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STATE NEWS for WED
03MAR21
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STATE NEWS for TUE 02MAR21
They
have been protecting our country and the U.S. Capitol for weeks, but
members of the Michigan National Guard are dealing with some
unbelievable issues with their food. It's not just bad food, but
potentially dangerous. The Michigan National Guard issued a statement
that the thousand, or so, members assisting in Washington D-C were
served undercooked food and food that had to be thrown out because it
contained metal shavings. Some members got sick and others went to the
hospital. Congresswoman Brenda Lawrence and Senator Gary Peters
are looking into the issue.
Former
Michigan Department of Public Health and Human Services director Robert
Gordon will receive more than $155-Thousand dollars as part of a
separation agreement. The agreement calls for Gordon to drop all
claims against the state. It also promises legal assistance in matters
relating to actions he took while director. Gordon resigned in
January after the Michigan Supreme Court effectively invalidated many of
Governor Gretchen Whitmer's executive orders pertaining to the pandemic,
Gordon issued essentially the same mandates under state laws unaddressed
by the court, prompting protests outside his home.
(Photo: Gordon)
Three people are dead, including a 22-year-old woman and her unborn
child after a two vehicle crash in west Michigan's Branch Township, east
of Ludington on US-10. The Mason County Sheriff's Office reports a
24-year-old man was also killed, and the pregnant woman was his
passenger. The suspected driver of the other vehicle ran from the scene
and was found by a deputy and a DNR Conservation officer with help from
citizens in the area. That driver is being treated for non-life
threatening injuries. Alcohol and speed are likely factors in the
crash.
The youngest killer in Kent County has now been released from the
Evart Youth Academy. Jamarion Lawhorn was 12 when he stabbed
nine-year-old Connor Verkerke on a playground in 2014. Lawhorn chose
Connor at random, hoping that police would
kill him and end his life of abuse with his mother and stepfather. His
probation officer, Dan Cory, says he believes he's ready to go now.
Lawhorn is moving into the home of a woman who runs a prison ministry
program who has filled the role as his mother. He
will be on probation and work with a counselor and get a job.
Michigan
should begin receiving doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine tomorrow.
A Grand Rapids pharmaceutical plant, Grand River Aseptic Manufacturing,
is manufacturing the single shot vaccine. Company president and ceo Tom
Ross says it
will be distributed throughout the world and will profoundly impact the
world as we know it today. He says the opportunity to really save lives
and be part of this solution is something you can only dream of.
An indictment has been issued against the Geek Group in Grand Rapids for
alleged illegal Bitcoin trade and money laundering. The company
was raided more than two years ago. The company's president, a board
member and a consultant have been named as defendants. Authorities claim
that the company was not licenses with the U.S. Department of Treasury
as a money services business.
Detroit and Cincinnati police are trying to find out more about a
55-year old man who was shot by officers during a shootout on the city's
eastside. 55-year old Chandra Moore was wanted for killing his wife and
two other people on Sunday. It's unclear why he ended up at the
Rivertown Inn and Suites hotel along Jefferson Avenue in Detroit.
Moore fired at officers as he was leaving his room yesterday morning. He
was shot
several times and was last reported in critical condition. No officers
were hurt.
A 71-year old elected official in Traverse City claims she hasn't
had a raise in eight years because the county wants to force her out of
office. Register of deeds for Grand Traverse County, Peggy Haines, has
been in office since 2000. Haines has filed an age discrimination
lawsuit.
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STATE NEWS for MON 01MAR21
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There
were fewer drivers and crashes on Michigan roads last year, more
traffic related
deaths. State Police say relaxed enforcement by local police departments
could be responsible for the increase, along with pandemic frustration
among drivers. Deaths on Michigan roads were up 7 percent (7%) in
2020 despite 18 percent (18%) fewer drivers. Police say seatbelt
use was also down while spinout crashes were up, which led to more
people being ejected. Drug and alcohol use could also be factors.
