Kentwood Mayor Stephen Kepley was elected to serve a fourth term after defeating challenger Monica Sparks.
Unofficial results show that Mayor Kepley received 4,857 votes (53.21%), compared to Sparks’ 4,264 (46.71%).
Mayor Kepley has served the citizens of Kentwood as Mayor and Head Administrator since 2013. He also has served as Director of Engineering and Inspections/City Engineer for 11 years, along with an additional 15 years in the private manufacturing design and construction sector.
Sparks is in her fourth term as a Kent County Commissioner serving District 12 (parts of Wyoming and Kentwood).
Kentwood Mayoral Candidate Monica Sparks (WKTV We the People)
Kentwood City Clerk
Ana Jose received 4,322 votes (51.125) in the Kentwood City Clerk race to defeat Cameron Duffey, who received 4,110 (48.61%).
Kentwood City Treasurer
Running unopposed, Laurie Sheldon earned another term as Kentwood City Treasurer by receiving 7,353 votes (99.18%), while write-ins received 61 votes.
The Literacy Champion Award will go to one individual and one organization who has demonstrated leadership and exceptional achievement in advancing reading (Courtesy, KDL)
Kent District Library is accepting nominations for the fourth annual Literacy Champion Award for outstanding leadership and advocacy of literacy. The award will go to one individual and one organization who does, or has done, something exceptional to promote literacy.
Nominations are open through Feb. 28, 2026 and may be submitted online at kdl.org/literacychampion. Winners will receive $1,000, a crystal trophy and public recognition.
“We’re proud to recognize those making a real difference in our community through literacy,” said Lance Werner, Executive Director of Kent District Library. “The Literacy Champion Award is our way of celebrating the individuals who are opening doors and changing lives through the power of reading.”
KDL Outreach and Programming Specialist Susan Erhardt reads to children (Courtesy, KDL)
Nomination details
Winners will be announced next spring, celebrating one individual and one organization who has demonstrated leadership and exceptional achievement in advancing reading. Three finalists in each category will also be chosen.
Nominees for individuals can be teachers, tutors, school librarians, authors and others. Organizations can be schools, non-profit services, for-profit businesses and government entities.
Nominations will be reviewed by a panel from Kent District Library and its Board of Trustees.
150+ people attended the annual iCI Nation Gala to celebrate local protectors while supporting the mission to unite citizens, police officers and organizational resources to create a stronger and healthier city (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
Over 150 local community members recently attended the annual iCI Nation Gala at Venue3Two in Kentwood to celebrate local protectors while supporting the nonprofit’s mission to unite citizens, police officers and organizational resources to create a stronger and healthier city.
In attendance were police officers from seven local departments, city officials from four cities, pastors, probationary youth and business owners. Jennifer Franson, iCI Nation Founder and Executive Director, personally welcomed Gala attendees, thanking them for choosing to invest in a vision of connection over conflict.
“[iCI Nation is] teaching people to see the world and the community through a lens of value,” said Franson. “We’ve created a greenhouse of relationships. We have these relationships and trust, now we’re trying to feed what we want to see grow, and we’re using value to do it.”
iCI Nation is teaching people to see the world through a lens of value (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
Strengthened from the inside out
Clarkston Morgan, Kentwood City Commissioner and CEO of Ambassador Consultants LLC, delivered opening and closing remarks at the Gala, stating that iCI Nation and the partnerships formed through the nonprofit are “a family of people who are intentionally choosing unity over division, connection over fear, and faith over frustration.”
iCI Nation has worked to build bridges and facilitate relationships within the community for the last decade. Within the past five years alone, iCI Nation has partnered with 79 local nonprofits, churches and businesses; built bridges with 17 police agencies; and served over 600 officers and community leaders each year.
All police officers in attendance were recognized and thanked at the Gala (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
“That’s not charity, that’s impact,” said Morgan. “That’s a city being strengthened from the inside out.”
Morgan went on to say that iCI Nation is changing the culture of how we see one another – but that iCI Nation’s work is not done in isolation.
“Everything happens through partnership,” said Morgan. “…when we pull in the same direction, all in our city thrive, everyone wins, no one is forgotten.”
An agenda of unity
Jennifer Franson, Founder of iCI Nation (Courtesy, iCI Nation)
Though Franson does not have a personal family connection to law enforcement, she has always been aware of the officers who put their lives on the line each day to keep our community safe.
For years, Franson prayed for police officers whenever she heard sirens. She eventually hosted a “Thank You” event for law enforcement in collaboration with a women’s church group. That church event became an annual occurrence, increasing from the original 13 officers to an average of 65 officers each year.
Grand Rapids Police Chief Eric Winstrom was the Gala keynote speaker (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
Now, iCI Nation hosts monthly events for the community and police, including prayer gatherings for the faith community, presentations and lunch and learns. The organization also builds collaborations through various local organizations and events such as the national Faith & Blue campaign.
“These are real connections,” said Grand Rapids Police Chief Eric Winstrom. “Jenn’s agenda literally is unity. It’s unifying us for a more peaceful community.”
iCI Nation was not built on a five-point business plan or a grant proposal, Franson told Gala attendees.
“It was built on relationships and trust and the belief that if we keep feeding those relationships and trust, good things will grow.”
Community, unity and purpose in action
The annual iCI Nation Gala is one of Franson’s favorite times of the year because it is a night of purpose in action.
Franson talks to Gala attendees about the mission of iCI Nation (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
“I spend all year meeting you, hearing your stories, trying to tell your stories,” Franson said. “But tonight we get to hear the stories and meet the faces together – and you are beautiful!”
Two such stories were told through a Gala presentation of the 2025 iCI Nation Protector awards.
Wyoming Police Sergeant Jack Tromp received the iCI Nation Officer Protector Award for “going beyond duty to recognize and call out the value of our youth, proving his commitment goes beyond just law enforcement.”
Wyoming Police Sgt. Jack Tromp (left) talks about what serving the community means to him (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
Sgt. Tromp said the award meant a lot to him because of what it represents.
“Building trust and strong relationships between law enforcement and the community has always been a part of what this job is about,” said Tromp. “Over the years, I’ve learned that real change doesn’t come from the badge alone; it comes from showing the person behind it.
“Meeting people where they are, being willing to listen, and seeing things through new perspectives – that’s how we build trust and break down barriers. iCI Nation has done an amazing job helping to build and strengthen those connections.”
Frank Briones, Kent County Juvenile Service Program Director, received the iCI Nation Civilian Protector Award for “his fearless perseverance in bringing healing to our community youth and building stronger police and community collaboration.”
Frank Briones (second from left) and Jenn Franson (third from left) with local youth (Courtesy, iCI Nation)
“I’m on a mission to help our kids, to help our youth, and make sure that I do everything in my power to make sure they succeed,” said Briones. “They are our future.”
The Gala also featured an invocation by 2023 Civilian Protector Award winner Pastor Gregory Amunga of Uptown Assembly of God, a statement honoring Gala police officers, a statement of value to local youth in attendance and a silent auction.
A greenhouse of trust
“Over the years we have grown, and we are building something powerful: relationships rooted in trust that shine a light on the worth of every single person in our city,” said Franson. “Like a greenhouse nurturing life, these connections are growing a culture of belonging and shared resources.
(Courtesy photo)
“This is how we’re rebranding our cities – not with slogans, but with trust and human connection.”
That greenhouse of trust and connection is creating a stronger and healthier city.
“When you invest in iCI Nation, you’re investing in a safer, stronger and more connected Grand Rapids region…a community rooted in trust, service, and love,” said Morgan. “Because that’s what iCI Nation is about.”
Learn more about iCI Nation and how you can help in the organizations’ mission to create stronger and more unified communities here.
iCI Nation Gala Sponsors:
CWD Real Estate Investment, Jerry and Linda Lind, Karen and Dwight Strayer, Grand Rapids Police Department, DLS Servicing, Consider: LLC, KeyBank, Siegel Jewelers, Marge’s Donut Den, Acts Gospel Outreach Ministry, Grand Rapids Police Foundation, Boldly Told Video & Photography, Barbara Jean VanStee, Doug Clarke, Tommy Brann and Denis Bennett.
Kelloggsville is one of four area teams playing in the MHSAA state playoffs Friday. Godwin Heights, South Christian and East Kentwood round out the other three.
The Kentwood/Wyoming area is well represented in this year’s Michigan High School Athletic Association state playoffs that begin this Friday. East Kentwood, Godwin Heights, South Christian and Kelloggsville all qualified for the playoffs this year with two of the teams, East Kentwood and Godwin Heights, hosting playoffs.
East Kentwood is in the playoffs for the second straight year and is hosting a playoff game for the first time since 2018. The Falcons finished the season with a 7-2 record. East Kentwood is hosting Grand Ledge out of the Capital Area Activities Conference in a first round Division 1 playoff game with kickoff scheduled for 7 p.m.
East Kentwood. (Photo Courtesy, Eli Reed)
Grand Ledge comes into the game at 7-2 and finished second in its league at 5-1 behind undefeated DeWitt. The Comets boast an offense that is putting up 35 points per game, while the defense is allowing 22.2 points. Grand Ledge played four playoff teams this year, including games against DeWitt and Detroit Catholic Central who both turned in 9-0 records. The Comets fell to DeWitt 59-7 and lost to Detroit Catholic Central 36-14.
Grand Ledge does share a common opponent with East Kentwood. In Week 1 Grand Ledge traveled to West Ottawa and claimed a 30-27 win. East Kentwood defeated West Ottawa 45-8 in Week 6.
East Kentwood enters the game with an offense putting up 40.8 points per game, while the Falcon defense is allowing 17.3 points. Kentwood has played five playoff teams this year. The two blemishes on the Kentwood schedule came by a combined total of eight points to Rockford (21-14) and Hudsonville (43-42), who have a combined record of 16-2 this season.
Unlike last year when the Falcons played at Hudsonville in the first round of a district comprised of fellow OK Red teams, the Falcons are in a district with teams to the east and south. The change of scenery is something East Kentwood Coach Tyrone Spencer doesn’t mind.
“It’s nice being able to play someone new that you haven’t seen before,” Spencer said. “After a season in the OK Red beating up each other, it’s a nice change to play someone else.”
Spencer said the team also is excited about the playoffs and the opportunity to play a home playoff game.
“The kids are super hyped up”
“We got together on Sunday to watch the selection show and they loved it,” Spencer continued. “They are excited about it and playing a home playoff game, something we haven’t done since 2018.”
(Image Courtesy, Godwin Heights)
Godwin Heights hosting
Godwin Heights finished the regular season with a 7-2 record and also will be hosting a playoff game. The Wolverines host Spring Lake Friday at 7 p.m. in a Division 4 playoff opener.
Spring Lake enters the game with a 6-3 mark. The Lakers are members of the OK White where they turned in a 3-2 record and finished third. The Lakers average 37.4 points per game on offense, while the defense is allowing 21.3 points. Spring Lake played three playoff teams this season, including losses to league rivals Grand Rapids West Catholic (21-14) and Grand Rapids Christian (24-21).
“Closely matched teams”
“It will be a matchup of a couple of closely matched teams,” said Godwin Heights Coach Brandon Kimble. “We don’t know a whole lot about them, but they did play Fruitport who is in our league. We are looking forward to it and we expect it to be a really good game.”
Godwin Heights counters with an offense that is putting up 28.3 points per game. The Wolverines have faced four playoff teams this season and were 2-2 in those meetings. Godwin Heights is in the playoffs for the first time since 2018 other than the 2020 covid season when every school in the state qualified for the playoffs.
“The guys put in a lot of hard work”
“The boys are excited about the game,” Kimble said. “Coming into the season, making the playoffs is one of our main goals. The guys put in a lot of hard work this season and it’s always good to see the success from all the hard work they put into it. We’re super excited about playing at home in front of our fans and the community. We’re also super appreciative of all the support we have received from the administration and the community.”
(Image Courtesy, South Christian)
10 years in a row for the Sailors
South Christian qualified for the playoffs for a 10th consecutive season. The last time the Sailors missed the playoffs was 2015 when they finished at 2-7. South Christian hits the road for the playoff opener as it travels to Portland to take on the 9-0 Raiders of Portland in a Division 4 playoff game slated for a 7 p.m. kickoff Friday. Portland reached the regional finals last season and two years ago the Raiders advanced to the state semifinals where they fell to South Christian 21-6.
