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13 ON YOUR SIDE
Black River Public School students to use new outdoor learning space this coming school year
HOLLAND, Mich. — As schools prepare for the start of a new school year, one West Michigan school district is adding a new classroom outdoors. Right now, Black River Public Schools is in the middle of constructing that space. The outdoor learning space will include places for teachers to...
Caledonia man arrested in alcohol for sex scheme with West Michigan teen girls
CALEDONIA, Mich. — A Caledonia man is accused of soliciting West Michigan girls for sex in exchange for alcohol and vape pens. The Kent County Sheriff's Office said Scott Elam, 42, who is expected to be arraigned in 63rd District Court Thursday, faces several felony charges. Detectives said they...
Remembering Muskegon Reverend Charles Poole
MUSKEGON, Mich. — The Reverend Charles Poole was well known by many for his efforts for peace and equality and on Tuesday, he passed away. Jon Covington is a local filmmaker in West Michigan and tells 13 On Your Side that the Rev. Poole was a joy to be around. He also said that Poole embodied his mantra of being a force for change while bringing people together.
133 years later, Nelson House parades through the streets of Muskegon once again
MUSKEGON, Mich. — Wednesday morning a crowd gathered on Third Street in downtown Muskegon for something you don't see everyday. However, it is a sight Muskegon residents have seen before. That is, residents in 1890 also watched as the Nelson House was paraded through the streets. Wednesday morning, the historic home was moved once again.
Sessions Lake closed as search for missing kayaker continues, search updated to 'accidental drowning'
IONIA COUNTY, Mich. — The Ionia County Sheriff's Office (ICSO) has been searching for a kayaker who went under in Sessions Lake on July 14. Three days later, with no luck in finding the missing kayaker, the search has been updated to an accidental drowning. The ICSO is still...
Grand Rapids S. Division businesses hoping for boost with Thursday 'shop and stroll' event
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Many people shop downtown Grand Rapids. But some say certain areas need more people visiting, specifically on the south side of the city. Business owners in the South Division, or SoDiv, area are welcoming people to a free shop and stroll Thursday. Tours Around Michigan...
GRPD officers train for active shooter situations
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — The Grand Rapids Police Department (GRPD) is ready for any situation, with the help of a recent active shooter training. The agency conducted the training at Cornerstone University on Wednesday. Captain Dave Siver said this type of training is critical because of how often these...
Former Muskegon football player Kalil Pimpleton pops off in Canadian Football League debut
OTTAWA, ON — With a little over five minutes left in Kalil Pimpleton's Canadian Football League Debut, the former 'Hard Knocks' star took a crossing route 70 yards to the endzone. "What a way to start...my CFL career," said Pimpleton, 25. "That was just the start of just the...
Money could be coming back to West Michigan property owners who faced foreclosure
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Michigan counties are no longer able to keep excess funds made from foreclosure auctions. That's the decision made by the Michigan Supreme Court that has opened up a settlement agreement to pay back homeowners who faced foreclosure from 2012 to 2020. However, those who could...
MSP: Semi rear-ends car, flips over in Ionia County
IONIA COUNTY, Mich. — No one is injured after a crash involving a semi in Ionia County on Wednesday afternoon, according to Michigan State Police. MDOT said around 3:15 p.m., eastbound I-96 was closed at Nash Highway (Exit #59) for a crash. MSP said a semi rear-ended a sedan...
FORECLOSURE PAYOUT | Some owners of seized Kent County homes are getting some money back
KENT COUNTY, Mich. — Kent County is set to pay surplus proceeds from auctions to the former owners of homes forfeited to the county due to unpaid property taxes. The announcement from the county comes after the approval of a settlement stemming from a federal lawsuit filed in Van Buren County in 2014.
Buddy's closes Alpine location just over one year since opening
WALKER, Michigan — Buddy's Pizza has closed its Alpine Avenue NW location just over one year since it opened its doors. The closure was announced on Friday, July 5 and was effective immediately. The store first opened its doors in March 2023. The signage has already been removed as...
Kalamazoo Growlers asking for fans' support cleaning up flooded field
KALAMAZOO, Mich. — Flooding at Homer Stryker Field is nothing new. A deluge of heavy rains in southern Michigan this week closed several roads and flooded the Kalamazoo Growlers home stand Tuesday. Butted up to the Kalamazoo River, this typically happens during the offseason. Because of this extreme flooding,...
Who is representing Team USA from West Michigan in the Olympics this year?
PARIS, France — West Michigan will certainly be represented at the 2024 Paris Olympics and Paralympics. That's thanks to five talented young athletes who are competing for gold. Meet them all below. Heath Baldwin - Kalamazoo. A Kalamazoo native earned his ticket to Paris as a member of the...
Overnight fire heavily damages Kent City home, vehicle and boat
KENT CITY, Mich. — An overnight fire damaged a home and destroyed a vehicle in Kent City. The call for first responders went out just before 4:45 a.m. Wednesday in the 300 block of Jacata Drive NW. Five people were inside the home at the time of the fire,...
'NOBODY DOES 25' | Grand Rapids neighbors concerned as Ann Street redesign looms
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Two dozen people from the Creston neighborhood lined the pews of the Providence Reformed Church on Tuesday night as officials from the City of Grand Rapids outlined a plan to reconstruct Ann Street between Plainfield and Monroe avenues in 2025. Under the plan, the city...
Former state homeland security advisor talks security ahead of Trump visit to Grand Rapids
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — 13 ON YOUR SIDE talked with a former state homeland security advisor ahead of Former President Trump and running mate JD Vance's visit to Grand Rapids this weekend. Their event comes one week after the attempted assassination of the current republican presidential nominee. The pair...
Couple works to fulfill their dream opening dog daycare in Cedar Springs
CEDAR SPRINGS, Mich. — A new business will soon make Cedar Springs its home. On Tuesday morning, ground was broken during a special ceremony, bringing one couples dreams of caring for dogs one step closer to reality. Aaron and Vera Lenartz are the future owners of Petz-Prefurred, a dog...
Misinformation campaign around visitor tax ahead of Aug. 6 vote
KENT COUNTY, Mich. — Backers of the proposed visitors tax in Kent County said there is a misleading text and billboard campaign targeting voters ahead of the Aug. 6 vote. Some residents are confused about how the tax works. The tax is a visitor tax, meaning it’s paid by people outside of the county. Kara Wood, Grand Action Executive Director, said residents won’t see the tax unless they spend the night in a local hotel or motel.
Muskegon Co. mom hopes son's death will help stop gun violence in her community
MUSKEGON COUNTY, Mich. — A Muskegon County mother hopes her son’s death inspires others to put the gun down and stop gun violence. On Tuesday, Kevin Wilson was sentenced to 24 to 80 years in prison for the death of Dylan Owens. Owens was killed in December of...
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