Sheriff, family rescue dogs abused in video

“I think what’s going on here is horrendous and this is character assassination,” Edwin Fogarty said. “The people here denigrating Dan LaRue, what’s their evidence? They got it on social media. I notice they use the same words ‘volatile’ and ‘divisive.’ I can’t help but think there is a political agenda.”

Stephanie Myers, the most recent appointment to the library board, said she empathized with LaRue.

“Shortly before my appointment, many of the same things that are being said of Mr. LaRue were being said about me,” Myers said, sit on the library board. The amendment was sent to the Operations and Governance Committee for further consideration.

When the council began considering LaRue’s nomination, Paladino said he opposed the nomination on principle, saying the mayor could not make an appointment of his choice due to the city’s charter, and that he had concerns about how they would be able to work together, given LaRue’s activity on social media.

“The shares were sent to me from other people, but to call someone evil, extremist, or a

Councilman Robert Socha, who voted for LaRue’s appointment, said during the summer’s library controversy there were books in the library that were offensive to at least half of the Hillsdale community.

“I heard from the podium multiple times to respect diversities,” Socha said. “Well, it appears to me that you want people to respect diverse views so long as they are views that promote attitudes that are contrary to nature. Two moms is contrary to nature, two dads is contrary to nature.”

By Olivia Hajicek Assistant Editor

Two local men are facing misdemeanor charges after Facebook videos were posted Feb. 26 showing one of the men throwing, dragging, and punching a dog.

“I think the measure of a man is how he treats animals and children,” Mayor Adam Stockford said. “If our county will accept this sort of brutality, it is nothing short of failure and neglect.”

The Facebook posts sparked outrage among residents, who called for intervention by law enforcement and animal welfare groups.

“We’ve received lots of calls and messages regarding the animal cruelty videos that have been circulating that took place in Hillsdale County,” the Greater Hillsdale Humane Society said in a Facebook post the same day. “We can confirm that the dogs will be removed from the situation shortly, and will be placed into foster homes not associated with GHHS.”

The Hillsdale County Sheriff’s Office helped a couple from Albion, AJ and Amanda Ringler, pick up the dogs on Feb. 27 and take them to a no-kill animal shelter.

“Today was a whirlwind of emotions,” Amanda Ringler said in a Feb. 27 post, which is no longer on Facebook. “Last night I reposted a series of videos of dogs being abused. Today, I got confirmation that the owners were willing to surrender the animals. I immediately messaged the wife of the man in the video telling her I would come get the dogs no questions asked.”

Ringler said she received a message from the sheriff’s office, and a sergeant and two deputies accompanied her and her husband to pick up the dogs.

“The owner brought each dog out one by one and placed them in the back of my Jeep as he told me a little bit about each of the dogs and their personalities,” Ringler said. “They were cordial with us, however, they had confrontation with their neighbors who were pretty upset, understandably, with them and the videos.”

Ringler posted a video on Feb. 28 she said she received from the GHHS, showing the dogs running and playing in a fenced-in yard.

Hillsdale County Prosecutor Neal Brady said when a Facebook post told people to contact the prosecutor, his office got so many calls about the incident that it began to interfere with its work.

“The problem is that we didn't have any police report, we didn't have a warrant request, we didn't have any tickets or documentation. This is something that happened outside of our knowledge and influence, and so we couldn't help any of the people who were calling,” Brady said. “What we had to do was get a hold of the investigating agencies and tell them to send their police reports or request for charges.”

Brady said Cody Wilson, allegedly shown in the video, and Rodney Cousino are facing charges for the incident.

Cousino was arrested March 3 on warrants for controlled substance possession and cruelty to animals, according to the sheriff’s office. He posted a $25,000 bond with 10% allowed. According to the Hillsdale 2B District Court, he was arraigned on March 3, with a pretrial scheduled for March 15.

The Michigan State Police is handling the case, according to the sheriff’s office. The GHHS asked readers who have witnessed animal abuse to call the sheriff’s office at 517-4377317.

By Micah Hart Circulation Manager

Not even a snowstorm could prevent ProEdge Arena from hosting its weekly Saturday night rodeo.

ProEdge, located in Osseo, is in its seventh season and has never canceled an event. Owner Earl Proctor said even after recent snowstorms and the Feb. 22 ice storm that brought countywide blackouts, the arena continued as usual.

With the help of prayer and some generators, the arena was ready for a night of Bible and bulls this past weekend.

Tuff Slieff, 18, said he appreciates ProEdge’s dedication to the sport.

“In the winter, there are not really many events, so this is the main place,” Slieff said. “I just really like the environment here and all the other riders here.”

Although weather conditions created hazards on the dirt roads of Osseo, fans piled into the arena, ready to watch their favorite riders take on the bulls.

Blankets and makeshift chairs lined the wooden benches, and 40 minutes before the event, attendees were already packing the stands. Unlike at many rodeos, however, Christian music echoed through the arena, and the building was covered in crosses and nods to biblical events and passages.

“When the enemy wants you to shut down a night of talkin ‘bout Jesus…you pray even harder!” the arena’s Facebook page reads.

The bulls emerged from gates adorned in Bible verses.

Before the lights dim and the competitors take their seats to compete, the attendees gather for a devotion.

“It’s just a platform to tell people about Jesus,” Proctor said. “I rode bulls for 16 years, so that’s what I know and love, and grace got a hold of me when I was 26.”

Lester Yoder said he rides at the arena not just for the “good bulls,” but also for its commitment to spreading the gospel.

“They bring God into it. They share everybody’s testimony,” Yoder said. “They bring everybody to God, bring everybody closer. They show everybody how good he is, and what he can do for everybody if you just devote your life to God.”

The arena also offers Christian growth for riders and bullfighters, who act as a shield between the riders and bulls after a ride.

Lawayne Wickey, 20, has been bull-riding for a year. He said ProEdge helped his personal and spiritual growth.

The lights turn off. The audience goes quiet. The focus turns to a large screen, where Christian worship music plays. The atmosphere changes from rowdy to reflective, and the pastor or member of the local church community shares the message of Jesus Christ. Proctor said he shares the gospel with audience members because he wanted to share his faith through a sport he knew and loved.

“Bull-riding made me stronger mentally, brought me closer to God,” Wickey said.

Proctor said he thinks with God’s grace, the message and the bull riding will continue for years to come.

“So as long as we’re here,” Proctor said, “We’ll do his work until he calls us home.”