Police responded to a report of a home invasion in the 13300 block of Larray Lane NE, in Northland Estates, shortly before 1 p.m. on Friday, April 21.

According to the Kent County Sheriff Department, the homeowner returned home and found the front door wide open and it appeared to have been forced. No one was home at the time. It is unknown whether anything was taken.

If anyone has any information, you can call Silent Observer at 616-774-2345 or the Kent County Sheriff Office Detective Bureau at 616-632-6125.

By Judy Reed

Grandma Kathy Koster, right, delivered her daughter Sarah Kerr’s baby girl on the way to the hospital early Sunday morning. Courtesy photo.

Most moms remember the birth of their first baby like it was yesterday. But new mom Sarah Kerr, 22, of Cedar Springs, will have a unique story to share with her daughter.

According to Sarah, she went to the hospital Friday evening, November 15, thinking her water broke. The hospital sent her home, saying it hadn’t. “I was home all that day (the 16th) having labor pains, until I couldn’t take the pain anymore that night and told my mom it was time to go,” explained Sarah.

Sarah said she was shaking when she got in the truck. She and her mom, Kathy Koster, left their home at Church and Seventh Street, and headed to Spectrum United Hospital in Greenville. They made it only a little over a mile when Sarah started screaming and her mom had to pull over in front of Northland Estates Mobile Home park on Northland Drive. It was about 2:40 a.m.

“I felt the head coming, and by the time my mom got around to my side of the truck, the head was out and she helped pull the baby the rest of the way out,” explained Sarah. “She wrapped it then told me to call 911 so they could tell her what else to do.”

Cedar Springs Police Officers Mike and Mandy Stahl both reported to the scene, and Officer Mandy made sure the baby was breathing. “She made sure it had a clear airway, was on its side, rubbed its back, and kept it warm until the ambulance arrived,” said Cedar Springs Police Chief Roger Parent.

“It was crazy having it in a truck,” remarked Sarah. “I was completely scared because I didn’t know if it would be ok. But I was excited after I heard her cry.”

Baby Nevaeh

Sarah’s baby girl, Nevaeh (heaven spelled backward), was perfect, she said. She weighed in at 5 pounds, 13 oz, and was 18-1/2 inches long.

She said her mom is excited about the baby, too. “She had one born on her birthday, and this one she got to deliver. That’s pretty special.”

Asked whether she would do it that way again, Sarah’s answer was surprising. “It was pretty easy compared to being in the hospital where they have all kinds of things hooked up to you. Maybe not in the truck, but maybe I’d do it at home instead,” she said.

An Algoma Township man is facing charges of aggravated assault and resisting/obstructing a police officer after he wandered into a Cedar Springs couple’s yard and assaulted a man he didn’t know.

Cedar Springs Police responded to a disorderly subject call about 10 p.m. Saturday, July 23, on Beckett Blvd in Northland Estates Mobile Home Park. While enroute, they received additional calls that this person had assaulted a citizen who was outside in their driveway.

Officers arrived to find an incoherent subject sitting in a vehicle that was not his. Police said the suspect did not comply with verbal commands, and one officer was ready with a TASER, while others ordered the 19-year-old man to the ground. The suspect again became aggressive, fighting and kicking at officers. An ambulance was called to transport the suspect to an area hospital due to his unknown condition and combative behavior.

Investigating officers learned that the suspect had injured a 26-year-old Grand Rapids man, after he head-butted him in the nose. According to witnesses, the suspect wandered into the yard, and threatened to kill the man living at the home if he didn’t stand still and talk to him, and then head-butted and punched the Grand Rapids man, who was a dinner guest of the family and just leaving the home. The family had never met the suspect before. The victim was treated at an area hospital for a fractured nose.

On Monday, July 25, police obtained an arrest warrant and arrested the suspect on charges of aggravated assault, disorderly conduct, and resisting and obstructing a police officer. He posted a $2,500 bond and was released. His name will be released after his arraignment in 63rd District Court on August 3. Police said that drug evidence taken from the him could result in additional charges. The suspected drug evidence will be sent to the Michigan State Police lab for analysis.