http://www.mlive.com/northwestadvance/index.ssf/Latest News & OpinionenMovable Type Enterprise 4.29-advance http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/noLatest News & Opinionnorthwest_advancehttp://feedburner.google.comhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/northwest_advance/~3/te2wq-Ey3d0/your_local_news_source.htmlAdvance NewspapersThu, 01 Dec 2011 10:14:51 PSTtag:www.mlive.com,2011:/northwestadvance/index.ssf//2449.7366733.20111201131451 ]]>We have reorganized how we deliver local news. For information on Walker, Alpine, Comstock Park, and the area school districts - including sports- visit www.mlive.com/walker. For Coopersville, Sparta and Kent City, visit www.mlive.com/sparta. Bookmark these links to keep up to...http://www.mlive.com/northwestadvance/index.ssf/2011/12/your_local_news_source.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/northwest_advance/~3/NuO7Z1b7V4U/communities_plan_memorial_day.htmlJeffrey Cunningham | Advance NewspapersMon, 21 May 2012 13:08:47 PDTtag:www.mlive.com,2012:/sparta/index.ssf//8001924.8343068 ]]>Communities across the area are planning Memorial Day events next weekend to honor those who have given their lives in the service of their country. Alpine Township – Alpine Township will host its annual Memorial Day service at 11 a.m....http://www.mlive.com/sparta/index.ssf/2012/05/communities_plan_memorial_day.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/northwest_advance/~3/j3ZV7RVix1I/alpine_hires_one_of_their_own.htmlJeffrey Cunningham | Advance NewspapersTue, 22 May 2012 06:38:48 PDTtag:www.mlive.com,2012:/walker/index.ssf//8001925.8367163 ]]>Photo by Jeffrey CunninghamNew Alpine Fire Chief Dave Klomparens talks to the Township Board Monday night. Alpine Township has hired a new fire chief from its own department. Dave Klomparens, who is currently a lieutenant with the department, was unanimously...http://www.mlive.com/walker/index.ssf/2012/05/alpine_hires_one_of_their_own.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/northwest_advance/~3/6ZoDkHU98Rk/if_black_bear_attacks_fight_ba.htmlSherry Kuyt | Advance NewspapersTue, 22 May 2012 08:58:37 PDTtag:www.mlive.com,2012:/wayland/index.ssf//8001926.8342584 ]]>Experts say people should 'stand their ground' if they are attacked by a bear.http://www.mlive.com/wayland/index.ssf/2012/05/if_black_bear_attacks_fight_ba.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/northwest_advance/~3/irJ-xQBrGDw/proposed_sparta_rodeo_looking.htmlJeffrey Cunningham | Advance NewspapersMon, 21 May 2012 13:11:33 PDTtag:www.mlive.com,2012:/sparta/index.ssf//8001924.8325093 ]]>SPARTA, MI -- Promoters of the proposed Sparta Rodeo hope to hold at least one rodeo in Sparta this summer even if it is the end-of-the-summer championships slated for Labor Day weekend.Rodeo promoter Wayne Stevens, of Big Rapids, had hoped...http://www.mlive.com/sparta/index.ssf/2012/05/proposed_sparta_rodeo_looking.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/northwest_advance/~3/g4mhQpQKFSk/kenowa_hills_graduate_brandon.htmlLarry A. Hirt | Advance NewspapersMon, 14 May 2012 10:50:04 PDTtag:www.mlive.com,2012:/walker/index.ssf//8001925.8311039 ]]> WALKER -- Brandon Bongard, a Kenowa Hills graduate, led the Davenport University baseball team to its most successful season in school history, and he was just as successful in the classroom, earning a spot on the Capital One Academic...http://www.mlive.com/walker/index.ssf/2012/05/kenowa_hills_graduate_brandon.