Congratulations Class of 2019

Hundreds of students stepped out into a brand new world over the last couple of weeks as they graduated high school and now celebrate what lies ahead. Here in our area, students graduated from Cedar Springs High School, New Beginnings High School, Creative Technologies Academy, Algoma Christian School, and Tri County High School.

To see photos of top honors students in our area and class photos, click here to download

Mitchell Aron Hanes, 62, of Sand Lake, passed away on September 27, 2018 at home. He was born on November 2, 1955 to Grant and Pride (Brisbin) Hanes in Grant, Michigan. He graduated Tri-County High School in 1974. Mitchell worked as a heavy Equipment Operator until his retirement. He was a member of the Sand Lake Eagles and the Sons of the American Legion. Mitchell is survived by his children: Gabe (Nicole) Hanes of Cedar Springs, Christy (Simon Flores) Hanes of Kalamazoo; two grandsons: Brice Hanes, Taggart Hanes; two brothers: Mark (Kris) Hanes of Howard City, Kevin Hanes of Sand Lake. He was preceded in death by his mother Pride Hanes, son Tagart Brian Hanes, brother Mike Hanes, and sister Shelly Hanes. Graveside services were held on Monday, October 1, 2018, 11:00 a.m. at the Crandell Cemetery, Sand Lake, Michigan. Memorials are suggested to the Heartland Hospice or to the family for funeral expenses. 

U.S. Air Force Airman Janaye V. Dotson

U.S. Air Force Airman Janaye V. Dotson graduated from basic military training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, San Antonio, Texas.

The airman completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills.

Airmen who complete basic training also earn four credits toward an associate in applied science degree through the Community College of the Air Force.

Dotson is the daughter of Jamie Dotson, and granddaughter of James and Susan Pike, all of Sand Lake, Mich.

Janaye is a 2017 graduate of Tri County High School, Howard City, Mich.

This is a correction to the article we ran last week from the Hometown News Service that had incorrect information regarding family. 

Joel E. Kinsey age 20 of Sand Lake, died Thursday, January 4, 2018 from injuries sustained in an automobile accident. Joel was born November 2, 1997 in Grand Rapids, Michigan the son of Jerry and Nicole (Frahm) Kinsey. He was a 2016 graduate of Tri-County High School and was presently serving as a LCpl in the U.S. Marines. He enjoyed hunting with his dogs and fishing. He loved chocolate and had a huge sweet tooth. Surviving are his mother, Nicole (Fernando Bernal) Kinsey; father, Jerry Kinsey; sisters, Naomi (Corey) Wesche, Jordan Kinsey, Sophia Bernal; brothers, Nickolas Kinsey, Ezra Kinsey; special friend, Brianna Hesselink; and extended family. The family will receive friends Thursday from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. at the Bliss-Witters & Pike Funeral Home, Cedar Springs where the service will be held Friday 10:00 a.m. Pastor Chuck Smith officiating. Interment St. Mary’s Cemetery, Sand Lake. Memorial contributions may be made to Spectrum Health NICU.

Arrangements by  Bliss-Witters & Pike Funeral Home, Cedar Springs

Joel Kinsey, a 2016 Tri County graduate, was killed in a traffic crash on 14 Mile Rd on Jan. 4.

Several people were injured and one person died in a crash on 14 Mile Rd, in Oakfield Township, last week Thursday.

According to the Michigan State Police, the crash occurred shortly after 5 p.m. Thursday, January 4, west of Wabasis Ave. The investigation showed that an eastbound vehicle driven by Joseph Hanna, 39, of Sparta, tried to pass a vehicle driven by Jerry Kinsey, 48, of Sand Lake, and the two vehicles collided. The collision resulted in both vehicles losing control and Kinsey’s vehicle spinning into the westbound lane, where it was struck by a van driven by Gail Gansmiller, 48, of Sheridan. The passenger in Kinsey’s vehicle, his 20-year-old son, Joel Kinsey, of Sand Lake, was killed, and Jerry Kinsey was transported to Spectrum Hospital in Grand Rapids in critical condition.  

Hanna and Gansmiller were treated for minor injuries. 

