Dear Reader,Unfortunately our comment platform isn\'t available at the moment due to issues with our paywall and authentication vendor Police described the victim as a 15-year-old boy He was being treated at a local hospital for a gunshot to his leg Two young suspects have been arrested following a shooting Monday afternoon that injured a 15-year-old boy near a Santa Rosa school and park The shooting was reported just after 4:30 p.m east of Hilliard Comstock Northwest Community Park according to the Santa Rosa Police Department Police say the shooting was gang-related and the victim and suspects — both also boys — were involved in a fight after exchanging “gang challenges.” was rushed to a local hospital for treatment The two suspects ran from the scene and they were arrested by a sergeant who responded chased them through the Hilliard Comstock Middle School campus next to the park They were stopped near the school and police seized a gun Additional details about the two people who were arrested were not immediately available Monday night Editor’s Note: This story has been updated to correct an earlier version that incorrectly stated the suspects were arrested by a sergeant who was off duty You can reach Staff Writer Colin Atagi at colin.atagi@pressdemocrat.com This document may not be reprinted without the express written permission of Northwest Arkansas Newspapers LLC Material from the Associated Press is Copyright © 2025 audio and/or video material shall not be published rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium Neither these AP materials nor any portion thereof may be stored in a computer except for personal and noncommercial use The AP will not be held liable for any delays errors or omissions therefrom or in the transmission or delivery of all or any part thereof or for any damages arising from any of the foregoing The prolific scoring of senior guard Kaiden Ford has been integral in Cascade's boys basketball team navigating a challenging transition from last season have been in flux since falling in the state semifinals last season They not only lost two of last season's starters to transfers but they had limited time to adjust to a new coach in BJ Dobrkovsky But as Cascade approaches the start of Oregon West Conference play next week He opened the season by scoring 43 and 39 points and has had games of 37 and 33 points “I've been really impressed with Kaiden's ability to work,” Dobrkovsky said It's been fun to watch the different ways he can score And he can be really effective in transition.” Ford is aggressive in taking the ball to the basket and drawing fouls “He puts the pressure on the three guys who have the whistles,” Dobrkovsky said “He has the ability to do things at the rim he becomes more of a focus for opposing defenses the Storm made it a priority to keep Ford from receiving the ball and getting to his spots “There were some things that impacted him that he didn't have a lot of control over,” Dobrkovsky said “I think he did a pretty good job of handling that adverse situation and still being effective for his team Ford benefits from playing alongside senior guard Landon Knox who is averaging 20.6 points and 4.4 assists Ford and Knox are the only two starters back from last season “They're both very dynamic,” Dobrkovsky said “They make it a whole lot easier to coach.” Cascade suffered a blow when two starters from last season transferred out in 6-7 senior post Anthony Best (Sprague) and 5-10 senior guard Droiy Comstock (North Salem) The Cougars' three new starters are 6-4 junior post Bryce May 6-5 senior wing Cruz Shank and 6-1 senior guard Hunter Anundi whose last head coaching job was a 12-year run at Sprague (2005-17) has been working to get up to speed since his late hire who was hired to replace Amaya in the offseason but left to take the job at 6A West Linn Due to a late football season – Cascade lost in the state semifinals – the Cougars didn't have a full team practice until after Thanksgiving who is on sabbatical from the Salem-Keizer School District this year “We're still a ways away in terms of learning each other and putting everything in I think we'll play our better basketball down the stretch.” Cascade opened the season 7-0 but has lost three of its last four games Up next for Cascade is a Friday home game against top-ranked and reigning state champion Baker (8-6) It is a semifinal rematch from last season 1 Wilsonville rolled to a 77-38 win over visiting Parkrose on Monday in a game between teams tied for first place in the 5A Northwest Oregon Conference seven assists and four steals to lead the Wildcats (11-2 Sophomore wing Jett Bruce had 15 points and six steals and freshman post Michael Ratcliffe added 12 points seven rebounds and two blocks for Wilsonville which outscored the Broncos 25-8 in the second quarter to lead 42-21 Junior guard Izaiah Glover and senior forward Sonny Brown scored 11 and 10 points The Broncos played without their leading scorer in senior guard Julius Blair (22.9 points per game) “We were lucky to catch them on a night when Julius was not available and I'm glad our guys took advantage of that situation,” Wilsonville coach Chris Roche said “But we know the next time we play them at their place The Wildcats have won seven in a row since falling to 6A West Salem and Chatsworth (Calif.) in the Capitol City Classic Roosevelt got payback for a loss to 6A Portland Interscholastic League rival Grant on Saturday night Junior Adrian “Fuzzy” Montague scored 26 points as the No 3-0) posted a 75-70 win over the Generals (6-5 2-1) in the PIL Showcase at Franklin High School The victory came nearly two weeks after Grant beat the Roosevelt 67-60 in a nonleague game at the Les Schwab Invitational on Dec Montague scored 12 points in the first quarter – making two three-pointers – as the Roughriders took control eventually taking a 63-62 lead midway through the fourth quarter Roosevelt responded to retake the lead and held on late despite shaky free throw shooting Montague hit two free throws to make it 73-70 with 25 seconds left and the Roughriders closed out the win with solid defense Senior Omar Eno added 10 points for Roosevelt which is tied for first place with Benson (7-4 Sophomore guards Keone Gates and Varryk Hardges scored 24 and 16 points Roosevelt is tied for first place with Benson (7-4 Notes: Senior guard Landon Bailey is having a big season for 2A Stanfield (10-5) made six three-pointers and scored 43 points to lead Wheeler to a 78-48 win at Trout Lake in a 1A Big Sky League game Saturday Whitbeck also had 34 points in a loss to Condon on Jan He is averaging 28.4 points for Wheeler (5-6) … Senior guard Josh Peterson sparked 2A Knappa (10-2) to wins over Gaston on Jan five rebounds and five steals against Gaston and 28 points four assists and five steals against Faith Bible … Senior guard Dane Peterson had 36 points six steals and five assists as 3A Portland Adventist (8-2) won at Horizon Christian 83-79 on Jan and the Grand Rapids Y Service Club is here to help If you’re more interested in helping fund events and services for kids in West Michigan than you are in planning your own garage sale The group is hosting their annual White Elephant Sale and they need your (gently used) items Reach out here to donate! All proceeds (minus operating expenses) go helping make YMCA Camp Manitou-Lin accessible The sale happens April 25 & 26 in Comstock Park—and it is huge; covering over 70,000sqf of space There will be an early-bird sale on Friday then admission to the general public is free from 9:30 a.m Read more stories from the FOX 17 Morning News team Do you have an idea for the Morning News team or maybe an idea for a guest segment or something for the gang to come out and try? Send them an email at mornings@fox17online.com or call 616-447-5252 and leave a message Follow FOX 17: Facebook - X (formerly Twitter) - Instagram - YouTube the 19-year-old fatally shot at Hilliard Comstock park in April 2022 says she’s ‘extremely upset’ over the amount of time his killer is set to serve A man accused of shooting and killing a well-liked high school student during a botched robbery at a Santa Rosa park in 2022 has agreed to a plea deal with prosecutors and is scheduled to be sentenced next month Manuel Rivera, now 24, of Santa Rosa, on Dec. 23 entered a “no contest” plea in the death of Connor Bundock according to Sonoma County Superior Court records prosecutors dropped a murder charge against Rivera and charged him instead with voluntary manslaughter plus two counts of felony attempted robbery A “no contest” plea in California means a defendant is accepting a conviction without challenging prosecutors’ allegations the individual isn’t admitting responsibility for a crime or crimes four months in prison at his sentencing hearing He’ll also face an additional six years behind bars for an unrelated identity-theft case near the softball fields at Hilliard Comstock Northwest Community Park on the city’s northwest side The case drew widespread attention in part because Bundock’s friends said he died trying to protect them and it took police nearly two years before making an arrest in the case Bundock’s family could not be immediately reached for comment this week said she’s “extremely upset” with the plea deal noting that police didn’t arrest Rivera until Jan 10 of this year and that Rivera could’ve turned himself in long before that during those two years while family and friends were left hurting and thinking that there may never be an arrest,” said Sonke the killing was random … and heartbreaking Bundock was weeks away from graduating from John Muir Charter Schools’ Youth Connections Santa Rosa in June 2022 and had planned to travel before enrolling in trade school or the military Bundock and his two friends were near the softball fields adjacent to Hilliard Comstock Middle School from which Bundock had graduated years earlier Santa Rosa police said the trio was approached by two people and one asked if they “bang,” which officials described as a reference to gang activity who was identified as one of the two people pulled out a gun before trying to rob the three young men Investigators never publicly identified the second person with Rivera The two surviving friends testified during Rivera’s preliminary hearing in April that Bundock was shot while trying to defend them Bundock died at the scene while the two suspects fled In the aftermath of his death, Bundock’s friends and family created a makeshift memorial at the park where he was killed. They also planted a tree at the park in his memory Bundock spent his childhood in Thailand before moving to Santa Rosa in 2012 including Piner High School and Pivot Charter School North Bay Loved ones said he made friends at each school and brought people together described his son as a “tinkerer” who enjoyed working with his hands and building things “Connor was a really sweet boy and he’s missed by so many people,” Patrick Bundock told The Press Democrat Rivera’s arrest in January came at a relative’s home on Piner Road Rivera is being represented by the Sonoma County Public Defender’s Office and his attorney said she could not comment on the case until after sentencing “Except to say that any loss of life is a tragic occurrence,” Krause said Monday a major nationwide boat dealer based in downtown Grand Rapids has been embroiled in three separate lawsuits between a supplier and two banks with fraud accusations and hundreds of millions of dollars at stake the financial maelstrom engulfing Tommy’s Boats LLC reached a new phase when the company filed for bankruptcy protection to hopefully find a buyer and pay back creditors at “the highest possible value.” Company president and owner Matthew Borisch on June 4 offered his version of the events in a 21-page declaration He blames Tommy’s Boats’ primary supplier for leaving the company with no choice but to file for bankruptcy having intentionally “bled (Tommy’s) dry” through an elaborate inventory oversupply scheme Tommy’s Boats’ two largest creditors have targeted the company in separate lawsuits Here’s a breakdown of how the company got here and what’s at stake: Tommy’s Boats was later acquired by the Borisch family and now lists 15 dealerships in eight states the company opened a new 16,000-square-foot dealership in Comstock Park just north of Grand Rapids and bills itself as one of the largest pontoon dealers in North America Matthew Borisch serves as president and owner of Tommy’s Boats. Simplified Facilities LLC, a holding company tied to Borisch, acquired the former Peninsular Club building in downtown Grand Rapids in March 2023 from RDV Corp who previously had a career in manufacturing and later owned McKay Tower in downtown Grand Rapids before selling it to tribally owned Gun Lake Investments and Waséyabek Development Co Matthew Borisch also serves as the CEO of Simplified Investments Gen3 Defense and Aerospace engineering firm and Gen3 Interconnect a third-generation wire harness manufacturer the Borisch family was reportedly credited for helping to turn around Walloon Lake a former northern Michigan resort community into a tourist destination with restaurants Tommy’s Boats has long been the largest national dealer for Loudon accounting for roughly one-third of Malibu’s power boat sales dealer agreements in place with Malibu accounted for more than 80% of the boats Tommy’s Boats sold in 2022-2023 Malibu employs more than 700 people who build boats at locations in Tennessee Tommy’s Boats’ largest creditor is Buffalo which was the first to file suit against the Grand Rapids-based boat dealer seeking a court-ordered receiver over the company’s assets Grand Rapids-based Mercantile Bank is Tommy’s Boats’ second-largest creditor and filed suit last month seeking to foreclose on and seize property the Borisch family owns Up North April 24: Mercantile Bank filed suit against Borisch a couple of his holding companies and several family members seeking to foreclose on and seize property that the family owns in Boyne City and pledged as collateral to guarantee a commercial loan of more than $9.5 million for Tommy’s Boats locations in California according to Kent County Circuit Court filings M&T Bank claims that the collateral on Tommy’s Boats dealership lots is worth approximately $85 million Selling off the collateral would go toward paying more than $115 million in debt principal and more than $2.2 million in interest that Tommy’s Boats allegedly owes to the bank M&T Bank discovered an alleged contract violation when an auditor visited the dealership lots in February 2024 and learned that Tommy’s Boats was selling boats meant to be reserved as collateral then keeping them on the dealership lots in storage and failing to report the sales to the bank or to adjust the inventory log accordingly M&T also alleges that Tommy’s Boats owes the various states where it has dealerships more than $3.2 million in back sales taxes Malibu beginning in late 2022 demanded that Tommy’s increase its floor plan credit facility with M&T Bank from $50 million to $160 million to make room for 25 weeks of inventory at the turn of the next model year Tommy’s Boats listed the 30 largest unsecured claims totaling nearly $123.6 million M&T Bank is listed as the company’s largest creditor with a total claim of more than $105 million followed by Mercantile Bank with a $4.7 million claim The filing also lists approximately $5 million in unpaid sales taxes in several states a Denver-area couple say they are out $7,000 for a custom boat that Tommy’s Boats never delivered as the company’s ongoing financial and legal battles landed it in receivership RELATED: Customers out thousands of dollars as Tommy’s Boats lands in receivership The litigation with Malibu remains ongoing A Kent County circuit judge issued a stay in the receivership case on May 22 while Tommy’s pursued the Chapter 11 case chief restructuring officer for Tommy’s Boats said in court filings that the company filed the bankruptcy case “to minimize the disruption to and adverse effects the receivership has had on the Debtors’ business operations and to maximize the value of the Debtors’ business and estates so the Debtors can sell substantially all of their assets for the highest possible value through these Cases.” the bankruptcy court has allowed Tommy’s to reopen its service and repair departments and continue operating as usual Tommy’s Boats officials said over the Memorial Day weekend the company also finalized the sales of 10 boats and delivered seven vessels to customers who had already made deposits the bankruptcy court rejected Tommy’s Boats’ request for an order stopping Malibu from setting up “replacement dealers” in Tommy’s Boats’ “exclusive territories” negotiated under previous dealership agreements Tommy’s Boats also alleged in the filing that Malibu and replacement dealers “poached” Tommy’s Boats employees Bankruptcy Judge Edward Morris denied the request on Sunday The court has set a June 27 hearing to consider several emergency motions Tommy’s Boats filed to help it meet ongoing financial obligations during bankruptcy proceedings Owners to raze Johnny Brann’s Steakhouse for new $30M mixed-use development Grand Rapids M&A firm expands into Tennessee, Florida markets Grand Rapids credit union expands Lansing presence with Astera