Hello, Grand Rapids: Alleged drunk driver hits hayride; high school is national model

GRAND RAPIDS, MI - Fall in Michigan is majestic.

I know that sounds like a Pure Michigan advertisement, but I look forward to October each year, largely because the fall foliage is so beautiful now. We love to take scenic hikes and long rides.

Being out in nature among the beautiful colors brings me a sense of peace and calm that I didn't know I needed.

This is also the time of year that people flock to places like Ed Dunneback & Girls Farm , Grandview Orchard and Robinette's Apple Haus & Winery. I have made great memories with family and friends picking apples, enjoying hot cider and donuts and hayrides.

My heart sank Sunday when I heard that an SUV crashed into a tractor pulling a hayride with people enjoying the fall day in nearby Allegan. There were injuries but thankfully nobody died. Reporter Bradley Massman told readers an allegedly intoxicated Angelina Marie Hamberg was driving 55 mph when she crashed into the trailer carrying nearly dozen people. Hamberg is facing felony charges.

Bradley also told us that one of Democratic presidential candidate Vice President Kamala Harris' campaign stops in Michigan this week would be in Grand Rapids on Friday, Oct. 18.

Another story readers had interest in was about Northview High School . Reporter Danielle James shared how last year the school received a visit from the College Board for a school-wide Advanced Placement program. The AP Seminar course is now serving as a national model for schools across the country to adopt it for all their 10th graders to build skills and confidence.

Also on the schools front, reporter John Agar told the community yet another school was forced to closed due to safety concerns out of an abundance of caution . A charter school, West Michigan Academy of Environmental Science in Walker, closed on Monday while school officials and police investigated concerns over social-media posts.

John also told us about A 14-year-old Plainfield Township boy who is accused of trying to sextort up to 17 other teens on social media. Kent County sheriff's deputies believe he contacted others online and pressured them to send sexually implicit images.

Reporter Brian McVicar shared with readers that the Grand Rapids Brownfield Redevelopment Authority unanimously approved a $565 million subsidy to build three high-rise towers with up to 671 high-end housing units, a hotel, office tower and retail on the riverfront downtown. Fulmar Property Holdings, a firm owned by the DeVos and Van Andel families, south the incentive.

Ehren Wynder reported that Sylvan Lake-based Elite Hospitality Group plans to put a hotel as part of the Grand Landing development along U.S. 31. The plan announced in 2008, has grown and changed location to capitalize on the waterfront views.

Woman claims brakes gave out before crashing into tractor pulling hayride, records show

Kamala Harris to campaign across Michigan this week

Bell's Brewery to open location at Grand Rapids Ford Airport

This Michigan high school's mandatory AP course now serving as national model

Grand Rapids car-share pilot will let people rent a vehicle for $5 an hour

Social media posts force West Michigan charter school to close

Savannah Bananas world tour ticket lottery for Grand Rapids games breaks 80K

Meijer Gardens sets record-breaking attendance in 2024

Proposed 131-room riverfront hotel generates excitement in Grand Haven

See how this Michigan school is using faraday bags to block cellphones in classrooms

City board signs off on massive, high-rise riverfront development in Grand Rapids

Man charged with 2 of 3 murders in Grand Rapids neighborhood on same day