Updated 05/29/20

 Fri. Local News Audio

LOCAL NEWS for FRI 29MAY20

Beginning today, Ascension Michigan is anticipating resuming elective surgical procedures and other vital healthcare services using a phased and thoughtful approach with a focus on health and safety. All efforts are in alignment with Governor Whitmer’s Executive Order. Ascension Michigan hospitals and outpatient facilities will begin scheduled surgeries and procedures, prioritizing those that are most urgent, while simultaneously ensuring continued capability and safety to provide care for patients with COVID-19.

The Ogemaw County Road Commission reports that Cranberry Lake Road, from Greenwood Road south to County Line in Richland Township and Stoney Ridge Road, from Sage Lake Road south to Clear Lake Road in Klacking Township are now open. All other road closures are still in effect. For more information call 345-0234.

Sheriff’s deputies in Huron County rescued several people from Lake Huron Wednesday. According to M-Live, deputies responded to Sleeper State Park Beach in Lake Township on receiving reports of two swimmers on separate floaties being unable to return to shore. Huron County Sheriff Kelly Hanson and another deputy responded to the scene with the agency’s 28-foot Caseville Patrol Boat. The two women, a 26-year-old Swartz Creek resident and the other a 50-year-old Caro resident, were brought aboard the boat and taken back to shore. The second incident occurred about two and a half miles west of the Port Austin Reef Light in Port Austin Township. A 61-year-old male from Lake Orion was on a 14 foot motorized boat that was stranded due to engine failure. A deputy and two Port Austin firefighters responded in the sheriff’s office’s 31-foot Port Austin Patrol Boat to retrieve the man.

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 Thu. Local News Audio

LOCAL NEWS for THU 28MAY20

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  Wed. Local News Audio

LOCAL NEWS for WED 27MAY20

Governor Gretchen Whitmer has expanded the state of emergency due to flooding to now include Iosco County. Last week, Whitmer declared a state of emergency for Midland, Gladwin, Arenac, and Saginaw Counties after heavy rains caused widespread flooding and resulted in the breach of Edenville and Sanford Dams. She says she added Iosco County to the emergency declaration to ensure access to critical resources.  

The Tawas Police Authority Chief was recently evaluated.  The Tawas Police Authority Board held their annual performance evaluation of Chief Mark Ferguson. According to the Iosco County News Herald, Ferguson was ranked on a scale of one to four with one being ineffective and four very effective. Ferguson's overall performance rating was a 2.99. Hi highest rating came from Board Vice-Chair, Operations Director and Tawas City Manager Annge Horning at 3.57. Followed by Tawas City Council representative Jon Studley at 2.9 and East Tawas City Manager Brent Barringer at 2.8. His lowest rating came from East Tawas Council representative Lisa Bolen at 2.7.

The Fairview School Board approved the hiring of Bill Lake as K-12 Principal and Superintendent. According to the Oscoda County Herald, Lake was previously the middle and high school principal in the Hillman School District. Lake grew up in the AuGres area and graduated from Central Michigan University. His first administrative position was as K-12 principal in the Arenac Eastern School District. Lake hopes to be introduced to the staff and students soon, but in the meantime is keeping up with the stay at home orders.  

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  Tue. Local News Audio

LOCAL NEWS for TUE 26MAY20

The Michigan Launch Initiative was recently discussed during two virtual meetings.  Updates on the Michigan Launch Initiative were shared at both the May 11th Oscoda Township Board of Trustees meeting, and the May 14th Oscoda-Wurtsmith Airport Authority meeting. According to the Oscoda Press, in each discussion, reference was made to a May 6th letter from Michigan Aerospace Manufacturers Association  Executive Director Gavin Brown, which was addressed to Oscoda-Wurtsmith Airport  Manager Gary Kellan. Brown reported that the COVID-19 pandemic has delayed the Oscoda Wurtsmith Spaceport Development project by approximately two months.  The pandemic has created some challenges, such as travel prohibitions, but work is continuing.  The Michigan Launch Initiative Oscoda Wurtsmith Spaceport Development project will be a focus at the North American Space Summit, to be held Aug. 30 through Sept. 2, at the Grand Traverse Resort in Traverse City.

