CEDAR SPRINGS — New signage has appeared at the Cedar Springs Big Boy location, offering limited explanation after the restaurant’s doors were previously found chained shut.

CEDAR SPRINGS — The Cedar Springs Big Boy location appears to be closed for good, with public records shedding additional light on the property's status.

CEDAR SPRINGS — The Cedar Springs Museum announced it is in the process of writing a new book detailing the life and legacy of the Hilltop School. Titled The Hilltop, Beyond the Bricks: The Stories That Shaped Generations, the project, a nonfiction narrative that tells the life story of the building through the people who filled its classrooms and hallways. Rather than serving as a simple timeline of dates and events, the book weaves together firsthand accounts, memories and historical records to trace Hilltop’s century-long impact on the community. From its earliest students to its final bell, the story unfolds through the voices of those who learned, taught, and worked inside its walls. “We are so excited to have the opportunity to honor Hilltop and all the memories made there with this book,” said Museum Director and The Hilltop illustrator Sharon Jett. “This will ensure Hilltop’s legacy continues to be part of our community’s story,” she said. Hilltop was built in 1926 and, at the time of its construction, was one of the largest schools in West Michigan. For nearly a century, generations of Cedar Springs residents attended classes there, making it a central fixture in the community’s educational and social life. The school closed its doors to students in 2021 and was recently demolished by Bierlein Companies Inc. after school officials determined the cost of renovation was prohibitive. According to the museum, the book opens by setting the scene of the newly constructed school building and the anticipation felt throughout the community at the dawn of a new era in modern education. The author aims to capture not only the historic milestones, but also the everyday moments that defined life inside Hilltop’s halls. “For a century, this school was the home to new friendships. It was where courage was tested, and triumphs were earned,” museum co-president and The Hilltop author Jake Watson said. “For anyone whose life was shaped by this place, for those who grew up here and carried its lessons into the world, this book is for you.” The book is currently in progress and is expected to be completed sometime this fall. To mark its release, the museum has secured original Hilltop bricks salvaged from the site and plans to give one away with each of the first 50 copies sold. Proceeds from book sales will go directly toward supporting the Cedar Springs Museum’s ongoing efforts to curate, preserve and share local history. “This is a passion project that we’re putting a lot of effort into,” Watson said. “So we felt that going that extra step and giving a small piece of Hilltop to the first people to purchase the book was a special way to help memorialize it for them. We also want to thank the Cedar Springs School Board and Superintendent Scott Smith securing the bricks for us to make that happen.” Museum officials said they hope the book will serve as a tribute to Hilltop’s past, but also that it becomes a lasting resource for future generations who want to understand the role the school played in shaping the community and the people in it.

CEDAR SPRINGS — Monday’s heat didn’t slow things down at The Village Learning Center. Instead, it turned into the perfect excuse to celebrate International Mud Day in unforgettable fashion. With temperatures climbing past 90 degrees, children of all ages rolled, stomped and splashed their way through an afternoon of muddy fun. From crafting mud pies to taking full-on mud baths, the kids embraced the mess and the laughter that came with it. The mud itself was a true community effort. Mike O’Dowd of O’Dowd Landscaping delivered several buckets of dirt to help get things started. “I asked Mike O’Dowd if he had any good mud-making dirt and he was here within 30 minutes with several buckets full of dirt,” said owner Jen Ruwersma. Turning such a large pile of dirt into the perfect puddle required a little extra horsepower. Captain Greg Seely of the Cedar Springs Fire Department came to the rescue with the fire engine to water it all down. “I didn’t even finish my sentence when calling Greg with Cedar Springs Fire Department when he was jumping on board to turn that dirt into an epic mud puddle,” Ruwersma said. The cool mud offered a welcome break from the summer heat, keeping children refreshed as they squished and splattered their way through the day. While the kids were clearly the stars of the show, Ruwersma said the real MVPs may have been the staff members tasked with cleanup afterward. “The kids here at the village play in the mud on a regular basis, but on International Mud Day, we had to take things to a whole new level,” she said with a laugh. More than anything, Ruwersma said the day was a reminder of the strength of the Cedar Springs community. “More heartwarming than all these muddy faces is how quickly our community jumps in to support these kids and my crazy ideas,” she said. For one hot summer afternoon, mud brought everyone together, and no one seemed to mind getting a little messy.

