Wage theft can occur everywhere, in offices, on construction sites and in farm fields. (WKTV)
By WKTV Staff ken@wktv.org
U.S. Senator Gary Peters (D-Mich.), ranking member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, last week announced he is conducting an investigation into illegal wage theft practices that “harm American workers.” And he is asking for worker input on possible wage theft in their lives.
Sen. Gary Peters (D-Mich.)
In a statement issued by his office, “wage theft violates basic fair pay laws and denies workers a fair wage for their work. It takes many forms, including failure to pay the applicable minimum wage, failure to compensate employees for overtime, and misclassifying employees as ‘independent contractors’ to avoid paying certain benefits or taxes.”
“If you put in a hard day’s work, you deserve to get paid for it,” Sen. Peters said in the statement. “Yet every day, workers in Michigan and across the country are denied wages or benefits they have earned on the job. This investigation will help expose wage theft and develop ways to hold employers who break the rules accountable for actions that hurt hardworking families.”
As part of the investigation, Sen. Peters’ office would like to hear from workers who have been victims of wage theft, including instances where rightfully earned wages have been withheld or wages or benefits have been denied for work as an employee or independent contractor. Workers who have experienced wage theft can share their information with the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee.
To share personal experiences which workers think might be wage theft, please visit here.
According to the statement from Sen. Peters’ office, wage theft has serious financial consequences for workers and businesses who are trying to play by the rules. The Economic Policy Institute estimates that American workers are shorted as much as $15 billion in wages each year due to minimum wage law violations. And Michigan reportedly has the fifth highest total of unpaid wages in the country due to minimum wage violations.
According to EPI, from 2013 to 2015, roughly $430 million in wages were improperly withheld from Michigan workers. Misclassifying workers as “independent contractors” also negatively impacts law-abiding taxpayers.
According to the U.S. Department of the Treasury, millions of employers nationwide have failed to pay more than $45 billion in employment taxes. These practices deprive the federal government of billions of dollars in unpaid employment taxes that are used to fund Social Security, Medicare and other benefits.
In Michigan alone, a study released in 2008 found that Michigan loses tens of millions of dollars annually from misclassification practices – depriving the state of dollars for projects like highway and infrastructure upgrades, educational programs, or public hospitals.
City of Wyoming Mayor Jack Poll with the 2018 Sunday Night Funnies Kingpin of Comedy, or the funniest person in Wyoming, Megan Writes. (Sunday Night Funnies)
What was once was 120 comedians is now down to 40, the Sunday Night Funnies Kingpin of Comedy competition enters its quarter-final round.
The contest started May 19 with its first of 12 qualifying rounds, which wrapped up last Sunday. The four quarter-final rounds run Aug. 11- Sept. 1 with two semi-final rounds on Sept. 8 and 15 with the finals being held on Sept. 22. Each week ten comedians are given eight minutes to perform. The line-up order is drawn as the show progresses, so they have no idea of when they’ll be going on stage – it could be first, it could be last. Before the show begins the audience members are given a ballot. At the night of that night’s show the audience picks three of the ten they feel should advance to the next round. The ballots are counted while a comic not in the competition performs at the end and the winners are announced afterward.
“The Kingpin of Comedy competition is a blatant rip-off of the Funniest Person in Grand Rapids contest,” said Brian B. (Brian Borbot), creator & MC of the Sunday Night Funnies. Borbot is referring to the successful annual event at Dr. Grins comedy club inside The B.O.B. downtown Grand Rapids.
“Seeing that Wyoming is the fourteenth largest city in Michigan, I thought it deserved its own stand-up comedy competition with the overall winner getting a prize package worthy of the title funniest person in Wyoming,” he said.
The prizes are from Wyoming businesses Spectrum Entertainment Complex and the neighboring Craig’s Cruisers as well as LaughFest, 20 Monroe Live, and Party in the Park (a concert at 5/3 Ballpark.), a dayglo bowling pin trophy, and a presentation from the City of Wyoming Mayor Jack Poll declaring the winner the funniest person in town.
The Sunday Night Funnies is the creation of Grand Rapids stand-up comedian Brian B. (Brian Borbot.) It’s a weekly live stand-up comedy performance featuring a variety of comics from Michigan and around the country. The Sunday Night Funnies is a free admission show that starts at 8:30 p.m. at the Spectrum Entertainment Complex, 5656 Clyde Park SW, Wyoming.
Operation Homefront’s mission is to build strong, stable, and secure military families so they can thrive — not simply struggle to get by — in the communities they have worked so hard to protect.
By Lauren DeVol SpartanNash
Together with its store guests and company associates, the SpartanNash Foundation raised $300,000 for its patriotic nonprofit partners Team Red, White & Blue, Operation Homefront and Honor and Remember.
Between June 26 and July 7, store guests who visited any participating SpartanNash-owned retail store or fuel center had the opportunity to donate $1, $5 or $10 at any checkout lane, or round their total up to the nearest dollar to support the trio of patriotic partners. More than 135 stores participated in the Foundation scan, primarily under the banners of Family Fare, D&W Fresh Market, VG’s Grocery, Dan’s Supermarket and Family Fresh Market.
The $300,000 raised during the SpartanNash Foundation companywide fundraising scan campaign will be evenly split between Team RWB, Operation Homefront and Honor and Remember. SpartanNash Foundation grants will be used to connect servicemembers, veterans and their families to their local communities through physical and social activity, provide critical financial assistance and family support services and honor those who lost their lives as a result of defending our freedoms.
“At SpartanNash, we are very excited about the overwhelming support shown for our military heroes during the latest SpartanNash Foundation retail scan,” said Meredith Gremel, vice president of corporate affairs and communications and the executive director of the SpartanNash Foundation. “As a leading distributor of grocery products to U.S. military commissaries throughout the world, SpartanNash sees firsthand the sacrifices our servicemen and women make to protect our freedoms every day. One of our company’s core values is patriotism, and SpartanNash and the SpartanNash Foundation are deeply committed to supporting our military heroes in the communities we serve.
“Each year, SpartanNash contributes thousands of dollars, products and volunteer hours to military and veterans organizations and events – as well as hiring veterans and their family members as a Military Friendly® and veteran-friendly employer. We are proud to team up with Team RWB, Operation Homefront and Honor and Remember in this unique and powerful way, raising awareness and funds for those who served and sacrificed.”
Since 2016, the SpartanNash Foundation has raised and granted more than $1,000,000 for its patriotic partners through its fundraising scan campaigns, benefitting veterans service organizations including Give an Hour, Fisher House Foundation, Blue Star Mothers of America, Inc., Disabled Veterans National Foundation and in 2019, Team RWB, Operation Homefront and Honor and Remember. SpartanNash underwrites the cost of the awareness-building and fundraising campaign as well as contributes funding and encourages associates to volunteer with the Foundation’s grant recipients.
Team RWB’s mission is to enrich the lives of America’s veterans by connecting them to their community through physical and social activity.
Team RWB
Founded in 2010, Team RWB’s mission is to enrich the lives of America’s veterans by connecting them to their community through physical and social activity. Utilizing a nationwide network of chapters, Team RWB hosts and participates in events designed to bring veterans together and engage in the communities where they live and work.
Team RWB is the bridge connecting communities – where veterans and civilians work together and gain common understanding. Team RWB takes the best of military service – the camaraderie and the physical challenges – and creates a new family of Eagles connected through physical activity.
“We’re honored and grateful that the SpartanNash Foundation, along with their store guests, recognizes the sacrifices veterans have made on behalf of our nation,” said John Pinter, Team RWB’s Executive Director. “We’re thrilled that this campaign will afford us the opportunity to support more veterans in their post-service journeys.”
Team RWB offers resources to ensure veterans have an effective transition back into their communities and ways to engage locally.
Operation Homefront’s mission is to build strong, stable, and secure military families so they can thrive — not simply struggle to get by — in the communities they have worked so hard to protect.
For 17 years, Operation Homefront has provided critical financial assistance, transitional and permanent housing and family support services to prevent short-term needs from turning into chronic, long-term struggles. Recognized for superior performance by leading independent charity oversight groups, 92 percent of Operation Homefront expenditures go directly to programs that support tens of thousands of military families each year.
“We are extremely grateful to SpartanNash, the SpartanNash Foundation and their incredible store guests for this generous grant as it allows us to help our military families who may be struggling to make ends meet,” said Brig. Gen. (ret.) John I. Pray, Jr., President and CEO, Operation Homefront. “For a second consecutive year, they are helping us give this very special and deserving group of our fellow citizens the opportunity to thrive in the communities they have worked so hard to protect.”
In 2018, SpartanNash Foundation funds supported Operation Homefront’s Critical Financial Assistance (CFA) program. CFA support includes, but is not limited to, direct assistance with rent and mortgage payments, utility bills, car repairs, home repairs and groceries. Thanks to the generous support of partners such as the SpartanNash Foundation, Operation Homefront has fulfilled more than 41,000 requests for assistance, providing over $25 million in grants since the CFA program began in 2011.
The mission of Honor and Remember is to publicly and perpetually recognize the ultimate sacrifice of America’s military fallen heroes and their families.
Honor and Remember, Inc.
The mission of Honor and Remember is to publicly and perpetually recognize the ultimate sacrifice of America’s military fallen heroes and their families. The organization pays tribute to all military lives lost, not only while serving on active duty but also as a result of serving.
The primary vehicle for perpetual recognition the Honor and Remember Flag, which is intended to fly continuously as a tangible and visible reminder to all Americans of the lives lost in defense of our national freedoms.
SpartanNash is a national partner and strong supporter of Honor and Remember, underwriting personal flag presentations to families of the fallen and flying the Honor and Remember flag at all company facilities. The flag artwork is also displayed on SpartanNash’s fleet of tractor trailers, which travel more than 65 million miles per year.
“SpartanNash and its store guests have been faithful partners in our mission to pay tribute to the families of men and women who have given their lives in military service to America,” said George Lutz, who founded Honor and Remember after losing his son in Iraq in 2005. “Thanks to the generosity of the SpartanNash Foundation, we have been able to present hundreds of Gold Star families with personalized Honor and Remember flags that express our nation’s profound appreciation for their supreme sacrifice. Whenever SpartanNash store guests or associates see an Honor and Remember flag flying beneath the American flag, they can take pride in knowing that they are partners in our mission to ensure that the public never forgets our fallen heroes.”
Through its partnership with the SpartanNash Foundation, Honor and Remember honored more than 250 families who have lost a loved one through military service with personalized Honor and Remember flags in 2018. SpartanNash was also a presenting sponsor of Honor and Remember’s Run for the Fallen – a five-month, 6,000-mile journey to pay tribute to fallen servicemembers.
The retail scan campaign supporting Operation Homefront and Honor and Remember is the third of four fundraising campaigns the SpartanNash Foundation will conduct in 2019. To date, the SpartanNash Foundation has raised $734,700 on behalf of local Habitat for Humanity and Special Olympics partners in eight states.
It has been a busy summer for the Wyoming Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce with members not only preparing for the annual Metro Cruise, which takes place Aug. 23 and 24, but also welcoming four new businesses.
