Tag Archives: WKTV

Kentwood parks system to expand with donation, purchase of 109-acre Christian Athletic Complex

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An athlete working out on one of the fields at the currently called Christian Athletic Complex, which will now become a City of Kentwood park titled Covenant Park. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)

By WKTV Staff

ken@wktv.org

The City of Kentwood’s parks and recreation system is set to expand greatly as the City Commission last week approved the acquisition of nearly 109 acres of the property known as the Christian Athletic Complex .

 

Accord to a statement from the city, an anonymous donor gave a “substantial” gift to the Kentwood Community Foundation for the purchase of a parcel, located at 3402 36th St. SE, with the conditions it will be used by the city for park and recreational purposes.

Previously owned by the Christian Reformed Recreation Center, the property contains a golf course, softball fields, soccer fields and a clubhouse, as well as picnic pavilions and other outbuildings. The property will now be named Covenant Park and feature a dedication plaque from the anonymous donor’s family.

“In our ongoing planning for the next 50 years, we are always exploring ways we can improve the quality of life and expand both recreational and economic opportunities for our residents, visitors and our region,” Kentwood Mayor Stephen Kepley said in supplied material. “The strategic location and size of this property lend itself to our goals of continuously meeting the needs of our community and West Michigan. We are humbled by the opportunity this donation presents for us, underscoring that even in these trying times, good things are still happening.

“Our park and trail system is one of the true gems of our community. We are very grateful to the donor, the donor’s family and the Kentwood Community Foundation for this generous donation of the Christian Athletic Complex, which will allow the city to preserve the property as a valued recreational destination in Kentwood for generations to come.”

The property has frontage and access points both off Shaffer Avenue SE and 36th Street SE. It is bordered by industrially zoned property to the east and a mix of residentially zoned properties to the north, west and south.

 

Plans for development of the property and how it will be incorporated within the current park system will begin soon, according to the city statement. The city will include the property and its development in the master planning process. The City has updated its Parks and Recreation Business Plan and completed master planning all of its existing community parks in 2018.

Parcel split; soccer club gains home

As part of the agreement, the CAC property, which was originally one parcel of nearly 120 acres, was split into two. While the city will receive the 109-acre parcel, the remaining approximately 11-acre parcel will be donated to and owned by nonprofit soccer organization Midwest United Football Club for its continued operations for the next 30 years.

A sign seen from 36th Street at the currently called Christian Athletic Complex, which will now become a City of Kentwood park titled Covenant Park. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)

According to the city’s statement, Midwest United FC’s mission is “to provide a quality soccer program that promotes the growth of, and the appreciation for, the game of soccer to kids in West Michigan.” The organization strives to promote the highest levels of sportsmanship, develop soccer skills and increase the understanding of the sport of soccer for their pleasure, with the possibility to play the game at the college level or beyond.

“Today, we are thankful for the generosity and faith a donor had in our organization and mission,” Midwest United FC General Manager Kristie Hollingsworth said in supplied material. “This faith and generosity provided an opportunity for Midwest United FC to call the property our true home and will allow new partnerships to form.”

History of Christian Athletic Complex

The Christian Athletic Complex has served a wide area of community needs over the years, including recreational activities for people of all ages and venue space for corporate events, meetings and open houses.

The currently called Christian Athletic Complex will now become a City of Kentwood park titled Covenant Park. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)

According to supplied material, the organization was founded as the Christian Reformed Recreation Center shortly after World War II to provide an opportunity for Christian Reformed youth to participate in sports camps and summer sports leagues. Over time, it grew and developed into a larger Christ-centered organization providing outdoor space for youth and family recreation with more than 240 softball teams at its height and an 18-hole golf course.

“The CAC Board could not be happier placing this beautiful piece of land into the care of the City of Kentwood and Midwest United FC,” CAC Board President James Oppenhuizen said in supplied material. “As it became clear we were unable financially to continue to further our mission, we searched for someone who would continue using the land for outdoor youth and family recreation.

“Through the diligent efforts of an enormously generous donor, the City of Kentwood will be able to perpetually use the land for exactly that reason. Midwest United FC will also be able to continue and expand its top-notch youth soccer program.”

As ‘stay-at-home’ eases, Kent County COVID-19 contact tracing — and community volunteer need — remains important

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Brian Hartl, supervising epidemiologist at the Kent County Health Department, talked to WKTV this week about the county’s Contact Tracing Volunteer program.

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

As Kent County, with the rest of Michigan, begins to come out of its “stay-at-home” COVID-19-limiting efforts, the county’s Health Department remains hard at work with efforts to identify and keep track of persons actively infected — and those possibly exposed to the coronavirus.

And a key element in the county’s contact tracing effort is its on-going Contact Tracing Volunteer program.

“It is really important to control the spread of infection, that is our main goal with this … prevention and control of COVID-19 in our community,” Brian Hartl, supervising epidemiologist at the Kent County Health Department, said to WKTV this week.

The Kent County Health Department (KCHD) is currently seeking contact tracing volunteers to work with the department’s staff “mitigating the community spread of the virus and in supporting patients with a suspected or confirmed infection,” according to supplied material.

“We are really looking for someone who is comfortable with talking with people,” Hartl said. “Really, that is our main criteria, the prerequisite, that you feel comfortable talking with people on the phone. I think if you have some sort of science or health care background, where you are comfortable talking about health concerns, or infections, that is an added bonus.”

While volunteers will be asked to use their own home computers and personal phones, they will be give training, including “sensitivity training.”

“Training is obviously necessary, to help them understand what this is all about,” Hartl said. “Anytime you are talking about someone’s health, you have to understand that this in confidential. Sometimes people get concerned with charing their information with a stranger from the health department. And so confidentially is important. Some of these calls can get sensitive, and emotional.”

And always of great help are persons of diverse cultures and languages.

“We are seeing a high burden (of infections) in populations who are non-English speaking here is Kent County,” Hartl said. “So, individuals who are from those populations, who can speak those languages, are of great need at this point and would be an amazing benefit to this endeavor.”

County’s contact and isolation protocol

Hartl also detailed the KCHD’s overall process of “prevention and control of COVID-19” in Kent County.

“When we get a positive case of COVID-19, our investigators will contact that individual by phone to do that interview, an investigation,” Hartl said. “That investigation includes when their symptoms started, what types of symptoms they had, where they may have picked up the virus, if they have an idea. And then we ask a lot of questions about who they came into contact with 48 hour prior to their getting their symptoms, up to the point we are talking to them.

“We want to make sure all the individuals who may have been exposed to the persons who is sick are identified,” he said, adding that the focus of the questions are “high-risk exposures” to the sick individual.

“We get a list of those contacts, and we, in turn, contact them and ask them about their health to see if they have symptoms yet or if they are well. And then we recommend those individuals do a 14-day quarantine period from the last time they were exposed … periodically, our contact tracers call those individuals to make sure they are asymptomatic, and make sure they are still abiding by the quarantine recommendations. On the 14th day … we would release them from that quarantine.”

Hartl said it is also part of the protocol to “contact the (active) patients every couple days, just to make sure they are doing well and their symptoms have not gotten worse, and to make sure those individuals are isolated. … those individuals are isolated for a period of at least 10 days to make sure they are symptom free … and they can be released from isolation.”

For more information on the Kent County Contact Tracing Volunteer program, visit accesskent.com/health or email pamela.brown@kentcountymi.gov.

Grand Rapids Ballet honoring today’s heroes, anticipating 2020-21 season

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The Grand Rapids Ballet team has produced a virtual hug video “to honor and salute our healthcare and essential workers for all they’re doing to keep us safe.” (From the video)

By WKTV Staff

ken@wktv.org

Grand Rapids Ballet artistic director James Sofranko and his troupe of dancers, after the cancellation of the remainder of their 2019-20 season, are abiding by the state’s “stay at home” restrictions like most of the rest of us.

But dancers will be dancers, everybody needs a hug every now than then, and the 2020-21 season is not far away. (And, BTW, season subscriptions are available now.)

So in the short term, the ballet team has produced a virtual hug video “to honor and salute our healthcare and essential workers for all they’re doing to keep us safe,” according to an email from the ballet.

“It’s our hope this special message will offer them — and you — a healthy dose of strength and encouragement. The dancers (who are all wearing blue in a sign of solidarity with healthcare workers) volunteered their time and talents for the cause.”

The piece was produced by James Sofranko and Cindy Sheppard Sofranko, and edited by Joe Sofranko and Lili Fuller.

The dancers are Jimmy Cunningham, Steven Houser, Ingrid Lewis, Celeste Lopez-Keranen, Madison Massara, Alexandra Meister-Upleger, Yuka Oba-Muschiana, Emily Reed, Gretchen Steimle, Nigel Tau, Julia Turner, Adriana Wagenveld, Matthew Wenckowski and Nathan Young.

Cellist Jeremy Crosmer of Grand Rapids’ ESME (Eclectic String Music Ensemble) appears on the video playing the prelude from Johann Sebastian Bach’s Cello Suite No. 1 in G Major.

“Our mission is to uplift the human spirit through the art of dance and we hope you’ll keep the momentum going by sharing this video with your friends and family, too,” the email concludes.

And about that 2020-21 season …

James Sofranko. (WKTV)

“The 2020-21 season (our 49th) will take Grand Rapids Ballet to a new level of artistry and production,” James Sofranko says of the coming season on the ballet’s website. “In addition to The Nutcracker, I am proud to be returning the company to DeVos Performance Hall a second time in the year for Ben Stevensen’s Cinderella, featuring grand sets and costumes and live music from the Grand Rapids Symphony.”

Other programs include works by Andy Blankenbuehler, the 3-time Tony Award winning choreographer of Hamilton, and Christopher Wheeldon, also a Tony Award winner and former resident choreographer of New York City Ballet.

For more information on Grand Rapids Ballet visit here.

Love yourselfies: local photo studio’s ‘Selfie Challenge’ for stay-at-home, female-identifying community

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Mod Bettie Portrait Boutique in mid-April created a self-portrait challenge for female-identifying persons which would “inspire … the community to exist in photos.” (Supplied/Mod Bettie)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

Selfies can be good; they can be, ah, not so good. But in these times of self- and imposed-isolation, selfies — self portraits — can be a means of communicating one’s place in this strange new world in humorous, poignant and even stark ways.

Mod Bettie Portrait Boutique, of Grand Rapids, in mid-April, created a self-portrait challenge for female-identifying persons which would “inspire … the community to exist in photos.”

Mod Bettie, a studio which specializes in “pin-up and boudoir to professional photos and glamour shots for the whole family,” is focusing its challenge on photos taken by age 18-plus “female identified, LGBQT and non-binary” persons.

“These are wild times,” Elise Kutt, Mod Bettie owner said. “Though things are uncertain and things are stressful, there is one thing Mod Bettie is sure of — We are not alone.”

One of the submissions to the Mod Bettie Portrait Boutique self-portrait challenge. (Supplied/Mod Bettie)

The goal of the challenge is to “show our resilience and our camaraderie. Community members were encouraged to share their daily routines, whether at work or home or somewhere in between. To show their fears and hopes, how they are being helpful and how they are being supported.”

One of the submissions to the Mod Bettie Portrait Boutique self-portrait challenge. (Supplied/Mod Bettie)

According to Kutt, the submitted images will be curated in an exhibition and printed in a book that will be for sale with proceeds going to female small business owners, artists and performers affected by the closures.

Mod Bettie studio plans on continuing to host challenges throughout the COVID-19 closures.

“It started when the quarantine started and will continue through May 15, or longer if the quarantine gets extended,” Kutt said.

 

For more information on the challenge, visit the #squadbettie Facebook page. For more information on Mod Bettie Portrait Boutique visit Modbettie.com.

Local ‘mutual aid’ group advocating for Wyoming, Kentwood renters in COVID-19 financial hardship

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Two members of the Grand Rapids Area Mutual Aid Network (GRAMAN), working recently to provide grocery deliveries to households in need. (Supplied/GRAMAN)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

The Grand Rapids Area Mutual Aid Network was formed recently in response to the COVID-19 crisis to offer direct neighbor-to-neighbor help to “neighbors in need” in the Grand Rapids area, specifically the cities of Grand Rapids, Kentwood, Wyoming, and Walker.

