Crash at Indian Lakes and Algoma. The driver of the silver car was transported to Butterworth Hospital by Aeromed with severe injuries. Post photo by J. Reed.

By Judy Reed

A young woman suffered severe injuries Tuesday afternoon and was transported to Butterworth hospital by Aeromed after her car was t-boned by a pickup truck at Indian Lakes and Algoma Avenue.

The crash occurred about 3:20 p.m. on Tuesday, November 14.

Kyle Rand, of Rockford, told The Post at the scene that he was driving home from work southbound on Algoma when he witnessed the crash. He said the silver car was westbound on Indian Lakes and did a “rolling stop” at the stop sign—slowed but did not completely stop—before continuing into the intersection. “She must not have seen him, the white truck (traveling northbound),” said Rand. He added that the driver of the truck tried to avoid her.

The Dodge Ram truck t-boned the silver Ford Taurus, and the car rolled and landed on its hood on the NW side of the intersection.

Rand said that he and another man both witnessed the crash and tried to help.

“I saw it happen and I freaked out. I saw baby blankets in the back of the car so I searched the car [for a baby] but it was only her,” he explained, referring to the driver of the car.

The man driving the truck, Dennis Wayne Hathaway, 60, of Ensley Township, was checked out at the scene for chest and leg pain by Rockford Ambulance.

The woman driving the silver Ford Taurus was identified by the Kent County Sheriff Department as Olivia Erin Anderson, 21, of Alpine Township. She was extricated from the car by Algoma and Solon Fire Departments and transported by Aeromed to Butterworth Hospital with head trauma.

The scene was cleared at 5:43 p.m.

The accident occurred just north of 14 Mile, near Cedar Creek. Post photo by J. Reed

A tree landed on the roof of this car Wednesday, causing the driver to swerve and roll the car. Post photo by J. Reed

By Judy Reed

A freak accident sent two people from Solon Township to the hospital Wednesday afternoon.

According to both the Kent County Sheriff Department and a witness at the scene, a Chevrolet Cruze was heading south on Algoma about 2:06 p.m. Wednesday, March 16, just north of 14 Mile, when high winds toppled a tree and it landed on the roof of the car.

“They panicked and swerved and flipped the car into the ditch,” explained Brian Bos, of Moline, who was traveling behind the car and saw it happen. He immediately called 911, then went to check on the occupants. “They were pretty shaken up,” he said.

This tree snapped and landed on the roof of a passing car Wednesday, causing it to leave the road. Photo by J. Reed

Shortly after the accident, winds took down another tree just north of the scene.

According to Kent County Sheriff Deputy Michael Allen, the two occupants in the vehicle, driver Sheldon Lennox, 56, and Bobbi Scholten, 52, suffered minor injuries and were transported to Spectrum Butterworth by Rockford Ambulance. They were reportedly on their way to Florida.

Algoma Fire and Rescue assisted at the scene.

The driver of this car was extricated from the vehicle after a crash Tuesday in Solon Township. Post photo by L. Allen.

The Kent County Sheriff Department responded to the scene of an accident about noon, Tuesday, May 6, at the corner of Algoma and Solon Rd.

According to information the Post collected at the scene, a Chevy Silverado heading east on Solon Road stopped at the stop sign at Algoma, and then pulled out in front of a Pontiac Sunfire heading northbound on Algoma and the two collided.

The driver of the Sunfire had to be extricated from the vehicle, and was transported to the hospital. Her injuries were unknown at press time.

This Chevy Silverado pulled out in front of the Pontiac Sunfire. Post photo by L. Allen.

The driver of the truck declined to be transported to the hospital.

Both Solon and Cedar Springs Fire and Rescue responded to the scene.

By Judy Reed

It’s been a long time coming, but Solon Township finally has their new township hall at 15185 Algoma, between 18 and 19 Mile.

They moved from their old hall on 19 Mile at the end of May.

“It’s not completely finished but we’re getting there,” said Solon Supervisor Bob Ellick.

The township approved the building of the 6,000 square-foot hall with community room in the fall of 2011. The building has 4,000 square feet of offices, a 2,000 square-foot community room, in floor boiler heat, 2×6 exterior sidewalls, about four inches of spray foam insulation, a brick exterior, steel roof, LED lighting which operates automatically, some heated sidewalks, plenty of handicap parking, and a security system with cameras that can be viewed remotely.

