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Are 3 FLINT City COUNCIL members voting illegally?
3rd Ward candidate A.C. Dumas vows to report residency situation to FBI
© Crusader Communications Network Inc
BY MIKE KILLBREATH
CCN Executive Editor
FLINT (CCN) — An investigation by The Daily Gazette has determined that three members of the Flint City Council may have illegally voted for Flint Mayor Sheldon Neeley's agenda since 2019.
One has been the subject of two investigations by State Police, including one in 2017 that resulted in a warrant request that was revealed last month by The Daily Gazette. Two individuals have now made complaints to State Police in recent days about this situation after 8th Ward City Councilman Allan Griggs admitted under oath last month that he sleeps "70 percent to 80 percent of his time" at a Mott Park home in the 6th Ward. The others on the council to come under fire during the last month about where they live have been 2nd Ward City Councilman Maurice Davis and 3rd Ward Councilman Santino Guerra.
A.C. Dumas, Vice President of Flint's branch of the NAACP, told The Daily Gazette that he is ready to meet with the FBI to make a complaint about the residency issues of Guerra and Griggs. READ MORE
PHOTO CAPTION: Pictured at left is Flint City Councilman Santino Guerra.
Attorney Albert Zerka quits criminal case against county Republican Party chairman
Attorney Albert Zerka quits criminal case against county Republican Party chairman
Attorney Albert Zerka quits criminal case against county Republican Party chairman
BY MIKE KILLBREATH
CCN Executive Editor
FLINT (CCN) — There was high drama in the court room of Genesee County 67th District Court Judge William Crawford Thursday morning (Sept. 16, 2021) when a scheduled criminal trial for the newly-elected chairman of the Genesee County Republican Party didn't happen.
Defense attorney Albert Zerka filed
BY MIKE KILLBREATH
CCN Executive Editor
FLINT (CCN) — There was high drama in the court room of Genesee County 67th District Court Judge William Crawford Thursday morning (Sept. 16, 2021) when a scheduled criminal trial for the newly-elected chairman of the Genesee County Republican Party didn't happen.
Defense attorney Albert Zerka filed a motion to quit the case, citing irreconcilable differences with client Matthew Smith. He told Judge Crawford that "Smith forced me to file this motion" after telling him three weeks ago to get a new attorney.
Judge Crawford granted a motion to delay the trial and set Oct. 25 as a pre-trial date after calling Smith to the podium and hearing Smith tell the judge that he would find a new attorney.
Zerka said he wanted his motion granted to be allowed to withdraw from the case, telling Judge Crawford: "I'm worried he will come back here on Oct. 25 with no attorney and I can somehow get dragged back into this case... I don't see another attorney taking this case."
Judge Crawford granted Zerka's request.
Zerka was upset a day earlier when confirming to The Morning Gazette Radio Show that he was filing a motion to withdraw. When learning that Smith said he asked Zerka to withdraw from the case, Zerka responded: "Show up in court tomorrow and we can straighten it out and you can see who is being truthful."
Smith, who is a Davison Board of Education trustee, told reporters afterward that he wanted an attorney who can devote attention to his case.
Smith was accused of lying to police about an allegation that he had called and threatened a northern Michigan official while helping her challenger with his campaign. Police reports indicate that Smith initially denied calling the woman, then told police a friend "must have spoofed his phone" after presented with evidence that his cell number appeared on her phone. The candidate Smith was helping then confessed to police that he was on the phone call made by Smith and said it was Smith's idea. A forensic analysis of Smith's cell phone was then done and confirmed that Smith's phone had indeed been used to call the woman. Smith and the witness told police, however, that no threats were made against her.
Smith was subsequently charged by the State Attorney General's Office on a misdemeanor count for malicious use of telecommunication services to threaten physical harm or damage to Houghton County Clerk Jennifer Kelly. He faces up to six months in jail, if convicted.
At a press conference on the sidewalk outside the court house on Thursday, Smith again told media members that he "never threatened" the woman. A protest outside the court building also drew his ire and Smith told reporters: "They are here from the Genesee County Democrat Party board.... This whole thing is a political hit job by our county clerk (former State Senator and current County Clerk / Register of Deeds John Gleason)... I'm not guilty. I didn't threaten this woman and they have no evidence that I did. I can't wait to get all this behind me and clear my name because I'm not guilty. I never threatened this woman and I'm looking forward to get this out of my life."