Grand Rapids Area Mutual Aid Network (GRAMAN) spokesperson Raina Cook told WKTV the group’s initial focus was to “provide grocery deliveries to households every day and provide financial assistance to marginalized people.”

But the group also recently joined a statewide effort to advocate for renters in COVID-19 financial hardship, and also joined the new local La Luncha fund to support “under-documented” and “mixed-status” families who are Kent County residents — an effort which has already gained financial backing from the Grand Rapids Community Foundation.

The graphic of Grand Rapids Area Mutual Aid Network (GRAMAN). (Supplied/GRAMAN)

“GRAMAN is made up of volunteers who feel pulled to help members of the community who are struggling with the effects of the COVID-19 crisis,” Cook said to WKTV. “Our giving circle is comprised of marginalized individuals who make decisions as to who we are able to give financial assistance to. This ensures that groups who have been affected by social disparities are prioritized.

“As a group of neighbors helping neighbors rather than a non-profit entity, we rely solely on contributions from the community and volunteer efforts. To date we have received over $50,000 in contributions that will go directly back to the community.”

Cook said Wyoming and Kentwood residents who want to request assistance can do so by filling out a form at  tinyurl.com/GRAMAN-Financial.

Cook added that before filling out the form, they are asking people to check to make sure whether someone in your household has already done so.

“If you have already completed this form, regardless of what was requested or offered, you do not need to fill it out again. If you have already been in contact with a member of our team, please reach out to them,” according to GRAMAN. “Due to the high volume of requests we are currently receiving, it may take a few days for us to get in touch with you. In the meantime, we suggest checking out this list of resources we’ve compiled” at tinyurl.com/GR-Resources.

Working with La Lucha fund

In late April, eight community organizations, also acting in response to COVID-19, established the La Lucha Fund, a fund that will grant short-term emergency aid to undocumented, under-documented and mixed-status families in Kent County — families who are not eligible for unemployment, CARES Act relief or other government support.

“La lucha” means “the struggle” or “the fight” in Spanish.

The La Lucha Fund is a collaboration between Movimiento Cosecha, the Grand Rapids Area Mutual Aid Network, the Hispanic Center of Western Michigan, the Latino Community Coalition, Latina Network of West Michigan, West Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and West Michigan Latino Network.

“We developed a partnership when La Lucha fund started in order to address the needs of thousands of under-documented folks in the Greater Grand Rapids area,” Cook said. “We had already been taking and meeting requests for groceries and cash for the under-documented — the folks working on La Lucha fund consulted with us and built off of our systems to create the system for La Lucha fund.”

Working to support renters under financial stress

Also in late April, a Michigan statewide group including Detroit Renter City, Grand Rapids Area Mutual Aid Network, Together We Are Safe, Lansing Tenants Union, Greater Kalamazoo Area Renters Union, and No Rent MI called upon Lansing leaders to consider the suspension of rent, the extension of the moratorium on evictions, and a moratorium on all utility shut-offs.

  

“This grassroots coalition of tenant organizations are seeking to highlight the precarious situation that Michigan tenants find themselves in and the failure of the State to seriously address the looming housing and public health crisis in the age of COVID-19,” a press release from the group stated.

“We are working … to advocate for renter protections during the COVID-19 crisis and recovery period,” Cook said. “GRAMAN has aligned itself with these groups because we share the same goals in regards to making sure people are able to stay in their homes when so many other things are uncertain.”

The focus of the action is persons unable to afford rent — and facing homelessness — due to a slow unemployment filing process and the inability to gain assistance from other government programs. According to other media reports, Michigan unemployment claims have passed 1.2 million, with 81,000 new unemployment claims the last week of April.

In an earlier statement, Cook said “in Grand Rapids, landlords have been pressuring tenants to pay their rent and threatening them despite the current eviction moratorium” in Michigan.

“There is a statewide moratorium on evictions through May 15, but that is not sufficient,” Cook said to WKTV. “Undocumented individuals, for example, are not eligible for the stimulus payment. Many Michigan residents have been unable to receive unemployment benefits, as the unemployment agency is seriously overwhelmed. People are struggling to feed their families right now, and a rent freeze would give them some relief during this unprecedented crisis.”

Cook said GRAMAN is currently compiling information from renters with the goal of building a tenants union that would help renters support one another. She said Grand Rapids area renters can fill out a form to aid in that effort at tinyurl.com/twastenantsupport.

Additionally, No Rent Michigan is calling for the immediate suspension of rent collection and elimination of past-due rent as well as an extension of the eviction moratorium to 60 days after the end of the current state of emergency, as well as a moratorium on utility shutoffs, Cook said. And there is a petition is circulating to urge state lawmakers to enact these measures at https://tinyurl.com/mipetition.

How to get involved with GRAMAN

For more information about the Grand Rapids Area Mutual Aid Network, or to get more involved, persons can email the group at grmutualaid@gmail.com — and they say they would “especially love help with intake and coordination.” Also, donations to the mutual aid fund can be made at tinyurl.com/GGRMutualAid.

Kent County mobile COVID-19 hotspot health screening app now available in Español

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The survey, now in both English and Spanish, asks: Are you experiencing any of the COVID-19 symptoms or not? (KCHD website)

By WKTV Staff

ken@wktv.org

Kent County’s Health Department’s Keep MI Healthy online screening application, which help health officials track potential COVID-19 hotspots, is now available in Spanish.

The app, which the county describes as a “secure, anonymous, web-based survey” was originally launched in English on April 13 and “provides health officials with valuable data that could potentially identify future COVID-19 ‘hot spots’ in Kent County.”

“Our ability to respond to this pandemic depends upon timely, accurate, and multi-sourced data,” Adam London, Kent County Health Department director, said in supplied material. “The information gathered through this survey will provide us with an additional layer of data to make strategic decisions on how we use our resources.”
 

The survey, now in both English and Spanish, asks: Are you experiencing any of the COVID-19 symptoms or not? To complete the survey, residents will be asked to answer four personal identification questions including year of birth, gender, county, and zip code.

All data will be kept confidential and housed in a secure database, according to the health department. Under licensed agreements, health care professionals, hospitals, and local health departments will have access to the anonymous data to learn more about the community’s health in an effort to reduce the spread of COVID- 19.

To complete the survey, go to keepmihealthy.org/ and click “Get Started!” … or “Emperezar!” in Spanish.

Upon completion, residents can optionally provide their mobile phone number to receive a daily text reminder to take the survey. By taking the survey daily, it will ensure health officials are making decisions based on the most current information available.

To learn more, review the frequently asked questions document at keepmihealthy.org/faq.

The application was designed by local technology developer OST.

After month offline, and recycling piling up at home, county recycling center back in operation

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Recycling at Kent County’s recycling center will resume May 4. (Note: this file photo shows a worker prior to newly instated safety protections and equipment). (Supplied/KCDPW)

By WKTV Staff

ken@wktv.org

The Kent County Recycling Center in Grand Rapids, which closed to all inbound loads of recyclables March 27 to limit exposures to COVID-19 to Kent County staff and workers, will come back online Monday, May 4, the Kent County Department of Public Works announced April 30.

Not only was the main recycling center — where household recyclable material is accepted, separated and processed for other uses — not accepting any recyclables but Kent County’s South Kent and North Kent transfer station were not as well.

Starting Monday, the main downtown center and the North Kent center will now be accepting household recyclables, although neither facility will be open on Saturdays at this time, according to the Department of Public Works (DPW) statement.

The DPW statement also acknowledged that dutiful recyclers were finding their bottles, cans and papers piling up.

So DPW is “celebrating” the restart by inviting recyclers to post photos of the recyclables they’ve been storing while the drop-off sites have been closed, tagging #returnofrecycling on Instagram or Facebook, or sending an email to recycle@kentcountymi.gov.

The Kent County Department of Public Works’ Recycling Center in Grand Rapids is coming back online, and so people can resume recyclables pick-up and drop-off. (U.S. Army)

“We thank residents who have stored their recyclables during the shutdown for their patience and commitment to recycling and reducing the amount of waste that ends up in landfills,” Kristen Wieland, DPW communications manager, said in supplied material. “We encourage anyone with recyclables piling up in their garages to begin putting them out at the curb for collection now that we’re operating again.”

The DPW, in the statement, urged residents with stockpiled materials to recycle to follow the established guidelines for recycling in Kent County, which are available in the recycling guide on its website. (A graphic of which is shown below.)

If residents have been storing materials for recycling in bags or other containers, they are asked to remove all materials from bags before dropping them off or placing them in a recycling cart. If residents use a recycling drop-off station, they are reminded to keep 6-feet of distance between themselves and other recyclers.

“We’ve heard countless stories from dedicated recyclers who have been holding on to their recyclables and now have overflowing garages,” Wieland said. “I’m sure people are excited to get some of their space back, knowing their recycling is going to get processed and put back into new products.”

In addition to worker safety, the shutdown was necessary due to disruptions in recycling markets for processed materials. As other manufacturing processors shut down their facilities due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Kent County DPW’s ability to get recyclables to processors and end-users was constricted.

But Kent County DPW has now confirmed material sorted at the recycling center will be accepted by processors.

Early in March, the Recycling & Education Center received upgrades to its paper sorting equipment. These upgrades will improve the quality of paper sent to paper mills and will significantly reduce the daily maintenance time spent keeping the screens clean. The upgraded equipment also helps to keep workers safe by avoiding tangles that forced equipment shutdowns in the past.

The Kent County Department of Public Works provides municipal solid waste disposal services to ensure the effective removal, storage and disposal of residential and commercial solid waste. Additionally, Public Works operates the Kent County Waste-to-Energy Facility, an electrical generation facility. More information about the Kent County Department of Public Works facilities is available at reimaginetrash.org.

At home pleasure — St. Cecilia’s ‘From Prague to Vienna’ chamber concert available in spirit

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St. Cecilia Music Ceners’s final Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center (CMS) chamber music concert of the 2019-20 season — “From Prague to Vienna”, was set to feature CMS co-artistic directors David Finckel and Wu Han, along with Arnaud Sussman and Paul Neubauer. (CMS)

By WKTV Staff

ken@wktv.org

St. Cecilia Music Center has expressed extreme disappointment that, due to COVID19 restricting, it had to cancel the final Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center concert on April 30 due to COVID-19 restrictions.

And West Michigan’s chamber music devotees were certainly eagerly anticipating St. Cecilia’s final and sold-out chamber music concert of the 2019-20 season — “From Prague to Vienna”, featuring CMS co-artistic directors David Finckel and Wu Han both on Royce Auditorium stage, along with Arnaud Sussman and Paul Neubauer.

Alas, fans will have to wait until the 2020-21 season to catch the chamber music power couple in a live chamber music concert. But they can still catch the program they were going to perform at St. Cecilia tonight, April 30.

As provided by St. Cecilia this week, there are videos available of the pieces to be performed on the program (some personnel have been changed for some pieces).

Dvorak Sonatina in G Major for Violin and Piano, Op. 100

Suk Quartet in A minor for Piano, Violin, Viola and Cello, Op. 1

Brahms Quartet No. 1 in G minor for Piano, Violin, Viola and Cello, Op 25

And for those who love to dig deeper into the music, St. Cecilia also provided the program page from the SCMC program book, as well as program notes. A lecture on the Brahms Quartet No. 1 in G Minor for Piano, Violin, Viola and Cello is also available here.

(Ps. St. Cecilia also have a special message from Wu Han and David Finckel talking about the 2020-21 season’s lineup. And St. Cecilia Music Center’s CMS page will have tickets on sale in mid-May.)

Kentwood parks and rec offers live and virtual ‘stay at home’ activities including fun 14-day Challenge

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The list of ideas of activities which people can do on your own or with the whole family from the comfort of their home include a unique 14-day Challenge. (Kentwood Website)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

During the statewide “Stay Home, Stay Safe” order, the City of Kentwood’s Parks and Recreation Department’s recreation coordinators have put together a list of activities, videos, websites, and other resources for families to utilize — to “stay active for both physical and mental well-being.”

A Kentwood Parks and Recreation Department member offers a video on a simply fun cooking idea. (Kentwood Website)

The list of ideas of activities which people can do on their own or with the whole family from the comfort of their home include a unique 14-day Challenge that begins simply with everyday household tasks but graduates to planting a garden, practicing yoga and cooking for — if not with — kids.

