Joseph Jay Sheppard of Hastings was arraigned in Hastings District Court on Friday in connection with the Ricin Exposure incident at Tyden Lofts Apartments over a week ago.

Barry County Prosecutor Julie Nakfoor Pratt said Sheppard is charged with possessing: Harmful Devices-Unlawful Possession or Use Causing Property Damage.  It is a Felony charge carrying a maximum prison sentence of 20 years and/or a fine of $15,000.00 if convicted.  Bond was set at $1,000,000 cash.

A pre-exam conference has been set for September 29 at 10a.m. in Hastings District Court before Judge Michael Schipper.

On Thursday, September 10, Hastings Police began investigating a complaint involving Ricin contamination in the City of Hastings. Early in the investigation, Hastings Police began coordinating efforts with the FBI due to the potential danger involved with the harmful and potential deadly substance, Ricin. The investigation revealed that due to Mr. Sheppard’s alleged possession, release, transport and use of ricin, the 145 tenants of Tyden Lofts Apartments were evacuated from their homes due to the risk of potential exposure. Some of the first floor tenants were still waiting to be allowed back in their homes as of Friday.

The incident also resulted in the temporary disruption of operations at the Corewell Health Pennock Hospital Emergency Room.

Prosecutor Nakfoor Pratt said Mr. Sheppard is innocent until proven guilty. She thanked the Hastings City Police and the FBI who have worked tirelessly and around the clock to ensure a thorough investigation and said the investigation is ongoing.

On Friday the Barry Eaton Health Department posted an update saying that while the cleaning and remediation work continues, the public may notice a bleach or chemical odor in and around the building. Air monitoring is taking place and the odor does not mean a harmful level of a chemical is present.

UAW union workers at Bradford White Corporation in Middleville, Barry county’s largest employer, went on strike at 12am Wednesday morning.  The more than 1200 members of United Auto Workers Local 1002 walked off the job at midnight after the union failed to reach an agreement with the company.

Bradford White manufactures water heaters at the Middleville plant.  The company also has operations in Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Hampshire, and Wisconsin, and owns the Niles Steel Tank company.  Only Local 1002 in Middleville, part of UAW Region 1-D in Michigan is involved, the first time the Middleville employees have walked the picket line since 1978.

According to union bargaining chair Randy Tobias, the current contract that was agreed to in 2020 expired on September 1st, but a 15-day extension was put in place to allow time to negotiate a new labor contract. Two offers were made by the company but were both turned down by about 95% of the union workers.

The union workers are seeking higher wages, a better paid time off program, and better health insurance benefits.  Bradford White has reached out to the workers, and both sides hope to resume negotiations soon but there is no clear timeline.

Response teams continue to work diligently to ensure Tyden Lofts is safe for residents to return to their homes. Re-entry is occurring in phases as areas of the building are evaluated and cleared. Response teams continue to collect environmental samples to determine whether ricin is present and whether additional cleanup or other actions are needed.

On Monday, September 14, 2026, the second and third floors were cleared for re-entry, along with the elevator and south stairwell, allowing residents in those areas to safely return to their apartments.

On Tuesday, September 15, 2026, part of the first floor, which includes 13 units, was also cleared for re-entry. Access to the east stairwell remains restricted to authorized personnel only.

Residents should not return to areas of Tyden Lofts until they have been specifically notified that their area is safe for re-entry. We understand how difficult and uncertain this situation has been for residents and their families. Response teams are working as quickly and safely as possible to evaluate the remaining areas and return residents to their homes.

BEDHD has issued updated orders restricting access to part of the first floor hallway, apartments adjacent to this hallway area, and the east stairwell while testing, assessment and any necessary remediation are completed. Residents, employees, contractors, visitors and other individuals are not permitted to enter or re-enter these affected areas unless specifically authorized.

State health officials have completed two Tyden Lofts Letter Health Consultations related to the response. The consultations provide additional information about the health assessment and recommendations for the affected area.

