Category Archives: City of Wyoming

Wyoming Lee beefs up, leaves losing streaks behind in Coach DeGennaro’s 2nd season

Area Education, City of Wyoming, Education, Sports, ,
Football coach and educator Thomas DeGennaro. (WKTV)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

 

When Wyoming Lee High School head football coach Tom DeGennaro returned to the Rebels sideline last season, he inherited a team on a 21-game losing streak which had been outscored 474-56 the previous season.

 

He knew his team needed to get bigger, stronger and smarter on both sides of the ball — the school already had some speed in several track standouts. One thing the long-time district educator and coach already knew, however, was the heart and grit of the kids he would be working with.

 

At the Godfrey-Lee Public Schools Hall of Fame ceremony in January, as part of his induction into the hall, DeGennaro made his feelings clear about what it takes to be a Lee Rebel.

 

“I have been grateful to work with some of the toughest kids in the United States,” DeGennaro said in January. “To be a Rebel means you are willing to stand up against the establishment. You have to be willing to put yourself on the line when you stand up. Our kids here do this every day.”

 

His players willingness to put themselves “on the line” — and in the weight room —  has been a big part in a new attitude for the football team, which won an opening-night game for the first time in nine years, an impressive 26-8 road win at New Buffalo last week.

 

The Rebels will now look to start a winning streak and go for two in a row this week as the WKTV video crew will be at Lee for a home game against White Cloud, on Thursday, Aug. 31, for a 7 p.m. game.

 

“Our offensive line opened up holes and our backs’ speed took over” against New Buffalo, DeGennaro said to WKTV this week. “Really, this started in the weight room back in October. The kids have bought in, and have committed to being better this year. Defensively we kept New Buffalo contained and had big time turnovers at crucial times.”

 

At New Buffalo, Lee jumped to a 14-0 first quarter lead on a 5-yard-run from senior running back Aridel Torres — one of those speedy track runners, and a 2016 OK Silver all-conference player — followed by a fumble return by senior linebacker JJ Williams.

 

After New Buffalo scored to make it 14-8 in the third quarter, Lee put the game away in in the fourth quarter with a 42-yard pass from senior quarterback Giovanny Santiago to Thomas Robinson and then a 2-yard-run from Santiago.

 

Not involved in the scoring, but a huge part of the Rebels’ ball control offense, senior quarterback Valentino Savala racked up 117 yards on 14 carries. Torres ended up with 51 yards on the ground, and both Santiago and senior running back Alex Deleon had 30 or more yards running.

 

Last season Lee lost to first New Buffalo and then to White Cloud to start this season, and DeGennaro deflected any talk of revenge or winning streaks.

 

“We expected to compete everyday in practice and that carries over into the game Friday night,” he said. “White Cloud will come out and hit us. We have to respond and be disciplined and execute the game plan. We are not looking ahead, White Cloud is the best team we play this week. We have to take care of this Thursday and look forward to getting better on Monday.”

 

WKTV broadcast the Lee vs. White Cloud game at about 10:30 p.m. on WKTV Comcast Channel 25, repeating on Saturday at 11 a.m. on WKTV Comcast Channel 25 and AT&T U-verse Channel 99 in Wyoming & Kentwood.

 

Both showings of the game will be preceded by a special 30-minute OK Silver football conference preview show produced at WKTV studios by WKTV sports volunteer Rob Gee and featuring two special guests. The video is also available on YouTube.

 

School News Network: Teachers stock up on class supplies, with help

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Librarian Holly Wedge, left, and third-grade teacher Mickie Lemieux, chat while shopping.

By Erin Albanese

School News Network

 

Wyoming’s Parkview Elementary School teachers demonstrated their love for new school supplies at the Teacher Resource Store, where they left with cartloads of notebooks, pencils, folders, paper and the promise to “pay it forward.”

 

“Oh my gosh! Look at how cute these Post-it notes are!” one teacher squealed, delighted to receive a full bag of whimsically decorated sticky notes for her classroom.

 

As teachers prepared their classrooms this summer, they took advantage of a new resource aimed to alleviate the cost burden of school supplies in low-income schools.

 

The Storehouse of Community Resources, located in a portion of Frontline Community Church, 4411 Plainfield Ave. NE, includes the Teacher Resource Store. There, teachers from schools with at least 70 percent of students qualifying for free and reduced-lunch rates can shop together as a staff twice a year for just $50 per school. Recently it was Parkview teachers’ turn to stock up.

 

World Vision donates supplies

“There are so many things I buy at Meijer all summer long,” said Parkview teacher Angela Clum, whose cart was filled with necessities. “It is tremendous that we can have this as a resource.”

 

Former teacher Jessica Johns started the volunteer-run Storehouse last October with supplies from World Vision, a global humanitarian organization. It also includes the Essentials store, where low-income families can shop monthly for toiletries, household goods and hygiene items.

 

Johns, a former teacher at inner-city schools in Indiana, said Teacher Resource Store helps fill a need tied to social justice. A Frontline Church member, Johns served on the missions and outreach team and worked to start a community center. That idea evolved into the Storehouse.

 

Parkview teachers Angela Clum, left, and Holly Moog shop for supplies

Relieving Cost to Teachers

Teachers, especially in low-income schools, spend hundreds of dollars annually to stock their classrooms, and many students rely completely on schools for supplies, said store coordinator Michaela Krull, a Grand Rapids Public Schools elementary school teacher.

 

“We really want to help the teachers that don’t have really strong parent ability to offer financial help,” Krull said. “Those teachers are buying everything – 100 percent of their school supplies.

 

“I’ve been a recipient of these supplies, and I know how burdensome it can be financially to buy all those things yourself.”

 

When Krull first utilized the store as a shopper in April, she realized what a gift to the community it was. Items coveted by many a teacher — Expo markers, ASTROBRIGHTS paper and pre-sharpened Ticonderoga pencils — were available for the taking. “We posed for pictures with the supplies and everything, we were so excited.”

 

Parkview teacher Elissa Lauer prepares to stock her kindergarten class

So far, Wyoming, Godwin Heights, Godfrey-Lee, Grand Rapids, Kentwood, Wyoming and Northview public schools teachers have shopped, and more schools are on a wait-list. Johns hopes to serve more schools in the near future.

 

Besides the $50 per school fee, the only other requirement is that teachers “pay it forward” in some way that involves their students and community.

 

Parkview Principal Katie Jobson said about 90 percent of her students are economically disadvantaged.

 

“This frees up teachers to use resources in other ways,” Jobson said. “It’s fantastic and what a neat message to pay it forward.”

Wyoming Lee’s season-opening win highlight’s prep opening week of local games

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Education, Kentwood Public Schools, Sports,
Wyoming high and Holland high were featured on WKTV’s first televised game of the fall season. (WKTV)

By Rob Gee

WKTV sports volunteer/news@wktv.org 

 

The year was 2008.

 

President George W. Bush was finishing his second term in office, Barack Obama was running for a first term. The war in Afghanistan was only six years old, OJ Simpson was convicted of a crime that would send him to prison and Lehman Brothers was still in business.

 

2008 was the last time that Wyoming Lee High School football would start the season with a win. After eight consecutive years of opening the season with a loss, Lee started its 2017 football campaign with a win by defeating New Buffalo, 26-8, on Thursday, Aug. 24.

 

As part of WKTV’s 2017-18 high school sports game coverage schedule, the video crew will be at Lee this Thursday, Aug. 31, for a 7 p.m. game. For a complete list of local high school sports scheduled visit here.

 

To find an opening day with Lee winning by more than 18 points, one must go all the way back to 1998, when Lee opened the season with a 64-0 win over Bloomingdale.

 

By no means does this set Lee up for a winning season but sure does set a tone for a different season than what Lee students have become accustom to having been 1-32 in their last 33 games.

 

A big catch and touchdown by speedster Thomas Robinson, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery. and a defensive touchdown by JJ Williams, secured the win for the Rebels.

 

In other Wyoming-Kentwood area opening-night action:

 

Wyoming Kelloggsville was a winner in their game against White Hall by a score of 26-23, as ultra-Back Thomas Griggs scored once on the ground and once as a receiver to lead his team to the win as the Rockets try to repeat as OK Silver conference champs.

 

Godwin Heights defeat Hamilton, 45-35, as Susu Davenport started right where he left off last season in being an exciting playmaker.

 

South Christian defeated Holland Christian, 40-12, as quarterback Andrew Haan threw for a couple touchdowns and their dynamic cornerback/wide receiver Jared Gordon intercepted a pass and then scored on a reception in the next series for South Christian. Gordon went on to have a second interception later in the game.

 

East Kentwood got in on the winning night for area teams by crushing Macomb L’anse Creuse North, 45-6.

 

Wyoming High School lost its opener to Holland, 28-6, in a game that was close right up until the fourth quarter.

 

Tri-Unity also lost its opener to St. Philip Catholic Central (Battle Creek) by a score of 14-8.

 

Interested in being a WKTV sports volunteer, working game production or writing for WKTV Journal? Visit here for a story.

 

Wyoming Alliance one of five groups to receive a grant from GM Foundation

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Recipients of the GM Foundation grants with GM and UAW Local 167 representatives.

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

joanne@wktv.org

 

Five local organizations, which provide a range of services from environmental to empowerment of girls, were selected to receive a total of $25,000 from the GM Community Grants program funded by the GM Foundation.

 

“This is not only where our employees come to work each day, it is where our families, friends and neighbors live,” said GM Components Assistant Plant Manager Michael Skilling, who made the announcement during the Metro Cruise opening ceremonies on Saturday. GM Components Holdings LLC is located at 2100 Burlingame Ave. SW.

 

Wyoming Mayor Jack Poll and Wyoming Police Chief James Carmody

The GM Foundation is providing $2 million to more than 180 organizations in 47 communities where GM employees live and work. One of the five local organizations to receive a grant was the Greater Wyoming Community Resource Alliance.

 

“This is the fourth time we have received this from GM and its speaks of their commitment to the community,” said Wyoming Police Chief James Carmody who along with Wyoming Mayor Jack Poll accepted the $5,000 check for the Greater Wyoming Community Resource Alliance.

 

The money will be used to help fund scholarships for youth and families to participate in health, wellness, and recreational activities; public safety initiatives including National Night Out festivities and support and advocating for citizen-driven committees and organizations including Pinery Park Little League, the Community Enrichment Commission and neighborhood associations.

 

“Most of the stuff we do is really interesting in that 100 percent of the donations/contributions that come to the Alliance go back out,” Carmody said. “So there is no administrative costs and that’s a great benefit to the people here, especially to the local community which is our focus.”

 

Poll added that the Alliance has had a number of people from the city step up to volunteer and commit time to make Wyoming a good place to live and work.

