The Red Hawks hosted two meets last week. On Tuesday, April 30, the team competed against Greenville and Ottawa Hills in a steady rain. The girls lost to Greenville 61-57 and defeated Ottawa Hills 100 to 36. The team’s OK White record is 1 and 3.  

On Saturday, May 4, was the 24^th Red Hawk Invite. The team scored 682.5 points in the unique team-scoring format to place fifth out of nine teams.

Outstanding performances for the week: 

Tuesday against Greenville and Ottawa Hills

*Lily Howland first overall 800-meter run.

*Carolanne Merlington first overall and Tonya Tepin second overall in the 1600-meter run.

*Izzy VanDusen first overall and Paige Marsman second overall 3200-meter run

*4 x 800-relay team of Marjorie Hosking, Kristen Parker, Quinn Priolo, and Jade Yowtz first overall

*Ariana Meyers first overall Shot Put and Discus

*Alyssa Detweiler first overall High Jump

*Julia Danielson first overall Long Jump

Medal Winners Saturday:

*Julia Danielson second Long Jump

*Ariana Meyers second Shot Put

*Grace Sova third Pole Vault

*Avery Rugg fourth 100 High Jump

This week the team traveled to Lowell to compete against Lowell and Northview on Tuesday May 7, and then on Friday, May 10, thet go to historic Houseman Field for the OK White Conference Meet. Field events start at 4:15 and Running Events start at 5:00.

By Judy Reed

A groundbreaking was held Tuesday, April 30, on the new Holiday Inn Express & Suites at 14190 White Creek Avenue. Construction is set to begin on Monday, May 6, on the four-story, 76-room hotel.

Belmont Lodging announced plans last summer for the hotel. They said that market demand in northern Kent County and the understanding of the positive economic influence of a hotel motivated local investors to pursue the project.

On-site amenities will provide guests with a complimentary hot breakfast, free high-speed Internet access, an exercise room, indoor pool, and outdoor patio. The hotel’s location and easy access to downtown Grand Rapids will provide both corporate and leisure travelers a small town alternative when visiting the area.

They expect it to bring about 20 jobs to Cedar Springs. Construction is expected to be completed in mid-March 2020.

By Judy Reed

Residents in the Tri County Area Schools district will head to the polls on Tuesday, May 7, to vote on a $37,020,000 bond proposal to help create a community campus.

The voters defeated a similar proposal in November. So what’s different about this one? According to information found on their website, they listened to the voters. 

“Feedback from the community was that the 1.0 mill increase was too high and they wanted to see more of the dollars go toward education. The November 2018 proposal of $40,785,000 was then reduced to the new $37,020,000 for the May 2019 (bond proposal),       reducing the tax contribution from homeowners by 75 percent and saving $3.7 million,” they said.

The new proposal is a .25 (one quarter) of a mill increase over what they currently pay. The owner of a home with a market value of $100,000 and a taxable value of $50,000 would see a $12.50 annual increase.

They also reduced the project in scope to cut costs. They moved the high school auxiliary gym to the new elementary, combining the functionality and space of both an elementary and auxiliary gym at a fraction of the cost. They also eliminated the new parking lot by the football field, decided to keep the softball field in its current location.

Based on voter feedback, the May 2019 proposal is focusing more on educational opportunities, and will pay for long-term capital projects, such as a new elementary school, building expansions, and classroom remodeling. This would require an expected 4.631 mills to be levied over 25 years. The ballot proposal focuses on three main areas: Community Coming Together for Kids, Improving Educational Opportunities for Kids, and Capital Improvements.

Community Coming Together for Kids

*Community Campus with a new K-5 Elementary school

*New cafetorium that provides an 800-seat auditorium for student and community use (plays, concerts, events). This space will also function as a cafeteria.

*Upgrades to Middle School and High School classrooms and furniture

*Additional gym space for school and community use

Improving Opportunities for Kids

*Upgrades to Science labs and equipment

*Science Technology Engineering Arts and Math (STEAM) program supports (examples; computer sciences, robotics, 3D printers, media)

*Elimination of bus hub and improved bus routes to reduce student ride time

*Improved utilization of District-wide services to better meet the needs of each child (social work, nurse, speech/language, etc.)

Capital Improvements

*Security enhancements

*Interior upgrades

*Elementary playground upgrades (age appropriate)

*Addition of sidewalks to create community walking paths

*Energy efficiency improvements

*Field improvements

If the bond proposal passes, construction would start on the new elementary school in 2020.

For  more information, visit http://tcbond.info.

By Tom Noreen

On April 12, members of Cub Scout Packs 3220 and 3222 plus Scouts BSA Troop 222 met at the Cedar Springs Rod and Gun Club to honor the second year Webelos Scouts who had earned their Arrow of Light and were joining Troop 222. 

