FLINT

FLINT – So much for the way the Windsor Spitfires dominated the Flint Firebirds during the OHL regular season. The Spitfires won 7 of 8 games vs. Flint, outscored the Firebirds by a total of 20 goals and scored at least six goals six times. But the Firebirds answered with three straight goals – two by Bertuzzi, who has four in the playoffs, and one by James Mayotte (1) – to put Flint back in front 4-2. Windsor outshot the Firebirds 38-31 and finished 2-for-5 on the play to Flint’s 0-for-4. MORE:Firebirds say regular season meaningless in playoffsFirebirds-Spitfires playoff scheduleFirebirds advance to Western Conference FinalsFirebirds on verge of making team history

It hurts for the family on the whole, and it most definitely hurts the dog. RELATED: ‘Like somebody came back to life.’ Michigan teen reunites with lost dog after 11 monthsVanessa has left a few times before, here and there, but normally she’s always back within an hour. Free and his family started going around the neighborhood calling out for Vanessa, asking the neighbors if they had seen the dog. They even put up “Lost Dog” posters in hopes of finding her, without much luck. That is until Free’s mother saw a post on Facebook in which someone had written about a lost dog and posted a picture.

FLINT, MI -- Flint students’ math achievement decreased during and immediately after the city used the Flint River for drinking water, according to a new University of Michigan study. Jacobs authored the study with Samuel Owusu of UM’s Education Policy Initiative, Sam Trejo of Stanford University and Gloria Yeomans-Maldonado of the University of Texas. The university described the decrease in math achievement for students in grades 3-8 in Flint as moderate -- a 0.14 standard deviation -- when compared to students in Michigan districts with similar characteristics. Reading achievement also declined among Flint students after the water crisis, but those decreases were less than those in math. Jacobs said that standard deviation means Flint children fell four months further behind their same grade peers in the comparison districts.

FLINT, MI -- Kettering University hosted more than 60 middle school and high school vehicle design teams at Square One Education Network’s 15th Annual Innovative Vehicle Design Challenge this week. The event took place on Wednesday, May 18, at the Kettering University GM Mobility Research Center off North Chevrolet Avenue and Bluff Street. Related: Winners of Innovative Vehicle Design Challenge at Kettering University announcedAlthough the day started off with light rain, teams were able to adapt and overcome, protecting their gear and work through the inclement weather with tents and make-shift electronic covers. The IVD Challenge pitted the teams against each other in three separate competitions: Autonomous Innovative Vehicle Design Challenge, Mini Innovative Vehicle Design Challenge, and Full-Scale Innovative Vehicle Design Challenge. In the Autonomous Innovative Vehicle Design Challenge, students will be challenged to re-engineer a “Power Wheels Jeep” into an autonomous vehicle.

FLINT – Forget about the regular season. “The regular season is the regular season but now it’s the playoffs. Flint, which finished third in the Western Conference with a 42-21-1-4 record, beat the Soo Greyhounds. Were in the final four with them and we want this Western Conference title.”Windsor outscored the Firebirds 46-25 during their eight regular season meetings. MORE:Firebirds-Spitfires playoff scheduleFirebirds advance to Western Conference FinalsFirebirds on verge of making team history

FLINT, MI -- A City Council investigation that started a year ago has cost taxpayers more than $25,000 so far and it’s unclear whether it will continue. I really don’t see the point of what we’re doing,” said Lewis, one of six new council members who have been elected since the investigation started. “I personally don’t think it’s worth going forward.”A divided council voted to start the investigation last June, just before agreeing to a three-year contract with Priority Waste. Neeley said this week that the investigation of the waste contract has been a “tremendous waste of taxpayer dollars,” money he would rather have spent on city services and programs. “I’m hoping (other council members) don’t stop the proceeding,” he said.

FLINT – The Flint City Bucks will kick off the 2022 soccer season at 7 p.m. Saturday against the Lansing City FC at Atwood Stadium. Lansing is one of two new teams in the USL League Two Great Lakes Division. The Midwest United FC from Grand Rapids is also new to the division, which includes Flint, AFC Ann Arbor, Kalamazoo FC and Oakland County FC. The Bucks, who won the USL League Two national championship in 2019, have players from 13 countries on their roster. They’ll be available at the gates beginning at 6 p.m. VIP tickets are $17 and must be purchased at Ticketmaster.com.

