Tag Archives: Kentwood

Kentwood, Wyoming not surprised by uptick in voter registrations

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A Joint Task Force Guantanamo Trooper fills out an absentee ballot for the upcoming presidential election, Oct. 8, 2008. Every JTF Trooper has the opportunity to register and vote while serving on U.S. Naval Station Guantanamo Bay via absentee ballot. JTF Guantanamo conducts safe, humane, legal and transparent care and custody of detained enemy combatants, including those convicted by military commission and those ordered released. The JTF conducts intelligence collection, analysis and dissemination for the protection of detainees and personnel working in JTF Guantanamo facilities and in support of the Global War on Terror. JTF Guantanamo provides support to the Office of Military Commissions, to law enforcement and to war crimes investigations. The JTF conducts planning for and, on order, responds to Caribbean mass migration operations.

If you are planning to vote in the upcoming Nov. 8 election you need to have registered to do so by today.

 

As voter registration comes to its final hours, both the cities of Kentwood and Wyoming are reporting — a not surprising — increase in register voters.

 

“With a national election, we always see an increase in voter registration,” said Wyoming City Clerk Kelli VandenBerg. In an average election, the City of Wyoming usually has about 48,000 — 49,000 registered voters. This year, the city has about 51,500 registered voters in 30 precincts.

 

“We always see an uptick in the national election because there is a big push to get people registered,” VandenBerg said, adding that groups often canvas events like the recent ArtPrize in downtown Grand Rapids to help get people registered.

 

Kentwood City Clerk Dan Kasunic agreed with VandenBerg stating that the national election usually brings in a higher number of registered voters. As of Friday, Kasunic could not give specific voter numbers for the city since residents are able to register at a number of locations including the Secretary of State’s office. He said registrations from other locations will be coming in over the next several days.

 

Kentwood has seen an increase in voters over the past several years. Because a precinct is only allow to have 2,999 voters, Kentwood is beginning the process to split some of its precincts to form two more. However, this will not impact the Nov. 8 election with the city maintaining its current 16 precincts for this year.

 

mail-in-ballot-17738476_108900_ver1-0_320_240As for absentee ballots, Kasunic said the city has about 3,600 and is well on its way to averaging the 4,000 — 5,000 it usually does for a national general election.

 

The City of Wyoming was more than 3,000 absentee ballots with VandenBerg saying the city is on track to hit the usual 5,000 it has had for a national general election as well. Absentee ballots can be mailed out up until Saturday, Nov. 5. Monday, Nov. 7, is the last day a person can vote on an absentee ballot in a municpality’s clerk’s office.

 

To receive an absentee ballot you must meet one of the following requirements: be 60 years or older; are physically disabled and as a result, you cannot vote on Election Day without another person’s assistance; you can not vote on Election Day because of the tenets of your religion; you can not vote on Election Day in the precinct where you reside because you are an election precinct inspector in another precinct; you are absent or expect to be absent from the township or city in which you live when polls are open; or you are confined in jail awaiting arraignment or trial.

 

You have until 5 p.m. today to register to vote as most offices close at that time. To register you need to be a U.S. citizen, 18-years-old by Election Day, a resident of Michigan and a resident of the city or township where you are applying to register to vote. To check and see if you are registered, visit www.Michigan.gov/vote.

Going Local: Tokyo Grill and Sushi

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By: Mike DeWitt

Mike.DeWitt@wktv.org

 

Going Local seemed a little more like Going Lonely the past couple of weeks without Joanne, the genius behind the entire project, there to join Victoria and myself. Victoria and I held our own for the time being as our partner rejuvenated herself by soaking up the California sun, and she was welcomed back with open arms as we expounded on our next adventure.

 

The contents of the hat continue to grow as our faithful readers pass along local food ideas in Wyoming and Kentwood. The food has been a treat and, more importantly, given me greater options to choose from when I’m asked to take the lady friend to dinner. Each week has been a brand new experience and this week was no different as we visited Tokyo Grill and Sushi located at 4478 Breton Road.

 

From the outside, Tokyo Grill and Sushi is tucked into a strip mall and feels hidden with curtains covering the windows. Once inside, the restaurant immediately welcomes you with cooks preparing food behind the bar. The interior opens up nicely with more room than meets the eye. The lighting is inviting with well themed decor giving off a strong sense of peace and relaxation.

 

The lunch menu is quite large with appetizers, salads, soups, hibachi, katsu, teriyaki, noodles, and a full sushi bar at your disposal. After perusing the menu, my eyes fell upon Yaki U-Don, a dish with stir fried Japanese thick noodles with chicken and vegetables. Safe to say, I found my soul mate.

 

A salad came with the dish and was… well, a salad. Not much else to delve into. A salad is a salad. It’s a tease before the true meal arrives.

 

Tokyo Grill and SushiWith the salad gone, I was ready for my stir-fry and I was not disappointed when the hot skillet was set down in front of me. It was still sizzling, packed with food, and ready to be devoured. Quick word of advice, when something is sizzling, its contents are still very hot. My brain decided not to pass along this information onto my watering mouth. Thank goodness for the glass of water that was seemingly always filled to the brim.

 

The first bite bursted with flavor and texture and I immediately knew I made the right choice. The noodles were thick and soft, the vegetables were excellently seasoned, and the chicken was plentiful. In all, the meal was huge! About halfway through the meal I wondered if I had enough space left in my stomach to finish. Spoiler alert! There was room.

 

Once we made it back to work I was dangerously close to falling into a food coma. This seems to happen every time we Go Local. However, in the name of journalistic integrity and discovering all the food options Wyoming and Kentwood have to offer, I will continue to sacrifice in my service to you, the readers.

 

Put Tokyo Grill and Sushi on the Going Local list of great places to eat.

By: Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

Joanne@wktv.org

 

When you walk through the doors of Tokyo Grill and Sushi you are transported to what I imagine is pretty close to what a restaurant in Japan would be like – complete with both Western and traditional Japanese seating. While located in the strip mall on the southeast corner of Breton Avenue and 44th Street, the restaurant design has eliminated those big store front windows with light colored walls and round windows that allow just enough light in to make the place warm and inviting. Topping it off is the light wood accidents and furniture that makes Tokyo Grill a place you want to sit, relax and enjoy a good meal.

 

Unfortunately relaxing was not on the agenda this week as we were on a bit of a time crunch with all that was taking place (elections, National Night Out), but that was alright as the staff was able to move as quickly as our needs required. Our biggest hold up was deciding what to eat. Being a Japanese restaurant, I quickly discovered you do not get an egg roll with every lunch meal but instead a salad. Apparently the homemade dressings are so popular, you can purchase some to take home.

 

IMG_5916Going on the waitress’s recommendation, I selected one of the Hibachi Lunch Specials, Beef Hibachi, $7.95. It came with a salad, white rice and stirred fried beef and vegetables with a homemade sauce. I selected the onion salad dressing and I could taste why someone would want to purchase a bottle for home. The dressing was sweet and favorable with no overbearing onion flavor.

 

The meal came quickly and was exactly what I was looking for. Fresh off the grill, the flavor of the vegetables exploded in my mouth. There was zucchini, broccoli and to be honest, I could have eaten a whole plate of just the veggies. (I brought a Chicken Hibachi ($7.95) with fried rice ($2.95 extra) back to the office for Victoria who gave it a thumbs up.)

 

The portion size was just perfect for me. I could polish off the whole meal feeling satisfied and perfectly able to function after lunch unlike my Going Local partner. Anyhow, Tokyo Grill also has a large selection of wines and beer for enjoyment as well. Lunch is served from 11:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. and dinner is from 3 – 10 p.m. weekdays and dinner only on the weekends from 12 – 10 p.m. Saturday and 12 – 9 p.m. Sunday.

It’s all about the ‘play’ at Kentwood Parks and Recreation

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It is probably most fitting that the month of July is Parks and Recreation Month. The only full month of summer when the weather is nice enough to be outside and do something. And for many individuals, the best place to do that something is at a local park.

 

So in honor of July being Parks and Recreation Month, I decided —in a two-part series — to check out what is happening in both the cities of Wyoming and Kentwood when it comes to parks and recreation. 

 

This piece focuses on Kentwood. To check out the Wyoming Parks and Recreation Department story, click here.

 

Game time: P.L.A.Y! coordinators get ready for an afternoon of fun.
Game time: P.L.A.Y! coordinators get ready for an afternoon of fun.

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org

 

Come and play is the mantra of the Kentwood Parks and Recreation Department as it launched one of its newest programs this year, Positive Leadership Activities for Your or P.L.A.Y!

 

During the week, the P.L.A.Y! mobile vehicle visits one of five Kentwood parks: Veterans Park on Monday; Northeast Park on Tuesday; Home Acres Park on Wednesday; Kelloggswoods Park on Thursday and Pinewood Park on Friday. P.L.A.Y! coordinators bring games, art supplies, and every ball imaginable —basketballs, soccer balls, gym balls, footballs — with the goal of providing free, fun activities for area students.

 

“It is designed to give kids something to do during the summer,” said Scott Cogswell, one of the P.L.A.Y! leaders who also has background in elementary physical education and runs a ski and snowboard shop in Jenison.

 

P.L.A.Y! is a drop-in program and being new, the numbers have been low, Cogswell said, adding that coordinators are seeing returning children especially now that the students know when and where P.LA.Y! will be.

 

“It is a fun and free thing for families,” said Kentwood resident Naomi Miller. Miller said she had planned to check it out after seeing a flyer about the program at Home Acres Park. “Sometimes when you are heading out to the park you don’t know if there will be a friend. This way, you know there will be someone to play with.”

