Category Archives: 3-bottom

Birgit Klohs announces retirement from The Right Place

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, ,
Birgit Klohs

By John Truscott
Community Contributor

Birgit Klohs, one of the most influential and successful business development strategists in Michigan, announced today that she will retire from The Right Place, Inc. on January 31, 2021. 

Klohs joined The Right Place, Inc. in 1987 as president and CEO and quickly established the Grand Rapids-based organization as the premier economic development entity in western Michigan. During her 33 years with The Right Place, Inc. the organization collaborated with state and local leaders and business executives to create more than $5 billion in economic investment in the region and generate more than 50,000 jobs.

“When my father, Jay, founded The Right Place, he imagined it would become a powerhouse organization driving economic development in West Michigan,” said Dave Van Andel, chairman and CEO of the Van Andel Institute. “But we all realize now that it has exceeded all expectations. I believe Birgit’s leadership has made The Right Place the premier regional economic development organization in the country. It is the envy of communities nationally and the example everyone tries to emulate. I’ve had the privilege of serving with Birgit on The Right Place board for many years and have watched its impact on West Michigan. I can say with assurance, my father would be very pleased with what The Right Place has accomplished. Thank you, Birgit!” 

“The city of Grand Rapids would not be the beacon of business activity that it is today were it not for the passion and drive of Birgit Klohs,” said Grand Rapids Mayor Rosalynn Bliss. “We are so fortunate to have had a champion like her working for us.”

Klohs has worked closely with five Michigan Governors to pursue economic development opportunities around the globe during her tenure. She is credited with fostering countless public-private ventures that advanced the economic prosperity of the region. 

“Birgit has truly been the North Star of economic investment in West Michigan,” said Windquest Group president and co-founder, Dick DeVos. “When you combine her economic development work with her work as a part of Grand Action and see what is now one of the most vibrant downtowns anywhere, it’s easy to understand the dramatic impact she has had. She has strategically guided us to a stronger and more prosperous future in Michigan by turning economic ideas into people-centered reality.”

Her commitment to the region was not limited to The Right Place. Klohs also chaired or served on numerous boards over the past three decades including Grand Action, the Gerald R. Ford Airport Authority, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation Board, the International Crossing Authority and as chair of the Western Michigan University Board of Trustees, her alma mater.

“Birgit embodies forward thinking community leadership,” said Wayman Britt, Kent County Administrator. “In addition to her economic development efforts at The Right Place, Inc., she also has provided her time and insight with countless organizations with the goal of improving the overall quality of life for the region.”

The Michigan State University College of Human Medicine is among the highly visible projects that Klohs helped to bring to Grand Rapids. The project was the result of extraordinary collaboration with the university, local and state leaders, healthcare agencies and local business executives.

“Our region’s emergence as a leader in bio-medical research, scientific education and healthcare services could not have happened without Birgit’s relentless drive,” said Tina Freese-Decker, Spectrum Health CEO. “She merged vision, opportunity and passion to change the economic future of the city.”

For Klohs, cultivating economic investment in the region has brought fulfillment and a deeper appreciation for the leaders in our business community.

“None of our economic success would have been possible without the passion and vision of our business community and government leaders,” said Klohs. “I consider it a great privilege to have had the opportunity to work with hundreds of dedicated people to build a prosperous future for decades to come. But more than that, my love for this community and this organization made this decision the most difficult I’ve ever made. It is equal to how I felt when I left my parents at the Frankfurt airport, never to return to Germany except to visit.”

In addition to all of the success The Right Place has achieved, the organization has also grown beyond economic development and recruitment. It has addressed many of the challenges that businesses and the community have faced. Klohs was instrumental in the creation of the Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center. She led the formation of a strategic partnership with Hello West Michigan, the first employer-driven relocation and job information center in the nation. And most recently, the New Community Transformation Fund was created to uplift communities of color through capital investment. 

“I’ve known Birgit for over 20 years,” said Skot Welch, principal, Global Bridgebuilders and general partner for the New Community Transformation Fund. “Her willingness to serve as a catalyst for this fund is critical and also speaks to her leadership, commitment and vision for the community. She’s always been such a critical part of West Michigan business success. But more important, her involvement speaks to the fact that she really wants to see equity and opportunity in the marketplace. I truly believe this will be a lasting part of her legacy.” 

A nationwide search will begin immediately to find a replacement. The Right Place has engaged Korn Ferry to manage the process.

“Birgit has set an extraordinarily high-bar of performance in her role with the Right Place, Inc.,” said Sean Welsh, chair of The Right Place, Inc. Board of Directors. “As a board, our responsibility will be to find someone who can build on the great economic foundation set in place by Birgit.”

Klohs credits her team and community leaders with much of the organization’s success.

“We have such a strong team at The Right Place, and they’re responsible for so much of our success. I sincerely thank and honor them for their expertise,” she said.  “And the leadership in this community is second to none. The people make West Michigan what it is, and our corporate and government leaders have always been there for us. 

“Finally, please know that I’m not going away or even slowing down. I will continue to be active serving this community on boards and through philanthropic efforts,” Klohs concluded.

Restoration of Muskegon Lake increases home values

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The restoration of Muskegon Lake has lead to increase home values by $7.9 million with and additional recreation benefits total nearly $28 million annually. (Supplied)

By Dottie Barnes
GVSU

A study by a GVSU economics professor reexamined the economic impact that coastal restoration to Muskegon Lake is having on area property values and recreational opportunities for the surrounding community.

Paul Isely, associate dean of the GVUS Seidman College of Business and professor of economics. (Supplied)

Paul Isely, associate dean of the Seidman College of Business and professor of economics, first analyzed the housing market surrounding restoration sites along the southern shoreline of Muskegon Lake in 2011. His original study predicted $11.9 million in additional housing value and an additional $2.8 million annually in recreation value.

Using data from 2018 and 2019, Isely’s team found the total value of shoreline improvements based on home sale prices to be estimated at $7.9 million, and the value of additional recreational benefits estimated at $27.9 million annually. 

Isely said the increase in recreation value between the two studies is due to additional restoration activity across the lake and a larger increase in the numbers of visitors than what was forecast in 2011. 

“There have been major improvements to Muskegon Lake and the downtown Muskegon area,” said Isely. “However, the additional visits to the area in this study can be attributed to the lake. Cruise ships are coming to Muskegon Lake, more people are purchasing homes, launching boats and going sailing. The improvements are drawing people to Muskegon Lake even more than we thought.”

Isely said the removal of the Sappi Paper Mill, replacement of hardened shoreline with a softer shoreline and the removal of fill from sawmills has helped home values increase.

“This is exciting. It shows really powerful value,” he said. “In 2011, the housing value and additional recreational opportunities represented a 6-to-1 return on investment. This study validates that is true, if not bigger.”

Study highlights:

• An estimated 485,000 additional annual visits to the lake following restoration, an 11 percent increase 

• People who visited the lake before restoration now visit two to four times more per season 

• The total value of increased home values due to shoreline restoration was estimated at $7.9 million 

• The total value of additional recreation following restoration was estimated at $27.9 million annually

• The additional recreational spending represents an estimated 4 percent increase annually for Muskegon County

James Clift, Great Lakes commissioner and deputy director at Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy, said: “This study provides further evidence that restoring the Great Lakes benefits both our environment and economy. The Great Lakes Commission is proud to work with local partners like GVSU, as well as state and national partners, to create jobs, provide new tourism and recreation opportunities, and improve the quality of life in communities across the Basin.”

Approximately $35,000 was made available for this project through the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. Grand Valley also received funding from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and U.S. Department of Commerce, through a Regional Partnership with the Great Lakes Commission. 

More information is available in the final detailed report.

John Ball Zoo names new bald eagle in memory of treasured educator

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Ruth Jones-Hairston was a respected educator for Grand Rapids Public Schools and dedicated John Ball Zoo supporter. In honor of Ruth, the Zoo announced it would name its new bald eagle after her. (Supplied)

By Darci David
John Ball Zoo

John Ball Zoo announces that they will be honoring the legacy and memory of Ruth Jones-Hairston by naming their new bald eagle ‘Ruth’.

Ruth Jones-Hairston, who passed away in June of 2019, was an important part of Grand Rapids and the John Ball Zoo community. As an educator, she was both a teacher and principal in the Grand Rapids Public Schools. She worked hard to make sure every child knew they were important and could succeed. In retirement, she started Judah Educational Consultants.

Jones-Hairston served on the board for John Ball Zoo, where she inspired and helped found the Zoo’s JUMP program. She envisioned the children and families of Grand Rapids being able to enjoy the Zoo regardless of means or income level. Since it started, this program has allowed hundreds of thousands of families to enjoy the Zoo and helped make us a Zoo for all in the community.

“Naming the bald eagle after Ruth is a great way to honor someone who started an inclusive program at the Zoo and exemplified our values of conservation, education, community, and celebrate,” said Mike Lomonaco, Chief Community Engagement Officer for John Ball Zoo.

Zsanara Hoskins, Ruth’s daughter, commented about this special naming. “What an honor. Our mother represents everything that the eagle symbolizes and more! It is touching to know that her life, her beliefs, her “walk”, touched the lives of so many including the staff and community of John Ball Zoo so much so that they would want to honor her this way. We can’t wait to visit Ruth the eagle as a family at the Zoo.”

Ruth, the bald eagle, is 3-years-old. She was injured and unable to fly long distances making it difficult for her to survive in the wild. (Supplied)

A fun fact is that Jones-Hairston’s first school where she was a principal was Henry Paideia Academy and their mascot was the eagle.

Ruth, the bald eagle, is now in the bald eagle habitat near the Living Shores Aquarium at the Zoo. This bald eagle was hurt in the wild and came to John Ball Zoo from Wings of Wonder Raptor Sanctuary located in northern Michigan after a two month rehab. Ruth can now fly, but one wing still has issues and causes her to tire too quickly to survive in the wild.

Guests will see that Ruth looks different than Bea, the other bald eagle in the habitat. This is because Ruth is only 3-years-old and still has her juvenile feathers. These will molt into adult plumage in the next couple of years.

“We are excited for guests to see and learn about Ruth, the bald eagle, on their next visit to John Ball Zoo,” Lomonaco said. “Like Ruth Jones-Hairston, Ruth the bald eagle will help educate the community to appreciate wildlife, with grace and beauty, while also educating on the role John Ball Zoo plays in the saving of wildlife and wild habitats.”

John Ball Zoo is located on Fulton Ave., one mile west of downtown Grand Rapids. For more information www.jbzoo.org or 616-336-4301.

