FLINT RIVER

FLINT, MI -- Its paint is curled and faded, and many of the front-porch floorboards and railings are busted and broken. The old Mary Taylor home in Flint’s Grand Traverse District looks like a candidate for foreclosure, demolition or both, but a closer look shows it’s neither. “The grand houses -- the more prominent families -- they have a lot of history written about them, but the working-class houses, they don’t,” Gainey said. Taylor eventually moved to the Michigan Masonic Home in Alma before she died in 1993 at 96, according to an obituary published in The Flint Journal. He’s also become attached to the neighborhood and established roots, marrying his husband, Dr. Brian Tesler, in 2015.

FLINT, MI -- Genesee County’s medical health officer has lifted a no-contact order for a section of the Flint River that was hardest hit by a June chemical spill. Deputy Health Officer Kayleigh Blaney said the decision to rescind the no-contact order at this time came after officials found no seepage from the area after heavy rains. Also: Four months after Flint River chemical spill, Lockhart files for bankruptcyHackert issued her no-contact order on June 15, following the initial discovery of the Lockhart spill and cleanup by agencies from the city, the county, the state of Michigan and the federal government. The no-contact order included a prohibition on swimming, fishing or boating on the section of the river. Read more at The Flint Journal:Lockhart cited for Flint River spill.

FLINT, MI – The Flint River Watershed Coalition (FRWC) has named a new executive director responsible for the environmental organization’s day-to-day operations. Jennifer Raymond, a Ferris State University graduate, has taken over for Interim Director Sarah Scheitler, who was temporarily appointed when a former executive director left the organization. Raymond will lead the organization’s Flint River paddle, educational and water monitoring programs, alongside strategic partnerships and the organization’s response to the Lockhart Chemical spill in June. The FRWC’s Corridor Alliance Chapter also decided to dissolve last month amid the transition. High School ReunionFlint schools family literacy night to feature 1K+ free books, Mama Sol poetry slamThree new members take office on Flint Board of Education

FLINT, MI -- Lockhart Chemical, the company responsible for spilling thousands of gallons of an oil-based substance into the Flint River in June, has declared bankruptcy. Lockhart made the Chapter 7 filing on Friday, Oct. 7, in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Pennsylvania, where its principal office is located. It has manufactured and marketed chemical additives from its plant on James P. Cole Boulevard in Flint for four decades. EGLE has said its laboratory chemical analysis established that pollutants entering the Flint River near Lockhart were a match to the wastewater inside the facility and the company has previously accepted responsibility for the breach that caused the river contaminationRead more at The Flint Journal:State order company that caused Flint River spill to end use of waste transport tunnelsLockhart cited for Flint River spill. State says operations have not improvedState says Lockhart Chemical is likely source of Flint River chemical spillLikely source of Flint River chemical spill had no leak detection on concrete vaults

Michigan state regulators ordered a chemical company in Flint to truck wastewater to a water treatment plant after it was blamed for oily discharge in the Flint River.

State regulators have ordered a Flint chemical company to truck wastewater to a water treatment plant.

FLINT, MI -- Lockhart Chemical, the company responsible for spilling thousands of gallons of an oil-based substance into the Flint River in June, has been ordered to immediately stop its use of leaky underground waste and storm water tunnels for disposal. The order requires Lockhart to pump its waste product into above-ground containers so it can be safely transported off site for disposal. Swanson said his department has continued to investigate the river spill since it was discovered by a fisherman, who first noticed the oily sheen infiltrating the water three months ago. Read more at The Flint Journal:Lockhart cited for Flint River spill. State says operations have not improvedState says Lockhart Chemical is likely source of Flint River chemical spillLikely source of Flint River chemical spill had no leak detection on concrete vaults

FLINT, MI -- The rush of the Flint River provides an ambient background hum as the rhythms of the Community Drum Circle filled Riverbank Park in downtown Flint on Wednesday night. Flint musicians gather every week at the park for the drum circle. They meet every Wednesday at Riverbank Park from 6:30-8 p.m.Winn started the drum circle with the help of What’s Up Downtown Flint, a community organization that hosts several events downtown like the drum circle. Just really fun.”After finishing up the drum circle, Winn and other musicians in the circle head to Tenacity Brewing to continue their night of music in the venue’s open mic night. The drum circle began in June and is scheduled to end the first week of October.

