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CEDAR SPRINGS — The Cedar Springs Fire Department added two new members to its ranks during the June 11 regular meeting of the Cedar Springs City Council.

Cedar Springs Middle School recently honored students for outstanding academic performance and exceptional attendance during the 2025–26 school year, recognizing the dedication and hard work shown throughout the year. Students were celebrated in three categories: Honor Roll, recognizing strong academic performance; Top Honors, awarded to eighth graders who maintained an exceptional cumulative GPA during their middle school years; and Outstanding Attendance, highlighting students who demonstrated remarkable commitment to being present and engaged in class. The recognition emphasizes months, and in some cases years, of effort, focus and perseverance. Families and staff alike celebrated the accomplishments of these students as they wrapped up another successful school year. Honor Roll Recipients Sixth Grade Lucas Amann Ryker Andres Jayden Barker Eden Bates Clayton Bekkering Claire Bender Blair Bliss Isaac Bliss Londyn Brimmer Hunter Burgess Freyja Burns Addison Calhoun Harper Carlson Gabriel Cassidy Charlyne Cavett Jaxon Chavez Darleena Childs Collin Clark Lincoln Clouse Marli Craig Jackson Davis Steven Dibell Ophelia Dulyea Bradley Elias Julah Emery Caleb Engel Caroline Evans Charlotte Evans Ronan Eyer Bailey Fisk Vanna Forrester Ryleigh Fouse Colton Gillette Maxwell Glerum Kembree Hall Goldie Harig Layla Harig Audrey Haring Abram Harrison Maverick Hasso Cassandra Hazen Adelyn Henney Alexandrina Herrera Emmit Huffman Alexis Hughes Mallory Hutchinson Melanie Hutchinson Paige Hutchinson Victoria Inman Ryan Jandron Ronaldo Jaramillo-Delgado Caleb Jensen Weston Kamphuis Kaiya Kropf Brayden Kuzawa Brylee Laughlin Core Luehrs Emmalee Marvin Monty Matlosz Brogan McHugh Grady McLaughlin Thomas Merlington Amelia Miller Carter Miller Sean Molina Cayleigh Moore Kennedy Morris Connor Morrow Maddie Morse Landon Munsee Alexandra Nesbitt Violet Noller Fayedora Nowell Scott Odren Alycia Owens Luca Paoni Levi Peck Alice Phillips Victoria Phillips Lola Pienta Lyman Potratz Lenora Potter Brooklyn Putney Gibson Reister Levi Roark Frances Roberts Charlotte Rosel McKenzie Ross Mylah Runyon Cash Saboo Corinne Sanborn Oliver Schueneman Sophia Schilling Alyza Scholten Olivia Smith Teagan Solomon Ryleigh St. Amour Owen Striebel Eli Sullivan Eleanor Thompson Elijah Thompson Peyten Thompson Marguerite Totten Cole Tovar Ibrahim Traore Hannah VanGessel Addison Wheaton Daphney Wiloughby Adelyn Wladischkin Oliver Womersly Harlynn Wright Lillyann Wyatt Boston Wyma Aspen York Louis Zimkowski Seventh Grade Avery Anderson Evelyn Andrus Makenna Armock Phoebe Beintema Kyler Bennett Elyn Bouma Avery Brackett Levi Brewer Emma Britt Avary Brown Olivia Centala Madilyn Claypool Liam Cox Jaxon Craig Blair DeForest Laney Demull Brhianna Dennis Kaya DeYoung Claire Eckelstafer Devon Edgar Branwyn Anthony Grace Elliot Tessa Evans Owen Eves Brody Fisher Preston Gorby Noelle Graham Mason Gritter Dayton Gulembo Isabelle Gundrum Abigail Hatchew Carter Heminger Jameson Heugel Beau Higley Karsen Hoffman Asher Hunt Trevyn Huntoon Tyler Hurley Lucas Johnston Zoey Jost Samuel Kahler Jaxon Karafa Kamden Kohler Emma Lankford Alice Lawrence Addison Longstreet