(Courtesy, City of Kentwood/All photos taken by Ingrid Campos)
(Courtesy, City of Kentwood)
(Courtesy, City of Kentwood)
(Courtesy, City of Kentwood)
(Courtesy, City of Kentwood)
(Courtesy, City of Kentwood)
(Courtesy, City of Kentwood)
(Courtesy, City of Kentwood)
(Courtesy, City of Kentwood)
(Courtesy, City of Kentwood)
(Courtesy, City of Kentwood)
(Courtesy, City of Kentwood)
(Courtesy, City of Kentwood)
(Courtesy, City of Kentwood)
(Courtesy, City of Kentwood)
(Courtesy, City of Kentwood)
(Courtesy, City of Kentwood)
(Courtesy, City of Kentwood)
(Courtesy, City of Kentwood)
By Cris Greer
WKTV Managing Editor
greer@wktv.org
While making the rounds at the Kentwood Public Works Open House last Thursday, Kentwood Mayor Stephen Kepley said it best, “Little kids love big equipment.”
That was part of the appeal of the Open House, which was co-sponsored by the Kentwood Department of Public Works and the Kent County Road Commission. The event was held at the Kentwood Public Works facility at 5068 Breton Ave.
It was not only kids taking part, but community members of all ages taking a look behind the scenes at how Public Works serves residents.
“We’re here to celebrate the Department of Public Works and the staff who run it,” said Mayor Kepley, of the third annual event. “Kids light up when they see a big piece of equipment, and to be able to climb inside, feel the steering wheel and honk the horn. When I was a kid I was fascinated with excavators and bull dozers and I never got a chance to climb in one.
(WKTV/Vini Marconcin and Hayden Passig)
“It’s an opportunity for kids to see some big equipment, but also to educate the kids and the parents of what we do here in Public Works. People primarily focus in on police and fire, but they take for granted so many different things, for instance, our roads, our water, sanitary sewer, storm water, and also the Parks, and who maintains it all. When the Department of Public Works does its great job, it really goes unnoticed, because everything is working properly.
“When you turn on your water, do you get dirty water? No, you get clean water and that’s thanks to the Department of Public Works and their staff doing an excellent job.”
Mayor Kepley said he loves talking to students and classrooms about the different divisions at Public Works and how great the department operates, and jokingly apologizes to them about the lack of snow days.
“When I talk about roads and road maintenance (to students), I do apologize for us cleaning the roads really quickly and efficiently during the winter because chances are if you live in the City of Kentwood you have very few snow days because we do an excellent job of cleaning the road,” said Kepley with a grin. “If someone hits a deer who cleans that up? The Department of Public Works. They do so many different things.”
(Courtesy, City of Kentwood)
Kentwood Director of Public Works Chad Griffin talked about the opportunity the Open House provides for his staff to mingle with residents.
“We really love to have the community come out and see what we do,” said Griffin, who leads a staff of 37 full-time workers and 10 seasonal. “It’s a great chance for residents and employees to interact, meet one another and talk about the work that we do.
“We had many families and kids attend the event … we are considering it a success. We counted nearly 300 in attendance.”
(Courtesy, City of Kentwood)
Griffin said complimentary grilled hotdogs, chips, freezer pops and bottled water was served and kids of all ages received coloring books, construction themed snap bracelets and construction equipment temporary tattoos.
The Kentwood Department of Public Works has five divisions that work together to maintain the City’s infrastructure, which includes more than 150 miles of pipes underground and more than 155 miles of streets above ground, as well as parks and grounds, buildings and vehicles. The five divisions are building maintenance, fleet services, grounds maintenance, streets maintenance and utilities (water and wastewater) services. To learn more about Kentwood DPW, visit kentwood.us/DPW.
Mary K. Hoodhood (far left) with volunteers assembling dinners at the Kids’ Food Basket. (Courtesy, Kids’ Food Basket)
By K.D. Norris WKTV Contributor
When you first glance at the book cover of Kids’ Food Basket founder Mary K. Hoodhood’s new memoir, you can read the title in at least two different ways.
You can see it as asking the question “What Can I Do,” as in resignation to the inability to tackle difficult social problems such as hunger among our youth.
But you can also see it as a call to action, personal action: “What I can do” to be part of the solution to such issues. The book was co-written with Lisa McNeilly, PhD.
The life story, so far, of “Mary K” as most people know her, is a testament to “doing what you can do” in one’s personal journey, even overcoming huge physical obstacles, to serve the community.
In Mary K’s life, serving the community, including founding Kids’ Food Basket (KFB), has been a driving force in moving her forward.
“My upbringing and Catholic education helped me understand the importance of community and giving back,” Mary K. said to WKTV. “I was working at God’s Kitchen when I found out about kids not receiving an evening meal at home at the three GRPS (Grand Rapids Pubic Schools) schools KFB started with.
“I knew that this was an injustice, and it wasn’t the kids fault. I also knew that I could raise the money and get the volunteers to help.”
And raise the money, and get the volunteers/community/government support needed to run Kids’ Food Bank is exactly what she has done — this year, KFB sends 10,000 sack suppers to 60 schools across four counties every weekday.
Inspiring others to “Do what they can do,” that just came along naturally.
(WKTV/Katie Bogema)
Finding a calling after tragedy
In the introduction to “What I Can Do,” Mary K. dedicates the book to her husband, Jeff, with the words “My life is possible because of your love and devotion.”
And discussion in the book of her support network is an essential part of understanding her drive to serve the community as she overcame an automobile accident in her 20s that left her paralyzed from the chest down.
Instead of focusing on what she could no longer do, she states, she started repeating her mantra: “I will focus on what I can do.”
Successful before her accident, Mary K. Roach was born and raised in Grand Rapids and earned a degree in education from Michigan State University in 1973. One of her first jobs was working with the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Michigan, working with high school and community college counselors as well as the Michigan legislature.
But then came May 1980 and a car accident that left her in a wheelchair, but not idle. She got married, helped raise a stepdaughter, took in her teenage nieces and nephew, and began volunteering for the Meals on Wheels program at God’s Kitchen, a local food pantry.
Mary K. Hoodhood with one of the dinner bags distributed by Kids’ Food Basket. (Courtesy, Kids’ Food Basket)
There she saw the need to feed not only seniors and adults, but also school-age youth triggered by a 2002 phone call from a local school principal to say that students were regularly going into the cafeteria after school in search of food to take home.
With $3,000 and a handful of volunteers, she committed to seeking a solution to childhood hunger in our community and Kids’ Food Basket was founded.
“Many volunteers from God’s Kitchen followed me to KFB,” Mary K. said, and the group began feeding 125 meals a day. “What I didn’t anticipate is how much KFB has grown to increase access to good food for kids.”
The first big growth in 2008 and 2009
“There was a recession and we expanded our services outside GRPS to where there was need. I knew our numbers would increase and we would grow,” she said.
With the growth and recognition of Kids’ Food Basket, Mary K. has gained local, regional and national recognition, including being named one of The Grand Rapids Business Journal 50 Most Influential Women in West Michigan in 2018.
(Courtesy, Kids’ Food Basket)
But KFB is and will always be closest to her heart. She is past Chair and current member of the Kids’ Food Basket Board of Directors, and volunteers many hours every week, focusing on fund development and public relations, but also sometimes just working the line putting together “dinner” bags.
That growth has led Kids’ Food Basket to becoming one of the largest non-profits in West Michigan, with staff and leadership carrying it into the future.
“Mary K.’s motto to ‘Do what I can do’ is one of many driving forces behind everything that we have built at Kids’ Food Basket,” Bridget Clark Whitney, President and Founding CEO of Kids’ Food Basket, said to WKTV.
“Food insecurity is a very real concern, and breaking down the barriers to good food access can feel overwhelming. At KFB, we create a space where people can make a real impact, one step at a time. Packing a single Sack Supper is easy, and together across three locations, it adds up to 10,000 healthy evening meals each school day.”
(Courtesy, Kids’ Food Basket)
What can you do?
Community volunteering and financial support has been a key factor in the growth and success of Kids’ Food Basket. Many people, it seems, believe in the title of Mary K.’s book — doing “What I Can Do.”
Kentwood firefighters Andy Biederman (left) and Jeff Bouwkamp at Fire Station 3. (WKTV/Cris Greer)
By Cris Greer
WKTV Managing Editor
greer@wktv.org
EDITOR’S NOTE: WKTV recently spent an afternoon at Kentwood Fire Station 3 on Eastern Ave. as part of a documentary we produced called “Voices from the Front Line,” where we interviewed Lieutenant Jeff Bouwkamp and Engine Operator Andy Biederman. We talked about all the details of their job as a firefighter … from the most routine calls to the most dangerous, and everything in between. This is Part 1 of a two-part series on our very interesting and informative conversation below.
Andy Biederman, Engine Operator (a Kentwood firefighter for five years):
What are your duties as Engine Operator?
Basically, I’m in charge of this whole engine behind me; I have to know everything that involves the engine. From the engine itself; the motor to the water pump to all the tools that are on it … how much hose we have on it. It’s a pretty extensive job and I have to get water supply for the firefighters in the fire. We carry 500 gallons on it, so it goes pretty quick. We have a 1,500 gallon-per-minute tank or pump. So it’s a pretty fast-paced job.
Jeff Bouwkamp, Lieutenant (a Kentwood firefighter for 30 years):
Talk about your responsibilities as a Lieutenant and the breakdown of shifts?
As the lieutenant here, I’m assigned to Engine 53. We have five people at this fire station; two lieutenants, one equipment operator, two firefighters. I manage day-to-day operations. I make sure the calls get run appropriately, get handled, that we do our jobs, and everything’s done correctly … and that we have a good time and everybody goes home safe at the end of the shift.
We run three different crews through our three different shifts. Each shift consists of two lieutenants, one equipment operator and two firefighters. The three shifts makes 15 people. We’ll run Engine 53 and Medic 53 out of the fire station. We work a 24-and-a-quarter hour shift starting at 6:45 in the morning and get done at seven o’clock the next morning, that gives us about 15 minutes to overlap and do a little shift exchange. And then we get 24 hours off. Our second day is another 24-hour shift and we get the fourth day off, and then we work the fifth day. So, we work three out of five 24-hour days, and we get four off at the end. It comes out to about 10 days of work a month.
Talk about the warning system of alerting firefighters for calls:
ANDY:
When you’re a new guy here, you don’t want to miss a call. So, it’s all important to hear that call when it goes off. If you don’t wake up for that call it’s a bad day. A lot of it is just being excited to be here. We have a lot of new guys here and they want to run the calls so they’re going to wake up for them. There’s a study about when the alarms used to go off, they’re very loud and like an abrupt alarm. But now they’ve realized with the study that a gradual tone is easier on your heart.
If you hear that loud tone at 3 in the morning, you’re automatically gonna start getting an increased heart rate, you’re already starting to kind of get some anxiety, if you will. So, the gradual tone will help reduce that which is beneficial for everybody.
JEFF:
We used to get a phone call from dispatch and now we’re on the 900 megahertz system. We have a station alert from the Kent County Communications Center, which is the Kent County Sheriff’s Office. They dispatch us; they hit a button and it transmits over our intercom. And then they’ll say Medic 53 or Engine 53 and tell us what we have and they’ll give us the address and then we just get up and go out.
Many youngsters dream of being a firefighter or police officer. What age were you when you thought of this as a career, and was there someone who sparked your interest?
ANDY:
I grew up in the Chicago area and I have a cousin that works for the Deerfield-Bannockburn Fire Department, and ever since I was a little kid I always wanted to do that. We also had some close family friends who were firefighters in our local department where I used to live in Evanston. I would go there after school and the firefighters would basically treat me like I was one of their kids. After school, when my parents were still working, I would hang out at the firehouse until they were done working. I was immersed in that whole environment, my whole childhood. And that’s something I never wanted to leave.
When you see a fire truck go by, you think they’re going to a fire, and you don’t necessarily understand that they might be going to a cardiac arrest, or they can go into something else that isn’t necessarily a fire. In joining the fire service, you learn that. And it kind of adds a different perspective because every time you do see it, typically they are going for a true emergency. So, with that kind of in the back of your head, it changes your perspective about how it’s not always with just the fires that we change lives. It’s also the medical calls that we go through as well. You want to make a difference.
JEFF:
This is all I’ve ever wanted to do is be on the fire department. I’ve never wanted to do anything else. I used to hang out with Brent Looman, we were buddies growing up, and now he’s the fire chief in Kentwood. His dad was on the fire department and we would see him going to calls and we’d hear about them and that just kind of caught me. As I grew up it never left me.
Kentwood Fire Chief Brent Looman. (Courtesy, City of Kentwood)
I’ve had a few different jobs; worked as a plumber, worked in a factory. Nothing beats the fire department. This is the greatest job in the world. I still feel that to this day.
When you’re young, you see the big red fire engines, you see the lights, and you hear the sirens, and that’s what captures you. You work here and you start to see the impact that you make, and it kind of gives you satisfaction. It makes you feel good.
You’re helping somebody who’s in need, helping them with something that they can’t take care of themselves.
Talk about the tight-knit camaraderie you have here at the Fire Station:
ANDY:
It’s kind of nice that everybody knows each other by their first name; they know their families. We’ve all interacted outside of work, which is huge, too, because that also helps build that camaraderie. At a bigger department sometimes you don’t necessarily know everybody.
JEFF:
We get together for different things. During the summer we get together for picnics and whoever can get together for our shift. And we also have a nice Christmas dinner together. We’ll do stuff like that off duty or on occasion we’ll go to a hockey game or a baseball game or whatever. And that’s a special thing because a lot of times the spouses and the families get involved. But what I would tell people is, even when I worked as a plumber, I worked at a good place. But we didn’t have near as much fun as what we have here.
The closeness that we have is just great. Other jobs, I didn’t know how many kids they had or how old they were. I know these guys, I know their kids and I know their families. They come in and we have a good time; we laugh, we joke around and that’s a special thing.
How does being a firefighter blend in with your family life?
JEFF:
Last year, we ran almost 5,000 calls, and two years ago we ran over 5,000 calls. If you break that down for all of our shifts, we have half a day where we don’t run a call, and we can just be crisscrossing all over the place. So, we always have to be ready. In the beginning, it was a little difficult because my family was … ‘Well, you coming over for Thanksgiving? … uh, you’re coming over here for Christmas, right?’ If you have to work, they don’t quite understand that because people have Thanksgiving off, or maybe they have Christmas off. They don’t understand the schedule right away. That’s a little bit of a work in progress.
When your spouse needs help with the kids or whatever, and you’re not around, and you’re not going to be around until the next day, it makes it a little different. But you start to learn to adapt to that. One of the nice things is that we have days off during the week where my kids have done things with school, and I’ve been able to go on field trips with them. I’ve done things that some other dads aren’t fortunate enough to do. If I do work on their birthday, we’re going out on another day for their birthday. We’ve done Christmas almost a week early and a half a week late.