Versal Frederick Gunnell (‘Fred’), age 96, of Cedar Springs Michigan passed away peacefully on Wednesday, June 24, 2026. He was born June 19, 1930 to Versal Asbury Gunnell and Lorena Belle Blanchard of Rockford, Michigan. He attended grade school in Rockford, later moving to Cedar Springs, Michigan in 1944, graduating from Cedar Springs High School in 1949. While attending high school, he first met Carollee Grace Crane, ‘the love of his life’. In 1950 they married, an enduring and loving relationship that spanned over 74 years until her death in 2025. Together, they caringly raised two children, Gregg and Kathleen (Katie). In 1952, Fred was activated to military service in the Army during the Korean conflict, serving 2 years in the 10th infantry division at Fort Riley in Kansas, and 6 years in Army Reserves, being honorably discharged in 1960. While in the Army reserves he attended Michigan State University, earning a Bachelors and Masters in Education, beginning his education career in 1959 with the Sparta Area Schools System as science and civics teacher, and high school guidance counselor. In 1967 he was hired by Michigan Technological University in Houghton, Michigan as Assistant Director of Admissions, becoming the Director of Admissions in 1986. During his time at MTU he was additionally responsible for international student affairs and admissions. Fred retired from Michigan Tech in 1992, returning to Cedar Springs, Michigan to help care for Carollee’s elderly parents and continuing his commitment of community service in the Cedar Springs area. Fred’s conviction toward fostering community, education, students, and family were evidenced in a lifetime of remarkable involvement wherever he and Carollee lived. Beginning in 1963, and up to present day, Fred actively participated in Rotary International, becoming a past chapter President & Paul Harris award recipient. In 1970, he became President of Portage(Houghton) Township School Board and notably handed out his own daughter's diploma upon graduation in 1976. In 1994 he was appointed to Solon Township Planning Commission, later elected Trustee to Solon Township Board serving two decades from 1996-2016. He was appointed Trustee First United Methodist Church Cedar Springs serving from 1994-2023, and from 1998 until his passing was President of the Cedar Springs Historical Society leading the charge on fundraising and completing the critical museum expansion in 2009-2010. Fred, together with Carollee were the Grand Marshalls of the Cedar Springs Red Flannel Festival in 2010. Alongside Fred’s community service, he and Carollee, supported advanced education initiatives by hosting several international exchange students, and in 2018, donated 10 acres to the Creative Technologies Academy of Cedar Springs to promote student activities and athletics facilities. Additionally, he and Carollee helped support countless students with college tuition and other expenses helping them rise up! Without doubt Fred made a great impact on his community, and more personally, his family. He dearly loved his grandsons and great granddaughter, having always found a way to be ‘in the moment’ with them, working on a project, hiking in the forest, or just out for a ride around the farm on tractor or side by side. Additionally, he remained very close to his immediate siblings, often sharing a meal or a story, more likely both! Fred was an avid outdoorsman, having learned hunting and fishing in early life during his rural upbringing in Cedar Springs. Deer hunting and trout fishing were the subject of many stories at family gatherings, holidays, and even in print. As can be imagined, those stories became more embellished with each passing year! One deer season, in the Upper Peninsula at the family Camp, Fred bagged a trophy buck recognized by the Commemorative Bucks of Michigan. That bad boy still hangs on the wall and the story needs no stretching, it was a monster! Fred had also successfully hunted moose and dall sheep in the mountains of Alaska and fished for salmon next to the grizzlies. Fred promoted and supported farming initiatives and had enjoyed planting several small orchards over the years having produced a lot of fruit for family and friends. He even pressed his own apple cider. He was a passionate DIY-er, mowing his own lawn, and plowing snow from his driveway as recently as January of 2026. Fred had a sustained passion for life and people! It was fulsome in service to others, deeply committed to family, supportive and caring. He will be deeply missed by family and friends. Fred is survived by his daughter, Kathleen (Katie) G. Webber; son-in-law, Daniel H. Webber; grandsons, Corey A. Webber (Maureen), Coleton D. Webber (Stephanie); great-granddaughter, Cassandra Carollee Webber. He is also survived by his brother, John A. Gunnell, 92 of Grand Rapids, MI and sister Camilla Tuesink, 85 of Cedar Springs MI, along with numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family members. Fred was preceded in death by his wife Carollee Gunnell, his son Dr. Gregg F. Gunnell and siblings, Shirley, Janet, Nancy, and Tom. The family will greet friends Wednesday, July 1 from 10:00 am until time of service at 11:00 am at the K.E. Pike Funeral Home, Cedar Springs. Pastor Michelle Valllier from Cedar Springs United Methodist Church officiating. Interment with military honors will be held at Solon Township Cemetery. Following the cemetery service a luncheon will be held at the United Methodist Church, 140 S. Main St. Cedar Springs. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made by check to the Cedar Springs Historical Museum, 60 Cedar St., Cedar Springs, MI 49319.

