SOUTHEAST ADVANCE

The Latest News, Updates and Opinions

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Property tax rates have dropped 8.45 percent, state shared revenue has been slashed, more than $1.6 million in cuts have been implemented and more are on the way, but Kentwood Mayor Richard Root is still upbeat. Root addressed the community last week through his annual state of the city speech, expressing a great deal of optimism that Kentwood has... Full story »

Caledonia-based Foremost Insurance Group hopes to land $728,000 in grant money to help improve four intersections in Caledonia. If it comes through, the Transportation Economic Development Fund grant will help fund improvements at the intersections of 60th Street and Old 60th Street, 60th Street and M-37, 68th Street and M-37, and Kraft Avenue and 68th Street. Foremost Insurance would pledge... Full story »

Caledonia Township trustees have decided not to seek bonds through the federal stimulus “Build America Bond” program to fund the construction of a new library. A $2.825 million, 21-year bond proposal was passed by voters in May 2009 to fund the construction and maintenance of a new 17,200-square-foot, $3.8 million Caledonia Township library. Trustees examined two bond options at their... Full story »

The Kent County Sheriff’s Department believes a suspect who robbed a Bob Evans Restaurant in Gaines Township on Feb. 28 may have struck again at the Peking Inn Restaurant in Byron Center. At 7:13 p.m. on Saturday, March 6, the Kent County Sheriff’s Department responded to an armed robbery at the restaurant, located at  701 68th St. SW. The suspect,... Full story »

Brian FordeSouth Christian High School’s Drama Department will be presenting the musical “Oklahoma!” at 7 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday, March 25 to 27 in the auditorium, 160 68th St. SW. Student actors (left to right) Nicole Wiersma, 17, Josiah Gorter, 18, and Luke McConnell, 16, recite lines for the upcoming performance. Tickets are $7 and are on sale beginning... Full story »

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We would like to clear up a misconception about the funding of the community (PEG) television stations. WKTV is a Public, Educational and Governmental channel on cable as established by federal legislation. The two cable television providers in our cities are Comcast and AT&T; both of these cable companies provide funds to support the cable station. Currently WKTV is investing... Full story »

The roof on the Caledonia Village and Township Hall building, 250 S. Maple St., was leaking so badly late last year that government officials had to collect dripping water in buckets during major rainstorms. Village and township officials recently sent out 15 requests for proposal and selected Walker-based roofing contractor Rasmussen LLC to replace the faulty roof. Village and township... Full story »

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As Caledonia Township Supervisor Bryan Harrison presented the “State of Caledonia Township” speech recently, he promised the community that elected leaders will “continue working to keep Caledonia a place you are proud to call home.” “Caledonia has been recognized both regionally and nationally as a choice community to live, learn, work and play,” said Harrison. “The tremendous growth of our... Full story »

City of Kentwood officials have elected to hold off for now on broadcasting their weekly government meetings on WKTV public access television. Second Ward Commissioner Ray VerWys had suggested the idea, stating WKTV offers the service for free and that broadcasting government meetings would enhance transparency. But commissioners elected to table the idea at last week’s Committee of the Whole... Full story »

Kentwood officials are considering raising a fee paid in lieu of taxes at a senior-based Section 8 housing development following an ownership change. Detroit-based American Community Developers Inc. recently purchased the 152-unit Greentree Apartment complex, located at 4320 Kalamazoo Ave. SE, and plans to invest more than $2.63 million in improvements at the location. Joan Jansma, who was sole general... Full story »