 

“They are very good neighbors,” Poll said of the donation from GM Foundation.

 

Accepting for WMEAC was (left) Executive Director Bill Wood and Director Development Mary Robinson

These following groups also each received $5,000 each from the GM Community Grants program:

 

Feeding America – West Michigan Food Bank, which supports four School Mobile Pantries, feeding more than 1,200 families over a four-month period. “At Parkview Elementary, less than a mile from the GM facility, the School Mobile Pantry distributes 7,500 pounds of fresh produce, dairy products, and grains directly to individuals in need,” Skilling said.

 

Finish the Mission Veterans Relief Fund, which has the goal to make West Michigan the most Veteran Friendly community in the nation, will use the money to help local veterans in need and with ongoing capital improvement projects at the Grand Rapids Home for Veterans.

 

West Michigan Environmental Action Council will be using the funds to support “Teach for the Watershed” at Godfrey-Lee Elementary School. This program gives all fourth graders the hands-on opportunity to learn about their watershed, storm water contamination and what they can do to prevent pollution. Skilling noted that mentors from GM volunteer to help students make a connection between science and science-based careers. The funds also will support WMEAC’s Annual Mayors’ Grand River Clean Up.

 

YWCA – Grand Rapids provides prevention and empowerment services for women and girls. The grant will be used to provide girls with experiences that develop their awareness and engagement in their community, all while supporting their individual and collective power to become the next generation of leaders.

New Wyoming city councilor Postler visits ‘WKTV Journal: In Focus’

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Wyoming City Councilor Marissa Postler, who at the age of 23 was elected in last fall’s election, on the set of “WKTV Journal: In Focus”. (WKTV)

WKTV Staff

news@wktv.org

 

On the latest episode of “WKTV Journal: In Focus”, WKTV’s public affairs show, we bring to the public a discussion with Wyoming City Councilor Marissa Postler, who at the age of 23 was elected to represent the city’s 2nd Ward in last fall’s election.

 

Also on the program is a discussion with a Kent County Department of Health official detailing why vaccinations are important — and required by law — for young children, but also important for teenagers and even college-age youth.

 

In Postler’s interview, she talks about how life has changed for her a year after she “dreamed” about being a student who won a city council election, but also her learning curve during the first months on the job and how the city is moving to become more of a place for young persons like herself to call home.

 

“Honestly the vast majority of it (my life) is still the same: I am still a student at Grand Valley (State University), still work at Costco, but now I am living the dream,” Postler said to WKTV’s Ken Norris. “It has been mostly a lot of learning so far, as you might expect. Other than that I am still the same person, I just have a lot more responsibility than I had a few months ago.”

 

“WKTV Journal: In Focus” airs on Tuesdays and Thursdays, at 6:30 p.m., with this episode running through Aug. 31, on cable television in the Wyoming and Kentwood areas on Comcast WKTV Channel 26 and on AT&T Channel 99 Government channel.

 

Check out the entire video.

 

School News Network: New school chief aims to ‘build trust and relationships’

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Godfrey-ee Superintendent Kevin Polston chats with ninth-grader Jose De La O, at right and his sister, Alejandra De La O, a 2011 Lee High graduate (School News Network)

By Erin Albanese

School News Network

 

Superintendent Kevin Polston is greeting people in the neighborhoods, school and local businesses. He’s talking to students, letting them see he wants to know each of them, what they like to do, what grade they are in.

 

Reaching out is key, he said, in keeping momentum going forward in the district, which has experienced successes and growth in recent years.

 

“I want people to get to know me and build trust and relationships,” said Polston, who started as superintendent July 1. “I don’t take the responsibility lightly of parents trusting us with their children for the better part of their day. That’s an honor and responsibility that I take seriously: to be good stewards of that time, resource and trust that parents give us.”

 

Polston, 39, the youngest superintendent in Kent County’s 20 traditional districts, takes the reins from David Britten who retired from the post after nine years.

 

Staff members said they look forward to the vigor and fresh insight Polston can bring to the job. His purpose as an educator complements doing just that.

 

Polston meets with students at Lee Middle-High School

“My mission in education was to change the world,” Polston said. “The people that came before me made great sacrifices so I can have opportunity. I take that responsibility as, ‘How can I provide those opportunities as a school leader for our students, here?’

 

“One of our responsibilities is to provide a better future for our youth, and there’s no better vehicle to deliver that than through education.”

 

Identifying with Newcomer Experience

Polston shares with many Godfrey-Lee students the experience of being raised in an immigrant family. Polston’s mother, Elizabeth Polston, immigrated from Palestine as a child. The family was proud of their culture, which was ingrained in his upbringing.

 

“Arab Americans are very familial. It’s a very close-knit community,” he said, relating it to the largely Hispanic Godfrey-Lee community. “There’s a lot of parallels with the Latino and Hispanic community and the community I grew up in.”

 

He remembers realizing as a ninth-grader, while attending a primarily Caucasian school near Lansing, that people wondered about his background. Friends would ask, “What are you?” when inquiring about his ethnicity. “It was really people trying to get to know me but they didn’t have the words to ask.”

 

Still, over time, he became aware of perceptions and double standards when it comes to different ethnic groups. “You soak up all those things. They are either implied or explicit; regardless, they have an impact on you.

 

“The brain has this desire to categorize and compartmentalize information and we have to actively work to disrupt our natural reaction to things. That’s where education comes in. That’s where relationships come in.”

 

Superintendent Kevin Polston takes a look at senior Adriana Sanchez’s schedule

Seeking ‘Something More’

Polston said he was very happy as a middle school principal in Grand Haven, but always sought “something more.” He was executive director of an after-school program that served low-income students. He also chaired a committee focused on diversity. “When you look at the places where I had a choice to spend my time, it was with populations that are similar to the populations here,” he noted.

 

He’s already caught on to the family atmosphere in Godfrey-Lee.

 

“The school staff is so committed here. They care deeply about their students, and they work tirelessly to deliver the best instruction possible. It’s more than instruction, it’s the best possible education.”

 

Staff members said they are embracing possibilities.

 

“We are excited to see a new face in that position, though we’ll miss (Britten),” said Tom DeGennaro, a high school social studies teacher. “We look forward to new ideas and a different energy level. Change can be exciting.”

 

Said Brett Lambert, Lee High-Middle dean of students, “The room is full of positive energy and we’re ready to roll.”

Wyoming’s Tree Amigos, KSSN and Wyoming Public School partner on community orchard at West Elementary

3-bottom, City of Wyoming, , , ,

The City of Wyoming Tree Commission, also known as The Tree Amigos, is partnering with Wyoming Public Schools and Kent School Services Network to plant the Beverly Bryan Community Orchard on the West Elementary school grounds. To get the project going, Tree Commission Vice President Greg Bryan donated $5,000 for the orchard, named in memory of his late wife. Bryan also donated an additional $5,000 for the commission’s street tree program. Additional funding has been pledged as well.

 

Originally, the partners had agreed to begin planting fruit trees next spring. However, when Habitat for Humanity of Kent County Neighborhood Revitalization Coordinator Ben Johnson  contacted West Elementary KSSN liaison Erika VanDyke with the opportunity to rescue apple trees from a lot to be cleared for housing, the Amigos jumped into action. On Saturday, Aug. 26, the commission members hope to assemble a group of volunteers to dig up 12 trees and replant them at the school.

 

The orchard will provide opportunities for children to learn about where their food comes from through hands-on experience planting, tending and harvesting the orchard. It will also expand academic opportunities in various areas of study through Arbor Day Foundation curricula. As the school has a very high free and reduced lunch rate, the orchard will increase food insecurity by providing fresh fruit and berries for students and families. Students will be able to eat the fruit as snacks and with lunch during the school day and take fruit home to supplement their family diets.

 

“When Erika and I first met to discuss how the tree commission and West Elementary could partner on a project, we decided that an orchard would involve parents and students in a fun, healthy school project,” said Tree Commission Chair Stelle Slootmaker.  “We also plan on sharing the harvest with nearby neighbors as a means of growing community. And of course, these trees will also increase the City of Wyoming’s tree canopy, the commission’s major goal.”

 

If you’d like to help rescue the apple trees and plant the orchard, please email TreeAmigosWyoming@gmail.com.

 

For information on The Tree Amigos, like The Tree Amigos on Facebook or email TreeAmigosWyoming@gmail.com.

Advancement in robotic spine surgery comes to Metro Health

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Metro Health – University of Michigan Health is elevating its already renowned spine program, becoming the first hospital in Michigan to acquire the Mazor X™ spine surgery system for minimally invasive procedures.

 

Developed by Mazor Robotics, the Mazor X surgical assistance system combines unprecedented tools and analytics to plan operations, as well as unparalleled image-based guidance during operations.

 

The system brings exceptional precision to minimally invasive procedures. Because they require smaller incisions than open surgery, minimally invasive operations result in less pain, less blood loss and quicker recovery. 

 

“Minimally invasive surgery has been a major focus at Metro Health in recent years,” says Dr. Peter Hahn, chief medical officer. “The Mazor X will further enable our surgeons to achieve the best possible outcomes.”

 

Metro Health was also the first hospital in Michigan to use Mazor’s previous-generation robot for spine surgery, the Renaissance® guidance system.

 

“After completing more than 400 safe and successful surgeries with the previous robot, it was an easy decision to pioneer the Mazor X in Michigan,” says Dr. John Keller, section chief of neurosurgery at Metro. “This new robot gives us advantages before and during surgery that were not available even two years ago.”

 

Smaller incisions can pose a challenge for surgeons because the view of the patient’s anatomy is limited. The Mazor X system overcomes this challenge by providing a CT-based three-dimensional simulation of the patient’s spine, helping surgeons develop an optimal plan before entering the operating room. In addition, computer analytics provide precision guidance during the operation.

 

“Mazor X allows us to operate with greater accuracy, efficiency and confidence,” Hahn says. “We believe this is the safest and most accurate minimally invasive technology for spine procedures available.”

Ready for high school sports? WKTV and its volunteers hit the road starting this week

3-bottom, Area Education, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Education, Kentwood Public Schools, Sports, WKTV Projects,
WKTV will not only cover new Wyoming High School football coach Irvin Sigler first game, we will offer an exclusive interview with him. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

 

You want local high school sports in the Wyoming and Kentwood areas? Community television WKTV, and its high school sports crew and volunteers, have you covered this fall season and throughout the year.

 

Starting this week — Thursday, Aug. 24, when the Holland “Dutch” visit Wyoming High School for a football open season clash with the Wolves — WKTV will travel around the area for  football and other fall sports coverage — including soccer, swimming, water polo and even youth equestrian.

 

“High school sports, youth sports, are a big part of our community,” said Tom Norton, general manager of WKTV community television. “And we not only get viewership for our sports programing, we also get many volunteers to help us provide this programming.”