Construction projects have begun at Whittemore Prescott schools.  The project includes upgrades to the high school, elementary school, administration building and athletic and transportation facilities. According to the Ogemaw County Herald, Superintendent Joe Perrera said the projects should be completed over the course of the summer. A large percentage of the work is being done at the high school including removing asbestos floor tiles found under the current classroom carpeting. Projects that have already begun include removal of the track surface followed by the demolition of the parking lot of the administration building. The projects are being funded by a $4.85 million dollar bond approved by voters in November of 2018.

Consumers Energy Foundation will be donating around $90,000 in grant aid to flood relief efforts in Gladwin, Midland and Saginaw counties. According to M-Live, the decision came after record-high flooding hit several counties, causing severe damage and the destruction of many local homes and businesses. The emergency funding will help from line workers provide food, water, shelter and other basic needs to flood victims. Gladwin County Community Foundation will receive $5,000 and eight regional emergency shelters will receive $1,000 each.

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 Mon. Local News Audio

LOCAL NEWS for MON 18MAY20

The Arenac County road Commission is advising motorists to be aware that road closures could happen at any time due to flash flooding.  When roads are covered with water, motorists should assume the road is not safe and should turn around and find another route.  If you believe a county road is unsafe, please call the Arenac County Road Commission at 989-728-3250 and the commission will assess the safety and issue a road closure, if necessary.  The county, meanwhile, is aware of ditch flooding and will be monitoring the situation throughout the county.  Again, feel free to notify the road commission of any potential dangerous road conditions at 989-718-3250.

As of 2PM this afternoon, Iosco County has closed a portion of Kobs Rd. between M55 and Meadow Rd. as well as Oates Rd. south of M55 where it connects to Meadow Rd due to water overflowing the intersection.  Also, Meadow Rd. is closed at the Road Commission's depot location due to a culvert wash-out just a few dozen feet from the depot entrance, the culvert has been compromised from a wash-out underneath it and motorists SHOULD NOT DRIVE OVER IT!  Various homes along M55 and in the county are becoming islands as flood waters from surrounding fields rise up around them.  The National Weather Service has issued flood warning for area rivers and warn of flooding due to rising waters in fields, streams, creeks and other low-lying areas could easily take over people's property.  The Tittabawassee River in Saginaw has been issued a flood warning due to a sudden release of water upstream below the Second dam.  Residents close to the river, especially Secord, MI, are advised to move to higher ground.  The same advice has been issued for people living along the Rifle River in Arenac County.  The river's flood stage is 6 feet and is expected to crest at nearly 11.6 feet after midnight Tuesday night in and around White's Landing on Melita Rd.  The flooding could be as great as it was when the river severely flooded in 2018. Rain Amounts of up to a half inch more are expected overnight and tapering off.

Other Closures:

Sage Lake Rd., Cumming Twp. from Grand Jean to Morrison Rd. in Ogemaw county TFN.

Greenwood Rd., Richland Twp. from Drow Rd. east to McClean Rd. in Ogemaw county TFN

Scribner Rd., Klacking Twp. from Fairview Rd. east 2 miles to Lentz Rd. starting Tue. May 19th 6AM in Ogemaw county TFN

Other closures could be pending and we'll post more as we learn about them.

More recovered area residents have been reported by officials tracking the spread of COVID-19. According to the Alpena News, a total of 17 area residents are now classified as recovered, up from only six as of Friday. Recovery, reported when an infected person has lived 30 days since either the onset of COVID-19 symptoms or testing positive, was reported in 11 residents of Alpena County, up from only one recovered case on Friday. Another recovered resident of Montmorency County brought that county’s total to three recovered, in addition to the two recovered cases in Presque Isle County and one in Alcona County.

Iosco County officials approved a millage proposal for the August 4th Primary.  The millage is for the Iosco County EMS. According to the Iosco County News Herald, the millage would be an increase from the service's current point 4431 mill operating millage. The millage request would be an increase of point 1569 to point 600 mills for two years. Operations Manager Scott Kiernicki said the reason for the increase is to cover expected increases in staff salaries. If approved by voters in August, the millage would generate $708,000 dollars in the first year for operations for the Iosco County EMS.

