The Michigan Public Service Commission has approved orders meant to expand wireless Lifeline service in areas of the state and boost competition among existing telephone service providers.

The Commission today approved an application from DISH Wireless LLC for designation as an eligible telecommunications carrier, which permits the company to have access to federal Universal Service Fund support for expanding and enhancing wireless Lifeline phone service (Case No. U-21382). The company intends to offer plans through the Lifeline program that provides phone discounts for low-income families.

DISH Wireless, based in Colorado, sought approval to offer its Gen Mobile service, which provides low-cost wireless phone service to underserved communities, to areas throughout the state, including a dozen federally recognized Tribal lands.

The Commission also:

• Granted a permanent license to EarthGrid PBC, doing business as EarthGrid Corp., to provide basic local exchange phone service throughout Michigan (Case No. U-21417). The Commission in August granted the company a temporary license. The Commission found that granting EarthGrid the permanent license will expand competition among service providers; the company intends to offer service in areas in which Frontier North Inc., Frontier Midstates Inc., and AT&T Michigan are the incumbent local exchange carriers.
• Granted a permanent license to Ohio-based Cincinnati Bell Extended Territories LLC, doing business as Altafiber Connected Services, to provide basic local exchange service throughout Michigan (Case No. U-21449). The Commission granted the company a temporary license in July. The permanent license permits Altafiber to provide service, also in zones and exchange areas served by Frontier North Inc., Frontier Midstates Inc., and AT&T Michigan.

MPSC SEEKS PUBLIC INPUT ON UTILITIES’ PROPOSED INTERCONNECTION PROCEDURES

The MPSC today announced it is seeking comments from interested parties on proposed interconnection procedures, also known as MIXDG procedures, under new Interconnection and Distributed Generation Standards the Commission adopted this year, formally rescinding legacy net metering rules (Case No. U-21455 et al). As directed by the Commission, the following utilities filed final proposed interconnection procedures, along with requested rule waivers: Northern States Power Co., Indiana Michigan Power Co., Upper Peninsula Power Co., Upper Michigan Energy Resources Corp., Consumers Energy Co., DTE Electric Co., and Alpena Power Co., along with Alger Delta Cooperative Electric Association, Cherryland Electric Cooperative, Cloverland Electric Cooperative, Great Lakes Energy Cooperative, HomeWorks Tri-County Electric Cooperative, Midwest Energy & Communications, Ontonagon REA, Presque Isle Electric & Gas Co-op, and Thumb Electric Cooperative. Any person may file written comments, suggestions, data, views, questions, argument or modifications. Comments must be filed, referencing the appropriate case number, by 5 p.m. Oct. 27, 2023. Reply comments are due by 5 p.m. Nov. 13, 2023. Electronic comments may be emailed to mpscedockets@michigan.gov. Comments also may be mailed to Executive Secretary, Michigan Public Service Commission, P.O. Box 30221, Lansing, MI 48909.

COMMISSION APPROVES ADJUSTMENT OF POWER OUTAGE CREDIT TO $38

The MPSC today raised the daily power outage credit for customers whose service remains out longer than state service quality and reliability standards permit to $38 from $35, marking the first required annual inflation adjustment since the Commission approved raising the credits from $25 per day in March 2023 and made the credits automatic (Case No. U-20629). The outage credit is required to be adjusted based on the Consumer Price Index each October 1, with the amount rounded up to the nearest dollar.

MPSC OKS CONSUMERS ENERGY’S POWER SUPPLY COST RECOVERY RECONCILIATION

The Commission approved Consumers Energy Co.’s application for a power supply cost recovery (PSCR) reconciliation for the 2021 calendar year, with modifications, with a net overrecovery balance of $7,394,644, inclusive of interest, as the company’s 2022 beginning balance (Case No. U-20803). The Commission disallowed $338,067 in replacement power costs associated with a more than 8-hour outage on Aug. 24, 2021, at the utility’s Karn Unit 1. The Commission also approved a request from biomass merchant plants Cadillac Renewable Energy LLC; Genesee Power Station LP; Grayling Generating Station LP; Hillman Power Co. LLC; TES Filer City Station LP; National Energy of Lincoln LLC, and National Energy of McBain LLC for $17,120,794 in capped and uncapped costs. The Commission directed Consumers Energy to provide reporting on planned and unplanned wind generation outages in future PSCR reconciliations and set the company’s net financial compensation mechanism overrecovery balance of $341,056, with interest, as its 2022 financial compensation mechanism calculation beginning balance.

MPSC APPROVES GAS TRANSPORTATION SERVICE AGREEMENT BETWEEN DTM MICHIGAN GATHERING CO. AND DTE GAS CO. FOR USE OF ANTRIM EXPANSION PROJECT

The MPSC approved an application by DTM Michigan Gathering Co. (DGC) for approval of a firm gas transportation service agreement between DGC and DTE Gas Co. with the rates, terms and conditions of transportation on the Antrim Expansion Project (Case No. U-21406), a pipeline project previously approved by the Commission. Today’s approval also applies to future similarly situated shippers. The approved transportation service will not result in an increase in the cost of service for other shippers on the AEP system. The Commission noted that MPSC Staff and intervenors will have the chance to assess the reasonableness of the rate DTE Gas will pay under the agreement in future gas cost recovery proceedings.

The Michigan Public Service Commission has approved orders meant to expand wireless Lifeline service in areas of the state and boost competition among existing telephone service providers.

The Commission today approved an application from DISH Wireless LLC for designation as an eligible telecommunications carrier, which permits the company to have access to federal Universal Service Fund support for expanding and enhancing wireless Lifeline phone service (Case No. U-21382). The company intends to offer plans through the Lifeline program that provides phone discounts for low-income families.

DISH Wireless, based in Colorado, sought approval to offer its Gen Mobile service, which provides low-cost wireless phone service to underserved communities, to areas throughout the state, including a dozen federally recognized Tribal lands.