 

Football game coverage will include WKTV volunteers Mark Bergsma on play-by-play and Ron Schultz on color commentary. (By the way, it is easy to volunteer for sports and other programs at WKTV. See related story here.)

 

The first part of WKTV’s fall football schedule, after this week, includes White Cloud at Wyoming Lee on Aug. 31, Calvin Christian at Godwin Heights on Sept. 8, Grand Rapids Christian at South Christian (at E. Kentwood) on Sept. 15, Grandville at East Kentwood on Sept. 22, and Kelloggsville at Godwin Heights on Sept. 29. Coverage games throughout October and into the state playoffs will be determined later so we can cover the most important games to the local area.

 

Football games will be cable rebroadcast the night of the game at 10:30 p.m. on WKTV LiveWire 24 (GRTV, Grand Rapids; BCTV, Byron Center; WCET, Jenison, Hudsonville and Grandville; and RCTV, Rockford). They will also be rebroadcast on WKTV Channel 25 on Saturdays at 10:30 a.m.

 

Above and beyond our coverage of football games, WKTV also has two special shows available on YouTube: an interview with new Wyoming head football coach Irvin Sigler is available at the end of this story,  and an extensive OK Silver football conference preview co-produced and hosted by volunteer Rob Gee will be presented next week prior to coverage of the Wyoming Lee game.

 

In addition to football coverage, WKTV’s sports crews are tentatively scheduled cover youth equestrian on Sept. 9 at the Barry County Expo Center in Hastings; girls swimming on Oct. 5 at East Kentwood; boys water polo on Sept. 16 at the Falcon Tourney at East Kentwood, and on Oct. 14 at East Kentwood; and boys soccer on Sept. 25 when local rivals South Christian and East Kentwood take the field at East Kentwood.

 

For a complete schedule of local high school sports action each week, WKTV volunteer sports director Mike Moll writes a weekly listing, usually posted on WKTVjournal.org/sports each Monday. See the latest one here.

 

County Commissioners approve merger, announce Kent County Community Action

3-bottom, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Community Health, Health, Non-Profits, ,

 

By Kent County Board of Commissioners

 

The Kent County Board of Commissioners approved the merger of the Area Community Services and Employment Training Council’s (ACSET) Community Action Agency (CAA) and the Kent County Community Development/Housing Commission at its meeting Thursday, Aug. 24.

 

The newly-formed department will operate as “Kent County Community Action,” putting all staff and resources under one roof to better serve the community.

 

County and CAA staff researched and evaluated the potential of combining and aligning resources of CAA and Kent County’s Community Development/Housing Commission during the last 18 months. In March 2017, the Board of Commissioners authorized staff to proceed with necessary steps for the County of Kent to be designated as the CAA for Kent County, and present necessary requests for approval and transfer of CAA programs and assets to the county.

 

ACSET’s CAA provides weatherization services, utility shut-off protections, food distribution, senior services and more to low-income clients in Kent County. The Kent County Community Development and Housing Commission staff often work on similar projects, programs and customers that align.

 

The new department will be led by Susan Cervantes, the Associate Director of the CAA since 2013. She brings nearly two decades of experience and proficiency to the role, having served with Community Action Agency since 1998.

 

“We truly believe that the transition of ACSET CAA to Kent County will be beneficial for our customers and that they will experience services seamlessly,” said Cervantes. “I am thrilled to see us pull together two teams with a wealth of knowledge who can serve our clients more effectively and efficiently.”

 

The Grand Rapids City Commission approved the merger on Aug. 22.

 

“We are pleased to support this partnership,” Mayor Rosalynn Bliss said. “Our residents will benefit from the enhanced coordination and more efficient operations that will result from this new alliance.”

 

Employees will all be housed in the Human Services Complex at Franklin and Sheldon in southeast Grand Rapids.

 

“This merger brings together staff from two programs that result in decades of understanding of the resources available to help some of our most vulnerable residents,” said Jim Saalfeld, Chair of the Kent County Board of Commissioners. “By bringing these programs together, Kent County is providing better service at lower costs, thereby serving our communities in a more efficient manner.”

 

Metro Cruise hits the teens as it marks its 13th year this weekend

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, , , , , ,
The Pin Up Contest takes place at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Main Stage at Rogers Plaza.

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

joanne@wktv.org

 

It’s gonna be cars, cars and more cars this weekend as the 13th Annual Metro Cruise takes place this Friday and Saturday along 28th Street.

 

Once again, the epicenter of it all will be Rogers Plaza with cars, vendors and food along with WKTV on site to record the two-day event.

 

“It has grown into quite a large event,” said Bob O’Callaghan, the president of the Wyoming Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce, which ha hosted the annual event. “The original thought process was to get a few cars and a couple thousand people at Rogers Plaza to highlight 28th Street and last year we have about 250,000 people and about 16,000 collector cars.”

 

New to this year’s event is the Blessing of the Cars which takes place Thursday, Aug. 24, at 7 p.m. at Wesley Park United Methodist Church, 1120 32nd St. SW. The lot will open for cars starting at 6 p.m. Cars should enter off of 32nd Street or Michael Avenue.

 

On the east end of 28th Street will be the Cascade’s Metro Cruise Warm Up from 4:30 – 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 24, at the Thornapple Center, 6797 Cascade Rd SE. (near the Cascade Road and 28th Street intersection.) Along with lots of cars, there will be food trucks, live music from the band Decades, kids’ activities, and a dunk tank to benefit the Kent County Sheriff’s Department’s K9 Unit. The event is sponsored by the Cascade DDA, Cascade Community Foundation and the Forest Hills Business Association.

 

Other new additions to this year is expand hours for the event with it running from 4 – 10 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 25, and 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 26, said O’Callaghan, noting the closing times are about an hour later than in previous years.

 

For Friday, Aug. 25, food and vendors will be at Rogers Plaza along with a variety of cars. Main Stage entertainment will feature Big Boss Band at 4 p.m. followed by local country singer Kari Lynch at 7 p.m.

 

While the event starts on Friday, which O’Callaghan noted organizers have seen increase attendance Friday night over the past several years, the official opening ceremonies take place at 9 a.m. Saturday. During the ceremonies, the GM Foundation presents checks to several local charities.

 

At a 11 a.m., about eight ladies will compete in the annual Pin Up contest, which is an era-type contest with the ladies involved dressing according to the era they represent, O’Callaghan said,

 

“The belief before people get to know Pin Up is that it’s just women perpetuating the old school idea that women should be beautiful and something that men should look at,” said Amanda Miehle, who is Victory Belle and will be competing in this year’s contest. That women can’t be more than a pretty face but Pin Up is so much more than that. It is empowering. Women took something with a stigma and a label that was once almost degrading to women and they reclaimed it. These women are amazing. They are strong. They are empowering. They are uplifting to other women. They are not afraid to get on a stage and show the world they are beautiful.

 

“It’s kind of like taking something and making it our own.”

 

There is more music starting at noon on Saturday with blues group Out of Favor Boys followed by country group Stolen Horses at 3:30 p.m. and JetBeats wrapping up the evening with a performance from 7 – 8:45 p.m.

 

Of course there are activities all along 28th Street at various businesses and car dealerships. One such event that takes place through the entire month of August is the Art Cruise. Similar to ArtPrize, local artists are matched with 18 Wyoming businesses where the artists’ work is featured for the month.

 

For a complete list of the businesses — or for more about this year’s Metro Cruise — make sure to pick up a brochure at the event or visit 28thstreetmetrocruise.com.

School News Network: Why Pre-Labor Day? The Details

3-bottom, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, , , ,
Kent ISD Superintendent Ron Caniff, left (School News Network)

By Jaye Beeler

School News Network

 

Ron Caniff, superintendent of Kent ISD, says he did what 20 local superintendents asked him to do when he filed for a waiver in January with the Michigan Department of Education to start school before Labor Day. The ISD had asked for a waiver last year too, but withdrew it after discussions with the state dragged on.

 

But this go-round, when the authorization came through, superintendents didn’t quite expect it so fast. They went back to their communities to take their pulse. The result: 15 of 20 districts opted for the early start, while the remaining five stuck with the Tuesday after Labor Day, bound by multi-year collective bargaining agreements or summer construction projects.

 

While this year’s start dates are scattered, “All superintendents certainly understand and recognize the benefits of the common calendar and start date,” Caniff said. Those able to do so will try to align their calendars next year, but there is not yet “100 percent agreement” on the best start date, he added.

 

 

The three-year waiver impacts approximately 109,000 public district and charter school students. Caniff outlined the main rationale for a pre-Labor Day start:

 

  • Align Kent ISD school calendars with districts’ partner colleges and universities for dual enrollment or early/middle college opportunities. All traditional districts have a least one student participating;
  • Meet the state’s 180-day, 1,098-hour of instruction mandate, plus provide increased learning time for those taking state assessments, national exams like SAT and Advanced Placement tests in the spring.
  • Coincide semester’s end with the holiday break in December rather than administering final exams in late January;
  • Coordinate schedules for students enrolled in the Kent Career Tech Center and similar collaborative programs;
  • Summer’s over anyway for high school students in band and fall athletics who are already back and practicing.
  • Lastly, in a nod to tourism, districts with pre-Labor Day starts are taking Fridays off in August, giving parents the opportunity for long weekends.

 

Tech Center Up and Running

Despite districts’ varying opening days, classes began Monday for some 3,000 students in four Kent ISD campus programs: Kent Career Tech Center, Kent Innovation High, Kent Transition Center and MySchool@Kent.

 

“We’ve communicated that school starts Aug. 21 in every way possible, except carrier pigeon,” Tech Center Principal John Kraus said. “We are doing relevant instruction the first two weeks of school.”

 

For the students who don’t drive themselves to campus, district high schools will operate a shuttle bus to and from the ISD campus. If some students simply can’t start until their local districts began Sept. 5, the ISD will work with students one-on-one to remediate or to provide safety instructions that they missed, Kraus said.

 

“Nobody is going to put a student in a situation where they have not completed required safety training,” Kraus said. “Whether it is knife skills in culinary or ladder safety in construction, we’re committed to teaching our curriculum and won’t compromise on safety.”

WKTV sports, news community volunteer crews looking for few good men (and women)

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Sports, Volunteers
Some of the many volunteers who helped with programming, from an August volunteer appreciation event. (WKTV)

By WKTV Staff

news@wktv.org

 

WKTV, community television for Wyoming and Kentwood, will be heading out on the road this fall for high school sports coverage of football, swimming, water polo and soccer — as well as youth equestrian competition. And for all events volunteer crews are being welcomed, trained and occasionally feed pizza.

