12:10 AM Aug 13, 2011
When a pair of Dave Buursma's close friends suggested that the trio complete a 1,000-mile bike trip around Lake Michigan sometime in late summer, the Spring Lake native was slightly hesitant to conquer the challenge. Buursma's always been comfortable with a soccer ball near his feet; first as a standout at Western Michigan Christian High School, then during a four-year career at Calvin College.
8:58 PM Aug 12, 2011
Police said a Spring Lake Township homeowner woke up early Friday to find a stranger inside his home. Lt. Steve Kempker of the Ottawa County Sheriff's Department said the incident occurred at about 5:45 a.m. on View Drive. The homeowner fled through an open window and ran to a neighbor's house, where police were called. Kempker said an investigation showed that the suspect entered the home by pushing through a screen in an open window. A police K-9 unit was called to track the suspect, but could not locate him.
6:00 PM Aug 12, 2011
Ace investigative work - and a sleeping suspect - aided southwestern Michigan authorities in their hunt for a man accused of stealing all-terrain vehicles from a Van Buren County homeowner's garage. Police said they arrested 26-year-old Ryan Finley of Stevensville sleeping on the ground against one of two stolen four-wheelers near the residence Wednesday morning. Officers said Finley told them he took a Valium and had no idea where he was, but denied stealing anything.
4:00 PM Aug 12, 2011
The Tri-Cities Historical Museum will be hosting a downtown Grand Haven walk at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 17. The walk begins at the museum's Depot location, 1 N. Harbor Ave. The tour will travel east to Central Park and conclude back at the Depot Museum. Historic information about the people who helped develop Grand Haven will be included along with pointed out historic locations. For more information about this free program, call 842-0700.
2:00 PM Aug 12, 2011
The Salvation Army in Grand Haven is signing children up to receive a backpack filled with school supplies. Families may sign up between 9:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. through Aug. 24 at the Salvation Army headquarters, 310 N. Despelder St. Bring proof of residency and income verification, and one of the following for each child: Social Security card, birth certificate or Medicaid card. The event is co-sponsored by Love INC and Tri-Cities Kiwanis. For more information, call The Salvation Army office at 842-3380.
1:00 PM Aug 12, 2011
Shannon Morton always looks forward to the agency's Day of Caring. She knows that many people and agencies are going to get much-needed help on that day. Morton, director of volunteerism for the Greater Ottawa County United Way, said she is hoping to exceed last year's number of 735 volunteers for various projects throughout the county. More than 500 volunteers have already signed up for this year's Day or Caring, which will be held on Sept. 15.
12:00 PM Aug 12, 2011
A weekend event aims to lure those who long to motor along a historic highway - and make frequent stops for bargain hunting. "Michigan's Longest Garage Sale' kicked off today along the state's 180-mile stretch of U.S. 12 between Ypsilanti and New Buffalo. It consists of hundreds of vendors selling wares from homes, farms, businesses and lots. The U.S. 12 Heritage Trail website says visitors to the three-day sale will find some areas with large numbers of vendors and several miles without sales due to the rural nature of the highway.
11:40 AM Aug 12, 2011
A 22-year-old Muskegon man suffered a collarbone and shoulder injury when he dumped his motorcycle at noon Thursday in Grand Haven. Derek Eek was driving his motorcycle west on Robbins Road and making a turn into the D&W plaza, when he apparently braked too hard and lost control, said Sgt. Randy Poel of the Grand Haven Department of Public Safety. Police officers already on the scene of a medical at nearby Robbinswood Living Center walked across the parking lot to help the injured Eek.
11:35 AM Aug 12, 2011
Manufacturing a product in the U.S. today can be as easy as going to a website, finding the materials you need and having them shipped to your door the next day. But as Grand Haven Township resident Jon Moroney discovered, finding basic materials in other places of the world is like a scavenger hunt.
11:23 AM Aug 12, 2011
NDA-MAAMAWIGAAMI means "together we dance,' and it is also the name of a video that will be shown at the Tri-Cities Historical Museum at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 17, as part of the museum's "Our Woodland Ways' program. The video highlights Native American dance as it is done at ceremonial pow wows. The program takes place at the museum's Akeley location, 200 Washington Ave. in downtown Grand Haven. This free program does not require advanced registration. For more information, call 842-0700.
11:20 AM Aug 12, 2011
Authorities said a 38-year-old Amish man has died after being run over by a horse-drawn farm wagon that broke free in southwestern Michigan. The Kalamazoo Gazette and WTVB-AM reported Daniel Yoder of St. Joseph County's Nottawa Township was driving the wagon loaded with hay Thursday night when the yoke between the horses broke, part of the trailer gave way and the wagon rolled down a hill and off the road. Kalamazoo County Sheriff's Department officials said Yoder was run over after falling off the wagon or trying to jump to safety.
11:17 AM Aug 12, 2011
The U.S. Coast Guard rescued four boys from rough Lake Michigan waters off the northwestern Lower Peninsula on Thursday afternoon. The boys were swimming at Frankfort Beach when they were swept hundreds of yards away from shore while clinging to an inner tube. A parent called 911, and a Coast Guard boat rescued the boys about a half-mile from land. The children weren't injured. Two of the boys were 9, one was 11 and one was 13. The beach is located about 30 miles southwest of Traverse City.
11:06 AM Aug 12, 2011
Following a debate on a retaining wall on Highland Drive several months ago, the Grand Haven Planning Commission is taking steps designed to provide specific language to regulate walls in the city. The concept was officially introduced to planning commissioners during their meeting on Aug. 9 and City Planner Kristin Keery said they will be looking at it again in the next several months. "I will bring it back in September (for discussion) and set a public hearing for October,' she said.
10:53 AM Aug 12, 2011
Spring Lake Yacht Club sailors Frank Reeg and Jamie Kimball ruled their respective fleets and were crowned 2011 West Michigan Yachting Association champions last weekend. Their performances came at the 83rd annual WMYA Championships, hosted by Crystal Lake Yacht Club. Reeg took first place out of 57 total boats in the Butterfly Junior Fleet. He edged out fellow SLYC sailor Mason Wolters for first place. Libby Reeg was fifth, Olivia Windemuller sixth and Mara Strobel-Lanka seventh.
10:42 AM Aug 12, 2011
The West Michigan Lakers AAU boys basketball team was founded 10 years ago, but they've never experienced the amount of success that has transpired on the court this spring and summer. The Lakers' 17s squad - comprised of high school seniors-to-be throughout West Michigan - accumulated a final record of 46-8 and won six of their nine tournaments. "I guess I should retire right now,' joked team founder Kevin Tringali, who also coaches girls basketball at Saugatuck High School. "It's been a great run.'
10:36 AM Aug 12, 2011
The Lakeshore Cougars semi-pro football team ideally didn't want to secure their 10th win of the season without stepping onto the field, but an opponents' decision on Thursday forced the scenario. Due to the Northwest Illinois Wildkatz forfeit of Saturday's regular season finale at Buccaneer Stadium in Grand Haven, the Cougars will wrap up their season with an undefeated 10-0 record in the Great Midwest Football League.