Local search for Grand Rapids places

46+ min ago (733+ words) Former longtime Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald has been named as Michigan State's new football coach, a little more than 24 hours after Jonathan Smith was fired. Terms of the deal were not released on Monday, Dec. 1, but multiple reports indicate Fitzgerald agreed to a five-year contract. The breakdown of MSU's newest hire is one of five "must-read" stories from MLive for Tuesday, Dec. 2. Fitzgerald, an Illinois native and former All-American linebacker at Northwestern who led the team to a Big Ten title in 1995, gives the Spartans an experienced coach who knows the conference and has deep roots in the Midwest. One of his greatest strengths is that he embodies Michigan State's foundational principles of defense and toughness. He achieved notable success at Northwestern, leading the team to 10 bowl games and two Big Ten championship appearances. He's also known as a strong…...

9+ hour, 49+ min ago (1562+ words) GRAND RAPIDS, MI " A prominent West Michigan apartment developer is challenging a regional study that calls for 33,914 new housing units by 2029, saying the figure "is not based on history, facts or common sense." Dan Hibma, the owner of Land and Company Apartments, said demand for that many units doesn't align with projected population growth, and that there's currently a 6% vacancy rate in the local rental market. "We don't need 33,914 units," Hibma wrote in a Nov. 21 letter to the Grand Rapids City Commission. Hibma, whose company owns 16 apartment communities in West Michigan, also challenged the use of tax subsidies to promote new housing, and said demand for new housing could be partly met by renovating older units. The author of the 2025 Housing Needs Assessment, Patrick Bowen, said renovations could be part of the solution. Here's a look at the concerns Hibma…...

11+ hour, 31+ min ago (562+ words) EAST GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. " East Grand Rapids City Commissioners approved new poverty-exemption guidelines Nov. 25, doubling the income thresholds and significantly increasing asset limits for residents seeking property tax relief. The changes raise the income level to twice the federal poverty guidelines. For a single-person household, the threshold increased from $15,060 to $30,120. Four-person households now qualify with incomes up to $62,400, compared to the previous limit of $31,200. "So our City Commission decided to increase that two times the federal minimum," said Stacey Hayes, East Grand Rapids assessor. The United States Department of Health and Human Services releases federal minimum income guidelines each year that all jurisdictions are required to minimally meet, though they can set higher thresholds. The city also raised the asset cap from $6,000 to $40,000 per household, though the new policy excludes primary residences, first vehicles, and jewelry, artwork and antiques from…...

12+ hour, 11+ min ago (472+ words) Michigan State moved quickly to secure its new football coach. A little more than 24 hours after Jonathan Smith was fired, the Spartans on Monday announced former longtime Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald as their choice to lead the program. Terms of the deal were not released but multiple reports indicate Fitzgerald agreed to a five-year contract. His hire still needs to be rubber stamped by Michigan State's Board of Trustees and he will be formally introduced during a press conference at 3 p.m. on Tuesday in East Lansing. Fitzgerald, who turns 51 on Tuesday, posted a 110-101 record in 17 seasons at Northwestern before being fired in July 2023 amid allegations of hazing within the program. He filed a $130 million wrongful termination lawsuit against the school that was settled in August for an undisclosed amount. Fitzgerald replaces Smith, who posted a 9-15 record in two seasons leading the…...

13+ hour, 3+ min ago (234+ words) PLYMOUTH, MI " Iconic eatery Bodes Corned Beef House announced it will close its doors Dec. 19. The restaurant owners wrote on social media this was not their decision, but the owners of the building, 280 N. Main St., have sold it to a new company. The post encouraged patrons to visit the restaurant during its last weeks for one last corned beef meal. "We are heartbroken to be unable to serve the Plymouth community for longer but are so (grateful) for the (six) decades of watching families gather and children grow up," the post reads. "We hope to open Bodes Corned Beef House again if the fates allow, but until that opportunity arises, we want you to know how much we value you as a guest." The restaurant will host a Christmas party fundraiser from 4 to 8 p.m. Dec. 15 to help its staff around the…...

