By Judy Reed

Cedar Springs Public Schools recently announced their back to school safe start plan, and it includes two options for families to choose from: full in-person instruction or virtual online learning. 

They have asked parents to let them know by this Friday, August 14, which plan they will choose for their children. “It’s mostly for planning,” explained Cedar Springs Superintendent Scott Smith. “We need to make staffing decisions.”

The district plans to reopen for in-person instruction on Tuesday, September 8. They have tried to make in-person instruction as safe as possible. “We are working with community partners including Kent Intermediate School District and Spectrum Health to ensure decisions are being carefully considered and recommendations vetted,” Smith said in the document given to parents and approved by the Board of Education. “We relied on current medical best practices released by the CDC, national guidance, and support from other organizations to build the most comprehensive and safe plan possible. The plan was also vetted and approved by the CSPS Board of Education. In addition, our legal counsel has reviewed and advised the material contained in the plan.”

The plan varies according to which phase we are in. For phase 4/5, all students K-12, will have the option of either in-person instruction with safeguards (such as social distancing, masks, handwashing, etc.) or virtual learning. They are asking for a commitment of one semester to whichever plan they choose. “The pacing is slightly different on the two plans and not seamless,” explained Smith. 

Masks will be required for all students K-12 and staff, except when eating, and mask breaks will be given to elementary children. Hand sanitizing stations will be set up in classrooms, and desks disinfected at the end of each class period. Lunch will take place in various places besides the cafeteria and food will be pre-plated.

Parents will be asked to monitor their child’s symptoms at home.

For children who have health issues or for those parents who feel uncomfortable sending children back to school, they can choose the fully online learning. It will consist of at-home learning with CSPS teachers or mentors and online content and will be a semester commitment. It will be graded. It is recommended more for those children who are highly motivated or have a strong support system at home. 

So far, about 85 percent have chosen in-person instruction and 15 percent online instruction.

The Post asked Smith if virtual learning might remain an option even after masks and other safeguards are no longer needed. “There are going to be things we learn from this that make us stronger in the future,” he remarked. “I could see us moving forward with that as long as there is a demand. It could be looked on as a very positive thing; it has the flexibility of doing any work anywhere at any time. The downside is the student is not as actively engaged as in person. It depends on the drive of the learner. Our goal is to provide a robust experience with both online and in-person instruction.”

Smith said feedback from parents has been positive. “Parents just want information. There have been a lot of questions. Many have experienced appreciation as well as frustration, and we understand that because we don’t have all the answers ourselves.”

For those who want to read the full plan approved by the board, click the link below:

School Covid Preparedness Plan CSPS– Fall 2020.pdf

Join for fitness and fun August 21 through August 23.

GREENVILLE, Mich., June 12, 2020 – Runners and walkers can still get their Dane on this August by participating in a virtual Spectrum Health Danish Dash. 

Due to COVID-19 concerns and social distancing guidelines, the 5k race and walk will convert to a three-day open course event where participants pick the time and location they run or walk during the third weekend in August.

“Despite not being able to run together this year, we wanted to continue the tradition of Danish fun and promote physical activity,” said race co-director Danielle Wells. “Our top priority is keeping people safe and limiting large crowds, but we still hope to help motivate summer training and healthy habits.”

Participants can run or walk the unmarked Danish Dash open course if they choose. The USA Track & Field certified 5K course begins and ends on Faber Street near Baldwin Heights Elementary School in Greenville. It travels through Tower Park, past historic Manoka Lake, around Baldwin Lake, past scenic views of Taylor Hops, and concludes with a gradual hill up Marvel Drive.

Whether running or walking the normal course or doing it at location of your choosing, participants are asked to complete the event during the daylight hours between Friday, August 21 and Sunday, August 23.

Danish Dashers are asked to send in photos of themselves, friends, kids or furry race partners to danielle.wells@spectrumhealth.org or text to 517.420.2404 so race organizers can share the fun via social media.

Those who register before July 31 will be guaranteed a custom-designed Danish Dash 2020 race shirt. Extra shirts will be available on a first come, first served basis in limited sizes.

Shirt pick-up will be Thursday, August 20 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Spectrum Health United Lifestyles building located at 701 S Greenville W Dr. Suite #1 (near B.C. Pizza and True Value).

Cost to register is $20 for 5K runners and $15 for walkers. In addition to the souvenir shirt, runners will receive a 3.1-mile race sticker. Proceeds from the event go to the Danish Festival. Kids shirts are available for $10.

To register and for more information, visit: https://runsignup.com/Race/MI/Greenville/DanishFestivalRoadRun

Spectrum Health also cancels non-urgent patient appointments surgeries and procedures

Mercy Health, Metro Health – University of Michigan Health and Spectrum Health have revised their visitor policies to align with a new executive order from Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer. The additional restrictions are intended to prevent the spread of illness and protect patients, health care workers and our communities.