 

Some students play a game in the shade at Kelloggwoods Park.
Some students play a game in the shade at Kelloggwoods Park.

 

Since the beginning of the American Parks and Recreation system — which actually dates back to the early 1900s — the goal of any Parks and Recreation program has been to reach and fill the leisure needs of its community with both R.E.A.C.H. and P.L.A.Y! being excellent examples of how the Kentwood Parks and Recreation Department is doing just that.

 

But providing community program is only one part of what a Parks and Recreation Department offers in any city like Kentwood or Wyoming. Parks and Recreation, developed more than a 100 years ago, through a growing concern for leisure activities and has four components that are still the main focus: adult education, parks, voluntary organizations and playgrounds. Around 1935, many states were passing laws allowing local municipalities to operate parks and recreation departments and by the early 1940s, organized recreation services were firmly established in American life.

 

Kentwood Parks and Recreation Department oversees 16 parks that includes two trailheads at Stauffer Station and Wing Station and is currently following a five-year plan for capital improvements for the parks, Dawson said. In fact establishing that plan was one of the first things Dawson did when she joined the Parks and Recreation Department a couple of years ago.

 

Having some fun on the playground at Kelloggwoods Park.
Having some fun on the playground at Kelloggwoods Park.

By utilizing a mixture of community block grants and other grant money, the Department has been able to add new playground equipment at various parks along with work on basketball and tennis courts at Old Farm Park. Just like Wyoming’s Ideal Park, Kentwood’s Kelloggswood Park was hit by the 2014 tornado with it receiving upgraded bleachers and benches and a picnic shelter.

 

But it has been community involvement in the Parks and Recreation Department that has helped to determine some of the programs and improvements such as the dog park at Kelloggswood Park and the Farmers Market which operates every Saturday morning by city hall, Dawson said. Another example of this community involvement is the tee pads for the disc golf course at Old Farm Park.

 

“Disc golf is popular in the community and it was the owner of GR Hobby and Disc Golf who came to us about the need for concrete tee pads,” Dawson said. Through a series of tourney fundraising effort, the $8,000 needed was raised with players and residents enjoying the upgrade.

 

While halfway through its five-year plan, Dawson said working with residents and community leaders to determine needs and wants has been the key so that everyone — no matter ability, age, or skill — has has the opportunity to play, she said.

Going Local: Le Kabob

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By: Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

Joanne@wktv.org

 

When Mike pulled Le Kabob out of the hat, I was happier than a freed canary. I love Mediterranean food. Tabouli, hommous, shawarmas…bring it on!

 

That enthusiasm probably showed on the way over. “Should I start looking?” “No, we have three miles.” “Should I start looking?” “We have about a mile.”

 

Located in a strip mall near the corner of 28th Street and Shaffer Avenue, we finally got there and the place was humming with activity. Upon entering, the aromas immediately made me smile — these are the smells I know from Dearborn when visiting the restaurants there.

 

Le Kabob has only been at its current location for about two years — before that it was located on Alpine — but the owner has made it feel like home with some Mediterranean touches.

 

Le Kabob saladWe were seated at a booth and Mike immediately spotted the $6.99 lunch special that included a soda, any sandwich and soup or salad. Our server informed us the salad was a traditional side salad but for a dollar more you could select any of the other salads such as tabouli, fattoush, or Greek. I was sold and went for the fattoush salad paired with the falafel, hommous, tabouli wrap cause a girl has got to have her falafel! For those who do not know, a falafel is a deep-fried ball or patty made from ground chickpeas, fava beans, or both. I prefer my falafel with a little hommous, so this wrap was screaming my name.

 

Expecting half portions, I was surprised that the salad was full size. What really makes a fattoush salad is the cumin and baked pita bread and Le Kabob’s had a nice mixture of both along with lettuce, onion, tomato, and cucumber. I was loving it. In fact, I was loving it long after Mike had finished his soup and moved on to his first shawarma wrap. Finally moving on to my sandwich, I was delighted to find the bread was slightly toasted with the wrap getting a thumbs up for freshness and uniqueness.

 

One of the servers thanked us for being patient as they were short-staffed that day. I actually thought for the good-size lunch crowd they had the staff did pretty well on serving everyone and handling take-outs. There was a wait for us to be seated, but the food certainly made it well worth it.

By: Mike DeWitt

Mike.DeWitt@wktv.org

 

We’re only three weeks into Going Local, but it has already been a massive success in my opinion. Granted, that opinion is based solely on my own selfish joy of eating lunch at local havens and being able to call it “work”.

 

Seriously though, I had absolutely no idea the quality of food that exists right in our backyard. Sure, everyone talks about Grand Rapids being beer capital and the food that comes with it, but Kentwood and Wyoming has knocked it out of the park three weeks in a row. The best part is that all of our lunches have been very reasonably priced. So much so that I might even call it generously priced, and Le Kabob was no exception.

 

I’ll admit, I was never big on Mediterranean food until my girlfriend brought me to a place in Detroit last year for some chicken shawarmas. It’s not that I didn’t like Mediterranean food, more that I had never really given it a chance, and I quickly realized what I had been missing. I had a new love, her name was Mediterranean and I can’t thank my girlfriend enough for introducing us.

 

Le Kabob garlic pasteWhen we walked into Le Kabob, I was caught off guard by the size of the restaurant. The last two places we had been to were small and we were the only people there for lunch. Le Kabob was not only much bigger, but it was packed with people there for lunch. Apparently we weren’t the only ones Going Local. We had a slight wait before we were seated and the $6.99 lunch special immediately caught my eye. The picture of the shawarma looked small, so I decided I needed to order two, a chicken and a lamb, on top of my lamb chili. I did not need to order a second one. I repeat, I did NOT need to order a second one.

 

Fresh toasted flatbread was brought out to the table as a starter along with a crush garlic paste to spread. The paste was 98 percent garlic and had some other spices and jalapenos thrown in for good measure. It was crushed up to spread like butter across the bread. It was phenomenal and a second basket of bread was quickly brought to the table after the first was engulfed almost immediately.

 

The lamb chili was good, not exceptional, but it had a little bit of heat and was a great size as a precursor to my two shawarmas. When the shawarmas were set down in front of me, I knew my eyes were bigger than my stomach. However, in my defense, they didn’t look THAT BIG in the picture on the menu. That is my excuse and I will stick with it. But I ordered my meal and I needed to finish the whole thing… my job depends on it.

 

Le Kabob ShawarmaBoth shawarmas were exceptional. The meat was tender and the pita was baked with the right amount of crisp. The lamb shawarma comes rolled with onions, tomatoes, pickles, parsley and tahini sauce. It went down smoothly as the chicken starred me right in the face. The chicken shawarma is rolled with pickles, lettuce, and garlic sauce – I think I hit my yearly garlic intake during the meal. The second shawarma was just as good, but my stomach said no more! Fortunately, I was able to take half the sandwich home in a box and have it for another Going Local lunch the next day.

 

If you even remotely like Mediterranean food, you need to stop in to Le Kabob. The food is prepared daily and the lunch special is very fairly priced. The entrees are a little more expensive ($11.99 – $26.99), but I would imagine they’re every bit as tasty as the lunch.

 

Le Kabob is located at 3122 28th St SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49512. Their phone number is 616-272-4135.

Kentwood seeking old photos, film for 50th anniversary celebration

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This photo is from the book "The Story of Kentwood." It is a the ribbon cutting ceremony for Kentwood's City Center on March 17, 1979. From the left is, Frank Jefferis, representative for U.S. Senator Donald Riegle; James Jansma, representing Robert L. Wold, city center architect; Peter M. Lamberts, Kentwood mayor; Donald TerHorst, president, TerHorst and Rinzema Construction Co., general contractors; Thomas B. Clayton, administrative assistant, Kentwood; the Rev. Robert McBroom, South Kent Baptist Church.
This photo is from the book “The Story of Kentwood.” It is a the ribbon cutting ceremony for Kentwood’s City Center on March 17, 1979. From the left is, Frank Jefferis, representative for U.S. Senator Donald Riegle; James Jansma, representing Robert L. Wold, city center architect; Peter M. Lamberts, Kentwood mayor; Donald TerHorst, president, TerHorst and Rinzema Construction Co., general contractors; Thomas B. Clayton, administrative assistant, Kentwood; the Rev. Robert McBroom, South Kent Baptist Church.

Next year is going to be golden in the City of Kentwood as the municipality marks its fiftieth anniversary in 2017.

 

In preparation, a group of area residents and city officials have come together to plan the city’s 50th anniversary celebration. Part of this planning has included work on creating a video on the city’s first 50 years that will be put together by the local media center WKTV, which serves the Wyoming and Kentwood communities.

 

The Octagon House is one of the iconic landmarks of Kentwood. The house was built in 1855 by Sluman and Delia Bailey.
The Octagon House is one of the iconic landmarks of Kentwood. The house was built in 1855 by Sluman and Delia Bailey.

The City of Kentwood’s 50th Anniversary Committee is looking for photographs, videos and even stories to help tell the story of Kentwood’s birth and first 50 years. Photos, video and other media can be scanned so originals can be returned.

 

Kentwood officially became a city on Feb. 20. 1967. The move was partly to prevent the City of Grand Rapids from its continuing annexation of Paris Township, the name of the municipality before the area incorporated into a city. The goal also was to be able to provide the services residents were demanding as the rural township moved to a suburban community. Various efforts to incorporate started in the 1940s. The 1967 vote passed with 2,212 for incorporation to 2,035 opposed.

