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
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...
Academy Awards: And the Winners for the 86th Oscars Are …
The stars come out tonight for the 86th Oscars, also known as the Academy Awards.
Recognizing the outstanding film achievements for 2013, the awards by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences are being presented at Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Calif., and are being broadcast by ABC starting at 8:30 p.m. EST. Ellen DeGeneres is the host.
The red-carpet pre-show on ABC starts at 7 p.m. EST.
Winter Olympics: Nearly Golden for U.S. Women’s Bobsled, But Still Historic
By Ryan Howe | BSU at the Games
Elana Meyers had hoped to be in the Summer Olympics playing softball.
Instead, the former Mid Michigan Ice softball player from Douglasville, Ga., was at the Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, seeking a slide toward greatness. She nabbed it, too.
Meyers and Lauryn Williams, of Miami, slid to a silver medal finish in the two-women bobsled competition, just ahead of U
Bruno Mars At 6 Years Old
After he performed on the Super Bowl, there's no doubt that Bruno Mars deserves his superstar status. But have you wondered if he always had that talent? The answer is yes!
Check out this 1992 video of the show "Front Runners" on KOMO-TV in Seattle...
Weather Channel’s Jim Cantore Handles A Photobomber
Have you seen the fantastic video from the Weather Channel?
It shows Jim Cantore doing a "live shot" at the University of South Carolina, when a student comes running in and making noise to screw up the report. Cantore hears it, lifts his knee and gut-checks the student ...
Winter Storm Warning In Effect Friday through Saturday
Yep, it's been cold but now the Wind Chill Warning that was in effect has been canceled and replaced with a Winter Storm Warning.
The National Weather Service issued the storm warning to begin at 1am Friday and run through 7am Saturday morning...
Cop Stops To Throw A Football Around With A Kid
Lots of times, the "dashcam video" we see from cops involves a high speed chase, a suspect trying to get away or a drunk person trying to stand up.
So it was nice to see a different take on it this time. The video comes from the Rosenberg, Texas, Police Department...
Grand Rapids Kids & Family Expo This Weekend
This weekend on Saturday (Jan. 18), it's the Kids & Family Expo at DeVos Place!
First, one of the best things about the expo this weekend? They'll have a zipline running through DeVos Place!
No doubt you have cabin fever and so do the kids! The Kids & Family Expo will help you come play and get active - and help the kids burn off some energy.
RECALL: GM 2013 Pickups
GM is recalling over 300,000 Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra pickups in the United States..
The recall is to reprogram software that may cause exhaust components to overheat and catch fire. Eight fires have been caused by the problem, but no one has been injured...
Greater Grand Rapids: Top 5 Weather Events of 2013 [Video]
It was a year for the record books in 2013 in West Michigan.
At least so says the National Weather Service's Grand Rapids Office, which issued its annual climate summary report this week.
There was the April flooding that swamped locales along the Grand River and other area tributaries...
You Gotta Get the Bread and Milk!
Did you see the pictures of the lines and empty shelves at supermarkets on Saturday afternoons? Worse yet, were you IN one of the stores or lines on Saturday afternoon?
Amazing to see so many shelves completely wiped out.
Whether you saw the pictures or were part of cleaning out the store, this video will speak to you...