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Big Rapids Daily News - WYBR-FM Big Rapids, MI Today's Hit Music

Monday, March 4

An officer was dispatched to an address for a 911 call hang up. It turned out that a child had the phone and was playing with it. Everyone was ok.

Officers investigated possible sharing of prescription narcotics. The matter has been turned over to the prosecutor for review.

An officer responded to a well check on a 62-year-old male. The officer spoke to the male and it was determined that he was ok.

Tuesday, March 5

No incidents reported.

Wednesday, March 6

An officer assisted an individual that came into the department with complaints about service received from a local business. He was advised it was a civil matter.

Thursday, March 7

Officers took a report of a two-car crash. There were no injuries reported with minor damage to the vehicle. One driver was cited for failing to yield.

An officer was dispatched to the Reed City Hospital in reference to a complaint of an assault that occurred at the Reed City Middle School between three students.

An Officer responded to a call regarding some suspicious vehicle parked near a residence, the caller believed was taking pictures. The caller stated, upon thinking further, the phone user may have pulled over to use their phone because it is illegal to drive while using the phone. The officer did not locate anyone fitting the description.

While conducting a routine traffic stop, an officer arrested a 44-year-old male for an outstanding warrant. He was transported to Osceola County Jail without any issues.

An officer observed an emotionally distraught person while on patrol. The officer checked his well being and it was determined he was okay other than receiving some bad news concerning a loved one.

Friday, March 8

Officers took a report regarding a two-car crash. No injuries were reported and only minor vehicle damage.

An officer assisted a driver that broke down on the road.

Saturday, March 9

While on patrol an officer observed lights on a vehicle malfunctioning. While attempting to contact an occupant of the house the lights stopped flashing.

An officer responded to an ongoing dispute between tenants in a rental house. Warnings were issued.

Sunday, March 10

An officer responded to a possible assault involving a vehicle. It was determined the incident had happened in another jurisdiction and was turned over to another agency.

An officer was dispatched to the hospital for a combative patient. The officer assisted in restraining the individual until they were sedated.

An officer was called to the hospital for an individual with suicidal ideations who was trying to leave without being released. The individual cooperated and calmed down.

An officer was called to assist the Osceola County Sheriff Department with an individual who was in custody who was combative and assaultive. The individual was brought to the hospital for evaluation after attempting self-harm.

Osceola-county-sheriff-department , Reed-city-middle-school , Reed-city-hospital , Osceola-county-jail , Radio-station , Ot-adult-contemporary , Dult-contemporary , Ot-ac , C , Op-40 , Ig-rapids

Big Rapids Daily News - WYBR-FM Big Rapids, MI Today's Hit Music

Ferris State Men's team beats Grand Valley to win GLIAC Tournament title; earns #5 seed in NCAA DII National Tournament

The Ferris State University men's basketball squad captured the program's sixth all-time Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) Tournament Championship on Sunday (March 10), beating achrival Grand Valley State 87-76 in the league tournament title game at the Berry Events Center in Marquette.

FSU stormed back from an 11-point halftime deficit, scoring 57 points in the second to notch its 25th win of the season and move on to the NCAA Tournament.

Junior guard Ethan Erickson paced the Bulldogs with a team-high 20 points while senior big man Vejas Grazulis totaled 16 points back in his hometown in another stellar GLIAC Tournament performance. FSU also got 15 points from senior Amari Lee and all 10 Bulldog players who saw action scored in the game.

Ferris State's win earned them an automatic bid for the NCAA DII National Tournament, which saw them rise from the seventh seed in the final regular season rankings to the fifth seed in the 11:00 P.M. selection show last night. The Bulldogs matchup against number four-seeded Northern Michigan in Midwest Regional, which will take place from March 16-19 at host and the region's number one-seed University of Indianapolis.

#1 UIndy vs. #8 William Jewell - Mar. 16 @ 5:00 P.M. - Nicoson Hall

#2 Kentucky Wesleyan vs. #7 Upper Iowa - Mar. 16 @ 2:30 P.M. - Nicoson Hall

#3 Walsh vs. #6 Lake Superior State - Mar. 16 @ 12:00 P.M. - Nicoson Hall

#4 Northern Michigan vs. #5 Ferris State - Mar. 16 @ 7:30 P.M. - Nicoson Hall

Stay tuned to FerrisStateBulldogs.com for additional postseason information.

Nation's 10th-ranked Bulldogs fall in GLIAC Tourney semifinals to Northern Michigan; earn #3 seed in NCAA DII National Tournament

The nation's 10th-ranked Ferris State University women's basketball team dropped a 63-56 decision to Northern Michigan in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) Tournament Semifinals on Saturday (March 9) afternoon inside the Grand Valley State Fieldhouse Arena in Allendale.

