Updated 08/07/20

 Fri. Local News Audio

LOCAL NEWS for FRI 07AUG20

The Alcona County Sheriff's Office reports that on Friday, July 31st at approximately 2:45pm, deputies were dispatched to a distress call on Lake Huron near the Harrisville Harbor. A 21 foot Sea Swirl boat lost power in both of its motors and became beached after drifting in from approximately a mile east of the harbor. The vessel was operated by Roger Lawcock of Bridgeport who along with his wife and three grandchildren were aboard the vessel. Deputies launched the Sheriff's patrol boat from the Harrisville Harbor and located the stranded vessel approximately 500 yards north of the Harbor. Deputies were able to toss a rescue line to the stranded boat and free it up from the shore. The vessel was then towed back to Harrisville Harbor. None of the occupants were injured. The Alcona County Sheriff's Office has conducted ten marine runs for assistance on Lake Huron so far this year. 

A bridge replacement project in Huron County has begun.  The bridge over the New River in Huron Township is being replaced. According to the Huron Daily Tribune, Moeller Road between New River Road and Iseler Road will be closed for approximately six weeks, weather permitting. Huron County Highway Engineer, Gary Osminksi, said the bridge dates back to the 1920's or 30's and will be replaced by a precast concrete bridge. The Huron County Road Commission contracted Nicol and Sons to complete the bridge project. The detour from the south is Verona Road to Shott Road to New River Road.

The Michigan State Police West Branch Post's "Trunkline Traffic Initiative" is still in effect. West Branch Post Troopers have dedicated approximately 165 hours of traffic enforcement to the main roadways including M-65, M-55, M-33, I-75 and U.S. 23. The goal of the traffic initiative is to reduce fatalities and injuries through education. West Branch Post Assistant Commander Lieutenant Mike Brown said one life lost or one injury sustained due to excessive speed or impaired driving is one too many. Patrol time is scheduled on a daily basis with locations of enforcement at the discretion of the trooper and sergeant.

The Crawford Ogemaw Oscoda Roscommon Intermediate School Board will hold a public hearing next week.  The COOR ISD Board of Education will host the hearing via their website. According to the Ogemaw County Herald, the board is considering updates and will be seeking input to the district's anti-bullying policy. The hearing will begin at 6pm Wednesday, August 12th on COOR ISD Dot Net. The public may submit comments by 5:30pm that day at 989-275-9575. The Anti-Bullying Policy is available for public inspection by calling 989-275-9538 or emailing Info At COOR ISD Dot Net.

Top

 Thu. Local News Audio

LOCAL NEWS for THU 06AUG20

Two bars in Saginaw County have temporarily closed after employees may have been exposed to the Coronavirus. Coty’s Landing on Midland Road, and Baywood Lounge on Bay Road, both in Saginaw Township, are closed due to unrelated cases. Test results for staff members at Coty’s Landing are pending and a reopening date has yet to been established. Baywood Lounge closed on August 1st, after “a few staff members may have been exposed to Covid-19 through a mutual friend,” according to a post on the bar’s Facebook page. All staff were to be tested and the bar sanitized.

Bay City Police investigating a stabbing in a downtown park on Wednesday afternoon. It happened around 5:30PM at Wenonah Park where a fight broke out, one person was stabbed in the neck. The 22-year-old victim from Mount Pleasant was taken to a local hospital. He underwent surgery and is in stable condition in the Intensive Care Unit. A 32-year-old Bay City man was arrested and is being held in the Bay County Jail on a charge of assault with a dangerous weapons.

Air Force officials recently announced how cleanup funding will be used at Wurtsmith Airport.  Plans were discussed at the Wurtsmith Restoration Advisory Board meeting. According to the Iosco County News Herald, the Air Force reported that more than half of the $13.5 million dollars it was given for contamination cleanup at the former base in Oscoda will go toward further investigation. Air Force official David Gibson said that 56% or $7.6 million dollars will be used for Remedial Investigation to delineate the nature and extent of PFAS across the entire former base. 41%, or $5.5 million dollars will be used for Interim Remedial Actions including  PFAS plumes impacting Van Ettan Lake and Clark's Marsh. The final 3%, or $355,000 dollars will be used to dispose of a PFAS contaminated concrete pad. The timeline for the plans is expected to begin later this year.

