The lights were bright, the smiles were wide and the excitement inside the room could be felt long before the final name was called. On Saturday, Sept. 26, the Red Flannel Festival Queen Pageant continued one of Cedar Springs’ most beloved traditions, bringing together contestants, families, and community members for an evening filled with anticipation and celebration. The pageant once again highlighted the deep roots this tradition holds in Cedar Springs. Beginning with the very first Red Flannel Queen, Maxine Smith in 1939, the crowning of the Red Flannel Festival Queen has been a symbol of the generations of young women who have represented the festival, and Cedar Springs, with grace. This year, Ms. Haddie Stuart, daughter of Dave and Crystal Stuart, was crowned Red Flannel Festival Queen. Joining her on the 2026 Red Flannel Festival Court are Analina Piedra, daughter of Katie Piedra, and Kaylynn Grala; daughter of Luke and Erika Grala (Childs) who, herself, served as the 2004 Red Flannel Queen. Contestants stood beneath the stage lights as family members leaned forward in their seats, cameras ready, waiting to capture a moment that will become part of Cedar Springs’ Red Flannel history. The Red Flannel Prince and Princess were also named this past week, adding to the festival celebration. Darwin Gould was named Red Flannel Prince, and Paisley Keenan was named Red Flannel Princess. The 2026 Red Flannel Grand Marshal, Nick Andres, was in attendance for the Prince and Princess ceremony and had the honor of pulling the names for this year’s young royalty. With a new queen crowned, her court by her side and the Prince and Princess ready to join in the celebration, Cedar Springs now looks ahead to another Red Flannel Festival season filled with tradition, celebration and hometown pride. Congratulations to this years Red Flannel Queen and Court, and to the Red Flannel Prince and Princess!

GREENVILLE — Under a full moon on a clear 68-degree night, Cedar Springs brought energy from the opening whistle against rival Greenville and never let the Yellow Jackets find their footing. The Red Hawks scored on the first play from scrimmage, turned turnovers into points and leaned on a punishing ground game to earn a 52-12 win on the road. Cedar Springs kicked off to start the game, and on Greenville’s first snap, the Red Hawks forced a fumble behind the line of scrimmage. Henry Metiva recovered it for a touchdown, and Kolin Brott added the two-point conversion to give Cedar Springs an 8-0 lead just 13 seconds into the game. Greenville answered with a touchdown drive of its own, but Cedar Springs stopped the two-point try to stay in front 8-6. The Red Hawks responded with a strong rushing drive. Spencer Schoenborn, Deegan Pike and Nick Robinson each helped move the ball downfield before Schoenborn finished the possession with a touchdown run. Schoenborn also added the two-point conversion, extending the lead to 16-6. Spencer Schoenborn with a touchdown reception The Yellow Jackets came back with another score late in the first quarter, cutting Cedar Springs’ lead to 16-12, but the Red Hawks quickly answered. After a facemask penalty moved Cedar Springs deep into Greenville territory, Robinson found Schoenborn in the end zone on the first play of the second quarter. Brott ran in the two-point conversion to make it 24-12. From there, Cedar Springs took control. Greenville moved into the red zone on its next possession, but Pike came up with a tipped interception to stop the drive. Moments later, Jakson Bravata broke loose for a touchdown, and Robinson connected with Schoenborn on the conversion to push the Red Hawks ahead 32-12. The Cedar Springs defense followed with a fourth-down stop near midfield, and the unrelenting Jakson Bravata struck again on the next drive, running in another touchdown. Schoenborn smashed his way through the line for the conversion, making it 40-12 with 4:11 left in the half. Jakson Bravata brings it home for a TD The Red Hawks added one more defensive score before halftime when they forced another Greenville fumble near midfield. Deegan Pike picked it up and and never turned around, returning it 50 yards for a touchdown, giving Cedar Springs a 46-12 lead. Greenville’s final drive of the half started deep in its own territory after a penalty, and Cedar Springs kept the Yellow Jackets pinned back before forcing a punt. The Red Hawks ran out the final seconds and went into halftime firmly in