“Like other parks and recreation agencies across the country, the City of Kentwood Parks and Recreation Department has worked quickly to transition programming to a digital format,” Val Romeo, Kentwood Parks and Recreation director, said to WKTV. “There has been a great deal of collaboration on ways we can all continue to serve our communities while adjusting to the new normal.

A yoga class to be done at home. (Kentwood Website)

“We’ve developed a resource hub, where people can explore our virtual programs as well as other activity ideas we’ve discovered on one easy-to-use webpage. … All activities are simple things people can do from the comfort of their homes.”

The list of activities is available on the city’s website at kentwood.us/virtual. They are also also sharing some of their virtual programs on the Parks and Recreation Department’s Facebook page.

Of particular note is the 14-day Challenge, though which participants can win a $5 gift certificate which can be used towards a Kentwood Parks & Recreation program.

To participate, according to the department’s website page, persons should simply take pictures each day of their challenge completion. At the end of the 14 days, submit the photos to erecreation@kentwood.us. Participants are also encouraged to share their photos in the comments on the department’s Facebook page each day. Those who comment with a photo will be entered to win a free City of Kentwood 5k race entry or a $10 gift certificate for parks and recreation programs. 

“We can’t wait to see your photos!” program information states.

May 5 local school funding vote in Wyoming, Kentwood to be a ballot process unlike any other

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A sign at the City of Wyoming City Hall informs people intending to drop off absentee ballots for the May 5 local school district funding votes. (WKTV)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

Michigan’s, and so both Wyoming’s and Kentwood’s, voting process for the upcoming May 5 local school funding proposals may — or may not — be foreshadowing how the hugely important 2020 election cycle will  play out in August if not also in November.

But one thing for sure, the Kent County voting process, put in place in the aftermath of current COVID-19 restrictions and Michigan Secretary of State directives, will be unlike any the cities of Wyoming and Kentwood city clerk’s offices have ever seen.

The bottom line, according to the Kent County Elections Office, is that registered voters within the precinct boundaries of two local school districts with funding measure requests — Kelloggsville Public Schools and Godwin Heights Public Schools — should have automatically received absentee ballot applications.

(For more information on the Kelloggsville Public School District funding request, see a WKTV story. For more information on the Godwin Heights Public Schools funding request, see a story by our media partner School News Network.)

While applying for absentee ballots, and using them, is the “preferred” voting means May 5, “each jurisdiction is required to have one polling place open where individuals can vote in-person,” Robert J. Macomber, Kent County Chief Deputy County Clerk,  said to WKTV. “It won’t be a typical polling place as it would operate on election day normally.

“Anyone who walk-in on election day will be given a ballot and an envelope to put it in and it will be grouped in for counting with those that voted absentee prior to election day.  It’s essentially in-person absentee voting.”

And it is up to local clerks, such as the city clerks of Wyoming and Kentwood, to receive and county the absentee ballots on election day — including the ones dropped off at or walked into the clerk’s on that day.

A voting day unlike any other

This voting process “is certainly different, because all ballots will be processed as an absentee ballot,” Kentwood City Clerk Dan Kasunic said to WKTV, whose office has posted specific May 5 voting process information on the city’s website.

And while both Wyoming City Clerk Kelli A. VandenBerg and Kasunic will be busy on that day counting ballots, VandenBerg also hopes to have few people actually needing to walk in to register and/or vote.

“We have seen a steady stream of ballot requests and a return of voted ballots,” VandenBerg said to WKTV. “While ‘day of’ voting is an option, we are strongly encouraging voters use the absentee process as much as possible.

And extension of the existing City of Wyoming drop off (and usually drive-up) city business customer convenience, the city clerk will now collect absentee ballots via a drop box. (WKTV)

“We have received guidance from the (state) Bureau of Elections and we continue to working closely with both county and city staff to ensure we have a safe election for voters and workers. … Anyone entering a public building will need to have a mask, so we will be prepared to address that. One feature we look forward to is a new drop box that will allow voters to drop off ballots without having to leave their vehicle.”

VandenBerg also pointed out that “While some voters have experience with absentee voting, this concept is new to many others. I often hear concerns from voters about whether absentee ballots are counted.  And absentee ballots are absolutely counted. They are not held in case there is a tie, they are counted each and every time.

For Spanish language voters, a sign at the City of Wyoming City Hall. (WKTV)

“Also, I would ask that voters have patience if they do need to visit city hall on election day. My staff and I want to help any and all voters who wish to vote, but we also want to do so while maintaining safety for everyone.”

She also urged voters to check their registration status at mi.gov/vote, where they can verify registration, view a sample ballot and check the status of their absentee request.

Highlights of Kentwood’s voting process includes confirming that “All registered voters in Precincts 1-4-5 (Kelloggsville Schools) have been mailed an application for an absentee ballot,” according to the city website page.

Also, the registration process, if absentee ballot requests were not received, include the person wishing to register prior to the May 5 election day should make an appointment at the city clerk’s office and provide proof of residency.

In person voting — dropping off absentee ballots — and voter registration on May 5 will be at Kentwood City Hall, 4900 Breton Ave SE, with the office open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. After registration, voters will be given absentee ballots to fill out and hand back — but “in person interaction will be conducted in adherence to social distancing and health safety measures,” according to the city website page.

Looking for something fun to do with your kids? WKTV has a new family cooking show

Entertainment, Food, Kids Activities, WKTV Projects,
On the first episode of “Cooking and Kids”, Vlada Vladic and daughter Mikaela will make a cake together. (Supplied)

By WKTV Staff

kelly@wktv.org

A new WKTV cable television show, “Cooking and Kids”, may be just the thing to help housebound parents and children bond over food — and who doesn’t like bonding over food?

“Cooking and Kids”, produced by Vlada Vladic and Vlada’s Seeds of Life, is a “fun family cooking program created to reconnect families through sharing the love not only for quality food, but also for the enriching experiences attained when children are engaged in the process of bringing that food to the table,” according to supplied material.

The show will debut Friday, May 1, on WKTV Community Media cable Channel 25 (in Wyoming and Kentwood), at 10:30 a.m. and again at 6 p.m.

The program’s mission is to “educate, enable, energize, and engage families to reconnect through a shared passion for quality family time, healthy food and healthy lifestyles utilizing the natural and community resources available to them.”

The premier week’s episode is Lets’ Bake a Cake!, where viewers will learn to make a lemon cake.

“Preserving and passing onto kids one of the oldest arts of baking,” it states in supplied material. Step by step, Vlada and her daughter Mikaela will share how to make a homemade cake using homegrown ingredients.

“Spending time in the kitchen with kids is great opportunity for kids to learn various cooking and living skills as well as to bond with parents and friends,” Vlada says in supplied material. “Baking was one of the essential activities over which families bonded for centuries. In this episode, we are teaching and passing on this important skill onto younger generation.”

Complete schedules of programs on WKTV is on the WKTV web site at www.wktv.org.

EK’s Red Storm Robotics, ‘volunteer community’ make face shields to support COVID-19 frontline workers

3-bottom, Area Education, City of Kentwood, Community Health, Education, Going Local, Health, Kentwood Public Schools, Local Faces, Tech Trends, WKTV Projects, ,
Some of the Red Storm Cares face masks were delivered to CareLink, fo them to use when dealing with customers. (Supplied)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

To say that the students in East Kentwood High School’s Red Storm Robotics program are ‘industrious’ would be a high-tech understatement. But the lessons they learn about robotics design and manufacture are only part of the curriculum.

Faced with a hiatus of the program in the light of COVID-19 school and social restrictions, one parent volunteer and Red Storm student looked around, saw a specific need for front-line medial workers, and realized they and the Red Storm community could be part of the solution.

A great first day. (Supplied)

The result, as of late last week, was the production and delivery of more than 1,200 protective face masks and ear guards (a comfort device for face masks) — at not cost to the users. The results are also another lesson for the Red Storm students about real-world applications for high-tech imaginations.

“It became clear early on that there was a shortage of PPE (personal protective equipment) in Michigan,” Trista Vandervoord, a mentor for the middle school program and parent to Red Storm student Ethan, said to WKTV. “We knew people were 3D printing PPE, and as a robotics team we have multiple 3D printers. It was an easy way to do our part. We borrowed five 3D printers from our robotics space, set up a print farm in the basement, and got to work. Once we identified the need, we felt we had to help if we could.”

The persons being helped include health care workers and other essential “front line” staff, almost all of them local in West Michigan but a few sent as far away as Tennessee.

A team effort to ‘do something good’

Trista and Ethan Vandervoord, getting a milestone delivery ready.(Supplied)

Trista and Ethan, an East Kentwood sophomore, started the project in early April by 3D printing themselves but also setting a community project with a dedicated website, a user request and distribution system, donation requests, and getting our drop site at the Kentwood Public Schools Administration Building.

Then the “Red Storm Cares: Operation Face Shield” 3D print army came charging in.

“More than a dozen Red Storm Robotics students are involved in a safe way, by punching holes in the transparencies, delivering face shields, writing emails to request support, writing thank you notes to our generous donors, and spreading the word,” Trista said. “It is a true team effort.”

The scope of production; shown are the ear guards (a comfort device for face masks). (Supplied)

The team effort is a coordination of volunteers, headed by team members of Red Storm Robotics, who are coordinating the effort independent of one another physically, “but united in spirit and drive to do something good,” according to supplied material.

“We are primarily providing face shields, which are composed of a 3D printed headband and a transparency sheet,” Trista said. “We have a 3D print army of individuals and robotics teams all over West Michigan who are printing in their own homes or businesses.

“To date, we have provided 1,200 face shields and 1,200 ear guards … and receive more requests each day. We have provided to hospitals, nursing homes and assisted living facilities, group homes, court bailiffs, pharmacists, community food distributors, COVID-19 test sites, and more.”

Some of the Red Storm Cares face shields were delivered to Rite Aid Pharmacy for use of the frontline workers. (Supplied)

The list of local places where the face shields have been put to good use include Cherry Health, Rite Aid Pharmacy, CareLinc Medical Equipment and Supply, and Pilgrim Manor Senior Living.

While their focus is in West Michigan, they also sent five to doctors at University of Tennessee Medical Center at Knoxville, “due to special request from a friend,” Tristia said.

The production lines; the supply chain

As with any Red Storm Robotics project, there were so initial design and production work to be done.

Ethan Vandervoord. (Supplied)

“We are using five 3D printers … and they are in production around the clock (literally),” Ethan, who is in his fifth year with Red Storm Robotics, said to WKTV. “We are using a tested shield design from Operation Face Shield Ann Arbor, who got us started in this effort. My dad is our technician, and he has learned a lot about 3D printing through this project.”

The project’s “top need now” is for additional members to join our 3D print army, Trista said. “We have filament, we just need people to turn it into useful items using their 3D printers. Beyond that, we have an Amazon Wish list at redstormcares.com for the community to purchase filament and transparencies for this project.”

The Wish List items are mailed directly to the home shop, and they also have a material donations drop site at KPS Administration Building, 5280 Eastern Ave. But, Trista stressed, no cash donations can be accepted.

For more information about Red Storm Cares: Operation Face Shield, visit their website or their Facebook page.

Local hotdog and ice cream walk-up eatery opens, with restrictions but optimism

3-bottom, City of Wyoming, Community Health, Food, Going Local, Local Business, Local Food, WKTV Projects,
The 44th Street Dog and Dairy walk-up eatery’s owner and manager Joel Ruark. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

The 44th Street Dog and Dairy walk-up eatery, located just east of U.S. Highway 131 in Wyoming, opened just about its normal time of mid-April. But is it not entirely “business as usual” due to current restrictions on restaurants.

Owner and manager Joel Ruark, who opened the business in 2012, says is some ways his business is perfect for the COVID-19 restrictions — 44th Street Dog is a walk-up, not a walk-in, and there is very little direct contact between employees and customers.

But he also worries about the impact of not being able to allow customers to sit on his brightly colored bench tables and eat as the weather gets warmer.

“Pretty much normal opening time for the season,” Ruark said to WKTV last week. “We got to the 15th (of April), which is when we usually open, and we said, ‘Well, we qualify. We’re a take-out.’ And we do a lot of take-out food. (Where people pick it up and drive away).”

