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CEDAR SPRINGS - By the time you realize someone’s heart has stopped, the clock is already running. In those first moments, when a teacher collapses in a hallway, when a student-athlete goes down at a game, when a neighbor slumps over at church, there isn’t time to “wait and see.” There is only time to act. And more often than not, the difference between a tragedy and a second chance comes down to two things being close at hand: a trained responder and an AED (automated external defibrillator). That is exactly why the School Emergency Response Coalition (SERC) exists. Based right here in Cedar Springs, SERC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit with a straightforward mission and a lifesaving impact: donate AEDs and teach CPR for free to local schools, childcare facilities, and shelters so that when the unthinkable happens, someone nearby is ready. A hometown nonprofit with a lifesaving purpose SERC was founded in 2015 by Kevin McGraw, who was driven by a simple belief: students and school staff can be empowered to save a life...if we give them the tools and the training. Through SERC’s Students United Prepared Emergency Responders (SUPER) CPR & AED Training Program, students learn how to respond effectively and properly when an emergency arises. They learn CPR. They learn how to use an AED. They learn that they are not helpless in a crisis, and that they can be the reason someone goes home. SERC’s work also brings the community together, partnering with public safety professionals: police, firefighters, and paramedics to teach these skills and help students see public service as a real, meaningful path. To date, SERC has taught over a thousand hours of CPR, including choking and stroke recognition. Locally, SERC has placed AEDs in Cedar Springs Public Schools, Creative Technologies Academy, as well as the Cedar Springs Community Library, American Legion Glen Hill Post 287, Cedar Springs United Methodist Church, and The Village Learning Center. According to a SERC spokesperson, pending city approval, the nonprofit is eyeing a few more defibrillators for the Cedar Springs community's public spaces beginning in 2026. “It’s not theoretical.” It’s happened more than once. It can be easy to read about CPR and AED training and think of it as “good to have.” But for Cedar Springs’ SERC, this isn’t abstract. Because of the AED equipment they’ve donated and the CPR training they’ve taught, there have been confirmed saves, not only in West Michigan schools, but also in Grand Rapids-area shelters. That means there are people walking around today, hugging their kids, showing up for work, and being present for the holidays because SERC’s training and equipment were in the right place at the right time, and someone had the courage and the knowledge to act. It’s hard to put a price on a life. But it’s not hard to imagine how different those stories could have ended. Why this matters is because most cardiac arrests happen close to home. National health organizations have long stressed what emergency responders already know: cardiac arrest doesn’t wait for an ambulance. The critical window is the first few minutes. Having CPR started immediately and an AED used quickly can dramatically improve the odds of survival. And the part that should stop all of us in our tracks: The next life saved could be yours. 100% volunteer-led. 100% donor-funded. 100% about the mission. SERC isn’t backed by a large corporate budget. It isn’t running on paid staff. It is 100% volunteer led and 100% donor funded. Neighbors helping neighbors, and even businesses kicking in, because the need is real and the stakes are life and death. Their impact has not gone unnoticed. In 2019, SERC was named the Wood TV8 “Connecting with the Community” award winner, and that same year was recognized by the State of Michigan for excellence in their field. But the truth is, their most meaningful recognition isn’t a plaque or a headline. It’s a heartbeat restored. A family kept whole. A classroom that doesn’t have to live with “what if.” How you can help If you’ve ever wondered what kind of donation truly makes a difference: this is it. Supporting SERC means supporting local. It means supporting training that equips students and staff to respond, and AEDs that can bring someone back when every second counts. Donate today at: www.sercmi.org Because the next life saved might be someone you love. And it might be the very person who donated.

The Cedar Springs Area Parks and Recreation (CSAPR) organization has officially returned to its original name, which dates back to 1986. For the past few years, the organization has operated under the name North Kent Community Enrichment; however, confusion with North Kent Community Services prompted the CSAPR Board to reinstate its original name. This transition comes just in time for the organization’s 40th-anniversary celebration in 2026.