Police have identified a man who was shot near Rockford early
Sunday morning. Kent County deputies were called to Algoma Estates in
Algoma Township at 6:30AM on a report of a shooting. The victim has been
identified as 31-year-old Anthony White of Rockford. He was taken to a
local hospital for treatment and is in critical condition. The situation
that led to the shooting is unknown, but police set up a perimeter with
a K-9
unit assisting. After several hours, deputies were able to take the
shooting suspect into custody.
Nearly
all public school districts in Michigan are re-opening their classrooms
today for face-to-face learning. The governor says 97 percent (97%) of
districts are now offering an in-person learning option for students.
State Superintendent Dr. Michael Rice calls the update encouraging. He
says there's nothing wrong with parents choosing to educate
their children remotely, but he adds that all parents should have a
choice.
Two people were hospitalized in Midland County with non-life-threatening
injuries after being stabbed by an 18-year-old relative. Sheriff’s
deputies were dispatched to a Mills Township residence around 3PM on
Saturday where the stabbing allegedly occurred. The victims, a
55-year-old man and 54-year-old woman, were transported by EMS to
Mid-Michigan Medical Center for treatment. An 18-year-old male suspect,
who is related to the victims, was taken into custody at the scene. He
is being lodged at the Midland County Jail while he awaits arraignment.
A
32-year-old Ohio man has been charged with directing terrorist threats
at a Port Huron elementary school and police officers. Dominik Hricovsky
faces multiple charges, including a threat of terrorism and being a
felon in possession of a firearm. A police statement accused Hricovsky
of placing several calls to emergency dispatch threatening to burn down
the Cleveland Elementary School and to shoot at police officers.
Dispatchers traced the calls to a Port Huron apartment where officers
found Hricovsky visiting his girlfriend.
(Police Photo: Hricovsky)
Michigan State Police and the South Lyon Police Department are
investigating after person died in a hit and run late Friday night
outside Plymouth. Authorities responded to the scene just before
midnight in the area of Pontiac Trail near Six Mile Road in Salem
Township. The area was closed for about five hours for an investigation.
The Northfield Township Police Department and Huron Valley Ambulance
assisted on the scene. Details on the suspect vehicle are still pending.
Portage Public Safety officials say two people were rescued
Saturday after falling through the ice at Hampton Lake. First
responders were able to pull both of them from the water, and treated
each of them for hypothermia. The department is asking people to
stay off the ice for the remainder of the season. Texas Township
Fire Rescue and PrideCare Ambulance assisted with the double rescue and
medical support. The two people were treated and are expected to be ok.
Gas
prices are at their highest in 18 months. Michigan drivers are now
paying an average of $2.76 per gallon. That's up 12 cents compared
to last week and the highest since September 2019. Triple A says the
increase is due to longer-than-expected refinery outages caused by the
winter storm that impacted the Gulf Coast. The most expensive gas is in
Saginaw, Grand Rapids and Lansing, while the least expensive
gas is in Traverse City, Metro Detroit and Marquette.
Top
STATE NEWS for FRI 26FEB21
The
Michigan Senate approved nearly two billion dollars in COVID-19 relief
funding. This includes additional support for vaccine distribution, more
COVID-19 testing and increase pay for frontline healthcare workers,
along with money for rental assistance and additional support for
schools.
-Also-
The Kalamazoo Public Schools will remain virtual for the rest of
the school year. That decision was made last night by the school board.
The superintendent made the recommendation a couple of weeks ago, saying
kids would only have had 22 days of in person instruction by going in
person in the third trimester. She said a potential outbreak could
further impact instruction. A student launched an online petition to
return to in person classes and 500 have reportedly signed it.
-And-
Nearly two dozen employees at a Whole Foods store in Detroit have
tested positive for Covid-19. The city of Detroit says 23 employees at
the Mack Avenue location are infected with the virus. The store is now
receiving rapid testing for all employees. Company officials say
no workers or close contacts of any employee who has tested positive
will be allowed back to work until they have produced a negative test
result.
