Residents asked to name resort in new contest

By Judy Reed

What do you think of when you want a vacation away from home?

Palm trees? Check.

Huts with thatched roofs? Check.

Drinks with cute little umbrellas? Check.

Sparkling blue water? Check.

Sunny skies and sandy beaches? Double check?

Erupting volcanoes? Well maybe not that. At least not erupting, anyway.

But there will be all the rest of it and more in the new beachfront resort to be built here, right in your own backyard!

Yes, you heard right. Developers have been planning this little getaway paradise for some time and are now ready to reveal what residents can expect from this new venture.

“Money! That’s what residents can expect—a large influx of cash to Cedar Springs businesses,” explained Doan B. Levitt, president, of BeachResorts R Us. “This resort will attract not only people from the state of Michigan, but from all over the Midwest.”

According to Levitt, the resort will be built on the west side of the White Pine Trail, at the end of Second Street. It’s a great location that offers access to the Heart of Cedar Springs Park, the Cedar Springs Brewing Company, and many other shops and restaurants along Main Street.

The resort will utilize the fresh spring water to create a beautiful lake (complete with wildlife), surrounded by a sandy beach, lawn chairs, your own private hut with hammocks, a bar, and a five-star restaurant featuring fish caught fresh from Cedar Creek. A ring of man-made mountains, including a volcano, will encircle the resort to give the guests some privacy to help them feel cozy in their home away from home.

“The volcano isn’t real but will rumble from time to time help it feel more authentic,” said Levitt. “We even have some fake lava planned to shoot out once in awhile. We haven’t gotten it to work right in simulations (it melted one of the huts), so we’ve asked some middle school students to help us figure out what we’re doing wrong and to make us the best volcano ever.”

What about entertainment? Nightly luaus and pirate raids (led by city officials and business owners dressed as pirates) will offer some entertainment for guests.

But what about sunny days? How can they guarantee that?

Levitt said that the entire resort will be covered by an invisible dome that will generate its own sun, blue skies, and keep the temperature at a balmy 85 degrees.

“It’s a win-win for everyone,” remarked Levitt. “I know it might seem like the we’ve jumped the shark a little bit here, but we haven’t. And we wouldn’t. That great white you’ll see swimming in the lake is not something to be messed with. He can be friendly, but when he’s hungry, all bets are off.”

One thing the beachfront resort is lacking, however, is a name. What do you think would be a good name for the new resort? They are having a contest to decide, and the person whose winning entry is chosen will win a one-week stay at the resort and be King or Queen of the luau while there. Hopefully they won’t be asked to walk the plank!

If you’d like to enter a name for the resort, just call 1-800-April-fools!

The Kent County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a bomb threat that closed Cedar Springs Public Schools Thursday.

According to press release from the school, officials there received a bomb threat by email just before school started on Thursday, March 11. They said the message indicated a threat at Cedar Springs High School. “Staff took immediate action to ensure all students and staff who were in the building were quickly moved to secure locations. Students who had not yet entered the building remained in their cars or on their school buses.  As a precautionary safety measure, all schools on the Cedar Springs Public Schools Campus were immediately closed for the day.”

The Kent County Sheriff’s Office immediately responded to the scene, and the Michigan State Police Canine team came in to help with a sweep of the building. They confirmed the building safe at 11:20 a.m.

“Now that we have determined that our campus is physically safe, our focus will be to support our students and staff from an emotional perspective and to find the person who is responsible for calling in the bomb threat,” said Supt. Scott Smith. 

“Our team of highly trained mental health providers is working on a plan to support students and staff upon re-entering school on Friday, March 12. We are committed to creating safe and secure environments, both physically and emotionally, for all who enter our schools.”

“When crisis situations arise, our team turns to our safety protocols and ongoing training.  The teamwork of our students, parents, Cedar Springs Public Schools staff and administration, local law enforcement agencies, and community partners, is critical to a positive outcome and calm spirit.  The District is appreciative of the cooperation from families as the emergency protocols were put into place. Their calm response and trust helped keep students and employees safe.”

The Kent County Sheriff’s Office will continue to investigate the incident.
Anyone with information regarding this incident or any potentially threatening situation at the school is encouraged to contact the Kent County Sheriff’s Office at 616-632-6100, school administrators, or Silent Observer at 616-774-2345. Always call 911 in an emergency.