Scoutmaster Craig Pellerito began the ceremony by comparing the Troop and two Packs to the Three Fires confederacy made up of the Michigan  Ojibwa, Odawa, an Potawatomi tribes. They spoke a common language and shared many beliefs and customs. They were a family just as our Packs and Troop are a family celebrating the accomplishments of the Arrow of Light scouts tonight. 

Cubmaster Carl Prowant than told a story about Cub Scouts climbing a mountain with the help of the Lion, Tiger, Wolf, Bear and Webelos I Scouts. Each group of Scouts would make it up the mountain a little farther each year until they made it to the top as Arrow of Light Scouts.

Pack 3222 Cubmaster Christi Velting told them, “The Arrow of Light is the highest award in Cub Scouting and only one that a Scout can take with him into a Boy Scout Troop. The arrow leads the way to Boy Scouting and the seven rays of the sun represent the seven days of the week and the seven virtues, which guide the Scouts.”

Chris Stump, Committee Chairman for Pack 3220 then called the Arrow of Light recipients forward and said, “Scouts, you have been called before the Pack because you have satisfied all of the requirements to cross into Boy Scouts. The arrow presented to you represents your unique journey through Cub Scouts.”

Arrow of Light Den Leaders John Elam of Pack 3222 and Tony Caruso of Pack 3220 then presented Arrow of Light Scouts Marcus Caruso, Gabriel Schimm, Brayden Fletcher, Logan Redes, Ethan Hess, Brenden Johnson, Noah Prowant, John Elam III, Justin Tompkins, Travis Velting, Pheonix Spitler, Jonathon Greenhoe, James Harroun, and Ryland Magoon V with their Arrow of Light Plaques.

Scoutmaster Pellerito and Senior Patrol Leader Ben Barber conducted the Crossover ceremony with the help of the other Scouts of Troop 222. As the Arrow of Light Scouts crossed over a bridge, their Cub Scout epaulets and scarves were replaced with Boy Scout epaulets and scarves.  As they reached the other side of the bridge, Troop 222 congratulated them on their accomplishments and welcomed them into the Troop.

There scouts will now begin their journey to the next mountain top as they strive earn the rank of Eagle.

Nolan Russo and fellow Boy Scout Ben Barber, from Troop 222, spent their Saturday collecting food donations for Hand2Hand Ministries. Hand2Hand is a community outreach working to ensure children within Cedar Springs Public Schools have enough to eat outside of school hours. Currently, this ministry is feeding approximately 120 children every week. They send the children home on Fridays with a backpack full of food for the weekend.

If you would like know what their needs are, you can check the website at csministerial.org. Food needs are updated daily. Food can be dropped off at Hilltop any weekday from 7 a.m.-4 p.m. (there’s a Hand2Hand cart right inside the main door). If you have any questions or would like to volunteer in some way, please contact Pastor Craig Owens through email at craigtowens1@gmail.com or give him a call at  (616) 667-7773.

Deputies from the Mecosta County Sheriff’s Office arrested three men from Chicago on Saturday, April 27, for passing counterfeit bills in Big Rapids Township and the City of Big Rapids. Similar crimes may also have been committed in Kent County and the City of Kalamazoo.

According to police, the men purchased items at Jimmy John’s, the Shell Gas Station, Bob Evans, Wesco Gas, and Dunhams Sports. They all purchased small items with counterfeit one hundred dollar bills, and received a large amount in change. Several counterfeit $100 bills and over $1,500 of real currency were confiscated from the three men and their vehicle.

All three men were arrested and lodged on Felony charges at the Mecosta County Jail by Deputies and officers from the Big Rapids Department of Public Safety.

On Monday April 29, the three men arrested for Passing Counterfeit Bills and Criminal Enterprise were arraigned in the 77th District Court. Charged were Charles Bradley Winston, 18, of Chicago; Demetrius Dontae Taylor, 24, of Chicago; and Derick D. Taylor, 27 of Chicago. Winston and Demetrius Taylor were being held on a $150,000 cash/surety bond. Derick Taylor was being held on a $200,000 Cash/Surety bond.

Further investigation from April 10-27 revealed that at least 10 times the suspects victimized the Big Rapids area, stealing from seven different businesses. Detectives are working with the U.S. Secret Service and have now been in contact with Kent County and the City of Kalamazoo detectives in reference to similar crimes committed.

Area libraries celebrated poetry month with poetry workshops throughout the month and culminated in a poetry reading at the Kent Theatre Tuesday evening April 30.

Cedar Springs and Kent District Library branches (Nelson/Sand Lake, Spencer, Kent City/Tyrone) partnered for the event.

According to Cedar Springs Public Library Director, it was a smaller, more intimate event than was last held in 2011, with 12 readers taking the stage to read either their own poetry, or a poem they liked. Several read poems written by George Hesley, who recently passed away and had been looking forward to the event.

“It was personal and beautiful,” noted Clark.