Portland features a potent offense that is putting up 38.1 points per game and utilizes a strong ground game. The Raider defense is especially stingy allowing opponents five points per game. Portland has played three teams that qualified for the playoffs this season.
“They (Portland) have a real good program,” said South Christian Coach Danny Brown. “The past few years they have had a lot of success. They know how to win. Watching the film you can see the enthusiasm they play with. They also tackle well and block well. They will be a challenge for us.”
South Christian enters the game at 4-5. A look inside the numbers, however, points to a highly-competitive schedule that the Sailors needed to navigate to earn a spot in the playoffs. South Christian played six playoff teams during the season with two wins against those teams to its credit. South defeated Grand Rapids Christian 27-13 and Zeeland East 41-12. The Sailors also had close losses to playoff teams, Grand Rapids Catholic Central (24-17), Zeeland West (12-6) and Grand Rapids West Catholic (27-20), meaning they enter the game being more than battle tested.
“The kids are excited for the opportunity,” Brown said. “They are excited about the playoffs, the second season, and playing in a win or go home situation.”
South enters the game with an offense putting up 22.3 points per game and its defense has developed into a team strength.
“Our defense has been continually improving,” Brown said. “We will really need our defense to play well Friday. We are going to need 11 hats flying to the football.”
Rockets head to the playoffs with a 6-3 mark
Kelloggsville enters the playoffs with a 6-3 record, the best mark at Kelloggsville since the 2017 Rocket team turned in a 9-0 regular season. That was the last time the Rockets qualified for the playoffs other than the 2020 season that was affected by the Covid pandemic.
Kelloggsville travels to Grand Rapids Catholic Central Friday for a 7 p.m. Division 5 opener.
Catholic Central is a familiar face in the playoffs for Kelloggsville as the Cougars defeated the Rockets 45-34 in the 2017 playoffs. That Catholic Central team also went on to win the Division 4 state championship.
Catholic Central enters the game with a 9-0 record. The Cougars, who average 29.3 points per game on offense, won the OK Black Conference championship this year. They field a stingy defense that’s allowing just 7.6 points per game. That defense was on display when the Cougars edged East Grand Rapids 10-7 in a game that determined the league champion. Catholic Central played a total of four playoff teams this year including a road win against defending Division 6 state champion Jackson Lumen Christi.
Running back Keyontae Gibson leading the charge
Kelloggsville enters the game with a high-powered offense of its own that’s putting up 25.2 points per game. The Rocket offense is led by running back Keyontae Gibson, who’s coming off a five-touchdown, 416-yard rushing effort in a win against Holland in the regular-season finale.
That win propelled the Rockets into the playoffs and the team is thrilled to be going.
“The kids are pumped up about it,” said Kelloggsville Coach Justin Dennett. “Everyone is really excited about it. It’s been great seeing the way the school and the community have rallied around the team. Everyone is embracing it and enjoying the ride.”
By Cris Greer WKTV Managing Editor/Sports Director greer@wktv.org
Check out the new and exciting football clips above from our latest Friday Night Highlights show.
Just like basketball season, every week we’ll bring you much of the local high school football home stadium action from the local varsity teams, highlight some top performers and their stats, give final scores, and show a snapshot of the latest conference standings in an exciting Friday Night Highlights show.
Look for our fast-paced local highlights show every Monday night! Thanks for tuning in.
WKTV Game of the Week
Year after year, our high-tech WKTV Truck Game of the Week includes two play-by-play announcers, an occasional field announcer and various camera angles with slow motion replays to capture all those great plays for your viewing pleasure.
You can count on our very experienced, exciting game announcers for both football and basketball to guide you through your local team’s games. If you are interested in volunteering at WKTV Sports for our Truck or Studio productions, please email me at greer@wktv.org
Game of the Week airs every Friday night on WKTV Comcast Channel 25 & AT&T U-Verse Channel 99 at 11 p.m. with a rebroadcast on Saturday at 11 a.m. You also can watch these games on our WKTV YouTube Channel.
Marine Corps veteran and Birthday Ball organizer Eric Winters with skywritten smiley face above him at the Muskegon Air Show. (Photo Courtesy, Eric Winters)
While recovering from a car accident after his Marine Corps service, veteran Eric Winters wasn’t happy with the challenges he faced.
“During my recovery, I became so mad at the system that I had to start a nonprofit to help my military brothers and sisters,” explained Winters, who founded a nonprofit called VETS (Veteran Enrichment Taskforce Services) in 2024. “We are out here advocating for our military community, with a primary focus on mental health, housing and more.”
Winters was inspired to found VETS after the accident left him unable to continue working. He said he wanted to advocate for veterans who have been left behind. The nonprofit seeks to raise awareness of veterans’ issues through community events.
Their mission: “To identify, develop, deliver and evaluate veteran-based needs paralleled with a service solution for growth, prosperity and fun.”
Marine Corps Birthday Ball This year marks the 250th birthday of the United States Marine Corps and what better way to highlight the milestone with a celebration.
Marine Corps Birthday Ball to celebrate 250th anniversary. Tickets can be purchased through Nov. 3. (Image Courtesy, Eric Winters)
“I had a sudden epiphany,” said Winters, who served from 2004 to 2012. “Milestone life events bring parties, and parties bring people and awareness. It just so happened that Marines around the world would be celebrating their birthday, so let’s host the next Marine Corps birthday ball.”
The First Annual City of Grand Rapids Marine Corps Birthday Ball will be held on Monday, Nov. 10, at the DeVos Place, 303 Monroe Ave. NW Grand Rapids. That marks the exact date the Marine Corps was founded 250 years ago; Nov. 10, 1775, in Philadelphia by Commandant Samuel Nicholas.
The Marines were the third branch of the US Armed Forces, arriving five months after the Army and one month after the Navy. Today, the Marine Corps is a component of the U.S. Department of the Navy, with nearly 200,000 active and reserve personnel.
Local veterans at the US Marine Corps War Memorial. (Photo Courtesy, Eric Winters)
The Skinny The event, slated from 5 to 9:30 p.m., begins with a cocktail and social hour, followed by an official ceremony at 6 p.m., dinner at 7 and dancing at 8 p.m.
The goal of Winters and VETS is to fundraise and support the Marines while honoring past and present service members and their families. They are partnering with Creative Community Entertainment (CCE) to host the event.
Additional festivities begin a few days before, with a drone light show at 555 Monroe St. from 5 to 9 p.m. on both Friday and Saturday, Nov. 7 and 8. The light show features live music, vendors and a VIP booth offering alcohol sales.
On Sunday, Nov. 9, from 2 to 6 p.m., there’ll be bowling, arcade games and food at the Main Event Center, located at 3121 28th St. SE, Kentwood. Patrons can present their receipt from the Ball at the Main Event, which will donate 20 percent of all proceeds to it. A Veterans Day parade on Nov. 11 will cap off the weekend. Starting at 6 p.m, it’ll run from Lyon and Ottawa Street through Veterans Memorial Park.
“For Marines, this day is more than a celebration – it is a sacred tradition observed with the reverence of a national holiday,” Winters explained.
Grave Markers from the 22 A Day Suicide Awareness Program on the side of the US-131 highway in Grand Rapids in remembrance of the 22 veterans who take their own lives each day. (Photo Courtesy, Eric Winters)
Marine Ball shy of fundraising goal VETS set an initial fundraising goal of $250,000 by the 250th anniversary Ball, which Winters admits was ambitious. The group has currently raised just over $15,000, with the budget for the ball estimated at $30,000. Members of the public are invited to donate in any way they can to support the cause. Winters notes that VETS will allocate any extra funds raised toward the broader mission of CCE and VETS.
“Your support will not only help us celebrate this historic occasion, it will also empower veterans who have given so much in service to our country,” Winters said.
Tickets can be purchased through Nov. 3. The first 200 guests to register will receive an event T-shirt, a commemorative cup and a challenge coin. Tickets may be purchased at this link.
“Becoming a Marine is a lifelong badge of honor – one earned through dedication, sacrifice and pride,” Winters said. “Marines are not only members of the world’s most elite fighting force, but also part of a greater community that continues to serve and uplift others long after active duty ends.”
Marine Corps veteran Eric Winters (right) with a WWII veteran at a Comstock Park football game where veterans were honored on the field. (Photo Courtesy, Eric Winters)
By Cris Greer WKTV Managing Editor/Sports Director greer@wktv.org
Check out the new and exciting football clips above from our latest Friday Night Highlights show.
Just like basketball season, every week we’ll bring you much of the local high school football home stadium action from the local varsity teams, highlight some top performers and their stats, give final scores, and show a snapshot of the latest conference standings in an exciting Friday Night Highlights show.
Look for our fast-paced local highlights show every Monday night! Thanks for tuning in.
WKTV Game of the Week
Year after year, our high-tech WKTV Truck Game of the Week includes two play-by-play announcers, an occasional field announcer and various camera angles with slow motion replays to capture all those great plays for your viewing pleasure.
You can count on our very experienced, exciting game announcers for both football and basketball to guide you through your local team’s games. If you are interested in volunteering at WKTV Sports for our Truck or Studio productions, please email me at greer@wktv.org
Game of the Week airs every Friday night on WKTV Comcast Channel 25 & AT&T U-Verse Channel 99 at 11 p.m. with a rebroadcast on Saturday at 11 a.m. You also can watch these games on our WKTV YouTube Channel.
Davenport Running Back Cephus Harris runs through a crowd. (Courtesy, WSU Athletics)
BY Bill Rohn WKTV Contributor greer@wktv.org
Four scores from running back Cephus Harris combined with a revived passing attack led Davenport to a 49-14 win over Wayne State’s Warriors in Detroit Saturday.
The win improved the Panthers’ Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference record to 2-2. DU is now 3-3 overall, while Wayne State fell to 0-3 and 0-7.
DU’s revved up run/pass combination produced 214 yards on the ground and 330 yards through the air.
Harris — a 5’8” 215 pound Junior transfer from Youngstown State, whose older brother Myron Harris led the Panthers’ rushing attack last year — opened the scoring on a 9-yard run midway through the first quarter, then added two one-yard TD plunges in the second quarter. Davenport also got a 35-yard touchdown pass from quarterback D’wan Mathis to Dom Grguric with 5:44 left in the opening quarter.
Davenport receiver Dom Grguric grabbed a 35-yard touchdown pass from quarterback D’wan Mathis in the opening quarter.(Courtesy, WSU Athletics)
The Panthers led 28-0 with 1:23 left before halftime when Wayne’s Luke Johnson stepped in front of an ill-timed pass from Mathis and quickly returned his interception 67 yards for a score, cutting DU’s intermission margin to three touchdowns, at 28-7.
Meanwhile, Davenport’s defense harassed Wayne‘s quarterbacks all afternoon. They knocked Warrior starting QB Carson Creehan out the game with concussion symptoms on Wayne’s second play from scrimmage, then sacked replacement QB Justin Cox four times. The DU defensive surge was led by Xavier Marquez and Latrell Scott, with five tackles each. Coach Sparky McEwen’s squad also forced a fumble and snared two interceptions, while holding the Warriors to 37 net rushing yards.
Second half action saw Davenport continue to press its advantage. Mathis hit wide receiver Keonta Nixon with a 50 yard third-quarter touchdown pass before Harris found the end zone from nine yards out for his third touchdown with four minutes left in the quarter. Harris finished the contest with 133 yards on 20 carries, for an average of nearly seven yards per attempt.
The Warriors finally got on the offensive scoreboard on a one-yard run by XaVior Tyus early in the fourth quarter, making the score 42-14. Davenport closed the scoring on a 4-yard run by Jeremiah Sterling with 7:34 left to play.
In addition to DU’s strong running game, Mathis threw for 285 yards, connecting on 18 of 25 throws including a five for five performance while targeting wideout George Sims.
Late in the game, Davenport actually reached 576 yards in total offense. However, Panther quarterbacks then saw two center snaps fly over their heads and land well behind the line of scrimmage. The result was over 30 yards in losses, wiping out DU’s chance at a new total offense record.
Davenport now returns home to Caledonia, with noon kickoffs on each of the next four Saturdays, beginning on October 25 against Roosevelt University. Wayne State will next attempt to get a first win at GLIAC foe Saginaw Valley State.
The Gerald R. Ford International Airport earned the top spot in the USA TODAY Reader’s Choice Awards for best small airport.