Follow Josh VanDyke on TwitterAlmost 8,500 votes were cast in the Flint-area Athlete of the Week poll for April 26-May 1. (MLive File Photo)MUSKEGON – The Montague girls soccer team is currently riding a seven-game winning streak as they prepare for the district tournament next week and one of the key members of the Wildcats’ run of success is senior Ana Trevino. The readers of MLive and the Muskegon Chronicle were impressed with Trevino’s performance and took to the polls this week to vote for the accomplished goal scorer as their top choice for the MLive Muskegon Athlete of the Week for May 9-14. Trevino won this week’s fan poll in a landslide, as she received nearly 12,000 votes to take top honors, while Mona Shores girls soccer standout Shay Norden finished runner-up with nearly 6,000 total votes. NOTE: Coaches are encouraged to send any nominations for next week’s poll to jvandyke@mlive.com by Sunday at 10 p.m.See all of this week’s candidates by clicking here.

FLINT – Maggie Boehm of Holly’s softball team has been voted the Flint-area Athlete of the Week for May 9-14 by readers of MLive-The Flint Journal. Boehm received 17,194 of the 46,720 votes cast – that’s 36.8 percent – to finish ahead of Flushing soccer player Sam Youmans, who received 12,382 votes. Riley Hoover of Linden’s softball team was third with 10,716 votes, Gavin Bailus of Flushing’s baseball team was fourth with 1,886 and Tarick Bower of Corunna’s track team was fifth with 1,077. Hoover was in the winning pitcher in a 16-1 win over Midland Dow and a 4-1 victory over Saginaw Heritage. She allowed one hit vs. Dow and while giving up five hits and striking out seven vs. Heritage.

FLINT, MI — This is no average community library. The Flint Public Library is back and built better than ever with new technologies, meeting rooms and even the option to eat food now. The newly-renovated Flint Public Library opened on Thursday, May 19, for self-guided tours from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Friday, May 20, for a soft opening when the library will be fully staffed and all services will be available. This summer, the Flint Public Library will open a digital studio outfitted with studio-quality microphones, a green screen and a Mac with the entire Adobe Creative Suite. 52 First look inside of Flint Public Library after multi-million dollar renovation projectRead more from The Flint Journal:What makes a good father?

FLINT, MI -- A Beautificando Nuestro Neighborhood event this weekend will kick off a season of summer maintenance for the Flint LatinX Technology & Community Center. This is the third annual event, but the center has kept up the neighborhood for well over a decade. “As community members, we realize that there is a need for us to be stewards of our own community,” Zuccaro said. Pepper plants, green plants and kitchen plants will all be available for pickup, along with cilantro, spinach and zucchini seeds. Zuccaro said the center has 1,300 plants ready to be planted and more than 600 seed packets to give away.

FLINT, MI -- Kettering University hosted more than 60 middle school and high school vehicle design teams at Square One Education Network’s 15th Annual Innovative Vehicle Design Challenge this week. The event took place on Wednesday, May 18 at the Kettering University GM Mobility Research Center off North Chevrolet Avenue and Bluff Street. Square One is a Michigan-based nonprofit organization that develops talent for future workforces, according to a news release from the university. The IVD Challenge pitted the teams against each other in three separate competitions: Autonomous Innovative Vehicle Design Challenge, Mini Innovative Vehicle Design Challenge, and Full-Scale Innovative Vehicle Design Challenge. In the Autonomous Innovative Vehicle Design Challenge, students will be challenged to re-engineer a “Power Wheels Jeep” into an autonomous vehicle.

Morris Township Fire Department in December 2018, when he was charged with two counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct and two counts of second-degree criminal sexual conduct. Morris firefighter accused of sexual assault involving 12-year-old girlJones was arrested Dec. 13, 2018, and originally arraigned on one count of first-degree criminal sexual conduct and one count of second-degree criminal sexual conduct. First-degree criminal sexual conduct, the most serious of sexual offenses, involves penetration and carries a maximum penalty of life in prison with the possibility of parole. Second-degree criminal sexual conduct, meanwhile, involves serious variations of touching and carries a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison. Morris youth sports club bound over for trialFlorida man charged in Genesee County sexual assault to have competency evaluation

FLINT, MI -- The future of the old St. Agnes Catholic Church property remains unsettled but the City Council has voted to allow organizers of a planned maternity home at the West Pierson Road property to remain there for at least 60 days. In addition to House of Ester, Brighter Futures also has occupied part of the St. Agnes property, city officials said. A vote to add an item to Wednesday’s agenda of the council meeting to further discuss the St. Agnes property failed after just three council members supported the motion. Council members Eric Mays (Ward 1), Jerri Winfrey-Carter (Ward 5) and Tonya Burns (Ward 6) supported the motion. A spokeswoman for the city said Thursday, May 19, that officials are still reviewing Taylor’s letter before commenting further on the St. Agnes property.

