KENT COUNTY, Mich. — (WXMI) –  Kent County residents were able to learn more about the vaccine distribution process during a virtual town hall held by Senator Winnie Brinks with Dr. Adam London of the Kent County Health Department and Dr. Hyung Kim, President of Mercy Health Saint Mary’s. A recurring topic during the evening was the supply-demand chain, with Dr. London and Dr. Kim agreeing there is still not enough vaccine to distribute across West Michigan. “I share the frustration, I think we all do,” Dr. London said. “Right now, it is truly a supply problem and creating systems […]

(CAR & DRIVER) – The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has opened an investigation into the 2013–2018 Toyota RAV4 after receiving 11 complaints of a fire starting from the engine compartment, as first reported by the Associated Press. The investigation covers nearly 1.9 million vehicles, and NHTSA said it suspects that the problem comes from the positive terminal of the 12-volt battery shorting on the battery’s hold-down frame, “which may result in the sudden loss of electrical power, vehicle stalling, and/or a fire originating in the engine compartment,” according to a document released by the regulatory agency. Of 11 complaints submitted, seven […]

LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Former Michigan Department of Public Health and Human Services director Robert Gordon will receive more than $155,000 as part of a separation agreement. The agreement revealed Monday calls for Gordon to drop all claims against the state. It also promises legal assistance in matters relating to actions he took while director. Gordon resigned in January after the Michigan Supreme Court effectively invalidated many of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s executive orders pertaining to the COVID-19 pandemic.  Gordon issued essentially the same mandates under state laws unaddressed by the court, prompting protests outside his home.

Warmers temperatures have made venturing out onto the ice more risky. The DNR was telling people  to use extreme caution while removing fishing shanties or making their way out to try ice fishing. Over the weekend, 4 fishermen went through the ice on a lake in Lenawee County.  They were checking to see how sturdy the ice was.  Three were able to make it out but a fourth is still missing.. 2 people fell through the ice on Hampton Lake in Portage and had to be rescued. 2 people and a dog were pulled to safety from a pond west […]

ORLANDO, Fla. — Former President Donald Trump took to the stage for the first time since leasing office. He called for  GOP unity, continued to talk about election results and made it clear that he intends to remain a dominant political force. Trump criticized President Biden on issues ranging from the brewing crisis at the border to foreign policy as well as the reopening of schools during the coronavirus pandemic.  He said that  Joe Biden has had the most disastrous first month of any president in modern history and called the new administration “anti-jobs, anti-families, anti-border, anti-energy, anti-women and anti-science.” […]

(ABC) – Johnson & Johnson’s COVID-19 vaccine has been recommended for Americans over 18 years of age, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Advisory Committee determined via vote Sunday. The board voted 12 in favor, one recusal and no opposition. J&J received emergency use authorization from the Food and Drug administration Saturday and is now approved to be administered after gaining signature approval by CDC Director Rochelle Walensky. The company has since tested its vaccine, which touts an 85 percent efficacy against serious illness and is 100 percent effective against hospitalizations, was tested in areas where there are serious COVID-19 variants. The […]

(USAToday) – Two days after seriously injuring his leg in a single-car crash near Los Angeles that required emergency surgery, Tiger Woods was moved from Harbor-UCLA Medical Center. Dr. Anish Mahajan, interim CEO and chief medical officer of Harbor-UCLA, announced Thursday night that Woods had been transferred to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center “for continuing orthopedic care and recovery.” Woods suffered a comminuted open fracture in his right leg during the single-vehicle, rollover crash that required emergency orthopedic surgery Tuesday. Here is the latest on what we know about the details of Woods’ crash and the injuries he suffered. The Los Angeles Times reported Thursday that on the day of the […]

Our flags across Michigan have been flying at half-staff this week as we honor the lives lost due to COVID-19. Over 500,000 American lives have been lost as families and loved ones continue to grieve. Earlier this week the President held a moment of silence and a candlelight vigil. Flags in the state of Michigan will return to full-staff on Saturday.

—(AP) –  Former Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm has won Senate confirmation to be energy secretary. She’ll be a key Cabinet member trying to fulfill President Joe Biden’s commitment for a green economy as the United States fights to slow climate change. The vote was 64-35, with 14 Republicans, including GOP leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, voting yes. Granholm served two terms as governor in a state dominated by the auto industry and devastated by the 2008 recession. Separately, Senate committees also heard from Biden’s nominees for surgeon general and trade representative.

On Thursday the State Senate approved $2 billion in COVID-19 relief spending. $110 million will be put aside for vaccine distribution. $20 million would go towards student mental health services. They also have approved increased pay for frontline workers. Young people have been greatly effected by COVID in a number of ways and $20 million would go towards student mental health services.

(Mlive) – With Michigan’s COVID-19 case numbers remaining relatively low, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said Wednesday the state may soon roll back some of its restrictions. “We’re expecting to make more announcements on additional re-engagements in the coming days,” Whitmer said in a Wednesday news conference. “Our case numbers and public health metrics are trending in the right direction. I’m very pleased to see that. I’m feeling very optimistic.” One potential tweak could involve restrictions on visitors at nursing homes, Whitmer said. Right now, visitors must be tested for COVID-19 and cannot visit at all if the facility has had a new case […]

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., Feb. 25, 2021 – Gilda’s LaughFest, today announced headliners participating during LaughFest’s virtual festival, March 11-14. Headliners and events that are scheduled as part of the festival’s premium all-access content (paid content) include: Ron Funches, Tom Papa, Justin Willman, Michelle Wolf, The Comedy Project’s “3 Mics & a Movie!,” and the stage performance “Bunny Bunny: Gilda Radner” directed by Emmy award winning director Teresa Thome. This year’s festival will feature a total of 30 events, plus social media content and contests. Much of LaughFest will continue to be free, with donations to Gilda’s Club welcome, while premium all-access […]