Kentwood’s Engine 55 at Fire Station 3. (WKTV/Cris Greer)
A day in the life…
JEFF:
Our shift starts at 6:45 a.m. We get in our uniform, get our gear and put it by where we’re going to be for the day. We do a little shift exchange with the off-going crew and then we do our vehicle checks. After we do vehicle checks we have a shift meeting and a schedule comes out for the day. We get all of our errands run. We work three shifts, but what we’ll probably do is go grocery shopping the first day for the whole week, and get that out of the way.
We do our station cleaning: kitchens, hallways, bathrooms, showers, all of that. We do any training that needs to get done; a lot of online training, especially for our EMT license. The first of every month I get inspections so the lieutenants will go out and do inspections. We take the crews out; we get to go through buildings in the city. That’s really nice because you get into places that you don’t normally see. We see things that may become problematic and help them get that straightened out; it’s more of a safety inspection. After lunch, we finish up our daily duties. About three o’clock we work out for about an hour; we’ve got a treadmill and some free weights, elliptical and a whole host of things. We usually eat after 5 o’clock.
Some of us will finish up projects after five, but normally that’s our downtime. We’ll watch movies and play games or whatever. And then after 5 o’clock we have to make sure that throughout the day no matter what we’re doing we’re freed up for alarms or medicals or whatever may happen. At night, you really don’t sleep well here; it’s more resting between calls. You never know when you’re gonna get a call … that’s always on your mind. It’s really hard to just relax. Sometimes you run a couple calls at night, sometimes you’re up all night.
Can you explain the certifications and training necessary to be a firefighter, and how much time you spend keeping up on that training and equipment?
JEFF:
About 3 o’clock we work out for about an hour; we’ve got a treadmill and some free weights, an elliptical and a whole host of things. We do an annual physical agility test and that has eight different things that we have to accomplish within a set time. That has to do with swinging a sledgehammer a certain amount of times within a time limit, pulling some holes and hooking up pieces of equipment, carrying equipment up and down a set of stairs.
We make several trips to know your physical strength and your cardio. There’s another one where we use a mannequin full of heavy stuffing and we’ll drag that a certain distance around, in certain ways, and then come back. We do that annually. We’ll go to a doctor to make sure we’re physically fit to do the job. To work here we have Fire 1 and 2, which is the minimum that they would give you if you were to just apply at a department.
And then we’re also all EMTs. Certain people that we’ve hired have gone past that and have gotten a paramedic license. We do not operate as paramedics, but we’ve hired people who are paramedics. We also have a certification in hazardous materials. I have Ropes 1 and 2 for high and low rescue, and I have trench rescue and confined space.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Please look for Part 2 of this series on Friday. To watch the entire program, click here: “Voices from the Front Line”
Last year’s Kentwood Police Department Youth Academy. (Courtesy, City of Kentwood)
By Cris Greer
WKTV Managing Editor
greer@wktv.org
The Kentwood Police Department is inviting high school students to apply for its youth academy set for July 24-27.
The academy is open to all graduating seniors and students who will be a sophomore, junior or senior in the 2023-24 school year. The program is designed to show young people who are interested in a career in law enforcement what it’s like to be a police officer. Participants do not need to live or attend school in Kentwood.
“Our youth academy allows us to connect with young people in our community and show them first-hand what a career in law enforcement is like,” said Chief Bryan Litwin. “Our officers are looking forward to sharing more about their career path, building relationships with students and helping answer questions they have about the profession.”
Last year’s Kentwood Police Department Youth Academy. (Courtesy, City of Kentwood)
The youth academy is free for participants and runs 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day at the Kentwood Police Department, 4742 Walma Ave. SE. Each participant is provided a uniform and daily lunch.
Hands-on experience in police training
The program gives students hands-on experience in police training and operations. Participants receive instruction in various aspects of policing and participate in training scenarios, including:
Drunken driving enforcement
Building searches
Handcuffing
Special Response Team
Eligible participants must pass a background check and be interviewed before being accepted into the program. Participants also are required to attend an informational meeting with a parent or guardian before the academy begins.
The youth academy application is available at kentwood.us/YouthAcademy. Applications are due by June 15 and can be submitted online, by email to wierengat@kentwood.us, in person at the Police Department or by mail to Sgt. Tim Wierenga at 4742 Walma Ave. SE, Kentwood, MI 49512.
Jacob Pewee won both the 100m and long jump in the Alliance League championship. (Courtesy, Grand River Prep)
By Cris Greer
WKTV Managing Editor
greer@wktv.org
As a youngster, Grand River Prep sprinter Jacob Pewee was told he was fast.
“As a kid, I was always fast,” said Pewee, a senior at GRP. “Many of my friends let me know that. In general, I just enjoy running as it is one of my favorite things to do so I decided to put my skills to the test by joining track and field.
“I wish I would have joined sooner because I would be a lot farther than I am now despite my current accomplishments.”
Most recently, Pewee was the conference champion in the 100m sprint (11.50 seconds and the long jump (18 feet, 7 inches). He also was third in conference in the 200m and a member of the 4x400m relay team that placed second in school history. The boys team finished third overall in the Alliance League.
Pewee broke the 100m school record (11.50, regional qualifier) and the 200 record at 23.86. He also ranks fourth in school history in the long jump and sixth in school history in the open 400m. Last season he won all-region honors in the long jump.
“The very first time I participated in track and field was in sixth grade when I was about 12 years old,” said Pewee, who played varsity basketball as a junior. “When I moved to Michigan from Iowa and entered high school I decided to get back into it my junior year and am currently doing it as a senior. I’ve been loving it ever since.
“One of my favorite events is the 100-meter dash. I enjoy putting in the work during practice and applying it by going all out on the track. It leaves little room for error and is highly competitive which I love. Running against people around my skill level not only humbles me, but also pushes me to greater heights because I’ve always believed I can do good no matter what.”
Pewee was accepted to attend Grand Valley State University, but is still deciding if he’ll run track there.
“Judging by my performance and how quickly I’m improving in such a short time I think it’s inevitable.”
GRP track and field Coach Seth Pronger spoke highly of his leader
“Jacob has always been one of my most energetic and hardworking athletes in my time here,” Pronger said. “He’s embraced his role as a team leader as someone who uplifts the team and centralizes his teammates’ focus not only through his words, but through his actions as well. He’s always humble and regardless of the result of his competitions, he fist bumps all of the competitors in his heat.
“Jacob has an infectiously positive energy that carries through the entire team. He has more than earned his teammates’ respect on a personal and athletic level. As talented of an athlete as he is, it’s his superlative character that makes him the perfect leader for this team.”
Pronger said he’s relentless in working towards his goals
“Jacob pushes his limits in practice and has an acute attention to detail to make sure he is performing at the highest level,” Pronger explained. “No matter how tired he is, he will always go all out and finish his races and workouts even stronger than he started them.
“At his current trajectory, I wouldn’t be surprised at all to see Jacob qualify for the state meet and continue to further extend his school records and decorated track career here at Grand River Prep.”
The Senior Expo will take place on May 24 at the Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park. (Courtesy, Frederik Meijer Gardens)
In many ways, a walk around the building and grounds of the Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park is the perfect place for a bit of physical and mental health “me time” for local senior community members.
And what better time to visit than the return of the free-to-the-public West Michigan Senior Expo at Meijer Gardens on Wednesday, May 24, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Registration to the expo also offers free admission to the Meijer Gardens indoor and outdoor art and gardens.
The range of senior — and senior caregiver — advocacy and service groups attending the Senior Expo is expected to include more than 50 Grand Rapids and West Michigan organizations that specialize assisted living, Alzheimer’s information, home care, Veterans benefits, mobility solutions, Medicare and much more.
More than 50 local and regional organizations will be present at the West Michigan Senior Expo at Meijer Gardens. (courtesy, Meijer Gardens)
For one local health-care organization, Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services, attending the expo and serving the senior community is a calling as much as a business opportunity.
“We view the seniors who turn to us for care as our friends, our grandparents, and our neighbors because that’s who they are,” Matt Hiskes, spokesperson for Pine Rest. “We value and offer a full continuum of services for seniors because they are an essential part of the community that makes West Michigan great.”
Hiskes also stressed that mental health is as important as physical health for seniors.
“Individuals often face some of the most challenging aspects of life during their senior years: housing changes, loss of family members and friends, individual medical concerns, loss of mobility, and changing family dynamics,” Hiskes said. “These issues can be incredibly impactful on a person’s mental well-being, yet many individuals never seek the help they need.
“It’s important for seniors to know that help is available, that there is no shame in seeking mental health care, and that people can live better, longer lives when they focus on caring for their mental health.”
Health care screenings and a stroll through art, nature
The “rain or shine” expo will be held in-doors and will offer a variety of free health screenings — not to mention hourly prize drawings, giveaways and complimentary refreshments.
Among the groups and businesses expected to attend are BP Realty, Baldwin House, Battle Creek VA Media Center, Boichot Insurance Agency, Care Resources PACE (GR), Center for Vein Restoration, Eden Home Care, Estate Planning Legal Services, Grand Brook Memory Care, Health Alliance Plan, Hearing Life, Life EMS Ambulance, Lincoln Square Senior Living Holiday by Atria (GR), McDonald Hearing Services, National Benefit Plans, Neptune Society, Sentinel Pointe Retirement Community, St. Ann’s Home, United Healthcare, and Victory Financial Insurance Agency.
After the event, attendees can enjoy the recently opened indoor exhibit of “Cristina Iglesias: Under and In Between”. Running through September, the exhibition surveys 20 years of work from one of Spain’s most renowned artists. The exhibit includes the artist’s “Pozo XI”, recently installed in the Tassell–Wisner–Bottrall English Perennial Garden as part of Meijer Garden’s permanent sculpture collection.
And if you haven’t been on the grounds lately, a somber but powerful stop should be Jerusalem-born artist Ariel Schlesinger’s “Ways to Say Goodbye” located in the Holocaust Memorial Garden.
Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park is located at 1000 East Beltline Ave NE, Grand Rapids. For more information visit meijergardens.org
As a child, it was Kevin Brewster’s mom that helped steer him toward the saxophone.
The 2021 East Kentwood grad said his mom, Audrey Reed, often listened to gospel, R&B and soul music such as Fred Hammond, John P. Kee, Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson and Earth, Wind & Fire.
“I always wondered what the specific instrument I heard in those songs was until eventually I found out it was a saxophone which made me want to play it,” Brewster said. “I then began playing the saxophone at 11 years old.
“As far as I remember, growing up I was always into music, either if it was dancing, listening to music or singing. I grew up in the church which got me involved with playing the drums, saxophone and singing in the choir.”
Brewster, who just finished his second year of Jazz Studies at Michigan State University, was recently in the WKTV studio with his quartet taping a television program called Jazz Works, which will air soon on our station.
The other members of the quartet are Max Gage on piano, Judah Guerra, bass and Brian Allen, drums.
The Kevin Brewster Quartet recently performed on the WKTV Jazz Works program. Front, Kevin Brewster; from left; Max Gage, piano; Judah Guerra, bass and Brian Allen, drums. (WKTV/Cris Greer)
East Kentwood and MSU connection
Guerra also graduated from EK High School, while Allen went to Grand Rapids Christian and Gage, Northview. All members study music at Michigan State University.
Brewster said they all met while in high school and began practicing together.
“We had one of our first gigs at a restaurant and I knew ever since then I wanted to keep playing with these guys,” Brewster explained. “We formally got together in 2021, and then we gigged throughout the summer our first year of college.”
The quartet has performed locally at the Grand Rapids Foodie Fest, GRNoir Jazz Club, GR Festival of the Arts and the Kentwood Winter Concert Series.
While at East Kentwood, Brewster performed in the marching band, wind ensemble and jazz ensemble I.
He’s counting on his high school and college experiences to guide him through his career.
“After I graduate college, my goal is to attend graduate school to pursue my masters in jazz performance while continuing to put out music and eventually become a recording artist. I also want to tour around the world as a band leader and/or sideman, and then soon become a college professor to teach jazz saxophone.”
Joseph Olexa, circa 1941 (Courtesy, GVSU Veterans History Project)
Grand Valley State University Professor James Smither will be the first to admit that you never know where a veterans’ interview will lead you.
Such was the case when Smither, who heads up the GVSU Veterans History Project, interviewed World War II veteran David Zylstra, who mentioned that he had a manuscript of a memoir composed in the 1970s by his second wife’s late brother-in-law from her first marriage. Zylstra have been given the manuscript because he was the family member interested in history.
Dr. James R. Smither will talk about his book Wednesday, May 17, at 2 p.m. at Marge’s Donut Den, 1751 28th St. SW.
When Smither looked through the large pile of papers stacked on Zylstra’s dining room table, “I realized right away that it should be archived and could probably be edited for publication.”
Smither got in touch with Olexa’s two sons still living in the Grand Rapids area, and they agreed to donate the manuscript and letters Olexa had written home during the war to GVSU and the Veterans History Project.
Smither took a sabbatical to edit the memoir and get it ready for publication.
The Challenge of Fact-Checking
“The real challenge to this was the fact-checking,” said Smither. “(Olexa) wrote the memoir largely from memory. I had to follow the story and check it against both published histories of the campaigns he was in, as well as military records for the unit he served in.”
Grand Valley State University Professor James Smither, head of the GVSU Veterans History Project (Courtesy, GVSU Veterans History Project)
Matching dates and places where the unit traveled and particular events Olexa mentioned in the memoir took hours of research.
“In some cases, his memory was faulty,” Smither said. “He was remembering the incidents pretty well but didn’t always have them in the right times and places. So I had to sort that out.”
Another challenge was the pseudonyms Olexa used for a lot of his characters. Ordinary combat soldiers didn’t always know each soldier’s name, often only knowing them by their nicknames.
“In (Olexa’s) case, he was going further than that. He was giving them nicknames especially if he didn’t like them,” said Smither with a laugh.
One of the most memorable nicknames was given to one of Olexa’s company commanders who he referred to as “Captain Jitters.” Smither had to find the real name of “Captain Jitters,” and the point Jitters was removed and sent to a psychiatric hospital as mentioned in the memoir.
A Vivid Account of Enlisted Life
Smither said he was impressed by Olexa’s writing style and ease of storytelling. “(The memoir) gives you a much more detailed and vivid account of what it was like to be a combat soldier than you get from most memoirs written by enlisted men,” Smither said. “Usually, it’s the officers that write the better memoirs because they are better educated and have a better idea of what was going on.”
Part of the charm of Olexa’s account of WWII was that he enlisted before the war had even begun.