The Commission also:

• Granted a permanent license to EarthGrid PBC, doing business as EarthGrid Corp., to provide basic local exchange phone service throughout Michigan (Case No. U-21417). The Commission in August granted the company a temporary license. The Commission found that granting EarthGrid the permanent license will expand competition among service providers; the company intends to offer service in areas in which Frontier North Inc., Frontier Midstates Inc., and AT&T Michigan are the incumbent local exchange carriers.
• Granted a permanent license to Ohio-based Cincinnati Bell Extended Territories LLC, doing business as Altafiber Connected Services, to provide basic local exchange service throughout Michigan (Case No. U-21449). The Commission granted the company a temporary license in July. The permanent license permits Altafiber to provide service, also in zones and exchange areas served by Frontier North Inc., Frontier Midstates Inc., and AT&T Michigan.

MPSC SEEKS PUBLIC INPUT ON UTILITIES’ PROPOSED INTERCONNECTION PROCEDURES

The MPSC today announced it is seeking comments from interested parties on proposed interconnection procedures, also known as MIXDG procedures, under new Interconnection and Distributed Generation Standards the Commission adopted this year, formally rescinding legacy net metering rules (Case No. U-21455 et al). As directed by the Commission, the following utilities filed final proposed interconnection procedures, along with requested rule waivers: Northern States Power Co., Indiana Michigan Power Co., Upper Peninsula Power Co., Upper Michigan Energy Resources Corp., Consumers Energy Co., DTE Electric Co., and Alpena Power Co., along with Alger Delta Cooperative Electric Association, Cherryland Electric Cooperative, Cloverland Electric Cooperative, Great Lakes Energy Cooperative, HomeWorks Tri-County Electric Cooperative, Midwest Energy & Communications, Ontonagon REA, Presque Isle Electric & Gas Co-op, and Thumb Electric Cooperative. Any person may file written comments, suggestions, data, views, questions, argument or modifications. Comments must be filed, referencing the appropriate case number, by 5 p.m. Oct. 27, 2023. Reply comments are due by 5 p.m. Nov. 13, 2023. Electronic comments may be emailed to mpscedockets@michigan.gov. Comments also may be mailed to Executive Secretary, Michigan Public Service Commission, P.O. Box 30221, Lansing, MI 48909.

COMMISSION APPROVES ADJUSTMENT OF POWER OUTAGE CREDIT TO $38

The MPSC today raised the daily power outage credit for customers whose service remains out longer than state service quality and reliability standards permit to $38 from $35, marking the first required annual inflation adjustment since the Commission approved raising the credits from $25 per day in March 2023 and made the credits automatic (Case No. U-20629). The outage credit is required to be adjusted based on the Consumer Price Index each October 1, with the amount rounded up to the nearest dollar.

MPSC OKS CONSUMERS ENERGY’S POWER SUPPLY COST RECOVERY RECONCILIATION

The Commission approved Consumers Energy Co.’s application for a power supply cost recovery (PSCR) reconciliation for the 2021 calendar year, with modifications, with a net overrecovery balance of $7,394,644, inclusive of interest, as the company’s 2022 beginning balance (Case No. U-20803). The Commission disallowed $338,067 in replacement power costs associated with a more than 8-hour outage on Aug. 24, 2021, at the utility’s Karn Unit 1. The Commission also approved a request from biomass merchant plants Cadillac Renewable Energy LLC; Genesee Power Station LP; Grayling Generating Station LP; Hillman Power Co. LLC; TES Filer City Station LP; National Energy of Lincoln LLC, and National Energy of McBain LLC for $17,120,794 in capped and uncapped costs. The Commission directed Consumers Energy to provide reporting on planned and unplanned wind generation outages in future PSCR reconciliations and set the company’s net financial compensation mechanism overrecovery balance of $341,056, with interest, as its 2022 financial compensation mechanism calculation beginning balance.

MPSC APPROVES GAS TRANSPORTATION SERVICE AGREEMENT BETWEEN DTM MICHIGAN GATHERING CO. AND DTE GAS CO. FOR USE OF ANTRIM EXPANSION PROJECT

The MPSC approved an application by DTM Michigan Gathering Co. (DGC) for approval of a firm gas transportation service agreement between DGC and DTE Gas Co. with the rates, terms and conditions of transportation on the Antrim Expansion Project (Case No. U-21406), a pipeline project previously approved by the Commission. Today’s approval also applies to future similarly situated shippers. The approved transportation service will not result in an increase in the cost of service for other shippers on the AEP system. The Commission noted that MPSC Staff and intervenors will have the chance to assess the reasonableness of the rate DTE Gas will pay under the agreement in future gas cost recovery proceedings.

On October 6th, 2023, officers from the Big Rapids Department of Public Safety and community members, will join other officers and community members nationwide to discuss community issues, build relationships, and drink coffee during a Coffee with a Cop Day at the Big Rapids Farmer’s Market.

All community members are invited to attend. The event begins at 9:00 A.M. on October 6th at the Big Rapids Downtown Farmer’s Market, in the City Hall parking lot, 226 N Michigan Ave. Please contact Officer William Sell with questions: 231-527-0005, wsell@bigrapidsdps.org.

Coffee with a Cop provides a unique opportunity for community members to ask questions and learn more about the department’s work in Big Rapids. The majority of contacts law enforcement has with
the public happen during emergencies or emotional situations. Those situations are not always the most effective times for relationship-building with the community, and some community members may feel that officers are unapproachable on the street. Coffee with a Cop breaks down barriers and allows for relaxed, one-on-one interaction.

Coffee with a Cop is a national initiative supported by The United States Department of Justice, Office of Community-Oriented Policing Services. Similar events are held across the country, as local police departments strive to make lasting connections with the communities they serve.

The program aims to advance the practice of community policing through improving relationships between police officers and community members one cup of coffee at a time. This Coffee with a Cop is also being held in conjunction with National Faith and Blue Weekend.

