Joey Oliver

Michigan

Cops and Courts Reporter at The Flint Journal

Cops and Courts Reporter at MLive

I cover Bay City government, business, etc. for @mlive and the @baycitytimes.

Articles

4 key commercial districts to be focus of Bay Future economic study

2 days ago | mlive.com | Joey Oliver

BAY CITY, MI – Bay Future Inc. has begun studying four districts across Bay County to assess their current conditions and to see how they would fare for future economic development. The four districts are Woodside Avenue in Essexville, Wilder Road from Bangor Road to North Euclid Avenue, Euclid Avenue from the M-247 split to Salzburg Road, and the M-13 corridor, a stretch that includes Kawkawlin, Fraser and Pinconning townships as well as the city of Pinconning.
Bay Future hires Bay City native Mark Hitchcock as economic development manager

2 days ago | mlive.com | Joey Oliver

BAY CITY, MI – A countywide economic development organization that works to retain businesses, attractions and promote expansion efforts across Bay County has announced it is hiring a new economic development manager. Bay City native Mark Hitchcock will join Bay Future, Inc. as the organization’s new economic development manager, according to a news release issued Monday, May 12.
Bay City’s last free bridge faces weekend lane closures for repairs

2 days ago | mlive.com | Joey Oliver

BAY CITY, MI – Traffic in Bay City has been bumpy at the start of 2025. With a second drawbridge over the Saginaw River beginning to charge tolls and an ongoing project taking the Lafayette Bridge out of commission, traffic has been focused on the city’s lone free bridge: Veterans Memorial. But a project to smooth out bumps and repair pavement on the bridge will leave it with just single lanes open to traffic during the upcoming weekend.
Annual Make a Difference Day connects Michigan students with community needs

2 days ago | mlive.com | Joey Oliver

SEBEWAING, MI – A school district in northern Michigan gave back to its community through one of its annual events. Students from Unionville-Sebewaing High School got out into the community on Friday, May 9, cleaning yards, painting and doing other acts of kindness at more than 50 sites across the community as part of the district’s annual Make a Difference Day.
SVSU adds 3 new academic programs for Fall 2025 semester

2 days ago | mlive.com | Joey Oliver

KOCHVILLE TWP, MI – Saginaw Valley State University is adding three new academic programs beginning in the Fall 2025 semester. The SVSU Board of Control on Friday, May 9, approved adding the three academic offerings to the university’s curriculum. The new offerings include one new master’s degree, one new bachelor’s degree and one new graduate certificate.
New details on teen’s death after getting off bus, historic church to close and more Bay County news

3 days ago | mlive.com | Joey Oliver

BAY COUNTY, MI – A Bay County schools student who died after getting off his bus had no prior health issues, according to police reports. Meanwhile, a historic church in Bay City is closing at the end of the month. Those headlines and many more are included below in this week’s roundup of stories you may have missed.
What’s happening to the massive Mayan head that’s been watching over Bay City for nearly 2 decades?

5 days ago | mlive.com | Joey Oliver

BAY CITY, MI – Call it a sixth sense or maybe just intuition, but State Theatre owner Jordan Dice said he had a vision. It was of the Mayan Chief head atop the historic State Theatre in downtown Bay City, and it was of it falling and hitting someone. It was a windy day and, as Dice described it in a recent social media post, he went outside and, sure enough, the 17-year-old piece of art that was once recognized in an international art contest was shaking in the wind.
Hello, Bay City: Why did voters turn their backs during Teacher Appreciation Week?

5 days ago | mlive.com | Joey Oliver

It’s easy to assume we understand the communities we live in, that we know what they value, what they’ll support, what they’ll reject. Especially if you’re a journalist—trained to observe, to report, to stay balanced. You become good at reading the room. Or so you think. So, when the Essexville-Hampton Public Schools bond failed, I was stunned. Not because I believe journalists shouldn’t have opinions. Quite the opposite. While objectivity is the job, intuition is the tool.
Electric scooter company Bird exits Bay City, ending rental service

5 days ago | mlive.com | Joey Oliver

BAY CITY, MI – An electric scooter rental company that operated in cities across mid-Michigan has begun discontinuing service and removing scooters. After previously announcing it was discontinuing services in Midland and Saginaw, Bird has announced it will also be leaving Bay City. All Bird scooters in the city will be removed by May 16, according to a news release.
Mid-Michigan school bond, millage results for May 6 election

1 week ago | mlive.com | Joey Oliver

Voters across mid-Michigan decided several school millage and bond proposals during the Tuesday, May 6, election. Birch Run Area Schools, Essexville-Hampton Public Schools, Midland Public Schools and Reese Public Schools were among districts with proposals on the ballot. The bond proposals for Birch Run Area Schools, Essexville-Hampton Public Schools and Midland Public Schools all failed.