Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: How a new GRFD pilot could change your next 911 call

Also check out Jurassic Quest - Grand Rapids on the Grand Rapids Patch calendar

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Wednesday December 31st Patch AM
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Good morning Grand Rapids! Your connection to what's happening around town is here. Take a sip of coffee and read on. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • How a new GRFD pilot could change your next 911 call
  • How loud can protests be outside Grand Rapids clinics next year?
  • Why is Grand Rapids’ elected comptroller taking the city to court?

Also on today's calendar: KIDZ BOP LIVE: The Concert Movie - Grand Rapids and 5 more events.

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

Today's riddle: I think I’ll wear only one boot today. 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

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

  • Wednesday: Lake-effect snow, up to 1", with a high of 28 and low of 13 degrees. ⛄️ Brr!
  • Thursday: Lake-effect snow, up to 1", temps: high: 22, low: 17.
  • Friday: Cold; a flurry in the morning, with a high of 26 and low of 13 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Mich. FD pilots community health worker response to ease EMS, ED strain (gov1.com) — Grand Rapids residents will soon see a new kind of help arriving with fire crews, as Corewell Health and the Grand Rapids Fire Department launch a six‑month pilot adding a community health worker to emergency responses. Starting in January, the program will focus on frequent 911 callers whose needs are better met with food, transportation, or prescription support instead of ER visits. Officials hope it eases strain on ambulances and emergency rooms while improving access to care.
   

2. Planned Parenthood protest proposal: Grand Rapids to vote on noise restrictions in January (mlive.com) — Grand Rapids commissioners will vote Jan. 13 on stricter noise rules for protests near medical facilities, prompted by complaints about demonstrations outside Planned Parenthood on Cherry Street. The proposal would ban amplified sound within 100 feet of clinics and remove misdemeanor penalties, sparking debate between Heritage Hill neighbors seeking quiet and protesters citing First Amendment rights.
   

3. Grand Rapids elected official sues city over ‘unlawful' reassignment of his staff (mlive.com) — Grand Rapids Comptroller Max Frantz is suing the city over a January decision that moved most of his office’s staff under the city manager, arguing it violates the charter and weakens fiscal oversight. City officials maintain the reassignment complies with the charter, setting up a court fight over how financial power is divided at City Hall.
   

4. Man resentenced for 1995 Grand Rapids murder committed as a teen (wzzm13.com) — A man convicted in a notorious 1995 Grand Rapids murder has been resentenced because he was a juvenile at the time of the crime. Now 46, Paul Carter’s life-without-parole term was reduced to concurrent 40–60 year sentences after courts revisited how juveniles are punished, stemming from a Michigan Supreme Court ruling. The case involved an abduction that ended with a body found near Garfield Park.
   

📸 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

    Wednesday December 31
  • New Year's Eve Party at BattleGR
    BattleGR Tactical Games , 284 Dodge NE Suite 100 , Comstock Park
    1:30 pm
  • Level Up Basketball Training
    Mill Creek Middle School - Middle School Gym
    5:00 pm
    • Thursday January 1
  • City Offices Closed
    Walker, MI Calendar Walker, MI 49534
  • Tennis Bond Work
    Pine Island Elementary - PI East Practice Field, PI West Practice Field
    6:00 am

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

 

Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making Grand Rapids PatchAM possible:

  • Mindsee.it — (646) 663-8317
    Teach your kids they can achieve the impossible!

Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • UPDATE: Francine’s vet appointment went well and she is going to Petco on Alpine tonight to be up for adoption.
    Feel free to go visit her and give her lots of love and pets! Prayers for Francine. She’s been with me quite a few weeks with no nibbles for… (Nextdoor Beckwith Hills)
  • Shes just about done!
    Just working on a hat. • Update: She is done! Let me say that her hat was the most frustrating part to do! Please don't mind the snoozing kitty. Ol'… (Nextdoor Eastgate)
  • The Salvation Army Central Territory posted a job opening for Grand Rapids Kroc Center - Fitness Attendant in Grand Rapids. Apply here.
  • Sam's Club posted a job opening for Baker and Packager Associate 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 heard there’s only a 50 percent chance of snow.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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