Since 2015, Chronic wasting disease (CWD) has been found in deer in several of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula counties including Clinton, Ingham, Ionia, Kent, and Montcalm, as well as most recently in October 2018 in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula Dickenson county. Deer hunters should be aware of how easily CWD can be transferred to in cervids such as deer, elk or moose.
CWD is a neurological disease that affects cervid animals. It can be transmitted through direct animal to animal contact or contact with saliva, urine, feces, blood, and/or certain carcass parts such as brain tissue and spinal cord of an infected animal.
Hunters need to be aware that the disease can also be spread via infected plants and soil. Prions, which are single proteins that cause the infections, are not easily killed by traditional strategies such as heat. Research from The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston has shown prions have been able to bind to the roots and leaves of wheat grass plants when incubated with contaminated material, even in highly diluted amounts. They also found that plants grown in infected soil can transport the deadly prions. Hamsters fed the contaminated plants contracted CWD in the research project.
Although current research has found no direct link from CWD to variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend not consuming venison from infected deer. Michigan State University Extension highly recommends that venison from a positively infected CWD deer not be consumed. When in doubt, do not consume the venison and properly dispose of the entire carcass. This brief background is meant to emphasize that CWD is a serious emerging disease in Michigan and hunters can take steps to prevent the spread of it.
Several pairs of tight-fitting, disposable gloves — these not only can protect hunters from disease but also assist in keeping the deer carcass clean during the dressing process.
Clean, sharp knife to make cuts and split carcass. Use separate knives from your household knives.
Pre-moistened wipes and/or container of clean water to maintain sanitation of knife and saw.
Strings about six to eight inches long to tie off the anus and assist in other dressing procedures.
Large resealable food grade plastic bag to place the heart and/or liver.
Clean, dry towels or paper towels to dry the carcass with after washing.
Rope to tie legs apart or drag deer.
Kill tag attached to a string.
Multiple non-porous disposable trash bags if hunting in the CWD core management zones to dispose of all carcass parts, including guts, and remove them from the environment.
All deer harvested in the Michigan CWD Core Area (Ionia, Kent, Mecosta, Montcalm, and Newaygo counties) and Management Zone (Calhoun, Clinton, Eaton, Gratiot, Hillsdale, Ingham, Ionia, Isabella, Jackson, Kent, Mecosta, Montcalm, and Newaygo counties), cannot be moved out of those areas unless:
It is deboned meat, quarters or other parts of a cervid that do not have any part of the spinal column or head attached, antlers, antlers attached to a skull cap cleaned of all brain and muscle tissue, hides, upper canine teeth, or a finished taxidermist mount; or
The head is submitted at a designated DNR drop off locations within 24 hours after killing the deer. Drop-off locations include DNR check points, drop boxes and some venison processors.
Carcasses can be moved into the CWD Core Area from a CWD Management Zone county with no restrictions. Hunters may not take a deer from the CWD Core Area into the CWD Management Zone for processing unless the conditions above are met.
Growing up in Mexico, Mónica Robles pestered her father to give her things he said were “only for boys.” Persistence paid off, and she did learn to ride motorcycles and pilot private planes. Today, Mónica takes that same feisty mindset to every endeavor she takes on, from community leadership to international marketing. Don’t miss this personal story of pluck and charm: from Mexico with love!
While Myasthenia Gravis – or MG as it is commonly referred to – is a rare disease, affecting about 20 in 100,000 people, the medical community has been aware of it since the 1800s.
MG is the breakdown in the normal communication between nerves and muscles. It is difficult to diagnose because its symptoms, drooping eyelids, double vision, slur speech, trouble chewing or swallowing, and weakness in arms or legs, will usually improve with rest.
However, medical advancements have improved over the years, according to Dr. Amit Sachdev from Michigan State University’s Department of Neurology. Sachdev has specialized in MG. Since the 1950s and 1960s, the medical community has learned to treat MG better, working to improve detection, Sachdev said.
To increase awareness and to educate the public, the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of Michigan, which is based in the West Michigan area, recently put together a series of educational videos about MG, which will be airing on WKTV Wednesday, Oct. 31, at 11:30 a.m and again Thursday, Nov. 1, at 5 p.m.
According to Sue Southern, the executive director for the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of Michigan, MG-MI is working to put a face to the disease by talking to those who are living with it in hopes of building a better understanding about the MG.
“While MG is an illness, unlike other neurological diseases, MG is a disease with hope,” Southern said. There is no cure for the disease, however; there are treatments. Part of the Foundation’s goal is to provide resources and information to people along with creating supportive connections between people who have been just diagnosed with those who have been living with MG.
For more information about MG and the Foundation, visit mg-mi.org.
"I would rather sit on a pumpkin, and have it all to myself, than be crowded on a velvet cushion."
~ Henry David Thoreau
Where are they coming from?
Where are they all going?
September marks the ninth record-breaking month in a row for 2018 at Gerald R. Ford International Airport, which has seen growth in 62 of the last 69 months. September 2018 was the busiest September ever, and this quarter marks the busiest third quarter ever — beating out September 2017 for that title.
Through September 2018, GFIA has already surpassed its annual totals reached in all years through 2014 with 2,432,413 passengers served in 2018. Folks, that’s a LOT of people. Read all about it here.
There are no second chances
You either get the shot, or you don’t.
Organized by the Brooklyn Museum, “Who Shot Sports” highlights the “aesthetic, cultural and historical significance of the images and artists in the history of sports since the invention of photography in the 19th century. Visitors will see how the evolution of photographic technology enabled its practitioners to capture the human body in motion as it had never been seen before,” according to supplied information. Go here to read more.
Not to add to your stress level, but …
One increasingly common cause for dementia symptoms is stress. And those overwhelmed by caring for others are particularly at risk.
“So-called ‘caregiver dementia’—cognitive and memory issues brought on by the stress of caring for a loved one—is a very real phenomenon,” Dr. Hatfield said.
Fortunately, caregiver dementia is reversible. Symptoms go away when the stress and depression are resolved, which can be particularly reassuring for those immersed in primary caregiving for a loved one with Alzheimer’s. Go here to learn more.
Fun Fact:
Dogs sniff good smells with their left nostril
Dogs normally start sniffing with their right nostril, then keep it there if the smell could signal danger, but they’ll shift to the left side for something pleasant, like food or a mating partner. This also applies to dogs living in Kentwood and Wyoming. You know you always wondered.
As you are passing out candy to the trick-or-treaters, WKTV will be featuring a line-up of locally produced horror and Halloween films, with a special premiere showing from a familiar filmmaker.
Director and Producer Moe McCoy’s “Angel Horror Movie” will air at 10 p.m. It is a film that according toMcCoy, had its own “horror” backstory that the team from his Fireproof Film company managed to overcome.
“This was a film that I originally started shooting in Grand Rapids,” McCoy said. “I had the house lined up and everyone there and then there was a drive-by and I everyone just left, the cast, the crew, everybody.”
Not to be deterred, McCoy took the concept with him, reshooting in Houston, Texas with a Red camera, only to discover that the film was so large only a few places could handle the editing, one of which is WKTV.
“So I came back to my roots,” said McCoy, who got his start in film by volunteering at WKTV. “It has been so much fun being back here in Michigan and at the WKTV studio. I am excited about the premiere.”
WKTV’s Halloween specials start at 7 p.m. with the Rosehill Cemetery Tour followed by a family film, “We Are the Dead,” produced by a group of Grand Valley State University students utilizing WKTV equipment. “We Are the Dead” follows the story of three men as they try to survive the zombie apocalypse. This film will air at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 30; 8:30 p.m. and 1:30 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 31; and 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 2.
At 9 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 31, will be “The Basement,” an indie film produced by another volunteer and local producer Chris Penny of Dogbyte Films. After that is McCoy’s “Angel Horror Film.”
The rest of the line-up includes:
11 p.m. Transitions
11:30 p.m. Return of the Curse
1 a.m. Grand Rapids Paranormal Alliance Ghost Documentary
Is your memory failing you? Don’t assume the worst. You may have a reversible condition. (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)
By Diane Benson, Spectrum Health Beat
Brain fog … Can’t clear the cobwebs … I know I know this … Wait, wait, don’t tell me … Really, it’s on the tip of my tongue.
What did I do yesterday? (Hmmm. Good question).
If this sounds like your state of mind (or lack thereof), you may have dementia.
Hold on. Don’t panic.
Dementia, defined as problems with memory or thinking and changes in personality or behavior, can be reversible.
In fact, more than 50 conditions can cause or mimic the symptoms of dementia.
“Short-term memory loss, like difficulty remembering recent events, is often the most pronounced symptom of both reversible and non-reversible dementias,” said Maegan Hatfield-Eldred, Ph.D., a clinical neuropsychologist with Spectrum Health Medical Group.
Common causes of reversible dementia include depression, vitamin B12 deficiency, drug or alcohol abuse and under-active thyroid.
“We associate the word ‘dementia’ with permanence, something that’s going to get worse or is incurable,” Dr. Hatfield said. “But with these conditions, symptoms subside, or are reversed, when the underlying problem is treated.”
Many medications can also cause dementia-like symptoms.
As we age, the liver and kidneys don’t work as efficiently so drugs tend to accumulate in the body, become toxic and cause problems. Elderly people in poor health and those taking several different medications are especially vulnerable.
Stressed-out caregivers beware
Another increasingly common cause for scary dementia symptoms is stress. And those overwhelmed by caring for others are particularly at risk.
“So-called ‘caregiver dementia’—cognitive and memory issues brought on by the stress of caring for a loved one—is a very real phenomenon,” Dr. Hatfield said.
Fortunately, caregiver dementia is reversible. Symptoms go away when the stress and depression are resolved, which can be particularly reassuring for those immersed in primary caregiving for a loved one with Alzheimer’s.
“These folks start to notice similar symptoms in themselves and think, ‘I have this, too,’” Dr. Hatfield said. “But it’s because they see and experience (the dementia) day in and day out. And that’s extremely stressful. It’s tough managing their own lives and caring for someone else, too.”
What’s typically at work here is the stress hormone, cortisol, she said. Chronic stress can affect the ways in which our brains function in the present, and may seriously alter our brain health in the years to come.
Chronic anxiety and depression also affect brain function and behavior.
“It’s so important to get help, to be proactive in overcoming these feelings and address any issues,” Dr. Hatfield said. “Don’t let things go or build up. Stress reduction is something to take very seriously.”
Younger people are not immune either, she said. Pronounced and dramatic memory issues due to extreme stress can happen to people in their 20s and 30s.
Is it dementia or something else?
Some reversible dementias are easier to diagnose than irreversible dementias because they can be identified by medical tests. Others are more difficult to pin down.
To tell for certain, Dr. Hatfield advises seeing a neuropsychologist for testing. She suggests using age to help determine when, or if, testing is necessary.
