Call Center Company in Grand Rapids, MI

The Lantern Festival at John Ball Zoo starts on April 9 and continues through June 15. Enter for a chance to win tickets.

Credit: WZZM

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich —

Click here to enter.

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR TO WIN. A PURCHASE WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR ODDS OF WINNING. SUBJECT TO APPLICABLE FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL AND MUNICIPAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED.

Eligibility. Subject to the additional restrictions below, the GR Lantern Festival Ticket Giveaway! (the “Sweepstakes”) is open to residents of Michigan who are 18 years or older at the time of entry. Employees and contractors of WZZM 13, TEGNA Inc., John Ball Zoo and each of their respective affiliated companies, and advertising and promotional agencies, and the immediate family members of, and any persons domiciled with, any such employees or contractors, are not eligible to enter or to win.

How to Enter. The Sweepstakes will begin at 12:01 a.m. EST on April 7th, 2025 and end at 11:59 p.m. EST on April 13th, 2025 (the “Sweepstakes Period”). Enter by visiting the GR Lantern Festival Ticket Giveaway! official registration page on http://www.13OnYourSide.com/contests, completing all of the required information, and following all posted instructions. All entries must be received by 11:59 p.m. EST on April 13th, 2025. Your computer must accept cookies, or any successor or similar technology, which may be used for the purpose of entry tracking. Ad blocking software on your computer needs to be disabled so that it doesn’t interfere with processing your entry. Complete the entry form and any other required fields and then submit your entry by clicking on the “SEND” button. By entering, you agree to the terms of these Official Rules and to receive emails from Sponsor, Administrator, or those directed by Sponsor. You can opt-out of the receipt of such emails by following the directions in any email received from Sponsor.

Maximum one (1) entry per email. Multiple entries by means of software generated or other automated processes will be disregarded. Sponsor and Administrator will not be responsible for incomplete, lost, late, misdirected or illegible entries or for failure to receive entries due to transmission failures or technical failures of any kind, including, without limitation, malfunctioning of any network, hardware or software, whether originating with sender, Administrator or Sponsor. All entries become property of Sponsor and none will be returned.

Winner Selection. Three Grand Prize Winner(s) will be selected in a random drawing from among all eligible entries received on or about April 14th, 2025.

Prizes and Odds. Grand Prize Winner(s) will receive a Family Four Pack to The Grand Rapids Lantern Festival (ARV: $60). Odds of winning depend on the number of eligible entries received.

Winner Notification and Acceptance. Winners will be notified on or about April 14th, 2025 at the telephone number and / or email address provided on winner’s entry form. Sponsor will call during regular business hours at number provided on entry form and will leave no messages. For email, return of prize notification as undeliverable, or failure of recipient to respond to email notification, may result in disqualification and an alternate winner may be selected from among all remaining eligible entries. Failure to respond within 24 hours may result in disqualification of winner, forfeiture of his or her interest in all prizes, and selection of a substitute winner from among all remaining eligible entries.

To claim prize, each winner must personally visit the station at 645 3 Mile NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49544 within five (5) business days after notification (office visits must be between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. weekdays) and a valid photo identification may be required. Winners may waive their right to receive prizes. Prizes are non-assignable and nontransferable. No substitutions allowed by winner. Prizes and individual components of prize packages are subject to availability and Sponsor reserves the right to substitute prizes of equal or greater value. Winners are solely responsible for reporting and payment of any taxes on prizes. Winners may be required to complete an affidavit of eligibility/liability and publicity release (except where prohibited by law) which must be returned as directed by Administrator or Sponsor.

Failure to sign and return the affidavit or release, or to comply with any term or condition of these Official Rules, may result in a winner’s disqualification, the forfeiture of his or her interest in the prize, and the award of the prize to a substitute winner. Except where prohibited, acceptance of any prize constitutes winner’s consent to the publication of his or her name, biographical information and likeness in any media for any commercial or promotional purpose, without limitation or further compensation. Prizes not won and claimed by eligible winners in accordance with these Official Rules will not be awarded and will remain the property of Sponsor.

