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

A team of assessors from the Michigan Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission (MLEAC) will arrive on Thursday, May 9, 2024, to examine all aspects of the Big Rapids Police Department’s policies and procedures, management, operations, and support services Chief Danielle Haynes announced yesterday.

“Verification by the team that the Big Rapids Police Department meets the Michigan Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission’s “best practice” standards is part of a voluntary process to achieve accreditation, a highly prized recognition of law enforcement professional excellence”, Chief Haynes said.

As part of this final On-Site Assessment, employees and members of the public are invited to provide comments to the Assessment Team. They may do so by telephone or email. The public may call 231-527-0018 on May 10, 2024, between the hours of 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM. Email comments can be sent to brpdcomments2024@bigrapidsdps.org.

Telephone comments are limited to five (5) minutes and must address the agency’s ability to comply with the Commission’s standards. A copy of the standards is available for inspection at the Big Rapids Department of Public Safety, 435 N. Michigan Ave. Please contact Sgt. Liz West, Accreditation Manager at 231-527-0005 ext. 1218.

Anyone wishing to offer written comments about the Big Rapids Police Department’s ability to comply with the standards for accreditation is requested to email the Accreditation Program manager at rwiles@michiganpolicechiefs.org or write the Michigan Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission at 3474 Alaiedon Pkwy, Suite 600, Okemos, MI 48864.

The Big Rapids Police Department must comply with 108 standards to achieve accredited status. Chief Haynes indicated, “Accreditation results in greater accountability within the agency, reduced risk and liability exposure, stronger defense against civil lawsuits, increased community advocacy, and more confidence in the agency’s ability to operate efficiently and respond to community needs.”

The Accreditation Program Director for the Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police is Chief Ron Wiles (Ret.). “The assessment team is composed of law enforcement practitioners from similar Michigan law enforcement agencies. The assessors will review written materials, interview agency
members, and visit offices and other places where compliance with the standards can be observed.

Once the assessors complete their review of the agency, they will report to the full Commission, which will then decide if the agency is to be granted accredited status”, Ron Wiles stated.

Accreditation is valid for a three-year period during which time the agency must submit annual reports attesting to their continued compliance with those standards under which it was initially accredited.

The MACP, through its Michigan Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission, is the legitimate authority and accreditation agency in the state of Michigan. For more information regarding the Michigan Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission, please write the Commission at: MACP, Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission at 3474 Alaiedon Pkwy, Suite 600, Okemos, MI 48864, or email at rwiles@michiganpolicechiefs.org.

Please contact Officer William Sell with any questions. He can be reached at 231-527-0005 ext. 1036 or wsell@bigrapidsdps.org.

Michigan , United-states , Big-rapids-police-department , Okemos , Danielle-haynes , Law-enforcement-accreditation-commission , Michigan-association-of-chiefs-police , Assessment-team , Big-rapids-department-of-public-safety , Michigan-law-enforcement-accreditation-commission , Accreditation-program , Chief-danielle-haynes

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

More than 200 teenage competitors will converge on Ferris State University’s Swan Technical Arts Building Friday, May 3 as a 20th State Secondary Welding Competition and a fourth year of contests for student machinists will be held in laboratories of the School of Manufacturing and Design.

This is the 40th anniversary of Ferris’ Welding Engineering Technology Bachelor of Science degree program, which is the largest of its kind in the nation.

Professor and Welding Engineering Technology coordinator Jeffrey Carney is an alumnus and co-founder of the welding competition.

He points out more than 100 graduates of Ferris State’s Bachelor of Science degree in Welding Engineering Technology participated in these categories as high schoolers.

“Our goal in this competition is to see every student guest gets full exposure to our facilities, along with complimentary gifts made possible through collaborative efforts of Ferris’ Academic Affairs office, the College of Engineering Technology and very supportive industry partners,” Carney said. “It is a pleasure to see t-shirts given out in past years worn into our labs by students whose first campus visits came about in this competition. Ferris scholarships are also available to champions of our competition.”

Carney said judges assess skills in five welding processes, with more than 140 students from 35 schools, intermediate districts or regional educational service agencies set to participate this year.

Manufacturing Engineering Technology Program Coordinator Mark Rusco said more than 60 students from 16 institutions will test their abilities in milling, working with grinders or lathes, or metrology, the practice of precision measurement.

