Category Archives: Kent County

Four area football teams begin playoffs Friday; Check out all the details inside!

Citizen Journalism, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Kent County, Local Sports, Sports, West Michigan, , ,
Kelloggsville is one of four area teams playing in the MHSAA state playoffs Friday. Godwin Heights, South Christian and East Kentwood round out the other three.



By Greg Chrapek
WKTV Contributor
greer@wktv.org


The Kentwood/Wyoming area is well represented in this year’s Michigan High School Athletic Association state playoffs that begin this Friday. East Kentwood, Godwin Heights, South Christian and Kelloggsville all qualified for the playoffs this year with two of the teams, East Kentwood and Godwin Heights, hosting playoffs.


East Kentwood is in the playoffs for the second straight year and is hosting a playoff game for the first time since 2018. The Falcons finished the season with a 7-2 record. East Kentwood is hosting Grand Ledge out of the Capital Area Activities Conference in a first round Division 1 playoff game with kickoff scheduled for 7 p.m.


East Kentwood. (Photo Courtesy, Eli Reed)


Grand Ledge comes into the game at 7-2 and finished second in its league at 5-1 behind undefeated DeWitt. The Comets boast an offense that is putting up 35 points per game, while the defense is allowing 22.2 points. Grand Ledge played four playoff teams this year, including games against DeWitt and Detroit Catholic Central who both turned in 9-0 records. The Comets fell to DeWitt 59-7 and lost to Detroit Catholic Central 36-14.

Grand Ledge does share a common opponent with East Kentwood. In Week 1 Grand Ledge traveled to West Ottawa and claimed a 30-27 win. East Kentwood defeated West Ottawa 45-8 in Week 6. 

East Kentwood enters the game with an offense putting up 40.8 points per game, while the Falcon defense is allowing 17.3 points. Kentwood has played five playoff teams this year. The two blemishes on the Kentwood schedule came by a combined total of eight points to Rockford (21-14) and Hudsonville (43-42), who have a combined record of 16-2 this season.

Unlike last year when the Falcons played at Hudsonville in the first round of a district comprised of fellow OK Red teams, the Falcons are in a district with teams to the east and south. The change of scenery is something East Kentwood Coach Tyrone Spencer doesn’t mind.

“It’s nice being able to play someone new that you haven’t seen before,” Spencer said. “After a season in the OK Red beating up each other, it’s a nice change to play someone else.”

Spencer said the team also is excited about the playoffs and the opportunity to play a home playoff game.

“The kids are super hyped up”

“We got together on Sunday to watch the selection show and they loved it,” Spencer continued. “They are excited about it and playing a home playoff game, something we haven’t done since 2018.”    


(Image Courtesy, Godwin Heights)



Godwin Heights hosting

Godwin Heights finished the regular season with a 7-2 record and also will be hosting a playoff game. The Wolverines host Spring Lake Friday at 7 p.m. in a Division 4 playoff opener.

Spring Lake enters the game with a 6-3 mark. The Lakers are members of the OK White where they turned in a 3-2 record and finished third. The Lakers average 37.4 points per game on offense, while the defense is allowing 21.3 points. Spring Lake played three playoff teams this season, including losses to league rivals Grand Rapids West Catholic (21-14) and Grand Rapids Christian (24-21).

“Closely matched teams”

“It will be a matchup of a couple of closely matched teams,” said Godwin Heights Coach Brandon Kimble. “We don’t know a whole lot about them, but they did play Fruitport who is in our league. We are looking forward to it and we expect it to be a really good game.”  

Godwin Heights counters with an offense that is putting up 28.3 points per game. The Wolverines have faced four playoff teams this season and were 2-2 in those meetings. Godwin Heights is in the playoffs for the first time since 2018 other than the 2020 covid season when every school in the state qualified for the playoffs.

“The guys put in a lot of hard work”

“The boys are excited about the game,” Kimble said. “Coming into the season, making the playoffs is one of our main goals. The guys put in a lot of hard work this season and it’s always good to see the success from all the hard work they put into it. We’re super excited about playing at home in front of our fans and the community. We’re also super appreciative of all the support we have received from the administration and the community.”  


(Image Courtesy, South Christian)



10 years in a row for the Sailors

South Christian qualified for the playoffs for a 10th consecutive season. The last time the Sailors missed the playoffs was 2015 when they finished at 2-7. South Christian hits the road for the playoff opener as it travels to Portland to take on the 9-0 Raiders of Portland in a Division 4 playoff game slated for a 7 p.m. kickoff Friday. Portland reached the regional finals last season and two years ago the Raiders advanced to the state semifinals where they fell to South Christian 21-6. 

Portland features a potent offense that is putting up 38.1 points per game and utilizes a strong ground game. The Raider defense is especially stingy allowing opponents five points per game. Portland has played three teams that qualified for the playoffs this season.

“They (Portland) have a real good program,” said South Christian Coach Danny Brown. “The past few years they have had a lot of success. They know how to win. Watching the film you can see the enthusiasm they play with. They also tackle well and block well. They will be a challenge for us.”
 

South Christian enters the game at 4-5. A look inside the numbers, however, points to a highly-competitive schedule that the Sailors needed to navigate to earn a spot in the playoffs. South Christian played six playoff teams during the season with two wins against those teams to its credit. South defeated Grand Rapids Christian 27-13 and Zeeland East 41-12. The Sailors also had close losses to playoff teams, Grand Rapids Catholic Central (24-17), Zeeland West (12-6) and Grand Rapids West Catholic (27-20), meaning they enter the game being more than battle tested.

“The kids are excited for the opportunity,” Brown said. “They are excited about the playoffs, the second season, and playing in a win or go home situation.”

South enters the game with an offense putting up 22.3 points per game and its defense has developed into a team strength.

“Our defense has been continually improving,” Brown said. “We will really need our defense to play well Friday. We are going to need 11 hats flying to the football.”


   



Rockets head to the playoffs with a 6-3 mark

Kelloggsville enters the playoffs with a 6-3 record, the best mark at Kelloggsville since the 2017 Rocket team turned in a 9-0 regular season. That was the last time the Rockets qualified for the playoffs other than the 2020 season that was affected by the Covid pandemic.

Kelloggsville travels to Grand Rapids Catholic Central Friday for a 7 p.m. Division 5 opener.

Catholic Central is a familiar face in the playoffs for Kelloggsville as the Cougars defeated the Rockets 45-34 in the 2017 playoffs. That Catholic Central team also went on to win the Division 4 state championship.

Catholic Central enters the game with a 9-0 record. The Cougars, who average 29.3 points per game on offense, won the OK Black Conference championship this year. They field a stingy defense that’s allowing just 7.6 points per game. That defense was on display when the Cougars edged East Grand Rapids 10-7 in a game that determined the league champion. Catholic Central played a total of four playoff teams this year including a road win against defending Division 6 state champion Jackson Lumen Christi.

Running back Keyontae Gibson leading the charge

Kelloggsville enters the game with a high-powered offense of its own that’s putting up 25.2 points per game. The Rocket offense is led by running back Keyontae Gibson, who’s coming off a five-touchdown, 416-yard rushing effort in a win against Holland in the regular-season finale.

That win propelled the Rockets into the playoffs and the team is thrilled to be going.

“The kids are pumped up about it,” said Kelloggsville Coach Justin Dennett. “Everyone is really excited about it. It’s been great seeing the way the school and the community have rallied around the team. Everyone is embracing it and enjoying the ride.”

Guelaguetza Designs: Local business forges community bonds, celebrates Mexican culture

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En Español: Watch this short episode of Nuestra Gente as host Yeli Romero talks with Guelaguetza Designs founder, Nancy Quero (Video courtesy of WKTV)


By Deborah Reed

WKTV Managing Editor

deborah@wktv.org


(Courtesy, Guelaguetza Designs)

Featuring over 100 artisans from Mexico, Guelaguetza Designs in Wyoming is more than just a business that sells handmade clothing, jewelry and home decor from Mexico – it is a space to celebrate culture.

Guelaguetza Designs celebrated 20 years of business in September by outgrowing their previous store on DeHoop Avenue and moving to their current, larger location – an 8,000-square-foot building on 28th Street.

Guelaguetza Founder, Nancy Quero (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)

But owner Nancy Quero says the grand opening celebration was about more than reaching a milestone, it was about recognizing the impact Guelaguetza Designs has made in the community.

“Our commitment to celebrating culture and traditions has fostered a strong sense of belonging among community members,” Quero said. “We’ve created a space where stories are shared, traditions are honored, and every individual feels valued.”

Hugged by culture

Born and raised in Oaxaca, Mexico, Quero left her mother, brother and two sisters and immigrated to the United States when she was 19 years old, searching for opportunities to help her family.

“My dad died when I was 15,” Quero said. “My mom was struggling a little bit, and this opportunity came to come here. [I came] so I could help my family.”

Once in the U.S., however, Quero missed that connection with her family and culture.

Faced with a new culture, Quero found comfort in the clothes her mother made for her (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)

“I felt like there was something missing when I arrived here,” said Quero. “New country, new language, new people. So anytime I used to wear my tops or my dresses, I felt hugged by my culture, I felt hugged by my mom, who made those clothes.”

Recognizing the importance of remaining connected to her heritage, Quero founded Guelaguetza Designs in 2005. Not only did the business keep Quero rooted to her Mexican heritage, it provided a hub where the West Michigan Hispanic business and residential communities could connect with the rich culture of Mexico.

100% authentic

“Everything we sell here is 100% handmade in Mexico,” said Quero.

Collaborating with artisans in Mexico allows Quero to support underserved Mexican workshops by offering fair trade business practices that create sustainable business and preserve native Mexican ancestral techniques.

Many artists Quero collaborated with upon opening Guelaguetza Designs were from workshops her father had partnered with before his death.

“Right now I’m working with the daughters and sons of the people that my dad was working [with], so it’s like a second generation working together,” said Quero.

  • Guelaguetza Designs (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
  • Guelaguetza Designs (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
  • Guelaguetza Designs (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
  • Guelaguetza Designs (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
  • Guelaguetza Designs (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
  • Guelaguetza Designs (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
  • Guelaguetza Designs (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
  • Guelaguetza Designs (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
  • Guelaguetza Designs (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
  • Guelaguetza Designs (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)

Finding new workshops, Quero added, is an intricate process.

“We want to make sure that they are the ones who make everything that they sell because we want to make sure that we are sourcing items that are 100% authentic, [and] that we are contributing to those workshops directly,” Quero said. “I ask a lot of questions, [and] I ask for videos if I’m not able to go and visit their workshop.”

Though her mother and siblings are all involved in art and design, Quero admitted her passion lies more with business and relational aspects, similar to her father.

“I was taught how to sew and embroider – the basics,” said Quero, “but that’s something that I do not enjoy as much as talking to the people, selling, being that bridge between those workshops and my community here. That’s what I love, what I enjoy the most.”

A long journey

The journey to becoming a brick-and-mortar business was a long one. Fourteen years, to be exact.

Though Quero began selling handmade products in 2005, the first Guelaguetza Designs brick-and-mortar store did not open until 2019. In the last six years, however, they outgrew the 3,000-square-foot building and moved to their current – and larger – location on 28th Street.

Guelaguetza can now be found at their new 8,000 square-foot location on 28th Street (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
Guelaguetza can now be found at their new 8,000 square-foot location on 28th Street (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)


Quero credits her success to awareness of community changes and demand over the years. Those observations led her to develop new business plans and strategies as needed to bring products to those desiring Mexican culture and those wanting to learn about Mexican culture.

“In the last five years, there is a boom of people being curious about Mexico,” said Quero. She went on to say that many people became interested in learning about Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) after the release of the animated film Coco. 

Día de los Muertos

This ofrenda rests just inside the main entrance of Guelaguetza Designs (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)

Celebrated between Oct. 31-Nov. 2, Día de los Muertos is a festive and colorful holiday where individuals and families remember and honor deceased loved ones.

“It doesn’t matter if you’re not Mexican,” said Quero. “You can still remember; it is very important. That’s why there is a specific date for us to do this.

“Día de los Muertos is about that: remembering all of those who are no longer with us, remembering their lives, their happiness, and everything good they added to our lives.”

During the annual celebration, it is common to create an ofrenda, or altar, to honor loved ones. Many people begin with only flowers and pictures of their loved ones. Over time, they may add water, incense, art, sugar skulls and other elements.

Inside Guelaguetza Designs is an ofrenda with various items and written meanings for each item or element. Quero said this is helpful for patrons who come ready to find items to add to their ofrenda.

“It’s a very nice moment, and I love seeing community come together celebrating this kind of holiday.”

Embracing cultural heritage

Through Guelaguetza Designs, Quero works to inspire youth to embrace their own cultural heritage, learn about the culture and identities of others, and foster a lifelong commitment to cultural awareness and social responsibility.

Quero learned the importance of giving back from her parents (Courtesy, Guelaguetza Designs)

“It’s very important because it’s part of who we are,” said Quero. “It’s very important that we, as a parent, instill in them that love for our culture – so that when they grow up they can continue it.

“That’s the only way that our heritage and culture can continue going through many years to come.”

Giving back is also at the heart of everything Quero does.

“Anything that we give back – your time, money – it’s important. We love supporting different causes and other nonprofit organizations that align with our mission.”

For more information about Guelaguetza Designs, click here.

Wyoming Public Schools ask residents to approve $29.75 million bond, assure voters of tax decrease

3-bottom, Area Education, Citizen Journalism, City of Wyoming, Economy, Education, Finances, Going Local, Kent County, Local Faces, Our Cities, Upcoming Events, West Michigan, , , ,
Wyoming Public Schools is asking residents to approve a new bond totaling $29.75 million that will provide support for day-to-day district operations and complete projects identified in their long-range facilities plan (Video provided by Wyoming Public Schools)


By Deborah Reed

WKTV Managing Editor

deborah@wktv.org


Wyoming Public Schools (WPS) is asking residents to approve a new bond totaling $29.75 million that will provide support for day-to-day district operations and complete projects identified in their long-range facilities plan.

In communications sent to all WPS families, Superintendent Craig Hoekstra encourages community members to be aware of three proposals on the Nov. 4, 2025 election ballot and what each proposal will fund.

(Courtesy, Wyoming Public Schools)

“This bond, if approved, will allow us to complete our Facility Master Plan that we built many years ago,” said Hoekstra in a video introducing the bond proposal.

