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.
10:15 AM Jun 28, 2011
A dog has escaped unscathed from a small plane crash in northern Michigan that killed an Indiana couple and critically injured a 16-year-old boy. The Petoskey News-Review reported the male labradoodle is named Brady and belongs to Austin Hatch, who was being treated Monday at Munson Medical Center in Traverse City. Friday's crash claimed the lives of 46-year-old pilot Stephen Hatch of Fort Wayne, Ind., and his 44-year-old wife Kimberly, Austin Hatch's stepmother.
7:12 AM Jun 28, 2011
Today: Partly sunny, with a high near 70. Breezy, with a west wind at 16 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph. Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 54. North-northwest wind at 5 to 8 mph. Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 69. Northwest wind at around 6 mph.
6:39 PM Jun 27, 2011
Michigan authorities say an online database can help people learn about water quality before they head for state beaches this summer. The state Department of Environmental Quality said today that information on water quality at 1,210 beaches is available at the BeachGuard site. The department said the site can assure people that their favorite beaches are safe for swimming. DEQ officials said water quality at some beaches can be affected by runoff and sewer overflows during heavy, long rains. Fewer than 1 percent of beaches are affected by runoff closings each summer.
3:18 PM Jun 27, 2011
If you're going to have to help out in an emergency or disaster, overlooking Spring Lake from William Ferry Park is a nice place to do it. The local ham radio club operated for 24 straight hours this weekend in the national Field Day event from the Ferrysburg park, making as many contacts with other stations - both in the field using alternative power sources, like the North Ottawa Amateur Radio Club's setup, and home "base' stations.
2:01 PM Jun 27, 2011
Officials in Michigan expect a big apple crop this year. The Holland Sentinel reported today that the Michigan Apple Committee is estimating the state's apple crop this year will be about 28-percent bigger than average. Denise Donohue, executive director of the Michigan Apple Committee, said they're predicting 25 million bushels. Thunderstorms that brought heavy rain and damaging winds to the state earlier this year caused concern among some growers. Michigan is among the nation's top apple-producing states.