On April 30th, 2026, participants at Compassionate Heart (an organization designed to build community for people with various special needs or disabilities) will be donning their brightly colored tutus, flamingo inflatables, and other pink garb for their annual Flamingo Fun Run.

It’s one of the fastest growing trends, and once again, local competitors will have the chance to paddle up (or play alone) in a game of pickleball at the Tulip City Open Pickleball Tournament.

After sitting empty for over a year, the building that Pereddies formerly called home (447 Washington Ave., Holland) is once again a gathering place for Holland locals. Josh and Bri Orton have brought new life into the nearly 100-year-old building with the opening of Upsidedown Coffee.

Michigan ranks 45th in the nation for education, leaving many wondering why schools such as Zeeland Public are cutting seemingly successful programs. Impassioned ZPS parents and students spoke at the March 16 board meeting of how these programs have spurred a love of learning and a push to excel, beyond what any traditional classroom ever could. Does it make sense to cancel what appears to be working?

Like other municipalities in Ottawa County, the City of Holland Planning Commission has begun revising its Unified Development Ordinance to include permitting for battery energy storage systems.

The new addition is set to bring a range of fresh offerings to downtown, including fruit bowls, açaí, smoothies, juices, protein bites, and cold brew.

Solar developer RWE intends to bypass Zeeland and Jamestown Townships and apply directly to the Michigan Public Service Commission. RWE will host three public hearings to receive public comment on the 200-megawatt solar project which would encompass 1900 acres across the two townships.

On March 4, the Planning Commission delved into the weeds of Key Capture’s (KCE) 1300-page application. It was a meticulous discussion over the potentially life-altering details that could affect the entire community and beyond.

Hope College mourns the loss of Dr. Fred Johnson III, a figure who demonstrated the valuable ability to captivate students with extensive knowledge and an unwavering commitment to faith. He is remembered as a beloved professor, veteran, and scholar.

The dreary winter months are coming to an end, the days are growing longer, and there are plenty of events to help you get out of the house and make the most of coming spring. Take a look at these events for the month of March.

It’s an election that affects every registered voter in Ottawa County, yet few have heard it’s happening. For those who care about our water, land, and air, the Ottawa Conservation District has two board member seats up for re-election. Learn what this government organization does and how to cast your vote by March 10.

The August and November elections will be here before you know it. You’ve been given the great American privilege and duty to cast your vote. But what if this year you’re called to do more than that. What if this year it’s your name that should be on the ballot?

It came as a shock when the calendar rolled over to 2026, and we realized—Wow, 2016 was ten years ago. Those days filled with throwing up peace signs and drinking frappes feels like forever ago; something back then was different. And now, we look back and yearn for what once was.

On Wednesday, February 18, 2026, the Department of Justice launched investigations into three Michigan public schools regarding Title IX. The districts received a letter detailing what they are to submit in cooperation. As the investigations play out, how will Ottawa County public schools react?

One of President Ronald Reagan's most famous quotes came from a speech in 1987 in the middle of his second term: “Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children's children what it was once like in the United States where men were free.”

It’s winter in the middle of February—dead, bleak, and cold. Your romantic plans will look a bit different here. They won’t be in a bustling city with rooftop dinners or swan boat rides. They’ll be a collection of niche experiences. This is how Hollanders do Valentine’s Day.

The Planning Commission’s decision to pass three ordinance exemptions was not unanimous. Two commissioners, in addition to the majority of those in attendance, did not support the decision. What do the exemption approvals mean for the BESS project?

The younger generations are characterized by being overly nonchalant. Though, some young adults are realizing that a sense of commitment is more valuable than being deliberately apathetic. When young couples choose engagement for these reasons, however, the narrative shifts to criticism: They’re too young—they should invest in more experiences first. How has reaching a significant life milestone now become a countercultural act?

With struggling aquifers on the minds of many Ottawa County residents, and the water levels of the Great Lakes dipping below average, how concerned should we be about the influx of data centers to our area?

It's that time of year: love is in the air. And despite being the shortest month of the year, there is no shortage of local events to keep you busy this February.

Cross-country skiing not cutting it for you? Too tame? Too much manual labor? Not quite the thrill of downhill—with the speed, the wind in your face, and the harrowing near misses? What if you could experience that same adrenalin rush with cross country skiing? All you need to do is tether yourself to a dog and push off. Ante upped.

In a week shaped by national media narrative over immigration enforcement, two very different spaces in Holland became focal points for moral response and public action: the chapel at Hope College and the storefronts lining downtown streets.

Popping up along roadsides in Ottawa County, Flock cameras are one of the latest tools assisting law enforcement. But at what cost? Is an increase in protection worth a decrease in privacy? Or are these cameras furthering us down a slippery slope?

Founded by Raelyn Bedford, Girlhood in the Woods is a social club encouraging women to slow down, step outside, and reconnect through intentional time spent in nature and camaraderie.

For people on the east side of Grand Haven, the familiar sight of the soccer field and playground behind Grand Haven Christian School is now a construction zone as the school is expanding.

There are two sides to any fence. One side is good. One side is evil. Is it possible, or even immoral, to not choose a side?

