"The Greatest Show On Earth' will be at Van Andel Arena in downtown Grand Rapids tonight through Sunday. The Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus' "Barnum 200' will feature 130 performers from six continents; and almost 100,000 pounds of performing pachyderms, cowboys, pirates and mermaids.

The Ludington father of a baby who has been missing since late June is facing reduced charges in her disappearance. A judge on Wednesday dismissed a kidnapping charge filed against 21-year-old Sean Phillips. He's jailed on $250,000 bond, and scheduled to be arraigned Tuesday on charges of parental kidnapping and unlawful imprisonment. Phillips now faces up to 15 years in prison instead of a possible life sentence.

For the second year of ArtWalk, the event's organizers are preparing for more creations to fill Grand Haven's streets, storefronts and municipal buildings. This year's event kicks off at noon Sept. 21, when Mayor Roger Bergman and several other city officials do the honor of a ceremonial painting that will hang in ArtWalk headquarters, 20 N. Fifth St., throughout the competition. The opening day ceremony will be held outside of The Grand, 22 Washington Ave.

Today: Scattered showers before 2 pm. Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming sunny, with a high near 59. Breezy, with a north-northwest wind between 15 and 21 mph, with gusts as high as 29 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent. Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 42. Northeast wind between 6 and 11 mph. Friday: Partly sunny, with a high near 59. Southeast wind around 8 mph.

Kitchel-Lindquist Dunes Preserve will host an afternoon family-oriented public hike on Sunday from 2-4 p.m. Committee members will welcome participants at the Dr. Mary S. Kitchel outdoor classroom on the north side of Berwyck, just east of North Shore Drive in Grand Haven. All are welcome to participate.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources on Monday confirmed the presence of a cougar in Ontonagon County. The animal was captured on a trail camera on private property on Sept. 8, walking toward the front of the camera and clearly showing it has an ear tag and a radio collar. DNR Wildlife Division staff visited the property Sept. 12 where the trail cam is mounted and verified the location of the camera.

The Spring Lake school board approved a two-year deal on Tuesday with the district's 40 support staff. The contract is similar to the one approved with the district's teachers last month. The Spring Lake Public Schools support staff includes bus drivers, food service employees and four maintenance employees. Under terms of the contract, support staffers have agreed to a two-year wage freeze and changes in health insurance plans. Some staffers will be eligible for a one-half of a step increase during the second year of the contract.

Prize-winning floral and multimedia artists from around the country will fill 5 acres of groomed woodland in Fruitport with massive floral and floral-related artwork later this month. "A World of Flowers: Cultures, Countries, Continents' will be open from 6-9 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 4-7 p.m. on Sunday. The exhibit is sponsored by Nature's Creative Edge and is open to the public.