“Olexa enlisted before the war started and got into the fighting as early as anybody did, and the Americans did in the European theater,” Smither said.
In 1942, Olexa was part of the invasion of North Africa—a portion of the war where there are not many firsthand accounts at all, and none from Olexa’s regiment of several thousand men.
Some Interesting Accounts
Smither said there are many incidents of Olexa’s unit that didn’t make it into history books because they were a “sideshow” for quite a while as a battalion off on their own, conducting small patrols in the southern end of the front in Tunisia.
Soldiers of L Company in Aachen, Germany. (Courtesy, GVSU History Project)
During the invasion of Sicily in 1943, Olexa was part of a small group of men who were trained to swim onto shore and flash signals to guide the landing craft in. “I had never seen anything about that,” said Smither. “I couldn’t find anything in the records indicating an army personnel ever did this. When I was burrowing around in the unit records, sure enough, I found a report on the activities of the unit he was in, and there he is, listed on the unit roster.”
The more Smither researched, the more he found that “a lot of the crazier stories turned out to be true.”
One such story involved chasing the girlfriends of soldiers out of the woods near the base in England where Olexa spent the last five months of the European war training replacement combat soldiers. The women would camp in the woods near the base and sneak in at night, or the men would sneak into the woods to spend time with them. Olexa had to organize a group of military police and make a sweep through the woods, chasing the women out.
Looking to Add a Website for the Book
University of North Texas Press wanted Smither to focus on the combat and front-line experiences of Olexa’s tenure in the war, forcing him to leave out some of the more eccentric stories.
“The original manuscript was simply too long to go into a print edition,” said Smither. Sections where Olexa is training or in the rear, various encounters with French soldiers in North Africa, and civilians he encountered away from the front were all areas Smither had to cut back.
However, the Press is allowing Smither to set up a website where he will post deleted material and any other supplemental items that he deems relevant. The plan is to include those sections of the text with indications of where they fit into the larger story in terms of pages of the book. Smither also plans to post some of the letters and interviews that he has done with veterans in some of the same places or with similar experiences as Olexa.
Once published, this supplemental website will be accessible from the Grand Valley History Department website via a link on GVSU’s Veterans History Project, which also gives access to other veteran interviews as well.
After the book is in print for three years, the Press plans to publish an ebook version that will have Olexa’s entire memoir so readers can find the whole story in one place.
Giving back to our veterans
Smither has worked at GVSU as a historian since 1990 and has specifically worked with veterans for more than 20 years.
“I always had an interest in military history, and I was able to develop a course in it,” said Smither, whose time outside of the classroom has been spent largely on conducting veteran interviews for the Veterans History Project (VHP).
Even though he does not have a personal military background, Smither said, “As a historian, sometimes you study things that are very far from your own experiences to try to understand them. And military history is compelling because it puts people into very difficult and unusual circumstances, and they have to figure out what to do and how to handle it. I think there is something about that that captures people’s imaginations.”
Veterans History Project: More than Telling Stories
“It’s a way to give back to the people who serve,” Smither said. “Just by listening to them and taking them seriously, you are showing a certain respect for them.”
Smither believes his job is to help veterans tell their whole story, publishing the complete interviews on the VHP website instead of only releasing bits and pieces.
“It provides great raw material for future generations of historians, but it also does something for the veterans themselves,” Smither continued.
For many involved in conflict from Vietnam onward, Smither has found there is often a question of “Why were we there in the first place, and was it worth doing?” Recording their stories helps many veterans find clarity.
“What you see when you talk to (veterans) is (that) a lot of the experience for them is just with them and the people in their unit, and just trying to get by. They were not really as worried about the bigger picture of things,” Smither said. “Recording the stories helps validate the experience…and it helps them figure out what happened. Sometimes I interview a veteran and that’s the first time they actually tried to put their story together. Some of it starts to make sense a little bit better when they start to do that.”
Retired life
Olexa worked in a factory for a short time after retiring from the military but deemed it too noisy. The former infantryman was not squeamish about blood and became a meat cutter, with his last 10 years before retiring in 1981 serving as the meat manager at a Grand Rapids D&W supermarket.
“He was very much just a member of the community after that (military career),” said Smither.
Olexa married Agnes Van Der Weide July 23, 1945, and lived in West Michigan until Agnes’s death in 1993. Olexa passed away December 3, 2000.
D. A. (Deborah) Reed is an award-winning author of young adult novels and a creative writing instructor from the Grand Rapids area. To find out more about D.A. Reed, visit her website: D.A. Reed Author
For Joan Mattson and her four siblings, it’s all about the subtle differences conveyed in such significant ways to define her mother’s journey with Emmanuel Hospice at her side.
Especially during this month, featuring Mother’s Day as a gentle touchstone.
“One of the Emmanuel Hospice aides, Tanya, always kisses the top of mom’s head before she leaves,” says Mattson, drawing a breath. “I mean, just that kindness. It means so much.”
Mattson’s mother, Bea Blasingame, is 87 and has been under Emmanuel’s care since late last year. Initially, it was difficult for Bea to accept and adjust, given her life-long sense of independence. She was also missing friends in rural Truman, Arkansas, where she and her late husband, Robert, spent most of their 67 years together.
These days, Bea resides in Mattson’s Grand Rapids area home following a series of seizures and discovery of a related tumor that have affected her speech, mobility and other aspects of her daily life.
With Mother’s Day coming up, Mattson relates that it’s bittersweet to wax nostalgic on how things used to be.
“My mom was a morning person,” Mattson recalls. “She might be up as early as four, and I can remember her going into the cold kitchen and standing on a rug by the register where the heat came up, saying her prayers and reading the Bible.
“And if you know how noise carries through those vents, well, her voice would come to me in my bedroom, and that’s just a very special memory.”
Mattson’s sister, Barb Raymond, says Emmanuel Hospice has been helping the family harvest and express those remembrances as they work to make their mother’s final months as comfortable as possible. In return, Bea personally thanks her Emmanuel Hospice care team – by name, when she can – during evening prayer.
One time, she couldn’t quite recall specifically one Emmanuel team member, but knew she was a spiritual caregiver. “The shepherd,” she managed to whisper. In another instance, she couldn’t conjure the name of a therapist who comes with her guitar and harp to sing hymns and more with her. “Bless the ‘music-maker,’” she offered.
Bea Blasingame makes a hand mold with the help of Emmanuel Hospice staff. (courtesy, Emmanuel Hospice)
Indeed, music and prayer have always loomed large in Bea’s life. She led songs at her church, sang solos and played the accordion. Her favorite Bible verse is from Psalms: “This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.”
Losing her husband – whom she married at 17 (she fibbed her age up to 18 on the legal document) – was tough four years ago. COVID made the grieving worse.
When Bea fell ill last winter, her son and four daughters helped her battle back, but eventually, it was decided hospice care would be best. The whole family shares their mother’s gratefulness for Emmanuel Hospice. In addition to providing medical care, the nonprofit has prioritized making space for opportunities to create lasting memories and have joyful experiences as they cherish time together.
“We don’t know where we’d be without Emmanuel,” Mattson says. “I think honestly that God has had a hand in all of this, in having Emmanuel beside us.”
Raymond adds: “We’re just floored with the quality of people at Emmanuel. What they provide is just beyond what any one of us expected.”
The Ebony Road Players will present a reading of “Alabama Story” May 17 and 18 at the KDL Grandville and Cascade branches. (Courtesy, Ebony Road Players, photo by Brian Greenleaf)
Founder and Executive Director of Ebony Road Players, Edye Evans Hyde, and cast members will share a reading from the play Alabama Story and discuss its relevance today.
“When we heard the story about the play (Hyde) was putting on, it just seemed like a natural fit,” said KDL Director of Engagement Randy Goble. “It’s a topic we hear about in the current day and time…(and) it’s seeing how something from the late 1950s is relevant today.”
The six-actor, one-set play written by Kenneth Jonesgives voice to a little-known story about a librarian who was persecuted for protecting a children’s book titled The Rabbits’ Wedding.
The story of two rabbits
A children’s picture book written and illustrated by Garth Williams and published in 1958, The Rabbits’ Wedding depicts the love and wedding of two rabbits, one black and one white. The book was ridiculed as promoting interracial marriage, and Emily Wheelock Reed, director of the Alabama Library Service Division, became an advocate for The Rabbits’ Wedding.
KDL features a display about Loving Day, the anniversary of when interracial marriage laws were abolished. (Courtesy, KDL)
“We wanted to do (the preview) to support Ebony Road Players, but also because it is a very fascinating story that we want to help people and the community become more familiar with,” Goble said.
Alabama Story is being performed in conjunction with National Loving Day, an annual celebration held on the anniversary of the United States Supreme Court decision Loving v Virginia, which abolished interracial marriage laws on June 12, 1967.
“Unfortunately, a lot of things during the Civil Rights movement and this particular court case in 1967 is rearing its head again,” Hyde told WKTV. “I was searching for plays, and this one came up. I thought, this needs to be shown so people have an opportunity to see what’s going on now is not new.”
Telling multi-cultural stories
Since its inception as a non-profit theater organization in 2013, Ebony Road Players has provided a platform for narratives like Alabama Story that are not normally heard about or discussed.
Over the past 10 years, Hyde has not lacked for participants in ERP or viewers for their productions.
“It is a very multi-cultural group of people coming,” Hyde said. “They are understanding the need for these stories to be told on a consistent basis. People have been really open to it.”
A participant and one of only a handful of African Americans in Grand Rapids theater during the 1980s-1990s, Hyde began Ebony Road Players when she “realized the talent that is supposed to be here for telling these types of stories was not here. It hadn’t been cultivated.”
Hyde continued to say that she realized the real need was to build a talent pool that could be part of productions and opportunities that are not always given to people of color, and Hyde has been appreciative of the reception from the West Michigan arts community.
“We (Grand Rapids) have a pretty vibrant arts community, and we all work together,” she said.
A natural fit
Goble urges community members to come out for the Alabama Story preview. “If you would like a sneak peek, please come to the library at either of the two locations,” said Goble. “It’s going to be a fantastic introduction to the whole story.”
The May 17 performance will be at the KDL Grandville branch, 4055 Maple Ave. SW. The May 18 performances will be at the KDL Cascade branch, 2870 Jacksmith Ave. SE.
Ebony Road Players will be presenting the full production of Alabama Story June 8-11 at the Grand Rapids Public Museum, 272 Pearl St. NW. Information and tickets can be found here.
ERP is also collaborating with the Grand Rapids Children’s Museum, 11 Sheldon Ave. NE, to host a Loving Day celebration for families on June 10 from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. More information can be found here: Faces of Family: Growing Seeds of Love.
D. A. (Deborah) Reed is an award-winning author of young adult novels and a creative writing instructor from the Grand Rapids area. To find out more about D.A. Reed, visit her website: D.A. Reed Author
You might be able to climb into this truck during the Wyoming Department of Public Works’ open house on Monday, May 15. (WKTV/Tessa Schulz)
Have you ever looked outside on a snowy day, sipping a hot chocolate while flurries blow through the frosty air? On wintry days plow trucks keep us safe by providing salt for the streets and scraping snow from the roads.
The Public Works team is here for many seasons, whether it is the icy winter, leafy fall, or road construction.
The Wyoming Department of Public Works is hosting an open house this Monday, May 15, from 5-8 p.m. at the Public Works Facility located at 2660 Burlingame Ave. SW to educate the community on who they are and what they do.
The Kentwood Department of Public Works will be hosting its public works open house Thursday, May 18, 4-7 p.m. at the Kentwood Department of Public Works facility, 5068 Breton Ave. SE. The event is a joint venture with th eKent County
Both events are an early celebration of Public Works Week, May 21-27, which celebrates how public works connects a community through service and infrastructure.
Public Work professionals include engineers, public service, traffic, and fleet service workers. The Kentwood and Wyoming teams provide construction, maintenance, and repairs for streets, sidewalks, waterlines, sewer systems, traffic signs, city vehicles, and equipment.
During the events, community members will meet the public works team, check out demonstrations and climb into a public works vehicle.
Wyoming Public Works Day
“It’s a fun way to show off what we do for the city,” said Jay VanDyke, Wyoming Public Works assistant director. “It’s a great way for the community to come and meet the team who largely works behind the scenes. It’s a hands-on learning opportunity. It has something for every age. Many people never really grow tired of being fascinated by some of this larger equipment.”
The Wyoming open house will feature equipment, including a hydro excavator, dump truck, salt truck, boom truck, and street sweeper. In addition, guests may play games (hammer toss or Plinko) to win prizes or explore booths and displays, including the sewer jet flusher.
The Wyoming open house will serve hot dogs, chips, popsicles, and refreshments. In previous years, several hundred residents attended the city’s open houses.
“We hope that people walk away with a better understanding of the various responsibilities we have at the Public Works Department and the services we provide,” VanDyke said. “Some of these services include providing everyone clean, safe drinking water and a reliable, efficient sewer system. The nice thing about a reliable, efficient sewer system is if you never have to think about it, it’s working great!”
Kentwood Public Works Day
The Kentwood event will have hands-on activities, maintenance and repair demonstrations, and giveaways. All guests may take home free red maple and river birch tree seedlings. In addition, the event will have complimentary food and refreshments.
The Kentwood Department of Public Works will host an open house with the Kent County Road Commission on Thursday, May 18. (Supplied)
Semifinalists and finalists of the Work Zone Safety Poster competition will be recognized at 5:30 p.m. Sponsored by Kent County Road Commission and public works agencies throughout Kent County, the poster contest invited third-graders from across the county to design a caution sign focused on safety tips for driving through a work zone. A gallery of entries will be displayed during the event.
“The Kentwood Department of Public Works supports many aspects of our residents’ daily lives, from plowing roads to maintaining trails to repairing public safety vehicles,” Public Works Director Chad Griffin said. “We’re looking forward to connecting with the community to share more about what we do and display some of the equipment we use to get the job done.”
The Kent County Road Commission will also have team members and equipment on-site to share more about the department’s role in the community.
“Our team works collaboratively with public works departments throughout the county to serve residents by keeping roads safe,” said Steve Warren, managing director of the Kent County Road Commission. “We are excited to connect with community members and share more about our dedication to maintaining public infrastructure.”
The Kentwood Department of Public Works has five divisions that work together to maintain the City’s infrastructure, which includes more than 150 miles of pipes underground and more than 155 miles of streets above ground, as well as parks and grounds, buildings and vehicles. The five divisions are building maintenance, fleet services, grounds maintenance, streets maintenance and utilities (water and wastewater) services. To learn more about Kentwood DPW, visit kentwood.us/DPW.
The East Kentwood lacrosse team goes through drills prior to facing off against Vicksburg last Saturday. (WKTV/Greg Chrapek)
By Greg Chrapek
WKTV Contributor
The East Kentwood boys lacrosse team has only been a varsity program since 2019 and during that short period of time the Falcons have made big strides and is experiencing plenty of success this season.
