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🌱 Patch AM: What happens if Grand Rapids’ police chief takes a job in Florida?

Make time for Candlelight: Christmas Carols on Strings on the Grand Rapids Patch calendar

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Wednesday December 24th Patch AM
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Good morning to you Grand Rapids! Catch up on our news and events right here. Keep reading to stay in the know. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • What happens if Grand Rapids’ police chief takes a job in Florida?
  • Which baby names topped Grand Rapids hospital lists in 2025?
  • How a Grand Rapids rehab helped one woman reach a ‘miracle’ Christmas

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: I used to work in a doughnut shop. 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

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

  • Wednesday: Cloudy and colder; p.m. mist, with a high of 37 and low of 32 degrees.
  • Thursday: Low clouds, temps: high: 39, low: 31.
  • Friday: Breezy, morning rain; cloudy, with a high of 37 and low of 30 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Grand Rapids Police Chief Eric Winstrom is a finalist for a Florida job (mlive.com) — Grand Rapids Police Chief Eric Winstrom is one of three finalists to become police chief in Pensacola, Florida, a move that could reshape public safety leadership here. He and City Manager Mark Washington say he remains fully engaged in Grand Rapids while he weighs the January selection process and its impact on his family and career.
   

2. What's in a name? West Michigan hospitals reveal most-picked names for babies in 2025 (fox17online.com) — Grand Rapids-area hospitals are sharing which baby names local parents loved most in 2025, offering a fun snapshot of new arrivals across West Michigan. Corewell Health and University of Michigan Health West highlight favorites like Theodore, Henry, Sophia, and Amelia among thousands of births this year.
   

3. ‘Miracle': Caledonia woman to celebrate Christmas after recovery (woodtv.com) — A Caledonia woman who spent last Christmas at Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital in Grand Rapids is finally home for the holidays after surviving life-threatening complications and double leg amputation. Therapists in Grand Rapids helped her regain strength as she continues her PhD and works toward hiking and kayaking again, while friends and family rally support through a GoFundMe campaign.
   

4. Photographer focuses national attention on Reeds Lake (woodtv.com) — A longtime photojournalist is bringing national attention to Reeds Lake with years of bird and nature photography taken from the accessible boardwalk in East Grand Rapids. His Audubon-recognized work highlights bald eagles, owls, swans, and more, and he hopes it inspires residents in Grand Rapids, East Grand Rapids, and nearby communities to protect local wildlife close to home.
   

5. NIH study was a beacon for the topical steroid withdrawal community. Then, amid federal upheaval, the research stalled (statnews.com) — A woman who grew up in Grand Rapids and later became a national advocate for topical steroid withdrawal helped spur a rare NIH study into the condition, only to see follow-up research stall amid federal budget cuts and layoffs. Her story, and the scientific debate around TSW, shows how shifting Washington priorities can slow progress for patients desperate for answers.
   

📸 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

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Welp as promised.
    Heres the new beans. We are their last shot at hope. So send us all the good vibes and prayers that we can turn these girls around. My rescue… (Nextdoor Cutler Estates)
  • My foster, Francine (Frannie) is still looking for her fur-ever home.
    She’s about 2 years old and absolutely wonderful. She is playful, loving, great with kids and other cats. She is up to date on all vet care and… (Nextdoor Beckwith Hills)
  • AtWork Group posted a job opening for Cleaning Janitor 1st in Grand Rapids. Apply here.
  • Kelly Services posted a job opening for Racker 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 got tired of the hole business.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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