WALKER, Mich.—The Grand Valley Metropolitan Council has some new faces at its helm.

During the Dec. 5 meeting, Grandville Mayor Steve Maas, Kentwood Mayor Steve Keply and Walker Mayor Mark Huizenga officially joined the GVMC Board of Directors.  All three men were elected in November and selected by city members to serve on the panel.

Ada Township Supervisor George Haga and Sand Lake Village Trustee Roger Towsley also took the oath of office.  They represent the first two communities to join GVMC since 2007. The Board of Directors also recently approved accepting Lowell Township as a member. 

The GVMC is in charge of coordinating development and governmental affairs across municipalities.

CASCADE TOWNSHIP, Mich.—  The Grand Rapids Triathlon will return next year, and so will the road closures.

During its regular meeting November 20, the Cascade Township Board approved shutting down a portion of Thornapple River Drive, Grachen Street, Mountain Ash Street, Hurley Street, Peace Street, Orange Avenue and Orange Court from 4 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday, June 8.

Tris4Health says the Grand Rapids Triathlon 2014 will stretch from Cascade to Ada Township and Lowell Township.  A portion of the proceeds will benefit Kids’ Food Basket, which provides sack suppers to thousands of children each day.

Travelers at Gerald R. Ford International Airport can now get an extra jolt of energy – for their electronic devices, that is. 

The airport is adding 46 charging stations in between gate area seating throughout its concourses.  Each charging station includes six 120-volt outlets and two USB connections, allowing visitors to charge cell phones, laptops and other electronics.

“We are constantly looking for ways we can make our airport more passenger-friendly,” said Airport Executive Director Brian Ryks.  “Our new charging stations will give both business and leisure travelers the ability to stay plugged-in and entertained while traveling in and out of our airport.”

The charging stations have already been installed in Concourse A.  Crews are expected to finish adding the stations to Concourse B by the end of the week.