Eric Gaertner

GRAND RAPIDS, MI – The police fatal shooting of a Black motorist that thrust Grand Rapids into the national conversation about policing of minority communities and a call for police reforms was front and center again this week. MLive/The Grand Rapids Press provided comprehensive coverage this week of the preliminary examination hearing on the second-degree murder charge against police officer Christopher Schurr, who has since been fired.

GRAND RAPIDS, MI – The ongoing debate over books with certain themes and passages on the shelves in public libraries is more than just a Jamestown Township issue. While the “defunding” of Patmos Library over LGBTQ books in the growing Ottawa County community certainly grabbed national headlines, the broader topic of requesting to remove specific books from library shelves is popping up in West Michigan and beyond.

Grand Rapids Today 8:01 AM 21 Ottawa County Families celebrate Adoption Day WEST OLIVE, MI – Wearing smiles and neck ties, Keegan and Caleb sat on the lap of Ottawa County Probate Court’s chief judge. In the manner of minutes, gavel strikes and Judge Mark A. Feyen’s signature signaled the adoption of the two young boys into the Bogardus family – joining Mom Rebecca, Dad Cam, older sister Audrey and older brother Jacob. Moments later, they joined with 10 members of their extended family for photos.