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.

ALGOMA TOWNSHIP — A 60 year old Rockford man died Sunday evening following a motorcycle crash in Algoma Township.

CEDAR SPRINGS — The Cedar Springs American Legion Glen Hill Post 287, along with the Cedar Springs Public Schools Marching Band, hosted Memorial Day ceremonies at Elmwood, Solon, and Nelson Cemeteries before concluding at Veterans Park in downtown Cedar Springs.

SOLON TOWNSHIP — A motorcycle rider was seriously injured in a collision with a car at the intersection of Algoma Avenue and 19 Mile Road in Solon Township. The crash involved a motorcycle traveling south on Algoma Avenue and a car that was believed to be crossing Algoma on 19 Mile Road heading west. The Kent County Sheriff's Office said the motorcycle and car collided in the intersection. The rider of the motorcycle sustained serious injuries and was transported by ambulance to a hospital in Grand Rapids. The rider is reported to be in serious condition. Authorities say the motorcyclist is believed to be a young rider. The Kent County Sheriff’s Office is continuing to investigate the crash. Deputies were mapping the accident scene using a drone as part of the investigation.

Before it was a long weekend, it was a funeral. We don’t usually start there, though. We start with charcoal and lake plans and campers heading north. Memorial Day has become the unofficial kickoff to summer, whether we admit it or not. Boats come out of storage as school sports and graduations begin to ease. There’s this hum of preparation as the season begins its first noticeable shift. And somewhere toward the end of that hum of busyness, there are flags. If you drive past Elmwood Cemetery this week, or probably any cemetery, you’ll see them lined up beside headstones, poking up from the grass. They show up every year. Someone takes the time to place them, though most of us notice them in passing, as we race off for a bag of charcoal or ice before heading up north. My understanding of Memorial Day changed at a relatively young age. It changed on a cold afternoon in February of 2007, standing as a young firefighter on the corner of 20 Mile Road and Peach Ridge in Kent City, Michigan, rendering a salute to a fallen soldier as he was carried to his final resting place. The procession moved slowly, northward toward Pinewood Cemetery. Flags not only lined the road, but hung, massively, from the high platforms of fire trucks. Firefighters and police officers from all the surrounding towns and beyond stood at attention. It was a scene you hope never reaches your own community. One you assume belongs somewhere else, attached to a headline from far away. Taps was played that afternoon and you could hear it a mile away. The notes seemed to hang in the air longer than expected, stretching out across the cemetery, the fields, and orchards beyond it. It felt as though even the wind silenced itself out of respect. There is something different about loss when it reaches into your own community, when the name being spoken is one you had heard called out not so many years ago. The distance between “over there” and “right here” disappears quickly. And it did. The name being spoken that day was one I had heard called out on the football field and in the gymnasium. The soldier being laid to rest was someone I had once shared the school hallways with. His brother would, only three years later, become my brother-in-law. He wasn’t a headline from some far away town. He was one of us. Up until that point, Memorial Day had mostly felt historical to me. It belonged to black and white photographs, to chapters in textbooks, and wars discussed in past tense. That February afternoon changed that perspective. It placed it in a cemetery I had visited before, along roads I had driven a hundred times, among families who would have to keep living with the emptiness that would follow. Now when Memorial Day weekend comes around and I see the flags, I no longer see tradition. I see that corner in little Kent City, Michigan. I hear Taps carrying through the apple trees, and I think about how quickly a name can move from a yearbook to a headstone. Still, summer comes, as it always does. Kids will ride their bikes, boats and campers will head north, and people will sit around a fire telling stories late into the night. And that’s how it should be. The freedom to treat this weekend as the beginning of something lighter was secured by people who gave up the chance to see how their own stories would unfold. SPC Brandon Lee Stout. 1983–2007. He was one of us.

“Extra! Extra! Hear all about it!” Helping Inspire Students (H.I.S.) Creative Academy, a local nonprofit serving the West Michigan community, is bringing the high-energy musical Newsies Jr. to the stage at Cedar Springs High School on May 29, 30, and 31. Founded by Ashley Isenhoff, H.I.S. Creative Academy provides visual, performing, and creative arts opportunities to more than 100 students of all ages and abilities. From dance, singing, and acting to piano, improv, and drawing, the academy is passionate about helping young people discover their creative gifts and build confidence through the arts. This year’s spring production, Newsies Jr., is inspired by the true story of young newsboys in New York City who stood up for what’s right. Filled with heart, determination, and unforgettable music, the show celebrates courage, community, and the power of young voices. Many of the performers are local students who have worked for months to bring this inspiring story to life. The production also serves as a fundraiser that directly supports the heart of H.I.S. Creative Academy’s mission. Proceeds help fund student scholarships, providing opportunities for those who otherwise could not afford classes, as well as the Special Abilities and the Mending Hearts Through the Arts programs. Tickets for Newsies Jr. are available online and at the door. For show information, tickets, or to learn more about fall class registrations for ages 2–18, including special needs children and adult classes, visit hiscreativeacademy.org. You can also follow the academy on Facebook at @helpinginspirestudents. Come on out to the Cedar Springs High School, support local youth, and enjoy an uplifting performance that highlights the incredible talent growing in Cedar Springs and across West Michigan.

