Hastings Banner

State tax formula has commissioners steaming

Leadership skills are more than miracles

Delton Kellogg boys get first win, in OT

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See Editorial on Page 4

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THE HASTINGS

VOLUME 159, No. 49

BANNER Devoted to the Interests of Barry County Since 1856

PRICE 75¢

Thursday, December 13, 2012

Citizens ask for a full investigation into animal cruelty NEWS

BRIEFS Band and choir concerts are this weekend

The public is invited to attend the Christmas collage concerts which will be put on by both the Hastings middle school and high school bands and choirs Sunday, Dec. 16, in the high school gymnasium.

The middle school band and choirs will perform at 2 p.m. and the high school band and choirs will begin their concert at 4 p.m.

Both concerts will feature the sounds of the seasons. The steel drum band and high school jazz band will also be making appearances during the high school concert.

Love Inc. seeking holiday help for families Some local families with children are still in need of individuals or groups willing to sponsor, or adopt, them this Christmas season.

Anyone interested in more information about adopting a family for Christmas is asked to call Love Inc., 269-948-9555, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Blood donations still needed during holidays Upcoming blood drives in the area include: Delton — Monday, Dec. 17, St. Ambrose Church, 11149 Floria Road; 1 to 6:45 p.m.

Lake Odessa — Monday, Dec. 17, Central United Methodist Church, 912 Fourth Ave.; noon to 5:45 p.m.

Hastings — Thursday, Dec. 20, Hastings Moose Lodge, 128 N. Michigan; 1 to 6:45 p.m.

Anyone who is 17 or older, weighs at least 110 pounds, is in reasonably good health and has not donated for 56 days is eligible to give blood.

Visit www.redcrossblood.org or call 800-RED-CROSS to make an appointment.

Coat drive underway at Pierce Cedar Creek Institute Pierce Cedar Creek Institute is collecting new and gently used winter coats, blankets, gloves and mittens. Donations may be dropped off Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., or at any weekend program sponsored by the institute.

“This is the eighth year Pierce Cedar Creek Institute has assisted Second Hand Corners providing used winter coats, mittens and gloves to those who can put them to good use,” said Michelle Skedgell, executive director at Pierce. “Our members and visitors have generously donated each year, bringing in bags of items that will help others stay warm. I guess you could say it’s an example of recycling at its finest.”

Anyone who drops off a donation will receive a coupon for $1 off Sunday brunch at the institute, held the second Sunday of each month. Donations may also be given directly to Second Hand Corners, at the corner of State and Jefferson streets in downtown Hastings. Second Hand Corners delivers the winter gear and blankets to anyone in need this winter.

by David DeDecker Staff Writer As the public awaits the court appearance of a Middleville woman arrested Nov. 17 on an animal cruelty warrant, some are now charging the Barry County Sheriff’s Department with attempting to cover up its investigation.

Marcie Tepper, 54, has not be arraigned, nor has a date for arraignment been set as of press time Dec. 12. The Barry County Prosecutor confirmed he does know Tepper’s location though speculation varies on why she has not been arraigned or responded to key questions revolving around numerous dogs and pets found dead on her property.

In a letter provided to the Banner and addressed to Barry County Prosecutor Tom Evans dated Dec. 9, a Middleville woman writes, “Several of the community believes there is a cover up going on with this case. We are asking there be a full investigation into

this case.”

The letter was also addressed to Barry County Commissioner Craig Stolsonburg.

Through a Freedom of Information Act request, the Banner has obtained a copy of a Barry County Sheriff’s report and related documents that provide a glimpse into the affair.

The investigation of animal cruelty charges against Tepper started with a home foreclosure sale. Before the new owner took possession of the Tepper’s former house in October, no charges were brought against her, even though people have now come forward to say that her conduct had been reported to authorities.

The sheriff’s department report shows that an investigation has been made by law enforcement officers. When deputies arrived at Tepper’s former residence on Finkbeiner Road Oct. 13, they reported finding a dead, rotting dog in the garage. Five live goats were

also found on the property. Deputies reported no one appeared to be living on the property.

The new owner said he had purchased the home April 12 in a foreclosure auction. He told deputies he needed to wait six months before taking possession of the property. He said at the time of the auction there were at least four large white dogs at the property, along with several goats.

According to the police report, the deputy and new owner entered the house Oct. 13 and found “the residence was completely disgusting and unfit for anything to live in.” A live dog, a Yorkshire in poor health, was running around inside the house, and the deputy transported the dog to the Barry County Animal Shelter. The Yorkie was treated by a vet for skin issues and flea problems.

In a statement filed by the new homeowner, the man said he and a deputy entered the house to find it destroyed. He reported the floors were covered with dog feces, inches

thick in some places.

“The smell was overwhelming of ammonia, mice were everywhere,” the owner said in his Oct. 19 written statement filed by the sheriff’s department. “She didn’t think someone was going to buy the home. She thought the home was going to go back to the bank, so that is why she let the property get destroyed by animals. She also said she allowed several dogs to occupy the home freely. She said she would leave the exterior doors open so the dogs could roam inside and outside the home.

I asked her what happened to the other dogs that I saw on the property six months prior.

She would not tell me.”

At the end of his statement, the homeowner writes, “I have been buying and rehabbing properties since 2005. This property is by far the worst condition I have ever seen. This home is beyond repair and will have to be

See ANIMAL CRUELTY, pg 2

City voters to decide fate of Riverside Cemetery

by Sandra Ponsetto Staff Writer Residents in the city of Hastings will decide the fate of the 150-year-old Riverside Cemetery on West State Road. Voters will be asked in May 2013 to approve an up to 1-mill levy to support operations, maintenance and improvements if the city acquires the property and makes it a municipal cemetery or if the private corporation that currently owns and operates the cemetery should dissolved and turn over its remaining funds and the cemetery to the state, which will abandon it.

The Hastings City Council Monday evening by a 6-1 vote approved a motion to put the matter before voters. Trustees Jeri DePue and Don Bowers were absent. Mayor Pro-tem Brenda McNabb-Stange cast the dissenting vote.

Prior to the vote, McNabb-Stange said she had presented the council with several pages of concerns and questions regarding the potential transfer of property from the Riverside Cemetery Corporation to the city.

“I think we are rushing things because we have hardly gotten the information that we have,” she said. “But, primarily, one thing we do need is an opinion, formal legal opinion, regarding certain issues that are in the due diligence, like the fact, are they even a corporation?”

McNabb-Stange said Riverside Cemetery does not show up on the nonprofit organization lists either.

“I don’t know how we can get something from a corporation that doesn’t exist, if that is indeed the case,” she said. “I think it needs to be investigated and shown what the status is.

I have a whole list of questions about disclosure issues, and ...”

Hastings Mayor Frank Campbell said the city’s lawyer, Stephanie Fekkes, and the Cemetery Action Group’s lawyer, Bob Byington, have been working together.

“I’m really comfortable with what is proposed tonight by them,” said Campbell, adding that the council is only being asked to establish a cemetery advisory committee and let the voters decide whether they want a millage to support the city’s maintenance of the cemetery.”

McNabb-Stange once again stated that she had many concerns about the city acquiring the cemetery.

“I understand mayor pro-tem’s concern, and I think that we as a council have our faith in our counsel, attorney, and if something is wrong with her opinion, then we need to do something about her,” said council member Bill Redman.

“She hasn’t given us an opinion. She has never given us an opinion,” said McNabb-

Members of Hastings American Legion Post 45 with help from the local Cub and Boy Scout troops conduct their annual Memorial Day ceremony in Riverside Cemetery. Monday evening Jim Atkinson said he and other Legionnaires are concerned about the condition and future of the cemetery. (File photo) Stange.

Redman said Fekkes and Byington had been working together and he was satisfied.

“I think it is up to the citizens whether they do or do not pay for this,” he said.

Fekkes said she has not written a formalized legal opinion, as she might in larger matters; but, she had been in constant contact

with Hastings City Manager Jeff Mansfield, addressing issue and concerns as they arose throughout the preliminary processes.

Fekkes said she has checked with the State of Michigan and confirmed that the Riverside Cemetery Corporation is in good standing.

See CEMETERY, page 3

Hastings teacher absences spike Tuesday Right to work legislation is passed in Lansing same day

by Sandra Ponsetto Staff Writer While administrators in surrounding school districts reported an average number of teacher absences Tuesday, Dec. 11, Hastings Area Schools administration reported 35 teachers — nearly twice the recent daily average — were absent the day Gov. Rick Snyder signed House Bill 4003 and Senate Bill 116, making Michigan the 24th state to enact a “right to work” law.

Representatives from the Hastings Education Association could not be reached for comment at press time to answer whether Tuesday’s spike in teacher absences had anything to do with the protests in Lansing, which drew thousands of workers and union representatives to the Capitol building in Lansing.

Hastings Superintendent of Schools Todd

See TEACHERS, page 3

Hotel construction progressing The construction for Hastings’ 62-room Holiday Inn Express and Suites is underway on West State Street across from the new building housing Biggby Coffee, San Marcos restaurant and Jet’s Pizza.

“I was looking for a vibrant community that needed a hotel, and Hastings exceeded my expectations,” said hotel developer Mike Moyle of Rockford. “There’s just so much going on — not only healthy and vibrant businesses, but different events like the jazz festival, the Gus Macker Tournament and everything at the Barry Expo Center. Plus, there’s just some terrific restaurants.”

Construction workers are pictured working on the cement block tower which will house the hotel’s elevator. The hotel is scheduled for a summer 2013 opening.

Page 2 — Thursday, December 13, 2012 — The Hastings Banner

Departing county commissioners honored

Dan Parker’s commemorative plaque calls out his “sound judgment and his skills as a consensus builder.” Parker (left) receives the plaque from Craig Stolsonburg.

Posing Tuesday for its last official photograph as a county commission are (front row, from left) Don Nevins, Howard “Hoot” Gibson, Ben Geiger, Dan Parker, (back) Robert Houtman, Jeff VanNortwick, Joe Lyons and Craig Stolsonburg. Due to redistricting and results of the Nov. 6 general election, only Gibson, Geiger and Stolsonburg will be returning to next year’s seven-member board.

Right: The award presented to Joe Lyons (left) by Ben Geiger recognizes him as “a key supporter of the five-year plan for the Hastings City/Barry County Airport to become self-supporting.”

At 10 years of service, Don Nevins (left) is the elder statesman of the five departing county commissioners. Nevins also served the county as a sheriff’s deputy for 27 years. Craig Stolsonburg presents the plaque.

A portion of Tuesday’s Barry County Board of Commissioners meeting was devoted to honoring five commissioners who will be departing from board service as well as County Prosecutor Tom Evans, who was unable to attend.

Don Nevins was honored for 10 years of service, Jeff VanNortwick for six, Joe Lyons and Robert Houtman for four years each, and Dan Parker for two. Evans was appointed to serve as prosecutor in 2006 and served as elected prosecutor beginning in 2007.

Board Chair Craig Stolsonburg and Vice Chair Ben Geiger presented commemorative plaques to each retiring commissioner, with Geiger not missing an opportunity to compare his shorter stature to the much taller Lyons and VanNortwick, who stood next to him.

“I’ve always looked up to Joe, and I think I always will,” quipped Geiger, who, when introducing VanNortwick said, “Jeff is a big man, with a big heart.”

Replacing the five will be newly elected James DeYoung, James Dull, Jon Smelker, and Joyce Snow. The board will be reduced by one member due to redistricting.

Jeff VanNortwick (left) is recognized by his board colleagues Tuesday as “a passionate and vocal advocate for environmental and quality-of-life issues on behalf of the citizens of Barry County,” on a plaque presented to him by Board Vice Chair Ben Geiger.

ANIMAL CRUELTY, continued from page 1 Among his many accomplishments noted Tuesday, Robert Houtman’s honorary plaque includes recognition for his efforts “to preserve and improve the lives of unwanted animals in Barry County through the creation of the Animal Shelter Advisory Board.” Board Chair Craig Stolsonburg (right) presents the plaque.

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torn down.”

The new home owner and Tepper met a Barry County Animal Control officer at the home Oct. 15. The dog carcass in the garage was rolled into a tarp, double bagged and transported to a local vet for necropsy.

On Oct. 17 the veterinarian’s office reportedly said, “Could not find any information on cause of death of the deceased dog because the dog was too far gone.”

Tepper told the officer the Great Pyrenees dog had died 2 1/2 weeks prior from a tumor in its tail, and did not starve to death. When the officer asked her why she had not disposed of the body, Tepper reportedly said her yard was clay and she could not dig a hole.

She told the animal control officer the Yorkie was vicious and feral and she could not catch it. She had left the house’s back door open so the dog could leave.

Tepper signed over possession of the Yorkie, and the goats were also removed from the property.

According to the police report, Tepper admitted to having too much pride to call anyone for help. The officer reported that Tepper said she has not had heat or electricity in the house for two years. Tepper said she was using portable propane heaters and had two operational circuit breakers to run the well for water.

She told the officer she was so embarrassed of her actions and was afraid anyone to find out, especially Sheriff Dar Leaf because she had been representing him on the animal shelter’s advisory board. She said she wondered how she could tell the Sheriff she was living out of her car.

Deputies received an authorized warrant

from the Barry County Prosecutor Nov. 9 to pick up Tepper on animal cruelty.

Animal Control officers again went to the Finkbeiner Road residence Nov. 16, in reference to a bag containing the body of a dead dog. Reportedly, several other bags were found, but were not opened until authorities arrived. Animal Control staff wore protective gear and air-filtration masks. As they approached the site, three dead dogs and a dead bird were discovered lying uncovered.

According to the report, more plastic bags were found underneath that contained animals in various states of decomposition.

Eleven bags were reportedly collected that day.

“I observed at least one more dog, what appeared to be a calf, and four bags were decomposed too far to identify the species,” reads the report. “Those bags did have hair, fur and/or bones in the soupy contents.”

Tepper went to the Barry County Sheriff’s Department Nov. 17 to turn herself in on the outstanding warrant issued Nov. 9.

During the initial interview at the sheriff’s department, Tepper told officers that she had no permanent address and was living “here and there.” She was asked about the additional dead animals found on her property. Tepper said those animals were from three years ago.

She told authorities she planned on burying the euthanized animals, but the ground was too hard and she decided to wait until she had the goats euthanized. When asked how the animals were euthanized, Tepper said they were taken to a vet.

“It costs so much to have them cremated,” she said in the interview.

Animals found on her property had been

packed in double bags, and when asked if she or the vet had done the bagging, Tepper said she could not remember.

When asked about the number of animals, Tepper said there had been five, but not all at one time.

When told 11 different bags of animals were found, Tepper replied, “It didn’t seem like there were that many.”

During the interview, Tepper was asked if there were any dead puppies. She replied, “I don’t know. They were small dogs. People keep pressuring you to take, take, take, and it’s like, but they are not adoptable and then what do you do, you know? Where do you turn?”

Tepper was released on a $100 bond the same weekend.

The sheriff’s department received an email from Tepper Nov. 17, saying she did remember 11 of 12 puppies dying. Tepper said the vet told her the puppies died of liver or kidney problems. She said the mother of the pups, which Tepper received from Alabama, had been vaccinated while pregnant. She states in the email she gave the puppies IVs, though she does not identify the content of the injections, but could not save them.

A Nov. 21 sheriff’s report said the 11 bags of deceased animals taken from the Finkbeiner property were removed from the freezer and cremated at the Barry County Animal Shelter.

While Animal Control staff was conducting the investigation, they discovered Tepper has a website that was still accepting rescues of Great Pyrenees.

The Hastings Banner — Thursday, December 13, 2012 — Page 3

TEACHERS, continued from page 1 Geerlings said that two of the teachers were out of the classroom to attend meetings to discuss individual educational plans. However, he said that under the current contract, teachers are allowed a total of 10 paid absences each year and school administration does not have information regarding why so many were not in the classroom Tuesday.

“I don’t know, and I really don’t want to speculate,” he said. “Over the last couple of weeks, since Thanksgiving break, we’ve had an average of 17 teachers out each day; but,

that number includes teachers who are out of the classroom for conferences, IEPs, etc..”

According to Geerlings, 14 teachers were absent from Hastings High School, seven from the middle school, 12 from Central Elementary, one from Southeastern Elementary, one from Star Elementary, and none from Northeastern Elementary School.

He said substitute teachers are paid $75 per day, which means yesterday’s spike in absences cost the district $2,625.

Maple Valley Schools reported nine teach-

CEMETERY, continued page 1 “You may have a tax-exempt issues, that is what your question is,” said Fekkes to McNabb-Stange. “But, they are a legally recognized corporation with the State of Michigan.”

Fekkes said many of McNabb-Stange’s other questions and concerns could be considered fine-tuning of the agreement between the city and the cemetery corporation.

“We’re acquiring the assets of a corporation; we are not acquiring a corporation,” she said. “Riverside Cemetery will be dissolved; it will no longer be a viable, or working entity within the State of Michigan. What we would be doing after this point is determining what assets from that corporation will transfer to the City of Hastings prior to its dissolution.

Obviously, real estate is the biggest portion of that.”

She said McNabb-Stange’s issues and concerns will be addressed as they arise as the city and the cemetery corporation determine what assets the city is willing to acquire.

McNabb-Stange said that if the cemetery has not been tax-exempt and is found to be in arrears, the city, upon acquiring the assets would become liable for those taxes.

“I would never advise my client to assume that liability,” assured Fekkes. “If it was not properly tax-exempt, [the taxes] would run with the land; but, that is something that obviously, as part of the land transfer agreement, would dictate that those would be corrected before the closing of the sale or transfer of assets.”

Fekkes said an existing driveway encroachment and other minor issues discovered during due diligence are not insurmountable obstacles.

“Those are all things that in the transfer-ofassets agreement would be identified as something that would have to be corrected and remedied and transferred to us free of any encumbrances or liens,” she said.

Jim Atkinson, a member of the Cemetery Action Campaign Committee and as a representative of American Legion Post 45, spoke in support of putting the millage before voters.

Atkinson said as part of its annual Memorial Day observance, American Legion Post 45 conducts a ceremony at the cemetery, which includes laying a wreath on the grave of the first and the last veterans buried there.

“Over the last nine years, we have gone to the gravesite of the last veteran buried at the Riverside Cemetery,” he said. “Four years ago, that veteran happened to be buried in the far southeast corner of the cemetery, on a big ridge that overlooks the river... We had to walk through, from the site of GAR Monument, walk through the cemetery to the part of the cemetery that is on the south side of State Road and we got a good idea of some of the repairs that [are] needed.”

The head of the legion’s color guard at that time, Ron Miller, was extremely upset with the appearance of the cemetery, said Atkinson, and asked Atkinson, the legion’s adjunct, if the legion could volunteer to upgrade the maintenance of the cemetery.

Atkinson said that after a discussion with Rod Newton, president of the Riverside Cemetery Board, he went back to the legion which determined they didn’t have enough manpower to take on the maintenance.

“That didn’t stop us from thinking that that place really needed upgrading,” Atkinson told the council. “We have over 400 grave markers out there of veterans that are buried in the cemetery. And, of course, all of the people that have relatives buried out there get to see that place, and it does need some maintenance.”

Atkinson said he is not sure the city council did enough to show its support during the previous two attempts to pass a cemetery millage.

“I’m here tonight as a member of the campaign committee, representing the veterans that are interested in this, to tell that you it is a very, very serious issue for the American Legion, for the citizens of this community that have people buried out there and the future citizens that may be buried out there,” he said.

Atkinson said that while the previous two cemetery millage proposals did not pass, there are not enough funds for the corporation to continue to maintain and operate the cemetery, creating an urgency that wasn’t there before, if Riverside Cemetery is to endure.

According to Mansfield, the May special election would be conducted at no cost to the city because the approximately $4,000 cost would be paid for with funds from the Cemetery Action Group, which are being administered by the Barry Community Foundation.

He added that the election would be in May to allow the millage, if approved by voters, to be on the books before the start of the city’s 2013-14 fiscal year.

A second related motion, to create a cemetery preservation advisory board and transfer Riverside Cemetery perpetual care funds to

the Barry Community Foundation for specified purposes contingent upon passage of the millage proposal, was also approved by a 6-1, vote with McNabb-Stange dissenting.

In other business, the council: • Approved a request from Carl Schoessel to allow the closure of State and Jefferson streets from approximately 9 p.m. Monday, Dec. 31, until approximately 12:30 a.m.

Tuesday, Jan. 1, and also during that time allow a disc jockey and band to play music from a portable stage located at that intersection and a large tent to be placed on State Street between Jefferson and Church streets, as well as various other displays and sales for the fourth annual community New Year’s Eve celebration.

• Held a first reading of Ordinances No. 487 through 491, which would amend the building setbacks in the A-2, B-1, B-3, B-4 and B-5 zoning districts to allow greater flexibility in maximum and minimum setbacks in those areas which encompass the downtown business and surrounding zoning districts with the exception of the M-43/M-37 corridor west of downtown. The council will hold a second reading on the proposed amendments during its next meeting, which is slated for 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 26.

• Held a first reading on draft Ordinance No. 492, which would regulate fireworks in the city. The ordinance was prepared by Mansfield, who told said the State of Michigan allows municipalities to prohibit the discharge of fireworks in urban settings other than on a national holiday, or the day before or after a national holiday. However, he said the ordinance was only a draft, meant to prompt a discussion of whether Hastings needs such an ordinance. The council did not take action on the draft; the consensus of the members being to table the ordinance at its next meeting and delay further discussion until its first meeting in January to allow citizens to contact council members and express their opinion regarding the ordinance.

• Unanimously approved an agreement, as recommended by the Hastings City/Barry County Airport Commission, with current manager Mark Noteboom for management services. Changes from the previous contract include an increase from a one- to a two-year contract; increase in annual compensation from $39,500 to $42,500 for each year of the contract; and a requirement that the manager give at least one annual formal report to the city council as well as the Barry County Board of Commissioners.

• Heard a report from Hastings Director of Public Services Tim Girrbach in which he said the engineering firm has finished the legal descriptions of the Riverwalk Project Phase 2 and staff members are working on obtaining grading easements to forward along with the signed grant paperwork that needs to be submitted to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources before bids are let.

Girrbach said plans are to let bids in February, with construction to start in the spring when weather allows.

Girrbach also reported that the Department of Environmental Quality has notified the DPS that the city did not successfully complete it’s lead and copper monitoring requirements before the Sept. 30 deadline and has been fined $200 and must take corrective action. To return to compliance, the city must successfully complete monitoring requirements during June, July, August or September 2013. He said the that at no time has public health or welfare been jeopardized, nor will it be before the monitoring is successfully completed in 2013.

• Heard a presentation from Barry County Area Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Alliance Executive Director Valerie Byrnes. She told the council that Hastings had been named the 2012 Gus Macker Rookie Community of the Year and that plans are already underway to make next year’s event even bigger and better.

• Unanimously approved a charitable gaming license for Hastings Athletic Boosters to allow the organization to hold a reverse raffle fundraiser during March 2013.

• Approved a bid from Secant Technology to improve technology related to the city’s primary servers and software and data backup system, as well as software upgrades for employee work stations, at a cost o $37,074, as recommended by City Clerk/Treasurer Tom Emery as part of the municipality’s 2012-13 Capital Improvement Plan.

• Approved a pre-application for a Michigan State Housing Development Authority grant housing and rental rehabilitation in the city’s A-O zoning district which is a triangle bounded by the west side of South Hanover Street and East State Street and the south side of Green Street. The A-O zoning district is part of a larger area, which extends the triangle south to Hubbell Street, where approximately 400 volunteers participating in the 2013 Group Cares program are planning to work on home repairs and improvements for elderly or other homeowners in need.

ers absent Tuesday, while Lakewood Public Schools reported six absent district-wide, and Thornapple Kellogg reported that teacher attendance in the district was average Tuesday. Delton Kellogg Superintendent Paul Blacken said six teachers were absent.

A press release from the State of Michigan, dated Tuesday, Dec. 11, said SB 116, or Public Act 348 of 2012, and HB 4003, PA 349 of 2012 do not prohibit unions or collective

bargaining and do not have an impact on workplace health and safety regulations; but, rathera the bills state that agreements between employers and unions can not require public and private sector employees to join a union or pay union dues. Police and firefighters are exempt from the new laws under PA 312, because of the hazardous nature of their work.

Contract negotiations between Hastings Area Schools and the HEA have been con-

tentious this year and have been turned over to the state for fact finding.

Geerlings said the new legislation will not have an impact on the current contract.

“I don’t see it having any impact,” he said.

“I think the legislation has bigger and broader implications and won’t impact our current negotiations one way or the other because right now all our teachers are in the union.”

State formula for replacing lost tax revenue has commissioners steaming

by Doug VanderLaan Editor Fears of costly repercussions from a runaway lame duck state Legislature had Barry County commissioners scrambling at their official meeting Tuesday for a way to derail a package of bills designed to repeal Michigan’s personal property tax at the expense of Barry County.

“This is on the table, it could be passed, and Barry County stands to lose $314,000,” Commissioner Chair Craig Stolsonburg said of the proposal that stands before a legislative session that was expected to adjourn for the year after final passage of Right to Work legislation Tuesday.

