SOLON TOWNSHIP - More than 130 Solon Township residents and neighbors filled the township hall Monday night, Jan. 12, 2026, turning an otherwise routine meeting of the township board into a packed, standing room crowd that exceeded the building’s capacity. As latecomers pressed into the room, some residents gave up their seats so others could remain inside.

SOLON TOWNSHIP, Mich. — The Solon Township Board is considering a potential location for an AI data center along the 17 Mile Road corridor between U.S. 131 and Algoma, township officials said, as residents raise questions about what such a development could mean for local utilities and the area’s rural character.

CEDAR SPRINGS — Nearly 50 years after a one-room schoolhouse became its home, the Cedar Springs Historical Museum has continued to expand its role as the community’s keeper of stories, from railroad and lumbering heydays to family names traced across continents. The museum was born in 1975, when the Cedar Springs Historical Society was given the former Payne School in Morley Park. For about 25 years, the one-room schoolhouse served as the local museum, packed with artifacts and mementos of the town. With fundraising and donations from the community, the Historical Society was able to build a larger building next to the schoolhouse. It would only take about seven years to outgrow that space, however, so the museum began to raise funds once again. Today, visitors who walk through the doors of the museum get an overview of Cedar Springs’ past: its railroad and lumbering industries, its newspapers dating back to 1869, and its long tradition of military and public services. The museum’s main room honors the region’s farming roots and local public servants, highlighting the everyday people who shaped the community. The very same people who are honored in the annual Cedar Springs Area Chamber of Commerce's "Celebration of Lights" ceremony. Although the museum moved into its newer building, the historical society did not leave its original home behind. Payne School was restored as a turn-of-the-century one-room schoolhouse, now offered as a teaching classroom for local schools who are encouraged to bring their students for a visit. The schoolhouse includes materials for teachers to help develop hands-on, historically themed lessons and activities, which affords the students an opportunity to have a session of their class right there in the historic building. Today, the historical society continues its operations, including a genealogy library that draws interest from well beyond Kent County. The collection holds histories from Cedar Springs and surrounding communities, county histories and extensive family genealogy resources, including a surname file. Volunteers regularly assist visitors with research and sometimes respond to requests from overseas. For museum Director, Sharon Jett, the site is more than a house of history. It's a "broad community resource, for genealogy but also for historical records, photographs, local school history, including sports and academic history, and more," she stated. "The museum has also played host to many community clubs and organizations," she continued. Once a hub of activity, many of the museum's programs and clubs were stifled by the Covid-19 pandemic from 2020 through 2022. Now, with a few new faces and fresh ideas, the historical society is set on reengaging the community in 2026. Jett is already working to restart the Genealogy Club, which was established in 2020 but was affected by the pandemic. The club is intended for anyone interested in digging deeper than online ancestry websites typically allow. Additionally, the museum board is considering additional clubs, both previously held and new clubs. New programming and events, including an interactive Christmas walkthrough are also being planned to give the community more ways to engage in their local museum and the resources it provides. Community members who would like to join or help start a club are encouraged to contact the museum by email. The museum is also always seeking new volunteers. If you're interested in volunteering your time to the museum, you can contact Sharon Jett at cedarspringsmuseum@gmail.com . The museum is currently open Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and is free to visit. Additional operating hours will be communicated as they become needed to serve the public. It also opens for special events and by appointment for private tours.

After a nearly 90-degree Red Flannel Festival, many Cedar Springs residents joked that the town’s signature garments were more tradition than necessity. On New Year’s Eve, that joke flipped. With the temperature hovering near a chilling 10 degrees, those red flannels looked like the smartest outfit on Main Street.

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.