FLINT, MI -- An ‘80s themed benefit concert and party is returning to Flint this summer to raise money for the Flint River Watershed Coalition. The 5th annual benefit concert “80s in the Hole” will take place from 6:30-10:30 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 9 at 630 W. Kearsley Street in Flint. Flint always impresses us with their gnarly costumes and love for this most excellent decade,” says outgoing Flint River Watershed Coalition Executive Director Patrick Scanlon. This event kicks off the Flint River Watershed Coalition’s fundraising campaign that will support the coalition’s efforts in responding to the June 15 chemical spill on the Flint River, which Lockhart Chemical has taken responsibility for. Read more at The Flint Journal:Lockhart cited for Flint River spill.

FLINT, MI – Researchers at the University of Michigan-Flint are studying the Flint River’s ecology as a century-old dam is removed, opening a 25-mile stretch of fish passages. Dawson first came up with the idea to do this study on the Flint River because she was looking for opportunities to serve students’ interests. “You see the Flint River as sort of this much maligned river with a bad reputation and a lot of it is undeserved,” Dawson said. You do not want the river to just get ignored.”When comparing the Flint River to other urban rivers, Dawson was actually surprised at how it compared. Read more at The Flint Journal:Wildlife, kayaking returning to 25-mile stretch of Flint River after dam removalFunding secured to remove hazardous Hamilton Dam on Flint RiverThree Flint boxers from same gym to compete at national Golden Gloves tournamentCrews begin demolishing Hamilton Dam in downtown Flint

FLINT, MI -- Lockhart Chemical, the company responsible for spilling thousands of gallons of an oil-based substance into the Flint River in June, has been cited for multiple violations of its operating permit by the state of Michigan. Has allowed for continuous discharge of petroleum products and white residuals into groundwater and/or the Flint River. Failed to report the release of wastewater to a secondary containment area and failed to formally notify the state of the release to the river. After nearly a century in the steel and aluminum business, the company purchased its 13-acre manufacturing site in Flint in 1982, according to Flint Journal files. Read more at The Flint Journal:State says Lockhart Chemical is likely source of Flint River chemical spillLikely source of Flint River chemical spill had no leak detection on concrete vaultsOil-based material that spilled in Flint River came from Lockhart Chemical

In exchange, prosecutors were going to agree to dismiss an assault with intent to murder case. Kelly, who was 49 at the time of the homicide, is charged with single counts of tampering with evidence in a criminal case and accessory after the fact in connection with a double homicide from 2018. Lewis Wheeler’s brother, Robert Wheeler Jr., and Cheveyo I. Molina were both previously sentenced on single counts each of second-degree murder. The count was also amended from a first-degree murder charge as part of a plea deal. Read more at The Flint Journal:Teen sentenced to probation in connection with Flint double homicide caseMan who took plea in Flint double homicide case sentenced to more than 20 years in prisonTeen takes plea in murder case involving 2 bodies found in Flint River

FLINT, MI -- It is only a matter of time until wildlife returns to the Flint River after the removal of the Hamilton Dam. Partly demolished in 2018, the dam now poses a threat to public safety and the environment, according to Flint River and government officials. The deconstruction of the dam will restore fish passages for about 25 miles and will facilitate and enhance the lake sturgeon population in the Flint River. The work is part of the Flint River Restoration project, a $36.8-million project to “naturalize” the Flint River and improve amenities along the river through the downtown area. Read more on MLive:Funding secured to remove hazardous Hamilton Dam on Flint River15 candidates will vie for five Flint school board seats in NovemberSwartz Creek superintendent Ben Mainka leaves for Novi school districtMasks recommended, not required at Flint schools’ first dayBoard member walks out as tempers flare at Flint schools meeting

FLINT, MI -- State environmental officials say they have pinpointed a breach that caused a spill of volatile and semi-volatile organic compounds into the Flint River last month and say they have also observed a stubborn whitish discharge at an outfall to the river. Examples of volatile organic compounds are formaldehyde and ethanol, according to EPA. Examples of semi-volatile organic compounds include DDT and PCBs. A no-contact order for a portion of the Flint River remains in place, according to the Genesee County Health Department. Read more at The Flint Journal:State says Lockhart Chemical is likely source of Flint River chemical spillHealth order lifted for most of Flint River in Genesee CountyThousands of gallons of oil-based material spilled into Flint River

Substances found in the water have been traced back to one local chemical company, but the state is still looking into the possibility other sources are also contributing to the issue.

