The kids are going to miss their Uncle Bill and we'll miss one of the best friends we ever had. 225 were here. However, we can not guarantee any accuracy of the information presented on our website. Theirs was a love story for the ages. Sign up for the City of Muskegon's electronic newsletter, including information on major events, traffic and other important city projects. He said he feels guilt that Willis was investigated early on and let go, only to have him murder jogger Rebekah Bletsch in 2014. Updated: 5:37 PM EDT March 30, 2022 MUSKEGON, Mich. The City of Muskegon needs a new police chief, and a crowd showed up to city hall Tuesday night to meet the only candidate, Vincent. Bluhm pleaded no contest to being an accessory after Heeringas murder and for lying to police. Related: Kevin Bluhm walks free for his role in Jessica Heeringas murder. We will use this information to improve this page. Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement (updated 4/4/2023), Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (updated 1/26/2023). By checking "I agree", The Applicant or Authorized Agent affirms that all the information contained herein is true and correct to the best of his/her knowledge. Inmate Search Look up inmates in Muskegon County. A Graveside Service with Military Honors by the U.S. Air Force will take place 1:30 PM Monday, May 15, 2023 at Fort Custer National Cemetery, 15501 Dickman Road, Augusta, MI 49012. Muskegon Heights City Hall It is essential that all members, in the execution of their duties, act not for themselves but for the good of the public. I think he saw an opportunity, Kasher said. City of Fitchburg Police Department Apr 1988 - 2020 32 years. Emergency: 911 990 Terrace Street 1st Floor Muskegon MI 49442. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Muskegon Police Department at 231-724-6750 or Silent Observer at 231-722-7463. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. This page is not a substitute for reporting crime. Hundreds march in honor of George Floyd in downtown Muskegon. This is a chance for the commission to move in the right direction, where we could actually make some change and listen to the voices of the community, he said. WordPress Download Manager - Best Download Management Plugin. That, he said, is something hes been unable to make peace with. Livescan Fingerprinting: $75. School Resource Officer Dave Nelson In 2009, Anderson fatally shot 23-year-old Julius Allen-Ray Johnson, a Black man. Above left, Lt. Michael Kasher with the Norton Shores Police Department exits the courtroom Wednesday in Muskegon after Jeffrey Willis was found guilty of kidnapping and murdering Jessica Heeringa in April 2013. Willis was never tried in the teens kidnapping because he already was convicted in the Heeringa and Bletsch cases and will never leave prison. If you have any questions or are looking for further information, please call, send us an email, or visit us. POST Commission Suspends Fifteen Law Enforcement Officers. MUSKEGON, MI - At a time when communities across the country are discussing how much funding policing operations receive, the city of Muskegon has adopted a budget that increases police funding, following an emotional several weeks of public feedback. In 2011, he took the job in Muskegon, managing both the city's police and fire departments. Chris McIntireAddress: 345 Northland Drive, NE - RockfordPhone Number: 616-842-2100, Police Chief: Robert J. RoughtAddress: 8778 Ferry StreetPhone Number: 231-893-0810, Police Chief: Tim ThielbarAddress: 1990 E Apple AvenuePhone Number: 231-777-1666, Police Chief: Jon GaleAddress: 4814 HenryPhone Number: 231-733-2691Norton Shores Website, Chief: Roger D. SquiersAddress: 405 E ColbyPhone Number: 231-894-2317, Sheriff: Michael PoulinAddress: 25 W Walton AvenuePhone Number: 231-724-6351Sheriff Department Website, Police Chief: Maurice SainAddress: 2715 Baker StreetPhone Number: 231-733-8900, Director of Public Safety:Address: 980 JeffersonPhone Number: 231-724-6750Muskegon Police Website, Police Chief: Edward ViveretteAddress: 1114 RuddimanPhone Number: 231-744-4313Police Department Website, Police Chief: David BooneAddress: 900 Oakridge RoadPhone Number: 231-755-3721Roosevelt Park Police Department Website, Muskegon County Prosecutor's Office990 Terrace Street 5th FloorMuskegon, MI 49442Phone: 231-724-6435Fax: 231-724-6685. 