The Falcons took another step forward Saturday when they dropped a 7-6 decision to Vicksburg in a match that wasn’t decided until the final seconds.
In a match that featured two teams bringing in winning records to the contest, Vicksburg scored a goal with just 28 seconds remaining on the clock to earn the win.
“I thought the boys from both teams did an incredible job battling and playing lacrosse,” East Kentwood coach Keegan Neitzke said. “The stats from the game show how evenly matched both teams were. I was so proud of our players. These seniors played Vicksburg in 2021 and lost 18-1. To play to a 7-6 loss with the winning goal coming in the last 35 seconds shows the massive growth these kids have taken.
“Our defense and goalie played outstanding and the offense put the ball in the back of the net when we needed it, we just ran out of time at the end.”
Sophomore goalie Shawn Delano turned in a big game for the Falcons in net. Delano saved 9-of-16 shots on goal to finish with a 69 percent save percentage. That save percentage was higher than his season average of 62 percent.
“Shawn has two years of experience,” Neitzke said. “He has gotten better every game he has played.”
Delano received plenty of support from Falcon defenders Jaiden Woodson and Corey Hall. Hall caused three turnovers and came up with two ground balls during the match while Woodson caused one turnover and captured four ground balls.
Woodson has been a defensive leader all season for the Falcons.
“Jaiden is an athletic defender who uses his speed and footwork to create turnovers,” Neitzke said. “He has three years of experience and he will continue his playing career at Aquinas College next year.”
For the season, Woodson has totaled 46 ground balls and caused 28 turnovers.
The East Kentwood lacrosse team breaks a huddle during action from Saturday’s match against Vicksburg. (WKTV/Greg Chrapek)
Defense has been a strong point for the Falcons this season as only two teams have scored in double figures against the Kentwood defense.
Ben Cash and Harrison Stidolph led the Falcons on offense. Cash totaled four goals and two assists against Vicksburg, while Stidolph added a pair of goals.
“Ben is a high-energy competitor and is our go-to offensive weapon,” Neitzke said. “Harrison loves the game of lacrosse and is being recruited by the University of Michigan-Dearborn.”
For the season, Cash has 57 goals and 20 assists, while Stidolph has 24 goals and 11 assists.
EK offense has several high-scoring games
The East Kentwood offense has recorded a number of high-scoring outputs this season, including an 18-goal game against both Coopersville and Kalamazoo Central and games of 17 and 16 goals against Northview.
The Falcons also have been receiving strong play from midfielder Waseem Ayad and long-stick middle/attacker Isaiah Ramirez. Ayad has 78 ground balls, 28 assists and caused 22 turnovers this season, while Ramirez has 37 ground balls, created 11 turnovers, added 11 assists and four goals.
“Waseem is the point guard of the offense and a two-way player,” Neitzke said. “He has three years of experience.”
Isaiah is a do-it-all player. He played long-stick middle the last two seasons, but does attack and long-stick mid to help the team. He has three years of experience and will continue his career at Aquinas College next year.”
Seniors help rebuild
This year’s seniors have helped build back the program from the hit it took from the covid pandemic that decimated numbers in 2021.
“I had around 16 kids come out and most of them had zero lacrosse experience,” Neitzke said. “Fast forward to this season and most of the seniors only have two to three years of lacrosse experience. The team has bought in and put in the work to get better on and off the field. Our records have increased each of the last three seasons and we are still learning.
“We are a growing program that started with a youth program so we have made an effort to build and grow lacrosse in the community. 2023 is our first year with a junior-varsity lacrosse team and we have started a middle school speed ball league to offset the expense of lacrosse.”
East Kentwood (8-7) is looking to finish the season strong.
“We have four games left that we believe we can win if we play up to the East Kentwood lacrosse standard,” said Neitzke after the Vicksburg loss. “If we win the next four games, we will finish the season with the most wins in a season in program history. The program is moving in the right direction and we continue to grow the game of lacrosse in the Kentwood community. It’s an exciting time for East Kentwood lacrosse.”
NOTE: East Kentwood beat Coopersville 22-1 Tuesday, and now only needs three wins to finish with the most wins in a season in program history.
Last year’s annual Bark for the Park event. (Courtesy, City of Kentwood)
WKTV Staff
greer@wktv.org
The City of Kentwood’s Bark for the Park event is set for Thursday, May 18 to raise funds for new amenities at the dog park at Kellogg Woods Park.
The dog-friendly event takes place 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Kellogg Woods Park, 275 Kellogg Woods Park Drive SE. Admission is free, and financial donations are accepted throughout the event. No registration is required.
Pet vendors, vet clinics, Wyoming K9 unit and more
Attendees and their canine companions can explore a variety of local pet vendors and community booths, including veterinary clinics, the Wyoming Police K9 unit and more. The event also will include a pet craft station, photo booth and dog agility course. A doggie bag filled with dog treats and other favors will will be available for participants to take home.
The Wyoming Police K9 unit will be at Bark for the Park. (Courtesy, City of Kentwood)
At 6:30 p.m., attendees will have a chance to show off their pup’s style by participating in a doggy fashion show. The crowd favorite will receive a gift basket.
Dune Buggy and Underground Cookie Club food trucks will be on-site with burgers, fries, ice cream sandwiches and beverages available for purchase. T-shirts also will be for sale at the Kentwood Parks and Recreation tent.
“The dog park at Kellogg Woods Park is a unique amenity we’re proud to be able to offer the dogs and dog lovers in our community,” said Spencer McKellar, the City of Kentwood’s lead recreation program coordinator. “This event is a fun opportunity to gather together to showcase this space to the community and raise money to ensure it remains a premier canine hangout for years to come.”
Funds raised at this year’s event will go toward the purchase of a shade structure at the park. Champion sponsors include Beastro Fresh Canine Cuisine, Bloom Sluggett, PC, Consumers Energy Home Energy Analysis, Metronet, VCA Woodland Animal Hospital and Whiskers Resort & Pet Spa. Advocate sponsors include Red Barn Veterinary Clinic, Simply Pet Cremation Services and Sinclair Recreation, LLC.
On May 9, at approximately 7:30 a.m., police and fire personnel from the Wyoming Department of Public Safety and Grandville Police responded to the area of 28th Street near Clydon Avenue on a report of a head-on collision involving two vehicles.
When officers arrived they located two patients, an unresponsive 7-year-old female and a 31-year-old male both with serious injuries. The uninjured driver remained at the scene to speak with police. the injuries driver and child were both transported to an area hospital in critical condition.
The Wyoming Department of Public Safety’s Accident Investigation and Forensic Services Units are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding this incident.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact Wyoming Police at 616-530-7300 or Silent Observer at 616-774-2345.
Kent County Sheriff’s Department
At 2:30 a.m. this morning, a homeowner called 911 stating three suspects were checking car doors in the neighborhood along South Park Drive SW. Deputies arrived in the area and located the vehicle described by the homeowner and attempted to stop it. The vehicle fled from deputies but ran over spike strips just down the road. A pursuit continued up Kalamazoo Avenue nail the driver lost control and came to a stop along Kalamazoo Avenue near 52nd Street.
One occupant ran away and a second was arrested in the vehicle. The vehicle itself was stolen form Plainfield Township on May 3. Inside the deputies located two pistols along with cash and other items stolen from vehicles. An 18-year-old Grand Rapids man was arrested on charges related to the case. The other suspect remains outstanding.
This follow a similar incident Monday morning in Byron Township. At 6 a.m., KCSO dispatch received multiple calls of suspects breaking int o cars in the area of Marshwood Court SW. Two vehicles fled from deputies, which were later found at 68th Street and Clyde Park Avenue. As deputies closed in they located four suspects running form the cars, who were all apprehended (ages 15, 16, and two 17-year-old males from Grand Rapids). Three stolen vehicles in total were recovered.
According to a statement released by the Kent County Sheriff’s Department “We continue to see the brazen action of these suspects continue. Please keep your firearms, keys, and cash out of your vehicles. All areas of Kent County are being targeted.”
The City of Kentwood has announced its tentative road construction and maintenance schedule for the summer.
The $9.7 million reconstruction, resurfacing and maintenance program has been approved by the City Commission and includes improvements to approximately 27.5 miles of major and local roads. Work is expected to begin this month and be completed by the end of October.
Planned street reconstruction, resurfacing and maintenance projects
Full reconstruction of 52nd Avenue SE from Kalamazoo Avenue to Breton Avenue.
Full reconstruction of Meadowlane Drive SE.
Other preventative street maintenance work throughout the city, including routine street marking, crack sealing and patching.
Message boards on major streets will give drivers, pedestrians and bicyclists advance notice of when closures will begin.
“We are committed to ensuring Kentwood has quality roads, which contribute to public safety and sound city infrastructure,” City Engineer Brad Boomstra said. “We know construction can cause disruptions to daily life, so our contractors will work diligently to minimize the impact felt by our community.
“We appreciate the support of our residents and businesses as we complete this critical work to improve our roads.”
The full reconstruction project on 52nd Street will begin this month and include a new water main on the north side of the street, new asphalt pavement surface on the roadway and a new traffic signal at the intersection of 52nd Street and Stauffer Avenue.
During construction, 52nd Street will remain open to one-way traffic in the eastbound direction only. Westbound traffic will need to follow a posted detour using Kalamazoo Avenue, 44th Street and Breton Avenue.
Meadowlane Drive project
The Meadowlane Drive project also will begin this month and include a new concrete curb and gutter, new concrete sidewalks and concrete driveway approaches, asphalt pavement surface on the roadway, storm sewer installation, water main installation and sanitary sewer installation. Meadowlane Drive will remain open throughout construction to residents and their guests. At times, access to properties may be from a single direction on a one-way gravel lane. There will be times throughout the project where driveways will be inaccessible and residents will need to park on the street.
Property owners affected by the 52nd Street and Meadowlane Drive projects were informed by letter. Mail delivery and trash pickup will not be disrupted.
Patching and sealing in June
Patching and crack sealing work will take place on several neighborhood streets in June to prepare them for cape sealing in August. Cape sealing is designed to create a smooth surface with increased durability. Cape seal projects take two non-consecutive days, with the cape seal treatment requiring up to a few hours to dry before being ready for traffic.
Homeowners in the neighborhoods where these projects will take place will be informed by letter. Residents are asked to drive slowly during the road work and follow the crew’s instructions for the best access to their homes. On-street parking will not be allowed during cape sealing.
The City’s road maintenance decisions are based on a variety of data, including ratings from the annual Pavement Surface Evaluation and Rating system, or PASER. This rating system provides a basis for comparing the quality of roadway segments and assigns a rating of 1-10 for road pavement conditions based on visual inspections, with 10 representing good and 1 poor.
Kentwood maintains one of the highest-rated major street networks in Kent County, according to data compiled by the Grand Valley Metro Council that is based on PASER ratings.
Last year, the City invested in improvements to 30 miles of major and local roads. Major streets included in the 2022 reconstruction, resurfacing and maintenance program were:
East Paris Avenue SE from 28th Street to 36th Street
Jefferson Avenue SE from 44th Street to Montebello Street
Burton Street SE from East Paris Avenue to Patterson Avenue
For more information, including amap of street resurfacing and repairs, visit kentwood.us/construction. Community members can sign up to be notified when construction updates are added to the City’s website and receive updates via Facebook and Twitter.
Trinity Health Grand Rapids, a leading medical facility in West Michigan, has become the first and only hospital in the area to offer Aquablation therapy, a new and innovative treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), or benign enlarged prostate.
Dr. Navneet Mander
BPH is a non-cancerous condition where the prostate grows larger than normal, causing difficulty urinating and putting pressure on the bladder, which can lead to irreversible bladder or kidney damage, bladder stones, and incontinence if left untreated. According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, benign prostatic hyperplasia affects about 50 percent of men between the ages of 51 and 60 and up to 90 percent of men older than 80.
Aquablation therapy is a minimally invasive treatment that uses imaging, robotics, and a heat-free waterjet to safely remove prostate tissue. This innovative therapy is supported by clinical studies that show long-lasting relief and lower rates of irreversible complications, such as erectile dysfunction and incontinence, for prostates of all sizes. It also provides significant symptom relief for men with large prostates.
Aquablation therapy is the first and only FDA-cleared, surgical robot using automated tissue resection for the treatment of LUTS (Lower urinary tract symptoms) due to BPH. It combines real-time, multi-dimensional imaging, automated robotics, and heat-free waterjet ablation for targeted, controlled, and immediate removal of prostate tissue.
Navneet Mander, MD, a urologist at Trinity Health Grand Rapids, expressed excitement about this new treatment option for his patients, stating that “Aquablation therapy is a new and exciting option for these patients and the next step to furthering our commitment to men’s health. This solution can provide significant, long-lasting symptom relief with lower risk to their sexual function or continence.”
Aquablation therapy offers a safe and effective alternative to existing surgical treatments for BPH, which may have potential adverse effects on sexual function and continence. For many men, the negative side effects of BPH medications can be a significant concern.
Aquablation therapy provides a safe and effective alternative to allow these patients to minimize, and potentially discontinue, the need for these BPH medications. The medical community has embraced Aquablation therapy for its many benefits, including the potential for fewer irreversible complications, faster recovery times, and shorter hospital stays.
Trinity Health Grand Rapids is leading the way in West Michigan by offering Aquablation therapy as a new and exciting treatment option for men with lower urinary tract symptoms due to BPH.
Fig and Friends founder Julie Beukema with Ray (courtesy, Janet Vormittag)
Julie Beukema monitors Michigan Urgent Cats on Facebook, where cats in desperate circumstances are posted with the hope someone can assist. Last November, she spotted a listing regarding a tiny kitten with infected eyes and knew she had to help. A volunteer drove the six-week-old kitten from the Detroit area to Grand Rapids.
Beukema is the founder of Fig and Friends Pet Rescue, a Grand Rapids-based nonprofit that relies on foster homes, volunteers and donations. The rescue takes in owner surrendered pets as well as cats and dogs from crowded shelters. The nonprofit works closely with the Calhoun County Animal Center and shelters in Southeast Michigan.
When the black and white kitten was delivered to Beukema, he was immediately rushed to a veterinarian. The diagnosis wasn’t good—both eyes were ruptured and tissue was becoming necrotic. Surgery to remove the eyes was recommended.
Other than his eyes, the one-pound kitten was healthy and purred up a storm.
“We felt we had to give him a chance,” Beukema said.
The total vet bill for Ray including surgery followup, neuter, vaccines, and microchip was close to $2,000. A Facebook fundraiser was created.
Ray, the Entertainer
Beukema named the longhaired kitten Ray Charles after the blind singer. Being blind didn’t hinder the entertainer and it hasn’t hampered his namesake.