The second-seeded Bulldogs took a 14-10 first-quarter lead, but were outscored 15-9 by NMU in the second frame as the Wildcats led by two at the halftime break. NMU extended the lead to five at the end of three periods and the Bulldogs could not pull out the win. The Bulldogs were held to 35.9% shooting overall and finished only six-of-26 (23.1%) from three-point range in addition to four-of-nine (44.4%) at the free throw line in the setback. FSU was also outrebounded by a 42-33 count in the game.

Senior forward Chloe Idoni led the Bulldogs with 20 points in the game while junior guard Kenzie Bowers added 11 points and junior guard Kadyn Blanchard scored 10 points. Senior guard Mallory McCartney was held scoreless in the game despite playing all 40 minutes of the contest.

The Bulldogs' strong regular season did earn them prominence in both the national rankings and the regional rankings, entering the tournament as the potential third seed. Despite the loss in the semifinal round, the Bulldogs were given the number three seed and will face number six seed and GLVC champion, Lewis University, in the opening round. The NCAA Division II Midwest Regional Tournament will take place March 15-18 at top-seed and host Grand Valley State University.

#1 Grand Valley State vs. #8 Trevecca Nazarene - Mar. 14 @ 5:00 P.M. - GVSU Fieldhouse

#2 Ashland vs. #7 Drury - Mar. 14 @ 2:30 P.M. - GVSU Fieldhouse

#3 Ferris State vs. #6 Lewis - Mar. 14 @ 12:00 P.M. - GVSU Fieldhouse

#4 Northern Michigan vs. #5 Kentucky Wesleyan - Mar. 14 @ 7:30 P.M. - GVSU Fieldhouse

Stay tuned to FerrisStateBulldogs.com for and additional postseason information.

Berry-events-center , Michigan , United-states , Lake-superior , Ashland , Ferris-state-university , Kentucky , Grand-valley , Iowa , Mallory-mccartney , William-jewell , Kadyn-blanchard

Big Rapids Daily News - WYBR-FM Big Rapids, MI Today's Hit Music

Ferris State University student David Wenzlick testified before a state House of Representatives subcommittee this week, sharing how the Tuition Incentive Program has made it possible for him to get a transformative education.

Wenzlick, a sophomore from Lapeer, joined Dan Eichinger, Ferris State’s vice president for Governmental and External Affairs, in testifying before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Higher Education and Community Colleges on Thursday, March 7, in Lansing.

TIP is a state program that encourages eligible students to complete high school and continue their education by providing tuition assistance for the first two years of college and beyond.

Wenzlick told lawmakers he never expected to go to college.

“Although I held the desire for higher education and the college experience, it felt like something out of my reach,” he said. “Something that I could never afford. Something with, even help from my parents, I could never afford. Well, without putting myself in financial jeopardy that is. I didn’t want to throw my loans on the people who have been supporting me my whole life. College was a thing I had to do on my own, if I was going to do it.”

He said a high school counselor told him he would be eligible for the program and reduce his college expenses. After taking a year off, he decided to pursue his education, working during summers to cover housing costs – and avoid debt.

“I've been a student at Ferris State University for almost two full years now, and without TIP, none of it would have been possible,” he said. “I've struggled with finding what career path I should take. With TIP, I have been able to take classes that follow my interests rather than what degree I signed my life to. I've been able to study Psychology, Business Marketing, Personal Finance, Human Biology, Philosophy, Creative Writing, Environmental Bio, and Music. I've been able to explore multiple career paths with the security of knowing that my time here was spent enhancing my intellect and deepening my understanding of the world and my place in it. All thanks to TIP.”

Wenzlick said he has thrived at Ferris State, raising his grade point average to a 3.7 after earning a 2.8 in high school – which he said is an indication of his commitment and appreciation for the chance to get a college education. He’s hoping for a career in environmental conservation.

Eichinger told lawmakers Ferris State this year enrolled 1,621 students through the program. Nearly 1,200 are seeing an associate degree and more than 400 are working toward a bachelor’s degree.

He said 44 percent of Ferris State TIP scholars are minorities; 60 percent are female; 69 percent are from outside of the state’s five most populous counties – and 80 percent are in good academic standing.

“Which proves that sometimes all someone needs is an opportunity and that your parent’s income shouldn’t be a proxy college worthiness,” he said.

Eichinger said 3,811 Ferris State TIP students have earned degrees in the last decade.

