Ahtra Elnashar
FOX 17
Grand Rapids, MI, United States
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Past articles by Ahtra:
Democrat running to unseat Justin Amash releases digital ad, ‘Fix Things’
IONIA, Mich. — Democrat Nick Colvin's campaign released a new digital ad on Monday morning promoting his platform to "fix things." Colvin is running in the Democratic primary for Michigan's 3rd Congressional District, currently held by Rep. Justin Amash, I-Grand Rapids. → Read More
Vets seek help to raise $75K for fallen Marine memorial
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — A group of veterans is asking for help to make sure five Marines killed in Iraq are not forgotten. Thomas Gilbert, Jonathan Thornsberry, Brett Witteveen, Jacob Neal and Bufford Van Slyke were killed in action during their 2006-2007 deployment to Iraq. → Read More
Nearly $200k grant awarded to protect Macatawa Watershed
WASHINGTON — The Macatawa Area Coordinating Council has been awarded a $190,000 grant to protect the Macatawa Watershed. The grant will be used by the council for a project that will encourage prolonged use to cover crops and increase installation of grassed waterways. It was announced by Rep. Bill Huizenga, R-Zeeland, on Monday. → Read More
Michigan is the first state to ban flavored e-cigs
LANSING, Mich. — Under emergency rules ordered by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, Michigan will become the first state to ban flavored nicotine vaping products. “As governor, my number one priority is keeping our kids safe,” Whitmer said in a tweet Wednesday morning. → Read More
Saranac community raising funds for family of Skylar Lasby
SARANAC, Mich. — Many in Saranac started their Labor Day weekend working to help a family experiencing tragedy after their 12-year-old son suddenly died after collapsing during football practice. Skylar Lasby suffered cardiac arrest due to an irregular heartbeat on Wednesday, according to the Kent County Medical Examiner's Office. → Read More
Government shutdown ‘not an option,’ state Republican leaders say
LANSING, Mich. — With 33 days left to pass a budget, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Republican leaders in the state legislature appear no closer to reaching a deal, avoiding a government shutdown. Whitmer met with Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey, R-Clarklake, and House Speaker Lee Chatfield, R-Levering, on at 9 a.m. Wednesday, according to Gideon D'Assandro, Chatfield's communications director. → Read More
Mom gives out over 200 backpacks to kids in her neighborhood
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — What started out as a simple effort to help kids properly start their school year has turned into a major community initiative, thanks to a mother with a big heart. Angela Sharifsain got the idea last year to do a backpack giveaway. → Read More
Kent Co. deputies respond to 30 cellphone store burglaries in 18 months
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — The Kent County Sheriff's Office is experiencing a record-high number of reports of cellphone store burglaries. There have been 30 reports of cell phone store burglaries in the past 18 months, according to Sgt. Joel Roon. Six of the burglaries have occurred in the past week. → Read More
Holland pastor challenges Bill Huizenga for Congress
HOLLAND, Mich. — In a first-time run for office, Democratic Reverend Bryan Berghoef is vying to unseat Rep. Bill Huizenga, R-Zeeland, in Michigan's 2nd Congressional District. Berghoef, 44, currently serves at Holland United Church of Christ. → Read More
Lynn Afendoulis tours ICE facilities to learn about border crisis
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Less than 12 hours after returning to her home district from a trip to the U.S.-Mexico border, State Rep. Lynn Afendoulis says she's eager to see inside as many Immigration and Customs Enforcement facilities as possible. → Read More
City of Ionia mayor makes early endorsement of Nick Colvin for 3rd District
IONIA, Mich.— In a congressional race with nine candidates and counting, the mayor of Ionia is throwing his support behind the man who worked as a personal aide to former President Barack Obama. Nick Colvin (D) entered the race for Michigan's 3rd District less than a month ago, but has known Mayor Daniel Balice since he was in high school. → Read More
MAGA-themed wedding pays tribute to President Trump
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich.— Subtlety was never the intent of the wedding decor for Audra and Jeff Johnson's nuptials. The couple married on July 4 in Kalamazoo, surrounded by friends and family donned in "Make America Great Again" hats. “It looked like America threw up all over my wedding and I’m not sorry," bride Audra Johnson said. → Read More
Felix’s Marina owner shares secret to success after 90 years in business
GRAND HAVEN, Mich.– A staple on the shores of Grand Haven is celebrating 90 years of business. Owner Felix Pytlinske's parents opened Felix's Marina on July 4, 1929, just three months before the Great Depression began. → Read More
Amash: Partisan politics ‘dangerous for our country’
EAST GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Rep. Justin Amash says he is hoping to set an example by declaring his independence from the Republican party. The Libertarian lawmaker announced he was leaving the GOP in a Washington Post op-ed Thursday morning. → Read More
Man facing long list of charges in Allegan Co. crime spree
ALLEGAN, Mich. — The man accused of going on a violent crime spree in Allegan County has been formally charged. William Thomas Travis, 22, is facing over a dozen felony charges after allegedly stealing multiple vehicles, breaking into a home and holding people inside at gunpoint before being shot by deputies. → Read More
Ottawa Co. active shooter training teaches ‘avoid, deny, defend’
WEST OLIVE, Mich.— For some in Ottawa County, Saturday morning was spent learning from an expert about what to do in the all too common case of an active shooter scenario. Sergeant Chris Koster with the Ottawa County Sheriff's Office has been teaching the class for nearly a year. → Read More
Pro-life group seeks signatures for ‘fetal heartbeat’ abortion ban
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — A new pro-life group based in Kent County is working to get a strict abortion ban on the 2020 ballot. Michigan Heartbeat Coalition (MHC) is starting a petition drive to have voters decide whether or not to implement a ban on abortions after a heartbeat is detected in a... → Read More
Health officials warn about blacklegged ticks and Lyme disease
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Health officials are urging people to protect themselves from a certain type of tick that can carry Lyme disease. The blacklegged, or deer tick, can carry the disease and nymphs are often out during late spring to early summer. → Read More
GRPD recruiting more female officers
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich.-- The Grand Rapids Police Department is calling all women interested in law enforcement to join the force. GRPD held its first ever 'Women in Policing' recruiting event on Saturday morning at the police department in downtown Grand Rapids. → Read More
Rep. Amash: Trump’s conduct is “impeachable”
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich.-- In a series of tweets on Saturday afternoon, Rep. Justin Amash, R-Grand Rapids, made his case for impeaching the president. Amash says he has four principal conclusions: that Attorney General William Barr intentionally misrepresented the Mueller report, President Trump has "... → Read More