The Huron County Michigan State University Extension may expand rather than relocate.  County Commissioners discussed the possibility of expansion at the MSU Extension's current site. According to the Huron Daily Tribune, County Commissioner Steve Vaughan said there is a possibility to build on to the north end of the facility where the MSU Extension is currently located. Vaughan said that capital funds from the county would be required for expansion. Vaughan added that his biggest concern is the project's timeline as there needs to be time to engineer and build the new space. The original intent was to have the project finished by August or September.  

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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.

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Commentary from Mike Huckabee:

I’ll just make note in passing that across America, Democrat officials are letting real criminals out of jail because they might catch the virus there, and putting citizens who just want to work into jail where they might catch the virus because they didn’t do enough to keep from catching the virus. This is liberal logic in a nutshell, with the emphasis, as always, on “nut.”

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Current MI Sports Network Audio

STATE NEWS for FRI 29MAY20

The latest executive order from the governor lifts restrictions on some non-emergency medical, dental, and veterinary procedures starting today. Based on the governor's order re-opened outpatient health-care facilities, including clinics, primary care physician offices, and dental offices will adopt strict protocols to prevent infection.

Some flash flooding occurred in Traverse City on Thursday caused flood waters at the Grand Traverse Commons stores. 9and 10 News reports the owners of FYT Health Foods say the water flooded about three feet of their shop. Munson Medical Center next door had to close down some buildings because of the flooding. A spokesman says they may need to reschedule some appointments.

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The heavy rains in Traverse City also caused the release of untreated sewage into the Boardman River. There was a reported pump failure and the sewage spilled into the river from the pedestrian bridge downtown and flowed to the mouth of Grand Traverse Bay. The Clinch, Sunset Park, Bryant Park, and Traverse City Senior Center beaches are closed for swimming or kayaking as a result. The Grand Traverse County and city health departments have contacted the state to ensure that corrections are made to the sanitary sewer system.

After use of force by police in Minneapolis and Washtenaw County, organizers plan to protest in Detroit later today. Dubbed a "rally and picket for justice against police brutality" will take place this afternoon starting at four in front of Detroit Police headquarters. Yesterday, Detroit Police Chief James Craig spoke out yesterday saying the officer in Minneapolis shown on video in the death of George Floyd should be arrested for murder.

Attorney Geoffrey Fieger has filed two proposed class-action lawsuits seeking $500 million for Midland-area flood victims. The lawsuits were filed against Boyce Hydro Power, the owner of the Edenville and Sanford Dam. According to published reports- - the suit alleges the owner of the dams and the State of Michigan were negligent in maintaining them. The suit goes on to claim federal regulators had demanded changes to the design of the Edenville Dam since at least 1993 and that 2004, it became known the Edenville Dam would not be able to handle a major flood due to inadequate spillway capacity.

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A 92-year-old woman is among those who lost their home during the flooding in Sanford in mid Michigan. 9 and 10 News reports Marilyn Kisser had water in her home a foot from the ceiling and lost everything. She did not qualify for flood insurance so her grandson has set up a GoFundMe page....Marilyn Avery-Kisser Flood Relief.

A number of a rare species of turtles have been rescued from the construction path of the Saginaw Trail natural gas pipeline replacement project. Consumers Energy has placed 19 juvenile Blanding's Turtles back into their natural wetland habitat in Genesee County. A herpetologist contracted by Consumers Energy incubated the eggs and nurtured the juveniles over the winter until they were large enough to have a good chance of survival from predators.

As Coronavirus case numbers rose in April retail sales dropped as stores were dealing with closures and restrictions. The Michigan Retailers Association says 87-percent of retailers recorded declines last month. Michigan sales tax receipts fell by 30-percent compared to April 2019. That means 239- million dollars less was collected than what was forecasted. National retail sales tumbled by a record 16-point-four percent in April according to the U.S. Commerce Department. But looking ahead 59-percent of Michigan retailers are expecting an increase in sales through July.

A popular west Michigan festival is in trouble and needs an infusion of cash to come back next year. Tulip Time, which is held in Holland every year, but was canceled by the Coronavirus this year needs one million dollars to keep going. Festival organizers say they had already spent 770-thousand dollars preparing for this year's festival they can't get back and also had to refund 400-thousand dollars in ticket sales. They say they need 575- thousand by August to cover expenses. A GoFundMe page has been launched. Tulip Time, with millions of tulips and events, has a 48 million dollar economic impact in the Holland area.

