Michigan grows more than 755 of the nation’s tart cherries with an annual crop valued at $280 million. (Pxhere.com)
U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) and Gary Peters (D-Mich.) recently announced that the U.S. International Trade Commission will begin tracking foreign imports of certified organic and conventionally produced tart cherry juice and tart cherry juice concentrate, and all other varieties of cherry juice, in order to more accurately measure the impact of trade on Michigan’s tart cherry industry.
In March, Stabenow and Peters urged the Commission to track this information in the wake of unfair and rising import competition of tart cherry juice harming Michigan producers. Michigan grows more than 75% of the nation’s tart cherries with an annual crop valued at $280 million, supporting hundreds of processing and retail jobs and a vibrant tourism industry in Northwest Michigan.
“Michigan’s world-famous tart cherries are a central piece of our ag economy,” Stabenow said. “But this industry cannot continue to flourish in the face of unfair and unaccountable competition from foreign producers. Today’s announcement is a welcome step toward ensuring an even playing field for our Michigan growers.”
In 2020, Stabenow and Peters similarly urged the U.S. International Trade Commission to collect statistical information on dried cherry imports after Turkish exporters continued to dump low-quality dried cherries into U.S. markets, creating a trade imbalance that hurt Michigan growers. The Senators’ request was approved and went into effect in July 2020.
“For years, Michigan cherry growers have been harmed by unfair trade practices that threaten their livelihoods and hurt workers. They deserve a level playing field. After pushing for this needed change, I’m pleased the ITC will now collect all available information on these imports so that our growers have a fair shot at competing on the world stage,” Peters said.
“The new categories for tracking imported cherry juice/concentrate are very important for the U.S. tart cherry industry,” said Julie gordon, president and managing director of the Cherry Marketing Institute. The new reporting will provide us specific information that was not previously available and will help us develop strategies for dealing with the influx of imports. We are grateful that the 484(f) Committee granted our request for the new codes and for the continued support from Senator Stabenow and Senator Peters.”
By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma WKTV Managing Editor joanne@wktv.org
To help educate potential new drivers on the dangers of driving impaired, the Wyoming Department of Public Safety will be purchasing a distracted and impaired driver simulator thanks to a $25,000 grant from GM Motors Corporate Giving.
GM Grand Rapids Operations Plant Director Troy Comiskey (center) announces the 2023 GM Corporate Giving grant recipients from the Grand Rapids area. (WTKV/Joanne Bailey-Boorsma)
The grant, which was given to the Wyoming Greater Resource Alliance for the public safety department’s use, was one of three grants awarded by the GM Grand Rapids Operations, which is located in Wyoming. The grants totaled $75,000 with the two other organizations also receiving $25,000 each was The Right Place and West Michigan Environmental Action Council (WMEAC).
“GM has made a concerted effort to bump up its local giving to the communities,” said Troy Comiskey, plant director for the Grand Rapids Operations. “They take corporate giving very seriously. They have upped it the last two years in a row with definitely a jump this year from the $10,000 mark to the $25,000 mark.”
Through the GM Community Grant program, the company has donated around $3 million to a 157 charities over the last year in U.S. communities that surround GM manufacturing sites. Since its inception, GM’s Corporate Giving has investing has helped communities across the U.S. in a variety of initiatives focused on STEM, vehicle and road safety and community impact.
Comiskey noted that the giving has gone beyond just monetary but with many of the Grand Rapids Operations employees giving time to a variety of events such as Teach for the Watershed, the Mayor’s Grand River Clean-Up, and FIRST Robotics programs. He noted this is on top of employees working sometimes 40-plus hours a week and taking care of their own families that “they still find time for a couple of hours per week or month to help local communities.”
From left, Lt. Eric Wiler from the Wyoming Department of Public Safety, UAW Local 167 Chairman Chris Newman, The Right Place Senior Vice President of Strategic Initiatives Brad Comment, WMEAC Director of Engagement Marshall A. Kilgore, and GM Grand Rapids Operations Plant Director Troy Comiskey (WKTV/Joanne N. Bailey-Boorsma)
Educating the Future about the Environment
One of the beneficiaries of that volunteer support has ben WMEAC which among its programs host the Teach for the Watershed. which is an interactive watershed education program based on Michigan Science Curriculum Standards, and the Mayor’s Grand River Cleanup, the state’s largest riverbank cleanup.
“We are so thankful to GM for this,” said Marshall A. Kilgore, WMEAC’s director of engagement. “This grant started back a few years ago at $200 with them kind enough to extend their philanthropy from $200 to $25,000.”
Kilgore said WMEAC has seen growth in its programs and through the grant will be able to reach more students about how to better take care of their environment.
“So we plan to use this money for the water that connects all of us here in West Michigan and also teach our youth how to be better stewards of their land, water and soil,” he said.
Making the Roads Safer
Lt. Eric Wiler said his department is working to purchase the distracted and impaired driver simulator which they are hoping to debut at this year’s National Night Out as well as other events, such as Metro Cruise. Plans are also in the works to bring the simulator to local school districts to educate potential new drivers about driving with cellphones or while intoxicated.
According to the Michigan State Police, 16,543 crashes in 2021 involving distracted driving. Fatal distracted driving crashes increased by 14% from 2020 to 2021. According to the National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration, 3,522 people died because of districted driving in 2021.
To help combat the issue, the Michigan legislature passed a ban on using phones while driving in May.
Building a Workforce Pipeline
Brad Comment, senior vice president of strategic initiatives for The Right Place, said the organization plans to use its grant funding toward growing Michigan’s manufacturing, technology and life science sectors, which Comiskey had commented is “very near and dear to our heart here at GM because we have such a technical workforce.”
Through its programs, Comment said The Right Place will continue to work to bring students into manufacturing facilities and introduce them to careers in manufacturing and technology.
GM was started in 1908 by William C. Durant as a holding company for the Buick Car Company. Within two years, Durant brought some of the biggest names in the automotive industry, including Oldsmobile, Cadillac, Pontiac and the predecessors of GMC Truck. For more than 75 years, the GM Grand Rapids Operations, which is at 5100 Burlingame SW, has been producing high prevision, high volume automotive components for GM products as well as non-GM products.
By KatelynKikstra Kent County Department of Public Works
While batteries of any type should never go in your recycling cart or any recycling drop-off station, but what you should do with them instead oftentimes is not clear. Batteries can really trip folks up because the type of battery ultimately determines what we need to do with them. Read below to match what kind of battery/batteries you have to figure out your next actions.
Alkaline batteries
Alkaline batteries are typically the cell batteries (EX: AA, AAA, etc.) that are commonly used in a lot of household items, like toys, flash lights, radios, etc. Alkaline batteries are cell batteries that ARE NOT rechargeable.
Alkaline batteries should be taped on the ends and then placed into the trash. (Pxhere.com)
Alkaline batteries used to contain mercury, qualifying them as hazardous waste, so they would have been accepted through a household hazardous waste program for a really long time. However, around the mid- to late-90s, manufacturers changed how they made alkaline batteries (to no longer contain mercury) so these types of batteries no longer qualify as hazardous waste and cannot go to a hazardous waste program. Once taped on the ends/terminals, these batteries are OK to go in the trash because they are no longer hazardous.
Unfortunately, there aren’t a lot of places that recycle them as the process is tedious and expensive. We do not know of any alkaline battery recyclers in Kent County. Instead, we encourage folks to use up their supply of alkaline batteries and make the transition to a rechargeable/reusable type of battery if possible.
These batteries should do contain hazardous materials and should be taken to a SafeChem location. (Pxhere.com)
All other batteries
“All other batteries” is a broad category but it includes (from left to right): button batteries, laptop/cellphone/electronics batteries, drill/weed trimmer/leaf blower batteries, lithium ion/cadmium batteries, auto/marine/ATV batteries, and RECHARGEABLE cell batteries (EX: AA, AAA, etc).
All of these batteries should never go in your trash, recycling bin or into any of our single-stream/mixed recycling drop-off stations as they contain hazardous materials and could easily start a fire at the recycling center, landfill or a garbage truck.
In the fall of 2020, the Wyoming Tree Commission (The Tree Amigos), with volunteer helped planted trees in the Godfrey-Lee area. (Courtesy, Wyoming Tree Commission)
Whether it be the shade from a hot summer day to the colorful leaves dropping that add nature’s beauty in the fall, trees can provide a natural respite for a community as well as improve air and water quality.
However, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service, underserved communities tend to have fewer trees than other city neighborhoods and local organizations working to add tree canopy to those areas can face unique challenges.
To help make a difference in one such area are three organizations, the City of Wyoming Tree Commission – The Tree Amigos, the Godfrey-Lee Public Schools, and ReLeaf Michigan. Tuesday, May 23, the groups will come together to plant 20 trees at the Godfrey-Lee Early Childhood Center, 961 Joosten St. SW, to plant 20 trees. Volunteers also are being sought to help with the project.
Building Shade Equity
“We are working in Godfrey Lee for two reasons,” said Estelle Slootmaker, who is a member and founder of Tree Commission (The Tree Amigos), which noted the group has planted trees in the Godfrey-Lee district in the past. “The area’s canopy has been disastrously decreased by storms and development.
“The neighborhood, like many U.S. neighborhoods experiencing income challenges, lacks shade equity. Shaded neighborhoods promote mental health, reduce crime, have cleaner air with less asthma and other breathing conditions, and higher property values.”
The other reason the commission has selected the Godfrey-Lee area was because of the advocacy of volunteers Susan VanBronkhorst and Rosemary Davis, who have advocated for planting in the neighborhood, and because of Godfrey-Lee science teacher Deb Truszkowski, who has been working to get The Tree Amigos active with the district.
Truszkowski said it was a National Geographic article that raised her awareness for the lack of tree canopies in underserved areas. She teaches a world disasters course at the high school which focuses on climate change.
“We are currently looking into areas that lack tree canopies and how that affects a community,” Truszkowski said, adding the classes have been discussing how redlining, where lenders refused loans to people living in a certain area, impacted a neighborhood and its environment, such as parks, green space and trees.
Students from two of Truszkowski’s classes will participate in the planting along with talking to volunteers and learning from ReLeaf Michigan.
Volunteer Opportunities
ReLeaf Michigan, a 35-year-old non-profit organization, partners with communities statewide to replenish community tree canopies through volunteer tree planting events. In 2022, the DTE Foundation granted $350,000 to ReLeaf for tree plantings in communities throughout the state.
Slootmaker said ReLeaf is providing the 20 trees and the organization’s forester helped select the planting sites. On planting day, ReLeaf representatives will be there to provide instruction and supervise the plantings.
“They will be providing information on the proper way to plant and for the trees,” Slootmacher said, adding it is a great opportunity for anyone who wants to learn more about planting and green spaces.
Those interested in volunteering — no planting experience is necessary — should wear closed-toe shoes and comfortable clothing and bring a shovel, hard rake, and work gloves if they have them. The group will meet at Godfrey-Lee Early Childhood Center located, 961 Joosten St. SW, at 8:45 a.m. to sign in, enjoy refreshments, and watch a planting demonstration with ReLeaf Michigan’s tree experts.The event occurs rain or shine.
Pictured above is the Beverly Bryan Community Orchard, where the Wyoming event will occur. (Photo, Tree Amigos)
Arbor Day celebrates the gift of trees this Friday, April 28. The holiday is a day dedicated to encouraging individuals to plant trees, which are essential for our ecosystem, are a renewable resource, and offer many benefits to communities.
This year, the City of Wyoming Tree Commission, “The Tree Amigos,” is partnering with Wyoming’s West Elementary, 1840 38th St. SW, for its 2023 Arbor Day ceremony set for 10:30 a.m. The event will take place in school’s Beverly Bryan Community Orchard.
West Elementary students will share poetry, art, and songs at the event. The city will plant two fruit trees in the orchard to celebrate Arbor Day.
Mayor Kent Vanderwood, who was ab advocate in establishing the tree commission in 2015, will open the event with the Arbor Day proclamation.
“We are a group of citizen volunteers who want to improve the tree canopy for our city because it is so important to the health of the people that live here,” said Estelle Slootmaker, board member of The Tree Amigos.
The event will also recognize the City of Wyoming’s eighth consecutive year as a part of Tree City USA.
ArborFest celebrations will also occur this weekend, April 28-29, in Grand Rapids. During this event, the community will plant 200 trees and give away 150 in the Roosevelt Park Neighborhood.
Arbor Day originates from the Latin word “arbor,” meaning tree.
“Trees are as important to a healthy city as the water supply, the public works department, or the police force. Our job is to educate people so they (trees) are valued, planted, and maintained more,” Slootmaker said.
This holiday has been around for centuries, dating back to 1872 when journalist Julius Morton proposed a day to encourage his fellow Nebraskans to plant trees.