The Chamber along with the City of Kentwood welcomed Wise Men Distillery, which had a ribbon cutting and grand opening on May 31. Located at 4717 Broadmoor Ave. SE, right next to Cascade Winery and Jaden James Brewery, the new tasting room offers small batch vodka, rum, gin, white whiskey and its famous Apple Pie Moonshine in a “laid-back, down to earth environment,” according to the company’s website.
Wise Men Distillery was started with three friends who through painstaking experiments produced a moonshine that was not only drinkable, but enjoyable too. This became the company’s signature Apple Pie Moonshine. Just recently, the 2019 New York International Spirits Competition named Wise Men Distillery “Michigan Run Distillery of the Year” and awarded the distillery a silver medal for its Red Tape series rum and a bronze for its Wise Men vodka.
Cooper’s Hawk Winery and Restaurant opened in Kentwood on July 27.
About two months later, on July 27 the Chamber and the City of Kentwood welcomed the national chain Cooper’s Hawk Winery and Restaurant at 4515 28th St. SE. This location was the former Paulina’s Mexican Restaurant and at one time a Quaker State and Lube restaurant.
The Kentwood restaurant is the Chicago-based company’s second location in Michigan, having opened its first in 2018 on the east side of the state in Clinton Township.
The Kentwood Cooper’s Hawk will feature a Napa-style tasting area, full restaurant and bar and a patio of outdoor dining. According to Cooper’s Hawk’s website, all menu items are made in the scratch kitchen and incorporate peak-of-season ingredients. All items are paired with wine recommendations.
AT&T Prime Wireless opened a new location in Wyoming’s 28 West Place plaza in July. (Chamber)
Also opened in July is Peoplemark Staffing, 3949 Sparks Dr., Grand Rapids, and AT&T Prime Wireless, 1266 28th St. SW, Wyoming,
Peoplemark is a full service staffing company that provides recruiting, sourcing, screening, finding and placing exceptional associates in all positions at all levels, manufacturing, administrative/clerical, IT, customer service, accounting/finance, etc.
AT&T Prime Wireless is an AT&T authorized retailer with a showroom featuring AT&T’s newest products including cellular phones and tablets.
Peoplemark opened its new location on Sparks Drive in July. (Chamber)
Doug Deweerdt’s history with his 1951 Chevrolet pickup is not unlike a lot of stories about guys rebuilding classic cars — it started out with rusty years in a pole barn somewhere, it’s always more work than they initially thought, and it often has a strong family connection.
But the story of Doug’s dad wanting to leave classic cars to both sons, and his deceased dad’s involvement Deweerdt’s rebuilding process, is unique.
“My father picked this vehicle up, probably, about 30 years ago, for him and I to restore,” Deweerdt said to WKTV. “He already had a 1947 Dodge business coupe. He picked up the truck for he and I to do, so my brother would get the car and he’d leave the truck to me.
“Well, life and kids got in the way and it sat in his pole barn for like 20 years, then he pushed it off into my garage for like five or six (years). He passed away in January 2013 and in December I decided, you know, its time to do the truck.”
While he was working on the renovation of the truck, done in about 2-1/2 years, he was constantly reminded of his father, though.
Deweerdt spent “a lot of time in the shop, after work,” working on the pickup, he said. And “I’ve got a picture of him standing next to his ’47 that hung on my shop wall the entire time,” — his voice trailing off in memories — “there is definitely a connection.”
The process of rebuild
Deweerdt, who is plant manager of Grand Rapids’ tortilla maker El Milagro of Michigan, Inc., told us the story of the actual work required that involved both family and a new friend.
“At the time (he started the rebuild) I had an acquaintance that had built a couple (cars), Jeff Myles, and I asked if he would stop by and take a look at it. You know, give me some ideas,” he said. “So he did, and, you know, in talking to him, I asked him if he would mentor me. I told him I’m not asking him to help me, just kind of walk me through certain sections of it. Which he did, and he’s become a very, very good friend of mine now.”
While Deweerdt did “about 90 percent of the work,” including a frame swap, to give him more modern brakes and other mechanicals, he finished it with a special paint job from a shop in Muskegon. He has been showing the ’51 for three years.
“I tried to keep it as original as I could,” he said. “A lot of guys really modify the bodies, shave the doorhandles and all of that. I really didn’t want to do that. I really wanted to keep it as original as possible and yet I wanted that look (pointing to the vehicle) and I wanted a more modern-day ride, with the suspension.”
And then there is the wood bed
One other thing that is not “original” is the truck’s bed — but that, too, is more a personal story.
“The bed wood, we get a ton of complements on that,” Deweerdt said. “A lot of them just do the normal wood shade. … (but) I had seen a sample of the dark wood on the internet. My wife piddles with woodworking, we both do. So I gave her a sample of the wood and said ‘This is what I want.” And she played around with a couple different combinations and this is what we came up with. … we get a lot of people commenting on that.”
And there will broadly be more comments on the ’51 at the Wyoming-Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce’s 2019 28th Street Metro Cruise on Aug. 23-24.
WKTV Community Media will produce a 1-hour special live broadcast scheduled to air at 7 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 23, on WKTVLive.org as well as on WKTV Comcast Cable Channel 25 and AT&T U-Verse Channel 99, and, later on demand at WKTV.org.
For more information Metro Cruise 2019, visit the chamber’s website at southkent.org and keep up on the latest news of Metro Cruise and DreamWheels at WKTVjournal.org .
High school students Gerardo Garay and Willow Grey-Lughod haven’t exactly spent the summer kicking back and relaxing.
The pair, who attend Kent Transition Center, has been working diligently in a 10-week program through a partnership with Kent ISD and Michigan Rehab Services. They are a part of a 10-person team helping with cleaning and landscaping on the large Kent ISD campus in Northeast Grand Rapids, preparing for the new school year.
Kent Transition Center helps prepare students with learning or other special needs make the transition from school to work and to develop independence.
Forest Hills Northern student Willow Grey-Lughold cleans a chair as part of the Kent ISD Summer Employment Program, which is giving students their first experience in the job world. (School News Network)
“We do mostly cleaning and weeding so everything looks respectable,” said Gerardo, entering 12th grade at East Kentwood High School. “This is my first job indeed. Everything is going great so far.
“If anyone is scared of a first job, this is a perfect experience. They help you a lot; there are a lot of nice people.” Gerardo hopes the experience will help further his dream. “After high school, I want to achieve my dream of running my own restaurant in the bakery, with meal prep and cooking.”
Willow said she’s making the most of her summer job too. “We’re learning how to clean stuff that I’ve never done at home,” said Willow, who is entering her senior year at Forest Hills Northern. “We’re learning a whole lot.”
Beyond working on campus, other students are working at the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel helping with food preparation, in the laundry room, and most are in their district doing the same types of activities, according to Duane Kiley, principal at the Transition Center.
“It truly gives them something to put on their resume, gives them experience that you can’t get anyplace else,” said Kiley, of the 37 students in the program. “We have kids come back and say they learned a lot about what it’s like to work for somebody, follow directions, show up on time and work with other people. For a lot of them, it’s their first experience getting a paycheck and having direct deposit at a bank.
“And a number of our graduates got hired by the places they worked at in the summer.”
Forest Hills Northern student Willow Grey-Lughold participated in the Kent ISD Summer Employment Program, prepping the campus inside and out for the new school year. (School News Network)
Kent Transition Center
All of the students in the Summer Employment Program attend the Kent Transition Center, whose goal is to prepare high school juniors and seniors for employment and a successful, independent future. It offers small classes, hands-on learning and support to give their students what they need for successful learning.
Students can apply what they learn in the classroom through internships at actual job sites where they are mentored by business partners and supported by the Transition Center team. High school credits are earned for these career experiences, which can lead to paid positions for those students who excel.
Real-World Experience with Support
Linda Nawrocki, administrative assistant at the Transition Center, says this summer experience is unique.
“What I think is so great about this program for the kids is that they get this real work experience, but they have this support that you wouldn’t typically get when you’re first hired,” she explained.
Wyoming student Gerardo Garay cleans a chair as part of the Kent ISD Summer Employment Program, which is giving students a first-look at a job
Kiley said the real story is the partnership with Michigan Rehab Services.
“The money that pays these students’ salaries comes from the Michigan Rehab and federal funds,” Kiley said. “We pay 25 percent and MRS pays 75 percent. Each student gets over $1,000 for the 10 weeks.”
Zach Mosher, a supervisor for the summer work program, said it’s a good first experience working with a boss, taking orders, working as a team and following through with a job.
“It’s their first experience in a job atmosphere,” said Mosher, a third-grade teacher at Sandy Hill Elementary in Jenison, where 10 students are employed. “Right now we are prepping a room for the school year; dusting the ceilings, walls, vents and working our way down to the windows, doors and door frames to the floor.
“We have done many rooms throughout campus, including hundreds of lockers. We spend the majority of our time outside doing the grounds; pulling weeds on the sidewalks, curbs and courtyards and trimming branches.”
Mosher has much to say about his workers.
“They sweat and don’t complain; they just do it. And they get so many compliments about their good work. They’re just awesome workers; I’m proud of them. This definitely helps prepare them for the work world.”
To read more stories on on local schools, visit the School News Network website at schoolnewsnetwork.org.
Kent County Emergency Manager Lt. Lou Hunt today released a statement to inform the general public about a planned test of the country’s Emergency Alert System.
As part of the statement, Lt. Hunt states: “This is only a test and is not a real event. No action is needed by the public. It is also important to know this test does not include wireless emergency alerts, so alerts broadcast through wireless devices such as cellphones are not expected nor being tested. Rather, this test is aimed at traditional alerting methods such as radio and television.”
Following is the complete statement:
FEMA, in coordination with the Federal Communications Commission and radio and television Emergency Alert System (EAS) participants, will conduct a nationwide test of the EAS beginning at 2:20 p.m. EDT on Wednesday, August 7, 2019. A backup date is scheduled for Wednesday, August 21, 2019, if needed. The test will assess the operational readiness of the nation’s alert and warning infrastructures for distribution of a national message that could be urgent and lifesaving and determine whether technological improvements are warranted.
The test of the EAS will broadcast a test message that is approximately one minute long. Broadcast radio and television, cable, wireline service providers, and direct broadcast satellite service providers will each broadcast the test message once within a few minutes of the test. The national EAS test message will look and sound similar to the regular Required Monthly Test messages broadcast by all EAS participants. The EAS test message is expected to have limited impact on the public with only a minor interruption to regular radio and television programs. The EAS test message will be:
“This is a test of the National Emergency Alert System. This system was developed by broadcast and cable operators in voluntary cooperation with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Federal Communication Commission, and local authorities to keep you informed in the event of an emergency. If this had been an actual emergency an official message would have followed the tone alert, you heard at the start of this message. No action is required.”
“If you don’t read the newspaper, you‘re uninformed. If you read the newspaper, you‘re mis-informed.”
Mark Twain
Lee Middle and High School. (WKTV)
New principal at Lee high
Lee Middle and High School will have a new principal when it greets students later this month as Godfrey-Lee Public Schools announced this week that Candida VanBuskirk would fill the position following Kathryn Curry’s retirement after 7 years as principal. Visit here for the story.