“He’s the most social and curious kitten I’ve ever seen,” Beukema said.
At first glance, Ray’s missing eyes are not noticeable as the fur on his face is black. (Courtesy, Janet Vormittag)
At first glance, Ray’s missing eyes aren’t noticeable. The fur on most of his face is black and his longhair gives him a shaggy look as if his eyes are merely hidden.
Ray is now seven-months-old and is the official greeter at the Happy Cat Café, 447 S. Division Ave. Beukema recently partnered with the café, where cats from Figs and Friends are featured in the café’s adoption room.
Happy Cat Café has collaborated with numerous rescues since they opened and have adopted out close to 700 cats.
The Socialite
Ray is not available for adoption. He had been adopted, but allergies forced his return. Beukema then decided to adopt him herself. Because the blind kitten was so social, she thought to try him at the café. It turned out to be a good fit.
Ray is thriving at the café. He interacts with people, plays with toys and was the first cat to figure out how to run on an exercise wheel — picture a carpeted, four-foot tall hamster wheel.
Ray navigates through sound, scents and his whiskers. He chases and bats around toys like any sighted cat and leaves guests in the cat room amazed at his abilities.
“He’s doing phenomenal. He’s an advocate for special needs cats,” Beukema said. She added if she ever notices Ray isn’t enjoying himself at the café, she’ll bring him home.
Janet Vormittag started Cats and Dogs, a Magazine Devoted to Companion Animalsin 2006 as a monthly publication. It’s geared towards West Michigan readers and features pet-related advertisers, animals available for adoption, and articles about animal rescues and pets. In 2018, Cats and Dogs transitioned to a quarterly publication. The print edition is free and can be found at local libraries and businesses.
Kent County Office of the Defender Defense Attorney Justin McCarthy (left) and retired Judge William G. Kelly during Kentwood’s National Law Day on May 1. (WKTV/D.A. Reed)
By D.A. Reed
WKTV Contributor
The Kentwood Justice Center opened its doors to the community to celebrate National Law Day with a panel discussion and Q&A session with elected officials on May 1.
Law Day, a national day dedicated to celebrating the rule of law, was celebrated at Kentwood’s 62-B District Court with a theme of Cornerstones of Democracy: Civics, Civility and Collaboration.
Envisioned by American Bar Association president Charles S. Rhyne in 1957 and put into practice by President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1958, Law Day provides an opportunity for community members to cultivate a deeper understanding of the legal profession.
Judge Amanda Sterkenburg (left) talks to DCA/Magistrate Michele White during National Law Day Monday at the Kentwood Justice Center. (WKTV/D.A. Reed)
The panel was moderated by 62-B District Court Administrator/Magistrate Michele White, with panelists including 62-B District Court Judge Amanda Sterkenburg, Kentwood City Commissioner Ron Draayer, Kentwood City Commissioner Clarkston Morgan, Deputy City Administrator Shay Gallagher, Kent County Assistant Prosecutor Courtney Panter, and Kent County Office of the Defender Defense Attorney Justin McCarthy.
One topic discussed was racial disparity in the justice system and how to eliminate that inequality.
“It all starts with equal protection,” McCarthy said, “and it all starts with everyone being treated fairly.”
The Michigan Indigent Defense Commission (MIDC) ensures the state’s public defense system is fair, cost-effective, and constitutional while simultaneously protecting public safety and accountability.
“What (the MIDC) is intended to do is to bring more dollars into the criminal justice system so that people that are appointed counsel are getting a fair shake and they are getting the same type of resources that prosecutors have,” McCarthy said.
“Inequity in the justice system is really tied to historical inequalities within our communities,” Sterkenburg said. “We need to look at it as a holistic problem and take the approach that economic, environmental, educational elements all play into what we see as disparities within the justice system.”
Kentwood Commissioner Clarkston Morgan answers a question (far right) as Kent County Defense Attorney Justin McCarthy and Judge Amanda Sterkenburg listen. (WKTV/D.A. Reed)
Translation services have helped eliminate language barriers and helped individuals feel they are being heard as counsel represents them.
“There is a real desire on the part of those of us within city government to do as much as we can to ensure that it is a fair justice system … for people who live and work within the City of Kentwood,” said Draayer. “I take real pride in that, but also as a challenge that we still have a lot of work to do.”
Also discussed was the importance of citizen collaboration and interaction with all branches of government in addressing challenges facing the community.
Your voice matters
Morgan said citizens need to understand their voice matters. “You own the community you live in. You also own the community we all engage in … be the voice of change.”
That change comes with engaging with the local community leaders.
“The best vehicle to engage with the government is to engage with your representatives,” McCarthy said. “Because that engagement then drives policies, it drives statutes, it drives ordinances that we officials work with and react to.”
Draayer agreed.
“We try to do everything we can to stress to citizens that you really do matter, and when you come and speak, we are paying attention to you.”
Demystifying the counsel chamber and rebuilding trust
Maintaining public access and using language easily understood to create transparency within the counsel chamber also was brought into the conversation.
“For my part,” said Sterkenburg, “if they are coming in to me, I am talking to them … with language that is understandable and respectful, and not from a position of authority, but from a position that we can really lift up those whom the court is here to serve.”
Digital and physical access to the courtrooms, in-person engagement with citizens via schools and community events, providing easy access to the Freedom of Information Act, and updating citizens via eblasts, e-newsletter, and Facebook helps elected officials maintain transparency.
Deputy City Administrator Shay Gallagher (left) at the Kentwood National Law Day. (WKTV/D.A. Reed)
“We try to reach folks where they’re at,” Gallagher said.
Surveys also have been a productive tool in striving to find better ways to communicate with and serve residents.
“In Kentwood, our leaders make a point to talk with the community, to try and make sure there is always open communication,” Sterkenburg said.
Restoring civility
Realizing that everyone comes from different backgrounds and how that shapes their perspective—and allowing their perspective to have a voice as equal as his own—is how Morgan believes civility can be restored.
“I think if we come out recognizing that we want more people whole than just what it is to be right, we can actually change things,” Morgan said.
McCarthy agreed.
“If we allow that airspace for other people to be heard, solutions will appear.”
“I think listening is key,” Sterkenburg said. “I think empathy is key. And I think that we (elected officials) have to lead by example in modeling those behaviors.”
D. A. (Deborah) Reed is an award-winning author of young adult novels and a creative writing instructor from the Grand Rapids area. To find out more about D.A. Reed, visit her website: D.A. Reed Author
By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma WKTV Managing Editor joanne@wktv.org
Along with the passage of the Wyoming Public Safety millage, districts in and around the cities of Wyoming and Kenwood also had positive outcomes on individual ballot proposals.
Kelloggsville Public Schools – non-residential operating millage
Kelloggsville Public Schools, which is in both the cities of Kentwood and Wyoming, was seeking a renewal of its non-residential (non-homestead) operating millage, would generates about $3.7 million or 13% of the district’s annual operating budget. The request was renewed for two more years with 544 to 340 in favor.
Kelloggsville Public Schools’ non-residential millage request was approved by voters for another two years.(WKTV)
“On behalf of the Board of Education, Kelloggsville Administration, and all of our staff members, we sincerely thank you for supporting this millage,” said Kelloggsville Assistant Superintendent Eric Alcorn to a letter to the community. “Your support demonstrates a commitment to our schools and the education of our students. We are fortunate to have such dedicated staff and community members who value education and understand the importance of investing in our schools.”
The money will be used for the day-to-day operations of the Kelloggsville schools such as staffing costs, instructional programs, instructional materials, transport and maintenance.
Grandville Public Schools – non-residential operating millage
Grandville Public Schools, which includes the Wyoming panhandle, also was seeking a renewal of its non-residential (non-homestead) operating millages. The proposal was for the 18-mills on non-homestead property plus one additional mlll, for a total of 19 mills, for four years.
GPS has had a “Headlee Rollback” for the past seven years, with its millage now 16.8 mills. The additional mill will offset up to one mill of Headlee Rollback and make up the different over the four years to keep the district as close to 18 mills as possible.
The proposal passed 3,422 to 2,112.
Caledonia Community Schools – supplement bond proposal
Caledonia Community Schools’ supplemental bond proposal for $61 million pasted by a small margin, 2,790 to 2,715. The funding will be used to complete the 2020 vision that voters approved a bond issue on in that same year. Due to construction costs, the district needed to seek the supplemental bond issue.
The funding will be used for construction of a new Dutton Elementary, football stadium renovations, repairing roofs, upgrading parking lots, and providing parking and youth athletic fields at Calplex.
“We want to thank the voters in our community for supporting this bond proposal,” said Dr. Dedrick Martin, superintendent of Caledonia Community Schools. “Our continued investment in our schools will help Caledonia stay competitive and enable our students to receive real-world, hands-on experiences in upgraded facilities so they can better compete in the global marketplace.”
The Caledonia School Bond, which is located south of the City of Kentwood, will not raise tax rates for residents. It is a fiscally responsible investment in which all funds will be available on CCS’ website to ensure taxpayer dollars are spent wisely and transparently. All bond funds will be subject to regular independent audits to promote accountability and the best fiscal practices.
Within only a couple of months of an announcement that long distance bus service would be available from Grand Rapids, offerings have expanded.
FlixBus just added routes for Muskegon and Chicago. (Courtesy, FlixBus)
FlixBus, which was the first to announce it would be expanding its long distance service to Grand Rapids. Since that expansion in March, which was a route to and from Detroit with a stop in East Lansing, FlixBus has added routes for Muskegon and Chicago.
The Muskegon route will run five days a week, excluding Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Morning trips will depart from Detroit at 10 a.m. and afternoon trips will depart from Grand Rapids at 3:20 p.m. The Muskegon stop is at the Muskegon Laundromat, 1490 E. Apple Ave.
The Muskegon route will include stops in Grand Rapids (downtown), at the downtown Burger King, 410 Pearl St. NW, near the downtown YMCA; Grand Rapids (East) at the Cascade Meijer, 5531 28th St. Ct. SE; East Lansing, near the Frandor Shopping Centers; and the final stop is Detroit at Grand Circus Park, 501 Park Ave.
This month, FlixBus also including a Chicago Route that will start and stop in East Lansing and stoping at both the Grand Rapids downtown and Grand Rapids east locations. The northbound scheduled will leave from Chicago at 9:30 a.m. from the Chicago Bus Station, 630 West Harrison St., Chicago. It will stop at 1:45 p.m. at Grand Rapids downtown and 2:10 p.m. at Grand Rapids east. IT will conclude in East Lansing at 3:25 p.m.
The southbound trip will leave from East Grand Rapids at 4:30 p.m., stopping at Grand Raids east at 5:40 p.m., Grand Rapids downtown at 6:05 p.m., and arriving in Chicago at 8:25 p.m.
Tickets for the routes range from $29.99 to $13.99 depending on departure and length. For more about the new FlixBus line and tickets, visit FlixBus.com or the FlixBus app
Megabus
In April, Megabus, an intercity bus service of Coach USA/Coach Canada, and Indian Trails, a family owned transportation company based in Michigan, announced a partnership to offer daily trips to 26 locations from the City of Grand Rapids.
In April. Megabus announced it would be connecting Grand Rapids to 26 Michigan cities. (Courtesy, Megabus)
Operating from the Grand Rapids Rail Station at 440 Centre Ave., Megabus will be stopping at cities such as Benton Harbor, Big Rapids, Cedar Springs, Detroit, East Lansing, Flint, Holland, Kalamazoo, Lansing, Mackinaw City, Petoskey, Reed City, Rockford, South Haven and Traverse City.
Tickets range from $14 to $53 depending on destination. A complete list of cities and schedules are available at us.megabus.com.
Today, May 1, at 62B District Court, two suspects are arraigned for separate shooting incidences that took place in the City of Kentwood during the weekend.
Jerry Kidd Jr., 35, was arranged at the 62B District Court for the murder of Edgar Hernandez-Sandoval, 41. He was charged with open murder and felony firearms offense.
On April 29, Kidd Jr. and Hernandez-Sandoval were involved in an altercation outside a hotel building at Affordable Suites of America, 2701 E. Beltline Ave. Kidd Jr. allegedly shot Hernandez-Sandoval one time with a handgun. Kentwood officers arrived on the scene in the early morning hours of April 29 and with Kentwood Fire Department and LIFE EMS rendered aid to the Hernandez-Sandoval. He was produced dead at the scene.
Dimario Parker, 27, was arranged at the 62B District Court for the shooting of a 49-year-old Kentwood resident. Parker was charged with intent to murder, carrying a concealed weapon, and felony firearms offense.
On April 28, Parker and another male individual were involved in an altercation on the drive of Woodland Creek Apartments in Kentwood. Both person were known to each other. Parker fired several rounds from a handgun, striking the male victim. Kentwood Police units, along with units from the Grand Rapids Police Department, arrested Parker at a residence in Grand Rapids later the same day. The victim is still being treated at a local hospital.
Both Parker and Kidd Jr. currently are being held at the Kent County Correctional Facility pending further court proceedings.
WKTV volunteer Joe DeJong has been the host of The Joe Show for the past three years. He is now looking for an assistant to help operate the camera and edit his show. (WKTV)
Editor’s Note: This story ran previously. The current producer needed to step away with The Joe Show now searching for a new camera operator/producer. If you are interested, contact WKTV Managing Editor Joanne Bailey-Boorsma at joanne@wktv.org or call the office 616-261-5700.
By Sheila McGrath WKTV Contributing Writer
Joe DeJong is not a guy who gives up easily.
For the past three years, DeJong has hosted a podcast called The Joe Show – Connecting All Abilities, which airs on WKTV and can also be found on Apple Podcasts and WKTV’s The Whole Picture Podcasts Facebook page.
The podcast discusses many issues around living with a disability, including ways the community can be more inclusive, as well as the dreams, needs and goals of people with disabilities.
But DeJong, who is blind, has been unable to produce new episodes of the show for the past few months because he lost his camera operator.
Joe DeJong with Erin App, the choir director for the Action Choir. (WKTV)
Now, he’s looking for a new camera person who can also provide transportation to the WKTV studio in Wyoming and help him line up guests.
“I can’t run the cameras because of my visual impairment. I can’t do it myself,” he said. “It’s disappointing to me to not be doing the show right now, but I’m a very patient person. I’m willing to wait until I can get somebody.”
DeJong, 28, has hosted 40 episodes of The Joe Show, featuring guests from the Special Olympics, the Kentwood Parks and Recreation Department, Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Center, Disability Advocates of Kent County and many more. State Rep. Tommy Brann was a guest on one of his early podcasts in 2020.
DeJong has many ideas for where he’d like to take the show, but first, he needs to find someone to help run the camera.
