A GRFD firetruck rushing to a scene. /John Rothwell
The Grand Rapids Fire Department asks Grand Rapidians for help regarding a suspicious fire
The Grand Rapids Fire Department has asked the Grand Rapids community for help with information regarding a suspicious fire that occurred in the early morning hours of Monday, March 14th, 2022.
Around 1:30am, the first units on the scene found heavy smoke coming from the commercial building at 666 Wealthy St. SE. Firefighters entered the building to search for occupants, but later retreated after determining that the structure was vacant. They then initiated a defensive position to prevent damage to nearby buildings.
Investigators have officially ruled the fire arson and the G.R. Fire Department is urging anyone with information to call GRPD at (616) 456-3400. Anonymous tips can be submitted by calling (616) 774-2345 or by going online to silentobserver.org.
The return of the annual Heritage Hill Home Tour
After a two-year COVID-induced hiatus, the Heritage Hill Association has finally announced the return of the annual Heritage Hill Weekend Tour of Homes. The tour is set to take place on May 21st and May 22nd, 2022.
This year’s tour will feature two public buildings, the Calkins Law Office and GRCC’s Custer Alumni House, as well as seven historic Heritage Hill homes in a variety of architectural styles:
- Georgian Revival,
- Prairie Style,
- Victorian “Grand Old Lady”,
- American Craftsman,
- Tudor
More information can be found on the Heritage Hill Association website or by calling (616) 459-8950.
The Grand Rapids Fire Department plans a ceremony for the renaming of the current Franklin Street Fire Station
The Grand Rapids Fire Department has announced a ceremony in celebration of the renaming of the current Franklin Street Fire Station to the Martin Luther King Jr. Street Fire Station. This announcement comes about a month after the Grand Rapids City Commission officially changed the names of two streets to commemorate two civil rights leaders – Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. and César E. Chavez.
The ceremony will be held on Wednesday, March 30th from 12:30pm to 1:30pm. Members of the National Forum for Black Public Administrators (NFBPA) will likely be in attendance, as well as city and fire department leadership. The general public and media partners are also welcome to attend.
Also in the News:
- Yard Waste Collection begins again on Monday, April 4. More information about collection options, hours of operation, and accepted waste can be found at The City of Grand Rapids website.
- The City of Grand Rapids Forestry division has asked G.R. residents for help in controlling the Spongy Moth population, which is expected to increase in the coming weeks. For more information on how you can help, visit the G.R. Forestry division's website.
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