control. Deegan Pike returns a fumble for a TD The second half opened with a Cedar Springs fumble, giving Greenville a chance to cut into the deficit. The Yellow Jackets drove inside the Red Hawk 10-yard line, but Cedar Springs held on third down and then forced an incompletion on fourth down to take over at its own 10. The Red Hawks responded with another steady drive on the ground. Schoenborn, Pike and Bravata helped move the ball out of trouble and into Greenville territory. Pike broke a run to the Yellow Jackets’ 26-yard line, and Schoenborn and Bravata continued the march inside the 15. A false start briefly pushed Cedar Springs back, but it did little to slow the Red Hawks. Schoenborn took the ball around the right side and scored again, stretching the lead to 52-12 with 6:10 left in the third quarter. Greenville put together one more scoring threat late in the third quarter, completing a long pass over the middle to reach the Cedar Springs 12-yard line as the quarter ended. The Yellow Jackets pushed the ball inside the 5 early in the fourth, but the Red Hawk defense came up with another stand, forcing a fumble and recovering it at the Cedar Springs 7-yard line. Bravata gave the Red Hawks breathing room with a run out to the 20. Cedar Springs later lost a fumble near its own 18, but the defense again refused to give Greenville much room. The Yellow Jackets recovered their own fumble on the next possession, but Cedar Springs continued to stuff the run and keep Greenville out of the end zone. With the game well in hand, the Red Hawks closed out the rivalry win with the same formula that carried them all night: physical offense, disciplined defense and pressure that turned Greenville mistakes into Cedar Springs points. Head coach Gus Kapolka said he liked what he saw from a defense that has been working through personnel adjustments. “By process of elimination, we’ve kind of worked our way through the depth chart,” Kapolka said. “I felt really good about 10 of the 11 positions on defense tonight. Our defense played well. Our offense has been tremendous the last three weeks scoring a lot of points.” Cedar Springs now turns its attention to Kenowa Hills, a matchup Kapolka expects to test the Red Hawks in a different way. “We were option-sound all night, which I like, because it means we’re playing disciplined, sound defense,” Kapolka said. “But Kenowa presents different problems with the skills that they bring. So, it’s a tall task with a really good football team.”

There are only six days left for Cedar Springs residents to help Vanderhyde Ford fill the truck for City Impact. Vanderhyde Ford’s community food drive, which began Sept. 16, continues through Sept. 30, and the dealership is encouraging the community to bring in nonperishable food donations before the drive ends. Donations may be dropped off at the Vanderhyde Ford showroom, located at 345 N. Main St., Cedar Springs, during regular dealership hours. All collected items will go directly to City Impact’s local food pantry, Grocery Garage, which serves more than 150 families each week. “This food drive is a simple way for all of us to come together and help our neighbors,” said Keith Waligora, New Car Manager at Vanderhyde Ford. “Whether someone brings one can, fills a grocery bag or donates a whole box, every contribution matters. We would love to see the Cedar Springs community help us fill the truck for City Impact by September 30.” City Impact’s current greatest needs include white and brown sugar, flour, cake mixes, canned chicken, beef stew, spaghetti sauce, pasta, egg noodles, ketchup, peanut butter, jelly, cereal, canned vegetables and canned soups. All nonperishable food donations are welcome. “We are grateful to Vanderhyde Ford for bringing the community together to support local families,” said Kelley Bergsma, Director at City Impact. “Donations from this food drive will help us keep our pantry stocked with everyday essentials and continue meeting the needs of our neighbors. We encourage everyone to participate; even a few donated items can make a meaningful difference.” The food drive is part of Ford’s Global Food Drive and Ford Building Together, which encourages dealerships and communities to take action locally. Community members can help fill the truck by bringing nonperishable food donations to Vanderhyde Ford at 345 N. Main St., Cedar Springs, now through Sept. 30. For dealership hours, visit Vanderhyde Ford online or call (616) 696-1541.