As Cedar Springs families gather for the holidays, our community has a special opportunity to give a gift that truly matters: the gift of life. Blood donations help hospital patients spend more holidays with the people they love, including neighbors facing surgery, cancer treatment, traumatic injuries, and chronic conditions. Blood on the shelves today saves lives tomorrow, and every donation helps keep patients strong. Versiti is hosting several local drives this month, making it easy to roll up your sleeve and make a difference: Cedar Springs Community Blood Drive at the Cedar Springs Area Donor Site — Library, Community Room Tuesday, December 16, 2025, 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Sign up: https://donateblood.versiti.org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/11599795 Howard City Blood Drive — Timothy C. Hauenstein–Reynold Community Room, 117 W. Williams St., Howard City Tuesday, December 23, 2025, 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. All donors receive a $25 e-gift card. Sign up: https://donateblood.versiti.org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/11628142 Cedar Springs Brewery Blood Drive — Cedar Springs Brewery (Bus) Friday, December 27, 2024, 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. All donors receive a $25 e-gift card. Sign up: https://donateblood.versiti.org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/11596864 Appointments are encouraged to ensure a smooth experience and to help the blood center plan staffing. Walk-ins are often welcome as capacity allows. First-time and returning donors can schedule online through the links above; guests may register without creating an account. Most healthy adults can donate whole blood roughly every 56 days. The process typically takes about an hour from check-in to post-donation refreshments. Bring a photo ID, eat a nutritious meal beforehand, and stay hydrated. This season, consider adding a blood donation to your holiday traditions. A single donation can help save more than one life. It's an extraordinary impact made possible by ordinary neighbors stepping up for one another.

We are deeply saddened to share that Lexie Coxon, Co-Founder of Creative Technologies Academy, passed away on Saturday, December 6th, surrounded by her loved ones. Our hearts are with the Coxon family during this time, and we honor the legacy Lexie leaves behind. Creative Technologies Academy exists today because of the vision, courage, and unwavering dedication of Lexie Coxon and her husband, Dr. DeWayne Coxon. Without Lexie’s belief in what CTA could become, our school simply would not be here. In the mid-1990s, as the idea of charter schools was just beginning to emerge in Michigan, DeWayne began researching the possibility of creating a new kind of school, one centered on innovation, high expectations, strong relationships, and opportunities for all students. But behind this vision stood Lexie: a steady source of wisdom, encouragement, and conviction. She shaped the values and spirit that would ultimately define CTA. DeWayne, along with his son, Rob Coxon, and his wife, Jodi, wrote the early proposals, first to Grand Valley State University and then to Ferris State University. Lexie supported every step. She championed the mission, helped refine the ideas, and grounded the work in what mattered most: students, families, and community. Her passion for education and her deep commitment to Cedar Springs became the heart of CTA’s identity. In 1998, when FSU agreed to grant a charter on the condition that 120 students enroll, the pressure was immense. Funds were scarce, uncertainty was high, and the future was far from guaranteed. Still, Lexie remained a pillar of strength and belief. Her encouragement kept the team moving forward: purchasing equipment, preparing classrooms, spreading the word, and building something from nothing. When 122 students enrolled and the charter was officially approved, it marked not only the start of a school, but the fulfillment of a dream she had supported with her whole heart. From those anxious early days to the thriving Academy we know today, CTA now serves more than 300 students from up to nineteen districts! Lexie’s influence can be felt in every classroom, every relationship, and every milestone. CTA’s culture of care, excellence, and community connection is rooted in the values she lived out. Lexie and DeWayne were married for 65 years, a partnership defined by faith, service, and deep love for the Cedar Springs community. While DeWayne may have been the visionary of CTA’s founding, Lexie was CTA’s backbone, the quiet strength behind the vision, the champion of its mission, and the keeper of the values that still guide us today. Her legacy lives on in every student who finds their place here, every teacher who pours into their work, and every family that chooses CTA as their home. Without Lexie Coxon, Creative Technologies Academy would not stand where it is today. We are forever grateful for her life, her passion, and her unwavering belief in what CTA could be. May her memory continue to inspire us to CHANGE the WORLD positively!

