Mold Remediation in Grand Blanc, MI

KENT COUNTY, MI — John Ball Zoo is considering a contaminated former landfill site in Walker for the location of its highly anticipated aquarium.

The zoo is undergoing due diligence for a collection of parcels at the site of the former Fenske Landfill along the Grand River in the city of Walker, according to the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE).

“We are currently performing due diligence on a 190-acre site in Walker where this project could be located,” Peter D’Arienzo, CEO of John Ball Zoo, said in a statement.

“This is an important step for expanding the zoo’s mission of protecting wildlife and wild places and to ensure the aquarium is accessible to our community, has a positive impact on the air, land and water, and connects guests with other attractions in Kent County for the benefit of our entire region.

John Ball Zoo has teased the prospect of building an aquarium in West Michigan for several years. In May 2023, officials announced it would pursue building the aquarium in Kent County after also considering Muskegon County.

Last month, D’Arienzo told MLive/The Grand Rapids Press the project is estimated to cost upwards of $370 million, and that he wanted to build the aquarium on a waterfront site and open the facility by 2031.

The development would generate more than $3.4 billion in net economic impact, contribute more than $268 million in new state and local tax revenue during its first 11 years of operation and create about 2,500 new local jobs, D’Arienzo said.

The aquarium, along with Acrisure Amphitheater and Amway Stadium, was highlighted by Destination Kent as a potential beneficiary of the successful 2024 ballot measure to raise Kent County’s hotel tax from 5% to 8% to help fund tourism-oriented projects.

D’Arienzo has said the aquarium will need at least 15 acres of land, but that he would like to have as many as 30 acres. The acreage is needed not only for the aquarium but also pump rooms, a warehouse, filtration systems, emergency fish tanks and 2,000 parking spaces.

The Fenske property is owned by New Era Land, LLC, a company associated with Dan Hibma, a prominent West Michigan developer who owns a host of apartment complexes across West Michigan.

The property’s history of industrial pollution will need to be addressed with any redevelopment. The former landfill accepted liquid industrial waste, solid industrial waste and solid municipal waste, from 1967 until solid waste regulations were passed in the 1970s, according to EGLE.

Metal hydroxide plating sludges were also stored on-site, in a waste pile. Clean closure of the waste pile was achieved in June 2008.

Hibma purchased the former landfill in 2001 and had been trying for years to redevelop the property.

In 2002, the Walker City Commission denied Hibma’s request to rezone the property from industrial and agricultural to a planned unit development for an 848-unit apartment complex.

Residents voiced concerns about the amount of traffic the development would generate near Kenowa and Wilson avenues.

Hibma came back a year later with another proposal for 102, four-plex condominium buildings on the site, as well as a nine-hole golf course along the Grand River to the south. He also proposed two commercial lots along Wilson Avenue west of Butterworth Street SW and I-196. That proposal, too, failed to come to fruition.

Over the years, he’s also discussed building a marina and seasonal campground on the property.

Due to the previous acceptance of industrial and municipal wastes, and the management of metal hydroxide plating sludges, EGLE sampled the site’s groundwater for the presence of polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in July 2021. The site was found to have a low level of PFAS contamination. The highest result in groundwater was 91 parts per trillion for PFAS.

The substances also were found after landfill leachate was indirectly sampled through a gas vent well in August 2021.

Kent County, which owns John Ball Zoo, did not say whether it was for or against redevelopment of the contaminated site.

“We look forward to reviewing John Ball Zoo’s proposal once it has completed its due diligence on a potential aquarium,” Assistant County Administrator Lori Latham said in a statement.

“Given the site’s history, any future use must address environmental liability and meet all regulatory requirements to return the property to productive use while safeguarding the environment and the health of those who may work on or visit the site.”

MLive reporter Brian McVicar contributed to this article.

If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

Grand Blanc, MI (June 14, 2025) – Emergency responders were dispatched to a vehicle crash that resulted in personal injuries on Friday evening, June 13, in Grand Blanc. The accident occurred around 8:45 p.m. in the area of 12731 South Saginaw Street, near the Kroger store.

Police and fire crews arrived at the scene shortly after receiving reports of the incident. At least one person suffered injuries and received treatment from medical personnel. That individual was later transported to a local hospital for additional care. The number of vehicles involved has not been officially confirmed.

Authorities secured the area to assist those hurt and investigate what led up to the crash. As of now, that investigation remains active.

We hope those injured in this accident recover in a timely manner.

Car Accidents in Michigan

In Michigan, personal injury crashes are unfortunately common, with more than 70,000 injury-related accidents recorded in a recent year. Intersections and commercial areas like the South Saginaw corridor in Grand Blanc tend to see higher traffic volumes, making collisions more likely—especially during busy evening hours.

