Throughout 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic has continued affecting the daily lives of the people of Grand Rapids, including commuters and other riders of The Rapid transit system. And as the community has moved forward and adapted, its public transit system has moved forward with cleaning procedures and safety protocols for its buses and the citizens who ride them daily.
WKTV took a ride on The Rapid’s SilverLine and spoke with Bill Kirk, Business Affairs Specialist of The Rapid, on the sanitization of the buses daily using antiseptic agents as well as how it encourages passengers to wear masks and practice social distancing.
And what they have learned about cleaning and sanitization will likely become standard operating procedure even in a post-pandemic future.
“We take pride in how clean our buses are, but after experiencing the situation, we want to maintain those policies even after the pandemic goes away,” Kirk said. “We just want to make sure we’re providing as safe and as healthy a ride as possible for our riders.”
The Rapid public transportation system provides services to the greater Grand Rapids area, including Wyoming, and Kentwood. Formed in 2000, The Rapid operates on fixed routes throughout Grand Rapids and works with people with disabilities for their services. They also provide the SilverLine, a transit started in 2014 that runs along Division Avenue south and loops around the Rapid Central Station in Grand Rapids.
After more than a century of providing holiday season gift bundles to thousands of western Michigan kids, the Santa Claus Girls will be still this holiday season as the double hit of both COVID-10 and the need for a new home facility has forced the program into hiatus for 2020.
The Santa Claus Girls’s history in Kent County dates from 1909 and from their most recent home in Kentwood at the Knoll Inc. building on 36th Avenue, the all-volunteer group delivered more than 13,500 gift packages in 2018 and topped that number last year.
“Santa Claus Girls has taken a pause for the 2020 season,” Maggie Moerdyke, Interim President of Santa Claus Girls, said to WKTV. “Knoll was sold and the charity inventory is packed in 4 trailers awaiting a new home. It was a tough decision for the board to pass for the holiday season yet the pandemic had made it impossible to carry forward for 2020.”
Undated historic photo of Santa Claus Girls. (Supplied/Santa Claus Girls)
Usually, the Santa Claus Girls packages and delivers gift bags through which in-need kids get a new toy and candy but also get hand-made, knitted winter hats and mittens. Depending on the age of the kids, families can also receive infant receiving blankets, crocheted or knitted or out of flannel, infant toys, and age-appropriate 1-year-old and 2-year-old stuffed animals.
To accomplish such an effort, there is a small army providing gift wrapping and package-assembly, as well volunteers to join another small army of drivers to deliver the packages in mid-December.
But the army will be at home this season.
“The volunteers, the space, the production, are all side by side and the ability to maintain 6 foot of space between was not an option,” Moerdyke said. “The 350 drivers were also on the mind of the board and to send them into the neighborhoods to deliver was not an option either with COVID spreading so rapidly. Safety and health was foremost on the mind of each of us through the cancellation process.”
She said the non-profit’s governing board had to make the decision that “with heavy heart (we) cannot reach the 13,000 children that are serviced during the giving season. The goal is to return in 2021, bigger and better.”
The board is also working a new model for the non-profit but, she said, they “truly need a workshop to make it happen.”
A new home needed for program
Knoll Inc. housed Santa Claus Girls for six years, including all utilities and the company’s maintenance staff.
Knoll had “a heart of gold to support the families in the community, the volunteers, and the charity,” she said. “Just maybe (we) will be fortunate to find another similar blessing.”
According to Moerdyke, Santa Claus Girls needs a facility between 25,000-75,000 square feet. The ideal, she said, would be 75,000 square feet which comes into use during the six weeks of assembling and delivery. The lower square footage figure would be for storage during the other 10 months of the year.
Moerdyke also said “the master plan is to have a facility to accommodate Santa Claus Girls, Y-Service Club (White Elephant Sale) and Toys For Tots. All three charities have worked together for several years yet in separate facilities and moved from one place to another as needed incorporating the use of trailers for storage whenever necessary.”
As with every year, the Santa Claus Girls are also seeking community support both in volunteerism and financial donations.
After more than three years of planning and community engagement, the City of Kentwood announced this week that it has adopted an updated Master Plan which will serve as the City’s long-range vision for growth, land use, development and open space conservation.
The Master Plan, according to the announcement, “features goals, policies and recommended actions to guide land-use decisions over the next 20 years. The forward-looking development plan considers the long-range goals and desires of residents and property owners as well as local, regional and market trends.”
The plan was adopted by the Planning Commission in September and then accepted by the City Commission on Oct. 20.
“The Master Plan update process is key to ensuring the detailed visionary planning for Kentwood’s future development in all sectors as our community grows,” Kentwood Mayor Stephen Kepley said in supplied material. “Many people have spent countless hours to ensure Kentwood’s Master Plan is a comprehensive guide for growth and conservation decisions while preserving and improving Kentwood’s excellent quality of life.”
The Master Plan is reviewed at least every five years, and can be modified after review by the Planning Commission. The City’s efforts for the latest Master Plan update began in October 2017. Prior to that, the last update was in 2012.
In general, the update’s goal was to “plan for new population growth and redevelopment while protecting key environmental features, creating sustainable economic opportunities and providing public services,” according to the city statement.
Among the major updates was the implementation of the Form-Based Code land development regulatory tool, specifically along Division Avenue and incorporation of the Silver Line bus rapid transit service along Division Avenue.
The current Master Plan update also focused on “changes related to a few areas that required particular attention,” including Section 13, 263 acres of open land between 28th and 36th streets, Patterson Avenue and East Paris Avenue; Section 34, a 480-acre area between 52nd and 60th streets, the Princeton Estates plat and Wing Avenue; the 28th and 29th Street commercial corridor; and the Division Avenue corridor.
The update process also included plans for the Eastern Avenue and 52nd Street, the city campus, and Kalamazoo Avenue corridor subareas.
“Significant time and valuable engagement with residents, businesses and property owners has led to this plan’s adoption,” Terry Schweitzer, Kentwood community development director, said in supplied material. “We are grateful to all those who shared input and contributed to this critical review process.”
The updated plan and its associated documents are available on the City’s website at kentwood.us/PlanKentwood.
Kentwood’s Broad Leaf Local Beer may have to change the way it uses outdoor space for customers as fall turns to winter, but the city is keeping some small business allowances in place to expedite such use. (WKTV)
The Kentwood City Commission has extended changes to local small business zoning requirements and procedures — including temporary use of outdoor space and the suspension of some sign restrictions — as part of the city’s continued efforts to support local businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to a statement from the City of Kentwood, the City Commission approved a resolution that extends the changes through October 2021, as recommended by the Kentwood Economic Development Corporation. The changes were set to expire Nov. 1.
The resolution allows for an expedited site plan review process for temporary outdoor retail, food, beverage and personal service uses. The extension also means time limits on temporary sign display and certain business licensing fees remain suspended.
“The resolution we passed in June was intended to ease and expedite businesses’ abilities to serve customers in a manner that’s consistent with evolving public health recommendations,” Kentwood Mayor Stephen Kepley said in supplied material. “As COVID-19 continues to impact our community, the City remains committed to these measures to assist businesses still reeling from the effects of the pandemic.”
Retailers, restaurants and personal service businesses, such as athletic training facilities, wanting to add expanded outdoor spaces for customers may apply for such allowances through a streamlined administrative review process that was put into place earlier this summer to “jump-start the local economy,” according to the city’s statement.
The review and approval of site plans for general retail sales, food, beverage and personal service establishments in the city seeking to utilize outdoor areas, such as exterior building aprons or use of parking areas, are conducted through the Planning Department. (Interested businesses are asked to complete the online application at kentwood.us/businessrestart for consideration.)
Additionally, according to the city’s statement, under the temporary sign moratorium, one temporary sign of up to 32 square feet in area is allowed per business. Other restrictions in the zoning ordinance related to temporary signs, such as sign placement and similar matters, remain in effect.
Also announced was that for the fiscal licensing year 2020-21, City of Kentwood business license fees for all establishments located in Kentwood will be waived with the exception of hazardous material fees and fees for transient, waste hauler, door-to-door and snowplowing licenses.
Kentwood Public Schools has joined several local public schools districts by closing school buildings and beginning temporary virtual education for all students after a series of positive COVID-19 test results.
In an Oct. 24 letter from district Superintendent Michael Zoerhoff to parent and students, and posted on the district website, the district explained its decision to cease in-person education at its East Kentwood Freshman Campus and the East Kentwood High School buildings from Saturday, Oct. 24 through Friday, Oct. 30.
“On Friday, October 23, 2020, we learned of another COVID-19 positive case at East Kentwood High School and/or the East Kentwood Freshman Campus,” the district letter stated. “In the past week on the East Kentwood Campuses, we have now had seven positive cases and currently have 123 individuals who are in quarantine. We worked late into the night Friday with the Kent County Health Department (KCHD) and they have made the recommendation that we close both the East Kentwood Freshman Campus and the East Kentwood 10-12 Building next week to allow for contact tracing and deep cleaning.”
Students will receive further detailed information from their teachers and principals regarding next week’s class schedule and how learning will continue, according to the letter.
“This decision is very difficult and not made without a great deal of discussion and advice from the Kent County Health Department,” according to the letter. “We apologize for the hardship this puts on our students, staff and families. The recommendation from the KCHD is intended to break and eliminate cycles of transmission and keep our EK Community safe. It is important that we all take the necessary steps to prevent the spread of COVID-19 so we can stay safe and continue to offer in person school for our students, staff and families.”
The Kent County Health Department will conduct contact tracing and may contact members of the East Kentwood schools community for further follow up if it is determined that they were in “close contact” with an person who has tested positive.