CEDAR SPRINGS — As Cedar Springs transitions into its new City Hall, city leaders are weighing what to do with a familiar and deeply symbolic piece of the community’s heritage.

I’ve been thinking about our city motto lately. Stop. I get it. It's a weird thing to think about. Most of you probably don't sit on your porch, watching cars drive down Muskegon Street, pondering the philosophical meaning of our city's motto. Just humor me and read the rest of this. If you haven't seen it on your water bill recently, the motto states, "Cedar Springs - Cherishing our Heritage. Embracing our Future.” It's a warm sentiment, really. It's like saying, "We know who we are and where we're going!" It sounds good. It's both balanced and responsible. The kind of phrase you read and just nod along to without much debate. And honestly, I don't just like it, I love this motto. But the longer I sit with it, and the more I think on it, the more I realize those two ideas don’t always go together as easily as they look on paper. Do you know what I mean? Because when we say we want progress, sometimes I think what we really mean is movement. We mean we don’t want Cedar Springs to feel stuck. We want to see something happening in the empty spaces. We want to know we’re not getting left behind while everything around us changes. There’s something reassuring about visible growth. It feels like momentum, like we're not just stuck in neutral. Like we’re headed somewhere. And then other times, when we say we want progress, I think what we really mean is protection. We mean we don’t want to wake up one morning, drive down Main Street, and feel like we missed something. Like the town secretly swapped out its identity in the middle of the night while we were all sleeping. We want the landmarks to still be there. The stories to still matter. The things that made us proud to live here to still feel recognizable. These aren’t opposite instincts. But they don’t exactly move in lockstep either. If I’m honest, I can feel both of them in myself, sometimes simultaneously. There are days I drive through town and think, "This is good. Things are happening. Look at these improvements!" And then there are days I catch myself staring a little too long at a change and thinking, "huh… not really sure how I feel about that." It's at this point I turn back to our motto. Actually, this is where the motto gets real. Cherishing our heritage is stable and grounded. Embracing our future is hopeful and forward‑leaning. Put them next to each other and it reads like a feel-good statement. This isn't to diminish the true intent behind it, but after feeling like both "wow this is great" and "oh no, that's not who we are," I turn back to the idea and wonder how it can be accomplished. Actually trying to live them out at the same time? Some days it feels nearly impossible. Because cherishing asks us to slow down and remember. To value what came before us, and to admit that not everything old needs replacing just because it’s old. It asks us to weigh progress against the best and worst of what has been before. Embracing asks us to lean in. To accept that some change is necessary. To believe that what’s ahead might be good, even if it doesn’t look exactly like what we’re used to. Embracing asks us to weigh hesitation against opportunity. Wait a minute...are we getting somewhere with this? When a new project comes up, or a building comes down, or something new goes up, we tend to sort ourselves pretty quickly. For progress. Against progress. But I wonder if most of us are actually trying to do the same thing, just starting from different halves of that sentence. Some of us hold tightly to the heritage piece because we know how hard it is to get something back once it’s gone. We know that history was made, that what was old is why we are where we are. It's what refined us and shaped us. Others lean into the future because we know how easy it is for a town to stall out if it refuses to adapt. We're tired of feeling as though we're "behind the times" in terms of what we have to offer ourselves. "We need a car wash...but a good one!" "We need a Wal Mart to compete with Meijer!" These are two ideas I've actually read in the comments. Neither instinct is careless. Neither one of these is automatically right all the time either. From where I sit, I don’t see the tension as proof that we’re at odds beyond repair. I see it as what naturally happens when people care deeply about the same place but picture its future a little differently. Progress here probably isn’t going to come from deciding once and for all which half of the motto matters more. It’s going to come from the slower, sometimes frustrating work of recalibrating. Of asking, again and again, whether we’re protecting what truly defines us or just resisting change out of habit, and whether we’re chasing something new because it’s genuinely needed or simply because it feels like movement. Or even just for more tax revenue. Holding onto heritage while stepping into the future isn’t a problem we’ll solve and check off a list. It’s something we’re going to keep navigating project by project, vote by vote, conversation by conversation, and long after the current debates fade and new ones take their place. And maybe that ongoing negotiation isn’t a weakness at all. Maybe it’s just the reality of trying to live out a motto that sounds simple, but was never meant to be easy.