“If you’re under age 50, we tend to be less concerned about a non-reversible dementia like Alzheimer’s disease because they’re incredibly uncommon in younger adults,” she said. “Instead, we look at stress, depression or other medical conditions first.”
But if you’re over age 65 and notice memory problems it’s a good idea to get it checked out with a full neuropsychological evaluation.
“Everyone has challenges with memory and thinking at one time or another,” Dr. Hatfield said. “Neuropsychological assessment measures how your brain is functioning compared to others your same age. It’s also very good at differentiating cognitive problems caused by stress or depression from problems caused by a non-reversible dementia.”
If your test scores fall outside the normal range, she said, doctors have key information to help identify a cause.
To make an appointment with a neuropsychologist at the Spectrum Health Memory Disorders Clinic, call 616.267.7104.
Ferris State University has received a $1.2 million National Science Foundation (NSF) grant to establish Project S3OAR, a 4-year program that seeks to recruit, retain and graduate low-income, academically talented students in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) disciplines.
Starting in fall 2019, FerrisState Universitywill be able to provide up to $10,000 in scholarships for low-income STEM degree students.Thegrant aimsto help boost STEM degrees in order to accommodate local and national demand in science, technology, engineering and math industries. FSU officials are available for interviews on the topic.
Project S3OAR, short for Sustainable, Scalable Scholarships, Opportunities, Achievements and Results (pronounced SOAR-three), is a partnership with Northern Kentucky University (NKU) and builds upon the lessons NKU learned from previous successful STEM grants awarded by the NSF. The total amount awarded to both universities for this collaborative project is $2.3 million.
Starting in fall 2019, both universities will enroll 36 students each year for four years. With the help of the grant, 288 scholars will receive up to $10,000 in scholarship funding toward their degree.
S3OAR Scholars will participate in an orientation, a freshman seminar, a learning community, entrepreneurship education and a variety of co-curricular and enrichment opportunities, in addition to being assigned a mentor.
Dr. Hengli Jiao (photo supplied)
All S3OAR Scholars will also have access to an extensive array of support services available to all STEM students at their university.
Dr. Hengli Jiao, Ph.D., mathematics professor at Ferris, is the principal investigator. Dr. Kristi Haik, Ph.D., dean of Ferris’ College of Arts and Sciences, and Brent Williams, a Ferris State welding engineering technology associate professor, serve as a co-principal investigators. Dr. Haik formerly worked at NKU and was instrumental in developing the original program.
“Ferris State University is thrilled to be awarded this NSF grant alongside our counterparts at Northern Kentucky,” said Dr. Haik. “There is a national need for skilled, technically-trained employees, so we are eager to help this underserved population of students find success in these fields.”
Both Michigan and Kentucky are below the national average of persons ages 25 and over with at least a baccalaureate degree (27.4 percent for Michigan and 22.7 percent for Kentucky; 30.3 percent nationally). Conversely, the regions served by the universities rank in the top 20 for regions with the most professional opportunities for STEM graduates.
This news should be well received by West Michigan employers who are looking for STEM graduates. Both universities have already engaged with employers to provide job shadow experiences for the S3OAR Scholars.
“There are more than 100 employers who regularly work with Ferris and Northern Kentucky students in co-op, internship and shadowing situations,” said Dr. Jiao. “Many employers have already given verbal commitment to provide job shadowing opportunities, but we are always looking for more, so of all the students can benefit from the experience.”
Brent Williams (photo supplied)
Interested employers can contact the Ferris State University College of Arts and Sciences Dean’s Office for more information.
Project S3OAR Objectives
Increase the STEM enrollment of low-income, academically-talented undergraduates, particularly those from underrepresented groups in STEM, by 10 percent.
Achieve a 90 percent retention rate during the transition from first to second year.
Increase the retention and graduation rates of S3OAR Scholars compared to similar populations in both the STEM disciplines and the university.
Document the program’s sustainability and scalability.
Determine the effectiveness of job shadowing STEM professionals on the first- to second-year retention rate of S3OAR Scholars.
By Dr. Meghan Condit, Dentist at Heart of the City Health Center
1. Eat healthy snacks: Fruits, vegetables, yogurt and cheese are good choices. Stay away from sweet foods that can stick to teeth, like fruit snacks, raisins and candy.
2. Avoid sweet drinks: Pop, sports drinks (like Gatorade), Kool-Aid, juice and even milk have sugar that can cause cavities! Make sure your child has only 4-6 ounces of juice per day and only during meal times. It is especially important to avoid milk and juice before bed, and your child should never sleep with a bottle or cup!
3. Drink lots of tap water: It has fluoride added to it, which protects teeth from cavities, and washes away all the food your child eats during the day.
4. Brush your child’s teeth: At least 2 times per day as soon as you see a tooth! Children should always be supervised, and an adult should brush until children turn about 8 years old. Use fluoride toothpaste or one that says “cavity protection.” Children 0-2 should use a “grain of rice-size” amount of toothpaste, and children 3-6 should use a “pea-sized” amount of toothpaste.
5. Take your child to a dentist: The first dental visit should be before their first birthday. A dental home will provide information about what to expect as your child grows. A fun and caring dental experience early in your child’s life will help them to feel comfortable and enjoy going to the dentist.
One of the best parts of Halloween is dressing up in costume and one of themost important parts of a costume is the make up.
Recently, make up artist Sadie Rose, who is a student at Forest Eastern High School and dual enrolled at Ferris State University’s Kendall College of Art and Design, stopped by the WKTV Journal to show how easy it is to become a zombie.
Rose got her start in make up when, as a freshman, she signed up to do make up for the high school play.
“I really enjoyed doing the make up on people and that following Halloween I decided to be a zombie, getting into more of the special effects make up,” Rose said.
So click on the video above to find out what you can do with some liquid latex, tissue, a few different color foundations, and a Crayola water color pencil.
There was a whole bunch of kids and candy, and a fair amount of spooky things, as the City of Kentwood invited families and trick-or-treaters to the city’s annual Fall Festival and Trunk or Treat event Saturday, Oct. 20.
The free event was held at the Kentwood Department of Public Works facility, and WKTV was there to record the family friendly activities including hayrides, face painting, a bounce house and games. The festival also featured the community fall-favorite, Trunk or Treat, where various City and community vehicles decorate and fill their trunks with candy. Oh, and Honest Abe (Mayor Stephen Kepley) also made an appearance.
For more information on other City of Kentwood events visit kentwood.us .
The adage ‘beauty is in the eyes of the beholder’ is cliché, but any sports fan or photography admirer will tell you without hesitation that, often, art is in the eye of the camera lense.
There is more than 200 examples of photography approaching, achieving and often simply blowing away any doubt that photographs of sports and athletes are museum worthy in the Grand Rapids Art Museum “art” exhibit, “Who Shot Sports: A Photographic History, 1843 to the Present”, which opened Friday, Oct. 26.
From the uber-iconic 1965 photo of boxer Muhammad Ali standing over beaten foe Sonny Liston by Neil Leifer, to historic photos of the ordinary athlete and the ideal athletic aesthetic from late 1800s, the exhibit shows again and again the exacting art of the sports photographer.
“Who Shot Sports” guest curator discusses aspects of the GRAM exhibit. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)
“You do not get a second chance,” exhibit curator Gail Buckland said to WKTV at a media tour early on opening day. “You have to anticipate. They work as hard as the athletes sometimes. … They don’t want to just take the easy photo. They want something that will last through time. Hence why they are appropriate for the art museum. … they are that universal image.”
The exhibition, which will be on view at the GRAM through Jan. 13, 2019, is said to be the most comprehensive survey of the art of sports photography ever produced, with more than 200 images.
One of the most impressive aspects of the show is the wide-range of black-and-white photographs — which, void the distraction of color, some consider the purest form of photography — with examples spanning from the 19th to the 21st Century.
Organized by the Brooklyn Museum, “Who Shot Sports” highlights the “aesthetic, cultural and historical significance of the images and artists in the history of sports since the invention of photography in the 19th century. Visitors will see how the evolution of photographic technology enabled its practitioners to capture the human body in motion as it had never been seen before,” according to supplied information.
“Seeing athletic greatness, we both recognize our personal physical limitations and delight in bodies and minds taken to new heights,” Buckland said in supplied information. “To play and to watch is to be in the moment. Still photographers are masters of moments.”
Derek Jeter sliding into Third Base, 2003. By Barton Silverman. (Supplied)
That idea of putting the viewer into a moment of athletic achievement has dozens of examples but none more so than one of baseball great Derek Jeter, who raised in Kalamazoo before eventually becoming a New York Yankee icon, sliding head first into third base.
Buckland discussed the photo in detail, both as a perfectly captured moment and as an example of modern — and historic — athletes knowing they are the stars of a “show.”
“I see that sports photography is a very important part of sports photojournalism and inherent in photojournalism is a connection to real life,” Buckland said to WKTV. But “athletes, unlike someone walking down the street, expect to be seen. This is performance. In ancient times, it was spectacle. And it is still spectacle. (But often) … they don’t know what they look like until they see themselves in a photograph. And that is a theory of photography too. None of us know what we look like. How we look in a photograph is quite different than we think. But … I do not think it is so much what Derek Jeter looks like as much as what it feels like to slide into the base, to be part of the action.”
The exhibition is divided into nine thematic sections exploring different subjects within the field; The Beginning of Sports Photography; The Decisive Moment; Fans and Followers; Portraits; Behind the Scenes; Vantage Point; In and Out of the Ring; For the Love of the Sports; and the Olympics, featuring images from the first modern Olympics in 1896 to the London Olympics in 2012.
The exhibit also includes a variety of related events and programming, including curator talks, GRAM After Dark: Jock Jams, drop-in tours, art-making workshops and lectures. For a complete list of programming, visit artmuseumgr.org/whoshotsports .
The groundbreaking of the Daniel and Pamella DeVos Center for Interprofessional Health on Grand Valley State University’s Health Camps in downtown Grand Rapids.
More than 300 people attended a groundbreaking ceremony October 23 for the Daniel and Pamella DeVos Center for Interprofessional Health on Grand Valley State University’s expanding Health Campus in downtown Grand Rapids.
The new center, under construction at 333 Michigan St. on the Medical Mile, will be the third and flagship building on the Health Campus, joining the Cook-DeVos Center for Health Sciences and Raleigh J. Finkelstein Hall.
President Thomas J. Haas thanked donors and elected officials for their “continuing transformative support” of Grand Valley and its students. Haas said the naming of the building for Dan and Pamella DeVos reflects the genuine care and concern they have for the community and its future.
Rendering for Daniel and Pamella DeVos Center for Interprofessional Health
“We will generate a great return on your investment by continuing to provide top talent for our region and our state,” Haas said. “I’m often told by employers across the state that our health sciences graduates are exceptional caregivers.”
The DeVos Center for Interprofessional Health will include 15 classrooms and 14 interactive laboratories, and help accommodate expanding programs in growing fields at both the undergraduate and graduate level.
