UPDATE: Lowell man killed after moped hits tree

Submitted by Bob Brenzing, Web Producer

Friday, May 17th, 2013, 5:01pm

LOWELL TWP., Mich. (WZZM) -- A Lowell man has died in a moped accident early Friday morning.

Kent County Sheriff's deputies say Andrew Nauta, 32, was driving west on 36th Street when he crossed the center line, lost control and hit a tree.

Around daybreak a passerby spotted his body and notified authorities. Nauta was pronounced dead at the scene.

Investigators say Nauta was not wearing a helmet and alcohol was involved in the accident.

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Local school makes list of America's Most Challenging High Schools

Submitted by Christa Graban, Producer

Friday, May 17th, 2013, 2:40pm

Local school makes list of America's Most Challenging High Schools

MUSKEGON, Mich.—Mona Shores High School has made the list of “America’s Most Challenging High Schools.”

The Washington Post compiled the Challenge Index to identify schools that are the most successful at persuwading average students to take college level courses and tests. This year, Mona Shores High School ranks 1,078th out of 22,00 high schools nationwide, and 13th in the state of Michigan.

Nearly 400 Mona Shores High School students will participate in AP testing this spring.

Other West Michigan schools that made the list of challenging high schools include: Grand River Prep in Kentwood (#2), Black River in Holland (#4), East Grand Rapids (#8), Lowell (#13), Portage Central in Portage (#23) and Jenison (#29).

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School is just starting for local MSP trooper recruits

Submitted by Christa Graban, Producer

Wednesday, May 15th, 2013, 9:42am

The school year is wrapping up for many people, but it’s just beginning for dozens prospective Michigan State Police troopers.

Sunday, May 12, 80 men and women from across the state began the 125th Trooper Recruit School. For the next 21 weeks, MSP members and academy staff will train the recruits in firearms, water safety, defensive tactics, patrol techniques, report writing, ethics, first aid, criminal law, crime scene processing and precision driving. Recruits who successfully complete the training will graduate October 4.

Michigan State Police selected recruits from more than 3,000 potential candidates.

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Lowell restaurant foots the bill for traditional field trip treat

Submitted by David Pomper

Wednesday, May 15th, 2013, 9:00am

Lowell restaurant foots the bill for traditional field trip treat

LOWELL, Mich.-- Thanks to local hometown eatery Keiser's Kitchen, students will get to their ice cream this year.

Every year at this time, Bushnell Elementary teachers take students on a walk through the community to see how local businesses work. They visit the post office, bank, police station and shops. This year, thanks to Trudy Cahoon of Keiser’s Kitchen, they will also get ice cream on their walk through town.

The treat was put on hold after Ball's Softee Cream couldn't afford the rising cost of treating the students. So Cahoon stepped in to treat the kids for their $1.

"I'll make them each clown sundaes and they can see how a restaurant works, after all, these kids are our community,” Cahoon said.

Keiser's Kitchen has been in business since 1945.

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Michigan Historical Commission approves tribute to Meijer family

Submitted by Christa Graban, Producer

Monday, May 13th, 2013, 2:44pm

Michigan Historical Commission approves tribute to Meijer family

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich.— Grand Rapids is getting another tribute to the men behind Meijer Stores.

On May 8, the Michigan Historical Commission approved a marker to honor Hendrik and Fred Meijer, who in 1962 became the first grocers to combine two popular retail models—discount department stores and supermarkets—into a single store on 28th Street, called “Thrifty Acres.” The Meijers then took their model to Holland and Muskegon.

Meijer now has nearly 200 stores across the Midwest, including Kalamazoo, Walker, Wyoming, Jenison, Rockford, Plainfield Township, Forest Hills, Lowell, Grandville, Kentwood, Grand Haven and Greenville, where Hendrik Meijer opened his very first store in the 1930s.

The new historical marker will be added to more than 1,700 green and gold signs found across the state, that chronicle the people, places and events that make Michigan’s heritage unique and unforgettable. The historical markers are nominated by spons

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Yarn bombing! How you can help dress up downtown

Submitted by Christa Graban, Producer

Wednesday, May 8th, 2013, 4:19pm

Yarn bombing! How you can help dress up downtown

LOWELL, Mich. — If you’re sick of knitting or crocheting pot holders, sweaters and scarves, the city of Lowell has a new challenge for you: a downtown yarn bombing.

The Lowell Area Arts Council is asking for volunteer knitters/crocheters to adopt a tree to yarn bomb. The available trees are located on Main Street between Hudson and Monroe.

Yarn bombing began in Europe about a decade ago, when artists started covering outdoor objects in knitted and crocheted decorations. Yard bombing has since crossed over to the U.S., where you can find cozy-covered tree stumps, postal boxes, benches, statues and fire hydrants.

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A wild safari planned to benefit Lowell Arts Council

Submitted by WZZM13, News Staff

Tuesday, May 7th, 2013, 4:39pm

Lowell, Mich. (WZZM) The Lowell Area Arts Council is holding a fundraising event at Boulder Ridge Wild Animal Park in Alto.

It's happening May 18th from 5:30-8:30pm. Tickets are $40.00 a person and reservations are required.

The event includes safari rides, reptile show, petting zoo and an opportunity to have a picture taken with a small alligator or snake. The event is for adults only.

For more information contact the Lowell Arts Council.

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