A
former U.S. Olympics gymnastics coach with ties to disgraced sports
doctor Larry Nassar has killed himself in Michigan. John Geddert
died after being charged with two dozen crimes, including human
trafficking. Geddert was supposed to appear in court today . His body
was found at a rest area. Earlier, Attorney General Dana Nessel
accused Geddert of turning his elite Lansing area gym into a criminal
enterprise by coercing girls to train there and then abusing them.
Several bullets hit a semi truck traveling on I-94 east of
Kalamazoo last night. Deputies with the Kalamazoo County sheriff's
Office report that the driver or a fed car, possibly a Ford Fusion,
fired several shots at the truck in Comstock Township. The truck driver
was not hurt. Anyone with information should call the sheriff's office
or Silent Observer.
Police in Kalamazoo are asking for the public's help to solve a
murder last night. They say a 64-year-old man was shot and killed just
after eight last night on West Main Street. Police found the man
unresponsive and attempted life saving measures, but he died. Anyone
with information should call police or Silent Observer.
The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled against a Grand Rapids man in his
lawsuit over two federal officers punching and tackling him after they
thought he was a home invasion suspect back in 2014. James King was a
student at Grand Valley State University when the incident happened. He
was charged with resisting officers and was acquitted. The Supreme Court
ruled unanimously against King, citing conflicts between
a first lawsuit and an amended one. WOOD TV reports his attorney
believes there may be a way forward for the case.
A 70-year-old man, missing from Mecosta County since earlier this month,
has been found dead in Missaukee County's Butterfield Township . M-Live
reports the body of Richard Wymer was found in his Chevy Suburban in the
driver's seat. State Police say the cause of death is being
investigated.
A Macomb County man will be sentenced today for a fatal punch
thrown at a bar in St. Clair Shores in 2019.
Surveillance video from Kapone's Bar shows Hatum Akrawi slowly walk up
from behind and punch Shawn Kubic in the side of the head. He never
regained consciousness. Akrawi pleaded guilty to manslaughter, but
Kubic's family believes the charge should be murder. His mother will
give a victim impact statement at the sentencing hearing today.
A UCLA MBA student from Michigan racked up 72-thousand dollars in cash
and prizes competing on "Wheel of Fortune." Kyle Biard, of Grosse
Pointe, won a Ford Mustang, a trip and cash for beating other
contestants in solving puzzles on the show.
They're
big. They're incredibly loud. And they're coming by the billions.
Michigan is one
of 15 states set to be invaded by cicadas . We see them every summer,
leaving their molted cases in our yards. But once every 17 years, a
truly massive brood emerges from the ground, filling the air with a
deafening mating hum that can reach up to 100 decibels. The phenomenon
is called Brood X and it's set to arrive this May. Scientists say
for five to six weeks, the bugs will be impossible to miss.
Top
STATE NEWS for THU 25FEB21
Michigan
Governor Gretchen Whitmer says there may be changes coming soon to
executive orders that put limitations on restaurants and bars as well as
family
gatherings. In her latest briefing Wednesday, the Governor said she is
aware that restaurant owners, who are currently limited to 25-percent
capacity, want to have more customers. Various restrictions for bars,
restaurants, families and nursing homes have been in place since
mid-November. The governor also said changes to nursing home visitations
and family gatherings could be announced next week.
-Meanwhile-
A group of Republican lawmakers is calling for an investigation
into the governor's handling of nursing homes amid the Coronavirus
pandemic. In a letter to the Michigan Attorney General and U-S
Department of Justice, Oakland County Senator Jim Runestad claims the
state's policies placed patients with and without COVID-19 in the same
facilities and may have exacerbated the death toll. He also questions
the
accuracy of the reported number of cases and deaths in the state's
long-term care facilities.
-Also-
Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist says officials are working around
the clock to get more COVID-19 vaccines into the state as Michigan
continued to experience issues getting shots into its residents' arms.
Some state hospitals have reportedly gone weeks without any new doses.
