🌱 Patch AM: What made 2025 such a landmark year at John Ball Zoo?

Hello again Grand Rapids! We’re bringing you the latest town highlights. Don’t miss out, keep going! ☀️

In today's newsletter:

• What made 2025 such a landmark year at John Ball Zoo?
• Are your holiday heating habits putting your Grand Rapids home at risk?
• Meet the three Grand Rapids leaders tapped for a national fellowship

Also on today's calendar: The Official Christmas Bar Crawl - Grand Rapids and 1 more event.

Today's riddle: What did one astronaut stranded on the moon say to another? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Friday: Much colder with snow showers, with a high of 25 and low of 22 degrees.
• Saturday: Not as cold; a p.m. shower, temps: high: 38, low: 15. ⛄️ Brr!
• Sunday: Colder; breezy in the morning, with a high of 24 and low of 20 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Everything that happened at the John Ball Zoo in 2025 (wzzm13.com) — John Ball Zoo in Grand Rapids is wrapping up a record-setting 2025, from welcoming endangered pygmy hippo and snow leopard babies to starting work on major new giraffe and otter habitats. The zoo also drew huge crowds for the Grand Rapids Lantern Festival and free Kent County school field trips, while a local penguin even earned his own mayor-declared day.
   

2. Grand Rapids Fire Department shares holiday fire safety tips Newsradio WOOD 1300 and 106.9 FM (iheart.com) — Grand Rapids fire officials are urging residents to take extra care with space heaters, fireplaces, and holiday activities as winter fire risks rise. Fire Chief and Fire Marshal Bill Smith stress planning an escape route, shutting off heaters at night, and keeping heat sources and smoking materials away from anything that can burn so local families stay safe this season.
   

3. W.K. Kellogg Foundation announces latest round of fellows (therapidian.org) — Three Grand Rapids leaders—BeAnka Masefiade, Katie White and Rebecca Spann—have been selected for the W.K. Kellogg Foundation’s 18‑month Community Leadership Network fellowship. They’ll receive coaching, networking and leadership training aimed at strengthening their advocacy for children and families, with organizers hoping their collaboration in Grand Rapids sparks broader community impact.
   

4. Federal judge blocks Whitmer from shutting down submerged Great Lakes pipeline (fox17online.com) — A major federal court ruling issued in Grand Rapids has blocked Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s attempt to shut down Enbridge’s Line 5 oil pipeline beneath the Straits of Mackinac, saying only the federal government can regulate interstate pipeline safety. The decision keeps the aging line operating while multiple related lawsuits continue in Michigan and Wisconsin, leaving long-running environmental and energy concerns unresolved for now.
   

5. Abused owl found in West Michigan ditch making ‘great' recovery (mlive.com) — A great horned owl first treated at West Michigan Wildlife Center in Grand Rapids is now making a strong recovery after being found zip-tied inside a grain bag in a West Michigan ditch. The bird is receiving long-term care in Eaton Rapids, while investigators seek tips and both wildlife centers ask for donations to support their work and a permanent Grand Rapids facility.
   

📸 Around Grand Rapids

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Grand Rapids

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

Saturday December 20

• The Official Christmas Bar Crawl - Grand Rapids
  The Tin Can , 206 Cesar E. Chavez Ave SW , Grand Rapids
  4:00 pm

Tuesday December 23

• Ottawa Hills vs. Union Varsity Basketball at Van Andel Arena
  Van Andel Arena , 130 Fulton St W , Grand Rapids
  5:00 pm

Saturday December 27

• Candlelight: Christmas Carols on Strings
  Wealthy Theatre , 1130 Wealthy St SE , Grand Rapids
  8:45 pm
• Next Stop Comedy at Third Nature Brewing Co.! - Rockford, MI on Dec 27, 2025
  Third Nature Brewing Company 7733 Childsdale Avenue Northeast Rockford, MI 49341
  9:00 pm

📣 Grand Rapids Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

🗓 Events Nearby

Friday December 19

• Line Dance - Beginner - Exercise Class - No Sign Up Required!
  Georgetown, MI Calendar Jenison, MI 49429
  9:00 am
• Spiritual Gathering with Sarah Hall
  Georgetown, MI Calendar Jenison, MI 49429
  10:00 am
• Line Dance - Intermediate - Exercise Class - No Sign Up Required
  Georgetown, MI Calendar Jenison, MI 49429
  10:00 am
• Christkindl Market
  Georgetown, MI Calendar Jenison, MI 49429
  11:00 am
• Free Friday Balance Class - Beginner
  Georgetown, MI Calendar Jenison, MI 49429
  12:00 pm
• Free Friday Balance Class - Intermediate
  Georgetown, MI Calendar Jenison, MI 49429
  12:30 pm
• Cards
  Georgetown, MI Calendar Jenison, MI 49429
  12:30 pm
• Caregivers Support Group
  Georgetown, MI Calendar Jenison, MI 49429
  12:30 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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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• UPDATE 2:10pm animal control took the little fella and he will be going to Kent county animal shelter!!
  In a few days he will be on the website for adoption incase anyone was interested! (Nextdoor Madison Area)
• Has anyone seen my cat?
  Christie and Ridgebrook area, He goes by blicky. Pic in comments (Nextdoor Cutler Estates)

• Michigan Staffing posted a job opening for Shipping And Receiving Clerk in Grand Rapids. Apply here.
• McDonald's posted a job opening for Shift Manager 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 don’t think you know the gravity of this situation.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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