Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: What Grand Rapids’ mayor says is coming for your neighborhood in 2026

Make time for MI DRAG BRUNCH: Brunchmas on the Grand Rapids Patch calendar

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Saturday December 20th Patch AM
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Cheers Grand Rapids! We’re back, helping you stay up to date with what’s happening. Let's take on the day together! ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • What Grand Rapids’ mayor says is coming for your neighborhood in 2026
  • How a $5M grant will shape ministry work near Grand Rapids
  • Why Michigan’s AG came to Grand Rapids to launch this probe

Also on today's calendar: The Official Christmas Bar Crawl - Grand Rapids and 3 more events.

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

Today's riddle: Last night I had a dream. 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

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

  • Saturday: A rain or snow shower, with a high of 40 and low of 17 degrees. ⛄️ Brr!
  • Sunday: Colder; breezy in the morning, temps: high: 24, low: 20.
  • Monday: Ice, then rain, with a high of 36 and low of 35 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Grand Rapids mayor reflects on first year in office (woodtv.com) — Grand Rapids Mayor David LaGrand is marking his first year in office by outlining what’s next for the city, from zoning updates to big projects like the amphitheater, soccer stadium, and aquarium. He says 2026 will focus on community-building, public safety, housing, and neighborhood design, and invites residents into ongoing “Mayor Mondays” conversations to help shape Grand Rapids’ future.
   

2. Grand Rapids area ministry gets $5 million grant from the Lilly Endowment (mlive.com) — A Cascade Township-based ministry headquartered near Grand Rapids just landed a $5 million Lilly Endowment grant to expand its Witness & Wonder program for young adults. Our Daily Bread Ministries plans to create hundreds of multimedia faith stories and digital tools from its Kraft Avenue campus, aiming to help 18- to 34-year-olds connect everyday life with Christian faith.
   

3. AG Nessel announces investigation into Native American boarding schools (wzzm13.com) — Michigan’s attorney general announced in Grand Rapids a new criminal investigation into abuses at historic Native American boarding schools across the state. The probe aims to document crimes, seek accountability, and is actively calling on survivors and witnesses to share information about what happened to children forced into these institutions.
   

4. ‘This was a near miss,' judge tells Grand Rapids man after 2-year-old injures self with gun (mlive.com) — A Grand Rapids father received two years of probation, instead of jail, after his 2-year-old son suffered a minor hand injury from an unsecured handgun at home. A Kent County judge called the incident a “near miss” and warned that any probation violation could still land him in jail, underscoring Michigan’s safe gun storage law for local gun owners.
   

5. CPR, quick thinking saves the life of Grand Rapids 5-year-old (woodtv.com) — A Grand Rapids kindergartner is home for the holidays after Palmer Elementary staff and Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital doctors quickly revived him from sudden cardiac arrest on the playground. The story highlights Grand Rapids Public Schools’ emergency preparedness, the lifesaving role of on-site CPR and AEDs, and how fast action can dramatically improve survival odds for local kids.
   

📸 Around Grand Rapids

Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!

🗓 Upcoming Events in Grand Rapids

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

    Sunday December 21
  • MI DRAG BRUNCH: Brunchmas
    Knoop Rooftop Cocktail Lounge, 131 Ionia Ave SW 8th Floor, Grand Rapids
    11:00 am

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

📣 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.

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Found dogs!!
    Still looking for their owners, it's the second week now. They're not fixed or microchipped, they had no tags or collars when found. Again, they… (Nextdoor GPNA South East)
  • So I live by the Burton Heights, so my cat went missing about three months ago.
    Usually he always comes back. I even set out things outside that smelled like us to make him find his way home. I’ve called him every day. I went up… (Nextdoor Garfield Park Southwest)
  • Walmart posted a job opening for Stocking Team Associate in Grand Rapids. Apply here.
  • Michigan Staffing posted a job opening for Custodial Services Worker - NHA-MI2-Custodial 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 dreamed I was swimming in a pool of orange soda, but it was just a Fanta-sea.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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