Latest UpdatesCounty Commissioners Approve Land Acquisition09/28/2022News / Public ServiceThe Hillsdale County Board of Commissioners has approved an agreement to take possession of property at LeAnn in order to have permanent access to the dams that control the lake’s water levels. At Tuesday’s regular meeting, the commissioners heard a presentation from attorney Kyle O’Meara on the benefits of acquiring the land, which is owned by the Lake Association. He said the county is legally responsible for the dams, regardless of who owns the property. The Lake Association agreed to transfer the property at a cost of one-dollar. In exchange, the county will continue to allow the Lake Association to access amenities, including pathways on the property. The county agreed that the land won’t be used for a park–and won’t be transferred to another owner. The Commissioners voted unanimously to acquire the land. O’Meara said the lake level requirement is set by state law and a 1975 order from the Hillsdale County Circuit Court Like this:Like Loading...... Michigan Vietnam Memorial Wall At Hillsdale County Fair09/27/2022News / Public ServiceVisitors to the Hillsdale County Fair can view and search the Michigan Vietnam Memorial Wall through Wednesday. The wall was created by the Holland Chapter of the Vietnam Veterans of America. It features 2661 names of service members who lost their lives in Vietnam. Bill Ricketts of Vietnam Veterans of America told WCSR News, the wall is searchable by name and town. The Michigan Vietnam Memorial Wall is modeled after the Vietnam Memorial in Washington D.C., which contains the names of 58,000 service members who died in the Vietnam War. Ricketts said the wall will be on display at the Hillsdale County Veterans Affairs booth until the fair shuts down Wednesday evening. Like this:Like Loading...... Sheriff’s Office Investigates Catalytic Converter Thefts09/26/2022News / Public ServiceThe Hillsdale County Sheriff’s Department is asking for the public’s help in tracking down those responsible for catalytic converter thefts from vehicles in southeast Hillsdale County. The thefts occurred in the Waldron area in recent days. A suspect was caught on surveillance camera climbing underneath a van–and apparently cutting off the vehicle’s catalytic converter. A light-colored vehicle–possibly a Dodge Caliber– was parked nearby. Catalytic converter thefts are on the rise across the country, as they contain precious metals. Anyone with information in the recent thefts is asked to call Deputy Edmonson at the Hillsdale County Sheriff’s office 437-7317. Like this:Like Loading...... Bank Warning Customers of Scam Calls09/21/2022News / Public ServiceCounty National Bank is alerting customers to fraudulent phone calls that are aimed at stealing banking and other personal information. CNB officials say they’ve been notified that customers are receiving phone calls that appear to be coming from the bank. The caller informs the customer that urgent action is necessary to keep someone from stealing money from their account. The caller offers help–However, it’s a scam. The crooks will use information gained from the unwitting customer to drain the victim’s account. CNB officials say customers should never share account information with a caller or allow a caller access to their computer. Officials also warn against responding to voicemails asking you to hit a number to be directed to a customer service representative. If you receive a call and you’re unsure of whether you’re actually speaking to a CNB employee, simply hang up and call the bank directly at 517-439-4300 or 888-322-1088. Like this:Like Loading...... City Approves Plan to Upgrade Parks09/20/2022NewsThe Hillsdale City Council has approved a plan for revitalizing the park system at Baw Beese Lake. Recreation Director Michelle Loren has been working with the Department of Public Services over the past year on the plan, which includes the removal and replacement of outdated playground equipment. Officials have been working with Sinclair Recreation to explore options for upgrading the parks to include equipment that is accessible to those with disabilities. Another piece of the plan includes a proposed 18-hole professional golf course on city property near Waterworks Park and Lakeview Cemetery. Having the plan in place will allow city officials to seek grants to help fund the revitalization Click the link below to access the full Baw Beese Park Projects Plan https://www.cityofhillsdale.org/sites/default/files/fileattachments/planning_commission/meeting/12931/2022-2027_baw_beese_park_system_master_plan_working_document.pdf Like this:Like Loading...... Man Charged in Fatal Somerset Township Crash09/20/2022NewsA Cement City Man is free on bond following his arrest in connection with a fatal traffic crash on US 127. 