Smith refused to answer one reporter's question about whether or not he ever made a phone call to the Houghton County clerk as alleged.
The protest included five women carrying signs. Two of the signs said Smith terrorizes women and he responded to them by saying, "I have never terrorized a woman" and rattling off special causes he has helped with over the years to raise money for women, including with Flint Area Right to Life where he has served as a board member.
Bobbie Walton of Davison said none of the five protesters were organized or joined by party officials from the county's Democrat Party as alleged by Smith. "We were here today to show support for the victim," Walton said. "She needs to know people support her. If Matthew Smith says he doesn't terrorize women, I disagree. I've talked with the victim. I know what he did. She spent weeks after the incident scared in her own home, stacking furniture in front of her door every night when she went to bed — making sure nobody could break in and hurt her."
Smith blasted the local media for its coverage of his case, saying three members of the Genesee County Board of Commissioners also had recall hearings on Wednesday "but only a school board member's recall gets covered except in one story by MLive that mentioned the others."
The Morning Gazette Radio Show and The Daily Gazette have each reported extensively on the recalls filed against County Commissioners Ellen Ellenberg of Burton, Mark Young of Grand Blanc and Gary Peppin of Davison. In fact, all three recalls were reported a few days ahead of stories about them published by MLive.
An attorney for Crusader Communications Network Inc. is writing a letter to demand a retraction from Smith about his untrue comments.
PHOTO CAPTION: Pictured above this story is defense attorney Albert Zerka of Flint Township.
FOIA information confirms community activist's claims on Kendall Williams
Attorney Albert Zerka quits criminal case against county Republican Party chairman
Attorney Albert Zerka quits criminal case against county Republican Party chairman
BY MIKE KILLBREATH
CCN Executive Editor
FLINT (CCN) — The local legal community will be in disbelief after learning that a Freedom of Information Act request has revealed that Flint Community Schools has paid $1.6 million in legal fees to a Grand Blanc law firm since 2018.
Numerous prominent lawyers came to the defense of Grand Blanc lawyer
BY MIKE KILLBREATH
CCN Executive Editor
FLINT (CCN) — The local legal community will be in disbelief after learning that a Freedom of Information Act request has revealed that Flint Community Schools has paid $1.6 million in legal fees to a Grand Blanc law firm since 2018.
Numerous prominent lawyers came to the defense of Grand Blanc lawyer Kendall Williams after allegations were made on Wednesday's Morning Gazette Radio Show that the Flint school district has paid him more than a million dollars. The allegations were made by Flint community activist Arthur Woodson.
Many local lawyers expressed shock and said there was no way Woodson was even close on the figure he claimed was paid out to WIlliams. "There is no way a broke school district can pay out $1 million in legal fees," said one lawyer. Another attorney said: "It's a flat out lie. It's not possible. You need to find out the real number and report that because as far as I'm concerned, Art Woodson slandered Kendall Williams with a big lie."
Woodson had demanded "equal time" on the radio show after prominent Flint Township attorney Tom Pabst filed a lawsuit against the district and appeared on The Morning Gazette Radio Show to talk about it. Pabst is representing Anita Steward who is on medical leave and likely won't return because of how she has been treated by school board members, according to Pabst.
Woodson's fiance, Danielle Green, is one of the board members who joined last month's 4-to-3 vote to reprimand Steward for a "lack of transparency" about district business and to include the board president (Carol McIntosh) in all future meetings with Mott Foundation President & CEO Ridgway White.
White temporarily yanked funding for programs supported by the Mott Foundation, but later changed his mind about the decision. In an interview with The Morning Gazette Radio Show, White said the Mott Foundation has supported the district with more than $70 million in funding since 2013. He said he is "trying to donate millions for a new school district on the old Flint Central site." Woodson criticized White, however, for "trying to control" $100 million earmarked to Flint schools form the federal government in COVID-19 funding expected this year.