“In many cases those degrees are the instrument that breaks generational poverty cycles, that degree folder becomes a physical symbol of hope, opportunity, and reward for hard work,” he said. “Serving students, but especially serving first generation students is the core of what we do and keeps us connected to our founder and his vision that accessing education is fundamental to healthy, vibrant, an industrious community.”

State Rep. Nancy DeBoer, R-Holland, said she was inspired by Wenzlick’s testimony.

“I wish you all the best as you continue to use these skills that you are honing, and that you will keep telling your story to inspire other kids so they don’t give up, so they don’t say, ‘That’s the end,’ and don’t say, ‘That’s as far as I can go.’ You can give them hope with your story.”

Nancy-deboer , Dan-eichinger , David-wenzlick , Tuition-incentive-program , Community-colleges-on , Ferris-state-university , Ferris-state , External-affairs , House-appropriations-subcommittee , Higher-education , Community-colleges , Business-marketing

Big Rapids Daily News - WYBR-FM Big Rapids, MI Today's Hit Music

On Monday, Feb. 26 at approximately 9:09 P.M., deputies were dispatched to Little Bass Lake, located on 65th Ave near Madison Rd in Martiny Township, for an attempted water rescue of a missing person. Deputies were advised that a 59-year-old male from Mecosta had been located by family after falling through the ice while ice fishing and they were unable to get him out of the water.

Upon arrival on scene first responders were able to recover the male who was no longer breathing. Despite all life-saving efforts being attempted, the male could not be resuscitated.

Deputies were assisted by Barryton Fire, Fork Township Rescue, Chippewa Township Fire/Rescue, Morton Township Fire/Rescue with a hovercraft, Nottawa Shermon Township Fire/Rescue with an airboat, Mecosta County EMS, Mecosta County Sheriff Office Dive Team, Medical Examiners Office and Meceola Central Dispatch.

Sheriff Miller would like to advise that due to recent warmer temperatures the ice on lakes is no longer stable and to please stay off the ice.

Examiners-office , Mecosta-county-sheriff-office-dive-team , Little-bass-lake , Martiny-township , Barryton-fire , Fork-township-rescue , Chippewa-township , Morton-township , Nottawa-shermon-township , Mecosta-county , Medical-examiners-office

Big Rapids Daily News - WYBR-FM Big Rapids, MI Today's Hit Music

The presidential primary polls are open today for in-person voting across the state of Michigan.

All voters that are registered in the state of Michigan can vote at their respective polling place on Election Day, Tuesday, Feb. 27 from 7 A.M. to 8 P.M.

Unregistered voters, along with voters who have not updated their registration to a new address, must go to their local clerk’s office to register beforehand. There is also an option to vote at their clerk’s office using an absentee ballot.

Voters should remember to do the following before arriving at their repsective polling location:

Look up the location of the polling place to ensure it has not moved recently.
Look up their registration status to ensure it is current.
Bring their photo ID to the polls if they are in possession of one. Photo ID is not a requirement to vote in Michigan.

For more information, visit Vote on Election Day (michigan.gov).

Michigan , United-states , Election-day , Radio-station , Ot-adult-contemporary , Dult-contemporary , Ot-ac , C , Op-40 , Ig-rapids , Ichigan

Big Rapids Daily News - WYBR-FM Big Rapids, MI Today's Hit Music

The Ferris State University men's and women's indoor track and field teams wrapped up action in the 2024 Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) Championships on Sunday (Feb. 25) in University Center.

The annual league championships were hosted by Saginaw Valley State and the Bulldog men's team placed sixth with 34 points while the women tied for seventh place overall with 27 points in the final standings.

Ferris State's Claudia Wilkinson won the league title in the women's high jump with a mark of 1.83 meters.

FSU's Danae Feldpausch came in third overall in the finals of the women's mile run (4:53.81) and Hanna Brock placed 11th in the same event (5:11.14). Whitney Farrell took ninth place in the 3,000 meters (10:12.94) and Rebecca Marvin was ninth in the shot put (11.46m).

The Bulldogs' Chase Carter finished as the runner-up in the 60 meters (6.87) and also finished fifth in the 200 meters (22.21).

Meanwhile, Cooper Sorsen was fifth overall in the 3,000 meters (8:29.41).

Blaine Rogers took seventh place in the finals of the 60-meter hurdles (8.65) and Gavin Vansolkema took eighth in the mile run (4:19.15) finals. Ben Dousuah took 10th place in the shot put (13.58m) and Hunter Richardson came in 11th (12.78) in the shot. Levi Tuinstra placed 11th in the high jump (1.78m).

FSU's Ryan Kachnowski placed 10th in the mile (4:24.73). In addition, Kevin Wilson finished 10th in the 800 meters (1:59.13) and Lucas Vandam was 11th (1:59.70) in the same race.

