Bay County, Michigan

05/13/2026

Kids need summer plans? Check out our 2026 Bay County Summer Recreation Program at the Community Center! The program is for children ages 5-14. Only $140 for the whole program!

You can sign them up online at https://baycountymi.gov/.../summer_recreation_program.php and if you need more information you can call us at 989-894-0671!

There isn't much time before school is out and the kids are begging for something fun to do!

Check out our 2026 Bay County Summer Recreation Program right here at the Community Center! The program is for children ages 5-14.

You can sign them up online at https://baycountymi.gov/recreation/community_center/summer_recreation_program.php and if you need more information you can call us at 989-894-0671!

05/12/2026

The final numbers are in...

Our 6th Free Vaccine and microchip clinic serviced *582* animals with vaccines! Of those, 545 received a rabies vaccine. 255 cats and dogs were recipients of free microchips - this number was actually down from the last round, but only because we had so many animals come through that had ALREADY been microchipped at prior clinics 😍

We're so proud of our community for these participation numbers - helping make our community a safer place for companion animals by protecting against diseases such as parvo, distemper, panleukopenia, calici, and rabies 🐾

05/08/2026

The Bay County Juvenile Home has two openings for Youth Detention Specialists. For more information and to apply, visit:
https://selfservice.baycountymi.gov/ess/employmentopportunities/default.aspx

05/08/2026

The Summer Recreation Program at the Bay County Community Center is a fun filled summer program! Sign up at the Community Center or online!

There isn't much time before school is out and the kids are begging for something fun to do!

Check out our 2026 Bay County Summer Recreation Program right here at the Community Center! The program is for children ages 5-14.

You can sign them up online at https://baycountymi.gov/recreation/community_center/summer_recreation_program.php and if you need more information you can call us at 989-894-0671!

05/08/2026

Tomorrow is the big day!

The 6th Free Vaccine Clinic, fully funded by the Karen E. Klamer Memorial Fund, is scheduled for Saturday, May 9th from 12-3pm.

WHO: Services available to Bay County residents - dogs and cats only. Please bring ID or current utility bill as proof of residency.

WHERE: 800 Livingston, Bay City, MI 48708. This is at the county shelter/fairgrounds. Please enter the fairgrounds from the North gate - past the new shelter build and closer to the horse barns. The southern gate will be for volunteer entry. There will be people directing traffic.

HOW IT WORKS: Plan to arrive between 11am-2:30pm, and expect a line and a wait. Please do not arrive before 11am - you will be asked to leave and come back. We NEED to keep the fairgrounds free of traffic for volunteers and setup, and we cannot block properties outside of the fairgrounds. Please be polite and respect this rule, so that we do not need to get public safety involved.

We have enough vaccines for approximately 600 dogs and cats. This is a curbside service, and there will be volunteers directing the flow of traffic. Please make sure that your cats are secured in carriers, and that dogs are on a well-fitted collar and leash. If your pet has issues with handling or restraint, please notify volunteers when filling out your paperwork.

WHAT IS OFFERED: combo vaccine (DAPP) for dogs and combo vaccine (RCP+Ch) for cats, 1 year rabies, and microchipping. The microchips that we use include free lifetime registration. Rabies vaccines are available only to animals 12 weeks or older. Combo vaccines may be started at 6 weeks of age.
Licenses may be purchased at the shelter or treasurers office starting next week, but are not available at the event. The shelter will be closed on Saturday to accommodate for the clinic.

Let's all be kind, patient, and make this another successful event!

05/08/2026

Bay County is proud to support swim lessons in Bay County! Check out this information from Pool School!

Thank you to Essexville-Hampton Public Schools and Pool School for partnering with us on this! Swim lessons are critical in our water-based community!

05/06/2026

Bay County Buildings & Grounds has openings. For more information and to apply, visit: https://selfservice.baycountymi.gov/ess/employmentopportunities/default.aspx

05/06/2026

100% of our precincts are reported and we are calling it a night!
Visit https://www.baycountymi.gov/departments/clerk/elections/election_results.php for the final Unofficial results from election night.

05/06/2026

It's 8pm and the polls are closed.

The Bay County Clerk's Office will be posting results as precincts report. Visit https://baycountymi.gov/departments/clerk/elections/election_results.php to see the most up-to-date results.

05/05/2026

DID YOU KNOW?
Anyone who is already standing in line to vote at 8pm when the closing of the polls is announced STILL has the right to vote. Election workers will finish processing these voters before closing the precinct.

05/05/2026

Here are some highlights from the April 2026 Bay County Board of Commissioners meetings!

Committee of the Whole – April 7, 2026 (https://youtu.be/bkwXrNzam0E)

- The board approved agreements with local schools to contract for School Resource Officers. These officers will work in schools, focusing on safety, crime prevention, emergency management, and student mentoring.

- The board approved Bay County Mosquito Control applying for and accepting grants related to scrap tire cleanup in Bay County. Mosquito Control will again be hosting two tire drives this year on May 30th (at BCMC headquarters) and August 1st (at Fraser Township Hall).

- A partnership agreement between Bay County Recreation & Facilities and Essexville-Hampton Public Schools was approved to provide swim lessons for local children this summer. This program will cost $10 per child and will help teach them the important skill of swimming!

Special Board of Commissioners – April 7, 2026 (https://youtu.be/KhR2M0O0q5Y)

- Bay County Executive Jim Barcia provided an update regarding the new Bay County Health Services building on Wilder Road. A ribbon-cutting is expected to happen within the next two months. He also thanked board members who helped to break ground at the new Bay County Community Center Pool, which is expected to open in June of 2027.

Committee of the Whole - April 14, 2026 (https://youtu.be/8HuZt486zQY)

- The board recognized Essexville resident Zander Walraven, a student at Saginaw Arts & Science Academy in the Math and Science concentration, for winning the local 2025 Ladies of the Ancient Hibernians Irish History Contest. Zander’s essay on how the Irish impacted the American Revolution earned him distinction locally and nationally. Zander has also been an active fundraiser for the Angelman Syndrome Foundation, raising thousands of dollars to help research this rare disorder.

- Kirsten Wellnitz and Kevin Ayala of the Bay County Library System provided the board with an update on our local libraries. Our local system has 4 branches and 1 bookmobile to service the community. In 2025, our local libraries had nearly 250,000 visits, over 715,000 items borrowed (physically and digitally), and nearly 3,500 new library cardholders.

Board of Commissioners - April 21, 2026 (https://youtu.be/6-gMd_GDC70)

- The board filled two new positions on the Bay County Veteran Affairs Committee. Jen Kreiner and Tim Conklin were voted in as new members of the board.

- Bay County Drain Commissioner Michael Rivard submitted his 2025 Annual Report to the board. At this meeting, he also provided an update on what his office will be addressing this year. His office will be addressing nearly 20 miles of ditches for maintenance in 2026.

To watch past board meetings or to livestream board meetings, please visit www.youtube.com/baycountymi