🌱 Patch AM: Why did Flint’s $30,000 1st Ward blight project suddenly stop?

Hey there, Flint! Let's get started with what's happening in and around town. Read on and stay in the loop. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

• Why did Flint’s $30,000 1st Ward blight project suddenly stop?
• Why Flint’s Sloan Museum belongs on your 2026 must-visit list
• How a Flint native is fighting his way onto the world stage

Also on today's calendar: Baldwin Woods Apartments OPEN HOUSE.

Today's riddle: Playing golf is bad for your brain. 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Thursday: Very cold with flurries, with a high of 21 and low of 16 degrees. ⛄️ Brr!
• Friday: Mostly cloudy and cold, temps: high: 24, low: 16.
• Saturday: A bit of afternoon snow; cold, with a high of 26 and low of 20 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Nonprofit ends Flint blight elimination program, says it can't verify work was completed (mlive.com) — A Flint nonprofit has halted a $30,000 ARPA-funded blight cleanup in the 1st Ward after saying it couldn’t verify the work was completed or properly documented, so the city has not released any funds. The money remains available for future blight work, while questions linger about the unfinished porches, lot mowing, and playground repairs originally planned for northside residents.
   

2. Michigan is home to many iconic museums: Here are 7 to visit (freep.com subscription) — Flint gets a spotlight here, with the Sloan Museum of Discovery and nearby Longway Planetarium highlighted as hands-on, history-rich destinations right in town. The roundup also points to six other notable museums across Michigan, from Detroit to Houghton, for families planning day trips or weekend getaways.
   

3. Path to Greatness: Ezekiel Bentley (midmichigannow.com) — Flint fight fans have a hometown talent to watch in rising combat sports athlete Ezekiel Bentley, who proudly credits his Flint roots for shaping his toughness and drive. After 17 years of training across multiple disciplines and earning world titles, he’s now building his boxing and kickboxing career and preparing to compete at the Arnold Classic in March.
   

4. Major changes to SNAP benefits result from passage of 'One Big Beautiful Bill' (midmichigannow.com) — Flint residents who rely on SNAP should know the city is exempt from new federal work requirements that will hit much of Michigan starting in 2026. President Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill” tightens age limits, narrows exemptions, and shifts more administrative costs to the state, changes that could still affect local families and support agencies.
   

5. Michigan gas tax change: What drivers need to know come January (abc12.com) — Michigan’s gas tax structure changes January 1, bringing a 21-cent-per-gallon revenue tax increase while dropping the 6% sales tax, a shift officials say should be nearly cost-neutral at the pump. Flint and Genesee County drivers could see long-term benefits, with about $16 million more expected for local road projects, though residents remain frustrated with current pothole-ridden routes.
   

📸 Around Flint

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Flint

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Saturday January 10

• Baldwin Woods Apartments OPEN HOUSE
  Baldwin Circle, Baldwin Cir,
  12:00 pm

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

📣 Flint Shout Outs!

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🗓 Events Nearby

Friday January 2

• FREE Fitness Friday
  Fenton Community & Cultural Center Main Hall
  5:30 pm

Saturday January 3

• LakeVille Youth Basketball
  LakeVille High School Gym
  8:00 am
• Winterguard
  Fenton Community & Cultural Center Main Hall
  9:00 am
• Paint Like Bob Ross
  Fenton Community & Cultural Center Art Room
  1:00 pm

Sunday January 4

• Soccer open gym
  LakeVille Middle School Gym
  5:00 pm

Monday January 5

• Track & Field Conditioning
  LakeVille High School Gym
  6:00 am
• Restorative Yoga
  Fenton Community & Cultural Center Van Gilder
  7:00 pm
• City Council Work Session
  Fenton, MI Calendar
  7:30 pm

Tuesday January 6

• 30 Minute Abs
  Fenton Community & Cultural Center Van Gilder
  4:45 pm
• Synergy Volleyball
  Columbiaville Elementary Gym
  6:00 pm
• Playscape Committee Meeting
  Davison, MI Calendar , 200 E Flint Street , Davison
  6:00 pm
• Slow Flow Yoga
  Fenton Community & Cultural Center Van Gilder
  6:30 pm

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making Flint PatchAM possible:

• Mindsee.it — (646) 663-8317
  Teach your kids they can achieve the impossible!

Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• Hello!
  Found a super duper sweet guy before the wind storm. Wish I'd gotten to the app sooner but we tried posting in multiple places and are STILL waiting… (Nextdoor Covert Rd)
• So we’ve been getting rain up the ying yang causing flooding.
  Then it snows yesterday. Roads are slippery as heck. Temperatures are below freezing. And yet Flint thought it would be a great idea to open up the… (Nextdoor Potter)

• Today marks the anniversary of the Flint Sit Down Strike. 89 years ago, working people here in Flint sat down together in solidarity and changed the... (X: swanson4mi)
• Flint mayor asks residents to ‘fire off prayers, not bullets’ during NYE celebrations/... (X: saginawnews)

• Costco Wholesale Corporation posted a job opening for Stocker in Flint. Apply here.
• Estes Express Lines, Inc. posted a job opening for Dock Worker in Flint. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Flint here.

Ok Flint! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I just heard a golfer say he had four strokes on the first hole!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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