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🌱 Patch AM: Which new 2025 Grand Rapids spots should you try first?

Be sure to catch Jurassic Quest - Grand Rapids on the Grand Rapids Patch calendar

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Hey there, Grand Rapids! Let's get started with what's happening in and around town. Read on and stay in the loop. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • Which new 2025 Grand Rapids spots should you try first?
  • What’s new at downtown Grand Rapids’ massive World of Winter festival?
  • Which 2025 Grand Rapids homicide cases are still unsolved?

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 quit my job as a banker. 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

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

  • Friday: Mostly cloudy and cold, with a high of 25 and low of 13 degrees. ⛄️ Brr!
  • Saturday: Cloudy, afternoon flurries, temps: high: 27, low: 19.
  • Sunday: Chilly with low clouds, with a high of 26 and low of 23 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. 25 businesses West Michigan welcomed in 2025 (woodtv.com) — New and returning businesses reshaped daily life in Grand Rapids in 2025, from HUB 07’s new community hub in Boston Square to fresh restaurants, shops, and coworking spaces across the city. The roundup also highlights metro-area pickleball clubs, bookstores, food trucks, and regional openings that give residents more options for eating, working, and playing close to home.
   

2. The ‘World of Winter' is returning to downtown Grand Rapids. What's new? (wzzm13.com) — Downtown Grand Rapids is gearing up for the return of the free World of Winter festival starting Friday, Jan. 9, bringing large-scale art installations, family events, and popular attractions like silent disco and Noodle Fest. Organizers say the weeks-long celebration boosts downtown businesses, draws visitors during slow winter months, and this year adds new international art, DJs, and a projection drumming show at Van Andel Arena.
   

3. 14 homicides in Grand Rapids in 2025: What to know about each case (mlive.com) — Residents are learning that Grand Rapids recorded 14 homicides in 2025, matching the previous year, with most deaths caused by gunfire across multiple city neighborhoods. The article walks through each case, ages, locations, and court statuses, while police emphasize tackling gun violence as a top priority and note several investigations remain open.
   

4. Who Are Trinidad Chambliss' Parents? A Look Into The Personal Life Of Ole Miss QB (collegefootballnetwork.com) — A rising Ole Miss quarterback has strong ties to Grand Rapids, where he, his parents, and his high school all have deep local roots. The story traces how his dad came here to play at Grand Rapids Community College, his mom largely grew up in the city, and he starred at Forest Hills Northern before his breakout college season. It’s a national sports profile with a distinctly Grand Rapids backstory.
   

5. This 10-pound baby boy arrived ‘on a mission' to be Grand Rapids' first newborn of 2026 (mlive.com) — Grand Rapids’ Corewell Health Butterworth Hospital welcomed its first baby of 2026 when Bentley Winston Adsit arrived early at 1:35 a.m. on Jan. 1. The 10-pound, 8-ounce newborn, whose due date was Jan. 7, is doing well, and his mom is recovering smoothly, according to hospital staff.
   

📸 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

    Friday January 2
  • Level Up Basketball Training
    Mill Creek Middle School - Middle School Gym
    5:00 pm
    • Saturday January 3
  • Tennis Bond Work
    Pine Island Elementary - PI East Practice Field, PI West Practice Field
    6:00 am
    • Monday January 5
  • Youth Basketball
    Pine Island Elementary - PI Gym
    5:00 pm
  • Hayley Strickland
    Comstock Park High School - HS Mat Room
    5:30 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! 💚

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Happy New Year!
    I hope 2026 brings lots of love, joy, happiness, and peace to our world! (Nextdoor Beckwith Hills)
  • Any recommendations on a nice restaurant to go to with my husband for our anniversary?
    We’re in Grand Rapids but willing to drive a bit for somewhere good! (Nextdoor SWAN)
  • Focus Workforce Management posted a job opening for Forklift Driver Jobs | Grand Rapids, MI in Grand Rapids. Apply here.
  • Michigan Staffing posted a job opening for 1st Shift Temp-To-Perm Hilo Driver 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 just lost interest.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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