Starting Monday, March 16, restricted/no visitors will be allowed at any locations (hospitals, outpatient locations and long-term care facilities) for all local health care systems. For special circumstances, one approved visitor will be allowed in situations involving patients undergoing surgery and pediatric, maternity, end of life or critically ill patients. 

More information about visitor restrictions at local hospitals can be found here:

Mercy Health: 

https://www.mercyhealth.com/about-us/news-and-media/visitor-restrictions

Metro Health-Michigan Medicine Health: 

Spectrum Health: 

Also, In a continued effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19, effective Tuesday, March 17, Spectrum Health is canceling all appointments, surgeries and procedures that are not urgent or emergency-related for the next two weeks. 

“We believe this is the right step to protect our patients, team members and communities,” said Darryl Elmouchi, Chief Medical Officer, Spectrum Health System and President, Spectrum Health Medical Group. “We appreciate the understanding of our communities as we navigate this unprecedented situation and strive to do what is right. We will continue to evaluate this on a weekly basis and will extend these closures as needed.”

Patients with scheduled non-urgent appointments, procedures or surgeries during this time will be contacted by their provider(s) regarding next steps. If you have questions, please call your physician’s office.

All three implement healthy visitor restrictions

Each organization stresses that staying home when you are sick and washing your hands often are the most effective ways to prevent the spread of COVID-19, the flu and other communicable diseases. They also encourage everyone to cover their cough, clean frequently touched surfaces often with a sanitizing wipe or cleanser and avoid close contact with people who are sick. People should also avoid touching their eyes, nose and mouth and should stay home from work, school or social gatherings when they are sick.

Grand Rapids and Wyoming, Mich., Date – Officials from the Kent County Health Department, Mercy Health, Metro Health–University of Michigan and Spectrum Health are in contact with each other, as well as state and federal agencies, to coordinate preparedness efforts for COVID-19 in West Michigan.

All three area health systems, as well as the health department, are also encouraging community members and employees to practice good hand and respiratory hygiene at all times.

The three health systems have implemented healthy visitor restrictions, which encourage community members to stay home when they are sick and wait until they are healthy to visit.

Symptoms of COVID-19 may be mild or severe and include:

• Fever

• Cough

• Shortness of breath

If you are experiencing symptoms, officials recommend that you call your health care provider and advise them if you have been in close contact with a person known to have COVID-19 or you have recently traveled from an area with widespread or ongoing community spread of COVID-19.

Officials, including the CDC, also recommend using remote tools for an initial medical consultation because you can use them without leaving your home and potentially exposing other community members. Metro Health–University of Michigan Hospital offers e-visits through its MyChart patient portal. Spectrum Health offers telehealth services statewide through its Spectrum Health Now app, which is available for free in the Apple app store or Google Play Store.

Mark A. Ritter, 63 of Cedar Springs, died Sunday, April 1, 2018 at Spectrum Health – Butterworth Campus. Mark was born January 22, 1955 in Big Rapids, Michigan the son of Alan and Clara (TenEyck) Ritter. He was a graduate of Cedar Springs High School and served in the U.S. Marines during the Vietnam War. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and storytelling. He loved his family and grandkids. Surviving are his wife, Terri; sons, Alan (Bernice) and Aaron (Madeline); grandchildren, Nickolie, Alister, Noah, Owen and one on the way; brother, Gary (BJ). Cremation has taken place and a private memorial will be held. 

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

Donald D. Cooper “Coop” of Sparta, Michigan, age 68, passed away on Saturday, November 4, 2017.  He was born to Royal and Ruth (Joslin) Cooper on October 10, 1949, in Grand Rapids, MI.  Donald enjoyed hunting, fishing, muscle and classic cars, gardening, and spending time with friends and family.  Donald is survived by his beloved significant other of over 7 years Nancy Sowerby; Nancy’s family Michael, Patrick, Patrick and Jailyn, children Randy Cooper and Chris (Kristine) Cooper; grandchildren Cameron, Ethan, Trenton, Devon (Austin), Chance; great-grandson Anthony, siblings Ken (Deb), Helen (Steve), Jo-Ann (Dave), Nancy, and Dale, and loving dad Royal Cooper.  He was preceded in death by his mother, wife Jeanne Cooper, and dog Maggie.  There will be a time of visitation from 2:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 8, 2017, at Pederson Funeral Home, 127 N. Monroe Street NE, Rockford, MI 49341.  The funeral service for Donald was celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, November 9, 2017, at Pederson Funeral Home.  Pastor Bruce Wilson officiated.  There was a one hour visitation prior to the service.  Those wishing to offer expressions of sympathy may make a memorial contribution to Shriners Hospitals for Children, 2900 Rocky Point Dr., Tampa, FL 33607 or Spectrum Health Hospitals Fred and Lena Meijer Heart Center, 100 Michigan St. NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503.