Monday, September 25

• At 1345 hours, deputies made a traffic stop in Big Rapids TWP. The male driver was arrested on a warrant. He was lodged at the Mecosta County Jail.

• At 1437 hours, deputies made a warrant arrest at a residence in Newaygo County. A male subject was arrested on two warrants. He was lodged at the Mecosta County Jail.

Calls for Service: 14

Tuesday, September 26

Calls for Service: 10

Traffic Accidents: 3

Car/Deer Accidents: 2

Wednesday, September 27

Calls for Service: 17

Traffic Accidents: 1

Car/Deer Accidents: 2

Thursday, September 28

Calls for Service: 13

Traffic Accidents: 2

Car/Deer Accidents: 2

Ferris State University faculty members and advocates are working to expand the message and mission of the Ferris Museum of Sexist Objects by nurturing discussion in the region and beyond.

MoSO co-founder and History professor Tracy N. Busch said the museum’s emphasis is more on telling stories than focusing on its objects.

“We have gathered responses from those who are struck by items they viewed in our collection, as we believe these messages can be valuable and encouraging to people of all ages,” Busch said. “We feel the MoSO is more of a movement than a museum, so we want to take our objects and message out into the community.”

A “Mini-MoSO” was curated as Busch consulted with Carrie Weis in Ferris State’s Fine Art Gallery, and the MoSO Storytelling Community had its beginning in Fall 2022. Busch said a student storytelling pilot project brought a significant response.

“They followed our vision, which encouraged us to continue seeking out more stories,” Busch said. “Our curated items allow us to travel with our story and gather responses from a more diverse audience.”

Busch said another initiative for the committee is to create content that tells the story of Anna Howard Shaw, a suffrage leader in the late 19th century and early 20th century.

“The idea that Shaw came from England to rural Big Rapids as an adolescent, and by her life experiences grew to lead the largest suffrage association in the United States remains an important story worth sharing,” Busch said. “Our founder, Woodbridge Ferris, kept her portrait in his office, saying he was a ‘radical advocate’ for the women’s rights causes she promoted. That was not a popular stance to take, at that time.”

The museum’s intentions also reach to dialogue and debate on discriminatory practices beyond sexist attitudes, and Busch said committee member Mari Kermit-Canfield’s skills in gamification of societal issues are being applied to develop an exercise in examining intersectionality.

“We hope to illustrate notions of bias that pertain to social class, racism and sexism,” Busch said. “Game players can see what gives them social ‘value,’ in terms of their employment status and social acceptance. By making use of innovative educator Sylvia Duckworth’s ‘Wheel of Privilege,’ along with Kimberle Crenshaw’s presentations on intersectionality’s layers of oppression, our hope is to give participants the opportunity to see where sexist and other obstructive practices exist and might be avoided.”

The Ferris Museum of Sexist Objects strives to raise awareness and inspire activism in response to everyday items that promote sexism, gendered violence and female stereotypes. The Museum is a learning environment that works to encourage scholarly dialogue and fosters research.

Museum of Sexist Objects website: https://www.ferris.edu/moso/index.htm

As fall season begins, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) encourages Michiganders to get free COVID-19 at-home tests through the federal government’s COVID-19 tests website and provides additional information about state-specific testing resources.

As of Monday, Sept. 25, all U.S. residents are able to go to COVIDTests.gov to sign up to receive up to four free at-home tests per household delivered via the U.S. Postal Service.

For Michiganders who are thinking about plans for on-site testing, Michigan.gov/COVIDTest remains in place to assist in locating a testing location.

MDHHS also continues to partner with libraries across the state to provide free at-home COVID-19 tests to Michiganders. Click here for a list of participating libraries.

Private health insurers are no longer required to cover at-home COVID-19 tests, however information is available regarding eligibility and options for individuals with private insurance and Medicare. Under federal law, Medicaid and MIChild participants can obtain free at-home and laboratory COVID-19 tests through Sept. 30, 2024. Check with your insurer for the most up-to-date information for your specific plan.

“Testing continues to be a critical tool in managing the spread of COVID-19 and we encourage Michigan families to take advantage of the available free COVID tests to reduce the risk of spreading the virus to our loved ones and neighbors,” said Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, chief medical executive. “It is important to test for COVID but to also consider other respiratory diseases, like RSV and influenza, as we head into fall and winter when these respiratory diseases spread most easily. Please stay home if you are sick, even if you have a negative COVID test.”

MDHHS encourages Michigan families to have a COVID plan that works for them. This may include keeping a supply of COVID-19 over-the-counter tests and well-fitting masks at home; getting the updated COVID-19 vaccine; and speaking to a health care provider about eligibility for therapeutics that reduce the risk of severe COVID-19 disease for those who test positive.

More information about MDHHS-sponsored testing is available at Michigan.gov/Coronavirus.

The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) is investing $2.5 million to improve approximately 8 miles of I-96 from Whitneyville Avenue to the Kent/Ionia county line. Work includes full-depth concrete pavement repairs and shoulder resurfacing.   

Immediate work will include lane closures through noon this Saturday on westbound I-96 from Morse Lake Road to Whitneyville Avenue. Eastbound I-96 lane closures are in place between M-50 and the Kent/Ionia county line through 7 A.M. this Friday. 

Lane closures and traffic shifts will remain in effect for the project on eastbound I-96 between M-6 and the Kent/Ionia county line weekly from Sunday evening through Friday morning. Westbound I-96 lane closures and shifts will be in effect 9 a.m. Monday through Friday mornings until late November.

This work zone will utilize the zipper merge. When traffic is heavy, motorists should use both open lanes and take turns merging into one lane at the signed merge point. This project will provide a better ride and extend the service life of the roadway.

Recognizing the continuing accomplishments and contributions of the alumni community, Ferris State University will recognize five Distinguished Alumni Award winners and three Pacesetter Award honorees at Fall Reunion on Friday, Sept. 29.

