Grand Haven Tribune

6:00 PM Sep 20, 2011

UAW says deal with GM creates or keeps 6,400 jobs

A new four-year contract deal between the United Auto Workers and General Motors Co. will add or keep 6,400 jobs in the U.S. with a $2.5 billion investment, the union said Tuesday. Union leaders from around the country were briefed on the deal in Detroit in a morning meeting, and they voted to recommend that GM's 48,500 factory workers ratify it in voting that will take place in the next week. The deal creates over 5,100 new jobs and keeps around 1,300 others.

4:00 PM Sep 20, 2011

GH man wants OT from TC-area resort

The former tennis pro at a northern Michigan resort is calling "fault' over his pay. Patrick Bruining of Grand Haven recently filed a lawsuit, claiming he's owed overtime for working at Grand Traverse Resort & Spa, which is in Acme Township near Traverse City. He worked for six months until April and said he was wrongly classified as a salaried employee. Bruining said he regularly worked more than 40 hours a week handling lessons, tournaments and other duties.

2:00 PM Sep 20, 2011

Adopt-A-Highway volunteers ready

Adopt-A-Highway volunteers are preparing for the final clean sweep of state highways beginning Saturday through Oct. 2. Approximately 3,100 groups will be out during the nine-day pickup period, said the Michigan Department of Transportation, and they will clean more than 7,000 miles of highways. The Adopt-A-Highway program saves MDOT about $1.5 million a year. The statewide beautification program is supported by groups who pick up litter three times a year - in April, July and September.

1:00 PM Sep 20, 2011

Council OKs PSD boundaries, board membership

Grand Haven officials have set the boundaries and board membership for a Principal Shopping District, and now all that's left is to set a special assessment. City Council voted 4-1 on Monday to implement the PSD in the city's Master Plan, set the boundaries of the PSD to be the current Grand Haven Main Street Downtown Development Authority district and have the makeup of the new PSD Board be identical to the DDA board. Councilman Mike Fritz voted against both plans - claiming now wasn't the right time for the plan to be implemented.

12:00 PM Sep 20, 2011

Calvin College biology professor, a Grand Haven native, dies at 66

Calvin College biology professor David DeHeer, 66, died Friday at Spectrum Health Blodgett Hospital in Grand Rapids. DeHeer, who had a long struggle with pulmonary fibrosis, had declined suddenly in recent weeks. A Grand Haven native, DeHeer attended Calvin through 1966, but completed a degree in zoology (with a minor in chemistry) at the University of Arizona in 1968. He earned a Ph.D. in molecular biology with a minor in biochemistry at the same institution in 1972.

11:32 AM Sep 20, 2011

Crash slows traffic on U.S. 31

One person suffered minor injuries in a three-vehicle accident late Monday morning on northbound U.S. 31, just south of the drawbridge, said Lt. Renee Freeman of the Grand Haven Department of Public Safety. The female passenger of one of the cars was taken by ambulance to North Ottawa Community Hospital. No information was available on her condition.

11:07 AM Sep 20, 2011

College Showcase: Foster scores game-winner for Alma; WMU kicker Potter honored again

Senior Eric Foster, a forward on the Alma College men's soccer team, scored the game-winning goal in a double overtime thriller against Bluffton (Ohio) on Friday. The unassisted goal gave the Scots a 3-2 victory and was Foster's first score of the season. The Spring Lake graduate has recorded a total of four shots in four games played this season. Alma couldn't carry the momentum into its next contest, as it was shutout by Manchester (Ind.) College, 1-0. The Scots season record stands at 3-3 overall.

11:04 AM Sep 20, 2011

Prep roundup: WMC volleyball sweeps Freedom Christian

Western Michigan Christian's varsity volleyball team scored a three-set victory over Freedom Christian on Monday. The Warriors won the match, 25-18, 25-14, 25-12. Ashley Ott served tough for the Warriors, finishing with 17 points and five aces. Rachel Bruinsma led the offense with 15 kills, followed by Elyse Ray with seven. To read more of this story, see today's print or E-edition of the Grand Haven Tribune.