• Tyden Lofts Letter Health Consultations:

ο Initial Assessment (September 14, 2026) bit.ly/TydenLoftsLHC1
ο Updated Assessment (September 15, 2026) bit.ly/TydenLoftsLHC2

It’s one of the annual signs of fall: leaves start to turn, temperatures start to get cooler and thousands of Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) Adopt-A-Highway volunteers fan out across the state to collect litter one final time for the year.

The third and final scheduled pickup period of 2026 runs from Saturday, Sept. 19, through Sunday, Sept. 27.

The popular Adopt-A-Highway program began in Michigan in 1990. As of last year, about 2,600 groups have adopted more than 6,000 miles of state highway through the program. An estimated 19,000 participants collected almost 40,000 bags of trash from roadsides during the three annual pickup periods in 2025.

Volunteers include members of civic groups, businesses and families. Crew members have to be at least 12 years old and each group must include at least three people. Groups are asked to adopt a section of highway for at least two years. There is no fee to participate. Adopt-A-Highway signs bearing group names are posted along the stretches of adopted highway.

When working in the highway right of way, Adopt-A-Highway volunteers wear high-visibility, yellow-green safety vests required by federal regulations. MDOT provides free vests and trash bags, and arranges to haul away the trash.

The Hastings City Council held a special workshop session Monday night before the regular council meeting for the purpose of interviewing four applicants to fill the vacant Fourth Ward council seat.

During the regular meeting, after three ballots failed to produce the needed five votes for any one candidate to be appointed,  Council voted to temporarily suspend their rules to allow election by simple majority. Fourth Ward resident Deborah Hatfield was then elected 4 votes to 3 and will be sworn in at the next meeting to fill the vacancy.

Much of the time at the meeting was spent updating the council and public on the status of the Ricin exposure situation at Tyden Lofts apartments and thanking the City Staff, Fire Department, Police Department, First Responders, Health Department, and all parties involved for their excellent response in handling the situation.

In other business, Council approved equipment purchases for the Fire Department including a positive-pressure ventilation fan, thermal imaging camera, and replacement of expiring protective clothing.

The fall Girl’s Night Out event by Hastings Business Connection was approved for October 1^st.

City Council approved a proposal from Lettinga Carriage Service to allow their carriage service to operate within city limits. The carriage, drawn by their horse named “Bud” will be allowed to operate for special events and occasions in the downtown area.

On Monday many of the residents of Tyden Lofts in Hastings were allowed to return home to their apartments on the second and third floors of the three story complex according the Barry Eaton District Health Department after it was deemed safe. First Floor residents, however, are still prohibited from entering their apartments while response teams continue to collect and test environmental samples. During a news briefing on Monday, Health Deparment officials said the top two floors as well as the elevator and a stairwell are now open, while the affected first floor is sealed off.

145 tenants were evacuated on Thursday and one person was hospitalized after tests confirmed a resident was exposed to ricin. According to the BEDHD, the person hospitalized allegedly was making the deadly poisonous substance in their first floor apartment. The FBI is looking into how and why the ricin was made.

Testing was also offered to first responders and to residents and employees of Tyden Lofts, who may have been concerned that they were exposed to ricin. Barry-Eaton District Health Department spokesperson Emily Smale said so far there haven’t been any other symptomatic people who were involved in the incident at all.

On Thursday, September 10, the Barry-Eaton District Health Department (BEDHD) received information about a potential ricin exposure at Tyden Lofts in Hastings, MI, and at the Corewell Health Pennock Hospital Emergency Department. Presumptive testing of the substance indicated the presence of ricin. Confirmatory testing has since confirmed the presence of ricin.

Testing was offered to residents and employees of Tyden Lofts, as well as first responders who were concerned that they may have been exposed to ricin. Being offered a test does not mean that a person was exposed. Testing can help address concerns and make sure anyone who needs follow-up can get the care and support they need.

The health and well-being of pets remaining in the building has been a priority from the beginning of the response.  Officials have been able to safely access the building, pets have been provided with ample food and water. As of Saturday, response partners have been working to safely retrieve the remaining pets. The health department and its partners recognize how important pets are to their families and will continue to make their care and safe removal a priority as response activities allow.