 

Not a sports fan but want to get involved? There are many opportunities such as helping to produce a newscast, a public affairs talk show, and other special community events including concerts.

 

If it wasn’t for the commitment and participation of our community volunteers, WKTV programming would not be possible. Volunteers are trained and operate the latest technology in cameras, and other video recording and editing equipment.

 

For more than 30 years, high school sports has covered countless local football and basketball games. And now other sports including baseball, softball and hockey games have been added. WKTV sports crews also work the annual Golden Gloves tournament held in West Michigan.

 

Typically, WKTV sports covers Tuesday and Friday night contests that are aired later that night, and again the following Saturday morning. Usual commitment of time, after training, is 2-to-3 hours a night.

 

Newscast and public affairs show taping are typically on Thursday afternoons, also with a commitment of 2-3 hours for each show.

 

To get more information on volunteering for sports, contact Bill at bill@wktv.org or Davin at davin@wktv.org. For information on volunteering for newsroom projects, contact Joanne at joanne@wktv.org or Ken at ken@wktv.org .

 

Many of the private schools also are starting before Labor Day

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

It is not just the local school that will be starting before Labor Day, but many of the area’s private schools as well.

 

Both Wyoming and Kentwood are home to several faith-based and charter schools. Most of these schools will be opening Aug. 28. Those schools include: Grand River Prep, Potters House, South Christian High School, West Michigan Aviation Academy, West Michigan Lutheran ad Legacy Christian School. West Catholic and Catholic Central High Schools also are starting on Aug. 28.

 

 

Grand Rapids Christian High School started before everyone — and this includes public schools as well — on Aug. 16, while the first day of school for all the Calvin Christian schools is Aug. 29

 

Tri Unity Christian High School is one of the only private schools scheduled to start after Labor Day on Sept. 5.

 

Michigan law mandates that public schools may not start before Labor Day. However, districts may seek a wavier with the Michigan Department of Education reporting a record number of waivers for this school year totaling 123. This included 99 school districts and charter schools and 24 intermediate school districts, which includes Kent Intermediate School District. The Kent Career Technical Center is started on Monday, Aug. 21.

 

A for a list of the public school start dates, click here.

Wyoming City Council approves income tax feasibility study after debate, opposition

3-bottom, City of Wyoming, Hard News, Local Business,
The Wyoming City Council’s Aug. 21 meeting was held at the green space outside the Metro Health-University of Michigan medical facility, and with WKTV cameras present. (WKTV)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

 

On a night when weather threatened to shorten the Wyoming City Council’s final outdoor meeting of the summer, and the council breezed through its agenda, a motion to spend $15,000 on a feasibility study of a possible city income tax took the most time and offered the only open debate.

 

At its Monday, Aug. 21 meeting, held at the green space outside the Metro Health-University of Michigan medical facility off Byron Center Avenue and with WKTV cameras present, the council eventually approved a proposal from Great Lakes Economic Consulting for the study.

 

“We want to do what is right for the City of Wyoming,” Mayor Jack Poll said in introducing the agenda item. “The cities of Walker and Grand Rapids do have these income taxes, so we are just going to look at it. We are not deciding on anything.”

 

Any city income tax proposal would need to be put before the voters. The city conducted a study several years ago and decided not to proceed with any action.

 

“But in the last seven years there has been quite a change in our community,” Poll said. “And that dictates (that it is) time we look at this also.”

 

City leaders in both Wyoming and Kentwood have expressed concern with the current state-dictated funding system for cities, and that future shortfalls in funding could lead to the need for cutbacks in city services or increases in property tax millage or other enhanced funding options, including the possibility of a city income tax.

 

The final vote was 5-1, with councilor Kent Vanderwood in opposition and councilor William VerHulst absent.

 

“I have some concerns about this,” Vanderwood said. “We did not do it the last time, and  how serious are we? Do we want to spend $15,000 on the study, or should we be applying that to something else, more important than a study that we may not implement.”

 

While several other councilors offered support but expressed concerns about the possible impact of an income tax on new and old businesses in the city, and impact on property taxes, Councilor Marissa Postler summarized the city’s quandary of any new tax plan.

 

“When you ask anybody, in general, in theory, ‘Do you want to pay taxes?’ They are going to say ‘No’,” Postler said. “My point in this is (we need) to get enough information where we can present it to them, if we needed to, in a way where we have more, I guess, compelling information, compelling evidence that, if it comes to that point, if we   talk about doing this, we have the information that will help us make that case.”

 

The council meetings are broadcast live on WKTV 26 Mondays at 7 p.m. and repeat on Thursdays and Fridays at 7 p.m. The first and third Mondays are actual council meetings and the second Monday is a work session. The schedule can be found at wktv.org Programming Government Access 26. Replays are also available online at WKTV’s government meetings on-demand page (wktv.viebit.com).

 

The rest of the council’s agenda was passed as recommended. For the complete agenda of the meeting, visit the city’s website page here.

 

WKTV has your list of high school live action available Aug. 21-28

3-bottom, Area Education, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Education, Kentwood Public Schools, Sports

 

By Mike Moll

sports@wktv.org

 

WKTV’s broadcast crew’s coverage of high school sports will begin this week with the Holland at Wyoming football game on Thursday, but local high school teams are in action for all fall sports.

 

(Football fans: WKTV’s August schedule includes the Thursday, Aug. 31, game with White Cloud at Wyoming Lee.

 

WKTV sports events will be broadcast the night of the game on Live Wire Comcast Channel 24 throughout the Grand Rapids Metro Area and repeated on Saturday at 11 a.m. on  WKTV Comcast Channel 25 and AT&T U-verse Channel 99 in Wyoming & Kentwood.

 

For a complete schedule of all local high school sports action each week, any changes to the WKTV feature sports schedule, and features on local sports, visit wktvjournal.org/sports/

 

Local high school sports events this week (through next Monday) are as follows:

 

Monday, Aug. 21

Boys tennis 

East Kentwood @ FH Central – Elliott Pearce Invite

@ Wyoming – David Bentley Tournament

Western Michigan Christian @ Kelloggsville

Boys/girls cross country 

East Kentwood @ Muskegon Orchard View

Boys soccer 

Wyoming @ West Michigan Heat / Homeschool

Holland Christian @ South Christian

 

Tuesday, Aug. 22

Girls volleyball

East Kentwood @ FH Northern

Rivertown Christian @ Wyoming Lee (Scrimmage)

Grand River Prep @ NorthPointe Christian

West Michigan Aviation @ WMAES

Boys tennis

@ East Kentwood – Quad

Wyoming @ Union

Boys/girls cross country

Godwin Heights @ Kent City

South Christian @ St. Joseph

Boys soccer

Union @ Godwin Heights

Wyoming Lee @ Otsego

Kenowa Hills @ Potter’s House

Ottawa Hills@ Kelloggsville

Zion Christian @ Kalamazoo Christian

 

Wednesday, Aug. 23

Girls golf

East Kentwood @ South Christian

Boys soccer

Portage Northern @ East Kentwood

Wyoming@ Zeeland West

South Christian @ Calvin Christian

Boys/girls cross country

Wyoming @ Hesperia – Baker Woods Invitational

Girls volleyball

Potter’s House @ Wyoming Lee

Boys tennis

Kelloggsville @ Cedar Springs

Unity Christian @ South Christian

 

Thursday, Aug. 24

Girls golf

East Kentwood @ Grand Haven

South Christian @ Muskegon Mona Shores

Girls volleyball

@ East Kentwood – Lady Falcon Invite

Tri-Unity Christian @ Lansing Christian

Boys soccer

Holland @ East Kentwood

Godwin Heights @ Wyoming

Potter’s House @ Northview

Zion Christian @ Kelloggsville

WMAES @ Tri-Unity Christian

Boys football

Godwin Heights @ Hamilton

Holland @ Wyoming- WKTV Game of The Week

St.  Philip Catholic Central @ Tri-Unity Christian – 8 man

Boys tennis

Wyoming @ Hamilton

Boys/girls cross country

Grand River Prep @ Kelloggsville

 

Friday, Aug. 25

Boys water polo 

East Kentwood @ Jenison

Boys tennis

East Kentwood @ Jenison

Boys soccer

Godwin Heights @ Wyoming

Grand River Prep @West Michigan Aviation

Boys football

Wyoming Lee @ New Buffalo

Kelloggsville @ Whitehall

Holland Christian @ South Christian

 

Saturday, Aug. 26

Boys water polo

East Kentwood @ Jenison

Girls volleyball

East Kentwood @ Rockford

South Christian – WMVOA Scholarship Invite

Boys tennis

East Kentwood @ Holland

Kalamazoo Christian @ South Christian

Boys football

East Kentwood vs Macomb L’Anse Creuse North @ GVSU

Boys/girls cross country

Wyoming Lee @ Muskegon

South Christian @ East Kentwood

Boys soccer

Potter’s House @ NorthPointe Christian

Northern Michigan @ Zion Christian

Coed Equestrian

South Christian @ Barry County Expo

 

Monday, Aug. 28

Girls golf

East Kentwood @ Hudsonville

Boys soccer

Grandville @ East Kentwood

South Christian @ Wyoming

Muskegon Orchard View @ Wyoming Lee

Lakewood @ Grand River Prep

West Michigan Aviation @ Stevensville Lakeshore

Boys tennis

Calvin Christian @ Kelloggsville

Girls volleyball

Potter’s House @ Kelloggsville

Holland Calvary @ West Michigan Lutheran

 

Kent County health official visits WKTV, talks vaccinations for youth, college kids

3-bottom, Area Education, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Community Health, Education, Health, , ,
Mary Wisinski, Immunization Program Supervisor for the Kent County Health Department, on the set of “WKTV Journal: In Focus” with host Ken Norris. (WKTV)

WKTV Staff

news@wktv.org

 

On the latest episode of “WKTV Journal: In Focus”, WKTV’s public affairs show, we bring to the public a discussion with a Kent County Department of Health official detailing why vaccinations are important — and required by law — for young children, but also important for teenagers and even college-age youth.

 

Also on this week’s show is a discussion with Wyoming City Councilor Marissa Postler, who at the age of 23 was elected to represent the city’s 2nd Ward in last fall’s election.

 

The timeliness of the discussion on vaccinations is not only that August is National Immunizations Month, with this week specifically prompting awareness of vaccinations for preteens and teens to “ensure a healthy future with vaccines”, but also because local public and private schools are in the process of opening the school year.

 

“Every state has different requirements, ours are written into our public health code,” Mary Wisinski, a registered nurse and Immunization Program Supervisor for the Kent County Health Department, said in a discussion with WKTV’s Ken Norris. “The importance is, if we don’t keep vaccinating, we call it ‘herd immunity’, we will see a resurgence of these vaccine-preventable diseases.”