The Ferris State Alumni Association salutes alumni based on professional growth, leadership and contributions to the community, society and Ferris State University through the Distinguished Alumni Award and Pacesetter Awards. Honorees serve as role models for current students and help build a community of Ferris State alumni who support each other.

“Our Alumni Association takes great pride in recognizing the best of the best among those who have graduated from Ferris State University. This is at the heart of the work our Alumni Association leadership invests in identifying and honoring the winners of our Distinguished Alumni Award and our Pacesetter Award,” said Brandi Behrenwald, executive director of Alumni Relations. “We have a diverse group of alumni we’re highlighting this year with great stories strengthened by their Ferris State experience. We look forward to recognizing their past and continuing accomplishments and connections to Ferris State.”

The 2023 recipients of the Distinguished Alumni Award and Pacesetter Award from Ferris State and its Kendall College of Art and Design are:

Distinguished Alumni Award recipients

• Kim Herremans, a Class of 1982 Dental Hygiene alumna of the College of Health Professions, is the executive director for the Greater Tampa Bay Oral Health Coalition. She founded, implemented, or expanded various programs to increase access to dental health services in Florida. The Apollo Beach, Fla. native co-authored a dental hygiene textbook and has lectured in numerous states at dental hygiene meetings and at universities. She has also been involved in Operation Smile, an organization of volunteers and surgeons who correct children’s cleft lips and palettes.

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• Shane Napper, a Class of 1997 Construction Management alumnus from the College of Engineering Technology, is the president and COO of Rockford Construction and serves on the Ferris State Construction Advisory Board. The Caledonia native is a founder of and presenter for the Rockford Construction “Dimensions” program, which supports local minority, women, and veteran-owned trade contractors.

• Mike Van Diepenbos is a Class of 1987 alumnus of the College of Engineering Technology in Architectural Technology and a 1989 College of Business alumnus in Business Administration. Van Diepenbos is she senior vice president and group manager for Business Banking at Comerica Bank. The Cascade resident is a former Alumni Association board member who co-founded and co-chaired the Ferris State Grand Rapids Council and is currently serving on the Ferris Foundation Board of Directors. His professional affiliations include the Economies Club of Grand Rapids, Grand Rapids, Southwest Michigan and Muskegon Lakeshore Chamber of Commerce.

• Gary Waters, a Class of 1975 and Class of 1978 alumnus of the College of Business majoring in Business Administration and Business Education, is a nationally recognized collegiate basketball coach. Now residing in Tampa, Fla. Waters was a head coach at Kent State, Rutgers, and Cleveland State. He started his career as an assistant coach at Ferris State after playing for the Bulldogs for two seasons. An inductee to three halls of fame, Gary authored the books “Ten Principles of a Character Coach” and “Coaching Millennials from a Character Perspective.”

• Keith Winn, a Class of 1972 Kendall College of Art and Design alumnus in Interior Design, is the founder and president emeritus of Catalyst Partners, a sustainable consulting firm. The Grand Rapids native is also a founding member of the U.S. Green Building Council and was a developer of the LEED building certification. When the Catalyst Partners headquarters building in Grand Rapids was renovated in 2010, it received the highest number of LEED credits in the world at that time.

The Pacesetter Award, established in 1998, is presented based on similar criteria as the Distinguished Alumni Award, but winners have graduated in the last 12 years or less.

Pacesetter Award recipients

• Farah Jalloul, a Class of 2017 College of Pharmacy/MBA, is the director of professional development for the Michigan Pharmacists Association. The Lansing native is a preceptor of Ferris pharmacy students and has spoken numerous times at the College of Pharmacy, including giving the keynote address for the Class of 2026 White Coat ceremony. Jalloul has authored a pharmacy law book to help prepare students for the state required MPJE law exam for licensure. She also serves as the state Pharmacy Emergency Preparedness Coordinator.

• Robbie Rankey, a Class of 2010 College of Business alumnus in Business Administration, is the executive director of Simon Group Holdings. His career includes law school, public accounting and more than 10 years in politics. The Orchard Lake native has been an active member of the Alumni Association board since 2019, Robbie also regularly attends the Ferris Foundation Benefit and various athletic events. He is active with the Boys and Girls Clubs of SE Michigan.

• Joshua Solas, a Class of 2018 Kendall College of Art and Design Illustration alumnus, is an artist and creative director of Solasink. He is an active member of the Equity Council at KCAD. The St. Andrews, Jamaica resident’s company was commissioned in 2022 to restore the National Coat of Arms Sculpture at the National Stadium in Jamaica and to brand the Universal Music Group’s Black History Month digital campaign in 2023.

John and Sue Bradac Above and Beyond Award Winners

• Garrett Beaulieu, of Alpena, is serving his second term as president of the Student Alumni Gold Club. In addition to his involvement in SAGC, Garrett is president of the Ferris State Associated Construction Students RSO, Secretary of Ferris State Sigma Lambda Chi Construction Honors Fraternity and is an active member of the Ferris State ASC Construction Competition Team. Garrett will graduate this coming May with a Bachelor of Science in Construction Management and has secured a position with The Christman Company.

• Rebecca Bovee, of DeWitt, is the new member coordinator for Student Alumni Gold Club. Becca is also consistently volunteering to help staff and plan SAGC events throughout the year while keeping busy with her other professional affiliations such as membership in Phi Lambda Sigma, Omicron Delta Kappa, The American Pharmacists Association at Ferris State and Kappa Psi Professional Pharmaceutical Fraternity. Becca maintains a 4.0 GPA in the Doctor of Pharmacy program. In the spring, she will move to Grand Rapids as she continues her doctorate in Pharmacy with an expected graduation date of May 2026.

For more information about the Distinguished Alumni Award and Pacesetter Award, visit the Alumni Association website at https://www.ferris.edu/alumni/Distinguished-Alumni.htm.

