The Michigan Department of Natural Resources on Monday confirmed the presence of a cougar in Ontonagon County. The animal was captured on a trail camera on private property on Sept. 8, walking toward the front of the camera and clearly showing it has an ear tag and a radio collar. DNR Wildlife Division staff visited the property Sept. 12 where the trail cam is mounted and verified the location of the camera.

The Spring Lake school board approved a two-year deal on Tuesday with the district's 40 support staff. The contract is similar to the one approved with the district's teachers last month. The Spring Lake Public Schools support staff includes bus drivers, food service employees and four maintenance employees. Under terms of the contract, support staffers have agreed to a two-year wage freeze and changes in health insurance plans. Some staffers will be eligible for a one-half of a step increase during the second year of the contract.

Prize-winning floral and multimedia artists from around the country will fill 5 acres of groomed woodland in Fruitport with massive floral and floral-related artwork later this month. "A World of Flowers: Cultures, Countries, Continents' will be open from 6-9 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 4-7 p.m. on Sunday. The exhibit is sponsored by Nature's Creative Edge and is open to the public.

Grand Haven Township officials earlier this week discussed guidelines for snowplowing the township's 22 miles of bike paths this winter. Staff will plow a 5-foot-wide swath of the 8-foot-wide bike paths when the snow accumulates to 3 inches, according to Township Manager Bill Cargo. When snowfall measures more than 3 inches during the weekend, or during "non-business' hours, snow plowing will continue - using flex time and staggering schedules for employees to minimize overtime hours.

A local blueberry farm will add nearly 40 acres to its property. The Grand Haven Township Board on Monday unanimously approved a request from Dave and Kelley Reenders of True North Farms to rezone the acreage for blueberry fields.

Distance runners travel all across the Midwest, and farther, in search of quality events. On Saturday, area athletes won't have to look far to find an outstanding chance to compete in a marathon, half-marathon or 5K race. The Old Boys' Brewhouse Oktoberfest Marathon takes place Saturday morning, offering a scenic yet challenging course for those who don't mind heading out for a 26.2-mile jog.

Jake Vanderlaan and Michael Moran each scored two goals as the Buccaneers' varsity soccer team mercied Muskegon, 8-0. Nate Rose, Gerrit Schaap, Spencer Toepfer and Andrew Wadaga each added single goals for Grand Haven, which is now 4-0-3 overall and 1-0 in O-K Red play. The Buccaneers are ranked seventh in the state in Division 1 in the latest Michigan High School Soccer Coaches Association poll. Rose picked up three assists while Matt Davis, WIllie Bennick, Cory Vanderlaan and Chad Buitenhuis each had single assists.