Dana Chicklas
FOX 17
Grand Rapids, MI, United States
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Past articles by Dana:
Local unions, advocates celebrated in Muskegon’s Labor Day parade
MUSKEGON, Mich. -- In honor of all the men and women workers who have strengthened our country, we celebrate Labor Day. Monday morning the pride throughout the annual Labor Day parade in Muskegon was palpable: from the union organizers to family members. → Read More
Parents remember their son as a “devoted father” after he was killed in Holland Twp. crash
OTTAWA COUNTY, Mich. -- A grieving family shared more about the life of their 34-year-old son, after a tragic accident killed he and another driver when police say the other car ran a flashing red light. → Read More
Free hot lunch for Ionia Public Schools’ elementary students ends ‘stigma’
IONIA COUNTY, Mich. -- All elementary students in Ionia Public Schools are given free hot lunches if they'd like, thanks to a broader statewide qualification. This year, the Michigan Department of Education began including Medicaid as a way for students to qualify for free lunch, as part of its Community Eligibility Provision. → Read More
Grandpa bicycles coast to coast to raise funds for grandson’s future care
KENT COUNTY, Mich. -- A grandfather who just celebrated his 70th birthday is bicycling across the country and pedaled through his home of Kent County Wednesday, all on two wheels raising money for his grandson. Ken Smith tells FOX 17 since July 24 when he left Seaside, Ore. → Read More
UPDATE: Story regarding man urinating on child was fabricated
UPDATE - Police and prosecutors say that they have determined that the incident did not happen and that there will be no charges filed on David Dean. The Kent County Prosecutor says that after further interviews with the children, it was determined that one child urinated on one of the others and the story was made up to try and stay out of trouble. → Read More
Local ophthalmologist debunks whether blue light leads to blindness
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- After the University of Toledo published a study suggesting blue light can lead to macular degeneration, a leading cause of blindness in the U.S., many have wondered how much they've hurt their eyes. → Read More
Inmate who escaped from Fremont hospital captured after crash
FREMONT, Mich. -- An inmate who escaped Tuesday morning is back in custody after an explosive crash scene in downtown Fremont. The Newaygo County Sheriff's Department says Ian Riley-Jackson Davis was complaining of seizures early Tuesday morning and was transported to Spectrum Health Gerber Memorial Hospital. → Read More
Tariffs impacting West Michigan economy with hit to local industrial businesses
KENT COUNTY, Mich. -- As the trade war continues, U.S. imposed tariffs are affecting the local economy, from higher material prices to layoffs at smaller business. → Read More
Video shows Rapid driver stop bus to quiet child with autism
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- Video has been released to FOX 17 showing an incident on a Rapid bus where a driver refused to move the vehicle until a woman's six-year-old son with autism quieted down. → Read More
The Rapid bus driver stops bus, refusing to drive until child with autism quieted
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- A mother says a bus driver refused to drive further until her son was quiet, after she explained her son has autism. "I shouldn’t have been discriminated because my son has special needs," said Porcha Silas to FOX 17 Tuesday. → Read More
Federal deadline to reunite children separated from their families: tomorrow
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- Thursday, July 26 at midnight is the federal deadline to reunite migrant children separated from their parents, yet the government is unlikely to fully reunify families by tomorrow. U.S. → Read More
Mother sentenced for child abuse, lying during trial for son’s murder
KENT COUNTY, Mich. -- Thirteen months after her four-year-old son was murdered, a mother from Gaines Township was sentenced for child abuse and lying during the trial of his murder. → Read More
A mother’s wish for a kidney transplant
KENTWOOD, Mich. -- A mother in Kentwood was about to receive the ultimate gift from her brother, a kidney donation, until they realized they were fighting a similar battle, and the timing saved his life. "I’m trying to live by the 'I can’t stress over things I can’t control,' and God has a plan," said Tiana Madison, a mother of two in Kentwood. → Read More
Corpse flower’s first bloom after 18 years at Frederik Meijer Gardens
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- The corpse flower known for its beauty as much as its smell, is in its first full bloom Thursday at Frederik Meijer Gardens. The Gardens' horticultural staff grew this flower from a pea-sized seedling from Malaysia in 2000 to its current 53 pounds. → Read More
Michigan Congressmen denied visit to immigrant children separated from families
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- Two Congressmen from Michigan are calling for more government transparency after the Office of Refugee Resettlement turned them away form their planned visit to a Bethany Christian Services foster care site with immigrant children separated from their families at the southern U.S. border. → Read More
Zero tolerance policy and executive order will not keep families together long-term
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- The executive order regarding the administration's zero tolerance policy will not keep immigrant families together for longer than 20 days, if at all, if they are detained. → Read More
One of two dogs returned to owner who couldn’t afford shelter, licensing fees
KENT COUNTY, Mich. -- After an outpouring of support and fundraising, one of two dogs' fees were paid and she was returned home from the Kent County Animal Shelter Monday afternoon. "[Bella's] up to date, she’s home, she’s happy," said Todd Spaans, dog owner. → Read More
Family can’t afford licensing and fees to get dogs home from shelter
KENT COUNTY, Mich. -- A family in Wyoming is heartbroken after they say their two dogs escaped for the first time from their backyard. Now housed in the Kent County Animal Shelter where they are up for adoption, they say they can't afford the fees to bring them home. → Read More
Disturbing video shows fight outside Kelloggsville Middle School
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- Disturbing video of a fight outside Kelloggsville Middle School is circulating on social media, during a pending criminal investigation. One of the girls involved says she was left cut with stitches and just wanted to try out for the cheer team. → Read More
Proposal: Dissolve Muskegon Fire Department, contract from Muskegon Heights
MUSKEGON HEIGHTS, Mich. -- The Muskegon Fire Department may be changing as we know it: Muskegon Heights Fire Chief and City Manager will announce a proposal at their City Council meeting Monday. → Read More