 

Wisinski not only stresses the importance of vaccinations for kids but also for high school and college-age youth.

 

“Also recommended is a booster shot for meningitis at age 16,” she said. “We want those kids to be protected the last two years of high school and when they go off to college.”

 

“WKTV Journal: In Focus” newest program will start airing on Tuesday, Aug. 22. The program will air on Tuesdays and Thursdays, at 6:30 p.m., through Aug. 31, on cable television in the Wyoming and Kentwood areas on Comcast WKTV Channel 26 and on AT&T Channel 99 Government channel.

 

The YouTube segment with Mary Wisinski is shown here.

Granger Group changes plans after Wyoming planning commission decision, public opposition

3-bottom, City of Wyoming, Hard News, Local Business,
A city map showing area in question in the southeast corner of 56th Street and Wilson Avenue.

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

 

Following a contentious meeting, attended by about 100 persons in opposition to a development plan proposed by the Granger Group for the city’s southwest side, the Wyoming City Planning Commission recommended that the Wyoming City Council deny a rezoning request associated with the development.

 

The vote Tuesday, Aug. 15, was 4-3 with two commissioners absent. The City Council is currently scheduled to take up the issue at its Sept. 5 meeting.

 

The issue may be a moot point, however, as after the meeting, the Granger Group announced it will change its plans in response to community mood.

 

“We respect the neighbors, we respect the City of Wyoming … we thought we had a better plan,” Gary Granger, President and CEO of Granger Group said to WKTV on Thursday, Aug. 17. “The neighbors said ‘No’ and so we have to stick with our original plan.

 

“We have an original PUD (Planned Unit Development) … a clear PUD that was approved in 2000,” he said. “We will go back to that plan. We still have additional land that we will be dealing with in the future.”

 

City Planner Tim Cochran said Thursday that Granger had not yet withdrawn the rezoning proposal.

 

The specific rezoning request, according to the agenda report of the planning commission meeting, was to rezone 98.4 acres from currently approved zoning status to low density planned unit development status. The properties include 66.9 acres zoned estate residential, 9.5 acres of general business, 15.7 of local business and 6.3 of restricted office.

 

The properties, generally located in the southeast corner of 56th Street and Wilson Avenue, are 3928 56th Street, 3952 56th Street, 5700 Wilson Avenue, 5850 Wilson Avenue, 5950 Wilson Avenue, 5972 Wilson Avenue, 5988 Wilson Avenue, 6002 Wilson Avenue, 6010 Wilson Avenue, and 6030 Wilson Avenue.

 

According to a city planning department rezoning synopsis given to the planning commission, the “proposed rezoning area is primarily agricultural fields” and if rezoned would “accommodate a mixed use development. The rezoning covers eleven separate properties. The rezoning would combine these properties with the adjoining Rivertown Valley Planned Unit Development to create a total PUD of 211.2 acres to be rebranded as The Reserve.”

 

According to the city planning department report, there are currently 131 single family lots within a Rivertown Valley development. The Reserve at Rivertown development, if approved, would add 185 additional single family lots, 370 apartments and about 3.5 acres of commercial area.

 

It is the combination of an existing PUD with a proposed PUD — and the possibility of as many as 370 rental apartments being created — which has led local single-family homeowner to oppose Granger’s plans, according to a press release from a citizens group.

 

According to the citizens group’s press release, the residents are concerned about “370 apartments being constructed in their backyards … (being) forced into a home owners association with no disclosure in purchase agreements … the impact that 370 new rental units would have on the local schools (this part of Wyoming the school district is the City of Grandville) … (and) Granger’s plan to use an old traffic study from 2014. We believe that the study is outdated and a new study by the City of Wyoming needs to be conducted.”

 

The community group also said in the press release that it has hired a lawyer, Kevin Keenan of Wheeler Upham, to represent them.

 

Metro Health hosts Aug. 18 community resources fair for homeless vets 

City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Community Health, Volunteers, ,

 

By Metro Health-UM Health/U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

 

Scores of homeless veterans from throughout West Michigan are expected to gather for the second year in a row on the Wyoming campus of Metro Health – University of Michigan Health to connect with resources that can help them rebuild their lives.

 

 

The veterans will be participating in a Stand Down event coordinated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Held throughout the year and throughout the country, Stand Downs bring homeless veterans together in a single location to provide convenient access to community resources.

 

The local Stand Down will be held Friday, Aug. 18, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., on the Granger Green in front of the hospital at The Metro Health Village, 5900 Byron Center Ave. SW.

 

“We’re honored to host these veterans on our campus,” says Emil Hannesson, director of community outreach for Metro Health. “These individuals have pledged their lives to the country and now need the community’s assistance. This event is a great way to remind them how much they are valued, and that people do support them.”

 

Tiyanna Payne, a supervisor with the VA’s Health Care for Homeless Veterans program in Grand Rapids, adds: “Stand Downs are the nation’s most valuable outreach tool for veterans who are homeless or marginally housed.”

 

Nearly 50 service providers plan to participate, including federal, state, and community agencies, as well as veteran support groups. Homeless veterans will have access to food, clothing, medical care, housing assistance, job counseling, substance abuse treatment, and mental health services.

 

In addition, military surplus items will be available for eligible vets, including sleeping bags, rucksacks, cold weather gear and personal hygiene products. The event also offers breakfast, a lunch prepared by Metro’s chef, and free haircuts.

 

“Veterans won’t have to go from one agency to another to access the services they need,” Payne says. “For one day, everything will be in one place, and everyone will be here to provide them with aid.”

 

The name of the event has its origins in the Vietnam War, when “standing down” referred to soldiers being taken off the lines to rest and recover.

 

“Our Stand Down is designed to give veterans an opportunity to renew their spirit, health and well-being,” Payne says. “Here’s our chance to surround this vulnerable population with the services they need.”

 

The event gets underway at 10 a.m. with a Color Guard presentation and national anthem. The anthem will be performed by Joyce Jones-Davis, a nurse manager with the Wyoming VA Health Care Center. Lisa Martin, director of the Wyoming VA clinic, will follow with a welcome address.

 

This event is for veterans only. If a veteran needs assistance getting to the event, please call the Health Care for Homeless Veterans service center (616-356-1746).

 

WKTV has your list of high school live action available this week

City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Education, Kentwood Public Schools, Sports,

 

By Mike Moll

sports@wktv.org

 

WKTV’s broadcast crew’s coverage of high school sports will begin in a couple weeks, but local high school sports has already begun.

 

WKTV will once again be bringing a game of the week to the viewers starting with two weeks of Thursday night games before Labor Day weekend, after which the Friday night games will return.

 

The August schedule is Thursday, Aug. 24, with Holland at Wyoming; and Thursday, Aug. 31, with White Cloud at Wyoming Lee.

 

WKTV sports events will be broadcast the night of the game on Live Wire Comcast Channel 24 throughout the Grand Rapids Metro Area and repeated on Saturday at 11 a.m. on  WKTV Comcast Channel 25 and AT&T U-verse Channel 99 in Wyoming & Kentwood.

 

For a complete schedule of all local high school sports action each week, any changes to the WKTV feature sports schedule, and features on local sports, visit wktvjournal.org/sports/

 

Local high school sports events this week (through next Monday) are as follows:

 

Wednesday, Aug. 16

Boys Tennis 

East Kentwood @ FH Northern

Kelloggsville @ Wyoming – Quad

Calvin Christian @ South Christian

Girls Golf

East Kentwood @ Kent County Classic

Calvin Christian @ Wyoming

South Christian @ Lansing Central

 

Thursday, Aug. 17

Girls Golf 

East Kentwood @ Portland

Wyoming @ Sparta

South Christian @Lansing Central

Boys Football 

@ East Kentwood (Scrimmage)

Wyoming @ Plainwell (Scrimmage)

Union @ Wyoming Lee (Scrimmage)

Kelloggsville @ Schoolcraft (Scrimmage)

Tri-unity Christian @ Camden Fortier

Boys Tennis 

NorthPointe Christian @ South Christian

 

Friday, Aug. 18

Boys Water Polo 

East Kentwood @ Ann Arbor Pioneer

Girls Golf 

East Kentwood vs Jenison @ The Meadows GVSU

Boys Tennis 

East Kentwood @ Ludington

Western Michigan Christian @ Wyoming

Boys Soccer 

FH Central @ East Kentwood

West Michigan Aviation @ Union

Girls Volleyball 

@ Wyoming – WMVOA Meet

Boys/ Girls Cross Country

Wyoming @ Wayland

Kelloggsville @ Wayland

Tri-unity Christian @ Unity Christian

 

Saturday, Aug. 19

Boys Water Polo 

East Kentwood @ Ann Arbor Pioneer

Boys Tennis 

South Christian @ East Kentwood – Tennis Invite

Girls Volleyball 

East Kentwood @ Grand Haven Lakeshore Classic

Wyoming Lee @ Grand River Prep – WMVOA Tournament

Kelloggsville @ Grand RiverPrep – WMVOA Tournament

Zion Christian @ Grand River Prep – WMVOA Tournament

Tri-unity Christian @ Grand River Prep – WMVOA Tournament

West Michigan Aviation @ Grand River Prep – WMVOA Tournament

South Christian @ Grand Haven – Lakeshore Classic

Boys Soccer 

Godwin Heights@ Grand River Prep

Tri-unity Christian @ Wyoming Lee – Copa Rebelde

Potter’s House @ Kalamazoo Hackett

Kelloggsville @ Muskegon Oakridge

West Michigan Aviation @ Muskegon Oakridge

Catholic Central @ South Christian -Mark Hasper Invite

 

Monday, Aug. 21

Boys Tennis 

East Kentwood @ FH Central – Elliott Pearce Invite

@ Wyoming – David Bentley Tournament

Western Michigan Christian @ Kelloggsville

Boys / Girls Cross Country 

East Kentwood @ Muskegon Orchard View

Boys Soccer 

Wyoming @ West Michigan Heat / Homeschool

Holland Christian @ South Christian

 

New Wyoming Wolves coach talks football, student mentorship on WKTV’s ‘In Focus’ 

City of Wyoming, Education, Sports, ,
New Wyoming High School football coach Irvin Sigler, at his introductory press conference in June. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)

WKTV Staff

news@wktv.org

 

On the latest episode of “WKTV Journal: In Focus”, WKTV’s public affairs show, we bring to the public a discussion with Irvin Sigler III, Wyoming High School’s new head football coach and dean of students.

 

In the discussion with on “In Focus”, which will air twice a week on WKTV channels starting this week and running through Aug. 27, WKTV’s Ken Norris talks to “Coach Sig” about his on-the-field work with the Wolves but also the “opportunity” of his off-the-field work for all the students at the school.

