GRAND RAPIDS (WZZM)- One of West Michigan's largest construction companies is marking half a century in business with a new charitable initiative.

This morning Erhardt Construction owners unveiled a plan to donate $50,000 in construction work and cash to non-profits in Kent and Ottawa...more Counties. Any non-profit can enter the contest by filling out an application on Erhardt Construction's website before June 12, 2012. The winner will recieve $45,000 in construction and four runners up will receive cash prizes of more than $1,000.

"Our hope is to reach non-profits that have challenges getting funding for their facility improvements that they need done. I think a lot of the work that happens in these non-profit organizations is done in conditions that could really benefit from our expertise," said Ben Wickstrom with Erhardt Construction.

The company has built some of Grand Rapids' most iconic structures including the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel, the Van Andel

UPDATE 12:00 p.m. (WZZM)- Traffic is moving once again on the South Beltline in Kent County after a serious crash this morning.

Kent County Sheriff's Deputies say around 7 a.m. an SUV hit the back of a westbound semi near Broadmoor. Aero Med transported the driver of the SUV to...more Spectrum Health.

Westbound M-6 opened around 9:45 a.m.

UPDATE 9:45 a.m. (WZZM)- The Michigan Department of Transportation says all lanes of M-6 are now open.

GAINES TOWNSHIP, Michigan (WZZM)- Emergency crews are responding to a crash at M-6 and East Paris Avenue in Gaines Township.

Westbound M-6 is closed because of the crash. It happened shortly after 7 a.m.

Police radio traffic indicates an AeroMed medical helicopter is taking an injured person from the scene. But, Kent County Dispatchers don't have specific information about injuries.

WZZM 13 News has a crew on the scene and will have more information when it become available.

GRAND RAPIDS (WZZM) - Get out your bikes, walking shoes, or even rollerblades.

The Greater Grand Rapids Bicycle Coalition has declared this Active Commute Week, and the week of perfect weather lends no excuse not to take part if you live relatively close to work.

Coalition...more Director Tom Tilma says the latest figures from 2010 show nationally, .5 percent of people commute to work.

In Michigan, .4 percent of Grand Rapids residents commute, compared to 3.1 percent of Ann Arbor residents.

Tilma's goal is to get the greater Grand Rapids area up to 2 percent in the next few years. He hopes his coalition's ambitions will become reality with help from the city.

The City of Grand Rapids recently installed bike lanes on Plymouth Avenue. Bike lanes will also be added on Burton Street.

The city manager also has plans to add 27 miles of bike lanes in one year, starting in July.

The Greater Grand Rapids Bicycle Coalition is

MUSKEGON HEIGHTS, Mich. (WZZM) - Muskegon Heights Public Schools Emergency Manager (EM) Don Weatherspoon issued layoff notices to 158 employees of the district effective Friday, June 8. Staff were handed a letter as they left work today.

The letter cited "urgent financial...more circumstances surrounding the district."  The district is approximately $12 million in debt.

In the letters, Weatherspoon wrote that he "regretted the uncertainty which results from the notice..." but that the "action is being taken to provide the flexibility required to accomplish the reorganization of the School District." 

Teacher aides, support staff, and some administrators received layoff notices. Some administrators and teachers were given notices of non-renewal which refer to their individual employment contracts. According to Weatherspoon the intent of both letters is the same, but employment laws require the different wording.

Representatives from Michigan Works

June 8 (Friday), 7:00 – 11:00 pm
This casual outdoor fundraising event has been dubbed the “best party in town” and this year will be no exception!  Be one of the first to enjoy the all new Idema Forest Realm, funicular (tram), and the new Bissell Tree House.  Dance to the high energy...more sounds of the Sun Messengers, cash bar, gourmet food stations provided by the area’s top caterers, and – as always – a chance to be in the Zoo in the evening!  Tickets are $75 (available online here) or $150 for special pre-VIP party. Call (616)336-3036.

By Joe Boomgaard

COOPERSVILLE — Companies looking for a model of how to maintain a highly skilled workforce might turn to the example set by an unlikely source, at least in West Michigan: a skilled trade union.

When Ryan Bennett, business agent of the West Michigan Plumbers,...more Fitters and Service Trades Local #174 based in Coopersville, hears companies complaining about the struggles of finding talented workers, he said he can’t help but notice that most of those companies don’t take an active role in developing their current and future workforces.

“We’ve kept an eye on the industry and stayed on top of where it’s going and figured out ways to teach our workers,” Bennett told MiBiz.

