Page 22 - 02 3 News Today

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced last week it awarded Kent County and the City of Grand Rapids nearly $8.5 million to protect children and families from lead-based paint and other home health hazards. Kent County received nearly $2.5 million from the Lead Hazard Reduction Capacity Building Grant and the City of Grand Rapids received $6 million from the Lead Hazard Control Demonstration Grant to identify and address lead-based paint hazards in homes. Additional...

U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development State Director for Michigan Brandon Fewins last Wednesday joined Isabella County community leaders in celebrating a ground-breaking ceremony for its new public safety facility. “Many rural communities are burdened with outdated buildings and ageing civic infrastructure,” said Fewins.  “This investment demonstrates how USDA can work with our partners to create new, modern facilities, increasing accessibility and public safety...

Limited tickets remain for the Ferris State University Bulldog Athletics Hall of Fame induction ceremony, which will take place on Wednesday, Aug. 30, on the FSU campus. Seven former standout student-athletes representing six different sports programs comprise the star-studded Ferris State University Bulldog Athletics Hall of Fame Class, which was originally voted in back in 2020 before COVID-19 forced the cancellation of the event. The 2023 class, which will represent the school's 13th cla...

Open Arms Child Advocacy Center is inviting the public to have fun, enjoy terrific music and help fight child abuse and neglect at a dueling pianos fundraiser on Saturday, Sept. 9. The event is from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Big Rapids Eagles #2535, 18361 16 Mile Road Big Rapids, MI 49307. “Open Arms Child Advocacy Center is thrilled to invite everyone in our community to show their support in the fight against child abuse and neglect,” said OACAC Executive Director La...

At 8:11 PM, the Kent County Sheriff's Office responded to a head-on crash near 18 Mile Rd. and Harvard Ave. Initial information shows that a Mitsubishi Eclipse lost control on the roadway crossed the center line and struck an Audi SUV. The driver of the Mitsubishi was a 22-year-old Gowen man who was transported to the hospital with serious injuries. His front-seat passenger was a 21-year-old Gowen woman who was found deceased. In the rear seats were a 1-year-old girl and...

The Michigan Department of Transportation announced there will be continued construction coming up in White Cloud. Daily work, from 7 A.M. to 5 P.M., will include lane closures for tree work scheduled through Sep. 1 on M-20 (Baseline Rd) between M-37 and Beech Road.  This work is weather dependent. See map below for more. *Image provided by MDOT.

Monday, August 14 An officer conducted a wellbeing check on an 80-year-old female. She was okay and with family. Officers took a report of threats. The matter is under investigation. An officer was dispatched to a location to assist with a semi that ran off the road to avoid a collision. An officer responded to a call for a man walking very close to traffic. The 71-year-old man was arrested on two outstanding Mecosta County warrants. Tuesday, August 15 An officer responded to a call from so...

Ferris State University’s new $5.5 million Early Learning Center will feature enhanced educational opportunities for students and additional learning outcomes for children in care.  A ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new facility on the west side of the Big Rapids campus is planned for 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 23. The public is welcome.  Lori Johnson, the Early Learning Center manager, is enthusiastic about moving operations into the new facility, located at 1310 Cramer Drive, in...

Admitted Ferris State University students ready to begin classes this fall for the 2023-24 academic year can still be a Bulldog. Ferris State is hosting a late orientation session from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 24, in the David L. Eisler Center. Assistant Director of Orientation Emily Hicks said Ferris State is ready to welcome new and transfer students admitted to the university for a brief and direct morning schedule. “We are excited to connect with this group of incoming Bulld...

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) announced last Thursday it has renewed Medicaid enrollment for more than 121,000 people whose eligibility was up for redetermination in July. The number of renewals demonstrates the success of the department’s efforts to make sure Michiganders who receive health insurance coverage from Medicaid and the Healthy Michigan Plan are aware of the need to fill out enrollment paperwork. “Our staff and valued partners continue to do...