10:23 AM Jun 29, 2011
The Hope Summer Repertory Theatre's production of the award-winning musical "Return to the Forbidden Planet' by Bob Carlton will open Friday, July 8, at 8 p.m. in the DeWitt Main Theatre. The musical integrates the great works of Shakespeare and music of the 1950s.
10:21 AM Jun 29, 2011
Spring Lake pitcher Nick Keller said it would be "a blast' to continue his baseball career first at the community college level, and then possibly at a larger school down the road. Keller has taken the first step in realizing those goals soon, as he signed a national letter of intent last weekend to pitch at Glen Oaks Community College. Glen Oaks, which is located in Centreville, enjoyed tremendous success a year ago in the Michigan Community College Athletic Association standings, clinching the league title with a 24-6 record.
10:11 AM Jun 29, 2011
The Tri-Cities will be celebrating the nation's independence on Monday with a myriad of patriotic activities in the community. The day kicks off in Ferrysburg, where the annual Fourth of July Parade is scheduled to begin at 10:30 a.m. "We usually get a great turnout, especially down Pine Street,' Ferrysburg City Clerk Debbie Wierenga said. "It's packed with people.'
7:26 AM Jun 29, 2011
Spring Lake Township Clerk Carolyn Boersma has received the annual Township Clerk of the Year award from her peers. The Michigan Association of Municipal Clerks awarded the honor last week during the organization's annual conference in Bellaire. "I think it's a huge honor and a humbling experience,' said Boersma, who has served as the township clerk since 2004 following a term as the president of Kent City.
7:26 AM Jun 29, 2011
A motorcyclist was killed Tuesday when a pickup truck turned into his path in Muskegon County's Fruitport Township, police said. The accident happened around 6:30 p.m. on East Broadway Avenue, near South Quarterline Road. Fruitport Township Public Safety Director Ken Doctor said the motorcycle was westbound on Broadway when an eastbound pickup made a left turn in front of the bike. The motorcycle collided with the truck, killing the rider, who was in his 40s. Investigators said they are still piecing together what led up to the collision.
7:04 AM Jun 29, 2011
Today: Mostly sunny, with a high near 70. Calm wind becoming west-northwest at 7 to 10 mph. Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 57. Northwest wind at 5 to 8 mph, becoming calm. Thursday: A 30-percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 76. South-southeast wind at 5 to 8 mph.
4:06 PM Jun 28, 2011
To complement the "John Adams Unbound' exhibit at Loutit District Library, the director of the Hauenstein Center for Presidential Studies will present "John Adams' View of Fame' - one of the exhibit's themes - at 7 p.m. Thursday, June 30, in the Grand Haven library's Program Room A.
2:03 PM Jun 28, 2011
Funds from an anonymous donor and from the Greater Ottawa County United Way will keep an after-school homework program going for another year. Community C.H.I.L.L. - a program for students from Lakeshore and White Pines middle schools - received $21,000 in funding, including $2,500 from an anonymous donor, said Kim Boersema, secretary to Lakeshore's principal and one of four people who run the program.
1:35 PM Jun 28, 2011
It's somewhat unusual for a teenager to be interested in 200-year-old American history, but it's even more unusual to have a keen interest in the country's second president. But then there's 14-year-old Lizzy Traves, who traveled from her home in Blissfield, about 25 miles northwest of Toledo, Ohio, to listen to the John Adams re-enactor at Grand Haven's Central Park on Monday evening.
11:31 AM Jun 28, 2011
Spring Lake Public Schools could receive an extra $240,000 next year for conforming to what state lawmakers are calling "best practices,' said Superintendent Dennis Furton. Schools across the state should receive a $100-per-pupil funding restoration out of a $470-per-pupil cut if they meet certain cost-cutting criteria - such as sharing services with other districts and making employees pay more of their health care costs. Legislators are still working out the details, but Furton is almost certain that the Spring Lake district will qualify.
11:21 AM Jun 28, 2011
Five of 15 teachers laid off by Spring Lake Public Schools will be called back to teach next year, Superintendent Dennis Furton said. As one of several measures to close a projected $3.1 million deficit for the 2011-12 school year, SLPS laid off 15 teachers, Furton said. Some had their hours cut back, while others were eliminated completely - equating to slightly more than 12 full-time positions being eliminated, according to Furton.
11:11 AM Jun 28, 2011
Spring Lake Christian Reformed Church is sponsoring a food distribution from Feeding America and Love INC at 5 p.m. Wednesday. The distribution is open to any person or family who needs food. There are no other requirements and the distribution is on a first-come, first-serve basis until the supply is distributed. If possible, bring your own bags or a box to carry the food. Help will be available for those not able to carry the food.
11:03 AM Jun 28, 2011
Ottawa County Parks and The Outpost of Holland are offering a hiking and camping program at 7 p.m. Thursday. "What's New in Hiking and Camping' will be presented at the Ottawa County Parks Nature Education Center. Staff from The Outpost will conduct this one-hour indoor program to help you prepare for these experiences. A variety of day packs, foot wear, clothing, tents, sleeping bags, and other hiking and camping accessories will be discussed and displayed during this program for adults and older accompanied children.
10:44 AM Jun 28, 2011
During his 15 years as a paid camper at the Detroit Tigers' Fantasy Camp in Lakeland, Fla., Spring Lake's Norm Campbell has had the chance to share the field with "Mr. Tiger' Al Kaline, receive pitching instruction from 1968 World Series hero Mickey Lolich, and pitch against former third baseman and current Tigers' first base coach Tom Brookens.
10:35 AM Jun 28, 2011
The Grand Haven Patriot's Day Run will be entering its 12th year this summer and once again will stand as a benefit for the Grand Haven cross country program. This year's race will be held Saturday, July 2 at Grand Haven High School beginning at 8:30 a.m. behind the school. The race is a part of a local running series that also includes the recently completed Klever Kickoff to Summer Run and the YMCA Coast Guard Run. The races include a point system which will award overall winners from all three races.
10:17 AM Jun 28, 2011
Area residents are again being warned about the dangers of swimming off Lake Michigan piers after two people were rescued off Holland's north pier on Sunday. A deputy in an Ottawa County Sheriff's Department marine patrol boat was summoned by people on the pier about 6:30 p.m. when a 13-year-old boy jumped off the pier and got in trouble with the current, OCSD Sgt. Keith Koeman said. A 20-year-old acquaintance of the boy jumped in to help, but was not a strong swimmer, and the current started to carry him away from the pier, Koeman said.