Cameras catch drivers who illegally pass school buses
By Lingling Xu
Grand Ledge Gazette staff writer
Grand Ledge—On Jan. 24, a Grand Ledge High Schools’ school bus was struck by a Jeep whose driver lost contr
ol. One Grand Ledge High School student who was in the bus, the jeep driver and the passenger in the jeep were injured.
The student was hospitalized for a month. The accident was recorded by cameras mounted on the school bus.
Grand Ledge business openings remain strong
Photo by Jake Bross
By Jake Bross
Grand Ledge Gazette staff writer
Grand Ledge resident Shonda Bain’s hope of owning an antique store came true last August.
Black Dog Antiques opened on South Bridge Street after a heavy load of hard work and advertising.
“It’s tough being a new business, opening up in a downtown area,” said Bain. “With all of the advertising and marketing, there’s never time to rest.”
Though there are few businesses coming into Grand Ledge, there has been a controversial drop in business openings for the past three years.
City of Grand Ledge is writing up handshake agreements
By Lingling Xu
Grand Ledge Gazette staff writer
Grand Ledge—Handshake agreements of sharing services hav been used for a longtime between the Grand Ledge city and schools.
However, many people who made them are no longer around. People do not remember the details of what was agreed upon.
Grand Ledge is going to formalize several services that are shared between the city and the Grand Ledge Public School district.
Felon checkboxes on job applications spark controversy
Photo by Jake Bross
By Jake Bross
Grand Ledge Gazette staff writer
GRAND LEDGE—Felony conviction checkboxes on job applications are nothing new to Michigan.
The small boxes that force job applicants to reveal if they are a felon have haunted those who hope to re-enter society.
If recently proposed Michigan legislation is approved, these boxes may soon be gone.
Every donation counts in food drive
By Lingling Xu
Grand Ledge Gazette staff writer
Grand Ledge—The Grand Ledge Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring a food drive for the Grand Ledge Food Bank.
The food drive is an event that mainly collects canned food and box food to feed the hungry.
“This is the fifth year of gathering donated food to deliver to the Grand Ledge Food Bank,” said Jill Russell, the executive director at the chamber of commerce.
The event is from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 20 at Family Fare on South Clinton Street. And there will be a truck and a banner for the event.
Big race, big technology will be in Grand Ledge on Sept. 22
By Jake Bross
Grand Ledge Gazette staff writer
Grand Adventure Race kayak route
Essentially a triathlon, the Grand Adventure Race begins and ends at Jaycee Park in Grand Ledge. It includes a two-mile kayak paddle on the Grand River, an 11.5-mile bike race and finally, a 5K run. The proceeds for the race go to Grand Ledge Parks.
Building boom expands in Grand Ledge
By Emily Lynch
GRAND LEDGE- New buildings and city projects are underway for 2013.
Many new families are moving in and bringing fresh ideas to the city, said Jill Russell, executive director of the Grand Ledge Chamber of Commerce. Because of this, Grand Ledge businesses have had to accommodate, expand and develop in this rather small city.
Within the past year, there has been a development of a new medical clinic on Charlevoix Drive. Also, the expansion of Independence Village, a retirement home for those who want to enjoy independent living, is well underway said Jon Bayless, city administrator of Grand Ledge.
Huntington opens the new Meijer in-store branch in Grand Ledge
Lingling Xu
Grand Ledge Gazette staff writer
GRAND LEDGE—Open a new bank account with new Huntington Bank branches you might get free shopping bags, cookies and $75 coupon.
Huntington Bank opened a new Meijer in-store branch in the Grand Ledge Meijer store on March 4.
The new Huntington bank branch opened in Michigan Meijer store.
It is open seven days a week and offers a full range of service, such as deposit, cash out and apply for credit card.
The new branch is part of Huntington’s 10-year agreement announced last May, to install branches in at least 80 Meijer stores in Michigan, accompanying 500 new jobs in Michigan, said Maureen Brown, the public relations director of Huntington bank.
“There are seven total jobs in our branch,” said Clayton Lance, a banker at the Grand Ledge branch.
Lance said the branch offers full banking services and extended hours: Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Grand Ledge to host 10th annual St. Patrick’s Day festival
By Emily Lynch
Grand Ledge Gazette staff writer
GRAND LEDGE—A two-day event including a parade, Irish dancers, great Irish music, an Irish stew cook off, a pub crawl and much more comes to the small city.
The Grand Ledge St. Patrick’s Day parade and celebration will be downtown March 15 and 16 said Grand Ledge Mayor, Kalmin Smith. It is the tenth annual St. Patrick’s Day festival, so it is very exciting for the city.
The St. Patrick’s Day parade is one of six festivals held in Grand Ledge each year, said Ethelen Smith, president of the Grand Ledge Area Historical Society. The other festivals include Yankee Doodle Days, Victorian Days, Memorial Day, The Color Cruise and The Island Art Fair.
Two days free health care offered in Grand Ledge
The two day free health care event was held on Feb. 8 and Feb. 9, said Dr. William Brooks, a dentist in Grand Ledge. Brooks has been organizing the event for 24 years.
Dr. William Brooks, a dentist in Grand Ledge who has been organizing the free health care event for 24 years, said there were dentists, optometrists, chiropractors and a physician to support the two days of free health care service. Appointments were held in their own offices. Some only offer the service for children. Most of services need to call to make an appointment.
Many people cannot afford the cost of health care without the health insurance. Even two days of free health care is not able to solve all problems, but it still means a lot for many people who do not have the health insurance.
