Spring Lake's varsity girls swimming and diving squad was determined at defending its home pool during a tri-meet on Wednesday at the Spring Lake Aquatic Center, but there were some factors involved that prevented the home team from being in top form.

All four of the Tribune's local prep soccer teams appeared in the latest Michigan High School Soccer Coaches Association state rankings this week. Two of those teams will likely remain ranked after scoring wins on Thursday, while two others - Fruitport and Western Michigan Christian - could slip out of the rankings after suffering losses. The No. 7-ranked (Div. 1) Grand Haven Buccaneers team dominated O-K Red Conference foe Jenison on Thursday, 3-0.

In a battle to remain unbeaten in the O-K Red Conference, Grandville prevailed over visiting Grand Haven by turning in a stunning comeback - three wins in a row while facing do-or-die in a best-of-5 games match. Grand Haven coach Katy Walters said the ‘Dawgs achieved the feat by simply outworking the Bucs (21-9 overall, 2-1 O-K Red).

Today: A 30-percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 62. Calm wind becoming north at 10 to 13 mph. Tonight: A 40-percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 49. North-northwest wind between 8 and 15 mph. Saturday: A 30-percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 63. Northeast wind between 5 and 13 mph.

The Ottawa County 4-H Tech Wizards program is seeking caring adults to become mentors for youth attending Central High School in Grand Haven and Van Raalte Tech in Holland. Mentors needed are professionals working in the related fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Applicants must be age 21 and older, willing to complete a background check and be able to commit two hours per week for one school year.

With the stroke of a brush, organizers kicked off Grand Haven ArtWalk 2011 at the stroke of noon on Wednesday. Grand Haven Mayor Roger Bergman, city councilmen Ed Nieuwenhuis and Dennis Scott, and City Manager Pat McGinnis each painted a portion of a special ArtWalk logo that will hang in the event's headquarters, 20 N. Fifth St. "This promises to be a wonderful two-week event in Grand Haven,' Bergman said during Wednesday's opening ceremony. "The organizers and volunteers have outdone themselves.'

With the cutoff deadline for cash assistance enacted under recent welfare reform rapidly approaching, the Michigan Works! Association this week began offering job seekers in Ottawa County - including those who may soon be losing their benefits - a full complement of tools and tips to help them find employment.

As a home economics teacher, Jan Bussard taught her students that what's on the inside of a garment is just as important as what's on the outside. Perhaps back in the mid-1950s she was talking only literally, trying to teach the youngsters at Spring Lake Junior High the importance of strong stitches. But three of Bussard's former students know now that their beloved teacher was laying a pattern of wisdom that they carry with them today - more than a half-century later.