Morton filled his property (160 acres) with trees to enrich the desolate planes of Nebraska. He wrote for the Nebraska City News, where he encouraged community members to learn about the ecological importance of trees.
Morton’s articles resonated with the public. The agriculture board approved his proposal for a holiday, and community members planted more than a million trees on the first Arbor Day.
“We still have a mindset that trees are decorations, but they are so integral to our way of living,” Slootmaker said.
Trees play many roles in our lives. They provide oxygen for us to breathe. They are a renewable resource giving wood and paper. Trees provide fruit for food and are a habitat for wildlife. Trees can reduce air and noise pollution in busy neighborhoods and reduce heating and cooling bills. The benefits of trees extend long past a tree’s lifetime.
“We can reduce the impacts of climate change on neighborhoods. We can improve their air quality and reduce asthma rates,” Slootmaker said. “Trees have been proven to reduce crime and boost our mental health. There are lots of good reasons to plant trees.”
The Tree Amigos needs more board members. It is required to be a Wyoming resident. Any volunteers or inquiries can contact: treeamigoswyoming@gmail.com
John James Audubon (Courtesy, Library of Congress)
LANSING – A National Audubon Society decision to keep its name is bitterly dividing members, some of whom are pressing to distance the organization from namesake John James Audubon, who was an enslaver.
Many Audubon chapters across Michigan are still wrestling with what to do about the name on local levels.
There are more than 30 chapters across the state.
Well established brand
The organization was founded in 1905 and named after America’s most famous naturalist and bird artist, John James Audubon, who died in 1851.
Kirk Waterstripe, a board member of the Grand Traverse Audubon Club in Traverse City, said he learned about the national decision from another member.
He said the local discussion was limited.
“We all agreed that’s how things were done in the 1800s, and we can’t really judge that world by our moral and ethical standards,” he said.
“We’ve learned from that history. We wouldn’t do it now, but the brand is established,” Waterstripe said.
He said that the Aububon name has become synonymous with birding.
“People see (Audubon) and they associate it with birds,” he said.
Waterstripe said the Traverse City chapter board will discuss releasing a statement in its newsletter.
Some National Audubon Society chapters, including ones in Chicago and Seattle, have already put out statements opposed to keeping the ‘Audubon’ name.
In a press release, the Chicago Audubon Society said it will call on the National Audubon Society to change its name and, if that doesn’t happen, the chapter will select a new name.
“The Grand Rapids Audubon Club has been monitoring and carefully considering these important conversations that are happening at the local, state and national levels. At this time we will maintain our club name,” the statement said.
Some chapter members say they need more time to think about what to do.
Don Burlett, the president of the Oakland Audubon Society, said it is going to take some time to decide at a local level whether to change its name.
“We are in discussions, Burlett said. “There is a lot to be considered in the whole decision, but those issues are all being discussed and it may take some time before we make a decision.”
He said the chapter may survey its members to get their opinions and thoughts.
Name change does not impact affiliation
“For many people, it’s a personal decision as to whether they would want to keep the name or change the name,“ said Burlett.
If a chapter decides to change its name, it can easily do so.
“Any organization affiliated with National Audubon is completely free to change their name and it won’t affect the affiliation, ” he said.
At a national level, the process of determining whether to keep or drop the Audubon name took over a year and included consulting with local chapters and staff.
Three members of the national board resigned in mid-March to protest the majority decision to retain the name.
Sam Blatchford was born and raised in Orange County, California. He is working on his bachelor’s degree in journalism. He has a passion for both tennis and music. He aspires to be either a tennis reporter or a music journalist. His favorite tennis player is Nick Kyrgios, and his favorite genre of music is rock. Sam’s hobbies include playing tennis, recording music and watching as many sporting events as possible. He has written articles for 89 FM, the Impact.
The avian flu has not harmed Michigan’s commercial turkey farms to date. (Photo by Mikkel Bergmann)
LANSING – While avian flu has disrupted poultry flocks in Michigan and spurred higher egg and chicken prices, turkeys in Michigan – wild and farmed alike – have been spared from the virulent disease, industry leaders and government officials say.
Megan Moriarty, a wildlife veterinary specialist for the Department of Natural Resources, said the agency conducted surveillance for avian flu last spring and fall, finding the virus primarily in swan, geese, ducks, vultures and eagles and, on a lesser scale, hawks and falcons.
Moriarty said no cases of avian flu among wild turkeys were found.
Turkeys have less risk factors
Turkeys are at less risk of infection than many other bird species because of a handful of factors, Moriarty said.
Wild turkeys are not scavengers, so they don’t get sick from eating infected animals. They also don’t travel together in colonies, meaning mass transmission of avian flu is unlikely, she said.
No cases have been reported so far in 2023, according to the department’s communications director, Jennifer Holton.
Nancy Barr, the executive director of the Michigan Allied Poultry Industries, said avian flu has been spotted in one commercial flock of turkeys since the start of 2022, but turkey farmers have prevented its spread to other flocks since.
Barr said since that initial case in 2022, turkey farmers have implemented biosecurity measures like perimeter buffer areas that control which people and vehicles can enter a farm.
Not crossing the line
“They draw an imaginary line around the outside of the farm and they have certain restrictions for any vehicles or people that come across that line to make sure that they aren’t potentially bringing anything from the outside,” Barr said.
A more important biosecurity measure is the line of separation at a barn door, according to Barr.
That means only farmworkers can enter barns where turkeys are housed, she said. Those workers have had no contact with other poultry and change clothes and sometimes shower before going in.
“That’s probably one of the most primary things they do,” Barr said. “Equipment is cleaned or designated just for that house. So it’s thinking about every single thing that comes into that house to keep those birds healthy.”
Spring migration a concern
Barr said that turkey farmers are nervous about the upcoming northward migration of other birds from the South this spring.
According to the Occupational Health and Safety Administration, symptoms of avian flu in birds include sneezing, coughing, diarrhea, nasal discharge, swelling in body parts, loss of energy and appetite, discoloration and sudden death.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, in 2021, Michigan ranked 10th in the nation for numbers of turkeys raised, with 5.1 million annually.
Ottawa and Allegan counties are the only two counties with more farmed turkeys than human residents, according to the USDA. Ottawa County produces 70% of Michigan’s commercially raised turkeys.
Protecting the local turkey industry
Ottawa County Emergency Management Director Louis Hunt, who handles avian flu matters, said the county takes the disease seriously because of the threat posed to turkey producers in the area.
He said when he has visited farms that have turkeys and other poultry, the precautions taken by the producers were “impressive.”
“First of all, you’re met with all the signs that these are biosecure facilities, and I guess that sounds intimidating,” Hunt said about his farm visits. “They have taken great pains to keep separated any potential vectors” of the disease.
On his visits, Hunt had to certify that he had no contact with any poultry in “multiple” days. He also had to be decontaminated and change his clothes.
He said owners of backyard flocks in Ottawa County have received information about what to watch out for and were ordered to immediately report any infection.
As for the upcoming migratory season, Moriarty said the DNR is preparing for a resurgence of cases in the spring and flu for wild birds, based on last year’s experience.
“Migration and large-scale movements of different bird species, it’s kind of a perfect scenario to have the virus be mixing and moving across the landscape,” he said.
Barr said Michigan is in the “Mississippi flyway,” a major bird migration route, producers will be watching their flocks diligently to ensure as little infection as possible.Most producers will assume the migrating birds are potentially infected.
Dan Netter is a journalist who started at Michigan State University in 2019. His interest in journalism includes policy reporting, identity reporting and a little bit of news design. Other places where Dan’s work has appeared include The State News and 101.9 WDET-FM. His favorite song is “I Heard It Through the Grapevine” by Marvin Gaye.
The eaglets, E21 and E22. (Southwest Florida Eagle Cam Foundation )
After surviving the devastating hurricane Ian, losing the entire nest, returning as a couple to rebuild one stick at a time, delivering two healthy eaglets and then fending off attacks by owls and other eagles, our cherished eagle, Harriet, has gone missing…her fate is unknown at this time.
She was last seen Thurs., Feb. 2 leaving the nest located on the Pritchett property as she has countless times. A typical day…until it wasn’t! This time, she strangely has not returned. This is totally out of character and a sign something is very wrong. Meanwhile, M15 has been staying closer to the nest with the two eaglets doing double duties of both adult eagles. Many eagle watchers are deeply pained as we watch him so sorrowfully (yes, eagles speak in various tones with many meanings we recognize) calling out and looking for his loved mate. He even brought in her favorite treats, trying to entice her return.
Other eagles in the area
However, deeply concerning has been the presence of and attacks by other unfamiliar eagles entering the area, some as a grouping. After suffering through several brutal owl attacks in recent weeks, M15 bravely had to leave the eaglets unattended as he fought off three apparently invasive, attacking eagles at the same time. We held our collective breath wondering how one eagle could protect, feed and train two feisty eaglets alone…more so while fighting off multiple strange eagles at the same time. Yet, always amazing us, he has been doing all that and thankfully keeps returning so far.
While we pray and try to be positive, the attacking group of unfamiliar eagles is not a good sign, more so with Harriet’s mysterious, uncharacteristic absence. Did she try to fight them off? We know Harriet would not allow this and M15 can only do so much. Just leaving the babies unattended as he flies to get necessary food leaves the babies and nest vulnerable. It reminds eagle watchers of the horrific incident that took place during Christmas in the northwest area of Florida. After weeks of waiting, the shell broke open and the bird was almost out…but as the newborn was literally seconds from being completely out of its shell, an unknown eagle swooped down grabbed it, killed it in seconds in front of horrified eagle watchers. And we have not forgotten about Ozzie or how M15 came to the nest.
Leaving the nest alone
A 2016 photo of Harriet and M15 (Southwest Florida Eagle Cam Foundation)
Media and eagle groups are putting out much information. People in the area have been reminded of laws in place to protect eagles. Basically, reminding people the Pritchett family is allowed to have cameras up but laws to protect eagles and human property on which they nest will be enforced. There appears to be trouble with well intended people trespassing, disturbing the area as they search for Harriet and baiting. No one is allowed to bait the area (as it appears some have done) for many valid reasons. For instance, where did the meat come from, how was it handled, was it contaminated by salmonella or a creature that had eaten rodenticide, or hit with lead…things that could harm an eagle. Placing meat next to the road can be risky for the eagles as well as drivers. And, it can attract unwanted competitors…like the more aggressive eagles seeking new territory.
It has been reported the Pritchett family and eagle watchers are distressed but not giving up yet. They reportedly have been out searching their grounds, working with media to ask people to be on the lookout, to call authorities immediately if Harriet or an injured eagle is located, but to please not venture onto their private property.
The search for Harriet
One unverified report I saw claimed a person in the area saw Harriet Thursday, the day she left, struggling to cast a pellet (undigestible waste) but could not because it appears she had swallowed fishing line with a hook…which could be treatable if she is found but fatal if not. (That would be a mankind created crisis which would legally allow human intervention and treatment.) Is that report true? We do not know. Others question if an owl or unfamiliar eagle fought with her? She is a very old bird who has led a remarkable life…anything is possible.
I stated early on this season that territorial fights for food and nesting would be intense this year after Hurricane Ian came through the area. Just look at the photos of all the downed trees with nests in them!!! None of us, however, foresaw Harriet missing while M15 fought three eagles at once without her protecting their territory or babies. If Harriet can, she will return. If she cannot, we do know M15 will risk his life to save all and assume her duties. Can he continue doing that? It is rare, but has happened elsewhere and the season ended with strong birds.
One thing about this nest which continues to impress is how for years it joins thousands of people across the globe together…how we share in learning, joy, pain and support. Today, we sadly brace for the worst but collectively hope and pray for another miracle.
Kent County’s Waste-to-Energy facility. (Courtesy, Kent County Department of Public Works)
Vicinity Energy, a decarbonization leader with the nation’s most extensive portfolio of district energy systems, will partner with Kent County Department of Public Works to operate the Waste-to-Energy facility in Grand Rapids.
Vicinity and Kent County have entered into a long-term service agreement that ensures the facility will operate safely and efficiently. The partnership will save Kent County in operating costs annually while reinforcing its commitment to quality service, the environment, and the local workforce.
“For more than 30 years, Waste-to-Energy has been a key part of Kent County’s integrated waste management system, and it allows our community to responsibly and reliably dispose of solid waste while producing local energy and reducing the amount of waste going into landfills,” said Dar Baas, director of the Kent County Department of Public Works. “We’re continuing to invest in the Waste-to-Energy facility, and this new partnership with Vicinity will ensure it operates safely and efficiently for years to come.”
Vicinity has welcomed the existing plant employees to its team and will hire more team members to ensure safe, efficient, and reliable services are delivered to the residents and businesses served by the facility. This partnership marks a critical milestone in Vicinity’s commitment to sustainability and bringing new jobs and services to West Michigan.
