Ruth Thornton is a WKTV Contributor. She holds master’s degrees in journalism and fisheries and wildlife, both from Michigan State University. Before working as a journalist, she worked in conservation for many years in Michigan, Minnesota and West Virginia. Her work has appeared in many media outlets, including MLive, the Detroit Free Press, Bridge Michigan, Capital News Service and Great Lakes Echo. You can follow her work via her Substack newsletter, Nature Signals, and at ruththornton.com.
Rock climbing enthusiasts can now enjoy a new gym in the Grand Rapids area, complete with a 50-foot-high rope climbing wall, bouldering area, training walls and more.
Planet Rock opened its third location in Michigan last week at 3175 Union Ave. SE, Wyoming, celebrating with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday, January 15, and free rock climbing and party on Jan. 17.
Besides the climbing walls, the gym also offers beginner and advanced classes for adults and children, said Will Price, general manager of the new location.
“We’re teaching people how to do more complicated kinds of climbing, like lead climbing or multi-pitching outside,” Price explained.
The climbing center held a soft opening in June while many of its features were still under construction, said Nick Cocciolone, the chain’s owner.
The facility also boasts a retail area, where customers can rent or buy equipment, and a fitness center with cardio equipment, free weights, hanging boards and more. A nearly 50-foot giant swing is available in the main climbing area.
The gym is a work in progress, with additional climbing walls and a yoga room planned, Cocciolone added.
Since starting the first Planet Rock in Pontiac in 1994, the chain expanded to Ann Arbor in 1999, he continued. He moved the Pontiac location to Madison Heights about 10 years ago.
Cocciolone said they decided to start a Grand Rapids location because many of their climbers traveled from elsewhere – West Michigan, Lansing and even Ohio and Indiana.
Planet Rock chain owner Nick Cocciolone, second from left, during the ribbon-cutting ceremony. (Photo Courtesy, Ruth Thornton/WKTV Contributor)
Rock climbing is family-friendly, and unlike many other sports, the whole family can do it together, he said.
“And when you get to the adults, it’s anything goes,” Cocciolone continued. “Some of our older climbers that climb regularly are in their 70s and 80s.”
Planet Rock General Manager Will Price getting ready to rappel down the climbing wall during the ribbon-cutting ceremony at Planet Rock in Wyoming, Mich. (Photo Courtesy, Ruth Thornton/WKTV Contributor)
Among those enjoying the facilities on Thursday was Ethan Powers from Grand Rapids, who has been rock climbing for more than five years.
“It has bouldering, and then it has 55-foot lead routes as well,” he explained. “If you want to train for outdoor climbing, or just enjoy a more endurance kind of experience, you can do both.”
Powers said he enjoys the fitness and problem-solving aspects of rock climbing.
“Every route is unique,” said Powers, who appreciates the mix of experiences Planet Rock offers.
Grand Rapids resident Mike Powell practicing bouldering at the Planet Rock grand opening. (Photo Courtesy, Ruth Thornton/WKTV Contributor)
Another climber practicing bouldering on Thursday was Mike Powell of Grand Rapids. He said he has been climbing for more than 10 years and loves the challenge.
“It’s a total mind and body exercise,” he said. “Everything’s got to be engaged when you’re climbing at your limit.
“You’re really just competing with yourself. It’s a lot more nuanced compared to other sports. Sometimes it’s just the tip of a finger that can make the difference between succeeding in your endeavors and falling short.”
Planet Rock grand opening in Wyoming, Mich. (Photo Courtesy, Ruth Thornton/WKTV Contributor)
Cocciolone said the climbing community is generally a friendly and supportive group.
“Many people offer help and camaraderie and encouragement to other climbers,” he said.
It’s also a good form of low-impact exercise, said Price.
“Rock climbing is so adventurous and exciting, it feels like it should be something that’s hard on you,” he said. “But it’s relatively easy to stick with your entire life.”
More information about the Wyoming location, including prices and open times, can be found on the Planet Rock website at planet-rock.com.
Poweshiek skipperlings were once common throughout prairies in the Midwest, but are now found in only two locations: Manitoba, Canada and southeastern Michigan. (Photo Courtesy, Ruth Thornton/WKTV Contributor)
Ruth Thornton is a WKTV Contributor. She holds master’s degrees in journalism and fisheries and wildlife, both from Michigan State University. Before working as a journalist, she worked in conservation for many years in Michigan, Minnesota and West Virginia. Her work has appeared in many media outlets, including MLive, the Detroit Free Press, Bridge Michigan, Capital News Service and Great Lakes Echo. You can follow her work via her Substack newsletter, Nature Signals, and at ruththornton.com.
A small butterfly, once a common sight on the prairies of the Midwest, has suddenly vanished and is now the focus of an international partnership racing against time to save it from the brink of extinction.
“Just how quickly they disappeared is what’s really the alarming thing,” said David Pavlik, a research assistant with Michigan State University.
Pavlik is part of an international coalition of scientists and conservationists working to save the Poweshiek skipperling (pronounced POW-uh-SHEEK), an inconspicuous orange butterfly that was once so common in the prairies of the Midwest that collectors largely ignored it.
Now “there are more giant pandas in the world than there are Poweshiek skipperlings,” Pavlik said.
They were once found from the prairies of Manitoba through Minnesota, the eastern Dakotas, Wisconsin, Iowa and into Michigan. They have disappeared from all but two places at the extremes of their range – Manitoba and southeastern Michigan.
The partnership is working to raise the butterflies in zoos for release back into the wild and restore the natural habitats where they once thrived to ensure their long-term survival.
What happened to the Poweshiek skipperlings?
Cale Nordmeyer, a conservation specialist at the Minnesota Zoo, said the Poweshiek skipperling was common when he was growing up in Minnesota.
“As a tallgrass prairie specialist, it really thrived in the mesic prairies, in Minnesota and elsewhere here in the upper Midwest,” he said. Mesic prairie is a type of grassland that once flourished throughout the Midwest.
“If you were out in the right prairie at the right time of year, you were going to see Poweshiek skipperlings,” Nordmeyer said.
Cale Nordmeyer with the Minnesota Zoo is getting ready to release Poweshiek skipperlings raised at John Ball Zoo in 2024. (Photo Courtesy, Ruth Thornton/WKTV Contributor)
Decline began in 2000
That started changing about the year 2000, when researchers noticed they weren’t seeing them as much anymore.
“Sometime between 2009 and 2012, it looks like we lost all of our Poweshiek skipperling sites in Minnesota,” he said. They also disappeared from most of the rest of their range.
“Suddenly, these last couple of little populations, many of which were never that big here in far eastern Michigan, suddenly became incredibly important,” Nordmeyer said.
It isn’t obvious why they disappeared, he said. He and other biologists are still trying to understand what happened, what’s killing them and what the solutions might be.
Pavlik said it’s likely a combination of reasons, including habitat loss.
“Habitat loss historically is a huge one,” he said. “The species requires tall grass prairies and prairie fens here in Michigan.” Prairie fens are rare and unique grassy wetlands that are fed by groundwater instead of creeks or streams.
“Over 99% of that habitat is gone,” he said.
Additionally, he said widespread aerial spraying of insecticides has affected the last remaining strongholds of the butterflies, and climate change is probably contributing as well.
“The species overwinters as a caterpillar, and so they can be especially susceptible to changes in winter climate,” he said.
Adding to the difficulty, the butterfly disappeared so quickly researchers weren’t sure what exactly they need to survive, including what plants they feed on.
Learning what the Poweshiek skipperling eats
“They seem to have two major nectar sources,” Pavlik said, referring to the flowers adult butterflies feed on.
“And that’s black-eyed Susan – which seems to be their favorite – and then shrubby cinquefoil,” another relatively common yellow prairie flower, he said.
The butterfly’s caterpillars, on the other hand, have been found on prairie dropseed, a fairly common prairie grass, and on a rarer grass called mat muhly. Both occur in high-quality native prairies and in prairie fens.
When biologists realized how precipitously the Poweshiek skipperling was declining, they convened a meeting of researchers and conservation partners, said Tam Smith, a biologist with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the national recovery lead for the butterfly.
The experts at the meeting “recognized that (the Poweshiek) was going down this spiral of extinction,” Smith said.
In 2022, the agency released a 50-year recovery plan for the butterfly, listing the actions scientists had determined were necessary for its full recovery. The cost for all activities over the five decades was estimated at just over $57 million.
One of the main proposed actions at the meeting was to start a captive breeding program.
Smith said the Minnesota Zoo stepped in first to start rearing the butterflies in captivity, using eggs that had been collected from females in Michigan.
But with so much uncertainty about the basic biology of the species, it was difficult going at first – they quickly found out how sensitive the species was to temperature and humidity, Smith said.
“One of the first years they started, the temperature was off,” Smith said. That caused the caterpillars to develop too quickly. But then the attempts were more successful.
Later a zoo in Canada, Assiniboine Park Zoo in Winnipeg, joined the effort, and a few years after that John Ball Zoo in Grand Rapids, Michigan, helped as well, Smith said.
Rearing baby butterflies at John Ball Zoo
“Our prairie butterfly program here at the zoo has just grown enormously since 2020,” said Bill Flanagan, the conservation director at John Ball Zoo.
The goal is to “make lots of baby Poweshieks so we can do releases and bolster those wild populations to the point where we can start to do reintroductions and start to recover the species,” Flanagan said.
The first caterpillars arrived in 2021 from the Minnesota Zoo, he said.
“We turned 32 caterpillars into somewhere in the neighborhood of 150 caterpillars” the next year, Flanagan said. “The next year, (in 2023,) we had something like 500 caterpillars in the program.”
A very close call
It was a close call – in 2022 only nine Poweshieks, the lowest number ever, were observed in the wild in Michigan, Pavlik said.
David Pavlik, research assistant with Michigan State University, is working with John Ball Zoo to raise Poweshiek skipperlings for release into the wild. Shown here are cages with grasses that hold the caterpillars. (Photo Courtesy, Ruth Thornton/WKTV Contributor)
But given the success of the zoos’ captive rearing programs, biologists were able to release more than 100 butterflies that year, just in the nick of time.
The following year they saw more butterflies in the wild again.
In 2023 they had bred enough butterflies to release more than 500, and in 2024 and 2025 more than 1,000 each year.
Breeding butterflies: a year at John Ball Zoo
With a short flight period of only a few weeks, things get hectic at John Ball Zoo in July when the adult butterflies emerge and start laying eggs.
“We have one shot,” Pavlik said. “In three weeks we have to do all of the breeding, all of the releases. It’s a pretty crazy time.”
After the adults emerge, biologists pair up a male and female butterfly – first making sure they are compatible genetically – and place them in what they call a “breeding tent,” a sheer cloth-covered square frame about 12 inches to a side.
Bill Flanagan, conservation director at John Ball Zoo, shows off Poweshiek skipperling breeding cages in front of a hoop house with more caterpillar cages. (Photo Courtesy, Ruth Thornton/WKTV Contributor)
Then “we monitor them throughout the day to see if they do breed,” he said. “And if they do, we’ll release the male into the wild the next day, and then the female gets transferred to an egg laying enclosure, where she’ll lay the eggs that we’ll collect every morning.”
Almost every morning someone from the zoo drives the newly hatched butterflies to southeastern Michigan, a couple hours’ drive away, for release into the wild, Pavlik said.
Many species fly for a short time only
When people think about butterflies, they often picture the adults they see flying about. But many species fly for only a couple of weeks during the year, including the Poweshiek.
