GRAND RAPIDS NEWS

The Latest Community, Education & Government News, Blogs, Photos & Videos

A study done by Plante & Moran, PLLC, shows a consolidation of Saugatuck Township, Saugatuck and Douglas' governments could save taxpayers in the three muncipalities about $2.2 million and significantly slash tax rates without sacrificing basic services like police and fire.  Full story »

Check out interview with Giraud before his Caledonia performances Saturday.  Full story »

Rachael Shier, 8, of Grandville, left, is startled by the blast of sound from Karen Dunnam, of Grand Rapids, as she plays her tuba Saturday morning.
View photo gallery from parade Full story »

Santa Claus came to town at holiday parades downtown and in Hudsonville. Full story »

A man reportedly robbed the 7-Eleven convenience store, 4258 Alpine Ave. NW, at 7:30 a.m. Saturday, and after getting an undisclosed amount of cash by knifepoint fled into the nearby York Creek Apartments complex. Full story »

Two people were injured in an early Saturday incident in a parking lot outside Julian's Bar, 1210 S. Division Ave., that involved multiple gunshots being fired. Full story »

Today, the expert moms who know how to research Black Friday 2009 ads and blockbuster deals are gearing up to establish their Thanksgiving shopping plan. But its not the same as days long ago. Full story »

MUSKEGON COUNTY — A Muskegon Township parolee who took a cab to do business break-ins has been sentenced to prison. Muskegon County 14th Circuit Judge James M. Graves Jr. last week ordered Lindsay Marie Heethuis, 27, of 2343 Holly Park to the Michigan Department of Corrections for two concurrent sentences of two to 25 years. In one case, Heethuis earlier... Full story »

President of an online college expects his school's method of teaching to grow dramatically during the next five years. Full story »

Tell blogger what you'd like to know about Matt, who is in town today. Full story »

This year, every state and school system in America was challenged with an assignment by U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan: Devise new ways to improve schools, and the best plans will get a generous slice of a $4 billion federal grant pie called Race to the Top. What Grand Rapids offered, an innovative high school restructuring, was a winner this... Full story »

Cornerstone University will eliminate 10 staff positions and not fill four other vacancies as part of a budget-tightening effort to reduce expenditures by $1.5 million. Full story »

Contemporary, casual, traditional, international and decidedly American -- this melting pot of adjectives forms the basis for Tavern on the Square. Full story »

University President Joe Stowell said the ban was “biblically indefensible.” Full story »

A Van Andel Research Institute scientist has received a $1.3 million federal grant to study how tumors develop resistance to chemotherapy in colon cancer, and his findings could help those suffering from other cancers. Full story »