“We are proud to serve as the new operator of this critical piece of Kent County’s waste management system and look forward to continuing to work with the community well into the future,” said Kevin Hagerty, deputy CEO and chief operating officer of Vicinity Energy. “In addition to ensuring a smooth transition from the prior operator, our team has been hard at work on providing the most reliable, resilient, and sustainable services possible.”
The Waste-to-Energy facility incinerates non-hazardous solid waste from municipal and commercial operations in Grand Rapids, East Grand Rapids, Grandville, Kentwood, Walker, and Wyoming. Each year, the facility prevents 190,000 tons of waste from going to landfill, generates enough energy to power 11,000 homes, and recovers enough steel to make 3,000 cars.
The Waste-to-Energy facility upholds the highest environmental standards, achieving Michigan’s Clean Corporate Citizen (C3) designation each year since 2006. The facility also meets or exceeds the strictest federal standards set forth by the EPA and other regulatory bodies and employs sophisticated clean-air technologies to achieve superior environmental performance. The plant operates, on average, 90% below permit limits.
“We are thrilled to partner with Kent County and welcome the new members to the Vicinity team in Grand Rapids,” said Jesse Douglas, vice president and general manager of Vicinity’s Grand Rapids operations. “This transition of operations is an exciting step for both the County and Vicinity to bring innovative solutions to the communities we mutually serve.”
Vicinity also owns and operates the heating and cooling facility that provides clean steam to about 10 million square feet of space in downtown Grand Rapids. Vicinity’s district energy system maintains between 90-95% efficiency year-round. All Grand Rapids customers connected to district energy have a 38% lower annual carbon footprint than if they were to self-generate heat, with future improvements intended to offer renewable, carbon-free energy solutions as part of Vicinity’s Clean Energy Future plan.
Digital rendering of residents of Veridian at County Farm near the Honey Locust Farm Shop in the neighborhood. (Courtesy, THRIVE Collaborative)
LANSING – A new way of exploring the universe has been under our noses for years.
Scientists are only now discovering this by looking at the sky from a different perspective. A recent study shows how we can use existing technology to better understand distant objects with strange, previously unseen behavior.
It’s a two-for-one: Technology that detects heat in the sky can also find supernovae and other cosmic explosions.
“There are many explosive events occurring in the cosmos,” said Brian Metzger, an astrophysical theorist at Columbia University, who contributed to the study in the Astrophysical Journal. “These events appear bright but then fade away quickly.”
These blasts of material from star collisions and explosions happen so fast that they’re hard to study, he said. That makes them a mystery to astronomers.
The behavior of these objects – called transients – is largely unknown. They last only days to weeks. That makes them hard to find.
Telescopes would need to look at the whole sky constantly to observe more transients, Metzger said.
Think of finding transients like a kid looking through an “I Spy” book. Radio telescope surveys search the sky, sorting through stars, galaxies, dust, planets, and other celestial objects.
All of that is to find one specific type of object.
But scanning the sky isn’t as easy as finding a marble on a page of random objects.
Instead, it’s akin to being put into a library of “I Spy” books and told to find one object, in one specific book, on one specific page. The only problem? You aren’t told where it is.
The sky is huge, and according to Nathan Whitehorn, a Michigan State University astrophysicist, it’s crucial to know what you’re looking for and where you can find it.
The good news is that there already is technology that examines the whole sky – it’s just being used for something else.
Cosmic microwave background surveys use telescopes and other scientific instruments to scan the sky for heat. They usually focus on leftover heat from the Big Bang, the explosion theorized to bring the whole universe into existence in one quick burst.
But if scientists know where to look, they can use this technology to uncover more transient data.
“One of the things we realized a few years ago was that [these] telescopes can detect more [than just] cosmic microwave background,” Whitehorn said.
That’s where the new study comes in.
Astronomers took what little data there is about these mystery explosions and created a simulation.
Through their results, they were able to predict where transients might be, how long they’ll last and how many we can expect to find.
Until now, these surveys haven’t been used for finding transients, Whitehorn said.
The information from the study gives an idea of what transient data the surveys could gather if they looked at more than just the distributed heat leftover from the Big Bang.
“Although these surveys are designed for cosmic microwave background science, we can use them to get this transient science return for free,” the study’s lead author, Tarraneh Eftekhari, wrote in an email.
Eftekhari, a radio astronomer at Northwestern, emphasized that using these surveys can give unexpected free data.
As surveys monitor large parts of the sky at a time, they’re more likely to observe short-lived events. And based on the simulation by Eftekhari and her team, there will be many events to observe.
Metzger said using cosmic microwave background surveys differently helps an understanding of a part of the universe we don’t know much about, Metzger said.
LANSING – My favorite summertime activity has always been biking or walking to the best ice cream shop in Lowell: Ball’s Softee Creme.
Ball’s Softee Creme sign in Lowell. (Courtesy, Mackenzie DeRaad)
Situated at the end of town by the Flat River, Ball’s Softee Creme is the perfect place to grab an ice cream cone with friends during the summer months.
You can get anything your heart desires at Ball’s — the best pulled pork sandwich ever, a glacier, which is half slushie-half vanilla ice cream, the largest plate of bean and chili cheese nachos you can imagine and a simple chocolate-vanilla ice cream twist in a cake cone.
Ball’s Softee Creme is the oldest ice cream shop in Lowell, celebrating its 51st year of operation in 2022. Many generations have enjoyed its sweet treats.
Now, I mentioned global warming in the title of this commentary.
Ball’s Softee Creme has nothing to do with global warming, of course, but it is benefitting from it.
The last eight years were the hottest ever recorded, according to a World Meteorological Organization report.
The small, family-owned shop is open only in the warm season, and because of global warming, that season is rapidly lengthening.
In 2022, Ball’s opened for business on April 2 to celebrate another year. In 2020, it opened on March 11 and stayed open into September.
March 11 is more than two months earlier than its opening day in the first years of operation, which hovered around Memorial Day.
Believe me, I love this little ice cream shop, so I can’t complain that it’s opening its windows earlier and keeping them open later in the year.
But I can’t stop thinking about climate change.
Lowell sits at the intersection of the Flat River and Grand River, so it’s no surprise that much of the community is a floodplain.
2013 brought one of the largest floods Lowell has ever seen, caused by days of constant, heavy rain.
Lowell isn’t the only place experiencing heavier rains though.
Aerial view of 2013 flood in Lowell. (Coiurtesy, NOAA)
A study by researchers at Northwestern University compared rainfall from two periods — 1951 to 1980, and 1991 to 2020 — and found that climate change is causing rains to be heavier in the United States.
The central and eastern parts of the lower 48 states are experiencing the most extreme rainfalls, and Lowell is at the center of it all.
Lowell wasn’t spared then, and record-breaking floods are still occurring each year. 2018 brought the fourth-largest flood Lowell has ever experienced, just shy of the 2013 flood level.
I remember my mom packing my brother and me up into the car to drive as far as we could into town to check out the damage. We sat in silence as we passed through downtown and parked by the city hall.
We saw our friends, our neighbors, our community members kayaking and canoeing down the streets because they couldn’t drive anywhere.
A local company, Timpson Trucking, donated sand from its sand mine to help residents fill sandbags.
There were sandbags stacked around homes and businesses, cars trapped under the murky water and paramedics, cops and firefighters on call.
Ball’s Softee Creme even had sandbags up to protect its shop about half a mile from the rising river.
It was like doomsday on Main Street.
Catastrophic.
So there I sat on that mild April day, wondering how my community would recover from this.
And now I sit, eating my melty chocolate cheesecake flurry, wondering how my community is going to recover from global warming.
LANSING – A chalk mural by Grand Valley State University student Jacob Yingling depicts what he studies: yellow perch in drowned river mouth systems.
Jacob Yingling’s chalk mural took him two hours to create and many more hours to plan. It reads, “Yellow Perch Condition in Drowned Rivermouth System.” Credit: Jacob Yingling
Through the data Yingling collected for the university’s Annis Water Resources Institute, he discovered that the average weight and health of fish captured at Lake Macatawa is significantly below standard levels.
His artwork was part of a recent Grand Valley Chalk Art Symposium, where dozens of students showcased their work on the Pew Library plaza.
“This was my first time doing something like this,” Yingling said. He said he loves drawing landscapes in his free time and was excited to be a part of the event.
Combining science with artwork allowed people who wouldn’t have otherwise seen his research to see it, said Yingling. “I believe science is really for everyone.”
Attendees approached Yingling throughout the day to find out more about his research.
“A lot of people thought it was cool, and they stopped to ask what it meant and how it was impacting them,” he said.
Great Lakes river mouths are home to ports and cities that have lots of human interaction, according to a 2013 article in the Journal of Great Lakes Research.
The activity can harm marine health through factors such as runoff and improper waste disposal.
Sharing scientific research through artwork is a growing trend, said Michigan State University Museum Creative Director Mark Sullivan.
“Science gives artists opportunities for an approach they have never taken before,” he said. Artistic expression and interpretation can improve the observational skills of scientists, too.
Science and art have come together all over the scientific community, according to another Annis researcher, Michael Hassett.
Institutions nationwide promote seminars through colorful posters, feature artwork in their studies and have even spread water awareness through interpretive dance.
You don’t have to be an activist to take action.
According to Yingling, the people viewing his mural often asked how they could help preserve yellow trout along Michigan’s west coast.
“The best way for us to generate funding is to get the public interested in what we’re doing,” he said.
Just like Yingling, Sullivan’s team gets out into the community with artistic exhibits and performances based on research subjects like climate change, immigration and technology.
“We’re not about sitting on the shelf, but taking action,” Sullivan said.
Snowy weather is here which means making sure you have checked that your car has all your survival essentials. (WKTV/Maggie Carey)
With the colder months approaching quickly, it is important to stock your car with items that will help you through the winter. Winter weather can leave you stranded and having a kit of essentials can get you back on the road faster or make your time waiting for assistance more comfortable in the frigid temperatures.
Winter essentials for the car can include:
Ice scraper. This is an essential that can be found almost everywhere. Car scrapers with a brush end and scraper end are best (see image right) as they help remove both snow and ice from your car. Not only is it safe for you to clear your car of snow, it is also safe for those around you as snow falling off your car can impair their vision while driving.
A car scraper with a brush and scraper end is recommended.
Portable Shovel. Small portable shovels can be helpful when digging a car out from snow or when trying to leave a snowy street in the morning. If you have a big enough trunk, consider keeping a full-sized shovel on hand to make the process smoother.
Cat litter or salt. Did you know that cat litter can help budge a stuck car more than salt? Cat litter absorbs all the moisture around the tire and makes the surface dry to drive on. If you are stuck in snow or ice, pour small amounts around your wheels and slowly accelerate to dislodge your car. This can also be an affordable alternative to keeping salt in your car. Or if you want to keep it classic, salt does the job too. Be sure to have one on hand though as we enter the Michigan winter.
Extra warm clothes. Having extra clothes on hand can be helpful if your car has died and you are waiting for assistance on the side of the road. Put together a tote with a coat, gloves, hat, scarf, socks and if you have the room, a blanket. These items can help regulate your temperature while waiting for assistance and could potentially save your life.
Food and water. Some types of food, like non-perishables, can stay in your car for the winter months and come in handy for those unpredictable winter weather emergencies. Trail mix, granola bars, dried fruit, nuts, and canned foods can be kept in cold temperatures in your car. You should also keep water in your car. Stainless steel bottles are the best method of storing water, just remember to only fill them ¾ of the way as the colder temperatures can make the bottle burst if too full.
Take the time now to think about what you need and stock up your car essentials to keep you and your family safe during your winter travels.
LANSING – As warmer-than-average growing seasons caused by climate change become more common, they bring new invasive species to Michigan.
Tar spot is a fungus that attacks corn and causes production losses. Credit: Michigan State University
“Insects that like warm weather are finding that Michigan is becoming more and more life-sustaining than ever before,” said Bruno Basso, a professor in Michigan State University’s Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences.
And that requires new ways to fight them.
“These invasive species to Michigan are resistant to pesticides that farmers previously relied upon,” Basso said. “So farmers are looking for new ways to improve the ecology of their crops and improve their resistance.”
Identifying the threats
Two new threats are “tar spots,” in corn, and spotted wing drosophila, said Laura Campbell, a senior conservation and regulatory relations specialist at the Michigan Farm Bureau.
Tar spots are raised black dots on the ears of corn caused by a fungus called “phyllachora maydis,” Campbell said. An outbreak in a corn field causes production losses and economic disaster for the farmers.
Spotted wing drosophila is an insect that attacks soft fruits, a big problem for Michigan’s cherry orchards, Campbell said.
