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STATE NEWS for FRI 24MAY19
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Michigan
lawmakers will gather for an additional day of session before the Memorial
Day weekend as GOP legislative leaders and Governor Gretchen Whitmer work
on a possible deal to reduce the state's high auto insurance premiums. The
House and Senate will meet to potentially vote today in a rare session
following hours of private talks at the Capitol Thursday on legislation to
overhaul the no-fault insurance law. Legislators reported progress but did
not say if an agreement was struck.
A 35-year-old southwest Michigan man has been arrested after the
dismembered body of a woman was allegedly found in his apartment. Sturgis
Police say the Sturgis man is being charged with open murder,
dismemberment of a corpse and failure to report a death after being
arrested Wednesday night. Police say an anonymous tip led to the
discovery.
More
people are calling for State Representative Larry Inman to resign since
he's been indicted on attempted bribery and extortion charges. 9 and 10
News reports dozens of voters and local politicians rallied in Traverse
City Thursday, calling on Inman to resign. Inman is accused of trying to
trade his vote on a prevailing wage bill for money from a union. Inman has
said he won't resign.
Teachers salaries are continuing to nosedive in Michigan. So says a new
reports from the teachers' union. Data released by the National Education
Association show average teachers' salaries dropped 12-percent last year.
Michigan now ranks 32nd in the nation for teacher pay. Officials claim one
in five teachers now leaves the profession in Michigan due to the paltry
salaries. The blame a decline in school funding.
A
vigil was held last night for a man who took his kayak out onto Lake
Michigan and hasn't been seen since. 23-year-old Jacob Sandy was last seen
10am Saturday with the kayak on the lake in South Bend. Sandy is from
Birmingham and his brother says he had just graduated from Hope College
last year. Sandy's car was found still sitting in the parking lot near
Porter Beach in Indiana.
A traffic stop in Eaton County's Charlotte last night led to the
arrest of the driver of a quad runner, who was towing a boat and a
trailer. Eaton County Sheriff's deputies discovered that both the ATV and
the boat were stolen. They say the incident has been linked to several
other area crimes.
Nearly
1-point-three million Michiganders are headed out of town this Memorial
Day weekend. It's the biggest number in 15 years. Three-point-three
percent more motorists are traveling than last year, the seventh
consecutive year that the number is on the rise. This will be the highest
travel volume on record for the Memorial Day holiday since 2005, when
there were nearly 1.5 million Michigan travelers.
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STATE NEWS for THU 23MAY19
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There
could be votes today in the state Legislature, as the battle over no fault
auto insurance reform continues. House and Senate Republican leaders have
been speaking with representatives from Governor Whitmer's administration
for days trying to come up with a deal. She wants some level of mandatory
coverage and for insurers to slash rates by 40 percent. The state House
earlier this month approved legislation that would allow insurers to sell
reduced coverage policies and also reduce personal injury protection
premium rates for five years. It would also end lifetime medical benefits
for injured motorists.
Several southwest Michigan churches will hold a benefit this weekend
for the congregation of a church in Kalamazoo that burned down week. Some
40 churches may take part in the Sunday benefit at Mt. Zion Baptist Church
in Kalamazoo for members of the Open Door Church of God in Christ.
The
2nd annual Michigan Space Forum will be held in Traverse City later this
month. There will be experts from space, aerospace, and engineering at the
forum. It focuses on the role in shaping the next generation of space
architecture. Topics include how the state can entice businesses to
develop space technology on "The Third Coast," the cultivation of the "Astropreneur,"
and how innovations in space can be used to study Earth and improve
communications on a global scale.
Traverse
City plans to have municipal buildings powered completely by green energy
by 2020. 9 and 10 News reports Traverse City Mayor Jim Carruthers says
Traverse City, for decades, has been concerned about climate change and
renewable energies. He says they don't need the coal plants anymore, they
can do it with "renewables". The city is focusing on solar and wind
energy.
An
Otsego city commissioner has resigned over a controversial land purchase.
City officials have accused Nick Breedveld of using his position to buy
five acres of land near the Kalamazoo River that the city planned to buy
for a park. The city had agreed to buy the five acres of 11-thousand
dollars, but then Breedveld bought it . The city commission voted to file
a lawsuit against Breedveld, but he agreed to resign and agreed to sell
the land to the city .
Detroit and Michigan state police have exhumed unidentified bodies
buried at a cemetery to try to close old homicide cases. Detroit Police
say investigators exhumed seven sets of remains Wednesday at Knollwood
Memorial Park Cemetery in Canton Township. Investigators say they're
taking DNA samples from the bones and will try to match them to possible
missing persons' cases. Detroit Police Chief James Craig says DNA
technology has improved since the unidentified bodies were buried.
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Memorial
Day weekend is a great time for camping throughout Michigan. Right now,
camp sites are about 80% filled, but there's an easy way to check
availability if you are still interested in finding a campground. Many
sites do have walk-up reservations, but you can save a lot of time and
frustration by using the Michigan DNR web site.
