The revived criminal investigation into the Flint water crisis expanded this week with charges now expected against former Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder and other ex-officials for their role in the environmental catastrophe that devastated the majority Black city with lead-contaminated water, according to press reports and defense attorneys.
The state attorney general’s office informed some defense lawyers about upcoming indictments in Flint and told them to expect initial court appearances soon, according to the Associated Press, which first reported the pending charges on Tuesday.
The news marked a sharp escalation of the long-dormant prosecution. Critics had once chided criminal investigators for only bringing charges against lower-ranked local and state officials while bypassing Snyder.
Online poetry, multimedia course encourages mental well-being for middle schoolers
A local nonprofit has created an online poetry/mental health course for middle-schoolers (screen shot)
All Districts Devin Irish and Alexander Wiltse both admit they thought poetry was pretty much rhyming and, well, not really something they would find too interesting.
But the pair of North Park Montessori seventh-graders say they are enjoying learning about the craft and themselves through downloaded teaching materials provided free by The Diatribe. The Grand Rapids-based nonprofit uses spoken word, creative writing and performance poetry to promote discussion about equity and inclusion.
North Park Montessori seventh-grader Alex Wiltse participated in the online writing courses (courtesy)
Grand Rapids Business Journal
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Courtesy Consumers Energy
West Michigan Center for Arts and Technology appointed a new board president and added three new board members.
The Grand Rapids-based nonprofit known as WMCAT also said Tuesday that it celebrated a milestone for a longtime board member.
Board changes
Tim Williams, newly elected board president Williams is the vice president of diversity and inclusion at Meijer. He has been on the WMCAT board since 2017.
Michelle Meulendyk-Yost, new board member Meulendyk-Yost is lead, sustainability at Amway. She joined the WMCAT board in October.
Omar Hall, new board member Hall is vice president of sales at NN Inc. He joined the WMCAT board in October.
Grand Rapids Business Journal
Courtesy Holland Hospital
Holland Hospital now offers expert help and support services for achieving a healthy weight through its new program, Holland Hospital Bariatric Services.
The new service is offered in partnership with Grand Health Partners, a Grand Rapids-based practice of weight-loss experts and skilled surgeons who will perform bariatric surgeries at Holland Hospital. According to the hospital, two-thirds of adults in Michigan are overweight and nearly half of those are considered obese based on current guidelines.
Holland Hospital Bariatric Services offers access to the nutrition, exercise, behavioral health and surgical support someone may need to lose weight. Bariatric surgeons Drs. Randal Baker and Jeremy Bushman work with a multidisciplinary team of experts to provide proven weight-loss solutions, including minimally invasive bariatric surgery at Holland Hospital.