Through apprenticeship programs and continuous training, licensing and certification offerings, the plumbers union...

...READ MORE

Visit http://www.sanjuandiegoacademy.com/ for additional information.

Please click here to read a letter from Superintendent Paskewicz concerning KINDERGARTEN 2012-2013.  Northview residents, please contact your elementary principal with questions.  Schools of Choice applicants, please contact Kathy Maas ( kmaas@nvps.net or 363-6861) with questions.

Decades ago, well before televisions, computers and video games, the radio was the main form of home electronic entertainment.  Families gathered each evening to listen to the latest news about their community, interspersed with music and local advertising.  Often it was the main connection to...more the outside world.  1930’s Lowell, MI, epitomized this image with its extended rural community and tight-knit family connections.

Grand Rapids-based Celtic band, KinFyre, perfectly captures Lowell’s past in their live theatre/musical production, “KinFyre – Old-Time Radio Show Reenactment” coming to Larkin’s Other Place in Downtown Lowell  Friday and Saturday evenings, June 1 and 2.  Written by band member Brian Whittemore, the audience will enjoy watching actors Glen and Julie “listening to the radio” and dancing to the music of KinFyre, all in their Lowell “home”.   Reserve seat tickets to the family-friendly event are $21 for dinner & theatre or $10 in advance for show only/$12

Preparations are underway for the annual Rockford Farmers Market which will open on June 2nd.
Kim McKay organizes the market for the city. McKay tells WZZM 13 that she received inquiries asking if the market would open early this year because of the warmer weather, but her answer was...more no.
McKay says one change this year is that daily vendors need to be pre-approved if they want a space at the market. You can call McKay at 866-1537 for more information.
McKay says she has talked to farmers who are concerned about the availability of apples, cherries and peaches this year because of the early growing season and hard freezes, but we will all have to wait to see what the farmers bring to market.
The Rockford Farmers Market will be open Saturdays from 8am to 1pm, from June 2nd through October.
You can find more information at Rockford.mi.us.

From: http://www.kalamazoocity.org
Beginning Thursday, May 17, 2012 Kilgore Road between Manchester Road and Sprinkle Road will be limited to one lane in each direction. On Saturday, May 19, 2012 at 6:00 a.m. this section will be completely closed to traffic until Monday, May 21, 2012 at...more 6:00 a.m. to allow a contractor to install a fire protection water line.
Starting Monday, May 21, 2012, construction crews will start work to replace damaged sidewalk on Westnedge Avenue between Kalamazoo Avenue and Dunkley Street. During construction, there will be single lane closures during the day. Access to all businesses and residences will be maintained. Construction is planned to be completed by Friday, June 29, 2012.

MUSKEGON HEIGHTS, Mich. (WZZM) - Three Muskegon Heights School Board members have resigned after the Emergency Manager overseeing the district changed their roles from "board members" to "advisors" and "ambassadors."

Dr. Donald Weatherspoon, the Emergency Manager appointed by Governor...more Rick Snyder, made the order to change the board members roles late Tuesday.  Today, Board President Avery Burrel, Vice President Ronald Jenkins, and Treasurer Ivory Morris resigned.

Burrel stated in a press release, "Back in December when we as a board came to understand the magnitude of our debt, we set aside our personal pride to ask the state for an Emergency Manager. Now it's time for us to allow Dr. Weatherspoon to complete the task he is charged with. We want it to be clear to this community that the EM has full authority over this district."

Burrel has served on the Muskegon Heights Public School Board for the past 11 years.

"We are in effect passing the

MUSKEGON HEIGHTS, Mich. (WZZM) - The emergency financial manager at Muskegon Heights Public Schools is arranging an online auction with the proceeds used to pay down district debt.

District employees are determining what items they no longer need. Next week an auction company will...more begin photographing and organizing the surplus equipment and supplies.

The online auction is expected to vary from furniture to electronics. An auction date has not been set. One district employee applauds the efforts to secure the district's future.

"A year from now, I hope things will not be like they are right now," said Mary Brown. "I know it will take time, but it will work its self out."

The schools district is $12 million in debt. Future online auctions will sell the remaining contents of three closed elementary schools.

"Not in my backyard, you won't" is often the public outcry when homeowners are approached about utility work inside of near their property lines.  In Alpine Township, residents living near Strawberry and York Creeks have been nothing short of cooperative and helpful  as aging sewer trunk lines...more along those creeks are being replaced with new ones.  We appreciate all the cooperation that is being received despite the inconvenience that it is causing many of our home...

...READ MORE