Category Archives: City of Wyoming

Vanderwood delivers his first State of the City address

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Wyoming, ,

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
WKTV Managing Editor
joanne@wktv.org

In his first State of the City address, City of Wyoming Mayor Kent Vanderwood called it a “season of change” for the city as he highlighted several successes from 2022 and looked to the future at upcoming projects.

 

Mayor Kent Vanderwood presented his first State of the City address on Jan. 16. (WKTV)

“Change can be scary. With change comes new opportunity. With new leadership comes fresh eyes and energy,” Vanderwood said at the Jan. 16 City Council meeting where he presented the State of the City address. “Building on the legacy of those who have come before, Wyoming is a city with a proud history and a bright future…and I say with confidence that the best days are in front of us.”

Representing that “season of change,” Vanderwood noted that three of the six current city council members are new along with a new mayor pro tem, Rob Postema, as well as himself having been seated as mayor in December. Vanderwood recognized guests State Rep. John Fitzgerald, State Majority Senate Leader Winnie Brinks, whose district includes the cities of Wyoming and Kenwood, and Wyoming Kentwood Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Keith Morgan. He also recognized City Manager Curtis Holt, who will be retiring in February after 23 years of service, along with all the city staff, for their dedication to the city. 

Public Safety Remains a Main Priority

Safety remains the city’s top priority, Vanderwood said. Like most cities, Wyoming saw a sharp increase in crime in 2020 but has seen a reduction in violent crime over the past two years due to the leadership of Chief Kim Koster and her team, Vanderwood said.

The Wyoming Police Department hired 10 additional police officers and has been able to increase crime analysis efforts to help in preventing and solving crime. The team continues to work in removing illegal guns off the street and to help with the opioid and mental health crisis, he said.

The fire department responded to more than 7,000 calls in 2022, Vanderwood noted. To help the increase in call volume, the city has added quick response, a training captain, radio upgrades, and restructured the commend service, he said.

Vanderwood also noted that Wyoming is a growing community, with more than 2,000 building permits, adding about $108 million in construction value. The city has seen about 1,300 new housing units constructed in the past few years. To help with city development, planning, economic development and inspections were placed under one department with Nicole Hofert now serving as the director of community and economic development.

Looking to Meet the Needs of a Growing City

To continue to meet up with the growth of the city, residents will be asked in May to approved a dedicated 1.5 mill that will be used for police, fire, and first responders, Vanderwood said. The millage proposal has a five-year capped which he said would give the city time to look for other ways to fund the staffing needs.

“The reality is clear, we do not have the longterm resources to support our current staffing levels in the police or fire department and our current staffing levels are not adequate to address the current needs of the city,” Vanderwood said, adding that the city has had to rely on surrounding communities for emergency assistance.

“Our city continues to grow but our police department has shrunk nearly 45 people since 2000,” he said.

The millage, which would generate about $3.9 million annually, would allow the city to hire additional police and fire which in turn would increase public safety by decreasing response times, enhancing crime prevention efforts and traffic safety, Vanderwood said, adding that the additional funding would allow fire staff to operate out of all four of the city’s fire stations. Currently, only two stations are staffed.

 

The city will host three public meetings about the millage, the first on March 9 at the KDL Wyoming Branch, 3350 Michael Ave. SW. More information about the millage can be found at wyomingmi.gov/future.

Other 2022 Highlights

The Parks and Recreation Department has new leadership with Krashawn Martin taking the helm. This department runs more than 250 sports and activity programs, along with 12 after school TEAM 21 sites and special events that include the summer concert series, the spring carnival, Memorial Day events, the Trunk or Treat Trail and several other programs. Along with that, the department lead the improvements at Jackson and Gezon parks, which included new playground equipment and splash pads.

 

Vanderwood said the City of Wyoming’s infra structure continues to grow with the city adding its third main for water service along with a new $8 million ultraviolet disinfection facility, which is a cost effective, safer way to clean water.

Looking Ahead

In economic development, residents will see the start of the City Center project this spring with the construction of a new pedestrian bridge on 28th Street and 3.1 miles of new trails that will connect to existing trails within the city. Vanderwood noted that the project was made possible through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. The city received $6 million from the county’s ARPA Funds distribution and has put $10 million of its own ARPA Fund monies toward the project.

Also breaking ground in the spring will be the public market at the former Site 36 location, Vanderwood said. The city kept the northern portion of the site with Franklin Partners purchasing about 74 acres with plans for development of the site.



Also in 2023, the city will be unveiling its branding project that involved many focus groups and community events, Vanderwood said.

“At the outset, I said we are in a season of change,” Vanderwood said. “You have the opportunity to work with us to shape the future of this city. I encourage you all to stay connect, serve on boards and commission and participate in elections.

“As I begin my time as mayor, I look forward to working with city staff, residents, community members, surrounding municipalities and organizations. I am committed to making Wyoming a better place to live, work and play.”

For the complete State of the City address, visit click here.  

South Christian girls beat Catholic Central 65-64 in OT thriller

City of Wyoming, Sports, West Michigan, , ,

South Christian’s Ashley Thomasma led the Sailors with 20 points, including six 3-pointers. (Courtesy, South Christian)



By Cris Greer

WKTV Managing Editor

greer@wktv.org



South Christian Coach Kim Legge summed up her team’s 65-64 OT victory over Grand Rapids Catholic Central Tuesday with three words.

“What a game.”

Down by two points in regulation with five seconds remaining, South Christian’s Lily Nitz sank two free throws to tie the game at 56 apiece.

The Cougars, however, weren’t quite ready for overtime.

After the free throws, they inbounded the ball and took it downcourt for a chance to win. Catholic Central made a layup at the buzzer, but it was called off sending the game into overtime.

Off to overtime

“In overtime, both teams went back and forth with scoring,” explained Legge. “With 1:30 on the clock it was once again all tied up at 62. We hit 4-of-8 field goals and they had 2 out of 5, but also had 3-for-6 on free throws.

“We always have a lot of respect for Catholic Central. Going into the game we knew we would have to put together four solid quarters in order to compete. We have been learning from each game we play and seem to build on those experiences. Our team has talked a lot about consistency and composure in the past few weeks and the team really leaned into that last night.”

Legge talked about Catholic Central’s inside/outside game.

“Grace McKinney and Emily VanTimmeren are both extremely talented and have great moves in the paint,” Legge said. “They also have kids that can shoot the ball so we worked a lot on our closeouts in order to be ready for their shooters.”

VanTimmerman led the Cougars with 20 points.

Ashley Raredon had 16 points and 14 rebounds for the Sailors. (Courtesy, South Christian)



“We are a team that also has an inside and outside game with Ashley Raredon inside and shooters like Ashley Thomasma and Lizzie Wolthuis to name a few.,” Legge explained. “We shot extremely well in the first quarter connecting on 4-of-5 3-pointers.”

Thomasma led South Christian with 20 points, including six 3-pointers. Her biggest trey of the night came with 1:13 left in overtime from the corner on an assist from Raredon to give the Sailors a three-point lead.

Raredon had 16 points and 14 rebounds, while Sophia Prins added 13 points and six boards.  

   

Tuesday basketball scores and team leaders, Jan. 24

City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Sports, West Michigan, ,
(pxhere.com)


By Cris Greer

WKTV Managing Editor

greer@wktv.org


Tuesday, Jan. 24 Boys Basketball

Tri-Unity Christian 51, Schoolcraft 46

(TU: Owen Rosendall, Roy Fogg, 12 points apiece; Akais Giplaye, 11 points, 7 rebounds; Keaton Blanker, 11 points, including the last 4 free throws to clinch the game) 

Potter’s House Christian 73, West Michigan Aviation 57

(PH: Quincy Winkle, 32 points; Aaron Leedy, 16)

Wyoming 79, Zeeland West 41

(WY: Alyjah Chandler, 14 points; Avonte Wiggins, 9)

Catholic Central 71, South Christian 67

Zion Christian 67, Martin 31

East Kentwood at West Ottawa

Benton Harbor Countryside Academy at Lee

Sparta at Godwin Heights

Kelloggsville at Grandville Calvin Christian

Tuesday, Jan. 24 Girls Basketball

South Christian 65, Grand Rapids Catholic Central 64 OT

(SC: Ashley Thomasma, 20 points; Ashley Raredon, 16. CC: Emily VanTimmeren, 20)

East Kentwood 59, West Ottawa 40 Girls 7 pm (WKTV GAME OF THE WEEK)

Zeeland West 55, Wyoming 41

Zion Christian 44, Kent City Algoma Christian 41

(ZC: Madi DeRuiter, 15 points, Josie Doezema, 11. AC: Izzy Lockwood, 15 points; Kassie Moore, 10.)

Godwin Heights 70, Sparta 53

(GH: Imani Taylor, 20 points; Mikasia Witherspoon, 19, including 4 3-pointers. SP: Averi Poet, 13 points.)

Grandville Calvin Christian 56, Kelloggsville 11


Friday, Jan. 20 Boys Basketball

East Kentwood 56, Caledonia 41

Muskegon 84, Wyoming 52

(WY: Alyjah Chandler, 16 points, 4 rebounds; Maxi Morales, 10 points, 6 rebounds)

Lee 74, Zion Christian 41

Godwin Heights 66, Hopkins 58

Kelloggsville 60, Belding 42

South Christian 81, Wayland 54

(SC: Jake Vermaas, 27 points; Carson Vis, 19)

Grand Rapids Covenant Christian 46, Tri-unity 35 

Grand River Prep 69, Muskegon Catholic Central 57

Friday, Jan. 20 Girls Basketball

East Kentwood 65, Caledonia 43

Zion Christian 46, Lee 10

(ZC: Josie Doezema, Jayda Steenbergen, Sam Deutschmann, Brie Alsum, 8 points apiece; LEE: Autumn Johnson, Imonie Davis, 3 points apiece)

Hopkins 68, Godwin Heights 49

(GH: Mikasia Kayter Witherspoon, season-high 19 points; Kashari Babb, 11; Imani Taylor, 10 points. HOPKINS: Matty Weber, 24 points)

Grand River Prep 52, Muskegon Catholic Central 48

(Kennedie Crawford, 25 points, including four 3-pointers; Abby Rivera-Sosa, 19 points)

Belding 52, Kelloggsville 17

Muskegon 70, Wyoming 61

South Christian 54, Wayland 48

Saw the made for TV series or movie? Now read the book

3-bottom, Books, Citizen Journalism, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Recreation, ,

WKTV Staff
joanne@wktv.org

From the Sookie Slackhouse series.
From the Aurora Teagarden series.
From the Midnight, Texas series

You might not know the name Charlaine Harris but you have probably ran across one of the several made for TV series that were based off her books.

NBC’s short-lived “Midnight, Texas,” based off Harris’ “Midnight, Texas” series, followed the mysterious people of Midnight, Texas, as psychic Manfred Bernardo is busy solving the mysteries.

Or how about Hallmark Movies and Mysteries’ “Aurora Teagarden Movies,” which are based on Harris’ Aurora Teagarden series. The story follows librarian Aurora Teagarden as she solves murders in her town of Lawrenceton, in the state of Washington.

Finally, there is HBO’s “True Blood,” which ran for five years from 2009-2014 and was based off of Harris’ Sookie Stackhouse Southern Vampire Series. The mystery series features small-town waitress-turned-paranormal sleuth Sookie Stackhouse as she works with a variety of paranormal characters from vampires to werewolves in solving a series of murders.

Harris’ books are just some of the many you can find on the Kent District Library’s Books to Film selection for the KDL Let It Snow Adult Reading Club.

Adults and teens (11+) who participate in the Let It Snow and read a minimum of six books in different categories between Jan. 3 and March 31 will receive a collectible Let It Snow 2023 ceramic mug. Participants who finish an additional four titles will be entered into a Power Reader drawing to win an Amazon Kindle Scribe with stylus pen or other prizes. 

Partnership provides free, easy access to Narcan

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Community Health, Hard News, Health, , ,

By Maggie Carey
WKTV Contributor

Narcan package (WKTV/Maggie Carey)

The Kent County Health Department has rung in the New Year with a partnership with the Grand Rapids Red Project to provide free access to life-saving Narcan in a vending machine at its main clinic in Grand Rapids.

The Grand Rapids Red Project is a nonprofit that provides health resources to prevent the spread of disease and save lives. They have partnered with the Kent County Health Department and Cherry Health to provide Narcan vending machines in four locations around Kent County.

What is Narcan and how does it work?