Lt. Gov. Brian Calley, who earned an MBA from Grand Valley in 2000, said the university is a significant talent pipeline for the state.
“Talent is the new currency of economic development and Grand Valley is playing an important and pivotal role in developing that pipeline,” Calley said. “Education is everything — education is freedom and connection to all the things that are important in life, and right in the middle of it is Grand Valley State University.”
Lt. Gov. Brian Calley, who earned an MBA from Grand Valley in 2000
The new five-story, 160,000-square-foot center will allow Grand Valley to significantly expand and update its simulation center and space available for collaborative work.
Dan DeVos said the groundbreaking ceremony was also a celebration of his late parents, Rich and Helen DeVos, who had an early vision for the Medical Mile and matched the generosity of their son and daughter-in-law as leadership donors for the building.
“I’ve heard my dad and others say, ‘What would West Michigan be like without Grand Valley?’ It is hard to imagine,” DeVos said. “Grand Valley faculty, staff members and students will give the building life and students will use it to change lives.”
Maria Cimitile, GVSU provost, said the new health building will advance health education with the newest technology. “It will double our simulation space, giving us more room for interprofessional collaboration,” Cimitile said.
The Kirkhof College of Nursing will be housed in the center, bringing faculty and students together in collaborative spaces to accommodate interactive learning.
Nursing student Doug Chambers said Grand Valley’s professionalism and caring faculty drew him from the east side of the state. “I learned how important it is to choose a school in close proximity to clinical opportunities and I’ve taken advantage of my rotations in psychiatry, oncology and other areas right here in Grand Rapids,” Chambers said.
Grand Valley is the region’s leading provider of health care professionals with more than 20 health sciences programs.
The State of Michigan is providing $29 million for the $70 million project; the remaining funds will come from private donors and university bonds. Construction is expected to be completed in May 2021.
Grand Rapids Community College is the recipient of a $2.1 million, six-year grant from the U.S. Education Department to boost chances for all students to succeed in college and beyond.
The competitive federal program provides resources to promote college awareness; improve performance in math and writing; increase high school graduation rates; and improve students’ transitions from middle school to high school, and from high school to college – particularly for at-risk, low-income and first-generation students.
GRCC is the only Michigan college to receive the federal grant this year.
The funds will serve a cohort of seventh-graders, following them from middle school to high school and off to college or career training. GEAR UP funds also can provide college scholarships to low-income students.
Check out School News Network for more stories about students, schools, and faculty in West Michigan.
The three million passenger mark is drawing in closer after the Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GFIA) recorded another month of record growth with a September that served 255,888 passengers – marking 15.74-percent growth year-over-year.
September marks the ninth record-breaking month in a row for 2018, and the airport has seen growth in 62 of the last 69 months. September 2018 was the busiest September ever, and this quarter marks the busiest third quarter ever – beating out September 2017 for that title.
Through September 2018, GFIA has already surpassed its annual totals reached in all years through 2014 with 2,432,413 passengers served in 2018.
“Our excitement in record-breaking month after record-breaking month is genuine and we are so appreciative to the community for supporting and utilizing the Ford Airport throughout this amazing year,” said Gerald R. Ford International Airport President & CEO Jim Gill. “We are thankful to have a supportive West Michigan community that is not only flying in and out of the Ford Airport, but seem to be telling their friends near and far what an easy, efficient, and customer-focused airport we have.”
September 2017 saw 218,671 passengers, while September 2018 topped that in serving 255,888 – the first time GFIA has served more than a quarter-million passengers in the month of September.
GFIA has invested in new facilities to accommodate the growing traffic by recently completing Phase One of the Gateway Transformation Project – an upgrade in space, retail, food and beverage, restrooms, finishes, amenities, and customer service offerings. The project’s main feature is the consolidated passenger security checkpoint which centralized and combined security screening to one main checkpoint in the Airport. Construction also included new terrazzo flooring, lighting fixtures, pre and post security business centers, a military welcome center, kids play areas, and much more.
Phase Two of the Gateway Transformation Project is slated to begin in November 2018 with construction taking place at the airline ticket counters, baggage claim area, and ‘front of house’ area.
“As we continue to grow in traffic it is imperative that our facilities keep up with our passenger demand,” said Gill. “Our passengers keep coming back because we listen to their wants and needs, and as they do we will continue to do our part to improve our amenities, technology, customer service and infrastructure. We are excited to see what the future holds, and we hope to add more growth in the years to come.”
As committed advocates to sustainability in the kitchen, the team at Reserve Wine & Foodis thrilled to announce a special dinner with author Lindsay Jean-Hard, whose new book Cooking With Scraps will be released Oct. 30th, and is the #1 new release in the Budget Cooking section on Amazon.
“We make every effort we can in the kitchen to reduce waste, and through this dinner hope to share ideas and tips on how the home cook can do the same,” says executive chef Luke VerHulst.
The six-course paired dinner begins at 6:30pm on Thursday, Nov. 15th with a book signing and reception; seating is limited and the cost for the dinner is $75 per person (exclusive of tax and gratuity) and signed books will be available for a special price of $15.95 plus tax for purchase.
Call 616.855.9463 to reserve, or go here to purchase tickets.
The kitchen statistics are startling: roughly one-third of the food produced globally for human consumption gets lost or wasted, and Americans waste about a pound of food per person each day, with 40 percent of food in this country going uneaten. Lindsay-Jean Hard’s Cooking With Scraps provides 80 creative, delicious, and inspired recipes to help home cooks make use of their scraps.
By learning the basics behind transforming food waste into treasure, readers can take advantage of ingredients such as aging produce, cheese rinds, stale bread, and other oft-discarded foods to create budget-conscious, sustainable, and highly satisfying meals.
The menu, inspired by recipes in the book and prepared by chef Luke VerHulst follows:
Roasted Prime Rib, dill pickle brine potato salad*, wilted greens, roasted bone marrow demi
Fennel Panna Cotta, preserved lemon rind
Fennel tops and lemon rinds used
Cauliflower mac and cheese
*indicates item made from recipe in book
Lindsay-Jean Hard received her Master’s in Urban Planning from the University of Michigan. Her education and passion for sustainability went on to inform and inspire her work in the garden, home, and community. The seeds of this book were planted in her Food52 column of the same name. Today she works to share her passion for great food and great communities as a marketer at Zingerman’s Bakehouse. She lives, writes, loves, and creates in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
"There are three things I've learned never to discuss with people: religion, politics, and the Great Pumpkin."
- Linus from "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown"
Here’s the Trick
A peek into the Vox Sanitarium
It’s the last weekend before Halloween, which makes it a perfect time to visit Wyoming’s newest business, The Haunt. Now located at 1256 28th St. SW in the former Showplace/JoAnn Fabrics location of 28 West Place (formerly the Wyoming Village Mall), The Haunt has a number of special events coming up as the attraction wraps up its season.
On Saturday, Oct. 27, there will be a Trunk or Treat from 3 – 5 p.m. and a Kids Haunt from 4 – 6 p.m. Also organizers noted that the last two days of The Haunt’s season, Nov. 2 and 3, all be very special and definitely not for scaredy cats. The Haunt is open through Nov. 3. Sundays and weekday hours are 7 – 10 p.m. (note it is not open on Mondays and Nov. 1.) and Friday and Saturday hours are 7 – 11 p.m. Because of long lines, The Haunt has been opening a half hour earlier. Check the website, https://www.the-haunt.com/ for specific details and ticket information.
And Here Are the Treats
South Kent Community Expo is this week.
Also this weekend is the South Kent Expo hosted by Cutlerville-Gaines Chamber of Commerce, the Wyoming-Kentwood Chamber of Commerce and the Kentwood Parks and Recreation Department is this Saturday, Oct. 27, from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the Kentwood Activities Center, 355 48th St. SE.
The event is an opportunity to learn about the businesses in the community and what services they have to offer including home improvement, home financing, home services, senior services, library services, colleges, fitness, health and wellness, pet care, banks, retail, hospitality, transportation, volunteer opportunities and employment services.
There are number of family activities as well, such as the Monsterfest 3 film festival at the Tibbits Opera House, the second oldest opera house in the state. By the way, the Monster 3 event is free.
That is the number of Americans who misuse controlled prescription drugs, according to the Drug Administration Enforcement (DEA). The study also stated that the majority of misused prescription drugs were obtained from family and friends, often from the home medicine cabinet. It is why the DEA created the National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, which is this Saturday, Oct. 27. Both the cities of Wyoming and Kentwood are participating in the program, accepting all drugs with no questions asked at local law enforcement offices and at Metro Health-University of Michigan Health facility.
Davidson Plyforms is the largest curved plywood manufacturer in North America. They make wood furniture pieces for customers like Haworth, Steelcase and Herman Miller. Their products are used daily around the world in offices, hospitals, schools and homes.
There is no typical day at Davidson Plyforms because their jobs are small volume orders.
“Each order requires different finishes and pieces to make,” said Joe Wiersma, press operator and cell leader. “I might work on chair backs, then switch to stool seats and then chair arms. I like that my job changes a lot.”
Craftsman-type work
The manufacturing process begins with thin sheets of veneer stacked together. Then they’re pressed to create the curve and finished to the customer’s specifications. Large machines do the actual curving and cutting, but the machine operator’s attention to detail makes a difference between a good or great final product.
“The work we do is so intricate; you can see the impact of each operator’s touch on the piece. These jobs are very craftsmen-like positions,” said Mark Walkington, plant manager.
When a new employee joins the Davidson Plyforms team, they’re paired with a trainer-mentor who guides them through the onboarding process for this unique job.
One team
A strong team is integral to the success of the company. Team members are valued for the strengths they bring to Davidson Plyforms.
“We can tell you a lot about the people who work for us; what they do, how they do it and what their strengths and weaknesses are. We try to utilize everyone’s strengths to build a strong team,” said Sicilio Puente, finishing department lead.
Seven years ago, Devin Marcinowski was hired as a second shift press operator.
“Some coworkers encouraged me to apply for a CNC Programmer position. I’m glad they kept nudging me to do it. Now I’m a first shift CNC programmer and I’m going to school to finish my degree,” Marcinowski said.
Davidson Plyforms’ tuition reimbursement program helps pay for tuition and books for employees pursuing a degree or certification.
Think any hormone supplement will do? Think again. Get an expert’s opinion. (For Spectrum Health Beat)
By Diana Bitner, MD, Spectrum Health Beat
A patient I’ll call Bev recently came to see me for her annual physical, and she had just a few complaints: rare hot flashes, occasional night sweats and irregular spotting.
So far, so good.
At age 54, her last regular period was approximately 16 months ago. Since that time, she had started using hormone creams prescribed by her chiropractor.
Bev brought the creams in to show me, boasting that they were all natural. She told me she had been feeling great since starting the hormone cream.