“We put a great plan together to completely update our school district. Our buildings were built between the 1940s and the 1960s, so completing our Master Facilities Plan will allow us to execute our vision that best supports our kids today, but also well into the future.”

Bond proposal facts

Supplied by Wyoming Public Schools

  • The Kent ISD Regional Enhancement Millage would be restored and renewed to a total of 0.9 mills for educational and operational programming.
  • The WPS Sinking Fund replaces our expiring Sinking Fund and would result in a no net tax rate increase and focuses on repairs, safety, technology replacements, and buses.
  • The WPS Bond Proposal totals $29.75 million to complete projects identified in our Master Facilities Plan, including new learning spaces for students, air conditioning and secure entrances in remaining buildings, elementary media center updates, and a gym addition at Gladiola. If the Bond Proposal is approved, the overall net debt millage rate is expected to decrease by 0.15 mills.
WPS Bond Proposal (Courtesy, Wyoming Public Schools)
WPS Sinking Fund Proposal (Courtesy, Wyoming Public Schools)

A tax decrease

Hoekstra went on to say that WPS asked for help from the community three different times – in 2017, 2022 and now 2025 – to avoid the inevitable tax increase of a one-time large bond request.

“We were being very mindful and fiscally responsible with our community with no increase (2017), no increase (2022), and this one is a tax decrease (2025),” said Hoekstra.

This third and final bond request on Nov. 4 will allow WPS to continue work begun with the previous two proposals without any gaps in advancement and completion of the Master Facilities Plan.

“These proposals aren’t just about buildings, they are about creating spaces where students feel safe, supported and ready to succeed,” a WPS student said in the bond proposal video.

“I’m excited because we get to go out to our community, be good stewards of their resources, and just supporting our kids at a very high level moving forward,” said Hoekstra. “What excites me the most is we’re doing this for our kids.”

Learn more

More information on the bond proposals can be found at wyomingps.org.

Darius Walker crowned winner of local Kingpin of Comedy competition

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Wyoming, Entertainment, Going Local, Kent County, Local Business, Local Entertainment, Local Faces, West Michigan, , , , , , ,
Darius Walker was crowned the 2025 SNF Kingpin of Comedy winner during the competition’s final round on Oct. 26 (Courtesy, Brian B.)



By WKTV Staff

deborah@wktv.org


Darius Walker, 2025 winner of the SNF Kingpin of Comedy competition (Courtesy, Brian B.)

The Sunday Night Funnies‘ (SNF) seventh annual Kingpin of Comedy competition began with 91 comedians on May 11, and ended with one on Oct. 26 when Darius Walker was crowned the 2025 Kingpin of Comedy champion before a capacity crowd at Spectrum Entertainment Complex.

“As always with the finals, the audience vote was very tight with only five votes separating first and third place,” said Brian B., MC and Founder of the SNF. “But Darius had an outstanding set.”

Brian B. went on to say that Walker had been a Kingpin of Comedy finalist the previous two years, so he was not surprised Walker won the title of 2025 champion.

“Over the years, I’ve seen him mature as a comedian,” said Brian B. “I know that he puts a lot of effort in going out and doing shows, as well as always writing new material.”

Prizes worthy of a king!

As the Kingpin of Comedy winner, Walker received a prize package worth over $1,000.

The SNF Kingpin of Comedy final competition was filled to capacity with interested audience members (Courtesy, Brian B.)

“Seeing that Wyoming is the 14th largest city in Michigan, I thought that the overall winner deserved a prize package worthy of the title Most Humorous Human in Town,” said Brian B.

Walker received a prize package worth over $1,000 (Courtesy, Brian B.)

The prize package included $500 cash, gift cards from LaughFest and GLC Live at 20 Monroe, as well as prizes from various Wyoming businesses and competition host Spectrum Entertainment Complex.

Walker also received a bowling pin trophy, personalized “Kingpin” bowling shirt, a video of his winning performance, and an invitation to close the SNF special 2026 LaughFest performance in March.

After his victory, Walker said, “I’d like to thank my wife, friends and the Grand Rapids comedy community for helping me grow as a comedian!”

About SNF

The Sunday Night Funnies is the creation of Grand Rapids stand-up comedian Brian B. The weekly live stand-up comedy performance is free admission and features a variety of local and national comics. Now in its 16th year, over 1,275 different comedians have entertained SNF audiences.

Doors open at 6:30 p.m. with each show beginning at 7:30 p.m. at Spectrum Entertainment Complex in Wyoming.

ArtPrize entry of 100,000 bottlecaps was made for the people, by the people

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, design, Environment, Going Local, Health, Kent County, Recycling, West Michigan, , , , , , , , , ,
ArtPrize “Grand Dome” by Adrienne Outlaw (Courtesy, Outlaw)


By Koy Flores

WKTV Contributor

deborah@wktv.org


A holiday treat came early for 22 ArtPrize winners in the form of a $400,000 prize pool as the international art competition concluded Friday, Oct. 3.

Many stories were told through the 931 works submitted to ArtPrize by 1,100 artists. Among them was one of ecological stewardship told through a glamorous re-creation of our own waste.

Grand Dome is a 10-foot by 17-foot geodesic sculpture created by artist Adrienne Outlaw and currently on display at the Grand Valley State University (GVSU) Eberhard Center. The piece is made from more than 100,000 plastic bottle caps collected by community members who then helped Outlaw construct the piece in a collaborative project.

Protecting the world through art

Grand Dome is the latest in Outlaw’s national public art initiative, where she works with river cities to create large-scale collaborative artworks to promote ecological stewardship against plastic pollution. The sculpture took three months to make and is a follow-up to Outlaw’s Reef, a 6-foot by 8-foot sculpture also made of plastic bottle caps, that was showcased at ArtPrize 2024.

Outlaw said she has been “working with found objects and ideas for global consumerism” for most of her career. In 2019, Outlaw took a trip to Southeast Asia where she was blindsided by the effect of the U.S. plastic pollution on Asian countries, namely Singapore, Cambodia and Malaysia.

Looking up at the ceiling of Grand Dome from inside (Courtesy, Koy Flores)

“I worked with some artists there, and we would take microplastics out of the beach sand,” said Outlaw. “At the same time, China announced that they weren’t taking our waste anymore…then I started thinking of plastic as an issue.

“I moved to St. Louis in 2015 and started doing research. I realized the Mississippi Watershed drains 40% of the water waste from the U.S. Even Grand Rapids is connected to the watershed because of the lock system in Lake Michigan (The Great Lakes and the Mighty Mississippi).”

Outlaw stated that she is addressing these issues with river cities.

“[If] we allow these plastics to enter our waterways they will travel down the Mississippi River, into the Gulf of Mexico and out into the Atlantic Ocean, becoming microplastics.”

Meaningful…trash?

Outlaw expressed novelty for the project because it was a departure from the traditional solitary practice. People would email, call, text, or show up to help contribute to the project “every single day.”

“This project has changed the way I make art.”

Outlaw laughed while recounting how people loved to bring her their trash. “They offered me their labor, time and expertise. People want to do the right thing so badly.”

As fate would have it, one woman from South Haven, MI happened to be an avid bottle cap collector.

Inside the Grand Dome at night (Courtesy, Outlaw)

“She found out about my work through ArtPrize, tracked me down on the internet and asked if she could donate her collection,” said Outlaw. “I was able to meet up with her along the way to Grand Rapids. She gave me about three years’ worth of bottle caps that she had been collecting with the hope that she could donate them to something meaningful.”

After Outlaw collected the needed amount of bottle caps, she sent them to Michigan and invited Michiganders to help create the panels for Grand Dome. Outlaw’s studio did the mechanical work of putting the panels together, but Outlaw wanted to show community members the “value and joy of working with their hands.”

The main groups that assisted in the creation of Grand Dome were the Mint Artists Guild in Detroit, the GVSU art department and the First Presbyterian Church in Holland.

Outlaw attempts to be inclusive of all people with her collaborative works, providing people a range of participation opportunities from simply donating recyclables to actually putting the panels together with zip ties. Outlaw remarked that she invited participants to write their names on an ID tag before inserting them into the panels, making the experience even more empowering.

Awareness and emulation

Outlaw is proud of the amount of awareness Grand Dome has raised toward excessive consumption and harmful pollution.

“Having people approach the dome from a distance, not understanding what they’re looking at, but then they realize this is our waste,” said Outlaw. “They then realize how much plastic is in our trash. We can address this plastic pollution joyfully, from a grassroots movement, and creatively think about solving these issues. Instead of looking at it from a dismal ‘world is on fire’ mindset.”

Creative thinking and setting an example can lead to a healthier world (Courtesy, pxhere.com)

A few minor adjustments to our everyday lives can help procure a healthier world for the next generation. Outlaw is a believer in setting examples for emulation.

“You see studies where, if one person does something good, then the next person is likely to do something good,” said Outlaw. “You see that with trash. If one person throws things on the ground, but then you see someone else picking it up (instead) of walking past it or throwing something (as well), you can start collectively moving toward the good and away from the bad.”

Learn more!

To connect with Adrienne Outlaw and view her work, click here.

Kelloggsville turns back Holland to secure spot in state football playoffs; Keyontae Gibson gets 416 yards and five TDs

Citizen Journalism, Kent County, Local Sports, Sports, West Michigan, , ,
(WKTV)

By Greg Chrapek
WKTV Contributor
greer@wktv.org


With talented senior running back Keyontae Gibson leading the charge on offense, Kelloggsville held off Holland 40-34 to cap a winning regular season and secure a spot in the state playoffs.

Gibson turned in a game to remember as he carried the ball 41 times for 416 yards and scored five touchdowns as the Rockets turned back a late Holland comeback to earn the win and finish the regular season with a 6-3 record. That record is the best one the Rockets have posted since 2017 and is the first time they have qualified for the playoffs since 2017 other than the covid year of 2020 when every team qualified.

The 2017 team finished the regular season with a perfect 9-0 record and reached the second round of the playoffs where it dropped a 45-34 decision to Grand Rapids Catholic Central, who went on to win the Division 4 state championship. Ironically, Kelloggsville faces Catholic Central in the first round of the playoffs this week.

The rushing exploits of Gibson went a long way in helping the Rockets secure the playoff spot this year. For the year, Gibson has rushed for over 1,400 yards and scored 17 touchdowns.

“Keyontae had quite the game Friday,” said Kelloggsville Coach Justin Dennett. “We are trying to find out if it was a school record. There is a chance it is, but we are not sure. We ran the ball exclusively Friday as we didn’t complete a pass. Isaak Kowal and Cameron Dunbar also helped out running the ball to give Keyontae a break.”

Offensive line paved the way for Gibson

“Our offensive line really did a good job,” Dennett said. “Zane Hendricks is a senior lineman and he did a great job of leading our line on both offense and defense. Davion Whitfield is a junior who starts on both the offensive and defensive line and he also did a great job. The guys up front did a great job Friday night and have been getting the job done all season too.”

Dunbar, who has been battling through injury, also has been a big part of the Kelloggsville ground game this year totaling 505 yards rushing with 10 touchdowns.

The Kelloggsville defense also stepped up with some impact plays to preserve the win.

Defense big as well

“Our defense really came up with some big plays,” Dennett said. “We had three interceptions and a fumble recovery on defense. Nasyre Walker had an interception and a fumble recovery. Isaak Kowal also had a great game on the defensive side of the ball. We moved our freshman Sincere Allen to inside linebacker. He had never played there before and he had a lot of tackles all over the place. He made a lot of plays for us.”

The win capped a big turnaround season for the Rockets who went 1-8 last season. Paving the way for the turnaround has been the Rockets’ senior class.

“We have a really good core group of seniors,” Dennett said. “They have stepped up and have been leading us all year. They do a great job of setting the tone in practice. They have set a new standard in how to do things. This is my first year as head coach here and that group of seniors bought right into what the new coaching staff was putting in.”

The Rockets started the season strong with wins against Grant and Perry before falling to Fruitport in Week 3 and eventual league champion Belding in Week 4. In Week 5 the Rockets came up with a pivotal 30-22 win against Hopkins.

Hopkins win was telling

“The Hopkins game was when our kids realized that we have a chance to make the playoffs and can be a pretty good football team,” Dennett said. “Hopkins has been a good team for a long time and we took a 22-0 lead on them. They came back to tie it, but we came back with a scoring drive to seal it. To come back and beat them was a big win for us. We also won a close one with Comstock Park.”

Kelloggsville defeated Comstock Park 22-18 in Week 7 to improve to 5-2.

“Winning the close ones”

“We had to learn how to win the close ones,” Dennett said. “We found a way to win in those close games this year. Winning the close games has shown the growth in this team and how much they have improved since the start of the year.”

The Rockets now face a 9-0 Grand Rapids Catholic Central team in the first round of the playoffs. The game is scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 31, at Catholic Central’s Cougar Stadium.   

CONGRATS to local football teams: East Kentwood, Godwin Heights, Kelloggsville and South Christian for making the state playoffs

Citizen Journalism, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Kent County, Kentwood Public Schools, Local Sports, Sports, West Michigan, WKTV Featured sports, , , , ,
Michigan High School Athletic Association. (Logo Courtesy, MHSAA)





By Cris Greer
WKTV Managing Editor/Sports Director
greer@wktv.org


(Image Courtesy, East Kentwood)


DIVISION 1

DISTRICT SEMIFINAL:
Grand Ledge (7-2) vs. East Kentwood (7-2)
7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 31 at East Kentwood High School



(Image Courtesy, Godwin Heights)

DIVISION 4

DISTRICT SEMIFINAL:
Spring Lake (6-3) vs. Godwin Heights (7-2)
7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 31 at Wyoming High School



(Image Courtesy, South Christian)



DIVISION 4

DISTRICT SEMIFINAL:

South Christian (4-5) vs. Portland (9-0)
7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 31 at Portland High School




(WKTV)

DIVISION 5

DISTRICT SEMIFINAL:
Kelloggsville (6-3) at Grand Rapids Catholic Central (9-0)
7 p.m. Oct. 31 at Catholic Central

Wyoming Police Department prepares for CALEA reaccreditation, invites public to submit comments

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The Wyoming Police Department is entering the final stage of its reaccreditation process with the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (Courtesy, WKTV)


By WKTV Staff

deborah@wktv.org


The Wyoming Police Department is entering the final stage of its reaccreditation process with the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA).

