Hey, I’m the “new guy” here at 100.5 The River. We’ll get to hang out for part of your workday and the drive home while you’re listening to Today’s Best Mix without the rap. Some people asked “why would you move HERE?” when I started. I answer that question with disbelief and realize that people in GR simply don’t realize what a great city they have. Grand Rapids is just a fantastic city. The people, the downtown, the festivals, the philanthropy of our ‘famous families’ … the list goes on and on. The VIBE of this city is just incredible. Those who say “why would you move HERE?” clearly don’t realize how crappy most other similar sized cities are compared to GR. We moved here from the vibrant and clean city (#sarcasm) of Toledo, OH where I was the Operations Manager for six radio stations. Before that, I was on-air or programming stations in Philadelphia, New York City, Milwaukee, Madison, Cedar Rapids (Iowa) and Waterloo (Iowa). My wife and I met in Madison and were married four days after 9/11. We have two “furry kids” named Ollie (yellow lab/bassett/corgi) and Chester (bassett). I’m also the Program Director for Channel 95-7 and 100.5 The River, so if you have any comments, suggestions or complaints (I welcome compliments, too), just email or call me!
Tom Cook
Russian Criminals Steal 1.2 Billion Online Passwords
Russian criminals have stolen 1.2 billion Internet usernames and passwords, according to a respected security firm. Officials say this could be the largest collection of stolen digital credentials in history.
9-Year-Old Boy Stabbed By 12-Year-Old In Kentwood Dies
Police are investigating after a 12-year-old boy is accused of stabbing another child Monday evening. The victim, 9-year-old Michael Conner Verkerke, died Tuesday morning.
Police Searching For Missing Muskegon Man
Muskegon Police are asking for the public's help in finding a missing man.
Mark Davey, 49, was last seen around 3:00am on Saturday, July 26 in the 900 block of Williams Street in Muskegon. He was reported missing by his caregiver later Saturday afternoon.
RECALL: Fruit Sold At Costco, Trader Joe’s, Walmart
A company in California has issued a voluntary nationwide recall of specific lots of its fresh peaches, plums, nectarines and pluots (a type of plum) because of concerns of possible listeria contamination.
Fulton Street Bridge Closed For Construction in Downtown Grand Rapids Until Late August
It seems you can't get anywhere in Grand Rapids these days without running into some kind of construction. On Monday afternoon, things got even more complicated at MDOT shut down the Fulton Street bridge for construction. It will remained closed until Aug. 25.
Elderly Jenison Woman Missing
The Ottawa County Sheriff's Office is asking for help in finding a missing Jenison woman.
Michael Bublé Records Special Video For Young Fan With Autism [Video]
Michael Bublé recently recorded a video for a six-year-old fan named Griffin who has autism.
Griffin's aunt posted the video to YouTube and had this to say:
RECALL – GM Recalls 7.6 Million More Vehicles
Monday afternoon, General Motors announced more recalls. These new recalls combined with previous recalls from this year affect 8.4 million vehicles worldwide, most of those have been recalled for faulty ignition switches.
P.F. Chang’s Investigating Potential Nationwide Data Breach
The popular chain restaurant P.F. Chang’s China Bistro (with one location here in Grand Rapids on the East Beltline) is investigating a possible data breach that may have impacted customers across the nation.
USA Today reports that the first report of this breach came from a cyber security blogger named Brian Krebs. Krebs is also the man who uncovered the data breach at Target stores.
School Bus And SUV Crash In Ottawa County
A vehicle collided with a Hudsonville Public Schools bus with six kids on board on Thursday afternoon.
Grand Rapids’ Ferris Coffee & Nut Company Acquires Holland’s JP’s Coffee
Ferris Coffee & Nut Company today announced it has acquired Holland‐based JP's Coffee and Espresso Bar.
All-New Meteor Shower – Camelopardalid – Will Be Visible Friday Night & Saturday Morning
An all-new meteor shower is expected to happen Friday night and into early Saturday morning. Here is what you need to know about the Camelopardalid meteor shower: