By Greg Chandler
Zeeland Record
A 25-year-old Grand Haven Township man has been charged in connection with a rampage through the Walmart store in Holland Township last Friday.
Gavin Love was arraigned Monday in 58th District Court by Judge Juanita Bocanegra on a charge of malicious destruction of property between $1,000 and $20,000 and a habitual offender-third offense charge. He is being held on a $50,000 bond at the Ottawa County Jail.
Ottawa County deputies were dispatched to the store in the 2200 block of North Park Drive shortly after 6:30 p.m.
An investigation found the suspect entered the store and began pulling televisions from shelves and destroying them. He then obtained a metal pole from within the business and began striking items in the store, including products on the shelves. He continued to smash numerous glass doors on display cases and coolers throughout the store until he was located and arrested, Capt. Jake Sparks of the sheriff’s department said in a news release.
Six flatscreen televisions and at least 17 glass doors were destroyed in the incident, in addition to numerous products that were knocked off of shelves. Damage from the incident is still being determined but is expected to be in the thousands of dollars, Sparks said.
No one was injured in the incident, but numerous customers were in the store at the time, Sparks said.
The incident remains under investigation and anyone with information is asked to contact the Ottawa County Sheriff's Office or Silent Observer at 1-877-88-SILENT (745368) or mosotips.com.
Zeeland Record
A 25-year-old Grand Haven Township man has been charged in connection with a rampage through the Walmart store in Holland Township last Friday.
Gavin Love was arraigned Monday in 58th District Court by Judge Juanita Bocanegra on a charge of malicious destruction of property between $1,000 and $20,000 and a habitual offender-third offense charge. He is being held on a $50,000 bond at the Ottawa County Jail.
Ottawa County deputies were dispatched to the store in the 2200 block of North Park Drive shortly after 6:30 p.m.
An investigation found the suspect entered the store and began pulling televisions from shelves and destroying them. He then obtained a metal pole from within the business and began striking items in the store, including products on the shelves. He continued to smash numerous glass doors on display cases and coolers throughout the store until he was located and arrested, Capt. Jake Sparks of the sheriff’s department said in a news release.
Six flatscreen televisions and at least 17 glass doors were destroyed in the incident, in addition to numerous products that were knocked off of shelves. Damage from the incident is still being determined but is expected to be in the thousands of dollars, Sparks said.
No one was injured in the incident, but numerous customers were in the store at the time, Sparks said.
The incident remains under investigation and anyone with information is asked to contact the Ottawa County Sheriff's Office or Silent Observer at 1-877-88-SILENT (745368) or mosotips.com.
Spring Curbside Cleanup Begins Next Week
By Greg Chandler
Zeeland Record
With the approach of spring in Zeeland comes the city’s annual spring curbside cleanup, where residents can bring their yard debris to the curb to be picked up.
Residents can start placing their debris – tree limbs and branches four feet long or smaller, twigs and shrub debris – to the street curb starting next Monday. City crews will start to pick up debris on Wednesday, April 16, and continue through Wednesday, April 23.
City officials remind residents that outside of this annual spring pickup, any additional tree limb pickup resulting from stormy weather will be determined by city staff and will be communicated on the city’s website, cityofzeeland. com.
In addition, residents may bring unwanted items for disposal to the Autumn Hills recycling and disposal facility at 700 56th Ave. in Zeeland Township on Saturday, April 26 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Proof of residency in the city of Zeeland is required.
The following items will not be accepted at Autumn Hills:
• Liquids (hazardous/toxic/ cleaners)
• Paints (latex or oil-based)
• Appliances and those containing freon
• Tires
• Railroad ties
• Yard waste
If you have a question about whether a specific item is acceptable, call the Autumn Hills facility directly at (616) 953-5908.
Finally, the Riley Street brush drop-off site at 8971 Riley St. will reopen for the season on Friday, May 2. The site will be open Fridays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to noon until Saturday, Nov. 29.
Taking your debris to this site helps maintain debris-free catch basins and helps to keep our waterways clean and healthy. The following items may be taken to this site:
• Tree limbs
• Shrub debris
• Grass
• Leaves
Wood decking or other construction materials will not be accepted at this site.