After a crash, injured people often face more than just immediate physical harm. The impact of an accident can last long beyond the day it happens. Here are a few key ways it may affect your life:

If you were injured in a crash, it's important to speak with a car accident attorney right away. A lawyer can explain your rights, help build your case, and negotiate with insurers so you’re not left covering expenses that should be someone else’s responsibility.

At Christopher Trainor & Associates, we know how overwhelming life becomes after a crash. That’s why we’ve devoted our firm to helping people through these moments. We’ve secured over $250 million in verdicts and settlements and take pride in giving every client the time, care, and strength they deserve. If you're looking for the best auto injury attorney, contact us at (248) 886-8650 for a free consultation. Let us help you focus on recovery while we handle the rest.

Note: Our firm utilized outside sources when creating this post. We have not independently verified the facts regarding this accident. If you find information that is incorrect, contact Christopher Trainor & Associates immediately so that we correct the post to reflect the most accurate information available about the accident. This post can be removed upon request.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this post is not intended to be legal or medical advice. The photograph used in this post was not taken at the actual accident scene. This post is not a solicitation for business.

Related Posts

Flint, MI – Car Crash on W Maple...

Flint, MI (July 30, 2024) – A motor vehicle accident reported in the Flint area...

Swartz Creek, MI - Crash With Injuries Reported...

Swartz Creek, MI (April 12, 2025) – A motor vehicle accident involving injuries was reported...

GRAND RAPIDS, MI — A popular St. Patrick’s Day hotspot has been shut down after being fined for numerous bounced payments.

The Michigan Liquor Control Commission on Tuesday, June 10, suspended the license of Flanagan’s Irish Pub for 50 days for failure to pay fines of $1,000, according to a sign posted on the pub’s front window.

Next to the notice is a broken window and another sign, presumably from the owners, which states, “Our pub is temporarily closed. Plans are to reopen and become Grand Rapids’ favorite gathering place.”

Flanagan’s was forced to pay a $1,000 fine for two violations alleging dishonored payments to wholesalers for beer or wine purchases, David Marvin, director of the MLCC Executive Services Division, said.

The first violation states that between May and November 2024, Flanagan’s had racked up eight charges for making payments that bounced due to insufficient funds. A second violation cited two additional charges of bounced payments in January of this year.

Flanagan’s had until the end of May, or 45 days from when the order was issued, to pay the fine, Marvin said.

“It’s not a fun thing to spend money on, so people a lot of times will wait until the end and then mail it in, so we will give them a little extra time, but that was not forthcoming,” he said.

The MLCC contacted Flanagan’s again with the original order and invoice but still received no response, resulting in the 50-day suspension, Marvin said. The suspension could be lifted sooner if the business pays its fine within those 50 days.

Flanagan’s Irish Pub has been a fixture of downtown Grand Rapids since 1981. The establishment has featured an extensive cocktail menu and food items ranging from burgers to bangers and mash. It also has been a popular venue for live music.

Ownership of the pub changed in 2019. The establishment is currently owned by Ben and Martha Penrod, according to MLCC documents.

The owners did not immediately respond to questions from MLive/The Grand Rapids Press at the time of publication.

Want more Grand Rapids-area news? Bookmark the local Grand Rapids news page or sign up for the free “3@3 Grand Rapids” daily newsletter.

GRAND RAPIDS, MI – Fountain Street Church has offered sanctuary to the family of an El Salvador man who advocates say was arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement last week.

Organizations supporting Carlos Menjivar and his family said they had already secured plane tickets to voluntarily return to El Salvador when he was arrested last week at ICE’s Intensive Supervision Appearance Program (ISAP) office in Grand Rapids.

“When the members of our community are under attack and under threats our doors are open to provide shelter and sanctuary,” The Rev. Nathan Dannison said at a press conference on Wednesday, June 11.

“Our beliefs here at Fountain Street compel us to act. We taken our beliefs very, very seriously as a community. So, when the powers … threaten our families in Grand Rapids, we believe we have a duty to act. We promise to support the work of justice that is ongoing.”

Read more: Calls grow to pause deportation of Michigan teen so he can finish high school

Menjivar’s wife and three small children have been offered sanctuary.

His family says he is held in Calhoun County Jail. He was arrested when he showed up for a check-in appointment despite a verbal agreement to voluntarily return to El Salvador, according to Movimiento Cosecha GR and GR Rapid Response to ICE.

Read more: In rural Michigan, a prison is reopening as biggest ICE detention hub in Midwest

They have called for Menjivar’s release before Saturday so he and his family can leave for El Salvador. They also want his passport returned and his status changed from deportation to voluntary departure since a charge of deportation would have lifelong consequences for him,” a statement said.

The groups called for residents to contact the ICE office in Detroit as well as elected officials.

Jeff Smith, a volunteer organizer with the GR Rapid Response to ICE group, said that his group has offered to accompany others who have appointments at the ISAP office on Michigan Street NE.

His group responded last week after Menjivar was detained. He said at the press conference no one else was detained after the group showed up.