The 20 finalists for the category were selected by a panel of experts and then voted on by the public. Voting was open from Sept. 8 until Oct. 6 with the public being invited to cast one vote per person, per day.
The panel consisted of editors from USA TODAY and 10Best.com, expert contributors and industry sources. The USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards series highlight top-notch attractions and businesses, providing readers with trusted recommendations.
“We are honored that the best guests in the country have helped us win the No.1 spot for the best small airport,” Gerald R. Ford International Airport Authority President & CEO Tory Richardson said. “The community’s incredible support continues to propel our commitment to providing a world-class airport experience, and we are thrilled to have won this award for the community.”
The top 10 winners in the best small airport category were:
Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GRR)
Long Island MacArthur Airport (ISP)
Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport (PVD)
Myrtle Beach International Airport (MYR)
Piedmont Triad International Airport (GSO)
Frederick Douglass Greater Rochester International Airport (ROC)
Huntsville International Airport (HSV)
Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport (ICT)
Pensacola International Airport (PNS)
Fresno Yosemite International Airport (FAT)
Surpassing a record-breaking number of 4 million passengers in 2024, the Ford International Airport serves as West Michigan’s gateway to the world. The Airport is managed and operated by the Gerald R. Ford International Airport Authority, which has more than 100 team members who are responsible for the infrastructure and maintenance of airport facilities. Additionally, more than 1,300 team members from eight airlines, food and beverage providers, maintenance facilities and several other partners come together to offer air service and amenities to guests.
“We thank everyone who took the time to cast their vote for the Ford International Airport,” Richardson continued. “We also thank our dedicated team members and partners who help provide an exceptional guest experience to this award-winning airport.”
The Kentwood Police Department is encouraging community members to take part in National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, October 25.
The event takes place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Kentwood Police Department, 4742 Walma Ave. SE. KPD will collect tablets, capsules, patches and other solid forms of prescription and over-the-counter drugs. Liquid products, such as cough syrup, should remain sealed in its original container. The cap must be tightly sealed to prevent leakage. The event also will accept vaping devices and cartridges if lithium batteries are removed. Syringes, sharps and illicit drugs will not be accepted.
The national observance is part of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s National Prescription Drug Take Back initiative. It aims to provide a safe, convenient and responsible way for community members to dispose of prescription drugs while also educating the public about the potential for abuse of medications.
“When community members properly dispose of medication, it helps prevent identity theft, accidental poisonings, drug addiction and overdose deaths, while keeping medication from polluting landfills and sewer systems,” Kentwood Police Chief Bryan Litwin said. “From saving a life to protecting the environment, participating in Drug Take Back Day is an impactful way residents can be part of our community effort.”
For individuals unable to attend the event, the Kentwood Police Department also has a year-round Drug Take Back Program. Community members can safely dispose of unused and/or expired prescription medications in the Kentwood Police Department’s lobby from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. To learn more about the program, visit kentwood.us/DrugTakeBack.
Kentwood National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. (Photo Courtesy, City of Kentwood)
Law enforcement agencies across the nation partner with the DEA to host Drug Take Back Day events every October and April as part of ongoing efforts to combat prescription drug misuse and overdose deaths. The events provide timely opportunities for residents to safely and securely dispose of unneeded medications to help address this public safety and public health issue. Studies have shown most abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, often from the home medicine cabinet.
By Cris Greer WKTV Managing Editor/Sports Director greer@wktv.org
Check out the new and exciting football clips above from our latest Friday Night Highlights show.
Just like basketball season, every week we’ll bring you much of the local high school football home stadium action from the local varsity teams, highlight some top performers and their stats, give final scores, and show a snapshot of the latest conference standings in an exciting Friday Night Highlights show.
Look for our fast-paced local highlights show every Monday night! Thanks for tuning in.
WKTV Game of the Week
Year after year, our high-tech WKTV Truck Game of the Week includes two play-by-play announcers, an occasional field announcer and various camera angles with slow motion replays to capture all those great plays for your viewing pleasure.
You can count on our very experienced, exciting game announcers for both football and basketball to guide you through your local team’s games. If you are interested in volunteering at WKTV Sports for our Truck or Studio productions, please email me at greer@wktv.org
Game of the Week airs every Friday night on WKTV Comcast Channel 25 & AT&T U-Verse Channel 99 at 11 p.m. with a rebroadcast on Saturday at 11 a.m. You also can watch these games on our WKTV YouTube Channel.
It was a showdown for first place in the OK Red Friday when East Kentwood traveled to Hudsonville. The contest lived up to all the hype and then some as the Eagles edged the Falcons 43-42 in a game that came down to the final play.
That final play was a 26-yard touchdown pass from Hudsonville quarterback Brady Van Laecke to Andrew Meerman who caught the pass in the back of the end zone after it was deflected with the final seconds ticking off the clock. The Eagles tacked on the extra point to secure the deciding point and come away with the win and keep their record perfect at 7-0 for the season, 5-0 in the league.
The climactic final play capped a stunning six-play, 70-yard scoring drive in the final 31 seconds of the game that gave the Eagles an amazing come-from-behind win after East Kentwood surged ahead with a late-game drive of its own that culminated with a touchdown with 31 seconds remaining in the game.
“It was a great game between two great teams,” said East Kentwood Coach Tyrone Spencer. “I thought our guys played well. It all came down to a couple of plays. Both teams had guys making plays and for them they made the final play when the clock ran out.”
What looked to be the game-winning drive
Trailing 36-35 with 5:52 remaining in the game, East Kentwood mounted what looked to be the game-winning drive. Starting out on its own 20 after Hudsonville had taken the lead on a two-yard touchdown, EK moved the ball 80 yards in 15 plays. The drive was a pressure-packed excursion as the Falcons twice kept the drive going by taking a page out of Detroit Lions Coach Dan Campbell’s playbook and going for a first down on fourth down. The first successful fourth-down play was when the Falcons faced a fourth-and-three on their own 27-yard line. Falcon running back Davien “Bam” Nettleman kept the drive alive with a five-yard run. Later in the drive, the Falcons faced a fourth-and-12 situation on their own 40 with less than two minutes remaining in the game.
With their backs to the wall, Falcon quarterback Kayd Coffman found Ahman Edmonds open and Edmonds turned on the jets for a 14-yard gain to keep the drive alive. With 45 seconds remaining in the game, Coffman again hooked up with Edmonds for a key pass play, this time the play netted the Falcons 38 yards and gave Kentwood a first-and-goal on the Hudsonville two-yard line. After a one-yard run on first down, the Falcons took the lead when Coffman scored on a quarterback sneak giving the Falcons a 42-36 lead after Jayden Garcia tacked on the extra point.
East Kentwood Quarterback Kayd Coffman passed for 188 yards and three scores. (Courtesy, Falcon News Network)
“I was really proud of the way the guys kept battling,” Spencer said. “To be on the road and come back like they did.”
Spencer also was pleased with how the Falcons started the game. Getting out to a fast start was a goal of the Falcons entering the game and that was exactly what Kentwood did.
Kayd Coffman keeper starts up the scoring
On the first possession of the game, Kentwood forced Hudsonville into a three-and-out deep in Eagle territory. After taking possession of the ball at the Hudsonville 45-yard line, the Falcons needed just four plays to score the first points of the game as Coffman took off 33-yards down the middle of the field to score on a quarterback keeper.
Eagles score right away as well
Hudsonville answered that score with a six-play, 80-yard scoring drive of its own.
East Kentwood regained the lead on the next possession. This time the Falcons drove 70 yards in seven plays with Coffman finishing the drive by hooking up with Stephan Jones on a 26-yard touchdown pass giving the Falcons a 13-7 lead.
Falcons grab 20-7 lead in first quarter
East Kentwood upped the lead to 20-7 late in the opening quarter. That score was set up by a fumble recovery by Dmari Love-Simmons at the Hudsonville 22-yard line. The Falcons cashed in on the turnover when three plays later Coffman again hooked up with Jones, this time on a 16-yard scoring strike.
“Our offense really got off to a fast start,” Spencer said. “We took advantage of some things that they were giving us. Their defense did a good job of stabilizing things in the third quarter.”
Hudsonville answered that score with an eight-yard touchdown pass by Van Laecke with 9:46 remaining in the first half cutting the Falcon lead to 20-13.
The two teams closed out the first half by trading touchdowns. Coffman snuck over from one-yard out for the Kentwood touchdown while Van Laecke threw a touchdown pass from 15-yards out with 20 seconds remaining in the first half cutting the Kentwood lead to 27-21.
Hudsonville took its first lead of the game in the third quarter, when the Eagles drove 65 yards for a score in six plays with Van Laecke tossing a 29-yard pass on fourth down. Hudsonville added a two-point conversion to go up 29-27.
The East Kentwood defense rose to the occasion on the next two Hudsonville drives and forced a pair of three-and-outs.
“Our defense kept us in it when Hudsonville stopped our offense in the third quarter,” Spencer said.
Falcons regain lead early in fourth
Early in the fourth quarter the Falcons regained the lead, driving 48 yards in seven plays with Coffman connecting with Owen Van De Veen on a 22-yard touchdown pass. Coffman then connected with Edmonds on a pass play on the two-point conversion putting the Falcons up 35-29 with 11 minutes remaining in the game.
Hudsonville answered that score with a methodical 68-yard, 14-play march that ended with a touchdown that put the Eagles up 36-35 with 5:52 remaining in the game setting the stage for the late-game dramatics.
With the loss, East Kentwood fell to 5-2 overall, 3-2 in the conference. The Falcons return to action this Friday at Grandville.
“At the end of the day, a game like this prepares us for the playoffs,” Spencer said. “The regular season is important, but we want to end the season playing at Ford Field and these kinds of games prepare us for that.”
The East Kentwood offense was paced by Coffman who passed for 188 yards and three scores. Jones caught seven passes for 102 yards and a pair of touchdowns, while Edmonds hauled in eight passes for 50 yards and Van Der Veen caught two passes for 32 yards and a score. Coffman added 58 yards rushing and three scores while Jesse Phillips ran for 42 yards.
Several Kent County organizations have partnered with Feeding America Mobile Pantry to host mobile pantries each month.
Below is a list of mobile food pantry locations open to the community. Each listing consists of date, time, location and drive-thru or walk-thru designation.
Though the selection of food varies each month, a variety of fresh and frozen items are always available at the mobile pantries.
By Cris Greer WKTV Managing Editor/Sports Director greer@wktv.org
Check out the new and exciting football clips above from our latest Friday Night Highlights show of the season.
Just like basketball season, every week we’ll bring you much of the local high school football home stadium action from the Wyoming and Kentwood varsity teams, highlight some top performers and their stats, give final scores, and show a snapshot of the latest conference standings in an exciting 30-minute Friday Night Highlights show.
Look for our fast-paced local highlights show every Monday night! Thanks for tuning in.
WKTV Game of the Week
Year after year, our high-tech WKTV Truck Game of the Week includes two play-by-play announcers, an occasional field announcer and various camera angles with slow motion replays to capture all those great plays for your viewing pleasure.
You can count on our very experienced, exciting game announcers for both football and basketball to guide you through your local team’s games. If you are interested in volunteering at WKTV Sports for our Truck or Studio productions, please email me at greer@wktv.org
Game of the Week airs every Friday night on WKTV Comcast Channel 25 & AT&T U-Verse Channel 99 at 11 p.m. with a rebroadcast on Saturday at 11 a.m. You also can watch these games on our WKTV YouTube Channel.
It could be a hotel, car, a park, shelter or campground … or doubled up with another family or couch surfing at a friend’s house. That’s where many students and their families reside.
The number of Kentwood Public Schools students qualifying for services was 359 last year district-wide in grades K-12. The numbers have increased since COVID and Sarah Weir, Student Services Liaison for KPS, estimates around 10 percent of students could qualify for services.
When students in Kentwood register for school and don’t have a permanent address, Weir steps in to help. As the Student Services Liaison, she follows the federal McKinney-Vento Act that mandates services to students experiencing homelessness. The law allows students to stay in their “school of origin” by providing transportation, educational support and help with other needs. Weir has served in this role for 10 years.
Sarah Weir, KPS Student Services Liaison. (Photo Courtesy, Kentwood Public Schools)
“We end up connecting with the family and find out a little bit more about the situation and help them get to school,” Weir said. Kentwood Public Schools provides transportation to school, and helps them with school related items and field trips.
