.png)
Contributed photo/Trooper Freddy Bahena is pictured. at left and Trooper Kidner is at right on the bicycle.
HART — Two Michigan State Police troopers from the Hart post, Freddy Bahena and Jesse Kidner, recently participated in Torch Run, which is a non-stop relay that raises money and awareness for Special Olympics Michigan.
“Participants run throughout the state, carrying the torch as true Guardians of the Flame—champions for individuals with intellectual disabilities,” states the Flame of Hope website.
Contributed photo/Trooper Freddy Bahena is pictured at left, and Trooper Kidner is third from the right.
One of two major components of Flame of Hope Week is the Central Route featuring three teams—the Fraternal Order of Police, Michigan Department of Corrections, and Michigan State Police—who run from Copper Harbor to Detroit over the course of four days. The route is completed in a leap-style format, with teams running in all conditions and continuing nonstop, 24 hours a day.
“Since 1984, Flame of Hope Week has been a proud tradition of the Law Enforcement Torch Run, highlighting the incredible commitment of our volunteers, athletes and supporters. It is a powerful week that brings communities together, raises critical funds, and shines a light on the mission of Special Olympics Michigan.”
Contributed photo/MSP Trooper Freddy Bahena carries the torch.
This year’s Law Enforcement Torch Run resulted in a record-breaking fundraising effort.
“Thanks to the generosity and encouragement of communities along the route, the MSP/DNR Central Route Team raised more than $60,000 for Special Olympics Michigan and in total, the Flame of Hope Week has brought in roughly $150,000 which is double the initial goal.”
The 2026 Central Route Team included Sgt. Blaine Bachman, MC Sgt. Shane Pease, DNR Sgt. Shane Webster, Tpr. Freddy Bahena, Tpr. Logen Dushane, Tpr. Jesse Kidner, DNR Conservation Officer Ed Rice, Tpr. Michael Twietmeyer, and the team’s beloved canine companion, Head Dog in Charge Dewey.
They completed an impressive 1,000 plus mile journey across the state—from Copper Harbor to Belle Isle—to promote awareness and support for Special Olympics athletes.
A map of the route.
Please Support Local News Coverage
For generations, local newspapers were supported by subscriptions. Today, while Mason County Press and Oceana County Press remain free to everyone, the cost of producing quality local journalism continues to rise.
If you value independent local news coverage, we invite you to help sustain it by subscribing to the MCP/OCP Daily Briefing for $12 a month — about 40 cents a day — or $120 a year.
Your subscription helps support the reporters, photographers and editors who cover local government, schools, community events, sports, breaking news and the stories that matter most to Mason and Oceana counties. In return, you’ll receive the MCP/OCP Daily Briefing each morning with the day’s headlines, along with occasional breaking news and special email editions.
Monthly subscriptions are available for $12 per month.
Click here to subscribe monthly.
Annual subscriptions are available for $120 per year. That’s a two month savings!
Click here to subscribe annually.
If you prefer to pay by check, mail your $120 annual payment to:
Media Group 31, LLC
P.O. Box 21
Scottville, MI 49454
Please include your name, mailing address, email address and telephone number so we can activate your subscription.
Subscription payments must be received before service is activated.
Whether you choose to subscribe or continue enjoying our free content, thank you for reading Mason County Press and Oceana County Press. Your readership—and your support—helps ensure that independent local journalism remains available to everyone in our communities.
This story and original photography are copyrighted © 2026 by Media Group 31, LLC, P.O. Box 21, Scottville, MI 49454. All rights reserved. No portion of this story or its images may be reproduced in any form, including print, broadcast or electronic media, without the express written permission of Media Group 31, LLC.
As a news organization, Media Group 31 maintains published content as part of the public and historical record. Accordingly, stories are not removed after publication. At the editor’s discretion, stories may be updated or corrected as new information becomes available. Updates may be made by revising the original story or by publishing a follow-up story. Media Group 31, LLC reserves the right to modify this policy at any time. Please refer to our Use Policy for additional information.
.jpg)