The Michigan Department of Transportation has planned a road project in Alcona County.  The road reconstruction project will be on U.S. 23 in Harrisville and Haynes Townships. According to the Alcona County Review, the project is slated to begin next spring and continue through the summer. The two mile reconstruction project will begin at Family Dollar in Harrisville and end just south of Lake Shore Drive. It will begin in early April and should be completed by the 4th of July weekend, weather permitting. Traffic will be detoured to M-72 to Barlow Road and F- 41 to Chippewa Point heading north with the reverse for southbound motorists. The highway will be open to local traffic to access residences and businesses during the project. 

Top

  Wed. Local News Audio

LOCAL NEWS for WED 05AUG20

The Alcona County Sheriff’s Department reports that on Saturday at approximately 6am, deputies were dispatched to the Cedar Lake Grocery Store in Greenbush Township for a breaking and entering complaint. Upon arrival, deputies observed the front door of the business to be broken out and entry had been made into the business. Deputies secured the site and requested the Michigan State Police K-9 Unit out of the Gaylord Post to assist. Deputies observed numerous liquor bottles stolen. At around noon, after further investigation, deputies located the suspect in a nearby residence, a 15 year old boy from Livonia. A juvenile petition was sent to the Alcona County Prosecutor. The suspect’s name is not being released because he is a juvenile.

The Michigan State Police Alpena Post says two men from Saginaw were arrested after a drug deal went wrong in Northern Michigan. 22-year-old John Harvey Gaddy and 17-year-old Duran Louis Lowe have been charged with felony accessory after the fact. MSP says the incident happened in Alpena County on August 1st when the suspects sold 400-dollars in imitation methamphetamine to the victims. Police later apprehended the suspects, they're now being held in the Alpena County Jail. (Photos: L-Gaddy, R-Lowe)

Top

  Tue. Local News Audio

LOCAL NEWS for TUE 04AUG20

Today is Primary Election Day and there are numerous contested races in northeast Michigan.  In Alcona County there are contested races for the Road Commission and Board of Commissioners. In Arenac County voters will decide on races for Sheriff, Clerk and Board of Commissioner seat. In Iosco County there is a race for Sheriff and two Board of Commissioners seats. Voters in Ogemaw County will see contested races for Sheriff, Clerk and Board of Commissioner seat. In Oscoda County there are contested races for Sheriff, Clerk/Register of Deeds and Road Commissioner. There are also races at the township and city level. Polls are open until 8pm.

There are also many county-wide millage proposals on the ballot today.  In Alcona County there are proposals for EMS, MSU Extension and Veterans Affairs. Arenac County voters will decide on millages for Public Transportation, Ambulance Services, Sheriff Road Patrol and Senior Services. In Iosco County there are proposals for an Offset of the Millage Rollbacks, MSU Extension, Iosco Transit and EMS. In Ogemaw County there are millage proposals for Public Transit and for the Library. In Oscoda County voters will decide proposals for the Library and two Sheriff's Department millages. There are also proposals for Alcona Community Schools, AuGres-Sims Schools and Fairview Schools. There are also numerous Township and City level proposals on the ballot. Polls are open until 8pm.   

The Mio Ranger District of the Huron Manistee National Forest announced a new firewood cutting opportunity. The Mio Green Firewood Area, seven and a half miles east of Highway 33 on Evans Road, was developed to help improve forest landscape conditions by thinning the overstocked stand, while simultaneously providing an opportunity for the public to cut live and dead trees for firewood. The area permits the cutting of primarily oak and maple and a specific firewood permit is required. They can be purchased for $5 dollars per hundred cubic feet with a minimum purchase of $20 dollars at the Mio Ranger District Office, 107 McKinley Road in Mio. Fore more information call 989-826-3252.

Top

 Mon. Local News Audio

LOCAL NEWS for MON 03AUG20

The city of Omer has a new stoplight.  The new light is at the intersection of U.S. 23 and Main Street near the old courthouse. According to the Arenac County Independent, the new stoplight was installed by the Michigan Department of Transportation due to the detour for M-65. Omer Mayor Clark Sanford said the city has desired a stoplight since the fatal accident that occurred in December. He said that he is arguing to keep the stoplight after the detour is finished. Sanford added that he also wishes to install crosswalk buttons as well as warning signs for the new crosswalk. 

More than 1,200 homeowners and renters have been approved for more than $25.3 Million dollars in assistance from FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration due to May flooding. To date, the SBA has approved 141 loans to individuals and businesses totaling just over $10 Million dollars in Arenac, Gladwin, Iosco, Midland and Saginaw Counties. To register for federal disaster assistance do so at DisasterAssistance.gov or call toll free at 800-621-3362. The registration deadline is September 8th. Homeowners, renters and businesses of all sizes can apply for SBA low interest loans to help cover immediate repair, rebuilding and replacement costs. Loan applications are available at DisasterLoan.SBA.gov.