Today marks one year since local leaders in Mecosta County made a deal with Gotion, a subsidiary of Chinese Communist Party (CCP)-affiliated Gotion High-Tech, to build a battery component factory. Since September 26, 2022, Gotion has secured over $715 million in tax incentives from the state of Michigan, and officials signed non-disclosure agreements to keep details secret from the public. Congressman John Moolenaar, who represents Mecosta County in the U.S. House of Representatives and serves on the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, is opposed to the project. 

“Over the past year, we have learned about the very concerning ties Gotion has with the Chinese Communist Party, including its parent company making products for the Chinese military, and the son of a CCP official leading Gotion’s American operations. The CCP will use any form of leverage it has to pursue its agenda and further its goals against the United States,” said Moolenaar. “The Gotion project is still not in the best interest of Michigan and should be stopped.” 

Moolenaar recently joined Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) in a letter to Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen urging the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States to investigate the ownership of Gotion. He also called on the Treasury Department to deny tax credits to CCP-based companies and their subsidiaries.

Friday, September 22

Calls for Service: 12

Car/Deer Accidents: 2

Saturday, September 23

Calls for Service: 10

Sunday, September 24

Calls for Service: 10

Traffic Accidents: 3

Two Kendall College of Art and Design of Ferris State University alumni are among 25 artists selected as finalists to compete for first place and the $125,000 Public Vote Grand Prize for ArtPrize 2023.

Bryce Culverhouse and Christopher Shields each received enough public votes over the week-long Round 1 voting period for their respective entries to land in the Top 25.

ArtPrize voters now have the chance to cast one vote for the Top 25 entry they feel is most deserving of the Grand Prize, with Round 2 voting open through 11:59 p.m. on Sept. 28.

KCAD is playing a leading role in ArtPrize 2023, hosting exhibits and celebrating student, faculty, staff and alumni contributions in the nationally known competition stretching throughout Grand Rapids. The college is part of the new public-private partnership alongside the city of Grand Rapids and Downtown Grand Rapids, Inc. The event runs through Sunday, Oct. 1.

Culverhouse, who passed away earlier this month, graduated in 1972 with a professional certificate in Advertising Design.

He affirms a legacy of creativity, connection and activism with his “Black History Series,” on view at the Grand Rapids African American Museum and Archives, 87 Monroe Center St. NW, in Grand Rapids.

Following a career as a graphic designer, art director and creative director, Culverhouse began blending history, fine art typography and advocacy into a deeply connective creative practice.

Using typography as brush strokes, he created unique portraits of transformative historical figures composed entirely of their most famous words and stories, captivating viewers from a distance and inviting them in close to explore the stirring narratives within.

Culverhouse’s tremendous passion for connecting with people through his art was evident in how he carried it out into the world.

He was a proud participant in multiple ArtPrize events, where he reveled in the opportunity to spark inspiration and dialogue with his creativity. 

While his work has been featured in group, solo, and juried exhibitions throughout the United States and won numerous awards, it is most distinguished by its power to reflect the best of humanity back at the viewer, and to remind us that the capacity to create change lies within us all.

Shields earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Drawing from KCAD in 1996. 

His Top 25 entry, “Technophobia,” is a beautifully rendered and hauntingly fragmented oil painting on view at The Morton, 55 Ionia Ave. NW in Grand Rapids.

The Grand Rapids-based artist’s work explores human identity and creativity in the age of artificial intelligence. 

Shields explores themes of inclusion, desire, authenticity and queer identity in a creative practice that spans—and often blurs the lines between—multiple mediums, including digital manipulation of analog paintings and drawings.

After graduating from KCAD, Shields exhibited his work nationally and internationally and taught art in Minneapolis, Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, San Francisco and Detroit.

Technophobia” stemmed from Shields’ experiments feeding his work into an AI image generator, where he manipulated the results to achieve his desired effect before manually recreating the final image as a large-scale oil painting. The final piece stands powerfully as both a stirring confrontation of the ethical implications of AI’s rapid intrusion into the world of fine art and a reflection of the ever-present tension members of the LGBTQ community face living in a society that affirms and condemns them.

The winners of ArtPrize 2023 will be announced at a public awards ceremony at 6 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 29, at Rosa Parks Circle in downtown Grand Rapids. For more information, visit artprize.org.

The Lions just know how to get the job done. Forget about last week’s lost, because the team won this week with a pretty heavily depleted offensive line and key pieces on defense missing. Getting back in the win column after beating the Atlanta Falcons 20-6 is exactly what this team needed, especially with a short week of rest in store.

I really don’t think that there is a better place to play than Ford Field. It was so loud and electric that I could feel like I was there through the TV screen. And rightfully so, seeing as this was a chance for us to get a glimpse at the two top RB’s of this past draft, Bijan Robinson of Atlanta and Jahmyr Gibbs for Detroit, battling it out on the gridiron.

So let’s get into the meat and potatoes the game. Despite not scoring, Gibbs notched 80 yards on 17 carries compared to a measly 33 yards and no touchdowns on 10 carries by Robinson. The Lions’ offense had me a little worried with an unconventional way of getting into the endzone last Sunday. Jared Goff got his first rushing touchdown in a Lions uniform and Sam LaPorta got his first NFL score. We didn’t see much from Kalif Raymond, but Amon-Ra St. Brown reached 106 all purpose yards despite suffering a toe injury last week.

Here is the question though, should we be worried about Jared Goff? He ended his snap streak of 359 snaps without an interception last week and added another one against the Falcons. 2022 was his first year that he didn’t throw more than seven in a season, so was last season just a fluke or will he clean it up quick?

Okay, enough of the offense talk because what really stood out this game was the Lions’ defense. Aidan Hutchinson and the defensive front finally showed up with a whopping seven sacks, and Hutchinson pulled out what I can only say was the worst sack celebration that I have ever seen with the stanky leg, it was gross.