Zeeland Record
With the approach of spring in Zeeland comes the city’s annual spring curbside cleanup, where residents can bring their yard debris to the curb to be picked up.
Residents can start placing their debris – tree limbs and branches four feet long or smaller, twigs and shrub debris – to the street curb starting next Monday. City crews will start to pick up debris on Wednesday, April 16, and continue through Wednesday, April 23.
City officials remind residents that outside of this annual spring pickup, any additional tree limb pickup resulting from stormy weather will be determined by city staff and will be communicated on the city’s website, cityofzeeland. com.
In addition, residents may bring unwanted items for disposal to the Autumn Hills recycling and disposal facility at 700 56th Ave. in Zeeland Township on Saturday, April 26 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Proof of residency in the city of Zeeland is required.
The following items will not be accepted at Autumn Hills:
• Liquids (hazardous/toxic/ cleaners)
• Paints (latex or oil-based)
• Appliances and those containing freon
• Tires
• Railroad ties
• Yard waste
If you have a question about whether a specific item is acceptable, call the Autumn Hills facility directly at (616) 953-5908.
Finally, the Riley Street brush drop-off site at 8971 Riley St. will reopen for the season on Friday, May 2. The site will be open Fridays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to noon until Saturday, Nov. 29.
Taking your debris to this site helps maintain debris-free catch basins and helps to keep our waterways clean and healthy. The following items may be taken to this site:
• Tree limbs
• Shrub debris
• Grass
• Leaves
Wood decking or other construction materials will not be accepted at this site.
County Jobless Rate Increases for 2024
Ottawa County’s unemployment rate increased last year, but remains one of the lowest in the state, according to the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget.
The county’s jobless rate for 2024 was 3.8 percent, up from a 3 percent unemployment rate in 2023, state officials said.
The state also recently released preliminary jobless figures for January. Ottawa County’s unemployment rate for the month was 4.5 percent, tied for third-lowest in the state with Washtenaw County. The lowest unemployment rate in the state was in Livingston County at 3.8 percent, while Mackinac County in the Upper Peninsula had the highest jobless rate at 21.6 percent.
More unemployment data, including monthly and annual data, is available on Ottawa County’s interactive Unemployment Dashboard. Explore the dashboard on the Department of Strategic Impact’s County Statistics page at miottawa.org/ dsi/ statistics.
A news release on the Michigan unemployment statistics for January can be found at milmi. org/_docs/publications/Press_Rel eases/local0125.pdf.
Seasonal Weight Restrictions to be Lifted on Monday
Beginning at 6 a.m. Monday, March 31, seasonal weight restrictions will be lifted on all county roads under jurisdiction of the Ottawa County Road Commission (OCRC). Restrictions remain in effect until that time.
Seasonal weight restrictions are intended to protect the integrity of the road when frost is coming out of the ground. On roads with seasonal restrictions, normal legal loads must be reduced by approximately 35 percent and truck vehicle speeds reduced to 35 mph.
Why are seasonal restrictions necessary? As warmer weather sets in, thawing beneath a road’s surface increases, creating a saturated roadbed where water becomes trapped between the pavement and the remaining ice below. Heavy trucks and equipment traveling over these weakened surfaces can cause permanent cracks and other damage.
Enacting seasonal restrictions is based on multiple factors including solid frost depths, pavement and air temperatures, visual signs of pavement bleeding, pavement distress, saturation levels of roadbeds, and the ten-day forecast.
Neighboring agencies work closely together to discuss these factors and align enforcement when possible.
The public can check the status of restrictions by calling the OCRC's 24-hour Seasonal Weight and Speed Restriction Hotline at (616) 842-0086 or (800) 394-0290, or by visiting our website at ottawacorc.com.
For truck-related inquiries, contact the Michigan Center for Truck Safety at 800-MTA-4MTA (800-682-4682).
More information regarding OCRC's seasonal restrictions and transportation permitting is available at ottawacorc.com/trucking.
Statewide weight restriction information can be found at: Seasonal Weight Restrictions - Michigan County Road Association (micountyroads.org).
