Search For New Police Chief + John Ball Zoo + New Veterans Center

Hello, neighbors! Miranda Fraraccio here with today's Grand Rapids Daily.

First, today's weather:

Couple of thunderstorms. High: 75 Low: 61.

Here are the top stories today in Grand Rapids:

1. A man has been arrested and charged with animal cruelty after a video showed a dog being punched repeatedly in Grand Rapids. Jon Robert Wilcox, 25, was arrested on Wednesday afternoon in Ottawa County and has been charged with animal cruelty, a misdemeanor punishable by 93 days in jail, a $1,000 fine and up to 200 hours of community service. The dog, Higgins, is now safe. (WOODTV.com)
2. The city of Grand Rapids is enlisting the help of residents in its search for a new police chief. The Grand Rapids City Commission appointed Public Sector Search & Consulting Inc. to work with City Manager Mark Washington and aid in the search and hiring process. PSSC will host four virtual community forums in October to give residents the opportunity to share their thoughts on which traits and professional experiences the next police chief should possess. (grbj.com)
3. The John Ball Zoo will conduct a joint study with Kent County and the city of Muskegon to decide where to build an aquarium in West Michigan. (GR|MAG)
4. Grand Rapids Community College has opened a new Veterans Center aimed at connecting students who served in the military with resources to be successful and a part of the campus community. (Fox17)
5. An East Grand Rapids Public Schools millage proposal, which will appear on the Nov. 2 ballot, would help pay for after-school programmings like clubs, drama programs, youth and school-based athletics, and more. (MLive.com)

Today's Grand Rapids Daily is brought to you by Newrez, a leading nationwide mortgage lender. Make a smart move for your future and refinance with Newrez today. Call 844-979-1707 to connect with a Newrez loan officer. Newrez, LLC (NMLS #3013)

Today in Grand Rapids:

• Maggie's Attic Garage Sale - Plainfield Senior Center - Northview Senior Citizens (9:00 AM)
• KCCA COMMUNITY FOOD DISTRIBUTION - Kent County Community Action (9:00 AM)
• Effective Storytelling for Community Engagement - Dorothy a. Johnson Center for Philanthropy (1:00 PM)
• Anime Club - Grand Rapids Public Library (5:00 PM)
• Wine, Women & Chocolate 2021 - Women's Resource Center (5:30 PM)
• Mercantile Bank presents Taps + Trails, an IKUS event - Indian Trails Camp (6:00 PM)
• MSU Side-by-Side Concert - Walker City Recreation Department (7:00 PM)
• WE ARE ALL Community Auction - Artists Creating Together (7:00 PM)

Feature your local business right here for just $79/month. Click here to learn more.

Thanks for following along and staying informed! See you tomorrow for your next update. If you're liking these newsletters, consider bringing some more friends and neighbors into the fold. You can send them this link to subscribe.

— Miranda Fraraccio

About me: Miranda Fraraccio is a born and raised Rhode Islander. She works as a freelance copywriter for content creation agency Lightning Media Partners and as an assistant producer for a live-lit storytelling show in Chicago. She holds a degree in Writing & Rhetoric and Communication Studies from The University of Rhode Island. In her free time, you can find her traveling, hiking, or photographing her neighborhood as a street photographer.