Category Archives: 3-bottom

Adoptable pets of the week: Sunny, Abby and Lucy

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Non-Profits, Pets/Animals, ,
Sweet Sunny

By Brittany Cekola, Humane Society of West Michigan

 

Each week, WKTV features an adoptable furry friend (or few) from various shelters in the Grand Rapids area. This week, we focus on Humane Society of West Michigan, located at 3077 Wilson Dr. NW in Grand Rapids.

 

Humane Society of West Michigan’s mission is to rescue hurt, abused and abandoned animals and find them new, forever homes. The 501(c)3 non-profit organization helps over 8,000 animals annually and is 100% donor-funded by caring individuals and businesses in the community. Additional programs help reduce pet overpopulation, provide assistance to low-income pet owners, behaviorally assess animals and reunite lost pets with their owners.

 

Sunny — Female Domestic Medium Hair

I am a 6-year-old cat looking for my forever home! I am shy and will need time to adjust to a new home. I need an environment where I can approach people on my own terms, and have a space to hide when I need to be alone. Once I get to know someone, I come out of my shell. I also do well with other cats. Please come meet me at Humane Society of West Michigan!

 

More about Sunny:

  • Animal ID: 37170090
  • Breed: Domestic Medium Hair/Mix
  • Age: 6 years
  • Gender: Female
  • Size: Small
  • Color: Orange
  • Spayed
  • Not declawed
Adorable Abby

Abby — Female American Staffordshire Terrier Mix

I am a sweet and gentle 8-year-old dog looking for my forever home! I love soft beds, squeaky toys, belly rubs, and car rides. I have a calm and affectionate personality and so much love to give. My adoption fee is waived as part of HSWM’s Silver Paws Society program. If I sound like a good fit for you, please come meet me at Humane Society of West Michigan!

 

More about Abby:

  • Animal ID: 37530720
  • Breed: Terrier/Mix
  • Age: 8 years
  • Gender: Female
  • Size: Medium
  • Color: Brown/White
  • Spayed

Lucy — Female Domestic Short Hair

I am a 7-year-old cat looking for my forever home! I would do best in a relaxed home that would give me time to slowly adjust to my new surroundings. I am affectionate, but on my own terms. I am currently an office foster at Humane Society of West Michigan and enjoy lounging on desks, having my ears scratched, and climbing up to high place to oversee the office! Please come meet me at Humane Society of West Michigan!

 

Heeere’s Lucy!

More about Lucy:

  • Animal ID: 36496973
  • Breed: Domestic Shorthair/Mix
  • Age: 7 years
  • Gender: Female
  • Size: Medium
  • Color: Black/White
  • Spayed
  • Not declawed

Humane Society of West Michigan is open Tuesday-Friday 12pm-7pm and Saturday-Sunday 11am-4pm.

 

The Humane Society of West Michigan automatically microchips all adoptable animals using 24PetWatch microchips, which include FREE registration into the 24PetWatch pet recovery service. For more information visit www.24petwatch.com or call 1-866-597-2424. This pet is also provided with 30 days of FREE ShelterCare Pet Health Insurance with a valid email address. For more information visit www.sheltercare.com or call 1-866-375-7387 (PETS).

Humane Society of West Michigan is open Tues-Fri 12-7, Sat & Sun 11-4.

First public meeting on Gezon Park master plan this Thursday

3-bottom, City of Wyoming, , ,
Gezon Park is one of four parks in line for improvements and renovations.

There are new possibilities on the horizon for Wyoming’s Gezon Park. The City of Wyoming’s Community Services Division is looking for ideas on the future design of the park at its first public meeting.

 

On Thursday, Jan. 18, the city plans to unveil the results of its initial electronic survey seeking input on recreation facility needs – more than 1,200 responses were received. The city is seeking further input at its first in-person meeting. The meeting will take place at 6:30 p.m. at the Wyoming Library, 3350 Michael Ave SW.

 

“With the growth in the City’s southern region, from developments at Metro Health Village to expanded residential housing along Wilson Avenue, we need the facilities of Gezon Park to align, not only the community needs of today, but well into the future,” said Rebecca Rynbrandt, Director of Community Services. “We received great feedback through our electronic survey and continue to look to the public to guide the conversation at our first public meeting.”

 

A second public meeting will take place Thursday, Feb. 8. Gezon Park currently has entrances at 1940 52nd St. SW to the north and 5651 Gezon Ct. SW to the south, spans 94 acres and currently features multiple athletic fields and small playground. The vast majority of the park remains undeveloped.

School News Network: Getting Real with Straight Talk

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By Erin Albanese

School News Network

 

To truly address diversity and culture, sometimes you have to get down to the nitty-gritty. That was shown by East Kentwood students who recently discussed issues including gender roles, bridging a disconnect between general education and English-language learner students, and building mutual respect among students and teachers.

 

Sophomore Jamirea Lacy shares thoughts on connecting with ELL students

As part of a recent Student Council-designed Culture Week, students gathered on two days for Straight Talk during lunch periods.

 

“It’s about celebrating the vast array of cultures that we have in school because we are the No. 1 diverse school in the state of Michigan,” said senior Edgar Gatsinski, head of the council’s Diversity Committee. “We have a lot of different cultures and (57) countries represented at the school and we, as student council, wanted to celebrate that.”

 

Among activities that included games to identify countries and flags, and wearing traditional clothes from students’ native lands, Straight Talk was Culture Week’s way of exploring diversity deeper than through symbols and dress.

 

“I’ve been asking that key question: How can we acknowledge diversity more at East Kentwood?” Edgar said. “We talk about it, but aren’t really doing it.”

 

Junior Medina Vila waits to share her opinion

He noted the need for better connection among different student groups. “It’s important to me, given the current cultural climate in the world. I feel like this is so necessary. We need to come together in order for progress to be made. By doing this, that is the main goal.”

 

Overcoming Barriers Starts with Conversation

 

Students explored the need to better embrace and involve newcomers and to break down stereotypes. They also talked about student-teacher relationships, gender roles and of the risks of trying to fit in at the expense of not being authentic.

 

“I feel like once some of us step out of our comfort zone, like maybe we see an ELL student in class and we go and talk to them, then maybe other people will approach them,” said sophomore Jamirea Lacy.

 

Senior Edgar Gatsinski facilitates Straight Talk

“We have to overcome those language barriers that we have,” Edgar said. “There are other ways to connect with them, like sharing common interests.”

 

Students also talked about what makes it hard to reach out to others: awkwardness, fear of rejection and fear of what other people think. It’s difficult to step out of one’s circle of friends, they said, but there are ways to do it. “If you do talk to someone who is from a different culture, food is a great topic,” said junior Medina Vila.

 

Students said they have different standards concerning gender roles based on how they grew up. For some, they don’t really exist in their families, for others, gender roles are tied to tradition and heritage.

 

“I don’t think ‘being a man’ has an exact definition,” said Junior Ana Tran. “A woman can be anything. A man can be anything too.”

“My mom always instilled in me that it’s OK that she worked and my dad chose to be the one who stayed at home, but I feel like it’s a stigma that it can’t be that way,” Jamirea said.

 

Edgar said he thinks gender roles “are going to subside and be put aside because we are so progressive, noting that he still hears the “be a man” message from the older generation.

 

Students also discussed how teachers can better understand students and their cultures, especially within a heated U.S. political environment.

 

“Regardless of whatever political affiliation they have, I feel like they should still be a little more sensitive and a little more keen to what’s happening around them,” Edgar said. “There is a lot of divisiveness currently in the United States, and it would be nice if the teachers paid attention to that and saw where their students are coming from.”

 

Check out School News Network for more stories about students, schools, and faculty in West Michigan.

A diverse group of students have straight-forward conversation

Ottawa County Park Foundation’s Grand River Greenway Campaign gaining momentum

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Jessica VanGinhoven

Ottawa County Parks

 

Ottawa County Parks Foundation’s effort to complete its Grand River Greenway Campaign is gaining significant traction with two recent gifts from regional foundations.

 

The Grand River Greenway Campaign is the culmination of the 30-year vision to protect thousands of acres of high quality natural and recreational lands along the Grand River in Ottawa County and then connect these lands with a multi-use ADA accessible trail. The proposed trail also will complete a contiguous connection from Millennium Park in Kent County to Grand Haven beaches and other destinations such as Grand Valley State University, downtown Grand Rapids, and the Bass River State Recreation Area. In order to accomplish this vision, Ottawa County Parks plans to acquire 700 acres of additional land and construct 27 miles of new trail (with 13 miles of the trail along or near the river or other water features). This will require $21 million in funding, with the Parks Foundation seeking $7.2 million in philanthropic gifts to leverage anticipated public funding.

 

Recent grants from two West Michigan family foundations, Wege and Frey, totaling $860,000 help build momentum for the Greenway Campaign, which is still pursuing “lead” commitments from donors.

 

“The show of support from Kent County donors demonstrates that the Grand Rapids area philanthropic community understands the regional value and impact of our vision,” said Peter Secchia, who is co-chair of the Grand River Greenway Campaign Committee and a major donor.

 

Secchia has long been interested in revitalization of the Grand River as a leading contributor and supporter of Millennium Park as well as other initiatives such as the MSU Gran Fondo, a fund-raising bicycle race from Grand Rapids to the lakeshore near Grand Haven. “One of the things that I love about this project is not only that it will make the Grand River more accessible to thousands of families, but that it will also connect Grand Rapids and Grand Haven together with a river pathway route for the first time. People will be able to start from Millennium Park, travel from park to park, have ice cream or a burger in Jenison or Allendale, and end with a sunset on the Grand Haven Pier.”

 

It was this type of regional impact that drew the support of Wege and Frey Foundation trustees.

 

“The Grand River is an important ecological and recreational asset. Improving riverside lands in Ottawa County and connecting them to Kent County will add incredible value to the on-going work in Grand Rapids to restore the Grand River and the City’s namesake rapids” said Mark Van Putten, President & CEO of the Wege Foundation.

 

While the Campaign has been successful in engaging donors, Greenway Campaign committee members say broad community awareness of the value of the Greenway is not widely known. “This Greenway, with its tremendous green space and natural wildlife offerings, will enhance the physical, mental, and economic well-being of our community by increasing access to the river’s natural spaces,” said Monica Verplank, co-chair of the Greenway Campaign Committee.

 

Recent gifts represent great progress; still the Grand River Greenway Campaign is actively seeking additional partners. “We are very thankful for the support from our neighbors in Kent County and we hope to have more announcements to come in the near future, but our work is not done yet,” said Tom Werkman, President of the Ottawa County Parks Foundation and a member of the Greenway Campaign Committee.

