GRAND RAPIDS PRESS WIRE

Lowell

Lowell High graduate Ted Leonsis named chairman of the NHL Board of Governors

Ted Leonsis, a 1973 graduate of Lowell High, has been unanimously elected chairman of the National Hockey League's Board of Governors, replacing Boston Bruins owner Jeremy Jacobs after 19 years in the role.

Grand Rapids Press Wire|September 25, 2026|2 sources
Rockford

78-Year-Old Rockford Motorcyclist Hospitalized After T-Bone Crash on U.S. 131

A 78-year-old Rockford man was hospitalized with serious injuries after being T-boned by a Jeep Cherokee at the intersection of U.S. 131 and 14 Mile Road on Wednesday. Michigan State Police are investigating.

2d ago|Grand Rapids Press Wire|2 sources
East Grand Rapids

Michigan Removes 20,000 Names From Sex Offender Registry After State Supreme Court Ruling

Following a Sept. 9 Michigan Supreme Court ruling that barred retroactive registration requirements, Michigan State Police removed more than 20,000 names from the state sex offender registry, cutting the list nearly in half. The decision is drawing attention to a Hudsonville resident who learned a registered offender nearby was not listing his address.

September 19, 2026|Grand Rapids Press Wire|4 sources
Ada

NRA Inspection at Ada Township Shooting Range Leaves Neighbor Concerns Unresolved

A court-ordered NRA inspection of the Kent County Conservation League's shooting range in Ada Township praised some efforts but made only recommendations, leaving long-time resident concerns and the township's call for additional review unresolved.

September 19, 2026|Grand Rapids Press Wire|1 source
Byron Center

Byron Center man arrested for driving 158 mph on US-131 near Grand Rapids

Michigan State Police say a 23-year-old Byron Center man was arrested early Wednesday after being clocked at 158 mph on southbound US-131 and found with a loaded firearm in his vehicle.

September 19, 2026|Grand Rapids Press Wire|2 sources
Comstock Park

Mill Creek Tavern in Comstock Park Faces Foreclosure Over Unpaid Property Taxes

The long-running Mill Creek Tavern at 3874 West River Dr. NE could lose the property it sits on in 2027 if unpaid property taxes totaling nearly $45,000 are not settled, court documents and Kent County Treasurer records show.

September 19, 2026|Grand Rapids Press Wire|1 source
Walker

Walker to Hold Open Houses on Proposed 1.75-Mill Public Safety Levy Ahead of November Ballot

The City of Walker is hosting a series of open houses this month so residents can learn about a proposed 1.75-mill public safety millage that will appear on the November 3 ballot. The levy would fund renovations to all three fire stations, a new police facility, and additional officers and firefighters.

September 18, 2026|Grand Rapids Press Wire|2 sources
Grandville

Grandville Man Arrested in String of Peeping Incidents Near GVSU

A 34-year-old Grandville man was arrested on Thursday after a yearlong investigation into a series of window-peeping and home invasion incidents at off-campus housing near Grand Valley State University in Allendale Township.

September 18, 2026|Grand Rapids Press Wire|2 sources
Kentwood

Kentwood Fire Chief Brent Looman to Retire After 35 Years of Service

Kentwood Fire Chief Brent Looman announced his retirement after more than three decades of service to the community. His final day will be January 8, 2027, and the city will begin searching for his replacement this month.

September 16, 2026|Grand Rapids Press Wire|3 sources
Grand Rapids

ArtPrize 2026 Returns to Grand Rapids Sept. 18: A Look at What Is Planned

ArtPrize returns to Grand Rapids Sept. 18 through Oct. 3, transforming the city into a free, citywide gallery. This year's edition features a record 1,025 works from 1,142 artists across 159 venues, with $375,000 in grants and awards up for grabs.

September 15, 2026|Grand Rapids Press Wire|3 sources
Jenison

Two Unity Christian Graduates, Isaac TeSlaa and Hayden Large, Land on NFL Rosters

Two former Unity Christian High School football players are now on NFL rosters after helping the Crusaders win the school's first state championship. Isaac TeSlaa plays wide receiver for the Detroit Lions and Hayden Large is a tight end for the Chicago Bears.

September 15, 2026|Grand Rapids Press Wire|1 source
Grand Rapids

Cedar Springs marching band's "Easy Goin'" show brings New Orleans to the football field

The 147-member Cedar Springs High School Marching Red Hawks debuted "Easy Goin'," a New Orleans-inspired field show, at halftime of the Red Hawks' season opener against Zeeland West.

September 11, 2026|Grand Rapids Press Wire|2 sources
Grand Rapids

Man Charged With Murder in Caledonia House Fire That Killed His Father

Tom Chehowski III, 54, was upgraded from first-degree arson and assault with intent to murder to a murder charge after his 77-year-old father died from injuries sustained in a June 28 house fire in Caledonia Township.

September 10, 2026|Grand Rapids Press Wire|2 sources
Grand Rapids

Rockford School Board Censures Trustee Over Anti-Muslim Email to District Employee

The Rockford Public Schools Board of Education voted Tuesday to censure Trustee Dr. Barbara Helms after she sent an email to a district employee questioning alleged ties to the Muslim Brotherhood, a message the board found offensive, unwelcome, and race-based.

September 10, 2026|Grand Rapids Press Wire|3 sources
Grand Rapids

East Grand Rapids City Commission Moves Forward on Zoning Appointment, New Ward 3 Voting Location and Other Routine Items

At its September 8 regular meeting, the East Grand Rapids City Commission voted on a slate of routine items including a Zoning Board of Appeals appointment, a final reading of new street planting sightline rules, a temporary Ward 3 polling location at the Community Center for the November 3 General Election, a one-year renewal of the Aquinas College pool contract, a three-year tree planting contract, and a one-year water main rehabilitation contract with Corby Energy Services.