An assessor from CALEA will arrive on Monday, Oct. 27 to conduct an on-site review over a four-day period. This visit is the final step in a rigorous four-year accreditation cycle and includes a comprehensive examination of the department’s policies, procedures, management, operations and support services.

The gold standard

CALEA Accreditation is considered the gold standard in public safety professionalism. It provides independent verification that a law enforcement agency meets internationally recognized best practices in areas such as accountability, transparency and community partnership.

For the Wyoming community, accreditation ensures:

  • Enhanced public trust, by confirming that department practices are ethical,
    transparent, and consistent with national standards.
  • Improved service delivery, through policies that promote efficiency, fairness,
    and responsiveness to community needs.
  • Reduced risk and liability, by ensuring clear, accountable procedures for
    critical incidents and daily operations.
  • Commitment to continuous improvement, with each accreditation cycle
    driving new opportunities to strengthen public safety services.

The assessment process

(Courtesy Photo)

As part of the assessment process, the department invites members of the community to share feedback through the CALEA Public Comment Portal.

Community members are encouraged to share comments regarding the department’s compliance with CALEA standards, community engagement, quality of service and overall professionalism.

Comments may include commendations or concerns and can be submitted directly to CALEA through the Public Comment Portal. Feedback provided through the portal goes directly to CALEA and will be acknowledged upon receipt.

The purpose of this process is to gather valuable input that helps the Wyoming PD and CALEA continue to strengthen the standards of professional policing.

Contact WPD directly

Individuals who wish to share comments or questions directly with the Wyoming PD may also do so by calling 616-530-7300, visiting the department in person, or submitting an online message through the Police Department Contact Form on the City of Wyoming website.

Sunday Night Funnies’ Kingpin of Comedy competition enters final round on Oct. 26

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SNF K.Pin weekly poster (Courtesy, Brian B.)


By WKTV Staff

deborah@wktv.org



Kingpin competition finalists (Courtesy, Brian B.)

Ninety-eight comedians are now down to eight as the seventh annual Sunday Night Funnies (SNF) Kingpin of Comedy competition enters its final round on Sunday, Oct. 26.

“We have a good mix of comedians performing in the Kingpin finals this year,” says Brian B., MC and founder of the SNF.

Participating comedians hail from the Grand Rapids and Detroit areas, Holland and Buchanan.

“It’s a diverse lineup as well,” says Brian B. “Of the eight comedians performing, two are women and four of the comics are of color.”

The Kingpin of Comedy final round will also feature a drawing for a pair of tickets to comedian Adam Degi’s first standup comedy special recording on Nov. 14 at the Pyramid Scheme in Grand Rapids.

Degi will also be closing out the Kingpin Finals while the votes are being counted.

Prizes galore!

(Courtesy, Brian B.)

The Kingpin of Comedy winner will receive a prize package worth over $1,000.

“Seeing that Wyoming is the 14th largest city in Michigan, I thought that the overall winner deserved a prize package worthy of the title Most Humorous Human in Town,” says Brian B.

The prize package includes $500 cash, gift cards from LaughFest and GLC Live at 20 Monroe, as well as prizes from various Wyoming businesses and competition host Spectrum Entertainment Complex.

The winner also receives a bowling pin trophy and personalized “Kingpin” bowling shirt.

About SNF

The Sunday Night Funnies is the creation of Grand Rapids stand-up comedian Brian B. The weekly live stand-up comedy performance is free admission and features a variety of local and national comics. Now in its 16th year, over 1,275 different comedians have entertained SNF audiences.

Doors open at 6:30 p.m. with each show beginning at 7:30 p.m. at Spectrum Entertainment Complex in Wyoming.

CHECK THIS OUT: Watch our latest WKTV Friday Night Highlights show of the season (10-17-25)

Citizen Journalism, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Kent County, Local Sports, Sports, Upcoming Events, West Michigan, , , ,


By Cris Greer
WKTV Managing Editor/Sports Director
greer@wktv.org


Check out the new and exciting football clips above from our latest Friday Night Highlights show.


Just like basketball season, every week we’ll bring you much of the local high school football home stadium action from the 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.

Davenport  football cruises in Motor City, beats Wayne State 49-14

Citizen Journalism, City of Kentwood, Kent County, Local Sports, Sports, West Michigan, , ,
Davenport Running Back Cephus Harris runs through a crowd. (Courtesy, WSU Athletics)


BY Bill Rohn
WKTV Contributor
greer@wktv.org

Four scores from running back Cephus Harris combined with a revived passing attack led Davenport to a 49-14 win over Wayne State’s Warriors in Detroit Saturday.

The win improved the Panthers’ Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference record to 2-2. DU is now 3-3 overall, while Wayne State fell to 0-3 and 0-7.

DU’s revved up run/pass combination produced 214 yards on the ground and 330 yards through the air.

Harris — a 5’8” 215 pound Junior transfer from Youngstown State, whose older brother Myron Harris led the Panthers’ rushing attack last year — opened the scoring on a 9-yard run midway through the first quarter, then added two one-yard TD plunges in the second quarter. Davenport also got a 35-yard touchdown pass from quarterback D’wan Mathis to Dom Grguric with 5:44 left in the opening quarter.

Davenport receiver Dom Grguric grabbed a 35-yard touchdown pass from quarterback D’wan Mathis in the opening quarter.(Courtesy, WSU Athletics)


The Panthers led 28-0 with 1:23 left before halftime when Wayne’s Luke Johnson stepped in front of an ill-timed pass from Mathis and quickly returned his interception 67 yards for a score, cutting DU’s intermission margin to three touchdowns, at 28-7.

Meanwhile, Davenport’s defense harassed Wayne‘s quarterbacks all afternoon. They knocked Warrior starting QB Carson Creehan out the game with concussion symptoms on Wayne’s second play from scrimmage, then sacked replacement QB Justin Cox four times. The DU defensive surge was led by Xavier Marquez and Latrell Scott, with five tackles each. Coach Sparky McEwen’s squad also forced a fumble and snared two interceptions, while holding the Warriors to 37 net rushing yards.

Second half action saw Davenport continue to press its advantage. Mathis hit wide receiver Keonta Nixon with a 50 yard third-quarter touchdown pass before Harris found the end zone from nine yards out for his third touchdown with four minutes left in the quarter. Harris finished the contest with 133 yards on 20 carries, for an average of nearly seven yards per attempt.

The Warriors finally got on the offensive scoreboard on a one-yard run by XaVior Tyus early in the fourth quarter, making the score 42-14. Davenport closed the scoring on a 4-yard run by Jeremiah Sterling with 7:34 left to play.

In addition to DU’s strong running game, Mathis threw for 285 yards, connecting on 18 of 25 throws including a five for five performance while targeting wideout George Sims.

Late in the game, Davenport actually reached 576 yards in total offense. However, Panther quarterbacks then saw two center snaps fly over their heads and land well behind the line of scrimmage. The result was over 30 yards in losses, wiping out DU’s chance at a new total offense record.

Davenport now returns home to Caledonia, with noon kickoffs on each of the next four Saturdays, beginning on October 25 against Roosevelt University. Wayne State will next attempt to get a first win at GLIAC foe Saginaw Valley State.

Godwin Heights outlasts rival Kelloggsville 41-22, sets up title showdown with Belding Friday

City of Wyoming, Kent County, Local Sports, Sports, West Michigan, , , , , , ,


By Greg Chrapek
WKTV Contributor
greer@wktv.org

Godwin Heights continued their winning ways with a 41-22 victory over rival Kelloggsville Friday and in the process set up a winner-take-all scenario for the OK Silver championship at Belding.

The win kept Godwin Heights perfect in the OK Silver with a 5-0 record and sets up next Friday’s showdown in Belding against the Black Knights who are also 5-0 in the league. The two teams also have 7-1 overall records.

“It was a real battle with them last year,” said Godwin Heights Coach Brandon Kimble. “It was 14-7 at halftime and it was close in the third quarter before they ran away in the fourth quarter. The conference championship is going to be on the line and our boys are going to be ready to play. We have a real strong senior class that is used to going on the road and we’ve played in some really tough games already.”

The win against Kelloggsville was another one of those tough games. Godwin Heights fell behind the Rockets 16-7 in the first quarter before scoring the next five touchdowns to secure the win in the annual rivalry between the Division Avenue neighbors.

“It’s a big rivalry game for us,” Kimble said. “You can throw out the records when we play. Kelloggsville has been playing good as well this year and we knew they were going to give it their all. We battled back and forth early and it was a good game. They played hard, but our boys came to play.”

Wolverines averaging 33 points per game

Godwin Heights has been especially strong on offense this season as the Wolverines are averaging 33.6 points per game. Junior running back Julius Hoskins was among the offensive leaders for as he ran for four touchdowns against Kelloggsville. Hoskins finished the game with 202 rushing yards.

“Julius is really going to be something special,” Kimble said. “We actually have two stud running backs. Ka’Res Harris splits carries with Julius and he actually leads us in touchdowns.”

Godwin Heights sophomore quarterback Martellis Forest also was a big part of the offensive outburst. Forest passed for 171 yards.

“We are blessed with the athletes that we have at all of our skill positions,” Kimble said. “Martellis is one of the best quarterbacks in the area. He can really spin it. He can put the ball anywhere and can throw the deep ball. He puts a lot of pressure on opposing defenses.”

Forest also is blessed with a wide variety of receivers.

“We have some really good receivers on the outside,” Kimble said. “We have four receivers who are capable to taking it to the house at any time. Isziah Walker, Martise Raphael, Aidan Jackson and Taisjon Allen have all been doing a great job for us.”

Walker led Wolverine receivers with nine catches, 98 yards and a TD

Walker led the way against Kelloggsville as he caught nine passes for 98 yards and a touchdown.

Paving the way for the backs and providing pass protection is an offensive line anchored by Jeremiah Lee and Jayden Ingram.


“Jeremiah is our right tackle and he had over 10 pancake blocks,” Kimble said. “Jayden is our left tackle and he is just as good. Our entire offensive line has been doing a great job and we have had over 200 yards rushing in the last three games.”

While the offense has been putting up plenty of points this season, the Godwin Heights defense has been stingy when it comes to allowing points.

“Our defensive line is very strong,” Kimble said. “We are led up front by Louis Wilson who is a three-year starter. Lonnie Sanders and Josiah Cox flank Louis. Our defensive line is really strong.”

The Wolverines also are solid in the defensive backfield.

“Taisjon Allen is a team captain and he leads us in the back end,” Kimble said. “He had a pick on Friday.

Mikyius Witherspoon plays a rover position for us and he has led us in tackles in three out of the last four games. He is a big part of our defense. He had four tackles for loss on Friday. He has really been playing great for us.”

With a 7-1 overall record, Godwin Heights is heading to the playoffs regardless of the outcome of Friday’s game with Belding. The Wolverines are 13th in the state in Division 4 in playoff points.

Kelloggsville also is looking to punch its ticket for the playoffs next Friday when it hosts Holland. The Rockets are 5-3 for the season and a win against 2-6 Holland would secure a playoff spot for the Rockets.

Cameron Dunbar led Kelloggsville with a pair of touchdowns and Keyontae Gibson added one as well.      

Seeing the Unseen: Women at Risk, International to host conference on Oct. 25 to educate community on dangers of human trafficking

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Wyoming, Community Health, Crime Prevention, Education, Going Local, Hard News, Health, Kent County, Non-Profits, Our Cities, Upcoming Events, Voices, West Michigan, , , , , , ,
Women at Risk, International President Rebecca McDonald will lead the three main sessions of the Civilian First Responder conference (Courtesy, WAR, Int’l)


By Deborah Reed

WKTV Managing Editor

deborah@wktv.org


Every 30 seconds a person is trafficked globally.

100,000 – 300,00 U.S. kids are at risk of trafficking. (National Center for Missing & Exploited Children)

One-third of teens are lured toward prostitution within 48 hours of leaving home. (National Runaway Hotline)

Fifteen = the average number of times a trafficked minor is sold per day. (National Center for Missing & Exploited Children)

Learning about human trafficking and how to prevent it can save lives (Courtesy, pxhere.com)

Learn how to become a circle of protection around your loved ones by attending the Civilian First Responder (CFR) conference hosted by Women at Risk, International (WAR, Int’l) on Saturday, Oct. 25.

“No longer do we have the luxury of deciding whether or not we need to know about human trafficking,” states the WAR, Int’l website.

Circles of protection

A Michigan based, non-profit charitable organization, WAR Int’l is known for their fight against human trafficking and rehabilitation of trafficking victims.

Established to create circles of protection around those at risk, WAR’s programs and partnerships provide safe places to heal from abuse, trafficking, exploitation and more in over 40 countries. The organization’s culturally sensitive, value-added intervention projects and partnerships empower survivors to live and work with dignity and hope.

CFR – What to expect

The upcoming and highly sought-after CFR conference will bring President of WAR, Int’l Rebecca McDonald, human trafficking survivors, law enforcement officers and members of the U.S. government together to educate communities on human trafficking.

The CFR conference will take place on Saturday, Oct. 25 from 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (EST) at Women at Risk Headquarters, 2790 44th Street SW.

Attendees will learn what makes a community susceptible to trafficking; how to identify a victim and signs of trafficking in your community; how to respond to and report suspicious activity; helpful tips, action plans, and ways to protect the innocent; and how to share this information with all ages of community members.

How to prevent human trafficking is information that should be shared with all ages (Courtesy, pxhere.com)

During the conference, participants will have the opportunity to attend three sessions led by Rebecca McDonald and breakout sessions led by various professionals involved in the fight against human trafficking. A question and answer session with conference session leaders, speakers and survivors will round out the day.

CFR conference schedule

  • 9 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. SESSION ONE (Speaker: Rebecca McDonald)

Do you feel like you don’t know what trafficking is or how it found its way into our communities? This session will show you why it is vital for everyone to know the signs of human trafficking. You will also hear firsthand from a trafficking survivor as she shares her journey to freedom, bringing this topic home in a real way. Come and learn to “see the unseen.”

  • 10:30 a.m. BREAK
  • 10:45 a.m  SESSION TWO (Speaker: Rebecca McDonald)

This session will explore common 21 lures used by sexual predators, discuss 21 trafficking flash points and the demographics in Western Michigan, and teach Homeland Security guidelines for Civilian Responders. The session will include interviews with law enforcement, teenage traffickers, Homeland Security, as well as a testimony about how one phone call rescued a woman and changed her life.

