The community came out in support of the City of Kentwood’s collection of food stuffs for its Little Free Pantry. Donations are accepted at the Little Free Pantry year round. (Supplied/City of Kentwood)
This holiday season set aside some time and make the holidays brighter for your fellow community members in need. Kentwood’s annual holiday giving programs have returned and they are looking for a variety of donations.
The Kentwood Parks and Recreation has partnered with Home Instead Senior Care for the “Be a Santa to a Senior” program. More 17 years, the program has provided gifts to low income seniors. To date, more than two million gifts have been given to about 750,000 seniors. To participate in this event, select a tag by calling 616-656-5270. Next, purchase the item(s) listed on the tag, wrap the gift, tape the tag to the outside, and return it to the Kentwood Activities Center, 355 48th St. SE, by Dec. 16. For more information visit beasantatoasenior.com.
The Kentwood Parks and Recreation is also hosting the Holiday Hat and Mitten Tree. For this event, the department is asking residents for new and gently used hats, scarves, mittens, coats, boots, snow pants, socks, and blankets. These items will be donated to local schools and nearby community organizations that need support this winter. Donations will be accepted until Dec. 16 and can be dropped off at the Kentwood Activities Center, 355 48th St. SE, during business hours.
The Kentwood Parks and Recreation is also accepting donations for Kentwood’s Little Free Pantry. Donations are accepted year-round and with so many impacted by the COVID pandemic, the need is even greater this year. Canned goods, non-perishable food, personal care items are just some of the suggested donations. A complete list is available at kentwood.us/littlefreepantry.
At the pantry, those in need are invited to take anything they need with no application, and no questions asked. Donations for the pantry can be dropped off at the Kentwood Activities Center, 355 48th St. SE, during normal business hours. For more information, or to become collection bin location, visit kentwood.us/littlefreepantry.
Live everybody else in Kent County, the Kent County Board of Commissioners like to eat and like to support local businesses when they can. So the commissioners have issued the “Kent County Takeout Challenge” urging residents to support locally-owned Kent County restaurants hit hard by the pandemic.
The social media campaign encourages people to order takeout and publicly challenge three friends to do the same by tagging them on social media, according to a Dec. 4 statement from the county.
The campaign will run through the end of the year and is using the hashtag #KCTakeoutChallenge.
Board Chair Mandy Bolter kicked off the campaign this week at Noto’s Old World Italian Dining where she “nominated” — publicly challenged — fellow Board of Commission members and residents to take up the challenge.
“This campaign supports local businesses, workers and families,” Bolter said in supplied material. “Local restaurants are part of the fabric of communities all across Kent County, and thousands of our neighbors rely on them for their livelihoods. But they have been particularly hard hit by the pandemic. We want our local restaurants and their employees to emerge strong when this crisis is over.”
Restaurants, which were operating at 50 percent capacity since the spring 2020 ban on indoor dining was lifted, were again forced to move to takeout and delivery only when new Michigan Department of Health and Human Services orders took effect on Nov. 16.
According to the county statement, some local establishments fear the latest restrictions could force them to close permanently.
The campaign aims to help retain these businesses and the jobs they create. According to Local First, nearly 70 percent of every dollar spent at local businesses stays in the local economy through wages, local taxes, the local supply chain and more.
In an afternoon virtual press conference today, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and the Michigan COVID-19 Task Force on Racial Disparities, chaired by Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II, released an interim report detailing the “significant progress Michigan has made in protecting communities of color from the spread of COVID-19,” according to a statement from the governor’s office.
“From the beginning, our administration has listened to medical experts and taken a fact-based approach to eliminating COVID-19 in our most vulnerable communities, and we have seen significant progress,” Gov. Whitmer said at the Dec. 3 press conference and in supplied material.
“Lieutenant Governor Gilchrist and the leaders on the Task Force have been crucial in helping us dramatically reduce the number of cases, hospitalizations, and deaths in communities of color by expanding testing and providing crucial support to community organizations.”
The statement points out that while cases and hospitalizations are still rising statewide, the percentages of cases among persons of color has declined as the year has progressed.
“Today’s report shows that significant progress has been made toward our goal to reduce these disparities over the past six months,” Lt. Gov. Gilchrist said. “But as cases continue to rise, we need to recognize that our work is not done because each of us have a role to play to make sure that we defeat this virus.”
The Task Force’s interim report details a number of actions the state has taken to protect communities of color — as well as frontline workers, small businesses and the general population — from the spread of COVID-19.
As of Nov. 16, more than 24,000 tests have been administered in previously underserved communities across 21 Neighborhood Testing sites, according to the statement. From March and April, to September and October, the average cases per million per day for African American Michiganders dropped from 176 to 59. In the same period, the number of probable deaths per million per day among African American Michiganders dropped “significantly,” from 21.7 to 1.
“It’s clear that the work of this task force … has made significant progress in protecting families, frontline workers, and small businesses in communities of color,” Celeste Sanchez Lloyd, Task Force member and community program manager for Strong Beginnings at Spectrum Health in Grand Rapids, said in supplied material.
For more information about the Task Force, visit here.
Members of the local business community visited the Family Network of Wyoming this summer as part of a Wyoming/Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce’s Team Up Tuesday community event. (WKTV)
After an announcement this week by Governor Gretchen Whitmer that the Michigan Strategic Fund had approved a $10 million grant program to provide up to $15,000 grants to small businesses “disproportionately” impacted the COVID-19 virus, a local business leader urged applications.
In an email today, Dec. 2, the Wyoming-Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce and its president/CEO Bob O’Callaghan urged small businesses to apply for the grants. And the WKACC detailed the types of businesses who can apply and what the grants can be used for.
“Grant funds will assist eligible small businesses directly impacted by COVID-19 meet urgent working capital needs including payroll expenses, rent or mortgage payments, and utility expenses,” according to the WKACC statement, which went on to detail “eligible” businesses.
The grants are meant for restaurants, bars and other food and beverage service providers; travel and tourism destinations including lodging providers; live event venues and movie theaters; conference and meeting facilities; ice skating rinks, indoor water parks and bowling centers; and gyms and fitness centers.
In the state’s earlier announcement, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation said the Pure Michigan Small Business Relief Initiative will utilize federal CARES Act funding to award the grants.
“As we continue to take necessary precautions to slow the spread of COVID-19, many of Michigan’s small businesses are experiencing additional strain, particularly now during the holiday season and heading into winter,” Gov. Whitmer said at the time of the state announcement. “We are fully committed to supporting our small businesses and their employees across the state as they navigate and persevere through this pandemic. By putting this federal funding to work, we can provide immediate assistance to those businesses hardest-hit by the pandemic.”
Businesses can apply for the grants starting Dec. 15, and grants will be awarded in amounts of up to $15,000 per eligible business on a “first-in” bases.
In addition to being one of the qualifying businesses, applicants must meet other eligibility criteria including being a for-profit entity (i.e., a sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation, or LLC), having a physical establishment in the state but not being a home-based business, and providing goods or services to multiple clients or customers.
Businesses must also have had annual gross revenues in 2019 greater than $25,000, have at least two employees, including the owner(s) but less than 50 employees, including full-time and part-time.
In addition, according to the state, “applicants will be required to self-certify that they are following all state and local orders related to COVID-19, including, but not limited to, those issued by DHHS and county health departments.”
For more information and, starting Dec. 15, businesses can apply for the grants at michiganbusiness.org/relief.
On the latest episode of WKTV Journal In Focus, we take another look at the City of Kentwood doing business, with and for businesses large and small, during the current pandemic and in the future.
First we talk in studio with Mayor Stephen Kepley about what the city is doing to help small businesses survive in these difficult economic times, and then about the City of Kentwood’s newly approved Master Plan, which will not only guide the city in future business development but also various community land use and land preservation issues.
Then, separately, we talk with two city planners and delve deeper into the scope and impact of Kentwood’s Master Plan update. Visiting us via Zoom is two City of Kentwood planning department leaders — community development director Terry Schweitzer and economic development planner Lisa Golder. The planners tell us what the Master Plan means for city businesses, land owners and citizens, now and in the near future.
WKTV Journal In Focus airs on cable television in the Wyoming and Kentwood areas on Comcast WKTV Channel 26 and on AT&T Channel 99 Government channel (For dates and times on Channel 26, see our Weekly On-air Schedule. For dates and times on Channel 99, visit here). All individual interviews included in episodes of WKTV Journal In Focus are also available on YouTube at WKTVvideos.
A big event at the Metro Cruise has been WKTV’s DreamWheels red carpet event. (WKTV)
By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma joanne@wktv.org
Sometimes it’s a pleasure to leave something in the rear view mirror — such as the entire year of 2020 — and at other times, it’s fun to peek back in that mirror to remember just how the good times roll.