The children’s case is considered a bellwether trial because it is the first to test the potential liability of the engineering companies for the water crisis. The task of discounting is the duty of the trial judge -- not the jury, Levy’s order says. Crakes testified about the difference between the two types of future damage awards and provided estimates of the four children’s potential lost earning capacity because of damages they claim they suffered by drinking Flint water. The water crisis civil trial was put on hold earlier this week after one of the jurors hearing the case tested positive for COVID-19. Read more at The Flint Journal:Consultant using Twitter to misinform public, kids’ attorney in Flint water trial saysJuror tests positive for COVID-19, putting Flint water crisis civil trial on holdBone scan expert found ‘substantial’ lead exposure in Flint kids suing consultants

Huntsville, Alabama, is rated as the best place to live in the nation with a rating of 7.0. and San Juan, Puerto Rico, ranked last on the list of 150 areas with a rating of 3.7. Flint’s best rating came in housing affordability (7.4) and its lowest rating was in desirability (4.5). “To top the list, a place must earn high scores in criteria such as desirability and quality of life,” the report says. “It is a positive thing for our city to have made the list,” Neeley said in a statement released by the city. I am very proud to live here and to have U.S. News acknowledge our great city.”In addition to the best place ranking, the U.S. News report says Flint was the 111th best place to retire among the 150 most populous metropolitan areas.

FLINT, MI -- Jake Free thought he lost a family member in summer 2021. Free and his family started going around the neighborhood calling for Vanessa, asking the neighbors if they had seen the dog. Days went by and they started posting “Lost Dog” flyers with a photo of Vanessa in a desperate attempt to find her. Free’s mother saw a post on Facebook where someone had written about a lost dog and posted a picture. She is just like another member of the family,” Free said.

FLINT, MI -- Those who have toured the renovated Flint Public Library have a hard time remembering what it used to look like after a 2019 bond proposal passed by Genesee County voters allowed for a complete overhaul of the building. This summer, the Flint Public Library will open a digital studio outfitted with studio-quality microphones, a green screen and a Mac with the entire Adobe Creative Suite. Related: Flint passes $12.6 million library bond, renovation to begin in May 2020If you are a resident in Michigan, you are eligible for a library card at the Flint Public Library, Schwartz said. New members can pick from six new library cards, some of which feature local ties: Vehicle City Arches, Silver Car, Space Dinosaurs, Flint Public Library Mural, Caddy Fins and Scraps. There will be a Grand Opening Extravaganza on the same day from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.A full Flint Public Library programming guide for May through August is available on its website at https://www.fpl.info/.

Like a city council member being escorted out of meetings at least 10 times – twice in handcuffs. Or protestors forcing an entire council to flee to a side room, and then plopping into the council members’ chairs and saying they’d hold their own meeting. What did city council vote on, and what does this mean for residents?”MLive has reporters covering the day-to-day workings of governments in eight communities around the state. “The Flint City Council has gone back to ‘charm school’ a couple of times,” Fonger said. Obviously, we don’t want a council that doesn’t debate and just rubber stamps everything,” Stanton said.

FLINT, MI -- Attorneys for four Flint children want a federal court judge to require a consultant they are suing to provide information about a Twitter account, saying it’s being used to misinform the public and may constitute an attempt to influence jurors in the case. An attorney for the company said then that he believed lawyers for Veolia were providing transcripts from the trial to their client but were not involved in the Twitter activity. In addition to Veolia, the four children represented by Stern are suing Lockwood Andrews & Newnam, which also advised the city of Flint about its water system during the city’s water crisis. The companies have questioned the extent of the children’s injuries and claimed government officials are responsible for any fallout from the water crisis. Read more at The Flint Journal:Juror tests positive for COVID-19, putting Flint water crisis civil trial on holdBone scan expert found ‘substantial’ lead exposure in Flint kids suing consultantsFirm knew about lead in Flint’s water but didn’t warn public, emails show

FLINT – The 28th Michigan Basketball Association Life Skills Camp will be held June 20-24 for youngsters aged 13-17 and July 11-15 for those aged 9-12. The camps will be held at Flint New Standard Academy on Carpenter Road. Participants will receive instruction from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. daily and will be given free breakfast and lunch. Doors open each day at 7:30 a.m.Each participant will receive individual instruction as well as a T-shirt and certificate of participation. There will be lectures on conflict resolution and violence prevention as well as lectures from coaches.

