Category Archives: 3-bottom

Cool off this summer with the Public Museum’s newest exhibits

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Education, Entertainment, Kent County, Kids Activities, Recreation, , ,
“Ice Age: Michgian’s Frozen Secrets” features how Michigan landscapes looked thousands of years ago. (Courtesy, Grand Rapids Public Museum)

By Adam Brown
WKTV Contributor

Have you ever wished to go back in time to the dawn of the Ice Age? Or look at the impacts of snow on a global scale? Now you can, with the Grand Rapids Public Museum’s new exhibits Ice Age: Michigan’s Frozen Secrets and Snow: Tiny Crystals, Global Impact.

What Are the New Exhibits?

Set to run May 20 through Sept. 3, the new exhibits put a unique Michigan spin on global events. In addition, they continue the GRPM’s mission of educating the public through immersive and enriching displays. Of the GRPM’s new additions, Public Museum’s Vice President of Marketing and Public Relations Dustin Tyler noted, “Ice Age: Michigan’s Frozen Secrets and Snow: Tiny Crystals, Global Impact are two incredibly unique and exciting exhibits that we are thrilled to bring to our community. We believe both exhibits will provide visitors with unforgettable educational experiences and inspire curiosity about Michigan’s history and the impact of snow on our environment.”

Ice Age: Michigan’s Frozen Secrets

Ice Age: Michigan’s Frozen Secrets localizes the historical period, focusing on modern-day West Michigan when prehistoric animals dominated the Earth. The exhibit depicts how the landscape looked thousands of years ago, with a chance to interact with some of the area’s native creatures. In addition, patrons can enjoy tactile experiences where they can handle actual fossilized bones and teeth from the era. The available bones come from a selection of a recently discovered mastodon in the Grand Rapids area.

Visitors will be able touch mastodon bones that were found in Grand Rapids. (Courtesy, Grand Rapids Public Museum)

In August 2022, mastodon bones were uncovered during a construction dig at the Grand Rapids property of Michael and Courtney Clapp. Wanting to keep the artifacts local and accessible to the public, the Clapps donated their namesake Clapp Family Mastodon to the Grand Rapids Public Museum. The recovered bones form the basis of the Ice Age exhibit. In this fully immersive experience, visitors are encouraged to touch and observe the bones and teeth, connecting them to the life of early humans in the area.

Though designed to supplement material learned in the classroom, Ice Age: Michigan’s Frozen Secrets is geared toward all ages, per GRPM Marketing Manager Sara Olsen. People naturally question what their home state might have looked like in the prehistoric era. This exhibit is designed to answer those burning questions by allowing museumgoers to physically interact with what came before.

Snow: Tiny Crystals, Global Impact 

Snow: Tiny Crystals, Global Impact takes the opposite route, looking at snow globally and how it impacts worldwide climate systems. No matter where we live, snow impacts us all. In this exhibit, patrons can examine all the ways this natural weather phenomenon affects the globe.

“Snow: Tiny Crystals, Global Impact” will look at how snow impacts worldwide climate systems. (Courtesy, Grand Rapids Public Museum)

While new to the GRPM, Snow: Tiny Crystals, Global Impact was initially developed by the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) in Portland, Oregon. Like the GRPM, the OMSI is devoted to fostering learning and curiosity in its visitors through interactive experiments, exhibits, and demonstrations for a younger, school-age demographic.

In Snow: Tiny Crystals, Global Impact, guests answer one fundamental question. What is snow? An immersive digital snowstorm enables visitors to interact with snow crystals, examining how each is truly unique. While all ages may enjoy the exhibit, the tactile games make the experience especially rewarding for the younger crowd by allowing them to take an interactive role in the process, per Olson. Guests can also listen to oral histories about snow from elders and culture leaders of the Inupiaq tribes to supplement the interactive game. These elements seek to educate the public about the importance of snow in the worldwide climate system and how each tiny crystal has a global impact.

Despite differing scopes and content, the GRPM designed Ice Age: Michigan’s Frozen Secrets and Snow: Tiny Crystals, Global Impact to work in tandem with one another. Both offer glimpses into climate and weather patterns over time and allow patrons to interact with those patterns while building an understanding of the world around them.

 

Guests who purchase general admission tickets to the GRPM between May 20 and Sept. 3 can participate in the new exhibits, with free admission for those 17 and under. In addition, members can receive early access to the exhibits through an exclusive members only preview. Those interested may find information on museum hours and ticket prices at the GRPM’s official website.

KDL hosts free preview of Ebony Road Players’ ‘Alabama Story’

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WKTV/D.A. Reed

By D.A. Reed
WKTV Contributor

Kent District Library (KDL) will be hosting a free preview event of Ebony Road Players’ production of Alabama Story from 6:30-7:30p.m. at the Grandville and Cascade Township branches May 17-18.

The Ebony Road Players will present a reading of “Alabama Story” May 17 and 18 at the KDL Grandville and Cascade branches. (Courtesy, Ebony Road Players, photo by Brian Greenleaf)

Founder and Executive Director of Ebony Road Players, Edye Evans Hyde, and cast members will share a reading from the play Alabama Story and discuss its relevance today.

“When we heard the story about the play (Hyde) was putting on, it just seemed like a natural fit,” said KDL Director of Engagement Randy Goble. “It’s a topic we hear about in the current day and time…(and) it’s seeing how something from the late 1950s is relevant today.”

The six-actor, one-set play written by Kenneth Jones gives voice to a little-known story about a librarian who was persecuted for protecting a children’s book titled The Rabbits’ Wedding.

The story of two rabbits

A children’s picture book written and illustrated by Garth Williams and published in 1958, The Rabbits’ Wedding depicts the love and wedding of two rabbits, one black and one white. The book was ridiculed as promoting interracial marriage, and Emily Wheelock Reed, director of the Alabama Library Service Division, became an advocate for The Rabbits’ Wedding.

KDL features a display about Loving Day, the anniversary of when interracial marriage laws were abolished. (Courtesy, KDL)

“We wanted to do (the preview) to support Ebony Road Players, but also because it is a very fascinating story that we want to help people and the community become more familiar with,” Goble said.

Alabama Story is being performed in conjunction with National Loving Day, an annual celebration held on the anniversary of the United States Supreme Court decision Loving v Virginia, which abolished interracial marriage laws on June 12, 1967.

“Unfortunately, a lot of things during the Civil Rights movement and this particular court case in 1967 is rearing its head again,” Hyde told WKTV. “I was searching for plays, and this one came up. I thought, this needs to be shown so people have an opportunity to see what’s going on now is not new.”

Telling multi-cultural stories

Since its inception as a non-profit theater organization in 2013, Ebony Road Players has provided a platform for narratives like Alabama Story that are not normally heard about or discussed.

Over the past 10 years, Hyde has not lacked for participants in ERP or viewers for their productions.

“It is a very multi-cultural group of people coming,” Hyde said. “They are understanding the need for these stories to be told on a consistent basis. People have been really open to it.”

A participant and one of only a handful of African Americans in Grand Rapids theater during the 1980s-1990s, Hyde began Ebony Road Players when she “realized the talent that is supposed to be here for telling these types of stories was not here. It hadn’t been cultivated.”

Hyde continued to say that she realized the real need was to build a talent pool that could be part of productions and opportunities that are not always given to people of color, and Hyde has been appreciative of the reception from the West Michigan arts community.

“We (Grand Rapids) have a pretty vibrant arts community, and we all work together,” she said.

A natural fit

Goble urges community members to come out for the Alabama Story preview. “If you would like a sneak peek, please come to the library at either of the two locations,” said Goble. “It’s going to be a fantastic introduction to the whole story.”

The May 17 performance will be at the KDL Grandville branch, 4055 Maple Ave. SW. The May 18 performances will be at the KDL Cascade branch, 2870 Jacksmith Ave. SE.

Ebony Road Players will be presenting the full production of Alabama Story June 8-11 at the Grand Rapids Public Museum, 272 Pearl St. NW. Information and tickets can be found here.

ERP is also collaborating with the Grand Rapids Children’s Museum, 11 Sheldon Ave. NE, to host a Loving Day celebration for families on June 10 from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. More information can be found here: Faces of Family: Growing Seeds of Love.

D. A. (Deborah) Reed is an award-winning author of young adult novels and a creative writing instructor from the Grand Rapids area. To find out more about D.A. Reed, visit her website: D.A. Reed Author

Kentwood, Wyoming show off their big trucks during Public Works open houses

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

By Tessa Schulz
WKTV Contributor

You might be able to climb into this truck during the Wyoming Department of Public Works’ open house on Monday, May 15. (WKTV/Tessa Schulz)

Have you ever looked outside on a snowy day, sipping a hot chocolate while flurries blow through the frosty air? On wintry days plow trucks keep us safe by providing salt for the streets and scraping snow from the roads.

The Public Works team is here for many seasons, whether it is the icy winter, leafy fall, or road construction.

 

The Wyoming Department of Public Works is hosting an open house this Monday, May 15, from 5-8 p.m. at the Public Works Facility located at 2660 Burlingame Ave. SW to educate the community on who they are and what they do.

The Kentwood Department of Public Works will be hosting its public works open house Thursday, May 18, 4-7 p.m. at the Kentwood Department of Public Works facility, 5068 Breton Ave. SE. The event is a joint venture with th eKent County

Both events are an early celebration of Public Works Week, May 21-27, which celebrates how public works connects a community through service and infrastructure.

Public Work professionals include engineers, public service, traffic, and fleet service workers. The Kentwood and Wyoming teams provide construction, maintenance, and repairs for streets, sidewalks, waterlines, sewer systems, traffic signs, city vehicles, and equipment.

During the events, community members will meet the public works team, check out demonstrations and climb into a public works vehicle.

Wyoming Public Works Day

“It’s a fun way to show off what we do for the city,” said Jay VanDyke, Wyoming Public Works assistant director. “It’s a great way for the community to come and meet the team who largely works behind the scenes. It’s a hands-on learning opportunity. It has something for every age. Many people never really grow tired of being fascinated by some of this larger equipment.”

The Wyoming open house will feature equipment, including a hydro excavator, dump truck, salt truck, boom truck, and street sweeper. In addition, guests may play games (hammer toss or Plinko) to win prizes or explore booths and displays, including the sewer jet flusher.

The Wyoming open house will serve hot dogs, chips, popsicles, and refreshments. In previous years, several hundred residents attended the city’s open houses.

“We hope that people walk away with a better understanding of the various responsibilities we have at the Public Works Department and the services we provide,” VanDyke said. “Some of these services include providing everyone clean, safe drinking water and a reliable, efficient sewer system. The nice thing about a reliable, efficient sewer system is if you never have to think about it, it’s working great!”

Kentwood Public Works Day

The Kentwood event will have hands-on activities, maintenance and repair demonstrations, and giveaways. All guests may take home free red maple and river birch tree seedlings. In addition, the event will have complimentary food and refreshments.

The Kentwood Department of Public Works will host an open house with the Kent County Road Commission on Thursday, May 18. (Supplied)

Semifinalists and finalists of the Work Zone Safety Poster competition will be recognized at 5:30 p.m. Sponsored by Kent County Road Commission and public works agencies throughout Kent County, the poster contest invited third-graders from across the county to design a caution sign focused on safety tips for driving through a work zone. A gallery of entries will be displayed during the event.

“The Kentwood Department of Public Works supports many aspects of our residents’ daily lives, from plowing roads to maintaining trails to repairing public safety vehicles,” Public Works Director Chad Griffin said. “We’re looking forward to connecting with the community to share more about what we do and display some of the equipment we use to get the job done.”

The Kent County Road Commission will also have team members and equipment on-site to share more about the department’s role in the community.

“Our team works collaboratively with public works departments throughout the county to serve residents by keeping roads safe,” said Steve Warren, managing director of the Kent County Road Commission. “We are excited to connect with community members and share more about our dedication to maintaining public infrastructure.”

 

The Kentwood Department of Public Works has five divisions that work together to maintain the City’s infrastructure, which includes more than 150 miles of pipes underground and more than 155 miles of streets above ground, as well as parks and grounds, buildings and vehicles. The five divisions are building maintenance, fleet services, grounds maintenance, streets maintenance and utilities (water and wastewater) services. To learn more about Kentwood DPW, visit kentwood.us/DPW.