 

“I don’t know that I see challenge (with his dean of students position), what I see is tremendous opportunity,” Sigler told WKTV. “The ability to interact and work with a wide variety of students. The ability to spend time one-on-one with them. To be able to help them, and advocate for them.”

 

Taking the dual job at Wyoming, he said, “was a slam dunk once we talked about the teaching position in the building, because I feel like I have tremendous passion for helping people to succeed.”

 

As part of WKTV’s season-long football coverage schedule, the station’s cameras and announcers will be at Sigler’s first game leading the Wolves, Thursday, Aug. 24, a home game against Holland.

 

“WKTV Journal: In Focus” will start airing on Tuesday, Aug. 15, the program will air on Tuesdays and Thursdays, at 6:30 p.m., on cable television in the Wyoming and Kentwood areas on Comcast WKTV Channel 26 and on AT&T Channel 99 Government channel.

 

Visit here for a YouTube video of the Coach Irvin Sigler segment.

 

Chamber’s August WKTV Government Matters meeting mixes city-to-federal voices

3-bottom, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Community Health, Crime Prevention, , ,
City of Kentwood Mayor Stephen Kepley, second from right, was one of several government officials at this month’s Chamber Government Matters meeting. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

 

The Wyoming-Kentwood Chamber of Commerce’s monthly Government Matters meetings brings together government leaders of all levels and a spectrum of topics, but often those attending the meeting — or watching WKTV’s rebroadcasts of the meeting — are given the rare opportunity to hear a wide-range of government voices on a single subject.

 

“There are really two things going on,” City of Kentwood Mayor Stephen Kepley told WKTV following the Aug. 14 meeting. “One is just to know what is going on at all the different government levels. I learn a lot just sitting with our leaders … The second is when there is a common problem, we hear about what other levels of government are trying to do to solve this problem. When we can come together … to do something, that is always good.”

 

Among the multi-level government discussions topics at the meeting were local and state work to control prescription opioid drug abuse, Great Lakes environment protection, and the funding crunch coming to local cities due to state funding policies.

The Chamber’s Government Matters meetings include representatives of the cities of Kentwood and Wyoming, Kent County, local Michigan House of Representatives and Senate, and, often, representatives of other State of Michigan and federal elected officials. The next meeting will be Sept. 11 at Wyoming City Hall.

 

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 Monday meetings on the following Wednesday at 7 p.m. on Cable Channel 25. Replays are also available online at WKTV’s government meetings on-demand page (wktv.viebit.com) and on the chamber’s Facebook page.

 

State Rep. Brann talks life in Lansing, issues of interest on WKTV’s ‘In Focus’ 

3-bottom, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Election, Non-Profits, Politics,
State Rep. Tommy Brann on a the set of WKTV Journal’s “In Focus” public affairs show. (WKTV)

WKTV Staff

news@wktv.org

 

On the latest episode of “WKTV Journal: In Focus”, WKTV’s new public affairs show, we bring to the public a discussion with first term State Rep. Tommy Brann, as well as inviting in the director of a non-profit working to give alternatives to persons with mobility issues. And, with the high school football football season approaching, WKTV’s Ken Norris also talks with Wyoming High School’s new head coach and dean of students.

 

In the discussion with Rep. Brann, which will air twice a week on WKTV channels starting this week and running through Aug. 27, the businessman and legislator talks about his new “part-time” job in state government.

 

“I’ve only missed five nights at my restaurant, I come back from Lansing — we are only there Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday” in regular session, Brann told WKTV. “I do think it, possibly could be a part-time job. Right now, July and August, I only go one day a month. I mean, jeez, how is that right?

 

“Also, Sue (Brann, his wife) and I are giving half our legislative salary back to people in need, and that is a great part of the job, doing that.”

 

Michigan state representatives make $71,685 a year.

 

Also during the discussion, Rep. Brann discusses to of his efforts to pass legislation dealing with youth smoking and with the abuse of animals, as well as his and his brother’s well-known support for police and fire public servants.

 

“WKTV Journal: In Focus” will start airing on Tuesday, Aug. 15, the program will air on Tuesdays and Thursdays, at 6:30 p.m., on cable television in the Wyoming and Kentwood areas on Comcast WKTV Channel 26 and on AT&T Channel 99 Government channel.

 

Visit here for a YouTube video of the Rep. Tommy Brann segment.

 

Two Wyoming employees attain international professional designation

3-bottom, City of Wyoming, , , ,
Firefighter Bradley Dornbos

By Mark Easterly

Wyoming Department of Public Safety

 

The Wyoming Department of Public Safety is pleased to announce that two employees have successfully completed the process that awards the professional designation of “Chief Training Officer” (CTO). The Commission on Professional Credentialing (CPC) met on July 26, 2017, to confer the designations upon Wyoming’s Fire Lieutenant Dennis VanTassell and Firefighter Bradley Dornbos. VanTassell and Dornbos have become two of only 104 CTOs nationwide.

 

The Designation Program is a voluntary program designed to recognize individuals who demonstrate their excellence in seven measured components including experience, education, professional development, professional contributions, association membership, community involvement and technical competence. In addition, all applicants are required to identify a future professional development plan.

 

Captain Dennis VanTassell

The CTO designation program uses a comprehensive peer review model to evaluate candidates seeking the credential. The Commission on Professional Credentialing (CPC) awards the designation only after an individual successfully meets all of the organization’s stringent criteria. Achieving this designation signifies the commitment that VanTassell and Dornbos have made to their careers in the fire and emergency services.

 

This professional designation is valid for three years. Maintaining the designation requires recipients to show continued growth in the areas of professional development, professional contributions, active association membership and community involvement as well as adhere to a strict code of professional conduct.

 

The Commission on Professional Credentialing, an entity of the Center for Public Safety Excellence, Inc. (CPSE) administers the Designation Program. The CPC consists of individuals from academia, federal and local government, and the fire and emergency medical services profession. To learn more about CPC, visit www.cpse.org.

County Commissioner from Wyoming one of three to meet with White House Officials

3-bottom, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, , , ,
Commissioners Emily Brieve and Stan Ponstein (Photo courtesy of Emily Brieve)

By Lisa LaPlante

Kent County

 

Commissioners Emily Brieve, Stan Ponstein and Robert Womack joined more than 50 county commissioners from across Michigan on Aug. 8 at a White House Conference to discuss greater cooperation between local and federal leaders. The Commissioners were invited by the Trump administration to share their views on public policy challenges facing local governments.

 

Commissioner Brieve, who serves District 10 part of Caledonia Township and Gaines Township, said it was an informative visit. “Communicating with the various levels of government can be like playing a game of telephone. This meeting was important because it gave us, at the County level, a direct line to the White House,” Brieve said. “We were able to communicate our role in local government and bring light to issues important to counties in Michigan. This opportunity has allowed us access to departments that provide funding for core services to Kent County residents.”

 

Commissioners Ponstein and Brieve (in back) with the rest of the county commissioners from Michigan. (Photo by Emily Brieve)

Commissioner Ponstein felt honored to receive an invitation. “No one with the Michigan Association of Counties has ever known of the White House inviting County Commissioners to appear before them to speak of shortcomings of the Federal Government. I am glad I had the opportunity, along with two other Kent County Commissioners, to have our voice be heard,” Commissioner Ponstein of District 7 which is Grandville and part of Wyoming, said after the visit. “I was asked often, ‘What does the public really think?’; I simply stated that in Kent County, when residents see a problem, they work together to find a solution; they don’t feel that way about the Federal Government; they feel the system is broken and it no longer works for the people.”

 

The evening before the conference, the Commissioners attended a briefing from the Michigan Association of Counties and National Association of Counties on “Matters of Importance to Michigan.” “The engagement of Michigan commissioners in this event is highly encouraging,” said Stephan W. Currie, Executive Director of the Michigan Association of Counties. “There’s nothing more valuable in the development of strong public policy than to have local elected officials giving their on-the-ground assessments to federal leaders.”

 

For more information on the Kent County Board of Commissioners, visit www.accesskent.com/Departments/BOC/members.

Rep. Huizenga talks nation, local on special edition of ‘WKTV Journal: In Focus’

3-bottom, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Election, Hard News, Politics
U.S. Rep. Bill Huizenga visited the set of “WKTV Journal: In Focus” this week and sat down for a wide-ranging discussion. (WKTV)

WKTV Staff

news@wktv.org

 

One-time U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Thomas P. “Tip” O’Neill, Jr., famously said “All politics is local,” and current Rep. Bill Huizenga (R-Zeeland) delves into the balance of local and national politics in a special edition of  “WKTV Journal: In Focus”, WKTV’s new public affairs show.

 

Rep. Huizenga, whose Michigan 2nd District includes portions of Wyoming and Kentwood in Kent County, as part of a wide-ranging discussion with WKTV’s Ken Norris, said “That is the balancing act … but first and foremost, I am responsible to the people of this district. This is home. My family is here, I am from here. Those are my bosses.

 

“Every two years get a very public job review. A couple hundred thousand people come out and say ‘You know, you’ve been doing a good job’ or ‘You know what, we want to go in a different direction’.”

 

In the discussion, Rep. Huizenga also discusses his work for Michigan, both partisan and nonpartisan, as well as his continuing but cautious support of President Donald Trump.

 

Rep. Huizenga’s discussion on “WKTV Journal: In Focus” will air Friday, Aug. 11, at 6:30 p.m., and Saturday, Aug. 12, at noon on cable television in the Wyoming and Kentwood areas on Comcast WKTV Channel 26 and on AT&T Channel 99 Government channel.

 

Visit here for a YouTube video of the segment.

 

School News Network: On the Job and On Their Way

3-bottom, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming

By Morgan Jarema

School News Network

 

More than 40 students with cognitive or other impairments from districts across Kent ISD’s service area worked at 11 job sites this summer, earning money while learning skills. Coached employment wrapped up its second year this week at the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel, JW Marriott and the Downtown Market Grand Rapids, plus three area YMCAs and select school buildings.

 

Max Froozley, left, of Kenowa Hills High School, and Dustin Wheeler, of Wyoming High School, clean windows at Kent Innovation High

The students are part of Kent Transition Centerand CORE, hands-on learning, career exploration and occupational training programs of Kent ISD. In partnership with Michigan Rehabilitation Services, those who are selected for the eight-week program earn paychecks by working four hours a day, four days a week.

 

“We make the experience as real as possible, and it’s amazing to see their growth,” said Michael Spagnuolo, program director. “On day one they introduce themselves to their manager, and by the end of the program they’re ready. This fulfills our long-term vision, which is to secure and maintain employment and to provide opportunities for growth.”

 

At the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel, Transition Center students have been involved in school-year career exploration in exchange for credit for more than two decades. Former Transition Center students have been employed at the hotel for as many as 21 years.

