INSIDE
Volume 4, Issue 2 June 5, 2026
: New class of Rocket grads celebrate
REFLECTIONS OF OUR COMMUNITY
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Nienhuis selected as new Golden Township deputy
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Brendan Nienhuis has been selected as the new Golden Township deputy. Nienhuis graduated from Hart High School and in 2022, worked as a summer marine officer. In May of 2023, he graduated from the West Shore Community College police academy, and was hired full-time by the Oceana County Sheriff’s Office (OCSO). Deputy Nienhuis has already worked a season in Golden Township where he learned what the needs of the community were. Deputy Nienhuis is currently working in the patrol division, but has also worked in court services, and is a member of our dive and drone teams. He grew up in Silver Lake and knows many of the business owners and residents already. According to a media release from OCSO Undersheriff Ryan Schiller, "Deputy Nienhuis applied for this position, as this is new to us at the sheriff’s office. This is the first full-time contracted deputy position that we have. We fulfill some areas of the county with contracted hours per month, but none of these are full-time. This is new ground for us and for Golden Township. We have always had a very good working relationship with Golden Township, and this is a great step in providing the next level of service to a very busy tourism community. "The Golden Township deputies' scheduled hours will be less predictable than in the past, which we all feel will be helpful. We will continue to staff the busy holiday weekends with extra staffing to accommodate our popula-
Second reclaimed art mural installed in Hesperia By Scott Kroepel The Oceana Echo Community Correspondent
dents helped plan the mural, sketch out the design, and construct the project from a mixed medium of collected and recycled materials. Grimard also credits substitute teacher and Hesperia Art Committee member Russ Baker, for his help with the project design and installation. Maggy and Milo now set next to the first “Reclaimed Beauty” mural, which was created by the same school program last year. The art department is currently seeking donations to add a display near the mural, with a QR code and information about the Wood Turtle, and how residents can help protect them.
A new reclaimed art mural was recently installed at Vida Weaver Park in Hesperia. “Maggy and Milo: a Family Threatened” is a 16-foot by 8-foot mural created by students in Hesperia’s Mixed Media/3-D Art class, along with help from other Hesperia Middle School and Hesperia High School art classes. The mural depicts the threatened Wood Turtle, currently living in the tion influx. We know that Oceana recommend completing a 'prop- White River. Under the County has a significant number erty check' request when it’s clos- instruction of art teacher of visitors annually. That number er to that time of year. This can Monica Grimard, the stuis proportionately huge when you be easily accomplished using the start to consider how many dep- new sheriff app that was recentuties are normally working at any ly released. Among many other given time. duties, Deputy Nienhuis will be "We know that Deputy Nien- checking up on our winter homes Shelby State Bank is proud to celebrate 95 years of huis will serve this community when the snow is on the ground." well and look forward to (seeing) The new OCSO app is avail- serving local families, businesses and organizations the connections to this communi- able by seaching “Oceana County across West Michigan. Since 1931, the bank has been more than a place to manage finances — it has been a ty develop. For the homeowners Sheriff, MI” in the app store. neighbor, a trusted partner and a committed supporter who winter somewhere else, we of the communities it calls home. For nearly a century, SSB has grown alongside the people and towns it serves, while staying true to the same values it was founded on: personal service, local Roesler said. By Sharon Hallack decision-making and a genuine commitment to helping He reported the used TASER 7 units communities thrive. From supporting small businesses The Oceana Echo will come with new power packs, 16 live to helping families reach important milestones, the bank Community Correspondent cartridges, six training cartridges per has built its legacy one relationship at a time. “For 95 years, it has been our privilege to serve the SHELBY - May 26, Shelby Village unit and appropriate holsters for $500 each. “The TASER 7 came out three people and communities who have placed their trust in Council voted to replace the police deyears ago and has much better technolShelby State Bank,” President and CEO Mishelle Compartment’s eight-year-old Taser units (Taser is an acronym for Thomas A. ogy than the Tasers the department cur- stock said. “This anniversary is about more than the years behind us — it is about the relationships, shared Swift's Electric Rifle) and upgrade to rently uses.” The goal, Roesler said, is to assign a successes, and community spirit that have shaped who eight “like new” TASER 7 units being offered for sale by the Dearborn Heights Taser to each officer, thus cutting down we are. We are deeply grateful for the opportunity to be Police Department at a cost of $3,691.90. on the number of “spark checks” in a 24- part of our customers’ lives and look forward to serving Replacement of the aging units was hour period, which diminishes the bat- our communities for many years to come.” To mark this special milestone, Shelby State Bank will scheduled in the village’s 2028-29 Cap- teries sooner. “I think it's a pretty good host a weeklong anniversary celebration from June 22 deal, and they are projected to last anital Improvement Plan, however, the through June 26 at all branch locations, welcoming cusother five years,” he said. current units are no longer supported by tomers and community members to stop in, celebrate, An additional $691.90 will purchase the manufacturer, Village Administrator and share in the joy of nearly a century of local banking. a charging bank for all six of the units. Phil Morse’s memo to council read. The Today, Shelby State Bank continues to serve West The “new to Shelby” TASER 7 units are decision to move up this purchase came Michigan through 9 full-service locations, remaining under manufacturer warranty through after a recent incident when one of the dedicated to responsive service, local leadership, and June 2027 and will be supported by the department’s Tasers was deployed and meaningful community partnerships. As the bank celethe necessary incident data download distributor, Axom Enterprise. brates 95 years, it also looks ahead with the same comIt is expected the old units will be failed. mitment that has defined it for generations: being a de“Right now my only other option saved until the next upgrade and be pendable financial partner and a caring presence in the is the TASER 10, at $6,000 each. They sold as a package deal, possibly through communities it proudly serves. include a lot of features we don’t re- International Aid, which provides this For more information, visit shelbybank.com/95years ally need here in Shelby,” Chief Dean type of equipment to other countries. or follow Shelby State Bank on Facebook and Instagram.
Shelby police request Taser upgrade
SSB celebrates 95 years of serving local communities