The Flint River Flotilla will be replaced with an on-land flotilla pirate fest due to the spill that happened in the Flint River last month.

FLINT, MI -- The unknown chemical spill on the Flint River last month is changing plans for one of the city’s floating events. The Flint River Flotilla will instead be replaced by a Flotilla Pirate Fest at Tenacity Brewing on Saturday, Aug. 6. Unknown impacts of the spill caused organizers to reconsider the August event, according to a news release from the Flint River Corridor Alliance. “We have made the difficult decision to cancel the 2022 on-the-water Flint River Flotilla in light of ongoing questions surrounding the Flint River chemical spill that began on June 15th. Read more at The Flint Journal:Thousands of gallons of oil-based material spilled into Flint RiverEPA sending on-scene coordinators to assist in Flint River oil spillHealth order lifted for most of Flint River in Genesee County

FLINT, MI -- Genesee County’s chief medical health officer has narrowed the scope of a public health order tied to a June 15 chemical spill into the Flint River. In an updated order issued on Monday, June 27, Dr. Pamela Hackert restricted the no-contact area of the river to from Stepping Stone Falls to Leith Street, replacing an earlier order that closed the river throughout the county. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said last week that most of the spilled substance has been removed from the river. Hackert’s new order says the spill has been contained to the area of the river between Stepping Stone Falls and Leith Street. Read more at The Flint Journal:Thousands of gallons of oil-based material spilled into Flint RiverOil-based material that spilled in Flint River came from Lockhart ChemicalFlint Gus Macker tournament in line for boost from Genesee County hotel tax

FLINT, MI – Genesee County authorities believe they have a lead in pinpointing the exact location of a breach at a Flint company that led to thousands of gallons of chemicals spilling into the Flint River. That geographical boundary originally was about a 22-mile stretch from Stepping Stone Falls in Flint to Willard Road near Montrose. They’ve previously said the spilled material, located within a 10-mile stretch of the river, looks similar to motor oil. The no-contact order was issued the day of the spill. “(We’re) looking at this from a policy lens but also as a community lens to make sure we’re holding folks accountable for our environment to keep ourselves protected.”Read more at The Flint Journal:Likely source of Flint River chemical spill had no leak detection on concrete vaultsState says Lockhart Chemical is likely source of Flint River chemical spillSearch continues for breach that led to Flint River chemical spillStay out of the Flint River, Genesee County health officer orders following oil spillOil-based material that spilled in Flint River came from Lockhart Chemical

Clean-up continues on the Lockhart Chemical Company spill in the Flint River, and so far, almost 14,000 gallons have been pulled out.

FLINT, MI -- Finding the source of a chemical spill into the Flint River is proving at least as difficult as cleaning it up. It’s a matrix down there,” Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson during a briefing Tuesday afternoon. Efforts to track the spill source were slowed when a camera valued at $181,000 was damaged during operations and another has to be put into service. Lockhart manufactures and markets chemical additives including sulfonates, emulsifiers, rust prevention additives, corrosion inhibitors and additives for metalworking fluids and greases in Flint, according to the company’s website. Read more at The Flint Journal:Oil-based material that spilled in Flint River came from Lockhart ChemicalJury left to decide which expert is right about whether Flint water hurt kidsStay out of the Flint River, Genesee County health officer orders following oil spill

Flint, MI — Genesee County Sheriff and Emergency Management Coordinator Chris Swanson says as we continue through the Juneteenth/Father’s Day weekend, a no-contact order is still in effect for the Flint River. Related: Likely source of Flint River chemical spill had no leak detection on concrete vaultsSwanson said the EPA used chemical fingerprinting to match the chemicals to those coming from a housing container release pipe near the West Boulevard Drive side of Lockhart. According to Swanson, there is no public health crisis or reported threat to drinking water; but a no-contact order for the river will remain in place as investigations continue. Sheriff Swanson speaks during a press conference, at the Flint Fire Department - Station 5, discussing the Flint River chemical spill in Flint on Thursday, June 16, 2022. City, Genesee County and state of Michigan agencies are responding to a significant oil spill in the Flint River.

