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STATE NEWS for WED
25NOV20
The
family of a 40-year-old Allegan County man who died in police custody say
he died as a result of excessive force. WOOD TV reports the father of
Nathan Strample, Jay Strample, say his son was having a mental health
episode and they called police . He says one of the officers punched him
in the stomach and they wrestled to the ground. Strample says state police
sat on his neck and had used a taser. He says his son never stood back up.
Police say he died at the scene. The state police sixth division is
investigating. (Family Photo: Strample)
A
west Michigan state Representative, Tommy Brann, and a doctor are calling
for a statewide mask law to fight the Coronavirus. Brann, of Wyoming,
joined emergency room Dr. Rob Davidson, in calling for a law even though
the state health department has a mask order in place. Brann says
research, along with experts, show that masks help to stop the spread of
the virus.
Travel
for the Thanksgiving holiday is expected to pick up today. Triple-A
Michigan says 1.6 million people are expected to hit the road and travel
over the next four days, although the number could be lower because of
restrictions put in place due to the Coronavirus. The CDC and Michigan
leaders have encouraged people to stay home in order to slow the spread of
the virus. Across the U.S. some 50 million Americans are expected to
travel. That's down from 55 million a year ago.
-Also-
A Democratic lawmaker from Oakland County has tested positive for the
Coronavirus, after being exposed to the disease by a fellow legislator.
Representative Kyra Harris Bolden confirmed the diagnosis on her social
media accounts, saying she has mild symptoms and has been in quarantine
since being notified of her exposure on November 12th. She encouraged
other legislators to "take the virus seriously and get tested." The House
Minority Leader confirmed Bolden and other lawmakers were exposed at the
state capitol.
-Meanwhile-
Ford Motor Company has reportedly bought a dozen ultra-cold freezers in
anticipation of a Covid-19 vaccine. Once available, it'll be distributed
to employees on a voluntary bases. It's the first step in a broader
vaccine distribution plan. So far, General Motors has not bought any
freezers but says it's taking steps to make a vaccine available to its
workers. At least three major drug companies have reported data for a
potential vaccine as the world waits for a breakthrough that will end the
pandemic.
There was a standoff in the Grand Rapids area last night after a cell
phone store was robbed in Gaines Township. The suspects , who allegedly
robbed a T-Mobile store were tracked to Grand Rapids where police say they
interrupted a robbery in progress. Police say three people took off into a
building and would not come out and another went into a home. Police
negotiated with the suspects and they surrendered.
Grand
Rapids Police are investigating two early morning shootings on the city's
southeast side. Police reportedly say the victims were taken to Spectrum
Blodgett Hospital. Witnesses say the suspects ran in different directions.
Anyone with information should call police or Silent Observer.
It's a major move for marijuana and Michigan. Detroit will become the
first city in the state to allow marijuana lounges after the city council
yesterday unanimously approved a recreational pot ordinance. The
legislation allows for 35 designated establishments within city limits
where people can go to consume marijuana. The lounges have to be at least
one-thousand feet away from several types of properties, including
schools, parks and churches. Detroit residents will have the first
opportunity to apply for licenses in April 2021.
Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey has sought to downplay his recent
meeting with President Donald Trump, saying Republicans told the president
that Michigan state law doesn't give legislators a say in awarding
electoral votes. Shirkey and House Speaker Lee Chatfield were among seven
Republican lawmakers who met with Trump last week, days before Michigan
certified Joe Biden's victory and closed the door to any long shot,
legally suspect bid to not award Michigan's 16 electoral votes to Biden.
Shirkey tells The Associated Press that it was a "very innocuous meeting.
Forty-six states, including Michigan, have reached a settlement with
The Home Depot. The settlement is part of an investigation into a 2014
data breach which exposed the payment card information of about 40 million
people. Attorney General Dana Nessel's office says Michigan is expected to
receive more than 300-thousand dollars of the 17.5 million dollar payout.
Aside from the settlement, Home Depot has also agreed to improve its data
security practices to safeguard customer information.
