🌱 GR City Employee Accused Of Embezzling + Free Vaccine Clinic

Hey, Grand Rapids! Here's everything you need to know to get this Saturday started off right.

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First, today's weather:

Very cold with periods of sun. High: 21 Low: 6.

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Here are the top three stories in Grand Rapids today:

1. On Martin Luther King Jr. Day, free COVID-19 vaccine clinics will be open in Grand Rapids. Brown-Hutcherson Ministries will be offering free vaccines and boosters to those five and older, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The clinic will be open at 618 Jefferson Ave, SE in Grand Rapids. (WZZM13.com)
2. A former Grand Rapids city employee has been accused of embezzling money that was raised during auctions at a city impound lot. Court documents state Lenee Brooks, along with another employee, would count the money after the auction, and Brooks would then take it to city hall. Brooks, who is no longer a city employee as of Oct. 2021, is accused of stealing more than $63,000 between Mar. 2019 and Sept. 2021. (WZZM13.com)
3. A woman was sentenced to three years probation in connection to the summer of 2020 Grand Rapids riot. Alexandria Lyons plead guilty on Nov. 4 to inciting a riot, after she live-streamed parts of the downtown Grand Rapids riot on May 30 and 31, 2020 on social media. She is among 16 people in total, including one juvenile, who face charges in connection to the riot, which caused some $2 million in damages and costs to the city. (WOODTV.com)

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Today in Grand Rapids:

• Invasive Species Removal, At Luton Park (10:30 AM)

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From my notebook:

• The City of Grand Rapids is seeking its next Director of Facilities and Fleet Services, who will lead strategic initiatives and objectives focused on efficiency and forward-thinking of the City's facilities and fleet operations. (Twitter)
• 15-year-old Kiara Rose Baker has been missing since Dec. 27. The Grand Rapids Police Department is asking the public to contact them with any information that can help them locate the missing teen. (Twitter)
• In his first vlog of 2022, Grand Rapids City Manager Mark Washington discusses the Public Works Department and everything the team does to keep the streets clear of snow and ice. (Facebook)

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You're all caught up for today! See you all tomorrow morning for your next update.

— Erica Zenn

About me: Erica Zenn is a Masters Student in Applied Psychology at the University of Southern California who originally hails from Chapel Hill, NC. With a bachelors degree from Cornell University, Erica is an expert verbal and written communicator who brings extensive experience in employee engagement and customer experience of companies. Erica is passionate about community building, and loves using her writing and communication skills to bring people together.