“Industry sponsors donate tools that are distributed to our guests, helping with short-term learning and when they return as Ferris students,” Rusco said.

He said because the demand for machinists is so strong, sponsors will staff tables to recruit prospects that day for their own training programs and career opportunities.

“There will be teachers on hand who have brought students each year of the competition, some whose relationships with Ferris go back several decades,” Carney said. “We are glad to help supply their labs with materials to continue their learning and knowledge of the skills their students can master by pursuing Associate or Bachelor of Science degrees in the field.”

A $30 million renovation and expansion of the Swan Technical Arts Building was completed in 2018, accentuating world-class instructional and laboratory facilities for several College of Engineering Technology programs.

Jeffrey-carney , Manufacturing-engineering-technology-program-coordinator-mark-rusco , Ferri-academic-affairs , Welding-engineering-technology , Ferris-state-university-swan-technical-arts-building , School-of-manufacturing , Ferri-welding-engineering-technology-bachelor-of-science , College-of-engineering-technology , Ferris-state-university , Swan-technical-arts-building-friday , State-secondary-welding-competition , Ferri-welding-engineering-technology-bachelor

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

Monday, April 8

Larceny – Officers were dispatched to investigate a larceny of a registration plate that was removed from a trailer. The incident remains open at this time.

Tuesday, April 9

Threats – Officers responded to a threats complaint. A subject used a phone to make threats towards the caller over a tv remote.
Animal Complaint – Officers responded to a report of dogs at large. Upon officers arrival the dogs had been located and returned home. The incident was investigated and a report was forwarded to Prosecutor for review.
Hit and Run – Officers responded to a local business for report of a hit and run accident. The report remains open at this time.

Wednesday, April 10

Assist – Officers were dispatched for a trespassing complaint. The subject agreed to leave without causing any further issues.

Thursday, April 11

Alarm – Officers responded to a burglary alarm at a local business. The business was secured and it was determined to be a false alarm.

Friday, April 12

VIN Check – Officers responded to a local business to check a VIN on an abandoned vehicle. Vehicle did not return stolen and was towed at the property owners request.

Warrant Attempt – Officers assisted the Osceola County Sheriff’s Department with a warrant attempt. Subject was located and placed into custody without incident.

Saturday, April 13

No incidents reported.

Sunday, April 14

Assist – Officers responded to assist CPS with a child abuse investigation. The investigation remains open at this time.

Fail to Pay – Officers responded to a local business for report of a fail to pay. Officers were able to locate the subject and the subject returned to the gas station to pay for the fuel. No further action needed.

Domestic - Officers responded to a report of a domestic in progress. The incident was investigated a report was sent to the Prosecutor for review.

Monday, April 15

Found Property – Officers were advised a bicycle was found on the edge of the road. The bike was brought to the Evart Police Department for safe keeping.
Trespass – Officers responded to a residence for a trespassing report. The subject was found at a residence and determined to be violating a protection order as well. The subject was placed into custody and transported to Osceola County Jail without incident.
Assist – K9 Officer was requested by Reed City Police Department to do an area search for a possible weapon used in a homicide. K9 deployed with no articles located.

Tuesday, April 16

No incidents reported.

Wednesday, April 17

Juvenile – Officers were dispatched to a residence for a disorderly juvenile that was refusing to go to school. Officers spoke with the juvenile and a parent took the juvenile to school without incident.

Thursday, April 18

Suicide – Officers responded to the report of a suicidal subject. No actual suicidal attempt was made. Subject was transported to Corewell Health Reed City for an evaluation.

Friday, April 19

Disorderly – Officers were dispatched for a disorderly complaint. Two female subjects were arguing with another female subject. The two females left the scene prior to Officer's arrival.

Noise – Officers were dispatched for a noise complaint involving loud explosive sounds. Officers checked the area and did not see any evidence suggesting the sounds were coming inside of the city.

Saturday, April 20

Property Damage Accident – Officers were dispatched for a two-car accident. No injuries were reported and both cars were drivable.

Sunday, April 21

Juvenile – Officers were dispatched to a check the wellbeing on a juvenile. A CPS referral was made in reference to the complaint.

Assault – Officers assisted Osceola County Sheriff's Department with an assault in progress. The suspect was arrested and lodged at Osceola County Jail.