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/northwest_advance/~3/LDogWKZ8j74/4496396485236399647Mon, 14 May 2012 11:02:25 PDTtag:www.mlive.com,2012:/sparta/index.ssf//8001924.8293471 ]]> SPARTA – In a game where no lead seemed safe, West Catholic showed its resiliency and stayed in the thick of the O-K Blue Conference baseball championship race with Thursday's 10-9, extra-inning victory over Sparta.The Falcons not only bounced...http://highschoolsports.mlive.com/news/article/4496396485236399647http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/northwest_advance/~3/elwTTG6IhTU/comstock_park_and_several_othe.htmlJeffrey Cunningham | Advance NewspapersMon, 14 May 2012 10:51:51 PDTtag:www.mlive.com,2012:/walker/index.ssf//8001925.8284433 ]]> Photo by Jeffrey CunninghamIt will be on to the University of Maryland June 10-14 for students from Comstock Park High School and several other local schools as the groups were  named national finalists in the recent 2012 Michigan History...http://www.mlive.com/walker/index.ssf/2012/05/comstock_park_and_several_othe.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/northwest_advance/~3/qSZLdh4WSic/kenowa_hills_8th_graders_raise.htmlJeffrey Cunningham | Advance NewspapersMon, 14 May 2012 10:56:12 PDTtag:www.mlive.com,2012:/walker/index.ssf//8001925.8279142 ]]>By Jeffrey Cunningham These eighth-grade students from Kenowa Hills Middle School were among those who paid to wear their hats in class. Eighth-graders at Kenowa Hills Middle School asked fellow  students to donate a dollar a day for two weeks...http://www.mlive.com/walker/index.ssf/2012/05/kenowa_hills_8th_graders_raise.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/northwest_advance/~3/Jn39RgWBo_Q/sparta_relay_for.htmlJeffrey Cunningham | Advance NewspapersMon, 14 May 2012 10:57:16 PDTtag:www.mlive.com,2012:/sparta/index.ssf//8001924.8278842 ]]>By Jeffrey Cunningham Sparta Village President Leonard "Skip" Meyer was at the 2011 Relay for Life as a supporter and as a survivor of skin cancer. The sixth annual Sparta American Cancer Society Relay for Life will be more than...http://www.mlive.com/sparta/index.ssf/2012/05/sparta_relay_for.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/northwest_advance/~3/Cv-J6mVzEQM/lawn_and_garden_may_is_the_mon.htmlColumn11973Doug Niemeyer | Advance NewspapersTue, 08 May 2012 06:27:56 PDTtag:www.mlive.com,2012:/advancenewspapers/opinion/index.ssf//2751.8267190 ]]>This is the month for planting everything that's anything, so go out there and dig it up, plant ‘em right, water ‘em well, and weed ‘em often. Vegetables: Early in the month make the first planting of snap beans, Swiss...http://www.mlive.com/advancenewspapers/opinion/index.ssf/2012/05/lawn_and_garden_may_is_the_mon.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/northwest_advance/~3/B5s1NTbAOdY/alpine_township_may_take_a_wee.htmlJeffrey Cunningham | Advance NewspapersTue, 08 May 2012 05:45:14 PDTtag:www.mlive.com,2012:/walker/index.ssf//8001925.8221595 ]]>Photo supplied Alex ArendsThe Alpine Township Personnel Committee has interviewed four candidates to replace retiring township Fire Chief Ron Christians, who has been the fire chief since 1995. The committee was originally set to interview five candidates Wednesday but one...http://www.mlive.com/walker/index.ssf/2012/05/alpine_township_may_take_a_wee.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/northwest_advance/~3/YWqRyBjRrII/mdot_to_close_m-37_crossings_a.htmlJeffrey Cunningham | Advance NewspapersMon, 07 May 2012 11:19:13 PDTtag:www.mlive.com,2012:/walker/index.ssf//8001925.8218676 ]]>Photo by Jeffrey Cunningham This semi truck and trailer had to stop in the median to wait for traffic coming from the south before it could continue across M-37 on 9 Mile Road in Alpine Township. The trailer blocked one...http://www.mlive.com/walker/index.ssf/2012/05/mdot_to_close_m-37_crossings_a.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/northwest_advance/~3/uoMCkwP_Prc/coopersville_marne_railway_to.htmlJeffrey Cunningham | Advance NewspapersMon, 07 May 2012 11:19:58 PDTtag:www.mlive.com,2012:/walker/index.ssf//8001925.8214871 ]]>Photo suppliedThe Coopersville & Marne Railway will feature a special history train Saturday. The train will honor the 165th anniversary of Wright Township and the train conductor will talk about the history of the township and the village of Marne ...http://www.mlive.com/walker/index.ssf/2012/05/coopersville_marne_railway_to.