Hiring the new person would be facilitated through GT Independence, a service that helps people with disabilities hire community-based caregivers of their choosing.
In addition to running the camera and providing transportation to and from the studio, DeJong envisions that the new assistant would also help him narrow down possible guests for the show by researching people and businesses that would be a good fit. DeJong would make the phone calls to book the guests, he said.
The time commitment would be a few hours a week, including driving to and from the studio, setting up and taping the half-hour show, and doing a little additional research to find guests.
Joe DeJong said he hopes to keep his show about abilities running but needs an assistance to do so. (WKTV)
“If we can find someone, then we can go from there, and give them the training on how to work the camera,” he said.
“I’m a guy that’s going to keep punching and keep advocating and keep fighting,” he said. “I’m not quitting.”
Anyone interested in working with DeJong on the show may contact him through WKTV at 616-261-5700 or by emailing WKTV Managing Editor, Joanne Bailey-Boorsma at joanne@wktv.org.
More information about GT Independence is online at gtindependence.com, or they can be reached by phone at 1-877-659-4500.
Community members gathered outside the 63rd District Court, 1950 E. Beltline NE., on the evening of Thursday, April 27, to honor and remember those killed by violent crime.
Many groups in attendance wore T-shirts and carried posters bearing the names of loved ones lost due to violence. Photos of victims were also displayed on dozens of placards surrounding the courthouse.
Speakers at the event included local law enforcement, victims’ rights advocates and community members who have been affected by crime. Grand Rapids resident Jerline Riley, who lost her son to homicide, prayed for peace and safety in the community. All were in agreement that the violence must stop.
“No more victims,” said Kent County Prosecutor Chris Becker. “Too many families have gone through just absolute horror.”
More than 130 names of crime victims were read allowed at the community vigil, a bell tolling for each and every one. Several more names were added by people in attendance.
Families of victims were thanked by speakers for their continued determination to get justice for their loved ones. And reminded that efforts to keep the memory of victims’ alive make a real difference.
“I’m so inspired to see all of you once again standing up for your family,” said Becker. “Don’t let it end here today. Go out, be an advocate. Talk to your legislators, talk to your neighbors. Spread the word.”
This year Silent Observer marks 50 years of aiding police through anonymous tips. Silent Observer promises those wishing to report information on a serious crime can do so without having to reveal their identity. The organization promotes strong community responses to crime to ensure victims receive both respect and justice.
“It doesn’t matter what the crime is, there is always a victim associated with that crime,” said Chris Cameron, former Executive Director of Silent Observer. “Silent Observer’s mission is all about removing dangerous criminals from our streets and helping victims of crime see justice.”
Anyone who has witnessed a crime can submit tips anonymously by phone at 616-774-2345, or online.
While orbiting Grand Rapids about 250 miles overhead last Thursday, International Space Station astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi answered questions from 15 West Michigan Aviation Academy students in their high school gym on the grounds of Gerald R. Ford International Airport.
With help from local amateur radio enthusiasts, the conversation was loud and clear between the astronaut and the students … even while traveling overhead at a speed of 17,500 miles per hour.
Neyadi, of the United Arab Emirates, is the second Emirati astronaut to go to space and the first Emirati astronaut to make a long duration space flight. He is a member of the SpaceX Crew-6 and ISS Expedition 68/69 and arrived at the space station on March 3, 2023.
West Michigan Aviation Academy students spoke with astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi while he orbited overhead in space Thursday. (Courtesy, NASA/WMAA)
Sophomore Keira Amis was one of the 15 Aviation students who asked astronaut Neyadi a question. She explained her “super rare opportunity” of talking to him in space.
“Nobody my age, except for my other 15 schoolmates here will get to talk to an astronaut like this, ever,” said Amis, who plans to get her pilot’s license at WMAA. “It was kind of scary in front of all these people, but it was incredibly worth it.”
There were many moving pieces that made this contact possible, which took about a year to come to fruition. Specifically, the ARRL (National Association for Amateur Radio) and ARISS (Amateur Radio on the International Space Station) played the main roles in the event.
“ARISS is the organization that made this contact possible; they built the ham station on the space station and arrange the school contacts with NASA,” said Doug Papay, team lead for radio equipment setup. “Our mentor was Gordon Scannell … who facilitated the live stream for the event.”
The amateur radio team for this contact consisted of Papay, Tom Bosscher (audio) and Mike Wolthuis (loaned the equipment).
“Mike, Tom and I, with the help of Pioneer Construction, set up the station at the school the week prior to the contact,” said Papay, Lead Radio Frequency Design Engineer and Manager of Electromagnetic Compatibility Design at Gentex. “This involved assembling the antennas and lifting them up to the roof of the school, routing coax and cabling and connecting radios and audio equipment for a test run.
“I estimate that I have 60-80 hours of work into getting the station prepared for deployment and assembled at the school.”
West Michigan Aviation students line up to ask astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi questions while he’s traveling overhead on the International Space Station. (WKTV)
All in the family
Papay said he “grew up with amateur radio.”
“I spent hours with my father at the workbench, in the yard building towers and antennas, in his radio shack listening to DX, attending hamfests, field day events and club meetings, but it was his hobby not mine. My interest at the time was 8-bit computers.”
Although he had little interest early on, his father’s love of radio eventually became his own.
“After becoming licensed in 2005, I quickly discovered the world of amateur satellite and ARISS (Amateur Radio on the International Space Station) and started to pursue this aspect of the hobby. During the last 17 years of being in the hobby, I have made over 17,000 2-way amateur radio contacts, several of which have been with astronauts or space flight participants that were aboard the ISS.”
This was Papay’s second time facilitating an ARISS contact; both at WMAA. His daughter Grace, also a licensed amateur radio operator, made the contact to the space station at this event. A junior at Holland Christian High School, Grace holds an Amateur Extra Class license, which is the top level license assigned by the FCC for amateur radio operators.
Grace Papay and dad Doug Papay were instrumental in the International Space Station contact at West Michigan Aviation Academy. (WKTV)
“I encouraged her to pursue the amateur radio license in order to honor and celebrate her grandfather (my dad, John Papay) on his 60th year of amateur radio,” Papay added.
Aviation science teacher Bryan Forney said it was a really cool opportunity.
“I think we get so used to picking up a cell phone and being able to talk to anybody anywhere, and we don’t really think about the complexity of what it takes to do that,” said Forney, who teaches chemistry and AP physics at Aviation and is a retired Lt. Colonel in the U.S. Marine Corps. “We didn’t even get into half of the complexity of just how hard it is to track and communicate with an object that’s moving 17,000 miles per hour across the sky. It’s a pretty amazing thing and I thought it was super cool.”
WMAA science teacher Bryan Forney.
Interest in the ISS contact began with a few WMAA teachers several years ago, which led to a proposal from Aviation flight instructor Les Brown, who’s also an amateur radio operator.
“All the teachers were writing content and presenting lessons related to the space station and space travel,” Forney explained. “Every academic department found a way to tie this into the curriculum.”
Forney said WMAA is the place to study if you’re thinking about being an astronaut.
“I’d say that just about any one of the students that goes here is getting the academic background they need to prepare themselves for a career in space if they want one.”
An image of the International Space Station. (Courtesy, WMAA/NASA)
Space Station Facts (Courtesy, nasa.gov)
• An international partnership of five space agencies from 15 countries operates the International Space Station. Learn more about visitors to the space station by country.
• An international crew of seven people live and work while traveling at a speed of five miles per second, orbiting Earth about every 90 minutes. Sometimes more are aboard the station during a crew handover.
• In 24 hours, the space station makes 16 orbits of Earth, traveling through 16 sunrises and sunsets.
• The space station is 356 feet (109 meters) end-to-end, one yard shy of the full length of an American football field including the end zones.
• The station’s orbital path takes it over 90 percent of the Earth’s population, with astronauts taking millions of images of the planet below. Check them out at https://eol.jsc.nasa.gov.
• The space station travels an equivalent distance to the Moon and back in about a day.
• More than 50 computers control the systems on the space station.
Justin Lacey-Pierce (left) looks for an opening during his match against Jason Jackson in the 165-pound Elite Open class final at the Michigan Golden Gloves state finals Saturday at West Catholic. (WKTV, Greg Chrapek)
By Greg Chrapek
WKTV Contributor
East Kentwood graduate Justin Lacey-Pierce led the list of area boxers who brought home state titles at the 2023 Michigan Golden Gloves state championship finals on Saturday evening at West Catholic High School.
Lacey-Pierce, a 2017 grad of East Kentwood, turned in a solid performance as he won a decision against Jason Jackson of the Holland Westside Boxing Club in the 165-pound Elite Open division final. Lacey-Pierce, who defeated Jackson in last week’s West Michigan Golden Gloves finals, took charge of the bout from the opening bell and carried the action throughout the match.
Lacey-Pierce, like all the other champions from the state finals, now heads to the Golden Gloves of America National Tournament from May 8-14 in Philadelphia.
“Winning the state title feels ok, but what I really want is the national championship,” Lacey-Pierce said. “I’ve won a national championship before and what I want is to win a Golden Gloves national championship. That is my main goal.”
Lacey-Pierce cleared the next hurdle in reaching that goal by taking care of business against Jackson which gave him his second Golden Gloves state title of his career.
“It was a rematch of last week,” Lacey-Pierce said. “It was pretty much the same thing again. He (Jackson) is a very tough fighter. He’s durable and tough. I just tried to keep jabbing and sneak in some body shots and try to wear him out.”
Junior Rios gets fifth state title
While Lacey-Pierce won his second state title, former Wyoming Pride Boxing Club boxer Aneudy “Junior” Rios won his fifth state title. Like Lacey-Pierce, Rios fought a familiar foe in the title match as he squared off against Gentle Gibson of Kalamazoo who he defeated in last week’s West Michigan state finals in the 132-pound open division. Like the previous fight, Rios relied on his speed and quickness to carry him to the decision.
Junior Rios (right) squares off against Gentle Gibson of Kalamazoo in the 132-pound Elite Open class at the Michigan Golden Gloves state finals. (WKTV, Greg Chrapek)
“He (Gibson) was going for the knockout,” Rios said. “I used my quickness against him. I have quicker hands and quicker feet and I used that to my advantage. His gameplan was to land a knockout punch. It was definitely a good fight. He tried to knock me out but I knew I could outbox him.”
Winning a fifth state title meant plenty to Rios who plans to turn professional after making a run at qualifying for the 2024 Olympics.
“This feels great,” Rios said. “I have dreamed about this moment and to come out on top really means a lot to me. I’m looking forward to the national tournament and I feel right now I’m in better shape that I’ve ever been in during all the years of going to nationals. I feel way quicker, have way more experience and have a way better boxing IQ.”
Mo Mercado 125-pound open division champ
Like his training partner Rios, Guillermo “Mo” Mercado is another multi-time state champion and faced a rematch in his title bout in the 125-pound open division. Like he did the week prior, Mercado utilized his outstanding boxing skills to win a decision against Jason Wells.
Guillermo Mercado (left) looks to set up his shot during his match against Jason Wells in the 125-pound Elite Open class final at the Michigan Golden Gloves state finals. (WKTV, Greg Chrapek)
“I went into the match trying to stay focused and to get the job done,” Mercado said. “I knew that I could outbox him and that was my plan. He tried some different things but I just stayed composed and outboxed him.”
The state title meant plenty to Mercado who also plans to turn professional after the Golen Gloves.
“This is a tremendous feeling,” Mercado said. “I put my heart on the line for this one. I’ve went through a lot of adversity to get this one and this really means a lot to me.”
Catholic Central grad Ulysses Campos wins at 147 pounds
Ulysses Campos, a 2018 graduate of Grand Rapids Catholic Central High School is another area boxer who was looking to add to his collection of state titles before turning pro later this year. Campos won a decision against Tyrone Welch of Saginaw in the finals at 147 pounds. The title was the sixth Golden Gloves title for Campos and the fourth Golden Gloves state championship on his resume.
“I won my first Golden Gloves title when I was 16-years old,” said the 23-year old Campos, who also was part of a state championship soccer team while at Catholic Central. “This one is pretty special. It is my last one and I knew it was going to be a tough one. My opponent is really tough and I knew it was going to be a big challenge.”
Bryan Caceres wins fourth state title
Bryan Caceres rounded out the area open champions. Caceres, who won a fourth state title for his career, needed to avenge a loss from last week’s West Michigan finals to earn his title. In a match that was just as hard-fought as last week’s title match at 139 pounds, Caceres won a decision against Marcos Saucedo Jr. of Holland. Like the other area open division boxers, Caceres is also planning on turning professional later this year.
Also claiming open-division titles were Nicholas Young of Flint at 156 pounds, KeiShawn Partee of Muskegon, 176 pounds, Solomon Jagun of Lansing, 203 pounds, and Shaquan Cox of Flint, 203-plus division.
Sarah Batenburg takes 146-pound title in the female division
There also were three uncontested open division champions all in the female division. Sarah Batenburg of Hudsonville won at 146 pounds, Zoe Hicks of Lansing won at 110 pounds and Kimberly Green of Lansing was the 178 pounds-plus champion.
In novice action, Michael Guzman of Grand Rapids won the 132-pound novice title with a decision against Gage Stafford of Flint.
“It feels good,” Guzman said. “I’ve loved fighting in the Golden Gloves this year. It’s a great feeling to be the last man standing.”
Guzman’s twin brother Mike Guzman just missed a state title of his own as he dropped a close decision to Brant Bowlin of Lansing at 139 pounds.
In the 147-pound novice division, Alejandro Hernandez of the Anahuac Boxing Club, located in southwest Grand Rapids, won a decision against Stephen Ramirez. The bout was a rematch of last week’s West Michigan finals contest and Hernandez used a similar formula to get the win.
“(He) Ramirez was not as aggressive as last week,” Hernandez said. “Like I did last week, I just tried to outbox him. Winning the state title feel so good. It feels good to see all my hard work pay off.”
At 203 pounds, Zachary Brayton of Traverse City Significant Strikes won a decision against Austin Connors of the Kalamazoo Boxing Club in a rematch of their fight last week. Brayton, who improved his record to 7-0 over the weekend, also was named the Outstanding Novice Boxer for this year’s state finals.
Also winning state titles in the novice division were Van Davis (125 pounds) of Muskegon, Brant Bowling (139) of Lansing, Ndeye Diouf (female-146 pounds) of Flint and Monjuan Walker (156) of Flint. Uncontested novice champions included Sulliman Aamer (112) of Holland, Abel Vilchis-Mendoza (176) of Muskegon and Cody Leonard (203-plus) of Muskegon.
The DPW offers a variety of educational opportunities year-round so the entire community can learn how they can help the DPW achieve its ambitious goal of reducing landfilled waste by 90% by 2030.