The Rapid moves to being greener while expanding its route

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism,

By WKTV Staff
joanne@wktv.org

The Rapid is going green with EPA-certified renewable natural gas from the City of Grand Rapids’ biodigester. (Supplied)

The Rapid is moving to become more green with renewable natural gas (RNG) while expanding its routes to aid in employment opportunities.

In April, The Rapid announced it has begun receiving EPA-certified renewable natural gas from the City of Grand Rapids’ biodigester, which is a major milestone in a multi-year effort to create a partnership that upholds a shared commitment to sustainability.

“The partnership speaks to innovative ways that local governments can work with regional partners and support their sustainability goals while also reinforcing the City’s commitment to building a safe and healthy community,” said James Hurt, Grand Rapids’ managing director of Public Services.

The Rapid has been working to transition its bus fleet away from diesel fuel to lower-emission potions since 2017, and the new partnership will create a renewable fuel source captures methane from the decomposition process, converting it into usable vehicle fuel and redirecting the waste away from local landfills.

 

“We’re fueling a cleaner fleet and significantly reducing our carbon footprint,” said Deb Prato, CEO of The Rapid. “This innovative partnership represents the creativity and collaboration that is necessary to develop strategies across multiple sectors to create better outcomes for the climate and the community.”

RNG fuel is considered carbon-negative, producing the lowest carbon intensity of any on-road vehicle fuel. The Rapid will be able to utilize this fuel immediately in the fleet without the need for massive infrastructure changes or investments.

The Rapid’s fleet currently consists of 133 buses, 102 of which will have the capacity to run fully on RNG. Diesel buses will continue to be retired and replaced by RNG vehicles, in a continued effort to reach zero emissions by 2023.

Starting this week, The Rapid announced its Route 8 Prairie/Rivertown will now have two weekday trips serving Michigan Turkey Producers.

 

“Our diverse workforce represents a large community of people in West Michigan with a wide range of transportation needs,” said MaryAnne McCaffrey, Vice President of Human Resources at Michigan Turkey Producers. “A stop at our location will ensure a safe and reliable commute for our employees.”

 

Route 8 will have two weekday trips, the first trip departing from Rapid Central Station at 6:45 a.m. and the second trip departing from Michigan Turkey at 4:58 p.m. The 6:45 a.m. trip will follow its regular route to Rivertown, continuing to Michigan Turkey Producers on Chicago Drive. The 4:58 p.m. trip will take a left on Burlingame and travel directly to Michigan Turkey Producers, before returning to Godfrey and then to Rapid Central Station. All previous stops along Route 8 will continue to be served.

“We are dedicated to improving the lives of our community across the six cities by offering reliable transportation options that improve access to employment opportunities and effectively remove barriers,” said Deb Prato, CEO of The Rapid. 

Kentwood to host Bark for the Park May 18 to benefit Kellogg Woods Dog Park

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Last year’s annual Bark for the Park event. (Courtesy, City of Kentwood)



WKTV Staff

greer@wktv.org


The City of Kentwood’s Bark for the Park event is set for Thursday, May 18 to raise funds for new amenities at the dog park at Kellogg Woods Park. 

The dog-friendly event takes place 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Kellogg Woods Park, 275 Kellogg Woods Park Drive SE. Admission is free, and financial donations are accepted throughout the event. No registration is required. 

Pet vendors, vet clinics, Wyoming K9 unit and more

Attendees and their canine companions can explore a variety of local pet vendors and community booths, including veterinary clinics, the Wyoming Police K9 unit and more. The event also will include a pet craft station, photo booth and dog agility course. A doggie bag filled with dog treats and other favors will will be available for participants to take home.  


The Wyoming Police K9 unit will be at Bark for the Park. (Courtesy, City of Kentwood)


At 6:30 p.m., attendees will have a chance to show off their pup’s style by participating in a doggy fashion show. The crowd favorite will receive a gift basket.

Dune Buggy and Underground Cookie Club food trucks will be on-site with burgers, fries, ice cream sandwiches and beverages available for purchase. T-shirts also will be for sale at the Kentwood Parks and Recreation tent.

“The dog park at Kellogg Woods Park is a unique amenity we’re proud to be able to offer the dogs and dog lovers in our community,” said Spencer McKellar, the City of Kentwood’s lead recreation program coordinator. “This event is a fun opportunity to gather together to showcase this space to the community and raise money to ensure it remains a premier canine hangout for years to come.”






Funds raised at this year’s event will go toward the purchase of a shade structure at the park.  Champion sponsors include Beastro Fresh Canine Cuisine, Bloom Sluggett, PC, Consumers Energy Home Energy Analysis, Metronet, VCA Woodland Animal Hospital and Whiskers Resort & Pet Spa. Advocate sponsors include Red Barn Veterinary Clinic, Simply Pet Cremation Services and Sinclair Recreation, LLC. 

For more event information, visit kentwood.us/BarkForThePark.


Last year’s annual Bark for the Park event. (Courtesy, City of Kentwood)

Wyoming investigates crash, Sheriff recovers stolen vechiles

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Crime Prevention, Kent County, , , , ,

By WKTV Staff
joanne@wktv.org

Wyoming

On May 9, at approximately 7:30 a.m., police and fire personnel from the Wyoming Department of Public Safety and Grandville Police responded to the area of 28th Street near Clydon Avenue on a report of a head-on collision involving two vehicles.

When officers arrived they located two patients, an unresponsive 7-year-old female and a 31-year-old male both with serious injuries. The uninjured driver remained at the scene to speak with police. the injuries driver and child were both transported to an area hospital in critical condition.

The Wyoming Department of Public Safety’s Accident Investigation and Forensic Services Units are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding this incident.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact Wyoming Police at 616-530-7300 or Silent Observer at 616-774-2345.

Kent County Sheriff’s Department

At 2:30 a.m. this morning, a homeowner called 911 stating three suspects were checking car doors in the neighborhood along South Park Drive SW. Deputies arrived in the area and located the vehicle described by the homeowner and attempted to stop it. The vehicle fled from deputies but ran over spike strips just down the road. A pursuit continued up Kalamazoo Avenue nail the driver lost control and came to a stop along Kalamazoo Avenue near 52nd Street.

One occupant ran away and a second was arrested in the vehicle. The vehicle itself was stolen form Plainfield Township on May 3. Inside the deputies located two pistols along with cash and other items stolen from vehicles. An 18-year-old Grand Rapids man was arrested on charges related to the case. The other suspect remains outstanding.

This follow a similar incident Monday morning in Byron Township. At 6 a.m., KCSO dispatch received multiple calls of suspects breaking int o cars in the area of Marshwood Court SW. Two vehicles fled from deputies, which were later found at 68th Street and Clyde Park Avenue. As deputies closed in they located four suspects running form the cars, who were all apprehended (ages 15, 16, and two 17-year-old males from Grand Rapids). Three stolen vehicles in total were recovered.

According to a statement released by the Kent County Sheriff’s Department “We continue to see the brazen action of these suspects continue. Please keep your firearms, keys, and cash out of your vehicles. All areas of Kent County are being targeted.”

Kentwood Announces Summer Road Projects on nearly 28 miles of roads

3-bottom, City of Kentwood, West Michigan



By WKTV Staff

greer@wktv.org



The City of Kentwood has announced its tentative road construction and maintenance schedule for the summer.

The $9.7 million reconstruction, resurfacing and maintenance program has been approved by the City Commission and includes improvements to approximately 27.5 miles of major and local roads. Work is expected to begin this month and be completed by the end of October. 

Planned street reconstruction, resurfacing and maintenance projects

  • Full reconstruction of 52nd Avenue SE from Kalamazoo Avenue to Breton Avenue. 
  • Full reconstruction of Meadowlane Drive SE. 
  • Other preventative street maintenance work throughout the city, including routine street marking, crack sealing and patching.

Message boards on major streets will give drivers, pedestrians and bicyclists advance notice of when closures will begin.

“We are committed to ensuring Kentwood has quality roads, which contribute to public safety and sound city infrastructure,” City Engineer Brad Boomstra said. “We know construction can cause disruptions to daily life, so our contractors will work diligently to minimize the impact felt by our community.

“We appreciate the support of our residents and businesses as we complete this critical work to improve our roads.”

The full reconstruction project on 52nd Street will begin this month and include a new water main on the north side of the street, new asphalt pavement surface on the roadway and a new traffic signal at the intersection of 52nd Street and Stauffer Avenue. 

During construction, 52nd Street will remain open to one-way traffic in the eastbound direction only. Westbound traffic will need to follow a posted detour using Kalamazoo Avenue, 44th Street and Breton Avenue.

Meadowlane Drive project

The Meadowlane Drive project also will begin this month and include a new concrete curb and gutter, new concrete sidewalks and concrete driveway approaches, asphalt pavement surface on the roadway, storm sewer installation, water main installation and sanitary sewer installation. Meadowlane Drive will remain open throughout construction to residents and their guests. At times, access to properties may be from a single direction on a one-way gravel lane. There will be times throughout the project where driveways will be inaccessible and residents will need to park on the street.

Property owners affected by the 52nd Street and Meadowlane Drive projects were informed by letter. Mail delivery and trash pickup will not be disrupted.

Patching and sealing in June

Patching and crack sealing work will take place on several neighborhood streets in June to prepare them for cape sealing in August. Cape sealing is designed to create a smooth surface with increased durability. Cape seal projects take two non-consecutive days, with the cape seal treatment requiring up to a few hours to dry before being ready for traffic.  

Homeowners in the neighborhoods where these projects will take place will be informed by letter. Residents are asked to drive slowly during the road work and follow the crew’s instructions for the best access to their homes. On-street parking will not be allowed during cape sealing.

The City’s road maintenance decisions are based on a variety of data, including ratings from the annual Pavement Surface Evaluation and Rating system, or PASER. This rating system provides a basis for comparing the quality of roadway segments and assigns a rating of 1-10 for road pavement conditions based on visual inspections, with 10 representing good and 1 poor.

Kentwood maintains one of the highest-rated major street networks in Kent County, according to data compiled by the Grand Valley Metro Council that is based on PASER ratings.

Last year, the City invested in improvements to 30 miles of major and local roads. Major streets included in the 2022 reconstruction, resurfacing and maintenance program were:

  • East Paris Avenue SE from 28th Street to 36th Street
  • Jefferson Avenue SE from 44th Street to Montebello Street
  • Burton Street SE from East Paris Avenue to Patterson Avenue

For more information, including a map of street resurfacing and repairs, visit kentwood.us/construction. Community members can sign up to be notified when construction updates are added to the City’s website and receive updates via Facebook and Twitter.

Trinity Health first in the area to offer Aquablation Therapy

3-bottom, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Community Health, Health

Maggie Carey
WKTV Contributor

Trinity Health Grand Rapids, a leading medical facility in West Michigan, has become the first and only hospital in the area to offer Aquablation therapy, a new and innovative treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), or benign enlarged prostate.

Dr. Navneet Mander

BPH is a non-cancerous condition where the prostate grows larger than normal, causing difficulty urinating and putting pressure on the bladder, which can lead to irreversible bladder or kidney damage, bladder stones, and incontinence if left untreated. According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, benign prostatic hyperplasia affects about 50 percent of men between the ages of 51 and 60 and up to 90 percent of men older than 80.

Aquablation therapy is a minimally invasive treatment that uses imaging, robotics, and a heat-free waterjet to safely remove prostate tissue. This innovative therapy is supported by clinical studies that show long-lasting relief and lower rates of irreversible complications, such as erectile dysfunction and incontinence, for prostates of all sizes. It also provides significant symptom relief for men with large prostates.

 

Aquablation therapy is the first and only FDA-cleared, surgical robot using automated tissue resection for the treatment of LUTS (Lower urinary tract symptoms) due to BPH. It combines real-time, multi-dimensional imaging, automated robotics, and heat-free waterjet ablation for targeted, controlled, and immediate removal of prostate tissue.

Navneet Mander, MD, a urologist at Trinity Health Grand Rapids, expressed excitement about this new treatment option for his patients, stating that “Aquablation therapy is a new and exciting option for these patients and the next step to furthering our commitment to men’s health. This solution can provide significant, long-lasting symptom relief with lower risk to their sexual function or continence.”

Aquablation therapy offers a safe and effective alternative to existing surgical treatments for BPH, which may have potential adverse effects on sexual function and continence. For many men, the negative side effects of BPH medications can be a significant concern.

