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🌱 Patch AM: How a Grand Rapids gun storage case ended in probation

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Friday January 9th Patch AM
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Hi Grand Rapids! We have the latest buzz right here. Let's keep you in the loop and get this morning started right! ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • How a Grand Rapids gun storage case ended in probation
  • How a new Grand Rapids partnership could jump-start local students’ careers
  • How investigators say they uncovered video of the dog’s hanging

Also on today's calendar: Time Travel Half-Marathon (and 5k/10k) - Grand Rapids and 8 more events.

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

Today's riddle: What did the shovel say to the dirt? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

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

  • Friday: A touch of morning rain, with a high of 56 and low of 28 degrees.
  • Saturday: Snow and rain, 2-4", temps: high: 36, low: 29.
  • Sunday: Cloudy, snow showers; breezy, with a high of 33 and low of 27 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Grand Rapids Man Sentenced for Unsafe Gun Storage Newsradio WOOD 1300 and 106.9 FM (iheart.com) — A Grand Rapids man has been sentenced to three years of probation after a teen was accidentally shot in the shoulder with an unsecured gun inside a home on Sherman Street SE. The case highlights Michigan’s safe storage law and reinforces calls from gun safety advocates for secure storage like safes and lockboxes to keep firearms away from minors.
   

2. Local partnership seeks to help college students get direct access to West Michigan employers for career exploration (wzzm13.com) — A new partnership between the Grand Rapids Promise Zone Authority and the Grand Rapids Chamber will give local college students direct access to West Michigan employers starting this month. Through the Career Pathways program, students can join site visits, industry talks, and internship-style experiences across fields like healthcare, tech, STEM, and manufacturing, all aimed at keeping more young talent living and working in the Grand Rapids area.
   

3. Man accused of using leash to hang dog from Grand Rapids bridge (mlive.com) — Authorities say a Battle Creek man is facing felony animal cruelty charges after one of his dogs was found dead below a Grand Rapids bridge and another survived. Kent County animal control officers traced both microchipped dogs to the owner and, after reviewing phone videos, allege the dog was hung from the Wealthy Street bridge over the Grand River.
   

4. Michigan Album Reviews: Empress Eyes, N8ure, more (localspins.com) — Grand Rapids gets a strong spotlight in this roundup, with new releases from local artists Empress Eyes and hip-hop artist Larry D featured alongside Muskegon and Petoskey acts. The piece breaks down each project’s sound, themes, and standout tracks, giving you a feel for what’s worth streaming next from West Michigan’s music scene.
   

5. Kent County Board of Commissioners elects leadership for new term, approves new committee structure (wzzm13.com) — Kent County commissioners meeting in Grand Rapids have unanimously re-elected Ben Greene as board chair and chosen Lindsey Thiel as vice-chair while overhauling their committee structure. The new setup trims standing committees, reshapes agendas, and aims to make county decision-making more efficient for residents across the Grand Rapids area.
   

📸 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

    Friday January 9
  • Level Up Basketball Training
    Mill Creek Middle School - Middle School Gym
    5:00 pm
  • Grand Rapids Skate & Events (PTC Sponsored)
    West Oakview Elementary School , 14 52nd St SE , Grand Rapids
    5:00 pm
  • East Grand Rapids at Grand Rapids Forest Hills Northern
    Forest Hills Northern High School , 3801 Leonard St NE , Grand Rapids
    5:30 pm
  • Patriot Night Boys Varsity Basketball vs Fruitport High School
    Comstock Park High School - HS Gym
    6:00 pm

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

 

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    Teach your kids they can achieve the impossible!

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • My dog Asher is still missing since Saturday January 3rd.
    He’s very shy and could be hiding somewhere. He went missing from Breton and Boston area. Please be on the look out for him, we miss him very very… (Nextdoor East Grand Rapids)
  • I am in need of someone to come look at my furnace.
    I have a ecobee thermostat and I had it in 70 and just yesterday it reads 53. It reads there is a error. If someone could reach out to me I would… (Nextdoor Creston)
  • Boyd Group Services Inc posted a job opening for Porter in Grand Rapids. Apply here.
  • Michigan Staffing posted a job opening for Custodian 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 really dig you!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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