“We are moving forward under the guidance of the Kent County Health Department and all measures have been taken to protect the wellbeing of our staff and students,” the letter states. And both buildings will be “thoroughly” cleaned and disinfected following district protocols.
If persons in the district community have any questions or concerns regarding COVID-19, the district recommends contacting the Executive Director of Human Resources, Jamie Gordon, in the KPS Administration Offices at 616-455-4400.
Wyoming Public Schools Superintendent Craig Hoekstra announced over the weekend that students and staff at Gladiola Elementary School will move to remote learning after receiving notification from the Kent County Health Department of a positive COVID-19 test result.
All other WPS school buildings will remain open for in-person learning.
The day of the announcement, Saturday, Oct. 17, the district was notified by the Kent County Health Department (KCHD) that an individual at Gladiola elementary had received a positive COVID-19 test result. Due to the extent of possible students and staff who made contact with this individual, the KCHD has recommended that the district close Gladiola elementary for in-person instruction.
The closure period will run from today, Monday, Oct. 19, through Wednesday, Oct. 28, and all “learning during this timeframe will be conducted online,” according to the statement.
“Out of an abundance of caution and in collaboration with the Kent County Health Department, it has been determined that closing the building will give the KCHD the necessary time to complete contract tracing and contact any staff and/or student(s) that may have come in contact with those who have tested positive,” according to the statement. “This will also allow us to slow any potential community spread. During the closure, the District will thoroughly clean and disinfect the school building while staff and students are not present.”
The district statement also “urges all WPS staff and students who experience symptoms or who may have been exposed to COVID-19 to get tested and self-quarantine. Parents are encouraged to monitor their children for the onset of any symptoms related to COVID-19. If there is any change in your child’s health, please contact your medical provider.”
The KCHD offers free COVID-19 screenings at multiple sites via appointment or walk-in. More information on sites and appointments is available online here or by calling 616-632-7200.
The district also “urges all of our students, staff and families to comply with the CDC guidelines to avoid further spread of COVID-19 in our community.”
Gladiola families were reminded to check their email and ParentVue accounts for additional updates.
More information on Wyoming Public Schools is available at wyominggps.org.
What’s in a weed? While for many of us our notion of weeds are the pesky and unwanted plants that compete for light and nutrients in our gardens, but a forest or the wooded section of a park has a much broader and even more sinister experience with weeds.
The Bittersweet vine is a problem across the nation and in Michigan. And Kentwood’s park trees are not immune. (WKTV)
These are the invasive species — species of plants that include certain types of vines that grow so aggressively so as to literally kill not only surrounding plants but even large trees.
For Jessica Schulte, district manager for Kent Conservation District, it all starts innocently enough; an attractive wreath sheathed in golden and red berries is purchased by a homeowner who enjoys the wreath and some point will discard it.
If the wreath has the attractive red and gold berries, chances are this is one of the versions of Bittersweet vine that has been dubbed one of the most invasive plants species in North America. The plant is capable of killing large trees and, with its aggressive growth, it will completely envelope a forest habitat, choking off all other growth and changing the forest forever.
And this is the challenge for Schulte.
Every summer and fall, Schulte and a group called the “Invasive Species Strike Team” fan out to West Michigan forests and residences to yank, cut and remove the vines of the Bittersweet and other invasive species.
Kentwood vs. a ‘Godzilla’ of a plant
With the Bittersweet growing to more than 66 feet in height, it might somewhat be likened to confronting a Godzilla in the forest. In a very short period of time, the Bittersweet will completely envelope a tree’s canopy, blocking sunlight while the vines have a remarkable ability to choke off the flow of nutrients by literally strangling the trunk.
Jessica Schulte, district manager for Kent Conservation District, inspecting one of Kentwood’s parks. (WKTV)
“There are no insects, molds or fungus growth to keep the Bittersweet vine in check,” Schulte said in a recent telephone interview with WKTV, as she was busily preparing another team for a site visit that would determine the extent of Bittersweet vine damage.
“We have a huge infestation in the Ada and Cascade region,” she added also pointing out that Michigan currently lacks formal regulation of invasive species.
But now Schulte seems to have attracted a significant ally.
City of Kentwood Mayor Stephen Kepley attacks some of the Bittersweet vines in a city park. (WKTV)
Mayor Stephen Kepley of the City of Kentwood was on a walk this spring in one of the city’s parks and noticed large canopies of vine growth covering some of the trees along with vines literally strangling the trunks of trees.
Mayor Kepley reached out to the Kent Conservation District and further investigation found that there was more than just one area in Kentwood that the Bittersweet vine was invading.
“I’m actually surprised that more cities, like Kentwood are not taking action against the Bittersweet,” Schulte said, “because the damage they cause can be prevented.”
Formation of Kentwood’s ‘strike team’
Like horticultural super hero figures, the Kent Conservation District has created “strike teams” of volunteers to fan out into urban wooded areas and forest to identify and remove the problem vines and weeds.
Bittersweet vines will choke out trees. (WKTV)
While our gardening grandfathers and grandmothers might have reminded us that regular weeding was the equivalent of an ounce of prevention being worth more than a pound of cure, that prevention/cure from the strike team is underway in Kentwood.
In early October, Mayor Kepley joined with community volunteers in training for the task of ridding Kentwood parks of aggressive weeds, like the Bittersweet, that threaten the parks.
Now there are more training sessions available through the winter and into the spring. And given the speed at which the vine grows and its capability of ruining the appearance of city parks, Schulte points out that the more volunteers the better.
To assist with awareness and sign-ups, Kentwood has set up a page within the city’s website that allows residents to learn more about the invasive vine and how they can join to stop the spread.
Schulte hastens to add that the Bittersweet is not like the wild grape vines or other indigenous vines like the Virginia Creeper. She points out that even poison ivy in the forest is good because the berries it produces have a high fat content which help birds survive the long winter.
Oriental Bittersweet in winter. (Wikipedia Commons)
While birds also feast on Bittersweet berries, they also spread the seeds which only contributes to forest damage.
At the same time, Schulte states that while beneficial vines and trees are falling victim to the spread of the Bittersweet, it is also affecting wildlife.
“Migrating birds are down by 40 percent because often these city parks serve as stopovers for food, but the Bittersweet is enveloping and destroying the wooded canopy and eliminating the food supply,” she said.
At the training sessions, volunteers learn how to recognize invasive weeds and vines from the beneficial ones and how to effectively remove them. Schulte points out that volunteers will also need to be trained on how to effectively remove enough of a vine to prevent it from growing back.
“If homeowners would like they can reach out to us with pictures and we can help identify if they have problem vines,” said Schulte.
For more information on the Kentwood vine volunteer program, visit the kentwood.us/vinevolunteers. To sign-up as a volunteer, contact Public Works Supervisor Jim Wolford at wolfordj@kentwood.us or call him at 616-554-0817.
The Kent County Sheriff’s Department works to combat community violence, but it is looking to get some help with newly funded grants to community nonprofits. (KC Sheriff’s Department)
The Kent County Board of Commissioners announced this week the recent allocation of $500,000 of CARES Act funding to community violence prevention grants “to help stem the increasing rates of violence occurring during the COVID-19 pandemic.”
The grant program will be administered by the Heart of West Michigan United Way.
Grant applications are due to the Heart of West Michigan United Way by noon on Monday, Oct. 19, and all funds must be expended by Dec. 15, 2020 pursuant to federal requirements.
“We have seen a rise in violent crime throughout the County since the start of the pandemic,” Kent County Sheriff Michelle LaJoye-Young said in supplied material. “We need to work together as a community on prevention and education initiatives that can help reduce the incidents that result in violence.”
The Community Violence Prevention Grant Program will assist nonprofit organizations in preventing violent behaviors from occurring, stopping the progression of violence, and rehabilitating individuals with established violent behavior, according to the announcement.
To receive a grant, applicants must be a 501(c)(3) based in Kent County, have been in existence for at least one year, deliver all programming in Kent County, comply with all applicable state and federal laws, and provide a written summary of the project and its outcomes in January 2021.
A selection committee comprised of Kent County leaders, law enforcement, and community members will award grants ranging from $5,000 to $150,000.
“Ensuring we have a safe community is a fundamental role of government. However, we alone cannot solve the spike in violent crimes that is occurring because of COVID-19,” Kent County Board of Commissioners Chair Mandy Bolter said in supplied material. “It was a priority for the board to support local, grassroots programs that are working to make our communities safe for all.”
Woodland Mall announced this week that it will celebrate the fall season — the beautiful leaves, crisp air and, of course, caramel apples — this weekend when it hosts a Pop-Up Fall Festival in the Von Maur parking lot.
The outdoor event, which the entire family can enjoy while remaining safe and healthy, will take place on Saturday, Oct. 17, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., in collaboration with ACP Entertainment.
“We’re looking forward to celebrating the season and all the great activities and goodies it brings,” Woodland Mall Marketing Director Cecily McCabe said in supplied material. “Despite the limitations of COVID, we’ve been working hard to offer some fall fun that will allow us to gather and enjoy autumn safely. We’ll certainly be using Michigan’s beautiful fall weather to our advantage.”
According to the announcement, the festival will offer treats such as elephant ears, caramel apples, caramel corn, donuts and cider all day for participants to enjoy. Those interested may choose to either drive through or walk up to booths to purchase these treats, which can be purchased with cash or card. Seating will not be provided — participants are asked to enjoy the fall treats in their vehicles.
Festival activities will take place from noon to 4 p.m. and will include a bounce house, corn maze, spinning strawberry, train rides and more. Tickets can be purchased online or at the door. Only those planning to participate in activities need tickets.
