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
RECALL: Kraft Recalls 96,000 Pounds of Hot Dogs
If you stocked up on hot dogs in preparation for grilling season, beware - Kraft Foods is recalling 96,000 pounds of hot dogs because they might mistakenly contain cheese.
Tax-Filing Tip If You’re Running Late for April 15 Deadline: File an Extension [Video]
The IRS expects to receive 135 million tax returns by the filing deadline of April 15 -- as in 11:59 p.m. Tuesday.
However, about 12 million taxpayers will have requested extensions by the filing deadline, giving them an extra 6 months to file, according to the Internal Revenue Service.
WZZM-13: Evacuation Notice Issued Along Muskegon River in Newaygo County
Newaygo County Emergency Services is advising that people living along the Muskegon River, downstream of Croton, should prepare to evacuate immediately, WZZM-13 reports.
Music Video Contest Rocks to Help Tune Teens Away From Distracted Driving [Video]
Music is a powerful tool when it comes to spreading the world about distracted driving.
At least that's the push with GEICO’s Distracted Driving Music Video Contest.
Former First Lady Rosalynn Carter in Grand Rapids in Honor of Late Betty Ford
Rosalynn Carter can readily identify with Betty Ford.
They served as first ladies at The White House in back-to-back terms in the 1970s.
Today, Carter, the wife of former President Jimmy Carter, is in Grand Rapids in honor of the 96th birthday of the late Ford, the spouse of former President Gerald Ford.
RECALL: Ford Recalls Nearly 435,000 Vehicles
Attention folks who drive Ford vehicles - Ford is recalling nearly 435,000 cars to fix rusting frame parts or faulty seats.
Grand Rapids Winter Weather Advisory Issued, with Freezing Rain and Gusty Winds Forecast
While the calendar might indicate spring, the National Weather Service's Grand Rapids Office this afternoon issued a winter weather advisory for Thursday and Friday.
A pair of late-season winter storms are bringing freezing rain and gusty winds early Thursday and again early Friday to Grand Rapids and West Michigan.
5.1 Magnitude Earthquake In Los Angeles Friday Night
An earthquake near LA on Friday night.
Reports of out of California tonight that a series of earthquakes, the strongest at 5.1, struck near Los Angeles at 9:09pm California time (12:09am Saturday in Michigan).
The US Geological Survey says the 5...
Pregnancy Time Lapse: ‘From Bump To Buzz’ [Video]
This is such a great video. Meet Tom and Giovanna Fletcher. They're expecting. And once they learned Giovanna was pregnant, they began taking pictures of her bump every day over 9 months.
The pictures were turned into a video and set to music with Tom singing a song "Something New" to her belly...
Grand River Ice Jam Alert Issued; Flood Watch in Kent and Ottawa Counties
A flood watch is in effect in Kent and Ottawa counties through Friday morning because of the potential for ice jams in the Grand River, according to the National Weather Service's Grand Rapids Office.
Here We Go Again: Winter!
A wintry mix of weather is being forecast for tonight and Wednesday by the National Weather Service's Grand Rapids office.
Here's what the National Weather Service is forecasting:
Light rain will mix with and change to snow this evening...
Grand Rapids Griffins’ Purple Community Hockey Game is March 7
The Grand Rapids Griffins' Purple Community Game is coming on Friday.
For every ticket purchased, the Griffins will donate $3 to cancer research at Van Andel Institute.
And when you click THIS LINK and use promo code "PURPLE" to buy tickets, you'll get a specially priced lower level center ice ticket for just $22...