 

Aquablation therapy provides a safe and effective alternative to allow these patients to minimize, and potentially discontinue, the need for these BPH medications. The medical community has embraced Aquablation therapy for its many benefits, including the potential for fewer irreversible complications, faster recovery times, and shorter hospital stays.

Trinity Health Grand Rapids is leading the way in West Michigan by offering Aquablation therapy as a new and exciting treatment option for men with lower urinary tract symptoms due to BPH. 

Power of love underlying theme in ‘Hadestown’

3-bottom, Entertainment, Recreation, Upcoming Events,
Maria Christina Oliveras plays Persephone in the national tour of “Hadestown,” which comes to Grand Rapids this week. (Photo by T. Charles-Erickson)

By John D. Gonzalez
WKTV Contributor


Maria-Christina Oliveras, who plays Persephone in the Broadway national tour of “Hadestown,” said the premise of the musical is life changing:

 “Love is the greatest force of the universe and can recalibrate (us)!” she said in a recent phone interview with WKTV while on a tour stop in Milwaukee.

As the Greek goddess of the underworld ruled by Hades, Persephone may know a little bit about the universe, especially as it pertains to “Hadestown,” the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical that tells a modern retelling of the ancient Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice.

Overall it won eight Tony Awards in 2019, including Best Musical, and the Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album.

The story is set in a post-apocalyptic, Depression-era America, where the world is plagued by poverty and despair. Orpheus, a talented musician, falls in love with Eurydice, a young woman who is struggling to make ends meet. As they navigate their relationship and the challenges of their world, they are drawn into the dark underworld of Hadestown, ruled by the charismatic but ruthless Hades.

It’s that storyline of “love” and its power to “recalibrate” the universe that makes the musical so powerful, Oliveras said.

“(Love) is the biggest force of reckoning in the universe, and I think we do that through our music and through the story we tell,” she said. “We all need to reconnect again.”

In this Greek tragedy, the story explores themes of love and sacrifice, as well as temptation, and the power of music to inspire hope and bring people together.

Written by Anaïs Mitchell, the score blends elements of folk, blues, and jazz, and features memorable songs such as “Way Down Hadestown,” “Wait for Me,” and “Why We Build the Wall.”

Because it’s based on a Greek tragedy, Oliveras said “we all know how the story ends,” but it’s their goal as a cast “to tell it again with hope, in hopes that it may turn out a little different.”

“Hadestown” is a musical presented primarily in song with the ensemble performing as a Greek chorus and the three Fates, the mythical personifications of destiny, to assist Hermes in telling the story. Most of the show’s seven-member band performs onstage on risers, perched on a setting that resembles New Orleans’ French Quarter.

Hannah Whitley as Eurydice and J. Antonio Rodriguez as Orpheus with the company in “Hadestown.” (Photo by T. Charles Erikson)

Oliveras, a classically trained actor, singer, educator and activist from the Bronx, New York, said it’s the show’s innovation, especially in staging, that has resonated with audiences and made it a Broadway hit.

Also, its wide range of music from New Orleans jazz to folk has made it appealing “even to people who don’t like traditional musical theater.”

A graduate of Yale University, with an M.F.A. in Acting from the National Theatre Conservatory, Oliveras said the show is also relevant to today’s audience, weaving in themes of “immigration, community and climate change.”

“It’s got this depth, and it really hits where we are at this moment in the world, and in America specifically,” Oliversa said. “The combination of all of that…. you can’t resist.  It’s really a phenomenon.”

It also captures what it is like to be human, in the spirit of “we’re in it together,” she said.

Overall we are inspired by these young lovers, in song and creativity.

“It’s about the power of art to really transform and change, and reginate and reinspire, particularly in those moments where we’re disconnected, which is really prevalent in the world today.”

Tickets are available online at BroadwayGrandRapids.com or at the Broadway Grand Rapids box office located at 122 Lyon St. NW. Group orders of 10 or more may be placed by calling 616-235-6285.

Upcoming: FROZEN, July 11-24, 2023

More info, including season ticket information for the 2023-2024 season, at https://broadwaygrandrapids.com.

John D. Gonzalez is a digital journalist with 30-plus years of experience as a food, travel, craft beer and arts & entertainment reporter based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He also co-hosts the radio show and Podcast “Behind the Mitten,” which airs at 6 p.m. Sundays on WOOD-AM and FM. Follow him on his journey to discover what’s next. Learn more at amyandgonzo.com. You can find him on Twitter as @MichiganGonzo, on Instagram @MichiganGonzo and Facebook at @GRGonzo. Find his Channel on YouTube. Email him story ideas and tips at michigangonzo@gmail.com.

Meet Ray, an advocate for special needs pets

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Pets/Animals, , ,

By Janet Vormittag
WKTV Contributor

Fig and Friends founder Julie Beukema with Ray (courtesy, Janet Vormittag)

Julie Beukema monitors Michigan Urgent Cats on Facebook, where cats in desperate circumstances are posted with the hope someone can assist. Last November, she spotted a listing regarding a tiny kitten with infected eyes and knew she had to help. A volunteer drove the six-week-old kitten from the Detroit area to Grand Rapids.

Beukema is the founder of Fig and Friends Pet Rescue, a Grand Rapids-based nonprofit that relies on foster homes, volunteers and donations. The rescue takes in owner surrendered pets as well as cats and dogs from crowded shelters. The nonprofit works closely with the Calhoun County Animal Center and shelters in Southeast Michigan.

When the black and white kitten was delivered to Beukema, he was immediately rushed to a veterinarian. The diagnosis wasn’t good—both eyes were ruptured and tissue was becoming necrotic. Surgery to remove the eyes was recommended.

Other than his eyes, the one-pound kitten was healthy and purred up a storm.

“We felt we had to give him a chance,” Beukema said.

The total vet bill for Ray including surgery followup, neuter, vaccines, and microchip was close to $2,000. A Facebook fundraiser was created.

Ray, the Entertainer

Beukema named the longhaired kitten Ray Charles after the blind singer. Being blind didn’t hinder the entertainer and it hasn’t hampered his namesake.

“He’s the most social and curious kitten I’ve ever seen,” Beukema said.

At first glance, Ray’s missing eyes are not noticeable as the fur on his face is black. (Courtesy, Janet Vormittag)

At first glance, Ray’s missing eyes aren’t noticeable. The fur on most of his face is black and his longhair gives him a shaggy look as if his eyes are merely hidden.

Ray is now seven-months-old and is the official greeter at the Happy Cat Café, 447 S. Division Ave. Beukema recently partnered with the café, where cats from Figs and Friends are featured in the café’s adoption room.

Happy Cat Café has collaborated with numerous rescues since they opened and have adopted out close to 700 cats.

The Socialite

Ray is not available for adoption. He had been adopted, but allergies forced his return. Beukema then decided to adopt him herself. Because the blind kitten was so social, she thought to try him at the café. It turned out to be a good fit.

Ray is thriving at the café. He interacts with people, plays with toys and was the first cat to figure out how to run on an exercise wheel — picture a carpeted, four-foot tall hamster wheel.

Ray navigates through sound, scents and his whiskers. He chases and bats around toys like any sighted cat and leaves guests in the cat room amazed at his abilities.

 “He’s doing phenomenal. He’s an advocate for special needs cats,” Beukema said. She added if she ever notices Ray isn’t enjoying himself at the café, she’ll bring him home.

Janet Vormittag started Cats and Dogs, a Magazine Devoted to Companion Animals in 2006 as a monthly publication. It’s geared towards West Michigan readers and features pet-related advertisers, animals available for adoption, and articles about animal rescues and pets. In 2018, Cats and Dogs transitioned to a quarterly publication. The print edition is free and can be found at local libraries and businesses.

Circle Theatre spells success with its opening production

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, Recreation, Upcoming Events, , ,

By Colleen Pierson
WKTV Contributor

Circle Theatre presents the “25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” through May 20. (Courtesy, Circle Theatre)

How do you spell S-U-C-C-E-S-S?  One only has to be in the audience for Circle’s musical comedy to find out. The season opener is successful with tremendous audience appeal, superior talent, innovative staging and musical delights.

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee follows six nerdy and eclectic tweens who are definitely quirky, interesting and share their life stories with effortless humor and emotion.  It’s a small cast with big voices.

  

“What is the language of origins?”  “Can you use that in a sentence?”  “What’s the definition please?” These phrases take us back to some of the spelling bees of our school days. But what is the most memorable are the life stories of every cast member. The stories emotionally connect us throughout.

Kudos to co-directors Chris and Jenna Grooms for directing what seem to be young characters, but has a cast of all ages portraying that specific age group. They all try to spell their way through words like “capybara,” qaymaqam” “Cystitis” and other words I have never heard of.

Who will win the spelling championship of a lifetime? Audience members are on the edge of their seats just waiting to find out. There is no intermission which just adds to the suspense of the plot.

The show was a winner of the Tony and the Drama Desk Awards for Best Book. Well-deserved as the jokes, storylines, and content are relatable, emotional, funny and as clever as the characters themselves.

 

Zachary Avery, in the role of Leaf, doesn’t know how to spell, but when he goes into a trance, the results are correct and humorous. (Courtesy, Circle Theatre)

Another interesting aspect of the show is four audience members are called upon to compete in the bee. This provides an audience immersion delight and tests the casts’ improvisational techniques.

 

Each cast member has their own unique way of competing to win the spelling bee. Braden Bacon, portraying the role of Barfee, spells the word out on the ground with his foot. He gets the visual and then speaks it. Zachary Avery, in the role of Leaf, doesn’t know how to spell, but when he goes into a trance, the results are correct and humorous.

Usually there are stand out performers in musicals. This cast are all stand outs. Impeccable comedic timing, excellent voice and diction skills, in depth characterizations and gifted singers make this show one of the best I have seen in a long time.

Choreographer Mary Lohman and Music Director Scott Patrick Bell should also be commended on their creative efforts and in-depth talents.

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee runs at Circle Theatre through May 20. Tickets and information available at circletheatre.org.  The show runs May 4-6, 10-14 and 17-20, with May 14 being a matinee showing. Tickets are available for $26 – $30 at circletheatre.org. This season, Circle Theatre will present “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,” “Blithe Spirit,” “Pippin,” “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” and “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street.”  Definitely a winning season and one that we have just come to expect from Circle Theater.

Kentwood elected officials celebrate National Law Day with Q&A and panel discussion Monday

3-bottom, City of Kentwood, West Michigan,
Kent County Office of the Defender Defense Attorney Justin McCarthy (left) and retired Judge William G. Kelly during Kentwood’s National Law Day on May 1. (WKTV/D.A. Reed)



By D.A. Reed

WKTV Contributor

The Kentwood Justice Center opened its doors to the community to celebrate National Law Day with a panel discussion and Q&A session with elected officials on May 1.

Law Day, a national day dedicated to celebrating the rule of law, was celebrated at Kentwood’s 62-B District Court with a theme of Cornerstones of Democracy: Civics, Civility and Collaboration.

Envisioned by American Bar Association president Charles S. Rhyne in 1957 and put into practice by President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1958, Law Day provides an opportunity for community members to cultivate a deeper understanding of the legal profession.


Judge Amanda Sterkenburg (left) talks to DCA/Magistrate Michele White during National Law Day Monday at the Kentwood Justice Center. (WKTV/D.A. Reed)



The panel was moderated by 62-B District Court Administrator/Magistrate Michele White, with panelists including 62-B District Court Judge Amanda Sterkenburg, Kentwood City Commissioner Ron Draayer, Kentwood City Commissioner Clarkston Morgan, Deputy City Administrator Shay Gallagher, Kent County Assistant Prosecutor Courtney Panter, and Kent County Office of the Defender Defense Attorney Justin McCarthy.

One topic discussed was racial disparity in the justice system and how to eliminate that inequality.


“It all starts with equal protection,” McCarthy said, “and it all starts with everyone being treated fairly.”

The Michigan Indigent Defense Commission (MIDC) ensures the state’s public defense system is fair, cost-effective, and constitutional while simultaneously protecting public safety and accountability.

“What (the MIDC) is intended to do is to bring more dollars into the criminal justice system so that people that are appointed counsel are getting a fair shake and they are getting the same type of resources that prosecutors have,” McCarthy said.

“Inequity in the justice system is really tied to historical inequalities within our communities,” Sterkenburg said. “We need to look at it as a holistic problem and take the approach that economic, environmental, educational elements all play into what we see as disparities within the justice system.”



Kentwood Commissioner Clarkston Morgan answers a question (far right) as Kent County Defense Attorney Justin McCarthy and Judge Amanda Sterkenburg listen. (WKTV/D.A. Reed)



Translation services have helped eliminate language barriers and helped individuals feel they are being heard as counsel represents them.

“There is a real desire on the part of those of us within city government to do as much as we can to ensure that it is a fair justice system … for people who live and work within the City of Kentwood,” said Draayer. “I take real pride in that, but also as a challenge that we still have a lot of work to do.”

Also discussed was the importance of citizen collaboration and interaction with all branches of government in addressing challenges facing the community.

Your voice matters

Morgan said citizens need to understand their voice matters. “You own the community you live in. You also own the community we all engage in … be the voice of change.”

That change comes with engaging with the local community leaders.

“The best vehicle to engage with the government is to engage with your representatives,” McCarthy said. “Because that engagement then drives policies, it drives statutes, it drives ordinances that we officials work with and react to.”

Draayer agreed.



“We try to do everything we can to stress to citizens that you really do matter, and when you come and speak, we are paying attention to you.”

Demystifying the counsel chamber and rebuilding trust

Maintaining public access and using language easily understood to create transparency within the counsel chamber also was brought into the conversation.

“For my part,” said Sterkenburg, “if they are coming in to me, I am talking to them … with language that is understandable and respectful, and not from a position of authority, but from a position that we can really lift up those whom the court is here to serve.”

Digital and physical access to the courtrooms, in-person engagement with citizens via schools and community events, providing easy access to the Freedom of Information Act, and updating citizens via eblasts, e-newsletter, and Facebook helps elected officials maintain transparency.



Deputy City Administrator Shay Gallagher (left) at the Kentwood National Law Day. (WKTV/D.A. Reed)



“We try to reach folks where they’re at,” Gallagher said.

 

Surveys also have been a productive tool in striving to find better ways to communicate with and serve residents.

“In Kentwood, our leaders make a point to talk with the community, to try and make sure there is always open communication,” Sterkenburg said.

Restoring civility

Realizing that everyone comes from different backgrounds and how that shapes their perspective—and allowing their perspective to have a voice as equal as his own—is how Morgan believes civility can be restored.

“I think if we come out recognizing that we want more people whole than just what it is to be right, we can actually change things,” Morgan said.

McCarthy agreed.



“If we allow that airspace for other people to be heard, solutions will appear.”

“I think listening is key,” Sterkenburg said. “I think empathy is key. And I think that we (elected officials) have to lead by example in modeling those behaviors.”


D. A. (Deborah) Reed is an award-winning author of young adult novels and a creative writing instructor from the Grand Rapids area. To find out more about D.A. Reed, visit her website: D.A. Reed Author

Area school districts get individual proposals approved

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Education, Election, , ,

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
WKTV Managing Editor
joanne@wktv.org

Along with the passage of the Wyoming Public Safety millage, districts in and around the cities of Wyoming and Kenwood also had positive outcomes on individual ballot proposals.

Kelloggsville Public Schools – non-residential operating millage

Kelloggsville Public Schools, which is in both the cities of Kentwood and Wyoming, was seeking a renewal of its non-residential (non-homestead) operating millage, would generates about $3.7 million or 13% of the district’s annual operating budget. The request was renewed for two more years with 544 to 340 in favor.

Kelloggsville Public Schools’ non-residential millage request was approved by voters for another two years.(WKTV)

“On behalf of the Board of Education, Kelloggsville Administration, and all of our staff members, we sincerely thank you for supporting this millage,” said Kelloggsville Assistant Superintendent Eric Alcorn to a letter to the community. “Your support demonstrates a commitment to our schools and the education of our students. We are fortunate to have such dedicated staff and community members who value education and understand the importance of investing in our schools.”

The money will be used for the day-to-day operations of the Kelloggsville schools such as staffing costs, instructional programs, instructional materials, transport and maintenance. 

Grandville Public Schools – non-residential operating millage

Grandville Public Schools, which includes the Wyoming panhandle, also was seeking a renewal of its non-residential (non-homestead) operating millages. The proposal was for the 18-mills on non-homestead property plus one additional mlll, for a total of 19 mills, for four years.

GPS has had a “Headlee Rollback” for the past seven years, with its millage now 16.8 mills. The additional mill will offset up to one mill of Headlee Rollback and make up the different over the four years to keep the district as close to 18 mills as possible.

The proposal passed 3,422 to 2,112.

Caledonia Community Schools – supplement bond proposal

Caledonia Community Schools’ supplemental bond proposal for $61 million pasted by a small margin, 2,790 to 2,715. The funding will be used to complete the 2020 vision that voters approved a bond issue on in that same year. Due to construction costs, the district needed to seek the supplemental bond issue.

The funding will be used for construction of a new Dutton Elementary, football stadium renovations, repairing roofs, upgrading parking lots, and providing parking and youth athletic fields at Calplex.

“We want to thank the voters in our community for supporting this bond proposal,” said Dr. Dedrick Martin, superintendent of Caledonia Community Schools. “Our continued investment in our schools will help Caledonia stay competitive and enable our students to receive real-world, hands-on experiences in upgraded facilities so they can better compete in the global marketplace.” 

The Caledonia School Bond, which is located south of the City of Kentwood, will not raise tax rates for residents. It is a fiscally responsible investment in which all funds will be available on CCS’ website to ensure taxpayer dollars are spent wisely and transparently. All bond funds will be subject to regular independent audits to promote accountability and the best fiscal practices. 

Wyoming voters pass public safety millage

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

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
WKTV Managing Editor
joanne@wktv.org

Left, Mayor Kent Vanderwood and Chief Kim Koster, chat in front of the city’s retired aerial fire truck. Through the millage that was passed Tuesday, the city will be able to purchase a new one. (WKTV/Joanne Bailey-Boorsma)

Wyoming Public Safety Chief Kim Koster admits there is a lot of work ahead for her department — postings, recruiting, and the purchase of a new fire truck — and it’s thanks to the city’s residents who by 64% approved a public safety proposal on Tuesday.

“I’m extremely grateful to our community for their support,” Koster said during a press conference at the city’s Division Avenue Fire Station. “They really looked forward and could see how an increase in personnel would have an impact on community safety.

She added that this is especially true for the fireside as increased personnel will help decrease response times and allow the city to fully staff its Division Avenue fire station, which has never been open on a regular basis.

Voters showed their support

In a vote of 4,987 to 2,803, Wyoming voters approved a 1.5 mill increase that would be dedicated to the public safety department. The millage would raise about $4 million annually allowing the city to maintain 17 public safety positions and add 10 more. 

“I believe the key this time around is that we kept the message very simple,” said Mayor Kent Vanderwood, who recited his slogan throughout the campaign. “Ask the residents for only what is needed and for no longer than needed.”

Vanderwood said the city asked for the right amount making it clear it would be dedicated to the public safety department for staffing and the purchase of needed equipment. He also felt putting a time frame of five years on the millage gives residents the control over whether they see the need or not to continue with the millage. Vanderwood added that the five years gives the city time to explore other options for funding.

“I am grateful to the business community who came forward and supported this,” Vanderwood said. In fact many, such as the 36th Street Palermo Pizza, handed informational flyers.

As the vote rolled in on Tuesday, Vanderwood said the tallies came in two groups. The first was the absentee voters, which were around 4,800. Absentee ballots showed 68% in support of the millage.

 

A total of 7,700 of the city’s approximate 58,000 registered voters cast a vote in Tuesday’s election. This is about 15% of the city’s registered voters, which is on par for the entire county and usually the percentage for a May election.

Remodeling and Recruiting

The press conference was in front of the 1994 aerial fire truck that has been out of commission for about a year and half, Koster said. Through the new bond proposal, the city will purchase a new aerial truck, which she noted is needed as the city has more multi-floor buildings along with allowing firefighters to safely reach the roof of a home during a fire. Since the trucks are made to specifications, it will take about a year for the new truck to arrive.

Through the millage and for the first time in the city’s history, the city’s Division Avenue Fire Station will be fully staffed. This summer it will be renovated and updated. (WKTV/Joanne Bailey-Boorsma)

Koster said postings for six fire positions went out the day after the election and that they will begin recruiting for the four police officer positions. Because it does take time to find the right candidates, Koster said they hope to have some of the positions filled by fall.

Through American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, the Division Avenue Fire Station will be remodeled which will include five bunk rooms for staff along with other updates. The station was primarily operated by volunteer/paid-on call and does not currently have sleeping quarters. This remodeling is scheduled to take place this summer, Koster said.

“I can only echo what the mayor and Chief Koster have said in that we are grateful to the community and we will follow through on the commitments we have made,” said Interim City Manager John McCarter.

The Spring Nature Makers Market returns to Blandford

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism

By WKTV Staff
joanne@wktv.org

Solistice Handmade by Dayna Walton (Courtesy, Blandford Nature Center)

The annual Spring Nature Makers Market at Blandford Nature Center returns this weekend, running from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, May 6, at the Blandford Nature Center, 1715 Hillburn Ave. NW.

The Nature Makers Market highlights local artists and vendors from the Grand Rapids area who create products inspired by nature or use natural, sustainable materials. This year’s spring market will feature 25 local artists who will be selling textiles, prints, ceramics, glassworks, jewelry, stationery, stickers, and more. There will be a variety of styles and a wide selection of items available — all of which are created with nature in mind.

Vendors include: Jillian Braid Stained Glass, Jewel of the Forest, Birds of the Air Gifts, Red Hydrant Press, Querkus Creative, Runaway Press, Smiling Bird Studio, Knot Ur Mothers Macrame, Wildship Studio, Lucky Shoe Arts Collective, Busy Hands Studio, Nature Walk, Ghost Forest Resin Works, Silverthorn Pottery, J6R6 LLC, Redbriar Studio, My Lovely Muse, Sue Van Dame Jewelry, E-Scape Art Glass, PsyanoForest Cyanotype Studio, Solstice Handmade, Gathered Botanicals, Wendy Erin Withrow, and Honeydew Wood Working.

“We’re so happy to be hosting another Spring Nature Makers Market just in time for Mother’s Day,” said Camilla Voelker, community programs coordinator at Blandford Nature Center. “But whether you’ll be celebrating the holiday or not, this is a great opportunity for our community to connect with local artists and appreciate the natural world.”

Shopping will include the Blandford Nature Center Gift Shop, where guests can purchase limited edition Wildlife T-shirts with all proceeds going towards supporting more than 40 rehabilitated wildlife ambassadors. Visitors can also check out the R.B Stilwill Blacksmith Shop and request custom projects from Blandford’s volunteer blacksmith, Lori Beck. Coffee from Lazy Dazy Coffee Camper will be available for purchase for guests to enjoy while shopping.

Admission to the Nature Makers Market is free and no registration is required to attend. Visitors can learn more about the vendors and see a preview of what might be available by visiting Blandford’s Community Calendar at: www.blandfordnaturecenter.org

Kent County residents asked to complete health survey

3-bottom, Health, ,

By Maggie Carery
WKTV Contributor

Kent County residents will be chosen at random for the Behavior Risk Facto Surveillance Systems survey. (Pxhere.com)

Starting in mid April, Kent County residents will be receiving phone calls asking for participation in the Behavior Risk Factor Surveillance Systems (BRFSS) survey. The University of Missouri’s Health and Behavioral Risk Research Center will be conducting the survey and phone calls on behalf of the Kent County Health Department (KCHD).

The Behavior Risk Factor Surveillance Systems (BRFSS) survey is used to track the health of Kent County’s population and is conducted every three years at a local level. It is one of the nation’s largest telephone health-related surveys.

The Behavior Risk Factor Surveillance Systems (BRFSS) survey is run by the county to collect data on health conditions, various behaviors, and preventative health care practices. A behavior risk factor is an unhealthy behavior that can be changed or prevented for an individual or community. Some common examples include tobacco use, excessive alcohol intake, lack of exercise, and poor nutrition.

 

The survey contains a set of core questions that are asked to all participants and if needed, additional questions are added to obtain more localized data on health-related behaviors and risks directly in Kent County. This year, additional questions on mental health, economic stability, health care access, racism, firearm safety, and marijuana use were added to the survey.

Residents living in Kent County over the age of 18 are randomly chosen and reached via landline or cell phone. The survey is anonymous and no information collected can be traced back to the participant. 

The county will then take the data received and analyze it by race, ethnicity, gender, education, income, and location to be used in the Kent County Community Health Needs Assessment and the Community Health Improvement Plan to help improve the health and well-being of Kent County residents.

 

To learn more about the survey visit www.accesskent.com/Health/BRFS, and if you have any questions feel free to reach out to CHNACHIP@kentcountymi.gov.

Long distance bus lines expand in Grand Rapids

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Local Business, Travel, , , ,

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
WKTV Managing Editor
joanne@wktv.org

Within only a couple of months of an announcement that long distance bus service would be available from Grand Rapids, offerings have expanded.

FlixBus just added routes for Muskegon and Chicago. (Courtesy, FlixBus)

FlixBus, which was the first to announce it would be expanding its long distance service to Grand Rapids. Since that expansion in March, which was a route to and from Detroit with a stop in East Lansing, FlixBus has added routes for Muskegon and Chicago.

The Muskegon route will run five days a week, excluding Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Morning trips will depart from Detroit at 10 a.m. and afternoon trips will depart from Grand Rapids at 3:20 p.m. The Muskegon stop is at the Muskegon Laundromat, 1490 E. Apple Ave.

 

The Muskegon route will include stops in Grand Rapids (downtown), at the downtown Burger King, 410 Pearl St. NW, near the downtown YMCA; Grand Rapids (East) at the Cascade Meijer, 5531 28th St. Ct. SE; East Lansing, near the Frandor Shopping Centers; and the final stop is Detroit at Grand Circus Park, 501 Park Ave.

This month, FlixBus also including a Chicago Route that will start and stop in East Lansing and stoping at both the Grand Rapids downtown and Grand Rapids east locations. The northbound scheduled will leave from Chicago at 9:30 a.m. from the Chicago Bus Station, 630 West Harrison St., Chicago. It will stop at 1:45 p.m. at Grand Rapids downtown and 2:10 p.m. at Grand Rapids east. IT will conclude in East Lansing at 3:25 p.m.

The southbound trip will leave from East Grand Rapids at 4:30 p.m., stopping at Grand Raids east at 5:40 p.m., Grand Rapids downtown at 6:05 p.m., and arriving in Chicago at 8:25 p.m.

Tickets for the routes range from $29.99 to $13.99 depending on departure and length. For more about the new FlixBus line and tickets, visit FlixBus.com or the FlixBus app

Megabus

In April, Megabus, an intercity bus service of Coach USA/Coach Canada, and Indian Trails, a family owned transportation company based in Michigan, announced a partnership to offer daily trips to 26 locations from the City of Grand Rapids.

In April. Megabus announced it would be connecting Grand Rapids to 26 Michigan cities. (Courtesy, Megabus)

Operating from the Grand Rapids Rail Station at 440 Centre Ave., Megabus will be stopping at cities such as Benton Harbor, Big Rapids, Cedar Springs, Detroit, East Lansing, Flint, Holland, Kalamazoo, Lansing, Mackinaw City, Petoskey, Reed City, Rockford, South Haven and Traverse City.

 

Tickets range from $14 to $53 depending on destination. A complete list of cities and schedules are available at us.megabus.com.

Mission Point incorporates latest UV-C disinfection technology

3-bottom, Health, Senior Living

By Maggie Carey
WKTV Contributor

One of the Mission Point Healthcare facilities utilizing the new UV-C disinfection technology is HealthBridge Post-Acute Rehabilitation located in Wyoming. (Courtesy, Mission Point Healthcare Services)

Mission Point Healthcare Services, in partnership with R-Zero, has announced the use of UV-C disinfection technology across its 27 Michigan locations, which includes locations in Grandville, Cedar Springs, Wyoming and Grand Rapids. UV-C light comes from special lamps that generate wavelengths of light between 200nm (nanometers) and 280nm that help kill germs, bacteria, pathogens, and viruses. R-Zero systems utilize this UV-C technology to neutralize approximately 99.99% of airborne microorganisms that are harmful to humans.

This new technology, which includes nearly 300 R-Zero Beam and Vive devices to be installed for continuous disinfection, will help to protect approximately 5,350 residents and staff across Mission Point facilities.

 

Mission Point is a full-service healthcare service and management company that utilized funding for this technology from the Infection Control Grants made available by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS). The MDHHS grants aim to support structural and operational improvements in skilled nursing facilities to help reduce the spread of infectious diseases across Michigan.

“The opportunity to deploy R-Zero’s proven air quality technology through a generous grant from MDHHS was a powerful combination for us,” said Mission Point COO Paul Pruitt.

Creating Healthy Environments

R-Zero is a global leader in creating healthy and green buildings with bio-safety technology. With the combination of UV-C light, space utilization sensor technology, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and IoT(internet of things)-connected hardware the company is able to create safe and sustainable environments without the use of chemicals.

R-Zero’s sustainable technology is currently being used across all of North America to protect millions of people in a multitude of environments including K-12 schools, college campuses, hospitals, parks and recreation centers, and government buildings/facilities.

 

“R-Zero is proud to partner with Mission Point Healthcare Services to drive forward their commitment to keeping residents and staff safe and living healthy and happy lives,” said R-Zero CEO Jennifer Nuckles.

This new UV-C disinfection technology will help support the safety and lives of those at Mission Point Healthcare Services and further Mission Point Healthcare’s steadfast commitment to protecting patients and staff.

To learn more about R-Zero and its mission, visit www.rzero.com. To learn more about Mission Point Healthcare Services, visit https://missionpointhealthcare.com/.

Two suspects charged in separate shooting incidences

3-bottom, City of Kentwood,

By WKTV Staff
joanne@wktv.org

(Courtesy, City of Kentwood)

Today, May 1, at 62B District Court, two suspects are arraigned for separate shooting incidences that took place in the City of Kentwood during the weekend.

Jerry Kidd Jr., 35, was arranged at the 62B District Court for the murder of Edgar Hernandez-Sandoval, 41. He was charged with open murder and felony firearms offense.

On April 29, Kidd Jr. and Hernandez-Sandoval were involved in an altercation outside a hotel building at Affordable Suites of America, 2701 E. Beltline Ave. Kidd Jr. allegedly shot Hernandez-Sandoval one time with a handgun. Kentwood officers arrived on the scene in the early morning hours of April 29 and with Kentwood Fire Department and LIFE EMS rendered aid to the Hernandez-Sandoval. He was produced dead at the scene.

Dimario Parker, 27, was arranged at the 62B District Court for the shooting of a 49-year-old Kentwood resident. Parker was charged with intent to murder, carrying a concealed weapon, and felony firearms offense.

On April 28, Parker and another male individual were involved in an altercation on the drive of Woodland Creek Apartments in Kentwood. Both person were known to each other. Parker fired several rounds from a handgun, striking the male victim. Kentwood Police units, along with units from the Grand Rapids Police Department, arrested Parker at a residence in Grand Rapids later the same day. The victim is still being treated at a local hospital.

Both Parker and Kidd Jr. currently are being held at the Kent County Correctional Facility pending further court proceedings.

The Joe Show must go on, but new camera operator needed to make it happen

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Health, Non-Profits, ,
WKTV volunteer Joe DeJong has been the host of The Joe Show for the past three years. He is now looking for an assistant to help operate the camera and edit his show. (WKTV)

Editor’s Note: This story ran previously. The current producer needed to step away with The Joe Show now searching for a new camera operator/producer. If you are interested, contact WKTV Managing Editor Joanne Bailey-Boorsma at joanne@wktv.org or call the office 616-261-5700.

By Sheila McGrath
WKTV Contributing Writer

Joe DeJong is not a guy who gives up easily.

For the past three years, DeJong has hosted a podcast called The Joe Show – Connecting All Abilities, which airs on WKTV and can also be found on Apple Podcasts and WKTV’s The Whole Picture Podcasts Facebook page.

The podcast discusses many issues around living with a disability, including ways the community can be more inclusive, as well as the dreams, needs and goals of people with disabilities.

But DeJong, who is blind, has been unable to produce new episodes of the show for the past few months because he lost his camera operator.

Joe DeJong with Erin App, the choir director for the Action Choir. (WKTV)

Now, he’s looking for a new camera person who can also provide transportation to the WKTV studio in Wyoming and help him line up guests.

“I can’t run the cameras because of my visual impairment. I can’t do it myself,” he said. “It’s disappointing to me to not be doing the show right now, but I’m a very patient person. I’m willing to wait until I can get somebody.”

DeJong, 28, has hosted 40 episodes of The Joe Show, featuring guests from the Special Olympics, the Kentwood Parks and Recreation Department, Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Center, Disability Advocates of Kent County and many more. State Rep. Tommy Brann was a guest on one of his early podcasts in 2020.

DeJong has many ideas for where he’d like to take the show, but first, he needs to find someone to help run the camera.

Hiring the new person would be facilitated through GT Independence, a service that helps people with disabilities hire community-based caregivers of their choosing.

In addition to running the camera and providing transportation to and from the studio, DeJong envisions that the new assistant would also help him narrow down possible guests for the show by researching people and businesses that would be a good fit. DeJong would make the phone calls to book the guests, he said.

The time commitment would be a few hours a week, including driving to and from the studio, setting up and taping the half-hour show, and doing a little additional research to find guests.

Joe DeJong said he hopes to keep his show about abilities running but needs an assistance to do so. (WKTV)

“If we can find someone, then we can go from there, and give them the training on how to work the camera,” he said.

“I’m a guy that’s going to keep punching and keep advocating and keep fighting,” he said. “I’m not quitting.”

Anyone interested in working with DeJong on the show may contact him through WKTV at 616-261-5700 or by emailing WKTV Managing Editor, Joanne Bailey-Boorsma at joanne@wktv.org.

More information about GT Independence is online at gtindependence.com, or they can be reached by phone at 1-877-659-4500.  

Victims of crime remembered at candlelight vigil

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

By McKenna Peariso
WKTV Contributor

Community members gathered outside the 63rd District Court, 1950 E. Beltline NE., on the evening of Thursday, April 27, to honor and remember those killed by violent crime.

The candlelight vigil is an annual event hosted by the Kent County Victim Witness unit and public safety organization Silent Observer. It is a part of National Crime Victims’ Rights week.

Many groups in attendance wore T-shirts and carried posters bearing the names of loved ones lost due to violence. Photos of victims were also displayed on dozens of placards surrounding the courthouse.

Speakers at the event included local law enforcement, victims’ rights advocates and community members who have been affected by crime. Grand Rapids resident Jerline Riley, who lost her son to homicide, prayed for peace and safety in the community. All were in agreement that the violence must stop.

“No more victims,” said Kent County Prosecutor Chris Becker. “Too many families have gone through just absolute horror.”

More than 130 names of crime victims were read allowed at the community vigil, a bell tolling for each and every one. Several more names were added by people in attendance.

Families of victims were thanked by speakers for their continued determination to get justice for their loved ones. And reminded that efforts to keep the memory of victims’ alive make a real difference.

“I’m so inspired to see all of you once again standing up for your family,” said Becker. “Don’t let it end here today. Go out, be an advocate. Talk to your legislators, talk to your neighbors. Spread the word.”

This year Silent Observer marks 50 years of aiding police through anonymous tips. Silent Observer promises those wishing to report information on a serious crime can do so without having to reveal their identity. The organization promotes strong community responses to crime to ensure victims receive both respect and justice.

“It doesn’t matter what the crime is, there is always a victim associated with that crime,” said Chris Cameron, former Executive Director of Silent Observer. “Silent Observer’s mission is all about removing dangerous criminals from our streets and helping victims of crime see justice.”

Anyone who has witnessed a crime can submit tips anonymously by phone at 616-774-2345, or online.

Residents come out in support of Wyoming’s public safety millage

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

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
WKTV Managing Editor
joanne@wktv.org

Residents and community leaders show their support of the Wyoming public safety millage which is on Tuesday’s ballot. (WKTV/Joanne Bailey-Boorsma)

A group of Wyoming residents and community leaders came together on Sunday to show their support of the city’s public safety millage, which is on Tuesday’s ballot.

