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Big Rapids Daily News - WYBR-FM Big Rapids, MI Today's Hit Music

Catching a glimpse of Monday’s rare solar eclipse can be exciting – but can cause lasting vision damage without proper safety precautions, say faculty members at Ferris State University’s Michigan College of Optometry. 

“Unsafe viewing of the sun, even for a few seconds, is not worth a lifetime of vision impairment,” said Dr. Eric Syverson, an MCO assistant professor and chief of Medical and Surgical Services.

A rare total solar eclipse will be visible across parts of the United States, Canada and Mexico on Monday, April 8.  A total solar eclipse happens when the moon passes between Earth and the sun – blocking the sun’s light and darkening the sky as if late in the evening or early in the morning.

As cool as a rare solar eclipse is to observe, Syverson strongly urges skywatchers to carefully use special eye protection and limit even protected exposure to minimize the risk of eye damage.

“Some ....

Michigan , United-states , Mexico , Canada , Eric-syverson , Surgical-services , University-eye-center , Ferris-state-university-michigan-college-of-optometry , International-organization-for-standardization , Ferris-state-michigan-college-of-optometry , American-optometric-association , Ferris-state-university

Big Rapids Daily News - WYBR-FM Big Rapids, MI Today's Hit Music

Today, Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II and the Michigan High-Speed Internet Office (MIHI) announced the approval of Michigan’s first-ever Digital Equity Plan by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). This landmark approval marks a significant step forward in Michigan's commitment to eliminating the digital divide and ensuring that every Michigan resident has access to affordable, reliable high-speed internet. 

“Every Michigander deserves access to affordable, fast internet, and the approval of Michigan’s first-ever Digital Equity Plan will help us more efficiently and effectively connect more individuals, families, and small business owners,” said Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist II. “The development of this plan will help us understand better where we need to target resources and make investments and how we can ensure a level playing field for every Michigander no matter where they live. I applaud the Mich ....

Michigan , United-states , Eric-frederick , Allie-herkenroder , Information-administration , Digital-navigator-resource-network , Digital-equity-capacity-grant-program , Capacity-grant-program , Speed-internet-office , Michigan-high-speed-internet-office , National-telecommunications , Garlin-gilchrist

Big Rapids Daily News - WYBR-FM Big Rapids, MI Today's Hit Music

The types of cuisine available in this world is represented by an endless abyss of options. Many of them stick in certain places, while others do not. As a unique area that Big Rapids is, there have been many attempts to insert new options. Satisfying that need is tough, as the audience is very diverse and unique. The question comes down to what’s the next big idea?

After proposing this question over our social media platforms, here are five of the top responses from our followers within the community:

 

Steakhouse

As one of the most popular responses, a franchise steakhouse has been absent from the area for some time. A Ponderosa once frequented Old US-131 north of 19 Mile Road, but lack of traffic eventually led to the disintegration. With a plethora of casual bar and grill restaurants, both locally owned like Schuberg’s or a franchise like Applebee’s, it has made steakhouse fans travel up to 60 miles ....

Italy , Italian , Waffle-house , Applebee , Facebook , Olive-garden , Timber-cannabis-co , Big-rapids , Longhorn-steakhouse , Long-john-silvers , Timber-cannabis

Big Rapids Daily News - WYBR-FM Big Rapids, MI Today's Hit Music

Chuck Thelen of Gotion Inc. is hosting a “Chat with Chuck” virtual town hall meeting on Monday, April 8, at 6 p.m. to provide residents with an update on the proposed battery components facility in Green Charter Township and answer any questions.

Residents can access the town hall meeting at this link. The “Chat with Chuck” meetings will take place on a monthly basis, and include project announcements, guests from the local community, subject matter experts from Gotion Inc. and other information.

“A virtual town hall meeting is a convenient, easily accessible, way people can get their questions answered about the facility and learn more about the ongoing progress of our project,” said Thelen, vice president of Gotion Inc. – North American Manufacturing. “I’m looking forward to talking with people. The meetings also will be an effective way to reduce misinformation that continues to be spread about the fac ....

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Big Rapids Daily News - WYBR-FM Big Rapids, MI Today's Hit Music

On Sunday, Mar. 31, at approximately 09:04 A.M., deputies from the Mecosta County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to a two-vehicle accident at the intersection of 8 Mile Rd. (M-20) & Old-State Rd. in Mecosta Township. 

The investigation revealed a 32-year-old female from White Cloud was traveling east bound on 8 Mile Rd approaching Old State Rd. A 27-year-old female from Tustin was travelling north bound on Old State Road, when she proceeded through the stop sign and failed to yield to oncoming east bound traffic. The White Cloud female then hit the Tustin female on the driver side.

Subsequently, the 27-year-old female from Tustin was identified as Catherine Brinks, Brinks died instantly as a result of the injuries she sustained in the collision. The 32-year-old female involved, was transported by Mecosta County EMS to the Big Rapids Hospital for the injuries she sustained in the collision.

Deputies were assisted on scene by Mecosta County EMS ....

Mecosta , Michigan , United-states , Mecosta-county , Big-rapids , Catherine-brinks , Mecosta-county-sheriff-office , Michigan-medical-examiner-office , Mecosta-county-sheriff , White-cloud , Gold-state , Old-state-road