Ferris State was also fifth in the men's 4x400-meter relay (3:27.55) and seventh in the women's 4x400-meter relay (4:07.96).

Complete results from the league championships, including both day one and day two competition, can be found at the link below.

GLIAC Final Results

Danae-feldpausch , Levi-tuinstra , Lucas-vandam , Rebecca-marvin , Cooper-sorsen , Gavin-vansolkema , Hanna-brock , Ryan-kachnowski , Blaine-rogers , Hunter-richardson , Whitney-farrell , Kevin-wilson

Big Rapids Daily News - WYBR-FM Big Rapids, MI Today's Hit Music

Ferris State University's Stepan Pokorny scored in the first round of the shootout and Noah Giesbrecht saved all three Northern Michigan attempts as the Bulldogs won their second shootout of the season Saturday (Feb. 24) in the Ewigleben Ice Arena.

The Bulldogs (10-21-2) played a tightly contested game against Northern Michigan that was tied 1-1 after the first three periods. When neither team scored in overtime, the Bulldogs had their second shootout of the year, winning it 1-0 in their final home game of the season.

Before the game, Ferris State honored 11 players for senior night. Those players were Logan Stein, Ben Schultheis, Drew Cooper, Austin McCarthy, Jacob Dirks, Pokorny, Jason Brancheau, Nick Hale, Antonio Venuto, Brenden MacLaren and Giesbrecht.

Zach Faremouth scored the first goal of the game at 11:33 in the first period on the power play. Pokorny and Brancheau had the assists on Faremouth's second power play goal this year, giving the Bulldogs a 1-0 lead.

Northern Michigan tied the game at 1:59 in the second period. Rylan Van Unen scored with assists from Tyrell Boucher and Kevin Marx Noren, the final goal of the game.

Giesbrecht made 24 saves in regulation, while Northern Michigan goaltender Beni Halasz stopped 12 shots through the first 60 minutes. In overtime, Giesbrecht denied both Wildcat shot attempts and Halasz made five saves.

Grant Slukynsky was the first shooter in the shootout, and he was turned away by Giesbrecht. Pokorny went first for the Bulldogs and beat Halasz, giving FSU a 1-0 advantage in the shootout.

Matvei Kabanov went next, and he too was denied by Giesbrecht. Brancheau had a chance to win it for Ferris State in the second round, but Halasz made the save.

Mikey Colella was the last chance for Northern Michigan, but Giesbrecht stood tall for a third time in the shootout and won it for Ferris State.

Giesbrecht finished the game 26-27 and officially earned a tie. Halasz turned away 17-18 shots.

Northern Michigan won 31 faceoffs compared to 25 for Ferris State. The Bulldogs went 1-3 on their power play tries and killed all four of their penalties.

The Bulldogs have one game remaining in the regular season. They will visit Lake Superior State University Friday (March 1) for a 7:07 p.m. (ET) puck drop against the Lakers. Pregame coverage will begin at 6:30 p.m. (ET) on Sunny 97.3 FM.

Ferris-state-university , Michigan , United-states , Tyrell-boucher , Antonio-venuto , Austin-mccarthy , Jason-brancheau , Beni-halasz , Jacob-dirks , Brenden-maclaren , Zach-faremouth , Ben-schultheis

Big Rapids Daily News - WYBR-FM Big Rapids, MI Today's Hit Music

Rockford native and Ferris State University Plastics Engineering Technology student Cameron Sawicki is the proud recipient of a $2,500 scholarship made available through a collaborative for industrial giant DuPont Tedlar and the Society of Plastic Engineers Foundation.

Sawicki is a senior and said he will graduate this May with a Bachelor of Science degree, with a major in Plastics and Polymer Engineering Technology, accentuated by the excellence of resources and faculty in Ferris’ National Elastomer Center.

“Our program is very well rounded, as we work with the latest in injection molding technology in our labs, then learn to apply that knowledge through instruction from faculty with extensive industry experience,” Sawicki said. “I could not have asked for a better arrangement for my education and career intentions.”

Sawicki said Plastics Engineering was a field that came into focus in his high school days.

“I have to admit entering the program was something of a snap decision,” Cameron said. “I am so glad, as my choice of this degree path has exceeded all my expectations.”

The Plastics Engineering Technology curriculum is part of Ferris’ School of Design and Manufacturing in the College of Engineering Technology. Data gathered by the college notes PET graduate placement is near 100 percent. A recent group of graduates received salaries averaging $68,500 a year that were augmented by generous benefit plans and signing bonuses.

“I have received full-time job offers, but am still considering my options at this point,” Sawicki said.

