MUSKEGON NEWS

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MANISTEE — Fruitport Township’s Larry Romanelli has been elected president of United Tribes of Michigan for the upcoming year. United Tribes of Michigan represents the 12 federally recognized Native American tribes in Michigan. Romanelli is the elected ogema of the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians based in Manistee. “There are a number of serious issues which will affect... Full story »

MUSKEGON COUNTY — A Montague man has been sentenced to prison for a nighttime home invasion in White River Township. Muskegon County Circuit Judge James M. Graves Jr. last week ordered Joshua Steven Brock, 20, of 5854 Cleveland to prison for 2 1/2 to 20 years, with the recommendation that he be released at his first parole date. Brock... 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 »

MUSKEGON — The city of Muskegon’s new monthly utility billing system could bring users a slight savings if they join online billing programs. With sewer rates scheduled to jump 25 percent in 2010, the city has decided to institute a monthly sewer and water billing system instead of the current quarterly system. Bill payers had asked for a monthly system... Full story »

MUSKEGON COUNTY — The Rev. Gregory Kirksey, late pastor of New Hope Baptist Church, started Project Agape in 1995 as a way to provide for those in need around the holidays. Every year until Kirksey’s death in 2004, several people received Thanksgiving baskets full of groceries for a special meal. That show of love was Kirksey’s passion, his wife, Lisa... 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 »

After eights months of work, construction on the 8,000-square-foot Nature Education Center at Hemlock Crossing Park in West Olive is nearing the final phase, but the Ottawa County Parks and Recreation Commission still has a busy winter in its schedule. Chip Francke, park system coordinator of interpretive and information services, said officials are hoping to wrap up construction by... Full story »

Saturday, Nov 21 THE MIX The Book Nook and Java Shop, 894-5333, 8726 Ferry, Montague: Richard Ballard, 9 a.m.-noon and Earl Hyde, 6-8 p.m. SOS Brunch, with scrambled eggs, sausage, gravy, toast, orange juice, milk and coffee, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., Great Lakes Naval Memorial and Museum, 1346 Bluff. 755-1230, ext. 232. Holiday Shopping Frenzy, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Mona Lake Boat... Full story »

MUSKEGON COUNTY — The Walgreens cashier said she laughed when a man walked up and demanded all the money in the cash drawer. “I thought he was joking,” said Rhonda Follett. He wasn’t. “He said he was serious, to open the f---ing drawer and give me all the money,” Follett said. “He said he had a gun.” Follett testified Thursday... Full story »

The Ottawa County Road Commission's 2010-2015 Strategic Improvement Plan, approved by the commission in September, is the second to be compiled under the commission’s new approach to evaluating and budgeting for road improvements. From 1981 to 2006, the Road Commission reviewed the primary road system every five years and produced a 10-year improvement plan. The increase in road construction costs... Full story »

It's a case of déjà vu for one area woman as a unique opportunity allowed her to purchase her childhood home. Judith Burke recently purchased a house, barn, and 5 acres of land at 6344 E. Pontaluna Road from Fruitport Township with the high bid of $25,000. Burke had grown up in the home years ago before her mother... Full story »

A 53-year-old West Olive woman was hospitalized in fair condition at a Grand Rapids hospital after suffering multiple injuries in a two-vehicle Grand Haven Township collision Friday morning. Full story »

MUSKEGON COUNTY — Sewage is flowing through Muskegon County’s new force main and the same is about to be said for traffic on Marquette Avenue. The county is in the finishing stages of its eight-month project to replace 11 miles of 66-inch force main. Sewage was switched from the old main to the new one Thursday, and the roadway that... Full story »

Marsh Field, where Jesse Owens once dusted his toes and Satchel Paige trotted the bases, is about to get a facelift. Full story »