News across Barry County
Experience, service shape House race
One points to more than a decade representing Mid and West Michigan in Congress and leadership roles involving federal spending and China. The other points to 17 years in the U.S. Marine Corps and subsequent work on veterans policy and federal government modernization.…
Albert, Pennock vie for 18th District Senate seat
Experience in Lansing is at the center of Republican state Sen. Thomas Albert’s campaign for re-election, while Democratic challenger Anthony Pennock is emphasizing his experience outside politics and his work as a special education teacher. Albert, 41, of Vergennes Township has…
Hastings City Council debates voting process after new member takes oath
On the day that the Hastings City Council welcomed a new member at its regular meeting Monday, Sept. 28, council members also debated what some saw as a contentious voting process at its previous meeting. Debra Hatfield, who was appointed to fill the vacancy left by the recent…
Hastings City Council picks new member
It might have taken a bit longer than expected, but the Hastings City Council appointed a new member at its regular meeting on Monday, Sept. 14. Debra Hatfield was appointed to fill the vacancy left by the recent resignation of Jordan Brehm, who represented the city’s Fourth…
Hastings police show off newly renovated offices
Hastings Police Department officials got a chance to show off their recently renovated offices on the second floor of Hastings City Hall during an open house Monday, Sept. 14. The event, held before the Hastings City Council’s regular meeting, included a ribbon-cutting ceremony,…
City of Hastings honors retiring reserve officer
The Hastings City Council took a few moments at their recent regular meeting on Aug. 24 to applaud the contributions of Steve Bare, a retired member of the Hastings Police Department’s Reserve Unit. According to HPD Police Chief Dale Boulter, Bare served as a reserve officer for…
Barry County hires firm for jail project ‘preconstruction’
The Barry County Board of Commissioners continued moving forward with planning for a new jail and law enforcement facility by recently agreeing to a contract with a construction management firm. Commissioners unanimously approved a contract with Granger Construction for…
Barry County board preps for push to OK 2027 budget plan
Barry County officials have begun their push to have a balanced budget plan in place for the start of the 2027 fiscal year. The Barry County Board of Commissioners had what District 3 Commissioner David Jackson, chairman of the county board, called an “opening discussion” on the…
Commissioner: Barry Co. COA move delayed
The move to the newly constructed Barry County Commission on Aging is going to take just a bit longer than anticipated. At the Barry County Board of Commissioners’ meeting on Aug. 25, Commission on Aging Executive Director Courtney Ziny informed board members that the county…