Hunter Norris
Ottawa County Parks & Recreation employee Hunter Norris was presented with a Sheriff's Certificate of Recognition by Sheriff Eric DeBoer during the Ottawa County Board of Commissioners meeting on July 28 for his quick thinking and decisive response to a medical emergency at a county park.
Earlier this year, as Norris was preparing to leave at the end of his shift, he noticed that a parked vehicle he had seen earlier that day was still there. Recognizing that the vehicle's prolonged presence was unusual, he trusted his instincts, investigated the situation, and discovered an individual experiencing a potentially life-threatening medical emergency. He immediately contacted emergency services and helped ensure first responders could quickly access the scene.
“His calm response and sense of responsibility ensured help arrived quickly and may well have saved a life that day,” DeBoer said while presenting Norris with the certificate of recognition.
The meeting also included recognition of Ottawa County Sheriff's Office Deputy Catalina Garza for her lifesaving actions in a separate incident. Both were commended for their compassion, dedication, and commitment to serving the community.
Ottawa County Parks & Recreation congratulates Hunter on this recognition and thanks him for his professionalism and willingness to act when it mattered most.
Earlier this year, as Norris was preparing to leave at the end of his shift, he noticed that a parked vehicle he had seen earlier that day was still there. Recognizing that the vehicle's prolonged presence was unusual, he trusted his instincts, investigated the situation, and discovered an individual experiencing a potentially life-threatening medical emergency. He immediately contacted emergency services and helped ensure first responders could quickly access the scene.
“His calm response and sense of responsibility ensured help arrived quickly and may well have saved a life that day,” DeBoer said while presenting Norris with the certificate of recognition.
The meeting also included recognition of Ottawa County Sheriff's Office Deputy Catalina Garza for her lifesaving actions in a separate incident. Both were commended for their compassion, dedication, and commitment to serving the community.
Ottawa County Parks & Recreation congratulates Hunter on this recognition and thanks him for his professionalism and willingness to act when it mattered most.
Six File for ZPS Board Election
By Greg Chandler
Zeeland Record
Six candidates have filed to run for three available six-year terms on the Zeeland Board of Education in the November election.
All six candidates – two incumbents and four challengers – paid a $100 filing fee in lieu of collecting petition signatures by the July 21 deadline for candidates to file, according to Ottawa County elections records.
Incumbent board members Chad Creevy and Heidi Geerlings are running for re-election. Creevy is seeking his second six-year term. Geerlings was appointed to the school board in December 2022 to replace Todd Brennan, who had resigned. She then ran unopposed for a two-year board term in 2024.
Challengers who have filed to run for the school board are Dianne Fikse, Abby Lucas, Eric Miller and Derrick Muilenburg. Fikse ran for Ottawa County treasurer in the 2024 general election as an independent, but lost to current Treasurer Cheryl Clark. Muilenburg interviewed for a board opening in 2023.
A third board incumbent, Tom Den Herder, announced in June that he would not seek re-election after 24 years of service on the board, the longest tenure of any board member in the recent history of Zeeland Public Schools.
The board election will be on the Nov. 3 general election ballot.
Zeeland Record
Six candidates have filed to run for three available six-year terms on the Zeeland Board of Education in the November election.
All six candidates – two incumbents and four challengers – paid a $100 filing fee in lieu of collecting petition signatures by the July 21 deadline for candidates to file, according to Ottawa County elections records.
Incumbent board members Chad Creevy and Heidi Geerlings are running for re-election. Creevy is seeking his second six-year term. Geerlings was appointed to the school board in December 2022 to replace Todd Brennan, who had resigned. She then ran unopposed for a two-year board term in 2024.
Challengers who have filed to run for the school board are Dianne Fikse, Abby Lucas, Eric Miller and Derrick Muilenburg. Fikse ran for Ottawa County treasurer in the 2024 general election as an independent, but lost to current Treasurer Cheryl Clark. Muilenburg interviewed for a board opening in 2023.
A third board incumbent, Tom Den Herder, announced in June that he would not seek re-election after 24 years of service on the board, the longest tenure of any board member in the recent history of Zeeland Public Schools.
The board election will be on the Nov. 3 general election ballot.
City to Hold Sweet Summer Night Outdoor Movie
The city of Zeeland will host Sweet Summer Night, an outdoor movie with treats, downtown on Elm Street between Cherry Street and Main Avenue at 7 p.m. next Wednesday.
Savor summer and all of its sweetness with Sweet Summer night where eventgoers can receive complimentary popcorn and a sweet treat beginning at 7 p.m. The Disney animated movie “Cars” will be shown on Elm Street between Main and Cherry. Bring a chair and make yourself comfortable to watch the movie on the big screen.
Concessions and seating will start at 7 p.m. and the film will start at 7:30 p.m.
“This event is a great way to enjoy the warm nights of summer! The whole family can come out and enjoy a movie under the stars,” City Events Coordinator Kerri VanDorp said.
Sweet Summer Night is sponsored by Gold Event sponsors Zeeland Ace Hardware, Zeeland Board of Public Works, State Farm Insurance-Rachel Karhoff and Mead Johnson Nutrition.
Savor summer and all of its sweetness with Sweet Summer night where eventgoers can receive complimentary popcorn and a sweet treat beginning at 7 p.m. The Disney animated movie “Cars” will be shown on Elm Street between Main and Cherry. Bring a chair and make yourself comfortable to watch the movie on the big screen.
Concessions and seating will start at 7 p.m. and the film will start at 7:30 p.m.
“This event is a great way to enjoy the warm nights of summer! The whole family can come out and enjoy a movie under the stars,” City Events Coordinator Kerri VanDorp said.
Sweet Summer Night is sponsored by Gold Event sponsors Zeeland Ace Hardware, Zeeland Board of Public Works, State Farm Insurance-Rachel Karhoff and Mead Johnson Nutrition.
