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Longform Fish Ladder

Take me to the water: How public access to rivers, lakes, and streams is growing in Michigan

By Patrick DunnTuesday, August 4, 2020
"People are defined by the water in Michigan, and access to it is really a deep value and a fundamental right."
Feature Story KG

Published Together: Exploring the access, equity, and obstacles of telehealth

By Kristin Gietzen, President/CEO of Arbor CircleTuesday, August 4, 2020
In this special op ed, President/CEO of Arbor Circle Kristin Gietzen explores the impact of the shift to telehealth due to COVID-19, and how this unique method of providing behavioral health services provides advantages for some and obstacles for others.
Feature Story Andrew Boatright is the Zeeland BPW general manager.

Zeeland BPW aims to boost local economy with extra round of Power Dollars

By Shandra MartinezTuesday, August 4, 2020
This year, in an effort to promote local spending during the pandemic, the Zeeland BPW is distributing Economic Advantage Power Dollars to all customers who sign up for paperless billing by the Sept. 20 deadline.
Development News FFM

Video will spread the word: Fulton Street Farmers’ Market accepts SNAP dollars

By Estelle Slootmaker, Development News EditorMonday, August 3, 2020
Fulton Street Farmers Market and its SNAP-Ed Food Navigator produce video to share how easy it is to use food assistance benefits at the Market.
Feature Story Michelle Bombe in her garden at her Laketown Township home.

Backyard gardens gain popularity during pandemic

By Bev BerensMonday, August 3, 2020
MSU Extension has seen a spike in interest from those seeking to create home gardens since the pandemic began. Those who are trying it say gardening provides a food source and fills the need to nurture.
Feature Story Spring Grove park is wheelchair accessible.

What to do in August? 8 ways to explore your Lakeshore backyard

By Sally LaukitisFriday, July 31, 2020
August is a prime time to enjoy the Lakeshore’s enchanting summers. This is a great month to get outside and explore Ottawa county’s treasures. Tourism expert Sally Laukitis offers up a list that includes options for everyone, regardless of age, ability, or interest.
Feature Story Violet and Quinn Tunison were excited to back at the Howard Miller Public Library in Zeeland.

Libraries’ reopening brings people back to ‘community living room’

By Heidi TunisonThursday, July 30, 2020
Nearly all of the libraries across Ottawa County have reopened with new safety precautions in place. Reporter Heidi Tunison tried out the libraries with her two young ones in tow. She explains how the library experience has changed during the coronavirus pandemic. 
Feature Story Rodger Price is the founder of Leading by Design.

One man’s vision: making West Michigan known for great leadership

By Shandra MartinezWednesday, July 29, 2020
Rodger Price is on a mission to train 1,000 West Michigan leaders. His Leading by Design program boasts an impressive list of alumni.
Feature Story Kyle A. Moroney with her family during last year's Coast Guard Festival.

A spirited salute to the 2020 Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival that never was

By Kyle A. Moroney Tuesday, July 28, 2020
With this year's Coast Guard Festival canceled because of COVID-19, longtime Grand Haven resident Kyle A. Moroney explains what's so special about the 10-day community celebration. And she shares photos from her favorite moments. 
Feature Story VSO

Grocery voucher program offers much-needed help for Kent County's veterans

By Lauren Fay Carlson, Managing EditorMonday, July 27, 2020
A new grocery voucher program assists veterans with much-needed funds to feed their families amid COVID-19. Kent County Veterans Services offers a streamlined, remote process for veterans to receive $150 to $250 in vouchers to Meijer stores for groceries and necessities.
Feature Story Jane Clark is the Michigan West Coast Chamber of Commerce President. 

