(at left) - Dan Kerkstra speaks out against the proposed Silver Maple solar project during a recent public meeting on the project. Kerkstra is challenging current Zeeland Township Supervisor Kerri Bosma in the Republican primary in August. (at right) - Kerri Bosma was appointed Zeeland Township supervisor in January after the resignation of former Supervisor Tom Oonk. She had previously served as a township trustee.
By Greg Chandler
Zeeland Record
Zeeland Township voters will have a contested race for township supervisor to vote on when they go to the polls in the August primary.
Current Supervisor Kerri Bosma is being challenged by Dan Kerkstra, a business owner, farmer and advocate for the township’s agricultural and rural character.
Kerkstra paid a $100 filing fee to enter the race on April 21, the last day candidates could file to run for township office, according to the Ottawa County clerk’s election division.
Both Republicans, Bosma and Kerkstra are running for a two-year term that would conclude at the end of 2028.
Bosma, a real estate agent, was appointed supervisor in January following the resignation of Tom Oonk after five years in office. Bosma ran against Oonk for supervisor in the 2024 GOP primary, but lost the election by 131 votes. She then regained her trustee seat on the Township Board by write-in vote that November.
Kerkstra is the owner of Advanced Concrete Construction, Kerkstra Farms and Kerkstra Storage and Service Facilities. It is his first time running for public office.
Two other recent appointees to the Township Board will have no opposition in retaining their seats. Clerk Brian VanDussen, who was appointed in late January to replace former Clerk Kate Kraak, is running unopposed to retain his office, while Trustee John Shrauger, who was appointed in mid-February to fill a trustee opening created when Bosma was appointed supervisor, is also without opposition, clerk’s election records show.
Zeeland Record
Zeeland Township voters will have a contested race for township supervisor to vote on when they go to the polls in the August primary.
Current Supervisor Kerri Bosma is being challenged by Dan Kerkstra, a business owner, farmer and advocate for the township’s agricultural and rural character.
Kerkstra paid a $100 filing fee to enter the race on April 21, the last day candidates could file to run for township office, according to the Ottawa County clerk’s election division.
Both Republicans, Bosma and Kerkstra are running for a two-year term that would conclude at the end of 2028.
Bosma, a real estate agent, was appointed supervisor in January following the resignation of Tom Oonk after five years in office. Bosma ran against Oonk for supervisor in the 2024 GOP primary, but lost the election by 131 votes. She then regained her trustee seat on the Township Board by write-in vote that November.
Kerkstra is the owner of Advanced Concrete Construction, Kerkstra Farms and Kerkstra Storage and Service Facilities. It is his first time running for public office.
Two other recent appointees to the Township Board will have no opposition in retaining their seats. Clerk Brian VanDussen, who was appointed in late January to replace former Clerk Kate Kraak, is running unopposed to retain his office, while Trustee John Shrauger, who was appointed in mid-February to fill a trustee opening created when Bosma was appointed supervisor, is also without opposition, clerk’s election records show.
Driver Seriously Injured in Rollover Crash on I-196
A 42-year-old Holland man was seriously injured in a single-car rollover crash on westbound I-196 in Zeeland Township over the weekend.
The crash occurred shortly after 8 p.m. Saturday night on the expressway near the 53-mile marker, according to the Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office.
A preliminary investigation by the sheriff’s office showed that the vehicle initially began to lose control on the ditch side of the roadway. The vehicle then went across the roadway and into the median section of the expressway, striking an embankment, rolling over several times, crossing back over the road and coming to rest on the ditch side of the roadway, Sgt. Alex DeJong of the sheriff’s office said.
The driver was extricated by Zeeland Township Fire/Rescue and taken via ambulance to an area hospital.
The crash shut down westbound I-196 at the 55-mile marker for about an hour while deputies investigated the crash.
The crash occurred shortly after 8 p.m. Saturday night on the expressway near the 53-mile marker, according to the Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office.
A preliminary investigation by the sheriff’s office showed that the vehicle initially began to lose control on the ditch side of the roadway. The vehicle then went across the roadway and into the median section of the expressway, striking an embankment, rolling over several times, crossing back over the road and coming to rest on the ditch side of the roadway, Sgt. Alex DeJong of the sheriff’s office said.
The driver was extricated by Zeeland Township Fire/Rescue and taken via ambulance to an area hospital.
