🌱 Grand Rapids School & Guns + Local Juneteenth + Bridge Blast 2023

Morning, everybody. It's me, Nicole Fallon-Peek, your host of the Grand Rapids Patch newsletter. Let's get this Friday started off right, with a quick dive into the most important things happening in town.

But first, your local weather:

• Friday: Beautiful with plenty of sun. High: 80 Low: 49.
• Saturday: Sunny to partly cloudy. High: 81 Low: 56.

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Here are the top three stories today in Grand Rapids:

1. Grand Rapids Police Chief Eric Winstrom is warning gun owners to securely store guns in their homes so that children cannot access them. This message comes after four separate incidents involving a student bringing a handgun to a Grand Rapids Public School this year. A recent incident occurred where a 9-year-old boy brought a loaded gun to Stocking Elementary School to shoot another student on May 10. Jaquon Tucker, the father of the 9-year-old, was in court this week facing charges for allegedly leaving the gun accessible to his son. Two other adults, Aubrey Wilson and Chelsea Berkley are facing charges after a May 3 incident in which a 7-year-old boy brought an unloaded handgun to Cesar E. Chavez Elementary School. (MLive)
2. The Grand Rapids African American Museum and Archives has partnered with other local organizations to celebrate Juneteenth. The partnership will bring live music, food, and history to special Juneteenth events in the area. A bill recently passed the Legislature and is headed to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, which could make Juneteenth an official state holiday in Michigan. (WoodTV)
3. On Saturday, Jun. 17, City Built Brewing Company will host “Bridge Blast 2023” on Grand Rapids’ Sixth Street Bridge! The free event will raise money for the Grand Rapids Public Schools Foundation. Enjoy beer, live music, and food from 3:00-11:00 p.m. (WoodTV)

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Today and tomorrow in Grand Rapids:

Friday, June 16

• Nickelback At Van Andel Arena (6:30 PM)
• Tegan And Sara With Dragonette At Frederik Meijer Gardens Amphitheater (7:00 PM)
• GR Pride Kickoff Concert: West Michigan Gay Men's Chorus At St. Cecilia Music Center (7:30 PM)

Saturday, June 17

• ArtRat's Saturday Musicians' Co-Op At ArtRat Gallery (6:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• The final celebration for Grand Rapids' active commute week is today, Jun. 16! Join the free festivities from 4:00-7:00 p.m. at the Rapid Central Station. (WZZM13)
• The 35th annual Grand Rapids Pride Festival will take place on Saturday, Jun. 17! Don't miss the "largest one-day event in Grand Rapids" from 12:00-10:00 p.m. at Calder Plaza, located at 300 Monroe Ave. (MLive)
• Testa Rossa Pizzeria, a new Sicilian-style pizza restaurant, will have a soft opening on Jun. 21 in Grand Rapids! Cory DeMint, the owner of Electric Cheetah, is honoring his Italian roots with this new restaurant located at 1017 Wealthy St. SE. (MLive)

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Featured events:

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Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Friday off right! See you all soon for 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.