Kevin Craft

Freelance Writer and Editor at Freelance

Writer and editor. Author of Kindle Single "Grunge, Nerds, and Gastropubs." Words @PopMatters, @TheAtlantic, & others. Opinions = my own. [email protected].

Articles

Flint boxing coach legend Joe Byrd dies at the age of 89

3 days ago | abc12.com | Kevin Craft

FLINT, Mich. (WJRT) - Joe Byrd, the father of Flint's first family of boxing, has died at the age of 89. Byrd passed away recently, according to his obituary. He was a former professional boxer who spent his life coaching numerous boxers in the Flint community, including all five of his sons and his daughter, Tracy. Byrd was the head coach for the 1992 Olympic boxing team. He also founded the Flint Police Athletic League Boxing team and the Joe Byrd Boxing Academy.
Westbound I-69 exit ramp to Miller Road closing on Monday

1 week ago | abc12.com | Kevin Craft

FLINT, Mich. (WJRT) - The Michigan Department of Transportation will begin work on two bridges in Genesee County starting Monday. MDOT will begin working on the westbound I-69 exit ramp bridge to Miller Road over Swartz Creek and the M-54 bridge over Thread Creek in Genesee County. The westbound I-69 ramp to Miller Road will be closed with traffic detoured via northbound I-75, eastbound Corunna Road, and southbound Ballenger Road.
Fireworks and celebrations mark Juneteenth in Flint

1 week ago | abc12.com | Kevin Craft

FLINT, Mich. (WJRT) - The Flint community celebrated Juneteenth with celebrations on Thursday afternoon and fireworks at dusk. The event on Thursday at Max Brandon Park featured youth activities, live music, local vendors and a ceremony to honor community leaders. A parade began later in the day at the Park, traveling down Martin Luther King Avenue to an AfroBeats party at the University of Michigan-Flint Community Park. "This celebration was awesome.
Local veterans return to standing ovation from Honor Flight trip

1 week ago | abc12.com | Kevin Craft

MID-MICHIGAN (WJRT) - Dozens of veterans from Mid-Michigan received a warm welcome as they returned home from the Honor Flight from Washington D.C.The veterans departed Tuesday morning from Flint Bishop Airport and came back Wednesday evening. Many people gathered to greet them, offering a homecoming they might not have experienced after their service. During the trip, the veterans toured national monuments in the nation's capital. For some, it was their first visit.
Fairview man accused of smuggling drug contraband into a jail

2 weeks ago | abc12.com | Kevin Craft

OTSEGO COUNTY, Mich. (WJRT) - A Fairview man is facing multiple charges after being arrested for possession of methamphetamine and smuggling contraband into jail. Michigan State Police say 41-year-old Raymond Laroche was arraigned on charges of possession of methamphetamine, smuggling contraband in jail and being a habitual offender. Police arrested Laroche following a traffic stop in Frederic on Thursday. Authorities said Laroche had several outstanding warrants related to narcotics offenses.
One person injured following a fire in Mount Pleasant

2 weeks ago | abc12.com | Kevin Craft

MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. (WJRT) - One person was injured following a fire and an explosion at an apartment complex in Mount Pleasant. The fire happened at the former Michigan State Police Post on North Mission Street in Mount Pleasant just before 9:30 a.m. on Thursday. According to the Mount Pleasant Fire Department, the fire occurred in one of the four upstairs apartments and involved a butane tank explosion.
First responders receive award for splash pad shooting response

2 weeks ago | abc12.com | Kevin Craft

ROCHESTER HILLS, Mich. (WJRT) - The Oakland County Sheriff's Office and the Rochester Hills Fire Department received a national award for the medical care provided during a mass shooting in Rochester Hills last June. was presented to the two departments last week at the 8th annual North American Active Assailant Conference in Troy. The award is named after Captain Frank Butler, a medical doctor and Navy SEAL known as the father of tactical combat casualty care.
Flint man accused of armed robbery in Lapeer

2 weeks ago | abc12.com | Kevin Craft

LAPEER, Mich. (WJRT) - A Flint man was arrested over the weekend in Lapeer, accused of armed robbery at a local hotel. Police say 37-year-old Dequantell Hayward-Lee Jamerson of Flint was arraigned on one count of robbery fourth offense. Just after 10:30 p.m. on Friday, Lapeer police responded to an armed robbery at the Holiday Inn Express on Demille Road.
Inmate found dead at the Shiawassee County Jail

3 weeks ago | abc12.com | Kevin Craft

Video Player is loading. Current Time 0:00Duration 0:27Remaining Time -0:27Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. End of dialog window. SHIAWASSEE COUNTY, Mich. (WJRT) - An inmate at the Shiawassee County Jail died on Thursday night. Around 9:30 p.m., a Shiawassee County Correctional Deputy discovered 45-year-old Nathan Johnson hanging in a shower area within the jail cell.
Oakland deputies stop potential mass shooting at Pontiac graduation

3 weeks ago | abc12.com | Kevin Craft

OAKLAND COUNTY, Mich. (WJRT) - The Oakland County Sheriff's Office says that deputies prevented a potential mass shooting at a Pontiac high school graduation on Tuesday. Sheriff Michael Bouchard said deputies acted upon receiving a tip about a social media post threatening gunfire at the UWM Sports Complex, where more than 1,300 people were for the ceremony. Deputies were initially called to break up a disturbance involving a few males at the event.