Building Blocks of Grand Rapids

Submitted by Christopher Morse, Community Web Producer

Wednesday, August 3rd, 2011, 3:28pm

August 11, 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Meet in the lobby of the Amway Grand Hotel

Dr. Mary Jane Dockeray will lead a tour through downtown Grand Rapids, beginning at the Amway Grand Hotel lobby and continuing through downtown to the main library. Learn the geologic history contained in the walls of familiar landmarks. Search for fossilized snails in the floor of the Amway Grand, find rocks from around the globe in one place and discover where the "rapids" in the Grand River ended up. Observe the remains of glacial movement that carved our city from the Grand River valley. Pace will be slow to moderate, comfortable walking shoes recommended. A magnifying glass would be helpful to closely examine Indiana Bedford Limestone and granite from around the world used in downtown structures.

$3 per participant. RSVP at 745-6240.

Visit http://blandfordnaturecenter.org for additional information.

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Gutowski wins re-election to Grand Rapids commission

Submitted by Matt Campbell, Executive Producer

Wednesday, August 3rd, 2011, 5:06am

GRAND RAPIDS (WZZM) -- Incumbent city commissioner Walt Gutowski won re-election in Tuesday's Ward 1 race.

Gutowski received 53 percent of the posted votes. Rina Sala-Baker, who lost to Dave Shaffer in the 2009 race for the other Ward 1 seat, received 44 percent of the posted votes in the race against Gutowski.

Scott Giese received three percent of the posted votes. Jim Burkholder was a registered write-in candidate, but no votes were posted for him as of 10:30 p.m. Tuesday night.

Grand Rapids Ward 1 covers the city's west side.

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July 2011 Weather Stats for Grand Rapids

Submitted by George Lessens, Chief Meteorologist, WZZM 13

Wednesday, August 3rd, 2011, 12:52am

Grand Rapids

Temperatures in July averaged 77.0°F, 5.6°F above average, and 1.5°F warmer than last year (75.5°F), making it the fifth warmest on record and the warmest since 1936 (77.3°F). Twenty-seven days were warmer than usual while only four were cooler. The highest temperature occurred on July 20 with 97°F, the warmest temperature since July 31, 2007 (97°F). The lowest temperatures occurred on July 7 and 14 with 58°F.

Precipitation was well above average last month with 6.87”, 3.31” more than usual and 2.21” more than last year (4.66”), making it the eighth wettest on record and the wettest since 2006 (6.90”). There were nine days with measurable precipitation, which is exactly average (9).

There was 81.4% of the possible sunshine last month, 6.5% more than usual and 6.6% more than last year (74.8%), making it the seventh sunniest on record and the sunniest since 1990 (86.4%). There were ten clear days – two

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Voters to decide city commission, millage races

Submitted by Matt Campbell, Executive Producer

Tuesday, August 2nd, 2011, 2:24am

GRAND RAPIDS (WZZM) -- Voters in five counties will go to the polls on Tuesday to cast ballots in city commission and council races, millage requests, and -- in Newaygo County -- the recall of two township officials.

Kent County

One of the higher profile races is for the Ward 1 seat on the Grand Rapids City Commission. Ward 1 covers the city's west side. Incumbent commissioner Walt Gutowski is running against three challengers: Scott Giese, Rina Sala-Baker, and write-in candidate Jim Burkholder. If someone receives more than 50% of the vote on Tuesday, that person will be elected to the commission. If no one gets a majority of the votes, the top two candidates will face off in the November general election.

Kentwood is holding a race for its Ward 1 city commission seat. Incumbent Robert Coughlin is facing challenges from Scott Bailey and Peter Hickley.

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Grand Rapids city candidates face voters Tuesday

Submitted by Peter Ross, Senior Reporter

Monday, August 1st, 2011, 7:25pm

GRAND RAPIDS (WZZM) -- It's been kind of a sleepy political season in the city this summer. Voters Tuesday only have one contest in one ward - the west side's first ward. It features incumbent Walt Gutowski Jr. seeking a second term, being challenged by Rina Sala-Baker and Scott Giese. It is a non-partisan election.

Gutowski, who owns and operates a small family business, told WZZM 13, "I've worked hard in these past four years - we accomplished a lot - there's still a lot more to accomplish. I ran for the job to give back to my community and the neighborhoods that raised me."

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