Local News

Updated 02/15/19

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 Fri. Local News Audio

LOCAL NEWS for FRI 15FEB19

Troopers from the Michigan State Police West Branch Post were dispatched to a two vehicle accident Wednesday at 12:20pm in Baldwin Township. A 61 year Tawas City man was turning left off U.S. 23 into a driveway when a vehicle driven by a 42 year old Oscoda woman began to pass him but instead drove into the left side of his vehicle. The woman said she did not see the man’s turn signal. Neither driver nor the Oscoda woman’s twelve year old passenger were injured. The Oscoda woman was cited for improper passing. 

The East Tawas Fire Department saw an increase in emergency calls last year.  East Tawas Fire Department Captain Randy Look submitted the annual report to the City council. According to the Iosco County News Herald, Look said emergency responses increased by 27 percent in 2018. Look attributed the bulk of the responses to vehicle accidents, fuel and gas spills, medical first response calls and downed electrical wires. Look said a higher number of vehicle accidents was directly connected to the construction project on U.S. 23 and expects fewer response calls this year as that project is nearly completed. Look said the increase in downed wire calls is due to ongoing problems with ash trees and that the increase in medical first responder calls was due to overdoses.  

K-9 Law Enforcement Training was recently held in Standish.  Law enforcement personnel from Saginaw, Grand Blanc and Arenac County gathered for a K9 training at the Standish Maximum Correctional Facility. According to the Arenac County Independent, Arenac County Deputy Eric Hribek and his K9, Jagger, participated in the training, which was led by Magnum K9 Trainer Scott LaRoe. Also in attendance were Saginaw City Police Department K9 Officer Doug Stacer and his dog,  Saginaw City Police K9 Handler Brad Holp and his dog Cigan, and City of Grand Blanc Police Department Sergeant Jim Jolman and his dog Kash. They focused on areas such as obedience, handler protection and behavior. Officers and their K9s are required to attend trainings at least twice a month, which are led by LaRoe and hosted at different locations throughout the state.

State Senator Jim Stamas reminds residents of the 36^th District that the state’s annual Winter Free Fishing Weekend takes place this Saturday and Sunday. During the weekend all fishing license fees will be waived and vehicles will be able to enter state parks and use boating sites without a recreation passport. All fishing regulations still apply. Stamas said he encourages area families to take advantage of this opportunity to introduce the joy of fishing to children or to just get away from the stress of life and relax in the Michigan outdoors. For more information visit Michigan Dot Gov Slash Free Fishing.

Local Sports 

Boys Basketball:
Standish Sterling 50  Tawas Area 35
Hale 66 Alcona 40
Alpena 54  Traverse City West 44
Johannesburg Lewiston 83  Onaway 59
Reese 71  Vassar 35

Girls Basketball:
Oscoda played at Whittemore Prescott and won 47-30. Lauren Langley had 23 Katelyn Etherton 8 and Macy Kellstrom 7 points. Oscoda is now 14-0 and hosts Hillman Monday.
Oscoda JV topped Whittemore Prescott 41-32. Leading scorers for the Owls were Kaylin Griggs 16 and Megan Myles 11.

Standish Sterling 61  Tawas Area 30
Rogers City 37  Alcona 29
Bad Axe 32  Vassar 19
Brown City 47  Ubly 32
Reese 67  Caro 41
Cass City 40  Harbor Beach 29
Clare 55  Gladwin 43
Kingston 51  Deckerville 25
Dryden 56  Mayville 26
Houghton Lake 68  Harrison 29
Peck 53  Genessee 17
Hillman 46  Posen 44
Unionville Sebewaing 66  Laker 16

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 Thu. Local News Audio

LOCAL NEWS for FRI 14FEB19

A Pinconning Township man’s dog saved his life by alerting him to a fire that ended up ravaging his house. According to M-Live, The fire at 3301 North Fraser Road occurred just after midnight Tuesday. Bay County Sheriff Troy Cunningham said the lone male resident of the single-story house had been asleep when his dog began barking awakening him. Pinconning-Fraser firefighters were dispatched to the scene. They arrived to find heavy smoke and fire. The fire left the house a total loss. Cunningham said the cause remains under investigation, but it appears to be accidental. Cunningham said the homeowner just got the dog in recent months and had it not been for the dog, he might have never woken up.

