Hard News

Sunday, April 23, 2006
Smell of death
By JOHN CHARLES ROBBINS Staff writer
Down along the south shore of Lake Macatawa, just a few yards from the swanky waterfront restaurant now under construction, hundreds of dead, rotting fish have washed ashore.
Countless other fish near death bob in the murky brown water.
Lakefront property owners are upset and concerned.
"I want to know what the devil's going on," said Kevin Lastacy, who lives on East End Drive.

Dec. 10, 2005
Kidnapped Missionary
By JOHN CHARLES ROBBINS
Staff writer
Moments before a band of armed Haitians took control of his life, Zeeland missionary Phil Snyder saw a sliver of hope.
Potential salvation came in the form of a fully armed United Nations tank that rumbled by him and stopped about 100 yards away.
Dazed and bloodied after being shot and robbed, Snyder raised his arms high and began to scream.
"Help me! Help Me! I'm an American!"
The uniformed peacekeepers atop the tank did nothing.

Sept. 4, 2005
Aging Caregivers
By JOHN CHARLES ROBBINS
Staff writer
The aging of caregivers to the mentally ill and developmentally disabled is a national problem, and it's hitting close to home in Ottawa County.
County commissioners, local mental health officials, parents and others gathered Thursday at the Harbor House Ministries care facility in Jenison to talk about the issue.

Oct. 18, 2001
Anthrax Scare
By JOHN CHARLES ROBBINS
Staff writer
Anthrax has not touched the Holland area but health care providers say they are doing their best to be prepared for the worst.
"We're not unlike any other hospital -- we have a plan to respond," said Holland Community Hospital Spokeswoman Stephanie Dlugopolski.

July 8, 2004
Park 12 Docks
By JOHN CHARLES ROBBINS
Staff writer
An old and haphazard network of docks on Lake Macatawa, a fixture on the north shore for 50 years, is being torn out this week.
The demolition work is the first example of the Ottawa County Parks and Recreation Department initiating its management of the Park 12 properties.