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Greenville school ditches catalog sales for healthier fund-raising alternative

Submitted by Anonymous on Thursday, October 3rd, 1:07 pm
Greenville school ditches catalog sales for healthier fund-raising alternative

GREENVILLE, Mich.—A Greenville school is ditching the catalog sales again this year for a fundraiser that’ll keep students active.

The second annual Baldwin Heights Walk-A-Thon is Saturday, October 5.  Principal Michael Walsh says the fundraiser has a lot of benefits- it promotes health and wellness and the school gets all of the proceeds instead of paying a portion toward catalog items some families will never use. Walsh says last year, Baldwin Heights Elementary raised $19,000 during its inaugural Walk-A-Thon.  That was nearly double what the school made the previous year through year-round catalog sales.

Baldwin Heights Elementary is the only school in the district that does not rely on catalog sales to raise funds. 

The Walk-A-Thon runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

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New drop-off boxes aimed at curbing drug abuse in Ionia County

Submitted by Anonymous on Wednesday, September 11th, 11:04 am
New drop-off boxes aimed at curbing drug abuse in Ionia County

BELDING , Mich.— The Belding Police Department is offering help in cleaning out your medicine cabinet.

Residents can now discard old, unused prescription drugs in a drop-off box located at the police department.  A drop-off box is also located at the Ionia County Sheriff Department in Ionia.

The drop-off boxes are provided in partnership with Ionia County’s Substance Abuse Initiative, Environmental Health Division and Commission on Aging, to help limit the availability of medicines that could be abused.  According to statistics provided by the Ionia County Health Department, more Michigan residents die from prescription drug abuse than from using heroin or cocaine combined. Prescription drugs that are improperly disposed of can also damage the environment.

Prescriptions can be dropped off Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 120 South Pleasant St. in Belding.  No needles will be accepted.  No questions will be asked.

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Ionia County Health Department offers alcohol training class

Submitted by Anonymous on Friday, August 16th, 4:21 pm
Ionia County Health Department offers alcohol training class

The Ionia County Substance Abuse Initiative (ICSAI) is opening its alcohol training program to restaurants. 

Training for Intervention Procedures (TIPS) is a program that teaches people how to prevent drunk driving and underage drinking by enhancing the “people skills” of servers, sellers and consumers of alcohol. TIPS teaches participants how to recognize alcohol-related problems and intervene to prevent tragedies.

Training will take place August 21, from 4 p.m. to 7p.m. at the Ionia County Health Department.  The agency also offers on-premises training for restaurants and bars.  Registration is required.  To sign up, call (616) 527-5341.

 

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Belding City Council postpones millage proposals

Submitted by Anonymous on Saturday, July 20th, 7:00 am
Belding City Council postpones millage proposals

BELDING, Mich.—Belding city officials are holding off on sending two proposed millages to city voters.

City Manager Meg Mullendore says the city council voted July 16 to table the tax proposals for ambulance service and Dial-a-Ride Transportation so it can collect data and get projections.  Both services are subsidized by the city.

The city council isn’t expected to consider putting the millage proposals on the election ballot for at least another year.

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Libraries offer free passes to state parks

Submitted by Anonymous on Wednesday, July 17th, 7:00 am
Libraries offer free passes to state parks
 

Now’s your chance to enjoy the “MI Big Green Gym” by picking up free state park passes at your local library.

The Michigan Recreation and Parks Association is teaming up with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan to offer free passes, allowing visitors to experience free recreation  programs many of the parks offer.

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Double Up Food Bucks program begins again July 1

Submitted by Anonymous on Tuesday, July 2nd, 9:00 am
Double Up Food Bucks program begins again July 1

A program aimed at helping low income families eat healthier is back for another season.

Double Up Food Bucks runs July 1 through October 31, 2013.  Participating markets will match the amount spent by shoppers using a SNAP Bridge Card.  The maximum match is $20 per day, and shoppers do not need to use their Double Up Food Bucks the same day they get them.

In West Michigan, participating farm markets include:

  • Ada Farmers’ Market (7239 Thornapple Dr.)
  • Byron Farmers’ Market* (84th & Byron Center, Byron Center)
  • Downtown Market Grand Rapids (435 Ionia St. SW)
  • Fulton Street Farmers’ Market* (1147 East Fulton St.)
  • Greenville Farmer’s Market (1325 W. Washington, Veteran’s Park)
  • Healthy Street Farmers’ Market (431 Cass Ave. SE, Grand Rapids)
  • Holland Farmers’ Market (150 W.
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American Red Cross of West Michigan names new CEO

Submitted by Anonymous on Monday, July 1st, 7:00 am
American Red Cross of West Michigan names new CEO

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich.—The American Red Cross of West Michigan is getting a new CEO

Sam Tidwell takes over as the organization’s regional CEO August 5.  Tidwell replaces Cheryl Bremer, who retired at the end of June after six years of service for the Red Cross.  

“It has been a privilege to serve the wonderful communities that make up West Michigan through the Red Cross,” said Bremer. “We have seen tremendous community support and great partnerships form in the past several years and I believe these relationships will continue to grow in the years to come.”

 Tidwell previously served as regional CEO for the American Red Cross’ South Florida region, which is based in Miami.  Tidwell was raised in Michigan; his work with the Red Cross has also taken him to Nebraska and Washington D.C.

The American Red Cross of West Michigan is based at 1050 Fuller Ave.

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