A budget of $6,000
Weir works with a budget of about $6,000. Although no food items are provided, Weir directs them to local food pantries and Kentwood’s monthly food truck.
“I can provide hygiene items, shampoo, conditioner and things like that,” Weir said. She can also provide winter coats and boots thanks to local businesses and the Knights of Columbus who help out.
“If they participate in an extracurricular activity we cover that, from sports gear to band fees, and art supplies,” Weir said.
Supply room for KPS students/families in need. (Photo Courtesy, Kentwood Public Schools)
Student Challenges
Although it’s not always evident about a student’s living situation, these students face challenges.
“Most people don’t realize the student is unhoused. I haven’t had instances of students being treated differently,” Weir said. “There’s plenty of situations. You could be asked to leave at any time.”
She believes the biggest barrier for students is not getting a good night’s sleep.
“Sharing a room with strangers, moving often, sleeping on the floor are all reasons students are not getting the rest they should,” Weir said.
She noted that it’s hard for students to stay focused on a math equation if they are hungry, or don’t feel safe.
Dropout rate high
Unfortunately, the dropout rate is high with unhoused students. Kentwood Public Schools does offer an online program.
“It (online) has to make sense for them. I think in-person is an easier way to learn for more people,” said Weir, who has seen some success stories including a family who left her caseload after seven years. They just got housing and Weir is keeping her fingers crossed that they can keep it.
The greatest challenge and most rewarding parts of her job go together.
“I love that we are able to make the school day easy for students and families,” Weir explained. “We can get them here, feed them, provide great instruction and care for them while their parents work on a tough situation. We can give the family about seven hours of peace each day.”
Systemic Issue
Weir said the problems related to a housing crisis are much bigger than the school day.
“Systemic policy changes such as livable wages are needed to make an impact on the housing crisis,” Weir explained. “I have families who can afford rent, but because they have a bad credit score, they don’t get the chance to get in anywhere. It would be great if landlords were willing to consider other evidence besides a credit score number.”
Weir also serves on the Kentwood Planning Commission that is looking at housing in the area.
“We really need to focus on paying people livable wages. We don’t have any kind of cap on how much housing costs.”
There was no looking ahead to this Friday’s key OK Red showdown with Hudsonville for the East Kentwood football team as the Falcons struck early and often to defeat West Ottawa 45-8.
East Kentwood scored four touchdowns in the first quarter to take a commanding lead and cruised to victory to improve to 5-1 overall, 3-1 in the conference. The win sets up the Falcons with a trip to Hudsonville where they play the undefeated Eagles with a share of first place in the conference on the line.
“I liked that we were able to start fast,” said East Kentwood Coach Tyrone Spencer. “In the last two games we did not score in the first quarter. Tonight, we scored 28 points in the first quarter and 10 more in the second quarter. Being able to start fast was very important to us and we were able to get that done.”
Running back Nasir “Nas” Williams got the Falcons on the scoreboard first as he ripped off a 52-yard touchdown run. Jayden Garcia tacked on the extra point putting Kentwood up 7-0.
The Falcons scored on a second long run on their next possession when Jesse Phillips broke loose for a 26-yard touchdown. Garcia again tacked on the point after giving the Falcons a 14-0 lead.
Falcon quarterback Kayd Coffman scored the third touchdown of the opening quarter on a five-yard run.
EK quarterback Kayd Coffman. (Courtesy, Falcon News Network)
East Kentwood closed out the scoring in the opening half through the air. Coffman hooked up with Ahman Edmonds for a 74-yard touchdown pass giving the Falcons a 28-0 lead after Garcia’s point after.
“We had something of everything on offense,” Spencer said. “Both of our backs ran for over 50 yards. Our quarterback was efficient completing 8-of-13 for 154 yards and our other quarterback (Tyran Harris) was five-for-five and threw a touchdown. It was a balanced game on offense.”
The Falcons tacked on 10 more points in the second quarter as running back Ace Bryant scored on a three-yard run and Garcia added a 27-yard field goal giving the hometown Falcon fans a 38-0 halftime lead to enjoy.
Neither team scored in the third quarter and the two teams traded scores in the fourth. East Kentwood’s final score of the game came when Harris connected with Amari Burch for a seven-yard touchdown strike.
(Photo Courtesy, Eli Reed)
East Kentwood had 415 yards of total offense; 223 passing yards and 192 rushing. Coffman passed for 154 of those yards while Harris, a sophomore, added 41 passing yards.
Nettleman led the Falcons in rushing with 70 yards, while Phillips added 50, and Coffman, 47. Edmonds led Kentwood in receiving with 74 yards, followed by Owen Van Der Veen, two catches for 48 yards and Stephan Jone, four for 47.
Paving the way for the offense was a Falcon offensive line led by tackles Chris Lovelady and Xavier Williams, guards Isaiah Wilson, Leland Croskey and Jabari O’Bryant and center Charlie Nichols.
Offensive line “solid”
“Our offensive line has been doing a great job,” Spencer said. “We talked as a staff this week about just how good these guys have been. They are not the biggest group, but they are really solid. They are the reason we run the ball well. It’s a real close-knit group and they do a real phenomenal job of executing and doing the job at a high level.”
Big Falcon “D”
The Falcon defense also turned in a big effort. Along with limiting West Ottawa to single figures on the scoreboard, the Falcons allowed West Ottawa just 54 rushing yards and 117 in passing.
“I thought the defense performed pretty good,” Spencer said. “There were a couple of third downs where we should’ve got them off the field, but overall, I thought the effort and performance was good.”
Tyler Meeuwsen led with seven tackles and an assist, while Alijah Bondon, Donavan Jones and Christopher Thompson all added three tackles.
With the win against West Ottawa tucked away, the Falcons can now concentrate on Friday’s OK Red showdown in Hudsonville.
“This is going to basically be like a playoff game,” Spencer said. “We are going to have to do our job better then they (Hudsonville) do. We have got to get off to a fast start and defensively we have to work to get off the field on third down. They (Hudsonville) do a great job of possessing the ball and their quarterback is a really good athlete. We have to make sure that our offense is on the field for most of the game and not their offense.”
Wimee the Robot is a children’s PBS character that has been inspiring youth to be creative, use their imaginations and learn through technology since 2016 (Courtesy, Michael Hyacinthe)
Local veteran Michael Hyacinthe created Wimee to help children learn through creativity (Courtesy, Michael Hyacinthe)
Wimee the Robot is a children’s PBS character that has been inspiring youth to be creative, use their imaginations and learn through technology since February 2016.
Michael Hyacinthe, local veteran and owner of the Has Heart Coffee Shop in Veteran’s Memorial Park, created Wimee after recognizing the power of creativity through his work with veterans and his experience as a father. Hyacinthe wanted to create a character that would also help children learn through creativity.
“I’m an entrepreneur passionate about using my talents to inspire veterans, kids and all human life – individuals – to connect with creativity,” said Hyacinthe.
Think it, See it, Share it
Hyacinthe created the Wimage app, allowing children to turn stories, thoughts and ideas into images. Through text or voice, words are instantly transformed into icons. Users can also include text, create patterns, and incorporate colors and additional images.
A Wimage can be personalized and messaged to friends, shared on social media, or posted on the website for others to see.
Soon, the idea for Wimee the Robot formed. Hyacinthe reached out to his friend and puppeteer, Kevin Kammeraad, and together they worked with puppet builder Joe Emory to make Wimee, the lovable robot puppet.
(Courtesy, Michael Hyacinthe)
Hyacinthe and Kammeraad began offering local preschool students hands-on workshops, combining imagination with the innovative technology of Wimage to create collaborative visual stories. Over the years, the duo also led collaborative visual story and collaborative books workshops in elementary school classrooms.
With humor and his love of words, Wimee helps children increase literacy and storytelling skills.
The next Sesame Street
Wimee the Robot and Michael Hyacinthe engage children at an in-person event (Courtesy, Michael Hyacinthe)
The Wimage app and Wimee the Robot continued to develop and grow.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Hyacinthe and Kammeraad developed the web-based Wimee’s Words as an alternative to in-person workshops. Co-produced by Kent District Library, the interactive children’s show encourages imagination, vocabulary building and storytelling through puppetry, music and wordplay.
Through the PBS show, Wimee’s Words, Wimee the Robot reaches close to 40 million homes around the country.
“Our goal is to build the next Sesame Street for the digital age,” said Hyacinthe. “It’s a lot of work, but we’re passionate about the work that we do. We want to continue to create content to teach kids.”
Wimee’s Words viewers can join Wimee LIVE every Saturday at 11 a.m. EST on PBS.org and request songs, ask questions and suggest games to play. Wimee is also featured in the Wimee’s Words app.
Meaningful tech time
Wimee the Robot (Courtesy, Michael Hyacinthe)
The Wimee’s Words and Wimage teams consist of educators, librarians, technology developers, entrepreneurs, parents, kids and puppets who have joined together to empower all children to become producers of creative content – not just consumers of it.
The new interactive app and AI experience, Wimee’s World, was formed to incorporate the Wimage app and Wimee character, along with games, videos and conversations with the AI robot (Wimee).
Wimee’s World provides kids meaningful tech time by giving them the opportunity to become visual communicators and more creative producers using technology.
“Wimee’s World is designed with safety and creativity in mind, providing a secure environment for kids to explore, create and interact,” states the Wimee TV website.
Wimee provides a fun and safe environment for children to learn (Courtesy, pxhere.com)
“Parents can have peace of mind knowing that their children are engaging with content that is both entertaining and educational.”
Explore More sheets provide additional information and activities designed and tested by educators and families to spark imagination and curiosity.
The Wimee Creates and Wimee Learnsearly learning concept books, written by Stephanie Kammeraad and published by Zonderkidz/Harper Collins, are another great resource for families.
“Every day is a new chance to explore, learn and create together as a family.” (wimee.tv)
Purpose, empowerment and healing
Educating children through Wimee has helped Hyacinthe heal (Courtesy, Michael Hyacinthe)
Hyacinthe’s journeys with Wimee’s World and Has Heart may be separate ventures, but both utilize creativity to empower and heal individuals.
As a veteran battling PTSD, Hyacinthe calls the mission of Has Heart and Wimee the Robot his therapy.
“There’s something really unique about veterans,” said Hyacinthe. “We tend to want to serve. If you give us a platform where we can continue to serve, they will find a medium to heal.
“And for me, this is continuing to serve through connecting veterans and giving them hope, giving them purpose through Has Heart, and by educating kids through Wimee.”
Resource links
Find out if Wimee the Robot will be visiting near you! Click here for Wimee’s event schedule.
More information about Wimee the Robot and additional Wimee resources can be found here.
More information about Has Heart and how you can help support veterans can be found here.
By Cris Greer WKTV Managing Editor/Sports Director greer@wktv.org
Check out the new and exciting football clips above from our latest Friday Night Highlights show of the season.
Just like basketball season, every week we’ll bring you much of the local high school football home stadium action from the Wyoming and Kentwood varsity teams, highlight some top performers and their stats, give final scores, and show a snapshot of the latest conference standings in an exciting 30-minute Friday Night Highlights show.
Look for our fast-paced local highlights show every Monday night! Thanks for tuning in.
WKTV Game of the Week
Year after year, our high-tech WKTV Truck Game of the Week includes two play-by-play announcers, an occasional field announcer and various camera angles with slow motion replays to capture all those great plays for your viewing pleasure.
You can count on our very experienced, exciting game announcers for both football and basketball to guide you through your local team’s games. If you are interested in volunteering at WKTV Sports for our Truck or Studio productions, please email me at greer@wktv.org
Game of the Week airs every Friday night on WKTV Comcast Channel 25 & AT&T U-Verse Channel 99 at 11 p.m. with a rebroadcast on Saturday at 11 a.m. You also can watch these games on our WKTV YouTube Channel.
The City of Kentwood invites local organizations and community members of all abilities to its fourth Adaptive Recreation Expo on Thursday, Oct. 2, at the Kentwood Activities Center, 355 48th Street SE. Admission is free and open to the public.
Guests are invited to explore the products, services and activities available for individuals of all abilities. Vendors will have the opportunity to meet target market customers face to face, interact with students in the field, and network with other agencies.
