Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: How a long-vacant NE Grand Rapids lot may finally change

Be sure to catch Men's | Bible Study Fellowship on the Grand Rapids Patch calendar

Patch AM Team's profile picture
Patch AM Team, Patch StaffVerified Patch Staff Badge
Wednesday September 16th Patch AM
Wednesday September 16th Patch AM (Patch graphic)

Greetings Grand Rapids! Your go-to source for what's happening in town is here. Stay in the loop and read on. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • How a long-vacant NE Grand Rapids lot may finally change
  • How the Hispanic Center supports Grand Rapids families year-round
  • How Operation Drive could help you get your license back

Also on today's calendar: Stress to stillness and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: What is the difference between black eyed peas and chick peas? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Wednesday: Clouds and sun with a shower, with a high of 72 and low of 63 degrees.
  • Thursday: A few morning showers, temps: high: 75, low: 57.
  • Friday: Partly sunny and less humid, with a high of 75 and low of 56 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Developer plans to build apartments near Grand Rapids water tower (mlive.com) — New apartments are being planned near the Auburn Hills Water Tower at Fuller Avenue and Knapp Street on Grand Rapids' Northeast Side, following a key rezoning recommendation. Developers still must secure final City Commission approval and haven't set unit numbers yet, but construction could begin as soon as summer 2027, potentially transforming long-vacant land into market‑rate housing.
   

2. Hispanic Heritage Month begins with focus on Grand Rapids' Latino community (fox17online.com) — Hispanic Heritage Month is shining a spotlight on Grand Rapids' Latino community and the vital role of the Hispanic Center of Western Michigan. From food distribution and school guidance to job support and translation in nearly 50 languages, the center now serves about 30,000 people a year while celebrating Latino culture as a daily, year-round part of life in West Michigan.
   

3. New Grand Rapids program offers path to regain suspended driver's licenses (wzzm13.com) — Residents in Grand Rapids who've lost their driver's licenses over unpaid tickets or unresolved traffic issues now have a new way to get back on the road. The 61st District Court's Operation Drive program offers coordinated help with warrants, fines, and court appearances, aiming to turn suspended drivers into safe, fully licensed motorists while keeping them out of the criminal justice system.
   

4. Dylan Bowers's GoFundMe Profile (gofundme.com) — A former Grand Rapids resident is stranded in Louisiana after trying to help a family member and is now raising funds to return home, where a job at a filter company is already lined up. Donations would cover travel back to Grand Rapids plus a security deposit and first month's rent, helping them restart their life with stable work and housing.
   

5. Who's No. 1? Rank the Grand Rapids-area prep football teams after Week 3 (mlive.com) — High school football fans across the Grand Rapids area are being asked to rank 15 standout teams after a big Week 3 that saw programs like East Kentwood, Caledonia, West Catholic and Hudsonville notch impressive wins. With several local squads surging early, readers can build their own top‑10 ballot in an online poll open until Friday morning.
   

📸 Around Grand Rapids

Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!

🗓 Upcoming Events in Grand Rapids

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

📣 Grand Rapids Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Lately, I've really enjoyed capturing these seemingly insignificant little moments—a cup of coffee, a dinner, a sunset by the roadside, or a fleeting instant that brings a sudden smile to my face.
    Looking back, I realize that happiness in life has always been hidden within these small things (Nextdoor Madison Area)
  • Update: Pet Reunited
    Skyla, a dog who went missing in Grand Rapids, MI, has been safely reunited with their family after 4 hours, 49 minutes. Message from Owner: "Spayed… (Nextdoor Alpine Estates)
  • Dematic posted a job opening for Mailroom Assistant in Grand Rapids. Apply here.
  • Kelly posted a job opening for Shipping Associate in Grand Rapids. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Grand Rapids here.

Ok Grand Rapids! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: Black eyed peas can sing us a song but chick peas can only hummus one. (Thank you Bev H. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

👉 Help make Patch AM better

We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what's happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.

Share to NextDoor     Share to Facebook

Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

More from Grand Rapids