FLINT, MI -- The state says testing has confirmed that a petroleum product released into the Flint River earlier this week came from Lockhart Chemical Co. Lockhart manufactures and markets chemical additives including sulfonates, emulsifiers, rust prevention additives, corrosion inhibitors and additives for metalworking fluids and greases in Flint, according to the company’s website. Even before Wednesday’s spill, the company was facing increased scrutiny from the state regarding its operation in Flint. Friday’s announcement by EGLE said local, state and federal agencies will continue to work to ensure the contamination is removed from the river. Read more at The Flint Journal:Likely source of Flint River chemical spill had no leak detection on concrete vaultsState says Lockhart Chemical is likely source of Flint River chemical spillSearch continues for breach that led to Flint River chemical spill

FLINT, MI -- Officials responding to the spill of an oil-based substance into the Flint River say they have made progress in clean-up and containment but still haven’t located the exact location of the breach that caused it. “We’ve made significant progress ... (but) the breach that we are trying to find is still under investigation,” Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson said in a news briefing on Friday, June 17. Approximately 13,000 gallons of the substance have been removed from the vaults, EGLE spokeswoman Jill Greenberg said Friday. The spill was first discovered Wednesday, June 15, by a fisherman who noticed an oily sheen on the river and called a state hotline. Read more:Likely source of Flint River chemical spill had no leak detection on concrete vaultsState says Lockhart Chemical is likely source of Flint River chemical spillStay out of the Flint River, Genesee County health officer orders following oil spill

FLINT, MI -- The company identified as the likely source of a Flint River chemical spill was cited by the state in April for 13 violations of environmental law, including its storage of liquid industrial by-products in concrete vaults that had no leak detection capability. Sheriff Swanson speaks during a press conference, at the Flint Fire Department - Station 5, discussing the Flint River chemical spill in Flint on Thursday, June 16, 2022. Lockhart has not acknowledged responsibility for the river spill, according to EGLE, but did agree to empty the underground containments. The EPA on Thursday established a website to provide information on its role in the Flint River spill. Read more at The Flint Journal:State says Lockhart Chemical is likely source of Flint River chemical spillStay out of the Flint River, Genesee County health officer orders following oil spillEPA sending on-scene coordinators to assist in Flint River oil spillToxic chemical found in groundwater, storm sewers at company that discharges into Flint River

Authorities are focusing on a chemical company as the likely source of a spill that has left a dark oily sheen for miles on the Flint River.

GENESEE COUNTY, MI -- The county’s medical health officer has ordered residents and visitors to stay out of the Flint River until further notice following an oil spill discovered on Wednesday, June 15. Medical Health Officer Dr. Pamela Hackert issued the order late Wednesday afternoon as emergency responders continued efforts to contain the spill and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency dispatched two on-scene coordinators to Flint. They’ve said the spilled material, located within a 10-mile stretch of the river, looks similar to motor oil. Hackert’s order carries the force of state law following her determination that there is a concern for imminent danger to the public’s health because of the spill. “We’ve identified a potential source, but we are still investigating.”Read more at The Flint Journal:EPA sending on-scene coordinators to assist in Flint River oil spillThousand gallons of oil-based material spilled into Flint RiverCensure motion fails but Flint councilman says he deserved it

Authorities are responding to a significant oil spill in the Flint River in Flint.

FLINT, MI -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is sending two on-scene coordinators to Flint in response to a significant oil spill into the Flint River. An EPA spokeswoman confirmed the plans to MLive-The Flint Journal on Wednesday, June 15, the same day the spill was discovered. They’ve said the spilled material, located within a 10-mile stretch of the river, looks similar to motor oil. Clean-up efforts related to the oil spill started shortly after EGLE received a call to a state hotline Wednesday morning. The color of the water visibly differed in the area of the spill with the slick tainting the water to a near-black appearance.