Attorney Williams has not yet responded to a request for comment from The Daily Gazette about Woodson's comments or to provide a statement about why $1.6 million in legal fees has been necessary since 2018 from Flint Community Schools. Williams has been invited via e-mail to appear on The Morning Gazette Radio Show to defend his high legal fees. Woodson said during the radio show that national averages for school district legal fees range between $17,000 and $60,000 per year.
A high ranking official at the Genesee Intermediate School District asked not to be identified, but said the figure seemed unlikely to be justified. He estimated that no local school district among the GISD's 21 others could be paying more than $50,000 per year in legal fees.
Superintendents for each of the GISD's other school districts are being polled by The Daily Gazette to find out their legal fees for the past 10 years. Woodson alleged that Williams has been collecting "$400,000 or more almost every year with the help of Vera Perry as the board secretary for a 12-year period."
Perry and Write resigned last week from the Flint school board after lengthy tenures there. They didn't join the 4-to-3 vote to reprimand Stewart last month for a lack of transparency.
PHOTO CAPTION: Pictured above this story is attorney Kendall Williams from a Grand Blanc law firm that has billed Flint Community Schools more than $1.6 million in legal fees since 2018.
Links to My AM Advantage's State, National and World headlines
Attorney Albert Zerka quits criminal case against county Republican Party chairman
Links to My AM Advantage's State, National and World headlines
Here are links to top news stories on myAMadvantage.com:
My AM Advantage is not currently operating due to the COVID-19 shutdown.
Broadcasting high school football action big hit with fans; we will continue airing games!
Broadcasting high school football action big hit with fans; we will continue airing games!
Broadcasting high school football action big hit with fans; we will continue airing games!
The first big test is done for the new 24/7 internet radio station known as Metro Flint News/Talk Radio. You can tune in by scrolling down on this page to click on the "Listen Live" link, or you can tune in on your smart phone, home computer, office PC, laptop or favorite mobile device by downloading one of our special apps for Iphones or
The first big test is done for the new 24/7 internet radio station known as Metro Flint News/Talk Radio. You can tune in by scrolling down on this page to click on the "Listen Live" link, or you can tune in on your smart phone, home computer, office PC, laptop or favorite mobile device by downloading one of our special apps for Iphones or Android phones. And if your house is equipped with Alexa devices in multiple rooms, simply say: "Alexa, play Metro Flint News/Talk Radio" and our signal will be booming to you loud and clear.
No AM radio static for us. It's a crystal clear signal from whatever mobile device you use to tune in or or through your car radio if you use a USB to plug in and take Metro Flint News/Talk Radio with you!
The biggest complaints I've had over the past 10 years with my radio shows have come from people angry about losing the AM signal when driving to the far corners of Genesee County. That's why we've made the huge step to launch the market's first 24/7 internet radio station.
We're talking with local talent — some new voices we think you will enjoy and some old faces who have disappeared from the local radio scene after two giant media corporations bought up most of the local stations several years ago. We have also put together a variety of nationally syndicated shows not available on our area's AM or FM dials.
Our official launch is on Sunday, Sept. 11 at noon.
The Morning Gazette Radio Show will kick things off with a three-hour program to celebrate our 10th year of local radio. We've expanded the format from 90 minutes to two hours in our normal 8 am slot, and most of the talk will be dedicated to local topics as we prepare to also launch a new statewide syndicated TV show to be known as The Michigan Crusaders. The format for The Morning Gazette Radio Show will transition away from everything that isn't local. On TV, we will focus on statewide topics and do our lively debate on national and world topics that Metro Flint area audiences have enjoyed so much during the last decade while showing so much love to this former long-time community newspaper editor and publisher.
This online edition of The Daily Gazette has replaced our print editions that once reached more than 80,000 homes across this county. We're expecting Metro Flint News/Talk Radio to do the same kind of replacement job for all the AM and FM radio stations now on the local horizon.
And back to the first big test I opened with in today's Editor's Notebook. Before our grand opening target date of Sunday, Sept. 11 — a few of our nationally syndicated shows allowed early airing and The Morning Gazette Radio Show got back into the groove after a lengthy layoff due to the COVID-19 shutdown devastated our local business community. But with all the many blocks of open air time available until the big official launch day of our new signal, it was time to test an idea of mine to showcase high school talent.