Traffic Tuesday: School Buses

3-bottom, City of Wyoming

Officer Jenni Eby
City of Wyoming Department of Public Safety

Welcome to the Traffic Tuesday question. Each week, the Wyoming Department of Public Safety posts a question on Tuesday, and the answer posted Thursday. **Please do not post the answer in the comments, so that others have a chance to answer on their own** Note: the answer can be found on both the WKTV Journal website and in the community social media site Nextdoor.

In preparation for some of our kids going back to school, we’re revisiting school bus laws!

This week’s question: You are behind a school bus, when it stops and activates its flashing red lights. What is the closest you can stop behind the bus?

  1. No closer than 20 feet
  2. No closer than 25 feet
  3. No closer than 35 feet
  4. No closer than 50 feet

Check back on Thursday to learn the answer!

Many local schools looking at remote learning for first weeks

3-bottom, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming
In the August Government Matters, Godfrey-Lee Public Schools Superintendent Kevin Polston discussed school openings this fall. )WKTV)

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org

Back-to-school is definitely on the minds of many as parents and students took the hot Sunday to shop for school clothes and other supplies at Tanger Outlet Mall. Just how school will start is on the minds of school officials and local leaders as many districts have had their plans approved or will present their back-to-school plans to their boards tonight.

At Monday’s Government Matters meeting, hosted by the Wyoming Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce, Godfrey-Lee Superintendent Kevin Polston discussed what his district and others are looking at for the fall. For most districts in Kent County, school is set to start Aug. 24.

“There is a lot of energy and a lot of angst in the community from staff and families alike as we prepare for school,” Polston said.

Kevin Polston, Superintendent of Godfrey-Lee Public Schools

Polston, who was on the state’s Return to Learn Advisory Council and chaired the Kent ISD Futures Committee which designed a plan for returning to school this fall, said that in Wyoming and Kentwood, three districts, Wyoming Public Schools, Kentwood Public Schools, and Godfrey-Lee Public Schools, have opted to start with two weeks of remote learning and then move to in-person instruction on Sept. 8. According to Polston, Godwin Heights plans to go three weeks with online instruction and Kelloggsville Public Schools will start in-person instruction on Aug. 24. All districts will be offering a remote option for learning this year if the student or family does not feel comfortable in returning to the classroom, Polston said. 

“What that will allow districts to do is make sure that we are prepared and ready for students being in-person,” he said of the two weeks online instruction. Speaking for his own district, Godfrey-Lee, Polston said staff plans to use those two weeks to make sure that safety protocols are in place before students return to the classrooms.

Many school leaders have had to consider a number of factors when considering how their specific school will open. 

Only students in K-5 have the option of wearing masks in the classrooms. Students in 6-12 are required to wear masks in the classroom and all K-12 students and staff must wear masks in common areas. Students are allowed to take masks off when outside and while eating with Polston noting that staff are looking at other creative ways to give students a break from wearing masks. 

In dealing with a student or staff member who has tested positive for COVID-19, districts are being directed to follow the Kent County Health Department guidelines.

Polston said the number one question he has been asked is if Governor Gretchen Whitmer will move the state back to Phase 3, which would force all schools into remote learning.

“I have frequent conversations with the governor’s office and at this point that is not something that the governor has been considering because our numbers have plateaued and our numbers are too different across the state to use a blanket approach,” he said.

One thing districts have always wanted is more control and through the COVID-19 plans, that is exactly what has happened with each school board able to make decisions unique to its district’s situation. That also has created a variety of plans from those like Grand Rapids Public Schools that will have only remote learning for the first nine weeks to others like Kelloggsville that will plan to have in-person learning, Polston said.

Polston said his own district has been working with teachers on returning to the classrooms along with marrying requests of those who feel they are at high-risk or live with someone who is high-risk and want to teach remotely with students who have chosen to take remote learning.

Of course each day changes and therefore plans have to be flexible for those changes, Polston said. An example was that many football teams in the county have started practice today but announcements that both the PAC-10 and the Big Ten are planning to cancel the 2020 fall season could impact high school sports, he said.

“We can’t afford anymore learning loss,” said Polston about the importance of getting schools open, “and we must prepare our students for the workforce development we need for our economy and the students need for their own independence.”

Districts are moving forward with remote learning despite the fact that the state needs to approve these measures. Also how districts will be paying for the extra COVID-19 safetu measures and online instruction along with the anticipated budget shortfalls for 2020-2021 are issues schools and the state will need to look at in the future.

Polston did express gratitude to the Kent County Commission which is working on releasing $2 million from its share of the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) to all Kent County schools — both public and private — to help with safety measures. Polston said that is about $16 per student in Kent County. For Godfrey-Lee, this is an addition $29,500 dollars that school officials are hoping to use toward expanding its nursing program from two days to three days a week. 

Wyoming enacts sprinkling ban to protect regional water system during repair

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By City of Wyoming

The City of Wyoming has declared a Level Three Water Emergency, due to a water transmission main repair. The repair will temporarily reduce the capacity of the water system making it necessary to institute a Sprinkling Ban. This ban, which includes all outdoor irrigation, begins Tuesday, Aug. 11 at 6 a.m. within all communities served by the City of Wyoming Water System.  By following the Sprinkling Ban, water customers will help protect the water system during this emergency repair. The communities included in the Sprinkling Ban are:

  • Zeeland Township
  • Park Township
  • Olive Township
  • Blendon Township 
  • Holland Township
  • Georgetown Township
  • Jamestown Township
  • Byron Township
  • Gaines Township
  • City of Hudsonville 
  • City of Grandville
  • A part of the City of Kentwood 
  • City of Wyoming

“Water remains safe and drinkable so long as the water pressure is maintained,” says Director of Public Works Myron Erickson, “the emergency repair itself doesn’t impact water quality. However, low system pressure may impact water quality due to cross connections. That’s why it is incredibly important to follow this temporary Sprinkling Ban.”

The emergency repair will take one of the two water transmission mains out of service, reducing the capacity of the water system. Currently, the City of Wyoming water facilities are pumping at maximum rates to meet peak summer demand. With only one water transmission line active, the water system cannot maintain the high water demand caused by summer irrigation. One transmission line can meet the demand of indoor water use. If water system users don’t abide by the Sprinkling Ban, low pressure and low volumes of water are a distinct possibility.

Due to this extreme water emergency, the City of Wyoming will be issuing municipal civil infractions to any violators of the Sprinkling Ban within the City of Wyoming. The Sprinkling Ban will be in effect until further notice. 

For more information, visit www.wyomingmi.gov/SprinklingBan or contact the Wyoming Water Office at 616-530-7390 or the Wyoming Water Plant at (616) 399-6511.  Residents of the customer communities of the Wyoming Water System may also contact their respective communities’ water office.

Additional food assistance for 350,000 Michigan families in response to COVID-19 extended through August

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Michigan gained approval for additional food assistance from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service. (Supplied)

By WKTV Staff

ken@wktv.org

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) announced last week that, as a response to the continued COVID-19 pandemic, approximately 350,000 Michigan families will continue to have access to additional food assistance benefits during August.

Michigan previously approved the additional food assistance through July and now that is being extended for the month of August with approval from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service, according to the MDHSS statement.

“COVID-19 and its impact on the economy of the nation and state has made it more difficult for many Michigan families to pay for nutritious food,” Lewis Roubal, chief deputy director of opportunity for MDHHS, said in supplied material. “The department wants to provide additional assistance to help them through this health care and economic emergency.”

Eligible clients will see additional food assistance benefits on their Bridge Card by Aug. 30, with payments beginning for some households on Thursday, Aug. 20. Additional benefits will be loaded onto Bridge Cards as a separate payment from the assistance provided earlier in the month.

Nearly 1.5 million people in Michigan receive federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits through the state’s Food Assistance Program, according torte statement. Households eligible for Food Assistance Program benefits will receive additional benefits in August to bring all current SNAP cases to the maximum monthly allowance for that group size.

This change only applies to customers not currently receiving the maximum benefit amount. The 350,000 households that receive increased benefits represent close to 50 percent of the more than 700,000 Michigan households that received food assistance in June. The remaining households already receive the maximum benefit.
 

Eligible families do not need to re-apply to receive the additional benefits. People who receive food assistance can check their benefits balance on their Michigan Bridge Card by going online to www.michigan.gov/MIBridges or talk to a consumer service representative toll-free at 888-678-8914. They can ask questions about the additional benefits by calling or emailing their caseworker.

Customer service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Spanish and Arabic service is available. If you are deaf, deaf/blind or hard of hearing or speech-impaired, call the Michigan Relay Center at 7-1-1.

Kent County has community (and veteran) openings on boards, commissions and committees

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The Kent County Veterans Services Committee is one of many county boards and committees looking for community members. (Supplied)

By WKTV Staff

ken@wktv.org

The Kent County Board of Commissioners announced Aug. 6 that it is seeking residents who are interested in serving the community through appointment to various boards, commissions, and committees. Most positions begin January 2021.

For example, the county Veterans Services Committee is seeking veterans who served honorably on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces to work to support the county’s veterans population.

Kent County residents may apply for the various vacancies by completing an online application on the county’s website at accessKent.com/boardappointments. Resumes and cover letters are encouraged and may be attached. The application deadline is Sept. 30.

Specific requirements for serving on each board, commission, and committee can be found here. All of the positions are voluntary, and members serve without compensation. Additionally, members are expected, at a minimum, to attend 75 percent of all respective meetings.

After the deadline, applications for the vacancies will be reviewed by the Legislative & Human Resources Committee, which will then recommend candidates to the full Board of Commissioners for final approval.

There are openings for terms effective Jan. 1, 2021 (unless otherwise noted) on the following:

Agricultural Preservation Board (openings for agricultural interest representative and township representative)

Community Corrections Advisory Board (openings for service provider and business representative)

Community Health Advisory Committee (openings for community-based organization representative, health care provider, and faith-based organization representative)

Community Mental Health Authority (Network180) Board (term begins April 1, 2021)

County Building Authority

Department of Health and Human Services Board

Fire Commission (openings for elected official and public representative)

Friend of the Court Citizen’s Advisory Committee (opening for custodial parent)

Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GRFIA) Authority Board

Grand Rapids-Kent County Convention/Arena Authority (openings for Kent County county resident and non-county resident (must live in Allegan, Barry, Ionia, Mecosta, Montcalm, Muskegon, or Ottawa counties)

Kent County Community Action Advisory Governing Board (openings for consumer, private, and public sector)

Kent County Family & Children’s Coordinating Council (openings for advocates and private funding representatives)

Kent District Library Board (Region 3, a resident of Alpine, Plainfield Township, or City of Walker; and Region 7, a resident of Byron Township or City of Grandville). Applicants must live in Region 3 or 7.