Kaylee Lubben Evelyn MacDonald Addison Maley Emma McCulloch Alexander Mendoza Coronado Aubrey Mitz Hannah Monsewicz Jax Mulholland Gracelyn Nadler Lillian Pearce Declan Pellerito Gabrielle Perkins Gabriel Pfund Melanie Powers Lily Reed Deacon Reynolds Arianni Riojas Tess Rosenberger Nicholas Runnals Brady Rusche Elias Salinas Leah Sanders Ava Schrock Emma Schuitema Jonah Slager Aniliah Smith Colette Stachowiak Noah Stevens Simon Sullivan Breena Swanson Johnathon Taylor Mason Telman Ethan Trompen Morgan Uhen Ava Valentine Joseph Van Dyke Nolan Van Horn Ryleigh Vanderpool Connor VanGessel Vivienne Verstrat Makayla Vincent Anderson Vree Tessa Waldron Elijah Westra Alexa Wilber Braeleigh Wolf Brynlee Wolfe Ryder Wood Eighth Grade Brycen Alber Lukas Albertson Kenlynn Anderson Noah Aspinall Brystol Bailey Kaia Beach Luke Bell Payton Benedict Ethan Benoit Bralynn Chapman Lucas Charbonneau-Stacy Cameron Clark Nash Corbin Lexon Cornelius Foster Covey Andrew Demink Amelia Dibell Kenslee Dreyer Carson Dunham Isabella Eaton Bella Eddy Carter Empie Jaxon Fitzgerald Alina Frickey Annilee Gage Mackenzie Gee Nadia Graham Adelyn Gugliotta Chase Hamilton Ellie Haynes Zachary Hendricks Trevor Hess Christian Homrich Reese Hotz Anika Hoult Samantha Howard Christopher Hutchinson Zoe Hutton Lucas Inman Daniel Jaggers Mackenzie Jolly Macey Kacprzyk Lela Kahler Nehum Kasten Lydia Koeppel Gage Kolenda Robert Krumwiede Haylynn Kyser Natalie Ladd Kendalyn Laughlin Kendrick Lynch Evelyn Lyons Macie Mangum Kendrik Marks Logan Marks Grant Marshall Taiten McCuaig Jackson Metts Hypatia Morris-Armock Jace Mulholland Jackson Noller Kevin O’Brien Keely Pacey Raleigh Peck Logan Pfeifer Elliot Phillips Elizabeth Pongrattana Evelyn Price Lilith Reed Cole Reinke Noah Relich Lillian Roberts Gwyneth Roest Breanna Rosel Avery Saboo Brody Sarniak Shalynn Schreiner Austin Schulte Alice Sharpe Ronni Simmons Ivy Sissell Tristan Skiver-Palmer Ava Smith Christopher Smith David Smith Sydney Smith Payton Sowles Jaiden St. Amour Cassidy Stick Isabell Striebel Harry Ten Brink Aiden Thompson Kennadei Toren Benjamin Totten Jr. Malick Traore Halle Valliere Stephen VanSyckle Adilynn VanDyke Alivia VanDyke Caitlin Vandyke Emily VanGessel Saydee Vasquez Levi Vogelar Arabella Walukonis Whitney Willoughby Kensley Winn Colten Wladischkin Carter Wolfe Avalon Wright David Wyatt Sawyer Wysocki Theodore Ziomkowski Top Honors - Eighth Grade Noah Aspinall Luke Bell Bralynn Chapman Amelia Dibell Isabella Eddy Mackenzie Gee Ellie Haynes Zachary Hendricks Christopher Hutchinson Macey Kacprzyk Lela Kahler Lydia Koeppel Natalie Ladd Evelyn Lyons Jackson Noller Kevin O’Brien Logan Pfeifer Elliot Phillips Gwyneth Roest Breanna Rosel Alice Sharpe Ronni Simmons David Smith Payton Sowles Jaiden St. Amour Halle Valliere Alivia VanDyke Caitlin Vandyke Outstanding Attendance Award Bryce Apolinar Noah Aspinall Jaxon Chavez Brinley Davis Jackson Grala Dayton Gulembo Goldie Harig Layla Harig Tyler Hurley Brayden Kuzawa Kaylee Lubben Kendrick Lynch Evelyn MacDonald Kennedy Morris Travis Norman Elizabeth Pongrattana Christopher Smith David Smith Morgan Uhen Joseph Van Dyke Caitlin Vandyke David Wyatt Sawyer Wysocki Cedar Springs Middle School and The Cedar Springs Bugle congratulates all students recognized this year for their dedication, achievement and commitment to excellence. Go Red Hawks!