  • 12:45 p.m. LUNCH
  • 1:45 p.m. BREAKOUT SESSIONS

Choose from a variety of Breakout Sessions that will be led by various professionals involved in the fight against human trafficking. Session topics may include Counseling, Parenting, Pornography, Law Enforcement, Hospitality, Outreach, or Survivor Testimonies.

  • 2:30 p.m. BREAK
  • 2:50 p.m. SESSION THREE (Speaker: Rebecca McDonald)

In this session, you will learn how to use your knowledge to respond to a human trafficking situation. You’ll also uncover helpful and appropriate ways to talk to children about this sensitive subject. Come find out how to be a beacon of light in the darkness, and discover the hope that is ours as we fight against human trafficking.

  • 4:30 p.m. Q&A – THE EXPERTS PANEL

The Panel: The day will end by a time of Q&A taken from your question cards and answered by our panel of session leaders, speakers and survivors.

Event registration and digital programs

Registration for this event can be found here, and closes Oct. 22. Ticket cost is $35 and includes lunch and handouts.

Those unable to attend the conference on Oct. 25 can check out the WAR, Int’l Digital Civilian First Responder Program here.

Questions can be directed to info@warinternational.org or by calling 616-855-0796.

(Courtesy, WAR, Int’l)

Ford International Airport voted Best Small Airport in the Country by USA Today

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Ford International Airport was voted the Best Small Airport in the Country by USA Today 2025. (Photo Courtesy, Ford Airport)


By WKTV Staff
greer@wktv.org


The Gerald R. Ford International Airport earned the top spot in the USA TODAY Reader’s Choice Awards for best small airport.

The 20 finalists for the category were selected by a panel of experts and then voted on by the public. Voting was open from Sept. 8 until Oct. 6 with the public being invited to cast one vote per person, per day.

The panel consisted of editors from USA TODAY and 10Best.com, expert contributors and industry sources. The USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards series highlight top-notch attractions and businesses, providing readers with trusted recommendations.

“We are honored that the best guests in the country have helped us win the No.1 spot for the best small airport,” Gerald R. Ford International Airport Authority President & CEO Tory Richardson said. “The community’s incredible support continues to propel our commitment to providing a world-class airport experience, and we are thrilled to have won this award for the community.”

The top 10 winners in the best small airport category were:

  1. Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GRR) 
  2. Long Island MacArthur Airport (ISP)
  3. Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport (PVD)
  4. Myrtle Beach International Airport (MYR) 
  5. Piedmont Triad International Airport (GSO) 
  6. Frederick Douglass Greater Rochester International Airport (ROC) 
  7. Huntsville International Airport (HSV)
  8. Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport (ICT) 
  9. Pensacola International Airport (PNS)
  10. Fresno Yosemite International Airport (FAT) 



Surpassing a record-breaking number of 4 million passengers in 2024, the Ford International Airport serves as West Michigan’s gateway to the world. The Airport is managed and operated by the Gerald R. Ford International Airport Authority, which has more than 100 team members who are responsible for the infrastructure and maintenance of airport facilities. Additionally, more than 1,300 team members from eight airlines, food and beverage providers, maintenance facilities and several other partners come together to offer air service and amenities to guests.

“We thank everyone who took the time to cast their vote for the Ford International Airport,” Richardson continued. “We also thank our dedicated team members and partners who help provide an exceptional guest experience to this award-winning airport.”

Digital tools help seniors manage health at Care Resources

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Care Resources resident Alma interacts with her digital pet on care.coach (Courtesy, Care Resources)


By WKTV Staff

deborah@wktv.org


The Care Resources team often hears, “Now I don’t have to be so lonely!” when introducing participants, ages 55 years and older, to their very own digital dog or cat.

The digital companion is a care.coach Avatar™ on an easy-to-use tablet that provides 24/7 companionship, video visits, health monitoring, medication reminders and more. Measurable benefits include reductions in emergency room visits, falls, loneliness and depression that lead to improved health outcomes in older adults.

Remote health coaching and monitoring capabilities are valuable, in addition to providing social-emotional outcomes (Courtesy, pxhere.com)

Garth Falkins helped Care Resources – a Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly, or PACE® – first deploy care.coach during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic to support participants when in-person programs were suspended. Falkins says the remote health coaching and monitoring capabilities continue to be valuable today, in addition to the social-emotional outcomes.

“The device conducts daytime check-ins every few hours, engaging the participant to see if they are doing well, in addition to silent checks during evening hours for any noise or movement that could be cause for concern,” said Falkins, Recreational Therapy Manager at Care Resources.

“There’s a real person behind the avatar, not an artificial intelligence bot, on standby to interact with participants through the device so we can quickly get eyes on them and evaluate the situation.”

A complement to in-person services

At Care Resources, various technology-based devices are used to complement the wide array of in-person services the nonprofit provides to enable older adults to stay safe while living independently in their own homes. Falkins says the digital tools help staff better manage participants’ overall health, while providing caregivers greater reassurance about their loved one living independently.

“Technology is a valuable tool in our toolbox for older adults to promote healthy and independent living,” said Falkins. “At Care Resources, technology such as care.coach has served as an extension of our team, allowing us to continually assess needs and be more proactive, which is showing definite benefits.”

Those benefits include enhanced safety and peace of mind for both participants and their loved ones. With care.coach alone, Care Resources has achieved a nearly 80% reduction in ER visits and a 50% reduction in falls among participants.

Care Resources participant Helene interacts with the interactive game projection system called Tovertafel (Courtesy, Care Resources)

Care Resources also utilizes It’s Never 2 Late, or iN2L, by LifeLoop, which delivers wellness-focused digital content intended to engage older adults. This includes games, travel videos, worship content, music and more.

Care Resources uses iN2L to enhance social activity programming and therapy sessions to help participants have fun while reaching therapeutic goals at one of its two West Michigan day centers.

Yet another technology used by Care Resources is Tovertafel by Tover, an interactive game projection system that uses purposeful play to provide social, physical and cognitive stimulation for seniors living with dementia. Games can be played individually or in a larger group at the day center to promote movement, social interaction and happiness.

“iN2L and Tovertafel enhance our programming and can be utilized for various therapies and educational purposes,” Falkins said. “We’ve seen the technology help participants improve their mobility and hand-eye coordination, among other benefits.”

Additional digital resources

For those not in a program such as Care Resources, Falkins says cell phones, phone apps and smart watches are a few common tools he sees used by older adults and their loved ones for health and safety monitoring and social connection.

Cell phones can also be used to help aging adults (Courtesy, pxhere.com)

One popular product is the GrandPad, a tablet designed to help aging adults enjoy calls, photos, music and games. Falkins has also seen families equip virtual assistants such as Alexa and home monitoring systems to check on loved ones.

A word of caution

While technology can be a great tool for health care professionals and loved ones of older adults, Falkins cautions against entirely relying on it.

“Technology cannot replace the need for human connection and physical touch,” he said. “In-person visits, hugs and meaningful interactions will always be super important.”

Find out more!

For more information about Care Resources, call 800-610-6299 or visit CareResources.org.

A friend in the end: Hospice volunteer and pup provide companionship

2-row, Citizen Journalism, Community Health, Going Local, Health, Kent County, medical moment, Mental Health, Non-Profits, Pets/Animals, Senior Living, West Michigan, , , , , , ,
Volunteer Deb Vazquez and dog Cocoa with patient Betty (Courtesy, Emmanuel Hospice)


By WKTV Staff

deborah@wktv.org


For Deb Vazquez, being a volunteer for Emmanuel Hospice is about ensuring patients have “a friend in the end.” It is about providing a friendly face and a caring hand to hold, offering comfort and compassion at the end of life.

Volunteering is about providing a friendly face and a caring hand to hold (Courtesy, pxhere.com)

Vazquez began serving as a hospice volunteer earlier in 2025 – along with her husband Tony and their dog Cocoa – as a way to give back. Having experienced parents in hospice, most recently with Tony’s parents in Florida, the couple has seen the benefits of volunteering firsthand.

They found Emmanuel through an online search for hospice in their area and learned the nonprofit is always looking for new volunteers, especially pet visitors. They promptly signed up and completed the volunteer training, Cocoa included.

Vazquez said it has been incredibly rewarding for the whole family.

“The impact of pet visits is amazing,” she said. “Patients absolutely love Cocoa. She’s small enough to sit on people’s laps, and will gaze into their eyes. Patients like to talk or hum to her and pet her. Cocoa just has a great temperament and loves the attention.”

Simple gestures = Profound impact

In addition to visits with Cocoa, Vazquez meets patients one-on-one. In that capacity, she has found the simplest gestures can have a profound impact.

Patients recognize kindness even if they may not be able to talk back to volunteers (Courtesy, Adobe Stock)

“Just holding hands is huge,” said Vazquez. “A couple of patients love when I bring lavender-scented lotion to rub on their hands. It is sweet to see the calm it can bring to them.

“Talking to patients seems to make a difference, too. Even if they are noncommunicative, I’ll get a smile or a hand squeeze back that tells me they know someone is there for them and cares.”

Vazquez is intentional about learning about each person’s life story so she can find ways to personalize visits. Volunteer Coordinator Holly Salas said it is clear Vazquez “cares deeply” about the patients she sees.

“Deb goes above and beyond,” Salas said. “She brings patients treats and flowers, plays music for them and seeks out connection in any way she can. She recently reconnected one of our patients with family members, which was very meaningful to them.”

Childhood foods and marathon gaming

Having an interest in genealogy, Vazquez was eager to help the patient look into his family history and reconnected him with relatives.

“It started with connecting over foods he grew up with living on a farm like I did,“ Vazquez explained. “With permission from his dietitian, I was able to bring him food from his childhood. That brought up a lot of memories and family member names that he hadn’t been able to remember.

“It was just fantastic. You start with talking about something as innocuous as food we enjoyed as kids to find common ground, and then suddenly it’s opening doors to new ways to make someone’s day a little brighter.”

Simple things like food and games can spark long-forgotten memories (Courtesy, Adobe Stock)

Vazquez discovered another patient loves playing games. They now have a three-week game of Monopoly going. That patient also loves playing games with Cocoa.

“The patient will toss dog bones around her room, so Cocoa has to search them out,” Vazquez said. “She gets a real kick out of Cocoa doing this sort of hide and seek.”

Volunteer registration and orientation

To those interested in volunteering with a hospice organization, Vazquez said it is natural to wonder about what it will be like. However, Vazquez assures that any worries will be “far outweighed by the moments of joy you’ll bring.”

To learn more about volunteering with Emmanuel Hospice, email EHvolunteer@EmmanuelHospice.org or call 616-719-0919 and ask for Holly.

An in-person orientation to onboard new volunteers will be offered from 1-4 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 21 at the nonprofit’s Grand Rapids office.

More information can be found at EmmanuelHospice.org/volunteer.

Kentwood Police to host National Prescription Drug Take Back Day Oct. 25 

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Kentwood, Hard News, Kent County, Police and Fire, Upcoming Events, West Michigan, ,
Kentwood National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. (Photo Courtesy, City of Kentwood)


By WKTV Staff
greer@wktv.org


The Kentwood Police Department is encouraging community members to take part in National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, October 25. 

The event takes place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Kentwood Police Department, 4742 Walma Ave. SE. KPD will collect tablets, capsules, patches and other solid forms of prescription and over-the-counter drugs. Liquid products, such as cough syrup, should remain sealed in its original container. The cap must be tightly sealed to prevent leakage. The event also will accept vaping devices and cartridges if lithium batteries are removed. Syringes, sharps and illicit drugs will not be accepted. 

The national observance is part of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s National Prescription Drug Take Back initiative. It aims to provide a safe, convenient and responsible way for community members to dispose of prescription drugs while also educating the public about the potential for abuse of medications. 

“When community members properly dispose of medication, it helps prevent identity theft, accidental poisonings, drug addiction and overdose deaths, while keeping medication from polluting landfills and sewer systems,” Kentwood Police Chief Bryan Litwin said. “From saving a life to protecting the environment, participating in Drug Take Back Day is an impactful way residents can be part of our community effort.”

For individuals unable to attend the event, the Kentwood Police Department also has a year-round Drug Take Back Program. Community members can safely dispose of unused and/or expired prescription medications in the Kentwood Police Department’s lobby from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. To learn more about the program, visit kentwood.us/DrugTakeBack.


Kentwood National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. (Photo Courtesy, City of Kentwood)



Law enforcement agencies across the nation partner with the DEA to host Drug Take Back Day events every October and April as part of ongoing efforts to combat prescription drug misuse and overdose deaths. The events provide timely opportunities for residents to safely and securely dispose of unneeded medications to help address this public safety and public health issue. Studies have shown most abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, often from the home medicine cabinet.

CHECK THIS OUT: Watch our latest WKTV Friday Night Highlights show of the season (10-10-25)

1-featured, Citizen Journalism, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Kent County, Local Sports, Sports, West Michigan, , ,



By Cris Greer
WKTV Managing Editor/Sports Director
greer@wktv.org


Check out the new and exciting football clips above from our latest Friday Night Highlights show.


Just like basketball season, every week we’ll bring you much of the local high school football home stadium action from the 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.

Hudsonville squeaks past East Kentwood with touchdown on final play of game

Citizen Journalism, City of Kentwood, Kent County, Local Sports, Sports, West Michigan, , , , , ,
(Photo Courtesy, Eli Reed)


By Greg Chrapek
WKTV Contributor
greer@wktv.org

It was a showdown for first place in the OK Red Friday when East Kentwood traveled to Hudsonville. The contest lived up to all the hype and then some as the Eagles edged the Falcons 43-42 in a game that came down to the final play.

That final play was a 26-yard touchdown pass from Hudsonville quarterback Brady Van Laecke to Andrew Meerman who caught the pass in the back of the end zone after it was deflected with the final seconds ticking off the clock. The Eagles tacked on the extra point to secure the deciding point and come away with the win and keep their record perfect at 7-0 for the season, 5-0 in the league.

The climactic final play capped a stunning six-play, 70-yard scoring drive in the final 31 seconds of the game that gave the Eagles an amazing come-from-behind win after East Kentwood surged ahead with a late-game drive of its own that culminated with a touchdown with 31 seconds remaining in the game.

“It was a great game between two great teams,” said East Kentwood Coach Tyrone Spencer. “I thought our guys played well. It all came down to a couple of plays. Both teams had guys making plays and for them they made the final play when the clock ran out.”

