https://joshuavissers.com/articles daily 0.75 2025-08-31 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/599c396f37c58152afedf89c/1682525549703-OQ65DSQZDUEN41AJKH97/unsplash-image-Uy0Bq8vYjk4.jpg The Opinion Page https://joshuavissers.com/articles/2025/8/30/freedom-fear-and-leaving-the-food-pantry monthly 0.5 2025-08-31 https://joshuavissers.com/articles/2025/6/24/everyones-climbing-nowand-not-just-because-its-trendy monthly 0.5 2025-06-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/599c396f37c58152afedf89c/e6d19148-8a1b-4684-9434-d9a85a1af1aa/download.jpg The Opinion Page - Everyone’s Climbing Now—and Not Just Because It’s Trendy - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://joshuavissers.com/articles/atiena monthly 0.5 2025-06-18 https://joshuavissers.com/articles/2024/7/15/personalization-is-killing-our-ability-to-make-political-choices monthly 0.5 2024-07-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/599c396f37c58152afedf89c/1721048206043-87AZM8QAO1Z7FGB51DDN/image-asset.jpeg The Opinion Page - Personalization is killing our ability to make political choices - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://joshuavissers.com/articles/2024/yoav-gallant-judea-forever monthly 0.5 2024-04-25 https://joshuavissers.com/articles/2023/12/15/beyond-the-gift-card-the-true-power-of-thoughtful-gifts monthly 0.5 2023-12-15 https://joshuavissers.com/articles/2023/10/7/the-promise-of-a-community-journalism-tradition monthly 0.5 2023-10-07 https://joshuavissers.com/articles/2023/10/7/the-world-needs-more-of-you monthly 0.5 2023-10-07 https://joshuavissers.com/articles/2023/10/7/walking-the-tightrope-of-accountability monthly 0.5 2023-10-07 https://joshuavissers.com/articles/2023/10/7/the-2nd-amendment-in-context monthly 0.5 2023-10-07 https://joshuavissers.com/articles/2023/10/7/a-hopeful-future-for-ai monthly 0.5 2023-10-07 https://joshuavissers.com/articles/2023/10/7/the-trail-of-john-peter-zenger monthly 0.5 2023-10-07 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/599c396f37c58152afedf89c/2218e062-0849-4dec-a5d6-663817bbe835/01bfb532-3d09-4bbc-bcbc-42a6e8a5959a_299x360.jpg The Opinion Page - The Trail of John Peter Zenger - Make it stand out Portrait of William Cosby, National Gallery of Ireland, Charles Jervas https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/599c396f37c58152afedf89c/352faa77-7f9c-4063-a1f2-b0e212c097d6/cf3bfa67-77f8-4ac1-8305-aa5b0617e0df_898x1401.jpg The Opinion Page - The Trail of John Peter Zenger - Make it stand out The seventh volume of the New York Weekly Journal https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/599c396f37c58152afedf89c/30564e17-97b4-443a-b4af-bcdab4b883c7/b4940855-8289-4782-ac34-ac67e485099b_418x490.jpg The Opinion Page - The Trail of John Peter Zenger - Make it stand out James Alexander, via Wikimedia. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/599c396f37c58152afedf89c/5a4e9f54-f1b7-40ee-bc48-b0f2e63ae8e5/889dc7bd-44d0-46e8-b8ee-e51fce75c1a4_3513x4197.jpg The Opinion Page - The Trail of John Peter Zenger - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/599c396f37c58152afedf89c/0afe6811-d1bf-4dc8-9fa8-649782f5458a/e83a10ad-0d93-4126-abfe-de9c28f455ee_883x679.jpg The Opinion Page - The Trail of John Peter Zenger - Make it stand out Letter of thanks from Zenger to Hamilton https://joshuavissers.com/articles/2021/5/21/local-campgrounds-and-parks-face-new-stresses-some-opportunities monthly 0.5 2023-04-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/599c396f37c58152afedf89c/1621618906115-JU2H6I5HH6NHBTFSYPDO/P1100745.jpg The Opinion Page - Local campgrounds and parks face new stresses, some opportunities - Make it stand out Wally investigates some mysterious honking at Bob Lake Campground in the Ottawa National Forest. Photo courtesy of Trail Mutt Reports https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/599c396f37c58152afedf89c/1621619374914-ZK3OR7C388SP11CQMKI1/P1100507.jpg The Opinion Page - Local campgrounds and parks face new stresses, some opportunities - Make it stand out Wally says, “Welcome to the Beaver Lodge Trail at the Bob Lake Campground, part of the Ottawa National Forest. Please surrender all dog treats and savory meats and remember to hike safely!” Photo courtesy of Trail Mutt Reports https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/599c396f37c58152afedf89c/1621620382589-7NDEC853EUEIYTBGI4N5/P1100683.jpg The Opinion Page - Local campgrounds and parks face new stresses, some opportunities - Make it stand out Arlyn Aronson clearing a deadfall at Bob Lake Campground. Photo courtesy of Trail Mutt Reports https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/599c396f37c58152afedf89c/1621623454879-KWFB7DZ1SXUGVSYE46P8/P1100653.jpg The Opinion Page - Local campgrounds and parks face new stresses, some opportunities - Make it stand out Wally enjoys a sunset sit by the lake. Photo courtesy of Trail Mutt Reports https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/599c396f37c58152afedf89c/1621624010523-T9YJGFTQSJY3BC1M9IPE/logo.gif The Opinion Page - Local campgrounds and parks face new stresses, some opportunities - Make it stand out Grant Township logo https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/599c396f37c58152afedf89c/1621625787385-BCADDKTE2ETN8XUU57P8/P1100933.jpg The Opinion Page - Local campgrounds and parks face new stresses, some opportunities - Make it stand out Grommit likes to sit on feet and lean against legs. Photo courtesy of Trail Mutt Reports https://joshuavissers.com/articles/2021/5/15/community-gardeners-growing-from-the-heart monthly 0.5 2023-01-04 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/599c396f37c58152afedf89c/1621101745539-22Y0FRLAJCY18T6KZEZ3/MVI_7780+%281%29.gif The Opinion Page - Community gardeners, 'Growing from the Heart' - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/599c396f37c58152afedf89c/1621102747933-ALCE60IMSREVN94CUMGH/IMG_7782.JPG The Opinion Page - Community gardeners, 'Growing from the Heart' - Make it stand out Volunteer Evan Lanese separates out the pallet wood before tearing down the pallets to make signs. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/599c396f37c58152afedf89c/1621103551436-E9BUILSAQ2DDMINOX3X4/IMG_7779.JPG The Opinion Page - Community gardeners, 'Growing from the Heart' - Make it stand out Angie Carter scoops some compost from MTU’s Sustainable Demonstration House into a bag to be taken home. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/599c396f37c58152afedf89c/1621104725036-XSGGQ0L54KT4JJQ8R0J3/IMG_7785.JPG The Opinion Page - Community gardeners, 'Growing from the Heart' - Make it stand out Deconstructing pallets for sign-making material. https://joshuavissers.com/articles/2021/4/30/handling-school-outbreaks-in-houghton-county monthly 0.5 2023-01-04 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/599c396f37c58152afedf89c/1619796620297-RUJ33JHXSST9FLWOVAK6/Sheet+1+%281%29.png The Opinion Page - Handling school outbreaks in Houghton County Outbreak data from Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, school enrollment data from individual school websites. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/599c396f37c58152afedf89c/1619799799648-QK3WG9NO4PPZ1PKHRA7X/Screenshot+2021-04-30+122250.jpg The Opinion Page - Handling school outbreaks in Houghton County CSTE definition of a school outbreak https://joshuavissers.com/articles/2021/4/16/to-make-a-long-story-short monthly 0.5 2023-01-04 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/599c396f37c58152afedf89c/1618585755614-Q10JOBB12WA53YMCF4D3/IMG_7147.jpg The Opinion Page - To Make a Long Story Short https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/599c396f37c58152afedf89c/1618585756047-VACTLO1DHY21EE8NQJ3H/IMG_7160.jpg The Opinion Page - To Make a Long Story Short https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/599c396f37c58152afedf89c/1618585758077-8P3X4KMX59EG2PMFJWLN/IMG_7174.jpg The Opinion Page - To Make a Long Story Short https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/599c396f37c58152afedf89c/1618585758185-075HCSBP77FVZ4CE26VD/IMG_7152.jpg The Opinion Page - To Make a Long Story Short https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/599c396f37c58152afedf89c/1618585760857-LCV2UMLMNGGMLXFZ0KRD/IMG_7157.jpg The Opinion Page - To Make a Long Story Short https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/599c396f37c58152afedf89c/1618585760969-HRJW1EBWFPGOPEBQVZ0C/IMG_7155.jpg The Opinion Page - To Make a Long Story Short https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/599c396f37c58152afedf89c/1618585763427-AWME9E7RYGEZEEK4DQTW/IMG_7154.jpg The Opinion Page - To Make a Long Story Short https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/599c396f37c58152afedf89c/1618585763846-6YOG9PDZZHIE6186OJX7/IMG_7146.jpg The Opinion Page - To Make a Long Story Short https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/599c396f37c58152afedf89c/1618667176702-UO0Q9SG230QW28Y4V1V6/IMG_7165.JPG The Opinion Page - To Make a Long Story Short https://joshuavissers.com/articles/2021/3/26/2019-insurance-reform-not-what-everyone-bargained-for-michigan-motorcyclists-disenchanted monthly 0.5 2023-01-04 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/599c396f37c58152afedf89c/1616852277700-DEB4TK0ZM7QNLR8UY497/165777892_1391910737820505_2740249409994083063_n.jpg The Opinion Page - Michigan motorcyclists disenchanted with insurance reform Motorcyclists in Grand Rapids during ArtPrize 2017. (Photo by John Rothwell) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/599c396f37c58152afedf89c/1616811080935-F5BR9NCP76J2BUWWI1XP/McBroom200x300.jpg The Opinion Page - Michigan motorcyclists disenchanted with insurance reform Sen. Ed McBroom https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/599c396f37c58152afedf89c/1616811200307-PJV70N7PKKZV21MO0BF5/IMG_9876te.jpg The Opinion Page - Michigan motorcyclists disenchanted with insurance reform Rep. Kyra Bolden offering a substitute to change some things in the auto insurance reform bill, including the prioritization of personal injury coverage for motorcycles, on May 9, 2019. (official photo) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/599c396f37c58152afedf89c/1616811506830-L0EAVJNVD9ZAM959KSYD/AutoNoFault_Mrkmnn_0519_2-scaled.jpg The Opinion Page - Michigan motorcyclists disenchanted with insurance reform Sen. Greg Markkanen on the House floor, May 9, 2019. (official photo) https://joshuavissers.com/articles/2021/3/13/l6j1c4k36gml0e882hl6hhtepw4k27 monthly 0.5 2023-01-04 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/599c396f37c58152afedf89c/1615653748845-85YN06TACJFJED4M7JYH/Deanna.jpg The Opinion Page - Area businesses putting community, staff above ease and profit David and Deanna Morin after their lunch at Syl’s Cafe. Behind them, the photography of Bryan Byrnes adorns the walls. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/599c396f37c58152afedf89c/1615654132712-TOSHFFWVDL7HT84E119J/Flowers.jpg The Opinion Page - Area businesses putting community, staff above ease and profit One of Joseph Del Real’s arrangements on a table at Syl’s Cafe. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/599c396f37c58152afedf89c/1615654017852-T5KFACJZVAL2BMLWI3I1/Dawson.jpg The Opinion Page - Area businesses putting community, staff above ease and profit Dawson Pollard works the grill at Syl’s Cafe. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/599c396f37c58152afedf89c/1615654534560-OGGGQPBP2CF3WBGWPJ0D/Kathy.jpg The Opinion Page - Area businesses putting community, staff above ease and profit Kathy Wardynski https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/599c396f37c58152afedf89c/1615654634872-O7UF6P0KI4V4MQ45EI11/Menu+peek.jpg The Opinion Page - Area businesses putting community, staff above ease and profit A proof of Syl’s Cafe’s new menu. With a larger spiral binding, Wardynski anticipates her servers being able to slide a dowel through it, dunk it in sanitizer, and hanging it to dry. This will be a lot faster than wiping down each page one at a time. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/599c396f37c58152afedf89c/1615655235057-EJKTMXNSFRJ72H5OB96Z/Syl%27s.jpg The Opinion Page - Area businesses putting community, staff above ease and profit Syl’s Cafe on River Street in Ontonagon. https://joshuavissers.com/articles/2021/3/6/wind-turbines-planned-for-houghton-county-by-circle-power monthly 0.5 2023-01-04 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/599c396f37c58152afedf89c/1615043209672-EXCHBQKFS143OS4V1UD7/Screenshot+2021-02-19+103514.png The Opinion Page - Twelve wind turbines planned for Houghton County This is a screenshot from “The Wind Prospector” a site run by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. It shows the area where the turbines will be built is in the light green area, which is labeled as “6.5 to 7 m/s” on the legend. Dark green and blue have speeds reduced at .5 m/s intervals. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/599c396f37c58152afedf89c/1615044008721-ZA81F2TKLUP6RIEQPRDN/Screenshot%2B2021-03-01%2B183957.jpg The Opinion Page - Twelve wind turbines planned for Houghton County The turbine’s access road would initially follow the path of the ATC transmission line, before splitting to reach the turbines. https://joshuavissers.com/articles/2021/2/17/f6kitf6eftmwf4bucsio3x5l82vhic monthly 0.5 2023-01-04 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/599c396f37c58152afedf89c/1613927181649-9WX87O7RIAXY2D4UMQK4/seafox2.jpg The Opinion Page - History's relics still reside beneath the surface of the Keweenaw Waterway From Brendon Baillod’s collection, parts of which are online at Baillod.com. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/599c396f37c58152afedf89c/1613928494161-LTL58JVHFF6DM47G23S2/image180139-fshorizw.jpg The Opinion Page - History's relics still reside beneath the surface of the Keweenaw Waterway A side-scan image taken by the GLRC’s IVER3 during work Christopher Pinnow helped with in Thunder Bay. The black stripe in the center of the image in the water column directly below the IVER3 as it moves, and the shadow it casts to either side helps define 3-dimensional objects. Researchers believe this to be the wooden bulk carrier Ohio, which sank in 1894. (Image courtesy of MTU’s GLRC) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/599c396f37c58152afedf89c/1613930165326-5SD8DYOWFANXZCILK9PX/minesweeper-crop-boats-at-dock-in-november-1024feature-orig.jpg The Opinion Page - History's relics still reside beneath the surface of the Keweenaw Waterway French minesweepers at dock, possibly the Cerisoles and Inkerman. (City of Thunder Bay Archives via wikimedia) https://joshuavissers.com/articles/2021/1/29/letter-of-resignation-to-the-daily-mining-gazette monthly 0.5 2023-01-04 https://joshuavissers.com/articles/2020/10/3/the-dams-at-redridge monthly 0.5 2023-01-04 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/599c396f37c58152afedf89c/1601726789000-T3PJQI3UUYSPN4SQTF4A/Redridge+2.jpg The Opinion Page - Two Redridge dams have intertwined history The Redridge steel dam from downstream. While the six holes cut through the dam can be plainly seen draining water from the reservoir, the actual outlet pipes are near the surface of the river below. Joshua Vissers/Daily Mining Gazette https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/599c396f37c58152afedf89c/1601726950969-Y8LAZ84KAFF9SSX5P7E6/Redridge+1.jpg The Opinion Page - Two Redridge dams have intertwined history A 1972 photo of the timber crib dam built in 1894. Much of the timber portion visible here was removed in 2005, lowering the level of the reservoir. Provided by Barbara Koski https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/599c396f37c58152afedf89c/1601727060996-S2B9GZUTQJ75IAZ30K1J/Building+the+Redridge+dam+%281%29.jpg The Opinion Page - Two Redridge dams have intertwined history A photo from during the Redridge steel dam construction by workers from the Wisconsin Bridge and Iron Company and Prendergast & Carson. Bill Brinkman’s father was a worker on the project. Provided by Bill Brinkman via Barbara Koski https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/599c396f37c58152afedf89c/1601727293157-NIFVV957SMN6RXQHA1E9/Redridge+3.png The Opinion Page - Two Redridge dams have intertwined history A breakdown of costs from the first year of the steel dam’s construction. Final costs for the dam were about $150,000. Adjusted for inflation, that’s about $4.5 million today. From Clarence J. Monette’s “Redridge and its Steel Dam” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/599c396f37c58152afedf89c/1601727435577-810L2GW542P1TOZ4ZK3P/Redridge+4.jpg The Opinion Page - Two Redridge dams have intertwined history Water flowing over the top of the Redridge steel dam in April of 1941. Provided by Barbara Koski https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/599c396f37c58152afedf89c/1601727752970-K2FBVEDR3BVM3ZKD5CZT/Redrigde+1.jpg The Opinion Page - Two Redridge dams have intertwined history Stan Vitton, civil and environmental engineering professor at MTU, leans on one of Redridge dam’s supports, which swings freely after taking damage in the 2018 floods. Behind him, water continues to rush over the concrete base of the dam, eroding it. Joshua Vissers/Daily Mining Gazette https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/599c396f37c58152afedf89c/1601728316252-7RI3I2IBW401Q4Q2HYL4/Redridge+1938+-+Edited.jpg The Opinion Page - Two Redridge dams have intertwined history Images showing the Redridge dam reservoir in June of 1938 (above) and 2020, showing the difference in the reservoir’s size after it was lowered twice-- around 1950 when the steel dam was opened, and in 2004 when the top of the timber and rockfill dam was removed. EarthExplorerer.com and Google Maps https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/599c396f37c58152afedf89c/1601728363867-S9JBTMVA5PQ7LA3QYNPJ/Screenshot+2020-08-28+at+8.26.03+AM.png The Opinion Page - Two Redridge dams have intertwined history https://joshuavissers.com/articles/2018/10/4/have-a-little-sisu monthly 0.5 2023-01-04 https://joshuavissers.com/articles/2018/9/12/michigan-camp-teaches-about-wild-rice-importance-to-tribes monthly 0.5 2023-01-04 https://joshuavissers.com/articles/2018/4/23/the-end-of-the-loaf monthly 0.5 2023-01-04 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/599c396f37c58152afedf89c/1524526898710-YRMY1LV2852J710APPBF/Bob+Vanderboegh.jpg The Opinion Page - TOST inspections finished in Barry, Eaton counties Bob Vanderboegh https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/599c396f37c58152afedf89c/1524527038568-FU3R5B2B8OJHQQBV370D/Bob+Vanderboegh%27s+Sale+%281%29.jpg The Opinion Page - TOST inspections finished in Barry, Eaton counties A 2018 satellite photo from Google Maps of the property Vanderboegh sold in 2014. The lagoon can be seen on the lower right side. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/599c396f37c58152afedf89c/1524606660606-OP68A6XXIVWPVET73ND6/Vanderboegh%27s+notice.jpg The Opinion Page - TOST inspections finished in Barry, Eaton counties https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/599c396f37c58152afedf89c/1524607052099-IB1VMSZCPYE3T5EHT27S/Joan%27s+Test+results+Graphic.jpg The Opinion Page - TOST inspections finished in Barry, Eaton counties Maps from Rose's 2014 study. On the left the colors indicate levels of E. coli, on the right they represent B. theta. Warmer colors represent higher levels. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/599c396f37c58152afedf89c/1524607433145-RQ92DNA0BBF6EKHPYY32/Bleeder+Line+Aerial.jpg The Opinion Page - TOST inspections finished in Barry, Eaton counties An image from BEDHD's 10-year report illustrating an improper "Bleeder Line". https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/599c396f37c58152afedf89c/1524607517535-CF28QK3Z601PFNIPEHXE/Resseguie%27s+site+drawing+by+Zank.jpg The Opinion Page - TOST inspections finished in Barry, Eaton counties A portion of the site drawing on file for Resseguie's property. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/599c396f37c58152afedf89c/1524607972399-CMWI9B2YLL3KPJ1F3CN7/Resseguie%27s+Well.jpg The Opinion Page - TOST inspections finished in Barry, Eaton counties This photo shows the difficulty of proving Resseguie's situation. You can see the well in the foreground. The sewer line is barely visible, on the bottom right of the hole that was dug. The air conditioner sits in the way of any more excavation. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/599c396f37c58152afedf89c/1524607830950-HKZ8PG3FZ9NSZ6FQUZ9G/Hewitt%27s+fix+up.jpg The Opinion Page - TOST inspections finished in Barry, Eaton counties A portion of the site drawing on file for Hewitt's property that had no proper drain field. https://joshuavissers.com/articles/2018/1/3/endlessly-emergent monthly 0.5 2023-01-04 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/599c396f37c58152afedf89c/1515252241835-N5KUJ29SM1SRJAGE6EAZ/20180102132154_1_Fotor.jpg The Opinion Page - Endlessly Emergent - The Alpha Centauri star system contains three stars: Alpha Centauri A and B in close orbit around each other, and Proxima Centauri, which is about .22 light-years (about 1.3 trillion miles) away from the other two stars. Around Proxima Centauri orbits a high-metal-content world named Eden, and orbiting Eden is a small space station named Hutton Orbital. Commanders who reach it become honorary members of the Hutton Orbital Truckers, whose membership is over 3,000 strong. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/599c396f37c58152afedf89c/1515253749947-7KOZ1KD79ALRZ2CTIFPD/Timeline_1+%284%29.gif The Opinion Page - Endlessly Emergent For the duration of the trip, I sat in front of my computer watching simulated space dust whiz past the edges of my monitor as I wondered if what I really wanted to be doing on a Wednesday evening was to stare at a screen resembling a glorified Windows 98 screensaver. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/599c396f37c58152afedf89c/1515254339520-XPCOHCB70YD99ZM3OOV5/20180102134135_1_Fotor.jpg The Opinion Page - Endlessly Emergent No fireworks went off to celebrate my entrance into the Truckers’ ranks. No alert appeared on my screen to congratulate me on the long trip. I didn’t get any achievement notifications, and if you look at my player profile, you’d be hard-pressed to find any other hint that I’ve ever been to Hutton Orbital either, despite the souvenir mug I bought from the station’s commodities market. This is because Hutton Orbital Truckers (HOT) are organized almost entirely outside of “Elite: Dangerous”, the game that I had been immersed in for hours. Their forums, missions, statistics and radio station-- almost everything about them-- are all hosted at huttonorbital.com. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/599c396f37c58152afedf89c/1515282871334-502US6R6ORP3CAUMTI7V/20180101202652_1_Fotor.jpg The Opinion Page - Endlessly Emergent https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/599c396f37c58152afedf89c/1515256056977-31SXOK0PY21XFCEJGQ7E/Timeline_1+%285%29.gif The Opinion Page - Endlessly Emergent Stroud was also a founding member of Lave Radio in 2013, a streaming radio station based in an orange Sidewinder (another model of spaceship) in the Lave system inside Elite (but accessible on Earth at laveradio.com). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/599c396f37c58152afedf89c/1515282795393-OA47PJUZKKO4X2PQ0RKF/20180102132646_1_Fotor.jpg The Opinion Page - Endlessly Emergent https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/599c396f37c58152afedf89c/1515281326351-NR5C4MTH0SD29ORQQS15/Timeline_1+%287%29.gif The Opinion Page - Endlessly Emergent “Elite” has plenty of that empty space too, something the game’s galactic scope makes inevitable. Frontier has simulated around 400 billion stars in a 1-to-1 virtual model of the Milky Way galaxy. The software they developed, called Stellar Forge, procedurally generates star systems based on mass calculations within a set of nested cubes. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/599c396f37c58152afedf89c/1515282846687-S47DKM29CODJF88QP5NB/20180101201807_1_Fotor.jpg The Opinion Page - Endlessly Emergent https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/599c396f37c58152afedf89c/1515284495424-GVLQPAJGLKD4GYT5ODWF/Timeline_1+%288%29.gif The Opinion Page - Endlessly Emergent https://joshuavissers.com/articles/2017/10/21/why-a-cause-would-enter-artprize monthly 0.5 2023-01-04 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/599c396f37c58152afedf89c/1510272679164-JSR4MEQJ0YGLDH8KJSN0/Fotor.jpg The Opinion Page - Wade in the Water https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/599c396f37c58152afedf89c/1508641678582-KJ71RW3ZVPN83KYK7RTF/Oil+and+Canvas+at+Night.jpg The Opinion Page - Wade in the Water Oil+Water on opening night of ArtPrize Nine. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/599c396f37c58152afedf89c/1510269840136-IUFY3KXVIFN21R1NNMG7/DSCF2883.JPG The Opinion Page - Wade in the Water Ryan Spencer Reed, winding up some of the rigging from the installation. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/599c396f37c58152afedf89c/1508730893178-TVWUSXVTIVFZY3WC3WIA/DSCF2846.JPG The Opinion Page - Wade in the Water Ryan Spencer Reed, holding a section of "Oil+Water" as it's dragged out of the river. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/599c396f37c58152afedf89c/1510269438089-BFYPP3QTP9NGF5QUI1ES/Beaching+the+canvas.jpg The Opinion Page - Wade in the Water https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/599c396f37c58152afedf89c/1510269434577-SCL948SDFJ1L0ZQV0YH0/Exiting+the+River.jpg The Opinion Page - Wade in the Water https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/599c396f37c58152afedf89c/1510269459380-D1DL9K1HU8WGU2K8BNLF/First+section.jpg The Opinion Page - Wade in the Water https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/599c396f37c58152afedf89c/1510269474202-QAFOPBEGBDW5T4EIZF8F/Flag+foreground.jpg The Opinion Page - Wade in the Water https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/599c396f37c58152afedf89c/1510269482337-DGVX5N8FT10V2Q98KUSP/It+belongs+in+a+museum.jpg The Opinion Page - Wade in the Water https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/599c396f37c58152afedf89c/1510269516763-UEKVYRKVAYIY6U2S490G/Landscape.jpg The Opinion Page - Wade in the Water https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/599c396f37c58152afedf89c/1510269506668-QSR1V5GDPNKADU10RR61/Ready+Set.jpg The Opinion Page - Wade in the Water https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/599c396f37c58152afedf89c/1510269556412-SRNWVOLSHDNYNWCYRUOE/Removal+Ryan+Framed.jpg The Opinion Page - Wade in the Water https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/599c396f37c58152afedf89c/1510269544646-M89EXZRPFX6E5TBSM6SJ/Rich+App.jpg The Opinion Page - Wade in the Water https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/599c396f37c58152afedf89c/1510269582658-WJ672BALCU6OVD90E5DM/Roll+Up.jpg The Opinion Page - Wade in the Water https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/599c396f37c58152afedf89c/1510269584300-C1YAVAFVSKBIU5MSW9RV/Spectators.jpg The Opinion Page - Wade in the Water https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/599c396f37c58152afedf89c/1510269612590-KLAYURX0MS6SBGU026BK/thats+not+a+knife.jpg The Opinion Page - Wade in the Water https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/599c396f37c58152afedf89c/1510269608460-6CLU9V6GIVNUZ0PXHKOS/Unfurling+the+Canvas.jpg The Opinion Page - Wade in the Water https://joshuavissers.com/articles/2017/10/13/whitetail-deer-in-michigan-suffering-from-a-prion-disease monthly 0.5 2023-01-04 https://joshuavissers.com/articles/2017/9/17/x7hkf1pwa3026c90hss4v49bj4udwa monthly 0.5 2023-10-07 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/599c396f37c58152afedf89c/1505681959129-EC868KP7EE5C94PV3I96/Old+Mill+Remains.jpg The Opinion Page - Cleaning up the Thornapple River The group split into two to avoid crossing this area of the river at Ruehs park, where an old mill is supposed to have sat. The worn wood on the bottom right was likely part of the former structure. There is a deceptive deep spot in the river, that caused a drowning, just last year. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/599c396f37c58152afedf89c/1505681390599-WNR63QKP7RS81R0M6VF3/Fred+opening+the+cleanup.jpg The Opinion Page - Cleaning up the Thornapple River Fred Steketee passed out shirts to everyone as they arrived, then outlined the day's plan, gave some safety instructions and divided everyone into the groups they'd be working in. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/599c396f37c58152afedf89c/1505681827281-OFW45DKMYFZXOT0QN85J/Bill+and+Jenifer+Launched+by+Korie.jpg The Opinion Page - Cleaning up the Thornapple River Six canoes and two kayaks launched from the public access by LaBarge Dam, seen in the background of this photo. In the foreground, Bill Sonday and Jenifer Werdon get help launching from Korie Ebenstein. This was Ebenstein's sixth time working with the TRWC, whereas Sonday was on his third year, and Werdon on her first. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/599c396f37c58152afedf89c/1505681240264-VHMYBDE8H72Y2FC48WE5/Bill+returning+with+trash.jpg The Opinion Page - Cleaning up the Thornapple River Sonday and Werdon fell behind the group before they even crossed under the 84th Street bridge, but had already gathered plenty of refuse, as well. Werdon often held the canoe in place while Sonday jumped ashore, or into the river, to gather cast-off bottles and bags. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/599c396f37c58152afedf89c/1505682102105-U6ONUJEX7QHPD17HFW1V/Sydney+and+Alainna.jpg The Opinion Page - Cleaning up the Thornapple River Sydney Kamaloski(right) and Alainna O'Neill led the group. Because of the low level of the river, the canoes would run aground on the rocky bottom of the river frequently. You can see Kamaloski planting the paddle in the river bottom to drag the canoe along. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/599c396f37c58152afedf89c/1505681578438-K8FO7T81XT3DSYZQ9MJG/Jenifer+and+Bill+riding+low.jpg The Opinion Page - Cleaning up the Thornapple River Werdon and Sonday were barely a half-mile down the river when their canoe was weighted down with a tire, an old plastic patio table, and several bags of other garbage. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/599c396f37c58152afedf89c/1505682270778-PTDB5GK43J32PAWBO2NC/Webs+Tony+and+Mary+in+the+background.jpg The Opinion Page - Cleaning up the Thornapple River Tony Duong(in red) and Mary Parr, both seniors at GVSU who came to the cleanup with the SWCS, approach the far riverbank looking for garbage. In the foreground you can see some of the spiderwebs that were along the banks. In some spots, people said they saw so many that they wouldn't go in to look for garbage. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/599c396f37c58152afedf89c/1505682172763-TEQU49KBUP4X2RHC2WCV/Vanessa+fighting+treefalls.jpg The Opinion Page - Cleaning up the Thornapple River Vanessa Foera maneuvers her kayak through the dead-falls and underbrush along the side of the river. In the middle of the iron hoop on her kayak is an old toolbox that she recovered from the river's bottom. She and her sister, Rachel Frantz, grew up near the Thornapple River and like to help keep it free of pollution. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/599c396f37c58152afedf89c/1505681647740-7J559RUFWNDAB0KXSCMJ/Korie+and+Alex.jpg The Opinion Page - Cleaning up the Thornapple River Alex and Korie Ebenstein inspect the riverbank as they pass. Both of them graduated from GVSU, Alex in Natural Resources Management and Korie in Biology. They've been cleaning up the river together for a total of six years. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/599c396f37c58152afedf89c/1505681887376-0T8JJ382JYQ0LDQKSGFF/Matt+and+Avery.jpg The Opinion Page - Cleaning up the Thornapple River Foera and her sister continue down the river while GVSU freshmen Matthew Silverhart and Avery Duarte push upstream to get around a shallow spot in the river and avoid running aground. Between them on their canoe is the top of a car. Steketee thought perhaps it was part of an old Studebaker. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/599c396f37c58152afedf89c/1505682363577-0TT8KY2RF4RZNKZJKIYV/Sydney+and+Alainna.jpg The Opinion Page - Cleaning up the Thornapple River By the time Kamaloski and O'Neill reached Ruehs park again, they had collected several bags of garbage and a plastic Adirondack chair. Once the garbage was removed, the volunteers rinsed out each canoe, which were on loan from Camp O'Malley. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/599c396f37c58152afedf89c/1505681293395-465XFMBUPU8UXGIMI729/Convoy.jpg The Opinion Page - Cleaning up the Thornapple River Hana Christoffersen(left) and Khoi Nguyen unload their collection of cast-offs and litter. They both came because of the SWCS, too. The child's life jacket they found(in the grass on the right) was the focus of some bemused concern. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/599c396f37c58152afedf89c/1505688832105-J8Q9J46IHK5LZFJSPQJK/Log+splitter.jpg The Opinion Page - Cleaning up the Thornapple River Silverhart(in red) looking at their other big find, an electric log-splitter. It was so heavy that he had to drag it down the riverbank to a place where Duarte, his canoe partner, could maneuver close to load it in underneath the car rooftop they had already recovered. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/599c396f37c58152afedf89c/1505681768684-DS5RRIYB569PDH667XXW/Mary+and+Tony.jpg The Opinion Page - Cleaning up the Thornapple River Parr and Duong dragging their canoe out of the water. Once they were unloaded and washed, both garbage and canoes had to be carried about 300 ft uphill to the parking lot. Blake de Jong(not pictured), from Camp O'Malley, helped load the canoes. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/599c396f37c58152afedf89c/1505682872650-9XWDS6X45DU26F0G5E8L/IMG_2926.jpg The Opinion Page - Cleaning up the Thornapple River https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/599c396f37c58152afedf89c/1505682883382-8X1RXSXG4B77XRHMGM64/IMG_2930.jpg The Opinion Page - Cleaning up the Thornapple River https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/599c396f37c58152afedf89c/1505682893524-DDWL5UF28BFPYWQQ7J5M/IMG_2932.jpg The Opinion Page - Cleaning up the Thornapple River https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/599c396f37c58152afedf89c/1505682909890-N0SZ07KVJ1QJ1FBE9TNB/IMG_2950.jpg The Opinion Page - Cleaning up the Thornapple River https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/599c396f37c58152afedf89c/1505682861848-UPDSR63LPNDL07XZXXHT/IMG_2914.jpg The Opinion Page - Cleaning up the Thornapple River https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/599c396f37c58152afedf89c/1505688276023-6M8RCF2CL9JFSLA01NDA/IMG_2958.jpg The Opinion Page - Cleaning up the Thornapple River https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/599c396f37c58152afedf89c/1505682431095-DN70LXX6JWS33V9V0NMY/The+dumpster.jpg The Opinion Page - Cleaning up the Thornapple River According to Steketee, the group finds less and less garbage each year, which is great. This year they found a bit more than last year, but it was attributed to the low water-level and clear water making the trash easier to find. After the clean-up, the group tucked into a free lunch provided by local businesses who appreciate the group's work. https://joshuavissers.com/articles/2017/8/23/the-growth-of-gvsu-in-grand-rapids monthly 0.5 2023-01-04 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/599c396f37c58152afedf89c/1527515036537-KE3P01EH2F9R4A622UDO/ChartGo+%281%29.png The Opinion Page - The West Side; Gentrification or Development? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/599c396f37c58152afedf89c/1527515036580-75AX0TBGJ0YXIMP3NTRE/ChartGo.png The Opinion Page - The West Side; Gentrification or Development? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/599c396f37c58152afedf89c/1527514866717-EE89OSPXUJTOKHQL3NZ3/IMG_1607.JPG The Opinion Page - The West Side; Gentrification or Development? One of the large surface lots south of Fulton Street in use by Grand Valley State University. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/599c396f37c58152afedf89c/1527515286622-DR64A0FUWZISPSQBCD6N/IMG_1585.JPG The Opinion Page - The West Side; Gentrification or Development? Developments like Fulton Place cater to students and GVSU employees, but also drive up property values and rental rates, pushing low-income families and individuals out of the neighborhood. https://joshuavissers.com/articles/category/Photo+Gallery monthly 0.5 https://joshuavissers.com/articles/category/Journo+Field+Training monthly 0.5 https://joshuavissers.com/articles/category/Guest+Writer monthly 0.5 https://joshuavissers.com/articles/category/Baraga monthly 0.5 https://joshuavissers.com/articles/category/Grand+Rapids+Life monthly 0.5 https://joshuavissers.com/articles/category/Feature monthly 0.5 https://joshuavissers.com/articles/category/Audio+Interview monthly 0.5 https://joshuavissers.com/articles/category/Story+Analysis monthly 0.5 https://joshuavissers.com/articles/category/Needs+Editing monthly 0.5 https://joshuavissers.com/articles/category/Column monthly 0.5 https://joshuavissers.com/articles/category/Informational monthly 0.5 https://joshuavissers.com/articles/category/Self-Analysis monthly 0.5 https://joshuavissers.com/articles/category/Business monthly 0.5 https://joshuavissers.com/articles/category/Ontonagon monthly 0.5 https://joshuavissers.com/articles/category/In-depth monthly 0.5 https://joshuavissers.com/articles/category/Michigan monthly 0.5 https://joshuavissers.com/articles/category/Daily+Mining+Gazette monthly 0.5 https://joshuavissers.com/articles/category/Video monthly 0.5 https://joshuavissers.com/articles/category/Music monthly 0.5 https://joshuavissers.com/articles/category/Letter+to+the+Editor monthly 0.5 https://joshuavissers.com/articles/category/Personal+Blog monthly 0.5 https://joshuavissers.com/articles/category/Art%27s+Corner monthly 0.5 https://joshuavissers.com/articles/category/Gaming monthly 0.5 https://joshuavissers.com/articles/category/Editorial monthly 0.5 https://joshuavissers.com/articles/category/Fiction monthly 0.5 https://joshuavissers.com/articles/tag/insurance monthly 0.5 https://joshuavissers.com/articles/tag/Wind monthly 0.5 https://joshuavissers.com/articles/tag/ABATE monthly 0.5 https://joshuavissers.com/articles/tag/Copper+Harbor monthly 0.5 https://joshuavissers.com/articles/tag/compost monthly 0.5 https://joshuavissers.com/articles/tag/county monthly 0.5 https://joshuavissers.com/articles/tag/historical monthly 0.5 https://joshuavissers.com/articles/tag/local+history monthly 0.5 https://joshuavissers.com/articles/tag/DNR monthly 0.5 https://joshuavissers.com/articles/tag/voting monthly 0.5 https://joshuavissers.com/articles/tag/Agwe monthly 0.5 https://joshuavissers.com/articles/tag/redridge monthly 0.5 https://joshuavissers.com/articles/tag/photos monthly 0.5 https://joshuavissers.com/articles/tag/MTU monthly 0.5 https://joshuavissers.com/articles/tag/COVID-19 monthly 0.5 https://joshuavissers.com/articles/tag/parks monthly 0.5 https://joshuavissers.com/articles/tag/UPPCO monthly 0.5 https://joshuavissers.com/articles/tag/Time+of+Sale monthly 0.5 https://joshuavissers.com/articles/tag/Ottawa+National+Forest monthly 0.5 https://joshuavissers.com/articles/tag/courthouse monthly 0.5 https://joshuavissers.com/articles/tag/Scotia+Wind monthly 0.5 https://joshuavissers.com/articles/tag/gunworld monthly 0.5 https://joshuavissers.com/articles/tag/emergent+gameplay monthly 0.5 https://joshuavissers.com/articles/tag/Turbines monthly 0.5 https://joshuavissers.com/articles/tag/algorithm monthly 0.5 https://joshuavissers.com/articles/tag/McBroom monthly 0.5 https://joshuavissers.com/articles/tag/Ontonagon monthly 0.5 https://joshuavissers.com/articles/tag/Markkanen monthly 0.5 https://joshuavissers.com/articles/tag/Wild+Rice monthly 0.5 https://joshuavissers.com/articles/tag/testing monthly 0.5 https://joshuavissers.com/articles/tag/motorcycles monthly 0.5 https://joshuavissers.com/articles/tag/WWII monthly 0.5 https://joshuavissers.com/articles/tag/Agassiz monthly 0.5 https://joshuavissers.com/articles/tag/mining monthly 0.5 https://joshuavissers.com/articles/tag/Oil%2BWater monthly 0.5 https://joshuavissers.com/articles/tag/copper+range monthly 0.5 https://joshuavissers.com/articles/tag/volunteers monthly 0.5 https://joshuavissers.com/articles/tag/water monthly 0.5 https://joshuavissers.com/articles/tag/elections monthly 0.5 https://joshuavissers.com/articles/tag/joshua+vissers monthly 0.5 https://joshuavissers.com/articles/tag/Circle+Power monthly 0.5 https://joshuavissers.com/articles/tag/CCISD monthly 0.5 https://joshuavissers.com/articles/tag/elite+dangerous monthly 0.5 https://joshuavissers.com/articles/tag/restaurants monthly 0.5 https://joshuavissers.com/articles/tag/Ryan+Spencer+Reed monthly 0.5 https://joshuavissers.com/articles/tag/keweenaw+waterway monthly 0.5 https://joshuavissers.com/articles/tag/Haiti monthly 0.5 https://joshuavissers.com/articles/tag/campgrounds monthly 0.5 https://joshuavissers.com/articles/tag/Grant+Township monthly 0.5 https://joshuavissers.com/articles/tag/veterans monthly 0.5 https://joshuavissers.com/articles/tag/gardens monthly 0.5 https://joshuavissers.com/articles/tag/gardening monthly 0.5 https://joshuavissers.com/articles/tag/Well monthly 0.5 https://joshuavissers.com/articles/tag/Estivant+Pines monthly 0.5 https://joshuavissers.com/articles/tag/trails monthly 0.5 https://joshuavissers.com/articles/tag/dams monthly 0.5 https://joshuavissers.com/articles/tag/ArtPrize monthly 0.5 https://joshuavissers.com/articles/tag/CWD monthly 0.5 https://joshuavissers.com/articles/tag/Holidays monthly 0.5 https://joshuavissers.com/articles/tag/personalization monthly 0.5 https://joshuavissers.com/articles/tag/Trail+Mutt+Reports monthly 0.5 