If, in its final days of the current session, the Legislature does not address the personal property tax elimination proposal, the bills will move into the next legislative session which begins with newly elected representatives Jan. 9.

“I don’t think that anyone disagrees that the personal property tax is a bad tax,” County Administrator Michael Brown told commissioners. “By doing away with it, it will move tides higher. The hope was that rising tides would float all boats, but this won’t float the county’s boat.”

That’s because of a complicated formula embedded in the proposed legislation that would allow nearly 70 percent of Michigan counties to be reimbursed by the state for up to 80 percent of the revenue lost from no longer collecting the personal property tax.

Unfortunately, under the formula, Barry County would not qualify.

According to Brown’s explanation, properties valued at less than $40,000 would not pay the personal property tax, a revenue loss to the county of $314,000. If, according to the proposed legislation’s formula, the group of properties valued at less than $40,000 makes up less than 2 1/2 percent of a county’s general fund budget, the county is ineligible for the 80 percent reimbursement from the state.

“Of our $14 million general fund budget, these properties account for 2.2 percent of our budget,” pointed out Brown, who also suggested the proposed legislation carries with it an “essential service fee” that could allow a $75,000 recoup.

“It’s calculated by how much we spend on police, fire and ambulance expense,” said

Brown. “You divide that into the general fund expense, and it allows Barry County to assess $75,000 in fees.”

That didn’t satisfy county officials who protested not only the size of the revenue loss, but also the implications that would result from trying to collect the essential service fee.

“The Michigan Association of Counties is concerned with the complexity, especially the service fee,” said Brown. “How would you assess it? Who would be eligible to levy this service fee and against whom?”

“Plus, think of the administrative fees on our part to do it,” echoed Commissioner Dan Parker.

Stolsonburg added the complication of residents questioning their assessed property values, especially at the baseline $40,000 mark.

“Think of the appeals from people questioning if their property is worth $40,000,” pictured Stolsonburg. “The assessor will say it’s worth $40,000 and the resident will say, ‘You’re only saying that so you can raise more tax.’”

By a 7-1 vote — with Commissioner Ben Geiger dissenting — and under a presumption that the Legislature would remain in session for the rest of the week, the board directed Stolsonburg to send a letter of concern to the Legislature along with a similar resolution passed months ago stating the county board’s opposition to replacement funding following a repeal of the personal property tax.

“Because this is so important to local jurisdictions, it would behoove the governor and the lieutenant governor to put this into the next legislative session,” said Commissioner Jeff VanNortwick in a suggestion for the letter’s content. “This has too much gravity to be done in the next 72 hours.”

In other business, commissioners: • Received the 2011 medical examiner’s annual report from Dr. Philip Croft. Croft, based at Sparrow Forensic Pathology in Lansing, serves as medical examiner for nine counties, and presented a comparative report of Barry County’s standing amongst the other eight. Croft pointed out that Barry County is one of few in the state to be accredited by the National Association of Medical Examiners.

Parker questioned Barry County’s 21.2 percent of deaths reported to the medical examiner, next-to-the-lowest of the nine counties covered by Croft’s office. Croft responded that

some incidents were likely referred to larger hospitals for more in-depth treatment where eventual death may have occurred. Also, the vast majority of local deaths are attended by personal physicians and are not reported to the medical examiner.

Croft had high praise for Pennock Hospital, which, unlike many institutions in other counties, does not implement its own procedures in death examinations and certifications.

“I’m very pleased with how Barry County works with our office,” summed up Croft.

“Overall, Barry County is in the best position [of cohort counties[.”

• Approved the $18,427 purchase of recording equipment for the hearing room of the courts and law building.

• Approved the co-authorization with the Judicial Council for the security committee to create and enforce security policies for the courts and buildings housing the courts.

• Approved a Farmland and Open Space Preservation request from Randy and Shawn Durkee of Carlton Township.

• Approved a 2012 Michigan Blight Elimination application to the State of Michigan for assistance in removal of blighted and abandoned homes and commercial businesses in the county.

• Approved a quote for workers’ compensation excess insurance coverage with a retention amount of $500,000 from Midwest and a one-year renewal with Eagle Claims Management to provide third-party administrative and claims management services in the amount of $44,263.

• Approved claims in the amount of $124,806, pre-paid invoices in the amount of $2,751,699, and commissioners payroll in the amount of $7,623.

• Authorized Barry County Transit to apply for state and federal grants for the 2014 fiscal year and named Joseph A. Bleam as the official agent to provide needed information to the state.

• Approved a change of name for the Animal Control/Shelter Advisory Board to the Animal Shelter Advisory Board and removal of Marcie Tepper and Rebecca Neal from the board due to non-attendance of meetings.

• Honored departing commissioners Robert Houtman, Joe Lyons, Parker, VanNortwick, Donald Nevins, and departing prosecutor Tom Evans (see related story).

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Page 4 — Thursday, December 13, 2012 — The Hastings Banner

Leadership skills are more than miracles

Santa visits Hastings Kiwanis Club meeting

For several weeks now, Sheriff Dar Leaf and his department have drawn attention for their handling of an investigation into animal cruelty and abandonment charges brought against a member of the Barry County Animal Shelter Advisory Board who is also a special deputy advisor to the sheriff.

The investigation began when Marcie Tepper’s Middleville home fell into foreclosure and the new owner found levels of dog feces on the floors, a dog carcass, a sick little dog running around the empty house, and bags of dead dogs on the property along with five live goats.

Rather than turn the investigation over to the Michigan State Police or to seek advice with the Barry County Prosecutor’s office, Leaf decided his department could run the investigation with seemingly little or no concern whether there could be the appearance of impropriety or any potential of a possible conflict of interest. Given that Leaf and county commissioners have argued for months over shelter operations, this became the last straw for commissioners and they wanted answers.

The sheriff’s decision to run the investigation turned out to be just the beginning of a list of bad decisions on his part.

Last week, my wife Patti and I attended the Thornapple Arts Council’s production of “Miracle on 34th Street.” The play is based on the 1947 Christmas film that took place between Thanksgiving and Christmas Day in New York City, focusing on the problems that a Macy’s department store Santa Claus got into when he claimed to be the real Santa.

The story is filled with life lessons that could serve Leaf as a politician and as an administrator.

The biggest comes when Kris Kringle is accused of not actually being Santa Claus, and his attorney, Fred Gailey, asks for a formal hearing before Judge Henry X. Harper of the New York Supreme Court.

Judge Harper doesn’t seem very concerned about the issue because kids don’t vote, but his political operative, Charlie Halloran, reminds him that parents do.

Leaf, like Judge Harper, misjudged the importance of people’s concerns for animals when readers learned about the animals’ fate at Tepper’s residence. That’s no different than Judge Harper miscalculating the importance of Santa to every one — children who believe in the man and adults who believe in the magic that the story can bring.

Judge Harper puts himself into an awkward position because his grandchildren and even his wife turn against him for putting Santa Claus on trial for lunacy.

During the hearing, District Attorney Thomas Mara gets Kringle to admit that he is, in fact, Santa Claus and then Mara rests his case, believing he has proven his point.

But Defense Attorney Gaily then stuns the court by asserting that Mr. Kringle is, in fact, the real Santa Claus and will prove his case without a shadow of doubt.

During a recess, Judge Harper is taken into his chambers by his political advisor, Halloran, who pleads with him to get rid of the case because it will be disastrous for the judge’s upcoming re-election. At first glance, the Judge didn’t see the seriousness but, after some discussion about the possible implications, he directs Gailey to prove that Kringle is the one and only Santa Claus. So Gailey, with the help of the U.S. Postal System, manages to prove without any doubt that he is, in fact, Santa Claus.

The play ends as you might imagine, when Santa is released from the courtroom just in time on Christmas Eve to

The man in red makes a visit to the Hastings Kiwanis Club meeting Dec. 12.

Here, Logan Rohe pauses before telling Santa his Christmas wishes. Club members brought their children and grandchildren to meet the Jolly Old Elf.

Did you

see?

Eagle eye Tery Holly of Lake Odessa took this photo Nov. 29 of a bald eagle soaring over Jordan Lake near the north channels.

We’re dedicating this space to a photograph taken by readers or our staff members that represents Barry County. If you have a photo to share, please send it to Newsroom Hastings Banner, 1351 N. M-43 Highway, Hastings, MI 49058; or email news@jadgraphics.com. Please include information such as where and when the photo was taken, who took the photo, and other relevant or anecdotal information.

Do you

know?

Lion hearts

What do you

Do you recognize any of these Lions Club members? Do you know when or where the photo was taken? Do you have any idea why or for whom they were collecting food? The wrapped buckets contain items such as Quaker Oats, Hekman’s Saltines, Michigan potatoes (from the Gordon Schlegel farm in Remus), Florida oranges and grapefruit, Armour lard, Jell-O and even cans of plum pudding. (Notice the man just right of center holding a chicken.) What can you tell us about this photo?

The Banner archives have numerous photographs from the middle of the past century that have no date, names or other information. We’re hoping readers can help us identify the people in the photos and provide a little more information about the event to reunite the photos with their original clippings or identify photos that may never have been used. If you’re able to help tell this photograph’s story, we want to hear from you. Mail information to Attn: Newsroom Hastings Banner, 1351 N. M-43 Highway,

Hastings, MI 49058; email news@jadgraphics.com; or call 269-945-9554.

Last week’s photo of six men gathered behind a table for what could be a check presentation drew several responses. No reference to the original photo or confirmation of the names of the men could be found in the Banner’s archives. Readers suggested that the photo may have been at the former Presbyterian church. All agreed that the man third from left is Howard Frost, then president of Hastings Manufacturing Company.

Others were possibly identified as (from left) Barney Drum, union president at E.W. Bliss; unknown; Frost; unknown; Don Siegel, officer at Hastings Manufacturing Company; and Robert Wilcox, union president at Hastings Manufacturing.

Correction: In the ‘Amazing Grain’ photo, Harold Lehman should have been identified as the son of Ronald Lehman.

Harold said he believed the photo was taken at the Farm Bureau Elevator in Woodland.

bring toys to kids around the world.

So, how does the play fit the local story?

Leaf could have saved himself and his department from the appearance of a conflict of interest if he would have taken the time to sit down with the county prosecutor and local State Police troopers asking for their help with the investigation.

Instead, he ignored the potential and put his office and the entire department in a risky position when he sent his officers to conduct the investigation.

It was because of Leaf’s relationship with Marcie Tepper that county commissioners and the county Animal Shelter Advisory Board called for the sheriff to turn the investigation over to a third party.

Yet, Leaf felt that his department could run the investigation without any problem, telling them, “the level of the charges and Tepper’s role as a volunteer — not a full-time employee — precludes any suggested involvement by the state police.”

Leaf went on to say, “It’s over, this was just a misdemeanor.”

Was he implying, like Judge Harper in the play, that it wasn’t a serious issue because it was just about a few animals?

Or, was it because his department had something to hide?

Leaf’s flippant attitude set the stage at a recent county board meeting where Commissioner Howard, “Hoot” Gibson suggested the process was nothing more than a “witch hunt,” supporting the sheriff rather than supporting his fellow commissioners in trying to get to the bottom of the issue.

The case has little to do with Tepper’s employment status — it is about the abuse of animals and should have been taken seriously by all officials.

For months now, the sheriff and county commissioners have been at odds over budgets and operations of the animal shelter which recently ended when commissioners took the responsibility for oversight of the animal shelter and put it into the hands of a new shelter director. With a change in management and the help of an advisory committee, commissioners are betting the shelter will increase adoptions and promote a better place for the county’s animals.

For some, maybe the entire story has been blown out of proportion, but to others, animal cruelty is a serious matter and needs to be dealt with so that taxpayers are given the assurance that their elected officials follow protocol.

I don’t know the entire story about Marcie Tepper who lost her home and now faces animal cruelty and other possible charges — but there are agencies throughout the county that offer help to those in trouble, yet the individuals must reach out and ask for assistance for the system to work.

Mahatma Gandhi once said about man’s responsibility as a society to care for their animals, “The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way in which its animals are treated. I hold that the more helpless a creature, the more entitled it is to protection by man from the cruelty of man.”

As we look back, I’m sure many will come to the conclusion that mistakes were made. Yet, it’s imperative that we learn from our mistakes so we don’t repeat them in the future.

I suggest that Sheriff Leaf put the “Miracle on 34 Street” on his holiday movie list — it might give him some valuable administrative lessons in leadership, realizing that good leadership skills don’t come from miracles.

Fred Jacobs, vice president, J-Ad Graphics

think?

Here’s your chance to take part in an interactive public opinion poll. Vote on the questions posed each week by accessing our website www.HastingsBanner.com.

Results will be tabulated and reported the following week, along with a new question.

Last week’s question: Congressional lawmakers adjourn for the holiday break next week with crucial revenue and spending issues still unresolved. Would you be willing to pay more taxes to avoid going over the ‘fiscal cliff?’

20% 80%

Yes No

For this week: The gray wolf population has reached sufficient population levels that state lawmakers are considering a hunting season — despite protests of tribes that have a special tie to the animal. Should the wolf be a game species? q q

YES NO

The Hastings Banner — Thursday, December 13, 2012 — Page 5

Sheriff’s department causes its own collateral damage

IURP RXU UHDGHUV Protest coming from lame ducks To the editor: In my opinion, we sure have some lame duck county commissioner crybabies who were voted out of office by the voters. They are so hurt and disgruntled that they are willing to make a stink and to be tax-and-spend liberals by wasting taxpayer money for no good reason other than to be political.

The taxpayers don’t have the money to spend, we don’t have deep packets. Be frugal with our money. The forensic audit could be done — or could have been done — by the state Department of Agriculture or the federal

Drug Enforcement Agency.

Seeing that the Department of Agriculture licenses the animal shelter, they could have done it for free — also all of these agencies would have done it for free if the commisioners had requested it. Then, if they found something, do a forensic audit.

I am tired of my money being wasted. So long to the tax-and-spend liberal lame ducks.

Good riddance (not Dan Parker).

Elden Shellenbarger Hastings

Write Us A Letter: The Hastings Banner welcomes letters to the editor from readers, but there are a few conditions that must be met before they will be published.

The requirements are: • All letters must be signed by the writer, with address and phone number provided for verification. All that will be printed is the writer’s name and community of residence. We do not publish anonymous letters, and names will be withheld at the editor’s discretion for compelling reasons only.

• Letters that contain statements that are libelous or slanderous will not be published.

• All letters are subject to editing for style, grammar and sense.

• Letters that serve as testimonials for or criticisms of businesses will not be accepted.

• Letters serving the function of “cards of thanks” will not be accepted unless there is a compelling public interest, which will be determined by the editor.

• Letters that include attacks of a personal nature will not be published or will be edited heavily.

• “Crossfire” letters between the same two people on one issue will be limited to one for each writer.

• In an effort to keep opinions varied, there is a limit of one letter per person per month.

• We prefer letters to be printed legibly or typed, double-spaced.

Know Your Legislators: Michigan Legislature Governor Rick Snyder, Republican, P.O. Box 30013, Lansing, Mich. 48909. Phone (517) 373-3400.

State Senator Rick Jones, Republican, 24th District (Allegan, Barry and Eaton counties). Michigan State Senate, State Capitol, Farnum Building Room 915, 125 West Allegan Street, Lansing, MI 48909-7536. Send mail to P. O. Box 30036, Lansing, MI, 48909. Phone: (517) 373-3447. E-mail: senrjones@senate.michigan.gov State Representative Mike Callton, Republican, 87th District (All of Barry County), Michigan House of Representatives, N-1191 House Office Building, Lansing, MI 48933. Phone (517) 373-0842. e-mail: mikecallton@house.mi.gov U.S. Congress Justin Amash, Republican, 3rd District (All of Barry County), 1714 Longworth House Office Building, Washington, D.C. 20515-2203, phone (202) 225-3831, fax (202) 2255144. District office: Room 166, Federal Building, Grand Rapids, Mich. 49503, phone (616) 451-8383.

U.S. Senate Debbie Stabenow, Democrat, 702 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C. 20510, phone (202) 224-4822.

Carl Levin, Democrat, Russell Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C. 20510, phone (202) 224-6221. District office: 110 Michigan Ave., Federal Building, Room 134, Grand Rapids, Mich. 49503, phone (616) 456-2531.

President’s comment line: 1-202-456-1111. Capitol Information line for Congress and the Senate: 1-202-224-3121.

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Barry County Sheriff’s Department vehicle which was disgusting to watch. My younger child stayed in bed asleep since I had a sitter and was bailing out upon arrival.

Back up to Dec. 31, 2006. My ex assaulted me, and the sheriffs department took photos in the hospital of my fractured elbow, a blood clot on my backside and severe facial bruising that was the result of the domestic violence.

My ex told the deputies he assaulted me, and it is clearly on the police report as such, but he never saw the interior of a sheriff’s patrol car.

The deputy in charge of the investigation said to me that he did not see fit to arrest him in the afternoon since the kids would witness the arrest of their father, and I was not in imminent harm since I was in the hospital. Really?

Did justice elude me because of a lack of protocol, corruption or excuses?

Upon completion of his internal investigation, Sheriff Leaf told my attorney that he could not answer for his deputy not making an arrest. Really? Our elected sheriff cannot answer for one of his own? Is that from lack of protocol, corruption or excuses?

The deputy did tell me he was offended I would ask him why he never arrested my ex since he had requested a warrant through Prosecutor Evans’ office. Really? A warrant request for a “warrantless arrest policy” on domestic violence? I did personally go to Tom Evans’ office to ask why they never sought charges. I was informed his office denied all charges. Really? When the suspect did not deny the assault and the injuries he inflicted on me? Tom Evans has refused to answer me. Is that lack of protocol, corruption or excuses?

Most recently, I discovered that my house had taken a shot through the kitchen window.

I called into dispatch to have law enforcement try to find out if this was a case of odd circumstance, a warning shot or something worse. The sheriff’s department responded to the complaint and the deputy took pictures for the report. The deputy said firearms was not his area of expertise but did convey that this would be handed to someone in the depart-

ment who had more knowledge. I agreed, since I have been shot at in the past when fleeing to avoid a physical confrontation.

In regard to that incident, the Barry County Sheriff’s Department was in charge of the investigation with the help of the Michigan State Police. There is no shortage of documentation from court hearings of the issue of my ex and his use of firearms. I am disgusted that with so much documented history of abuse that shots through a where children reside seems to be no priority to the sheriff’s department. Does it seem right that I have to worry about my children being victims of another shot finding its way through my home and hitting one of them? Why do I, again, witness a lack of protocol, corruption or excuses?

We send our troops all over the world to fight for humanitarian rights, the right to live freely of abuse, punishment and torture. I am confused on how can I achieve this for my children and myself in Barry County. Is this due to lack of protocol, corruption or excuses? After all, the sheriff’s department has the time to respond to a civil complaint on parenting time, but have no time to investigate why my window has a hole in it — is that lack of protocol, corruption or excuses?

There are good deputies in the Barry County Sheriff’s Department. I am sharing just a few minutes of my past to reassure county citizens of Sheriff Leaf’s ability to seek justice through his internal investigation into my circumstance. It left me with more questions, and I never got a sense of seriousness from him.

I have voiced my concerns about the lack of protocol, corruption and inexcusable performance in the department and I have been harassed, followed and arrested. I am only one person, but how many more like me are out there? Doesn’t Sheriff Leaf understand the “collateral damage” that is caused from lack of protocol, corruption or excuses?

Laura Christensen, Wayland

Barry ISD program receives Binda Grant Laura Brandt, the autism spectrum disorder specialist at Barry Intermediate School District, wrote and received a grant for $525 to support the POWERteam (Peers Offering Wisdom Empathy and Respect) program at Star Elementary in Hastings.

“This grant presents a great opportunity for the students I work with at Star Elementary,” said Brandt. “Receiving this grant lets us know that others understand and appreciate the importance of mentoring programs.”

Brandt said the funds will be used toward the purchase of training and educational materials for the mentors, playground equipment, T-shirts for the mentors and the stu-

dents in the program and periodic pizza lunches for the mentors.

POWERteam, which is in its second year, exists to encourage positive peer social interactions between special-needs students and general education students, while increasing social awareness and acceptance within the school community for all students, regardless of their abilities or challenges, according to a press release from BISD Superintendent Jeff Jennette.

Each semester, 12 fifth grade students are given the opportunity to apply for and participate in POWERteam. Chosen peer mentors attend four 30-minute lunch recess training

CONTROLLER Thornapple Manor,

Thornapple Manor, the Barry County Medical Care Facility, the Barry County Long Term Care Facility, is seeking a full-time Controller. Experience in Long-term care OPENINGS FORResponsibilities or within the HAS healthcare industry preferred. include financial statement preparation; budgeting; • Certified Nurse Assistants Medicare/Medicaid cost reports; year-end audit assistance; Part time and On-call functions. and a variety of administrative/recordkeeping • Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants Bachelor’s degree in accounting or business administration with a minimum of Full 5 years Time experience requested.

Computer/spreadsheet proficiency is beneficial.

We offer excellent wages, benefits, and working condiExcellent wage and benefit package. Salary commensurate tions.

Applications can be completed Monday-Friday with experience.

8:30am-3:30pm in our business office, package or downloaded We offer a competitive wage and benefit in a team oriented environment.

Interested candidates can fax their from our website at www.thornapplemanor.com resume, cover letter with salary history in confidence to Human No phone calls please. EOE Resources at (269) 948-0265, or can be mailed to:

sessions. The trained peer mentors then interact in groups of two or three with a student with autism spectrum disorder during lunch recess. Monthly lunch meetings with peer mentors allow discussion of mentoring highs and lows, concerns and more, said Jennette.

There are currently three students with autism in the program. Students are under adult supervision at all times, he added.

The Binda Foundation along with the Barry, Branch and Calhoun ISDs, contribute to a consortium grant to help support programming in their districts.

Call 269-945-9554 any time for Hastings Banner classified ads

77573148

2700 Nashville Rd * Hastings, MI 49058 Attn: Human Resources

06777226

A U C T I O N E E R

i ng Auc ti on s m o C —AUCTIONEERS— KENDALL TOBIAS

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NOTICE ✯ ✯ SHORT FAST ESTATE SATURDAY, DEC. 15TH AT 10:00 AM

LOCATION: In Hastings at 328 S. Jefferson St. at the Thomas Jefferson Democratic Hall.

DUE TO ABUNDANCE OF ITEMS MUST CLEAN OUT BUILDING Pr. of cast iron shoe forms; pr. of cast iron Victorian wall lamps, oil; marbles; picnic basket; sewing material; dollies, dress collars; Marilyn Monroe photo; quilted animals from log cabin quilt; Crabtree & Evelyn tin; antique basket; air brush equipment; sea shells; 6 lg. rolls of wrap. paper w/cutter; postcards and old greeting cards; red flora ottoman; tablecloth linens, 2 tables of all shapes/sizes doilies; Boy Scout handbook; deluxe TUCO picture puzzle; Charles & Diana spoon; Marvel Comics trading cards; 2 albums of baseball cards; 2 ledgers 1893-1894; Northwoods Bird Woman print; wool blanket; table lamps; leather desk tray w/lid; Royal 120 NT Cash Management System; old leather locking luggage piece; Boehmia Blue oil lamp w/shade; many styles of old cabinet handles, knobs, etc.; Santa Claus cotton gloves; Santa Claus suits, very nice; 2 Singer button holers in cases; 1948 oil lamp Model B table lamp, Washington Drop 1940-42, B 53 Clear Crystal; 1934 green crystal Aladdin Model A table lamp, Depression green w/nickel burner c.; Lincoln County Garden Club figure; picture art; death of J.F. Kennedy newspaper; birdhouse kit; sewing supplies, thread, needles; greeting cards from long ago; salt and pepper shakers.

Check out www.auctionzip.com #23371 for more!

Kendall Tobias, Auctioneer

1-269-945-5016

Canticle of Joy

by Joseph M. Martin

EMMANUEL CHOIR Mark Doster, Music Director

Christmas Eve Emmanuel Episcopal Church 315 W. Center St. 24 December 2012 | 7:00 p.m. followed by …

A Candlelight Communion Service

77573138

Brett Bremer Julie Makarewicz Fran Faverman Sandra Ponsetto

• ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT •

To the editor: “They don’t understand the collateral damage they cause,” (Banner, Dec. 6). Did I read that right and was that spoken by Sheriff Dar Leaf?

I think it is time to share with the community the “collateral damage” my children and I have suffered due to either lack of protocol, corruption or excuses involving Sheriff Leaf and Tom Evans, our current prosecutor.

I can reassure the community of how well the internal investigation regarding my personal situation was conducted — as long as it overlooks missing reports, lost pictures and ignorance of the tenets of domestic violence at the sheriff’s department. Luckily, I was able to furnish the photos of all the investigation reports since I had obtained them under the Freedom of Information Act before the department misplaced them. The first incident report I did not receive when I submitted a FOIA request, and it disgusts me that it seems now to be lost forever since the department told me it had changed its filing system and it would take too many hours to locate that report. So that day in my history is off the record and gone forever due to Sheriff Leaf’s lack of protocol, corruption or excuses.