More than 1,200 backpacks were collected for the 2018 School Supply Santa. (Supplied)
Back to school help
A school ad shows a student larger than life because of all the new school supplies and clothes she got. But for some local residents, just purchasing the basic school supplies can be a momental task. Visit here for the story.
The annual Metro Cruise is a feast of automobiles and automotive details (Courtesy Bruce Carlson)
Easy parking for Metro Cruise
The annual Metro Cruise is always popular, with visitor parking often at a premium, and the Wyoming-Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce’s 2019 28th Street Metro Cruise on Aug. 23-24 will be no different. But thanks to a partnership with The Rapid, there will be two shuttle buses running from nearby but off 28th Street parking locations — Wyoming High School and the Wyoming’s Kent District Library. Visit here for the story.
(Not so) Fun fact:
With 66 percent of Americans using Facebook, Pew Research Center says 45 percent of US adults get at least some of their news from the site. The survey found that of the 45 percent turning to Facebook for news content, half claim it is the only social platform they are using for news.
Today is National Night Out, a time set aside for residents to turn their porch lights on and get out and meet their neighbors.
Both the cities of Kentwood and Wyoming will have a number of National Night Out events and activities taking place throughout the day. Below is a list of just some of those activities.
Consumer’s Energy Kick-Off Event
Consumer’s Energy will host its early morning event from 5:30 – 8 a.m. at its Wyoming headquarters, 4000 Clay Ave. SW. Mayors from several cities including Wyoming Mayor Jack Poll and Kentwood Mayor Stephen Kepley will participate in a joint reading of the proclamation in recognition of National Night Out.
Employees will be handing out light bulbs along Clay Avenue along with area police cruisers on display with lights on.
City of Kentwood
The Kentwood Police Department has partnered with Woodland Mall to offer community members an up-close look at emergency vehicles both outside and throughout the mall from 3 to 5 p.m. Large emergency vehicles will be on display outside by Celebration! Cinema, while other vehicles will be placed throughout the mall for shoppers to learn about and explore. A table featuring Kentwood Police Department giveaways will be located in the Barnes and Nobles wing.
Pentecostals Church, 2627 44th St. SE, will host a party featuring a bounce house, free meal, face painting, music, carnival games and other kids’ activities.
South United Methodist Church, 4500 S. Division Ave., will have free ice cream and hot dogs, a live band, door prizes and a small water slide for young children.
Faith Church, 1412 44th St. SE, will have food trucks and a live band.
More information about National Night Out events in Kentwood is available at kentwood.us/NNO.
Various activities will be offered at several neighborhood National Night Out events. (WKTV)
The Wyoming Concerts in the Park series hosts its last concert tonight with Shadows of the Night, music of the women of rock from 7 – 9 p.m. The evening is centered around National Night Out with a variety of activities taking place along with a visit from a couple of representatives from the city’s most popular police unit, the K-9 Unit.
Other National Night Out events, which will take place between 5 – 9 p.m., taking place are:
The South Godwin Neighborhood Association at Southlawn Park, 4125 Jefferson Ave. SE. This is one of the biggest National Night Out events with lots of activities.
Grace University, 1011 Aldon St. SW, will have activities and food.
Calvary Christian Reformed Church, 3500 Byron Center Ave. SW, will have activities and food.
Oriole Park, 1380 42nd St. SW, will have activities including a children’s parade.
South Kent National Night Out
The Kent County Sheriff’s Department and the Kentwood Community Church have teamed up to host the South Kent National Night Out set for 4 – 8 p.m. at Kentwood Community Church, 1200 60th St. SW.
The free event will feature food, games, splash pads, AeroMed Helicopter, KCSO Mounted Unit, and much more! For more information on the South Kent National Night Out, click here.
Kent County 17th Circuit Court Judge Kathleen Feeney, with one of the West Michigan Therapy Dogs, Inc. dogs and handler, at City of Wyoming’s 62-A District Court. (WKTV)
By K.D. Norris ken@wktv.org
Kai and Bentley, a German Shepard and a Goldendoodle, respectively, were friendly but not very talkative as they were introducing themselves around City of Wyoming’s 62-A District Court earlier this summer as part of Kent County’s Courthouse Therapy Dog Program pending expansion.
That’s okay, though, it’s sort of what they are trained to do as therapy dogs: to present a smiling dog face, a scratch-able ear, and a transferable sense of calmness to humans in stressful situations.
And, anyway, as WKTV hung out with Kai and Bentley and several of their 4-legged friends while the dogs prepared to start duty in Wyoming, their West Michigan Therapy Dogs, Inc. handlers and Kent County 17th Circuit Court Judge Kathleen Feeney — a driving force behind the program — had plenty to say on the dog’s behalf.
“They have been going to the different courthouses, getting used to the victim witness units, and in the courtrooms,” Judge Feeney said to WKTV in late June. “So they could be available for children who are victims of crime … and for vulnerable adults, who are also preyed upon, unfortunately, in criminal circumstances.
“We work them (the dogs) in two-hour shifts because that is about all they can handle because, believe it or not, they absorb a lot of the stress the kids are under.”
As of last week, Judge Feeney said several dogs have been “trained for Wyoming, Walker and Grandville (courts), as well as the 63rd and 61st District courts,” but have not yet started working in Wyoming.
Several of the West Michigan Therapy Dogs, Inc. dogs and handlers at City of Wyoming’s 62-A District Court. (WKTV)
In late 2018, Kent County’s Courthouse Therapy Dog Program began a trial effort in Judge Feeney’s court, along with the 61st and 63rd District Courts in Kent County. The program is a joint effort of Judge Feeney, Kent County Prosecutor Chris Becker and his office, as well as with West Michigan Therapy Dogs, Inc.
“Prosecutor Chris Becker and I had talked about having dogs brought into the courthouse for a couple years now, and when we started hearing about more and more courts in Michigan having dogs coming into the courthouse, courthouse dogs … We thought, OK, we need to start looking into this more, and he was very open to it,” she said.
Maybe not so incidentally, Judge Feeney has a personal connection to therapy dogs and to the local therapy dog group.
Kent County Circuit Court Family Division Judge Kathleen A. Feeney. (Supplied)
“My now four-year-old Bernese Mountain Dog, Rosie, is a West Michigan Therapy dog,” she said. “So we do dog therapy, in addition to the 400 other people who belong to this organization throughout West Michigan. And so I thought, okay, this is perfect. Let’s see if we can’t bring West Michigan Therapy Dogs into the prosecutor’s office and the courts.”
And the trial program, less than a year old, is already proving its success.
“The evolution is how people are valuing it, Judge Feeney said. “At first we only got a couple calls from victims or victim advocates … for dogs, but all of a sudden, they started seeing how positive it was for the victims, for the families, who are also very stressed and concerned about what is going on. Now there are a lot more requests.”
So what sort of dogs work well as therapy dogs? Just how do they do their jobs? Kai and Bentley let their handlers tell us.
Kai. (WKTV)
Kai’s “been doing therapy work for two years. He’s an 8-year-old dog and he’s been a court dog since October (2018),” Mary Hovingh said to WKTV. His “personality is calm, sweet, and in his case, he likes kids. Everything he does as a therapy dog is with children, no adults.
“I read the child. If the child does not want to touch the dog, they can sit near the dog, play games. If they want to pet the dog, they can. I’ve had kids show him pictures, they’ll read a book and show him a picture. And he will, oddly, look at the pictures.”
Mary Hovingh. (WKTV)
Hovingh explained that in addition to working in courts, “my dog goes to schools, he’s up to eight or nine different schools now, during the school year. And he does libraries. About a third of his people, the children who read to him, are special needs kids. He has ridiculous amounts of patience for children.”
Three-year-old Bentley, according to handler Val Bares, has a similar demeanor and work ethic.
Bentley. (WKTV)
“What traits make a good therapy dog?” she repeated a question from WKTV. “Mostly you look at the personality, you want the dog to be friendly with people. There are people dogs and there are dog dogs, and you want a people dog, one that loves to be petted. Their temperament is key. You want them to be calm.”
Bentley and Bares have been together since he was a puppy, and they work together in hospitals, a burn unit camp and at an assisted living center, she said. And she would not trade her work with Bentley for anything.
“I don’t know where it is more rewarding, for him or for me,” she said. “ Their intuition to people that are hurting or that are sad, is just unbelievable. It is such a blessing to be able to do this with him, in this program.”
“It always helps to have people we love beside us when we have to do difficult things in life.”
From The World According to Mister Rogers (p. 45).
WKTV file photo
Get to know your neighbor, Aug. 6
Started in 1984, National Night Out has evolved to neighborhoods hosting block parties, festival, parades, cookouts and other community events with safety demonstrations, seminars, youth events, visits from emergency personal, exhibits and much more. More here.
Courtesy Vista Springs Assisted Living
How about doing some daytripping?
Be a fake tourist for a day. Go to local museums, parks, festival events or even the town historical sites and city hall. You might be amazed about how much local history sits buried in these locations that most people don’t know a lot about. Go here for more day trip ideas.
Circle Aug. 8th on your calendar
Comedy-drama, Superior Donuts by Tony® Award- and Pulitzer Prize–winning author Tracy Letts, explores the challenges of embracing the past and the redemptive power of friendship. It opens Aug. 8th at Circle Theatre. Go here for the deets.
Fun fact:
Because he ‘hated it so’
That’s the reason Fred Rogers (aka Mr. Rogers) got into television. When he turned on a set, all he saw was angry people throwing pies in each others’ faces, and he vowed to use the medium to make the world a better place.
By Mike Moll, WKTV Volunteer Sports Director sports@wktv.org
Here comes the start of another academic school year opening this month, which also means the local high school sports schedules are doing the same.
Beginning on Aug. 16, fall seasons for girls golf and volleyball, along with boys and girls cross country, and boys soccer, tennis, swimming, water polo and — of course — football all get under way throughout the last two weeks of the month leading to Labor Day weekend.
WKTV will once again be featuring a weekly football game starting with the Thursday, Aug. 29, matchup between White Cloud and Wyoming Lee.
There are some changes not only to Wyoming Lee this year, but to the O-K Silver conference, where the former nicknamed Rebels and now called Legends have played.
For a variety of reasons, Lee, along with NorthPointe Christian and Calvin Christian have all made the change to play independently this season.
As a result, the four remaining Silver teams — Godwin Heights, Kelloggsville, Belding and Hopkins — will each play a home and home conference schedule to determine the league champion.
Want to be a television sports announcer?
If anyone has ever thought about trying to announce a sporting event, WKTV has a great chance for you to do exactly that! The tentative schedule for May follows and we are always looking for additional announcers, especially for the spring games. If you would like to try it or have any questions, please email Mike at sportswktv@gmail.com.
Where and when to see featured games
Featured games are broadcast the night of the contest and then at least once later in the week.
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 given the choice to watch Wyoming (or Kentwood) Community (Channel 25) or Government (Channel 26) channels.
All Featured Games, as well as other high school sports and community events covered by WKTV, are available on-demand within a week of play at wktvondemand.com.
For a complete schedule of all local high school sports action each week, any changes to the WKTV feature sports schedule, and feature stories on local sports, visit wktvjournal.org/sports/.