Naloxone, sold and marketed under the brand name Narcan, is a life-saving medication that reverses or reduces the effects of opioids. When a drug overdose occurs, Narcan can be given to reverse the effects of decreased breathing and help the patient regain consciousness. For a more scientific explanation from the National Institute on Drug Abuse, Narcan is an opioid receptor antagonist which means it binds to opioid receptors and reverses or blocks the effects of other opioids.

Why is Narcan needed?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly 92,000 people in the United States died from a drug-involved overdose in 2020. The State of Michigan reported in 2018, there were 2,809 deaths from drug overdoses in Michigan alone.

 

In Kent County, Rachel Jantz from the Kent County Opioid Task Force, said there is an increased need for Narcan due to the synthetic opioid Fentanyl becoming more pervasive in the community.

The opioid epidemic is one of the largest public health crises in United States history and Narcan is an available resource to help mitigate drug overdose deaths.

How do you administer Narcan?

The vending machines available in Kent County are stocked with intranasal Narcan, a spray that can only be applied into the nose to produce its desired effect. The Nasal Spray contains only 1 dose of medicine and cannot be reused. The steps of Narcan administration are as follows and cited by the official Narcan website:

Narcan vending machine located at Kent County Health Department, 700 Fuller Ave NE (WKTV/Maggie Carey)

Step 1: Lay the person on their back and support their neck.

Step 2: Remove Narcan Nasal Spray from the box. Peel back the tab with the circle to open the Narcan Nasal Spray.

Step 3: Hold the Narcan Nasal Spray with your thumb on the bottom of the red plunger and your first and middle fingers on either side of the nozzle.

Step 4: Tilt the person’s head back and provide support under the neck with your hand. Gently insert the tip of the nozzle into one nostril until your fingers on either side of the nozzle are against the bottom of the person’s nose.

Step 5: Press the red plunger firmly to give the dose of Narcan Nasal Spray. Remove from the nostril after giving the dose.

 

Step 6: Call 911 for emergency medical help.

Where can Narcan be found?

Narcan is now available for free to residents of Kent County at four locations thanks to the Grand Rapids Red Project and its partnership with the Kent County Health Department and Cherry Health. These machines have 24-hour access and to use them, just type in the slot that has an available pack and the vending machine will distribute the pack cost-free.

Residents are encouraged to take a one or two of the sprays to have on hand for an emergency. Narcan has a shelf life of about two to three years. Recent studies have shown that naloxone, the drug in Narcan, can last up to 30 years past its expiration date although people are encouraged to refresh their supply within that two- to three-year mark.

The locations of the four vending machines are:

 

Kent County Health Department, 700 Fuller Ave NE (located at the environmental health entrance which is left from the main building entrance)

Cherry Health’s Heart of the City, 100 Cherry Street SE

Red Project, 401 Hall SE

Cherry Health’s Montcalm Health Center, 1003 N Lafayette St.

Check it out! Our latest WKTV Friday Night Highlights Show, Jan. 20

Citizen Journalism, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Sports, West Michigan, ,



By Cris Greer
WKTV Managing Editor

Take a look at our latest edition of WKTV Friday Night Highlights, January 20!

Every Friday, we’ll bring you an abundance of great local high school boys and girls basketball clips from the Wyoming and Kentwood areas, as well as highlighting some top performers and giving a snapshot of the latest conference standings.

Coming soon, we’ll have coaches and players stop by our studio after their games to chat on the show.

Thanks for watching, and see you next Friday!

Wyoming investigates shooting, body of missing man found

3-bottom, City of Wyoming, Crime Prevention, Hard News, , ,

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
WKTV Managing Editor
joanne@wktv.org

The search for a missing Wyoming man came to a sad end over the weekend as his body was discovered in a swamp area in Byron Township.

Raymond Tarasiewicz, 68, was reported missing by his family on Nov. 21, 2022. He was last seen at his home around 7:30 a.m. Nov. 21, 2022. According to a Facebook post in Wyoming Michigan Informed, he was seen on his driveway on Steff Court. According to family members, Tarasiewicz suffered from early signs of dementia.

On Friday, Jan. 20, a family searching for their missing dog found the body in a semi-rural area of Kent County near the intersection of Ivanrest Avenue and M-6, according to a release from the Wyoming Department of Public Safety. According to reports, the family saw the dog in the area and went to search. The dog was later found a few miles away from that area.

The Kent County Sheriff’s Office was called to the location at approximately 1:45 p.m. and worked with Wyoming investigators to identify the remains as those of Tarasiewicz. According to police, there was no obvious indications of foul play or self-harm. The circumstances surrounding Tarasiewicz’s death remain under investigation and an autopsy will be conducted by the Kent County Medical Examiner’s Office.

The Wyoming Department of Public Safety expressed its condolences to the family and there has been an outpouring from the community for the family on social media.

Shooting in Buchanan Avenue area

The Wyoming Department of Public Safety responded to a shooting in the 3200 block of Buchanan Avenue on Jan. 21 at 4:07 a.m.

A duplex residence was struck by numerous rounds of fired by unknown individuals. A 50-year-old female who was sleeping in the residence was struck in the arm by one round. She was transported to the hospital for treatment and is in stable condition at this time. Both residences in the duplex and a vehicle in the driveway were struck by gunfire. Other individuals were present in the homes, but no one else was injured.

A silver sports car was seen leaving the area shortly after the shooting and is being sought by investigators.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact Wyoming Police at 616-530-7300 or Silent Observer at 616-774-2345 or 1-866-774-2345. Tips can also be left at Silent Observer’s website.

Covenant Christian outlasts Tri-unity in defensive struggle Friday

City of Wyoming, Sports, West Michigan, , ,
(Courtesy Image, Tri-unity Christian)



By Greg Chrapek

WKTV Contributor

One little run proved to be the difference when long-time rivals Covenant Christian and Tri-unity Christian hooked up in a non-league contest on the Defenders home court Friday.

That mini-run came at the end of the third quarter and into the fourth, and was the difference as Covenant Christian edged Tri-unity 46-35.

“Whenever Covenant Christian and Tri-unity play we always seem to have good games,” Tri-unity Coach Mark Keeler said. “It was a close game all the way, but they built a 10-point lead at the end of the third quarter and the start of the fourth quarter and that was all it took. It was back and forth the rest of the way.”

Points were in short supply in the early going as both teams came out and played lock-down defense. Covenant Christian led by a bucket, 8-6, at the end of the first quarter. Even less points were put on the scoreboard in the second quarter. Tri-unity outscored Covenant 5-3 during that quarter and the game was tied at 11 at halftime.

“It was a war out there,” Keeler said. “It’s not like we didn’t shoot the ball. When you play against such great defense the shots just don’t fall. There was a lot of great intensity out there especially on defense.”

The shots began to fall a little more frequently in the second half. Covenant outscored Tri-unity 17-13 in the third quarter and led 28-24 at the end of three. Covenant Christian built the lead to 10 early in the final quarter and finished the final stanza outscoring the Defenders 18-11.

A learning experience

“It was a great game and a game we can learn from,” Keeler said. “It especially teaches us to be more consistent on defense. If we played defense like we did in the first half all the way through the game we would’ve been right there. Sometimes it’s hard to maintain that intensity and that is something we need to work on.”

Akais Giplaye led Tri-unity in scoring with 11 points, followed by Jordan VanKlompenberg, seven and Owen Rosendall, six. Roy Fogg led Tri-unity with six rebounds, while Giplaye added five.


Roy Fogg led the Defenders with six boards. (Courtesy, Tri-unity)





Covenant Christian, which improved to 7-5 overall, was paced in scoring by Isaac Kuperus with 10 points, Johnny Kuiper, nine and Logan Holstege, Brett Camminga and Ethan Deemter, eight apiece.

With the loss, Tri-unity fell to 8-2 overall. Both losses came against teams substantially larger as the Defenders fell to Division 1 Muskegon Mona Shores at the Cornerstone Tournament over Christmas break, while Covenant Christian is a large Division 3 school.







Tri-unity continues a rugged stretch of games against larger schools next week. The Defenders travel to Schoolcraft Tuesday to play the defending Division 3 state champions and then host Alliance League rival Potter’s House on Friday and Godwin Heights on Jan. 31.

“We have a tough schedule,” Keeler said. “We are just starting a real tough stretch right now. We are 8-2 with 11 more games and six of them are against some really, really tough teams.”

Strong defense

Tri-unity will face that tough slate of games with a defense that has been strong all season. Through 10 games this season the Defenders are allowing 39.2 points per game with only three opponents managing to reach 50 points or more and no team able to score more than 56 points on the Defenders.

“We’ve had some good wins against some good teams this year,” Keeler said. “The guys have been coming along. Our defense in the second half was not as good as it should’ve been. We’ve improved a lot on defense since the beginning of the season and that is what has helped us go a long way in the past.

“Tonight was a great game and a good experience for our young men. Losing can be a very good avenue to teach players how to improve.”

Let It Snow: Mystery and Thriller book suggestions

3-bottom, Books, Citizen Journalism, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Recreation, ,

By Kent District Library
kdl.org

“I’ll be honest, when someone suggested ‘The Silent Patient’ to me, I thought it sounded pretty routine and so I passed,” said WKTV Managing Editor Joanne Bailey-Boorsma. “Then my daughter, a registered nurse, mentioned how her co-workers told her she needed to read the book.

“She got it. Read it in two days and then gave it to me. I couldn’t put it down and then, it was the twist that I never expected.”

“The Silent Patient,” by Alex Michaelides, is just one of many possible options under the KDL Let It Snow Mystery and Thriller book selections which also includes “Run Rose Run,” by James Patterson and Dolly Parton, “Gone Girl” by Gillian Flynn and Agatha Christie’s “And Then There Were None.”

Based on a Greek myth, “The Silent Patient” centers around the story of famous painter Alicia Berenson who has killed her husband and stops speaking and Theo, a therapist determined to unlock her secrets.

Adults and teens (11+) who participate in the Let It Snow and read a minimum of six books in different categories between Jan. 3 and March 31 will receive a collectible Let It Snow 2023 ceramic mug. Participants who finish an additional four titles will be entered into a Power Reader drawing to win an Amazon Kindle Scribe with stylus pen or other prizes.

Quintin Williams scores 27 points to lift Wyoming over Holland Tuesday

City of Wyoming, Sports, ,
Wyoming’s Quintin Williams (4). (WKTV/Greg Chrapek)



By Greg Chrapek

WKTV Contributor



A breakout game by senior guard Quintin Williams helped Wyoming to a big win as the host Wolves defeated Holland 72-54 in OK Green action Tuesday evening.

Williams erupted for a season-high 27 points to pace the Wyoming offense as the Wolves came on strong in the second half to earn their second win in the last three games. Williams had a previous high-scoring game of 17 points this season, but against Holland, Williams filled the scorebook with buckets as he attacked the basket off the dribble.

“I tried to get to the rim,” Williams said. “I feel that I was checking up too much before. Tonight, I tried to get to the basket consistently.”

Williams turned in a consistent offensive performance against Holland as he scored seven points in the first quarter, seven points in the second quarter and finished the game strong with 11 points in the final quarter.

“Quintin did a nice job of controlling the ball,” said Wyoming Coach Thom Vander Klay. “He did a nice job of getting to the rim and pulling up when it wasn’t there. I think he was a little pumped up early, but he settled down and did a nice job.”

Wyoming senior guard Alyjah Chandler (10) sets up the offense against Holland. (WKTV/Greg Chrapek)

Williams had plenty of help both on offense and on the defensive end as the Wolves needed a total-team effort to overcome some early foul trouble that kept the game tight in the early going.

Wyoming led 15-14 at the end of the first quarter. The Wolves led throughout the second quarter and a three-point play on a drive to the hoop at the end of the first half by Williams gave Wyoming a 34-27 halftime lead.

“I thought that our kids off the bench did a great job,” Vander Klay said. “We had a little bit of foul trouble in the first half and we needed a lot of kids to come off the bench. They gave us some quality minutes and played their roles really well.”





Wyoming began to take command of the game during the second half. The Wolves outscored Holland 7-3 to start the second half and take a 41-30 lead. Some stingy defense also was key for the Wolves during the third quarter as the Wyoming defense limited Holland to eight total points in the third quarter. Wyoming protected the double-digit lead it built and went into the final quarter leading 46-35.

A 7-0 run to start the fourth gave the Wolves some breathing room. The run was capped by a three-point shot by Maxi Morales that put Wyoming up 53-35.

Holland cut the Wyoming advantage to 55-41 midway through the fourth quarter before the Wolves put the game on ice with an 8-0 run that increased the Wyoming lead to 63-41.



