🌱 Dealer Gets 20 Years After Buyer Overdosed + Car Runs Into Business

Hello all. I'm back with your new copy of the Grand Rapids Patch newsletter, fresh off the presses. Here's what you need to know about what's happening in town.

But first, your local weather:

• Monday: Partly sunny and very warm. High: 88 Low: 58.
• Tuesday: Mostly sunny and hot. High: 91 Low: 64.

From our sponsor:

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Here are the top three stories in Grand Rapids today:

1. A Grand Rapids man was sentenced to 20 years in prison after the fentanyl he sold killed someone. Tommy Terrell Mims has been charged with one count of distribution of fentanyl resulting in death after police were called to the victim's location where he was said to be unconscious and not breathing. The 911 caller survived but the victim died from the poisoning. Police learned that the victim supposedly bought heroin and used it the night before, but that Mims had actually sold them fentanyl which is 50 times more potent than heroin and much more dangerous. Authorities say that Mims actively contributed to the dangerous epidemic of overdose and poisoning by fentanyl that ravaged the country and that his sentence should serve as a warning to those who distribute deadly drugs to communities. (MLive.com)
2. A vehicle crashed into a Kent County business after leading deputies on a chase. A Nissan Murano crashed into the Kent Cash Building around 2:00 a.m. after an officer attempted to make a stop when noticing the vehicle had no working lights on the back. The Nissan gained speed and the officer had lost sight of the vehicle around the corner, but once they caught up to it, they had seen it was already through the wall of the building. The police are investigating what happened and what the reasoning may be for the diver to not pull over for the officer. The driver of the vehicle has been taken to the hospital and is in critical condition. (WZZM13.com)
3. A new policy could change Grand Rapids Skyline in the coming years. The city's planning commission has recommended a change to the zoning laws in three different areas of the city that would loosen the high restrictions on buildings giving developers the ability to add up to 10 more floors in height and some buildings or developments additional bonus floors. This is all in an effort to increase affordable housing and the shortage of dwellings that are needed in the downtown area that will also help the surrounding local businesses and shops. (WZZM13.com)

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Today and tomorrow in Grand Rapids:

Monday, May 29

• Grand Rapids Downtown Farmers Market At Market Hall (10:00 AM)

Tuesday, May 30

• Geeks Who Drink Trivia Night At Archival Brewing (7:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Head down to the Grand Rapids Downtown Market for last-minute Memorial Day BBQ needs. You can get great cuts of meat for grilling, rolls and buns, yummy treats like popcorn or ice cream, and much more! (FOX 17 West Michigan News)
• Beats on Bates Ave. will return to nearby Downtown Kalamazoo for its fifth year. Wednesday, Jun. 7 is the first concert in the series but the whole lineup of local talent running through August has been released. So head down to Kalamazoo for some great music! (Downtown Kalamazoo via Instagram)
• The Memorial Day Parade in Grand Rapids will be happening at 5:30 p.m. on May 30. Come out and celebrate all the veterans who have given their lives for this great nation! The parade will start at the Division below I-196 and end at Veterans Memorial Park. (The City of Grand Rapids via Facebook)

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Featured events:

• T-Mobile Tuesdays: Fresh Perks Every Week (May 30)
• Surya Kriya Workshop June 10-11, 2023 (June 10)
• Add your event

You're officially in the loop for today. I'll be back in your inbox soon with another 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.