State Primary Elections Tomorrow!
Be sure to familiarize yourself with the candidates and issues on your ballot for the State Primary Elections which is tomorrow, August 6! You can visit our Elections Page - accesskent.com/Departments/Elections/ - for all the information you need, including your polling location.
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Local Communities Prepare for National Night Out
Mark your calendars for an evening of community bonding and safety awareness as National Night Out takes place tomorrow (Tuesday, August 6). This annual event is designed to foster strong community relationships by encouraging neighbors to come together, meet local law enforcement and fire personnel, and interact with community leaders.
Several County departments, including the Sheriff's Office, Prosecutor's Office, and Health Department, will have teams present at the following locations:
There are additional events happening throughout the county.
Each location will feature a range of activities, including food, games, and entertainment for all ages. Attendees will have the opportunity to explore police cruisers and fire trucks, providing an engaging way for families to learn about local public safety efforts.
National Night Out aims to build a sense of community and enhance the relationship between residents and the public safety officials who serve them. The event is a unique opportunity for individuals and families to engage with their neighbors and local authorities in a fun and relaxed environment.
Stop by the event closest to you and discover what National Night Out is all about!
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Kirsten Holz Appointed Judge at the 63rd District Court
Congratulations to Kirsten Holz on her appointment as Judge at the 63rd District Court by Governor Gretchen Whitmer.
Kirsten has been doing incredible work as an assistant corporate counsel for the County, supporting the Indigent Defense Program. She'll be stepping into this role following the retirement of Judge Sara Smolenski. Judge Holz’s term starts on August 12, 2024. We couldn't be prouder of you, Kirsten!
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Kids Day at the Zoo
We had a great time at WGVU's Kids Day at the Zoo last week! Our teams at the Health Department, Public Works, and Sheriff's Office had booths and handed out exciting giveaways throughout the day.
Hundreds of children and families came for fun, adventure, interactive activities and entertainment. They met characters from their favorite PBS Kids shows, explored Dino Adventures in the Zoo’s Forest Realm, and viewed the green space outside the Zoo for additional fun, including special activities with Daniel Tiger!
Amateur Golf Championship at Kaufman Golf Course
The 2024 Kent County Amateur Golf Championship at Kaufman Golf Course at Palmer Park was a huge success earlier this month, with 172 golfers participating. Congratulations to Arie Jackman on his victory and for shooting a new tournament record of 201!
Thank you to our sponsor, The West Michigan Golf Association, who worked closely with our team at the Parks Department to make this event enjoyable for all.
To learn more about booking a tee time, along with information about upcoming events and tournaments at Kaufman Golf Course, call 616-632-7855.
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Special Visit From K-9 Chiko
Last week, our Administrator's Office had a special visitor - K-9 Chiko! Chiko, a German Shepherd and valued member of our Sheriff's Office’s K-9 unit, is not only highly trained but also loves engaging with the community and receiving lots of affection. We had a fantastic time watching him perform tricks with his handler and best friend, Deputy Shelby Humphries.
Dogs in the Sheriff's K-9 Unit are specifically bred and selected for their intelligence and strong sense of smell. They play a crucial role in pursuing fugitives, searching for missing persons, and detecting narcotics, weapons, and explosives.
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Our Citizens Police Academy allows residents of Kent County to become more educated on the Kent County Sheriff's Office (KCSO) procedure and the pressures associated within law enforcement. We seek and invite a diverse group of people that either live in or work in Kent County to apply. The academy is a great opportunity to engage with our Sheriff's Office and learn more about corrections, law enforcement, our specialty units, and the Prosecutor's Office.
Dates: Wednesday Nights from Sept. 18, 2024 - Nov. 13, 2024
Time: 6:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
Location: 701 Ball Ave. NE
Please apply by using this link: https://forms.office.com/g/k2sv3ncsCD
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John Ball Zoo Helping Endangered Butterfly Populations
 John Ball Zoo and its conservation partners have made amazing progress with the conservation of endangered butterflies.
This season, the Zoo released 1,200 Poweshiek skipperling butterflies into the wild after captive rearing and breeding of the species to improve wild populations, which have declined due to multiple factors including the use of pesticides, habitat loss and climate change. Captive rearing is a practice in which an animal is raised under human care and released to enhance the wild population.
The Zoo also practices captive rearing and breeding with the Mitchell’s satyr, another endangered butterfly species. Both projects are done alongside David Pavlik, research assistant at the Haddad Lab at Michigan State University, and several other partners.
“We are incredibly proud our work to conserve endangered butterflies is yielding such positive results for the species,” said Bill Flanagan, conservation manager at John Ball Zoo. “These are tiny species, but they are a piece of biodiversity that supports life on our planet, and a great indicator of how changes in the environment are impacting many of the species in the same areas.”
Learn more about conservation at John Ball Zoo.
Governor Announces Disaster Funding for 17 Michigan Counties
Governor Whitmer recently announced the allocation of $11 million in disaster funding to aid 17 Michigan counties affected by recent natural disasters. Of this amount, $4,267,753 is designated for tornado and flood relief in the Lower Peninsula. This includes Eaton, Ingham, Ionia, Kent, Livingston, Macomb, Monroe, Oakland, and Wayne counties.
As you know, several storm fronts brought heavy rain, strong winds, and seven tornadoes to lower Michigan in August of 2023. Kent, along with Eaton, Ingham, Ionia, Monroe, Oakland, and Wayne counties, applied for Disaster and Emergency Contingency Fund funding to assist with recovery efforts. The allocated funds will support various recovery initiatives, including infrastructure repairs, debris removal, and assistance for affected homeowners.
Detailed information on the funds available for distribution are not availalbe; however, our Emergency Management team will forward additional information to the qualified entities once available.
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Tech Week Grand Rapids is Back for 2024
On September 16-21, Tech Week returns to Grand Rapids with events ranging from hands-on tech exhibits and panel discussions, to pitch competitions and networking opportunities, there is something for everyone to enjoy and learn from.
The event is designed as an "unconference" hosted by multiple different organizations across the community. Attendees can create a custom schedule of their choosing by registering for selected events. Stephen J. Dubner, Host of Freakonomics will kick-off the event, with various workshops, hikes and speakers such as TedX presenter and Microsoft AI MVP, Charles Elwood, who will be sharing his vast knowledge of AI. Check techweekgr.com often to see the most updated list of events.
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Public Hearing on Fiscal Year 2025 Budget
As a reminder, the public hearing for the Fiscal Year 2025 Budget is at 8:30 a.m. on Thursday, August 8 at the Board of Commissioners' Meeting on the 3rd floor of 300 Monroe Ave. Residents are encouraged to attend, learn about how the budget will impact local services and infrastructure, and share their input on the proposed allocations.
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Explore Rewarding Careers At Kent County Today
Working for the County, you will have the opportunity to serve the public and contribute to your community. We have employment opportunities in general government, health, public safety, judicial, recreational, and much more. To view our open positions and apply, please visit accesskent.com/jobs. To learn more about our employee value proposition, visit here.
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