Spectrum Health Reed City Hospitals’ Rehabilitation and Nursing Center (RNC) has received the highest overall ratings from U.S. News & World Report. A “high performing” ranking was issued Tuesday for the hospital’s short-
term rehabilitation program and for long-term care at the facility.

The Reed City Hospital RNC is among just 21% of U.S. skilled nursing facilities that have been recognized as a Best Nursing Home for 2020-21 by U.S. News & World Report.

The designation is awarded to those homes that satisfy U.S. News’s assessment of the appropriate use of key services and consistent performance in quality measures.

“We’re extremely pleased with the distinction,” said Jeff Godfrey, Spectrum Health Reed City Hospital RNC administrator. “COVID-19 has challenged us in many ways this year, but our commitment to quality in patient care hasn’t faltered. I’m extremely proud of our staff for delivering best outcomes for our patients and residents.”

Now in its 11th year, the U.S. News Best Nursing Homes ratings and profiles offer comprehensive information about care, safety, health inspections, staffing and more for nearly all of the nation’s 15,000-plus nursing homes. The Best Nursing Homes ratings reflect U.S. News’s exclusive analysis of publicly available data using a methodology defined by U.S. News that evaluates factors that it has determined most greatly impact patient and resident care, safety, and outcomes.

This year, to accompany the new ratings, nursing home profile pages were updated to include a patient safety summary that reflects COVID-19 data alongside other measurements of safety and related advice on choosing a home or facility amidst the pandemic.

“U.S. News strives to provide access to information that allows consumers to make educated decisions on all types of care,” said Ben Harder, managing editor and chief of health analysis at U.S. News. “Updating the profiles to include a patient safety summary that highlights COVID-19 data paired with other measures of care arms families, caregivers and patients with the information needed to make a decision that keeps safety at the highest priority.”

The long-term care rating aims to provide prospective residents who need help with daily activities, and their families, with analysis and information regarding the quality of care provided by nursing homes. The rating includes data on staffing, success in preventing ER visits and pneumonia vaccination rates, among other metrics.

The short-term rating incorporates measures of quality including consistency of registered nurse staffing, use of antipsychotic drugs and success in preventing falls.

District Health Department #10 (DHD#10) was notified that two restaurants, one in Big Rapids and one in Newaygo, had individuals that tested positive for COVID-19 present and potentially contagious in their facilities. The Gypsy Nickel Lounge in Big Rapids had COVID-19-positive individuals present on October 15, 16 and 17. In Newaygo, Northern Trails Bar & Grill had COVID-19-positive individuals present on October 16 and October 22. These are considered high-risk exposures because individuals could have had close contact with a positive case that DHD#10 cannot identify or notify through contact tracing. 

If you were at the above locations on the dates and times listed, you should self-monitor for symptoms for 14 days from the possible exposure date. Anyone that is self-monitoring as a result should keep away from family, close contacts, and roommates as much as possible. COVID-19 symptoms include fever or chills, cough, fatigue, shortness of breath, muscle aches, sore throat, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and recent loss of taste or smell. Anyone experiencing one or more of these symptoms should immediately quarantine themselves and contact a medical provider.  

DHD#10 will release information about high-risk public exposure sites when it is determined through investigation that it’s not possible to identify all close contacts.  DHD#10 will no longer publish low-risk exposure sites where a COVID-19 positive individual was present but did not have close contact with others or we are able to notify close contacts through contact tracing. It is important to remember that approximately 40% of COVID-19 cases appear to be asymptomatic. Asymptomatic cases are especially difficult because they are not sick and therefore not staying home. Additionally, contagious individuals can spread virus prior to experiencing symptoms.  

For more information about COVID-19, go to: www.dhd10.org/coronavirus, www.michigan.gov/coronavirus, or www.cdc.com/coronavirus. 

A Big Rapids man is in a Grand Rapids hospital after being struck by a car in Big Rapids Tuesday night.

