11:38 AM Jul 2, 2011
Grand Haven's city and state park beaches received honorable mention on a listing of the Great Lakes' best beaches provided by a Florida International University professor. Stephen Leatherman, nicknamed "Dr. Beach,' gave the honorable mention ranking to Grand Haven, as well as Lake Michigan's North Beach in Racine, Wis.
7:36 AM Jul 2, 2011
The Grand Haven Area Public Schools Board of Education voted unanimously at Monday's board meeting to grant the request of the Grand Haven High School equestrian team to become a varsity, non-funded sport. After a brief presentation given by GHAPS assistant athletic director Robin Bye, and supporting comments by Superintendent Keith Konarska, board member Joanne Query acknowledged the team's coach, JoAnn Kosanic, for her many years of service to equestrian sports in the community.
6:03 AM Jul 2, 2011
Today: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 84. South southwest wind between 10 and 17 mph.
12:01 AM Jul 2, 2011
The Midwest Beach Volleyball Tour will make its second of three planned stops in Grand Haven today. The MBVT Barefoot Wine Open begins at 8 a.m. and continues with action for men's and women's professional and amateur teams, along with age group competitions for those down to 14-and-under. The inaugural event, held on June 11, saw Grand Haven's Stevo VanderWerp and his doubles partner, Evan Engle, take home the Men's Pro Division title. Kellie DeMerrit and Vicki Vega of Royal Oak won the Women's Pro Division.
11:25 PM Jul 1, 2011
A 40-year-old Grand Haven man reportedly drove off westbound Interstate 96 Thursday night and crashed his car into a wooded area west of Ionia. The man, whose name was not released, suffered non-life-threatening injuries and was taken to a hospital by ambulance, WOOD-TV reported. According to police reports, the man's car drifted off the interstate and into a ditch, and struck a tree near the 60-mile marker, near Saranac in Ionia County's Boston Township, at about 10 p.m. Police said alcohol and fatigue were factors in the one-car crash, WWMT-TV reported.
5:44 PM Jul 1, 2011
The National Weather Service has issued a flood advisory for Ottawa County until 5:30 p.m. today. Heavy rainfall with rates of more than 2 inches per hour has occurred across much of the county late this morning and early this afternoon. Runoff from the excessive rainfall will cause minor flooding to occur, especially along small streams and near low water crossings, according to the weather bureau. A flash flood watch remains in effect for Ottawa, Muskegon, Kent, Allegan, Barry, Van Buren, Kalamazoo, Mason, Lake, Oceana and Newaygo counties until 4 p.m. today.
4:03 PM Jul 1, 2011
The Grand Haven Area Jaycees will present the 18th annual Wheels of Grand Haven Car Show in downtown Grand Haven on Sunday, July 10. Event organizers hope to attract more than 325 vehicles competing in 45 classes along Washington Avenue, with trophies provided to the top three vehicles in each class. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. and the cost is $15 to enter. The show is open to the public at no charge, ending at 3 p.m. with the trophy presentation.
2:02 PM Jul 1, 2011
As the nation's blood supply continues to be strained, the American Red Cross is encouraging all eligible donors to make donating blood a part of their summer plans. "Blood collections typically decrease during the summer months because school is out and people are enjoying their summer break,' said Sharon Jaksa, CEO for the Great Lakes Region of the American Red Cross. "However, the need for blood never takes a vacation.'
12:31 PM Jul 1, 2011
The political walls that once divided area municipalities in service collaboration have begun to crumble in recent months. Now, those walls could be reduced to a pile of dust as five Tri-Cities municipalities seek assistance from the Michigan Municipal League in acquiring a grant that would study additional alliances.
12:21 PM Jul 1, 2011
After a winter and spring of repair along a segment of the Grand Haven boardwalk, officials rededicated the section - and announced that they have plenty of funding available for any work in the future. Ken Formsma, who organized the 2009 fundraiser to repair the boardwalk, said the boardwalk will always be able to be maintained because "money is not an issue.'
10:58 AM Jul 1, 2011
A Spring Lake man is making a second attempt to recall state Sen. Arlan Meekhof, R-West Olive. Jason Collins this week filed revised language for a recall petition to remove Meekhof from office. The Ottawa County elections office received the latest request on Wednesday. The proposed language, or the "reason' for the recall, was similar but condensed from a request Collins filed June 7.
10:34 AM Jul 1, 2011
A 36-year-old Spring Lake man sustained minor injuries after his sport utility vehicle was hit from behind by another motorist who drove away from the accident, police said.
10:33 AM Jul 1, 2011
Police say 4-month-old Katherine Phillips remains missing, and the man accused of abducting her is refusing to say where the baby is located. Investigators said Thursday that Sean Phillips, 21, had an argument with Katherine's mother, Ariel Courtland, outside her Ludington home around 1 p.m. Wednesday. When Courtland went inside to get something, Phillips left with Katherine. Police arrested Phillips a short time later in Scottville, but the baby was not with him. Ludington Police issued the Amber Alert for Katherine around 10 p.m. Wednesday.
10:31 AM Jul 1, 2011
A flat-as-a-pancake Lake Michigan may not have cooperated with the pro surfers looking to demonstrate their impressive skills Thursday morning, but ideal weather made the Hurley "Rip My Shred Stick' tour a fun day at the beach for several local children at the Grand Haven State Park.
10:25 AM Jul 1, 2011
In the midst of a dramatic rally that tied the game at 3-3 in the bottom of the ninth, the West Michigan Whitecaps and Fort Wayne TinCaps were suspended due to rain on Thursday night at Fifth Third Ballpark. The game will be resumed on today at 6 p.m. Gates will open at 4 p.m. for season ticket holders and 5:45 p.m. for the general public with Dick Tracewski on hand for a Tiger Friday.