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New bike path to cut through Grand Rapids

Submitted by Christa Graban, Producer
Tuesday, December 3rd, 2013, 7:00am
New bike path to cut through Grand Rapids

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich.—A new bike path will soon take shape in Grand Rapids.

The city is getting a $618,514 grant from the Michigan Department of Transportation to create the Seward Avenue Bikeway.  The 3.5 mile bike route will cut through the heart of Grand Rapids and connect nearly 190 miles of regional trails, including the White Pine Trail, Oxford Street Trail and Kent Trails. The path will run along Seward Avenue from Wealthy Street to the Riverside Park trailhead and include a bike shelter, bike lockers, bike signs and signals and an upgraded pedestrian bridge over Indian Mill Creek at Broadway Avenue.

The project is expected to cost just over $1 million.  Additional funding will come from the City of Grand Rapids, Downtown Grand Rapids Inc., Bikes Belong and Freewheeler Bike Shop.  The city commission will recognize all financial supporters during its meeting at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday.    

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Senator Jansen decides against congressional run

Submitted by Christa Graban, Producer
Friday, November 22nd, 2013, 9:35am
Senator Jansen decides against congressional run

KENT COUNTY, Mich.—  Republican Senator Mark Jansen says he will not join the race for Congressman Justin Amash’s seat next year.

“I have decided at this time my focus will continue to help Michigan find the road to recovery, from Grand Rapids to Detroit to the Upper Peninsula to our lake shores,” Jansen said. ”Right now I really feel the call to continue helping Michigan’s recovery as my Senate term ends in 13 short months.”

Jansen says he has been “strongly encouraged” to run for the 3rd Congressional District seat for the past two years.  He believes people want the same level of reform achieved in Michigan to happen in Washington.

Jansen represents the northern portion of Kent County.  The U.S. 3rd Congressional District includes Belding, Rockford, Lowell, East Grand Rapids, Walker, Ada and Cascade, Alpine Township, Sparta, Plainfield Township and all of Grand Rapids.

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Art Van Sports Complex fundraiser meets goal

Submitted by Christa Graban, Producer
Monday, November 18th, 2013, 4:34pm
Art Van Sports Complex fundraiser meets goal

PLAINFIELD TOWNSHIP, Mich.—The West Michigan Sports Commission is one step closer to completing Phase I of the Art Van Sports Complex.

With the help of 40 attendees, organizers say they met their goal during a benefit November 6, raising nearly $4,000 for the complex.  The money will go toward constructing fields at the complex. The West Michigan Sports Commission is also collecting funds by selling engraved bricks, balls and bats that will be placed at the new complex, located at 3300 10 Mile Rd. along the Plainfield Township-Rockford border.

Last week, crews were putting roofs on the grand stands for the championship fields.  Grass is already growing on the Miracle League field. The West Michigan Sports Commission says eight additional fields at the sports complex will be complete by August  2014; teams are expected to begin a full season of play at the facility in spring 2015.

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Kent County honors cleanest restaurants with Food Safety Awards

Submitted by Christa Graban, Producer
Thursday, November 7th, 2013, 1:47pm
Kent County honors cleanest restaurants with Food Safety Awards

KENT COUNTY, Mich.—Where are the safest places to eat in Kent County?

The county health department is answering that question with the 2013 Food Safety Awards.   The agency whittled down the list of 1,654 eligible restaurants to just 269 facilities, based on routine restaurant and food service inspections over the past year.  Under the county’s criteria, restaurants that earn the award must have a certified food safety manager, no confirmed violations of the Michigan Smoke Free Law and no confirmed foodborne illness outbreaks during the year.

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When to trick-or-treat in your community

Submitted by Christa Graban, Producer
Wednesday, October 30th, 2013, 11:39am
When to trick-or-treat in your community

Halloween is Thursday, and many communities have set times for children to trick-or-treat.

Although the weather may not be pleasant, children are encouraged to visit homes and businesses at the following times:  

Ada Township

  • No designated time
  • Fire station #1 trick or treating: October 31,  6 p.m. - 9 p.m.

Alpine Township

  • October 31 until dark/candy runs out

Belding

  • October 31, 6 p.m. - 8 p.m.
  • Halloween Open House: October 31, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. at the fire station

Cannon Township

  • No set time; fire department will hand out treats October 31, 6 p.m.-8 p.m.

Cascade Township

  • October 31, 5:30 p.m. -8:30 p.m.
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Last weekend to enjoy Rockford's Harvest Fest 2013

Submitted by Christa Graban, Producer
Saturday, October 5th, 2013, 6:00am
Last weekend to enjoy Rockford's Harvest Fest 2013

ROCKFORD, Mich.-  Rockford's Harvest Fest 2013 returns October 5 and 6 with “Family Fun Weekend.”

Families can shop for used books, sample smokehouse meats and root beer, check out a petting zoo, jump on a pony for a ride, shop for art and compete in contests.  A free showing of “Epic” will take place at dusk on Saturday, October 5.  See above for the full list of events, times and locations.

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Harvest Fest takes over Rockford

Submitted by Christa Graban, Producer
Saturday, September 28th, 2013, 6:00am
Harvest Fest takes over Rockford

ROCKFORD, Mich.-  Rockford is buzzing this weekend as Harvest Fest 2013 gets underway.

“Heritage Weekend” runs September 27, 28 and 29 throughout the city.  On Saturday, visitors can build scarecrows, watch puppet shows, shop for art, check out antique tractors and classic cars and sample a variety of foods, from chili to barbeque. A Delorean will also be on display before a free showing of “Back to the Future” at dusk.

Harvest Fest 2013 returns October 5 and 6 with “Family Fun Weekend.”  Families can shop for used books, sample smokehouse meats and root beer, check out a petting zoo, jump on a pony for a ride, shop for art and compete in contests.  A free showing of “Epic” will take place at dusk on Saturday, October 5.  

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