Grand Haven Tribune

11:21 AM Jun 28, 2011

Five laid-off Spring Lake teachers recalled

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

Food distribution at SL church on Wednesday

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

What’s new in hiking, camping to be presented Thursday

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

SL's Campbell to throw out first pitch at Tigers' game

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

Local runners ready to get patriotic at annual 5K

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

Two swimmers rescued near Holland pier on Sunday

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

Dog unhurt in Michigan plane crash that killed 2

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.

10:10 AM Jun 28, 2011

LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Enforce noise ordinance

7:12 AM Jun 28, 2011

Today's forecast

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.

6:54 AM Jun 28, 2011

John Adams portrayed at Central Park

6:39 PM Jun 27, 2011

Michigan beach water quality data available online

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

Hams have Field Day in local park

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 expect big Michigan apple crop this year

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.

1:36 PM Jun 27, 2011

30 years of sand art celebrated at City Beach

More than 200 individuals transformed City Beach from beach to sandbox to art gallery Saturday as they competed in the Sand Sculpture Contest. The Beach Guys - one of 43 teams in the competition - spent two hours sculpting, molding and perfecting a giant sand creation to honor the 30th anniversary of the contest. Their work was similar to the logo on the shirts every participant, judge and volunteer wore - complete with shovel, bucket, lighthouse and a sun in the middle of what read "30th.'

12:30 PM Jun 27, 2011

Zoo animals to visit local libraries Tuesday

Loutit and Spring Lake district libraries will host representatives from the Binder Park Zoo on Tuesday. The Battle Creek zoo will present "Folk Tales from Around the World' to complement the local public libraries' Summer Reading Club theme, "One World, Many Stories.' Zoo representatives will bring live animals along with skulls, furs, horns and antlers. The program continues through stories and skits as representatives present traditional folk tales from different cultures developed to explain the way the animals.

11:37 AM Jun 27, 2011

More than 100 artists help mark 50th anniversary of Downtown Art Fest

The blue sky above shed a bright light on the assortment of colors in paintings, photographs, jewelry and other artwork on display Saturday and Sunday at the Downtown Grand Haven Art Festival. More than 100 artists and booths filled the first three blocks of a barricaded Washington Avenue for the 50th anniversary of the festival, organized by the local Chamber of Commerce and Howard Alan Events Ltd.

11:20 AM Jun 27, 2011

SL Twp. woman arrested after crashing car into tree

A Spring Lake-area woman was arrested and the passenger in her car transported to North Ottawa Community Hospital following a one-car accident early Saturday evening on Hickory Street north of Fruitport Road. The driver of the car - Kirstyn Sabrofky, 21 - was given a breathalyzer test, then arrested on an alcohol related-charge, said Sgt. Keith Garvelink of the Ottawa County Sheriff's Department. She suffered minor injuries that didn't require treatment.