ZEELAND

OTTAWA COUNTY, MI – Two young Zeeland women were injured when they were thrown from a vehicle that crashed into a tree. The crash happened just before 10 p.m. Monday, July 4, on Lakeshore Drive north of Forest Lake Drive in Port Sheldon Township, Ottawa County sheriff’s deputies said. An 18-year-old who was driving a 2010 Ford Fusion north on Lakeshore Drive failed to negotiate a curve. Her vehicle left the right side of the road and crashed into a large tree. She and her 19-year-old passenger were thrown from the vehicle and suffered serious injuries.

GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- One person was shot near downtown Grand Rapids about 7:15 p.m. Tuesday, May 24. The extent of the person’s injuries was not immediately known. Police responded to an alley along Cherry Street, between Division and Commerce avenues, about 7:15 p.m. for the shooting. Officers taped off the area following the incident. More from MLiveEastbound I-196 near Zeeland closed after crashGrand Rapids police oversight office slated to double in staff size

A soldier who died when a B-25 bomber went down in Papua New Guinea during World War II has been laid to rest in his western Michigan hometown nearly eight decades after his death.

OTTAWA COUNTY MI – An overnight fire destroyed a long-time Zeeland restaurant. Community Restaurant, at 421 E. Main St., was destroyed in the fire, the restaurant’s Facebook page said early Wednesday, April 13. “To our friends, coworkers, family, customers, we are devastated to inform you that Community Restaurant had a fire tonight and the building is a total loss. “We are in shock and have no idea what our future holds, but also thankful that the fire happened after hours with no one in the building and there were no injuries or worse.”The cause of the fire has not been determined. The restaurant owners asked for prayers because “this will no doubt be a hard time in the weeks and months to come.”Read more:Grand Rapids city leaders say they’re saddened by police killing of Patrick LyoyaChemical industry pitches ‘advanced recycling’ to Michigan lawmakersMeijer Gardens announces annual summer concert series lineup

The people who packed the gymnasium at Zeeland East High School at first sat in stunned silence, as junior Jules Hoogland lined up her shot for East’s Unified basketball team as a helper was banging a stick on the support beam behind the backboard.

OTTAWA COUNTY, MI -- Three people were injured in a two-vehicle collision near Zeeland blamed in part on high winds. The crash happened on Byron Road near 56th Avenue at about 4:55 p.m. Friday, Feb. 18. A Chevy pickup, driven by a 54-year-old Hudsonville man, was going east on Byron Road when the driver encountered drifting snow. The winds and snow caused the driver to lose control of the truck and go into the opposing lane. Ottawa County sheriff’s deputies said a 58-year-old driver of the car, of Holland, and his 63-year-old passenger both had moderate injuries and were taken to Holland Hospital,The truck driver had minor injuries and was treated at the scene.

GRAND RAPIDS, MI — The Michigan International Auto Show is featuring a heavily modified 2021 Chevrolet Silverado Trail Boss (2LT) with a 2021 Vorsheer XOC (Extreme Overland Camper) at DeVos Place in downtown Grand Rapids this weekend. The modifications were performed by the Zeeland-based Gentex Corporation.

Kent and Ottawa counties will have new congressional, state House and state Senate districts starting in the 2022 mid-term races. Currently, Kent County is split across two different districts and Ottawa County is lumped into one. There will be 10 state House seats with districts entirely or partially in Kent County and five in Ottawa County. Currently, Kent County is split across seven state House districts and Ottawa County across three. There will be five state Senate seats with districts entirely or partially in Kent County and three in Ottawa County.

GRAND RAPIDS, MI – Multiple West Michigan schools were forced to close again Friday, Jan. 7, with the relentless winter storm continuing to pummel the region. A winter storm warning is in effect for several counties until 10 a.m. Friday. Those counties include Kalamazoo, Ottawa, Kent, Muskegon, Van Buren, Allegan, Newaygo, Lake, Oceana and Mason. Many schools along the Lakeshore have been closed since Wednesday after a winter storm brought heavy snow and wind that made driving treacherous in some areas and led to multi-vehicle pileups on expressways. Former House Speaker under investigation for alleged sexual assault, attorney saysMichigan’s weekend will have several big weather changes

HOLLAND, MI — A two-story, mixed-used building under construction will bring eight apartments, a boutique market and a pub to the south side of Holland. The building, 667 Hastings Ave., is being built by by Midwest Construction Group of Zeeland, and is expected to be complete by February. Located near U.S. 131, the building will house a Goog’s Pub and Grub restaurant, eight apartments, and a boutique market specializing in meat and seafood, vegetables, groceries, beer and wine.

ZEELAND, MI – In 2006, Zeeland ended its nearly 100-year-old ban on alcohol sales and allowed up to four restaurants to serve alcohol for on-site consumption. Now, in an effort to attract new businesses downtown and accommodate existing businesses, Zeeland leaders are proposing to revamp the restrictions they put in place when first allowing alcohol sales.