“The wife of Carlos Menjivar wanted to go into sanctuary out of fear for her children, but also to publicly denounce how ICE deceived her husband who had already agreed to a voluntary departure,” he wrote Thursday, June 12, on Grand Rapids Institute for information Democracy.

An ICE spokesperson did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment.

GRAND RAPIDS, MI — Some 30,000 people are expected to pack the bleachers this weekend for three fun-packed days of Banana Ball.

The Savannah Bananas’ Party Animals are scheduled to face off against Firefighters for three wild nights of Banana Ball on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, June 12-14, at LMCU Ballpark, the home of the West Michigan Whitecaps in Comstock Park, a Grand Rapids suburb.

This weekend’s series is part of the 2025 Banana Ball World Tour. Party Animals Head Coach Mike Vavasis, a former teacher and baseball coach, has been coaching the team since the world tour’s inception and is excited to bring Banana Ball directly to West Michigan fans for the first time.

RELATED: Savannah Bananas world tour coming to Grand Rapids

“I started in 2021 for two weekends, and they were the most fun weekends ever,” he said. “You’re playing in front of 4,000 people, but it felt like you were playing in front of a World Series crowd.”

Banana Ball is a fast-paced, hijinks-filled take on the classic game of baseball. There are 11 unique rules to the game designed to keep the audience on the edge of their seats, including the ball four sprint, where the hitter takes off after ball four, and every defensive player on the field must touch the ball before it becomes live.

The hitter, meanwhile, can advance to as many bases as they want before all players touch the ball.

Another popular rule is the fan catch out, where if a fan clean-catches a foul ball, it’s considered an automatic out.

“There are so many different rules that make it so intriguing to watch but also trying to keep the origin of baseball still inside it,” Vavasis said.

All of these rules are designed to keep the game within a two-hour time limit, no matter what inning players are in, but the Savannah Bananas actively recruits fast players to ensure games last for the full nine innings, Vavasis said.

He recalled only two games in the past five years that did not last for nine innings.

If the game ends in a tie, it goes into a three-round “showdown” inning, which starts with just a pitcher, fielder and catcher versus one hitter for the first round. The second round consists of just the pitcher and catcher versus the hitter. The third round culminates in the pitcher, catcher and one fielder versus one hitter with bases loaded.

“That’s very exciting for the fans as well,” Vavasis said.

The Savannah Bananas were established in 2016 as a collegiate summer baseball team in the Coastal Plain League playing out of Grayson Stadium in Savannah, Ga.

RELATED: Savannah Bananas world tour ticket lottery for Grand Rapids games breaks 80K

In 2018, the team created and started playing under the Banana Ball ruleset. The new game rapidly grew in popularity, leading up to the launch of the first Banana Ball World Tour in 2021.

During this time, the Party Animals were conceived as the rival team of the Savannah Bananas, similar to the relationship between the Harlem Globetrotters and the Washington Generals basketball team.

The franchise also has branched out to include the Firefighters and the Texas Tailgaters, each with their own unique uniforms and personalities.

Unlike the Globetrotters, however, the Banana Ball game itself is unscripted, infusing real, win-or-lose stakes with pre-rehearsed antics such as walk-up performances and TikTok-inspired dances.

“Those are things we rehearse very religiously,” Vavasis said. “We got to make sure it’s spot on, because you’re doing it in a two-hour time limit in front of, sometimes, 75,000 people, so a lot of meticulous work goes into those dances.”

The Banana Ball World Tour originally kept a series within two games, so the upcoming three-game weekend is going to be a hard grind, Vavasis said. In preparation, the teams plan to rehearse and practice at least a day in advance, as well as in-between games.

“It’s pretty crazy to see what these guys are pulling off for 14-15-hour days for three days straight,” Vavasis said. “You might be tired from all the travel, but once you see all the fans coming in and everybody’s smiling faces just to see you play this game, it’s kind of tough to be tired.”

The Bananas have gone all-in on the wacky brand, from affectionately calling Grayson Stadium “Bananaland” to serving their own specialty concessions, like Banana Split Cream Soda and Slippery Banana cocktails at home games. Founder and owner Jesse Cole also is never seen wearing anything other than his iconic yellow tuxedo and bowler hat.

“Fans first is our mission,” Vavasis said. “We want to do as much as possible to make that fan’s night the best night there is.”

The Savannah Bananas announced their first visit to West Michigan last October with the launch of the ticket lottery, giving entrants the random chance to purchase tickets for the 2025 World Tour.

Nearly 90,000 people entered the lottery hoping to secure tickets to this weekend’s games at LMCU Ballpark. Only about 30,000, however, were chosen, meaning the ballpark will be packed for all three nights.

Want more Grand Rapids-area news? Bookmark the local Grand Rapids news page or sign up for the free “3@3 Grand Rapids” daily newsletter.