Several tribal casinos in Michigan reopen starting today. Soaring Eagle will doing a limited opening starting at ten A-M and running through the weekend. On June First - the Mount Pleasant casino will be open to more guests. The Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe says certain amenities will remain closed for the time being as masks, temperature checks, and other health precautions will be in place due to the pandemic. Other casinos reopening with similar coronavirus measures include the Leelanau Sands Casino and Turtle Creek Casino near Traverse City. Casinos on tribal lands are not bound by the Governor's executive orders. Detroit's three casinos remain closed.

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STATE NEWS for THU 28MAY20

An 11-year-old girl from the Upper Peninsula, is missing believed to have been taken by her father in an incident of parental kidnapping. W-L-U-C reports Ishpeming Police are looking for Syprin Janee Cole. She was last seen with her father Jason Cole of Bexar , Texas on Saturday night at a motel in Marquette Township. Police say he was supposed to return the girl to her mother on Tuesday, but failed to do so. A felony warrant has been issued for Cole by the Marquette County Prosecutor's Office. (Photo: Jason Cole)

Michigan State University says its looking into a possible data breach caused by a ransom-ware attack. A prompt displayed in the school's computer system claims files have been accessed - including student information - and it will be automatically published online at a set date and time if M-S-U doesn't pay up. The terms of the demand or the deadline have not been released.

A rally is planned in Lansing this morning to protest hate. The Black and Latinos Against Racist Empowerment Rally after what organizers call the killings of Breonna Taylor in Louisville as police served a warrant at her home for a man already in custody, and for Ahmaud Arbery in Georgia, gunned down as a father and son attempted to make a citizen's arrest.

A federal complaint has been filed against two men in a large ATM skimming operation. WOOD TV reports Georgel Flore and Marius Mastan are accused of conspiracy to commit bank fraud and bank fraud. They're accused of targeting financial institutions in Battle Creek, Ann Arbor and Metro Detroit by manipulating ATM's to record debit card information and then make cloned debit cards to steal money.

People upset with a Washtenaw County Sheriff's deputy who was videotaped punching a woman staged a protest Wednesday afternoon. A crowd of about 100 people were out in front of the Washtenaw Sheriff's Department and blocked traffic . The Sheriff's Department launched an internal investigation related to the use of force , just hours after the woman was punched. Deputies were trying to secure a crime scene when a man was tazed and his wife was punched. The deputies involved are on administrative leave.

A high-ranking officer in the U-A-W is accusing three union leaders of sexual harassment in a federal lawsuit. U-A-W international service representative Patricia Morris-Gibson accuses the union leaders of creating a hostile work environment alleging she was groped, kissed and propositioned and that nothing was done to correct the issue. She also alleges the union cut her pay by 50-percent she complained last month. The U-A-W spokesman says it have not received notice of the lawsuit yet and does not comment on litigation. This new suit comes as the U-A-W is currently dealing with an ongoing federal corruption investigation that has led to the convictions of 13 people and exposed the union to a possible federal takeover.

How about your favorite cocktail in a "to go" cup? It could happen soon in Michigan. State Representative Sarah Anthony is introducing a bill to allow it. Since the pandemic, 18-states have passed laws allowing delivery of alcohol by bars and restaurants for off site consumption -- and 33-states now allow customers to carry out alcoholic beverages. The Lansing Democrat says this is part of a package of bills to support local businesses during the era of COVID-19. The Michigan Restaurant and Lodging Association says over one-point-two billion dollars in sales have been lost due to outbreak restrictions.

Governor Whitmer has directed the state Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy to investigate the cause of two dam failures that led to historic flooding in Midland County. The Governor toured the area again Wednesday and said residents need to know what happened: Midland city leaders have said at least one-thousand homes have moderate to significant damage. The Governor didn't approve a request from a state Senator who called for restaurants in the area to be opened so people had a place to eat.

