Category Archives: Health

An effort to make 988 for suicide prevention means West Michigan will be dialing 10-digit phone numbers

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In preparation for the new 988 phone number for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, starting Oct. 24, West Michigan residents will need to dial the full 10-digit number to make a local call. (pxhere.com)

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org

When phone numbers were first established in the late 1880s, they were just a series of three numbers. As the population grew, the number system expanded to seven digits locally with a three-digit area code for long distance.

Starting Oct. 24, in many areas of Michigan, it will not matter if you are making a local or long distance phone call, you will be required to dial 10-digits — one plus the area code plus the number.

The reason? The Federal Communications Commission has designated 988 as the abbreviated dialing code that can be used to reach the suicide prevention hotline. Officials expect the 988 dialing code to be active by July of 2022.

“In many area codes across the country, 988 is already used as a prefix, or first three digits after the area code of customer telephone numbers,” the Michigan Public Service Commission announced in a press release earlier this year. “In order for 988 to dial directly to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, any area code that includes 988 prefix must transition from seven-digit dialing (dialing without the area code) to 10-digit dialing (1 plus the area code with the telephone number.”

Residents with the 616, 810, 906, and 989 area codes will have to make the switch to 10-digits for all local calls. As of Oct. 24, if a resident with that area code dials with only seven digits, the call may not be completed and a recording may inform the caller that the call cannot be completed as dialed. The caller will have to hangup and redial the 10-digit number.

Phone numbers will not change, residents only need to add the area code to the existing number. It is recommended that residents check contacts to make sure that the complete 10-digit number is stored in their devices. It is also recommend that businesses review devices that rely on numbers to assure all contacts’ 10-digit numbers have been stored.

Other three-digit numbers such as 911 for emergency and 221 for community services will not be impacted.

 

The new 988 number for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline goes into effect on July 16, 2022. Until then, residents can cal the hotline at 1-800-273-8255 (1-800-273-TALK). Veterans and Service members may reach the Veterans Crisis Line by pressing 1 after dialing, chatting online at www.veteranscrisisline.net or texting 838255.

According to the FFC, since 2008, suicide has ranked as the tenth leading cause of death in the United States. Suicide claimed the lives of more than 48,000 Americans in 2018, resulting in about one death every 11 minutes. An FCC staff report to Congress in 2019 proposed establishing 988 as an easy to remember three-digit code for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Staff analyzed various options and determined 988 was the best option for increasing access to crisis resources and ensuring the fastest possible transition. Establishing the easy-to-remember 988 as the “911” for suicide prevention and mental health services will make it easier for Americans in crisis to access the help they need and decrease the stigma surrounding suicide and mental health issues, state FCC officials in a release about the new three-digit number.

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a national network of approximately 170 crisis centers. The centers are supported by local and state, and public and private sources, as well as by Congressional appropriations through the Department of Health and Human Services’ Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

At this point, it is probably a good idea for residents start using 10-digit numbers as some areas in the country have been forced to add second area codes due to running out of phone numbers. The FCC estimates there are more people than phone numbers. 

‘Adopt-a-Forest’ program encourages citizens to clean up public land

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Nature enthusiasts surpassed the goal set by the 2020 challenge by cleaning 151 forest sites, as well as removing 459 cubic yards of trash. (WKTV/Joanne Bailey-Boorsma)

By McKoy Scribner
Capital News Service

Every year, tons of trash is illegally dumped in Michigan’s public lands, but a state program has been running for three decades to mitigate the problem.

The Adopt-a-Forest program is volunteer-driven and helps people engage with the outdoors and encourages them to keep public lands clean, the state Department of Natural Resources says.

The DNR conducts outreach to find volunteers and then connects them with a site in need of a cleanup.

Rachel Coale is a communications representative for the DNR. She says the work done in the past year has been fantastic and she’s eager to see what’s to come.

“So, last year we conducted a ‘100 cleanups in 100 days’ campaign, which despite the pandemic, we blew past our goal, which was really exciting,” she said. “So, this year we haven’t run any specific campaigns, but we’re definitely seeing more and more people get out in the woods.”

Nature enthusiasts surpassed the goal set by the 2020 challenge by cleaning 151 forest sites, as well as removing 459 cubic yards of trash.

The challenge was also a part of celebrating 100 years of the National Association of State Foresters and its effort to promote thriving forests.

Individuals or groups that volunteer are recognized with a certificate. If they adopt and clean over 640 acres of land, they can request a sign in recognition of their work.

 

Coale says volunteers have found everything from paper waste to mattresses in the woods.

“It really helps to have those eyes in the woods because we can’t have a conservation officer everywhere, all the time. But you know, we have a great group of volunteers who can say what’s happening out there and let people know.”

Through the program, half of the trash taken off public lands has been successfully recycled.

McKoy Scribner reports for WKAR and Great Lakes Echo.

This week’s theme is get active, especially on your work commute

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Get active by walking or riding a bike to work this week. (pxhere.com)

BY WKTV Staff
joanne@wktv.org

Active Commute Week – a movement to promote more eco-friendly modes of transportation – is underway and runs through Friday.

“Active Commute Week is a great collaboration between individuals, organizations, and employers to promote healthy, sustainable modes of transportation around our region,” said Bill Kirk, spokesperson for The Rapid, and former participant in ACW. The Rapid and its commuter transportation program, West Michigan Rideshare, administer the technology utilized for Active Commute Week.

“Whether participants elect to ride The Rapid, hop on their own bike, take a walk, or utilize a scooter or bikeshare bike, that choice benefits our entire community by reducing emissions and improving public health outcomes,” said Kirk.

Kirk emphasized that the challenge is not just for work commute – participants can log a trip to the grocery store, restaurant, or library.

“Personally, I will be riding my bike or taking Route 5 to work and trying to make all my trips around my neighborhood by foot,” said Kirk.

The event will feature an employer challenge, designed to encourage friendly competition among organizations. Currently there are 25 Grand Rapids employers participating in the challenge.

 

Active Commute Week was postponed in 2020, but the event in 2019 was the largest yet. In a five-day period in June of 2019, a total of 393 individuals logged more than 4,000 green trips. The actions of those participating in the challenge reduced vehicle miles traveled by 19,293 miles, reducing pollutants by nearly 20,000 lbs, and saving commuters more than 900 gallons of gas. This year the event will take place across a seven-day period, in order to encourage participation on the weekend.

 

The Happy Hour recap event will take place on September 17 at Garfield Park. There will be an awards ceremony, and challenge participants will have a chance to win prize packages. It is not too late to sign up – Details on the event can be found at wmrideshare.org/acwgr

Crimes committed by human trafficking victims would be forgiven under bill package

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When a victim steals a car to get away from human trafficking, should they be charged with theft? that is a question a bill in the state legislature would answer. (pxhere.com)

By Barbara Bellinger
Capital News Service

LANSING — Police have made arrests this year for human trafficking in Oakland County and more recently in Mecosta County.

Yet legislation that would keep victims of human trafficking from being arrested, charged and jailed when they are coerced to commit crimes has not moved since legislative hearings were held in early March and the end of April. 

 

“It’s discouraging to see the lack of progress for these bills thus far, and it’s my hope legislators will give them the priority they deserve,” Attorney General Dana Nessel wrote in an email to Capital News Service.

Michigan ranked in the top 10 states for human trafficking in 2019 with 364 cases, according to the Polaris Project, which operates the U.S. National Human Trafficking Hotline. The Michigan Abolitionist Project, which works to end trafficking, estimates that the actual numbers are closer to 1,100-1,400 individuals.

A sting operation in Mecosta County in August resulted in arrests of six men who came to the area to have sex with children. They could serve up to four to 40 years in prison if convicted.

But at issue is when children and adult victims of human trafficking commit crimes as a result of being trafficked or when they try to escape. Some lawmakers hope to keep them out of jail. 

“When a victim steals a car to get away from human trafficking, should they be charged with theft?” asked Rep. Graham Filler, R-DeWitt, and chair of the House Judiciary Committee. “These victims need more grace.”

Trafficking doesn’t exist only in the larger cities such as Detroit, Grand Rapids, and Lansing, Filler said. “This happens in rural Michigan. Even in my hometown of DeWitt, it’s easy for (the traffickers) to hide people in those communities.”

The human trafficking package of 26 bills that sits in the House Judiciary Committee  would strengthen existing laws to protect the victims of human trafficking who commit crimes because of their situation.

A bill sponsored by Rep. Mary Whiteford, R-Casco Township, would erase any crime committed by a human trafficking victim as a direct result of being trafficked. That applies only to crimes of prostitution now.

Another bill, sponsored by Filler, would give the victims the right to present evidence that the crimes they committed occurred because they were trafficked.

Another, sponsored by Rep. Bronna Kahle, R-Adrian, would require the courts to stop moving forward cases where children commit a crime because they are human trafficking victims.

 

“Every child needs a champion,” Whiteford said in a Zoom interview. Whiteford said that the bills would provide just that to both juvenile and adult victims of human trafficking.

Hearings on the bills have been held in the Judiciary Committee, and Nessel testified about her strong support for the package and said victims of human trafficking needed encouragement to break the “cycle of silence.”

 

Whiteford said she is frustrated by the lack of action since then. The bills have taken a back seat in the past few months, she said. “The chair of the Judiciary Committee has other priorities.”

When asked about the hold up, Filler said that although the bills had broad support, concerns were raised at the most recent hearing that the laws as written would allow traffickers to force victims to commit multiple crimes knowing that they would get off.

 

Filler said he doesn’t want to give a free pass to all criminals. “I want to narrow them so they apply instead to real victims.” When asked whether this work has begun, Filler said his staff will review the issues.

Whiteford said the bills have enough flexibility already and should stand as proposed. “The bills give the judges the discretion to expunge on a case-by-case basis,” she said.

The Michigan Coalition to end Sexual and Domestic Violence welcomed the bills’ additional “safeguards to victims who have engaged in criminal activity in connection with their victimization.” The group pointed out that traffickers commonly coerce their victims to commit crimes as a method of control.

“No statistics exist for victims of human trafficking who have committed crimes because of their situation,” said Jane White, the executive director of the Michigan Human Trafficking Task Force at Michigan State University.

“Do we know that this exists?” White wrote in an email. “Absolutely. Survivors tell us this often. It’s part of what human trafficking is.”

Whiteford’s goal is to get the bills out of committee before the end of the year.

“People are exploited,” she said. “Children are exploited. The average age of the juvenile human trafficking victim is 15 years old. We should all look out for the children in our lives.”

Kentwood’s adaptive recreation celebration (and support) night to have more ‘casual vibe’ this year

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The City of Kentwood’s adaptive recreation programs, part of the city’s Park and Recreation Department programing, includes summertime water skiing. (WKTV)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

There are many reasons to attend “The Vibe,” the City of Kentwood’s community event this week to raise awareness and funds for the city’s Adaptive Recreation Programs.

Yes, it is a fundraiser — this year with the proceeds going to keep its adaptive waterskiing program even more participant-safety focused. But, also, it is a chance for the general public and program participants to mix and learn about the program and its importance to the community.

But this years event — on Thursday, Sept. 16, at the city’s Kent District Library branch — will have a much more “casual vibe” than in some past years.

“This years Vibe has a totally different feel than in years past,” Katelyn Bush, Kentwood’s recreation program coordinator, said to WKTV. “It’s going to be more like a backyard barbecue. It is more informal … and is also going to be outside. It is like just hanging out with your friends. … It is going to have more of a casual vibe.”

And there will be some great new friends to be made at the “backyard barbecue,” for community members who want to support the programs and for program participants.

The City of Kentwood’s adaptive recreation programs includes summertime water skiing for all ages. (WKTV)

“The vibe is a fundraiser but it is also a celebration of what our department does for our community, specifically our adaptive recreation population,” Bush said. “We invite many of our participants that are involved with the programs and their families, so many of our athletes can come and be ambassadors for the program. They can answer questions and share their experiences.”

The Vibe will be held 6:30-9:30 p.m., at the Kent District Library – Kentwood (Richard L. Root) Branch, 4950 Breton Ave. SE. It will include food and cocktails, live music by Main Street Dueling Pianos, a silent auction, adaptive equipment displays and yard games.

The evening also will feature guest speaker Brad Dion, a longtime Grand Rapids resident and East Kentwood High School graduate, who will “share his life experiences of living with cerebral palsy, accomplishing goals and giving back to his community,” according to supplied material.

As a wheelchair athlete, Dion enjoys competing in wheelchair tennis. He also loves to mentor and coach wheelchair sports to kids with disabilities. He spends his days inside the classroom teaching fifth and sixth grade general education as well as supporting special education.

“We are grateful to have Brad Dion share his story at this year’s event,” Val Romeo, Kentwood Parks and Recreation director, said in supplied material. “We welcome the community to join us to hear his journey and learn more about the value of inclusive recreational opportunities.”

Tickets for the casual-attire event are $40 per person, and tickets are still available. They can be purchased online at KentwoodVibe.com or by calling 616-656-5270.