‘2017 was a busy year,’ Poll states as he announces his re-election bid

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Wyoming, , ,

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By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

joanne@wktv.org

 

With such accomplishments as resurfacing more than 40 miles of roads, the approval of four new hotels, the opening of 28 West Place and the passage to open the library millage for park improvements, Wyoming Mayor Jack Poll said “How can I walk away from that?”

 

So in his State of the City address last night, Poll, the longest-serving mayor in the City of Wyoming’s history, officially announced that he would seek his fourth term as mayor.

 

“So therefore, if the residents desire that I continue as their mayor, I will be placing my name on the ballot in this year’s election year, to serve four additional years,” Poll said during the Monday night meeting.

 

Poll has served as the Wyoming mayor since 2009. Before that, he served on the Wyoming City Council from 2001-2005 and 2007-2009.

 

After the Jan. 15 meeting when Poll presented his State of the City Address, he said that he is considering retirement from his full-time job. Poll is pharmacist for Family Fare.

Mayor Jack Poll

 

“So basically, during the next term, of the four years, I will be retired for about three of them, allowing me to be more of a full-time mayor attending more events for the city,” Poll said.

 

Also after the meeting, Mayor Pro-Tem and Council Member at Large Sam Bolt said he would be seeking his third term on the council.

 

“I still enjoy it,” Bolt said. Council Member at Large Kent Vanderwood, whose seat is also up for election this fall, was on vacation and did not attend the Jan. 15 meeting.

 

To a packed house of city officials and residents, which included Poll’s wife, Mary, and family members, Poll said he hoped to provide a “snapshot” of what has taken place in the city with his State of the City address, noting it has been “a very busy year.”

 

“This is a long list of accomplishments but it hardly scratches the surface when we consider all that city leaders and staff have done over the last year, primarily in collaboration with one another,” Poll said.

 

Highlights included:

 

• For infrastructure, the city completed two water main projects that total almost two miles of water main, resurfaced about 43 lane miles and added two miles of non motorized trails.

 

• For the water plant, which, according to Poll, continues to provide the highest quality water in the state, is looking to add a second Lake Michigan intake and a third transmission pipeline, expanding the plant’s capacity which will help the community to grow, Poll said.

 

• Parks and Recreation has focused on storm clean up and replacement of trees along with improvements at Palmer, Kelloggsvile, Lemery, and Pinery parks.

 

• The library milage allowed for new technology and LED lighting in the library and was opened by voter approval to allowed for park improvements for Ideal, Ferrand, Gezon and Jackson parks.

 

• The Planning Department has approved in 2017 four hotels, annexed 60 acres of industrial development, worked on the 28 West Place project and a number of other developments including The Havens. Inspections also approved permits for about $70 million new and renovated construction projects.

 

• The city also was able to implement a new medicare advantage prescription drug plan for retirees that will allow the city to reduce its longterm liability  by $42 million.

 

Public Safety continues to make community outreach its main focus. Police officers logged 6,000 visits to local schools, 8,500 business contacts and 7,000 physical business checks. The police department also has instituted a cadet program to recruit students. On the fire side, staffing at station 3 and 4 has allowed response times to be cut in half along with there being training on speciality skills for water, ice and trench rescues. Also a partnership with Metro Health – University of Michigan Health has allowed for a helipad to be placed at Station 3.

 

“We are blessed with employees who are so highly respected in West Michigan, across the state and even at the federal level,” Poll said. “I have watched the skillful handling of tragedies both natural and produced, deep thinking and solving of situations that seemed impossible. I can stand here today and say, we made it through them all. Our city is better today because these trials have become victories that make Wyoming a beacon of bright light shining in West Michigan.”

 

For the complete speech, click here.

 

For 2018, Poll said the city will continue to work on those areas with a number of opportunities and challenges on the horizon.

 

“Above all these things, financial sustainability remains our top priority and biggest challenge we face,” Poll said. “The city council and I will continue to look for ways to insure that we can provide services at the highest level to our residents and businesses.”

 

Poll said while many things have been discussed, such as a millage increase and an income tax, city leaders “don’t know yet what the best solution is. However through all the ideas we proposed, we ask that you, our friends and neighbors, and the partners that come along beside us, give thoughtful consideration and examine all sides of the issues…

 

“The only way we will continue to be a city of vision and progress is if we work through these challenging times together.”

State Sen. MacGregor, Migrant Legal Aid program featured on latest WKTV Journal: In Focus

3-bottom, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Crime Prevention, Election, Politics, ,

WKTV Staff

news@wktv.org

 

Michigan State Sen. Peter MacGregor (R-28th District, which includes the City of Wyoming) has a business background, being a former small business owner and having graduated from Michigan State University with a business degree. So one thing he hates is late payment for work performed, a problem often faced by the state’s foster care providers.

 

During a visit to the set of WKTV Journal: In Focus early this month, MacGregor talked with host Ken Norris about his work for efficient funding for the state’s foster care system as well as subjects ranging from the state’s term limits law to his volunteer work for “Volley for Mitchell”, a charity volleyball tournament which has raised more than $100,000 for Duchenne’s Muscular Dystrophy.

 

Also on the latest episode of In Focus, the Grand Rapids based Migrant Legal Aid organization, specifically director/attorney Teresa Hendricks and attorney Ben O’Hearn, discuss their group’s work to protect migrant workers’ legal rights and to give voice to a sometimes silent portion of our community.

 

The episode will debut Tuesday, Jan. 16 , at 6:30 p.m., and will again air on Thursday, also at 6:30 p.m., and again next week on the same days and times on WKTV channels but all interviews included in episodes of WKTV Journal: In Focus are also available on YouTube at WKTVVideos.

 

 

The entire episode of “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.

Age not a limitation on career opportunities

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, How-To's, Non-Profits, , ,

 

By West Michigan Works!

 

Meet Karla and Bob. They both came to a West Michigan Works! service center after losing their jobs. They both started their job search with fear they wouldn’t get rehired because they’re older workers. After help from their career coaches, they both found jobs similar to their previous ones and with similar wages.

 

Karla: Future came into focus

Karla was a successful optical office manager for 23 years before her employer retired and closed his practice. She came to Michigan Works! unsure of finding employment because of her age. Karla attended workshops to brush up on computer skills and improve her resume. She met with a career coach who gave her the tools needed to confidently apply for jobs. Less than two months later, she was offered a job at another optical office in a similar role and wage.

 

Bob: A lateral move

Bob was laid off from his commodity buyer job because his employer was downsizing. He feared his age would limit the positions available to him. A career coach helped Bob update his resume and improve his interviewing skills. After six months of applications and interviews, Bob was offered a similar position with an identical salary as his old job.

 

He said, “West Michigan Works! never gave up on me. They continued to check in on a regular basis, offered services and often gave recommendations for open positions.”

 

Do either of their stories sound similar to yours? Visit one of our service centers to start your journey to a new career. Learn about training options, update your resume, practice interviewing and gain confidence.

 

Employment Expertise is provided by West Michigan Works! Learn more about how they can help: visit westmiworks.org or your local Service Center.

Kentwood community celebrates MLK day with food drive, special program

3-bottom, City of Kentwood, , , ,

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By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

joanne@wktv.org

 

Celebrating the words and actions of Martin Luther King Jr, Kentwood residents and city leaders recently came together to mark the day with a special program at the KDL Kentwood branch.

 

Activities included a proclamation from Mayor Stephen Kepley who was assisted by honor students from East Kentwood High School with the reading. The guest speaker was Kyle Ray, pastor of Kentwood Community Church, with music by Craig Tyson.

 

“I always want the City of Kentwood, being so diverse, to use this day to remember the things that Martin Luther King Jr. taught us,” said Mayor Stephen Kepley after yesterday’s program. Kepley said it is not just about King’s words but also his service. “This is a day of service. We wanted to actually but our words into action because, I think, words without works is dead. So we wanted to have the works –the service — and we have used this day and other previous Martin Luther King Jr. days to provide food for those in need. We wanted not only to sponsor our little free food pantry but also the food pantries of West Michigan.”

 

Last year, the city officially launched its little free food pantry, where you take an item or items when needed and leave an item or items when you can. As part of this year’s activities, the city hosted a food drive for the little free pantry at Celebration! Cinema South and the Family Fare located on Kalamazoo Avenue. According to city staff, the little free pantry has been very well received.

 

“I have heard stories of people who were in need a year ago and things got better, and now, instead of taking food that they need, actually are supporting the food pantry,” Kepley said. “They have done a 360. There was a need for them and now things are better off. They got a better job, some income coming in, and are bringing food to the little food pantry.”

 

Because the Kentwood Activities Center is being remodeled, the little free food pantry has currently been moved to the KDL Kentwood Branch, 4950 Breton Ave. SE. Staff has noted that the temporary location has been as busy as the Kentwood Activities Center one.

 

“It has been so successful we are actually looking to have a second location here at the library,” Kepley said, adding that the city then would have two little food pantries, one at the Kentwood Activities Center and one at the KDL Kentwood branch.

 

Food donations are accepted year around for the pantry. Donations are accepted at the Kentwood City Hall, 4900 Breton Ave. SE, during normal business hours, currently at the KDL Kentwood Branch, and once the Kentwood Activities Center reopens in March, donations will be accepted there as well.

WKTV features two special events from NASA TV

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, , , ,
Stennis Space Center
WKTV Government 26 will be featuring two special programming events from NASA TV.
On Saturday, Jan. 13, WKTV will be showcasing the departure of the SpaceX/Dragon CRS-13 Cargo Craft from the International Space Station. Coverage will begin at approximately 4:30 a.m., with the release scheduled at 5 a.m.
Dragon will return to Earth with about 3,600 pounds of cargo after an approximately one-month stay at the orbiting laboratory. About five hours after Dragon leaves the space station, it will conduct its de-orbit burn, which lasts up to 10 minutes. It takes about 30 minutes for Dragon to reenter the Earth’s atmosphere and splash down in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Baja California.
Tuesday, Jan. 16, WKTV will be featuring the RS-25 Engine Fire Test from the Stennis Space Center, a NASA rocket test facility. The test will begin at 4 p.m.
For more information on NASA TV or the International Space Station, log on to www.nasa.gov.
NASA TV can be seen on the WKTV 26 Government Channel on Comcast and on AT&T U-verse 99 Government Channel 99.

School News Network: Limbs lost, she gives back with her heart

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Kentwood, Kentwood Public Schools, , ,
From left, Jason Gray-Moore, Cole Culp, Gabe LaComte and Joshua Cancler used a 3-D printing to make a prosthetic hand.

By Erin Albanese

School News Network

 

With her kind voice and seemingly ever-present smile, it’s easy to see how Kentwood Public School’s Challenger Elementary social worker Pam Buschle has impacted the lives of children over the past 26 years, offering support and a helping hand to many.

 

Now, with the help of East Kentwood High School engineering students, she’s made it possible to literally give a hand –- a 3-D-printed prosthetic one — to a child in need.