Protocol is defined as “the established code or procedure or behavior in any group organization or situation.” As a mother who left abusive relationships, I have encountered several ongoing issues here with confusion of duties of the Barry County Sheriff’s Department which I blame on lack of protocol, corruption or excuses.

This confusion has led to further abuses that I’ve had to endure over the past years.

Within the past few months, I had a deputy come to my home due to a civil dispute on parenting time that my ex called in. When the deputies arrived, my injured child was awakened during the night and put in a patrol car to be returned to his father. I was arrested on a Friend of the Court warrant and placed in the patrol car behind him, handcuffed. My child’s injury made it impossible for him to bend his leg, but he was still put in the back seat of the

Social News

Page 6 — Thursday, December 13, 2012 — The Hastings Banner

Worship Together…

77572927

Debora Elaine Bechtel

Newborn Babies

...at the church of your choice ~ Weekly schedules of Hastings area churches available for your convenience...

GRACE COMMUNITY CHURCH 8950 E. M-79 Highway, Nashville, MI 49073. Pastor Don Roscoe, (517) 852-9228.

Morning Celebration 9 a.m. & 10:30 a.m.

Fellowship Time before the service.

Nursery, children’s ministry, youth group, adult small group ministry, leadership training.

SOLID ROCK BIBLE CHURCH OF DELTON 7025 Milo Rd., P.O. Box 408, (corner of Milo Rd. & S. M-43), Delton, MI 49046. Pastor Roger Claypool, (517) 204-9390. Sunday Worship Service 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., Nursery and Children’s Ministry.

Thursday night Bible study and prayer time 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

CHURCH OF THE NAZARENE 1716 North Broadway. Rev. Timm Oyer, Pastor. Sunday School 9:45 a.m. Morning Worship Service 10:45 a.m.; Evening Service 6 p.m.; Wednesday Evening Service 7 p.m.

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH 309 E. Woodlawn, Hastings. Dan Currie, Sr. Pastor; Josh Maurer, Youth Pastor. Sunday Services: 9:15 a.m. Sunday School for all ages,10:30 a.m. Worship Service; 6 p.m. Evening Service: Jr. Youth Group 5-7 p.m. & Sr. High Youth Group 7-9 p.m.. Wednesday, Family Night 6:30 p.m., Awana, Bible Study, Praise and Prayer. Call Church Office 948-8004 for information on MOPS, Children’s Choir, Sports Ministries.

WOODLAND UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 203 N. Main, Woodland, MI 48897 • (269) 367-4061. Pastor Gary Simmons. Sunday Worship 9:15 a.m.

PLEASANTVIEW FAMILY CHURCH 2601 Lacey Road, Dowling, MI 49050. Pastor, Steve Olmstead.

(616) 758-3021 church phone.

Sunday Service: 9:30 a.m.; Sunday School 11 a.m.; Sunday Evening Service 6 p.m.; Bible Study & Prayer Time Wednesday nights 6:30 p.m.

WELCOME CORNERS UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 3185 N. Broadway, Hastings, MI 49058. Pastor Susan D. Olsen.

Phone 945-2654. Worship Services: Sunday, 9:45 a.m.; Sunday School, 10:45 a.m.

ST. ROSE CATHOLIC CHURCH 805 S. Jefferson. Rev. Richard Altine, Pastor. Saturday Mass 4:30 p.m.; Sunday Masses 8 a.m. and 11 a.m.; Confession Saturday 3:30-4:15 p.m.

ST. CYRIL’S CATHOLIC CHURCH Nashville. Rev. Richard Altine, Pastor. A mission of St. Rose Catholic Church, Hastings. Mass Sunday at 9:30 a.m. .

WOODGROVE BRETHREN CHRISTIAN PARISH 4887 Coats Grove Rd. Pastor Randall Bertrand. Wheelchair accessible and elevator. Sunday School 9:30 a.m. Worship Time 10:30 a.m. Youth activities: call for information.

QUIMBY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH M-79 East. P.O. Box 63, Hastings, MI 49058. Pastor Rev. Bryce Feighner. (616) 945-9392. Sunday Worship 11:15 a.m.

GRACE BRETHREN BIBLE CHURCH 600 Powell Road, Hastings. Pastor Bob Wilson. Church Phone 269948-2330. Pastor’s Home 269-9454356. bjw1633@sbcglobal.net.

Sunday School 9:45 a.m.; Worship Service 10:45 a.m.; Sunday Evening 6 p.m. Wednesday 7 p.m.

NEW BEGINNINGS CHURCH OF GOD 502 E. Bond St., Hastings. Pastor J.C. Crank cordially invites you to come worship with us each Sunday at 10:30 a.m. and Tuesday evening Bible study 6 p.m. with Rev. Calvon Kidder. Interested in knowing more about our church? Please feel welcome to call one of these numbers.

Pastor Crank 269-979-8618; (313) 610-5730 or; Ed Blankenship (Local) 269-945-3327.

COUNTRY CHAPEL UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 9275 S. M-37 Hwy., Dowling, MI 49050. Rev. Ryan Wieland. Sundays - 9:30 a.m. Traditional Worship Service; 11 a.m. Contemporary Service; Sunday School and Nursery available during both services (Summer Schedule - Adult Sunday School: 9 a.m., Worship & Children’s Programs 10 a.m.) Youth Group, Covenant Prayer, Choir, Chimes, Praise Band, Quilting Group, Community Breakfasts and more! Call the church office at (269) 721-8077 (M/W/F 9 a.m.-12 p.m.), e-mail office@mei.net or visit www.countrychapelumc.org <http://www.countrychapelumc.org/> for more information SAINTS ANDREW & MATTHIAS INDEPENDENT ANGLICAN CHURCH 2415 McCann Rd. (in Irving).

Sunday services each week: 9:15 a.m. Morning Prayer (Holy Communion the 2nd Sunday of each month at this service), 10 a.m. Holy Communion (each week). The Rector of Ss. Andrew & Matthias is Rt. Rev. David T. Hustwick. The church phone number is 269-7952370 and the rectory number is 269948-9327. Our church website is http://trax.to/andrewmatthias. We are part of the Diocese of the Great Lakes which is in communion with The United Episcopal Church of North America and use the 1928 Book of Common Prayer at all our services.

HOPE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH M-37 South at M-79, Rev. Richard Moore, Pastor. Church phone 269945-4995. Church Website: www. hopeum.org. Church Fax No.: 269818-0007. Church SecretaryTreasurer, Linda Belson. Office hours, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 9 am to 2 pm. Sunday Morning: 9:30 am Sunday School; 10:45 am Morning Worship; Sr. Hi. Youth 5 to 7 p.m.; Sunday evening service 6 pm; SonShine Preschool (ages 3 & 4) (September thru May), Tues., Thurs. from 9-11:30 am, 12-2:30 pm; Tuesday 9 am Men’s Bible Study at the church.

Wednesday 6 pm - Pioneers (meal served) (October thru May).

Wednesday 6 pm - Jr. High Youth (meal served) (October thru May).

Wednesday 7 pm - Prayer Meeting.

Thursday 9:30 am - Women’s Bible Study.

COMMUNITY BAPTIST CHURCH 502 East Grand, Hastings; Floyd Hughes, Pastor; Myron Huebner, Music. Sunday Services: 10 a.m., Sunday School (all ages); 11 a.m.

Worship Service; 6 p.m. Evening Service; 7 p.m. Thursday, Bible Study and Prayer. Call 269-948-2673 for additional information.

ABUNDANT LIFE FELLOWSHIP MINISTRIES A Spirit-filled church. Meeting at the Maple Leaf Grange, Hwy. M-66 south of Assyria Rd., Nashville, Mich. 49073. Sun. Praise & Worship 10:30 a.m., 6 p.m.; Wed. 6:30 p.m. Jesus Club for boys & girls ages 4-12. Pastors David and Rose MacDonald. An oasis of God’s love. “Where Everyone is Someone Special.” For information call 616731-5194 .

HASTINGS ASSEMBLY OF GOD 1674 S. State Rd., Hastings, MI 49058 Phone 269-945-2285.

Sunday morning service times: 9 a.m. with nursery and preschool available and 11 a.m. with nursery, preschool and kids’ church available.

CHURCH OF CHRIST 541 N. Michigan Ave., Hastings.

Minister Collin Pinkston. Phone 269-945-2938. Sunday School 10 a.m.; Worship 11 a.m. Wednesday Night Bible Study 7 p.m.

HASTINGS FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 209 W. Green Street, Hastings, MI 49058. Pastor Don Spachman. Office Phone (269) 945-9574. Office hours are Monday-Thursday 9 a.m.-3 p.m.; Friday 9 a.m. to noon. Sunday morning worship hours: 8:45 a.m.

Traditional Worship; 10 a.m.

Refreshments; 10:45 a.m.

Contemporary Worship. 5th Sunday Worship at 10 a.m. Sunday School for PreK-5th and Nursery Care (infants through age 4) is available during both worship services. Share the Light Soup Kitchen serves a free meal every Tuesday from 5 to 6 p.m.

HASTINGS FREE METHODIST CHURCH 2635 North M-43 Highway, Hastings. Telephone 269-945-9121.

Pastor Daniel Graybill, Pastor Brian Teed, and Youth Pastor Eric Gillespie. Sunday: Nursery and toddler (birth through age 3) care provided. New! Starting... Nov. 25...

Worship Service 9:15 and Children’s Sunday School (ages 2 thru 5th grade). Worship Service: 10:45 a.m. & Children’s Junior Church (4 years through 4th grade).

Junior and Senior High Youth Group 6:00 p.m., and several adult small group opportunities. Wednesday Mid-Week at 6:30 p.m.: Pioneer Club, 4 years through 5th grade.

Adults: Marriage Enrichment Class, Women’s Prayer Group and a Men’s Bible Study. Thursday: Senior Adult (50+) Bible Study at 10 a.m. and lunch at Wendy’s, 11:30 a.m.

Third Thursday Brunch at 9:30 a.m.

LIFEGATE COMMUNITY CHURCH 301 E. State Rd., P.O. Box 273, Hastings, MI 49058. Pastor Scott Price.

Phone: 269-948-0900.

Website: www.lifegatecc.com. Sunday Worship 10 a.m. Wednesday Life Group 6:30 p.m.

GRACE LUTHERAN CHURCH Discover God’s Grace with us!

Holy Communion Every Sunday!

Sunday, Dec. 16 - Worship Service 8 and 10:45 a.m. Sunday School 9:30 a.m. Dec. 16 - High School Youth Group 6-8 p.m.; Men & Women’s Alcoholics Anonymous 7 p.m. Dec. 17 - Adventurerers Bible Study 7 p.m.; Recovery Bible Study 7:30 p.m. Dec. 18 - Congregation Council Dinner Outing 6 p.m. Dec. 19 Wordwatchers Bible Study 10 a.m.; Advent Supper 6 p.m.; Advent Vespers 7 p.m. Dec. 20 - Middle School Caroling 4-6 p.m.; Adult Choir 7:15 p.m. Location: 239 E. North St., Hastings, 269-945-9414 or 945-2645, fax 269-945-2698. Pastor Amy Luckey. http://www.discovergrace.org FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 405 N. M-37, Hastings, MI 49058.

(269) 945-5463. Rev. Dr. Jeff Garrison, Pastor. Sunday Services: 8:55 a.m. Traditional Worship Service; 11 a.m. Contemporary Worship Service. Nursery and Children’s Worship available during both services. Visit us online at www.firstchurchhastings.org and our web log for sermons at: http://hastingspresbyterian.blogspot.com.

Friday - 9 a.m. Pickleball. Saturday - 10:30 a.m. Praise Team. Monday 4 p.m. Pickleball; 7 p.m. Knit Wits.

Wednesday - 4 p.m. Pickleball.

This information on worship service is provided by The Hastings Banner, the churches and these local businesses: Fiberglass Products

Lauer Family Funeral Homes

770 Cook Rd. Hastings 945-9541

1401 N. Broadway Hastings

945-2471

102 Cook Hastings

945-4700

1351 North M-43 Hwy. Hastings 945-9554

118 S. Jefferson Hastings 945-3429

Ilene Rogers Young Hilson to celebrate 85th birthday HASTINGS, MI - Debora Elaine Bechtel, age 52, of Hastings passed away Wednesday, December 5, 2012 at her residence.

She was born October 25, 1960 in Battle Creek, the daughter of Douglas Edward and Carol Ann (Gutsue) Bacon. Debora attended Maple Valley High School, graduating in 1979. She went on to do some coursework through Davenport College.

Debora married Donald Bechtel on May 23, 1991.

Over the years Debora was employed by Hayes Green Beach Hospital, Pennock Hospital, Thornapple Manor and Maple Valley Schools holding positions that dealt with various aspects of Human Resources and management. Debora was a long time member of the Hastings Jaycees. She enjoyed spending sunny days at the water.

Debora is survived by her husband, Don Bechtel; mother, Carol Raab of Nashville; father, Douglas (Wanda) Bacon of Battle Creek; daughter, Danielle Cook; son, Dustin Cook of Hastings; sisters, Cheryl (Nabil) Khoury of Oak Park, California, Rhonda Bacon, Tonia (Jay) Rideout and Karen (Bobby) Beatty of Battle Creek; grandchildren, Bradley and Zachary Hall, Jazlyn Jenson-Cook and Marley Cook, as well as many nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 12, 2013 at 1 p.m. at the Girrbach Funeral Home in Hastings.

Arrangements by Girrbach Funeral Home, please visit our website at www.girrbach funeralhome.net to sign the online guest book or to leave a memory or message to the family.

Clifford R. L’Esperance DELTON, MI - Clifford R. “Les” L’Esperance, of Delton, passed away December 6, 2012, at Borgess Gardens.

Clifford was born February 1, 1923 in Muskegon, the son of the late Henry and Annie (Pointer) L’Esperance.

Clifford worked for Post Cereal for 15 years, owned Quick T.V. in Kalamazoo.

Clifford loved life and enjoyed fishing, ham/amateur radio and photography. He was a member of the American Legion Post.

He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Emma (Hoplite) L’Esperance of Delton; his children, Richard (Sue) L’Esperance of Tampa, FL, Clifford (Leni) L’Esperance of Naples, FL, Nadine (Ken) Belonga of Plainwell, Jerry L’Esperance of Macon, GA and Ernie (Bev) L’Esperance of Bremen, IN; 13 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren; brother, Lionel L’Esperance of Naples, FL and sister, Margaret (John) Mills of Norfolk, VA. A funeral service was held at WilliamsGores Funeral Home in Delton, on Monday, December 10, 2012 with Pastor Jeff Worden officiating. Burial took place in Oak Hill Cemetery, Orangeville Township.

Please visit www.williamsgoresfuneral. com to view Clifford’s online guest book, or to leave a condolence message for Clifford’s family.

Ilene Rogers Young Hilson will be 85 on Dec. 26, 2012. She would enjoy hearing from old friends and former schoolmates at 770 River Rd., Hastings, MI 49058.

Victoria Mae, born at Pennock Hospital on Nov. 23, 2012 at 1:10 a.m. to Sean and Leslie Gillum of Nashville. Weighing 7 lbs.

10 ozs. and 21 inches long. ***** Iley Ellen, born at Pennock Hospital on Nov. 26, 2012 at 7:59 a.m. to Elizabeth Lonergan and Zach George of Hastings.

Weighing 7 lbs. 14 ozs. and 20 inches long. ***** Zalia Lynn, born at Pennock Hospital on Nov. 23, 2012 at 2 p.m. to Sabrina Mackey of Saranac. Weighing 8 lbs. 15 ozs. and 19 1/2 inches long.

Marriage Licenses Johnnie Ronald Stayton Jr., Hastings and Barbie Lynn Kubek, Hastings.

Benjamin Russell Stowell, Lake Odessa and Ashley Rae Durham, Woodland.

HASTINGS PUBLIC LIBRARY SCHEDULE Pearl Stutz celebrating 90th birthday Pearl Stutz will be 90 years young on December 23, 2012. If you would like to celebrate with her, please send a card to 831 N. Hanover St., Hastings, MI 49058.

Call 269-945-9554 for Hastings Banner ads

Thursday, Dec. 13 — Movie Memories gets ready for Christmas with “It Happened on Fifth Avenue” starring Don DeFore, 5 to 8 p.m.

Friday, Dec. 14 — preschool story time enjoys the stories of Jim Aylesworth, 10:30 Monday, Dec. 17 — computer class takes on “how to create digital photo movies,” 6 to 7:30 p.m.

Tuesday, Dec. 18 — toddler story time enjoys Christmas, 10:30 a.m.; young chess tutoring class, 4:30 to 5:30; genealogy club meets, 6 to 8 p.m.

Wednesday, Dec. 19 — teen advisory board meets, 3:45 to 4:45 p.m.

Call the Hastings Public Library for more information, 269-945-4263.

Ray L. Girrbach Owner/Director

328 S. Broadway, Hastings, MI 49058

•

269-945-3252

Serving Hastings, Barry County and Surrounding Communities for 45 years

•Traditional and Cremation Services •Pre-Planning Services •Large Parking Lot - Handicap Accessible •Serving All Faiths •Pre-arrangement Transfers Accepted

Family Owned and Operated

www.girrbachfuneralhome.net

Call any time for Hastings Banner ads 269-945-9554 or 1-800-870-7085

The Hastings Banner — Thursday, December 13, 2012 — Page 7

Create your own customized holiday cards & books!

‘The Nutcracker’ continues in Nashville this weekend

Holiday greeting cards in full color with your special message!

Great Holiday Gifts!

This is the final weekend for “The Nutcracker” on stage in Nashville, presented by Step N' Time and The Revue. The show is directed and choreographed by Kim Rodriguez. Cast members hail from Hastings to Charlotte and Olivet to Lake Odessa.

Great crowds enjoyed spectacular productions over the weekend, said Producer Bill Reynolds. Here, as an understudy, Rodriguez steps in as the maid/Sugar Plum Fairy this past weekend after Amy Fisher suffered an injury. Fisher is expected to take the stage this weekend. No matter who fills the role, Reynolds said the audience will be treated to a Christmas classic that brings the music of a Russian composer, a German writer and a French ballet instructor to the stage in Barry County. Shows are Friday and Saturday at 7 and Saturday and Sunday at 3 p.m. Tickets are on sale for reserved assigned seating; email therevue1@yahoo.com or call 517-749 1229. Main Street Theatre House is at 301 N. Main St., Nashville.

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BETTER BRIDGE IN BARRY COUNTY

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by Gerald Stein

by Gerald Stein Christmas time in Barry County is always a special time and season. As bridge players, have you finished your Christmas gift-giving for your favorite bridge partner, your bridge friends, or for yourself? Today’s column offers a few suggestions that might light up your friends’ eyes when they see the thoughtfulness that you have found for them in their bridge world.

What better gift to get each and every month for the next twelve months than a subscription and membership to the American Contract Bridge League? For a mere $28.00, for new members, you will receive the monthly issue of the Bridge Bulletin for a full year. Chocked full of articles for the beginning bridge player, the advancing or intermediate bridge player, or the expert in your group, this gift will surely please your bridge friends. Leaving town for the winter? The Bridge Bulletin will follow you, and you will be able to easily find places to play bridge in your warmer winter climates. Order online by going to www.acbl.org and find the membership tab on the left side of the home page. Your friends will have their new welcome packets by Christmas if you order online today.

A column of some time ago mentioned a bridge game that will make a great Christmas present for grandchildren or younger players in your life. Called Bidittle, this board game teaches younger players the fundamentals of bidding, trick taking, and the beginning of a lifetime of enjoyment in the bridge world. At $19.99, you can order this game online as well by going to the Bidittle website @ www.bidittle.com. The ages for this game range from 7-adults, and from 2-4 players, so you will be able to spend quality bridge time with one or several of your children or grandchildren. There is a reversible side for future advancement as the children progress through the basics of bridge playing. This is a great gift that you will enjoy as well.

Looking for a complete set of 32 duplicate boards, 36 decks of cards, sets of movement cards, recap sheets, convention cards, traveling score cards, a copy of Duplicate Bridge by Alfred Sheinwold, and information on how to match point for your own home bridge club? A special offer from the online bridge supplier Baron Barclay will provide you a bridge game for up to 16 players at your home. A regular $200 value, this set can be ordered from www.baronbarclay.com for $149.00. This set makes a great gift for your friends or for yourself.

Other bridge items at Baron Barclay include 20% discount on selected wooden bridge tables, chairs, and other bridge items. Books and software items abound in their catalog or in their online store. Of real value, if you are looking for a solid software program, take a look at “Bridge Baron 23,” a newly-released update of a software program for playing bridge on your computer. A sample of “Bridge Baron 23” can be downloaded prior to purchasing for your inspection. Want to look at another free software package? Go back to www.acbl.org and look at the free downloads for beginning bridge players. This will give you a good idea of the wonderful bridge programs that are available on your computer or on your phones. Not to be missed are also the book selections on Baron Barclay. They extend from bridge texts for students to mysteries, advanced play, and so much more. Request one of their catalogs be sent to you when you go online.

Today’s final Christmas suggestion for yourself or your partner in the event that you will be in Barry County for the winter in 2013: how about taking a bridge class in February through the Institute for Learning in Retirement program through Kellogg Community College? A fourweek class on the four February Monday mornings will focus on “The Eight Most Commonly Used Conventions You Should Know.” Requested by the students in the advanced Defense in the 21st Century class, this class will include a review or perhaps a new introduction for some into the eight most popular bridge conventions used in the bridge world. Learning new tricks will be a great present to you or to others at this Christmas time. Contact the office of the Institute for Learning in Retirement in Battle Creek for information regarding times and fees for this class. Most importantly, students wanted lots of practice as well as instruction on such conventions as Stayman, Take Out Doubles, Weak Two Bids, Transfers and more.

With Christmas only a few weeks away, I hope that you will be able to find just the right gifts for your bridge playing friends. Merry Christmas to all Barry County bridge players. ***** (Gerald Stein, an Accredited Bridge Teacher for the American Contract Bridge League, teaches bridge classes at local schools and bridge clubs. You can visit his bridge blog at: http://betterbridgeinbarrycountymichigan.blogspot.com)

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Page 8 — Thursday, December 13, 2012 — The Hastings Banner

Lake Odessa Financial FOCUS Furnished by Mark D. Christensen of

by Elaine Garlock Tonight is meeting time for the Lake Odessa Area Historical Society. This is show and tell night. Guests and members should bring a Christmas or other item with a story behind it. First those attending will have a shared meal.

The soup suppers, respite care and child care return to Fellowship Hall this week at Central United Methodist Church following a one-week recess due to the use of the two buildings for the Christmas basket project of Lakewood Community Services.

With a smaller number of applicants this year, the basket project was finished each day in record time. Possible reasons are the closing of the mobile home park at Carlton Center and the use of Manna’s Market by many clients year round. Also the project was carried out a week earlier than usual. The Sunfield SPYs as always were there early and had their boxes out of the building by the time any of the others arrived to start. The Raynor family, the Brighton family and other regulars were on hand. New this year, a group from church recruited by Neil DeJongh, the Lakewood girls’ basketball team and coach Denny Frost made a big difference. The girls made multiple trips and also helped to get the building back in order. A fresh snow added to hazards the delivery people often encounter, such as cluttered stairs to second floor apartments, barking dogs guarding houses, alert and excited children whose parents are sleeping. This year a bag of potatoes went to each

recipient. This and other foods came from Feed America (formerly Second Harvest).

Gifts for all children registered came from local churches and from funds donated.

Socks, mittens and caps also went to each child. Workers who did sorting and wrapping like were from several churches in the Lakewood district. Many drivers used their GPS devices to find the houses. There were far less use of maps and telephone books.

On the second weekend of each month the VFW has its flea market on Fridays and Saturdays. Lunch is available. Booths are from rent.

There is a meeting for amputees at the Ionia Commission on Aging on Hudson Street on the first Monday of every month.

Saturday, Dec. 15, the Sebewa Center United Methodist Church will hold its monthly dinner with ham and scalloped potatoes from 5 to 7 p.m. The free movie at the Ionia Theater Dec. 20 will be entitled “The Glory of Christmas,” This is sponsored by the Ionia County Historical Society, which is also hosting an open house at the Blanchard House on East Main Street Dec. 16 from 1 to 4 p.m.

Judy Johnson and Virginia Yonkers hosted their Johnson Street neighbors for a morning coffee in honor of John and Terri Catt, who were leaving the next day for their winter quarters in a warmer climate.

The Rev. Ward Pierce, who died last week, had been the pastor of Lakewood United Methodist Church for 16 years before he went to Mendon.

Help older parents avoid financial scams Here’s a disturbing statistic: One out of every five Americans over the age of 65 has been victimized by a financial scheme, according to the Investor Protection Trust, a nonprofit organization devoted to investor education. If your parents are in this age group, should you be concerned? And can you help them avoid being “scammed” so that they maintain control over their finances?

The answer to the first question is “yes” — you should be concerned. Of course, as the numbers above show, most aging Americans are not being swindled, which suggests they can take care of themselves quite well. Still, it’s no secret that many fraud schemes target seniors because of their concentrated wealth and in many cases, trusting nature. And as much as you’d like to think otherwise, your parents could be susceptible to rip-off artists.