Troopers from the Michigan State Police West Branch Post were dispatched to two single vehicle accidents on Tuesday. The first occurred at 2:30pm when a West Branch woman was traveling west on M-55 near Rempert Road when a black Cadillac pulled out in front of her, she avoided a collision by driving off the roadway and hitting a traffic sign. The Cadillac did not stop. The woman was not injured in the crash. The second incident occurred at 2:40pm when a Hale woman was traveling west on U.S. 23 in Baldwin Township when she lost control of her vehicle, crossed the centerline and rolled over on the shoulder. She was not injured but was cited for traveling too fast for conditions.

The Unionville Sebewaing School district will see improvements in technology.  The Board approved the purchase of computers and Chromebooks along with a cart for Chromebooks. According to the Huron Daily Tribune, the total cost of the fifteen desktop computers is $2,922 dollars and the total cost for the twenty Chromebooks and cart is $4,507 dollars. Unionville Sebewaing Superintendent George Rierson said that both purchases are related to the district's online learning program in the middle and high school. Rierson said the purchases continue a theme of improved technology and will provide a combination of improved computer access for online students and enough Chromebooks on carts in the classrooms.

The Northeast Michigan Regional Farm Market will have a new location in Oscoda.  The AuSable Township Board of Trustees voted to purchase Stoney Acres Creek Golf on U.S. 23 as the new Farm Market location. According to the Oscoda Press, Superintendent Leisa Sutton said the existing structures on the property will be demolished. The market runs in AuSable Township on Wednesday's from May to October. Northeast Michigan Farm Market Chairperson Stephanie Wentworth said that having a building will be beneficial in poor weather. The Township will pay $115,000 for the property mostly covered through a $100,000 grant. AuSable Township  will be responsible for the additional $15,000 plus any closing costs. Sutton said the hope is that the farmer's market can utilize the property at some point this year.

Local Sports

Girls Basketball:
Clare 39  Beaverton 36
Gladwin 49  Farewell 34

Boys Basketball:
Cheboygan 74  Newberry 64

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 Wed. Local News Audio

LOCAL NEWS for WED 13FEB19

The Ogemaw County Emergency Dispatch Authority recently held their first meeting.  The board governs the Emergency Dispatch Authority. According to the Ogemaw County Herald, the board has seven members including a representative from the board of commissioners, an at large citizen and one representative from each of the five districts in the county. Those representatives are Tom Krebs, Al Evans, Tom Czerniak, Mike Babcock and Nancy Hennard. The board also includes Ogemaw County Commissioner Craig Scott and public at large member Will Engemann. As its first order of business, the board voted to retain Amy beach as Director for Central Dispatch. The board is working to establish the authority as its own entity following voters approval of a millage to do so last November. 

Alcona Elementary School has a new teacher.  Keturah Ashford is the new third grade teacher at Alcona Elementary School. According to the Alcona County Review, Ashford replaces Keya Gough who had been teaching in the district since October. She had to leave after her husband was offered a job out of the area. Gugh replaced Kristi Miller who took the vacated physical education position in the district. Ashford is a 2013 graduate of Alcona High School and recent graduate of Central Michigan Universtiy.  She is also the daughter of former Alcona teacher, Sara Glomski. Ashford said she is blessed to find a job in her own home town, beginning a career in familiar surroundings is nice.

Officials of the Huron Manistee National Forest have decided to delay implementation of an order prohibiting alcohol on sections of the AuSable, Manistee and Pine National Wild and Scenic Rivers until at least 2020. The delay creates an opportunity for the Forest Service to work with local communities to develop alternative means of restoring public safety and preventing damage to congressionally protected sections of the rivers. The Forest Service will organize and chair a community working group consisting of small businesses, municipal officials and private citizens from the National Wild and Scenic River corridors. By May, the working group will develop an action plan to restore public safety to those rivers. For more information visit FS Dot USDA Dot Gov Slash HMNF.   

