Makes other improvements

Cedar Springs Mobile Estates, located near the intersection of 18 Mile and N. Main Street, donated $1,000 to Cedar Springs Public Schools earlier this week to help the school with their summer food program.

But, according to Caitlin Marvin, property manager at the park, that’s just one of the things that they’ve done to help boost their image and make the place a better place to live for residents. “Our park has completely changed over the past few years. Our community has grown so much. We have such wonderful people here and we couldn’t be happier to where our community is heading. The managers here have worked their tails off to get where we are today!” she said.

The CSME is owned by Suzie Becker and run by her son Justin and daughter Stephanie. The improvements they’ve made are aesthetic, social and financial.

Improvements you can see include putting in 17 new homes since 2018; they are also upgrading their office along with the homes in the park, new roof, new sign, and landscaping. They are also putting in a garden for their community. 

“The garden is going to be at the Carol circle,” explained Marvin. “We are starting with benches and picnic tables, flower beds etc. We are planning on building raised garden beds to plant veggies and fruits for the people in our community. We will provide the seeds/plants each year and all residents are welcome to help Ranee and I tend the garden.” 

They are also helping residents financially. Marvin said they have been selling homes to the residents as opposed to just leasing. “If they purchase, their payments go down dramatically,” she said. They also do the financing for them.

They have also helped residents during the COVID-19 pandemic. Marvin noted that they have bought food and gift cards for residents to make sure no one goes hungry; and they have gotten residents help with rent and utilities. They also scour the internet for jobs and send that out to the residents to help them in their job search.

And it’s not just the park management helping residents. The residents in the park step up to help each other as well. “Our community has been wonderful to each other, especially through this pandemic. “They have been helping each other with meals and groceries, checking in on one another, and helping keep yards clean and mowed for one another,” explained Marvin. 

Why the donation to the school? “We are trying to partner with other organizations such as the school to help not only our residents but the community of Cedar Springs as well. I believe being a bigger part in Cedar Springs is definitely helping set our standards higher and higher. We are proud of our progress and we want others to be proud to have Cedar Springs Mobile Estates in their town.” 

For more info on Cedar Springs Mobile Estates go to

https://cedarspringsme.com or email cedarspringsmhe@gmail.com.

The 19-year-old parents of a four-month-old boy were arrested and charged with child abuse after they took him to the Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital and workers there found the baby had two broken legs, multiple bruises, and a healing fracture on one of his arms.

The hospital then called the Kent County Sheriff Department to investigate.

The parents have been identified as Jonathan Michael McKinnon, 19, and Kelsey Marie Long, 19. The baby was reportedly injured on or around January 17 at their home in Cedar Springs Mobile Estates.

McKinnon reportedly told detectives that he may have picked the boy up too hard by his legs. Court records show he was irritated at the time.

Detectives found that Long saw bruises on the baby but did not want to go to the hospital. McKinnon reportedly texted Long and suggested they take the baby to the hospital, but she responded no, saying he had too many bruises.

When investigators tried to get her phone at the hospital, she reportedly disobeyed commands and ran into the bathroom.

McKinnon was charged with first degree child abuse and bond was set at $50,000. He has since bonded out. Long was charged with fourth degree child abuse, and obstructing a police officer. Her bond was set at $5,000, and she has also bonded out.

A petition has been filed to terminate the parents’ rights and a hearing has been scheduled for next month.

Captain David Kok, Road patrol commander with the Kent County Sheriff’s Office (left) presents Deputy Todd Frank with a Life Saving award for his rescue of an 11-year-old from a fire. Photo courtesy of Deputy Ryan Morin.

by Judy Reed

Kent County Sheriff Deputy Todd Frank received a Life Saving award last week for his rescue of an 11-year-old from a mobile home fire last summer.

Frank was sitting in his cruiser filling out a report in the North Park lot on July 22, 2017, when a woman came running up to his cruiser yelling that there was a fire in a trailer in Cedar Springs Mobile Estates (which abuts the parking lot he was in) and that people were still inside. Frank ran towards the area and could see smoke coming from the area. He alerted dispatch to send the fire department.

Frank said it was chaotic when he arrived on the scene at 336 Carol St.