Each butterfly lives for only about four to six days in the wild, he said. “Most of the year, we’re taking care of the caterpillars.”
The caterpillars – also called larvae – feed on the host grasses and go through several “instars,” progressive stages where they shed their skin and grow. Eventually they enter what’s called a “diapause” and overwinter, resting head-down on grass blades.
A spring awakening
When they wake up in the spring, usually around April or May, they resume feeding and go through additional instars before finally turning into the familiar butterflies.
The zoo recreates the natural conditions as best as it can, transferring the caterpillars to a freezer during their diapause stage.
“When winter comes, we’ll take those caterpillars off of the plant and put them in a very special and highly controlled overwintering chamber where we can control the temperature and the humidity for exactly what the species needs to survive for nearly six months,” Pavlik said.
David Pavlik and Cinnamon Mittan, a postdoctoral researcher in Sarah Fitzpatrick’s lab, are preparing caterpillars to be placed in the overwintering chambers, located behind them. (Photo Courtesy, Ruth Thornton/WKTV Contributor)
In the spring, when the host plants start growing again, zookeepers bring the caterpillars out of the freezer and put them back on their plants.
“From May until the end of June, we’re taking care of those caterpillars again until they become adult butterflies,” he said. “And then we repeat the cycle all over again.”
Protecting the butterfly’s remaining habitat
“It doesn’t matter how many butterflies we can produce here at the zoo, we could release 5,000,” Pavlik said. “But if the habitat is not there for them, or if the habitat’s been taken over by invasive species, it doesn’t matter how many we release, it’s not going to work.”
He said that’s why the international partnership is so important – various organizations working on different parts of the problem.
“I don’t think I’ve heard of a butterfly that has this big of a coalition of people working to save it from extinction,” Pavlik said.
Members include not only federal and state agencies from the U.S. and Canada, but also universities, nonprofit conservation organizations and land managers maintaining and restoring the natural areas the butterfly needs to survive.
In 2024 the researchers attempted the first reintroduction of the butterfly in Michigan at a site where they once occurred, but had disappeared from.
The site had become overgrown with buckthorn, an invasive woody species that quickly takes over grassy areas, including prairies and prairie fens.
Nordmeyer said land managers in southeast Michigan had spent five years removing the buckthorn and other invasive species from the area.
Secret locations help the butterflies thrive
The locations where the butterflies still occur and where they are released are kept secret, however, because of incidents in the past few years when people trampled the fragile habitat when the butterflies were flying.
With such low population numbers, Smith said, any trampling of eggs or caterpillars, or chasing away the adult butterflies, could be devastating for the species.
Cale Nordmeyer with the Minnesota Zoo releases Poweshiek skipperlings in an undisclosed location in southeast Michigan in 2024. (Video Courtesy, Ruth Thornton/WKTV Contributor)
Signs of a larger problem?
The decline of the butterflies is a warning sign that the natural areas it occurs in could be in trouble.
“It’s a really good indicator species,” Pavlik said. “When we see these declines happening for a butterfly so quickly, we know that whatever is affecting that species is probably affecting a lot of other species.”
“It’s important to know that it’s not just Poweshieks,” he said. “Pollinator and insect declines are happening very quickly worldwide.”
A promising recovery amid an uncertain future
“If you plant native pollinator gardens in your yard, you’ll be helping so many other species. And don’t spray pesticides,” Pavlik said. “Those are two of the biggest things you can do to have a positive impact for pollinators across the world.”
While the Poweshiek skipperling is not out of the woods yet, preliminary results from this year’s field season are promising, Nordmeyer said.
“We were able to confirm survivorship of last year’s offspring at the (reintroduction) site,” he wrote in an email.
The situation for Poweshieks is still dire, he said, but this year biologists saw more butterflies than in recent years, and a similar number as before the 2013 population crash.
“It’s too early to declare victory,” he said, but thanks to the hard work of the partnership working together to breed the butterfly and restore its habitat, “the downward trend of the Poweshiek skipperling is tangibly reversing.”
By Cris Greer WKTV Managing Editor/Sports Director greer@wktv.org
Check out these new and exciting basketball clips from our latest Friday Night Highlights show.
Just like football season, every week we’ll bring you much of the local high school basketball home stadium action from your local varsity teams, highlight some top performers and their stats, give final scores, and show a snapshot of the latest conference standings in an exciting Friday Night Highlights show.
Look for our fast-paced local highlights show every Monday night! Thanks for tuning in.
WKTV Game of the Week
Year after year, our high-tech WKTV Truck Game of the Week includes two play-by-play announcers, an occasional field announcer and various camera angles with slow motion replays to capture all those great plays for your viewing pleasure.
You can count on our very experienced, exciting game announcers for both football and basketball to guide you through your local team’s games. If you are interested in volunteering at WKTV Sports for our Truck or Studio productions, please email me at greer@wktv.org
Game of the Week airs every Friday night on WKTV Comcast Channel 25 & AT&T U-Verse Channel 99 at 11 p.m. with a rebroadcast on Saturday at 11 a.m. You also can watch these games on our WKTV YouTube Channel.
Kip Snyder was sworn in as the next Chief for the Wyoming Department of Public Safety.
In his role, Chief Snyder will lead a team of nearly 167 full-time sworn and civilian personnel from both the police and fire department. Snyder will serve in this role until his retirement in 2027.
Snyder has dedicated his career to law enforcement and public safety, serving the City of Wyoming in a wide range of roles. He began his career as a patrol officer, where he developed a strong foundation in community-focused policing. He later served as a K9 handler and vice detective, gaining specialized experience in enforcement, investigations and proactive policing.
“Deputy Chief Snyder has been an exceptional and instrumental member of our public safety team.” said Wyoming City Manager John Shay. “He has gone above and beyond in his various positions, and I believe is a role model and trusted figure for our residents.
“We look forward to seeing him lead our public safety team in its ongoing mission to protect and to serve our community.”
Snyder served as sergeant, overseeing both patrol and support services, followed by lieutenant responsible for patrol and administrative services. He later was promoted to captain of police services, where he provided strategic oversight of departmental operations, and most recently served as deputy director, playing a critical role in executive leadership, organizational development, and long-term planning for both the police and fire departments.
Throughout his career, Snyder has led or helped establish several impactful initiatives designed to strengthen both employee wellness and operational effectiveness. These efforts include the creation of the peer support team, cadet program, and use of force cadre, as well as the development of the department’s K9 program and Community Services Unit (CSU). In addition, Snyder played a key role in developing succession planning within the Wyoming Fire Department, ensuring continuity of leadership and operational readiness.
Snyder’s service and dedication have been recognized through multiple honors, including a Life Saving Award, the Chief’s Award of Professional Excellence, and numerous commendations throughout his career. Snyder has completed extensive executive-level training, including FBI-LEEDA, the Northwestern University School of Police Staff and Command, the Grand Rapids Leadership Institute, and the FBI National Academy class 236.
He holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Ferris State University and a master’s degree in criminal justice administration, also from Ferris State University.
Snyder resides in Hudsonville with his wife Jill. He also has four adult children – daughters Elizabeth and Roda and sons Christian and Joshua and daughter-in-law Katelyn.
Snyder replaces Chief Kimberly Koster, who retired in early January.
Grand River Prep at Lee Boys Basketball. (WKTV Friday Night Highlights/Jake Westbrook)
Bill Rohn — who served as a trial lawyer for 40 years at the Varnum law firm in Grand Rapids — calls himself a “newspaper junkie.“ He edited his high school and college newspapers, and has covered sports for The Grand Rapids Press, The South Bend Tribune, and The Niles Daily Star. He is a co-host of WKTV Friday Night Highlights, and holds a bachelor’s degree from GVSU and a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Notre Dame.
“Well, I told them it was time to get back to playing our brand of basketball.”
Those were the halftime instructions of Lee Coach Gerard Oray after his team had underperformed against Grand River Prep on Tuesday. And that’s what Lee’s players did, outscoring the Titans 46-17 in the second half en route to an 83-49 win.
The victory, which improved Lee‘s season record to 9-2, was especially sweet because the Legends played without starters Dere’on Brown and Jaden Potts, who missed the game with concussions. Lee also was coming off a loss only 24 hours earlier to Lansing Eastern.
“I was worried about whether we had time to overcome that,” Oray said.
At halftime, it looked as though Oray’s concern might be justified. Lee started fast, taking a 20-12 first quarter lead, but the Titans came back quickly and led 24-23 following solid defensive play and seven second quarter points from Malachi McKnight, who had 13 points in the first two quarters.
The Legends found their rhythm and led 37-32 at halftime following two late buckets by JR Metcalf, but Lee’s coaches were still not satisfied.
“We needed to play our game, moving the ball around, playing harder, and staying together as a team,” Oray explained.
Lee got the message, scoring 27 third quarter points compared to nine by the Titans, before adding 20 more in the final stanza. The Legends also rattled Grand River with a ball-hawking defensive effort.Lee’s offense benefited from a balanced attack, featuring 13 different scorers. Metcalf led all scorers with 18 points. The winners also got nine points apiece from Zeke Scott and Cash Anscomb to go with solid rebounding by Scott and Braelin Huff.
Grand River Prep was paced by Antwan Bland, with 16 points, and Malachi McKnight, who finished with 15. However, the visitors were plagued by second half foul trouble, causing their offensive leaders to often sit the bench during third and fourth quarter action.
Where do the Legends go from here? Oray was optimistic after the game.
Lee Boys Basketball vs. Grand River Prep Jan. 13, 2026. (WKTV/Bill Rohn)
“We’ve just gotta keep playing our brand of basketball and we’ll see whether we can win our conference title and then do well in the districts at tournament time.”
Grand River fell to 3-8 on the season with the loss. The Titans women’s team defeated the Lee women 37-15 in the first game of the evening.
Michigan State University’s Bug House, managed by the Department of Entomology, is launching Six-Legged Saturdays as a new addition to its public programming following a successful crowdfunding effort supported by a significant contribution from the Great Lakes Entomological Society.
The family-friendly events will take place on the third Saturday of each month and will run alongside the Bug House’s existing monthly open houses, both of which are free and open to the public. “With Six-Legged Saturdays, we are able to provide additional free opportunities for folks to visit the Bug House at family-friendly times,” said Amanda Lorenz, director of the Bug House. Programming will include an insect-themed story time led by Entomology Department Chair Hannah Burrack and hands-on, bug-inspired crafts.
The goal of Six-Legged Saturdays is to introduce young audiences to science in a fun and engaging way while fostering curiosity about insects. “The Bug House provides a welcoming environment in which to learn about insects with opportunities to safely interact with live bugs,” Lorenz said.
Live insect handling during Six-Legged Saturdays is completely optional, and participants may choose activities that do not involve close contact with the live insects housed at the Bug House.
Michigan State University Bug House 2026. (Photo Courtesy, MSU)
“Insects are a wonderful way to engage people in learning about nature and science because everyone has some feeling about them. Folks may be fascinated, fearful, or grossed out, and this helps drive them to learn more!” Burrack said. “My hope is that expanding Bug House programming to weekends will allow more community members to attend, particularly those who cannot attend our weekday and evening events.”
In addition to the new programming, the Bug House will continue to offer its regular monthly open houses on the second Monday of each month from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Visitors of all ages are invited to explore live insects and arachnids and learn more about their ecological importance.
Michigan State University Bug House 2026. (Photo Courtesy, MSU)
The Grand Valley State University community will reflect on the life and legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. during a week of activities, January 19-24, in Grand Rapids and on its campuses.