“We’re excited to welcome the community to our fourth Adaptive Recreation Expo,” said Val Romeo, Kentwood Parks and Recreation director. “This event continues to shine a light on the many resources, equipment, and recreational opportunities available to individuals with disabilities and their families. It’s inspiring to see so many organizations collaborate, and when that happens, the entire community benefits.”
During the event, individuals who have disabilities and their loved ones can learn more about a variety of local programs and resources, including recreation opportunities and adaptive equipment demonstrations. Students and community members interested in adaptive recreation can connect with local agencies and learn about volunteer, internship and employment opportunities.
A past Kentwood Adaptive Recreation Expo. (Photo Courtesy, City of Kentwood)
Vendor applications are still being accepted. Vendors will have an opportunity to connect directly with potential new clients and volunteers as well as other organizations.
If your organization is interested in becoming a vendor, contact Lori Gresnick, Program Coordinator, at 616-656-5317.
Thank you to our sponsors for helping make this event possible. The event’s gold sponsor is Estate Planning Legal Services, PC, silver sponsor is Clock Mobility, Hanger Clinic, and Strive Recreational Therapy. Bronze sponsors are Down to Defend, Mary Free Bed Orthotics & Prosthetics + Bionics, Novo Chiropractic Sports and Wellness Center, and West Michigan Bike & Fitness.
By Cris Greer WKTV Managing Editor/Sports Director greer@wktv.org
Check out the new and exciting football clips above from our latest Friday Night Highlights show of the season.
Just like basketball season, every week we’ll bring you much of the local high school football home stadium action from the Wyoming and Kentwood varsity teams, highlight some top performers and their stats, give final scores, and show a snapshot of the latest conference standings in an exciting 30-minute Friday Night Highlights show.
Look for our fast-paced local highlights show every Monday night! Thanks for tuning in.
WKTV Game of the Week
Year after year, our high-tech WKTV Truck Game of the Week includes two play-by-play announcers, an occasional field announcer and various camera angles with slow motion replays to capture all those great plays for your viewing pleasure.
You can count on our very experienced, exciting game announcers for both football and basketball to guide you through your local team’s games. If you are interested in volunteering at WKTV Sports for our Truck or Studio productions, please email me at greer@wktv.org
Game of the Week airs every Friday night on WKTV Comcast Channel 25 & AT&T U-Verse Channel 99 at 11 p.m. with a rebroadcast on Saturday at 11 a.m. You also can watch these games on our WKTV YouTube Channel.
In a battle between two of the premier Division 1 high school football heavyweights in West Michigan, the Rockford Rams made a few more big plays than East Kentwood and that proved to be the difference as the Rams grabbed a 21-14 OK Red win.
Defense and the running game played big parts in the showdown as Rockford handed the Falcons their first loss of the season.
“I thought it wasn’t one of our best games,” said East Kentwood Coach Tyrone Spencer. “I felt that the effort was there. We fought hard, but we definitely made a lot of mistakes that we could’ve prevented. We had a lot of opportunities on our end that we did not take advantage of. We could’ve played a lot better overall, especially on defense.”
Neither team was able to put any points on the scoreboard during the opening quarter of the game.
Rockford on offense during the Rams 21-14 home victory over East Kentwood Friday. (Photo Courtesy, Eli Reed)
Rams strike first
Rockford broke the scoring drought in the second quarter, when it scored on a 19-yard touchdown run to go up 7-0 with 10:35 remaining in the first half after the extra point kick.
The score remained that way until late in the first half when both teams scored in the final minute of the half.
East Kentwood tied the game when quarterback Kayd Coffman capped a drive by running in for a touchdown from four-yards out. Jayden Garcia kicked the extra point to tie the game at 7-7 with 49 seconds remaining in the first half.
East Kentwood quarterback Kayd Coffman sets the offense during the Falcons 21-14 loss to Rockford Friday. (Photo Courtesy, Eli Reed)
Those 49 seconds, however, proved to be enough time for Rockford to regain the lead before halftime.
Starting on their own 25-yard line, Rockford quickly moved down field on a 15-yard run by quarterback Braylen Daniels and a 38-yard pass play from Daniels to Jax Eichbauer. Daniels then finished the drive connecting with Jackson Cummings on a 22-yard touchdown pass with 12 seconds remaining in the half. Rockford added the point after to take a 14-7 lead into halftime.
Both defenses tightened up during the third quarter as neither team put any points on the scoreboard.
Midway through the fourth quarter, East Kentwood drove down to the Rockford one-yard line, but on a fourth down and goal from the one, the Ram defense came up big and kept the Falcons out of the end one.
East Kentwood fans filled the visitor stands during their 21-14 loss to Rockford Friday. (Photo Courtesy, Eli Reed)
Rockford turned to its ground game and went on a long drive of its own. The Rams eventually scored as Luke Ahern ran across the goal line with 5:04 remaining in the game, giving Rockford a 21-7 lead.
East Kentwood, however, refused to fold and cut the deficit to 21-14 with 3:48 remaining in the game. Coffman broke free for a 39-yard touchdown run.
That was as close as the Falcons would get as Rockford put the game on ice with its running game.
“We missed some shots we had,” Spencer said. “We had three fourth-and-ones that we missed and we have got to get those. Against good teams you are not going to get too many opportunities and you have to take advantage of them when you get them.”
East Kentwood and Rockford battled it out Friday night. (Photo Courtesy, Eli Reed)
East Kentwood finished with 358 total yards; 231 on the ground and 127 through the air.
Coffman led the way for the Falcons with 101 yards on seven carries and two touchdowns. He also completed 13-of-28 passes for 127 yards.
Jesse Phillips added 59 yards rushing on 12 carries, while Nasir Williams added 51 rushing on 13 carries.
Ahman Edmonds led the Falcons with nine catches for 90 yards, followed by Owen Van Der Veen, three for 33 yards.
Malachi Daly with seven tackles
Malachi Daly led the Falcons with seven tackles, followed by Major Barnes, five tackles and an interception, Donavan Jones, three tackles, an interception and a tackle for loss and Jaziel Negron, four tackles, including a tackle for loss.
“Defensively, we did create three turnovers so we did do some good things on defense,” Spencer said. “We did miss some alignments on defense so we have some things to work on defensively.”
With the loss, the Falcons fell to 3-1 overall, 1-1 in the conference. They return to action Friday when they host Caledonia (2-2 overall, 0-2 in conference play) with losses to Hudsonville and Grandville.
“We are excited about this week,” Spencer said. “I think we match up well with Caledonia. Like everybody else in the OK Red, there are no gimmees. You have to come ready to play and ready to play hard. We can’t have misalignments and miscues. We have to be ready to play our best on offense, defense and special teams.”
The Kentwood City Commission approved a Brownfield TIF plan to support a 216-unit housing development by Allen Edwin Homes and extend Breton Avenue.
The $30-million project will redevelop a 66.6-acre parcel at 2720 52nd St. SE, 2854 52nd St. SE and 5491 Wing Ave. SE, creating 216 new single-family homes, including 69 townhome rentals, to the city. Ten of the single-family townhomes will be rent-controlled units reserved as income-restricted rentals for households at or below 120% of area median income for 10 years.
In addition to new housing, the project includes the extension of Breton Avenue from 52nd Street to 60th Street, which will ease traffic congestion on Wing Avenue.
“With the Brownfield TIF, we are able to partner with developers to make improvements that benefit the whole community,” said Kentwood Community Development Director Lisa Golder. “These projects will help us meet the growing demand for housing in our city while also delivering the much-needed extension of Breton Avenue.”
Brownfield tax increment financing, or TIF, is a development tool available to help offset costs in revitalizing vacant, damaged or polluted properties and giving them new, useful lives through redevelopment. In 2023, the Michigan State Housing Development Authority expanded the tool to include workforce housing development and rehabilitation as an eligible activity for TIF reimbursement.
Kentwood Commission approves Brownfield TIF for new $30-million housing development by Allen Edwin Homes. (Map Courtesy, City of Kentwood)
Construction is expected to begin in spring 2026, starting with extending Breton Avenue and then the 69 rental units. The entire 216-unit housing development is expected to be completed by 2043.
Kentwood’s Brownfield Redevelopment Authority approved the application on Aug. 18. Final reimbursement agreements and project plans will now be submitted for state review. If approved, the TIF revenue collection is expected to begin in 2026, with capture planned for up to 18 years.
More information about Brownfield TIFs and how to apply for a property in the City of Kentwood, contact Community Development Director Lisa Golder at golderl@kentwood.us or 616-554-0709.
The East Kentwood football team opened OK Red Conference play in a big way Friday as it totaled over 500 yards of offense in a 54-7 win against Jenison.
The offense came from a multitude of sources as 261 yards came via the ground game and 240 yards from passing as the 54-point scoring output was the biggest offensive outburst by the Falcons since they scored 63 points in a 2019 win against West Ottawa.
East Kentwood football Coach Tyrone Spencer. (WKTV, Greg Chrapek)
“I liked the way we executed the game plan,” said East Kentwood Coach Tyrone Spencer. “We want to be able to keep teams off balance with our offense and we were able to do that. I also think we were able to wear Jenison down. They had some guys that were going both ways and I think we were able to wear them down as the game went on.”
Coming into the season the Falcons planned to run the ball and use a running back by committee approach. That plan is being carried out as the Falcons again shared the wealth in the ground game. A total of four Falcons eclipsed 40 yards rushing for the game with three rushing for over 60 yards. Kentwood junior Ace Bryant led with 68 yards on four carries, followed by Ahman Edmonds, one carry for 62 yards, Jacarvion Johnson, two for 60 and a touchdown and Nasir “Nas” Williams ran seven times for 40 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Davien “Bam” Nettleman added 12 yards on three carries and scored a touchdown, while sophomore Tyran Harris, five yards on one carry and a TD.
“Our running back by committee has been working out nice,” Spencer said. “The guys are progressing well. We have guys that do certain things well and they are making the most of their opportunities.”
East Kentwood Quarterback Kayd Coffman. (Courtesy, Falcon News Network)
QB Kayd Coffman in high gear
Senior quarterback Kayd Coffman also clicked into high gear against the Wildcats, completing 15-of-20 passes for 225 yards and three touchdowns.
Ahman Edmonds led the way in receiving with 114 yards on six catches for 114 yards and a touchdown. For the game, Edmonds totaled 176 yards of total offense. That kind of production is not going unnoticed by college recruiters as Tiffin University offered Edmonds a scholarship following Friday’s game.
Like the running backs, the Falcons shared the wealth in the receiving department. Junior wide receiver Stephan Jones caught four passes for 47 yards and two touchdowns. Junior wideout Bryce Barnes caught three passes for 43 yards, while senior tight end Kendrick Mayhue caught a pair of passes for 26 yards and sophomore receiver Caiden Cox caught a pass for 10 yards.
The Jenison defense proved to be a tough nut to crack during the early potion of the game as the contest was scoreless at the end of the opening quarter. The Kentwood offense began to percolate in the second quarter with four touchdowns to take a 26-7 halftime lead. Nas Williams scored the first Kentwood touchdown on a three-yard run and Jayden Garcia tacked on the extra point.
Jenison tied the game thanks to a long touchdown run. The Falcon offense then took over, reeling off three consecutive touchdowns. The Falcons took the lead for good when Coffman hooked up with Stephan Jones on an 18-yard scoring strike. The Falcons closed out the first-half with a two-yard touchdown run from Williams and a one-yard scoring run by Bam Nettleman.
East Kentwood put the game on ice with four touchdowns in the third quarter. The outburst began with a 27-yard touchdown pass from Coffman to Edmonds. Coffman then hooked up with Jones on a 14-yard scoring strike. The Falcons closed out the scoring with a five-yard touchdown run by Tyran Harris and a 59-yard touchdown run by Jacarvion Johnson.
Strong EK defense as well
Along with the offensive explosion, the East Kentwood defense came up with an impressive effort. Factor out the 77-yard touchdown run, and the East Kentwood defense surrendered 116 yards of total offense for the game. Subtracting the touchdown run, the Falcon defense allowed Jenison 2.4 yards per play.
Defensive back Donavan Jones led with four tackles and two assists. (Greg Chrapek/WKTV Contributor)
“Overall, I thought our defense turned in a really good performance,” Spencer said. “They created some turnovers and got some big stops. I thought we controlled their passing game, and other than the one big run we controlled their running game.”
