Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: What big changes could be coming to Michigan Street’s business corridor?
Happening soon: Candlelight: The Best of Hans Zimmer on the Grand Rapids Patch calendar
Hello Grand Rapids! Here's our latest buzz. Let's get into it. ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
- What big changes could be coming to Michigan Street's business corridor?
- How new Amtrak trains could change your Grand Rapids–Chicago trips
- Judge moves to toss lawsuit tied to high-profile Grand Rapids killing.
Also on today's calendar: Candlelight: The Best of Hans Zimmer and 7 more events.
Today's riddle: What is the longest word in the dictionary? 🤔 (Answer below!)
- Saturday: A shower and thunderstorm, with a high of 80 and low of 57 degrees.
- Sunday: Breezy with a shower in spots, temps: high: 76, low: 52.
- Monday: Mostly sunny and nice, with a high of 74 and low of 52 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
• Michigan Street businesses welcome growth as corridor authority plans next chapter (fox17online.com) — Michigan Street's business corridor in Grand Rapids is gearing up for another wave of growth as the Corridor Improvement Authority hires a strategic planner to guide development over the next several years. Local shop owners are pushing for more apartments, retail, and offices, and residents can even sit in on Thursday's board meeting at Grand Coney on Michigan Street. 
• Amtrak gets $2 billion grant for new trains (woodtv.com) — Grand Rapids riders on Amtrak's Pere Marquette line can expect new, U.S.-built trains after a $2.05 billion federal grant to upgrade equipment nationwide. All three Michigan routes, including Grand Rapids–Chicago, should see more seats, potential fare relief, and improved reliability as Amtrak also expands its Midwest maintenance capacity in Chicago.
• Murderer's lawsuit against Trump over immigration status 'frivolous,' judge says (mlive.com) — A federal judge in Grand Rapids has recommended dismissing a convicted murderer's lawsuit claiming Donald Trump improperly used his case during the 2024 campaign. The killing of Ruby Garcia in Grand Rapids and the suspect's immigration status drew national attention, but the court now says his complaint is legally frivolous, though he has a short window to object.
📸 Around Grand Rapids
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓 Upcoming Events in Grand Rapids
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
- KF Open House 1st-5th- Last names A-L
Knapp Elementary School Grand Rapids, MI 49546
4:30 pm - KF Open House 1st-5th- Last names M-Z
Knapp Elementary School Grand Rapids, MI 49546
5:00 pm - EGRHS Parent Forum
East Grand Rapids High School Grand Rapids, MI 49506
6:30 pm - Senior Treats
Northern High School Forest Hills , 3801 Leonard St NE, Grand Rap
7:30 am - PTO New Parent Coffee; playground
Wealthy Elementary Grand Rapids, MI 49506
8:15 am - PTO General Mtg; playground
Wealthy Elementary Grand Rapids, MI 49506
8:30 am - PTO Back-to-School Bash
Breton Downs Elementary Grand Rapids, MI 49506
4:00 pm - Back to School Picnic
Wealthy Elementary Grand Rapids, MI 49506
5:30 pm - Candlelight: The Best of Hans Zimmer →
Wealthy Theatre, 1130 Wealthy St SE, Grand Rapids
6:30 pm - Candlelight: Tribute to British Rock Legends →
Wealthy Theatre, 1130 Wealthy St SE, Grand Rapids
8:45 pm
Monday August 24
Tuesday August 25
Wednesday August 26
Thursday August 27
Tuesday September 1
Saturday September 5
📣 Grand Rapids Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
🗓 Events Nearby
- East Kentwood JV Volleyball Invite
Kentwood High School East Kentwood HS - EKHS Fieldhouse
8:00 am - Cross Country (Boys V) @ Crusader Cross Country Classic
Jenison Public Schools Muskegon Catholic Central
8:15 am - Tennis (Boys V) @ East Kentwood Varsity Invite
Jenison Public Schools East Kentwood High School
8:30 am - EK Boys Tennis Invite
Kentwood High School East Kentwood HS - EKHS Tennis Courts
8:30 am
Saturday August 22
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- If you live around m6 and Broadmoor.
... this kitty showed up at my mom and brothers door last night. If anyone knows the area. Theres only 4 homes right there by hardner and warner… (Nextdoor Cutler Estates) - Please share & repost to help reunite this stray cat!
FOUND on August 19, 2026 in Comstock Park, MI 49321 near Alpine ave, NW Sharing for a neighbor. For the latest information or to contact the finder,… (Nextdoor Alpine Estates)
- TIBCO Software, Inc. posted a job opening for Night Stock Associate in Grand Rapids. Apply here.
- TJX Companies, Inc. posted a job opening for Store Cleaning Associate in Grand Rapids. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Grand Rapids here.
🗞 Nearby News
East Grand Rapids
- 'Anything I can do for the team': Grant Adloff stands out as leader for East Grand Rapids (woodtv.com)
Walker
- Drive-thru Mediterranean spot on Alpine Avenue targets fall opening (woodtv.com)
- Godwin Heights football preview: Wolverines ready for conference title run (mlive.com)
Wyoming
- Wyoming festival to include spoken word poetry, outdoor fun (woodtv.com)
- 28th Street Metro Cruise returns to Wyoming with thousands of classic cars, food trucks, and more (fox17online.com)
- Police investigating after 27-year-old man shot and killed in Wyoming (fox17online.com)
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: Smiles, because it has a mile between "s". (Thank you Sharon M. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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