GENESEE COUNTY, MI – Progress has been made in the ongoing strike led by a union representing nurses at Henry Ford Genesys Hospital in Grand Blanc Township, according to hospital and union officials.
In other news, a Flint man has been sentenced in connection with a road rage shooting that occurred in Grand Blanc Township last summer.
Learn more about these stories and other Flint-area news with these headlines from the past week:
Henry Ford Genesys, Teamsters say ‘important milestone’ reached to end nurses’ strike
Representatives of Henry Ford Genesys Hospital and Teamsters Local 332 say they’ve “reached an important milestone” that could help end a 155-day strike by nurses and caseworkers.
The announcement comes months after more than 750 union members followed through with a promise to go on strike on Labor Day, demanding “safe and improved working conditions.”
“Friday night, representatives for Henry Ford Genesys Hospital and Teamsters Local 332 reached an important milestone towards ending the ongoing labor dispute, a joint statement from the hospital and union reads. “We remain optimistic as crucial steps in the negotiations process continue. We appreciate everyone’s understanding, and we look forward to sharing more when we’re able.”
Read the full story here.
Grand Blanc Township road rage shooter gets 3-year minimum sentence
A Flint man who fired multiple shots at another driver during a road rage incident in Grand Blanc Township in July last year received a three-year sentence.
Ter-Ray Pendelton, 21, pleaded guilty to reduced charges of discharging a firearm from a motor vehicle, carrying a concealed weapon without a permit and using a firearm to commit a felony, according to court records.
Pendelton was sentenced to a minimum of 36 months in jail, with a maximum term of up to 10 years, according to court records.
Read the full story here.
2 officers won’t be charged for shooting Michigan church mass killer
The officers who shot and killed Thomas Sanford after he opened fire at a Grand Blanc Township church before setting it ablaze will not face prosecution.
Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton issued a memorandum declining prosecution after reviewing the events that led up to the Sept. 28 shooting at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
The investigation found that both officers were “legally entitled to use deadly force in lawful self-defense or defense of others,” according to the memorandum signed by the prosecutor.
Read the full story here.
Here’s who’s next in line for Flint water crisis settlement payments
Flint residents with both property and injury claims tied to the city’s water crisis are next in line to receive payments from a $626.25 million settlement fund, with those notification letters expected to arrive within the next two weeks.
The most recent notice filed by Special Master Deborah Greenspan highlights the next steps in the payment process, and the court-authorized settlement website shows that roughly two-thirds of individuals who have received payment letters so far have chosen a payment option, with most selecting electronic money transfers.
Last month, U.S. District Court Judge Judith E. Levy authorized Greenspan to finalize the terms for making the payments from the settlement funded by the state of Michigan and others.
Read the full story here.
34 pull petitions to run for Flint City Council, but field is empty in one ward
There’s no shortage of candidates so far in the race for Flint mayor and City Council.
But no candidate has yet pulled nominating petitions to run in the 9th Ward on the city’s south side.
Nominating petitions needed to secure a spot on the August primary ballot became available Jan. 5, and the City Clerk’s Office reported 34 candidates had received them as of Tuesday, Feb. 3.
Seven candidates, including incumbent Sheldon Neeley, had taken out petitions to run for mayor.
Read the full story here.
Genesee commissioners won’t change prescription drug program for some retirees
Members of the Genesee County Board of Commissioners understand they could save hundreds of thousands of dollars by changing a prescription drug plan for some retirees.
But they said on Wednesday, Feb. 5, that they’re willing to pay more to keep an existing program rather than forcing a change the former employees don’t want.
Commissioners voted unanimously against a recommendation to switch more than 100 retirees from Express Scripts to SmithRx, a change its consultant estimated would save roughly $360,000 after one year.
Read the full story here.
Mott funds $1M national problem-solving competition for kids and teens
The Charles Stewart Mott Foundation is funding a nationwide Million Dollar Challenge for kids and teens, a pitch competition seeking innovative business ideas or solutions to community issues.
Mott announced the challenge in a news release this week, the third 2026 initiative that’s tied to its centennial celebration this year.
Last month, the foundation announced plans to award 100 grants — one for every year of its existence — to Flint area students, with each recipient getting $1,926 to match the year of its founding.
Read the full story here.
$233M in lottery sales reported in Genesee County last year. See how that compares to the rest of the state
More than $233 million was spent on Michigan Lottery games in Genesee County in 2025, according to recent data.