(The City of Kentwood will continue to monitor public health guidance and orders, which may require changes to events. Residents are encouraged to follow current public health guidelines to help stop the spread of COVID-19.)

Water skiing is fundraising focus this year

Funds raised at this year’s event will go toward the city’s adaptive water ski program. The program includes various adaptive water ski clinics offered by the Kentwood Parks and Recreation Department in partnership with community partners. Kentwood also offers its own “Sibs Clinic” once a year, where friends and family members are encouraged to ski with their loved one with a disability.

The City of Kentwood’s adaptive recreation programs includes summertime water skiing, which requires extensive safety support. (WKTV)

The clinics give youth and adults of all abilities an opportunity to experience water skiing “in a positive and safe environment with the help of trained staff and volunteers,” and equipment designed for individuals with cognitive or physical challenges.

That “safe environment” is, as always, a focus of the adaptive recreation staff and the programs they offer.

“The funds raised at this year’s event will go to purchase two new jet skis for our adaptive water ski program,” Bush said to WKTV, “These two watercraft are essential to the program. … They trail the skiers and many of our skiers have pretty severe physical limitations. So once they are in the water, their safety is really our responsibility and our top priority.”

If the skiers hit a wave or they fall off, those two jet skies have a trained person riding on the back to get to the skiers “in just a matter of seconds.” … We have to have that ability or we cannot run the program safety.”

Many adaptive recreation programs offered

“We offer a variety of adaptive recreation programs to meet the interests of all individuals — from those who enjoy relaxing leisure opportunities all the way to the biggest thrill seekers,” Bush said in supplied material.

Katelyn Bush, Kentwood’s recreation program coordinator. (WKTV)

“Because water sports are high-adrenaline activities, they are a great way for people to get out of their comfort zone, enjoy the rush of going fast and feel the wind in their hair. It’s no surprise we have a waiting list each summer.”

The Kentwood Parks and Recreation Department provides Michigan’s most comprehensive adaptive recreation programming in partnership with community partners such as Down Syndrome Association of West Michigan, Hope Network and Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital and dozens of volunteers, according to supplied material.

Adaptive programs include archery, bike club, boccia league, bowling, canoeing, downhill skiing, golf league, leisure club, kayaking, rock climbing, track and field clinics, pickleball, wake boarding and water skiing, along with dances and other social events.

The Vibe event will have stations where some of our adaptive equipment will be displayed, where educational information will be available — “Who might use it, why they might use it,” Bush said. “This is an opportunity for conversation and curiosity, and support for these programs. It’s a party. It’s an educational opportunity. It is just a unique way to connect to the community.”
 

Open to individuals of all abilities in Kentwood and beyond, the programs enable participants to enjoy the benefits that come with any athletic or recreational activity, such as a sense of camaraderie, improved confidence and new skills.

To learn about current offerings of the Kentwood’s Adaptive Recreation Programs, visit kentwood.us/adaptive.

In Love and Health: Tune-up your immune system!

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By Dr. Erik Johnson
Love and Health Chiropractic

Now is the time to do what you can to boost your and your family’s immune systems. Cases of COVID-19/Delta variant are on the rise. Kids are back in school. And the fall flu season is just around the corner. In addition to heeding the good advice of the Kent County Health Department, you can take five easy steps to make yourself less vulnerable to colds, flu, and COVID. 1. Eat. 2. Drink. 3. Move. 4. Sleep. 5. Align!

1. Eat healthy foods. When fall activities take a bite out of your time, avoid falling into the fast-food trap. The time you spend cooking healthy foods from scratch today may well save you time and money spent on illness tomorrow. Nutritious local fruits and veggies are still in season so make them most of your plate. On its website, the Mayo Clinic talks about the importance of good foods to the immune system, sharing that recent studies have identified a few key nutrients as being critical to immune cell growth and function: Iron, zinc, and vitamins A, C, D, and E.

2. Stay hydrated. I suggest drinking half your body weight in ounces of water each day — if you weigh 150 pounds, drink 75 ounces of water. According to Johns Hopkins Health Library, your body needs water to power the lymph fluid, which helps your immune system fight off sickness. Water also helps you to maintain a normal body temperature.

3. Exercise. Though they may seem like opposites, both exercise and sleep provide huge boosts to your immune system. According to WebMD, people who don’t exercise regularly get more colds than people who do. WebMD advises, “Try to get regular, moderate exercise, like a daily 30-minute walk. It can help your immune system fight infection.” Exercise also relieves stress that also puts a damper on immune function.

4. Sleep. This is just as important. Adults usually require at least eight hours a night, children and teens more than that. People who don’t get enough sleep are more apt to catch colds or other infections.

5. Align your spine. Published studies have established that the nervous system controls the immune system — a compromised nervous system can cause the immune system to function less than optimally. Other studies show that a single chiropractic adjustment stimulates increased immune system activity for hours after an adjustment Chiropractic adjustments correct spinal subluxations and can help restore this communication link.

Regular chiropractic wellness care keeps your body, and your immune system, functioning the best they possibly can for a lifetime!

Dr. Erik Johnson DC is a chiropractor at Love and Health Chiropractic in Wyoming at 1586 44th Street SW.

After official ribbon cutting, new administrator takes leadership of Michigan Veteran Homes GR

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Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, center, was among the “ribbon cutting” team at the grand opening of the Michigan Veteran Homes at Grand Rapids, (Michigan Veteran Homes)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

There was a long list of dignitaries, led by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, on hand at the official ribbon-cutting opening of the Michigan Veteran Homes at Grand Rapids, once known as the Grand Rapids Veterans Home, last week.

But maybe the most important person when it comes to the operation of the facility and the care of its veteran residents did not handle one of the scissors cutting the ribbon.

 

Carly MacDonald, who has been hired to serve as the new administrator of Michigan Veteran Homes GR, was present at the Sept. 2 event but did not officially take the position until this week. MacDonald took over from Tracey Nelson, the previous administrator, who successfully led the facility for more than three years through a significant transition in anticipation of the new building opening and its COVID-19 response efforts.

Michigan Veteran Homes (MVH) provides day-to-day operational oversight of the state’s veteran homes on behalf of the Michigan Veterans Facility Authority (MVFA) and is a branch of the Michigan Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA). The MVH operates the Michigan Veteran Homes at Grand Rapids (MVHGR), along with homes in Marquette and Chesterfield Township. For more information, visit michigan.gov/mvh.

“As a granddaughter and daughter of veterans, I learned at an early age the importance of serving others and our country,” MacDonald said in supplied material. “It’s an exciting time for our team at Grand Rapids as we transition to our new Home and I look forward to meeting and getting to know our veteran members, volunteers and staff.”


The importance of MacDonald’s job and the work she will lead at the new “Home” was echoed by many of the dignitaries at the Sept. 2 grand opening.


U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Paul D. Rogers, adjutant general and director of the Michigan Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, addressed the crowd at the grand opening of the Michigan Veterans Homes at Grand Rapids. (Michigan Veterans Homes)

“The state has been serving veterans right here on this campus since the conclusion of the Civil War,” U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Paul D. Rogers, adjutant general and director of the Michigan Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, said at the opening and  provided in supplied material. “As we embark on this new chapter, we can confidently say that our legacy of serving those who have served will continue for many years to come.”


In addition to remarks by Gov. Whitmer and Maj. Gen. Rogers, others addressing the gathered crowd included Anne Zerbe, executive director of MVH; Dave Henry, chairman of the board for the MVFA; and Robert Troost, a veteran and resident member at the Home.


“I have been anxiously awaiting the completion of the new Home,” Troost, a veteran and resident member at the Home, said in supplied material. “I am very excited to join my friends for a fresh start in a place that truly feels like a home instead of an institution.”


The ceremony included a posting of the colors led by the Michigan Veteran Homes at Grand Rapids Member Color Guard and music by the Belmont Armory 126th Army Band.


At a total project cost of $62.9 million, with $40.9 million provided through a federal grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs Construction Grant Program, construction of the Michigan Veteran Homes at Grand Rapids began in April 2019 and occupies 20 acres and totals 152,784 square feet.


Military members and veterans were in the crowd at the grand opening of the Michigan Veterans Homes at Grand Rapids. (Michigan Veterans Homes)

“This new home is the result of a years-long, bipartisan effort to uphold our commitment to our veterans and their families in Michigan,” Gov. Whitmer said in supplied material. “The new Grand Rapids Home was designed to provide comfort and well-deserved peace of mind for the men and women who put their lives on the line for all of us.”


The “Home” consists of four “neighborhood” buildings and a community center. The neighborhood buildings collectively house 128 private resident rooms with ensuite baths and feature shared living and dining spaces, according to supplied material.


The adjacent community center is the centerpiece of the Home and features therapeutic facilities for behavioral, occupational, physical and group therapy, an exam room, chapel, barbershop and salon, café bistro and gift shop. Residents will also have access to an adjacent outdoor courtyard and memorial garden to observe the natural surroundings the campus has to offer.

New administrator’s background

MacDonald has worked in long-term care for over 20 years, according to supplied material. She joined HCR Manorcare, now known as ProMedica Senior Care, in 2001 as human resources director. Shortly thereafter she “had a desire to expand her professional capabilities” and became licensed as a nursing home administrator.


Carly MacDonald, administrator of Michigan Veteran Homes at Grand Rapids. (Supplied)

This then allowed her to have a greater impact on clinical and administrative affairs, expansion of specialized care and member safety. She most recently has served as the administrator at Ascension Living Borgess Place in Kalamazoo for the past four years.


Throughout the pandemic, MacDonald “has been essential in leading her team in understanding and implementing all CDC, CMS and State of Michigan Department of Health and Human Services COVID-19 infection control requirements,” according to a MVH statement. While serving as administrator of Ascension Living Borgess Place, the home had less than ten cases of COVID-19 and no deaths attributed to the virus. 


“We are elated for Carly to join our growing team at MVHGR and are confident she will continue to support our culture of providing exceptional care to those that deserve it most — our veterans and their eligible dependents,” Steve Rolston, MVH chief operations officer, said in supplied material.


Born and raised in Flint, MacDonald received a bachelor’s degree in human resources from Michigan State University and is “an avid alumnus who is devoted to watching
every season of football and basketball,” according to the MVH statement.

She is married to Ryan, a Navy veteran, and they currently reside in Kalamazoo. They celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary in June and have two children, Jora, 17, and Logan 21. Carly is also a mom to Maybel, a 4-month-old English Bulldog; Cali, a 4-year-old golden retriever; and a couple rescue cats.

She is active in a women’s golf league and enjoys spending time at the family cottage at Lake George which was passed down to her family from her grandfather. Her grandfather served in World War II in the U.S. Army Air Corps and her father is a Vietnam veteran.

Local health departments in Michigan acknowledge threat of climate change to public health

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Climate change could be the next impact on public health. (pxhere.com)

By Elaine Mallon
Capital News Service

More than three-quarters — 77% — of local health department officials surveyed across Michigan agree that climate change will impact their jurisdiction in the next 20 years, according to a recent study in the Journal of Environmental Studies and Sciences.

The study examined local health departments’ readiness and perception of climate change on public health.

 

An undergrad at the University of Michigan, Julie Carter, led the research for her honors thesis project. Carter said the discrepancy between health officials’ view on the impact of climate change and how they prioritize climate change was the most interesting take away from the study.

 

Only 35% of the officials said that climate change was a priority in their department, even though over three quarters said it will be a problem in the future.

The state Department of Health and Human Services has identified five adverse health effects of climate change. They are heat illness, respiratory diseases due to change in air quality, waterborne diseases, vector- borne diseases, and injury and carbon monoxide poisoning.

 

Patricia Koman is a research investigator in environmental health sciences at the University of Michigan and a co-author of the study.

 

According to Koman, health departments can’t direct policies centered around climate change without the support of community leaders. She said it’s crucial for people like elected officials and business leaders to also be knowledgeable about health effects related to climate change.

 

“If these groups have little or no knowledge, or if the local public health department doesn’t know what’s going on with these leaders, that means that they’re not having the necessary conversations about climate change,” Koman said.

“It means that they aren’t doing everything they can to prepare. As we saw in the (Covid-19) pandemic, when we’re not prepared, people suffer.”

Each negative health effect was recognized as a current issue for local departments.

 

However, 56% of those surveyed said vector-borne illness is a problem. Health and Human Services reports that as winters become milder and summers become hotter, mosquitoes and ticks will survive in larger numbers, leading to greater risk of Lyme and West Nile diseases.

The Michigan Environmental Public Health Tracking reports that 334 ticks were collected in 1999. The population has fluctuated each year, but a record number of 1,412 ticks were collected in 2019. In 2020, the number fell to 650.

In line with the rise in ticks is the rise in Lyme disease cases. The department found 66 Lyme disease cases in 2011. Eight years later, 370 cases were recorded.

Kalamazoo County reported the most cases: 53.

 

The survey, conducted in 2019 but not published until earlier this year, went to officials from all 45 local health departments in the state. There were 35 responses from both urban and rural areas, representing 60% of the agencies.