The Falcon defense turned in a total-team effort against the Wildcats. Junior defensive back Donavan Jones led with four tackles and two assists, followed by Senior Benedi Kanda, two tackles for loss, Malachi Daly and Austin Bobo also added a tackle for loss. The Falcon defense also intercepted three Jenison passes with Dallas Thomas-Moody, Jaziel Negron and Major Barnes all recording picks. Senior defensive lineman James Jones Jr. racked up four assists, while Barnes and Baxter Johnson added three.
With the win, East Kentwood improved to 3-0 overall, 1-0 in the OK Red. The Falcons return to action this Friday with a big conference road trip to Rockford to face the 2-1 Rams, who opened conference play with a 42-24 win at Grand Haven.
Several Kent County organizations have partnered with Feeding America Mobile Pantry to host mobile pantries each month.
Below is a list of mobile food pantry locations open to the community. Each listing consists of date, time, location and drive-thru or walk-thru designation.
Though the selection of food varies each month, a variety of fresh and frozen items are always available at the mobile pantries.
Mobile food pantry schedule for Sept. 12 – Oct. 10:
At the young age of seven, Samantha Perry was a “lucky” traveler on a small private plane which made a lasting impression.
“My dad was working for a fastener company and a large automotive organization needed an emergency part that was causing a production outage, and his company rented a small private plane to fly him from Michigan to Chicago to get the required part,” said Perry, who is on GE Aerospace’s cybersecurity team and president of the Great Lakes Chapter of Women in Aviation International (WAI). “It was because I tagged along with him in that plane that I caught the ‘bug’ for aviation, and I’ve been hooked ever since.
“While open to all genders, our initiative is designed to expose school-aged females to the aviation industry and spark inspiration about the career opportunities available in aerospace.”
Since becoming president, Perry’s highlights have included bringing Girls in Aviation Day back to Grand Rapids, expanding the chapter board to increase collaboration, and creating strong partnerships with other midwest WAI chapters (and partner organizations) to expand the reach of their professional network.
“Many Women in Aviation International Chapters across the globe host a Girls in Aviation Day event,” Perry said. “The Great Lakes Chapter has held about seven events since inception. However, this is our second year hosting the event with capacity to facilitate larger-scale attendance.”
Girls in Aviation Day set for Sept. 20 at Avflight. (Courtesy, Luke K/PistonFly)
Girls in Aviation Day Details
Time/Date: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 20 Location: AVFLIGHT, 4211 Cassard Ln., Grand Rapids Featuring: –Stem activities –Themed crafts –Static displays –Airfield tours –Scavenger hunts
The Mission
“Women in Aviation International is the largest nonprofit organization that envisions a world where the sky is open to all, and where aviation and aerospace dreams are possible without barriers,” said Perry, who has a private pilot’s license. “The WAI Great Lakes Chapter is building an inclusive, diverse and global aviation and aerospace industry – starting here in the Great Lakes Region.”
Members vary in age and career stage, from high school senior to retirees.
“In our chapter, some members are corporate pilots (business jets), some are airline pilots, some are certified flight instructors,” explained Perry, who has a private pilot’s license. “We have some non-flying occupations too, including, aircraft mechanics, airport operations officers, flight dispatch personnel, trip schedulers, line technicians, aircraft management staff, aviation authors, avionics manufacturers, aerospace engineers, FAA employees, and more.”
“Goal is to increase female representation”
“There is a significant gender gap in most aspects of aviation, and our goal is to increase the female representation in all aerospace occupations. While there are certain aspects of aviation that have larger female populations (flight attendants, for example), other occupations (engineering and maintenance, for example) could benefit from increased diversity.”
Check out the exciting clips above from our first Friday Night Highlights show of the season featuring many of the local high school football teams in Kentwood and Wyoming.
Just like during basketball season, every week we’ll bring you most of the local high school football home stadium action from the Wyoming and Kentwood varsity teams, highlight some top performers and their stats, give final scores, and show a snapshot of the latest conference standings in an exciting 30-minute Friday Night Highlights show.
Look for our fast-paced local highlights show every Monday night! Thanks for tuning in.
WKTV Game of the Week
Year after year, our high-tech WKTV Truck Game of the Week includes two play-by-play announcers, an occasional field announcer and various camera angles with slow motion replays to capture all those great plays for your viewing pleasure.
You can count on our very experienced, exciting game announcers for both football and basketball to guide you through your local team’s games. If you are interested in volunteering at WKTV Sports for our Truck or Studio productions, please email me at greer@wktv.org
Game of the Week airs every Friday night on WKTV Comcast Channel 25 & AT&T U-Verse Channel 99 at 11 p.m. with a rebroadcast on Saturday at 11 a.m. You also can watch these games on our WKTV YouTube Channel.
For the second week in a row, the East Kentwood football team found its high gear on offense. Led by a potent passing game and a productive ground attack, the Falcon offense found the end zone six times as it defeated Byron Center 43-14 in their first home game of the season.
East Kentwood scored three touchdowns in each half as it opened up a 21-0 halftime lead and put the game away with 22 second-half points.
The Kentwood offense eclipsed the 40-point mark for the second straight week and was led by senior quarterback Kayd Coffman, who completed 17-of-24 passes for 299 yards and three touchdowns. Coffman tossed four TD passes in Kentwood’s 43-8 win at Southfield A&T in the season opener. Ahman Edmonds led the Falcons with five catches for 108 yards, while Nasir Williams led in rushing with 80 yards on 12 carries.
East Kentwood quarterback Kayd Coffman passed for three touchdowns in the win after tossing four TD passes in the season opener. He completed 17-of-24 passes for 299 yards in the win over Byron Center. (Courtesy, Falcon News Network)
Quarterback Kayd Coffman “locked in”
In his second season as the starting quarterback, Coffman has taken his game to the next level.
“I think Kayd has responded well this season,” said East Kentwood Coach Tyrone Spencer. “Last year at this time he was splitting reps with a senior. Now he is confident, has the position all his own, is committed to a university (Michigan State) so that confidence skyrockets. He has done a phenomenal job with his leadership. He stays locked in and he is an awesome benefit to us.”
Coffman completed all four of his passes on the opening drive of the game as he moved the Falcons 79 yards downfield in seven plays for a touchdown. He capped the drive with a 10-yard touchdown pass to Owen Van Der Veen. Jayden Garcia tacked on the point after.
After the Kentwood defense forced Byron Center into a three-and-out on its first possession of the game, the offense embarked on a second long touchdown drive. Starting on its own 36-yard line, the Falcons drove the ball 64 yards in 13 plays. Coffman capped the drive with arguably the throw of the game as he fired a laser to junior Stephan Jones at the corner of the end zone on a third-and-goal play from the Bulldog 22-yard line. The Falcons overcame four penalties on the drive including a pair of delay of game penalties near the Bulldog goal line.
Byron Center responded on its next possession by driving down to the East Kentwood 19-yard line where the Falcon defenders came up with a big fourth-down stop.
Overall, the Falcon defense turned in a solid effort allowing Byron Center a pair of second-half touchdowns.
East Kentwood defense “played well”
I thought they played well,” Spencer said. “I thought they executed their assignments well. We tried to take away what they do. They are a tough, physical football team and we wanted to take some things away and we did and we forced them to do some other things that they don’t necessarily do a lot.
Kentwood tacked on a third touchdown with just 59 seconds remaining in the first half as Coffman connected with Davien Nettleman on a 15-yard scoring strike.
The touchdown pass was caught by a third different Falcon receiver highlighting the depth and talent of the team’s receiving corps.
East Kentwood’s Kayd Coffman sets the offense against Byron Center in a 43-14 win Sept. 6, 2025. (WKTV/Greg Chrapek)
“They are all great guys,” Coffman said. “They are just so good. We get a ball in space and they can go make a play. That is very reassuring for me and helps me sleep at night.”
One of the Kentwood playmakers is senior Ahman Edmonds, who not only makes plays in the passing game, but also can provide impact plays as a runner and kick returner.
East Kentwood’s Ahman Edmonds returns a kickoff in a 43-14 win over Byron Center on Sept. 6, 2025. (WKTV/Greg Chrapek)
“Our offense is definitely deep,” Edmonds said. “We’ve got a lot of good receivers. This offense is fun to play in. Me being a smaller guy they can put me out or in the backfield and I can show everything so it’s definitely a good advantage. My eyes blow up because I know that Kayd can make a big throw and I can make a big catch.”
Byron Center scored its first points of the game on the opening drive of the second half as Will Baubach hauled in a 38-yard touchdown pass.
Kentwood answered with a touchdown on the next possession. A 43-yard pass play from Coffman to Edmonds was the highlight of the drive that was capped by a four-year touchdown run by senior running back Jesse Phillips.
Kentwood upped the lead to 35-7 late in the third quarter when senior running back Nasir Williams ran in for a touchdown from a yard out.
The two teams closed out the game by trading touchdowns in the fourth quarter. Cam Payne scored Byron Center’s touchdown on a two-yard run. Williams scored East Kentwood’s final touchdown on a one-yard run.
Coffman completed 17-of-24 passes for 299 yards and three touchdowns. Edmonds led the Falcons in receiving with five catches for 108 yards, followed by Nettleman, three catches for 52 yards, Van Der Veen, three for 50 yards, Jones, three for 49, and Kendrick Mayhue, two catches for 26 yards. Williams led the Falcon running game with 80 yards on 12 carries, while Nettleman added 49 yards on seven carries and Phillips, 20 on six carries.
Chris Thompson led the way with six tackles, followed by Dallas Thomas-Moody and Malachi Daly, five apiece, Donovan Jones added five tackles and one tackle for loss, James Jones Jr., four tackles and a tackle for loss and Jaziel Negron added four tackles.
With the win, Kentwood improved to 2-0 for the season and returns to action next Friday when it travels to Jenison to face the 2-0 Wildcats in opening-week action in the OK Red Conference.
While the Falcons are pleased with the start, they know the season is long and there is plenty of room for improvement.
“I think there is always room for improvement,” Spencer said. It’s part of rebuilding a program. We did overcome some penalties and we did overcome some mistakes so it shows a lot of the character of our guys and the kind of mental toughness that they have. There are some things we have to clean up.
“I told them it wasn’t the cleanest game, but I was satisfied with the effort. I thought we had great enthusiasm.”
Nearly 65,000 children in West Michigan are at risk of hunger. Roughly 834 school buses filled with kids are dropped off at home each weekend with a risk of having little to no food for 68 hours.
Local officials, volunteers, Hand2Hand staff and Consumers Energy representatives all gathered to celebrate the new electric van donated by Consumers Energy (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
Local nonprofit, Hand2Hand, works to eliminate that 68-hour gap by mobilizing schools, churches, organizations and individuals to provide a backpack of nutritious food over the weekend and extended school breaks. Food sent home consists of breakfast, lunch, snacks, dinner items and often a recipe card.
Consumers Energy recently donated a new all-electric van to Hand2Hand through their electric vehicle program to assist in the nonprofit’s food deliveries.
(Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
On Aug. 26, Hand2Hand celebrated the EVan (aptly christened Evan) donation with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and volunteer food packing event – the first packing event of the 2025-26 school year.
Jeff Myrom, Director of Electric Transportation Customer Programs at Consumers Energy, said the van went to a great cause. “Helping kids who need more food, more nutrition, so they have successful lives is incredibly important.”
A mission of hope
Jodi Joseph talks about the impact and hope Hand2Hand food bags give local children in need (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
Beyond physical nutrition, the Hand2Hand food provides hope for students experiencing hunger.
“If we can nourish that student through the weekend, then they can come to school ready to learn,” said Hand2Hand Executive Director Jodi Joseph. “They can know that there is a community here that sees them, that cares for them; it’s more than just food.”
This year, Hand2Hand will serve up to 15,000 students in 280 schools throughout 45 school districts in West Michigan.
Dr. Doug VanderJagt, Superintendent of Hudsonville Public Schools and Hand2Hand board member, attended Sandy Hill Elementary where Hand2Hand first began serving 19 students in 2008.
Dr. Doug VanderJagt talks about the community need for food assistance (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
“Our kids have a lot of access to things, but there are families that are in need,” said VanderJagt, adding that nearly one hundred students are considered homeless in Hudsonville.
“Watching our students [receive the backpacks], their eyes light up…it impacts them more than you’ll ever know.”