The female insects lay eggs inside the fruit, causing brown, sunken spots. As the larva eats the fruit it becomes rotten and non-consumable.
Using technology in the fight
Farmers attack new insects with technology, Basso said. Drones can pinpoint where an insect or weed is on their farms. Then they spray the specific area before it worsens.
Another example of emerging technology is the advancement of Enviroweather, a Michigan State -based weather service that can help farmers anticipate threats to their crops, Campbell said. The site tracks invasion trends, warning farmers ahead of time if pests are headed their way.
“Preventative pesticide spraying is best, because it will deter the invasive insects and weeds from being able to attack the crops,” Campbell said. “This greatly reduces the amount of pesticides needed, which is good for the farmer and the surrounding land and water.”
Scientists are also making advances in the kinds of products used on farms, Basso said. Biodegradable plastic mulch is replacing synthetic mulch that does not decompose. More plant-based pesticides and herbicides are becoming available.
A local perspective from Ada
Heather Anderson, the owner of Green Wagon Farm, in Ada, uses all-natural products to combat insects and weeds on her certified organic farm.
Spotted wing drosophila is an insect that lays its eggs on the inside of fruit, like this raspberry, causing it to rot. Credit: University of Minnesota Extension
“We are constantly vigilant for new threats to our crops,” Anderson said. “We don’t do preventative spraying, instead we scout the farm ourselves, and pick weeds by hand.”
At 18 acres, Green Wagon Farm is much smaller than the average U.S. farm size of 211 acres, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Removing weeds by hand becomes more difficult on large farms.
“It’d be nice if all farms could be fully biodegradable and have no waste, but sometimes synthetic products are unavoidable,” Basso said.
This is not to say that farmers aren’t looking for more sustainable methods.
“Pesticides are incredibly expensive, and it would be more cost-effective to spray one small area than to have to spray an entire field,” Campbell said. “There’s a notion that farmers want to spray pesticides everywhere, and don’t care about the impacts on the land and water. But the land and water is their livelihood.”
Keeping the lines of communication open
A challenge is the communication between farmers and scientists, Campbell said.
Scientists lack the hands-on experience of being a farmer, and this makes it difficult for farmers to trust that their advice is best.
Money is also a big factor, according to Basso.
“Farmers have historically been more conservative when it comes to implementing new practices,” Basso said. “They have a financial risk, because if they change a way of doing something and it doesn’t work out, they lose that money that they would’ve made before.”
But as the weather gets warmer, farmers understand that their practices have to change or they will not be able to survive, Campbell said.
“Farmers want to do the right thing,” Campbell said. “I’ve never met a farmer who said they don’t care when it comes to the environment.”
Sarah is a junior at Michigan State University double majoring in Social Relations & Policy and Journalism. She is interested in writing about how politics affects local communities and making information accessible for everyone. In her free time, she likes boxing, yoga, and spending time with friends, family, and her dog.
A new University of Michigan study aims to understand how environmental exposures in Michigan contribute to cancer.
Sara Snyder is project director of the Michigan Cancer and Research on the Environment Study, or MI-CARES. (Credit: University of Michigan)
The Michigan Cancer and Research on the Environment Study, or MI-CARES, is largely motivated by Michigan’s history of toxic environmental exposures and environmental injustice, said Sara Snyder, the project director.
Researchers are recruiting 100,000 ethnically diverse, cancer-free Michiganders ages 25 to 44. It’s a statewide survey, but they’ll focus enrollment on what they’ve identified as six major environmental injustice hotspots: the Detroit metropolitan area, Saginaw, Lansing, Kalamazoo, Grand Rapids and Flint, Snyder said.
Environmental injustice refers to people who belong to groups that are discriminated against and are disproportionately exposed to contaminants and other health hazards.
June 1 marked the soft launch to test the website used to recruit candidates. People enroll every day, but the study’s full launch was earlier this fall.
A first in Michigan
“Nothing like this has been done in the state of Michigan before, which is almost shocking if you know about the levels of environmental injustice that have taken place,” said Lilah Khoja, a doctoral student at the University of Michigan on the MI-CARES team.
“There isn’t a community in Michigan that hasn’t been impacted in some way by environmental injustice,” she said.
It dates back decades: the PBB contamination of dairy products in the 1970s, the Flint water crisis, industrial pollution in Detroit and now PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, nicknamed “forever chemicals” because they don’t break down in the environment, Snyder said.
The project, funded by the National Cancer Institute and the University of Michigan, will track participants through annual questionnaires for at least six years, Snyder said.
They’ll be asked about employment and residential histories,race, ethnicity, major health and life events and overall lifestyle to gauge participant health and previous exposures to industrial chemicals or other contaminants, Snyder said.
Beyond cancer, the surveys might also shed light on how exposures to chemicals in the environment cause heart disease, asthma or even Alzheimer’s disease, said Dana Dolinoy, the principal investigator of biomarker evaluations for MI-CARES.
Compiling the data needed for change
Such surveys have a proven track record. For instance, cancer rates are significantly higher in Flint compared to the rest of Genesee County and the state after lead contaminated the city’s water supply.
“My cousin, my aunt, my friend have all died of cancer,” said Arthur Woodson, a Flint resident and community activist. “People are dying in high numbers here of cancer.”
Community activists at the Pittsfield Farmers Market offer information about MI-CARES. Credit: MI-CARES.
Such anecdotal reports can be reinforced by hard data produced by health studies from the Genesee County Health Department proving elevated cancer levels in the area.
A study recently published in JAMA Network Open found that 1 in 5 Flint residents have presumptive major depression and another 1 in 4 have presumptive post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
“They fixed the water, but they didn’t fix the people,” Woodson said.
Providing people with the data they need
A large goal of MI-CARES is to give people access to data that will help them advocate for a cleaner environment and a healthier life, Khoja said.
“You can’t advocate for change if you don’t have the numbers to show that this is why it needs to change,” she said.
Cancer-centric studies like this one, whether linking it to smoking, a lack of physical activity or poor diet, played a role in a 29% drop in cancer death rates between 1991 and 2017, according to the American Cancer Society.
MI-CARES’ data will help improve Michiganders’ health while informing policy to reduce environmental injustices and harmful exposures, Snyder said.
Researchers looked at what was going on in the state and narrowed the study’s focus to the most prominent of the 80,000 chemicals in the environment: exposure to metals, like lead, chemicals in personal care products, air pollution and PFAS, Dolinoy said.
Addressing the issues
Michigan has the highest known PFAS levels of any state.
To measure some contaminants like lead, participants from the six environmental injustice hotspots will send in blood and saliva. These measurements, called intermediate biomarkers, show if a past environmental exposure changed the epigenome – the instruction book telling genes how to behave – to make them more susceptible to cancer and other diseases, Dolinoy said.
The study focuses on a younger population so that researchers might recognize any diseases before they manifest, Dolinoy said.
“This gives us time to intervene and treat individuals, because when the disease is already on board, it’s really hard to reverse it,” she said.
There’s evidence, though, that relatively easier things like changes in lifestyle and diet might reverse changes to that epigenetic instruction book, especially early in life, Dolinoy said.
Building a better tomorrow
The hope is to inspire policy intervention with MI-CARES findings, forcing industry and other institutions responsible for poisoning the environment to change. That is a challenge that the health survey hopes to meet.
“It’s very difficult to translate some of this science in a way that will directly change the economics of a company,” Dolinoy said. “But studies like MI-CARES can provide a weight of evidence that shows our environment can negatively contribute to disease status.”
To apply to be part of the survey, visit https://micares.health and click “Join the Movement!” Applicants must be 25 to 44 years old and cancer-free.
Michigan’s first mass timber building at Michigan State University, the STEM Teaching and Learning Facility, stores nearly 2,000 metric tons of carbon in its timbers, the equivalent of not burning more than 2 million pounds of coal. (Capital News Service/Cameryn Cass)
LANSING – Michigan businesses interested in reducing their carbon footprint are looking to build with large wooden panels instead of steel or concrete.
Nationwide, demand for what is called mass timber tripled between 2018 and 2021.
There are different kinds of mass timber, but the term refers to multiple wood panels either nailed or glued together and that are strong enough to replace concrete and steel, which contribute 8% to greenhouse gas emissions, according to Canadian architect Michael Green.
Mass timber is more sustainable, Green said.
Nearly half of America’s greenhouse gas emissions come from the building industry.
Why mass timber is a good option
Since a little more than a cubic yard of wood can store 1 ton – about the weight of the Liberty Bell– of carbon dioxide, mass timber is a great way to reduce our footprint, said Sandra Lupien, the director of MassTimber@MSU, a research and education group promoting mass timber in the Great Lakes region.
Half of the weight of a tree is from stored carbon in its wood, and the rest is water, oxygen, hydrogen and a mix of other elements. In other words, wood is a carbon sink.
Building with it can prevent or delay carbon from being released into the atmosphere when a tree dies or burns, Lupien said.
Last year, Michigan State University opened one of the first mass timber buildings in the state, the STEM Teaching and Learning Facility. Already there are two more mass timber projects underway in the state, one at a K-12 school in Kalamazoo and another at the Great Lakes Boat Building School in Cedarville.
Another 27 projects in Michigan on the drawing board plan to incorporate mass timber. One of those was in Muskegon where Grand Rapids-based Leestma Management was scheduled to constructe a mass timber building at Adelaide Point this summer.
The biggest hurdle: Getting it
At minimum, the building in Cedarville will have a roof made of mass timber, though those involved with its construction are hoping to build the whole building out of it, said Nikki Storey, the president of the Great Lakes Boat Building School.
The only thing stopping them is funding.
“That’s part of the problem with mass timber: I don’t know that the economy of scales exists yet to be able to get good pricing on it,” Storey said.
Since mass timber comes in sheets that are easy to put together – Lupien equates it to building with Lincoln Logs – there’s a major time savings with using it. But since there are no mass timber manufacturers in Michigan – the closest is outside of Chicago – it’s not always easy to get it.
Typically, mass timber products are made from softwood trees – think coniferous, like evergreens – which make up 30% of Michigan’s forests. The remaining majority of the state’s trees are hardwood, meaning they’re deciduous and lose their leaves, Lupien said.
Using Michigan’s resources
Researchers at Michigan Tech University are experimenting with making mass timber out of hardwood instead, a niche that might provide economic opportunity.
Mass timber advocates hope that Michigan State’s STEM Teaching and Learning Facility will be a place where contractors can learn to build with the more sustainable alternative. (Capital News Service/Cameryn Cass)
It is an untapped opportunity.
“Michigan is a forestry state,” said Conan Smith, the president of the Michigan Environmental Council. “If we can advance the construction materials that are rooted in wood, it’s to our economic benefit.
“It’s not just a great environmental opportunity, it’s a great economic opportunity for the state of Michigan.”
Each year, the state removes 30% to 40% of the forest’s growth, said Brenda Haskill, a forest marketing and outreach specialist at theDepartment of Natural Resources. That still provides enough capacity to harvest for mass timber and manage forests sustainably.
“We’re at a really interesting place in terms of moving the forest industry forward,” Haskill said.
Meeting the demands
Talks of attracting a mass timber manufacturer to the state are underway. However, an aging workforce and the rising cost of diesel fuel mean a decline in logging firms, Haskill said.
Making sure we have loggers to harvest trees and get them to the mill is really the biggest concern, Haskill said.
“I’m hopeful, but there’s a lot of pieces that need to be addressed,” Haskill said.
Michigan is in the same boat as the other Midwestern states. There’s more mass timber manufacturing and interest out west, Haskill said.
Looking at the building codes
Another challenge is the states outdated building codes, said Brian Craig, the board chair at the Michigan Forest Biomaterials Institute.
Michigan State University revamped a power plant and added two mass timber wings to create a hybrid structure in the STEM Teaching and Learning Facility. (Capital News Service/Cameryn Cass)
The most recent version of the International Building Code is from 2021 and offers more flexibility and clarity for how high you can build and how much wood can be exposed with mass timber, Craig said.
Right now, Michigan follows 2015 codes, making it two cycles behind the current thinking on mass timber and fire safety, Craig said.
But mass timber doesn’t behave like a 2 x 4.
Instead, it behaves like a tree.
Think of an unsplit log in a fire pit, and how it chars on the outside: That’s what mass timber would do in a fire, Lupien said.
Craig said that timber can be even safer than steel when it burns.
“Think about what happens when steel gets hot. It sort of turns into spaghetti, whereas mass timber’s surface chars and then protects the rest of the timber,” Craig said.
Lupien said that even with the outdated building codes, builders in Michigan are still able to use mass timber, and they should.
Bringing the beauty indoors
People using the buildings – at least the one on MSU’s campus– express the aesthetic benefits of bringing nature indoors, Lupien said.
