September 9, 2019
Street Talk: Detecting suicide risk
A national collaboration that includes two local partners has received a $3.6 million federal grant to help determine whether suicide risk can be detected in the blood. Pine Rest, the Van Andel Institute and Columbia University received the five-year grant from the National Institute of Mental Health of the National Institutes of Health for a […]
Positives of gentrification outweigh the negatives
For years, I have said that Michigan cities, including Grand Rapids, need more gentrification and congestion. As most of you would expect, the pushback is immediate and intense. Most folks think of the negative consequences of both and instinctively recoil at having more of the negatives. What people don’t think about is that for both […]
Would KonMari benefit your intellectual property portfolio?
Every so often, a phenomenon sweeps through our culture, like Marie Kondo’s “KonMari” system of simplifying and organizing your home. Built on the backbone of her best-selling book, “The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up,” Marie Kondo identifies a series of intentional steps designed to help you declutter your surroundings. The end result? A healthier, happier, […]
Public Record
BANKRUPTCY 19-03015 – WOMACK, Robert, 909 Hancock SE, Tyrone S. Byrum (Ch. 7) 19-03024 – HOMIK, Matthew P. et al, 182 Lamoreaux NW, Comstock Park, David C. Andersen (Ch. 7) 19-03031 – GIFFORD, Chase M., 46 Diamond NE, James L. Gutting (Ch. 7) 19-03032 – MOOMEY, Casey L., 3508 Fairwood Court SW, Grandville, Michael M. […]
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Change Ups: Twisted Hot Yoga to open third location
Twisted Hot Yoga’s third location at 3339 Century Center St. SW in Grandville was formerly a photography studio. Significant renovations included installation of a custom heating, humidification and ventilation system, knocking down and adding new walls, adding new flooring and painting. The yoga room is approximately 1,200 square feet. The lobby is about 1,000 square […]
Whitmer establishes statewide opioids task force
Michigan is creating a task force to combat the opioid epidemic sweeping the state. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer established the Michigan Opioids Task Force in August, which is made up of government representatives from various departments and branches. The task force will be chaired by Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, chief medical executive and chief deputy director for […]
MDARD institutes testing standards for hemp
Michigan has instituted emergency rules for an emerging crop. In August, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development implemented testing standards for industrial hemp. The rules are pertaining to the sampling and analytical testing methods for measuring the concentration of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in the crop. The crop must not exceed 0.3% of THC content on […]
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Data shows one-third of alcohol is shipped illegally
Nearly one-third of every bottle of alcohol shipped into Michigan between January and March of this year was shipped illegally, according to data compiled by the Michigan Beer and Wine Wholesalers Association. In total, 408,397 bottles of alcohol were shipped into Michigan during the first quarter of 2019. Of that number, the MBWWA estimated nearly 130,000 […]
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Inside Track: On the frontlines of business
As a self-described military brat, Joe Zortman knew as a kid he was likely to serve his country one day, but he says he never could have imagined also becoming the vice president of a global organization. Now, he is celebrating 20 years at Kellogg Company. Zortman’s big break came in 1999 when he was […]
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Law school slashes its tuition 21%
To adapt to a decreasing demand for law school, the Western Michigan University Cooley Law School is reducing tuition by 21% and lessening its overall footprint. After a recommendation by Cooley President and Dean James McGrath, the board of directors voted to reduce tuition from the current rate of $1,750 per credit hour to $1,375 […]
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Health program links students via teleconference
Spectrum Health is working with Greenville Public Schools on a pilot telemedicine program that gives high school students in rural areas better access to behavioral health therapy. Starting this year, Greenville High School students can see a licensed master’s-level social worker who offers the counseling on-site via videoconference. Spectrum has leased space at the high […]
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Meijer links up with LPGA again
There will be continued donations in the Midwest, courtesy of one sporting event. Meijer LPGA Classic for Simply Give renewed its agreement with the LPGA and Blythefield Country Club through 2021. The agreement allows for donations from the tournament to go toward stocking shelves of food pantries across the Midwest. “The Meijer LPGA Classic for […]
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AIFI navigates changing tastes in consumer trends
A West Michigan importer-distributor says its ability to adapt to changing tastes in the global food market has positioned it to reach $1 billion in revenue within the next decade. Ada-based American International Foods Inc. (AIFI) is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, increasing the size of its current facility by 50% and continuing to […]
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Glove save nets a winner
(As seen on WZZM TV 13) Enamored with the nostalgia of old goalie equipment, a pair of local hockey buffs have created a business that keeps the scent of leather close at hand. Zac Smith and Joe Messina launched Grand Rapids-based Second String Leather Company in May after the pair — who have known each […]
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Family ties bring wine shop to East Hills
Family ties and a love for the food and beverage culture have brought Leon & Son to Grand Rapids. The family-owned wine shop, specializing in New and Old World wines from around the world, opened its doors Aug. 29 in southeast Grand Rapids. Owner Christopher Leon has worked in the wine industry most of his […]
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GRAM to triple or quadruple capacity by 2020
A 9-year-old company is well on its way to expanding into a fifth facility on the southwest side of Grand Rapids. Founded in 2010 to acquire the assets of a joint venture between the Van Andel Institute and Grand Valley State University, Grand River Aseptic Manufacturing (GRAM) provides sterile parenteral development, manufacturing, testing and regulatory […]