FLINT, MI -- City, Genesee County and state of Michigan agencies are responding to a significant oil spill in the Flint River. “It sounds like a significant spill.”EGLE officials described the spilled material as oil-based and dark black with a petroleum smell that looks similar to motor oil. The EGLE officials had they did not know if the potential source of the spill is located in the city of Flint. Sean McBrearty, coordinator of the Oil & Water Don’t Mix campaign to shut down Line 5, told MLive-The Flint Journal that Wednesday’s spill should serve as a warning. “No oil spill has ever been fully cleaned up.”An estimated 5,300 gallons of gear oil spilled at the Algoma Steel mill in Sault Ste.

FLINT, MI -- The man who had direct oversight of Flint’s water distribution system says his boss, former Department of Public Works Director Howard Croft, repeatedly threatened to fire him as the city’s water crisis unfolded and pressure mounted inside City Hall. Emergency managers during the water crisis said they used the Flint River in an effort to cut costs for a city that was teetering on bankruptcy. Bencsik testified that Glasgow had “warm bodies” working in the water plant when it went into full-time service for the first time in decades in 2014. “I don’t know that he had water plant operators,” he said. “I didn’t necessarily see how it was going to end up,” he said of the switch in the city’s water source.

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 -- The city is making plans to take on a painstaking downtown improvement project -- lifting up, resetting and replacing the 750,000 bricks that make up Saginaw Street. Adas said at least 70% of sidewalks are expected to be replaced in the area of the brick work and tree cages will be replaced. Saginaw Street bricks were originally laid in 1898. Special street bricks were made to withstand the pressure of carrying vehicle traffic. The idea of using stamped, colored asphalt on Saginaw Street has been discussed since at least 2001 in Flint.

FLINT, MI -- The Flint River Watershed Coalition was awarded a national grant to expand the organization’s youth programs. The Flint River Environmental Leaders program decides which issues to address in their communities and connect to protect and improve the Flint River. This program brings together 15 teachers and community program educators and 14 students across the Flint River watershed. FRWC is seeking applicants from youth organizations and schools for the program. “We are thrilled to begin this project and empower more people to protect, promote, and improve the Flint River watershed and its interwoven systems.”Program participants can receive educational credits and stipends of up to $650.

FLINT, MI -- The focus of a federal trial tied to the Flint water crisis is shifting from the role two consultants played in the man-made emergency to the level of lead found in the bones of city children. Specht oversaw a large-scale lead testing program in Flint, using modified, hand-held devices to measure the lead exposure of residents after the city used the Flint River as its water source for 17 months in parts of 2014 and 2015. Federal court records say Specht took bone lead measurements of all four children and concluded that each of them were subjected to “substantial” lead exposure. Specht’s bone-testing program in Flint was controversial and opposed by Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha, the Flint pediatrician who first found elevated levels of lead in the blood of Flint children during the water crisis. While using the Flint River as its water source, the 90th percentile of lead in city water rose from zero parts per billion to 20 ppb (parts per billion), beyond the federal action level of 15 ppb.

Dozens in the community gathered to commemorate and remember eight years since the beginning of the water crisis on April 25, the same day that the city’s water source was changed to the Flint River. We don’t want to ever give up.”The Flint water crisis was triggered after the city stopped buying pre-treated Lake Huron water from Detroit in April 2014 and instead used the Flint River as its water source until October 2015. Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha, a Flint pediatrician, was the first to find elevated levels of lead in the blood of Flint children during the city’s water crisis. More information can be found on the Flint Water Official Settlement website. Read more at The Flint Journal:Historic $626-million Flint water crisis settlement approved by federal court judgeClaims period starts Jan. 12 for $626-million Flint water crisis settlementFunding secured to remove hazardous Hamilton Dam on Flint RiverStrategic plan for Flint schools to be revisited with several changes

FLINT, MI -- A century-old dam deemed hazardous due to structural deficiencies will soon be coming down in the Flint River with an $855,000 federal grant secured by U.S. Rep. Dan Kildee. The Hamilton Dam, which was partly demolished in 2018, poses a threat to public safety and the environment, according to Flint River and government officials. This is a really good example of how we can restore vitality to this beautiful river,” Kildee said. “A lot of people wrote this river off.”Patrick Scanlon, executive director of the Flint River Watershed Coalition, said removing the last part of the dam has long been a priority for his organization. “I’m the new director but this is something that I have been aware of for quite some time.”The work is part of the Flint River Restoration project, a $36.8-million project to “naturalize” the Flint River and improve amenities along the river through the downtown area.