Participation. By participating, entrants agree to be bound by these Official Rules and the decisions of Sponsor. Sponsor reserves the right to disqualify persons found tampering with or otherwise abusing any aspect of this Sweepstakes as solely determined by Sponsor. In the event the Sweepstakes is compromised by a virus, non-authorized human intervention, tampering or other causes beyond the reasonable control of Sponsor which corrupts or impairs the administration, security, fairness or proper operation of the Sweepstakes, Sponsor reserves the right in its sole discretion to suspend, modify or terminate the Sweepstakes. Should the Sweepstakes be terminated prior to the stated expiration date, Sponsor reserves the right to award prizes based on the entries received before the termination date. Administrator shall have no liability (financial or otherwise) for any claims or other matters relating to this Sweepstakes or any prizes to be awarded. In the event of a dispute, all online entries will be deemed to have been submitted by the owner of the ISP account from which they were sent. For these purposes, an ISP account holder shall mean the natural person assigned to such ISP account by the Internet access provider, online service provider or other organization responsible for assigning ISP addresses for the domain associated with such ISP account. Any questions regarding the number of entries submitted or the owner of an ISP account shall be determined by Sponsor or Administrator in its sole discretion.

Release. The Sponsor and Administrator make no warranties, express or implied, relative to the use or enjoyment of any prize or portions thereof, including without limitations, its quality, merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. By entering the Sweepstakes, each Winner agrees to hold harmless and fully release Sponsor and Administrator and each of their respective parent companies, trustees, subsidiaries, franchisees, licensees, employees, agents, independent contractors and advertising and promotional agencies from any and all liability for any injuries, losses, death, or damages of any kind caused by any prize or resulting from the acceptance, possession, quality, use or misuse of any prize, or any portion of any prize or travel related to the receipt or use of any prize.

Construction. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of these rules shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision. In the event that any such provision is determined to be invalid or otherwise unenforceable, these rules shall be construed in accordance with their terms as if the invalid or unenforceable provision was not contained therein.

Sponsor. The GR Lantern Festival Ticket Giveaway! is sponsored by WZZM. The decisions of Sponsor regarding the selection of winners and all other aspects of the Sweepstakes shall be final and binding in all respects. Sponsor will not be responsible for typographical, printing or other inadvertent errors in these Official Rules or in other materials relating to the Sweepstakes. For a list of winners (available after April 14th, 2025) or a copy of these Official Rules, visit 13OnYourSide.com/contests or send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to “Winners List/Official Rules” (as applicable), GR Lantern Festival Ticket Giveaway!, 645 3 Mile NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49544. If you have any questions regarding this Sweepstakes, please contact Alyssa Rodriguez, Executive Sales Assistant at 616-559-1392.

COMSTOCK PARK, MI — Take me out to the ballpark!

The West Michigan Whitecaps debuted its new Family Fare Clubhouse as a game day experience during its season opener on Friday, April 4 at LMCU Ballpark in Comstock Park. The space is available for all 66 home games this season.

The suite, located on the third base side, boasts an outdoor viewing patio, a full-service bar, private bathrooms, and an exclusive entrance.

Detroit Tigers fans Mike and Colleen Hastings had a birds-eye view as fans trickled in for opening day. The two enjoyed beverages in the suite’s outdoor patio space.

Mike was on hand for the Whitecaps inaugural game in 1994. The Grand Rapids resident said the continued additions to the ballpark have added excitement to an already fantastic fan experience.

“We’ve taken advantage of a suite space here before, and this is a significant upgrade. I like seeing upgrades to the whole park, you know. Having been here since the very first game, just seeing it expand and the club get better and bigger and have more of a footprint, it’s awesome,” Hastings said. “This the perfect place to see future Tigers. The reason you come to Whitecaps games is to see the development of young prospects and have a chance to see them before they’re the big superstars.”