FLINT – The girls state soccer tournament will begin May 25 with district action for 25 Flint-area teams. Here’s a look at the district matchups for Flint-area teams. Winner advances to regional at Williamston vs. winner of Frankenmuth districtAt FrankenmuthJune 25 – Caro vs. Unionville-Sebewaing, 5:30 p.m. (at Caro)TBA – Birch Run vs. FrankenmuthMay 31 – Caro-Unionville/Sebewaing winner vs. Powers Catholic, 5:30 p.m.;TBA – Birch Run-Frankenmuth winner vs. Saginaw Swan ValleyJune 3 – Championship game, 4:30 p.m. Winner advances to regional at Montrose vs. winner of Capac districtMORE:Vote for Flint-area Athlete of the WeekEvents being live streamed by NFHS Network

SAGINAW, MI — Flint muralist Kevin Burdick last week finished his spray-painted mural along the southern wall of the Saginaw County Health Department building. Burdick was hired for the task by Saginaw Community Foundation, which paid him $8,500 from a $60,000 grant from the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan. The concept for the mural was inspired by input from a panel that included people recovering from substance use, said Kendra Kempf, program officer with the Saginaw Community Foundation. “The coloring of it actually fits perfectly with the building for the health department. Read more on MLive:To keep Saginaw toilets flushing in right direction, officials seek $7M remedyProposal to demolish old Saginaw fairgrounds renews redevelopment hopesSee Saginaw staff’s $32.1M wish list of projects for stimulus spending

Grand Rapids boxer Justin Lacey-Pierce, left, battles Flint’s JaQuan McElroy in the state finals of the 2021 Michigan Golden Gloves Tournament at the DeltaPlex Arena in Walker, Mi. Lacey-Pierce edged McElroy 3-2. (Photo courtesy of John Rothwell)

FLINT, MI -- A juror in a bellwether Flint water crisis civil trial has tested positive for COVID-19, putting the case on hold for at least the rest of this week. Earlier Tuesday, the judge halted the trial after a juror reported she was ill after spending most of Monday, May 16, in the courtroom. The Flint case assigned to Levy was filed on behalf of four Flint children against two consultants -- Veolia North America and Lockwood, Andrews & Newnam -- that advised Flint about water problems during the water crisis. The companies have disputed the children’s injuries in court filings and say government officials are responsible for the high levels of lead in Flint water in 2014 and 2015 while the city used the Flint River as its water source. Read more at The Flint Journal:Juror’s illness stops Flint water crisis trial, worries over COVID-19 could add to delayFlint kids in water crisis lawsuit suffered acquired brain injuries, expert saysDeadline for filing claims in Flint water settlement extended to June 30

FLINT, MI -- Kearsley Community Schools is seeking applicants who are interesting in joining its governing board. Former Secretary Debra Alburtus has submitted her resignation, leaving an open seat on the seven-member board. Interested applicants must live in the Kearsley Community Schools district and must be at least 18 years old. Letters of interest can be sent to Board President Chad Landworthy at Kearsley Community Schools, 4396 Underhill Drive, Flint, Michigan 48506. Read more at The Flint Journal:McLaren exec, chief medical officer remembered for ‘unmatched leadership’Petition to recall Flint school board president rejected for unclear languageDistrict-wide career fair to be held at GISD this weekCase in Flint school board alleged assault delayed until next monthMichigan’s Best Local Eats: Try fusion-style BBQ packing ‘explosion of flavor’ in Flint

FLINT, MI -- Kettering University is hosting more than 60 middle school and high school vehicle design teams at the Square One Education Network’s 15th Annual Innovative Vehicle Design Challenge this week. The event will begin at 9 a.m. Wednesday, May 18 at the Kettering University GM Mobility Research Center off North Chevrolet Avenue and Bluff Street. The IVD Challenge pits the high school and middle school teams against each other in three separate competitions: Autonomous Innovative Vehicle Design Challenge, Mini Innovative Vehicle Design Challenge, and Full-Scale Innovative Vehicle Design Challenge. “We’re looking forward to seeing Square One students in action — their innovative designs, builds and on-the-spot troubleshooting skills,” said Scott Travis, director of Specialty Admissions for Kettering University. Read more at The Flint Journal:McLaren exec, chief medical officer remembered for ‘unmatched leadership’Petition to recall Flint school board president rejected for unclear languageCase in Flint school board alleged assault delayed until next monthDistrict-wide career fair to be held at GISD this week

FLINT, MI – A Flint man accused in a 2020 armed robbery on Flint’s west side will serve at least eight years in prison after being sentenced Monday, May 16, in Genesee County Circuit Court. Judge Elizabeth A. Kelly sentenced Quinton Marselas Nelson to a minimum of eight years to 23 years, four months in prison for armed robbery and felony firearm.

