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🌱 Patch AM: How a quiet Grand Rapids cemetery phone helps people talk to the dead

And on the Grand Rapids Patch calendar - College Park Skyhawks at Grand Rapids Gold

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Thursday January 8th Patch AM
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Greetings Grand Rapids! Your go-to source for what's happening in town is here. Stay in the loop and read on. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • How a quiet Grand Rapids cemetery phone helps people talk to the dead
  • Meet the Grandville fourth-grader lifting kids across greater Grand Rapids
  • Why a Grand Rapids street fight led to decades in prison

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: After dinner, my parents asked if I could clear the table. 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

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

  • Thursday: A bit of afternoon rain, with a high of 50 and low of 43 degrees.
  • Friday: A little morning rain, temps: high: 52, low: 31.
  • Saturday: Snow and rain, 2-4", with a high of 36 and low of 26 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. How the Grand Rapids ‘Wind Phone' Helps People Process Loss (wgrd.com) — Grand Rapids residents processing grief now have a unique “Wind Phone” at Oak Grove Cemetery, where you can sit, dial a loved one’s number, and speak into an unconnected rotary phone. The idea, part of a growing global movement, offers a quiet local space to feel closer to those who’ve died, alongside similar phones across West Michigan.
   

2. Grandville fourth-grader wins National American Miss Jr. PreTeen title (fox17online.com) — A Grandville fourth-grader is using her new National American Miss Jr. PreTeen title to spread encouragement throughout the greater Grand Rapids area. Through “Greenleigh’s Positivity Project,” she shares affirming notes, small gifts, and hundreds of handmade bracelets to boost kids’ confidence and support West Michigan charities.
   

3. ‘I acted lawfully:' Man refuses to apologize for killing another man in street fight (mlive.com) — A Grand Rapids man has been sentenced to 30–45 years in prison for fatally stabbing another man during a 2023 street fight on South Division Avenue. Jurors rejected his self-defense claim, and police found the victim wounded on a nearby sidewalk before he died at a hospital. The judge emphasized the jury’s verdict as the man refused to express remorse.
   

4. Kuyper College's President Harris to retire in 2026, marking impactful 13-year leadership journey (wzzm13.com) — Kuyper College in Grand Rapids will see a leadership change when President Patricia Harris retires on June 30, 2026, after 13 years in senior roles. Her tenure brought federal Work College status, new athletics, student support programs, and key reaccreditations that shape the college’s future in the local community.
   

5. Despite partial court victory, Kent County foster care organization's future remains uncertain (wzzm13.com) — A Grand Rapids-based foster care model in Kent County faces an uncertain future after a state court ordered Michigan to maintain the county’s unique system but did not require using the current local administrator, West Michigan Partnership for Children. The group’s CEO says they’re burning through reserves while MDHHS reviews the ruling, leaving staff and vulnerable children in Grand Rapids and Kent County in limbo.
   

📸 Around Grand Rapids

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Grand Rapids

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★ Featured events ★

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Other local events

📣 Grand Rapids Shout Outs!

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🗓 Events Nearby

    Thursday January 8
  • Division Avenue Business Association
    The Stray , 4253 Division Ave S Suite A , Grand Rapids
    8:00 am
  • Bingo Buddies
    Georgetown, MI Calendar Jenison, MI 49429
    10:30 am
  • Youth Basketball
    Stoney Creek Elementary - SC Gym
    5:00 pm
  • Level Up Basketball Training
    Greenridge Elementary - GR Gym
    5:00 pm

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

  • Dear Neighbors,
    I received a scam call today and wanted to share in case anyone else gets contacted. The caller claimed to be “Deputy Mike Brown” (badge #9462) from… (Nextdoor Cascade Acres)
  • Please share & repost to help reunite this stray dog!
    FOUND on January 6, 2026 in Grand Rapids, MI 49505 near Coit Ave NE, Ann St NE Sharing for a neighbor. For the latest information or to contact the… (Nextdoor Alpine Estates)
  • USA Jobs posted a job opening for Housekeeper- Full Time! Days! $18.50/hr! in Grand Rapids. Apply here.
  • Costco Wholesale Corporation posted a job opening for Bakery Wrapper / Clean Up 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 needed a running start, but I made it!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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