Koman said the attitudes of health department officials on climate-related health issues may have changed since 2019.

 

“The public health implications of climate change are becoming more and more apparent,” Koman said.

According to Koman, recent flooding in the Detroit area, which prompted Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to declare a state of emergency, and the severe drought at one point across over a third of the state indicate that not only are these effects happening now, but they’re expected to increase.

 

Since 2010, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Climate and Health Program has worked with states in implementing policies and procedures oriented around climate change. The nationwide program receives $10 million in funding, but the Biden administration budget blueprint allocates an increase to $110 million.

At the state level, the climate health program has received $200,000 each year for the past 10 years, according to Aaron Ferguson of the state Department of Health and Human Services.

“At least from our program’s perspective, that doesn’t leave a lot to provide direct funding for local health departments,” Ferguson said.

The state agency focuses on training local health department leaders by integrating environmental health impacts in assessments of a community’s needs, and also helps track climate data.

Both Carter and Koman said that one reason local departments may not prioritize climate health effects is because they are underfunded. However, Ferguson said it doesn’t necessarily require extra work to integrate climate health planning into what officials are already doing.

“We just have to reshape with climate effects in mind,” Ferguson said. “Climate change is a risk multiplier, so the things that are already impacting communities, climate change has the potential to make it worse.”

 As the manager of the state agency’s climate and tracking unit, he said that while each community may differ in the severity of climate health effects, increased precipitation is the most pressing issue at hand for everyone.

 

“Mid-Michigan overall has gotten wetter,” he said. “Precipitation is heavier. And just a couple of weekends ago, we saw that the 100-year or 500-year rain and flood events are occurring much more frequently than that. We’ve probably seen four or five of these types of events in the seven years since I’ve been with the department.”

In addition to putting a strain on farmers, increased precipitation has led to flooding in peoples’ basements and potential exposures to sewage and other contaminants.

 

After a 2014 flood event, Macomb County did a health impact assessment and found an increase in negative mental health effects from the disaster — particularly in low-income and minority areas of the county.

“Mental health in these sorts of recurring events is a big issue, especially when you’re already in the middle of coming out of a pandemic,” Ferguson said.

 

Along with proponents integrating climate change into the conversation of public health, he said that it must transcend all facets of public life.

“There’s a lot of room for infrastructure design for the climate that we have now,” Ferguson said. “It goes back to bringing the health perspective to infrastructure planners. We need to help them understand that there’s a real health impact, and a lot of it is from climate change, but a lot of it’s because our communities aren’t prepared for that kind of stuff.”

Holland Home expands with third assisted living building at Breton campus

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Recently, Holland Homes expanded its Breton Woods campus, located in Kentwood, to add a new 15-bed assisted living unit. (Supplied)

By WKTV Staff
joanne@wktv.org

Demand for senior living services drove Holland Home to undergo a $5.5 million expansion project at its Breton Woods campus on 44th Street near Breton Avenue in Kentwood. Completed recently, the new facility will provide an innovative 19,000 SF, 15-bed assisted living unit and a 5,400-square-foot activity center with a gym and exercise area.

The privately funded single-story assisted living unit will be a much-needed addition to the two existing assisted living buildings on the Breton Campus. Each of the existing structures, built in 2015 and 2017 respectively, contain 15-bed units.

“The growth of our assisted living services at Breton Woods is part of Holland Home’s overall strategy to meet the needs of our aging population,” said Holland Home President & CEO Mina Breuker. 

The facility was designed by Post Architects with Erhardt Construction as the builder.

“We are thrilled to partner with Holland Home on their most recent addition to the Breton Woods Campus,” said Taggart Town, vice president, Erhardt Construction. “For over three decades, Erhardt Construction has been privileged to work with Holland Home as they provide independent living and continuum of care to the West Michigan senior community. The new expansion is another example of the top-notch senior living and care that Holland Home is known for.”

It’s expected that 10 to 15 new positions will be created to accommodate the increased capacity.

A peek into one of the living spaces at the new facility. (Supplied)

“We are excited to offer the additional assisted living building to our Breton Woods property, adding to our full continuum of care,” said Breton Woods Campus Executive Director Sara Heethuis, R.N., B.S.N.

The new assisted living building is a deinstitutionalized version of the typical assisted living facility and will afford residents the feeling of living in a real home with spacious private rooms and private bathrooms arranged around a communal dining and living area and a residential style kitchen.  The building will also house a den, a salon (staffed by professionals) a spa (with a ceiling lift to assist individuals), nurses’ station, staff office and clean and soiled linen rooms.

The new 15-bed unit is named “Water View” as the interior design offers various art pieces centered on serene water setting. Various photographs of water-based concepts by West Michigan photographer and artist Steven Huyser-Honig line the halls and rooms. Many of the rooms either face woods or ponds or an outside patio and walking path surrounded by wildlife.

The new building will be staffed by universalworkers along with nursing and social work support. 

 

“Staff will handle any necessary tasks whether it is dealing with personal care, doing laundry, or making the resident a snack,” adds Heethuis. “It has been shown that universal workers experience less job stress and spend more time engaging with residents.”

A study by the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society has shown that the small, assisted living model results in significantly improved quality of life and does not compromise care.  In fact, other studies have shown that residents maintained self-care abilities longer with the new model.

 

The Breton rehabilitation and living centers are rated five stars by Medicare Compare. The facility is part of Holland Home’s Breton Campus, which also features independent living facilities, rehabilitation and long-term care services. Learn more atwww.hollandhome.org.

Kent County now ‘high’ COVID risk, Wyoming, Kentwood schools issue mask mandates

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Kentwood Public Schools and Wyoming Public Schools have announced a mask mandate for the start of the school year.

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has raised the level of COVID-19  infection to ‘high’ from ‘substantial’ for Kent County with the recommendation that everyone, regardless of vaccination status, wear a face mask in indoors.

The CDC defines ‘high’ transmission as more than 100 cases per 100,000 people, or a positivity rate of 10 percent or greater in the past seven days. Kent County currently has a seven-day positivity rate of 8.4 percent and seven-day average for new caess is 103 per 100,000. 

“Vaccines remain our best tool for ending this pandemic so we continue to urge everyone to get vaccinated as soon as possible,” said Dr. Adam London, director of the Kent County Health Department, “With the delta variant spreading quickly throughout our community, we must remain vigilant and take extra steps in protecting our friends, family, and neighbors.”

Yesterday, Kentwood Public Schools became the second school district in Kent County to issue a mask mandate starting in the fall. In an open letter to the community. Superintendent Kevin Polsten said that as of Aug. 17 (the date of the letter), 41% of students ages 17-12 have been vaccinated with 67% 16 and older in the Kentwood community having been vaccinated.

Following suit today was the Wyoming Public Schools which announced that based on the latest guidance by the KCHD and the CDC announcement, the district would be requiring masks for all ore-12 students and staff indoors in all district buildings regardless of age or vaccination status.

Grand Rapids Public Schools issued a similar mask mandate earlier this week. Forest Hills Public Schools announced earlier this week that students and staff not vaccinated will be required to wear masks.

London has not issued a mask mandate from the Kent County Health Department, but in a video released, he stated he “highly recommend” people wear masks in indoor places.

The Kent County Health Department with the CDC recommends the following guidance to reduce the spread of COVID-19:

Get vaccinated

Wear a mask or face coverage in all indoor public settings, regardless or vaccination status

Practice good hand washing hygiene

Avoid large crowds and maintain social distance from people outside of your household

Get test if you have symptoms or think you may have been exposed to someone with COVID-19.

Due to the current risk classification and positivity rate, an eviction moratorium from CDC now covers Kent County. Tenants with high or substantial transmission who meet income requirements, face a loss of income, are trying to pay rent and submit a declaration form to their landlord, are covers by the moratorium through Oct. 3, 2021. However, residents should remember that there is no moratorium for property taxes.

Snapshots: WKTV stories on health and medical news you might have missed

3-bottom, Community Health, Health

By WKTV Staff

ken@wktv.org

Quote of the Day

“To ensure good health: eat lightly, breathe deeply, live moderately, cultivate cheerfulness, and maintain an interest in life.”

William Londen

A file photo of a Kent County technician testing mosquitoes for West Nile virus. (KCHD)

Another reason to keep the bugs away

The Kent County Health Department announced recently that the Jamestown Canyon virus has been detected in tested mosquitoes in Kent County. The virus is similar, yet different, than the West Nile virus, and is also carried by mosquitoes. WKTV asked a county health official to detail the similarities and differences — and how to protect yourself from both. Go here for the story.

Keep your mask close in close quarters

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently raised the risk level of COVID-19 infection from ‘moderate’ to ‘substantial’ for Kent County. The CDC recommends everyone in areas with a risk designation of ‘substantial’ or ‘high’ wear a face mask in indoor public places, regardless of vaccination status. Go here for the story.

Joining together for the community’s heart health

In late July, Metro Health (soon to be University of Michigan Health – West), Mercy Health Saint Mary’s, and Mercy Health Muskegon finalized the agreement to form the Cardiovascular Network of West Michigan. Under this agreement, the network will be providing advance cardiovascular services such as coronary artery bypass surgery, cardiac valve repair or replacement, and repair for birth defects. Go here for the story.

(Not so) Fun fact:

20 per day

According to a 2018 survey by the Physicians Foundation, doctors on average work 51 hours a week and see 20 patients a day. Almost a quarter of their time is taken up with nonclinical paperwork. Source.

Mat Kearney’s Aug. 13 Meijer Gardens concert delayed due to singer’s COVID positive test

Community Health, Entertainment, Health, Local Entertainment, Upcoming Events, , ,

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park announced today, Aug. 11, that the Friday, Aug. 13, concert with Mat Kearney has been postponed until Sept. 8 due to a positive test for COVID-19 by the singer.

And while Kearney is full vaccinated, and is in good health, he is exercising caution.

Mat Kearney. (Supplied)

“Despite my best efforts, I have tested positive for COVID-19. I’m thankfully vaccinated, and just feeling a bit under the weather,” Kearney said in supplied material. “For the health and safety of the band, crew and fans, we will be rescheduling Friday’s show … I’m so bummed. I’ve only missed one show in my life, and can’t wait to see you all again.”

(He also asked for “Your binge-worthy tv recommendations,” and we respectively suggest “Queen’s Gambit”, if not already on his board.)

Tickets purchased for the Aug.13 concert will be honored on Sept. 8, according to the Meijer Gardens statement. But for those who cannot attend the Sept. 8, refunds will be available through Etix through Aug. 20. Please note, according to the statement, ticket fees are non-refundable. To request a refund, please click visit
bit.ly/KearneyRefundRequest.

Any returned tickets for the sold-out show will be available for purchase beginning on Aug. 21 via Etix.com.


Check MeijerGardens.org/concerts for more information.

A regular Marge’s Donut Den meeting group hosts event focused on Wyoming-based foundation

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Father Peter Omogo with villagers celebrate the opening of a new well in 2020. (SOF)

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org

Marge Wilson remembers watching a woman make the sign of the cross just before putting a cup underneath a fountain to get water.

Clean water is an essential need in many third world countries. Polluted water isn’t just dirty, it’s deadly, according to the Koshland Science Museum. Some 1.8 million people die every year of diarrheal diseases like cholera because they drink dirty water. Tens of millions of others are seriously sickened by a host of water-related ailments, many of which are preventable if these people had access to clean drinking water.

It is why Wilson, the owner of Marge’s Donut Den, in 2012 decided to start the Samual Omogo Foundation, which is dedicated to building water wells in villages in Southeastern Nigeria. The foundation is named after Samuel Omogo, a Nigerian man who dedicated his life to improving the lives of people in Nigerian villages. He was well known for his philanthropic deeds of visiting the sick, bringing food, clothing and school supplies to those in need.

 

“I think Samuel is a man who did so much for his people that I am grateful that his children can see all those wells and say ‘Daddy made a difference in everybody’s life,’” Wilson said in an interview for the foundation.

The Samuel Omogo Foundation will be the focus of the next Mr. Sid’s Video Series Thursday, Aug. 11, at 2 p.m. at Marge’s Donut Den, 1751 28th St. SW.

“Our Mr. Sid accomplished many things during his lifetime. Maybe what he was most proud of was he and Beulah’s many service trips to support John and Atts Devries and the work of Mission India,” said Tom Sibly, one of the organizers of the Mr. Sid’s Video program. Sid Lenger was a World War II veteran who loved to share his stories and video travelogues. He passed away in 2019 at the age of 100. Friends and family have continued the video series that have expanded to include special events.

Sibley said the Samuel Omogo Foundation seemed a natural extension to Mr. Sid’s passion of helping people.

Father Peter Omogo will be presenting at the Thursday program. Father Peter will talk about the creation of the Samuel Omogo Foundation, it’s work and his journey that has taken him from Nigeria to West Michigan. Coffee and cookies will be provided after the program.

The next event for the Sid’s Video Series will a Mr. Sid’s birthday program on Sept. 8.