1114 Ruddiman Dr. Lt. Michael Kasher with the Norton Shores Police Department talks with the media on Wednesday, May 16, 2018 in Muskegon, Michigan after Jeffrey Willis was found guilty of kidnapping and murdering . In Norton Shores, Mich. - Manage notification subscriptions, save form progress and more. Mass.gov is a registered service mark of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Regular business hours are 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except holidays. Deasha.Hill@mcd911.net We love you both. The Norton Shores Police Department, located in Norton Shores, Michigan is a law enforcement agency that has been granted specific police powers in Muskegon County. All Rights Reserved. This is connected to the arrest of Jeffery Willis who is a suspect in the April attempted kidnapping on West River Road in Muskegon County. This is a privately owned website and is not owned and operated by any state government organization. Regular office hours are 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except holidays. FOIA- Freedom of Information Act Requests for public records. With police interviewing dozens of people at that time, Willis didnt stand out, Kasher said. Ypsilanti Police Department officers were dispatched to the intersection of Huron River Drive and LeForge Road around 10:20 a.m. on April 22, for a crash involving a train and pedestrian, police said. So, he goes out and he was patrolling; hes just lurking. MLive/Muskegon Chronicle was unable to reach him for comment. I dont know if he thought it was going to be that night or not. Muskegon Police Chief Jeffrey Lewis said at an earlier meeting that the department has 10 vacant positions. Please list three(3) Emergency Contacts that have agreed to respond and grant access to the alarm site. Record Fees. Directions. Muskegon police department There are a total of 87 Muskegon police officers. We are sorry for your loss and even though it doesn't lessen the pain, William is now receiving his just reward. The budget, which goes into effect on Wednesday, July 1, includes a $28.8 million general fund, of which $10.76 million is allocated to the police department. Anya van Wagtendonk | avanwagtendonk@mlive.com. WIEBENGA, WILLIAM R., JR. Muskegon It is my duty as a Pararescueman to save life and to aid the injured. The games were a family affair, average over 400 spectators per game! "The Muskegon Department of Public Safety wishes to extend our deepest sympathies to the families and loved ones who were touched by this tragedy," police said in a statement. That was, as Kasher puts it, pre-Willis -- before Jeffrey Willis became the prime suspect through his involvement in two other cases involving kidnapping and murder. He later worked at the Iona County Sheriff Department. He previously told MLive that the city expects an ongoing downturn in its revenue because, as city residents lost their jobs during the pandemic, they would stop paying local income taxes. Refer to the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) process to request incident reports. He is survived by his wife, Julie A. Wiebenga; daughter, Kacey (David) Romanes; son, William R. (Valeria) Wiebenga III; sister, Lin (Terry) Westra; brother-in-law, Chris (Lynne) Huismann; sister-in-law, Mary (John) Woods; grandkids, Mia and William Wiebenga; nieces and nephews, Charissa Arman, Kyle and Alec Huismann, Bryan Woods; and special 4-legged kids, Fancy, Winston, Hunter and Stillwell. Unless you are experienced as an estate executor, you probably should hire an attorney. The idea, advocates say, is to move money away from police departments and into community services. Published by Muskegon Chronicle from Apr. This follows the POST Commissions early December release of information on recertified officers A-H and newly certified graduates. I mean (Willis) is responsible, but I feel guilty about that sometimes.. No specific dates have yet been set for public meetings on the topic, although some commissioners have begun holding Zoom calls with constituents. Officer Charles Anderson of the Muskegon Police Department gives his testimony at the Muskegon County Hall of Justice, on March 20, 2019. POST will suspend the certification of an officer who is arrested, charged or indicted of a felony and will revoke the certification of an officer who is convicted of a felony. 