11:00 AM Sep 20, 2011

Pedaling for Parkinsons to take place Saturday

Generation Care is hosting its inaugural "Pedaling for Parkinsons' bike ride on Saturday at the Spring Lake Holiday Inn. The benefit 12-mile ride is scheduled for 9 a.m. The focus of the untimed, non-competitive ride is to raise awareness of the evidence-based benefits of biking on symptoms associated with Parkinsons disease. Registration begins at 8 a.m. Forms can be found at Generation Care's website at www.generationcare.org. For more information, call (616) 935-3300 or (231) 737-4374.

10:53 AM Sep 20, 2011

Library to host virtual visit Saturday with best-selling author

Spring Lake District Library will be hosting a virtual visit via Skype with best-selling mystery author J.A. Jance at 2 p.m. Saturday. Jance will include a reading from her latest novel, "Betrayal of Trust,' which debuted at No. 9 on the New York Times Bestseller List. Attendees will have an opportunity to speak with the author via the video conferencing technology and purchase a book from The Bookman, which will include a book plate signed by the author.

10:52 AM Sep 20, 2011

GR Symphony to open season with Gershwin

From Broadway to the concert hall, American legend George Gershwin composed it all - revolutionizing music by linking jazz influences with orchestral composition. The Grand Rapids Symphony opens its 2011-12 Fox Motors Pops Series this weekend with Gershwin's enduringly popular music. Performances will be held at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and at 3 p.m. Sunday, at DeVos Performance Hall in downtown Grand Rapids.

10:44 AM Sep 20, 2011

Hope College Wind Ensemble to perform ‘Band Classics’ Sept. 23

The Hope College Wind Ensemble will present its first concert of the 2011-12 season at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 23, in Dimnent Memorial Chapel. The public is invited and admission is free. "If you've never seen the Wind Ensemble before, this concert would be a great way to introduce yourself to Hope College's premiere wind and brass group,' said director Gabe Southard, assistant professor of music at Hope.

10:41 AM Sep 20, 2011

‘Bling’-making class to be held at museum Sept. 24

In conjunction with the "Bling' exhibit at the Tri-Cities Historical Museum, local jewelry maker Carla Kocher will be teaching a jewelry-making class at the museum from 9-11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 24. Kocher, a Grand Haven resident, has taught more than 200 jewelry-making classes.

10:37 AM Sep 20, 2011

LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Why the administrative fee?

10:30 AM Sep 20, 2011

House fire started by child playing with lighter

A toddler playing with a lighter started a house fire late Monday afternoon on Slayton Street, according to Lt. Renee Freeman of the Grand Haven Department of Public Safety. Emergency crews responded to 1539 Slayton St. at 3:45 p.m. when a woman called 911 and said a bed was on fire. Andrea Young tried to extinguish the blaze, but quickly called 911 and evacuated the house - said her husband, Matt Young. Andrea and the child were the only ones home at the time. They were not hurt, authorities said.

10:26 AM Sep 20, 2011

2nd annual ArtWalk begins Wednesday

The "Rocket Fish' posters are in, and the brochures containing a map of artists and venues will be ready for Wednesday's reception marking the opening of the second ArtWalk in Grand Haven, said event organizer Steve Loftis on Monday. ArtWalk 2011 kicks off at noon Wednesday when Mayor Roger Bergman and other city officials create a live painting - working under the old Grand Theater marquis in downtown Grand Haven. An opening day party will be held at ArtWalk headquarters, 18 N. Fifth St., from 7-11 p.m. Wednesday.

7:54 AM Sep 20, 2011

One injured in crash of World War II-era plane

A Lansing-area man suffered a leg injury in a crash of an antique airplane shortly after 6 p.m. Saturday at the Hatfield Airport, 18155 120th Ave. Dan Schiffer, 62, seemed otherwise OK, said his cousin, Al Schiffer, another one of the pilots. Dan was taken by ambulance to a local hospital. His condition was unknown at this time. Airfield owner Bill Hatfield said they had about 14 planes onsite Saturday for a gathering called a "Quiet Birdmen Fly-in."