FREE but priceless Presorted Standard US Postage Paid Permit No. 81 Cedar Springs, MI The SHOWCASING CEDAR SPRINGS & Reaching around the world ~ www.cedarspringspost.com Vol. XXX No. 34P Thursday, August 24, 2017 STServing Northern Kent County and parts of Newaygo and Montcalm Counties Two injured in Solon crash It’s time for football! Photo by Bernie Hale. A crash involving an SUV hauling a boat and passenger car sent two people to the hospital Sunday. Last year was the first time Cedar Springs faced Zeeland West. They put up a good fight but lost the game The Michigan State Po- struck an eastbound SUV uty Chief Chris Paige, two 14-9. Photo by Kelly/Rob LaLone. lice Rockford Post and So- driven by a 67-year-old Ce- people in the SUV were Thursday, August 24, went 3-3 in conference, August 25), Battle Creek lon Township Fire and Res- dar Springs man. The SUV, transported to the hospital marks the first game of the 4-5 overall. They will face Lakeview on Thursday, cue responded to a two-car which was hauling a trailer for minor injuries. 2017 season for the Cedar some tough competitors in August 31, and Greenville crash Sunday, at 12:57 p.m. with a boat, rolled and end- Names of those involved Springs Red Hawks, and the OK White, including on Friday, August 8. All at 17 Mile and Olin Lakes, ed up against the fence of a in the crash have not been you don’t want to miss it! Lowell, Forest Hills Cen- games are at 7 p.m. in Solon Township. pasture. The boat also end- released. They face off against Zee- tral, Forest Hills Northern, Come on out and cheer According to police, a car ed up alongside the fence. Assisting MSP and Solon land West, at Red Hawk and Greenville. on your Cedar Springs Red driven by a 29-year-old Ce- The SUV held two pas- at the scene was Algoma Stadium at 7 p.m. Their first three games Hawks and see the brand dar Springs man was travel- sengers in addition to the Fire and Rescue, Rockford Last year the Red Hawks are home, and the first two new turf on the playing ing north on Olin Lakes and driver: a 30-year-old male Ambulance, and the Kent moved into the OK White are non-conference games. field! went through the stop sign and a 66-year-old female. County Sheriff Dept. conference after the OK They will face Zeeland at 17 Mile Road, where he According to Solon Dep- Bronze was dissolved, and West tonight (Thursday, On Thursday, August 17, were given to dispatchers. cross into oncom- Bank2017, almost one robberyear af- His description sentenced was relayed ing traffic, toside 151 months in federal prison ter Edward Ray Lucas, 37, to all police units in the north- swiping a Jeep robbed the Independent Bank ern part of Kent County as Liberty before in Sand Lake, he found out well as to Montcalm Coun- hitting a second that he will spend the next 12- ty dispatch. Twenty minutes vehicle head on. 1/2 years in federal prison. later, a vehicle that matched The suspect’s ve- Acting U.S. Attorney An- the description of the sus- hicle then left the drew Birge announced on pect’s vehicle was spotted roadway and rolled Thursday, August 17, that on 17 Mile Road in Cedar two or three times Edward Ray Lucas U.S. District Judge Paul L. Springs. A Kent County Sher- before coming to Maloney sentenced Lucas to iff deputy was able to see a rest. 151 months in federal pris- the driver, who also matched As deputies This was the scene af- on, and also ordered Lucas the description that had been approached the ter bank robber Edward to serve three years of super- broadcasted. The vehicle then suspect’s vehicle, Ray Lucas crashed his car into another vehi- vised release following his ramped onto southbound US- the engine com- cle after a bank rob- release from prison and pay 131 as the deputy followed. partment burst into bery in Sand Lake on a special assessment of $100. Once a second deputy caught flames. Deputies August 18, 2016. On August 18, 2016, Ed- up to the first, they made a were able to pull ward Lucas robbed the Inde- traffic stop, but the suspect the suspect from the vehicle Two individuals from the his leg, injured his neck, and convictions in Michigan state pendent Bank of Sand Lake, then sped away, continuing and use an extinguisher to vehicle that was hit head on suffered a severe contusion to courts. He was previously Michigan. Lucas handed a south on US-131. Police said extinguish the fire. They also were treated at the scene and his chest. convicted of committing two manila envelope to a teller the vehicle reached speeds found the demand note and released. One person from Judge Maloney noted that bank robberies in 1999. with these words on it: “This up to 90 mph before slowing $5,550 in cash in the vehicle. the Jeep Liberty was trans- Lucas seriously risked the The Kent County Sheriff’s is a Robbery. 