In Genesee County, the vaccine wait list was 30,000 people as of
Tuesday. The Lieutenant Governor said Michigan doesn't stockpile
vaccines and that
each shipment goes directly to local health departments and hospitals.
He said Michiganders of color were also getting vaccinated at much lower
rates than white Michiganders.
-And-
The total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the state of
Michigan is now 583,964 with total deaths at 15,405. The Michigan
Department of Health and Human Services reported 1,245 new cases and
nine new deaths on Wednesday.
The Michigan House has unveiled a bipartisan plan to improve the
quality of health care while making it more accessible and affordable
for people in Michigan. The plan offers three main goals: Lowering the
cost of prescription medicine, increasing access to care and making
every level of the health-care industry provide a higher standard of
care. Among the proposed solutions are reforms to cap out-of-pocket
costs for insulin, ensure access to life-saving treatments like oral
chemotherapy, put a check on unregulated prescription middlemen who
manipulate drug prices and pad their pockets with money instead of
passing along savings to consumers.
A northern Michigan school district is taking extra measures to
care for its students. Manistee Area Public Schools is opening up an
on-campus health center inside the middle and high school building. If a
student needs anything from vaccination to a sports physical, they can
walk through the hallway of their own school and visit the northwest
Michigan Health Clinic. Appointments are available Monday through
Friday
even throughout the summer. The clinic serves students ages 5 through
21. Medical and mental health services include crisis intervention,
substance use counseling and education, and vision and hearing
screenings.
Michigan
retailers reported an increase in January sales over December, now
reporting two months of positive growth since sales were down in
November. The January Retail Index survey came in at 59.4, up from
December’s 54.7. Forty-one percent of Michigan retailers reported an
increase in sales over December, 52% reported a sales decline; and 7%
reported no change. Index values above 50 generally indicate positive
activity; the higher the number, the stronger the activity.
Legislation has been introduced to update and expand Michigan’s
40-year-old “Bottle Bill” law. It would expand the state's current
10-cent deposit on certain soft drinks, beer, and other carbonated
beverages to all other non-carbonated beverages, except for milk
containers. The legislation would permit universal redemption, allow ing
consumers to take any recyclable bottle to a large store while allowing
smaller stores to maintain smaller take-backs. It would also create a
bottle handling fund to reimburse distributors
and dealers on a per-bottle-basis. That funding would be made available
for audits and fraud enforcement and could provide $25 million each year
to address contaminated sites.
After ice and snow cover melt on Michigan lakes this early spring,
it may be more likely for people to discover dead fish or other aquatic
animals. While such sights can be startling, the Department of Natural
Resources reminds everyone that it is normal, since winter conditions
can cause fish and other creatures such as turtles, frogs, toads and
crayfish to die. DNR officials say winterkill is the most common type of
fish kill, and as the season changes, it can be particularly common in
shallow lakes, ponds, streams and canals. They remind everyone that
these kills are localized and typically do not affect the overall health
of the fish populations or fishing quality.
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State
police have arrested a man they say attacked two people and chased them
with an ax in Cheboygan County. 21-year-old Chance Leese, of Afton, is
now facing assault charges. Witnesses say Leese got into a fight with
another man and assaulted a woman at a home in Walker Township. As
the victims tried to leave, troopers say Leese chased them with an ax
and threw it at the vehicle which also had several children inside.
It
was a grisly find for a fisherman and his friend in Saginaw County as
one snared a work shoe out of the Flint River and there was a foot
inside the boot. A search was conducted Friday night , but no other body
parts were found. The work shoe and foot were taken to the Michigan
Institute of Forensic Science of Medicine to determine how long the foot
may have been in the water, the gender, ethnicity and age of the person
it belonged to. Police are expected to go through missing person cases
in the area.