Tawas City officials recently discussed an upcoming project.  Tawas City Council members unanimously approved the contract for the Sixth Avenue water main project. According to the Iosco County News Herald, the project was awarded to Schaaf & Associates Construction of East Tawas. The project will include approximately 1,100 feet of new water main and 180 feet of sewer along Sixth Avenue, from Second to Mathews Street. Cost for the project is estimated at just over $376,000 dollars. The bid also included $19,980 dollars for a fire hydrant replacement on the corner of Cedar and Oak Streets.     

Top

During the virus crises, the Red Cross needs more blood donations than ever.  Please schedule a blood donation appointment.  Give the gift of life.  Due to the health crises, donation restrictions on certain groups of individuals have been eased, please check the Red Cross website for more details.

Click Logo for
DNR Burn Permit
 

Current MI News Network Audio

Current MI Sports Network Audio

STATE NEWS for FRI 07AUG20

Governor Whitmer remains in the running as Joe Biden continues to narrow down the search for a running mate for the November election. MSNBC reports that the Biden campaign has been reaching out to the local chapters of the UAW, AFL-CIO and Teamsters to discuss their views on Whitmer. If she were to join the ticket and Biden wins, Lt Governor Garlin Gilchrist would become Michigan's first ever Black governor. Biden is expected to announce his choice next week.

A Port Huron restaurant owner has taken to Facebook to apologize for a public post saying the Governor "should go and kill herself." Mark Wrubel, who co-owns "Chef Shell's" made on the comment on a St. Clair County forum. Wrubel says he is afraid of "losing everything" and emotions got the best of him. Some people have been taking to the restaurant's Facebook page to say they will no longer dine there.

The number of Coronavirus cases in Michigan continuing to go up by the hundreds each day. The state health department announced 722 new cases on Thursday, as well as 26 new deaths. 17 of those deaths, however, were identified during a records review. Thursday's numbers put the totals at over 85,000 cases, and 6,200 deaths.

-Meanwhile-

The Lansing School District Board of Education announcing it will cancel all fall sports. The Lansing School District superintendent Sam Sinicropi said in a statement “I know how disappointing the cancellation of sports and extra-curricular activities may be for students, coaches and parents, but the school district must make decisions moving forward that makes safety our top-priority. Unlike college and professional sports where decisions are driven by money, our decisions about sports and extra- curricular activities must be made with safety as our defining factor.

-Also-

When it comes to casual dining "in" during the pandemic, a new survey shows Michigan residents are most likely to choose the Texas Roadhouse. The survey by Top Data shows that Olive Garden, Applebees, Chili's and Buffalo Wild Wings round out Michigan's top five. Most people, though, are still choosing fast food over dining in. Dining in is down by nearly 60 percent during the pandemic, while fast food revenues declined just 30 percent.

The city of Kalamazoo is delaying plans to install chicanes or “bump outs” in a north side neighborhood. The project kicked off on July 31st as residents discussed the problem of speeding and reckless driving with city officials. Deputy City Manager Jeff Chamberlain said in an email the project is now being reviewed after he received complaints from residents about the devices.

The Marquette County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a fatal three-vehicle crash on Marquette County Road. Officials say at 57-year-old Marquette man was killed in the accident when his vehicle crossed the center line and hit an oncoming car. The man was taken to UP Health System-Marquette with life threatening injuries -- and was pronounced dead at the hospital. The two other drivers involved in the crash did not require hospitalization.

Charges have been dropped against a driver involved an a fatal hit-and-run crash in Kalamazoo. 46-year-old Anita McClendon was killed in the accident on April 27th on Ada Street. A 19-year-old Kalamazoo female driver had been charged with operating a vehicle without a license causing death, and leaving the scene of an accident resulting in serious impairment or death. Kalamazoo County District Judge Kathleen Hemingway dismissed both charges without prejudice on Thursday. She said there was no evidence that McClendon died because of the injuries from the vehicle.

Grand Rapids police say a man was wounded in a shooting on the city's Southwest side last night. It happened around 7:50PM on Grandville Avenue, near Liberty Street. The victim was shot in the back and is hospitalized in critical condition. The shooting happened near the same area where a 12-year-old was shot two days earlier on Olympia Street SW.