Fortunately, in regard to the second question above, you can indeed take steps to help prevent your parents from being fleeced. Here are a few suggestions: • Observe their behavior. If you live close to your parents, listen closely to any new friends, investment deals or sweepstakes they mention during your normal interactions.. If you’re in a different city, try to stay abreast of your parents’ behavior by communicating with them frequently and by checking in with other family members or friends who have occasion to see your parents.

• Urge them to watch out for suspicious e-

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mails. You’ve probably seen them — the emails offering to “reward” you with huge amounts of money if you will only contact such-and-such from a distant country and then put up a “small” sum to initiate some illdefined transaction. You probably “spam” these without a moment’s thought — and you should urge your parents to do the same.

Remind them that any offer that sounds “too good to be true” is, without question, neither “good” nor “true.”

• Encourage them to further their financial education. Law enforcement agencies, health care professionals and reputable financial services providers all offer personal financial management programs designed specifically for seniors. Look for these types of programs in your area, encourage your parents to attend — and even consider going with them.

• Become familiar with their financial situation. Having a serious discussion with your parents about their finances may not be easy — but it’s important. The more you know about their investments, retirement accounts and estate plans, the better prepared you’ll be to respond helpfully if they mention an action they’re considering taking that, to you, just doesn’t sound appropriate.

• Suggest professional help. If your parents are already working with a qualified financial professional, they’re probably less likely to be victimized by fraud than if they were managing their finances on their own. And it’s a good idea for you to know their financial advisor, and for him or her to know you, as you may well be involved in your parents’ legacy planning. But if your parents don’t already have a financial advisor, you may want to recommend one to them, particularly if it’s someone you already know and trust.

It’s entirely possible that your parents won’t need any assistance in avoiding financial scams. But, just in case, be prepared to

act on the above suggestions. Your intervention could help preserve your parent’s financial independence.

This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor. If you have any questions, contact Mark D. Christensen at 269-945-3553.

STOCKS

The following prices are from the close of business last Tuesday. Reported changes are from the previous week.

Altria Group 32.96 -.53 AT&T 34.15 +.23 BP PLC 41.17 +.17 CMS Energy Corp 24.58 +.20 Coca-Cola Co 37.86 +.71 Eaton 52.45 +1.17 Family Dollar Stores 64.68 -6.03 Fifth Third Bancorp 14.53 +.39 Flowserve CP 142.92 +2.02 Ford Motor Co. 11.49 +.18 General Mills 41.39 +.76 General Motors 25.45 +.04 Intel Corp.

20.65 +.68 Kellogg Co. 56.66 +1.43 McDonald’s Corp 89.62 +2.42 Pfizer Inc. 25.64 +.48 Perrigo Co. 105.42 +.42 Ralcorp 89.32 -.13 Sears Holding 43.50 +.62 Spartan Motors 4.93 -.03 Spartan Stores 15.43 -.01 Stryker 55.81 +1.46 TCF Financial 11.72 -.08 Walmart Stores 70.89 +1.23 Gold $1,710.00 +$13.05 Silver $32.96 +.03 Dow Jones Average 13,248 +297 Volume on NYSE 640M 9M

Be the hostess with the cupcakes

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EDWARD JONES

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The Great Twinkie Debate, launched by the Banner’s public opinion question in the Nov. 29 edition, drew the attention of one reader who sent a response by mail along with copies of two articles published in the Wall Street Journal.

Sentiments about Hostess Brands Inc. suspending its production of Twinkies and other iconic bakery goods because of management and labor union disagreements have run high and, according to the Journal’s Nov. 24 edition, sparked a run on Hostess bakery outlets from Illinois to Wyoming.

The Banner, by the way, due to a processing error, neglected to publish the results of its question to readers asking if they would regret losing the Twinke as a piece of cultural history. Among voters, 55 percent gave a “yes” response and 45 percent said “no.”

Fret not, says Tiffany MacIsaac, a pastry chef in Washington, D.C., who gave the Journal her own “Hostess Cupcake 2.0” recipe. Though she told Beth Kracklauer of the Journal, that the treat is now an “immovable fixture on her menu,” she also confesses that “normally, the last thing I want is dessert, but I will totally eat that cupcake.”

Here is a recipe, compliments of MacIsaac and the Journal, of the Twinkies cousin: Hostess Cupcake 2.0 White chocolate mousse: 2 large egg yolks 1 large egg 1 Tbs. granulated sugar 7 oz. white chocolate, melted

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1/2 C. heavy cream Devil’s food cake: 3 C. granulated sugar 2 1/4 C. all-purpose flour 1 Tbs. baking soda 1 1/2 tsp. baking powder 1/2 tsp. kosher salt 1 1/2 C. cocoa powder 4 large eggs 2 large egg yolks 1 1/2 C. buttermilk 1 1/2 C. strong brewed coffee, warm 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract 1 1/2 Tbs. butter, melted Chocolate glaze: 1/2 C. heavy cream 7 oz. bittersweet chocolate, chopped 1 1/2 tsp. butter Pinch salt 3 Tbs. white chocolate, melted To make mousse, place yolks, eggs and sugar in a bowl over a double boiler and whisk until warm to the touch, about 2 minutes. Remove from double boiler and whisk until thick, about 2 minutes. Drizzle melted chocolate into egg mixture, whisking vigorously until incorporated. In a separate bowl, whisk cream to stiff peaks. Fold into egg/chocolate mixture and place in a piping bag fitted with a large tip. Refrigerate until needed.

To make cupcakes, preheat oven to 325 degrees. Sift sugar, flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt and cocoa into a bowl. In another bowl, whisk together eggs, yolks, buttermilk, coffee and vanilla. Slowly add wet ingredients to dry ingredients, whisking. Add butter and stir until just combined.

Spray a 12-cup nonstick cupcake pan with cooking spray. Fill each cup halfway with batter. Bake until cooked through, 18 to 20 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to cool to room temperature before filling and glazing.

To make glaze, in a small pot, bring cream to a simmer. Place bittersweet chocolate, butter and salt in a bowl. Pour simmering cream into the bowl and let sit 1 minute. Whisk until smooth.

Working with one at a time, remove cupcakes from pan. Insert the piping tip into the top center of each cupcake and pipe in white chocolate until full. Wipe any excess off top of cupcake.

Dip tops of cupcakes in glaze. Shake upside down to remove excess. Allow glaze to set 10 minutes. Place warm white chocolate in a piping bag with a narrow tip and pipe a line of loops across top of each cupcake.

The Hastings Banner — Thursday, December 13, 2012 — Page 9

Christmas card traditions, part 2 The following was taken from an article in the Dec. 24, 1952, Sun and News as part of a Christmas card-themed advertising section.

Christmas superstitions born lucky There is a Scottish belief that to be born on Christmas is to have the power to see spirits and even to command them. Sir Walter Scott said that the Spaniards imputed the haggard and downcast looks of Phillip II to the terrible visions he was able to see because he was born on Christmas.

French peasants believed that babies born on Christmas have the gift of prophecy. In the Vosges [mountains in France] a baby born on Christmas Eve possesses the “gift of gab,” whereas the Christmas Day baby has less tongue and better logic. Daughters born on Dec. 25 will be wise, witty and virtuous.

In Silesia a baby born on Christmas will become either a lawyer or a thief.

English mothers used to take sick babies to the door Christmas Eve at midnight. Mary was expected to pass with the Christ Child. If the baby recovered, it was a sign that it had been touched by the Christ Child with healing fingers, and if it died, the Christ Child had called the baby to be His playmate in heaven.

In middle Europe, it is said that a baby born at sermon time Christmas Eve portends that someone in the house will die within the year.

A variation of this belief states that a certain group of Christmas angels is sent to earth commissioned to awaken a newborn infant from its first sleep and carry it to heaven.

There it was honored by being placed in the choir of the Christ Child.

Buy Christmas Seals “The unwavering support of Michigan people in the sale of Christmas Seals is Michigan’s best assurance of continued progress against tuberculosis, a deadly disease,” the Michigan Tuberculosis Association said. “Every family – every contribution – will help.” So buy seals now as your part in the fight against TB. A Christmas legend The spoons were moved The Tyrols were resplendent with moonlight, and unnumbered stars scintillated in their cold serenity. Inside the home of Andreas, the storekeeper, preparations were being made for midnight Mass, for it was Christmas Eve. “May I put my spoon in first?” asked Josef, “I am the oldest.”

“You must wait until Grandmother places hers, since she is the most honored by years,” cautioned Mother. “After her, we will each place our spoons.”

A large bowl of milk had been set on the little carved table. A treasured picture of the Holy Family rested against the wall so that the beam of a candle played full upon it.

Now each member of the family chose his spoon to place around the rim of the bowl of milk. First Grandmother, then Mother and Father, for they were the same age; then Josef, and Gertrud, and Lizbet, and Hermann; lastly, mother chose a tiny spoon for baby Barbara, but it had to be stilted upon a small box.

“We are all ready. Let us get into our warm clothes so that we may go to the church and thank our loving Father for sending the Christ Child to Earth – even as each one of us was brought from another world of hopefulness,” said Mother, and continued, “Whose spoon will be moved tonight? Only waiting will tell.”

As the family knelt in the pew of the St. Nikolaus Kirche, Josef’s eyes often rested on the painting of the Holy Family which hung upon the wall above the high gilded altar.

Josef that he could see a bowl of milk and a row of spoons but it was only the books and the chalice of the holy priest. He could hardly wait until mass was over so that he might rush home faster than the others to see whether his spoon had been moved. He knew that the milk had been placed as a welcome to the Holy Family. He knew that Mother Mary might feed the Baby Infant, and if so, the spoon she used would be moved. The one whose spoon was used would have great luck for the year. Josef desired that it would be his.

As the strains of the organ dismissed the group of pious mountaineers, Josef rushed on ahead of the family. What did he see when he looked in the window of his home? Baby Barbara’s spoon was not there now. And the grandmother’s spoon was in the milk with the handle resting on the rim of the bowl.

Who can say how the spoons became changed?

General Admonitions In the Netherlands, they say to take a fir stick, thrust it into the fire and let it burn partially and put it under the bed. This serves as lightning insurance.

In Ireland, it is believed that the gates of Paradise are always open on Christmas Eve. Dying then one would not enter Purgatory.

In Scandinavia some families place all their shoes together, since this will cause them to live in harmony throughout the year.

In many places, it is believed that nothing made of leather at Christmas will be durable, and in Hertfordshire wearing new shoes on Christmas is very unlucky.

In Lancashire, Worcestershire, and Gloucestershire, no one will give matches, fire, or light to be taken from the home on Christmas Day, believing trouble will arise.

In Shropshire and other sections of Europe, ashes must never be thrown out on Christmas Day for fear they will be thrown into the Saviour’s face.

City of Hastings NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING FOR AN APPLICATION FOR GRANT FUNDS TO THE MSHDA HOUSING RESOURCE FUND The Hastings City Council will conduct a public hearing as part of the regularly scheduled meeting on Wednesday, December 26, 2012 at 7:00 PM in the Council Chambers on the second floor of City Hall, 201 East State Street, Hastings.

The purpose of the public hearing is to gain citizen input prior to submission of a Housing Resource Fund grant application to the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) for targeted homeowner and rental rehabilitation funds. The application for funds will not exceed $600,000, and, if awarded, would be used for rehabilitation of owner-occupied, single family homes and tenant-occupied single and multi-family homes in the targeted triangle bordering State Street, Michigan Avenue, and East Green Street that will benefit low to moderate income residents. All activities of the grant project will be governed by terms of local program guidelines adopted by the City Council and approved by MSHDA. Further information is available by contacting the Community Development Director, John J. Hart at City Hall during normal business hours. Comments may be submitted in writing through December 26, 2012 at 5:00 PM or made in person at the public hearing.

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Thomas E. Emery City Clerk

There is a story current in Poland that Jacob’s ladder is brought back to Earth on Christmas Eve and that the angels scend and descend, bringing peace and goodwill to the Earth. Only saints have claimed to be able to see this ladder.

Never launder a Christmas present before presenting it, since this takes out the good luck.

The Gospel Story “And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.

And all went to be taxed, everyone into his own city.

“And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, into the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, to be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her first-born son and wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

“And there were in the same country shep-

herds abiding in their field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them; and they were sore afraid. And that angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day, in the city of David, a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you: Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on Earth peace, good will toward men.

“And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even until Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all who had heard it wondered at those things

NOTICE

The minutes of the meeting of the Barry County Board of Commissioners held December 11, 2012, are available in the County Clerk’s Office at 220 W. State St., Hastings, between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, or www.barrycounty.org.

Need wedding invitations?

Stop by and check out the large selection at J-Ad Graphics

Printing Plus

North of Hastings on M-43 Highway in the grey barn

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING The Barry County Road Commission will hold a Public Hearing on its proposed 2013 Budget. The hearing will be held at the Commission Room located at 1725 West M-43 Highway, Hastings, Michigan at 3:30 P.M. on December 27, 2012. A copy of the proposed budget is available for inspection at the Road Commission office.

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77572930

Fracking News Governor Snyder was at Kellogg Biological Station speaking two weeks ago on energy policy.

He repeated the DEQ dis-information that fracking has been going on for 60 years in Michigan and used in 12,000 wells without a problem. Current horizontal hydraulic fracturing using the poisonous mixture of chemicals has only been used on 8 to 10 wells, thus far, in Michigan. This chemical fracking process developed by Halliburton is fairly new and is also exempt from any and all environmental laws and standards.

In many other states where this poisonous process is being used many people and animals are sick from the air and water pollution caused by it.

The US Geological Survey and EPA found fracking fluids in a deep aquifer under Pavilion, WY. Cornell University has documented livestock sickness in New York and Duke University has documented polluted water wells in Pennsylvania. These studies can be found online. So how can our DEQ continue

Vol. 3

to mis-lead us? They get 1/6th of the profits out of these wells as “royalties”.

People who lease their land are not told the same story as the stockholders of the drilling companies.

In 2008 Cabot Energy reported on its Form 10-K, “Our business involves a variety of operating risks, including: well site blowouts; cratering and explosions; equipment failures; uncontrolled flows of natural gas, oil, or well fluids; fires; pollution and other environmental risks; and natural disasters.”

Our Barry County public lands have been leased for drilling. MLAWD, a local group of concerned citizens has filed suit in Barry County Circuit Court to stop this from happening. MLAWD very much needs your financial help to keep this law suit going. Please help save our Barry State Game Area, Yankee Springs public lands, including these lakes: Fish Lake, Hall Lake, Payne Lake, Gun Lake. This damage is going to be permanent.

MLAWD P.O. Box 335, Delton, MI 49046 Visit our website:

www.milawdefense.org

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The City will provide necessary reasonable aid and services upon five days notice to the Clerk of the City of Hastings, 201 East State Street, Hastings, Michigan 49058. Telephone 269/945-2468 or TDD call relay services 800/649-3777.

White Products Corporation, which today thrives as Barry County’s largest employer, is now known as Bradford White. The company placed this in a special Christmas card-type ad section of the Dec. 24, 1952, Sun and News.

which were told them by the shepherds.

“But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.” – Luke 2:1-19.

“Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea, in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the East to Jerusalem, saying, Where is he who is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship Him. “When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. And they said unto him, ‘In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet; And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Judaea, art not the least among the princes of Judaea: for out of thee shall come a governor, who shall rule my people Israel.’

“Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, inquired of them diligently what time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem; and said, ‘Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him, also.’

“When they had heard the king, they departed: and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, until it came and stood over where the young child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. And when they were come onto the house, they saw the young child with Mary, his mother, and fell down and worshiped Him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto Him gifts; gold and frankincense and myrrh.

“And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way. And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, ‘Arise, and take the young child and his mother and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child, to destroy him.’ When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt.” – Matthew 2:1-114.

(To be continued)

Page 10 — Thursday, December 13, 2012 — The Hastings Banner

LEGAL NOTICES Notice Of Mortgage Foreclosure Sale THIS FIRM IS A DEBT COLLECTOR ATTEMPTING TO COLLECT A DEBT. ANY INFORMATION WE OBTAIN WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE. PLEASE CONTACT OUR OFFICE AT THE NUMBER BELOW IF YOU ARE IN ACTIVE MILITARY DUTY. ATTN PURCHASERS: This sale may be rescinded by the foreclosing mortgagee. In that event, your damages, if any, shall be limited solely to the return of the bid amount tendered at sale, plus interest.

MORTGAGE SALE - Default has been made in the conditions of a mortgage made by Cora Lee Greenburg, an unmarried woman, original mortgagor(s), to World Savings Bank, FSB, Mortgagee, dated July 30, 2002, and recorded on August 13, 2007 in instrument 1085507, in Barry county records, Michigan, on which mortgage there is claimed to be due at the date hereof the sum of Two Hundred Forty-Five Thousand Five Hundred Two and 23/100 Dollars ($245,502.23).

Under the power of sale contained in said mortgage and the statute in such case made and provided, notice is hereby given that said mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at public vendue, at the place of holding the circuit court within Barry County, at 1:00 PM, on January 10, 2013.

Said premises are situated in Township of Prairieville, Barry County, Michigan, and are described as: Lot 23, Supervisor's Plat of Long Point, as recorded in Liber 2 of Page 50, Barry County Records.

The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCLA 600.3241a, in which case the redemption period shall be 30 days from the date of such sale.

If the property is sold at foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 of the Revised Judicature Act of 1961, pursuant to MCL 600.3278 the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period.

Dated: November 29, 2012 For more information, please call: FC D (248) 593-1309 Trott & Trott, P.C. Attorneys For Servicer 31440 Northwestern Highway, Suite 200 Farmington Hills, Michigan 48334-2525 File #367213F04 (11-29)(12-20) 77572639 NOTICE OF MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE SALE THIS FIRM IS ATTEMPTING TO COLLECT A DEBT. ANY INFORMATION WE OBTAIN WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE. MORTGAGE SALE: Default having been made in the conditions of certain Mortgage made by JUDITH L. MILAN, a single woman, of 1270 Norway Avenue, Hastings, MI 49058, to THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, acting through Rural Development, United States Department of Agriculture, with its Office being located at 4300 Goodfellow Blvd., Building 105, FC215, St. Louis, MO, 63120, the Mortgagee, the Mortgage being dated May 8, 1996, and recorded May 10, 1996, in Liber 659, Page 988 in Barry County Records, and the borrower having assumed a mortgage between ARCHIE L. LEATHERMAN and THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, acting through Rural Development, United States Department of Agriculture, the Mortgage being dated May 3, 1993 in Liber 570, Page 865, Barry County Records, such Mortgage being given to secure Promissory Note payable to the Government, and by reason of such default the Mortgagee elects to declare the entire unpaid amount of such Mortgage due and payable forthwith, on which Mortgage there is claimed to be due as of December 6, 2012, for principal, interest and other charges, the sum of SIXTY NINE THOUSAND, NINE HUNDRED EIGHTY-SIX AND 92/100 ($69,986.92) DOLLARS, and no proceedings having been instituted at law or equity to recover the debt now remaining secured by said Mortgage, or any part thereof, whereby the power of sale contained in said Mortgage has become operative; Now, Therefore, Notice is Hereby Given that by virtue of the power of sale contained in said Mortgage and in pursuance of the statute of the State of Michigan in such case made and provided, the said Mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the premises therein described, or so much thereof as may be necessary, at public auction, to the highest bidder, at the east steps of the County Courthouse at 220 W. STATE STREET, in the City of Hastings, County of Barry, Michigan, that being the place of holding the Circuit Court in and for said County, on THURSDAY, JANUARY 17, 2013 at 1:00 p.m., local time, and said premises will be sold to pay the amount due as aforesaid on the Mortgage together with 6.75% interest, legal costs, attorneys' fees and also any taxes and insurance that said Mortgagee does pay on or prior to the date of said sale; which said premises described in said Mortgage are situated in the State of Michigan, Barry County and are described as: A parcel of land in the Southwest onequarter of Section 2, T3N, R9W, Described as: Beginning at the Southeast corner of Lot 70 of the Plat of Smith’s Lakeview Estate No. 1 as recorded in Liber 5 of Plats, Page 2 in County Records, and running thence North 00 degrees 08 minutes East 109.48’ to the Southernmost corner of Lot 65 of said Plat; thence North 49 degrees 51 minutes East 167.19’ to the Easternmost corner of said Lot 65; thence South 40 degrees 09 minutes East 100’; thence South 49 degrees 51 minutes West 219.31’; thence North 88 degrees 42 minutes 30 seconds West 24.90’ to the POB. Being a part of outlot L. Rights of the public and of any governmental unit in any part thereof taken used or deeded for street, road or highway purposes. Right of way in favor of Consumers Power Company, recorded in Liber 356, Page 354, and in Liber 356, on page 520.

Right of way to Michigan Bell Telephone Company recorded in Liber 354, Page 329. Also described as: Lot 81, Amended Plat of Part of the Northwesterly Portion of Outlot E, Smith’s Lakeview Estates No. 1, according to the plat thereof recorded in Liber 6 of Plats, Page 46, Barry County Records. During the six (6) months immediately following the sale, the property may be redeemed unless the property is abandoned, in which case the redemption shall be thirty (30) days from the date of sale. According to MCL §600.3278, if the property is sold at a foreclosure sale, the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period.

For further information with regard to this foreclosure, contact USDA - Rural Development, Centralized Servicing Center, Foreclosure Centralization Initiative, 4300 Goodfellow Blvd., Building 105, FC-215, St. Louis, MO, 63120, telephone (800) 349-5097 ext. 4500. Dated: December 6, 2012 UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, acting through the Farmers Home Administration (now Rural Development), United States Department of Agriculture, Mortgagee Michael I. Conlon (P43954) Running, Wise, Ford, P.L.C. 326 E. State Street, P.O. Box 686 Traverse City, MI 49685-0686 (1206)(12-27) 77572892

Notice Of Mortgage Foreclosure Sale THIS FIRM IS A DEBT COLLECTOR ATTEMPTING TO COLLECT A DEBT. ANY INFORMATION WE OBTAIN WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE. PLEASE CONTACT OUR OFFICE AT THE NUMBER BELOW IF YOU ARE IN ACTIVE MILITARY DUTY. ATTN PURCHASERS: This sale may be rescinded by the foreclosing mortgagee. In that event, your damages, if any, shall be limited solely to the return of the bid amount tendered at sale, plus interest.

MORTGAGE SALE - Default has been made in the conditions of a mortgage made by Bonnie Clark a single woman, original mortgagor(s), to Great Lakes Mortgage Company, LLC, Mortgagee, dated May 21, 2003, and recorded on August 15, 2003 in instrument 1111025, and modified by Affidavit or Order received by and recorded, and assigned to Fifth Third Mortgage Company as further evidenced in a Affidavit Of Lost Assignment dated September 18, 2012 recorded on September 26, 2012 in instrument 2012-004994, in Barry county records, Michigan, on which mortgage there is claimed to be due at the date hereof the sum of Seventy Thousand Three Hundred Fifteen and 10/100 Dollars ($70,315.10).

Under the power of sale contained in said mortgage and the statute in such case made and provided, notice is hereby given that said mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at public vendue, at the place of holding the circuit court within Barry County, at 1:00 PM, on December 20, 2012.

Said premises are situated in City of Hastings, Barry County, Michigan, and are described as: Lot 44 of The Andrews Addition to the City, formerly Village of Hastings, according to the recorded plat thereof The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCLA 600.3241a, in which case the redemption period shall be 30 days from the date of such sale.

If the property is sold at foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 of the Revised Judicature Act of 1961, pursuant to MCL 600.3278 the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period.

Dated: November 22, 2012 For more information, please call: FC J (248) 593-1311 Trott & Trott, P.C. Attorneys For Servicer 31440 Northwestern Highway, Suite 200 Farmington Hills, Michigan 48334-2525 File #402153F01 (11-22)(12-13) 77572515

Notice Of Mortgage Foreclosure Sale THIS FIRM IS A DEBT COLLECTOR ATTEMPTING TO COLLECT A DEBT. ANY INFORMATION WE OBTAIN WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE. PLEASE CONTACT OUR OFFICE AT THE NUMBER BELOW IF YOU ARE IN ACTIVE MILITARY DUTY. ATTN PURCHASERS: This sale may be rescinded by the foreclosing mortgagee. In that event, your damages, if any, shall be limited solely to the return of the bid amount tendered at sale, plus interest.

MORTGAGE SALE - Default has been made in the conditions of a mortgage made by Lena Thunder Aleman, a single woman, original mortgagor(s), to Charter One Bank, N.A., Mortgagee, dated May 5, 2005, and recorded on May 16, 2005 in instrument 1146513, in Barry county records, Michigan, on which mortgage there is claimed to be due at the date hereof the sum of One Hundred Twenty-Four Thousand One Hundred Eighty-Eight and 19/100 Dollars ($124,188.19).

Under the power of sale contained in said mortgage and the statute in such case made and provided, notice is hereby given that said mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at public vendue, at the place of holding the circuit court within Barry County, at 1:00 PM, on December 20, 2012.