Response teams have now moved into the sampling phase at Tyden Lofts, an important next step in the response plan. Teams will collect environmental samples to help determine whether ricin is present and whether additional cleanup or other actions are needed. This is an important next step toward allowing residents to safely return to their homes. Residents should not return to Tyden Lofts until they are told it is safe to do so. We understand how difficult the uncertainty has been for residents and their families, and we are working as quickly as possible to move as safely as we can through this process.

BEDHD has issued orders restricting access to Tyden Lofts while testing, assessment, and any necessary remediation are completed. Residents, employees, contractors, visitors, and other individuals are not permitted to enter or re-enter affected areas unless specifically authorized.

The orders were issued under the authority of the Michigan Public Health Code. Access restrictions will remain in place until the necessary public health actions are completed, and the health department provides written notice that the restrictions have been lifted.

The Barry-Eaton District Health Department will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available. We understand the community has questions and concerns, and we are committed to sharing timely and accurate information throughout the response.

HASTINGS, MI - On September 10, 2026, Barry-Eaton District Health Department (BEDHD) received information about a potential ricin exposure at Tyden Lofts in Hastings, MI, and at the Corewell Health Pennock Hospital Emergency Department. Presumptive testing of the substance indicates the presence of ricin. Additional testing is being conducted to confirm the results. The physically impacted areas have been contained and there is no threat to the public.
Emergency responders acted quickly to notify and evacuate residents, out of an abundance of caution, while the substance was being tested. When the individual arrived at the hospital, Corewell Health team members took immediate action to isolate the patient. Patient care and healthcare operations remain safe and available at Corewell Health Pennock Hospital.
Residents of Tyden Lofts have been evacuated from the complex, and the American Red Cross has set up a shelter at an off-site location. Residents and hospital staff have been informed that responders are actively managing the situation.
Ricin is a natural poison that comes from the beans of the castor plant or castor oil. It can harm the body if swallowed, breathed in, or injected. You can be exposed to ricin if you encounter someone who has ricin on their body or clothes or through ricin in the form of fine powder in the air. Ricin poisoning does not spread from person to person through casual contact. If you think you were exposed you should take your clothes off and place them in multiple sealed bags, wash your body with soap and water, and get medical care as quickly as possible.
Symptoms of ricin poisoning depend on the amount of ricin someone was exposed to and how they were exposed. Symptoms of ricin poisoning by breathing may occur between 4 and 24 hours after exposure. Symptoms may include:
• Difficulty breathing
• Fever
• Cough
• Nausea
• Tightness in the chest
• Heavy sweating
• Fluid buildup in lungs
• Blue skin

• Low blood pressure
• Respiratory failure
There is no treatment for ricin. Ricin is treated with supportive therapy to minimize the discomfort of symptoms. For information about ricin, view the CDC webpage here: https://www.cdc.gov/chemical-emergencies/chemical-fact-sheets/ricin.html
Barry County responding partners have been working in collaboration with Michigan State Police (MSP) and the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI).
This is an active investigation, and information will be provided as BEDHD is able to.

Four Michigan Farm Families will be inducted into Farmers Hall of Fame during the 2026 Induction ceremony at 2pm ,Saturday, Sept. 12^th at the Presbyterian Church in Hastings.

This Year’s inductees are Phil and Becky Wenger of Middleville.  The Wengers began farming in 1976, building an operation that included a 150 head of Dairy and 1400 acers of cash crops.  Phil adapted corn planters to help local farmers promote minimum tillage at planting and continues to provide custom fieldwork, The operation has focused on growing grains, corn, soybeans and alfalfa, and raising dairy steers.   The farm is on track to become a Centennial Farm in 2027, with their son preparing to take over the operation as the fourth generation.

Darrell and Kathy Newton of Nashville built their farm from the ground up to an operation of 2000 acres and maintained a cow-calf operation from more than 45 years before retiring in 2021.  Their commitment to agriculture and their community includes service on the Farm Bureau County Committee Board and as 4-H leaders.  Their contributions have been recognized with the Barn Again Award in 1988, sponsored by the National Trust for Historic Preservation and Successful Farming magazine and Distinguished Service Award in 2005.

