Latest news with #BillLewis
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Grand Rapids institution Yesterdog sells to new owners
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — Yesterdog, the iconic late-night hot dog spot in Eastown Grand Rapids, has sold after almost five decades. Owner Bill Lewis, who opened Yesterdog in 1976 at 1505 Wealthy St. near Lake Drive, told News 8 over the phone Monday that he officially sold it Sunday. 'I didn't really have it for sale,' Lewis said. 'This man just walked in. He said he'd like to buy it.' Three weeks after grand opening, Pronto Pup GR closing storefront That was late last year. After discussing the sale for a few months, Lewis made the decision to sell to the new owner, Pat Connor. 'I started to think seriously about selling it — and I just turned 80 in May,' Lewis said. 'I figure it's time for me to back off and let some young guy take over.' Since its start in 1976, Yesterdog has become part of the fabric of Grand Rapids. With a vintage 1930s aesthetic, the cash-only restaurant is a go-to spot for many Grand Rapidians for lunch or a late-night hot dog. It has won several awards over the years and has attracted customers like Janet Jackson, according to its website. Downtown Grand Rapids hot dog cart opening brick-and-mortar drive-thru It was also featured in 'American Pie,' Lewis told News 8. The movie, inspired by writer Adam Herz's time at East Grand Rapids High School, features Dog Years, a restaurant based on Yesterdog. Lewis said he hopes it will remain successful under the new ownership. The new owner has agreed to continue offering benefits to his employees, including health care, paid vacations and paid holidays, Lewis said. Inside Building West Michigan He said the decision to sell is bittersweet, adding that he loves the restaurant and his employees. When he started it almost 50 years ago, he said he had no idea it would become the landmark it is today. His customers turned it into an icon by telling their friends about it, he said, adding he never had to advertise. 'I love that place. I loved it forever,' he said. 'I think it's the coolest restaurant in the world.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Associated Press
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Associated Press
Ivey appoints first Black Republican on Alabama Supreme Court
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey on Tuesday appointed state appellate Judge Bill Lewis to the Alabama Supreme Court. He will be the first Black Republican to serve on the court. Lewis replaces Justice Jay Mitchell, who resigned Monday. Lewis most recently served on the Alabama Court of Civil Appeals. Ivey appointed him to the position last year. He was previously the presiding circuit judge in the 19th Judicial Circuit in Elmore County. 'Judge Bill Lewis continues demonstrating justice and fairness under the law, as well as a willingness to serve the people of Alabama,' Ivey said in a statement. 'His decades of experience will serve the Supreme Court of Alabama well, and I am confident he is the best choice.' Lewis is the fourth Black justice to serve on the state's highest court and the first Black Republican. The three previous Black justices — Oscar Adams, Ralph Cook and John England — were all Democrats. Alabama's appellate judges run in statewide partisan elections, just like the governor, attorney general and other top officials. The court, like other statewide offices, has become dominated by Republicans. The state Supreme Court has been all-Republican for over a decade and has been comprised entirely of white justices since 2001. A group of Black voters in 2016 filed a federal lawsuit that unsuccessfully challenged the state's method of selecting judges, saying the statewide elections have resulted in all-white courts in a state where one in four residents is Black. Ivey will appoint Lewis' replacement to the Alabama Court of Civil Appeals. In his resignation letter to Ivey, Mitchell, also a Republican, said he wants to play a more active role in politics and will make an announcement about his future in the coming days. 'President Trump is moving boldly to restore the United States Constitution — and we must ensure that his agenda takes root not only in Washington, but also in the states,' Mitchell wrote. Mitchell is best known for writing an opinion regarding frozen embryos that said couples could sue for wrongful death of a minor child after their frozen embryos were accidentally destroyed. The ruling temporarily upended IVF services in the state as clinics became concerned about civil liability.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Gov. Kay Ivey appoints Bill Lewis to the Alabama Supreme Court
The Heflin-Torbert Judicial Building in downtown Montgomery, Alabama, seen on January 24, 2023. Gov. Kay Ivey Tuesday appointed Bill Lewis to replace Justice Jay Mitchell's resignation.(Brian Lyman/Alabama Reflector) Gov. Kay Ivey Tuesday appointed Judge Bill Lewis to the Alabama Supreme Court following Justice Jay Mitchell's resignation on Monday. 'Judge Bill Lewis continues demonstrating justice and fairness under the law, as well as a willingness to serve the people of Alabama,' Ivey said in a statement. Ivey appointed Lewis to the Alabama Court of Civil Appeals in February 2024 after he served in the Elmore County Circuit Court. Ivey will soon announce Lewis' replacement to the Court of Civil Appeals, according to the statement. Mitchell, a Republican who had served on the court since 2019, sent his resignation letter to Ivey's office Monday saying he felt the need to play a larger role in 'restoring the U.S. Constitution' in Alabama. 'President Trump is moving boldly to restore the United States Constitution – and we must ensure his agenda takes root not only in Washington, but also in the states,' he wrote. 'I feel called to play a larger role in that effort in Alabama.' Mitchell did not say what his next role would be, but that he would announce it soon.
Yahoo
15-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Popular Irish band kicks off St. Patrick's Day weekend
SHARON, Pa., (WKBN) — St. Patrick's Day weekend started Friday for one of the area's longest-running and most popular Irish bands County Mayo. County Mayo entertained people Friday at the Apollo Maenerchor Club in Sharon, which in itself is historic — having been founded in 1870. The trio of vocalist Ted Miller, guitarist Bill Lewis, and flutist Marcie Dubec have been the core of County Mayo for over four decades. 'They had the Irish jam sessions at St. Rose back in 1982 and I showed up. That's the first time I ever sang in public and Bill and Marcie were there and a bunch of other people and eventually we started a band,' Miller said. County Mayo will play Saturday from 6 to 9 p.m. at The Block in Sharon. On Sunday they'll be at Double Bogeys in Boadman starting at 2 p.m. and on Monday, St. Patrick's Day, they'll play from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Penguin City Brewing in Youngstown. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