Said premises are situated in Township of Assyria, Barry County, Michigan, and are described as: A parcel in the Northeast one quarter of Section 34, Town 1 North, Range 7 West described as: Commencing at the Southwest corner of the West one half of the East one half of the Northeast one quarter of said Section 34; thence East 440 feet 5 inches for place of beginning; thence North 495 feet 5 inches; thence East 219 feet 7 inches; thence South 495 feet 5 inches; thence West to place of beginning.

The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCLA 600.3241a, in which case the redemption period shall be 30 days from the date of such sale.

If the property is sold at foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 of the Revised Judicature Act of 1961, pursuant to MCL 600.3278 the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period.

Dated: November 22, 2012 For more information, please call: FC J (248) 593-1311 Trott & Trott, P.C. Attorneys For Servicer 31440 Northwestern Highway, Suite 200 Farmington Hills, Michigan 48334-2525 File #410702F01 77572521 (11-22)(12-13)

NOTICE OF MORTGAGE SALE FOSTER, SWIFT, COLLINS & SMITH, P.C. IS ATTEMPTING TO COLLECT A DEBT AND ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE. PLEASE CONTACT OUR OFFICE AT THE NUMBER BELOW IF A MORTGAGOR IS IN ACTIVE MILITARY DUTY. DEFAULT having been made in the conditions of a certain Mortgage made on April 24, 2008, by Michael P. Scott and Laura A. Scott, husband and wife, as Mortgagor, given by them to MainStreet Savings Bank, FSB, whose address is 629 West State Street, Hastings, Michigan 49058, as Mortgagee, and recorded on May 12, 2008, in the office of the Register of Deeds for Barry County, Michigan, in Instrument Number 20080512-0005083, which mortgage was assigned to Commercial Bank by an Assignment of Mortgage dated August 23, 2012, recorded on August 27, 2012, in Instrument Number 2012-003840, Barry County Records, on which Mortgage there is claimed to be due and unpaid, as of the date of this Notice, the sum of One Hundred Eighty-Eight Thousand Four Hundred Forty-Five and 38/100 Dollars ($188,445.38); and no suit or proceeding at law or in equity having been instituted to recover the debt or any part thereof secured by said Mortgage, and the power of sale in said Mortgage having become operative by reason of such default; NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on Thursday, January 3, 2012 at 1:00 o'clock in the afternoon, at the Barry County Courthouse in Hastings, Michigan, that being one of the places for holding the Circuit Court for Barry County, there will be offered for sale and sold to the highest bidder or bidders at public auction or venue for purposes of satisfying the amounts due and unpaid on said Mortgage, together with all allowable costs of sale and includable attorney fees, the lands and premises in said Mortgage mentioned and described as follows: LAND SITUATED IN THE TOWNSHIP OF CASTLETON, COUNTY OF BARRY, MICHIGAN, DESCRIBED AS: The North 436 feet of the West 500 feet of the Northwest quarter of the Northwest quarter of Section 12, Town 3 North, Range 7 West, excepting therefrom that part deeded to the Michigan Department of State Highways, as recorded in Liber 250 of Deeds, Page 531, and as recorded in Liber 250 of Deeds, Page 575, Castleton Township. Commonly known as: 954 N. M-66 Hwy, Nashville, Michigan 49073 Parcel Number: 08-05012-000-010-00 The period within which the above premises may be redeemed shall expire six (6) months from the date of sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with M.C.L.A. Sec. 600.3241a, in which case the redemption period shall be 30 days from the time of such sale. Dated: November 23, 2012 FOSTER, SWIFT, COLLINS & SMITH, P.C. COMMERCIAL BANK Benjamin J. Price of Hastings, Michigan, Mortgagee Attorneys for Mortgagee 313 S. Washington Square Lansing, 77572699 MI 48933 (517) 371-8253 (11-29)(12-20)

Notice Of Mortgage Foreclosure Sale THIS FIRM IS A DEBT COLLECTOR ATTEMPTING TO COLLECT A DEBT. ANY INFORMATION WE OBTAIN WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE. PLEASE CONTACT OUR OFFICE AT THE NUMBER BELOW IF YOU ARE IN ACTIVE MILITARY DUTY. ATTN PURCHASERS: This sale may be rescinded by the foreclosing mortgagee. In that event, your damages, if any, shall be limited solely to the return of the bid amount tendered at sale, plus interest.

MORTGAGE SALE - Default has been made in the conditions of a mortgage made by Chadwick M. Castine, a single man and Sharon Sinkler, a single woman, original mortgagor(s), to Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., Mortgagee, dated December 24, 2004, and recorded on December 29, 2004 in instrument 1139383, and assigned by said Mortgagee to Bank of America, N.A., successor by merger to BAC Home Loans Servicing, L.P. fka Countrywide Home Loans Servicing, L.P. as assignee as documented by an assignment, in Barry county records, Michigan, on which mortgage there is claimed to be due at the date hereof the sum of One Hundred Seven Thousand Four Hundred Sixteen and 75/100 Dollars ($107,416.75).

Under the power of sale contained in said mortgage and the statute in such case made and provided, notice is hereby given that said mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at public vendue, at the place of holding the circuit court within Barry County, at 1:00 PM, on January 3, 2013.

Said premises are situated in Township of Thornapple, Barry County, Michigan, and are described as: That part of the Northeast 1/4 of Section 22, Town 4 North, Range 10 West, described as: Commencing at the intersection of the centerline of Finkbeiner Road and the North line of said Section which is 748.40 feet North 88 degrees 53 minutes 45 seconds East for the North 1/4 corner of said Section; thence South 42 degrees 11 minutes 15 seconds East 410.00 feet along the centerline of Finkbeiner Road, thence South 47 degrees 48 minutes 45 seconds West 260.00 feet; thence North 42 degrees 11 minutes 15 seconds West 410.00 thence North 47 degrees 48 minutes 15 seconds East 260.00 feet to the place of beginning: Except that part of the Northeast 1/4 of Section 22, Town 4 North, Range 10 described as: Commencing at the North 1/4 corner of said Section; West thence North 88 degrees 53 minutes 45 seconds East 748.40 feet along the North line of said Section thence South 42 degrees 11 minutes 15 seconds East 256.0 feet along the centerline of Finkbeiner Road to the place of beginning; thence continuing South 42 degrees 11 minutes 15 seconds East 154.0 feet along centerline; thence South 47 degrees 48 minutes 45 seconds West 260.00 feet; thence North 42 degrees 11 minutes 15 seconds West 154.0 feet; thence North 47 degrees 48 minutes 45 seconds East 260.0 feet to the place of beginning. Subject to highway right of way for highway purposes over that part lying Northeasterly of a line which is 33 feet Southwesterly from and parallel with the centerline of Finkbeiner Road The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCLA 600.3241a, in which case the redemption period shall be 30 days from the date of such sale.

If the property is sold at foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 of the Revised Judicature Act of 1961, pursuant to MCL 600.3278 the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period.

Dated: December 6, 2012 For more information, please call: FC X (248) 593-1302 Trott & Trott, P.C. Attorneys For Servicer 31440 Northwestern Highway, Suite 200 Farmington Hills, Michigan 48334-2525 File #412369F01 (12-06)(12-27) 77572750

Notice Of Mortgage Foreclosure Sale THIS FIRM IS A DEBT COLLECTOR ATTEMPTING TO COLLECT A DEBT. ANY INFORMATION WE OBTAIN WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE. PLEASE CONTACT OUR OFFICE AT THE NUMBER BELOW IF YOU ARE IN ACTIVE MILITARY DUTY. ATTN PURCHASERS: This sale may be rescinded by the foreclosing mortgagee. In that event, your damages, if any, shall be limited solely to the return of the bid amount tendered at sale, plus interest.

MORTGAGE SALE - Default has been made in the conditions of a mortgage made by Douglas R. Baker and Melissa M. Baker, husband and wife, original mortgagor(s), to Washington Mutual Bank, FA, Mortgagee, dated April 27, 2007, and recorded on May 3, 2007 in instrument 1180067, and modified by Affidavit or Order executed on March 1, 2012 and recorded on March 29, 2012 in instrument 201203290003158, and assigned by said Mortgagee to JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association as assignee as documented by an assignment, in Barry county records, Michigan, on which mortgage there is claimed to be due at the date hereof the sum of Two Hundred Forty-Nine Thousand Nine Hundred Forty-Nine and 58/100 Dollars ($249,949.58).

Under the power of sale contained in said mortgage and the statute in such case made and provided, notice is hereby given that said mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at public vendue, at the place of holding the circuit court within Barry County, at 1:00 PM, on December 27, 2012.

Said premises are situated in Township of Orangeville, Barry County, Michigan, and are described as: Commencing at the North 1/4 post of Section 13, Town 2 North, Range 10 West; thence South 89 degrees 44 minutes 37 seconds East, on the North line of said section, 1322.10 feet to the North 1/8 post of the Northeast 1/4 of said Section 13; thence continuing South 89 degrees 44 minutes 37 seconds East on said North line 774.23 feet to the point of beginning of the parcel of land herein described; thence continuing South 89 degrees 44 minutes 37 seconds East, on said North line, 547.87 feet to the Northeast corner of said section; thence South 00 degrees 32 minutes 18 seconds West, on the East line of said Northeast 1/4, 1322.90 feet, to the East and West 1/8 line of the Northeast 1/4; thence North 89 degrees 26 minutes 27 seconds West, on said East-West 1/8 line, 1325.07 feet to the North and South 1/8 line of the Northeast 1/4; thence North 00 degrees 40 minutes 03 seconds East, on said 1/8 line, 75.18 feet; thence North 87 degrees 15 minutes 02 seconds East, along an existing fence line and tree row, 811.90 feet to a point about 10 feet West of an existing fence line and tree row; thence North 01 degrees 03 minutes 05 seconds West, parallel with said fence line and tree row, 1208.45 feet to the point of beginning.

The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCLA 600.3241a, in which case the redemption period shall be 30 days from the date of such sale.

If the property is sold at foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 of the Revised Judicature Act of 1961, pursuant to MCL 600.3278 the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period.

Dated: November 29, 2012 For more information, please call: FC S (248) 593-1304 Trott & Trott, P.C. Attorneys For Servicer 31440 Northwestern Highway, Suite 200 Farmington Hills, Michigan 48334-2525 File #329971F02 (11-29)(12-20) 77572767

IF YOU ARE NOW ON ACTIVE MILITARY DUTY OR HAVE BEEN IN THE PRIOR NINE MONTHS, PLEASE CONTACT OUR OFFICE AT 248-502-1502.

MORTGAGE SALE - Default has been made in the conditions of a mortgage made by Warren Searles, Charlotte Searles, husband and wife and Thomas J. Alvey and Christina N. Alvey, husband and wife, to Fifth Third Mortgage - MI, LLC, Mortgagee, dated August 10, 2005 and recorded October 20, 2005 in Instrument Number 1154900, and , Barry County Records, Michigan. Said mortgage is now held by Fifth Third Mortgage Company by assignment. There is claimed to be due at the date hereof the sum of One Hundred Nine Thousand Eighty-Five and 59/100 Dollars ($109,085.59) including interest at 6.25% per annum.

Under the power of sale contained in said mortgage and the statute in such case made and provided, notice is hereby given that said mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at public vendue at the Barry County Circuit Courthouse in Hastings, Michigan in Barry County, Michigan at 1:00 PM on JANUARY 3, 2013.

Said premises are located in the Township of Hope, Barry County, Michigan, and are described as: The land referred to is situated in the Township of Hope, County of Barry, State of Michigan, is described as follows:Parcel C: That part of the South 64 rods of the Southeast 1/4 of the Southeast 1/4 of Section 27, Town 2 North, Range 9 West, described as: Commencing at the Southeast corner of said Section 27; thence North 88 degrees 59 minutes 06 seconds West on the South Section line 867.54 feet; thence North 0 degrees 31 minutes 30 seconds East 534.59 feet; thence North 3 degrees 03 minutes 18 seconds East 30.26 feet to the Place of Beginning of the parcel of land herein described; thence North 3 degrees 03 minutes 18 seconds East 491.48 feet; thence South 88 degrees 59 minutes 06 seconds East parallel to the South Section line 481.53 feet; thence South 1 degree 15 minutes 00 seconds West 491.40 feet; thence North 88 degrees 59 minutes 06 seconds West parallel to the South section line 498.34 feet to the Place of Beginning. Together with and subject to an easement for ingress, egress and public utilities over a 66 foot wide strip of land the centerline of said easement being described as commencing at the Southeast corner of said Section 27, thence North 88 degrees 59 minutes 06 seconds West 867.54 feet to the Point of Beginning of said easement; thence the centerline of said easement runs North 0 degrees 31 minutes 30 seconds East 534.59 feet; thence North 3 degrees 03 minutes 18 seconds East 250.56 feet to the Point of Beginning.

The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCLA §600.3241a, in which case the redemption period shall be 30 days from the date of such sale. TO ALL PURCHASERS: The foreclosing mortgagee can rescind the sale. In that event, your damages, if any, are limited solely to the return of the bid amount tendered at sale, plus interest.

If the property is sold at foreclosure sale, pursuant to MCL 600.3278, the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damage to the property during the redemption period.

If you are a tenant in the property, please contact our office as you may have certain rights.

Dated: December 6, 2012 Orlans Associates, P.C..

Attorneys for Servicer P.O. Box 5041 Troy, MI 48007 File No. 12-510737 (12-06)(12-27) 77572910

FORECLOSURE NOTICE This firm is a debt collector attempting to collect a debt. Any information obtained will be used for this purpose. If you are in the Military, please contact our office at the number listed below. MORTGAGE SALE – Default has been made in the conditions of a certain mortgage made by: Robert Frisbie and Terry Frisbie, Husband and Wife to HouseHold Finance Corporation III, Mortgagee, dated August 14, 2007 and recorded August 22, 2007 in Instrument # 20070822-0001177 Barry County Records, Michigan on which mortgage there is claimed to be due at the date hereof the sum of Two Hundred Ninety-Six Thousand Eight Hundred SixtyOne Dollars and Seventy-Seven Cents ($296,861.77) including interest 10.189% per annum. Under the power of sale contained in said mortgage and the statute in such case made and provided, notice is hereby given that said mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at public vendue, Circuit Court of Barry County at 1:00PM on December 20, 2012 Said premises are situated in Township of Rutland, Barry County, Michigan, and are described as: That part of the South one-half of the Northwest one-quarter, Section 23, Town 3 North, Range 9 West, Rutland Township, Barry County, Michigan, described as: Beginning at the center of said section; thence North 89 degrees 49 minutes 30 seconds West 400.0 feet along the South line of said Northwest one-quarter; thence North 00 degrees 00 minutes 01 seconds East 1310.04 feet; thence South 89 degrees 37 minutes 30 seconds East 400.0 feet along the North line of said South onehalf, Northwest one-quarter ; thence South 00 degrees 00 minutes 00 seconds West 1308.64 feet along the East line of said Northwest one-quarter to the Place of beginning. Subject to highway right of way for Yeckly Road. Commonly known as 2520 Yeckley Road, Hastings MI 49058 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCL 600.3241 or MCL 600.3241a, in which case the redemption period shall be 30 days from the date of such sale, or upon the expiration of the notice required by MCL 600.3241a(c), whichever is later; or unless MCL 600.3240(17) applies. If the property is sold at foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 of the Revised Judicature Act of 1961, under MCL 600.3278, the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. Dated: 11/22/2012 HouseHold Finance Corporation III Mortgagee Attorneys: Potestivo & Associates, P.C. 811 South Blvd. Suite 100 Rochester Hills, MI 48307 (248) 844-5123 Our File 06795984 No: 12-71233 (11-22)(12-13)

AS A DEBT COLLECTOR, WE ARE ATTEMPTING TO COLLECT A DEBT AND ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE. NOTIFY US AT THE NUMBER BELOW IF YOU ARE IN ACTIVE MILITARY DUTY. MORTGAGE SALE - Default having been made in the terms and conditions of a certain mortgage made by ELMER L HOLBROOK, JR. , A SINGLE MAN, Mortgagors, to Bank of America NA, Mortgagee, dated the 12th day of June, 2006 and recorded in the office of the Register of Deeds, for The County of Barry and State of Michigan, on the 16th day of June, 2006 in Liber Instrument No. 1166074 of Barry County Records, page , said Mortgage having been assigned to Green Tree Servicing LLC on which mortgage there is claimed to be due, at the date of this notice, the sum of Ninety Three Thousand Two Hundred Eleven & 41/100 ($93,211.41), and no suit or proceeding at law or in equity having been instituted to recover the debt secured by said mortgage or any part thereof. Now, therefore, by virtue of the power of sale contained in said mortgage, and pursuant to statute of the State of Michigan in such case made and provided, notice is hereby given that on the 3rd day of January, 2013 at 1:00 PM o’clock Local Time, said mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale at public auction, to the highest bidder, at the Barry County Courthouse in Hastings, MI (that being the building where the Circuit Court for the County of Barry is held), of the premises described in said mortgage, or so much thereof as may be necessary to pay the amount due, as aforesaid on said mortgage, with interest thereon at 7.125% per annum and all legal costs, charges, and expenses, including the attorney fees allowed by law, and also any sum or sums which may be paid by the undersigned, necessary to protect its interest in the premises. Which said premises are described as follows: All that certain piece or parcel of land, including any and all structures, and homes, manufactured or otherwise, located thereon, situated in the Township of Castleton, County of Barry, State of Michigan, and described as follows, to wit: THE EAST 51 FEET OF LOT NUMBER 69 OF 0. A. PHILLIPS ADDITION TO THE VILLAGE OF NASHVILLE, ACCORDING TO THE RECORDED PLAT THEREOF, ALSO, A PARCEL OF LAND DESCRIBED AS: COMMENCING AT THE NORTHEAST CORNER OF LOT 69 OF 0. A. PHILLIPS ADDITION TO THE VILLAGE OF NASHVILLE FOR THE PLACE OF BEGINNING; THENCE WEST 51 FEET; THENCE NORTH TO THE SOUTH BANK OF THE THORNAPPLE RIVER; THENCE EAST ALONG THE BANK OF THE THORNAPPLE RIVER TO A POINT NORTH OF THE PLACE OF BEGINNING; THENCE SOUTH TO THE POINT OF BEGINNING. ALSO, A PARCEL OF LAND DESCRIBED AS COMMENCING AT A POINT WHICH LIES 232 FEET EAST OF THE SOUTHWEST CORNER OF LOT 67 OF 0. A. PHILLIPS ADDITION TO THE VILLAGE OF NASHVILLE FOR THE PLACE OF BEGINNING; THENCE EAST 53 FEET; THENCE NORTH TO THE SOUTH BANK OF THE THORNAPPLE RIVER; THENCE WEST 53 FEET; THENCE SOUTH TO THE PLACE OF BEGINNING During the six (6) months immediately following the sale, the property may be redeemed, except that in the event that the property is determined to be abandoned pursuant to MCLA 600.3241a, the property may be redeemed during 30 days immediately following the sale. Pursuant to MCLA 600.3278, the mortgagor(s) will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. Dated: 12/6/2012 Green Tree Servicing LLC Mortgagee FABRIZIO & BROOK, P.C. Attorney for Green Tree Servicing LLC 888 W. Big Beaver, Suite 800 Troy, Ml 48084 248-362-2600 GTSD FNMA HolbrookElm 77572873 (12-06)(12-27)

The Hastings Banner — Thursday, December 13, 2012 — Page 11

LEGAL NOTICES GERNER & KEARNS, PLLC, IS A DEBT COLLECTOR ATTEMPTING TO COLLECT A DEBT. ANY INFORMATION WE OBTAIN WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE. PLEASE CONTACT OUR OFFICE AT (216) 583-0660 IF YOU ARE IN ACTIVE MILITARY DUTY. This sale may be rescinded by the foreclosing mortgagee. MORTGAGE SALE – Default has been made in the conditions of a mortgage made by Ileta L. Campbell, A Single Woman, Martin O. Disbrow and Denise Ann Disbrow, Husband and Wife, to Fifth Third Bank, Mortgagee, dated February 27, 2008, and recorded on March 14, 2008, in Instrument Number 200803140002391, in BARRY County Records, Michigan, on which mortgage there is claimed to be due at the date hereof the sum of Eighty Six Thousand Nine Hundred Seventy Seven Dollars and Twenty Eight Cents ($86,977.28), including interest at 4.2% per annum. Under the power of sale contained in said mortgage and the statute in such case made and provided, notice is hereby given that said mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at public venue, at the place of holding the circuit court within BARRY County, Michigan at 1:00 PM o’clock, on Thursday, January 17, 2013. Said premises are located in BARRY County, Michigan and are described as: City of Hastings, County of Barry, State of Michigan: The South 1/2 of Lot 73 of the original plat of the city, formerly village of Hastings, according to the recorded plat thereof.

Property Address: 211 South Market Street Hastings, Michigan 49058 Tax ID No. 55-001-24700 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCL 600.3241a, in which case the redemption period shall be 30 days from the date of such sale. If this property is sold at foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 of the Revised Judicature Act of 1961, pursuant to MCL 600.3278, the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. Fifth Third Bank (Western Michigan) Mortgagee/Assignee Gerner & Kearns, PLLC 526 Superior Avenue East, Suite 630 Cleveland, OH 44114 (12-13)(01-03) 77573126

Notice Of Mortgage Foreclosure Sale THIS FIRM IS A DEBT COLLECTOR ATTEMPTING TO COLLECT A DEBT. ANY INFORMATION WE OBTAIN WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE. PLEASE CONTACT OUR OFFICE AT THE NUMBER BELOW IF YOU ARE IN ACTIVE MILITARY DUTY. ATTN PURCHASERS: This sale may be rescinded by the foreclosing mortgagee. In that event, your damages, if any, shall be limited solely to the return of the bid amount tendered at sale, plus interest.

MORTGAGE SALE - Default has been made in the conditions of a mortgage made by Donald J. Daldos and Janice M. Daldos, husband and wife as joint tenants, original mortgagor(s), to Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., Mortgagee, dated November 10, 2004, and recorded on November 23, 2004 in instrument 1137660, and assigned by said Mortgagee to Bank of America, N.A., successor by merger to BAC Home Loans Servicing, L.P. fka Countrywide Home Loans Servicing, L.P. as assignee as documented by an assignment, in Barry county records, Michigan, on which mortgage there is claimed to be due at the date hereof the sum of One Hundred Thirty-Seven Thousand Five Hundred Sixty-Four and 35/100 Dollars ($137,564.35).

Under the power of sale contained in said mortgage and the statute in such case made and provided, notice is hereby given that said mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at public vendue, at the place of holding the circuit court within Barry County, at 1:00 PM, on December 20, 2012.

Said premises are situated in Township of Baltimore, Barry County, Michigan, and are described as: Parcel B: That part of the Southeast 1/4 of Section 14, Town 2 North, Range 8 West, described as: Commencing at the East 1/4 corner of said Section; thence South 00 degrees 00 minutes 00 seconds West 659.50 feet along the East line of said Southeast 1/4 to the place of beginning; thence South 00 degrees 00 minutes 00 seconds West 329.75 feet; thence South 89 degrees 41 minutes 11 seconds West 1306.24 feet; thence North 00 degrees 18 minutes 32 seconds East 329.92 feet along the West line of the Northeast 1/4 of said Southeast 1/4; thence North 89 degrees 41 minutes 36 seconds East 1304.76 feet to the place of beginning. Subject to highway rights of way for Charlton Park Road The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCLA 600.3241a, in which case the redemption period shall be 30 days from the date of such sale.

If the property is sold at foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 of the Revised Judicature Act of 1961, pursuant to MCL 600.3278 the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period.

Dated: November 22, 2012 For more information, please call: FC X (248) 593-1302 Trott & Trott, P.C. Attorneys For Servicer 31440 Northwestern Highway, Suite 200 Farmington Hills, Michigan 48334-2525 File #413865F01 (11-22)(12-13) 77572509

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Call 945-9554 for more information.

Synopsis ORANGEVILLE TOWNSHIP BOARD MEETING December 4, 2012 Meeting called to order at 7:00. All board members present.

Approved minutes from the November 13, 2012 meeting.

Treasurer’s report read and put on file.

Fire report read and put on file.

County Commissioners report read.

Library and Parks and Recreation report read.

Public Comment received.

Approved the 2013 calendar.

Approved paying of the bills in the amount of $27,984.95.

Approved meeting with the Barry County Road Commission on February 5, 2013.

Approved motion to adjourn.