Top
STATE NEWS for TUE 24NOV20
A
new University of Michigan survey shows about six in ten adults between
the ages of 50 and 80 are somewhat or very likely to get vaccinated to
prevent the Coronavirus. The National Poll on Healthy Aging, released this
morning, shows 20-percent said they wanted to get vaccinated right away
when the vaccines become available, but 46- percent said they'd rather
wait for others before doing it themselves. The research shows women,
people of color, people between 50 and 64 years old, and those with lower
incomes and education levels were less likely to say they'd seek
vaccination in general. The poll also shows 80-percent of respondents said
that they'll consider how well a vaccine works as part of making their
vaccination decision and nearly one-third of respondents said cost was
very important to their decision about vaccination.
-Meanwhile-
At least one Michigan restaurant is defying the state's order to
shut down dine-in service for three weeks. M-Live reports Jimmy's
Roadhouse in Newaygo , north of Grand Rapids, is staying open. Its owner
Jim Corey says it's what's right, that he cannot put 30 employees out of
work. Officials with District Health Department #10 say they're working
with the state and legal counsel on next steps for addressing the
violation.
-Also-
A candlelight vigil was held last night in memory of 14-year-old
Honestie Hodges, the 14-year-old Grand Rapids girl, who died from the
Coronavirus. Hodges was the spark for change in a police policy after she
was handcuffed when she was 11 by police as they investigated a report of
someone with a gun. About 60 people attended the vigil.
A west Michigan Christian School, Libertas in Hudsonville, has been
denied a request to be exempted from public health orders regarding the
Coronavirus. The U.S. 6th Court of Appeals upheld a lower court ruling
when it denied Libertas Christian School's request for a temporary
injunction. WOOD TV reports the school has been in a dispute with the
Ottawa County Health Department over its response when two teachers
contracted COVID-19 and its response to virus related orders.
It's Adoption Day in Michigan. Several West Michigan families will
have the opportunity to find a bright spot in an otherwise complicated
year. The 20th Circuit Court will host its an annual Adoption Day
celebration. The event honors families who choose to adopt and hopes to
inspire other families to open their hearts to children without a home.
For the first time, Ottawa County will finalize adoptions in a virtual
ceremony, giving these children their forever families.
There's renewed talk of grand action in Grand Rapids a development
plan that was put on pause back in 2017. WOOD TV reports the city's Public
Works may play a big role in Grand Action 2-point-0. A consultant with
Convention , Sports and Leisure International, John Katz says an
amphitheater could go in and development in the area of Market Avenue and
Fulton Street. A professional soccer stadium in or around downtown is also
a part of the plan.
American charities are working to gather and ultimately airlift
critical medicine, personal protective equipment and supplies to Lebanon.
The August blast at Beirut's port killed nearly 200 people, wounded more
than 6-thousand and caused billions of dollars in damage. The
Michigan-based Lebanon Relief Project and its partners have sent millions
of dollars' worth of medicine, personal protective equipment and supplies
to Beirut. Manal Saab , a Lebanese American who founded the charity with
her daughter, says their work is far from over.
The
traditional Thanksgiving meal is costing less this year. The American Farm
Bureau Federation says the average total cost for 10 people is $46.90, or
less than $5 per person. Turkey prices in Michigan have been impacted by
the pandemic and that's good news for consumers. Whipping cream and sweet
potatoes are among other foods costing less this year. While fresh
cranberries, dinner rolls and pumpkin pie mix all costing just a bit more.
Top
STATE NEWS for MON 23NOV20
The
investigation goes on into Friday night's shootings that left three people
dead and another hospitalized in northern Michigan's Benzie County. The
Benzie County Sheriff's Office says it happened at a home in Elberta.
63-year-old Marilyn Freebold and her 27-year-old son Robert Junior were
found dead at the scene. Another son, 20- year-old Malachi Maloney died
later at Munson in Traverse City. Robert Freebold, Senior remains in
critical condition. Investigators do not believe there is a suspect at
large.
