A small group of Grand Haven-area residents think it's OK to disagree - as long as the disagreement is civil. The group is launching the West Michigan Civil Conversation Project early next year to foster "civil' discussions on a variety of topics.

The Grand River Greenway has been in the making for the past quarter-century and continues to be a work in progress.

A statue of baby Jesus has been stolen from a Nativity scene in suburban Detroit.

Michigan State Police said preliminary reports indicate eight people lost their lives in eight separate traffic crashes last weekend - dubbed the 2011 Lifesaver Holiday Weekend.

There was some feeling before Tuesday - especially among the Spring Lake faithful - that this might have been the perfect opportunity for the Lakers to end their losing streak to neighboring rival Grand Haven. In the four years since the non-conference rivalry renewed after a lengthy hiatus, the Buccaneers have gone 4-0, with each win coming by double figures.

The state this week plans to launch a preliminary review of Muskegon Heights Public Schools' finances.

Congress has approved $300 million to keep a multi-year program going that is aimed at fixing some of the Great Lakes' biggest environmental problems, from invasive species to river bottoms laced with toxic chemicals.