Seasonal weight restrictions are intended to protect the integrity of the road when frost is coming out of the ground. On roads with seasonal restrictions, normal legal loads must be reduced by approximately 35 percent and truck vehicle speeds reduced to 35 mph.
Why are seasonal restrictions necessary? As warmer weather sets in, thawing beneath a road’s surface increases, creating a saturated roadbed where water becomes trapped between the pavement and the remaining ice below. Heavy trucks and equipment traveling over these weakened surfaces can cause permanent cracks and other damage.
Enacting seasonal restrictions is based on multiple factors including solid frost depths, pavement and air temperatures, visual signs of pavement bleeding, pavement distress, saturation levels of roadbeds, and the ten-day forecast.
Neighboring agencies work closely together to discuss these factors and align enforcement when possible.
The public can check the status of restrictions by calling the OCRC's 24-hour Seasonal Weight and Speed Restriction Hotline at (616) 842-0086 or (800) 394-0290, or by visiting our website at ottawacorc.com.
For truck-related inquiries, contact the Michigan Center for Truck Safety at 800-MTA-4MTA (800-682-4682).
More information regarding OCRC's seasonal restrictions and transportation permitting is available at ottawacorc.com/trucking.
Statewide weight restriction information can be found at: Seasonal Weight Restrictions - Michigan County Road Association (micountyroads.org).
ZEHS Senior a Computer Science Trailblazer
Zeeland East High School senior Ashley Cramer has advocated for legislation at the state level requiring all Michigan schools to offer computer science courses. Her efforts have led to new laws ensuring computer science education for all Michigan students.
Photo courtesy Zeeland Public Schools
Photo courtesy Zeeland Public Schools
By Brandy Navetta
Zeeland Public Schools
Zeeland Public Schools has been expanding its computer science (CS) programs, and students like Zeeland East High School senior Ashley Cramer are leading the way.
Ashley has been a passionate advocate for computer science, inspiring students and pushing for more opportunities in the field. She has applied to both the University of Michigan and Grand Valley State University and is weighing her options for the future.
“Since computer science was reintroduced at ZPS three years ago, it has been exciting to see students like Ashley thrive in coding,” said her teacher, Steve Oele. “Traditionally, programming has been a male-dominated field, so watching Ashley excel has been incredibly impressive. I hope more female students follow her lead and sign up for coding classes in the future.”
Ashley’s advocacy goes beyond the classroom. Last year, she joined Code.org’s Women Code Ambassadors program, where she championed legislation requiring all Michigan schools to offer computer science courses by the 2027-28 school year. She delivered live testimony before the Michigan House Education Committee in the spring and was invited to present before the Michigan Senate Education Committee in October.
“The Code.org program reached out to Michigan ambassadors and asked if anyone was interested in giving live or written testimony. I responded and said I was interested, and they got back to me saying I could do it,” Ashley said.
Thanks to efforts like hers, a new law was passed ensuring computer science education for all Michigan students. Currently, only 50 percent of schools in the state offer computer science courses, a statistic Ashley hopes to change.
Ashley’s passion for technology started at a young age.
“My parents got me my first computer when I was about eight because I was always interested in watching my dad play video games and figuring out how computers worked,” she said. “I’d watch him and ask, ‘What does this key do?’ And then they got me a computer, and I just instantly fell in love with it. I used to make little games in Roblox Studio, and while I don’t want to go into game design, I loved the idea of creating something that others could interact with.”
This early interest led Ashley to take coding in 8th grade and Computer Science Principles in 10th grade, the first year the Code.org curriculum was offered at ZPS.
Ashley is currently taking “CS A Java” through Michigan Virtual online, as the course is not yet available in person at ZPS. She has also been an advocate for expanding ZPS’s computer science offerings, and in the 2025-26 school year, students will be able to take CS Principles, AP CS Principles, and Video Game Design.
Beyond the classroom, Ashley is heavily involved in robotics.
“I’m the Scout Lead, so I do a lot of strategic and match strategies,” she said. “That has made me interested in business ERP systems and purchasing software - using my strategic mindset, algorithms, and technical knowledge all mixed together into one big product.”
Ashley also works with elementary students who are interested in robotics, helping to introduce younger students to the world of technology and engineering.