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  Tue. Local News Audio

LOCAL NEWS for TUE 12FEB19

There was a structure fire in Oscoda County Friday.  Several families in Mio have been left without a home or personal belongings after a structure fire destroyed their residence Friday. According to the Oscoda County Herald, the fire occurred at Pelton Plaza in the 300 block of  M-33. The structure has been used for numerous businesses, but most recently was an oil change facility with adjacent apartments. Tri-Town Fire Chief Dave Stenzel said the call first went out around 3:30 p.m. and for the next several hours crews battled the cold wind and reduced visibility as they tried to extinguish the fire. Stenzel was unsure exactly how many families were displaced by the fire as of  Saturday, but said he heard as many as five families lived in the building. Stenzel said the Red Cross was in to help the families displaced by the fire. (photo: Kathy Neff)

Troopers from the Michigan State Police West Branch Post were dispatched on Saturday to a vehicle in the ditch on Wilbur Road in Tawas Township. Upon arrival, the trooper found the driver of the vehicle had fled the scene. The trooper then went to the registered owners residence and located the driver of the vehicle. During the course of the investigation it was discovered that the driver of the vehicle was under the influence of alcohol. The fifty year old driver was arrested for Operating While Intoxicated and lodged in the Iosco County Jail.

Huron County planners are moving forward with a request to extend the wind turbine moratorium.  Planners hosted a public hearing last week for a request to extend the wind turbine moratorium in Huron County. According to the Huron Daily Tribune, the wind moratorium went into effect in March of 2018 and was set to stay in effect for one year or when the Huron County Master Plan was updated to address wind energy systems. Planning Chairman Robert McLean said the Huron County Board of Commissioners asked planners to stop working on the wind ordinance. There are currently 472 wind turbines operating in Huron County. After the hearing, planners voted 7-1 approving an extension request for the Huron County Board of Commissioners to consider. 

Local Sports 

The Oscoda boys basketball team hosted Alcona won 44-39. Leading the way offensively for the Owls were Brayden Mallak and Jacob Post with 11 points each and Owen Franklin 10. For Alcona Antavius Mikazes had 13 and Dominic Howe 11. The win brings the Owls record to 16-0 overall, and 10-0 in the conference.  The Owls will be back in action on Friday night as they host Whittemore Prescott.  A win Friday night would guarantee the Owls at least a share of the North Star League Big Dipper championship for the schools first conference championship in basketball since the 1990-1991 season, and tie the schools regular season wins record  at OHS with 17 set back in 1975-1976 season.

Fairview 53  Atlanta 49
Beaverton 52  Farwell 47
Hillman 56  AuGres-Sims 36
Kingston 68  Kinde North Huron 32
Midland Calvary Baptist 61  Whittemore Prescott 50
Ogemaw Heights 57  Kalkaska 55
Petoskey 92  Cheboygan 61
Unionville Sebewaing 65  Saginaw Valley Lutheran 60 4OT

Oscoda varsity girls beat Alcona at home by score of 54-47. Lauren Langley had 22 points and Katelyn Etherton had 18 points. Faith Wallenmaier was the leading scorer for Alcona with 15. Oscoda is now 13-0 on the season and plays at Whittemore on Thursday.

Alpena 47  Tawas 39
Fairview 49  Atlanta 21
Cass City 53  Bad Axe 47
Farwell 53  Beaverton 33
Harbor Beach 44  Brown City 40
Hillman 53  AuGres-Sims 29
Houghton Lake 55  McBain Northern Michigan Christian 27
Johannesburg Lewiston 33  Mancelona 30
Midland 52  Gladwin 47
Reese 72  Vassar 27

Wrestling Districts:

Whittemore Prescott 36 Oscoda 35

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 Mon. Local News Audio

LOCAL NEWS for MON 11FEB19

Construction on the new courthouse in Oscoda County could begin soon.  The county will be able to move toward construction of its new courthouse after commissioners recently received communications from the county’s insurance company. According to the Oscoda County Herald, Commission Chairman Kyle Yoder said the board has received a general list of items that its insurance company does not believe it should pay for. He said this is a significant step that will allow the county to begin to negotiate terms and have Wolgast begin to look for subcontractors. Yoder said the commissioners will have more information to provide at the county meeting tomorrow. He said his hope is for Wolgast to soon begin looking for subcontractors in order to begin construction as soon as possible.

The Whittemore Prescott School District water wells may have PFAS contamination.  The district recently held a meeting to address the water test by the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality. According to the Ogemaw County Herald, a second water test is needed before the district leaders and industry professionals can address the district's next steps. After the first test results showed elevated levels of PFAS, the Whittemore Prescott district moved to bottled water as a precautionary measure for the safety of the students. Officials from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services said that if the tested levels of PFAS are confirmed, the department will recommend the district continue using the water because the contamination level is below the state recommendation. The district will be required to test the water quarterly to verify levels do not increase.