1119, Deasha Hill Connect Muskegon | Explore the Community Engagement Hub, Authorities & Business Improvement Districts, Lot Division/Combination and New Address Applications, 2008 Downtown and Lakeshore Redevelopment Plan, Muskegon Lake Shoreline Assessment Report, 1997 Downtown/Lakeshore Redevelopment Plan, Downtown Development Authority/Brownfield Redevelopment Board, Crime Activity and Traffic Team Lieutenant, Sanford St and Houston Ave Road Construction, Sherman Blvd and Glenside Blvd Road Construction, Roberts St Road Construction and Water Service Line Replacement, Winter Parking Restrictions Begin December 1. Please remove any contact information or personal data from your feedback. You have funeral questions, we have answers. Chief Edward Viverette Please let us know how we can improve this page. A law enforcement officer whose certification is suspended can request a hearing before a commissioner within 15 days. Visit us for city regulation questions, various permits, and other police needs. The North Muskegon Police Department is on duty 24/7. Investigators know from many witness interviews that he frequented the Exxon station and would chat with her. Muskegon County Prosecutor's Office 990 Terrace Street 5th Floor Muskegon, MI 49442 Phone: 231-724-6435 Fax: 231-724-6685. City budgets can be amended, and Peterson previously told MLive that, because of financial uncertainty caused by COVID-19, it is likely that the Fiscal Year 2020 budget will be amended. Oh, man, you dont have anybody. Oh man, you guys are sinking., I never read it, but people would tell me about it, he said. After all, customers had been in and out of the station all night. 1 was here. Bill came to the Muskegon Police Department where he worked Road Patrol, ID Bureau, WEMET, Detective Bureau, Traffic Bureau, and finally rose to the rank of Captain. Sex Offender Registry: $50 yearly fee. Her body has never been recovered. Patrick.Vandommelen2@mcd911.net (Joel Bissell | MLive.com), Norton Shores Police Lt. Michael Kasher testifies on Tuesday, May 15, 2018 in the 14th Judicial Circuit Court in Muskegon, Michigan. Those pension funds will receive almost $1.3 million in contributions this year, an increase of almost $390,000, Peterson told commissioners before their final vote. Through the hard work of the COPS Board, Muskegon County now has a uniform computer reporting system that works for the police on the street and against the criminal. U.S. National Central Bureau of Interpol. William R. Wiebenga, Jr., age 69, passed away Sunday, April 23, 2023. He still serves Norton Shores as a city council member. Employment Opportunities View current job listings with Muskegon County. Muskegon Heights Police Department (231) 733-8900 2715 Baker St Muskegon, MI 49444. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. In 2018, his wife, Julie, finally let him retire. Emergency: 911 North Muskegon, MI 49445 I will be prepared at all times to perform my assigned duties quickly and efficiently, placing these duties before personal desires and comforts. Like most true heroes, modesty prevents them from accepting that title, but it doesn't change the facts. Kasher retired in 2019 after 29 years and now works as assistant director of campus safety at Hope College. They include numerous other law enforcement agencies, including the Michigan State Police and Muskegon County Sheriffs Department as well as local police departments, the FBI and Secret Service that formed a task force to work the case. Background Check: $30 (Corresponding Reports: $6) Jail History: $6. 2023 City of Muskegon. 1502 Ruddiman Dr. Officer Todd Friend Bill was incredibly proud of his children, Bill and Kacey and grandkids, Mia and Billy, and loved to tell everyone about them. c. 6E, 9(a)(1). (Cory Morse | MLive.com), Norton Shores Police Lt. Michael Kasher testifies on Wednesday, May 16, 2018 in the 14th Judicial Circuit Court in Muskegon, Michigan. He has moved on from Norton Shores Police. And so it is, You failed. 24 to Apr. Kasher believes he also was watching another woman who worked at the station. 1117, Patrick Vandommelen Submit a Tip Help make Muskegon a safe community to live, work and play. I did not know Mr. Wiebenga, however his obituary tells me he was indeed an unselfish man and an American hero. View All Links . YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. Willis is charged with the homicide of Rebekah Bletsch in 2014, the kidnapping of a teenage girl in April of 2016, and he is a person of interest in the disappearance of Jessica Heeringa. D.J. But it was an opportunity.. Elijah Nichols enumerated some of those desired resources during the public comment period, including free mental health services, unarmed crisis interventionists, increased minimum wage and public housing. In the 21st century, it's not just urns and gravestones anymore. A Michigan police officer has been fired from the Muskegon Police Department following an inquiry into racist memorabilia found in his home that was for sale. - Manage notification subscriptions, save form progress and more. We didnt have the evidence. Fax: (231) 744-0367 Muskegon County has a unified system for public announcements. Please limit your input to 500 characters. You did your job and your watch has come to and. She also saved investigators countless hours by eliminating potential suspects because they didnt