Looking ahead, Ashley is considering multiple career paths.
“I don’t know if I’ll end up in business ERP systems or AI because AI is going down that track too,” she said. “It could be really anywhere, but I definitely want to use something where I have a strategic mindset. I also want to climb the corporate ladder because I want to see more female leadership.”
When discussing how artificial intelligence might influence the future of CS, Ashley said, “If anything, AI is going to make computer science even more crucial. People think it’s going to take jobs, but I think it’s going to make the field soar even more—it’s going to be more and more important.”
Ashley believes more girls should consider computer science.
“People think CS is just coding, but it’s so much more,” she said. “You learn about how computers work, social media algorithms, and even how things get on your ‘For You’ page. There’s so much to explore beyond programming or making an app.”
The future looks bright for CS at ZPS, especially with the addition of a new esports and engineering space funded by the 2021 bond.
“The new space will be amazing for our students,” Oele said. “Not only will it be visually impressive, but it will also provide students with a modern, hands-on learning experience like never before.”
Zeeland Public Schools
Zeeland Public Schools has been expanding its computer science (CS) programs, and students like Zeeland East High School senior Ashley Cramer are leading the way.
Ashley has been a passionate advocate for computer science, inspiring students and pushing for more opportunities in the field. She has applied to both the University of Michigan and Grand Valley State University and is weighing her options for the future.
“Since computer science was reintroduced at ZPS three years ago, it has been exciting to see students like Ashley thrive in coding,” said her teacher, Steve Oele. “Traditionally, programming has been a male-dominated field, so watching Ashley excel has been incredibly impressive. I hope more female students follow her lead and sign up for coding classes in the future.”
Ashley’s advocacy goes beyond the classroom. Last year, she joined Code.org’s Women Code Ambassadors program, where she championed legislation requiring all Michigan schools to offer computer science courses by the 2027-28 school year. She delivered live testimony before the Michigan House Education Committee in the spring and was invited to present before the Michigan Senate Education Committee in October.
“The Code.org program reached out to Michigan ambassadors and asked if anyone was interested in giving live or written testimony. I responded and said I was interested, and they got back to me saying I could do it,” Ashley said.
Thanks to efforts like hers, a new law was passed ensuring computer science education for all Michigan students. Currently, only 50 percent of schools in the state offer computer science courses, a statistic Ashley hopes to change.
Ashley’s passion for technology started at a young age.
“My parents got me my first computer when I was about eight because I was always interested in watching my dad play video games and figuring out how computers worked,” she said. “I’d watch him and ask, ‘What does this key do?’ And then they got me a computer, and I just instantly fell in love with it. I used to make little games in Roblox Studio, and while I don’t want to go into game design, I loved the idea of creating something that others could interact with.”
This early interest led Ashley to take coding in 8th grade and Computer Science Principles in 10th grade, the first year the Code.org curriculum was offered at ZPS.
Ashley is currently taking “CS A Java” through Michigan Virtual online, as the course is not yet available in person at ZPS. She has also been an advocate for expanding ZPS’s computer science offerings, and in the 2025-26 school year, students will be able to take CS Principles, AP CS Principles, and Video Game Design.
Beyond the classroom, Ashley is heavily involved in robotics.
“I’m the Scout Lead, so I do a lot of strategic and match strategies,” she said. “That has made me interested in business ERP systems and purchasing software - using my strategic mindset, algorithms, and technical knowledge all mixed together into one big product.”
Ashley also works with elementary students who are interested in robotics, helping to introduce younger students to the world of technology and engineering.
Looking ahead, Ashley is considering multiple career paths.
“I don’t know if I’ll end up in business ERP systems or AI because AI is going down that track too,” she said. “It could be really anywhere, but I definitely want to use something where I have a strategic mindset. I also want to climb the corporate ladder because I want to see more female leadership.”
When discussing how artificial intelligence might influence the future of CS, Ashley said, “If anything, AI is going to make computer science even more crucial. People think it’s going to take jobs, but I think it’s going to make the field soar even more—it’s going to be more and more important.”
Ashley believes more girls should consider computer science.