The Tawas Area Schools Board of Education will be meeting tonight. On their agenda is the Treasurer's Report, Committee Reports and a Legislative Report. The Board will also make plans for the Superintendent's Evaluation in March. The meeting will be held tonight at 7pm, in the boardroom of the administration office in Tawas City.

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Michigan News Network Audio

Michigan Sports Network Audio

STATE NEWS for FRI 15FEB19

The National Weather Service in Grand Rapids has extended the flood warning for southeastern Ionia County until 1:30 this afternoon. Flooding continues in downtown Portland as the ice jam continues to hold. They say ice jams are notoriously unpredictable and can cause water to rise and fall much faster than normal. Anyone along the Grand River in Portland should be prepared to evacuate to higher ground if necessary.

A bill has been introduced in the Michigan House and Senate to require polluters to clean up contamination they cause. Under current law, polluters can simply restrict access to a site or an aquifer instead of treating or removing pollutants. One of the sponsors, House Democratic Floor Leader Yousef Rabhi, of Ann Arbor, says “Because our laws don’t hold polluters accountable for cleaning up their messes, we have polluted sites across Michigan where people can’t live or drink the well water."

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer is criticizing a Detroit TV station's decision to broadcast a segment and publish an online story that features people's unflattering and sexist comments on social media about her dress and body during the State of the State speech. Whitmer tweeted Thursday that the story "was way out of line," before adding: "I'm tough, I can take it." Fox 2 aired the story Wednesday night about reaction to Whitmer's blue dress. The station is defending the story by stating the station was "taken aback" by the number and nature of many inappropriate Facebook comments on Whitmer's appearance during the speech and decided to "examine them through person-on-the-street interviews and an expert's opinion on the double standard faced by female leaders."

Secretary of State upgrading decades-old computer system for vehicle records during Presidents Day weekend closure. Offices, kiosks, online services switching to modern system during temporary closure to better serve customers. During a Presidents Day weekend closure, the Michigan Department of State will replace the outdated vehicle records system it has used for decades with a modern computer system to better serve customers. Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson says “This is a vital project for our department and its millions of customers and the first step in implementing our 30-minute guarantee.”

A mid Michigan man is facing several felony charges for allegedly producing child pornography. 52-year-old Steven King has been arraigned on charges of child sexually abusive activity, and using a computer to commit a crime. State Police say it began investigating King after a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children about the creation of child porn.

A Michigan woman is making a plea for help finding out what happened to her missing father, who vanished from Hesperia north of Muskegon about a month ago. WOOD TV reports Stephen Mills was last seen at a Dollar General January 4th and his daughter, Amber Babcock, says he went there to meet someone to sell them fishing reels. She says she needs to know what happened to him. The family is offering a 15-hundred dollar cash reward for information on his whereabouts.

Four professors at Northern Michigan University have filed a lawsuit against the university over alleged gender discrimination violations. W-L-U-C reports that the professors claim that the College of Business significantly underpays its female faculty compared to their male counterparts and denies them equal opportunities for tenure and other benefits. Northern Michigan University, says they are reviewing the complaint, but did attend a conciliation meeting with an EEOC mediator to try to resolve the complaint.

Several animals were killed in a barn fire in northern Michigan on Thursday. Benzie County Sheriff Ted Schendel says one horse, several chickens and goats were killed in the fire while four other horses managed to get out of the barn. He says they were trying to keep the barn heated for their animals and that may have caused the fire. A vehicle next to the barn was also destroyed.

Sixteen people have been charged with running a meth lab in the Upper Peninsula's Chippewa County. 9 and 10 News reports police arrested three men for running a meth lab in Sault Ste. Marie and at least three more arrests are expected.

Cherry Capital Airport in Traverse City will offer non-stop flights to Sarasota, Florida. Elite Airways will begin the flights to Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport starting March 16th. The U-P is going to the dogs this weekend with the U-P 200 sled dog race, the Midnight Run and the Jack Pine 30.

The U-P has been getting some record snowfall, but the president of the Upper Peninsula Sled Dog Association, Darlene Walch, says they'll be ready. Walch says the sled dog teams get 16 hours minimum rest for the UP 200. She says Marquette will be packed for the start of the race tonight. She says cash prizes are awarded for the top winners.

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STATE NEWS for THU 14FEB19

Governor Gretchen Whitmer has declared a state of emergency for Ionia County after the county requested state assistance to help its communities recover from the effects of the recent severe winter weather. By declaring a state of emergency, Whitmer has made available all state resources in cooperation with local response and recovery efforts in the designated area. The declaration authorizes the Michigan State Police, Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division to coordinate state efforts above and beyond what has already been done in conjunction with local agencies.

A snow mobile rider is missing in west Michigan's Kent County. A call came in for help last night from a snow mobile rider on Lincoln Lake in Spencer Township who said they were with another person who was on a separate snowmobile and they believed they went into open water. The caller was on unstable ice and was rescued by Cannon Fire Department's hovercraft. It was then used to look for the missing rider along with a drone with a forward looking infrared camera to search the lake. They did not find the 29-year-old man after several hours of searching and the search will resume this morning with an underwater recovery team.

A west Michigan man, convicted of molesting several young girls at an apartment complex in Plainfield Township, has been convicted to what amounts to a life sentence. 63-year-old Juan Camargo has been sentenced to 60 to 90 years in prison. The Kent County Sheriff's Department says Camargo lived at Autumn Ridge Apartments in 2017 and would hang around the apartment's playground. The investigation began when a woman reported that her daughter asked not to see Camargo anymore. He pleaded guilty to criminal sexual conduct and producing child pornography last month.

A former elections director in Oak Park is accused of paying her husband nearly a half million dollars in a scheme to steal money from the city coffers. Stephanie Sumner was Oak Park's elections director from 2012 to 2015. An indictment accuses Sumner of creating fraudulent invoices and listing her husband as a vendor. She and husband Michael Sumner are charged with conspiracy and other crimes.

Honda says it is recalling more than 400-thousand vehicles in the U-S to fix a fuel pump issue. The recall covers the Acura M-D-X, T-L-X, and certain Honda Accords. The automaker says the vehicles' software needs to be updated, and in some cases, have their fuel pumps replaced. In hot weather, the vehicle's acceleration could be limited or the engine could stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

A 500-dollar reward is being offered by the Humane Society of Mid Michigan for information on the person who shot a cat with an arrow. The cat they're calling Wayland was found with arrow shot near his shoulder blades near Sheridan in Montcalm County. The humane society believes the cat was suffering for several days. The arrow has been removed , but the humane society says he has a long road to recovery.

A Motown special -- minus M-J? The website Showbiz Four-One-One says when producers finish editing the three-hour "Motown 60" special set to air on CBS in April.  Michael Jackson and the Jackson 5 will barely get a mention. Smokey Robinson, Stevie Wonder, and Diana Ross will be among those featured, but the tribute is not expected to focus much on the Jackson family, including the King of Pop's iconic Moonwalk from the Motown 25 show. M-J's absence is likely due to the upcoming documentary 'Leaving Neverland' that focuses on rumored, but never proven, allegations of sexual abuse.

It's Valentine's Day, but apparently the number of romance scams online is growing in west Michigan. A new report from the Better Business Bureau shows up to 30 percent of romance scam victims were used as money mules. Troy Baker of the BBB Western Michigan says the prevalence of online dating and people looking for love online has really made it profitable for scammers to go after people. The Federal Trade Commission took 21-thousand complaints about romance scams last year with losses of 143 million dollars.

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STATE NEWS for WED 13FEB19

A woman and her two children are hospitalized after being rescued from their burning home on Hubbell near I-96 and Grand River.  Family members say ONE of the kids was trapped by the flames, but was rescued by firefighters. There are no details yet on his condition. Arson investigators are on the scene.

A Grand Rapids doctor , Dr. Richard Piazza, is accused of writing unnecessary prescriptions for opioids....apparently to fund his own drug habit. A complaint filed in federal court says piazza has been writing bad prescriptions for drugs like oxycodone, hydrocodone and diazepam since December of 2017. The DEA was reportedly notified about Piazza by a pharmacist who caught that he was writing a lot of prescriptions for opioids. One man told investigators that he got prescriptions from Piazza so he could sell the pills and he gave Piazza cash and methamphetamine in exchange for them.

A 16-year-old west Michigan girl was critically injured in a two vehicle crash in Nelson Township Tuesday. A vehicle driven by a 17-year-old girl collided with a pickup truck with a plow attached. The 16-year-old was a passenger in the car. Police say alcohol was not a factor in the crash.