Her hot flashes were rare, and her once-thinning hair was now getting thicker. I continued to listen with an open mind as we discussed the rest of Bev’s health.
She happily reported that her hypertension was being controlled with low-dose medications from her primary care physician, and she had no other risk factors for heart disease, stroke, blood clots or diabetes. Furthermore, Bev was a healthy weight.
For the most part, I liked what I was hearing.
Finally, we confirmed that her health screening was up to date, including lab work, mammogram and colonoscopy. As a final step, I performed a breast exam, Pap smear and pelvic exam. Her pelvic and breast exams were normal, and I had no reason to expect any issues with her Pap results.
Now that we had all the background information and physical exam taken care of, I could address her concerns of lingering hot flashes. We were able to relate them to days when she was not drinking enough water, had increased stressed or drank an extra glass of wine.
I then felt obligated to voice my concerns about the natural hormone creams she was taking and the possible relationship to her irregular spotting.
As a result of my concerns, I asked Bev to have a pelvic ultrasound to measure the lining thickness of her uterus. Post-menopause bleeding can be a sign of uterine lining pre-cancer or cancer.
When women take FDA-approved estrogen replacement therapy and progesterone, their risk of uterine cancer is lower than women who take nothing. Estrogen stimulates the lining to grow, and progesterone keeps it in check.
However, the non-FDA-approved hormones Bev used are not shown to protect the uterine lining and can actually increase the risk of uterine cancer.
Bev’s ultrasound of her uterus did show a thick lining, and her endometrial biopsy showed benign thickening. We reversed the thickening first with synthetic progesterone and then switched her to two FDA-approved products: a bio-identical estrogen patch and an oral bio-identical progesterone.
Today, Bev feels great—hair and skin included—and I feel good that we are keeping her safe and healthy.
Kids are more likely to eat lunches that they pack, or help pack. (Courtesy Michigan State University Extension)
By Sarah Eichberger, Leah Bennett, Michigan State University Extension
Healthy students are better learners. As a parent or caregiver, you can help your child make smarter decisions by providing them with a colorful and healthy school lunch that will fuel their body and brain. When children skip lunch or consume a low-nutrient lunch, they may have problems concentrating in class and lack energy. Consider the following suggestions when planning your next packed lunch:
Involve your child. Ask your child to help with planning and packaging of lunches. Not only is this an opportunity for you to discuss healthy food options, but you can help include nutritious foods that will appeal to your child. Kids are more likely to eat lunches that they pack, or help pack. Make a packed lunch a positive experience for your child by incorporating colorful packaging, leaving little notes in their lunch, and allowing your child to pick out their own lunch box.
Seek balance and color. Create a balanced lunch that is nutrient-rich and includes a variety of foods from all food groups: grain, dairy, protein, fruit and vegetables. Reference the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) MyPlate to find more information on recommended foods and information on appropriate serving sizes for your child.
Stay away from pre-packaged lunches. Although they are appealing due to the convenience factor, they are relatively more expensive than packing a lunch, lower in nutritional value, include processed ingredients and typically are higher in sodium, fat and calories. If this style of lunch appeals to your child, be creative and use healthier ingredients to create your own look-a-like lunch by buying plastic containers that have compartments where you can divide different foods. Come up with fun options with your child that will allow them to assemble their own food and give ownership over their meal without the added sodium, fat or sugar.
Keep cold foods cold and hot foods hot. Keep hot foods hot in a thermos or cold foods cold in an insulated lunch box with an ice pack. The USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service has a great tip sheet on keeping lunches safe. The transition from class to lunch may not allow for your child to have easy access to wash their hands. Pack wipes or hand sanitizer in their lunch box to help remind your child to wash their hands before eating.
Healthy eating is about what works for you. As a parent you can help implement small changes to build healthier eating styles with your child as the new school year is beginning. Michigan State University Extension encourages small changes that work for your lifestyle such as allowing your child to pack their own lunch with healthy items that appeal to them.
Stress disorders are tied to a 36 percent greater risk of developing 41 autoimmune diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, Crohn’s disease and celiac disease. (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)
By Steven Reinberg, HealthDay
Trauma or intense stress may up your odds of developing an autoimmune disease, a new study suggests.
Comparing more than 106,000 people who had stress disorders with more than 1 million people without them, researchers found that stress was tied to a 36 percent greater risk of developing 41 autoimmune diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, Crohn’s disease and celiac disease.
“Patients suffering from severe emotional reactions after trauma or other life stressors should seek medical treatment due to the risk of chronicity of these symptoms and thereby further health decline, such as the increased risk of autoimmune disease,” said lead researcher Dr. Huan Song, from the University of Iceland in Reykjavik.
The body’s immune system protects you from disease and infection. But autoimmune diseases turn the body’s natural protection against itself by attacking healthy cells.
In comparing people who had stress disorders with more than 1 million people without them, researchers found that stress was tied to a 36 percent greater risk of developing 41 autoimmune diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, Crohn’s disease and celiac disease. It’s not clear what causes autoimmune diseases, but they tend to run in families. Women, particularly black, Hispanic and Native-American women, have a higher risk for some autoimmune diseases, the researchers said.
Song added that treating stress-related disorders may help reduce the risk of developing autoimmune diseases.
“There are now several treatments, both medications and cognitive behavioral approaches, with documented effectiveness,” she said.
For example, treating patients suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) with antidepressants such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) may help lower the risk for autoimmune disease, especially when taken in the first year after diagnosis, Song said.
But she cautioned that because this is an observational study, it’s not possible to prove stress causes autoimmune diseases, only that the two are linked.
In the study, Song’s team looked at patients in Sweden diagnosed with stress disorders such as PTSD, acute stress reaction, adjustment disorder and other stress reactions from 1981 to 2013. The researchers compared these individuals with siblings and people in the general population not suffering from a stress disorder.
The effects of severe stress have been associated with a variety of health problems, one PTSD expert said.
“Many studies have linked stress conditions as well as adverse childhood events, such as trauma and neglect, to future medical problems, including immune problems,” said Mayer Bellehsen. He directs the Unified Behavioral Health Center for Military Veterans and Their Families at Northwell Health in Bay Shore, N.Y.
“It is also notable that when people received effective treatment, their risk was lessened,” he added.
Although it isn’t known why stress can increase the chances of developing an autoimmune disease, Bellehsen suggested several possible explanations.
These include the impact of stress on lifestyle—for example, getting less sleep or increased drug or alcohol use. Stress might also directly affect the immune system, he said.
“Regardless of cause, this study adds to the evidence of the link between stress conditions and physical well-being, warranting further attention to the reduction of trauma and other causes of stress conditions, as well as improving treatment of these conditions,” Bellehsen said.
The report was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
It’s the last weekend to get your Halloween on and the West Michigan Tourist Association has a few suggestions on just how to do that.
Round Barn Winery hosts a HalloWine Party on Oct. 27.
For Those ‘Wine-ers: Round Barn Winery in Baroda, which is south of South Haven, will be hosting its HalloWine Party from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 27. The event features all the treats of food and wine along with some rockin’ local bands such as Steve Foresman and the JGJ Band. The HalloWine Party is part of a series that goes for 26 weekends with 68 bands and 108 live performances. Dress in your best Halloween costume and vote for “best costume.” Admission to the event is $5. For more information, visit https://www.drinkmichigan.com/round-up.
The Party Ain’t Over Until the Monster Sings: Coldwater is home to the state’s second oldest opera house, Tibbits Opera House, 14 S. Hanchett St. The Tibbits will host its annual sppoktacular film festival, Monsterfest 3, Saturday, Oct. 27, starting at 5:30 p.m. The event will feature B-movie monster classics such as “Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein,” “Monster on the Campus,” and “The Mole People.” The Monsterfest 3 is part of a 10-part month double feature showcasing Hollywood classics and it’s free. For more information, visit tibbits.org.
The Whodunnit: Here is a twist for Halloween, head over to Kalamazoo’s Henderson Castle and be part of a murder mystery on Wednesday, Oct. 31. The story goes, there is a towering Castle located in the heart of Scotland. Spend the days walking the Scottish Moors and the evenings in the front of our large and spacious fire place as we’ll assail you with days of valor in a time when Knights walked the land protecting the weak and the innocent. Fair warning: everything is not as it seems.
The evening is $142 and includes the dinner game, a three-course dinner with a special Halloween Spirit Drink for each course. Also, the event is Halloween themed so dress in the costume of your choice or best match your given character. For more information, visit hendersoncastle.com.
Saugatuck has a lot of Halloween fun planned for Oct. 27.
The Big Blowout: One area that really knows how to celebrate Halloween is Saugatuck, which hosts two events for all ages on Saturday, Oct. 27. Activities start at 3:30 p.m. with the annual Halloween family and pet parade. Judges will determine the winners and will distribute cash prizes at the end. After the parade, stay for an array of activities that include music, a puppet experience, horse-drawn wagon rides, and more.
Hit the Trail: The Lakeshore Museum’s Michigan Heritage Park turns into the Haunted Trail Friday and Saturday, Oct,. 26 and 27, from 7:30 – 10 p.m. The park partners will the Muskegon Civic Theatre with actors telling legends, myths and tales from the 1600s to 1900s as participants walk through 10,000 years of horror. Due to scary elements, this event is recommended for ages 13 and older. Tickets are $15 per person.
For more ideas, check out the West Michigan Carefree Travel Guide that is available at the WKTV station, 5261 Clyde Park SW, or visit WMTA.org, There is also still plenty of time to follow the 2018 Lake Michigan Lighthouse Map and Circle Tour, also available at the station.
First-grader Guadalupe Guillen’s go-to is snake books.
“He’s obsessed with snakes, so he sticks with my reptiles box,” said teacher Kristin Accorsi, referring to books in her classroom categorized by genre. Sure enough, minutes later the little boy in a dinosaur shirt paged through pictures of emerald tree boas and bright yellow corn snakes.
“There are different colored snakes,” he explained, flipping to a picture of an orange serpent with long fangs.
Mia Madrigal-Rivas finds her perfect spot to read
Accorsi makes sure her Oriole Park Elementary first-graders have their favorite books and new ones to discover.
Her classroom is freshly stocked with more than 500 new titles. She gives them time to “book shop” for choices they can already read, are learning to read and aspire to read. They have ample time in class to read on their own, and can check out books to bring home and read with their parents. In notebooks, they keep track of their reading goals.
Accorsi is using focused strategies for Guadalupe and his 23 classmates to get the most out of every book they read, be it about snakes or anything else.
The district also invested in materials – hundreds of books for every classroom –– to support it. Main components of the curriculum’s reading workshop model include mini-lessons (short bursts of teacher-led instruction followed by student-led participation), independent reading time and sharing time, when classmates partner to work on a strategy. Teachers are implementing the curriculum in all district elementary schools including Oriole Park, Gladiola, West and Parkview.