“A great way to celebrate Earth Day is to learn how to reduce waste and create a cleaner environment for all, and our educational programming is perfect for people of all ages,” said Katelyn Kikstra, waste reduction educator at the DPW. “We’re proud to offer programming year-round so our community can be informed about where local waste goes and to generate excitement about recycling and renewable energy.”
Members of the public can tour the Kent County Recycling and Education Center and other DPW facilities and learn how Kent County’s recycling program works and what can be recycled. Guided group tours are available for groups larger than five participants to learn the ins and outs of recycling and watch machines and workers sort recyclables. For individuals or groups smaller than five, self-guided tours are available during recycling center open hours along with museum-style exhibits that explain the recycling process. The Recycling and Education Center offers open hours each Monday from 9 a.m.-noon.
“Earth Day serves as a great reminder to take advantage of our self-guided tours during open hours, or to reach out and schedule a guided tour in the coming months,” Kikstra said.
Residents can also learn about renewable energy and natural resources through a visit to the Kent County Waste-to-Energy facility, which processes up to 625 tons of municipal solid waste per day and converts it into steam through incineration in specially designed furnaces. The steam then goes through a generator to create electricity, which is used in-house or sold to an electricity supplier to be used in Kent County’s homes and businesses.
A bus tour of the South Kent landfill will educate attendees on personal decision-making regarding waste, landfill basics and renewable energy. Attendees will learn what everyone can do differently to help reduce landfill waste and create a better environment.
A full list of the DPW’s educational offerings can be found online. The DPW also released a spring-cleaning guide to help identify common household materials accepted at its facilities.
The Kent County Department of Public Works provides municipal solid waste disposal services to ensure the effective removal, storage and disposal of residential and commercial solid waste through various facilities and programs, including Waste-to-Energy, the Recycling and Education Center, North Kent Transfer Station and South Kent Landfill.
The City of Kentwood will offer its annual Community Cleanup Day on Saturday, May 6 to help residents “spring clean” their homes and yards.
Residents can drop off yard waste, trash and general debris for disposal and electronics for recycling from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Kentwood Department of Public Works, 5068 Breton Ave. SE.
After the cleanup event, the City’s brush and leaf drop-off site, also located at Kentwood’s Public Works facility, will remain open through Saturday, May 26. Hours of operation for the drop-off site are noon to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday.
“Our Community Cleanup Day brings free collection services for a variety of items to one convenient location, helping residents expedite their spring-cleaning efforts,” said Chad Griffin, Department of Public Works director. “We encourage residents who are decluttering their homes and properties to join us.”
The cleanup day and brush/leaf drop-off service are available to Kentwood residents only. Anyone wishing to participate is asked to enter the drive off Breton Avenue, where staff will check ID for residency and direct traffic flow.
GFL Environmental will be on-site for Kentwood’s Community Cleanup Day to accept general debris and trash, including mattresses, for disposal. Tires cannot be accepted.
The City of Kentwood will be collecting electronic waste to recycle. Electronic waste includes items such as mobile phones, computers and fax machines. Smoke alarms are not accepted for recycling, but can be disposed of at the event.
The City of Kentwood will accept yard waste at the brush drop-off site, including brush, sticks, tree limbs and logs as well as leaves and grass clippings. Leaves should be loose when dropped off, not left in bags.
Items for donation and household hazardous materials will not be accepted during this year’s cleanup event. Residents looking to safely dispose of household hazardous materials may utilize the Kent County Department of Public Works’ SafeChem program, which remains available to residents at the Kentwood Public Works facility from 1:30 to 5:30 p.m. Tuesdays.
The renewal of the 18 mills will support Kelloggsville’s day-to-day operations . (WKTV)
Residents in the Kelloggsville Public School District are being asked to renew the district’s non-residential (non-homestead) operating millage, which would generate about $3.7 million or 13% of the district’s annual operating budget.
“The operating millage provides critical funds to support the day-to-day operations of our schools, including, but not limited to staffing costs, instructional programs, instructional materials, transportation and maintenance,” said Kelloggsville Assistant Superintendent Eric Alcorn.
The proposal would renew taxes on business properties and second homes. It would not cost the owners of a primary residence any additional taxes.
If approved, the proposal would allow the district to continue to levy its full 18 mills and restore millage lost by the reduction required by the Headlee amendment to the Michigan Constitution.
Headlee Amendment
Passed in 1978, the Headlee Amendment created a process for the reduction of mileage rates (the Headlee Rollback) to ensure that total municipal tax revenue could grow only at the rate of inflation, plus new construction.
In 1994, Michigan voters approved Proposal A that structured public school funding as six mills on all properties and 18 mills on non-residential properties, such as second homes and businesses. Voter approval is required for a district such as Kelloggsville to levy the full 18 mills on non-residential properties.
Failure to authorize the operating millage proposal would decrease Kelloggsville’s state School Aid Foundation allowance by an approximate $3.7 million dollars. The State of Michigan will not replace the lost funding due to a non-approval.
Kelloggsville voters reauthorized the non-homestead millage in 2021 for two years. The May 2 proposal would reauthorize the millage through 2025.
On Tuesday, April 18, between 5 and 6 p.m., three suspects broke into vehicles at Planet Fitness parking lots in Alpine and Byron Townships. According to witnesses at both fitness centers, the suspects were three younger males with hooded sweatshirts pulled around the face and all three were wearing surgical masks. The suspects fled in an SUV after breaking into one vehicle along Alpine Avenue and two vehicles along 68th Street.
The common theme was the victims left their purses and other property behind in the vehicles while inside Planet Fitness. The suspects smashed out the rear passenger side windows in each vehicle. Credit cards, cash, and wedding rings were among some of the items stolen and used at area stores in an attempt to make purchases. Some property and a laptop were recovered along US-131 near 44th Street and appeared to have been thrown out of a car window.
The KCSO has investigated different rashes of vehicle break-ins that occur throughout the community during the night and daytime hours. As a reminder to the public, remove personal belongings from vehicles or at least lock them in the trunk to hide the items out of sight.
Any with information about the break-ins are asked to call the Sheriff’s Office at 616-632-6125 or Silent Observer at 616-774-2345 to report information safely and anonymously.
Teens arrested after chase
On April 10 just after 9 p.m., deputies spotted a stolen Kia sedan in the area of 60th Street SE and Kalamazoo Avenue, in the Gaines Township area.
The vehicle fled from officers and due to traffic conditions at the time the pursuit was ended. Around 1:15 a.m. this morning, another deputy spotted the vehicle traveling along Woodfield Drive SE (Eastern Avenue and 60th Street). The vehicle again fled, however, due to traffic conditions at the time, the pursuit continued west along 60th Street. The vehicle ran over spike strips and turned south on Division Avenue.
The vehicle continued to flee along Division and drove behind and around a business. Eventually, the vehicle stopped on Regal Ave, and five teenagers were taken into custody. In the car were two 15-year-old males, two 17-year-old males, and one 16-year-old female all from the Grand Rapids area. The Kia was recently stolen out of Jenison.
This pursuit is an example of what deputies encounter on a regular basis. The Kent County Sheriff has continued to report a significant uptick in stolen cars over the past few years. Dangerous driving, stolen vehicles used in additional crimes, and the young age of the individuals involved are common factors.
This incident remains open and will be reviewed by the prosecutor’s office.
Justin Lacey-Pierce (left) moves in during his match against Jason Jackson in the 165-pound Elite Open class final at the West Michigan Golden Gloves finals. Pierce won his division on Saturday evening. (WKTV, Greg Chrapek)
By Greg Chrapek
WKTV Contributor
Highlighted by one of the premier amateur boxers in the nation, area fighters claimed titles at the 2023 West Michigan Golden Gloves finals Saturday evening at West Catholic High School.
In the final bout of the evening, Justin Lacey-Pierce, a 2017 graduate of East Kentwood High School, claimed the final championship of the program after defeating Jason Jackson of the Holland Westside Boxing Club in the 165-pound Elite Open division final.
Lacey-Pierce is one of the top amateur boxers in his weight class in the nation and turned in a strong performance in the win against Jackson.
“I was a little rusty in the first round,” Lacey-Pierce said. “I felt like I was rushing things too much. Once I settled down and got my distance down and my timing down, I started connecting with my shots. He (Jackson) is a pretty tough guy and that had a lot to do with it, too.”
State Championships on April 21 and 22
A 2021 USA National champion, Lacey-Pierce is currently ranked fourth in the nation at 156 pounds and seventh at 165. Lacey-Pierce will be going for his second state title next week at the Michigan Golden Gloves state championships Friday and Saturday at West Catholic High School.
Lacey-Pierce (39-12 as an amateur) plans on turning pro after this year’s Golden Gloves tournaments.
Junior Rios 132-pound West Michigan champ
In the 132-pound Elite Open division final, Aneudy “Junior” Rios won a decision against previously undefeated Gentle Gibson of Kalamazoo. Rios, who is on a quest for a fifth state championship, used his speed and quickness from the opening bell to take control of the match.
“It was a case of speed versus power,” Rios said. “I felt like I was in control of the fight from the beginning. I just used my speed and quickness to take the fight to him. I will fight him again in the state finals so I have to go back to the gym and work on some things.”
Mercado and Saucedo also West Michigan champions
In the 125-pound Elite Open division, Guillermo “Mo” Mercado continued his journey of winning a third state championship by winning a decision against his MGGA gym teammate Jason Wells. In a match full of action, Mercado was in control throughout.
“I just went in looking to outbox him,” Mercado said. “I moved around the ring and tried to cut him off. I had to change my style and try and outwork him. I have a few things I have to still improve on so I will go back to the drawing board.”
In the final Open Elite division bout Marcos Saucedo Jr. of Holland Westside won a decision over Bryan Caceres of MGGA in a close, action-filled bout.
Sarah Batenburg (right) fought Zamyla Thurman-Houston in the 150-pound Elite Female division at the West Michigan Golden Gloves finals. (WKTV, Greg Chrapek)
In the lone female bout of the evening, Sarah Batenburg, a Tri-County High School and Grand Valley State University graduate put on an exciting show along with Zamyla Thurman-Houston of Lansing Team Glass. In her first bout in several months, Batenburg shook off any rust and outpointed Thurman-Houston in an action-filled match that had the crowd heavily involved.
The West Michigan title was the fifth in her career and the second as an open-division boxer. Batenburg was boxing at 150 pounds, down from her previous weight classes of 165 and 156.
“I’m used to fighting bigger girls,” Batenburg said. “This was the first time I fought at 146 or 147 pounds. I think this was a good fight for me and gave me good experience. It was also the first time I have fought in nearly a year since boxing at the nationals last August.”
The entire card was filled with outstanding action with several bouts upping the decibel number several levels in a close to full West Catholic gymnasium.
One of those bouts came at the 139-pound Elite Novice division where Mike Guzman of MGGA outlasted Brant Bowlin of Lansing Team Glass. The highlight of the match was a flurry of action with both boxers unloading shots for what seemed like 30 seconds.
“He (Bowlin) was a tough opponent,” Guzman said. “In that second round we were just bringing it. We were both like mad dogs and it was a matter of who wanted it more.”
Guzman’s win came just after his twin brother Michael Guzman won a decision against Davone Jones of Lansing Crown Boxing Club in the 132-pound Elite Novice final.
The 203-pound Elite Novice final was another fight that had the crowd stoked the entire distance. Zachary Brayton, of Traverse City Significant Strikes, won a decision against Austin Connors of the Kalamazoo Boxing Club.
Forest Hills Eastern grad 156-pound Elite Novice champ
In the 156-pound Elite Novice final, Nasir Harris, a Forest Hills Eastern graduate, won a decision against Reynaldo Ortego of Lansing Crown Boxing. A multi-sport athlete in high school, Harris enjoyed his first title fight of his young boxing career.
“It was so exciting,” Harris said. “I never knew a feeling like this in sports before. Having everyone in the gym cheering for you and being one on one with your opponent in the ring with everyone watching you.”
Alejandro Hernandez (left) squares off against Stephen Ramirez in the 147-pound Elite Novice class at the West Michigan Golden Gloves finals. (WKTV, Greg Chrapek)
In the 147-pound Elite Novice final, Alejandro Hernandez of the Anahuac Boxing Club, located in southwest Grand Rapids, won a decision against Stephen Ramirez who was boxing unattached.
“I think my boxing IQ made the difference,” Hernandez said. “Winning this title is really satisfying because I have had to fight every day of the tournament.”
In the 165-pound Elite Novice final, Jaier Morgan of MGGA won a decision against his teammate Matthew Moore also of MGGA.
Also winning titles at the West Michigan Finals were Elijah Knight of the ChampsDen Boxing Club in the 132-pound junior open division, Roy Garcia of Holland Westside at the 125-pound Elite Novice and Abel Vilchis-Mendoza of the Muskegon Boxing Club in the 176-pound Elite Novice.
By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma WKTV Managing Editor joanne@wktv.org
Emergency medical staff from Trinity Health Michigan photographed removing masks following an announcement that many local hospitals would be relaxing their mask requirements for employees, patients and visitors. (Courtesy, Trinity Health Michigan)
Starting today, many area health organizations are taking the masks off.
University of Michigan Health-West and Corewell Health have announced masks will be optional in most areas starting today with Trinity Health Michigan starting optional mask wearing on Monday, April 17.
For the facilities, the decision was made after reviewing recent COVID-19 medical data, and much considerations and conversations with leaders at other health systems. The move comes as the number of COVID-19 infections in West Michigan continues to decrease, and many community members have some level of immunity from immunization or prior infection.
University of Michigan Health-West
Patients and visitors will not be required to wear masks in UMH-West facilities except when they are seeking medical care for respiratory symptoms of COVID-19, visiting patients in precautions for COVID-19, or if a household contact has COVID-19. The discontinuation of the mask mandate applies to both inpatient areas and ambulatory centers.
There are several situations in which healthcare team members will be required to continue masking, including interacting with patients who have an immunodeficiency, who have received a transplant, residing in long-term care facilities, have an acute respiratory illness, or who request the healthcare team to wear a mask.
“After more than three years since the pandemic changed our lives in many ways, we want to thank all of our patients, their families, and our staff members for their commitment to keeping each other safe by masking every day. The decision to discontinue the mask mandate is in recognition of the low number of COVID-19 patients and the immunity level of many community members,” said Dr. Ronald Grifka, Chief Medical Officer at UMH-West.
The UMH-West leadership team encourages everyone to continue to practice good hygiene habits, including covering coughs and sneezes and handwashing. Additionally, the hospital system continues to monitor COVID-19 cases closely and will take appropriate measures as needed to protect the health and safety of its patients, visitors, and staff members.
Trinity Health Michigan
Starting on April 17, there will be optional masking for patients, visitors and colleagues at hospitals, outpatient facilities, home health, and physical offices, except for senior living communities.
Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services
As of Thursday, April 13, employees and visitors are no longer required to wear a mask except in 24/7 patient care settings and specialty care units. Patients will continue to be screened/tested for COVID-19 at admission and are not required to mask unless endorsing symptoms f illness or diagnosed with COVID-19 infection.
Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation
Starting today, masking is recommended but optional for patients, visitor and clinical teams at the Grand Rapids hospital campus, West Michigan outpatient locations, and Mary Free Bed Orthotics and Prosthetic+Bionics locations. The Mary Free Bed Sub-Acute Rehabilitation program will continue to require masks for patients, visitors and staff.
Trinity Health Michigan does have a list of what health organizations are doing. To see that list, click here.
The 62-B District Court is inviting community members to celebrate Law Day 2023 with a free community event May 1.
The Law Day event will take place 3 to 4:30 p.m. at the Kentwood Justice Center, 4740 Walma Ave. SE. It will kick off with a meet and greet, followed by a panel discussion, Q&A session and closing remarks. Refreshments will be provided.
Panelists will include:
62-B District Court Judge Amanda Sterkenburg
City of Kentwood Mayor Stephen Kepley
City of Kentwood City Commissioner Ron Draayer
Kent County Assistant Prosecutor Kourtney Stone
Kent County Office of the Defender Defense Attorney Justin McCarthy
The panel will be moderated by 62-B District Court Administrator/Magistrate Michele White. Panelists will take questions from event attendees and discuss rebuilding trust in legal institutions and how the public, their elected officials and the branches of government can collaborate to address various challenges faced by the nation, such as a lack of affordable housing, the recent increase in assaultive offenses and racial disparities in the justice system.
This year’s Law Day event theme is Cornerstones of Democracy: Civics, Civility and Collaboration. Students wishing to participate are encouraged to create a short video, poem, art piece or written question relating to the event theme that may be selected for panel discussion.
Student entries are due by April 17 and will be displayed in the courthouse during the Law Day celebration. Submissions can be attached to the registration form or dropped off in person at the Kentwood Justice Center, 4740 Walma Ave. SE, between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Pre-registration is required for the event. A registration form and additional event details can be found at kentwood.us/LawDay.
Law Day, established in 1958 by President Dwight D. Eisenhower, is a national observance celebrated each year on May 1. The holiday celebrates the role of the law in our society and cultivates a deeper understanding of the legal profession.
WKTV reporter Greg Chrapek interviews local boxer Junior Rios after he beat Armond Bridgeford of Grand Rapids in the semifinals Wednesday. Rios is seeking his fifth state championship.
By Greg Chrapek
WKTV Contributor
A trio of multi-time state champions took care of business during semifinal night at the West Michigan Golden Gloves and are poised to take the next step to become West Michigan Golden Gloves Champions.
Guillermo “Mo” Mercado, Aneudy “Junior” Rios and Bryan Caceres all won their matches against some strong competition during semifinal action Wednesday evening at West Catholic High School. The wins send the trio, who have combined for nine state championships, on to the West Michigan Golden Gloves finals at 7 p.m. Saturday at West Catholic.
Guillermo Mercado squares off against Elmer Velasquez in the 125-pound Elite Open class at the West Michigan Golden Gloves semifinals. (WKTV, Greg Chrapek)
Mercado led things off in the Elite Open division at 125 pounds when he won a decision against Elmer Velasquez of Anahuac Boxing Club. In one of the most action-packed bouts of the evening, Mercado used his skills to wear Velasquez down in a bout that was full of action from both boxers.
“This is the fourth time I have fought him,” Mercado said. “I knew coming in he is a very tough fighter. I knew this was going to be one of my toughest opponents here. I had to get on him with my jab and keep the pressure up.”
Mercado, who has been boxing for over seven years, is a two-time state champion on a mission to win a third state title before turning professional., Mercado has been busy fighting in some national tournaments this season and is primed for a long run in the Golden Gloves this spring.
Mercado’s coach, Anbrocio Ledesma, liked what he saw in the fight, but knows improvement needs to continue to be made.
“Mo has fought this guy several times,” Ledesma said. “He puts a lot of pressure on and Mo had to fight a little different fight. I asked Mo to do some different things and he pulled it off. Every opponent has a different style and you have to make adjustments and Mo did that.”
Junior Rios looks for an opening during his match against Armond Bridgeford in the 132-pound Elite Open class at the West Michigan Golden Gloves semifinals. (WKTV, Greg Chrapek)
Rios, Mercado’s teammate who also is trained by Ledesma, is a four-time state champion and had a tough test in the next bout when he went up against Armond Bridgeford of Grand Rapids MGGA. After both boxers traded shots in the opening round, Rios began to take control of the match in the second round. By the third round Rios was in command of the fight and recorded a standing-eight count before the referee stopped the contest later in the round.
“This was the first time I fought him,” Rios said. “He is a taller fighter and in the first round it took me some time to get used to his size. Eventually I started to get inside and get off some good body shots. I was able to work the body and slow him down.”
The win moves Rios into a showdown Saturday against Gentle Gibson, an undefeated fighter from the Kalamazoo Boxing Club.
In the final match of the evening and in the Elite Open class, Bryan Caceres of Grand Rapids MGGA won a decision against Anthony Hurt of Team Glass from Lansing. Caceres, who has been boxing for nine years, is a three-time state champion looking for a fourth title before turning professional like both Mercado and Rios. Caceres has won his three previous state titles at 125 pounds and moved up to 139 pounds this year.
Bryan Caceres prepares to move in during his match against Anthony Hurt in the 139-pound. Elite Open class at the West Michigan Golden Gloves semifinals. (WKTV, Greg Chrapek)
“My goal is to win a fourth state title before turning pro,” Caceres said. “This was my first fight in over eight months. I’m boxing up at 139 pounds so it’s kind of tough because I’m actually a 125-pounder.”
Caceres will go after the West Michigan title Saturday evening when he faces off against Marcos Saucedo Jr. of the Holland Westside Boxing Club.
Five Elite Novice division bouts also took place Wednesday
At 147 pounds, Alejandro Hernandez of the Anahuac Boxing Club won a decision against Kardyea Williams of MGGA. Also at 147 pounds Stephen Ramirez, boxing unattached, won in the second round when the referee stopped the contest in his match against James McCullen of Crown Boxing Club of Lansing. Hernandez and Ramirez fight Saturday in the 147-pound finals of the Elite Novice division.
At 165 pounds, Jaier Morgan of MGGA won a decision against Ronald Taylor of the Muskegon Boxing Club. Also at 165 pounds, Matthew Moore of MGGA on a decision against Christopher McLaughlin of the Muskegon Boxing Club. Morgan and Moore will square off in the finals Saturday.
At 176 pounds, Isaiah Clay of Crown Boxing won when the referee stopped the contest in his bout with Paul Vaalburg of MGGA.
The City of Kentwood and local orthotic and prosthetic care provider Hanger Clinic are again partnering to host the fifth annual Hanger Limb Loss Awareness 5K on Saturday, April 29 in honor of Limb Loss and Limb Difference Awareness Month.
The all-ages, all-abilities event will begin with packet pickup at 9 a.m. at Veterans Memorial Park, 355 48th St. SE, followed by a Show Your Mettle photo at 9:45 a.m. The race, which begins at 10 a.m., will include a new route this year that will take runners through Veteran’s Memorial Park and part of the East West Trail.
The race seeks to increase awareness of limb loss and limb difference, build community and raise funds for Kentwood’s adaptive recreation programs. These programs provide quality recreation and enrichment programs for people of all abilities and offer opportunities for people with disabilities to participate in athletic activities in an adapted way to allow for a safe, fun experience.
“Our Limb Loss Awareness 5K is focused on inclusivity, awareness, relationships and making a difference in our local community,” said Katelyn Bush, Kentwood recreation program coordinator. “We’re honored to host this event alongside Hanger Clinic and are thrilled about its growing popularity since the first one in 2018.”
Register today
Online registration is available at RunSignUp.com. Registration is $35 through April 28 and $45 on race day. Participants will receive a long-sleeved T-shirt and swag bag as part of their registration. To guarantee a shirt, please be sure to register by April 14. Packet pickup will be available at the event and in advance at the Kentwood Activities Center, 355 48th St. SE, during business hours beginning Thursday, April 27.
Last year’s Hanger Limb Loss Awareness 5K. (Courtesy, City of Kentwood)
Four first-place awards will be given to the first adult men and women amputees and nonamputees who cross the finish line. The event is set to conclude at 1 p.m.
The kid-friendly event will also include a fun run for ages 12 and younger at 11 a.m. in the park. The kids race costs $10 per child and includes a T-shirt and finisher ribbon. There also is a Family Fun area with yard games, chalk and more for all ages to enjoy.
Last year’s Hanger Limb Loss Awareness 5K. (Courtesy, City of Kentwood)
This year’s event will feature two speakers: Kelly Allen and RJ Myler.
Allen was born missing a femur, tibia and patella and with a hip that is not fully developed on her left side due to a limb difference called proximal femoral focal deficiency. She was fit for her first prosthetic at just 3 months old.
She was born into a family of athletes, but there was not an adaptive sports community near her home. So, she competed in able-bodied sports, working hard to keep up with her peers on the field and court. In 2006, her prosthetist introduced her to the Extremity Games, an extreme sport competition for athletes with disabilities. This was her first introduction to adaptive sports, and it had a big impact on her view of her disability.
“In a flash, I went from being the only person I knew with a prosthetic leg to being surrounded by people who shared similar life experiences to me,” Allen said. “I walked away from this event with a second-place medal in rock climbing and with a new sense of belonging and pride in my disability.”
Allen’s love of sports and participation in adaptive recreation took her many places. She trained and competed in adaptive skiing in Colorado, Utah and Wyoming. While recovering from a ski injury, she was introduced to paracanoe and became a paralympic kayaker, representing the U.S. on the world stage for 10 years in Hungary, Portugal, Germany, Poland and Brazil.
Myler experienced a workplace accident that led to his left leg being amputated from the hip down in June 2022. Due to the accident, he suffered a broken left femur and humerus, a broken pelvis, two broken hips, a fractured right femur, tibia and fibula, a fractured heel and a severely dislocated right knee that tore all four major ligaments. Upon waking up on a ventilator and finding his left leg amputated, Myler knew he had a long road to recovery ahead.
He spent three months at Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital rebuilding strength in his right leg and preparing to use a prosthetic limb. During this time, he said it was hard to focus on the bright side of his new life when he was often faced with thoughts of activities he would no longer be able to do.
A supportive community made all the difference for Myler.
“Fortunately, I have an amazing wife, family, friends and neighbors who rallied behind me and gave me something to fight for,” Myler said. “I knew I wasn’t alone in this.”
“I hope others read this and know help is always available to those who ask.”
Myler returned home from the hospital in October, was fit with his first prosthetic leg at Hanger Clinic in December, and recently returned to work as a dispatcher, where he enjoys encouraging others to approach life with a positive mindset.
Radio personality Phil Tower will DJ the event
Phil Tower, a West Michigan radio personality, amputee and advocate for people with disabilities, will serve as the event’s DJ. Tower has more than 40 years of broadcasting experience and a background in higher education and talent coaching.
Along with the race, there will be activities and educational opportunities to raise awareness about limb loss and limb difference. These resources will help participants and attendees learn more about amputation, prosthetics and orthotics as well as connect individuals who have experienced limb loss or limb difference and to build relationships. Several informational booths from various sponsors also will be at the event.
Last year’s Hanger Limb Loss Awareness 5K. (Courtesy, City of Kentwood)
Sponsors include Corewell Health, Mary Free Bed Orthotics & Prosthetics + Bionics, Buist Electric, Green Shield Deck Builders, Life Beyond Barriers Rehabilitation Group, College Park, Metronet, Muskegon Surgical Associates, Summit Labs LLC, Amazon, Foot and Ankle Specialists and Willow Wood.
“We have a vibrant, supportive community for people experiencing limb loss and limb difference in West Michigan as well as many local resources,” said Nikki Stoner, Hanger Clinic care coordinator and a lower limb amputee herself. “This event gives us an opportunity to raise awareness and let individuals know they aren’t in this alone – we’re here to help.”
Volunteers are needed for the event. Those interested may sign up at RunSignUp.com.
More information on the Hanger Limb Loss Awareness 5K is available at kentwood.us/LimbLoss5K.
All profits from the event will go toward improving and expanding the City of Kentwood’s adaptive recreation programs to encourage health and wellness, socialization and excellent quality of life for all. The programs – offered in collaboration with community partners – enable participants to enjoy the benefits that come with any athletic or recreational activity, such as a sense of camaraderie, improved confidence and new skills. For more on the City of Kentwood’s adaptive recreation programs, visit kentwood.us/adaptive.
The City of Kentwood will once again honor Arbor Day with a tree planting and celebration, which will include a free tree seedling giveaway.
Residents of all ages are invited to join Kentwood’s Arbor Day Celebration at noon Friday, April 28 at Kellogg Woods Park, 275 Kellogg Woods Park Drive SE. The event will begin at noon with an Arbor Day proclamation, followed by a tree planting and guided tree identification walk in the park. Complimentary refreshments also will be provided.
Arbor Day is an annual observance held each spring to recognize the impact of trees in the community and encourage tree planting.
“Healthy tree populations provide not just beauty to our city, but create a cleaner environment for us all,” Mayor Stephen Kepley said. “Our Arbor Day Celebration allows us to connect with community members and work together to improve and maintain our city’s tree canopy for the enjoyment and benefit now and for future generations.”
Kentwood Mayor Stephen Kepley at last year’s Arbor Day event. (Courtesy, City of Kentwood)
Residents can pick up free red maple, red cedar or white pine tree seedlings at the Kentwood Activities Center, 355 48th St. SE ahead of the celebration. The seedlings will be available during business hours Tuesday, April 25 through Friday, April 28 while supplies last.
Community members can check on tree seedling availability by calling the Parks and Recreation Department at 616-656-5270. The Kentwood Activities Center is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday.
Residents are invited to share a photo of their planted seedling on social media using the hashtag #GreeningKentwood. More information about Kentwood’s Arbor Day Celebration can be found at kentwood.us/ArborDay.
Last year’s Arbor Day community event in Kentwood. (Courtesy, City of Kentwood)
Railtown Brewing Company, 3595 68th St. SE, held a fundraiser through March where a portion of the proceeds from every Bike Ride Blonde ale purchased went towards supporting the planting of trees in Kentwood for Arbor Day.
For community members who are looking for more ways to get involved beyond Arbor Day are invited to join the Kentwood Park Stewards, an environmentally focused program that helps preserve and maintain neighborhood parks, trails and public spaces. More information about the program is available at kentwood.us/ParkStewards.