Authorities are looking for masked suspects who broke into an Alpena
gun store over the weekend and stole 49 firearms. At least two suspects
threw a brick through the front window of Full Bore Firearms at about four
Saturday morning, went into the store, took the guns and took off. Federal
agents from Detroit are involved in the investigation. Security video
shows the suspects dressed in Halloween type costumes. There's a five
thousand dollar reward being offered for information in the case.
Former
Grand Traverse County Jail administrator Todd Ritter, accused of having
sexual relationships with former inmates, will have two more weeks to
decide how to plea in several charges against him. In a virtual
conference, Ritter's defense team petitioned for the extra time, citing
that while a plea offer has been made, it was revised throughout the week.
The circuit court judge says it's a complex case and the extra time is
appropriate. A jury trial is set for January.
(Photo: Ritter)
A group of voters are holding a "Driving for Democracy" car caravan
this morning in Lansing before the Michigan Board of Canvassers meet to
decide if the state's election results will be certified. The We Make
Michigan Coalition says voters will demand that canvassers acknowledge the
power and rights of voters by certifying the vote and that Republican
lawmakers respect the will of the people.
As
the Governor and health experts across the state ask people to avoid
gathering for the Thanksgiving holiday, a new national poll from C.S. Mott
Children's Hospital at Michigan Medicine shows one in three parents
believe the benefits of gathering with family are worth the risk of
spreading or getting the Coronavirus. The poll also shows over half of
parents say it's important for children to see extended family and share
in holiday rituals, but three-quarters also believe it’s important to
prevent the spread of COVID-19 at family gatherings. The poll's
co-director Sarah Clark says the research shows that while many children
have spent less time with relatives during the pandemic, some parents may
have a hard time foregoing holiday gatherings in order to reduce the
coronavirus risks. Clarks adds families may need to consider alternative,
safer ways to celebrate and preserve traditions in order to keep loved
ones safe.
A man pulled over for a traffic violation in mid Michigan's Austin
Township, west of Mecosta took off Sunday afternoon and then crashed. The
Mecosta County Sheriff's Office reportedly says he was driving a stolen
car . The 33-year-old man was taken to a hospital in Grand Rapids for
non-life threatening injuries.
Former
Major League baseball player, Chad Curtis, who played for the Tigers and
other teams, is out of prison. The 52-year-old Curtis, has been released
after serving a minimum sentence of seven years for sexually assaulting
teenage girls. The incidents allegedly happened at Lakewood High School in
Lake Odessa, where he worked as a part-time weight trainer in 2011 and
2012. (Jail Photo: Curtis)
Top
STATE NEWS for FRI 20NOV20
A
west Michigan firefighter in Oceana County has died in the line of duty.
Grant Township firefighter Michael Buitendorp (Bite-en-dorp) reportedly
lost consciousness while driving a water tender truck to a camper fire on
Wednesday. His partner was able to stop the truck and call for help. He
was taken to the hospital, but he died.
(Fireman's Group Photo: Buitendorp)
Demonstrators
plan to assemble outside of the State Capitol building in Lansing this
afternoon at 4 PM. It's called "Strike Down the Shutdown", a group of
students from Colleges and Universities across Michigan, who say they are
advocating for the repeal of the most recent health mandate issued by
Governor Gretchen Whitmer Organizers say the event will be similar to
April's Operation Gridlock, but on a smaller scale, and will be peaceful.
-Meanwhile-
With a spike in Coronavirus cases in Michigan , Kalamazoo's two main
hospitals report that they've exceeded 90 percent capacity. The chief
medical officer of Ascension Borgess , Dr. Thomas Rohs, says Kalamazoo's
hospitals serve as regional healthcare facilities and they are accepting
patients from neighboring counties. Rohs says even if you're in a small
town and think you're a little bit immune, he says no one is immune.
One person has died in a house fire in Jackson. Firefighters reportedly
went into the home yesterday afternoon, but the fire was too intense to
save the person. Another person did make it out of the home. The cause is
being investigated.
