WEST MICHIGAN — Tourism officials along Lake Michigan say getting a 170-mile section of U.S. 31 from the Indiana border north to Ludington designated as a state historic route will help bring more tourism into lakeshore communities. However, getting the West Michigan Pike historic route designation may still need some more work, even after state historic preservation officials have... 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 »

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 »

Fruitland Township's Jeff Holtrop feels lucky he’s alive to describe a prolonged hand-to-horn wrestling match in an Ottawa County cornfield with a wounded 14-point, 195-pound buck. • Deer on the run injures Fruitport Township man driving an ATV • Deer and motorists on a collision course  Full story »

The Ottawa County Parks Department will receive less money for the red pines being harvested from Pigeon Creek Park than from those harvested in other parks and natural areas in recent years. It’s not because the trees are in any worse shape, said John Scholtz, county parks director. It’s that the demand for the timber has dropped in the... Full story »

GRAND HAVEN — From officer of the year in 2005 to criminal suspect, Dana Bryce DeVries, of the Grand Haven Department of Public Safety, has pleaded not guilty to a domestic violence charge for allegedly assaulting her husband, a fellow police officer. DeVries, 36, of 12900 14th Avenue, Robinson Township, pled “not guilty” Wednesday in Ottawa County’s 58th District Court... Full story »

OTTAWA COUNTY — The North Ottawa Community Health System and the Ottawa County Health Department have canceled seasonal flu shot clinics because their supplies have run out, officials said. NOCH has canceled its remaining seasonal flu clinics for October and November. Jen VanSkiver, the hospital’s chief communications officer, said flu shots are ordered up to 12 months in advance of... Full story »

WEST MICHIGAN — Unemployment rates eased in West Michigan in September but the number of those employed dropped as seasonal summer jobs ended in retail and tourism. Yet jobless rates continued to be significantly higher in September compared to a year ago. Muskegon County’s unemployment rate dropped to 16 percent in September compared to 16.2 percent in August. The 14,100... Full story »

OTTAWA COUNTY — Four Ottawa County businesses failed a compliance check by agreeing to sell alcohol to minors, including a restaurant owned by Muskegon County’s prosecutor and treasurer, officials said. According to the Ottawa County Health Department, the compliance checks in Grand Haven and Spring Lake happened Sept. 30. A similar sting was held in Holland a few weeks earlier.... Full story »

This week 25 years ago ...   This week’s retrospective ran Oct. 14, 1984, describing two fires, and their effects, on processing plants which occurred within days of each other at Cherry Hill Orchards in Casnovia and Bil-Mar Farms in Borculo. Here’s what The Chronicle had to say in 1984: One glance destroys the idyllic image. Cherry Hill Orchards... Full story »

OTTAWA COUNTY — A popular recreation program allowing northwest Ottawa County residents to keep fit is on the verge of becoming more active itself. Grand Haven Township trustees Monday are expected to approve a motion to convert the Northwest Ottawa Recreation Program into an authority. The township’s approval is the last major hurdle the program needs to jump before being... Full story »

WEST MICHIGAN — Cuts in state revenue sharing and the need for budget savings forced the Norton Shores Fire Department to eliminate its annual Fire Prevention Week open house this year. The move will free up almost $5,000, said Fire Chief Dave Purchase. Purchase said Norton Shores’ event has traditionally been one of the largest in the community. He... Full story »

Health experts say humans don't have an immunity to this version of the swine flu, because few people have had contact with it, making it particularly threatening. Full story »

There are signs the real estate market in Muskegon County has hit bottom. In case you’re wondering, that’s a good thing. “Things have to get as bad as they possibly can before they can rebound,” said Dale Zahn, CEO of the West Michigan Lakeshore Association of Realtors, which includes Muskegon, Ottawa and Allegan counties. “It appears we have hit bottom... Full story »

CROCKERY TWP. — Through the years Gary Dreyer has been torn away from birthday parties and family gatherings, but as Crockery Township fire chief, it is just part of the job.   The township has 18 paid on-call firefighters, although the department is approved for 24.   “Most of our firefighters have been with the department for a few years,”... Full story »