A new West Michigan community event kicks off the week on January 19, the federal holiday recognizing King’s birthday.
The 40th Annual MLK Celebration: A Call to Courageous Community Action begins at 6 p.m. at Wealthy Theatre, 1130 Wealthy Street SE in Grand Rapids. The event is free and open to the public. It will feature artistic performances, a panel discussion and the presentation of college scholarships for local students.
A longstanding partnership among GVSU, Davenport University and Grand Rapids Community College has made it possible for Derrick Johnson, president and CEO of the NAACP, to visit West Michigan and deliver messages about how King continues to impact and inspire members of the nation’s largest civil rights organization.
Johnson kicks off GVSU’s MLK Commemoration Week on Tuesday, Jan. 20, beginning at 10 a.m. in the Kirkhof Center, Grand River Room. President Philomena V. Mantella will facilitate a conversation with Johnson. The event will be live-streamed. Click here to join the meeting and watch the presentation.
Derrick Johnson, President and CEO of the NAACP. (Photo Courtesy, GVSU)
A native of Detroit, Johnson has served as NAACP president since 2017. Prior to that, he was the vice chair of the NAACP National Board of Directors and state president for the Mississippi State Conference NAACP. A longstanding leader, Johnson has helped guide the NAACP through a period of re-envisioning and reinvigoration. Johnson attended Tougaloo College in Jackson, Mississippi, and earned a juris doctorate from the South Texas College of Law in Houston.
Robert Shorty, vice president for People, Equity, and Culture, said Johnson’s presentation and the week’s other events present opportunities for collective Laker impact and action. His division is leading the commemoration week activities.
“Dr. King’s beloved community is built daily through our own actions,” Shorty said. “This week is a call to every Laker to recognize that together, we have the power to bridge divides.
“While we learn from national leaders like Derrick Johnson, the true catalyst for progress is the courageous ways we show up for one another. I invite you to engage in these conversations and ignite your individual power to turn reflection into collective impact.”
Jan. 21: Silent March, Keynote Speaker Organizers will lead a silent march beginning at 4 p.m. outside of Zumberge Hall. Participants will walk through the Valley Campus and end at the Kirkhof Center in time for a presentation by Dar Mayweather ’07 and ’09 that begins at 4:30 p.m. in the Grand River Room. That event will be live-streamed. Click here to join the meeting and watch the presentation.
Mayweather is a leadership studies faculty member at the University of North Carolina Wilmington. In that role, Mayweather empowers college students to identify their unique talents and articulate those strengths to industry leaders, ensuring they secure jobs or graduate school placements before graduation.
In 2016, Mayweather founded Good Mayweather Consulting LLC and the #doingthegoodwork brand to channel his passion for speaking and curriculum development. He earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and a master’s degree in education from GVSU, followed by a doctorate in educational leadership from Eastern Michigan University.
Jan. 22: King In Conversation: The Spiritualities of Non-Violence The Kaufman Interfaith Institute will host a dinner and panel discussion focused on the spiritual frameworks for nonviolent resistance that influenced King or were influenced by him. Panelists are Carolyn White, Elliot Ratzman and Gail Presbey. Joe Jones will serve as moderator. RSVP for the event online and learn more details about the panelists.
Jan. 24: MLK Day of Solidarity and Service This annual event is coordinated by the Office of Student Life – Civic Engagement. Hundreds of students are expected to participate in the event that begins at 8 a.m. Damon Arnold, motivational speaker and GVSU associate athletic director, will give remarks before students board buses to volunteer at West Michigan nonprofit sites. Students can RSVP for the event. The registration deadline is January 14 or until filled.
GVSU students volunteering during the 2025 MLK Day of Service and Solidarity at Gilda’s Club in Grand Rapids. (Photo Courtesy, GVSU)
By Cris Greer WKTV Managing Editor/Sports Director greer@wktv.org
Check out these new and exciting basketball clips from our latest Friday Night Highlights show.
Just like football season, every week we’ll bring you much of the local high school basketball home stadium action from your local varsity teams, highlight some top performers and their stats, give final scores, and show a snapshot of the latest conference standings in an exciting Friday Night Highlights show.
Look for our fast-paced local highlights show every Monday night! Thanks for tuning in.
WKTV Game of the Week
Year after year, our high-tech WKTV Truck Game of the Week includes two play-by-play announcers, an occasional field announcer and various camera angles with slow motion replays to capture all those great plays for your viewing pleasure.
You can count on our very experienced, exciting game announcers for both football and basketball to guide you through your local team’s games. If you are interested in volunteering at WKTV Sports for our Truck or Studio productions, please email me at greer@wktv.org
Game of the Week airs every Friday night on WKTV Comcast Channel 25 & AT&T U-Verse Channel 99 at 11 p.m. with a rebroadcast on Saturday at 11 a.m. You also can watch these games on our WKTV YouTube Channel.
The Kentwood Police Department responded to a shooting with injuries at approximately 8:34 p.m. Thursday in the area of Ridgebrook Ave. and Carriage Hill Dr.
Upon arrival, officers located a juvenile victim with non-life-threatening injuries. First responders rendered aid, and the victim was transported to an area hospital. Shell casings along with damage to property also were located on scene. No suspects have been arrested at this time.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Kentwood Police Department at 616-656-6580. Anonymous tips can be submitted through Silent Observer at 616-774-2345 or SilentObserver.org.
Despite modest improvement across several key metrics, a report from a Grand Valley State University researcher indicates the West Michigan economy closed out 2025 continuing a softening trend.
Brian Long, director of supply chain management research at GVSU’s Seidman College of Business, said his December survey of the region’s businesses and purchasing managers revealed widespread uncertainty and concern among respondents.
“According to the data we collected in the last two weeks of December, the West Michigan economic softness that we reported in November has unfortunately carried over for another month,” Long said.
“But again, the word is soft, not collapsing. January is a back-to-work month and sometimes gives us a better clue where the economy is really going for the rest of the year.”
Long noted that performance within some of the region’s traditionally strong industries — including auto parts manufacturing and office furniture production — continues to weigh on the overall economy.
“Business planners are of course confused and frustrated because there’s simply too many moving parts to make an accurate assessment of exactly where we’re going,” Long said. “So, as a consequence, expansion plans and new hire plans have often been put on hold.”
Looking ahead to 2026, Long said ambiguity remains the defining theme.
“I guess ‘confused’ might be the best way to describe the 2026 outlook for West Michigan,” Long said. “Yes, we have some data that is continuing to soften, but almost every day there’s an announcement that can change the paradigm for the business environment.”
(Photo Courtesy, pxhere.com)
Here’s a look at the key index results from December’s survey of West Michigan purchasing managers:
New orders index (business improvement): -11 vs. -20 in November
Production index (output): -17 vs. -23 in November
In a showdown between two of the premier Division 2 girls basketball teams in the state, as well as OK Gold rivals, South Christian held off a furious Grand Rapids West Catholic second-half rally to grab a 73-62 win in what very well may be the first of three potential meetings between the local basketball powerhouses.
Last season, the two powers split a pair of conference games as they shared the conference title. The two teams met again in the postseason when West Catholic edged the Sailors 39-37 in the Division 2 state quarterfinals. This season, South Christian won Round One of what may be another memorable trilogy and kept its record spotless at 7-0.
The game was a close struggle in the early going before the Sailors built a 20-point lead midway through the third quarter. Any thoughts of an early surrender by the Falcons were washed away as West Catholic rallied and eventually cut the deficit to three points late in the fourth quarter before the Sailors regained command in the final minutes of the contest.
“They (West Catholic) are a good team,” said South Christian Coach Erika Brown. “They are a very, very good team. They are very well coached. They are disciplined and we knew it was going to be a game of runs. We got after it and got that 20-point lead, but at the same time we knew it wasn’t over.”
The game was close from the opening tip with the Sailors clinging to a 16-15 lead at the end of the first quarter. West Catholic was up 22-20 midway through the second quarter before the Sailors went on a 15-4 run to end the first half. Freshman Kinley Regnery was at the middle of the Sailor run as she drained three consecutive three-point shots during the South scoring spree. Regnery finished with 11 points during the second quarter.
In the second half the Sailors picked up where they left off. Up 35-26 heading into the second half, the Sailors outscored West 13-8 to go up 48-36. The Sailors then reeled off eight straight points to take a 56-36 lead in the latter stages of the third quarter. Sophomore Abby Prins was a big part of the Sailor offensive success during the third quarter with 10 points.
South Christian sophomore Abby Prins (15) totaled 14 points against West Catholic. (WKTV/Greg Chrapek)
A combination of strong defensive and offensive execution enabled the Sailors to take the large lead.
“Our press was working pretty well,” Brown said. “I think we got them (West) out of rhythm a little bit on the offensive end.”
The 20-point lead, however, was anything but safe against a West Catholic team that came into the game with a five-game winning streak and 6-1 overall record. West also came in with the added confidence of beating Tecumseh, the team that it lost to in last year’s Division 2 state championship game, 54-52 in a tournament three days earlier.
Led by their junior standout Alexis Asekomeh, the Falcons responded with an 8-0 run of their own as they trimmed the South Christian lead to 58-46 by the end of the third quarter.
West Catholic continued to build on that momentum in the final quarter. The Falcons began the fourth quarter by outscoring South 11-2 to cut the margin to 60-57 with 4:36 remaining in the game.
South Christian defenders Meredith Helmus (11) and Isla Ogle (21) close in on West Catholic’s Kenley Slanger (11). (WKTV/Greg Chrapek)
The Sailors, however, boosted by their home crowd, battled back with an 8-0 run of their own to regain a double-digit lead and bring home the win that improved their record to 7-0 for the season.
“We just had to regroup,” Brown said. “We had to take a time out and get back to us. We had to focus on some things that we were really missing out on the floor. We had to settle each other down and believe that it would be ok.”
Balanced scoring was a key for the Sailors. Senior Sophia Prins led the way with 18 points, followed by Regnery, 17; Abby Prins, 14; junior Meredith Helmus, 10, and senior Lizzie Wolthuis with nine.
Asekomeh led the way for West Catholic with 24 points, while sophomore Kenley Slanger added 17.
South Christian returns to action Friday evening hosting Northview and then travels to Wayland next Tuesday. The rematch with West Catholic will take place Feb. 3 at West Catholic.
“The season has been going good,” Brown said. “We have a good group of girls. We have good leaders, good senior leadership. The core of the team is back from last year so we are building off a good end to last year, but the basketball season is long and there’s lots of stuff still to work on.”
Relive the excitement of Mona Shores Fiddle Fest 2025. Check out the WKTV rebroadcast of a special event featuring the sounds of folk, Celtic and pop music from November 15 at the Mona Shores High School Performing Arts Center.
The evening consisted of the following musical groups: The Mona Shores Fiddlers: Watch the high school group deliver their signature, high-energy renditions of traditional Celtic jigs and reels, blended seamlessly with modern folk and pop arrangements. The Middle Fiddles: See the program’s rising stars showcase their skills and enthusiasm with delightful and lively non-classical pieces.
Guest Artists ABC (Anything But Classical) Orchestra from East Kentwood High School: Get ready for innovative and dynamic music as this renowned guest ensemble takes the stage. They perform fearless arrangements of rock, pop and jazz hits that challenge the definition of a traditional orchestra.