A carjacking in southwest Michigan led to a two hour standoff with police between Allegan and Otsego county sheriff's offices. The Allegan County Sheriff says a man allegedly stole a work van at gunpoint Tuesday, and then crashed it. The van was spotted in Trowbridge Township and the suspect ran. Police had a dog track him and they spent two hours negotiating with him before he gave up. Allegan Police Chief Rick Hoyer says he thinks the suspect was getting cold and it was evident that he needed help. He was taken to the hospital .

A township clerk in northern Michigan is being replaced after officials found lots of discrepancies in her work on financial documents. 9 and 10 News reports they're going through years of financial documents in Kasson Township after they found that clerk Traci Cruz had not filed documents and some mail was not opened from 2014. She also allegedly did not pay trustees hundreds of dollars in pension funds over many months.

They're smashing records in the U-P.  The National Weather Service in Marquette is tweeting that snowfall totaled 16.5 inches yesterday which breaks the previous record of 13.5 inches set in 1965. There's still a Winter Storm Warning in effect there.  The U-P could receive another three inches today.

A new survey warns that Michigan could be in for a teacher shortage but says it's not that simple. According to the Citizens Research Council of Michigan, there are several points of concern, including public school enrollment that has been declining for years while the typical classroom in the state remains larger than in most other states. The study goes on to say Michigan has not prioritized studying the labor market and the shortage issue so it's difficult to predict long term trends. Another problem is enrollment in teacher-prep programs in Michigan colleges and universities has been falling for some time, by 66 percent over a recent seven-year period.

A Houghton County woman has won 500-thousand dollars playing the Michigan Lottery's Platinum Wild Time instant game. She bought her ticket in Lake Linden. The woman, who's remaining anonymous, plans to buy a new vehicle and save the rest.

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STATE NEWS for TUE 12FEB19

CMU is delaying operations on its main campus and its Global Campus headquarters in Mount Pleasant until 11 a.m. today, Tuesday, February 12th, due to inclement weather. A decision on the status of the operation of the university beyond 11 a.m. will be made no later than 9:30 a.m. Saginaw Valley State University in Saginaw is closed. The University of Michigan-Flint is delaying classes until 12:30 today.

The recent winter storms have probably cost the economy of west Michigan more than 100-million dollars. Grand Valley State University economics Professor Paul Isely tells WOOD TV that with massive power outages over the past couple of weeks with snow, ice storms, and subzero temperatures, it's probably cost the economy in west Michigan 100 to 150 million dollars. He says some of the losses will be made up when employees return to work and the public gets back to its normal shopping and spending routine.

A church on Gilmore Street in Saginaw was destroyed when a fire ripped through the building early Today. According to Saginaw Fire Department Battalion Chief Gregory Simmons, Saginaw firefighters were called at 4:55AM to S. Washington Ave. at Gilmore St. to a report of a fire at The Way, The Truth and The Life Ministries. “When we first arrived, the only thing that was on fire was the steeple, but the steeple collapsed on us before we could even get our first lines off the rigs and start putting water on it,” Simmons said. “Shortly after that, the fire started coming out of the main structure.” The fire quickly spread to the rest of the building. According to Simmons, the Saginaw Fire Dept. requested mutual aid from Buena Vista and Saginaw townships. Fire officials do not believe anyone was inside the building, but they have not been able to get inside to confirm.  One of the walls of the church later collapsed during the fire, Simmons said. The building is expected to be a total loss. The cause of the fire has not yet been determined and a fire investigator from the Michigan State Police was called to investigate.

Godfrey-Lee Public Schools on the west side of the state in Wyoming is getting rid of its Rebels mascot. The school board voted to appoint a group of board members , staff, students, and community members to recommend a new mascot. That's expected to happen for the start of the next school year. The district says the move is being made after a survey found the mascot and the associated symbolism and historic relationship did not reflect the diversity of their district. Many have associated the Rebels mascot with the Confederate South and slavery.

A northern Michigan man is accused of looking to hire women for sex acts. 9 and 10 News reports Kenneth Bonney, of Elberta, has been charged with pandering. The Traverse Narcotics team says he had several firearms and may face more charges. Bonney is a convicted felon.

Two metro Grand Rapids girls have been found after they were last seen with their father, who may have been undergoing a mental health crisis. Michigan State Police say nine-year-old Jenna Ypma and her 12-year-old sister Alexis were not hurt. They had last been seen with their father Joel, who never dropped them off at school in Bryon Center.