“There’s actually a word for that. It’s called biophilia,” Lupien said.
That’s a Greek word that translates to “love of life. ” It taps into our inborn desires of being close to nature. Biophilic design – like incorporating wood into buildings – has even been found to promote human wellness and productivity, according to the Natural Resources Defense Council.
Putting the more sustainable, attractive alternative into Michigan buildings is a question of price and supply.
“It’s been used in Europe for better than a decade now,” Smith said. “It’s a product that’s far better for the planet than concrete.
Kentwood’s Drug Take Back Day event will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday. (WKTV)
The fall National Drug Take Back Day has been set for this Saturday, Oct. 29, with both the Wyoming Department of Public Safety and the Kentwood Police Department participating in the event.
The annual event is part of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s National Prescription Drug Take Back initiative. The event is held in April and October as part of ongoing efforts to combat prescription drug misuse and overdose deaths. For the April Take Back Day, the Department of Drug Enforcement reported that about 720,000 pounds of unneeded medications were collected. Since starting the program in 2010, around 16 million pounds of unneeded prescription medications have been collected.
“By taking advantage of this free and anonymous Drug Take Back Day, residents can help save lives,” said Kentwood Police Chief Bryan Litwin. “Proper medication disposal prevents identity theft, accidental poisonings, drug addiction and overdose deaths. It can also help preserve the environment by reducing the amount of medications in landfills and sewer systems. Please gather unneeded medications from your home and join us Oct. 29 as we work together to keep our community safe.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that in the United States, more than 107,000 people died as the result of a drug overdose last year. This figure means that someone in the United States is dying of a drug overdose every five minutes.
City of Kentwood
Residents may drop off unused, unwanted or expired prescription pills and patches from 10 a.m to 2 p.m at the Kentwood Police Department, 4742 Walma Ave. SE. Liquids, needles and sharp objects will not be accepted. For disposal of needles and other sharp objects, visit the Kent County Health Department’s reimaginetrash.org or click here.
The service is free and anonymous, with no questions asked.
City of Wyoming
The Wyoming Department of Public Safety, 2300 DeHoop Ave., has a SafeMed box at the station where anyone may properly dispose of medications throughout the year.
The department also partners with University of Michigan Health West, 2122 Health Dr. SW, on Drug Take Back Day. The event at UMHW will be a drive-thru from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. People are encouraged to stay in their car and a volunteer will come to the vehicle.
As with the Kentwood program, this program is free with no questions asked.
The Kent County Department of Public Works is hosting a tire collection event Nov. 12. (Pxhere.com)
Community members can safely recycle up to 10 passenger tires for free during an event hosted by the Kent County Department of Public Works (DPW).
Kent County residents can drop off their old tires from 8:30-11 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 12, at the Grand Rapids SafeChem location, 1045 Wealthy St. SW. DPW’s resource recovery specialists will be on hand to help unload vehicles and safely dispose of the tires for recycling.
“Whole tires are notoriously difficult to get rid of because they are not accepted by trash pick-up and cannot be disposed in a landfill unless they are shredded,” said Steve Faber, marketing and communications manager of the DPW. “We encourage Kent County residents to take advantage of this collection event to properly dispose of old tires.”
Tire disposal normally costs between $4-6 per tire depending on their size at Kent County DPW facilities. The last free tire collection event hosted by the DPW was in fall 2019, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Tires are often found in illegal dumping sites because they are difficult and costly to get rid of. Old tires also serve as breeding grounds for mosquitos and pose fire hazards. All the tires collected on Nov. 12 will be sent to a facility that will process and recycle them into new products, such as playground resurfacing material.
The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) recently launched a new state program to award grants for entrepreneurs looking to expand ways to reuse old tires. Information about the new Scrap Tire Market Development Grant can be found online.
Leaf and brush drop-off services will again be available to Kentwood residents this fall. (WKTV)
By WKTV Staff
The City of Kentwood will again offer leaf and brush drop-off services to residents this fall.
Beginning on Saturday, Oct. 15, residents may drop off loose leaves, brush, sticks, tree limbs, logs and grass clippings at the Kentwood Department of Public Works, located at 5068 Breton Ave. SE.
Drop-off will be available from noon to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday through Dec. 3. The sites will be closed Friday, Nov. 11 in observance of Veterans Day, as well as Thursday, Nov. 24 and Friday, Nov. 25 for Thanksgiving.
The services are available to Kentwood residents only, and proof of residency is required, via a a driver’s license, tax bill or water bill.
The following materials won’t be accepted
trash
paper and plastic bags
dirt
concrete
asphalt
tires
rocks
stones
construction materials
glass
metal
The drop-off services provide residents with a convenient way to keep their yards clear of leaves and debris as leaves begin to fall. The accumulation of leaves and debris on a property or in the right-of-way is prohibited in the City of Kentwood, as well as burning leaves and brush.
“Fall is a busy season for yard cleanup,” said Chad Griffin, Department of Public Works director. “We’re glad to offer these services to help residents keep their yards free of debris.
“It also helps us keep roadways and storm drains clear, which contributes to making the City of Kentwood a beautiful place to live, work and play.”
After closing for winter in December, both drop-off sites will reopen in the spring.
As Michigan enters peak color season, local officials across the state have nominated the best roads for motorists to enjoy the changing foliage.
Peak Michigan colors were predicted to start last weekend in the Upper Peninsula and end at the state’s southern border Oct. 29. The County Road Association of Michigan compiled the statewide list of “don’t miss” local roads.
For a complete list of the fall color list, click here.
The more than 120 roads span the state.
The County Road Association named more than 120 routes as best for fall color, including the Fallasburg covered bridge in Kent County. (Courtesy, Kent County Road Commission)
There are plenty to choose from.
Michigan has the nation’s fourth-largest local road system. County roads account for 90,000 miles of roads and 5,700 bridges. Although the road association puts the list together, it relies on county officials for scenic road nominations.
All county road commissions were asked what county roads they would recommend to people who are interested in breathtaking fall views, said Dustin Earley, the manager of communications and engagement with the County Road Association of Michigan.
The association asks local commissioners to say, “Look, here’s my favorite road in my backyard,” Earley said.
Fallasburg a favorite in Kent County
“I just think as Michiganders we are really lucky because I’m not sure there is another state that is more beautiful in the fall,” said Maura Lamoreaux, the communications director for the Kent County Road Commission. “You can travel and just enjoy the colors of the season.”
Kent County has seven roads on the “don’t miss” list. Fallasburg Park Drive in Vergennes Township, 15 miles east of Grand Rapids, is one that stands out, Lamoreaux said.
“Fallasburg Park is not only a gorgeous ride, but it is also a beautiful park to take in the fall colors,” she said.
The Fallasburg covered bridge in Kent County sits on a route that made the list of best fall color roads in Michigan. (Courtesy, Kent County Road Commission)
The park’s covered bridge is a registered historical site that celebrated its 150th anniversary last year.
“You kind of feel like you are traveling back in time a little bit,” Lamoreaux said. “There is a sign that says ‘You will be charged $5 for speeding,’ which is a replica of the original sign that was posted on the bridge.”
Kent County promotes a local route with fall scenic views that is hundreds of miles long, Lamoreaux said. The county picks a few stretches of road to add to the statewide list.
Other roads in Kent County
Honey Creek Avenue from Pettis Avenue to Cannonsburg Road
Bailey Drive from Vergennes Street to Lincoln Lake Avenue
5 Mile Road from Lincoln Lake Avenue to Gavin Lake Avenue
Gavin Lake Road from 5-mile road to Belding Road
Wabasis Avenue from Belding Road to 12 Mile Road
Ramsdell Drive from 5 Mile Road to 11 Mile Road
Roads in Ottawa County
Lakeshore Drive from Grand Haven city limits to Ottawa Beach Road/Holland State Park
Hayes Street from M-11 intersection to Berlin Fair Drive/the Berlin Fairgrounds in Marne
Leonard Street from intersection on Leonard Street/S. Lake Avenue in Village of Spring Lake to Lamont
Mercury Drive/Green Street/N. Cedar Drive from Grand Haven to Riverside County Park
Chippewa County in the northeast part of the Upper Peninsula has four roads on the list.
The all-star route is Lakeshore Drive that runs along Lake Superior through the Bay Mills reservation between M-123 and Brimley, said Stephanie Boileau, a road design engineer for the Chippewa County Road Commision. “It doesn’t matter what time of year, it’s gorgeous.”
The route features Lake Superior, a tree canopy, the Bay Mills reservation, the Point Iroquois Lighthouse and multiple access points to beaches.
“It’s fantastic,” said Boileau. “It’s a road that makes you think, ‘Yes, this is why people love the Upper Peninsula so much.’”
When suggesting roads for the “don’t miss” list, she thinks about people looking to do fall color tours, Boileau said.
“We are looking for those deciduous hardwood trees, the ones that do turn color,” she said. “I also look at what other scenic opportunities you have besides trees. Is there interesting topography? Are there places to pull off and access recreational areas like a beach or state park?”
She prefers more rural areas and avoids submitting commuter routes.
It’s all about getting the best views
“Peak color means that if you can make it to that area within that time frame, you are probably increasing your chances at getting the best views of that color,” Earley said. “Earlier, things are just coming on and near the end of that date the leaves are starting to turn brown and fall off the trees.”
The association lists the roads every year. It subtracts roads undergoing construction or if the county chooses to have it removed. But the list is growing, not shrinking, Earley said.
Tourists are not the only ones benefiting from scenic fall tours in Michigan.
“Most everyone benefits when we have a good fall color season,” said Tony Haller, the executive director of the Sault Area Chamber of Commerce. “Our restaurants benefit from it, our hotels benefit from it, all our convenience stores and gas stations get people filling up for gas while they make their tours.
“I couldn’t name a favorite, but that’s the beauty of this list. It’s really the experts of these areas that are helping us list these roads.”
Liam Jackson is a journalist from Trenton, Michigan. He enrolled at Michigan State in 2018. His journalistic interests include feature stories and sports journalism. In addition to writing for Spartan Newsroom, Liam has also served as the News Editor and Sports Editor at Impact 89FM.
Picture this: You’re walking through the woods when you brush up against some tall grass, or maybe you wandered off trail momentarily. You head home, but the next day notice a black speck on your arm.
It’s a tick.
Beyond the gross-out factor, you wonder if it might make you sick. A new mobile app may help figure that out.
Emily Dinh, a medical entomologist with the Department of Health and Human Services, says encounters people are having with ticks are becoming more common.
That’s as the state’s tick population has been on the rise, including numbers of the American dog tick and the blacklegged tick, which can transmit the bacterium that causes Lyme disease.
“That blacklegged tick is something that we’re concerned about and seeing a greater distribution throughout the state of Michigan. That is the tick that can transmit Lyme disease,” Dinh said.
In 2021, the state health department reported nearly half of Michigan’s counties had a known risk of Lyme disease for people and animals.
Ticks like shady, moist areas
Ticks are typically found in wooded and brushy areas but can even show up in suburban yards.
“The most important thing to be aware of is where ticks are, so ticks like shady, moist areas in woody, grassy locations,” she said. “Especially in the warmer months of April through September, but sometimes into October as well because ticks can be active when the temperatures are above 40 degrees Fahrenheit.”
Barry OConnor is a tick expert at the University of Michigan’s Zoology Museum. He cites a rise in temperatures as a possible reason for the increased risk.
“We’ve certainly seen changes in the distribution of several species of ticks moving northward over the years as temperatures have become warmer,” OConnor said.
According to the state, average yearly temperatures have increased two to three degrees in the past two decades.
The Tick App
A group of researchers from universities across the U.S. decided to create a mobile app, called The Tick App. (Courtesy, The Tick App)
Because of growing concerns about the pests, both in Michigan and across the country, a group of researchers from universities across the U.S. decided to create a mobile app, simply called The Tick App.
Michigan State University professor Jean Tsao said the app allows scientists to learn more about where ticks are and what people are doing to keep safe from them. She is in the Department of Fisheries & Wildlife and is part of the group that helped develop the digital portal.
“It’s a mobile health app that is both a research tool as well as an outreach tool,” she said.
When people download it, they’re prompted to fill out a 10-minute survey about potential risk factors.
“We really wanted to understand, if possible, when and where and what kind of activities people are doing to expose themselves to ticks,” Tsao said.
She said users are also able to take a picture of a tick and submit it to the app. The research team is then able to identify it within 24 hours.
“They have a lot of reliable information all collated into one area that can tell you about what a tick is, what the various species of ticks are that you’re likely to contact in the area that you live and what are prevention measures that you can take,” Tsao said.
Tips on avoiding ticks
To avoid ticks, Tsao recommends wearingbug repellent and long clothing outside.
After returning home, a full-body tick check and shower is also ideal.