The Lions’ secondary was okay, I guess. Even without Kerby Joseph for the Lions, Falcons QB, Desmond Ridder went 21/38 for 201 yards which for Ridder is pretty much his average, so that gets a thumbs up from me. Anytime I see a defense, regardless of who it is, hold a team to only field goals, you know that the guys in the trenches were doing the work.

Coming into this game, Lions had a lot of guys on the IR, and most of them were ones that you couldn’t afford to be hurt, like Halapoulivaati Vaitai and Taylor Decker. I liked the decision by Head Coach Dan Campbell to sit most of these guys, since most of the injuries weren’t anything season ending. However, with week 4 being a short turn around with the game on Thursday, it’s best to let those guys recover a few extra days and have them ready to go for kickoff against the Green Bay Packers.

Speaking of the Packers, they lost to the Falcons in week 3 by a margin of one point, 24-25, so it gives us a good glimpse as to the competition that we’ll see. But remember, the Lions went into Lambeau last year and eliminated the Packers from the playoffs for the last game of the year, so is revenge on the Packers’ mind? It will for sure be.

As long as the defense can replicate the pressure that they had against the Falcons, and Goff can shake off his previous passing errors, I think you’re going to see the beginnings of what people can call a little winning streak.

It’ll be a house divided for me this week as my dad is a Packers fan. So find your favorite recliner, crack open a beverage, toss the chili in the crock pot, and bear witness to one of the best rivalries, in my opinion, that the NFL has to offer.

Lions head to Green Bay Thursday night for TNF.

Listen on WBRN 1460am, 107.7fm, and 96.5fm.

Lions games on WBRN are brought to you by Michigan ADAS Calibration and Glass.

When you need them, find them: Michigan ADAS Calibrations – Avanced Driver Assistance Systems

Monday, September 18

• Officers arrested a 29-year-old man on an outstanding warrant for domestic assault from an incident the
  previous day.

Tuesday, September 19

• Nothing reported.

Wednesday, September 20

• An officer investigated a larceny of prescription narcotics from a medical facility. Case is still under investigation.
  An officer responded to a call regarding two suspicious males with possible stolen items. The matter is under
  investigation.
• An Officer transported a 29-year-old female with outstanding warrant to the Osceola County Jail without any incidents.

Thursday, September 21

• An officer took a report of a suspicious truck that was possibly following some a juvenile. The matter was
  unfounded.
• An officer took a report of threats. The person victim did not wish any action taken regarding the threats.
• An officer assisted someone that came into the department with concerns for the wellbeing of a family
  member. After investigating, it was established that he was ok.

Friday, September 22

• An officer was dispatched to a fight involving two males and a knife allegedly being pulled during the course of the fight. The case is still open under investigation.

• Officers observed a vehicle in the cemetery well after hours. I was found to be a funeral home dropping off
  flowers from a funeral earlier in the day.

Saturday, September 23

• Nothing reported.

Sunday, September 24

• An officer investigated a suspicious vehicle parked illegally. The vehicle was moved, no issues.

• An officer transported an individual to the hospital for mental health treatement. No issues.

Just before 3:00 PM Monday, the Kent County Sheriff's Office received a report of a car fire along Fallasburg Park Dr. near Heim St.

The accident was quickly learned to be the result of two vehicles colliding. When first responders from the Sheriff's Office, Lowell Police, and Lowell Area Fire Department arrived, they located a 16-year-old female from Lowell injured and another vehicle on fire. After the fire was put out, investigators located a 41-year-old male from Saranac deceased in the vehicle.

The 16-year-old teen was traveling northbound on Fallasburg Park Dr. and crossed the centerline of the roadway. The Chevrolet pickup she was driving struck a GMC Envoy head-on. 

At this time, the Kent County Sheriff's Office and Victim Advocates are working alongside the families involved in this crash. The Traffic Safety Unit will be continuing to look over data collected from the scene and investigate contributing circumstances.

The Ferris State University men's ice hockey program invited Derek Lalonde, former assistant coach and current Detroit Red Wings head coach, back to Big Rapids to announce the team's captains for the upcoming season on Monday.

The Bulldog Captains for the 2023-24 season will be: Brenden MacLaren, Jason Brancheau, Stepan Pokorny and Nick Hale.

Senior Brenden MacLaren will wear the captain's patch for the second year in a row. While wearing the patch last year, MacLaren set a career-high with 16 points (12 assists). The fifth-year senior earned CCHA Defensive Player of the Week honors on Dec. 19 and will look to build upon what was a strong senior season in his fifth year. MacLaren's leadership abilities, locker and weight room presence and excellence in the classroom are a few of the many reasons he was selected to wear the captain's patch in 2023-24.

"It's a tremendous honor," McLaren said. "Our leadership group is more than us four guys. It's more than one guy wearing a letter that leads the team."

Senior Jason Brancheau will wear an assistant captain's patch for 2023-24. After scoring just one goal in his first four seasons with Ferris State, Brancheau broke out in a huge way last year. He led the team with 13 goals and finished second on the team with 21 points. He also led the team with three power-play goals. In his fifth season with FSU and first wearing a captain's patch, "Branch" will look to build on an impressive offensive output from 2022-23 as he heads into 2023-24.

"It's (feels) awesome for the guys to pick me," Brancheau said. "It's tremendous honor with all the other "A's" and "C's" that have been here before me."

Senior Stepan Pokorny will join the captain's group in 2023-24 while wearing an assistant captain's patch. Pokorny led the Bulldogs with 22 points, 16 assists and 79 shots a year ago. The top line center for FSU, Pokorny's offensive production was a driving force behind the team's ability to score. Now in his fourth season with the Bulldogs, "Poky" will once again be a focal point offensively but will also wear a patch for the first time in his career.

"I'm really happy for the coaches and the players to trust me to lead the team," Pokorny said.