A person of interest has been apprehended in connection with a pair of violent attacks in Ann Arbor over the weekend. The first happened at the Starbucks along South State Street at about 9 o'clock Saturday night. A man picked up a chair and hit the victim in the back of the head. Then, about an hour and a half later, a man approached a woman in West Park, hitting and punching her about 15 times. Both encounters were unprovoked and the victims didn't know the attacker.

A big scare at a children's birthday party in Monroe County-- Multiple reports say several adults and kids became ill at Splash Universe water park in Dundee on Saturday. They reportedly suffered from burning eyes, difficulty breathing and vomiting. Several sources say the problems were caused by a broken air filtration system, releasing too much chlorine in the air. Paramedics treated all the victims. The park was back open Monday.

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STATE NEWS for MON 11FEB19

Police looking for a suspect involved in a pair of unprovoked violent attacks in Ann Arbor over the weekend. A man approached a student while sitting in the coffee shop on State Street around 9 in the evening on Saturday picked up a chair and struck the victim in the back of the head. Then around 10:30PM the man approached a woman walking through a park and began punching her, striking her over 15 times. A witness describes the suspect as an African American man, in his late 20’s, about 5’10", clean shaven, wearing a grey coat or hoodie, and a khaki hat.

A convicted child molester from Michigan has been arrested in Jonesboro, Arkansas.  Investigators say he was on the run from police after cutting off his electronic tether.  Police say 73-year-old Michael Flaker skipped town before sentencing on eight counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct.  He had been seen in Memphis, Tennessee but he was arrested Saturday night at the Fairview Inn and Suites in Jonesboro, Arkansas after a witness tip.  Sheriff’s deputies say Flaker is from Shelby, Michigan.  He was convicted in December. (MNN story contribution from WIOS-AM 1480 clarifies place of arrest)

A 19-year-old Wisconsin man was killed in a snowmobile crash in the Upper Peninsula's Felch Township in Dickinson County over the weekend. Michigan State Police say the accident happened late Friday afternoon and the teen was pronounced dead at the scene.

The Waterford Township Board of Trustees is set to take up an ordinance that bans the sale of vapes and e-cigarettes to minors. The board meets tonight and is likely to consider adopting the Michigan Clean Indoor Air Act -- which makes it a civil infraction to use vapor products indoors for adults as well. There would be a 100-dollar fine for a first infraction, and then 500-dollar-ticket for every subsequent violation. The ordinance also bans the use of vapes and tobacco products on school grounds.

A bald eagle that was stuck on Lake Michigan in Suttons Bay earlier this month was released on Sunday as hundreds watched. 9 and 10 News reports the eagle got stuck on the Lake when an eight pound ball of ice stuck to his feathers. He was nursed back to health at Wings of Wonder.
(photo: Northern Way of Life studios)



 

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 FRIDAY FEBRUARY 15, 2019
 
DEADLINE FOR NEW FUNDING DEAL TO AVERT ANOTHER PARTIAL FEDERAL GOVT SHUTDOWN
 
2019 NBA ALL-STAR WEEKEND BEGINS
 
VICE PRESIDENT PENCE CONTINUES POLAND / GERMANY TRIP.
 
CONGRESS BREAKS FOR PRESIDENTS DAY DISTRICT WORK
 
U.S. SUPREME COURT MEETS IN PRIVATE CONFERENCE TO DISCUSS CASES AND VOTE ON PETITIONS FOR REVIEW
 
“2020” DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE SEN. KAMALA HARRIS CAMPAIGNS IN SOUTH CAROLINA
 
IRON DOG SNOWMOBILE RACE ACROSS ALASKA
Iron Dog presented by the Alaska National Guard - the world's longest and toughest snowmobile race.

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SATURDAY FEBRUARY 16, 2019

POTUS MAR A LAGO
President Donald Trump is in Palm Beach, Florida.
 
PENCE EUROPE
Vice President Mike Pence concludes trip to Poland and Germany.
 
MUNICH SECURITY CONFERENCE
Munich Security Conference - worldwide security policy conference bringing together senior figures from around the world to discuss current and future security challenges.
 
AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL TOY FAIR
The annual international toy trade show—the largest in the Western Hemisphere.
 
“2020” WARREN
Democratic presidential candidate Senator Elizabeth Warren continues her seven-state organizing tour in South Carolina and Georgia.
 
“2020” BOOKER
Democratic presidential candidate Senator Cory Booker campaigns in New Hampshire.
 
