Genesee County at 52.5 percent COVID vaccination rate; Flint ranks among the lowest in state at below 35
By Tom Travis Shatarian Aliger, 35, an entrepreneur/fashion designer, said she overcame her COVID vaccination hesitancy out of concern for her family. Thursday, she got her second Moderna shot in the Flint Township office of Dr. Bobby Mukkamala. She had received her first dose July 13. “I was hesitant. I am the last one in my family to receive the vaccine,” she said. Her reluctance, she said, was due to hearing things...
Public opposition growing against proposed Ajax asphalt plant in northeast Flint
By Harold C. Ford “It literally stinks.” – Father Phil Schmitter, St. Francis Prayer Center, Aug. 11, 2021 Public opposition to a proposed asphalt plant on the northeast side of Flint was launched by a coalition of groups and individuals opposed to its construction at an Aug. 11 press conference held on the property of the St. Francis Prayer Center, 2381 Carpenter Rd., Flint. The Prayer Center property is adjacent to the proposed site...
In a bi-weekly crime update the Mayor announces that all city parks will close at 9 p.m. in an effort to reduce crime
By Tom Travis In the wake of three homicides in Flint over the weekend, Mayor Sheldon Neeley announced at press conference Monday that he is launching bi-weekly updates on the state of crime in the city. Neeley also announced that all city parks will now close at 9 p.m. in an effort to bring down crime. Over the weekend three people were killed in two separate incidents. Two homicides occurred in Broome Park on Flint’s south...
Education Beat: Flint Summer Enrichment Programs conclude as students return to school buildings and balanced calendar
By Harold C. Ford Students enrolled in Flint Community Schools (FCS) returned to school Aug. 4 for a third consecutive year under a “balanced calendar” that was adopted by FCS at the start of the 2019-2020 school year. A balanced calendar features an earlier start to the school year, a later finish, and longer and more frequent breaks during the academic year. While balanced calendar proponents cite many advantages, the...
With eight percent turnout for Flint city council primary, most incumbents advance to the general election
By Paul Rozycki As voters turned out in surprisingly low numbers for Tuesday’s city council primary, a number of new faces emerged to challenge incumbents in City Hall. Yet, with about eight percent of the voters casting ballots, only one incumbent found himself in the losing column. Voters in the 2nd Ward defeated incumbent Maurice Davis, as he finished third in a four person field. All of the other incumbents who chose to run, were...