Ottawa News Network

1 week ago | ottawanewsnetwork.org | John Sinkevics

Seeded in church music and gospel-fueled environs, Cold Leather Seats’ evolution as a band has clinched them a unique berth amid West Michigan’s music scene. “We like to call our music gospel-Americana. I would describe it as elements Americana, country, folk and rock all blended together through the lens of Christian storytelling,” said guitarist, singer and frontman Alex Svoboda, of Grand Haven.

2 weeks ago | ottawanewsnetwork.org | John Sinkevics

Patrons and employees alike say there’s absolutely nothing like Silva — a restaurant and “dinnertainment” destination that opened in Grand Rapids earlier this year with a recreation room, indoor bocce ball courts and roaming, circus-like entertainers. Now, that unusual and spacious new hot spot at 975 Ottawa Ave. NW is about to uncork even more grandiose experiences with the debut of a 1,500-capacity music and entertainment venue next door.

2 weeks ago | ottawanewsnetwork.org | Sarah Leach

U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Chris Wright issued an emergency order on Friday, May 23 — just eight days before the J.H. Campbell plant in Port Sheldon Township was scheduled to shut down, a plan that has been in place since 2021. The Ottawa County Board of Commissioners approved a resolution on in February urging Consumers Energy to delay the closure of the J.H. Campbell plant, however, it stopped short of filing a lawsuit in April.

3 weeks ago | ottawanewsnetwork.org | John Sinkevics

Take it from The Accidentals, the Traverse City alt-folk heroes who’ve performed across the globe, sometimes in front of massive audiences. There’s nothing quite like playing outdoors in Michigan in front of their home-state fans — fans from Ann Arbor to Lowell to Boyne City to Grand Rapids. “This year, when we sat down to look at summer schedules, we realized we had six dates we were all free. So we were super intentional with the shows,” said multi-instrumentalist Sav Madigan.

3 weeks ago | ottawanewsnetwork.org | Sarah Leach

OTTAWA COUNTY — Local, state and national officials are warning that unless Michigan environmental officials can fast-track PFAS regulations to allow for harbor dredging this year, it could end up costing Ottawa County residents millions. The problem arose when the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) implemented a new policy that requires testing for PFAS chemicals in sediment prior to being removed from federal harbors and channels.