FLINT, MI -- The mother of one of four children suing two Flint water consultants told a federal jury Thursday, April 7, that her daughter’s behavior changed drastically after drinking lead-tainted city water during the Flint water crisis. Berry said her children initially drank unfiltered water from the faucet and in Kool-Aid before officials acknowledged rising levels of lead, bacteria and chlorine byproducts in city water. In court filings, Veolia says the city and state of Michigan caused the water crisis by switching Flint from Lake Huron water treated by the city of Detroit to Flint River water treated by employees of the city. It claims the company did not have any knowledge of a lead problem in Flint water. Attorneys for the two companies have questioned the extent of the damages Flint water caused the children who have sued them in addition to denying responsibility for the water crisis.

FLINT, MI -- A lawsuit filed on behalf of Flint children against three companies that helped finance Flint’s participation in the Karegnondi Water Authority has been dismissed by a federal court judge. Levy has ruled in other Flint water crisis lawsuits that residents had plausibly alleged that their involuntary exposure to lead, bacteria and other toxins in city water could amount to having their bodies invaded without their consent. Stern also helped to negotiate a $626-million settlement of water crisis lawsuits against the state of Michigan, city of Flint, McLaren Regional Hospital and Rowe Professional Services. The city’s change in water source triggered the water crisis, sending highly corrosive water through the water distribution system, including thousands of lead and galvanized service lines to homes, causing elevated levels of lead and bacteria in tap water. Financing for the KWA pipeline has long been a source of interest for state prosecutors as they have pursued criminal charges related to the water crisis.

The children’s lawsuit claims Veolia and LAN were negligent when they worked on water problems in Flint during the water crisis. The companies have disputed the childrens’ 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. Last month, an attorney for LAN asked Levy to consider time limits for presentations by each party in the case. Read more:Former Flint consultant asks judge to consider time limits in water crisis trial20 potential witnesses who could be critical as Flint children’s water crisis trial starts MondayFormer Gov. Snyder, others can appeal decision requiring they testify in Flint water crisis civil case

FLINT, MI -- Jurors in a civil lawsuit filed by four Flint children against two city water consultants have heard from experts and will hear from local and state government officials involved in the city water crisis. In addition to Veolia, the lawsuit claims consultant Lockwood, Andrews & Newnam was negligent when it worked on water problems in Flint during the water crisis. The companies have disputed the childrens’ 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. Rick Snyder and other witnesses who are facing criminal charges related to the water crisis. Read more:20 potential witnesses who could be critical as Flint children’s water crisis trial starts MondaySnyder, four others charged with Flint water crimes must appear, answer questions in civil trialOne-person grand jury used in Flint water criminal cases lands at Michigan Supreme Court

FLINT, MI -- The city says it’s been discharging partially treated sewage into the Flint River for at least the past 10 hours but hasn’t yet estimated how much. “This discharge was due to excessive wet weather flows, which exceeded the plant’s capacity for full secondary treatment of sewage,” the city said in a news release. The Health Department recommends against body contact with the Flint River under high flow conditions, particularly downstream of the release, west of the Mill Road Bridge at Flushing Road. Large amounts of runoff and churning of the river sediments generally result in high bacterial levels in the river throughout high flow areas, the city’s announcement says. Read more:Untreated sewage discharged into Flint River after equipment failureGreater Flint Health Coalition CEO departing, Reynolds named interim presidentOne-person grand jury used in Flint water criminal cases lands at Michigan Supreme Court

FLINT, MI -- More than six years after the Flint water crisis helped cost him his position as mayor, Dayne Walling will be asked to revisit the federally recognized emergency again next week. In court filings, Veolia says the city and state of Michigan caused the water crisis by switching Flint from Lake Huron water treated by the city of Detroit to Flint River water treated by employees of the city. It claims the company did not have any knowledge of a lead problem in Flint water. LAN ultimately produced a July 2011 report for Flint titled “Analysis of the Flint River as a Permanent Water Supply for the City of Flint,” according to court records. Read more:20 potential witnesses who could be critical as Flint children’s water crisis trial starts MondayFirm knew about lead in Flint’s water but didn’t warn public, emails showFormer Flint consultant asks judge to consider time limits in water crisis trial