FLINT, MI -- A juror’s illness has halted a bellwether Flint water crisis civil trial that started in February and concerns about the potential spread of COVID-19 could cause further delays. The judge said the juror who is ill reported that she did not have immediate access to a rapid COVID-19 test. It wasn’t immediately clear Tuesday morning when the results of the juror’s COVID-19 test would be available or how long the trial could be delayed if her test is positive. The companies have disputed the children’s injuries in court filings and say government officials are responsible for the high levels of lead in Flint water in 2014 and 2015 while the city used the Flint River as its water source. Read more at The Flint Journal:Flint mayor announces forum, hopes for new level of confidence in city waterFlint kids in water crisis lawsuit suffered acquired brain injuries, expert saysDeadline for filing claims in Flint water settlement extended to June 30

The Tux & Tennies Gala is one of Whaley Children’s Center’s three major annual fundraisers. It will feature live entertainment by Bluewater Kings Band, a cocktail hour, dinner, as well as a live and silent auction. Though this year’s event is sold out, the silent auction is online and open to the public starting at 8 p.m. on Friday, May 20. “We are so excited to finally have this event,” said Mindy Williams, President and CEO of Whaley Children’s Center. To learn more about Whaley Children’s Center, visit www.whaleychildren.org.

FLINT, MI -- A recall petition filed against Flint Board of Education President Joyce Ellis-McNeal was rejected Monday, May 16, by the Genesee County Election Commission for unclear language. “McNeal willfully violated policy and the law by voting to illegally reopen contracts,” the recall petition read. Typically, all items discussed in committee meetings are put to board committee of the whole and regular board meetings for a final vote. The Flint Board of Education has faced multiple challenges in recent weeks and months. Read more at The Flint Journal:Case in Flint school board alleged assault delayed until next monthEducation community speaks out against possible closure of two Flint schoolsFlint school district no longer under enhanced deficit elimination plan from stateFlint school board member’s misdemeanor case is ‘very close’ to resolution, attorney says‘I do not feel safe’: Allegedly assaulted Flint school board member speaks out, security sought at meetingsAlleged assault of Flint school board member turned over to prosecutor, additional investigation necessary

The Flint Water Infrastructure Community Forum is scheduled for 5-7 p.m. Tuesday and will be broadcast on the city’s Facebook page. Neeley will kick off the forum with remarks followed by representatives of the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy; U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; Flint Department of Public Works; Michigan Department of Health and Human Services; and, the Flint Water Advisory Council. Last year, Flint completed the construction of a secondary water pipeline and repaired the city’s primary water pipeline from the Great Lakes Water Authority. The city has also pledged to complete a service line replacement program this year that’s in its final phase. Read more at The Flint Journal:Lead levels jump higher in Flint water testing but remains below federal action levelProposed deal would give Flint more time to complete service line replacementsFlint gives green light to build $15 million backup water pipeline

FLINT, MI – A man convicted by a Genesee County jury after being accused of shooting three people – one as young as 16 – execution-style on Flint’s northeast side will serve the rest of his life inside a Michigan prison. Bell sentenced Smith, of Flint, to life in prison without parole on three counts of first-degree premeditated murder – the mandatory punishment for the crime. Smith was charged in September 2019, along with Jovana Christina King and Shiron Shirell Hamlet, all of Flint. King’s case is still pending in Genesee County Circuit Court. Read more at The Flint Journal:Suspects arraigned in connection with Flint triple homicidePolice investigating triple homicide in FlintSuspects apprehended in triple slaying; Flint homicide rate higher than 2018

FLINT – The Flint Firebirds will have a full week to prepare for Game 1 of the OHL’s Western Conference championship series. The Firebirds and Windsor Spitfires will square off at 7:05 p.m. Saturday, May 21 at the WFCU Centre. Game will be Monday May 23 in Windsor before the series moves to Flint for Game 3 May 25 at the Dort Financial Center. Flint, which had never won a playoff series before this year, advanced to the Western Conference Finals by beating the Soo Greyhounds 7-1 Saturday in Game 5 of their series. Here is a look at the Flint-Windsor schedule:Game 1, May 21 – at Windsor, 7:05 p.m.Game 2, May 23 – at Windsor, 7:05 p.m.Game 3, May 25 – at Flint, 7 p.m.Game 4, May 27 – at Flint, 7 p.m.x-Game 5, May 29 – at Windsor, 7:05 p.m.x-Game 6, May 31 – at Flint, 7 p.m.x-Game 7, June 1 – at Windsor, 7:05 p.m.x-if necessaryMORE:Firebirds advance to Western Conference Finals

FLINT, MI – A 58-year-old man is in custody after Flint police say he shot and killed another person early Saturday morning. According to a Monday, May 16, news release, Flint police responded to a local hospital for a 45-year-old man who had arrived at the hospital with a gunshot wound. The shooting took place around 4:30 a.m. Saturday, May 14, in the 1400 block of Brabyn Avenue, police said. Police did not identify the person they said was in custody. Police are asking anyone with information on the fatal shooting to contact Det.

