the dangerous. You also might like to know the many types that are as tasty as morels.

Walsworth continued on 6a

MSP • Contributed photo

MSP seeks help in identifying larceny suspect

The hunt is on for morels

continued on 7a

Andrew Skinner • Oceana’s Herald-Journal

Mike Mull of Hart forages through a section of woods in Hart Township for morels Friday, April 21.

Troopers from the Michigan State Police, Hart Post, are seeking assistance from the public in identifying a suspect wanted in connection with a larceny that took place in Shelby Township.

The state police released photographs of the suspect and suspect’s vehicle. Anyone who might know the suspect’s identity are asked to contact Trooper Trevor Beck at the Michigan State Police Hart Post. Beck can be reached at 231-873- 2171 Ext 0212 or by e-mail at beckt4@michgan.gov.

Shelby school bonds, Hart City council seats top area ballots Polls are open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, May 2 Voters in various parts of the county will head to the polls next Tuesday to make school millage decisions while City of Hart voters will decide a write-in race for two council members.

Shelby Public Schools Shelby School District voters will face the biggest questions as the school district seeks

approval for two bonds for school building improvements.

The bigger of the two questions will be for voters to approve a $17.115 million bond to be used for improvements to the three school facilities in Shelby. The improvements would include a small addition to the northeast end of the high school to accommodate

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middle school students as the high school would become a 7-12 grade building. The current middle school would also have an eight classroom addition built to its southwest corner, and the building would be converted into an elementary building. Thomas Read Elementary would be converted completely into the Early

Childhood Center and see its oldest section of the building on the north side demolished.

All buildings would have secure entryways constructed and technology improvements. Improvements to the high school roof and track are also in the plan. The New Era Elementary building in New Era would be closed and sold.

The second part of the proposal is a separate bond request for a $2.63 million for an addi-

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tion to the south end of the high school gymnasium. The space would not only provide an area for the wrestling program practices, which currently uses the high school cafeteria, but for other uses as well.

Hart City Council After having no candidates file for the two available seats on the Hart City Council earlier this year, the city now has three men seeking the seats through a write-in vote. They include

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incumbent Jason LeFever, Edward Simon IV and former councilman Steve Hegedus.

Newaygo County Regional Education Services Agency The Newaygo County Regional Education Services Agency (NCRESA) will put before Oceana County voters living in the NCRESA distr-

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• April 27, 2017 • Oceana’s Herald-Journal

Andrew Skinner • Oceana’s Herald-Journal

Walkerville Area Fire and Rescue personnel and members of the public look on as the Colfax, Elbridge and Leavitt township boards and the Walkerville Village council discuss the department’s operating budget.

After some discussion and the rearranging of some funds the budget was approved.

Walkerville fire budget approved ernment units making up the authority. Money to pay department expenses should be available after bank deposits clear which was expected to take seven to 10 days, Leavitt Township Treasurer David Kruppe said.

The first vote for the slightly more than $200,000 budget ended in a 2-2 tie with Colfax and Leavitt township representatives voting yes, and Elbridge Township and Village of Walkerville representatives voting no. After the fire administrator’s line item was increased from $0 to $3,000, all four entities voted to approve the budget.

The authority is made up of Colfax, Elbridge and Leavitt townships along with the Village of Walkerville. Board members from the different entities have been at odds not only with each other, but with the department itself for the past several months. A statement on the department’s Facebook page last week indicated firefighters were willing to walk off the job April 27 if the budget wasn’t approved.

The meeting began with an introduction statement read by Elbridge Township Trustee Jeff Buter.

“We’re going to discuss the

budget today with the goal to approve it,” Buter said.

Buter went on to say that the townships had nothing to do with overspending by the department in 2016. He pointed to an early fire truck payment which he claimed was made by the department so Walkerville Village could purchase a tractor. Buter also pointed to an $8,000 expenditure made by the department for an attorney to address a Freedom of Information Act request, saying those two expenses totalled $34,000. He also said the four governing bodies which make up the authority received six different budget proposals from the department since January.

“In summary, the fire department has run out of money due to the fire board overspending,” Buter said. “The fire department will have to tighten their belts for this year.”

To balance last year’s budget, Buter said $22,000 needed to come out of the new budget.

In addition to reducing the fire administrator’s budget, the authority also made cuts to weekend on-call pay for firefighters.

Walkerville Village President and department fire administrator Jerry Frick took exception with Buter’s comments

from Page 1a

Audience members, left, applaud Walkerville firefighter Brian Hintz, far right, after he told village and township representatives he was proud to be a member of the fire department and that he plans to continue to serve the area. Below, Walkerville Fire Administrator Jerry Frick looks on as Leavitt Township Treasurer David Kruppe discusses the proposed Walkerville Fire Authority budget for the 2017-18 fiscal year.

Andrew Skinner • Oceana’s Herald-Journal

regarding the village, saying word.

Questions also arose as to they were “false statements.”

He also said the village was which entity should serve as never included in many of the the fire authority’s fiduciary as discussions over recent months it has been handled by Leavitt to which Colfax Supervisor Township for approximately Robert Wade replied the village eight years. Frick attempted was invited since the begin- to enter a motion that the Vilning, but that Frick had been lage of Walkerville serve as the fiduciary for the next two obstructive all the way.

During the discussion period years,, but Kruppe said Leavitt of the first motion to approve, Township had just completed Elbridge Clerk Stephanie Van- the first of its two-year term Sickle asked if the fire board so an attempt to change fiduhad seen the proposed budget ciaries was moot. In the end, changes developed by town- the authority voted 3-1, with ship officials. Kruppe said the Walkerville Village voting from Page 1a fire board can present a pro- no, to amended the 2016 anposed budget, but it’s the fire nual meeting minutes to reflect Pier after workers at a nearby construction site reported what they authority which has the final Leavitt’s fiduciary appointment thought was a body on the beach.

“Deputies did find the body of a white male laying just on the shore and partially covered in sand,” Mast said. “After further investigation, we are very confident that this is the remains of Mr. Ryan Walsworth, whom had gone missing back on Feb. 13 of this year. This location is approximately three miles south of where his truck was located on Feb. 14. An extensive search on both at Pentwaters only FULL SERVICE Salon & Spa land and water was performed at that time but we were not able to locate Mr. Walsworth until today.”

The body was taken to Spectrum Hospital in Grand Rapids for an autopsy and positive identification, but Mast said they are very Salon & Spa confident the remains are that of Walsworth.

“We ask that the public keep the family in their prayers,” Mast Open Mon. - Sat. 9am - 6pm said.

Walsworth

last year even though fire board in odd numbered years, and member and Walkerville Vil- that’s why there was no menlage Trustee Jim Yancey said fi- tion of it in the minutes. duciary appointments are made

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from Page 1a

use without consent money or personal property having a value of more than $50,000, but less than $100,000. The other five counts alleged that Wilson performed false motor vehicle

certifications on separate occasions between June 10, 2015 and Sept. 23, 2015. He was fired as the village police chief in January 2016.

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