Hand2Hand recognizes that every family’s story is different, with some families signing up for a short time while others sign up for longer. No matter the time frame or reason for the need, the nonprofit exercises discretion regarding student/family identities with each bag discreetly placed in student lockers without volunteers ever knowing student names.
A mission of efficiency
Jeff Myrom talks about Consumers Energy’s electric vehicle initiatives (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
“Evan the EVan” is the second all-electric van donated by Consumers Energy, with an anticipated 22 more to be donated across West Michigan over the next year and a half.
“As part of PowerMIFleet, we’ve been looking for fleets that serve income-qualified customers,” said Myrom, adding that electric vehicles cost approximately half per mile to operate than a gasoline vehicle.
“We’ve dedicated some funding to ensure that we can help them purchase those vehicles and the charging infrastructure that they need, so they can continue to operate as efficiently as possible.”
Myrom went on to say that the mission of Hand2Hand stood out to the Consumers Energy community affairs team for multiple reasons.
“The kids are excited to take those backpacks home, they love having the food on the weekends…and that’s just a win for everyone,” said Myrom.
“And when those kids also get to see an electric vehicle and understand the technology of the future, we hope it inspires them and keeps them on their journey as they continue to learn.”
It takes a village
Joseph said Hand2Hand is grateful to be part of the Consumers Energy electric vehicle initiative.
Hunger exists in every community (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
“We cannot do this work without having a fleet, without having the tools that we need to do the work,” said Joseph. “By adding this van, it increases our fleet by 50%.
Joseph went on to say that Hand2Hand will serve any school, no matter the number of students in need.
“Hunger exists in every community; it doesn’t matter the zip code,” said Joseph. “We go into a school if there is one student that needs [help], or we go into a school that has 400 students that need it. We really concentrate on the student.”
While the Hand2Hand staff numbers 22, over 4,000 people help fulfill the nonprofit’s mission.
“We really couldn’t do this without the entire community helping us,” said Joseph.
Over 4,000 volunteers help make Hand2Hand’s mission a reality (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
Community support is vital to making Hand2Hand’s mission a success (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
(Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
(Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
Ottawa and Kent counties are Hand2Hand’s largest distribution areas.
“We couldn’t even wash the van today for the ribbon-cutting because it was out in the field, it was already out delivering food,” said Joseph. “That’s just a testament to how this van is really going to bless our community and our families and our kids.”
Hand2Hand is expanding to the Forest Hills school district this year, as well as adding more students in their current school districts.
How you can help!
Community packing events take place each week. Volunteers are welcome and can find more information on the Hand2Hand website.
Food packing events happen weekly to ensure students have enough food (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
And while it takes volunteers to do the work, Joseph said, it also takes finances.
Those wishing to donate to Hand2Hand can do so online and also via Venmo. Those who wish to visit the Hand2Hand building with a check and a friendly hello are also welcome.
“We know the work that we’re doing here is impactful. It’s making a tremendous difference,” said Joseph.
Consumers Energy EV resources
Those thinking about obtaining an electric vehicle can visit consumersenergy.com/EV details and rebate offers. Businesses considering an electric vehicle for their fleet can reach out to PowerMIFleet at consumersenergy.com for rebates and professional guidance.
EVs operate at half the cost per mile of a gasoline vehicle (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
The City of Kentwood is inviting community members of all ages to The Vibe set for Thursday, Sept. 11. It’s the ninth annual celebration and fundraiser to further enhance Kentwood’s adaptive recreation programs.
The backyard party will run from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Kentwood Library Courtyard – Kentwood (Richard L. Root) Branch, 4950 Breton Ave. SE. It will include food, cocktails, live DJ, a silent auction, giving wall and more.
The evening also will feature guest speaker Bill Barkeley, who is a deaf-blind adventurer, motivational speaker and advocate living with Usher’s Syndrome – a rare condition that causes progressive hearing and vision loss.
Community members are encouraged to dress casually for the event. Tickets are $45 per person and can be purchased online at kentwoodvibe.com or by calling 616-656-5270 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday.
As a co-founder of No Barriers USA, he has led and participated in life changing expeditions around the world. Expeditions include climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, hiking the Camino de Santiago and completing the Boston Marathon as the first deaf-blind runner. Bill works globally to inspire individuals of all abilities to overcome barriers; his presentations challenge audiences to build a life without limits through resilience, innovation and community.
“Bill Barkeley is a true inspiration and champion for adaptive recreation,” said Val Romeo, Parks and Recreation director. “We’re proud to welcome him to Kentwood and look forward to the insight and encouragement he’ll share with our community.”
Kentwood’s The Vibe fundraiser. (Courtesy, City of Kentwood)
Event Schedule:
6 p.m. – Cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, mingle and browse silent auction and giving wall
6:30 p.m. – Mayor Kepley and City staff speak
6:40. p.m. – Check presentation by Mary Free Bed Orthotics, Prosthetics and Bionics for the Limb Loss Awareness 5k
6:45 p.m. – Guest speaker Bill Barkeley
7 p.m. – Dinner, entertainment, desserts, cocktails, bid on silent auction and the giving wall
Money raised at this year’s event will help purchase new equipment for Kentwood’s many adaptive programs. These offerings include active sports such as archery, kayaking, rock climbing and water skiing as well as more relaxed activities like leisure club and social events.
“Our goal is to offer something for everyone,” said Shelby Henshaw, Kentwood’s Facilities Operations Supervisor. “By adapting activities to meet different needs, we help individuals safely engage, socialize and gain new skills in a supportive environment.”
The Giving Wall at The Vibe Fundraiser 2024. (Courtesy, City of Kentwood)
The Kentwood Parks and Recreation Department provides Michigan’s most comprehensive adaptive recreation programming alongside several community partners. Programs also are made possible thanks to the help of a strong volunteer network.
Kathy Fletcher, mother of April, a program participant who has Spina Bifida, spoke on their experience with the adaptive programs: “Kentwood programs allow her to do the activity, but they don’t do it all for her. The fact that she recognizes that she can do something, she is not limited by her chair.” Her daughter, April Fletcher, added that she “likes to go fast, because it’s fun and they don’t have to just hang out in the wheelchair.”
Programs are open to individuals of all abilities in Kentwood and beyond. Learn more about Kentwood’s adaptive programs and current offerings at kentwood.us/adaptive.
Former WKTV intern and aspiring filmmaker Alex Bernhardt makes waves with his work on Roger Rapoport’s recently released World War II film, “Old Heart.” (Courtesy, Roger Rapoport)
Real world experience definitely counts along with a college degree.
After graduating in 2022 from Ferris State University with a degree in television and digital media production, Alex Bernhardt worked an internship at WKTV Community Media.
Hands-on experiences as a WKTV intern
Alex Bernhardt honed several skills during his internship at WKTV (Courtesy, Alex Bernhardt)
He worked in many WKTV departments alongside Cris Greer, WKTV Managing Editor/Sports Director, and Tom Norton, WKTV Executive Director/GM.
Bernhardt filmed and edited for many WKTV programs, including Friday Night Highlights, featuring local high school basketball. He also created videos for WKTV Journal stories, handled a portion of general news reporting and interviewing, promotional and sponsor events, and assisted with a documentary.
While at WKTV, Bernhardt became comfortable going to a location, setting up a camera, putting microphones on people, adjusting lighting for maximum exposure and learning how to deal with the ins and outs of video production.
“I really enjoy editing,” said Bernhardt, noting stringing together footage, reviewing it and putting it together represents his strongest work.
First stop at WWMT in Kalamazoo
His WKTV internship, especially becoming comfortable with a camera, along with his college education of course, helped Bernhardt land his first professional job at WWMT News Channel 3 as a videographer/news editor.
“A lot of the day-to-day news coverage I would end up doing helped me prepare for that position,” Bernhardt said.
After leaving WWMT in July 2024, Bernhardt moved back to his hometown of Muskegon and joined his family to work at The Corner, an innovative community center in downtown Muskegon in a former church building. Many organizations and groups rent the renovated space (www.facebook.com/thecornermkg/) and his two entrepreneurial sisters operate small businesses from the facility.
Enter Roger Rapoport and “Old Heart”
Roger D. Rapoport, author, movie producer, activist, journalist. (Courtesy, photo)
Bernhardt connected with Roger D. Rapoport, a family friend and successful writer and publisher and now an independent filmmaker. He ended up working on Rapoport’s film “Old Heart,” about an Army veteran who defies his family and flies to the Netherlands 60 years after World War II to find the love of his life. The film is based on Peter Ferry’s novel.
Bernhardt gathered the raw footage shot each day for review by Rapoport and editors, assisted with sound, lighting and camera setup, and underwent a “lot of gophering back and forth” to get footage.
WKTV’s Greer is not surprised by Bernhardt’s success.
“It’s no wonder Alex is out in the world making a name for himself not only handling editing, audio and marketing on the set of ‘Old Heart,’ but also playing the role of the farmer in the film,” Greer said. “Alex was a very dedicated, hard-working college intern at our station, who never said no to a challenge.”
Alex Bernhardt, left, as the Farmer in “Old Heart.” (Courtesy, Roger Rapoport)
“Old Heart” has heart
To date, “Old Heart” has screened before 130 audiences across the country and accumulated worldwide acclaim.
Accolades include Best Feature from an Adapted Screenplay at the Marina Del Rey Film Festival in Los Angeles, Best Editor (Gene Gamache) and Best Actress (Eva Doueiri) in the Sweden Film Awards, and Best Composer (Garth Neustadter) at the Auguri Film Festival in Naples.
Auguri Film Festival director Olga Sandi described “Old Heart” as a film of rare sensitivity and craftsmanship that weaves together themes of love, loss and resilience across generations.
“Ultimately, “Old Heart” is more than a love story—it’s a meditation on memory, identity and the endurance of human connection,” said Sandi in the review. “With its exceptional direction, stunning cinematography and strong production, it firmly establishes [Kirk] Wahamaki and [Leslye] Witt as filmmakers with both vision and heart.”
“Old Heart” is based on Peter Ferry’s acclaimed novel (Courtesy, Roger Rapoport)
Currently, the film is set to play in Coldwater, Mich., at 12 p.m. on Sept. 24 at the NCG Theater. This event is sponsored by Southwestern Behavioral Health with the Michigan Department of Veterans Affairs.
Rapoport said several more “Old Heart” screening events are pending, including five upcoming events in the Netherlands in late September. Updates on “Old Heart” screening dates and locations can be found here.
WKTV fosters community connections through innovative media (Courtesy, WKTV)
Still young…and still aspiring
What’s next for Bernardt besides building up the venue at his family venture?
He hopes to work on other films and enjoys projects like “Psycho Ape: Part II – The Wrath of Kong,” a “super low budget, fun to make, all action and no plot” film. He said “Old Heart” was Rapoport’s fourth movie and he hopes to work with him on future films.
Alex Bernhardt as he worked on “Psycho Ape 2: The Wrath of Kong” film.
“I plan to collaborate with Roger on any future projects he may have, film-related or otherwise,” said Bernhardt. “He is one of West Michigan’s most prolific producers, and he seems to really appreciate my effort.”
When asked what advice he would give to aspiring young filmmakers, Bernhardt gave a tongue-in-cheek reply: “Don’t look at me! I’m still young and aspiring!”
After turning in a winning season and putting up a big effort in the state playoffs, the East Kentwood football team is poised to take things to another level this season.
East Kentwood featured a new look last season as Coach Tyrone Spencer took over the program. Season one was full of progress as not only did the Falcons turn in a winning regular season record at 5-4, but they made the playoffs after a one-year absence. In the opening round of the playoffs the Falcons had a tough 25-23 loss to Hudsonville on the road that came down to the final seconds against an Eagle team that went on to the Division 1 state championship game. East Kentwood also posted a winning record at 4-3 in the ultra-rugged OK Red Conference.
This year, with plenty of talent returning, the Falcons are looking for even more success.
“Things are looking pretty good right now,” Spencer said. “I like where are team is at right now.”
On the offensive side, the Falcons return one of the premier quarterbacks in the state in senior Kayd Coffman (6-2, 200). Coffman turned in a big season in his first year of starting last fall and parlayed that with a big offseason into a scholarship from Michigan State.
“Kayd is looking pretty good,” Spencer said. “He had a great offseason and a great camp.”