Check Wellbeing – Officers were dispatched to a check the wellbeing of two juveniles. The juveniles appeared to be good and did not require any services.

Osceola-county-sheriff-department , Corewell-health-reed-city , Reed-city-police-department , Evart-police-department , Osceola-county-sheriff , Osceola-county-jail , Damage-accident , Osceola-county , Radio-station , Ot-adult-contemporary , Dult-contemporary

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

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

Honolulu , Hawaii , United-states , Jersey , American , William-clay-ford , Lisa-materazzo , Detroit-lions , Detroit-lions-communications , Ford-motor-company , Ford-field , Lions-loyal-member-exclusive

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

The Ferris State University softball team celebrated senior day on Sunday (April 21) while battling to a Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) home split against Purdue Northwest at the FSU Softball Field.

On a day in which the Bulldogs honored senior ace pitcher Aryn Gallacher along with two other key senior staff members, Ferris State pulled out a 1-0 win over the Pride in eight innings in game one before falling 2-1 in a tightly-contested game two.

Gallacher earned the victory in the opener, earning the complete game shutout win for her eighth victory of the campaign. She struck out three and walked three while giving up no runs on 10 hits to the Pride.

The Bulldogs won the opener on a walk-off in the bottom of the eighth on an RBI double to center field from first baseman Alexis Kozlowski, which scored second baseman Jadyn Joseph in the extra-inning affair.

Kozlowski had two of the Bulldogs' five hits in the victory. Outfielders Ella McDonald and Maddie Gkekas along with Joseph all added a hit apiece.

In game two, the Pride jumped in front with two runs in the top of the second and the lead stood until the Bulldogs put a run on the board in the bottom of the fourth. Ferris State had opportunities in the final three innings, stranding a runner in both the fifth and the sixth, before loading the bases in the bottom of the seventh. However, the Pride recorded the final two outs to secure the win.

Ferris State posted six hits to five for the Pride in the nightcap, including two from Joseph along with one each by Kozlowski, catcher Emily Killion, third baseman Brooklyn Verbeek and Gkekas. Both Joseph and Gkekas doubled and Gkekas accounted for FSU's lone RBI.

The setback spoiled a successful outing for pitcher Ashley Webb, who threw all seven innings and allowed only one earned run on five hits with one strikeout. PNW's Gabby Paliska held FSU to a single run on six hits with seven strikeouts and five walks in seven innings of work.

The Bulldogs are slated to host Lewis (Ill.) in a non-league home doubleheader on Tuesday (April 23) at the FSU Softball Field starting at 1 p.m. (ET).

Gabby-paliska , Jadyn-joseph , Brooklyn-verbeek , Emily-killion , Ella-mcdonald , Ashley-webb , Maddie-gkekas , Alexis-kozlowski , Ferris-state-university , Great-lakes-intercollegiate-athletic-conference , Purdue-northwest , Aryn-gallacher

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

The Ferris State University men's tennis squad captured the outright 2024 Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Regular-Season Championship as the Bulldogs recorded a 6-1 home triumph over Lake Superior State on Saturday.

The win lifted Ferris State to a perfect 6-0 record in the GLIAC and came in the regular-season finale for the university, which also secured the top seed for the upcoming league tournament with the triumph.

The Bulldogs claimed their 21st all-time conference title. Ferris State has now won back-to-back GLIAC Championships in regular-season play and the Bulldogs have now won seven of the last nine regular-season titles that have been awarded.

Ferris State won its 10th consecutive match this season. The Bulldogs took the doubles round with wins at all three flights and Ferris State then claimed a victory in the top five singles spots in the lineup for the win. All five singles wins came in straight sets as Ferris State improved to 15-4 overall this year.

"It was the perfect day to celebrate our seniors who have meant so much to both our men's and women's programs” head coach Mark Doren said. “We had a great crowd that came out to support both teams and help send the seniors out in style. I know that it was senior day, but I really thought the seniors showed amazing leadership and toughness on the court today. It was super important to the men's team to outright win the conference championship and you could tell in the focus they had on the court today,"

The GLIAC Tournament will take place Friday thru Sunday, April 26-28, at the Midland Tennis Center. The Bulldogs will be the No. 1 seed and official matchups and information will be announced by the league office soon following the completion of regular season play for all teams.

