Good morning, Grand Rapids.

The Image's S.H.O.E.S. program marks 30 years of giving free shoes and school supplies to Kent County students during the back-to-school season.

The two-day event expects to hand out 4,000 pairs of shoes and book bags to help kids start their school year prepared.

The Oscar Mayer Wienermobile will visit West Michigan from Aug.

20 to Aug. 23, stopping in Grand Rapids, Wyoming, and Holland with themed events including a special menu and memorabilia collection. Residents can enjoy the vehicle's 90th birthday celebration (follow the announced schedule for details).

Forest Hills families now pay ($40 more per child) on back-to-school items as rising manufacturing and transportation costs push prices higher; United Way’s 211 service connects families with local assistance (including school supply giveaways) to ease the pinch.

Grand Rapids is set to add Dnipro as its eighth sister city when leaders sign a formal agreement next month, following the City Commission’s approval on Aug.

11. The partnership strengthens ties with Ukrainian families and boosts cultural, educational and civic exchanges (a sign of local commitment to democracy).

A Plainfield Township trustee denied posting a social media message that threatened Muslims, saying the image was photoshopped.

The township is holding a special board meeting this afternoon to address community concerns.

Trustee Bob Reminga denies sharing an alleged Islamophobic Facebook post; a special meeting will be held Friday at noon in Plainfield Township — township officials plan to address the controversy and clarify the situation.

Laketown Township enforced a stop-work order on Cocoa Corporation’s composting facility after more than a year of resident complaints about foul odors.

Officials noted the smells might linger, and Republic Services is pushing to block new deliveries + relocate unprocessed materials.

Morrison Industrial Equipment Company bought the long-vacant Naval building and Marine Corps Reserve Center for $3.1 million at a federal auction, well below the original $4.9 million price—reduced to $4.5 million.

The company will demolish the buildings, and neighbors hope the site spurs new development.