“I started herding people together as swiftly as I could. It was a family of five, including a newborn,” explained Frank. A woman was trying to go back in the back door and there was heavy smoke rolling out. I grabbed her and told her she couldn’t go back in. She said her 11-year-old son was in there.”

The medal Deputy Frank received with his Life Saving award. Post photo by J. Reed.

The boy had reportedly been outside but gone back in to get a pet.

Frank went to the front door to try to get in, but a sofa was blocking his way. “The fire had started in the air conditioner, which caught the curtains on fire, then spread to the sofa, and they had tried to throw the sofa out the front door but it got stuck,” he explained.

Frank then found a window and smashed it and began yelling for the boy. He saw the boy run past then disappear in the smoke. “He was scared. I was afraid he was going to get smoke inhalation,” remarked Frank.

When the boy ran by again, Deputy Frank reached inside and grabbed him and pulled him outside.

“I did what any deputy would do under those circumstances,” he said. “Any of us would do the same thing.”

Frank was pleased that the story had a happy ending. The whole family, including the pets, got out safely. But that hasn’t always been the case at the fires that Frank has gone to.

Frank has been with the Kent County Sheriff’s Office for 22 years. But before he went to the Sheriff’s Office, he spent a few years with the Cedar Springs Police Department. His first week on the job, in the early 1990s, he went to the scene of a fire in the same mobile home park. He tried to save a baby that was inside. “She was already gone,” he said sadly. He wasn’t injured but was treated for smoke inhalation.

During his last week with the Cedar Springs Police Department, there was another fire in Cedar Springs Mobile Estates. This time two people died in the fire.

“For a long time I would hear a fire tone and just feel sick to my stomach,” he said.

During his tenure with the KCSO, Frank has been a school resource officer in Kent City, done community policing, served on road patrol in the Cascade area, and a myriad of other duties.

But serving here in Cedar Springs is like coming home.

“It’s been great for me. I already know a lot of people; the generations might be new, but the families are the same,” he remarked. He likes that it’s more rural. And since he lives in the area, he is serving his own community.

This is not first time Frank has been recognized for an action. He and another officer tackled a suicidal subject who was going to jump off the overpass on M57 that runs over US131. He received a commendation for that, too.

According to the Life Saver award for the fire rescue, “It was the quick and decisive actions by Deputy Todd Frank that ultimately saved the young boy’s life.”

But Frank doesn’t take all the credit for the fire rescue. “The fire department did a great job of putting the fire down,” he said. “I was just in the right place at the right time.”

Congratulations, Deputy Frank! Thank you for all that you and your fellow deputies do to keep our community safe.

Kent County Sheriff Deputies responded to a stabbing in the 400 block of Sarah Street Friday morning, November 3. Post photo by J. Reed.

Tyler John Bouwens has been arrested on domestic assault charges.

A Cedar Springs man underwent surgery Friday morning after he was reportedly stabbed with a knife during a domestic assault. On Saturday, he was arrested.

According to the Kent County Sheriff Department, they were dispatched to a call about 7:30 a.m. Friday, November 3, on a stabbing that occurred in the 400 block of Sarah Street, in Cedar Springs Mobile Estates. When deputies arrived they found Tyler John Bouwens, 25, of Cedar Springs, with a stab wound in his upper torso. He was transported by ambulance to Butterworth Hospital where he underwent surgery.

Detective Joe Abram told the Post at the scene that they had people in custody but the investigation was not complete. 

According to a news release issued by the KCSD, police spoke to two people near the scene, and detectives later interviewed them at the Kent County Sheriff Department. They were then released.

According to a family friend, Bouwens was assaulting his ex-girlfriend, and threatening to kill her and their children and blow up their mobile home. The friend said that another family member of the woman reportedly stabbed him to get Bouwens off of her. Just prior to the incident, another male at the scene was also reportedly assaulted by Bouwens.

The friend said that the police had also escorted Bouwens out the day before for threatening the woman.

The KCSD Scientific Support Unit and a KCSD K-9 deputy also responded to the scene. Also assisting on scene was the Cedar Springs Fire Department and Rockford Ambulance. 

Bouwens was arraigned on Sunday, November 5, and charged with interfering with a 911 call; then on Monday, November 6, he was charged with one count of domestic violence; one count of assault and battery; and one count of assault/resist/obstructing a police officer. His bond was set at $10,000 cash/surety. As of Wednesday evening, November 8, he was still in custody at the Kent County Correctional Facility. According to police, no other charges will be brought against anyone in the case.