Following is this month’s schedule, starting Friday, Aug. 16:
Friday, Aug. 16 Boys Soccer Wyoming @ Wyoming Lee East Kentwood @ FH Central Girls Golf East Kentwood vs Jenison – Jenison Invite @ The Meadows Boys Tennis East Kentwood @ Ludington – Ludington Invite
Saturday, Aug. 17 Boys Soccer Whitehall @ South Christian – Mark Hasper Invite TBA @ Wyoming Lee – Copa Leyendas
Monday, Aug. 19 Girls Golf South Christian @ Traverse City Invite – Spruce Run Boys Soccer Holland Christian @ South Christian Holland @ East Kentwood Boys Tennis Wyoming @ Holland
Tuesday, Aug. 20 Girls Golf South Christian @ Traverse City Invite – Wolverine Boys Soccer Godwin Heights @ Kelloggsville Wyoming Lee @ Calvin Christian Union @ Wyoming Boys / Girls Cross Country Godwin Heights @ Kent City
Wednesday, Aug. 21 Boys Tennis TBA @ South Christian – Sailor Quad TBA @ Wyoming – Quad Boys Soccer Caledonia @ South Christian Wyoming @ Zeeland West Portage Northern @ East Kentwood Boys / Girls Cross Country Wyoming Lee @ Hesperia – Baker Woods Invitational Potter’s House @ Holland Calvary
Thursday, Aug. 22 Boys Tennis TBA @ South Christian – Sailor Quad Wyoming @ Lowell Boys Soccer Belding @ Godwin Heights Potter’s House @ Wyoming Lee Ravenna @ Zion Christian
Friday, Aug. 23 Boys Soccer Tri-Unity Christian @ Barry County Christian Potter’s House @ Wyoming East Kentwood @ West Ottawa Girls Golf South Christian vs Middleville T-K – TK Invite @ Yankee Springs Girls Volleyball Wyoming Lee @ WMAES Wyoming vs TBA – WMVOA Meet @ MSA Fieldhouse Boys Water Polo East Kentwood @ Ann Arbor Pioneer – Pioneer Invite
Saturday, Aug. 24 Girls Volleyball Tri-Unity Christian vs TBA – WMVOA Invitational @ MSA Fieldhouse Godwin Heights vs TBA – Officials for Kids Tourney @ MSA Fieldhouse Potter’s House vs TBA – Official for Kids Tourney @ MSA Fieldhouse Zion Christian vs TBA – WMVOA Invitational @ MSA Fieldhouse South Christian @ Grand Haven Boys Tennis South Christian @ East Kentwood – EK Invite TBA @ Wyoming – David Bentley Tournament Boys / Girls Cross Country South Christian @ East Kentwood Wyoming Lee @ Muskegon Catholic Central Boys Soccer TBA @ Zion Christian – Zion Soccer Invite Boys Water Polo East Kentwood @ Ann Arbor Pioneer – Pioneer Invite Girls Volleyball East Kentwood @ Grand Haven – Lakeshore Classic
Monday, Aug. 26 Boys Soccer Tri-Unity Christian @ NorthPointe Christian South Christian @ Grand Rapids Christian Wyoming @ FH Eastern Hudsonville @ East Kentwood Girls Golf South Christian @ Muskegon Mona Shores Boys Tennis Holland Christian @ South Christian Girls Volleyball Wyoming Lee @ Algoma Christian
Tuesday, Aug. 27 Boys / Girls Cross Country South Christian @ St. Joseph Girls Swimming South Christian @ Grand Rapids Christian Central @ East Kentwood Boys Soccer NorthPointe Christian @ Godwin Heights Hopkins @ Wyoming Lee Ottawa Hills @ Wyoming Zion Christian @ Saugatuck Boys Tennis Wyoming @ Zeeland East TBA @ East Kentwood – EK Quad Girls Volleyball Ottawa Hills @ Wyoming Zion Christian @ Martin – Quad TBA @ East Kentwood – EK Early Bird Tournament
Wednesday, Aug. 28 Girls Golf South Christian @ Kent Country Club – OK Jamboree Boys Tennis Unity Christian @ South Christian Girls Volleyball Caledonia @ South Christian – Sailor Invite Boys Soccer East Grand Rapids @ South Christian Wyoming @ Wayland Rockford @ East Kentwood Boys / Girls Cross Country Godwin Heights @ Saranac Wyoming Lee @ Saranac Wyoming @ Wayland
Thursday, Aug. 29 Girls Swimming South Christian @ East Kentwood Boys Football Greenville vs South Christian – @ Byron Center Godwin Heights @ Hamilton White Cloud @ Wyoming Lee – WKTV Featured Event Holland @ Wyoming Boys Soccer Wyoming Lee @ Godwin Heights Potter’s House vs West Michigan Heat – @ Hudsonville Christian Zion Christian @ Kalamazoo Christian Plainwell @ East Kentwood Girls Volleyball TBA @ East Kentwood – Lady Falcon Invite Boys / Girls Cross Country East Kentwood @ Milford – Invite
Friday, Aug. 30 Boys Football Tri-unity Christian @ Climax-Scotts East Kentwood @ Muskegon Mona Shores
One thing Sgt. Brian Look is certain of is that Aug. 6 is going to be a busy night for the Wyoming Department of Public Safety.
It’s a good busy because that is National Night Out, when residents are encouraged to turn their porch light on and come out and meet their neighbors.
“This is one of the biggest years we have had for National Night Out,” Look said, adding that there are going to be a number of neighborhood and community events including the wrap up event for the Wyoming Concerts in the Park series at Lamar Park.
Started in 1984, National Night out is a nationwide movement created by the National Association of Town Watch to promote involvement in crime prevention activities, police-community partnerships, neighborhood camaraderie and send a message to criminals letting them know that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back. Always the first Tuesday in August, the event has evolved to neighborhoods hosting block parties, festival, parades, cookouts and other community events with safety demonstrations, seminars, youth events, visits from emergency personal, exhibits and much more.
“National Night Out is one of my favorite nights of the year,” said Mayor Jack Poll. “I love seeing neighbors come together with our public safety personnel to promote safety and strengthen community engagement. Together we are building a stronger Wyoming.”
For the City of Wyoming, the activities start in the early morning with a kick-off celebration at Consumers Energy, 4000 Clay Ave. SW, from 5:30 – 8 a.m. Mayor Jack Poll will join other area mayors from Kentwood, Grandville, Walker and Grand Rapids for the reading of a joint mayoral proclamation at 7:15 a.m. Consumers Energy employees will be distributing energy-efficient LED light bulbs along Clay Avenue.
Area mayors and law enforcement officials gather for the Consumers Energy kick off for National Night Out. (WKTV)
The Wyoming Department of Public Safety will join several other law enforcement agencies for activities at Celebration! Cinema at RiverTown Crossings from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Look said most of the National Night Out programs take place in the evening from 5 – 9 p.m. Many of these activities in the City of Wyoming are specifically for the individual neighborhood, he said.
“We really do not have a big National Night Out party because the purpose is for people to get out of their houses and get to know their neighbors,” Look said. “You really want residents to get to know each other, because once they start to know each other, they start to care about one another and that creates that sense of community and pride which in turn helps deter crime.”
The Wyoming Concerts in the Park series will host the Shadows of the Night, music of the women of rock from 7 – 9 p.m. Other activities will be taking place along with a visit from a couple of representatives from the city’s most popular police unit, the K-9 Unit.
There are a few other community events as well. One of those is hosted by the South Godwin Neighborhood Association at Southlawn Park, 4125 Jefferson Ave. SE. Look said the South Godwin event is one of the city’s biggest National Night Out programs.
Other community National Night Out events are at Grace University, 1011 Aldon St. SW; Calvary Christian Reformed Church, 3500 Byron Center Ave. SW; and at Oriole Park, 1380 42nd St. SW. Look noted that the Oriole Park event usually features a children’s parade.
Also expect to see Mayor Jack Poll, who makes it a goal to visit as many of the National Night Out events as possible. Many of the City Council members will be visiting along with city staff and other area county and state officials.
There will be safety demonstrations, fun games and food at many of the National Night Out events. (WKTV)
Lee Middle and High School will have a new principal when it greets students later this month as Godfrey-Lee Public Schools announced this week that Candida VanBuskirk would fill the position following Kathryn Curry’s retirement after 7 years as principal.
Candida VanBuskirk. (Facebook)
According to the district, VanBuskirk, who often goes by the name “Candy”, comes to Godfrey-Lee from Michigan City (In.) High School, where she served as the principal for two years. Prior to that, she was the associate principal at the same school, and before that assistant principal at New Prairie (In.) High School and teacher at New Buffalo High School.
VanBuskirk “is a strong instructional leader that will bring expertise in a culture of collaboration, excellence for our staff and students, and build the type of relationships that will sustain success,” Kevin Polston, Superintendent, Godfrey-Lee Public Schools, said in supplied material. “In addition, she has a background in athletics as a 2-time All American at Roberts Wesleyan College and team co-captain at Bowling Green (State University). She has (also) coached basketball at the high school and collegiate levels.”
VanBuskirk has a bachelor’s degree in Biology from Bowling Green, a masters degree in Educational Leadership from Western Michigan University, a masters degree in Science Education from the University of Dayton, and is currently pursuing a Doctorates Degree from Indiana State University.
The annual Metro Cruise is always a popular event, and now getting there will be easier thanks to a shuttle service provided by The Rapid. (WKTV)
By WKTV Staff ken@wktv.org
The annual Metro Cruise is always popular, with visitor parking often at a premium, and the Wyoming-Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce’s 2019 28th Street Metro Cruise on Aug. 23-24 will be no different.
But thanks to a partnership with The Rapid, there will be two shuttle buses running from nearby but off 28th Street parking locations — Wyoming High School and the Wyoming’s Kent District Library — where visitors can park easily and take a free shuttle to and from all the action.
“The Wyoming-Kentwood Chamber of Commerce is excited with our partnership with The Rapid to operate two shuttle buses for the 28th Street Metro Cruise,” Bob O’Callaghan, President/CEO of the Wyoming-Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce, said to WKTV. “We thank The Rapid for their continued support of the chamber and the 28th Street Metro Cruise.”
The Rapid often provides shuttle service for community events. (Supplied)
The free buses supplied by The Rapid will shuttle Cruise attendees from Wyoming High School, 1350 Prairie Parkway, and the Wyoming library, 3350 Michael to Rogers Plaza every 20 to 30 minutes during the peak times on Friday, Aug. 23 and Saturday, Aug. 24. Exact times of the shuttle service is as-yet to be determined.
WKTV Community Media will produce a 1-hour special live broadcast scheduled to air at 7 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 23.
For more information on the shuttle service, visit the chamber’s website at southkent.org the week of Metro Cruise, or keep up on the latest Metro Cruise news at WKTVjournal.org .
“Animals are such agreeable friends — they ask no questions; they pass no criticisms.”