September 10, 2026|Grand Rapids Press Wire|2 sources
Grand Rapids

Ada Township plans $9.5 million bond for new government hall

Ada Township is moving forward with plans to issue up to $9.5 million in capital improvement bonds to fund construction of a new 18,300-square-foot township hall at 7171 Headley St. SE, across the street from Amway on Fulton Street.

September 9, 2026|Grand Rapids Press Wire|2 sources
Byron Center

Bull Euthanized After Escaping Trailer on US-131 Near Byron Center, Trampling Woman During Capture Attempt

A bull that escaped a livestock trailer on northbound US-131 near 76th Street in Byron Center was euthanized Tuesday after deputies could not safely contain it. The animal trampled a woman who was attempting to help capture it.

September 8, 2026|Grand Rapids Press Wire|3 sources
Comstock Park

Comstock Park Tavern Mill Creek Has Its Liquor License Suspended Over an Unpaid Fine

The Michigan Liquor Control Commission has suspended the liquor license of Mill Creek Tavern in Comstock Park for 30 days after the business failed to pay a court-ordered fine and bounced payments to a wholesaler and the state.

September 8, 2026|Grand Rapids Press Wire|4 sources
Walker

Walker's Green Orchard Shopping Center, Home to Kohl's and Hobby Lobby, Listed for $38.92 Million

The 30-acre Green Orchard Shopping Center near Alpine Avenue NW and I-96 in Walker has been listed for sale at $38.92 million, a substantial jump from its 2019 price.

September 8, 2026|Grand Rapids Press Wire|1 source
Grandville

Grandville's The Dungeon Bar Shuts Its Doors Temporarily, Less Than a Year After Reopening

The Dungeon, Grandville's medieval-themed bar and restaurant, has closed temporarily less than a year after a $1 million renovation and grand reopening. Former staff say they were locked out of work accounts without warning and point to financial struggles, while ownership says the pause follows its executive chef's departure.

September 7, 2026|Grand Rapids Press Wire|2 sources
Kentwood

Two Grand Rapids Men Charged in Kentwood Shooting That Killed Juan Cisneros, Third-Generation Tire Shop Owner

Isaiah Guerrero faces an open murder charge and Oscar Lagunes-Munoz faces a lying-to-an-officer charge in connection to the death of 25-year-old Juan Cisneros, who ran the family Cisneros Tires business for over three decades.

September 6, 2026|Grand Rapids Press Wire|2 sources
Grand Rapids

Kent County Prosecutor Drops Felony Charge in Viral Grand Rapids Arrest After Body-Camera 'Quota' Comments

Kent County Prosecutor Chris Becker has dismissed the felony charge against Emran Sharifi, a 21-year-old whose June arrest by Grand Rapids police went viral, citing body-camera remarks by an officer about working toward a 20-arrest weekend goal.

September 4, 2026|Grand Rapids Press Wire|2 sources
Jenison

Jenison Splash Pad to Remain Closed Through Winter After Lightning Damage

The splash pad at Maplewood Park in Jenison will stay shut for the rest of the year after a storm on Aug. 31 damaged its electronic control unit, with repairs not expected until next spring.

September 4, 2026|Grand Rapids Press Wire|2 sources
Cedar Springs

Cedar Springs Sheriff Sergeant Leaving for New Grand Rapids Role

Kent County Sheriff's Sergeant Jon Paulson is departing his role overseeing the Cedar Springs unit to take a new supervisory position with the Community Policing Department in downtown Grand Rapids.

September 3, 2026|Grand Rapids Press Wire|1 source
Caledonia

Caledonia Township Approves $127,900 Project to Remove Deteriorating 1950s Causeway From Shiawassee River

Caledonia Township has approved a $127,900 grant-funded project to remove an abandoned 185-foot causeway from the Shiawassee River, improving fish passage, recreational access, and public safety for the region.

September 3, 2026|Grand Rapids Press Wire|2 sources
Lowell

River Trail Triathlon Raises $2,222.52 for Lowell Youth Mental Health

Proceeds from the fourth annual River Trail Triathlon in Lowell will fund counseling and mental health programs for students in the Lowell Area Schools district, organizers said.

September 3, 2026|Grand Rapids Press Wire|1 source
East Grand Rapids

East Grand Rapids Parents Pledge to Delay Smartphones and Social Media for More Than 600 Kids

A growing parent-led initiative in East Grand Rapids, called "It Takes a Village EGR," now represents more than 600 children in a voluntary pledge to hold off on smartphones until high school and social media until age 16.

September 3, 2026|Grand Rapids Press Wire|2 sources
East Grand Rapids

East Grand Rapids Residents Push for Fresh Start After Court Halts Gaslight Village Development

One week after a Kent County judge ruled that a protest petition from nearly 1,500 East Grand Rapids residents was valid, nullifying the city commission's earlier approval of the Gaslight Village development, neighbors are calling on commissioners to start over and seek a unanimous plan.

September 2, 2026|Grand Rapids Press Wire|2 sources
Ada

Ada Opens 15-Acre Covered Bridge Park With First Public Splashpad

Ada Township officially opened Covered Bridge Park, a 15-acre riverfront destination along the Thornapple River that brings the community's first public splashpad, two pickleball courts, a playground, a kayak launch, and a new pedestrian bridge.

September 1, 2026|Grand Rapids Press Wire|2 sources
Byron Center

Byron Center Bible Church damaged by early morning fire as congregation vows to rebuild

A fire before 4 a.m. Monday destroyed the gymnasium at Byron Center Bible Church and caused extensive smoke and water damage throughout the building. No injuries were reported, and the congregation plans to rebuild.

September 1, 2026|Grand Rapids Press Wire|1 source