 

Students recently printed and assembled a hand prototype and will soon create a final version for a child, thanks to an online community of designers and a challenge from Buschle. They will be able to choose the child who will receive the hand, and they are especially interested in supporting someone from a war-torn country.

 

Social worker Pam Buschle uses an iPad with her prosthetic hand.

This gift was made possible by the No Limbits (pronounced “no limits”) Foundation, created by Buschle and her husband, Marty, a year ago. Its mission is to provide children with prosthetic limbs and to help people who have faced physical challenges have the highest quality of life possible in other ways. Challenger Student Council members raised about $500 for the foundation.

 

Buschle had both legs and both arms amputated while batting septic shock following routine surgery in early 2014. She now wears prosthetics to replace all four limbs, and is still able to work, walk, use her iPad, open doors and much more.

 

“I feel incredibly grateful to have the opportunity to give back,” Buschle said. “When I lost my limbs, the Kentwood community, students and teachers all gave back to me. This project is allowing me to give back to someone who might not have hope. I was the recipient of so much love and assistance, and now we are going to be able to offer that to someone.”

 

Because of cost, prosthetics are out of reach for many people. Buschle’s electric prosthetics cost $125,000 each, mostly paid for through insurance and Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital. Fittings alone cost thousands of dollars. While the 3-D-printed hand is much more basic than Buschle’s, a professionally made, muscle-actuated hand can cost around $6,000 to $10,000, so cost is a huge barrier around the world.

 

 

A 3D-printed prosthetic will give new opportunities to a child who is missing a hand

Making Prosthetics Accessible

 

E-NABLE, a community of individuals from all over the world, offers free, downloadable designs for people to use their 3-D printers to create prosthetic hands and arms. Design kits are open source and available through the site.

 

At Buschle’s request, East Kentwood engineering teacher Randy Smith challenged seniors Gabe LaComte and Jason Gray-Moore, and juniors Joshua Cancler and Cole Culp, to 3-D-print the hand using files from e-NABLE. They spent about 20 hours using two printers in Smith’s classroom to finish a prototype by following a step-by-step process. They will next upload a video of the hand to e-NABLE, which will verify it and send specific measurements from a child for the final hand.

 

Money raised by Challenger students was used to purchase materials, including filament for the 3-D hand.

 

“I enjoyed doing 3-D printing of the hand,” Jason said. “You can help somebody who is not as fortunate as us and we can give them a hand because we have the resources to do it.”

 

Added Cole, “It’s a good opportunity to make a change for someone who doesn’t have something as basic as a hand. Some people go their whole lives without being able to pick up something. It’s nice to know you helped them with something like that.”

 

Social worker Pam Buschle lost her arms and legs while battling septic shock

No Limbits has also brought a child to Grand Rapids for a prosthetic hand, Zoey Krause from the Dominican Republic, whose father, Tim Krause, is an East Kentwood High School graduate. They sponsored a 5K run called Medaling Monkeys for special education students; provided scholarships for teenagers who need adaptive equipment to participate in a sport; sent care packages to people around the country who have lost their limbs; and they plan to build more 3-D hands.

 

Buschle said her career has given her perspective on life. For many years she worked with students on the autism spectrum.

 

“Seeing the resilience and hard work students would put into living their happiest, fullest life gave me a lot of inspiration when I went through this experience,” she said. “I was able to look at the students and families I had known for years, and think about how they put one foot in front of the other when things seemed very impossible and difficult, and draw a lot of strength from that.”

 

Buschle returned to work seven months after losing her arms and legs.

 

“It was really beautiful, being back in school, how much the students encouraged me and accepted me, and have shown me how to be compassionate and accepting and loving. Children are naturals at that. There are a lot of lessons we can learn from our students.”

 

Check out School News Network for more stories about students, schools, and faculty in West Michigan.

These students helped raise money for school social worker Pam Buschle’s foundation: from left, Challenger students Whitney Dixon, Aaron Cobb, Emma Belden, Leena Karaein and Cheyanne Meyers

Godfrey-Lee Schools seek enhanced security, technology with millage request

3-bottom, Area Education, City of Wyoming, Education, Election,
Godfrey-Lee Schools will place a new sinking fund millage request before district voters in May. (WKTV)

 

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

 

Taking advantage of changes in state rules on how schools can spend sinking fund millage requests, and after unanimous approval by the Godfrey-Lee School Board this week, the district will put before voters on the May 8 ballot a 3-mill sinking fund request to address safety, security and technology issues.

 

An 2016 amendment to the state’s School Code allows expenditure of up-to-10-year, 3-mill maximum, sinking fund millage increases for additional school infrastructure uses such as technology and security upgrades in addition to building repairs and renovations.

 

Godfrey-Lee Public Schools Superintendent Kevin Polston, center, speaks to the State Board of Education recently. (Supplied)

Approval of a new sinking fund would “ease the general fund to allow as many dollars as possible to stay in the classroom,” Superintendent Kevin Polston said to WKTV. “A new eligible area of the sinking fund is technology. We currently use general fund dollars to pay for technology devices.  As we know, general fund dollars fluctuate and there is no guarantee as to what we will get from year to year. Much less keeping up with inflation.  The sinking fund will provide a sustainable means to provide current technology devices for our students across our K-12 system.”

 

The 3 mills would be collected for 10 years — 2019 to 2028 — and generate approximately $315,000 the first year. Polston said 2 mills would go toward maintenance, energy and safety and security, with 1 mill for technology.

 

Polston said a series of community meetings will be scheduled to discuss the tax request with residents.

 

“In regards to maintenance, as stewards of our taxpayers dollars, we need to maintain our buildings to provide the best learning environments we can for our students. If we do not follow a regular maintenance schedule, it will result in higher costs and less dollars going to the classroom,” Polston said.

 

“In addition, there are new technologies that have lower operating costs, but have an initial up front cost.  An example is through the sinking fund we will install LED lighting in all of our buildings. LED lighting provides an enhanced learning environment at a significantly reduced operating costs and longer lifespan.”

 

The district’s previous sinking fund levy, 1.9976-mill, approved by Godfrey-Lee voters in 2009 is expiring.

 

According to the district, the average home value for a residence in the district is $67,169 and a homeowner with a homestead exemption is currently paying $67 per year and with the extra mill requested would see an increase of $34 for a total of $101.

 

Dash through the snow – maybe – as Kentwood hosts Valentine’s-themed run

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, , ,

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

joanne@wktv.org

 

It’s love on the run — literally — as Kentwood hosts its first-ever Valentine’s Dash Feb. 10.

 

“We decided to add an additional race to our list of events due to the cancellation of our Ugly Sweater Run in November because of inclement weather,” said Spencer McKellar, a recreation program coordinator for the Kentwood Parks and Recreation Department, who is overseeing the Valentine’s Dash event.

 

“As a department we also realize there are limited outdoor recreation opportunities in the winter. By offering this new race during February, we hope to encourage members of our community to get out and enjoy our beautiful trails and parks throughout the entire year.”

 

The 3.1-mile course, which McKellar note is great for any skill level, will have participants start and end at the KDL Kentwood (Richard L. Root) Branch, traveling along an east/west trail and into the Old Farm Park and adjoining neighborhood. Along the way, there will be Valentine’s candy stations.

 

McKellar said the library provides a warm place for both registration and the after party/awards program. Each participant will receive a knit cap and a goodie bag. There also will be a race raffle with a number of items raffled off including a night stay for two at the DoubleTree hotel, golf packages and other items.

 

Awards will be given for fastest time as well as best dressed with other runners helping to judge those in Valentine-themed costumes. Also at the after party will be music, Valentine-themed snacks, and a photo booth.

 

“We want to make this a fun Valentine-themed race with candy, prizes and lots of fun,” McKellar said.

 

Cost to participate is $30 per person with couples getting $5 off each registration. To register, visit https://runsignup.com/Race/MI/Kentwood/ValentinesDash.

 

School News Network: Grant Project aims to boost third-grade reading

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Kent ISD early literacy coach Katie Momber works with a Godfrey-Lee student (Photo courtesy of Kyle Mayer)

By Erin Albanese

School News Network

 

In an effort to improve third-grade reading proficiency, the Godfrey Lee Public Schools district will receive $20,000 to implement instructional practices recommended by Reading Now Network over the next two-and-half years.

 

An instructional team of about a dozen literacy experts from all over the state recently visited classrooms to observe reading and writing instruction at Godfrey Elementary School, which houses third through fifth grades, and Godfrey-Lee Early Childhood Education Center, which houses preschool through second grade.

 

The district was invited to receive help from RNN because of its demographics and low third-grade reading proficiency levels. The district has the second-highest English-language learner population in the state, at about 50 percent. About 90 percent of students qualify for free or reduced lunch and third-grade reading proficiency is about 27 percent.

 

“We are one of the lower-achieving schools,” said Godfrey Elementary Principal Andrew Steketee. “We don’t want our socioeconomic status to be an excuse for that. Knowing our students and staff, there is no reason we can’t be higher achieving. They are going to help us identify how to be more successful.”

 

Reading Now Network, a collaborative effort involving 100 districts, launched in 2014 to increase the proportion of third-graders reading proficiently to 80 percent.

 

It was started by examining best instructional practices at elementary schools with high reading success rates in order to implement them region-wide. High-achieving schools studied ranged from urban to rural, with varying levels of poverty.

 

Literacy expert Patti Konarska helps a student with letters (Photo courtesy of Kyle Mayer)

Help from the Experts

 

As a participant, the Godfrey-Lee district receives a day of instructional rounds from literacy experts. Steketee will work with a facilitator, a highly skilled literacy expert, to put into practice priorities identified in the classroom visits.

 

Western Michigan University, in partnership with RNN, received a $12.5 million federal grant known as the High Impact Leadership Project. This project will support 152 of the highest-poverty, lowest-achieving schools in 20 West and Southwest Michigan counties, including Kent and Ottawa.

 

In its first group of schools, which includes Godfrey-Lee, RNN will conduct Harvard Instructional Rounds in participating schools by March 1, said Kyle Mayer, Ottawa Area ISD assistant superintendent. Schools will receive $20,000 from the High Impact Leadership Project, and assistance to implement the resulting recommendations and to support early literacy practices of the General Education Leadership Network.

 

If work done over the next two-and-half years in those schools proves effective in boosting student literacy achievement, another cohort of schools will receive similar supports.

 

“We are optimistic that if we work together to support research-based practice in every classroom every day, student achievement gains will follow,” Mayer said. If data shows improvement, the grant will be extended.

 

Project Provides Focus

 

Godfrey-Lee Early Childhood Center Principal Pete Geerling said he looks forward to recommendations from RNN.

 

“Right now, there are so many good things out there, and we as a district try to make sure we are up to speed with best practice,” Geerling said. “But this is going to provide some focus — a couple things we can wrap our heads around and really try to attack.”

 

RNN has also worked in identified lab schools, helping them improve scores through effective instructional practices. Those schools included Parkview Elementary in Wyoming Public Schools; Moon Elementary in Muskegon Public Schools; Woodbridge Elementary in Zeeland Public Schools; and Big Jackson, a two-room schoolhouse in Newaygo County.

 

As a result, Moon Elementary boosted third-grade proficiency rates on the M-STEP from about 8 to 17 percent. The school has an almost 100 percent free and reduced lunch rate.

 

“They hosted this process of instructional rounds two years ago, identified some priorities and were supported by the Muskegon ISD in following through on those,” Mayer said. “They are kind of the shining star as a school that is really deeply committed to recommendations that were produced out of an instructional rounds day. They have results that show things are moving in the right direction.”

Food drive part of this year’s Martin Luther King Jr. activities in Kentwood

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By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

joanne@wktv.org

 

The Little Free Pantry, usually located at the Kentwood Activities Center, has been well received since first being introduced last year.

 

In fact, according to Kentwood Parks and Recreation Coordinator Laura Barbrick, it has been so popular that at times it has been a little tough keeping it stocked.

 

So as part of this year’s Kentwood Martin Luther King Jr. event, the city will be hosting a food drive to help stock the Little Free Pantry. The food drive is set to run from 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. Monday, Jan. 15, at Family Fare, 6127 Kalamazoo Ave. SE and from 10:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. at Celebration Cinema South, 1506 Eastport Dr. SE.

 

The Little Food Pantry is located in the Kentwood Activities Center, 355 48th St. SE.

Started in Arkansas with the motto “Neighbors serving neighbors,” the Little Free Pantry is similar to the little free library movement. The pantries are designed to be small and fill an immediate and local need. Basically, take an item or items when needed and leave an item or items when you can.

 

Kentwood introduced the Little Free Pantry at the 2017 Martin Luther King Jr. event. It’s official home is at the Kentwood Activities Center, however; while the center is being remodeled, the pantry has been moved to the KDL Kentwood (Richard L. Root) branch, 4950 Breton Ave. SE.

 

“We have a number of families that utilize the pantry on a regular basis,” Barbrick said. “We are definitely getting more donations now that it is at the library, but we anticipate the need will continue once it moves back to the Activities Center.”

 

Donations are accepted at the Kentwood City Hall, 4900 Breton Ave. SE, during normal business hours, and once the center reopens in March, donations will be accepted there as well.

 

The city will end Jan. 15  with a program honoring Dr. King. That program will be at 4:30 p.m. at the library. There will be a proclamation from Kentwood Mayor Stephen Kepley, a presentation by Kyle Ray, pastor of Kentwood Community Church, music by Craig Tyson, and refreshments provided by The Candied Yam.

 

Martin Luther King Jr. Day is an American federal holiday marking the birthday of Civil Rights activist Martin Luther King Jr. It is observed on the third Monday of January each year, which is around King’s birthday, January 15. Campaigns for the day honoring King, who was assassinated in 1968, began soon after his death. Former President Ronald Reagan signed the holiday into law in 1983, and it was first observed three years later. At first, some states resisted observing the holiday as such, giving it alternative names or combining it with other holidays. It was officially observed in all 50 states for the first time in 2000.

Wyoming’s VerHulst announces he will not run for re-election

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William VerHulst

Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

joanne@wktv.org

 

At the January Wyoming City Council work session this week, 1st Ward Councilmember William VerHulst announced he would not be seeking re-election this fall.

 

VerHulst said due to health issues, which caused him to miss the Jan. 2 meeting, he has made the decision to not run for his current seat. VerHulst has served as the city’s 1st Ward Councilmember since 1993.

 

Wyoming’s First Ward 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.

 

Mayor Jack Poll

Besides the 1st Ward Councilmember seat, seats also up for election will be the mayor’s, currently held by Jack Poll, and two council-member at large seats currently held by Kent Vanderwood and Sam Bolt. Bolt also is currently serving as mayor pro tem.  Vanderwood and Bolt have not made any announcements on whether they will seek re-election. Mayor Jack Poll is expected to make an announcement on if he seeks to run for re-election at his State of the City Address set at the  next council meeting Monday, Jan. 15, at 7 p.m. at Wyoming City Hall, 1155 28th St. SW.

 

Those interested in running for any of the council or mayor seats need to file with the Wyoming City’s clerk office by 4 p.m. April 24. The clerk’s office is located in the Wyoming City Hall, 1155 28th St. SW. Candidate packets are available at the front desk.

 

The primary election is set for Aug. 7 and the general election is set for Nov. 6.

Wyoming Mayor Jack Poll to deliver State of the City address

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Mayor Jack Poll

The community is invited to attend Wyoming Mayor Jack Poll’s annual State of the City Address on Monday, Jan. 15, at 7 p.m. The Address will be delivered at the beginning of the regularly scheduled City Council meeting in the Council Chambers of Wyoming City Hall, 1155 28th St. SW. Individuals who are unable to attend in person are invited to watch the Address on WKTV or stream it live at wktv.org.

 

Mayor Poll will give an overview of the City’s activities from 2017 and a preview of its initiatives for 2018. He is also expected to announce his future political plans, as his current term expires in November of this year. Prior to being elected mayor, Poll served on the Wyoming City Council from 2001-2005 and 2007-2009.

 

For more information, visit www.wyomingmi.gov or follow the City on Facebook at www.facebook.com/CityofWyoming. You can watch the the Wyoming City Council meeting live on WKTV Channel 26 and it is rebroadcast again at 7 p.m. on Fridays.

Adoptable cat of the week: Beverly Leslie

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Beverly Leslie will absolutely thrive in a place where cuddles and snuggles are plentiful — and who wouldn’t want to cuddle that adorable face?

By Sharon Wylie, Crash’s Landing

Each week WKTV features an adoptable pet — or few — from an area shelter. This week’s beauty is from Crash’s Landing. Crash’s Landing and Big Sid’s Sanctuary rescue organizations were founded by Jennifer Denyes, DVM (Dr. Jen), who is on staff at Clyde Park Veterinary Clinic (4245 Clyde Park Ave SW).

 

Here are the Cliff notes version of Beverly Leslie’s tale of woe and wonder. The frail but fabulous four-year-old (born in late 2013) was found hanging around the Wyoming condo of two of our volunteers in late October, but they weren’t able to wrangle her until two weeks later. Beverly Leslie’s initial laundry list of issues included being bloated due to a presumed pregnancy, a flea infestation, severe gingivitis and a rip-roaring bilateral ear infection secondary to untreated ear mites that ended up rupturing both eardrums.

 

A week later she was healthy enough to take to surgery to spay her where Dr. Jen discovered that the kitty was suffering from a uterine infection (no babies thankfully). At that time Dr. Jen also flushed out Beverly Leslie’s infected ear canals which unfortunately led to a complicated upper respiratory infection involving her nasal passages; this caused excessive post-nasal drip and literally weeks of batting fevers, drainage and a helluva roller-coaster ride of recuperation.

 

When Dr. Jen took her back to surgery on Nov. 27 to again address kitty’s aural issues, yet another problem presented itself: Beverly Leslie had developed nasopharyngeal polyps in both middle ears, further complicating her recovery; removal was a success but her white blood cell count was astronomically high due to the chronic nature of her conditions.

 

Thankfully with Christmas came the return of her health, and Dr. Jen was able to allow Beverly Leslie to take her hard-won spot on our adoption list!

 

In spite of everything, this darling little lady never squawked or complained, taking her nose wiping and temperature taking like the fierce warrior princess she is! Small yet feisty, she got her name from that quirky yet beloved character on the TV show Will & Grace, and let me tell you, she is a force to be reckoned with, as nothing keeps her down for long! She loves, loves, LOVES people and simply cannot get enough of their attention! It took her quite some time to adjust and accept the other kitties as her roomies, but once she did, she made a few furry friends.

 

Beverly Leslie will absolutely thrive in a place where cuddles and snuggles are plentiful and would most definitely do great with kids. We can tell you that she will receive a marvelous send off, once it is finally time for her to pack her bags and go home; if anyone deserves it, it is our magnificent marmalade Bev Les!

More about Beverly Leslie

Interested in volunteering at one of the cat shelters? Email volunteer@crashslanding.org.

Can’t adopt, but still want to help? Find out how you can sponsor a cat!

Crash’s Landing and Big Sid’s Sanctuary have a common mission: To take at-risk stray cats off the streets of the Greater Grand Rapids area, provide them with veterinary care and house them in free-roaming, no-kill facilities until dedicated, loving, permanent homes can be found.

Kent District Library director named top librarian in the nation

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Lance Werner, executive director of Kent District Library

Lance Werner, executive director of Kent District Library, has been named the top librarian in the nation by Library Journal.

 

The 2018 Librarian of the Year award honors a professional librarian among nominees from across the country for outstanding achievement and accomplishments reflecting the loftiest service goals of the library profession. Werner was recognized for his strong leadership, effective legislative advocacy and championing access for his more than 200,000 patrons in Kent County.

 

Werner is the first – and only – Michigan librarian to win the Librarian of the Year award.

 

“My version of leadership is to get the best people I can, give them what they need and then get out of their way,” Werner said. “I’m one gear in a big machine where everyone is important.” Werner credits this philosophy as a cornerstone to building strong advocacy among his team, municipalities, strategic partners and patrons.

 

Under Werner’s leadership, Kent District Library:

  • Championed access for all by becoming the first public library in the state to offer e-magazines, e-movies, e-comics and streaming video games free of charge.
  • Extended the reach of technology by circulating iPads and wireless hotspots community-wide.
  • Installed a collection of Little Free Libraries around Kent County. There are currently 14, which are housed in community centers, senior centers, parks and the Gerald R. Ford International Airport.
  • Opened a branch in Kelloggsville High School, which will be a community library outside of school hours.
  • Began offering healthcare for part-time employees.
  • Partnered with other West Michigan libraries to collect 50,000 library materials for the Port Arthur Public Library, a Texas library devastated by Hurricane Harvey.
  • Launched a statewide short story contest called Write Michigan, now in its 6th year, which most recently drew more than 900 submissions from children, teens, adults and Spanish-language writers.
  • Provided books for military troops stationed in the Middle East.
  • Trained all staff members in first aid and CPR.
  • Launched adult program series highlighting beer (KDaLe), wine (KDL Uncorked) and coffee (KDL Caffeinated).
  • Partnered with The Geek Group and other local organizations to offer innovative programming, including STEM initiatives.

 

“Working with Lance is exciting,” said Michelle Boisvenue-Fox, KDL’s director of innovation and user experience. “I admire that he has respect for all of our staff and genuinely wants to do the best for our patrons and communities.  This shows in the relationships he has grown over the years and our efforts to grow our KDL family to include more and more community groups.”

 

Werner builds his life around three pillars: kindness, empathy and love.

 

“I don’t feel like I have a job, it’s more of a calling,” Werner explained. “I’m so blessed to do work that I love, with those that I love, for those that I love. I consider myself a public servant and want to add to the greater good and touch the lives of future generations.”

 

Werner has been director of Kent District Library since May 2011. He previously served as director of the Capital Area District Library in Lansing and as a library law specialist at the Library of Michigan. He earned a bachelor of arts in psychology from the University of Northern Colorado, a law degree from Michigan State University and a master’s of library information systems from Wayne State University.

 

“As the 30th recipient of the LJ Librarian of the Year award, Lance exemplifies the dynamism and keen intelligence we expect in a winner,” said Rebecca T. Miller, editorial director of Library Journal and School Library Journal. “His deep understanding of the importance of building and nurturing strong relationships at all levels has resulted in improved service for his community, enhanced benefits for the Kent District Library staff, and improved the outlook for libraries across Michigan. We are very excited to name him LJ’s 2018 Librarian of the Year.”

 

Werner will receive a $1,500 cash prize and is featured in Library Journal’s January 2018 issue, available in print and online. Werner was previously a 2016 LJ Mover & Shaker and 2017 Michigan Library Association Librarian of the Year.

 

***This news release is available in electronic format for easy social media sharing here: https://www.kdl.org/blog/kent-district-library-director-named-top-librarian-nation.

Local leaders start new year at Chamber’s January WKTV Government Matters meeting

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WKTV’s Viebit service allows on-demand viewing of Wyoming and Kentwood government meetings, including the monthly Government Matters meeting. (WKTV)

WKTV Staff

news@wktv.org

 

Discussion ranging from national security to local mental health care were presented Monday, Jan. 8, as part of the Wyoming-Kentwood Chamber of Commerce’s monthly Government Matters meeting.

 

At the meeting, a representative of U.S. Sen. Gary Peters’ office talked about Sen.s Peters and Debbie Stabenow (both D-Mich.) attending the activation ceremony of the 272nd Cyber Operations Squadron at Battle Creek Air National Guard Base on Jan. 6. The 110th Attack Wing at Battle Creek “will bolster efforts to protect Department of Defense networks against cyber threats,” according to supplied information.

 

Also at the Government Matters meeting, Kent County Commissioner Harold Mast discussed the current funding shortfall for Network180, the county’s provider of support to persons with developmental disabilities, mental and behavioral health problems including addiction and substance use, and the family members who access services for those needing mental health assistance. Network180 is currently dealing with a nearly $10 million shortfall due to changes in State of Michigan reimbursement of Medicaid policies.

 

The monthly meeting brings together government leaders of all levels to discuss issues of importance and presents those discussions through WKTV’s live, delayed and on-demand broadcasts.

 

The Chamber’s Government Matters meetings include representatives of the cities of Kentwood and Wyoming, Kent County, local Michigan House of Representatives and Senate, and, often, representatives of other regional, State of Michigan and Federal elected officials. The next meeting will be Feb. 12 at Wyoming City Hall.

 

The meetings are on the second Monday of each month, starting at 8 a.m. WKTV Journal will produce a highlight story after the meeting. But WKTV also offers replays of the Monday meetings on the following Wednesday at 7 p.m. on Comcast Cable Government Channel 26. Replays are also available online at WKTV’s government meetings on-demand page (wktv.viebit.com) and on the chamber’s Facebook page.

 

Responding to funding shortfall, Kent County’s mental health provider begins cuts, service reviews

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The Kent County Family and Children’s Coordinating Council heard a presentation by Scott Gilman, executive director of Network180, on Jan. 2. (Supplied by Kent County)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

 

Kent County’s community mental health provider, Network180, has already made internal staffing reductions and will likely cut funding from several community-service groups and projects after a now-started period of review and decision-making.

 

Combined, Network180 and a spectrum of independent groups provide support to persons with developmental disabilities, mental and behavioral health problems including addiction and substance use, and the family members who access services for those needing mental health assistance.

 

The bad news for Network180 employees, with more than 30 full-time equivalent positions cut — and the potential of more bad news of other providers — was detailed during a presentation Jan. 2 at the Kent County Family and Children’s Coordinating Council by Scott Gilman, executive director of Network180.

 

The basic cause of the funding shortfalls, according to Gilman, is the difference in state funding between two Medicaid programs: the older, established Disabled, Aged and Blind (DAB) program and Michigan’s newer Healthy Michigan. Healthy Michigan provides $24 per person versus the $270 received from DAB. That leads to a $9.7 million shortfall for Network180.

 

The scheduled and potential cuts will also be part of the agenda at a meeting of Network180’s Board of Directors, which is chaired by County Commissioner Harold Mast, whose district includes portions of both Wyoming and Kentwood.

 

Kent County Commissioner Harold Mast, right, at a recent Wyoming-Kentwood area Chamber of Commerce Government Matters meeting. (WKTV)

“We are going to be facing with roughly $11 million deficit for this fiscal year, which started in October, or we are going to start running out of cash in May and June,” Mast said Monday to the Wyoming-Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce’s Government Matters meeting. “It is a complicated issue, (state) Sen. (Peter) MacGregor and, I know, (state) Sen. (Dave) Hildenbrand and a lot of other government officials, are trying to figure out what we can do to help it. But we are at a stage where we can’t continue to operate the way we are.

 

“It is not just our county, it is the seven counties in West Michigan, the Lakeshore Regional Entity. It is throughout the state,” Mast said Monday. “It is an issue of funding, the way the funding is given from the department of (Michigan Department of) Health and Human Services (MDHSS) for Medicaid eligible individuals. That has changed dramatically in the past year, and it just needs to get fixed. But in the meantime, we are running out of cash, so we are going to start cutting back some services.”

 

The Lakeshore Regional Entity manages a contact with MDHHS to provide services to Kent, Allegan, Lake, Mason, Muskegon, Oceana, and Ottawa counties.

 

“It is difficult for us because at the same time we are in a cost-cutting mode, we are also in a reinvention mode,” Mast said. “We really need to move forward … with an integration of physical and mental health, because that is what we need to perform better mental health services.”

 

And while funding for Network180, and groups and programs it funds, flow through the Kent County Commission, Mast admitted that, while there will be discussions on the situation, there is likely little the county can do to blunt the likely service cutbacks.

 

Mast said that likely only the state can solve the problem.

 

“Over the course of the last couple of months, as we saw it coming … we were confident until probably October, that the state was going to rectify what we thought was an easily solved issue,” Mast said to WKTV at the Jan. 2 meeting.

 

But “they have not recognized the discrepancy in the reimbursement rate. First of all they have resisted any acceptance of our study … they said even with that, you still have enough money. You should have enough money in your reserves. Well, we don’t … So we are at the cusp of a worse problem. All of a sudden its has come to a head, we have got to take some action, because we (Network 180) are going to run out of money … we are not going to be able to pay our bills.”

 

An independent study — funded by Lakeshore Regional Entity and eight of the state’s other nine Prepaid Inpatient Health Plans (PIHPs) — by the Grand Rapids based Rehmann Group estimated a $97 million state-wide revenue shortfall, and a $7.8 million loss for the Lakeshore Regional Entity.

 

And, Mast says, there is likely nothing the county commission can do to rescue Network180, and the Lakeshore Regional Entity it is a member of.

 

“We (the county commission) have not had that discussion, that would be a difficult discussion, I think, whether the county would be willing to ante up,” Mast said. “I our case, it would be $10 or $11 million. We would have to have some pretty good guarantees because that is local tax money. We have not had that discussion.”

 

The County Commission has not had any discussions on this issue, according to a Jan. 9 statement from the county. “There are still a number of regulatory issues that would need to be addressed (i.e. we may not be able to use County funds to supplant Medicaid funding). We continue to work with the State to find a resolution.”

 

There is some discussion, Mast added, that the Lakeshore Regional Entity might be able to get a commercial loan of some sort in the short term with the promise of state funding flowing in and paying the loans back. “But there is not guarantee of that,” he added.

 

For a more detailed discussion on the topic, see additional story here.

 

Van Andel Institute Graduate School seeks third party comments

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Van Andel Institute Graduate School (VAIGS), under the auspices of Van Andel Research Institute, offers a program of study leading to a Ph.D. in cell and molecular genetics. VAIGS is seeking reaffirmation of its accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) as part of the standard pathway. VAIGS was granted initial accreditation in November 2013. As part of the reaffirmation process, VAIGS invites comments from the public prior to an on-site evaluation visit by a team from HLC.

 

In the United States, colleges and universities voluntarily seek accreditation from nongovernmental bodies. The Higher Learning Commission is one of six regional organizations that conducts institutional accreditation. To ensure the accreditation process is responsive to a broad range of constituents, HLC has integrated into its regular accrediting processes the third-party comment process mandated by the federal Higher Education Act Amendments. HLC forwards these comments to the evaluation team members and the institution.

 

Comments should address substantive matters related to the quality of VAIGS and its academic programs. Comments should include the name and address of the person(s) providing the comments, and will not be treated as confidential. Interested parties can submit comments by Monday, Jan. 29, either online at http://www.hlcommission.org/Student-Resources/third-party-comment.html or by regular mail:

 

Third-Party Comment on Van Andel Institute Graduate School
Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, IL 60604-1411

 

More information about the Higher Learning Commission can be obtained through its website at www.hlcommission.org. The VAIGS website is found at vaigs.vai.org.

Wyoming approved tower for updated countywide dispatch system

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Wyoming’s Gezon Water tower will host one of the three towers for the county’s new dispatch system.

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

joanne@wktv.org

 

It may have been a short Wyoming City Council meeting this past Monday, but it was a busy one with the council hiring a new finance director for the city and approving a tower for Kent County’s new dispatch system.

 

In 2016, Kent County voters approved a 70-cent surcharge on their telephone and internet connections. The estimated $4.5 million a year would be split between converting the county’s current public safety dispatch system and countywide fire dispatch services.

 

The City of Wyoming was approached about placing one of three of the towers needed for the new 800 MHz radio system on the Gezon Water tower, City Manager Curtis Holt told the council at the meeting. The new system would allow all police, emergency responders and state police personal as well as neighboring county police and fire to be interconnectable as they would all be utilizing the same radio system, Curtis said.

 

The agreement is slightly different then other tower agreements the city has.

 

“This is a no cost agreement,” he said. “We are not charging for this location. We are not charging for this location because it benefits our public safety.”

 

He said the other municipalities hosting towers, which are the City of Grand Rapids and Kent County, are not charging as well to help keep costs down, Curtis said.