Kent Hospital Finance Authority

Lakeshore Regional Partners Substance Abuse Oversight Policy Board

Officers’ Compensation Commission

Remonumentation Peer Review Group (must be a professional surveyor to apply)

Road Commission Board


Residents with questions about the appointment process should contact Natasha Karambelas in the Board of Commissioners’ Office at 616-632-7580 or natasha.karambelas@kentcountymi.gov.

Snapshots: WKTV offers stories of work being done to overcome pandemic hardships

3-bottom, Community Health

By WKTV Staff

ken@wktv.org

Quote of the Day

“Although the world is full of suffering, it is also full of the overcoming of it.”

Helen Keller


The Heart of West Michigan United Way offices in Grand Rapids. (HWMUW)

Helping out the non-profit heroes that help us

The Heart of West Michigan United Way and Kent County recently announced $9.5 million in federal CARES Act dollars would be used to create the Kent County Non-Profit Organization COVID-19 Grant Fund to support local nonprofit organizations providing certain relief services during the COVID-19 public health emergency. Go here for the story.

Helping Michigan’s workers bounce back better

The State of Michigan recently announced the launch a digital hub for Michigan workers displaced by the COVID-19 crisis to allow them to connect to online certification and degree programs including free training and work readiness tools. Go here for the story.

Testing for COVID-19 of all migrant agriculture workers has been mandated by the state health department. (Supplied)

Protecting agricultural workers and consumers

Michigan Department of Health and Human Services recently ordered COVID-19 testing for agricultural and food processing employees, for their safety and for consumer safety — but the state also offered agricultural employers resources like grant funding and insurance coverage through Medicaid that can provide financial support for testing. Go here for the story.

Fun fact:

$13.1 billion

The Center for Disaster Philanthropy (CDP) and its partners are tracking philanthropic donations to to battle the worldwide COVID-19 outbreak. As of Aug. 5, total donations received stood at more than $13.1 billion. Source.

Primary votes in, November general election races set for Wyoming, Kentwood voters

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Gerrid Uzarski, Elections Director for the Kent County Clerk and Register Department, center, assists members of the Kent County Board of Canvassers in the handling of August 2020 primary election results awaiting certification on Aug. 6. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

With the Aug. 4 primary votes in — and the election security verification process of the Kent County Board of Canvassers verifying and certifying the unofficial results in process — the Nov. 3 general election is set and will have a wide spectrum of elected officeholders for Wyoming and Kentwood voters to decide upon, from Kentwood’s District Court judge to President of the United States.

And with the addition of independent candidates (neither Republican nor Democrat) having filed with the Kent County Elections Office, the candidate field is set.

City of Wyoming City Council

City of Wyoming voters will have three seats on the City Council to be voted on in  November and two of the three future unopposed incumbents. Marissa K. Postler and Robert Postema are unopposed for the 2nd Ward and the 3rd Ward council seats, respectively. While Rob Arnoys and John Fitzgerald will vie for a Commissioner-at-large seat.

City of Kentwood district court

Kentwood’s 62 B District Court non-partisan judgeship, part of the Kent County Court System, will be contested by Amanda Sterkenburg and Joe Jackson, both of Kentwood.

Kent County Board of Commissioners

After Republican primary election voting for Kent County Board of Commissioner 8th District seat, current City of Wyoming City Councilor Dan Burrill will face off with Democrat Sarah Chatterly of Wyoming in the November general election.

In the 7th District (Grandville/part of Wyoming), Republican incumbent and Grandville resident Stan Ponstein will face off in November with Democrat and Grandville resident Jane Newton.

In the 9th District (Byron Twp./part of Wyoming), incumbent Republican Matt Kallman will be opposed by Keith Courtade (D) of Wyoming, while in the 12th District (Kentwood/part of Wyoming and Grand Rapids) incumbent Democrat Monica Sparks of Kentwood and Grand Rapids Republican Ryan Malinoski will face off in November.

State House of Representatives

Also Tuesday, Lily Cheng-Schulting won the Democratic primary race to challenge incumbent State Rep. Steven Johnson (R) in the 72nd District (which includes Kentwood). The 77th District (which includes Wyoming) will have incumbent Rep. Tommy Brann (R) of Wyoming running against Democrat Bob Smith of Byron Center.

Kent County-wide elections

In a Kent County-wide Democratic primary race for Kent County Treasurer, Beth White of Grand Rapids won the vote and will face off with current State Sen. Peter MacGregor (R) of Rockford in November.

Also in countywide general election news, the Kent County Election Department’s current November ballot lists several independent party candidates that have filed as candidates for Kent County Sheriff, Clerk/Register of Deeds and Drain Commissioner, as well as state and federal races.

Libertarian John Glen Stedman, of Wyoming, has joined the race for Sheriff which includes current Sheriff Michelle LaJoye-Young (R) add Democrat Marc Burns.

Libertarian Jamie Lewis, of Grand Rapids, will be on the ballot against current county Clerk/Register of Deeds Lisa Posthumus Lyons (R) and Wyoming resident Devin Ortega-Furgeson (D). And Libertarian Alex Avery, of Wyoming, is in the race for Drain Commissioner with incumbent Ken Yonker (R) and Democrat Elaine Isely.

Current Kent County District Attorney Chris Becker (R) is running for reelection unopposed this election cycle.

Wyoming’s and Kentwood’s federal elected positions 

In Michigan’s 2nd U.S. Congressional District (which includes Wyoming and Kentwood) incumbent Rep. Bill Huizenga (R) and Rev. Bryan Berghoef (D) are on the November ballot, as well as Libertarian candidate Max Riekse of Fruitport, US Taxpayers candidate Gerald T. Van Sickle of Wellston and Green candidate Jean-Michel Creviere of Holland.

Wyoming and Kentwood voters will in November also select between incumbent U.S. Sen. Gary Peters (D), Republican John James, US Taxpayers Party candidate Valerie L. Willis of Gaylord, and Green Party candidate Marcia Squier of Sterling Heights.

And, of course, there is that presidential race to be decided.

President Donald J. Trump and Vice President Mike Pence will represent the Republican Party, and Joseph R. Biden and an as-yet unnamed vice president candidate will represent the Democratic Party. But there will also be other candidates on the Michigan ballots.

The Libertarian Party will have the team of Jo Jorgensen of South Carolina and Jeremy Cohen listed as president and vice president candidates. The US Taxpayers will have Don Blankenship of West Virginia and William Mohr. The Green Party will have Howie Hawkins of New York and Angela Walker.

COVID-19 testing of agricultural and food processing employees ordered by state health department

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Testing for COVID-19 of all migrant agriculture workers has been mandated by the state health department. (Supplied)

By WKTV Staff

ken@wktv.org

Michigan Department of Health and Human Services this week issued an emergency order requiring COVID-19 testing for agricultural and food processing employees.

The order, according to an Aug. 4 statement from the state, “makes Michigan a national leader in COVID-19 safety protections for agricultural and migrant workers, building on Executive Orders from Gov. Gretchen Whitmer requiring workplace safety measures in meat and poultry processing plans and safe housing for COVID positive migrant workers.”

Go here for the complete emergency order.

“The men and women who work in our fields and food processing plants are at particular risk for COVID-19, and they need and deserve protection,” Robert Gordon, MDHHS director, said in supplied material. “Today’s order will help to reduce the spread of COVID in communities across Michigan and reduce the pandemic’s disparate impact on Latinos.”

In recent weeks, there have been 11 identified outbreaks in farms and food processing plants in Michigan, according to the state. In addition, Latinos are 5 percent of Michigan’s population but represent 11 percent of COVID cases in which the individual’s ethnicity is identified.

“The department will work with employers and housing operators to ensure timely reporting of testing data and access to PPE so that together we can prevent further viral spread,” Gordon said.

The order makes several requirements for migrant housing camp operators to provide COVID-19 testing, including testing of all new residents with 48 hours of arrival, with separate housing for newly arriving residents for 14 days and a second test 10 to 14 days after arrival.

In addition, employers of migrant or seasonal workers, meat, poultry and egg processing facilities and greenhouses with over 20 employees on-site at a time to are ordered to provide COVID-19 testing.

“Ensuring the health and safety of Michigan’s essential food and agriculture workers is paramount to keeping our food supply chain moving,” Gary McDowell, director of the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, said in supplied material. “These workers are our frontline staff who are a vital part of bringing our food from farm to plate.”

Employers and housing operators have several options for completing the required testing, including requesting state assistance. And the MDHHS also released a guidance document for employers providing step-by-step information on how employers can complete testing and highlighting resources like grant funding and insurance coverage through Medicaid that can provide financial support for testing.

COVID positive and exposed residents would be required to isolate or quarantine until meeting the return-to-work criteria from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. MDHHS will be partnering with Community Action Agencies in impacted communities in order to provide food, housing, and economic support for workers who lose income due to testing.

“It is critical that we keep our workers and their families across the food and agriculture industry safe and healthy,” John Cakmakci, president of UFCW Local 951, said in supplied material. “I applaud Directors Gordon and McDowell for their efforts to protect the people of Michigan and our economy.”

In absentee-ballot dominated primary, Burrill wins GOP county commission race; Dem Cheng-Schulting to face state Rep. Johnson

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By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

With final unofficial Kent County Elections Office results in from the Tuesday, Aug. 4, primary election, Wyoming voters will have a familiar face — current City of Wyoming City Councilor Dan Burrill — representing the Republican party on the November ballot for Kent County Board of Commissioner 8th District seat.

Burrill defeated Denise Kolesar of Grandville in the Republican primary, 2,128 to 950, and will face off with Democrat Sarah Chatterly of Wyoming in the November general election.

State House of Representatives 72nd District voters (which includes the City of Kentwood) have selected Democrat Lily Cheng-Schulting to challenge incumbent State Rep. Steven Johnson (R). Cheng-Schulting of Grand Rapids defeated Cade Wilson of Kentwood, 4,723 to 2,708, in the Democratic primary.

Both Burrill and Cheng-Schulting visited the WKTV studio for We the People candidate videos during the primary campaign.

In county-wide primary contests, Beth White of Grand Rapids defeated José L. Reyna of Ada in the Democratic primary race for Kent County Treasurer, and will face off with current State Sen. Peter MacGregor (R) of Rockford in November. White gained 31,206 votes to Reyna’s 29,935.

Also of note from the primary election was the percentage of voter turnout, and the number of day-off, in-person votes cast compared to absentee votes cast.

In the county commission 8th District Republican primary won by Burrill, there was more absentee votes cast (1,604) than election day (1,483). In the state house 72nd Democratic primary won by Cheng-Schulting, there was even more of a majority voting absentee, 5,445 to 2,007.