The crash shut down westbound I-196 at the 55-mile marker for about an hour while deputies investigated the crash.
Suspect Waives Prelim in Olive Twp. Stabbing
A 24-year-old Grand Rapids man has waived his right to a preliminary hearing in connection with a home invasion in Olive Township in November of last year where the homeowner was wounded and his dog killed.
Jason Neshawn Varnado had his case bound over to the Ottawa County Circuit Court after waiving his prelim in 58th District Court in Grand Haven. He remains held in the Ottawa County Jail on $250,000 bond on charges of first-degree home invasion, killing or torturing an animal and felonious assault in connection with the Nov. 18, 2025 incident at the home on New Holland Street, just east of 120th Avenue.
According to the Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office, the suspect approached the residence during the afternoon of Nov. 18. After a discussion with the homeowner, a 68-year-old man, Varnado allegedly forced his way into the home and assaulted the homeowner.
The family dog, named Chief, came to the victim’s aid and engaged the suspect, allowing the victim to retreat safely to a bedroom. The dog was stabbed during the attack and later died of his injuries, investigators said.
Jason Neshawn Varnado had his case bound over to the Ottawa County Circuit Court after waiving his prelim in 58th District Court in Grand Haven. He remains held in the Ottawa County Jail on $250,000 bond on charges of first-degree home invasion, killing or torturing an animal and felonious assault in connection with the Nov. 18, 2025 incident at the home on New Holland Street, just east of 120th Avenue.
According to the Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office, the suspect approached the residence during the afternoon of Nov. 18. After a discussion with the homeowner, a 68-year-old man, Varnado allegedly forced his way into the home and assaulted the homeowner.
The family dog, named Chief, came to the victim’s aid and engaged the suspect, allowing the victim to retreat safely to a bedroom. The dog was stabbed during the attack and later died of his injuries, investigators said.
Stamp Out Hunger Drive Set
Postal workers in Zeeland will hold their annual Stamp Out Hunger food drive on Saturday, May 9.
The annual drive will collect non-perishable food items for Harvest Stand Ministries. All donations will go to the Zeeland-based nonprofit, food drive coordinator Troy Obrenovich said.
Postal workers will be passing out a bag and a card, provided by J&H Family Stores, May 2-5. Residents are encouraged to fill out the bag and leave it by their mailbox for pickup. Volunteers will accompany postal workers and collect the food.
Last year’s Stamp Out Hunger drive resulted in 12,320 pounds of food being donated to Harvest Stand Ministries, said Eric Rosendahl, operations manager for the food bank that operates inside the City on a Hill ministry center.
The annual drive will collect non-perishable food items for Harvest Stand Ministries. All donations will go to the Zeeland-based nonprofit, food drive coordinator Troy Obrenovich said.
Postal workers will be passing out a bag and a card, provided by J&H Family Stores, May 2-5. Residents are encouraged to fill out the bag and leave it by their mailbox for pickup. Volunteers will accompany postal workers and collect the food.
Last year’s Stamp Out Hunger drive resulted in 12,320 pounds of food being donated to Harvest Stand Ministries, said Eric Rosendahl, operations manager for the food bank that operates inside the City on a Hill ministry center.
Brush Drop-Off Site Opens Friday
The city of Zeeland’s brush drop-off site at 8971 Riley St. will open for the season on Friday.
You can bring tree limbs, shrub debris, grass and leaves to the site through Nov. 28. Taking your debris to the site helps the city maintain debris-free catch basins and helps keep Zeeland’s waterways clean and healthy.
Wood decking or other construction materials will not be accepted at the site.
The brush drop-off site hours are Fridays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to noon.
For more information, call the City Services & Infrastructure Department at 616-772-0870.
You can bring tree limbs, shrub debris, grass and leaves to the site through Nov. 28. Taking your debris to the site helps the city maintain debris-free catch basins and helps keep Zeeland’s waterways clean and healthy.
Wood decking or other construction materials will not be accepted at the site.
The brush drop-off site hours are Fridays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to noon.
For more information, call the City Services & Infrastructure Department at 616-772-0870.
First Measles Case in 35 Years Confirmed
The Ottawa County Department of Public Health, in partnership with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, has confirmed the county’s first case of measles since 1991.
