Three women were injured in Spencer Township last weekend when the ORV they were riding on flipped over.

According to the Kent County Sheriff Department, the accident occurred just after 4:30 p.m., on Saturday, April 6. The women were riding on a 2012 Kawasaki side by side in a field behind a residence at 13800 Winter Valley Dr NE, when the driver attempted to turn but was traveling too fast, which caused the ORV to tip onto its side and eject all three occupants.

When the ORV tipped, it landed on the driver, and Aero Med was called to the scene. The driver, Angela Cassel-Flacks, 51, of Las Vegas, Nevada, suffered head and pelvic injuries, and was airlifted to Butterworth Hospital.

The other two passengers received injuries from being ejected. Injured was Brittany Dingler, 21, of Fenton, Michigan, who suffered head and leg injuries; and Jessica Cates, 24, of Utica, Michigan, who suffered a head injury. Both were transported to Butterworth by Rockford Ambulance.

Police said the ORV was meant for only two passengers, and the third passenger was riding in the cargo box, which had no seat restraints. None of the women were wearing seatbelts or helmets, and the ORV does have a roll cage.

Both Spencer Fire and Rescue and Oakfield Fire and Rescue assisted at the scene.

By Judy Reed

As the weather warms up and residents begin to spring clean, some municipalities are offering drop off sites to help get rid of the clutter. Check out the list below to see when it’s offered in your area.

Algoma Township: Spring cleanup days are Wednesday, April 25, through Saturday, April 28. Dumpsters will be available at the township hall at 10531 Algoma Ave. Hours will be Wednesday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday, 8 a.m to 3 p.m. No shovel offs or loose trash allowed. No liquids, no hazardous waste (no paint, oil, fuel, gasoline etc.) No brush or yard waste, no cement.

All tires must be cut in half, propane and fuel oil tanks must be cut in half. Fencing must be folded or rolled up. Barrels must have one end open or be full of holes. Will also collect E-Waste at the same location (cell phones, computers, TVs, stereos, speakers, etc.). Call the township for more info 866-1583.

City of Cedar Springs: The city will collect E-waste on Saturday, April 28, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., during the Earth Day cleanup. A dumpster will be located behind City Hall. Bring all your electronic waste for disposal such as computers, monitors, keyboards, cell phones, radios, stereos, laptops, VCRs, modems, power cords, etc. The trailer will be there until 3 p.m. No TVs or big box appliances will be accepted. TVs may be brought to Comprenew at 629 Ionia SW in Grand Rapids for recycling. A fee will be charged per TV.

The annual brush pickup will be Monday April 30 from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Please have brush out by 6:00 a.m. and neatly stacked as close to the curb as possible. No brush larger than six inches, tree removals or stumps will be picked up. They will make one pass through town. Final fall pickup is September 24. There is no longer a spring trash cleanup date, since Duncan Disposal, the city’s preferred waste hauler, does that for residents.

The Department of Public Works will be flushing the City’s hydrants on Friday, April 27, 2012 and September 21, 2012. In most cases, hydrants are flushed during the night-time when water demand is at its lowest

Please remember to let your faucet run clear before doing any white or light colored laundry to avoid staining your laundry. Please contact DPW Director Roger Belknap at 616.696.1330 X 108 should you have any questions.

Courtland Township: No spring cleanup, they have a fall cleanup.

Nelson Township/Sand Lake: Spring cleanup days are Friday, June 22, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday, June 23, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Residents should bring trash to the water tower in Sand Lake. New this year is a charge of $15 for mattresses and $15 for box springs. Proof of residency required with a tax bill or voter registration AND a driver’s license. Will also collect E-Waste at the same location. Please call the township for more info at 636-5332.

Oakfield Township: No cleanup scheduled.

Sand Lake: See Nelson Township.

Solon Township: Spring cleanup dates have been set for two consecutive Saturdays, May 5 and May 12, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the old horse farm, 15185 Algoma. Proof of residency required. Must be residents—not just landowners. One 5×8 trailer with 48-inch sides or one pickup box per household. All items should be boxed or bagged, 45 pounds maximum. Tires must be cut in four pieces, car or light truck only, limit four. Appliances such as washers, dryers, etc. will be accepted, but not appliances that used Freon. Call township for more info  at 696-1718.

Spencer Township: Call township for info at 984-0035.

A pole barn and three other structures were destroyed by fire last Saturday night in Spencer Township.
According to Spencer Fire Chief Alan Wright, they were called to the scene at 17563 Trufant Avenue, north of Maston Lake about 6:45 p.m. May 7, on a pole barn fire. The home belongs to Spencer Township trustee Albert Frandsen.
Montcalm and Maple Valley Fire departments assisted, and Oakfield Township brought in a tanker to the scene.
Wright said the homeowner had been doing some welding in his workshop (the pole barn) and sparks from the welding ignited a bucket of flammable material.
No one was hurt in the fire.

Tom Swanson with the winning Pike at 31-3/4 inches.

By Judy Reed

The snow and ice may be disappearing this week, but it was perfect for the 30th annual Land of Lakes Association (LOLA) ice fishing derby in Spencer Township last weekend.

“The weather was great, no problems,” said activities director Pam Bradfield. “The wind kept the thaw down, so it wasn’t too sloppy.”

The annual event held at eight area lakes—Maston, Little Muskelunge, Blue, Black, Friant, Cedar, Little Lincoln, and Lincoln Lakes—had just under 200 people registered in the tournament. “That’s a little slower than in the past, but there were other events happening in the communities also, not to mention the poor economy,” said Bradfield.

And the winners are…
Blue Gill – Chop ingraham 9 1/4 inches
Speck -Byron Andres 13 3/8 inches
Perch – Woody Norton 10 1/8 inches
Pike – Tom Swanson 31 3/4 inches
Smallest fish caught — Ben Enbody with a 3 inch Blue Gill

3-Man team winners were Blain Beemer, Roy Beemer and Ernie Jensen taking the traveling “Green Hornet Pole” for best weight.

According to Bradfield, there were no walleye caught and no trash fish brought in this year.

“Everyone had a great time even though the fish were elusive. Now spring can officially begin!” she said.