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My Town: Your masterpiece could grace the walls of the U.S. Capitol

Submitted by Anonymous on Monday, March 23rd, 6:00 am
My Town: Your masterpiece could grace the walls of the U.S. Capitol

GRANDVILLE, Mich.—Congressman Bill Huizenga is looking for student artwork to adorn the U.S. Capitol.

Now through April 17, high school students from the Second District are encouraged to submit their entries in this year’s Congressional Art Competition.  Each student may only submit one entry to Congressman Huizenga’s office, located at 4555 Wilson Ave. SW in Grandville.

"The Congressional Art Competition is an excellent platform for young artists to challenge themselves and explore their artistic ability as well as their creativity,” said Huizenga. “Students from across West Michigan have impressed thousands of visitors to the U.S. Capitol with their artwork and I cannot wait to see what this year’s competition has in store.”

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My Town: Wyoming to unveil plans for tornado-ravaged park Jan. 8

Submitted by Anonymous on Wednesday, January 7th, 3:30 pm
My Town: Wyoming to unveil plans for tornado-ravaged park Jan. 8

WYOMING, Mich.—The city of Wyoming will unveil its plans for a tornado ravaged park this Thursday, Jan. 8.

An EF-1 tornado hit Ideal Park in July 2014, destroying its playgrounds and about 98 percent of its trees.  Workers removed debris and repaired what they could before winter set in.

Wyoming’s Parks and Recreation Department worked with a consulting company to come up with a new master plan for the park, taking community ideas into account.  City officials will unveil the proposed master plan 6:30 p.m. Thursday at Ideal Park Christian Reformed Church Activity Center on 56th Street SW.  Those who cannot attend the meeting may send in written comments to the Wyoming Parks and Recreation Department at P.O. Box 905, 1155 - 28th St. SW, Wyoming, MI 49509 or may be emailed to Parks_info@wyomingmi.gov.  

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My Town: Judge Redford leaving 17th Circuit Court

Submitted by Anonymous on Friday, January 2nd, 9:45 am
My Town: Judge Redford leaving 17th Circuit Court

EAST GRAND RAPIDS, Mich.—The search is on for a new judge to preside over Michigan’s 17th Circuit Court in Kent County.

Chief Judge Robert Redford is leaving his post to become the chief legal counsel for the governor’s executive office.  Governor Snyder chose Redford to replace Judge Mike Gadola, who was recently appointed to the Michigan Court of Appeals. 

Snyder also named Rep. John Walsh his director of strategy.

“It’s essential to have such talented individuals who have a passion for helping the people of our state and the vision and expertise to craft policy and build relationships that will help us accelerate our state’s dramatic comeback and work to keep moving Michigan forward,” Snyder said. “I know I’ve found the right people in Rep. Walsh and Judge Redford.”

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My Town: Thirteen local lawmakers post perfect voting record for 2014

Submitted by Anonymous on Monday, December 29th, 10:05 am
My Town: Thirteen local lawmakers post perfect voting record for 2014

LANSING, Mich.—State Sen. Mark Jansen tops the list of West Michigan lawmakers who missed the most votes this year, according to the Missed Votes Report compiled by Jack McHugh, editor of MichiganVotes.org.

Jansen missed 46 votes between January and December of this year. The District 28 Republican represents a large portion of Kent County, including Ada, Algoma, Alpine, Cannon, Courtland, Grand Rapids and Plainfield townships, as well as East Grand Rapids, Rockford, Walker and Wyoming.

State Rep. Jon Bumstead, who represents Newaygo, Lake and Oceana counties, had the most missed votes among West Michigan lawmakers in the House, with 21 this year.  

Three senators and three representatives missed 50 or more votes this year.  The top offenders were Rep. John Olumba of Detroit, with 233 missed votes, and Sen. Bert Johnson of Detroit, with 187 missed votes.

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My Town: Bottoms up! Kent District Library serving a second round of KD aLe

Submitted by Anonymous on Thursday, December 4th, 9:59 am
My Town: Bottoms up! Kent District Library serving a second round of KD aLe

KENT COUNTY, Mich.—Kent District Library is ordering a second round of its popular series for beer lovers.

KD aLe will return Monday, Dec. 8 with a home brewing workshop by Edward Long from Siciliano’s Market.  Long will outline the basics of brewing during his visit to the Sand Lake/Nelson Township branch.  The home brewing workshop schedule is as follows:

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My Town Wyoming: City closes in on medical marijuana business ban

Submitted by Anonymous on Tuesday, December 2nd, 4:01 pm
My Town Wyoming: City closes in on medical marijuana business ban

WYOMING, Mich.--  The City of Wyoming is one step closer to keeping medical marijuana dispensaries out of the city.

During their Monday night meeting, city council members unanimously approved language to change the city's zoning ordinance to coincide with a ban on medical marijuana "provisioning centers."

The city council previously approved the actual medical marijuana ban based on concerns that a medical marijuana business could increase in crime, blight and costs to the Wyoming Public Safety Department.

Click here for a copy of the city's approved marijuana ordinance.

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My Town Wyoming: Determining the future of a tornado-ravaged park

Submitted by Anonymous on Monday, December 1st, 8:00 am
My Town Wyoming: Determining the future of a tornado-ravaged park

WYOMING, Mich.—This week, community members will weigh in on new plans for a Wyoming park destroyed by a tornado nearly six months ago.

On July 6, an EF1 tornado carved a path through Byron Center, Wyoming, Kentwood and Grand Rapids, battering homes and businesses and causing catastrophic damage to Ideal Park.  City officials say the twister destroyed the park’s playgrounds and ripped apart nearly 98 percent of its trees. Since then, city workers have begun the long process of removing the debris and making repairs. Now city leaders are looking to community members to help shape a new master plan for the park.

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