Overall, Kent County wide, 97,835 absentee ballots were cast compared to 51,267 day of voting. Also county wide, just over 31 percent of the county’s 480,558 registered voter cast a ballot.

To finalize the county election results, the Kent County Board of Canvassers will meet Thursday, Aug. 6, beginning at 9 a.m., at the Kent County Administration Building, and will be meeting every weekday until Aug. 20, or until the canvass of the Primary Election is complete.

For compete election results, visit accesskent.com/Departments/Elections/

Gov. Whitmer proclaims August as Community Health Worker Appreciation Month

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Community health care workers have been helping keep everybody safe and healthy during the COVID-19 pandemic. ((U.S. Air Force)

By WKTV Staff

ken@wktv.org

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has proclaimed August 2020 as Community Health Worker Appreciation Month in Michigan and encouraged Michiganders across the state to take this opportunity to thank the community health workers who have worked tirelessly to fight COVID-19.
  

“Community health workers have risen to the occasion to protect Michigan residents and battle COVID-19,” Gov. Whitmer said in supplied material. “We are grateful for community health workers who continue to work hard to provide health services to communities across the state. I encourage each and everyone of us to show our appreciation to community health workers by taking steps to make their jobs easier by washing our hands frequently, practicing social distancing, and wearing a mask.”
  

According to a statement announcing the proclamation, COVID-19 has “shed a light on the inequalities felt by communities of color.” While African Americans represent 13.6 percent of Michigan’s population, they represent 40 percent of the deaths from COVID-19, according to supplied material.

“Community health workers are vital to reaching underserved areas to help promote and protect the health and well-being of their communities,” according to the statement.
  

Community health workers serve in all regions of the state to help prevent and manage chronic conditions, develop healthy lifestyles, improve maternal and child health, and improve rates of preventative screenings. They deliver health and social services to underserved communities across Michigan through outreach, enrollment and patient education. 

State website offers COVID-19 crisis displaced Michigan workers online certification and training assistance

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The State of Michigan now has a one-stop shop for online support of workers seeking to advance their career in this time of COVID-19. (Public Domain)

By WKTV Staff

ken@wktv.org

The State of Michigan recently announced the launch a digital hub for Michigan workers displaced by the COVID-19 crisis to allow them to connect to online certification and degree programs including free training and work readiness tools.

According to the July 28 announcement. “the Coronavirus crisis has created record unemployment across the country and a complicated employment landscape in Michigan. Now more than ever, Michigan workers who possess advanced skills will be better positioned to get and keep higher-paying and more stable jobs.”

So, Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) has developed a digital hub to connect residents with online learning opportunities and other training resources.

“Whether one is looking to return to work, explore in-demand careers, learn new skills, or take the first step toward a degree or certificate, the hub has information to help Michigan workers expand their opportunities in an evolving economy,” according to the statement.

The digital hub, Michigan.gov/SkillstoWork features a range of online learning and career exploration options — including free opportunities — for Michigan residents to consider while “navigating the COVID-19 economy in the coming weeks and months, when in-person learning opportunities may be limited.”

The virtual resource is a collaborative effort between LEO, the Michigan Community College Association (MCCA), Michigan Works! Agencies and others aimed at increasing opportunities for all Michiganders to explore online degree and certificate programs that could lead to expanded employment opportunities.

“With the economic disruption caused by COVID-19, it’s more important than ever that we help Michiganders improve their skills, explore in-demand career opportunities and jumpstart educational opportunities,” LEO Director Jeff Donofrio said in supplied material. “These online resources continue to expand opportunities for residents to connect with and succeed in high-demand, high-wage careers of the future.”

“The new website connects Michiganders to online programs offered by Michigan’s 28 community colleges,” Michael Hansen, MCCA President, said in supplied material. “As we navigate the challenges presented by the Coronavirus pandemic, Michigan’s business leaders and employers statewide are asking: ‘How do we get people back to work?’ This new information hub is a tremendous start toward solving that challenge.”

In addition, the site provides a new “Return-to-Work Playbook” that assists those preparing to enter the workforce, finding their next job or discovering another one in a national economy that has seen the highest unemployment rates in 100 years To help workers adjust to changing employer needs and work environments, the Playbook outlines available career and job-readiness resources, including step-by-step instructions for developing resumes, preparing for interviews, exploring new career paths and finding free or inexpensive job training opportunities.

It also provides industry or occupational-specific resources for in-demand careers and additional resources to assist specific individuals including veterans, individuals with disabilities, migrant and seasonal farm workers and adult learners.

Other available resources at Michigan.gov/SkillsToWork include career exploration, job search assistance and professional development opportunities.

Kent County expected to allocate $2 million in federal CARES Act funds to local schools for PPE

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A personal protective equipment (PPE) face mask. (Olgierd Rudak)

By WKTV Staff

ken@wktv.org

Kent County’s COVID Relief Subcommittee, drawing on a nearly $115 million federal CARES Act grant sent to the county earlier this year, approved a $2 million allocation to be used by county schools to purchase personal protective equipment (PPE) “to assist schools in dealing with the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.”

According to a July 30 county statement, the next step will be consideration and expected approval by the Kent County Commission’s Finance Committee, and then the full Board of Commissioners at its next meeting on Aug. 27. Most Kent County school districts are expected to be open by that date.

The funds would be allocated to public, private and charter schools, Board of Commissioners chair Mandy Bolter said to WKTV, and while allotment “details are still being finalized but in our initial discussions we would most likely use the last student count submitted by the schools to the state.”

The county COVID Relief Subcommittee members include commissioners Bolter, Stan Stek, Diane Jones, Emily Brieve, Roger Morgan, Jim Talen, Phil Skaggs, and Robert Womack.

“As schools consider how to reopen this fall, the safety and mental health of our children are the primary concerns of every parent I know,” Commissioner Bolter said in supplied material. “By allocating this funding, we can be part of the solution to keep our kids and teachers as safe as possible and help to bring back some normalcy in this crazy time.”

The Kent County Board of Commissioners has previously allocated CARES funding for other programs to assist specific segments of the county during the coronavirus pandemic, including funds being allocated to assist in small businesses recovery, for use by non-profit organizations services and shelter assistance groups, and a business PPE program.

For more information about the CARES Act and related Kent County efforts, visit accesskent.com.

Back-to-school plans: Kentwood schools set to begin fall with two weeks of remote learning, then …

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East Kentwood High School. (Supplied/KPS)

Editor’s note: This is the first in a series of WKTV stories detailing local school districts’ fall 2020 back-to-chool plans.

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

Kentwood Public Schools latest back-to-school plans, announced in a district-wide letter July 27, includes a two-week remote/virtual education period for all students as the district prepares for a possible return to in-school learning and parents can have more information before making their decision on having their students attend school at home or in classrooms.

Superintendent Michael Zoerhoff, Kentwood Public schools. (Supplied/KPS)

“Kentwood Public Schools is bound by the directives from the Governor’s Office, the Michigan Department of Education and the various Health Departments,” Kentwood Public Schools Superintendent Michael Zoerhoff said in the letter from his office. “Since the guidelines from the Governor’s Office are yet to be finalized, KPS planning has to remain highly flexible.”

The district conducted several parent surveys over the past several months, according to the letter, and the “results identified a split perspective. Many families want school to start with ‘in person’ learning; while others want to start with remote/virtual learning.”

As of July 27, Kent County is labeled to be in “Phase 4” of the Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s reopening plan, which means schools may open for in-person learning. with restrictions. But if the Governor moves to the county to “Phase 3” then schools must stop all in-person learning and go completely to remote learning.

According to the district letter, the current plan begins school on Monday, Aug. 24, with all students involved in remote/virtual learning for the first two weeks. On Sept. 8, the day after Labor Day, parents can choose to shift their student to the option of in-person learning.

The stated reasons for the two-week remote/virtual beginning of school include:
 

In addition to being introduced to the academic content that will be studied for the term, the first two weeks will be focused on training students and staff on the safety protocols and cleaning procedures for a safe in-person return. 

Students and staff will learn “positive habits and behaviors” for successful remote learning should in-person learning be shut down and virtual learning become the only option.
 

Those households intending to use the remote/virtual learning option will be able to have computers delivered to students needing a device, and families will have an opportunity to evaluate our new remote learning platforms and compare them, to “make an informed choice when in person learning becomes an option on September 8.”

“Kentwood Public Schools will also have time to observe and learn from those area districts that engage in person student learning immediately,” according the letter. “We can benefit from seeing what others do or fail to do.”

Mask and busing policy detailed

If in-school education is available and chosen, the Governor’s current Return To School requirements are that students and staff in grades 6-12 must wear a face mask if they are attending in-person learning, and students in grades K-5 will be “strongly encouraged” to wear a face mask.
 

Kentwood Public Schools “has worked with our business partners and Spectrum Health to purchase many approved face masks for those who do not have one, forget to bring it to school or lose their mask,” according to the district.

And while busing will be provided for students who attend in-class school, “we will follow the requirements in the Governor’s Return To School regarding social distancing and face mask covernings. This will require us all to be flexible as there will be a limited number of students allowed on each bus run. Those bus runs will be published and communicated once we know how many families need transportation.”

While the exact mode of education for Kentwood Public Schools students is in flux, Superintendent Zoerhoff, in the letter, made clear the district’s ultimate goal.

“Kentwood Public Schools, together with parents and the community, will educate all students in a safe, secure environment,” he said. “We are committed to excellence, equity and diversity in education. Our goal is for each student to master and apply the essential skills to be a successful, productive citizen.

“These challenging times will pass, but the quality education that your children receive at KPS will serve them for a lifetime.”

For more information on Kentwood Public School’s back-to-school plans and other COIVID-19 related district communications visit kentwoodps.org/covid-info.

Ocean scourge: Flesh-eating bacteria

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Flesh-eating bacteria can be contracted when open wounds are exposed to brackish ocean water. Contaminated seafood can also result in infection. (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)

By Robert Preidt, HealthDay


It’s a horrible fate: You take a cool dip in the ocean and become infected with flesh-eating bacteria.


Climate change is making this terrifying scenario more common in the northern part of the United States, one infectious disease expert says.


These infections are caused by Vibrio vulnificus bacteria. There are about 80,000 such infections each year in the United States, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.


Most infections resolve within a few days, but there are about 500 hospitalizations and 100 deaths each year due to such infections.


There are a number of ways to protect yourself, according to David Cennimo, an infectious disease expert at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School.


Vibrio bacteria can get into the body through open wounds. If you have any, it’s best to stay out of the water, especially brackish water. Cover the wound with a waterproof bandage if it’s likely to come into contact with water or raw seafood or raw seafood juices, Cennimo advised.


Cook all seafood thoroughly and wash your hands after handling raw shellfish, he added.