Credit Union merger Staying current is easy with Crain's Grand Rapids Business news delivered straight to your inbox Click below to see everything we have to offer Click the picture to download a PDF of this story it’s easy to understand why this area has been dubbed Big Sky Country cloudless horizon stretches all the way from the Kootenai National Forest to the Canadian Rockies framing some of the most beautiful landscapes in North America it’s also easy to see why Montanans have earned a reputation as a fiercely independent group For the 50-or-so mile stretch of road between the quaint resort town of Whitefish to Eureka you won’t pass much in the way of a Starbucks or McDonald’s You will see plenty of deer meandering along the road’s edge cedar-clad fishing cabins and geared-up travelers seeking rugged adventure alongside the friendly It’s also why, when you meet TJ Comstock, owner of Northwest Hardware and the new chairman of the board for the North American Retail Hardware Association (NRHA) you’ll quickly understand why he fits so well in this little corner of the world TJ is on the younger side for most home improvement retailers yet he doesn’t possess the same loquacious penchant as many of his contemporaries He is what you might call a man of few words He speaks softly and directly and always looks you square in the eye when he speaks you get the sense that he is from a different era where the hitching posts in front of the local bar were only removed a couple decades ago independent businesses seem to be the rule spending his afternoons fishing in the cold streams or exploring dusty mountain trails in a four-wheeler Both of these experiences helped form his current views on the industry “I don’t think there is a better place to have grown up,” he says I really think I was lucky in a lot of ways getting to grow up here but also getting to be involved in the family business and my parents really trusting me in that regard.” moved to Eureka in the early 1970s to buy and run the local grocery store that business blossomed into other ventures TJ played a role in operations from an early age “All of us kids grew up working in the grocery store,” he recalls “I worked in some capacity in all our businesses until I was in my early 20s.” TJ’s father saw an opportunity to expand his retail holdings when the hardware store adjacent to his grocery became available TJ says the family ran it as if it were just another department within the grocery store “My first real experience with the hardware store came when I was 18 and my dad asked me if I could take over management of the business,” he says “We were having some issues with the operation and Dad wanted to see what I could do with it.” As soon as TJ was able to get the hardware side back on firmer footing he took on a new challenge in the family business: becoming operations manager for the entire grocery Just when he began taking on more responsibilities within the family business For someone not prone to any hints of sentimentality TJ clearly softens a bit when he gets to this subject and reflects on his decision to leave the family business to be closer to Kami “I knew I wanted to get out of town so I could spend more time with her,” he says I told my parents I wanted to go to college The original plan was to go for a year or two the young TJ barreled into academia and managed to convince the dean to let him “just take a couple classes” without any of the more traditional prerequisite testing or admitting procedures TJ was surprised to discover that he actually enjoyed the classes but I really loved what I was learning in college.” This newfound love for education prompted TJ to begin taking even more classes in finance and economics He completed his degree in just over three years and picked up a new set of skills that he was eager to apply to the real world this meant taking a job in finance for a large corporation sitting behind a desk and punching a clock wasn’t suited for someone who grew up under those big skies of Eureka “I clearly remember sitting at my desk and just watching the clock waiting for lunch to come so I could get up and do something different TJ’s independent spirit couldn’t be confined in an office and he made the decision to take his fate into his own hands and buy his own store Knowing that the corporate world was not for him TJ found a local hardware store north of Missoula that was up for sale He reached out to the supplier to help put together a deal but it was disappointing that it didn’t work out,” he says Fortunately, through the contacts he had made at the supplier, he found another store in Billings for sale After he expressed an interest in this opportunity Fiercely independent and armed with a formal financial education and a family history in retail TJ now found himself as a first-time storeowner of a retail hardware operation the only time that I had really spent in a hardware store was for my own projects and the very short time I spent as a manager with my family’s operation The first thing I had to work on was my product knowledge,” he says he had inherited a strong crew from the past owner of the business a longtime assistant manager with the business who had a depth of knowledge across the hardware spectrum “Vern knew more about hardware than I will ever know,” TJ says “I also learned a lot about customer service from him He was the best customer service representative I have ever seen While he was learning product knowledge under Brost TJ was also fighting to earn respect from the rest of the team and I am stepping in with these guys who are in their 50s and 60s and telling them what I think they should be doing,” he says “They were all really great with me though but Vern was the most patient and helped me learn those other sides of running an operation.” With continued support from his seasoned team he was presented with another opportunity to grow my dad called and said he was really hoping to step away from the business and get out of retail altogether,” he says “I told him I wanted to buy the hardware store While it might seem overly ambitious to buy a second store just when you are starting to get your arms around running your first being timid wasn’t necessarily wired into TJ’s DNA it was never TJ’s vision that he would actually manage multiple stores his plan was more geared around running a hardware operation fueled by growth “I never went into this thinking I wanted to have a store that I would go to work in every day,” he says “My goal was to have as many stores as possible and run the business you have to know how to run the stores and be able to run the stores but that is not where I see my contribution to this business in the long term.” TJ and Kami opened another store in Roundup a year after buying the family store in Eureka This operation was their first ground-up build and proved to be another learning experience for the budding entrepreneurs “We acted as our own general contractors on that project “It was another learning process and a horribly painful one and we ended up doing way too much of the work ourselves and it is a good store in a good community.” TJ focused on dialing in operations at these three stores an opportunity to open a second location in Billings presented itself The existing Billings store had a thriving small engine repair business Continuing to grow this segment of the operation would require more space “We found a building that was once occupied by a furniture store that offered us the space and allowed us to run a store and expand the small engine repair.” named Murray Barkus reached out to TJ to see if he had any interest in buying his operation but we put together an offer and we came to terms with Murray,” TJ says “He is a great guy and has become a good friend since then.” TJ says he is now focused on making sure the operation is running well and positioning the business for further growth He admits that a major part of this strategy is having the right personnel in place for all of the support they give the operation “I have a great team of people who are part of this operation and they really are the ones who make things happen on a daily basis,” he says we wouldn’t be able to take this operation in the direction I know we can take it.” While there is a distinctly independent sensibility that pervades the Montana towns where TJ grew up but a neighbor is sure to come along to help you out support another small business or lend a hand to someone in need is also part of TJ’s fabric and is ultimately what led him to get involved with his industry’s association when he was nominated for and won the association’s Young Retailer of the Year Award having to get up on stage and ultimately make a speech pushed the boundaries of his normally introverted comfort zone winning the award exposed him to an entirely new community of peers winning the award was my first real exposure to the association,” he says “I didn’t really understand what the association was or what it did at the time.” TJ was approached by former board chairman Tom Ruedisueli who asked if he would consider joining the NRHA board of directors “I did some digging and discovered NRHA was an industry organization that I really didn’t even know existed I saw it as an opportunity to help influence the industry and also learn from others,” TJ says TJ has sought to learn even more about how other successful independents run their operations He has participated in NRHA-sponsored events such as the State of Independents Conference Retailers’ Choice Awards and CEO Roundtable He has also utilized NRHA programs like the Retail Management Certification Program to help further educate his staff to better lead the operation we have got to do more things to help each other,” he says but I’ve got experiences running my business that might be of help to another operation and vice versa I am frankly tired of seeing independent business fall behind or get kicked by the big boxes We are all in this together and need to do whatever we can to help each other out.” It’s this kind of attitude that has earned TJ the respect of fellow board members who share his vision of an independent segment of the industry made stronger through cooperation with one another “Getting to know TJ over the last decade has truly been an adventure,” says Adam Busscher owner of Picton Home Hardware and a past NRHA board chairman “He is not only an exceptional business leader NRHA immediate past chairman Megan Menzer feels TJ’s insights and enthusiasm will be an asset to the association “Serving on the board with TJ for seven years and being able to really get to know him and what he can provide to NRHA I’m excited about what kind of leadership he will bring,” Menzer says “He has incredible business acumen and the ability to relate to a wide variety of people in the industry NRHA president and CEO Bob Cutter agrees with Busscher and Menzer “TJ is a no-nonsense kind of guy,” Cutter says “If he sees something that will help you improve your business but you can be sure he will tell you because he really wants to help the industry He’s one of those guys you want in a room because you know you will get strong It is this same kind of honest input that TJ hopes will not only position his business for further growth and success but that is also sorely needed if independents are going to be competitive I have visited a lot of operations,” he says “It’s amazing how any little bit of excitement you can give to the customers resonates Successful retailers are doing things differently and providing that excitement Tags Lowe’s announced the launch of Mylow Companion an AI tool aimed at improving customer service … Manuel Rivera is charged with killing Connor Bundock in April 2022 His preliminary hearing took place a week ago and a judge issued a ruling Friday on whether he’d stand trial A Sonoma County judge ruled Friday a Santa Rosa man will stand trial in a fatal shooting during an attempted armed robbery at a local park in 2022 Judge Troye Shaffer ordered Manuel Rivera to return to court Nov. 7 for arraignment in the killing of Connor Bundock on April 2 at Hilliard Comstock Northwest Community Park The 23-year-old defendant was arrested in January at a relative’s home on Piner Road and charged with murder and three counts of attempted robbery Shaffer’s ruling concluded a preliminary hearing that began Oct 4 and continued into Monday before arguments resumed Friday morning Friday’s discussion mainly focused on whether witnesses correctly identified Rivera as the shooter His attorney with the Sonoma County Public Defender’s Office said contradicting information had been provided lineup identifications were inconsistent and people appeared to be confused about the sizes of those involved “I think evidence shows the day of the shooting it was very dark in the park,” Krause said at the beginning of her argument a deputy district attorney with the Sonoma County District Attorney’s Office said Rivera ultimately admitted to being in the park at the time but attempted to pass blame to a colleague who’s taller than him Shaffer said testimony indicated “the smaller one was the shooter.” when investigators and witnesses testified Bundock and two friends were approached by two people at the park and one asked if they “bang.” Testimony showed the three were being asked if they’re gang members That’s when one of the men tried to rob the group and Bundock was shot in his chest trying to defend his friends Police never announced if they arrested a second person involved took the stand last week and invoked his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination when asked if he knew Rivera or had been to the park Officials didn’t say whether Mata was the second person involved in the shooting In the aftermath of his death, Bundock’s friends and family created a makeshift memorial at the park where he was killed. And, in June 2022, his loved ones planted a tree in his memory Manuel Rivera pleaded no contest last month in the killing of Connor Bundock The 19-year-old victim was fatally shot at Hilliard Comstock Northwest Community Park A Santa Rosa man was sentenced Wednesday to 12 years and four months in prison for fatally shooting a 19-year-old during a robbery attempt a punishment the victim’s family called too lenient Family and friends of Connor Bundock spoke during Manuel Rivera’s sentencing in Sonoma County Superior Court, expressing their anguish over his death and frustration with the plea deal that reduced Rivera’s charge from murder to voluntary manslaughter “What would’ve been appropriate is a lifetime sentence,” said Bundock’s step-grandfather submitted a statement to the court calling the ruling “not fair” and lamenting that her son’s life was worth than 12 years in prison pleaded no contest last month to voluntary manslaughter and two counts of attempted robbery setting the stage for the 12-year sentence Sonoma County District Attorney Carla Rodriguez defended the agreement in a statement Wednesday saying her office made a “difficult decision” to resolve the case before trial due to the “quantity and strength of the evidence challenges included witnesses who could not positively identify the shooter and his companion the night Bundock died “We recognize this resolution may not meet the expectations of some of Mr Bundock’s family or members of our community who have closely followed the case,” Rodriguez said Rivera takes responsibility for his actions while providing a measure of certainty in the outcome.” Bundock’s loved ones collected 645 signatures on a petition to push for a longer sentence Bundock grew up in Thailand before moving to Santa Rosa in 2012 including Piner High School and Pivot Charter School Friends and family said he had a gift for bringing people together and left a lasting impression on everyone he met Bundock and two friends were at Hilliard Comstock Northwest Community Park when two men approached him near the softball fields One asked if they “bang,” a reference to gang activity Investigators said Rivera pulled out a gun and tried to rob the group Police identified Rivera as a suspect in January 2024 and arrested him at a relative’s home in Santa Rosa Investigators have not publicly identified the second person involved In the wake of Bundock’s death, friends and family created a memorial at the park where he was killed and planted a tree in his honor “I don’t understand why they kill by (sic) boy over just money and cell phone,” Bundock’s mother wrote in her statement Judge Troye Shaffer acknowledged the family’s heartbreak and their calls for a harsher sentence She addressed Rivera directly before delivering the sentence “I don’t think you understand what you’ve done,” Shaffer said and his attorney did not respond to requests for comment BENTONVILLE -- A former Benton County circuit judge's trial will not be this month after his attorney requested more time for his client to recover from recent injuries Tracy Neal is an award-winning reporter who covers criminal justice (courts and crime) for the Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette He’s been a reporter in Northwest Arkansas for more than two decades Manuel Rivera is charged with killing Connor Bundock on April 2 The shooting occurred while Bundock was at Northwest Community Park in Santa Rosa A young man was fatally shot two years ago while defending himself and his friends during an attempted robbery at a Santa Rosa park The scenario was laid out in the preliminary hearing of Manuel Rivera, who’s charged with killing Connor Bundock on April 2 Investigators and witnesses testified Bundock was with two friends when they were approached by two people and one asked if they “bang.” Officials say one of the two people was Rivera who is suspected of pulling a gun and trying to rob the three friends testified Friday that Bundock tried to help them Judge Troye Shaffer will rule whether or not there’s enough evidence for Rivera to stand trial He’s represented by the Sonoma County Public Defender’s Office Testimony began Friday morning in Sonoma County Superior Court The 23-year-old defendant was arrested in January at a relative’s home on Piner Road Bundock and his two friends were near the softball fields adjacent to Hilliard Comstock Middle School on West Steele Lane when two people approached them Santa Rosa police say the two made “gang challenges” to the three friends before attempting to rob Bundock and starting a physical struggle Rivera fired one shot that struck Bundock in the upper torso Santa Rosa Officer Irfaan Jaleel testified he was among the first at the scene and he found Bundock covered in blood and his two friends “very frantic.” Bundock died at the scene while the suspects fled Investigators later determined Rivera was the shooter but police never announced if they arrested a second person involved took the stand Friday and invoked his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination when asked if he knew Rivera or had been to the park In the aftermath of the his death, Bundock’s friends and family created a makeshift memorial at the park where he was killed. And, in June 2022, his loved ones planted a tree in his memory Santa Rosa resident Marqui Smith said he was the other friend with Bundock during the shooting He described Bundock as one of the greatest people he knew and they had remained friends after Smith transferred schools Connor Bundock was fatally shot April 2 at Hilliard Comstock Northwest Community Park Santa Rosa police haven’t made arrests and are looking for possible witnesses Where: Hilliard Comstock Northwest Community Park Nineteen-year-old Connor Bundock was fatally shot at a Santa Rosa park where he often hung out with friends and loved ones are installing a permanent memorial just yards from where he died they will plant a Chinese pistache tree for Bundock at Hilliard Comstock Northwest Community Park near the southern baseball field where he died April 2 The tree is about 6 to 7 feet tall but could grow as tall as 35 feet whose 18-year-old son was among Bundock’s friends “They’re the ones who are going to be digging the hole and planting the tree,” Sonke said The ceremony is scheduled to begin at noon and members of the public are invited to attend and show support Bundock’s friends will have a permanent place to visit and remember the young man who came from Thailand and made friends at every Santa Rosa school he attended Bundock was supposed to graduate from John Muir Charter Schools’ Youth Connections Santa Rosa in June and planned to travel before enrolling in trade school or the military He was fatally shot when he and his friends were approached by two unidentified individuals who made “gang challenges,” according to the Santa Rosa Police Department They got into an argument with Bundock and fled after shooting him No arrests have been made and no suspects have been identified The shooting occurred at about 8:30 p.m. April 2 and the Police Department released surveillance footage of possible witnesses in the area around the time Bundock died Investigators received “tips and comments” in response to the footage but specifics couldn’t be released A makeshift memorial is present at the ball field and has grown since April 2 but a tree should have a more permanent presence Sonke said she approached Santa Rosa park officials about naming the site after Bundock but the process would have taken too much time Friends and family posted flyers around Santa Rosa to ensure no one forgets about Bundock Several are still visible on light posts along Steele Lane Passersby also may find stickers with QR codes that link to Bundock’s GoFundMe page loved ones spoke highly of Bundock and emphasized he made friends everywhere he went Sonke said she could barely remember how her son and Bundock became friends since Bundock often went from social group to social group and brought people with him “You probably have to make a map to figure out how they met each other,” she said Police say two people are linked to his killing Investigators are asking the public for help in identifying witnesses who saw the confrontation that resulted in the fatal shooting of a 19-year-old Santa Rosa man earlier this month released grainy images taken from a nearby surveillance camera of Hilliard Comstock Northwest Community Park around 8:30 p.m Three cyclists can be seen heading east between Hilliard Comstock Middle School and the baseball field where police found Bundock suffering from at least one gunshot One of the bikes has mismatched tires and at least two of the cyclists had backpacks Other images show a lone cyclist around the northwest side of the middle school He appears to be wearing a dark-red jacket and jeans Santa Rosa police are looking for two people believed responsible for the shooting which appears to have been a random attack Bundock was with his friends near one of the park’s baseball fields when the two unidentified individuals approached and made “gang challenges,” according to Santa Rosa police They got into an argument with Bundock and one of them fatally shot him before fleeing Bundock’s father told The Press Democrat his son may have been protecting his friends when he was hurt His death marks Santa Rosa’s third homicide of 2022 Anyone with information may call Santa Rosa police at 707-543-3590 A reward of up to $2,500 for information leading to any arrests is being offered by the Sonoma County Alliance Community Engagement and Safety Rewards Fund Funeral services for Bundock are scheduled for 3 p.m. April 16 at Daniels Chapel of the Roses Funeral Home in Santa Rosa. Loved ones have started a gofundme.com fundraiser to cover costs The man’s death is being considered “suspicious,” according to officials as officials have yet to determine if he was assaulted or struck by a car An unidentified man found dead Thursday night at West Steele Lane and Royal Oak Place in northwest Santa Rosa has been identified The man was identified as 40-year-old Jesus Silveira Christopher Mahurin of the Santa Rosa Police Department said Saturday His death is being considered “suspicious,” Mahurin said as officers have yet to determine if he was assaulted or struck by a car A resident found Silveira lying face down in the intersection near Hilliard Comstock Northwest Community Park and called police about 10:35 p.m. First responders performed life-saving measures but Silveira was pronounced dead at the scene Mahurin said his death is under investigation Anyone with personal surveillance footage in the area is encouraged to contact Santa Rosa Police Department Accident Investigator John Fisher at 707-543-3600 was charged Friday with four felony counts including murder and attempted robbery with firearm enhancements A Santa Rosa man was charged with murder Friday in the 2022 fatal shooting of 19-year-old Connor Bundock Sonoma County Superior Court documents show The Santa Rosa Police Department’s Violent Crimes Investigations Team detectives on Wednesday arrested Rivera on suspicion of killing Bundock on April 2 Bundock and his two friends were near the softball fields adjacent to Hilliard Comstock Middle School on West Steele Lane when Rivera and a yet-to-be-identified suspect approached them Rivera and the other suspect began yelling “gang challenges” at Bundock and his friends before they attempted to rob Bundock Rivera and the other suspect then fled on bicycles with the items they stole In the aftermath of the killing, friends and family created a makeshift memorial at the park where he was killed. In June 2022, loved ones then planted a Chinese pistache tree to honor Bundock near the southern baseball field where he died Friends and family remembered Bundock as hard-working and sweet was trying to protect his friends that night “We're relieved that progress is being made in the case and await further information,” said Bundock’s father said in an email: “We’ve worked tirelessly for almost two years to bring justice to Connor An arrest is something that we’ve been waiting for but it’s not over yet According to the Police Department’s release detectives used DNA and “digital evidence” to identify Rivera as one of the outstanding suspects officers arrested Rivera at a relative’s home on Piner Road near Marlow Road in northwest Santa Rosa Detectives later served a search warrant at the residence and seized several electronic devices The identity of the second suspect who was with Rivera is still unknown Detectives urged anyone with information about the homicide to contact SRPD through their online Tip Line at srcity.org/CrimeTips or contact the Violent Crimes Unit at 707-543-3590 The Sonoma County Alliance Community Engagement and Safety Rewards Fund is offering a reward of up to $2,500 for information leading to the second suspect’s arrest You can reach Staff Writer Alana Minkler at 707-526-8531 or alana.minkler@pressdemocrat.com. On X (Twitter,) @alana_minkler Editor’s Note: The Plainfield Township Planning Commission approved the rezoning request on March 25 A real estate broker and developer plans to convert a second West Michigan church into housing this time near a commercial corridor in Comstock Park north of Grand Rapids a Realtor who co-owns Re/Max Lakeshore in Zeeland will go before the Plainfield Township Planning Commission on Tuesday seeking approval to rezone a church at 3931 Leland Ave near the intersection of 4 Mile Road and West River Drive Keep up with all things West Michigan business. Sign up for our free newsletters today The zoning change from R1-A to R2 residential would support his plan to convert the church across the street from Dwight Lydell Park to a two-story duplex with two The approximately 6,000-square-foot house of worship is owned by Grand Rapids Faith Fellowship a small congregation whose final service is planned on April 20 for Easter Sunday He plans to acquire the church for a yet-to-be-determined sum pending township rezoning and site plan approval “It’s sad when a church closes,” Boehm said “But I think there’s so many of these little churches throughout West Michigan that will just sit empty unless you do something different to them.” The church did not immediately respond to a request for comment Boehm said the conversion to housing would be a productive reuse of a facility that hasn’t generated tax revenue for the township in decades since churches are tax-exempt “What I’ve observed is they want to revitalize that area,” he said adding that the project would mean “getting property tax for the township.” said she believes Boehm’s housing project would be a good fit with the township’s master plan for the area “The focus has been on creating more housing opportunities especially in areas that support existing commercial corridors,” Curcio said via email “There are many ways to accomplish this besides larger multifamily projects A small infill remodel project like this is a great way to encourage ‘gentle density,’ where additional housing units blend in with the existing neighborhood.” This would be Boehm’s second time converting a church to housing He and his Re/Max Lakeshore partner Lucas Smith converted the former Potter’s Wheel Bible Church at 137 N in Zeeland into a single-family home and sold it last year to an out-of-state couple Boehm and Lucas bought the Zeeland church for $210,000 and sold it for $465,000 and that one was down the street from my house which at that point was probably six or seven people Boehm plans to tackle the Comstock Park church conversion as a solo He plans to hire an architect for the design and act as his own general contractor said he wasn’t specifically looking to buy another church When his assistant brought this property to his attention The units would be accessible from separate front entrances and have separate parking He hopes to rent the units at somewhere between $1,500 and $1,800 per month a price point he described as “a little bit less” than the average rents in the area A Friday search of Zillow and Apartments.com showed just two two-bedroom houses for rent in Plainfield Township Boehm and Smith’s remodel of the Zeeland church focused on preserving as many of its original features as possible a precedent Boehm intends to follow with the Comstock Park project He plans to preserve the steeple and the exterior which he described as full of “character.”  Curcio said the township doesn’t have a record of the church’s age but property records show Grand Rapids Faith Fellowship has owned it since the 1980s it was owned by Science Christians United Church Boehm hasn’t yet had the opportunity to assess the interior and make a preservation plan, but he hopes to keep original features shown in photos on the church’s Facebook page like the wood walls and wood-beamed ceiling The project will involve a full overhaul of plumbing and electrical including installing bathrooms and kitchens as well as replacing windows and adding walls Boehm said he hopes to integrate a few stained-glass panels into the windows Plainfield Township Superintendent Cameron Van Wyngarden said this would not be the first adaptive reuse of a former church in the township the township bought a small foreclosed church near Coit and 4 Mile and turned it over to the now-defunct Kent County Land Bank which redeveloped it into a single-family house In 2023, developer Brandon Visser planned to convert the abandoned Northview Community of Christ Church into a 48-unit apartment project but the township denied his rezoning request in February 2024 over concerns that he was asking for too much density considering the site’s steep topography and drainage issues Great Lakes region readies for its role in a nuclear energy revival Family selling 300-acre fly-fishing resort, corporate retreat venue after 60 years Revolution Farms sells to Lansing-based vocational nonprofit © 2025 Advance Local Media LLC. All rights reserved (About Us) The material on this site may not be reproduced except with the prior written permission of Advance Local Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site YouTube's privacy policy is available here and YouTube's terms of service is available here Ad Choices Marine from Kent County is scheduled for March 3 after he and four service members were killed this month in a helicopter crash near San Diego after a training exercise The gathering was announced by officials at Comstock Park High School It will honor the "remarkable life Miguel led," school officials said Thursday friends and the community can "share stories and memories and find comfort in the knowledge that Miguel lived a life of purpose and made a significant impact on the lives he touched." "The celebration is not just about mourning the loss but also about honoring and remembering the remarkable life Miguel led," Petkus said "He embodied the principles of the Marines — loyalty "...He leaves behind a legacy that will continue to inspire and remind us of the importance of service to others." More: Michigan Marine among 5 killed in California helicopter crash Nava, a CH-53E pilot, was among five service members killed Feb They were assigned to Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 361 They were based at the Marine Corps Air Station in Miramar Authorities said the CH-53E Super Stallion vanished late Tuesday while returning to the air station after training at Creech Air Force Base The cause of the crash remains under investigation Nava was commissioned in the corps on May 26 and was promoted to the rank of captain on Nov His decorations include the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal National Defense Service Medal and Sea Service Deployment Ribbon In lieu of flowers, the family has suggested making a donation in Nava's honor to the Travis Manion Foundation. The foundation, according to nrd.gov "Provides opportunities for veterans and family members of fallen heroes to go on service-based trips while connecting and working together to serve with the selflessness of those lost." X: @wordsbyjakkar does the Kalamazoo area have enough 5G towers?  Here's a look at each tower in the area First of all, what is 5G?  It's a stronger and fast data stream according to Forest Interactive, 5G is the fifth-generation technology standard for broadband cellular networks which cellular phone companies began deploying worldwide in 2019 and is the planned successor to the 4G networks which provide connectivity to most current cellphones What that should mean for most of us is fewer dead zones and faster internet speeds on our data devices like smartphones and tablets.  We first heard about 5G back in 2016 but it has been a slow rollout.  