Nancy DeBoer never set out to become a politician. But as moments emerged that asked more of her than she felt prepared to give, she quietly listened, asking God for clear and direct signs. Her experience in politics is one of obedience and trust in what the Lord has planned for us.

A few decades ago, our childhoods were lived outdoors—measured by knee scrapes, chalk-stained hands, and overly active imaginations. But now, childhood is defined by downloadable tablet games, interactive television shows, and early exposure to social media platforms. So what happened to playing outside until the street lamps flickered on?

While the world slept, a ray of light started to shine. After decades of dictatorship rule, Venezuelans started to find hope again after leader Nicolas Maduro’s arrest. A local Venezuelan weighs in with a letter to Americans.

Since when did voluntarily stepping into a tub of ice-cold, thirty-degree water become a thing? And not just that, while some choose to dip into a temperature-controlled tub, others leap into the frigid waters of Lake Michigan. So… who’s ready to hop in?

Cows, sheep, pigs, chickens, and... lithium-ion batteries? Can agriculture and energy coexist? That’s the question to be answered. According to the Planning Commission, Blendon Twp is between a rock and a hard place. But for the residents in opposition, the answer is clear: Just say, "No"—too risky, too unproven, too dangerous.

It’s the time of year when most of us just want to stay inside, cozied up next to the warm fireplace. But… there are opportunities to get you out of the house. Take a look at what’s happening for the month of January.

On January first, what if instead of setting a goal that may or may not be attainable, you do a mental, physical, and spiritual reset and make 2026 your most effective year yet? Consider a start-of-the-year fast.

If you’re searching for a last-minute way to bring in the New Year, look no further than these local celebrations.

At the end of each year, we make promises to ourselves—to hit the gym, to start a journal, to attend church more often, to eat healthier—only to give up before the year even begins. So what’s the point in making these resolutions?

Of all the street crossings throughout the state, one Jenison intersection ranked fourth for having the most crashes in 2024. What’s to blame for the number of crashes, and what’s being done? The Hollander spoke with the Georgetown Township Supervisor and the Ottawa County Traffic Engineer for answers.

I heard an interesting winter weather prediction. Warm lake waters and cold temperatures will create a lot of snow opportunities. Since before Thanksgiving that's been our story, and the precipitation hasn't stopped, giving plenty of opportunity for the county plows to stay busy.

Back in February, public schools received an Executive Order to revert to the 2020 guidelines for Title IX. When The Hollander checked in on Ottawa County schools in May, none appeared to be fully compliant. It’s now seven months later.

Holland native Jade Havenaar’s novel, "Brillimous," has made its debut. This holiday season, delight those on your list with the thrill of her dystopian adventure—a riveting survival story of "hope under pressure, life after loss, and the families we find along the way."

It started out as cute. Adorable even. Our bundle-of-fluff kitten would catapult himself from couch to Christmas tree, perching himself right near the tippy top. And because of that cuteness, we even left the tree up an extra week, just for him. That was the first year.

On Monday, December 1, the Blendon Township Planning Commission once again met to discuss Key Capture Energy's proposed 100-megawatt, 12-acre, lithium-ion phosphate BESS project near the Van Buren substation. And once again, the discussion ended in a vote to table.

It’s that time of year—when inches of snow pile up in our driveways, and we don’t want to go anywhere. And while that’s the case for most of us, perhaps these events for the last month of the year will get us out from underneath our heated blankets and onto an ice rink.

When the majority of the State Department of Education voted to pass the new Health Standards, the fact that the updates are brimming with gender ideology wasn’t the only complaint. Social Emotion Learning also is taking over, putting reading, math, and science on the back burner.

It seems like every holiday we can pick out the exact personalities that show up to the family get-together. There’s always that person who counts bringing a bag of store-bought rolls as a plate or that person who camps out in the armchair for a football game. And the question is… which one are you?

I miss the insanity of Black Friday. The old Black Friday. The one that occurred the Friday after Thanksgiving, and only Friday. For those too young to have participated, or those who want to reminisce, here’s a snapshot of what it was like.

You know the exact moment: when you get up from your chair to say, “Welp! I should probably get a move on.” But there’s no way of telling the precise moment you’ll get to leave. Because for all you know, it could be hours later.

Last week all but two State Board of Education members voted to update the Michigan Health Standards with gender ideology, which the Department of Education claims add safety and follow science. Meanwhile, compared to states across the nation, Michigan's scores in core subjects are abysmal.

If you’re someone aged 18 to 34, you might be saying, “I’ll take a water, please,” more often these days. If we look at recent studies, you’ll see that younger generations have an unenthusiastic sentiment for alcohol. Instead, they’re reaching for dirty sodas, mocktails, energy drinks, and the simple water. So what exactly is driving this disinterest?

Since when did wearing less become the new standard of glamour? It seems like wearing half a shirt (or less) is the gateway to a sense of confidence. And this mindset has become utterly problematic.

The intent of the old adage, "Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me," was to teach children that being called names doesn't define you. In today's divided social structures, it is not uncommon to define someone with a word or a phrase that paints a picture that passes judgment and stops dialogue. This is unfortunate.