Grand Haven Tribune

11:06 AM Aug 12, 2011

City planners look to create new retaining wall rules

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.

10:56 AM Aug 12, 2011

WHAT'S UP: Great night to be outdoors

10:53 AM Aug 12, 2011

SL Yacht Club sailors flourish at WMYA Championships

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

West Michigan Lakers enjoy stellar season on AAU circuit

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

Cougars' game on Saturday cancelled due to forfeit

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.

10:36 AM Aug 12, 2011

President Obama visits Holland plant

President Barack Obama used his visit Thursday to an advanced battery plant in Ottawa County to promote his program to create jobs through clean energy. Obama toured a Johnson Controls Inc. plant in Holland that makes batteries for alternative-fuel vehicles such as hybrid or electric cars and trucks, then spoke to employees and others. Johnson Controls has received a $300 million federal grant and expects to create 150 jobs at facilities in Michigan and Wisconsin, White House energy adviser Heather Zichal said.

10:35 AM Aug 12, 2011

Senior tappers to show their steps during free concert

Bobbie Burke and her fellow senior dancers have tapped into something special. Burke, 93, is the oldest of about a dozen women who practice tap dancing every Friday morning at the Grand Haven Community Center, under the direction of instructor Cathy Weideman. The class members will perform two numbers as part of a free Prevailing Winds Community Band concert, scheduled for 4 p.m. Saturday at Covenant Life Church, 101 Columbus Ave. in downtown Grand Haven.

7:15 AM Aug 12, 2011

NOCH settles with union in privacy dispute over fired nurses case

A dispute between North Ottawa Community Hospital and the union representing a couple of its former nurses over patient information has been settled, avoiding a trial that was set to commence just two days later. "It took almost six months, but two nurses at the North Ottawa Community Hospital have finally received vindication from the employer,' said Mary Holbrook of the Michigan Nurses Association in a statement released Tuesday.

7:15 AM Aug 12, 2011

President Obama to visit Holland this afternoon

President Barack Obama's planned visit to an advanced battery facility in Ottawa County was expected to highlight how technology could help automakers reach new fuel efficiency standards announced by his administration. Obama was to visit a Johnson Controls Inc. facility in Holland this afternoon. His appearance came after announcing new fuel standards for cars, light trucks and work trucks. The Johnson Controls factory makes advanced batteries for hybrid and electric vehicles.

7:04 AM Aug 12, 2011

Today's forecast

Today: Mostly sunny, with a high near 77. Southwest wind between 3 and 10 mph. Tonight: A slight chance of showers, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 65. South wind at 5-9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50 percent. Saturday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 8 am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 75. South wind at 6-10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

4:00 PM Aug 11, 2011

Former CG Station Frankfort to reopen as art center

An historic Coast Guard Station has been transformed into a new exhibition art center in Benzie County. The Elizabeth Lane Oliver Center for the Arts will debut its first public exhibition on Aug. 19. The exhibition featuring noteworthy Northern Michigan artists will include an artists reception from 6-8 p.m. that day. The public is invited. The exhibition will run through Sept. 6. The new art center is at 100 Coast Guard Lane in Frankfort, on Betsie Bay adjoining the channel leading out to Lake Michigan.

2:00 PM Aug 11, 2011

Local musician wears many hats

When Susan Picking took a furlough from her job as a flight attendant in California, her plan was to work full-time as a musician. She didn't realize that becoming a full-time musician entails much more than composing and singing songs. Picking not only writes and sings, she promotes her music, schedules her tours and interacts with fans on social media outlets. It helps that Picking, 47, has a journalism degree from the University of Wisconsin. "Music is changing - it is social media driven,' she said.

1:10 PM Aug 11, 2011

OC Health Dept. offers back-to-school services

The Ottawa County Health Department offers parents help with back to school health care needs. Services include hearing tests, vision screening, immunizations, dental services, and free or low-cost medical coverage to eligible families. Learn more about the available services and schedule an appointment by calling 846-8360 in the Grand Haven area, 616-396-5266 in the Holland area or 616-669-0040 in the Hudsonville area; or visit miottawa.org/health.org.

12:01 PM Aug 11, 2011

Kids learn pirate songs at library

Children in eye patches, pirate hats, and skull-and-crossbone bandanas filed into the basement of Loutit District Library on Wednesday. What would have been a startling sight any other day is expected during the Michigan Pirate Festival, which runs all week at the Grand Haven library.

11:13 AM Aug 11, 2011

Bicyclist, 5, critical after accident

A 5-year-old Hudsonville boy remained in critical this morning at a Grand Rapids hospital after riding his bicycle into the path of a car on Wednesday evening. Evan Matthew Brown suffered serious head injuries in the accident, said Sgt. Keith Garvelink of the Ottawa County Sheriff's Department. The boy was not wearing a helmet.

11:12 AM Aug 11, 2011

Competition fierce for unsettled Trojans

Editor's Note: This is the third in a three-day series looking at the Tribune's area prep football teams. FRUITPORT TROJANS 2010 Record: 7-3 (6-1 Lakes Eight Conference, 1st) Playoffs: Lost in the opening round to Zeeland East, 52-6 Key Returning Starters Offense: 6 (senior Josh Hulka, OG; senior Cody Bayle, OT; junior Amelio Flores, TE; senior Zach Goldman, HB; senior Mike Reyes, HB; senior Logan Six, FB)

10:49 AM Aug 11, 2011

Holland Kennel Club to hold ‘B’ match on Aug. 27

The Holland Kennel Club will hold an AKC-sanctioned "B' match on Saturday, Aug. 27, at Helder Park, 3751 104th Ave. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. and judging will start at 10 a.m. The competition will offer conformation classes divided by breed and age, as well as junior showmanship classes. The match is open to dogs and puppies, 3 months and older, that have not been spayed or neutered and possess full AKC registration papers. The entry fee is $8 for conformation and $4 for junior showmanship. A free plush dog toy will be given to each entry.