What looked to be the game-winning drive

Trailing 36-35 with 5:52 remaining in the game, East Kentwood mounted what looked to be the game-winning drive. Starting out on its own 20 after Hudsonville had taken the lead on a two-yard touchdown, EK moved the ball 80 yards in 15 plays. The drive was a pressure-packed excursion as the Falcons twice kept the drive going by taking a page out of Detroit Lions Coach Dan Campbell’s playbook and going for a first down on fourth down. The first successful fourth-down play was when the Falcons faced a fourth-and-three on their own 27-yard line. Falcon running back Davien “Bam” Nettleman kept the drive alive with a five-yard run. Later in the drive, the Falcons faced a fourth-and-12 situation on their own 40 with less than two minutes remaining in the game.


With their backs to the wall, Falcon quarterback Kayd Coffman found Ahman Edmonds open and Edmonds turned on the jets for a 14-yard gain to keep the drive alive. With 45 seconds remaining in the game, Coffman again hooked up with Edmonds for a key pass play, this time the play netted the Falcons 38 yards and gave Kentwood a first-and-goal on the Hudsonville two-yard line. After a one-yard run on first down, the Falcons took the lead when Coffman scored on a quarterback sneak giving the Falcons a 42-36 lead after Jayden Garcia tacked on the extra point.

East Kentwood Quarterback Kayd Coffman passed for 188 yards and three scores. (Courtesy, Falcon News Network)


“I was really proud of the way the guys kept battling,” Spencer said. “To be on the road and come back like they did.”

Spencer also was pleased with how the Falcons started the game. Getting out to a fast start was a goal of the Falcons entering the game and that was exactly what Kentwood did.

Kayd Coffman keeper starts up the scoring

On the first possession of the game, Kentwood forced Hudsonville into a three-and-out deep in Eagle territory. After taking possession of the ball at the Hudsonville 45-yard line, the Falcons needed just four plays to score the first points of the game as Coffman took off 33-yards down the middle of the field to score on a quarterback keeper.


Eagles score right away as well

Hudsonville answered that score with a six-play, 80-yard scoring drive of its own.

East Kentwood regained the lead on the next possession. This time the Falcons drove 70 yards in seven plays with Coffman finishing the drive by hooking up with Stephan Jones on a 26-yard touchdown pass giving the Falcons a 13-7 lead.

Falcons grab 20-7 lead in first quarter

East Kentwood upped the lead to 20-7 late in the opening quarter. That score was set up by a fumble recovery by Dmari Love-Simmons at the Hudsonville 22-yard line. The Falcons cashed in on the turnover when three plays later Coffman again hooked up with Jones, this time on a 16-yard scoring strike.

“Our offense really got off to a fast start,” Spencer said. “We took advantage of some things that they were giving us. Their defense did a good job of stabilizing things in the third quarter.” 

Hudsonville answered that score with an eight-yard touchdown pass by Van Laecke with 9:46 remaining in the first half cutting the Falcon lead to 20-13.

The two teams closed out the first half by trading touchdowns. Coffman snuck over from one-yard out for the Kentwood touchdown while Van Laecke threw a touchdown pass from 15-yards out with 20 seconds remaining in the first half cutting the Kentwood lead to 27-21.

Hudsonville took its first lead of the game in the third quarter, when the Eagles drove 65 yards for a score in six plays with Van Laecke tossing a 29-yard pass on fourth down. Hudsonville added a two-point conversion to go up 29-27.

The East Kentwood defense rose to the occasion on the next two Hudsonville drives and forced a pair of three-and-outs.

“Our defense kept us in it when Hudsonville stopped our offense in the third quarter,” Spencer said.

Falcons regain lead early in fourth

Early in the fourth quarter the Falcons regained the lead, driving 48 yards in seven plays with Coffman connecting with Owen Van De Veen on a 22-yard touchdown pass. Coffman then connected with Edmonds on a pass play on the two-point conversion putting the Falcons up 35-29 with 11 minutes remaining in the game. 

Hudsonville answered that score with a methodical 68-yard, 14-play march that ended with a touchdown that put the Eagles up 36-35 with 5:52 remaining in the game setting the stage for the late-game dramatics.

With the loss, East Kentwood fell to 5-2 overall, 3-2 in the conference. The Falcons return to action this Friday at Grandville.

“At the end of the day, a game like this prepares us for the playoffs,” Spencer said. “The regular season is important, but we want to end the season playing at Ford Field and these kinds of games prepare us for that.”

The East Kentwood offense was paced by Coffman who passed for 188 yards and three scores. Jones caught seven passes for 102 yards and a pair of touchdowns, while Edmonds hauled in eight passes for 50 yards and Van Der Veen caught two passes for 32 yards and a score. Coffman added 58 yards rushing and three scores while Jesse Phillips ran for 42 yards.

Michigan Tech edges host Davenport Saturday

Citizen Journalism, Kent County, Local Sports, Sports, West Michigan, , , ,
Davenport receiver Earnest Sanders caught a 21-yard touchdown pass from Grant Thwaites. (Photo Courtesy, Brandon Petryszyn)


By Bill Rohn
WKTV Contributor
greer@wktv.org

An anemic offense and a 49-yard field goal attempt that missed by three feet with little time to play doomed the Davenport Panthers to a 16-14 loss to Michigan Tech Saturday at Meyering Field in Caledonia.

The loss dropped the Panthers’ record to 1-2 in the GLIAC Conference and 2-3 overall. The visiting Huskies improved to 2-0 in the GLIAC, 5-1 overall.

Both teams showed strong defensive play throughout the contest. They also regularly failed to score in a game that Tech led 10-7 at half and 13-7 entering the fourth quarter. Davenport fell notably short, with game totals of 55 yards net rushing, 186 yards of total offense, and only nine first downs.

Difficulties moving the ball aside, Davenport had a shot at victory before its Homecoming crowd of nearly 2,000 late in the final quarter. The Panthers had a first down at the MTU 27 with just under two minutes to play. However, a delay of game penalty and two incomplete passes led to a fourth down 49-yard field goal attempt – his first ever as a Panther – by DU freshman Ian Jenkins with 1:09 on the clock.

Jenkins’ boot had enough distance, but sailed three feet wide to the right, ending Davenport’s victory hopes.

Davenport Coach Sparky McEwen was clearly unhappy with his team’s offensive performance, suggesting that it was “time to show some heart” at halftime.

“We knew this would be a tough game and there were far too many mistakes on our end,” said McEwen afterward, adding, “We’ve just got to get it figured out because it doesn’t get any easier from here.”

Among Davenport’s problems Saturday was the absence of prior starting quarterback D’Wan Mathis, who missed the game with an injury suffered in DU’s loss to Grand Valley one week ago. That meant the Panthers rode behind quarterback Mac VandenHout, who hit 12-of-25 passes for 131 yards, but also threw two interceptions. Making matters worse, Davenport’s rushing attack — which had averaged 185 yards per game entering the contest — averaged only 1.7 yards per attempt on 32 carries.

Addressing DU’s offensive performance, McEwen offered that Davenport “missed some reads, and they got some pressure on us. Those things happen and we’ll just have to get better from it.”

The Panthers managed only one lead in the contest. Following a first quarter field goal by Tech’s Avery Kucharski, they got a 74-yard kickoff return by George Sims, after which VandenHout found the end zone on a 4-yard quarterback keeper to make it 7-3. The Huskies responded with a 23-yard touchdown on a reverse by Nick Nora to lead 10-7 at the end of the first quarter, then led 13-7 at halftime following a 26-yard second quarter field goal from Kucharski.

Following a scoreless third quarter, Davenport continued to struggle with the ball, falling behind 16-7 on a 22-yard field goal by Kucharski with eight minutes remaining.

Davenport answered with a quarterback switch, as McEwen inserted redshirt senior QB Grant Thwaites behind center. Thwaites picked up the pace for the Panthers and closed the deficit to 16-14 with a 21-yard TD pass to Ernest Sanders.

From there, it was a question of whether the Panthers could score one more time, setting the stage for DU’s unsuccessful field goal try with 69 seconds remaining. The Huskies drained the clock in victory formation after the missed attempt.


D’Angelo Bellamy led the Panthers with eight tackles. (Photo Courtesy, Davenport University)


McEwen had praise for DU’s defense saying, “As bad as we were on offense, our defense was just as good.” Led by D’Angelo Bellamy and Antonio Mayes, with eight and seven tackles respectively, the Panthers held Michigan Tech to 20 points below its season average entering the game. “They gave us a shot to win in the end,” McEwen said.

Some good news for Davenport is they may have a good shot at improving their record in the short term. DU travels to Detroit on October 18 to face currently winless Wayne State, before returning home October 25 to host Roosevelt University. Roosevelt is currently 1-4 overall following a 42-7 weekend defeat at Saginaw Valley.

Mobile food pantry schedule for Kent County, Oct. 11 – Nov. 7

Citizen Journalism, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Community Health, Economy, Food, Going Local, How-To's, Kent County, Local Food, Non-Profits, Our Cities, Upcoming Events, West Michigan, , , ,


By Deborah Reed

WKTV Managing Editor

deborah@wktv.org


Several Kent County organizations have partnered with Feeding America Mobile Pantry to host mobile pantries each month.

Below is a list of mobile food pantry locations open to the community. Each listing consists of date, time, location and drive-thru or walk-thru designation.

Though the selection of food varies each month, a variety of fresh and frozen items are always available at the mobile pantries.

Mobile food pantry schedule for Oct. 11 – Nov. 7:

Saturday, Oct. 11

Monday, Oct. 13

Wednesday, Oct. 15

Thursday, Oct. 16

Saturday, Oct. 18

Monday, Oct. 20

Tuesday, Oct. 21

Wednesday, Oct. 22

Thursday, Oct. 23

Friday, Oct. 24

Saturday, Oct. 25

Monday, Oct. 27

Tuesday, Oct. 28

Thursday, Oct. 30

Saturday, Nov. 1

Monday, Nov. 3

Tuesday, Nov. 4

Wednesday, Nov. 5

Thursday, Nov. 6

Friday, Nov. 7

West Michigan economy flattens amid tariff uncertainty

1-featured, Citizen Journalism, Economy, Finances, Hard News, Kent County, West Michigan, , , , , ,
The West Michigan economy showed signs of leveling off in September, according to a monthly survey conducted by a GVSU researcher (Courtesy, pxhere.com)


By Brian Vernellis

GVSU Communications

vernellb@gvsu.edu


The West Michigan economy showed signs of leveling off in September, according to a monthly survey conducted by a Grand Valley State University researcher.


Tariffs implemented by President Donald Trump’s administration have created challenges for businesses to plan accordingly, said Brian Long, director of supply management research at GVSU’s Seidman
College of Business.

“Although there is still no sign that a recession is pending, plans for new hires, new equipment and other new programs have generally been put on hold, pending clarification of future business costs and supply chain issues,” Long said in his report.

Uncertainty for the new year

The economy for the remainder of 2025 and the beginning of the new year is uncertain (Courtesy, pxhere.com)

Long’s new orders index, a measurement of business improvement, rebounded sharply in September, but remained in negative territory while the purchases index, a measurement of firms’ buying activity, dropped significantly.

“(The purchases index) is a clue to the uncertainty generated by the ongoing tariff wars,” Long said in his report.

However, Long’s production index, which tracks output, rose into positive territory.

“Needless to say, the economy for the rest of 2025 will be held captive by tariff talks and to a lesser degree, the potential outcome of the Gaza and Ukrainian wars,” Long said in his report.

“Unfortunately, it is possible that none of these issues will be fully and permanently resolved as we ring in 2026.”

Key index results

Here’s a look at the key index results from September’s survey of West Michigan purchasing managers:

  • New orders index (business improvement): -3 vs. -16 in August
  • Production index (output): +4 vs. -4 in August
  • Employment index: -8 vs. -4 in August
  • Lead times index: +13 vs. 0 in August

More information about the survey and an archive of past surveys are available on the Seidman College of Business website.

Gravity is your enemy: Tree Stand Hunting Tips from Whitetails Unlimited

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Kent County, Recreation, Sports, West Michigan, , , ,
Falling from a tree stand is a real possibility, and all hunters who go into the air need to make safety their first thought. (Photo Courtesy, Whitetails Unlimited)


By Whitetails Unlimited
greer@wktv.org

Tip 1:
This is Real!
Yes, YOU can fall from an elevated stand! Everyone who hunts from a tree stand needs to place safety first – there is no animal out there that is worth dying, or being injured, for. If you don’t follow all safety rules every time you go into a tree stand to hunt, then quit using tree stands and stay on the ground. It’s really that simple.

Tip 2:
Educate Yourself.
There are a lot of resources about tree stand safety out there, and the gear and standards for tree stand safety have changed a lot in the last two decades. Don’t assume you know everything. A little time on the internet and reading the instructions for your new full-body harness and life line will get you up-to-date in no time.

Tip 3:
Safety is a System.
While the full-body harness and life line are the core of tree stand safety, remember that every component is important and needs attention. In addition to the gear, the procedures are also part of the system, and you need to perform them correctly, every time. Procedures include always using a lift line for your unloaded firearm or bow; strapping in to the lifeline before hauling gear up; always having three points of contact while ascending or descending; and having a cell phone and/or emergency signaling device in a place you can reach if you fall.

Tip 4:
Check, and Recheck.
You need to become obsessive about checking things, like the nuts, bolts, and fasteners on your stands; the stitching on your harnesses; and watching for frayed or damaged spots on ropes. If you have a home-built stand (not recommended, but people still do it) you need to check and repair anything that is not solid. If it’s attached to a tree, it’s subject to continual movement and will be stressed in between every use. A free-standing elevated stand can weather and rot, and critters can make dramatic changes to a stand in a very short period of time.

Tip 5:
Spend the Money.
If you think it’s too expensive to buy a quality harness, imagine how much it will cost for an emergency room visit, an extended time off from work, or to modify your house to accommodate your sparkling new wheelchair. Or how much it will cost your family to pay for your funeral. Yes, this is dramatic, but it happens every season to people who think, “It won’t happen to me.” Safety gear is as important as your bow or firearm, license, clothing, or ammunition.

Tip 6:
Know Your Limitations.
Are you getting older? Is it getting harder to get into that stand? Are you starting to lose your footing on the ladder when it is wet or frozen? Have you started taking a medication that makes you drowsy or dizzy? Are you not comfortable at that height anymore? If there is any way you are not relaxed and calm in that elevated stand, then rethink your hunting strategy. This is not a contest to see who is the toughest or most fearless – if you are not enjoying the hunting experience, start looking for alternatives.