“The biggest benefit is developing real readers,” Accorsi said. “Also, it’s a highly engaging structure because kids have a significant amount of choice in what they read.” She’s able to work with students at their level during independent reading time, reaching students who are below grade level and allowing those who are ahead to keep progressing.
“Students are becoming much more motivated and engaged to read.”
Creating Consistent Curriculum
The curriculum brings consistency to literacy instruction district-wide through research-backed strategies. Students will know expectations and lingo used in all grades and with every teacher, said Oriole Park Principal Jennifer Slanger. After 28 elementary teachers used the curriculum as a pre-adoption last school year, over the summer, all elementary teachers received four full days of training led by three staff developers from Teacher’s College Columbia University. Oriole Park and Gladiola staff members will continue training throughout the school year.
This school year, several fifth-graders are pre-adopting the curriculum, with plans for full fifth- and sixth-grade implementation next school year.
“There were a lot of different things happening at our four elementary buildings, and if you take a peek at our M-STEP scores and even our district data, we really weren’t growing our students as readers as much as we should be,” said Oriole Park Elementary School Principal Jennifer Slanger. “What the reading workshop framework allows us to do is become consistent at the K-4 elementary.”
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Superintendent Craig Hoekstra said the curriculum and its alignment districtwide allows staff to meet the needs of all students in every classroom. Individualized goal-setting and conferring with teachers one-on-one while learning what students like to read meets them where they are and allows them to grow.
“Any time you can get students’ voice in the process –if there’s interest– there will be greater level of commitment,” he said.
District literacy coach Brenna Fraser has worked to support the implementation. “One of the things we are most excited about is the opportunity for students to get a lot more reading time in the day,” she said. “We are also very excited about the alignment piece and how that will support higher levels of collaboration.”
Pushing Toward Greater Proficiency
According to mischooldata.org, on the 2017-2018 M-STEP, 30 percent of Wyoming students district-wide scored proficient in English Language Arts at the end of third-grade.
Statewide, it’s a pivotal time for young readers. Beginning in the 2019-20 school year, according to third-grade reading legislation (Public Act 306), all third-graders need to be within one year of grade level in reading or face being held back. The law requires extra support for K-3 students who are not at grade level in reading, including individual reading improvement plans, which are customized plans for students reading at below grade level to improve.
Slanger said they are moving in the right direction. “We can say with confidence that this is an approach to teaching literacy that will drastically change or students’ ability to read, which in turn, then will support students on individual reading plans,” Slanger said. “I am anticipating three years down the road to really celebrate the growth of students and have fewer students on IRIPs.”
Part of the work toward growth is ensuring access to lots of books.
“The biggest takeaway I had (from training) was how important it is that we have books in front of students as much as possible,” Slanger said. The district provided each teacher with a “level library set,” books and resources for categorizing by level and genre, and a bookshelf.
At Oriole Park, four teachers piloted the reading workshop model last school year.
“I noticed a drastic change in students’ approach to reading,” Slanger said. They were highly engaged in the mini-lesson, they were participating and starting to take more ownership in their learning, they were excited to book shop. I think that is the coolest thing.”
Check out School News Network for more stories about students, schools, and faculty in West Michigan.
Each year a work of art is selected for the official Tulip Time Festival Artwork Competition. Area artists create and submit their images which are then judged by a local art expert. This year’s submissions were reviewed by Kristin Jass Armstrong, Executive Director of the Saugatuck Center for the Arts. This year, a total of 75 submissions were received from 44 area artists. The artists and artwork listed below were selected as this year’s Top 20:
Cindy Bender: Orange Outburst
Betsy Buurma Morton: Folk Dance
Betsy Buurma Morton: Sun Kissed
Katie Church: Shades of Legacy
Lucy Collins: A Perfect Reflection
Beth De Jong: Balloon Bouquet
Jean Flower: Creation’s Song: Composition
Lorma Freestone and Thea Grigsby: Gellukig 90 Jaar
Michelle Fuller: Dancing Beneath De Zwaan
Karen Johnson: Celebrate
Marsha Marier: Holland Sunrise
Susan Day Martell: Garden Dance
Mary McCarthy: Shoe Cobbler Dance
Sri Soekarmoen McCarthy: Maxima Dances the Skotse Trije
Randall Nyhof: Impressionistic Dutch Tulips
Delaney Ann Prins: Orange is Best in Holland
Ken Rogers: Orange Tulip Dance
Kathleen Sligh: After the Rain
Andrew Snyder: Red and Yellow Dance into Orange
Carolyn Stich: Enduring Delft
The winner of the 2019 Tulip Time Festival Artwork Competition will be selected by representatives from both Tulip Time and the Holland Area Arts Council. The Top 20 artists and their works will be featured at First Bloom, a special unveiling reception held in February where the winner will be announced. The remaining 19 finalists’ original works will be placed on display at the Holland Area Arts Council from May 4 through May 12, inviting the public to participate in the Viewers’ Choice Awards by voting for their favorite image. Cash prizes will be awarded on May 11 to the top three works of art with the most public votes.
The Tulip Time Festival will be held May 4–12, 2019. A Festival Preview offering highlights of the 2019 program will be available in November. Full festival details will be available in the Spring Festival Guide published in March 2019.
When Doug Sheldon took over a popular 18-year-old business, his only goal was to make sure everyone was running out the door. After all, the business he bought was The Haunt, one of West Michigan’s most well-known haunted attractions.
“We tried to make sure we had something for everyone,” said Sheldon. “Whether you’re looking for a detailed-type haunted house with a lot to look at or whether you’re looking to get startled and scared behind every corner.”
So Sheldon moved The Haunt to a new location, a 50,000-square-foot facility located behind the 28th West Place (the former Wyoming Village Mall) at 1256 28th St. SW (across from the Wyoming High School.) Sheldon teamed up with The Haunt’s General Manager and Creative Director Ethan Turon, who has designed haunted attractions on a national level, to create a space that has more than 144 rooms with about 100 actors, 63 anamtronics and a Lougaroo prepared to give anyone a frightening good time.
The Haunt Owner Doug Sheldon
Upon first entering The Haunt, guests will visit the Hemlock Manner in the attraction “Exhumed.” Like something ripped from a “Supernatural” storyline, this story is the Hemlock family’s daughter suddenly goes missing, and there’s nothing normal about her disappearance. There are certainly some skeletons in the closet, along with possessed family members and few freshly dug up guests, in this house where visitors have the opportunity to roam the rooms and halls to discover the manor’s secrets.
In the next attraction, mannequins have overthrown the workers and taken control over one of the midwest’s most renowned mannequin factory, the Immortuos Mannequin Factory. But this is no sweet, singing adventure as the zombie-like mannequins are more interested in there next victim, which could be you if you care to clock in.
“The unique thing about ‘Immortus’ is that it’s a never-ending maze,” said Sheldon. “There’s constant twists and turns with scares behind every corner.”
If you should manage to figure a way out of Immortuos, then the next stop is the Vox Sanitarium.
A peek into the Vox Sanitarium
However, don’t be fooled by the smiling man in the lab coat, he is actually a patient with Vox Sanitarium truly fitting the saying “the patients are running the asylum.” Visitors of the sanitarium will weave in and out of the main hallway of the sanitarium meeting different patients, a feature Sheldon said is unique to The Haunt.
“(Vox Sanitarium) is one of the only attractions in the country that has a hallway through the center of it,” said Sheldon. “This hallway gets very full and very creepy”.
If you are still standing, well how about a quick trip to the bayous of Louisiana? Specifically The Lougaru Bayou, where a secret voodoo cult has been living and with their Lougaroo – which Sheldon said is indescribable but dangerous – the cult is ready to take over the world.
You still have time to check out The Haunt, which will be open through Nov. 3. Sundays and weekday hours are 7 – 10 p.m. (note it is not open on Mondays and Nov. 1.) and Friday and Saturday hours are 7 – 11 p.m. Because of long lines, The Haunt has been opening a half hour earlier. Check the website, https://www.the-haunt.com/ for specific details and ticket information. On Saturday, Oct. 27, there will be a Trunk or Treat from 3 – 5 p.m. and a Kids Haunt from 4 – 6 p.m. Sheldon noted that the last two days of The Haunt’s season, Nov. 2 and 3, all be very special and definitely not for scaredy cats.
“We turn the lights off and give you a glowstick. If you were brave enough and weren’t very scared the first time, I guarantee we will get you,” said Sheldon.
And what happens after Nov. 3? Well, you might start hearing a lot of interesting sounds coming from the building…that is construction sounds as Sheldon said they will start building for next year’s event.
State of Michigan 72nd District House of Representatives
The 72nd District House of Representative seat covers the cities of Kentwood and Wayland, along with a portion of Cutlerville and the community of Dorr. For a district map, click here.
There are three candidates, one a one-term incumbent, seeking the 72th District House of Representatives. They are, in alphabetical order, Republican incumbent Steve Johnson, Libertarian candidate Jamie Lewis and Democratic candidate Ron Draayer.
Steve Johnson – Incumbent (R) MI State Representative 72nd District
Name: Steve Johnson
Party: Republican
Occupation: State Representative, 72nd District
Why did you decide to run for the 72th District House of Representatives seat?
During the last two years I’ve been working on several key issues, one of them being auto insurance rates. I think that is one of the biggest issues facing our state right now, so I want to continue to be a voice for lower auto insurance rates. We came close this time and I want to continue to fight for those lower auto insurance rates.
If elected, what (other that auto insurance) issues do you want to focus on?
I think we need to get rid of some of the special interest deals we have created for certain industries, certain companies. And I think: ‘How can these special interest deals be good for the people of the 72nd District?’ I am looking out for the people of the 72nd District instead.
Ron Draayer – Candidate (D) MI State Representative 72nd District
Name: Ron Draayer
Party: Democrat
Occupation: Retired classroom teacher
Why did you decide to run for the 72th District House of Representatives seat?
I feel that Michigan needs experienced leadership to solve the many problems that we face in this state.
If elected, what issues do you want to focus on?
There are three top issues that are most important to me: education, repairing our infrastructure, and protecting and preserving our great natural resources.
Note: Libertarian candidate Jamie Lewis was invited but did not participate in the We the People candidate profiles.
State of Michigan 77th District House of Representatives
The 77th District House of Representative seat covers the City of Wyoming, Byron Township and a portion of Cutlerville. For a district map, click here.
There are three candidates, one a one-term incumbent, seeking the 77th District House of Representatives. They are, in alphabetical order, Republican incumbent Tommy Brann, Democratic candidate Dana Knight, and Libertarian candidate Patty Malowney.
Tommy Brann – Incumbent (R) MI State Representative 77th District
Name: Tommy Brann
Party: Incumbent, Republican
Occupation: Owner of Brann’s Steakhouse & Grille on Division Avenue
Why did you decide to run for the 77th District House of Representatives seat?
Because I am good at the job. I own a small business and every night, I comeback and work at that business and through that I bring the issues that I learned about and discuss at that business back to Lansing, which is not something many of my colleagues are able to do.
