Copyright M Live Michigan
GRAND RAPIDS, MI - My neighbors and I talk regularly about family and other topics but this week the conversation drifted to how much Halloween candy to buy, given we’ve been seeing light trick-or-treating traffic. As I stood on the store aisle pondering Snickers, M&Ms, Sour Patch Kids, I thought how the one year I limited my purchase would be when a slew of kids and grandkids with cute outfits would hit our doorsteps. However, my colleagues have always been helpful when it comes to disposing of any extra sweets in the office. The other conversation was when the candy shop should close. Generally, 8 p.m. is when participating homeowners can hit the lights. Reporter Skyla Jewell-Hammie provided readers an early guide to events and trick-or-treating Halloween schedules in Grand Rapids and surrounding counties. Drivers be alert and careful with our children out this evening. Skyla also gifted readers with a feel-good article that put a smile on my face about the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) nurses at Trinity Health Grand Rapids crafting Halloween costumes for their tiniest patients. Pictures of these fighters dressed in costumes like an ice cream cone, a Detroit Lions football player, spaghetti and meatballs, and twins as peanut butter and jelly are beyond adorable. There is a lot of sobering news, so it is nice to get a feel-good treat like this during the week. But we all have to navigate the not so positive news like the woman initially thought to have died from an accidental fall being allegedly assaulted in Grand Rapids. Bradley Massman reported that a 43-year-old man is charged with manslaughter in connection to an alleged assault that left 60-year-old Kristine Haddad dead. Bradley also gave readers an update on the disturbing mass stabbings at Walmart on July 26. Bradford Gille was arrested and charged with 11 counts of attempted murder and one count of terrorism for the July 26 incident in Traverse City. Local residents played a role in keeping him detained. After three months, the case is at a standstill. Few new details – including the identities of those hurt in the attack – have been released by investigators. Reporter Ehren Wynder told readers how they can score a piece of history with a historic Zeeland clock maker selling off its final inventory at steep discounts. Howard Miller is selling its remaining inventory as a “thank-you” to West Michigan for nearly a century of support. The third-generation family business, famous for its handcrafted clocks, will open its facility at 860 E. Main St. in Zeeland at 8 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 1. The sale will continue until 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 8. Ehren also told us about a partnership between two West Michigan hospitals leading to more quality care being one of new developments underway in Ottawa County. This month, Holland Hospital and University of Michigan Health began construction of the new, $45 million Westpark Specialty Center at 8334 Westpark Way in Zeeland. It’s one of six developments in the news this month that he cited. Those are just some of the stories in the Grand Rapids area this week that interested our readers.