 

“We have Transition Center students who have become supervisors,” said Employment Manager Patrick Fritz. “We’re a great place to work, but we have rules and the work is not easy. So it’s pretty cool when you walk down our halls and see the people who got a chance and made it (and were hired).”

 

Partnering with the Transitions Center is “one of those things that needs to be a no-brainer for employers,” Fritz said. “I would highly recommend other employers try this.”

WKTV Journal newscast details National Night Out, Buck Creek Braille Trail 

3-bottom, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Community Health, Crime Prevention, Newscast, ,
National Night Out offered neighborhood interaction with local police and fire departments. (WKTV file photo)

WKTV Staff

news@wktv.org

 

WKTV Journal’s biweekly video newscast premiers its newest episode today with segments on the Wyoming and Kentwood’s National Night Out events, the annual Metro Cruise, and Buck Creek Nature Preserve’s new braille trail.

 

WKTV Journal’s newscast premiers biweekly on Monday at 8 a.m., and then is broadcast at various times and dates on cable television in the Wyoming and Kentwood areas on Comcast WKTV Channel 25 and on AT&T Channel 99 Community channel. This week, it will run on WKTV 25 Tuesday, Aug. 8, at the following times: 11:58 a.m., 4:55 p.m. and 5:52 p.m., and on Wednesday, Aug. 9 at 1:06 a.m. This week it will run on WKTV Channel 26 on Wednesday, Aug. 9, at 6:58 p.m. and 9:52 p.m.

 

Visit here for a YouTube video of the newscast. https://youtu.be/nobau0R9ppE

 

‘WKTV Journal: In Focus’ looks at non-profits serving the community

3-bottom, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Health, Non-Profits, Senior Living
“WKTV Journal: In Focus” looks at local non-profits including the Exalta Health healthcare provider this week and, starting next week, Alternatives in Motion, with Coleen Davis, executive director the group, shown. (WKTV)

 

WKTV Staff

news@wktv.org

 

One of the goals of “WKTV Journal: In Focus”, WKTV’s new public affairs show, is highlighting the work of local non-profits working to serve the Wyoming and Kentwood communities.

 

Continuing this week is a program including a discussion with the leaders of Exalta Health, a healthcare provider serving some of the most underserved of our community. Visit here for a YouTube video of the segment.

 

Starting next week, In Focus will present a discussion with Coleen Davis, executive director of Alternatives In Motion, a Grand Rapids based non-profit focused on providing mobility equipment to persons in need. Visit here for a YouTube video of the segment.

 

“WKTV Journal: In Focus” airs on Tuesdays and Thursdays, at 6:30 p.m., on cable television in the Wyoming and Kentwood areas on Comcast WKTV Channel 26 and on AT&T Channel 99 Government channel.

 

Also in the current episode of “WKTV Journal: In Focus” is a discussion on the VoiceKent survey of Kent County critical public health concerns, and a discussion with member of the Kentwood Police Department detailing a crime-reporting website.

 

Wyoming City Council officially receives more than $500,000 for Ideal Park improvements

3-bottom, City of Wyoming, , , , , , ,
Proposed restoration by P.M. Blough Incorporated.

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

joanne@wktv.org

 

At its Monday night regular council meeting, the Wyoming City Council accepted more than a half a million dollars from the Department of Natural Resources Natural Resources Trust Fund.

 

The city first applied for the fund in March of 2016 with it taking about a year and half for the state to release the funding, said the city’s Director of Community Services Rebecca Rynbrandt at the Aug. 7 council meeting. Rynbrandt said the funds were officially released on July 14 when the Governor signed the authorization.

 

The grant, totaling $508,300, is a 63 percent match to the city’s $300,000. The total $808,300 along with an additional $68,150 for capital outlay will be used for improvements at Ideal Park, which was severely impacted by two tornados, one in 2014 and a second one in 2016. The 2014 tornado caused extensive damage which included the lost of the park’s playground, tennis and basketball courts and a majority of the trees.

 

The money will cover the first phase of reconstruction for the park, which is located at 5843 Crippen Ave SW. Included in the plan is the construction of a shelter, playground and basketball court, reforestation, traffic control improvements for vehicle and pedestrian safety, and non-motorized trail improvements including the establishment of a trail head and improved connection to the Inter-ubran trail and Kent County trail system.

 

Upgrading lights to LED

 

Also at the Aug. 7 council meeting, the City of Wyoming Council approved the expense of $253,000 to upgrade 1,081 Cobra Head street light fixtures from mercury vapor and high pressure sodium to LED.

 

The city actually has more than 4,422 existing Consumer Energy mercury-vapor and high-pressure-sodium street lights that the city is looking to upgrade to LED light fixtures. The main reason for this, according to a report from the city’s Director of Public Works William D. Dooley, is that it would reduce energy usage which is a benefit to the environment and a cost savings to the city.

 

Of the existing lights, most are the Cobra Head lights totaling about 3,391. The total cost to replace all the Cobra Head lights is about $1.4 million or an average of $410 per light. The new LED fixture will reduce the energy use by an estimated 64 percent and save Wyoming approximately $300,000 a year. According to Dooley’s report, the city would recoup the cost of the replacements in less than five years. The cost for upgrading these lights to LED reflects a large discount from Consumers Energy because the company can avoid its scheduled upgrade.

 

In April, the City Council had decided to move forward to upgrade the Cobra Head lights to LED fixtures. The replacement will be done in four phases. At the Monday night meeting, the council approved the expense for the first phase of about $253,000.

 

The first area to receive the upgrade will be the northwest section of the city, from about north of 36th Street and west of Burlingame Avenue.

 

The Wyoming City Council meets the first and third Mondays of the month at 7 p.m. in the council chambers at the Wyoming City Hall, 1155 28th St. SW. The Aug. 21 meeting will be on the lawn at the Metro Health Village.  The meetings are broadcast live on WKTV Channel 26 and rebroadcast at 7 p.m. Tuesdays and Fridays.

Residents take up the call, heading out to meet their neighbors during National Night Out

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, , , , ,
Area mayors and law enforcement officials gather for the Consumers Energy kick off for National Night Out.

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

joanne@wktv.org

 

It was a race against the clock for Wyoming Police Chief James Carmody: more than a dozen neighborhoods hosting National Night Out events and his mission was to visit them all within a three-hour time period.

 

By 8 p.m., Carmody admitted as he left the Cross Creek Green Condos, where they honored him for being named the top Michigan Police Chief by the Michigan Association of Police Chiefs, he probably would not make it to them all.

 

For Carmody and many officials from both the cities of Wyoming and Kentwood, the day started off at the annual Consumers Energy kick off for National Night Out. Starting at 5:30 a.m. yesterday, Consumers Energy had two of its large trucks with extended buckets 75 feet above U.S.  131 to help draw attention to the national event designed to encourage residents to get out and meet their neighbors.

 

Kentwood Police Chief Tom Hillen and Wyoming Police Chief James Carmody

Kentwood Mayor Stephen Kepley and Wyoming Mayor Jack Poll were part of a group of governmental leaders and law enforcement officials on had from six different communities in Kent County for the early morning event. Also in attendance was Carmody and Kentwood Police Chief Tom Hillen. A proclamation was read and Consumer Energy employees handed out LEDs to those driving by the Consumers Energy office at 4000 Clay Ave. SW in Wyoming.

 

“We appreciate the support we receive from our cities and law enforcement agencies not only for the annual event, but during every day of the year to keep our communities cross Michigan safe,” said Consumer Energy Vice President of Electric Operations Guy Packard. “This event heightens awareness of crime and drug prevention and helps provide citizens the tools they need to stay safe at home and in their neighborhoods.”

 

For 34 years, communities across the nation participate in National Night Out. Created by the National Association of Town Watch, the annual event, which always takes place on the first Tuesday in August, is designed to build relations between neighbors and local law and safety personal as a way to help deter crime.

 

Wyoming Mayor Jack Poll and Kentwood Mayor Stephen Kepley

“National Night Out is a way to get everybody together,” said Kentwood Police Sgt. James Connell, who was at the Kentwood community-wide event at Woodland Mall. “It’s a way to get neighbors out of their houses and talk with their neighbors.  A lot of people don’t know their neighbors anymore as we’ve gotten kind of closed off.”

 

Many of the activities were in the evening including the City of Wyoming’s last Concert in the Park series at Lamar Park which featured a variety of activities and the country band Union Guns.

 

For more about National Night Out, make sure to check out WKTV Channel 26 for a special report on the event.

 

K.D. Norris contributed to this story.

‘WKTV Journal: In Focus’ looks at GVSU-led VoiceKent survey plans

3-bottom, Area Education, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Community Health, Health, Non-Profits, , , ,
On the latest episode of “WKTV Journal: In Focus”, Kyle Caldwell, executive director of the Dorothy A. Johnson Center for Philanthropy at Grand Valley State University, talks with host Ken Norris about the VoiceKent survey. (WKTV)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

 

On the latest episode of “WKTV Journal: In Focus”, WKTV’s new public affairs show, we bring to the public a discussion on the VoiceKent survey plans with Kyle Caldwell, executive director of the Dorothy A. Johnson Center for Philanthropy at Grand Valley State University.

 

The VoiceKent survey of Kent County critical public health concerns is a joint effort of the Kent County Health Department and the Johnson Center for Philanthropy.

 

In the discussion, which will air twice a week on WKTV channels starting this week and running through Aug. 13, Caldwell details the importance of the survey and the innovative ways it seeks public opinion from communities not often having their voices heard.

 

“We (at the Johnson Center) make sure we go into venerable communities, places were people would normally not respond to a survey because they don’t normally get connected with services or programs or organizations,” Caldwell told WKTV. “So we work with non-profit partners to go into communities and get people to respond to the survey. Now we are going to go county-wide with our partnership with the Kent County Health Department.”

 

The survey, which collects responses through October, connects demographics with the opinions, attitudes and perceptions of Kent County residents on topics such as employment, education, racism and discrimination, ability to meet basic needs, access to health care and neighborhood safety. The data gathered from the survey will help create a baseline for conversations on these important community issues.

 

For more information on the VoiceKent survey, see a submitted story here.

 

“WKTV Journal: In Focus” will start airing on Tuesday, Aug. 1, and the program will air on Tuesdays and Thursdays, at 6:30 p.m., on cable television in the Wyoming and Kentwood areas on Comcast WKTV Channel 26 and on AT&T Channel 99 Government channel.

 

Visit here for a YouTube video of the VoiceKent segment.

 

Also on the latest episode of “WKTV Journal: In Focus” is a discussion with the leaders of Exalta Health, a healthcare provider serving some of the most underserved of our community, and a member of the Kentwood Police Department detailing a crime-reporting website.