Graduate transfer Nick Hale (Holy Cross) will wear an assistant captain's patch for the upcoming season. Hale follows in former Bulldog Matt Slick's steps, as Slick also transferred from Holy Cross and became a captain in his first season with FSU on last year's squad. Hale brings strong offensive ability to the Bulldog blueline, as he scored 39 points in his final two seasons with Holy Cross. He integrated into the Bulldog culture rapidly upon arrival, and his strong leadership and voice in the locker room earned him the captain's patch for 2023-24.

"(An) unbelieveable honor," Hale said. "It didn't take long to get to know the guys well and just excited to get things going now."

The Bulldogs begin their season Oct. 7 against Miami (Ohio) inside the Ewigleben Ice Arena in Big Rapids. Puck drop is set for 7:07 p.m. (ET).

The Ferris State University men's tennis squad kicked off its 2023-24 season on Friday (Sept. 22) at the Davenport University Tournament, which took place in Allendale.

The Bulldogs started in impressive fashion, winning 12 of 15 singles contests overall and posting five doubles wins in the event. The tournament featured competitors from FSU, Davenport and Grand Valley State, which the Bulldogs picking up the most wins on the day.

"We started this invite three years ago to give our players a chance to get some match play before we head to the ITA Midwest Regional Championships," said FSU head coach Mark Doren. "So, we treat this as a warm up and a way to practice some of the things we've been focused on early in our fall season.

"Overall, I think today showed all that focus is working," he added. "All eight guys on our team played today and this gives us a lot of confidence going into next week."

FSU finished 12-3 combined in singles competition and 5-3 in doubles action. Players were divided into four different singles groups or flights along with two in doubles competition.

The ITA Midwest Regional Championships will take place beginning next Saturday (Sept. 30) back at GVSU in Allendale.

District Health Department #10 (DHD#10) will receive $719,008 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for the first year in the five-year Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health (REACH) program. The REACH funding will help DHD#10 improve health, prevent chronic diseases, and reduce health disparities among our Hispanic, Latino, African American, and Black populations who experience the highest burdens of chronic disease in Lake, Newaygo, and Oceana Counties. 

DHD#10’s “LiveWell REACH” project will help to prevent and delay chronic conditions such as hypertension, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and obesity, through a combination of educational programs as well as policy, systems, and environmental change strategies that make physical activity, nutritious foods, and healthcare services more accessible. 

“We are so honored to be given the opportunity to do this important work for and with our communities,” said Katie Miller, DHD#10 Supervisor and Principal Investigator for the LiveWell REACH project.

“The health disparities experienced by our communities are the preventable differences that can lead to an added burden of disease - such as access to safe physical activity opportunities and retailers with affordable, nutritious foods. When combined with the rural nature of our communities, access to these and other resources is further compounded for our at-risk populations. Through this project and with collaboration across health systems and community partners, I truly believe we will see changes in our communities to help turn the tide on health disparities and reduce the chronic disease burden experienced by our most vulnerable residents.”  

Heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and stroke are among the most common causes of illness, disability, and death in the United States. They are also leading drivers of the nation’s $4.1 trillion in annual health care costs. In each of the three communities for DHD#10’s funding, populations experience a notable burden of chronic disease: Adults in Lake, Newaygo, and Oceana Counties have high rates of diabetes (Lake: 12%; Newaygo: 10%; Oceana: 11%) and obesity (Lake: 39%; Newaygo: 39%; Oceana: 38%) and report relatively high rates of physical inactivity (Lake: 26%; Newaygo: 23%; Oceana: 23%). In addition, residents who identify as Black/African American or Hispanic/Latino in each of the three DHD#10 counties experience higher levels of poverty than those who are non-Hispanic White. Populations in these communities are also at higher risk for mortality related to diabetes and heart disease when compared to the state as a whole, which exemplifies the severity of these diseases.

These chronic conditions—and the factors that lead to them—are more common or severe for some racial and ethnic groups due to systemic barriers and societal inequities. DHD#10 will work with partners and local coalitions to enhance existing resources, address health needs, and reduce health disparities for populations in the three communities of focus. 

“CDC is excited to announce this new REACH funding to 41 communities across 27 states and the District of Columbia,” said Terry O’Toole, PhD, MDiv, Program Development and Evaluation Branch Chief in CDC’s Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity and Obesity. “With this funding, organizations will plan and carry out local, culturally-appropriate programs to address a wide range of health issues among racial and ethnic minority groups where health gaps remain. REACH intends to improve health where people live, learn, work, and play.”  

As one of 41 REACH recipients, DHD#10 will implement proven public health strategies for the following: 

• Healthy food choices made easier everywhere—promoting food service and nutrition guidelines, expanding fruit and vegetable voucher incentive and/or produce prescription programs. 
• Safe and accessible physical activity—connecting pedestrian, bicycle, or transit transportation networks to everyday destinations. 
• Family healthy weight programs—improving access to effective, family-centered, culturally relevant health behavior and lifestyle treatment programs. 

A complete list of CDC’s REACH recipients and additional information can be found on the REACH website: https://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpao/state-local-programs/reach/reach-2023-2028.html.

When Ferris State University professor Deirdre Fagan walks into a classroom, she wears all her many hats: widow, wife, mother of two, professor — and award-winning author.

And for that, her students are grateful.

“I believe I’m able to continue growing as an educator because I am out in the field of creative writing every day while also maintaining my foot in the classroom,” said Fagan, who publishes poetry, fiction, nonfiction, and scholarship and has taught at Ferris State since 2015.

“Find a Place for Me: Embracing Love and Life in the Face of Death” is her most recent award-winning book. Published in 2022, the memoir explores how she and her 43-year-old husband, Bob, traversed their remaining months as a couple with two young children after he was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig’s disease.

“Find a Place for Me” recently earned the 2023 Readers’ Favorite Grief & Hardship Gold Medal and top honors in the Death and Dying category in the 17th annual National Indie Excellence Awards, among many others. It was also featured on Disney/ABC's “Tamron Hall Show” and several other media outlets.

Other works include “The Grief Eater,” “Have Love” and “Critical Companion to Robert Frost.” Her work has also appeared widely in literary journals and anthologies.