The 44th Street Dog and Dairy walk-up eatery, located just east of U.S. Highway 131 in Wyoming, opened just about its normal time of mid-April. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)

44th Street Dog and Dairy, like many similar businesses, offer various styles of hotdogs, hamburgers and ice cream treats. But for the time being, they can not offer a place to sit and eat — as evidenced by the majority of his bench tables being stacked on the side of the building with only a couple available for those waiting for food.

“You can’t use those tables,” Ruark said. “I’ve been having to kick people off of them continuously. But they are very understanding. I think it is ridiculous. A family can’t event sit on the tables and eat together. They don’t want that. … I don’t love it. Especially in the summer, we have people who love to sit out here.”

And despite the current restrictions, Ruark says his business is starting pretty much as it always starts: very weather dependent.

“It is too early to tell what the impact is,” he said. “So far, I think it has been promising, maybe. It’s hard to say, the weather may have more (of an impact on business) than the restrictions.”

One thing for sure, Ruark said, his seasonal employees were ready to get back to work.

“My employees were just beating down the door, saying ‘We want work’,” he said.

44th Street Dog and Dairy is located art 521 44th St SW. For more information, visit their Facebook page @44thStreetDogandDairy.

County, City of GR, local agencies open a homeless women’s shelter at Catholic Central high

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The Catholic Central High School gym will be temporarily available to house homeless women. (Supplied)

By WKTV Staff

ken@wktv.org

Using a donated, temporary-use facility at Catholic Central High School, Kent County and City of Grand Rapids Emergency Management Divisions have partnered with the Catholic Diocese of Grand Rapids, Mel Trotter Ministries, and The Salvation Army to create a “safe shelter” for women experiencing homelessness and who are presumed negative for COVID-19.

 

The facility, according to a statement Friday, April 24, from Kent County, will allow permanent shelters in the area to reduce their daily populations so individuals experiencing homelessness are better able to socially and physically distance.

Catholic Central High School (Catholic Diocese of Grand Rapids)

“We are called as Catholics to care for our brothers and sisters, especially the most vulnerable among us,” Greg Deja, principal/CEO of Catholic Central High School, said in supplied material. “While we’ve all been sheltering at home for the past month, many of our Heartside neighbors do not have that same option … Our decision to open our gymnasium as a dormitory reflects one of our core values at Catholic Central to serve — through which we come to know and love Christ more fully.”

The Catholic Central gymnasium can hold up to 75 women and provides shower facilities, food services provided by The Salvation Army, and other essential services. It will be primarily staffed by Kent County volunteers, the City of Grand Rapids Homeless Outreach Team, and Mel Trotter Ministries staff.

“This is an example of the entire community coming together to care for some of the most vulnerable in our community and do all we can to keep them safe. We are truly all in this together,” Dennis Van Kampen, CEO, Mel Trotter Ministries, said in supplied material. “My hope is that after this pandemic we will have created connections and work groups that continue to work together to solve some of our communities most urgent issues.”

The announcement for the county stresses that the facility use is not intended to be a long-term solution, and there are still staffing needs for the daily operation of the shelter. Volunteers for all shifts are needed and will not be in direct contact with known positive COVID-19 patients. To learn more about volunteer opportunities, visit kcest.org/volunteer.

“All of us who are working at the shelter have been moved by the strength of these women,” Lt. Lou Hunt, Kent County emergency manager, said in supplied material. “It has truly been a blessing and our privilege to serve this vulnerable yet highly appreciative population.”

Kentwood, Wyoming public schools implementing remote learning options after state closes schools

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Local public school’s plans for remote learning differ, but all meet state guidelines and goal that “teaching and learning must continue.” (Public Domain)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

Governor Gretchen Whitmer, early this month, ordered all K-12 public school buildings to close for the remainder of the school year but urged the continuation of education through remote learning — in fact part of her order included funding the use of public school facilities by public school employees and contractors for the “purposes of facilitating learning at a distance.”

Many Wyoming and Kentwood school districts, along with the Kent ISD, anticipating the governor’s order, had already been working on remote learning plans. But the governor’s order set a deadline of this week for remote learning plans to be submitted and approved by the Kent ISD, and required “all schools to begin providing learning opportunities for all students no later than April 28, 2020. Districts who are able to begin their plans earlier are encouraged to do so.”

Most local schools districts are already “doing so.”

There was no easy answer, no cookie-cutter answers given individual district goals, needs and even the logistics of working to verify students’ ability to access the internet and to distribute the technology necessary to reach as many students as possible.

So every district’s plan is unique but, in the words of the Kent ISD Continuity of Learning and COVID-19 Response Plan Application instructions, “although schools are closed and not providing in-person instruction, teaching and learning must continue.”

To look at just one plan, after getting approval of the district’s plan from the ISD, Godfrey-Lee Public Schools this week shared their plans with their community, and WKTV.

“Today marked a new beginning for Godfrey-Lee Public Schools as the district responded to the suspension of in-person learning and shifted to distance learning for the entire district,” Kevin Polston, superintendent of Godfrey-Lee Public Schools, said to WKTV early this week. “District staff have prepared for this reality over the past few weeks to provide students and families necessary supports to continue meaningful learning for the remainder of the school year. New student learning begins today and will continue through the remainder of the school year ending on May 29.”

Some of the highlights of the Godfrey-Lee remote learning plan include providing almost 1,500 computer/tablet devices and contacting families individually to check on internet access — the district reports 93 percent have such access. For more detailed information on the Godfrey-Lee plan, visit here.

To gain information on other Wyoming and Kentwood public school district’s remote learning plans, visit their district websites and/or Facebook pages, including Wyoming Public Schools, Godwin Heights Public Schools, Kelloggsville Public Schools, and Kentwood Public Schools website and Facebook page link.

“While the means of delivering learning has changed, the district’s vision, mission, and values remain constant,” Godfrey-Lee’s Polston said. “I am confident that our students will have an excellent experience during our Continuity of Learning Plan, and our staff stands ready to support any student or family member in need.”

Also like other school districts in the Wyoming-Kentwood area, remote learning is only one part of Godfrey-Lee schools’ efforts during a spring of closed schools.

“The district has also continued to support the basic needs of families, social-emotional wellbeing of students, and health and wellness of families through Kent School Services Network (KSSN) support,” Polston’s stated. “It is the expectation that each student will have contact with a district staff member every week. … (And) the district implemented a structure to target students that aren’t in contact to offer assistance and support.”

Godfrey-Lee, also undoubtedly like other local school districts, has also gained support in their remote learning activities.

“The district is thankful for the generous support of individuals, community partners, and philanthropy during this crisis,” Polston said.

Roadwork begins in Kentwood on 44th Street between Breton and Shaffer avenues

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The beginning of roadwork in early April on 44th Street in the City of Kentwood, headed east just before Breton Avenue. (WKTV)

WKTV Staff

ken@wktv.org

A Michigan Department of Transportation project has begun that will reduce 44th Street to one-lane traffic each way between Breton Avenue and Shaffer Avenue until late July.

The $1,553,000 project, according  to the City of Kentwood Public Works Department webpage, is scheduled to last from mid-April to late July.

 

The beginning of roadwork in early April on 44th Street in the City of Kentwood, headed west just before Shaffer Avenue. (WKTV)

The scope of work includes replacing the top four inches of asphalt on 44th Street from Breton to Shaffer, and replacing the intersection of Shaffer with full depth concrete, according to information provided to WKTV. Traffic will be maintained with a single lane in each direction throughout the project.

A construction notice was mailed to all residents that live adjacent to that section of 44th Street.

 

For more information on City of Kentwood road construction projects, visit here.

Change coming in local county commission seats, state senator looking toward future, after candidate filing deadline

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The 2020 election cycle, the August primary and the November general elections, will have a wide spectrum of officeholders for Wyoming and Kentwood voters to decide upon.

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

The 2020 election cycle, the August primary and the November general elections, will have a wide spectrum of officeholders for Wyoming and Kentwood voters to decide upon — from Kentwood’s District Court judge to President of the United States.

As the candidate deadline for the filing for partisan positions on the fall primary and November ballots passed today, April 21, at 4 p.m., a review of the Kent County Elections Office list also includes three local developments of special note.
 

Three candidates will vie for the Kent County Board of Commissioners 8th District seat, which is entirely in the boundaries of the City of Wyoming, but current commissioner and long-time public servant Harold Voorhees will not be one of them.

And current State Sen. Peter MacGregor (Republican, 28th District) is running for Kent County Treasurer, an action that if successful would require him to resign from his senate seat two years before term limits would force him to do so.

Both Commissioner Voorhees and Sen. MacGregor talked to WKTV briefly today about their decisions.

For Commissioner Voorhees, this is just the right time.

Commissioner Harold Voorhees

“At the end of 2020, I will have served 30 years in elected office. I think this is the right time for someone else,” Voorhees said. “I have been blessed to be able to serve people in three different elected offices … (and) my wife and I are in our 80s and we are blessed with good health. So why not spend more time with our six children, 19 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren. We have lots of visiting to do.”
 

The new county commission’s 8th District commissioner, to be decided in November, will be either the sole Democrat to file, Sarah Chatterley of Wyoming, or the winner of an Aug. 2 Republican Party primary between current City of Wyoming City Council Member-at-large Dan Burrill and Grandville’s Denise Kolesar.

Additionally, in the county commission’s 13th District (Kentwood), incumbent Democrat Betsy Melton filed early but then removed her name late in the process, so fellow Democrat Michelle McCloud and Republican Levi Cipcic, both unopposed in the primary, will face off in November.

As far as Sen. MacGregor’s decision, he told WKTV that his love of public service — he has more than 11 years as a state representative and now state senator —  and looming term limits are what drove him to the decision.

State Sen. Peter MacGregor (R-28th District)

“I truly love serving the people” of Kent County, he said. “Maybe I can use my skill set to continue serving this way … (and) this is kind of a free shot to test that.”

If he does not win the treasurer seat, Sen. MacGregor would continue to serve his final two years in the senate.

Also seeking the county treasurer job, and running in the Democratic primary, are José L. Reyna and Beth White, the winner of which will face MacGregor in the general election.

City of Wyoming City Council

City of Wyoming voters will have three seats on the City Council to be voted on, all three on the November ballot and two of the three unopposed at this point. Incumbents Marissa K. Postler and Robert Postema have filed for the 2nd Ward and the 3rd Ward council seats, respectively. Rob Arnoys and John Fitzgerald have filed for a Commissioner-at-large seat.

Kent County Board of Commissioners

In other Kent County Board of Commissioners contests, in the 7th District (Grandville/part of Wyoming), Republican incumbent and Grandville resident Stan Ponstein and Democrat and Grandville resident Jane Newton will run unopposed in August and face off in November.

In the 9th District (Byron Twp./part of Wyoming), incumbent Republican Matt Kallman will be opposed by Keith Courtade (D) of Wyoming, while in the 12th District (Kentwood/part of Wyoming and Grand Rapids) incumbent Democrat Monica Sparks of Kentwood and Grand Rapids Republican Ryan Malinoski will run unopposed in August and face off in November.

Kent County-wide elections

Current Kent County District Attorney Chris Becker (R) will run for reelection unopposed this election cycle, but current Sheriff Michelle LaJoye-Young (R) will be opposed Democrat Marc Burns.

Current county Clerk/Register of Deeds Lisa Posthumus Lyons (R) will also be opposed, by Wyoming resident Devin Ortega-Furgeson (D). And current Drain Commissioner Ken Yonker (R) will be opposed by Elaine Isely (D).
 

Part of the Kent County Court System, Kentwood’s current 62 B District Court Judge William G. is bared from running again due to a state law setting an age limit of 70. Running for the non-partisan seat is Amanda Sterkenburg and Joe Jackson, both of Kentwood.

According to the Kent County Elections Office, local judicial candidates will only be on the November candidate listing unless they are forced into a primary (if more than twice the number of candidates file for the number of seats to be elected). If that happens, there will be a primary on the August ballot.

Wyoming’s and Kentwood’s state, federal elected positions 

In the Michigan State House of Representatives 72nd District, which includes Kentwood, incumbent Rep. Steven Johnson (R) of Wayland will run unopposed in the primary but in November will face the winner of a Democratic primary between Lily Cheng-Schulting of Grand Rapids and Cade Wilson of Kentwood.

The state house 77th District (which includes Wyoming) will have incumbent Tommy Brann of Wyoming running unopposed in the Republican primary and, in November, he will face the winner of an August Democratic primary field of Bob Smith of Byron Center and Dana Knight of Wyoming.