Per state and Kent County Health Department guidance, the attraction area will be limited to 100 guests or fewer at a time and all participants will be required to wear a mask. There will be plenty of hand sanitizing stations and room for physical distancing.
Deep cleaning and sanitization of all attractions will take place throughout the day, according to the announcement.
The City of Kentwood will again offer its Brush and Leaf Drop-Off programs to residents this fall. According to a statement from the city, both sites will run from Saturday, Oct. 17 through Sunday, Dec. 6, from noon to 8 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and noon to 6 p.m. on Sunday.
Residents can drop off brush, sticks, tree limbs, logs, loose leaves and grass clippings at the Kentwood Department of Public Works, 5068 Breton Ave. SE.
“With the change of seasons, getting debris out of the right-of-way is incredibly important,” Jim Wolford, Department of Public Works supervisor, said in supplied material. “Clearing brush and leaves prevents buildup of material in the roadway and storm drains, keeping our infrastructure running smoothly throughout the city.”
Beyond helping make yard maintenance easier, leaf and brush collection services also help residents stay in compliance with city ordinances, according to the statement. The accumulation of leaves and debris within the lot line of a property or upon the adjacent right-of-way is prohibited in the City of Kentwood, as is burning leaves and brush.
The service is available to Kentwood residents only. Anyone wishing to drop off items must show proof of residency.
Materials that cannot be accepted include: trash, plastic bags, dirt, concrete, asphalt, tires, rocks, stones, construction materials, glass or metal.
The Rapid announced last week that its Mobility for All planning process will continue its public outreach efforts this week with a series of virtual meetings to gather feedback on proposed changes to The Rapid’s bus service that may take effect in the fall of 2021.
Possible changes to The Rapid’s Southwest service area — including Routes 8, 10, 16, 24, 28, 44 and the Silver Line — will be discussed on Facebook Live and Zoom platforms Thursday, Oct. 15, from 9-10 a.m. and again from 6-7 p.m. (See a Facebook page on this event here.)
According to the announcement, the proposed changes to route alignments, stops and schedules, and the introduction of new on-demand zones, are a result of more than a year of “technical analysis and public feedback” on The Rapid’s current operations.
“These meetings will offer multiple opportunities for public feedback and input on proposed changes that we believe will offer improved service and innovative new options to our riders,” Nick Monoyios, planning manager at The Rapid, said in supplied material. “COVID-19 has forced us to change our approach to outreach and engagement, but we’re confident that our process will create the best possible outcome for our riders and the community.”
The interactive digital workshops will be offered twice a day Monday, Oct. 12 through Thursday, Oct. 15 to highlight the proposed changes and offer participants the opportunity for questions, feedback, and suggestions.
There will be a comprehensive overview on Friday morning, Oct. 16, from 9-10 a.m.
The other sessions which will focus on other specific geographic areas and routes in The Rapid’s service area include:
Northeast Service Changes — Routes 11, 13, 14, 15 — Oct. 12, 9-10 a.m. and 6-7 p.m.
Northwest Service Changes — Routes 7, 9, 12, 18, Laker Line — Oct. 14, 9-10 a.m. and 6-7 p.m.
According to the announcement, additional feedback will be solicited throughout the month of October, and will be part of informing final recommendations to The Rapid’s Board of Directors in early 2021.
“Started in 2019, Mobility for All, also known as a Comprehensive Operational Analysis (COA) in the transit industry, is an effort to improve the efficiency, productivity and reliability of The Rapid’s bus service,” according to the announcement. “By working within The Rapid’s current budget constraints, Mobility for All will result in better transit and mobility service without additional cost to the taxpayers in The Rapid’s service area.”
It has been 15 years since The Rapid conducted a COA and this plan accounts for changes in demand for transit, travel patterns, emerging mobility technologies and relies on extensive public engagement and feedback. Initial changes to bus service as the result of the COA would take effect in the fall of 2021.
Should The Rapid’s Board of Directors decide to move forward with the proposed changes, additional public hearings and opportunities for feedback will take place in early 2021.
The Beer City Brewers Guild’s AlePrize, a celebration of art and beer at Grand Rapids area breweries, is exhibiting local art in two local craft brew pubs in the Kentwood/Wyoming area. The month-long, city-wide event pairs local artists with local breweries.
Broad Leaf Local Beer is showing the work of Ty Davis and David Ruggeri, and Ryan Crowley. Railtown Brewing Company is showing the work of Dave Battjes.
“It’s no secret that the pandemic has impacted the brewing industry in a major way,” according to a statement from AlePrize organizers. “From taproom closures to reduced capacities to the general anxieties of keeping staff and guests safe, these have been challenging times for our region’s breweries. Fall is typically a season where taprooms can expect an uptick in business from ArtPrize visitors, but this year looks different.”
Following the regional art festival’s cancellation, the Beer City Brewers Guild come up with the idea of AlePrize, an event “that celebrates local art and beer during the age of COVID-19,” according to the statement.
AlePrize artwork on the wall at Broad Leaf Local Beer in Kentwood. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)
“All of us brewers in the guild are gonna miss ArtPrize in a big way,” Chad Atherton, guild board member and Director of Market Development at Founders Brewing Company “AlePrize isn’t a 100 percent supplement for what ArtPrize brings to the community, but we thought it would be a cool opportunity to connect with local artists and utilize our spaces to promote local artists.”
A $1,000 prize will be awarded to the artist who gains the most public votes and another $1,000 prize will be awarded to the top rated artist judged by a panel of local artists and culture community figures.
Of the more than 40 breweries in the guild, nearly half will be participating in some capacity. And beer/art fans should also be on the lookout for beers brewed specifically for AlePrize.
For more information on this event, visit AlePrize
Shorts Brewing part of anti-racism, anti-oppression project
Short’s Brewing Co. and non-profit Title Track have joined forces to create a call-to-action for the entire Michigan craft brewing community — step up and better our businesses and our communities for all people through support of anti-racism and anti-oppression efforts.
“As a Title Track board member, it’s been important for me to find opportunities that could support the work Title Track is doing,” Joe Short, founder of Short’s Brewing Co and Title Track board member, said in supplied material. “The craft beverage and hospitality industry made perfect sense as a platform to scale community conversations about anti-oppression programming to help us build strong and resilient communities.”
The goal is to raise $25,000 to develop anti-racism and anti-oppression programming. Short’s has made that goal even more attainable with an initial pledge of $5,000, according to supplied material.
Once the goal is met, Title Track will host five events across the state that are open to the brewing community. These events are designed to provide “a better understanding of racial justice and the steps needed to create meaningful, lasting change on the path to equity and inclusion for all — which is especially relevant in an industry made up of mostly white males.”
Title Track, a non-profit dedicated to clean water, racial equity, and youth empowerment, was launched in 2019 by Seth Bernard in the hopes of making his Michigan home a better place to live. Craft Libations for Collective Liberation is just one of many programs for the non-profit.
If you’re taking a road trip up north, through Frankfort, before the snow flies, you might want to stop at Stormcloud Brewing Company and try their seasonal release of the brewery’s Harvest Tripel.
According to supplied material, “the innovative and unique beer blends the traditional Belgian Tripel beer style with freshly harvested hops grown in northern Michigan.”
Released annually using a different hop variety every year, the 2020 Harvest Tripel is brewed exclusively with Michigan Saaz hops grown by Michigan Hop Alliance in Omena.
A old sign, seen from 36th Street, at the area once called the Christian Athletic Complex but now a City of Kentwood park titled Covenant Park. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)
The City of Kentwood will host ‘socially distant’ cross country running/walking race, the NN Mobile Solutions Halloween 5k, on Saturday, Oct. 17. The run will take place at Covenant Park and will be a fundraiser for improvements at the park.
Covenant Park is one of the newest parks in Kentwood and, according to race organizer Spencer McKellar, lead recreation program coordinator of the Kentwood Parks and Recreation Department, the event not only gives an opportunity to show off the new park but also creates a fun community event.
“With Covid-19, we wanted to provide an outdoor event and with a cross country event that would provide a safe place for people to participate in while showcasing the new park,” McKellar said to WKTV.
Covenant Park is located at 3724 Shaffer Ave. SE, and was previously known as the Christian Athletic Complex. The park encompasses nearly 110 acres purchased early this year after an anonymous donor gave a substantial gift to the Kentwood Community Foundation for the purchase of the land, with the conditions it will be used by the City of Kentwood for park and recreational purposes, and be named Covenant Park.
The race will have guidelines to accompany the challenges Covid-19 has created. Sign up and waivers are all online so there will be no paperwork to fill out or for multiple people to come in contact with.
While during the race you will not have to wear a face mask, prior to and after the race a mask is required. The race will also have staggered starting times to separate groups. Groups will also be limited to a certain number of participants according to McKellar.
For more information and to sign up, visit runsignup.com.
Woodland Mall will host an Employment Expo on Thursday, Oct. 15, from 1-7 p.m., with nearly 30 West Michigan employers seeking to fill hundreds of positions in the mall and around the community, according to an announcement this week from management.
Job seekers will have the opportunity to learn about full-time, part-time and seasonal positions with Allied Universal and Peoplemark, the two title sponsors of the event. Other area employers in the cleaning and maintenance, quick food service and health care industries will also be on-site.
Many retailers at the mall are also hiring for both full-time and seasonal positions. A variety of Woodland Mall clothing, shoe and jewelry retailers as well as restaurants will participate in the expo with a variety of employment opportunities including full-time management roles. A full list of retailers can be viewed at shopwoodlandmall.com.
