INSIDE
: Montague Class of 2026 bids farewell
REFLECTIONS OF OUR COMMUNITY
Volume 3, Issue 52 May 22, 2026 Total Raised: $113,669 Lead this Legacy SUBSCRIPTIONS AVAILABLE
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Sheriff’s Office releases new free mobile app for residents and visitors
‘Platt Field’ to be named in superintendent's honor By Sharon Hallack The Oceana Echo Community Correspondent
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On Monday, May 18, the Hart Public Schools Board of Education recognized Superintendent Mark Platt for his 13 years of service to the district. He was not only presented with a traditional retirement plaque, but was also told they would be naming the new Hart High School football field "Platt Field" in his honor. To say Platt was surprised was an understatement. The announcement left him almost speechless. “Thank you very much. I barely know what to say,” Platt humbly shared as he processed what he’d just heard. “Mark has had a major impact on our district. Not only has he been able to make positive changes to the district’s organization and culture, but also to our infrastructure,” School Board President Jeff Schaner said during the announcement. “The current bond effort will allow upgrades to every school building, and the overhauling of our football and track facility. While athletics is not the only reason we are here,
they can highlight our school and give name recognition, which is great for the district. For all that Mark has done for Hart Public Schools during his time here, we have decided to name the football field ‘Platt Field’ in his honor.” “The board briefly discussed some sort of name recognition for Platt during the superintendent interviews held in March, when Mark was not in attendance,” outgoing board member Chad Coker said. “We wanted something more longstanding than just a plaque. Naming the new football field in his honor seemed appropriate since he was so instrumental in curating the bond for it and because of his love for Hart football.” The board would like to assure the community that the school’s athletic complex (football, track and ball fields), to be renovated following this fall’s football season, will remain the “Richard A. Hodges Athletic Complex," named in honor of Hodges when the facility was first built. Hodges, a former Hart teacher, president of the Hart School Board and Hart Athletic Boosters, was a huge fan and supporter of Hart Athletics.
The Oceana County Sheriff’s Office is excited to announce the launch of its new free mobile application, now available for download on both iOS and Android devices. The new app, available by searching “Oceana County Sheriff, MI” in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store, is designed to strengthen communication between the Sheriff’s Office and the public while providing valuable resources for both residents and visitors throughout Oceana County. The app replaces the former mass notification platform previously used by Oceana County known as “Code Red.” Moving forward, Code Red will no longer be used by the Sheriff’s Office to distribute important emergency alerts and public notifications. The Sheriff’s Office partnered with Oceana County Emergency Management on the project, with Emergency Management having its own dedicated page within the app that provides helpful preparedness and emergency information. The recent flooding events in the area highlighted the importance of
having reliable and redundant communication systems available to the public. In addition to emergency notifications and public information, the app includes several useful features, including: • Access to current jail inmate information and bond amounts • ORV ordinances and countywide ORV trail maps • Links to accident reports • Property check request forms • Community resources and public safety information • And many additional features designed to improve accessibility and communication The app is completely free to download and use. No personal information is collected from users simply for downloading or utilizing the app. The Oceana County Sheriff’s Office encourages all residents and visitors to download the app and stay connected with important information, alerts, and public safety resources. For more information, please contact the Oceana County Sheriff’s Office.
The Oceana County Sheriff's Office (OCSO) recently dedicated its new patrol boat Monday, May 18. The OCSO showed the boat to the Oceana County Board of Commissioners at their May 14 meeting. • Paul Erickson/Echo
Asparagus Queen candidates take Research Station Farm Tour On Thursday, May 14, the 2026 Asparagus Queen candidates toured the West Michigan Research Station in Hart. Under the guidance of Station Manager Justin Adams, the ladies learned about the local asparagus industry, what growing conditions make a good crop, how imported asparagus is affecting the U.S. asparagus industry and the various types of research taking place in
Oceana County to make the industry better for asparagus farmers. Following Thursday’s tour, the Queen candidates had the opportunity to try their hand at picking asparagus and learned quickly that it takes a lot more coordination and technique than it looks. Next up for the Asparagus Queen candidates is their meeting with this year's
judging panel on June 12, 2026, where the Queen and Runner-up will be decided. The 2026 National Asparagus Queen will be announced and crowned live during the National Asparagus Festival's Friday Night Kick-off concert on Friday, June 12, featuring the band "Your Generation" at the Oceana County Fairgrounds.