If elected, what issues do you want to focus on?
I have an animal cruelty bill that I have been working on. Also, I want to continue the work on homelessness by getting that $2 additional per bed for the shelters. Michigan is one of the lowest in the country, $16 per bed when the average is $26, in contributing to shelters. This additional money would help with new bedding and operations. We have more than 60,000 homeless people, so it is a big problem. I also want to bring the concept of free enterprise into the schools to give students more career choices.
Note: Democratic candidate Dana Knight and Libertarian candidate Patty Malowney were invited but did not participate in the We the People candidate profiles.
On Saturday, Oct. 27, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Kentwood Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration will give the public its 16th opportunity in 8 years to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs.
WKTV asked Kentwood Police Department Deputy Chief Richard Roberts why the take back effort is so important.
Pills for disposal can be brought to the Kentwood Police Department at 4742 Walma Ave SE Kentwood. The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked. The event cannot accept liquids or needles, only pills or patches.
For more information about the disposal of prescription drugs or about the Oct. 27 Take Back Day event, please contact Vicki Highland at highlandv@kentwood.us or 616-656-6571.
More information about National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is available at takebackday.dea.gov.
State of Michigan 2nd District U.S. House of Representatives
Michigan’s 2nd District of U.S. House of Representatives includes Lake, Oceana, Newaygo, Muskegon and Ottawa counties as well as portions of Allegan, Mason and Kent counties including the cities of Wyoming and Kentwood. For a district map, click here.
Three candidates are running in the Nov. 6 General election. They are, in alphabetical order, Democratic candidate Dr. Rob Davidson, U.S. Taxpayers Party candidate Ronald Graeser and Republican Incumbent Bill Huizenga.
Dr. Rob Davidson (D), candidate, U.S. Congress 2nd District
Name: Dr. Rob Davidson
Party: Candidate, Democrat
Occupation: Emergency room physician
Why did you decide to run for the 2nd District U.S. House of Representatives seat?
I decided to run because I realized that congress needs more representatives who are not influenced by special interest money and are instead focused on serving their constituents. After attending town halls with Congressman Bill Huizenga … I came to the realization that his votes on critical issues such as healthcare and the economy often aligned with the interests of big businesses and wealthy special interests instead of the interests of the people in his district.
If elected, what issues do you want to focus on?
Healthcare. I would immediately join current members in supporting legislation HR676: Expanded and Improved Medicare For All. Too many Americans cannot afford health insurance, and too many who do have health insurance struggle with high deductibles and copays.
Rep. Bill Huizenga (R), incumbent, U.S. Congress 2nd District
Name: Rep. Bill Huizenga
Party: Incumbent, Republican
Occupation: U.S. Congressman
Why did you decide to run for the 2nd District U.S. House of Representatives seat?
I want to create a better future for all of West Michigan. As Congressman, I have led bipartisan efforts to preserve and protect the Great Lakes while also working to provide real solutions that remove government barriers, lower taxes for middle class families, and increase opportunity for hardworking individuals across West Michigan.
If elected, what issues do you want to focus on?
I was elected to Congress based on three key principles: create jobs, stop spending, and protect life. These principles still define my role in Congress.
Note: Contact information was not available for U.S. Taxpayers Party candidate Ronald Graeser to invite him to participate in the We the People candidate profiles.
For the Wyoming City Council, there is only one seat contested out of the four seats on the Nov. 6 ballot.
Mayor Jack Poll is seeking his third term as the city’s mayor. He is running unopposed for the seat. Also running unopposed are Sam Bolt and Kent Vanderwood, both who are seeking re-election as council members at large.
For the city’s 1st Ward Councilor seat, incumbent Sheldon DeKryger will face candidate Pete Rickertson. DeKryger was appointed in March to fill the 1st Ward seat when longtime council member Bill VerHulst announced he would not be seeking re-election and stepped down from the council due to health concerns.
The city’s 1st Ward Wyoming’s encompasses Precincts 1 – 9. That area covers most of the eastern edge of the city which is Clyde Park Avenue to Eastern Avenue north of 36th Street and from Burlingame Avenue to Eastern Avenue south of 36th Street.
Sheldon DeKryger – Incumbent
Occupation: Residential home builder
Why did you decide to run for the Wyoming City Council Ward 1 seat?
My wife and I believe in servant leadership, that is why our family has spent the last 20 years serving others in our community, school, and church. I believe the next step in serving my community is being the people’s voice on the Wyoming City Council. That is why when Bill Verhulst retired I applied for the position and was appointed last March. I would like to continue the great work the City is doing now.
If elected, what issues do you want to focus on and why?
Public Safety- I believe the Police and Fire departments need the tools and equipment necessary to do their jobs. The city needs to maintain the current funding levels to keep our community safe and protected.
Pro Business- I want to work on getting good manufacturing businesses in the Site 36 property. It would bring in hundreds of well paying jobs and be great for our city.
Financial Sustainability – I believe the city needs to live within its means. We also need to keep taxes low and bring funds back to our city from Lansing.
Pete Ricketson – Candidate
Occupation: Bus Driver
Why did decide to seek election to the Wyoming City Council Ward 1 seat?
Well for one thing, I saw how the city council influenced things with The Rapids. I see how things could be for public transportation and how as I looked into the city, I was appalled to see thousands of dollars being wasted. The majority are putting there own interested above the people who elected them. For that reason, I believe there is a huge disconnect between the actions of the city council and the will of the people.
If elected, what issues do you want to focus on and why?
I think we need to overhaul how we use our resources as a city, stopping unnecessary spending. I would like to see us bring back things for our community such as the Fourth of July parade or perhaps, create a Taste of Wyoming at Lamar Park.
All five public school districts in the Wyoming and Kentwood areas have school board elections on Nov. 6. Of those districts, only two have contested races, Godwin Heights and Wyoming. School board elections will be towards the end of the ballot.
Godfrey-Lee Public Schools
There are two candidates seeking six-year terms, which are incumbents Eric Mockerman and Jacklyn Hernandez. Josephine Coleman was appointed by the board in May to fill a seat vacated by Rebecca Kibbe until the election. Coleman is seeking to fill the remainder of that seat’s term, which ends in 2022. All of these candidates are running unopposed.
Godwin Heights Public Schools
There are four candidates seeking to fill three seats on the Godwin Heights Public Schools Board of Education. These seats are all six-year terms. Two of the candidates are incumbents, David Drake, who was elected in 2013, and Richard Hamilton, Jr., who was elected in 2017. There are two challengers, Joseph Januska and David Rodriguez. All candidates were contacted and invited to participate in sharing their message to the voters.
Joseph Januszka – Candidate
Occupation: Retired
Why did you decide to seek election to the Godwin Heights Public Schools Board of Education?
My interest in the schools and what I have been seeing has been growing the past 11 years. I owned and ran a small business which I believe gave me great insight into financial aspects of doing this. I believe this strong financial background will help me analyze and make decisions on the budgeting and spending that the school board oversees in the district.
If elected, what issues do you want to focus on and why?
I am a father and grandfather to five beautiful grandchildren. The youth of today is the future of our country. Education can not be wasted. Students today – leaders tomorrow. Our children need to learn the true history of our country, both the good and the bad, while also learning to respect it as well as everyone they encounter throughout their lives. They need to learn to live by rules and laws everyone of us are required to. I believe all this will help our students to learn and live side by side with their peers.
Kelloggsville Public Schools
For Kelloggsville Public Schools, incumbents Jane Ward and Donald Scott are seeking re-election to the board. The two spots each are for six-years. The candidates are running unopposed.
The district is also seeking a $19.2 million bond issue. The bond would be a continuation of the current bond. The current millage rate is 7.32. The issue will appear at the bottom of the ballot and is part of a long-term plan to update and modernize the district’s elementary schools, according to school officials. The bond cannot exceed 30 years.
Kentwood Public Schools
There are three seats, all four-year terms, up for the Kentwood Public Schools Board of Education. Three incumbents, all running unopposed, are seeking re-election to those seats: Pete Battey, Sylvia A. James, and James Lewis Jr.
Wyoming Public Schools
For the Wyoming Public Schools, there are two six-year board seats with three candidates running, non of whom are incumbents. The candidates are Adriana Almanza, Brian D. Jirous, and Jennifer Lewis. All candidates were contacted and invited to participate in sharing their message to the voters.
Brian Jirous – Candidate
Occupation: AT&T Mobility Technician
Why did you decide to seek election to the Wyoming Public Schools Board of Education?
I decided to run for the school board to be able to help involve the community as a whole. I would like to be a voice for the community on the school board by bringing their issues to the board so they can be addressed. I would like to see more people attend the school board meetings and I think by having an open line of communication we can involve more people.
If elected, what issues do you want to focus on and why?
The main issue I will focus on is community involvement. I believe community involvement is the one thing that can help this district grow to be even better then it is now. The more people we can communicate with whether it is simply answering questions timely or getting them volunteer opportunities to connect with other families it will build a stronger district. I have started working on thie already by developing the Wyoming Public Schools Community facebook page but I would also like to set up round table discussions to help resolve other issues that may come up as well.
Jennifer Lewis – Candidate
Occupation: AT&T Mobility Technician
Why did you decide to seek election to the Wyoming Public Schools Board of Education?
I’ve wanted to run for many years. The timing is just right. I have the time to focus on our Wyoming kids.
If elected, what issues do you want to focus on and why?
Many residents may remember me from when I was campaigning for the dedicated millage for our schools. The community invested in our schools and children by passing that millage. That dedicated millage plan is a good plan and I want to make sure that the plan is well executed. I also want our kids to be successful and I want to be a part of helping them to achieve that.
The Kent County Board of Commissioners has 19 districts of which six represent portions of the cities of Kentwood and Wyoming. Of those six districts, two have unopposed candidates. Here are those seeking to represent Wyoming and Kentwood residents at the county level.
7th District Kent County Commissioner
In the 7th District Kent County Commissioner race Republican incumbent Stan Ponstein, of Grandville, will be facing off against Democrat challenger Mike Johnson, of Wyoming. The 7th District covers most of the City of Grandville and the northern portion of the City of Wyoming, most of which is in the Godfrey-Lee Public Schools district. For specific borders, visit accesskent.com.
Mike Johnson – Candidate (D)
Occupation: Pharmacist tech in-patient at Mercy Health Hospital
Why did you decide to seek election to the 7th District Kent County Commission Seat?
I decided to run because of President Donald Trump’s attacks on the Hispanic community, how local hispanics are treated, and because of my experiences in Arizona with ADOT in that every citizen was required to have a state ID so law enforcement could verify identity, but it was mostly being used against minorities. I also noticed there was no LGBTQ representatives sitting on any of your local boards.
If elected what issues would you want to take a look at?