Our initial high school football broadcasts passed with flying colors as fans and local businesses offered strong support. We did three great games last week — two at Flint's historic Atwood Stadium in the fourth annual Vehicle City Gridiron Classic and the big heavyweight battle between Clarkston and the Davison Cardinals in the Battle at the Big House from Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor. We did three more games this week. Two of them were barnburners. One featured Goodrich nipping Linden 9-6 in a thriller that many project could be a preview of the Week 8 cross-over game for the Metro League championship. The other one was a back-and-forth battle in Grand Rapids as the five-time defending champions of the OK Conference's White Division repeatedly knocked down Grand Blanc's Bobcats, but couldn't put them down. Forest Hills Central rallied from a 14-0 hole to lead 20-14 at halftime. The Rangers struck back to re-take leads, too, after Grand Blanc scored touchdowns to go ahead 24-20, 27-24 and 34-31. They scored what appeared to be the game winner with 56 seconds remaining, but Grand Blanc rebounded to win on a 76-yard TD pass.
It's the kind of fun fans enjoy and we hope our local businesses keep putting their advertising dollars behind these great young athletes to help us celebrate their great accomplishments.
Click to our Sports Section for more scores from around The Daily Gazette coverage area. We also have a story about where the Metro Flint News/Talk Radio microphones are headed this week for our high school football coverage.
--------------------------------------------------------------- Mike Killbreath hosts The Morning Gazette Radio Show weekdays from 8 am until 10 am on MetroFlintNewsTalkRadio.com. He is also soon launching a new statewide syndicated TV show known as The Michigan Crusaders. He also hosts The Daily Gazette Sports Weekend Show every Sunday from 4 pm until 7 pm on and he regularly appears on Michigan Sports Zone daily at noon on MetroFlintNewsTalkRadio.com (with replays from 7-8 pm) and he also appears regularly from 6-7 pm weeknights on The Daily Gazette Sports Night Show. Killbreath has won numerous statewide awards for both his political columns and sports columns during a 40-year career as a journalist, and he has also won several statewide and national awards for investigative reporting.
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New 24/7 internet radio station launches in Metro Flint area via apps and Alexa
Broadcasting high school football action big hit with fans; we will continue airing games!
Broadcasting high school football action big hit with fans; we will continue airing games!
Crusader Communications Network Inc. ("CCN") is launching a new 24/7 internet radio station in the Metro Flint area. The plan is for CCN to launch more 24/7 internet radio stations across Michigan if there's success in the Metro Flint market.
The digital signal can be heard from scrolling down to click on the "Listen Live" link at The Dail
Crusader Communications Network Inc. ("CCN") is launching a new 24/7 internet radio station in the Metro Flint area. The plan is for CCN to launch more 24/7 internet radio stations across Michigan if there's success in the Metro Flint market.
The digital signal can be heard from scrolling down to click on the "Listen Live" link at The Daily Gazette, or in car radios via USB cords hooking up from smart phones to the tiny plug-in hole next to every car radio. People can also listen via special apps for their smart phone, home computer, laptop, office PC, favorite mobile device or by simply asking Alexa to "Play Metro Flint News/Talk Radio."
Metro Flint News/Talk Radio is already on the air with a digital signal blasting to listeners since early last month when The Morning Gazette Radio Show returned with host Mike Killbreath after a lengthy layoff because of the COVID shutdown's devastating impact on its advertisers in the local business community.
The "soft" opening also included two local sports programs, broadcasting games for high school football and nationally syndicated talk show host Alex Jones during an abbreviated daily schedule of programming. The "official" grand opening is set for Sunday, Oct. 9. That's when the digital signal will officially be turned on with a lineup of 24/7 programming.
CCN's affiliate, Advantage Advertising Agency Strategies ("AAA Strategies"), is in talks with a few national talk show hosts to join the CCN team with AAA Strategies taking over their syndication duties and selling advertising for them. Talks are also taking place with local talent hoping to join the lineup on Metro Flint News/Talk Radio.
Anyone who wants to apply to join the team at Metro Flint News/Talk Radio can call CCN President & CEo Mike Killbreath at (810) 771-8348.
