Spring Lake's varsity soccer team made an early statement in what head coach Jeremy Thelen hopes is the first of many this season. The Lakers posted a shutout on Western Michigan Christian, the defending Division 4 state champions Friday evening in the season opening contest for both squads. The Warriors managed just two shots on goal in their 4-0 setback at Spring Lake Soccer Field.

Spring Lake seniors Nic Parnell and Michael Hartliep started their 2011 season the same way they finished a majority of their matches during the 2010 campaign, winning easily. The pair play No. 1 doubles for coach Charlie Bassett's Spring Lake varsity tennis squad, and after winning the Lakes Eight Conference championship and finishing runners-up at regionals last year, they entered the current season with lofty expectations.

French Academy of Cosmetology student Dana Cook will be thinking of a special person in her life as she raises money today for breast cancer awareness. Cook said her grandmother, who was diagnosed 15 years ago, is still going strong at age 83. "Luckily, with my grandmother, they caught it in time,' said Cook, 47.

Village Council on Monday appointed a two-member advisory committee to sort through recently discovered contamination issues at Mill Point Park. Although exact figures won't be known for another week, engineers estimate it will cost between $25,000 and $80,000 to clean up the soil, depending on the method. Excavation for the Grand River Greenway and new restrooms at the park recently uncovered the contamination, according to Village Manager Ryan Cotton. On Monday, Cotton consulted with engineers and construction teams about potential options.