In Michigan’s 2nd U.S. Congressional District (which includes Wyoming and Kentwood) incumbent Rep. Bill Huizenga (R) and Rev. Bryan Berghoef (D)  will also run unopposed in August and face off in November.

Wyoming and Kentwood voters will in November also select between incumbent U.S. Sen. Gary Peters (D) two Republicans running in the August primary, John James and Bob Carr.

According to the Kent County Elections Office, “Candidates without party affiliation have until 4 p.m. on July 16 to file petitions to appear on the November ballot.” So independents could still file for offices.


Electric Forest 2020 cancelled, but if you already have wristbands you are set for 2021

Community Health, Entertainment, Local Entertainment, Recreation,
One of the many scenes of Electric Forest. (Supplied/Electric Forest)

By WKTV Staff

ken@wktv.org

A new message popped up this morning on the website of Electric Forest: in the words of one Alan Watts, “The only way to make sense out of change is to plunge into it, move with it, and join the dance.”

Electric Forest — which was scheduled to hold its “10th Anniversary Celebration” June 25-28, in Rothbury — announced today that “based on input from state and local authorities regarding public gatherings amid the COVID-19 pandemic” it has cancelled its 2020 event.

But Electric Forest will “move with” the changes and invite its fans to “join the dance” when dancing in the forest is next allowed.

The music and camping festival, which sold out within one hour of its public on sale last December, is now moving ahead with plans for 2021, including offering ticket holders the option of receiving a refund or to retain their wristbands/tickets and camping reservations, which will be honored at what is now calling its “2021 Decade One Celebration”.

“In times like these we are grateful to stand strong with you as the Forest Family,” the official statement from Electric Forest and Madison House Presents reads. “We are eternally thankful to the family members who come together to create so much each year. This includes the artists, actors, builders, food and craft vendors, law enforcement, medical partners, operations teams, production teams, supply partners, and so many others who individually or collectively make Electric Forest so very special and unique.

“We are stronger as a community than we are as individuals. Knowing that we will all gather again soon will remain a bright spark and a guiding light — and we will build our moment together.”

For the complete statement with all the details from Electric Forest HQ, read it here.

Some federal stimulus checks to be redirected to families owed child support

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Child support graphic by Nick Youngson.

By WKTV Staff

ken@wktv.org

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services announced last week that, similar to federal tax refunds, families owed past-due child support will receive funds “intercepted” from federal stimulus payments.

As a result of a federal requirement, “stimulus payments to noncustodial parents who owe child support will be directed to custodial parents and children,” the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) announced in an April 17 statement.

Families will begin receiving the intercepted stimulus payments this week, according to the MDHHS.

“The Office of Child Support wants to make sure parents understand what is happening with stimulus payments to people who owe child support,” Erin Frisch, Office of Child Support director, said in supplied material.

As federal stimulus payments — officially known as Economic Impact Payments — authorized by the CARES Act, are sent to Michigan parents who owe child support and qualify for enforcement, all or a portion of this payment will be intercepted by the IRS through the Tax Offset Program, according to the MDHHS.

The funds will then go to the MDHHS Office of Child Support to be applied to the child support debt owed, also as required by the CARES Act.

Funds will be distributed to the custodial parent or guardian in the same way the Office of Child Support distributes all yearly federal income tax refunds that are intercepted.

 

The CARES Act authorized stimulus payments to address economic issues and unemployment due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The law requires stimulus payments to apply to child support debt when distributing the funds.

“In some cases, the stimulus payments also will cover debt owed to the state based on specific case circumstances,” the MDHHS states.

The Office of Child Support reports that it does not know how much Michigan will receive from the IRS, but expects to receive weekly payments until the stimulus payments discontinue.

State offers a way to help shut-in seniors with food needs through a ‘virtual food bank’

3-bottom, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Community Health, Food, Health, Local Food, Senior Living,
A new virtual food bank has been set up to support senior food needs, and donations are being accepted. (Public Domain)

By WKTV Staff

ken@wktv.org

Feel like you want to support seniors in your community while maintaining a social distance from one of the most at-risk COVID-19 populations? A new virtual food bank may be just what you’re looking for.
 

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) Aging and Adult Services Agency and the Food Bank Council of Michigan announced this week the creation of  “virtual food bank” raising money to provide food boxes to seniors who are staying home to protect themselves from COVID-19.

Michigan residents can make monetary donations on the virtual food drive website to buy food for the project.

Kent County seniors who need extra support at this time can now sign up for assistance, including meal delivery, delivery of non-perishable food items, and daily wellness-check calls by contacting the Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan.

The Area Agency on Aging of West Michigan said to WKTV, following the state announcement, that information on local food resources is available at aaawm.org/article/an-update-on-food-resources.

Each of the virtual food drive boxes is filled with 33 food items that provide for 22 well-balanced, nutritious meals, according to supplied material. Each box contains breakfast, lunch and dinner recipes for seniors who are food insecure. A donation of $28 pays for an entire box containing food such as chunk white canned chicken, green beans, peanut butter and low-sodium diced tomatoes. Boxes are distributed from local food banks through Area Agencies on Aging and delivered by volunteers.

“Michigan’s aging adult population is especially vulnerable to COVID-19,” Dr. Alexis Travis, director of the Aging and Adult Services Aging, said in supplied material. “It’s critical that seniors stay home, but they also need healthy food.”

The Michigan National Guard is packing the first 10,000 boxes at Gleaners’ Community Food Bank’s warehouse in Pontiac. The Food Bank Council is routing the boxes to Area Agencies on Aging across the state, but more food is needed to feed seniors.

“The COVID-19 pandemic poses unprecedented additional barriers to food access,” Dr. Dawn Opel, of the Food Bank Council of Michigan, said in supplied material. “This program is an example of how we are creating innovative food distribution models to bring food to people where they are—to alleviate household food insecurity and to prevent the spread of the virus for those without transportation and other supports.”

Muskegon Museum of Art announces rescheduled annual gala, other events

Beer, Community Health, Entertainment, Kids Activities, Local Entertainment, Our Cities, Recreation, Upcoming Events,
A scene from the Muskegon Museum of Art. (MMA photo by Jennifer Green Photography)

By WKTV Staff

ken@wktv.org

The Muskegon Museum of Art this week announced to members the rescheduling of several events postponed due to COVID-19 related “Stay at Home” restrictions, most notably that the MMA’s annual Gala has been moved to Saturday, Aug. 29.

“As you know, we are a program heavy organization and, disappointingly, have had to cancel and reschedule dozens of events,” Kirk Hallman, executive director of Muskegon Museum of Art, said in an email to members. “The Muskegon Museum of Art will emerge from this a stronger institution. We have weathered many crises since 1912 and we will get through this together as well thanks to your support! We still have big plans for the future.”

Among the other schedule changes announced were: the J2B2 Concert will be held on Sept. 4; On Tap has been moved to Sept. 25; and the Postcard Salon “will be held this fall.”

In detailing the plans for the museum’s exhibits, the summer Permanent Collection Exhibitions, including a planned major Glass Exhibition, will not open as planned on May 14.

“We will open these shows as soon as possible … It will be worth the wait!” Hallman said. “These shows will now run into November. We are disappointed at having to place the 92nd Annual Michigan Contemporary on hiatus for a year. It will return better than ever in 2021.”

   

Currently, the staff has been “putting volumes of content and activities online including a virtual preview tour of three galleries from this summer’s upcoming exhibitions.”

For more information visit muskegonartmuseum.org.

WKTV celebrates its volunteers at March banquet

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, WKTV Projects, ,
Right, WKTV Board President Judy Bergsma with her husband Mark Bergsma talk to Ron Schultz and his wife. (Photo by Pat Moll)

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org

About two weeks before the governor’s Stay Home, Stay Safe order went into effect, more than 100 people gathered at the WKTV station, located at 5261 Clyde Park Ave. SW, to celebrate another great year of community programming.

At the annual Volunteer Banquet, which was held at the WKTV station, giving volunteers an opportunity to check out the recently finished construction work that added a new facade to the station’s main control room along with creating a second floor above Studio A. In fact, the new meeting space already has been used for a video shoot in February.

WKTV also added to its offerings with the creation of a new podcast room where about 20 shows are taped and filmed with the video housed on the Whole Picture Podcast Facebook page and the podcasts also can be found on the WKTV Journal website.

As always, the annual banquet is designed to recognize the many amazing contributions of the WKTV volunteers.

From left: Anne Cope with Scott Baisden (Pat Moll)

This year’s Volunteer of the Year, Scott Baisden, has spent plenty of time at the WKTV station, clocking in more than 1,000 volunteer hours while also editing and producing shows. Baisden has done a number of handyman jobs from various construction projects to landscaping. He also has lent his expertise to several WKTV productions and podcasts.

Far right, Mike Moll, with the rest of the WKTV Sports crew Mark Bergsma, Ron Schultz, and Paul Kabelman. (Photo by Pat Moll)

This year’s Community Service Programming recipient also is no stranger to WKTV. Mike Moll has been a WKTV volunteer for nine years and he might be a familiar face to many as he is one of the hosts for the WKTV Sports program. Moll also has written sports articles for the WKTV Journal and served as a host for a number of WKTV projects.

Recognition was given to volunteers for both years of volunteer service as well as hours of service in 2019. Following is a list of those recognized as well as their programs or volunteer areas for those honored for years of service.

  • From the left, Latesha Clay and Bernadine Francis were recognized as new volunteers. (Photo by Pat Moll)
  • From left, Cynthia Johnson and Randy Galaszewski received their Five-Year Awards. (Photo by Pat Moll)
  • Becci Schumaker received the 10-year-Award. (Photo by Pat Moll)
  • Allen Wegener received the 20-Year Award.

20 Years

Allen Wegener – Variety of shows throughout the years

10 Years

Beccie Schumaker – Sports/Concerts

5 Years

Cynthia Johnson – Sports/Parades

Randy Galaszewski – Anything Goes/Sports/Concerts

New Volunteers

Cynthia Best – Volunteer

Latesha Clay – L.I.P. Street Team

Bernadine Francis – Studio Productions

Dana Knight – Productions Involving Arts and Culture

Riley Zoet – WKTV Sports

Volunteers who contributed 25 or less hours to WKTV. (Photo by Pat Moll)

1 – 25 Hours

Judy Bergsma – WKTV Board Member/ Reading Train

Caleb Butler – Former staff / Remotes /Council meetings 

Paul Chittenden – Indie Filmmaker / Podcasting

Sagar Dangal – WKTV News /Bhutanese Talk Podcast  

Joe DeJong – Infinity & Beyond Podcast

Randy Galaszewski – Anything Goes / Summer Concerts

Cynthia Johnson – Holiday Parades

Phyllis Koslow – Grand Rapids Symphonette

William McKenny – L.I.P. Street Team and Truck Remotes

Pat Moll – Photographer WKTV News

Linda Pacic – Host Parades and Specials 

Les Raebel – WKTV Board

Don Schumaker – Golden Gloves

Laura Szczepanek – The Polish Pod Café Podcast

Andrew Shelest – Construction

Nathan Slauer – WKTV News

Mark Tangen – Metro Cruise

Mike Van Druemel – WKTV Fix it Man

Dick Visser – WKTV Board Member

Pat Williams – Volunteer

Volunteers who contributed between 26-50 hours to WKTV in 2019. (Photo by Pat Moll)

26 -– 50 Hours

Doug Hansen – Sports

Paul Kabelman – WKTV Sports

Romeo Keels – L.I.P. Street Team + Truck Productions

Kyle Misak – Indie Filmmaker

Reid Petro – Indie Filmmaker 

Prakash Rai – WKTV News / Sports

Tom Sibley – Veterans / Sid Lenger Travel Shows

Bob Serulla – Golden Gloves / Metro Cruise

Wayne Thomas – Grand Rapids Ghost Hunters Podcasts

Meochia Thompson – New Cooking Show/ WKTV News

These volunteers contributed 51 – 99 hours to WKTV in 2019. (Photo by Pat Moll)

51 – 99 Hours

Carrie Bradstreet –  Anything Goes Podcast / WKTV News Host/ 10

Mark Bergsma – WKTV Sports

Anne Cope – Why Don’t We Have Our Own Podcast

Ron Schultz – WKTV Sports


This year’s 100 Hour Club included a number of dedicated WKTV volunteers. (Photo by Pat Moll)

100 Hour Club

Val Fisher

Gary Vande Velde 

Scott Wiseman

Kyle Cortez 

Allen Wegenar

Monique Keels

Darius Young

Stephanie Norton 

Renee Karadsheh

Becci Schumaker

Bill Rinderkencht

Mike Bacon 

Kathy Norton

Mike Moll

Matt Kavaluskis

Matt Zuby

Michael McCallum

Rose Hammond

Doug Remtema 

Scott Baisden 

WKTV’s ‘From Your Couch’ concerts — working through work-from-home, Boardman Brown available on-demand

City of Wyoming, Community Health, Entertainment, Local Entertainment, Recreation, Reviews, WKTV Projects,
The heart of Boardman Brown: Robbie Koets, Shelagh Brown, Anna Joy Tucker and Brian Fraaza. (Supplied/Boardman Brown)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

The members of Boardman Brown, a West Michigan band that lit a little musical bonfire at a Wyoming Concerts in the Park summer series gig last summer, are working their way through the COVID-19 restrictions just like everyone else — at home.