"The final lineup won't be announced until we go on the air at noon on Sunday with our official grand opening celebration somewhere in the community," Killbreath said. He has dumped the static of AM radio for his popular Morning Gazette Radio Show broadcast, in favor of the clear signal of internet radio on Metro Flint News/Talk Radio.
While his Morning Gazette Radio Show will anchor the morning programming from 8 am until 10 am weekdays on Metro Flint News/Talk Radio, Killbreath's Daily Gazette Sports Weekend Show will air on Sundays from 4 pm until 6 pm and be dedicated exclusively to high school sports. Killbreath will also make regular appearances with his team of sports reporters at My AM Advantage every day at noon on Michigan Sports Zone. He and his team of sports reporters at The Daily Gazette will highlight local sports every weekday night from 7-8 pm after The Michigan Sports Zone replay of its noon broadcast in the 7-8 pm slot.
High school sports broadcasts will also be presented on Metro Flint News/Talk Radio which has already delivered broadcasts for seven prep football games in the first two weeks during its "soft" opening. A live prep football game will be presented every Friday night with a second game featured immediately afterward on a "tape delay" broadcast. Select games around The Daily Gazette coverage area will also be presented as "tape delay" broadcasts every Saturday. Other live broadcasts of prep sports will be featured, too.
Clint Alexander has Grand Blanc Bobcats rolling; They go to 3-0 at Midland Dow
Broadcasting high school football action big hit with fans; we will continue airing games!
Clint Alexander has Grand Blanc Bobcats rolling; They go to 3-0 at Midland Dow
BY MIKE KILLBREATH
CCN Executive Editor
MIDLAND (CCN) — The Grand Blanc Bobcats won another back-and-forth football game Friday night (Sept. 10, 2021) to move to a perfect 3-0 on the young season. They won 27-23 at Midland Dow.
They will try to beat Davison next week for the first time in 10 years. They lost to the Cardinals twice last year
BY MIKE KILLBREATH
CCN Executive Editor
MIDLAND (CCN) — The Grand Blanc Bobcats won another back-and-forth football game Friday night (Sept. 10, 2021) to move to a perfect 3-0 on the young season. They won 27-23 at Midland Dow.
They will try to beat Davison next week for the first time in 10 years. They lost to the Cardinals twice last year when Davison beat the Bobcats for the North Division championship in the Saginaw Valley and made it to Ford Field for the Division 1 state finals for the second season in a row.
Metro Flint News/Talk Radio will broadcast the big battle at Grand Blanc where one of the biggest crowds for a local prep football game is expected. Trace Fisher and Larry Coleman will handle the play-by-play duties. The kickoff is scheduled for 7 pm after the pre-game show at 6:45 pm.
Friday's thrilling victory at Midland Dow followed the dramatic game-winning touchdown last week with 30 seconds remaining to win at Grand Rapids over Forest HIlls Central. The 74-yard TD strike ton win 38-34 capped off another back-and-forth battle. The Bobcats also won their opener 40-34 over East Lansing in another exciting contest in the fourth annual Vehicle City Gridiron Classic at Flint's historic Atwood Stadium. East Lansing came into the game ranked as the No. 25 team in Michigan by the Detroit Free Press in its pre-season poll.
Grand Blanc was 13th in that pre-season poll by the Free Press and a 3-0 record against three traditional Division 1 heavyweights has many projecting a state title run for Alexander's gang of 75 Bobcats.
Hunter Ames connected with Tae Boyd on a 46-yard TD pass to allow Grand Blanc to overcome a 23-20 deficit late in the third quarter. Ames also hit Boyd on a 32-yard TD strike earlier in the game and Ames ran in a 10-yard quarterback keeper. He was 18-of-22 passing for the night for 183 yards with three of his passes going to Boyd for 93 yards.
Elijah Jackson-Anderson led Grand Blanc's rushing game with 14 carries for 94 yards, including a 47-yard TD bolt.
Click to our Sports Section for more scores from around The Daily Gazette coverage area.
PHOTO CAPTION: Pictured above this story is New Lothrop Coach Clint Galvas who led his 2020 Hornets to a Division 7 state championship.