 

Turn your porch light on and join your neighbors for National Night Out

City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, , , , , , , ,

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

joanne@wktv.org

 

Turn your porch light on and come out and meet your neighbors.

 

It is a simple action and one for the past 33 years has been the mantra of National Night Out — this year Aug. 1 — 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.

 

This year, both the cities of Kentwood and Wyoming will have numerous events and activities taking place during the Aug. 1 National Night Out event with police officers, firefighters and city leaders out in full force to meet with residents and show support of the annual community building event.

 

Both communities will kick off the day’s activities with the Consumers Energy Kick Off from 5:30 – 8 a.m. at the company’s service center located at 4000 Clay Ave. SW. Both Wyoming Mayor Jack Poll and Kentwood Mayor Stephen Kepley will be in attendances along with Kentwood Police Chief Thomas Hillen and Wyoming Police Chief James Carmody and representatives from the cities of Walker and Grand Rapids.

 

Last year’s Consumers Energy kick off event for National Night Out.

City of Kentwood National Night Out Activities

The Kentwood Police Department has once again partnered with Woodland Mall and Celebration! Cinema for a daytime event from 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. in the outdoor courtyard between Celebration! Cinema and Barnes & Noble and also inside the mall near the North Face store. Residents can come to meet with Kentwood police and firefighters and their vehicles, enjoy prizes, games and free popcorn, and there are reports that McGruff the Crime Dog will be making an appearance.

 

“For the past 50, Kentwood has shown over and over again that we’re really about helping each other through community involvement,” Mayor Stephen Kelley said. “City leadership is looking forward to continuing our community relationship with Kentwood residents through block parties, cookouts and other events on Aug. 1.

 

“Fostering a better community starts with open communication. We’re excited that National Night Out provides that open communication we find so essential.”

 

Various neighborhoods will host community activities in the evening.

Most of the neighborhood activities will be taking place from 6 – 8 p.m. There are about 13 community gatherings planned with police, firefighters, and city officials planning to fan out and visit each one. Those gaterhings include Christ Community Church, 2400 Forest Hill Ave. SE from 6 – 8 p.m . which will include games and a slip ’n’ slide and South United Methodist Church, 4500 Division Ave. SW near Ridgewood Street, from 6 – 8 p.m.

 

“Our officers really look forward to National Night Out,” said Police Chief Thomas Hillen. “It really energizes our officers and residents because of the open communication. We enjoy listening to citizens and issues important to them. The day allows us to get to the root of the community to build those open lines of communication that are vital to keeping our city safe.”

 

City of Wyoming National Night Out Activities

 

Wyoming City officials are estimating there will be 14 neighborhood-hosted events along with the last Concerts in the Park being dedicated to National Night Out activities. Starting at 7 p.m. in Lamar Park, 2561 Porter St. SW, Concerts in the Park will including a night of family fun and the music of country band Union Guns.

 

Wyoming firefighters help some local children cool off during last year’s National Night Out.

“National Night Out is always a great opportunity for residents in Wyoming and around the Country to get out and meet new neighbors, or reconnect with the old,” Carmody said. “It is also an opportunity to reaffirm our community’s commitment by joining together to keep our neighborhoods safe by keeping a watchful eye on each other.”

 

Major Jack Poll said, during a recent city council meeting, that city officials will be working to make as many of the neighborhood events as possible. Rolling Hills Neighborhood Watch will host a bike parade to kick off its event at 6:30 p.m. near 2523 Oak View SW. Other Wyoming National Night Out Block Parties include:

Grace Bible College died just west of Clyde Park on 26th Street, 4- 6 p.m.

Taft Avenue near 2860 Taft Ave, 5- 8 p.m.

Rogers Lane Neighborhood Watch near Old Rogers Lane Elementary, 2929 Rogers Lane, 5:30 – 8 p.m.

South Godwin Neighborhood Association at Southlanw Park, 4125 Jefferson Ave. SE, 6 – 8 p.m.

Ferrand Estates, at the club house located at 4528 Halifax Ave. SW, 6 – 8 p.m.

Riverview Condos at the club house at 3325 Scenic River Dr., 6 – 8 p.m.

Oriole Park Neighborhood Watch at Oriole Park, 1380 42nd St. SW, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.

43rd Street in the 2400 block of 43rd Street, 6:30 – 9 p.m.

 

Other National Night Out Actives

Outside of the Kentwood and Wyoming areas, there are several other National Night Out events.

 

The South Kent National Night Out will be from 4 – 8 p.m. at Celebration! Cinema South, 1506 Eastport Dr. SE. Communities in the Kent County Sheriff’s Department’s South Kent area, such as Byron, Gaines, Caledonia and Bowne townships, are invited to meet the local first responders who service their communities. The event will include demonstrations by the K-9 Unit, vehicle extraction demonstrations, the Kent County Sheriff’s Mounted Unit, children ID packets, a bounce house and dunk tank.

 

The Salvation Army Kroc Center, in partnership with the Garfield Park Neighborhood Association, will host activities from  5 to 8:30 p.m. This free event feature family fun activities such as slip ‘n’ slide rides, games, and community resources. Concessions will be available for purchase. Local police and fire units, along with American Medical Response (AMR) will also be on hand to interact with families in attendance. Garfield Park Neighborhood Association will be handing out information to visitors as well.

 

“The Grand Rapids Kroc Center is honored to be a host site for National Night Out,” said Lieutenant Bill Brutto, senior officer for The Salvation Army Kroc Center. “We always want to continue working toward unity and reconciliation in our city, and special events like this are a good way to bring people together.”

 

The Salvation Army Kroc Center event will be cancelled in the event of heavy rain or lightning. Visit GrKrocCenter.org or call 616-588-7200 for more information on the Kroc Center event.

Three communities come together for annual clean up of Buck Creek

3-bottom, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, , , , , , ,

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

joanne@wktv.org

 

Tires — 22 to be exact — along mental signage and other trash was just some of the items Martha Stout Vermeulen remembers pulling from the Buck Creek during the first clean up.

 

Now in its fourth year, the Buck Creek Clean Up is an annual event when residents of Grandville, Wyoming, and Kentwood roll up their sleeves — with a few donning waiters — and spend a Saturday morning, Aug. 5, cleaning up a portion of Buck Creek which travels through the three cities as it makes its way to the Grand River.

 

The event starts at 8 a.m. at Wyoming’s Lemry Park, 4050 Byron Center Ave. SW, with a light breakfast provided by Biggby Coffee, and Marge’s Donut Den, and orientation that includes free t-shirts. Participants will head out in teams to look for trash and other foreign objects along a variety of Buck Creek locations.

 

“Last year, from the communities of Wyoming and Grandvile we pulled 80 bags of trash,” said Vermeulen, who serves as the president of the Friends of Buck Creek. The Friends of Buck Creek and Schrems Trout Unlimited host the annual clean up.

 

Buck Creek, which is about 20 miles long starting in Allegan County, is a cold water stream which holds a viable trout population, all of which is rare to find in an urban setting. For that reason, Schrems Trout Unlimited, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and the Lower Grand River Organization of Watersheds have highlighted Buck Creek as a threatened stream in need of protection. Two years ago, Schrems Trout Unlimited was awarded a $25,000 grant to assess the water quality in the Buck Creek watershed.

 

“It was warming,” Vermeulen said. “There was just ignorance as to what was going. There was a lot of fertilizers draining into the creek and other pollutants.”

 

The area focused on through the clean up efforts has improved with Vermeulen noting that there is trout in that portion of the creek where in other sections the water has become too warm for any fish.

 

But Vermeulen, who comes from an environmentally-conscious family and lives near Buck Creek, said the greater success has been helping people really care about their environment and their resources so much that they help to protect it.

 

“Recently, there was a Grandville school teacher who has students go to Buck Creek and do some testing and discussions,”Vermeulen said. “They then built a rain garden for the school parking lot.”

 

Vermeulen added there is all kinds of things people can do throughout the year to help the creek from adding trees to help shade it to construction a rain garden, which helps to absorb rain runoff that may carry pesticides and fertilizers applied to lawns and other plants.

 

There is also helping to pitch and care for Buck Creek by removing trash and other items that should not be in the creek.

 

For more information on the Buck Creek Clean Up, visit swmtu.org. For Friends of the Buck Creek, find the group on Facebook or email Vermeulen at erma00@sbcglobal.net. The clean up is from 8 – 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 5, starting at Charles Lemery Park, 4050 Byron Center Ave. SW. For those who volunteer on Saturday, lunch will be provided at Grandville’s Osgood Brewing.

‘WKTV Journal In Focus’ debuts with Kent County clerk talking voting security

3-bottom, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Election, Hard News, Politics, WKTV Projects
On the debut episode of WKTV’s new public affairs show, “WKTV Journal In Focus”, Kent County Clerk Lisa Posthumus Lyons discusses the county’s new voting machines. (WKTV)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

 

On the debut episode of WKTV’s new public affairs show, “WKTV Journal In Focus”, we bring to the public a discussion with Lisa Posthumus Lyons, Kent County Clerk and Register of Deeds, who was elected to the position in November after serving in the state legislature.

 

Kent County Clerk Lisa Posthumus Lyons. (WKTV)

In the discussion, which will air twice a week on WKTV channels, she details what the public will notice — and not notice — about new voting machines scheduled to debut in Kent County this fall.

 

But, she stresses in the discussion, while the voting machine process has changed a little, the overriding importance of security of the voting system is still the most important job for her and local city clerks’ offices.

 

Ken County’s new voting machines will look and operate much like the ones the public is familiar with — and they are never connected to the internet. (Supplied)

“The entire state is in the midst of transitioning to new election equipment and Kent County’s first election using the new machines will be in November,” Posthumus told WKTV in an on-air discussion. “Voters will take heart that they will continue to cast their ballot on a paper ballot that will be fed into an optical scan tabulator. The voters, I think, will not notice too shocking of a change … There will be a familiarity. … It is just more technologically advanced.

 

“Kent county’s voting process is absolutely secure,” she adds. “We will continue to operate our elections outside of an internet connection, which I think is very important in this age of making sure out elections are secure and safe.”

 

For more detailed discussion on the new voting machines, and Posthumus’ thoughts on voter security and integrity, check out “WKTV Journal In Focus”. Starting today, Tuesday, July 25, the program will air on Tuesdays and Thursdays, at 6:30 p.m., on cable television in the Wyoming and Kentwood areas on Comcast WKTV Channel 26 and on AT&T Channel 99 Government channel. The video segment featuring Posthumus is also posted on YouTube at https://youtu.be/t7SRzV1JFjY

 

Also on the debut episode of “WKTV Journal In Focus” are park officials from the cities of Kentwood and Wyoming talking about summer events and activities.