“People think CS is just coding, but it’s so much more,” she said. “You learn about how computers work, social media algorithms, and even how things get on your ‘For You’ page. There’s so much to explore beyond programming or making an app.”
The future looks bright for CS at ZPS, especially with the addition of a new esports and engineering space funded by the 2021 bond.
“The new space will be amazing for our students,” Oele said. “Not only will it be visually impressive, but it will also provide students with a modern, hands-on learning experience like never before.”
Local Teams Reach Odyssey of the Mind World Championships
The Odyssey of the Mind middle school team at Zeeland Christian School qualified for the OM world championships with a first-place showing at the state finals last weekend. The team, which calls itself “The Wonkers,” consists of (from left) Eva Mulder, Reuben Dornbos, Owen Heil, Leah Schnakenberg, Clara Vanderhyde, Emma Vallejo and Evelyn Osborn.
Photo courtesy Zeeland Christian School
By Greg Chandler
Zeeland Record
Three teams from Zeeland – two from Zeeland Public Schools and one from Zeeland Christian School – have advanced to the Odyssey of the Mind world championships that will be held later this spring at Michigan State University.
A team from Cityside Middle School, a fifth-grade team from Quincy Elementary School and a middle school team from Zeeland Christian all posted first-place finishes in their respective categories at the Odyssey of the Mind state finals March 15 at Thornapple Kellogg High School in Middleville. The world championships will be held at MSU May 21-24.
Odyssey of the Mind is an international program that promotes creativity, problem solving, teamwork and collaboration. Students work for months on complex, creative problem-solving challenges that incorporate science, technology, engineering, arts, mathematics and storytelling.
For the Zeeland Christian middle school team, qualifying for worlds is particularly thrilling since this is the first year the school has competed in Odyssey of the Mind.
“Previously, we participated in Destination Imagination, but when we saw that Zeeland Public was doing OM, we decided to explore it,” said Kristi Van Dyk, who coordinates the Odyssey of the Mind program at ZCS.
ZCS had four elementary teams and a middle school team compete at the OM state finals after finishing either first or second at the regional meet, Van Dyk said.
“While none of our elementary teams finished as world qualifiers, we were ecstatic for our middle school team,” Van Dyk said. “And we were super happy to cheer on Quincy and Cityside in their wins for their problems. The next best thing to having your own team qualify is seeing your neighboring schools succeed.”
ZCS took first place in the Cooking With Books – Division 2 category, while Quincy claimed first in the Save Me Structure – Division 1 category and Cityside first in Save Me Structure – Division 2. In addition, the ZCS team claimed the Ranatra Fusca Creativity Award for its skit, where its characters were based on candy.
"The performance was an all-you-could-eat buffet of puns and humor ... We enjoyed lots of hilarious puns shared by food that was super-realistic in a very polished performance,” the judges said of the ZCS performance.
The ZCS team, which dubs itself “The Wonkers,” consists of Leah Schnakenberg, Owen Heil, Reuben Dornbos, Evelyn Osborn, Eva Mulder, Emma Vallejo and Clara Vanderhyde. They are coached by Laurie Schnakenberg and Jonathan Vallego.
The Cityside team includes Madelyn Sherman, Jackson Sherman, Colin Muilenburg, Graham Muilenburg, Laurel Black, Lucy Harvey and Malachi Arens. They are coached by Stephanie Sherman and Derrick Muilenburg.
The Quincy fifth-grade team is comprised of Hadley Nelson, Jovy Edwards, Oscar Gomez, Zeke Pio and Levi Farleigh. Their coaches are Adam and Kristen Farleigh.
Zeeland Record
Three teams from Zeeland – two from Zeeland Public Schools and one from Zeeland Christian School – have advanced to the Odyssey of the Mind world championships that will be held later this spring at Michigan State University.
A team from Cityside Middle School, a fifth-grade team from Quincy Elementary School and a middle school team from Zeeland Christian all posted first-place finishes in their respective categories at the Odyssey of the Mind state finals March 15 at Thornapple Kellogg High School in Middleville. The world championships will be held at MSU May 21-24.
