🌱 Pygmy Hippos Exhibit + Criminal Record Expungement Fair

Get on up, Grand Rapids! Here's everything you need to know to get this Friday started off right.

First, today's weather:

Cloudy and not as cold. High: 44 Low: 30.

Here are the top three stories today in Grand Rapids:

1. Grand Rapids' John Ball Zoo has announced plans to create a new pygmy hippo exhibit in 2023. There are currently less than 3,000 pygmy hippos left in the wild and the zoo plans to house two of these rare animals. Pygmy hippos weigh between 300 and 600 pounds. (MLive.com)
2. Grand Rapids plans to hold an expungement fair to help eligible residents remove criminal convictions from their records. The event will be held on Apr. 2 at the Center for Community Transformation starting at 8:30 a.m. Attendees must register before attending. (MLive.com)
3. Two Grand Rapids men have been arrested by Kent County deputies for allegedly stealing multiple catalytic converters. The men were caught cutting off catalytic converters along 10 Mile Road. The names of the two men have not been released by the Kent County Sheriff's Office. (FOX 17 West Michigan News)

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Today in Grand Rapids:

• Monthly Government Affairs Update At The Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce (10:00 AM)

From my notebook:

• Salted Cupcake is continuing to make Mardi Gras cupcakes until this Sunday. Mardi Gras might be over but the cupcakes are still available while supplies last! (Instagram)
• Did you know that the Grand Rapids Ballet was run under Sally Seven and Charthel Arthur for their first 25 years of production? This month, the ballet is celebrating the women that contributed to their success. (Facebook)
• Have you got your tickets to this weekend's Grand Rapids Symphony production? You do not want to miss Leslie Odom Jr. (Facebook)

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Alrighty, you're all good for today! See you all tomorrow morning for another 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.