Lightning strikes apartment complex

Submitted by Chris Zoladz, Multi-Media Producer, WZZM 13

Tuesday, April 9th, 2013, 2:57pm

WALKER, Mich. (WZZM) -- The first thunderstorms of the year rolled through West Michigan Tuesday afternoon. A lightning strike caused a fire scare for residents of an apartment complex.

Around 1:30 p.m. the National Weather Service says a bolt struck the Old Orchard Apartments on Alpine Avenue and Four Mile Rd. NW. Fire crews were dispatched as a precaution. No smoke or fire was reported.

Showers and thunderstorms were forecast to continue through the day. Click here for the WZZM 13 On Target Forecast and our iControl interactive radar.

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3rd Annual Bowling For A Cure - Together We Will Strike Down Cancer and Spare Lives!

Submitted by Comstock Park R... on Tuesday, April 9th, 1:24 pm

Comstock Park, MI - Comstock Park is partnering with the American Cancer Society in a fun, family-oriented, fundraising event, "Bowling For A Cure". On Sunday evening, April 21st, at 5:00pm, we are hoping that you and your family can join in this exciting event as a prelude to the upcoming Relay for Life to be held this May.

Relay For Life is the most successful fundraising event in the nation and is the signature event for the American Cancer Society. This years Relay For Life of Comstock Park will be held at Comstock Park High School, May 17-18, 2013.

"Bowling For A Cure" will be held at Westgage Bowl located at 4486 Alpine Ave NW, Comstock Park, MI. Participation cost for the event is $10 per person which includes two games of bowling, shoe rental & pizza. A portion of all proceeds will go towards Relay For Life of Comstock Park.

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Whitecaps win 20th season opener

Submitted by WZZM13, News Staff

Friday, April 5th, 2013, 12:03am

COMSTOCK PARK, Mich. (WZZM) - The West Michigan Whitecaps 20th season opener is in the books, along with their first win.

Hundreds of fans lined up to get into Fifth Third Ballpark for the first time this season, mostly wearing blue -- but near the front, a pop of white.

Tim Orlowski and his father-in-law Jerry Green bought their hats on the first-ever opening day 19 years ago, back when in was called Old Kent Park.

"It was cold, rainy, snowing. I was working second shift at the time. I told my boss if they played the game, I'm leaving work to come to the game. They played it and we came the very first game," said Orlowski.

For 19 years, they've sat in the same area. Tim's kids and Jerry's grandkids grew up watching these games, and now the two keep coming for the memories, good games, and good food.

"You gotta have those baconators or whatever," said Green. "Yeah, they have good food," added Orlowski.

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How the Whitecaps get the perfect lawn

Submitted by WZZM13, News Staff

Thursday, April 4th, 2013, 6:13pm

COMSTOCK PARK, Mich. (WZZM) -- The West Michigan Whitecaps are making sure everything is perfect for opening day, including their grassy field.

Mike Huie is head groundskeeper for the Whitecaps. We asked him how he keeps the grass looking so good, despite the late spring. "We cheat a little bit and we cover it over the winter with turf blankets and it helps keep the soil temperate up, so in spring it has a quicker recovery," says Huie.

While most homeowners can't cover their lawn with blankets, Huie offers some steps to make your grass look nice.

"At this point, if you wondering what to do with your lawn you can go out and fertilize it pretty soon. I would use a quick release like ammonium sulfate, and it will kick in pretty quick," explains Huie.

In a pinch you can paint your lawn green, but Huie doesn't recommend it. "You can spray paint your lawn, but the paint is coating the grass and the sun cant reach it."

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Library collecting juice boxes for children in need

Submitted by Christa Graban, Producer

Thursday, April 4th, 2013, 2:39pm

(Kent District Library)-- Help address childhood hunger in Kent County by supporting Kids’ Food Basket!

During the month of April, KDL Gives Back will sponsor juice box collection and bag decorating stations at all 18 branches.

Drop off juice boxes and bring the family in to decorate sacks:
Monday, April 1 – Tuesday, April 30

Kids’ Food Basket is a nonprofit West Michigan organization whose mission is to make sure children in our community do not go to bed hungry. The group began more than nine years ago by serving 125 kids every school day through its Sack Supper program, and

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It is Opening Day for the Whitecaps

Submitted by Sarah Barwacz, Reporter-Multi Media Journalist

Thursday, April 4th, 2013, 8:08am

COMSTOCK PARK, Mich. (WZZM) -- The Whitecaps are gearing up for opening day at Fifth Third Ballpark.

The game starts at 6:35 against the Dayton Dragons. To celebrate the game there is an opening day bash with an all you can eat BBQ from 6 to 7:30. It includes boneless wings, hamburgers, and drinks for $25 a person if you want to get out and mingle with the fans.

The team itself is all about business says coach Larry Parrish. "We're hoping to mix in winning along with development. Teaching them how to win is a little bit of development also. We're going to try and balance those two out. We're going to try and win but not at the expense of hurting an arm or a player."

The gates for the Whitecaps open at 5 PM.

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Alpine Golf Club lodge gutted by fire

Submitted by Chris Zoladz, Multi-Media Producer, WZZM 13

Wednesday, April 3rd, 2013, 11:19pm

ALPINE TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WZZM) -- Firefighters are on the scene of a structure fire on M-37 near 7 Mile Road NW.

Around 7 p.m. Wednesday, dispatchers received calls that the Alpine Golf Club lodge was fully engulfed in flames. The golf course is located at 6320 Alpine Ave NW.

"We arrived on the scene, and a lot of flames were showing," says Deputy Chief Mike Lasko with the Alpine Township Fire Department. "It pretty much worked its way through the building before we got here."

Lasko says it's too soon to say what may have caused the fire.

The Alpine Golf Club opened in 1964, according to its website. The owner was remodeling the clubhouse -- and preparing to open the course for the season on Thursday.

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