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

In May, staff members from the office of Congressman John Moolenaar will host meeting times across the district where constituents can sit down to discuss personal casework issues they are having with a federal agency.

Local meeting times include:

Evart City Hall - Tuesday, May 7 from 9:00 - 10:00 AM (200 South Main Street, Evart, MI 49631)
Pathfinder Community Library - Tuesday, May 7 from 11:00 - 12:00 PM (812 Michigan Avenue, Baldwin, MI 49304)
Newaygo Area District Library - Tuesday, May 7 from 1:00 - 2:00 PM (44 North State Street, Newaygo, MI 49337)
Big Rapids Community Library - Tuesday, May 7 from 3:00 - 4:00 PM (426 South Michigan Avenue,
Big Rapids, MI 49307)
Mount Pleasant City Hall - Thursday, May 16 from 11:00 - 12:00 PM (320 West Broadway Street, Mount Pleasant, MI 48858)
Cadillac City Hall - Friday, May 17 from 9:30 - 10:30 AM (200 North Lake Street, Cadillac, MI 49601)

Constituents who cannot attend one of the meetings can call Moolenaar's office at (616) 528-7100, or visit Moolenaar.House.gov to receive assistance with their issue.

Moolenaar's office has helped thousands of constituents who needed assistance with a federal agency, including the VA and the IRS. The office helped them cut through red tape and reclaim millions of dollars owed to them by the federal government.

John-moolenaar , Newaygo-area-district-library , Big-rapids-community-library , Pathfinder-community-library , Congressman-john-moolenaar , City-hall , Main-street , Community-library , Area-district-library , State-street , Rapids-community-library , Michigan-avenue

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

On Friday at approximately 6:15 P.M., deputies were dispatched to Northland Drive at 8 Mile Road in Mecosta Township for a two vehicle accident.

Investigation found that a 19-year-old female from Morley was travelling northbound on Northland Drive when a 19-year-old male from Ada failed to yield while going eastbound on 8 Mile Road and caused the collision.

The 19 y/o female was transported to Corewell Hospital in Big Rapids for non-life-threatening injuries. Deputies were assisted on scene by Mecosta Township Fire/Rescue, Mecosta County EMS and Meceola Central Dispatch.

Northland-drive , Mecosta-township , Corewell-hospital , Big-rapids , Mecosta-county , Meceola-central , Radio-station , Ot-adult-contemporary , Dult-contemporary , Ot-ac , C

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

The 89th annual National Football League Draft takes place this weekend in Detroit and former Ferris State University football standouts are hoping to hear their names called or be contacted as potential free agent pickups following the annual event.

The Bulldogs have several players who completed their eligibility this past fall, leading FSU to a nation-leading ninth consecutive playoff appearance and hoping to make the jump to professional football.

Defensive back Shon Stephens, defensive end Olalere Oladipo and wide receiver Xavier Wade are receiving the strongest attention. All have either spent the past several months training for an opportunity, taken part in pro day events or been pegged on various draft boards.

Former quarterback Mylik Mitchell has already started his pro career in the Indoor Football League while other alums such as defensive end Ian Hall and slot receiver CJ Jefferson have also been listed among players competing for training camp opportunities.

Several lists have Stephens featured among the top players in the small college ranks leading into the draft and tabbed as either a potential late round or preferred free agent pickup by various sources. He has drawn significant interest from NFL organizations. Both Wade and Oladipo have also garnered interest from professional football teams.

The NFL Draft will take place in Detroit this year and be aired across ABC, ESPN, and the NFL Network from Thursday to Saturday. The opening round begins on Thursday at 8 p.m. with rounds two and three set for Friday starting at 7 p.m. The final day will consist of rounds four thru seven on Saturday beginning at noon.

Six years ago, former defensive tackle Zach Sieler became Ferris State's first-ever NFL Draft choice when he was picked in the seventh round as the 238th overall selection by the Baltimore Ravens.

Overall, the Bulldogs have had 11 players in a NFL Preseason Camp over the past three summers, which is the most of any D2 school in the country.

The 'Dawgs who took part in NFL camps from 2021 to 2023 have included former DB Tavierre Thomas (Houston Texans), DL Zach Sieler (Miami Dolphins), DT Justin Zimmer (Buffalo Bills), WR Jake Lampman (New Orleans Saints), WR Malik Taylor (Green Bay Packers and New York Jets), DL Austin Edwards (Kansas City Chiefs), DT Chris Okoye (Los Angeles Rams), receiver Jared Bernhardt (Atlanta Falcons), offensive tackle Zein Obeid (Detroit Lions), offensive tackle Dylan Pasquali (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) and defensive end Caleb Murphy (Tennessee Titans).