George Eliot
On a roll
Only recently, Margo Price “was a country underdog just trying to keep enough gas in the tank to get to the next gig,” but by the end of 2016, she was one of the genre’s most celebrated new artists with gigs on late night television and at major festivals around the world. Don’t miss her performance at Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park this Thursday, Aug. 1st. The Dawes with Margo Price concert will start at 6:30pm (5:15pm gates open), with a $50 general admission ticket price. For more information and tickets visit meijergardens.org. Go here for the story.
Precious cargo
National Heat Stroke Prevention day is July 31, 2019, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is reminding everyone to “look before you lock.” It takes just 10 minutes for a vehicle in the sun to heat up by 20 degrees and become potentially deadly for a child left locked in a car. Go here for the story.
Tick tock
If despite your best prevention efforts, a tick still attaches to you, there’s a right and a wrong way to remove ticks. Don’t use matches or the tip of a cigarette to burn off ticks. This could cause them to transmit bacteria more quickly. The correct way to remove a tick is to lift it gently with thin forceps or tweezers. Here are more tips.
Fun fact:
A raisin dropped in a glass of fresh champagne will bounce up and down continuously from the bottom of the glass to the top. You’re welcome.
On the latest episode of WKTV Journal In Focus is an update on the June partial building collapse at Lee Middle and High School. District Superintendent Kevin Polston separates the facts from the fictions of the incident and the aftermath. Also, Kent County recently adopted an extensive Strategic Plan that not only sets out its mission and vision but also a set of values that will drive its priorities and goals. With us is both the county’s lead administrator and Wyoming’s own representative on the County Commission.
First In Focus is Godfrey Lee Public Schools Superintendent Kevin Polston, who’s summer took a hard turn in June with the collapse of a portion of the Lee Middle and High School complex of buildings. Recently, he has held a series of meetings to inform parents, the general public and the school district community about the collapse as well as where the district goes from here, both in the short and long term. We invited him into our studios to reach out to our WKTV audience with the information. See the In Focus Video here.
County Administrator Wayman Britt and County Commissioner Harold Voorhees on the set of WKTV Journal In Focus. (WKTV)
Then In Focus is Kent County’s new Strategic Plan, set to cover the years 2019 to 2023 and designed to establish and detail the county government’s, “mission, vision, values, and strategic priorities and goals.” With us is County Administrator Wayman Britt, who after serving as county controller was promoted to the dual role of administrator and controller in early 2018, also joining us is County Commissioner Harold Voorhees, whose District 8 is — as he likes to say “entirely within the City of Wyoming”. See the In Focus video here.
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 (see our Weekly On-air Schedule for dates and times). All individual interviews included in episodes of WKTV Journal In Focus are also available on YouTube at WKTVvideos.
Joanne Bailey-Boorsma, the host of Locally Entertaining, sits down with members of the Motherland House Concerts. From the right, Netty BM, Ruben Ndjerareou, Beatrice Muriithi, and Mirbel Umenei. (WKTV)
Grand Rapids Civic Theatre wraps up its 2018-2019 season with “Alice in Wonderland” and “All Shook Up.” (GRCT)
Shake the routine up by watching two local high school students perform the Grand Rapids Civic Theatre productions of “All Shook Up” and “Alice in Wonderland.” Both shows run July 26 – Aug. 4 at Grand Rapids Civic Theatre, 30 N. Division Ave. The shows alternative dates and times, so make sure to check ahead if you are look for a specific show. Kentwood’s Micah Hamstra plays Humpty Dumpty and Tweedledum in “Alice in Wonderland.” Wyoming’s Xavier Turner portrays Dennis in “All Shook Up.” Tickets are $10 – $16 with the shows only being about an hour. For more information, visit grct.org.
One ‘Queen’ of a show
The last dual feature of the Queen and Pink Floyd light shows is Aug. 1. (Longway Planetarium)
Buckle up, the Grand Rapids Public Museum will be offering the final Planetarium Double Feature showing of The Queen Light Show and Dark Side: The Light Show in the Roger B. Chaffee Planetarium on Thursday, Aug. 1. Tickets are are $8 for non-members, $4 for members. Tickets may be purchased at grpm.org or by calling 616.929.1700.
Take a stand
No matter where you stand in the state of Michigan you are never more than 85 miles away from one of the Great Lakes. So in just under two hours, you could be at beach. This is why we love Michigan!
Wyoming Lee’s football team will be playing an independent schedule for the next two seasons. (2018 photo/WKTV)
By K.D. Norris ken@wktv.org
Wyoming’s Lee High School has historic rivalries in the OK Conference Silver, especially with local Godwin Heights and Kelloggsville high schools. But, in football, it has also had a history of struggling mightily against its conference rivals.
Ultimately, though, it was “doing what is best for the kids” that drove the Rebels — soon to be Legends — to take at least a two-year hiatus from conference play and play an independent schedule this season starting with a home game against White Cloud Thursday, Aug. 29.
While Lee athletic director Jason Faasse said he and others are excited about the possible impact of two years playing an independent schedule, head coach Tom DeGennaro also hopes for a little excitement but wonders if, after decades, Lee football and the OK Conference should part ways for good.
“We’re excited about it,” Faasse said to WKTV. “Our coaching staff is excited about it. Our kids are excited about it. I think it is going to help build our program. It is going to get more kids out. … We are excited to see what this is going to bring.”
The decision to go independent was actually made last season, in the midst of a 1-8 season, and a streak of winning only five games against 22 losses in three years.
“We put together a proposal to do that back in October of last fall, the decision really came because of the state our program has been in the past several years,” Faasse, said. “Just the amount of players we have coming out seems to ebb and flow but we have seen a decrease (and) a lot of that is based on success.”
Faasse said there was some talk about making the jump to independent schedule in 2017, “but we thought we’d be rushing it.”
“We went out to our (varsity) coaches, our other coaches in the program, our parents, our (school governing) board,” Faasse said. “And we just asked for their input on if you think this is a good idea. We got overwhelming support of it.”
Also, there was no serious consideration of playing 8-man football. “We are above the (student count) threshold … we could play, however we would not qualify for the playoffs because of student count,” Faasse said.
Faasse said they would look at resuming conference play again in two years.
DeGennaro, however, says “what is best for our kids” may be no longer playing football in the OK Conference.
Lee head coach Tom DeGennaro. (WKTV)
“We’ve struggled, and it hasn’t just been a short term thing,” DeGennaro said to WKTV, who, like all coaches, had the stats to back up his actions.
The team has had a 61-year history with the OK Conference, it was one of the founding members, he said. And during those 61 years, the team has had 4 winning seasons. The last time they won the conference championship was 1965. They have had 357 total games in conference and 284 losses.
Lee has football players, many of them hitting the weight room this summer. But maybe not enough to compete at there OK Conference level. (WKTV)
“We preach we should do what is best for our kids … last year we had the score run up on us, a team putting their first string back in so they could break 60 points on us. We were not physically able to stay in a game with anybody,” DeGennaro said.
The decision on what will happen in the future is yet to be decided, Faasse said.
“After two seasons of playing an independent schedule, we (will) conduct a review of the status of the program to determine if rejoining the OK Conference schedule is in the best interest of our students,” Faasse said in a previous memorandum to the district governing board detailing the plan to play an independent schedule.
“The goal of this decision is first and foremost putting our athletes in a safe situation,” Faasse also said in the memorandum. “… Under the direction of our coaching staff, this move will help jump-start the development of the program and provide for a culture of success at Lee High School.”
Lee also has history of success when it has gone with an independent schedule — something both coach and athletic director can attest to.
“We pulled out when I was the coach here for my first tenure, we pulled out in ’05 and ‘’06, and we won 13 games (over those two years) and we lost six,” DeGennaro said. “We made the playoffs when we played schools we could compete with.”
Faasse was, coincidentally, a player at Lee when they went independent in 2005.
“Hopefully this gives out kids something to be excited about,” DeGennaro said. “I think they are excited to play teams that they are more on an even par with.”
Lee’s complete football schedule is available at leelegends.org .
Where and when to see Lee football on WKTV
Lee’s Aug. 29 game and all WKTV Featured Games are broadcast the night of the contest and then at least once later in the week.
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 given the choice to watch Wyoming (or Kentwood) Community (Channel 25) or Government (Channel 26) channels.
All Featured Games, as well as other high school sports and community events covered by WKTV, are available on-demand within a week of play at wktvondemand.com.
For a complete schedule of all local high school sports action each week, any changes to the WKTV feature sports schedule, and feature stories on local sports, visit wktvjournal.org/sports/.
When Kentwood resident Micah Hamstra saw that the Grand Rapids Civic Theatre’s Summer Repertory program was going to include “Alice In Wonderland,” he just knew he had to audition.
“The story has been a very big part of my life,” said Hamstra, who will attend Caledonia High School in the fall. “It really showed me how you could just be who you are.”
So Hamstra prepared by “knocking out” his musical audition followed by “blowing up” his script reading. Needless to say, he landed the role of Tweedledum and Humpty Dumpty in the upcoming “Alice In Wonderland” production.
The show along with “All Shook Up” wraps up the Grand Rapids Civic Theatre’s 2018-2019 season. The shows run during the same week, July 26 – Aug. 4, with the productions alternating performance dates. “All Shook Up” is July 26, 27 (afternoon), Aug. 1, 3 (evening), 4, and “Alice In Wonderland” performances are July 27 (evening), 28, 31, Aug. 2, and 3 (afternoon).
“It’s Elvis,” said Wyoming resident and Byron Center High School student Xavier Turner when asked why he auditioned for “All Shook Up.” “Who wouldn’t want to be involved in a show about Elvis?”
Wyoming resident Xavier Turner is in “All Shook Up.” (GRCT)
“All Shook Up” combines the songs of Elvis Presley with Shakespeare, being loosely based on the “Twelfth Night.”
“I knew of the show,” said Turner who plays the young, quirky, aspiring dentist, Dennis, “ I love that show so, I knew I wanted to get involved.”
This is Turner’s first time participating with Grand Rapids Civic Theatre and specifically selected the Summer Repertory program because of the classes tied to the production as well as the chance to be involved on the stage and behind it. Through the Summer Repertory program, each production has its own cast with the cast members of the opposite show serving as the back stage crew. For Turner, he will be helping with wardrobe and the fly rail for “Alice In Wonderland.” Hamstra will be helping with wardrobe for “All Shook Up.”
“Through this program you learn a lot more about theater,” said Hamstra, who said that “Alice” is his third production with Civic Theatre. “You really get the opportunity to learn everything that there is to do back stage along with being in the front.”
Both teenagers said that while they have enjoyed learned about the other aspects of the theater, their hearts are really in performance.
“I know I want to make a profession out of this and for me, I can sing,” said Turner, who has won several awards for his singing performances. “I knew the classes would be really helpful and that it is important to start now.”
Both Hamstra and Turner said they have found a community of family and friends through the production which has made being a part of it even more special.
“It sounds a little cliche but being part of a family has really made coming to this so much fun,” Turner said. “ The opportunity to see something come to life with this group of people has given me the realization of how much I look forward to coming here to do this everyday.”
Hamstra added that those bonds between the actors is what makes the shows fun which in turn makes the production even more exciting to the audience.
“It is just a lot of fun,” Hamstra said. “You have so many very talented people up there on stage just giving it their all.”
Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Friday, and Saturday and 2 p.m Saturday and Sunday with all shows at the Grand Rapids Civic Theatre, 30 N. Division Ave. Tickets are $10 – $16. For more information, visit grct.org or call 616-222-6650.
Marti and Bruce Johns have served as the Studio 28 Flea Market managers for more than 30 years. (WTVK)
After 50 years, the Studio 28 Flea Market is having its last weekend this Saturday and Sunday. The 13 acres the market sits on is in the final stages of being sold, according to officials at Studio C, which oversees Celebration! Cinema and owns the land. Vendors and the market managers, Marti and Bruce Johns, hope people stop by this weekend, between 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., for one last walk through and to swap a few memories and laughs. The market is located on Prairie Avenue in Wyoming across from the Wyoming High School.
Structurally Sound
A portion of the roof at Lee Middle/High School collapsed in June. (WKTV)
All those Godfrey Lee students hoping for a delay in school due to the roof collapse at the Lee Middle/High School earlier this summer are going to be greatly disappointed. According to Superintendent Kevin Polston, the building has been inspected and it has been found to be structurally sound. School officials said they are planning for the regular start of school, which for the Godfrey-Lee Public Schools district is Aug. 19.
Just Pinky
“Supporting the fighters, admiring the survivors, honoring the taken and never giving up hope.”
The Kent County Sheriff’s Department has made pink its color. Starting this month, the department is offering pink Sheriff’s Office patches for a $10 donation with the proceeds going to Gilda’s Club and the Kent County Sheriff’s Office Benevolent Fund. To get a patch, go to the pinkpatchproject.com.
Sault Ste. Marie: More Than Just Locks
While famous for being the home of the Soo Locks, Sault Ste. Marie also goes down in the history books as the first European settlement in the Midwest and the third oldest one west of the Appalachians. Sault Ste. Marie marked its 350th anniversary in 2018. The oldest city in the United States? That goes St. Augustine, Florida, which is more than 450 years old.
Marti and Bruce Johns have been the managers at the Studio 28 Flea Market. Bruce has been with the market for 35 years and Marti has been with the market for 33. (WKTV)
As Bruce and Marti Johns sit in the little white booth at the Studio 28 Flea Market, they swap more than just money and spaces, they share the stories that make up the 50-year history of the market.
The original permit to open the Studio 28 Flea Market. (Supplied)
“He’s been doing it for 35 and I’ve been doing this for 33,” Marti said and with a laugh adds. “I just knew if I wanted to spend my weekends with him that I was going to have to do this.”
“It’s always been about family,” Bruce Johns said. “For 35 years, we have seen these people every weekend, sharing their stories, their lives from wedding announcements to babies coming to everything that happens from one weekend to another.”
Started 50 years ago when the East Beltline Drive-In was still located at 1400 28th St. SW, the flea market will have its last weekend this Saturday and Sunday. The 13 acres along the back side of the property along Prairie Avenue, and where the market is located, is in the final stages of being sold. The lot is owned by Studio C, which owns and operates Celebration! Cinema.
“It is not a money maker and over the past several years it has made enough to cover the taxes,” said Emily Loeks, public relations and community affairs for Studio C. For most of its history, it has cost 50 cents for attendees. Vendors pay a separate fee to get a spot.
“In reality, you are not going to keep such a prime piece of property vacant forever,” Loeks said. The entire property is 20 acres with seven acres along 28th Street still available.
In fact many of the vendors and attendees said they knew the market could end some day.
“I think for the past 10 years, there has been a rumor that this is going to be the last one,” Bruce Johns said. “Well, this year, it really is the last one.”
There have been some efforts to try and relocate the market to another location, but with one option falling through, it does not appear that anything will happen this year. So instead, vendors and attendees are spending the last weekend celebrating the market’s history.
Produce has always been available at the market. (WKTV)
Shoppers make their way from booth to booth. (WKTV)
Clothing items for sale at the Studio 28 Flea Market. (WKTV)
Vendors sold all kinds of things at the market. (WKTV)
An attendee looks over the toys. (WKTV)
Boxes of treasures await discovery. (WKTV)
Bedding and house items were common at the market. (WKTV)
A vendor offers meals and food items. (WKTV)
Handmade crafts we’re also at the Studio 29 Flea Market. (WKTV)
Unique and hard-to-find speciality food items. (WKTV)
Produce items at the market. (WKTV)
Canned jellies and honey at the Studio 28 Flea Market. (WKTV)
Officially started on May 20, 1970, the market was the idea of John D. Loeks, the founder to Celebration! Cinemas. Loeks already operated the East Beltline Drive-In on the site.
“My grandfather was an entrepreneur,” Loeks said. “He started many things. He had a trampoline park, a putt-putt golf and succeed with many ventures, one that became Showspan, which brings in all the sports expos and other shows.”
“According to my understanding, [John D.] Loeks went to California and saw a market like this and decided to bring it here,” Johns said.
Loeks said that the drive-in at the time was empty for parts of the week, so it was set up that vendors could have a space between each post on the drive-in lot.
In the early years, vendors would wait in line and then race once the doors were open to stake out their spot. After the drive-in was closed and the lot was paved for Studio 28, lines were added to indicate spots with vendors being able to rent a designated spot for the day, weekend, or month.
The market has 457 booths. On its biggest weekend in the summer, there might be 300 vendors and about 4,000 customers, Loeks said. More recently, the market is usually half to three-fourths full, mostly depending on the weather, she said. The market has been impacted by other local markets opening but the closest one similar the Studio 28 Flea Market it is in Paw Paw, according to attendees.
Sharon and Alex Cardosa, of Dorr, have been visiting the Studio 28 Street Market for many years. (WKTV)
“There is something about the feel to this particular market,” said Alex Cardosa, of Dorr, who has attended various flea markets for about 30 years. Cardosa said he spends about every weekend from April to October, when the market is usually open, with his wife, walking and looking for deals on a variety of items such as tools, antiques, artifacts, collectibles or “just the unusual.”
“Wet a certain amount of farm choirs done in the morning and then come here to get our exercise in,” said Cardosa’s wife Sharon, with Cardosa adding “the folks here just really make it work.”
Longtime vendor Lynn Baker with Studio 28 Flea Market Operations Manager Bruce Johns. (WKTV)
Grand Rapids resident Lynn Baker agreed as she has been a vendor at the market since it opened 50 years ago.
“I’m low income and so this has been a way for me to supplement my income,” said Baker, who said she attends other markets in the summer as well. Baker sells home goods, clothing, and accessories. “I love coming. I love the people. I love what I do.”
Grand Rapids resident and Studio 28 Flea Market vendor Tami Eisenhuth was introduced to the Studio 28 Street. Market by her mother, Lorene, who also was a vendor. (WKTV)
“It’s the people,” said Grand Rapids resident Tami Eisenhuth. Eisenhuth said she had been coming to the market since she was a little girl with her mother Lorene, who was known as the cookie lady.
“She would bring tins of cookies with her and hand them out to people,” Eisenhuth said. “She would tell people not to wash the tins because she was afraid they would not let them air property and then the tins would rust.”
Bruce Johns said he remember those cookies and this past week, as a tribute to her mother, Eisenhuth handed out cookies to her Studio 28 Flea Market “family.”
“When my mother died,” Eisenhuth said with a tear in her eye, “we put her stuff out to sell. People were like ‘Lions, tigers, and bears, oh my!’ because there were a lot of lions and bears. People bought something to remember her.”
Longtime vendor Allie Henning, pictured with granddaughters Alyssa Armano and Kaleigh Blakeslee, said when the market closes, he will be retiring. (WKTV)
“When it closes next weekend, it will be the end for me,” said Allie Henning who started his business after his plant shutdown 20 years ago. “I have been to other markets and this is the one I do. In fact, it is now the only one I do and I have a clientele that follows me. But when its done, I’m done too.”
Last weekend also will be the last for the Johns as well.
“I would do this for another 50 years,” Bruce Johns said. “But things do have to come to an end. So instead, I am going to look forward to having my weekends free, play with grandchildren and do a little traveling.”
The Studio 28 Flea Market is open from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Some vendors are there as early as 6 a.m. While the address is listed as 28th Street, the main entrance is off of Prairie Avenue across from the Wyoming High School. For more information, visit the Facebook page, Studio 28 Flea Market.
The portion of the Lee Middle and High School complex where the collapse and clean-up occurred. (Supplied/Godfrey Lee Public Schools)
By K.D. Norris ken@wktv.org
Kevin Polston, Superintendent of Godfrey Lee Public Schools, was really busy this week and it really had little to do with the opening of school in six weeks.
In the wake of the June multi-day collapse of a portion of the Lee Middle and High School, with the damaged area now cleared and the remainder of the multi-building complex independently inspected and judged structurally sound, Polston led a series of meetings to report the current status and possible future plans.
Aerial view of building complex.
After an earlier report to the Godfrey Lee Public Schools Board of Education, Polston has led meetings with staff, city and educational community leaders, community and parents as well as host a press conference. In all the meetings, Polston repeatedly stressed three things:
Building design with affected area in color.
First, the cause of the unforeseeable failure is now clear and rigorous inspections led by Ross Smith, WJE Associates Structural Engineer, of the other buildings in the complex show no similar structural problems.“The building is safe and we are opening as scheduled,” Polston said on Thursday, adding that both the inspector and the superintendent himself “would put my children” in the building.
Second, the district, despite being hampered by local economic factors including the district’s near maximum school millage rate, has plans — three in fact — to rebuild the section as quickly as possible, both due to educational need and insurance reimbursement requirements.
Third and finally, Polston and the entire Godfrey Lee community are grateful that the building failure — the failure of a single wall section actually — occurred after the school year and when the students were absent, and in two incidents over a single weekend when the building was unoccupied. “This would have been a catastrophe if it had been occupied,” he said.
The biggest concern now for the district, Polston said, is that parents will transfer their students — and the funds the district gets for educating their students — to other school districts due to lack of information or misinformation.
“It is extremely important to make sure we have the trust of the community … it is important they get the facts,” Polston said. “We want to make sure they know it is safe to send their kids here.”
District supplies fact sheet on incident and aftermath
“The heat is on (oh yeah) … The heat is on, Burnin’ burnin’ burnin’ … It’s on the street, Woo, hoo … The heat is on”
Glen Frey, lyrics from the song “The Heat is On“
(U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Sheila deVera)
Be smart, beat the heat
The heat is on, but Kent County has some common advice: spend as much time as possible in a temperature-controlled cool environment; stay in the shade with a good breeze or air flow to decrease felt temperatures; remain well hydrated by drinking water — as opposed to alcohol drinks that can be counter-productive and dehydrate the body; and, finally, know the signs of heat exhaustion and watch out for each other. For the complete story, visit here.
Here Comes the Sun
The 25th annual summer season of D&W Fresh Market Picnic Pops continues in July and while it may be late to make plans for Here Comes the Sun: A Tribute to the Beatles at 7:30 p.m., Friday, July 19, you can be early for Dancing in the Street: Music of Motown and More at 7:30 p.m., Thursday and Friday, July 25-26. For a complete preview story, visit here.