Learning about hospice sooner rather than later gives caregivers a wider understanding of resources that can support them as their caregiving journey evolves. (Photo Courtesy, Emmanuel Hospice)
For family caregivers, it’s easy to do when juggling caregiving for a loved one with jobs and other responsibilities, but not taking care of themselves can result in a snowball of negative effects, often unintended. Valerie Willock, a community relations specialist with Emmanuel Hospice, has seen it play out too often.
“If the caregiver is not taking care of themselves, that’s not helping anyone,” she says. “Caregiver fatigue and burnout are very real. There are a lot of layers of stress that begin to weigh on caregivers over time. There’s emotional and physical challenges, as well as a financial impact.”
Willock believes seeking support is an act of self-care and assures caregivers who are hesitant to ask for help that “people want to take care of people.”
“It’s important to find your community, whether it’s through your church, book club or a support group to help you get through difficult times,” she says. “Open up to people, and you’ll find others who are going through a similar situation. It really helps to realize you’re not alone.”
Equally important is taking time to learn about resources that can support you throughout your caregiving journey. Hospice care is one of those resources.
From Willock’s perspective, too few know how supportive hospice is – not only for patients but for caregivers, too. With hospice, she says caregivers and other family members gain “a whole support system” that allows them to focus on cherishing the remaining time with their loved one.
That support system includes an interdisciplinary team of medical providers, along with a social worker, home health aides, spiritual caregivers, complementary therapy specialists, bereavement counselors and others to ensure all needs are met. In addition, hospice can help take care of all the “nitty-gritty,” as Willock likes to say, of day-to-day care, including medication, durable medical equipment and other supplies.
“We serve as navigators at the end of life,” she said. “For anyone hesitant about accepting outside help, let me reassure you we are not here to take over control. We are here to listen, support and answer questions. We meet you where you are and just give you extra cushion.”
Willock’s goal for every family member she meets is for them to have the opportunity to step out of the role of caregiver and “just be the daughter, son or spouse” of their loved one during whatever time they have left together. She says learning about hospice sooner rather than later is always best and encourages families to have open conversations about how they want to live at the end of life.
“Once a caregiver has that conversation, a weight is lifted because there’s clarity about their loved one’s wishes,” Willock explains. “They know who to call and what comes next. No surprises, just support.”
Grace Christian University was home to some outstanding high school basketball Saturday and the host Lee Legends capped off the inaugural tournament with a strong defensive effort in defeating Holland 59-42.
The win capped off a big day of basketball for local teams. In games preceding the Lee finale, Kelloggsville dropped a 55-46 decision to Grand Rapids West Catholic in overtime, Cedar Springs edged Godwin Heights 52-49 and Grant defeated Kentwood Grand River Prep 62-33.
In the finale, Lee utilized some strong defensive play and timely offense to improve its record to 6-1 on the season.
The host Legends, whose lone loss this season was to West Catholic, established their strong defensive presence right from the opening tip. The Legends held Holland to 10 points in the first quarter en route to building a 20-10 lead.
Defense was all the rage in the second quarter as both teams found scoring points a challenge. The two squads combined for just six points in the second quarter with Lee taking a 22-14 lead into the locker room at halftime.
Lee freshman forward Cash Anscomb (24) pulls down a rebound during the game with Holland at the Be Legendary Showcase at Grace Christian University. (WKTV/Greg Chrapek)
Both squads picked up the pace in the third quarter. Lee senior guard Junior Metcalf led the Legends with six points in the third quarter as Lee outscored Holland 17-13 to take a 39-27 lead into the final stanza.
Lee began to pull away from Holland in the early moments of the fourth quarter as a 10-5 run upped the lead to 49-32. The Legends finished the game on an 8-4 run to exit with a 16-point win.
“We played pretty well,” said Lee Coach Gerard Oray. “We had a scoring drought in the second quarter when we had two points. We went away from our defensive pressure. I feel our defensive pressure was the main reason why we got out to an early lead.”
Metcalf led Lee with 17 points, while senior Dere’on Brown also reached double figures with 13. Lzekiel Scott added nine points, followed by Kapone Applewhite with six. Keegan Hulst led Holland in scoring with 23 points.
The play of Lee’s guards not only led the way on the offensive side of the floor, but also played a key role in the success of the defense.
Lee senior guard Martez Jackson (0) looks for an opening during the game with Holland at the Be Legendary Showcase at Grace Christian University. (WKTV/Greg Chrapek)
“Our guards are really fast offensively and defensively,” Oray said. “They change the game for us. The ball pressure that they put on other teams kind of disrupts their offense. We go as they go.”
Legends enjoy strong start to season
With six wins in the first seven games, the season has started well for the Legends. Not only are the Legends playing winning basketball, but they are playing exciting basketball and also are getting the job done off the basketball court.
“We have scored 75 points in four of the seven games,” Oray said. “It’s been exciting basketball. The guys have bought in not only on the court, but in the classroom and in the community. This season has gone pretty well.”
Oray also likes the way the team has jelled and points to team chemistry as being a strong point of this year’s squad.
“We have a strong brotherhood,” Oray said. “The guys spend a lot of time together on and off the court. We did some things in the summer and in the fall. Things like study table, community service, volunteer events, weight room, all of that is starting to come together to build team chemistry.”
Oray also was pleased with the first-year tournament that the Legends and Grace Christian University hosted. The tournament was even more special for Oray, who played his college basketball for Grace Christian.
“The tournament was pretty good,” Oray said. “I played college basketball here so it was great to see the community come out. A lot of different teams were here from a lot of different areas which was the purpose of the tournament so I feel it was a success for year one.”
Long list of coaches played and coached at Grace Christian
Oray was not the only coach at the tournament who had ties to Grace Christian which was another reason the teams were brought together for the tournament. Grant Coach Daniel George is a former varsity assistant coach at Grace Christian, and Cedar Springs Coach Lee Ash also is a former assistant coach.
Former players included Grand River Prep Coach Jashawn Bailey, while Kelloggsville Coach Austin Jackson earned national player of the year honors and led Grace Christian to a national championship in 2019 during his time as a college basketball player at the school. West Catholic assistant coach Melvin Frazier played his college basketball at Grace Christian as well.
For older adults, the best New Year’s resolution may be to make regular health checkups a priority.
That’s because health risks increase after age 55, but with early detection and preventive health strategies, these risks can be managed. Laura Hall, a nurse practitioner and director of clinical services at Care Resources PACE, says a healthy lifestyle and consistent medical checkups are key for older adults, but one annual physical isn’t enough.
“In our primary care office at Care Resources, we see participants, who are 55 years or older, at least twice a year for physicals and assessments and often many times in between for acute concerns, such as cold or flu symptoms,” Hall shared. “If we make a medication change, or if they need to see a specialist, we will also follow up more regularly.”
Those checkups include screenings for various diseases as well as ongoing treatments for preexisting conditions. Screenings and assessments for high blood pressure, diabetes, cancer, cognitive function, depression and anxiety are common for older adults due to their increased risk. The goal is early detection and prevention of further issues.
“Catching things early is so important,” Hall said. “In addition to screening for new issues, preventative health can also include treating those chronic diseases to prevent worse problems from happening in the future.
“Two big ones of concern are diabetes and high blood pressure because they can affect all other parts of your life. If they are not in good control right away, there are other risks and illnesses.”
Vaccinations also are recommended as part of preventative health to help boost immunity, prevent complications and reduce hospitalizations. More vaccines are recommended for older adults as their immune systems weaken with age.
“As it gets older, the body is under more stress and more likely to get an infection,” Hall said. “Older adults are more vulnerable to severe illness from common infections such as flu, pneumonia, RSV and shingles. Preventing that with a vaccine is critical.”
Beyond regular checkups and screenings, Hall says staying active, maintaining a healthy diet and socializing with others all contribute to long-term wellness and independence.
“Care Resources is a great place for that,” Hall said. “We do a little bit of everything when participants are here. They can enjoy a healthy meal and socialize with other adults at the day center, then go see the doctor on-site for any health concerns. They can also talk to a social worker, go to physical therapy and access a number of other great resources all in one place.”
The nonprofit’s locations in Grand Rapids and Lowell each have a full health clinic, pharmacy, rehab gym and activity rooms, in addition to providing after-hours medical services and technology to keep seniors safe at home and out of the ER.
“I like to compare our clinic to an urgent care because we can see people right away, but we get to know our participants so well,” Hall said. “By seeing patients as regularly as we do, we help them avoid needing to see other specialists or having surgery because we catch things sooner.”
Avoiding costly emergency care is another benefit of preventive health. Most major health insurance plans must cover essential preventive services, which reduce the need for more expensive treatments down the road.
“For PACE participants, everything is covered if their provider recommends it,” Hall said. “If we order it, it’s approved. That includes meds, testing, labs and regular screening. There is no extra rigamarole of Medicare and Medicaid to muddle through – and no copay.”
The City of Wyoming has approximately 250 miles or 600 lane-miles of streets. The most efficient way to manage snow and ice removal on these streets is to prioritize the streets according to their use.
First Priority: These are the major streets which carry the most traffic and have the highest speed limits. They are plowed and salted frequently so as to keep them as snow and ice free as possible.
Second Priority: These are the collector streets which have lower traffic volumes and lower speed limits. They are dispersed throughout residential neighborhoods such that everyone is within a reasonable distance from either a first or second priority street. These streets are plowed and spot-salted regularly but not as often as the major streets.
Third Priority: These are the remaining residential streets and culs-de-sac. They are plowed when the snow depth reached four inches, either from a storm event or snow accumulation. Our goal is to complete the plowing of all streets within 24-hours of a four-inch or greater storm.
Odd-Even Winter Parking Restrictions
Help keep our streets clear of snow this winter and avoid parking tickets by following the odd-even parking ordinance! The ordinance – in effect Dec. 1 through March 31 – requires people to alternate the side of the street they park on between 12 a.m. and 6 p.m. That’s so plows can keep both sides of the street clear of snow. It helps to keep roadways clear and accessible for you, snowplows, and emergency vehicles during the winter. Odd-even parking fines are $30 per violation received.
Odd-Even Parking at a Glance
No Parking Signs: Regardless of odd-even status, parking is never permitted in designated “No Parking” zones.
Helpful Tip: Between 6 p.m. and 12 a.m., make sure to move your vehicle to the side of the road matching the next day’s date.
Dates and Times: No parking on alternating sides of the street from midnight to 6 p.m., December 1 until March 31.
Snow or No Snow: This ordinance is enforceable even when there is no snow.
Odd Dates: On odd dates, park on the side of the street with odd addresses – those that end with 1, 3, 5, 7, or 9.
Even Dates: On even dates, park on the side of the street with even addresses – those that end with 0, 2, 4, 6, or 8.
Cul-De-Sacs: In a cul-de-sac, you may only park on the street on even-numbered calendar days.
Kentwood residents can recycle their real Christmas trees from Dec. 27 through Jan. 30 at the Department of Public Works drop-off site at 5068 Breton Ave. SE.
Hours of operation:
Monday through Friday: 6:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday: 8 a.m. to Noon Sunday: CLOSED Also Closed On: Dec. 31, Jan. 1 and 19
How it works:
*You must be a Kentwood resident – ID required
*You may only bring your Christmas tree to be recycled.
*Remove all decorations: lights, bulbs, tinsel, metal hooks, etc.