While more fortunate than some other local musicians struggling without the income from local gigs, Boardman Brown member’s day jobs are keeping most of them busy — if more than a little starved for human interaction — as they await the opportunity to get back in front of a crowd.

“It’s a bizarre time, that’s for sure,” Shelagh Brown said to WKTV. “Boardman Brown is a side gig for everyone in the band, so thankfully we are all able to manage. (Husband and musical partner) Robbie (Koets) has a full time job, and I have a couple part time jobs that we are both able to do from home. I’m incredibly thankful for the technology that we have that makes it possible.

“And, late summer, fall, I think I can speak for everyone in the band that we’ll be ready to get out there again, make more music, and see people in person.”

Until then, if you’re a fan or soon-to-be fan, WKTV caught up with Boardman Brown on in July 2019 as part of our coverage of the City of Wyoming’s summer concert series. And the Boardman Brown concert is on demand here as part of WKTV’s “From Your Couch” concert series.

Boardman Brown, on stage at a July 2019 Wyoming Concerts in the Park. (WKTV)

The country-rock-pop band features three lead singers, some great guitar play by Adam Newton and Brian Fraaza, and some great covers stretching from County-2000s hitmakers like Drake White (“Let it Ride”) to Pop-2000s hitmakers such as Adele (“Could Have Had it All”). In addition to Brown and Anna Joy Tucker supplying the female vocals, and keyboards, Fraaza brings the more “manly” vocals, with Koets on bass and Jeff Hale on drums.

From the live concert, I particularly liked the cover of Lord Huron’s “The Night We Met” featuring the harmonies of Brown, Tucker and Fraaza, and their version of the new-alt-something artists The New Respects’ lovely song “Trouble” — available both in the WKTV concert and an even better version on the band’s Facebook page.

And speaking of their Facebook page … When you go, defiantly make a stop at their version of the great (and recently late) John Prime’s classic “Angel From Montgomery”. Worth the visit all by itself.

Had to ask: What about that name?

“The band name?” Brown said. “We had previously written music together at a cabin up north, outside Traverse City, and the cabin is on the south branch of the Boardman River. After a bit of thinking and coming up with many names, Boardman Brown was the one that stuck!

In an intimate acoustic setting, Boardman Brown sings John Prine’s “Angel from Montgomery”, one of the band’s Facebook videos. (Supplied/Boardman Brown)

“We had all played together at church in the worship band, and had been friends for long time through that. Throughout that time, I had a local country band (the Shelagh Brown Band) … Anna Tucker and Brian Fraaza also have a duo called Criminals of Eden. The band came together for the first time when the Shelagh Brown Band was competing in B93’s Battle to the Bash quite a few years ago. … After making it to the finals in the contest, we all agreed that this combination of musicians was something special.”

As far as getting through the current COVID-19 time of isolation, Brown is working  through it like everybody else but also sees it being a time of possible growth for herself and the band.

“We haven’t gotten to original music as Boardman Brown, yet. We’ve written together and separately for other projects. And have plans to write together as a band,” she said. “I believe that as we walk through this time apart, and look back from the other side of this, that we will have lots to talk about and write about.”

If your locking for more great “From Your Couch” concerts, WKTV has a bunch of recent concerts covered by WKTV Community Media and available on-demand at WKTVlive.org.

State of Michigan reports: expanded COVID-19 testing, with new location assistance

3-bottom, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Community Health, Crime Prevention, Hard News, Health, Our Cities, WKTV Projects, ,
COVID-19 testing, including drive-thru test stations, will be available to more people after Stat of Michigan action this week. (U.S. National Guard)

By WKTV Staff

ken@wktv.org

The State of Michigan, like most governmental agencies, puts out press releases to media sources on a wide-range of issues almost daily. Some are important for the public to know; some are just routine governmental business. Some make the news and some do not.

We at WKTV have decided that in these times of COVID-19, of often-filtered news, we’d let the state departments say what they want to say to the pubic a little more directly. Following are links to State of Michigan releases from Monday and Tuesday, April 13-14 — with a little emphasis given by our staff on what we found interesting.

State expanding COVID-19 testing criteria, access 

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) announced Monday it is expanding testing criteria for Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) to include individuals with mild symptoms, and has published a COVID-19 test site finder at Michigan.gov/Coronavirus to help Michiganders locate a testing site near them.

“Expanded testing is needed to learn more about how COVID-19 is spreading in our state,” Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, chief medical executive and chief deputy for health, said in supplied material. “We want to make sure people know that if they have symptoms, they should work with their medical provider to be tested.”

Michigan’s testing priority criteria now includes: hospitalized patients, symptomatic healthcare workers and expanded list of “patients in congregate facilities with symptoms,” including those at:

Long-term care or elderly living facilities.

Jails or prisons.

Homeless shelters.

Residential foster care facilities.

Other group living settings.

Read the entire release here.

Other April 13-14 releases, listed by headlines and with links, include:

Michigan National Guard to support Sparrow Hospital’s COVID-19 efforts

(State of) Wyoming business misleads consumers about face masks for sale

State offers business taxpayers some May delays in payments to state

Michigan Strategic Fund assistance expands availablity of business, community support

MDHHS announces expanded aid to persons with mental health needs 

USA Masters Games in Grand Rapids postponed to 2021, but state games still possible

3-bottom, Community Health, Health, Local Entertainment, Our Cities, Recreation, Senior Living, Sports, Upcoming Events, ,
The USA Masters Games 2020 will still be coming to Grand Rapids, just in 2020. (Historic Public Domain photo)

By WKTV Staff

ken@wktv.org

                                        

The USA Masters Games and the State Games of Michigan, the organizers for the 2020 USA Masters Games originally scheduled to be held this June in Grand Rapids, jointly announced this week the postponement of the games to 2021.

At the same time, however, the State Games of Michigan organizers said it was still possible that some of the planned state games would take place later in the year.

The national games had previously been scheduled for June 19-21 and June 26-28, but will now be held June 24-27, 2021, still in Grand Rapids — and still set to be called the “2020 USA Masters Games”.

“On behalf of the USA Masters Games, and our Grand Rapids Host Organization, the State Games of Michigan, we want to emphasize that our number one priority is the health and well-being of all participants in the USA Masters Games,” Hill Carrow, CEO of the USA Masters Games, said in supplied material. “With that objective in mind, and given the great uncertainty and concern surrounding the current worldwide coronavirus pandemic, it has been determined that it is in the best interests of the safety of Games athletes for the Games to be postponed for one year.”

As far as the name of the games … “We’re following the example of the International Olympic Committee,” Carrow said. “When they decided to keep it the ‘2020 Summer Olympic Games’ in 2021, we said to ourselves, ‘That’s a good idea’, so we are doing the same thing with the USA Masters Games.”

The local sponsors of the national games are also still committed to the event, and the State Games of Michigan leaders are still hopeful their signature games can be held this year.

“As one can imagine, rescheduling a large 24-sport event is a major undertaking, and we will collaborate closely with the (USA Masters) Games rights-holder and our great local event  partners as we transition to these new dates,” Mike Guswiler, President of the West Michigan Sports Commission in Grand Rapids, said in supplied material.

 
Eric Engelbarts, who serves as the Executive Director of both the State Games of Michigan and the Local Organizing Committee for the 2020 USA Masters Games, also discussed the status of the state games in the announcement.

“First, I want to assure participants in the 2020 State Games of Michigan, that those games are not being postponed, but the timing of the sports competitions are all in flux now as we shift the schedule and location of events to dates, likely throughout the summer, that will hopefully allow this year’s events to take place,” he said in supplied material. “ … We ask for patience as we work through the large number of details while our … staff is having to work remotely under state and local government lockdown restrictions.”

For more information on the USA Masters Games, visit usamastersgames.com . For more information on the State Games of Michigan visit StateGamesofMichigan.com.

Longtime WKTV partner Rose Hammond’s acclaimed documentary to air on station’s cable channel

3-bottom, Area Education, Books, Education, Going Local, Local Entertainment, Local Faces, Local History, Upcoming Events, Volunteers, WKTV Projects, ,
Historic postcard of Idlewild Lake dock and boat (Supplied)

By WKTV Staff

ken@wktv.org

“In Between the Trees”, Rose Hammond’s 2019 documentary film about the historic African-American resort towns of Idlewild and Woodland Park, was more than simply a community project supported by WKTV Community Media.

It is a prime example of a community-led project which WKTV prides itself in being an advocate for and a partner with. And the film will be on display next week as it begins a short cable-television run on WKTV Community Channel 25.

“As Rose went through he process of producing this documentary, we all found it fascinating that she was uncovering this amazing story of local history,” said Tom Norton, general manager of WKTV Community Media. “WKTV is happy and proud that she chose to use this facility to realize that storytelling goal.”

WKTV will air “In Between The Trees Monday, April 20, at 9:30 a.m.; Tuesday, April 21, at  7 p.m.; and Friday, April 24, 10 a.m.

Idlewild was started in 1912 by white investors who created a resort for black vacationers during the Jim Crow era — when most resorts would not allow blacks to book stays. Woodland Park came a few years later.

Rose Hammond at WKTV Community Media for the premiere of her film “In Between the Trees”. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)

The film about the history of the towns — produced, substantially filmed, and edited at WKTV by Hammond — is based on her 1994 book “Idlewild & Woodland Park, Michigan (An African American Remembers)”.

In a WKTV Journal interview when the film premiered at a special screening last year, Hammond talked about her labor of love.

“I was attracted to the story when coming home and our family went up north to visit our grandpa’s old house,” Hammond said to WKTV. “While in Woodland Park all I heard were the stories of how it used to be. I then decided that someone needed to put a collection of interviews together to maintain the historical value of the community.

“No matter what becomes of the two communities they will always be known as an outlet for thousands of African Americans to entertain and vacation like their counterparts. It will always be Idlewild and Woodland Park.”

For the complete WKTV Journal story, visit here. The trailer for the documentary can be viewed here and another here. For a WKTV video interview with Rose Hammond while the film was in process, visit here.

County health department launches home screening app to spot COVID-19 hotspots

3-bottom, Area Education, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Community Health, Going Local, Health, Local Business, Our Cities, ,

By WKTV Staff

ken@wktv.org

In an effort to obtain information to track potential COVID-19 hotspots in Kent County, the county health department today launched a new web-based survey for residents — keepmihealthy.org.

The “secure, anonymous, web-based survey” — which does not required an app download — will provide health officials with “valuable data that could potentially identify future COVID-19 ‘hot spots’ in Kent County,” according to the announcement.

“Our ability to respond to this pandemic depends upon timely, accurate, and multi-sourced data,” Kent County Health Department Director Adam London said in supplied material. “The information gathered through this survey will provide us with an additional layer of data to make strategic decisions on how we use our resources.”

Local technology company OST, which started in Grand Rapids in 1997 but now has a worldwide footprint, actually came to Kent County with the idea.

“We would like to thank local technology developer OST for turning this community health screening concept into reality,” London said. “Without being asked, they identified a need, reached out to us and other community partners, and quickly developed an easy-to-use and effective screening tool.”

The survey questions are simple — as simple as “Are you experiencing any of the COVID-19 symptoms or not?”