Do you ever wonder what happens to the things that get flushed down the toilet or go down the sink drains? Municipalities spend a great deal of time, money and energy to be sure that when you flush, it is collected, treated and disposed of properly. Not only is this the right thing to do from an environmental standpoint, it is also mandatory to avoid illness to the general public. The City of Cedar Springs is equipped with a sewer system that includes gravity sewers, lift stations, force mains and a waste treatment plant. This is split into two sections; the collection system and the treatment plant. Each of these is exactly what it sounds like. The collection system is the entire underground piping network that collects the waste water from your homes. The collection system pumps all of this waste water to the treatment plant, which treats the waste water before returning it back to the groundwater, lakes and streams of the state. The collection system Each home in the city has a toilet, sinks, a shower, bathtubs, washing machines, dishwashers, etc. All of these devices are hooked to the plumbing system that runs through your home, and collect in one common pipe. This pipe, which is usually a 4-inch plastic, clay tile or ductile iron pipe, is typically known as your service lateral. This pipe leaves your home at the lowest point, like a basement or crawlspace. If you go into your crawlspace or basement, you will see this 4-inch pipe exiting your home, usually toward the street, which is where the collection system is. This 4-inch pipe from your house runs under your front yard to a gravity sewer main under the street. This pipe is bigger than your 4-inch service lateral. It is usually 6 to 8 inches in diameter, because there are many homes with service laterals hooked up to it, so it has to accommodate much more flow. The gravity sewer main runs parallel under your street. The pipe is pitched at a very slight angle to allow the waste water to flow down-hill. One gravity sewer main will run into another, larger gravity sewer main, which will run into another gravity sewer main, then to another, then another, always running toward the treatment plant. When the piping under ground can no longer be pitched on this slight down hill angle, you have to pump it up to an elevation which will allow gravity to take over again. This is done by having the gravity sewer mains dump into a catch basin that is equipped with pumps. This catch basin with pumps is called a lift station, and it does exactly what it says; it lifts the waste water! When the gravity sewer mains fill this basin, the pumps are activated by level switches. A switch is activated and the pumps pump the wastewater through a pipe called a force main. The force main pumps the waste water uphill until gravity can take over again. This process is repeated over and over again, until the waste water reaches the treatment plant. The treatment plant The City of Cedar Springs has a treatment plant that is designed to treat 2,400,000 gallons of waste water each day. It is known as a Jet Tech Sequencing Batch Reactor. The treatment plant consists of three reaction tanks, a sludge digesters, two sludge storage tanks and a retention pond. How it works Waste water from the entire city is sent to the plant. The waste water that enters the treatment plant is called influent. The influent is sent to one of the three reaction tanks. Each one of these tanks is loaded with micro-organisms that are bred with the specific purpose of treating waste water. This mixture of micro-organisms is known as mixed liquor. A mixer is activated, and oxygen is pumped into the mixed liquor to stimulate the micro-organisms to attack and eat the “bad” things that are in the waste water. A chemical called Ferric Chloride is added to the treatment process to aid in the treatment of things in the influent that the micro-organisms do not eat. The reaction process is done for two to three hours, giving the micro-organisms a chance to eat all of the “food” available to them. Once this is accomplished, the oxygen and the mixer are shut off to allow the reaction tank to settle. This lets all of the micro-organisms fall to the bottom of the tank, which separates them from the clear, treated water. The water leaving the treatment plant is called effluent. The effluent is sent to the retention pond, and then down an effluent force main to an eighty acre disposal field During each reaction cycle, the oxygen that is added to the treatment process makes the micro-organisms eat, but it also makes them breed. To maintain the correct amount of micro-organisms, each reactor must “waste” a little bit of these excess organisms. This is called waste sludge. The waste sludge is sent to one of two digesters, where it is aerated again to make the micro-organisms eat. Since you do not give them any influent, or “food”, they eat each other. Since the micro-organisms are eating each other, this reduces the amount of sludge during the year. From the digester, the waste sludge is sent over a gravity belt thickener to remove excess water. The sludge is then sent to a lime stabilization tank, where hydrated lime is added to it. The lime drives the PH level of the sludge up over 12. This is done to kill any pathogenic organisms, which are the bacteria that cause disease in humans. After stabilization, the sludge is sent to one of two sludge storage tanks for safe keeping until fall. This sludge is then pumped out of the storage tanks and, just like cow manure, it is used on farm fields for fertilizer. Summary In every day life, you hope that everything goes as it should; your car starts when you want it to, the furnace in your house runs and keeps you warm, and the water comes out of the faucet when you turn the handle. If all goes well, you hardly think twice about these things, and simply go on with your day. If, however, one of these things does not work as it should, it can literally ruin your day! Your sewer system is one of those things that, when working properly, you don’t think twice about it. But if you flush the toilet and it does not go down, it will definitely ruin your day!