“With rising unemployment, it is more important than ever to help our community’s job seekers connect with West Michigan employers and support our local economy,” Cecily McCabe, Woodland Mall marketing director, said in supplied material. “Woodland Mall is delighted to host this employment expo, which also allows several of our own retailers who are gearing up for the holiday season to participate.
“We offer a variety of career options with competitive wages in both sales and management for anyone interested in retail,” she said.
Hourly wages for entry-level sales associate positions at the mall range from $12 to $14. The average salary for management positions is $55,000. Job seekers are encouraged to explore the list of Woodland Mall openings.
Woodland Mall asks all guests, including employers and job seekers, to follow CDC recommendation by using the hand sanitizer stations located throughout the mall, wearing facial coverings and practicing physical distancing.
In order to comply with Michigan requirements, occupancy numbers remain limited as the mall operates on reduced hours Monday through Saturday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 6 p.m. Some stores modify those hours further.
Godfrey-Lee Public Schools announced today, Oct. 7, that it has made rapid-response saliva tests available to all students and staff with symptoms consistent with COVID-19.
According to a supplied statement, the testing program is a pilot project conducted in collaboration with the Kent County Health Department and Arctic Medical Laboratories, and provided at no cost to students or families. Students or staff that are flagged by daily health screenings will be eligible for testing that has a 24-hour response time.
“Testing is another mitigation strategy we believe to be critical in keeping our schools open for in person learning.” Kevin Polston, superintendent of Godfrey-Lee Public Schools, said in supplied material.
The pilot project at Lee will be closely watched by the Kent County Health Department (KCHD) and other health officials.
“Once we learn valuable lessons from this pilot with the Godfrey Lee school district, we will offer this rapid test resource to other Kent County School districts,” Joann Hoganson, KCHD Community Wellness Division director, said in supply material. “Our goal is to identify COVID-19 students and staff quickly so that they can be isolated. This will help prevent the spread of the virus in the schools.”
Similar to other testing sites in Kent County, private health insurance or Medicaid will be billed for the testing for those covered by insurance, according to the announcement. And the county health department is using federal CARES Act funding to pay for tests for uninsured individuals “to make testing accessible to all” students.
“Collaboration amongst public organizations demonstrates the mutual value of service to our community,” Polston said. “Our shared responsibility is maintaining overall public health and safety. Schools are vital for learning, but also for other essential services critical to student wellbeing. Accessible, rapid-response testing will keep our schools as safe as possible.”
Following the Friday, Oct. 2, decision by the Michigan Supreme Court to strike down Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s COVID-19 related executive orders, the Kent County Health Department issued a statement today that, in part, said that “orders for isolation and quarantine are not affected by the Supreme Court’s ruling.”
The Oct. 5 statement, attributed to Dr. Adam London, Director of the Kent County Health Department (KCHD), was in response to the supreme court ruling that the Governor did not have the authority to issue executive orders under emergency declarations past April 30 of this year.
“Actions such as orders for isolation and quarantine are not affected by the Supreme Court’s ruling,” Dr. Landon said in the statement. “These actions are authorized under the Michigan Public Health Code, a law that was enacted by the Michigan Legislature in 1978. The KCHD will continue to use public health orders and enforcement actions as appropriate under law as this agency has done for many decades.”
The KCHD statement also “stresses” the importance of adhering to the guidelines set forth by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. Those strategies include wearing facial coverings in indoor public places, maintaining social distance, frequent hand washing, and staying home if you are sick.
“The KCHD is confident Kent County residents will continue to take the steps necessary to place their families, friends, and coworkers at the least possible risk for contracting COVID-19,” according to the statement.
Also according to the statement, the KCHD “is hopeful the Legislature and the Governor will work together to protect public health in a collaborative and expedited manner. The KCHD is communicating closely with officials at the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and other local health departments to identify pathways forward which respect rule of law and are protective of the health and safety of our communities.”
Gov. Whitmer, also today, Oct. 5, issued a statement that address the issue of continued health concerns related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. (Governor’s office)
“Governor Gretchen Whitmer and Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Director Robert Gordon filed a motion with the Michigan Supreme Court (today) requesting that they clarify that their October 2nd ruling does not take effect until Friday, October 30th. … Ensuring this transition period will allow the governor, local health departments, and the Michigan Legislature to work together to put protections in place that will keep Michiganders safe and protect our economy.”
Note: For the Michigan Nov. 3 general election, WKTV’s We The People program invited participation from both candidates. Videos are 5-minutes or less, and were not edited in any way by WKTV.
Joe Jackson — Judge candidate, non-partisan election
Occupation: Kent County Assistant Prosecuting Attorney
Why did you decide to run for the 62 B District Court Judgeship?
I have dedicated my entire career to public service, and wish to continue to serve, but in a new role. Kentwood is my family’s home, where we go to school, work, play, and worship. I am dedicated to the continued growth and excellence of Kentwood, and I want to do my part to ensure that the Kentwood District Court is doing its best to serve its community. A District Court Judge is more than just a person in a black robe, he should be a leader, an example, and be involved in the community beyond the bench, and this is something I’m dedicated to.
If elected, what issues do you want to focus on?
The fair and impartial administration of justice to all people in all areas of the law.
Maintaining an experienced, supported, and knowledgeable bench.
Occupation: Attorney representing civil litigants and providing criminal defense.
City/Township you live: City of Kentwood
Why did you decide to run for this position?
There is so much good to be done from the District Court bench. From landlord tenant disputes to criminal misdemeanors, the matters that come before this Court effect the everyday lives of the people who live in Kentwood. The way these cases are handled will shape our community for years to come and I believe I’m uniquely positioned to create positive outcomes through fair and well-reasoned judgments.
Please list two or three issues you feel the voters should know about the District court and the judge position:
There is an eviction crisis looming due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In the interests of public safety, evictions have been limited and this has placed our landlords in financial jeopardy. I’m committed to finding the fair line between landlords who rely on rental income and tenants who have fallen behind.
I’m also committed to meaningful probation sentences. When the circumstances of a criminal case show a link between substance abuse, lack of education, or mental illness and the conviction offense, we should explore programs that motivate behavioral change and address those factors. This front-end approach strengthens our community and should be made a focus in cases where increasing punitive consequences doesn’t necessarily serve the ends of justice.
The City of Kentwood’s Pop-up Farmers Market returns this week with a fall event that not only brings the seasons’s bountiful agricultural harvest and beautiful colors to town but also allows the public to reconnect with the Kentwood Parks and Recreation Department and its various actives and efforts.
Following its successful summer pop-up farmers market, another free and open-to-the-public market is planned for Thursday, Oct. 1, from 4 to 6:30 p.m., in front of the Kent District Library – Kentwood (Richard L. Root) Branch, located at 4950 Breton Ave. SE.
While there will be a host of local vendors offering fresh and locally produced food and other items, as well as a meal available from Street Chef Shaw, the city’s parks and recreation department will deliver something of its own.
“The Kentwood Parks and Recreation Department not only organizes Farmers Market events, but also participates,” Kristina Colby, Kentwood recreation program coordinator, said to WKTV. “With our own booth set up at the Kentwood Farmers Market, we’re able to talk with residents about upcoming events and programs. We love any opportunity to engage with our community about the wide variety of enriching experiences we offer for people of all ages and abilities.”
But, of course, there are all those other great reasons to pay the farmers market a visit.
The outdoor event will feature a variety of seasonal items from nearly 20 vendors, including pumpkins, gourds, produce, microgreens, cheese, jams, honey, mushrooms, baked goods and more. Street Chef Shaw will be serving tacos and quesadillas.
Marketgoers will be required to wear masks when walking through the market and interacting with vendors. There will also be a counterclockwise traffic flow, according to the statement from the city. The Kentwood Farmers Market accepts Bridge cards and P-EBT, as well as SNAP, Double Up Food Bucks and Senior Project FRESH/Market FRESH.
“Our Pop-Up Farmers Market offers community members an opportunity to get outside to enjoy the nice, fall weather and have fun exploring a variety of fresh and locally produced food,” Colby said. “We welcome everyone to step outside and join us to shop for great seasonal products from a safe distance to support local farmers, food producers and vendors.”
For more information on the Kentwood Parks and Recreation Department and it activities, visit here.
Members of the local business community visited the Family Network of Wyoming recently as part of a Wyoming/Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce’s Team Up Tuesday community event. (WKTV)
The business community of Wyoming and Kentwood has held strong together during the coronavirus pandemic of 2020, and part of the reason is the continued work of the Wyoming/Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce with events such as a recent Team Up Tuesday held at the Family Network of Wyoming.
WKTV was there to tour and talk with chamber and Family Network leadership, and members of the business community, to find out more about the local non-profit and how it helps some businesses keep on doing business.
Held Sept. 15, the outdoor event was also open to the public to “hang out and connect with each other.” Family Network of Wyoming, located on 44th street, conducted small group tours of its lending closet and food pantry. Snacks and refreshments were provided by The Candied Yam.
To find out more about the Wyoming/Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce, visit southkent.org. To find out more about the Family Network of Wyoming, visit fntw.org.
The first day of fall is here, on Sept. 22, and Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park has opened its annual fall horticulture exhibition, Chrysanthemums & More!
The exhibition, which opened Sept. 18, reportedly the largest of its kind in Michigan, features expansive displays of chrysanthemums, fall foliage and family-friendly activities. The exhibition will be on display through Nov. 1.
“This year’s theme for Chrysanthemums & More! is ‘Naturally’,” Steve LaWarre, Meijer gardens director of horticulture, said in supplied material. “Our goal is that guests can experience the more natural and untamed side of the autumn season through the various displays of color, texture and patterns that are carefully designed to play upon the natural beauty of the changing fall landscape.”