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STATE NEWS for WED 22MAY19
A serious crash occurred last night on Grosse Ile in Metro Detroit.
A 20-year old man was traveling at a high rate of speed when he lost
control, hit a tree, and was ejected from the vehicle. The man has been
taken to a hospital where his condition is unknown. Observers report the
car appeared to have been "split in halves". The Downriver Crash Team
responded, but it's not clear at this time if drugs or alcohol were
factors. (Photo TV 4)
A
priest in the Catholic Diocese of Saginaw has been placed on
administrative leave after alleged misconduct involving a minor . The
diocese says Father Dennis Kucharczyk (Koo-char-zik) is to have no contact
with individuals under 21, which prohibits him from going on school
properties or participating in school and parish activities and functions.
He most recently served as pastor of St. John the 23rd, which includes
churches in Hemlock, Merrill and Ryan.
An
effort to educate motorists about motorcycle safety has kicked off in
Michigan. “Motorcyclists Are Hard to See. Look Twice. Save a Life.” was
launched by Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson in Grand Rapids to inform
motorists about how best to prevent crashes with motorcyclists. The
campaign will use ads, social media posts and billboards throughout the
summer to promote motorcyclist awareness, safety and education among
non-motorcycle riders.
The Michigan Heartbeat Coalition filed its initial wording to launch a
ballot drive to ban abortions after a fetus's heartbeat is detected,
usually at six weeks. The exception would be to protect a pregnant woman's
life or health. The measure follows a Right to Life-backed group that's
seeking to prohibit a second-trimester abortion procedure. Some 340,000
signatures are required to send the initiative to the Republican-led
Legislature, who could enact it or allow a statewide vote.
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Some
former students of Muskegon Community College will be able to go back to
school and have their debts forgiven. M-Live reports that students who
have financial holds usually can't take more classes, but the MCC debt
forgiveness program will allow some students to go back to school. MCC
Finance director Ken Long says the program could boost enrollment,
increase the skill level of the county workforce, and benefit those who
would have continued college if they'd been able to pay.
An
accused child molester in mid Michigan is even more trouble for allegedly
planning to break out of the Isabella County Jail. Keith McKern reportedly
planned an escape and allegedly recruited a jail trustee to help him do
it. Isabella County Sheriff Michael Main says McKern's plan involved
climbing through a skylight and escaping on a rope ladder. He says the
corrections staff noticed some transfer of papers between McKern and the
trustee.
A 64-year-old man has died after the tractor he was using flipped at a
farm in Oceana County's Benona Township. The sheriff's office there says
Gary Mills of Grand Rapids died Monday evening following the accident at
the farm. The man was reportedly trying to use the tractor to pull open a
piece of farm equipment when it flipped.
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STATE NEWS for TUE 21MAY19
Two
men have been shot in west Michigan's Ottawa County early this morning.
The sheriff's office says a 43-year-old Ravenna man and a 57-year-old
Robinson Township man were found shot in Robinson Township, southeast of
Grand Haven at about 12:30 this morning. Both were taken to the hospital.
The sheriff's office says there are no outstanding suspects.
A West Bloomfield Township homeowner could face charges in the
largest animal hoarding case in Oakland County history. The Oakland County
Animal Shelter & Pet Adoption Center says animal control officers removed
178 cats from a home over the past three weeks. Many of the cats removed
from the house were suffering from a variety of health issues. 60 cats
have been euthanized due to maltreatment. Animal abuse and neglect charges
are being sought by Oakland County animal control authorities.
A
lawyer says three handwritten wills have been found in the home of Aretha
Franklin, months after her death -- including one that was discovered
under cushions in the living room. The latest one is dated March 2014 and
appears to give the singer's assets to family members. Some writing is
hard to decipher, and the four pages have words scratched out and phrases
in the margin. An attorney for Franklin's estate filed the wills
Monday and told a judge that he's not sure if they're legal under Michigan
law. A hearing is scheduled for June 12th.
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STATE NEWS for MON 20MAY19
A
Muskegon Heights man has been arrested after allegedly killing his wife
over a fight about cigarettes. Police Chief Joseph Thomas say the couple
fought when the husband came home with cigarettes after the two had agreed
to quit smoking. The man packed up and left the house , but Thomas says he
returned and shot his wife four times in the chest. Police believe the man
had been drinking before the shooting. He was missing for several hours
before being arrested in Muskegon.
The
E-P-A has ordered shoe maker Wolverine World Wide to excavate part of the
White Pine Trail and dredge the Rogue River near Grand Rapids. That's as
P-FAS were found at the company's former tannery near those areas.
Chromium and mercury were discovered in the groundwater and sediment.
Cleanup could close parts of the trail this summer.
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LOCAL NEWS for FRI 24MAY19.JPG)
Bad
news greeted Ogemaw county commissioners from Sheriff Howie Hanft.
