Students from East Grand Rapids and Forest Hills Central high schools are teaming to hold a Battle of the Bands benefit concert. The concert is for Habitat for Humanity of Kent County’s Women Build program.

Eight East Grand Rapids High School student bands and two teacher bands will compete for the top prize: a paid gig at the EGR Valentine’s Dance and a training session with professional musician Brian Vander Ark.

Concert-goers will vote for their favorite band with donations. The band with the most amount of money at the end of the night will be named Battle of the Bands champion.

Proceeds from ticket sales, votes and T-shirts will go to Habitat’s Women Build program. Tickets are $4 each and available at the door.

CASCADE, MI - Cascade residents and building owners will see their water and sewer rates drop in 2013.  Numerous energy saving efforts and cutbacks in staffing by the City of Grand Rapids are the reasons for the lower rates.

Sewer users will see a 5.2% drop in their quarterly bills.  This means the typical water and sewer bill should be about $13.22 less than last year.

However, there will be some property owners that will see an increase.   If residential property owners, who were not connected, paid their front footage fee in 2012, the cost was $61.00 per foot.  In 2013, this will increase to $75.00 per foot.  For a residence with a lot that is 100 feet wide, the increase would be $1,400.

For commercial properties, the fee changes from $94.00 to $110.00.

If you have any questions, call Sandra Korhorn at the Cascade Township office 949-1500.

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