The city is seeking a millage of 1.5 mills for a period of five years. If approved, the millage would generate an additional $4 million in revenue each year. The revenue would help fund 27 public safety positions, 14 police officers and 13 fire fighters.

“I don’t know what would have happened if we hadn’t had Wyoming PD and Wyoming fire department there, because neither my husband or I had the tools nor did we have the expertise that the first responders did and that is something that I will forever be grateful for,” said Wyoming resident Lauren Gohlke, whose son Emmett suffered from a silent reflux instance on Jan. 10, 2022 that caused him to stop breathing.  Through the first responders quick response, they were able to revive the infant.

Only a few days later, on Jan. 25, 2022, Lisa Postema received a call from her neighbor that her family home at 5335 Canal St. SW, where the press conference was at, was on fire. 

A picture of 5335 Canal Avenue sits in front of the remains of the building. (WKTV/Joanne Bailey-Boorsma)

“There was a snowstorm going, so driving home was crazy,” Postema said, adding that her brother was home at the time of the fire and was able to get the slider open so her animals, a cat and two dogs, could escape safely. “I actually found the cat a few days later in our barn. We thought we had lost him but he was there. His whiskers were all burned off but he was OK.”

 The house had been built in 1968 and Postema remembers the family moving in when she was 9-years-old. The family was getting ready to sell the home when the fire broke out. It was determined that the electrical wiring was the cause of the fire.

Originally only the Wyoming Department of Public Safety was called that day in the early morning hours, but due to the fact the house was fully engulfed, fire departments from Grandville, Byron Center and Georgetown were also called.  In 2020, the City of Wyoming had to rely on assistance from neighboring communities 140 times because the department’s staff was on other calls. In a Kentwood Fire Department’s 2022 Fire Report, under the mutual aid section, Kentwood responded to mutual aid calls in Wyoming 50 times, while Wyoming responded to mutual aid calls in Kentwood twice.

“Our public safety department is operating with fewer individuals than they were in 2000 and our population has grown 10 percent,” said Mayor Kent Vanderwood at the press conference, which was hosted by the Safe Wyoming Coalition. According to statistics, the City of Wyoming has 1.3 police  officers for every 1,000 residents with the national average being 2.4 officers for every 1,000.

 

In 2022, Wyoming police investigative department was assigned 3,583 cases and the patrol division responded to 46,486 which included 2,005 traffic accidents. The Wyoming fire department responded to 7,090 incidents in 2022, which average 645 incidents per firefighter, Vanderwood said. Calls for service have increased by 8 % with the current average emergency response time being 5.16 minutes, he said.

“I am here today to remind us just how valuable and important it is to have fire and police available in less time,” said Pastor Rick Pilieci for Grace University and who serves as the public safety department’s chaplain. “Being the chaplain, I have been able to do ride alongs for the last five and half years and each of those ride longs I am just amazed to see how much need we have in our community.

“Quite often, we will find fire and police at the same scene. I have witnessed first-hand lives being saved right before my eyes and I have witnessed also where we were just a few minutes too late where something had happened.”

Vanderwood said that the funding would provide for 27 positions, help decrease response times, dedicated safety patrols, and would allow the city to staff all four of its fire stations. Currently only two are staffed full-time.

For more about the millage, visit wyomingmi.gov/millage.

Wyoming’s carnival set to open on Friday

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Wyoming, Food, Non-Profits, Recreation,

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
WKTV Managing Editor
joanne@wktv.org

There will be a number of carnival rides and food offerings at the Wyoming Spring Carnival. (Supplied)

This Friday is the official kick off of activities in the City of Wyoming as city’s annual Spring Carnival returns for 10 days.

“This kicks off the season for us,” said Wyoming Parks and Recreation Director Krashawn Martin. “The carnival is the start of our events such as the concerts and we have some pop-up activities planned for July.

“So here is to beautiful weather and smooth sailing into summer for Wyoming.”

The carnival runs April 28 through May 7 at the Lamar Park, 2561 Porter St. SW. Hours are from 4 – 8:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 2-8:30 p.m. Friday and noon-8:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. The carnival is free however there is a cost for rides and food. At the city’s website, there is a coupon for $3 off an unlimited ride wristband.

 

“This is usually the first event for TJ Schmidt & Company, which runs the carnival,” Martin said. “They always have some fun and new rides and this is the opportunity to explore them. I am not sure exactly what they will be, so people will have to come see for themselves.”

A staple in the city city for more than 30 years, proceeds from the carnival support City of Wyoming Parks and Recreation services and the Greater Wyoming Community Resource Alliance or GWCRA. Funds raised support youth scholarships and youth and family programming through the Wyoming Parks and Recreation Department. The GWCRA distributes funds to the community its through annual grant awarding process.

Last year, the carnival raised around $15,000.

The Spring Carnival is weather dependent and before attending residents should check with the Wyoming Department of Parks and Recreation’s Facebook page for updates on the carnival.

 

The Spring Carnival is made possible through the work of the City of Wyoming Parks and Recreation and TJ Schmidt & Company. For more information about the carnival, contact the Wyoming Parks and Recreation Department at 616-530-3164. 

Aviation Academy students connect with International Space Station astronaut

3-bottom, City of Kentwood, West Michigan, ,
Aviation sophomore Keira Amis asks astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi a question while he’s traveling overhead in the International Space Station.

By Cris Greer

greer@wktv.org


While orbiting Grand Rapids about 250 miles overhead last Thursday, International Space Station astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi answered questions from 15 West Michigan Aviation Academy students in their high school gym on the grounds of Gerald R. Ford International Airport.

With help from local amateur radio enthusiasts, the conversation was loud and clear between the astronaut and the students … even while traveling overhead at a speed of 17,500 miles per hour. 

Neyadi, of the United Arab Emirates, is the second Emirati astronaut to go to space and the first Emirati astronaut to make a long duration space flight.  He is a member of the SpaceX Crew-6 and ISS Expedition 68/69 and arrived at the space station on March 3, 2023.

West Michigan Aviation Academy students spoke with astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi while he orbited overhead in space Thursday. (Courtesy, NASA/WMAA)


Sophomore Keira Amis was one of the 15 Aviation students who asked astronaut Neyadi a question. She explained her “super rare opportunity” of talking to him in space.

“Nobody my age, except for my other 15 schoolmates here will get to talk to an astronaut like this, ever,” said Amis, who plans to get her pilot’s license at WMAA. “It was kind of scary in front of all these people, but it was incredibly worth it.”



WKTV Managing Editor Cris Greer interviews Aviation sophomore Keira Amis.



There were many moving pieces that made this contact possible, which took about a year to come to fruition. Specifically, the ARRL (National Association for Amateur Radio) and ARISS (Amateur Radio on the International Space Station) played the main roles in the event. 

“ARISS is the organization that made this contact possible; they built the ham station on the space station and arrange the school contacts with NASA,” said Doug Papay, team lead for radio equipment setup. “Our mentor was Gordon Scannell … who facilitated the live stream for the event.”





The amateur radio team for this contact consisted of Papay, Tom Bosscher (audio) and Mike Wolthuis (loaned the equipment).

“Mike, Tom and I, with the help of Pioneer Construction, set up the station at the school the week prior to the contact,” said Papay, Lead Radio Frequency Design Engineer and Manager of Electromagnetic Compatibility Design at Gentex. “This involved assembling the antennas and lifting them up to the roof of the school, routing coax and cabling and connecting radios and audio equipment for a test run.

“I estimate that I have 60-80 hours of work into getting the station prepared for deployment and assembled at the school.” 


West Michigan Aviation students line up to ask astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi questions while he’s traveling overhead on the International Space Station. (WKTV)

All in the family

Papay said he “grew up with amateur radio.”

“I spent hours with my father at the workbench, in the yard building towers and antennas, in his radio shack listening to DX, attending hamfests, field day events and club meetings, but it was his hobby not mine. My interest at the time was 8-bit computers.”

Although he had little interest early on, his father’s love of radio eventually became his own.

“After becoming licensed in 2005, I quickly discovered the world of amateur satellite and ARISS (Amateur Radio on the International Space Station) and started to pursue this aspect of the hobby. During the last 17 years of being in the hobby, I have made over 17,000 2-way amateur radio contacts, several of which have been with astronauts or space flight participants that were aboard the ISS.”

This was Papay’s second time facilitating an ARISS contact; both at WMAA. His daughter Grace, also a licensed amateur radio operator, made the contact to the space station at this event. A junior at Holland Christian High School, Grace holds an Amateur Extra Class license, which is the top level license assigned by the FCC for amateur radio operators.

Grace Papay and dad Doug Papay were instrumental in the International Space Station contact at West Michigan Aviation Academy. (WKTV)

“I encouraged her to pursue the amateur radio license in order to honor and celebrate her grandfather (my dad, John Papay) on his 60th year of amateur radio,” Papay added.

Aviation science teacher Bryan Forney said it was a really cool opportunity.

“I think we get so used to picking up a cell phone and being able to talk to anybody anywhere, and we don’t really think about the complexity of what it takes to do that,” said Forney, who teaches chemistry and AP physics at Aviation and is a retired Lt. Colonel in the U.S. Marine Corps. “We didn’t even get into half of the complexity of just how hard it is to track and communicate with an object that’s moving 17,000 miles per hour across the sky. It’s a pretty amazing thing and I thought it was super cool.”

WMAA science teacher Bryan Forney.

Interest in the ISS contact began with a few WMAA teachers several years ago, which led to a proposal from Aviation flight instructor Les Brown, who’s also an amateur radio operator. 

“All the teachers were writing content and presenting lessons related to the space station and space travel,” Forney explained. “Every academic department found a way to tie this into the curriculum.”

Forney said WMAA is the place to study if you’re thinking about being an astronaut.

“I’d say that just about any one of the students that goes here is getting the academic background they need to prepare themselves for a career in space if they want one.”

An image of the International Space Station. (Courtesy, WMAA/NASA)

Space Station Facts (Courtesy, nasa.gov)

• An international partnership of five space agencies from 15 countries operates the International Space Station. Learn more about visitors to the space station by country.

• An international crew of seven people live and work while traveling at a speed of five miles per second, orbiting Earth about every 90 minutes. Sometimes more are aboard the station during a crew handover.

• In 24 hours, the space station makes 16 orbits of Earth, traveling through 16 sunrises and sunsets.

• The space station is 356 feet (109 meters) end-to-end, one yard shy of the full length of an American football field including the end zones.

• The station’s orbital path takes it over 90 percent of the Earth’s population, with astronauts taking millions of images of the planet below. Check them out at https://eol.jsc.nasa.gov.

• The space station travels an equivalent distance to the Moon and back in about a day.

• More than 50 computers control the systems on the space station.

How to manage the transition into retirement

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Community Health, Finances, Senior Living, , ,

By Dave Stanley
Integrity Financial Service, LLC

Pxhere.com

Retirement can be a time of great joy and relaxation, but it can also be a time of stress and anxiety. Transitioning from working life to retirement can be challenging, and the loss of routine, identity, and social connections can be difficult to navigate. Moreover, retirement can bring new financial and health-related concerns, adding to many retirees’ stress.

One of the main sources of stress in retirement is financial uncertainty. Many retirees worry about whether they have saved enough money to support themselves in retirement and fear running out of money before the end of their lives. This fear can lead to anxiety and can make it difficult for retirees to enjoy their retirement years. Moreover, unexpected expenses, such as medical bills or home repairs, can further exacerbate financial stress and add to retirees’ worries.

Retirement can also bring changes to social connections, which can be stressful for many people. Retirees may miss their daily interactions with colleagues and feel disconnected from the workplace and the sense of purpose that work provides. Moreover, retirement can lead to changes in relationships with family and friends, as retirees may find that they have more time on their hands than their loved ones do.

In addition to these social and financial concerns, retirement can also be stressful from a health perspective. As people age, they may face new health challenges, such as chronic illness, that can impact their quality of life and add to their stress levels. Furthermore, retirement can lead to a more sedentary lifestyle, which can contribute to a decline in physical and mental health.

There are several strategies that retirees can use to manage stress and navigate the transition to retirement more smoothly. One of the most important is to maintain a sense of purpose and engagement in life. Retirees can find new hobbies or interests, volunteer, or take on part-time work to stay engaged and connected to others. This can help alleviate the sense of loss and disconnection that many retirees feel.