 

If you have something or would be willing to share with the committee, please contact Lisa Golder in the city’s planning department. You can reach her at 616-554-0709 or at golderl.ci.kentwood.mi.us.

Rockets red glare are allowed, just make sure you check your city ordinance

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Get a front row ticket for the Grand Rapids fireworks at the Grand Rapids Public Museum.
According to the National Council on Fireworks Safety, fireworks usage is expected to be at an all-time high this Fourth of July.

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org

 

A few years ago, Michigan lifted the ban on consumer fireworks. All fine and dandy (as long as you’re safe and follow the rules), but it certainly is not a free-for-all when it comes to lighting them up — the state legislature allows local municipalities to put in place ordinances on when such fireworks can be used.

 

Consumer fireworks are devices designed to produce visible effects by combustion such as firecrackers sky lanterns, bottle rockets, roman candles and certain aerial shells not exceeding 1.75 inches in diameter.

 

Low-impact and novelty fireworks that are ground-based or handled devices such as wheel fountains, smoke devices, ground spinners, and sparklers, are permitted.

 

But you’ll want to check with your local municipality before you shoot off a bottle rocket or light that roman candle. In both the cities of Kentwood and Wyoming, consumer firework usage is restricted to the day before, the day of and the day after a national holiday.

 

Even on permitted days, there are restrictions. In the city of Kentwood, fireworks are prohibited during the hours of 1 a.m. to 8 a.m. In Wyoming, fireworks are prohibited between the hours of 10 p.m. to 8 a.m. on the day before and the day after the holiday. On the day of the holiday, fireworks are prohibited from midnight to 8 a.m.

 

Also in Wyoming, the ordinance prohibits a person from discharging or displaying fireworks on another person’s property or within 15 feet of another person’s property without the property owner’s permission. You must get a permit to discharge fireworks in a public street or right-of-way, a public park, school property or any other place of public assembly.

 

“We do get a number of complaints during times when people are allowed to set off fireworks and if they are doing it during the allowed time legally, there is not much we can do,” said Capt. Kim Koster with the Wyoming Public Safety Department. Many residents do call the department with concerns over the noise from fireworks upsetting their pets and small children.

 

“If it is endangering public safety or personal property, we are going to investigate to make sure that it is being done safely,” Koster said.

 

According to the National Council on Fireworks Safety, consumer fireworks usage is expected to hit an all-time high this Fourth of July and safety remains a top priority. One of the biggest concerns the council has reported on is an increase in injuries among youth “who have used fireworks in videos unsafely to impress friends or get a laugh.” It is unlawful for anyone under 18 to discharge or display consumer fireworks in the State of Michigan.

 

Another factor is alcohol, said Ellen Bristol, director of internal communications and public relations at Metro Health. “There is a saying that nothing bad ever happens when it starts with a salad,” Bristol said, adding that many of the firework injuries Metro Health has taken care of over the years have had alcohol involved as well. To help with promoting fireworks safety, Metro Health recently put out a blog post on fireworks safety tips.

 

The bottomline, Koster said, is to think about where you are, what you are doing and just be “considerate of your neighbors.”

 

For details on the laws in Kentwood or Wyoming, visit the respective websites.

Slight changes make Kentwood’s Fourth of July celebration really sparkle

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Get a front row ticket for the Grand Rapids fireworks at the Grand Rapids Public Museum.
Kentwood’s Fourth of July fireworks will be at Crestwood Middle School.

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org

 

This year, the City of Kentwood has made a few tweaks to its annual Fourth of July celebration – which will be observed on Monday, July 4 – in an effort to make the activities more centralized.

 

Kentwood’s Marketing and Events Coordinator Laura Barbarick said there was a move by city staff at the recommendation of Mayor Stephen Kepley to pull the events together in one place. So it was decided to have the Kentwood Community Church as the main spot for the morning events with all the evening activities remaining at Crestwood Middle School.

 

The celebration – which has been taking place for more than 35 years in Kentwood – will kick off like it always has with a pancake breakfast from 7 – 11 a.m. in a tent in the east parking lot of Kentwood Community Church, 1200 60th St. SE. Cost is $7/general, free/children 3 and under for pancakes, sausage and eggs.

 

Barbrick noted that because both the 5K race and the parade start and end at Kentwood Community Church, participants and visitors will need to vary their route to the church since 60th Street between Eastern Avenue and Ridgebrook Drive will be closed. The recommend route is to enter the Celebration! Cinema South drive off of Kalamazoo Avenue and follow until it dead ends into Eastport Drive. Turn right and follow Eastport until it dead ends into Ridgebrook Drive, turning right on Ridgebrook Drive to the church.

 

Because of the effort to centralize events both the Autocam 5K Race & Fun Walk and the parade routes are reverse from last year.

 

The 5K begins at 8:30 am. with racers traveling west towards Eastern, north on Eastern with a turn around near the front of CVS so they head south on Eastern and then east on 60th Street. Registration is open up to the day of the race with late registration and check in are at Kentwood Community Church. For more information, visit www.classicrace.com.

 

Immediately after the race will be the parade, set to start around 9:30 a.m. The parade starts at 60th Street and Ridgebrook in front of Kentwood Community Church and will travel west on 60th Street then north to the 52nd Street and Eastern Avenue intersection. Anyone interested in participating in this year’s parade should contact the Kentwood Parks and Recreation Department at 656-5270.

 

The Fourth of July celebration activities continue in the evening at 6 pm. with a carnival at Crestwood Middle School, 2674 44th St. SE., and concluding with fireworks at dusk. There will be a variety of games and rides for the whole family to enjoy. Concession and food trucks will be onsite until 10 p.m.

 

Volunteers are needed for all portions of the celebration. To volunteer or for more information about the event, visit the Kentwood Parks and Recreation Department’s website, www.yourkprd.org or call 656-5270.

Construction work scheduled for 44th street, near airport

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44thmap

Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org

 

Those heading to and from the Gerald R. Ford International Airport might want to add a few extra minutes to their travel time. Starting July 5, the City of Kentwood will be working on 44th Street between Broadmoor Avenue (M-37) to Patterson Avenue.

 

“Forty-fourth Street is the entrance way to Kentwood and the region,” said Kentwood’s Assistant City Engineer Dan VanderHeide, who noted that anyone who has driven on that section of road recently would have noticed it was in poor condition. “We want it to be welcoming to folks to the area.”

 

VanderHeide said one lane of traffic in each direction will be maintained at all times with patrons having access to the airport during the entire construction project. The project is scheduled to be completed in September.

 

The almost $1.9 million project will include milling out the full eight inche of asphalt and replacing it with a new concrete surface. An extended right-turn lane will be added on westbound 44th Street at Broadmoor Avenue and irrigation will be added to the existing median islands. VanderHeide said irrigation will help to green up the medians and there are plans in the future to add trees.

 

The project also includes improving the entrance way to Hearthside Food Solutions. The company applied for and received a $64,444 in Category A Transportation Economic Development Funds (TEDF) from the Michigan Department of Transportation.

 

“Because we oversee 44th Street, we are the ones who will handle the work for Hearthside,” VanderHeide said. “It is just a coincidence that both projects [Heartside Food Solutions and the 44th Street rehabilitation] came to be at the same time.”

 

About a million dollars of the project will be funded through the FHWA in Surface Transportation Program Fund with the City of Kentwood paying for the remaining $758,283. Kentwod-based contractor Kamminga & Roodvoets was awarded the work by MDOT.

 

“I am proud of our team and our community partners who successfully gained the necessary capital which will allow for a major corridor within our community to be greatly improved,” noted Mayor Stephen Kepley.

 

Forty-fourth Street was made a boulevard in 1979. It was last rehabilitated in 2004.

 

VanderHeide said other than the 44th Street project this summer, the city does have scheduled the replacement of four traffic lights at the intersections of 32nd Street and Shaffer Avenue; 52nd Street and Eastern Avenue; 44th Street and Kalamazoo Avenue; and 44th Street and Breton Avenue.

 

Kentwood just completed a rehabilitation project on Walnut Hills Drive from 44th Street to Pffeiffer Woods Dr. SE.

Four LUCAS Life Saving devices are now in Kentwood

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By: Barri Tiggle

A $115,000 grant may have given the Kentwood Fire Department an edge in saving a life.

 

lucas cpr
The LUCAS Chest Compression System

The Kentwood Fire Department recently received a big hand with the help of LUCAS.

 

The 2014 FEMA Assistance to Firefighter grant – which totaled $114,949 – was used to purchase four LUCAS chest compression devices. These devices are designed to allow CPR to be done without human help, outside the first initial 15 – 20 seconds it take to set up the device

 

“The LUCAS devices will be a great asset to the Kentwood Fire Department and the community,” said Kentwood Fire Department Deputy Chief Greg Ginebaugh. “Having the LUCAS CPR device allows more time for airways to be made on the patient, as well as starting IV’s and completing all other needs on the patient.”

 

The idea for the CPR assisted mechanical device derived back in 1991 by Norwegian paramedic Willy Vistung. Years later, the  first LUCAS was created and has since progressed throughout the years.

 

The LUCAS device is used during pre-hospital treatments, in-hospital treatments, and even percutaneous coronary intervention (also known as a PCI, a non-surgical procedure used to open narrow or blocked coronary arteries). LUCAS is equipped with 10 accessories that allow it to work to its full function.