A 34-year-old Cedar Springs man drowned Saturday on the Muskegon River, in Mecosta County.

According to the Mecosta County Sheriff’s Office, they were dispatched to the boat launch on 205th Ave south of Hayes road, in Mecosta Township, about 6:42 p.m. Saturday, August 22, for a boating accident/drowning.

Deputies learned that Daniel Cyranoski, a 34 year-old man from Cedar Springs, was the only occupant of the boat when it flipped over while traveling down the Muskegon River. He was seen wearing a life jacket, which was reported to have come off during the incident. The victim was seen swimming towards shore when he went under the water and did not come back up. 

The Mecosta County Dive Team was activated and searched the water for several hours before stopping for the evening. It was reactivated about 6:30 a.m. Sunday, August 23, for recovery purposes. 

Deputies utilized a side scan sonar with the assistance of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources-Law Division. Officers identified a possible location of the boater in approximately 10 feet of water, approximately 25 yards from the boat wreckage. The Mecosta County Sheriff’s Office Dive Team was assisted by members of the Newaygo County Sheriff’s Office Dive Team and the body of the 34-year-old missing boater was recovered about 8:24 a.m. His body was then turned over to the Medical Examiner to complete their investigation.  

Mecosta County Deputies were assisted by several agencies both Saturday and Sunday, including The Mecosta Township Fire/Rescue; Mecosta County EMS; Newaygo County Sheriff’s Office; Mason County Sheriff’s Office; Big Rapids Department of Public Safety – Fire Division; Big Rapids Township Fire and Drone team; Mecosta County Hovercraft Team; Mecosta County Sheriff’s Office Marine Patrol; Mecosta County Sheriff’s Office Posse; Chippewa Fire; Department of Natural Resources; Morley Fire; Morton Township Fire; Newaygo County Dive Team; and Newaygo County Marine Patrol. 

by Judy Reed

The City of Cedar Springs is ready to start the formal conversation on what types of recreational marijuana businesses might be allowed in the City, and want the citizens to be a part of it. The public is invited to a forum on Thursday, March 5 from 5:30-6:30 p.m. at the Cedar Springs Public Library to learn about the first draft of the ordinance and to give their input.

According to City Manager Mike Womack, the draft of the ordinance is not really a recommendation, just a place to start. The City Council will review it and the public’s comments as well before making a decision.

This is only a draft and not the final policy.

1. The City of Cedar Springs would allow the following recreational marijuana establishments:

a. Marijuana Growers-all license types (from 100 to 2,000 plants)

b. Marihuana Processors (converts marijuana from growers for sale in retail locations)

c. Marijuana Retailer (operates stores for purchase of processed marijuana)

d. Marijuana Safety Compliance Facility (tests marijuana for contaminants)

e. Marijuana Microbusinesses (a smaller, self-contained business allowed to grow, process and sell the products from a maximum of 150 plants)

f. Excess Marijuana Grower (a license issued to a person holding 5 Class C marijuana grower licenses and licensed to cultivate marijuana and sell or otherwise transfer marihuana to marihuana establishments). 

2. They would not allow the following:

a. Marijuana Secured Transporter (they may operate within the City but may not establish any place or parcel in the City as a base of operations as either a primary or accessory use on that property)

b. Marijuana Event Organizer

c. Temporary Marijuana Event

d. Designated Consumption Establishment

e. Any other marijuana establishment or license not specifically permitted under Part 1 above.

The ordinance also explains they will allow an unlimited number of licenses and where those various businesses can be located.

The Cedar Springs City Council wants to hear citizen input on this issue. Please plan to attend the public forum at the library on March 5^th, or the March 12^thor April 16^thCity Council meetings. You can also e-mail the Council members via their email, listed on the city’s webpage at https://cityofcedarsprings.org/city-council/. Just click on the name of the Councilperson you’d like to email, or e-mail the City Manager (manager@cityofcedarsprings.org) who will then forward your comments to all members of the City Council.

Read a draft of the City’s proposed ordinance at https://cityofcedarsprings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Rec-MJ-Proposal-2-26-2020.pdf. It will tell you what zones the various businesses can be located in.

The City’s zoning map can be found at https://cityofcedarsprings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/8A-Cedar-Springs-Zoning-Map2020.pdf

Who to contact to open a recreational marijuana business

Before contacting the City about opening a business, you need to get a license from the State of Michigan through the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) www.michigan.gov/lara. And unless you already have a medical marijuana license, your choices on what type of recreational marijuana business you can open will be limited, at least until 2021. 

