Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: Why Grand Rapids’ city comptroller is taking the city to court

Happening soon: College Park Skyhawks at Grand Rapids Gold on the Grand Rapids Patch calendar

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Tuesday January 6th Patch AM
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Hello Grand Rapids! Stay connected with the latest updates from around town. Let's dive in! ☕️️

Before we get to what's happening, a big thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making Grand Rapids PatchAM possible. Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

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    Teach your kids they can achieve the impossible!

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

In today's newsletter:

  • Why Grand Rapids’ city comptroller is taking the city to court
  • Which 2025 West Michigan stories grabbed Grand Rapids readers the most?
  • Which Grand Rapids feel-good moments made 2025 a little brighter?

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: What did the hair spray say to the hair when it got back from vacation? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Tuesday: On-and-off rain and drizzle, with a high of 38 and low of 34 degrees.
  • Wednesday: Cloudy, temps: high: 38, low: 34.
  • Thursday: Mostly cloudy, afternoon rain, with a high of 47 and low of 37 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. GR comptroller sues the city over 'usurping' of duties, staff (woodtv.com) — Grand Rapids’ elected city comptroller is suing the city, arguing recent budget changes that stripped most staff and financial duties from his office illegally shift power to appointed administrators and weaken independent oversight of city finances. City leaders say the reorganization was about efficiency and addressing workplace concerns, while a city spokesperson is declining comment on the new lawsuit.
   

2. Our top news headlines from 2025 (wzzm13.com) — Grand Rapids readers are invited to look back at the West Michigan stories that drew the most clicks in 2025, from state politics to deeply personal local tragedies. The roundup touches on everything from Governor Whitmer’s actions and federal court decisions to Rockford and Electric Forest cases that resonated across the region.
   

3. The top good news stories of 2025 (wzzm13.com) — Grand Rapids residents are highlighted in a roundup of 2025’s most uplifting local stories, from a pioneering sustainable home and a nationally recognized Cherry Street restaurant to a record-setting pygmy hippo birth at John Ball Zoo. The piece also celebrates West Michigan moments like a heroic Coast Guard rescue, a massive Lowell driveway book sale, and local sports and pageant milestones.
   

4. Four in ten children in Kent County are overweight or obese, according to new report (fox17online.com) — Children in Grand Rapids’ 49507 ZIP code have some of the highest childhood obesity rates in Kent County, according to a new county health report based on Corewell Health records. The study finds four in ten county kids are overweight or obese, with disparities by ZIP code, race, and insurance, and urges more community partnerships to expand healthy eating and activity programs.
   

5. Kalamazoo man gets 20 years for possession, intent to distribute over 12 pounds of meth (wzzm13.com) — A federal judge in Grand Rapids has sentenced a Kalamazoo man to 20 years in prison for trafficking more than 12 pounds of meth, capping a months-long investigation. Two co-defendants, including one caught with a loaded handgun, have already received lengthy prison terms tied to the same operation.
   

📸 Around Grand Rapids

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Grand Rapids

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

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Other local events

📣 Grand Rapids Shout Outs!

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🗓 Events Nearby

    Tuesday January 6
  • Girls JV/Varsity Drop in Soccer / Conditioning
    Pine Island Elementary - PI Gym
    4:00 pm
  • Boys Freshman Basketball vs Kelloggsville High School
    Comstock Park High School - HS Gym
    4:00 pm
  • Level Up Basketball Training
    Greenridge Elementary - GR Gym
    5:00 pm
  • Youth Basketball
    Stoney Creek Elementary - SC 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.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • You never know who needs company.
    The other day I had found some items for free on Facebook nothing really caught my eye and I was really looking to buy more baby cloths but something… (Nextdoor North Park/Creston)
  • Update: he is chipped and is waiting to be picked up by his owner.
    Hi, this dog wandered into my yard from a back alley. Safe inside but has a collar and want to return him to his owner. Headed to a vet tomorrow to… (Nextdoor Belknap Lookout)
  • Bethany posted a job opening for Activity Coordinator in Grand Rapids. Apply here.
  • Michigan Staffing posted a job opening for Housekeeper 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 mist you!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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