COOPERSVILLE — The Cedar Springs Red Hawks flew into a tough setting Friday night, facing Coopersville on the Broncos’ homecoming night, and showed early they had no plans of being just another part of the celebration. With the home crowd energized and the Broncos looking to defend their field, Cedar Springs brought a determined effort from the opening whistle. The Red Hawks traded scores with Coopersville throughout the first half, made a late fourth-quarter push and forced the Broncos to earn a 42-33 win. Coopersville received the opening kickoff, but Cedar Springs came up with an early defensive stop. Henry Metiva made key tackles on the Broncos’ first possession, and the Red Hawks forced a turnover on downs to take over near midfield. Cedar Springs took advantage right away. Behind hard running from Spencer Schoenborn and Deegan Pike, the Red Hawks moved down the field and struck first when Pike powered into the end zone for a short touchdown. The two-point conversion was stopped, but Cedar Springs had an early 6-0 lead. Coopersville answered late in the first quarter with a touchdown drive and extra point to move in front 7-6, but the Red Hawks quickly punched back. Early in the second quarter, Schoenborn broke through the middle of the Bronco defense for a rushing touchdown, putting Cedar Springs back on top 12-7. The back-and-forth first half continued. Coopersville reclaimed the lead with a long touchdown run to go ahead 14-12, but Cedar Springs responded with another sustained drive. The Red Hawks leaned on their ground game and took advantage of Coopersville penalties to move into scoring position. Pike finished the drive with his second touchdown run of the half, giving Cedar Springs an 18-14 lead. The Broncos had the final answer before halftime, completing a touchdown pass in the final minute to take a 21-18 lead into the break. Rain moved in for the second half, but Cedar Springs continued to battle. The Red Hawks opened the half with the ball and moved the chains before eventually punting. The punt pinned Coopersville at its own 1-yard line, and although the Broncos worked their way out of danger and drove into Cedar Springs territory, the Red Hawk defense held firm and forced a turnover on downs. Coopersville found momentum late in the third quarter, breaking loose for a 64-yard touchdown run to extend its lead to 28-18. The Broncos added another score early in the fourth quarter on a touchdown pass, pushing the advantage to 35-18 with 8:46 left in the game. That's when Nick Robinson led the Hawks on their big push. After a long Schoenborn run was called back by a holding penalty, the Red Hawks regrouped and kept driving. Schoenborn helped move the ball into scoring position, and Pike finished the possession with another touchdown. Cedar Springs converted its first successful two-point attempt of the night, cutting the deficit to 35-26 with 4:50 remaining. The Red Hawks then needed a stop, and they got one. After Coopersville recovered the onside kick, the Cedar Springs defense forced a punt, giving the offense the ball back at its own 27-yard line. Pike quickly delivered, breaking free for another touchdown to pull Cedar Springs within 35-33 with 2:03 left to play. Cedar Springs attempted another onside kick, but Coopersville recovered. The Red Hawks nearly gave themselves one final chance, forcing the Broncos into a fourth-and-5 situation with 29 seconds remaining. But Coopersville kept the ball on the ground and broke through for a game-sealing touchdown. The extra point brought the final score to 42-33. The loss dropped Cedar Springs to 1-3 on the season, but head coach Gus Kapolka said he was proud of his team’s effort. “That I’m proud of them,” Kapolka said of his message to the team after the game. “They fought hard for four quarters. Had an opportunity there at the end. We got a stop, got the ball and got the score.” Kapolka also praised Schoenborn’s performance. “Spencer Schoenborn was very impressive tonight,” he said. “He’s been impressive all season. We’ve got the right 11 guys on offense.” Still, Kapolka said the Red Hawks need to continue improving defensively. “Defensively, we have to get better at basic football,” he said. “We have to tackle, we have to pursue, we have to set an edge and turn the ball inside.” While Coopersville protected its home field on homecoming night, Cedar Springs made the Broncos earn it. The Red Hawks showed fight from start to finish, pushing the game deep into the fourth quarter and giving themselves a chance late before coming up short.