 

Curtis also pointed out that the agreement has a maintenance section where as during maintenance of the water tower, the county, at its own cost, would have to move the dispatch tower to a temporary location.

 

The council unanimously approved the agreement. Curtis said the Gezon Water tower will be undergoing a painting project this spring with the new dispatch antennas being installed after that project is completed.

 

The Wyoming City Council also approved an amended agreement with Kent County for dispatch services since effective Jan. 1, the city will not be charged for fire safety dispatch since that is covered under the new surcharge.

 

Rosa Ooms has been named the city’s new finance director.

New City Finance Director

 

After several years without a finance director, the Wyoming City Council approved a motion to promote Rosa Ooms to the position.

 

 

According to the city’s website, the finance department at the City of Wyoming works in the following areas: payroll, payments to vendors, insurance plans such as medical, dental, vision, liability, property, life, and workers compensation, cash management, retirement plans, budget, and bonding. Robert Luders left the finance director position in 2015. The city has been working with a contracted CPA firm since 2014.

 

According to Mayor Jack Poll, Ooms, who has been the city’s deputy finance director, has been in the department, working with staff. “…[from] what she has shown and where we anticipate the finance department to go that she will be an excellent leader in there,” he said.

 

During the council meeting, City Manager Curtis Holt also spoke highly of Ooms and her work in the city’s finance department.

 

“We have been through kind of some ups and downs with our finance department since our finance director retired…,” Holt said. “Rosa has really stepped up and done a great job with our finance department. Our entire finance department is really operating very, very well. We are really pleased with what we are doing and I think that is kind of a tribute to Rosa and her leadership over this kind of tumultuous period. Congratulations to her and I think it is well deserved and I thank her for doing this.”

 

The City Council unanimously approved the recommendation with Ooms officially starting her new position on Jan. 8.

 

The next regular Wyoming City Council meeting, set for Jan. 15 at 7 p.m. in the council chambers at Wyoming City Hall, 1155 28th St. SW, will include the State of the City address from Mayor Jack Poll.

Grand Rapids Public Museum hosts live mermaid in current exhibit

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Mermaid Phantom visits the Grand Rapids Public Museum this month.

By Katie Moore

Grand Rapids Public Museum

 

A live mermaid will be visiting the Grand Rapids Public Museum (GRPM) Jan. 13 and 14 as part of the Museum’s Dragons, Unicorns & Mermaids exhibit.

 

For this special weekend, visit Dragons, Unicorns & Mermaids to explore the various mythical creatures of the world and meet Mermaid Phantom! Mermaid Phantom will be in the exhibit from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. both January 13 and 14. Visitors can talk to Phantom, ask her questions about mermaids and mythical creatures, touch her tail and take photos with her!

 

“I am so excited to come warm up my fins at the Grand Rapids Public Museum when I visit the Dragons, Unicorns & Mermaids the weekend of Jan. 13 and 14,” said Mermaid Phantom. “I haven’t seen humans in Lake Michigan since last summer! I hope I’ll meet plenty of people so we can take tons of pictures together… and talk about mermaid things too!”

 

Dragons, Unicorns & Mermaids featuring models and replicas of preserved specimens as well as cast fossils of prehistoric animals to investigate how they could have, through misidentification, speculation, fear, or imagination, inspired the development of some legendary creatures.

 

Admission to Dragons, Unicorns & Mermaids is $12 for adults, $7 for children, $9 for Kent County resident adults, $4 for Kent County resident children, and $2 for all Museum members! Tickets include general admission to the Museum, and can be purchased online at grpm.org or by calling 616.929.1700.

 

Mermaid Phantom will be talking about mermaid life along with discussing other mythical creatures.

Dragons, Unicorns & Mermaids offers many interactive stations throughout the exhibition. Visitors can build their own dragon on an engaging touch-screen and watch it come alive before their eyes in a virtual environment.

 

Visitors will touch casts of a narwhal tusk to discover how they lent credence to the centuries-old belief in the unicorn. Hands-on stations also include the lower jaw of Gigantopithecus (extinct group of apes) and a life-size reproduction of the talon of a Haast’s eagle.  

 

This exhibit is located on the Museum’s third floor and runs through May 20.

 

Dragons, Unicorns & Mermaids is organized by the American Museum of Natural History, New York (amnh.org), in collaboration with the Australian National Maritime Museum, Sydney; Canadian Museum of History, Gatineau-Quebec; Fernbank Museum of Natural History, Atlanta; and The Field Museum, Chicago.

Employment Expertise: Four Job Trends for 2018

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By West Michigan Works!

 

Last year the U.S. saw a 17-year low in its unemployment rate and the addition of nearly 2 million new jobs. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts unemployment will continue to decrease as job growth increases to 20.5 million new jobs through 2020.

 

As more Baby Boomers retire and the pool of unemployed individuals looking for work shrinks, the gap between job openings and qualified workers will grow. This skills gap will drive many of this year’s job trends.

 

Job seekers will likely notice these four trends in 2018:

 

IT Jobs in Diverse Industries: The increasing use of technology is creating the need for IT positions within manufacturing, health care and many more industries. Tech is not going away; now is the time for job seekers to gain new skills to meet the need for qualified IT workers.

 

Healthcare Boom: The aging U.S. population is increasing the need for health care. Providers will likely struggle to fill the roles needed to meet growing demand. Investing in health care training now will likely result in long-term payoffs for job seekers.

 

Upskilling Current Workers: Research has found that a major reason employees leave their jobs is because their interests change. Employers are increasingly investing in training so their staff will have the skills they need to grow into new roles and stay with the company.

 

Non-Traditional Education: Increasing college tuition combined with the need for skilled trades workers is shifting education paths after high school. Online courses and apprenticeships provide the skills needed for a successful career without hefty student loan debt. Employers are expected to accept more diverse credentials to expand their pool of qualified candidates.

 

Employment Expertise is provided by West Michigan Works! Learn more about how they can help: visit westmiworks.org or your local Service Center.

 

 

South Christian students lead effort to honor veterans at recent basketball game

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By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

 

It is common practice to honor the flag prior to the a high school basketball game, to stand for the playing of the national anthem. But South Christian High School pushed honoring America, and American service members and veterans, to an whole other level at a game last month when it hosted a special veterans recognition ceremony.

 

At the Sailors’ Dec. 15 game when it hosted Caledonia, a special ceremony between the girls and boys games honored U.S. Navy SEAL David Warsen, who was killed in Afghanistan in 2012, and well as other servicemen and women that have sacrificed their lives. It was also a benefit for the David Warsen Foundation and Warriors Set Free, a Grand Rapids based organization for veterans run by veterans to help deal with PTSD, suicide, anxiety, depression, and other life issues.

 

The event was the creation of two South Christian students, seniors Andrew Haan and Will Warsen.

 

David Warsen “was a cousin of my friend Will, my partner in organizing the event,” Haan said to WKTV. “I know Dean VanderMey who is on the board at Set Free Ministries, I told him about this project and he referred me to Steve Prince, the main person at Warriors Set Free, which is an offshoot of Set Free Ministries.”

 

For Prince, it was not his first time working with the David Warsen Foundation and it all fit perfectly with his ministry’s mission.

 

“I was invited to the South Christian event by Andrew Haan, his brother is connected to Set Free Ministries,” Prince said to WKTV. “I have also attended several events with the David Warsen Foundation.  A large part of my ministry is spreading the word about what we are doing, so being at that event helped to inform more people about our mission. I also spent some time (at the game) talking with people who are already connected to Set Free Ministries and military vets.”

 

Warriors Set Free —  “Where the hurting and the Healer connect”, according to its website — “is a (Christian-based) ministry run by Veterans for Veterans. Typically a Veteran will only be comfortable talking to another Veteran about the experiences they have had in a war or military service.  Trying to explain your military experience to a civilian has its challenges.  We remove that problem by training Vets to help Vets. Our director, founder and volunteers are all Veterans.”

 

For more information about the David Warsen Foundation visit davidwarsenlegacy.com and about Warriors Set Free visit setfreeministries.com .

 

The Literacy Center of West Michigan calls for volunteers

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The Literacy Center of West Michigan is searching for volunteers to teach reading and writing skills to adults in the Kent County area.  Volunteers offer one-on-one reading help to adults asking for assistance in reading or English as a Second language (ESL.)

 

Information sessions for volunteers are going to be held on Thursday Jan. 4 at 6 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 9, at 10 a.m., Wednesday, Jan. 17, at 10 a.m., and Friday, Jan. 26, at 2 p.m. All of these sessions will last one hour and be held at 1120 Monroe Ave., N.W. Suite 240 – Grand Rapids, MI. To register, please call 459-5151, ext. 10, or email info.literacycenterwm.org.

 

The Literacy Center is a non-profit, United Way agency devoted to reducing illiteracy in the community. According to the 2003 National Assessment for Adult Literacy, up to 14.6% of adults in Kent County lack reading and writing skills used in every day life.

 

Adoptable pets of the week: Sheba, Mijia, and Chessy

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Gorgeous Sheba

By Brooke Hotchkiss, Humane Society of West Michigan

 

Each week, WKTV features an adoptable furry friend (or few) from various shelters in the Grand Rapids area. This week, we focus on Humane Society of West Michigan, located at 3077 Wilson Dr. NW in Grand Rapids.

 

Humane Society of West Michigan’s mission is to rescue hurt, abused and abandoned animals and find them new, forever homes. The 501(c)3 non-profit organization helps over 8,000 animals annually and is 100% donor-funded by caring individuals and businesses in the community. Additional programs help reduce pet overpopulation, provide assistance to low-income pet owners, behaviorally assess animals and reunite lost pets with their owners.

 

Sheba — Female Domestic Short Hair

I am a 13-year-old cat looking for my forever home. I’m a sweet and social girl who loves pets and playing! I also like to relax and would do best in a quiet home that would give me some love and attention. I’m an easygoing cat and would bring someone a lot of joy. Please come meet me at Humane Society of West Michigan! Animals ages 7 years and older have their adoption fees waived due to generous grant funding.

More about Sheba:
  • Animal ID: 31378891
  • Domestic Shorthair/Mix

    Fun-loving Mijia
  • Female
  • Size: Medium
  • Color: Black/Orange
  • Spayed
  • Declawed

Mijia — Female American Staffordshire Terrier Mix

I am a fun-loving, 3-year-old looking for my forever home! I seem to be house trained, love to play, and know several commands. I am currently too stressed to go home with another dog, but may do well with a male dog once I’m comfortable in a home. I love to snuggle and go for walks! If I sound like a good fit for you, please come meet me at Humane Society of West Michigan!