Maxi Morales (3) of Wyoming tries to get open during OK Green action against Holland. (WKTV/Greg Chrapek)

“This was a big win for us,” Williams said. “We’ve had an up and down season and this win can help turn our season around.”

The win improved Wyoming to 3-6 overall for the season and 2-2 in the OK Green.

“We keep getting better and better,” Vander Klay said. “We are getting better, but sometimes the kids are not so sure when you don’t get the wins. I think the kids feel good to get this win.”

Along with 27 from Williams, Wyoming received eight points from Logan Marvin and seven points apiece from Maxi Morales and Alyjah Chandler. Avonte’ Wiggins added six points, while Donavyn Edwards and Warren Williams added five each, Jacob Reeder, three points and Buster Cross and Gage Behrenbrinker, two apiece.

Holland fell to 2-8 overall, 0-4 in the Green. Cameron Ferguson led the Dutch with 12 points.





Wyoming returns to action Friday when it hosts state-ranked Muskegon, which entered play Tuesday at 8-0.

Grand River Prep girls beat Lee 50-27, notch first win

City of Wyoming, Sports, West Michigan, ,
Grand River Prep sophomore Kennedie Crawford scored 19 points in the win. (Courtesy, Grand River Prep)



By Cris Greer

WKTV Managing Editor

greer@wktv.org



Kennedie Crawford and Abby Rivera-Sosa combined for 31 points to propel Grand River Prep to its first win of the early season.

The Titans knocked off Lee 50-27 to improve to 1-1 in the Alliance League, 1-3 overall, while Lee dropped to 0-2 in the league, 1-9 overall.

“Abby and Kennedie played very well tonight offensively and defensively,” said Grand River Prep Coach Morgan McMullan, who averaged 10 points per game while at NorthPointe Christian a few years ago. “They really stepped up as my point guards tonight. I’m proud of them.”

Crawford, a sophomore who started as a freshman as well, led with 19 points against Lee, including three treys.

Grand River Prep senior Abby Rivera-Sosa. (Courtesy, Grand River Prep)

“She’s a very quiet leader, but she leads and makes sure she gets her teammates open, and makes sure she’s scoring as well,” McMullan said. “She’s an all around great player.

“Her and Abby have led the way this season in points.”

Rivera-Sosa, a senior, added 12 points against Lee.

“I think we definitely turned the corner,” said McMullan, of getting their first win of the season. “It comes down to who really wants to win … and we’re the team that wanted to win more.

“We’ve been practicing two months with barely playing any games. We had four games that were cancelled in the beginning of the season. We feel like we can only go up from here, honestly.”

McMullan also was impressed with the play of her sophomore center Samantha Mendoza, who scored six points.

“We’ve been working with her a lot to get rebounds and put them back up,” McMullan said. “She worked really hard on the boards tonight.

As far as the Alliance League goes, McMullan said she thinks her Titans should compete really well against the other teams.

Brann goes from state house to Wyoming City Council

3-bottom, City of Wyoming, Hard News, ,

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
WKTV Managing Editor
joanne@wktv.org

Tommy Brann takes the oath of office from Wyoming City Clerk Kelli Vandenberg as his wife,Sue, holds the Bible. (WKTV)

Acknowledging it was a tough decision, the Wyoming City Council appointed former state House Representative Tommy Brann to fill a vacant council seat.

The seat was vacated by John Fitzgerald, who was elected in the fall to serve as the 83rd District State House Representative. Fitzgerald had two years left of a four-year term with the seat up for election in 2024.

The city received 19 applications to fill the vacant seat. Through a ranking process, the council narrowed the field down to four candidates: Andrea Boot, Tommy Brann, Gabriella De La Vega, and Robert Kilgo. 

At a special meeting on Jan. 16, each candidate had a 30-minute interview where council members asked a series of questions and candidates asked questions and gave a final statement as to why they should be selected for the open council seat. After a short discussion, each council member voted for the candidate they wanted to appoint. Brann received four of the six votes. De La Vega and Kilgo each received one vote.

The council then had a motion to appointed Brann to the vacant seat, which passed unanimously. Brann took the oath office after the vote. 

Focusing on the needs of the city

“As I said when we got started, I knew this was going to be a challenge,” said Wyoming Mayor Kent Vanderoowd. “I knew two weeks ago that it was going to be a challenge with great, great applicants.

“We are looking at different strength sets and different skill sets and we have to decide which is best for the city right now because we can only appoint one.”

Wyoming Mayor Kent Vanderwood with recently appointed Council member Tommy Brann.(WKTV)

Looking at what the needs are of the city, Vanderwood said council needed to appoint the person who brought the “most to the table to serve our greatest needs.”

Several council members pointed to Brann’s long history with the city. He has lived in Wyoming for 51 years and is the longtime owner of Brann’s Steakhouse and Grille, 4157 Division Ave. S.

 

Brann termed out of the state’s House of Representative, serving for eight years. In the fall, he ran for a seat in the state Senate, which Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks won.

Several council members noted that Brann is a strong advocate for public safety and faced with a May millage to help fund fire and police, Brann could be an asset in helping to expand the needs. 

“I’m a small business man,” Brann said as he talked about the upcoming milage. “Do I want to pay more taxes? Of course not.

“Do I want the safety of my employees when they go out to their cars at 10 or 11 o’clock at night? Of course.”

A desire to serve

Brann made it clear that for him to be on the council, he wanted to be able to impact residents lives. He pointed to the 19 bills he was able to get passed while serving in the state House of Representatives. He said he is not afraid of being the dissenting vote and did not always side with his Republican peers in the state, which he demonstrated by supporting bills for the smoking age to become 21 and civil rights for LGBTQ and others.

“As a restaurant owner I am use to serving people…I serve my customers and I served my employees and it is just in my nature,” Brann said. “I want to continue to serve people. I believe as a city council member, it is just important as being a state rep. Actually it can be a little more important because you are one-on-one with people…”

From a state level, Brann said he has seen how cities like Wyoming that are financial responsibility loose out on state revenue sharing. On the state level, he has worked on the appropriations committee and helped solved financial needs.

A small business is similar to running a city in that you are dealing with people, payroll, paying taxes and making financial decisions to keep that city running, Brann said, adding he would use those skills to help connect residents, especially those in the Godfrey-Lee area, so that they feel welcome and comfortable to share their concerns and ideas.

“I think Wyoming is really underrated,” Brann said. “What I love about Wyoming is that we have starter homes and we have homes for your whole life. So you can start in Wyoming in a starter home and as your family gets bigger you can get a bigger house in Wyoming.”

Local grant awards help shine a light on housing needs

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Wyoming, , ,

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
WKTV Managing Editor
joanne@wktv.org

The need for homes has become a pressing issue in West Michigan, especially affordable homes.

A need that the Wyoming Community Foundation recognized in its 2022 grant awards, giving two local organizations about a third of its annual grant moneys. ICCF Community Homes, a nonprofit community developer that serves the Grand Rapids area including Wyoming, received $1,500, and The Source, a nonprofit based in the City of Wyoming and works with about 25 employers to help employees overcome barriers to work, received the largest grant, $5,000.

“In 2008, we had the great recession and we stopped building homes for about 10 years,” said Chris Hall, who works with ICCF Community Homes and is also a Wyoming Community Foundation board member. Hall noted that he excused himself on the discussion for the grant for ICCF Community Homes. “At the same time, the area is on all these lists, Great Place to Raise a Family, Hottest Zip Code…evidence of the fact that this is a great place to be and [people] want to be here.

“Over the last 10 years, people have been coming and staying, but we haven’t been building and now we are at a basic point of supply is low and demand is high.”

The housing need

The kitchen and dining room of ICCF Community Homes’ homeless family housing unit suitable for a small family. (Supplied)

According to a Grand Rapids Chamber housing study for Kent Country, it is estimated that the county needs about 22,139 new housing units to keep up with demand. The same study also showed that 63,000 or 27% of homeowners are cost-overburnened with more that 30% of household income dedicated to housing costs.

Because of the demand, it has raised housing prices, changing the face of the homeless to working class people, Hall said.

“It’s hard to thrive if you don’t know where you are going to sleep at night or next week or are they going to let me have my kids with me?” he said. “How are you going to thrive as an employee when that type of thing is going on?”

The Wyoming Community Foundation grant for ICCF Community Homes will be used to help replace a roof on a home on 30th Street in Wyoming. By being able to partner with the Foundation for the roof, it helps to keep rents low giving access to housing to more people, Hall said. 

Rent assistance

“There use to be a lot of funding in the state for rent assistance but a lot of that funding has disappeared so this grant is going to help us with Wyoming residents,” said Sarah Westoby, a resource navigator for The Source. Westoby said most of the past rent assistance programs were COVID specific and have since ended. The Source recognizes that people are going to continue to have housing instabilities.

The Source works with a number of different organizations to help with food, child care, housing and other needs. Sometimes there are gaps in what can be provided and the Wyoming Community Foundation grant will help with those gaps, especially in rent, Westoby said.

Making Wyoming a better place

Every year, the Wyoming Community Foundation awards around $15,000 to about eight different organizations serving the population of the City of Wyoming.

“It’s not a whole lot of money but it is enough to make a difference,” Hall said, adding that the goal is to help make the Wyoming community a better place to live.

The other Wyoming Community Foundation grant recipients are:

Affinity Mentoring received $1,500 to continue to support the Mentoring Center sites at Godfrey Early Childhood Center, Godfrey Elementary and the Godfrey-Lee Middle School campus.

 

Hope Gardens received $2,700 to install garden infrastructure at four Godwin Heights and Wyoming Public Schools and expand hand-ons garden programming into daytime STEM lessons at three Wyoming schools.

Remembrance Ranch received $1,800 to provide teens with the backpacking equipment needed for participation at camps.

Senior Sing Along received $1,000 to provide music-based programming to seniors in Wyoming care facilities.

Strategic Workforce Solutions received $1,000 to offer MiCareerQuest to local students so they can explore careers in five high-demand industries: advanced manufacturing, agribusiness, construction, health sciences, and technology information.

YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids received $1,000 for an after school program for youth from low-income and at-risk background and scholarships for a statewide youth in government conference.

West Michigan native Lacey James hopes to change the world on and off the court

City of Wyoming, Sports, West Michigan, ,
(Courtesy, Sam Iannamico/Grand Rapids Gold)



By D.A. Reed

WKTV Contributor

Grand Rapids Gold center Lacey James tells people he came out of the womb with a basketball.

While watching the 6-foot-9 Grand Rapids native warm up in preparation for a game, this reporter noticed James move with quiet intensity and focus. His love for the game is obvious in the attention he gave to each movement and handling of the ball.

In speaking with James after warming up, the 26-year-old told WKTV that he doesn’t remember a time when he didn’t love playing basketball.

“My first love was basketball,” James said.

Showing his love for the game at an early age. (Courtesy, Lacey James)

And no wonder — love of the sport was ingrained in his family. James’s mother and each of her siblings all received scholarships to play college basketball.

“I grew up surrounded by it all the time,” James said.

James was only seven years old when he began playing competitively with a travel basketball team.

James said the opportunity to travel to other states, play basketball and meet new people was exciting and fun.


“I saw more than the other kids because I traveled and played in arenas around the country,” James explained.


And he has never stopped playing.

A three-year starter for the Wayland Wildcats, where he averaged 20 points and 15 rebounds per game, James then signed with Rider University’s Broncs in New Jersey. After a year at RU, James transferred to Northern Illinois University where he played for the NIU Huskies until graduating in 2020 with a bachelor’s degree in communications. During his final college season, he averaged nine points and 8 rebounds per game.

Lacey James (No. 4) in a game against the Windy City Bulls. (Courtesy, Sam Iannamico/Grand Rapids Gold)



James’s journey has led him to wearing No. 4 for the Grand Rapids Gold, a professional basketball team in the NBA G League affiliated with the Denver Nuggets.


He began the season on the Motor City Cruise roster, then came back to Grand Rapids and spent a few weeks practicing with the Grand Rapids Gold. They signed James to the team, and he made his debut as a Gold player in an away game against the Windy City Bulls.





The Grand Rapids Gold was founded in 2006 as the Anaheim Arsenal, relocating to Springfield, Massachusetts in 2009 as the Springfield Armor. In 2014, the league was renamed the Grand Rapids Drive, subsequently changing to Grand Rapids Gold in 2021.

The expansion team of the NBA Development League (NBA D-League) entered a multi-year partnership with Gatorade and was rebranded the NBA Gatorade League (NBA G League) prior to the 2017-18 season.

Not alone during the journey

But James freely admits that he didn’t get to where he is without the help of the people around him.