They will be renting out the community room to residents, but not until after their open house, which is scheduled for Saturday, July 27 from 1-4 p.m. Refreshments will be provided.

Ellick estimates the total of the building will be between $860,000 and $880,000.

Two bicyclists were injured Monday evening when a car struck one of them from behind on 13 Mile Road in Algoma Township.

According to the Kent County Sheriff Department, the accident happened about 7:44 p.m. just west of Algoma Ave. When deputies arrived on scene, one victim complained of minor injuries, and the other was unconscious and seriously injured. The bicyclists were reportedly traveling westbound on the shoulder of 13 Mile, when the car, also traveling westbound, struck the rear victim and threw him in the air over the rider in front of him. Deputies believe the victim’s bike then struck rider in front.

The driver of the car, Brian Craig Lindsey Jr., 26, of Sparta, reported that the sun obstructed his vision and he did not see the bicyclists.

Algoma Fire and Rescue treated both victims at the scene. The victim that was struck, Kenneth Alan Ring, 38, of Algoma Township, was transported to Butterworth Hospital with serious injuries.

Three people were sent to the hospital Wednesday morning after a crash in Solon Township.

The accident occurred about 10:15 a.m. Wednesday, March 21, at the intersection of 18 Mile and Algoma Avenue.

According to Sgt. Loughlin of the Kent County Sheriff Department, a vehicle driven by a 31-year-old woman, from Wayland, was traveling eastbound on 18 Mile, when she either didn’t stop at the stop sign at Algoma Avenue, or pulled out in front a vehicle traveling southbound on Algoma. The impact sent the two cars rolling into a field at the southeast corner of the intersection. The woman’s car landed on its top, and she was pinned in. The other car, which held a 46-year-old man and his 55-year-old wife, both from Cedar Springs, and a small dog, landed on its side.

Solon Fire and Rescue called Cedar Springs Fire and Rescue for assistance, and they both worked on freeing the passengers. The Wayland woman was sent to Butterworth with serious injuries. The husband and wife were also sent to the hospital, with non-life-threatening injuries. The dog did not want to come out of the car, but firefighters were soon able to coax him out. He appeared shaky, but uninjured.

The Kent County Sheriff Department reported late last week that there have been many home break-ins throughout Kent County recently.
Many have occurred in rural areas where homes are not close together. Daytime home break-ins have occurred everywhere: Algoma, Cannonsburg, Lowell and Byron Townships. Break-ins occur at all times of day, in any season and in all neighborhoods.
The KCSD asks resident to please be aware of, and report, any suspicious persons or vehicles. When possible, write down license plate numbers.
They advise you to protect your home by being discrete. Don’t advertise your items of value. Keep valuables out of plain sight of doors and windows. If you are throwing away boxes or bags that depict valuable items such as TVs, computers or jewelry, make sure they fit in you trash or recycling can. Cut or shred as much information as possible.
Keep all exterior doors and windows locked. Make sure your home is well lit. Keep criminals guessing as to whether or not you are home. Utilize interior lights and, if possible, different lights through-out the home when you are not home.
Keep an eye on your neighbor’s house as well and report anything out of the ordinary.
To report any crimes or suspicious activity, call the Kent County Sheriff’s Department at 632-6100 or 911.

Dear Editor,
I’d like to say thanks to the Post for the coverage of stories in Solon Township, including the article in the July 21 edition about the Solon Township Board decision on July 12 to table action on the proposed removal of the huge horse barn on Algoma Avenue.

Since attending the July 12 meeting, I have spoken to dozens of Solon Township residents who feel that the barn should remain, be maintained and utilized.

I would encourage Solon Township residents to stop by the barn at 15185 Algoma, walk around and through it, and then show up on Tuesday, August 9 at 7:30 p.m. at the board meeting at the Solon Township Hall and let the board know what your thoughts are on this matter.

Thanks,
Len Allington, Solon Township resident

Photo by R. Kompstra

Smoke was in the air Saturday as flames surged through the roof, but it was nothing to be alarmed about. The fire was planned, and was due to a practice burn that Algoma and Courtland Fire Departments participated in at the corner of Algoma and 15 Mile Road. Thanks to Rebecca Klompstra for letting us use one of her photos!