More about Mijia:
  • Animal ID: 37155706
  • Terrier, American Staffordshire/Mix
  • Female
  • Size: Large
  • Color: Brindle
  • Spayed

Chessy — Female Domestic Short Hair

Dainty Chessy

I am a 5-year-old cat looking for my forever home! I need to be placed in a home with no dogs and no small children. I am social and playful, however, I am not very tolerant of being picked up or pet. I need an environment where I can approach people on my own terms and in my own time and have a space to hide when I need to be alone. I do enjoy playing with people, especially with wand toys once I have warmed up. Please come meet me at Humane Society of West Michigan!

More about Chessy:
  • Animal ID: 31798714
  • Domestic Shorthair/Mix
  • Female
  • Size: Small
  • Color: Grey
  • Spayed
  • Not declawed

Humane Society of West Michigan is open Tuesday-Friday 12pm-7pm and Saturday-Sunday 11am-4pm.

 

The Humane Society of West Michigan automatically microchips all adoptable animals using 24PetWatch microchips, which include FREE registration into the 24PetWatch pet recovery service. For more information visit www.24petwatch.com or call 1-866-597-2424. This pet is also provided with 30 days of FREE ShelterCare Pet Health Insurance with a valid email address. For more information visit www.sheltercare.com or call 1-866-375-7387 (PETS).

Humane Society of West Michigan is open Tues-Fri 12-7, Sat & Sun 11-4.

Important lecturers, well & lesser known, visit Calvin’s 2018 January Series

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Kevin Olusola has re-imagined the cello by mashing it together and the urban art of beatboxing into a new musical genre. (Supplied)

WKTV Staff

news@wktv.org 

 

Calvin College’s January Series of lectures, always an intellectual bright light in the often dark days of mid-winter in West Michigan, has never shied away important if not always pleasant topics and often bright national speakers to local audiences.

 

The 2018 edition is no different, with weighty topics discussed including poverty and racism, and speakers including a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, a New York Times best-selling author and a former technology adviser to the White House.

 

But Kristi Potter, director of the January Series, says there was a conscience effort this year to bring “positive and encouraging stories” to the college’s Covenant Fine Arts Center.

 

“This year as I reflected on what was happening in the news and what conversations would be good to have on the series in 2018, I felt a strong need to bring positive and encouraging stories,” Potter said in supplied material. “So as always, we will hear from speakers on a number of difficult topics like poverty, racism, pollution, restorative justice and dementia, but we will also hear stories of how we can make a difference in the world with our influence, our power, our money or even our mindset.”

 

From Wednesday, Jan. 3, through Tuesday, Jan. 23, attendees will hear 15 speakers who are leading voices in some of the nation’s — and world’s — most pivotal and timely discussions.

 

Among the featured presenters are Katherine Boo, a staff writer for The New Yorker whose work has been honored by a MacArthur Foundation “genius” grant and Pulitzer Prize, and Jeremy McCarter, co-author of “Hamilton: The Revolution” and a person who witnessed the Broadway show’s journey from concept to cultural phenomenon.

 

Among the other notable, if possibly lesser known lecturers, are Kevin Olusola, who is best known as the beatboxing member of the Grammy-winning vocal quintet Pentatonix but has re-imagined the cello by mashing it together and the urban art of beatboxing into a new musical genre called cello-boxing. He will talk Wednesday, Jan. 17.

 

Shane Clairborne
John Swinton

Also notable, if under-the-radar, lecturers are Shane Clairborne, who on Monday, Jan. 8, will present a talk titled “Executing Grace: How the Death Penalty Killed Jesus and Why it is Killing Us; and John Swinton, who on Tuesday, Jan, 23, will present a talk titled “Still Waters Run Deep: Reimagining Dementia and Humanness”.

 

And, also as is the January Series overriding theme, spirituality plays a central role in many lectures.

 

“I think this year’s lineup reminds us to have hope that God is in control and there are good things happening in the world and good people leading this work,” Potter said. “And we can be a part of it.”

 

The series runs from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. Monday through Friday in the Covenant Fine Arts Center on Calvin’s campus. A repeat performance and conversation with Olusola will take place on Jan. 17 at 7 p.m. No tickets required for the day or one evening events (but they do fill up quickly, so do not be late).

For more information about the January Series visit www.calvin.edu/january.

 

Kent County DPW complete expansion of methane collection system in Kentwood

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Field work is now complete on the expansion of the methane gas collection system at the closed Kentwood Landfill. Kent County Department of Public Works (DPW) installed eighteen new gas wells to extract the methane gas from the western edge of the landfill. Eight additional wells were installed to provide access for continued routine monitoring of the site.

During routine monitoring in fall of 2016, the DPW discovered methane gas migrating outside the solid waste boundaries of the Kentwood Landfill causing potential for methane gas intrusion into nearby City of Kentwood buildings and neighboring residences. Kent County DPW organized a project team and worked alongside the City of Kentwood, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Michigan Department of Environmental Quality and engineering consultants to design a second methane extraction system.

In fall 2017, after extensive investigation and continued monitoring, DPW moved forward with the installation of eighteen new gas wells between 15 and 106 feet deep and added eight monitoring wells. On Dec. 27, a new flare system was activated and is now extracting methane gas along the western boundary of the landfill where methane was found to be migrating. DPW will monitor the newly installed system and will continue to routinely test onsite and off site monitoring wells indefinitely.

“Work at the site progressed as expected and the new flare is now activated,” said Molly Sherwood, Environmental Compliance Manager at Kent County DPW. “Our project team is confident that this expansion will serve the site well to control the methane that is migrating outside the boundaries of the landfill.”

Kent County DPW continues to offer no-cost, third-party methane testing for the 150 residences within 1500 feet of the landfill’s western boundary. To date, voluntary testing in nine residences and weekly monitoring of City of Kentwood facilities has shown no methane vapor intrusion into building structures.

The cost of this new extraction system was roughly $1 million with funding provided through the Kent County Solid Waste Surcharge.

Public Museum extends its weekend hours starting Jan. 6

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The Grand Rapids Public Museum. (Supplied)

The Grand Rapids Public Museum (GRPM) just announced changes to open hours for 2018 starting this Saturday, Jan. 6, including earlier hours on Sundays.

 

Starting this weekend, visitors can visit the Museum from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. This provides more opportunities for visitors to take advantage of the GRPM as the community hub for science, history and culture.

 

“We are excited to open earlier on Sundays for our visitors,” said Kate Moore, the Museum’s Vice President of Marketing & PR. “Based on visitor patterns we are shifting our hours to better accommodate our guests to be open when they want to visit us.”

 

The GRPM will be open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. For more information on upcoming exhibits, events and more, visit grpm.org.

 

The Museum will no longer offer their extended evening hours on Tuesday nights with plans to do more regular evening programming at the Museum, including the Concerts Under the Stars series and Beer Explorers.

Meijer Gardens’ ‘Drawn Into Form’ exhibit to focus Pepper’s visionary creative process

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By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

 

There is probably not a vantage point on the grounds of the Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park where you cannot see Beverly Pepper’s monumental sculpture “Galileo’s Wedge”. Depending on one’s world view, it is either an authoritative metal finger pointing toward the heavens or an elongated monolith-like spike sinking deep into the Earth.

 

Either way, the 2009 acquisition by Meijer Gardens is a soaring steel object of visual beauty and, simultaneously, engineering mastery which rises nearly 40 feet into the sky and an undefined depth into the ground.

 

It is that imagination-bending blend of engineering mastery and visual beauty which will be the focus of the next featured exhibit at Meijer Gardens as “Drawn Into Form: Sixty Years of Drawings and Prints by Beverly Pepper” opens Feb. 2, 2018.

 

The exhibition is the first public showing of the gift of Pepper’s expansive print and drawing archives that was given to Meijer Gardens in 2016 and 2017.  Spanning seven decades of work by the contemporary sculptor, the archives includes hundreds of drawings, prints, works on paper and notebooks, with many containing sketches of her major sculptural endeavors on display around the world.

 

Beverly Pepper at Meijer Gardens. (Undated photo taken by George Tatge)

“The 2018 retrospective surveying sixty-five years of work is a rare luxury, and an unbelievable opportunity,” Pepper said in supplied material. “Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park has clearly demonstrated a strong commitment to my sculpture and I am enthusiastic to now have this major body of my work there.” Pepper said in supplied material. “To have in one location a space to study, compare and sequence my drawings and prints is an exceptional opportunity.”

 

Pepper (born 1922 in Brooklyn, N.Y.) lives and works in Italy. Her works have been exhibited and collected by major arts institutions and galleries around the world, including The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, The Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C., Les Jardins du Palais Royal in Paris, and The Museum of Modern Art in Sapporo, Japan.

 

Joseph Antenucci Becherer, chief curator and vice president of Meijer Gardens, sees the exhibit as a logical public extension of the artist’s gift.

 

“The importance of the gift and this exhibition simply cannot be overstated,” Becherer said in supplied material. “The opportunity to experience the sheer brilliance of Pepper’s work and trace the trajectory of her career from a realist aesthetic in the late 1940s and 50s, through her embrace of abstraction to become one of America’s leading abstract sculptors, is beyond compare.”

 

The exhibition will run through April 19, 2018.

 

Pepper is world-renowned for her work, which often incorporates industrial metals like iron, bronze, stainless steel and stone into sculpture of a monumental scale, but her vast drawing and print repertoire is lesser known.

 

Associated with the exhibit will be several special events including a March 18 discussion on “Five Great Women Sculptors” by Suzanne Eberle, Professor of Art History at Kendall College of Art & Design. The talk will focus on important female artists — including Pepper, Magdalena Abakanowicz, Louise Bourgeois, Barbara Hepworth, and Louise Nevelson — who have worked in large scale.

 

For more information visit meijergardens.org .

 

WKTV Journal: A celebration of 2017

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In our last newscast for 2017, we take a look back at the Year of the Rooster, according to the Vietnamese calendar. In 2017, the City of Kentwood marked its 50th anniversary with a variety of special events that included a weekend-long celebration in August. Mayor Stephen Kepley was re-elected to a second term as the city’s mayor and newcomers Emily Bridson and Tom McKelvey joined the Kentwood City Commission.

 

 

There also was a host of activities in the city of Wyoming as well from its second annual Clean Up Day to the Metro Cruise. Both cities also approved The Rapid millage continuing busing within the cities.

 

Travel the world from the seat of your own couch with a special series from Wyoming’s own Sid Lenger

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In the film “America Now,” Sid Lenger talks about why George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln are featured on Mt. Rushmore.

 

“We were about ready to retire,” said Sid Lenger. “I was 69 at the time and we were showing films at Godwin Heights High School when this person came up and said ‘Would you like to go to India?’

 

“So we retired right into visiting India for the next 24 years.”

 

Lenger has never missed an opportunity to film. While serving on a landing ship, tank (LST) during World War II, he received permission to have a camera “and I brought a video camera as well,” he said.