A Ludington man, Tony Lambert, has been collecting donations for flood ravaged Sanford and dropped off two full trailers of donated items. 9 and 10 News reports Lambert was recovering from a heart attack and said he needed to get up and help Sanford. He and others dropped off supplies at Meridian Elementary yesterday.

Another yearly tradition in west Michigan has been canceled by the Coronavirus, little league baseball in Grand Rapids. WOOD TV reports the president of the Grand Rapids based Northern Little League, Brenda Hastings, says it was a tough , tough decision to finally make. She says it was a heartbreaker for sure to cancel the season. She is still hopeful that there might be a late summer tournament and fall ball.

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STATE NEWS for WED 27MAY20

With so many cancellations due to COVID-19 and more people staying home, there was a 42-percent in traffic citations over the Memorial Day weekend. Michigan State Police say they expected more traffic up north since it's open, but says that wasn't the case with a lot of communities canceling parades and other activities. Verbal warnings were down 76-percent and drunk driving arrests were down by eight.

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Federal officials have refused to free former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick on home confinement amid the COVID-19 outbreak -- contrary to what supporters last week hailed as an imminent release from an unfair prison sentence. A statement last night from the Federal Bureau of Prisons reads -- "... the Federal Bureau of Prisons reviewed and denied inmate Kwame Kilpatrick for home confinement. Mr. Kilpatrick remains incarcerated at the Federal Correctional Institution - in Oakdale, Louisiana."

Governor Whitmer will be touring Midland County today, one week after historic flooding causing significant damage including the collapse of two dams. The Midland city manager says about one-thousand homes suffered moderate to severe damage. Many more homes north of Midland near Wixom Lake, Sanford and Edenville were also damaged or destroyed.

There was a fatal officer involved shooting in Lansing last night. Police say they responded to reports of a domestic assault where a man had fired a firearm. Officers made verbal contact with the suspect while they were outside and began to negotiate with him while he was inside the home. Police say within a short time, the man came out and began to shoot at the officer, hitting one officer. Officers returned fire and the 37-year-old man was killed. The officer is a seven year veteran and he was taken to the hospital with a non-life threatening injury. Six officers were involved and placed on administrative leave while Michigan State Police investigate.

Police in Grand Rapids are investigating a death in a home this morning. Police were reportedly called to the home to do a welfare check, but when they arrived, they found a man dead inside the home. Police are investigating how he died.

Enbridge says it has discovered four spots on an oil pipeline in Michigan's Straits of Mackinac where protective coating has worn away, leaving bare metal exposed -- The company said Tuesday its crews noticed the spots this month while installing screw anchors to secure sections of Line 5 in the channel linking Lakes Huron and Michigan. Spokesman Ryan Duffy says they'll be repaired. Each spot is less than six square inches in size. Enbridge previously has fixed several other places on the underwater pipelines with missing coating. The company says the pipeline is safe but environmental groups and Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel want it shut down.

For the first time in history, Central Michigan University will have two female drum majors leading the marching band. Senior Gabrielle Bass is the head drum major and junior Jordan Healey is the assistant drum major. Bass says it's been super humbling and she gets chills when she thinks about it because they're making history and it's so special. Both women are hoping there will be football at CMU in the Fall.

After a racist post was found on Craigslist, the Human Rights Ordinance staff in Grand Rapids is investigating. WOOD TV reports the post talked about a group of people hanging outside of a home in Alger Heights and it had several racial slurs in it. It also alleged that the homeowner was dealing drugs. The family that believes it was the target of the post says the claims are false. They say they were mourning the loss of their 17-year-old daughter Danajiea Gardener at the time. She was killed in a car crash May 14th with the funeral a few days later. They say they also had lots of friends and family visiting and then the post appeared on Craigslist. N-Double-A-C-P Grand President Cle Jackson says that is terribly horrible and insensitive in these times when you have a young person lose their life in such a tragic way.

A man crashed his car in southwest Michigan's Three Rivers Tuesday afternoon after his passenger accidentally shot themselves in the leg. Police say the man left the road and was involved in a single car crash into a ditch after being startled by the shooting incident. The victim was taken to the hospital. Police reportedly say they found three unsecured handguns in the car along with marijuana. The man could face charges.