Ferris State’s men’s golf team earned the GLIAC championship earlier this month, following the GLIAC crowns earned by the men’s and women’s basketball teams.

(Image credit to Ferris State Athletics).

Mark-doren , Midland-tennis-center , Ferris-state-university , Lake-superior-state , Ferris-state , Midland-tennis , Radio-station , Ot-adult-contemporary , Dult-contemporary , Ot-ac , C , Op-40

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

The Ferris State University softball squad will hold Military Appreciation Day this Saturday (April 20) as the Bulldogs host the Parkside Rangers in a pivotal Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) home doubleheader at the FSU Softball Field in Big Rapids.

The first pitch for Saturday's twinbill is slated for 1 p.m. (ET) with game two scheduled to begin an approximately 3 p.m. (ET).

As part of Saturday's events, the Bulldogs will wear special camo jerseys for the Military-themed contest. All current active military members and veterans are encouraged to attend and admission is free. Fans will also have an opportunity to win prizes each inning by answering military-related questions.

The Bulldogs currently own a 21-20 overall record to date this year and are presently near the top of the GLIAC standings with a 9-7 overall conference record.

Following Saturday's doubleheader, Ferris State then hosts Purdue Northwest on Sunday (April 21) for Senior Day beginning also at 1 p.m. (ET) and 3 p.m. (ET) for games one and two, respectively.

Ferris-state-university , Military-appreciation-day , Parkside-rangers , Great-lakes-intercollegiate-athletic-conference , Ferris-state , Purdue-northwest , Senior-day , Radio-station , Ot-adult-contemporary , Dult-contemporary , Ot-ac

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

The Ferris State University football program will pay tribute to three individuals on Friday (April 19) evening during the Bulldogs' annual Crimson & Gold Spring Game at Top Taggart Field.

Former Ferris State University Athletics Director Perk Weisenburger, who retired in 2021, will serve as the game's honorary captain and take part in the coin toss prior to the spring game. Weisenburger hired current FSU head coach Tony Annese in 2011 and played a key role in the resurgence of Bulldog Football.

Along with Weisenburger, two other individuals who have played key roles in recent years will serve as the game's honorary coaches. Former FSU Assistant Athletic Director for Sports Medicine and head athletic trainer, Brett Knight, will be one of the game's honorary coaches while current FSU Strength & Conditioning Coach Andrew Thiede will be the opposite side. Knight departed from FSU earlier this spring for another career opportunity while Thiede will be leaving the Bulldog program and moving out of state in May. Both have played lead roles in working with FSU's football student-athletes and were part of back-to-back NCAA Division II National Championship staffs in 2021 and 2022.

In addition to honoring the honorary coaches and captains, the Bulldogs will also honor other Ferris State championship teams from this academic year, including the NCAA Division II Midwest Regional Championship men's and women's basketball teams along with the volleyball and golf conference championship squads. Various FSU student-athletes and teams will also take part in special halftime activities.

Kickoff for the spring contest is set for 5:30 p.m. (ET). Admission to the event will be free and gates will open one hour prior to kickoff.

As in years past, the annual Crimson & Gold Spring Game is also slated to be broadcast live on the Bulldog Sports Network and local flagship station Sunny 97.3 FM with Rob Bentley and Sandy Gholston on the call starting with pregame coverage at 5 p.m. It will be streamed online with both live audio and a free live video webcast courtesy of the Ferris State Television & Digital Media Production program at FerrisStateBulldogs.com. The live radio call will also be carried over the stadium public address system for the fans in attendance.

The annual spring game will provide fans with an opportunity to watch the Bulldogs for the first time since last fall in a game-like situation under head coach Tony Annese and his staff. The spring game will feature a modified scoring and timing format and provide an opportunity for many of FSU's younger players to take the field for the first time while wrapping up spring drills.

The Bulldogs will begin their 115th season of varsity competition this coming fall with their sights set on making a 10th consecutive trip to the NCAA Division II Playoffs. The Bulldogs have made five national semifinal appearances along with three trips to the national championship game and back-to-back national titles in 2021 and 2022 during the stretch.