 

It takes a maximum of 20 seconds to set up and adjust LUCAS correctly on a patient. LUCAS is intended to save time for first responders to help in other areas the patient may need, or lack assistance, during manual CPR.

 

Manual (human to human) CPR requires first responders to rotate performing CPR on the patient every two minutes. Since CPR can sometimes last up to 30 minutes, the availability of a LUCAS can save precious time for help in other areas.

 

As of right now the Kentwood Fire Department has four LUCAS devices. There are three fire stations with four primary vehicles and one LUCAS device is placed in each vehicle. There are currently no future plans to receive additional LUCAS devices.

Music, movies, food — Kentwood has it all for its Summer Entertainment Series

3-bottom, City of Kentwood, Entertainment, , , , , ,
The Crane Wives opens the Kentwood Summer Concert Series tonight.
The Crane Wives opens the Kentwood Summer Concert Series tonight.

This summer, Kentwood has got it all the bases covers – music, movies, food – with its Summer Entertainment Series set to kick off tonight with the wildly popular Grand Rapids-based The Crane Wives. The concert is set to start at 7 p.m. behind Kentwood City Hall, 4900 Breton Ave. SE

 

“I think we did pretty well this year,” said Kentwood Parks and Recreation Marketing/Events Coordinator Laura Barbrick, as she looked over the 2016 line up. “We really targeted toward a younger crowd, kind of varying it with what is popular right now.”

 

Locally, no group could be as popular with the younger crowd as The Crane Wives. The local indie-folk band, which includes founders Kate Pillsbury ad Emilee Petersmark along with Dan Rickabus and Ben Zito, had a huge 2015 with the release of its album “Coyote Stories,” which earned the group another Jammie, and the opportunity to open for the Avett Brothers at ArtPrize. The group recently released “Foxlore,” it’s sister record to the “Coyote Stories.”

 

Rockabilly/honky tonk band Delilah DeWylde and the Lost Boys is June 14.
Rockabilly/honky tonk band Delilah DeWylde and the Lost Boys perform July 14.

According to John Sinkevics from localspins.com “Foxlore” certainly represents another bold step forward for this ultra-likable and increasingly popular Michigan act. “Down the River” even features a drum solo of sorts, buoyed by a throbbing, jam-band vibe. That’s followed closely by the airy and atmospheric “Ribs,” with an almost-jazzy milieu, morphing into the slow-cooking, uber-psychedelic, banjo-and-strings balladry of “Can’t Go Back” and the old-timey, clarinet-fueled swing of “Curses.”

 

The rest of Kentwood Summer Entertainment Series musical line up includes Tailshaker, June 16; Vox Vidorra, June 30; Delilah DeWylde and the Lost Boys, July 14; Big foot Buffalo, July 28, and The Accidentals, Aug. 11.

 

But the Kentwood Summer Entertaiment Series isn’t just about music. The city has combined it with its Movie in the Park programs starting with “Back to the Future” June 23; followed by “Frozen” July 21 and wrapping up Aug. 4 with “Star Wars: The Force Awakens.”

 

“In the past, the Movies in the Park have been at Pinewood but it seemed a little bit separated from the other pubic events,” Barbrick said. “So we decided to bring it out to the same venue as the concert series.

 

Because of the music line-up and movie selections, it was decided the series needed more space so it was moved to the lawn area behind city hall. This also provided another opportunity in bringing in local food trucks to the event.

 

“We really wanted the food truck operators to know that they are welcomed at our events and it provides an easy way for guests to grab dinner, dessert, or coffee to enjoy during a concert or later for a movie,” Barbrick said.

 

Food trucks will vary but the ones lined up for this year’s event include Gettin’ Fresh, A Moveable Feast, Daddy Pete’s BBQ, What the Truck and River City Cup and Cake.

 

“With the new venue, several headlining acts, fun family movies, and food trucks, we anticipate this year’s crowds to be the largest to date,” said Parks and Recreation Director Val Romeo. Guests are invited to bring a blanket or chair, kick back and relax with a favorite snack, local craft beer or wine and enjoy the show.

 

For more information, visit the City of Kentwood Parks and Recreation Department Facebook page or their website at www.yourkprd.org.

Kentwood adds a couple new ‘Neighhhh’bors at the old Tassell Ranch

3-bottom, Local Faces, Non-Profits, Our Cities, Pets/Animals, , , , , , ,

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

By: Mike DeWitt

Mike.DeWitt@wktv.org

 

From a new roof to a brand new smile, 3 two Ranch and Equine Assisted Development are creating new beginnings.

 

As Karen Strayer stood on the property and evaluated the future site of 3 two Ranch, she recognized the staggering need for immediate renovation. The old Tassell Ranch in Kentwood, once filled with exotic animals such as zebras and cheetahs, had been abandoned for 25 years and the neglect was evident in the damaged and dilapidated state of the barns.

 

The exteriors of the barns were wasted and worn away, the roofs worked better as sieves, and an unseemly pink and turquoise color scheme from the previous regime insulted the walls.

 

In only four short months, the improvements to the old property have been moving forward steadily. Along with much-needed manual upkeep, a new roof on the stall barn was installed to keep the water out, and the pink and turquoise came off the walls to bare the beautiful wood hidden underneath. As renovations continue, 3 two Ranch will bring in more organizations to help aid in its mission.

 

“The organizations we want involved here at 3 two Ranch will have a mission focused on helping people,” said Strayer, director of 3 two Ranch.

 

In addition to the physical renovations, 3 two Ranch acquired its first partner organization — Equine Assisted Development of the Great Lakes (EAD). EAD was founded in 2009 with a focus on using non-riding horses to help people, especially children, grow and heal from damaged and warped views of themselves — the organization works with alternative high schools, human trafficking victims and other troubled youth. EAD also works with a number of other organizations and groups.

 

Equine Assisted Development 8Deb VanderBand, co-founder of EAD and an equine specialist, noticed that kids could get lost amongst the shuffle of everyday life. They needed help and a purpose. She can relate. “I was a misfit and an outcast as a child. I was always struggling to find a way to fit in. I knew in life that I needed to find a way to help kids who feel that everyday.”

 

While it may seem unconventional to use horses for therapy, horses have the same emotion base that humans do. When it comes to connecting with kids, these animals can break down walls and make strides where adults can’t. A horse’s memory only lasts six seconds, which allows the animal to see a child for who he or she is in that particular moment, whether positive or negative.

 

Deb gave me a personal therapy session so I could better understand.

 

 

Kade in "The Office"
Kade in “The Office”

As I walked into the 140-foot barn better known as “The Office,” Deb brought in three horses — Coe, Cora and Smartie — behind me.

 

Coe owned the place and he knew it. His laid-back demeanor wasn’t going to be affected by the new face in the room, and his control over the situation and the other horses didn’t waiver.

 

Cora was a follower and stayed close to Coe, finding comfort in being a friend to the leader. Smartie was the smallest of the three and easily the most spastic. He never seemed comfortable.

 

The therapy began with an outward analysis of the horses.

 

“Which one is your least favorite?” asked Deb.

 

Smartie, him being uncomfortable made me uncomfortable.

 

Deb followed up quickly, “Which one is your favorite?”

 

Coe, obviously.

 

Coe, Cora and Smartie all lined up
Smartie, Cora and Coe all lined up

Deb dug deeper, “Is Coe your favorite because you see yourself in him or because you wish you were more like him?”

 

Three questions in and I’m already in deep thought… I don’t know, maybe a little bit of both?

 

As I stood there answering followup questions, the horses accepted the vibe I was putting off and started to make their way from one end of the barn to the other.

 

“I’ve never seen them do this before, you give off a very calming presence,” said Deb. “They feel comfortable.”

 

I could feel the confidence rise and I started to puff out my chest. The horses weren’t a fan of the ego as they quickly removed themselves from the situation. That six-second memory wiped clear any positive vibes I was giving off earlier.

 

After the self-evaluation, it was time to jump into action. Along with Karen and Deb’s son Kade, we were to build an obstacle course for the horses to walk through. Sounds easy enough. However, the horses had to walk through the obstacle course with us and we weren’t allowed to touch them.

 

Teamwork and communication would be paramount.

 

The obstacle course of imagination and teamwork
The obstacle course of imagination and teamwork

Armed with our creativity, imagination, lawn chairs, trash bins, and pool noodles, we set forth on building an obstacle course. Initially, as the course was being artfully crafted, the horses kept their distance. The tide began to turn once the horses felt like they were missing out on the positive environment we were creating by working together and enjoying the task at hand.

 

In fact, all three horses lined up unprompted at the beginning of the course, and I now had some new skills to bring back to the station here at WKTV.

 

 

One of Deb’s favorite moments involves one student in particular from Kentwood’s Crossroads Alternative High School.

 

“The young man bonded with one of the horses and was having a blast,” recounts Deb as if the event happened just an hour ago. “One of the teachers walked up to me and said, ‘We have never seen his teeth before. We have never seen a face other than anger.’ That’s the power these horses can have on a child.”

Honoring those who served: Kentwood, Wyoming host Memorial Day activities

3-bottom, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Upcoming Events, Veterans, WKTV Projects, , ,
Joe Rossi with his fellow Marines. Rossi is Wyoming's Memorial Day guest speaker.
Joe Rossi with his fellow Marines. Rossi is Wyoming’s Memorial Day guest speaker.

“Duty, honor, country: Those three hallowed words reverently dictate what you ought to be, what you can be, what you will be. They are your rallying point to build courage when courage seems to fail, to regain faith when there seems to be little cause for faith, to create hope when hope becomes forlorn.” General Douglas MacArthur’s Thayer Award Speech, 1962.