Her latest book, “Phantom Limbs,” is a poetry collection that publishes in late September. Described as part celebration, part elegy, it’s about living fully despite — or perhaps even because of — repeated loss. The collection reveals intimate moments from childhood trauma to marriage, divorce, parenting, terminal illness, disability, caregiving, widowhood, remarriage, and mortality itself.

Fagan is a native New Yorker who holds a doctorate in humanistic studies (English and philosophy) and a master’s in English from the State University of New York at Albany and a bachelor’s in English from the State University of New York at Buffalo.

She taught college writing and literature courses for nearly two decades in New York, Maryland, Florida, and Illinois. After losing her husband, she moved to Michigan eight years ago to join the faculty at Ferris. In addition to her role here as a creative writing professor, she is coordinator for the Literature in Person Reading Series, which brings national and regional authors to the university.

It’s at Ferris State that her creative writing career blossomed.

Fagan has been eager to share her writing and publishing expertise with students. She’s piloting a new 300-level creative writing course in Genre Studies that focuses on a single writing genre each term.

“The idea is to allow students, after they have had an introduction to creative writing, to advance their knowledge of a single genre, as well as to more fully develop over several semesters their understanding of the various genres,” she said. This semester, the genre is fiction.

The university has made great strides, Fagan said, toward increasing creative writing offerings — and she’s happy to continue helping in whatever way she can.

“Working on the craft of creative writing develops not only one’s written and oral communication skills, but the creative and critical thinking that invigorates one’s career and personal life,” she said.

For more information on Deirdre Fagan’s publications, visit deirdrefagan.com.

Ferris State University is among 10 of Michigan’s 15 public universities today announcing a bold new initiative to greatly streamline the college admissions process, boost enrollment and help students realize their full educational potential.

Beginning this fall, universities participating in the Michigan Assured Admission Pact will admit Michigan high school graduates who have earned a cumulative high school grade point average of 3.0 or above (on a 4.0 scale).

The institutions will work together to promote the initiative to high school students, parents, secondary school partners, and college access organizations throughout the state.

Ferris State is the only public university in West Michigan participating in the program. Other participating universities are: Central Michigan University, Eastern Michigan University, Lake Superior State University, Northern Michigan University, Oakland University, Saginaw Valley State University, University of Michigan-Dearborn, University of Michigan-Flint, and Wayne State University.

MAAP universities believe a uniform and widely communicated standard for admission will reduce the uncertainty and anxiety that are often part of the college admissions process and empower students to achieve their educational goals.

MAAP is a cooperative, cross-institutional effort aimed at increasing awareness of educational options among recent high school graduates and making the admissions process more efficient and transparent.

This initiative is aligned with the State of Michigan’s goal to have 60 percent of working-age adults possess a college degree or other post-secondary credential by 2030.

“Our future depends on helping young people graduate without debt so they can get a good-paying job and ‘make it’ in Michigan,” Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said. “The MAAP is proof of what’s possible when we come together to create opportunity for tens of thousands of Michiganders. In tandem with the Michigan Achievement Scholarship, we are lowering costs, building a skilled workforce, and leading the future of advanced manufacturing, technology, and so many other industries.”

“Strengthening Michigan’s talent pipeline to meet the needs of a transitioning economy is a key Business Leaders for Michigan priority,” said Jeff Donofrio, president and chief executive officer of Business Leaders for Michigan. “The new MAAP initiative advances this goal by assuring admission to universities across the state for qualified students. It opens the doors of educational opportunity to more young people and creates pathways to the high-skill, high-wage careers that will help us build a strong foundation for Michigan’s future economic success.”

According to the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education, the number of high school graduates in Michigan is expected to decline by 11.4 percent from 2022 to 2037. While many states are just now approaching the so-called “enrollment cliff,” the number of high school graduates in Michigan has been flat or declining since 2008, when it peaked at over 123,000. By 2037, that number is expected to have decreased by nearly 40,000 graduates.

At the same time, Michigan high school graduates are less likely to pursue higher education than in previous years. The college-going rate among the state’s high school graduates has declined each year from 2013 (65.8 percent) to 2022 (52.8 percent).

“Higher education is the surest path to prosperity for our state and its residents, yet college enrollment has been declining each year over the past decade,” said Daniel J. Hurley, chief executive officer of the Michigan Association of State Universities. “MAAP aims to counter this trend by assuring that every high school graduate in Michigan with a 3.0 or higher will be admitted to all ten participating public universities across the state. Combined with the new Michigan Achievement Scholarship, this collaborative effort will send a powerful message that a public university education in Michigan is more accessible than ever before.”

Visit the Ferris State Assured Admissions page and MAAP.org to learn more about the Michigan Assured Admission Program.

The Kent County Health Department (KCHD) is tracking a human case of West Nile Virus in a Kent County Resident. The patient has a limited travel history so it is likely they contracted the virus after being bit by a mosquito in the 49507 zip code. The patient is currently hospitalized. No other patient details will be released. 

With weather forecasters predicting unseasonably warm temperatures this weekend, people will likely be spending more time outdoors. “People need to know that mosquitoes are still quite active this time of year,” says Adam London, Administrative Health Officer at KCHD. “It continues to be important that people take measures to protect themselves from being bitten.”

The best treatment for West Nile Virus is prevention. The KCHD recommends wearing a mosquito repellant that contains 10 - 35% DEET, wearing light colored clothing, and staying indoors during dusk. To learn more about the choices and usage of insect repellants, click here. You can help stop mosquitoes from breeding by removing any standing water in your yard and keeping your lawn and shrubs cut. 

West Nile Virus is the most common mosquito borne illness in the United States. Most people who become infected with West Nile Virus will never know it but about 20% of those infected may develop a fever or other symptoms. In rare cases West Nile Virus can become a serious and sometimes fatal illness. 

For more information about West Nile Virus, click here.