Most infections caused by Vibrio bacteria are gastrointestinal and cause food poisoning-like symptoms, such as diarrhea, vomiting, cramping, abdominal pain and sometimes fever. Symptoms usually start one day after ingestion and last for three days.


Skin infections caused by the bacteria may be inflamed and red, with blisters. The site may also turn deep blue like a severe bruise. A fever may develop and confusion can occur in severe cases. Immediate emergency medical care is required because the infection can progress rapidly to death, Cennimo said.


For most people, the skin infection can be treated with antibiotics. However, necrotizing (flesh-eating) infections can be very serious and move very fast.


People especially at risk of severe and aggressive infection include those with a weakened immune system due to conditions such as liver disease, cancer, diabetes or HIV, and those who are on immune-suppressing therapy or are recovering from stomach surgery.


Reprinted with permission from Spectrum Health Beat.



Wyoming’s Burlingame Family Fare one of several to offer free COVID-19 testing

3-bottom, City of Wyoming, ,

By SpartanNash

As part of its continued efforts to ensure the well-being and safety of its family of associates, customers and communities during the coronavirus pandemic, SpartanNash announced select Family Fare, which includes the Family Fare on Burlingame Ave. SW, and D&W Fresh Market pharmacies in West Michigan will offer free COVID-19 testing beginning on Monday, Aug. 3.

The company has partnered with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to provide the free testing, which will take place by appointment only.

“Our pharmacies continue to adapt to best respond to our customers’ needs during these uncertain times,” SpartanNash EVP and Chief Merchandising and Marketing Officer Lori Raya said. “We are proud to offer this additional service to our customers and communities – free of charge – because we know how important testing is to our collective efforts to contain the COVID-19 pandemic.”

COVID-19 tests are self-administered by customers using the drive-thru at participating Family Fare and D&W Fresh Market pharmacies, following CDC guidelines for testing criteria. SpartanNash pharmacists guide customers through the self-administered nasal swab, and results are shared within three to five days.

Participating pharmacies are located at:

  • D&W Fresh Market – 2022 Apple Orchard Ave. in Grand Rapids
  • Family Fare – 6370 Lake Michigan Drive in Allendale
  • Family Fare – 2245 84th St. SW in Byron Center
  • Family Fare – 2900 Burlingame Ave. SW in Wyoming
  • Family Fare – 993 Butternut Dr. in Holland

Testing is available for both symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals in accordance with state and local plans for public health monitoring. Both customers and SpartanNash frontline associates are able to schedule COVID-19 testing appointments on either shopfamilyfare.com/covid-19-testing or shopdwfreshmarket.com/covid-19-testing, depending on their nearest pharmacy location. Participants are asked to first complete a short survey, then schedule their appointment date and time.

“Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, our company has maintained two top priorities: the well-being and safety of our family of associates, customers and communities; and supporting health officials and government leaders to contain the virus,” SpartanNash EVP and General Manager, Corporate Retail Tom Swanson said. “By offering free COVID-19 testing, we are reinforcing our commitment to keeping our associates’ and customers’ health at the forefront of all our efforts.”

Snapshots: WKTV stories about people making a difference in West Michigan

3-bottom, WKTV Projects

By WKTV Staff

ken@wktv.org

Quote of the Day (for baseball opening day week)

“I’ve learned that you shouldn’t go through life with a catchers mitt on both hands. You need to be able to throw something back.”

Maya Angelou

City of Kentwood firefighter Darryl DeVries (Supplied)

A sign of hope in time of need

A personal experience on the job for Kentwood firefighter and emergency medical technician Darryl DeVries drove him to start learning American Sign Language. Now, with the help of the local Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services, he can speak to those who cannot speak in a time of emergency. Go here for the story.

Jill Wolfe is the new GVSU Military and Veterans Resource Manager (Supplied)

A ‘hand up’ for our veteran heroes

Grand Valley State University’s Jill Wolfe is the university’s first military and veteran resource manager, a role which will provide support to military-connected students and dependents while expanding Grand Valley’s visibility, partnerships and career pipelines within the community. Wolfe has been serving as a mentor for the GVSU Michigan Veterans Entrepreneur Lab (MVE-Lab) and is a founding executive committee member of GVSU’s Veterans Alumni Association. Go here for the story.

A voice for the often voiceless

Humanity for Prisoners started in 2001 when Doug Tjapkes formed the organization driven by his relationship with Maurice Carter, who had been behind state prison bars for 29 years for a crime he did not commit. Two decades later, with HfP now led by Doug’s son Matt, the issue of treatment of prisoners — and prison reform — is no less important. Go here for the story and video.

Fun fact:

26.6 percent

According to the federal National Service Agency, 26.6 percent of the state’s residents involved in “national service” and do some community service or volunteer work in some capacity. That ranks the state at 26th in the county. National service refers to the Corporation for National and Community Service programs Senior Corps, AmeriCorps, the Social Innovation Fund, and other programs and initiatives. Participants in these programs address community needs in disaster services, economic opportunity, education, the environment, health, and veterans and military families. Source.

Adopt-A-Highway clean up resumes, delayed due to COVID-19

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Recent Adopt-A-Highway volunteers were out in July helping to make the state’s highways nicer by picking up trash along the roadway. (Supplied/MDOT)

By Shallom Kimanzi
WKTV Intern

This summer, you may have noticed that the state highways had a little more trash along the sides than normal.

Because of COVID-19 and the lockdown that took place this past spring, the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) had to cancel its normal Adopt-A-Highway clean up activities in April and May. 

However according to MDOT Public Relations Communications Representative John Richards, volunteers were able to head out on the roads in July to pick up trash. All volunteers were required to follow social distancing guidelines including wearing masks when in close contact with individuals who didn’t reside in their household.

The Adapt-A-Highway program was started in 1990. It involves more than 2,750 groups with volunteers collecting more than 60,000 bags of trash on 6,300 miles of highway. 

To participate in the Adapt-A-Highway program, you have to be at least 12 years old and in a group of at least three people. Each group is assigned a section of the highway and signs bearing the group’s name are posted along the adopted highway. There are no fees charged to participate and trash bags, safety vests, arrangements to haul the trash are provided by MDOT.

The final trash pick-up for this year’s Adopt-A-Highway program is scheduled for the fall, Sept. 26 to Oct. 4. 

If you’re interested in taking part in the program or finding out more, click here.

KDL adds online high school program to its offerings

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By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org

For Wyoming resident Danielle Burzynski there was no pressing need for her to finish high school and get a diploma.

Danielle Burznski on her graduation day this past December. (Supplied/KDL)

“I left school and got a job and I had been at my job for 22 years,” Burzynski said. “So I do not have the need to finish or go back.”

It was something she thought about, but she became a single mother and between raising a family and working, there never seemed to be the time.

Burzynski is not alone, according to Kent District Library (KDL) Librarian and Outreach Specialist Sara Magnuson. About 35,000 Kent County residents have not completed high school with most of them coming from underserved communities. It part of the reason that last year the KDL rolled out a new offering, the Career Online High School, designed for students to earn an accredited high school diploma as well as a workforce readiness certificate. 

“We were looking at ways to help build community financial stability,” Magnuson said. “One of the first steps is you can not achieve career advancement in work without a diploma.”

Wanting to give her daughter inspiration to finish her high school studies, Burzynski decided in 2019 to go back and get her diploma. She quickly discovered there were many options making her feel that is was “OK to go back and finish.” With the knowledge that she still could get that diploma, Burzynski began exploring those options, settling on the Career High Online School.

“It was wonderful,” Burzynski said. “I could do it online at my own pace and in my free time. It was about two weeks per semester and I was doing about a week per semester.”

Danielle Burzynski celebrates with KDL staff, family, and friends. (Supplied/KDL)

Started in 2007, the Career Online High School program, which is part of the nation’s first private, accredited online school district Smart Horizons Career Online Education, is 100 percent online. Students access course materials from anywhere at anytime. Also, as an accredited high school program, students can transfer previously earned high school credits.

 

The key aspect that KDL liked about the Career Online High School program was the workforce readiness certificate, Magnuson said.

“It gives the students several different options,” she said. “They could enter a home health care study (that would give them the background to successful enter the certified nurse assistant or CNA program0 or go into the office management career field. It gives them the background knowledge and helps potential employers who are considering hiring them that they have the knowledge in the field they are pursing.”

Each student accepted into the program is assigned an academic coach who works with the Career Online High School provider, Magnuson said.

 

While Burzynski already had a career, the program worked well for her needs of flexibility to complete the remaining 12 credits she needed to graduate, which she did in December 2019.

“I can’t even described the feeling when I finished, how proud I was of myself,” she said. “Now it is one less thing to be done.”

The Career Online High School program is around $99 a month; however, KDL is offering scholarships for up to 25 Kent County residents. To be considered, a candidate must be a resident of Kent County, have a KDL library card and fill out an online assessment on the KDL website. Prospective students will be contacted by their local KDL branch library and given a link to a two-week prerequisite course. Those who pass the prerequisite course with a score of 70 percent or above will then be interviewed in person by their libraries to determine if they will receive a scholarship.

Magnuson said scholarships are not guaranteed as the program has to be the right fit for the student. If it is not, Magnuson said KDL does try to work with the student to find the best option for them. KDL works with several organizations that offer GED and high school completion programs such as the Kent ISD which among its offerings has Project NorthStar. Project NorthStar works with both in-school and out-of-school students looking to become self-sufficient by getting a diploma or GED and gaining job skills. Some of the other organizations that KDL works with are Sparta Adult Education, Rockford Adult Education, Hispanic Center of Western Michigan, Jubilee Jobs and the Literacy Center of West Michigan.

“It has gone extremely well,” Magnuson said of the Career Online High School program, adding that there are about 17 students who have received scholarships and three that have graduated with several others almost done. Because of its success, she said KDL will be offering the program again this year and has 25 scholarships available.

For more about the Career Online High School program, visit the KDL.org website, click on Services and then Adult Services or click here.

MHSAA approves regular practices for certain ‘low risk’ sports but restricts full football, soccer and volleyball activities

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East Kentwood High School’s football team (shown at practice from the 2019-20 season) and other local football programs will have restrictions on how they practice in August due to the COVOD-19 situation. (WKTV)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

The Michigan High School Athletic Association’s Representative Council announced July 29 a continuation of its “phased-in practice and competition” schedule for traditional fall high school sports “in hopes of continuing to deter the spread of COVID-19.”

The Council affirmed that lower-risk sports — including Wyoming and Kentwood area high school girls golf, boys tennis, cross country, and girls swimming & diving — may begin practice on Aug. 12 and begin competition on their traditional start dates of Aug. 19 and 21.

