Broncos move to 2nd in the state in Class D

Posted by Adam Droscha | Feb 9, 2018 | Bellevue, Sports |

After a winning game against Athens, the Bellevue boy’s varsity basketball team jumped from 7th in the state for class D ball, to 2nd in the state. With a 14-0 record, the Broncos have been a tough challenge for the competition this season, and plan to continue that toughness for the next six games. Head coach, Joe Costello, attributes their streak to some of the best defense he’s seen in his years coaching in Bellevue. “We’re very good defensively. We put pressure on these teams. If you don’t have a couple of guards who can handle the ball you’ll...

Eaton Rapids enters first stages of Michigan Main Street Program

Posted by Adam Droscha | Feb 9, 2018 | Eaton Rapids, The Flashes News |

In May of 2017 Eaton Rapids was approved for the Michigan Main Street Program, a program offered through the Michigan Economic Development Corporation to aid communities in revitalizing their downtown and commercial districts. The Eaton Rapids Marketing Alliance has been the driving force behind the first steps toward getting Eaton Rapids involved in programs like Michigan Main Street. After the approval of Eaton Rapids for the program last May, members of the marketing alliance and other community organizations like the DDA attended several training seminars about the program. It’s unclear at this point what specifically Eaton Rapids ambassadors gleaned from the training sessions, they no doubt were instructed on the finer of points of the program’s approach to community development. Things like economic structuring, promotion, design standards, and organization are the focuses for communities looking where to start. Eaton Rapids has a long way to go before it’s in the thick of the program, however. According to Mayor Paul Malewski, who is also part of the DDA and ERMA, Eaton Rapids is only in the preliminary stages. “We’re a long way from going to the next level in the program. We have to fill out some more applications before we move into next phase,” said Malewski. Obstacles like funding, and hiring a director for the program still remain. The rules of the program require a director specifically for the...

Potterville city council: appointments, lawsuits, and accusations

Posted by Adam Droscha | Feb 2, 2018 | Potterville |

Thursday, Jan. 25 the new Potterville city council met for the first time in 2018. The four-hour meeting covered everything from filling a council seat vacancy, selection of a new mayor, committee appointments, a brief presentation from the city’s attorney, a vote on the Benton Township lawsuit, public comment, and requests for public apologies. The evening was a mix of regular business, catching up the new council on old policies and basic practices, and a number of tense moments between the council, the city manager, and the public. The most notable moment of the meeting was when the city council voted to withdraw an appeal to the Michigan Supreme Court, with only a vote from councilman Doug Hartson to continue with the lawsuit. The council went into closed session with the city’s attorney to discuss the recent submission to the Michigan Supreme Court to hear the lawsuit from the City of Potterville. The lawsuit over the schools’ request for Benton Township fire department to be the first responders in the case of an emergency was heard by the state court of appeals, which stood mute on the issue. After that decision, the outgoing council voted to take the case to the Michigan Supreme Court. “We have a chance to fix the rift in our community. If this proceeds forward, regardless of the outcome, I believe it’s in the best...

Greyhounds unite to fundraise for soccer coach

Posted by Adam Droscha | Feb 2, 2018 | Eaton Rapids, Sports |

Over Christmas break, beloved varsity soccer coach and middle school teacher, Matt Boersma, was diagnosed with head and neck cancer. The diagnoses came as a surprise to not only Matt and his family, but also to his students, colleagues, and community who recognize him as a healthy and lively personality. In the wake of the news, Matt’s Eaton Rapids and traveling soccer teams started fundraising efforts to support Matt and his family. According to athletic director and assistant principal, Jeff Dassance, Matt’s travel soccer team was the first to come up with the idea for a t-shirt fundraiser. Intrigued by the idea, he, along with Eaton Rapids Middle School’s social committee, took action and joined the t-shirt fundraising effort. The Eaton Rapids t-shirts differ slightly in design, displaying the Greyhound logo, but the idea is the same: $15 t-shirts to raise money for gas cards, meals, and more for the Boersma family. Matt has since started his treatments. Most readers will know secondhand, or personally, the devastating effects of cancer treatments. According to Jeff, however, Matt and his family are choosing to remain optimistic. “He and his family struggled at first,” said Jeff. “He plans to fight and beat this thing.” Matt has already set some personal goals since the diagnosis. Remaining optimistic is only an initial objective, but he’s made long term goals like his plan to coach...

Barry-Eaton board of health votes to begin repeal of TOST

Posted by Adam Droscha | Feb 2, 2018 | Eaton County |

Thursday, Jan. 25, the Barry-Eaton board of health met to vote on the possible repeal of the TOST program (Time of Sale and Transfer). Prior to the vote the board heard several testimonies from the public, both for and against the program. TOST has been a topic of intense debate since its implementation 10 years ago. After hearing the public comments, and final debate between board members, the board moved to take steps to repeal the program. The essential function of TOST was to gradually evaluate and update the onsite water wells and sewage systems at the time of sale or transfer of properties. TOST primarily targeted residential parcels. This meant that when a homeowner sought to sell a house, an evaluation of the septic and drainfield had to be made and approved by BEDHD. If the property failed the evaluation due to faulty or an out of date septic/drainfield, the homeowner would then have to replace/update the aforementioned sewage components. The point of the TOST program was to protect groundwater, local bodies of water, and the general environment surrounding a property. The program was largely adopted because Michigan does not have statewide standards for upkeep of septic/drainfields, according to several board members. The issue with TOST, however, became the high costs for replacing systems that were often still safe and functional, but simply out of date. Such costs...

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Author: Adam Droscha