Another strategy is to stay socially connected. Retirees can stay in touch with former colleagues, join social clubs or groups, or participate in community activities to maintain a sense of connection and purpose. This can help prevent social isolation and loneliness, which can be detrimental to both physical and mental health.

Moreover, retirees can take steps to manage their financial concerns by creating a budget, working with a financial advisor, and exploring different retirement income sources, such as Social Security or annuities. This can help alleviate financial stress and provide a sense of security and stability.

Finally, retirees can take steps to maintain their physical and mental health by staying active, eating well, and seeking medical care when needed. Engaging in regular physical activity can help improve mood, reduce stress, and prevent or manage chronic illness.

In conclusion, retirement can be a time of stress and uncertainty, but there are strategies that retirees can use to manage these challenges and enjoy a fulfilling and healthy retirement. By maintaining a sense of purpose and engagement, staying socially connected, managing finances, and prioritizing physical and mental health, retirees can navigate the transition to retirement more smoothly and enjoy a fulfilling and rewarding retirement.

Dave Stanley is the host of Safe Money Radio WOOD1300 AM, 106.9 FM and a Financial Advisor and Writer at Integrity Financial Service, LLC, Grandville, MI 49418, Telephone 616-719-1979 or  Register for Dave’s FREE Newsletter at 888-998-3463  or click this link:  Dave Stanley Newsletter – Annuity.com  Dave is a member of Syndicated Columnists, a national organization committed to a fully transparent approach to money management.

Wyoming’s Arbor Day observance will expand community orchard

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

By Tessa Schulz
WKTV Contributor

Pictured above is the Beverly Bryan Community Orchard, where the Wyoming event will occur. (Photo, Tree Amigos)

Arbor Day celebrates the gift of trees this Friday, April 28. The holiday is a day dedicated to encouraging individuals to plant trees, which are essential for our ecosystem, are a renewable resource, and offer many benefits to communities.

 

This year, the City of Wyoming Tree Commission, “The Tree Amigos,” is partnering with Wyoming’s West Elementary, 1840 38th St. SW, for its 2023 Arbor Day ceremony set for 10:30 a.m. The event will take place in school’s Beverly Bryan Community Orchard.

West Elementary students will share poetry, art, and songs at the event. The city will plant two fruit trees in the orchard to celebrate Arbor Day.

Mayor Kent Vanderwood, who was ab advocate in establishing the tree commission in 2015, will open the event with the Arbor Day proclamation.

“We are a group of citizen volunteers who want to improve the tree canopy for our city because it is so important to the health of the people that live here,” said Estelle Slootmaker, board member of The Tree Amigos.

The event will also recognize the City of Wyoming’s eighth consecutive year as a part of Tree City USA.

ArborFest celebrations will also occur this weekend, April 28-29, in Grand Rapids. During this event, the community will plant 200 trees and give away 150 in the Roosevelt Park Neighborhood.

Arbor Day originates from the Latin word “arbor,” meaning tree.

 

“Trees are as important to a healthy city as the water supply, the public works department, or the police force. Our job is to educate people so they (trees) are valued, planted, and maintained more,” Slootmaker said.

This holiday has been around for centuries, dating back to 1872 when journalist Julius Morton proposed a day to encourage his fellow Nebraskans to plant trees.

Morton filled his property (160 acres) with trees to enrich the desolate planes of Nebraska. He wrote for the Nebraska City News, where he encouraged community members to learn about the ecological importance of trees.

Morton’s articles resonated with the public. The agriculture board approved his proposal for a holiday, and community members planted more than a million trees on the first Arbor Day.

“We still have a mindset that trees are decorations, but they are so integral to our way of living,” Slootmaker said.

Trees play many roles in our lives. They provide oxygen for us to breathe. They are a renewable resource giving wood and paper. Trees provide fruit for food and are a habitat for wildlife. Trees can reduce air and noise pollution in busy neighborhoods and reduce heating and cooling bills. The benefits of trees extend long past a tree’s lifetime.

“We can reduce the impacts of climate change on neighborhoods. We can improve their air quality and reduce asthma rates,” Slootmaker said. “Trees have been proven to reduce crime and boost our mental health. There are lots of good reasons to plant trees.”

The Tree Amigos needs more board members. It is required to be a Wyoming resident. Any volunteers or inquiries can contact: treeamigoswyoming@gmail.com

Learn about recycling, reducing waste in honor of Earth Day

3-bottom, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Education, Kent County,

By Steve Faber
Kent County Department of Public Works

Kent County’s Waste-to-Energy facility. (Courtesy, Kent County Department of Public Works)

The Kent County Department of Public Works (DPW) is encouraging residents to learn more about recycling and reducing waste this Earth Day.

The DPW offers a variety of educational opportunities year-round so the entire community can learn how they can help the DPW achieve its ambitious goal of reducing landfilled waste by 90% by 2030.

“A great way to celebrate Earth Day is to learn how to reduce waste and create a cleaner environment for all, and our educational programming is perfect for people of all ages,” said Katelyn Kikstra, waste reduction educator at the DPW. “We’re proud to offer programming year-round so our community can be informed about where local waste goes and to generate excitement about recycling and renewable energy.”

Members of the public can tour the Kent County Recycling and Education Center and other DPW facilities and learn how Kent County’s recycling program works and what can be recycled. Guided group tours are available for groups larger than five participants to learn the ins and outs of recycling and watch machines and workers sort recyclables. For individuals or groups smaller than five, self-guided tours are available during recycling center open hours along with museum-style exhibits that explain the recycling process. The Recycling and Education Center offers open hours each Monday from 9 a.m.-noon.

“Earth Day serves as a great reminder to take advantage of our self-guided tours during open hours, or to reach out and schedule a guided tour in the coming months,” Kikstra said.

Residents can also learn about renewable energy and natural resources through a visit to the Kent County Waste-to-Energy facility, which processes up to 625 tons of municipal solid waste per day and converts it into steam through incineration in specially designed furnaces. The steam then goes through a generator to create electricity, which is used in-house or sold to an electricity supplier to be used in Kent County’s homes and businesses.

A bus tour of the South Kent landfill will educate attendees on personal decision-making regarding waste, landfill basics and renewable energy. Attendees will learn what everyone can do differently to help reduce landfill waste and create a better environment.

A full list of the DPW’s educational offerings can be found online. The DPW also released a spring-cleaning guide to help identify common household materials accepted at its facilities.

The Kent County Department of Public Works provides municipal solid waste disposal services to ensure the effective removal, storage and disposal of residential and commercial solid waste through various facilities and programs, including Waste-to-Energy, the Recycling and Education Center, North Kent Transfer Station and South Kent Landfill.

Kentwood Community Cleanup Day May 6

3-bottom, City of Kentwood, West Michigan,
(Image Courtesy, City of Kentwood)



By WKTV Staff

greer@wktv.org



The City of Kentwood will offer its annual Community Cleanup Day on Saturday, May 6 to help residents “spring clean” their homes and yards.

Residents can drop off yard waste, trash and general debris for disposal and electronics for recycling from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Kentwood Department of Public Works, 5068 Breton Ave. SE.

After the cleanup event, the City’s brush and leaf drop-off site, also located at Kentwood’s Public Works facility, will remain open through Saturday, May 26. Hours of operation for the drop-off site are noon to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday.


“Our Community Cleanup Day brings free collection services for a variety of items to one convenient location, helping residents expedite their spring-cleaning efforts,” said Chad Griffin, Department of Public Works director. “We encourage residents who are decluttering their homes and properties to join us.”

The cleanup day and brush/leaf drop-off service are available to Kentwood residents only. Anyone wishing to participate is asked to enter the drive off Breton Avenue, where staff will check ID for residency and direct traffic flow. 

GFL Environmental will be on-site for Kentwood’s Community Cleanup Day to accept general debris and trash, including mattresses, for disposal. Tires cannot be accepted.

The City of Kentwood will be collecting electronic waste to recycle. Electronic waste includes items such as mobile phones, computers and fax machines. Smoke alarms are not accepted for recycling, but can be disposed of at the event.

The City of Kentwood will accept yard waste at the brush drop-off site, including brush, sticks, tree limbs and logs as well as leaves and grass clippings. Leaves should be loose when dropped off, not left in bags.

Items for donation and household hazardous materials will not be accepted during this year’s cleanup event. Residents looking to safely dispose of household hazardous materials may utilize the Kent County Department of Public Works’ SafeChem program, which remains available to residents at the Kentwood Public Works facility from 1:30 to 5:30 p.m. Tuesdays.

Kelloggsville seeks renewal of non-homestead, impacts businesses, second homes

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Hard News, ,

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
WKTV Managing Editor
joanne@wktv.org

The renewal of the 18 mills will support Kelloggsville’s day-to-day operations . (WKTV)

Residents in the Kelloggsville Public School District are being asked to renew the district’s non-residential (non-homestead) operating millage, which would generate about $3.7 million or 13% of the district’s annual operating budget.

“The operating millage provides critical funds to support the day-to-day operations of our schools, including, but not limited to staffing costs, instructional programs, instructional materials, transportation and maintenance,” said Kelloggsville Assistant Superintendent Eric Alcorn.

The proposal would renew taxes on business properties and second homes. It would not cost the owners of a primary residence any additional taxes.

If approved, the proposal would allow the district to continue to levy its full 18 mills and restore millage lost by the reduction required by the Headlee amendment to the Michigan Constitution. 

Headlee Amendment

Passed in 1978, the Headlee Amendment created a process for the reduction of mileage rates (the Headlee Rollback) to ensure that total municipal tax revenue could grow only at the rate of inflation, plus new construction.

In 1994, Michigan voters approved Proposal A that structured public school funding as six mills on all properties and 18 mills on non-residential properties, such as second homes and businesses. Voter approval is required for a district such as Kelloggsville to levy the full 18 mills on non-residential properties.

Failure to authorize the operating millage proposal would decrease Kelloggsville’s state School Aid Foundation allowance by an approximate $3.7 million dollars. The State of Michigan will not replace the lost funding due to a non-approval.

Kelloggsville voters reauthorized the non-homestead millage in 2021 for two years. The May 2 proposal would reauthorize the millage through 2025.

April busy as sheriff office investigates vehicle break ins, arrest five in car chase

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Kent County, Our Cities

By WKTV Staff
joanne@wktv.org

On Tuesday, April 18, between 5 and 6 p.m., three suspects broke into vehicles at Planet Fitness parking lots in Alpine and Byron Townships.  According to witnesses at both fitness centers, the suspects were three younger males with hooded sweatshirts pulled around the face and all three were wearing surgical masks.  The suspects fled in an SUV after breaking into one vehicle along Alpine Avenue and two vehicles along 68th Street.

  

The common theme was the victims left their purses and other property behind in the vehicles while inside Planet Fitness. The suspects smashed out the rear passenger side windows in each vehicle.  Credit cards, cash, and wedding rings were among some of the items stolen and used at area stores in an attempt to make purchases. Some property and a laptop were recovered along US-131 near 44th Street and appeared to have been thrown out of a car window.

 

The KCSO has investigated different rashes of vehicle break-ins that occur throughout the community during the night and daytime hours. As a reminder to the public, remove personal belongings from vehicles or at least lock them in the trunk to hide the items out of sight.

 

Any with information about the break-ins are asked to call the Sheriff’s Office at 616-632-6125 or Silent Observer at 616-774-2345 to report information safely and anonymously.

Teens arrested after chase

On April 10 just after 9 p.m., deputies spotted a stolen Kia sedan in the area of 60th Street SE and Kalamazoo Avenue, in the Gaines Township area.

The vehicle fled from officers and due to traffic conditions at the time the pursuit was ended.  Around 1:15 a.m. this morning, another deputy spotted the vehicle traveling along Woodfield Drive SE (Eastern Avenue and 60th Street). The vehicle again fled, however, due to traffic conditions at the time, the pursuit continued west along 60th Street. The vehicle ran over spike strips and turned south on Division Avenue.

  

The vehicle continued to flee along Division and drove behind and around a business. Eventually, the vehicle stopped on Regal Ave, and five teenagers were taken into custody. In the car were two 15-year-old males, two 17-year-old males, and one 16-year-old female all from the Grand Rapids area. The Kia was recently stolen out of Jenison.