SOLON TOWNSHIP — A Solon Township Board meeting Monday night ended less than 18 minutes after it began, as raised voices and mounting frustration from residents led officials to adjourn the session early.

CEDAR SPRINGS — A child sustained minor injuries Monday afternoon after being struck by a vehicle at the corner of Seventh and Pine Streets. Cedar Springs Fire Department and Rockford Ambulance responded to the scene at approximately 3:10 p.m. The Kent County Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation and determined the child was crossing the street from the sidewalk when they were struck by a vehicle that was slowing to turn and had the right of way. Authorities reported the child suffered minor cuts and scrapes. The child was transported to the hospital as a precaution and is expected to make a full recovery.

If you listened closely enough early Thursday afternoon, you might have heard the school bell at Cedar Springs Public Schools ring out for the last time this year. It didn’t sound any different than it did in October or March, but somehow it just feels different in June. Perhaps a little weightier, but with relief...if that makes any sense. Tomorrow there won’t be any buses lining up for early morning drop-off and alarms can finally get a break, at least for the students. There will, however, be more bike rides instead of bus rides. Pool days will take the place of pop quizzes, and at least a few parents will realize by mid‑July that maybe the structured school calendar wasn’t such a bad thing after all. Yes, summer is here at last! The last day of school also has a way of making you look around, though, and some may even take inventory from the previous year. Lockers were cleaned out and yearbooks were signed with promises that may or may not hold up. Teachers stack the last of their papers and shut off lights in rooms that will sit empty for a while. I was thinking about all of that Saturday morning while standing along the first‑base line. Which is strange, because none of that was in front of me. What was in front of me was a bench lined with four‑ and five‑year‑olds waiting for their turn at bat. I heard, “Hey coach,” in the long, drawn out way that only a four-year-old does, and I was back where my feet actually stood. And I realized something I probably should have noticed sooner. That is, that the bell ringing to end the school year, the one carrying the sense of something wrapping up, felt a lot like what was happening right there in the infield, as I stood at my last game as head coach of my son’s tee ball team. There are no strikeouts in tee ball. No one really keeps track of the score and everyone gets a turn at bat. The goal isn’t perfection, it’s progress. It’s learning which way to run and remembering to drop the bat instead of carrying it halfway to first base. Back in April, about half of these kids had never played before. We talked about which hand goes on top and which direction first base is. In fact, we ran the bases single file calling them out as we stepped on them just to help them remember. By Saturday morning, though, these kids were making solid contact, fielding grounders, and reminding each other where to throw the ball. There was never a big moment where it all clicked. There wasn't an announcement that they had improved. They just did. And then, just like that, the season was over. For three nights a week this spring, those kids were mine to coach. I enjoyed nothing more than cheering them on, encouraging them, and watching their confidence grow a little at a time. I didn’t realize how much I’d gotten used to that rhythm until I was standing there knowing it wouldn’t be the same next week. Not far from those fields, Hilltop sits nearly ready for demolition. It won’t be long now before it’s gone. Another familiar piece of the landscape giving way to whatever comes next. Maybe it’s not that change is everywhere. Maybe it’s just that you finally slow down long enough to see it. One day it’s just another week on the calendar, and the next you realize something wrapped up without you making much of a fuss about it. And while you’re standing there thinking about that, the kids are already onto whatever’s next. Change rarely arrives with much fanfare. It happens with a bell ringing out the end, or perhaps a final at bat. For the kids, it’s simply called "childhood" and it's unfolding the way it’s supposed to. They move from one thing to the next without looking back too long. One grade, one season, and one summer at a time. For the rest of us, it’s something we’re lucky enough to witness. We get to stand there along the baseline, or in a parking lot outside a school, and take it in while it’s happening. Another school year is finished here in Cedar Springs, and another season is in the books. Years from now, I probably won’t remember which kid played which position in the last inning. I might not even remember what the final bell sounded like. But I think I’ll remember how it felt standing there. Watching it all move forward. Watching them run and knowing it won't look exactly the same next time, but knowing this time was exactly how it was supposed to be...even if part of me wished it would slow down just a little.