SOLON TOWNSHIP — The Solon Township Board has voted to extend its moratorium on data centers for another six months as the township prepares to update its master plan, a process expected to continue well into 2027. The board’s action follows a unanimous recommendation from the Solon Township Planning Commission, which voted Aug. 26 to support extending the pause on data center development. The extension continues the moratorium until Feb. 7, 2027, preventing data center proposals from moving forward while the township studies the issue further and considers long-term land use planning. The extension also comes as Solon Township begins work with McKenna, a planning firm out of Kalamazoo, hired to update the township’s master plan. McKenna representatives said the update is expected to take several months and will likely extend into summer 2027. The board also voted unanimously in July to hire Michael Homier, of Foster, Swift, Collins & Smith PC, as special counsel. His role is to provide additional legal guidance as the township navigates zoning, ordinance and development questions related to data centers. Special counsel Michael Homier confirmed the township can legally extend the moratorium beyond one year if there are mitigating circumstances, such as the ongoing master plan update. No data center application has been submitted to Solon Township. However, the proposed ordinance and ongoing master plan update are expected to play a major role in determining what rules would apply if a developer seeks approval in the future. The additional six months gives the township more time to consider public input, review potential zoning language and align any future ordinance with the broader direction of the township’s master plan. For residents, the extension means the debate over data centers in Solon Township is not over, but any formal project will remain on hold while township leaders continue their review.

The lights were bright, the stands were packed and the energy at Red Hawk Stadium was everything a homecoming night should be. With an electric crowd behind them and their first win of the season within reach, the Cedar Springs Red Hawks delivered a performance worthy of the moment, defeating Allendale 63-34 on Friday night. Cedar Springs set the tone on its opening drive when Deegan Pike moved the Red Hawks into Allendale territory on very first play. Spencer Schoenborn carried the ball down to the 12-yard line, and Nick Robinson, making his much anticipated return, connected with Pike for a touchdown. The two-point conversion gave Cedar Springs an 8-0 lead. Robinson said being back on the field for the win meant a lot. “It feels great,” Robinson said. “I did my best to be back for them and I knew that they were going to have my back. Everybody did a great job. There’s a lot of things we can do better, though. But it’s good to enjoy a win and we’ll see green next week.” The Red Hawk defense forced a punt on Allendale’s first possession, helped by early tackles from Henry Metiva and Spencer Rosenberger and a sack by Metiva. Cedar Springs quickly added to the lead. Pike broke free for a 39-yard touchdown run, his second of the night, and Robinson found Pike again on the two-point conversion to make it 16-0. Moments later, Kolin Brott, reading the the Falcon offense, stepped up and intercepted an Allendale pass and returned it to the Allendale 6-yard line, setting up a Robinson touchdown pass to Schoenborn for a 22-0 lead late in the first quarter. Allendale responded with a second-quarter touchdown pass, but Cedar Springs answered immediately after Dayton Reynolds recovered an onside kick midfield. On the first play of the drive, Jakson Bravata scored on a long run, and Brott powered in the conversion to push the lead to 30-6. The Falcons scored again to make it 30-12, taking advantage of openings in the defensive line, but the Red Hawks offense kept striking back fast. Brott returned the kickoff to the Cedar Springs 43, and Schoenborn raced 57 yards for a touchdown on the very next play. Brott powered through the middle, scoring the conversion behind a big block from Schoenborn. Cedar Springs added one more score before halftime. Robinson found Ty Lawson to move the ball to the 3-yard line, then kept it himself on a fake handoff for a touchdown. Brott’s conversion gave the Red Hawks a 46-12 halftime lead. Allendale