This is probably a fool’s errand, but I really want to connect with local-ish people to build and test mesh networks.

It’s genuinely fun stuff, and the possibilities are pretty wild if you have an open mind.

Anyway, I started a community on my own server. The idea is to complement what Michmesh is doing, not replace it. They’re doing fantastic work, and I’m grateful for it.

Full disclosure: I have no idea how to start a community, and the various fediverse quirks haven’t exactly made it easier. 😂

I’m mostly just doing this for the fuck of it. I want to connect with people around West Michigan who are interested in this stuff and see if we can build some actual infrastructure together.

No grand plan, no ulterior motive. Just a place to find each other, share what we’re tinkering with, and maybe turn some ideas into something real.

If that sounds interesting, come check it out. Tell us (me lol) what you’ve got running, what you’re experimenting with, or what you’d like to build.

And if you join just to lurk, that’s cool too. We all start somewhere.

Community: https://piefed.aurionblack.com/c/[email protected]/p/2205/roll-call-who-s-on-the-air-in-gr

This article is related to the city of Grand Rapids because it describes an act of terror against our current elected representative, Hillary Scholten.

“According to a news release from Scholten’s office, a letter received by her Grand Rapids office purported to be from DSA and made a “direct and specific reference” to an impending “civil war” beginning after the midterm election.

She called on DSA to condemn the threats made in its name and deny responsibility if it was not involved.”

This whole thing feels off to me. Getting some serious “found bullet casings with inscriptions” vibes with this story.

Not saying that her office didn’t get a threatening letter with suspicious white powder. All I’m saying is her response and how the media is framing this is making my eyes roll.

The DSA doesn’t benefit at all by these acts of terror. Scholten’s response is disappointing and playing right into the goals of who ever is doing this.

Also, if this was perpetrated or condoned by DSA you would think they would get the return address correct.

“The DSA also said that it had not occupied the offices listed as the letter's return address since 2013.”

Anyway, I’m not associated with DSA. Don’t know if I fully support everything they stand for. I’m also still gonna vote for Scholten. But stuff like this does not make me excited about her.

I’m very conflicted at the moment.

Lost Art used to have one of the coolest “hidden” seating areas I’ve ever been in. Couches, comfy chairs, coffee tables, awesome art and decorations, all tucked away from the bar in this little old-timey speakeasy vibe of a lounge. It felt like you’d stumbled into a secret room that only the local gangsters knew about.

The smash burgers came from a food truck parked just outside. You’d grab a beer, order a burger, and settle into this weird little hidden corner of the world. It was such a fun, unique setup.

They made some changes, probably for the better, but I still miss that early food truck/speakeasy situation.

The secret dining area was gutted out and replaced with a full ass kitchen!

Now they have a wider variety of edible options, like this tasty lab beef dip I took a pic of…not the most embarrassing photo I’ve ever taken. But pretty close.

Their fried cheese bits should probably be scheduled by the DEA, and are the best cheese based appetizer to ever exist. (Don’t agree? Fight me)

I know I can’t have me beer and drink it too, But no amount of delicious food can fill the gaping hole in my soul where that weird little speakeasy lounge used to be.

Has anyone tried out the veo bikes yet?

Link to city webpage: Shared Micromobility

I remember using the lime bikes a while ago. Got charged incorrectly a few times (the bike thought it wasnt in its 'zone', even tho it was) and they didnt really make it clear where the boundaries were. For instance, we took the bikes from Housman Field to Riverside park one time. It worked great, till it didnt.

Turns out you had to ride on the roads they tell you to (usually the big busy ones and NOT the lower traffic side roads...), otherwise the motor cuts off. Not fun when going up hills.

Anyway, e-bikes are expensive and the risk of it getting stolen is non-zero. Something like veo looks enticing with a lower upfront cost. However, the service areas add a bit of a barrier, at least for me.

Any thoughts or experiences you would like to share?

here is a link to the service area: Service area map

Be inspired by local community activists who will speak to the importance of casting your ballot, join your community to learn how to be election protectors and commit to holding our elected officials accountable to their promises after they take office! Together, we will show up en masse and say "We are not scared to exercise our Constitutional right to engage in the democratic process!"

We decide who represents us. We decide what comes next.

For more than a year, millions of people have come together to reject the idea that power belongs to kings, billionaires, or politicians who believe they are above the people and the law.

Now, we are taking the next step, turning people power into voter power. Unlike previous No Kings actions, No Kings: Vote Early, is not purely a protest. Instead, on October 17th, it's a day of nonpartisan voter participation: we are bringing our community together to make a plan to vote early and ensuring every eligible voter understands their options for how to vote and has the opportunity to make their voice heard.

Because no one person gets to decide our leaders before voters do. On October 17th, join us in local events across the country as we get out the early vote and say it loud: no thrones, no crowns, no kings.

No Kings: Vote Early events are nonpartisan and are designed to increase participation from all eligible voters.