Police said that speed and alcohol were not believed to be factors in the crash.  

Assisting at the scene was Oakfield Township Fire, Courtland Township Fire, the Kent County Sheriff Department, and Rockford Ambulance.

Joel Kinsey was a 2016 graduate of Tri-County High School and was presently serving as a LCpl in the U.S. Marines. He is the son of Jerry Kinsey and Nicole (Fernando Bernal) Kinsey.

Click here to see his obituary.

Photo by K. Alvesteffer/R. Lalone

CSHS Valedictorian, Tara Tepin

CTA graduates. Courtesy photo.

Congratulations Class of 2017

Hundreds of students stepped out into a brand new world over the last couple of weeks as they graduated high school and now celebrate what lies ahead. Here in our area, students graduated from Cedar Springs High School, New Beginnings High School, Creative Technologies Academy, Algoma Christian School, and Tri County High School.

To see photos of all the top honors students in our area and class photos, click link to download our keepsake 2017 graduation feature.

Also, Cedar Springs Public Schools has several people retiring this year: Dave Swanson, Larry Reyburn, Cindy Barnard, Mark Schumann, Jerry Gavin, Mike Duffy, Steve Banagis, and Louise Amash. A big thank you to each one of you for your years of service to Cedar Springs kids!

Brandon M. Empie

Brandon M. Empie, 23, a 2012 graduate of Tri County High School, is currently home on leave and took part in Memorial Day ceremonies with the Cedar Springs American Legion. He joined the Air Force almost five years ago on September 11, 2012. Brandon has served two years at Royal Air Force Mildenhall in England; was deployed from there to Arba Minch in Ethiopia for six months; and is currently stationed at Andrews Air Force base near Washington D.C.

Brandon is a security forces member and is certified as a response force leader.

He is the son of Matthew Empie and Jenifer Smigiel, and grandson of Rusch and Pat Merlington, and Don and Lucille Empie.

Mr. and Mrs. Brian and Penny Johnson of Cedar Springs, are pleased to announce the engagement of their daughter Amy Johnson, to Grant Gould, son of Allen Gould of Sand Lake, and Kathy and Bill Cox of Ada. Miss Johnson is a graduate of Cedar Springs High School and Grand Valley State University with a Master’s in Educational Leadership. Miss Johnson is a teacher in Cedar Springs. Mr. Gould is a Tri-County High School graduate and is a foreman pipefitter in Grand Rapids. A June wedding is planned!

Congratulations Class of 2016

Erwin Duane Empie, 90, celebrates as he receives his diploma at the Cedar Springs High School graduation. Cedar Springs Superintendent Dr. Laura VanDuyn is behind him. Photo by K. Alvesteffer.

They say a picture is worth a thousand words. This one is a great example of that! It’s so full of emotion. A World War II Veteran finally got his high school diploma last week and this was his reaction!

Erwin Duane Empie, 90, had waited a long time to get his high school diploma. But the wait was over on Thursday, June 2, when he finally received an honorary diploma from Cedar Springs High School—the school he left in the 1940s so he could serve our country during World War II. He only attended through part of his sophomore year, and enlisted in the Navy in 1944, at age 18.

Mr. Empie received his diploma, along with the class of 2016. The ceremony moved many people in the audience, some of whom posted on our Facebook page, congratulating Mr. Empie on his accomplishment.

But it’s not only Mr. Empie celebrating. Hundreds of students stepped out into a brand new world over the last couple of weeks as they graduated high school and now celebrate what lies ahead. Here in our area, students graduated from Cedar Springs High School, New Beginnings High School, Creative Technologies Academy, Cedar Christian Academy, Algoma Christian School, and Tri County High School.

To see photos of all the top honors students in our area and class photos, click link below to download.

Graduation2016.pdf

Congratulations to Tri County High School Queen and King, Alexis Holappa and Justin Thurston. They were crowned Friday, September 25, at Tri County High School.