Department of Public Safety Officers say it happened just before 8pm on S. State Street and Locust when a 60-year old man was walking a across State Street and was struck by a vehicle driven by a 49-year old White Cloud woman.

The Big Rapids man suffered head injuries.

The crash remains under investigation.

A Harrison man was placed under arrest Friday on drug charges following a traffic stop by Michigan State Police. 

Troopers say they were checking on a parked vehicle on the shoulder of the roadway on Ball Avenue near Townline Lake Road in the City of Harrison.

As troopers contacted the driver, they observed a firearm magazine on the front seat of the vehicle.  

Troopers asked the driver to exit the vehicle. 

A search of the vehicle was conducted, and a large amount of individually packaged methamphetamine was located.  

Additional packaging material was also found in the vehicle.

The 39-year-old Harrison man was arrested and lodged at the Clare County Jail pending
arraignment 

The District Heath Department #10 reported Monday the largest increase in cases within Mecosta County.

Health Dept. officials confirmed 78 new COVID-19 cases between Friday and Sunday.

In total, the county has reported 493 confirmed cases, four deaths and 188 recoveries.

Ferris State University also reported an increase in cases over the weekend.

As of Monday, the university reported 13 new COVID-19 cases at the Big Rapids campus, bringing its total to 305 Since classes began on Aug 26th. 51cases remain active.

Meanwhile, the Big Rapids Community Library will be closed until Thursday, November 5 following a coronavirus exposure.

Officials are advising if you were at the library on Monday, October 19 or Wednesday, October 21, you should self-monitor for 14 days.

If you have any due dates for items checked out from the library during the closure, they will be adjusted.

For a more detailed look locally about COVID-19 CLICK HERE  

Fremont Packers (2-4) at Big Rapids Cardinals (3-3)

Game usually on Big Country 100.9 - Big Rapids Forfeits (COVID)

Fremont: Fremont is improving faster than expected and at one point had the 2nd most potent offense in the league (5th best now after scoring just 6 versus Reed City). This would have been another building block for the Packers if they could have downed the Cardinals and killed Big Rapids' momentum heading into the post season. Fremont heads to a much tougher Region where they'll struggle to survive their first 4 quarters... but could surprise you as they have at certain points in 2020.

Current Playoff Seed: #8 15.600 pts

Most likely Round 1 Opponent: Ada Forest Hills Eastern (23-2) 38.200 pts

Big Rapids: The Cardinals are outperforming somewhat average expectations due to last season. This despite having an immensely talented roster. Their defense is stacked. Front line lead by DJ Greenbay is dominant. Secondary with Jamal Strickland and Xavier Prince is all speed. While they’re averaging 21 points given a game, 44 of their totals was Week 2 at Reed City. Also, to note Cardinals have 4 picks and 5 fumbles forced in 2 games. As for offense, their numbers may look blah overall, but they’re averaging 25 points per game with Sophomore Wil Strickler under center. This isn’t a surprise as Wil likes to chuck it and now has former QB Sam Alley as a receiver to go along with Jamal ‘Jump out of the Gym’ Strickland. It also turns out Sam Alley is quite a different kind of potent weapon when not in the back field. In his first game as a WR at Tri County, Sam racked up 91 yards receiving and 2 touchdowns on 50% of Strickler’s targets. He’s averaging 15.2 yards per catch and is absolutely deadly after the catch. Both Alley and Strickland were on full display during a 2-minute drive to end the 1^st half at Tri County. Strickler went 5/6 for 84 yards absolutely shell shocking the Vikings into half time. Alley found space (and did again in the 4^th when he blistered TC’s secondary for a 29-yard TD) and Jamal became a magician taking the ball out of defender’s hands. This changed the game for the Cardinals and could change the post season for them as well. Wil Strickler is learning to throw to space and let his athletic receiving core do what they do. If Jack Cooley can stay healthy then you have the most balanced offensive attack in the CSAA Gold.