This week, WKTV will be taking a look back at the iconic Metro Cruise, traditionally hosted in late August. Like many events, the Metro Cruise had to be cancelled this year as the community — as well as the nation and the world — battled COVID-19. Disappointing is it was, the decision was made to keep residents and visitors safe, according to Wyoming Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce Bob O’Callaghan, whose organization hosts the annual event that centers around Rogers Plaza.
So for 2020, WKTV put together a special celebration of the annual event in its DreamWheels production set to air Wednesday, Dec. 2, at 8 p.m. and again Saturday, Dec. 5, at 7:30 p.m. on Comcast Channel 25 and AT&T U-Verse Channel 99. Residents can also see the broadcast on the WKTV.org website.
Getting an unclose look at classic cars has been a key part of the annual Metro Cruise. (Courtesy Bruce Carlson)
The program takes a tour of the Gilmore Car Museum as hosts Kim Carson and Greg Yoder reminisce about some of the major events that have taken place at the cruise. Started in 2005 to help drive business to the 28th Street corridor when the M-6 highway system opened, the Metro Cruise has become a well-known and well-loved West Michigan premiere car event. The event typically draws more than 275,000 people annually from across the United States and includes approximately 15,000 vehicles such as hot rods, low riders, muscle cars, performance cars, classics, antiques and motorcycles, in addition to numerous live events.
Many of these cars were featured on the DreamWheels red carpet event, hosted by WKTV. Some of the cars will be featured in the special such as the Lingenfelter, Auburn Boattail, and Chrysler Woody. Also included is a trip down the 2007 Metro Million and a look at the 2006 Lowrider competition.
The backdrop is the Gilmore Car Museum, a 90-acre historic campus located at 6865 Hickory Road, Hickory Corners (just north of Kalamazoo). Open year-round (except for Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day), the Museum has one the largest collections of classic cars providing visitors the opportunity to stroll through automotive history. Many of the buildings have been specifically design for a collection such as the art deco Cadillac dealership that features an array of classic Cadillacs. Residing at the Gilmore is one of the largest collections of Dusenbergs in the United States and during the summer months, there are many local car clubs hosting events for owners to showcase their vehicles. For more about the Gilmore Car Museum. visit gilmorecarmuseum.org.
Also, keep Aug. 20 and 21 open as Callaghan confirmed those will be the dates for the 2021 Metro Cruise, which planning already is underway. For more information on the 2021 Metro Cruise, visit 28thstreetmetrocruise.com.
The Gilmore Car Museum served as the backdrop to the 2020 DreamWheels production. (Supplied)
A guest selects some items from the Degage Christmas Store Express. The store will be open again this year with social distancing guidelines in place. (Supplied)
By Anna Johns WKTV Intern
The holiday season is expected to look different this year but Degage Ministries is not letting these hardships get in the way of Christmas. Degage Ministries annual Christmas Store Express has been going on for a number of years and this year will be no different, according to organizers.
The goal of the store is to help low-income and homeless residents of the Heartside neighborhood purchase holiday gifts for family and friends. They will be reselling household items, clothing, toys, and more to residents at reduced prices. The store will provide those in need an opportunity to feel dignity and value in not only choosing, but also paying for the gift items. Individuals who cannot afford the store have an opportunity to earn Degage dollars that they can use for shopping.
“This is a great way for people to bring the brightness of their lives to Christmas this year,” said Degage Ministries Event Coordinator Kristen Aidif.
Items sold at the store are donated by the community and Degage Ministries is currently looking for donations for the shop. This year, organizers have created an Amazon wishlist to make it easier for the community to help. Items can be purchased from the Amazon wishlist and will be sent directly to the ministry.
Another option is to purchase items listed on the wishlist and drop them off at any Center for Physical Rehabilitation location, which there is a location in the City of Wyoming at 1736 Gezon Pkwy., Suite 100, and near near the City of Kentwood at 7150 Kalamazoo Ave. SE, Suite B. These items should be dropped off unwrapped and donations must be received no later than Dec. 9.
The store will be open Dec. 16 and 17 at LaGrave Avenue Christian Reformed Church. They are also looking for community volunteers and those who are interested can find more information here.
At this year’s Christmas Store Express event, participants and volunteers will need to wear masks and social distance the required six feet. (Supplied)
From creative writing about apples to making music with ukuleles, area schools are offering innovative programming during the pandemic. Speaking of succeeding, if you were an essential worker from April 1 to June 30, you may qualify for the Future for Frontliners program. Scroll to the bottom for more information.
For more stories on local schools, visit the School News Network website, schoolnewsnetwork.org.
There wasn’t much recognizable about Symone Gray’s apple, Martin Van Buren, after he got hit by a car in the Big Apple (School News Network)
Wyoming: Babysitting an apple
Ninth grade students at Wyoming High School get creative in their writing by telling the woes and tragedies of the apples they babysit. Want to get all the juicy sauce on this? Click here.
TEAM 21 Coordinator Ellen Veenkant tackled the change of coordinating the West Godwin Elementary’s drop-off and pick-up schedule (School News Network)
Godwin Heights: A real team player
With no parents allowed in its buildings due to COVID, West Godwin needed help coming up with a plan for pick up and drop off. TEAM 21 member Ellen Veenkant stepped up to the challenge, showing how much of a team player she is. For more, click here.
Kelloggsville music teacher Susan Iacovoni had to figure out a way to get her ukuleles to her students when COVID-19 restrictions meant they couldn’t come to the music room (Dianne Carroll Burdick)
Kelloggsville: Have cart, will travel
Some 140 years after the ukulele was introduced to Hawaii, in Kelloggsville schools, music teacher Susan Iacovoni is introducing her students to the “jumping flea” and watching with glee as their fingers make music, albeit haltingly at first. To learn more about the musical fun, click here.
Brookwood Elementary School Principal Lorenzo Bradshaw is the recipient of the 2020 NAACP Role Model Education Award
Kentwood: Prinicpal earns role model award from NAACP
This past October Kentwood’s Brookwood Elementary School Principal Lorenzo Bradshaw was virtually honored as the 2020 NAACP Role Model Education Award from the local Grand Rapids chapter of the association. Learn why Bradshaw tried to decline the honor and what he finds most rewarding about being in education by clicking here.
Adults attend a Kent ISD GED class (courtesy)
All Districts: Essential workers get high school diplomas thanks to state program
If you served as an essential employee between April 1 to June 30, you may qualify for Futures for Frontliners program. Through the program, eligible participants can earn a GED and/or job training or study at a community college such as Grand Rapids Community College. To be eligible, you must have worked at least 11 of the 13 weeks from April 1 to June 30. For more about the program, click here.
The year of 2020 has been less than stellar which maybe why many residents have turned to the holiday season for a little cheer with Christmas music and decorations.
Even the holiday shopping seems to have started a little earlier this year.
“I think people just needed something that was a little brighter right now,” said Woodland Mall Marketing Director Cecily McCabe. “With so many things that had to be cancelled or be put on hold, it was great that we were able to offer some of the holiday traditions people look forward to.”
One of those has been visits with Santa. The visits are a little different this year with families required to make a reservation. Children are not able to sit on Santa’s lap and a clear plexiglass window separates Santa from guests but he is still accepting Christmas wishes and there are opportunities for photos.
McCabe said the mall also expects to be able to accommodate all of those Black Friday shoppers.
“We are expecting brisk traffic throughout the event,” she said. Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, traditionally kicks off the holiday shopping season. The shopping season is shorter this year, three weeks instead of around four, but shoppers have been out scooping up early deals. In fact, many of the stores have extended their Black Friday deals to start either before Thanksgiving or run through Saturday or Sunday. In years past, Black Friday deals end in the afternoon on Friday.
Also some of the stores are allowing shoppers to purchase doorbuster items online as well, McCabe said. By allowing holiday shoppers to do this, it is hoped it will help with the capacity limitations that were put on the stores from the recent Michigan Department of Health and Human Services partial shutdown order. In that order, it states that retail businesses may have up to 30 percent capacity and must provide line control for those wishing to enter a store.
“The stores all have different capacities because those are determine by a different formula,” McCabe said. “In our common areas we will be able to accommodate our Black Friday customers.”
For those looking to avoid crowds, several of the stores are offering personal styling seasons, where a person can book a time either before or after the store closes and sometimes during regular store hours, to come in and meet with a personal shopper.
While children will not be able to sit on Santa’s lap this year, he is still collecting Christmas wishes at Woodland Mall. (Supplied/Woodland Mall)
Woodland Mall also recently announced an online and hybrid shopping opportunities through its website.
The mall’s online sMall surprises Holiday Collection features three different gift packages. Through the Mall2Go program, guests can order from several of the mall stores and either pick up at the store or at designed curbside locations. There are both stores and restaurants participating in the Mall2Go program.