Hot, sleepless, nights
If you were up all night due to the heat, you might ache all over the next morning and your lack of sound slumber might be to blame. Cant do nothing about the heat, but knowledge is power. For the story, visit here.
Fun fact:
67 degrees
In general, the suggested bedroom temperature should be between 60 and 67 degrees Fahrenheit for optimal sleep. Source
School superintendents from Kent, Ottawa and Muskegon counties gave their state legislators an earful about how state funding cuts have impacted students during a meeting on Monday, June 24.
Chris Glass, director of legislative affairs for the West Michigan Talent Triangle, said they wanted to give the legislators a “boots on the ground” perspective on how education has suffered. Michigan has fallen far behind other states in achievement scores and funding levels, the school superintendents and teachers told the legislators who were seated among them at round tables.
“We’re not where we need to be on student performance,” Glass told about a dozen state legislators and their top aides during a luncheon session hosted by Kent ISD.
The educators also offered a solution developed by the School Finance Research Collaborative, which tracked school funding trends in Michigan and made comparisons with other state education funding programs.
East Grand Rapids Superintendent Heidi Kattula records the legislator’s concerns
New Funding Formula Sought
Instead of Michigan’s one-size-fits call funding formula based on each district’s student population, the study urged Michigan to change its school funding formula so it is weighted on the basis of each student’s learning needs. That means additional funding for districts that rely more heavily on English Language Learning programs, special education and have greater numbers of students in poverty.
The study recommended that the base funding in Michigan rise to $9,590 a year, not including transportation, meals, and other costs. Michigan schools currently receive $8,188 per student in base funding.
Adjusted for inflation, Michigan schools get only 82 percent of the funding they received in 1995, when Proposal A shifted school funding formulas from local sources to the state. Funding for at-risk students has fallen 60 percent from 2001 to 2017, according to the study.
Michigan now ranks among the worst states in the funding gap between school districts with the most students in poverty and those with the fewest students in poverty. “We think the poor are getting poorer and the rich are getting richer,” said Kent ISD Assistant Superintendent Ron Koehler, a member of the School Finance Research Collaborative’s steering committee.
Legislators Respond
For their part, the legislators were sympathetic but also had suggestions.
State Rep. Julie Calley, R-Portland, said she has three children in public schools. “How do we deal with all of the factors that have entered the classroom? We’re expecting our teachers to be parents to the kids and parents to the parents.”
Citing golfer Tiger Woods’ early training in golf, State Rep. Tommy Brann, R-Wyoming, said he liked the idea of mandatory full-time pre-school and kindergarten as a way to prepare students for achievement.
State Rep. Pamela Hornberger, chair of the House Education Committee and a former teacher, drove to the conference from her district in Macomb County to participate in the discussion. She said funding increases for education would not be automatic and needed bi-partisan support.
State Rep. Greg VanWoerkem, R-Norton Shores, said the reforms being proposed may require structural changes in the way education is funded to overcome the constitutional restrictions currently in place. “There’s got to be a total reform if you want to get the type of dollars you’re looking for and that’s going to be difficult because of term limits.”
For more stories on our area schools, visit the School News Network website at schoolnewnetwork.org.
West Michigan educators gave their legislators first-hand accounts of the challenges they face. (School News Network)
While the unusually wet spring has caused the water to be higher than normal at Ideal Park, the park’s redevelopment plans continue to move forward with Wyoming City officials expecting to reopen the park on schedule in June 2020.
Earlier this year, the Wyoming City Council approved a contact to Katerberg Verhage, Inc. for about $1.6 million for the project. The plan will include an accessible playground, improved parking with enhanced safety features, Buck Creek viewing stations, basketball court, shelter, and restroom. The park also will feature an improved walking and bike trail with connection to the City’s interurban trail system.
“All the development will be on the east side of the park,” said Wyoming’s Director of Community Services Rebecca Rynbrandt. This was per residents who encouraged the city to relocate primary facilities to the eastside of the creek because of flooding, Rynbrandt said.
Ideal Park’s playground area after the 2014 tornado. (City of Wyoming)
In 2014, the City of Wyoming had a tornado which caused significant damage at Ideal Park, including the lost of many trees — some more than 100 years old — and the park’s playground equipment. It took two years for the city to clean up the park and it was reopened in 2016 only for a second tornado to hit the park area followed by a flood.
“We have been working toward the redevelopment: the return of playgrounds, the return of trees to that area of our community, particularly to that park since 2014,” Rynbrandt said.
The art deco bridge and the original lodge at Ideal Park were left untouched by the 2014 and 2016 tornados. (City of Wyoming)
Amazingly, what was not touched was the original lodge and art deco bridge which was constructed through the Works Progress Administration (WPA), a program designed to put people to work during the Great Drepression years in the 1930s. In fact, Ideal Park is one of the oldest parks in Kent County, dating back to the 1930s. It was South Kent’s preeminent park hosting a number huge events include the local Republican Party. In the 1960s, former Governor George Romney and former President Gerald R. Ford were pictured shaking hands at one of these Republican Party events.
In 2015, after meeting with residents to discuss plans, the city council approved the Ideal Park master plan and was then able to write a grant for Michigan’s Natural Resources Trust Fund. The city received $300,000. The rest of the project will be funded through the dedicated City of Wyoming Parks and Recreation operational millage.
The entire Ideal Park project will be about $3.3 million, with the first phase of about $1.6 million being approved in April of this year, Rynbrandt said, adding “with the goal of having the park opened by June 6, 2020.”
With the dead of summer comes hot, humid days — and the need to get plenty of water in you. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Sheila deVera)
WKTV Staff ken@wktv.org
In anticipation of several days of possible temperatures in the 90 degree plus range and high humidity, of Kent County on Tuesday released a statement from the county’s emergency manager including some advise.
Some predictions have daytime temperatures near and surpassing 90 degrees on Wednesday, July 17, with predicted highs of 95 degrees Thursday through Saturday.
“We collectively waited much of the year in anticipation of warm weather, but this week may be a little too warm for comfort,” Lt. Lou Hunt, Kent County Emergency Manager, said in supplied material. “It will also be very humid, which will increase the discomfort. It is important to be aware of the dangers heat can present to residents, and pets, so we can stay safe and remain as comfortable as possible.”
In the county’s statement, residents are encouraged to follow several simple tips:
Spend as much time as possible in a temperature-controlled cool environment.
Stay in the shade with a good breeze/air flow to decrease felt temperatures.
Remain well hydrated by drinking water (more than usual) which can help the body’s natural process for adapting to higher temperatures, as opposed to alcohol drinks that can be counter-productive and dehydrate the body.
Knowing the signs of heat exhaustion (which can include weakness, cold and clammy skin, darker than normal urine, significant sweating, cramps, dizziness, headache and nausea, among others) is a strong indicator it is time to get to a cooler environment, drink some cold water, and rest, according to county health officials.
Heat stroke, on the other hand, is a medical emergency with signs such as confusion, disorientation, the absence of sweating, high body temperature, rapid pulse/heart rate, and others.
Cooling centers will be open throughout this event for residents to go and rest from the heat. Most cooling centers will be open during the day while the temperatures are hottest (nighttime temperatures this week will be much more tolerable, in the mid 70’s). For locations and hours of cooling centers, please call 211 and a United Way representative will assist you in locating the closest cooling center.
“Remember, this week is a good time to slow things down a little, stay out of the sun, and make sure the people around you (and yourself) are coping during this heat event,” Lt. Hunt said. “Also, please remember your family pets! Pets that live outside will require shade and lots of cool water, but residents are encouraged to bring their pets inside for cooler temperatures.”
Knowledge is Power. Information is liberating. Education is the premise of progress, in every society, in every family.
Kofi Annan
(From right) Kentwood City Commissioner Emily Bridson, State Sen. Winnie Brinks, Sandy Swanson, Past President of the Kentwood Women’s Club.
Pink Tax. Don’t get it? Get it!
On the latest episode of WKTV Journal’s In Focus series of podcasts, we discuss the various aspects of what is sometimes called the Pink Tax, public policies including taxation that are often viewed as discriminatory toward females. For the complete story and link to Podcast, visit here.
Watch out for Kentwood roadwork
The City of Kentwood has released its tentative road construction and maintenance schedule for the summer. The City Commission approved the resurfacing and maintenance program, which includes improvements to 30 miles of major and local roads, at a cost of $1.4 million. For the complete story and a map, visit here.
(Our) Government Matters
Sen. Peter MacGregor (R-28th District) offered his views on the status of Michigan’s current budget problems and West Michigan’s pending mental health services changes as part of a wide-ranging inter-governmental leaders meeting at the Wyoming-Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce’s Government Matters meeting. For the story and a link to the video, visit here.
Fun fact:
81 cents on the dollar
In 2018, the ratio of women’s to men’s median weekly full-time earnings was 81.1 percent, a decrease of 0.7 percent since 2017. Source
The motto of the Kent County Sheriffs Office’s just-started Pink Patch breast cancer awareness effort has a simple, stated goal: “Supporting the fighters, admiring the survivors, honoring the taken and never giving up hope.”
The program offers pink Sheriffs Office patches for a $10 donation with the proceeds going to Gilda’s Club and the Kent County Sheriff’s Office Benevolent Fund.
“We have sold 150 patches in the last 2 weeks which has raised $1,500,” Sgt. Joel Roon, Kent County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson, said last week to WKTV. “The reception from the community has been amazing. Our clerks have heard many inspiring stories of people who were motivated to buy a patch because of a personal story.”
And thanks to the program being registered with the national Pink Patch Project, the local effort is event getting out-of-the-county requests.
“We have even received a few out-of-state requests which we’ve obviously accommodated,” Sgt. Roon said. “Local interest with officers from other agencies has also been evident and very exciting.”
The goal of the Sheriff’s Office program is to “raise awareness about the importance of screening and early detection.”
According to a flyer distributed by the Sheriffs Office about the program, here are a few sobering yet hopeful facts: One in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime … Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in the United States, but there are 3.5 million breast cancer survivors in the country.”
Patches are available for purchase at the Kent County Sheriff’s Office at 701 Ball Ave. NE, and two substations: the North Sector office at 790 17 Mile Road NW and the South Sector office at 8557 Kalamazoo Ave. SE.
For questions about the patches, contact deputies Mandy Bernal-Hill at 616-632-6228, Joy Matthews at 616-632-6224 or Jordan Peters at 810-223-1732.
Nu Blu, husband-and-wife duo Daniel and Carolyn Routh with their bandmates, will be making a stop at Lamar Park for Wyoming Concerts In The Park. (Supplied/The Band)
By K.D. Norris ken@wktv.org
As part of a busy summer touring schedule of the United States and Canada that includes several major bluegrass festival, but also a church or two and a pizza parlor, Nu Blu clearly believes in bringing new bluegrass to the people.
They also, it seems, believe in looking to the future, musically, while they pay respect to the past with their Americana/country sound.
Daniel and Carolyn Routh (Supplied/The Band)
Part of a long road trip, starting and ending at the band’s home in Siler City (that’s North Carolina, in case you’d like to know), husband-and-wife duo Daniel and Carolyn Routh, with their bandmates, will be making a stop at Lamar Park for Wyoming Concerts In The Park Tuesday, July 16.
