Ron Fonger

Flint

Reporter for MLive Media Group. [email protected]. Married well. Beer snob. Detroit Tigers diehard. Unknown Mortal Orchestra fan.

Articles

Teen faces multiple charges after fire that destroyed Homeboy Barbeque

1 day ago | mlive.com | Ron Fonger

GENESEE COUNTY, MI -- A 17-year-old Flint Township boy is facing five felonies and has been charged as an adult for his alleged role in a series of crimes tied to a fire that destroyed a Clayton Township barbecue restaurant. Prosecutors filed a felony complaint on Tuesday, June 3, charging the teen with arson, home invasion, and three counts of breaking and entering at Homeboy Barbeque on Beecher Road.
Flint makes emergency plans to help remaining Job Corps students

2 days ago | mlive.com | Ron Fonger

FLINT, MI ― The city is making plans to assist about a dozen Flint Genesee Job Corps students after the U.S. Department of Labor halted contracts to operate their center and others across the country.
Flint mayor’s updated budget calls for spending $9M more from reserves

2 days ago | mlive.com | Ron Fonger

FLINT, MI -- A revised budget proposal from Mayor Sheldon Neeley calls for digging deeper into Flint’s rainy day funds to balance the overdue spending plan. Neeley’s updated general fund budget would lower the city’s dwindling cash reserves -- from $29.2 million initially projected in March to $20 million in the revised budget delivered to the City Council on Wednesday, June 5.
Snyder advisor’s lawsuit against Flint water prosecutors dismissed by federal judge

3 days ago | mlive.com | Ron Fonger

FLINT, MI -- A lawsuit filed by a top advisor to former Gov. Rick Snyder against Attorney General Dana Nessel and Flint water crisis prosecutors has been dismissed by a federal court judge. U.S. District Court Judge Robert J. White dismissed the lawsuit filed by Richard Baird, former state transformation manager, on May 30.
Flint mayor vows ‘people will be held accountable’ for melee at City Council meeting

3 days ago | mlive.com | Ron Fonger

FLINT, MI -- Flint police are reviewing video footage from a City Council meeting that was shut down on Monday, June 2, to determine whether criminal charges will be filed against audience members who scuffled with police. “We’re reviewing all video footage and those people will be held accountable for their actions,” Mayor Sheldon Neeley said during a news conference on Tuesday, June 3.
With no new budget, Flint employees expected to receive notices of potential layoffs

4 days ago | mlive.com | Ron Fonger

FLINT, MI -- Flint employees are expected to receive notices of potential layoffs on Tuesday, June 3, a day after the City Council missed a city charter-imposed deadline for adopting a new general fund budget. Mayor Sheldon Neeley announced the action during a news conference on Tuesday, saying more than 500 city workers would receive notices warning them they could be laid off unless a new spending plan is in place in advance of the start of a new fiscal year on July 1.
Flint police flood into Flint City Hall as council meeting turns to chaos

4 days ago | mlive.com | Ron Fonger

FLINT, MI -- A flood of Flint police officers walled off City Council members from angry protesters during a meeting that dissolved into chaos on Monday, June 3. Roughly a dozen uniformed police officers poured into the council chambers before the special meeting -- called to adopt a city budget -- ended with several audience members standing near council members, arguing with the officials, and some scuffling with police.
Shutdown of Flint Job Corps ‘cruel, damaging, and unacceptable,’ congresswoman says

5 days ago | mlive.com | Ron Fonger

FLINT, MI -- The U.S. Department of Labor’s decision to halt contracts at 99 Job Corps centers nationwide, including one in Flint, is getting pushback from U.S. Rep. Kristen McDonald Rivet and local officials in Genesee County. The department announced a “phased pause” in the operations of the Job Corps locations on Thursday, May 29, saying the suspension of the programs aligns with President Trump’s pending budget proposal.
I-69 ramps to northbound I-75 closing for guardrail repairs

5 days ago | mlive.com | Ron Fonger

FLINT TWP., MI -- Getting from I-69 to northbound I-75 will require a work-around during two days of repairs this week. The Genesee County Road Commission said the ramp from westbound I-69 to northbound I-75 will be closed from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. on Wednesday, June 4, and the eastbound I-69 ramp to northbound I-75 will close during the same times on Thursday, June 5. Both closings will allow a contractor to make guardrail repairs in the area, the Road Commission announcement reads.
Genesee County breaks ground on plant designed to convert sewage to energy

5 days ago | mlive.com | Ron Fonger

GENESEE COUNTY, MI -- The county has broken ground on a plant designed to convert sewage gas to energy -- enough to power the Anthony Ragnone Treatment Plant in Montrose Township. Drain Commissioner Jeff Wright announced the $13 million waste-to-energy facility on Monday, June 2, saying it’s the next step in a connected process that will make the most of the county’s sewage before it’s disposed of.