Current Playoff Seed: #2 33.200 pts

Most likely Round 1 Opponent: Tri County (2-3) 23.800 pts

Game Outcome: Fremont 12 Big Rapids 28

(But instead Big Rapids Forfeits due to COVID-19 Concerns)

Grant Tigers (2-2) at Reed City Coyotes (5-0)

Game on WBRN 1460 & 107.7

Grant: The Tigers had to sit out 2 weeks but are still looking like a potential pick to make a playoff run after blowing up Central Montcalm in Week 5, 41-13. This team is dangerous, and they seem to be finding their footing just in time for their toughest matchup at Reed City. The Tigers haven't faced an offense as powerful as Reed City this season, so they'll need to get on the board quick and convert on conversions if they want a chance to upset the Coyotes.

Current Playoff Seed: #4 26.400 pts

Most likely Round 1 Opponent: Newaygo (2-3) 24.000 pts

Reed City: Yet again undefeated and dominating in their classic style. They're outscoring opponents by average of 27 points and will be the #1 Seed in their Region with 49.200 playoff points. This means they'll host all the way through. The Coyotes rely on a "10 yards & a cloud of dust... 4 4 4 = first down" style of offense. It typically yields slow results early but by the end of the 3rd quarter there's always at least 1 breakout play that puts the game away.

This team is disciplined and waits for their opponents to make the mistakes. Coach Shankel and staff clearly track weekly ‘freebies’ and right those wrongs ASAP because it’s not often the Coyotes hand you a golden ticket.

Look for another deep playoff run as their Northern Region is fairly weak and… well they’ll host every game ever at this rate.

Current Playoff Seed: #1 49.200 pts

Most likely Round 1 Opponent: Cheboygan (0-5) 7.600 pts

Game Outcome: Grant 24 Reed City 44

Tri County Vikings (2-3) at Chippewa Hills Warriors (1-4)

Game on Y-102 102.3

Tri County: The Vikings are big, strong, and tough. Their run defense is an immovable object, but their pass defense is a massive hole teams will exploit in the playoffs. Their offense tends to struggle in the Red Zone as they failed to score more than a few times in the RZ during their Week 4 loss at Central Montcalm, 7-0. Lovell is a force as a running back. He’s not afraid to dish out punishment to any backer who tries to tackle him. But he tends to get hit behind the line more often than not. His fight was on full display in their heartbreaking over time loss versus Big Rapids in Week 5 when he rushed 11 times for only 43 yards but left a literal mark on several Cardinals backers who stepped up to tackle him. Tompkins is another interesting threat for the conference. The kid can run (scrambled for 64 yards vs BR) and has an arm, but his accuracy is something to be desired (8/20, 2TD, 2INT vs BR). Can’t forget about Cameron Friend either. If the Vikings find a way to get him in space… their RZ problems will disappear immediately.

Current Playoff Seed: #6 23.800

Most likely Round 1 Opponent: Central Montcalm (3-2) 33.000 pts

Chippewa Hills: The Warriors problem isn’t always scoring… it’s getting scored on. Chip Hills gives up 32 points per game while scoring 22. A lot of their problems come from the freebies to opponents: penalties and turnovers. The Warriors could have beaten the Cardinals in Week 3. But their 6 lost fumbles just gave any hope of Club Dub away. The Warriors shocked the conference when they nailed down 39 points on Newaygo last week. But can they can play spoiler for another week and put up points on a rock-solid Viking run defense? If the Warriors can go to the air and keep the Vikings offensive struggles going, it could be a low scoring barn burner.