McCabe noted that the recent order does not allow dine-in at any restaurant but that restaurants at Woodland Mall, like many others, are offering take out.
For those wishing or planning to visit the mall in-person, McCabe had a few suggestions: if possible, shop early; if you are looking to avoid the crowds, come either Wednesday, Saturday or Sunday, because “while the traffic will be brisk the mall won’t be as jammed”; and to take advantage of the curbside delivery.
The mall will have extended holiday hours over the weekend, Friday 7 a.m. – 9 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.; Sunday, noon – 6 p.m. Hours through the holidays will be 10 a.m. – 9 p.m. Monday – Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday with Dec. 20 hours being 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
The Candied Yam is one of three restaurants give a portion of its Tuesday sales to the Chamber Foundation scholarship program. (WKTV)
As like many others, COVID-19 has impacted the Wyoming Kentwood Chamber Foundation’s ability to fundraise for its Foundation Scholarship Program.
Every year, the Wyoming Kentwood Chamber Foundation awards five scholarships to graduating high school seniors from the five school districts in Wyoming and Kentwood. Those schools are Kentwood, Wyoming, Godwin Heights, Kelloggsville, and Godfrey-Lee.
Due to COVID, the Foundation has had to cancel two of its fundraisers.
To help raise funds for the scholarships, the Wyoming Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce has partnered with three of its member restaurants, The Candied Yam, 2305 44th St. SE; Delta Hotels Grand Rapids Airport, 3333 28th St. SE; and YoChef’s Catering Co. & Cafe, 34 44th St. SW. Each of the restaurants will donate 15% of its non-alcoholic receipts to the Foundation.
Chamber President and CEO Bob O’Callaghan said the partnership is a way residents can support the scholarships and local restaurants. Even in the current semi-shutdown issued by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, all three are open and offer take out or curbside.
To participate, make sure to use the word “scholarship” when ordering.
O’Callaghan said that hopes all those who do participate in the fundraiser will thank the restaurants for helping.
For more information about Chamber events or activities, visit southkent.org.
Most Kent County offices and COVID-19 testing sites will be closed on Thursday, Nov. 26, and Friday, Nov. 27. in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday. All offices will reopen Monday, Nov. 30. at 8 a.m.
A few service exemptions are:
The Kent County Correctional Facility will remain open with regular hours; however, all other services will be closed.
All Department of Public Works services will be closed Thursday, Nov. 26 but disposal facilities will be open Friday, Nov. 27.
The NxGen LINC Up site has openings for COVID-19 testing starting Monday, Nov. 30, and Baxter Holistic Center has openings starting Tuesday, Dec. 1. More COVID-19 testing locations can be found at www.accesskent.com/covid-testing.
For more information on how to access Kent County departments and offices, visit www.accesskent.com.
Thanksgiving day is just around the corner and the Kent County Health Departments’ new campaign urges families to stay home this holiday season.
The “I love you so” campaign will run on local TV and radio stations, cable networks, print and digital platforms, including local minority-owned outlets, through the end of the year. The campaign is built on the message “I love you SO I’m staying home,” Though this is a tough message they urge residents to make their health and the health of the families the top priority this holiday season.
Thanksgiving will look a bit different this year, instead of gathering in person, the Kent County Health Department suggests that gatherings take place virtually. As shown in their campaign, families can meet virtually as they share their Thanksgiving meals virtually allowing for a safe holiday.
Though it may be difficult to not see loved ones during the holiday season, it is also important to protect them from the spread of the coronavirus, according to Kent County Health officials and Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, who spoke during a press conference on Nov. 19. Currently, Kent County is seeing more than 500 new coronavirus cases each day, the Kent County Health Department reported. Over the past eight weeks, there have been ten times as many cases and local positivity rates are at the highest they have ever been since the start of the pandemic.
“This really is a ‘tough love’ message for our community,” said Kent County Health Department director, Dr. Adam London. “We all want to get together to celebrate with family and friends, but those gatherings are the perfect places for the virus to spread.
“We are asking everyone to make their own health and the health of their loved ones their top priorities this holiday season.”
The “I love you so” campaign is in partnership with Spectrum Health, Mercy Health Saint Mary’s, and Metro Health. As cases continue to rise there has been tremendous stress on hospitals and health care providers.
“This is a difficult moment,” said Josh Leffingwell, partner at Well Design Studio, the agency that led the creative development of the campaign. “There is so much emotion tied to telling someone you love that you’re not going to join them for a holiday celebration. We wanted to give people the language to use with their friends and family. It’s a simple message: ‘I love you so much that I’m willing to miss our holiday gathering to help keep us all safe.’”
The $250,000 public education campaign, funded with CARES Act dollars, launches with Thanksgiving-themed ads across all media this week. The new ads will launch before the December holidays and will run through the end of the year.
Despite COVID-19 restrictions on fans in the stands, WKTV’s sports coverage crew was busy this fall, as our high school football Featured Game crew was all over Wyoming and Kentwood to cover local football teams.
And as every year, high school sports fans can get their Turkey Day high school football fix this year as we broadcast 15 hours of games on our cable Channel 25.
The special starts at 9 a.m., highlights the best of our high school football games from the season. The schedule of games (with link to the games on WKTV’s On-Demand video internet channel, at WKTVLive.org ) is as follows:
6:30 p.m. — Catholic Central at South Christian. On-Demand
8:40 p.m. — MHSAA Playoff Hamilton at Godwin. On-Demand
10:35 p.m. — MHSAA Playoff Hamilton at South Christian. On-Demand
With our Thanksgiving Day football fest, WKTV’s fall sports season comes to an end, but we are already planning on winter coverage of basketball and more.
WKTV broadcasts on Wyoming and Kentwood cable channels. On Comcast cable, Channel 25 is the Community Channel, where sports events and other community events are shown; Channel 26 is the Government Channel, where local government meetings and events are shown. On AT&T cable throughout the Grand Rapids area, viewers go to Channel 99, and then are give the choice to watch Wyoming (or Kentwood) Community (Channel 25) or Government (Channel 26).
Kent County announced this week the first round of grants to non-profits as part of the new Community Violence Prevention Grant Program, with seven nonprofits awarded grants ranging from $15,000 to $150,000.
Two groups, Bethany Christian Services and the YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids, have local operations in the cities of Wyoming and Kentwood.
The Kent County Board of Commissioners previously allocated $500,000 of CARES Act funding to the Community Violence Prevention program “to help stem the increasing rate of violence occurring during the COVID-19 pandemic,” according to a Nov. 18 statement from Kent County.
The grants support local 501(c)(3) organizations “that work to prevent violent behaviors from occurring, stop the progression of violence and rehabilitate individuals with established violent behavior,” according to the statement.
“Keeping our residents and communities safe is a top priority for the Kent County Board of Commissioners,” Commission chair Mandy Bolter said in supplied material. “We are proud to make these resources available to community organizations who are working tirelessly to develop innovative solutions that make our neighborhoods safer.”
As listed in the grant application, some of the strategies possibly used by the groups receiving grants include:
Reducing the availability and misuse of alcohol, marijuana, and other substances;
Reducing access to lethal weapons like guns and knives;
Changing cultural norms that support violence;
Rehabilitating individuals with a history of violent behavior;
Providing mentors, counselors, or other similar support for youth;
Providing alternative activities during the day and at night for youth that keep them engaged and involved, thus combatting idleness and lack of direction;
And, education and support of anti-gang measures.
Local group initial plans
Bethany Christian Services of Michigan has locations in both Wyoming and Kentwood, and, according to their application, will use the grant for a wide range of initiatives, including its “Silence the Violence Project”, which “using virtual reality, local youth partner with software developers to create simulated experiences designed to show youth ages 10-17 how to combat violence in their lives and communities.”
Bethany Christian Services’ project is an existing initiative of NAACP, it is estimated that 125-150 youth will engage in these simulations, and while the grant funds will be used this year, the program will continue throughout 2020 and 2021.
YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids’s Spartan Nash YMCA is located in Wyoming. According to its grant application, it will use the grant to engage in teen violence prevention by “providing alternative choices and activities” during out-of-school time.
“The goal for our programs is to keep teens engaged and involved in community, thus combatting lack of direction or idleness. The Y has staff who are trained in trauma-informed care who can confidently facilitate conversations about gun violence issues as well as strong partnerships with mental health providers like Arbor Circle and Mental Health Foundation to provide group-based mental health support. This work is becoming increasingly important during the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Local United Way partners with county on grants
Kent County contracted with Heart of West Michigan United Way — which already has extensive relationships with local non-profits — to review funding applications and administer the grants.
Other non-profits to receive grants as part of the first round of awards include the Boys & Girls Club of Grand Rapids Youth Commonwealth, Inc.; Edge Urban Fellowship; Grand Rapids Urban League; New City Kids, Inc.; and Muse Ed (Mus(ed)).