opened the second half with a strong drive, a persistence that would last the entire second half, and scored to cut the lead to 46-18. Cedar Springs answered with a drive into the red zone before Schoenborn kicked a field goal, extending the lead to 49-18. The Falcons continued to battle, scoring late in the third quarter to make it 49-26. But on the first play of the fourth quarter, Schoenborn broke free again for another Cedar Springs touchdown, pushing the lead to 55-26. Allendale added another rushing touchdown and conversion midway through the fourth quarter, but Cedar Springs put the game away on its next drive. Bravata broke loose up the left side to move the ball deep into Falcon territory, and Schoenborn finished the drive with another touchdown. Bravata then found Pike for the two-point conversion, giving Cedar Springs a 63-34 lead. The Red Hawks defense forced a turnover on downs with 2:18 remaining, and Cedar Springs used its running game to drain the clock before taking a knee to seal the win. Head coach Gus Kapolka said he was pleased with the win and the way the offense and special teams executed, but he wants to see improvement defensively before next week’s game against Coopersville. “We wanted to come out and wanted to be physical, and obviously we built up the big lead,” Kapolka said. “They executed well on offense, but we didn’t execute and tackle as well on defense and that was disappointing tonight.” Kapolka praised the team’s offensive execution and Schoenborn’s work in the kicking game, including the field goal. “We won, I’m happy,” Kapolka said. “Happy for our guys who came out and executed well on offense, special teams were great. Defensively, we have lots of things to fix before next week.” For one night, though, Cedar Springs had plenty to celebrate. In front of an electric homecoming crowd, the Red Hawks earned their first win of the season and gave their fans a 63-34 victory to remember.

Creative Technologies Academy marked the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks with a special tribute ceremony and Day of Service, bringing students together with local first responders, law enforcement and members of the military. The annual event gave students a chance to remember the lives lost on Sept. 11 while also learning about service, sacrifice and the people who continue to serve communities today. Firefighters from the Sand Lake, Solon and Montcalm Township fire departments attended the ceremony, along with soldiers from the U.S. Army, who brought a Humvee for students to see up close. Michigan State Police, the Kent County Sheriff’s Office and the Walker Police Department were also in attendance. Following the tribute, students had the opportunity to climb through fire trucks, emergency vehicles and other apparatus, ask questions and speak directly with the men and women who serve in public safety and the armed forces. CTA Superintendent Autumn Mattson said the annual event helps students connect history with the responsibility of remembrance. “Twenty-five years later, our students are now the generation being asked to carry the responsibility of remembering forward,” Mattson said. “Today isn’t only about teaching them what happened on September 11th, but helping them understand the courage, service, sacrifice, and care for others that followed." For students, the day offered both a history lesson and a personal reminder of unity. “What remembering 9/11 means to me is it’s just important to remember all the lives lost that day, and just how everyone came together as a country to support each other and help each other rebuild afterwards,” one CTA student said. The ceremony paused as a moment of reflection for the school community, while the Day of Service gave students a hands-on way to meet the people who answer calls for help in their own communities. “Every year we come together for our Day of Service, giving students the chance to connect with firefighters, EMTs, service members, and others who serve our communities and country,” Mattson said. “We want them not only to remember September 11th, but to understand what it means to serve others today.” By bringing students face-to-face with firefighters, police officers, deputies, troopers and soldiers, CTA’s annual event continues to connect the memory of Sept. 11 with lessons of service, courage and community.