Current Playoff Seed: #8 16.000 pts

Most likely Round 1 Opponent: Muskegon Oakridge (4-1) 33.800 pts

Game Outcome: Tri County 22 Chippewa Hills 14

Newaygo Lions (2-3) at Central Montcalm Hornets (3-2)

Newaygo: Newaygo is very inconsistent but when hot can score a ton of points (42 versus Fremont, 40 versus Reed City). This keeps them in games, but their defense sinks them. The only 2 teams who give up more points per game (30) are the Warriors (32) and the Packers (35). In Week 4 they lost in an astounding shootout at Reed City 70-40. This game is the most interesting of the week: an explosive offense but weak defense versus a stagnant offense and (usually) stout defense. If the Hornets defensive woes are just starting, then the Lions could be heading toward Upset City population them and a potential playoff seed shake up.

Current Playoff Seed: #5 24.000 pts

Most likely Round 1 Opponent: Grant (2-2) 26.400 pts

Central Montcalm: Much like Tri County, the Hornets are strong and tough but struggle to put up points consistently. Their defense is shut down, but a huge slip up last week at Grant where they gave up 41 points shows there are some huge weaknesses to be exploited. If the Hornets can get back to their typical pace of play, this game will look very similar to Newaygo’s Week 2 at Tri County where the Vikings were victorious 26-7. If not, the Hornets could repeat last week’s forgettable showing at Grant.

Current Playoff Seed: #2 33.000 pts

Most likely Round 1 Opponent: Tri County (2-3) 23.800 pts

Game Outcome: Newaygo 27 Central Montcalm 30

A 33-year-old man has been arrested for his part in a crash that killed one person and seriously injured another.

On Thursday, the driver, 33-year old Jordan Levi Herweyer  was arrested and charged with one count each of reckless driving causing death, reckless driving causing serious impairment of body function, and driving while license suspended, denied, or revoked for his connection with an incident on Oct. 17 in Highland Township.

If convicted, Herweyer faces up to 15 years in prison and/or $2,500-$10,000 in fines for the reckless driving causing death offense and up to five years in prison and/or $1,000-$5,000 in fines on the other reckless driving offense.

According to a press release, deputies from the Osceola County Sheriff's Office say responded to a home on 21 Mile Rd. near 90th Ave. in Highland Township for a 1 vehicle injury accident. 

The homeowner informed Meceola Central Dispatch they were awakened by a male knocking on the door asking for help. The homeowner informed Meceola Dispatch there was a truck parked in the driveway that appeared to be in an accident and the male driver asked the home owner not to call the police. Osceola County EMS was dispatched and arrived and located a male and female inside the truck.

The male, 38-year old Allen Eichhorn from Harrison was pronounced dead at the scene. The female was transported to Munson Hospital in Cadillac with life threatening injuries.

When Deputies arrived at the residence they were advised the driver had fled the scene on foot. A K-9 officer was called to the scene to track the suspected driver, but was unsuccessful in locating the suspected driver.

Marion Fire personal and Osceola County Deputies located the original crash scene on 23 Mile Rd near 60th Ave, approximately 6 miles from the caller’s residence.

District Health Department #10 (DHD#10) was notified that an individual that tested positive for COVID-19 was on the property of Applebee’s in Big Rapids and was potentially contagious on October 17. 

If you were at Applebee’s in Big Rapids on the date listed above, you should self-monitor for symptoms for 14 days from the possible exposure date. Anyone that is self-monitoring as a result should keep away from family, close contacts, and roommates as much as possible. COVID-19 symptoms include fever or chills, cough, fatigue, shortness of breath, muscle aches, sore throat, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and recent loss of taste or smell. Anyone experiencing one or more of these symptoms should immediately quarantine themselves and contact a medical provider.  

While DHD#10 will release information about public exposure sites when it is determined through investigation that it’s not possible to identify all close contacts, everyone needs to remember that approximately 40% of COVID-19 cases appear to be asymptomatic. Asymptomatic cases are especially difficult because they are not sick and therefore not staying home. Additionally, contagious individuals can spread virus prior to experiencing symptoms.  

For more information about COVID-19, go to: www.dhd10.org/coronavirus, www.michigan.gov/coronavirus, or www.cdc.com/coronavirus. 

Michigan State Police arrested an Osceola County woman following a traffic stop in Evart. 