Statewide, Michigan saw a total of more than $4.4 billion in lottery game sales last year, with about $4.3 million spent per 10,000 residents. In 2024, Michigan had an estimated population of more than 10.1 million.
Genesee County ranks among the top 15 counties in the state when it comes to lottery sales per 10,000 residents. Most of these counties are on the east side of Michigan, including Bay and Saginaw counties.
Read the full story here.
County debates renewal of surveillance camera contract amid community objections
Genesee County’s Flock Safety cameras are still watching traffic, but for the second time in two weeks, the Board of Commissioners has delayed a decision on whether to bring them down from their perches.
Commissioners postponed decisions on whether to renew contracts for its 30 surveillance cameras on Wednesday, Feb. 4, after residents said they want them removed.
“I don’t want to see a big brother state …,” Commissioner Shaun Shumaker, R-Fenton Township, said. “It’s a very slippery slope, and I was hoping to find a way that we can guarantee our residents in Genesee County — their data and their information — is secure. I don’t know if we can generally do that.”
Read the full story here.
Rocky’s Great Outdoors closing Burton store after 50-plus years in business
Rocky’s Great Outdoors, a staple in Burton’s business community since 1971, is going out of business.
Liquid Asset Partners, which is managing a store-closing sale that begins on Saturday, Feb. 7, announced the closing on Friday, Feb. 6.
“For more than five decades, Rocky’s has been a gathering place for the communities of Flint and Grand Blanc — a place where first bikes were bought, hunting traditions were passed down, and customers became lifelong friends,” the Liquid Asset announcement reads.
Read the full story here.
Suspect bound over for trial in shooting of Grand Blanc football coach
The case against William Channer, the man accused of fatally shooting a Grand Blanc football coach at their workplace in November, has been bound over for trial.
Lapeer County District Court Judge Laura Barnard bound the case over to circuit court after a preliminary examination hearing on Jan. 29, according to court records.
Channer is charged with first-degree premeditated murder, felony firearm, carrying a concealed weapon, possession of a firearm by a prohibited person and fleeing a police officer.
Read the full story here.
Interview process set to find new Swartz Creek Schools superintendent
Interviews are expected to start this month as Swartz Creek Community Schools work to find a full-time superintendent.
The district named Wayne Wright as its interim superintendent in late December, with the interim role anticipated to last approximately six months as the district continues its search for a permanent superintendent.
Jim Kitchen, who had been serving as interim superintendent for the district, announced his departure in a Dec. 19 post on social media.
Read the full story here.
New Mediterranean restaurant to open in Davison, second location in the works
The ownership for a new fast casual Mediterranean restaurant is set to open his first location in Davison, with hopes of dozens of others sprouting up over the next decade.
Zatar & Olive, located at 415 N. State Road, Ste. C., is expected to open by the end of February.
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“This is the first one. Our long-term vision is to open 100 in 10 years or less,” said Mo Aboneaaj, vice president of business development. “We’re being methodical in getting this first one done right.”
Read the full story here.
$15,000 prize purse secured for 2026 HAP Crim Festival of Races
Money talks and elite runners, well, they run.
And the partnership between the Crim Fitness Foundation and Flint’s Bishop International Airport Authority ensures a $15,000 prize purse.
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The amount will be split amongst the winners of the 49th HAP Crim Festival of Races, ensuring the Elite Program stays intact for this year’s events.
Read the full story here.
New path connecting Kelly Lake Park, For-Mar aims to make Burton more walkable
The city of Burton is using more than $640,000 out of its street funding to construct an approximately one-mile-long path connecting Kelly Lake Park to For-Mar Nature Preserve & Arboretum.
The Genesee Road sidewalk project will connect the two areas by constructing a nonmotorized pathway with $647,325 drawn from the major street fund and approved by city council at its Jan. 22 meeting.
A contract for $637,325 with Imlay City-based T.J. Priehs, LLC. for the project was approved at the same meeting.
Read the full story here.
Year-long data center moratorium up for vote in Genesee County community
A vote is expected later this month on a year-long moratorium that’d allowed the Fenton Township Planning Commission to research on data centers.
The Fenton Township Board of Trustees had a first reading of the moratorium at its Feb. 3 meeting suggested by the planning commission.
Mandelson files should be released ‘immediately’, says Kemi Badenoch
Language in the proposed ordinance states it would temporarily enact “a blanket prohibition on the establishment and use of data centers…pending further study and enactment of Township regulation addressing the same.”
