CRIME & SAFETY
Man sentenced in Kent Co. animal abuse case
KENT COUNTY, Mich. — The man found with over two dozen exotic animals in his Kent County home—including some that were neglected or dead—learned his sentence Wednesday. Michael Thomas Lawton was sentenced to two years probation. He is not allowed to own any animals during this time.
Rockford man revisits site where he almost died after a bike crash
ROCKFORD, Mich. — Dave Medema of Rockford is thankful to be alive after a horrific accident almost claimed his life. May 10 marks two years since his bike crash and he said he's still on his way to meeting his goal of a lifetime. “I would never have chosen...
Family of Samuel Sterling reacts to release of bodycam, dashcam videos in officer-related death investigation
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Samuel Sterling's parents, along with their attorney Ven Johnsen and former Kent County Commissioner Robert Womack, were some of the first to see body and dashcam footage of 25-year-old Samuel Sterling's officer-involved death. "Today, what we saw was a car that was used as a...
22-year-old Grand Rapids man on motorcycle dies after striking power pole
OTTAWA COUNTY, MI – A 22-year-old man died in a Friday evening motorcycle crash in Ottawa County. A man was driving his motorcycle around 9:35 p.m. May 10 east on Leonard Street near Tallmadge Drive in Tallmade Township when he lost control in a curve, according to a release from the Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office.
1 person hurt in stabbing south of downtown Grand Rapids overnight
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Grand Rapids Police said one person suffered stab wounds in an altercation south of downtown overnight Thursday. GRPD said it happened near the corner of MLK and Division. While the person's current condition isn't known, authorities said the person suffered "significant injuries." Police also said...
Grand Rapids business owner sentenced after firing shots, pointing gun at patron
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — A Grand Rapids business owner who was accused of firing shots at a patron in December 2023 has been sentenced. Lihao Wang, the owner of J Burger N Wings, pleaded guilty in March to one count of assault with a dangerous weapon. He was sentenced to three years of probation, 80 hours of Work Crew to be done in the next six months or 60 days in jail.
Hundreds march in Grand Rapids for missing and murdered Indigenous people
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) – Every year, hundreds of Native people go missing or are murdered at a disproportionate rate. Data from the U.S. Department of Justice indicate that Native women face murder rates more than ten times that of the national average. 55% of Native women have experienced...
Newaygo Co. man accused of making explosives to target Satanic Temple in Massachusetts
GRAND RAPIDS (AP) — A Newaygo County man carrying explosives traveled to Massachusetts in 2023 and later said he wanted to blow up a building in Salem known as the Satanic Temple, according to a federal indictment. Luke Terpstra was charged in Michigan with two felonies: transportation of an explosive and possession of an unregistered explosive. “Building explosive devices and transporting them with the intent to injure civilians and damage property puts us all at risk,” U.S. Attorney Mark Totten said Wednesday. The indictment was filed Tuesday. Terpstra, 30, of Grant, Michigan, is being held in the Newaygo County jail on related state charges. He faces a hearing in federal court next Monday.
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