Hello Grand Rapids! Stay connected with the latest updates from around town. Let's dive in! ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
Also on today's calendar: Free Admission to Grand Rapids Cultural Institutions with Museums on Us® and 6 more events.
Today's riddle: Why are elevator jokes so good ? 🤔 (Answer below!)
1. Pastor calls gun violence in Grand Rapids a 'state of emergency' (fox17online.com) — A Grand Rapids pastor is renewing his call to declare a "state of emergency" after a spike in local homicides, including seven deadly shootings in six weeks. He and Police Chief Joe Trigg urge residents and city leaders to invest more in youth, neighborhoods, and nonviolence as Grand Rapids records its highest January–August homicide total in three years.
2. Judge explains Grand Rapids amphitheater noise ruling: court transcript (mlive.com) — A Kent County judge has ruled that the new Acrisure Amphitheater in downtown Grand Rapids must follow the city's existing noise ordinance, a key development for nearby Plaza Towers condo residents worried about loud concerts. While he stopped short of declaring the venue a legal nuisance, both sides will return to court to argue whether ongoing noise levels, reportedly reaching into the 90-decibel range inside some homes, are unreasonable for city living.
3. Where to Find Every Bike Repair Station in Grand Rapids (rivergrandrapids.com) — If you bike around Grand Rapids, you now have a handy guide to every public repair station, from Founders Brewing and the Downtown Market to Cherry Park, Fulton Street Farmers Market, and several GVSU downtown spots. These free stations offer tools and air pumps for on-the-go fixes, and riders can also tap Lime or select Kent District Library branches for bike access.
4. Grand Rapids strengthens emergency readiness by bridging language barriers (themunicipal.com) — Grand Rapids is expanding its emergency preparedness efforts by offering Community Emergency Response Team training entirely in Spanish, helping more residents understand what to do before first responders arrive. A recent Level 1 course at a local church covered fire safety, basic disaster medical operations, and home readiness, and city officials say growing demand is driving plans for more multilingual classes and alerts.
5. Affordability concerns rise with Grand Rapids' new Veo e-scooters (woodtv.com) — Grand Rapids has swapped Lime for Veo as its official e-scooter and e-bike provider, and many frequent riders are now scrutinizing whether the change actually saves them money. While per-minute rates are similar, the city highlights Veo's cheaper subscription options, including a low-cost access program and commuter and student plans that could significantly cut costs for regular users.
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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: Because they work on so many levels ! (Thank you Gary M. for sending it in!)
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