“The agencies receiving funds have established track records in transforming our community,” Michelle Van Dyke, president & CEO of Heart of West Michigan United Way, said in supplies material. “They serve as leaders in preventing violence, facilitators of diversion efforts and mentors for local youth. Together, we will educate and support Kent County residents to ensure the place we call home becomes safer and stronger than ever before.”
For more information on the grants and application process, visit hwmuw.org.
The Kent County Board of Canvassers announced it has certified the Kent County results of the Nov. 3, 2020 General Election.
“The work that the canvassers do is critically important as it’s the final checks-and-balances in our process,” said Kent County Clerk Lisa Poshumus-Lyons. “I want to commend our Board of Canvassers for their diligent work and dedication to reaffirming that Kent County’s election was secure, accurate, and transparent.”
Lisa Posthumus-Lyons
The Board of Canvassers convened on Thursday, Nov.5, meeting each weekday, open to the public, until completing the canvass Tuesday, Nov. 17. The law requires the canvass to be completed no later than two weeks after each Election Day. The official county canvass documents will be delivered Wednesday to the state Bureau of Elections for inclusion in the statewide canvass. With the canvass concluded, candidates have until Monday, Nov. 23, to request a county-level recount.
Now that the canvass is completed, and after statewide certification, the County Clerk’s office will conduct the legally required post-election audits in randomly-selected precincts to perform a number of additional measures to verify that the election was administered correctly and that results were accurate. Among those additional steps is the conduct of manual hand-recounts of the ballots in two contested races
“Michigan’s process of conducting elections is deliberative and extensive. Counting every legal vote accurately is our number one priority, and we spend a month after every election to ensure that Kent County elections are secure, transparent, and fair,” Lyons said.
Before the latest Michigan High School Sports Association (MHSAA) action to suspend, but maybe not cancel, the state’s remaining high school sports championship schedule, East Kentwood High School’s girls swim coach thought her team had overcome all the COVID-19 turbulence this season.
And WKTV talked to Falcons head coach Monika Steffens via zoom last week about her team’s season as they prepared to send the relay team to the State Finals this week.
Coach Steffens — or as her team calls her, Coach Mo — told WKTV that the team’s season had been incredible through a difficult time, that her girls set personal best times in almost all of their races at the OK Conference tournament and, on top of that, sophomore standout Kalin Wiltrout broke a 22 year old team record for 100 freestyle.
“We were unsure when we would even practice and everyday these girls showed up, took everything we threw at them, and they still got around to swimming very fast,” Steffens said in the video interview.
Then came news over the weekend of the latest restrictions from the State of Michigan and the MHSAA, including suspension of the high school state swim meet as well as the volleyball and football tournaments.
“We had been warning the girls that this was a possibility for the past few weeks, but it still does not make facing the decision any easier,” Steffens said today, Nov. 16, to WKTV. “I am grateful that we were able to get through our conference meet and were given the chance to race hard throughout the past few months.
“Pushing back, or even cancelling, this season’s state meet does not take away from the hard work these ladies put in. Qualifying to compete is already a tremendous accomplishment. Putting the chance to beat a couple more team records on hold is hard to accept, but I know we will be back here again next season and I know we will do our best to race hard again when we are given the chance.”
WKTV’s local sports coverage is available at wktvjournal.com/sports. WKTV Journal Sports Connection is also available on-demand, along with WKTV coverage of highs school athletic events and other sports, at WKTVlive.com. Individual interviews included in episodes of WKTV Journal Sports Connection are also usually available on YouTube at WKTVvideos.
Woodland Mall announced this week that “to keep West Michigan safe without sacrificing the holiday spirit,” the Kentwood area shopping mall will offer a variety of options for a “Holiday Your Way” experience that allows the community to partake in the season’s traditions however they feel most comfortable.
Accommodating preferences for visiting the mall in person, virtually, or a combination, Woodland Mall will continue hosting annual events such as photos with Santa and Black Friday shopping. But in-person shopping will come with enhanced safety options to prevent the spread of COVID-19, as well as limited-contact shopping options have been extended and expanded throughout the season.
“There’s no doubt holiday traditions and shopping will look different this year, but we are working to create safe and fun options for our community,” Cecily McCabe, Woodland Mall marketing director, said supplied material. “We don’t want anyone to miss out on the magical experience this season, so Woodland Mall is providing opportunities for everyone to partake in person, virtually or with greater physical distance from others.”
Photos with Santa, other holiday options available
Santa has returned to Woodland Mall’s Arctic Forest and will be present through Dec. 24 “to listen to every child’s Christmas wish and/or, new this year, read them a book,” according to the announcement. And while Santa will not be giving hugs or high-fives this year, children of all ages are invited to sit on a bench next to him to ensure everyone can stay healthy “and Santa can safely deliver presents on Christmas Eve.”
While photos with Santa will be available, Children, families and all Santa’s helpers will be required to wear face coverings that can be removed briefly for photos.
Also, families choosing to stay home can also video conference with Santa this year.
“Fur babies” — family pets — are again welcome to visit with Santa this year on Mondays through Dec. 15. All sorts of pets are able to meet Santa, as in the past he has met West Michigan cats, chickens and even goats. All pets may join as long as they are kept on a leash or in a crate at all times.
Tuesday nights from Nov. 24 to Dec. 8 will feature a special character meet-and-greet with superheroes, princesses and other surprise friends. The themed photo opportunities will be offered from 5-7 p.m. and include a gift with every photo purchase.
To eliminate crowds and lines, appointments must be made prior to meeting with Santa for all those visiting whether in person or virtually. Appointments can be made online at shopwoodlandmall.com.
Shopping Black Friday and more
Woodland will be closed on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, Nov. 26, to allow retail employees to enjoy the holiday with their family. But the mall will reopen at 7 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 27, with increased safety protocols, including enhanced cleaning with products recommended by the CDC.
To complement Black Friday shopping, the mall will host 12 Days of Deals Dec. 1-12 via Facebook events. The events will showcase exclusive and limited offerings from retailers throughout the mall. Those following the virtual events will be notified of these deals each day.
Woodland Mall will additionally continue offering limited-contact options and services throughout the season. For those who prefer shopping in person but are wary of the holiday crowds, several stores, including Von Maur, J. Crew and the newly opened White House Black Market, will offer times with personal stylists after hours. TempurPedic will also offer individual appointments after hours.
Retailers participating in the mall’s Mall2Go: Contact-Free Pickup program will provide pickup and delivery options for those choosing not to enter the mall.
Gifts wrapped for a good cause
The mall will also offer gift wrapping in the Von Maur wing, as Woodland Mall has partnered with several nonprofit organizations to provide this free service for gifts large and small in exchange for a cash donation. (Charities wishing to participate may register online.)
“Supporting our local economy has become particularly important throughout the pandemic,” McCabe said in supplied material. “Holiday Your Way has made it easy for people to choose how they shop at Woodland Mall and we are doing everything we can to make it easy for people to stay safe.”
The mall will also offer extended hours this holiday season, but also urge shoppers to “skip the crowds, shop Monday through Thursday when traffic is at a lighter pace.”
Kentwood Public Schools Superintendent Michael Zoerhoff has announced that at the end of this school year he will retire after 33 years as a teacher, coach, principal and district administrator — working with students all along. (Supplied/Kentwood Pubic Schools)
Kentwood Public Schools announced this week that after 33 years of service in the district Superintendent Michael Zoerhoff plans to retire on June 30, 2021, at the conclusion of the 2020-21 school year.
In the Nov. 12 announcement, Zoerhoff offered appreciation to the KPS Board of Education, the Kentwood community, district staff, and, of course, all the students he has worked with and for over the years.
Superintendent Michael Zoerhoff, Kentwood Public schools. (Supplied/KPS)
“It has been an honor and privilege to serve this community over the past thirty three years,” Superintendent Zoerhoff said in supplied material. “It is with a sense of sadness but also deep gratitude that I retire from this wonderful profession.”
In an industry where leaders frequently change school districts, Zoerhoff spent his entire 33-year career in Kentwood Public Schools, serving as a teacher, coach, principal, assistant principal, assistant superintendent and finally as superintendent, according to the announcement.
“When I began my career in 1988, I was proud to be a Kentwood Public Schools teacher,” he said. “Even at the end of my career, that pride of teaching still remains. I am proud to be a Kentwood educator and I am proud to work with such a talented and dedicated staff.”
Board, community support has been consistent
“In an uncertain time, Mr. Zoerhoff has brought stable leadership to our community and our school system,” Mimi Madden, president of the Kentwood Public Schools Board of Education, said in supplied material. “His consistent drive over the years to help all students receive an education of excellence has been a guiding light for students, parents, teachers and staff members.”