Cedar Springs kicked off both Red Flannel and Homecoming season with plenty of school spirit at Red Hawk Stadium, as the seniors defeated the juniors 24-6 in the annual powderpuff football game. Before the game, both student coaches were ready to play up the friendly rivalry and have some fun in a role reversal from their normal padded-positions on the field. “We’re gonna play fast, we’re gonna play hard, we’re gonna play for each other,” Senior Head Coach Spencer Schoenborn said before kickoff. “We’re going to get out there and run the ball. And when they get used to that, we’re gonna toss that rock. That’s what's going to get ’em. That's what's going to drown ’em early.” Junior Head Coach Jakson Bravata said his team was focused on coming out strong. “We’re looking to be physical here,” Bravata said. “Put on a good performance. Make sure everybody is on the same page. And come away with the win.” Once the game got underway, the seniors backed up their coach’s confidence early. After their defense forced a quick stop on the juniors’ first possession, Taylor Gunderson put the seniors on the board with a touchdown run around the end, giving her team a 6-0 lead. This wouldn't be Taylor's only score of the game! Gunderson added another touchdown later in the first half, this time on an off-tackle run, to stretch the senior lead to 12-0. The juniors answered with one of the biggest plays of the night when Adelyn Nesbitt broke loose around the end for a touchdown, cutting the deficit to 12-6 before halftime. Nesbitt breaks free for a TD! The seniors led 12-6 at the break and continued to control the game in the second half. Jessie Teesdale helped lead the way after halftime, scoring on a handoff out of the shotgun formation to make it 18-6. Teesdale with the touchdown! The juniors had a chance to get back into the game after a defensive stand near the goal line, stopping the seniors inside the 5-yard line and forcing a turnover on downs. But the seniors’ defense quickly got the ball back and gave their offense another short-field opportunity. Teesdale capped the scoring off with her second touchdown of the night, breaking free from about 30 yards out to put the seniors ahead 24-6 with less than two minutes remaining. Hey, that's not bad! Way to get into it, fellas. After the game, Schoenborn said the win came down to the seniors’ energy and execution. “I knew coming out that they were going to win,” Schoenborn said. “They came out playing hard, playing fast. Throughout the game I saw we were kind of running things. Offense looked good. Defense was doing their job.” The juniors continued to battle until the final whistle, but the seniors held on for the win and the bragging rights that go with it. There were no real losers Thursday night, just Red Hawks flying high with another tradition under the stadium lights. Let's Go Red Hawks!

Looking for a job? You may not need to look much further. Kent County job seekers will have a chance to meet with several local and regional employers during an upcoming hiring event at North Kent Connect. West Michigan Works! will host the event from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2026, at North Kent Connect, 10075 Northland Drive NE, Rockford. The event is designed to give job seekers a friendly, face-to-face opportunity to connect with employers, ask questions and learn more about available positions. Those attending are encouraged to bring a resume and be ready to meet with hiring representatives. Participating employers listed for the event include General Formulations, H&R Block, Health Care Associates & Community Care Givers, LoNia’s World Care Center, Morgan Site Services, Peerless Steel, University of Michigan Health-West, the United States Postal Service and Walmart. For anyone thinking about a career change, looking for part-time work, returning to the workforce or simply wanting to see what opportunities are available in the area, the hiring event offers a convenient place to start. West Michigan Works! is a division of ACSET and part of the American Job Center network. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. For more information, visit westmiworks.org.