CEDAR SPRINGS — As the Hilltop building approaches demolition on the 100th anniversary of its construction, two familiar pieces of its history will be saved and preserved for the community. Cedar Springs Public Schools has agreed to donate a hand painted Red Hawks sign and the school’s longtime recess bell to the Cedar Springs Historical Museum. Both items hold special meaning for generations of former students who passed through the doors of the building, which first opened in 1926. The Red Hawks sign, believed to date back to the late 1940s, once hung inside the building and became a fixture for students and staff for more than 70 years. Though worn with age, the image of the school’s mascot remains recognizable. The identity of the local artist who painted the sign has been lost over time. The original recess bell, hung outside over the gymnasium doors, also carries deep roots for the school. For decades, its ring marked the beginning and end of the school day and called children in from recess. Its sound became a presence in daily life for countless families. "Even though the building is coming down, we can still preserve some pieces of its history," said Nancy Starr, Cedar Springs Museum Treasurer. "Every alumnus who walked those halls remembers hearing that bell, and nearly everyone who ever played in that gym remembers the sign. It felt only right to make sure they survive, even if the building doesn't." Earlier this year, district officials announced plans to demolish the Hilltop building, citing structural concerns and the high cost of restoration. The decision stirred strong emotions throughout the community, where the building has long stood as a landmark. Now, museum officials say the preserved artifacts will help keep the building’s story alive. The museum is in the early stages of writing a book documenting the story of the Hilltop building, including the stories of those who spent time there. The donations are greatly appreciated, says Museum Director Sharon Jett. "The Cedar Springs Historical Museum is in the early stages of writing a book about the Hilltop building, chronicling its life from construction to its demolition. These donations ensure that, while the Hilltop building itself will soon be gone, its legacy and the memories it holds will continue to live on in Cedar Springs for generations to come." Museum staff is asking anyone who may know more about the sign's artist to reach out to them either through Facebook or their email address, cedarspringsmuseum@gmail.com

CEDAR SPRINGS - If you walk into the vision center inside the 17 Mile Road Meijer in Cedar Springs, you may notice a sign stating they are closed.

SOLON TOWNSHIP — The Solon Township Planning Commission has released draft five of its data center zoning ordinance and scheduled the public hearing for June 24 at 7 p.m. at Frost Creek Church, 15671 Algoma Ave NE, Cedar Springs, MI 49319. Strong ordinances are designed to protect communities from water table contamination, declining property values, noise pollution, among other things. Notably missing from this ordinance, however, are numeric allowances for water and wastewater usage and requirements for disclosing conflicts of interest. Another request to the subcommittee involved regulations for banning township officials from signing non-disclosure agreements. That request was also denied. “Making a public comment enters resident concerns into the public record. This is the most important meeting community members could attend,” said Cedar Springs resident Katie Valtchev. Residents first raised concerns after learning of the potential 800-acre data center site in January 2026. Cedar Springs City Manager Darla Falcon connected local public-private nonprofit The Right Place with Solon Township Supervisor Robert Ellick in May 2025 to discuss the project. Ellick signed an NDA in June 2025 with Venerly LLC with unanimous approval from the board. Subcommittee members Mark Hoskins, Keith Sawade, and Rick Sevey will listen to public comments and make recommendations to the Planning Commission regarding the zoning ordinance. Between now and the public hearing, the public has the opportunity to send their concerns and suggestions about the data center zoning ordinance to Solon Township’s administrative assistant, zoning administrator, and supervisor using their email links via www.solontwp.org