“2020” GILLIBRAND
Democratic Senator Kirsten Gillibrand continues second trip to New Hampshire, for her 2020 exploratory committee.

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SUNDAY FEBRUARY 17, 2019
 
POTUS MAR A LAGO
President Donald Trump is in Palm Beach, Florida.
 
DAYTONA 500
The 61st running of 'The Great American Race', a 500-mile-long Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series event held annually at the Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, FL.
 
2019 WRITERS GUILD OF AMERICA AWARDS
71st annual Writers Guild Awards ceremonies held simultaneously at the Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles and the Edison Ballroom in New York.
 
NBA ALL-STAR GAME
Team LeBron vs. Team Giannis. Meek Mill performs prior to the game, with half-time show by J. Cole.
 
“2020” WARREN
2020 Democratic presidential candidate Senator Elizabeth Warren continues her seven-state organizing tour in Nevada.
 
“2020” BOOKER
Democratic presidential candidate Senator Cory Booker campaigns in New Hampshire.

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MONDAY FEBRUARY 18, 2019

OBAMA MY BROTHER’S KEEPER
Barack Obama, John Legend, and Steph Curry speak at My Brother's Keeper convening in California
MBK Rising!
 
“2020” GILLIBRAND
Democratic presidential candidate Senator Kirsten Gillibrand begins second visit to Iowa.
 
“2020” HARRIS
Democratic presidential candidate Senator Kamala Harris campaigns in New Hampshire, holding a town hall meeting in Portsmouth.
 
“2020” WARREN
Democratic presidential candidate Senator Elizabeth Warren continues her seven-state organizing tour in California.
 
“2020” KLOBUCHAR
CNN Town Hall with 2020 Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Amy Klobuchar, moderated by Don Lemon.
 
“2020” BOOKER
Democratic presidential candidate Senator Cory Booker campaigns in New Hampshire, attending a house party.

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TUESDAY FEBRUARY 19, 2019

CONGRESS RECESS FROM FEB. 15-25TH

SUPREME COURT HEARING
On 'Return Mail, Inc. v. U.S. Postal Service'.
 
“2020” HARRIS
Democratic presidential candidate Senator Kamala Harris speaks at 'Politics & Eggs' event in New Hampshire.

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WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 20, 2019

POTUS AUSTRIAN CHANCELLOR
President Donald Trump welcomes Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz to the White House, to discuss the U.S.-Austria bilateral relationship and 'new avenues for transatlantic cooperation'. Private conversation followed by expanded bilateral meeting
 
SUPREME COURT HEARING
On 'Mission Product Holdings Inc. v. Tempnology, LLC'.
 
YEAR IN HATE & EXTREMISM
Southern Poverty Law Center releases 'Year in Hate and Extremism' report, via press call, featuring an annual count of hate and extremist groups in the U.S.

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THURSDAY FEBRUARY 21, 2019 

PARKLAND SUSPECT IN COURT
Court hearing for accused Florida school gunman Nikolas Cruz, charged with 17 counts of murder at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland on 2/14/18. A trial date is expected to be set
 
“2020” KLOBUCHAR
2020 Democratic presidential candidate Senator Amy Klobuchar is in Iowa.
 
“2020” BOOKER
Democratic presidential candidate Senator Cory Booker expected to headline Los Angeles reception, hosted by Gersh Agency Co-President Bob Gersch and his wife Linda.
 
VA GOVERNOR “APOLOGY TOUR”
Virginia Governor Ralph Northam speaks at Virginia Union University 'Faith, Identity & Social Justice' service, as part of his 'apology tour' in the aftermath of his blackface photo controversy.
 
PUTIN NETANYAHU
Russian President Vladimir Putin meets Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, following a bilateral in Paris three months ago. Talks to be held on Syria and Iran. Netanyahu says he wants to prevent Tehran from creating 'another warfront' against Israel
 
EXISTING HOME SALES JANUARY RELEASED
 
FIFA SENTENCING
Sentencing of former Torneos y Competencias CEO Alejandro Burzaco, a soccer official charged as part of the Department of Justice investigation into alleged corruption within the game and governing body FIFA

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FRIDAY FEBRUARY 22, 2019 
 
SUPREME COURT MEETING
Meets in private conference to discuss cases and vote on petitions for review.
 
“2020” WARREN
Democratic Presidential candidate Elizabeth Warren headlines New Hampshire Democratic Party 2019 McIntyre-Shaheen 100 Club Dinner.

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-end ABC News futures-

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