Lee High School cross country runner Kaylee Ochoa. (Photo Courtesy, Kaylee Ochoa)
By Cris Greer WKTV Managing Editor/Sports Director greer@wktv.org
It’s easy to see why Wyoming Lee senior Kaylee Ochoa’s favorite movie is The Princess and the Frog, a Disney movie about a hardworking waitress with a dream of opening a restaurant of her own.
“I love the message that the movie portrays that dreams can come true if you work hard for them,” explains Ochoa, who wrestles, runs track and cross country, and plays softball for the Legends, all while maintaining a 4.0 GPA. “The Princess and the Frog gives me a sense of nostalgia that makes me want to watch it over and over again.”
Ochoa said cross country is her preferred sport.
“Cross country is my favorite because it allows me to be independent in my conditioning and improve for the next race,” said Ochoa, who began running in middle school. “I began cross country in sixth grade because my Mom wanted me to try out a sport for middle school. I wanted to give it a chance and stuck with it.
“I ended up loving it more than I first thought I would, having amazing teammates and great coaches throughout the years.”
She said her favorite memory in cross country is when the team went to summer camp to train and bond.
“We would get to know more about each other and connect deeper than just being on the same team together,” explained Ochoa, who said her mentor is cross country Coach Greg Popma.
“He is always there for me and pushes me to do my best,” said Ochoa, a team captain in cross country. “He supports me in all the things I do and shows up at my other sporting events. He cheers me on and congratulates me, but also supports me and helps me with losses.”
Wyoming Lee Athletic Director Andre Sargent said Ochoa demonstrates exceptional leadership, character and balance in every aspect of life.
“She approaches sports with discipline and a relentless work ethic, consistently pushing herself to improve while inspiring her teammates to do the same,” he continued. “In the classroom, Kaylee shows the same dedication managing her time responsibly, staying engaged in different clubs, and striving for academic excellence. Her positive attitude, integrity and respect for others makes her someone younger athletes naturally look up to.
“Whether offering encouragement after a tough game or match, leading by example during practice, or representing Lee with pride, Kaylee embodies what it means to be committed, resilient and team-oriented. She doesn’t just excel, she elevates everyone around her.”
Also a team captain in wrestling for the past three years, Ochoa competes in the 106-lb. weight class on the girls team.
Lee High School wrestler Kaylee Ochoa. (Photo Courtesy, Kaylee Ochoa)
“I like being a leader because I can show my teammates ways to improve and be better,” she explained. “I also get to be a role model for others and feel encouraged knowing someone looks up to me in that role.”
Ochoa began wrestling in ninth grade because of an older classmate.
“She was a state qualifier, and I had been close to her in my early months of high school,” she explained. “My favorite memories in wrestling are when I win a match and get my hand lifted for everyone to see. I feel a wave of courage and satisfaction when I stand in front of everyone knowing I put so much effort for it to come through in the end.”
Ochoa joined the track and field team in the seventh grade and continued again as a high school junior, running the 1600- and 800-meter races.
“I gained interest in joining my classmates and friends who had only great things to say about the sport,” she explained. “My favorite memories in track and field are when I get to know my times and celebrate with my teammates when I improve.”
Last but not least, she started playing softball in the eighth grade and now plays shortstop/second base for the Legends in high school.
“I became interested by a mentor who had so much passion for the sport which made me curious about joining,” she explained of her softball participation. “My favorite memories in softball are when we start winning and get to celebrate together. We laugh and yell and cheer each other on. We continue to push and encourage each other in the dugout.”
Lee High School’s Kaylee Ochoa playing softball for the Legends. (Courtesy, Kaylee Ochoa)
Her interests away from sports?
Reading, listening to music and a job all keep her busy.
“I love photography and have also taken photos for sporting events at my school in the past.”
Favorite pro athlete?
Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers.
“He shows determination and competitiveness in what he does and is an amazing athlete,” Ochoa explains. “He is a great hitter and pitcher for the Dodgers and does an amazing job on the field. Seeing what he does and has accomplished has inspired me to do my best as an athlete.”
Ochoa plans to attend college and work in the education field.
“My dream job is to be a teacher because I can encourage students and hope to make an impact in their lives.”
As Michigan prepares for another cold winter, Consumers Energy is highlighting energy bill assistance and safeguards for seniors. Those include shut-off protection and $4 monthly electric bill credits that are available to most households headed by individuals age 65 or older.
“Consumers Energy is committed to serving all of our customers, including ensuring that our seniors are using all resources that keep them safe and comfortable in their homes,” said Brian Lewis, Consumers Energy’s Executive Director of Customer Service and Programs.
“We hope to spread the word that Consumers Energy can help our friends and neighbors, no matter their needs.”
Consumers Energy has updated its energy assistance webpage to help customers better understand their energy bill payment options (Courtesy, Emmanuel Hospice/IStock)
Energy bill assistance options
Consumers Energy recently updated its energy assistance webpage to help customers better understand their options to help pay their energy bills. Specifically, the company offers help for people 65 and older:
Senior citizen bill credits – Seniors can receive a $4 monthly credit on electric bills at their primary residence. The credit cannot be combined with the Low-Income Assistance Credit or Residential Income Assistance. If there’s an issue with receiving the credit, please confirm your birthday is correctly submitted by calling 800-477-5050.
Winter Protection Plan – The plan protects people 65 and older against shut-off and high payments during the wintertime. Enrollment runs from November through March.
Shut-Off Protection Plan – The 18-month protection from shut-off plan is available to seniors age 65 and older. Enrollment is year-round.
A little tweaking of the home thermostat knob to set temperature on energy saving mode will lower energy costs (Courtesy, Consumers Energy)
Additional resources
Consumers Energy offers assistance and connections to resources through an array of programs.
The Kentwood Police Department responded to a vehicle/pedestrian crash at 7 p.m. Monday in the 4200 block of 28th St. SE. Upon arrival, a 41-year-old female was pronounced dead at the scene.
It is believed that one or more vehicles involved left the scene, according to the Kentwood Police Department.
The Kentwood Police Department will release more information regarding these vehicles in the near future. Investigating Officers are asking for anyone who witnessed the incident to call Sgt. Carey at 616-656-6561.
Last season was a memorable campaign for the South Christian girls basketball team. Thanks to the return of the bulk of last year’s roster, the Sailors are poised for even more success this season.
The Sailors turned in a 24-3 record last year and were co-champions of the OK Gold with West Catholic with 11-1 league records. The Sailors then went on a memorable state tournament run where they captured district and regional titles before dropping a 39-37 decision to West Catholic in the Division 2 state quarterfinals.
This season, with several key players returning from last year’s team, the Sailors are setting a course for another winning season. South has already started the season strong. After opening the new season with a 60-50 win against Unity Christian, the Sailors turned back Holland Christian 57-47 and then stopped Grand Rapids Catholic Central 73-45.
“We are off to a great start, but still have lots to work on,” said South Christian Coach Erika Brown. “We are working hard to stay grounded and disciplined. Success is built with the consistency we show up with every day.”
Leading the way for the Sailors this season is a strong core of seniors. Among those seniors are Sophia Prins and Lizzie Wolthuis. Prins is a point guard who is a solid shooter and drive. Prins also possesses good quickness and strength that allows her to get to the basket on drives or dish to an open teammate.
Wolthuis is a shooting guard for the Sailors and is regarded as one of the top shooters in Michigan. Wolthuis is also a strong driver and a tough defender on the defensive side of the floor.
Junior Meredith Helmus brings even more talent to the backcourt.
“Meredith plays both points guard and wing,” Brown said. “She is very fast and tough as nails on defense.”
South Christian’s Meredith Helmus last season. (WKTV Greg Chrapek)
The Sailors also return sophomore Abby Prins, who made an impact on the team as a freshman last season.
“Abby is a wing and small forward who has length and quickness,” Brown said. “She is a shooter, a driver and can post up.”
South Christian’s Abby Prins last season. (WKTV Greg Chrapek)
The veteran core brings plenty of versatility to the floor which is a trait of this year’s squad.
“We are a versatile team,” Brown said. “We have quickness and length, and we have three-point shooters and drivers. We have a post presence this season, too.”
Blending in with the returning veterans are some promising new players who also bring plenty of versatility to the court.
Sophomore Lexi Vermaas will be contributing along the front line for the Sailors.
“Lexi is a strong small forward who can shoot the three-ball well,” Brown said. “She is also tough as nails on defense and is a leading rebounder.”
Freshman Kinley Regnery is another versatile newcomer that gives the team plenty of options both inside and outside on the offensive end of the floor.
“Kinley is a wing,” Brown said. “She is quick, tall and is a great shooter and passer. She also has a tough presence on the court.”
With a blend of talent, experience and skill, the Sailors are set up for success this season. The team also possesses the work ethic to maximize their talent and have an outstanding team chemistry.
“I am excited about this season and our team,” Brown said. “We have a great group of young ladies, not only talented in basketball, but who are fun to work with. They love each other and work hard. We have fun.”
The Sailors will be busy over Christmas break beginning with the Cornerstone University Holiday Classic. South is scheduled to play Coopersville on Dec. 26 at 2:30 p.m. at Cornerstone University and then return to Cornerstone on Dec. 30 to play Muskegon Reeths-Puffer at 1 p.m. The Sailors open 2026 in a big way hosting West Catholic, currently 4-1, in a key conference game on Jan. 6.
Wyoming Police responded to a report of a person threatening construction workers with a rifle in the 4300 block of Thorndyke Ave SW (Courtesy, Wyoming Police Department)
One person is in custody after threatening construction contractors working on a neighboring house with a rifle and then barricading himself inside his residence.
On Dec. 21, 2025, at around 5:30 p.m., Wyoming Police responded to a report of a person threatening construction workers with a rifle in the 4300 block of Thorndyke Ave SW. While officers were on their way, the caller updated them, stating that a shot had been fired and the suspect had gone back into his home. After several hours of negotiations, the 60-year-old male suspect exited the house and was arrested without any further issues. No one was injured during the incident.
Wyoming Police Detectives and Forensic Services Unit continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding this incident.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact Wyoming Police Detectives at 616-530-7300 or Silent Observer at 616-774-2345; 1-866-774-2345; or https://www.silentobserver.org.
Former poet laureate of Grand Rapids, Patricia Clark, has written countless poems, published several volumes of poetry and received multitudes of accolades for her works (Courtesy, Chris Clark/Grand Rapids Press)
Former poet laureate of Grand Rapids, Patricia Clark, has written countless poems, published several volumes of poetry and received multitudes of accolades for her works. She is also one of the only poets to have a poem land on the moon.
Patricia Clark signs copies of her books for members of the Women’s City Club of Grand Rapids (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
“Astronomy ‘In Perfect Silence’” landed on the moon with a NASA flight module in March 2025. The poem was part of The Lunar Codex project and was inspired by an astronomy class she took in 1972 as a University of Washington undergraduate.
Like her moon-bound poem, Clark’s other works are born of personal experiences and inner musings. Writing poems, Clark says, is a great way to introspect and think.
However, the poet and retired Grand Valley State University professor has found herself having to defend the poetry genre over the years.
“Poetry scares a lot of people,” Clark says. “The problem is that people always want to know what the meaning of the poem was, and I think that’s the wrong way to go about it. It’s partly just to give you pleasure, to read a poem, and to let the words roll around in your mouth like food.”
Clark thinks of herself as an ambassador of poetry, encouraging others to enjoy the process of reading and writing poetry, and often talking about the inspiration behind her poems when sharing them.
Bitten by books
Clark was “bitten by books” at a young age, and could often be found at the public library. Despite her love for reading and poetry, however, Clark majored in economics in college.