The only child of Karie James, Lacey said, “My mom and I are very close. She was there for me always, my number one fan.”

After signing with RU, Karie followed Lacey to New Jersey at his request.

“My mom did move out with me to New Jersey. It was cool, being all the way out on the east coast, to have somebody that close (to me) there. She sacrificed a lot for me.”

But James said he had a lot of people in his support system.



Grand Rapids Gold’s Lacey James dunking the ball. (Courtesy, Sam Iannamico/Grand Rapids Gold)



“I didn’t get here by myself. I had a lot of people that supported me and helped me out along the way.”

James said there were several players in the NBA as well as in his own neighborhood who inspired him, but that, “I never really had somebody that showed me the ropes, showed me what it would be like from elementary school, to middle school, to high school. I never had that.”

But that didn’t stop him.

“I kept trying to inspire and motivate myself every step of the way,” James said. “I just kept pushing myself along the path. I worked hard.”

Even the No. 4 on his jersey has special meaning to James.

“I wear that number because I play for four things,” James said. “God, family, an opportunity to change the world, and making a difference in the world with his platform are what motivates James every day.

James admitted that his favorite player growing up was Lebron James. Lebron’s presence on and off the court was only part of the Los Angeles Lakers player’s appeal. Having the same initials, both being only children, and both being 6-9 helped a young Lacey James relate to the basketball player in a unique way.

A voice in the world

“My goal is definitely to be on an NBA team and to have a long career and do something with my platform, inspire the world with my name, my voice and my resources.”


Lacey James, left, in a game vs. the Windy City Bulls. (Courtesy, Sam Iannamico/Grand Rapids Gold)

Having a chance to play professionally in his hometown during that journey means a lot to James.

“I grew up in Grand Rapids,” said James, “and we don’t have the NBA players like L.A. and New York … I would love to make it to those main teams and be that guy to come back and help those little kids and show them the ropes, show them the way to go.”

James credits God for his many accomplishments.

“God really blessed me … from my body, to my opportunities, to the doors he opened,” James said. “I credit God first because without him, none of this would be possible. I wouldn’t be in this position, I wouldn’t be who I am.”


When time allows, James makes it a point to work with kids on the side and has been to schools to speak with basketball teams and sometimes entire student bodies.



Kids that come to a GR Gold game often want to meet and talk to the players after the game. James tries to make sure he is available if kids are interested in meeting players.

“If they want to listen, or if they want to know something, I’ll do it for sure,” James said.

James, however, does not allow the focus to remain on his accomplishments for long.

“God put me in this position. He blessed me with this, and it’s just the beginning.”

D. A. (Deborah) Reed is an award-winning author of young adult novels and a creative writing instructor from the Grand Rapids area. To find out more about D.A. Reed, visit her website: D.A. Reed Author

WKTV Friday Night Highlights: Watch the latest show right here!

Citizen Journalism, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Sports




By Cris Greer

WKTV Managing Editor

Take a look at our latest edition of WKTV Friday Night Highlights!

Every Friday, we’ll bring you an abundance of great local high school boys and girls basketball clips from the Wyoming and Kentwood areas, as well as highlighting some top performers and giving a snapshot of the latest conference standings.

Coming soon, we’ll have coaches and players stop by our studio after their games to chat on the show.

Thanks for watching, and see you next Friday!

Potter's House, Anyieth Nhial

Potter’s House turns to defense, grabs league win against West Michigan Aviation

Citizen Journalism, City of Wyoming, Sports, ,

By Greg Chrapek
WKTV Contributor

From left, Joy McClendon, 5, and Ivy Andreas, 2, from Potter's House (WKTV)
From left, Puma team members: Joy McClendon, 5, and Ivy Andreas, 2. (WKTV)

Defense was the name of the game as Potter’s House Christian defeated West Michigan Aviation 54-23 in an Alliance League girls basketball game.

The Pumas took command of the game with their lock-down defense right from the opening tip allowing just a single point in the first quarter and a single field goal in the second period enroute to taking a commanding 25-3 halftime lead.

“We got our full-court press working pretty well,” said Potter’s House Christian coach Jake Hoogstrate. “Our pressure forced a lot of turnovers.”

Ivy Andreas was one of the ringleaders of the Puma defense.

“Ivy was all over the place defensively,” Hoogstrate said. “She was a big key in limiting them to three points in the first half. She also had a lot of assists on offense and played a great game.”

Playing strong defense is a point of pride for the Pumas who improved to 8-4 overall for the season and 2-0 in the Alliance League.

“We pride ourselves in how we play defense,” Hoogstrate said. “Playing strong defense is definitely a focus of our team over the years. We definitely didn’t play great defense on Tuesday at Saugatuck so we wanted to come out tonight and play great defense.”

Potter's House, Emmonne Craig
Potter’s House’s Emmonne Craig helped with the Puma’s defense. (WKTV)

Potter’s House extended the lead to 37-10 at the end of the third quarter and outscored West Michigan Aviation 17-13 in the final quarter.

“We got off to a hot start which was fun,” Hoogstrate said. “It’s always good to see the ball go in the basket early.”

Anyieth Nhial led the way on offense for the Pumas with 23 points. Joy McClendon added eight points while Annie Winkle, Emily Baez and Emonne Craig added six points apiece.

Potter’s House Christian returns to action Tuesday when it hosts Muskegon Oakridge.

West Michigan Aviation was led on offense by Ava Bazuin who scored 13 of the Aviators 23 points. West Michigan Aviation fell to 5-7 overall for the season and 1-1 in the conference. The Aviators are off until Jan. 25 when they travel to Grand Rapids Sacred Heart.

Four seek to fill vacant Wyoming council seat

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Wyoming, Hard News, ,

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
WKTV Managing Editor
joanne@wktv.org

Wyoming City Council will be interviewing four candidates Monday night to fill a vacant council seat. (WKTV)

The Wyoming City Council will be interviewing four candidates for the open council seat vacated by John Fitzgerald.

In November, Fitzgerald was elected to the Michigan House of Representatives, serving primarily the City of Wyoming.

 

When taking his seat in December, Wyoming Mayor Kent Vanderwood said one of the first jobs the council had was to fill the vacant seat. The person selected to fill the council member-at-large seat would serve out the remainder of the term which ends in 2024.

Starting at 3:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 16, the council will be interviewing the four candidates. Interviews will last 30 minutes with a 10 minute break/transition period. WKTV will be airing the interviews starting at 3:30 p.m. on Channel 26 with the regular council meeting to follow at 7 p.m.

According to City Clerk Kelli Vandenberg, the city received 19 applicants to fill the vacancy. The Council narrowed those applicants to four candidates. All the candidates have served the city in various capacities.

The candidates are (They are listed in order of interviews.):

3:30 p.m. Andrea Boot was the city’s treasurer. She retired from that position this past summer. She also has served as a city election worker.

4:10 p.m. Gabriella De La Vega is the president of the Mexican Heritage Association of West Michigan . She is a language coordinator for Trinity Health. She has served the city on its Parks and Recreation Commission and the Greater Wyoming Community Resource Alliance.

 

4:40 p.m. Tommy Brann is a longtime business owner of Brann’s Steakhouse & Grille, 4157 Division Ave. S. Brann recently completed serving eight years in the Michigan House of Representatives, he was termed out, and in November, ran for a Michigan senate seat that was won by Senator Winnie Brinks.

5:20 p.m. Robert Kilgo is the assistant to the president of Grace Christian University and serves as a mentor to at-risk students in Wyoming. In November, Kilgo along with Rob Arnoys and Renee Hill ran for two council seats. Arnoys and Hill were elected to the seats.

According to the Council agenda, once the interviews are complete, the council will discuss and then appoint a candidate to the position who will take oath of office that night.

The last time the council had to fill a vacant seat was in 2018 when Bill Ver Hulst resigned from his First Ward seat. Sheldon DeKyrger was appointed to fill the term and then elected to the seat in the fall of 2018. He ran unopposed this past fall for the same seat.

The Wyoming City Council meets the first and third Mondays of the month at 7 p.m. in the council chambers located at Wyoming City Hall, 1155 28th St. SW. For more on the City of Wyoming, visit the city’s website, wyomingmi.gov.

Mona Shores stays one step ahead of Wyoming girls with 58-49 win

City of Wyoming, Sports, West Michigan, , ,
(WKTV)



By Cris Greer

WKTV Managing Editor

greer@wktv.org


After a four-game winning streak, including a “Battle of Wyoming” championship over the holidays, the Wyoming girls basketball team was cooled off by Mona Shores 58-49 Tuesday.

Coach Jesse Vasquez said every time his Wolves cut into the lead, Mona Shores would build it up again.

“In the fourth quarter, Mona had us by 14 points and we cut it down to seven, but couldn’t get over the hump,” said Vasquez, whose team fell to 6-4 overall. “They would make a big 3 to put it back at 10 points.

“We just couldn’t get in a rhythm. They did a real good job defensively against us, and we couldn’t find a bucket when we needed one.”

Last year, Mona Shores finished atop the OK Green at 12-2 and were 19-4 overall.

Wyoming freshman Myah Nabors led in scoring with eight points.

Vasquez said La’Anna Griffin, Shakya Anderson and Meneliza McGee are “some big pieces for us this year.”

Turning things around

Vasquez said recently winning the Potter’s House holiday tournament, the “Battle of Wyoming,” was a cool experience.

“It was a great atmosphere; really loud and great that our girls found a way at the end to win,” said Vasquez, whose Wolves were 4-17 overall last year and have won two more games at this early point in the season.

“I didn’t come in to a bare cupboard; the cupboards are very full,” continued Vasquez, in his first season. “We’re getting them to rely on their teammates, trust one another and they definitely put the work in every practice.

“The girls buy in to what we’re talking about.”

Wyoming police seek help in locating vehicle related to November shooting

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Wyoming, ,

By WKTV Staff
joanne@wktv.org

Investigators from the Wyoming Department of Public Safety are asking the public to help located a vehicle that was in the area during a Nov. 1 shooting at Indian Mounds Drive.

The Wyoming Department of Safety was called to the 2200 block of Indian Mounds Drive SW on Nov. 1 for the shooting. An 18-year-old male, Kane Coronado, on a bicycle was struck by the gunfire resulting in a fatal injury. Coronado died at the scene.

Investigators are asking for the community’s help in locating a vehicle that was in the area around the time of the shooting. The vehicle is described as a gray or silver four-door Chevrolet Cavalier 2000-2005 model year. Investigators are asking anyone with information about this vehicle to contact Wyoming Police, 616-530-7300, or Silent Observer at 616-774-2345 or 1-888-774-2345.

KDL Let It Snow: Going local on the local indie/Michigan author book list

3-bottom, Books, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Kent County, Recreation, Upcoming Events, , ,

By Kent District Library

Photo by Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

Angeline Boulley’s debut novel, “Firekeeper’s Daughter,” skyrocketed to the top upon release earning several awards including a Printz Medal Winner, William C. Morris Award, American Indian Youth Literature Award Best Young Adult Honor, and was a Reese Witherspoon x Hllo Sunshine Book Club YA Pick.

Set in Sault Ste. Marie, the story follows Daunis Fontaine, a half-native, half-white young adult who witnesses her best friend’s murder by the hand of her friend’s boyfriend. She decides to protect her family and her culture by becoming involved an FBI investigation revolving around a new drug that mixes meth with Ojibwa herbs.

Boulley, who is enrolled member of the Sault St. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians, was born in Sault Ste. Marie. She is a graduate of Central Michigan University and has worked in Indian education at the tribal, state and national levels including becoming the director fo the Office of Indian Education at the U.S. Department of Education.

 

Boulley’s book is just one of the many recommendations on the KDL Let It Snow Local Indie/Michigan Authors. Other books on the list are Jenison author Tobin T. Buhk’s “Cold Case Michigan,” a look at several unsolved Michigan murders, and Shona Buchana’s “Black Indian,”  a memoir of being African American with American Indian roots and how her family dealt with not just society’s ostracization but the consequences of this dual inheritance.

Adults and teens (11+) who participate in the Let It Snow and read a minimum of six books in different categories between Jan. 3 and March 31 will receive a collectible Let It Snow 2023 ceramic mug. Participants who finish an additional four titles will be entered into a Power Reader drawing to win an Amazon Kindle Scribe with stylus pen or other prizes. 

County’s Swap Shop gives second life to household products

3-bottom, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, How-To's, Senior Living

By Adam Brown
WKTV Contributor

Items in the Swap Shop inventory constantly change. (Courtesy, Kent County)

Have you ever looked in a closet or storage area and found old household products you no longer use?