Flint dominated the lanes, sweeping Saginaw in the 2022 Flint-Saginaw All-Star Bowling Matches at Richfield Bowl in Flint and Stardust Lanes in Saginaw. Erin Cooper had the high game with a 266, while April Voorheis had the high series with a 710. Julie Oczepek led Saginaw with a high game of 256, while Tracie Page had the high series with a 685. Greg McCreddie’s 269 led the Saginaw senior men along with his 752 series, with Barry Nelson’s 236 game and 664 series leading the Saginaw super senior men. Sonia Maes bowled a 226 game and 622 series to lead the Flint senior women, with Juanita Gibson bowling a 232 game and 608 series to pace the Flint super senior women.

FLINT – There are 18 candidates on the Flint-area Athlete of the Week poll for May 9-14. The poll will remain open until 9 a.m. May 20 and the results will be published shortly afterward.

FLINT, MI — Heavy rain didn’t stop Westwood Heights Hamady students from shining bright on Saturday, May 14. Families and friends gathered outside of the Flint Farmers’ Market to get a glimpse of the nearly 100 students as they arrived for their prom in downtown Flint. For her, prom is about showing up and showing out. You can order prints of any of these prom photos by clicking the “Buy photo” button in the caption of every photo. To see all of MLive’s prom coverage, click this link.

FLINT – For the first time in a dozen years, a Flint hockey team will be playing in a championship series. The Flint Firebirds advanced to the Ontario Hockey League’s Western Conference Finals Saturday by beating the Soo Greyhounds 7-1 before 3,342 in Game 5 at the Dort Financial Center. Zacharie Giroux had a hat trick to lead the Firebirds while goaltender Luke Cavallin stopped 27 of 28 shots. The last time a Flint team played for a championship was in 2010, when the Flint Generals lost to the Fort Wayne Komets in the International Hockey League finals. Flint took control when Giroux scored twice in the second period as the Firebirds erupted for four unanswered goals to take a 4-0 lead to the third period.

FLINT, MI — New Standard Academy showed up and showed out in true style as parents gathered at the school to celebrate before prom night. Whitney Miles, Community Director for New Standard Academy, said they are excited to provide this opportunity for the students. “We kind of wanted to go all out for them,” said Miles of the evening, including the yacht. Senior Ihron Wilborn was crowned prom king and senior Shawntella Triplett was crowned prom queen. To see all of MLive’s prom coverage, click this link.

FLINT, MI -- Flint is planning to beef up its ability to clean up the city as it prepares for a massive demolition program that’s being funded with federal and grant funds. “This will affect every neighborhood in the city of Flint” as well as select properties outside the city, he said. The Land Bank owns 14,950 parcels of land in the county, 13,375 of which are in the city. The Land Bank ends up as the owner of some of the properties that are in poorest condition through the tax foreclosure process. Freeman said the average demolition cost for properties owned by the Land Bank has been about $14,500, a cost that includes removal of lead-based paint and asbestos.

FLINT, MI – Armando Vasquez has one way to describe the taste at his restaurant in downtown Flint -- an explosion of flavor. It’s a three-step process to order your dish at Smoke, Rattle & Roll. With some help from the Moving Flint Forward grant through General Motors, Smoke, Rattle & Roll was able to do just that. With more than 20 years in the restaurant business, Vasquez learned how to run a restaurant at the Bubba Gump Shrimp Company when he used to live in Miami, Florida. Smoke, Rattle & Roll is open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday in the University Pavilion, located at 303 Saginaw St. in downtown Flint.

(Jenifer Veloso | MLive.com)Jenifer VelosoScenes from Madison Academy’s prom at the Hilton Garden Inn in downtown Flint on Friday, May 13, 2022. (Jenifer Veloso | MLive.com)Jenifer VelosoScenes from Madison Academy’s prom at the Hilton Garden Inn in downtown Flint on Friday, May 13, 2022. (Jenifer Veloso | MLive.com)Jenifer VelosoScenes from Madison Academy’s prom at the Hilton Garden Inn in downtown Flint on Friday, May 13, 2022. (Jenifer Veloso | MLive.com)Jenifer VelosoScenes from Madison Academy’s prom at the Hilton Garden Inn in downtown Flint on Friday, May 13, 2022. (Jenifer Veloso | MLive.com)Jenifer VelosoScenes from Madison Academy’s prom at the Hilton Garden Inn in downtown Flint on Friday, May 13, 2022.