Aware of the need for social distancing, even outdoors, plant displays throughout Meijer Gardens will intentionally be open and airy, “highlighting movement in contrast to a more traditional tight and manicured aesthetic of years past.”
The tower of mums at Meijer Gardens. (Supplied/Peter McDaniel)
The focal point of the inside display will be entering the Grace Jarecki Seasonal Display Greenhouse and witnessing a floor-to-ceiling chrysanthemum display. Presentations of large disbuds and beds of colorful plantings will complement this feature in the nearby Earl and Donnalee Holton Victorian Garden Parlor.
Outdoors, expansive beds of lush chrysanthemums will be arranged in stunning sweeps of color and will be balanced by a variety of ornamental plantings that highlight nature’s beauty.
Other activities coming this fall at Meijer Gardens include the Fall Bonsai Show, giant pumpkins and “Hallowee-Ones”.
Fall Bonsai Show, sponsored by the West Michigan Bonsai Club, will take place Oct. 3–4, and is open with regular admission. A variety of bonsai will be on display, from trees in early stages of training to lovely older trees. Also, visitors can watch bonsai artists at work and shop for bonsai trees as well as bonsai tools and supplies.
Dress up is encouraged but there will be no tricks or treats. (Supplied)
Also on that weekend will be Fall Family Day, on Oct. 3, 1-4 p.m., which will be focused on the Lena Meijer Children’s Garden. Activities include fall-inspired tunes and autumn-themed stories, a fiber arts demonstration and a naturalist walk.
Finally, Hallowee-Ones, for the “wee ones,” will occur Oct. 23, from 10 a.m. to noon, with parades at 10:15 and 11:15 a.m. This special event is designed for the youngest visitors, and children are encouraged to dress as a sculpture, mammal, fish, insect, bird, tree, flower, geologist or in any other way that highlights something about the Lena Meijer Children’s Garden. “No tricks, no treats, just fun!” according to supplied material.
On the latest episode of WKTV Journal In Focus, we host a discussion on the City of Wyoming Lions Club, a local member of Lions Clubs International, the world’s largest service club organization, with clubs in more than 200 countries.
Wyoming’s club, like all clubs, support the local community in various ways and assist people throughout the world with a focus on programs such as sight programs, guide dogs, donations to vision clinics, and support of various other community organizations.
With us is Kyle Austin, Wyoming Lions Club vice president and membership chairman, and we talk about what the local club does and the need for volunteer member to help them do their good work.
WKTV Journal In Focus airs on cable television in the Wyoming and Kentwood areas on Comcast WKTV Channel 26 and on AT&T Channel 99 Government channel (For dates and times on Channel 26, see our Weekly On-air Schedule. For dates and times on Channel 99, visit here). All individual interviews included in episodes of WKTV Journal In Focus are also available on YouTube at WKTVvideos.
On this episode of WKTV Journal In Focus, we have three short Zoom interviews with the Kent County Health Department. First we catch up with the ongoing and extensive work by the department during this time of the COVID-19 pandemic, but the department is also involved in more routine but non-the-less important activities including the need for important vaccinations and an on-going health survey.
First In Focus is an update on the current state of the COVID-19 pandemic here in Kent County, what has been done and what is being done by the Health Department and its local partners to keep us healthy and get us through these difficult times. With us is Dr. Adam London, Director, Kent County Health Department.
While the county Health Department’s relentless work protecting the community during this pandemic is probably first in everybody’s mind, county health workers are also concerned about the expected return of flu season — and the need for routine vaccinations of all kinds, for children and adults. There is also an ongoing countywide health survey of importance in process.
We talk with Mary Wisinski, Kent County Health Department Immunizations Supervisor, and then have a discussion on the current Kent County Health Department’s 2020 Community Health Needs Assessment with Maris Brummel, Kent County Public Health Epidemiologist. (The survey, which is available in Spanish as well as English, takes about fifteen minutes to complete and is available online at https://bit.ly/kentcounty20. Paper copies are also available.)
WKTV Journal In Focus airs on cable television in the Wyoming and Kentwood areas on Comcast WKTV Channel 26 and on AT&T Channel 99 Government channel (For dates and times on Channel 26, see our Weekly On-air Schedule. For dates and times on Channel 99, visit here). All individual interviews included in episodes of WKTV Journal In Focus are also available on YouTube at WKTVvideos.
The 75th anniversary of the end of World War II was commemorated locally Sept. 1-2 with local ceremonies including a socially distant Grand Rapids area flyover of war-era military aircraft.
In our own effort of remembrance of the “Greatest Generation”, WKTV sent camera persons out Sept. 2 to capture the local flyover of three restored military aircraft from the Yankee Air Museum, including a Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress heavy bomber, a Douglas C-47 Skytrain military transport, and a North American B-25 Mitchell medium bomber.
In response to our video of the ‘Greatest Generation” celebration local military plane flyover, viewer David Knight shared this video of the event.
Marion Charles Gray, an Army Medic who was with the first waves of invasion forces to hit Omaha Beach on the morning of June 6, 1944, passed away in 2015. (U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs)
The 75th anniversary of the end of World War II — coming this week on Sept. 2 — will be commemorated locally with virtual ceremonies and a socially distant Grand Rapids area flyover of war-era military aircraft.
The Grand Rapids Greatest Day Celebration Committee and the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation and Museum will host two days of celebration and remembrance of the “Greatest Generation” — Americans who grew up during the Great Depression and fought in World War II, or whose labor helped win the war — starting today, Tuesday, Sept. 1 and continuing Wednesday, Sept. 2.
On Sept. 2, 1945, with the Japanese and American signing of the Instrument of Surrender aboard the U.S. Navy battleship the USS Missouri, World War II was officially over.
The local events will begin today, Sept. 1, however, when there will be an “In Memoriam Remembrance and Bell Ringing”, at the Ford Museum, with guest speaker Jim DeFelice, beginning at 6 p.m. The event will be live-streamed on the museum’s Facebook Live page.
Promotional material for the event states: “Hear master storyteller (and) NY Times Bestselling author Jim DeFelice, known for his vivid, raw, and powerful portrayals of modern American military heroes, as he honors those who gave their life during the Second World War.”
The celebration will continue Sept. 2, at about 6 p.m., with the Grand Rapids area portion of a planned flyover of a three restored military aircraft: a Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress heavy bomber, a Douglas C-47 Skytrain military transport, and a North American B-25 Mitchell medium bomber. (See map below for approximate times and route.)
The planes, traveling to Grand Rapids from the Yankee Air Museum in Belleville, are set to make a pass along the Grand River, from north to south, near downtown Grand Rapids, and are expected then make at least one pass over the Wyoming and Kentwood area by flying over the Grand Rapids Veterans Outpatient Clinic in Wyoming before exiting the area.
The celebration will conclude with a another virtual event, “Countdown to 1945 with Chris Wallace” on Sept. 2, at 7 p.m., and also live-streamed on the museum’s Facebook Live page.
A veteran journalist and Fox News Sunday anchor, Wallace will be the keynote speaker of the Greatest Generation Day Celebration. According to supplied material, he will discuss his recently published book, “Countdown 1945: The Extraordinary Story of the Atomic Bomb and the 116 Days That Changed the World.”
“Countdown 1945” delivers a behind-the-scenes account of the 116 days leading to the bombing on Hiroshima on Aug. 6, 1945, and “goes beyond just the atomic bomb and shares accounts of ordinary American and Japanese civilians in wartime.”
During his journalism career, Wallace has covered almost every major political event, and interviewed U.S. and world leaders, including seven American presidents. Throughout his 50-plus years in broadcasting, Wallace has won every major broadcast news award, including three Emmy Awards and the Peabody Award.
The route of the planned B-17, C-47 and B-25 Military Plane Flyover on Wednesday, Sept. 2. (Greatest Generation Day Committee)
If you fish out a gun, or something like this old grenade, the Grand Rapids Police Department recommend you call your local police and let the experts handle it. (WKTV/Matt Kavaluskis)
Fishing on the Grand River in downtown Grand Rapids is nothing new. You can see anglers on the banks almost every day, year around.
But a not-so-new version of fishing for fish with the usual bait, fishing for anything metal with magnets, is turning up some unusual catches. From the usual odds and ends, to guns and even an unwisely disposed of military grenade, to — and we have the photograph to prove it — an antique metal toilet, one local magnet fisherman has stories to tell.
Magnet fishermen find the strangest things — like an antique toliet. (WKTV/Matt Kavaluskis)
“Me and my buddy have pulled up all sorts of stuff, including five guns and a World War II grenade,” Matt Kavaluskis, a lifelong Grand Rapidian and a community volunteer at WKTV Community Media, said recently. “And for that iron toilet, we used three magnets and fourth rope to haul it up.”
Kavaluskis said that while the usual finds — metal odds and ends, large and small — are usually just turned in for scrap. But we are not taking about a little scrap here and there. He points out that in addition to the toilet, they recovered a metal cross beam for a sign that weighed nearly 200 pounds.
His favorite magnet fishing spot, he says, is on either side of the river at the Sixth Street Bridge — “That’s were we have found the most stuff.”
Most guns fished out of the Grand River of of no value to the police, except for getting the off the streets. (WKTV/Matt Kavaluskis)
And those guns? That grande? They turned them over to the police, as a Grand Rapids Police Department spokesperson said they should do so.
“With the popularity of magnet fishing, things like this are going to happen,” Sgt. John Wittkowski said to WKTV. “… for the most part we just take them and melt them down. They are really just paperweights, but for obvious reasons we do not return them.”
Unlike in the movie or on television crime dramas, the guns are rarely of any real value to the police.