A House ethics committee cleared U.S. Rep. Bill Huizenga, R-Zeeland, of wrongdoing after he was fined for allegedly ignoring a metal detector inside the Capitol. The House Committee on Ethics reported Monday that a majority of commissioners voted to agree with Huizenga’s appeal. The committee dropped a $5,000 fine Huizenga was slapped with after U.S. Capitol Police reported that Huizega avoided metal detectors stationed outside the House chamber in response to the Jan. 6 riot. Huizenga reportedly left the House chamber and avoided the metal detector on his way back inside. The U.S. House adopted rules to fine lawmakers who refuse to comply with security screenings required to enter the chamber.

U.S. Rep. Bill Huizenga, R-Zeeland, was fined $5,000 for ignoring new security protocols established in the House chamber after the Jan. 6 riot. The House Committee on Ethics reported the fine Friday after being notified by U.S. Capitol Police that Huizega was being punished for going around metal detectors stationed outside the House chamber. “We believe that Bill followed the rules of the House and we are going to appeal,” said Huizenga’s spokesman, Brian Patrick. Huizenga responded that he was “just dropping off some paperwork,” according to the report, and came back out approximately three minutes later. The U.S. House adopted rules to fine lawmakers who refuse to comply with security screenings required to enter the chamber.

OTTAWA COUNTY, MI -- A 60-year-old Zeeland man was critically injured after his pickup overturned in a road construction area and landed in a water-filled ditch. The crash happened about 9:30 p.m. Friday, July 23 on 104th Avenue north of Winans Street in Robinson Township. Ottawa County sheriff’s deputies said the Zeeland man drove the truck into a “road closed” construction area. He was headed north when the pickup struck a pile of dirt, causing it to overturn into a watery ditch, police said. The driver was critically injured and taken to Spectrum Health Butterworth Hospital for treatment.

Grand Rapids Christian senior Joey Rauwerda successfully clears the bar on his pole vault attempt during the MHSAA Division 2 State Track and Field finals in Zeeland, Michigan on Saturday, June 5, 2021. (Joel Bissell | MLive.com)Joel Bissell | MLive.com

ALLEGAN COUNTY, MI – Police identified Virgil Taylor, 31, of Zeeland, as the man who was shot by a state police trooper in Hamilton during a fight. “Evidence from the scene indicates the physical altercation between Taylor and the trooper was prolonged and violent,” Robinson said. Robinson has said that the trooper appeared to have been in a life-or-death situation with Taylor, who was not armed. Read more:Man fatally shot by Michigan state trooper during scuffle was unarmed, police say‘I was extremely saddened. I cried,’ neighbor says after trooper fatally shoots man in West MichiganBreaking and entering suspect fatally shot by Michigan state trooper

OTTAWA COUNTY, MI – A 42-year-old Zeeland woman was critically injured when her vehicle crashed into the back of a dump truck, sheriff’s deputies said. The crash happened around 10:30 a.m. Thursday, June 3, on Chicago Drive between 12th and 18th avenues in Ottawa County’s Georgetown Township. Police said that both vehicles were headed east on Chicago Drive when the landscape dump truck, carrying concrete, slowed to make a left turn. The truck driver, a 31-year-old Allendale man who used a seat belt, was not hurt, police said. Read more:After developing rare blood clots post coronavirus vaccine, Michigan man wants more awarenessMichigan man accused of using blow torch, razor blades to attack woman,

Years later, the University of Michigan law school is seeking a new trial for a western Michigan woman who was convicted of killing her daughter in a house fire.

ALLEGAN COUNTY, MI - Two Zeeland men were injured in a single-vehicle crash Saturday that left the passenger in critical condition, according to a news release from the Allegan County Sheriff’s Office. Deputies responded just before 9:30 p.m. Saturday to reports of a single-vehicle truck crash in the area of 136th Avenue and 41st Street in Overisel Township, according to the release. The passenger, a 24-year-old Zeeland man, was airlifted in critical condition to a Grand Rapids area hospital. The driver, a 43-year-old Zeeland man, was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment. Police suspect alcohol was a factor in the crash, but it remains under investigation, according to the release.

OTTAWA COUNTY, MI – A former project engineer at Zeeland-based Gentex Corp. says she was fired after complaining about a male-dominant “bro culture” within company leadership. She said she was harassed and ultimately fired after she complained of being treated differently than her male co-workers. Helminski, hired as a senior project engineer in September 2018, filed the lawsuit against Gentex and her former supervisor, Brian Brackenberry. During an international sales meeting, Helminski said, male leadership roasted each other and made jokes at her expense. He allegedly suggested Helminski talk to the company’s vice president of diversity.

Zeeland police are seeking the public’s help in locating 15-year-old Elena Joy Carmona, who was last seen on April 3.