Four Bulldog alums are currently still with NFL organizations, including Thomas with Tampa Bay, Sieler with Miami, Taylor with the Jets, and Murphy with the Titans, which is among tops of all D2 schools.

Several Bulldog alums are also competing professionally in indoor and outdoor leagues.

The recent Bulldog alums in the NFL have also included former linebacker Brady Sheldon and former two-time Harlon Hill Trophy winner Jason Vander Laan.

Ten of the alums have played in at least one NFL regular-season game since 2016. Three former Bulldogs were part of team's that made the NFL Conference Championship Games in 2020 in Taylor, Zimmer and Edwards.

While Sieler is the only Ferris State football player to ever be drafted by an NFL team, several other former Bulldogs have inked NFL contracts as free agents and played in the league.

The Bulldogs had at least one NFL free agent pickup following the draft each of the past eight seasons in which they've played a campaign. Fifteen alumni have earned camp invites over the past five years as offensive tackle Devon Johnson and receiver Keyondre Craig also competed in training camps in 2019.

Over the past nine seasons, Sieler, Vander Laan, Sheldon, Zimmer, Thomas, Lampman, Taylor, Edwards, Bernhardt, and Murphy have all seen NFL regular-season action after Lampman became the first to do so in 13 years back in 2016.

Unofficially, nearly 30 former Ferris State players have inked NFL free agent deals.

Former defensive back Marvin Robinson inked with the Dallas Cowboys in 2014 with defensive tackle Marcus Cribbs signing with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2015. Those two represented the first since free agent cornerback Angelo Williams with the Minnesota Vikings in 2010.

In 2013, former defensive end Jordan Morgan received a rookie tryout with the New York Giants but did not sign. In 2016, Vander Laan, Lampman and Zimmer all signed and reached NFL camps while Sheldon did likewise in 2017 before Sieler, Thomas and Okoye joined NFL organizations in 2018. In 2019, the trio of Taylor, Johnson and Craig all were signed following the draft while Bernhardt, Obeid, and Pasquali garnered opportunities in 2022 followed by Murphy in 2023.

The select group also consists of running back Dave Gagnon (1974-Chicago Bears), outside linebacker Monty Brown (1997-New York Jets), defensive tackle Ed Philion (1994-Buffalo Bills), defensive end Dave Zuiderveen (2001-Atlanta Falcons), flanker Clarence Coleman (2002-Buffalo Bills), tackle Matt McCoy (2004-Detroit Lions), wide receiver Carlton Brewster (2006-Cleveland Browns) and defensive tackle Jake Visser (2009-Houston Texans).

Two other former Ferris State players, offensive guard Bill Bourdlais and safety Patrick Wells, received tryout invitations from the Cleveland Browns in 2008 and participated in the team's rookie minicamp, but did not ink a deal.

Others with NFL tryouts including wide receiver Andre Johnson (1989), quarterback Dave DenBraber (1987), tight end Scott Alward (1984-Detroit Lions/New York Giants) and receiver/returner Fred Kirkland (1981). Defensive back James Skodak (2006) also had tryouts with several NFL organizations among other past Bulldog standouts.

The Bulldog standouts awaiting the draft all played key roles this past fall in leading Ferris State to a ninth consecutive playoff berth this past fall and many were part of back-to-back NCAA Division II National Championship teams in 2021 and 2022. FSU also ranks as the country's winningest program over the past nine full seasons in D2 Football.

Bulldog NFL Fact List:

1 - Alum was chosen in the NFL Draft (Zach Sieler - 2018)

4 - Alums currently on NFL rosters

6 - Alums received NFL training camp invites in 2022

10 - Alums have played in NFL regular-season action since 2016

10 - Alums playing professionally in NFL, XFL or USFL in 2023

15 - Alums have earned NFL training camp invites since 2019

15 - Alums all-time have played in an NFL regular-season game

27 - Alums all-time have signed NFL free agent contracts

(Photo provided by Ferris State University).

New-york , United-states , Minnesota , Kansas , Dallas , Texas , Chicago , Illinois , Texans , Andre-johnson , Clarence-coleman , Carlton-brewster

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