 

Those words, “duty, honor, country” have become synonymous with a soldier. The motto of the United States Military Academy West Point, those words now adorn three arches at Wyoming’s Veterans Memorial Garden, located in front of the Wyoming Public Safety Department, 2300 DeHoop Ave. SW. The final arch, “Country” will be dedicated at the city’s annual Memorial Day Services, set for Monday, May 30, at 7 p.m. at the Veterans Memorial Garden.

 

“Our Memorial Day Ceremony is a tribute to that service and protection,” said Rebecca Rynbrandt, the city’s directory of community services. “We are grateful to have the Veterans Memorial Garden in Wyoming. It is a place where we can hold these ceremonies and where people can honor and reflect, at any time, on those who have protected and those who continue to protect our freedoms.”

 

The new memorial arch, "Country" will be dedicated at Wyoming's Memorial Day Services set for Monday, May 30.
The new memorial arch, “Country” will be dedicated at Wyoming’s Memorial Day Services set for Monday, May 30.

Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, was officially observed when in 1968, General John A. Logan, leader of the Northern Civil War veterans the Grand Army of the Republic, call for a nationwide day of remembrance. The date selected was May 30 since no major Civil War battles had ever been fought on that day. A 100 years later in 1968, the U.S. Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, changing Memorial Day to the last Monday in May with most communities like Wyoming and Kentwood observing it on that day. (Note: The City of Grand Rapids traditionally observes Memorial Day on May 30 no matter when that date falls in the week.)

 

Guest speaker for the Wyoming Memorial Day Services is Retired Lt. Joe Rossi, who is a candidate for judge in the 17th Circuit Court race. Rossi served 22 years as an infantry officer in the United States Marine Corps, including serving in Operation Desert Storm where he commended a rifle platoon of 41 Marines and one sailor. He led a hostage rescue unit and had two presidential recalls to active duty to command the Marine Corps Reserve Center in Grand Rapids, where he mobilized more than 400 Marines for service in East Africa and Iraq.

 

The rest of the program will include the Lee High School Band performing “As Heavens Were a Bell,” the Department of Public Safety Honor Guard firing a rifle salute, and Lee High School graduate and Navy veteran Bronson Sawn performing taps.

 

The city of Kentwood’s annual Memorial Day parade and ceremony also will be Monday, May 30. A parade will begin at 10 a.m. at 48th Street and Eastern Avenue, with the route proceeding west on 48th Street and finishing at the memorial at Veterans Park, 353 48th St. The American Legion Post 208 will host a ceremony at the park following the parade at around 10:45 a.m.

 

Both the Memorial Day programs from Kentwood and Wyoming will be aired on WKTV. The Kentwood Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony are set for 12:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. Monday, May 30, with the Wyoming Memorial Day Service set for around 8:35 p.m.

 

For more on WKTV programming, visit www.wktv.org.

More than 1,500 local students take their graduation walk

3-bottom, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Education, Upcoming Events, , , , , , , , , , , ,
2016 graduation ceremonies kick off tomorrow and run through next week.
2016 graduation ceremonies kick off tomorrow and run through next week.

It’s May. The weather is finally warm. The flowers are blooming and it’s time for more than 1,500 students to take their final walk down the aisle to receive their high school diplomas.

 

In the Kentwood and Wyoming areas, there are 11 schools hosting graduation ceremonies within the next two weeks. Here is a rundown of dates and the top students for each school.

 

Starting out of the graduation ceremonies will be South Christian High, which will graduate 154 students Thursday, May 25. Graduation is set for 7 p.m. at Kentwood Community Church, 2950 Clyde Park Ave. SW. The school has three valedictorians: Joshua Boers, Colin Hartgerink and Nicolas Kuperus.  The remaining students in the top ten are: Peyton DeRuiter, Lucy Dykhouse, Cassidy Huizinga, Hannah Koning, A.J. Samdal, Bradley Scholten and Alex VanKooten.

 

On Friday, May 26, both East Kentwood High School and Godfrey’s Lee High School will be hosting their 2016 graduation ceremonies. Lee High School has around 90 students walking down the aisle at 7 p.m. at Resurrection Life Church, 5100 Ivanrest Ave. SW, Grandville. Making up the 2016 Lee High School top ten are Leonardo Vallejo, Emily Fishman, Selena Knutson, Dino Rodas, Allison Fisher, Giselle Perez, Ivan Diaz, Alonso Lopez-Carrera, Alejandro Vargas and Oliver Lorenzo.

 

East Kentwood High School’s graduation is at 7 p.m. May 26 at the school’s stadium, 6230 Kalamazoo Ave. SE. The rain date is May 27.  Making up the top ten are Andy Ly, Megan Callaghan, Makaela Dalley, Nolan Meister, Sara Anstey, Marilyn Padua, Tran Vo, Hao Nguyen, Venesa Haska, and Matthew Richer.

 

Tri-Unity High School and Wyoming High School will have graduation ceremonies on Tuesday, May 31.

 

Wyoming High School will have 265 students graduate at 7 p.m. May 31 at Grand Rapids First Church, 2100 44th St. SW. The top ten are Montana Earegood, Kayla Kornoelje, Stella Achiyan, Naomi Nguyen, Nhu Quynh, Christopher Hanson, Jada Haines, Rachel Bolt, Lazaro Cruz, and Kelly Gonzalez Diaz.

 

Tri-Unity Christian School will be graduating 17 students at 7 p.m. May 31 at Resurrection Life Church, 5100 Ivanrest Ave. SW, Grandville. The top two students for the class are Lisa McKelvey and Alissa VanderVeen.

 

Godwin High School has 126 students graduating on Wednesday, June 1. Graduation ceremonies are at 7 p.m. in the school’s auditorium, 50 35th St. SW. The valedictorian is Esteban Romero Herrera. The salutatorian is Taylor Jarrett. The rest of the top top are Ashley Soto, Sandra Rivera, Chloe Fritz, Amel Causevic, China Nguyen, Karen Barrose, Hector Zoleta and Alex Mosley.

 

Several area schools will be hosting graduation ceremonies on Thursday, June 2.

 

Kelloggsville High School’s 2016 graduation ceremonies are at 7 p.m. June 2 at Kentwood Community Church, 2950 Clyde Park Ave. SW. The class has 140 students this year. The top ten are: Lan-Phuong Ton, Lucynda Pham, Kim-Ngan Nguyen, April M. Savickas, Shayla Huong Huynh, Ashley Duong, Chantal Lopez, Loc Tran, Michael Truong, and Sang Tran.

 

The Potters House will be graduating 44 students at 7 p.m. June 2 at Plymouth Heights Christian Reformed Church, 1800 Plymouth Ave. SE., Grand Rapids. The valedictorian is Ashley VerBeek and the salutatorian is Emily Stout.

 

West Michigan Aviation Academy has 94 students in its 2016 graduating class. Graduation is at 7 p.m. June 2 at the school, 5363 44th St. SE. Making up the top ten are Abigail Kathleen Austin, Cindy Ngoc Ha, Connor Hendrik Hogan, Jonathan David Ketcham, Jason Thomas Kilgore, Hayley Elizabeth Latham, Jaxyn Bennett Ryks, Emily Ann Seykora, Samantha Rae Stuart, and Joshua Zane Vogeli.

 

West Michigan Lutheran High School is proud that its eight graduates will graduate with over a 3.0 GPA. The graduation baccalaureate service begins at 7 p.m. at the school, 601 36th St. SW, Wyoming. Valedictorian is Allison Klooster and salutatorian is Joshua Andree.

 

On Friday, June 3, Grand River Prep High School has 113 graduates for 2016. This year’s graduation is at 6:30 p.m. Calvin College’s Van Noord Arena, 3195 Knight Way SE. Class valedictorian is Christa Fernando. Salutatorians are Ajilan Potter and Megan Lawrence. The rest of the top ten include Victor Rojas Garcia, Samrawit Kahsay, Taitum Male, Julia Lammy, Antony Nguyen, Giselle Uwera, Mckenzie Male, Hai Truong and Kendall Garland.

 

Big trucks and hotdogs: It’s National Public Works Week

3-bottom, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Kids Activities, Our Cities, Upcoming Events, , ,
Kentwood Public Works Department oversees the city's recycling center.
Kentwood Public Works Department oversees the city’s recycling center.

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org

 

It’s the kid in all of us that watches those big machines that build and plow our roads in wonderment and a little bit of awe. Next week, thanks to two local Public Works Departments, we will all get the chance to let our inner child out.

 

In celebration of National Public Works Week, May 15 – 21, both the Kentwood and Wyoming Public Works Departments will be hosting open houses, giving area residents a chance to discover all that these departments do for the city and its residents.

 

“Road, water, sewer, recycling, household hazardous waste,” said Kentwood Public Works Director John Gordy as he listed off just some of the items area Public Works Departments take care of on a daily basis.

 

In 1960 the American Public Works Association established National Public Works Week to create a better understand of the various responsibilities of a Public Works facility in maintaining the infrastructure of its community. This includes such areas as ground maintenance, sewer and water, potholes and road maintenance, and snowplowing to list a few of the many services provided by these departments.

 

Having hosted a Public Works Week Open House for the past 22 years, the event has become one of the City of Wyoming’s most anticipated activities for families..

 

The City of Wyoming will have various equipment out at its Public Works Open House set for May 16.
The City of Wyoming will have various equipment pieces out at its Public Works Open House set for May 16.