I would like to center focus on schools in financial need. Godfrey Lee being one of them. I would like to bring back a second Kent County Health Department because our population needs it or expand on our current health department. Obviously putting pressure on to end the contract with ICE and work with local law enforcement to develop ongoing cultural sensitivity trainings. Also, if it should pass, to fairly regulate district facilities in regards to marijuana distribution.
Stan Ponstein – Incumbent (R)
Occupation: Works for Costco Wholesale
Why did you decide to run for re-election to the 7th District Kent County Commission Seat?
Since being re-elected last year, I was elected to the Michigan Association of Counties and the National Association of Counties. I believe it is so important for Kent County to have a voice on the state level since so much of our money is funded through the federal and the state.
What are the issues you see for the county in the next couple of years?
It is the things that occur everyday. Money is always a concern and there is never enough but it is how we use it and the priorities we set. Since I was elected the opioid epidemic has exploded and in the last year, the PFAS issue exploded. West Nile has also reappeared. To clean up the PFAS will probably take a lot of resources and the one thing we have discovered is we are not alone in that there are counties across the country dealing with the PFAS issue. So it is the day-to-day issues that you have to be prepared to deal with. The sheriff department and the health department make up most of our budget. So having placed the right people in the right place with the right support is something we need to focus on.
8th District Kent County Commissioner
The 8th District Kent County Commission covers the eastern portion of the City of Wyoming, including the pan handle. For specific boarders, visit accesskent.com.
Harold Voorhees – Incumbent (R)
Harold Voorhees is the incumbent for the 8th District and he is running unopposed for the Nov. 6 election.
9th District Kent County Commissioner
In the 9th District Kent County Commissioner, Republican incumbent Matt Kallman is being challenged by Democrat candidate Bob Smith. Both are from Byron Center. The 9th District is all of Byron Center and a southern portion of the City of Wyoming east of Burlingame Avenue and west of Clyde Park Avenue to 36th Street and a portion that goes from north of 40th Street to Division Avenue. For specific boarders, visit accesskent.com.
Bob Smith – Candidate (D)
Occupation: Factory Worker
Why did you decide to seek election to the 9th District Kent County Commissioner seat?
I was getting more involved with local politics, through the UAW CAP (Citizenship and Legislative Committee, most often referred to as the Community Action Program, or CAP), and started to take part in the Kent County Democratic Party meetings. … People started suggesting to me that I should run for something. … I starting thinking what would I do with that office should I get it.
If elected, what issue(s) would you immediately want to focus on and why?
I would want to get First Steps (Kent) expanded.(The program deals with early childhood services.) I think that is a great program. We also need to expand veterans services. Kent County is a pretty big county with a lot of rural area that our busing system does not reach out to. So we have one place where all the veterans services are centered, downtown, which isn’t very helpful. … I would definitely want to invest more in that.
Matt Kallman – Incumbent (R)
Occupation: Software
Why did decide to run of re-election for the 9th District Kent County Commissioner seat?
I love representing the people of my part of Wyoming and Byron Center on the Board. Kent County is a well run organization and I enjoy being able to learn and work with my colleagues to make sure it stays that way. I also think having someone with a technical background on the Board is important as we make numerous significant IT investments to better serve the people of Kent County.
If elected, what issues do you want to focus on and why?
I want to continue to ensure that Kent County makes good budget decisions. We are in good financial shape due to a long history of wise management of our resources. Generally, I want to bring my perspective from a younger, more tech-savvy generation to the Board to make sure we are considering long term decisions with a good mix of perspectives.
10th District Kent County Commissioner
The 10th District Kent County Commissioner seat covers Gaines Township and the southern half of Caledonia Township. For specific boarders, visit accesskent.com.
Emily P. Brieve – Incumbent
Emily P. Brieve, of Caledonia, is the incumbent for the 10th District and she is running unopposed in the Nov. 6 election.
12th District Kent County Commissioner
With the announcement that incumbent Harold Mast would not be seeking another term, the 12th District Kent County Commissioner race features three new faces, Republican Jill Martinez, Democrat Monica Sparks, and Green Party Charlotte Aikens. The District 12 Kent County Commissioner seat covers the western portion of the City of Kentwood and the eastern portion of the city of Wyoming. For specific boarders, visit accesskent.com.
Charlotte Aikens – Candidate (G)
Occupation: Register Nurse for nine years, in the health care field for 12 years.
Why did you decide to seek election to the 12th District Kent County Commission seat?
I got interested more than a year ago and the issues that got me to enter were deciding where the money goes and health care.
If elected what issues would you want to take a look at?
The ICE contact is a big deal. I know a lot of immigrant families, so I know the process and how hard it is to try and bring family members into the country. It can take years. Most families don’t understand the process to get their families. They live in fear. they just want to be a family, to live, to work, and to pay their taxes like the rest of us. I am not certain what the solutions are but I want to be part of the solution.
Jill Martinez
Occupation: Healthcare Management
Why did you decided to seek election to the 12th District Kent County Commissioner seat?
This community has so much to offer, community and sporting events, local businesses and great people, and it continues to flourish. I love my community and want to play my part in seeing that we continue to thrive. Growing up, my family emphasized a strong work ethic and service to others and those lessons have stayed with me.
If elected, what issues do you want to focus on and why?
As I meet with residents, it is clear that they want a county that protects its seniors and veterans, safeguards essential services, keeps our community safe and supports all taxpayers.Our seniors and veterans have given a lot to our community and we need to give back to them. By safeguarding essential services, we can secure the care and central resources they need to survive. A successful county is a safe county. I will support officers and give them the funding they need to protect you and your families. I will also support new measures that will contribute to our safe community.
Monica Sparks
Occupation: Small Business Owner and Real Estate Broker
Why did you decide to seek election to the 12the District Kent County Commissioner seat?
I am running to be an advocate to help protect the services of families, individuals, children and those with special needs, and especially our seniors and veterans living in Kent County.
If elected, what issues do you want to focus on and why?
There are many isssues that affect citizens in Kent County. I will start with Mental Health Services, if we do not have strong healthy minds we cannot have strong healthy communities! Also our Veteran’s Services and Senior Services are a priority. Kent County Seniors or Veterans should never be abandoned. Everyone deserves to have an address, so fair affordable housing is an important issue to tackle. Quality of life in Kent County is important to me.
13th District Kent County Commissioner
For the 13th District Kent County Commissioner, Republican candidate Jessica Ann Tyson is challenging Democrat incumbent Betsy Melton. Both are from Kentwood. The Kent County Commission District 13 covers the eastern portion of the City of Kentwood. For specific boarders, visit.accesskent.com.
Betsy Melton – Incumbent (D)
Occupation: Retired registered nurse
Why did you decide to seek re-election to the 13th District Kent Count Commissioner seat?
During my first two years, I have learned a lot about what is to be on the Board of Commissioners and there was a lot more to it then I knew. I decided to run again because I wanted to provide my community with the experience I have gained during those two years. Also there are some items that I would have been working on that I would like to see through. That and I am very, very passionate about my City of Kentwood and feel very honored to be be able to represent the city at the county level.
If re-elected, what issues do you want to focus on and why?
Certainly one of them is the PFAS problem in Kent County. Also the opioid crisis is something that we have been addressing and will need to continue to address. Farmland preservation is another area that we certainly have been talking about. Lastly, if I have two more years, I would like to somehow affect a positive wave in how we look at issues that is much more unified and much less partisan.
Jessica Ann Tyson – Candidate (R)
Occupation: Business Owner
Why did you decide to run for the 13th District Kent County Commission seat?
Because I believe a good representative of the community has to be immersed and very engaged in the community. I believe in giving back to the community that has given me so much.
If elected, what issues do you want to focus on and why?
I feel we need to work on our roads and I will work with county and state officials to invest in our infrastructure. Also I want to focus on the health care crisis. We need to find ways to help with such issues as mental health and the opioid crisis.
All candidates were contacted and invited to participate in sharing their message to the voters.
The 26th District of the State Senate includes the City of Kentwood along with all of Allegan and Van Buren counties. For a district map, click here.
Three candidates are running in the Nov. 6 General election to replace term-limited Republican Sen. Tonya Schuitmaker. They are, in alphabetical order, Libertarian candidate Erwin Haas, Democratic candidate Garnet Lewis and Republican candidate Aric Nesbitt.
Erwin Haas — Candidate (L) MI State Senate 26th District
Name: Erwin Haas
Party: Candidate, Libertarian
Occupation: Retired medical doctor and former Kentwood City Commissioner
Why did you decide to run for the 26th District State Senate seat?
I see a lot of disfunction, a lot of programs that are outdated, badly thought-through, badly administered, and operate contrary to the public interest.
If elected, what issues do you want to focus on?
Education, the roads, healthcare. The war on drugs, specifically. I think that the (recreational) marijuana thing is going to go through and the Republicans are going to try to block it, no matter what. They hate people doing what they want to do.
Garnet Lewis — Candidate (D) MI State Senate 26th District
Name: Garnet Lewis
Party: Candidate, Democrat
Occupation: Retired university administrator and real estate business administrator
Why did you decide to run for the 26th District State Senate seat?
We need a representative for the district who is going to represent everyone, and will actually listen to what all the constituents say.
If elected, what issues do you want to focus on?
My number one issue is education, school funding, then environmental protection, there are all the clean water issues alone. Then healthcare. Medicare, Medicaid expansion and, if possible, expansion so that everyone can can have access … we really need to do a better job of that.
Aric Nesbitt — Candidate (R) MI State Senate 26th District
Name: Aric Nesbitt
Party: Candidate, Republican
Occupation: Public Service. (Former cabinet member for Gov. Rick Snyder; former State Representative)
Why did you decide to run for the 26th District State Senate seat?
I want to fight to lower the cost of auto insurance, continue to pay down our longterm debt in the state, and rededicate ourselves to making sure we fix our roads and bridges. our infrastructure.
If elected, what issues do you want to focus on?
In the long term, I want to continue to pay down our debt. And what I hear most, when I knock on doors, is the cost of auto insurance and the condition of our roads.
State of Michigan 28th District State Senate
The 28th District of the State Senate includes the City of Wyoming as well as the cities of Walker, Rockford and Cedar Springs. For a district map, click here.
In the 28th District State Senate race, three candidates are running in the Nov. 6 General election. They are, in alphabetical order, Democratic candidate Craig Beach, Libertarian candidate Nathan Hewer, and Republican incumbent Peter MacGregor.
Craig Beach — Candidate (D) MI State Senate 28th District
Name: Craig Beech
Party: Candidate, Democrat
Occupation: Retired public-school teacher
Why did you decide to run for the 28th District State Senate seat?
As a public-school teacher, I have been frustrated with government in the treatment of public education, especially the lack of perspective. I want to bring an insight into education, which is what is needed. I believe education is the foundation that provides to our middle class. … America is a great country and the adults should be able to deal with this issue.
If elected, what issues do you want to focus on?