Arrangements by Pederson Funeral Home, Rockford, www.pedersonfuneralhome.com

Spectrum Health United Hospital in Greenville has received the 2018 America’s Distinguished Hospital Award for Clinical Excellence™ and was also named a recipient of the Healthgrades 2017 Outstanding Patient Experience Award™ as measured by Healthgrades, the leading online resource for comprehensive information about physicians and hospitals.

The hospital was recognized with five-star ratings for clinical quality achievements in four categories: Treatment of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease; Treatment of Pneumonia for three years in a row (2016-2018); Treatment of Sepsis for seven years in a row (2012-2018); and Treatment of Respiratory Failure for two years in a row (2017-2018). Patients treated at hospitals receiving a five-star rating have a lower risk of complications during a hospital stay than if they were treated at hospitals receiving a one-star rating in that procedure or condition. 

“We are pleased to be honored by Healthgrades again this year,” said Spectrum Health United Hospital President Andrea Leslie. “We are very proud of our team for their commitment and hard work to ensure quality care and safe outcomes for our patients and their families.”

Healthgrades analyze clinical outcomes (mortality and complications) for each of 34 condition or procedure cohorts. Inclusion criteria for cohort analyses require at least 30 cases across three years of data and at least five cases in the most current year per hospital. As a result, the number of hospitals that qualified and received a rating ranged from a low of 526 rated for bariatric surgery to a high of 4,098 rated for pneumonia. Nearly 5,000 small acute-care hospitals were analyzed for clinical outcomes.

Meranda Baguss and her 5-year-old twin boys were victims of a hit-and-run crash on Friday, September 15 that took her life and put her boys in critical condition. Photo from gofundme.com

by Lois Allen

The suspect in the fatal hit-and-run is in custody while two 5-year-old boys are recovering from critical injuries and facing a long road to recovery without their mother who died in a Friday night crash.

Douglas James Crystal, 36, of Cedar Springs, is facing multiple charges including reckless driving causing death and failure to stop at the scene of a serious personal injury accident, according to Kent County Correctional Facility.

Douglas Crystal fled the scene of the crash leaving the totaled truck behind. Deputies searched the area and were unable to locate Crystal. Photo courtesy of woodtv.com

According to officials, the crash happened around 8:23 p.m., Friday, September 15 at the intersection of 15 Mile Road and Ritchie Avenue in Courtland Township.

Authorities said Crystal was traveling northbound at a high rate of speed on Ritchie Avenue when his pick-up truck blew the stop sign at 15 Mile Road and slammed into a vehicle heading westbound on 15 Mile Road.

Meranda Baguss, 33, of Sand Lake was on her way to meet the father of the two boys in Byron Township driving a 2011 Ford Fusion when her vehicle was broadsided by the 2015 Ford F150 pick-up truck. It was estimated that the pick-up was traveling at approximately 90 miles per hour. Baguss was killed instantly and pronounced dead at the scene. Both boys, who were in the back seat in their car seats, were critically injured. Five-year-olds Chauncey and Tony Anthony III, were taken to Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital in Grand Rapids with life-threatening head injuries.

The twins remain in recovery without their mother and were listed in critical but stable condition surrounded by family on Sunday. They had just started kindergarten at Cedar Trails Elementary in Cedar Springs.

“She’s a beautiful young lady, she was sweet and she loved her babies,” said grandfather Tony Anthony Sr. “They meant the world to her and now we have to decide how to tell them that their mother has been taken away from them.”

Baguss was a certified nursing assistant for Spectrum Health. “She took care of others and she took care of her own. She was great,” said Anthony Sr.

Crystal fled the scene of the crash leaving the totaled truck behind. Deputies searched the area with multiple canine units and were assisted by the Michigan State Police Helicopter for several hours but were unable to locate Crystal. Police say alcohol may have been a factor in the crash.

“For someone to just do what he did and then leave, just discard them like waste, is horrible,” Anthony Sr. said. “It’s unspeakable.”

Acting on a tip, Kent County authorities located and arrested Crystal taking him into custody where he is facing multiple charges. He was arraigned on Monday, September 18.

Cedar Springs Superintendent Laura VanDuyn said the district is working to support the family and that counselors will be made available.

A gofundme page has been established at https://www.gofundme.com/jn5a88-meranda-baguss-tony-chauncey. All proceeds will go to Meranda’s family for funeral expenses and if there is any left over, will go towards the boys medical expenses.