Chamber trailblazer earns elite designation

By Shandra MartinezMonday, July 27, 2020
Under Jane Clark’s leadership, the Michigan West Coast Chamber of Commerce is nationally recognized as an industry leader that is impacting the Holland-Zeeland area for the greater good.  
Feature Story Autumn & Tierney

Health-insurance, diagnoses, and intersectionality: One couple’s experience with COVID-19

By Allison ArnoldFriday, July 24, 2020
Systemic inequalities have become increasingly apparent with COVID-19, making many communities more vulnerable to its impacts. Many LGBTQ individuals are at a heightened risk and Tierney Pierce and Autumn Johnson discuss their shared experience with the disease.
Feature Story The Morales family rode on the Lakeshore Habitat parade float down Columbia Avenue to their new home at 132 E. 37th St., where an outdoor dedication was held.

Parade celebrates nonprofit-church partnership in building Habitat home

BY ANDREA GOODELLFriday, July 24, 2020
In spite of construction shutdowns due to COVID-19, a partnership between nonprofits and churches has completed a Habitat for Humanity home for one Holland family. The completion of the project was celebrated with a parade and a home dedication.
Innovation News NAEP

Native American Education Program builds bridges with students, families, and community

By Estellle Slootmaker, Interim Innovation News EditorThursday, July 23, 2020
West Michigan’s only school-based program serving Native American children, Grand Rapids Public School Native American Education program supports students in achieving “gakina agegoo ji-ni-minoowazhiwebag,” a balanced and productive future. 
Longform Gallup-Park

Travel by water trail

By Patrick DunnThursday, July 23, 2020
Water trails are a relatively recent phenomenon in Michigan, having proliferated across the state over the past 10 to 15 years. Water trail advocates chalk that up to a variety of factors: the ripple effect of growing public interest in land-based trails, the establishment of the National Water Trails System in 2012, and a growing population of older adults that appreciates low-impact exercise like canoeing and kayaking.
Feature Story LEDA Executive Director Gloria Lara introduces Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist at the Summit.

LEDA’s 1st virtual conference brings together leaders for day of inclusion education

BY ANDREA GOODELLThursday, July 23, 2020
In an age when racial inequity has been thrust to the forefront, the Lakeshore Ethnic Diversity Alliance’s annual summit on race and inclusion drew nearly 800 people. Among the virtual event's attendees were representatives from cities, public schools, police departments, public health departments, corporations, nonprofits, and universities.
Feature Story Census

With a growing Asian community, local organizations dismantle misperceptions of the 2020 census

By Allison ArnoldWednesday, July 22, 2020
As Wyoming's population and diversity continues to grow, local organizations are working to raise awareness of the 2020 census in these often undercounted communities. In the Asian community, organizations such as Asian Community Outreach and the Bhutanese Community of Michigan have worked to dismantle misperceptions about the census and to bridge language and technology barriers.
Feature Story Census

Organizaciones locales desmantelan percepciones erróneas del censo 2020 para la comunidad asiática

Por Allison ArnoldWednesday, July 22, 2020
A medida que la población y la diversidad de Wyoming continúan creciendo, las organizaciones locales están trabajando para crear conciencia sobre la importancia del censo de 2020 en estas comunidades que son a menudo poco contadas. En la comunidad asiática, organizaciones como Asian Community Outreach y Bhutanese Community of Michigan han trabajado para derrumbar las percepciones erróneas sobre el censo y superar las barreras del idioma y la tecnología.
Feature Story Recent high school grad Gezelle Kingdom Grier is ready to cast a ballot in her first election by mail

Mail-in ballots attractive to first-time voters

BY BARUCH DE CARVALHOWednesday, July 22, 2020
Recent high school grad Gezelle Kingdom Grier is ready to cast a ballot by mail in her first election. “I was looking forward to voting in person but I think this will be much easier," she says. 
Longform Doris Abbott, a volunteer for Senior Services Southwest Michigan, prepares meals for delivery.

Michigan's Meals on Wheels programs adapt to surging demand and new safety protocols during pandemic

By Estelle SlootmakerTuesday, July 21, 2020
Urgent pandemic-era changes have affected Meals on Wheels programs in differing ways, and each one has come up with unique strategies to rise to the challenge.
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