According to Michigan’s law, only three business types are currently available to those that do not already have a medical marijuana license. Those three are:

*A Class A grower (up to 100 plants allowed, $4,000 license fee, must be a Michigan resident); 

*A microbusiness (a smaller, self-contained business allowed to grow, process and sell the products from a maximum of 150 plants, $8,000 license fee, must be a Michigan resident); and a

*Safety compliance facility (tests marijuana for contaminants, $25,000 license fee). 

Those limitations expire in December 2021.

If you are already prequalified for a medical marijuana license, you could apply for licenses such as Class B and C grower; processor; retailer; and secure transporter.

The cost to submit an application for a recreational marijuana business (with no guarantee a license will ultimately be issued) is $6,000. (That is above the annual licensing fee listed above). The application fee is non-refundable and offsets the cost for LARA, the Michigan State Police (MSP), and/or contract costs for investigative services for conducting the background investigation of those applying for licenses.

Once a business is approved, the licensing and renewal fees range from $1,000 for a marijuana event organizer to $40,000-plus per year for large-scale processors and growers.

Applicants must also have a $100,000 liability and bodily injury insurance policy.

Once you have qualified at the state level, then you can talk to the City about the type of business you want to start and where. There may be a fee there as well.

Review the rules at https://www.michigan.gov/documents/lara/Adult_Use_Marihuana_Establishments_659804_7.pdf.

Steve F. Lang 57 of Cedar Springs, died Sunday, February 9, 2020 at his home. Steve was born May 11, 1962 in Angovleme, France. He served his country in the U.S. Coast Guard from 1981 – 1985. He was an electronic technician for the U.S. Post Office working for 38 years. He loved hunting, fishing and his family. Surviving are his wife, Becky; children, Stephane (Ashlee) Lang, Stephanie Lang; grandson, Carter Lang; father, Doug Lang; brothers and sister, Brad Early, Tony Early, Debbie Olin. He was preceded in death by his birth parents, Nathan Early and Yvonne Lang. A visitation will be held Saturday, February 15 from 2-4 p.m. at the Bliss-Witters & Pike Funeral Home, Cedar Springs. The time will conclude with military honors by the Kent County Veterans Honor Guard.

Arrangements by Bliss-Witters & Pike Funeral Home, Cedar Springs

The Cedar Spring Girls Basketball team finished off a 2-0 week Friday (2-7) with an impressive 55-50 win over league leading Forest Hills Northern. 

In their first meeting in early January, the Red Hawks dug themselves a hole falling behind 14-2 before battling back and giving themselves a chance to win late in the game. This time however, the game stayed neck and neck throughout and the Red Hawks made plays down the stretch to come away with a hard fought victory.

Cedar Springs held a 16-13 lead after the first quarter behind a trifecta of three-pointers from Darrah Miller, Kaelyn Colclasure and Avery Sparling.  Senior Kyla Andres added a pair of buckets to lead the Red Hawks in quarter one.  

FH Northern responded in the second outscoring Cedar Springs to tie the game 28-28 heading into halftime. Maggie Prins scored 4 points in the quarter.

Cedar Springs responded in the third outscoring Northern 12-9 to take a three-point lead into the final quarter.  Northern had built a 4 point lead halfway through the quarter, but the Red Hawk defense stepped up in the second half of the period. Arianna Rau scored a pair of baskets in the quarter to lead the balanced scoring attack.  

The game remained tight throughout the fourth quarter. Sparling knocked down a three-pointer with 5:54 remaining to give the Red Hawks a 4-point lead. Sparling hit another long jumper and a layup by Andres pushed the lead to 5 points with 2 minutes remaining. Cedar Springs made 8 straight free throws down the stretch to come away with the 55-50 victory.

Sparling led a balanced scoring attack with 15 points and 7 rebounds. Miller added 9 points and 5 assists, Andres put in 8 points, Rau added 7 points and hauled in 10 rebounds, Colclasure finished with 7 points, and Prins scored 6.

On Tuesday (2-4) the Red Hawks welcomed Mona Shores to town. Another close game, Cedar Springs won 38-34.

