GRPS Changes Outdoor Activities Due to EEE and West Nile Virus Threat

With the threat of Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) and West Nile Virus in West Michigan, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services  (MDHHS) and  Kent County Health Department along with others have been asking residents to limit outdoor activities around dusk and into the evening to avoid being bitten and infected with the mosquito-borne illnesses, especially if young children are involved.

So in response, GRPS sent out a release saying that they have looked into the school schedule and are making the following changes to events that are scheduled after school and in the evening over the weekend and making the following schedule changes:

• Tonight/Thursday, September 26:
  • Canceling Ottawa Hills High School boys soccer junior varsity game and moving the boys soccer varsity game up to 5:00 p.m. start at Forest Hills.
• Friday, September 27:
  • Ottawa Hills High School varsity homecoming football game relocating to Houseman Field and changing start time to 4:30 p.m.
• Saturday, September 28:
  • No Saturday activities are expected to last beyond 7:00 p.m.

They say the changes are based on the MDHHS and Kent County Health Department.  School officials are also looking into next week’s afterschool and evening events schedule to determine if any changes need to be made and announced.