FLINT, MI -- An engineering consultant says he witnessed the city “bypassing part of the softening flow” -- a key element designed to make Flint’s water less corrosive -- when he walked inside the city’s treatment plant during the Flint water crisis. “I am a man of faith and I typically don’t use profanity on the job,” Green told a jury in U.S. District Court in Ann Arbor. The children contend they were damaged by lead in Flint water and that Veolia and LAN were negligent in their work as city water consultants. The DEQ also did not require the river water to be treated with phosphate additives, another measure used to lessen corrosivity. LAN says its employees also recommended a test run of up to 90 days for the Flint treatment plant to evaluate the need to make Flint River water less corrosive -- advice that was never followed.

The LAN official said he later relayed the same information to other Flint water plant officials. Instead of a test run of at least 60 days, the city ran the test for less than 20 days, Green said Tuesday. Flint ended its treatment and use of river water in October 2015, after acknowledging elevated levels of lead, bacteria and chlorine byproducts in city water during the 17 months the plant operated. Experts have said the corrosivity of improperly treated Flint River water caused lead to leach from pipes, solder and home plumbing. Kurtz resigned as Flint emergency manager a month after Green said he met with him in June 2013 and was replaced in the position by Darnell Earley.

FLINT, MI -- The city of Flint was unable to complete an extended test run of Flint River water before putting its treatment plant into full-time service for the first time in decades, an engineer for one of two companies being sued by Flint children testified Thursday, March 3. Just days before the plant began treating Flint River water for distribution to homes and businesses, city officials announced they would begin treatment test runs with river water. Experts have said the river water was improperly treated and corrosive to lead in pipes, solder and home plumbing. Hansen’s comments about problems at the water plant are not the first to emerge since the city ended its use of Flint River water in October 2015. Michael Glasgow, former Flint water plant operator, warned state regulators of a potential disaster in the days leading up to the plant being put into full-time service.

FLINT, MI -- Roughly 8.5 million gallons of sewage spilled into the Flint River after a weekend equipment failure, the city says. The discharges were both related to the same equipment failure at the northwest pump station and led to a recommendation against body contact with the Flint River by the Genesee County Health Department. In September, during a heavy rain event, the city discharged 38 million gallons of sewage slurry into the river. Sunday’s equipment failure at the northwest pump station led city workers to turn off the 3rd Avenue pump station to make repairs, the city’s announcement of the spills says. In 2019, the Flint City Council approved funding to replace the 3rd Avenue pumping station’s switchgear and motion control, part of a multi-million-dollar upgrade.

Raw, untreated sewage was discharged into the Flint River following an equipment failure at a water facility in Flint.

FLINT, MI – Health department officials are recommending against body contact with the Flint River after raw, untreated sewage was discharged into it Sunday afternoon. While the Genesee County Health Department recommends against body contact with the river under current, high flow conditions, the advisory is particularly aimed at the Flint River west of the Mill Road Bridge at Flushing Road in Flint Township, said Jeanette Best, Flint’s water pollution control manager. Around that time, staff discharged excess wet weather flows consisting of raw, untreated sewage. Best did not say how many gallons of sewage were discharged into the river. Large amounts of runoff and churning river sediments generally result in high bacterial levels in high flow areas, Best said.

FLINT, MI -- The Flint River Watershed Coalition (FRWC) named Patrick Scanlon, a wildlife biologist who formerly worked at the Genesee Conservation District and as a Flushing city council member, as its new executive director this week. Related: Flint River Watershed Coalition executive director leaving job after nearly 14 years“We are thrilled to welcome Patrick as our new Executive Director,” said Doug Schultz, FRWC Board of Directors Chair. “As a lifelong resident of the watershed, I consider the Flint River my home,” said in a statement. The coalition is currently in the process of moving to a new location where the Flint River merges with the Swartz Creek. Fedewa, who previously led the coalition for just under 14 years, is now the executive director of the Michigan Water Environment Association.