Individual tickets for single game use of the suite cost $75 each. For individual ticket rates and availability, visit here.

The clubhouse is also available for private, corporate and social events. Renting the entire suite costs $6,150, according to the Whitecaps official website.

MLive / Grand Rapids Press photojournalist Isaac Ritchey was there to capture the new spaces. Check out the full gallery above or see a few of our favorites below. Click here for a direct link to the gallery.

Other completed additions and changes to the ballpark this year include the Founders Cap Room, moved bullpen, new outfield dimensions and tiered viewing concourses.

The Cap Room, which is a stadium hub for local craft beers on the third base side, features a floor-to-ceiling window with views of player batting cages.

RELATED: Detroit Tigers top prospects take the field for Whitecaps opening day

These completed areas are just the beginning of a multi-year project aimed at reinvesting in and modernizing the Whitecaps for the next 30 years.

Joe Chamberlin, Whitecaps CEO and Managing Partner, said the construction project ensures LMCU Ballpark remains one of the best facilities in the nation.

“This ballpark is full of history, championships, and memories for so many West Michigan families, including my own,” said Chamberlin. “Our primary objective in leading this franchise has always been to ensure that we are growing our fan base and that we are preparing to meet the needs of the next generation of Whitecaps fans, just as we have done for fans over the last 30 years.”

Want more Grand Rapids-area news? Bookmark the local Grand Rapids news page or sign up for the free “3@3 Grand Rapids” daily newsletter.

GRAND RAPIDS, MI — Spectators’ eyes lit up, darting from one attraction to the next, on Tuesday along a pathway of glowing dragons, butterflies and flowers at John Ball Zoo.

This year’s Grand Rapids Lantern Festival will run from 7:30 to 11:30 p.m. every Wednesday through Sunday from April 9 to June 15 at the zoo, which shared a preview on Tuesday, April 8.

The first of its kind in Michigan, thousands of visitors have experienced the magic of a one-mile tour through the zoo featuring handcrafted Asian lantern displays.

“This is a way to see the zoo in a completely new light,” said Darci Mitchell, promotions and events manager at John Ball Zoo. “It’s really an event for everybody, so if you haven’t been to the zoo in a while or think it’s just for kids, this event changes that thought.

“It’s really a cool, unique way to see the zoo in the dark after hours, in a way that you wouldn’t normally see it. The hope is that some of the stories that we’re telling here and the things that you’ll see along the way will inspire you.”

MLive / Grand Rapids Press photojournalist Isaac Ritchey got a sneak peek at this year’s event. Check out the full gallery above or see a few photos below. Click here for a direct link to the gallery.

The lanterns come from Tianyu (TEE-ON-YOU) Arts & Culture, a Chinese lantern festival producer that promotes conservation and sustainability through its festivals.

The lanterns, crafted using traditional techniques, come in a variety of shapes and sizes, including animals, plants and insects.

Tianyu will also bring entertainment to the festival, featuring performances with face changing, plate spinning, acrobatics and more.

For admission rates or more information, visit the zoo’s website here.

Want more Grand Rapids-area news? Bookmark the local Grand Rapids news page or sign up for the free “3@3 Grand Rapids” daily newsletter.

GRAND RAPIDS, MI - Aquinas College President Alicia Córdoba has resigned less than three years after taking the position at the Catholic school, a spokesperson confirmed Tuesday.

Aquinas leaders have already appointed an interim president, with Córdoba’s resignation effective Monday, April 7.

Córdoba became the ninth president and first female to lead Aquinas College on July 1, 2022, leaving a position as associate vice president and Beirne director of the Center for Catholic Studies at St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, Texas.

The private liberal arts college has not shared the reason for her resignation, citing employee privacy rights.

The board accepted Córdoba’s resignation “with appreciation for her service to the college,” said Mary Ann Sabo, a spokesperson for Aquinas.