The health department is working to notify any individuals who may have been exposed. There are no public exposure sites to announce at this time; if public exposure sites are identified, it will be announced on miottawa.org/measles.
The identity of the person who has contracted measles and where in Ottawa County they live is not being released.
Measles is a highly contagious respiratory disease. A single infectious person can spread measles to approximately nine out of 10 people nearby who are not immune. A person is considered immune to measles if they can provide documentation that:
• They are a child (K-12) or adult who has received two doses of the Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) vaccine.
• They are a preschool aged child who has received one dose of the MMR vaccine.
• They have had measles at some point in their life.
• They were born before 1957.
Measles symptoms appear 7–21 days after exposure. Watch for:
•?High fever (may spike above 104°F)
• Cough, runny nose, and red or watery eyes
• Red blotchy rash beginning on the face and spreading downward, typically 3-5 days after first symptoms
If symptoms develop, call ahead before going to a clinic, urgent care, or emergency room - this allows staff to take precautions and protects other patients from being exposed. Stay away from others until you have spoken with a health care provider.
Anyone with questions about their vaccination status should contact their healthcare provider or the health department at 616-396-5266.
The health department is working to notify any individuals who may have been exposed. There are no public exposure sites to announce at this time; if public exposure sites are identified, it will be announced on miottawa.org/measles.
The identity of the person who has contracted measles and where in Ottawa County they live is not being released.
Measles is a highly contagious respiratory disease. A single infectious person can spread measles to approximately nine out of 10 people nearby who are not immune. A person is considered immune to measles if they can provide documentation that:
• They are a child (K-12) or adult who has received two doses of the Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) vaccine.
• They are a preschool aged child who has received one dose of the MMR vaccine.
• They have had measles at some point in their life.
• They were born before 1957.
Measles symptoms appear 7–21 days after exposure. Watch for:
•?High fever (may spike above 104°F)
• Cough, runny nose, and red or watery eyes
• Red blotchy rash beginning on the face and spreading downward, typically 3-5 days after first symptoms
If symptoms develop, call ahead before going to a clinic, urgent care, or emergency room - this allows staff to take precautions and protects other patients from being exposed. Stay away from others until you have spoken with a health care provider.
Anyone with questions about their vaccination status should contact their healthcare provider or the health department at 616-396-5266.
Council Approves Highpoint Tax Break
By Greg Chandler
Zeeland Record
Highpoint Finishing Solutions plans to double its workforce over the next two years as a result of a $1,955,835 expansion project at its manufacturing facility at 541 E. Roosevelt Ave.
Highpoint began construction last year on a 19,200-square-foot addition to the facility, a move that will allow the company to consolidate its operations under one roof.
Highpoint previously operated a facility at 640 E. Washington Ave., but that site was acquired by Mead Johnson Nutrition in May of last year for $6.5 million as part of the modernization project at its Main Avenue location.
“We had the interesting move to make when Mead Johnson bought our building on Washington,” company chief financial officer JT Wyrick told the City Council at an April 20 public hearing on the company’s request for a 12-year, 50 percent tax abatement on the project. “That’s really where it’s all stemming from. It actually ended up to be a blessing in disguise because we had the two locations and (it was a challenge) just organizing management between both, parts between both.”
The City Council unanimously approved Highpoint’s tax break request. The company plans to create 20 new jobs over the next two years. It currently employs 20 workers, Wyrick said.
Highpoint specializes in “high quality metal finishing, polishing and surface enhancement for manufacturers and fabricators,” Wyrick wrote in an application letter to the city. The company began in 2010 after purchasing the assets of the former Borculo Polishing Inc.
Motorcyclist Strikes Dog
A 58-year-old West Olive man was seriously injured late Sunday afternoon when his motorcycle struck a dog in Olive Township.
The crash occurred shortly after 5 p.m. on 136th Avenue near Barry Street.
A preliminary investigation by the Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office said the motorcyclist was traveling northbound on 136th near Barry when it collided with the dog in the roadway. The motorcycle then went off the roadway on the east side and struck several mailboxes, Sgt. Travis Wheaton of the sheriff’s office said.
The motorcyclist was transported to an area hospital by AMR Ambulance with serious injuries.
The crash shut down 136th Avenue between Barry and Van Buren Street for about an hour. An investigation into the crash is continuing.