13+ hour, 48+ min ago (654+ words) Jonathan Smith's time at Michigan State lasted two seasons. The Spartans officially fired Smith on Sunday. MSU finished the season 4-8 after snapping an eight-game losing streak with a win over Maryland on Saturday. "The 2025 football season has not lived up to our shared standards for Michigan State Football. While that does not fall solely on Jonathan Smith, it's become necessary to make a coaching change in order to chart a new direction for the program," athletic director J Batt said in a statement. "We are appreciative of Coach Smith and the manner in which he represented Michigan State with class. Throughout a difficult season, the team continued to compete. While their efforts ultimately didn't result in enough on-field success, they do speak highly for their character." [Get more Spartans football news: Michigan State team feed] Smith is the second Big…...

16+ hour, 34+ min ago (458+ words) Feast Week is over, and one team came out of Vegas easily ahead of the rest. Here's everything you missed in the fourth week of the regular season, and the latest Associated Press poll. Michigan was the big winner in Las Vegas this past week. The Wolverines, who entered the Players Era Festival undefeated with several solid wins, absolutely dominated. They rolled to a 40-point win over San Diego State in their first game, and then turned around and blew out then-No. 21 Auburn by 30 points the next night. While the Players Era Festival field was easily the best among the Thanksgiving week tournaments, nobody else stood a chance. As a result, Michigan jumped four spots in this week's poll to No. 3. Auburn, which bounced back with a win over St. John's after losing to Michigan, moved up to No. 20. Gonzaga,…...

17+ hour, 5+ min ago (375+ words) The heavy lake-effect snow totals associated with Monday night's incoming weather system keep getting higher every time we look at them - at least for one area of Michigan. Heavy snowfall is forecast tonight into early Tuesday along the Lake Michigan shoreline towns from Grand Haven north to Petoskey, the National Weather Service says. All those cities are now blanketed in either a Winter Storm Warning or a lesser Winter Weather Advisory. Here's what the NWS is saying about the heavy snowfall in West Michigan: Here are the forecast highlights from the National Weather Service offices across Michigan: West Michigan should prepare for significant lake effect snow today and tonight, with Winter Storm Warnings and Winter Weather Advisories in effect for counties along the Lake Michigan shoreline where accumulations of 4 to 12 inches are expected. The National Weather Service has issued a…...

17+ hour, 34+ min ago (294+ words) GRAND RAPIDS, MI - Vetr Health is inviting the Grand Rapids community and their furry companions to step into a festive, pet-friendly Winter Wonderland. The pet-friendly Santa meet and greet kicks off from 3 to 9 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 4, at the corner of Diamond Avenue and Wealthy Street. For the first time, Vetr Health is transforming its patio at 368 Diamond Ave. SE into a cozy holiday retreat complete with chocolate, warm cider, cookies for humans, treats for pets and festive Christmas music. Vetr Health is a woman and minority-owned company that provides in-home wellness care designed to reduce pet stress and support families with personalized, accessible veterinary services. "Creating comforting, low-stress experiences for pets is core to who we are," said Rachel Berkal, co-founder of Vetr Health. Hosting this event reflects their commitment to community connection, pet wellness and creating meaningful local experiences…...

20+ hour, 51+ min ago (321+ words) GRAND RAPIDS, MI - The Grand Rapids Downtown Market recently announced soft opening of Myanmar Meals, a new culinary destination bringing the bold, flavorful tastes of Burmese and Cantonese cuisine to the area. Owned and operated by husband-and-wife team Aye Soe and Min Tun, Myanmar Meals offers a menu inspired by the couple's Southeast Asian roots and their journey to the United States in 2008. Soe and Tun shared that they are feeling so "lucky and blessed" to now be open at the Grand Rapids Downtown Market, 435 Ionia Ave. SW. In the Nov. 7 press release about the opening of Myanmar Meals, officials said the "Market Hall is officially at 100% capacity." Full capacity means the venue now features 21 merchants, showcasing a range of culinary excellence from around the globe, all under one roof. "So far, we've seen so many kind faces and reviews…...