Dennis and Dawn Iott’s  Seed Farm have been farming for more than 45 years growing approximately 27 million pounds of seed potatoes each year along with wheat and rye in the Kalkaska area.

And Darwin & Kathy Sneller of Sebewaing farming for more than 50 years on a 943 acre registered Holstein dairy and cash crop operation.

The Hall of Fame Ceremony is open to family, friends and fellow farmers and community members.  The Michigan Farmers Hall of Fame continues its tradition of recognizing farmers whose dedication, perseverance and service have helped shape Michigan Agriculture and their communities.

The Ionia County Health Department learned that a bat recently sent to the state lab from the Michigan State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (MSU VDL) tested positive for rabies. This is the first case of rabies in an animal in Ionia County this year. As of September 9, 2026, there have been 50 reported cases of animals with rabies in the State of Michigan. No humans have contracted rabies. Rabies is a deadly disease that can be prevented. The risk of exposure to rabid bats is higher from May through September when bats are more active so residents should take steps to protect themselves and their families and animals from rabies.

The only way to know if a bat has rabies is through laboratory testing, so it is important to collect the bat for testing. People who are exposed to a potentially rabid animal should receive treatment after contact. Treatment is not necessary if the animal tests negative for rabies.

People and pets are usually exposed to rabies when they are bitten or scratched by an infected animal. Of particular concern are exposures that occur when a bat is found in a room with people who have been asleep. Also concerning is when a bat is found with an unattended child or adult who cannot communicate clearly and who cannot be sure of their contact with the bat.

Protect your family and pets from rabies by taking these simple steps:

• Never touch or handle bats and other wild animals. Do not keep wild animals as pets and do not try to rehabilitate wild animals yourself. Wild animals can carry rabies without looking sick.

• If you are bitten or scratched by an animal, seek immediate medical attention.
• If you find a bat in your home, do not release or get rid of it. Safely confine or collect the bat if possible and contact ICHD at (616) 527-5341 to determine if it should be tested for rabies. If collection isn’t possible, contact a pest control company for assistance.
• Protect your pets by getting them vaccinated against rabies. Even cats that live indoors and never go outside can encounter a bat that gets inside the home.
• If your animal is bitten or scratched by a wild animal, or if you believe they have had contact with wildlife when you weren’t watching, contact your veterinarian immediately. Even if your pet is currently vaccinated against rabies, additional actions may need to be taken to prevent them from becoming infected. If possible, safely confine or capture the wild animal without touching it directly and contact your local animal control officer or veterinarian, as the animal may need to be tested for rabies.

Michigan State Police say a 47 year old Dowling man died in a Kalamazoo County Motorcycle crash Tuesday Night after losing control of his motorcycle on a rain slicked road in Ross Township.

MI State Police Troopers from the Paw Paw Post are investigating the fatal crash that occurred at approximately 10:15pm Tuesday, Sept. 8th.

Preliminary investigation and witness account indicates the motorcycle was traveling at a high rate of speed when the operator lost control and struck a guardrail.  The roadway was wet from rain at the time of the crash.

The Motorcyclist sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene.  He was wearing a helmet.  Alcohol and drugs do not appear to be contributing factors. The investigation remains ongoing.

With travelers gearing up for one final summer road trip, the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) is removing lane restrictions on nearly 60 percent of its road and bridge projects statewide to ease traffic delays for holiday traffic.

Drivers are urged to slow down, put away those devices and focus on the road.

Travelers are also reminded that for safety and security, the Mackinac Bridge will be closed to public traffic on Labor Day, Sept. 7, from 6:30 a.m. to noon during the Annual Bridge Walk. 

Beginning at 3 p.m. Friday, Sept. 4, and continuing until 6 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 8, 91 out of 156 MDOT projects statewide will have lane restrictions removed. While motorists will see suspended operations in most state road work zones for the weekend, drivers are advised that equipment and certain traffic configurations may remain in place, like temporary shifts or shoulder closures.