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:
Also on today's calendar: Free Bra Fittings to Support Breast Cancer Awareness and 9 more events.
Today's riddle: Why did the girl pig break up with the boy pig? 🤔 (Answer below!)
1. Phase one of Grand River restoration project underway (therapidian.org) — Work is underway on phase one of restoring the Grand River's rapids through downtown Grand Rapids, including removing four small dams between Bridge and Fulton streets and reshaping the channel for fish, wildlife, and recreation. Backed by $11 million in federal funding, the project will add features like J-hook weirs near the Public Museum and is expected to expand river access for students, kayakers, and other residents through at least 2027.
2. 5,000 Runners Expected At Grand Rapids Marathon (mix957gr.com) — Grand Rapids drivers and residents should prepare for major street closures on Sunday, October 18, when up to 5,000 runners tackle the 23rd Annual University of Michigan Health–West Grand Rapids Marathon. The 26.2-mile course starts downtown at the David D. Hunting YMCA and winds through West Side neighborhoods, so planning alternate routes or coming out to cheer will be important.
3. Former GRPS employee accused of chatting online with teens pleads guilty (woodtv.com) — A former Grand Rapids Public Schools custodial worker and youth soccer coach has pleaded guilty to accosting a child for immoral purposes after explicit online conversations with someone he believed was a 14-year-old girl. The man, arrested after a sting involving Oregon and Kent County authorities, previously worked at Harrison Park Academy and coached several local soccer teams; sentencing is set for Dec. 10.
4. Can you help Grand Rapids police identify a pickup truck driver in an August hit-and-run collision? (wzzm13.com) — Grand Rapids police are asking residents to help identify a dark-colored pickup involved in a serious hit-and-run that injured an e-bike rider near Walker Avenue NW and Fremont Street NW on Aug. 28. Investigators describe a four-door Chevy Silverado or Ford Super Crew with likely undercarriage damage and urge anyone with information or video to contact GRPD or Silent Observer.
5. Michigan's first-ever behavioral health crisis center marks two years helping thousands in Grand Rapids (fox17online.com) — Grand Rapids residents now have a proven, two-year-old behavioral health crisis center downtown that's diverted thousands of people from emergency rooms and jail into faster, specialized care. The Kent County facility, home to Michigan's first crisis stabilization unit, offers walk-in assessments, short-term stays, and rapid support for mental health and substance use crises, easing pressure on hospitals and law enforcement.
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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: "Why did the girl pig break up with the boy pig?" — Because he was such a boar! (Thank you Theresa H. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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