June 29, 2020 Over the weekend, hundreds of local residents attended a protest at a park in Allendale Township. The group was there demanding the removal of a controversial statue depicting a Union soldier, a Confederate soldier and an enslaved child. While local officials have said the statue -- installed in 1998 in dedication to United States veterans -- is likely to stay, those who gathered are hoping it will ultimately be removed. It's part of a nationwide outcry for the removal of Confederate symbols and statues. The township board is slated to vote on the fate of the statue during a meeting tomorrow night. MORE Luckily, no lives were lost when dams were breached and floodwaters devastated mid-Michigan last month. But some residents lost their homes, their businesses and their possessions. We have heard from readers looking for ways to help those hit hardest by the flooding. We put together a list of organizations that are working to help residents as they start the lengthy process of rebuilding. Whether you want to donate time, money or resources, you'll find ways to contribute here: MORE Looking for a new way to enjoy the Michigan outdoors this summer? If you like bike rides and wine, you'll want to check out the Leelanau Wine Trail Bike Tour. The Leelanau Peninsula is known for its exceptional beauty and delicious wine, which makes it the perfect place for this type of tour. The day trip also includes a catered lunch and a support team ready to help with any surprise needs. It's a self-guided tour that lets you go at your own pace, so you can enjoy a leisurely ride or a race to the next winery. MORE Hackley Stadium is a special place for the Muskegon community. The stadium is the home of the Muskegon High School Big Reds, who have had many big wins on the grass field that was in place for decades. But, the grass can take a beating over the course of a football season. That's why workers tore out the sod and plan to start installing synthetic turf in the stadium today. This field is so beloved, the school even offered up pieces of the sod to the public for $10 a pop over the weekend. MORE What's better than one baby red panda? How about triplets? Last week, Wasabi the red panda who lives at John Ball Zoo in Grand Rapids gave birth to three furry bundles of joy. The birth of the triplets is significant, considering red pandas are endangered. Wasabi and Wyatt, the father of the triplets, are part of a conservation program aimed at increasing the population of red pandas. Zoo staff caught the special birth on film. VIDEO Get your local news 24/7 Connect with MLive To ensure receipt of our emails, please add newsletters@update.mlive to your address book or safe sender list. |