For many, that answer is likely yes. We may keep these old, unusable household products around simply because we do not know how to dispose of them. That’s where the “Swap Shop” operated by the Kent County Department of Public Works (KCDPW) comes in.

Since opening in January 2022, the Swap Shop has offered a collection of gently used household products. Residents may drop off products they no longer need at the KCDPW’s satellite sites that utilize Kent County’s SafeChem free disposal program. Resource recovery specialists inspect the items and transport them to the Swap Shop, where they are available to the public for free.

 

The Swap Shop asks residents who take products to sign a reuse waiver and return unused products to a SafeChem satellite site. This combination of easy disposal and free pickup and collection likely made the Swap Shop a hit in the local community.

What is the Swap Shop?

Located at 1045 Wealthy St. SW, the Swap Shop holds an ever-changing inventory of household cleaners, automotive supplies, and lawn products available to anyone who may need them.

 

“Instead of sending gently used products for disposal, we reclaim them and add them to our Swap Shop inventory,” said Jonathan Neracher, a resource revery specialist at the department, as he outlined the central mission of the Swap Shop. “The Swap Shop is a community resource where people who may not be able to buy these products, or are really committed to reusing them, can pick up and use them in their households. The bottom line: we’d rather see these products be used than end up anywhere else.”

Neracher added that the Kent County Department of Public Works team is aware of the cost saving opportunity that something like the SwapShop would provide as well as being huge fans of reusing items that are still in good condition.

What type of products are available at the Swap Shop?

Though the Swap Shop inventory constantly changes, the most common products include:

• Automotive supplies (brake fluid, oil, car wash supplies)

• Household items (drain cleaner, spray paint, stains, varnishes, thinners, adhesives)

• Lawn and garden care products (weed killer, pool supplies, and insect repellent)

• Personal care products (soaps, nail polish, shampoo)

Each month, the Swap Shop adds nearly 1,000 pounds of product to its inventory, recently including more than 160 full or almost full propane cylinders. 

Impact on the community

Neracher attributes the Swap Shop’s success and extensive inventory to one factor: the fact that it is free.

“I have yet to meet a resident who didn’t like the idea of free stuff,” he said. “Some of our customers are retirees looking for a productive low cost project to work on, others are new homeowners that need to put some TLC into their new home. We’ve had teachers looking for supplies for class projects and artists looking to create using waste.”

The accessibility of free household products at the Swap Shop allows residents to avoid a costly trip to the store for the same or similar items. They can also try out different products without needing to pay for them. If the consumer does not need the product they try, they can simply return it to the Swap Shop. 

Why the Swap Shop matters in today’s world

Recycling and reusing have become more critical than ever due to the rising environmental impacts of human activities.

“The SwapShop, SafeChem Program and Sustainable Business Park shows the county’s dedication to reducing waste and providing a more sustainable framework for the world we want to live in,” Neracher said. “When you Swap at the Swap Shop you [are] not only saving money for the county and yourself, but that is one less bag of fertilizer that needs to be produced, one less bottle [of] drain cleaner being taken off the shelves, one less propane tank going into circulation, one less quart of motor oil being refined.”

With global inflation rates impacting nearly all consumer goods, the Swap Shop’s model of free products makes it a rare commodity in today’s market. That model of “free” will keep the Swap Shop as an integral part of the Grand Rapids community for years to come.

In the cities of Wyoming and Kentwood, there are two SafeChem satellite sites. The City of Wyoming Clean Water Plant, 2350 Ivanrest SW, Grandville, and the City of Kentwood Public Works Facility, 5068 Breton Rd. SE. For more information about the KCDPW’s SafeChem satellite sites and a list of products they accept, click here.

Local county commissioners selected for leadership roles

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, ,

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
WKTV Managing Editor
joanne@wktv.org

This morning, Jan. 3, 21 county commissioners were sworn in, of which eight were new commissioners. (Courtesy, Kent County)

The Kent County Board of Commissioners were sworn and had its organization meeting this morning with two Wyoming and Kentwood county representatives elected to leadership positions.

Due to redistricting, the board was enlarged from 19 to 21. This included the new District 20, which covers the northern portion of the City of Wyoming, mostly the Godfrey-Lee School district, and a southern portion of the City of Grand Rapids. The district has a large Hispanic population and was created to help provide a voice to that community. Ivan Diaz was elected to serve that district. Diaz was selected to serve on two county committees, the Community Corrections Advisory Board and the Kent County Community Action Governing Board.


The other new district, District 21, is comprised of Cascade, Caledonia, and Bowne townships. Walter Bujak was elected to serve that district.

District 10 Commissioner Emily Brieve, whose district includes a southern portion of the City of Kentwood, was sworn in as vice chair. (Courtesy, Kent County)

District 10 County Commissioner Emily Brieve, whose area, due to redistricting, now includes a southern portion of the City of Kentwood, was elected as vice-chair of the board for a second term and will serve as chair of the Finance and Physical Resources Committee. Brieve has been on the board since 2015 and works for family’s business, FastoolNow.com. District 6 Commissioner Stan Stek, whose district is mostly the City of Walker, was elected as chair for a second term. Stek has been on the board since 2014 and is an attorney at Miller Canfield. Serving as vice-chair of the Finance and Physical Resources Committee is District 18 Commissioner Stephen Wooden, whose was elected minority vice-chair for the board.

District 8 Commissioner Dan Burrill, who served as a City of Wyoming Council Member and whose area is a large portion of the City of Wyoming, was selected to be serve as the chair of the Legislative and Human Resources Committee. Burrill has been on the board since 2021 and is an associate broker at Five Star Real Estate, small business owner, and a licensed builder. Burrill also was selected to serve on the Gerald R. Ford International Airport Authority Board.

Other appointments for commissioners were:

District 7 Commissioner Stan Ponstein, whose district is mostly the City of Grandville with a portion of the City of Wyoming, was selected to serve on the Lakeshore Regional Entity Substance Abuse Oversight Policy Board.

District 9 Commissioner Matt Kallman, whose district is Byron Center and a southern portion of the City of Wyoming, was selected to serve on the Senior Millage Review Committee and as the chair of ACSET Governing Board.

District 12 Commissioner Monica Sparks, whose district covers a portion of the City of Kentwood and a portion of the City of Wyoming, was selected to serve on the Area Agency on Aging Western Michigan Advisory Council and the Ready at Five Proposal Review Committee.

District 13 Commissioner Michelle McCloud, whose district is mostly the City of Kenwood, was selected to serve on the Public Works Board and the Senior Millage Review Committee.

For a complete list of appointments, click here.

The County Board of Commissioners meetings are usually the second and fourth Thursday of each month at the County Administration Building, Third Floor, 300 Monore Ave. NW. For more about the board, visit accesskent.org.

KDL’s ‘Let It Snow’ adult reading program returns

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming

By WKTV Staff
joanne@wktv.org

Grab your warmest blanket, settle in with a good book and sign up for Kent District Library’s winter reading program, Let It Snow.

Adults and teens (11+) who participate and read a minimum of six books in different categories between Jan. 3 and March 31 will receive a collectible Let It Snow 2023 ceramic mug. Participants who finish an additional four titles will be entered into a Power Reader drawing to win an Amazon Kindle Scribe with stylus pen or other prizes.

  

“There’s no better time to cozy up with a good book than in the winter,” said Hennie Vaandrager, Programming Manager at KDL. “Let It Snow offers you a chance to read in various genres, and you might just discover a new favorite book.”


 
In 2022, more than 3,600 people completed Let It Snow.

For more information or to sign up, visit kdl.org/snow. Track your reading progress online using Beanstack or complete and turn in a paper form, available at any KDL branch.  

In overtime, the Wolves win the ‘Battle of Wyoming’ with a three-point shot

Citizen Journalism, City of Wyoming, Education, Sports, ,

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
WKTV Managing Editor
joanne@wktv.org

Potter’s House senior Isabelle Baez moves with the ball as Wyoming sophomore Menelia McGee defends. (WKTV)

In a finish that is frequently seen in the movies, Wyoming senior Aaliyah Ratliff hit a three-pointer in the last 18 seconds of overtime to give the Wolves a 54-51 win over host Potter’s House Christian in the championship of the ‘Battle of Wyoming.’

“It was back and forth, but we never gave up,” said Wyoming Coach Jesse Vasquez. “We didn’t play our best basketball, but the girls never gave up. We fought defensively. We fought on the glass. Aaliyah Ratliff didn’t have her best game, but she came up when it mattered.

“It was just the fight in the girls. We were down 10 with like five to go and they never gave up. They kept going and this is just who we are. You’re going to knock us down and we are going to keep getting back up and keep going after you. I am very, very proud of this team.”

A nail-biter to the end

It was a slow start to the championship game with the Potter’s House Pumas getting on the board at the 5:26 mark. With 2:45 left in the first quarter, Wyoming followed with a bucket. The first quarter ended 5-3 in favor of the Wolves.

From start to finish, The ‘Battle of Wyoming’ championship was an intense game with two local rivals. (WKTV)

In the second quarter, Wyoming turned on the heat, but Potter’s House matched suit and took the edge 18-16.

In the third, it was Potter’s House junior Anyieth Nhial that kept the Pumas on the winning edge with a 35-28 lead.

But Wyoming was not going down without a fight and when the dust settled at the end of the fourth, it was tied 46-46 with fans on both sides going wild and the teams heading into overtime.

Turnovers, fouls and finally Ratliff making the three-pointer would secure Wyoming’s win.

Shooting from the free thrown line. (WKTV)
Potter’s House sophomore Anyieth Nhial makes her move with the ball. (WKTV)

Just a great game

“Man, what a fun atmosphere,” said Potter’s House Coach Jake Hoogstrate. “When we dreamed of this tournament 10 months ago, we never thought it would end like this: A great game.

“Both teams had a lot of chances to win and they made a shot and we didn’t get ours to fall. Props to them. Props to (Ratliff) for knocking them down. (Potter’s House) did everything they could to try and take her out of the game and she made the biggest shot of the game.”

Hoogstrate gave credit to the team’s two seniors, Isabelle Baez, whose calmness helped to stabilize the team and keep them focused, and Joy McClendon, who made several rebounds during the game.

“After that, it was a team effort,” he said. “A steal here, a steal there. A rebound here.”

For Wyoming, Vasquez said it was junior La’Anna Griffin and sophomore Shakya Anderson that kept the team going along with the bench, who were “phenomenal. When things weren’t going our way, they kept positive.”

It was all about Wyoming

Potter’s House Athletic Director Kara Haskill said the reason the school decided to host the event was because their girls basketball team’s schedule was bumped up from 20 games to 22 for the 2022-23 season.

Wyoming sophomore Aaliyah Ratliff with the ‘Battle of Wyoming’ trophy. (WKTV)

“We thought that a fun way to add in those two games was to have a holiday tournament,” Haskill said. “We wanted to include the teams in our area because they are teams we normally don’t play.”

Potter’s House is in the Alliance League. Godwin Heights and Kelloggsville, which are both in the OK Silver Conference, and Wyoming, the OK Green, signed up to participate.




Teams played an elimination round on Wednesday. From there, Wyoming and Potter’s House advanced to Thursday’s final.

“I never thought a team like Wyoming would come to play here,” Hoogstrate said. “It was a great atmosphere tonight. A big shout out to Kelloggsville, Godwin and Wyoming for helping to make this happen.”

“For me, it has been a lot of fun to be able to play against some of our local teams,” Vasquez said, adding, the turnout was “awesome.”

Honors and other scores

In the varsity consolation game, Godwin defeated Kelloggsville 55-28. The tournament all-star team was Godwin senior KaShari Babb, Kelloggsville sophomore Zariah Hatchet, Potter’s House senior Isabelle Baez and Wyoming junior La’Anna Griffin. Tournament MVP was Wyoming sophomore Shakya Anderson.

The tournament all-star team was (from left) Kelloggsville sophomore Zariah Hatchet, Potter House’s senior Isabelle Baez, Wyoming junior La’Anna Griffin, and tournament MVP was Wyoming’s sophomore Shakya Anderson. (WKTV)

The tournament also hosted a JV round that included JV teams from Wyoming, Potter’s House, Godwin Heights and Ottawa Hills, which substituted for Kelloggsville as the school did not have a JV girls basketball team. The winner of the JV tournament was Wyoming, which beat Ottawa Hills 59-29.

City of Wyoming adds Saturday drop-off for Christmas tree recycling

3-bottom, City of Wyoming

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
WKTV Managing Editor
joanne@wktv.org

Christmas trees that are being recycled should have all the ornaments, lights and other decorations removed. (Pxhere.com)

Residents of the City of Wyoming may recycle their natural Christmas Tree at the Yard Waste Drop-Off Site, 2600 Burlingame Ave. SW.