“Typically, they are in such poor condition, they are of no evidentiary value,” Wittkowski said. “We may check the serial number if that is visible, but usually they are not much use to police.”
But about that World War II antique which Kavaluskis and his buddy turned in …
“If we are taking about a grenade, that is more of a safety issue,” Wittkowski said. “That is very unusual. People occasionally will occasionally bring us things … say they found something when there were going through their father’s belongings. … They are usually inert, but you never know.”
But the bottom line advise from the police department is simple: if you find something like guns or things that could be explosives, call your local police and let the experts handle it.
Back to fishing for the everyday stuff: What might be the beginners tackle box look like for a magnet fisherman?
The usual haul from magnet fishing — odds and ends.(WKTV/Matt Kavaluskis)
“Magnets start at $29, go up to $300, depending on what pull weight you want,” Kavaluskis said. “Each magnet comes with 70 feet of rope, a carry box, set of gloves and a carabiner clip. There is like four or five really good magnet companies.”
And what is next on Kavaluskis’ magnet fishing to-do list? He says there is the motorcycle he and his buddy think they know the whereabouts of.
With the City of Kentwood planning and approval process complete after more than a year, a developer plans to break ground in early September on a 240-unit affordable workforce housing development.
CityLine Apartments will be located on nearly 12 acres of now vacant property touching Division Avenue and 52nd Street, on land most recently used as a used car sales lot and as a golf driving range. It does not include two existing business locations directly on the corner of Division and 52nd.
The CityLine Apartments project, led by developer Herman & Kittle Prop. Inc., of Indianapolis, Ind., will be a “first” in several ways.
It will be the first Grand Rapids area project for a developer which is no stranger to Michigan. It is the first Kentwood development approved using Form Based Code planning changes recently enacted by both the cities of Kentwood and Wyoming to aid redevelopment of the Division Avenue corridor. And it is the first major affordable workforce housing project focused on taking advantage of the Sliver Line bus route intended to move workers to and from downtown but also supporting businesses near the corridor in both Kentwood and Wyoming.
“West Michigan knows that Kentwood is open for business and is successful by meeting our businesses’ needs on a daily basis,” Kentwood Mayor Stephen Kepley said to WKTV this week. “Vibrant communities like Kentwood know that offering a range of housing opportunities is critical to the success of our businesses. This project will help expand our workforce capacity and serve as a catalyst for development along the Division Avenue corridor.”
That city’s goal of aiding development of workforce housing and redevelopment — some would say economic “revitalization” — of the Division Avenue corridor was echoed by city staff in Kentwood.
Division Avenue, looking north from 52nd Street, showing two vacant lots planned for the CityLIne Apartments. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)
“The development of CityLine Apartments will likely represent the largest private investment ever made along the Kentwood portion of the corridor,” Lisa Golder, City of Kentwood Economic Development Planner, said to WKTV. “The development of housing along Division fits perfectly into the city’s plans for the area, as residential development supports both the Bus Rapid Transit (Silver Line) and the business community.
“Since the apartments are located directly on the Silver Line route, residents will be able to use transit to get to work, shop and recreate. With 240 housing units being introduced to the area, businesses will likely see an increase in demand for goods and services.”
And recent changes to Kentwood and Wyoming development codes, specifically the so-called Form Based Code, was essential for the development to be approved.
“The CityLine Apartments could not have been developed without the new Form Based Code,” Golder said. “With the Form Based Code, residential development is allowed for the first time along Division Avenue.”
CityLine Apartments development layout (north at top). (Supplied/City of Kentwood)
The developer and the development
The CityLine Apartments is currently planned to be eight residential buildings including one, two and three-bedroom apartments, as well as a clubhouse, accessory garage/storage buildings, a pool and playground, and even a dog park for residents of the “pet friendly” complex, according to Caroline Kimmel, CityLine development director for Herman & Kittle Prop. Inc. (HKP).
“The development has been in process since July 2019, HKP needed to rezone a portion of the site, as well as work through the rest of the development and site planning process with the city,” Kimmel said to WKTV. “This development is about a two-year construction period, but the first units will be available in about 16 months, or January/February of 2022.”
The planning approval process “took several meetings with the City as well as multiple public hearings to be finalized,” she said.
CityLine is HKP’s first development in Grand Rapids, Kimmel said, but the company has developments in Kalamazoo, Jackson, Niles, Lansing, and Benton Harbor, “as well as over 130 additional properties in 16 other states.”
And Kimmel said the reason for her company’s interest in the Kentwood development was simply good business.
“The Grand Rapids area is still one of the fastest growing metropolitan areas in the Midwest, and HKP is very excited to be a part of that growth,” Kimmel said. “Our internal and external demand analysis showed that rents are growing faster than incomes, and that we might be able to help balance out that growth with a development geared toward workforce housing.
52nd Street looking West to Division Avenue, with road infrastructure work being done not directly a part of the CityLine Apartments project. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)
“The commuter bus line is a highly desirable amenity, especially for residents who may not have the financial means to live in downtown Grand Rapids, but want the ease of access that the Silver Line offers,” she said.
According to information supplied by HKP and City of Kentwood planning documents, the Kentwood development will include 72 one-bedroom units, 120 two-bedroom units, and 48 three-bedroom units. Twelve of the units are designated for people with disabilities.
The larger buildings will have 36 units while the smaller will have 24 units. Three garage buildings will be provided with 18 stalls, including one handicap stall. In total there will be 357 parking spaces provided including 325 standard spaces, 14 handicap parking spaces, and the 18 garage spaces.
“HKP believes this development will attract a mix of one and two parent households with children, as well as single persons who work downtown, but the property is not age restricted,” Kimmel said. “A close proximity to schools will attract families as well, especially with the walkability this location offers.”
Finances for the project; costs for renters
The development is financed through a combination of sources, according to Kimmel, including tax-exempt bonds for construction, a mortgage, and Tax Credit Equity from Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA).
“The MSHDA Tax Credits provide equity to the development, which allows a reduced mortgage, enabling rents to remain affordable for Kent County residents,” she said.
Residents will be subject to a rent-history screening and criminal background check and other compliance requirements set forth by MSHDA, Kimmel said. Income limits will range from $33,720 for a one-person household, $38,520 for two persons, $43,320 for three persons, $48,120 for four persons, and $52,020 for five persons.
“Lease-up will likely begin in late 2021 or early 2022,” she added. “A leasing trailer will be on site with contact information as soon as we are accepting applications.”
Traffic generation to be monitored
While CityLine’s location on the Silver Line bus route is expected to mitigate the usual vehicular traffic issues a development of this size might normally produce, city documents state that a detailed Traffic Impact Assessment may yet be needed.
“Using Institute of Traffic Engineers trip generation data, a 240-unit apartment development generates 1,317 daily trips and 117-129 peak hour trips,” according to a city planning department report. “If this many trips are anticipated, a Traffic Study would be required. However, the data does not take into account the existence and use of the Silverline BRT, which may reduce the trip generation. The applicant should provide a best estimate of vehicle trips anticipated based on other locations in communities adjacent to a BRT line or light rail.”
The City of Kentwood’s Park and Recreation Department has come up with an artistically colorful way to show off the Veterans Memorial Park’s new playground, splash pad and concession stand.
Can you say ‘chalk art fun’ for all?
The city will host a free family event the weekend of Aug. 28-30 appropriately titled “Chalk the Lot”, when families can gain supplied chalk, get assigned blocks in the park’s parking lot, and go to town with their own art projects.
The Kentwood Activities Center and Veterans Memorial Park is located at 355 48th St SE. Registration for chalk art blocks are available, and the public is invited to view the artwork even if they did not create it — practicing proper social distancing, of course.
“We’re excited to host our first ever Chalk the Lot,” Spencer McKellar, lead recreation program coordinator for the Park and Recreation Department, said to WKTV. “It’s a great opportunity for families to take part in a free event, enjoy the summer weather, and check out the amenities at Veterans Memorial Park.”
McKellar came up with the idea, shared it with the staff, and the first-ever such event came together, according to Laura Barbrick, marketing and events coordinator for the parks department.
There are not set specific times for art creation, so that families can come whenever it is convenient for them, according to the city. The event will begin on Friday, Aug. 29, at noon and will end on Sunday evening.
The city asks families to register in advance so they can get an assigned spot and pick up the chalk for the event. Chalk must be picked up at the Kentwood Activities Center the week leading up to the event during business hours (Monday through Thursday, Aug. 24-27, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., or Friday, Aug. 28, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.).
Ring bell at the front door or call 616-656-5270 and a staff member will assist, Barbrick said.
On the latest episode of WKTV Sports’ new sports show focused on local high school sports, WKTV Journal Sports Connection, WKTV volunteer sports announcer Greg Yoder catches us up on the Kelloggsville High School athletics.
Kelloggsville athletic director Eric Alcorn and coach Brandon Branch. (WKTV)
Yoder talks with the Rockets’ new athletic director Eric Alcorn and with new head football coach Brandon Branch — and Coach Branch is no stranger to the Kelloggsville program having been involved with the Rockets football coaching staff for more than a decade, including being varsity defensive coordinator for eight years. We talk about what’s new at Kelloggsville, and about the uncertainly surrounding Michigan’s high school football season.
Recently retired Kelloggsville high football coach Don Galster. (WKTV)
Also on the episode is special segment on Don Galster, who was the head football coach for the Rockets for 30 years before his retirement early this year, talking about his years of coaching at Kelloggsville and a few memorable moments.
Additionally, we produced a print/online story that goes into more detail on Galster, what he plans to do now that he’s left the Rockets’ sideline and a football game memory that still brings him to tears.
