Good Day
Grand Rapids
Tuesday, March 17th, 2026
Good morning, Grand Rapids. Here's your local news at a glance for Tuesday, the 17th of March.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Amplify GR broke ground last week for a new 45-unit (mixed-income) apartment building with a 10,000 sqft food hall at 1480 Kalamazoo Ave. SE in Boston Square. The project is part of an ($82.6M) investment in local redevelopment, with the building set for completion around July. MLive
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ Electric Cheetah (a popular restaurant on Wealthy Street SE) will launch a new menu next week that prices nearly every item at $19 or less to bring back pre-pandemic affordability. The restaurant said plate sizes will remain unchanged so locals can enjoy meals at familiar portions. ABC 13
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ Over 200 GVSU faculty, staff and students have signed a letter to the Board, warning that expensive projects and limited community input could hurt the university’s student focus. President Mantella said the changes are meant to boost support for students while the group asks for clearer plans and greater board engagement. MLive
- ➤ Nearly 100 community members attended a Zeeland Public Schools board meeting Monday night to express concern over cutting the gifted program and Z-Quest as the district restructures to save $1.1 million per year. Officials note the move addresses a $7 million (budget deficit) and declining enrollment statewide. FOX 17
ENVIRONMENT NEWS
- ➤ Testing at the former Fenske Landfill in Walker detected contaminants above cleanup thresholds as a potential aquarium site is reviewed by John Ball Zoo. State officials will conduct more testing to determine if pollution controls are failing—zoo officials continue evaluating the $370 million project. MLive
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ Following a car-ramming attack at Temple Israel, local officials met in Detroit Monday to discuss rising antisemitism and call for better community safety measures. Leaders outlined enhanced security training and new legislative proposals to protect the Jewish community against future threats. ABC 13
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ Ronald McDonald House and Pine Rest introduced a 1,000 sqft Family Room at the new Pediatric Center of Behavioral Health offering free snacks (with tech workstations and a play area) to families; the room opens on Mar. 21 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and will operate fully this spring. MLive
- ➤ MDARD confirmed a case of highly pathogenic avian influenza in a commercial poultry flock in Kent County, the first detection since 2022. Health officials warn that as wild birds begin spring migration, bird owners should secure flocks (for example, by keeping birds indoors or in fully enclosed areas). ABC 13
- ➤ Lyme disease cases in Kent County jumped nearly 1,800%—from about 11 annual cases to 216 by September—as black-legged ticks spread with climate change, according to Dr. Andrew Jameson of Trinity Health. Residents are urged to wear long pants and check for ticks when outdoors. ABC 13
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ Molly Sietsema, a 6-foot-1 sophomore at Forest Hills Northern, earned Michigan’s top vote as the best underclass girls basketball player after averaging 14.3 points & 5.4 rebounds during a season that saw her team win a district championship with a 14-12 record. MLive
- ➤ The West Michigan Whitecaps will introduce a new $5 concessions menu featuring eight items plus hotdogs, small fries, and Bavarian pretzels at LMCU Ballpark starting Tuesday, April 7. The menu will be available at multiple stands at 4500 West River Drive to offer family-friendly options for fans. MLive
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Rick Steves' Europe: A Symphonic Journey
7:30-10:30 p.m. — DeVos Performance Hall — Tickets start at $45 — Experience an enchanting musical exploration of Europe with Rick Steves.
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Branford Marsalis Quartet Performance
7:30-10:30 p.m. — St. Cecilia Music Center — Ticket information available — Experience the profound talent of Branford Marsalis, a jazz luminary renowned for his dynamic performances and rich musical heritage.
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Mega 80's vs. Class of 98 Showdown
9 PM — Elevation at The Intersection — Tickets available — Experience an electrifying night of music as the 80s and 90s battle it out on the dance floor.
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Secondhand Serenade Concert
7-8:30 p.m. — The Pyramid Scheme — Ticket prices vary — Experience the heartfelt music of Secondhand Serenade in the intimate setting of a local venue.
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Quinn XCII Concert
8-10:30 p.m. — The Stache — Ticketed event — Experience the genre-bending sounds of Quinn XCII with energetic live performances and heartfelt storytelling.
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Sam Bush Performance
7:30-9 p.m. — St. Cecilia Music Center — Ticket prices vary — Experience the innovative sounds of Sam Bush blending bluegrass with jazz and rock influences.
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Anthony Gomes Live Concert
8-11 PM — The Stache — Ticket prices vary — Experience the electrifying blues and rock fusion from Canadian guitarist Anthony Gomes.
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Super Future Live
9 PM – 12 AM — Elevation — Tickets available — Experience a unique electronic journey with Super Future's eclectic sounds and high-energy performance.
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K-Pop Kids Dance Party
10:30 AM – 4:30 PM — Elevation — Family-friendly event — Dance along to K-Pop remixes and iconic pop anthems while dressed in your favorite costumes.
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Candlelight - 90s Hip-Hop on Strings
6:30-7:45 p.m. — Wealthy Theatre — Ticketed event — Experience the essence of 90s hip-hop reimagined through strings in a magical candlelit setting.
No new real estate listings today. You can submit one here.
No new job posts today. You can submit one here.
No new community announcements today. You can submit one here.
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