🌱 35th Annual Pride Festival + New Internship Program at GRCC

Hello all. It's me, Nicole Fallon-Peek, your host of the Grand Rapids Patch newsletter — back in your inbox with all the most important things happening locally.

But first, your local weather:

• Wednesday: Warmer with periods of sun. High: 75 Low: 49.
• Thursday: Some sun with a shower. High: 74 Low: 53.

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Here are the top three stories in Grand Rapids today:

1. Grand Rapids 35th Annual Pride Festival will officially be taking place at Calder Plaza in downtown Grand Rapids on Saturday, Jun. 17. Attendees will have the opportunity to enjoy a wide variety of entertainment, refreshments, family-friendly activities, live performances and so much more this upcoming weekend. According to the Executive Director of the Grand Rapids Pride Center Jazz McKinney, the festival partnered with the Grand Rapids Food Truck Association to invite 15+ food trucks to serve guests throughout the event. (Grand Rapids Magazine)
2. Grand Rapids Community College (GRCC) announced it will now offer a more hands-on learning experience for individuals working toward a career in municipal water management. The city's Water to Work internship program is a yearlong curriculum that will set young adults up with the skillset to hopefully land jobs in local water programs. This internship program is funded by the Environmental Protection Agency through a $3.8 million grant. Hillary Caron, Water Education and Programs Coordinator for Grand Rapids says she's hoping to better diverse water workplaces by working with younger individuals who are passionate about the field. (M Live)
3. After appearing in front of a judge, Markus Nevills will be going to trial after leaving a handgun unattended, leading to the death of a two-year-old child. The judge decided there was enough evidence to send this case to trial and Nevills' bail was reduced from $200,000 to $150,000. According to court records, he remained in Kent County jail until trial, but if he's found guilty, Nevills could spend close to 15 years in prison. (WOOD-TV)

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Today and tomorrow in Grand Rapids:

Wednesday, June 14

• LGBTQ+ Voices In Food & Beverage At Grand Rapids Downtown Market (5:00 PM)

Thursday, June 15

• Family Fun Days At Martin Luther King Park (6:00 PM)

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From my notebook:

• Local apparel company "Justice 4 All" is gearing up to host its third annual Juneteenth Jam at Rosa Parks Circle this upcoming Saturday, Jun. 17. If you're interested in attending the celebration, visit here for more information. (Justice 4 ALL via Facebook)
• An array of outdoor concerts throughout the city of Grand Rapids is returning for another season of exceptional entertainment. The concerts will go from June through September, and feature events like B93's Birthday Bash, Shagbark Music & Arts Festival, Breakaway Music Festival, and more this summer. You can learn more here. (Experience Grand Rapids via Instagram)
• Grand Rapids Public Schools recently announced a new program that will encourage teachers to apply for a variety of open positions at specific schools in the city. The state of Michigan invested nearly $30 million into this program as it aims to fill over 100 openings at schools including Campus Elementary, Alger Middle School, and Ottawa Hills High School. Beginning in the fall, each teacher working at one of these schools for the next three years could be eligible to receive up to $35,000 in financial incentives. (WOOD-TV)

Alrighty, you're all caught up for today! I'll see you back in your inbox soon with your next update.

— Nicole Fallon-Peek

About me: Nicole Fallon-Peek is a journalist and copywriter with a degree in Media, Culture and Communication from New York University. She has served as a freelance reporter, managing editor, copy editor, and editorial director for a variety of B2B news outlets. She currently co-owns and operates content creation agency Lightning Media Partners.