If you happen to be driving through downtown Cedar Springs this morning, you may have noticed a familiar sign that fall is on the way, and the Red Flannel Season has officially arrived. The City of Cedar Springs Department of Public Works was busy hanging the iconic Red Flannel underwear along Main Street, bringing the community's most beloved tradition and icon back into view. The bright red icons are the official sign that Red Flannel Season has arrived in Cedar Springs. For many residents, the hanging of the flannels in the downtown district is a reminder of the community spirit and hometown pride that make the festival special. This year's Red Flannel festivities kicks off tonight at 6pm with the Cedar Springs Powder Puff football game at Red Hawk Stadium. Watch as the Junior Lady Red Hawks take on the Senior Lady Red Hawks in this decades-long traditional flag football game. The festivities continue on Wednesday, September 23 as the smallest Red Flannel Royalty is crowned at the Prince and Princess Contest held at the Kent Theatre at 6pm. The flannels are now hung and the first event is set for tonight. Now, Cedar Springs is once again ready to celebrate its heritage in true red-and-white style.

To many people in the area, “Cedar Springs” stretches past the 2.03 square miles that make up the city limits. All of Solon Township shares the Cedar Springs 49319 zip code, and many township residents and businesses are commonly thought of as part of the broader Cedar Springs community. But legally, the City of Cedar Springs and Solon Township are separate local governments, with different boundaries, elected officials, tax structures and service responsibilities. That distinction is at the center of the city’s 425 agreement with Solon Township. Cedar Springs became a city in October 1959, a change driven in part by the need to develop municipal water and sanitary sewer systems. As the community grew, the need for water and sewer extended beyond the original village boundaries. In 1999, Cedar Springs and Solon Township entered into a development cooperation agreement. This is commonly known as the "425 agreement," named after Michigan Public Act 425 of 1984. The agreement is a tool that allows the city and township to cooperate on economic development and share tax revenue. Locally, it provides a framework for how land west of downtown Cedar Springs, especially around the 17 Mile Road and U.S. 131 corridor, may develop as city utilities become available. For business purposes, Cedar Springs is often viewed in two sections: the traditional downtown along Main Street and nearby side streets, and the “Uptown” or Solon Business District west of downtown. The latter is the area most affected by the 425 agreement. The agreement covers approximately 771 acres, divided into three areas. Phase I includes about 48 acres directly east of U.S. 131, bisected by 17 Mile Road and White Creek. These properties have already been transferred to the City of Cedar Springs and will remain in the city after the agreement expires. Phase II includes about 217 acres east of Phase I and west of the current city limits. These properties remain in Solon Township until a property owner requests water and sewer service for development. Once that request is made, the property may transfer to the City of Cedar Springs through the required process. When the agreement expires, developed Phase II properties that requested water and sewer remain in the city; undeveloped properties remain in the township. The Service Area includes about 446 acres west of U.S. 131. These properties may connect to city water and sewer if utilities are extended west of the interchange, but they remain under Solon Township jurisdiction. In simple terms: Phase I is city property. Phase II may become city property if development using city water and sewer occurs. The Service Area may receive city utilities but stays in the township. The agreement is not just about boundaries. It also shapes what kind of growth occurs near one of the community’s most important corridors. The future land use plan for the 425 area includes highway commercial, light industrial, low, medium, and high-density residential uses. City planning documents note that Cedar Springs is increasingly influenced by growth from the Grand Rapids metropolitan area. The 425 area, with access to U.S. 131 and proximity to downtown Cedar Springs, is expected to play a major role in future business, housing and industrial development. This is evidenced by the new White Creek Flats apartments on White Creek Avenue north of 17 Mile Road. The city’s master plan also emphasizes managed, sustainable growth that supports the local economy, expands housing options, protects environmental and historical assets, and preserves Cedar Springs’ sense of place. In the 425 area, that means paying attention to landscaping, traffic circulation, parking, signage, screening and overall appearance as development occurs. For residents and business owners, the 425 agreement matters because it affects who provides services, who receives tax revenue, and whether certain properties are governed by the city or township. It also reflects a broader reality: Cedar Springs is both a city with defined legal boundaries and a larger community identity shared by many people outside those boundaries. As growth continues west of downtown, the 425 agreement will remain one of the key tools shaping the future of the area many know as the Solon Business District, the Uptown area, or simply Cedar Springs.