Over the past three seasons of action, the Bulldogs own a 36-4 overall record and FSU has reached the NCAA Division II Playoffs nine consecutive years and counting. Ferris State has also reached the NCAA Division II National Semifinals five times in the past seven seasons of action and ranks as the country's winningest program over the past nine full seasons in D2 Football. FSU is 63-6 over the last four seasons of on-field action, including back-to-back NCAA D2 National Championships in 2021 and 2022.

Ferris State also holds the GLIAC's best mark and the best overall record of all collegiate programs in Michigan at 123-20 (.860) overall since the arrival of Annese as head coach in 2012.

Michigan , United-states , Ferris-state-university , Sandy-gholston , Andrew-thiede , Brett-knight , Rob-bentley , Tony-annese , Division-ii-playoffs , Bulldog-sports-network , Division-ii-national-semifinals , Division-ii-midwest-regional-championship

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

The Cardinals are off to a hot start on the diamond. Big Rapids opened the season with two wins over Cadillac at home last Friday.

Big Rapids won game one behind four runs in the fifth inning, breaking a 2-2 tie to that point. Sophomore Noah Sweppenheiser earned his first career varsity win after two strong innings of relief with four strikeouts. Senior Mason McNeilly reached in base in all three at bats with a single, two walks, and two runs scored.

Game two resulted in an even great win for the red and blue, as Big Rapids finished off the Vikings in three innings by a mercy rule 16-3. Sophomore Karsen Rehkopf earned his first win on the mound only giving up two hits. Senior Riley Vennix had a double, triple, three runs scored and four RBIs. Nick Teceno also reached base twice and scored three times.

"Our defense needs work but we've only been outside a few times with this weather so that will be remedied shortly,” Head coach J.T. Scarpelli said. “Our pitchers only walked 2 batters tonight and our hitters executed their approaches at the plate. Everyone got better tonight. Big thanks to Coach Franklin and Cadillac for traveling down here to play tonight. My guys are looking forward to Tuesday's conference opener at Tri County."

Big Rapids will return to action in their conference openers against Tri-County this afternoon at 4:00 and 6:00 P.M. For more scores and updates, visit wbrn.com.

Mason-mcneilly , Karsen-rehkopf , Noah-sweppenheiser , Riley-vennix , Nick-teceno , Big-rapids , Coach-franklin , Tri-county , Radio-station , Ot-adult-contemporary , Dult-contemporary

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

The Ferris State University softball team opened its weekend road trip with a sweep on Saturday (April 6) as the Bulldogs captured a pair of wins over Purdue Northwest in Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) play in Hammond, Ind.

The Bulldogs recorded a 1-0 shutout in the opener and came away with a 4-2 win in the nightcap to take the league doubleheader.

In the opener, senior ace pitcher Aryn Gallacher allowed only three hits and no runs in a full seven innings of work to garner the victory. She struck out four and walked one in the performance.

Offensively, the Bulldogs totaled four hits and produced the game's only run in the fourth inning on an RBI from Maddie Gkekas, who notched a double in the win. Freshman Alexis Kozlowski also doubled while Ella McDonaldnotched a sacrifice hit for FSU. Shortstop Emma Gillard and designated player Abby Meyer also garnered hits.

The Bulldogs had another strong performance in game two. PNW struck first in the opening inning with a run, but FSU answered in the top of the second to tie the game back up. The Bulldogs scored in the fourth and the Pride in the fifth before the Bulldogs eventually got their final two runs in the sixth and held Purdue Northwest off the board in their final two at-bats. Both teams finished with six hits.

FSU's Ashley Webb earned the pitching win, giving up only two earned runs on five hits in six innings of work. She had three strikeouts. Izzy Regner pitched two-thirds of an inning and did not allow a hit or run before Gallacher came on to earn the save with a single hit allowed and one strikeout in one-third of an inning.

McDonald had two hits and an RBI at the plate while Meyer also produced two hits and drove in a run. FSU also got hits from designated player Emily Killion, who added an RBI, along with Gkekas in the victory.

The Bulldogs will visit Parkside on Sunday (April 7) for a league doubleheader starting at 1 p.m. (ET) in Kenosha, Wis.

Alexis-kozlowski , Emily-killion , Emma-gillard , Izzy-regner , Maddie-gkekas , Ella-mcdonaldnotched , Ashley-webb , Abby-meyer , Ferris-state-university , Mcdonald , Purdue-northwest , Great-lakes-intercollegiate-athletic-conference