One thing that slowed the process down in Kalamazoo was our local airport.  It turns out that the Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport heavily relied on the 3G they were using.  Upgrades had to be made at the airport before 3G and 4G towers could be replaced by 5G.  With all of that being said 5G is here.  You may be surprised by the number of towers in Southwest Michigan There are dozens of 5G towers in Southwest Michigan.  Battle Creek has 6 towers with another dozen or so in the rest of Calhoun county.  You can find each 5G tower in your area with an interactive map from Speedtest.net by clicking here. With all of this talk of 5G, does the Kalamazoo area have enough 5G towers? Here's a look at each tower in the area.\nRead More First of all, what is 5G?  It's a stronger and fast data stream according to Forest Interactive, There are dozens of 5G towers in Southwest Michigan.  Battle Creek has 6 towers with another dozen or so in the rest of Calhoun county.  You can find each 5G tower in your area with an interactive map from Speedtest.net by clicking here. — Swedish immigrant farmers founded the Clara Lutheran Church in Clay County’s Holy Cross Township in the late 1800s their descendants decided to merge with their Norwegian-descended neighbors Both congregations were small and both churches were old and over time many families had intermingled through marriage so they combined in the 1960s as Comstock Lutheran Church Although Clara Lutheran Church is long gone surrounded by farm fields on a site northwest of Comstock The diversion project’s 20-mile earthen embankment and three gated control structures will back up water over an area south of Fargo-Moorhead What’s called the upstream mitigation area includes 11 rural cemeteries that face some degree of flooding risk which diversion officials are working to address in consultation with the owners located within what will become the pool area Engineers calculate that the cemetery will be inundated by four feet of water in a 100-year flood and eight to 10 feet in a 500-year flood “It’s probably the cemetery that’s impacted the most,” said Joel Paulsen many of these cemeteries are pioneer cemeteries.” Officials are working on mitigation plans for the five cemeteries with the greatest impacts congregation members were alarmed at the impact to Clara cemetery “We kind of fought it,” said Mark Anderson a farmer and member of Comstock Lutheran Church’s cemetery committee “We have a lot of people whose grandparents were buried there and whose parents were buried there.” was declared a historic cemetery by the National Trust Once the diversion had all of the needed permits and it became clear that the project was going to be built the congregation negotiated with the Metro Flood Diversion Authority “Sometimes you just have to accept stuff,” Anderson said Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and Minnesota Historical Society “They all had different ideas on what to do,” Anderson said the Diversion Authority proposed a dike tall enough to protect against a 500-year flood but church members decided that was too much “It was going to make it look like a swimming pool,” Anderson said “The aesthetic on four feet is very different.” Plans call not only for wrapping a berm around the cemetery An unoccupied corner of the graveyard will serve as a new sloped entrance “up and over” the dike The stately pine trees surrounding Clara cemetery are dead victims of age and a devastating hail storm a few years back New trees and shrubs will be planted once the dike is built “They came around on a lot of our suggestions,” Anderson said “I think it was about the best we could do.” Narve Roen immigrated to the United States from Norway with his parents when he was 2 years old His family settled in Wisconsin and young Narve enlisted in the Union Army during the Civil War traveled by oxen-drawn covered wagon to a homestead near Comstock in 1871 to establish a farm “It’s been in the family since,” said Rhoda Ueland Roen’s great-granddaughter and the farm’s current owner Both Narve and Gor were immigrants from Hallingdal Narve built the first wood-frame house in the area in 1881 built a stately home with a prominent columned The farm includes a small Roen family cemetery the smallest of the cemeteries that are at some risk from the diversion The diversion means the family must abandon the farm and cemetery although Ueland wants to move one of the farmhouses Ueland and her father placed markers on the previously unmarked graves in the 1980s all ancestors who died very young: Ida Myrtle Roen “It’s kind of tough to be uprooted when your roots go back so deep,” Ueland said Ueland’s family is dealing with the loss of their ancestral farm “Pulling up family roots so deeply rooted since 1871 has become a nightmare,” she said adding that her father and grandfather instilled pride in the family’s pioneer heritage “Many neighbors and friends are also going through this process of grieving the uprooting of their own heritage.” which started investigating the impacted cemeteries in the early 2010s compiled an extensive survey and report to document their histories “Cemeteries are sacred places and they’re associated with communities for all the reasons you would expect,” said Susan Malin-Boyce It’s a sense of belonging and ancestry to a place.” which engineers estimate will be about once every 20 years the flood project will cover some of the cemeteries with water “No cemeteries are being removed and there will be no disinterments,” Malin-Boyce said Diversion officials and their representatives will continue to work with landowners and cemetery owners to mitigate issues caused by the flood project The Diversion Authority has an obligation to protect the cemeteries and Negotiations continue with many of the cemetery owners “We don’t have signed agreements with all the cemeteries yet,” she said “We want to address that we’re committed to mitigating any impacts to any cemeteries,” he said These "Way Finding" signs have been installed on West River Drive in Comstock Park .st1{fill-rule:evenodd;clip-rule:evenodd;fill:#2a2a2a}By Jeffrey Cunningham | jcunning@mlive.comPlainfield Township leaders have for years had a difficult time answering the question: "Where is 'downtown' Plainfield?" Is it the Plainfield Avenue shopping district the Belmont area where the township hall and several shops are located or is it the unincorporated village of Comstock Park which lies partially in Alpine Township as well as in Plainfield Township Even though there are signs on West River Drive on either end of Comstock Park welcoming those entering the area the area is just another neighborhood in the township The Comstock Park Downtown Development Authority doesn't have an answer for the downtown question While the downtown question may never be answered the Comstock Park Downtown Development Authority wants those coming to Comstock Park to know where major attractions within the unincorporated area are located The DDA recently spent $4,000 for two way-finding signs to be installed on the south side of West River Drive across from the two U.S They direct those unfamiliar with the area to the major attractions and Comstock Park schools said the DDA wanted the signs to help direct people to businesses and establishments in the downtown area "The signs are also 'an identity thing' for the community," she said The signs are the latest addition to the area as the DDA and other organizations work to upgrade the village of Comstock Park Last fall another DDA project brought a pocket park to the northwest corner of West River Drive and School Street The small park is expected to be completed this spring the Kent County Parks Department made several major improvements to Dwight Lydell Park located in the heart of "downtown" Comstock Park The city of Walker recently approved the route for the final connector for the Fred Meijer Pioneer Trail which will make the connection from Alpine Avenue in Walker to the Fred Meijer White Pine Trail in Comstock Park those getting on the trail in Comstock Park will have the opportunity to ride west to Muskegon and north to Hart on the non-motorized trail and north to Rockford and on to Cadillac The village was first founded in 1838 as the village of North Park the name was changed to Mill Creek -- the same as the creek that flowed through  the area the community was renamed Comstock Park to honor Charles Comstock who had represented the district in Congress from 1885 to 1886 Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, (updated 8/1/2024) and acknowledgement of our Privacy Policy, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (updated 1/1/2025) Each year as the summer winds down and the morning air starts to get crisp New Jersey residents begin to ask the age-old question: I wonder what winter will look like this year it often leads to either excitement for snow or a wish for none Well, snow bunnies, you might not be pulling out those insulated boots and hand warmers as often as you'd like, because if the Old Farmer's Almanac, which dates to 1792, is your go-to source for predictions, New Jersey may be in for a mild winter season according to the periodical's latest predictions And as a reminder, fellow prognosticating publication, the Farmers' Almanac, released its own winter forecast earlier this month, calling for a "wet winter whirlwind" as the climate pattern known as La Niña likely emerges between September and November says that the shift in weather pattern this fall could bring milder temperatures across the Garden State Both almanacs split New Jersey in two parts with areas to the south and east seeing more rain From an astronomical standpoint, winter solstice in the Northern Hemisphere is Dec. 21 at precisely 4:21 a.m. EST, the exact time when the Northern Hemisphere is tilted as far away from the sun as possible The word solstice comes from the Latin sol it means "sun stands still," according to the almanac the sun's path across the sky appears to stay still for a few days before and after the solstice The "longest" day each year is often around June 20 and 21 and the "shortest" day around Dec. 21 or 22. Winter then ends at the spring equinox, which will be March 20, 2025 at 5:01 a.m. EST Fun fact: On the day of the winter solstice stand outside at noon and look at your shadow It's the longest shadow that you'll cast all year the Old Farmer's Almanac split the nation into over a dozen regions which covers a northwest square of New Jersey that includes Sussex County and a small portion of Warren County the interior of Massachusetts and New York and the upper northwest portion of Connecticut "but we're predicting a gentler-than-normal season that is not so rough and tough." Temperatures in the Northeast will be above average overall with January the likeliest month to feel temperatures 4 degrees above average The coldest periods are predicted for mid-December and late February which the Old Farmer's Almanac designates as land along the East Coast that covers seven states starting at the north in Boston and down to New York City the remaining larger portion of New Jersey which notes temperatures will be slightly above average during winter February is on average expected to be about 2 percent colder than usual Expect a few "shots of cold" in mid-December you might be in luck if you live closer to the interior and perhaps maybe even Sussex County there will be plenty of snow," it predicts precipitation and snowfall will be slightly below normal." Snowfall will be about 1 to 1.5% below average with the snowiest periods in early December snowfall will be below normal in the northern region with above normal snowfall in the southern region The almanac did not specify which areas are considered north and south the most snow is predicted in late December and late February Here are the average monthly temperatures for the winter season in the North Division, which encompasses Hunterdon, Somerset and Union counties and all counties above, with data collected for 128 years, or between 1895 and 2023 by the Office of the State Climatologist at Rutgers University: Total snowfall amounts during the 2023-2024 winter season in North Jersey ranged from nearly 36 inches in northern Sussex County with about a foot in total in areas across Bergen, Hudson, Essex and Union counties, according to data from the Office of the State Climatologist Most areas of Sussex County last winter season measured between 25 and 33 inches with higher elevations receiving higher amounts of snow snowfall amounts ranged between 18 to 25 inches with areas farther east seeing about a foot or slightly more over the winter season How does the Old Farmer's Almanac make its predictions?The oldest continuously published periodical in North America — founded when George Washington was president — says it is 80% accurate on weather reports overall The periodical says it uses a unique method of predicting weather through three disciplines leaning heavily on solar activity and patterns meteorology and atmospheric science as well as historic trends and temperature averages Email: lcomstock@njherald.com; Twitter: @LoriComstockNJH or on Facebook The Palm Sunday Tornado Outbreak of 1965 in West Michigan Three feet of snow fell in March at Grand Rapids The temperature hit zero degrees on March 27th and ten degrees on April 3rd This cold and snowy pattern in March is similar to other years that saw big April tornado outbreaks in Michigan The brief warming that preceded the tornadoes was the result of strong southerly winds in advance of a strong low pressure center The weather maps of April 10th and 11th 1965 show a low tracking from the Central Plains into southern Lower Michigan In the “warm sector” ahead of the low the temperature rose to 72 degrees at Grand Rapids that Sunday afternoon A line of powerful thunderstorms formed over Iowa during the afternoon then moved into Wisconsin and Illinois The Severe Local Storm Warning Center of the U.S Weather Bureau issued a tornado forecast at 1 pm for northern Illinois and parts of adjacent Iowa and Wisconsin The term “watch” would be used instead of “forecast” for severe weather outlooks after this historic event Several of the thunderstorms spawned tornadoes including one that killed three people in southern Wisconsin A map of the tracks of the tornadoes that struck on April 11-12 Click here for an interactive map showing damage pictures and locations from the tornado in northern Kent County Michigan. crossed Lake Michigan and moved from Illinois into Indiana covering the northern half of Indiana and Ohio and the southern half of Lower Michigan were aware of the destruction that had already occurred further west and began issuing weather bulletins describing the progress of the thunderstorms they were watching on radar: There was no mention of tornadoes in this statement the Weather Bureau thought the word “tornado” would cause panic and did not issue a warning until tornadoes were confirmed The squall line began to intensify as it moved east and word was received that the storms had brought tornadoes to Illinois The next statement from Grand Rapids at 615 PM expressed how the threat had evolved.  