The site will be open during its regular hours, Monday through Thursday from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and addition on the following Saturdays: Dec. 31 and and Jan. 7 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

Trees should be clean of ornaments, lights and tinsel before dropped off to the site. Residents should have their IDs or be able to show proof of residency.

The Yard Waste Drop-Off site will resume regular winter hours through March 29, which are Monday through Thursday from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

For information about the site, visit the “All About Leaves” under the Public Works tab at wyomingmi.gov.

More than a million in scholarships available to area students

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Education, Kids Activities, ,

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
WKTV Managing Editor
joanne@wktv.org

According to those at the Grand Rapids Community Foundation, students have until March 1 to apply for scholarships available through its organization. (Courtesy, Grand Rapids Community Foundation)

If you are a high school graduate interested in pursuing welding as a career, there is a scholarship for that. Perhaps you are interested in nursing or education or maybe you are interested in a post-graduate degree in business or law. There are scholarships for that.

The Grand Rapids Community Foundation is currently accepting applications for more than $1 million in scholarships to support students pursuing post-secondary education and training. By completing one application, students will be considered for hundreds of scholarship opportunities from more than 80 scholarship funds. Students pursuing bachelor and graduate degrees or technical training certificates are eligible to apply.

Some of the scholarships are specific to studies, high schools or colleges. For example, the Pullen/Lambers Memorial Scholarship is available to graduating seniors from Wyoming High School who attend a credited U.S. college/university with a preference given to education or entrepreneurial studies.

If you are senior or graduate from Godfrey Lee, Godwin Heights, Wyoming, Kelloggsville, Kentwood, Grandville or Grand Rapids, you could apply for the Hackett Family Scholarship. Students at Grand Rapids University Prep Academy can apply for the Founders’ Scholarship and South Christian students planing to major in healthcare, education or business may apply for the Roger and Jacquelyn Vander Laan Family Scholarship.

There is also scholarships like the Llewellyn L. Cayvan String Instrument Scholarship for undergraduate or graduate students studying violin, viola, violoncello, or the bass viol. There is not financial or residency requirements.

Grand Rapids Community Foundation noted in a press release that it is committed to providing opportunities for first generation students with financial need to further their education. Scholarships are available for students with a wide variety of backgrounds, GPA’s and levels of education from public and private institutions. Last year, the Community Foundation awarded $1.45 million in scholarships to 630 students.

Contributions from community members make the scholarship funds possible. Many donors have chosen to set up a fund to honor a family member or to provide opportunities for students to attend college or pursue a specific profession. Award decisions are made by more than 100 volunteer community members with applicable experience who serve on scholarship advisory committees.

The general scholarship application for the 2023-2024 academic year opened Dec. 1 and will remain open until March 1, 2023. Interested students can find more information and apply at GRFoundation.org/Scholarships.

Through the storm, plows will be working to keep streets clear

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, , ,

Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
WKTV Managing Editor
joanne@wktv.org

The City of Wyoming snowplow team works to make sure streets are cleared within a 24-hour period after a snow event. It is the same for the City of Kenwood. (City of Wyoming)

As the blizzard of 2022 makes it way across the midwest, both the cities of Wyoming and Kentwood are making preparations and gearing up to plow the roads.

Both the cities have issued blizzard alerts on their respective Facebook pages. Residents are encouraged to prep their vehicles with emergency items in case they get stranded. 

In the case of a power outage, contact Consumers Energy at 800-477-5050 or visit ConsumersEnergy.com for outage updates. For emergencies, such as a downed power line or tree blocking a roadway, call 911.

Snowplow vehicles will be out over the weekend. During a storm in both cities, crews work around-the-clock with trucks on the road 24-hours a day. Crews from both cities try to make sure that all roads are cleared within 24 hours after the snow event has ended. Both the City of Kentwood and the City of Wyoming prioritize plowing from highest-volume streets to lowest-volume streets.

City of Kentwood

Major streets, such as 44th Street, 52nd Street, Kalamazoo Avenue and Eastern Avenue are plowed first.

Collector streets, which are many of the main streets of the subdivisions, are plowed next. Some examples of collector streets are Baileys Grove Drive, Stauffer Avenue and Gentian Avenue.

Once the collection streets are clear and safe, local streets, which are streets within subdivisions, are plowed next.

Cul-de-sacs/stub streets are plowed last with smaller trucks. For the cul-de-sacs, the snow is placed in areas that are suitable for snow storage, so it is recommended that all items in the a cul-de-sac, such as soccer goals and portable basketball hoops, be removed.

If a resident needs to report a snow removal issue, visit kentwood.us/psr. For more information on winter maintenance and resources, including snow removal efforts, street parking rules and tips for avoiding frozen water pipes and meters, visit kentwood.us/WinterMaintenance.

City of Wyoming

The City of Wyoming has about 250 miles or 600 lane-miles of streets.

The city’s first priority are the major streets, such as 28th Street, 44th Street, Burlingame Avenue, Byron Center Avenue and Clyde Park Avenue, which carry the most traffic and have the highest speed limits.

Second is the collector streets, which disperse throughout the residential neighbors. The goal is that residents are within a reasonable distance from either a first or secondary priority street that is plowed.

The last to be plowed is the culs-de-sac and the remaining residential streets. The streets are plowed when the snow depth reaches four inches, either from a storm event or snow accumulation.

For snow removal concerns and other related issues, visit the All About Snow section on the Public Works page at wyomingmi.gov. 

Clearing of Sidewalks

In the City of Kentwood, it is the property owners responsible for clearing two or more inches of snow, ice and other obstructions from sidewalks in front of their homes and businesses. The City of Kentwood does plow some of its sidewalks. For a map of those sidewalks, click here.

In the City of Wyoming, sidewalks are plowed by a third party contractor at night when there is two or more inches of new snow accumulation. Residents are asked to keep the sidewalks free of obstructions such as garbage cans and parked vehicles.

Fire Hydrant Maintenance

In both cities, it is the resident’s responsibility to keep the fire hydrant clear if it is located on your property. Residents should clear a path from the street to the fire hydrant and three feet around the hydrant.

Parking Rules

Both cities have winter parking rules.

In the City of Wyoming, it is odd-even parking. If the day is an even number, 2, 4, 6, 8, then residents may park on the side of the street with even number addresses. If it is an odd number day, 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, then park on the side with odd number addresses.

Wyoming residents are encouraged to move their vehicles between 7 p.m. and midnight (12 a.m.) to assure that plows can get down and clean both sides of the street.

In the City of Kentwood, parking is not allowed on any public street between 1 and 8 a.m. and when street parking could make it difficult or prevent snow removal. 

Four simple steps to recognize depression and prevent suicide

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Community Health, Health, West Michigan,




By Jessica Jones

Communications Director, Mental Health Foundation of West Michigan

Raise your hand if you’re comfortable navigating a conversation about mental health. Now raise your hand if you’re not sure where to start.

At the Mental Health Foundation of West Michigan, we believe it starts with knowledge, which creates confidence. We empower individuals through our be nice. action plan and programs for schools,
businesses, teams and faith organizations.

“This plan works because it’s simple,” said Christy Buck, Founder of be nice. and Executive Director of the Mental Health Foundation of West Michigan. “It’s four steps that give you the knowledge to recognize depression, guide you through tough conversations, and empower you with the information and resources you need to start navigating appropriate treatment options. be nice. is simple, powerful and life-saving.”


be nice. program is two-fold

On a macro level, the logo itself is a call to kindness, civility and inclusion. It’s recognizing that how we treat one another has an effect on how a person thinks, acts and feels – their mental health. On a micro level, be nice. is an action plan to equip individuals with the knowledge to recognize, understand,
accept and take action when it comes to mental health through four simple steps – to notice, invite, challenge and empower.

1. notice

Begin by noticing what’s good and right about the people around you so you can notice when something is different. The plan starts with the knowledge to recognize, or notice, the signs and symptoms of a mental health concern or illness.

Behavioral
  • Quitting favorite sport/hobby
  • Avoiding social interaction
  • Sudden/unlikely drug or alcohol use
  • Cry frequently for no reason
  • Neglect responsibilities, loss of motivation
  • Can’t sleep or sleep constantly
Physical
  • Lack of hygiene, personal appearance
  • Fatigue, lack of energy
  • Overeating or loss of appetite
  • Weight loss or gain
  • Headaches
  • Unexplained aches or pains
Psychological
  • Acting out, aggressive, quick to anger
  • Heightened sadness, guilt, indecisiveness
  • Lack of emotional responsiveness
  • Frequent self-criticism
  • Hopelessness, loneliness
  • Thoughts of death or suicide

2. invite

When you notice changes lasting two weeks or longer, it’s time to invite yourself to reach out. Many times we notice something is different about the way someone is thinking, acting or feeling, but we don’t address it. Oftentimes, we stay quiet because we don’t want to hurt a person’s feelings, get a negative reaction, or be wrong – with be nice., we keep it simple.

“I’ve noticed ________ and I’m worried about you. Is everything okay? Is there anything I can do to help?” This conversation starter shows that you care and you’re asking from a place of concern. You’re not attacking their actions or character, you’re simply checking in.

3. challenge

The No. 1 reason someone doesn’t speak up when they’re struggling is because of the stigma or shame they feel. They’re worried about how others will perceive them. You can be someone who challenges the stigma surrounding mental health, illness and treatment. You can challenge stigma with your words and empathy! The third step is also about challenging an individual to seek help and utilize resources. Here in West Michigan, we are fortunate to have many local options for help and treatment. We live in a digital age, and there’s a variety of mental health supports available for a wide range of needs.

Nationwide, the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline [988] is available 24/7 for anyone struggling with their mental or emotional health who needs a listening ear, immediate coping exercises, or assistance navigating further help.

4. empower

Ultimately, the be nice. action plan is meant to empower individuals with knowledge and resources. The MHF is an organization that educates individuals of all ages and demographics in this life-saving action plan. Having the correct knowledge surrounding mental health gives us the confidence to take action when we notice changes and the empathy to decrease stigma.

Being aware of our protective factors and positive coping mechanisms are great ways to help keep our mental health in check, and further, knowing what resources are available in our schools, teams, workplaces and communities empowers us to be resilient.


988 (Suicide and Crisis Lifeline)

If you or someone you know needs someone to talk to, call 988 to speak with a professional who can help.

To learn more about each step of the be nice. action plan, visit benice.org.

Tips on how to avoid online scammers

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Hard News, Holidays, How-To's, ,

By Tessa Schulz
WKTV Contributor

‘Tis the season to watch out for holiday scammers. With the holidays fast approaching beware of any deals that appear too good to be true. Scams create the illusion of being trustworthy on the outside yet are a façade fooling consumers into sharing personal information and sending money.

Scammers are looking for all kinds of way to trick you out of your money. (WKTV/Tessa Schultz)

Scams can come in many shapes and sizes, yet they aren’t the gift you’d like this holiday season. Scams can appear blatantly obvious or they can be concealed from what seem to be reputable sources.

Some of the biggest online shops have had scammers impersonating the organization. Amazon, Facebook Marketplace, and your local department stores all have scammers lurking around impersonating trustworthy transactions and tricking consumers.

Scam Data

Federal Trade Commission data reports that in 2021 online shopping scams contained $3.92 million in total reported losses with the median loss for consumers was $500 dollars.

Shoppers that have fallen victim to questionable purchases are not always compensated for their financial losses. According to the FTC, 25% of 2021 consumers reported a loss to fraud.

Types of Scams

Some of the most common scams are internet auction fraud, phishing, order confirmation scams, and technical support scams.

Internet auction fraud occurs when a seller misrepresents merchandise online. In many cases, items are left undelivered, with the buyer at a loss for their money. Scammers may advertise items with outrageous deals and discounts swindling shoppers into franticly buying nonexistent listings. Eventually, shoppers are met with remorse when their item never arrives on their doorstep.

 

Phishing is a scam where fake emails, text messages, and websites are used to commit identity theft or steal personal information. The criminal may ask personal questions fishing around and urging you to share your bank account numbers, debit card pin, or other personal information. Typically a scammer’s contact information mimics the names of larger brands hustling shoppers into trusting and handing out their personal information.

Order confirmation scams provide unwarranted emails, texts, and phone calls claiming that you need to confirm or deny unauthorized purchases. Amazon recently published a memo warning customers of scammers mimicking counterfeit transactions and seeking personal information. Panic-stricken shoppers may rush in order to cancel fake purchases when in reality they are being conned.