However, moderate and high-risk sports — football, girls volleyball and boys soccer – may begin practice, with limitations, but not competitions until additional decisions by the MHSAA, expected to be made by Aug. 20.

In addition, recommendations on spectator attendance will follow before the start of competition, according to the MHSAA statement, and it is possible “spectators will be limited in accordance with Governor (Gretchen) Whitmer’s executive orders on large gatherings.”

According to the July 29 statement, practice for boys soccer and girls volleyball may begin on Aug. 12, but football will delay the start of practice with full player pads and equipment until Monday, Aug. 17. The week of Aug. 10 “may include football practice sessions consisting of conditioning, physical training and skill work with no other player equipment except helmets. This week of acclimatization is similar to allowed summer football activities that have been ongoing for schools since June.”

David Kool, the new South Christian athletic director, on the set of WKTV Journal Sports Connection. (WKTV)

David Kool, athletic director at South Christian High School, told WKTV he welcomed the expanded clarity as to what his school’s teams and student athletes can and cannot do — “All in all, this was a very positive step for high school athletics in Michigan.”

“It is great to know that all fall sports will be able to begin practicing on time to a certain extent,” Kool said. “We are thrilled that golf, tennis, cross country and swimming can begin practice and competitions without delay. Soccer and volleyball are also able to begin practice without delay which is great news.

“Football, being in a helmet-only (practice restriction) for an extra week, is a great decision and made sense for our student athletes. The next step is getting encouraging news on August 20 that soccer, volleyball and football may begin competitions and we are hopeful that will happen.”

Limits also placed on scrimmages, tournaments and invitationals

Among the other actions announced by the Representative Council, the MHSAA’s 19-member legislative body, was the cancelations of scrimmages in all fall sports for this school year, and limitations on numbers of teams that may compete together at regular-season tournaments, invitationals and other multi-team events.

“The Council believed eliminating scrimmages emphasized the importance of keeping teams from mixing before the first date of competition, and the regular-season limitations may lessen opportunities for viral spread while still allowing meets to be conducted,” according to the MHSAA statement.

The expected Aug. 20 decision on competition for football, girls volleyball and boys soccer is “dependent on how the spread of the virus is trending statewide”, including  “sustained metrics measuring virus spread and/or progression by schools and regions across the state according to Gov. Whitmer’s MI Safe Start Plan,” according to the statement.

“The Council, reflecting on the positive impact on their athletes this summer from taking part in offseason training, feels it’s of utmost importance to continue athletic activity moving forward,” MHSAA Executive Director Mark Uyl said in supplied material. “If we take a month off, our students will find opportunities to compete through non-school entities that may not be as focused on safety. Our athletic directors and coaches can provide the safest-possible environment to return to sports, and this phased-in approach to competition will help schools continue building on progress already made”

The MHSAA also has posted sport-by-sport guidance documents outlining increased precautions designed to limit the viral spread, plus a four-page overview with precautions that apply generally for all sports.

Specific sport guidelines and the overview are available on the respective sport pages of the MHSAA website, at mhsaa.com/sports.

 

Mentors guided Erickson down the path to becoming Wyoming’s new public works director

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In May, Myron Erickson became the City of Wyoming’s fifth director of its Department of Public Works. (WKTV/Joanne Bailey-Boorsma)

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org

It was a former boss and mentor who once told Myron Erickson that he could “easily become director” of the City of Wyoming’s Department of Public Works.

“I was in my late 20s, early 30s and I really did not think much about it,” Erickson said during a recent phone interview. “I just really kept my nose to the grindstone, did a lot of different things, and one day realized I was pretty responsible for a lot.”

On May 14, Erickson officially assumed the role of director of Wyoming’s Department of Public Works.

“It was kind of a weird time,” Erickson said. “Bill [Dooley] was retiring on May 14 and we were meeting by Zoom just trying to keep our bare bones department together because we can’t just stop city services due to COVID-19.”

Originally from the east side of the state, Erickson was working on his master’s degree at Michigan State University when he landed a seasonal position at the City of Grand Rapids Wastewater Treatment Plant. When the position ended, his Grand Rapids manager said he thought his counterpart at the City of Wyoming could use Erickson’s talents.

“I did some lab work doing some experiments for the wastewater treatment process,” Erickson said. “That position ended and I needed something for my thesis and Wyoming was ‘this is something that we are interested in doing,’ so I ended up taking two six-month positions back-to-back.”

Erickson’s project was a study on the impact of the then new 1994 federal law that regulated the beneficial reuse of wastewater treatment residuals. The project was a success and resulted in operational changes at the wastewater treatment plant. More importantly to Erickson at the time, it provided him the three credit hours he needed to graduate.

With degree in hand, Erickson began looking for a job in consulting, but his friend, mentor, and the person who hired Erickson for the internship, Tom Kent, convinced Erickson to apply for an opening in the department’s industrial sewer use group.

“Tom was the guy who convinced me of what a golden opportunity working here was,” Erickson said. Not knowing how much this would impact his career, Erickson applied and got the job.

New Wyoming Department of Public Works Director Myron Erickson credits mentors in helping with his career. (WKTV/Joanne Bailey-Boorsma)

There would be other mentors who would also have an impact on the direction of Erickson’s career. Former Director of Utilities Joe Staph encouraged Erickson to become a registered professional engineer in the State of Michigan, which Erickson would need to become director, and former Public Works Director Bill Dooley, who Erickson said help him prepare for the directorship of both the utilities department and the public works department, provided “the wisdom and guidance” that has become invaluable to him, Erickson said.

So Erickson’s intention to stay for only five years, ended up being 26 as he worked his way through various positions from industrial waste monitor to depty director and finally director along with making West Michigan his home.

“I love two things about my career: the simple provision of public service and good local governance, and the ability to help and mentor others coming along behind me,” Erickson said. “More specifically, I love what Wyoming does with local government. the challenges of stretching a buck, doing more with less, finding and employing the best people who truly care about the community they serve, and solving the many technical and managerial trails we face as economically as possible all inspire me.”

And just like the mentors who encouraged Erickson along the way, he is now giving back to those coming up through the ranks.

“To young engineers and scientists coming behind me, I would advise: find a mentor, seek licensure and accreditation, give your best to your employer, treat every employee at every level with respect and recognize their contributions and never stop learning.”

Traffic Tuesday Answer: Burnouts in the parking lot

3-bottom, City of Wyoming, ,

Welcome to the Traffic Tuesday question. Each week, the Wyoming Department of Public Safety posts a question on Tuesday, and the answer posted Thursday. **Please do not post the answer in the comments, so that others have a chance to answer on their own** Note: the answer can be found on both the WKTV Journal website and in the community social media site Nextdoor.

For the next few weeks, we’re going to discuss law violations in parking lots. This week’s question: If you are doing burn outs in a parking lot, can you receive a citation?

  1. No, no citation
  2. Yes, citation for speeding
  3. Yes, citation for careless driving or reckless driving



Answer: Yes, citation for careless driving or reckless driving. The specific citation depends on the circumstances (are there people/other vehicles around, could anyone have been hurt or did anyone get hurt?)

On Tuesday, there will be a new question.

Separating fact from fiction: the longterm health impacts from COVID-19

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming,
Dr. Conor Mullin

By Metro Health – University of Michigan Health

WKTV is committed to providing factual information about COVID-19. We have partnered with Metro Health – University of Michigan Health to present questions about COVID-19 and to help dispel the misinformation being spread through social media.

Dr. Conor Mullin, a physician at Metro Health Southwest, answers this week’s question.

Question: What long term health impacts are people experiencing who have had COVID-19? 

Mullin: The long term health consequences of this virus are unknown and we will have to wait to see with time. We can infer from other similar viruses that in 6-12 months, there is likely to be a surge in autoimmune disorders such as diabetes, thyroid disease, lupus and multiple sclerosis.

  

There is a specific debilitating disorder affecting younger adults called ADEM which causes permanent and irreversible stroke-like symptoms caused by brain tissue inflammation. In the pediatric world, we have seen in increase in a syndrome that is comparable to Kawasaki disease, where there is potential for damage to the coronary arteries around the heart, that may cause heart attacks or even death.

Personally, I have seen some patients, especially younger folks, who have continued to have lung and breathing issues two months after the initial infection. This is most likely caused by scarring damage to the lungs. Whether these patients recover is yet to be seen. These patients were young and healthy and did not have pre-exiting conditions.

One of my colleagues also had a younger patient die of a heart attack a few weeks after recovering from COVID-19. He also had no prior known cardiovascular disease.

The short answer is that there are some isolated cases of very severe outcomes and time will tell how widespread and severe the long term outcomes will be.

If you have a COVID-19-related question, please email it to WKTV Managing Editor Joanne Bailey-Boorsma at joanne@wktv.org.

Popular local bluegrass group wraps up Sounds of Summer season

3-bottom, City of Wyoming
Lare Williams with New Director performs “I Don’t Care” and “Old Guitar” in a 2008 Sounds of Summer performance.

By Shallom Kimanzi
WKTV Intern

Wrapping up the 2020 Sounds of Summer concerts will be bluegrass performers Lare Williams & New Direction (LWND).

The band will be playing for free at 7 p.m. in Cutler Park, 6701 Cutler Park SW, just west of 68th Street and Division Avenue this Thursday, July 30.

Lare Williams, a member of the band, grew up in a musical family band and decided to branch out and round up some of the best local pickers available to form LWND. The group then hit the road and played their music regionally before adding a few small national tours and making a name for themselves in the Bluegrass world.

Between his day job and touring, Lare has still found time to write songs and record four CDs, two DVDs, and release four singles to the world-wide markets. One of the band’s biggest achievements is when one of Lare’s original songs, “Old Guitar, co-written by Sara-Lee Rehkopf, reached a No. 1 spot which stayed on various bluegrass charts for six weeks.

The band has worked with some of the most well-known names in the bluegrass music world and this has helped shape LWND’s sound.

“Having the guidance and support of the pros is such a blessing and so very helpful in this business,” Williams said during an interview with WKTV.

Lare said he has called in some of his former bandmates and recording partners to join him for this evening of toe tapping Bluegrass tracks.

Sponsored by The Byron Township, the family-friendly event hosts its final concert in the series for this summer. The organizers will be observing public health guidelines such as requiring everyone to wear a mask and observing social distancing.

Catch previous Sounds of Summer concerts on WKTV Channel 25 at 8 p.m. Tuesdays and 9 p.m. Saturdays.

Kentwood firefighter meets longtime sign language goals thanks to local non-profit

3-bottom, City of Kentwood, Community Health, Going Local, Health, Non-Profits, ,

By Phil de Haan

Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services

For Kentwood firefighter and emergency medical technician Darryl DeVries, learning American Sign Language had been on his to-do list since he was a high school student in the 1980s.

