INSIDE
: Montague school district welcomes new SRO Volume 3, Issue 35 January 23, 2026
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New Era Elementary building sold to Village of New Era With the opening of the new Shelby Elementary School in 2024, New Era Elementary School ceased holding classes and serving students and families. To avoid having an "empty shell" school structure in a neighborhood setting, the New Era Village Council and the Shelby Public Schools Board of Education worked in partnership to execute the sale of the closed New Era School and property to the Village of New Era. The village council and school district initiated discussions in November of 2024 and over the course of time arrived at both parties taking steps in November 2025 to approve the sale. “New Era Elementary has always been a cornerstone of the New Era community," Shelby Board President Ruth Myers said. "So, I couldn't be happier that
New Era Elementary as seen on Wednesday, Jan. 21 after severe winter weather blanketed the area, resulting in at least three snow days this past week for the majority of Oceana schools. • Amanda Dodge/Echo two groups of elected represen- will serve to support the phystatives came together to explore ical infrastructure of operating and effectively approve the sale school buildings in 2026 and beand repurposing of this school yond. It's a win-win." building for the general commuVillage President Roger Fesnity's benefit in the future." senden agreed with SuperintenShelby Superintendent Mark dent Olmstead's assessment. Olmstead affirmed the board "We're pleased to acquire president's view. this asset. It's been nearly two "The proceeds of the sale will years in the making," Fessenden bring in about $85,000 to the dis- said. "No one wanted the school trict," Olmstead said. “I think it's building to just sit there empgreat that New Era School didn't ty. We want to have a cared-for just fade away into the sunset. and visually appealing facility in The money generated by its sale its neighborhood location and
see what services we could conveniently offer our village residents there. "Because the vision for the future of the New Era School combined a good purpose for public use at a reasonable cost, I'm grateful the school board and village council (were) diligent in making this happen. The New Era School is helping to get our New Year off to a great start!" The Shelby Public Schools Board of Education: President Ruth A. Myers, Vice President Scott Stovall, Secretary Steve Vinke, Treasurer Karen Rice, and Trustees Brian Hicks, Robert Rudat and Jason Fleming. The New Era Village Council: President Roger Fessenden, Treasurer Sharon Pepple, Clerk Natalie Kelly, and Trustees Annie Gale, Mark Kelly, Austin Cox, Michael Deblois, Gene Zainea and Gary Grinwis.
Hart's Market Chalets to be moved from current location By Sharon Hallack The Oceana Echo Community Correspondent
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The HEART (Hart Economic and Redevelopment Team) board met for their monthly meeting Wednesday, Jan. 14 with members Scott Beal, Lindsay Brown, Noble Graham-Lattin, Hannah Juhl, ex officio member and Hart City Manager Nichole Kleiner, Chairman Andrew Mullen, Sue Payne and Maria Rosas present.
• Amanda Dodge/Echo
The Main Street Market Chalets near the Tin Man in downtown Hart. Members absent were city council representatives Catalina Burillo and Dean Hodges. Brown reported that she had sourced three different downtown light pole banner options and will do a community poll to decide which design to go with. The banners will cost $3,500 and be installed after the snowflake banners come down. The market chalets located on East Main Street will be moved prior to the upcoming streetscape project this spring. The final decision for where they will be relocated is yet to be made; however, the HEART board recommends moving them where they will be best utilized and provide the city with some financial benefit. Kleiner told The Oceana Echo later that while the hope was the Market Chalets would remain a part of the downtown well into the future, Hart TIFA [Tax Increment Financing
Authority] only agreed to fund their portion of the streetscape project ($660,000) if the chalets were “permanently” removed. The city council agreed to the terms so the city could accept the $1 million RAP [Revitalization and Placemaking] grant to fund the streetscape project. The posting of the city’s open Community and Economic Development Director position was posted both internally and externally and expired Jan. 22. The personnel committee has had one interview and hopes to have someone in place by March. With regards to the Ceres property development opportunity, a four-color postcard was shared with the group that will be mailed to approximately 50 developers. The board would like to expand its promotion of this opportunity to neighboring states, not just Michigan. It was suggested that a follow-up with those contacts in-
viting them to tour the property would be a logical next step. “If we send it out, we need to follow up,” Payne said. To date, there has been one developer who has looked at the property and will be submitting a quote. The H-Art Project Initiative, to have 25 art installations by 2025, has been on the back burner for several months as the city has been transitioning through the process of filling the City Manager and Community Economic Development Director positions. Adding more art in Hart is still a goal of the HEART board, and proceeds from this year’s Frozen Tin Man golf outing will go toward the H-Art Project. Even though January is typically slower, those members present all reported positive activity at each of their businesses this past month. Two downtown businesses have expanded or will be expanding before spring, and two will be
undergoing some minor renovations during the downtime winter brings. They are all looking forward to Winterfest and all the fun and energy that event brings to the community. The board reviewed its three main committees - Development, Business Support; Marketing, Talent, Promotion; and Budgeting and discussed possible meeting schedules. Chairman Mullen reminded the group that all three are open to community members who wish to serve in an advisory capacity. Interested community members should contact the city offices for further information. Brown reported that volunteers are needed at each intersection for the State Street Mile Fun Run/Walk that will begin at 11 a.m. of Winterfest, Feb. 7. Those interested in volunteering should contact Brown at lbrown@cityofhart.org or call 231-923-3837. Currently the HEART board meets the second Wednesday of every month at 2 p.m. at the Hart Community Center. Committees meet whenever convenient for those involved. The next HEART board meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 11 at 2 p.m. in the Hart Community Center.
• Scott Kroepel/Echo Joel Catts
Hesperia welcomes new police chief By Scott Kroepel The Oceana Echo Community Correspondent The Village of Hesperia recently hired Joel Catts as its new Chief of Police, filling a position that sat vacant for several months. Joel grew up in the Cadillac area. He worked as a corrections officer in Wyoming, attended Ferris State University and graduated from the Police Academy at Grand Rapids Community College in 2018. Joel worked at the Lakeview Police Department and the Newaygo County Sheriff’s Department before accepting the job as police chief for the village. Joel said that he believes “a strong and effective police department begins with open communication and a direct connection between the Chief of Police and the community.” Chief Catts handed out signed Christmas cards from door-to-door to homes within the village to meet the residents individually and to reconnect with those who he has already met. “That experience was extremely rewarding and reinforced my commitment to community-oriented policing,” he said, adding that he was demonstrating his dedication to “being visible, accessible and invested in the well-being of the community.” During its search to fill the vacant police chief position, the village had coverage from both the Oceana and Newaygo County sheriff departments and state police and it had a monetary agreement with Oceana County for additional police protection.