LANSING - Consumers Energy has filed a request with the Michigan Public Service Commission, MPSC, to raise electric rates by $456 million, marking the largest rate increase request in more than 20 years and the second year in a row the utility has sought a significant hike. The application was filed June 2, 2026, the earliest date allowed under Michigan law, which requires utilities to wait at least one year between rate case filings. The request now enters a review process that is expected to last about 10 months, with regulators having until April 2027 to issue a decision. If approved, new rates would take effect May 1, 2027. Consumers says the increase is needed to continue modernizing and strengthening Michigan’s electric grid, with investments aimed at reducing the frequency and length of power outages. The utility serves nearly 1.9 million electric customers statewide. If approved as filed, the average residential customer with a monthly electric bill of about $155 would see an estimated increase of about $13 per month, or roughly 9 percent. Actual bill impacts would vary depending on energy usage. Consumers emphasized there are no immediate changes to customer bills while the case is under review. The request follows a rate increase approved earlier this year that went into effect in May. That increase was originally set at $276.6 million but later adjusted to $216.9 million to correct a calculation error. Consumers says recent investments have reduced average outage times since 2021, excluding major storm events, and that additional spending on tree trimming, grid automation and underground lines will further improve reliability. The utility is also seeking to recover $52 million in storm restoration costs from severe weather in 2025. Consumer advocates have criticized the request, arguing that reliability improvements could be achieved at a lower cost and questioning whether previous investments have had enough time to demonstrate lasting results. The rate case will be reviewed by the three governor appointed members of the MPSC, along with input from the Michigan Attorney General’s Office and other stakeholder groups. A final decision on the proposed increase is expected in spring 2027.

It turns out, newspapers still make a sound when you open them. I had almost forgotten it. That little crackle when you pull one from the stack. The way the fold never quite goes back the same way once you’ve opened it. The smell of the ink on newsprint. And for the first time in nearly three years, Cedar Springs heard that sound again. At least with a newspaper bearing our hometown’s name. I was standing in the Cedar Chest Resale Shop the other morning when they were put out, trying not to hover but definitely hovering. You can learn a lot by pretending you’re not watching. One gentleman walked up, picked up a copy, flipped it over, and then grabbed two more. He didn't say much. He just placed a few “ones” on the counter and walked out with the papers tucked under his arm like it was the most normal thing in the world. Later that day, inside Kelly’s Restaurant, I heard it from across the room before I saw anything. “We have our paper back!” I don't think she intended on making such a loud announcement, but she did with genuine excitement. It caught me off guard in the best way. There were about ten patrons in that restaurant, all varying in age and all holding the Bugle wide open, discussing its content. Sitting quietly in the corner with a paper of my own, as if only to blend in, I overheard people giving their opinions and speculating over the information they were reading. "Wow, we're getting a boardwalk now?" "Look at all the graduates this year." "The museum is doing the Celebration of Lights now? Glad we're keeping at least one of our events." What was most pleasantly surprising wasn't hearing about how, “there’s a paper" again. Not how “someone started it up again.” No, what I enjoyed overhearing the most was "We." "Our." "We have our paper back!" "We are getting a new boardwalk" "We are keeping one of our events." Because the truth is, it really is our paper. It belongs to us, the community. Those reactions are exactly what we hope for when we talk about fostering connection and capturing the heartbeat of Cedar Springs. I sit on enough boards and in enough community meetings to know that towns function on shared information. You don’t realize how much you rely on it until it’s gone. For a while, we did what everyone else did. We pieced things together from posts and comments, from neighboring and regional news outlets. We tried to sort out what was accurate and what just sounded confident. Even those of us who grew up alongside social media, who watched Facebook go from Farmville to Rumor Mill, can admit it’s not quite the same as something that’s been verified, written, edited, printed, and delivered to the community for anyone to pick up. You can have a town without a newspaper. We've done it before. It is possible. Though, you don't get the same kind of community connection. Take the school events, for example. There was a time when if you wanted to check the scores of the local games, or read about the marching band and FFA, you needed only turn to one place: The newspaper. Now, you have to navigate Facebook and check each individual page for each team and age group. And when information gets isolated like that, so does attention. That might not seem like much, but over time, you feel it. Fewer shared conversations. Fewer moments where everyone is reacting to the same thing. I’ve spent nearly all of my life in this town. I’ve lived here. Served here. Got married here. Built businesses here. Covered stories here. I’ve seen Cedar Springs at its best and at its worst (let’s not even bring up the events of 2012). Through all of it, one thing has always mattered: we like knowing what’s going on. And we like knowing it from someone who lives here too. For nearly three years, that piece was missing. Today, it isn't. And if you listen closely, you can hear it. Right there between the turn of the page and the moment someone looks up to share what they just read.