Zoerhoff, however, credited district success to students, staff and parents “working together for excellence,” especially in community support to pass bonds and millages, which improved the facilities and increased safety.
“Our community understands the link between quality schools and safe and stable neighborhoods,” Zoerhoff said. “This community values both quality facilities and the hard work of our teachers and staff members.”
In addition to accepting Zoerhoff’s retirement announcement, the Board of Education will establish a superintendent search process.
“Listening and being responsive to our Kentwood community, both internal and external, has always been important,” Madden said. “This will continue during the Superintendent search process. In the coming month, we will establish a direction that maintains this tradition and identifies our next steps.”
Although Zoerhoff will be retiring as superintendent, his two children will continue to attend Kentwood Public Schools and his family plans to remain within the Kentwood community.
“I am confident that Kentwood Public Schools will continue to excel,” he said. “We are a thriving global community, a vibrant example of different perspectives and traditions growing and excelling together. Kentwood Public Schools has a very bright future.”
On Nov. 19, residents in the cities of Grand Rapids, Kentwood, and Wyoming will be able to participate in a free virtual lecture and question-and-answer session on small-scale development strategies for the Division Avenue corridor.
The event, which is from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m, will feature Monte Anderson, the CEO/president of Options Real Estate Investments, Inc, and founding member of the IncDev Alliance.
The IncDev Alliance works to help residents and stakeholders strengthen their neighborhoods through small-scale development projects. Small-scale development projects include duplexes, pocket neighborhoods, and live-work arrangements.
This event is another component of the Division United project, which identifies and will recommend transportation and development improvements that benefit South Division Avenue neighbors, businesses and stakeholders. The project’s primary goal is to ensure future development along Division Avenue honors the vision and objectives of the residents and businesses along the corridor and protects the character of existing neighborhoods and business districts.
Anderson will share strategies for neighbors to influence and participate in development projects and success stories from other communities.
“The Division United project continues to focus on collaboration between our communities, and developing strategies to encourage development without displacement,” said Nick Monoyios, planning manager and Division United project manager at The Rapid. “Monte Anderson and the IncDev Alliance will provide great informational resources and experience from other communities that will help to empower residents and stakeholders.”
Going back to school is not the easiest path. There is, of course, the financial considerations, but if you have a full-time job and family, there are those obligations as well.
Aquinas College tries to offer a number of options for class times to make it convenient for working adults. (Supplied)
“It was tough, not gonna lie,” said Christine Lentine, senior director of Finance and Administration for Kids’ Food Basket, who recently attended and completed Aquinas College’s undergraduate CPA prep program. “I have a great husband who knows that this would require some extra work for him and balancing home life was good. Professionally, your regular job doesn’t stop when you have an exam. It was definitely a labor of love balance throughout the semester. And I did it.”
Another thing that made returning to the hallow halls easier was the 20% tuition discount offered by Aquinas College to members of the Wyoming Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce.
“Now is the day and age to take action” said Brenda Hennink, Aquinas’s director of Adult Student Recruitment. “There’s a sense of urgency to fill some of the talent gaps which have been heightened due to circumstances. The need to stand out has been increased.”
There’s always the hesitation of not having enough time to commit to schooling for full-time workers with personal lives outside of school, according to Hennink, adding that Aquinas tries to work within those personal schedules offering both daytime and evening courses to benefit busy day-time schedules with limited programs of study for evening courses.
The only requirements to participate in the tuition discount is that person must be at least 23 years of age and the company they work for is a member of the Wyoming Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce.
The only requirements for the Aquinas tuition program for WKACC members are the person must be at least 23 years of age and that work full-time or pastime for a business they work for is a member of the WKACC. There is no limit to how many members can use the discount and it can be used for a degree or non-degree.
Classes at Aquinas start every eight weeks so enrollment is when it is most convenient to the student, Hennink said, adding that the discount lasts for seven consecutive years or until a degree is received, whichever comes first.
Continued eduction provides an avenue for personal growth, according to Lentine, which is perhaps why several WKACC members, like Lentine, have taken advantage of this discount.
“It’s really important to not just fall into the status quo and not improve, to make sure we’re improving each day better than the day before,” Lentine said. “Especially at a nonprofit organization, our community is entrusting us with their donor dollars and staff time. And the work that we put into the community depends on the quality of our staff’s education. And so while it can be tough for short-term the long-term payoffs are going to be worthwhile for you as a professional as well as for the team you work with and your company.”
But is the discount worth it?
“Definitely,” Lentine said. “Any type of discount is really helpful. So it not only influenced my decision to go back to school but also to be at Aquinas as opposed to a larger online university for those classes.”
Area high school bands performing at a previous year’s Santa Parade. (WKTV)
The Wyoming Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce made the announcement today that the 2020 Santa Parade has been cancelled.
Chamber President and CEO Bob O’Callaghan said that after checking with the new COVID-19 infection numbers and the future projects, the chamber organizers decided to cancel its Reverse Santa Parade scheduled for Dec. 12. The parade would have had participants set up in spot with visitors driving through.
O’Callaghan said he would like to thank the community, local businesses and the community for its support.
The announcement came on the heels of the Grand Rapids Junior Chamber of Commerce or GR Jaycees announcing the cancelation of its Nov. 21 parade.
“Due to the Coronavirus pandemic, the safety of the participants and spectators, and the event restrictions put in place by the State of Michigan and its Department of Health and Human Services, the Grand Rapids Junior Chamber made the difficult decision to cancel the traditional Grand Rapids Santa Parade that was set to take place on Saturday, November 21st, 2020.” the Jaycees Parade Committee posted to the event’s Facebook page.
Know it our not, the plastic lids and cardboard sleeves of your on-the-go cup o’ joe have always been recyclable by Kent County Department of Public Works. But now, thanks to local retailers and a food packaging group, even the cups themselves can be kept out of the landfill.
Kent County announced this week that it had become one of a growing number of Michigan communities to add coated paper cups — both hot and cold beverage cups — to its recycling program, thanks to a partnership with the Foodservice Packaging Institute and the buy-in of local retailers and, hopefully, the public.
Until recently, the plastic lining that coats the rim and inside of the cups prevented Kent County Recycling & Education Center from accepting these materials because the material was not accepted by paper mills that purchase recycled material.
At a pubic event Tuesday, Nov. 10, one Grand Rapids coffee shop owner — Lori Slager-Wenzel of The Sparrows Coffee & Tea & Newsstand — detailed how the change fits in perfectly with her Earth-friendly business model, and maybe makes sense for other small shops as well.
“I don’t think it will be very difficult for businesses to get involved and switch to paper cups because it is not that much more affordable,” Slager-Wenzel said to WKTV. “We are excited because our compostable cups were never really making it to the compost. Most of them have to be in a high-heat compost … recyclable paper cups make it easier for our customers and for us.”
But the ability for Kent County Department of Public Works to now recycle those paper cups is not just for businesses recycling but at home recycling as well — residents are encouraged to empty and clean their paper coffee and soda cups, and place them in their recycling cart or drop them off at one of the county’s recycling centers.
Lauren Westerman, recourse recovery specialist with Kent County Pubic Works. (WKTV)
The county processes recyclables at its recycling sorting facility, the Recycling & Education Center in Grand Rapids. After sorting the various materials, the county sells them to companies that can make new products with recycled materials, according to supplied material. Recycled paper, including paper cups, goes to paper mills in the region and is made into new recycled-content products.
“None of the (recycling processing) machines at Kent County have changed, it is the downstream processors, there is a new technology that allows them to take the paper cups and separate the plastic fro the paper,” Lauren Westerman, recourse recovery specialist with Kent County Pubic Works, said to WKTV.
So now all three items in most coffee and beverage cup purchases — cups, lids and coffee cup sleeves — are recyclable, she said. But “all three do need to be separated.”
The paper cup recycling effort is just one part of Kent County’s commitment to reducing landfill waste by 90 percent by 2030, according to information supplied by the Department of Public Works.
Grants and industry advocacy
A key element in the county move to recycle lined per cups was a grant and work with end-user recyclers by the Foodservice Packaging Institute (FPI).
Ashley Elzinga, director of sustainability and outreach at the Foodservice Packaging Institute. (WKTV)
“We worked with Kent County, gave them a grant to separate the paper cups as part of their recycling,” Ashley Elzinga, director of sustainability and outreach at the Foodservice Packaging Institute, said to WKTV. “And we are able to sell that material to a re-processor now. … We have worked with the (paper) mills, the processors, to help unlock that market.”
As part of its community outreach effort, the county will also conduct a public education campaign thorough various social media and other communication programs. And the addition of paper cups to its recycling efforts continues an on-going campaign.