The storms along the squall line moved east and brought tornadoes to Kalamazoo One tornado moved northeast of Kalamazoo and injured 17 people In Allegan County a tornado killed one person in Burnips A severe storm intensified as it moved towards Allendale It tracked south of Marne then inflicted heavy damage to Alpine Township and Rockford before ending near Cedar Springs Five people were killed and over 100 injured The Grand Rapids Weather Bureau issued this somber statement after the storms had moved out of West Michigan: 1965 shows the low pressure center over Wisconsin and a warm front north of Grand Rapids The red stars show the locations of tornadoes Even worse destruction and loss of life was concentrated further south where two powerful tornadoes tracked from the Indiana border across Branch County all the way to Washtenaw County within a mile or so of each other and less than an hour apart A total of 44 people were killed along the 80 mile path and it was difficult to tell which tornado did what damage or claimed which victims People that had been hit by the first tornado had to take cover to avoid the second After these two tornadoes ended the focus shifted to Ohio where the northern suburbs of Toledo were visited by a powerful tornado that destroyed entire blocks with many houses levelled to the ground including a bus that was lifted and dropped upside down by the tornado The total death toll was 18 for the tornado communities further south in Ohio saw even worse A series of deadly tornadoes struck one after another from Lima in western Ohio to Strongsville nearly 50 tornadoes had killed more than 250 people in six states All that was left was a cold wind blowing through areas of devastation filled with shattered lives Swan Inn Demolished.The building was at the intersection of Alpine Avenue and 6 Mile Road The 35 mile-long damage path curved to the north of Comstock Park and followed the path of the April 3 Later my husband was relaxing on the living room couch and the children and I were in the kitchen making caramel apples Since I was busy directing four small children (ages 2 through 7) with the apples I didn’t notice any early signs of a storm it was very dark outside and there was a terrible noise it woke my husband and he ran to the kitchen We didn’t really know at this point what was happening only that it was something bad and we had to get to the well pit We barely got into the basement when the house rose up off its foundation I can still see the gap between the house and the ground I held my mouth so tight I chipped my front tooth My husband kept calling my name over and over It was only seconds from the kitchen to the well pit and we realized later that we were in the middle of the tornado at that time It rained very hard and the sky was an ugly yellow who had saved our lives with his quick actions I kept telling him that we needed him and he couldn’t pass out We sat in the well pit for about 20 minutes until a neighbor appeared but I was never so glad to see anyone in my life because it meant that it was safe to get out and move about The Brewer home on Samrick Avenue after the tornado lived in a house on Algonquin Lake near Hastings My father went to the basement and when he came back upstairs and looked outside noticed lots of debris floating in the lake He also saw that one of the neighbor’s house was completely destroyed My father passed away in 2011 at the age of 95 Headlines in the Hastings Banner describing the tornado that struck Barry County Courtesy of Earline Baum and the Hastings Public Library I was 15 and loved to volunteer time at Meyers airport doing odd jobs in exchange for flying lessons But as I stood on the ladder putting 80 octane gas into Lou Shroeder’s Cessna 172 for the sky-divers I sensed it odd that this Sunday morning was so warm I was facing the plowed corn field to the South and the hazy sky seemed even more washed out than is normal for April It seemed the sun was back-lighting the atmosphere with an inversion of eerie-ness most from the Detroit area with Harold Lange as owner of the club were taking advantage of the good early spring flying weather This was their third year of jumping at Meyers field and they were anxious to get a few in today I noticed Al Meyers and Nadia pull into our gravel parking lot it looked like they were planning a trip in their Cessna on this day how’s Tommy today?” I answered “fine” and asked if he wanted the 182 (his 1956 Cessna) out and topped He affirmed that so I got busy pushing those huge steel hanger doors open to expose sunlight on the Eastern-facing birds After inserting the red painted pull bar into the nose wheel I pulled as Al pushed on a wing strut until the plane was on the tarmac turning it so the prop wash would not blast the hangar at engine start Al and Nadia climbed in and soon I heard Al holler “Clear prop!” I stood back a little further as the wind sock was limp from lack of wind Al elected to warm up and take off from the South end of the 2600 foot strip I waved goodbye as the blue and green over white bird lifted off in her factory paint scheme never brighter as I had just washed her the day before Wiping oil off airplane bottoms was one of my jobs between complete washings Pilots told me it really made a difference in air-speed They gained five mph with a clean belly vs I watched the Cessna until it was out of sight a town to which they had taken me in the same airplane the year before Nadia was in the pilot’s seat at the time as she was learning to fly herself The hangar doors closed with a thud and seemed easier this time as my muscles were warmed up I was thankful the bowling alley across the street had a small diner It seemed no time but the droning of Al’s plane was easily distinguished from the chatter of the sparrows and pigeons in the rafters of the hangars It was about five o’clock when I caught sight of Al and Nadia entering the down-wind leg of the pattern They turned easily onto base and then final at four hundred feet flaps extended forty degrees as the wind was light There was no cross wind so I expected them to “grease it on” which they did That plane was a work horse and I knew it could take a bouncy landing but that was not in the offing The parallel grass strip to 36/18 (our paved runway) aided many pilots by cushioning the touch down and also saved rubber on the tires That grass strip as well as the East-West strip kept me busy for years mowing and filling holes made by ground hogs While mowing with the old Ford 9N tractor with Cadet cutter to fill in holes large enough to cause a nose wheel serious trouble if hit There was also a seldom used OTW Southwest/Northeast grass strip Al Meyers and his aircraft company made WW2 bi-plane trainers for the war was plenty for these nimble birds with a moderate Tommy,” Al said as he and Nadia climbed out of the cockpit “We’ve got to get her inside and as many as we can The Flight Service Station out of Fort Wayne issued a NOTAM on an approaching severe storm from the area we came from.” Indeed Detroit radar showed thunderstorms increasing rapidly over Northern Indiana by late afternoon “I feel there is going to be a significant storm we need to secure all the planes possible.”  I was concerned as the sky was darkening early in the south I was also concerned about fitting the planes into the hangar we then jig-sawed another fabric tail-dragger inside We had one more plane that was parked on the tarmac but could not fit her into the confines of the hangar It was a blue Meyers 200 (which Al was later to own) that would have to stay outside we fastened lines to her under-wing hooks and tied her to the huge steel doors This was all we could do for an overnight outsider if weather was expected but I said an extra prayer for that plane and several others that were always parked outside I pedaled my bike home the mile on Tecumseh-Clinton Road As I pulled into our drive on Shawnee street next to the High School it got dark I entered the back door by the old garage and could smell tomato soup warming on the stove Mom had some baloney sandwiches ready for me too Dad was home but my sister Donna was at church out driving someplace in his black 1960 Chevy As I sat down to eat about 7:30 the wind came up started swaying and moaning with the added sound of splattering rain My first bites of the sandwiches were merely nibbles The soup would not go down except a few slurps I thanked Mom for the soup but could not finish it My sister Donna came home from church and said limbs already were coming down We were concerned about our brother Jim being out there… somewhere and his wife Kay and daughter Carolyn were safe in their apartment in our house Safe as we could be as lightning flashed and the thunder cracked sharply then the fire and police horns adding to the tension What I heard under the frequency of the sirens was like a low pulsating swooshing sound People say a tornado sounds like an old steam engine train chugging as it seemed to increasingly get closer to 303 East Shawnee Street Relief filled the living room where we tried to get a Detroit TV station for any information But relaxing was short as noise rumbled and roared like that freight train had taken a siding and was heading for us again The path of this second storm was just west of us no more than half a mile It was evident to us we were in for a second blow As things died down this second time I looked outside to the north The emergency vehicles seemed to be heading mostly north an eerie red glow emanated from the direction of the airport flickering as if a fire were beyond the trees about a mile but that did not obstruct my view of clouds painted red and angry looking Jim was indeed shaken and told his story of the tornado he witnessed He said he was just South of Tipton when one of the tornadoes hit (Tipton took a direct hit.) From inside his car he said it looked like a wall of water He abandoned the car and tried walking to shelter when the wind nearly picked him up Somehow he made it back to the car and stayed put dodging the many tree limbs and debris on the roads We went to bed and as I lay there looking out my South window the night looked like it had experienced nothing more than a spring shower Monday arose with overcast skies and the talk in school was all about the tornadoes One classroom had west-facing walls and as I looked out the windows the clouds were in rows of rolls I endured school that Monday but was eager to get out to the airport to see what happened there And what was that fiery red glow in the sky last night that surely meant the demise of a hangar I dropped my school books off and jumped on my Schwinn bike as quickly as I could that afternoon detouring around much debris on the roadside as garbage When I got as far as John Smith’s house just before Cunningham’s Airport Bowl bowling alley I could see my worst fears were unfounded Lightning had indeed struck a barn on the east perimeter of the airport That answered my question of the mysterious red glow But the “hangar” near it was damaged It was used as storage by Otto Meyers of the boat division of Meyers Aircraft Company but Jeep tops and motorcycle side cars as well This small building served as a warehouse of sorts But planes tied down nearby did not fare so well sustained fuselage damage as a wing tie down failed and the tail was mightily twisted to one side by the tornadoes The guys had just given it the nicest blue over white paint job on its all-fabric surface A Piper Tri Pacer seemed to survive OK  as well as a Navion and Frank Bisher’s WW2 PT-26 trainer (in which Frank had given me my first airplane ride two years before.) These planes were tied down and were either transients or locals who rented the grassy spots with tie-down  hooks firmly cemented in the ground by the FBO  (Fixed Based Operator Meyers Airport.) The planes were exposed to the elements but securely tied down for most weather conditions Men were on the southwest roof corner of the factory hangar making repairs already as I surveyed the situation This was the welding area where Gracey and Omer Roy and Elmer fabricated the Meyers 200’s airframe and stub-wing assemblies Our large oak tree nearby survived as well as our beacon light But the roof damage was not the end of it and indeed caused trouble elsewhere Map of the combined damage of two tornadoes across southeast Lower Michigan from the seminal research by Professor Ted Fujita showing the areas affected by the two tornadoes and the location of a 151 mph wind gust blew roofing materials and shingles like bullets toward the parked planes by the ramp past the gas pumps Several planes parked there on the west side of the runway sustained varying degrees of flying missile damage but the tie downs held Of most concern to me and the five owners was the fate of one red and white Piper We called her the “Old Girl.” She was a 1947 Piper Super Cruiser N2444M was her “N” number but it was hard to read those large numbers on her fuselage now Tar paper had punched many holes in her right side taking lessons from CFI Bill Davenport but it would be a while before another lesson The Meyers 200 we could not get into the hangar Sunday night had moved some despite the wheel chocks and the brakes being set but was otherwise unharmed unpainted Meyers 200 in the factory hangar next door was pushed It was parked very near the door facing it when the suction of the tornado bowed the door into the spinner That was enough to push the plane back a foot or two where the trailing edge of the left semi-fowler flap on its wing snagged the propeller of the plane behind parking planes in a hangar is like a jig saw puzzle and close tolerance is the rule It is an unforgiving environment and mistakes are costly Storms are something for which we have no extra room Al had no children) we are going to fly over the tornado’s path.” Ray’s second-youngest jumped into the co-pilot’s seat of the Cessna 182 and I took a back seat but the ceiling was high enough to be of no concern I never had concerns with Ray at the controls as he was Meyer’s test pilot with much experience with land and sea planes We flew southwest toward Tipton and beyond to Devil’s Lake which took direct hits Lives were lost here and it showed from the air Houses and cottages seemed to have imploded due to the ferocity of the storms Thankfully it was April and many summer cottages were not yet occupied We turned around and had no trouble following the debris trail northeast all the way to Ann Arbor where it lessened in visual acuity It was like following a railroad track about a quarter mile wide with house and barn contents all along the way cars overturned made the trail of destruction highly visible twisted trees carved their own impassable log jams in their wake we learned that at least 14 people were killed in Lenawee County alone with 189 homes destroyed These tornadoes ranked an F4 on the Fujita scale with paths as long as 90 miles A final killer tornado hit near the Michigan/Ohio border North of Toledo at about 9:30 That is an hour and a half after the twins that hit us We landed back at Meyers airport and went to work cleaning up and making repairs as best we could Summer would be here soon and in two months I would solo in that Supercruiser by then patched up and airworthy once again I went on and got my pilots license and took others up as Al and Ray had me a young boy hooked on hangar life and flying after that first ride in 1963 One of the two large tornadoes that tracked through eastern Branch County Our first daughter was born in the morning The hospital had all visitors leave early that afternoon and we didn’t know why later we found out it was because they were preparing for the storms and expected the possibility of an influx of injured patients The next day we found out that one of the new mothers at the hospital did not have a home to go to; the tornado had destroyed it That made the point to us that it was a very sad time for a lot of people At times over the years we tease our daughter that she brought the tornado to Grand Rapids My father was a state police officer stationed in White Pigeon during the tornadoes I ended up riding with him (I was in 5th grade) when he was detailed to drive to Shipshewana from that drive – of the barn that was thrown in the swamp – with the live cows standing in the stanchions where the barn had been to the car wrapped around the tree 25 feet in the air – and the passenger compartment less than a foot across and the rear bumper of the car 390 degrees or so from the front bumper The most amazing sight was the road that had been blacktopped on April 9th – more than a ½-mile of the black top was rolled up like a huge jelly roll I don’t know how many of the pictures from that area survive but the library in White Pigeon got copies of all the pictures my father took that day on the trip down and back Other officers were responsible for checking the rest of the area along US-12 and other roads in the area I found a broom (intact) and a Raggedy Ann type doll on the roof of our house and several full boxes of food in our back yard but it had to have been several miles away A couple of weeks later I watched my first Amish barn raising at the site of the cows – that was to me as impressive as the damage the storm did The doors on this car were folded back as it was rolled by the tornado Palm Sunday 1965 was a day I will never forget My family was coming back from my parents in White Cloud when we saw the tornado coming at us as we approached the intersection of Alpine Avenue and Six Mile Road and it didn’t even look like rain until it appeared as I was busy pushing my three girls and the dog to the floor of the car it was twirling all the power lines around and it left them down all around us My husband went to help the injured and people trapped in the buildings found a young girl and boy and took them back to their house she had lost her younger sister in the tornado I never did find out the name of the family I would love to know their name and find out what happened to the young girl We did not know where my husband was for some time but did see a man hanging upside down from a tree The back of the Swan Inn was completely gone Some of the people there had taken shelter in the bathroom My husband found and returned someone’s purse were enjoying a birthday party at my Mother’s home in Pierson sultry day with an unusual yellow cast present that never left We were south of Cedar Springs and just past a place known as Poppel Hill which had a large car sale lot on the top of the hill when a very strong wind and rain storm made it impossible to drive We pulled into someone’s yard as we could not go any further The wind was so strong my husband could not open the car door We were frightened and knew this was not just an ordinary windstorm; we were in trouble we put our baby on the floor of the car and our other two daughters with our own bodies The last thing I remember seeing before I bent over my children was a telephone pole snapping in two very near us We could feel objects striking our car and blowing it back and forth It seemed like forever but it was only a short time until it passed We tried to calm them and then we looked out the window to a war zone We hurried to their door and they rushed us inside We did not know if another storm would hit us again We were surprised to find out it was