 

The former owner of Lenger Travel has created hundreds of films. At age 99, he is not the globe-trotter he once was, but his travel films remain popular keeping Lenger busy with scheduling various series at Marge’s Donut Den. Starting on Jan. 2, WKTV will be featuring a selection of Lenger’s travel films, which will air at 2:30 p.m. on WKTV 25 and repeat at noon on Fridays.

 

“What makes his films so unique is that its not just the usual overview of well-known places such as Munich or Berlin, but Sid captures what life is really like,” said WKTV volunteer Tom Sibley, who has worked with Lenger on his series at Marge’s Donut Den. “When he took tour groups, he often would take smaller groups so that they could get up close to the whales or access to places larger groups could not visit.”

 

Lenger also built a lot of relationships with people because he kept coming back to those smaller communities, Sibley said. Such was the case when Lenger headed to the mountains of Northern Italy and film the history and art of the Anri wood carvers, recording a century-old tradition.

 

“The narration is clear,” Sibley said. “He doesn’t waste a lot of words and yet you can tell, he has done a lot of research.”

 

Sid Lenger with WKTV Managing Editor Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

“In ‘America Then’ (the first in the WKTV series), I take each of the presidents on Mt. Rushmore and explain why that president is there and what is going on during their lifetime,” Lenger said, adding the film also discusses the history of the U.S. flag. “A teacher came up to me and said that it is the best history lesson she had ever seen.”

 

In his partnership with Pastor John Devries, the founder of Mission India and the person who asked Lenger and his wife Beulah if they would be interested in visiting the country, Lenger filmed scenery and life in a country that was not always welcoming to Christians.

 

Filmmaking always has been a hobby for the World War II veteran. He created many of his travel films and showed them at Godwin Heights High School to help increase interest in some of the tours offered through his agency. Today, it still remains a hobby with Lenger maintaining a studio space in his home where he edits on a regular basis, according to his daughter Lavonne Ritzema. He also has an area for painting as well, she noted.

 

“I’ve got this Michigan film I’ve put together,” Lenger said. “I need to redo it. This summer, I am going to head over to Frankenmuth and get some footage of the Silent Night Chapel.”

 

As we all await for the Michigan film, take some time to check out some of Lenger’s earlier travel films on WKTV. Also, Lenger film series is every other Wednesday at 2 p.m. at Marge’s Donut Den, 1751 28th St. SW. The Marge’s Donut Den series will restart on Jan. 10.

 

 

Wyoming seeks input on Gezon Park Master Plan

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The City of Wyoming is seeking input from residents on a new master plan for Gezon Park..

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

joanne@wktv.org

 

Ever wanted an ultimate Frisbee court? Hoping to have a splash pad at your park? How about more walking trails? Now is the time for Wyoming residents to speak up as the City of Wyoming asks for their input on what Gezon Park should offer.

 

Through Jan. 11, the City of Wyoming is seeking Wyoming residents’ input on a new master plan for Gezon Park.

 

The Gezon Park project is part of the library millage proposal that Wyoming voters approved in May. Voters approved a proposal that allowed the city to open up its current library millage to help with park improvements. About .16 of the .39 library millage, about $800,000 a year, is being used to help pay a 15-year bond of $4.4 million.

 

The master plan will be the basis of the future park development plans. Residents are encouraged to take a survey at www.surveymonkey.com/r/GezonParkMasterPlan. The survey only takes about a couple of minutes to complete. The survey will be available until Jan. 11. After the survey information has been processed, there will be two public meetings on the park as well. The first is scheduled for Jan. 18 at 6:30 p.m. KDL Wyoming Branch, 3350 Michael Ave. SW. The second will be on Feb. 8 at 6:30 p.m. at Metro Health University of Michigan Health Conference Center, 2225 Main St., located in the hospital.

 

Gezon Park, which includes 94 acres with two entrances, 5651 Gezon Ct. SW and 1940 52nd St SW, actually had a site plan developed in 1996. However much has changed since then, noted Wyoming’s Director of Community Services Rebecca Rynbrandt, who oversees the parks.

 

“With the growth in the City’s southern region, from developments at Metro Health Village to expanded residential housing along Wilson Avenue, we need the facilities of Gezon Park to align, not only the community needs of today, but well into the future,” Rynbrandt said. “We really look to our community and area residents to guide this process so Gezon can be exactly what is needed for the area.”

 

The walking path at Gezon Park during the summer.

While Gezon Park runs from Gezon Parkway and 52nd Street, only the entrance areas have been developed. The north end of the park (the 52nd Street entrance) serves as a neighborhood park with basketball courts, a picnic shelter, playground area and walking trail.The south end of the park (the Gezon Parkway entrance) is an active sports park with baseball, softball, and football fields along with restroom facilities. The vast majority of the park remains undeveloped. The City of Wyoming Water Treatment Plant is located adjacent to the park on the City property as well.

 

Gezon Park is one of four parks included in the proposed park improvements. The other parks are Ferrand Park, a pocket park on Byron Center Avenue; Jackson Park, located at 1331 33rd St. SW; and Ideal Park, located at 5843 Crippen Ave. SW.

 

 

For more information about Gezon Park or the greater Wyoming Parks system or program, contact the City of Wyoming Parks and Recreation Department at 616-530-3164 or parks_info@wyomingmi.gov or visit www.wyomingmi.gov.

Some of the biggest stories of 2017 for Wyoming and Kentwood

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2017 top story: Grace Bible College’s Kate Shellenbarger makes a difference by working with Wyoming police Det./Lt. James Maguffee. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)

As 2017 comes to a close, I thought it would be fun to take a look at some of the most popular stories for the cities of Kentwood and Wyoming.

 

In compiling this list, I took a look at both page views on a story, which indicates the number of people who clicked on the article, and also social media statistics. The result is a mix of both most read and shared articles from the WKTV Journal website.

 

One of the most read stories, and shared extensively on social media, was Grace Bible College student ‘part of solution’ to local human trafficking problem and almost tied was Grab a seat – the eagles are back and viewing is easy through online sites, written by WKTV contributor Catherin Kooyers.

 

 

In fact, the City of Wyoming had several of our most read and shared stories which included Wyoming’s Spring Carnival is back at new location, Lamar Park and Wyoming set to have a brew, or two with Two Guys Brewery.

 

A room with a view: The partnership to make the Kelloggsville Library a community library wrapped up the year and our list for most read and shared stories of 2017.

Other top Wyoming stories were:

 

Wyoming Public Schools seek millage extension to modernize buildings, expand high school

 

New Godfrey Lee district board member brings Latinx perspective to educational leadership

 

Ribbon cutting celebrates redevelopment of former Wyoming Village Mall to 28 West Place/ With commercial and city cooperation, grand opening of 28 West Place more than a ribbon cutting

 

Intersecting of 56th and Ivanrest scheduled to get traffic signal

 

‘Boots and Badges’ brings first responders, community together for day of appreciation and fun

 

Wyoming seeks to open up library maintenance millage for park improvements

 

Get to know your neighbor at the first-ever Wyoming Winterfest/It may have been warm but WinterFest was a success

 

 

The first Kentwood City Commission met on Feb. 27, 1967. The city kicked off its 50th anniversary by hosting a commission meeting on Feb. 27, 2017.

The biggest event that took place in the City of Kentwood was the city’s year-long 50th anniversary celebration, so it only makes sense that many of the most read and shared Kentwood stories centered around the celebration. Some of those stories were:

 

Kentwood 50: Kentwood’s fifth graduating class celebrates its 50th anniversary

 

Kentwood kicks off year-long 50th anniversary celebration with a special city commission meeting

 

Kentwood 50: Opening celebration brings dignitaries to town

 

Kentwood 50: City recognizes establishments that have been apart of the community for 50 years or more

 

Celebrating Kentwood is what this upcoming weekend event is all about

 

Kentwood hosts Trunk or Treat event Oct. 21

 

Kentwood gives summer a final hurrah with food truck festival

 

 

The Wyoming Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce kicked off the year with some of the hottest news: the 2016 Chamber Award winners which included Chamber names Valorous Circle ‘2016 Service Business of the Year,’ Lacks Enterprises named manufacturer of the year by chamber, and Craig’s Cruisers named retail business of the year by chamber. Another popular Chamber story was on the  2017 SouthKent Expo: More than 80 vendors scheduled for this year’s SouthKent Expo.

Wyoming high head coach Irvin Sigler, at a preseason press conference. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)

 

 

There was a lot going in local sports including the newly appointed Wyoming High School Football Coach Irvin Sigler III and in fact one of the top shared sports stories was Wyoming football team learning, growing under new coach’s guidance. Another top sports story was the September piece Godwin Heights honors one of its own, Chris Pulliams, prior to home football game, recognizing the longtime athletic director and teacher.

 

 

In entertainment, theater stories did quite well with everyone loving the story of Kira Alsum in Local resident takes the Civic Theatre stage in upcoming production of ‘Annie.’ taking a top spot. In fact, readers seemed to really enjoy hearing of the accomplishments of many of our local thespians with other Civic Theatre stories such as Civic Theatre’s ‘Fancy Nancy’ features Kentwood resident in lead and Four local residents celebrate the wisdom of Dr. Seuss in Civic Theatre production were popular as well. Another well shared and popular entertainment story was Retirement’ on the menu for owners of Pal’s Diner.

 

Jason Morrison as Oliver Warbucks with Kentwood’s Kira Alsum as Grace Farrell in Grand Rapids Civic Theatre holiday production of “Annie”

Other top WKTV Journal 2017 entertainment stories were:

 

For semi-serious beer-fueled runners, a new pub run/crawl series

 

Public Museum’s Beer Explorers pairs beer, doughnuts this month

 

Reciprocal membership benefits for GRPM members with Mt. Pleasant Discovery Museum 

 

On Tap: Cedar Springs Pub Crawl or passport stops, your call after Black Friday

 

Still available, Jamie, from Crash’s Landing.

 

Who does not love a good animal story? Through partnerships with such groups as Crash’s Landing and the Humane Society of West Michigan, we have featured a number of adoptable animals and of the top five, Nessarose, Jamie, Heihei, Cuervo, and Salsa (All from Crash’s Landing), three have been adopted, Nessarose’s adoption is pending and Jamie is being fostered.

 

 

Wrapping up our list of the 2017 biggest stories is Kelloggsville, KDL join together to open high school library to entire community, which I could not think of a better way to cap off the year. The story, which was published in December and did remarkably well for the short time it has been up, serves as an excellent example of how various community groups working together can find a way to fill a need. Those partnerships are what has enabled the cities of Wyoming and Kentwood to accomplish some pretty amazing things, as you can tell from this list of 2017 most read and shared stories.

 

And with that said, we look forward to covering the amazing things that both the cities of Wyoming and Kentwood accomplish in 2018.

 

Victoria Mullen contributed to this story.