A Gaylord man has been sentenced to five to 20 years in prison for dealing meth near a school. 9 and 10 News reports Paige Vandyken was also charged as a fourth time habitual offender. He and Josh Jones were charged last Fall for having meth and dealing within one thousand feet of a school in Petoskey.

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STATE NEWS for TUE 26MAY20

Did Governor Whitmer's husband ask a Northern Michigan business to put his boat in the water before Memorial Day weekend? In a facebook post, the owner of NorthShore Dock said his company received a call and when they told the man they were too busy and that's when he said (QUOTE) 'I am the husband to the governor, will this make a difference?' The owner said Marc Mallory was respectful and understanding when the company couldn't schedule the installation early. The governor and her husband own a home in the Elk Rapids area. The call came after the Governor announced plans to lift restrictions on northern Lower Michigan and the Upper Peninsula ahead of the Memorial Day weekend. Republican State Senator Tom Barrett tells the Detroit News it appears the Governor and her family was trying to cut in line. The governor's spokeswoman wouldn't confirm or deny the allegations... adding it is not her practice to discuss the governor’s or her family’s personal calendar and schedules.

The Michigan National Guard came to the rescue for the Grace A. Dow Library in Midland . The Guard reportedly rescued 80-thousand items from the library's basement after dams broke last week and flooded the area. Supervisor of adult services, Terrie Ahlers, says there's no way they could have done it without them. Books and other items were placed on tables on the main floor. Library staff worked on removing moisture from the lower level over the weekend.

A Ludington man is collecting food and supplies for those affected by the Midland County flooding. Tony Lambert reportedly says that after he saw the damage in Sanford, he had to do something to help. He borrowed a trailer and has donation sports in Ludington, Oceana County, Baldwin and Evart. He'll donate the items tomorrow.

There's an effort underway in Midland County to feed those affected by the flooding. The Michigan Restaurant and Lodging Association and some restaurants in Midland are providing meals to the frontline works and Midland residents. The effort , which runs through Wednesday, is sponsored by AT& T, Sysco and Gordon Food Service.

Ready to fly? A new survey from the travel site "The Vacationer - DOT - com" finds nearly 35-percent saying they will wait for a cure or a vaccine to COVID-19 before they travel. But, of those who said yes to traveling now... almost 17-percent say they would if everyone on board had to wear a mask. Just over 34-percent say they would fly with mandatory masks and no one in the middle seat. As for that middle seat... would you pay extra? Almost 50-percent say yes in order to keep fellow travelers at a distance. Also, when it comes to a place to stay... almost 62-percent say they would choose a chain hotel over any other form of accommodation including AirBnB. The online survey of 583-Americans was conducted on May 17th.

If you need to do business face-to-face with Oakland County government, expect to make an appointment, wear a mask and have your temperature checked. Those rules goes into effect this morning at all Oakland County governmental buildings. Oakland County Executive David Coulter says the new rules are to help ensure the safety of county employees and visitors during the pandemic.

Gas prices heading into Memorial Day weekend increased in Michigan. Triple-A says the price at the pump was up 12-cents compared to the week before to an average of a dollar-97 per gallon. The highest price was in the Ann Arbor area at a dollar-99... and the lowest price was in the Saginaw area at a dollar-95. Even at a dollar-97, Triple-A says Michigan drivers are paying about 94-cents less than this time a year ago.

You've probably used a drive thru for fast food... but, how about for some fresh produce? Eastern Market in Detroit is offering shoppers a drive thru market starting this morning. Nine-different local vendors will offer a range of products including produce, meat, bulk items and even locally produced beer and dog treats. The drive thru runs from nine to one today and is expected to take place each Tuesday morning in Eastern Market.

A Mid Michigan woman, whose son was killed in Iraq, says she will rebuild a war memorial that was destroyed by flooding in Sanford. The Sanford Flagpole Monument was washed away by the flooding when the Sanford Dam failed last week. Kim Burgess' son , Marine Lance Corporal Ryan Burgess, was killed in Iraq in 2006.