100s, 50s, 20s. down and exiting on Post Dr. A Michigan State Police ported to the hospital with lives of others in fleeing from Office, Michigan State Po- No die packs.” The teller gave The suspect vehicle turned Sergeant, who saw the crash, minor injuries. The suspect the robbery. Judge Maloney lice, and Federal Bureau of Lucas $5,550, and he fled in a onto Post Drive heading to- said that it looked like the sus- was transported with much also noted Lucas had a high Investigation jointly investi- silver Chevy Impala. ward Belmont. pect appeared to deliberately more severe injuries to But- risk of returning to bank rob- gated Lucas’s case. Assistant A detailed description of A very short time later the stray across the centerline to terworth Hospital, where it bery someday, given that he U.S. Attorney Davin M. Re- the suspect and his vehicle suspect’s vehicle appeared to crash into the other vehicle. was determined that he broke had two prior bank robbery ust prosecuted it. Post travels Caution: bats Health & Beauty Back 2 School Auto Life page 2 page 3 page 7 page 10 page 16 Page 2 The Cedar Springs Post Thursday, August 24, 2017 The Post travels to Cozumel, Mexico Red Flannel Festival Kim Umphrey, Mike Umphrey, Karsen Dingman, Hailey Vinton, will be “rockin’ Kade Dingman, Spencer Bray, Cameron Umphrey, Jacob Hook- er, Myla Umphrey and Kristi around the clock” Couchie went on a cruise to Cozu- 2017 theme a tribute to new library mel, Mexico. While there, they en- clock tower joyed paddle boarding, snorkeling, The Red Flannel shopping and taking in the amaz- Festival is just over ing culture Mexico has to offer. a month away, and It sounds like you had a great the all-volunteer trip! Thanks so much for taking us Red Flannel Fes- with you! tival Board of Di- Are you going on vacation? rectors has been Take the Post with you and snap working hard to some photos. Then send them to provide a top qual- us with some info to news@ce- ity festival for the darspringspost.com or mail them 78th celebration, on Sat- to Post travels, PO Box 370, Ce- urday, October 7, 2017. dar Springs, MI 49319. We will be This year’s theme, “Rockin’ Around the Clock,” is a trib- looking for yours! ute to the new Cedar Springs Library clock tower, at the corner of Main and W. Maple Streets. The logo features a 1950s couple dancing on a clock face. “We’re so grateful to have this beautiful logo designed by local artist, Lloyd VanDuyn,” said Randy VanDuyn, Festi- CBDT to seek matching grant for val President. Lloyd is Randy’s father, and also designed last year’s logo, “All aboard the Red Flannel Express.” “The board has added many events in the last few years amphitheatreThe Community Building Development and boasts over 5,500 fans on our Facebook page,” said Team held a concert last weekend to cele- Treasurer Matt Andres. “This board is extremely dedicated brate the next phase of the “Heart of Cedar to ensuring the Red Flannel Festival is the biggest and best Springs” and to update residents on the sta- ever. The comments about the tribute to the Clock Tower tus of the project. theme have been very positive.” Now that the library has been completed, The Festival will partner with 95.7 FM in Grand Rapids, they will be working on the amphitheatre, for radio commercials, and an expanded number of televi- towards the back of the city’s property on sion commercials will begin on Charter Cable Channels in W. Maple Street. According to the CBDT, September. The beautiful, 36-page full color “Official Red approximately $50,000 is needed to com- Flannel Press” will be distributed in September, thanks to plete the stage portion of the amphithe- Festival Business Patron Sponsors and “Friends of the Fes- atre by fall. Efforts have begun to secure a tival,” a donor program designed exclusively for individ- matching $50,000 grant to make residents’ uals. dollars more valuable to this effort. Watch for more details in the Post, or you can go to New this year, the Festival will debut a 10K Race to com- The Community Building Development Team held a concert last weekend to celebrate the FESTIVAL - continues on page 11 their website www.cscommunitycenter.org next phase of the “Heart of Cedar Springs” project to donate if you wish.