Tsao said the research team is working to use artificial intelligence to make tick identification faster and more accurate.
She said she hopes that with this advancement, the app may one day be used by health care workers as a diagnostic tool.
Genevieve Fox reports for WKAR Radio in partnership with the Knight Center for Environmental Journalism and Capital News Service.
The Grand Rapids Public Museum’s current exhibit is “Fashion + Nature.” (Supplied)
The Grand Rapids Public Museum (GRPM) and the John Ball Zoo (JBZ) announced a member reciprocal partnership during the month of September 2022. Members from both organizations will receive free admission at both locations during this time.
Through this partnership, GRPM members can visit the John Ball Zoo and receive free general admission, including access to their KoalaPalooza event over Labor Day weekend and Washed Ashore – Art to Save the Sea exhibit. JBZ members in return can visit the GRPM and receive free general admission to visit their newest exhibit A Celebration of Souls: Day of the Dead in Southern Mexico, opening Sept. 3, as well as the GRPM original exhibit, Fashion + Nature.
Exhibits at Both Locations
GRPM tickets can be reserved in advance at grpm.org, and John Ball Zoo tickets can be reserved at jbzoo.org.
‘We’re excited to continue our partnership with the John Ball Zoo to offer this special benefit to our members,” said Kate Kocienski, the GRPM’s Vice President of Marketing & PR. “This partnership allows members to maximize the value of their annual membership, and experience what each organization has to offer, all month long.”
The John Ball Zoo is currently feature The “Washed Ashore” exhibit. (Washed Ashore)
Kocienski noted that both organizations are currently featuring exhibits focused on sustainability, with John Ball Zoo’s captivating Washed Ashore exhibit and the GRPM’s Fashion + Nature exhibit, delivering immersive, eye-opening experiences suitable for all ages.
Opening this weekend at the Grand Rapids Public Museum is “A Celebration of Souls” Day of the Dead in Southern Mexico,” which features photographs and altars, known as offends, to capture a typical Oaxacan Day of the Dead celebration.
For additional details regarding Zoo hours and admission, along with education and conservation programs, visit www.jbzoo.org or call 616-336-4300.
The Grand Rapids Public Museum is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, with its main location in downtown Grand Rapids, MI at 272 Pearl Street, NW. For additional information including hours of operation, admission fees, and exhibit/event listings, please visit www.grpm.org.
It is finally nice in West Michigan, which means lots of beach time, but as the recent scare this week at Grand Haven beach reminded many knowing how to handle a rip current is key to water safety.
Grand Haven State Park does not have lifeguards but does utilize a flag system to let beachgoers know conditions.
Under a new land use order that allows the Department of Natural Resources shutdown the Grand Haven State Park on Tuesday, June 21, after water conditions prompted several rescues. Under the new order, the DNR can prevent or fine a person who enters waters under their jurisdiction when certain conditions are present such as harmful bacteria, dangerous weather conditions or rough waves, as was such the case on June 21.
According to the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project, there has been 46 possible great lakes drownings so far in 2022, of which 19 have been in Lake Michigan. Lake Michigan is considered the deadliest lake of all the Great Lakes and one of the deadliest lakes in the United States due to the number of drownings.
One of the leading causes of those drownings are rip currents, channelized currents of water flowing away form shore at surf beaches.
To help raise awareness about rip currents, WKTV will be again airing the special “Respect the Power,” on June 28 at 9:30 a.m. and June 30 at 5 p.m. on Comcast Channel 25.
If caught in a rip current, relax and don’t swim against the current. Rip currents do not pull people under the water.
The video was produced by the Great Lakes Beach & Pier Safety Task Force and was created in memory of Andrew Burton Fox and Daniel Reiss, both who were swept off the Grand Haven pier and drowned in Lake Michigan.
According to Grand Haven officials, rip currents and powerful breaking waves are common in the area of the pier. But education, including recognizing what a riptide looks like and what to do if you are caught in one, can increase the chances of a happy outcome.
From the “Respect the Power” website, it states that the Great Lakes are better understood as inland seas rather than lakes. Storms, not the lakes, can easily generate waves up to 30 feet in the most sever weather. However, even smaller waves can be dangerous.
When waves break, water is pushed up the slope of the shore. Gravity pulls this water back toward the lake. When the water converges in a narrow, river-like current moving away from the shore, it forms what is know as a rip current. Rip currents can be 50 feet to 50 yards or more wide. They can flow to a point just past the breaking waves or hundreds of yards offshore. You can sometimes identify a rip current by its foamy and choppy surface. The water in a rip current may be dirty from the sand being turned up by the current. The water may be colder than the surrounding water. Waves usually do not break as readily in a rip current as in adjacent water.
Moving at one to two feet a second, sometimes up to eight feet which is faster than any Olympic swimmer, a rip current can sweep even the strongest swimmer away from the shore.
According to both the “Respect the Power” and the National Weather Service websites, if caught in a rip current, try to relax. A rip current is not an “undertow” and will not pull you under. Do not try to swim against the current as this is very difficult, even for an experience swimmer. If you can, swim parallel to the shore until you are out of the current, then swim directly toward shore. If you are tired, tread water and float and call and wave for assistance. The current will carry you to the end or head of the current, where once rested you can swim back to shore.
Some other water safety tips:
1. Learn to swim.
2. Check with a lifeguard or with the park’s current conditions board before entering water.
3. Never swim alone.
4. Never dive headfirst into unknown waters or shallow breaking waves.
5. Piers are navigational structures and not designed as walkways, proceed at your own risk.
6. Do not jump or dive off pier structures.
7. Avoid piers when waves begin to spill over the pier surface.
8. To avoid rip currents, avoid swimming in areas that are discolored with sand and has a choppy or foamy surface.
9. If caught in a rip current, swim parallel to shore (about 30-50 yards) to get out of the rip current before swimming to shore.
10. Protect yourself from the sun. Use sun screen.
Spring cleaning is what many have been doing as the weather warms up to summer. Now the question is what to do with all that stuff?
The City of Wyoming will be hosting its annual Community Clean-Up event on June 4 at the Grand Rapids First parking lot.
Well the City of Wyoming will be helping out its residents once again with the return of its popular Community Clean-Up Day which is set for Saturday, June 4. The event will again take place in the parking lot of the Grand Rapids First, 2100 44th St. SW. It will open at 8 a.m. with participants encouraged to be in line by 1:30 p.m. to drop off items.
The traffic flow will have cars entering Grand Rapids First through the right lane of the eastbound 44th Street. Once in line, drivers should follow the directions to the northeast entrance off 44th Street.
An array of unwanted items will be accepted such as recyclables, scrap metals, and car batteries. Items NOT accepted are household hazardous waste; kitchen garbage; liquid latex paint; seal drums; liquid, biological, radioactive waste; propane tanks; refrigerants; and explosives.
Yard waste may be dropped off at the Yard Waste Drop-Off, which is located at 2600 Burlingame Ave. SW. The facility will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday. The facility is also open 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Monday – Friday. Yard waste should be sorted by leaves and grass and brush pile.
E. Martin Hennings (American, 1886–1956).
Two Summer Riders, c. 1930s. Oil on Canvas,
30 ¼ x 30 ¼ inches. Bank of America Collection.
At the Community Clean-Up event, there will be a fee for some items. While tires are $10 each, mattress or box springs are $15 each, tube and televisions that are 27 inches or smaller are $20, and tube televisions 27 inches or larger are $40.
To participate in the Community Clean-Up event, and to use the Yard Waste Drop-Off, residents must provide proof of residency which can be a photo ID, utility or credit card statement or bank statement within the last 90 days, a mortage, lease, or rental agreement, insurance policy, an issued license, or a Michigan vehicle registration.
The city started its Community Clean-Up in 2016 and it quickly became popular with the event averaging at least 300 vehicles coming through and disposing of items.
Paddle Antrim kicks off the season with its June 2 event. (Supplied)
Paddle Antrim will kick-off the paddling season on the Chain of Lakes Water Trail with a special community paddle and gathering in Elk Rapids with Short’s Brewing Company.
On Thursday, June 2, Paddle Antrim and Short’s Brewing Company invite the community for a community paddle on Elk River launching from Elk Rapids Rotary Park followed by a gathering just up the road at the Short’s Pull Barn.
This special gathering is the celebration of the upcoming season on Northern Michigan’s only state designated water trail. A community paddle will take place from 5:30 – 7:00 p.m. on Elk River followed by a gathering featuring live music, food trucks, and beverages at Short’s Pull Barn.
“In addition to this event, Paddle Antrim is thrilled to offer programming all season long. “After a couple years of uncertainty, we are thrilled to bring back our programming in full force this summer,” said Deana Jerdee, executive director of Paddle Antrim. “Our classes and community paddles are great ways for paddlers to connect with each other and the water in a fun and educational way.”
Paddle Antrim will host 15 kayaking classes for both adults and children. (supplied)
The non-profit organization will host seven community paddles, 15 kayaking classes, four stewardship classes and the beloved three-day Paddle Antrim Festival.
Community paddles are free and open to the public. These relaxed hour-long paddles take place along different sections of the Chain of Lakes and all paddlers are welcome – canoes, kayaks, and stand up paddle boards. Paddlers are responsible for bringing their own paddle craft and personal flotation devices (life jackets) must always be worn when out on the water.
Adult classes teach paddlers the basics of paddling all types of kayaks in a fun and safe way. These classes are great for beginners but anyone who has never received formal instruction will benefit. Kids’ classes are a great way to introduce your child to the sport of kayaking. Designed with fun and water safety as primary goals, these classes teach students through a variety of games and exploration. All classes are taught by American Canoe Association (ACA) certified instructors.
Paddle Antrim has partnered with Grass River Natural Area, Tipp of the Mitt Watershed Council, Little Traverse Conservancy, Kalkaska Conservation District, Walloon Lake Association and Conservancy, and CAKE CISMA to offer four stewardship classes in three different counties in Northern Michigan – Antrim, Charlevoix and Kalkaska. These classes train paddlers to identify and report invasive species while preventing their spread.
The Paddle Antrim Festival will take place Sept. 15 -17. Sponsored by Short’s Brewing Company, the Festival is a celebration of the waterways with two days of paddling and three days of community events.
For more information on all the Paddle Antrim events and classes visit www.paddleantrim.com/events. You can also follow them on Facebook and Instagram.
A family learns about some of the work the Kentwood Department of Publics handles at a past open house. (Supplied)
Community members are invited to learn more about how local public works departments serve residents at the Kentwood Department of Public Works’ Community Open House on Wednesday, May 18.
The event will be hosted in partnership with the Kent County Road Commission in recognition of National Public Works Week, which is May 15-21. The open house will take place on Wednesday, May 18 4-7 p.m. at the Kentwood Department of Public Works facility at 5068 Breton Ave. SE.
Community members of all ages will have the opportunity to go behind the scenes of the DPW facility and learn more about the department. They will be able to meet the public works team, learn more about services provided and explore vehicles and other equipment used by the department.
“From snow plowing and streets to police cruisers and parks maintenance, public works supports many areas of everyday life,” Public Works Director Chad Griffin said. “This event gives us an opportunity to demonstrate that work and connect with residents to share more about our role in the community and the equipment we use.”
The event will feature giveaways, hands-on activities, live maintenance, repair demonstrations and more. Complimentary food and refreshments will be provided. Free silver maple, river birch and blue spruce tree seedlings will also be available for attendees to take home.
Additionally, semifinalists and finalists of the Work Zone Safety Poster competition will be honored at 5:30 p.m. Sponsored by Kent County Road Commission and public works agencies throughout Kent County, the poster contest invited third-grade students from across the county to design a caution sign focused on safety tips for driving through a work zone. A gallery of entries will be displayed during the event.
The Kent County Road Commission will also have team members and equipment on site to share more about the work they do.
“Our crew members are excited to discuss different aspects of their work with the community and highlight how we can work together to maintain safer roads for everyone,” said Steven Warren, managing director of the Kent County Road Commission. ” We are dedicated to improving public infrastructure, and this event is a wonderful opportunity to showcase how we serve our communities.”
The Kentwood Department of Public Works has five divisions that work together to maintain the City’s infrastructure, which includes more than 150 miles of pipes underground and more than 155 miles of streets above ground, as well as City parks and grounds, buildings and fleet of vehicles. The five divisions are building maintenance, fleet services, grounds maintenance, streets maintenance and utilities (water and wastewater) services. To learn more about Kentwood DPW, visit kentwood.us/DPW.
Prior to the open house, Kentwood Mayor Stephen Kepley will provide a proclamation for National Public Works Week during the May 17 City Commission meeting.