The Montcalm County Sheriff Department responded to their second three-car crash of the day in Reynolds Township last Friday, June 16, at 5:05 p.m.

According to police, the crash occurred at the intersection of Howard City-Edmore Road (M-46) and Edgar Road, in Reynolds Township. They reported that a 2008 Subaru Outback driven by Joseph Hondalus, 56, of Howard City, stopped at the stop sign on Edgar Road, at M-46, and then proceeded west into the intersection and was struck by an eastbound Chevrolet Avalanche driven by Johnathan Little, 43, of Crystal. The near head-on collision pushed the Subaru into the path of a westbound Chevrolet Trailblazer on M-46 that was driven by Christopher Conger, 37, of Big Rapids.

Both Hondalus and a female passenger were transported to Spectrum Health Butterworth Hospital by the Montcalm County Emergency Medical Services with serious, but non-life-threatening injuries.

Little, who driving the Avalanche, sustained minor injuries and was treated at the scene. His female passenger was not injured.

Conger, who was driving the Trailblazer, complained of pain but refused treatment.

The crash remains under investigation. All of the occupants were properly belted and airbags deployed in each of the vehicles.

In addition to the Montcalm County Emergency Medical Services units, the Howard City Fire Department and the Michigan State Police assisted at the scene.

Curtis D. Morris, 63 of Morley died Thursday, June 1, 2017 at Spectrum Health – Butterworth Campus. Curt was born October 9, 1953 in Grand Rapids, Michigan the son of Billy and Wanda (Parker) Morris. He worked for Elston-Richards for 23 years and loved hunting, fishing and mushroom hunting. Surviving are his significant other, Julie Berry; children, Michael Morris and fiancee, Christina Perkins, Vivian Berry and Billy Vincent; granddaughter, Kadense; mother, Wanda Morris; sisters, Ann (Larry) Cornell, Charlene Fifield; nieces and nephews, Nutasha (Sid) Tolsma, Jon (Jinger) Fifield, Theresa (Jesse) Koomen, Brett (Heather) Fifield, Katelyn Fifield, Laurissa Cornell. He was preceded in death by his father and a brother-in-law, William Fifield. The family received friends Sunday, June 4^th at the Bliss-Witters & Pike Funeral Home, Cedar Springs where the service was held Monday, June 5^th. Pastor Gilbert Morris officiating. Interment Solon Township Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart or Diabetes Associations.

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

Eugene Eben Finch Sr. age 79 of Cedar Springs passed away Saturday, June 3, 2017 at Spectrum Health – Butterworth Campus. He was born August 13, 1937 in Grand Rapids, Michigan the son of Eben and Bessie (Fairbrother) Finch. Eugene proudly served in the Marine Corps from 1954 to 1957. He also enjoyed driving around on his tractor working his land. He is survived by his children and grandchildren, Eugene (Lori) Finch Jr. (Anthony, Chelsea, and Dylan), Terry (Angela) Finch (Alexander and Andrew), Debbie (Troy) Ensminger (Kyle and Nicole), Rodney S. Finch; great-grandchildren Ryland, Mya, and Bryson; sister, Eileen (Val) Bennett. Eugene was preceded in death by his parents and sisters, Patricia Finch and Joyce Hegwood. The family met with friends on Wednesday at the Bliss-Witters & Pike Funeral Home, Cedar Springs where the service will be held Thursday at 11 a.m. Pastor Larry Young, officiating. Interment Solon Township Cemetery with the Kent County Veterans Honor Guard. Memorial contributions may be made to the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation.

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

James J. Patin 67 of Sand Lake, died Saturday, April 8, 2017 at Spectrum Health – Butterworth Campus. Jim was born March 29, 1950 in Cedar Springs, Michigan the son of Joseph and Ruth (Horter) Patin. He served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War and had worked at Knape & Vogt for 41 years retiring 2013. He was a member of the Wolverine Skyhawks and enjoyed taking motorcycle trips. Surviving are his wife, Sandra; children, Melissa Patin, Jim (April) Patin, Gina (Craig) Dillon, Matt Patin, Becky (Rob) Baker, Jill Patin, Collin (Michelle) Patin; 20 grandchildren; 5 great-grandchildren; brother, Donald (Maureen) Patin; sisters, Catherine Patin, Marie Patin, Patricia Patin, Gerri (Ralph) VanOcker, RoseAnn Patin; mother-in-law, Helen Beebe; many nieces and nephews and his dog, Teddy. He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Mark. The family greeted friends Tuesday at the Bliss-Witters & Pike Funeral Home, Cedar Springs. Mass of Christian Burial was Wednesday at Mary Queen of Apostles, Sand Lake. Rev. Fr. Lam Le celebrant. Interment St. Mary’s Cemetery.

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