Kent County Sheriff Deputies responded to a stabbing Friday morning, November 3, in the 400 block of Sarah Street in Cedar Springs Mobile Estates. Post photo by J. Reed.

A Cedar Springs man underwent surgery this morning after he was reportedly stabbed with a knife in a domestic assault.According to the Kent County Sheriff Department, they were dispatched to a call about 7:30 a.m. Friday, November 3, on a stabbing that occurred in the 400 block of Sarah Street, in Cedar Springs Mobile Estates. When deputies arrived they found an adult male with a stab wound to his upper torso. The male was transported by ambulance to Butterworth Hospital where he underwent surgery.

Detective Joe Abram told the Post at the scene that they had people in custody but the investigation was not complete.

According to a news release issued by the KCSD, police spoke to two people near the scene, and detectives later interviewed them at the Kent County Sheriff Department.

The KCSD Scientific Support Unit and a KCSD K-9 deputy also responded to the scene. Also assisting on scene was the Cedar Springs Fire Department and Rockford Ambulance.

The event is still being investigated by detectives and deputies. Additional details will be released after further investigation.

The Cedar Springs Fire Department responded to possible structure fire at 341 S. 5^th Street, near Pear Street, on Monday, Sept. 25, just before 9 p.m. Both Cedar Springs and Sand Lake were toned out on the call.

According to Cedar Springs Fire Chief Marty Fraser, the owner had put it 99 percent out with a fire hose. Fraser said some of the plastic siding was melted, and there was a charred exterior wall and railing. The air conditioner was also ruined.

Fraser said they believe the air conditioner shorted out and started the fire, but they don’t know what caused it to happen.

That’s the second air conditioner to catch fire in two months. The other fire occurred in Cedar Springs Mobile Estates in July.

Smoke and flames were coming out the door when firefighters arrived on the scene of a fire at this mobile home last Saturday, July 22. Post photo by J. Reed.

By Judy Reed

A polyester afghan sealing off a window around an air conditioning unit caught fire last weekend in a mobile home in Cedar Springs Mobile Estates.

According to Cedar Springs Fire Chief Marty Fraser, they received the call at 11:07 a.m., Saturday, July 22, for 336 Carol Street. When they arrived on scene at 11:11 a.m., smoke and flames were coming out the front door. And by 11:14 a.m., they had the fire out.

“We had a good response time, and it was a quick knockdown,” reported Fraser.

He said that the fire was contained to the sofa area in the living room. The air conditioner was above it, with the polyester afghan around it to seal the window. Fraser said that the afghan was brittle and stiff, and that the heat from air conditioner started it on fire, which then started the sofa on fire.

The damage to the home was mainly smoke and water damage.

The Kent County Sheriff Department was on scene and helped evacuate the family, which consisted of a mom, dad, and three children, including a six-week-old  baby. Several animals were also evacuated safely.

The family was renting the home, and had no insurance. Red Cross was called in to help render aid.

Sand Lake Fire was automatically toned out for mutual aid, but then told to disregard, as was Rockford Ambulance.

This mobile home in Cedar Springs Mobile Estates was destroyed by fire on Friday, March 25.

A mobile home fire broke out on Linda Street in Cedar Springs Mobile Estates shortly after 10:30 a.m., on Friday, March 25. Post photo by J. Reed.

By Judy Reed

Two families lost their home last Friday, March 25, when a fire broke out shortly after 10:30 a.m. on Linda Street in Cedar Springs Mobile Estates.

According to Cedar Springs Fire Chief Marty Fraser, the Cedar Springs Fire Department was on scene within seven minutes of getting the call, and it took 20 to 30 minutes to knock it down.

He said the fire started in a bedroom, though the cause is undetermined.

Two adults and two children were home at the time of the fire, and everyone got out safely. A 21-month-old reportedly had some minor burns to the chest and index finger, and was treated at the scene.

The home is reported to be a total loss.

This home was a total loss. Photo by J. Reed.

Photo by J. Reed.

By J. Reed

A Cedar Springs family made it to safety early Tuesday when their mobile home caught fire on the coldest night of the year.