I have four platforms: quality of public education, people before profits, protection of our national resources, and Michigan was recently rated by a non-partisan group as the last for government accountability and transparency and I want to change that.
Peter MacGregor — Candidate (R) MI State Senate 28th District
Name: Peter MacGregor
Party: Incumbent, Republican
Occupation: Michigan State Senator, previous small business owner
Why did you decide to run for the 26th District State Senate seat?
Running for reelection because we have moved the state from one of the worst states in the country (to do business) to one of the top 10, and I think there are still a few more things we can do to be the No. 1 state in the country.
If elected, what issues do you want to focus on?
I still think we need to focus on our skilled trade training, on that education part. It is something that I talk to a lot of business owners who are struggling to fill the positions. To make it from No. 9 or 10 to No. 1, we have got to fill that employee gap.
Note: Libertarian candidate Nathan Hewery was invited but did not participate in the We the People candidate profiles.
Students at the Early Childhood Center are looking up to four new faces this school year, thanks to a new partnership between Godfrey-Lee Public Schools and Michigan State University’s College of Education.
It’s the first time the district has had Spartans interning (commonly called “student teaching”) at one of its schools, and it has been a great fit for the school and the interns, said Pete Geerling, center principal. MSU places its education program graduates in schools for an entire year, as opposed to the traditional single-semester internships of most teaching colleges.
A second-grader shows Katelyn Kouchoukos, an MSU graduate and teaching intern, her dance moves
“I think that far too often, people go through student teaching and it may not answer all of the questions they have,” said Geerling. “This — being here from the beginning (of the school year) all the way to the end — is huge.”
The college of education has about 100 interns, and about a quarter of those are in West Michigan, said Rochelle Hosler, field instructor for the interns at Godfrey-Lee. Other West Michigan districts with MSU interns include Grand Rapids and Kentwood Public Schools districts.
“We’ve learned a ton — especially in terms of implementing routines early on in the school year. It’s fun to see how fast (the students) pick them up,” said Ryan Culey, intern in Rebecca Swem’s kindergarten classroom. “There’s a lot of classroom management stuff that you don’t learn in the university courses.”
Ryan Culey empties the contents of a new student’s bag
Victory for MSU, and Godfrey-Lee
Superintendent Kevin Polston, a proud MSU alum, said the partnership has been a veritable “win-win.” Polston’s link to the MSU College of Education goes back about a decade, to his days at Grand Haven Area Public Schools. There, he worked with MSU’s education program to offer mock interviews to interns, as a way to give back to the profession, he said, and also to meet some up-and-coming teachers. After coming to Godfrey-Lee last year, Polston harnessed that connection to help bring MSU interns to the district.
Polston said his district is a great fit for MSU, which aims to prepare future teachers for an urban environment. The program even offers an urban educators cohort, which focuses on challenges unique to urban schools. He added that the research is pretty clear: most new teachers come from a fairly narrow demographic that has more women and is overwhelmingly white. Recruiting a diverse talent pool is important, he said, and so is equipping the current talent pool to work with students of different racial and economic backgrounds than what they’re familiar with.
Hosler said that certain factors, such as a high percentage of students in the free and reduced lunch program, made Godfrey-Lee a great fit for the interns.
Intern Hayley Browning works on an assessment for her internship at the Early Childhood Center
Moreover, she thought the school was outstanding.
“When we toured the school in the spring I was really impressed with the building, the teachers and the things that they’re doing here,” she said.
Intern Hayley Browning, who was in the urban educator cohort, said, “I actually hadn’t heard of Godfrey-Lee, and was intrigued by the fact that it’s the smallest district geographically in the state at one-square-mile. It’s pretty cool. I’m glad to be here.”
‘A Year-long Job Interview’
Polston said that at a time when demand for teachers is high, connections with teaching colleges are important ones to have. Hosler concurred, as she’s seen the number of students going into education decline during her time at MSU.
Teaching intern Katelyn Kouchoukos joins a second-grader as she gets her wiggles out during a “brain break”
“When I was done (with college), finding a job was really hard,” said Hosler, who completed her education internship 20 years ago. Now, she said, “our interns get hired very quickly. What we tell our interns is, ‘This really is a year-long job interview.’ If they want to stay here, it’s not hard to find a job in West Michigan right now.
Katelyn Kouchoukos moved to Grand Rapids from her home in the suburbs of Chicago for her internship at Godfrey-Lee’s ECC. Both she and Browning are unsure of their next step after completing the internship. They’ll attend job fairs, apply for jobs and see where they can go.
“I could see myself in Michigan, but I might go home,” said Kouchoukos.
Culey, however, was ready for a change of pace: “I will not stay here. I love Michigan… but for a little bit, I want to get away.”
Whatever path they take, they say they’re gaining valuable experience for whatever they may face as teachers. And, said Polston, the ECC reaps the benefit of another caring adult in classrooms.
Check out School News Network for more stories about students, schools, and faculty in West Michigan.
MSU graduate and teaching intern Olivia Fox meets with field instructor Rochelle Hosler for a debriefing after a classroom observation
As part of her efforts to promote race, gender and economic justice in Michigan and across the nation, activist/actress Jane Fonda will talk about her life as an activist in a free-to-the-public event at Grand Rapids’ Fountain Street Church on Friday, Oct. 26.
The event — billed as “An Evening with Jane Fonda to Support One Fair Wage” and hosted by Michigan One Fair Wage Protect and Defend Campaign — is scheduled from 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Fonda has long been a visible political activist, beginning during the Vietnam War and later in advocacy for women’s issues, workers rights, and other social issues.
Jane Fonda (Supplied)
“Fonda will share information on her life as an activist, the recent work that she has been doing in Michigan and across the country to promote race, gender and economic justice for low-income workers, and the importance of building multi-racial alliances to create a more just society for all,” as stated in an event flyer supplied to WKTV by Michigan One Fair Wage.
Fountain Street is located at 24 Fountain Street NE, Grand Rapids. While the event is free and open to the public, they ask for an RSVP at bit.ly/fscofw .
One of the Michigan issues Fonda has previously advocated for is the Michigan Minimum Wage Increase Initiative, which gained enough signatures to be on the Nov. 6 ballot and was adopted by the legislature in September — a move which would allow lawmakers to make changes to it with a simple majority instead of a higher threshold should the voters have approved it in November.
The legislature’s action was seen by some as giving lawmakers the ability to weaken the law’s requirements during a lame-duck session later this year, or in 2019.
One of the groups which advocated for the Michigan Minimum Wage Increase, and now advocates for it not being altered by the Michigan lawmakers, is the Michigan Unitarian Universalist Social Justice Network (MUUSJN).
“My statewide faith group … supports raising the minimum wage to $12/hour for all Michigan workers,” Randy Block, director of the MUUSJN, said in an email to WKTV. “It’s a moral issue: all workers deserve to earn enough to take care of their families.”
The MUUSJN is a statewide faith network that advocates for social justice policies, including raising the minimum wage and supporting a policy of earned paid sick time for all workers. It is part of an Economic Justice Alliance of Michigan (EJAM) coalition that supports both of these policy goals. According to supplied information, the network includes thousands of justice activists from 26 Unitarian Universalist congregations, including one in Grand Rapids.
For more information on the event call 517-588-9646. For more information on Michigan One Fair Wage visit MIOneFairWage.org .
For more information on Fountain Street Church, visit fountainstreet.org or visit the church’s Facebook page.
A new third-through-fifth-grade elementary building is on the horizon for Kelloggsville students if voters approve a $19.2 million bond request this fall.
The best news? “It would not increase the taxes of any of our community members,” said Jeff Owen, director of education supports for the district. “It would simply be a continuation of an existing levy, so no new taxes and we’d get a brand new building for our students.” The current millage rate is 7.32.
The issue will appear at the bottom of the ballot on Tuesday, Nov. 6, and is part of a long-term plan to update and modernize the district’s elementary schools, Owen said. The bond cannot exceed 30 years.
Taxpayers approved a 2015 bond that allowed for major renovations at the high school. The middle school is 20 years old, and the three elementary schools are about 60 years old, said Owen. East and West elementaries house students in kindergarten to third grade, and Southeast Elementary is home to the district’s fourth- and fifth-graders.
District enrollment is at an all-time high, said Owen, with around 2400 students in its schools.
The Specifics
Here is a look at what residents can expect to see if voters approve the bond request, authorized by the school board in June:
Spring 2020: Construction would begin on the new third, fourth and fifth grade building. Building highlights include two stories, a wing for each grade, a stand-alone cafeteria, separate art and music rooms, and a new playground and soccer field. The proposed location is 4650 S. Division SE, between East Elementary and the middle school.
Spring 2021: East Elementary would be demolished and replaced with expanded parking and athletic practice fields.
Fall 2021: The new building would open and Southeast Kelloggsville Elementary would reopen as a K-2 building, absorbing students from the former East Elementary. West Elementary would also be a K-2 school.
Other highlights of the proposal include new playgrounds at Southeast and West elementaries and safety and security upgrades.
One facet that played into the new grade configuration under the proposal is the new third grade reading law.
“We have K-3 buildings. Well, if we’re at a 3-4-5 building, if a student is not reading at grade level, they can still move on to fourth grade but still receive instruction at a third-grade reading level,” Owen said.
The district is conducting an informational campaign to let the community know what’s included in the proposal. So far, information has been shared at community events, via a print brochure, and the district’s website and on its Facebook page.
Check out School News Network for more stories about students, schools, and faculty in West Michigan.
Architectural rendering of the first floor of a proposed new elementary building for Kelloggsville schools
On the latest episode of WKTV Journal: In Focus, we present an interview Dr. Abdullah Alrebh an assistant professor of Sociology of Religion and Sociological Theory at Grand Valley State University. He has published a number of academic articles and book chapters focusing on religion, the Middle East, social movements, and education.
Described by one expert as being a country Americans “know so much, yet so little” about, Saudi Arabia in much in the news recently, so we wanted to talk with someone who knows the country and the Arabian Peninsula region intimately.
With Dr. Alrebh, we discuss the history of the Saudi government, its relationship with the West, especially its military and economic ties with the United States, and what the current controversy triggered by the murder of a prominent Saudi critic could mean in the future.
Dr. Alrebh will also be speaking as part of a World Affairs Council of West Michigan discussion series titled “Shifting Sands in the Arabian Peninsula” at Grand Valley State University’s Seidman College of Business in Grand Rapids.
He will speak, Tuesday, Nov.13, focused on Saudi Arabia, with the final talk on Tuesday, Nov. 20, focused on Yemen, with Dr. Gamal Gasim, also of Grand Valley State University. For more information visit worldmichigan.org .
“WKTV Journal: In Focus” airs on cable television in the Wyoming and Kentwood areas on Comcast WKTV Channel 26 and on AT&T Channel 99 Government channel (see our Weekly On-air Schedule for dates and times). But all interviews included in episodes of WKTV Journal: In Focus are also available on YouTube at WKTVvideos.