LANSING, MI — Remediation projects to clean up polluted properties in Flint, Jackson, Muskegon and elsewhere around Michigan will benefit from $4 million in brownfield grants from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The city of Jackson will use $500,000 to conduct 10 site assessments and develop cleanup plans for vacant stores, factories and gas stations in the city’s southside neighborhood. The Muskegon Lakeshore Chamber of Commerce Foundation will use $500,000 to conduct site assessments and develop cleanup plans in the Shoreline-Downtown area and the along Heights Broadway Avenue Corridor. Oceana County will use $300,000 to conduct 24 site assessments and develop cleanup plans in the city of Hart and villages of Shelby and Rothbury. Targeted sites include a former gas station, former diesel generation electric plant, a former dry cleaner, and a former steel foundry.

FLINT, MI – A downtown parking lot is turning into a concern venue Friday, May 13. From 6-9 p.m., the Flint Flat Lot will be the site of Rock the Lot 2022, a free downtown concert hosted by ELGA Credit Union and Team One Credit Union. While it is an inaugural event, Cheryl Sclater, the public relations manager with ELGA Credit Union, said she is expecting a big turnout thanks, in part, to a big push on social media. She emphasized that the event is free, and parking also will be free. UM-Flint is providing free event parking in the Harrison Street ramp and in the Lot “T” parking lot.

FLINT, MI — The smell of freshly mowed lawns, the warm temperatures and the colors of blossoming trees has Flint residents coming out of hibernation. All across the city, neighborhoods come alive as Flint residents enjoyed the outdoors with high temperatures offering spring and summerlike conditions of late.

FLINT, MI – One person is in critical condition after they were ejected from their vehicle during a crash on I-69 early Friday morning. Police said a 24-year-old man driving a silver 2007 Saturn Ion east on I-69 lost control of the vehicle and struck a concrete median wall. The vehicle rolled over the median wall and came to rest on westbound I-69, police said. The man was ejected from the vehicle during the crash. The man was taken to Hurley Medical Center, where he is listed in critical condition.

FLINT – Clare Agnew of Owosso’s track and field team has been voted the Flint-area Athlete of the Week for May 2-7 by readers of MLIve-The Flint Journal. Agnew received 11,923 of the 31,510 votes cast – that’s 37.8 percent – to finish ahead of Grand Blanc softball player Sydney Long, who received 8,291 votes. Lapeer baseball player Louis Frontero received 3,578 votes to finish third, Holly softball player Delaney Jenkinson was fourth with 2,315 votes and Lapeer lacrosse player Jackson Blaine was fifth with 1,078. Frontero allowed two hits and struck out three in a 4-1 victory over Grand Blanc, which was ranked No. Jenkinson went 6-for-8 with seven RBIs and seven runs scored in a 20-1, 12-1 sweep over Kearsley.

FLINT, MI -- Channing Robinson-Holmes has some free advice if you think filing a Flint water crisis claim won’t pay off or be worth the hassle. More: Historic $626-million Flint water crisis settlement approved by federal court judgeUnder the arrangement, the state of Michigan, the city of Flint, McLaren Regional Medical Center and Rowe Professional Services agreed to pay into the settlement fund. In return, they were dropped from lawsuits filed by Flint residents for damages they suffered because of city water. Children who were 6 years old and younger during the water crisis are the biggest potential beneficiaries of the settlement. She said property damage claims should include a document showing the person filing the claim owned or leased a Flint home during the water crisis.

Thanks to some overtime magic from Brennan Othmann, the Flint Firebirds are one win away from reaching the Western Conference finals. Othman scored his fourth goal of the series 8:37 into overtime, giving the Firebirds a 3-2 win Thursday over Sault Ste. The teams return to Flint where the Firebirds hope to finish out the best-of-7 series in a 7 p.m. game Saturday. In the other bracket of the OHL Western Conference playoffs, Windsor also took a 3-1 lead in its semifinal series against Kitchener with a 6-3 win Thursday. Luke Cavallin earned the win in goal for Flint, stopping 39 of 41 saves and shutting the Greyounds out in the final 60 minutes of the game.

A judge has granted a seven-week extension to file claims for a share of $626 million settlement over Flint’s lead-contaminated water.

The body of an Oakland County man who has been missing since December was found by a father and son in a Pontiac lake, officials said.

The Michigan Supreme Court has heard arguments that could wipe out charges against former Gov. Rick Snyder and eight others in the Flint water scandal.

Authorities have seized 100 gambling machines and devices from two suspected storefront casinos in the Flint area.

While the Michigan Supreme Court is getting more involved in Flint water criminal cases, many residents still rely on bottled water to get by.

General Motors says it will be offering an electrified Corvette as early as next year as it continues to strengthen its foothold in the electric vehicle market.

Flint was not the first city to cope with the damage high lead levels in their drinking water can cause, and sadly they weren’t to be the last either. Now Benton Harbor is fighting the same battle.

Officials released a series of recorded phone calls that break down a murder-for-hire plot in which a man recruited two gunmen to travel to Flint and kill someone he believed to be responsible for murdering his “little brother,” according to authorities.