In 2019, Kent County received an education grant from FPI to promote recycling of take-out items, such as plastic cups, milk cartons and paper carryout bags already accepted in the county’s recycling program with new bilingual flyer design, trailer signs and drop-off center signage.
Then and now, a key element of the county’s public awareness campaign is the importance of recycling only clean and empty materials, “leftover food and liquids in any recyclable container create costly and unsanitary problems for recycling,” according to the county.
To learn more and see a list of all items accepted for recycling in Kent County, visit reimaginetrash.org.
The City of Kentwood announced Nov. 11 that it is inviting community members to share their feedback on a proposed update to its 5-year Community Park and Recreation Plan online or in person at an open house Monday, Nov. 16.
Residents may review and provide their thoughts on the Community Park and Recreation Plan between 5:15 and 7 p.m. in the Community Room at the Kent District Library – Kentwood (Richard L. Root) Branch, 4950 Breton Ave. SE.
The start of a City of Kentwood disc golf event, from 2019. (Supplied/City of Kentwood)
According to the city announcement, a community park and recreation plan is required by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources to be grant eligible. The update builds on previous parks master planning and engagement efforts to align with the community’s needs. It creates an inventory of existing facilities and resources, identifies community recreation and open space needs and sets an action plan for the next five years.
“An approved plan will allow us to seek state and federal grant funding that will help us make improvements we have identified and prioritized in partnership with our community over the past few years,” Val Romeo, Kentwood parks and recreation director, said in supplied material. “Additional public input on this plan brings us a step closer to accessing funding to make necessary enhancements to our parks, trails, recreational programming and facilities as our community grows.”
Community members who attend the open house are asked to follow COVID-19 precautionary measures, including wearing a face covering and practicing physical distancing.
The draft plan and a form to submit feedback online is available on the City’s website at kentwood.us/5-year-park-plan.
Throughout 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic has continued affecting the daily lives of the people of Grand Rapids, including commuters and other riders of The Rapid transit system. And as the community has moved forward and adapted, its public transit system has moved forward with cleaning procedures and safety protocols for its buses and the citizens who ride them daily.
WKTV took a ride on The Rapid’s SilverLine and spoke with Bill Kirk, Business Affairs Specialist of The Rapid, on the sanitization of the buses daily using antiseptic agents as well as how it encourages passengers to wear masks and practice social distancing.
And what they have learned about cleaning and sanitization will likely become standard operating procedure even in a post-pandemic future.
“We take pride in how clean our buses are, but after experiencing the situation, we want to maintain those policies even after the pandemic goes away,” Kirk said. “We just want to make sure we’re providing as safe and as healthy a ride as possible for our riders.”
The Rapid public transportation system provides services to the greater Grand Rapids area, including Wyoming, and Kentwood. Formed in 2000, The Rapid operates on fixed routes throughout Grand Rapids and works with people with disabilities for their services. They also provide the SilverLine, a transit started in 2014 that runs along Division Avenue south and loops around the Rapid Central Station in Grand Rapids.
This year’s Turkey Trot opportunities will be fewer and will look a little different due to COVID-19 safety. But there are still some to be run. (WKTV)
November is known for not only Thanksgiving but also for its Turkey Trot 5k runs. In a normal year, millions of Americans would participate in a seasonal 5-kilometer (3.1-mile) run. But this is the year of COVID-19 pandemic, public runs are few, some planned ones were cancelled, and there now is such a thing as a virtual run.
A quick cruise of the web found that the greater Grand Rapids area found this news.
On Nov. 14, Grand Rapids will host the Dirty Duel Trail Race. The Dirty Duel will take place on trails surrounding Robinette’s Apple House and Winery, 3142 4 Mile Road NE, with two tough trail courses to choose from. One trail is described as “a short and brutal 5k” and the other a “long and difficult 6k.” Pick your pain. One running magazine describes Dirty Duel as a “Top 15 fall race under 15 miles.”
For more information on the Dirty Duel Trail Race, visit dirtyduel.com/.
Nov. 15 was supposed to be day of the Grand Rapids Comic Con 5k. Unfortunately the comic con and its race had to be cancelled this year due to safety concerns surrounding the pandemic. This would have been the annual event’s first ever race.
The 28th annual Grand Rapids Turkey Trot will be virtual this year! The race will take place between Nov. 19 and Nov. 26. Instead of running a set course, this year participants will make their own course for the run. Proceeds from the race still help to offset the cost of Grand Rapids Public Schools athletics “so that all students have the opportunity to participate,” we are told.
The final race in Grand Rapids this November will be the Twisted Turkey runs on Friday, Nov. 27. The race will offer 5k, 10k and 15k distances (with a 5k loop run either once, twice or three times). Each event will be limited top 90 people per run. Each event group will start 15 minutes apart as well to keep in line with social distancing restrictions. The race will take place at Ken-O-Sha Park in Kentwood, 1353 Van Auken St. SE, “across the beautiful hidden trails of the Plaster Creek” area.
After more than a century of providing holiday season gift bundles to thousands of western Michigan kids, the Santa Claus Girls will be still this holiday season as the double hit of both COVID-10 and the need for a new home facility has forced the program into hiatus for 2020.
The Santa Claus Girls’s history in Kent County dates from 1909 and from their most recent home in Kentwood at the Knoll Inc. building on 36th Avenue, the all-volunteer group delivered more than 13,500 gift packages in 2018 and topped that number last year.
“Santa Claus Girls has taken a pause for the 2020 season,” Maggie Moerdyke, Interim President of Santa Claus Girls, said to WKTV. “Knoll was sold and the charity inventory is packed in 4 trailers awaiting a new home. It was a tough decision for the board to pass for the holiday season yet the pandemic had made it impossible to carry forward for 2020.”
Undated historic photo of Santa Claus Girls. (Supplied/Santa Claus Girls)
Usually, the Santa Claus Girls packages and delivers gift bags through which in-need kids get a new toy and candy but also get hand-made, knitted winter hats and mittens. Depending on the age of the kids, families can also receive infant receiving blankets, crocheted or knitted or out of flannel, infant toys, and age-appropriate 1-year-old and 2-year-old stuffed animals.
To accomplish such an effort, there is a small army providing gift wrapping and package-assembly, as well volunteers to join another small army of drivers to deliver the packages in mid-December.
But the army will be at home this season.
“The volunteers, the space, the production, are all side by side and the ability to maintain 6 foot of space between was not an option,” Moerdyke said. “The 350 drivers were also on the mind of the board and to send them into the neighborhoods to deliver was not an option either with COVID spreading so rapidly. Safety and health was foremost on the mind of each of us through the cancellation process.”
She said the non-profit’s governing board had to make the decision that “with heavy heart (we) cannot reach the 13,000 children that are serviced during the giving season. The goal is to return in 2021, bigger and better.”
The board is also working a new model for the non-profit but, she said, they “truly need a workshop to make it happen.”
A new home needed for program
Knoll Inc. housed Santa Claus Girls for six years, including all utilities and the company’s maintenance staff.
Knoll had “a heart of gold to support the families in the community, the volunteers, and the charity,” she said. “Just maybe (we) will be fortunate to find another similar blessing.”
According to Moerdyke, Santa Claus Girls needs a facility between 25,000-75,000 square feet. The ideal, she said, would be 75,000 square feet which comes into use during the six weeks of assembling and delivery. The lower square footage figure would be for storage during the other 10 months of the year.
Moerdyke also said “the master plan is to have a facility to accommodate Santa Claus Girls, Y-Service Club (White Elephant Sale) and Toys For Tots. All three charities have worked together for several years yet in separate facilities and moved from one place to another as needed incorporating the use of trailers for storage whenever necessary.”
As with every year, the Santa Claus Girls are also seeking community support both in volunteerism and financial donations.
The City of Kentwood announced this week that the city and Great Lakes Disc will again partner to offer the annual Fall Fling, a doubles disc golf tournament and food drive on Saturday, Nov. 14. Canned food donations at Fall Fling will restock Kentwood’s Little Free Pantry.
Community disc golfers of all skill levels are invited to participate in the event at Old Farm Park, 2350 Embro Drive SE. Participants will be required to wear a face covering and maintain physical distancing throughout the event as part of COVID-19 health and safety guidelines.
On-site registration will begin at 9 a.m. Pre-registration is available online at kentwood.us/fallflingdiscgolf. The cost is $40 per team, plus one canned food donation for the Little Free Pantry. Players will meet at 9:45 a.m. to begin the first round of the “best shot” doubles tournament. Patty Matters food truck will be on-site with food available for purchase.
“Fall Fling is a wonderful event for our community to come together to play disc golf for a great cause,” Val Romeo, Kentwood Parks and Recreation director, said in supplied material. “This tournament has restocked our community pantry with dozens of canned goods each year. We are grateful to local disc golfers for their ongoing generosity and participation.”
