The Flint Journal

FLINT, MI – Two people have been arrested and are facing several felonies, including first-degree murder, in connection to a fatal shooting that occurred last April in Flint. Robert Wiggins, 36, of Flint was arraigned on charges Wednesday, July 15, in Genesee County District Court for his alleged involvement in the shooting that killed a 35-year-old Flint man after an altercation in a local neighborhood on the city’s north side.

GAINES, MI – The sights and sounds of rodeo are returning this weekend to a rural Genesee County community. The 23rd annual Gaines Community Rodeo is set to return to Friday, July 17, and Saturday, July 18, to Pinehill Community Park, located at 12135 Ray Road. Gates open at 5 p.m. and the rodeo begins at 6:30 p.m. on both nights.

FLINT, MI -- Flint Mayor Sheldon Neeley and local health officials are asking residents to take precautions to protect themselves as the state continues to suffer through the worst air quality in the U.S. this week. Canadian wildfire smoke continued to push across Michigan on Thursday, July 16, with air quality alerts measuring at the “hazardous” level for air pollution.

GENESEE COUNTY, MI -- Motorists traveling on Irish Road in Davison Township should expect delays and lane closures starting next week as paving work begins on a section of the roadway. The Genesee County Drain Commission will pave Irish Road between Lippincott Boulevard and Atherton Road beginning Monday, July 20. The southbound lane will be closed during the project, with flaggers directing two-way traffic through the work zone.

GENESEE COUNTY, MI -- Genesee County is maneuvering to intervene in the proposed Otisville Solar Project, a massive development that would stretch across more than 2,000 acres of private land in Thetford and Forest townships. The county Board of Commissioners gave initial approval to become an intervener as EDF Renewables seeks approval for the project from the Michigan Public Service Commission. Commissioners could finalize the decision when they meet next week.

FENTON TWP., MI – Fenton Township is recruiting volunteers for upcoming cleanup days along the U.S. 23 median and is asking residents to indicate their availability before finalizing the schedule. The township is collecting volunteer preferences through an online survey to determine which dates attract enough participants. Completing the form carries no obligation and simply helps organizers plan the event, according to a post on the township’s Facebook page.

LAPEER, MI — Porchfest Lapeer will no longer take place this weekend, organizers say. Due to hazardous air quality, the fifth year festival that unites the small town community is canceled for Saturday, July 18. Organizers announced on Facebook that the event will be rescheduled for Saturday, Sept. 26. Here’s what the Facebook post said: After careful consideration, PorchFest Lapeer will be **rescheduled**. This decision was not made lightly.

LAPEER, MI – Lapeer Community Schools is moving forward with plans to consolidate its buildings, a decision that’ll impact students and families across the district. The district’s board of education voted unanimously during its June 24 meeting to approve a reconfiguration plan assigning students to buildings based on their grade, rather than geography, signifying a shift from its previous neighborhood-school model.

FLINT, MI — Carriage Town Porch Fest is canceled this weekend because of hazardous air quality conditions. The popular neighborhood festival announced Thursday afternoon that the seventh annual festivities won’t take place on Friday, July 17. Known for transforming six block’s of Flint’s historic Carriage Town, the festival draws thousands annually to celebrate with free music and arts, as well as food trucks, community and camaraderie.

GENESEE COUNTY, MI -- Contractors will begin milling and paving operations on two roads in Fenton Township starting Tuesday, with work expected to continue through Thursday. Lahring Road between Torrey Road and Jennings Road will be milled and paved Tuesday, July 21, and Wednesday, July 22. North Road between Lahring Road and Rolston Road will be milled Tuesday, July 21, and paved Thursday, July 23.