A low scoring first half saw the Red Hawks fall behind 13-14 at halftime. Prins scored 5 points in the opening half and Miller and Rau put in four apiece to lead the team through 16 minutes.  

Cedar Springs used pressure defense to jump on Mona Shores in the third period outscoring the Sailors 15-8 in the period. Sparling and Rau scored 5 points apiece to lead the Red Hawk scoring attack.  Cedar held a 28-22 lead after three quarters.

Mona Shores would not go away however and kept the game close in the fourth quarter. Big three pointers by Colclasure and Sparling kept the guests at bay and Cedar Springs was able to hang on for the victory.

Rau led the Red Hawks with 11 points and 7 rebounds followed by Sparling with 8 points, while Miller and Prins scored 6 points each. Prins added 6 rebounds and Colclasure dished out 6 assists on the evening.

Cedar Springs is 10-5 on the season and 4-3 in conference play. The Red Hawks were at home again on Tuesday (2-11) where they hosted FH Central in another battle against a league leading team. See that story in next week’s paper.

Sean Murphy, of Cedar Springs, sent us this photo of his son, Zachary, age 11, reading the Cedar Springs Post. 

“He likes to read the paper with his chocolate milk,” wrote Sean. 

Thanks so much, Sean, for sending us the photo! We are glad he likes to read the Post!

What about the rest of you? How do you like to read your Post? Let us know! Send us an email telling us, and include a photo of you reading the Post. We will print as space allows. Send to news@cedarspringspost.com, or message us on Facebook.

Edward Jones is collecting food now through Nov. 21

Would you like to have a chance to really make a difference in the community?

Buy a few extra items when you buy groceries this week to donate to the local food pantry and drop them off at our local Edward Jones branch.

The Cedar Springs Community Food pantry, located at the Cedar Springs United Methodist Church on Main Street, works in conjunction with North Kent Community Services. The pantry feeds hundreds of local families each year, and depends on the community to help restock their shelves, especially during the busy fall and winter months.One local business spearheads a drive each year to do just that.

Edward Jones, 4027 17 Mile Road, Cedar Springs, hopes to collect 2,500 pounds of food for the pantry before November 15. They didn’t make their goal last year, so let’s help them make it this year! They started this annual food drive in 2010, and over the last eight years, they’ve collected over 16,000 pounds to benefit our neighbors in need.

Non-perishable foods can be dropped off at the Edward Jones office Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

Suggestions for the pantry include boxed or canned meals such as soups, hamburger helper, macaroni and cheese, rice, pasta, spaghetti sauce, baking and pancake mix; and canned meats. Personal care items such as bar soap, laundry soap, shampoo, toothpaste, and toilet paper will also be accepted, but not weighed. No cash donations accepted.

Call 696-9370 for more information.

by Judy Reed

A federal grant to create a new industrial park will make it possible for at least two local businesses to expand and bring new jobs to the area.

The U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration announced on Monday that they are awarding an $872,220 grant to the city of Cedar Springs, Michigan, to provide critical infrastructure improvements needed to develop a new industrial park at the end of West Street.

“The development of a business park should bring in significant investment into the City, not only in jobs and property taxes but also employee customers for other local businesses, as they go to and from work and out for lunch,” said City Manager Mike Womack, who has been working on the grant for some time with City Finance Director Darla Falcon and the City Council. 

This EDA grant will be matched with $581,480 in local investment from the City, and is expected to attract an eventual $30 million in private investment, create 80 jobs, and retain 72 jobs.

The project will help fund the roadways, and water and wastewater infrastructure to establish the West Street Industrial Park in the City of Cedar Springs. The project will also create 55 acres of development-ready land for future growth opportunities. 

 “President Trump is dedicated to helping communities across the nation build the critical infrastructure they need to support business development and growth,” said U.S. Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Dr. John Fleming. “This investment in Cedar Springs will help provide development-ready industrial space needed to attract new businesses and the high-skill, high-wage jobs they create.”

The project will extend West Street to the south, and extend water and sewer to two properties—725 West St NE and 730 West St NE. Those properties were formerly used as the City’s wastewater lagoons from 1965 to 1999, when they were closed. The total cost of the project is estimated at $1,453,700.

Two businesses already interested in expanding to the business park include J-Star Motion Corporation and Cedar Springs Brewing Company. 