Clean water is one the biggest essential needs in many third world countries. (SOF)

CDC moves Kent County to ‘substantial’ COVID-19 risk level, masks recommended for indoors

3-bottom, Community Health, Health,

By WKTV Staff
joanne@wktv.org

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has raised the risk level of COVID-19 infection from ‘moderate’ to ‘substantial’ for Kent County. The CDC recommends everyone in areas with a risk designation of ‘substantial’ or ‘high’ wear a face mask in indoor public places, regardless of vaccination status. The CDC data tracker can be viewed here.

The CDC defines ‘substantial’ transmission as 50-100 cases per 100,000 people, or a positivity rate between 8 and 9.9 percent in the past seven days. Kent County currently has a seven-day positivity rate of 6.68 percent. The current seven-day average for new cases in Kent County is 52.52 per 100,000.

With the move to ‘substantial’ risk level, masks are recommended for indoor activities.

The COVID-19 vaccine cannot prevent 100% of infections, but it does prevent many of them. Also, infections among vaccinated people are less severe than those who have not been vaccinated.

“The vast majority of people who are becoming infected with COVID-19 in Kent County are unvaccinated,” says Dr. Adam London, Director of the Kent County Health Department. “The vaccines that are available are effective, safe and available. They remain our best tool for ending this pandemic, so we encourage everyone to get vaccinated as soon as possible.”

The CDC and the Kent County Health Department recommend the following guidance to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in our community.

  • Get vaccinated – find out more here
  • Wear a mask or face covering in all indoor public settings, regardless of vaccination status,especially now that the risk level has changed to substantial
  • Practice good handwashing hygiene
  • Avoid large crowds and maintain social distance from people outside of your household
  • Get tested if you have symptoms or think you may have been exposed to someone with COVID-19

Similar and different than West Nile, county health official details Jamestown Canyon virus found in Kent County

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Paul Bellamy, Kent County Health Department (KCHD) public health epidemiologist, answering questions from WKTV. (KCHD)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

The Kent County Health Department announced Friday that the Jamestown Canyon virus has been detected in tested mosquitoes in Kent County. The discovery was made during ongoing surveillance and testing conducted by the health department in the 49504 ZIP code (westside Grand Rapids and Walker).
 

This is the first time the Jamestown Canyon virus has been detected in Kent County, and the county stresses that the finding was not a human case but in planned mosquito testing.

“Jamestown Canyon virus is similar to West Nile virus in a couple different ways: one is that they are both transmitted by mosquitoes and that they are both quite serious,” Paul Bellamy, KCHD public health epidemiologist, said to WKTV. “However, they differ in the amount that we see them here in the midwest. West Nile virus has been occurring, reoccurring for many years. Jamestown Canyon virus has only been seen over the last (few) years. … over the last decade, we have seen an uptick in the amount of mosquito-born viruses across the U.S. This is one of the symptoms of that (mosquito population increase).”

For a detailed discussion on how Jamestown Canyon virus was discovered, and why Bellamy believes it happened now, see video at top or here.

West Nile and Jamestown viruses can also have similar symptoms, but also are similar in the rarity of their causing serious illness, Bellamy said.

“Both have very similar presentations, as far as when people do become ill,” he said. “A lot of them are asymptotic, but those that do have … fevers, malaise, chills, like that. But it has the potential of becoming serious. … (But) Jamestown Canyon virus has a very low potential of having that happen.”

While the virus has been detected throughout much of the United States, most cases to date have occurred in the upper Midwest. Jamestown Canyon virus can rarely cause severe disease, including infection of the brain (encephalitis) or the lining around the brain (meningitis). There are no vaccines to prevent or medicines to treat Jamestown Canyon virus infection.

“Fortunately, the measures that people can take to protect themselves from other mosquito borne illnesses like West Nile Virus will work,” Bellamy said in supplied material. “This time of year, it is good to practice simple and proven steps that we already know work in preventing mosquito bites.”
 

The KCHD recommends the following prevention tactics: using a mosquito repellant that contains 10-35 percent DEET; wearing light colored clothing and long-sleeved shirts and pants; staying indoors during dusk hours; remove or refresh water in bird baths, children’s wading pools, pet water bowls; and empty other small containers that can collect water in your yard.

More information about prevention can be found at accesskent.com/Health.

In Love and Health: Back to School

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Dr. Johnson adjusts one of his younger patients. (Supplied)

By Dr. Erik Johnson
Love and Health Chiropractic

For many American families, back to school means back to waking up early, stressful schedules, and junk food. All three of these can wear down children’s immune systems, leaving them more vulnerable to colds, the flu, and, these days, COVID-19. What can parents do keep their kids’ immune response strong? The answer is a lot!

Sleep, the great healer

As the new school year approaches, start encouraging kids to wake up and go to bed a little earlier each day. That way, the 6 a.m. alarm won’t be such a shock on the first day of school. According to the Mayo Clinic, when we don’t get quality sleep we are more likely to get sick when exposed to a virus. And, when we do get sick, we might not recover as fast.

When we sleep, our immune system releases cytokine proteins, which not only help promote sleep but help our bodies handle infections and stress. When kids don’t get enough sleep, their bodies may make fewer cytokines. Lack of sleep also reduces our bodies’ production of the antibodies that fight off infections.

Over-scheduled and overwhelmed

Another hallmark of the school year is the full calendar. Between schoolwork, sports, clubs, music lessons, and other appointments, many families rarely have time to enjoy some good old-fashioned downtime. One lesson we learned during the COVID lockdowns was how to be with our families. Resist the urge to step back into overbooked routines amp up stress and reduce quality family time.

 

On its website FamilyDoctor.org, The American Academy of Pediatrics advises, “Finding a balance between school, activities, and play can mean the difference between a well-adjusted child and a stressed-out one. Finding this balance is different for every child. It’s up to you, as the parent or guardian, to find the mixture of scheduled time and play time that works best for your child.”

Try to arrange your schedules so kids have free time every day and a day every week with nothing to do.

Overfed and undernourished

Back to school too often means back to junk food. We cave into sugar cereals at breakfast to get them to eat something. If kids eat hot lunch at school, they may eat the sugary treats and throw the real food. In the trash. And, when school activities dominate the calendar, it’s way too easy to serve them a fast-food dinner.

Plan ahead

Make a list of healthy breakfast, lunch and snack items that your child will eat and stock your pantry accordingly. Look for items without added sugars or chemicals and 100% whole grains. Stock up on fresh fruits and veggies—bring baggies of carrots, celery and green pepper with you when you go to pick the kids up. Keep them on the table for munching. Serve them alongside meals. Instead of chips and cookies, stock up on nuts, seeds, 100% whole grain cracker snacks. Don’t forget the cheese and peanut butter! Pop some popcorn the old-fashioned way–in a pan on the stove where you control the additives.

Plan healthy dinners, too. Put that crock pot to use or cook two portions and keep one for the next day to cut your prep time in half. As you cook dinner, relax. The simple act of preparing healthy food can bring solace to the soul as well as health to the body.

A well-adjusted child

You may not have realized that chiropractic care is for kids, too. Many spinal problems seen in adults begin at childhood. Children experience bumps, falls and accidents almost daily. These incidents can cause their spine to misalign the same as they do in adults. Chiropractic care keeps children’s spines and nervous systems healthy, too! Chiropractic adjusting techniques are modified to fit a child’s size, weight and unique spinal problem. Parents of children, who are regularly adjusted, report that their children seem healthier than other children their age.

It’s good to see schools opening and kids getting back to normal. Let’s all do the best we can to support the kids in our lives with good sleep, good times, good food, and good care!

Dr. Erik Johnson DC is a chiropractor at Love and Health Chiropractic in Wyoming at 1586 44th Street SW.

After reports of dead birds, West Nile virus infected mosquitoes confirmed in Kent County

3-bottom, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Community Health, Environment, Hard News, Health, WKTV Projects, , ,
Brendan Earl, Kent County Parks’ supervising sanitarian, further discussed the relationship between dead birds and the virus, and what to do if people find dead birds. (Kent County Health Department)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

It has long been known that dead birds can be a sign of West Nile virus infected mosquitoes in the area, and there has been reports in Kent County of dead birds with no obvious injury. But today the Kent County Health Department confirmed that West Nile virus has been detected in tested mosquitoes — not in an infected human — in the county.

According to an health department announcement July 22, the  confirmation was made “during ongoing surveillance and testing” conducted by the Kent County Health Department (KCHD) The discovery comes after testing pools of mosquitoes that were trapped by the health department in the 49506 ZIP code (East Grand Rapids and area).

Brendan Earl, Kent County Parks’ supervising sanitarian, discussed with WKTV the relationship between dead birds and West Nile virus, and why the county is focused on testing live mosquitoes rather than dead birds.

A file photo of a Kent County technician testing mosquitoes for West Nile virus. (KCHD)

“Generally it (the virus) goes from mosquitoes to birds, and then (mosquitoes) to humans,” Earl said to WKTV. “It used to be you brought in a dead bird and you tested the bird, because finding a dead bird is pretty obvious, right, and concerning for most people.

“Here at the health department, we like to look at the mosquito because it is a step before the bird. It is more preventive, it allows us to realize that West Nile is in the environment, in our county, so we can get the word out and take proper precautions to prevent the transmission into humans.”

Additionally, Earl said, finding positive tests in dead birds is a delayed indicator of the virus’ presence.

“When a mosquito bites and transfers the virus into a bird, they act as a host. Now any mosquito that bites the bird will now, itself, become infected. So that will amplify the number of mosquitoes the are positive. Unlike humans, who are dead-end hosts — so if we have West Nile virus and a mosquito bites us, we are not going to transmit the virus to the mosquito.”

(Earl further discussed the relationship between dead birds and the virus, and what to do if people find dead birds, in the video above. This is a link to to report dead birds to the state.)

West Nile and human infection

Humans may be ‘dead-end’ hosts, as Earl said, and rarely have severe consequences from infection unless the person is already immune compromised, according to the Centers for Disease Control. But that does not mean precautions are not advised.

A mosquito’s bite could lead to infection with West Nile virus. (CDC)

“This discovery is important because it lets us know that this season’s mosquitoes are now carrying the virus and it could spread to humans,” Paul Bellamy, KCHD public health epidemiologist. “It is important for people to take precautions to prevent mosquito bites as much as possible.”

West Nile virus is spread primarily by infected Culex mosquitoes, according to KCHD. Only about 20 percent of the people infected will notice symptoms that may include headache, body aches, joint pains, and fatigue.

Most people with West Nile virus completely recover, but fatigue may linger. About 1 in 150 people infected develop severe illness that can affect the central nervous system. Recovery from West Nile virus may take several months. Some damage to the central nervous system can be permanent. In rare instances the disease can lead to death.

Since there is no vaccine or cure for West Nile virus, the best treatment is prevention. KCHD recommends the following measures:

Wear a mosquito repellant that contains 10 to 35 percent DEET.


Wear light colored clothing and stay indoors during dusk to reduce your risk of being bitten.


Remove or refresh water in bird baths, children’s wading pools, water bowls for your pets, and empty other small containers that can collect water in your yard.

More information about prevention can be found at accesskent.com.

Kent County Veterans Services set to recognize often overlooked female vets with special night

3-bottom, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Community Health, Going Local, Health, Local Entertainment, Upcoming Events, Veterans, WKTV Projects, ,
Local female veterans at a “female only” retreat early this year. (KC Veterans Services)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

Kent County Veterans Services recently, and quite literally, opened its office doors to all county veterans and families in need of support and services. And the office is making sure the “all” in “all county veterans” includes female veterans.

To that end, the office is hosting the first of what it plans to be annual Female Veterans Banquet, July 31, at the American Legion Boat and Canoe Club in Grand Rapids. RSVPs are requested by Friday, July 23.

The banquet, a semi-formal affair with the fun of dinner and dancing, and the distinguished speaking of the honorable Rosemary Aqualina, JD, and United States Air Force veteran; and Deborah Brown, DMD and MHS, and U.SA. Army Veteran. It will run 6-11 p.m.

It will also be a night to celebrate female veterans, an often under-celebrated group of veterans.

“The idea for the banquet came from former (Veterans Services Advisory Committee) chair Mel Bauman, and the committee … decided to go ahead with it as part of KCVS overall initiative to engage more female vets in activities and services that are available to them,” Martha Burkett, manager of Kent County Veterans Services, said to WKTV.

“This banquet is an opportunity to celebrate female veterans, to thank them for their service and to acknowledge them for the amazing people that they are and the sacrifices they have made.”

And while all veterans should be thanked for their service, and the sacrifices they have made, female veterans are often left out of the celebrations and recognitions. And the reasons are manyfold.

Female (and male) veterans at an art workshop. (KC Veterans Services)

“Women are less likely to publicly identify as veterans than their male counterparts, and the public does not make a great effort to engage them,” Burkett said. “Often in situations when veterans are being recognized, men will be noticed and commended — even in couples where the man and woman are both vets, the public assumes that he is a vet and she is not. If a woman is unaccompanied in such a situation, unless she is wearing clothing or patches /pins that identify her as a veteran, she is likely to be overlooked entirely.”