“I didn’t know you could choose to be a writer; that seemed outrageous,” says Clark. “Even in college I wasn’t writing much. But I loved poetry, and I loved reading. I would be in an econ class, and I’d have a book of poems behind my textbook.”
Clark is also an advocate of memorization. “I think memorizing is great because then you can possess a poem in a different way because you know it.”
Why poetry?
Clark says “there’s just something in the music” of a poem.
The works of poet Pablo Neruda helped Clark believe she could also write poetry. Neruda’s poems, Clark says, are “very simple, earthy kinds of things. When I pick those poems up and read them, immediately I think: I can write a poem. I can do that.
“You find other poets who do that for you too, and you pick up a book, read a few poems, and you want to rush to your desk and start scribbling things down.”
Clark has published three chapbooks of poems (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
When inspiration strikes
Clark often uses her past as inspiration for her writing. Writers end up writing about where they were, says Clark, because they have a better view of it from a distance.
Not surprisingly, Clark’s parents are often featured in her poems.
Clark admits her relationship with her mother was not always easy, depicting their volatile relationship in various poems. However, “Because What We Do Lives On” gives voice to her mother’s iron fierceness in defending Clark’s father when wronged.
“She could really defend my father when it came down to it.”
Clark often finds inspiration striking when she observes paintings and other artistic works. Some of those works even “haunt” her until she writes about them.
A taste of poetry…
O Lucky Day is Clark’s seventh volume of published poetry (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
Readers of Clark’s poetry will find themselves drawn in by her eloquent prose and snippets of humor.
“36 Myopia Road” contains an imaginative and somewhat humorous depiction of Clark’s mother being startled into giving birth.
“…when my people left for the West Coast, an egg in my mother’s belly started to grow into me…Settling into the Puget Sound’s salt air, they awaited my birth like the Messiah. Stars aligned and Magi came on horse- and camel-back. Once, a blue and white parakeet appeared in a pine tree. My mother tried to catch it and then I was born…“
On a more serious note, Clark’s poem titled “Our Next Breath” bears hard truths.
“…sometimes the injustices stack up so high, tilting, they could topple and crash…We turn off the news because it’s terrifying, and there’s nothing we can do…we can’t give up joy…going on as we can, looking up and out, as uncertain as our next breath.“
It’s in the small things…
For those interested in writing poetry, Clark advises writing things down – even the small things.
“Sometimes with poetry, it’s the really small thing, it’s not the big thing,” says Clark. “Poets just go home, and they write things down.
“When you have these memories, if you write them down, it stimulates more memories. It’s amazing what you can remember.”
Walking is a great stimulator of memories and the imagination, Clark continues.
“Walking stimulates thinking. Pretty soon you’re in another year and another space. I never bring a notebook with me. If it’s important enough, I’ll remember when I get home.”
A lifetime of accomplishments
Clark talks about life as a poet to the Women’s City Club (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
In addition to her seven volumes of poetry, Clark has also published three chapbooks, and various works have been featured in several notable national publications.
Awards for Clark’s work include a Creative Artist Grant in Michigan, the Mississippi Review Prize, the Gwendolyn Brooks Prize, co-winner of the Lucille Medwick Prize from the Poetry Society of America, the Poetry Society of Virginia’s book award, with Self-Portrait with a Million Dollars from her most recent volume of poetry nominated for Best of the Net. Her very first book, titled North of Wondering, won the Women in Literature Poetry competition.
Clark served as the poet laureate of Grand Rapids from 2005-2007, and was Poet-in-Residence and Professor in the Department of Writing at Grand Valley State University.
However, knowing that her works touch lives is most important to the poet.
“When someone says they enjoyed my work, I can live on that for days,” says Clark. “No need for money; I could live on those few words for days.”
A complete list of Clark’s works and accomplishments can be found here.
By Cris Greer WKTV Managing Editor/Sports Director greer@wktv.org AND By Deborah Reed WKTV Managing Editor
Former Detroit Lions quarterback Eric Hipple has certainly experienced the highs and lows that life brings.
From playing in the NFL for 10 years to experiencing the tragedy of his son taking his life as a teenager, it has been a roller coaster ride for Hipple.
WKTV recently sat down with the former NFL quarterback for a Soundbites TV show to dig into his life and learn what now makes him tick many years away from the sport.
An unbelievable start
During his career, Hipple passed for over 10,000 yards with 55 touchdowns. His memorable start was back in 1981 against the Chicago Bears for a Monday Night Football game. He threw four touchdown passes and ran for two more in a big win over those Bears in an unbelievable start.
“It was a huge night,” Hipple remembers. “We had gone through the starting quarterback who had broken his hand and the backup quarterback played two games and just stunk it up really bad and they gave me my opportunity and they gave me the start.
“It’s a long day because in your head you’re going over and over and over what the first play is going to be, which is a pass play. You think of all the things that could possibly happen. When I finally got underneath the center and looked at the defense and recognized what they’re doing, and it’s going to be a pass, and I completed the first pass. It’s like a 40-yard bomb … the place just erupted. I came off the ground about three feet, just floated. I don’t think I came back down until the game ended.
“Everything just went right. We practiced really hard, we had a really good game plan. When the game was over it was like I had a hard time remembering playing, but it was fantastic. Kind of a big blur, but it’s also exciting, incredible.”
Former Detroit Lions quarterback Eric Hipple (No. 17) is now a mental health advocate. (Photo Courtesy, Eric Hipple)
An insider’s look
The life of an NFL player, Hipple admits, looks a lot different now than it did when he was in the League.
“It’s a lot different back then than it is today. The way they practice, even the way that players are treated because of the money issue. Back then you didn’t make a whole lot.
“Getting there, 140 guys come to camp and only 45 make the team. You made the team through attrition, really. You outlast everybody. They are carrying three quarterbacks, and I was the third one. You’re there and watch everybody else and get ready to go into this season, and your eyes are wide open. I was the holder for Eddie Murray, so I got to go on the field at least every game, and it was just a great experience.”
And training camp, Hipple says, was not easy.
“You’re throwing the ball twice a day for six weeks or whatever it is, and you’re hitting twice a day. It’s exhausting. And when we had our training camp, we were at Oakland University where there’s no air conditioning in the dorms, cinderblock buildings … and it was hot and hard and long. But I actually think that made us a little better because we were used to feeling uncomfortable.”
The comfort of structure
Because football is such an eyes-on sport, Hipple continues, the players feel pressure to do everything perfectly. Simultaneously, many things were taken care of for the players so they didn’t have to worry about anything but football.
Former Detroit Lions quarterback Eric Hipple (No. 17). (Photo Courtesy, Eric Hipple)
“They don’t want you to think about anything except for football. Your support system is the bus. When you get to the hotel, the keys are laid out on the table for you, you don’t have to talk to anyone. The whole structure of that, from practice to training camp, to games and the travel, it’s all like clockwork. It’s down to the minute. It reminds me of military stuff. Very supportive and very strict and oriented that way, which is great because it gives you a lot of support. Plenty of people to turn to – the training staff and coaches.
“The travel wasn’t so much going there and back, you are away from home and it is a little different, but you’re inside the bubble and the rest of the world doesn’t exist. The team is there and you know that, and so you just don’t think about it.”
The day it all began
The draft also was much different during Hipple’s time in the League, in large part because it was not televised. In 1980, Hipple remembers sitting in a 10-foot by 15-foot trailer waiting for the phone to ring and not having any idea what was going to happen.
“The one thing is, the Detroit Lions had never talked to me. It was the Rams, it was the Cardinals, it was New York. And I went to all those places beyond the combine to get tested out and everything. So I was expecting one of those teams.”
Hipple ended up the 85th overall pick in the fourth round of the draft.
“I ended up going the first pick in the fourth round. When the third round was ending up, I got a phone call. I picked it up and this guy goes, ‘Eric, this is Monte Clark, and we’re going to take you. You’ll be the first pick in the fourth round. We’re going to take you next pick.’
“I remember hanging the phone up and then this explosion, ‘YEAHHHHH, you’re there, you’re in it!’ But that’s just a piece of it because, as I said, when there’s not a lot of money that could be dished out amongst different players, when you’re in training camp you’re replaceable. That means you’ve got to work hard to get it; you have to do all the right stuff to make the team.”
The realization that he was expendable, Hipple continues, was always in the back of his head.
A life defined
Though he sustained several injuries throughout his 10-year NFL career, Hipple says he would do it all again.
“There’s so many positive things about playing. Working within the teamwork. If we don’t work hard, we don’t learn, and there are consequences because there are wins and losses. But that doesn’t mean you give up; you just try harder. So there’s so many positive things about it. It’s defined my life, and so I would [do it again].
“But there are a lot of things I probably would have done differently on a personal level. But you don’t know that until you’re there in that bubble. Once you’re in it, it is kind of an amazing place to be. That’s why when the time comes, when you’re outside the bubble, it’s a very tough adjustment.”
Concussions treated much differently these days
One football injury involved Hipple’s helmet getting knocked off during a game. When he shows that clip to present-day youth, their reaction is far different than that of older generations.
“It’s been about 15 years now since head injuries have really gotten into focus,” Hipple says. “Before that they didn’t count. You got concussed, it didn’t matter unless you’re flat on the field knocked out or something. Other than that, it wasn’t really a thing. In fact, guys actually wore it like a badge of honor.
“I’ll take that clip where I get my helmet knocked off in a game, and start playing it for groups, ages that would know me a little bit younger or my age because they knew what it was like back then. There’s a part in that clip that the announcers are saying, ‘Ohh, a great clean shot, knocked his helmet clean off,’ and I think it’s funny, and the announcers and people my age will laugh. But I talk to youth, high school and down, and they don’t know what that was like back then. In fact, they’ve been taught that a head injury is really, really bad, and for good reasons. So when they see that clip, they’re like, ‘UUGGGHHH, that’s horrible.’ That’s how it was back then. They made football follies out of those things.”
A traumatic transition
The ups and downs on the football field followed Hipple into his personal life as the NFL star battled depression during and after his football career.
“When I play, resilience to me was never a mental thing. It was, you get hit, you get back up again,” Hipple explained. “That’s what you do. It was always around the realm of physical.”
That physical resilience was evident as Hipple continually walked back onto the field after injuries such as a broken hand and broken ankles. When Hipple was cut from the team, however, his mental health took a hit – and he wasn’t sure how to recover.
“When I got cut it was like, what do you do now? I’ve been a football player since nine years old, and all of a sudden you can’t go back in, you can’t go hang out. You walk out the door and it shuts, and a couple things happen. One, is you realize that you always think you’re important. But the team goes on without you. The other part is, you’re so used that structure … and there’s a support system around you that’s gone. So what do you do?
“Also, you’re stressing because nobody back then could actually retire from the winnings. So you have to get a job and start focusing on that.”
Hipple dove into his new life by starting his own business. Six years later, the business was thriving, but Hipple was not.
Wrestling with life
“It’s about six years when all of a sudden all that stuff really hit and settled in. Is this all there is? It’s my identity now, and it’s insurance.”
Hipple wrestled with his new identity, while also missing the thrill of being on the field and playing the game he loved.
“I kind of lost my self-confidence, kind of felt like an imposter. I’d go to a dealership and want to talk insurance, sell it to them, and…it would be like, ‘Is this me? Really? Is this my identity?’ And they would give [me] funny looks too, like, ‘Didn’t you play football for 10 years? What are you doing here?’
“I started getting depressed and started to devolve.”