 

A technical support scam is a type of fraud where a scammer insists that you need to buy tech support for your devices.

Data breaches can occur to those who download software on their devices. Sensitive information can be stolen, hacked into, and leaked.

Malware is online software containing viruses and spyware. Malware is often undetectable and is a large threat to your online security. 

Tips to Avoid Scams

Always use direct websites when seeking customer service and tech support.

Do not react to scams based on the principle of urgency. Many scammers want you to feel the need to “act now.”

In no case should you provide payment, or bank account information, install software, or purchase gift cards when prompted to respond in an urgent nature.

Be cautious when providing any personal information including account numbers and passwords when completing purchases online or on the telephone. Contacting customer service with any questions regarding transactions may ensure safe shopping.

Santa and his reindeer want you to steer clear of holiday scams this year, be sure to travel with ease online to protect your wallet this season.

Wyoming couple spread a little holiday cheer

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Wyoming, Holidays, , ,

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
WKTV Managing Editor
joanne@wktv.org

Santa and his elf helper waiting to greet children at the Nitzel’s home. (Photo courtesy the Nitzels)

It looks like a scene out of a Hallmark movie: colorful holiday lights with Santa and his elf helper sitting on a wooden bench waiting to greet the children.

But it is not a Hallmark movie, it is right here in the City of Wyoming, 3717 Illinois Ave. SW. This is the home of Mark and Barb Nitzel, longtime Wyoming residents who have been spreading a little Christmas magic for the past several years.

“I do this, getting out there, to make people feel good,” said Mark Nitzel, who will be out again this Friday as Santa from 6:30-8:30 p.m. “Snowstorm or not, I’ll be out there. I was out there during the last snowstorm.”

An award winning display

Nitzel has always enjoyed the magic of Christmas and the holidays, especially the lights.

Mark Nitzel in front of his Christmas tree. (WKTV)

“The lights started with me putting up a few and then adding to it,” Nitzel said. The display gradually evolved to take over his front yard and his neighbor’s fence. Dubbed “Clark Griswold,” Nitzel’s passion soon spread, making it a neighborhood affair.

“Next door, he started adding lights,” Nitzel said. “We found a sleigh and put it on his roof. The people across the street moved in a few years ago and they too have been adding lights.

“It was really kind of cool to see it grow.”

The light display even snagged Nitzel an award “The Christmas Light Pajama Run Award” in 2018.

“I just heard someone on the porch and went out to see who it was,” Nitzel said. “I asked what they were up to and they shouted ‘Merry Christmas,’ pointed to the porch and ran to their car and jumped in. They were all wearing those old-fashioned pajamas with the buttons on the back.”

Then came the jolly elf himself

Of course with his warm and welcoming personality and love for the season, it was only a matter of time before Nitzel would be asked to play Santa. That person was his daughter, Samatha Roman who own’s Old Souls Studio, 1111 Godfrey Ave. SW.

 

“She asked if I could be Santa at her studio for photos,” Nitzel said, adding with a laugh, “the next thing I know, I am outside greeting people as they drive by (my home).”

Nitzel is not one for recognition. It has been his “elf helper” Barb who has been promoting the light display and visits with Santa.

“I can’t be Mrs. Claus, she is too sweet,” Barb Nitzel said with a laugh. “(Mark) retired in 2020 and he does it because he loves it. There is nothing like seeing the kids’ faces. The joy and the happiness just brings tears to your eyes.”

“Happy Christmas to all”

Nitzel, who also volunteers at Family Food Network of Wyoming, said he just enjoys seeing people get a little cheer from the lights and visiting with Santa.

Santa with some guests. He will return this Friday from 6:30 – 8:30 at 3717 Illinois Ave. SW. (Photo courtesy the Nitzels)

“Last weekend, there was a lady who drove by a couple of times and then finally stopped to ask how much it would be for a picture with Santa,” Nitzel said. “I told her it was free.

“She got out of her car and we took the picture and she sat and talked with us for a little bit, telling us that she thought she was going to lose her job. By the time she left, she had captured a little bit of that Christmas cheer back. That’s what it’s all about.”

Nitzel said he recognizes that not everyone can afford to go to the mall to see Santa and for some children, the mall can be overwhelming. But at 3717 Illinois Ave. SW, everyone is welcome to visit with Santa and enjoy the holiday lights.

“It’s about giving back to the community,” Nitzel said. “It becomes a social event for everybody, talking and wishing each other ‘Merry Christmas,’ which makes it kind of nice to see.”

Arnoys takes his seat on the Wyoming City Council

3-bottom, City of Wyoming,
Rob Arnoys takes the oath of office from City Clerk Kelli Vandenberg. (WKTV)

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
WKTV Managing Editor
joanne@wktv.org

And now the council is up to its full seven last night as Rob Arnoys took the oath of office and joined the council.

Arnoys was one of two candidates elected by City of Wyoming residents to fill two council member-at-large seats on the city council. The other candidate was Renee Hill who along with Mayor Kent Vanderwood and First Ward Councilor Sheldon DeKryger were sworn into office on Dec. 5. Arnoys was unable to attend the Dec. 5 meeting due to a work conflict.

However, the council will shortly be down to six again as current council member-at-large John Fitzgerald will be stepping down at the end of the year to assume his roll as the 83rd District state house representative in January.

The council will appointment a Wyoming resident to fill the vacant seat. The term ends in 2024 when the seat is up for election. Applicants for Fitzgerald’s council seat must have lived in the city for two years. Those interested in applying to fill the seat may pick up an application from the clerk’s office, which is located at city hall, 1155 28th St. SW. Applications for filling the seat will be accepted through Dec. 21. Council will review all applications and interview candidates before making an appointment in January.

Fitzgerald along with State Representative Tommy Brann, who is terming out of his seat this year, were recognized for their service to the city and its residents. It was also noted that Brann was recently named House Representative of the Year by the Michigan Information and Resource, Inc. (MIRS)

Wyoming Council member John Fitzgerald (right)
State Rep. Tommy Brann (right)

Wyoming High School recognizes eight at Alpha Wolf program

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Wyoming, Education, Kids Activities, ,
The fall 2022 Alpha Wolf recipients. From left, sophomore Berlinda Pablo-Pablo, junior Gage Behrenbrinker, freshman Zander Creamer, junior Dominik (Buster) Cross, sophomore Tarren Calvert, senior Bryce Bosovich, and freshman Omar Resendiz-Parra. Not pictured is Jesus Valadez Cano. (Courtesy, John Doyle)

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
WKTV Managing Editor
joanne@wktv.org

With the addition of the freshman class to the high school, this year’s fall Alpha Wolf program was expanded to eight students.

In fact, “Welcome” was part of the theme of the fall 2022 program as the school welcomed 652 students as freshmen and sophomores. Before the 2022-2023 school year, the Wyoming High School was 10th-12th grade but a building renovation allowed the district to move its ninth grade students into the high school this school year.

Along with the addition of the freshman and sophomore classes, the school welcomed 170 students from other schools, of which 47 students were from different countries, and 28 new staff members.

To represent the high school body, 1,300 paper chains were strung together across the gym’s ceiling.

“Every paper chain represents you. It represents our staff,” said teacher John Doyle, who helps to organize the Alpha Wolf program. “There are over 1,300 chains and they are all connected because that is what we are about.”

A11 Moment Ahead

Guess speaker Mark Kuiper, from the Wyoming High School staff, focused on the second part of the Alpha Wolf theme, “What is your A11 Moment Ahead?”

“An Alpha Wolf Moment Ahead is when you chose not to judge someone based on the color of their skin or that they talk different than you and they may share a different view of the world.” Kuiper said. “Instead you get to know them, know their story…An AW Moment Ahead of kindness, compassion, and graciousness usually appear in the usual, in the mundane, ordinary day-to-day, hour-by-hour routine of our lives. We need to look past our own face. We need to look up.

“Because the moment you look up, you begin to see the signs and when you decide to chose kindness over indifference, when you decide to chose compassion over apathy, when you chose grace over holding a grudge…you are seeing AW 11 Moments ahead become a lifetime and it will change a life.”

Zander Creamer walks up to receive his award. (WKTV)
Zander Creamer is congratulated by his family. (WKTV)

Freshmen

Zander Creamer

According to many, the best word that encompasses freshman Zander Creamer is leader.

“This young man is getting it done at Wyoming High School,” according to staff. “Whether in the classroom, in the hallway, in the cafeteria or participating in extra-curricular activities he radiates Alpha Wolf 11 to all who cross his path.”

It did not take long for Creamer to settle in at the high school and as he did, he helped others make the transition to their new chapter in life.

“He is really a sweet kid who constantly has a smile on his face to try and to make people feel welcome and to lift them up when they are feeling down,” students and staff said.

No matter the setting, Creamer makes the effort to get to know the people around him and let them know they feel valued and appreciated through his contagious smile and kind words.

He figures out math problems on his own time. He enjoys robotics, riding his bike, and eating Mexican food as well as spicy, sweet and sour. He has a love for soccer and enjoys watching the Olympics, especially baseball.

Freshman Omar Resendiz-Parra sits in the audience. (WKTV)
Omar Resendiz-Parra accepts his award with his family. (WKTV)

Omar Resendiz-Parra

From that description, it did not take long for students to recognize that freshman Omar Resendiz-Parra was the next Alpha Wolf.

“I have never heard him say an unkind word or be remotely critical about anyone,” said one of his teachers. “He has never said anything out of frustration or irritation. In fact, he has challenged himself to be a better version of a kind and gracious person that he already is.”

During parent teacher conferences, Resendiz-Parra helped his father understand by translating everything. He does everything with a kind heart, according to another staff member, and he is willing to help anyone on a daily basis.

Students and staff all agreed that Resendiz-Parra leads by example.

Sophomores

Tarren Calvert

Sophomore Tarren Calvert shakes hands with family members. (WKTV)

Unusually the first thing sophomore Tarren Calvert will ask someone when he sees them is how his/her day is going.

Calvert simply does good deeds whether anyone is looking or not and people are looking. They have noticed how he goes out of his way to help others, especially helping classmates with homework and other tasks.

“It does not take long for everyone who meets this Alpha Wolf to feel the positive energy he gives with everyone he meets,” according to students and staff, adding that this junior varsity basketball star is positive, respectful and selfless.

Sophomore Berlinda Pablo-Pablo walks up to accept her award. (WKTV)
Berlinda Pablo-Pablo stands with her family for a photo. (WKTV)

Berlinda Pablo-Pablo

All it took was the statement “She is a flute player and participates in the Grand Rapids Symphony’s Mosaic Scholarship program” for many to quickly guess that sophomore Berlinda Pablo-Pablo was the next sophomore Alpha Wolf.

“Those who have interacted with this student have said this Alpha Wolf 11 left them with a lasting impression,” according to staff. “She is hardworking, strives for excellence and is the embodiment of joy.”

According to her peers, Pablo-Pablo is “a great friend with a sweet and tender heart, a kind shoulder with a big smile, constantly friendly, and never rude to anyone, and she is supportive and ready and able to cheer up a person and make them laugh.”

Juniors

Gage Behrenbrinker

Junior Gage Behrenbrinker walks up to accept his award as his family watches. (WKTV)

A member of the variety football and basketball, junior Gage Behrenbrinker is definitely a servant leader.

Just some of the words/sayings staff and students said about Behrenbrinker were:

Very cool

Always happy

Likes helping classmates and is always helping at school

Works to improves everyone they are around

Always a positive attitude

Makes everyone’s day better

Polite

Respectful 

Inspiring

A great role model

A great leader

Someone we all look up to

Because of these many attributes, Behrenbrinker, according to many, is the perfect example of an Alpha Wolf.

Junior Dominkik (Buster) Cross is congratulated by family members. (WKTV)
Dominik (Buster) Cross poses with his family for a picture. (WKTV)

Domink (Buster) Cross

Always there for his friends and family, junior Dominik (Buster) Cross uses his voice to encourage the absolute best out of everyone.

According to staff, Cross is bold, honest, and optimistic and there is never a day that he does not put his best foot forward.

He leads by example, has a smile that lights up the room, and always shows grace especially in the face of challenges, which is why the students and staff chose him to as an Alpha Wolf.

Senior Bryce Bosovich is congratulated by family members and staff. (WKTV)
Bryce Bosovich stands with his family. (WKTV)

Seniors

Bryce Bosovich

“I have never had the opportunity to have this scholar in class at the junior or high school, but every time I have had conversations with him it has been super respectful, polite, and mature and sometimes sports related,” said teacher Shawn Veenstra who was one of several Alpha Wolf presenters.