Odyssey of the Mind is an international program that promotes creativity, problem solving, teamwork and collaboration. Students work for months on complex, creative problem-solving challenges that incorporate science, technology, engineering, arts, mathematics and storytelling.
For the Zeeland Christian middle school team, qualifying for worlds is particularly thrilling since this is the first year the school has competed in Odyssey of the Mind.
“Previously, we participated in Destination Imagination, but when we saw that Zeeland Public was doing OM, we decided to explore it,” said Kristi Van Dyk, who coordinates the Odyssey of the Mind program at ZCS.
ZCS had four elementary teams and a middle school team compete at the OM state finals after finishing either first or second at the regional meet, Van Dyk said.
“While none of our elementary teams finished as world qualifiers, we were ecstatic for our middle school team,” Van Dyk said. “And we were super happy to cheer on Quincy and Cityside in their wins for their problems. The next best thing to having your own team qualify is seeing your neighboring schools succeed.”
ZCS took first place in the Cooking With Books – Division 2 category, while Quincy claimed first in the Save Me Structure – Division 1 category and Cityside first in Save Me Structure – Division 2. In addition, the ZCS team claimed the Ranatra Fusca Creativity Award for its skit, where its characters were based on candy.
"The performance was an all-you-could-eat buffet of puns and humor ... We enjoyed lots of hilarious puns shared by food that was super-realistic in a very polished performance,” the judges said of the ZCS performance.
The ZCS team, which dubs itself “The Wonkers,” consists of Leah Schnakenberg, Owen Heil, Reuben Dornbos, Evelyn Osborn, Eva Mulder, Emma Vallejo and Clara Vanderhyde. They are coached by Laurie Schnakenberg and Jonathan Vallego.
The Cityside team includes Madelyn Sherman, Jackson Sherman, Colin Muilenburg, Graham Muilenburg, Laurel Black, Lucy Harvey and Malachi Arens. They are coached by Stephanie Sherman and Derrick Muilenburg.
The Quincy fifth-grade team is comprised of Hadley Nelson, Jovy Edwards, Oscar Gomez, Zeke Pio and Levi Farleigh. Their coaches are Adam and Kristen Farleigh.
Council OKs Contracts for New City, Library Websites
By Greg Chandler
Zeeland Record
The websites for the city of Zeeland and Howard Miller Library and Community Center are getting a complete overhaul.
The City Council on March 17 signed off on separate professional services contracts for the city and library websites. The council approved a contract with Holland-based Yellow Lime Creative for development of a new city website in the amount of $68,960, and a $28,400 contract with LibraryMarket for the library website.
The city currently contracts with CivicPlus as its website provider, at a cost of $12,000 per year, with the library being part of the city website, cityofzeeland.com. Both city and library officials had grown dissatisfied with the provider’s service in recent years, Marketing Director Abby deRoo said.
“We’re not receiving services that are useful to us,” deRoo said.
“The library is the department within the city that relies on the website the most, and really needs its own flexibility to utilize library-based web tools. Their navigation needs to be different than ours,” she added.
Yellow Lime Creative is currently working with the Board of Public Works on updating the utility’s website.
Based in Jonesboro, Ark., LibraryMarket is a company that designs websites specifically for libraries. Library Director Amanda Hanson said that she had worked with the company in the past at other libraries where she served.
“They just get libraries. They’re former librarians. They get it,” Hanson said at a March 18 library board meeting.
The new library website will have an interactive calendar where patrons can sign up for kids storytime or other programs, Hanson said.
In addition to the upfront contract costs, the city will set aside $7,200 annually for each of the two websites for web maintenance, compared to the $12,000 it spends with CivicPlus at present.
The current city website was built in 2016 and refreshed in 2019, deRoo said.
The cost of the city website will be split between the current fiscal year and the new fiscal year that starts July 1, while the library website cost will be part of the 2025-26 budget, deRoo said.
Zeeland Record
The websites for the city of Zeeland and Howard Miller Library and Community Center are getting a complete overhaul.
The City Council on March 17 signed off on separate professional services contracts for the city and library websites. The council approved a contract with Holland-based Yellow Lime Creative for development of a new city website in the amount of $68,960, and a $28,400 contract with LibraryMarket for the library website.