But a little more than a decade ago, when he had already been working full time for the city of Kentwood for almost a decade, he decided ASL probably wasn’t in the cards for him anymore.

And then a chance encounter after a Kentucky church service got DeVries to thinking that maybe his high school hopes were still alive.

City of Kentwood firefighter Darryl DeVries (Supplied)

“I was standing alone,” he recalled recently, “not knowing anyone when someone tapped me on the shoulder. I turned around and was met by a guy, John, with a warm, contagious, ear-to-ear smile.”

Darryl reached out his hand and said hello. John replied by signing. And Darryl had two immediate thoughts.

“First, I thought ‘if only I had learned sign language’,” he said. “Second, I thought ‘go figure, I just cut it from my wish list.’ ”

But John had other ideas and ended up teaching Darryl the ASL alphabet that day.

“And I have been learning ASL ever since,” he said with a smile.

Kentwood non-profit helping out

For a few years he studied ASL on his own, using books and online resources and even attending a church which provided services in ASL.

Then driving past Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services one day, he saw a sign for ASL classes. He stopped in and met some of the staff, including Executive Director Deb Atwood.

“D&HHS has pretty much taken me under their wing ever since,” he said, “always supportive and encouraging.”

Part of that support and encouragement has been working with Community Education Coordinator Nancy Piersma, a Native Deaf Facilitator.

“Nancy has spent hours tutoring me in translating the questions we routinely go through with patients and teaching me signs unique to West Michigan,” he noted.

It’s what D&HHS does, said Atwood.

“We’ve been around for almost 25 years,” Atwood said, “and a big part of our mission has always been what I’d call the education and advocacy piece. We do cultural and sensitivity training around issues relating to the Deaf, we work and partner with other organizations and state agencies, we offer the ASL classes that Darryl took. It’s hard work, but it’s always gratifying to see when people have that ‘aha moment’ as Darryl did and as so many others have. That’s what makes it worthwhile.”

DeVries added that in his work, he has had several opportunities to use ASL.

“It is neat,” he said, “to see a patient’s reaction change from ‘This guy won’t understand me’ to ‘What? Wow! He’s signing!’ Just being able to say my name and something like ‘I help you’ makes a huge difference.”

A West Michigan native and University of Michigan graduate, DeVries said that ASL is one more way to break down barriers and eliminate differences, to “understand each other and find common ground.”

He added: “Kentwood is a very diverse community. I wish I could speak fluently with everyone I meet, but I have chosen to dive into ASL. ASL is amazing when you see a patient’s face light up when they realize you are communicating with them in their silent language which is often overlooked and avoided.  ASL is one of the most used, least-known languages in the United States.”

DeVries is eligible for the City of Kentwood’s Language Incentive Program which encourages employees to apply their language proficiencies in service to Kentwood’s diverse community.

New and current employees with excellent language skills who meet proficiency requirements earn monetary bonuses through the program and are tested in their non-English language of choice on an annual basis.

In addition to providing classes, tutoring and more for DeVries, D&HHS also worked with Kentwood’s Human Resources department to develop an ASL test that qualified him for language incentive pay and has worked with him each year on his retest.

For more information on the Kentwood-based Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services, visit deafhhs.org.

Local United Way and county non-profit COVID-19 grants on latest WKTV Journal In Focus

3-bottom, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Community Health, Hard News, Health, Local Business, Local Faces, Non-Profits, Our Cities, WKTV Journal In Focus, ,

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

Late last month, Kent County allocated $9.5 million in federal CARES Act dollars to create the Kent County Non-Profit Organization COVID-19 Grant Fund. The group chosen to administer the grant applications and awards is, appropriately, the Heart of West Michigan United Way.

 

Heart of West Michigan United Way’s Shannon Blackmon-Gardner, vice president of community impact. (HWMUW/Adam Bird)

On the latest WKTV Journal In Focus, we talk with a Heart of West Michigan United Way’s Shannon Blackmon-Gardner, vice president of community impact, about the fund, how they were selected to administer the grant process, some of the qualifications and application process — and most importantly, why the grant fund is important to non-profits and to the community.

WKTV Journal In Focus airs on cable television in the Wyoming and Kentwood areas on Comcast WKTV Channel 26 and on AT&T Channel 99 Government channel (For dates and times on Channel 26, see our Weekly On-air Schedule. For dates and times on Channel 99, visit here). All individual interviews included in episodes of WKTV Journal In Focus are also available on YouTube at WKTVvideos.

Kentwood entrepreneur newest venture brings the benefits of Pink Himalayan salt to West Michigan

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

By Shallom Kimanzi
WKTV Intern

When you have a sore-throat, you gargle with salt and water. When you need to flavor your food, you use salt. When you want to preserve food, you use salt. And for one local entrepreneur, when she wanted to start a new business, she started with salt.

Jessica Ann Tyson, owner of the southern cuisine restaurant The Candied Yam and JA PR Group, just opened The Pink Lounge: Dry Salt Therapy at the end of June with her daughter being the influencer behind this decision.

 

“I have a teenage daughter and she was telling me what was hot, what was happening and what was hip,” Tyson said. “When she told me about this concept, I started researching it and all the health benefits and I just had to bring this to our community.”

Dry salt therapy or halotherapy has been around for hundreds of years in Eastern Europe. It is purported to offer a variety of health benefits including relief from respiratory ailments such as asthma, allergies, bronchitis, colds, cystic fibrosis, ear infections and sinusitis as well as skin conditions like acne, eczema, psoriasis, rashes, and rosacea, according to the Salt Therapy Association. A 2017 issue of the Pediatric Pulmonology found that children with mild asthma who attend one or two halotherapy sessions per week for seven weeks gained greater improves in their bronchial hyperreactivity that a control group did.

 

The salt beds are great for care-seekers, according owner Jessica Ann Tyson. (Supplied/Pink Lounge)

The Pink Loungers offers three different types of therapy rooms. According to Tyson, the detoxifying and relaxation rooms are ideal for people with joint pain such as arthritis while the rooms with beds made of Himalayan salt are great for self-care seekers.

“You lay down in Pink Himalayan salt, and you will fall deep asleep because your body will be at a total peace and relaxation state,” Tyson said.

 

The last type of therapy room is the lounge room that is designed for relaxing with more than $300,000 dollars worth of salt.

 

“If you have seasonal affective disorder, this is the place you wanna come because it is peaceful, relaxing and welcoming and it gets to your mind, body and soul,” Tyson said.

 

The Lounge Room is designed for relaxing. (Supplied/Pink Lounge)

Because salt reduces the amount of water present it prevents the growth of bacteria. In fact, salt also is antiviral and anti-fungal making it a safe business to open amid the COVID pandemic, Tyson said.

“Salt is anti-everything. There’s so much science behind the Pink Himalayan salt and the wellness that it brings for the respiratory system,” she said. “I am certain that this spot will be a popular one.”

The Pink Lounge is located at 3105 Broadmoor Ave. For more information about The Pink Lounge, visit the business’s website pink-lounge.com. 

Traffic Tuesday: Burnouts in the parking lot

3-bottom, City of Wyoming,

Welcome to the Traffic Tuesday question. Each week, the Wyoming Department of Public Safety posts a question on Tuesday, and the answer posted Thursday. **Please do not post the answer in the comments, so that others have a chance to answer on their own** Note: the answer can be found on both the WKTV Journal website and in the community social media site Nextdoor.

 

For the next few weeks, we’re going to discuss law violations in parking lots. If you are doing burn outs in a parking lot, can you receive a citation?

  1. No, no citation
  2. Yes, citation for speeding
  3. Yes, citation for careless driving or reckless driving

Check back on Thursday for the answer!

Wyoming Police looking for four missing children

3-bottom, City of Wyoming,
The four children were last seen July 26, 2020 near the area of Prairie Park, 2250 Prairie Parkway SW.

By WKTV Staff
joanne@wktv.org

UPDATE: The children have been found and have been safely returned to their guardian.

The Wyoming Dept. of Public Safety is requesting assistance in locating four children who are missing and considered endangered.

On July 26, 2020, a non-custodial parent of the children, Shannette Merriweather, a 25-year-old female, walked away with the children from their legal guardian during a supervised visit. Shannette and the children were last seen in the area of Prairie Park (2250 Prairie Parkway SW) around 3 p.m. on July 26, 2020. The investigation into the whereabouts of the children indicates that Shannette is not capable of adequately providing for them.

Descriptions of missing children:

Alana Burger – black female, 7-years-old, last seen wearing a gray t-shirt and blue jean shorts

Amina Burger – black female, 6-years-old, last seen wearing an unknown colored t-shirt and blue jean shorts

Aaliyah Burger – black female, 5-years-old, last seen wearing an unknown colored t-shirt and blue jean shorts

Skyler Merriweather – black male, 2-years-old, last seen wearing a multi-colored button-down shirt and beige pants.

Shannette Merriweather

Shannette is described as a black female, 5 feet, 4 inches tall, 115 pounds and was last seen wearing a black and pink floral shirt with black pants. Shannette does not have a vehicle and her current address is unknown.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of the four children and/or Shannette Merriweather is asked to immediately contact 9-1-1 or the Wyoming Dept. of Public Safety.

Wyoming high to bid farewell to 2020 seniors with special live, WKTV livestream ceremony

3-bottom, Area Education, City of Wyoming, Community Health, Education, Health, Local History, Upcoming Events, WKTV Projects, ,
Wyoming Public Schools held a WHS Senior 11 Night Celebration Parade Monday, June 15, and WKTV was there. (WKTV)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

As part of its effort to recognize the Wyoming High School Senior Class of 2020 despite the COVID-19 school shutdown in the spring, Wyoming high will hold a special graduation ceremony on Tuesday, July 28.

While the ceremony at Wyoming High School will be accessible in-person for only 2020 seniors, and limited family and friends, it will be available on radio and on a Facebook livestream feed with video provided by WKTV Community media.

“We are excited to recognize and celebrate the Wyoming High School graduating class of 2020,” Josh Baumbach, Wyoming High School principal, said to WKTV. “Our seniors missed out on some pretty significant events this year as a result of the pandemic and it’s important to us to do what we can to provide a ceremony for our seniors and their families to attend.

“Although this ceremony will be different due to restrictions on gatherings and other social distancing protocols that will be in place, it will be an opportunity for the seniors to cross the stage and celebrate with their family and we hope this will provide some closure as the graduating class of 2020 moves forward to the next stage in their lives.”

WKTV was also on-hand when Wyoming Public Schools held its Wyoming High School Senior 11 Night Celebration Parade June 15. See a story and video here.

The planned July 28 ceremony will begin at 7 p.m. with welcome and opening remarks and speeches.

