🌱 Creative Solar Ideas For Landfill Site + Teen Hurt In Shooting

Morning, everybody! I'm here right on time with your fresh copy of the Grand Rapids Patch newsletter. Keep reading to find out everything you need to know about what's happening in town.

But first, your local weather:

• Monday: Mostly sunny and nice. High: 72 Low: 46.
• Tuesday: Pleasant with some sun. High: 73 Low: 44.

Here are the top three stories today in Grand Rapids:

1. Grand Rapids is seeking creative ideas to bring solar arrays to the Butterworth Landfill site. During the summer, the city plans to solicit proposals for adding solar to the site. Grand Rapids is submitting a proposal for three million dollars of federal funding that would give them the infrastructure to transfer solar power to the city's primary circuit to power street lights and municipal buildings. One idea is to build a two-megawatt system that provides power during the daytime to that primary circuit. This system would still leave room on the site for 14 megawatts to be added over time. The other idea for the site would be a community solar idea where Consumer Energy would run a system where businesses or residents could pay a subscription for their energy, but this may cost more than current energy bills. (MLive.com)
2. A Teen was hurt in a shooting on Sunday Morning. Police responded to the area of Eastern Avenue SE and Martin Luther King Jr. Street SE, where a 17-year-old teen was shot in the leg. Police reported that there was a large crowd gathered at the intersection before the shooting and that after the gunshot was fired, the crowd ran away. The victim was taken to the hospital in a private vehicle. His injuries are non-life threatening. No arrests have been made. (WOODTV.com)
3. Over 200 prom dresses were donated to Grand Rapids teens this spring for Prom. The Grand Rapids Public Schools Foundation worked to collect 200 dresses from women in the community to give to economically disadvantaged high school students that may not have been able to afford to go to prom. The foundation collected dresses for homecoming earlier this year and has collected a total of 320 dresses for the whole year. Stephanie Andrews, the head of the foundation, spoke about the amazing experience of working with the students to help them find the perfect fit for their dresses. Andrews said the girls who received dresses were very excited to be able to attend prom with a beautiful dress. (MLive.com)

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Today and tomorrow in Grand Rapids:

Monday, May 15

• City Commission Meeting - East Grand Rapids Community Center (6:00 PM)

Tuesday, May 16

• Stroller Fit Class - Northville Park Association (6 AM)
• Breaking Benjamin With Special Guest BUSH - Van Andel Arena (7 PM)

From my notebook:

• On Saturday, the Grand Rapids Public Museum will unveil two new exhibits: "Ice Age: Michigan's Frozen Secrets" and "Snow: Tiny Crystals, Global Impact!" You can also register for the special event where Dr. Cory Redman and the Museum curator will speak about the exhibitions. (Grand Rapids Public Museum via Facebook)
• The City of Grand Rapids is holding a community event, "Bridge to our Future," to inform officials about what is important to citizens when creating a new master plan. The workshop on May 18 will cover three important topics identified through public input, which include Land Use Planning for Climate Mitigation and Adaptation, Land Use Planning for Environmental Justice, Health, and Equity, and 15-Minute City: Land Use, Housing, and Mobility. (The City of Grand Rapids via Facebook)
• The Grand Rapids Fire Department requests the public's help limiting the fire danger this year. The department wants to remind citizens that recreational fires are prohibited on high-risk and red flag days. Be aware of local weather conditions before lighting a fire and practice proper fire safety. (Grand Rapids Fire Department via Facebook)

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Alrighty, you're all caught up for today! I'll see you soon.

— Nicole Fallon-Peek

About me: Nicole Fallon-Peek is a journalist and copywriter with a degree in Media, Culture and Communication from New York University. She has served as a freelance reporter, managing editor, copy editor, and editorial director for a variety of B2B news outlets. She currently co-owns and operates content creation agency Lightning Media Partners.