Troopers say it happened just before 9pm Tuesday night. 

Police say during a roadside investigation, troopers conducted a search of the vehicle.

A passenger, a 29-year-old Evart woman, was found to be in possession of methamphetamine and another unknown liquid
substance.

The female passenger also had a misdemeanor warrant out of Osceola County.

She was lodged at the Osceola County Jail pending arraignment.

Earlier this week, Big Rapids Public Schools announced grades 6th-12^th would start virtual learning for the next two weeks due to positive COVID-19 cases, now a Reed City school says it's temporarily  closing due to a positive case of coronavirus.

G.T. Norman Elementary School will be closed until Nov. 4, after an employee with Reed City Area Public Schools was confirmed positive for COVID-19.

In a letter to Reed City families, Superintendent Michael Sweet said the decision was made to close the school due to the amount of close contacts involved at the elementary school.

Students will shift to remote learning until in person classes start back up Wednesday, November 4^th which will be a half day.

Currently, the school district is working with the Central Michigan District Health Department to contact trace, and has already identified 14 staff members — including teachers, principals, secretaries and paraprofessionals — and students.

To read the RCPS letter sent to parents CLICK HERE

A 4-year-old Wisconsin boy abducted nearly three months ago is back safe with his mother -- after he was found in Northern Michigan.

On Monday night, troopers from the Michigan State Police Cadillac Post were dispatched to the Village of Kingsley, south of Traverse City, on a tip about a missing child from Wisconsin.

Inside the RV police found the missing boy, Azariah Petrick, along with his noncustodial father, 30-year-old Mark Anthony Petrick -- who'd allegedly abducted him.

The man was immediately detained and the child confirmed that he was in fact the missing little boy.

Those hoping to vote in the election over the next two weeks must be registered to vote.

The deadline to sign up is today.

More than eight million residents are currently registered and more than one million voters have already cast absentee ballots in the November elections.

The Secretary of State's office says those needing to register can do so online at Michigan-dot-gov. If someone misses today's deadline, they can still register through Election Day by going to their local city or township clerk's office with a document verifying their residency.

The Big Rapids Department of Public Safety will release a survey Thursday about the recently installed stop signs at E. Bellevue St and N. Michigan Ave.

The survey is to gauge the public’s perception regarding the stop signs that were recently installed in front of the Big Rapids Middle School.

All community members that travel the intersection are encouraged to log on and complete the survey on the city’s website through October 26.

Per MOTA 10.13.20: Pledges Fulfilled with more to come from MOTA

The Mecosta Osceola Transit Authority is pleased to announce that the pledges made during last fall's Millage Campaign have been fulfilled. MOTA told the public that passage will not only assure the survival of the service MOTA provides but would also allow for the expansion of those services. MOTA pledges to extend evening hours to 10 pm Monday thru Friday: MOTA pledged to expand service should the Millage pass, it did and MOTA was prepared to extend evening hours April 1st. Then Covid-19 struck setting back all plans. Covid-19 Service: At the onset of the Coivid-19 pandemic while some other transits closed their doors MOTA continued with reduced service in compliance with the Governor's directives. MOTA offered free porch delivery of both groceries and prescriptions, MOTA continues this service to this day. This service helps to ensure safety for our citizens. MOTA also provided necessary transportation for essential medical services such as chemo therapy, dialysis, and even medically necessary rehabilitation. Restriction Easing Expansion: With the Governors easing of travel restrictions MOTA expanded our service from Monday through Friday 9am to 5 pm to 8 pm during the week. MOTA also started 8 hours of service on Saturday, something never before done by MOTA. During this time MOTA was able to acquire three new buses that are both more fuel efficient and size appropriate for our new demand response service. Campaign Pledges Fulfilled: ON October 1st MOTA started expanded service on week days to 10 pm. On October 4th MOTA started its first Sunday service ever with a full 8 hours of availability to the public. This service fulfills MOTA’s pledge to the people if they approved the millage request. Service BEYOND: Starting Monday November 2nd MOTA will start new Route Service! Both Osceola and Mecosta counties will see two routes each Monday through Friday. MOTA continues to both think outside the box and look to the future to fulfill the needs of our citizens.