https://joshuavissers.com/articles/tag/grand+rapids monthly 0.5 https://joshuavissers.com/articles/tag/Bob+Lake monthly 0.5 https://joshuavissers.com/articles/tag/Peak monthly 0.5 https://joshuavissers.com/articles/tag/memorial monthly 0.5 https://joshuavissers.com/articles/tag/Veteran monthly 0.5 https://joshuavissers.com/articles/tag/Atiena monthly 0.5 https://joshuavissers.com/articles/tag/public+health monthly 0.5 https://joshuavissers.com/articles/tag/stamp+mills monthly 0.5 https://joshuavissers.com/articles/tag/Hunting monthly 0.5 https://joshuavissers.com/articles/tag/x-ray monthly 0.5 https://joshuavissers.com/articles/tag/stellar+forge monthly 0.5 https://joshuavissers.com/articles/tag/tribes monthly 0.5 https://joshuavissers.com/articles/tag/multimedia monthly 0.5 https://joshuavissers.com/articles/tag/environment monthly 0.5 https://joshuavissers.com/articles/tag/metal+detector monthly 0.5 https://joshuavissers.com/articles/tag/Septic monthly 0.5 https://joshuavissers.com/articles/tag/Associated+Press monthly 0.5 https://joshuavissers.com/articles/tag/manoomin monthly 0.5 https://joshuavissers.com/articles/tag/Lake+Ste+Kathryn monthly 0.5 https://joshuavissers.com/articles/tag/Time+of+Sale+or+Transfer monthly 0.5 https://joshuavissers.com/articles/tag/Regulation monthly 0.5 https://joshuavissers.com/articles/tag/shipwrecks monthly 0.5 https://joshuavissers.com/articles/tag/Israel monthly 0.5 https://joshuavissers.com/articles/tag/Ogou monthly 0.5 https://joshuavissers.com/articles/tag/maintenance monthly 0.5 https://joshuavissers.com/podcasts daily 0.75 2023-01-04 https://joshuavissers.com/podcasts/2023/1/4/wind-turbulence monthly 0.5 2023-01-04 https://joshuavissers.com/podcasts/2023/1/4/transparency-talks monthly 0.5 2023-01-04 https://joshuavissers.com/podcasts/2023/1/4/waterless-podcast monthly 0.5 2023-01-04 https://joshuavissers.com/podcasts/category/Podcasts monthly 0.5 https://joshuavissers.com/podcasts/tag/Journalism monthly 0.5 https://joshuavissers.com/podcasts/tag/CCIJ monthly 0.5 https://joshuavissers.com/podcasts/tag/energy monthly 0.5 https://joshuavissers.com/podcasts/tag/wind monthly 0.5 https://joshuavissers.com/hitchhikers-guide-to-grand-rapids daily 0.75 2025-08-03 https://joshuavissers.com/videos daily 0.75 2023-01-04 https://joshuavissers.com/about-me daily 0.75 2025-06-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/599c396f37c58152afedf89c/1503414188142-88XDHJ74NXRYM61P2KVU/Great+Wall+Selfie+copy.jpeg About Me - joshua phillip vissers To the left is an only-slightly-dated selfie of Joshua standing atop the Great Wall of China. I traveled to China in 2015 to tour the country as part of the International Scholar Laureate Program, a celebration of my transfer from Grand Rapids Community College. There, I had been editor of the student newspaper and then communications director for the Student Alliance. I transferred to Grand Valley State University, where I earned my Bachelor of Arts in Multimedia Journalism. After that, I moved to Houghton, Michigan to work for the Daily Mining Gazette, then launched Copper Beacon, and finally moved back to Grand Rapids to be closer to family. Beyond my writing and podcasting work, I also work at a local food pantry as the facilities and food manager. https://joshuavissers.com/home daily 1.0 2025-09-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/599c396f37c58152afedf89c/1678719511056-1Q4S5D2M3VO9FL1S3Y5B/naja-bertolt-jensen-Uu1CtKngEXY-unsplash.jpg Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/599c396f37c58152afedf89c/07b9cad2-c289-431f-9444-d4ff52065049/Screenshot+2025-09-02+091811.jpg Home - Ottawa News Network Freelance reporting in East Ottawa County for Ottawa County’s non-profit news source. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/599c396f37c58152afedf89c/e0d3d9c0-be87-43ca-8ce0-ab48cb90e799/Screenshot+2025-07-21+104443.jpg Home - The Rapidian Freelance stories for Grand Rapids’ community-focused, non-profit news source. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/599c396f37c58152afedf89c/1750248136837-J5JLOLBKHGC8I9UWYWHO/unsplash-image-dGxOgeXAXm8.jpg Home - Grand Rapids Documenters Building a new public record, one public meeting at a time. Notes and recordings are available to the public. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/599c396f37c58152afedf89c/1618585760857-LCV2UMLMNGGMLXFZ0KRD/IMG_7157.jpg Home - Preserving Valor Recording the personal stories of veterans for the Veterans’ History Project. Always ready for the next veteran with a story to share. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/599c396f37c58152afedf89c/2adf6d16-b0e7-410c-9f55-2503d4a7c74c/Screenshot+2025-07-21+104941.jpg Home - Transparency talks A podcast from the Center for Collaborative Journalism, this podcast focuses on issues of truth, transparency, and trust. Now producing the 2025 season. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/599c396f37c58152afedf89c/1678717942227-HYO4J78N8UOZXI9L9C6T/unsplash-image-ZiRwjB4sL4U.jpg Home - Waterless This podcast, from the Center for Collaborative Investigative Journalism, advocated for water-disadvantaged people across the world. It was a temporary project, now complete. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/599c396f37c58152afedf89c/b56fe631-b6b2-4f2c-adb5-7c3038b3d423/759b52f4-da96-466e-8f0e-687fb954670b_1191x853.jpg Home - Copper Beacon The Keweenaw area’s first and only 501(c)(3) news source, readers directly supporting reporters. (Now dormant due to relocation.) https://joshuavissers.com/contact-bedford daily 0.75 2025-06-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/599c396f37c58152afedf89c/1678128278494-BFSYT0WIEAKPE9I3VUWU/IMG_0418.jpg Contact https://joshuavissers.com/other-projects daily 0.75 2025-07-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/599c396f37c58152afedf89c/e1a38645-9154-4b42-9664-0621ebbae963/1000229973.jpg Other Projects https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/599c396f37c58152afedf89c/eee82c36-5e75-4224-b9c6-85d491b4a272/1000009675.jpg Other Projects