A core principle behind all No Kings events is a commitment to nonviolent action. We expect all participants to seek to de-escalate any potential confrontation with those who disagree with our values and to act lawfully at these events. Weapons of any kind, including those legally permitted, should not be brought to events.

We are continuing to develop the Deflock Campaign. Roughly 60 people spoke out against the flock contract at the 8/22 City Commission meeting, about a third of which was GRDSA members. The next city commission meeting is this Tuesday, 9/22, at 7pm. Can we continue building the pressure?

We want to use this opportunity to stand in solidarity with Cosecha and their 6 sanctuary policy demands while speaking out against Automatic License Plate Readers, their data collecting, and collaboration with ICE. 

We encourage members of the public to voice their own concerns, but we will also have talking points prepared for you.

Hi 👋

I am new to Lemmy, and was in the local Reddit version of this community. It doesn’t look like this community gets a lot of traction here, but it’s very refreshing actually. I’m used to Reddit where I get muted or banned for being critical of the Capitalist class. I’m used to so many more bots. And I am so relieved that this platform is not poisoned yet with whatever Reddit has become

cross-posted from: https://infosec.pub/post/41550549

Source

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1642 Division St. right next to Printing Arts Co. Referencing GRPD Call Logs this might have taken place at 9:05am and given the incident type of STOP (traffic or person stop).

Logs (only appear for 24hrs at a time):https://data.grcity.us/Dispatch/Dispatched_Calls.html

This is a good read, please consider the power of communication and coordination before just taking action. Connect with these groups that have already been in the fight and supporting our neighbors so we can help multiply their resources to be even more effective.

I wish there was more information on this. At face value it’s shady af.

I have included the wood tv report on this situation. It is worth the read and is an example of great local reporting.

Here is a synopsis of what we know:

The City of Grand Rapids, Michigan, is experiencing controversy involving the comptroller and the city manager centered on allegations of retaliation and the dismantling of financial oversight functions. In late 2024 and early 2025, the City Commission significantly reduced the staff of the independently elected comptroller’s office from 16 to 3 employees, transferring most of the staff and responsibilities to a new division overseen by the city manager.

The comptroller, Max Frantz, has publicly objected, characterizing this as a violation of the city charter and a move that undermines checks and balances needed for fiscal accountability. The situation escalated after Frantz flagged several ethical concerns, including two police investigations he initiated prior to the restructuring.

Following his actions, not only was his staff reassigned, but the city began using a machine to replicate his signature on city checks—allegedly without his oversight, raising further legal and ethical questions. Frantz also raised alarms over the firing of a recently hired employee after this personnel transfer, seeing it as further evidence of managerial overreach and a lack of due process. City officials, including the city manager and city attorney, have denied any wrongdoing or retaliation, maintaining that the reorganization was based solely on efficiency and not related to the comptroller’s whistleblowing or police probes. They claim the process for city spending has not changed.

Community feedback, media investigation (notably by Target 8/WOOD TV), and Reddit discussions reflect ongoing public concern over transparency, loss of independent oversight, and possible forgery if the comptroller’s signature is being used without authorization. The city government’s internal reporting system remains active for reports of fraud, waste, and abuse, but current oversight functions appear weakened due to these staff and duty reallocations.

Overall, the controversy revolves around governance, transparency, and preserving independent checks on city finances—not a straightforward case of proven monetary corruption, but of power struggles and potential suppression of whistleblowing within city government.

Wanted to share a weird experience and see if anyone has had anything similar.

Occurred last Thursday around 12pm near Blanford nature center.

Some guy came to my door today, said he was with Enviorshield. Starts talking about my neighbors, how a bunch of them are “randomly getting sick.”

Not gonna lie, he looked pretty rough. Kinda had that junky vibe. He was real pushy about finding out who my pest control guy was. Took more effort than it should have to get him to leave.

I get that door knockers are a thing, but why would he bring up my neighbors being mysteriously sick? That’s the part I can’t shake. Wtf.

The indoor football team sounds great, but I love having a soccer team again with it being closer to downtown.

cross-posted from: https://midwest.social/post/24261227

cross-posted from: https://midwest.social/post/24260962

Pictured: “Grand Rapids Police Sgt. Jeff Dionne directs Emerson Wolfe, the safety organizer for the march, to step out of the street onto the sidewalk as they lead demonstrators down Ottawa Avenue toward Rosa Parks Circle on Saturday, March 8, 2025 during the “Unite and Resist” march for International Women’s Day in downtown Grand Rapids, Mich.”

Several organizations gathered to table and rally at Women's March-led rally and march on Saturday.

Additional coverage:

• WoodTV8: ‘Encouraging’: Crowds gather in Grand Rapids for Women’s March
• MLive: Women’s Day march draws 100s of demonstrators to downtown Grand Rapids
• Fox17: 'This is what democracy looks like': Thousands march in Grand Rapids on International Women's Day

Obviously there's the stuff around Gaslight village, but is there anything especially interesting to do besides the stuff around that area? Even around the EGR area, maybe not properly inside it?

Has anyone ventured into GR and checked out Art Prize?

It's raining. That's all.