CEDAR SPRINGS — The Kent County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help as investigators reopen a 2021 child death case connected to Irene Whitehead, the Cedar Springs mother charged earlier this month with the murder of her 2-year-old daughter, Ryleigh. “We are looking for tips into what we believe was the 2021 murder of Leo Whitehead,” Sheriff Michelle LaJoye-Young announced during a press conference Monday. “Leo was the 2-month-old son of Irene Whitehead, who is now charged with murder for the death of her 2-year-old daughter.” Whitehead, 27, was arraigned on December 1 on charges of first-degree child abuse and first-degree murder in connection with Ryleigh’s death. Following her confession in late November, detectives began reviewing the circumstances of Leo’s death, which until now had been ruled natural. According to Sheriff LaJoye-Young, similarities between Ryleigh’s and Leo’s deaths prompted detectives to reopen the earlier case as a homicide investigation. Court records reveal that during a police interview on November 25, Whitehead admitted to suffocating her daughter, Ryleigh, and signed a statement that read, “I killed them (Ry/Leo),” referring to both of her children. Leo died in the fall of 2021 at just 2 months old. At the time, the Kent County Medical Examiner listed his death as natural, citing “parainfluenza viral-type pneumonia.” That conclusion, the sheriff said, was based partly on statements made by Whitehead during the initial investigation. “Now, with additional information, the emerging pattern and Whitehead’s own statements, the cause of death has been changed to homicide,” LaJoye-Young said. Leo’s body was cremated following the autopsy, meaning a second examination will not be possible. Sheriff LaJoye-Young, who has served in Kent County law enforcement for decades, called the case “one of the most disturbing and deliberate acts” she’s ever encountered. “It does happen that a mother would be responsible for the death of her child,” she said. “But something so deliberate and over time … I’ve never seen anything like it.” Investigators believe Ryleigh’s repeated hospitalizations, once thought to be due to chronic breathing problems, were actually caused by suffocation, allegedly at the hands of her mother. Whitehead was previously the subject of multiple Children’s Protective Services investigations, the sheriff confirmed. However, none of those inquiries found evidence of immediate danger. Additionally, detectives say Whitehead sought treatment for her children at several different hospitals and clinics, which may have made it more difficult to identify a pattern of harm over time. As part of their renewed investigation, authorities are also reviewing Whitehead’s past in Georgia, including possible interactions with law enforcement, medical personnel, and child welfare agencies. Sheriff LaJoye-Young said investigators are "also looking into any possible abuse cases involving the other children,” adding that “there is information we are actively vetting.” Court records show that Whitehead is the mother of four children and filed separate paternity cases for each. Paternity was never established for Leo or Ryleigh, according to court filings. The fathers of her two surviving children have since been granted custody. Authorities are urging anyone with information about Leo’s death, or the family’s history in Michigan or Georgia, to contact the Kent County Sheriff’s Office or Silent Observer. “This has been an incredibly emotional case for investigators and for the community,” LaJoye-Young said. “But our focus now is finding the truth and finding justice for these children.”

CEDAR SPRINGS - The streets of Downtown Cedar Springs were alive with holiday cheer on December 6th as hundreds of residents gathered for annual Christmas activities, including a Santa Parade and the all-day Mingle with Kris Kringle event. The festive evening, which capped a full day of activities, brought families and neighbors together to officially welcome the holiday season.

A persistent commitment in leadership by Dan Brown to honor our hometown veterans first began after his nephew SPC Timothy D. Brown was killed in military action at the age of 22 on November 4, 2005, while serving in Iraq. In 2010 a section of city land running along Cedar Creek and north of Oak Street was discovered by the Brown Family as a potential location to honor Cedar Springs Area heroes who gave their lives in service to our country.

updated from 12/1/25

The holidays: that magical, twinkling, overwhelming stretch between Thanksgiving leftovers and New Year’s confetti. For some, it’s the most wonderful time of the year; for others, it feels more like a marathon wrapped in shiny paper. But whether you count down the days or count down the hours, there are ways to make it through the season without losing your holiday spirit