Iosco
County will be joining the Rave Alert System. Iosco County 911
Director Mike Eller, discussed the system at the recent Iosco County
Board of Commissioners meeting. According to the Iosco County News
Herald, Eller said that Emergency Management Director, Mike Bowers,
spearheaded the effort to get a Homeland Security Grant to pay for the
service in Arenac, Ogemaw and Oscoda counties as well as Iosco. Eller
said the Rave Alert System would be used to let residents know about
things like road closures, flooding, COVID-19 alerts and other emergency
information that would be valuable to get out to the public. The
messages could be sent via text messages, emails, Facebook and other
avenues of alerting the public. Board members will vote on approving the
system at their next meeting later this month. 
AuGres
City Officials will hold a Public Hearing tonight. 
Girl’s
Basketball:
One
person is dead following a Sunday morning house fire in Flint Township.
Firefighters responded to the scene on Southgate Drive around 8AM. Upon
arrival, Flint Township Fire Department crews found heavy smoke from the
first floor windows of the home. Firefighters entered the house and
found high heat and heavy smoke conditions on the main floor.
Crews extinguished the fire as they conducted a search for a woman
believed to be trapped inside. Firefighters found the woman deceased in
her bedroom. Her name has not been released. One other occupant of the
home was injured during the incident.
The
Huron County Road Commission plowed a 300-foot path into the woods on
Friday to help bring a man to safety. A 54-year-old Bad Axe man had been
out running in a wooded area when he was overcome by a medical emergency
in deep snow. First responders were dispatched to the scene on Crocker
Road, south of Minnick Road in Lincoln Township, shortly before noon on
Friday. Rescuers used a grader to plow an approximate 300-foot path for
personnel to get the man out. Huron County deputies said the man was
taken to a local hospital and is recovering.
The
Whittemore Prescott Elementary School recently received grant funding.
The grant was from the Whittemore Prescott Educational Foundation.
According to the Ogemaw County Herald, the grant of nearly $5,000
dollars will be used in many ways. Funding will be used for fluorescent
light filters in the Special Ed classrooms; Expansion of the Third Grade
Classrooms Libraries; Butterfly Houses for Kindergarten thru Sixth Grade
with release of butterflies in the Spring; White Board Paddles for the
Kindergarten Classes to allow children to answer from their seats; Class
Educational magazines for the First Grade Classrooms and Car Ramps for
science in Fourth Grade Classrooms. 
Alcona
County residents are being asked to complete a survey. 
The
Iosco and Ogemaw County Road Commissions announce that seasonal weight
restrictions will go into effect tomorrow, Tuesday, March 2nd, at 8am,
and will remain in effect until further notice. For additional
information on weight restrictions, all season roads, transportation
permits, to place a service request or for additional road information
visit the Iosco County Road Commission website at IoscoRoads.org.
Bowling:
The
Iosco Exploration Trail Committee met earlier this month. 
The
Oscoda Wurtsmith Airport was recently recognized by the state of
Michigan. The Oscoda Wurtsmith Airport was named Airport of the
Year in the General Aviation category. According to the Iosco County
News Herald, the award is from the Michigan Department of Transportation
Office of Aeronautics Management. The award is presented as recognition
for the outstanding contribution and sustained excellence toward
aviation progress. The award states that the airport has grown to be a
major employer in the region and a globally recognized facility for
maintenance, repair and overhaul services for large category aircraft.
The award was presented during the Michigan Airports Conference held
February 18th.
An
after school program was recently launched in the Mio AuSable school
district. 
Talks
about whether Atlanta Community Schools and Hillman Community Schools
should consolidate are underway. According to the Alpena News, Trustees
with the Atlanta and Hillman boards of education on Monday spent nearly
90 minutes discussing the potential for consolidation, before agreeing
each board should vote on whether to pursue the matter further during
its next board meeting. No formal decisions were made during the special
workshop held in Atlanta. Before consolidation could even take place,
voters in both school districts would have to decide whether they
support the consolidation or not.
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Monday,
March 1, 2021
Started
by Texas art teacher Ellen Stanley in 1972 to honor and give thanks
to the most intelligent domesticated creature
