Jennifer Moss

Get ready.  The Grand Rapids Parks and Recreation Department is holding a competition to redesign and modernize park signs across the city.  The competition is open to everyone through November 6th.

“It’s time to hit refresh on our park signs.”

David Marquardt, Director of Grand Rapids Parks and Recreation, says the time has come to modernize the park signs.

It’s the first of its kind in the city of Grand Rapids.  And motorists and cyclists will soon encounter this new traffic signal.  It will be located on Michigan Street to help with an increase in pedestrian traffic due to a very busy Medical Mile. 

“We’re always looking for ways to improve safety for pedestrians as well as for drivers out on the street.”

Grand Rapids continues to mourn the loss of retired 61st District Court Judge, Benjamin Logan.  Judge Logan died September 24th at his Grand Rapids home.  Funeral services were held on Thursday.

WGVU looks at his life and his legacy speaking with those who knew him well. 

“We’ve lost an icon in this community, someone who really felt, and worked hard to make it a better place for everybody.”

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month.  The personal finance website WalletHub just released its report on 2018’s Best and Worst Cities for People with Disabilities.  They’re report ranks Grand Rapids as the 10th best City for those with disabilities. 

“About 1 in 4 U.S. adults has a disability that impacts their major activities. That impact can be felt even more depending on where you live. We wanted to do a deep dive into where those cities could use some improvement or where those cities are an example for others.”

The Gerald R. Ford International Airport announced this week that private residence well testing indicated drinking water is safe.  Of the properties tested, results showed a “non-detect” level of PFAS.

“It’s good news.”

Tara Hernandez, Marketing and Communications Director for the Gerald R. Ford International Airport says they are very pleased with a recent report with results from drinking water and well testing.

National Child Passenger Safety Week wraps up on Saturday.  However, experts continue to encourage parents to check out new guidelines and recommendations. 

“Make sure you’ve got your child in the correct seat, installed correctly until such time as they can grow out of that seat.”

Touting a program that helps vulnerable adults “age-in-place”, rather than move into a nursing home, a Grand Valley State University nursing professor has spearheaded a more than 300-thousand dollar grant.  The grant will facilitate statewide implementation of an intervention in a Medicaid program. 

“After working on this project for 20 years, I’m absolutely thrilled we’re at the point where we’re going for statewide implementation.”

Art Prize 10 kicks is now underway in Grand Rapids and one of the venues wants to make sure you know about it.  The Gerald R. Ford Airport is once again serving as a venue.  Officials say it's their second year and they’ve doubled the number of exhibits they’re hosting.  One exhibit in particular is already garnering buzz. It includes the man the airport is named after.

“We’re already hearing buzz from people who might be picking someone up, traveling out and they’re walking around and sort of mesmerized by all the art.”

With summer just about over, the fall travel season is getting underway.  And local travel experts say there are some things you should know: be on the lookout for an increase in fees.

“The airlines have gotten a little sneaky.  They haven’t raised fares, they’ve raised fees.”

Travel expert and President of Gagnon Travel, JoAnne Verboom, says when making your fall travel plans be prepared. 

Starting today, there are more ways to connect and stay informed with the Gerald R. Ford International Airport.  A new mobile app was released today. 

“People had said have you thought about launching a mobile app, and we got that ball rolling and it’s really a way for our customers to engage with us on one other level.”