Top

STATE NEWS for THU 06AUG20

Kent County Prosecutor Chris Becker has charged a man with murder for a double homicide of his ex-girlfriend and her friend in Grand Rapids earlier this year. 30-yearold Juan Nico Garcia is accused of killing Jai’onna Braden and Quavon Lee while they were sitting in a car on June 7th on Bemis Street near Eastern Avenue SE. Braden's mother says Garcia wouldn’t leave her daughter alone, and continued to call her relentlessly and in one instance breaking out her car windows

The Associated Press has declared Julie Rogers the winner of the Democratic primary for the 60th District in the Michigan House of Representatives. Rogers was ahead of Stephanie Moore by 423 votes once all precincts were in and absentee ballots were included in the count. Moore said she is looking into the possibility of a recount because of questions about the processing of ballots. Unofficial results indicate Rogers received more than 51% of the vote with 7,108 cast in her favor. Moore got 6,685 votes, more than 48% of the total. Another 35 votes were cast for write-in candidates.

Grand Rapids Public Schools administrators plan to provide students with the necessary devices for virtual learning this fall. Officials discussed the plan during an online town hall-style event Wednesday night. While students are able to use their own technology for virtual learning, the district is prepared to provide devices for all GRPS students. School administrators previously announced the plan for online-only education to start the upcoming school year. The Board of Education is expected to vote on the plan at its Monday, August 10th meeting. Classes are scheduled to begin August 25th.

A woman in St. Clair County has won a $1 million jackpot playing the Michigan Lottery’s Millionaire Maker instant game. 31-year-old Jodi Sass says she was going to a local store to buy sour cream for dinner and picked up a ticket -- she scratched it off when she got home and realized she was a winner. Sass bought her ticket at the Fargo Market on Fargo Road in Avoca. She visited Michigan Lottery headquarters last week to claim her prize. She chose a one-time lump-sum payment of 634-thousand dollars.

A Kent County man accused of killing his in-laws says he was hearing voices when he gave an alleged confession to the crime. 35-year-old Nathan Board testified during an online hearing yesterday. His attorney hopes to have the confession thrown out before Board’s trial on September 8th. Board is charged with two counts of murder for the deaths of Theodore and Patty Syrek. He told authorities he had been hearing voices for three week before allegedly confessing to the crime on September 5th, 2018, a day after the bodies were discovered.

Lake Odessa police say a woman nearly drowned in Jordan Lake on Wednesday evening. The 59-year-old woman was found unresponsive in the water around 6:20PM. She was pulled out of the lake by people at the scene. One witness performed CPR on her until the fire department arrived. The victim regained a pulse and was able to breath on her own, she was taken to the hospital for additional treatment.

Michigan-based Rocket Companies sets their Initial Public Offering prices at 18- DOLLARS per share, putting the companies value at 1-point-8 BILLION dollars. The initial offer price per share WAS expected to be in the 20 to 22-dollar range. The company will begin trading today on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol R-K-T

Top

STATE NEWS for WED 05AUG20

It was a good night for issues in many communities in southwest Michigan. In Allegan County, fire , roads and parks and recreation issues passed, while in Clyde Township ambulance and fire proposals were approved. In Barry County, the Carlton Township fire millage was approved. The Hope Township fire and road issues passed. Two school issues were approved in Athens in Calhoun County.  Meanwhile, many issues were approved in the Upper Peninsula. A fire millage was approved in Au Train Township, Voters said yes to emergency services and operating millages in Burt Township. A senior assistance renewal was approved in Baraga County and a schools millage was approved in Baraga.

The increase in absentee ballots is slowing down the primary election results this morning in Wayne County. As of this morning, the county had posted close to 30-percent of the vote totals. So far, it appears that County prosecutor Kym Worthy is ahead of her challenger, Victoria Burton-Harris, with nearly 6o-percent of the votes. The state issued more than TWO million absentee ballots for yesterday's primary.

In Oakland County, police and fire millages were approved in Groveland Township, Independence Township, Oak Park and Orion Township. A public road millage was approved in Auburn Hills. Meanwhile, Proposal R in Royal Oak Township that would have allowed all forms of recreational marijuana establishments....failed.

