Tragic deaths toll remembered by community names
A year of losses with Avery Betts, 7, daughter of a Saugatuck firefighter, dying from a brain tumor in June. Five months later, the firetruck honors her memory. In July, 31-year-old Alex Torres died after a fall in an Illinois park. Zeeland East sophomore Keaton Kroll died from a blood clot during a soccer game in November. In mid-December 16-year-old Aline Mapendo of Holland Township was struck by a car while walking to her bus stop for West Ottawa High School. Community mourns and offers condolences.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Avery Betts
Saugatuck
Alex Torres
Holland
Illinois Park
Zeeland East High School
Keaton Kroll
Aline Mapendo
Holland Township
West Ottawa High School
Readers Top Picks and Tragedies Stir Holland Michigan News
A mix of local tragedies and civic notes dominates West Michigan coverage. TC Wells was murdered in a gang related Hampton Inn incident in Holland Township. Alex Torres died after a park bluff fall in Illinois. A Zeeland boy collapsed and died during a soccer game. A West Ottawa student was killed in a car crash. Avery Betts died from brain cancer. Downtown Holland welcomes new restaurants as Eighth Street nears completion. Hope College faced a major controversy with many music program dismissals. Boersen Farms’ sixth failure in two years raises viability concerns. The polar vortex caused widespread school closures and storm damage. Bucks defeated DeBoer. A contentious local election unseated the longtime mayor. Several restaurants closed including Steak n Shake Subs N More Denny’s Golden Corral Home and Co. A Tunnel Park dune collapse injured a 7 year old survivor blamed on erosion.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
TJ Wells
Hampton Inn
Holland Township
Alex Torres
Illinois Park
Zeeland
Boersen Farms
West Michigan
Midwest
Bucks
DeBoer
Subs N More
Denny's
Golden Corral
Home and Co
Holland Township faces rising violence amid gang tensions
Local police refuse comment on gang investigations and decline a community forum after a high-profile murder, leaving residents and media to speculate on true safety factors amid ongoing turf and crime concerns.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Holland Township
West Michigan storm disrupts schools and rescues residents
The polar vortex caused record school closures and storm damage across the Midwest. In Holland, Kevin Schneider, a Holland High English teacher, was placed on paid administrative leave amid a formal probe into student allegations before quietly retiring. A Holland house fire injures six. bystanders rescue residents through a window. Grand Rapids Community College buys the J.C. Penney building to consolidate Lakeshore campus. Holland Language Academy relocates due to mold. A GVSA murder victim’s mother sues agencies, alleging police protection of the killer linked to his father’s ties. case ongoing.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
West Michigan
Midwest
Holland High School
Kevin Schneider
Juan Nunez
Pereddies
Ottawa County
Holland
Grand Rapids Community College
J.C. Penney
Lakeshore
Holland Language Academy
GVSA
Also Mentioned on This Page
Eighth Street
Sperry’s Moviehouse
HopCat
HollandSentinel.com
Sheriff Patrol
miOttawaog
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