“Under her leadership, Aquinas has taken measures to strengthen our institution, including enhanced fundraising, stabilized enrollment and a renewed focus on our Catholic faith,” Sabo said. “We are grateful for the strides we’ve made during her tenure.”

Córdoba replaced Kevin Quinn, who resigned Dec. 10, 2021, after four years at the helm. He cited the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic as one of the factors, but said the main reason was he and his wife were ready for their next adventure.

As Aquinas prepares for yet another search for a new president, Sister Maureen Geary will serve as interim president.

Geary is a certified professional accountant and attorney “who has already contributed much to the college’s success in her roles on the faculty, as a member of the staff, on the board of trustees, foundation board and several committees,” Sabo said.

Geary was previously the college’s vice president of finance and controller, and worked as an assistant professor of business for a decade.

She was a board member for 12 years, and was active on the finance, investments, benefits and Dominican heritage committees.

“A leader within the Dominican community, Sister Maureen brings strong faith, deep understanding, solid expertise and the compassion needed to lead our campus,” Sabo said.

Aquinas, located 1700 Fulton St. E, was founded by the Dominican Sisters of Grand Rapids in 1886. As of January 2025, the college enrolled 1,300 students, according to a previously shared news release.

Sabo said the college is committed to offering “a well-rounded Catholic liberal arts education guided by our Dominican pillars of prayer, service, study and community.”

A native of Grand Rapids, Geary was educated by the Dominican Sisters - Grand Rapids at Immaculate Heart of Mary and Catholic Central High School.

She earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Notre Dame, a master’s degree from Catholic Theological Union in Chicago and a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Michigan.

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Rockford Construction Co. remains at the top of Crain’s list of largest construction companies in West Michigan, while downtown Grand Rapids-based WDG Construction LLC experienced the highest percentage of year-over-year growth last year.

Led by CEO John Wheeler, WDG Construction is the 26th largest construction firm in West Michigan, ranked by revenue in 2024, but experienced 209.7% year-over-year revenue growth. The company posted revenue of $22.3 million in 2024, up from $7.2 million in 2023.

The largest West Michigan construction companies, by 2024 revenue, are:

Other companies with the largest revenue gains were Granger Construction Co. (89% increase) and Rohde Construction Co. Inc. (51.1% increase).

Subscribers can access the full list at the Crain’s Grand Rapids Business Data Center.

A big part of WDG Construction’s revenue increase last year stemmed from the company hitting its stride in working alongside its related, but independent, companies: Wheeler Development Group, Pure Real Estate Brokerage and Pure Real Estate Management.

“(The growth) is reflective of the efficiency that we’ve created by having all our companies work in tandem,” said Jason Wheeler, vice president of marketing and communications and partner at WDG Construction. “They’ve started to synergize over the past six months. We’ve noticed that as a team, we have a much more knowledgeable base when we’re starting a project, and we really have dialed our product in.”

The COVID-19 pandemic has had lingering effects on the construction industry, including longer lead times and high construction costs since 2020. Wheeler said the company now has a better idea about how market factors affect prices and factoring in lead times to projects.

“Our construction company is flowing through our multifamily work a lot quicker, and we also adjusted to some of the industry gaps, pricing changes and things like that and have worked all those things into our budgets,” Wheeler said. “We’re getting more and more looks at our multifamily product and that’s our specialty, our niche.”

WDG Construction and its affiliated companies moved its corporate offices to 300 Ionia Ave. NW in downtown Grand Rapids last year, which previously housed Owen-Ames-Kimball Co.’s offices.

One of WDG’s more prominent recently completed multifamily projects was the 92-unit Village East of Ada that opened at the beginning of 2024. The company is currently building a 54-room boutique hotel in downtown Rockford called Hotel Rose, which is expected to be completed this year.

“The (Hotel Rose) project is going really well and people can now visualize what it’s going to look like,” Wheeler said. “It blends in really well and we’re getting great feedback.”