Coffman will have a familiar face to throw the ball to in senior Ahman Edmonds (5-8, 165). Edmonds was the Falcons’ leading receiver last season and is ready to take his game to the next level. The Falcon receiver corps also welcomes back senior Owen Van Der Veen, who battled injuries last season and junior Stephan Jones (5-9, 150).
Kendrick Mayhue, East Kentwood linebacker. (Greg Chrapek/WKTV Contributor)
The Falcons also have a target at tight end in senior Kendrick Mayhue (6-3, 215), who also is a strong blocker at the H-back/tight end spot.
At running back the Falcons boast plenty of depth and talent. Seniors Jesse Phillips (6-1, 195), Nas Williams (5-8, 170) and Davien Nettleman give the ground game plenty of options.
“We don’t have a main guy yet,” Spencer said. “We will have a running back by committee until someone steps up.”
Offensive Line
Up front, the Falcons return a pair of starters to the offensive line. Senior Charlie Nichols (5-9, 270) returns at center, while Jabari O’Bryant (5-9, 255) also is a returning starter. A pair of seniors who logged plenty of playing time up front also return in guard/tackles Isaiah Wilson and tackle Xavier Williams. The Falcons feature plenty of depth along the offensive line with seniors Shantheis Moody and Hector Zuniga (6-2, 350) and juniors Chris Lovelady and Leland Croskey.
“I think our offense is in a great place,” Spencer said. “I like our passing game and it depends on whichever back steps up. Up front, we are not as big as last year, but we have guys who can move and have good experience.”
Falcons Defense
The Falcon defense also is looking strong heading into the new season. A total of seven starters return to the defense along with several more players who gained substantial experience last season.
Up front, the defensive line is anchored by returning all-conference senior James Jones (5-11, 270), while Junior Tyler Meeuwsen (6-1, 245) is a returning starter up front.
“Our three-man front is looking pretty stout,” Spencer said.
The Falcons do have to replace some starters at the linebacker spots, but the team has plenty of talented players set to step up.
Chris Thompson, East Kentwood linebacker. (Greg Chrapek/WKTV Contributor)
Qua’Shaun Julian, East Kentwood linebacker. (Greg Chrapek/WKTV Contributor)
Benedi Kanda, East Kentwood linebacker. (Greg Chrapek/WKTV Contributor)
Senior Malachi Daly (5-10, 180) and junior Chris Thompson (6-0, 210) are primed to make an impact as is senior Austin Bobo (5-10, 195) at inside linebacker.
The outside linebackers also will have some new starters. Senior Qua’Shaun Julian (5-11, 200) and junior Alijah Bondon are looking to lead the way along with senior Benedi Kanda (5-10, 180), who’ll play a hybrid safety/outside linebacker position.
Donavan Jones, East Kentwood defensive back. (Greg Chrapek/WKTV Contributor)
The defensive backfield also looks like a major strong point. Junior Donavan Jones (5-10, 180) is a returning starter who can play either cornerback or safety. Senior Jaziel Negron was a part-time starter last year and is looking to take over a safety position.
Sophomore Austin Nelson (5-11, 166) is at cornerback along with junior Dallas Moody. Junior Major Barnes (5-10, 150) also is back.
“I like what our defensive backs are looking like,” Spencer said. “I think we should be a lot better on defense this year.”
East Kentwood opens the season on Friday when it travels to Southfield to take on Southfield Arts & Technology. The Falcons then return home on Sept. 5 against a Byron Center team that reached the Division 2 state title game last year. They open up OK Red Conference play Sept. 12 at Jenison.
“I think this team can accomplish anything it wants to,” Spencer said. “We have to stay healthy and continue to improve, if we can do that we have as good a shot as anybody to win the conference. In our league you have to come to play every week and if we come to every game ready to play, I like our chances.”
South Christian quarterback Austin Burgess has big shoes to fill taking over for standout Carson Vis, who signed to play basketball at Western Michigan University. (Greg Chrapek/WKTV Contributor)
After a tough regular season grind, the South Christian team played some of its best football of the season in the playoffs last fall. This year, with plenty of veteran players returning, the Sailors are poised to build on that momentum.
The Sailors, who have been on a roll as a program the past several years, turned in a 5-4 regular-season record last fall playing in a new-look OK Gold Conference that featured powerhouses like Zeeland West, Forest Hills Central and Unity Christian. That gauntlet of a schedule paid dividends come playoff time as the Sailors reeled off three straight wins before falling to Niles in the Division 4 state semifinals to finish the season with an 8-5 overall record.
With a solid core of players returning from last year’s squad, South Christian is poised for another exciting season.
“We’re excited about the season,” said South Christian Coach Danny Brown. “Obviously, camp was a grind. It was a lot of football, but I thought it went well and the team grew a lot together. We’re excited to see how everything comes together.”
The Sailors will have a different look on the offensive side of the ball this year as two-year starting quarterback Carson Vis has moved on to Western Michigan University where he’ll play basketball this winter.
Taking over the quarterback duties this season is junior Austin Burgess (6-0, 175) who is looking to carry on the Sailor tradition of developing strong dual-threat quarterbacks.
“Austin is a good leader and has a calming presence,” Brown said. “When he plays free and is having fun out there it’s contagious. He has a good command of the offense. He can throw and run, and that dual-threat ability is a good asset to have on offense.”
Burgess will have a big-time receiver to throw the ball to in senior wide receiver Owen Burgess (6-1, 180), a returning all-state performer.
“Owen is a good route runner,” Brown said. “He also has real good hands. He had a good year for us last year and we’re looking for him to have another really good year.”
Behind Burgess are several receivers looking to step up this season who also give the team outstanding depth at the position.
Isaac Osterhaven, South Christian running back. (Greg Chrapek/WKTV Contributor)
Depth also is a strong point at running back where a trio of ball carriers are in the mix for carries this season. Juniors Isaac Osterhaven (6-0, 195) and Jesse Van De Griend (5-9, 150) and sophomore Kyle Naklizki (5-9, 185) give the Sailors plenty of options.
“This is a year where we are really deep at running back,” Brown said. “We have three guys that can run well. The backfield will be a shared responsibility. It’s going to be nice to spread the ball around and ride these guys.”
South also is deep along the offensive front where several veterans are also back to anchor the line.
Returning at left tackle is junior Jackson Rynalda (6-3, 210), who started last season. Back at right guard is junior Greyson Hunderman (6-0, 205) while senior right tackle Carson Joldersma (6-6, 250) also started some games a year ago.
Rounding out the offensive line is senior left guard Grant Jansen (6-1, 175), who earned some starts last year along with junior center Joseph Gritter (6-0, 195).
“We’re excited about our offensive line group,” Brown said. “They have quite a bit of varsity experience and have played in some big games.”
A key for the Sailors on the offensive side of the ball is establishing the ground game.
“For us the big thing is establishing the running game,” Brown said. “Running the ball will be important for us to create success and to set up the pass.”
On the defensive side the Sailors also return plenty of experience.
Ben Buiter, South Christian defensive line. (Greg Chrapek/WKTV Contributor)
Up front, senior Ben Buiter (6-2, 205) is a returning starter that’ll help anchor the defensive line.
Junior defensive lineman Nathan Potter (6-3, 250) also is a returning starter and will make the Sailors tough to run against.
Junior defensive end Gavin Bouma (6-3, 190) also is back after playing in every game a year ago.
“We are going to count on good years from those three guys,” Brown said.
At linebacker, the Sailors return senior Kasjen VanSolkema (5-11, 182) and senior Caleb Wieneke (6-3, 205). Wieneke was a starter last fall and is moving to inside linebacker this season.
Senior Noah Klump (6-0, 155), who started at safety last year, will play a hybrid safety/linebacker position this season.
Noah Klump, South Christian safety/linebacker. (Greg Chrapek/WKTV Contributor)
In the secondary, the Sailors return a pair of starters in junior Mark DeJong (6-1, 175) and Owen Burgess. Sophomore Brody Shilts (6-1, 170) is a returning starter who has a year of experience to draw on. Fellow sophomore Ben Jackson (6-0, 175) was moved up to the varsity for the playoffs last season and also will see playing time in the secondary.
“Defensively we’ve had a scheme change that we have been working on in the offseason,” Brown said. “The kids have taken well to it. The nice thing about this defense is that we have some guys who played meaningful minutes last season and we have some guys ready to step in and provide depth. I’m excited about our defense this season.”
Owen Burgess, South Christian secondary. (Greg Chrapek/WKTV Contributor)
As usual, the Sailors face a rugged schedule not only in the conference, but out of the conference. South Christian opens at Grand Rapids Christian on Friday in the WKTV Game of the Week and then takes on East Grand Rapids in Week 2.
The conference schedule again includes defending Division 3 state champion Zeeland West along with playoff teams like Forest Hills Central, Unity Christian and Zeeland East. The Sailors close out the regular season against Grand Rapids Catholic Central.
“It’s a tough league,” Brown said. “There are a lot of really good football teams in the OK Gold. There are teams that have had a ton of success and a ton of playoff success. It is definitely in my opinion one of the toughest conferences around.”
The Kentwood Police Department responded to a fatal single motor vehicle traffic crash that occurred at 2:42 a.m. Tuesday at 44th St. SE and Kalamazoo Ave. SE.
The vehicle was traveling on 44th St. when it exited the roadway and crashed into a metal support pole. The driver was the only occupant of the vehicle and he was pronounced dead at the scene.
It is unknown if alcohol or drugs were factors. The investigation is ongoing.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Kentwood Police Department Traffic Unit at 616-656-6560. Anonymous tips can be submitted through Silent Observer at 616-774-2345 or SilentObserver.org.
Whether you’re shopping for elementary-school kiddos or college-bound young adults, Woodland Mall is your one-stop destination for students of all ages.
“Having the right clothes, accessories and supplies can go a long way for boosting students’ confidence and comfort heading into a new school year,” Senior Marketing Director Lisa Wolstromer said. “For the 2025 back-to-school season, we’re seeing interest in both fashion and function. Popular items include updated denim styles, athleisure wear, sneakers, beauty, skincare products and tech essentials.
“With retailers offering everything you need and great food and beverage options to enjoy along the way, you can make a fun day out of back-to-school shopping at Woodland Mall.”
Enjoy a smoother experience prepping for school with Woodland Mall’s shopping guide:
Step into the school year with footwear from Aldo, Kids Foot Locker, Snipes, Vans and Zumiez:
Get fresh kicks for the first day, from Nike Air Force 1s to classic Vans slip-ons.
With trendy sneakers, athletic shoes and backpacks, grab exclusive styles perfect for gym class, after-school sports and campus walks.
Zumiez. (Photo, Courtesy Woodland Mall)
Shop style staples at Aerie, American Eagle, H&M, Hollister and Urban Outfitters:
Find outfit essentials for tweens, teens and college students, such as graphic tees, denim, layering pieces and on-trend accessories.
An A+ campus fit should balance comfort and style.
Find fall layers and outerwear at Abercrombie & Fitch, American Eagle, H&M and The North Face:
Lightweight jackets, hoodies and seasonal layers are perfect for chilly mornings and classroom comfort.
Pick up a blazer and similar polished jacket for high school and college presentations.
Grab backpacks and school gear from Barnes and Noble, Claire’s, Journeys and Journeys Kidz:
Fun items and accessories like hair clips, lip glosses and locker decorations can personalize the school experience.
Stay organized with notebooks, planners and other school supplies, and stay hydrated with colorful drinkware you’ll take with you everywhere.
Journeys Kidz. (Photo, Courtesy Woodland Mall)
Stay connected with tech and study tools from the Apple Store and Cricket:
Look for student and educator discounts on MacBooks, iPads and more, and don’t forget must-have accessories like headphones, styluses and portable chargers.
Consider data plans for staying connected on the go.
Stock up on self-care and dorm essentials from Bath & Body Works, Lush, Macy’s, Sephora and Von Maur:
Get first-day ready with makeup, hair tools and skincare kits, along with body mists and aromatherapy to beat stress.
Feel put together with must-have beauty products and organizers for your locker or dorm room.
Charleys Philly Steaks and Mango Thai. (Photo, Courtesy Woodland Mall)
Fuel up while you shop – stop by Auntie Anne’s, The Cheesecake Factory, Mango Thai, Red Robin and Starbucks:
Take a study break or refuel during your shopping trip with a coffee, smoothie or snack.
Treat the kids (and yourself) to dinner and dessert for completing your back-to-school checklist!