Darren Trader

By Shae Brophy

Meet offensive/defensive lineman Darren Trader. Darren, a 2007 graduate from Tri County High School, is one of a few players who see time on offense and defense. Primarily used on offense, his 6 foot 4 inch frame comes in handy on the defensive line as well. Trader has been involved with football since he was in the third grade, and played baseball at Tri County his junior and senior years of high school.

When he isn’t on the gridiron, Darren enjoys hunting, fishing, and golfing. Some of his idols include (Houston Texans defensive end) JJ Watt, (former NFL defensive end) Reggie White, and Michael Jordan.

According to Trader, the chance to play football again was a chance to fall in love with the game all over again. “I got a phone call from (Hawks captain) Ryan Bell saying there would be a semi-pro team in Cedar Springs. I had my doubts at first, but he assured me that I would fall in love with the game all over again, and he was right. After the very first practice, I had made up my mind that I would join this team, and help build it in any way possible. Plus, my Mom went to Cedar Springs, and she always wanted me to play after high school. I know she’s looking down on me smiling and cheering the team on. The became a member of this team because the owner is a class act man, and the Hawks play football the way it is supposed to be played: hard, and to the whistle with no quit.”

Owner/head coach David Lange added: “Darren is one of our bigger guys. He is an anchor for our linemen. He hits hard and he creates the holes needed for our backs. Darren is not afraid to get down and dirty in the trenches. He is a very physical player with a lot of heart.”

On July 18th, the Hawks will host the Grand Rapids Thunder, in the inaugural William W. Phillips Memorial game, which is dedicated to Darren’s grandfather, who recently passed away. It will also be a military appreciation night.

The Hawks will be off this weekend, as the league celebrates Independence Day. The team will be in action again on July 11th, as they travel to Detroit to take on the Michigan Renegades.

Shae Brophy is the Media/Public Relations Director for the West Michigan Hawks.

Cedar Springs Youth Wrestlers have been very busy and working hard, wrestling in at least three separate tournaments over the last two weeks. The first two tournaments were both held on February 16, 2104. Half of the team traveled south to wrestle in the Meijer State Games held at the Ford Fieldhouse, downtown Grand Rapids. Champions were Keaton Klaasen at 49lb in the 7/8 division and Gage Gardner at 145lb in the 13-15 division. Lane Wiggins-Russo took second in the 112lb in the 7/8 division.

The other half of the team traveled to the north to wrestle at Tri County High School in Sand Lake. Champions from that tournament were Pistachio Gonzales at 55lb in the 5/6 division, and Trever Marsman at 67lb in the 9/10 division. Second place finishers were Caleigh Wood at 37lb in the 5/6 division, Tacho Gonzales at 67lb in the 9/10 division, and Samuel Couturier at 112 in the 11/12 division. Rounding off the medal winners were third place finishers Chase Sarniak at 46lb and Dominic Vanderhyde at 55lb in the 5/6 division. Carter Falan also took third at 80lb in the 9/10 division.

On February 23, the entire team went to rumble at Sparta High School where they won a grand total of 18 medals!

Medal winners in the 5/6 age group were Veronica Tapia 2nd at 37lb, Caleigh Wood 4th at 37lb, Gavyn Byxbe 4th at 52lb, and Pistachio Gonzales 1st at 61lb. In the 7/8 age group winners were Nehemiah Kaiserlian 2nd at 46lb, Keaton Klaasen 2nd at 49lb, Tommy Stevens 1st at 58lb, Jordan Kaiserlian 2nd at 58lb, JuanAngel Acosta 4th at 72lb, Wyatt Cooper 3rd at 82lb, and Lane Wiggins-Russo 2nd at 112. Winners in the 9/10 age group were Landon Demorest 1st at 55lb, Trever Marsman 2nd at 63lb, Tacho Gonzales 4th at 67lb, and Carter Falan 2nd at 80lb. Medal winners in the 11/12 age group were Reese Gonzales 4th at 95lb and Samuel Couturier 3rd at 112lb. Allexis Gonzales was the lone placer in the 13-15 age group with at 4th place finish at 122/130lb.

Keep your eyes on the Post for more exciting results from your Red Hawk youth wrestlers, including results from the NUWAY National Dual Tournament where five of Cedar Springs own wrestlers represented Team Michigan.