Cold, rainy temperatures are part of the La Niña cycle. (pxhere.com)
Michiganders know that spring is usually late to arrive, yet we’re nearly two months past the Vernal Equinox and it has felt as though spring is still a few more weeks away. Luckily, temperatures are predicted to be much more favorable later this week, but this unusual cold spell has left many Michiganders curious as to why the frigid conditions that are typically characteristic of Michigan’s winter months have continued through March and April.
There’s a few factors that can explain why this has occurred. The first of which is the fact that we are in the midst of a La Niña year. La Niña is the cold water phase of a temperature cycle in the Tropical Pacific called the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO).
According to the National Ocean Service, “During normal conditions in the Pacific ocean, trade winds blow west along the equator, taking warm water from South America towards Asia. To replace that warm water, cold water rises from the depths — a process called upwelling.”
During the infrequent La Niña years of this climate cycle, those trade winds are stronger, upwelling increases, and the prevalence of this cold water in the Pacific Ocean pushes the jet stream further north, which leads to colder temperatures and increased precipitation.
This time around, it seems as though La Niña is doing her a job a little too well.
“We have had a lot of precipitation, with an active storm track the past several weeks,” said Erin Ostuno at the Grand Rapids National Weather Service. “This has resulted in March and April being cloudy and much wetter than usual. The combination of March and April had over eight inches of rain/melted snow water. This ranks 11th wettest on record. April had 5.19 inches of precipitation, the 12th wettest April on record at Grand Rapids.”
La Niña has been working too well this season, bring an unusual amount of cold weather well into May. (climate.gov)
Talk about a great deal of precipitation. To make matters more intense, the jet stream that divides the northern and southern half of North America appears to have been pushed south this winter by high pressure zones that have formulated in the early spring near Greenland during a prolonged negative phase of the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO).
In a recent article from the Washington Post, “When the NAO is negative, the weather over the eastern U.S. tends to be colder than normal. Such a pattern was seldom seen during the core winter months, which resulted in generally above-normal temperatures.”
While we were fortunate enough to experience slightly warmer temperatures this past winter, it seems that inevitably, we would have to pay the price at some point, which we’ve been doing since late March. The tax for having such a mild winter and all that high pressure up north is the spilling of the jet stream further south, which is why we’ve seen frigid temperatures typical of January or February continue through March and April while the Pacific Southwest has experienced oddly higher temperatures.
Luckily for us, it’s not forecasted to continue this way for much longer. According to a 10-day forecast for Michigan Center from Weather.com, by the week of May 9th, we’ll see high temperatures begin to erupt into the 70s with lows persisting in the upper 50s, so it appears as though this wintry weather we’ve been experiencing will finally be behind us.
Paddle Antrim warns paddlers to take precautions to protect themselves from heightened dangers of sudden, unexpected cold-water immersion while on early season paddling outings.
It has been a slow start to spring in Northern Michigan and the water remains colder than usual this time of year. While paddlers and boaters are itching to get out on the water, Paddle Antrim warns paddlers to take precautions to protect themselves from heightened dangers of sudden, unexpected cold-water immersion while on early season paddling outings.
While spring is in the air and outside temperatures are warming, lake temperatures are much cooler. When water temperatures are below 70 degrees, paddlers should wear a wetsuit or a full immersion dry suit with insulating layers. Sudden immersion in cold water can cause gasping and inhalation of water and hypothermia, resulting in unconsciousness or swimming failure as muscles become numb. Wearing a life jacket may keep your head above water and support your body should your swimming ability fail, or you become unconscious.
“We encourage people to get out and enjoy the water, but we also want to make sure people are safe at all times,” says Paddle Antrim Executive Director, Deana Jerdee. “Changing winds, stronger than usual currents, equipment failure – these are just a few unexpected elements that can cause paddlers to end up in dangerous situations. No one is ever expecting to fall in while paddling but it happens, and paddlers need to dress for being in the water, not for the air temperature.”
Cold water claims the lives of experienced and inexperienced paddlers each year. Please take the extra precautions to ensure your safety. Here are the five steps paddlers need to take before heading out on the water for any period:
Always wear a properly fitted life jacket. Simply stated, life jackets save lives;
Dress for the water temperature;
Avoid boating alone and always let someone know where you are going and when you expect to return. Have a cell phone or VHF radio accessible, in a watertight bag, should you need to call for help;
Carry essential safety gear, signaling devices and whistles; and
The City of Kentwood will offer its annual Community Cleanup Day on Saturday, May 7, to help residents “spring clean” their homes and yards.
Residents unload trash into the dumpsters during a past community clean-up day in the Kentwood and Wyoming area. (WKTV)
Residents can drop off yard waste, trash and general debris for disposal and electronics for recycling 8 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Kentwood Department of Public Works, 5068 Breton Ave. SE.
After the cleanup event, the City’s brush and leaf drop-off sites, also located at Kentwood’s DPW facility, will remain open through May 27. Hours of operation for the drop-off sites are noon-8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon-6 p.m. Sunday.
“As many residents begin spring-cleaning efforts, our Community Cleanup Day offers resources to properly dispose of or recycle items,” said Department of Public Works Director Chad Griffin. “We encourage residents who are decluttering their homes this season to take advantage of these free collection services.”
The cleanup day and drop-off services are available to Kentwood residents only. Anyone wishing to participate is asked to enter the drive off Breton Avenue, where staff will check ID for residency and direct traffic flow.
Red Creek Waste Services will be on-site for Kentwood’s Community Cleanup Day to accept general debris and trash, including mattresses, for disposal. Tires cannot be accepted.
Comprenew will be at the event to recycle electronic waste, such as mobile phones, computers and fax machines. Individuals with questions about other electronics that can be accepted are asked to call toll-free 1-833-266-7736.
The City of Kentwood will accept yard waste at the brush drop-off site, including brush, sticks, tree limbs and logs as well as leaves and grass clippings. Leaves should be loose when dropped off, not left in bags.
Items for donation and household hazardous materials will not be accepted during this year’s cleanup event. Residents looking to safely dispose of household hazardous materials may utilize the Kent County Department of Public Works’ SafeChem program, which remains available to residents at the Kentwood’s DPW facility 1:30-5:30 p.m. Tuesdays.
Jim Park shares is passion for the environment at a 2019 Arbor Day celebration with Kelloggsville students. The event was hosted by the Wyoming Tree Commission/The Tree Amigos. (Supplied)
“He was a person who cared,” is how many would describe longtime Wyoming resident Jim Ward.
Ward died in October at the age of 71, but left a legacy that impacted both the community he lived in, Wyoming, and the school his children attended, Kelloggsville Public Schools. This Thursday, April 28, Ward will be honored for his contributions to the City of Wyoming in a special Arbor Day celebration at Kelloggsville High School, 4787 S. Division Ave. The program, which will include the planting of an oak tree, is set for 10 a.m.
“Some people would see something that wasn’t right and would say ‘Isn’t this horrible,’ and that would be it,” said Ward’s wife, Jane. “Jim would see it and say ‘There has to be something we could do,’ and then it would be let’s see who we can get to help.”
It was in 2014 at a National Night Out neighborhood event that Ward would meet Estelle Slootmaker, who along with Ward and Greg Bryan founded the Wyoming Tree Commission or The Tree Amigos.
“I was concerned about the health of our oak trees because of the spongy moth infestation so I got permission to set up a table with information on caring for our oak trees,” Slootmaker said of the National Night Out event. “Jim and Jane approached me and chatted with me as did Greg Bryan.
“I was so tickled pink to find other tree huggers in my neighborhood.”
That chance meeting would lead to Slootmaker getting a phone call from Bryan asking her to meet with him and Ward and thus The Tree Amigos was born. A couple of years later, the Wyoming City Council would officially establish the group as the Wyoming Tree Commission.
The goal of the group over the years has been to improve the tree canopy in the City of Wyoming along with getting a Tree City USA designation and through Ward’s dedication the Commission has accomplished many of those goals, according to Slootmaker.
Jim Ward
“Jim was our mighty oak,” Slootmaker said. “He was there to plant the idea of a tree commission when our little group of neighbors first met – and he was integral to every project we completed. We miss him so very much.”
Jane Ward said her husband always had cared about the environment and was instrumental in getting an Earth Day committee going at their church.
A Godwin Heights graduate, Ward also was active on the neighborhood watch and involved in the teacher union at Forest Hills, where he served as the first media specialist at Forest Hills Northern High School. Along with his environmental passion, Ward had a passion for education and children, serving as the Quiz Bowl team coach and advising the National Honor Society.
That passion was not only reserved to Forest Hills, where Ward taught, but also to Kelloggsville, where his daughters had attended.
“He cared about the kids and the community,” Jane Ward said. “He saw a need and tried to do something and get things done.”
Scheduled to be in attendance for Thursday’s program will be Wyoming Mayor Jack Poll, Kelloggsville High School Principal Jim Alston, Kelloggsville High School student groups, and The Tree Amigos/City of Wyoming Tree Commission. The program is free and open to the public.
LANSING – Fifteen businesses across the state, including Ford Motor Co. and two West Michigan microbreweries, have written to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in support of her administration’s carbon neutrality goals.
Broad Leaf Brewery’s owner Kris Spaulding signed a letter in support of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer administration’s carbon neutrality goals. (WKTV)
The goal to be a carbon-neutral economy was laid out in a 2020 executive order that also created the Council on Climate Solutions.
The Whitmer administration’s newly released MI Healthy Climate Plan would generate 60% of the state’s electricity from renewable resources, phase out all remaining coal-fired plants by 2030 and build infrastructure to support 2 million electric vehicles on the roads by 2030.
“The companies that signed this letter know that climate action and statewide strategies are not only an economic opportunity for the state, but also a business imperative for them,” said Deana Dennis, the senior manager of state policy at Ceres.
Ceres is a Boston-based nonprofit that advocates for sustainability by working with investors and the companies that initiated this letter.
In Michigan, the organization works with companies to advocate policies to achieve a carbon neutral economy, which would reach zero net emissions through carbon offsetting practices and projects.
“We’re hearing regularly from our companies that they need supportive policies at both the federal and state levels that will help achieve their climate pollution targets,” she said.
It’s also important that these businesses’ goals be achieved as equitably and cost-effectively as possible, said Dennis.
Dearborn-based Ford is taking action to reduce emissions from its operations, according to its website. Previously, the company installed LED lights throughout its plants, updated its painting operations and reduced its emissions by 15.1%.
Asher FreedmanClimate solutions logo.
Ford plans to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 and use 100% local renewable energy in all of its manufacturing by 2035, according to its website.
Dennis said the companies that sent the letter have ambitious climate goals and know they need to ramp up their own efforts and advocacy work.
“That’s why they want to see Michigan take the lead on statewide strategies, such as through the governor’s MI Healthy Climate Plan,” she said.
The plan’s goals include developing new clean energy jobs by putting the state on a path towards becoming carbon neutral by 2050. It also proposes to reduce emissions from heating homes by repairing and improving buildings, triple the state’s recycling rate to 45% and cut food waste in half by 2030.
The businesses’ letter to Whitmer said, “We are committed to locally sourcing our purchases, including agricultural inputs, both in support of our local economy and in an effort to reduce transportation.”
Brewery Vivant in Grand Rapids signed the letter “to show that businesses are in support of the government taking action to address climate change,” said Kris Spaulding, who owns it and Broad Leaf Brewery in Kentwood.
They are the first microbreweries in the world to be certified in Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, or LEED, through their efforts to minimize waste and energy use.
The two microbreweries are also committed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 50% and energy intensity over the next decade, according to the letter.
Dennis said Crystal Mountain in Benzie County’s Weldon Township, which signed the letter, is working to become greener.
The resort has opened walkable and bikeable grounds, provided free electric vehicle charging for guests and invested in other energy-efficient infrastructure such as LED lights and energy-efficient water pumps.
“Respecting the environment is one of our core values, and we strive to ensure our resort is committed to more sustainable solutions,” the company said in the letter.
The signers are from diverse business sectors, and Dennis said one goal of Ceres is to show unified support from businesses.
“The state needs to consider sector-wide strategies,” she said. “That includes the power sector, how we generate electricity. That also includes transportation, which is nationally the sector with the highest amount of emissions.”
Spaulding said, “There is often a feeling that businesses are opposed to any additional regulation, but without us, we as a greater society won’t be able to tackle this pressing issue.”
The other companies signing the letter are Ben & Jerry’s, DSM, EILEEN FISHER, General Mills, General Motors Co., IKEA, JLL, Johnson Controls, Siemens, Uplight and Worthen Industries.
Finally it feels like Spring, and just in time for Earth Day.
This weekend’s Top 5 includes theater, rock ‘n’ roll, a book sale and a special Earth Day Party with Quillbur?
Want to learn more? Check out my Top 5, which you can find exclusively on WKTV Journal.