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/northwest_advance/~3/0-Gz-S2Q3QI/alpine_township_voes_to_reduce.htmlJeffrey Cunningham | Advance NewspapersMon, 07 May 2012 11:21:14 PDTtag:www.mlive.com,2012:/walker/index.ssf//8001925.8209199 ]]>The Alpine Township Board hopes to pass a balanced budget later this month, but to do so they will have to do it with less income from administrative fees. Trustees voted Monday night to reduce the fee charged to process...http://www.mlive.com/walker/index.ssf/2012/05/alpine_township_voes_to_reduce.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/northwest_advance/~3/ZTvMneX8Uz8/west_side_event_to_decide_top.htmlAdvance NewspapersTue, 01 May 2012 06:32:23 PDTtag:www.mlive.com,2012:/walker/index.ssf//8001925.8207743 ]]>Who has the best kielbasa in West Michigan? The competition to determine the winner begins Saturday, May 5, and runs all day. Eleven purveyors will be setting out their entries for the public to taste and then vote on the one...http://www.mlive.com/walker/index.ssf/2012/05/west_side_event_to_decide_top.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/northwest_advance/~3/91ewZwFbzug/sparta_couples_home_gets_makeo.htmlJeffrey Cunningham | Advance NewspapersTue, 01 May 2012 06:33:19 PDTtag:www.mlive.com,2012:/sparta/index.ssf//8001924.8176279 ]]>Carol and Phil McVicker have seen their share of hardships in the last eight years since Phil was let go from the local school district as a custodian when the district privatized their custodial staff. Since then, Phil has gone...http://www.mlive.com/sparta/index.ssf/2012/04/sparta_couples_home_gets_makeo.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/northwest_advance/~3/FdEkP0Ga1vs/grand_rapids_police_sergeant_b.htmlKristin AustinTue, 01 May 2012 06:19:42 PDTtag:www.mlive.com,2012:/grandville/index.ssf//8001927.8172680 ]]>Grand Rapids Police Sgt. Mark Garnsey stands with drivers' training instructor Kevin Billings after presenting information on the dangers of drunken, drugged, and distracted driving.Young drivers are learning about the dangers of drunken, drugged, and distracted driving through a new...http://www.mlive.com/grandville/index.ssf/2012/04/grand_rapids_police_sergeant_b.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/northwest_advance/~3/9PImu1a1IWE/west_catholic_quiz_bowl_team_f.htmlJeffrey Cunningham | Advance NewspapersTue, 01 May 2012 06:29:06 PDTtag:www.mlive.com,2012:/walker/index.ssf//8001925.8172437 ]]> The West Catholic High School Quiz Bowl team at the state finals are, from left, Joe O'Brien, Patrick Harwood, Jack Brooks, and Brendan Kosnik. Photo supplied The West Catholic Quiz Bowl team capped off its most successful season in...http://www.mlive.com/walker/index.ssf/2012/04/west_catholic_quiz_bowl_team_f.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/northwest_advance/~3/1xFffJGVe-4/496365485187399617Tue, 01 May 2012 06:29:46 PDTtag:www.mlive.com,2012:/walker/index.ssf//8001925.8145596 ]]> KENTWOOD – Friday’s wet and chilly weather conditions would present a stern challenge to any soccer squad. But they certainly didn’t prevent Kelloggsville and Comstock Park from going at each other hard.In a reprise of a closely-played battle from...http://highschoolsports.mlive.com/news/article/496365485187399617http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/northwest_advance/~3/hPdc0DZmSIU/16th_surgery_the_charm_for_spa.htmlJeffrey Cunningham | Advance NewspapersTue, 24 Apr 2012 11:38:07 PDTtag:www.mlive.com,2012:/sparta/index.ssf//8001924.8141276 ]]>Jessica Curtis, 34, of Sparta, is proud to be able to walk around the community in a bright pink pair of Chuck Taylor basketball shoes. Until just a few months ago, Curtis couldn’t get her deformed right foot in the shoes...http://www.mlive.com/sparta/index.ssf/2012/04/16th_surgery_the_charm_for_spa.htmlnonadult