To complete the survey, residents will be asked to answer four personal identification questions including year of birth, gender, county, and zip code.

All data will be kept confidential and housed in a secure database, according to the announcement. Under licensed agreements, health care professionals, hospitals, and local health departments will have access to the anonymous data to learn more about the community’s health in an effort to reduce the spread of COVID- 19.

To complete the survey, go to keepmihealthy.org/ and click “Get Started!”

Upon completion, residents can optionally provide their mobile phone number to receive a daily text reminder to take the survey.

“By taking the survey daily, it will ensure health officials are making decisions based on the most current information available,” according to the statement.

To learn more, review the frequently asked questions document at keepmihealthy.org/faq.

A Spanish version of the application will be released shortly.

State of Michigan reports: COVID-19 history project started; medical insurance to cover costs

3-bottom, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Community Health, Education, Hard News, Health, Politics, Volunteers,
In future Michigan classrooms, the age of COVID-19 will be studied by all age groups. A new Michigan History Center program seeks to collect stories to tell. (U.S. Army)

By WKTV Staff

ken@wktv.org

The State of Michigan, like most governmental agencies, puts out press releases to media sources on a wide-range of issues almost daily. Some are important for the public to know; some are just routine governmental business. Some make the news and some do not.

We at WKTV have decided that in these times of COVID-19, of often-filtered news, we’d let the state departments say what they want to say to the pubic a little more directly. Following are links to State of Michigan releases from the Easter Sunday holiday weekend, April 9-12 — with a little emphasis given by our staff on what we found interesting.

Michigan History Center seeks public input for COVID-19 pandemic project 

The Michigan History Center has announced a new collecting initiative that gives residents the opportunity to share stories that reflect their experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic, for the benefit of future generations.

“The COVID-19 pandemic is a critical moment in history, and the Michigan History Center is committed to documenting — through objects, archival materials, stories and experiences from diverse Michiganders — how the coronavirus is affecting Michigan residents in the workplace, at home, in communities and in many other settings,” an April 11 press release states.

The first phase of the three-phase collecting initiative is active right now. It offers a web-based platform for people to share and donate photos, videos and audio files that document their daily lives during this emergency— all of which will be considered for preservation in the Archives of Michigan’s collections.

Read the entire release here.

Michigan health insurance providers to waive COVID-19 patient costs

The Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS) announced that the state has received agreements from nearly all of the state’s health insurance companies to waive cost-sharing, including copays, deductibles, and coinsurance for coronavirus (COVID-19) testing and treatments. The Whitmer Administration and DIFS had worked with insurers to waive these costs.

Consumers with these individual and group health plans will not be charged cost-sharing for coronavirus-related medical treatment, such as primary care visits, laboratory testing, emergency room visits, ambulance services, and FDA-approved medications and vaccines for COVID-19 when they become available.

Read the entire release here.

Other April 9-12 releases, listed by headlines and with links, include:

MDHHS issues statement about April 12 reported COVID-19 case and death counts

MDHHS details COVID-19 testing prodedures, announce more drive-thru locations

State, Mason County acts on Community Action Agency for violating Stay Home, Stay Safe Order

New resources to help unemployed workers resolve technical Issues with claims

National Guard distribute medical equipment during COVID-19 response

Governor Whitmer creates Michigan Coronavirus Task Force on Racial Disparities

WKTV feature’s NASA coverage of command change, shuttle departure

3-bottom, WKTV Projects, , ,
This week WKTV Government 26 features several NASA events including a command change at the International Space Station and shuttle return to Earth.
The new Expedition 63 crew joined the Expedition 62 crew a board the International Space Station. (Front row from left) NASA astronaut Chris Cassidy and Roscosmos cosmonauts Anatoly Ivanishin and Ivan Vagner. (Back row from left) NASA astronaut Andrew Morgan, Roscosmos cosmonaut Oleg Skripochka and NASA astronaut Jessica Meir. (Credit: NASA TV)

By Kelly Taylor
kelly@wktv.org

On Wednesday, April 15, the WKTV Government 26 will feature the live NASA coverage of the Expedition 62-63 Change of Command Ceremony as Russian cosmonaut Oleg Skripochka hands over the command of the International Space Station to NASA astronaut Chris Cassidy. The ceremony is scheduled for 4:55 p.m.

Live coverage continues on Thursday, April 16, for the Expedition 62 farewells and Soyuz MS-15 hatch closure as NASA astronauts Andrew Morgan and Jessica Meir and cosmonaut Oleg Skripochka prepare to return to earth. Coverage begins at 6 p.m., with the hatch closure scheduled to take place at approximately 6:35 p.m.

Stay tuned for the de-orbit burn and landing coverage starting at midnight Friday, April 17. The de-orbit burn is scheduled for approximately 12:22 a.m., with the landing near Dzhezkazgan, Kazakhstan expected at 1:17 a.m.

For more information on NASA TV or the International Space Station, log on to www.nasa.gov. NASA TV can be seen on the WKTV 26 Government Channelon Comcast and AT&T U-verse 99 Government Channel 99.

Part of the solution: Feeding America WM, National Guard, Woodland Mall join forces to distribute food

3-bottom, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Community Health, Hard News, Health, Local Food, Non-Profits, Our Cities, Senior Living, Upcoming Events, Woodland Mall, , ,
Feeding America West Michigan’s mobile food bank operation is working with Woodland Mall and the Michigan National Guard to provide Mobile Food Pantries for those facing hunger. The weekly food distribution is open to the public but aims to serve unemployed service industry workers. (Feeding America WM)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

There has always been hunger in the Wyoming and Kentwood area — and across the region, state, country and world, in fact. And there is a long list of groups big and small working to be part of the solution to the problem.

From the City of Kentwood’s Little Free Pantry to the Kent County Community Action, from local school districts to Wyoming’s United Church Outreach Ministry (UCOM) and a score of other area churches and other private non-profit organizations, many groups have done their part and continue to do their part in this time of a COVID-19 unemployment surge.

Feeding America West Michigan is providing weekly Mobile Pantries in Woodland Mall’s parking lot. The Michigan National Guard is helping to distribute the food each week. (Feeding America WM)

The most far-reaching single group, however, is Feeding America West Michigan, which with the aid of the Michigan National Guard and Woodland Mall began weekly food distribution at the mall April 1.

The next Woodland Mall mobile pantry food distribution, from Feeding America’s Service Industry Workers Mobile unit, will be Wednesday, April 15, at 4 p.m., at 3195 28th St., Kentwood.

“Hunger is not new,” Molly Kooi, communication manager for Feeding America West Michigan, said this week to WKTV. “Before COVID-19, 1 in 8 people in our 40-county service area faced hunger. Now, many more people are in need of food assistance due to unemployment, school closings and a variety of other factors.”

Feeding America West Michigan (WM), part of Feeding America’s nationwide network of food banks, not only collects and directly distributes food but also works with many religious and non-profit groups. And they have some sobering statistics about the impact of COVID-19 on the food assistance need.

“We’ve seen a 235 percent increase in people searching for food assistance on our website,” Kooi said. “We’ve seen a 50 percent increase in the amount of food requested by our partner agencies. We’re spending $100,000 each week to keep up with the increased demand for food.”

The new distribution site at Woodland Mall is just one part of the group’s efforts, and one part of a much wider spectrum of emergency food providers. In the Wyoming and Kentwood area alone, food pantries supported by Feeding America include the East Paris Community Food Pantry, located at At-Tawheed Islamic Center and Mosque, on East Paris Avenue; Faith Reformed Church Food Pantry, on 44th Street SW; and Family Network, also on 44th.

What to expect if you’re seeking assistance

The first step for persons seeking food assistance — especially persons new to the system such, maybe recently out of work and seeking to support families — could be the regional Feeding America WM webpage FeedWM.org/findfood, Kooi said.

 

Feeding America West Michigan is working with Woodland Mall and the Michigan National Guard, to provide  weekly food distribution at the mall parking lot in Kentwood. (Feeding America WM)

“There they will find a map making it easy for them to locate our partner agencies (red icons) and mobile food pantry sites (blue icons) near them,” she said. “If they don’t have access to the internet, they can call 2-1-1 or our office (616-784-3250) for assistance.”

And how does a person new to the system qualify and register for food assistance?

Some traditional food pantries have income limits, some have geographical limits and most have visit frequency limits (say, once a month). However, many may be changing how they are doing things due to COVID-19, Kooi said.

“I would tell a neighbor in need to first locate a food pantry near them and then reach out to that pantry’s director, or search their website, to learn what the requirements are,” she said.

Feeding America WM’s mobile pantries are hosted by organizations such as churches or schools, and provide fresh produce and other food to those in need, farmers’ market style, Kooi explained. All attendees are required to fill out a form asking for basic information like household size.

“Anyone in need can attend mobile pantries at any time and no one is turned away,” she said. “Due to COVID-19, all mobile pantries are providing drive-thru service at this time.”

Woodland Mall food distribution part of large network

The new mobile food pantry at Woodland Mall is a prime example of diverse organizations working together.

During the recent COVID-19 crisis, Feeding America has gained assistance from the Michigan National Guard at various locations including at the Woodland Mall mobile distribution.

One reason for the National Guard assistance is that Feeding America WM’s regular volunteer force, often older retired persons, has been directly impacted by safety concerns and stay-at-home orders.

But the local work is just a small part of the scope of Feeding America WM’s food bank collection and food distribution work.

Feeding America West Michigan currently owns 30 trucks, that drove about 418,000 miles in 2019, according to the organization. (Feeding America WM)

The food bank currently owns 30 trucks, that drove about 418,000 miles in 2019, according to the organization. So many trucks and trips are needed because of the way our the organization works: “We reclaim safe, surplus food from farmers, manufacturers, distributors and retail stores, and then distribute it to more than 800 partner agencies throughout West Michigan and the Upper Peninsula,” they state in supplied material.

Typically, more than 100 mobile food pantries are held each month across our 40-county service area. More than 99 percent of the donated food collected and distributes comes from large-scale food donors, with a small amount from community food drives.

Feeding America WM also delivers thousands of pounds of various food items to fixed food pantries and other hunger-relief agencies each month.

Where to go for support, to be part of the solution

For a complete list of Feeding America West Michigan’s mobile food pantries planned Kent County visits and locations, visit here.

 

For a map showing not only the locations of the mobile food pantry visits but also Wyoming and Kentwood partner locations, visit here.

To make a donation or offer support to Feeding America West Michigan, visit here.

For information about the Kent County Community Action food distribution program, visit here.

Timely World Affairs Council April discussion series examines ‘Future of Work’

3-bottom, Area Education, Community Health, Education, Local Business, Local Faces, Non-Profits, Our Cities, Tech Trends, Upcoming Events, ,
In these days of COVID-19 restrictions, work from home has never been more common. (Public Domain)

By WKTV Staff

ken@wktv.org

During the COVID-19 pandemic, two things have defined the American — and the world’s — job market: rampant unemployment and the explosion of work-from-home. That, and the already emerging changes due to interconnected world job markets and automation in the workplace, are profoundly changing the future of work.

 

So the World Affairs Council of West Michigan’s now virtual-only spring lecture series is perfectly timed as it looks at “The Future of Work” with three Tuesday evening lectures discussing the future workforce and workplace changes in a changing world.

“The Future of Work” series, presented in partnership with the Kent District Library, will start with the reality that “COVID-19 creates a ‘new normal’ in all aspects of our lives, including the economy and work,” according to World Affairs Council statement.

Set to start the series on Tuesday, April 14, Kristin Sharp, a partner with Entangled Solutions, out of Washington, D.C., will speak on “Global Trends Shaping the Future of Work”.

Following discussions will be April 21, as a panel led by moderator Attah Obande, “Director of Dream Fulfillment” at Spring GR, discuses “Entrepreneurs’ Experiences in the Changing Economy: Local Perspectives”.

Grand Rapids Community College President Bill Pink (GRCC)

Finally, on April 28,Dr. Bill Pink, president of Grand Rapids Community College, will discuss “Working Together for Growth in West Michigan: Industry and Education”.

The premier of each discussion will be 6:30-7:30 p.m. each Tuesday and can be attended for free via the World Affair’s Council’s YouTube page for an “interactive conversation” as there will be the ability to send questions during the live presentations. All the discussions will be available afterwards as archived videos.