Gonzo’s Top 5
Jesse Ray & The Carolina Catfish (Courtesy Photo/Paul Jensen)
Jesse Ray & The Carolina Catfish
Grand Rapids rock, blues and rockabilly duo Jesse Ray & The Carolina Catfish, celebrates the release of a new album with a show Saturday at Pyramid Scheme in Grand Rapids. The new, self-titled album “is quite different from other releases as it has more instruments and attitude,” Jesse Ray said in an interview on John Sinkevics’ localspins.com. “Where (2016’s) ‘Angry’ was just angry for the sake of a young man’s anger, the new record is more complicated and emotional with the occasional outburst.” The bill also includes Patty PerShayla & The Mayhaps and The Local Commuters. Tickets are $15 and available online. Doors open at 7 p.m. More info on the Facebook event page.
Van Andel Arena
Downtown Grand Rapids is going to be busy this weekend with a couple big shows at Van Andel Arena. Comedian Katt Williams ( “The House Next Door; Meet the Blacks 2,” “Meet the Blacks”) performs at 8 p.m. Saturday (April 23) and rock band Shinedown performs at 7 p.m. Sunday (April 24). More details at vanandelarena.com.
Both KDL Kenwood and Wyoming libraries are hosting book sales this Saturday.
Friends of the Library Used Book Sale
TheKent District Library Kentwood Branch and Wyoming Branch both feature book sales from 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday (April 23) where book enthusiasts will find bargains galore. The Kentwood Branch is located at 4950 Breton SE. The Wyoming Branch is located at 3350 Michael Ave. SW. More details at kdl.org.
The Hunchback of Notre Dame
Master Arts Theatre in Grand Rapids is presenting “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” with shows April 21-23, April 28-30 and May 5-7. Based on the Victor Hugo novel and songs from the Disney animated feature, The Hunchback of Notre Dame showcases the film’s Academy Award-nominated score, as well as new songs by Menken and Schwartz. According to Master Arts, “Peter Parnell’s new book embraces story theatre and features verbatim passages from Hugo’s gothic novel.” Learn more at www.masterarts.org.
Blandford Nature Center hosts a birthday party for Quillber, a North American Porcupine. (Supplied)
Blandford Nature Center – Earth Day
As part of Earth Day Week, Blandford Nature Center in Grand Rapids is having a Birthday Party for two of its wildlife ambassadors – Archimedes, who is a long-eared owl, and Quillber, a North American Porcupine. In a program from 1-2 p.m. Saturday, you’ll hear their stories and learn about what makes each of them special. Organizers said you can “snap a close-up of silly Archimedes before heading out on the trails to take Quillber for a birthday stroll through the woods.” Admission is free this month to Blandford, but admission to the party is $7 for members, $10 for non-members and free to those ages 2 and younger. You can register at https://www.blandfordnaturecenter.org/events/earth-day-birthdays/?occurrence=2022-04-23.
Blandford Nature Center is located at 1715 Hillburn Ave NW. Learn more about Blandford nature trails an http://blandfordnaturecenter.org/
That’s it for now.
As always, I welcome your input and recommendations for events to include in my Top 5 list. If you have something for me to consider, just send me an email at michigangonzo@gmail.com.
Have a great, safe Easter weekend.
John D. Gonzalez is a digital journalist with 30-plus years of experience as a food, travel, craft beer and arts & entertainment reporter based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He also co-hosts the radio show and Podcast “Behind the Mitten,” which airs at 6 p.m. Sundays on WOOD-AM and FM. Follow him on his journey to discover what’s next. You can find him on Twitter as @MichiganGonzo, on Instagram @MichiganGonzo and Facebook at @GRGonzo. He also relaunched his YouTube Channel. Email him story ideas and tips at michigangonzo@gmail.com.
City of Kentwood city leaders celebrate the city’s renewed designation as a Tree City USA, by planting a tree of course, in 2021. (Supplied)
By WKTV Staff
The City of Kentwood will honor Arbor Day — and its renewed designation as a Tree City USA — by giving away 250 tree seedlings during an Arbor Day Celebration and tree planting on April 29.
Residents of all ages are invited to join Kentwood’s Arbor Day Celebration at Veterans Memorial Park, 355 48th St. SE., according to an announcement from the city. The event will begin at noon with an Arbor Day proclamation, followed by a tree planting and a half-mile guided tree identification walk in the park. Complimentary refreshments will be available at the concession stand.
Arbor Day is an annual day of observance typically held in the spring to celebrate trees and encourage tree planting. This year marks the 150th anniversary of the holiday.
“A healthy tree population and canopy help improve quality of life and promote happier, healthier communities,” Kentwood Mayor Stephen Kepley said in supplied material. “The Arbor Day Celebration enables Kentwood to engage our community members in environmental stewardship to help make the city a more vibrant and beautiful place to live.”
Arbor Day, locally and nationally
The Arbor Day Celebration engages and educates the community in planting and caring for the city’s trees and is part of Kentwood’s participation in the Tree City USA program.
The City of Kentwood will honor Arbor Day — and its renewed designation as a Tree City USA — by giving away 250 tree seedlings during an Arbor Day Celebration and tree planting on April 29. (Supplied)
Kentwood was recently recognized with the 2021 Tree City USA honor for promoting and caring for trees within the community, the second time the City has received the designation. The first was in 2020.
To become a Tree City USA, cities must have an annual Arbor Day observance, a community tree ordinance, a tree board or department and spend at least $2 per capita on urban forestry activities. The program provides the necessary framework for communities to manage and expand their public trees, celebrate the importance of an urban tree canopy and demonstrate their commitment to environmental change.
Residents invited to get trees, get involved
Leading up to the Arbor Day celebration, residents can pick up free red maple or white pine tree seedlings at the Kentwood Activities Center, 355 48th St. SE. The seedlings will be available during business hours Tuesday, April 26 through Friday, April 29 or until supplies are gone.
The City of Kentwood will honor Arbor Day — and its renewed designation as a Tree City USA — by giving away 250 tree seedlings during an Arbor Day Celebration and tree planting on April 29. (Supplied)
Residents are invited to post a picture of their planted seedling on social media using the hashtag #GreeningKentwood.
The Kentwood Activities Center is open 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday. During Arbor Day week, residents can check on tree seedling availability by calling the Parks and Recreation Department at 616-656-5270.
Residents who are looking for more ways to get involved beyond Arbor Day are invited to join the Kentwood Park Stewards, an environmentally focused program that helps preserve and maintain neighborhood parks, trails and public spaces.
LANSING – Some trails break out of the woods at a lake. Some climb a dune to a sweeping view.
And many – more than you probably thought – lead to a shipwreck with a story on a beach.
This summer could be excellent for shoreline shipwreck viewing as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers predicts that the water level of lakes Michigan and Huron could be almost 2 feet below the record highs set in 2020.
Michigan’s fascinating maritime history is not limited to old lighthouses or restored life-saving stations.
Jim DuFresne, MichiganTrailMaps.com.Remains of the Francisco Morazan off South Manitou Island at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.
The state is blessed with accessible shipwrecks that don’t require an air tank or a wetsuit to view – only a pair of hiking boots, a paddle or a snorkel and mask.
The heart of shipwreck territory is Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, but there are others, including a wreck in Thompson’s Harbor State Park in Presque Isle County and more off the shore of the Upper Peninsula’s Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore.
Michigan’s shoreline wrecks are constantly evolving, depending on wave action, shifting sand and Great Lake water levels.
High and dry for easy viewing this summer will be one of Michigan’s newest exposed wrecks, the Jennie and Annie.
The 137-foot schooner, built in 1863, was rounding Sleeping Bear Point in November 1872 when gale-force winds pushed it into the shallows and reefs of Lake Michigan’s notorious Manitou Passage. The ship, its 10-member crew and a cargo of corn were driven aground 9 miles south near Empire. Only three crew members survived.
Gone forever? Hardly. For the past two summers, a substantial piece of the hull has been visible on a Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore beach.
Here is a landlubber’s guide to other great Michigan shipwrecks:
City of Boston: Built in Cleveland in 1863, this 136-foot-long wooden steamer also featured a mast – and a history of bad luck.
In 1868, it collided with another steamer and sank in the Straits of Mackinac. When the steamship was raised 125 feet two years later, it was the deepest salvage ever attempted in the Great Lakes up to that time.
After being rebuilt in Cleveland, the ship returned to service as a stream barge, only to finally meet its end on Nov. 4, 1873, during a storm with blinding snow.
It was hauling flour and corn when it ran aground on a sand bar just off Green Point Dunes Nature Preserve in Benzie County. The raging surf quickly broke the hull, and the crew abandoned ship. The ship’s remains are west of the preserve’s beach access stairway, 150 to 200 feet from shore, depending on water levels. It’s angled in 7 to 8 feet of water, with its stern buried in the sand bar and its bow occasionally less than 4 feet below the lake’s surface. It’s easy snorkeling, and visitors can see the outline of the bow in clear water from the preserve’s second observation deck.
James McBride: Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is a graveyard for shipwrecks, including this 121-foot brig built in 1848 and lost in October 1857. A November storm in 2014 washed up a 43-foot-long section of the James McBride, making it the largest shipwreck ever to appear on the park’s shoreline.
Francisco Morazan: On Nov. 27, 1960, this Liberian freighter left Chicago bound for Holland with 940 tons of cargo, a crew of 13, its captain and his pregnant wife.
Jim DuFresne, MichiganTrailMaps.com.Remains of a wreck at Lake Superior’s AuSable Reef as seen from a Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore trail.
The next day, the ship ran into 40-mile-per-hour winds, snow and fog that made for a virtual whiteout.
The captain thought he was rounding Beaver Island, more than 100 miles away, when he ran aground on the south side of South Manitou Island.
A Coast Guard cutter and helicopter rescued the 15 people, but left the wreck behind to be forever battered by Lake Michigan.
Today it’s the most popular destination for campers on the island. The wreck is also popular with kayakers who bring their boats over on the ferry.
American Union: This 186-foot, three-masted schooner was one of the largest sailing ships to work the Great Lakes when launched in 1862. Its size ultimately led to its demise when it encountered a fatal storm in 1894 that grounded it at Thompson’s Harbor State Park, northwest of Alpena. The crew was saved, and today the wreckage rests a quarter-mile from shore in 10 feet of crystal-clear Lake Huron water.
The remains of the hull offer viewing opportunities for snorkelers and kayakers.
AuSable Reef Wrecks: From Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore’s Hurricane River Campground, visitors can head east on the Lakeshore Trail and pass several wrecks, then end up at the AuSable Light Station built to protect the ships.
The first wreck, the Mary Jarecki, lies just outside the campground. The wooden bulk freighter was carrying iron ore and grounded on the AuSable Reef in July 1883. When other boats couldn’t tow it off, the ship was left to be battered by Lake Superior.
Its remains are just offshore and are challenging to see if there is a chop on the lake surface.
But a hike further down the trail leads to timbers and ironwork from two wrecks half-buried in the sand.
The first is the Sitka, a wooden freighter that grounded and broke in half in 1904.
The second is the Gale Staples, built in 1881. The wooden freighter was loaded with coal when it beached itself on the sandy reef in 1918.
America: On June 6, 1928, this tourist ship was loaded with crates of fresh fruit and 48 passengers when it left a resort on Isle Royale National Park’s Washington Island and, within a half-mile, struck a reef.
It sank within sight of horrified hotel employees and guests back at the dock. No deaths occurred, but bushels of fresh fruit washed ashore for weeks after the mishap.
Even more unusual, the ship sank in a vertical position, with one end lying less than 3 feet below the surface of Lake Superior.
Curious visitors can rent a canoe in Windigo and paddle out of Washington Harbor into the North Gap, where a buoy marks the ship’s location. Lake Superior is so clear it’s amazing how much is visible from a canoe seat.
Jim DuFresne is the editorial director at MichiganTrailMaps.com and an MSU Journalism School alum.
In honor of Dr. Seuss’ birthday, March has been designated as Reading Month. To celebrate and encourage reading, we are asking local officials, residents and WKTV staff and volunteers to tell us about a book that they enjoy. Happy Reading!
Today’s reading selection comes from Girl Scout Troop 8282. The troop, which is based in City of Wyoming, has seven active girls ranging in ages of 5 to 7. The girls in this troop have done cookie booths and are hoping to go on a troop trip. To learn more about Girl Scouts, visit www.gsmists.org.
Book: The Hummingbird King: A Guatemalan Legend Author: Argentina Palacios Genre: Fiction/folklore
The book tells the Guatemalan legend of a young Mayan chief who is protected from his enemies by a hummingbird and the chief eventually becomes a symbol for peace. According to troop member Valentina, “I liked how the nice king got rewarded for his good deeds at the end,” while troop member Adelina said “I like how others get to learn about my culture even if it is supposed to be the Quetzal bird.”