The father of one of the children murdered in the Oakland County Child
Killer case has died. Barry King, the father of Timothy King, died
yesterday afternoon, just two months after being diagnosed with a motor
neuron disease. The 89-year-old King was very outspoken about how he
thought his son's case was mishandled by investigators over the years. In
1976 and 1977, someone kidnapped and murdered four children in Oakland
County. The case was never solved. His daughter says King wrote a note a
week ago saying "I've had a good life, except for what happened to Tim."
A two thousand dollar reward is being offered for the safe return of two
dogs stolen from a car in Metro Detroit's Troy this week. Troy Police say
the owner had parked in the curbside pickup area of a business when
someone grabbed the dogs and left. The Pomeranian dogs Gucci and Chanel
were taken from the parking lot of the Michael's Craft Store.
Despite
COVID-19, the Northwest Michigan Toys for Tots campaign will kickoff
Saturday afternoon. Instead of its usual big kickoff party, they're
hosting a drive-thru toy drop off event at three Traverse City locations:
Grand Traverse Mall, Fox Motors and Bill Marsh Auto. Board member Mike
Kent tells 9and10 News they need more than the 20-thousand toys they
normally take to agencies this year.
Top
STATE NEWS for THU 19NOV20
A
Flint police officer is facing charges in connection with the abuse of a
young girl. Officer Justin McLeod was charged yesterday with nine counts,
including criminal sexual conduct and unlawful imprisonment. The
36-year-old is accused of abusing the girl multiple times over the past
two years. He remains in custody in the Genesee county jail with no bond.
(Jail Photo: McLeod)
Two men accused in a plot to kidnap Governor Gretchen Whitmer have
been denied release from jail. A judge has denied bail to 51-year-old
Brian Higgins, of Wisconsin. A judge in west Michigan denied bail to Kaleb
Franks, saying he's a danger to the community based on the nature of the
offense and safety concerns for the community or specific individuals.
Franks attorneys had cited a chronic medical condition and said he's at
high risk of contracting a severe case of COVID-19 because he has
diabetes.
It'll be ten years next Friday since three boys from Morenci,
Michigan vanished. Now, HLN Original Series Real Life Nightmare devotes an
episode to the Missing Skelton Brothers Sunday night at 10. Producer Ellie
Jostad (Jo-Stad) says the father of Andrew, Alex, and Tanner, John
Skelton, claimed he gave the boys to someone or an organization the day
after Thanksgiving in 2010. Jostad says the boys would now be 19, 17 and
15. John Skelton is in prison for unlawful imprisonment and has changed
his story, but maintains that the boys are still alive. She says the boys'
mother, Tanya Zeuvers, has hope, but is realistic.
An
inmate in the Kent County Correctional Facility has died after contracting
COVID-19. WOOD TV reports Carlos Davis was walking back to his cell
Tuesday night and he fell down a flight of stairs. He was taken to
Spectrum Butterworth Hospital and died there. An autopsy shows that he
died of a blood clot in his lungs that was caused by COVID-19. Officials
say Davis was one of five inmates there who have tested positive for
COVID-19 since the pandemic began.
Top
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There
was a fire at a northern Michigan lumberyard Tuesday that spread to the
nearby mobile home park. State Police says the fire broke out at Penney's
Lumber on M-18 in Prudenville in Roscommon County. Two mobile homes and a
shed were damaged. The cause of the fire in being investigated. (Photo:
Penny's Lumber fire)
The
West Branch City Council recently discussed policies for future meetings.
Virtual meeting policies were discussed at the City Council meeting
earlier this month. According to the Ogemaw County Herald, the West Branch
City Manager told the council that they are to discuss and decide policies
for future online meetings and how it will impact quorum voting. Council
members agreed that at this point, it is uncertain how the next city
council meeting will be held. It is possible the next meeting could be
entirely on Zoom although the council has not decided how the next
meeting, December 8th, will take place. 
The
Oscoda Education Opportunity Foundation recently awarded three grants.
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Oscoda
county officials recently authorized a deposit payment. 
