My Town: Consumers Energy Foundation awards grants worth $14,125

Submitted by Cheri Mikowski, WZZM Receptionist & Community Blogger

Saturday, February 28th, 2015, 7:00am

----NEWS RELEASE---

Feb. 23, 2015-- The Consumers Energy Foundation announced today it has recently awarded 28 volunteer grants worth $14,125 to nonprofit organizations in Kent County and the surrounding area to recognize outstanding volunteerism by Consumers Energy employees and retirees.

The foundation awards Volunteer Investment Program grants to encourage and reward volunteerism by those who work or have worked for Consumers Energy.

The Consumers Energy Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Consumers Energy. It provides funding for a variety of areas including education, community, civic and cultural development, social services, the environment, and emerging issues.

Michigan nonprofit organizations received more than $10 million in contributions in 2014 from Consumers Energy, its employees, retirees, its foundation and parent company CMS Energy.

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Submitted by Cheri Mikowski, WZZM Receptionist & Community Blogger

Saturday, February 28th, 2015, 7:00am

During Red Cross Month in March, the American Red Cross reminds eligible blood donors that it doesn’t take a cape or super powers to be a hero. By donating blood, donors can become a hero for patients in need.

Red Cross Month is dedicated to the everyday heroes who support the Red Cross mission by giving blood, volunteering their time, learning lifesaving skills or making a financial contribution.

The need for blood is constant. The Red Cross depends on blood donor heroes in communities across the nation to collect enough blood to meet the needs of patients at approximately 2,600 hospitals nationwide. Donors with all blood types are needed, particularly those with types O negative, A negative and B negative.

To learn more about donating blood and to schedule an appointment, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

Upcoming blood donation opportunities:

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Submitted by WZZM13, News Staff

Friday, February 27th, 2015, 7:23pm

DETROIT (WZZM) -- The FBI announced several new indictments in connection with a string of smash-and-grab robberies at jewelry stores across the country, including one that happened in West Michigan at Paul Medawar Fine Jewelery.

Friday morning in Detroit, federal and local authorities announced 17 new indictments and released several new photos of suspects that have not yet been caught. The U.S. Attorney's office says there is a nationwide ring of thieves who have been targeting diamonds and rolext watches across the country.

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My Town: Real estate professionals to give back to public servants

Submitted by Tyler Lecceadone on Wednesday, February 25th, 4:56 pm

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – A group of real estate professionals have come together to create a service that is giving back to those who serve the public in the Grand Rapids area.

"U Deserve" has brought together several professionals who are dedicated to lowering costs associated with buying, selling or refinancing a home for active military members, veterans, firefighters, police officers, EMS providers, health care professionals and educators.

“Growing up with a father who served in the National Guard and as a police officer, I was able to see first-hand how much public service individuals give back to their communities,” said Kevin Wildman, founder of U Deserve. “U Deserve is a way of saying ‘thank you’ to those individuals.”

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Submitted by WZZM13, News Staff

Wednesday, February 25th, 2015, 8:16am

PLAINFIELD TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WZZM) -- A Grand Rapids-area woman is dead after a crash involving a bicycle and an SUV in Kent County.

It happened around 11:20 p.m. Tuesday on Plainfield Avenue near Rockhill Drive, northeast of Five Mile Road NE.

Deputies were called to the scene on a report of a cyclist hit by a vehicle. They found Anita Daugavietis, 58, on the ground with what were described as severe injuries.

Investigators determined Daugavietis was riding her bicycle southbound on Plainfield. The driver of the SUV, also southbound on Plainfield, did not see the bike and hit the woman from behind. Deputies say the bike did not have any lights.

Daugavietis was taken to Spectrum Health Butterworth Hospital, where she died from her injuries.

Deputies say the driver of the SUV had not been drinking. They say speed is not believed to be a factor in the accident.

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Submitted by Bob Brenzing, Web Producer

Thursday, February 19th, 2015, 2:43pm

(WZZM) - Lent is underway and we have a list of area churches and organizations offering fish on Friday's for the next 40 days.

Some churches are having events on Good Friday (4/3) and some are not. For further details and confirmations on any listing, you may want to call ahead.

If you have a Fish Fry not listed here, send details to webmaster@wzzm13.com.

If the database is not displaying for you, check this link on a desktop computer.

Online Database by Caspio

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Submitted by WZZM13, News Staff

Tuesday, February 17th, 2015, 1:37pm

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WZZM) -- The dealership that used to be called Keller Kia now has a new owner and a new location.

Auto retailers Bill Doraty and Jeff Johnson announced Monday they've bought the dealership, rebranding it as Kia of North Grand Rapids. They've also moved the business from Alpine Ave. to Plainfield Ave. near 5 Mile.

They tell us the move will expand the dealership, adding about 30 new jobs. Doraty and Johnson say their sales staff will be paid a salary without any commissions.

Keller Ford tells WZZM that they sold Kia brand to Doraty and Johnson to focus solely on Ford and pre-owned vehicles.

The owners are still planning an official grand opening.

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