This fall, WKTV Journal Sports Connection be bringing its audience interviews and stories focused on local Wyoming and Kentwood area high schools sports, both on cable television and on our YouTube channel. Readers can catch up on all our local sports coverage by visiting WKTVjournal.com/sports.
WKTV Journal Sports Connection is available on-demand, along with WKTV coverage of highs school athletic events and other sports, at WKTV.viebit.com. It also airs on cable television in the Wyoming and Kentwood areas on Comcast WKTV Channel 26 (For dates and times on Channel 26, see our Weekly On-air Schedule). Individual interviews included in episodes of WKTV Journal Sports Connection are also usually available on YouTube at WKTVvideos.
Coach Don Galster readily admits, reflecting on 37 years of coaching high school football including a 30-year stint as head coach at Kelloggsville High School, that he remembers the wins and losses, the big games and the private moments. But it was the kids, the endless stream of Rockets, that kept the job fun.
And after last season, when he decided to hand the ball off to another, and to take a “tough to turn down” job offer as a junior varsity softball coach at Aquinas College, it was also driven by the kids. His and his wife, Sue, have three girls — Nicole, Brittany and Taylor — each of whom played softball and whom he coached in school and in travel ball.
“It was a great career (at Kelloggsville) and it is awesome to look back and see what has been done,” Galster, who also taught physical education at Kelloggsville for 31 years, said to WKTV recently. “It’s the love of just working with kids every day. I throughly enjoyed it. Watching the football program grow. Watching the Kelloggsville community grow. It has come a long ways in 30 years, let me tell you.”
But after three decades, it was time to let go and move on.
“You get that feeling,” he said. “Last year became more of grind — not that I didn’t love football and love the kids, and watching them grow and develop. But I always told my wife, when it got to be the point where I was not having as much fun, it was time to step away. Let somebody a little younger to have a shot at it.”
And that somebody is new head coach Brandon Branch, who spent a decade on Galster’s staff.
“Coach Branch is going to do a great job,” Galster said. “He has a great knowledge of the game. He has enthusiasm with the kids. The kids relate to him very well. He is going to be a great leader. … I’ve watched him grow as a coach and it’s his time.”
(See an WKTV interview with Coach Branch, and new Kelloggsville athletic director Eric Alcorn, on the latest episode of WKTV Journal Sports Connection.)
Memories, and a special moment, on the Rockets’ field
When in comes to memorable games on the Rockets’ field, leading his 30 Rockets teams, there is no shortage of memories for Galster.
The Rockets at practice in 2018. (WKTV)
The Rockets were 10-1 in 2009 and 2017, and won the school’s first playoff game in program history in 2009 — in that season, one game, was played in a driving rainstorm with a quarterback who could throw strikes “in a hurricane,” he said, during an interview on the Rockets’ field.
Then there was his first game as a head coach, against Hopkins, a five-overtime battle “we could have won … but it didn’t happen,” he said. “But we were able to get them back. It was the year 2000, we beat them in triple overtime, down at that end zone (pointing down the field), we blocked a field goal.”
And, of course, there was the 2017 team. Kelloggsville scored a school record 451 points that season, then beat Godwin Heights in the postseason before losing to eventual Division 4 state champion Catholic Central, 45-34, in the district finals.
“The 2017 game, versus Catholic Central, the playoffs, where — I still feel — we were the two best teams in the state of Michigan in Division 4. We got down by quite a bit an our kids battled back … (but) they nosed us out in the second half. That was a great game.”
But, Galster confided, there is one game that was particular emotional.
“One game that always brings a tear to my eye,” he said. “It was 1995. We were a .500 team, you know, and we were playing Comstock Park. We scored with inside a minute and half, a minute, to win the game. My wife was pregnant with my youngest daughter, and the weekend prior she had some complications. … It gets down to Friday and the doctor says she could not go the game. … We are all celebrating at the end (after the win). She had parked over at the 48th Street park and she sneaked in. And I turned around, celebrating with the team, and there she was. It always chokes me up.”
Moving on to another coaching experience
Galster’s move to softball coaching, at the college level, may seem a strange landing sport for a longtime football coach, but people who know him well probably would say “That’s Coach.”
His softball coaching experience includes 10 years as a head softball coach for the Grand Rapids Blaze at 18U, 16U and 14U levels, according to the Aquinas sports website. He also served as an assistant varsity softball coach at East Kentwood High School for 12 years.
“I’ve done football for 37 years … but softball, stepping into a different arena, increasing my knowledge of the game,” is what he’s looking forward to, he said. “I have three daughters. They played softball and that is how I learned the game. I coached them in high school and travel ball. It has become my second passion.
“Football is always going to be my passion. … (But) athletes are athletes. Hopefully they are going to work hard, they are going to trust you as a coach. You show them respect and they will show you respect.”
And so it comes full circle: showing respect from the kids, gaining the respect of the kids — remembering the kids — for Coach Galster, that is what it will always be about.
Kent County and the Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce, on Aug. 18, announced the current status of the Kent County Small Business Recovery Grants fund, a program which intends to use $25 million in federal CARES Act funds to provide grants — not loans — to county small businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
During a Zoom press conference, it was announced that the program has received 2,112 applications and 1,318 businesses have qualified for short-term economic relief grants ranging from $5,000 to $20,000. Qualifying businesses are those which have suffered lost business and income due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In June, the Kent County Board of Commissioners approved a plan to disperse the $25 million CARES Act dollars — a portion of the $94.2 million approved for allocation from the $114.6 the county has received for pandemic relief — to small businesses in the form of grants and technical assistance. The board also selected the Grand Rapids chamber to be the application, review and selection recommendation organization for the small business grants.
To date, 721 grant checks totaling $5.9 million have been mailed to small businesses throughout Kent County, according to information supplied during the Zoom press conference. Another $4.4 million will be distributed to approximately 597 businesses as soon as the required paperwork is complete. So less than half the total $25 million has been distributed or earmarked for distribution.
“Our small businesses are struggling through no fault of their own as a result of the pandemic,” Mandy Bolter, Kent County Board of Commissioner Chair, said in supplied material. “We worked quickly to get aid into their hands to help keep the economy moving and protect the jobs of our friends, families and neighbors. While we have more work to do, I’m thankful for the efforts of my fellow commissioners, business groups, community members, and county staff who successfully implemented the first round of grants.”
According to information compiled and released by the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce, overall and using the chamber designations, the list of 1,318 awardees is comprised of 36.6 percent White/Caucasian, 12.9 percent Hispanic/Latino, 21.4 percent African American/Black, 13.3 percent Asian, 1.4 percent Middle Eastern, 8 percent multi-racial, and .2 percent Native American businesses. Additionally, 6.3 percent of applicants did not indicate their racial or ethnic classification.
The fund is designed to support for-profit businesses with 0 to 25 full-time equivalent employees located in Kent County. It is also focused on businesses that have not been able to access to, or have been declined for, other local, state, or federal relief funds, or “need additional support to weather this crisis,” according to the chamber’s website.
“Our team at the Grand Rapids Chamber has worked purposefully to provide assistance to applicants to ensure business owners have a smooth application process,” Dante Villarreal, vice president of business and talent development at the chamber, said in supplied material. “The need for this relief is critical, and we are working to ensure this funding is allocated quickly and efficiently.”
During the Aug. 17 Zoom press conference, Villarreal said there are about 5-6 weeks remaining in program, and that the chamber is now focused on bars and restaurants to reach out to with information. He also said the average award was about $8,000, and that service based industry is largest grant recipients, at about 49 percent.
Villarreal also emphasized that not only is grant funding still available, but qualification verification and application assistance from chamber staff is available as well.
One local small business which has benefited from the grant program, and the assistance of the chamber, is Mod Bettie Portrait Boutique.
Elise Kutt, of Mod Bettie Portrait Studio, discussed the value of her gaining a grant from the Kent County Small Business Recovery Grants program. (from a GR Area Chamber of Commerce video)
“At the beginning, when COVID struck, I had no idea what we were going to do,” Elise Kutt, founder of Mod Bettie, said in a chamber-produced video. “Receiving this grant, for my business, allowed me the ability to take care of business … The unknown is the scariest part, and now I feel so much relief and I am able to put my time and energy back into what I am really good at.”
Villarreal also said chamber staff is available to provide technical assistance, including cost-cutting measures, six-month cashflow projection, analysis with a business consultant, creditor recommendation review, and connections to other critical resources.
This fall the residents of the City of Wyoming will select a new 8th District representative on the Kent County Board of Commissioners. But before that happens, WKTV Journal In Focus sat down with Wyoming’s current commissioner, Harold Voorhees. But serving the local community on the county body is only latest of a nearly four decade career for the long-time public servant.
As he prepares to leave office — and we all find our what’s next in his public service life — WKTV Journal In Focus sat down with Mr. Voohees. We talked about his last months of his nearly two-decade tenure serving Wyoming and Kent County, about his leadership work within City of Wyoming beginning in the late 1980s as a councilman and as the city’s mayor, and then his three terms in Lansing as a state representative.
While he will not be on the ballot this November, as he declined to seek reelection, he hinted about what’s next as we talked about his decision, his pubic service, and, of course, those cookies.
WKTV Journal In Focus airs on cable television in the Wyoming and Kentwood areas on Comcast WKTV Channel 26 and on AT&T Channel 99 Government channel (For dates and times on Channel 26, see our Weekly On-air Schedule. For dates and times on Channel 99, visit here). All individual interviews included in episodes of WKTV Journal In Focus are also available on YouTube at WKTVvideos.