The Cedar Springs, Kent City, and Pierson communities are mourning the loss of a dear friend. Lance Gates passed away on November 13 at the age of 58 while on a hunting trip in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, leaving behind a legacy that extends far beyond the borders of these three small communities. To those of us who had the privilege of playing under him or calling him a friend, his loss feels deeply personal. Lance was the assistant coach for my rocket football team, the Kent City Eagles when I was a young kid, and he was the kind of man you'd never forget. On the practice field, he often wore a stern look and could be tough as nails; the kind of coach who believed in hard work, discipline, and doing things the right way. But behind that toughness was one of the most caring, passionate, and encouraging men you could ever hope to meet. If you ever played for Coach Gates, you remember his rather high-pitched voice as he would issue his infamous command: “Go to the pole!” Whenever we messed up a play, lost focus, or maybe just looked a little too comfortable, he’d bark those words, pointing toward the lone powerline pole at the end of our practice field. He kept us running, but he also kept us growing, both as players and as people. But for every ounce of toughness, there was an equal, if not greater, measure of genuine care. While you dreaded his command to run to the pole, you lived for his praise, because you knew it was earned and it came straight from the heart. That praise could make you feel invincible. For me, I remember it like it was yesterday, even though it’s been 25 years now. I was a young linebacker, running full steam to make a tackle on the opposing team's running back on an "end-around" play near the sideline. I hit him hard, stopping him short of the first down. The momentum of the play carried us both into the bench on the sideline, taking Coach Gates down with us in a heap of pads, helmets, and Gatorade. For a terrifying second, I thought I was heading "to the pole" for the rest of my life. But Coach jumped up, yanked me to my feet and screamed, "Was that Watson?!" He spun me around, grabbed my facemask, and with his face inches from mine, he yelled, "Watson! Now THAT'S how you tackle! Great job!" A firm slap to my helmet, and I was sent back onto the field. That one simple praise made my 13 year old self feel like I was someone worth believing in. That intensity and passion weren't confined to the gridiron. As the years passed, the coach who once molded boys into football players became a cherished friend. My wife and I would often get together with Lance and his wonderful wife, (and one of our most favorite people) Kim. We’d sit and talk for hours about fishing, hunting, his kids, Darrick and Tiffany whom I had the pleasure of growing up with, about our plans for the future, and, of course, we’d relive the glory days through old football stories. We shared many laughs together during that time. He was enthusiastic, affectionate, and always armed with a word of encouragement. He was the kind of man who would send you away feeling better about yourself than you knew possible. The type to yell your name across a grocery store and chuckle as he said "get over here!"...as I once learned. And that’s the man Lance Gates was. Though we weren't related by blood, he was nothing short of family to me; a bond forged in shared coaching, victory, and mutual respect. He is, and always will be greatly missed. Not everybody is so fortunate to have such a lasting and positive influence in their life. I was one of the lucky ones. The lessons, the stories, and the memories of Coach Gates will forever echo in the halls of my memory, and I know, in the hearts of the countless others whose lives he touched. Thank you, Coach Gates, my friend Lance, for everything.

Betty Ann Lane, 91, of Cedar Springs, MI passed away Monday, November 17, 2025, at her daughter's home in Greenville, MI under the care of Corewell Health Hospice. Betty was born in Grand Rapids, MI on November 24, 1933, the daughter of Walter and Erma (Stibitz) Norton. Betty worked as a Draft Board Clerk and Bank Teller before working and retiring from Amway Corporation. Betty was an avid bowler in her younger days, loved to square dance, tinker in her garden, play cards, and go to the casino. Most of all, she loved spending time with her grandchildren whether it was attending their recitals or sporting events or spoiling them with treats at much loved sleepovers where sometimes they were subjected to her love of The Lawrence Welk Show. Betty never lost her sharp wit and mind, and sense of humor. She will be missed by her children, Ron (Annabelle) Helms of Las Vegas, Vicki (Chuck) Goss of Greenville, Mike (Lisa) Helms of Greenville, and Karen Corey of Harrisville. She is also survived by 12 grandchildren, Debbie Ward, Shaun Helms, Sarah Banuelos, Rayna Kikos, Mellisa Cook, Theresa Berkenpas, Elizabeth Helms, Levi Helms, Brooke Helms, Nicole Hart, Christopher Sterling, and Breckin Fidler. She also had 25 great-grandchildren, and 5 great-great grandchildren. She is also survived by one brother, Walt Norton of Cedar Springs as well as many nieces and nephews. Besides her parents she was preceded in death by her husband Pearce (Rocky) Lane, her son Richard Helms, and granddaughter Jillian Fidler as well as her siblings Gertrude Coon, Ray Norton, Jeanette Pike, Olive Jensen, LD Norton, Albert Norton, Geraldine Bates, Juanita Norton, Val Palmer, and John Norton. Per her wishes cremation has taken place and a celebration of life will be held at a later date. Arrangements by K.E. Pike Funeral Home, Cedar Springs.