OTTAWA COUNTY, MI – Police identified Trent Payne, 26, of Zeeland, as the motorcyclist who was killed Sunday, March 21, in a crash. The crash happened just before noon on East Lakewood Boulevard near North Park Drive in Holland Township, Ottawa County sheriff’s deputies said. Payne was riding a 2015 Harley-Davidson west on Lakewood when the driver of an oncoming 2018 Honda Civic started to turn left in front of the motorcycle. The driver was going to turn into a driveway on the north side of the road, police said. Read more:3 injured in Ottawa County crash after driver falls asleepSee Class of 2020 graduation rate for any Michigan public high school

ALLENDALE, MI — A 19-year-old Zeeland man who struck a utility pole while riding a snowmobile has died. At 8 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 20, the Kent County Medical Examiner’s Office notified Ottawa County Sheriff’s deputies that Tyler John “TJ” VanKoevering had died. VanKoevering’s fatal snowmobile crash occurred about 11:40 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 19, on Pierce Street west of 64th Avenue in Allendale. The crash caused the pole it struck to break and power lines to fall into the road, police said. VanKoevering had been a prominent football and basketball player for Unity Christian High School in Hudsonville.

ALLENDALE, MI -- A 19-year-old Zeeland man was seriously injured when his snowmobile struck a utility pole near Allendale late Friday, Feb. 19. Ottawa County sheriff’s deputies and rescuers responded to the crash about 11:40 p.m. on Pierce Street west of 64th Avenue. The crash caused the pole to break and power lines fell into the road, police said. The snowmobiler was taken to Spectrum Health Butterworth hospital with significant, life-threatening injuries, police said. More from MLiveAfter Biden visits Pfizer, Sen. Gary Peters calls for mobile vaccine stations to reach rural residentsProtesters ring bells, dress in costume in attempt to draw President Biden’s attention outside Pfizer

KENT COUNTY, MI – Nearly 300 schools have closed Tuesday, Feb. 16, after an overnight winter storm. Among closings are public schools in Grand Rapids, Grandville, Byron Center, Caledonia, Forests Hills, Wyoming, Ionia, Kalamazoo, Portage, Holland, Hudsonville, Grand Haven and Zeeland. Four to six inches of snow fell in Kent County overnight. With temperatures in the single digits, and drifting and blowing snow, motorists should slow and use caution, Kent County Road Commission reported. The National Weather Service in Grand Rapids said many roads are covered with snow and ice with freeway speeds slowed.

EATON RAPIDS, MI -- Downtown Eaton Rapids just got a little sweeter today, just in time for the holidays. Who doesn’t need a little ice cream therapy right now, especially during the holidays, and even more so with a pandemic. In 2012 when MLive selected MOO-ville as Michigan’s Best Ice Cream, they were making around 12,000 gallons of ice cream. Holiday FlavorsWestendorp said all locations will sell have their popular peppermint stick and eggnog ice cream. Customers can expect MOO-ville’s milk, cheese, take and bake meals, butter, meat, and of course ice cream!

HOLLAND, MI -- Two people were injured Saturday in a crash at Chicago Drive at 104th Avenue. Ottawa County sheriff’s deputies said a 73-year-old Zeeland woman was driving a Hyundai SUV west on Chicago Drive about 9:10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 12. The SUV collided with an Audi, driven by a 47-year-old Holland man, going south on 104th Avenue. Both drivers were taken to area hospitals for unspecified injuries. More from MLiveCoca-Cola plant in Grand Rapids evacuated after chemical spillPfizer COVID-19 vaccine distribution has begun, federal officials say

OTTAWA COUNTY, MI – U.S. Rep. Bill Huizenga, R-Zeeland, won a sixth two-year team representing Michigan’s 2nd Congressional District, the Associated Press reports. He was declared the winner over Democrat Bryan Berghoef with 81.31% of precincts reporting as of 5:38 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 4. The 2nd Congressional District is comprised of Lake, Muskegon, Newaygo, Oceana and Ottawa counties and parts of Allegan, Kent, and Mason counties. Huizenga, co-owner of Huizenga Gravel, pushed job creation, economic growth, lower taxes and “sensible” environmental regulations on the Great Lakes. Read moreU.S. Rep. Jack Bergman keeps Northern Michigan Congressional seatRashida Tlaib wins reelection in Michigan’s 13th Congressional DistrictGrand Rapids-area election results for Nov. 3, 2020

OTTAWA COUNTY, MI - U.S. Rep. Bill Huizenga, R-Zeeland, is ahead in his race to represent Michigan’s 2nd Congressional District for a sixth, two-year term. Polling officials in Muskegon County have tallied about 69% of the county’s votes, with 67 of 97 polling places reported early Wednesday morning. Unofficial election results show 16,399 absentee votes and 33,842 Election Day votes have been tallied in the 2nd Congressional race. RELATED: Muskegon County election results for Nov. 3, 2020The 2nd Congressional District has long been a Republican stronghold. Related: Huizenga faces Democratic pastor in quest to keep 2nd Congressional seatIn addition to serving in Congress, Huizenga is co-owner of Huizenga Gravel.

NEWAYGO COUNTY, MI – Newaygo High School is closed Monday, Sept. 21, after positive COVID-19 tests. The school nurse has been calling parents of “close contacts” this weekend. The school district will decide later Monday if classes will resume this week. Athletes who have not been contacted by the school nurse or Health Department as “close contacts” can continue to practice. Meanwhile, Holland and Zeeland public schools each report one student having COVID-19.