Genesee County

Genessee County shuts down HAZMAT team

Michigan Radio Newsroom — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 15:00:00 +0000

MLive's Ron Fonger is reporting that Genesee County has shut down its hazardous materials response team.

This comes as state officials are investigating potential problems with the unit.

It will be the first time the county has been without a HAZMAT team in over 10 years. Now other counties will be asked to provide assistance when there's a hazardous materials emergency.

Flint leaders delay decision on water pipeline project again

Steve Carmody — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 03:04:11 +0000

The Flint city council has delayed a decision on whether to take part in a quarter billion dollar project to tap water from Lake Huron for the city’s drinking water. The panel delayed taking action on the proposal last week as well.

The project has been in development for years. But supporters say they will soon have to start work on the project. They want Flint leaders to decide now if the city is going to be part of the project.

Tuesday primary begins the process of filling an empty state senate seat

Steve Carmody — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 04:01:00 +0000

Tomorrow, primary voters in Genesee County will narrow down the field of candidates to fill an open state senate seat.

There are seven candidates on the 27th state senate district primary ballot, though one has dropped out of the race.

On the Democratic side, State representatives Woodrow Stanley and Jim Ananich are facing off against Genesee County Commissioner Ted Henry and GM auto worker Chris Del Morone.

At a recent public forum, Stanley echoed the comments of his fellow Democratic candidates in hoping for a change at the state capitol.

Michigan Governor rejects Flint crime fighting proposal

Mark Brush — Mon, 25 Feb 2013 17:20:47 +0000

The city of Flint consistently makes the list as one of the country's most violent.

Genessee County Sheriff Robert Pickell says he has a plan to cut down on crime in Flint, but it would cost $3 million. That's $3 million Pickell would like from the state.

Ron Fonger of the Flint Journal reports Gov. Snyder has rejected Pickell's plan:

How social media closed down more than 100 Michigan schools

Michigan Radio Newsroom — Thu, 20 Dec 2012 22:16:13 +0000

You might have heard how Genesee and Lapeer counties closed down all their schools today and tomorrow due to rumors spreading across Facebook, Twitter, and texts.

But how could a rumor close so many schools?

Below is a Storify narrative of how one text message prompted a social media wildfire in southeast Michigan.

You can click on any of the linked text or images to follow the story further.

Genesee County Jail to release inmates because of “overcrowding emergency”

Lindsey Smith — Thu, 20 Sep 2012 20:44:56 +0000

The emergency was declared this week when the number of inmates remained above 700 for seven days in a row. The jail’s capacity is only 580 inmates.

That means state law now requires the jail to release about 175 inmates in the next two weeks. The number needs to get to 555 within 12 days; if the sheriff’s department can’t do that it’ll create a list to hand over to judges to decide.

Flint's new emergency manager says city does, in fact, need an EM

Tracy Samilton — Mon, 27 Aug 2012 22:20:16 +0000

Flint's new emergency financial manager disagrees -- strongly -- with recent assertions by the city council's president that Flint doesn't need an emergency financial manager anymore. 　

Ed Kurtz was Flint's Emergency Financial Manager a decade ago. He says the city is in much worse shape than the first time he was in charge.

The city has $19 million of debt, and nearly $1.5 billion in underfunded pension and retiree health care costs.

Flint using special tax break to encourage downtown development

Steve Carmody — Sun, 01 Jul 2012 20:01:01 +0000

A public hearing Monday morning will begin a process that could help renovate some long-vacant buildings in downtown Flint.

Federal aid coming to parts of Michigan hit hard by flooding in May

Steve Carmody — Fri, 29 Jun 2012 17:17:39 +0000

Genesee County residents hard hit by a May flood will soon get some help from the federal government.

More than 5 inches of rain fell on parts of Genesee County on May 3 and 4.

Michigan's governor asks (again) for federal help for Genesee County flood victims

Steve Carmody — Wed, 27 Jun 2012 20:07:24 +0000

Gov. Snyder is trying again to get some federal help for people in Genesee County hard-hit by spring floods.

Genesee County cracks down on unlicensed dogs

The Associated Press — Sat, 23 Jun 2012 19:44:15 +0000

FLINT, Mich. (AP) - After a brief amnesty, Genesee County officials are sending a small army of enforcers door to door to find dogs that don't have a license.

The Animal Control Department predicts the crackdown could raise more than $250,000 in fees this summer. There are 18 full-time workers who will sell licenses on the spot or write tickets.

FEMA denies request for assistance to flooded Michigan communities

Mark Brush — Wed, 13 Jun 2012 15:24:58 +0000

FEMA will not provide disaster assistance to Michigan communities affected by severe flooding back in May.

More than five inches of rain fell in parts of Genesee County near Flint on May 3 and 4.

Several homes and businesses suffered extensive damage. It was enough for Gov. Snyder to declare a state of emergency in the affected areas, but not enough for the federal government.

From the Flint Journal:

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has told Gov. Rick Snyder that a request for major disaster assistance has been denied, according to a letter from FEMA administrator W. Craig Fugate.
"Based on our review of all the information available it has been determined that the damage to dwellings from this event was not of such severity and magnitude as to be beyond the capabilities of the state, affected local governments and voluntary agencies," Fugate's letter to Snyder says.

Genesee County officials are expected to appeal the decision.

Officials assessing flood damage near Flint, Michigan

Mark Brush — Mon, 14 May 2012 18:13:50 +0000

More than five inches of rain fell in parts of Genesee County near Flint, Michigan on May 3 and 4, leading to major flooding and damage to homes and businesses in the area.

Last Friday, Gov. Snyder declared a "state of emergency" in Genesee County, which made state resources available. The next step is to see if federal emergency resources will be made available.

Roger Fonger of the Flint Journal reports:

Federal Emergency Management Agency officials are joining state and local officials this afternoon to assess damage to homes and businesses in the hardest-hit areas of the county.
"They will be out for the next few days -- until it's done," said Nicole Lisabeth, a spokeswoman for Michigan State Police's Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division.

"This is for officials to get a really good idea whether the damages might qualify for federal aid and whether we (will) proceed with asking for a presidential (disaster) declaration," Lisabeth said.

Lisabeth said homeowners and businesses that suffered damage might qualify for low-interest loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration.

Michigan Gov. declares "state of emergency" after storms and flooding

Mark Brush — Fri, 11 May 2012 21:38:09 +0000

Today, Gov. Rick Snyder declared a "state of emergency" in Genesee County following the severe flooding near Flint, Michigan on May 3 and 4.

The declaration makes state resources available to help with damage resulting from the storms and flooding.

Federal resources could follow.

Voters in Genesee and Oakland Counties fill vacant state house seats

Steve Carmody — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 04:07:04 +0000

Tuesday’s election did not change the balance of power in the state house.

Two vacant state house seats were up for grabs.

Voters in Genesee County filled a vacant state house seat on Tuesday. The seat was made vacant last fall by a union-backed campaign that succeeded in recalling Republican Paul Scott.

Last night, Republican Joe Graves defeated Democrat Steve Losey to serve out the final year of Scott’s unfinished term.

Graves says his message of jobs lead to the victory.