resemble the driver she had seen. In addition to the Chief of Police, the Department includes two lieutenants, six sergeants, six corporals, twenty-three police officers, three full-time clerks and several part-time/seasonal cadets. Victims may receive notifications regarding defendant status. We've got you covered. We have tried our best to keep the data accurate and up-to-date. Visit us for city regulation questions, various permits, and other police needs. GRAND BLANC TWP., MI - A 62-year-old man died Tuesday morning when he was hit by a vehicle while walking on Dort Highway, police said. North Muskegon Police Department (231) 744-4313 1114 Ruddiman Dr North Muskegon, MI 49445. Create a Website Account - Manage notification subscriptions, save form progress and more. The Police Department is on duty 24 hours a day. Theres no way he knewthat Rebekah was going to go for a run that day. Create a Website Account - Manage notification subscriptions, save form progress and more. Norton Shores Police Department. Freedom of Information Act Requests (FOIA), Victim Information & Notification Everyday (VINE), Michigan State Police Sex Offender Registry, Abandoned Vehicle TR-52/Bill of Sale: $60, Fingerprints on a MI-R008 card or FBI card (Expungements, Name Change, Liquor License, Silencer): $18, Background Check: $30 (Corresponding Reports: $6). Saginaw County Circuit Judge Andre R. Borrello on. Submit an anonymous crime tip to Muskegon County. Lt. Michael Kasher with the Norton Shores Police Department talks with a member of the Michigan State Police as they execute a search warrant on Wednesday, May 18, 2016 at 3038 Bailey St. Muskegons police department came under scrutiny when one of its officers, Charles Anderson, was found last year to have KKK memorabilia in his home. People said he was a failure. I wasnt even close. He didnt testify at Willis trial due to the risk of incriminating himself. The POST Commission was established as part of a 2020 criminal justice reform law to focus on efforts to improve public safety and increase trust between members of law enforcement and the public. Johnson is alleged to have beaten Anderson about the head. Bill was one of kind. Police Personnel Address 1990 E. Apple Avenue Muskegon, MI 49442 Office Hours Monday-Friday 8:00 AM - 4:45 PM (Closed 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM for Lunch Hour) Contact Phone: (231) 777-1666 (For Non-Emergencies Only) FOR ALL EMERGENCIES DIAL 911 Chief of Police Tim A. Thielbar Tim.Thielbar@mcd911.net Ext. As the Chief of Police, I hope you find the information on this site useful. (Cory Morse, MLive.com). Kasher lived and breathed the case following Heeringas abduction from a gas station where she worked near Muskegon on April 26, 2013. Kayla Renie / Muskegon Chronicle via AP file. Hes convinced that Bluhm was more involved than he let on. A small memorial with balloons and a teddy bear could be . We havent been sitting on our laurels and resting, and not funding and engaging in other social justice areas and social development areas.. And there was the lost 16-year-old to whom police say Willis offered use of his phone and then pulled a gun on her in 2016. Nichols also said that he did not believe that reform measures, such as implementing body cameras, go far enough. Ext. Find useful services for victim assistance. Officer David Morrell Please feel free to contact me with any suggestions you may have concerning this site. The feedback will only be used for improving the website. The part that involves the lack of a body and, hence, Heeringas familys apparent refusal to believe that she died, that she was murdered by Willis. Nancy Timmer (clerical) As the city continues to figure out what additional state and federal resources are available, there may be more flexibility within city coffers, Peterson said. The list of suspended law enforcement officers can be found in the Data and Reports section of www.mass.gov/orgs/post-commission along with a database of recertified officers with last names beginning with A-H and newly graduated officers with last names A-Z. Without her, we really would have been in a lot of trouble, Kasher said. In November of 2017 Willis was found guilty of murdering Rebekah Bletsch in April of 2014. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Monday Thursday: 8:00am 5:30pm The budget, which goes into effect on Wednesday, July 1, includes a $28.8 million general fund, of which $10.76 million is allocated to the police department. Were not going to fix it next year, he said. The best poems for funerals, memorial services., and cards. 