March 11, 2019
Attorney’s certification helps potential clients
A local attorney is in a class all by herself. Last month, Connie Thacker, attorney at Grand Rapids-based Thacker Sleight, became the first female family law attorney in Michigan to be certified by the National Board of Trial Advocacy (NBTA), which is accredited by the American Bar Association. Although the certification bolsters Thacker’s résumé, […]
Environmental organizations nix ‘zero coal’ plan
(As seen on WZZM TV 13) Consumers Energy’s “zero coal” plan has come under scrutiny as a handful of environmental organizations have recommended the Michigan Public Service Commission revise it as it stands. The MPSC recently received a recommendation to reject Consumers Energy’s proposed long-term energy plan, which includes substantial investments in clean energy resources. Administrative Law […]
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Change Ups: Olivet, Kellogg colleges enter articulation agreement
Olivet College and Kellogg Community College entered into a partnership that enables the transfer of credits between the two institutions that will assist students pursing a Bachelor of Science in nursing with a smooth curriculum transition. The agreement minimizes loss of credit and duplication of coursework. The program serves three student populations seeking a seamless […]
State’s improvement plan now public-investment driven
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s first State of the State address marks a major turning point in the state’s approach to improving the well-being of Michiganders. The process is now public-investment driven. After nearly three decades of disinvesting in education and infrastructure in favor of lower taxes, Whitmer made the case that Michiganders have paid a high […]
Cybersecurity and Industry 4.0: struggles and strategies for manufacturers
Many have considered the past two years to be the worst years for data breaches and cyberattacks, largely due to the rise in ransomware and other crippling security attacks. According to Cisco’s annual cybersecurity report, ransomware is growing at an annual rate of 350 percent, and the FBI estimates the annual global market to be […]
Street Talk: Long Road derailed
Long Road Distillers was set to start out 2019 with a bang, but a municipal ruling has fizzled out its plans. The Grand Rapids distillery was one of three local businesses that submitted bids to the Grand Haven City Council to be tenants in the historic Grand Trunk Depot at 1 North Harbor Ave. The […]
Public Record
BANKRUPTCY 19-00299 – RUTHERFORD, Robert M. & Christina M., 1055 Evergreen SE, Michael M. Malinowski (Ch. 7) 19-00301 – WHITLEY, Sherry J., 2163 Outlook SE, Caledonia, James A. Siver (Ch. 7) 19-00303 – DOMEIER, Tomara L., 6902 Independence Lane, Amy M. Szilagyi (Ch. 7) 19-00305 – WILLIAMS, Dustin L. & Chelsie B., 8499 Sunny Lane […]
County, ICE at odds over detention procedures
Kent County and the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency are on tenuous terms. The Kent County Sheriff’s Department recently instituted a policy change that now requires ICE to provide a judicial warrant for the department to detain an illegal immigrant for longer than the individual’s release date. Previously, the department had held such individuals […]
Senior living communities join forces
Two Michigan senior living organizations have joined forces. Chelsea-based United Methodist Retirement Communities is now the sole shareholder of Grand Rapids-based Porter Hills Presbyterian Village after the organizations signed an affiliation agreement, effective March 1, according to the organizations. Porter Hills previously was linked with Grand Rapids-based Westminster Presbyterian Church. The organizations are maintaining separate […]
Business, charitable sectors are blurring
Once strictly separate, the business and philanthropic sectors continuously are blurring as more people embrace the potential positive results. Historically, some stark capitalists insisted the free market would be undermined if businesses added “social responsibility” to their bottom lines, but those values are increasingly considered by many as ineffective and old-school, according to a recent […]
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Inside Track: Contributing to GR’s growth
Orion Real Estate Solutions may take the spotlight on its vast portfolio of multifamily projects in the greater Grand Rapids area, but part of the credit should go to its longtime partner, Michael Maier, managing partner of Cusp Group and, more recently, PURE Real Estate. Maier grew up in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and studied finance […]
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Grand Rapids Chamber pushing creative fields
The Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce is making a push to enhance creative fields locally. The chamber’s goal is to build on the creative culture, retain talent by promoting partnerships and, ultimately, attract more talent to the area. “We understand that our competitiveness as a region is directly impacted by the creative talent,” said Dante […]
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Restaurant industry ticks upward
Fed by an uptick in same-store sales in 2018, Michigan restaurant operators are optimistic about growth in 2019. The Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association (MRLA) released its Q4-2018 Michigan Restaurant Industry Trends Report last month, which is based on a survey of 1,500 food venues comprising $750 million in annual revenue. The report tracks economic […]
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Sandwich generation left holding the bag
A new report shows as the life spans of the elderly lengthen and adult children are living at home longer, the generation in the middle is being financially squeezed. PNC Financial Services Group last month published findings from The Sandwich Generation Survey, which it commissioned to query Americans between the ages of 36 and 60 […]
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‘Missing middle’ concerns homebuilders
As the rising cost of single-family homes continues to price out middle-income buyers, West Michigan homebuilders are working to meet the demand for more affordable, quality homes. According to data from the National Association of Home Builders, more developers nationwide are beginning to build for the “missing middle,” or moderate-income homebuyers, rather than building the […]
