Author

Shandra Martinez

Shandra Martinez is the managing editor of The Lakeshore WM. After a distinguished career in daily journalism, she launched her Holland-based business, Shandra Martinez Communications. A longtime resident of the Lakeshore, she now writes and edits on a variety of platforms for clients in Michigan and across the country. She can be reached at mailto:shandra@thelakeshorewm.com

Shandra Martinez's Latest Articles

RCC opened a Veterans Center in 2021. (GRCC/Steve Jessmore)
GRCC named a Gold Level College by Michigan Veterans Affairs

The recognition comes one year after GRCC opened a Veterans Center to better support student veterans as they pursue their education. 

Tabitha Wolters is a financial wellness specialists at Community Action House.
Changing lives with financial literacy: Q&A with CAH’s Tabitha Wolters

Tabitha Wolters, Community Action House’s financial wellness specialist, shares how she’s working with clients to pay off debt and raise credit scores.

Holland Post Office workers in 1972. (Holland Museum)
Exhibit explores the early history of the Postal Service in Holland

The Holland Museum's newest exhibition is curated by the Summer Intern Council and tells the early history of Holland's postal service. 

Metallica’s All Within My Hands Foundation has awarded its fourth grant to GRCC's welding program. (GRCC/Andrew Schmidt)
Heavy metal band Metallica funds GRCC’s welding program for 4th year

A fourth grant from Metallica’s All Within My Hands Foundation will allow Grand Rapids Community College to help more nontraditional students gain in-demand welding skills.

Ed Amaya, Jasmine Irish and Kolin Van Fossan.
New faces join CFHZ board

Three community volunteers will play an important role in helping the Community Foundation of the Holland/Zeeland Area allocate funding for local programs and projects. 

Rendering shows an aerial view of Gentex's planned expansion. (Gentex)
Gentex’s $300M expansion to add 500 new jobs

Ottawa County's biggest employer is growing. Gentex Corp. is investing $300 million to expand its operations with new facilities in the city of Zeeland and Zeeland Charter Township.

Ottawa County wants to hear from residents about how to spend $57M

There's less than a week left for Ottawa County residents and business owners to take a survey about how $57 million in ARPA funding should be spent. The questionnaire, available in both English and Spanish, takes about 5 to 10 minutes to complete and closes on August 1. 

The Chinook Pier Food Truck Park officially launched with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on June 29. (City of Grand Haven)
Grand Haven creates waterfront gathering spot with food trucks

Grand Haven has turned a grassy patch along its waterfront into a destination with the new Chinook Pier Food Truck Park.  

The reception area of the new West Michigan Works! office in Holland.
West Michigan Works! relocates Holland service center

West Michigan Works! has relocated its Holland service center to a more central location close to key partners such as the GRCC Lakeshore Campus.

Muskegon is one of eight venues across Michigan hosting the Junior Gold Championships for the first time. (IBC Youth Development)
Muskegon among Michigan venues hosting top youth bowlers in U.S.

Muskegon is one of eight venues across Michigan hosting the Junior Gold Championships for the first time. More than 4,000 athletes are competing in one of the largest events ever hosted by the West Michigan Sports Commission.

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