For Bryce Bosovich, it was noted it was difficult to compact all the Alpha Wolf characteristics that he has in a short narrative, but the presenters were certainly willing to try.

Comments from students included: 

“He is my best friend and has always helped me when I am going through something.”

“He never fails to put a smile on my face.”

“He is always super nice to everyone in class and is always kind to people he sees. He has just an awesome personality and if I say so myself this guy has a bright future on his shoulders as well.” 

According to staff, Bosovich’s laugh is instantly familiar. He is thoughtful, respectful, selfless, and always positive.

Jesus Valadez Cano

Jesus Valadez Cano moved to the United States from Mexico a few years ago and in that short time has established himself as a person of integrity, humility and someone who cares about others and their successes.

“When others in class may not understand something or have different ideas Jesus (Valadez Cano) is considerate and works with them in a positive way,” according to staff. “There is no pretense and no arrogance from this student. He simply lifts others up. He has only one mode: positive.”

Known for working with Spanish students to make sure they understand their school, about every student in the school loves working with Valadez Cano because he is such a great listener, values the opinions of others and openly shares his own ideas. 

Going home for the holidays; busy times at Ford International Airport

3-bottom, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, West Michigan, , ,
Gerald R. Ford International Airport ready for holiday travel. (Courtesy, Gerald R. Ford International Airport)



By WKTV Staff

greer@wktv.org



As we approach holiday travel, the Gerald R. Ford International Airport is expecting a busy week and is reminding guests to pack their patience.

The Ford Airport is expecting travel levels similar to 2019. While they are ready for guests, they are reminding travelers of the importance of patience and planning ahead.

“We are eager and ready to help guests connect with their family and friends over the holidays as West Michigan’s gateway to the world,” said COO Alex Peric. “We encourage guests to pack their patience while fellow community members work diligently to ensure a smooth travel experience for everyone.”

Travel Stats 

Expected Holiday Travel: 165,000-plus passengers from December 19 through January 2. This includes both departing and arriving passengers.


Traffic: Guest traffic is currently at 98 percent of 2019, which was a record-breaking year for the Airport. Ford Airport expects to be at or near 2019 levels by end of 2022. Currently, they are seeing an average of a 22 percent increase in guest numbers from 2021.

Peak Holiday Travel Dates: December 19 through January 2. The busiest departure day is expected to be December 22.

Top Destinations: Atlanta, Denver, Chicago, Charlotte, Dallas, Punta Gorda and Orlando.

Airline Contacts 

For questions about specific flights, baggage handling, and more, reach out directly to the airline.
 

Allegiant (702-505-8888)

Delta Air Lines (800-221-1212)

Southwest Airlines (800-435-9792)

American Airlines (800-433-7300)

Frontier Airlines (801-401-9000)

United Airlines (800-241-6522)

TSA Inquiries: TSA.gov


Weather and Staffing 

As a reminder, the Ford International Airport never closes. Inclement weather can cause delays and cancellations. The Airport manages clearing runways and other infrastructure while individual airlines are responsible for plane de-icing. Individual airlines also are responsible for check-ins and all matters related to gates, including departures and deplanings.

Friday basketball scores and team leaders

Citizen Journalism, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Sports, West Michigan, ,
(pxhere.com)



By Cris Greer

WKTV Managing Editor

greer@wktv.org

Friday, Jan. 20 Boys Basketball

East Kentwood 56, Caledonia 41

Muskegon 84, Wyoming 52

(WY: Alyjah Chandler, 16 points, 4 rebounds; Maxi Morales, 10 points, 6 rebounds)

Lee 74, Zion Christian 41

Godwin Heights 66, Hopkins 58

Kelloggsville 60, Belding 42

South Christian 81, Wayland 54

(SC: Jake Vermaas, 27 points; Carson Vis, 19)

Grand Rapids Covenant Christian 46, Tri-unity 35 

Grand River Prep 69, Muskegon Catholic Central 57

Friday, Jan. 20 Girls Basketball

East Kentwood 65, Caledonia 43

Zion Christian 46, Lee 10

(ZC: Josie Doezema, Jayda Steenbergen, Sam Deutschmann, Brie Alsum, 8 points apiece; LEE: Autumn Johnson, Imonie Davis, 3 points apiece)

Hopkins 68, Godwin Heights 49

(GH: Mikasia Kayter Witherspoon, season-high 19 points; Kashari Babb, 11; Imani Taylor, 10 points. HOPKINS: Matty Weber, 24 points)

Grand River Prep 52, Muskegon Catholic Central 48

(Kennedie Crawford, 25 points, including four 3-pointers; Abby Rivera-Sosa, 19 points)

Belding 52, Kelloggsville 17

Muskegon 70, Wyoming 61

South Christian 54, Wayland 48



Tuesday, Jan. 17 Boys Basketball

Wyoming 72, Holland 54

(WY: Quinton Williams, 27 points, 4 steals)

South Christian 64, Kenowa Hills 34

(SC: Jake DeHaan, 16 points, Jake Vermaas, 15; Carson Vis, 14)

Tri-unity Christian 64, Muskegon Catholic Central 29

(TU: Owen Rosendall, 17 points, 5 steals; Akais Giplaye, 8 rebounds)

West Michigan Aviation 69, Muskegon Heights 64

(WMAA: Ethan Dyksterhouse, 23 points, 13 rebounds, 4 blocks; Luke Riebel, 13 points, 3 rebounds; Joseph May, 12 points, 6 rebounds, 8 assists, 3 steals, 6 turnovers)

Lee at Grand River Prep

Grand Haven at East Kentwood

Godwin Heights at Belding

Hopkins at Kelloggsville

Tuesday, Jan. 17 Girls Basketball

Wyoming 48, Holland 33

(WY: Aaliyah Ratliff, 18 points; Michaela Moore, 10 points off the bench)

Kenowa Hills 54, South Christian 47

(SC: Ashley Raredon, 22. KH: M. Holman, 26 points)

Grand River Prep 50, Lee 27

(Kennedie Crawford, 19 points)

Belding at Godwin Heights

Kelloggsville at Hopkins

Potter’s House Christian 49, Muskegon Oakridge 35

Tuesday, Jan. 10 Girls Basketball

South Christian 61, Ottawa Hills 20

(SC: Lizzie Wolthuis, 16 points, Ashley Thomasma, 15; Ottawa Hills: Semaj Robertson, 8; South Christian Coach Kim Legge, “It was good to have my whole team back and healthy.”)

Mona Shores 58, Wyoming 49 (see story)

Rockford 40, East Kentwood 28

NorthPointe Christian 60, Godwin Heights 48

Comstock Park 77, Kelloggsville 31

Potter’s House Christian 48, Saugatuck 37  

Morley Stanwood at West Michigan Aviation

Zion Christian 50, Wyoming Homeschoolers 21

Tuesday, Jan. 10 Boys Basketball

West Michigan Aviation 69, Morley Stanwood 30

(WMAA: Luke Riebel, 14 points, 4 rebounds, 6 steals; Joseph May, 13 points, 2 rebounds, 4 assists; Ian Brown, 11 points; Braeden Mowry, 8 points)

East Kentwood 51, Rockford Boys 49 (see story)

Wyoming 66, Mona Shores 62

(Alyjah Chandler, 30 points, 5 assists; Quinton Williams, 17 points, 6 rebounds)

South Christian 55, Ottawa Hills 51

(Jake DeHaan, 18 points)

Tri-unity 78, Western Michigan Christian 50 (see story)

(TU: Roy Fogg, 15 points; Jordan Vanklompenberg, 12 points, 5 assists; Akais Giplaye, 12 points, 10 rebounds; Keaton Blanker, 11 points, 6 assists) 

Comstock Park 65, Kelloggsville 44

(Kelloggsville: Brendon Tuinstra, 21 points, 8 rebounds; Nae Shawn Ealey, 8 points)

Godwin Heights 84, NorthPointe Christian 72

Potter’s House Christian 59, Saugatuck 34

Zion Christian 57, Wellspring Prep 40

(Zion: Silas Moes, 15 points; Andrew Leep, 12)

Tuesday, Jan. 3 Girls Basketball

Byron Center 64, South Christian 32

Grand Rapids Covenant Christian 52, Kelloggsville 18

Zion Christian 55, Grand Rapids Sacred Heart 27

Tuesday, Jan. 3 Boys Basketball

South Christian 71, Byron Center 56

Zion Christian 46, Grand Rapids Sacred Heart 21

Thursday, Dec. 29 Girls Basketball

Potter’s House Christian Battle of Wyoming Tournament Championship

Wyoming 54, Potter’s House 51 (OT)

Wednesday, Dec. 28 Girls Basketball

Potter’s House Christian Battle of Wyoming Tournament

Wyoming 65, Godwin Heights 45

(Wyoming: LaAnna Griffin, a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds; Aaliyah Ratliff, 12 points)

Potter’s House Christian 58, Kelloggsville 31

Tuesday, Dec. 20 Boys Basketball

East Kentwood 70, Parchment 37

Tuesday, Dec. 20 Girls Basketball

South Christian 64, Kalamazoo Christian 38

(Ashley Raredon, 18 points; Lizzie Wolthuis, 10 points)

Wyoming 70, Kelloggsville 31

Potter’s House Christian 56, Cedar Springs 47

Saugatuck 42, Zion Christian 32

Tuesday, Dec. 20 Boys Basketball

West Michigan Aviation 77, Kalamazoo Christian 61

(WMA: Luke Riebel, 25 points, 1 rebound, 1 assist, 1 steal; Joseph May, 14 points, 12 assists, 2 rebounds, 1 block; Ethan Dyksterhouse, 13 points, 10 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 block)

Wyoming 70, Kelloggsville 57

(Wyoming: Alyjah Chandler, 18 points, 4 rebounds; Donavyn Edwards, 17 points, 8 rebounds)

Saugatuck 54, Zion Christian 48

(Zion Christian: Silas Moes led all scorers with 17 points)

Friday, Dec. 16 Girls Basketball

South Christian 58, Hudsonville Unity Christian 32

(South Christian: Ashley Raredon, Lizzie Wolthuis, 17 points apiece)

Muskegon Western Michigan Christian 61, West Michigan Aviation 14

Potter’s House Christian 42, NorthPointe Christian 41

Jenison 55, Wyoming 28

Zion Christian 66, Kentwood Grand River Prep 23

Friday, Dec. 16 Boys Basketball

Zion Christian 56, Belding 35

(ZC: Silas Moes, 23 points, 8 rebounds, 8 assists, 5 steals; Andrew Leep, 16 points, 8 rebounds)

Tri-Unity Christian 59, Kelloggsville 21

(TU: Roy Fog and Keaton Blanker, 10 points apiece, Kelloggsville: Brandon Tuinstra, 8 points)

Jenison 67, Wyoming 52

(Wyoming: Quinton Williams 13 points; Avonte Wiggins, 9 points)

South Christian 58, Hudsonville Unity Christian 50

(South Christian: Carson Vis, 26 points)

NorthPointe Christian 64, Potter’s House Christian 53

Grandville Calvin Christian girls hold off Potter’s House Christian 55-51

City of Wyoming, Sports, West Michigan, ,
(Courtesy, pxhere.com)



By Cris Greer

WKTV Managing Editor

greer@wktv.org



In a tight battle right down to the wire, Grandville Calvin Christian pulled it out at the end, beating Potter’s House Christian 55-51 in girls basketball Tuesday night.

“It was a super fun game, back and forth, and came down to free throws at the end,” said Potter’s House Christian Coach Jake Hoogstrate, whose team fell to 1-4 overall. “We had our looks and had our chances. We’re definitely not putting our heads down after this one.”

A see-saw battle throughout, the Pumas led 51-49 down the stretch, until Calvin Christian (5-0) scored the last six points to close it out.

“It was a really competitive game,” said Hoogstrate, in his eighth year as coach. “I though both teams played really well. I think the best players on both teams stood out and did what they needed to do.”

Junior captain Anyieth Nhial led Potter’s House with 23 points.

Potter’s House junior captain Anyieth Nhial. (Courtesy, Jake Szetela)



“She played really well tonight,” said Hoogstrate, of his three-year varsity player.

Senior captain Isabelle Baez added 11 points, including 8 for 10 from the free throw line.

“Only one senior graduated last year and we feel really good about this season,” Hoogstrate said. “Starting Friday, everyone will be back at full strength. We have a tough road until the first of the year and we’ll see where we’re at after that.

“We look forward to defending the Alliance League championship.”

The Pumas were 7-0 in the league and finished 16-6 overall last year.