“Globalization. Automation. Underemployment and the gig economy. What are the trends that have been shaping patterns of work?” the World Affairs Council states about the series. “How will government, industry, and educators respond to the new opportunities and challenges created by change? Just as importantly, how do people imagine new possibilities in their local roles as workers and citizens in a global and tech-driven economy, so that we can positively affect the future of work?”

Details of the discussion leaders

Kristin Sharp. (Supplied)

Kristin Sharp, as a partner with Entangled Studios, is “focused on building out the future of work, automation, and ed/workforce technologies portfolio,” according to her company’s webpage biography. Prior to joining the company, she co-founded the Shift Commission and launched the ShiftLabs and Work, Workers, and Technology projects at New America, examining the impact of automation and AI on the workforce. Earlier in her career, she worked in technology, innovation, and national security policy in the U.S. Senate, working in senior staff roles for senators and committees on both sides of the political aisle.

Attah Obande, of SpringGR. (Supplied)

Attah Obande works for Spring GR, “a grassroots business training experience that uses the business model canvas (think of it like a road map for starting a business) to help entrepreneurs develop their business idea or business,” according to the company’s website. Over the course of 12 weeks, the group brings people together in small groups, teach the business process, and provide coaching. … For two years following graduation, SpringGR “acts as a bridge to connect graduates to other resources throughout Grand Rapids to further grow and develop their businesses.”

For a WKTV story on SpringGR, visit here. For a WKTV video interview, visit here.

Dr. Bill Pink is the  tenth president of Grand Rapids Community College, starting in 2017. He has been an educator for over 25 years, including as Vice President for Academic Affairs at Oklahoma State University (Oklahoma City.) and he has taught and/or coached in Oklahoma, Nebraska, and Oregon. He has an Associate’s Degree from York College (Nebraska), a Bachelor’s from Oklahoma Christian University, a Master’s from the University of Central Oklahoma, and a Doctorate from the University of Oklahoma.

State of Michigan reports: State argues with feds over ACA; unemployment office offers advice

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The Michigan unemployment claim system is doing what it can, but those filing can help themselves as well. (State of Michigan)

By WKTV Staff

ken@wktv.org

The State of Michigan, like most governmental agencies, puts out press releases to media sources on a wide-range of issues almost daily. Some are important for the public to know; some are just routine governmental business. Some make the news and some do not.

We at WKTV have decided that in these times of COVID-19, of often-filtered news, we’d let the state departments say what they want to say to the pubic a little more directly. Following are links to State of Michigan releases from April 8 — with a little emphasis given by our staff on what we found interesting.

Michigan joins other state in urging feds to open ACA marketplace

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel recently joined 20 other attorneys general in urging the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and its Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to approve a special enrollment period on the official Affordable Care Act health care marketplace website during the current COVID-19 pandemic.

According to an April 8 statement from Nessel’s office, the attorneys general argue that the federal government is making a “shortsighted decision” to not provide the special enrollment period.

“At a time when so many Americans are facing uncertainty in every direction they turn, ensuring they have the opportunity to obtain health care coverage via a special enrollment period on healthcare.gov should be a major priority for the federal government,” Nessel said in supplied material. “Regardless of how this administration feels about the current structure of the Affordable Care Act, it is law and it provides health care services that millions of people need right now across this nation. The federal government should want to ensure all who live in this country have access to the care they need to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.”

Read the entire release here.

Michigan unemployment office: If you can file online, please do so

With huge numbers of workers applying for unemployment benefits, the Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) is adding staff and hours, and has nearly quadrupled staffing levels over the last several weeks. But like staying at home flattens the peak curve for medical providers, applying online takes strain off the unemployment system, according to an April 8 UIA statement.

“The UIA continues to provide emergency financial assistance during this unprecedented increase in unemployment claims,” Jeff Donofrio, director of the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity, said in supplied material. “We continue to ramp up our services to make sure every eligible Michigander receives their benefits as quickly as possible and we’re asking workers to please reserve the phone lines for those who cannot go online or are having trouble with their account.”

The best way to file a claim, according to the UIA statement, is online at Michigan.gov/UIA, where the process takes on average 20-25 minutes.

Read the entire release here.

Other April 8 releases, listed by headlines and with links, include:

Detroit police, Wayne County sheriff commended for ‘Stay Home, Stay Safe’ enforcement

How state is supporting guardsmen who are supporting the community

Kelloggsville, Godwin Heights school district voters to face ‘confusing’ ballot process in May

3-bottom, Area Education, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Education, Election, Going Local, Hard News,
The new State of Michigan Absentee Ballot return envelope. (WKTV)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org



Michigan’s Secretary of State’s office has announced that the coming May 5 ballot will “primarily” use a mail-in voting system by expanding the state’s existing absentee ballot process with all registered voters in areas set to vote being sent absentee ballot registrations.

In addition, according to a Secretary of State press release, it was announced that last week that Gov. Gretchen Whitmer had issued an executive order that will close all but one polling place — typically the clerk’s office — in each election jurisdiction to be used for in-person voting.

The Kent County Clerk’s office, which is responsible for voting processes in the county, is putting plans in place for handling the changes but the admits the state’s plans may be “confusing to voters and could jeopardize election integrity,” Lisa Posthumus Lyons, Kent County Clerk/Register, said to WKTV today, April 8.

None-the-less, Posthumus Lyons said “we are moving forward in Kent County, working with local clerks to ensure we have enough workers to staff the election, adhere to the CDC guidelines for the health of the public and our workers, and protect the security and integrity of the election.”

School leaders in Kelloggsville Public Schools — which along with Godwin Heights Public Schools are the only entities in Wyoming and Kentwood with funding measures on the May ballot — are also unsure how the changes will impact the public vote.

“First off, all of our thoughts go out to the families that have been impacted by this pandemic and hope that they are healthy as possible and are making it through these difficult times,” Eric Alcorn, auxiliary services director at Kelloggsville Public Schools, said to WKTV. But “we think anytime there is a major world/national threat, pandemic, disaster, a change in the economic outlook, there is a huge impact on elections.

“I am not sure if we have ever done an election entirely through absentee voting — we will have to wait and see on what kind of impact it will have. It will for sure be a learning opportunity for us.”

The Kelloggsville Public School District has an approximately $4.2 million, 10-year sinking fund millage proposal. Godwin Heights Public Schools has a $13,975,000 bonding proposal on the ballot.

“All I can say is that we are going to do the best we can to get the word out about the sinking fund, its benefits, and the opportunities we want to provide for our students, staff and community,” Alcorn said. “We are adjusting our plan to meet the stay-at-home orders and social distancing placed on Michigan.

“We have a small community and usually like to do a lot of our marketing face-to-face and by word-of-mouth through inviting them into our facilities and talking about proposals at events and activities. At the end of the day, we are committed to providing the best educational environment for our students that we can. The revenue generated from the sinking fund will go a long way in helping us achieve that.”

Kent County Clerk has some concerns

And while the Kent County Clerk’s office is preparing as directed by the state, the county leader is not entirely comfortable with the process mandated by the state.

“My primary concern with the May 5 Election is the safety of our clerks, election workers, and of course, the voters,” Posthumus Lyons said to WKTV. “While it would have been ideal for the school districts take advantage of the opportunities they had to move their questions to the August ballot, seven have opted to continue for May.

“I understand we face a time that requires making difficult decisions, but I am admittedly concerned with the action taken by the Governor and Secretary of State to address this May election because the process they’ve put in place is confusing to voters and could jeopardize election integrity, and I do not want this to set a precedent for how we conduct future elections in Michigan.”

The Secretary of State’s office, however, sees a primarily mail-in ballot in May as the best way to handle the voting.

“Elections are the foundation of our democracy, and our nation has a long history of holding them even in times of crisis and uncertainty,” Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson said in supplied material. “All election work will be done in strict adherence to the protocols to prevent coronavirus transmission, including exercising social distancing, using sanitary equipment, and maintaining strong hygiene.”

To encourage everyone who can to stay home and vote by mail, the state will mail absentee ballot applications to all registered voters, and all new registrations will be treated like an absentee ballot application, prompting the issuance of an absentee ballot, according to Benson’s office.

“Voters like voting by mail because it is easy, private, and can be done on their own timing and while researching issues and candidates at home,” Benson said. “It also eliminates the possibility of coronavirus transmission for the voter and, with simple precautions like gloves and social distancing, the election workers as well. Finally, voting by mail is absolutely secure, as the signature matching requirement is a built-in security check.”

According to the latest Secretary of State’s office direction, local city and township clerks’ offices will remain open through Election Day, enabling same-day voter registration and voting in person, including for people with disabilities who wish to vote using assistive equipment, and others to drop off their ballots if they forget to mail it in time.

Voter registration can also be done by mail or online at michigan.gov/Vote through April 20. Between April 20 and May 5, new registrations must be accompanied by proof of residence, which can also be submitted by mail or electronically.

More information on school ballot measures

For more information on the Kelloggsville Public School District funding request, see a story by our media partner School News Network.

For more information on the Godwin Heights Public Schools funding request, see a story by our media partner School News Network.

Cyber-scammers taking advantage of COVOD-19 online searches to steal identities

3-bottom, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Community Health, Crime Prevention, Hard News, Tech Trends, ,
Cybercrime is always a problem, but during current COVID-19 restrictions, scammers are taking special advantage of people searching the World Wide Web. (GVSU)

By WKTV Staff

ken@wktv.org

Online scamming is nothing new — according to the Federal Trade Commission the most common categories for fraud complaints in 2019 were imposter scams, debt collection and identity theft, with identity-theft linked credit card fraud reported by more than 167,000 people.

But in the current world of COVID-19 awareness, cybercriminals are targeting Americans who are working from home, and spending more time online, according to a story on consumeraffairs.com by Rob Douglas, identity theft protection contributing editor.

“The Federal Trade Commission advises consumers to be wary of cybercriminals exploiting coronavirus fears to steal personally identifiable information (PII),” the Consumer Affairs article states. “Financial information and medical information is especially sensitive right now.”

There is also an increased number of hackers creating malicious websites that spoof legitimate public health resources. For example, a link can seem like it should lead you to a map of “COVID-19 cases near me” could infect your phone or computer with spyware or ransomware.

For reliable information on COVID-19, the public is urged to to visit the Center for Disease Control (cdc.gov) or World Health Organization (who.int) for accurate, safe information about coronavirus trends and statistics.

According to Consumer Affairs, increasingly common COVID-19 scams include:

Fraudulent e-commerce vendors for masks, sanitizers and test kits.

Fraudulent investment sites.

Phishing and vishing through update emails, texts and voicemails.

Spoofed government and health organization communications.

Fake vaccines or “miracle cures”.

Scam employment posts.

Phony charity donation offers.

For the complete ConsumersAffairs.com article, follow this link.

Several healthcare plans available to Michigan residents out of work due to COVID-19

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Michiganders who have lost their job, resulting in a loss of their healthcare coverage or a change in income, may have low or no-cost healthcare options available. (Public Domain)

By WKTV Staff

ken@wktv.org

With many employers having laid off workers due to COVID-19 restrictions, many Michigan workers are now without employer-provided healthcare coverage. But the state’s Department of Insurance and Financial Services reminds people that government-supported plans are available.

Michiganders who have lost their job, resulting in a loss of their healthcare coverage or a change in income, may have low or no-cost healthcare options available through the Affordable Care Act (ACA; also called “Obamacare”) Marketplace, Medicaid, or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), according to State of Michigan guidance issued Tuesday, April 7.

And, the state points out, consumers in these situations are not required to wait for the yearly Open Enrollment Period and but should act quickly as there is a 2-month window for special enrollment.

“Michiganders who lose employer-based health insurance may have options to continue or replace their coverage,” Anita G. Fox, director of the Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS), said in supplied material. “If consumers have questions about enrolling, DIFS is available to assist.”

Consumers have 60 days after losing essential health coverage, such as through a job loss, or experienced a change in income to take advantage of a Special Enrollment Period. To determine eligibility, consumers should visit healthcare.gov.

Depending on income and their situation, consumers may qualify for cost sharing reductions, premium tax credits, coverage for their children (CHIP), or Medicaid. Consumers can contact DIFS toll free at 877-999-6442, or or email at DIFS-HICAP@michigan.gov, for assistance.

To read the entire State of Michigan press release on the issue, visit here.

For more information on coronavirus marketplace coverage visit here.