Another reason, just beginning to be recognized and addressed, is women in the military sometimes experience military sexual trauma, bullying, and marginalization, Burkett said.

“This is not to say that males to not have these experiences, but it happens less frequently and/or they are less likely to report. Women are also reluctant to report, fearing retaliation and invalidation by their superiors and peers. Often male colleagues will cover for each other, or the military will move the woman to another military base rather than sanctioning the man.

“They make the same sacrifices as men and often experience hostile work and or living environments. Some women have a wonderful experience in the military and are impacted very little by the concerns that I mentioned. Others are greatly impacted and often harbor un earned feelings of shame and guilt or failure about their ability or inability to cope in the environment.”

Female veterans attend an online workshop. (KC Veterans Services)

The bottom line is the a veteran is a veteran, regardless of gender, and the Female Veterans Banquet is addressing that fact.

“Women in the military are as essential and effective in their roles as men,” Burkett said. “Women in the military are smart, strong, capable, and courageous and should be recognized for their efforts accordingly.”

For more information on the Female Veterans Banquet, and to sign up, visit here.

Kent County Veterans Services is located at 836 Fuller NE, Grand Rapids. For more information visit kentcountyveteransservices.com or call 616-632-5722.

Kent County health joins with community groups to bring mobile vaccination unit to underserved

3-bottom, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Community Health, Going Local, Hard News, Health, Local Faces, Non-Profits, Upcoming Events, WKTV Projects
Brian Hartl, epidemiology supervisor for Kent County Health Department, talks about its mobile unit and why it is part of the effort to reach under vaccinated populations. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

Kent County Health Department’s mobile COVID-19 vaccination unit’s community outreach effort last week happened to be at a south Grand Rapids neighborhood, but it could have been — and could yet be — to any under-served, under-vaccinated neighborhood including ones in Wyoming and Kentwood.

Kent County Health Department nursing staff and mobile vaccine unit visited the Great Giant Supermarket in south Grand Rapids last week. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)

The health department, which initially led the effort to establish mass vaccination sites, is transforming part of its efforts to team with local community groups and offer vaccination availability to persons not yet served — as they did July 8 when its nursing staff and mobile vaccine unit visited the Great Giant Supermarket, at 1226 Madison Ave. SE, for the first of four Thursdays in July, each from 1-3 p.m.

“We are finding more and more, with people who are kind of on the fence about vaccination … We have heard that it needs to be convenient for them,” Brian Hartl, epidemiology supervisor for the health department, said to WKTV. “So we have the mobile unit out, at a couple different locations each week.”

And why the selection of the south Grand Rapids location? The answer if two-fold: low vaccination rates and hesitancy to get vaccinated by the black community, and the partnership with a trusted community group.

A Kent County Health Department nurse gives a COVID-19 vaccination shot. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)

“This area has a low vacation rate, we know that from our data,” Hartl said. “And we really want to partner with community organizations that are in these neighborhoods and are trusted by the residents.”

In the case of the south Grand Rapids area, that “trusted” community organization is Seeds of Promise — a group who’s expressed goals include “building local resident leadership and trust, deep listening to community voices, and meeting the needs and wants that are expressed by the neighborhood.”

Ron Jimmerson, executive director of Seeds of Promise, said teaming with the health deportment meets all three of those goals.

Ron Jimmerson, executive director of Seeds of Promise. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)

“If we are going to service the people, we have to be able to bring the services to the people,” Jimmerson said to WKTV. “Many of our residents, over 50 percent of them, don’t have WiFi. They don’t have iPhones. So it was very difficult fo them to get signed up, and get transportation, and go to somewhere outside their community. So the residents wanted us to bring the service, the vaccinations, to the community.”

At last week’s event, Jimmerson praised the owners of the Great Giant Supermarket for allowing the mobile vaccination clinic to set up for several weeks. But the effort was not focused just on the people that would be shopping at the store, as its location is also in a neighborhood with a homeless population.

“The other concern that the residents had was that we have a large homeless population in this location, in this area,” Jimmerson said. “We want to be able to serve them, and work with other organizations to bring this service to them.”

The Pfizer and Johnson and Johnson vaccines will be available at all the mobile vaccine clinics, according to the health department. Appointments are not required and there is no charge for the vaccine. More information on vaccine locations can be at vaccinatewestmi.com/clinics.

For more information on Seeds of Promise, visit seedsofpromisegr.org.

Blood supply shortage has one local company hoping to serve as an inspiration to others to host drives

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Wyoming, Health, Local Business, Non-Profits, , , ,
According to the Kent County Health Department the local blood supply is at a critical low. (pxhere.com)

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org

For a person with sickle cell disease, a blood transfusion remains one of the most effective and proven treatments, according to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. So imagine heading to the hospital and possibly not being able to receive that treatment.

This is what many West Michigan hospitals and blood clinics are facing as blood donations have dropped “to critically levels” since the COVID pandemic, according to Kent County Health Department’s Administrative Health Officer Dr. Adam London.

 

“Donations have been down certainly due to the pandemic,” said Versiti Area Vice President and Director of Donor Services Dawn Kaiser, during a recent interview on A Matter of Public Health podcast, hosted by the Kent County Health Department. “We were down about 40 percent in 2020 and into 2021 because of high schools, colleges, and university not hosting — kids are at home learning — and that is where we get our brand new donors and about 40 percent of our blood.”

The same is true for many businesses, with people working from home, making it difficult for organizations to host mobile drives.

One such Versiti blood drive partner that has faced those struggles has been SpartanNash which has hosted blood drives at its offices and distribution center, both located in Byron Center, since 2015. The grocery company received the Beacon of Hope award in 2019 from Versiti for its blood drives which in had collected 560 donations treating about 1,680 patients that year. In the past six years, SpartanNash employees have donated more than 2,000 pints of blood.

According to Versiti Blood Center, it receives about 60 percent of its blood from mobile blood drives hosted by local businesses and other organizations. (pxhere.com)

“We have been a longtime Versiti blood drive partner,” said SpartanNash Community Engagement Specialist Courtney Carlson. “With COVID, we discovered we just couldn’t do that as our distribution center was overloaded with supply chain issues and the risk of safety, we had to cancel our drives, especially during the COVID time.”

SpartanNash was able to host a drive in March of 2020, just as the state was starting to shutdown. But like many manufacturing and distribution centers, visitors were not allowed in to the SpartanNash distribution center and many of their office workers worked from home.

 

As the world resets itself and more employees return to work, events like blood drives can happen, according to London.

 

“Blood donation sites are a very low risk place in terms of COVID,” London said during the A Matter of Public Health podcast. “I am not aware of any outbreaks associated with a blood draw event and the majority of the blood we have in our blood supply comes from the sort of community events at churches and schools and places of work. We really need those places to step up and allow Versiti and other blood banks to come in and do their important work.”

SpartanNash hosted offsite blood drives over the past several months but next week will be having its first onsite blood drive since the pandemic at its distribution center. While the offsite donation drives helped, Carlson said it is much easier for employees to donate at their work place since they can simply take an hour, donate, and then get back to work versus having to drive to another location.

As for safety, Carlson said they have confidence in Versiti which requires face masks, has temperature checks before donating, cleans between donors, and works at making everyone comfortable.

 

“We are hoping that by letting the community know that we are hosting mobile blood drives at our facilities that it will inspire other work places and organizations to do the same,” she said.

London noted that about one in several people visiting a hospital will need blood and that the shortage is critical.

While O-type is always needed, blood from a diverse pool is very important, Kaiser said.

“Everybody has an A, B, or O blood type. Everybody is pretty familiar with that,” she said. “There is also about an alphabet after that most people don’t know. So a little more specific type.”

For African-Americans, 44 percent of them have a blood type called RO in addition to their A, B, O blood type. According to the Centers for Disease control, one our of 365 African-Americans have sickle cell anemia with the major treatment being blood transfusions. A person with sickle cell anemia may have 10 to 15 units of blood in a month and because of that need, would benefit from blood from someone with the same or similar ethnicity, according to Kaiser.

“That is why we are asking communities of color to roll up their sleeves and give back to their communities,” she said.

To host a blood drive or to donate, visit Versiti’s website, Versiti.org. 

Mercy Health Saint Mary’s first in Grand Rapids to require COVID vaccine

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Mercy Health Saint Mary’s became the first health facility to require the COVID vaccine in order to work at its facilities. (Supplied)

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org

Those working for, contracting with, or conducing business at Mercy Health Saint Mary’s will need to be vaccinated against COVID-19 by Sept. 21.

Trinity Health, the parent organization to Mercy Health Saint Mary’s, recently announced effective immediately, the national health system will require all colleagues, clinical staff, contractors, and those conducting business in its health care facilities be vaccinated against COVID-19.  The requirement applies to Trinity Health’s more than 117,000 employees in 22 states nationwide. 

 

This includes roughly 24,000 Trinity Health Michigan colleagues working across five Saint Joseph Mercy Health System hospitals, three Mercy Health hospitals – such as Mercy Health Saint Mary’s, and two employed medical groups – IHA and Mercy Health Physician Partners. Along with the hospital located in downtown Grand Rapids, there is a Mercy Health Southwest Campus in Byron Center, Mercy Health Physician Partners in Wyoming, Mercy Health Southeast Lab in Kentwood and several other Mercy Health locations in and around Grand Rapids.

Trinity Health is the second known healthcare organization to announce the COVID-19 vaccine requirement. Henry Ford Health System in Detroit made a similar announcement in June. Mercy Health Saint Mary’s is the first known health organization in Grand Rapids to require COVID vaccines. Officials from both Spectrum Health and University of Michigan Health – West (formerly Metro Health – University of Michigan Health) stated while encourage team members to get vaccinated, the vaccines are optional and not mandated.

Spectrum Health officials said nearly 70 percent of Spectrum’s on-site team members have been vaccinated.

“We continue to practice active infection control measures, including heightened cleaning protocols, masking n all clinical areas and a daily symptom survey for all on-site team members,” according to a hospital statement. “Additionally, we continue to monitor positivity and vaccination rates in the community and amount our team members.”

Since December 2020, when the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the first vaccine for Emergency Use Authorization, Trinity Health has strongly encouraged vaccination for all colleagues and within the communities its various Health Ministries serve.  To date, the health system estimates that nearly 75 percent of Trinity Health employees have already received at least one dose of the vaccine, and it now looks to close the gap with this new requirement.

“As a faith-based health care system we have pledged to protect the most vulnerable, those that have a high risk of developing severe health complications if they were to contract this deadly virus,” said Rob Casalou, president and CEO of Trinity Health Michigan and Southeast Regions.  “We are grateful to all colleagues working inside our hospitals, and specifically those navigating the frontlines.  We understand that not everyone will agree with this decision, but after listening to their feedback, and after careful consideration, we know this to be the right decision.”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimate that more than 331 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been administered in the United States. The vaccines have proven to be safe and effective against symptomatic infections, hospitalizations and death, with more than 99% of COVID-19 deaths today occurring in unvaccinated people.

“As a trusted health care leader within Michigan communities, our patients and colleagues look to us to keep them safe,” said Rosalie Tocco-Bradley, PhD, MD, chief clinical officer of Trinity Health Michigan.  “There is widespread acceptance of the vaccines and their effectiveness within the medical community.  The science is clear – vaccines protect against infection and they help save lives.”

Employees at Trinity Health and its Health Ministries must meet a series of rolling deadlines, with most locations requiring them to submit proof of vaccination by Sept. 21, 2021. It has not yet been determined if a COVID-19 vaccine booster will be required annually, but if so, employees will also need to submit proof of the booster as needed. Exemptions are available for religious or health reasons and must be formally requested, documented, and approved.  Employees who do not meet criteria for exemption and fail to show proof of vaccination will have their employment terminated.

In Love and Health: Our local farmers markets provide a fresh outlook on health

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Greens like kale, spinach, collards, or darker colored lettuces promote brain health. (Photo courtesy Southeast Area Farmers Market)

By Dr. Erik Johnson
Love & Health Chiropractic

Here in West Michigan, farmers market season is in full swing. Have you been to the Kentwood Farmers Market? It takes place at 4900 Breton Ave. SE on Thursdays from 4:30 to 7:30. In Wyoming, the Metro Health Farmers Market, also take place on Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 5900 Byron Center Road SW. We all know that we should be eating more fresh fruits and vegetables. And there’s no time like now to get started on building a healthy habit.

According to the Harvard School of Public Health publication, The Nutrition Source, eating lots of vegetables and fruits can lower blood pressure, reduce risk of heart disease and stroke, prevent some cancers, reduce eye and digestive problems, and help maintain healthy blood sugar levels. Eating apples, pears, and leafy greens might even help you lose weight.

You can go bananas trying to figure out which fruit or vegetable provides the exact vitamin or mineral you need. Or you can simply eat a wide variety from the nine different fruit and vegetable families. Next time you stop by the farmers market, choose a variety of types and colors to give your body all the kinds of nutrients it craves. There’s a lot to be said for fresh, local produce. When produce is picked green to accommodate long shipping distances, it loses nutritional content. In fact, eating quick-frozen local produce is probably more nutritious than eating fresh produce shipped thousands of miles from California or South America.