Though Hipple is now able to identify what he went through as depression, at the time he was confused about why he felt the way he did.
“I didn’t know what was going on with me. So I just kept going along, started self-medicating a little bit and then started getting more where it wasn’t going to work as much, and eventually ended up jumping out of a car that was going 75 miles an hour.”
That impulsive decision was born from thoughts that had tormented him for years.
“I’m not worthy. I’m not good enough for this family, they’ll be better off without me, and they can have insurance. Things that you never would think about when you’re healthy. And so it ended with me jumping out of the car and waking up in the hospital – not dead, thank goodness – but certainly scraped up.”
However, once Hipple recovered from his injuries, he “put the blinders back on,” never receiving help for his depression.
A life-changing tragedy
Those blinders were ripped away when his son Jeff entered his own battle with depression, eventually taking his own life at age fifteen.
Former Detroit Lions quarterback Eric Hipple and son Jeff Hipple. (Photo Courtesy, Eric Hipple)
“That’s when I really realized the seriousness of mental health. It’s not right, his death, and I realized: this could have been me. I could have died when I jumped. I will never do that again because I know what it feels like to be left behind, and it’s painful when you lose somebody to suicide – a family member especially. It’s so painful. So I took that off the table.”
But what Hipple did not take off the table was self-medicating. Craving an escape from the pain, Hipple continued drinking heavily and taking various medications. It finally caught up to him in the form of a DUI and 90-day jail stay. But those 90 days changed his life.
“I came out with a mission, which was to learn. I wanted to learn what happened not only to me, but to my mom, to Jeff, to anybody else who is suffering from this thing.”
Eric Hipple’s son Jeff Hipple. (Photo Courtesy, Eric Hipple)
A mission of hope
Hipple went to the University of Michigan Eisenberg Family Depression Center for treatment. It was there that he learned the science behind how depression works and medications that can help. It wasn’t long before the university invited him to develop programs as an outreach coordinator.
“That was my track for quite a while. I just wanted to inform people that there was treatment out there, you don’t have to go through what I went through.”
Though Hipple saw value in his treatment-oriented work, his reach only extended to those who were suffering. As suicide prevention and depression awareness increased, Hipple wanted to do more.
“All the stuff that we try and do mentally to keep us healthy, a lot of people don’t know what they are. Let’s talk about those. I can talk to everybody in the room, not just those that are suffering.”
Awareness of his own struggle with depression after leaving the NFL inspired Hipple to help fellow retired football players.
Hipple said research shows that 100% of former NFL players struggled with the transition into a new life after the NFL, experiencing a “down time” and even clinical depression right after retirement, or even years later.
“There was really nothing for anybody once you leave the door. NFLPA was kind of in its infancy. One of the things I wanted to get done was, we should start getting these guys, start educating them and treating them. So we did a program with the NFLPA at the university…and I was finding them help.”
Hipple found that engaging the former players through human connections and a form of teamwork made a positive impact on their mental health.
“When you’re ostracized, when you’re removed, when people ignore you, when they turn their back on you, it’s very painful. We started building little programs, eventually doing a 30-day stage for guys who are suffering.
“The feedback was fantastic from guys who we interacted with. It’s almost an eye-opening experience like what I had. ‘You mean this transition could cause psychological issues?’ Being rejected, your support system, duties changed, the relationships have all changed, all that stuff – I mean that’s traumatic, that’s a big change, and so it’s going to affect you.”
A heart for youth … enter ‘be nice’
While Hipple has done extensive work in the mental health field for the University of Michigan Depression Center, as an ambassador for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, and as a board officer for VetLife Foundation, his heart lies with high school youth. Though there are many mental health programs available to youth, Hipple was drawn to the Mental Health Foundation of West Michigan’s be nice. program because it is a student-driven program.
“You need to have professionals involved, but you also need to have people from the trenches. That’s what I love about be nice – it’s a student-driven program.”
“Things be nice is doing are simple, they’re the place where I want to be, all the things I thought were lacking about other programs. It’s hands-on, and it’s them, and to me that’s the best in the world.”
Now an outreach specialist for be nice, Hipple enjoys going into schools and listening to what youth say they need in their school and what they are not receiving from the world around them.
Over time, Hipple has seen a decrease in mental illness stigma within the schools.
“For students, the stigma has really lowered because they know the terminology, they talk about it, they’re much more open with their feelings. There’s still groups that get trapped and get ostracized or get pushed back or rejected, and that’s tough. So we start opening up be nice – notice, invite, challenge and empower. If you can do that, then you’re taking away that ostracizing moment and putting people together – because being connected is really important.
“One of the reasons why we did the peer-to-peer thing was to connect with somebody so they feel connected, and they’re not removed and spiraling down and all these negative things happen.”
Through be nice, Hipple also is working to connect with all athletes and coaches in Michigan with training formed in collaboration with the MHSAA. Hipple said the response from coaches has been positive because they realize their team will be strengthened through that training.
“More coordinated and understanding, each other plays harder for each other because they’re being real now. They are going to be better advocates in the schools too, and connected to the understanding.”
While Hipple will lead some of the training for coaches, several other people have come on board to help with training and presentations.
Real Men Do Cry
In 2008, Hipple published his book, Real Men Do Cry. In that book, Hipple shares his story of tragedy and triumph with unflinching honesty. Real Men Do Cry also features practical resources for families living with depression, providing information on symptoms of depression and suicide risk, as well as ways to ask for help if you or someone you love are exhibiting those symptoms.
Hipple hopes that anyone who reads his book or attends his speaking presentations walk away with an understanding that taking care of your mental health is vital for many reasons.
“The best gift you can give another person is your own mental health. That means you’re taking care of yourself. You understand your emotional content, but you also understand that you’re not going to have everything beautiful and great, and how you manage to navigate through those things. But if I can do that, that means I can be available then to a friend of suffering or to a spouse or even a stranger because I can be more in tune and connected, because I can better feel what they’re going through because I understand it and I might know the mechanisms behind it.
“I will now have the confidence to actually go up to somebody and say, ‘Do you need some help?’ or ‘Are you okay?’ There’s nothing they could tell me that’s going to scare me. It might be alarming, but I will know what to do; I’m armed with resources.”
Connection, Hipple continued, is also important.
“Being connected is really important because when we’re alone, that’s when the highest suicide rates are.”
Hipple said that it is essential that one of those connections is a person who understands mental health and the importance of being mentally healthy, thinking positively and having a growth mindset.
“I can make a mistake, but still come back from it. I can learn from it, I can grow. I can understand the different stresses that are out there and navigate through most of them. I can be productive.”
“Suicide prevention requires somebody to intervene, and the reason that people don’t intervene is because they’re afraid of the answer. If I ask you, ‘Are you thinking about suicide?’ and then you say, ‘Yes,’ then what do I do?”
Individuals who are mentally healthy can ask those questions confidently because they can offer hope in the form of resources that suffering individual can utilize.
Hipple went on to say that each tragedy and triumph throughout his life has molded him into who he is today.
“I feel really good about where I’m at right now, and I couldn’t have gotten here without going through all that.”
The Kentwood Police Department is excited to announce a community giving event, “Cram the Cruiser,” in partnership with Sam’s Club (4326 28th St SE, Kentwood) to benefit the Kentwood Little Free Pantry.
With demand running high, the pantry has been running low, and this event provides an opportunity for the community to help stock it for residents in need.
Community members are invited to help stock the pantry by donating non-perishable food items on the following dates and times:
Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Donation Location: Sam’s Club, 4326 28th St SE, Kentwood
Kentwood Police cruisers will be stationed out front, with officers ready to receive donations and connect with community members. All contributions will go directly to the Kentwood Little Free Pantry at 355 48th St SE, Kentwood, MI, providing support to local residents in need.
How You Can Help:
Bring non-perishable food items to donate to the Kentwood officers during the event.
Share the event with friends, family, and local groups to spread the word.
Encourage local businesses and organizations to get involved.
“Through the ‘Cram the Cruiser’ event, our community has the chance to come together and make a meaningful impact for residents in need this holiday season,” said Kentwood Police Chief Bryan Litwin.
After lighting the Kentwood Christmas tree in front of a large gathering of residents last week, Mayor Stephen Kepley said there’s a hunger for community.
“There’s a hunger to get out and do things with family and your kids, even in the midst of being cold,” said Mayor Kepley, who’s attended the event as a public figure for 12 years. “We have such a diverse community that when we do these events, I think it just adds to the unity. I don’t know how many people I’ve talked to that I’ve seen at this event or the July 4th events, but I think it’s wonderful to do community events where people can gather. For a lot of them, this has become their family tradition. It’s really amazing.”
Kentwood Tree Lighting 2025. (WKTV/Cris Greer)
Kentwood Tree Lighting 2025. (WKTV/Cris Greer)
Kentwood Tree Lighting. (WKTV/Cris Greer)
Kentwood Tree Lighting 2025. (WKTV/Cris Greer)
Kentwood Tree Lighting. (WKTV/Cris Greer)
Kentwood Tree Lighting. (WKTV/Cris Greer)
“I remember meeting one person who came as a little kid, and now he has his own family and kids that are coming to these events. So, I think it’s wonderful for unification, but also for just family tradition.”
The large crowd of residents huddled together on a frigid Thursday evening to celebrate the annual Tree Lighting Ceremony and new Stationary Holiday Parade in the parking lot of the Kent District Library – Kentwood (Richard L. Root) Branch.
The Stationary Holiday Parade featured floats and decorated vehicles. Other highlights at the event were a visit from Santa, food trucks, a snow globe photo booth, hot chocolate, crafts hosted by library staff, and a performance by the Michigan Ballet Academy.
“This holiday event is one of our favorites to put on,” said Parks and Recreation Director Val Romeo. “Creating opportunities for the community to gather and celebrate is fundamental to our mission,”
As holiday travel continues at the Gerald R. Ford International Airport, local school choirs are set to fill the Airport with festive cheer for passengers and guests.
The 29th Annual Holiday Music Festival takes place from December 8-12 in the Airport Grand Hall, located just before the TSA checkpoint. Daily performances run between 9 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.
A total of 12 West Michigan choirs are scheduled to sing 20-minute song sets throughout the day, which includes:
Byron Center West Middle School
City High Middle School
Coit Creative Arts Academy
East Kentwood High School
Harrison Park Academy
Illuminate Elementary
Lee High School
Legacy Christian School
Ottawa Hills High School
West Side Christian School
Wyoming High School
Zeeland Christian School
(Photo Courtesy, Ford Airport)
“Each holiday season, we look forward to hearing the holiday cheer from the talented school choirs from across West Michigan.” said Tory Richardson, president and CEO of the Gerald R. Ford International Airport Authority. “We thank the hundreds of students for filling the Airport with festive songs and hope they bring comfort and joy to our guests, partners and staff.”
All festival performances are free and open to the public. The schedule of performances can be found at FlyFord.org.
The East Kentwood boys basketball team opened what promises to be an exciting season in a big way Thursday with an 83-57 home win against Traverse City West.
One of the youngest teams in West Michigan last season, the Falcons also flashed plenty of glimpses of the vast potential the team has. While still young overall, they are more experienced and poised to make a big impact both in the rugged OK Red Conference and on the state level.
The Falcons began making their mark this season with an impressive 26-point win against a solid Traverse City West squad.
“We pulled away from a real good Traverse City West team in our home opener,” said East Kentwood Coach Mike Thomas. “It was a pretty good feeling to see some of the maturity and growth from our guys. We have one senior, a plethora of juniors and a couple of sophomores. The program is in pretty good shape as long as the guys stay committed to basketball.”