a tornado We never saw it coming nor did we see it go We just knew it was getting very dark with a strong Since going down south was impossible on 131 it was decided to go back to my aunt’s house in Cedar Springs They still had power and we heard the reports on TV of all that had happened We had to be careful driving back north to Cedar Springs as wires fallen trees and destruction was everywhere The large car dealership on Poppel Hill that we had passed earlier was badly damaged The roof of the dealership was lying on the ground and glass was blown from the windows I think we were too stunned to fully realize what had just happened earlier to us and other people We heard on TV that a tornado had hit Burnips and a woman that lived in a mobile home was killed and her mobile home destroyed My husband said we had to return immediately for fear it was his mother We called the state police and they told us to travel down 131 because that would be cleared first When we got about two miles from Burnips a man stopped us and said we couldn’t go any further My husband asked “how bad is it?” The man told us that Burnips was “wiped right out Our hearts sank for my husband’s entire family lived there and our home was there but for now our deepest concern was for his family’s safety The man informed us to go around the other way and we did We reached our home on 30th Street south of Burnips and saw no damage We made our way to his mother’s house The other family members also escaped damage When we arrived at Burnips it was all secure There was a lot of damage on 142nd street west of town That’s where the lady in the mobile home was killed Friends of ours had their barn damaged and many cows were killed Their daughter had her Sunday dress hanging on a hanger on the closet door She was about to get ready for church when the storm came and blew every window out of their house Her dress was found in a tree quite a distance away but still on the hanger Boards of buildings were driven into the ground and there were many objects hanging from trees Months after the storm items were found far away that belonged to people in the path We are thankful and fortunate that our family survived but sorry for the victims of the Palm Sunday 1965 tornadoes It’s certainly something that we will never forget It was a warm afternoon that Sunday of April 11 which I was celebrating with my friends and family at our house on Six Mile Road around the back yard when family members shouted from the house to get to safety It had gotten really dark and now we could see a huge black cloud coming towards us I took Mary's hand and started walking only to be thrown against a wall of a new shed by the wind but the shed was being twisted and started to move up on an angle We dropped flat to the ground and held each other as the windows bowed and the lumber exploded Together we were sucked up into the debris and my feet were just flopping Our legs and arms were entwined as we were raised up and down three times I was only able to squint from time to time to see parts of buildings yard equipment and such flying through the air A bowling ball hit me in the elbow and shattered the joint When we landed in the field behind my house we were about 100 feet away from each other They and others had lacerations and bruises I was taken to the hospital where I stayed for several weeks healing a fractured leg and arm along with many cuts and scrapes from the pelting of dirt and debris I heard that Mary was found dead in the field The medical examiner said she died of multiple skull fractures We lived in a trailer on the site of our home while a new one was being built things like the smell the mud in the spring or the taste of potato salad would remind me of that day and the horrible memories would come back To this day I will not celebrate my birthday if it falls on Palm Sunday I remember that Palm Sunday as my brother Tom's 17th birthday Family and friends came to our house on Six Mile Road for a spring dinner which included Mom's homemade potato salad and her mayonnaise cake By late afternoon the folks went to Westgate Bowl and a few of us were just at home listening to the radio Grandma (Pearl) Young lived with us and she was there in the living room in her chair.A warning came across the radio and my older brother out by the shed and the shed falling apart Everything was swirling around us as we lay there We were hit with grit and pieces of wood and stuff It was hard to breathe and we all had pitted skin from the dirt and debris.When it was over there were people helping us out from under the rubble I remember seeing Grandma sitting in her chair but she was covered with grit and it looked so unusual My sister Linda was bleeding from her head and my other sister Sal had a head gash that was deep with a piece of wood stuck there.I remember seeing Tom out in back as he tried to come from the field to the house I went out there and grabbed for his arm to help him my sisters and Grandma went with a neighbor to drive the injured to the hospital I was there when medical personnel came for Mary I didn't know if she was injured or dead she had died.My Uncle "Buster" (Lawrence Young) lived nearby and was there to check on us With the other family members gone to the hospital I asked if we could go to Westgate Bowl and find my folks so he was able to get past the checkpoints along Alpine Avenue We then drove east to Division Avenue and back to Six Mile Road We got as far as the railroad tracks and were blocked by downed trees I told Uncle Buster that I could walk the rest of the way back home or maybe I was still in shock and only wanted to get back home.By now it was dark and chilly so I was a little better off from the cold It was eerie to walk a familiar road that was now strange and messed up I wondered if another tornado would come.I made it to the Noom's house and they had windows blown out we found our dog Max hiding at this neighbor's house I was very restless all night and stayed close to Jim.The next day we went to Comstock Park and suddenly saw our folks coming out of the drug store They had met people taking my brother and sisters with Grandma to the hospital Our family went to stay with relatives for about a week and then two trailers were put on our property where we lived as our new house was being built but I am not terrified as others are after such a life-changing event A family pet surveys the scene after the tornado I was 12 years old and remember that April 11th was a warm day and late in the afternoon the sky became a sick yellow and green color had moved into a new home not far from the old one that was being rented on Pine Island Drive where we huddled under a table with pillows and quilts We were okay and wanted to see what happened to the other house National Guard troops were at highway corners to redirect traffic My mom and dad pleaded to let them get to their property and the guard let them drive through Electric poles were down and the wires were dancing around in the breeze A neighbor's boat and camper were mangled and in a ditch two huge oak trees had fallen across the road and were being cut up by the National Guard we found out a neighbor that lived north of us died along with one of his daughters.No one was in the rental house at the time It was severely damaged and the two-stall garage was demolished The house was remodeled and we lived there for 12 years In 1977 my husband Tom and I used that same spot for a new home.In 1966 the freeway from Grand Rapids (US-131) was extended from Comstock Park As it goes through the hills and valleys it almost parallels the 1965 Palm Sunday tornado path from Pine Island Drive and north toward Rockford This was also the path of the 1956 tornado The local people often called it "Tornado Alley" It was a humid Palm Sunday when our family of three boys decided to take a trip to enjoy the first warm days of spring As we were riding through the countryside we turned the radio on only to learn that Comstock Park was having a tornado We found that very hard to believe because south of Grand Rapids where we were Upon returning home I decided to check to see if there any damage to Stony Creek School where I was the principal Stony Creek School serviced the Westgate addition to Comstock Park I was amazed to see the devastation as I approached Westgate Roads were blocked with fallen trees and debris Some homes were leveled and others were missing top stories or twisted off their foundations Many were without roofs and some had lost sections of their homes leaving furniture and appliances standing in the open I needed identification to pass the security checkpoints that were already in place and when I got to the school the Red Cross was ready to set up a disaster center in the Stony Creek building No families used the center for overnight lodging since most of them had families or friends in the area When I returned to school on Monday I was recruited to be a contact person so the residents of Westgate could communicate with friends and family in other states affected by the tornadoes.They appointed me because I knew the area and many of the families who had children in the Stony Creek School The Red Cross issued me credentials to travel throughout the tornado area without any restrictions Workers and tornado victims were provided food and shelter at the Comstock Park High School The disaster plan was in effect the entire week of Spring Break The roads had been cleared and the community was restored to its pre-tornado state My family decided to take a short drive to Little Pine Island Lake to visit my Aunt Rosemary and Uncle John Milanowski at their cottage As we were out enjoying the day the sky got darker and the wind came up We heard the sirens or someone gave us a notice that storms were coming There was no basement at the cottage so we ran south to the Ketchel's house They had a swimming beach and pavilion and they also had a basement As we ran the sky darkened and there were clouds that looked like tornadoes I remember my parents saying “keep running!” We got to the Ketchel’s basement and I remember saying the Rosary there.  After the storm had passed we drove home on Alpine Avenue and we saw a lot of debris scattered around.My cousin which had been hit by the tornado and sustained quite a bit of damage Account of Dick Besser I was a young Grand Rapids Police officer working Car 3 with my partner Don Phillips that day We were on the corner of Bridge Street and Stocking Avenue The sky and even the air around us were a sickly yellow-green color As we approached Standale we saw the funnel dip out of the clouds We called in on the radio that there was a twister north of Standale There still had been no warning of a tornado and our radio call was the first warning of this event We turned on the overheads and drove rapidly toward the twister using the Public Announcement system to warn people to take cover We headed north on Wilson Avenue and started to see damage north of Richmond Street We ran to the wreckage of a house on Wilson but found everyone OK It was very dark and raining but we could still see the funnel north of Interstate 96 heading northeast We were giving a blow-by-blow description over our two-way radio to the dispatcher asking them to send aid to the area we were leaving We discussed that we were in a good position to track the twister so that warnings could be given out We drove onto Interstate 96 and headed east towards Alpine Avenue We were unaware as we approached Alpine Church Road that we had gotten ahead of the funnel There was a car ahead of us and a semi coming south toward us Suddenly it got very dark and the rain became torrential Phillips managed to stop as we were pushed onto the shoulder of the road.The tornado had crossed Alpine directly in front of us it became clearer and we saw the semi on its side and the car ahead had been blown into the field to our east We went to the Swann Inn and other buildings nearby to look for and help victims I was very worried that the survivors may be injured or killed by the live electrical wires that were strewn around Morris and I began to shuttle the injured to Butterworth Hospital while Phillips did what he could in the Alpine Avenue and Six Mile Road area After a couple trips we began to organize groups of men to look for and assist victims as ambulances and other rescue people began to arrive I recall that our group tore apart the remains of a house on Six Mile Road Neighbors believed a young girl was trapped inside I remain amazed by what a group of men could do under the influence of adrenaline I saw cable that stabilized large power poles trees were shredded and the stark wreckage of homes and cars were everywhere About this time we heard that a man and his daughter had been found deceased I remember thinking how sad that was and how the man had bravely tried to shield his daughter There was a good deal more sadness as other people were found who did not survive Within a couple hours a command center had been set up to coordinate efforts The Grand Rapids Police Department had an old house trailer that we had converted for this purpose Area police joined with firemen as well as other volunteer organizations.The injured and homeless began to be seen in a more orderly fashion I was struck by how effective the efforts of ordinary citizens and the few police and fire personnel had been sorting things out – searching – before things became more organized In the face of tragedy we laid down our differences and pulled together along with “Boots” stand in front of their home on Six Mile Road in Comstock Park Coming from a large extended family it was not unusual for many of the family members to gather together near important holidays to celebrate those events Our family had chosen to celebrate Easter early (to free up Easter Sunday for other family activities) by gathering at my aunt's home/cottage which was located on N Pearl Beach on the eastern edge of Coldwater Lake in Branch County Michigan (Lat: 41 deg; 49 min 35.7 seconds N Long: -84 deg; 59 min 5.38 sec W) My aunt's cottage was located directly on the lake shore probably no more than 100ft from the water's edge It was a typical two story home of framed wall construction that had an enclosed porch facing the water that had six large bay windows (probably 6ftX6ft.) that made that porch essentially a sun room and S it also offered great visibility on a clear day As per usual our family spent most of the day at the lake and I can clearly remember the weather being unusually warm for that time of year but it was very humid with a fog like mist hanging in and around the properties at the lake's edge There was little wind and the lake's surface was very calm Later in the day a light rain began to fall limiting outside playtime with my cousins near the cottage A few homes to the north were some teens that were wading in the water as the day came to an end Since being stuck inside was not much fun with all the adults around We had just started to watch Lassie (CBS 7-7:30) when the power went out for no apparent reason I distinctly remember looking up and out of a north facing nearby window just after the power went off and noticed that the sky had taken on an unusual color; something like a muted grayish-green and not knowing any better thought nothing of it Around that time some of my aunts were scurrying around the house trying to find candles or lanterns to give some light to the darkening interior and I remember one of my uncles making note of an unusual darkness in the sky (to the south I assume) and asking the others at the card table if what he was seeing was a swarm of bees or something in a more panicked voice shouted that it wasn't bees but a tornado headed our way Immediately after that my uncles began to scramble toward the inner portion of the house while all the time yelling for everyone to get down on the floor No sooner than they said that the tornado hit and all I can remember is the sound of glass crashing all around me seemingly coming from every direction During those few moments all I can remember hearing were a lot of screams and cries of panic from others in the house Being afraid and unsure what was happening I began to look around for one of my parents who were nowhere in sight grabbed both my cousin and I while we were on the ground and covered us up with his body while the storm raged on and finally ended I never knew who that guy was but nor did I ever meet him again but his actions likely saved both me and my cousin from some pretty serious injuries and or death Immediately after the 1st storm's departure family and friends inside the house slowly started getting up and assessing for injuries and or further dangers In my case I had somehow lost my shoes and was attempting to walk thru the house thru heaps of broken glass (from the many windows in the house) had littered the floor trying to find my parents While wandering aimlessly through the house I saw my Aunt lying on the floor in the kitchen with a sizeable gash on her forehead with blood flowing freely from the cut Although she was barely conscious she had no problem swearing out loud about a damn tea kettle that had flown across the room and hit her in the head It was truly a brief moment of levity in a situation that was