Fruit for your lungs. Veggies for your brain.

Living through the COVID-19 pandemic has brought a lot of attention to respiratory illness. British researchers found that people who ate fruit, even if they smoked, had much stronger lungs. Seems the extra vitamin C the fruit eaters ate reduced harmful free radicals and helped their bodies repair tissue damage. Researchers at John Hopkins University discovered that tomatoes and fruits, especially apples, slowed lung decline.

Closer to home, a Chicago Rush University Medical Center team found that people who ate one to two servings of leafy green vegetables each day experienced fewer memory problems and cognitive decline. In fact, people who ate 1.3 servings of greens like kale, spinach, collards, or darker colored lettuces each day had brains that were about 11 years younger compared to those who didn’t.

As I chiropractor, I love sharing how adjusting the spine helps all of the body’s organs to function better. And I love seeing my patients regain strength and mobility—and experience less pain. But I also love seeing patients who eat the healthy foods that support the work that I and the rest of their healthcare team provide.

 

Like I said, there’s no better time to start building a healthy habit than now—and there’s also no better time to visit your local farmers market.

Dr. Erik Johnson DC is a chiropractor at Love and Health Chiropractic in Wyoming at 1586 44th Street SW.

State Sen. Brinks visits WKTV Journal In Focus to talk Lansing actions and inactions, local workforce housing

3-bottom, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Community Health, Hard News, Health, Local Faces, Our Cities, Politics, WKTV Journal In Focus,
WKTV Journal In Focus State Sen. Winnie Brinks, District 29, June 2021

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

On this episode pf WKTV Journal In Focus, State Sen. Winnie Brinks, a Democrat who was elected in 2018 as the first woman to represent Grand Rapids in the Michigan Senate since 1920. While the coverage area of her District 29 does not include Wyoming or Kentwood, the current vacancy in District 28 had left a void in local representation. So Sen. Brinks graciously offered to talk to us about what’s happening in Lansing this session.

WKTV asked her about two hot-button issues in Lansing, no-fault insurance and voting rights. With her serving on the Senate’s Health Policy and Human Resources committee, we talked to her about changes to part of the healthcare industry due to the continuing rollout of the state’s no-fault insurance law, as well as possible changes to the state’s voting laws.
 

But on the WKTV set, she also wanted to talk about an issue flying under the news radar this session — “attainable house”, sometimes known as “workforce housing”, a topic important to Wyoming and Kentwood as a large workforce housing project is in-progress on Division Avenue between the two cities.
 

“There is a bill, group of bills, we got it started in the senate and now it is making its way over to the house, we passed a group of bills that will help with attainable housing,” Sen. Brinks said to WKTV. “You hear a lot about government programing, particularly from the federal government, in terms of helping people with affordable housing — very important to do that. …

“But we worked on a set of bills, with local governments, to provide some tools to help people get into what we are calling attainable housing. And that would be available to those folks who don’t necessarily qualify for affordable housing but need a little bit of assistance, generally working (families). Some in the business community call it workforce housing. It is for people who are doing everything right but still can’t quite find something that works for them.”
 

WKTV Journal In Focus airs on cable television in the Wyoming and Kentwood areas on Comcast WKTV Channel 26 and on AT&T Channel 99 Government channel (For dates and times on Channel 26, see our Weekly On-air Schedule. For dates and times on Channel 99, visit here). All individual interviews included in episodes of WKTV Journal In Focus are also available on YouTube at WKTVvideos.

YMCA of Greater GR awarded part of $2.3 M for expanded summer programs

3-bottom, Area Education, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Community Health, Education, Health, Kids Activities, Local Entertainment, Non-Profits, Recreation, Upcoming Events, WKTV Projects,

Photos provided by the YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids. Click through to see images.

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids, which operates seven branch locations in the Grand Rapids area including the SpartanNash YMCA in Wyoming, announced this week that it has been awarded $189,000 from the Michigan Department of Education to provide summer learning opportunities for children in summer programs.

The grant is part of a larger $2.3 million given to Michigan YMCAs to “deliver a coordinated program which supports children, families, and schools while they recover from the pandemic and prepare for a successful return to the school year,” according to the announcement.

“The YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids is excited to expand and enhance our existing day camp program,” Nicole Hansen, district executive director of community engagement and youth development, said in supplied material. “Through intentional math, science, literacy, and social-emotional curriculum, we will ensure the youth in our community have an engaging summer full of education and connection.”

YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids is still accepting registrations for day camp programs. To sign up visit grymca.org/summer-day-camps. (Camp leaders are also still needed to staff the day camps. Applicants can visit grymca.org/careers for more information.)

The YMCA’s summer programs will “focus on fun, keeping kids safe, active, fed, and engaged with other children and adults.” The funding from the Michigan Department of Education allows YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids to offer traditional camp programs that are “enhanced to address the unique academic needs created by the pandemic,” according to the statement.

“The Y is prepared to work with schools to overcome the challenges facing students, families and communities,” Fran Talsma, executive director for the Michigan Alliance of YMCAs, said in supplied material. “To effectively combat COVID learning loss, in- and out-of-school learning needs to be connected and seamless.

“We have the capacity and expertise to support schools and help achieve positive outcomes for students. The Y is ready to meet the academic, social-emotional, physical, and nutritional needs of children and is committed to strong collaborations to improve the academic success and overall well-being of children.”

In addition to the YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids’ branch locations, it also operates YMCA Camp Manitou-Lin, community outreach programs, and childcare sites. For more information visit grymca.org.

WKTV Journal In Focus welcomes County Administrator Britt to talk business in the year of COVID, his pending retirement

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WKTV Journal In Focus with Kent County Administrator Wayman P. Britt, from May 2021. (WKTV)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

On the latest episode of WKTV Journal In Focus, Kent County Administrator Wayman Britt, who has been in the WKTV studio many times over the last four years since he took the position of lead administrator in 2018. But the next time he visits he will have a new title as on July 30 he will be ending his service to the country and its nearly 700 thousand residents, service which goes back almost two decades, to 2004.
 

On the WKTV set, we talk with Britt about current news within the county governance — including the county’s impressive and cooperative handling of the COVID-19 pandemic over the last year, several new county facility projects moving full-speed ahead despite the pandemic, and his personal challenge of leadership in this unexpectedly difficult time.

Kent County Administrator Wayman P. Britt. (WKTV)

He also details why he and the Kent County Board of Commissioners made diversity, equity and inclusion, in county leadership and staffing from top to bottom, such a priority that they recently hired Teresa Branson as its first Chief Inclusion Officer.

“We understand what (inclusion) is and what it means,” Britt said to WKTV. “And it is very, very important the we identify how do we increase the number of people in our community that are empowered and engaged to make our community a better place to live, to work.”

We also talk with Britt about the importance of coaching — on the baseball court and in government administration — and what’s next for the man whose motor is always running. (Hint: there’s a book in the works …)
 

WKTV Journal In Focus airs on cable television in the Wyoming and Kentwood areas on Comcast WKTV Channel 26 and on AT&T Channel 99 Government channel (For dates and times on Channel 26, see our Weekly On-air Schedule. For dates and times on Channel 99, visit here). All individual interviews included in episodes of WKTV Journal In Focus are also available on YouTube at WKTVvideos.

County health department, Grand Rapids Red Project to offer free HIV testing, counseling

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At the testing planned HIV testing site, certified test counselors will be onsite to answer questions and connect residents with additional services. (CDC)

WKTV Staff

ken@wktv.org

In honor of National HIV Testing Day on June 27, the Kent County Health Department (KCHD) and the Grand Rapids Red Project will hold a free HIV testing and education event on Thursday, June 24, from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.

The event will take place in the parking lot across the street from the Kent County Sheldon Complex, 121 Franklin St. SE, Grand Rapids.
 

Certified test counselors will be onsite to provide testing, answer questions, and connect residents with additional services, according to a KCHDS announcement. There will also be music, food and free gifts.
 

HIV self-testing is also an option. Persons interested in self testing for HIV at home, visit here to find out how to order a free HIV testing kit.

“The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the KCHD recommend everyone know their HIV status,” April Hight, KCHD public health program supervisor, said in supplied material. “This knowledge is essential for getting helpful therapy and for protecting others from the virus.”

More than 1 million people in the United States are living with HIV, and one in eight people are infected with HIV without realizing it, according to the CDC. Nearly 40 people are diagnosed with HIV in Kent County every year, according to the KCHD announcement, and “the only way for a person to know their status is to get tested.”

HIV, Human Immunodeficiency Virus, attacks the cells that make up the body’s immune system. HIV can make it difficult for an infected individual to fight off diseases and, left untreated, it can develop into Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome — AIDS — which can be fatal.

Individuals who are at risk for HIV infection can take PrEP, a daily pill that is 99% effective at reducing the risk for HIV infection. PrEP is available at the KCHD Personal Health Services Clinic. For more information about PrEP or if you would like to be tested, call 616-632-7171.

More Information on HIV and AIDS can be found here.

Kentwood, Kent County seeking local help with ‘Parks for Pollinators BioBlitz’ biodiversity effort

3-bottom, City of Kentwood, Community Health, Education, Environment, Going Local, Health, Kids Activities, Recreation, Upcoming Events, WKTV Projects, , ,
An image of the camera app in use, from iNaturalist promotional material. (iNaturalist)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

The City of Kentwood Parks and Recreation Department is joining with the Kent Conservation District and Kent County Parks to promote a “BioBlitz” program, an effort to record as many species of flowering plants and pollinating insects as possible in Kent County within a two-week period.
 

Kentwood and Wyoming community members are invited to help in the effort as part of a “Parks for Pollinators BioBlitz” program, running June 21 to July 6 in conjunction with National Pollinator Week, June 21-27.

To participate in the “Parks for Pollinators BioBlitz” program, community members can download the iNaturalist app on their smartphones and join the “Parks for Pollinators – Kent County, Michigan” project to record and report plant and pollinator species they see. The app will help users identify their findings.

For an introduction to the program, watch a video here.

“Parks for Pollinators BioBlitz” seeks community participation to observe and record pollinators such as butterflies, bees and other insects, as well as flowering plants — “Together, the community will create a snapshot of the variety of plants and pollinator species found in Kent County,” according to promotional material for the program.

Kristina Colby, Kentwood Parks and Recreation Department program coordinator hopes the program will “encourage residents to spend time outdoors visiting new parks” while looking for pollinators.

Kentwood will host an event associated with the program on Saturday, June 26, at 1 p.m., with a free guided naturalist hike with West Michigan Butterfly Association at Kentwood’s Northeast Park, 1900 Middleground Drive SE.

“We’re delighted to host the guided naturalist hike right here in Kentwood in partnership with the West Michigan Butterfly Association,” Colby said in supplied material. “Butterflies in particular are most active in the middle of the day when the sun is shining, so it is sure to be a successful outing for observing and recording these beautiful local pollinators, as well as other species.”

Several other events will occur during the program to help participants increase their knowledge of pollinators and their impact on the natural environment. At the BioBlitz’s conclusion, program organizers will present information about the recorded species and pollinators, as well as award several pollinator posters to participants including the youngest naturalist and the one who identifies the most species.

The program kicked off June 18 with an online meet and greet with Kent Conservation District and Kentwood Parks and Recreation staff to learn more about how the “BioBlitz” program and iNaturalist app work.

Other outdoor events planned as part of the program include:
 

Wednesday, June 30, at 6 p.m., a free prairie walk in a wildflower and pollinator habitat on a converted family farm at 4790 Peach Ridge Ave. NW in Sparta with local landowner Persephone Rana.

Monday, July 5, at 9 a.m., a butterfly count with the West Michigan Butterfly Association at Rogue River State Game Area, 13747 Krauskopf Road NE, Sparta, MI 49345. The cost is $3 per person.

“Through this program, we hope to help Kent County residents become more familiar with native bees and butterflies and the environments they prefer,”Jessie Schulte, Kent Conservation District Manager, said in supplied material. “The project also will help us answer the important question, ‘Do we need more habitat?’”

More about the project is available at iNaturalist.org. Interested participants can contact Kent Conservation District Manager Jessie Schulte with questions at jessie.schulte@macd.org or 616-222-5801.

Wyoming hosts first-ever Juneteenth event this Saturday

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Local children, lead by singer Tabitha Williams (far left), perform the Black National Anthem. (WKTV/Joanne Bailey-Boorsma)

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org

In an effort to educate and build a bridge of understanding, the City of Wyoming is hosting its first-ever Juneteenth event this Saturday at Calvary Christian Reformed Church, 3500 Byron Center Ave. SW.

The free event will run from noon to 4 p.m. and will feature an array of programs on such topics as history, hair and the CROWN Act legislation, COVID 19 and the black health disparities, the Black Freedom Struggle and discussion on the Emancipation proclamation and the 13th Amendment.