Respectfully submitted, Jennifer Goy, Clerk Attested to by Thomas Rook, Supervisor 77572965

NOTICE OF JUDICIAL FORECLOSURE SALE THIS FIRM IS A DEBT COLLECTOR ATTEMPTING TO COLLECT A DEBT. ANY INFORMATION WE OBTAIN WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE. PLEASE CONTACT OUR OFFICE IF YOU ARE A BORROWER ON ACTIVE MILITARY DUTY ATTENTION PURCHASERS: This sale may be rescinded by the circuit court at the request of the plaintiff. In that event, your damages, if any, shall be limited solely to the return of the bid amount tendered at sale, plus interest, as determined by the court. Barry County Circuit Court Case No. 10-618CH NOTICE OF JUDICIAL SALE JUDICIAL SALE IN PURSUANCE and by virtue of Judgment(s) and/or Order(s) of foreclosure in the Circuit Court for the County of Barry, State of Michigan, made and entered on the 12th day of January, 2012, in a certain cause therein pending, wherein HSBC Mortgage Services, Inc. was the Plaintiff and Jeff Schantz was the defendant. The aforementioned Judgment(s) and/or Order(s) established a debt owing to Plaintiff in the amount of $127,979.10, plus post-judgment interest at an annual rate of 8.125% and other amounts recoverable pursuant to said Judgment(s) and/or Order(s). NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that in order to satisfy said Judgment(s) and/or Order(s), in whole or in part, the property described below shall be sold at public auction, by an authorized sheriff / deputy sheriff or county Clerk/Deputy county Clerk, to the highest bidder, at the Circuit Court for the County of Barry, on the 24th of January, 2013 at 1:00 PM, local time. On said day at said time, the following described property shall be sold: property located in the City of Hastings, County of Barry, State of Michigan, particularly described as The West 1/2 of Lots 1302 and 1303 of the City, Formerly Village of Hastings, according to the recorded plat thereof.. Tax Parcel ID: 08-55-201-447-00 More commonly known as: 227 W South St, REDEMPTION PERIOD IS SIX MONTHS. For more information please call 248.642.2515. Trott & Trott, P.C. Attorneys for Plaintiff 31440 Northwestern Highway, Suite 200 Farmington Hills, MI 48334-2525 T# 329389L02 (12-06)(01-10) 77572736

IF YOU ARE NOW ON ACTIVE MILITARY DUTY OR HAVE BEEN IN THE PRIOR NINE MONTHS, PLEASE CONTACT OUR OFFICE AT 248-502-1400.

MORTGAGE SALE - Default has been made in the conditions of a mortgage made by Judy McMillan and Ronald McMillan wife and husband, to Centex Home Equity Company, LLC, Mortgagee, dated October 26, 2005 and recorded November 9, 2005 in Instrument Number 1156026, Barry County Records, Michigan. Said mortgage is now held by Deutsche Bank National Trust Company, as Trustee for Soundview Home Loan Trust 2006-2 by assignment. There is claimed to be due at the date hereof the sum of One Hundred Seventy-Six Thousand Seven Hundred Eleven and 50/100 Dollars ($176,711.50) including interest at 8.8% per annum.

Under the power of sale contained in said mortgage and the statute in such case made and provided, notice is hereby given that said mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at public vendue at the Barry County Circuit Courthouse in Hastings, Michigan in Barry County, Michigan at 1:00 p.m. on 01/03/2013.

Said premises are located in the Township of Assyria, Barry County, Michigan, and are described as: The following described premises situated in the Township of Assyria, County of Barry and State of Michigan: The Northeast 1/4 of the Northeast 1/4 of Section 15, Town 1 North, Range 7 West.

EXCEPT: The North 544.5 feet of the East 400 feet of the Northeast 1/4 of the Northeast 1/4 of Section 15, Town 1 North, Range 7 West.

Subject to an easement for public highway purposes over the Northerly 33 feet thereof for Cox Road, and over the Easterly 33 feet thereof for Guy Road.

This property may be located within the vicinity of farm land or farm operation. Generally accepted agricultural and management practices which may generate noise, dust, odors, and other associated conditions may be used and are protected by the Michigan Right to Farm Act. The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCLA §600.3241a, in which case the redemption period shall be 30 days from the date of such sale. TO ALL PURCHASERS: The foreclosing mortgagee can rescind the sale. In that event, your damages, if any, are limited solely to the return of the bid amount tendered at sale, plus interest.

If the property is sold at foreclosure sale, pursuant to MCL 600.3278, the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damage to the property during the redemption period.

If you are a tenant in the property, please contact our office as you may have certain rights.

Dated: December 6, 2012 Orlans Associates, P.C. Attorneys for Servicer P.O. Box 5041 Troy, MI 48007-5041 File No. 306.4731 (12-06)(12-27) 77572885

STATE OF MICHIGAN PROBATE COURT COUNTY OF BARRY NOTICE TO CREDITORS Decedent’s Estate FILE NO. 12-26236 DE Estate of Carolyn Jean Ragucky, deceased.

Date of birth: March 2, 1930.

TO ALL CREDITORS: NOTICE TO CREDITORS: The decedent, Carolyn Jean Ragucky, who lived at 708 West Hickory Road, Battle Creek, Michigan died October 2, 2012.

Creditors of the decedent are notified that all claims against the estate will be forever barred unless presented to Shayne M. Meder, named personal representative, or proposed personal representative, or to both the probate court at 206 W. Court Street, Suite 302, Hastings and the named/proposed personal representative within 4 months after the date of publication of this notice.

Date: December 4, 2012 Vandervoort, Christ & Fisher, P.C. By: Nelson Karre P27639 70 W. Michigan Avenue, Suite 450 Battle Creek, MI 49017 269-965-7000 Shayne M. Meder 121 Adams Ave. 77572924 Riverside, CA 92518

SYNOPSIS RUTLAND CHARTER TOWNSHIP REGULAR BOARD MEETING NOVEMBER 14, 2012 -7:30 P.M. Regular meeting called to order and Pledge of Allegiance.

Present: Greenfield, Lee, Carr, Bellmore, Hawthorne, Hanshaw, Flint.

Approved the Agenda as presented.

Approved the Consent Agenda as presented.

Reappointed township library board representative, Nancy Topp.

Reappointed Hawthorne and Hanshaw to Zoning Board of Appeals Forgave an erroneous summer tax bill on a taxexempt cable company.

Approved a contract with Green Gables Haven in the amount of $3,000.

2013 Budget Public Hearing was held.

Approved the 2013 Budget as presented.

Approved the BCEDA request for financial support in the amount of $2,500.

Approved the MTA membership.

Approved the Intergovernmental Agreement letter.

Approved and authorize the Supervisor and Clerk to execute the Rutland Charter Township-City of Hastings Urban Services and Economic Development Agreement.

Meeting Adjourned at 9:22p.m.

Respectfully submitted, Robin Hawthorne, Clerk Attested to by, Jim Carr, Supervisor www.rutlandtownship.org 77573074

MORTGAGE SALE This is an attempt to collect a debt, and any information obtained will be used for that purpose.

Please contact our office at the number below if you are in active military duty.

Default has occurred in the conditions of a mortgage made by RONALD K. HARNEY and JODI L. HARNEY, husband and wife, Mortgagors, to INDEPENDENT MORTGAGE CO. WEST MI, with offices at 4200 East Beltline, Grand Rapids, MI 49525, Mortgagee, dated January 8, 2007 and recorded January 9, 2007 in Instrument No. 1174850 and Modification Agreement recorded in Instrument No. 201004190004052 of Mortgages, Page which was assigned to INDEPENDENT BANK of 4200 East Beltline, Grand Rapids, Michigan, by Assignment recorded in Instrument No. 2012-005873. By reason of such default the undersigned elects to declare the entire unpaid amount of said mortgage due and payable forthwith.

At the date of this Notice there is claimed to be due for principal and interest on said mortgage the sum of ONE HUNDRED SIXTEEN THOUSAND THREE and 14/100 ($116,003.14) dollars including interest at the rate of 5.0% per annum. No suit or proceeding at law has been instituted to recover the debt secured by said mortgage or any part thereof.

Notice is hereby given that by virtue of the power of sale contained in said mortgage and the statute in such case made and provided and to pay said amount with interest as provided in said mortgage, and all legal costs, charges, and expenses, including attorney fees allowed by law, said mortgage will be foreclosed by sale of the mortgaged premises at public vendue to the highest bidder at the east door of the Barry County Courthouse, the place of holding the Circuit Court within the County of Barry, City of Hastings, Michigan, on January 17, 2013, at 1:00 p.m., local time.

Pursuant to Public Act No. 104, Public Acts of 1971, MCLA 600.3240, MSA 27A.3240, the redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of the foreclosure sale, unless the property is determined to be abandoned under MCLA 600.3241a; MSA 27A.3241(1), in which case the property may be redeemed during the 30 days immediately following the sale or expiration of statutory notice period.

The premises covered by said mortgage are situated in the Township of Castleton, County of Barry, State of Michigan, described as follows, to wit: Beginning at a point on the East and West 1/4 line of Section 33, Town 3 North, Range 7 West, Castleton Township, Barry County, Michigan, distant South 89 degrees 51'07" East 218.82 feet from the West 1/4 corner of said section; thence North 00 degrees 03'57" West 305.27 feet; thence South 89 degrees 51'07" East 325.84 feet (also described as 325.64 feet); thence South 00 degrees 03'57" East 305.27 feet to said East and West 1/4 line; thence North 89 degrees 51'07" West 325.64 feet along said 1/4 line to the point of beginning. Except and subject to an easement for public highway purposes for Highway M-79 (formerly Scott Road) as described in the document in Liber 238 of Deeds on Page 77.

INDEPENDENT BANK, Assignee of INDEPENDENT MORTGAGE CO. WEST MI SCHENK, BONCHER & RYPMA Curtis D. Rypma P44421 601 Three Mile Road, N.W. Grand Rapids, MI 49544-1601 (616) 647-8277 77572899

Notice Of Mortgage Foreclosure Sale THIS FIRM IS A DEBT COLLECTOR ATTEMPTING TO COLLECT A DEBT. ANY INFORMATION WE OBTAIN WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE. PLEASE CONTACT OUR OFFICE AT THE NUMBER BELOW IF YOU ARE IN ACTIVE MILITARY DUTY. ATTN PURCHASERS: This sale may be rescinded by the foreclosing mortgagee. In that event, your damages, if any, shall be limited solely to the return of the bid amount tendered at sale, plus interest.

MORTGAGE SALE - Default has been made in the conditions of a mortgage made by Diana Marie Peters, a single woman, original mortgagor(s), to Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., Mortgagee, dated January 10, 2003, and recorded on January 22, 2003 in instrument 1096042, and assigned by said Mortgagee to Flagstar Bank, FSB as assignee as documented by an assignment, in Barry county records, Michigan, on which mortgage there is claimed to be due at the date hereof the sum of Fifty-Six Thousand Two Hundred Thirty-One and 43/100 Dollars ($56,231.43).

Under the power of sale contained in said mortgage and the statute in such case made and provided, notice is hereby given that said mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at public vendue, at the place of holding the circuit court within Barry County, at 1:00 PM, on December 20, 2012.

Said premises are situated in Township of Orangeville, Barry County, Michigan, and are described as: Lot 69, Lynden Johncock Plat #1, according to the recorded Plat thereof, as recorded in Liber 3 of Plats on Page 93.

The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCLA 600.3241a, in which case the redemption period shall be 30 days from the date of such sale.

If the property is sold at foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 of the Revised Judicature Act of 1961, pursuant to MCL 600.3278 the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period.

Dated: November 22, 2012 For more information, please call: FC J (248) 593-1311 Trott & Trott, P.C. Attorneys For Servicer 31440 Northwestern Highway, Suite 200 Farmington Hills, Michigan 48334-2525 File #402486F03 (11-22)(12-13) 77572606 NOTICE OF MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE SALE This firm is a debt collector attempting to collect a debt. Any information we obtain will be used for that purpose.

Default has occurred in the conditions of a mortgage made by DAVID A. GAIKEMA and MARY ELLEN GAIKEMA, husband and wife (collectively, "Mortgagor"), to SAND RIDGE BANK, an Indiana corporation, of PO Box 598, Schereville, Indiana 46375, dated April 23, 2004, and recorded in the office of the Register of Deeds for Barry County, Michigan on April 28, 2004, as instrument number 1126578 (the “Mortgage”). First Financial Bank, N.A., a national association, of 300 High Street, PO Box 476, Hamilton, Ohio 45011-0476, was the successor by consolidation to Sand Ridge Bank, and subsequently assigned the Mortgage to CHEMICAL BANK, a Michigan banking corporation, having an office at 333 E. Main Street, Midland, Michigan 48640-6511 (the "Mortgagee"), pursuant to the terms of a Branch Purchase and Assumption Agreement dated May 11, 2006, and a Bill of Sale dated August 18, 2006, evidence of which will be placed of record prior to the date of sale (the "Mortgage"). By reason of such default, the Mortgagee elects to declare and hereby declares the entire unpaid amount of the Mortgage due and payable forthwith. Mortgagee is the owner of the indebtedness secured by the Mortgage.

As of the date of this Notice there is claimed to be due for principal and interest on the Mortgage the sum of Two Hundred Sixty-Three Thousand Three Hundred Forty and 96/100 Dollars ($263,340.96). No suit or proceeding at law has been instituted to recover the debt secured by the Mortgage or any part thereof.

Notice is hereby given that by virtue of the power of sale contained in the Mortgage and the statute in such case made and provided, and to pay the above amount, with interest, as provided in the Mortgage, and all legal costs, charges and expenses, including the attorney fee allowed by law, and all taxes and insurance premiums paid by the undersigned before sale, the Mortgage will be foreclosed by sale of the mortgaged premises at public vendue to the highest bidder at the east entrance of the Barry County Courthouse in Hastings, Michigan on Thursday the 10th day of January, 2013, at one o’clock in the afternoon. The premises covered by the Mortgage are situated in the Township of Yankee Springs, County of Barry, State of Michigan, and are described as follows: Lot 22 of Ritchie Woodlands, according to the recorded plat thereof; also commencing on the East line of Beatrice Avenue of the Plat of Ritchie Woodlands, 33 feet Easterly from the North lot line of Lot 22; thence Easterly parallel with said North lot line 100 feet; thence Southerly parallel with East line of Beatrice Avenue 50 feet; thence Westerly parallel with the South line of Lot No. 22, 100 feet to Beatrice Avenue; thence Northerly 50 feet to beginning, being a part of the Southwest 1/4 of the Southeast 1/4 of Section 28, Town 3 North, Range 10 West.

Together with all the improvements erected on the real estate, and all easements, appurtenances, and fixtures a part of the property, and all replacements and additions.

Commonly known as: 2926 Beatrice Avenue, Middleville, Michigan 49333 P.P. #08-016-190-014-00 Notice is further given that the length of the redemption period will be six (6) months from the date of sale, unless the premises are abandoned. If the premises are abandoned, the redemption period will be the later of thirty (30) days from the date of the sale or upon expiration of fifteen (15) days after the Mortgagor is given notice pursuant to MCLA §600.3241a(b) that the premises are considered abandoned and Mortgagor, Mortgagor's heirs, executor, or administrator, or a person lawfully claiming from or under one (1) of them has not given the written notice required by MCLA §600.3241a(c) stating that the premises are not abandoned.

If the premises are sold at a foreclosure sale, under MCLA §600.3278 the Mortgagor will be held responsible to the person who buys the premises at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the Mortgagee for damaging the premises during the redemption period.

Dated: November 29, 2012 CHEMICAL BANK Mortgagee Timothy Hillegonds WARNER NORCROSS & JUDD LLP 900 Fifth Third Center 111 Lyon Street, N.W. Grand Rapids, MI 49503-2487 (616) 752-2000 8730529-1 77572689

Notice Of Mortgage Foreclosure Sale THIS FIRM IS A DEBT COLLECTOR ATTEMPTING TO COLLECT A DEBT. ANY INFORMATION WE OBTAIN WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE. PLEASE CONTACT OUR OFFICE AT THE NUMBER BELOW IF YOU ARE IN ACTIVE MILITARY DUTY. ATTN PURCHASERS: This sale may be rescinded by the foreclosing mortgagee. In that event, your damages, if any, shall be limited solely to the return of the bid amount tendered at sale, plus interest.

MORTGAGE SALE - Default has been made in the conditions of a mortgage made by Lisa Stocks, unmarried, original mortgagor(s), to Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as nominee for lender and lender's successors and/or assigns, Mortgagee, dated November 8, 2007, and recorded on January 17, 2008 in instrument 200801170000545, and assigned by said Mortgagee to Wells Fargo Bank, NA as assignee as documented by an assignment, in Barry county records, Michigan, on which mortgage there is claimed to be due at the date hereof the sum of Ninety-Seven Thousand Three Hundred Seventy-Five and 88/100 Dollars ($97,375.88).

Under the power of sale contained in said mortgage and the statute in such case made and provided, notice is hereby given that said mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at public vendue, at the place of holding the circuit court within Barry County, at 1:00 PM, on January 10, 2013.

Said premises are situated in Charter Township of Hastings, Barry County, Michigan, and are described as: Lots 45 and 46, Melody Acres, according to the plat thereof recorded in Liber 5 of Plats, Page 21, Barry County Records.

The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCLA 600.3241a, in which case the redemption period shall be 30 days from the date of such sale.

If the property is sold at foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 of the Revised Judicature Act of 1961, pursuant to MCL 600.3278 the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period.

Dated: December 13, 2012 For more information, please call: FC D (248) 593-1309 Trott & Trott, P.C. Attorneys For Servicer 31440 Northwestern Highway, Suite 200 Farmington Hills, Michigan 48334-2525 File #216699F03 (12-13)(01-03) 77573121 NOTICE OF MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE SALE This firm is a debt collector attempting to collect a debt. Any information we obtain will be used for that purpose.

Default has occurred in the conditions of a mortgage made by CARL D. MILLER and THERESA M. MILLER, husband and wife (collectively, "Mortgagor"), to FIRST FINANCIAL BANK, NA, a national association, of 300 High Street, PO Box 476, Hamilton, Ohio 45011-0467, dated February 27, 2006, and recorded in the office of the Register of Deeds for Barry County, Michigan on March 7, 2006, as Instrument No. 1161010 (the "Mortgage").

First Financial Bank, NA, has assigned the Mortgage to CHEMICAL BANK, a Michigan banking corporation, of 333 East Main Street, Midland, Michigan 48640-6511 (the "Mortgagee"). By reason of such default, the Mortgagee elects to declare and hereby declares the entire unpaid amount of the Mortgage due and payable forthwith.

Mortgagee is the owner of the indebtedness secured by the Mortgage.

As of the date of this Notice there is claimed to be due for principal and interest on the Mortgage the sum of Eighty-Four Thousand Nine Hundred Sixty-Eight and 78/100 Dollars ($84,968.78). No suit or proceeding at law has been instituted to recover the debt secured by the Mortgage or any part thereof.

Notice is hereby given that by virtue of the power of sale contained in the Mortgage and the statute in such case made and provided, and to pay the above amount, with interest, as provided in the Mortgage, and all legal costs, charges and expenses, including the attorney fee allowed by law, and all taxes and insurance premiums paid by the undersigned before sale, the Mortgage will be foreclosed by sale of the mortgaged premises at public vendue to the highest bidder at the east entrance of the Barry County Courthouse in Hastings, Michigan on Thursday the 10th day of January, 2013, at one o’clock in the afternoon. The premises covered by the Mortgage are situated in the Township of Carlton, County of Barry, State of Michigan, and are described as follows: A parcel of land in the Southeast one-quarter of Section 32, Town 4 North, Range 8 West, Carlton Township, Barry County, Michigan, described as: Commencing at the Southeast corner of said Section 32; thence North 89 degrees 53 minutes West 1320.4 feet; thence North 0 degrees 04 minutes West 1886.75 feet; thence West 550.37 feet to the Place of Beginning; thence South 175 feet; thence West 433 feet; thence North 28 degrees 40 minutes East 85.5 feet to the South line of Outlot A, Supervisor’s Plat of Bauer’s Resort; thence East 359 feet; thence North 100 feet; thence East 33 feet to the Place of Beginning. Except the East 33 feet for right of way, described as follows: Commence at the Southeast corner of said Section 32; thence North 89 degrees 53 minutes West 1320.4 feet; thence North 0 degrees 04 minutes West 1886.75 feet; thence West 550.37 feet to the Place of Beginning; thence South 175 feet; thence West 33 feet; thence North 175 feet; thence East 33 feet to the Place of Beginning.

Together with all the improvements erected on the real estate, and all easements, appurtenances, and fixtures a part of the property, and all replacements and additions.

Commonly known as: 304 Leach Lake Road, Hastings, Michigan 49058 P.P. #08-04-032-497-00 Notice is further given that the length of the redemption period will be six (6) months from the date of sale, unless the premises are abandoned. If the premises are abandoned, the redemption period will be the later of thirty (30) days from the date of the sale or upon expiration of fifteen (15) days after the Mortgagor is given notice pursuant to MCLA §600.3241a(b) that the premises are considered abandoned and Mortgagor, Mortgagor's heirs, executor, or administrator, or a person lawfully claiming from or under one (1) of them has not given the written notice required by MCLA §600.3241a(c) stating that the premises are not abandoned.

If the premises are sold at a foreclosure sale, under MCLA §600.3278 the Mortgagor will be held responsible to the person who buys the premises at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the Mortgagee for damaging the premises during the redemption period.

Dated: November 29, 2012 CHEMICAL BANK Mortgagee Timothy Hillegonds WARNER NORCROSS & JUDD LLP 900 Fifth Third Center 111 Lyon Street, N.W. Grand Rapids, MI 49503-2487 (616) 752-2000 8723050-1 77572621

Page 12 — Thursday, December 13, 2012 — The Hastings Banner

Late campaign paperwork costs newly elected officials

by Doug VanderLaan Editor Four newly elected county and township officials are already making contributions to their new boards — even as they’ve recently taken their new offices or await assuming their positions Jan. 1.

Due to late filing of required campaign finance reports, Jim DeYoung and Jim Dull, Barry County commissioners-elect; Melissa

Steward, trustee-elect of the Village of Woodland; and Mollie Wilkins, Freeport clerk-elect have been assessed fines payable to the Barry County Clerk’s office.

“I knew I was late, and, of course, I’m going to pay it,” said DeYoung, who was hit with a $1,625 penalty for late filing of a postprimary election report, as well as a late pregeneral election report. “They were simple forms, and I just overlooked them.”

COURT NEWS

Mollie Wilkins, Freeport clerk-elect

Victor Wesley Hovorka, 32, of Battle Creek was sentenced in Barry County Circuit Court Dec. 5 for assaulting, resisting or obstructing a police officer. Judge Amy McDowell ordered Hovorka to serve nine months in jail, with credit for 61 days served.

He must pay $1,198 in court assessments and serve 18 months on probation. The last four months of his jail sentence will be suspended upon successful completion of probation.

Hovorka must pay $75 a month toward assessments. The Barry County Prosecutor’s office dropped a second charge of assaulting, resisting or obstructing a police officer and a charge of assaulting, resisting or obstructing a police officer causing injury.

Sprague’s employment. The prosecutor’s office dropped the felony charge of habitual offender, fourth offense.

Lenona Lynn Baker, 47, of Delton was sentenced Dec. 5 in Barry County Circuit Court for attempted welfare fraud failure to inform $500 or more. Judge Amy McDowell ordered Baker to serve 30 days in jail, with credit for one day served. She must pay $6,704 in court costs and restitution and also must serve 24 months on probation. The balance of her jail sentence will be suspended upon successful completion of probation. Baker must pay $30 a month toward court costs and $50 a month to the Department of Human Services for restitution. The Barry County Prosecutor dropped charges of welfare fraud over $500 and failure to inform.

Anthony Tywonne Turner, 33, of Lansing was sentenced in Barry County Circuit Court Dec. 6 for attempted unarmed robbery. Judge Amy McDowell ordered Turner to serve 30 days in jail, with credit for 23 days served. He must pay $698 in court assessments, at least $75 a month. Turner was ordered to serve 12 months on probation, but probation will be dropped upon full payment of assessments. A charge of unarmed robbery was dropped by the Barry County Prosecutor.

David Shane Sprague, 38, of League City, Texas, was sentenced in Barry County Circuit Court Dec. 5 for failure to pay child support.

Judge Amy McDowell ordered Sprague to serve six months in jail, with credit for 70 days served. Sprague must pay $17,377 in court costs and restitution. He also must serve 60 months on probation. The last three months of his jail sentence will be suspended upon successful completion of probation. A wage assignment will be executed upon

Robert Duane Collins Jr., 22, of Lansing was sentenced in Barry County Circuit Court Dec. 6 for attempted unarmed robbery. Judge Amy McDowell ordered Collins to serve 30 days in jail, with credit for 23 days served.

Collins must pay $498 in court assessments, at least $50 a month. He was ordered to serve 12 months on probation, which will be dropped upon full payment of court assessments. He may serve time on the weekends. A charge of unarmed robbery was dropped by the Barry County Prosecutor.

Kevin Wayne Heisler, 42, of Nashville was sentenced Dec. 6 in Barry County Circuit Court for firearm possession and operating under the influence of liquor, third offense.

Judge Amy McDowell ordered Heisler to serve 24 to 90 months in prison for each charge, with credit for 112 days served. The two sentences will be served concurrently.

Heisler also must pay $226 in court costs.

Charges of felony firearms possession; operating with driver’s license suspended; revoked or denied, and unlawful use of a license plate, registration or vehicle title were dropped by the prosecutor’s office.