A man riding passenger in a vehicle that sped away from police during a traffic stop in Flint has died, authorities said Sunday.

The motorist who sped off during what started as a routine traffic stop in Flint is injured and his passenger is dead after the vehicle he was driving crashed.

A group of people and businesses in West Bloomfield, Dearborn, Detroit, Clinton Township and several others cities across Metro Detroit have been linked to a complex fraud scheme aimed at soliciting millions of dollars’ worth of business from Michigan crash victims over the past decade.

Genesee County Clerk John Gleason has been charged with intimidating a witness and willful neglect of duty.

Tubby’s/Just Baked is opening several new stores in Metro Detroit this year, with plans to open several more across the state.

The Michigan Supreme Court is getting more involved in Flint water criminal cases.

A judge has ruled former Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder and several other officials must testify in a civil trial involving engineering firms being sued over liability for lead-contaminated water connected to the Flint water crisis.

Officials provided a moment-by-moment breakdown of how they say two people carried out a failed murder-for-hire scheme targeting a Sterling Heights woman.

Greta Van Fleet guitarist Jake Kiszka was taken to the hospital and diagnosed with pneumonia, according to the band.

Officials provided a moment-by-moment breakdown of how they say two people carried out a failed murder-for-hire scheme targeting a Sterling Heights woman.

A Michigan man has been convicted in the murder of a 23-year-old woman who was out celebrating a family member’s birthday at a Flint nightclub.

The Michigan Supreme Court has overturned a murder conviction in Genesee County.

A man who was 17 when he was convicted in the fatal 1981 shooting of a taxi driver in Flint is seeking parole with the help of a group that works to free adolescent offenders who have spent decades in prison.

The president of the major junior ice hockey team, the Flint Firebirds, has been expelled from the league after an investigation into misconduct.

We’re tracking snow totals for several SE Michigan cities on Friday, March 11.

Former Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder wants to avoid testifying in a civil trial involving engineering firms that are being sued over liability for lead-contaminated water.

The former mayor of Flint is running for her old job.

Where can you find snow totals for this week’s snowstorm in Southeastern Michigan? Right here!

A mother and daughter were seriously injured over the weekend when a suspected drunken driver crashed into the back of their car with a Hummer while they were stopped at a traffic light in Lapeer County, officials said.

There are many conflicting stories about whether a lane is open or closed again. We’ve seen no traffic on the Ambassador Bridge Friday (Feb. 11) except Border Patrol and bridge company repair crews.

Here is the Metro Detroit weather forecast update for Feb. 10, 2022, afternoon and evening.

A judge has awarded about $40 million to the lead attorneys in a $626 million lawsuit settlement related to the Flint water crisis.

Where can you find snow totals for this week's snowstorm in Southeastern Michigan? Right here!

Where can you find snow totals for this week's snowstorm in Southeastern Michigan? Right here!

Where can you find snow totals for this week's snowstorm in Southeastern Michigan? Right here!

Where can you find snow totals for this week's snowstorm in Southeastern Michigan? Right here!

The National Weather Service says Flint has received a record 9-inch snowfall.

Several inches of snow have fallen in Metro Detroit on Monday, with a winter storm bringing between 1-5 inches to cities across the area.

Several inches of snow have fallen in Metro Detroit on Monday, with a winter storm bringing between 1-5 inches to cities across the area.

Several inches of snow have fallen in Metro Detroit on Monday, with a winter storm bringing between 1-5 inches to cities across the area.

Four Michigan cities made Orkin’s list of the 50 worst cities for bed bugs in 2022, and one even made the top five.

Wednesday is a big day for the people of Flint and those affected by the water crisis as the settlement process begins.

A judge has heard arguments from lawyers for Michigan's former health director who wants involuntary manslaughter charges dismissed in the Flint water crisis.

A judge has refused to dismiss a lawsuit against an engineering company in Flint.

People impacted by the Flint water crisis can soon submit a claim for monetary relief under the settlement approved last November.

More than 700 families lined up outside of Eastern Market to collect toys for more than 1800 families.

A $50 million lawsuit has been filed against a utility over an explosion that killed two people and damaged several homes in Flint, Michigan.

A 55-year-old woman and 4-year-old girl were killed in an explosion and fire that destroyed three homes and damaged 20 others Monday night.

Here’s what is coming up on Local 4 News at 11:

Authorities say a 4-year-old girl and a 55-year-old woman were killed in an overnight explosion and fire that destroyed three homes in Michigan, damaged several more and sent debris falling onto a neighborhood.

Here's what's coming up on Local 4 News at 5.

Tech start ups from around the world are testing their prototypes in the Motor City.