(Mlive) –  Legislation that would simplify seawall permitting during high water periods on the Great Lakes and codify the state’s authority to regulate structures at the beach has drawn some intraparty fire from Republicans who are upset the bill no longer allow property owners to install erosion protections without getting a permit. Senate Bill 61 is sponsored by Sen. Roger Victory, R-Hudsonville. It’s backed by state regulators under Democrat Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, who called the Republican legislation a “compromise” they support out of a desire to clear up jurisdictional confusion around the state’s authority to manage shoreline protection structures like boulder revetments. That […]

Kentwood, Michigan, February 22, 2021 – Woodland Mall is making it easier for guests to support Black-owned businesses and brands all year through the launch of “Support Black-Owned Businesses and Brands 365.” Woodland Mall has created a home on its website highlighting Black-owned retailers, fashion brands, cosmetics, fragrance lines, books, music and other products for sale within other retailers at  the mall. This is part of an ongoing effort by the mall’s parent company, PREIT (NYSE:PEI) to spotlight Black-owned entrepreneurs and brands within its portfolio of top-tier and region-leading properties in eight states. During the coming year, at least two-thirds of PREIT properties also plan […]

WASHINGTON —(USA TODAY) –  Five hundred candles glowed around President Joe Biden as he stood outside the White House in a moment of silence to honor the lives of the more than 500,000 Americans who have died from COVID-19. “Today we mark a truly heartbreaking milestone: 500,071 dead,” Biden said during remarks in the Cross Hall of the White House before the moment of silence. “That’s more Americans who have died in one year in this pandemic than in World War I, World War II, and the Vietnam War combined. That’s more lives lost to this virus than any other […]

(Mlive) – Someone is trying to use the COVID-19 vaccine to try and scam unsuspecting people on the phone. The scam is related to vaccine appointments. Specifically in Oakland County, they are sending out a warning to anyone who may receive a phone like this. The caller first asks people questions in order to schedule a vaccine appointment. The caller then asks for personal and financial information, something that would never be asked of you to give to health officials. “Oakland County will never ask for any financial information including credit card or social security numbers,” said Leigh-Anne Stafford, health officer for […]

ALLENDALE, MI –(Mlive) –  A local committee tasked with recommending changes to a controversial Civil War statue in Allendale Township has come up with three possible solutions. None of the potential changes to the statue presented by the seven-member Garden of Honor Memorial Committee on Monday, Feb. 22, to the Allendale Township Board of Trustees are final, however. The committee were given five more meetings to study the three possible solutions and come back to the township board with a final recommendation, which the board can ultimately shoot down or approve. The possible changes to the statue, presented for the […]

President Joe Biden visited the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine manufacturing plant in Portage, Michigan, on Friday to oversee what efforts are being enacted to ramp up production. He said he can’t give an exact date when life will return to normal.  There needs to be consideration of the new variant of the virus and how that could impact us.   “I can’t give you a date when this crisis will end, but I can tell you we’re doing everything possible to have that day come sooner rather than later,” President Biden said, insisting he remains hopeful that things will change for the […]

(ABC AirPower) – Isolated light snow showers crept across parts of the Northeast and Central Appalachians Sunday, setting up a new week of strong winter weather. Pittsburgh and Cleveland are looking at a messy Monday commute with snow expected to fall in the early a.m. with rain enveloping the Tennessee Valley. Some pockets of light freeing rain may even develop across parts of the Central Appalachians and may begin in New York as snow in the early afternoon but end as rain by Monday evening. The good news is that most of the country is looking at a much quieter weather pattern […]

ALLENDALE, MI — (Mlive) –  A 19-year-old Zeeland man who struck a utility pole while riding a snowmobile has died. At 8 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 20, the Kent County Medical Examiner’s Office notified Ottawa County Sheriff’s deputies that Tyler John “TJ” VanKoevering had died. VanKoevering’s fatal snowmobile crash occurred about 11:40 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 19, on Pierce Street west of 64th Avenue in Allendale. VanKoevering was riding alone with no other snowmobiles. The crash caused the pole it struck to break and power lines to fall into the road, police said. No other people were injured. VanKoevering was […]

(FOX Business) –  Ford announced that it will recall over 150,000 select vehicles for airbag and rear suspension issues. The company is recalling 1,666 of its 2021 Bronco Sport vehicles due to rear suspension modules that may not be properly attached. “Affected 2021 Ford Bronco Sport vehicles were produced with rear suspension modules that may not be fully secured to the subframe,” the automaker said in a news release. “Rear suspension modules with loose or missing bolts may affect the vehicle’s stability, increasing risk of an accident, and may result in reduced rear-impact crash performance, increasing the risk of injury. ” The recall impacts 1,640 vehicles in the U.S. […]

(Mlive) – Toro has recalled about 6,700 snowblowers that pose an amputation hazard when used. According to the recall from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission the auger on Toro’s Power Max Snowthrowers can fail to disengage when the control lever is released, causing an amputation hazard. The recall involves Model Year 2021 Toro Power Max 826 OHAE Snowthrowers with Model Number 37802. The model and serial number are located on the back of the machine. The machines were manufactured in Juarez, Mexico and distributed by the Toro Company of Bloomington, Minnesota. To date, the company has received five reports of […]