Man shot while watering lawn, protecting grandson

Submitted by Chris Zoladz, Multi-Media Producer, WZZM 13

Wednesday, June 19th, 2013, 10:08pm

GRAND RAPIDS (WZZM) -- Police say a man watering his lawn was caught in the crossfire on the city's southeast side.

The shooting happened around 8:30 p.m. Wednesday at the intersection of Thomas Street and Neland Avenue SE.

Witnesses say a black teenage male was shooting at the driver of a black Pontiac when a man in his 60s jumped in front of his grandson to protect him.

The victim was struck in his leg and he was hospitalized with non life-threatening injuries. Police say he was not the intended target of the shooting.

According to law enforcement dispatch, Grand Rapids Police had requested the Michigan State Police helicopter to fly over the area, however the chopper was on patrol 40 minutes away.

Police are preparing for the possibility of retaliatory shootings and are patrolling the neighborhood to deter crime.

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President declares disaster following spring floods

Submitted by WZZM13, News Staff

Wednesday, June 19th, 2013, 11:48am

(WZZM)-- President Obama is declaring a disaster in 16 Michigan counties because of severe spring flooding.

The declaration frees up federal funding for eligible governments and non-profit organizations to repair damages caused by flooding from April 16 to May 14. Allegan County, Ionia County, Kent County, Muskegon County, Newaygo County and Ottawa County are all included in the disaster declaration. The flooding caused more than $3 million in damages to public property in Ottawa County alone.

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Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo among 'Best Small Cities for Beer-Lovers'

Submitted by Christa Graban, Producer

Wednesday, June 19th, 2013, 11:19am

Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo among 'Best Small Cities for Beer-Lovers'

Two West Michigan communities have made the cut for “Best Small Cities for Beer-Lovers.”

Both Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo made TravelNerd’s top ten list, based on their breweries, events and pubs.

In Grand Rapids, TravelNerd highlighted Founders Brewing Company, rated one of the best breweries in the world by Rate Beer, Brewery Vivant, for traditional Belgian-made beer, Grand Rapids Brewing Company, which limits its landfill waste to 10 percent, The Hideout Brewing Company for its variety of beer, and Harmony Brewing Company for its pizza.

In Kalamazoo, TravelNerd focused on Bell’s Brewery, the largest and oldest craft brewery in the state, Arcadia Brewing Company and Olde Peninsula BrewPub.

Michigan and Colorado were the only two states to have two cities on the list. The rankings are limited to cities and towns with populations under 400,000.

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Indian Trails to show off golf course changes

Submitted by Matt Campbell, Executive Producer

Wednesday, June 19th, 2013, 7:35am

GRAND RAPIDS (WZZM) -- It's been hosting golfers for 85 years, but the new managers of the Indian Trails Golf Course are making changes to bring in more players -- and improve their bottom line.

The course, owned by the city of Grand Rapids, is at the corner of 28th Street and Kalamazoo Avenue SE.

A new manager is in charge of Indian Trails, and he's been supervising a series of updates to the course, grounds and clubhouse -- all aimed at making the course more self-sustaining.

Earlier this year, the city commission approved a plan to give the course $220,000 to keep it operating.

The course is hosting a open house Wednesday to highlight the changes made to the facility.

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GR votes to raise parking meter rates

Submitted by Chris Zoladz, Multi-Media Producer, WZZM 13

Tuesday, June 18th, 2013, 10:32pm

GRAND RAPIDS (WZZM) -- Parking just got a little more expensive in Grand Rapids. Tuesday night city commissioners approved raising downtown meters by 25 cents to $1.75 per hour.

Neighborhood meters will increase to 50 cents per hour, but rates at downtown parking ramps will stay the same.

"We want any way we can to encourage people to use our ramps and to get them off the streets so those short-term meters turn over more rapidly for the benefit of the merchants," says Mayor George Heartwell.

This is the first time Grand Rapid has raised parking meter rates in 15 years.

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Leaders back park millage proposal, parking fee hike

Submitted by WZZM13, News Staff

Tuesday, June 18th, 2013, 2:31pm

GRAND RAPIDS (WZZM)- A proposed tax to help Grand Rapids' parks, pools and playgrounds is one step closer to a public vote.

Tuesday morning, the Committee of the Whole approved the language for the proposed city charter amendment. The proposed tax would be .98 mills for seven years. Funding from the millage would be primarily used to improve the city's green spaces, which one city commissioner says the city has been disinvesting from for 15 years.

"A strong city has strong parks and we have long ignored our parks here in Grand Rapids," said City Manager Greg Sundstrom. "It's time to begin reinvestment, to bring them back to where they were so we can create an environment where families will want to buy and live in Grand Rapids."

The millage would not replace money already set aside for parks, pools and playgrounds in the city budget. The ballot proposal now goes to the Attorney General for language approval.

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UPDATE: Missing GR woman found safe

Submitted by Chris Zoladz, Multi-Media Producer, WZZM 13

Tuesday, June 18th, 2013, 12:36am

UPDATE - 4:30 p.m. Monday
GRAND RAPIDS (WZZM) -- Police have located a missing Grand Rapids mother who was missing for nearly two weeks.

Latoria Wiley, 33, was found safe Monday afternoon by Grand Rapids Police. Authorities say she was missing on her own accord.

Police did not release further details of her disappearance.
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GRAND RAPIDS (WZZM) -- Police are searching for a Grand Rapids woman who's been missing for 10 days.

Latoria Wiley, 33, left her home on the city's west side on May 30. Five days later on June 4, she made a short call from a payphone in the area of South Division and Burton Street, saying she would be home shortly.

Wiley never returned home and hasn't been heard from since. Her family says all calls to her cell phone go directly to voicemail. Latoria's family, along with her three children, told police that this is unusual behavior.

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