“I wanted to create an intimate space that there could be an exchange of learning about the Black culture,” said Wyoming resident Dana Knight, who through the Wyoming Cultural Enrichment Commission, organized the Juneteenth event.

Juneteenth is an annual celebration commemorating the end of slavery in the United States. It marks the day –  June 19, 1865 – that a Union General issued an order announcing the end of the war and freeing enslaved African Americans in Texas. The order was signed in Galveston one day after the Union Army arrived in the western most Confederate state, two months after the surrender of Confederate General Robert E. Lee, and two and a half years after Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation.

The City of Grand Rapids has hosted a Juneteenth event for the past several years and Knight, who had lived in Grand Rapids, said she found herself heading to Grand Rapids to participate in cultural activities. After joining the Wyoming Cultural Enrichment Commission, she said discussed with the commission about hosting similar cultural events in Wyoming.

The Commission was open to the idea, according to Knight, and has planned several cultural events, including something for Black History Month and Juneteenth 2022, for next year. 

“There was discussion that there was money leftover this year because of COVID and the fact that there were no concerts last summer,” Knight said. “I said, if you approve it, we still have time to have a Juneteenth event this year.”

The Wyoming Cultural Enrichment Commission gave the green light with Knight then looking for a location to have the event. It was a challenge, as COVID restrictions had not been lifted.

“I was driving past (Calvary Christian Reformed Church) and it just struck me that they are always doing something for the community,” Knight said. “They have food trucks. They have a community dinner. They are just very involved with the community.”

Calvary Christian Reformed Church agreed to be the host site and from there, Knight began lining up speakers and presenters to focus on different topics such as the CROWN legislation act, which is focused on helping to end hair discrimination. There also will be discussions on the Freedom Rides, Marvin Gayes “What’s Going On,” racism as a public health crisis, the 1972 Black political convention and poetry presentations along with exhibits and artifacts.

“This is a cross cultural, cross racial opportunity for people who don’t have the opportunity to be around each other to talk and learn, to see each other as humans, as regular people,” Knight said.

The event will be filmed by WKTV and aired at a later date. Wyoming’s Juneteenth event is Saturday, June 19, from noon to 4 p.m. at Calvary Christian Reformed Church, 3500, Byron Center Ave. SW. 

The state’s DNR reminds people of water and pier safety as they head to the beach

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Of Michigan’s 100-plus state parks, 42 offers access to Great Lakes shoreline. (Joanne Bailey-Boorsma)

By Ron Olson
olsonr@michigan.gov

As the summer heats up and people begin flocking to Great Lakes beaches, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources urges everyone to keep water and pier safety in mind.

Holding more than 20% of the world’s fresh water, the Great Lakes are large, powerful water systems. These lakes reign supreme for many during warmer months, but they also are prone to dangerous currents that can threaten even the most experienced swimmer. Adverse weather patterns can create dangerous rip and structural currents along piers and breakwalls, too. Crashing waves can create slippery surfaces and conditions strong enough to knock a person into the water.

“The DNR eagerly welcomes millions of visitors to Michigan state parks each summer,” said Sean Mulligan, Holland State Park manager. “Visitors should keep in mind that winds can come up quickly, changing conditions without warning, so always pay attention to the weather. The Great Lakes can become very dangerous, especially when waves get higher than 4 feet.”

Michigan has 20% of the world’s freest water. (Supplied)

Unfortunately, several emergencies and drownings have occurred along the beach and breakwall areas. Many of these incidents happened during red flag days when the wind and waves are strong with greater potential for dangerous rip currents.Of Michigan’s 100-plus state parks, 42 offer access to Great Lakes shoreline.

Ron Olson, chief of the DNR Parks and Recreation Division, said the increase in accidents and drownings on the Great Lakes in recent years is especially troubling and clear evidence that greater public awareness is needed. In particular, Grand Haven, Holland, Ludington and Mears state parks are situated in locations where rip currents tend to build and recurring safety hazards are present.

“When it comes to protecting Michigan residents and visitors on the water, especially the Great Lakes, we cannot talk enough about safety, preparation and vigilant awareness,” Olson said.

New safety measures at Holland State Park

Holland State Park, situated along Lake Michigan, is one of Michigan’s most-visited sites and provides the main access to a popular pier that is owned by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. More recently, the DNR and the local community have collaborated on additional ways to alert visitors to changing Great Lakes and pier conditions.

This past fall, Holland State Park staff collaborated with Park Township and The King Company to fund the installation of a gate on the pier adjacent to Holland State Park. The goal is to help save lives by restricting access during harsh weather and to reduce the number of people jumping off the pier, while still allowing people to fish from the pier when feasible. Generally speaking, the gate will be closed during the winter, when the red flags are flying and during night hours when the park is closed.

In addition, an electronic messaging board conveying beach conditions is located where visitors enter Holland State Park, and a new public address system will be used to update beachgoers as the beach warning flags are changed in response to weather conditions. Visitors also can view live beach conditions at CityOfHolland.com/645/MIHollandCAM via livestream video courtesy of the City of Holland and Biggby Coffee. Conditions are posted on the park’s Facebook page at Facebook.com/HollandStateParkMi.

More recently, the DNR and the Holland community have collaborated on additional ways to alert visitors to changing Great Lakes and pier conditions. (Joanne Bailey-Boorsma)

River outlets and breakwalls

Dangerous currents can occur near the outlets of rivers and breakwalls, especially during times that water levels are higher.

For example, the mouth of the Big Sable River is located in Ludington State Park, but outside the designated swim area. In the past, swimmers have been swept out into Lake Michigan. This park also has installed an electronic bulletin messaging board at the entrance to the designated beach area to help alert visitors of current conditions.

In addition, swimmers should be aware of particularly dangerous structural currents that form along shoreline structures near breakwalls, such as in Mears State Park.

“When northwest winds appear, water is pushed to the shore causing dangerous currents along the north side of the pier,” said Chris Bush, lead ranger at Mears State Park. “People are often surprised that structures located in the Great Lakes can cause such powerful, and sometimes dangerous, currents.”

Using state park designated swim areas on the Great Lakes

Many, but not all, state parks on the Great Lakes offer designated swimming areas that are identified by buoys or buoys and markers, a beach flag warning system and water depth less than 5 feet at the time of installation. Water depth will be inspected approximately every 14 days and underwater obstacles will be posted or marked. You may also find other designated swim areas in areas other than state parks.

Check the flag upon arrival and be sure to monitor it throughout the day because conditions can change rapidly.

  • Green flag = Go. Enter the water but stay aware of changing conditions.
  • Yellow flag = Caution. Watch for dangerous currents and high waves.
  • Red flag = Stop. Stay on the beach; do not enter the water and do not swim.

There are no beach guards at state parks , so please never swim alone and keep close watch of children. Stay within arm’s reach and make sure all kids wear life jackets.

If there is an emergency, immediately call 911. At Holland and Grand Haven state parks, use the nearest red zone number boards (located on the beach) to help relay your location as accurately as possible.

State park designated swim areas have lifesaving flotation device and equipment. Remember the safety equipment on the beach or pier is for emergency use only; using this equipment for anything else is against the law.

Keep these additional cautions in mind when enjoying time in and around the Great Lakes:

  • Currents near piers can be extremely hazardous. Pay attention to the buoys marking the designated swim areas; swimming outside of the marked swim zones can be dangerous and should be avoided.
  • During certain weather conditions, the force of water and waves crashing over the surface can easily wash someone off a structure; always monitor the beach flag warning system.
  • Before leaving home, learn about the types of Great Lakes currents and how to escape them.
  • Check local weather reports and lake conditions before and during your beach trip.

Nondesignated swim areas on the Great Lakes

Visitors in areas without designated swim beaches should use extreme caution because they will not have the benefit of the beach flag warning system or the visual cautions of buoys that mark water depth and other obstacles.

More smart safety water tips

When swimming or boating in any body of water – whether the Great Lakes, inland lakes or slow-moving rivers and streams – make safety your first priority. Never swim alone, always keep close watch of children and bring U.S. Coast-Guard-approved life jackets, especially for new and inexperienced swimmers.

When boating, have life jackets available for everyone on the vessel, leave a float plan with someone on shore, stay alert and carry a cell phone or marine radio. Such planning goes for those on personal watercraft like Jet Skis and paddle boards, too. Learn boating safety.

More info

Visit Michigan.gov/BeachSafety to learn about the beach flag warning system, how to escape rip currents and more.

Kentwood’s South Clinic one of three to have pop-up vaccine drive in honor of Juneteenth

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The Kent County Health Department will be offering vaccine clinics at three locations this weekend. (U.S. Government).

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org

The Kent County Board of Commissioners is announcing several pop-up vaccination clinics, including one in Kentwood, in honor of the Juneteenth Holiday and to take further steps to end the grip of the pandemic on the African American community. County officials said they celebrate Juneteenth but also wanted to pause to recognize the lives that have been lost in the last year and encourage county residents to get the shot.

“Last year, the COVID-19 pandemic put many Juneteenth celebrations on hold,” said Kent County Chief Inclusion Officer Teresa Branson. “As we return to community celebrations, we are reminded that African Americans have suffered significant outcomes from the pandemic and that many of our community leaders are still working hard to drive down racial disparities in COVID-19 and increase vaccination rates.”

In Kent County, Black youth, and young adults ages 16-49 have lower vaccine rates than other racial or ethnic groups. Data also shows vaccine disparities in urban areas of the county that are occupied more heavily by African Americans. These disparities remind us that social, economic and environmental inequities result in adverse health outcomes and we will continue to work collaboratively to eliminate disparities and increase access to vaccinations across Kent County.

“We hope that people who are not familiar with the history of Juneteenth will take time to learn about this day and why it is so important,” said Kent County Board of Commissioners Chair Mandy Bolter. “On this day of hope, healing and restoration, we want to make the COVID-19 vaccine readily available to community members who have been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic. There is still a lot of work ahead of us, but getting the vaccine is a great start to getting us all back to normal.”

The Kent County Health Department will offer free vaccinations at three separate events:


Date: June 17

Time: 1:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Location: Kent County Health Department South Clinic ∙ 4700 Kalamazoo Ave. SE ∙ Kentwood, MI 49508

Details: No appointment needed; walk-ins welcome


Date: June 18

Time: Noon – 2 p.m.

Location: Eastern Avenue Christian Reformed Church Parking Lot ∙ 514 Eastern SE ∙ Grand Rapids, MI ∙ 49507

Details: No appointment needed; walk-ins welcome


Date: June 19

Time:  1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Location: Dickenson Buffer Park ∙ 1635 Willard SE ∙ Grand Rapids, MI ∙ 49507

Details: No appointment needed; walk-ins welcome


Currently, the Pfizer vaccine is the only one approved for anyone 12 years and older and will be available at all three clinics. Residents ages 12-15 years old must have a parent or guardian present. Residents ages 16-17 years old may present a permission note from a parent or guardian but must have a driver aged 18 years or older present.

In addition to the vaccine, masks and hand sanitizer will be available free of charge at each clinic location.

“We hope our unvaccinated community members will come to our clinics, get vaccinated, and help protect themselves, their loved ones, friends, and neighbors,” concluded Chair Bolter.

Information about the COVID-19 vaccine can be found at https://vaccinatewestmi.com/.

Woodland Mall’s Fathers Day promotion supports Kentwood’s Little Free Pantry

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One of Woodland Mall’s entrances. (Supplied)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

Woodland Mall is celebrating fathers by giving back to the community through a virtual contest with a portion of proceeds going to support local families though the City of Kentwood’s Little Free Pantry.

Currently running and through June 16, Woodland Mall is participating in partner company PREIT’s online giveaway, “Best Dad Ever,” where shoppers can nominate their dad on the mall’s website to win one of three giveaway packages best suited for their personality,” according to a supplied material.

Father’s Day is for the fathers, and the kids who love them. (Supplied)

To enter, nominators share “Why their dad is the best out there.” Three great fathers — “Gadget Dad”, “Grilling Expert”, and “Man of Style” — will be selected with the fathers winning $50 gift cards from Apple and On the Boarder, Macy’s and Red Robin, and J.Crew and Black Rock Bar & Grill, respectively.
  

Woodland Mall will then donate $1 dollar for every giveaway entry to Kentwood’s Little Free Pantry, up to $1,000.

According to Feeding America, food banks are serving 55 percent more people than before the pandemic, making the Little Free Pantry, which has helped feed thousands in the community since its opening in 2017, even more essential.

“We’re delighted to partner with Kentwood’s Little Free Pantry for this giveaway in honor of all the incredible fathers out there,” Mikia Ross, senior marketing director for PREIT, said in supplied material. “The hallmark of a great dad is his dedication to taking care of his family. We want to give an opportunity for loved ones to give some extra love back to fathers and father figures, while also helping take care of the community.”

Woodland Mall asks all guests to follow federal recommendations by using the hand sanitizer stations located throughout the mall and practicing physical distancing. Unvaccinated guests are required to wear a facial covering while visiting the mall.