“It has become a tradition,” said Wyoming’s Public Works Assistant Director Aaron Vis. “We have been doing it so long that people have just come to expect that we will be hosting it.”

 

Because there are several entrances into the event, its hard for staff to take attendance, Vis said, adding they estimate attendance by the number of hotdogs served.

 

Last year, the Wyoming Public Works Department went through about 1,800 hotdogs with staff estimating about 1,500 people attended the event. Vis said he expects about the same for this year’s open house which is set for Monday, May 16, from 5 – 8 p.m. at the Wyoming Public Works building, 2660 Burlingame Ave. SW. Various Public Works Department equipment will be on hand for people to explore along with a police cruiser and fire truck. Staff will be on hand to talk to visitors about equipment and projects as well as serving free beverages, chips, and, of course, hotdogs.

 

Kentwood’s Public Works Department will host its first Public Works Week Family Event with the Kent County Road Commission Wednesday, May 18 from 4 – 7 p.m. at the Kentwood Public Works building, 5068 Breton Rd. SE. Road plow trucks and construction equipment will be on hand for visitors to explore along with 20 different displays on various Public Works topics. Gorney said there also will be live demonstrations on maintenance and repair of water and sewer systems and discussions on how and why different improvements are made on roads. Kent County Public Works officials will be there to discuss household hazardous waste and how to properly dispose of such items. There also will be giveaways for children, free snacks, and yes, hotdogs.

 

According to APWA’s website, National Public Works Week has been growing with more and more municipalities participating. Besides Wyoming and Kentwood observing the week, the City of Grandville will have a display at its library as part of Michgian Week BBQ, the City of Grand Rapids will mark the entire week with a display of Grand Rapids Public Works equipment on Market Street, and the City of East Grand Rapids will host a “Touch a Truck” event starting at 10 a.m. Wednesday, May 18.

 

 

Kentwood celebrates paying off 15-year bond for Justice Center

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City of Kentwood has officially paid off its $10 million bond for the Justice Center.
City of Kentwood has officially paid off its $10 million bond for the Justice Center.

There are a couple of things that 62B District Court Judge William Kelly is proud of when it comes to the City of Kentwood’s Justice Center. One, that it was completed on budget and on time and two, the functionality of the facility.

 

“I wouldn’t trade this facility for any courthouse in West Michigan,” Kelly said.

 

And Kelly can add one more thing to that list: the city officially has paid off the $10 million bond issue within its 15-year time frame. To celebrate the achievement, there will be an open house Friday, May 6 at the Justice Center, 4740 Walma Ave. SE,  next to Kentwood City Hall.

 

“The city did it through financial prudence,” Kelly said about paying off the bond, adding that because of that Kentwood has earned AA+ bond rating, which is very rare for a municipality.

 

It was in the face of overcrowding and the need to add police officers to its city that then Mayor Bill Hardiman went to Kentwood residents and told them that if they approved a millage to add an additional 20 police officers to the current 50-member force, city officials would find a way to build the center that would house the 62B District Court and the Kentwood Police Department, according to Kelly.

 

The millage was approved and the Kentwood City Commission set about to do what had been promised.

 

“It was hard for the city commission,” said Kelly, who has served as the district judge for 37 years. “It was the first time the city had ever gone for a bond for a general obligation.”

 

The commission approved a $10 million bond for 15 years to be paid out of the general fund. Several key city officials were involved in the design of the new Justice Center including Kelly, former police chief Richard Mattice and former public works director Ron Woods, who was in charge of overseeing construction.

 

Before the Justice Center, the city had to rent trailers to house some staff from the police and finance departments. Within the current city hall, the former district court space became the city commission chambers and the former police department space became the mayor’s offices.

 

“We are thrilled to make the final payment for Kentwood’s Justice Center,” said Mayor Stephen Kepley. “Our citizens made a significant investment and we have ensured that the facility is paid off on schedule and is adequately maintained for the long-term benefit of the community.”

 

A couple of years later, the city would take out a $15 million bond for a new fire station and public works facility along with the remodeling of city hall and two other fire stations. In 2008, voters approved a library millage for the construction and maintenance needs of the current library facility, which was the last building within the city complex located off of Breton Avenue.

Got Drugs? Kentwood, Wyoming offer safe way to dispose of old, unused meds

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, , , , ,
Both the cities of Kentwood and Wyoming will be hosting drug take back programs on April 30.
Both the cities of Kentwood and Wyoming will be hosting drug take back programs on April 30.

April 30 is National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day and both the cities of Kentwood and Wyoming are participating with drug take back programs on that day.

 

The Kentwood Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration will be accepting medications from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 30, at the Kentwood Police Department, 4742 Walma Ave. SE. For specific questions on the Kentwood program, call 656-6571.

 

The City of Wyoming has once again teamed up with Metro Health Hospital with its program also from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m Saturday, April 30, in the main lobby of Metro Health Hospital, 5900 Byron Center Ave. SW. A pharmacist will be available to answer questions. Also at the Metro Health site, those with mercury thermometers can exchange those items for a new digital thermometer.

 

Drug take back programs like the ones in Kentwood and Wyoming are designed to help with the environment in that it increases awareness about placing medications in the trash or flushing them down the toilet, a practice that is now strongly discouraged as it can create safety and health hazards.

 

“The main thing for us is to keep it out of our water system,” said Wyoming’s Environmental Services Supervisor Dave Oostindie. “If it gets in, it ends up going into the Grand River which feeds into Lake Michigan which is where we pull our water supply from and eventually return back to the residents.”

 

Also, medications that are forgotten in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs.  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention state that 44 people a day die from drug overdoses. That number has tripled since 2000. A majority of abused prescription drugs, such as opioid pain relievers found in homes, are obtained from family and friends with Oostindie noting often the meds are stolen right out of people’s medical cabinets.

 

Residents from both cities are encouraged to bring in unused and expired prescription and over-the-counter medications to their city’s respective drop-off site. Both sites are free and anonymous with no questions asked.

 

Kentwood officials noted that every year they have a number of people bring items that are not accepted such as needles and medical equipment. You can can check with specific organizations such as the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, but many groups pointed to the Kent County Health Department as a good place to start for information on disposal of medical equipment and supplies. Recyclekent.org offers a number of resources on recycling for a variety of materials including hazardous material and medical equipment and supplies.

 

Needles: The recyclekent.org website recently added a program called Safe Sharps, where residents can sign up at the Kent County Health Department. For more information, visit recyclekent.org/material/sharps/. The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) also has a list places to take needles. Click here for the list.

 

Medical equipment: Recyclekent.org has a list of places that either recycle or dispose of the equipment or you can donate medical equipment to them. For a complete list, click here. One place that does take medical equipment is Spring Lake’s International Aid. For more about that organization, visit internationalaid.org.

 

Eye glasses: The Grand Rapids Lions Club has several locations where you can drop off old eyeglasses. For a complete list, click here.

 

There is also the West Michigan Take Back Meds program. a joint effort between local pharmacies, law enforcement, wastewater treatment facilities and government agencies to provide safe, convenient medicine disposal.

 

Medications collected in West Michigan are brought to Kent County’s Waste to Energy Facility, where the items are incinerated. Metro Health and the City of Wyoming partner twice a year to provide this service. Last fall’’s Wyoming event brought in 169 pounds of medication and 18 thermometers.

 

The City of Wyoming also offers a prescription drug drop-off service 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday at its Department of Public Safety, 2300 DeHoop Ave. SW.

Easter Egg hunts, events offer weekend fun for families

3-bottom, Kids Activities, Local Entertainment, Our Cities, Recreation, , , ,

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

joanne@wktv.org

Here comes Peter Cottontail and he’ll be making several appearances in and around Kentwood and Wyoming this weekend and next as Easter marches in.

One of his favorite stops is the Kentwood Activities Center for the annual “Breakfast with the Bunny” Saturday, March 26.

A pancake breakfast will be served from 9 – 11 a.m. at the center, located at 355 48th St. SE. Pictures with the famous Easter Bunny will be from 10 – 11 a.m. There will be other activities including face painting.

Tickets for the event are $5 in advance and $7 at the door. Contact the Kentwood Parks and Recreation for more information. Click here.

Another popular Easter Egg Hunt is the one that takes place in Byron Township. This year’s event starts at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 26, and is for children ages 2-10. The Byron Easter Egg Hunt takes place at Whistlestop Park, 2170 76th St. SW, Byron Center. For more information, click here.

Also in Kentwood, East Paris Christian Reformed Church will host an Easter Egg Hunt from 2 – 3 p.m. Saturday, March 26, There will be a puppet show on the true meaning of Easter followed by the egg hunt. East Paris Christian Reformed Church is located at 3065 East Paris Ave. SE.

On March 27, the Wyoming, Relevant Church will be hosting its 2016 Easter Experience and Carnival from 10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. The event includes an Easter service followed by the carnival. The event takes place at the Wyoming Junior High School, 2125 Wrenwood St. SW. Registration is required for this event. Click here.

There are a number of other Easter Hunts and activities in and around the Kentwood and Wyoming areas. Below are a few more that are either located either close to the area or have an unusual theme. Whatever one you choose, make sure to bring your own basket and double check for weather and changes in the schedule.

March 26

Grandville’s Ivanrest Church will be hosting its annual Easter Egg Hunt on the church’s front lawn from 10 – 11 a.m. The event is for children 10 and under. Ivanrest Church is located at 3777 Ivanrest SW, Granville.