Tip 7:
There is No One Answer.
There are a lot of ways to hunt deer, and a lot of deer were taken before elevated stands became popular. Hunting is a very safe activity; but it can be safer – do not put yourself at risk!


(Photo Courtesy, Davin Harsila)



Whitetails Unlimited

Whitetails Unlimited works as the voice of our members to promote conservation, preserve the hunting tradition, and celebrate North America’s premier big-game animal, the white-tailed deer. Whitetails Unlimited’s mission is to raise funds in support of educational programs, wildlife habitat enhancement and acquisition, and preservation of the hunting tradition and shooting sports for future generations.

Since our beginning, Whitetails Unlimited has spent over $147 million on projects including research, wildlife agency assistance, habitat enhancement/acquisition, scholarships, educational materials, hunter safety/education, anti-poaching measures, and cooperative projects with other conservation organizations.

State and Federal agencies celebrate removal of Muskegon Lake from List of Most Environmentally Degraded Areas in the Great Lakes

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Environment, Great Lakes, Health, Kent County, West Michigan, , , ,
From Left: Muskegon Lake Watershed Partnership Chair Dennis Kirksey, Great Lake St. Lawrence Cities Initiative Project Manager Matthew Doss, Muskegon County Community Development Director Bob Lukens, City of Muskegon Mayor Ken Johnson, U.S. Representative Hillary Scholten, Michigan EGLE Director Phil Roos, U.S. EPA Regional Administrator Anne Vogel, West Michigan Shoreline Development Commission Executive Director Erin Kuhn. (Courtesy Photo)


By WKTV Staff
greer@wktv.org

After decades of work, Muskegon Lake has officially been removed from the binational list of “Areas of Concern,” and is no longer considered one of the Great Lakes’ most environmentally degraded areas. Muskegon Lake is the eighth U.S. Area of Concern to be delisted.

On Oct. 1, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Regional Administrator Anne Vogel, along with Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy Director Phillip Roos, joined other federal, state, Tribal and local partners in Muskegon, Michigan, at an event to celebrate the cleanup and restoration of the Muskegon Lake Area of Concern, a 4,149-acre lake that flows into the eastern shore of Lake Michigan.

“The successful cleanup and restoration of the Muskegon Lake Area of Concern, achieved through decades of dedicated effort, marks a significant milestone in our ongoing work to restore and protect the Great Lakes,” said EPA Region 5 Administrator and Great Lakes National Program Manager Anne Vogel. “This accomplishment showcases the commitment and collaborative spirit of our partners in restoring not just the lake, but also the habitats and recreational opportunities that had been lost for so long.”

“Completing this long journey of recovery, restoration and renewal is a tremendous community achievement that EGLE (Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy) has been proud to assist,” said EGLE Director Phil Roos. “Alongside many partners, we celebrate today’s success and look forward to supporting tomorrow’s continued stewardship and growth.”

Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI) said, “I’m thrilled to celebrate the restoration of Muskegon Lake, a body of water that is vital to both the local community and health of our Great Lakes. This achievement is a testament to the decades of collaborative efforts between federal, state, local and tribal partners to get the job done. During my time in the Senate, I’ve been proud to fight for continued funding for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative to bolster cleanup across the state, including tens of millions of dollars to support this essential project, and I’ll never stop fighting to protect our Great Lakes for future generations.”

Rep. Hillary Scholten (D-MI-3): “Today is a huge milestone in Muskegon Lake’s comeback story. Once, this lake was a symbol of environmental degradation. Today, it is a testament to what a community can accomplish when it comes together to protect and restore our beloved public lands. Michigan’s lakes are treasures, and I will always fight for resources to protect our environment in Congress.”

Rep. Bill Huizenga (R-MI-4), Republican Co-Chair of the House Great Lakes Task Force: “The delisting of Muskegon Lake as an Area of Concern is a great bipartisan win for Muskegon, the Lakeshore, and the entire Great Lakes region. I am proud to have championed funding for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative which played a critical role in the recovery of Muskegon Lake. For years, I have discussed how the Great Lakes economy is directly tied to the ecological health of the Great Lakes. By cleaning up legacy pollution, removing contaminated sediment, and restoring natural habitats, Muskegon Lake has transformed from an area of environmental concern to a source of recreation and economic opportunity. The efforts to restore Muskegon Lake have demonstrated how local, state and federal partners can work together to reinvigorate communities, rebuild recreational opportunities, and make the Great Lakes even more enjoyable for the next generation.”

Michigan State Representative Will Snyder: “Muskegon is a city first and foremost set on Muskegon Lake; the lake has always been the lifeblood of the community, from the days of lumber, to the days of industry, to the tourism of today. This momentous day is the culmination of decades of hard work by hundreds of concerned active citizens partnering with government at every level to do big things. It’s exciting that we have restored Muskegon Lake to this degree. I look forward to the next decades of restoration.”

Mark Eisenbarth, Muskegon County Administrator: “Muskegon Lake is set to be delisted by the Environmental Protection Agency, the State of Michigan, Muskegon County, municipalities and WMSRDC marking the culmination of decades of dedication and collaboration. Through generations of environmental cleanup, municipal sewer lift station upgrades, and the steadfast participation of private partners, this achievement stands as a monumental milestone. This achievement restores cleaner water, healthier fisheries, improved wetlands, and stronger wildlife habitats. It also creates lasting recreational opportunities, protects public health, and ensures that future generations will enjoy the natural beauty and vitality of Muskegon Lake.”

Ken Johnson, Muskegon Mayor: “For decades, our community has worked with partners in the non-profit sector and every level of government to heal the wounds left by industrial pollution and to restore our treasured Muskegon Lake. Today’s delisting is not only an environmental victory, but a testament to what’s possible when people come together with a shared vision for a healthier, more sustainable future.  Muskegon Lake’s recovery is ongoing, however, so we must be vigilant in protecting and cherishing the natural resources that define who we are as a community and a shoreline city, while we still look to our waterways to support economic growth.”

Dennis Kirksey, Muskegon Lake Watershed Partnership Chair: “We are thrilled to share that Muskegon Lake has officially been delisted as a U.S. EPA-designated Area of Concern—a milestone that marks the successful restoration of our watershed. From improved water quality to revitalized habitats, the transformation of Muskegon Lake reflects years of dedicated work and collaboration. This achievement is the result of sustained efforts by local, state and federal partners, and especially the tireless contributions of volunteers through the Muskegon Lake Watershed Partnership (MLWP), which has served as the local Public Advisory Council throughout this journey. We are already witnessing the benefits of this restoration—not only in the health of our environment, but in the vitality of our local economy. These improvements will continue to shape our community for generations to come.”

Erin Kuhn, West Michigan Shoreline Regional Development Commission Executive Director: “I’m honored to have been part of the monumental transformation of Muskegon Lake. This achievement marks not only the end of an era, but the beginning of a new chapter, one that will shape our community for generations to come. As we close the book on Muskegon Lake’s designation as an Area of Concern, we celebrate a powerful moment in our shared history. It’s a privilege to stand together in this historic transition, and now we have the opportunity, and the responsibility, to redefine our lake and our future while never losing sight of how far we’ve come.”

Federal, state and local project partners remediated more than 190,000 cubic yards of contaminated sediment in projects totaling approximately $47 million. EPA provided $21 million of Great Lakes Restoration Initiative funding and $9.2 million of funding under the Great Lakes Legacy Act cost-share program. These investments leveraged an additional $16.3 million from state and local partners through in-kind and cash contributions.

Partners completed seven habitat restoration projects in the AOC with $38 million in GLRI funding, restoring approximately 134 acres of habitat and over 6,000 feet of shoreline. These restored areas include nearly 100 acres of open water and emergent wetlands, as well as habitat for fish and native plants. Additionally, project partners removed more than 110,000 tons of logging-era sawmill debris from the lake, restoring habitat for bottom-dwelling invertebrates and for fish and wildlife populations.

Economic Impacts

Great Lakes Restoration Initiative investments to restore Muskegon Lake are already paying dividends. According to a study by Grand Valley State University, the remediation and restoration of Muskegon Lake is projected to increase local home values by nearly $8 million and boost the local recreation economy by $28 million annually. Muskegon has already seen a 19% increase in customers at the marina, and a 45% increase in hotel room tax collected by the county. Overall, the projections anticipate a 6:1 ratio of return on investment.


More information is available at the Muskegon Lake Area of Concern website.

“Red Rose” ArtPrize entry features 10,000 rose petals and 16 years of creation

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, design, Going Local, Kent County, Our Cities, West Michigan, , , , , , ,
The ArtPrize sculpture entry, Red Rose, was made through recursion, a technique in which the artwork contains smaller versions of itself (Courtesy, Bahoora)


By Koy Flores

WKTV Contributor

deborah@wktv.org


Artist Keven Bahoora, creator of Red Rose (Courtesy, Bahoora)

Fall of 2025 marks the 16th annual ArtPrize – an international showcase of artistic talent with awards totaling $600,000 going to artists, curators and educators of the event.

ArtPrize prides itself on incorporating public voting in addition to the juried award process. Those votes help determine a grand prize winner and a winner in each category: 2D, 3D, Time-Based, Installation, New Media and Design.

One captivating sculpture on this year’s ballot was the chemically-fused conglomerate of 10,000 real rose petals, aptly named Red Rose by breakout artist Keven Bahoora. Bahoora’s Instagram page states that he chose one beautiful rose from a photo of many and made it the centerpiece for which he built thousands of other roses around it.

The “image is the medium” 

When asked about the theme for Red Rose, Bahoora stated the sculpture was made through recursion, a technique in which the artwork contains smaller versions of itself.

“In nature, there’s this process of decay, and I want to be able to stop that process in moments where they’re the most beautiful and interesting,” Bahoora said. “Essentially, I’m making a rose, breaking it down and putting it together.

“The rose that’s depicted in the image you see was plucked and put in the center – making the rose both recursive and self-referential, and literally making the image the medium.”

Bahoora’s choice of a rose stemmed from the flower’s standing as the most iconic symbol of beauty across western culture.

Help along the way

For Bahoora, becoming an artist was “always the plan.” However, he entered the chiropractic field because he knew the art he wanted to create was not taught in art school – and would be expensive.

Bahoora’s wife became chronically ill two weeks after he sold his chiropractic clinic to focus on art full-time. Bahoora brought Red Rose into their bedroom so that he could simultaneously work on it while caring for his wife.

Bahoora brought Red Rose into his bedroom so that he could simultaneously work on it while caring for his ill wife (Courtesy, Bahoora)

Red Rose is a project that took Bahoor 16 years from conception to completion. However, a large chunk of that time was spent learning how to preserve organic material for artistic use and the innate nature of trial-and-error.

“I did the first piece to completion – it was also about six-to-seven feet circular – and I didn’t know why some petals yellowed and some didn’t,” Bahoora said. “It [fully] yellowed about six months later. That was in 2010, and it took me about 1,000 hours.”

Bahoora went on to describe how he received scientific consultation from several companies that worked with preservation. These companies included epoxy manufacturers, automotive clear coat manufacturing companies and marine companies (boat preservation).

“Ultimately it was finding that right combination of chemicals that was going to preserve it in testing,” Bahoora said. “That took several years. We ended up consulting the epoxy manufacturers and chemists.”

Though Bahoora would not reveal this “secret sauce” of chemicals, he said it was imperative to find chemicals that protected the piece from UV light and moisture but did not break down the petals.

Epoxy resins are made from chemical reactions and can be specialized for use in coating, adhesives, structural and composite uses (Understanding the Manufacturing Process of Epoxy Resins).

Bahoora said he tested Red Rose in the Las Vegas sun, and that the sculpture we see today was finalized in November 2024.

The Man that started it all

“Man” by Bahoora (Courtesy, Bahoora)

Bahoora credits the start of his artistic endeavors with recursion to his illustration Man, which he first unveiled to the public in 1999.

“This is an Adam figure, made of sand and dirt,” Bahoora said. “That was the idea of mirroring image with the medium.

“It’s a man evolving from his environmental extremes, a junction between drought and storm, with light divine in the background.”

Love thy job

Bahoora stands next to his ArtPrize entry, Red Rose (Courtesy, Bahoora)

Bahoora expressed gratitude to his wife and numerous friends and family. He said there were “too many to name,” but that they “know who they are.”

This is the first time Bahoora has unveiled his art to a large audience. He is thankful for, and humbled by, the praise his work has received.

“Watching their faces change when [they go from] thinking it’s a painting to hearing that it’s all rose petals,” said Bahoora. “It’s the most gratifying thing to watch them mouth the word ‘wow.’ It humbles me and makes me love my job.”

To view more of Bahoora’s work or to contact him directly, visit his website at bahoorastudios.com.

Bahoora’s Red Rose is currently available for viewing in the Pantlind lobby of the Amway Hotel.

LOOK at our latest WKTV Friday Night Highlights show of the season (10-03-25)

Citizen Journalism, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Kent County, Local Sports, Sports, West Michigan, , , ,



By Cris Greer
WKTV Managing Editor/Sports Director
greer@wktv.org


Check out the new and exciting football clips above from our latest Friday Night Highlights show of the season.


Just like basketball season, every week we’ll bring you much of the local high school football home stadium action from the Wyoming and Kentwood varsity teams, highlight some top performers and their stats, give final scores, and show a snapshot of the latest conference standings in an exciting 30-minute 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.

Helping homeless KPS students: a low-budget, challenging, yet rewarding endeavor

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Supply room for KPS students/families in need. (Photo Courtesy, Kentwood Public Schools)


By Karen Gentry
WKTV Contributor
greer@wktv.org


It could be a hotel, car, a park, shelter or campground … or doubled up with another family or couch surfing at a friend’s house. That’s where many students and their families reside.


The number of Kentwood Public Schools students qualifying for services was 359 last year district-wide in grades K-12. The numbers have increased since COVID and Sarah Weir, Student Services Liaison for KPS, estimates around 10 percent of students could qualify for services.

When students in Kentwood register for school and don’t have a permanent address, Weir steps in to help. As the Student Services Liaison, she follows the federal McKinney-Vento Act that mandates services to students experiencing homelessness. The law allows students to stay in their “school of origin” by providing transportation, educational support and help with other needs. Weir has served in this role for 10 years.


