Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: How a $1.4M fraud unraveled a key Grand Rapids preschool network

Happening soon: Candlelight: Christmas Carols on Strings on the Grand Rapids Patch calendar

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Tuesday December 23rd Patch AM
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Good morning Grand Rapids! We're back in your inbox this morning to keep you in the loop with what's happening in and around town. Grab a cup of coffee and read on. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • How a $1.4M fraud unraveled a key Grand Rapids preschool network
  • How far did your East Grand Rapids millage dollars actually go?
  • How NICU staff brought Christmas cheer to Grand Rapids’ tiniest patients

Also on today's calendar: Candlelight: Christmas Carols on Strings and 3 more events.

Find out what's happening in Grand Rapidsfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Today's riddle: What did one magnet say to the other magnet? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

Find out what's happening in Grand Rapidsfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

  • Tuesday: Fog in the morning; cloudy, with a high of 42 and low of 28 degrees.
  • Wednesday: Cloudy, temps: high: 36, low: 33.
  • Thursday: Cloudy with areas of drizzle, with a high of 39 and low of 31 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Ex-CEO admits $1.4M scheme that closed childhood learning agency (mlive.com) — A Grand Rapids-based early childhood nonprofit that once supported preschool services for vulnerable kids has closed after its founder agreed to plead guilty in a $1.4 million fraud and tax case. The Early Learning Neighborhood Collaborative’s collapse affected programs in Grand Rapids and nearby cities, and its former CEO now faces federal sentencing and significant restitution obligations.
   

2. East Grand Rapids sees major infrastructure gains one year after millage renewal (fox17online.com) — East Grand Rapids residents are already seeing smoother roads, safer sidewalks, and new accessibility upgrades just one year after renewing the streets and sidewalks millage. Nearly $3 million funded 8.6 miles of road work, bike lanes, and hundreds of sidewalk fixes, with special focus on school routes and residents with disabilities. More details on 2026 projects will be released this winter.
   

3. NICU babies dress in holiday outfits, meet Santa (wzzm13.com) — At Trinity Health Grand Rapids, NICU staff dressed newborns in festive outfits and arranged photos with Santa to brighten families’ first Christmas in the hospital. The team hopes the celebration brings comfort and a sense of normalcy to parents navigating an unexpectedly difficult holiday season with their babies in intensive care.
   

4. Last-second thrillers headline Grand Rapids-area boys hoops for Dec. 22 (mlive.com) — Grand Rapids-area hoops fans got a slate of holiday thrillers, highlighted by Rockford’s double-overtime win over Brother Rice on a last-second three. Grandville stayed unbeaten with clutch free throws at Cornerstone University, while Paw Paw edged a short-handed GR Christian squad. Several local teams now head into big showcase games and January matchups riding strong momentum.
   

5. Grand Haven church unites to support ICE detainees (woodtv.com) — Immigrant detainees released from the North Lake ICE facility are sometimes routed through Grand Rapids’ train station as they travel back to loved ones or home countries. Volunteers from St. John’s Episcopal Church in Grand Haven are collecting coats, backpacks, and hygiene supplies so people leaving detention aren’t stranded in Michigan’s winter without basics, coordinating with Grand Rapids-based rapid response networks.
   

📸 Around Grand Rapids

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Grand Rapids

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📣 Grand Rapids Shout Outs!

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🗓 Events Nearby

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Another weekly restock at your friendly neighborhood free library.
    We still have more games, puzzles, craft supplies, food and books available! Sometime today I'll have more hand painted rocks up for grabs. No… (Nextdoor Beckwith Hills)
  • Welp, the Mario party have all officially been adopted.
    Tomorrow I pick up the bean crew. 🫶 pics to come tomorrow. (Nextdoor Cutler Estates)
  • SpartanNash Company posted a job opening for Meat Clerk, Part time in Grand Rapids. Apply here.
  • AtWork Group posted a job opening for Hi-Lo Driver 2nd shift (start at $15.50) in Grand Rapids. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Grand Rapids here.

Ok Grand Rapids! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I find you very attractive!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what’s happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.

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