According to the Ogemaw County Herald, jail revenue is running far short
of projected numbers and, according to Hanft, they are expected to fall
further. As of May 15th, jail revenue was at approximately $314-thousand
dollars. The projected jail revenue was approximately $652-thousand
dollars leaving a gap of more than $338-thousand dollars. Hanft said the
primary reason for the shortfall is that Ogemaw county has not received
any inmates from Genesee county since February 27th. Hanft said the
decrease is cause for concern as the jail’s budget relies heavily on the
outside housing revenue. Adding to the problem, arrests in the county are
down as well.
Employment
numbers are looking good on the former Wurtsmith Air Force base. Now
known as the “Wurtsmith District”, employment numbers increased overall by
15 from the previous quarter. According to the Iosco county news herald
the largest jump came from Kalitta air., reporting an increase of 69 new
full-time workers, and 58 new full-time workers from their associated
contractors. On the other end, MI-Call Center Inc., also known as Cruse
Com., saw staff numbers decline by 68. The Wurtsmith District now employs
1,813 people as of March 31st. 
Many
people who live along Higgins Lake in northern Michigan are taking legal
action against Roscommon County since the lake is often not at its legal
water level. The attorney for Citizens for Higgins Lake Legal Level, Phil
Ellison, tells 9and10 News, they've met the winter level, but they've
consistently failed to meet the summer level. The president of the group,
Eric Ostergren, says people spend a lot of money on the lake and when
levels are low they have problems with the boats hitting the rocks.
Bringing
veteran’s together is the theme of a new program in the area. Ron
Whitney, the accredited veteran’s service officer for Iosco county
veterans services, says a new coffee hour is designed to bring veterans
together. According to the Iosco County News Herald, the monthly coffee
hours will take place at the Wurtsmith Air Museum in Oscoda from 9 to 10am
and will meet the fourth Thursday of every month until September. After
that a new location will need to found as the museum closes for the season
after September's meeting. The event is open to veterans from any service
branch, male or female, and from any age group.
106th
district state representative Sue Allor of Wolverine will be holding area
office hours. Friday, Allor will be holding office hours from 1:30pm
until 2:30pm in the commissioner’s meeting room at the Alcona county
courthouse at 106 5th street in Harrisville, and then from 3:30pm until
4:30pm at the Plainfield township hall 415 east Main street in Hale. Allor
says that many good things are being worked on in Lansing and she looks
forward to answering any questions, sharing ideas and discussing issue’s
the legislature is trying to fix. Residents may also reach Allor’s Lansing
office at 517-373-0833 or 
A
Pinconning police officer was recognized with a life saving award.
According to Mlive, Sergeant Terry Spencer of the Pinconning police
department was recently recognized for his actions on March 25th, 2019.
Spencer responded to a home for a report of a baby not breathing. On
arrival, Spencer came in contact with a caregiver who was frantically
screaming for help. The 3-month old baby was already a pale blue and
Spencer was unable to detect a heartbeat. After about 5 minutes of
emergency CPR the baby started to breath and Spencer detected a heartbeat.
The baby was taken to the hospital and is now doing fine. Spencer is
certified in CPR by the American Red Cross, with re-certifications by the
Pinconning-Fraser fire department and by Northern Bay Ambulance.
The
school year suddenly got shorter for one area school district. The
winter and early spring proved to be a boon for students with an abundance
of snow days, but not so much for school administrators. According to the
Arenac County Independent, Standish-Sterling community schools will now
have to attend four fewer days. Legislation signed by Governor Gretchen
Whitmer forgave school districts for the days that were cancelled January
29th through February 1st when a state of emergency was called due to the
inclement weather. Because of the forgiven days, the final day for classes
at Standish-Sterling will now be Wednesday, June 12th with two final half
days.
The
Mio-AuSable School District went to the voters earlier this month in hopes
of passing a sinking fund millage. Voters passed the millage with
about 64% support. The school district has many needs, but the most
pressing is to replace the roof at the high school. The first
project, however, is to replace the parking lot lighting along with some
technology updates next years. It will take some time
for enough funds to be generated for the roofing project. 
A
new administrator has been named for Ascension St. Joseph hospital in
Tawas City. The new administrator is Shane Hunt. He brings 20 years
of experience in health care and hospital administration. Hunt has been
serving as the director of patient care for ascension St. Mary’s hospital.
In the past he has worked as a nurse manager for the emergency department,
emergency department director, hospital operations manager, chief flight
nurse for flightcare among other positions. Hunt will start his new role
on July 1st.
Two
meetings concerning Bovine Tuberculosis will be held this week.
AuGres-Sims
School District is pleased to announce that Superintendent Jeffrey Collier
has been highlighted by the School Superintendents Association, in their
National Leaders Matter Campaign as the Superintendent Spotlight for the
State of Michigan. The Association launched its Leaders Matter campaign to
showcase school districts where exemplary leadership of the superintendent
has resulted in meaningful, measurable outcomes for the schools, students
and communities they serve. Superintendent Collier was nominated by Chris
Wigent, the Executive Director of Michigan Association of Superintendents
and Administrators. 
SATURDAY
MAY 25, 2019
Memorial
Day