J-Star, a manufacturer of adjustable height table bases, currently has a location on West Street with 35 employees, but are on the way to doubling that to 70 and cannot grow anymore in their current space. They said they would build a $275,000 square foot facility in the business park if the road and utilities were extended there. They said they would invest $22 million in building and $5 million in equipment, and add another 50 jobs on top of the 70.

Cedar Springs Brewing Company, located at 95 N. Main Street, is also running out of room for their manufacturing and package production. They are unable to grow in their current location, and there is no other site with city water that would be appropriate for their facility. They plan to increase the number of jobs by 30, and invest $1.5 million in construction and $1.5 million in new equipment.

A timeline has not yet been set for the project.

This project was made possible by the regional planning efforts led by the West Michigan Regional Planning Commission. EDA funds the West Michigan Regional Planning Commission to help bring together the public and private sectors to create an economic development roadmap to strengthen the regional economy, support private capital investment and create jobs.

Betty Kay Meno, age 75, of Sand Lake, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Friday, March 29, 2019. Betty was born August 21, 1943 in Mecosta, MI the daughter of S. Carl and Violet (Gemzer) Bushre. She married Don Meno on July 11, 1964. She was a homemaker and did daycare in her home for almost 30 years. She was a family member of Huggard Bible Church for over 40 years. She loved spending time teaching Sunday School and working in the nursery. Surviving are her children, Carl Meno, Cheri (David) Feldpausch; grandchildren, Jeremiah, Jennifer, Leon III, Donny and Carmelita Johnson, Matthew, Tiffany Meno, Bradley Feldpausch; siblings, Alice Horner, Carolyn (Chuck) Kohbeck, Sarah Rose (Bill) McKenna, Stanley (Carolyn) Bushre, Julia Bushre; brother-in-law, Victor Meno. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Don; daughter, Candy Sue; granddaughters, Emily and April; brother, Albert Bushre. The family greeted friends Tuesday, April 2^nd at the Bliss-Witters & Pike Funeral Home, Cedar Springs where the service was held Wednesday, April 3^rd. Pastor Rick Malone officiating. Interment Riverside Cemetery, Langston. Memorial contributions may be made to Huggard Bible Church.

Arrangements by Bliss-Witters & Pike Funeral Home, Cedar Springs

A 35-year-old Cedar Springs mother died when her car collided with another in Algoma Township Wednesday afternoon, March 20.

According to the Kent County Sheriff’s Office, the crash occurred about 2:40 p.m. on Algoma Avenue, between 13 Mile Rd and Rector, just south of the Algoma Township Hall. One of the cars involved was a Ford Focus driven by a 35-year-old woman from Cedar Springs. Her two young children were in car seats in the backseat. The woman was pronounced dead at the scene. The two children were transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

The second vehicle involved was a Ford pickup truck driven by a 35-year-old man from Cedar Springs. He was transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

The Algoma Fire Department, Life Ambulance, and Rockford Ambulance all assisted the Kent County Sheriff’s Office at the scene.

Alcohol is not believed to be a factor in the crash. The incident is still under investigation. Names are being withheld pending notification of family.

Mr. George E. Burg of Cedar Springs, Michigan, age 87, passed away in the comfort of his home, with loved ones all around, during the early morning hours of Thursday, December 6, 2018. George was born to Edgar and Elsa (Rector) Burg in Cedar Springs, on June 22, 1931, and had been a lifelong resident of the area. George had married the love of his life, Betty Lou (Hoekstra) prior to his enlistment in the military. He proudly and courageously served his flag and country in the United States Marine Corps during the Korean War. He was a loving and devoted husband, wonderful father, proud grandfather and great-grandfather, and dear friend. He loved to spend time in his garden, and he was always a great story teller—but, an even better listener. He will be sadly missed and fondly remembered. George is survived by his two daughters, Deb (Mike) Coalter and Kathy (Bob) Woodward; grandchildren Jake (Michell) and Lindsey Woodward; and three great-grandchildren Ivan, Audun, and Allyie. He was preceded in death by his parents; and beloved wife Betty Lou Burg on January 10, 2012. Those wishing to offer an expression of sympathy are encouraged to make a memorial contribution to Hospice of Michigan, 989 Spaulding Avenue SE, Ada, MI 49301. George will be laid to rest with full military honors at Fort Custer National Cemetery, Augusta, MI.

Arrangements by Pederson

 Funeral Home, Rockford