frightful to say the least After a lot of discussion by others in the house it was determined that her cut and probable concussive injury were significant enough to warrant getting her to the local hospital (about 15 miles away in Coldwater) immediately To that end my uncle (her husband) and the fireman friend (mentioned earlier) were able to locate a vehicle that was not badly damaged and work it free from the debris field that surrounded the area They loaded up my aunt along with a couple of other injured relatives into the car and attempted to negotiate their way thru the downed trees and debris toward Coldwater and for the remainder of that evening we never knew if they completed their journey or if my Aunt would survive her injuries In the meantime the rest of the adults were assessing the damage to the cottage and it was determined that it was too dangerous to stay inside there for fear of a fire or structural collapse so we all made our way out to my uncle's detached garage that miraculously had incurred little damage from the storm As I walked the 50 feet or so to the garage I remember looking back at the house and noticing that it had somehow been lifted and turned away from its foundation at about 10 or 15 degrees yet somehow managed to remain upright but badly damaged Most of the residents in the area at that time had external propane tanks on their property and there was much concern and discussion about the potential for an impending fire or explosion Not long after relocating to the garage and since complete darkness was coming on fast several of my male relatives went out on a mission to secure (shut-off) as many propane tanks as they could and to search for survivors and or anyone who could help us While they were gone the rest of the family hunkered down inside the garage as best we could and tried to make ourselves comfortable while we waited for help My uncle's car was in the garage so my cousin and I took up occupancy there along with my mother and another adult At this point everyone was pretty much shell shocked and in a state of disbelief and to make matters worse most of us had no idea what had happened or why Not too long after the men left the garage maybe 10 or 15 minutes later all of them ran back into the garage yelling for everyone to get down and take cover because another tornado was heading our way Within seconds the second tornado of the night hit and it seemed much more powerful than the first and from my vantage point from the front seat of the car all I could see was the entire garage get swept away while the air was filling with debris forced my head down while she covered me up with her body At that point I could feel the car start to turn and twist and go airborne for what seemed like an eternity but in actuality was probably only a few seconds My mom was screaming (I found out late that the front passenger side car door had been slammed onto her leg breaking her ankle in a couple of locations) and I suppose I was too because I was certain that we were flying thru the sky to some unknown destination and fate After a few minutes I could hear my dad uncles moving around when all of the sudden the car shuddered up and then down We found out later that the car had indeed been picked up and the driver side rear wheel had come to rest on my uncle's shoulder dislocating it and fracturing his humerus For a short while after that we (my cousin and I) waited in the car while the adults tried to pull together their frantic thoughts and decide what to do At that point it became a unanimous decision that we had to leave the area before any fires broke or any propane tanks erupted Many power lines were down and one of them was snapping and sparking as it lay across the road near the spot where the garage had been located The men quickly splinted my mother's leg and helped her walk while the remaining seven or eight of us took off walking toward the main road that led west away from Pearl Beach Since the road was blocked by downed trees and indescribable amounts of debris it was decided that we would walk southwesterly across an open farm field toward the main road west and away from the damaged area At this time it was fully dark with nothing to light our way and walking thru the debris and the field became a treacherous trek At that time all of my relatives smoked so they were all taking turns lighting lighters and matches to give even a little bit of light Eventually and very slowly we made our way out of the area where cottages were located and entered the field which became its own kind of hell for us to encounter The entire field was filled with scattered debris which contained parts of homes timber and sheet metal that formed anobstacle course that was extremely difficult to maneuver through We also came across several head of cattle that had been impaled or otherwise hit with debris and were now suffering in agony We even came across a dead body that our parents directed us away from so that we youngsters would not see it For most of us that journey past the damaged homes and across the open field may have been more upsetting than both of the storms combined we could see the emergency lights of rescue and police personnel as they tried to make their way down the debris blocked Copeland road During our trek across the field we encountered several more survivors from the beach area and we collectively made our way toward the rescue personnel We all tried to help each other out as best we could but the shock of the storm and pain were quite overwhelming and many of us were near our breaking point As we moved further away from the beach area there was less debris and the going got easier Eventually we reached the emergency personnel and they began ferrying us all in to the city after triaging who needed help the most was one of the first to head out in an ambulance while my dad and I watched patiently Eventually we were also taken to the Branch County Hospital where we joined the many dozens of others who had been injured during the historic tornado breakout of April 11th After a few days of recovery and after the National Guard had secured the area from looters we were finally allowed to re-enter the damaged areas to begin the cleanup and the recovery of family valuables What I saw the day we returned was devastating to me or what was left of it as I remembered while exiting it on my way to the safety of the garage that night was reduced to a pile of rubble strewn across several of the neighbors yards and much of it ending up in the shallows of the lake itself The fact that the house was somehow turned or twisted during the first tornado became somewhat of a local mystery to the survivors How a home could be severed from its concrete foundation and moved virtually intact and not much damage was always a puzzle waiting to be solved however was fully destroyed after the second tornado moved thru the area Three or four of the adjoining properties had total devastation as well was a home that attended to the needs of three or four elderly men two of which were found dead in the rubble near the home Both owners survived but one was severely injured and never did fully recover from his injuries he was blown from his house during the second tornado and was slammed into the propane tank that serviced his home - the very same tank my family members tried to secure shortly after the first tornado passed Since he was unconscious and buried beneath a pile of debris he was not found for about a day and many had feared him dead and perhaps blown into the lake It was quite a story of survival for all of us to dwell upon The garage where we all took shelter after the first tornado passed was gone There was nothing of it to be found; not a single scrap of debris was ever located or identified as belonging to that building Since there was a small swampy area just to the west of the beach it was always assumed that the debris from the garage ended up there but nothing like that was ever confirmed and my cousin took refuge in before and during the second tornado had indeed been picked up and moved about 20 feet and turned about 75 degrees to the NE My uncle who was lying next to the front of the car when the second tornado hit the garage said he saw the car go airborne and was himself blown along the same path before it was more or less dropped on his shoulder The sudden up and down shudder we all felt afterward the tornado had departed was the effect of my dad and another uncle lifting up the rear of the car by hand while another pulled him clear of the wheel Amazing what adrenalin can do in an emergency Another odd story that surfaced about that car was that none of the windows were broken out except for one during the passage of the second tornado the driver sider rear had been pierced by a very long length of 2 X 4 lumber and had come to a rest exactly where my cousin had been laying covered up with a heavy blanket The incoming end of the lumber had been snapped off and had a very sharp point which could have easily impaled my cousin had he not be covered with the blanket I ended up riding with him (I was in fifth grade) when he was detailed to drive to Shipshewana I remember seeing a barn that was thrown in the swamp - with the live cows standing in the stanchions where the barn had been and a car wrapped around a tree 25 feet in the air - and the passenger compartment less than a foot across and the rear bumper of the car 90 degrees or so from the front bumper But the real memory was the road that had been blacktopped on April 9th More than a half mile of the black top was rolled up like a huge jelly roll I don't know how many of the pictures from that area survive I found a broom and a Raggedy Ann type doll on the roof of our house A couple of weeks later I watched my first Amish barn raising at the site of the cows That was as impressive to me as the damage the storm did My mom had just gone to work at Westgate Bowling alley My dad was feeding us dinner at the time and he happened to be looking out our front door in Comstock Park I remember seeing our flowering crabapple tree get bent all the way to the ground My mom was helping people at the bowling alley that needed medical care from the tornado we went for a ride to see all the devastation It should be pointed out that there are no absolutes in terms of safety from tornadoes. While each situation is unique and in some cases even being in a basement under a sturdy table will not be completely safe, following these rules will generally increase your chances of avoiding death or serious injury. At least once a year, preferably in late winter or early spring, practice your tornado plan. Have your family evacuate to the safe place. Keep a flashlight with fresh batteries and some bottled water on hand. Have a predetermined place for your family to meet after a disaster. Backcountry skier and filmmaker Michael Wirth made the second known ski descent of Comstock Couloir on the remote Mount Dawson in the Selkirk Mountains. As Wirth said, Comstock Couloir is the least recorded climbed and skied line of all the 50 Classic Ski Descents of North America. “I successfully completed the second recorded ski descent 14 years after Greg Hill completed the first,” said Wirth. “I did it in a continuous solo effort which yielded: 40 km (24.45 miles) 4.14 km (13,590 feet) of elevation gain in 14 hours and 15 minutes.” Fourteen years ago, this line saw its first descent. Fourteen years went by with no one successfully recording a re-entrance into the Comstock. I opted to do this route solo and pure. What that means for me is scouting yourself, collecting your own data via mapping analysis and formulating your plan independently. Besides, there isn’t much (or really any beta) for this route – aside from the fun video Hill made back in 2008. The only way to get a more intimate view into the nuances of the route would have been to connect with one of the individuals that skied it 14 years prior. Nonetheless, I chose not to. I wanted to utilize my skill for mapping an unknown area via combining multiple software’s, utilizing satellite imagery. The Comstock is technical and complicated because of the mere distance you have to travel in the big terrain of the Selkirk Mountains. The cornice at the top of the Comstock was undoubtedly the biggest concern in the line itself – it’s just terrifying. It could break at any moment and wipe the line. Now for my experience itself and what I did to carefully steer clear of these hazards (see below). A post shared by Michael Wirth (@michaelcwirth) The book was published in 2010 and was written by Art Burrows It’s considered one of the must-have publications for big mountain skiers Get the digital edition of Gripped for your chosen platform: .st1{fill-rule:evenodd;clip-rule:evenodd;fill:#2a2a2a}By Everton Bailey Jr. | The Oregonian/OregonLiveA 28-year-old man faces federal and state charges after authorities say he robbed a credit union in Bend then went on a shopping spree that included buying a Christmas tree he later used to try and hide from police Brett Gillispie-Comstock went into a Selco Community Credit Union twice on Dec told her he was ready to open an account and handed her a note demanding $5,000 according to a criminal complaint written by an FBI special agent "I hope you have really good holidays," before he left Other employees watched him cross the street and eventually go out of sight Bend police officers who had seen credit union surveillance footage found Gillispie-Comstock nearby about 40 minutes after the robbery and arrested him Gillespie-Comstock told investigators that he and his mother had lost $400 gambling and that they needed money for rent He claimed he originally planned to rob the bank earlier in the day the accused robber told police that he took the stolen funds to a nearby NAPA auto parts store He went to a marijuana dispensary and bought a beanie hat and a hoodie He also went to a pet store and bought doggie treats bought food at a Jimmy John's restaurant and then bought a Christmas tree He had been trying to use the tree to hide his face when police stopped him Gillispie-Comstock handed police more than $700 that he hid in one of his boots and led them to another nearly $475 he had hidden behind the NAPA store Gillespie was booked into the Deschutes County Jail on suspicion of federal bank robbery He is also accused in Deschutes County of first-degree theft and third-degree robbery ebailey@oregonian.com503-221-8343; @EvertonBailey Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, (updated 8/1/2024) and acknowledgement of our Privacy Policy, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (updated 1/1/2025) © 2025 Advance Local Media LLC. All rights reserved (About Us) Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site Ad Choices For those eagerly anticipating a trip to the apple orchards and pumpkin patches this fall don't forget a sweater as temperatures are predicted to be cooler than usual The periodical released its annual fall forecast and North Jersey residents are expected to see below average temperatures while a large portion of states to the west are predicted to experience temperatures above the norm New Jersey appears to be split in three when it comes to predictions on rainfall amounts, with the majority of the state forecasted for average rainfall. Lower than average rainfall is predicted for Sussex County, with a sliver of Warren County, depicted with a small dot of red on the Almanac's map, denoting the area may see above average rainfall areas that experience average temperatures and below average rainfall could see a beautiful array of fall foliage What are average fall temperature in North Jersey?Here are the average monthly temperatures for the fall season, with data collected for 128 years, or between 1895 and 2023 by the Office of the State Climatologist at Rutgers University: The Adirondack and Catskills in New York and the Poconos in Pennsylvania are among the Almanac's top places to experience vibrant fall foliage orange and yellow leaves are bountiful in North Jersey In fact, an animated map of the predicted foliage progression shows leaves really beginning to start their transition by late September with peak across most of North and Central Jersey by the first week of October and past peak by late October and early November Most of New England will be at or near peak fall color as early as October 11 this year which strays a bit from the usual peak of mid- to late October Weather and where you live will play a factor What are average fall rainfall amounts in North Jersey?While much of nation will see below average precipitation New Jersey is a mixed bag when it comes to what the Almanac is predicting Here are the average monthly rainfall amount for the fall season, with data again collected over the past 128 years by the Office of the State Climatologist at Rutgers University: The oldest continuously published periodical in North America founded in 1792 when George Washington was president boasts an 80% accuracy on their weather reports overall The Almanac claims to use a "secret formula" to derive their weather forecast Over the years, experts in the field of meteorology and atmospheric studies have criticized the Almanac's predictions, often telling readers to