PET program coordinator Tom Van Pernis, an associate professor, is a 2008 alumnus of the program. He said student recruitment requires more prospect education than in years past, owing to social media misinformation about the plastics industry and its active role in environmental stewardship.

“We are helping students understand they can be agents of positive change, by emphasizing sustainability in their service to the industry,” Van Pernis said. “There are many opportunities to work in the creation of industrial and commercial products, at starting salaries of $70,000 and beyond and Ferris graduates are ‘first choice’ candidates in their hiring processes.”

The DuPont Tedlar Scholarship that was awarded to Sawicki is part of a year-long emphasis to support studies in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math.

Tedlar is a polyvinyl fluoride film that can withstand scuffs, stains, and harsher conditions, with applications ranging from protective clothing to industrial uses. The corporation and the SPE Foundation continue their collaboration in 2024 through targeted educational opportunities for Girl Scouts and students in the vicinity of Tedlar production plants in New York and Ohio.

Van Pernis said Ferris PET students Anthony Audia of Ionia and Ashley Dobbyn of Garden City also received SPE scholarships in the last granting cycle.

New-york , United-states , Garden-city , Ohio , Ionia , Dupont-tedlar , Anthony-audia , Cameron-sawicki , Tom-van-pernis , Ashley-dobbyn , Van-pernis , College-of-engineering-technology

Big Rapids Daily News - WYBR-FM Big Rapids, MI Today's Hit Music

The Detroit Lions announced today that they have re-signed K Michael Badgley. Contract terms were not disclosed.

Badgley returns for his third season in Detroit after converting four-of-four field goals (100.0%) and 13-of-15 extra points (86.7%) for 25 points scored in 2023. In the Wild Card Round vs. the Los Angeles Rams, Badgley tied a postseason franchise record by converting a 54-yard field goal.

Originally entering the NFL in 2018 with the Indianapolis Colts as an undrafted free agent out of Miami (Fla.), Badgley has appeared in games for the Los Angeles Chargers, Tennessee Titans, Colts, Chicago Bears and Lions over his six seasons. In 64-career games, he is 98-of-119 on field goal attempts (82.4%) and 168-of-175 on extra point attempts (96.0%) for 462 points scored.

Chicago , Illinois , United-states , Miami , Florida , Tennessee , Los-angeles , California , Michael-badgley , Detroit-lions , Chicago-bears , Wild-card-round

Big Rapids Daily News - WYBR-FM Big Rapids, MI Today's Hit Music

Monday, February 12

At 5:10 P.M., deputies made a warrant arrest in Big Rapids TWP. A male subject was arrested on a warrant. He was lodged at the Mecosta County Jail.

Calls for Service: 19

Tuesday, February 13

At around 2:30 P.M., deputies made a warrant arrest at a residence in Mecosta TWP. A male subject was arrested on a felony warrant. He was lodged the the Mecosta County Jail.

Calls for Service: 16

Traffic Accidents: 1

Wednesday, February 14

At 08:55 P.M., deputies made a warrant arrest at a residence in Fork TWP. A female subject was arrested on a warrant. She was lodged at the Mecosta County Jail.

At 1:40 P.M., deputies made a warrant arrest at a residence in Millbrook TWP. A male subject was arrested on a warrant. He was lodged at the Mecosta County Jail.

At 1:45 P.M., deputies made a warrant arrest in Big Rapids TWP. A male subject was arrested on a probation violation. He was lodged at the Mecosta County Jail.

Calls for Service: 32

Thursday, February 15

At 02:23 P.M., deputies responded to a domestic assault complaint, at a residence in Morton TWP. A male subject was arrested for domestic assault. He was lodged at the Mecosta County Jail.

Calls for Service: 18

Traffic Accidents: 10

Car/Deer Accidents: 1

Friday, February 16

At 9:24 P.M., deputies made a warrant arrest at a residence in Millbrook TWP. A female subject was arrested on a felony warrant for MDOP. She was lodged at the Mecosta County Jail.

Calls for Service: 24

Saturday, February 17

Calls for Service: 15

Car/Deer Accidents: 2

Sunday, February 18

At 02:57 P.M., deputies responded to a domestic in Wheatland TWP. A male subject had assaulted his girlfriend. After resisting officers and being tased, the male subject was arrested for domestic assault and resist /obstruct. He was lodged at the Mecosta County Jail.

Calls for Service: 7

Traffic Accidents: 1

Car/Deer Accidents: 2

Big-rapids , Mecosta-county , Deer-accidents , Radio-station , Ot-adult-contemporary , Dult-contemporary , Ot-ac , C , Op-40 , Ig-rapids , Ichigan