CEDAR SPRINGS — You may have seen them around town, standing along Main or Muskegon Streets with handmade signs or gathered in local parks with a small but noticeable presence. For the past 21 weeks, a local coalition has been holding regular protests in Cedar Springs, calling attention to what members describe as a consolidation of power by economic and political elites.

SOLON TOWNSHIP — The air inside Frost Creek Church was warm and stuffy Wednesday night, and so was the mood as the ongoing discussion surrounding data centers continued. Nearly 400 residents packed the sanctuary June 24 for a public hearing on Draft Five of Solon Township’s proposed data center zoning ordinance. Every seat was filled and dozens of others lined the wall, fanning themselves with agendas. The line for public comment stretched long as neighbors waited their turn to address the Planning Commission. Although no formal data center application has been submitted, residents made clear they believe the ordinance under consideration could determine the township’s future. Many argued the current draft is not strong enough to protect Solon Township’s rural character, water resources and long term public health. Concerns ranged from groundwater depletion to electrical grid strain, wastewater discharge, thermal and heat dissipation and noise pollution that is not clearly addressed in the draft language. Several residents asked who would conduct inspections and whether the township has the capacity to oversee a facility of that scale. One recurring question centered on acreage, with some residents highlighting what they viewed as an inconsistency in the township’s approach to large-scale development. They noted that the township previously adopted an ordinance limiting solar fields to 200 acres, reflecting what many described at the time as a cautious or negative stance toward utility-scale solar. In contrast, they said, discussion of a potential 800-acre data center site appeared to carry a far more welcoming tone, some even claiming the ordinance is written in a way so as to invite data centers. Others questioned changes in earlier drafts involving building heights and objected to provisions that would allow the Zoning Board of Appeals to override certain zoning restrictions. “If this thing gets built, we need the most restrictions possible,” one resident said, drawing loud applause. Environmental concerns were at the top of the list for some residents. Doug Shultz, who identified himself as both a township resident and the new board president of the Rogue River Watershed Partners, said Solon Township is blessed with cold water streams that sustain brook and brown trout populations. “I’m concerned a data center would degrade the quality of these streams,” Shultz said. The discussion occasionally grew heated and applause frequently broke out between comments, though one resident and co-owner of Thermal Tec, Linda Blanchard, stated, now is the time for unity rather than anger. "I think it's important that we don't blame, we don't throw anger, we need to focus on solutions," Blanchard said. "We need to stand together, we need to support each other, and we need the anger to stop on all sides," she continued. Dominating most of the night were residents urging the township to extend its current moratorium on data centers, which is set to expire in early August, arguing more time is needed to craft what they called a legally defensible and highly protective ordinance. Speaking to The Bugle after the meeting, Courtland Township Trustee and state representative hopeful Rachel Crowther said lawmakers in Lansing are already discussing potential data center regulations. “We have bills in the house and the senate, and if we can buy some more time, maybe this conversation will get to Lansing and we can actually have something [regulating data centers],” Crowther said. Some residents turned their focus to Township Attorney Ross Leisman and whether he has a conflict of interest due to what residents are calling "investment ties" to The Right Place LLC, the economic development organization that first approached Solon Township about a potential data center site. Residents questioned whether the township can receive impartial legal guidance and ordinance drafting if its attorney has financial connections to the group helping drive the project. Leisman declined to comment on any ties that may be had to The Right Place. When asked after the meeting whether they believe Draft Five is robust enough to protect township residents, Planning Commission members also declined to comment. After nearly three hours of public comment, the Planning Commission voted to table further discussion of the ordinance until its July meeting. As the crowd filtered out, one theme remained clear. Whether or not a formal proposal ever materializes, many Solon Township residents believe the fight over how, or if, data centers fit into their rural community is far from over.

SOLON TWP. — The Kent County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a shooting that occurred June 23 in Solon Township. The incident, which at time of publication, is believed to have been an accidental discharge causing injury. Deputies were called to a Grand Rapids-area hospital after receiving a report of a gunshot wound sustained earlier that day. The incident took place in the 3400 block of 18 Mile Road. The shooting itself is believed to have happened earlier that afternoon. According to authorities, the injured individual is in stable condition and is expected to recover. Detectives continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident. In response to an inquiry from The Bugle, the Kent County Sheriff’s Office issued a firearm safety reminder: “We have seen cases this year where people accidentally discharged firearms and injured themselves. Firearms are never toys. Always treat every firearm as if it is loaded, keep it pointed in a safe direction, keep your finger off the trigger until you are ready to shoot, and never handle firearms while drinking or impaired. One careless moment can cause a lifelong injury or tragedy.”