CEDAR SPRINGS — A relatively new Cedar Springs tradition will continue this year as the Cedar Springs Historical Museum and the Cedar Springs Bugle step in to host the third annual Celebration of Lights. The event, originally hosted by the Cedar Springs Area Chamber of Commerce, honors two “lights” of the community, individuals whose lives and service helped shape and light the way for Cedar Springs. After the closure of the Chamber of Commerce, community members were left wondering what would happen to the events usually hosted by the organization. Rather than see it fade away, the historical museum and the Bugle committed to keeping the lights lit. The Celebration of Lights recognizes two citizens of the Cedar Springs area who made a lasting impact during their lifetime. The two individuals honored each year are remembered posthumously for their dedication, leadership, generosity, and commitment to the community. Originally beginning in 2024, the first honoree was former Cedar Springs Mayor Jerry Hall. Last year’s "Lights" were Niels Andersen and June Mabie, both were remembered for the many ways they invested in and uplifted Cedar Springs. Sharon Jett, Director of the Cedar Springs Historical Museum, said continuing the event aligns perfectly with the museum’s mission. “It only made sense for the museum to step in and keep the event going,” Jett said. “We curate so much of the town's history. When we share these stories and recognize the people and contributions, we keep a legacy alive and remind ourselves what community should look like.” The Celebration of Lights is held in Heritage Park on Main Street across from the Kent Theatre, where the social district is in effect during the event. Organizers are now accepting nominations for this year’s two honorees. Nominations may be emailed to cedarspringsmuseum@gmail.com. The event is held on the last Saturday before Thanksgiving and more details will be announced in the coming weeks. Now, the very keepers of Cedar Springs’ history will help ensure its brightest lights are never forgotten at the Third Annual Celebration of Lights.

CEDAR SPRINGS — Looking for a desk, chair, or office odds and ends? The City of Cedar Springs is giving residents a chance to pick up a few useful finds while helping clear out surplus inventory. The city will host an Excess Office Supply Sale on Friday, May 22, 2026, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at 66 S. Main St. A variety of office items will be available, all open to reasonable offers. Everything will be sold on a first come, first served basis, with no holds or reservations. Payment will be accepted by cash or check only, and buyers are asked to plan ahead as they will be responsible for moving and loading their own purchases. City staff say it is a simple way to give surplus items a second life while offering the community a chance to score practical pieces at a good value.

CEDAR SPRINGS - Momentum is building for a proposed boardwalk along Cedar Creek that has been in the works for over ten years. On Wednesday, May 13, the Cedar Springs Community Building Development Team (CBDT) board members unanimously approved a contract for the engineering phase of the multi phase project, marking the first official step toward bringing the long discussed Cedar Creek boardwalk and fishing stations to life. The project, developed by Fleis and Vandenbrink, will be constructed on city property after receiving approval from the Cedar Springs City Council during its December 2025 regular meeting. Fully funded through private donations, the Fishing Line Trail will move forward without using taxpayer dollars. Anonymous donors have contributed $30,000 to kickstart the effort, with the understanding that the funds would help cover the estimated $33,800 engineering cost for Phase I as well as materials for the first fishing station, projected at approximately $10,000. Organizers anticipate the fishing station will be built using donated labor and expect additional fundraising to continue as excitement around the project grows. Phase I is planned to extend from the White Pine Trail east to Main Street. The long term vision is even broader. Once complete, the boardwalk would connect Heart of Cedar Springs Park and Riggle Park along the south side of Cedar Creek, link the White Pine Trail with the North Park trailhead, and create a continuous recreational corridor stretching from Main Street to 17 Mile Road near West Street. The boardwalk’s name, the “Fishing Line Trail,” pays tribute to Cedar Springs history. In the late 1800s, as the lumber industry declined, the GR&I Railroad rebranded part of its route as “The Fishing Line” to promote tourism and fishing excursions into Michigan’s north country. The effort intended to draw visitors from cities as far away as Cincinnati by leaning on Cedar Springs’ connection to outdoor recreation. Today’s project reflects that same spirit, with the hope of creating a welcoming space where families can fish along Cedar Creek and where walkers, runners, and nature lovers can enjoy a scenic path connecting both downtown and uptown. The CBDT, comprised of residents, organizations, and businesses, has now surpassed $3 million in donated funds, projects, and services since its creation in 2013. This phase of the CBDT Master Plan will compliment Cedar Springs' efforts to further enhance the north end of town. "The CBDT, a 501(c)3 nonprofit, has many opportunities for donors such as sponsoring a fishing station, park bench, or for general needs," stated Sue Wolfe, CBDT Secretary. "An Unveiling Ceremony will be held soon so watch for information in the Bugle, City Hall, CBDT website, or contact any CBDT board member. Now is a great time to get involved and help complete this project," Wolfe said. With a contract signed and donor support in place, the Fishing Line Trail is moving from vision to reality, offering residents a new way to gather, explore, and connect along the water that shaped Cedar Springs’ very foundation. Donations can be made to CBDT and mailed to 15290 Tisdel Ave, Cedar Springs, MI 49319