1119 Police Clerk Deasha Hill The graduates successfully completed over 20 weeks of intensive, standardized training in all aspects of law enforcement and . He was born October 2, 1953 in Grand Haven, MI to William R. and Evelyn (Broersma) Wiebenga, Sr. All rights reserved (About Us). Dear Lin-our wonderful Up North neighbor: Julie and family; My heart is so sad ..you can continue to tell all those fun stories..He was the funniest and kindness patient ever Youre in my heart and in my prayers Love you; Kimberly Lee. Kasher said he is indebted to others who worked beside him all those years to secure justice for Heeringa. Some page levels are currently hidden. Earlier in the evening, Mayor Stephen Gawron defended Muskegons police department, saying that a community policing program was introduced in the 1990s in order to address a burgeoning violent crime rate., We do community policing so we dont kill people, he said, adding that community relations have improved since that style of policing was introduced. Encourage cooperation and support at the neighborhood level, as well as the greater community. He was suspended from the force, and later signed a separation agreement with the city. North Muskegon Police Department 1114 Ruddiman Drive North Muskegon, MI 49445 (231) 744 - 4313 My deepest condolences to all his family and many friends. Several commissioners said they would continue to engage in conversations around city funding, with Michael Ramsey and Ken Johnson both saying they hoped the body would find ways of moving money towards social and community programs. I think he was just patrolling up and down streets.. Woman, infant in stable condition after deadly . Officer Noah Robart RELATED: Change is already here: Juneteenth protest in Muskegon draws calls for action. The teen managed to jump from her abductors van and then identified Willis as her attacker. If the fire department receives notice of any fire alarm from an alarm system that does not have a valid registration, then the owner shall be liable to the city for a fee as provided for in Section 42-41 of the Code of the City of Muskegon Heights for each Muskegon Heights Fire Department response to false fire alarms. It was, Kasher said, the big break for the Heeringa and Bletsch cases. We hope that you find the information on our website helpful and easy to find. Kasher has been the lead detective on the Heeringa case since 2013. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Acknowledge the citizens as the source of police authority. Strong law enforcement has made a difference in Muskegon County. (Joel Bissell | MLive.com), Lt. Michael Kasher with the Norton Shores Police Department tapes off an area during a search warrant on Wednesday, May 18, 2016 at 3038 Bailey St. The Muskegon Police Department said the human remains were found late Monday night near Summit Avenue and 6th Street in Muskegon Heights. (231) 724-6351. Muskegon Police Officers provide for public safety by maintaining order, responding to emergencies, protecting people and property, promoting good community relations, and patrolling assigned area to prevent crime; enforce laws, ordinances and traffic regulations, control crowds, and arrest violators; and may perform a specialized police activity OTIS (Offender Tracking Information System). I feel like I hurt some people through it. (MLive file photo). In the meantime, Commissioner Ramsey said he would begin a series of Zoom meetings with constituents, so that we can just begin to have conversations about what a reimagination of a public system looks like., Emotional stories shared by black residents at Muskegon forum on policing, Whitmer seeks federal help for flooded West Michigan homeowners, New sculpture honoring Muskegons lumber past arrives at Heritage Landing, Construction delayed again on 6-story, mixed-use building in downtown Muskegon. Recognize the dignity and worth of all people. file size: 2 MB, Max. What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative? Unemployment soared in the Muskegon-Norton Shores metro area during the height of the outbreak, according to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, from 3.9 percent to 29.3 percent. