🌱 Missing Detroit Teen In GR + World of Winter Festival Begins

Hello, people of Grand Rapids! It's me again, Erica Zenn, your host of the Grand Rapids Daily.

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First, today's weather:

Morning flurries; cloudy. High: 31 Low: 23.

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Here are the top 3 stories in Grand Rapids today:

1. A missing Detroit teen has recently been sighted in Grand Rapids, according to police. 15-year-old Kiara Rose Baker has been missing since Nov. 28, 2021. She was reportedly seen on Dec. 27, 2021, outside of the Hall Street Party Store in Grand Rapids. Police are asking our community to come forward with any information about the missing teen. (MLive.com)
2. A fire at the Kent County Recycling and Education Center was started by a recycled lithium battery. The Grand Rapids Fire Department arrived at the recycling center within six minutes and contained the fire while minimizing damage. Authorities have once again warned residents against putting any batteries in their recycling. (Fox17)
3. World of Winter Festival officially begins in downtown Grand Rapids! The festival aims to give our community an interesting and interactive way to enjoy the frigid season. There are over forty unique art installations that will be on display until Mar. 6, 2022. (Fox17)

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Today in Grand Rapids:

• Martin Luther King Jr. Day: Black History Walking Tour - Rosa Parks Circle (6:00 PM)

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From my notebook:

• EatGR, a Grand Rapids food blogger, shares his appreciation for our local breakfast cafes. Click to check out where your next breakfast might be! (Instagram)
• Grand Rapids Art Museum shares a photo of a 19th-century chair titled Sitzmaschine, designed and created by Josef Hoffmann. (Instagram)
• Grand Rapids Community Foundation celebrates the memory of local philanthropist Lena Meijer. Click to learn more about Lena Meijer's dedication to our great community. (Facebook)

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You're officially in the loop for today. I'll be in your inbox tomorrow with a new update!

— Erica Zenn

About me: Erica Zenn is a Masters Student in Applied Psychology at the University of Southern California who originally hails from Chapel Hill, NC. With a bachelors degree from Cornell University, Erica is an expert verbal and written communicator who brings extensive experience in employee engagement and customer experience of companies. Erica is passionate about community building, and loves using her writing and communication skills to bring people together.