GRAND RAPIDS — James Verne Russell, 50, a former Muskegon-area teacher and principal, was sentenced this week to 720 months in the Federal Bureau of Prisons for sexual exploitation of two minors.
National News
The virtual debate between U.S. Rep. Bill Huizenga and Pastor Bryan Berghoef has been rescheduled for Thursday, beginning at 7 p.m.
Michigan's daily number of confirmed cases of the coronavirus was 1,586 on Tuesday, pushing the total number of cases to 149,392.
OCEANA COUNTY — The body of a missing woman from Ottawa County was found Tuesday, according to Oceana County Sheriff Craig Mast.
Michigan State Police troopers are ramping up patrols this week to watch for motorists illegally passing school buses.
Michigan residents voting absentee are now encouraged by the Michigan Secretary of State to drop off ballots at their local clerk’s office or drop box and not via mail.
OCEANA COUNTY — Authorities in Oceana County are searching the Huron-Manistee National Forest for a woman who hasn't been seen since Monday evening.
The COVID pandemic has stretched the limits of help that can be provided by organizations such as Love in Action.
License sales for deer hunting in Michigan are surging this fall, as a number of changes to licenses provide added opportunities for those headed afield.
Grand Haven residents want a downtown ice skating rink, a playground in the shopping area, a hotel to increase density and more in the coming years, according to a survey conducted by the Grand Haven Main Street Downtown Development Authority.
Charges dropped against Michigan barber who reopened shop
TODAY, October 20
Local business owners have universally praised the city’s decision to allow some outdoor dining in front of their restaurants and bars.
The State of Michigan on Monday reported 2,909 new confirmed cases of COVID-19.
A COVID-19 drive-thru testing site in Grand Haven Township on Oct. 20 will no longer be available, according to a news release from the Ottawa County Department of Public Health.
A coalition that includes almost every major environmental organization in Michigan, hunting and fishing groups and the Michigan Oil and Gas Association is an unusual one. But those are the groups endorsing Proposition 1, on the statewide Michigan ballot this election.
Michiganders have through Monday, Oct. 19 to register to vote online or by mail for the Nov. 3 general election.
NORTON SHORES — President Donald Trump drew thousands at a West Michigan on Saturday, holding a raucous rally less than three weeks from Election Day.
President Donald Trump made a campaign stop in Muskegon on Saturday afternoon, speaking to a large gathering of followers. Rock 'n roll legend Ted Nugent performed at the rally.
Skies will remain mostly cloudy today and the temperatures on the cool side. There will be some light showers as well, mainly for southern parts of Lower Michigan.
TODAY, October 19
LONE TREE, Colo. — Darcy Velasquez, 42, and her mother, Roberta Truax, were walking recently in the Park Meadows mall about 15 miles south of downtown Denver, looking for Christmas gifts for Velasquez's two children, when they spotted a store with a display of rhinestone-studded masks.
MINNEAPOLIS — Bill Moore opened his mailbox last week to find a survey from CatholicVote, a conservative group backing President Donald Trump, which proclaimed, “There is a war on Catholics and faith in God.”
NORTON SHORES — President Donald Trump visited Muskegon County Saturday in a push to rally Michigan voters with just a few weeks left until the election. FlyBy Air at the Muskegon County Airport in Norton Shores held the rally.
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services reported 1,791 daily-confirmed cases Saturday. The total number of cases is now 144,897.
The Visual Arts Committee of Grand Haven’s First Presbyterian Church is inviting the community to visit its prayer wall.
Today: A 50 percent chance of showers, mainly after 8 a,m. Cloudy, with a high near 51. West-northwest wind around 11 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph.
PARK TOWNSHIP — There was a time when people would get a job and decide to keep it for their entire working life, but that rarely happens anymore – unless you’re a crossing guard at West Ottawa Public School’s Woodside Elementary School.
Here’s how your local state lawmakers voted on legislation this week:
After a week without direct access to driveways and parking, residents who live along Fulton Avenue on Grand Haven’s east side should be able to access their properties again today.
Judge finds cases against 5 in Whitmer plot can move forward
Due to high water levels on Harbor Island, the Board of Light & Power is considering alternatives for cleaning up the coal combustion residuals on the island.
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic is playing tricks on families’ plans to celebrate Halloween.
Today: A 20 percent chance of showers after 11 a.m. Increasing clouds, with a high near 60. Breezy, with a south wind 9 to 14 mph increasing to 19 to 24 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 36 mph.
SUNDAY, October 18
A frost advisory is in effect from 2-8 a.m. Saturday, and a wind advisory is in effect from 2 p.m. Saturday to 2 a.m. Sunday for Ottawa, Muskegon and Oceana counties.
Michigan has had more than 2,000 new confirmed cases of the coronavirus for two straight days.
ROBINSON TWP. — A Grand Haven woman was pinned in her vehicle after a two-car crash Friday morning at the intersection of Lincoln Street and 136th Avenue in Robinson Township.
GRAND HAVEN TWP. — Lane closures for road work on U.S. 31 south of Grand Haven will resume at 7 a.m. Monday, Oct. 19, through 3 p.m. Friday, Oct. 23.
The Ottawa County health department has announced an updated automated contact-tracing program that will use an expedited algorithm to anonymously collect information about those who have tested positive for COVID-19.
Another suspect charged in alleged Michigan kidnap plot
FRUITPORT — Students at Edgewood Elementary School have a new source of motivation this fall – a book vending machine.
The Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival’s theme for 2021 will focus on the women who currently serve in the U.S. Coast Guard.
A split decision by the Board of Light & Power directors moves forward a master plan to redevelop the former Sims site, a decision that was expected but feared by some in the community.
Today: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm, mainly after 2 p.m. High near 51. West wind 15 to 17 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Like Pepe Le Pew, the Looney Tunes skunk many of us grew up with, stench sticks around.
TODAY, October 16
A hybrid schedule at the secondary school level is helping keep the number of positive COVID-19 cases down, Fruitport Community Schools Superintendent Bob Szymoniak said after announcing new cases identified in the school system earlier this week.
There were 2,030 more confirmed cases of the coronavirus reported in Michigan on Thursday.
ZEELAND — U.S. Rep. Bill Huizenga confirmed Thursday morning that he has tested positive for COVID-19.
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