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STATE NEWS for MON 18MAY20

Breaking News: Governor Whitmer to lift COVID-19 embargoes on most of the UP, and northern and northeastern lower peninsula.  In a press conference at 1:30PM today, governor Whitmer announced lifting the statewide shutdown and letting areas of the state gradually open back up for business, including the Traverse City and Petosky areas and portions of the UP.  Bars and restaurants in Region 6 & 8 may resume 50% of capacity as early as Friday.  Region 6 includes Manistee, Wexford, Missaukee, Roscommon, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, Crawford, Leelanau, Antrim, Otsego, Montmorency, Alpena, Charlevoix Cheboygan, Presque Isle and Emmet counties.  Region 8 includes Gogebic, Ontonagon, Houghton, Keweenaw, Iron, Baraga, Dickinson, Marquette, Menominee, Delta, Alger, Schoolcraft, Luce, Mackinac and Chippewa counties.

A video featuring a priest at St. Ambrose Church in Grosse Pointe Park has gone viral. Photos posted on social media show Reverend Tim Pelc shooting water into a car window when it stopped by the steps of the church on Easter Sunday. While maintaining social distancing to help fight the Coronavirus, Pelc was wearing a mask, face shield and rubber gloves. The 70-year-old Pelc, who has been with the parish for 30 years, told Buzzfeed News over the weekend that the idea was to do something fun for the kids while blessing their Easter baskets from a distance. The photos, which were taken by a parishioner, have been widely circulated on the Internet.

They've been held in Lansing, now a rally against Governor Whitmer's stay home orders will be held tonight in Grand Rapids. WOOD TV reports more than one thousand people are expected at Rosa Parks Circle at the "American Patriot Rally Sheriffs Speak Out" event. Organizer Ryan Kelley says they're going to encourage law enforcement officers in Michigan uphold the constitution and they don't enforce the illegal executive orders from the governor. Whitmer says the stay home order is to save lives and the state will reopen when it's safe to do so.

A prisoner at the Michigan Reformatory in Ionia has been shot by a guard, according to the Michigan Department of Corrections. It reportedly happened after a couple of fights involving multiple prisoners broke out in two separate prison yards Sunday morning. The department of corrections says a tower officer shot one of the prisoners in the arm after the prisoner ignored several warning shots and other methods and continue to fight. The prisoner was taken to the hospital. It's believed the fights were gang related.

Fruit growers are assessing the damage on their orchards after temperatures plunged below freezing in south-central and southwest Michigan, threatening tender blooms on apple, peach and other fruit trees. Cold, dry air blowing in from Canada dropped temperatures in the low to mid-20s for nearly nine hours.

One person was killed in a house fire in Kalamazoo over the weekend. The Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety says they were called to a house fire Saturday evening and learned the resident might still be in the home. They began search and rescue operations despite the growing fire. A 79-year-old woman's body was found inside the home. The cause is being investigated.

An Oakland County man is being charged with impersonating a police officer and other suspected crimes. 51-year-old Leonard Harris was arrested early Saturday morning after he appeared to be following undercover detectives working in a Lyon Township mobile home park. Detectives says his Dodge Durango had a blue and red emergency light commonly used by law enforcement. After talking to Harris, he admitted to impersonating police in the area. In his vehicle, police found a 9mm pistol, a police style badge, police handcuffs, a scanner and a spotlight, along with some cocaine residue. A woman and two young children were also in the car. (Jail Photo: Harris)

Downtown Traverse City is considering something new to allow for social distancing in the city. The Downtown Development Authority is scheduled to meet today to consider closing two blocks to vehicle traffic. The plan would close the 100 and 200 blocks of Front Street in June. Under the plan, restaurants and shops would be allowed to use the additional space for dining or display goods to reduce crowding in the buildings. Removable barricades in downtown Traverse City would allow emergency vehicles to enter if needed.

Prices at the pump in Michigan have pretty much held steady over the past two weeks. The survey by Triple-A Michigan finds prices up a penny to a statewide average of a dollar-85 per gallon. The most expensive price per gallon was found in Benton Harbor at a dollar-89... and the least expensive was in Marquette at a dollar-82.

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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.

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Tired of the mad dash to get a good camping spot at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore at Little Beaver Lake Campground, Twelve Mile Campground, or Hurricane River Campground?  These campgrounds now require reservations, after years of a "first come, first served" policy. Since visitation has nearly doubled in the last few years during the summer months reservations can now be made at recreation.gov.