Sarah Weir, KPS Student Services Liaison. (Photo Courtesy, Kentwood Public Schools)



“We end up connecting with the family and find out a little bit more about the situation and help them get to school,” Weir said. Kentwood Public Schools provides transportation to school, and helps them with school related items and field trips. 

A budget of $6,000

Weir works with a budget of about $6,000. Although no food items are provided, Weir directs them to local food pantries and Kentwood’s monthly food truck.

“I can provide hygiene items, shampoo, conditioner and things like that,” Weir said. She can also provide winter coats and boots thanks to local businesses and the Knights of Columbus who help out.  

“If they participate in an extracurricular activity we cover that, from sports gear to band fees, and art supplies,” Weir said. 


Supply room for KPS students/families in need. (Photo Courtesy, Kentwood Public Schools)



Student Challenges

Although it’s not always evident about a student’s living situation, these students face challenges.

“Most people don’t realize the student is unhoused. I haven’t had instances of students being treated differently,” Weir said.  “There’s plenty of situations. You could be asked to leave at any time.”

She believes the biggest barrier for students is not getting a good night’s sleep. 

“Sharing a room with strangers, moving often, sleeping on the floor are all reasons students are not getting the rest they should,” Weir said.

She noted that it’s hard for students to stay focused on a math equation if they are hungry, or don’t feel safe. 

Dropout rate high

Unfortunately, the dropout rate is high with unhoused students. Kentwood Public Schools does offer an online program.

“It (online) has to make sense for them. I think in-person is an easier way to learn for more people,” said Weir, who has seen some success stories including a family who left her caseload after seven years. They just got housing and Weir is keeping her fingers crossed that they can keep it.

The greatest challenge and most rewarding parts of her job go together. 

“I love that we are able to make the school day easy for students and families,” Weir explained. “We can get them here, feed them, provide great instruction and care for them while their parents work on a tough situation. We can give the family about seven hours of peace each day.”

Systemic Issue

Weir said the problems related to a housing crisis are much bigger than the school day. 

“Systemic policy changes such as livable wages are needed to make an impact on the housing crisis,” Weir explained. “I have families who can afford rent, but because they have a bad credit score, they don’t get the chance to get in anywhere. It would be great if landlords were willing to consider other evidence besides a credit score number.”

Weir also serves on the Kentwood Planning Commission that is looking at housing in the area. 

“We really need to focus on paying people livable wages. We don’t have any kind of cap on how much housing costs.”

East Kentwood starts fast, scores often against West Ottawa; showdown with Hudsonville next

Citizen Journalism, City of Kentwood, Kent County, Local Sports, Sports, West Michigan, , ,



By Greg Chrapek
WKTV Contributor
greer@wktv.org

There was no looking ahead to this Friday’s key OK Red showdown with Hudsonville for the East Kentwood football team as the Falcons struck early and often to defeat West Ottawa 45-8.

East Kentwood scored four touchdowns in the first quarter to take a commanding lead and cruised to victory to improve to 5-1 overall, 3-1 in the conference. The win sets up the Falcons with a trip to Hudsonville where they play the undefeated Eagles with a share of first place in the conference on the line.

“I liked that we were able to start fast,” said East Kentwood Coach Tyrone Spencer. “In the last two games we did not score in the first quarter. Tonight, we scored 28 points in the first quarter and 10 more in the second quarter. Being able to start fast was very important to us and we were able to get that done.”

Running back Nasir “Nas” Williams got the Falcons on the scoreboard first as he ripped off a 52-yard touchdown run. Jayden Garcia tacked on the extra point putting Kentwood up 7-0.

The Falcons scored on a second long run on their next possession when Jesse Phillips broke loose for a 26-yard touchdown. Garcia again tacked on the point after giving the Falcons a 14-0 lead.

Falcon quarterback Kayd Coffman scored the third touchdown of the opening quarter on a five-yard run.


EK quarterback Kayd Coffman. (Courtesy, Falcon News Network)


East Kentwood closed out the scoring in the opening half through the air. Coffman hooked up with Ahman Edmonds for a 74-yard touchdown pass giving the Falcons a 28-0 lead after Garcia’s point after.

“We had something of everything on offense,” Spencer said. “Both of our backs ran for over 50 yards. Our quarterback was efficient completing 8-of-13 for 154 yards and our other quarterback (Tyran Harris) was five-for-five and threw a touchdown. It was a balanced game on offense.”

The Falcons tacked on 10 more points in the second quarter as running back Ace Bryant scored on a three-yard run and Garcia added a 27-yard field goal giving the hometown Falcon fans a 38-0 halftime lead to enjoy.

Neither team scored in the third quarter and the two teams traded scores in the fourth. East Kentwood’s final score of the game came when Harris connected with Amari Burch for a seven-yard touchdown strike.


(Photo Courtesy, Eli Reed)



East Kentwood had 415 yards of total offense; 223 passing yards and 192 rushing. Coffman passed for 154 of those yards while Harris, a sophomore, added 41 passing yards.

Nettleman led the Falcons in rushing with 70 yards, while Phillips added 50, and Coffman, 47. Edmonds led Kentwood in receiving with 74 yards, followed by Owen Van Der Veen, two catches for 48 yards and Stephan Jone, four for 47.

Paving the way for the offense was a Falcon offensive line led by tackles Chris Lovelady and Xavier Williams, guards Isaiah Wilson, Leland Croskey and Jabari O’Bryant and center Charlie Nichols.

Offensive line “solid”

“Our offensive line has been doing a great job,” Spencer said. “We talked as a staff this week about just how good these guys have been. They are not the biggest group, but they are really solid. They are the reason we run the ball well. It’s a real close-knit group and they do a real phenomenal job of executing and doing the job at a high level.”

Big Falcon “D”

The Falcon defense also turned in a big effort. Along with limiting West Ottawa to single figures on the scoreboard, the Falcons allowed West Ottawa just 54 rushing yards and 117 in passing.

“I thought the defense performed pretty good,” Spencer said. “There were a couple of third downs where we should’ve got them off the field, but overall, I thought the effort and performance was good.”  

Tyler Meeuwsen led with seven tackles and an assist, while Alijah Bondon, Donavan Jones and Christopher Thompson all added three tackles.

With the win against West Ottawa tucked away, the Falcons can now concentrate on Friday’s OK Red showdown in Hudsonville.

“This is going to basically be like a playoff game,” Spencer said. “We are going to have to do our job better then they (Hudsonville) do. We have got to get off to a fast start and defensively we have to work to get off the field on third down. They (Hudsonville) do a great job of possessing the ball and their quarterback is a really good athlete. We have to make sure that our offense is on the field for most of the game and not their offense.”   

Wimee the Robot empowers millions of children through creativity and storytelling

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Wimee the Robot is a children’s PBS character that has been inspiring youth to be creative, use their imaginations and learn through technology since 2016 (Courtesy, Michael Hyacinthe)


By Deborah Reed

WKTV Managing Editor

deborah@wktv.org


Local veteran Michael Hyacinthe created Wimee to help children learn through creativity (Courtesy, Michael Hyacinthe)

Wimee the Robot is a children’s PBS character that has been inspiring youth to be creative, use their imaginations and learn through technology since February 2016.

Michael Hyacinthe, local veteran and owner of the Has Heart Coffee Shop in Veteran’s Memorial Park, created Wimee after recognizing the power of creativity through his work with veterans and his experience as a father. Hyacinthe wanted to create a character that would also help children learn through creativity.

“I’m an entrepreneur passionate about using my talents to inspire veterans, kids and all human life – individuals – to connect with creativity,” said Hyacinthe.

Think it, See it, Share it

Hyacinthe created the Wimage app, allowing children to turn stories, thoughts and ideas into images. Through text or voice, words are instantly transformed into icons. Users can also include text, create patterns, and incorporate colors and additional images.

A Wimage can be personalized and messaged to friends, shared on social media, or posted on the website for others to see.

Soon, the idea for Wimee the Robot formed. Hyacinthe reached out to his friend and puppeteer, Kevin Kammeraad, and together they worked with puppet builder Joe Emory to make Wimee, the lovable robot puppet.

(Courtesy, Michael Hyacinthe)

Hyacinthe and Kammeraad began offering local preschool students hands-on workshops, combining imagination with the innovative technology of Wimage to create collaborative visual stories. Over the years, the duo also led collaborative visual story and collaborative books workshops in elementary school classrooms.

With humor and his love of words, Wimee helps children increase literacy and storytelling skills.

The next Sesame Street

Wimee the Robot and Michael Hyacinthe engage children at an in-person event (Courtesy, Michael Hyacinthe)

The Wimage app and Wimee the Robot continued to develop and grow.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Hyacinthe and Kammeraad developed the web-based Wimee’s Words as an alternative to in-person workshops. Co-produced by Kent District Library, the interactive children’s show encourages imagination, vocabulary building and storytelling through puppetry, music and wordplay.

Through the PBS show, Wimee’s Words, Wimee the Robot reaches close to 40 million homes around the country.

“Our goal is to build the next Sesame Street for the digital age,” said Hyacinthe. “It’s a lot of work, but we’re passionate about the work that we do. We want to continue to create content to teach kids.”

Wimee’s Words viewers can join Wimee LIVE every Saturday at 11 a.m. EST on PBS.org and request songs, ask questions and suggest games to play. Wimee is also featured in the Wimee’s Words app.

Meaningful tech time

Wimee the Robot (Courtesy, Michael Hyacinthe)

The Wimee’s Words and Wimage teams consist of educators, librarians, technology developers, entrepreneurs, parents, kids and puppets who have joined together to empower all children to become producers of creative content – not just consumers of it.

The new interactive app and AI experience, Wimee’s World, was formed to incorporate the Wimage app and Wimee character, along with games, videos and conversations with the AI robot (Wimee).

Wimee’s World provides kids meaningful tech time by giving them the opportunity to become visual communicators and more creative producers using technology.

“Wimee’s World is designed with safety and creativity in mind, providing a secure environment for kids to explore, create and interact,” states the Wimee TV website.

Wimee provides a fun and safe environment for children to learn (Courtesy, pxhere.com)

“Parents can have peace of mind knowing that their children are engaging with content that is both entertaining and educational.”

Explore More sheets provide additional information and activities designed and tested by educators and families to spark imagination and curiosity.

The Wimee Creates and Wimee Learns early learning concept books, written by Stephanie Kammeraad and published by Zonderkidz/Harper Collins, are another great resource for families.

“Every day is a new chance to explore, learn and create together as a family.” (wimee.tv)

Purpose, empowerment and healing

Educating children through Wimee has helped Hyacinthe heal (Courtesy, Michael Hyacinthe)

Hyacinthe’s journeys with Wimee’s World and Has Heart may be separate ventures, but both utilize creativity to empower and heal individuals.

As a veteran battling PTSD, Hyacinthe calls the mission of Has Heart and Wimee the Robot his therapy.

“There’s something really unique about veterans,” said Hyacinthe. “We tend to want to serve. If you give us a platform where we can continue to serve, they will find a medium to heal.

“And for me, this is continuing to serve through connecting veterans and giving them hope, giving them purpose through Has Heart, and by educating kids through Wimee.”

Resource links

Find out if Wimee the Robot will be visiting near you! Click here for Wimee’s event schedule.

More information about Wimee the Robot and additional Wimee resources can be found here.

More information about Has Heart and how you can help support veterans can be found here.

Check out our latest WKTV Friday Night Highlights show of the season (9-26-25)

Citizen Journalism, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Kent County, Local Sports, Sports, West Michigan, , ,



By Cris Greer
WKTV Managing Editor/Sports Director
greer@wktv.org


Check out the new and exciting football clips above from our latest Friday Night Highlights show of the season.


Just like basketball season, every week we’ll bring you much of the local high school football home stadium action from the Wyoming and Kentwood varsity teams, highlight some top performers and their stats, give final scores, and show a snapshot of the latest conference standings in an exciting 30-minute 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.

Bold vision realized: City of Wyoming celebrates opening of 28th Street pedestrian bridge

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Wyoming celebrated the grand opening of their new pedestrian bridge over 28th Street with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and free community event (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)


By Deborah Reed

WKTV Managing Editor

deborah@wktv.org


The City of Wyoming celebrated the grand opening of the new elevated pedestrian bridge spanning 28th Street on Saturday, Sept. 27 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and free community event.

Following the ribbon-cutting ceremony was a family-friendly Run, Walk, or Roll event that encouraged community members to explore the pedestrian bridge and Wyoming’s extensive trail network. Also available were food trucks, music and sponsored gifts along the trails.

The opening of the pedestrian bridge was the culmination of several years of planning (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)

Purpose and vision

The new 12-foot wide, ADA accessible bridge will accommodate two-way pedestrian and bicycle traffic safely across 28th Street, and is part of the City’s [re]Imagined future.

“This project embodies the very best of what our community can achieve when we come together with purpose and vision,” said Wyoming Mayor Kent Vanderwood. “This is just the start of the renaissance here in Wyoming.”

Since the 2008 economic decline, Wyoming has worked to create a defined downtown that encourages connection and economic growth in the City. City officials, boards and commissions invested time and resources in developing area plans, master plans, and securing funding over the past two decades to make this vision come to life.

“This really was such a labor of love for so many people,” said State Representative John Fitzgerald. “Public infrastructure, construction and visioning takes time. It takes time to create a long-term, successful plan that’s going to create economic and social impacts in our community.”

  • Wyoming pedestrian bridge (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
  • Wyoming pedestrian bridge (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
  • Wyoming pedestrian bridge (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
  • Wyoming pedestrian bridge at night (Courtesy, City of Wyoming)

A lasting impact

Wyoming’s City Center project is a public-private partnership that includes public investment in a non-motorized trail infrastructure and private investment in a mixed-use development.

The pedestrian bridge is an essential piece in making the City accessible to all community members through its connection to 4.6 miles of new non-motorized pathways that link to key regional destinations.

“This marks more than just the opening of this bridge, but a celebration of the completion of critical infrastructure that will increase our walkability, mobility and economic opportunity in our downtown area,” said John Shay, Wyoming City Manager.

Kent County Commissioner Dan Burrill said he looks forward to seeing how the bridge will bring the community together and support future growth.

“The City of Wyoming set a bold vision and has delivered on promises made,” said Burrill. “As the 28th Street corridor continues to be revitalized with new housing and commercial development and rehabilitation, these types of public infrastructure investments are critical to driving private investment.”