This fall the residents of the City of Kentwood will select a new judge for the 62 B District Court. But before that happens, WKTV Journal In Focus sat down with Judge William G. Kelly, who after more than 40 years on the bench of Kentwood’s district court will be giving up his seat this year due to state law mandated age restrictions.
Judge Kelly has served the Kentwood community as the city’s first and only district court judge since 1979, following his father, Joseph Kelly, who served as Kentwood’s municipal judge from 1971 to 1979. Judge Kelly is also known as a historian of Michigan’s court system, and will we talk with him about how courts have changed over the years, especially the District court system, which is often called the public’s court.
On In Focus, Judge Kelly talks about the changes his court has seen over the years, both in technology and jurisprudence, as well as his offering a bit of advice to the person who will take his gavel.
WKTV Journal In Focus airs on cable television in the Wyoming and Kentwood areas on Comcast WKTV Channel 26 and on AT&T Channel 99 Government channel (For dates and times on Channel 26, see our Weekly On-air Schedule. For dates and times on Channel 99, visit here). All individual interviews included in episodes of WKTV Journal In Focus are also available on YouTube at WKTVvideos.
Kentwood Public Schools latest back-to-school plans, announced in a district-wide letter July 27, includes a two-week remote/virtual education period for all students as the district prepares for a possible return to in-school learning and parents can have more information before making their decision on having their students attend school at home or in classrooms.
Superintendent Michael Zoerhoff, Kentwood Public schools. (Supplied/KPS)
“Kentwood Public Schools is bound by the directives from the Governor’s Office, the Michigan Department of Education and the various Health Departments,” Kentwood Public Schools Superintendent Michael Zoerhoff said in the letter from his office. “Since the guidelines from the Governor’s Office are yet to be finalized, KPS planning has to remain highly flexible.”
The district conducted several parent surveys over the past several months, according to the letter, and the “results identified a split perspective. Many families want school to start with ‘in person’ learning; while others want to start with remote/virtual learning.”
As of July 27, Kent County is labeled to be in “Phase 4” of the Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s reopening plan, which means schools may open for in-person learning. with restrictions. But if the Governor moves to the county to “Phase 3” then schools must stop all in-person learning and go completely to remote learning.
According to the district letter, the current plan begins school on Monday, Aug. 24, with all students involved in remote/virtual learning for the first two weeks. On Sept. 8, the day after Labor Day, parents can choose to shift their student to the option of in-person learning.
The stated reasons for the two-week remote/virtual beginning of school include:
In addition to being introduced to the academic content that will be studied for the term, the first two weeks will be focused on training students and staff on the safety protocols and cleaning procedures for a safe in-person return.
Students and staff will learn “positive habits and behaviors” for successful remote learning should in-person learning be shut down and virtual learning become the only option.
Those households intending to use the remote/virtual learning option will be able to have computers delivered to students needing a device, and families will have an opportunity to evaluate our new remote learning platforms and compare them, to “make an informed choice when in person learning becomes an option on September 8.”
“Kentwood Public Schools will also have time to observe and learn from those area districts that engage in person student learning immediately,” according the letter. “We can benefit from seeing what others do or fail to do.”
Mask and busing policy detailed
If in-school education is available and chosen, the Governor’s current Return To School requirements are that students and staff in grades 6-12 must wear a face mask if they are attending in-person learning, and students in grades K-5 will be “strongly encouraged” to wear a face mask.
Kentwood Public Schools “has worked with our business partners and Spectrum Health to purchase many approved face masks for those who do not have one, forget to bring it to school or lose their mask,” according to the district.
And while busing will be provided for students who attend in-class school, “we will follow the requirements in the Governor’s Return To School regarding social distancing and face mask covernings. This will require us all to be flexible as there will be a limited number of students allowed on each bus run. Those bus runs will be published and communicated once we know how many families need transportation.”
While the exact mode of education for Kentwood Public Schools students is in flux, Superintendent Zoerhoff, in the letter, made clear the district’s ultimate goal.
“Kentwood Public Schools, together with parents and the community, will educate all students in a safe, secure environment,” he said. “We are committed to excellence, equity and diversity in education. Our goal is for each student to master and apply the essential skills to be a successful, productive citizen.
“These challenging times will pass, but the quality education that your children receive at KPS will serve them for a lifetime.”
For more information on Kentwood Public School’s back-to-school plans and other COIVID-19 related district communications visit kentwoodps.org/covid-info.
For Kentwood firefighter and emergency medical technician Darryl DeVries, learning American Sign Language had been on his to-do list since he was a high school student in the 1980s.
But a little more than a decade ago, when he had already been working full time for the city of Kentwood for almost a decade, he decided ASL probably wasn’t in the cards for him anymore.
And then a chance encounter after a Kentucky church service got DeVries to thinking that maybe his high school hopes were still alive.
City of Kentwood firefighter Darryl DeVries (Supplied)
“I was standing alone,” he recalled recently, “not knowing anyone when someone tapped me on the shoulder. I turned around and was met by a guy, John, with a warm, contagious, ear-to-ear smile.”
Darryl reached out his hand and said hello. John replied by signing. And Darryl had two immediate thoughts.
“First, I thought ‘if only I had learned sign language’,” he said. “Second, I thought ‘go figure, I just cut it from my wish list.’ ”
But John had other ideas and ended up teaching Darryl the ASL alphabet that day.
“And I have been learning ASL ever since,” he said with a smile.
Kentwood non-profit helping out
For a few years he studied ASL on his own, using books and online resources and even attending a church which provided services in ASL.
Then driving past Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services one day, he saw a sign for ASL classes. He stopped in and met some of the staff, including Executive Director Deb Atwood.
“D&HHS has pretty much taken me under their wing ever since,” he said, “always supportive and encouraging.”
Part of that support and encouragement has been working with Community Education Coordinator Nancy Piersma, a Native Deaf Facilitator.
“Nancy has spent hours tutoring me in translating the questions we routinely go through with patients and teaching me signs unique to West Michigan,” he noted.
It’s what D&HHS does, said Atwood.
“We’ve been around for almost 25 years,” Atwood said, “and a big part of our mission has always been what I’d call the education and advocacy piece. We do cultural and sensitivity training around issues relating to the Deaf, we work and partner with other organizations and state agencies, we offer the ASL classes that Darryl took. It’s hard work, but it’s always gratifying to see when people have that ‘aha moment’ as Darryl did and as so many others have. That’s what makes it worthwhile.”
DeVries added that in his work, he has had several opportunities to use ASL.
“It is neat,” he said, “to see a patient’s reaction change from ‘This guy won’t understand me’ to ‘What? Wow! He’s signing!’ Just being able to say my name and something like ‘I help you’ makes a huge difference.”
A West Michigan native and University of Michigan graduate, DeVries said that ASL is one more way to break down barriers and eliminate differences, to “understand each other and find common ground.”
He added: “Kentwood is a very diverse community. I wish I could speak fluently with everyone I meet, but I have chosen to dive into ASL. ASL is amazing when you see a patient’s face light up when they realize you are communicating with them in their silent language which is often overlooked and avoided. ASL is one of the most used, least-known languages in the United States.”
DeVries is eligible for the City of Kentwood’s Language Incentive Program which encourages employees to apply their language proficiencies in service to Kentwood’s diverse community.
New and current employees with excellent language skills who meet proficiency requirements earn monetary bonuses through the program and are tested in their non-English language of choice on an annual basis.
In addition to providing classes, tutoring and more for DeVries, D&HHS also worked with Kentwood’s Human Resources department to develop an ASL test that qualified him for language incentive pay and has worked with him each year on his retest.
For more information on the Kentwood-based Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services, visit deafhhs.org.
WKTV Sports has debuted a new sports show focused on local high school sports, WKTV Journal Sports Connection. On its inaugural episode, WKTV volunteer sports announcer Cory Dalton is joined by fellow announcers Greg Yoder and Mike Moll, and together they catch us up on the past, present and future of Grand Rapids South Christian athletics.
ON the set of WKTV Journal Sports Connection, WKTV’s Greg Yoder talks with Curt Copeland, left, currently a teacher and coach at South Christian but, prior to that, he was the school’s athletic director for seven years. (WKTV)
First up, Yoder talks with Curt Copeland, currently a teacher and coach at South Christian but, prior to that, as the school’s athletic director for seven years, he guided the Sailors athletic program to on-field success as well the challenges of change — including moving into a new high school building and athletic facilities.
David Kool, the new South Christian athletic director, on the set of WKTV Journal Sports Connection. (WKTV)
Then Moll, WKTV’s volunteer sports director, talks with David Kool, the new South Christian athletic director, about his history at the school — and the 2006 graduate has quite a history, having led the Sailors to two state championships on the basketball court.
On the WKTV set, Kool talked his goals, the challenges of high school sports in time of COVID-19, and when the Sailors football team might be playing on their own home field.
The inaugural episode of WKTV Journal Sports Connection is hosted by WKTV volunteer sports announcer Cory Dalton. (WKTV)
“This fall, we’ll be bringing you interviews and stories focused on local Wyoming and Kentwood area high schools sports,” Dalton said about being one of the hosts and interviewers on WKTV Journal Sports Connection. “And remember, you can catch up on all our local sports coverage by visiting WKTVjournal.com/sports.”
WKTV Journal Sports Connection is available on-demand, along with WKTV coverage of highs school athletic events and other sports, at WKTV.viebit.com. It also airs on cable television in the Wyoming and Kentwood areas on Comcast WKTV Channel 25 (For dates and times on Channel 25, see our Weekly On-air Schedule). Individual interviews included in episodes of WKTV Journal Sports Connection are also usually available on YouTube at WKTVvideos.