The Falcon offense was in midseason form in the win against West. Senior guard Randy Chapman led the Falcons with 18 points, while junior guard CJ Reynolds added 17.
East Kentwood’s CJ Reynolds. (WKTV/Greg Chrapek)
“We had four of five guys in double figures in points,” Thomas said. “We also had 25 assists as a team.”
East Kentwood’s young and sizable front court also made a huge impact. Leading the way up front was 6-foot-9 junior center Andrew Kenyi. Kenyi filled up the stat sheet with 16 points, 12 rebounds, five blocked shots and four assists. Fellow junior, Samuel Makuag, who stands 6-6, added 15 points and five rebounds, while 6-7 junior Dau Dau was a factor on both ends of the floor highlighted by three blocked shots on defense.
“Our big fellows have really developed and grown since the end of last season,” Thomas said. “Their presence is going to be felt this year. Andrew and Samuel both have Division 1 athleticism. Dau is another long and wiry athlete who has improved. He has the type of body and game that reminds me of Tayshaun Prince, the former Detroit Piston. They are all dynamic athletes. All three are capable of guarding point guards, wings or bigs. They can switch a lot on defense and that gives us a lot of versatility on defense.”
The blend of front court size and athleticism combined with the standout talent in the backcourt has the Falcons poised for a huge season. Chapman, one of the top guards in West Michigan, has committed to play college basketball at Saginaw Valley State.
“Randy getting a scholarship to Saginaw Valley is a huge highlight for our program.”
East Kentwood’s Andrew Kenyi. (WKTV/Greg Chrapek)
The college scouts also are recruiting Reynolds, who is one of the premier juniors in the state of Michigan and is being recruited by several Division 1 schools. Kenyi also received his first Division 1 offer over the summer from Eastern Michigan University. Thomas expects more offers to roll in for Kenyi and Makuag as the Falcons get more exposure during the season.
East Kentwood also added another talented junior to the squad in Jaxson Tabor. A versatile 6-4 athlete who can play inside or outside, Tabor played on varsity as a freshman at Aviation High School before sitting out last season due to his transfer.
The Falcons will get plenty of exposure on the big stage as they play one of the most challenging schedules in the state that includes several trips to the East side of Michigan to play some of the top teams in the state. Before Christmas, they have trips to play at Ann Arbor Pioneer, a game against Detroit Renaissance at the Orchard Lake St. Mary’s tournament, a game against West Bloomfield at the Saginaw Valley State tournament and a game against Detroit Country Day at the D-Zone Classic.
The Falcons do have a home game Dec. 15 against Kalamazoo Loy Norrix, expected to be among the top teams in Southwest Michigan. After Christmas and before the OK Red season begins, they have four more non-league games including trips to tournaments in Ferndale, Romulus and at Albion College as well as a home game in its own tournament.
“We encourage everyone to just come out and watch us,” Thomas said. “There can be someone different every night leading us in scoring. We will be spending a lot of time on the East side of the state getting challenged to prepare us for the challenge of the conference.”
The OK Red again looks to be one of the premier leagues in the state with Rockford ranked in the Top 10 in the state along with Hudsonville and Grand Haven with outstanding teams.
The City of Wyoming has named Nicole Hofert as its new Deputy City Manager.
In this role, Hofert will oversee a variety of City functions. She will also be responsible for directing and monitoring City projects, acting as liaison between the city manager and department heads, community groups, boards and designated government agencies.
“Nicole will bring a diverse skill set to this role that will help us continue to grow as an organization that serves our whole community,” said City Manager John Shay. “Her experience here at the City has prepared her to lead us into the future and work seamlessly with our staff and community partners.
“We look forward to her leadership as we face challenges and opportunities together.”
Bringing progressive experience
Hofert brings 11 years of progressive experience in planning and economic development and strong management experience.
She most recently served as Director of Community and Economic Development for the City of Wyoming, where she was responsible for overseeing and implementing the City’s master plan, Wyoming [re]Imagined. Prior to her seven-year career with the City of Wyoming, Hofert worked with architecture and planning firms supporting municipal projects for a variety of clients.
Hofert is a certified planner and a member of the American Planning Association. She has a bachelor’s degree in political science from Case Western University and a master’s degree in city design and social science from the London School of Economics and Political Science.
The Kentwood Police Department and Kent County Sheriff’s Department responded to a call of “shots fired” Tuesday, Dec. 2, at 7 p.m. in the area of 60th St. and Kalamazoo Ave.
One 18-year-old male and one 17-year-old male subject matching the description were located shortly after the call walking in the area. A stolen firearm and an unregistered firearm were located on their person during the investigation. Both subjects were lodged on related charges at Kent County Correctional Facility and the Kent County Juvenile Detention Center. There were no injuries reported and there is no continued threat to the public.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Kentwood Police Department Detective Bureau at 616-656-6604. Anonymous tips can be submitted through Silent Observer at 616-774-2345 or SilentObserver.org.
State Representative John Fitzgerald invited members of the community to Community Conversation at The Stray on Division Avenue in Wyoming on Nov. 14 for an open and meaningful discussion about the concerns and priorities of the community (Courtesy, WKTV)
State Rep. John Fitzgerald, District 83 (Courtesy photo)
Each month, State Representative John Fitzgerald invites members of the community to Community Conversation at a local location. Each Community Conversation event provides an opportunity to discuss important issues, share thoughts and engage with your local representative.
On Friday, Nov. 14, Rep. Fitzgerald could be found at The Stray on Division Avenue for an open and meaningful discussion about the concerns and priorities of the community.
An investment of time and relationship
“Every three to six weeks we cycle through and go all throughout the district and find a place where we can have a casual conversation with constituents,” Fitzgerald told WKTV General Manager Tom Norton.
“It’s really important that I’m as much a listener as someone who takes action on things.”
Fitzgerald went on to say that people expect access to their government officials – and he intends to provide that access.
“Something that’s been ingrained in me is that people enjoy having that somewhat personal relationship with their elected official,” said Fitzgerald. “It’s important that people see me out and feel comfortable to come say hi and share that little bit of a nugget of information that might help inform my decision-making in Lansing for our community.”
Lauchpad for a renaissance
The positive impact of Fitzgerald’s investment of time and relationship with the local community throughout his tenure as a Wyoming City Council member, as well as State Representative of District 83, can be seen in the flourishing businesses of the Wyoming South Division corridor.
The Stray, Fitzgerald said, is an example of the South Division commerce resurgence.
Rep. Fitzgerald chats with constituents at The Stray (Courtesy, WKTV)
“We’re seeing more of that here throughout the Division Avenue corridor. I think that we’re going to see more businesses want to improve their own facades, their operations, and I think that we’re really again on the launchpad for a renaissance.
“Throughout this community, we’re seeing investment, we’re seeing business owners want to be community fixtures,” Fitzgerald continued. “This is a great time to be in Wyoming.”
“Your voice matters.”
Fitzgerald urges residents and business owners to engage in Community Conversation events in their neighborhood. Information on Community Conversation events can be found on Fitzgerald’s Facebook site.
From Dec. 1 – March 31, the odd-even ordinance requires people to alternate the side of the street they park on between 12 a.m. and 6 p.m. (Courtesy, pxhere.com)
Help keep Wyoming streets clear of snow this winter and avoid parking tickets by following the odd-even parking ordinance.
Odd-even winter parking restrictions
In effect from Dec. 1 – March 31, the ordinance requires people to alternate the side of the street they park on between 12 a.m. and 6 p.m. so plows can keep both sides of the street clear of snow. It also keeps roadways clear and accessible for drivers, snowplows and emergency vehicles during the winter.
Odd-even parking fines are $30 per violation received.
Odd-even parking at a glance
Helpful Tip: Between 6 p.m. and 12 a.m., make sure to move vehicles to the side of the road matching the next day’s date.
Dates and Times: No parking on alternating sides of the street from midnight to 6 p.m., Dec. 1 until March 31.
Snow or No Snow: This ordinance is enforceable even when there is no snow.
Odd Dates: On odd dates, park on the side of the street with odd addresses – those that end with 1, 3, 5, 7 or 9.
Even Dates: On even dates, park on the side of the street with even addresses – those that end with 0, 2, 4, 6 or 8.
Cul-De-Sacs: In a cul-de-sac, only park on the street on even-numbered calendar days.
No Parking Signs: Regardless of odd-even status, parking is never permitted in designated “No Parking” zones.
Report violations of odd-even parking
The Wyoming Department of Public Safety works hard to address all calls for service as soon as possible. Reports of odd-even parking violations are important but they can often wait to be enforced when emergency calls are a priority.
Completing the Report an Odd-Even Parking Complaint Form helps DPS manage the enforcement of odd-even parking while allowing prioritization of emergency calls. As officers become available, every effort will be made to follow up with the report during the times and days listed. This helps manage workflow and address this safety violation.
KDL’s Let It Snow reading challenge provides a choose-your-own-reading adventure for adults and teens that will keep readers reading all winter long (Courtesy, KDL)
Local book lovers can now sign up for Kent District Library’s (KDL) annual winter Let It Snow reading challenge. Adults and teens (age 11+) who read or listen to six books between Dec. 1 and Feb. 27 earn a collectible Let It Snow mug.
Participants who would like to complete more than six books can log four more titles, for a total of 10 books, by Feb. 27 and be automatically entered into a drawing to win a gift card to a local indie bookstore.
“Let It Snow is the perfect choose-your-own-reading adventure for adults and teens,” said KDL Programming Specialist Amber Elder. “You can reread your favorite books, pick up the next one from your TBR pile, look at Let It Snow displays in your local branch until a book speaks to you, or find a book in any of the category suggestions that our adult and teen librarians have provided.
“It’s a challenge that will keep you excited for your next book and that will keep you reading all winter long.”
Reading challenge details
(Courtesy, KDL)
Participants can track their reading progress online using Beanstack or complete and turn in a paper tracking form. Brochures and tracking forms can be found at any KDL branch or can be downloaded and printed here.
All tracking sheets should be turned in at any KDL branch or on Beanstack by Feb. 27.
Let It Snow mugs will be available for pick-up at KDL branches beginning Jan. 2.
Questions can be directed to any KDL branch in person or via phone at 616-784-2007.
The City of Kentwood will host its annual Tree Lighting Ceremony and debut a new Stationary Holiday Parade on Thursday, Dec. 4, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Kent District Library – Kentwood (Richard L. Root) Branch, 4950 Breton Ave. SE.
The event will begin at 6 p.m. with the Stationary Holiday Parade, featuring floats and decorated vehicles staged in the library parking lot. Attendees may walk through the display and vote for their favorite entry. Do you want to show off your decorated float or vehicle? Parade participation is $10, and registration is required.
Additional activities include a snow globe photo booth, hot chocolate, crafts hosted by library staff, a performance by the Michigan Ballet Academy, and a visit from Santa. Dolce Mini Cakes and Dune Buggy food trucks will offer food and beverages for purchase. Non-perishable food donations will be collected for the Kentwood Little Free Pantry.
“This holiday event is one of our favorites to put on. Creating opportunities for the community to gather and celebrate is fundamental to our mission,” said Parks and Recreation Director Val Romeo. “We look forward to welcoming residents to this annual tradition.”
Kentwood Holiday Tree Lighting and Parade. (Photo Courtesy, City of Kentwood)
Hours of operation:
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