Grand Haven Tribune

1:15 PM Jul 8, 2011

GR shooting spree ends in suspect's suicide; victims' names released

UPDATE (1:15 p.m.): An ex-convict who went on a deadly shooting spree targeted two ex-girlfriends, fatally shooting both of them and five members of their families, including his own 12-year-old daughter, police said today. At the start of his hours-long rampage, Rodrick Shonte Dantzler tracked down his daughter and her mother and killed them, along with the mother's own parents. He then went to a different house and killed another former girlfriend, plus her sister and 10-year-old niece.

12:55 PM Jul 8, 2011

Library goes to the birds

Matthew Dickinson, 9, smiled as a colorful bird stood on his shoulders. The macaw, Dickinson's favorite bird, flapped its wings and added to the chorus of squawks throughout the room. Margie Davis of Grand Haven presented a children's program at Loutit District Library on Thursday morning. She brought parrots from the Lakeshore Parrot Haven Sanctuary to teach kids about the birds.

12:04 PM Jul 8, 2011

Local police say they’re ready if it happens here

Ottawa County Undersheriff Greg Steigenga said there were no officers directly involved with assisting in the tragedy that played out in Grand Rapids on Thursday, but there were deputies stationed in squad cars at a few main roadways in the county.

11:39 AM Jul 8, 2011

Minor damage in Fruitport convenience store fire

A small fire at a Fruitport convenience store Thursday night was started by a cigarette butt thrown into a trash can, authorities said. Erin Trattles, an employee at Coop's Dock & Deli, 187 S. Third St., was about to close the store at 9:55 p.m. when she received a call from someone who could see smoke coming from the back of the building. Smoke could be seen coming from the rear of the building, and firefighters extinguished the blaze almost immediately.

11:29 AM Jul 8, 2011

Planning Commission starts initial step to amending Master Plan for PSD

City planning commissioners have decided to move forward with the process of updating the city's master plan, which would allow for a Principal Shopping District within Grand Haven's Downtown Development Authority district. A PSD allows a municipality to collect revenues, levy special assessments and issue bonds in order to address the maintenance, security and operation of a district in order to promote economic development within a defined area.

11:19 AM Jul 8, 2011

WHAT'S UP: We can only imagine what’s beyond the edge of the universe

10:57 AM Jul 8, 2011

Tractor accident kills Marne man Thursday night

A 51-year-old Marne man died Thursday night after he was crushed by a tractor he was driving. The Ottawa County Sheriff's Department said they were dispatched to 2795 Leonard St. in Tallmadge Township at 8:22 p.m. Thursday on reports of a tractor rolling on a person. According to police, Michael Van Dam was driving a tractor with a load of hay in tow across a neighbor's yard. When he was descending a hill, he lost control of the tractor, causing the tractor and trailer to jackknife and overturn.

10:46 AM Jul 8, 2011

Local Chamber of Commerce supports new Detroit bridge

The local Chamber of Commerce has announced its support for a new bridge over the Detroit River. The Board of Directors of the Chamber of Commerce of Grand Haven-Spring Lake-Ferrysburg recently voted to support the New International Trade Crossing - an initiative deemed vital to the economic competitiveness of Michigan, Chamber officials said. The decision was based on a recommendation from the Chamber's Public Policy Committee.

10:39 AM Jul 8, 2011

From childs’ play to running with the big boys

Luanne Bytwerk and her son, Nick, used to enjoy running together. That's no longer possible because Nick, 13, just isn't patient enough to wait for his mom. It's that competitive drive that has propelled Nick Bytwerk into the local triathlon scene. He first competed in the Grand Haven Kids' Triathlon two years ago. Earlier this summer, he took the next step and participated in the adult duathlon at Bear Lake.

10:38 AM Jul 8, 2011

Kids can make drawstring trinket bags at museum

Kids are invited to try their hand at hand-sewing a drawstring trinket bag as part of the Tri-Cities Historical Museum's "Tuesdays History for Kids' program on July 12. The program will take place at the museum from 10-11 a.m. The finished trinket bag can be used to hold marbles, candy, jewelry or any number of small items. Advanced registration is not necessary. For more information about this free program, call 842-0700.

10:37 AM Jul 8, 2011

Fishing report: Catch rates improve as water warms

Catch rates continue to improve as waters warm up, according to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. While some areas might still have bluegills on the beds, other areas report that the fish are coming off the beds and heading to deeper water, the department said in its weekly fishing report. It said this is a good time of year to catch big catfish. SOUTHWEST LOWER PENINSULA

10:36 AM Jul 8, 2011

‘Brother Skunk’s Punishment’ story to be shared July 13

"Brother Skunk's Punishment' is a Native American story that was handed down through the generations. Louanna Welty, a Grand Haven resident and museum volunteer, will be sharing this story during the Tri-Cities Historical Museum's "Our Woodland Ways' program at 10 a.m. Wednesday, July 13. It will take place at the museum's Akeley location, 200 Washington Ave. in downtown Grand Haven. Advanced registration is not necessary. For more information about this free program, call 842-0700.

10:35 AM Jul 8, 2011

Blowing bubbles program at museum on July 19

Area children will be able to blow bubbles using a variety of items and see which ones make the biggest and best bubbles during the Tri-Cities Historical Museum's "Tuesdays History for Kids' program on Tuesday, July 19. It will take place at the museum's Akeley location, 200 Washington Ave. in downtown Grand Haven, from 10-11 a.m. Advanced registration is not necessary. For more information about this free program, call 842-0700.

10:29 AM Jul 8, 2011

Water system project will mean improvements to Mulligan's Hollow

Work is beginning to start on additional improvements to the Northwest Ottawa Water System, near Mulligan's Hollow, and with that project comes plans by the city to optimize recreation options in the area. This work follows a renovation of the water treatment facility on Sherman Avenue that expanded output from 15.5 million gallons per day to 23.25 million gallons per day. The cost of the expansion project was $15.4 million.

7:15 AM Jul 8, 2011

Gunman takes his own life; hostages unharmed

Hours after the shooting stopped, a car chase ended and a gunman wanted for killing seven people took three hostages, Michigan authorities still hoped that the suspect might surrender without another death. Police in Grand Rapids tried to talk an agitated Rodrick Shonte Dantzler into giving up late Thursday. They said his thoughts seemed to swing between surrender and asking officers to shoot him. "He was talking about coming out, giving himself up,' Police Chief Kevin Belk said. "He decided at the last moment to fire the gun.'

7:13 AM Jul 8, 2011

GH boy’s patriotism essay takes 5th place in nation

A White Pines Middle School eighth-grader recently won a $5,000 U.S. Savings Bond for taking fifth place in the country for an essay he wrote on patriotism. Schaefer Thelen's essay was originally part of a class project at the school with the theme, "Does patriotism still matter?' Thelen's work took first place at the Veterans of Foreign Wars district level, earning him a $200 prize. Thelen's essay advanced to the VFW state level, where it also took first place and a $1,000 prize.

7:07 AM Jul 8, 2011

Today's forecast

Today: Sunny, with a high near 80. North-northwest wind at 3 to 7 mph. Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 60. West wind around 6 mph, becoming calm. Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 82. Calm wind becoming south at 4 to 7 mph.