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SAT AM Java Chat w/Jennifer & Alana: Color Me Rad, Guerrilla Gardening & CASA

Submitted by WZZM13, News Staff
Saturday, May 25th, 2013, 9:58am

GRAND RAPIDS (WZZM) - WZZM 13's Jennifer Pascua & Alana Nehring chat about a fun-run that Jennifer will be taking part in later today called the Color Me Rad 5K.  A portion of the run will go to support the Helen DeVos Children's Hospital, but Jennifer is also running to support another cause called Not this Girl.  Not this Girl is an online community where women in domestic abuse relationships seek resources, help and support.

They also chat about last year's "Yarn Bombing" by the Hopkins District Library and how they decided to do some "Guerrilla Gardening" this year!

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Teen appears in court for murder of brother

Submitted by WZZM13, News Staff
Friday, May 24th, 2013, 11:50pm

GRAND RAPIDS (WZZM) - A judge will decide if a Grand Rapids teenager will face trial for the murder of his own half-brother.

Royale Runyon, 18, has been in jail for five months on un-related robbery charges. Two weeks ago, prosecutors charged him with the December murder of 20-year-old Mahdi Hayes.

Runyon is only charged with killing his older brother, but he is also suspected of killing his brother's ex-girlfriend just a few days before.

Runyon cracked a few smiles and even a laugh while sitting in the courtroom Friday afternoon, listening to his friend Ronald Fleming testify.

"They were tight," Fleming said of the brothers' relationship. "They were together.  They were close."

Fleming says he was with Runyon the day Hayes was murdered. Fleming was also with Runyon when he was arrested at the candlelight vigil for Hayes.

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Griffins hold benefit for Oklahoma tornado survivors

Submitted by Chris Zoladz, Multi-Media Producer, WZZM 13
Friday, May 24th, 2013, 10:29pm

GRAND RAPIDS (WZZM) -- Grand Rapids Griffins fans had a chance to lend a hand to the tornado relief efforts in Oklahoma.

The Griffins played game one of the Western Conference against the Oklahoma City Barons Friday. The night started with a moment of silence in honor of the victims.

Proceeds from raffles, contests, and memorabilia sales will all go to the Red Cross.

"When you have a disaster of this magnitude, everyone wants to get involved, everyone has new and different ideas," said Tim Gortsema, business operations leader for the Griffins. "Hockey ops is the one who suggested the sticks, I think they came directly out of the locker room. It's a great idea, and I think they went like wildfire."

Red Cross donation buckets and Salvation Army ringers were also set up at Van Andel Arena.

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Plans revived for new downtown GR hotel

Submitted by Peter Ross, Senior Reporter
Friday, May 24th, 2013, 6:56pm

GRAND RAPIDS (WZZM) -- Developers of a new Embassy Suites hotel on North Monroe Ave. will unveil their plans soon to the Grand Rapids Planning Commission.

Suburban Inns wants to build what it calls a full service hotel featuring 270 luxury suites at 701 North Monroe, near Newberry. A hearing on their plans will be held June 13.

A similar project was announced in 2007, but was put on hold as the economy slowed.

Suburban Inns says the hotel will feature a Michigan-shaped indoor pool, an indoor/outdoor hotel tub and over 5,000 square feet of conference space.

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Memorial weekend to kickoff record breaking tourism

Submitted by WZZM13, News Staff
Friday, May 24th, 2013, 6:55pm

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WZZM) -- The number of people in Michigan traveling this Memorial Day is expected to be close to the same as last year, but the people behind the "Pure Michigan" campaign say this big weekend for the travel industry is going to be kicking off a record breaking year for tourism.

"It doesn't matter what the weather sends our way. There is always something to do in Michigan." According to Pure Michigan Spokesperson Dave Lorenz, this could be the biggest year yet for tourism in Michigan.

"Our industry is growing."

Lorenz says 2012 brought in about $18 billion in economic activity. He's predicting 2013 to be about 3-4% higher than last year.

"Great news, because much of that will come from Michigan residents, but most of it will probably come from people from outside of Michigan."

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Making your five a day

Submitted by WZZM13, News Staff
Friday, May 24th, 2013, 1:10pm

(WZZM) - We've all head the saying "eat your fruits and vegetables", but sometimes that can be tough.

The American Cancer Society suggests we eat five servings of fruits and vegetables a day to help lower your risk of certain cancers.

Registered Dietician Amy Bragagnini shows you how to fit in your "five a day" with some creative and tasty ideas.

To see Amy talk more about it click the video link.  

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Knotty Bits Performance Troupe: Fire-eaters & more!

Submitted by WZZM13, News Staff
Friday, May 24th, 2013, 11:33am

 This innovative, family friendly traveling Duo sideshow is designed to appeal to all audiences, young and old alike! Unlike most sideshow acts the concentration is on audience participation and getting a good laugh without grossing anyone out (Too much!!). The enchanting Sylver Fyre dazzles with her world famous fire eating act, cracking bullwhips and doing death defying stunts 25 feet in the air while Gwyd the Unusual does everything he can to keep from being hurt by broken glass, pointy nails and the most dangerous thing of all...Sylver.

For a list of Knotty Bits upcoming shows, click here:

https://www.reverbnation.com/artist/artist_shows/571447

For more on AMC's "Showville" show:

http://www.amctv.com/shows/showville

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