Local search for Grand Rapids places

5+ hour ago (1625+ words) ANN ARBOR " The first two days of the early signing period featured some unexpected twists and turns for the Michigan football program, but it didn't move in the national rankings after the dust had settled. The Wolverines still sit at No. 11 in the 247Sports Composite rankings after losing two top-200 recruits to other schools Thursday but adding another from an SEC program. Michigan briefly fell down to 26 recruits in the 2026 class with four-star receiver Zion Robinson flipping to Stanford and four-star edge Julian Walker flipping to South Carolina, but it made another addition later in the afternoon with Georgia four-star receiver commit Brady Marchese switching his pledge to the Wolverines. All 27 prospects have signed. The class consists of two five-stars, 12 four-stars, 12 three-stars and an unrated long snapper. Here's a closer look at each commit: " National rank (247Sports Composite): 6 Meadows committed to Michigan…...

7+ hour, 30+ min ago (212+ words) GRAND RAPIDS, MI - The opening of the Rosa Parks Circle ice rink for the 2025-26 season is set for Friday, Dec. 5, weather permitting, in the heart of downtown Grand Rapids. Located at 135 Monroe Center St. NW, the rink offers outdoor ice skating for families and friends throughout the winter season. "The ice rink at Rosa Parks Circle is a good way for all ages and abilities to get outside and enjoy a classic winter activity," said Sam Truby, ice rink manager and head of the department's GR Outside program. "Our team is putting the finishing touches on a new trailer for admission and rentals, sharpening new skates and getting everything ready to welcome guests." Admission prices for the 2025-26 season are as follows: For frequent visitors, a 10-hole punch card will be available for $22. Additionally, skaters can reserve one of 50 available spots…...

13+ hour, 34+ min ago (405+ words) GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. " Here in Grand Rapids, the economy is the number one issue for many of my neighbors. From businesses to consumers, people are watching how much they're spending. The Right Place released its annual economic outlook for the region, state and nation on Thursday. The organization says the Grand Rapids area is growing in sectors, though growth has been uneven this year. I talked to one small business manager in my neighborhood who says this past Black Friday wasn't the same as previous years. Prices for goods are on a lot of people's minds right now. "The holidays were really exciting for us. Black Friday was something to look forward to this year. It was a little stressful," Shakedown Street Manager Joey Krzeminski said. As a small business owner who sells incense, clothes, and glass, this is what…...

13+ hour, 36+ min ago (351+ words) GRAND RAPIDS, Mich " Amid a challenging economic climate impacted by inflation, tariffs, and rising costs, Grand Rapids is bucking the national trends. That's according to an assessment by The Right Place, the local economic development organization, which delivered its 2026 economic outlook for the greater Grand Rapids area on Thursday morning. The presentation, held at the downtown Marriott, attracted hundreds of local business leaders. "Grand Rapids, I think, is performing better than a lot of different areas for a variety of reasons," said Michael Horrigan, the president of the W.E. Upjohn Institute in Kalamazoo. He says the area has done an admirable job of diversifying its economy among various sectors, which has protected the area from significant downturns. "Grand Rapids has changed a lot over the last 40 years," said Horrigan. "But it's a lot more than just furniture now." Other experts, like…...

13+ hour, 44+ min ago (280+ words) BOYNE FALLS, MI - This is the prime time for holiday adventures across the state. And if your plans need a glow up, you'll want to put SkyBridge's winter version on your list. And this time of the year, SkyBridge is decked out in a showy display of more than 200,000 twinkling lights. SkyBridge is open for daytime and evening crossings with its very merry look all the way through New Year's and beyond. The holiday theme, called Lights in the Sky, started a few years ago with 100,000 twinkling lights. It's been so popular with resort guests and daytrip visitors that Boyne upped the amperage - and extended the season. "Whether you're hitting the slopes or just here for the views, SkyBridge Michigan delivers," Boyne Mountain staff said. "Walk the bridge by day and watch the action below, then come back at night…...

14+ hour, 20+ min ago (405+ words) From nature-inspired art to classical ballet, mid-Michigan is packed with things to do this weekend. Whether you're looking for festive fun, family-friendly activities, or a chance to shop locally, here are five events happening across mid-Michigan. Chippewa Nature Center Nature Art Show & Sale The Chippewa Nature Center in Midland is hosting its annual Nature Art Show & Sale this weekend. Members can access a presale from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 5. The public is welcome from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 6. The nature center is located at 400 S. Badour Road in Midland. Vehicle City Record Show " Winter Edition Record vendors from all over the state of Michigan will set up to sell vinyl, CDs, cassette tapes and more at a free event in Flint on Saturday. All ages are welcome from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. There will be a live DJ with free entry and free parking…...

16+ hour, 25+ min ago (177+ words) December 4, 2025 / 10:25 AM EST / CBS Detroit A northern Michigan couple will stand trial for the alleged severe physical abuse of a child, the Michigan Attorney General's Office said. On Monday, Christopher Allen, 33, of Reed City, and Wesley Ann Conner, 21, of Leroy, were bound over to the Wexford County Circuit Court." State prosecutors charged the couple in July for alleged severe physical abuse in 2023 of a child who was then under 2 years old." Allen is charged with one count of first-degree child abuse and one count of second-degree child abuse." Conner will stand trial on one count each of second- and third-degree child abuse." "No child should ever have to endure abuse, especially at the hands of adults who are expected to protect and care for them," said Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel in a statement. "My office remains committed to holding…...

17+ hour, 33+ min ago (630+ words) K-12 schools and childcare centers would be required by law to share immunization and vaccine waiver rates with parents and the public under a new bill package from House Democrats. House Democrats say the legislation would empower parents to decide where they send their children for daycare and education while also protecting the rights of parents to have vaccinations waived for their children. The immunization and waiver rates publicly released by schools and childcare centers would be anonymized so that no information is disclosed about vaccinated and unvaccinated children or their parents, according to House Democrats. Currently, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) publishes immunization and waiver rates for schools and childcare centers once a year. The new legislation, lawmakers say, would make the immunization rate data easier for parents to access. It also would require the data…...

21+ hour, 25+ min ago (330+ words) This weekend doesn't have a widespread "snowstorm" slated for us here in Michigan. We do have two fairly light and spotty snow shower periods set to roll through this weekend. Even if you don't think this snow is meaningful, the cold temperatures will have your attention if you want to play or work outside. The two periods of light snow also will affect two different areas. The first snow shower burst will roll across northern Lower Michigan and the Upper Peninsula Friday night into Saturday morning. This snow should just be a very spotty light snow as it moves into southern Michigan. I would say it runs out of gas heading south. The second snow speeds across Lower Michigan Sunday, with most of the snow falling over southern Michigan. The Sunday snow will still be light. Here are the snowfall…...

21+ hour, 47+ min ago (806+ words) On Sunday, Jacob Timmer celebrated his 18th birthday by leading Grand Rapids West Catholic to a Division 5 football state championship. Three days later, the senior offensive lineman continued his whirlwind week by solidifying his college football future. Timmer was one of three Grand Rapids-area high school football players to sign with Central Michigan on Wednesday to kick off the early signing period, joining Holland West Ottawa linebacker Elijah Reynolds and Forest Hills Central defensive end Matt Sexton. "There's a lot going on, but it's been good," Timmer said. The trio is part of CMU's 31-player signing class, which is the first under head coach Matt Drinkall, who was hired on Dec. 9, 2024 and led the Chippewas to a 7-5 record in his first season. RELATED: 11 Michigan high school football players sign with Central Michigan That marked CMU's first winning season since 2021, and the…...