The
Huron County Conservation District recently received two grants.
On
November, 19th at approximately 6:44pm, troopers from the Michigan State
Police West Branch Post were dispatched for a serious injury traffic crash
between a vehicle and a civilian. The crash occurred on Gerald Miller Road
in Churchill Township. Per a press release, the investigation, to this
point, states that a 2010 Ford Fusion driven by a 17 year old West Branch
female met an oncoming vehicle from the opposite direction; once she
re-engaged her high-beams after the vehicle had passed, a pedestrian was
encountered in the center of her lane of travel. The driver attempted to
avoid the pedestrian but was unable to do so. The pedestrian, a 77 year
old West Branch man was transported to a local hospital by Ogemaw County
EMS and then airlifted downstate and is listed in critical condition. The
crash remains under investigation and alcohol does not appear to be a
factor. Troopers were assisted on scene by Ogemaw County EMS and the
Michigan State Police Third District Traffic Crash Reconstructionist.
The
Arenac County Board of Commissioners approved a 911 upgrade. During
the November, 10th meeting the Arenac County Board of Commissioners
approved the installment purchase of a Motorola 911 Flex CAD System at a
cost of $165,610 dollars to be paid over 7 years. 911 Director, Yvonne
King stated that the old system will likely have to stay in place for
about a year while transitioning to the new equipment. The new system will
decrease annual cost, including maintenance form current levels. The next
Arenac County Board of Commissioners meeting will be held on Tuesday,
November 24th at 1:30pm. 
The
Harrisville City Council has restricted the number of recreational
marijuana shops that can operate in the city limits. According to the
Alpena News, officials have already approved three applications, which
will lead to shops being opened in the coming weeks, but the council voted
4-1 recently to allow no more marijuana shops and promote other types of
business development. Mayor Jeff Gehring said other potential investors
are still interested in opening other marijuana businesses, but no further
applications will be considered. Gehring said the council decided that,
from this point on, the market will dictate if more are needed and the
limit on marijuana shops could be adjusted in the future.
The
Huron Manistee National Forest Service is offering free Christmas tree tag
vouchers to area youths. The Huron-Manistee National Forest service
is offering free Christmas tree tag vouchers to any 4th or 5th grade
students with the “Every Kid Outdoors” pass. To obtain a pass, visit
The
Mio-AuSable school board received their annual audit. During the
November 9th school board meeting, the audit presented to the Mio-AuSable
School Board showed an increase of $134,283 dollars in the general fund
balance. The balance now stands at $407,063. Superintendent Paul Ciske
stated that this was a 7.1 percent increase from last year and that the
school is in a much more stable financial position than previous years.
Last year, the balance was $272,780 dollars which was 5 percent of total
expenditures. Ciske also states that without the increase in the general
fund, the school may have been forced into cutting programs. 
The
Oscoda Education Opportunity Foundation awarded $1,548 dollars in
mini-grants. 
The
Representative Council of the Michigan High School Athletic Association
had an emergency meeting Wednesday. The meeting was to set an adjusted
schedule for the remainder of fall sports and the beginning of the winter
sports season due to Coronavirus restrictions. The Council agreed that
fall sports practices will begin on December 9th, which is the day the
restrictions expire, and then fall championships would resume in the
coming weeks after that. Football will resume games on Tuesday, December
15th and Wednesday, December 16th with 8-player finals in Midland on
December 21st and 22nd; and 11-player finals at Ford Field in Detroit on
December 28th and 29th. Volleyball will restart game action in the
quarterfinals on Tuesday, December 15th with finals in Battle Creek on
Saturday, December 19th. And swimming and diving will finish their season
on December 22nd with the diving finals and December 23rd with the
swimming finals. Winter sports, such as basketball and wrestling can also
begin practicing on December 9th and competition is slated to begin on
January 4th, 2021. The Representative Council of the MHSAA will meet again
on December 4th to make any necessary adjustments.%2020NOV20.JPG)
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Wednesday,
November 25, 2020
Thanksgiving
Day
