Firefighters investigating smoke in Walker Olive Garden restaurant

Submitted by WZZM13, News Staff

Monday, September 27th, 2010, 10:05pm

WALKER, Mich. (WZZM) -- Fire crews are investigating a fire at the Olive Garden Restaurant at Alpine Ave. & Center Dr. NW.

The Walker Fire Department was dispatched to the restaurant around 8:30 p.m. Monday.

Dispatchers say they received a report about smoke on the roof of the building, and they are still investigating.

Diners and restaurant employees were evacuated from the building before firefighters arrived. Customers and restaurant workers said they smelled burning plastic inside the business. A manager at the restaurant said the cause of the smell was determined but would not give details.

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KHPS - Second Annual Rex Reed Memorial Run/Walk

Submitted by Anonymous on Monday, September 27th, 1:12 pm

From: http://khps.org

Runners and walkers of all skill levels are invited to participate in the second annual Rex Reed Run on Friday, October 1, 2010 at 4:00 p.m. The cost is $10.00 and includes a t-shirt. Those interested in participating can sign up with Mr. Craig Veldman at the middle school or Mr. Todd Johnston at the high school. All proceeds from the race will benefit the Rex Reed Memorial Fund here at KHPS, which is geared to help middle school student athletes!

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Submitted by WZZM13, News Staff

Friday, September 24th, 2010, 2:21pm

GRAND RAPIDS (WZZM) - The man charged with killing an out of town guest at a Walker motel in August was back in court Friday for his preliminary exam.

Jack Jacqmain, 52, is charged with fatally stabbing Mark Moore, 31, of Indianapolis on August 18 at the Motel 6 on Three Mile Road and Alpine Ave. NW.

Mark Moore's family members were in the courtroom, noticeably weeping and wearing shirts with pictures of their murdered loved one.

Jacqmain's court-appointed attorney requested the preliminary exam be postponed until Jacqmain undergoes a competency evaluation and a criminal responsibility evaluation.

The defense attorney said it was based on many factors, the biggest being Jacqmain's lengthy mental health history. Prosecutor called it appropriate and did not oppose the request.

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Submitted by WZZM13, News Staff

Thursday, September 23rd, 2010, 10:02pm

KENT COUNTY, Mich. (WZZM)- Kent County is once again at the top of the list for car-deer crashes. The Michigan Car-Deer Crash Coalition says more than 2,100 such accidents happened last year. That's about 200 more than the next highest - Oakland County.

The coalition was in Grand Rapids Thursday to launch its fall safety campaign - just a week before the worst time of year for car-deer crashes.

Lori Conarton with the Michigan Car-Deer Crash Coalition says, "Deer crashes are not only a concern with life and injury, but it costs us all through higher insurance premiums. The average deer-car crash costs $2,100 to fix your car. That's the average. And that totals about $130 million year in damages to vehicles."

Kent County was number two for car-deer crashes in 2008, behind Jackson County.

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Submitted by WZZM13, News Staff

Wednesday, September 22nd, 2010, 6:13am

WALKER, Mich. (WZZM) -Hangar 42 started off with a bang much like the special affects used for one of the movies filmed in it's studio. But the Hangar 42 turned out to be a bust. One of the developers was charged with fraud, and parts of the old Lear plant now called Avastar Park are empty yet again.

"Having a facility like that sitting vacant in your community, certainly was not a preferred way," said Cathy Vander Meulen City Manager.

But on Tuesday the Kent County Finance Committee approved 28 point five million dollars in bonds for a new tenant.

"Now we have a group that has formally approached us to explain what their plans are and to explain what their vision is for the property and what they are doing," said Vander Meulen

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Submitted by WZZM13, News Staff

Tuesday, September 21st, 2010, 2:33pm

WALKER, Mich. (WZZM) - There's new interest in the old Lear Plant on Alpine Avenue.

The facility was at the center of a controversy involving the Hangar42 Project which was a proposed film studio. The deal fell apart when the developer was charged with fraud.

Rick Chapla from Right Place in Grand Rapids says a California firm along with a local company, Fifty-Fifty Entertainment, have reached a verbal agreement to buy the old auto facility. It's currently owned by Grand Rapids attorney Jack Buchanan. The reported sale price is $7.3 million. The proposed plan would once again involve building sound stages and recording studios for the entertainment industry.

Chapla says the deal is moving forward quickly so the developers can take advantage of $28 million in tax bonds. The bonds were approved this morning during the Kent County County Commission finance committee meeting.

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Submitted by WZZM13, News Staff

Saturday, September 18th, 2010, 12:43am

ALPINE TWP (WZZM) -- The Kenowa Hills Knights tried to recover from last week's loss to Lowell, as they hosted the Grand Rapids Christian Eagles Friday.

The Eagles were up 21 - 7 in the 3rd quarter. Matt Grassmeyer pump-faked then went deep and hit Jaylen Staten in stride for the 40 yard score. Christian's lead jumped to 28 - 7.

Kenowa wasn't done though. A touchdown cut the Eagles lead to 28 - 14.

But Christian is a scoring machine this season. Grand Rapids Christian took the win over Kenowa Hills 48 - 20.

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