Clark hopes that a poetry reading at the Kent can become an annual event.

In game one of a three game series with Forest Hills Central, sophomore Bryce Marvel threw a great game earning a 4-1 victory. In his brilliant complete game he struck out 5 and walked none while allowing only 2 hits.

At the plate the Hawks totaled 13 hits, led by seniors Peyton Newman and Dylan Williams who had three each. Thomas Reed and Bryce Marvel each had two each, while Trevor Reed, Nathan Draper and Connor Ellison each added one apiece.  

Game two started out with Seth Biggs throwing 2 excellent innings. However, in the third inning, the wheels came off and the Hawks committed 7 errors that allowed the Rangers to score 12 unearned runs.  

The struggles continued at the plate as the Red Hawks were only able to manage four hits. Newman led the team with two. Ellison and Trevor Reed each had one hit as well.  

In game three the boys struggled to get things going at the plate. The lackluster game totaled only four hits. Bryce Marvel had a double and a single, while both Trevor and Thomas Reed had a single. The final score was 9-0.  

Sitting at 6-6, Coach Glyshaw said he is happy with the boys’ overall attitude but they need to play clean baseball to beat good teams. 

This week they play another three game set, this time against Northview, and wrap up the week with a double header against Big Rapids.  

By Judy Reed

Laughter filled the air as kids scrambled over the lawns at Solon Center Wesleyan Church last Saturday, April 20, excitedly picking up colorful plastic Easter eggs filled with goodies. It was a beautiful day for the event, with over 650 people attending the church’s annual Easter Eggtravaganza.

According to Kathy Mabie, Administrative Assistant at Solon Center Wesleyan, located on Algoma Avenue, just north of 19 Mile Rd, they have always had an Easter Egg hunt, but in 2009 it changed to an Easter Eggtravaganza. This year was the biggest one yet, with 10,000 plastic eggs filled with candy. Last year they did about 7,500.

Over 50 volunteers manned the event, which featured three hunts, bounce houses, balloons, face painting, free hot dogs, chips, and water, the Solon Fire Department, Rockford Ambulance, Michigan State Police with fingerprinting, and more. The Kent County Sheriff’s Office K-9 unit was scheduled to be there, but the dog had to work that day, explained Mabie. At the end of the hunt, they gave away two girls bikes and two boys bikes, several Easter baskets, and gift certificates.

Mabie said it wasn’t just the kids and parents that had a good time. Their volunteers had a blast working the hunt and interacting with everyone.

“We do this solely to serve our community and break down the barriers of people coming to church. We want to show the love of Christ to our community,” she remarked. 

By Judy Reed

“You never think it’s going to happen to you. But it’s going to happen again. It’s always someone else’s community, and then someone else’s community, until it’s not.”

Those words, paraphrased from a video of a parent at Sandy Hook Elementary asking people to be ready and help it stop, were a stark reminder to those attending the CRASE event Tuesday evening at Cedar Springs High School that a shooting can take place anywhere, at any time. Another event will held tonight, Thursday, April 25 at 6 p.m.

School Resource Officer Deputy Tom McCullough, of the Kent County Sheriff’s Office, gave an informative presentation Tuesday evening outlining how people can prepare for a high stress event, such as a shooting or a fire. “It’s about having a plan. If you go into a place, and something bad happens, it’s about knowing ahead of time what you can do. It’s to educate you so you are empowered,” explained McCullough.

Between 2000 and 2014, there were 179 shootings in public places. 

McCullough also encouraged parents to talk to their kids and convince them to tell if they know anything. “Before all of these shootings, someone knew about it,” he said.

He instructed people to always look for the various exits when they go anywhere—every time. And if they hear or see something happening that shouldn’t be, to get out quickly. “If you hear a loud noise, don’t walk toward it to find out what it is,” he said. “You leave.”

He also told parents that if the school is in lockdown and a parent gets a call from their child about it, they should NOT go to the school. He explained that there would be cops from all over the county on scene quickly and that they are there to neutralize a threat, not apprehend someone. “And we don’t know who you are,” he remarked. He noted that there would be a reunification spot and that parents would be notified.

McCullough added that if you are ever in a situation or come up on a scene where there is an active shooter, to do exactly what the police tell you. “If they tell you to put your hands up, you put them up. If they tell you to get on the ground, you get on the ground.”

McCullough went through several video clips of various situations and the circumstances and talked about what people did and what people can do in such an event. But the main thing is having a plan, so you don’t freeze during an emergency. You need to plan to flee, and if you can’t, to fight. “Your life is not expendable,” he said. 

If you missed Tuesday’s event, there is an event tonight, Thursday, April 25 in the auditorium at Cedar Springs High School. If you cannot attend, the Kent County Sheriff’s Office has been offering other CRAS Events throughout the county. Check out the events on Facebook. You can also go to http://www.avoiddenydefend.org and watch a video about surviving an active shooter event.