FLINT, MI -- City officials say they were unable to chlorinate wastewater before it was discharged into the Flint River for roughly 24 hours. A news release from the city says it lost its ability to disinfect the discharges after a line break at about 2 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 13. The city’s announcement of the line break says water discharged to the river received “full wastewater treatment with the exception of the chlorination” during the incident. The city says the county Health Department recommends against body contact with the Flint River under the current conditions, particularly downstream of the release, west of the Mill Road Bridge at Flushing Road. Read more:Don’t expect Flint water cases to go trial until at least 2024, spokesman for former Gov.

A judge in Michigan has approved a $626 million settlement for Flint residents and others who were exposed to lead-contaminated water.

FLINT, MI — The executive director for the Flint River Watershed Coalition is planning her departure from the nonprofit organization after nearly 14 years. One of those projects includes the removal of the 218-foot long Hamilton Dam, which was a part of the Flint River Restoration Project. The Hamilton Dam was designed by Fargo Engineering Company in Jackson and built in 1920. “While my focus will shift to statewide endeavors, I’ll always carry the Flint River Watershed close to my heart,” Fedewa said. Read more on MLive:Fabri Dam demolished, Hamilton Dam in its final daysFlint River Watershed Coalition, Kayak Flint getting new home with fishing spots and lookout pointsCrews begin demolishing Hamilton Dam in downtown Flint

FLINT, MI -- The city says heavy rain and limited treatment capacity has caused it to discharge a mixture of stormwater and sewage from its retention and treatment basin into the Flint River. “Large amounts of runoff and churning of the river sediments generally result in high bacterial levels in the river throughout high flow areas,” the announcement says. In a report to the state of Michigan, the city attributed the discharge of .84 inches of rain, more than the capacity of its treatment plant once the stormwater infiltrates city sewers. “This reduces our treatment capacity to half of its normal maximum capacity. The largest volume spill -- nearly 32 million gallons of stormwater and partially treated sewage -- was also at the treatment plant.

The head of the Environmental Protection Agency visited Flint Wednesday as the city continues to deal with the fallout from the water crisis.

Former Michigan Governor Rick Snyder is due in court in Genesee County for a pretrial hearing on Tuesday morning.

TAYMOUTH TOWNSHIP, Mich. – Two teenagers have discovered a human foot while fishing in Saginaw County. The foot was found Feb. 26 along the banks of the Flint River in Taymouth Township, The Saginaw News reported Thursday. It has been sent to the state police Crime Lab where DNA from the foot will be compared to other collected DNA, Saginaw County Sheriff William Federspiel said. Taymouth Township is south of Saginaw and about 100 miles (160 kilometers) northwest of Detroit. The Flint River extends about 78 miles (125 kilometers) through several Michigan counties, according to the newspaper.

Nine charged in Flint water crisis probe: (First row, From top left to right). FLINT, Mich. – After a lengthy investigation into the Flint water crisis, which started more than five years ago, investigators announced a slew of charges, including against former Michigan Gov. Here’s the full list of charges:Jarrod Agen – Former Director of Communications and Former Chief of Staff, Executive Office of Gov. “We must remember that the Flint Water Crisis is not some relic of the past. In August 2020, a settlement of a lawsuit filed was reached on behalf of residents of Flint who were harmed by lead-tainted water.

FILE - In this March 21, 2016, file photo, the Flint Water Plant water tower is seen in Flint, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio, File)FLINT, Mich. – The Michigan Attorney General’s Office announced a preliminary $600 million settlement in lawsuits related to the Flint Water Crisis on Thursday, more than six years after the crisis started. Past contributions include a settlement agreement whereby $97 million was made available to replace all of the city’s lead service lines in its water system. To date, the state has spent more than $409 million in response to the Flint water emergency. Researchers with Virginia Tech University reported in summer 2015 that samples of Flint water had abnormally high lead levels.

A company is accused of illegally discharging nearly 48 million gallons of waste from landfills into Flint wastewater system.

Recalling the meeting Tuesday in an interview with The Associated Press, Glasgow said he was taken aback by the state regulator's instruction; treating drinking water with anti-corrosive additives was routine practice. Snyder later fired Liane Shekter Smith, former chief of the DEQ's Office of Drinking Water and Municipal Assistance. "I did have some concerns and misgivings at first," Glasgow told the committee. (It wasn't until last December that the Flint plant finally got a corrosion control system.) Complete coverage: The Flint Water Crisis