CEDAR SPRINGS — A community water safety event, “Swim Safe for Silas,” will be held Saturday, June 13, from 10 a.m. to noon at Creative Technologies Academy near the soccer field in Cedar Springs. The event was launched by Kaila Palmer in memory of her 4 year old son, Silas, who drowned July 25, 2025, at Long Lake Park in Solon Township. Palmer organized the lifejacket drive to promote water safety and help prevent similar tragedies in the future. Donated lifejackets collected through the community drive will be given away to local families during the event while supplies last. Local nonprofit, School Emergency Response Coalition, (SERC), is supporting the effort through its position in the community to help bring the event to fruition. In addition to its support role, SERC will host a CPR class on the soccer field for up to 25 attendees, providing practical, hands on instruction for those who register. The event will play host to Solon and Cedar Springs Fire Departments, Kent County Sheriff's Office, and Rockford Ambulance, who will give children and adults alike an opportunity to explore emergency vehicles and equipment and meet first responders. Organizers say the goal of “Swim Safe for Silas” is to encourage lifejacket use, increase water safety awareness and provide families with tools and knowledge that can help protect children this summer. “Lifejackets are a simple and important piece of equipment that can save lives in our community," said Captain Greg Seely of the Cedar Springs Fire Department. "This event will help spread that message. It ensures families hear about water safety and leave with the tools to put it into practice.” If you are interested in donating a new lifejacket, drop off locations include The Village Learning Center, 190 N. Main Street, Cedar Springs and at the Solon Township Fire Department, 2305 19 Mile Road, Cedar Springs.

CEDAR SPRINGS — The Solon Township Fire Department is currently seeking motivated local residents to join the department as paid on-call firefighters as emergency call volume continues to rise throughout the community. Over the past decade, the department has experienced a dramatic increase in calls for service. Annual incident totals have grown from 351 calls in 2012 to a record-setting 600 calls in 2025, an increase of more than 70 percent. Department officials say the continued growth highlights the increasing need for dedicated firefighters and first responders willing to serve their community. “Solon Fire is always looking for dedicated people,” said Fire Chief Rich Hays. “As the population of the township grows our call volume is also increasing.” Firefighters with the department respond to a wide variety of emergencies including structure fires, medical emergencies, motor vehicle accidents, severe weather incidents, rescue calls, and other public safety situations. Responsibilities include conducting firefighting operations, operating fire equipment and tools, providing emergency medical assistance within the scope of practice, assessing hazardous situations, and participating in ongoing training related to firefighting, rescue operations, disaster response, and emergency medical care. The department is looking for individuals who are dependable, physically capable, and possess a strong team-player attitude. Candidates should have good communication and interpersonal skills and be able to lift equipment weighing 50 pounds or more. Minimum qualifications include: High school diploma or GED Valid driver’s license At least 18 years of age Ability to pass a background check, drug and alcohol screening, and medical and physical examinations Ability to obtain Firefighter II and Medical First Responder certifications This is a paid on-call position, and applicants must live within Solon Township or in close proximity to qualify. Anyone interested in serving their community and learning more about the opportunity can apply online using the Solon Township Fire Department Employment Page or contact the Solon Township Fire Department office at (616) 696-0020.