The grandson of the founder of Meijer, Peter Meijer , has won the republican primary for the third congressional seat held by Justin Amash in west Michigan. The Michigan Republican Party says they'd like to congratulate Peter Meijer on his big win. They say when Michigan's third congressional district needed a voice in Washington, Justin Amash turned his back on constituents. Meijer will face Democrat Hillary Scholten (Skul-ten) in November. In the sixth congressional district , Congressman Fred Upton has beaten Elena Oelke (ol-key). Final results aren't decided on who he'll face in November. In the tenth district republican primary, Lisa McClain is leading State Representative Shane Hernandez. Congressman Paul Mitchell is not seeking re-election.

It is on to the general election in the race for U-S Senate in Michigan. Republican John James will take on Democrat Gary Peters in November. Peters, in a statement says, "I’m humbled and grateful for the diversity of support our campaign continues to receive from Michiganders across the state. It’s clear Michiganders want effective, bipartisan leaders who will work with anyone to get the job done." The Michigan Republican party said in a statement, "For too long, Gary Peters has been an ineffective and weak leader in Washington and Michiganders deserve better."

Top

STATE NEWS for TUE 04AUG20

Family members of a 12-year-old girl shot in Grand Rapids last night are furious about the violence. The girl was shot in the leg and taken to DeVos Children's Hospital. The girl's aunt, Latiffany Nieves, says she's furious because for this to transpire where are pulling out guns and shooting. She says she doesn't get what’s the purpose of it all. There's no word if anyone's been arrested.

Michigan State Police will send six troopers to Benton Harbor to crack down on large gatherings, loud music and reckless drivers. Benton Harbor reached out to state police in response to residents' pleas to restore "order and tranquility" in the city. The troopers will hit the streets for several weeks, starting today. Daniel McGinnis, director of public safety in Benton Harbor, says hundreds of young adults have been gathering, despite the risk of the Coronavirus. McGinnis says they play loud music, twerk on top of cars and shoot guns in the air.

Two Detroit casinos are set to reopen their doors this Wednesday with some changes made to try and slow the spread of the Coronavirus. Motor City President Bruce Dall says the facility has been upgraded and masks are required. Both Motor City and Greektown will reopen at 10 this morning. MGM will follow their lead later this week on Friday.

There was a serious crash in southwest Michigan's Niles Township on Wednesday afternoon. The Berrien County Sheriff's Office says a 26-year-old man driving a pickup truck made a left turn in front of a motorcycle, hitting the motorcycle. The driver of the motorcycle was taken to Memorial Hospital with serious injuries.

Top

STATE NEWS for MON 03AUG20

Casinos are getting ready to reopen their doors this week in Detroit.. It will be the first time they open in nearly FIVE months because of the Coronavirus pandemic. There will be some changes, though. Casinos can only reopen at 15-percent capacity, and everyone will have to submit to a temperature check before entering the facility. COVID-19 has slashed casino revenue by more than 50 percent. In the past few months, all three casinos issued notices that they would lay off thousands of employees. The official reopening is scheduled for Wednesday.

-Meanwhile-

The Detroit Tigers will not play today due to more Coronavirus concerns... This comes as more Saint Louis Cardinals players have tested positive for COVID-19 yesterday. Saint Louis announced they would play four games in Detroit from August 4 to August 6, including a Wednesday doubleheader. In that case, the Cardinals and Tigers would serve as the home club for two games each at Comerica Park. Major League Baseball has had to postpone roughly 20 games in the past couple of weeks due to players testing positive to the disease... that includes 18 Miami Marlins players and staff members.

A group of 10 people are recovering this morning after being exposed to carbon monoxide over the weekend. South Haven authorities say they received a distress call from a boat that was traveling from Saint Joseph to South Haven. They successfully intercepted the boat and took in all the passengers.

Battle Creek Police officers were assaulted after responding to a murder on Sunday. MLive reports a 38-year-old man was stabbed and died at the scene. Police learned a male suspect left through the back door and they saw a man walking a block away... Police talked to him and tried to detain him when he assaulted them and took off. He was arrested and is being held at the Calhoun County Jail for open murder and resisting police.

The parents of a Redford girl who was shot in the head by her brother are facing child abuse charges. The Wayne County Prosecutor's office filed the charges against 27- year olds Jonclaude Norwood Sr. and Melissa Kiser nearly one month after their five year old daughter was shot by their four-year old son. The girl is recovering. Police say the little boy found an unsecured handgun that belonged to a relative of the parents. The couple are expected to appear before a judge this morning.

Top 

-end ABC News futures-

Every year, tons of trash is illegally dumped in Michigan's forests. Want to help clean it up? Join the Adopt-a-Forest program and help to keep our woods, water and trails beautiful.

Find A Michigan
Historical Marker!