Jenison’s Rosewood Church will host an Easter Egg Hunt from 10 a.m. – noon. There will be three separate areas for ages 1-3, 4-6, and 7-10. The Easter Bunny is scheduled to make an appearance along with coloring activities, balloons, face painting and a drawing for prizes. Donuts and coffee will kick off the event at 10 a.m. with the hunt starting at 10:30 a.m. Rosewood Church is located at 2795 Rosewood Ave., Jenison.

Hudsonville’s Hillcrest Christian Reformed Church will host its annual Easter Egg Hunt from 10 – noon. The free event is open to kids of all ages and includes family time with balloon animals, face painting, prizes, popcorn, candy, snacks and videos. Hillcrest CRC is located at 3617 Hillcrest Road, Hudsonville.

The Gymco at 2306 Camelot Ridge Court will be hosting an afternoon Bunny Hop that includes egg hung, snacks, open gym, crafts, face painting, stories, songs and more. Children under 5 must be accompanied by an adult. Children 6 and older can be dropped off. Cost is $12 per child or $25 per family.

The popular Bunny Train is currently running from Coopersville & Marne Railway, located at 311 E. Danforth St., Coopersville. The Easter Bunny and her cast of wacky, musical characters perform in each of the antique passenger coaches. Departures are 11 a.m., 1:30 and 3:30 p.m. Saturdays, March 19 and 26 and 1 and 3 p.m. Sundays, March 13 and 20. Tickets are $17 for adults, $16 for seniors 60 and older, $15 for children ages 2-12 and free for children under 2. Call 616-997-7000, ext. 3 from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Monday – Friday.

For an unusual Easter Egg Hunt adventure, checkout the Holland Community Aquatic Center which will host its Underwater Egg hunt from 1 to 5 p.m. The Holland Community Aquatic Center is located at 550 Maple Ave., Holland.

Looking for work? Both Wyoming and Kentwood are hiring for the summer

3-bottom, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Our Cities, Recreation, , , , , ,
Both the cities of Wyoming and Kentwood are looking for seasonal help for a number of summer programs.
Both the cities of Wyoming and Kentwood are looking for seasonal help for a number of summer programs.

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

joanne@wktv.org

 

The summer months are quickly approaching which means both the cities of Wyoming and Kentwood are looking for seasonal workers for programs run through the individual muncipalties’ parks and recreation departments as well as additional maintenance help.

 

Both cities are currently accepting applications for seasonal work with positions ranging from umpiring to maintenance in various departments at wages between $9 to $15 an hour.

 

In the City of Wyoming, there are several positions. The city’s Water Department is looking for seasonal maintenance for a variety of tasks. The Department of Public Works is looking for a seasonal yard waste attendant and maintenance and the city’s Parks and Recreation Department is in need of seasonal maintenance workers along with umpires for softball and kickball.

 

The Parks and Recreation Department is also looking for T.E.A.M 21 group leaders for its summer program. T.E.A.M. 21 is a cooperative effort between the Parks and Recreation Department, Wyoming Public Schools, Godfrey-Lee Public Schools, Godwin Heights Public Schools and Kelloggsville Public Schools. The program is designed to foster academic, social and emotional growth among students in kindergarten through ninth grade. Last year, the program served nearly 1,600 students in the four school districts. T.E.A.M. 21 group leaders would be responsible for supervising students, planning and implementing educational and recreational activities and mentoring.

 

Most of the City of Wyoming seasonal positions are part-time. Hours for the different positions vary and some do require weekends. For more information or to apply, visit the City of Wyoming’s website by clicking here.

 

The City of Kentwood is looking for maintenance workers, which is 40 hours per week and pays around $10 an hour.

 

Kentwood’s Parks and Recreation Department has several seasonal positions open as well including a farmers market manager and park attendant. The Kentwood Farmer’s Market usually runs Saturday mornings from about June to October.

 

The Parks and Recreation Department is also looking for Recreation Leaders and REACH staff. The REACH program is a drop-in program in three Kentwood Parks that provides recreational opportunities such as games, sports, and crafts, during the summer months. These positions pay around $10 to $15 per hour.

 

For more information or an employment application, visit the City of Kentwood’s website by clicking here.

Kentwood, Wyoming take recent winter storm in stride

Citizen Journalism, Our Cities, Weather, , , , ,
The intersection of 52nd Street and Burlingame Avenue in Wyoming.
The intersection of 52nd Street and Burlingame Avenue in Wyoming.

Thanks to early warnings from the National Weather Services, warm ground temperatures, advance preparation by local Public Works Departments and the coordination from various municipalities, most travelers had an easy commute this morning.

 

A storm, forecasted by the National Weather Service, hit West Michigan around noon yesterday, leaving about seven to eight inches of heavy wet snow in both Wyoming and Kentwood, with some areas south of 44th Street receiving a little more.

 

“The National Weather Service really got this one right,” said Kentwood Public Works Director John Gorney. “Because of the early alerts, we were able to reorganize our work schedule so we were ready to go when the snow came.”

 

The same held true for the Wyoming Public Works Department, said Wyoming’s Assistant Director of Public Works Aaron Vis.

 

“Because we knew it was going to be a heavy wet snow, we were able to approach it a little differently,” Vis said. Starting about 2:30 p.m., Vis said the Wyoming Public Works department began to work on all of its major roads, salting and clearing them. Once those roads appeared to be staying clear, the plows were redirected to the city’s secondary and local streets.

 

“This way, as we went back out this morning, the plows would be only moving about three to four inches of snow instead of seven to eight,” Vis said. “The goal was to make sure residents wouldn’t get hung up on the instructions and were able to get out of their homes and to work.”

 

Gorney said Kentwood Public Works Department tackled its snow removal similarly by first working on the city’s major roads and the collector roads, which are major roads through the neighborhoods.

 

“The various communities do work together to make sure we are all providing similar services,” Gorney said. “The goal being that if a person is heading down 44th Street, which means they will be going through Grandville, Wyoming and Kentwood, that the plowing is such it appears seamless as the person drives down the street.”

 

Gorney said plows were working through the night with the department’s goal of having all the streets cleared along with the city’s 300 cul-de-sacs, the 20 locations with city sidewalk, all city-owned parking lots, and two miles of bike trails cleared within 24 hours after the storm. This one officially was done by 8 a.m. today, so it should all be cleared by 8 a.m. tomorrow, Gorney said.

 

Vis said Wyoming should be pretty much cleared by 2 p.m. today depending on whether a second lake effect storm comes through as predicted. That storm warning advisory is up through 4 p.m. today.

 

A few things to keep in mind as the plows continue to work on the streets are to slow down, keep a good distance away from the plows, and Vis said for Wyoming residents, keep in mind the odd/even parking rule as it helps the plows clear streets faster.

 

With temperatures expected to jump to the upper 40s by Saturday, the snow will be melting fast. Ground temperatures are also warm which has not allowed the precipitation to freeze.

 

Both Vis and Gorney said residents should not experience any problems as it melts since the drains are clear. However, if residents do see problems, they should contact their respective municipalities.

A Daughter’s Night to Shine: Wyoming and Kentwood Daddy-Daughter Dance in pictures

Kids Activities, Our Cities, Recreation, , , , ,

The Wyoming and Kentwood Parks and Recreation Department each hosted a Daddy-Daughter Dance this past Saturday, February 20. Below are some pictures from the magical evenings.

Wyoming

The Wyoming Daddy-Daughter Dance was a smashing hit with 171 participants and 12 volunteers making sure the event ran smoothly. While dancing was the staple of the event, crafts and games were also held in adjoining rooms.

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Kentwood

Those at the Kentwood Daddy Daughter-Dance had the opportunity to experience A Night In Hollywood by walking the red carpet and having their picture taken. 20 couples – 46 participants in all – got to bask in the movie star experience.

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The dances were a hit and a job well done by the Parks and Recreation Departments.

Dancing with the Stars: A Daddy and his Daughter

Our Cities, Upcoming Events, , ,
Daddy Daughter Dance 1
2015 Kentwood Daddy-Daughter Dance was a smashing hit!

The month of February has a strong connotation with love. A large reason for that is Valentine’s Day and it’s celebration of romantic love, but it’s not the only type of love that takes center stage here in Wyoming and Kentwood. Both cities like to celebrate parental love – a truly unselfish and unconditional love – during the shortest month of the year with a Daddy-Daughter Dance.

 

February 20 marks the special event for both communities.

 

The Wyoming Daddy-Daughter Dance, hosted by Wyoming Parks and Rec, will be held at the Wyoming Senior Center at 6 p.m. The dance features both dinner and dancing for girls ages 3 to 15. The cost is $8 per person and sure to make memories that will last a lifetime. About 150 people are expected to attend. Make sure to register online or call 616-530-3164.

 

Kentwood’s Daddy-Daughter Dance is being held at the Kentwood Activities Center from 6:00-8:00 p.m. The theme is A Night in Hollywood, complete with pictures on the red carpet. The cost is $20 per couple and an extra $5 per person after that. Pre-registration is required, and space is limited, so make sure you register online (code: #147033A).

 

We hope to see you there!

Hearthside Aims to Expand Job Market in Kentwood

Citizen Journalism, Local Business, Our Cities, , ,

hearthsdeThe nation’s largest privately-held baking company is planning on adding to the local job market thanks in part to a grant from the Michigan Strategic Fund.

Hearthside Food Solutions, LLC, est. 2009, specializing in grain-based foods and snacks, announced that due to the generous grant, the company would be able to add as well as train 66 positions to their 3225 32nd Street baking line location. The grant came in order to offset higher energy and operating costs in Michigan, compared to a site they considered in Kentucky.