The City of Kentwood’s Little Free Pantry is in the Kentwood Activities Center. (City of Kentwood)
The Kentwood Little Free Pantry initiative began in 2017 as a community service project in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. The small food pantry is open year-round and designed to fill an immediate and local need. It offers non-perishable food and personal care items to anyone in need.
Great Lakes Disc is a big supporter of the pantry.
“When I first heard about the Little Free Pantry, I knew I wanted to find a way Great Lakes Disc could support it,” Shea Abbgy, owner of Great Lakes Disc, said in supplied material. “The Old Farm Fall Fling was what we came up with to connect the disc golf community with the Pantry.”
The demand for the Little Free Pantry has increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the city announcement.
“Long before COVID-19, the demand for our pantry goods was growing steadily and the shelves were becoming empty on a weekly basis,” Romeo said. “We continue to need year-round support from individuals and organizations who are able to give financially or provide tangible donations, such as prepackaged non-perishable food and personal hygiene items.”
Located at the Kentwood Activities Center, 355 48th St. SE, Kentwood’s Little Free Pantry is open 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday. Anyone can utilize or donate to the pantry. No application is required and no questions are asked.
Those who want to donate food items to the pantry are reminded to check the expiration date on them.
For more information about the pantry, including a suggested list of donations, visit kentwood.us/littlefreepantry.
The election is over, so now what do you do with all those Trump and Biden signs?
Well, you could keep them as a memento or use them in an art project or you could just recycle them.
If you are planning to recycle, there is only one place to recycle corrugated plastic and the metal stands, which is what most election signs are made of, and that is at the Kent County Recycling and Education Center, 977 Wealthy St. SW.
Because the signs and metal stands need to be separated, the county has set up the the election sign recycling site, according to county staff. If the signs are placed in the recycling bins and go into the sorting machines, they may jam up the machines, staff said.
The bins are located in the back parking lot in the big blue barn. There is a bin designed for the corrugated plastic sign part and another bin for the metal stand. The site is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The site will be open through the end of November.
The City of Wyoming will again be represented by Republican State Rep. Tommy Brann in the 77th district after voting Tuesday, Nov. 3. In the 72nd district race, which includes Kentwood and Gaines Township, incumbent Republican Rep. Steve Johnson defeated Democrat Lily Cheng-Schulting — despite the challenger gaining more Kent County votes than Johnson.
Also in unofficial (uncertified) results, two-term incumbent Rep. Brann of Wyoming, defeated Democratic challenger Bob Smith of Byron Center, 29,911 to 19,784. The 77th District House of Representatives seat covers the City of Wyoming, Byron Township and a portion of Cutlerville.
“I want to thank the 77th district,” Rep. Brann said to WKTV on Nov. 4. Rep. Brann’s wife “Sue and I care about your concerns and you personally. We will continue to give back half of my legislative salary to people in my district in need.
“Bob Smith was very classy and called me this morning to congratulate me. I asked him sometime if I can buy him lunch at my restaurant so I can get to know him better. I am the 77th district representative and I know my oath to protect the health and safety of Michigan citizens is for all my district and I carry that part of my oath in my wallet and that is for all of you whether you voted for me or not. I take that very seriously, as I should.”
After the result were in, Smith said to WKTV: “Thank you to everyone who voted me and to everyone who helped me along the way. We made a good run. I wish the best of luck to Tommy Brann as he begins his final term in the state house.”
In Michigan, state representatives are term-limited to three terms.
Allegan voters carry Rep. Johnson to re-election
Overall, in both Kent and Allegan county unofficial results posted on each county’s election website, Rep. Johnson totaled 29,608 votes while Cheng-Schulting totaled 24,159.
However, in unofficial (uncertified) Kent County results, two-term incumbent Rep. Johnson of Wayland, trailed Cheng-Schulting of Kentwood, 20,271 to 20,973. The 72nd District House of Representative seat covers the cities of Kentwood and Wayland, along with a portion of Cutlerville and the community of Dorr.
“Although we were not able to win this election, we are grateful for the record number of votes for our campaign, especially in Kentwood,” Cheng-Schulting said to WKTV. “I would also like to congratulate Steve Johnson on his re-election win. I … hope that he will go on to be a representative who truly looks out for everyone in District 72.”
Even though election results are still being counted in Kent County, there are not much in the way of surprises in the county’s unofficial results.
Dan Burrill was elected to fill the 8th District Kent County Commission seat left vacant by Harold Voorhees, who early this year announced he was retiring. (WKTV)
About 60.5 percent of the county’s total registered voters voted in this year’s 2020 election. About 85 percent of the 303,039 total votes have been counted as of late this morning.
Even with 15 percent left to count, in many of the county races, the leaders have maintained large point leads.
This was the case for Republican Incumbent Michelle LaJoye-Young for Kent County Sheriff. Throughout the night, LaJoye-Young maintained a lead over Democratic challenger Marc Burns and Liberation candidate John Glen Stedman. Today, she was still 60,000 votes ahead of Burns, her closet challenger. Republican incumbent Lisa Posthumus Lyons for Kent County Clerk also maintained a lead over challengers Devin Ortega (D) and Jamie Lewis (L) and so did Republican incumbent Ken Yonkers for Kent County Drain Commissioner who stayed ahead of challengers Elaine Isely (D) and Alex Avery (L). With 85 percent of the votes counted, these candidate seem to continue to keep that lead. Republican incumbent Chris Becker was the only person seeking the Kent County Prosecuting Attorney position.
With the announcement that current Kent County Treasurer Keith Parrish would not seek re-election, two newcomers, Peter MacGregor (R) and Beth White (D) put their hats in the ring for the position. For most of the night, MacGregor held a solid lead with morning numbers showing he was about 42,000 votes ahead.
The cities of Kentwood and Wyoming and surrounding communities of the City of Grandville, and the townships of Byron Center and Gaines have 100 percent fully reported which means commissioner races for those communities have unofficial results.
For county commission seats, the following incumbents retained their seats: Stan Ponstein for the 7th District, Matt Kallman for the 9th District, Emily Post Brieve for the 10th District and Monic Sparks for the 12th District. Both the 7th and 9th districts have portions of the City of Wyoming and the 10th District has a portion of the City of Kentwood. The 12th District is divided between the cities of Wyoming and Kentwood.
Kent County 7th District Commissioner Stan Ponstein won his re-election bid. (WKTV)
“Words can not express my gratitude to the voters of District 7,” said Commissioner Stan Ponstein in a Facebook post. “Whether you voted for me when I was first elected to the Grandville Board of Education at the age of 19, supported me over the years, or this is your first time voting for me. I want you to know I take public service seriously, I will never forget who I serve and have always believed that where you live should not dictate the level of service you recieve from government.”
In the 8th District, which covers the eastern portion of the city of Wyoming, including the pan handle, Republican candidate Dan Burrill, who is currently on the Wyoming City Council, maintained a steady lead against Democratic candidate Sarah Chatterley. When counting was done, Burrill had 9,165 votes to Chatterley’s 7,765.
“It feels like I have been running for forever since I have been campaigning from about March through the primaries to November,” Burrill said, adding that he was appreciative for the help of the Kent County GOP, Kent Vanderwood and Rusty Richter.
While sad about leaving the Wyoming City Council, Burrill said he is looking forward to being apart of the Kent County Commission.
“I am ready for another chapter to lean about how the county operates and to represent the citizens of Wyoming at the county level,” he said.
In the 13th District, which covers the eastern portion of the City of Kentwood, Democratic candidate Michelle McCloud was able to push past Republican candidate Levi Cipcic by more than 4,000 votes.
The Kent County Board of Canvassers will review the general election on Nov. 17 with the state board of canvassers reviewing the statewide election on Nov. 23.
City of Kentwood voters supported local private attorney Amanda Sterkenburg’s bid to replace Judge William G. Kelly and hold the non-partisan 62 B District Court Judge position, defeating Kent County Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Joe Jackson in the non-partisan election, 11,206 to 8,433, in unofficial (uncertified) results from Tuesday, Nov. 3.
The results represent 100 percent of the Kentwood precincts reporting with 27,281 total votes cast representing 68 percent of the registered voters.
Judge Kelly, after more than 40 years on the bench of Kentwood’s district court ,will be giving up his seat this year due to state law mandated age restrictions.
Sterkenburg is currently an attorney representing civil litigants and providing criminal defense. She is a Kentwood resident, a requirement for the position.
“As a long-time resident of Kentwood, I would like to thank the voters for their faith in my ability to preside over a court where fairness and equity are cornerstones,” Sterkenburg said to WKTV. “Our diverse community deserves a court free of bias, where the rights of all are protected. I am honored to serve as your next district court judge.”
Jackson, in an email responding to the results, said to WKTV: “Congratulations to Ms. Sterkenburg, and thank you to my family and all of my supporters. I look forward to continuing to serve our community in my current rolls.”