CEDAR SPRINGS — Summer evenings in downtown Cedar Springs once again belong to live music as the Music in the Heart Free Summer Concert Series returns to the Heart of Cedar Springs Park amphitheater. The weather stifled the first concert on June 17, now the 2026 series runs from June 24 through August 19, with concerts held Wednesday nights from 7 to 9 p.m. at the public amphitheater located at 37 N. Main Street NE. All concerts are free and open to all ages. The annual series, which has been running for 5 years now, brings a mix of genres to the stage throughout the summer. This year’s lineup kicks off on June 24th at 7pm with Project 87, an '80s/'90s music group followed by this lineup: July 1 – Sundogs (Americana) July 8 – The Gitchel Family (Bluegrass) July 15 – Selkie (Celtic) July 22 – Klay n the Mud (Rock) July 29 – The Clean Cuts (Psychedelic Rock) August 5 – The Reason (’90s covers) August 12 – The American Heartbreakers (Tribute to Tom Petty) August 19 – Rain Date The Social District will be active during the events. Adults 21 and older may purchase alcoholic beverages from Cedar Springs Brewing Company or The Red Bird Bistro and Grill and bring them into the park, provided they are in vendor-supplied cups. No outside alcohol is permitted. Weekly concessions will be hosted by local community groups, including the Community Building Development Team, Cedar Springs Historical Museum, Friends of the Library and the Cedar Springs Rotary, making the concerts a way to support local causes. These concerts are sponsored by the Cedar Springs Downtown Development Authority, Cedar Springs Brewing Company and Scott’s Music Co. The series continues to serve as a summer staple which draws families, friends and visitors to the heart of downtown for an evening of music, community and connection.

There’s no doubt that Cedar Springs has been feeling like it’s moving faster than any of us are ready for. Yep. I said it. And I bet you recognize it too. And I bet those from 150 years ago even felt the same way when they thought they'd finally settled on the town's size, when suddenly a new building popped up. For a town that has long felt a little like Mayberry, (and if you don’t get that reference you’ll have to Google it), the recent changes in our landscape have kind of hit hard. Watching the Hilltop come down was heavier than I expected it to be. Longtime residents are making their thoughts known about the demolition of that building, and rightfully so. You don’t realize how much a building becomes part of your mental map until it is gone. Suddenly a landmark is gone and you forget where you're standing for a moment. We know growth is part of any healthy community. Still, change fatigue is real. It can make even good developments feel unsettling simply because they're new. Drive over to 130 W. Muskegon St. and you can feel it. The renovated 1929 county building now stands with a sense of permanence. It looks official. Bigger, even. I have caught myself studying it more than once. Truthfully, these buildings only tell part of our story. But, if I’m being honest, the deeper story of Cedar Springs has always lived in our shared identity. For generations, we have been the Red Flannel Town. If you just rolled your eyes, that’s ok. I understand. Even this identity has seen its trials, and because of those trials it may feel worn, or perhaps distant, to some. No, I’m not going to regale you with "the Red Flannel story." But there is one important thing to remember. 1936. It was the height of the Great Depression. Businesses and families alike were struggling financially and emotionally. When Nina Babcock wrote her column and calls came flooding in for our now renowned flannels, businesses benefited, yes, but morale was lifted in a huge way. People gathered and celebrated. They reminded one another that even in difficult years, they weren't alone. Whatever has been said or done over the years, that unified spirit, the one that started it all, did not expire. As the city moves through this stretch of rapid change, and as the economy continues to feel tight for many, this feels like the right time to lean into that heritage in a visible way. And so, I encourage our city council along with the festival board to stand side-by-side and rededicate Cedar Springs as the Red Flannel Town. Hang the Red Flannel plaque that once stood in the old council chambers in the new City Hall. Restore the Red Flannel logos that were removed from our parks. These are simple steps, but they are symbolic ones too. The city doesn't depend on a single weekend to claim its identity. And the festival doesn't depend on logos on every street corner to stand on its own. But Cedar Springs has always been strongest when its institutions and its traditions work side by side. In moments when a town feels like it is stretching in different directions, and when budgets continue to tighten more and more, visible reminders of who we are can steady the ground beneath us. New residents deserve to know the story they are stepping into. Longtime residents deserve to see that story carried forward with intentionality. Like a torch leading the way. Identity can't and doesn’t preserve itself. It requires participation. Cedar Springs will continue to grow and the skyline will continue to change. That’s simply part of any community. It's been going on here for longer than any of us have been alive. We are still the Red Flannel Town. And there is no better time to live like it.