take it with a massive grain of salt. A study at the University of Illinois compared the Almanac's forecasts to actual weather data over a five-year period and concluded they were accurate only about 52% of the time But the Almanac has also had its supporters, with the Illinois study still calling the periodical a "remarkable piece of U.S. history," packed with planting recommendations and interesting, factual articles that has "something for everyone." The periodical even boasted in press materials they had 96% accuracy for its 2015 predictions of a "bleak and biting winter." From an easy-to-peruse gardener's guide to growing plants, to planetary events or even some jokes or fun facts about animals, its no surprise there is still solid demand for the centuries-old publication. The title has 1.7 millions fans on Facebook which has risen from 1.3 million since 2016 And the title's 2025 print edition is slated to be released on Aug If you find yourself fascinated by shipwrecks, it may surprise you to learn just how many shipwrecks you can find around Michigan. Lake Michigan, alone, is said to be the final resting place of at least 1,500 shipwrecks with many dating back to the 1800s. Read more here here are at least 6 shipwrecks along West Michigan's coast that you can visit by kayak The Novadoc was a steel bulk freighter that was lost during a storm in November of 1940. The Armistice Day storm to be exact She currently lies in about 12 - 15 feet of water off the coast of Pentwater See a full exploration of this ship below: The Daisy Day was a wooden freighter built around 1880 as she was lost in 1891 in the shallow water off the coast of Claybanks Township Park She currently rests in about 10 feet of water which can be accessed by paddle boat The Henry Cort had a rather eventful lifespan before she sank off the coast of Muskegon she had sunk/wound up stranded two separate times before encountering a storm that ran her into the rocks on the north side of the Muskegon Channel She currently sits in about 12-15 feet of water The Interlaken, originally designed as a construction barge in 1893, was lost off the coast of Michigan just north of the Montague area in 1934 after becoming stranded during a storm. She was actually discovered by a father/son duo in 2005 and currently sits in about 15 feet of water mostly covered by sand The Helen was constructed in 1881 and was designed to be able to traverse shallow waters. However, a heavy storm in November of 1886 overwhelmed The Helen taking her captain with her along with 5 other crewmen. Present-day she sits in 10 feet of water with her visibility varying thanks to shifting sands The Manistee was a steamer built in Benton Harbor in 1882 and could carry around 500 passengers it might surprise those that live around the Ferrysburg area that this ship currently sits right off the shore of some of their homes caught fire in 1914 and now rests in about 25 feet of water in Spring Lake And those are just 6 of the many shipwrecks around the state of Michigan that you can access by kayak (or other paddle boats). See the full interactive map here I'll explore shipwrecks from the comfort of my couch" kind of person check out this quick tour of the Albany Shipwreck in Michigan: there's a photographer who spends his time exploring these shipwrecks so you don't have to Gallery Credit: Jays Forbiddenexplorations YouTube There are a plethora of shipwrecks around Michigan. Even if you don't have a motorized boat, you can still explore these 6 in West Michigan.\nRead More If you find yourself fascinated by shipwrecks, it may surprise you to learn just how many shipwrecks you can find around Michigan. Lake Michigan, alone, is said to be the final resting place of at least 1,500 shipwrecks with many dating back to the 1800s. Read more here The Novadoc was a steel bulk freighter that was lost during a storm in November of 1940. The Armistice Day storm to be exact The Daisy Day was a wooden freighter built around 1880 The Henry Cort had a rather eventful lifespan before she sank off the coast of Muskegon The Interlaken, originally designed as a construction barge in 1893, was lost off the coast of Michigan just north of the Montague area in 1934 after becoming stranded during a storm. She was actually discovered by a father/son duo in 2005 and currently sits in about 15 feet of water mostly covered by sand The Helen was constructed in 1881 and was designed to be able to traverse shallow waters. However, a heavy storm in November of 1886 overwhelmed The Helen taking her captain with her along with 5 other crewmen. Present-day The Manistee was a steamer built in Benton Harbor in 1882 and could carry around 500 passengers And those are just 6 of the many shipwrecks around the state of Michigan that you can access by kayak (or other paddle boats). See the full interactive map here The California Department of Justice released crime stats a week ago 2017 was the deadliest year with a dozen homicides Below are the confirmed homicides that have occurred so far this year across Sonoma County 15: Brayan Perez-Lara of Santa Rosa is shot at Sebastopol Road and West Avenue March 19: Dominic Zumsteg is shot by another passenger while driving from a bar April 2: Connor Bundock is shot at Hilliard Comstock Northwest Community Park April 25: Kuljeet Kaur is stabbed on West Creek Lane May 5: Lesly Fierro Noriega is shot in a murder-suicide on Aston Avenue Suspect Anthony Guzman Romero is found dead May 9: A 15-month-old girl dies after ingesting fentanyl Her parents are arrested and charged with murder May 22: Misael Carlos-Tafolla is shot on Kenton Court June 16: A man is stabbed at Barham and Santa Rosa avenues 11: Enrique Goldbaum is stabbed near West and Sebastopol Suspect Victor Ramirez-Plascencia is arrested attacked with a baseball bat on Keller Street March 23: Francisco Olivera Arellanes is stabbed on Old Cazadero Road in Guerneville April 15: Rufino Gonzalez is shot on Willow Road in Monte Rio June 13: A victim is shot near Windsor River Road and Kensington Lane in Windsor July 4: Luis Enrique Gonzalez is shot on Monte Vista Avenue in Healdsburg Sonoma County’s 2022 homicide rate has surpassed the number of killings recorded each year over the past decade even though it’s only September Fifteen fatalities have been investigated as homicides this year according to data collected by The Press Democrat and verified by local law enforcement That number eclipses the 12 homicides of 2017 which was previously considered Sonoma County’s deadliest year as referenced in the California Department of Justice’s annual crime statistic report The report includes data compiled from 2012 through 2021 It found that last year in Sonoma County there were nine killings which equated to a rate of 1.9 homicides per 100,000 residents The 2022 rate is currently three homicides per 100,000 residents It includes nine homicides that have occurred in Santa Rosa “It shows the very real reality that our community isn’t immune to acts of violence,” said Petaluma Police Lt Santa Rosa recorded six homicides last year Police Chief John Cregan said several of this year’s cases involve unusual circumstances including the death of a 15-month-old girl who ingested fentanyl which authorities believe was being used by her mother The toddler’s parents have been charged with murder in connection with her May 9 death is gunfire has played a role in several of his city’s homicides in 2022 but violence in our community,“ the chief added He reiterated a stance he made public when he was officially sworn in as chief in July — that guns particularly “ghost guns,” are an issue that requires proactive enforcement and a holistic approach in identifying solutions 28 traffic stop involving a 17-year-old who was suspected of having a gun It’s necessary to examine why and how a teenager got the gun officials say they’re confident it will not become the norm visit and enjoy all our community has to offer and we remain hopeful this year’s increase in homicides to two from last year’s zero is an anomaly,” Walsh said Authorities have arrested suspects in 10 of this year’s 15 fatalities across Sonoma County While suspects in two of the killings have been found dead it appears these crimes were not random as many of the victims knew their killers and their deaths were not random It’s also too early to say whether the current homicide rate is indicative of a long-term trend or if it’s an unusual spurt Sonoma County’s annual number of killings have mostly hovered around 10 but the DOJ report shows Sonoma County was hardly the Golden State’s most dangerous county last year when homicides increased 7.2 percent from 2,202 in 2020 to 2,361 in 2021 Kern County’s homicide rate of 13.7 per 100,000 was the highest of California’s 37 counties with populations of at least 100,000 Napa and Shasta counties had the lowest rates at zero per 100,000 Los Angeles County had the highest number of homicides at 841 Authorities made 1,550 arrests last year ‒ down from 1,597 arrests in 2020 The violent crime rate increased from 437 per 100,000 people in 2020 to 466.2 per 100,000 in 2021 The property crime rate increased 3% from 2,114.4 per 100,000 in 2020 to 2,178.4 per 100,000 in 2021 The above isn’t broken down by county in the DOJ’s report California Attorney General Rob Bonta said “While crime rates remain significantly below their historical highs property and violent crimes continue to have devastating consequences for communities across the state Gun violence in particular remains a consistent and growing threat nearly three-fourths of all homicides in California involved a firearm.” Your browser does not support the audio element “Walking the ’hood” is an occasional series featuring people who grew up in the Inland Northwest found success and have come back to walk their old neighborhood with a childhood buddy who still lives here and also is successful If you have someone in mind for the series contact Rebecca Nappi at rebeccan@spokesman.com or (509) 459-5496 They became best friends when Perko was in the sixth grade and his family moved to the 1000 block of West Comstock Court just a skip away from the McGonigle home in the 3000 block of South Jefferson Street The two played golf together nearly every summer day in their teen years but lost touch after graduating from Gonzaga Prep They hadn’t connected since the late 1970s They reunited June 30 to walk their old neighborhood They were surprised at all the similarities in their adult lives How they met: Perko’s family was touring their soon-to-be new home in 1970 saw the family and joined them on the house tour “Dee was the first person I met,” Perko remembered they were up and out on their bikes each morning “we would spend eight hours unearthing a monster rock just to watch it roll down the bluff,” McGonigle said “we’d ride our bikes up to Manito (golf course) with golf clubs over our backs we’d go to Safeway and buy 12 doughnuts for a buck,” Perko said Added McGonigle: “And pumpkin pies and eat the whole pie sitting on the pile of Presto logs in front of the store.” They played baseball in the street with neighbor kids and tackle football games on the McGonigles’ front lawn The fathers in the neighborhood were well-known community members who worked long hours and weren’t afraid to rule the neighborhood Perko’s dad worked for Washington Trust Bank and eventually became its president “My dad would discipline the whole neighborhood,” Perko remembered “If Dee or Mike were around and they were part of the problem How the neighborhood has changed: The trees and shrubs have grown lush and large The Perko kids planted spruce seedlings next to the garage in 1971 or 1972 The trees are now about 50 feet tall and 20 feet around The area south of the neighborhood was almost all woods on the recent summer morning when the friends reunited says the neighborhood is still popular with young families mowed and trimmed in front of Perko’s old house as the grown men strolled through their childhood haunts they were the lawn service for their families How the neighborhood has stayed the same: The 1950s-1960s ranchers are meticulously maintained Its proximity to Comstock Park has helped keep it one of Spokane’s most coveted neighborhoods Life after the ’hood: Perko got a bachelor’s degree in building construction from the University of Washington and an MBA from the University of Michigan then his work life hopscotched between nonprofits and the business world including stints with Catholic Relief Services the World Bank and Manito Construction in California he was named executive director of Extollo International a Christian humanitarian organization with a mission to train local populations in the building of structurally sound homes and schools McGonigle graduated in 1983 from the University of Washington’s College of Architecture and Urban Planning with an emphasis in construction management and worked in Seattle until his return to Spokane in 1991 The company has developed more than $1 billion worth of residential projects in cities throughout the West with a focus on retirement and mixed-use living Perko and McGonigle saw their fathers work long hours and their mothers doing double duty at home “The mothers deserve a ton of credit,” McGonigle said “They managed the chaos and provided endless love for us Perko would be making sandwiches and just make six more.” The teens in the neighborhood all worked summer jobs had a Spokesman-Review paper route and soon gained neighborhood fame for delivering the papers by 4:30 every morning while fighting with each other the entire route “My father did a lot of work with the United Way when I was growing up Looking out for the poor permeates Perko’s work now He manages Extollo teams that help Haitians help themselves by learning how to build earthquake-sturdy structures McGonigle’s firm donates mega-amounts of time and building materials to Habitat for Humanity “My folks always reminded us we were blessed,” he said We picked Habitat because it works so well with our business.” Surprising similarities: Both men pursued careers designing and building stable Both men – in reaction to the loving but sometimes stern dads in their childhood neighborhood – are gentler fathers and if I feel like I yelled at them too much that day I always apologize,” Perko said of his children They stay fit to keep up with their young boys golf clubs in the trunks of their dads’ cars Give directly to The Spokesman-Review's Northwest Passages community forums series -- which helps to offset the costs of several reporter and editor positions at the newspaper -- by using the easy options below Gifts processed in this system are tax deductible Get breaking news delivered to your inbox as it happens TDS Telecommunications continues expanding its high-speed all-fiber internet network into more Spokane-area neighborhoods © Copyright 2025, The Spokesman-Review | Community Guidelines | Terms of Service | Privacy Policy | Copyright Policy with nearly 20% of North Jersey communities flipping to a shade of red About 1.3 million voters cast ballots in Bergen with a roughly 62% voter turnout — an abrupt drop from 72% of North Jersey residents who did so in 2020 (when 1.5 million votes were cast) But data analyzed by NorthJersey.com shows that Democratic leaning voters chose to forgo voting this year with Republican candidates showing their strength in numbers The number of votes cast for the Democratic candidate in North Jersey this year dropped a staggering 189,663 compared to the number of votes President Joe Biden secured in the upper region of the state in 2020 votes cast for Trump jumped 12,416 in North Jersey counties many of whom have proved Democratic powerhouses in the past Trump secured 577,152 votes compared to 564,736 in 2020 across North Jersey A dramatic shakeup it was this year as the number of Democratic votes took a nosedive in all five North Jersey counties compared to 2020 leading to Passaic and Morris counties flipping red but narrowing the gap and Sussex County staying true to its red roots From the number of votes in each county that may change slightly as mailed-in ballots are tallied to the towns that made a surprising shift from Democrat to Republican look below at the data analyzed by NorthJersey.com Passaic and Sussex counties have a combined 171 municipalities 33 flipped from Democrat to Republican in this year's presidential election Here's a look at who turned red in each county With 94% of the vote in Thursday afternoon county results showed Harris had secured 682,356 votes across Bergen Passaic and Sussex counties to Trump's 577,152 the five counties gave the president 870,246 votes just under roughly 13,000 fewer than he received this year Hillary Clinton also fared better than Harris did when she faced Trump in 2016 Clinton had won 47,685 more votes in 2016 than Harris did this election in North Jersey Some North Jersey counties have either flipped over the years or have tightened their margins See how they fared over three presidential elections according to county results as of Wednesday evening: complete with towns that shifted from Democrat to Republican in 2020 Staff writers Kyle Morel and Manahil Ahmad contributed to this report Email: lcomstock@njherald.com; Twitter: @LoriComstockNJH or on Facebook.