In pre-election information provided to WKTV, Sterkenburg said “From landlord tenant disputes to criminal misdemeanors, the matters that come before this Court effect the everyday lives of the people who live in Kentwood. The way these cases are handled will shape our community for years to come and I believe I’m uniquely positioned to create positive outcomes through fair and well-reasoned judgments.”
She also specified issues such as an eviction crisis looming due to the COVID-19 pandemic — and the need find a “fair line between landlords who rely on rental income and tenants who have fallen behind,” as well as being committed to “meaningful probation sentences.”
“When the circumstances of a criminal case show a link between substance abuse, lack of education, or mental illness and the conviction offense, we should explore programs that motivate behavioral change and address those factors. This front-end approach strengthens our community and should be made a focus in cases where increasing punitive consequences doesn’t necessarily serve the ends of justice.”
Kent District Library is working to make library patrons aware that an employee who works at the Wyoming and Kelloggsville branches has tested positive for COVID-19.
The person was working at the Wyoming KDL branch, located at 3350 Michael Ave. SW. Oct. 26 – 28 and the Kelloggsville branch, located in the Kelloggsville High School, 4787 S. Division Ave., Oct. 27.
Both of the locations are closed and will reopen Monday, Nov. 9. The KDL Wyoming branch lobby is open for today’s elections, according to officials from the City of Wyoming.
KDL Kelloggsville Branch is closed until Nov. 9. (WKTV)
Materials that are ready for pickup at either location will become available after reopening. Due dates and hold-pickup deadlines will be extended.
KDL officials stated in a release that due to the extensive health safety protocols put into place by the City of Wyoming, Kelloggsville School District and Kent District Library, the risk of patrons contracting the virus from the employee while at the location is assumed to be extremely low. At the same time, library officials wanted the public to be aware of the situation and to assure that safety of the public and staff is the highest priority.
For more information, call 616-784-2007, email ask@kdl.libranswers.com, or visit the KDL website, kdl.org. The remaining 17 KDL branches are opening including KDL Kentwood (Richard L. Root) branch, 4650 Breton Rd. SE; KDL Gaines, 421 68th St. SE; and KDL Grandville, 4055 Maple St. SW.
After more than three years of planning and community engagement, the City of Kentwood announced this week that it has adopted an updated Master Plan which will serve as the City’s long-range vision for growth, land use, development and open space conservation.
The Master Plan, according to the announcement, “features goals, policies and recommended actions to guide land-use decisions over the next 20 years. The forward-looking development plan considers the long-range goals and desires of residents and property owners as well as local, regional and market trends.”
The plan was adopted by the Planning Commission in September and then accepted by the City Commission on Oct. 20.
“The Master Plan update process is key to ensuring the detailed visionary planning for Kentwood’s future development in all sectors as our community grows,” Kentwood Mayor Stephen Kepley said in supplied material. “Many people have spent countless hours to ensure Kentwood’s Master Plan is a comprehensive guide for growth and conservation decisions while preserving and improving Kentwood’s excellent quality of life.”
The Master Plan is reviewed at least every five years, and can be modified after review by the Planning Commission. The City’s efforts for the latest Master Plan update began in October 2017. Prior to that, the last update was in 2012.
In general, the update’s goal was to “plan for new population growth and redevelopment while protecting key environmental features, creating sustainable economic opportunities and providing public services,” according to the city statement.
Among the major updates was the implementation of the Form-Based Code land development regulatory tool, specifically along Division Avenue and incorporation of the Silver Line bus rapid transit service along Division Avenue.
The current Master Plan update also focused on “changes related to a few areas that required particular attention,” including Section 13, 263 acres of open land between 28th and 36th streets, Patterson Avenue and East Paris Avenue; Section 34, a 480-acre area between 52nd and 60th streets, the Princeton Estates plat and Wing Avenue; the 28th and 29th Street commercial corridor; and the Division Avenue corridor.
The update process also included plans for the Eastern Avenue and 52nd Street, the city campus, and Kalamazoo Avenue corridor subareas.
“Significant time and valuable engagement with residents, businesses and property owners has led to this plan’s adoption,” Terry Schweitzer, Kentwood community development director, said in supplied material. “We are grateful to all those who shared input and contributed to this critical review process.”
The updated plan and its associated documents are available on the City’s website at kentwood.us/PlanKentwood.
Will there be trick-or-treating this Halloween? The answer is yes, although it may look a little different this year.
There has been no state or local mandates cancelling trick-or-treating, however the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has encouraged people to consider alternative Halloween options such as carving pumpkins and then walking around and viewing Halloween decorations or have a virtual costume contest. In fact, there is an entire website, Halloween2020.org, that provides information on risk factors throughout the entire country and recommended Halloween activities.
Traditionally, the Wyoming City Council has never weighted in on specifics for Halloween but instead has left the option up to neighborhoods and families to decide what works best for them. For 2020, the council has kept to that tradition, according to Amanda Moore, communications specialist for the City of Wyoming.
The City of Kentwood, which has its guidelines on its website, is encouraging trick-or-treating from 6 – 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31. Kentwood also has a curfew ordinance. Unless accompanied by a parent or responsible adult over the age of 21, children who are under 12-years-old must be off the streets by 10 p.m., 13 to 16-years-old by 11 p.m., and 17 years-old by midnight.
Representatives from both cities said they are encouraging community members to practice social distancing, wear a mask when around others, and follow CDC guidelines. In fact, Kent County Health Department representatives said they also are directing residents to the CDC or to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services for guidance on having a safe Halloween. Both have put out quite the list of safety practices, so here are the highlights:
Avoid direct contact with trick-or-treaters
Give out treats outdoors, if possible
Set up a station with individuals bagged treats for kids to take
Wash hands before handling treats
Use hand sanitizer of at least 60% alcohol
And when we say wear a mask, we are not talking about one that disguises but rather the face mask that covers both the mouth and nose. Health officials encourage participants to incorporate the face mask into their costume design.
Participants are being reminded to stay at least six feet apart and of course, if you are sick stay home and/or do not hand out candy.
The Usual Halloween Warnings
For every Halloween, the Kent County Sheriff’s Department and local law enforcement have put out reminders to drivers about large numbers of people out for Halloween and therefore motorists should drive slowly through neighborhoods and keep an eye out for children who might dart out into the street. While the number of trick-or-treaters could be less this year, motorists still should be alert when traveling.
Anyone wearing a costume should be visible after dark so reflective tape on the costume, glow sticks or flashlights are recommended.
Also have everyone wait until after trick-or-treating before digging into the treats so the candy can be inspected and anything suspicious is discarded.
Be respectful and do not visit house without porch or outdoor lights on. Also, if you see something that appears suspicious, report to your local law enforcement or call 911.
Kentwood’s Broad Leaf Local Beer may have to change the way it uses outdoor space for customers as fall turns to winter, but the city is keeping some small business allowances in place to expedite such use. (WKTV)
The Kentwood City Commission has extended changes to local small business zoning requirements and procedures — including temporary use of outdoor space and the suspension of some sign restrictions — as part of the city’s continued efforts to support local businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to a statement from the City of Kentwood, the City Commission approved a resolution that extends the changes through October 2021, as recommended by the Kentwood Economic Development Corporation. The changes were set to expire Nov. 1.
The resolution allows for an expedited site plan review process for temporary outdoor retail, food, beverage and personal service uses. The extension also means time limits on temporary sign display and certain business licensing fees remain suspended.
“The resolution we passed in June was intended to ease and expedite businesses’ abilities to serve customers in a manner that’s consistent with evolving public health recommendations,” Kentwood Mayor Stephen Kepley said in supplied material. “As COVID-19 continues to impact our community, the City remains committed to these measures to assist businesses still reeling from the effects of the pandemic.”
Retailers, restaurants and personal service businesses, such as athletic training facilities, wanting to add expanded outdoor spaces for customers may apply for such allowances through a streamlined administrative review process that was put into place earlier this summer to “jump-start the local economy,” according to the city’s statement.
The review and approval of site plans for general retail sales, food, beverage and personal service establishments in the city seeking to utilize outdoor areas, such as exterior building aprons or use of parking areas, are conducted through the Planning Department. (Interested businesses are asked to complete the online application at kentwood.us/businessrestart for consideration.)
Additionally, according to the city’s statement, under the temporary sign moratorium, one temporary sign of up to 32 square feet in area is allowed per business. Other restrictions in the zoning ordinance related to temporary signs, such as sign placement and similar matters, remain in effect.
Also announced was that for the fiscal licensing year 2020-21, City of Kentwood business license fees for all establishments located in Kentwood will be waived with the exception of hazardous material fees and fees for transient, waste hauler, door-to-door and snowplowing licenses.