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love. Lt. Michael Kasher with the Norton Shores Police Department to the left of Muskegon County Prosecutor DJ Hilson as he speaks at a press conference about charging Jeffrey Willis with murder and kidnapping in the Jessica Heeringa case Tuesday morning, Sept. 20, 2016 at the Muskegon County Courthouse in Muskegon, Michigan. Information and advice to help you cope with the death of someone important to you. Each department has dedicated and dynamic leaders employing the most recent training techniques and state of the art equipment to ensure that our citizens are among the best protected in the state. Our non-emergency business number is (231)722-3524 for crimes that are not in progress, or . North Muskegon Police Department 1114 Ruddiman Drive North Muskegon, MI 49445. So thats a little openness there.. United States Marshals Service. Anyone with. Thats an increase of about $570,000, which City Manager Frank Peterson said is primarily attributable to retiree pensions and healthcare benefits. Further, the Commission may initiate a preliminary inquiry into the conduct of an officer who is arrested, charged or indicted for a misdemeanor. Connect Muskegon | Explore the Community Engagement Hub Go Big Red! That has become a rallying cry among activists across the country in ongoing protests against police brutality that sprung up more than a month ago following high-profile deaths of unarmed Black Americans at the hands of law enforcement officers. Grief researchers say holding that missing funeral service, even a year or more later, can still help us heal. Please note that this page was created. All rights reserved (About Us). Giving to charity is a meaningful way to honor someone who has died. Muskegon Heights Police Department Police Chief: Maurice Sain Address: 2715 Baker Street Phone Number: 231-733-8900 Muskegon Police Department Director of Public Safety: Address: 980 Jefferson Phone Number: 231-724-6750 Muskegon Police Website North Muskegon Police Department Police Chief: Edward Viverette Address: 1114 Ruddiman RELATED: Hundreds gather in Muskegon to march for racial justice. Every Saturday in the Fall, Bill could be found in front of the television watching his beloved Nebraska Cornhuskers. A Celebration of Life will be held 1:00-5:00 PM Saturday, May 13, 2023 at Julie Wiebenga's Residence. Consider offering these words of comfort if you're not sure what's appropriate. City of Muskegon Police Chief Jeffrey Lewis stressed that, with about nine-tenths of the police budget going to officers' salaries and benefits, it would be difficult to find excess fat from which to carve, especially, Lewis said, considering the fact that the department currently has about 10 vacant positions. Jeffrey Willis is facing trial for the kidnapping and murder of Heeringa, who disappeared from her late-night job at a Norton Shores gas station in April 2013. David Kessler's top 4 tips for dealing with holiday grief. An official website of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, This page, POST Commission Suspends Fifteen Law Enforcement Officers, is, for POST Commission Suspends Fifteen Law Enforcement Officers, Call Cindy Campbell, Director of Communications at, Email Cindy Campbell, Director of Communications at, Bryan Custadio, Fall River Police Department, Leon Davis, Springfield Police Department, Ernest Fontaine, Fitchburg State University Police Department, Nicholas Hoar, Fall River Police Department, Keith O'Donnell, Somerville Police Department, Brian Pomeroy, West Springfield Police Department, Kevin Rooney, Watertown Police Department, Matthew Sheehan, Massachusetts State Police, Colby Turner, Worcester Police Department, The list of suspended law enforcement officers can be found in the Data and Reports section of. Her body has never been recovered. The 542-bed facility managed by the Muskegon County Sheriff's Office is located at: Muskegon County Jail. Share on Linked In I hadnt seen him a few years - but I always enjoyed talking to him. Everybody goes, Well its gone cold. Youd keep hearing that, Kasher said. He also served 2 tours in the Vietnam War 1972-1974 and with the SAC Elite Guard out of Nebraska 1974-1976. It was their assistance, including the establishment of a tip line and system to prioritize them which eventually numbered over 2,000 that helped the Norton Shores department that some thought was too small solve the case, Kasher said. (Joel Bissell | MLive.com), Lt. Michael Kasher with the Norton Shores Police Department (right) during the search of the grandfather's home of Jeffrey Willis in the 3000 block of Bailey Street on Thursday, September 1, 2016 in Norton Shores, Mich. Investigators have searched the home on a few occasions dating back as early as May of 2016. Our goal should be to end police violence, not mitigate it.. (MLive file photo), Mike Kasher is pictured in Norton Shores on Friday, April 14, 2023. That shooting was found at the time to be justified, following an investigation by the Michigan State Police. At the same time, city commissioners have pledged to begin a series of public conversations and listening tours around the issue of policing, police reform, and demands for boosted community and social services.

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