In order to comply with Michigan requirements, occupancy numbers remain limited. Current mall hours are 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon-6 p.m. Sunday.

For more information visit shopwoodlandmall.com.

In Love and Health: If you have a brain, you’re at risk for Alzheimer’s

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There are lots of purple ribbons as June is Alzheimer’s and Brian Awareness Month. (Alzheimer’s Association)

Dr. Erik Johnson DC
Love and Health Chiropractic

Are you seeing purple? If yes, that’s because June is designated as Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month. Those purple ribbons remind us of the fight against Alzheimer’s dementia. Everyone is at risk for Alzheimer’s. However, you can take action to reduce that risk.

While there is no known cure for Alzheimer’s, physicians can prescribe medications that can address its symptoms. And, as a chiropractor, I can’t help but point out the value of chiropractic adjustments. The brain and the spine work together to message and manage the entire body. An aligned spine can better relay the messages that the brain sends to the various organs and body parts. Many of my colleagues have reported success in supporting the journeys of their patients with Alzheimer’s.

What else can you do? Diet has been shown to be a big factor in brain health. Some experts are even calling Alzheimer’s disease Type 3 diabetes. Studies have found that some cases of Alzheimer’s disease were triggered by a form of diabetes in the brain. An Alzheimer’s gene variant, APOE4, seems to interfere with brain cells’ ability to use insulin. As a result, those brain cells seem to eventually starve and die. Mayo Clinic researchers have even tested an insulin nasal spray that has been developed to improve Alzheimer’s symptoms.

Alzheimer’s Association’s Longest Day will be June 21. (Alzheimer’s Association)

While treatments like this are wonderful, wouldn’t it be even better to reduce risks for the disease? That’s where choosing foods that do not lead to insulin resistance, prediabetes, and diabetes come in to play. In addition to avoiding sweets and carbs that wreak havoc on blood sugar levels, choose fatty fish, leafy greens, eggs, and legumes. When you make your stop at the farmers market this summer, stock up on strawberries, broccoli, squash, and avocados. In between meals, snack on trail mixes that include chia and flax seeds. Cook with extra virgin olive oil and don’t be shy about using lots of fresh garlic.

When you eat healthier, you’ll not only reduce your risks for Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, but you’ll also improve your overall health. These other suggestions for reducing risk of Alzheimer’s from the Alzheimer’s Association do the same: Physical and mental exercise, smoking cessation, getting plenty of sleep, enjoying the company of friends and family, and avoiding head injuries.

Back to the color purple. If you see an extra flourish of purple ribbons this month, they may also be promoting the Alzheimer’s Association’s Fight Alzheimer’s on The Longest Day® campaign, taking place on June 20, the summer solstice. “The day with the most light is the day we fight®.” For information, visit ALZ.org.

Dr. Erik Johnson DC is a chiropractor at Love and Health Chiropractic in Wyoming at 1586 44th Street SW.

City of Kentwood launches survey, creates advisory committees, to guide Covenant Park development

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An athlete working out on one of the fields at the City of Kentwood’s Covenant Park (once called the Christian Athletic Complex). (WKTV/K.D. Norris)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

The City of Kentwood announced last week that it had created two advisory committees and an online survey for community members to share input on the development of the city’s Covenant Park and its 109 acres.

The community survey will help “inform” the committees’ planned work, according to the statement. To share input on the park’s future, community members are invited to take the online survey by Friday, June 4. The survey takes 10-15 minutes to complete and includes questions about Kentwood’s other parks, trails, recreational programming and facilities.

Individuals who want to take the survey in a different language can call the Parks and Recreation Department at 616-656-5270 for assistance.

An aerial view of a portion of the City of Kentwood’s Covenant Park. (City of Kentwood)

The two advisory committees are tasked to gather, review and prioritize improvement ideas, concepts and plans for Covenant Park, and then to make recommendations to the City Commission on future development, according to the statement.

“This community engagement process will ultimately determine how the property will align with existing local parks and recreational needs identified in the Parks and Recreation Business Plan, Parks Master Plan and Non-Motorized Trail Plan,”  according to the statement.

The two committees have held a joint kickoff meeting and the next meeting will be also held jointly to review the survey data.

One committee is focused on opportunities for passive and active recreation at the park, while the other is exploring the potential to incorporate regional competitive sports on the property as well, according to the city statement.

Covenant Park’s sign. (City of Kentwood)

Formerly known as the Christian Athletic Complex, Covenant Park is located at 3724 Shaffer Ave. SE. The city accepted a donation of the 109-acre parcel in May through a substantial gift to the Kentwood Community Foundation from an anonymous donor.

Covenant Park features open spaces, walking trails, softball fields and a clubhouse.

The committees include broad community representation with more than 20 members on each, including parks and recreation commissioners, city commissioners, planning commissioners, residents and business owners.

The Covenant Park Advisory Committee for Active and Passive Recreation is focused on opportunities for both active and passive recreation on the property. Active recreation refers to structured activities — either for individuals or teams — that require the use of special facilities, courses, fields or equipment. Examples include baseball, basketball, football, golf, soccer, softball, tennis and rugby, according to the statement.

Passive recreation refers to activities that do not require prepared facilities such as sports fields or pavilions. Examples include bicycling, cross-country skiing, walking, hiking, picnicking, running and wildlife viewing.

In addition to serving as a public recreational amenity for local residents, the park also has the potential to accommodate a regional competitive sports component, according to the city’s statement. So, the Covenant Park Advisory Committee for Regional Competitive Sports is exploring the feasibility of and community interest in this possibility.

The outcomes of the Parks, Trails and Recreation Advisory Committee’s work in 2019 will also be taken into consideration.

The committees are expected to make a final recommendation to the City Commission later this year. More information and updates about the committees, including a meeting schedule can be found on the City’s website at kentwood.us/CovenantParkPlanning. WKTV will continue to report on the work of the committees.

As ‘Veterans Homes’ GR readies new facility, new member model, WKTV invited to visit

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By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

Things are starting to get back to normal at West Michigan’s veteran-care facility, including last week’s small ceremony to raise a 30- by 50-foot flag just off Monroe Avenue NE across from Grand Rapids’ Riverside Park, as it has been raised annually for more than 20 years.

West Michigan’s veteran-care facility, last week, held a small ceremony to raise a 30- by 50-foot flag just off Monroe Avenue NE across from Grand Rapids’ Riverside Park. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)

But with the near completion of several buildings that will make up the new veteran-care facility, there will also be a new normal for Michigan veterans in need of services.

Starting with the subtle but meaningful change of the title from the Grand Rapids Home for Veterans to the “Michigan Veteran Homes at Grand Rapids” — notice the plural of “home” — evidence abounds of not only the decentralization of the state’s veterans care system but also a functional modernization of the local facility, set to be fully opened by Christmas of this year.

A new of the old fountain and a new building at the Michigan Veterans Homes at Grand Rapids. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)

The new facility, located at 3000 Monroe She. NE, was described as being about 90 percent complete in late April when WKTV was invited in to accompany the first resident to tour the new main building.

The building has a huge common area and then separate wings providing individual pods of “homes” with private bathrooms for individual clients, small kitchens with food service staffs and dining areas for each pod, and a central wellness center for client medical and rehabilitation care as well as other needs.

And Tracy Nelson, administrator of local Homes for Veterans, also refers to the facility’s occupants as “members” — another bit of evidence of the change in service delivery model.

“When I started here about four years ago, we had well over 300 members,” Nelson said to WKTV. “The type of service we delivered for that many people was a bit different, because it is not a small home model.”

Now “we are about where we need to be, about 128 men and women, but we are accepting admissions, now and as we move into the new facility. We currently have some folks who are going to be transferring to Chesterfield Township, which is the home that is three months ahead of us.”

Prior to a complete review and redesign of the state’s veterans care program began in 2016 there was a single, large old facility in Grand Rapids. Now there will be three Homes for Veterans led by the Michigan Veterans’ Facility Authority: one Chesterfield Township, one Marquette and the new one in Grand Rapids located adjacent to the existing facility.

“We plan for a soft opening which means we will bring in our first eight members, so we can get certified, in August,” Nelson said. “After that (certification from the state and the federal Veterans Administration) we will be moving everyone else over. By Christmas, we will be complete.”

And while many of the changes will allow for delivery of care, some are simply to make the members feel more comfortable during their stays, long- or short-term — to make it “a home instead of an institution.”

Tracy Nelson, administrator of local Homes for Veterans facility, and “member” Lee Walton, tour the still-unfinished building. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)

“Over at the existing campus, at one time, there would be four men — or four women — who shared one room and one bathroom. And then there was a central shower — they would have to come out of their room, go down the hall to a central shower, and then come back,” Nelson said as she described the differences coming in new facility. “That was a traditional setting. This is state of the art. This is a home.”

The first member to get a look at his soon-to-be home was Lee Walton, an Air Force veteran who worked many years in the Fremont area in the construction field, and someone who was known to pay close attention to the construction of the new buildings.

“Its going to be wonderful, I’m excited,” Walton said to WKTV. “We’ll have our own room, our own bathroom — that’s a big plus. And having our own kitchen and dining area. They have really done a nice job here.”

A care and rehab facility as well as a home

While a huge part of the facility upgrades at the Michigan Veterans Homes at Grand Rapids will be in the member amenities offered, Nelson is equally proud of the upgraded medical and rehabilitation facilities, including each pod having a central wellness center and an unique outdoor facility that will aid persons regaining real world independent mobility.

A memorial and a new building at West Michigan’s veteran-care facility. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)

“The wellness center is really a home of our therapists — physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists — but in there they put all sorts of activities geared to get people to their maximum level of being independent,” Nelson said. “There is also an area back there for a physician. We are lucky enough to have a full-time physician, and a full-time nurse practitioner. And there are outside services that will come in — so dental, vision, other things. This (facility) has a distinct, separate place for those types of services to be rendered.”

And another element of the new facility will be an open-air, center-court area that looks a little like a big-person’s playground but has a very serious rehabilitation function.

“Most (mobility rehabilitation) facilities are not set up for all the different textures for walking, for them to get used to those different textures,” Nelson said. “When you go outside, there is cobblestone, there is pavement, there is gravel — it takes totally different skills to walk on those different surfaces. … It is designed for maximum success for our members who want to come to us for therapy and then go home.”

(During the WKTV visit, the feature was still under construction but some elements of it were visible.)

Moving forward during a time of pandemic

Facility upgrades, and some elements of change in member care, were in process before the COVID-19 crisis hit early last year, and the project was only sightly delayed from a construction standpoint.

The new facility was constructed on southern edge of the existing 90-acre property, at Monroe Avenue and Three Mile Road, with a price tag initially reported to be about $49 million.

And, the tightly controlled pandemic operational model adopted by facility leadership and workforce also gained praise from Nelson.

“The pandemic has really shifted the culture change rapidly,” Nelson said. “With this environment, you are doing multiple jobs based on the situation — as people became sick, we all pitched in and did what needed to be done to make sure our members needs were met.

“We had one office person who worked 20 hours of overtime one week and weekend, just to make sure our guys got outside for some fresh air and to walk. … We just wanted to maintain the best quality of life for our members that we could.”

Kentwood’s Spotlight on Seniors Health and Fitness Expo planned out-of-doors at library on May 25

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Kentwood’s annual Senior Expo is coming later this month. (Courtesy/Vista Springs Assisted Living)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

The Kentwood Parks and Recreation Department, in partnership with the Georgetown Seniors, will host the 22nd annual Spotlight on Seniors Health and Fitness Expo on Tuesday, May 25 — this year as an outdoor event.

According to an announcement from the city, the free event will take place from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., at the Kent District Library – Kentwood (Richard L. Root) Branch, 4950 Breton Ave. SE. It will feature 40 vendors representing a variety of senior-oriented businesses, free health screenings for balance, blood pressure, stroke risk and more, as well as door prizes and free snacks and lunch.

“Our Spotlight on Seniors Expo offers a great opportunity for seniors and other community members to connect with one another, learn about local resources that can help them live healthy lives and celebrate successful aging,” Lorraine Beloncis, Kentwood Parks and Recreation assistant director, said in supplied material. “We are grateful for Georgetown Seniors and our sponsors in helping us provide this wonderful community event every year.”

Participating vendors include professionals in fields ranging from physical therapy and assisted living to home improvement and health care, according to the city’s statement.

“The challenges we have all faced over the past year during the pandemic make an event that promotes health, fitness and connections that much more important,” Pam Haverdink, director of the Georgetown Senior Center, said in supplied material. “We are pleased to partner with Kentwood Seniors on this expo and we are thankful to our vendors, who help make this fun and popular for residents in both communities.”

Among the sponsors of the Spotlight on Seniors Health & Fitness Expo are Health Alliance Plan (HAP), Health Bridge Post-Acute Rehabilitation, and Rivertown Ridge Senior Living. Other sponsors are Humana MarketPoint Inc., Laurels of Hudsonville, Sheldon Meadows, The Care Team, United Healthcare and We Care 4 U @ Home.
 

For more information visit here.