Good morning, Grand Rapids. I’m LeQwane and this is Calder News — If you did anything fun this weekend, I salute you. Because I wasn’t able to… It was freezing. And I had to stay inside due to the sniffles.

Thankfully, I’m starting the week doing much better.

But before we dive into today’s email I have to ask…

I hope you have a great week, and I hope you enjoy Calder News today.

~LeQwane L.

In today’s news:

• 🚦 Traffic is getting worse

• 🧑‍🚒 KPD reveals its new facility

• 🧶 A locally owned yarn store opens soon

Traffic is getting worse

Traffic in Grand Rapids isn’t what it used to be… And there’s data to prove it.

The GPS company TomTom released a report on the largest increase in traffic congestion in America’s middle to large cities. And with hundreds of other options to pick from, Grand Rapids still made the list.

According to the report, traffic congestion in Grand Rapids caused commuters to be stuck in traffic for 26% more time than in previous years.

What does that mean? If you ever felt traffic was worse than usual — you were right.

Click here to read the full report

The Digest

A briefing of local news that matters

City

Kentwood Fire Department’s new facility

The Kentwood Fire Department (KFD) is making a major upgrade with the addition of a $670,000 live-fire training facility. This pre-structured container system will give firefighters and other first responders (like KPD) a way to practice real-world, high-pressure scenarios in a controlled environment. The new facility will be built this summer on KFD’s property at 5068 Breton Road. | Read more here

Business

CenterPoint Mall changes hands — again

CenterPoint Mall has a new owner. Just two years after trading hands, the CenterPoint Mall has been acquired by a Seattle-based real estate firm for $70 million. The location previously sold for just over $63 million in 2022. | Learn more about the deal here

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Talk Of The Town

Interesting happenings around town

🧶 Independent yarn store is set to open on wealthy

A locally owned yarn store is opening later this month. Unwind GR is located at 1059 Wealthy St. And Unwind is not only a yarn shop, it provides knitting/ crochet enthusiasts specialty items, classes, and a seating area to socialize while crafting. Unwind GR is opening its doors to the public on January 31st. If I were creative enough I’d check this out…

🌨️ Pull out the hot cocoa, we’re getting more snow

January’s snow is just getting started… Following this weekend’s peppering, meteorologists project another one or two inches of snow to fall this evening.

Want to have your business featured here? Contact me.

What’s Happening?

Preview: Events —> Live Music

Monday, January 13th

• 🕯️ Custom Candlemaking Workshop | Sable Candle | 11 AM - 7 PM | Starting at $24

Tuesday, January 14th

• 📿 Basic Beading Class | Bead & Powwow Supply | 5:30 PM - 7 PM | $15 | Get personalized help and learn techniques to make bead crafts

• 🏀 Grand Rapids Gold VS Long Island Nets | Van Andel Arena | 7 PM | Starting at $19

• 🤣 Comedy Night | Garage Bar | 7 PM | Free | The show is 18+

Available anytime this week

• 👪 World of Winter 2025 | Participate in free wintered-themed events and fun in downtown GR

Live Music

Tuesday, January 14th

• The Dutcher Snedeker Trio - Wine & Jazz Night | The Stray | 7 PM | Free

*Shows are subject to change, but that’s show biz.

That’s All For Today…

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