Hofma Park to expand following land purchase

Submitted by WZZM13, News Staff

Tuesday, January 19th, 2016, 7:43pm

GRAND HAVEN TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WZZM) -- A popular Ottawa County park will soon become bigger.

The Catholic Diocese of Grand Rapids sold a 40-acre parcel of land to Grand Haven Township, which will become part of Hofma Park. The park currently sits on 80 acres and features a soccer field, softball field, inline skating rink, and multiple playgrounds. The park also includes wetlands.

The additional land will be used for new sports fields and elevated boardwalks.

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Submitted by WZZM13, News Staff

Thursday, January 7th, 2016, 11:52pm

GRAND HAVEN, Mich. (WZZM) -- The second of two brothers charged in a series of break-ins last fall is pleading guilty.

Our partner the Grand Haven Tribune reports Christopher Dustman will be sentenced February 8.

His younger brother Brandon pled guilty last week.

Both face up to ten years in prison.

Deputies caught them in late October after they broke into the Yellow Jacket Inn restaurant, on Lake Michigan Drive southeast of Grand Haven.

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Submitted by WZZM13, News Staff

Tuesday, January 5th, 2016, 10:00am

(Grand Haven Tribune) -- Ed Post would like to say he had a carefully orchestrated plan for his life, but the chief judge for Ottawa County Circuit Court admits his life is more like a pinball machine.

That's why he hadn't contemplated retiring until his wife, Barb, got serious about closing out the career portion of her life.

Barb Post retired in early December from the Grand Haven Area Community Foundation.

Ed Post announced Monday that he plans to retire at the end of 2016, which is the completion of his current term.

"It's time," he said. "I have lots of things that I want to do."

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Submitted by WZZM13, News Staff

Monday, January 4th, 2016, 8:48pm

GRAND HAVEN, Mich. (WZZM) -- One of the two brothers charged in Ottawa County break-ins last fall is pleading guilty.

Brandon Dustman faces up to ten years in prison when he's sentenced on January 25th.

His older brother Christopher is charged with similar crimes.

Deputies say they caught them in late October after they broke into the Yellow Jacket Inn restaurant on Lake Michigan Drive southeast of Grand Haven.

Detectives accuse them in three more business burglaries in Nunica.

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Submitted by WZZM13, News Staff

Monday, January 4th, 2016, 8:16pm

GRAND HAVEN, Mich. (WZZM) -- This recent streak of colder temperatures is helping to keep snow on the ground for a popular Grand Haven ski area.

Workers at Mulligan's Hollow say they currently have one of the five ski hills open. They hope to have two other hills open by Wednesday.

The ski area is using snow-making machines to make up for the lack of snow this season.

Mulligan's Hollow usually tries to open around Thanksgiving, but this year it didn't open until after Christmas.

Employees say 350 people were at the ski area on Saturday, so there is certainly high demand.

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Submitted by Alex Shabad, Multimedia Journalist

Monday, January 4th, 2016, 7:38pm

GRAND HAVEN, Mich. (WZZM) -- Plans are changing for a multi-million-dollar project designed to improve the Grand Haven Waterfront Stadium. After a series of public meetings, city leaders backed off some ideas and added new ones.

On Monday night, the city council is discussing an updated design which could have similarities to Rosa Parks Circle in Grand Rapids.

Earlier Monday, the stadium was empty - typical during the winter months when they're no show. "Nobody wants to go down there and hang out," said Grand Haven City Manager Pat McGinnis."

However, just down the road inside City Hall there was much more activity, fueled by new ideas.

"We want to do it right," said McGinnis.

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Submitted by WZZM13, News Staff

Friday, January 1st, 2016, 9:17am

GRAND HAVEN, Mich. (WZZM) -- The City of Grand Haven got more into the New Year spirit this year.

For the first time the city hosted a ball drop to ring in the new year. The official party was held at the intersection of Washington and First. Locals say it had a positive impact on the surrounding businesses as people gathered to watch the Michigan State game before midnight and the ball drop. The local feel of Grand Haven's celebration was a nice change for some, who didn't want to deal with the crowds in Grand Rapids.

Aaron Thomas, the head chef at the Brew House, a local restaurant says, "we just wanted to be promoting the town. Making it a fun night for everyone. It's always been a fun time in Grand Rapids with the ball drop and when they suggested coming here we thought that would be fun."

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