This pursuit is an example of what deputies encounter on a regular basis. The Kent County Sheriff has continued to report a significant uptick in stolen cars over the past few years. Dangerous driving, stolen vehicles used in additional crimes, and the young age of the individuals involved are common factors.

This incident remains open and will be reviewed by the prosecutor’s office.  

Will your student loan debt last into retirement?

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Finances, Local Business

By Dave Stanley
Integrity Financial Service, LLC

Pxhere.com

Student loan debt is a growing problem in the United States, with many people struggling to pay off their loans well into their retirement years. According to a report from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), the number of older Americans with student loan debt has quadrupled over the past decade, with more than two million people aged 60 and over holding student loan debt. This trend has serious implications for older Americans’ financial security and wellbeing.

One of the main challenges facing older Americans with student loan debt is the impact on their retirement savings. Many people who are still paying off student loans may not be able to contribute as much to their retirement savings as they would like, leaving them vulnerable to financial insecurity in retirement. Moreover, some older Americans may have to continue working well into their retirement years to pay off their student loans, which can be physically and emotionally challenging.

Additionally, student loan debt can impact older Americans’ access to credit and other financial products. Many lenders may be reluctant to extend credit to people with high levels of debt, which can limit older Americans’ ability to obtain credit cards, mortgages, and other financial products. This can have serious implications for their ability to purchase homes, cars, and other assets and impact their overall financial wellbeing.

Older Americans with high levels of debt may be more likely to delay or forego medical treatment or other essential services due to financial constraints. This can seriously affect their health and wellbeing and lead to higher healthcare costs in the long run. Moreover, student loan debt can also impact older Americans’ ability to access healthcare and other essential services.

There are several strategies that older Americans with student loan debt can use to manage their debt and protect their financial security. One of the most important is to explore options for loan forgiveness or other forms of relief. Depending on the type of loan and the borrower’s circumstances, loan forgiveness or discharge options may be available, which can help reduce or eliminate the debt burden.

Moreover, older Americans with student loan debt can explore options for refinancing or consolidating their loans. By consolidating their loans, borrowers may be able to obtain a lower interest rate and reduce their monthly payments. Additionally, refinancing may be an option for borrowers with good credit who are able to obtain a lower interest rate.

Another strategy for managing student loan debt is to prioritize payments and create a budget. By prioritizing loan payments and creating a budget, borrowers can better manage their finances and ensure that they are making progress in paying off their debt. Moreover, older Americans can work with financial advisors to explore other strategies for protecting their financial security, such as investing in retirement accounts or exploring other income sources.

In conclusion, student loan debt is a growing problem for older Americans, with serious implications for their financial security and wellbeing. However, there are several strategies that older Americans can use to manage their debt and protect their financial security. By exploring options for loan forgiveness or relief, refinancing or consolidating loans, prioritizing payments, and working with financial advisors, older Americans can better manage their debt and achieve greater financial security and wellbeing in retirement.

Dave Stanley is the host of Safe Money Radio WOOD1300 AM, 106.9 FM and a Financial Advisor and Writer at Integrity Financial Service, LLC, Grandville, MI 49418, Telephone 616-719-1979 or  Register for Dave’s FREE Newsletter at 888-998-3463  or click this link:  Dave Stanley Newsletter – Annuity.com  Dave is a member of Syndicated Columnists, a national organization committed to a fully transparent approach to money management.

U-M Health-West shares tips on preventing tick infections

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Community Health, Health,

By Dr. Del DeHart
Infectious Disease Specialist

University of Michigan Health-West

A combination of outdoor activity and warmer weather makes it more likely for residents to be exposed to ticks. (Pxhere.com)

Spring is here, and with warmer weather people are outside much more, which is a wonderful thing. Unfortunately, ticks feel the same way and the combination of outdoor activity and warmer weather makes tick exposure more likely. With National Lyme Disease Awareness Month approaching in May, if you plan to spend time outdoors this spring and summer, there are things you should know about ticks and the diseases they spread.

Exposure risk:

  • Ticks are active from early spring to fall, and they like woodlands and grassy areas
  • Ticks vary in size as they develop over the year
  • While we think of exposure when we are out in the woods or grassy areas, many to most bites occur around our homes
  • Ticks are moving into some areas where they were not common in years past
  • Tick-borne diseases can be regional, so it is helpful to know common ticks or infections in your area
  • Use tick prevention for dogs too

Tick exposures and tick bites:

  • Preventing exposures is the first line of defense
  • When trekking in areas of higher risk wear tight-fitting clothing and tuck pants into socks
  • Check for ticks on clothing and on skin periodically
  • Remove any attached ticks quickly with tweezers
  • If a tick is engorged or has been attached for more than a few hours keep it for possible identification
  • Most common tick-borne infections are not transmitted quickly, but towards the end of the blood meal so early removal is very helpful
  • Rashes and bites may not be in an area where it will be noticed, and bites are often painless

When to seek medical advice:

  • If you develop a rash or fever after a bite or exposure to high risk area
    • In areas with high risk of Lyme disease and clear high-risk tick bite, prophylactic antibiotics may be prescribed
    • Save the tick: If the tick can be identified it can help with identifying specific infection risk. Tick identification can be helpful, but testing the tick for pathogens is a waste of money and time
      • Many commercial labs will nevertheless do this testing for lots of money
      • Any given tick may carry several pathogens
      • Infected ticks don’t regularly, or even commonly, transmit infections
    • Be aware the tick you find may not be the one that bit you, or the only one to which you were exposed

Resources

Recent video from the New England Journal of Medicine about ticks and tick diseases:

https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMp2302440https://youtu.be/YQpOxlGCMYg

Excellent and comprehensive information for consumers and clinicians at the CDC can by found by clicking here.

Lastly, state health departments often offer information and help as well. For example, Michigan has a

free tick identification service with links available online.

About Del DeHart, MD

Dr. Del DeHart is an infectious disease specialist with University of Michigan Health-West.

About University of Michigan Health-West

Drowning at Indian Mounds determined accidental

3-bottom, City of Wyoming, ,

By WKTV Staff
joanne@wktv.org

At approximately 2:50 p.m. on April 17, 2023, police and fire personnel from the Wyoming Department of Public Safety assisted by The City of Grandville Police and Fire Departments responded to the 2300 block of Indian Mounds on the report of a suspicious object, believed to be a human body, floating in The Grand River.

 

When officers arrived, they located a deceased subject in the water. The Kent County Sheriff’s Office Dive Team responded to assist with the underwater recovery of the body. The subject has been preliminarily identified as a 36-year-old male from the Grandville area. 

The Kent County Medical Examiner’s office has performed an autopsy and ruled the subject’s death an accidental drowning. The individual was identified as 36-year-old Matthew Hinton from the Kent County Area. Wyoming Department of Public Safety Detectives are still investigating the circumstances that brought Matthew into the waters of the Grand River. 

John Shay appointed as Wyoming’s next city manager

3-bottom, City of Wyoming, ,

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
WKTV Managing Editor
joanne@wktv.org

John Shay

At its Monday night meeting, the Wyoming City Council appointed John Shay as the city’s next city manager.

“The City of Wyoming is such a vibrant community and I’m eager to get started working with the team,” Shay said in. released statement. “I am looking forward to getting to know the residents and the community and learning more about how we can work together.”

Shay, who mostly recently served as the administrator for Ottawa County, was one of four candidates who were interviewed by the council on April 13 and April 15. The other candidates were Plainfield Charter Township Assistant Township Manager/Superintendent Jen DeHaan, City of Wyoming Interim City Manager John McCarter, and Norton Shores City Administrator Mark Meyers.

During the meeting, Mayor Kent Vanderwood called it a “tough decision” between the candidates. He thanked Mayor Pro-Team Rob Postema and Second Ward Councilmember Marissa Postler, who along with Vanderwood were the city manager search subcommittee. Vanderwood, as well as other council members, gave their appreciation to staff for their help through this city manager selection process.

Shay served as Ottawa County administrator from August 2021 to January 2023. Shay also served as deputy county administrator from July 2018 to August 2021. Additional Michigan experience includes serving the City of Ludington as city manager from February 2003 to July 2018, and prior to that was the village manager of Almont from August 1998 to January 2003.

Shay currently lives in the City of Ludington with his wife, Carla. Shay has three children, Bethany, Evan and Molly.

At the meeting, First Ward Councilmember Sheldon DeKryger made the motion to appoint John Shay and Councilmember-At-Large Renee Hill supported it.

“I am delighted to offer John the city manager position,” Vanderwood said in a statement released after the meeting. “His well-rounded experience has prepared him to lead us into the future and work seamlessly with our staff and community partners. We look forward to his leadership as we face challenges and opportunities together as a City.”

The nationwide search considered 48 candidates generated by the executive recruitment firm of Baker Tilly.

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The City Council hopes to have an employment agreement approved by mid-May.

For more information on the City of Wyoming, visit wyomingmi.gov. Follow the City on Facebook at facebook.com/CityofWyoming and on Twitter @WyomingCityHall. The Wyoming City Council meetings are recorded live by WKTV. The meetings can be viewed on the WKTV Community Media Facebook page and on WKTV Live.

Time to purge Wyoming as city hosts annual clean-up day

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Wyoming, Hard News, Recreation, ,

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
WKTV Managing Editor
joanne@wktv.org

Residents are encouraged to line up by 1:30 p.m. as the line will close at 2 p.m. (WKTV)

There is something about when the earth tilts pushing the northern hemisphere closer to the sun that not only brings a freshness to the air that causes people to open the windows but also vacuum behind the furniture and clean out garages.

Spring cleaning has become a worldwide phenomenon and this Saturday, Wyoming residents will have the chance to get rid of their unwanted items in bulk during the city’s annual spring cleaning event set for Saturday, April 22.

“We are really excited to have this event,” said Nicole Hofert, the city’s director of community and economic development. “We have a wonderful group of volunteers who always help us every year and we are very thankful to have all of those people join us in this event.

“This really is an opportunity for Wyoming residents to clear out some of that stuff they have been thinking about all winter long. We are proud to offer it and hope we have another really great turnout.”

The event will be at Grand Rapids First Church, 2100 44th St. SW, from 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. Plummer’s Disposal will provide the refuse hauling.

Guidelines for the Clean-Up Day

For participating in the annual spring clean-up, here are a few things you should know:

1. People may start line up at 7:30 a.m., doors open at 8 a.m.

Participants are asked to be in the right-hand lane of eastbound 44th Street. When arriving at the event, residents will enter the parking lot through Grand Rapids First’s northeast entrance off of 44th Street and follow the relevant signage.

2. Make sure to bring ID that shows you are a resident of Wyoming

Hofert said a water bill, a credit card statement that has your name and address, your driver’s license  or your vehicle registration will work for proof of residency. “Just something to show that you are a Wyoming resident,” she said.

3. Be in line by 1:30 p.m. as the event does close at  2 p.m.

Unlike in years past, household hazardous waste such as paints, aerosols and other hazardous liquids will not be accepted. People wishing to dispose of those items should visit Kent County’s reimaginetrash.org, and under the Safe Home section, there is a list of sites and instructions on how to properly dispose of those items.

What to Bring

Other items that will not be taken are propane tanks and refrigerators. A completed list of items that will be accepted and items that will not be accepted is available at wyomingmi.gov/cleanup.

The City of Wyoming will be hosting its annual Community Clean-Up event on April 22 at the Grand Rapids First parking lot. (WKTV)

“We see a lot of furniture that comes through,” Hofert said. “If you have the broken recliner or a couch that you have recently replaced, bring it in.”

Construction materials are another good thing to get rid during the cleanup, Hofert said, adding that people often have done renovation projects during the winter with some materials left over that they need to dispose of.

Some items, such as tires and mattresses, will have a modest disposal fee of $12 and $22 respectively.

Yard waste will be accepted at the Yard Waste Drop-Off site, located at 2660 Burlingame Ave. SW, will be open 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. There are no limits to size of branch or shrubs accepted at the site; however, residents must unload the yard waste themselves and all containers must be removed from the facility.

Event Info

Those who come to the event will get in line, an attendant will check your ID, you will come through the site to the dumpster location. Participants will get out to the car and attendants will instruct the person where what dumpster to dump you stuff in. Once done, the participant will get back into the car and then head back out through the exit.

For more information about the Wyoming Community Clean-Up Day, visit wyomingmi.gov/cleanup or call 616-530-7226.