Hello again Grand Rapids! We're bringing you the latest town highlights. Don't miss out, keep going! ☀️
In today's newsletter:
Also on today's calendar: Candlelight: The Best of Hans Zimmer and 5 more events.
Today's riddle: What did one strawberry say to the other strawberry? 🤔 (Answer below!)
1. Grand Rapids students return to school under new cell phone ban (fox17online.com) — Students in Grand Rapids Public Schools are starting the year under Michigan's new classroom cell phone restrictions, meaning devices must be powered off and stored during lessons. Families can still reach students through school offices, and local parents are weighing the tradeoff between fewer distractions and safety concerns as the policy rolls out.
2. Pine Rest Pediatric Center launches new volunteer program (woodtv.com) — Pine Rest's Pediatric Center of Behavioral Health in Grand Rapids is recruiting volunteer "family welcome ambassadors" to greet and guide families during stressful visits. Adults 18 and older can apply online, commit to a weekly four-hour shift, and receive full training and screening from Pine Rest to support children and parents seeking mental health care.
3. School safety officers sharpen de-escalation skills ahead of new school year (schoolnewsnetwork.org) — School safety officers from Grand Rapids and neighboring districts spent four days at Kent ISD sharpening de-escalation, mental health first aid, and legal awareness skills before classes resume. Through realistic scenarios and peer feedback, officers practiced calmer approaches to distressed students and built a shared toolkit to keep local school environments safer and more supportive.
4. Grand Rapids Union football preview: New offense holds promise for Red Hawks (mlive.com) — Grand Rapids Union High School's football team is banking on a more experienced quarterback and a new pass-friendly offense to jump-start its 2026 season. The Red Hawks open at home against Grand Rapids rival Ottawa Hills on Aug. 27, then face a mix of winnable games and tough OK Green opponents as they try to start faster than in recent years.
5. Why Fallout Shelter Signs Remain on Grand Rapids Buildings (wgrd.com) — Fallout shelter signs you may still spot on Grand Rapids buildings actually trace back to Cold War civil defense planning, and some locations remain documented today. A local group, Grand Rapids Civil Defense History, has mapped shelters and old sirens around the city and Kent County, offering photos and context for curious residents.
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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: If you weren't so sweet, we wouldn't be in this jam! (Thank you Patti F. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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