Good Day
Grand Rapids
Monday, August 18th, 2025
Good morning, Grand Rapids. Here's your local news at a glance for Monday, the 18th of August.
ACCIDENTS NEWS
- ➤ A 36-year-old woman from Comstock Park died in a crash at 9:26 p.m. on Aug. 17 on Alpine Avenue NW near Eight Mile Road when her car crossed the median and rolled before being hit by a northbound vehicle — state police are investigating the incident. MLive
- ➤ A 10-year-old was seriously hurt after being struck by a vehicle on Poinsettia Avenue near Edsel Street in Kentwood around 3:21 p.m. on Sunday—police said no alcohol was involved. FOX 17
- ➤ A jet ski crash on Sunday at Spring Lake Yacht Club (near West Spring Lake Road) left one person with a bloody nose and prompted a response from Ottawa County Sheriff's Office and Ferrysburg Fire Department around 9:45 a.m. WOOD TV
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ Sanchez Lawn and Landscape sees slow business as dry, unhealthy lawns impact homeowners during a summer with 16 days of 90-degree heat and just 2.98 inches of rain— the family-owned firm advises watering twice a day though rising water costs make some clients water less. FOX 17
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ Kids in Cannon Township painted rocks Tuesday for a new labyrinth sculpture in Center Park. Local artist Jeff Grill said he will start building the art installation later this summer using pie-shaped wedges of painted rocks and expects the project to take several years. FOX 17
- ➤ News 8 asked viewers which monument best represents Michigan, and eight top choices emerged including the 13-foot Paul Bunyan statue in Oscoda—celebrated for its folklore—and the Mackinac Bridge, a vital engineering feat that links the state's two peninsulas. Other favorites include the Underground Railroad Monument in Battle Creek, Detroit's 24-foot bronze sculpture The Fist, Holland's Big Red lighthouse, Pictured Rocks' natural beauty, and the historic charm of the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island. WOOD TV
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ Today many Kent and Ottawa County school districts, including Grand Rapids Public Schools and Godfrey-Lee Public Schools, start the year with full day classes—others begin later in the week or after Labor Day under state waivers. MLive
ENVIRONMENT NEWS
- ➤ The Great Lakes Fishery Commission will use EPA funds—over $2 million—to build a sea lamprey barrier on the Grand River about a mile upstream from the Sixth Street Dam. The barrier will protect 4,000 river miles and supports today's 'Restoring the Rapids' project—details will be shared at a press conference at 11:30 a.m. WOOD TV
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ Grand Rapids Public Museum and John Ball Zoo are asking for a 10-year renewal of the countywide tax millage to fund animal care, exhibit repairs, and educational programs amid plans for expansive improvements. The tax, set at 0.4173 mills through 2035 and expected to generate about $14.9 million in its first year — must be approved by the Kent County Board of Commissioners before voters can decide on it in August or November 2026. MLive
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Member Nights at John Ball Zoo
6-8 p.m. — John Ball Zoo — Membership required — Enjoy exclusive member activities including zip lines, ropes courses, and special animal events.
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Conversations, Un-Corked: Chapter IV - The Iconic Wines of Emidio Pepe
7-9 p.m. — Grand Vin — $125 per person — Experience the elegance of Emidio Pepe’s wines with unique tastings and gourmet charcuterie.
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Moms with Moms Gathering
10-11 a.m. — Allendale Township Library — Free coffee and tea — Connect and bond with fellow mothers while children play.
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Small Foreign Festival
4:20-10:20 a.m. — Sullivan Field — Free entry — Celebrate summer with art, music, food, and a lively artist market in Grand Rapids.
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Millennium Meadows Marathon
10 AM – 2 PM — Millennium Meadows — Registration fee required — Celebrate the 8th year with a range of marathon events for all runners.
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Angry Zeta Concert
8 PM – 12 AM — Tip Top Deluxe Bar & Grill — Ticketed event — Experience the unique fusion of punk, country, and hillbilly sounds from Argentina.
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Black Sheep 5 Tour featuring Caskey
7-9:30 p.m. — The Stache — Check for ticket prices — Experience the indie success story of rapper Caskey as he performs new tracks and fan favorites.
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Kidz Bop Live: Certified BOP Tour
6-9 p.m. — DeVos Performance Hall — Ticket prices vary — Experience the energetic Kidz Bop Live with beloved songs and interactive fun for kids.
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GrandCon: Michigan's Premier Gaming Convention
10 AM – 10 AM — DeVos Place — Ticketed events available — Celebrate tabletop gaming with a weekend full of fun, including cosplay and tournaments.
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Back Outside: The Block Party
12-9 p.m. — Boston Square Neighborhood Association — Free entry — Celebrate Black culture and community through food, fun, and local vendors.
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NEW Song for "ArtPrize 2025 Grand Rapids"
Hello Grand Rapids! Excited to share ArtPrize 2025 Grand Rapids — a vibrant tribute to Michigan’s festival where the streets burst with color, music, and creativity. I’ve been proud to present here since 2009 and have always felt the warmth of this amazing, supportive community. Thank you ArtPrize, thank you Grand Rapids, and thank you to everyone who’s welcomed me with love. On my travels across the U.S., I fell in love with country music and decided to launch a new project: a country-style song for every city in America. The first album, USA Every City Song No.1, kicks off with ArtPrize 2025 Grand Rapids, dropping on Spotify August 20, 2025. — Ofer MizraChi Art
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TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
To find yourself, think for yourself.
~ Socrates
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