GENESEE COUNTY, MI – Hundreds of community members recently gathered in Grand Blanc for an event honoring the victims of a shooting and arson attack that occurred at a local church just days prior.
Meanwhile, a Flint-based workforce non-profit has officially opened its new facility on the city’s north side, allowing for the expansion of the organization’s programming.
Learn more about these stories and other Flint-area news with these headlines from the past week:
Hundreds unite at community event to remember, honor victims of church mass killing
A vigil was held Oct. 7 at Don Batchelor Field to honor the four victims of the mass killing that occurred on Sept. 28 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc Township.
Community leaders, educators, law enforcement officials, and other residents spoke during the event and reflected on the attack, highlighting the community’s solidarity and resilience when faced with tragedy.
Read the full story here.
Flint council rejects drug testing for public officials after attorney’s warning
The Flint City Council rejected a proposal that would have supported drug testing for elected city officials amid legal concerns.
The rejected proposal called for the random or suspicion-based drug testing of city officials.
Although the council voted 7-0 on Oct. 8 to reject the proposed ordinance, multiple council members said they’d support a similar proposal in the future.
Read the full story here.
Sex offender registry awaits former Atherton teacher after jail sentence
A former Atherton teacher convicted of sexually assaulting a student has been sentenced to one year in jail and must register in Michigan’s public sex offender registry.
Jerry Cutting, 57, was arrested after multiple friends of the alleged victim, a 14-year-old student, reported him to the dean of students.
Cutting pleaded no contest to one count of second degree criminal sexual conduct this summer.
Read the full story here.
17-year-old arson suspect could stand trial for Homeboy BBQ fire
A pretrial hearing has been scheduled for the 17-year-old charged as an adult in connection with the May fire that destroyed Homeboy BBQ in Clayton Township.
Noah Wyatt Engelhardt faces multiple felonies related to his alleged role in the incident, including arson as well as breaking and entering.
Engelhardt’s pretrial hearing will take place this coming week in Genesee County Circuit Court.
Read the full story here.
Flint workforce nonprofit expands with new $1.2 million facility on city’s north side
St. Luke N.E.W. Life Center held an Oct. 8 grand opening for its new 8,300 square foot facility on Flint’s north side.
The Pierson Road facility allows for the expansion of the non-profit organization’s social enterprise business, which employs more than 20 residents. The organization’s existing Lawndale Road facility will remain open.
The new building will house the organization’s sewing, lawn care, and construction enterprises.
Read the full story here.
Judge orders EPA attorneys to work during government shutdown on Flint water case
A federal judge has denied a request from attorneys representing the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to delay a lawsuit filed against the agency by Flint residents following the city’s water crisis.
The U.S. District Court judge has ordered the EPA attorneys to continue working on the case amid the ongoing federal government shutdown, which began earlier this month.
The case is set to go to trial in January.
Read the full story here.
Small businesses in Genesee County can earn up to $15K in grants
The Flint & Genesee Economic Alliance is offering up to $15,000 and hands-on training to small businesses in Genesee County.
The funding and training will be provided through the Flint & Genesee Small Business Support Hub Grant Program.
Eligible business owners will be invited to apply after submitting a Letter of Intent. Applications must be submitted by Oct. 31.
Read the full story here.
Woman charged in hit-and-run death of Fenton motorcyclist
A woman has been charged in connection with the hit-and-run death of a Fenton motorcyclist in Oakland County in September.
The motorcyclist, Jack Turnblom, died after striking a vehicle driven by Leeann Jean Darling of Pontiac, who fled the scene, police said.
Darling, 36, was arraigned on multiple charges earlier this month, including one count of failure to stop at the scene of an accident when at fault resulting in death.
Read the full story here.
Flint co-op grocery set to open without requested help from city
A new co-op grocery that is set open in Flint next month has failed to secure city funding for the project.
Members of the Flint City Council rejected a proposal on Oct. 8 to reconsider a request from the North Flint Food Market for $300,000.
Supporters of the market have been working for years to secure city funding to help cover staff onboarding, development, and training costs.
Read the full story here.
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