According to Cedar Springs Fire Chief Marty Fraser, the call came in at 2:11 a.m., on January 5, for a home at 365 Sarah Street, in Cedar Springs Mobile Estates. Fraser said that the homeowner got up during the night and saw smoke, and was able to get his wife and dog out.

Fraser said that the fire started in the hot water heater/furnace room area, but they do not yet know the cause. He said the fire was mostly contained to the room of origin, but some flames, smoke, and heat escaped to other areas. He said that due to the age of the home, it was probably a total loss. “There was some structural damage,” he explained. He added that the home was insured.

The fire did not reach a cargo van parked in the driveway, nor a shed that was next to the home.

The home did have two operating smoke detectors, which Fraser said were going off when they arrived on scene. “Unfortunately some flames that spread across the ceiling melted them,” he said.

The Sand Lake Fire Department assisted Cedar Springs at the scene.

Fraser said that it took about 20 minutes to get the fire knocked down, and a total of 2-1/2 hours before they cleared the scene. “The cold temperatures factored into the cleanup,” said Fraser, who explained that hoses stuck to the ground, and one was impossible to fold. “The cold also takes its toll on the firefighters,” he said. Temperatures dipped to about 10 degrees overnight.

Fraser said that the couple has family in the park that they are now staying with.

The fire is still under investigation.

By Judy Reed

A routine sewer system flush in May reportedly caused an overflow at a local mobile home park earlier this week.

According to Heather Smith, assistant manager at Cedar Springs Mobile Estates, on 18 Mile Road, the flush last month caused a blockage, and resulted in sewage leaking into storm drains. “It started about 3:30 p.m. Monday,” she explained.

Smith said that a plumber was called in to clear the blockage, and the storm drains were pumped Wednesday. “It was taken care of by today (Wednesday) at noon,” she said.

Smith noted that residents were notified, and both the Department of Environmental Quality and the Kent County Health Department were alerted. The Health Department was on scene Tuesday, and the DEQ was there Wednesday.

Steve Kelso, with the Kent County Health Department, confirmed that there was a sewer overflow. “DEQ is the lead investigator on the case, but if an overflow is not contained, the Health Department has the authority to take samples of adjacent waterways,” explained Kelso. He said that they confirmed the overflow on Tuesday, and took samples from Cedar Creek on Wednesday, before the leak was contained.

He expects that the results will be back sometime Thursday, June 4.

The Post was unable to reach the specific DEQ investigator on the case by press time, and expects a call from them on Thursday.

Kireonta Devonne Hale

Keenan James Gosselin

Keenan James Gosselin

Three teens were arraigned Wednesday, April 15, in 63^rd District Court for robbing an elderly woman in Cedar Springs Mobile Estates last month.

According to Sgt. Jason Kelley, of the Cedar Springs Unit of the Kent County Sheriff Department, deputies and detectives responded to the 300 block of Allan St, located in the Cedar Springs Mobile Estates, on a report of an Unarmed Robbery. A 70 year old Greenville woman was assaulted and items stolen from her person. The suspect fled the area and an investigation ensued.

Through the investigation, detectives were able to identify three suspects believed to be involved in the planning and execution of the robbery. On April 14, 2015, Kent County Sheriff Department Deputies and Detectives arrested Kevin Charles Decanter, 18; Keenan James Gosselin, 18; and Kireonta Devonne Hale, 17, all of Cedar Springs.  They were arraigned Wednesday on charges of unarmed robbery, conspiracy to commit robbery, and using a computer to commit a crime. Bond was set at $25,000 for each of them.

By Tom Noreen

Victoria Merlington, (owner of The Barn Vintage Décor and Consignment shop), and 35 volunteers brought “The Light of Christmas” to the residents of Cedar Springs Mobile Estates on December 14. Hundreds turned out as the group treated the community to a live nativity, a chili bar with macaroni and cheese, lasagna, and cookies galore. Teachers led the singing of Christmas Carols. Care packages of food were passed out to the elderly that couldn’t make the event and gifts were given to all of the kids.

Both community members and businesses offered donations of money, food, gifts, and volunteers and time to make this 1st annual Light of Christmas possible. Over 450 gifts were collected.

With the success of this event, that of putting a smile on a child’s face and showing them the love of Christ, Victoria is planning an Easter event as well and some summer events as well. She said, “Our plan is to continue loving on this neighborhood.”