45 year-old Joseph Tyler Yager was booked, Monday, on a misdemeanor charge of A Moving Violation Causing Death. According to charging documents, Yager was driving on US 127 near Harper Road on June 6th, when the vehicle in front of him switched lanes to pass a third vehicle that was stopped waiting to turn left. Yager collided with the rear of the stopped vehicle. The crash claimed the life of 68 year-old Tracey Curtis of Somerset Township, who was a passenger in the stopped car. Yager posted 10% of a $2,500 bond and was released from the Hillsdale County Jail. A Moving Violation Causing Death Carries up to a year in jail and $2,000 in fines. Like this:Like Loading...... Hillsdale College Art Teacher’s Design Chosen For DNR Deer Patch09/20/2022News / SportsA Hillsdale College faculty member is the winner of the 2022 Michigan Department of Natural Resources deer patch design contest. Brian Shaw is a teacher of graphic design at Hillsdale; He entered the winning design for this year’s 50th anniversary Michigan Deer Cooperator patch. Shaw’s design was one of more than 250 that were entered into the spring contest. He said the contest “was a fun challenge” and he’s “honored to have been selected,” The patch, which features a jumping buck, is available from the Michigan DNR. Hunters can purchase a patch to commemorate the season online at Michigan.gov/DNRLicenses – Login and look for the “Patches” tab. Patches can also be purchased using the DNR Hunt-Fish Mobile app on iPhone or Android devices. Like this:Like Loading...... Francis Named Hillsdale County Veteran of the Year09/19/2022NewsA man with a lifelong history of service to the community has been named Hillsdale County Veteran of the Year. Jeffrey Francis is a Vietnam veteran. He has been a member and served as an officer of the Hillsdale Exchange Club since the mid 1980s. He has also served as the Chairperson of The Cross Project which honors all Hillsdale County service members who died during any conflict. He has been the chairperson for the Hillsdale Fly-in for 6 years. Francis is a member of the Hillsdale Township Planning commission and the Hillsdale County Veterans Affairs board. Jeff served in the U.S. Army from January 1969 through August 1970 with the 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Division. He earned a number of medals and commendations, including the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Army Commendation Medal, Air Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, National Defense Service Medal and Combat Infantryman Badge. The Veteran of the Year is honored each year at the Hillsdale County Fair. The ceremony begins at 11:15 am, Monday September 26th in the Nichols Bandshell. It will follow the Veterans Day Parade. Like this:Like Loading...... County National Bank Announces New President and CEO09/19/2022NewsA local bank has a new president and CEO. CNB Bancorp has announced that Joseph R. Williams has been chosen to head the company and its subsidiary, County National Bank. Williams currently Serves on the CNB Board of Directors. He was chosen after what company officials said was a comprehensive search… Williams, who has nearly 40 years of banking experience, is expected to take the helm in early October… In a statement issued today he said he’s “excited to join CNB full time”–and he plans to focus on the company’s community impact… CNB Bancorp Names Joe Williams President & CEO Like this:Like Loading...... Ohio EPA Seeks Comments on Aquabounty Wastewater Discharge09/15/2022News / Public ServiceMore than 200 people turned out for a public information meeting on a proposal to discharge millions-of-gallons of wastewater from a Pioneer, Ohio salmon farm into the East Branch of the Saint Joseph River. Aquabounty has received a permit from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, (DNR) to withdraw up to 5,000,000 gallons of water daily from the Michindoh Aquifer, which serves the Tri-State area, including much of Hillsdale County… The withdrawal permit is contingent on whether the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approves the permit to discharge wastewater into the East Branch of the Saint Joseph River*, which is part of the Maumee River Watershed. Hillsdale County Commissioner Mark Wiley told WCSR News, those in attendance at Monday’s Meeting asked some good questions about the impact of granting the discharge permit. Some asked whether the Greats Lake Compact, which is made up of representatives of several states and Canadian provinces, should be involved in the permitting process, since it affects the Lake Erie Watershed. Wiley said he will pose that question to the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy. Some attendees pointed to dire predictions for the Ogallala Aquifer as an example of what can go wrong when a water source is overused. The Ogallala Aquifer serves eight Midwest and Western states and is being depleted much faster than it can be replenished, threatening the nation’s food supply. Residents have until Monday September 19 to comment on the proposal. Comments can be made via email at epa.dswcomments@epa.ohio.gov Or by mail to: Ohio EPA-DSW, Attn: Permits Processing Unit, PO Box 1049, Columbus, OH 43216-1049 *(The East Branch of the Saint Joseph or “Saint Joe of The Maumee” is a separate river from the Saint Joseph River that empties into Lake Michigan-although both rivers rise within a few miles of each other in Hillsdale County.) Like this:Like Loading...... Share this:TwitterFacebookLike this:Like Loading...