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“I filled out the paperwork, and I filled it out honestly, but there was no election committee, and I never raised any money. The form even wanted me to list the bank in which I deposited campaign money — but there was none, I never even had a campaign sign.”

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Familial status includes children under and productivity. Interested the age of 18 living with parents or legal individuals must be in re- custodians, pregnant women and people custody of children under 18. covery from sever mental ill- securing This newspaper will not knowingly ness and have received or accept any advertising for real estate is in violation of the law. Our are receiving services from which readers are hereby informed that all the public mental health sys- dwellings advertised in this newspaper tem. Send resume to Barry are available on an equal opportunity basis. To report discrimination call the County Community Mental Fair Housing Center at 616-451-2980.

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DeYoung made his remarks following Tuesday’s Barry County Board of Commissioners meeting which he and his newly-elected colleagues, Dull, Joyce Snow and Jon Smelker attended The four take office on Jan. 1.

Dull had already paid his $525 fine for a late pre-general election report, but said the paperwork was filed on time though it lacked a check in a mandatory authorization box that triggered the late filing report.

“Oh well, the county needs the money,” quipped Dull, “easy come, easy go, I guess.”

Steward is on the hook for a $230 fine due to late filing of a Campaign Statement of Organization report, which has yet to be paid.

Steward did not return a voice mail request left by the Banner to her cell phone on Wednesday morning.

Wilkins’ fine is still being contested and remains unpaid, in part, due to confusion over her election as a write-in candidate. County Clerk Pam Jarvis explained that Wilkins needed to file a pre-election Campaign Statement of Organization report, even though her write-in candidacy began just days before the November election. Because a $10-per-day fine begins after the receipt of the form and because a date has not been established for when it should have been on file, the fine currently stands at $20.

That’s where the story gets confusing and Wilkins’ reaction to it all, somewhat amusing.

“I filled out the paperwork, and I filled it out honestly,” said Wilkins of the first communication from the clerk’s office, “but there was no election committee, and I never raised any money. The form even wanted me to list the bank in which I deposited campaign money — but there was none, I never even had a campaign sign.”

After receiving a second form, Wilkins said she’ll be happy to fill it out “but I guess I’m going to have to lie.”

Campaign finance information is required of any candidate who raises more than $1,000 or spends a similar amount.

“There’s no way I’d spend $1,000 on a $300-per-month job,” said Wilkins, who intends to keep a two-day-per-week schedule at the village office located directly across the street from her home.

“I wasn’t even an actual candidate; my name wasn’t even on the ballot,” said Wilkins, who was stunned to receive 15 votes when she needed only one vote to win the election since she was unopposed. “I’ve only lived here eight months — I don’t know that many people.”

Even Wilkins’ swearing-in ceremony was unconventional in that it had to be repeated at the county clerk’s office after she was improperly sworn in by a village trustee rather than a board officer.

Jarvis said 40 days is the accrual fine limit on overdue campaign paperwork. If penalties are unpaid, the case is reported to the county treasurer, who is authorized to then attach a property lien on the offender.

Several candidates on the November ballot have actually received money back from the county as refunds of their $100 candidate filing fees. The candidates were accorded the refund after filing the required petition signature document and having names verified by the county. Candidates for office are allowed the choice of filing a signature petition or paying a $100 candidate fee.

Among those candidates listed in a customary check voucher reporting document issued to county commissioners Nov. 5 were county

board candidates Barb Cichy, DeYoung, Ben Geiger; register of deeds candidates Barb Hurless and Linda Watson; clerk candidate

Jarvis; prosecutor candidate Julie NakfoorPratt; surveyor candidate Brian Reynolds; and treasurer candidate Susan VandeCar.

POLICE BEAT Guns, medicine taken in Nashville break-in Barry County Deputies were called to a residence on Guy Road in Nashville Dec. 6 for a reported breaking and entering. The caller said someone had forced entry into his home while he was at work. He told deputies when he returned from work, he noticed his coin jars were empty and they saw the back door was open. The man told deputies when he checked his bedrooms, a heavy-gauge black plastic box where is keeps his long guns was missing from the closet. The box was secured with two padlocks. According to the homeowner, the thief had gone through his cupboards and taken to bottles of medication. He said six long guns and a .45 cal pistol, $150 in coins, medication and a fabric shoulder bag were estimated at about $4,100. There are no suspects and no witnesses. The case remains open.

Man’s lazy days end in arrest Deputies were called to a South Main Street residence in Woodland Dec. 6 for a reported domestic assault. The caller told dispatchers that an intoxicated man had assaulted her husband and daughter and that three young children were still in the house, locked in the bathroom with her.

Deputies reported that the husband had an obvious injury to his right eye. The suspect, a 21-year-old from Grand Rapids was found by deputies on the back deck. When they asked him to leave the deck, he staggered and spoke with slurred speech.

According to the report, the suspect also had a swollen and bloody lower lip. He became aggressive and swore at deputies, one of whom pointed a Taser and ordered the man to the ground. The suspect went to the ground, but continued to yell and spit at the deputies, challenging them to fight. He struck a deputy attempting to handcuff him.

When the woman’s daughter was questioned, she told deputies the man was her boyfriend and that they were living at her parents’ house with her three daughters.

She told deputies the man had been “just lazing” around her parents’ house for weeks and they wanted him to leave. She said the man was drinking and began kicking her, and her daughters started screaming for him to stop. She said her dad came into the room and a physical confrontation began between the two men. When questioned, the victim’s father told deputies he had heard his grandchildren screaming from the upstairs bedroom and confronted the suspect when he saw they were screaming at the boyfriend. The father said the boyfriend punched him in the eye and put him in a choke hold. The suspect was arrested and transported to jail where his blood alcohol level registered .246 percent. A charging request was forwarded to the Barry County Prosecutor.

Neighborhood feud puts child in the headlights A woman called the Barry County Sheriff’s office Dec. 2 to report her neigh-

bor had allegedly tried to run over her 5year-old daughter at the intersection of Lake Drive and Woodland Drive near Long Lake in Hope Township. Reportedly, there is a long history of disputes between the neighbors. The complainant said she had not seen the incident, but she had it on video from her surveillance camera. She was watching her daughter play outdoors when the 32-year-old female suspect allegedly drove toward the young girl at about 40 miles per hour before swerving at the last minute. The woman said her daughter had jumped into the van her husband was working on and told him the woman had tried to hit her with the truck. Upon interview, the suspect told deputies she did not speed up, swerve or try to hit the girl.

The case remains open.

Trail camera is out of sight A Nashville man reported the theft of his trail camera Dec. 1. The man said the $80 camera was mounted on a tree about 60 yards behind his Thornapple Lake Road home. No suspects have been identified at this time and the case is inactive.

Garage is enough for thief Deputies were called to a home on South M-66 near Nashville Dec. 4 in reference to a breaking and entering. The homeowner called 911 to report her garage entry door window had been smashed and the door was open. Deputies found the door open on the attached garage, but saw no evidence of the residence being entered. The case is closed.

Grinchy thief tears into presents A Dowling man reported that someone had entered his Bird Road home near the corner of Fruin Road in Johnstown Township Dec. 7. He told deputies he was away from the house between noon and 3:30 p.m. When he returned, he said presents under the Christmas tree had been disturbed, and wrapping on several packages had been torn off. The man told deputies other things were out of place and the rear door was open. Six guns were missing from an upstairs bedroom closet along with a laptop computer, digital camera and two Kindle eReaders. No fingerprints were found. There are no suspects and the case is closed.

Engineless snowmobile takes a trip A man called the sheriff’s office Dec. 7 to report a snowmobile and trailer had been stolen from his uncle’s property on East Carlton Center Road. He said the snowmobile had sat on the trailer for the past five years after he removed the engine. Deputies contacted a possible suspect, but the man denied taking the snowmobile. The SkiDoo Mach 1 with no engine has an estimated value of $850 and the trailer is worth about $500.

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The Hastings Banner — Thursday, December 13, 2012 — Page 13

BUSINESS BRIEFS • Sue Chase, Don Glasgow and Dale Morey were recognized for 20 years of service to Barry County Central Dispatch. Their dedication to the organization, to public safety and to the citizens of Barry County was commended at a Dec. 4 staff meeting.

• A matching gift by the Feldpausch Foundation to the $16,500 raised during the foundation’s fifth annual golf outing provided a $33,000 donation to the Cancer Care Medication Fund at Bronson Battle Creek.

The fund assures that cancer patients who have little or no insurance will have access to needed medications for their treatments. The Feldpausch Foundation was formed through the success of a three-generation grocery chain founded in Hastings in 1933. It invests its resources in local charitable causes. More than $100,000 has been raised through the golf outing over the past five years for local cancer programs.

• Ian McGonigal has been promoted to regional vice president of sales and customer relations for GreenStone Farm Credit Services and will oversee five of the cooperative’s branches in west Michigan, including the Hastings office. GreenStone is Michigan’s and northeast Wisconsin’s largest agricultural lender and the country’s sixth largest association in the Farm Credit System. It manages approximately $6.2 billion in assets and serves nearly 23,000 members with 37 branch locations in Michigan and northeast Wisconsin.

Send us the business news from your company or organization and we’ll be happy to run it, as space allows. Mail to Business Briefs c/o The Hastings Banner, 1351 N. M43 Highway, Hastings, MI 49058 or email news@j-adgraphics.com.

SOCIAL SECURITY COLUMN Statement is a gift to yourself

by Vonda VanTil Social Security Public Affairs Specialist Give yourself the gift of your own Social Security statement this holiday season. You can get yours online.

The online Social Security statement is simple, easy to use and provides estimates you can use to plan for your retirement. It also provides estimates for disability and survivors benefits, making the statement an important financial planning tool.

To get a personalized online statement, you must be age 18 or older and must be able to provide information about yourself that matches information already on file with Social Security. In addition, Social Security uses Experian, an external authentication service provider, for further verification. You must provide identifying information and answer security questions in order to pass this verification. Social Security will not share your Social Security number with Experian, but the identity check is an important part of this new, thorough verification process.

When your identity is verified, you can cre-

ate a “My Social Security” account with a unique user name and password to access your online statement. In addition, your online statement includes links to information about other online Social Security services, such as applications for retirement, disability and Medicare.

This holiday season, it’s likely you’ll be hearing some of your friends and family saying “you shouldn’t have” as they receive their gifts from you. That’s something to look forward to. But be sure you don’t find yourself saying “I should have” when it comes to planning your own financial future. Get your online Social Security statement and look it over. Do it again next year. It may be the best gift you can give to yourself in the long run.

Your free gift is waiting at www.socialsecurity.gov/mystatement.

Vonda VanTil is the public affairs specialist for West Michigan. You may write her c/o Social Security Administration, 3045 Knapp St. NE, Grand Rapids MI 49525 or via email to vonda.vantil@ssa.gov.

State News Roundup MSP: Overall peaceful crowds attend rally in Lansing The Michigan State Police reported that the large crowds at the Capitol Tuesday were mostly peaceful.

NBC News reported that as many as 10,000 people flocked to the capitol Tuesday to protest passage of “right to work” legislation.

Throughout the day, union marshals and captains worked well with troopers and the House and Senate sergeant at arms to help maintain safety and order of people both inside the Capitol and outside, said Trooper Tiffany Brown in a press release.

Police used pepper spray in a few incidents in which the crowds refused to release a trooper or were pushing troopers against a wall. The crowd did as told, and no arrests were made in those incidents, she said.

Three people were arrested, Brown reported, two who refused to leave the Romney Building and one later who refused to comply with commands when more troopers were arriving to reinforce those already stationed at the Romney Building.

All arrests were misdemeanor charges. All use of pepper spray came from individual containers carried by the troopers, said Brown; there was no mass deployment of pepper spray or tear gas.

Troopers responded to a few minor calls for medical assistance and altercations between protesters, said Brown. No major injuries or medical emergencies were reported to the MSP.

Charlevoix County is first ‘Connected Community’ in the country The Connected Community Engagement Program, managed here by Connect Michigan, supports the building of a comprehensive action plan for a “connected” community by reviewing the technology landscape, developing regional partnerships, establishing local teams, and conducting an

More than 12,000 protesters attend a rally at the state capitol to protest a package of right-to-work bills voted on by the Michigan legislature Tuesday, Dec. 11.

Approximately 2,000 ralliers were inside and 10,000 outside the capitol building.

(Photo provided by Lansing City Police) assessment of broadband access, adoption and use.

Working with Connect Michigan, Michigan State University Extension partner the Northern Lakes Economic Alliance provided staff leadership to organize and direct this effort.

MSU Extension educator and NLEA president Andy Hayes explained that the certification came after a several-month-long assessment undertaken by Charlevoix County Community Engagement and the creation of the Charlevoix Broadband Action Plan. The plan contains specific recommendations of projects to expand digital literacy, build awareness of the benefits of broadband, help businesses with websites and social media, and improve the online presence of local governments, among other recommendations.

“Achieving the status of connected certification affords a community an avenue to discuss its success and pursue opportunities as a recognized, technologically advanced community,” Hayes said. “This is an incredibly important part of our effort to develop highspeed broadband infrastructure in our region.

This shows service providers that there is a market and a willingness to expand.”

Michigan begins process to make new synthetic drug illegal The Michigan Board of Pharmacy has begun the process of the emergency schedul-

ing of a class of synthetic drugs called Phenethylamine. Michigan Department of Community Health Director James K. Haveman issued an imminent danger notification Dec. 3 to the Michigan Board of Pharmacy within the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs to begin the process of making this class of chemicals illegal in Michigan.

The scheduling of Phenethylamine drugs and a variety of amphetamine-like stimulants will not immediately take effect, but requesting an emergency scheduling is the first step in the process.

Michigan has had 19 cases that resulted in emergency department treatment and while there have been no fatalities in Michigan, there have been five nationwide, said LARA Acting Director Steve Arwood Information regarding this new drug indicates that it’s coming in from overseas and being distributed within the state.

In some instances, users have been physically combative with law enforcement and EMS personnel, said Arwood. Information has shown that use of these chemicals has resulted in severe physiological and psychological effects on users, who experienced hallucinations, disorientation, renal failure, seizures, rapid heart beat, shock, acute respiratory failure, central nervous system depression and more.

The imminent danger notification by MDCH allows the Michigan Board of Pharmacy to create an emergency rule to schedule this class of chemicals as a controlled substance, effectively making them illegal in Michigan.

Thornapple Kellogg takes Saxon Sports title at Grandville Challenge Shorts JV Wrestling Jeremy Miller, Alex Traister, Tyler Youngs, Jermiah Shaffer, William McKeever and Travis Hoffman from the Saxon JV Wrestling team won their flights at Saturday’s Lakewood Invitational.

Placing second was Tony Gibson. George Murphy and Quintin Wigg were both third.

JV Boys’ Basketball The Hastings JV boys’ basketball team defeated Lakewood Tuesday 46-33.

Leading the way for the Saxons were Cole Hardin with 15 points and Drew Stolicker with 11 points. Peter Beck had five rebounds and Aaron Bronson had five assists and five steals.

The Saxons charged out to a 26-5 first quarter lead at Alma Friday night and won 63-25.

Leading scorers for Hastings were Bronson and Stolicker with ten points each points. Beck added eight points while Manny Quesada and Evan Hart each had seven.

The Saxons leading rebounder was Evan Hart with five.

Call anytime for Hastings Banner classified ads 269-945-9554 or 1-800-870-7085

The Trojans had three individual champions and took the team title as well Saturday at the eight-team Grandville Challenge.

The experienced Trojans in the upperweights led the way.

Cole Gahan edged Bay City Western’s Charles Proctor 7-5 with a take down in the second period of overtime to win the 160pound championship.

The other Trojans didn’t need to wrestle near as long in the finals. Dan Dykstra in the 171-pound championship pinned Detroit Catholic Central’s John Sterelinck 1 minute and 36 seconds into their finals match. Pete Westra at 189 pounds stuck Farmington Hills Harrison’s Michael Robinson 31 seconds into their championship bout.

TK had one other wrestler in the finals, Chris Poland at 119 pounds. He was pinned

by Grandville’s Dakota Torravia at the very end of the first period in the finals.

The Trojan team had four fourth-place finishes and three fifth-place finishes as well to best runner-up Battle Creek Lakeview.

Detroit Catholic Central was third on the day and Grandville fourth.

Ronaldo Sambrano at 112 pounds, Ryan Flynn at 125, Nick Flynn at 130 and Nick Iveson at 145 all placed fourth. Austin Sensiba at 140 pounds, Chad Geers at 215 and Hunter Herrera at 285 were the Trojans’ fifth-place finishers.

TK was slated to travel to Grand Rapids Christian last night.

Hornets’ 10 threes too many for the Vikings to overcome It all turned south so fast.

Lakewood’s varsity girls basketball team led by eight points with a little over three minutes left in Friday’s Capital Area Activities Conference White Division opener against visiting Williamston.

The Vikings fouled a Williamston threepoint shooter, then gave up an offensive rebound on the missed foul shot. The Hornets went back up with the ball to cut the Viking lead to three. After a Viking turnover, a defensive breakdown led to another Hornet threepointer and a tie ball game.

The night ended in a 46-41 Williamston win.

Those two key three-pointers were two of ten that the Hornets hit on the night. The Hornets spread out the Vikings defensively, and the Lakewood defense never made the adjustment it needed to to stop giving up open looks.

“We got impatient and did not execute offensively down the stretch, and gave up some clean looks and they hit the shot,” said Lakewood head coach Denny Frost. “We can not give up ten threes and expect to win any

game.

“We didn’t have the same energy, which sometimes happens when a team is shooting well. We have to get tougher and play through it. We still had a solid chance to win the game, but did not make the plays when we needed. It wasn’t for lack of effort, we just have to work harder.”

Lakewood had a 27-24 lead at the half, and improved that lead slightly by outscoring the Hornets 4-3 in the third quarter. Williamston outscored the Vikings 19-10 in the final eight minutes though.

Laura Rosekrans led the Hornets with 20 points and Georgia Gregoricka added 13.

Emily Kutch had 18 points to lead the Vikings, as well as six rebounds. Brooke Wieland had eight points and four steals.

Konnor Geiger and Liz Campeau chipped in five points each.

The Vikings are now 2-2 on the season.

They fell in a non-conference contest at Hastings Tueaday.

Lakewood will be at home against CAACWhite rival Portland Friday night.

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Page 14 — Thursday, December 13, 2012 — The Hastings Banner

DK girls get their first two conference victories

by Brett Bremer Sports Editor Everything was going good for the Lions and then poof, it wasn’t.

Maple Valley’s varsity girls’ basketball team handled Delton Kellogg’s full-court pressure, attacked the basket a little bit on the offensive end, and came out of the first quarter down just 9-7 at Delton Kellogg High School Friday.

Then the Lions turned the ball over against the Panther pressure seven times in the first two and a half minutes of the second quarter.

The Panthers pushed their lead to double digits during that stretch, at 19-7, and continued to extend the lead for most of the rest of the evening.

The Lions started trying to force some passes through the middle of the Delton Kellogg pressure. It was a move that coincided perfectly for the Panthers with a new defensive alignment.

“We went into our 51 press, which helped a little bit,” said Delton Kellogg head coach Mike Mohn. “Sarah Rendon, this was her first game as our interceptor which is our middle gal here. She kind of plays free safety back there, and we found ourselves a new interceptor. She was dynamite.”

Rendon had a couple steals and a couple

deflections during that stretch early in the second quarter. She finished the night with four steals and six points.

Delton Kellogg also got a great defensive game from Rachel Parker, who finished with six steals and 13 points.

“We went away from the things that we were successful with,” said Maple Valley head coach Landon Wilkes. “We lost our composure.”

“I think a lot of it is, when we make a mistake we compound mistake, after mistake, after mistake rather than composing ourselves and doing what we need to do or what we had been doing. We were extremely successful I thought by just taking our time, reversing the ball.”

The Lions managed just five points in the second quarter and four in the third.

The Panthers worked their bench into the rotation in the third and fourth quarters, something Mohn was happy to be able to do, and the Lions kept battling. The Lions outscored Delton 14-6 in the final eight minutes.

Wilkes said he saw his girls “going to the basket. Guards were penetrating and making things happen at the basket rather than just being content throwing the ball around the outside.

“I think in the first quarter we did the same

Delton Kellogg’s Christy Gonzalez (left) thwarts a shot attempt by Maple Valley’s Jacey Wood during Friday night’s contest. (Photo by Brett Bremer)

Panther guard Rachel Parker puts pressure on Maple Valley’s Marissa Pierce on the wing during her team’s 52-30 win over the Lions Friday night at Delton Kellogg High School. (Photo by Brett Bremer)

thing against them. We attacked the basket and made some things happen. We didn’t score a boatload of points, but we scored some points to keep us in the ball game.”

Olivia Ricketts did a good job of attacking the basket at times and led the Lions with 11 points. Alivia Johncock finished with six points and Johanna Kyle, Timara Burd and Emily Burkett had four points each.

Behind Parker for Delton, Kristen Mohn finished with ten points, Brooke Martin seven and Mallory Sewell seven points and seven rebounds. Aleeha Davis and Christy Gonzalez had six rebounds each for Delton.

The Panthers improved to 3-1 overall and 2-1 in the KVA with a 51-40 win at Hackett Catholic Central Tuesday.

Sewell led the way in what coach Mohn called “arguably the best game of her high school career.” She finished with 23 points, 13 rebounds, four steals and five deflections that turned into steals by one of her teammates..

Parker also had a big night, finishing with ten points, five steals and five assists.

Delton Kellogg was comfortably ahead late in the third quarter, with a 15-point lead, but the Irish cut that down to four points with 1:04 left to play in the fourth.

“Silly shots and a couple of turnovers cost us most of the lead,” coach Mohn said. “We did hit eight free throws in the fourth to maintain a lead and eventually close it out.”

The Delton visit Constantine Friday.

Delton Kellogg’s Brooke Martin runs the Panther offense as she’s pressured by Maple Valley’s Johanna Kyle during Friday night’s KVA contest at DKHS. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Maple Valley was at Constantine Tuesday. Friday, led the Lions with 18 points. Johncock The Lions ran out to a 20-11 lead at the half. added eight points and McKayla Lamance Constantine battled back in the second half, had five. but the Lions held off the Falcons with a 17Constantine got nine points from Miranda 11 run in the fourth quarter.

McGlothlen and eight from Michelle Smith.

Timara Burd, who was limited by an injury The Lions are at Parchment Friday.

TK ladies shut down Hawks in first half, go on to victory The Trojans knocked off former OK Gold Conference foe Forest Hills Eastern in a nonconference clash in Middleville Friday, 4534.

Kelli Graham poured in 20 points for the Trojans and Crystal Smith added eight points, seven steals and five rebounds. Graham had five steals herself. TK also got seven assists and seven rebounds from Dahlia Beckett.

The Trojans limited the Hawks to just 11 points in the first half, taking a 21-11 lead into the break.

TK is now 2-2 on the year.

Gull Lake topped the Trojans 59-43

Tuesday in Richland. The Blue Devils jumped on TK early, outscoring the Trojans 14-3 in the openingquarter.

TK clawed back to within six by the end of the first half, but the Blue Devils eventually put the Trojans away by outscoring them 2213 in the fourth quarter.

Graham had 13 points for TK and Erin Scheidel added 12.

The Blue Devils got 19 points from Alexis Ahlert and 11 from Abbey Watson.

TK travels to Hamilton for anonther nonconference contest Friday.

It takes overtime, but Delton boys get first ‘W’

by Brett Bremer Sports Editor It wasn’t just the first varsity win for new Delton Kellogg varsity boys’ basketball coach Steve Miknis, it was the first for most of his young players too.

Delton Kellogg improved to 1-1 in the Kalamazoo Valley Association with a 55-52 overtime victory over Hackett Catholic Central in Delton Tuesday.

Colton Tobias scored the final bucket of regulation in the paint for the Panthers, tying the game at 43-43 and sending it to overtime.

Zach Leinaar then started the overtime with a quick bucket and made some clutch free throws down the stretch to ice it.

Leinaar finished with 15 points, seven rebounds and six assists. Tobias had 12 points and ten rebounds, and Josh Arkwright also added 12 points for the Panthers.

Delton Kellogg led 41-33 going into the fourth quarter, but Miknis said his team

The Panthers’ TJ Wooden drives towards the basket during the fourth quarter Friday night against Maple Valley.

(Photo by Brett Bremer)

job of slowing his team down in the second quarter, along with some foul trouble.

Bromley led the Maple Valley offense as well, finishing with 15 points. Mater finished with 11 and Miller and Austin Gonser had nine points each.

“I thought that Maple Valley shot the ball extremely well,” said Miknis. “I knew they had a couple good shooters coming in. Being their first game, on the road, you’d like to think they might struggle a little bit, but I mean they just kind of hit the ground running on us.”

Delton Kellogg got ten points and nine rebounds from Zach Meyers and nine points from Leinaar. Anthony Houtrow added six points and five rebounds. Delton Kellogg will be at Constantine Friday night. Maple Valley will be back in action at Parchment Friday.