“I love that we get to wake up someplace different every day,” Daniel Routh said in supplied material, about Nu Blu’s heavy road schedule. “We meet people from all over the country.”
In Wyoming, among the songs probably on the setlist at their local stop will be originals like “A Lot More Love” and “A Fool and Her Heart” — both off the band’s 2017 release “Vagabond” — as well as respectfully reworked covers of Country/Americana classics such as Waylon Jennings’ “Good Hearted Woman” and Bob Dylan’s “Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door”.
They’ll likely play more off of “Vagabond”, but, to be honest, they had me at Dylan.
“We were playing this show and we just kinda decided we’d do ‘Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door.’,” Carolyn Routh said in supplied material. “We hadn’t rehearsed it; we hadn’t even played it together before. But we pulled it off that night, and the audience loved it.”
Above and beyond the musical skills of multi-instrumentalist and vocalist Daniel, the banjo playing of Zach McCracke, and the fiddle/mandolin work of Justin Harrison, there is something special about Carolyn’s vocals (not to say she can’t handle a bass!).
Hearing “Knockin’ …” and “Good Hearted Woman” sung by a woman is both unique and memorable, and Carolyn’s sound on “A Lot More Love” and “A Fool and Her Heart” brings comparisons to a young Dolly Parton — a comparison I’d not argue with.
All and all, “Vagabond” the band’s sixth full-length release “delivers a set of songs that range from the melancholy to the exuberant, and at every step they prove they’ve got a knack for finding their way into the deeper parts of you,” someone writes on the band’s website about the songs.
The band formed in 2003, centered around Carolyn and Daniel previous projects. Their constant traveling has also changed the way they make music.
“If anything, I feel like the road has made us a sunnier bunch. In past albums, we’ve tended to gravitate towards the songs that make you cry,” Carolyn said, “but on this one, there are a number of just happy, happy songs.”
Bottom line is two fold: Bluegrass is perfect for a hot summer night in Wyoming, and Nu Blu brings out the big guns with their bluegrass repertoire. And, while there are many great pickers in the genera these days, some say its the vocals that make great bluegrass, and led by Carolyn and Daniel, Nu Bu has the vocal chops as well.
As the Wyoming concert season winds down — with Boardman Brown on July 23, Daddyz Breakdown on July 30, and Shadows of the Night on Aug. 6 — WKTV will continue to cover the concerts and offer replays on our cable channels (see the cable channel schedule here) and WKTV On-demand.
So Nu Blu will be waiting, patiently, as they bring new bluegrass to the people.
City of Kentwood are Terry Schweitzer, Community Development Director, and Lisa Golder, Economic Development Planner, on set at WKTV Journal In Focus.
By K.D. Norris ken@wktv.org
On the latest episode of WKTV Journal In Focus is “Plan Kentwood”, the City of Kentwood’s ongoing update of its Master Plan — including possible development areas all across the city — as well as Kent County’s Veterans Services office, which is often the first and best place for county veterans and their families to turn for information and assistance.
First In Focus is the City of Kentwood’s update of its Master Plan. Through a series of community engagement efforts called “Plan Kentwood”, the city is gaining public input to help shape a long-range vision for growth, land use, development and open space conservation in the city. On the list of discussion topics are development near and along the extension of Breton Avenue south of 52nd Street, as well as the Division Avenue and 28th and 29th streets business districts. With us from the City of Kentwood are Terry Schweitzer, Community Development Director, and Lisa Golder, Economic Development Planner.
Then In Focus is Kent County Veterans Services, which operates under Kent County administration. Veterans Services either directly or indirectly assists veterans with a wide range of issues including disability claims, service records, and easing connection with needed social services and other government agencies. With us is Martha Burkett, the recently hired director of Veterans Services, who also brings a unique history, set of skills, and vision for her office. For the In Focus video, visit here.
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 (see our Weekly On-air Schedule for dates and times). All individual interviews included in episodes of WKTV Journal In Focus are also available on YouTube at WKTVvideos.
Local State Sen. Peter MacGregor (R-28th District) offered his views on the status of Michigan’s current budget problems and West Michigan’s pending mental health services changes as part of a wide-ranging inter-governmental leaders meeting Monday, July 8, at the Wyoming-Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce’s Government Matters Committee’s monthly forum at Wyoming City Hall.
Other topics of conversation were Kent County’s budgeting process and the status of recycling in Kentwood and throughout the county.
The state budgeting process “is slower than in previous years and slower than I’d like to see,” Sen. MacGregor said, explaining that currently there are three budgets that are yet to be reconciled: budgets offered the State Senate, the House of Representatives, and by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer — whose budget he described as “spending money we don’t have.”
Sen. MacGregor also gave a state-level view of the continuing funding uncertainties — some say “funding crisis” — surrounding the state’s mental health services. Citing continued deficits, the state is moving to dissolve West Michigan’s current mental health funding system.
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, on June 28, announced that it will not renew Lakeshore Regional Entity’s state contract to manage Medicaid benefits for mental health services after it expires Oct. 1. Sen. MacGregor said MDHHS will establish another regional publicly managed care plan, another so-called PIHP (pre-paid inpatient health plan). The LRE manages Medicaid funding distribution to mental health authorities in Kent County as well as Allegan, Ottawa, Muskegon, Oceana, Mason and Lake counties.
The Government Matters meeting brings together representatives from the cities of Wyoming and Kentwood, Kent County commissioners, local Michigan state senators and representatives, as well as often representatives of Michigan’s U.S. senators and U.S. congressman who represent the Wyoming and Kentwood area.
The next meeting will be Aug. 12 at Wyoming City Hall, 1155 28th St. SW, from 8 a.m. to 9:15 a.m.
The intergovernmental discussion hosted by the chamber focuses on issues that effect residents and businesses in the two cities.
For more information about the chamber and Government Matters visit southkent.org .
The meetings are on the second Monday of each month, starting at 8 a.m. WKTV Journal will produce a highlight story after the meeting. But WKTV also offers replays of the latest meeting on Wednesdays at 7 p.m., as well as on select Saturdays, on Comcast Cable Government Channel 26. For a highlight schedule of WKTV cable programs visit wktvjournal.org .
When I figured out how to work my grill, it was quite a moment. I discovered summer is a completely different experience when you know how to grill.
Singer/Songwriter Taylor Swift
The Mitten Brewing Company’s Taylor Darling talks to local beer aficionados in the Beer City Hopcast. (WKTV)
Listen and Drive
Looking for something to listen to as you travel around the state this weekend? Might we suggest the Beer City Hopcast with host The Mitten Brewing Company’s Taylor Darling? Taylor and the gang discuss everything from home brewing to quality crafting all while trying out the latest brews, of course!
The Gilmore Car Museum hosts an invasion of British and German cars this weekend. (Supplied)
The British are Coming!
Along with the Germans as the Gilmore Car Museum hosts a friendly invasion of sorts by our European friends as the museum, located just north of Kalamazoo, plans special events on the weekend of July 6-7. Saturday, July 6, will mark the eighth annual all-German car show at the museum followed on Sunday, July 7, by the 29th annual British Auto Faire. For all the details, click here.
A permanent outdoor exhibit of the Wizard of Oz is now open in the City of Holland. (Only In Your State)
What? Did You Say ‘Bored’?
Well then, just follow that yellow brick road to Holland as the Wonderful Wizard of Oz is coming. Or snag the Saugtauck-Douglas History App and take a walk through the picturesque village, shopping and learning about the popular tourist spot. Or head north and check out the Lakeshore Museum Center’s Heritage Park located in Whitehall. Need more ideas? Then just click here.
3,000 Miles
That is exactly how many miles of freshwater shoreline the state of Michigan has. It should come as no surprise our state has the most freshwater shoreline than any other state. And since the weather is set to be gorgeous this weekend, get out and enjoy it!
The nation celebrates its 243rd birthday this Thursday and you can bet the City of Kentwood is not holding back. The day is packed with activities from a pancake breakfast at 7:30 a.m. at Fire Station No. 1; a 5K at 8:30 a.m., followed by a parade at 9:30 a.m. Then there is the carnival, this year located behind city hall, from 10:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. From 4 – 10 p.m. will be a community event with a beer tent, food trucks, and bands, followed by the fireworks. Remember, those attending the Kentwood fireworks, sparkles, personal fireworks and Chinese lanterns are not permitted. For a detailed map and more, click here.
And Bombs Bursting In Air
Several other local communities also will be hosting July 4th celebrations. The City of Grandville kicks off its Fourth of July celebration with a pancake breakfast. There is also a parade (11 a.m.) and activities throughout the day. Fireworks are at 10 p.m. Other communities hosting July 4th parades and fireworks: East Grand Rapids, Ada, and Cascade Township. The City of Grand Rapids will have its July 4th fireworks on Saturday, July 6.
Free picture () from https://torange.biz/fx/new-bottle-years-fireworks-effect-78192
Now for the Rules
By now, you should have heard of the state’s new rules about fireworks. For the July 4th holiday, consumer fireworks are allowed from 11 a.m. to 11:45 p.m. through July 5 (since July 5 falls on a Friday.) According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, there was an estimated 9,100 fireworks-related injuries treated in the United States in 2018, of which more than half were around July 4. So here are a few safety tips provided by local firefighters: only use fireworks outdoors in clear areas away from buildings, vehicles, and flammable substances; never relight a “dud” firework, but after 20 minutes soak it in a buck of water; fireworks should be suprivsied by a responsible adult; and have a bucket of water and charged water hose nearby.
Some Patriotic Trivia
As you are waiting for the fireworks to start, here’s a few pieces of July 4 trivia to wow your friends and family. Of all the signers of the Declaration of Independence, only John Hancock actually signed the document on July 4, 1776. Fifty-six men from the 13 colonies signed the Declaration of Independence. Of the original signers, only Thomas Jefferson and John Adams became President of the United States. Both men died within hours of each other on July 4, 1826.
Lastly: The first public reading of the Declaration of Independence was July 8, 1776 in Philadelphia. The following year, on July 4, 1777, the city adjourned Congress and celebrated Independence Day with bonfires, bells, and fireworks. In honor of that, the Liberty Bell is tapped 13 times on July 4 in remembrance of the 13 colonies.
Life is a journey that must be traveled no matter how many bad roads and accommodations.
Oliver Goldsmith
Driving in Kentwood
In case you are wondering what is happening around East Paris Avenue … rehabilitation of Sparks Drive SE and Forest Hill Avenue SE from East Paris Avenue SE to Burton Street SE start on Monday, June 24 and is slated for completion in August. For the complete story, visit here.
Taking care of the kids
On the latest episode of WKTV Journal In Focus are two local efforts to support the youth of Kent County with the most basic of needs: proper nourishment and successful early childhood development. For the complete story, visit here.
Summer (fun) in full swing
Summer is officially in full swing with lots of activities taking place throughout Grand Rapids and the West Michigan area. Courtney Sheffer, from the West Michigan Tourist Association, recently stopped by the station to share some of the summer activities taking place. For the complete story, visit here.
Fun fact:
158 days
The average number of sunny days in Grand Rapids per year — don’t waste a single one! (Source)