*********UPDATE*********

The black female in the second photograph has been identified and is not a suspect in this incident, according to detectives with the Sheirff's Office. 

___________________________________________________________________

The Mecosta County Sheriff's Office is investigating a retail fraud that occurred on Saturday at the Wal-Mart store located in Big Rapids.

The sheriff's office is asking for public assistance in identifying the suspects in the pictures.

If you have information on who the suspects are please call the Sheriffs office. 

The suspects were driving a silver Dodge Durango. 

A Battle Creek man suffered minor injuries following a rollover accident that shut down the southbound side of US-131 in Mecosta County early Sunday evening.

It happened south of mile marker 135 in Mecosta Twp.

An Investigation by Sheriff deputies revealed that a 68-year old male driver from Battle Creek was traveling southbound pulling a camper behind his truck when he lost control of the vehicle and camper rolling both across the highway, blocking both southbound lanes for approximately three hours.

The male driver was taken to Spectrum Health Big Rapids Hospital for minor injuries.

An Osceola County man has been charged with the murder of 34-year-old Gary Pickvet Junior of Gaylord.

His body was found in a ditch near Alba earlier this week.

29-yearold Jacob Holford of Reed City was arrested Wednesday and arraigned on a charge of open murder.

Holford is being held on $500,000 bond at the Antrim Co. Jail. 

One passenger was sent to the hospital with injuries following a two vehicle accident on Perry Street that resulted in one car rolling over Wednesday evening.

Mecosta County deputies say a female driver was turning south onto 215^th Avenue from Perry Street when she turned in front of an eastbound vehicle driven by a male which overturned after impact.

A passenger in the female driver's car was taken to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

The Mecosta County Sheriff Office has been alerted of an email scam. 

If you get an email requesting you to call Windows Support Center or any other entity in regards to your bank account being accidently billed or funds deducted, do not call the number provided.  They are attempting to get you on the phone and obtain your personal information and bank information and remotely accessing your computer.

If you get an email or a unsolicited phone call, do not open or answer the email and hang up and block the phone number. 

If you believe you have been scammed contact your bank and check your account online and report any suspicious activity to them.

Here is a screenshot of one of the scam emails. 

In response to the Michigan Supreme Court ruling on October 2, 2020 regarding Governor Whitmer’s State of Emergency declaration and subsequent executive orders, Kevin Hughes, Health Officer for District Health Department #10 (DHD#10), issued the following statement:  

While we process the rulings from Michigan’s Supreme Court, DHD#10’s leadership team is in consultation with our legal team, our Board of Health, the Michigan Association of Public Health, and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services to determine next steps for our 10-county jurisdiction. We ask for your patience as we work to interpret the rulings and establish the best course of action to protect the health of the public.  

In the meantime, we stand behind the mitigation measures given since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic to prevent spreading the virus, including: 

• Wear a mask to protect others from you in the event you are unknowingly contagious 
• Social distance by 6 feet or more from others 
• Wash or sanitize your hands frequently 
• Stay home if you are ill or have flu-like symptoms 
• Avoid large gatherings, especially if you are at high risk for contracting the virus 

Our role in public health is to promote and protect the health of people and the communities where they live, learn, work and play. Preventing and controlling the spread of infectious diseases is at the heart of what we do. Just like influenza and other infectious diseases, COVID-19 can have a devastating impact on human health. Until there is a vaccine and effective treatment to prevent further spread, DHD#10 will continue to promote prevention strategies that will lessen the impact on our communities. We will remain focused on our public health efforts of encouraging testing, case investigation and contact tracing, and promoting compliance with safety precautions. We will share additional information as it becomes available.