  • The grand opening of the new Wyoming pedestrian bridge drew a large crowd (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
  • A community member registers for the Walk, Run, or Roll event (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
  • Cyclists look at the trail map before the Walk, Run, or Roll event (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
  • Mayor Kent Vanderwood (right) talks with a community member before the event (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
  • Tandem bicyclists relax before the start of the Walk, Run, or Roll event (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)

For the people

Congresswoman Hillary Scholten thanked event attendees for investing in the City of Wyoming, and presented a Congressional Proclamation to Mayor Vanderwood and the City of Wyoming on the ribbon-cutting of the new pedestrian bridge.

“This is a project by the people of Wyoming, and for the people of Wyoming,” said Scholten.

As the City of Wyoming continues steady progress toward its [re]Imagined goals, Fitzgerald said community members can be assured that their priorities are being heard.

“We’re going to continue to invest in sites like this, in our communities, and in you,” said Fitzgerald.

See a list of the Wyoming pedestrian bridge funding partners here.

(Back, left to right) State Rep. John Fitzgerald and Wyoming City Manager John Shay (Front, left to right) Wyoming Mayor Kent Vanderwood, Congresswoman Hillary Scholten and Kent Co. Commissioner Dan Burrill (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)

Wyoming [re]Imagined: Learn More!

Click the following links to learn more about the City of Wyoming, [re]Imagined:

City of Wyoming Pedestrian Bridge Project Funding Partners

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The Wyoming pedestrian bridge was funded by several city, state and federal partners (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)


By Deborah Reed

WKTV Managing Editor

deborah@wktv.org


See below for a list of funding partners for the Wyoming Pedestrian Bridge over 28th Street:

  • Wyoming City Council – ARPA funds
  • Kent County Board of Commissioners – $6 million of ARPA funds
  • Sen. Peters and Congresswoman Scholten (Federal Partners) – Secured $850,000 for the planning and design of infrastructure
  • Rep. John Fitzgerald and Sen. Winnie Brinks (State Partners) – Secured $20 million from the state budget
  • Grand Valley Metro Council – $1.17 million in carbon reduction program funds for Wyoming trails
  • Consumers Energy – Buried power lines to improve aesthetics 
  • Michigan Department of Transportation – Permitting and facilitating bridge construction
  • Progressive Companies – Design and construction administration
  • In-line Construction 
  • Katerberg-VerHage 
  • Diversco Construction 
  • Contact Bridge Solutions 
  • PermaTrack 
  • Western Wood Structures
  • Material Testing Consultants
  • Land Matters
  • SME
  • WSP Engineering
  • Magnus Capital (Private Partner) – Continued vision to develop vibrant mixed-use development, diverse housing options, pedestrian-friendly urban design and more
  • Jeff and Brandon Baker
  • General Motors
  • Weller
  • Grace Christian University
  • Wyoming Planning Commission
  • Wyoming Downtown Development Authority
  • Wyoming Brownfield Redevelopment Authority
  • Wyoming Parks and Recreation Department
  • Wyoming City Staff – Notably, Nicole Hofert, Director of Community and Economic Development

City of Kentwood to host fourth Adaptive Recreation Expo 

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A past Kentwood Adaptive Recreation Expo. (Photo Courtesy, City of Kentwood)


By WKTV Staff
greer@wktv.org

The City of Kentwood invites local organizations and community members of all abilities to its fourth Adaptive Recreation Expo on Thursday, Oct. 2, at the Kentwood Activities Center, 355 48th Street SE. Admission is free and open to the public.

Guests are invited to explore the products, services and activities available for individuals of all abilities. Vendors will have the opportunity to meet target market customers face to face, interact with students in the field, and network with other agencies. 

“We’re excited to welcome the community to our fourth Adaptive Recreation Expo,” said Val Romeo, Kentwood Parks and Recreation director. “This event continues to shine a light on the many resources, equipment, and recreational opportunities available to individuals with disabilities and their families. It’s inspiring to see so many organizations collaborate, and when that happens, the entire community benefits.” 

During the event, individuals who have disabilities and their loved ones can learn more about a variety of local programs and resources, including recreation opportunities and adaptive equipment demonstrations. Students and community members interested in adaptive recreation can connect with local agencies and learn about volunteer, internship and employment opportunities.  


A past Kentwood Adaptive Recreation Expo. (Photo Courtesy, City of Kentwood)



Vendor applications are still being accepted. Vendors will have an opportunity to connect directly with potential new clients and volunteers as well as other organizations.   

If your organization is interested in becoming a vendor, contact Lori Gresnick, Program Coordinator, at 616-656-5317. 

Thank you to our sponsors for helping make this event possible. The event’s gold sponsor is Estate Planning Legal Services, PC, silver sponsor is Clock Mobility, Hanger Clinic, and Strive Recreational Therapy. Bronze sponsors are Down to Defend, Mary Free Bed Orthotics & Prosthetics + Bionics, Novo Chiropractic Sports and Wellness Center, and West Michigan Bike & Fitness. 

Learn more about the Adaptive Recreation Expo at kentwood.us/AdaptiveRecreationExpo. For more information about the City of Kentwood’s adaptive recreation programming, visit kentwood.us/Adaptive. 

Wyoming American Legion Post 154 to host Mobility Scooter-Wheelchair Competition Saturday, Sept. 27

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American Legion Post 154 Roger B. Chaffee is hosting a Mobility Scooter-Wheelchair Competition to commemorate the Legion 154’s new electric handicap doors (Courtesy, American Legion)


By WKTV Staff

deborah@wktv.org


American Legion Post 154 Roger B. Chaffee is hosting a Mobility Scooter-Wheelchair Competition to commemorate the Legion’s new electric handicap doors. Beginning at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 27, participants can expect an afternoon of food and fun.

American Legion Post 154 Mobility Scooter Competition (Courtesy, American Legion)

The event is open to the public and includes prizes for: Best Score on Ballon Obstacle Course, Fastest Time on Scooter Straight Course and Best Overall Trim Package (includes Best Rider Costume, Best Ride Decorations, Best Pit Crew Spirt and Most Unique/Useful Adaptive Aftermarket Equipment). All abilities compete for prizes – including bragging rights and winner trophies.

There will be three independent judges for all competitions. Judges will be announced the day of the event.

Registration as a competitor, pit crew member, attendee, volunteer or vendor can be found here. Competition rules can be found here.

More information about the Mobility Scooter Competition can be found here.

Disability awareness

“Many of our members are veterans or family members who need a bit more assistance than in the past, whether that’s to enter the building, or to carry in a crock-pot for an event like our annual Chili Cook-off,” says Butch Hogan, Post 154 Facilities Manager. “So, upgrading the doors was the right thing to help all, including those with limited mobility.”

American Legion Post 154 Mobility Scooter Competition (Courtesy, American Legion)

The competition event is being held to celebrate both the new Post 154 accessibility and to increase disability awareness.

According to Ken Stockel, Co-chair of the Scooter Competition, “We’re designing the course will all abilities in mind. Although some may compete in a mobility scooter, power wheelchair, or regular wheelchair, we are also having an obstacle competition for able-bodied participants to compete—in a WHEELCHAIR!

“As most servicemen/women learn early in their military training, when you walk in someone else’s ‘boots’ is when you develop empathy – and that’s where disability awareness begins.”

About American Legion Post 154

The American Legion is the largest U.S. veterans organization with more than 1.6 million members who strengthen the nation through programs, services and advocacy for those who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces, youth and communities.

Post 154 is named after Roger B. Chaffee (Feb. 15, 1935 – Jan. 27, 1967), an officer in the United States Navy, and died with fellow astronauts Gus Grissom and Ed White during a pre-launch test for the Apollo I mission.

Learn more about American Legion Post 154 here.

Coffee + Creativity = HAS HEART: Local veteran Michael Hyacinthe facilitates veteran healing through HAS HEART nonprofit

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Located in Veterans Memorial Park, the small veteran-owned café is doing big things (Courtesy, HAS HEART)


By Deborah Reed

WKTV Managing Editor

deborah@wktv.org


Coffee lovers might miss the HAS HEART Coffee Shop if they are not looking closely.

Located in Veterans Memorial Park and occupying the historic building that originally served as the offices for the West Michigan Tourist & Resort Association and later used as annex offices for the Grand Rapids Children’s Museum, the small veteran-owned café is doing big things.

The HAS HEART Coffee Shop is located in Veterans Memorial Park (Courtesy, HAS HEART)

HAS HEART is a nonprofit veteran-and-designer collaboration that represents hundreds of veterans’ stories and messages through meaningful design creations. The inviting atmosphere is created by a blend of coffee and a mission to give back to those who served our country.

In fact, it was over coffee that Michael Hyacinthe, an 8-year U.S. Navy veteran, and Tyler Way, an artist/designer, met and realized the need to connect their two worlds.

HAS HEART founders Michael Hyacinthe (left) and Tyler Way (Courtesy, HAS HEART)

Finding purpose amidst tragedy

Originally from the Bronx in New York, Hyacinthe served as a U.S. Navy Seabee combat specialist after he graduated high school. Like many veterans, however, Hyacinthe found himself adrift after returning home from military service.

After driving a cab in New York City for two years, Hyacinthe moved to West Michigan where he married and began a family. During that time, a military serviceman Hyacinthe knew was deployed and killed in combat.

Reeling emotionally, Hyacinthe decided to honor all veterans killed in service – and chose Grand Rapids to lay the groundwork.

 “This was around the time ArtPrize was really becoming a big thing in Grand Rapids, and I saw how the city came together through art,” said Hyacinthe. “So I came here.”

Power in creativity

“Total Sacrifice” t-shirt designed by a U.S. Marine and Tyler Way (Courtesy, HAS HEART)

In 2011, Hyacinthe met a wounded U.S. Marine at a local veterans event. The Marine was paralyzed from the neck down and unable to speak due to injuries sustained in Iraq. However, he was able to share his story with Hyacinthe through an alphanumeric communication code translated on a clipboard by his full-time nurse.

Upon learning of the Marine’s passion for graphic t-shirts, Hyachinthe put plans in motion that would allow the young veteran to design his own.

“Recognizing the power in providing this wounded Marine the opportunity to design, we created a t-shirt for him called ‘Total Sacrifice,’” said Hyacinthe. “He designed it by using a very unique alphanumeric code where he had to blink. A certain number of blinks represented a certain letter, and that’s how we were able to design his t-shirt called ‘Total Sacrifice.’”

Hyacinthe and Way began designing t-shirts and donating the proceeds to various veteran organizations. By 2012, however, they had shifted their focus to center more on the veterans.

“We said, let’s pivot away from designing t-shirts ourselves and empower these veterans who have been wounded to design,” said Hyacinthe. “That’s when we decided to connect them with creative designers.”

More and more veterans began expressing their desire to create t-shirt designs. It was then that Hyacinthe and Way knew they needed to empower veterans across the U.S. to utilize the power of creativity to heal. That realization inspired them to create HAS HEART.

U.S. Navy Veteran Darrel Charles works with Miami-based graphic designer Brittany Ballinger to create the design “L’Union” (Courtesy, HAS HEART)

“Many of these veterans are disabled and can’t write,” said Hyacinthe. “These designers have the education and the experience of being professional designers, but many of them don’t know the military world because rarely are many of us connected.”

The HAS HEART Coffee Shop officially opened its doors in Veterans Memorial Park on Nov. 11, 2023 – Veterans Day.

Originally, the historical building housing HAS HEART was used solely for showcasing veterans’ art. But then…coffee.

“We decided to open up HAS HEART Coffee Shop where you can come and get a cup of coffee,” said Hyacinthe. “Veterans get a free cup of coffee. Then [patrons] can experience the designs created by the veterans.”

Approximately 30-40 veterans visit the HAS HEART Coffee Shop daily.

  • HAS HEART Coffee Shop (Courtesy, HAS HEART)
  • HAS HEART Coffee Shop (Courtesy, HAS HEART)
  • HAS HEART Coffee Shop (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
  • HAS HEART Coffee Shop (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
  • HAS HEART inception timeline (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)

An outlet for healing and rebuilding

Hyacinthe dreams of HAS HEART one day becoming a retail space with all merchandise created by American veterans.

“Our goal is to one day open up a full retail store where people can come in and purchase products that were created by heroes who sacrificed,” said Hyacinthe. “Many of us come back home and we want to pursue the American dream of wealth and success, so we want to provide them that outlet.”

2024 ArtPrize public vote-winning entry, “Dynamic Sunset,” by Purple Heart veteran John Katerberg (Courtesy, HAS HEART)

The military, Hyacinthe said, completely strips you of your individuality. “You are now part of something bigger than yourself, and you need to recognize that you are not the most important piece of this thing.”

However, Hyacinthe continued, when someone leaves the military, regaining that sense of individuality is vital.

“It’s what allows you to survive in the world where you need to be an individual, because no one is telling you what to do,” said Hyacinthe.

That disconnect, coupled with trauma experienced through combat, PTSD, and physical and mental injuries, makes it difficult for veterans to re-acclimate to civilian life.

Hyacinthe believes creativity is a path of healing for many veterans because it gives them the ability to be heard.

Designer Chuck Anderson (left) helped U.S. Air Force Veteran Israel Del Toro (D.T.) design “Thru the Fire” (Courtesy, HAS HEART and Terry Johnston)

“To be heard, and to get what’s in your mind out into something visual so that you can see it, you can finally control it,” said Hyacinthe. “It’s the expression that this is real.”

As a veteran battling PTSD, Hyacinthe calls HAS HEART’s mission his therapy.

“There’s something really unique about veterans,” said Hyacinthe. “We tend to want to serve. If you give us a platform where we can continue to serve, they will find a medium to heal. And for me, this is continuing to serve through connecting veterans and giving them hope, giving them purpose through HAS HEART.”

Help empower veterans

Financial support is essential to the HAS HEART mission. Many veterans are flown into Grand Rapids to work with HAS HEART designers, and each HAS HEART veteran receives a stipend to accommodate their time.

“They’re not just all local, they’re from all over,” said Hyacinthe. “We’ve worked with hundreds of veterans.”

Raising awareness of HAS HEART’s mission, Hyacinthe went on to say, happens when people share their story online, purchase veteran-made products, make a donation, or come to the cafe and acknowledge and experience the storytelling being done.

Veterans and artists interested in participating in HAS HEART’s mission can contact Hyacinthe and Way here.

(Courtesy, HAS HEART)