The city currently contracts with CivicPlus as its website provider, at a cost of $12,000 per year, with the library being part of the city website, cityofzeeland.com. Both city and library officials had grown dissatisfied with the provider’s service in recent years, Marketing Director Abby deRoo said.
“We’re not receiving services that are useful to us,” deRoo said.
“The library is the department within the city that relies on the website the most, and really needs its own flexibility to utilize library-based web tools. Their navigation needs to be different than ours,” she added.
Yellow Lime Creative is currently working with the Board of Public Works on updating the utility’s website.
Based in Jonesboro, Ark., LibraryMarket is a company that designs websites specifically for libraries. Library Director Amanda Hanson said that she had worked with the company in the past at other libraries where she served.
“They just get libraries. They’re former librarians. They get it,” Hanson said at a March 18 library board meeting.
The new library website will have an interactive calendar where patrons can sign up for kids storytime or other programs, Hanson said.
In addition to the upfront contract costs, the city will set aside $7,200 annually for each of the two websites for web maintenance, compared to the $12,000 it spends with CivicPlus at present.
The current city website was built in 2016 and refreshed in 2019, deRoo said.
The cost of the city website will be split between the current fiscal year and the new fiscal year that starts July 1, while the library website cost will be part of the 2025-26 budget, deRoo said.
Slagh Steps Down from OAISD Board
By Greg Chandler
Zeeland Record
Carol Slagh has resigned from the Ottawa Area Intermediate School District Board of Education after 21 years of service.
Slagh, a former longtime member of the Zeeland Board of Education, will leave her seat effective March 31. The OAISD board accepted Slagh’s resignation March 19.
“It has been an absolute privilege to serve on this board, and I take great joy in knowing that this organization continues to provide students with opportunities to learn, grow, thrive and prepare for their future endeavors,” Slagh said.
Slagh, who served on the Zeeland school board from 2001 to 2016, joined the OAISD board in 2004 and held every possible office on the board, including 10 years as its president. She took part in three OAISD superintendent searches, facilitated new approaches to engage local businesses and organizations to enhance student learning and expanded services to local districts.
“Carol is a kind, compassionate individual passionate about serving students, our staff, and the greater community. Her impact on this organization will continue to resonate, and she will be greatly missed,” OAISD Superintendent Dr. Kyle Mayer said.
The OAISD board has 30 days to appoint an interim replacement for Slagh. The successful candidate will serve on an interim basis until the next regular OAISD board election in June. Slagh's term would have ended in June 2027.
Applications for an interim board appointment were being accepted until noon today. The appointment of an interim member is scheduled for the regular OAISD board meeting on April 16.
Zeeland Record
Carol Slagh has resigned from the Ottawa Area Intermediate School District Board of Education after 21 years of service.
Slagh, a former longtime member of the Zeeland Board of Education, will leave her seat effective March 31. The OAISD board accepted Slagh’s resignation March 19.
“It has been an absolute privilege to serve on this board, and I take great joy in knowing that this organization continues to provide students with opportunities to learn, grow, thrive and prepare for their future endeavors,” Slagh said.
Slagh, who served on the Zeeland school board from 2001 to 2016, joined the OAISD board in 2004 and held every possible office on the board, including 10 years as its president. She took part in three OAISD superintendent searches, facilitated new approaches to engage local businesses and organizations to enhance student learning and expanded services to local districts.
“Carol is a kind, compassionate individual passionate about serving students, our staff, and the greater community. Her impact on this organization will continue to resonate, and she will be greatly missed,” OAISD Superintendent Dr. Kyle Mayer said.
The OAISD board has 30 days to appoint an interim replacement for Slagh. The successful candidate will serve on an interim basis until the next regular OAISD board election in June. Slagh's term would have ended in June 2027.
Applications for an interim board appointment were being accepted until noon today. The appointment of an interim member is scheduled for the regular OAISD board meeting on April 16.
––––––––––––––––––––
Subscribe to the Legal News!
https://www.legalnews.com/Home/Subscription
Full access to public notices, articles, columns, archives, statistics, calendar and more
Day Pass Only $4.95!
One-County $80/year
Three-County & Full Pass also available