“The guys seem motivated and really

New Delton Kellogg varsity boys’ basketball coach Steve Miknis shouts instructions to his coach during the fourth quarter of Friday’s KVA contest against Maple Valley at Delton Kellogg High School. (Photo by Brett Bremer) missed some easy shots early on in the quar- four points from Garret Mater and three from ter.

Garrett Miller.

The Irish battled back to tie the game at 41It took some solid defense to make that run 41 and then had a momentary lead before happen. The Lions did well on the defensive Tobias scored the final points of regulation. side most of the night.

Hackett got 11 points each from Ted Rider, “What I like is the fact that these guys have Bryan Bradley and Mark Allwardt. a goal of not giving up 12 points in a quarter, The Panthers and Irish are now both 1-2 and they did it all the way up until the 15 overall on the season. points in the fourth quarter,” said Maple Delton Kellogg dropped its KVA opener Valley head coach Chris Ewing. “They stuck Friday against Maple Valley, 56-42. to their goal and achieved it.”

Lion junior guard Micah Bromley had a litThe Lions allowed the Panthers just 11 tle wiggle in his step as he backpedalled away points in the opening quarter, and eight in from the three-point line with his tongue both the second and third periods. hanging out.

“Bromley and Sam (Benedict) were really Maybe he knew it was the start of some- making it hard on their point guard to get the thing good. He’d just drilled a three-point ball up the court, and to see the court even,” shot to put his Lions up 35-27 21 seconds in Ewing said. “I think Tommy Mudge in the to the fourth quarter. After averaging just over middle kind of made it hard for them to get an ten points a quarter through the first three, the inside game going. Bromley and Benedict, Lions scored 13 points in the first 2:20 of the both of them, have just been all season and all fourth quarter to extend their lead to 45-27. offseason have been determined to be nonThe Lions went 11-of-19 at the free throw stop defenders. I think they showed that line from there to finish off a 56-42 win over today.” the Panthers to open the Kalamazoo Valley The Lions got off to a great start, building Association season. a 17-11 lead in the opening quarter. Delton That big run by the Lions to start the fourth hung around with a solid effort by its defense. quarter included a three by Samuel Benedict, Ewing thought the Panthers’ zone did a good

strong right now,” Ewing said. “We’ve been working hard at keeping our fast-paced game.

We’re not going to back down. We’re going to pretty much go all game, every game, 100 percent. Even in the fourth quarter we were still giving them full-court pressure, full-court pressure, and I think our depth on our bench outlasted their bench and they just couldn’t keep up anymore.”

The Lions followed improved to 2-0 Tuesday by topping visiting Constantine 5543.

Maple Valley raced out to a 30-22 lead in the first half.

Gonser led the Lions with 19 points. Sam Benedict and Tommy Mudge added nine each.

Constantine got 19 points from Payton White and 11 points and five assists from Justin Bontrager.

DeltonKellogg’s Zach Leinaar is held up by Maple Valley’s Anthony Mahler as he tries to get to the basket during the fourth quarter Friday night. (Photo by Brett Bremer)

The Hastings Banner — Thursday, December 13, 2012 — Page 15

Saxon pressure takes Vikes out of their offense

by Brett Bremer Sports Lakewood hit ten threes in its opener and beat Charlotte.

The Vikings hit nine threes in their second game of the season, and beat Williamston.

In game number three, Hastings’ varsity boys’ basketball team limited the Vikings to three threes and the Saxons handed the Vikings their first loss of the season.

Hastings improved to 3-0, and dropped the Vikings to 2-1, with a 50-31 win at Lakewood High School Tuesday.

The Vikings knocked down a pair of threepointers in the first quarter, the second of which gave them an 8-6 lead. They didn’t hit their third until just 2:13 remained in the game, and it cut the Saxon lead to 15 at that point.

“We really emphasized getting out to them,” said Hastings coach Steve Storrs. “We knew from the stats that they had more threes than they had twos, so we really emphasized

The Saxons’ Luke Heide fires a shot up over Lakewood’s David Parks during the first quarter Tuesday night. (Photo by Brett Bremer) The Saxons’ Maxwell Clark (right) pressures Lakewood point guard Kalib McKinney as he brings the ball up the floor during the third quarter of Tuesday’s non-conference contest at Lakewood High School. (Photo by Brett Bremer) the first possession of the second half led to a bucket by the Saxons’ Marshall Cherry and then Heide followed that with a three-pointer that pushed their team’s lead to double figures for the first time in the ball game.

Cherry had an outstanding offensive night, finishing with 12 points.

“He has made huge strides,” Storrs said of Cherry. “Every game he plays he almost doubles his experience at this point because he, except the last two games basically last year, didn’t see a lot of minutes. He was getting in at the end of games and that was it. It was kind of the same way with him his JV and freshman years. So this is his first real game experience.”

“You saw tonight he is getting a little more confidence with his moves and he’s doing

Vikes win three at Vicksburg tourney Lakewood’s varsity wrestling team opened the 2012-13 season by winning four of the seven duals it wrestled during the first week of action.

The Vikings were 3-2 Saturday at the Vicksburg tournament. They beat Hopkins 61-12, Dowagiac 57-18 and Coloma 42-41.

The two losses for the Vikings came in close duals. Three Rivers scored a 41-31 win over the Vikings and Vicksburg won on criteria after the two teams were tied 39-39.

Lakewood had three wrestlers finsh the day with undefeated records, Jordon Bennett, Markus Temple and Jack Tromp.

Tromp is just one of two seniors who are returnees to the Lakewood varsity line-up this winter. The other is 215-pounder Lars Pyrzinski.

The Vikings split their two duals on the season’s first night, at Caledonia High School Wednesday. The Vikings fell to the host Scots 40-34 and beat Jenison 39-32.

Dominic Solomon at 112 pounds, Jeremy Innes at 140 and David Bibbler at 145 had pins for the Vikings in the loss to the Fighting Scots.

Pyrzinski was the lone Vikings above 152 pounds to win against Caledonia. He beat Joel Wenk 5-2 at 215 pounds.

Bennett won for the Vikings at 152, 12-6 over the Fighting Scots’ Garrett Hubbell.

Lakewood also had Austin Kietzman score an 11-1 major decision over Jordan Steiner at 130 pounds.

Caledonia got pins from Matt Christensen

some really good things for us.”

Cherry also had a team-high seven rebounds.

Michael Eastman chipped in six points, there steals and three assists for the Saxons.

Storrs liked the way his team avoided having any kind of a let-down in the second half.

Kalib McKinney led Lakewood with nine points. Colin O’Mara finished with seven and Jacob Buehler six.

“We have the ability to be a very good team, but we have to go 110 percent every time,” Piercefield said. “We have to have every guy doing their assignment every time.

That’s in practice, that’s in the game, all 13 guys in practice have to push each other to get

BOWLING SCORES Tuesday Mixed Hometown Lumber 41; Hurless Machine Shop 40; Boyce Milk Haulers 39; Barry Co. Red Cross 36.5; J-Bar Antique Tractors 21.

High Game - G. Hause 262; Sis 190; M. Snyder 189; D. Benner 187; D. Blakely 184; D. Wilkins 170; C. Featherly 169; N. Boniface 161; B. Smith 156; M. Burd 137; B. Norris 122.

High Series - G. Hause 587; Sis 536; M. Snyder 521.

Monday Mixerettes Dewey’s Auto Body 38-18; Kent Oil 37.518.5; Dean’s Dolls 34-22; Creekside Growers 26.5-29.5; Nashville Chiropractic 26-30.

Good Games & Series: E. Ulrich 168; M. Rodgers 170; V. Carr 178-525; T. Redman 155-402; N. Goggins 161-409; K. Fowler 178.

Lakewood Jordon Bennett (top) works his way to a win during Saturday’s tournament at Vicksburg High School.

(103 pounds), Noah Williams (119), John Leark (125), Logan DeYoung (160), Jon Hubbell (171) and Zane Gorby (189). Other winners for the Scots were Jake VanderVeen at 285 pounds and Dakota Greig-Berends at 135.

Lakewood was scheduled to open the Capital Area Activities Conference White Division season against Portland last night.

The Vikings will be back in action Saturday at Maple Valley’s Jesse Snow Memorial Tournament.

Trojan boys fall in their first two home games of the year

Hastings wrestlers win four of five at Greenville Duals

The Hawks beat the Trojans every which way Friday.

Thornapple Kellogg varsity boys’ basketball coach Mike Rynearson said that Forest Hills Eastern hardly ever allowed his team to get its offense running in its 62-47 non-conference win over the Trojans in Middleville.

On the other end of the floor, the Hawks pulled down 17 offensive rebounds.

“They shut us down on one end and just shot it as many times as they wanted on the other,” Rynearson said.

The Hawks got up on the Trojans early, building a 20-6 lead in the opening quarter.

They pushed that advantage to 38-19 at the half.

Caleb Kigar led the way for the Hawks with 18 points. He had six offensive rebounds and 12 total for the night. Nick Hopkins finished with 14 points and five rebounds and Nate Loree had 12 points.

Only the hosts beat the Saxons Saturday.

Hastings’ varsity wrestling team opened its season with a 4-1 showing at the Greenville Duals. The Yellow Jackets topped the Saxons 50-27, but Hastings was perfect the rest of the day.

The Saxons beat Caledonia 37-19, Spring Lake 61-12, Jenison 45-25 and Wyoming 5429.

Kenny Cross and Chase Huisman had five wins each on the day for Hastings. Stephen Kendall and Jason Slaughter had four wins each.

The Saxon team also had Mitchell Sarhatt, David Hause, Zach Wilcox, Ethan Haywood, Brett Thomas and Joe Siska win three times each.

The Saxons opened OK Gold Conference action last night at Wayland, and Saturday will take part in the Coldwater Duals.

“We never gave up. It wasn’t for a lack of effort. They played hard right until the final horn,” said Rynearson.

Louis Koepke hit four threes and led the Trojans with 18 points. Kameryn Kidder finished with ten points and six rebounds for TK. The Trojans are now 1-2 on the season.

They fell 87-58 to visiting Gull Lake Tuesday.

The Blue Devils scores at least 20 points in each of the first three quarters, leading 41-29 at the break.

Dean Kolstad led the way for Gull Lake with 31 points. Odell Miller added 11 and Cooper Quartermaine 12.

TK got 17 points from Tommy Hamilton and 12 from Grant Allison. Koepke added nine points and Clay Francisco eight.

The Trojans will be at Hamilton Friday.

Senior Citizens Sun Risers 36.5-19.5; Butterfingers 36-20; King Pins 31-25; M&M’s 30-26; Usedtobe #1 27-29; Early Risers 26-30; Three Gals & A Guy 25-31; Ward’s Friends 25-31; Kuempel 23-33; Just Having Fun 20.5-35.5.

Women’s good games and series: E. Ulrich 164-471; P. Shellington 137-397; P. Freeman 150-381.

Men’s good games and series: R. McDonald 222-614; B. Akers 208; W. Mallekotte 163; G. Forbe 174-451; G. Bennett 155; K. Schantz 178; L. Markley 155-445; J. Grassmyer 200-569.

Wed PM Boniface Construction 38-18; Court Side 36-20; Hair Care 36-20; Eye & ENT 29-27; Delton Suds 28-28.

Good games & series: B. Hathaway 176; J. Pettengill 125; B. Norris 117; L. Elliston 173; T. Christopher 174; S. Stevens 146-375; A.

Tasker 137.

Tuesday Trios Washking 45-15; Sam 42-15; Coleman Ins. 33-23; CB’s 33-27; Look Ins. 29-31; Team Turkey 29-31; Lu’s Team 28.5-27.5; Classic Trio 24-36; Blair Landscaping 23.5-36.5; Ghost Team 0-60.

High Game - Luanne P. 268; Tammy D. 213; Shirlee V. 199.

High series - Luanne P. 615; Shirlee 577; Tammy D. 562.

Thurday Majors Red Rockets 35-21; Hastings Bowl 34-22; Pocket Pounders 33-23; Old Men 31.5-24.5; HDR 27.5-28.5; Arens Lawn 27.5-28.5; Muff Divers 25.5-30.5.

High Games and Series - C. Wyman 224; J. Haight 200-556; D. Hiar 196-566; R. Furlong 189; J. Gibson 209-505; C. Micel 233-669; L. Bailey 236-609; D. varney 199; B. Taylor 203; J. Barnum 212-602; D. Rose 177-523; M. Miller 172; W. Lydy 181-521; H. Moore 222; M. Davis 247; D. Lambert 211583; R. Guild 234; D. Smith 202; K. Troyer 168; S. Ashley 183.

Thursday Angels Riverfront Fin. Ser. 38-14; Moore’s Apts.

34-18; Varney’s Const. 31-21; Hastings Bowl 28.5-19.5; Cathy’s Cut & Curl 26-26; Miller Farm Repair 24.5-23.5; DJ on the Roll 18-34.

High Games and Series - J. Myers 162; B. Furlong 120; T. Dickinson 153; B. Brown 143; J. Wood 145; C. Cooper 266-584; A. Moore 175-473; M. Moore 164; N. Taylor 146-419; D. Staines 189-516; A. Castelein 212; K. Shumway 206-513; C. Hooper 142; C. Doornbos 233-609; C. Gdula 156; C. Miller 166; B. Noteboom 167; L. Brandt 172.

SAXON WEEKLY SPORTS SCHEDULE Complete online schedule at: www.hassk12.org THURSDAY, DECEMBER 13 4:00 pm 4:00 pm 5:30 pm 5:30 pm 6:00 pm 7:00 pm 7:00 pm

Boys Girls Boys Girls Girls Boys Girls

Fresh.

Fresh.

Varsity JV MS JV Varsity

Basketball Basketball Basketball Basketball Cheer Basketball Basketball

Hopkins HS @ MS Parchment HS @ HS Hopkins HS @ HS Hopkins HS @ MS Wayland MS Hopkins HS @ MS Hopkins HS @ HS

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 14 5:00 pm Boys JV

Wrestling

Delton Kellogg HS

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 15 TBA

Boys Varsity Swimming Raider Sprint Relays @ GR Comm. College 9:00 am Boys Varsity Wrestling Coldwater HS Coldwater Duals

MONDAY, DECEMBER 17 4:15 pm 4:15 pm 5:30 pm 5:30 pm

Boys Boys Boys Boys

8th A 7th A 7th B 8th B

Basketball Basketball Basketball Basketball

Thornapple-Kellogg MS Thornapple-Kellogg MS Thornapple-Kellogg MS Thornapple-Kellogg MS

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 18 4:00 pm Girls Fresh. Basketball Delton Kellogg HS 5:30 pm Girls JV Basketball Delton Kellogg HS 7:00 pm Girls Varsity Basketball Delton Kellogg HS

H H H H A H H

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 19 4:15 pm 4:15 pm 5:30 pm 5:30 pm 6:00 pm 6:30 pm

Boys Boys Boys Boys Boys Boys

7th B 8th B 8th A 7th A B Team Varsity

A

Comstock Park HS/MS Comstock Park HS/MS Comstock Park HS/MS Comstock Park HS/MS Thornapple-Kellogg HS Thornapple-Kellogg HS

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 20 6:00 pm Girls MS

A

Basketball Basketball Basketball Basketball Wrestling Wrestling

Cheer

Caledonia HS

H A A H A A A

Times and dates subject to change

Thanks to This Week’s Sponsor:

A

A H H A H H H

Amy Beck, M.D. • Dawn Rosser, M.D. Kathy Carlson, CNP Monday-Friday 8am - 5pm | (269) 818-0070

Creekside Professional Building 1761 West M-43 Highway, Suite #2, Hastings, MI 49058

HASTINGS ATHLETIC BOOSTERS Contact Nancy 945-2742 or hastingsathleticboosters@gmail.com to sponsor the schedule

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The Saxons’ Marshall Cherry (50) battles to secure an offensive rebound during the first quarter Tuesday at Lakewood High School. (Photo by Brett Bremer)

getting out to the shooters and making them put it on the ground.”

Hastings’ pressure on the Viking guards, led by Saxons Maxwell Clark and Ian Beck, didn’t just limit the Vikings’ threes it limited the offense overall.

“Their pressure was forcing us out past the three-point line,” Lakewood coach Wayne Piercefield said. “We weren’t even getting any good looks. We weren’t setting solid screens and getting our teammates open.

Once we got down we had a few guys try and do it themselves, and that doesn’t work.”

Luke Heide hit five threes himself, and led his team with 19 points.

The Saxon offense did slow down a bit with him on the bench in some foul trouble late in the first half, but a Viking turnover on

better. It didn’t happen yesterday and then it carried over to today.”

Hastings scored its second win of the season Friday, topping Alma 50-44 on the road.

The Saxons got off to a slow start after a long bus-trip, scoring just two points in the opening quarter, but they only allowed six.

“We had really good ball pressure again, and we turned them over a lot, which is what really got us going in that game,” Storrs said.

Clark and Heide led the way for the Saxons with 17 points each. Clark hit three threes and Heide was 10-of-12 from the free throw line.

Eastman added nine points and Cherry had seven points and ten rebounds.

Alma got 14 points from Kyle Slagell, nine from Tim DeJong and seven from Curtis Doyle.

Page 16 — Thursday, December 13, 2012 — The Hastings Banner

HHS beats one county foe, gets another Tuesday

by Brett Bremer Sports Editor One of the Saxons’ big goals this season is to prove they have the best team in Barry County.

The first step towards that goal was completed Tuesday.

Hastings’ varsity girls’ basketball team improved to 3-2 on the season with a 51-47 victory over visiting Lakewood.

The Saxons will face their second Barry County rival Tuesday when they host Delton Kellogg, then there will be two meetings with Thornapple Kellogg in OK Gold Conference action during the new year.

In what Hastings head coach Andrew Mains called a “back and forth” game, the Saxons led throughout. It wasn’t until Grace Bosma hit the front end of a one-and-one at the foul-line in the final seconds to put her team up four that the Saxons could really feel comfortable.

“Hastings was ready to play and we were not,” said Lakewood head coach Denny Frost.

“You have to give the Hastings girls a lot of

credit. They wanted this game more then we did. Our first road game and we didn't come out with the energy to play at the defensive end. We didn’t recognize the shooters and our interior defense gave up some easy baskets.”

One shooter the Vikings couldn’t find was Taylor Carter. She led the Saxons with 23 points. She hit three threes in the game, and was 4-of-5 at the free throw line.

Erin Gray had nine points and six rebounds for the Saxons, and Maddie Dailey added seven points.

Lakewood got 15 points, 15 rebounds and two steals from Emily Kutch.

Mains said his team did a great job of slowing down Kutch until the fourth quarter.

Madison McLean, who Frost said added some great minutes off the bench, chipped in eight points and Broke Wieland six points and seven steals for Lakewood.

“We did a nice job of getting back into a position to tie the game, but when you exert that much energy to come from behind, it is hard to make the plays on the offensive end,” Frost said.

Hammerhead Swim Club is looking for new swimmers The Hastings Hammerhead Swim Club is looking for kids from the ages of 8 to 18 who love to swim.

The Hammerhead Swim Club practices at the Hastings community pool every Monday and Wednesday night. The swim club is open to anyone who loves to swim and would like to be part of a swim team. The club includes swimmers from Hastings, Middleville, Wayland, Delton and other surrounding communities.

The club runs two practices each evening, divided by age and ability. The club does travel to and host meets, but participation in

those meets is optional.

“Our goal is to have fun and to teach kids how to swim better and to swim competitively if they would like,” said Mike Schipper.

New swimmers will be allowed to swim for a week without having to pay club fees to see if they like it.

If you have any questions or would like more information please feel free to the club’s webpage at www.hammerheadswimclub.weebly.com or email team administrator Kim Kroells at hastingshammerheads@yahoo.com.

The Saxons’ Taylor Carter (1) flips a shot up over Lakewood guard Brooke Wieland (10) during Tuesday’s contest at Hastings High School. (Photo by Perry Hardin) “I am happy for the Hastings kids, they have worked hard the last couple of years without a lot of success, and they came ready to compete. Coach Mains did a nice job and had his kids ready to play.”

The Saxons were ready Friday too, knocking off visiting Reeths-Puffer 55-48.

Hastings ran out to a 20-9 lead in the opening quarter, and pushed that edge to 34-20 by the half.

Hastings’ Erin Gray is hit across the arm by Lakewood’s Emily Kutch as she tries to put a shot up during Tuesday night’s non-conference contest. (Photo by Perry Hardin) The Rockets did respond to make it a game, outscoring the Saxons 19-7 in the fourth quarter.

Taylor Carter led Hastings with 24 points.

Dailey added 15 and Grace Meade ten.

Nikki Redman shut down the Rockets’ top scorer, holding her to just two buckets. She averaged 18 points coming into the contest.

Kalisa Williams led the Rockets with 12 points.

Lakewood uses threes to beat Hornet boys in league opener

Saxons honored for sportsmanship New varsity girls’ basketball coach Andrew Mains (center right) accepts a banner honoring the 2011-12 Hastings varsity girls’ basketball team as one of the National Guard’s and Basketball Coaches Association of Michigan’s Sportsmanship Award winners during Tuesday night’s contest with Lakewood at Hastings High School. (Photo by Perry Hardin)

by Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Lakewood varsity boys’ basketball team opened Capital Area Activities Conference White Division play Friday with a 57-51 win over visiting Williamston.

Lakewood had another big night behind the three-point line, knocking down 9-of-23 attempts. Alex Potter hit two and finished with a game-high 17 points. Colin O’Mara drilled four threes and had 14 points for the Vikings.

The Vikings started a bit slow, falling behind by eight points in the opening quarter, but picked things up to take a 35-28 lead into the half. Williamston took the lead in the third quarter, as the Vikings offense got a bit stagnant, but O’Mara hit a big three in the final seconds of the period to tie the game up at 4242.

The Vikings showed some big improvement at the foul-line, holding off the Hornets by going 12-of-14 at the line in the fourth quarter and 18-for-23 overall.

It wasn’t just solid shooting, but great defense that earned the Vikings the win.

Lakewood head coach Wayne Piercefield was

very pleased with his front-line players Luke Richmond and Dylan Durkee. Durkee had four points and Richmond none, but the defense they played on the Hornet’s 6-8 and 6-7 post players was tremendous. “(Richmond) fronted the post extremely well and didn’t let them catch it in the post,” said Piercefield. “(Durkee) blocked his guy out better than anybody on the floor,” Piercefield said. “He wasn’t getting any rebounds, but his guy wasn’t getting them either.”

Jacob Buehler led the Vikings’ charge at the foul-line in the fourth quarter, going 7-of8 himself. He finished with 12 points as well as three steals. Kalib McKinney had five assists to go with six points. O’Mara had a team-high six rebounds.

The Vikings were outrebounded by the Hornets 33-21 in the game.

Williamston was led by Tom Cotter’s 16 points. Matt Meranda added ten and Riley Lewis eight.

The Vikings fell at home Tuesday against Hastings in a non-conference contest, and will return to action Friday with a league match-up against Portland.

Maple Valley wrestlers split their first two duals at Bath The Lions aren’t real experienced, with eight of the 21 wrestlers new to the varsity, but they’re off to a good start anyway.

Maple Valley’s varsity wrestling team opened the season with a 1-1 night at Bath Wednesday.

The Lions fell to Bath 42-31, but followed that up with a 42-31 win over Haslett.

Maple Valley is led by junior Austin Davis, who won the 112-pound championship in the Kalamazoo Valley Association last year, and was a regional qualifier.

Davis scored two pins Wednesday at 125 pounds, sticking Bath’s Rey Song in 1 minute 51 seconds and Haslett’s Jeff Fryer in 2:31.

The Lions have a little bit of experience in the lightweights, with Davis, Sam Bonney, and Kodee Crouch all back. In the middle and upper weights returnees include Zach Pixley, Rodney Bement, Travis Franks and Nick Whitaker.

Crouch, Bonney, Davis, Bement and Zackary Rosenberger all had two wins at Wednesday’s meet for the Lions.

Crouch at 112 pounds and Bonney at 119 had forfeit wins over Haslett, and big wins against Bath. Crouch beat Bath’s Elliott Lip 13-2. Bonney pinned Bath’s Bonnie Baker in 54 seconds.

Bement and Rosenberger had two pins each. At 152 pounds, Bement pinned Bath’s Sawyer Lucas in 1:00 and Haslett’s Bruce Gieson in 2:54. Rosenberger stuck Bath’s Caleb Meyers in :57 and Haslett’s Josh

Palmer in 2:28.

Pixley, Matt Reid and Dan Langman also had wins for the Lions on the night.

The Lions were scheduled to go to Calvin Christian last night to take on the Squires and the West Ottawa Panthers. They’ll be in Portland for a tournament Saturday.

Vikings will honor newest collegiate All-American Friday The Lakewood Athletic Association and Lakewood Athletic Department will be honoring Melanie Forman on Friday during halftime of the varsity girls’ basketball game against Portland.

Forman was selected to the 2011 NAIA Volleyball All-American Third Team at the conclusion of her senior year. While at Indiana Tech University she set the school record for assists with 4,885 and was also named the 2011 WHAC Setter of the Year.

A plaque featuring Forman and her accomplishments will be presented to her, courtesy of the Lakewood Athletic Association.