“Participants can listen to the speeches with their families in their vehicles on the radio or via live stream,” Baumbach said. “After the speeches, each senior will be able to walk into the stadium with their immediate family to cross the stage and pick up their diploma cover. Parents and family can capture the moment with a video or a picture.”

The ceremony can be viewed using this live stream link. The audio of the ceremony will also be available on 94.1 FM station.
 

The ceremony will include individual students walking across a stage in cap and gown to get a diploma cover. Once all student names have been called, and all students are in their cars, students will step back out of their car and the entire Wyoming High School graduating class of 2020 will be recognized and will be asked to flip their tassel.

Baumbach also said the event is also a great example of cooperation and collaboration within the Wyoming Public Schools system and with other school districts.

“We appreciate the collaboration with Grandville High School and Godwin Heights High School as we planned our event,” Baumbach said. “Additionally, special thanks goes out to our (WPS) Superintendent Craig Hoekstra and the many wonderful staff members that are part of our high school and district staff that helped step up to support this planning.”

 

5 interesting facts about life in assisted living

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Community Health, Health, Senior Living
Courtesy Vista Springs Assisted Living

By Vista Springs Assisted Living


Assisted living communities have become an attractive option for older adults who are seeking some extra assistance but don’t want or need to lose their complete independence.


Communities like Vista Springs offer the care that’s needed while still providing a safe environment that fosters flexibility, comfort, and fun. Because so many older adults are making this move to assisted living, studies are showing that the world of aging adults is shifting significantly. Some examples of this include:

1. Assisted living is a more cost-effective option

A 2015 Genworth Financial survey revealed that the median cost for a single person to live in a private room in assisted living in the U.S. was $23,200 whereas the cost for a private room at a nursing home was $91,250.

2. Fewer older Americans live alone

The Pew Research Center reports that since 1990, the number of older Americans who are living alone dropped from 29% to 26%. This is partially due to the attractive option of living with a spouse in assisted living communities.

3. Nursing homes aren’t always the best option

When loved ones begin researching options for an aging family member, often times they assume a nursing home will be the end result. However, many times that isn’t what ends up taking place. In one study, 59 out of 100 people who were investigating nursing homes ended up determining that assisted living was a better option. (An assessment by a care professional can help you to identify what level of care is needed and if assisted living is the best choice.)

4. Memory care is possible with assisted living

A diagnosis of dementia or Alzheimer’s can be difficult, and many might assume that finding quality care outside of a treatment center or nursing home might be challenging. But in reality, many assisted living communities offer advanced memory care programs that help to decrease agitation, wandering and other unfortunate side effects. As conditions advance, exclusive memory care areas help provide safe and comfortable accommodations.

5. Assisted living is the future of senior care

Assisted living communities first became available in the 1980s, and since then they have grown substantially. The National Investment Center reports there are now over 6,300 assisted living communities in the United States with about 500,000 occupied apartments.


Reprinted with permission from Vista Springs Assisted Living.




Snapshots: Things to do in West Michigan this weekend

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, , , ,

Live in the sunshine, swim the sea, drink the wild air.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

By WKTV Staff
joanne@wktv.org

“The Karate Kid” is now showing at the Gettys Drive-In. (Columbia Pictures)

Movie Night

Have a hankering to go to the movies? While traditional theaters are still not open, Studio C’s Getty Drive-In! The oldest drive-in theater in West Michigan, operating since 1948, is offering an array of classics such as “Ghostbusters,” “The Karate Kid,” Jurassic Park,” “Jurassic World,” “The Rental,” and “The Amulet.” For complete listings, click here. Also tonight (Friday), the Ionia Drive-Up Theater will be taking place featuring the 1939 classic “Wizard of Oz” at 7 p.m. at LoNia’s World Center, 3810 Thornapple River SE. The Ionia showing is free.

Disc Golf

ZigZag Disc Golf Club, Grand Rapids’ own youth disc golf club, will be hosting a free youth disc golf tournament, Saturday at Garfield Park, located off of Burton Avenue and Madison Street. The free event is for students in 4th to 12th grade. Participants should meet at the gazebo around 12:45 p.m. The tournament will run from 1 – 3 p.m. No experience is necessary and discs will be provided, so there is no reason not give it a try.

Members of the Detroit Tigers Winter Caravan paid a special visit to the City of Kentwood Police Department last year. (Supplied/City of Kentwood)

Play Ball!

The Detroit Tigers will play their home opener this Monday, July 27, at Fifth Third Ballpark. Tickets are free but only available for the first 500 fans, so snatch them up quick. Gates open at 6:30 p.m. with the first pitch set for 7:10 p.m. All social distancing guidelines will be followed and masks are required. For more information, click here.

Fun Fact:
Dark Chocolate: A Heart Healthy Option

Like any of us need a reason to eat chocolate, but according to a recent study published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology suggests that “chocolate helps keep the heart’s blood vessels healthy.” That is because chocolate is choc-full of antioxidants that help reduce inflammation, improve blood flow and boost mood and concentration. This is not a license to pig out on chocolate, instead it is recommended that a one-ounce serving a few times a week has the best results..

Insurance helps cover lost of Wyoming police cars

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Wyoming, , ,
Officers look over the damaged police cars from the May 30 riots. Five Wyoming Police vehicles and two Grand Rapids police vehicles were burned. (Supplied/Wyoming Department of Public Safety)

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org

The City of Wyoming received some good news in that the cost to replace five police cars that were burned during the May 30 riots in Grand Rapids will be mostly covered by insurance, according to Wyoming Police Chief Kim Koster.

The news came as a surprise since, as reported by City Manager Curtis Holt at a June meeting, most insurance coverage does not provide for riot or civil disservice. 

Chief Kim Koster

A recent report from Koster showed the insurance would pay about 60 percent of the costs to replace the vehicles with no expected change in the departments insurance premiums. Total replacement costs for the five vehicles is $372, 585.99. Insurance will cover $219,940.99 with the city’s out of pocket costs around $152,645. The department does have a depreciation reserve for replacement of vehicles, with each of the departments 27 vehicles having its own replacement fund. There was about $140,000 available in replacement funds specifically for the five cars that were lost on May 30. This left the city with an unbudgeted net cost of $12,645. 

The Wyoming Department of Public Safety’s fleet services was able to get one new vehicle on the road fairly quickly with fleet services continuing to work on the remains cars. 

“It does take time to get the cars ready as they do not come fully equipped,” Koster said. 

The Wyoming Department of Public Safety has one of the few K-9 units, which assists other departments in the county. (WKTV)

A Cooperative Between Departments

The lost of the cars did create a hardship for the department, Koster said, adding that despite that, if faced with the same situation again, she would not hesitate to send the Wyoming officers out to help assist Grand Rapids or any other police department in Kent County.

“The cooperative we have [between police departments in Kent County] is unusual,” Koster said. “We hear it from other officers across the country and even from other parts of the state talk about how unusual it is.”

Some departments have specialized in certain areas. For example, the Wyoming Department of Public Safety is one of a handful of departments that has a K-9 unit as well as a forensics unit. There is also the Metropolitan Fraud and Identity Theft Team comprised of detectives from the Grand Rapids Police, Kent County Sheriff, Wyoming Police, and Kentwood Police departments. 

“I think it is important for Wyoming residents to know that we have relied on other departments as much as they have relied on us,” Koster said, adding perhaps one of the best examples of this cooperative has been the Metro Cruise.

“Many people just love coming down for Metro Cruise,” she said. “It is a a good family event and people have a good time. For us to assure the safety of residents, we have had to rely on other agencies.”

Just a year ago, a Grand Rapids protest came into the City of Wyoming, ending at the Secretary of State’s office. The Grand Rapids Police stayed with the protest as it moved to the City of Wyoming, working with Wyoming officers. Koster added “that there is some comfort in knowing that public safety doesn’t stop at a border.”

The services come at no cost to the city with only the understanding that when asked, Wyoming will return the favor. Such was the case on May 30.

One of the five Wyoming Police cars on fire the night of May 30. (Photo by Andris B Visockis)

The events of May 30

The first that any of the Wyoming Department of Public Safety officers learned that their cars were on fire during the May 30 riots was when it came over dispatch.

“Dispatch asked if there were any police cruisers on Pearl because they had just gotten a report of a police car on fire,” Lt. Eric Wiler said. “That was my car.”

The Wyoming officers, along with those from Walker, Kentwood, Kent County, and Ottawa County, came to Grand Rapids that night to help the Grand Rapids Police Department. About 10 officers, who were part of joint tactical bicycle brigade, had gone down earlier in the day with Grand Rapids Police Department requesting additional help around 9/9:30 p.m., Wiler said, adding about 20 Wyoming officers responded.

The Wyoming officers were first along Market Street but a call came that GRPD needed more officers at its station as people were attempting to break into the building, Wiler said. The officers relocated, parking the five Wyoming police cars on Pearl Street.

“When we parked, there was nothing happening on the street,” Wiler said. From reports, rioters moved away from the Fulton/Division area down to Pearl Street.

“I watched as they set fire to the prosecutor’s building,” Wiler said. “By that time, there was more of them than us and all we could do is try to keep people safe.”

Koster said as she heard how the events were unfolding in downtown Grand Rapids, her concern became more of the safety of the officers and the public. 

“I was relieved, happy, thankful that our officers were able to safely return to our offices,” Koster said. “I felt for the business owners who suffered the damage. I don’t think violence is ever the answer.”

The Wyoming Police cars from May 30. (Photo by Andris B. Visockis)

Understanding the anger

“First and foremost, I have to say that we are all in agreement in that what happened to George Floyd was disgusting and distributing,” Koster said, adding she understands the anger as she too was appalled by the arrest video of Floyd. “I believe those officers deserved to be criminally charged. They were a betrayal to the badge that we all wear.”

To the best of her knowledge, Koster said she is unaware of the Wyoming Department of Public Safety having an incident similar to that of George Floyd. She credits this in part to the accreditation the department received from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA). Considered the gold standard in public safety, CALEA requires departments to meet certain standards in such areas as accountability and transparency. This includes internal affairs and that these cases are handled in a proper manner.

In fact, in the Wyoming Department of Public Safety’s annual report, there is a section that reports the number of internal investigations that have taken place in the department. In the 2019 report, the department had 23 cases of which six allegations were deemed sustained. 

Koster noted that the department continues to review and update its policies and practices. 

The silver lining

Besides the officers returning safely, there was another silver lining from the May 30 incident. The department was looking to replace its current in-car camera system, which is outdate and not supported, Koster said. The five new vehicles will have the new in-car camera systems which the insurance company will cover fully as part of its payment. The cost for the new in-car camera system for the five cars is just below $50,000.