Features

Feature Story Ashley Cramer received the 2025 Gentex Foundation’s Amanda Clark Scholarship.

Gentex scholarship helps Zeeland grad pursue STEM degree at Kettering

Ashley Cramer earns Gentex Foundation’s Amanda Clark Scholarship, receiving $20,000 to study computer science at Kettering University.

Feature Story The Healthy Housing Workgroup, part of CHIP, tackles basic home repairs such as plumbing, blight removal, insulation, and energy efficiency.

Allegan County organizations unite to make homes safer and healthier

Government and nonprofits team up to fix housing issues, improve health, and support families through repairs, training, and shared resources.

Feature Story Leah Broomfield

Deaf mentor's journey shows strength of inclusive hiring and support services

Leah Broomfield’s new role as a deaf mentor highlights how inclusive hiring and community collaboration open doors for deaf professionals.

Feature Story Families could see aviation technology in action with several flyovers during Aviation Day at West Michigan Regional Airport.

WMU grad returns home to lead West Michigan Regional Airport

Matthew Neyens brings Denver expertise and deep Michigan roots to WMRA, with a focus on expanding aviation access, driving economic growth, and strengthening community partnerships.

Feature Story Ryan Kilpatrick, lead consultant for Housing Next, leads a panel discussion.

Report: Ottawa County housing progress continues, but gaps remain for many

Leaders share updated housing data, highlighting strides made and ongoing efforts to expand access for households with low, moderate, and middle incomes.

Feature Story An attendee is wrapped in a Pride flag at at Allegan, Speak Up event.

Pride Fund expands LGBTQIA+ support across Allegan County communities

Seven organizations receive grants to improve LGBTQIA+ mental health, visibility, and belonging; highlights include Out On the Lakeshore’s new initiative.

Feature Story Lashae Simmons II

Muskegon leader sparks regional movement to empower Black entrepreneurs

Lashae Simmons II and Black Wall Street Muskegon lead a growing coalition that has been awarded state funding to strengthen West Michigan’s Black business ecosystem.

Feature Story Beyond Basics partners with Muskegon schools, providing one-on-one tutoring to close literacy gaps through a state-funded pilot program.

Tips to help kids beat the summer slide at home

Beyond Basics CEO shares simple, affordable strategies to keep kids learning all summer, such as reading together daily and turning errands into lessons.

Feature Story Communities throughout the Lakeshore are hosting Fourth of July events, many ending the day with fireworks, such as these from Grand Haven.

July things to do: Holidays, festivals, concerts and county fairs make this a month for celebration

Summer is in full swing, with Bike Time in Muskegon, LAUP Fiesta week in Holland, the Coast Guard Festival and beach volleyball in Grand Haven, and a car show in Zeeland.   

Feature Story "Teenagers matter. They’re a part of our communities, our families, our friendships. Their feelings and their struggles matter." Eve Cole

Teens and mental health: The emotions beneath the behaviors

Today’s teens face numerous challenges to their mental health, and nearly one in five teens surveyed reported experiencing a major depressive episode in the past year. In 2023, nearly a third of U.S. teens received mental health treatment, according to the CDC report. In Michigan, some of those teens saw practitioners and joined groups at OnPoint, which provides behavioral health and homelessness services in Allegan County.  

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