Based out of Illinois, Hearthside currently employs over 1700 full-time employees in West Michigan, operating four plants, including the 32nd Street location, as well as one on Shaffer Avenue, one on 44th Street, and one on Oak Industrial Drive, off of Michigan St NE. The specific baking line location on 32nd Street was the former Meridian Auto Systems plant before said company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2005.

WKTV reached out for comments from Hearthside, but they could not be reached.

New Bond will help KPS Students Compete in a Global Economy

Area Education, Education, Our Cities, Politics, , ,

KPS School BusWhen voters initially voted down a $64.86 million bond proposal back in May (by only 353 votes), the Kentwood School District asked for feedback from the community and learned that voters did not understand all of the bond’s components. After clarifying the projects the bond would fund—building, security, and technology upgrades and improvements—the new bond was placed back on the November ballot and passed by a vote count of 3,125 to 2,108 on Nov. 3.

“Our community has considered this opportunity with a great deal of care and interest, and has responded in support of our students, families and the broader community as partners in supporting excellence in education,” said Michael Zoerhoff, Superintendent Kentwood Public Schools. “Kentwood has always been a district built on fiscal responsibility, demonstrating prudent management of public funds. We are committed to continue to exercise this same responsibility with the funds generated by this proposal.”

The district has about 8,800 students.

If you live in Kentwood and own a $100,000-dollar home, the bond will cost you about 72 cents per week (an increase from 3.5 mills to 4.25 mills). Here’s where your money will be spent to help students to compete in a global society:

Technology (25% of bond)Kentwood Public Schools Logo

  • New computers and devices to replace outdated technology.
  • Upgrades to the District’s network infrastructure and modernizations at each school location to support and serve more wireless technology.
  • Remodeled media centers with technology updates.
  • Flexible Collaboration Center spaces focusing on state-of-the-art technology and large group instruction throughout the District.

Safety and Security (27% of bond)

  • Updated building-wide communications systems.
  • Gradual replacement of aging school buses. The district currently has a fleet of 43 buses, but only 38 are operational.
  • Updated playgrounds to meet current safety standards.
  • Remodeled school entryways to provide a friendly lobby and limited access to students and classrooms.
  • Enhanced security measures in all schools, including remote-access cameras and ID monitoring.
  • Improved, safer pedestrian and vehicle traffic to and from the Kentwood facilities.
  • Upgrades to plumbing, mechanical, electrical and building systems to extend their useful life and improve operational efficiency.
  • Collaborative, multi-purpose learning centers to support 21st-century education practices.
  • Replacement of aged doors and windows to improve building efficiency.
  • Updated building finishes with new carpet, ceilings and furniture.
  • Improved and expanded parking lots and paved areas.
  • Renovated elementary school media centers, including new technology and furniture.

Operational Efficiency and Building Renovations (48% of bond)

  • Upgrades to plumbing, mechanical, electrical and building systems to extend their useful life and improve operational efficiency.
  • Replacement of aged doors and windows to improve building efficiency.
  • Updated building finishes with new carpet, ceilings and furniture.
  • Improved and expanded parking lots and paved areas.
  • Renovated elementary school media centers, including new technology and furniture.
  • Collaborative, multi-purpose learning centers to support 21st-century education practices.

“Kentwood School DistrictThe Kentwood Public Schools remains committed to providing an education of excellence to every child that we serve,” said Zoerhoff. “Each teacher and staff member at KPS seeks to partner with our families to ensure that positive relationships are developing within the school environment and that high expectations are reflected in the arts, athletics, and within each of our academic programs.”

Specific building project listings and renderings for each school are on display at on the KPS website.

More information can be found on the Facebook pages for Kentwood Public Schools and Kentwood Friends for Education.

Images courtesy of Kentwood Public Schools Facebook page

Trader Joe’s is Open for Business in Kentwood

Local Business, , , , ,

TraderJoesBy: Mike DeWitt

There’s a new grocery store in Kentwood and its California roots and trading market atmosphere are going to make it one of the hottest places in town.

Trader Joe’s opened this past Friday on the south side of 28th street, across from Centerpointe Mall, and is the latest of Mayor Kepley’s ‘Fun Five’ to officially open its doors in Kentwood!

The 12,500 square-foot building possesses a Hawaiian theme with employees wearing Hawaiian shirts. The shelves and product presentation throughout the store give it a feel of your local ‘neighborhood’ grocer. Over 3,000 of the items on the shelf are Trader Joe’s own personal brand and it makes up around 80% of the store’s inventory.

What makes Trader Joe’s stand out, and a destination grocery store, is its original and unique food choices that can’t be found at other grocers. Trader Joe’s also hangs their hat on providing food that is GMO free and excludes other artificial ingredients. While trying Trader Joe’s unique food choices may be a little out of your comfort zone at first, don’t worry, it can be brought back for a full refund if you don’t like what you bought!

West Michigan had been starved for a Trader Joe’s until the recent grand opening. Michigan is now home to seven locations, but six of them are on the East side of the State! Their popularity bodes well for Kentwood.

“Trader Joe’s is a destination spot,” explained an excited Mayor Kepley, “It’s a store that customers will plan a trip around to fill out their grocery lists. It will bring a lot of business to Kentwood.”

Come check out what excitement is all about! Trader Joe’s is open daily from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Toothbrush Manufacturer Bringing Jobs Back Stateside

Local Business, Our Cities, , ,

Ranirmike_dewittWhile many companies are sending their manufacturing overseas, the City of Kentwood is set to receive a shot in the arm with hometown company Ranir bringing jobs back home.

Ranir, the largest manufacturer of store brand toothbrushes, is switching up gears and bringing its manufacturing from China to the company’s headquarters in Kentwood.

By bringing manufacturing back to Michigan, Ranir will create nine new jobs initially. The plant will make about 5 million brush heads per year. Both of those numbers have the potential to grow as the plant grows in the coming years.

While it’s always a
nice story to bring jobs back home, Ranir has found a way for the numbers to make sense and justify leaving the cheap labor costs in China. Greg McCormick, Ranir’s Senior Vice President of Marketing and Business Development, cited the simplification of the supply chain using technology.

“We figured out a way to automate the production by using technology to simplify the design,” explained McCormick, “It takes the complexity out of the supply chain and reduces the amount of shipping time to our customers.”

What China offers in labor costs, Ranir was able to make up in shipping time and technologic
al advancements.

Ranir started in Kentwood over 30 years ago and the company relishes the opportunity to bring work back home.

“It’s very exciting to bring manufacturing back to Michigan!” exclaimed McCormick, “What we’re doing is truly new to world innovation. A lot of major brand names haven’t been able to do this with their products. We are the number one player in retail brush heads, and we’ve been able to figure it out! This gives us an opportunity to bring more jobs home.”

Round up the Family Appetite: Pizza Ranch opens on 28th Street in Kentwood

Local Business, Our Cities, ,
Pizza Ranch Fun Fact: Although it has the word 'pizza' in its name, Pizza Ranch is known for their fried chicken.
Kentwood’s Pizza Ranch is one of over 180 franchises in 13 states. In addition to pizza, Pizza Ranch is known for “The Country’s Best Chicken.”

by Meghan Dooley and Janice Limbaugh

 

Kentwood Mayor Steve Kepley along with Chamber of Commerce President Bob O’Callaghan and others, welcomed the official Grand Opening of Pizza Ranch to Kentwood on Tuesday, January 13. The legendary pizza, fried chicken and salad buffet is the brand’s third location in the state at 3858 28th St. SE.

Pizza Ranch is known for its fried chicken dinners as well as pizzas and buffet variety.
Pizza Ranch is known for its fried chicken dinners as well as pizzas and buffet variety.

 

The new restaurant employs 65 part-time and full-time workers which helps boost the city’s economic growth. For the community it means an alternative offering of pizzas, golden crispy fried chicken and fresh healthy salads, all in a fun, authentic, ranch-themed environment. Pizza Ranch also offers delivery, carryout and group meals of its entire menu.

 

“My wife grew up in Michigan and graduated from Grand Valley State University. A very close family friend is the owner of Sioux Falls South Dakota Pizza Ranch, and impressed us with his restaurant’s focus on community outreach. As we considered how to contribute to the warm community around Kentwood and Grand rapids, introducing a fun new business and some great food to the area was a no brainer,” says Jay Bell, owner of the Kentwood Pizza Ranch.

 

“The Pizza Ranch concept is a legendary experience in communities across the Midwest, and we’re thrilled to bring one to our wonderful family, friends and neighbors around Kentwood.”

 

The first Pizza Ranch opened in 1981 in Hull, Iowa and has since grown to over 180 locations in 13 states and is now based in Orange City, Iowa. Pizza Ranch in Kentwood continues to share the brand’s commitment to serving the community, and not just with its legendary buffet, by partnering with schools, churches, non-profits and other organizations to host fundraisers and social functions. Pizza Ranch restaurants also offer a Community Impact Night, during which members of a participating organization help serve Pizza Ranch guests while they earn tips and a portion of sales from that night. Pizza Ranch prides itself on providing these opportunities to raise awareness and much needed funding for community groups and programs that represent and serve their hometowns.

 

“We are prepared to bring all the Pizza Ranch features fans of the brand have grown to love,” added Bell. “We’ll have community gathering rooms, the legendary buffet, plus carryout and delivery.”

 

For more information about Pizza Ranch in Kentwood and elsewhere, visit PizzaRanch.com.