WATZ Today's Country

Friday News Summary 09-16-22
Fri, 16 Sep 2022 12:27:03 EDT

(Stories Courtesy of Michigan News Radio)

UM SEX ABUSE SETTLEMENT
Attorneys are asking a judge to approve creation of a settlement fund for sexual-assault victims of a University of Michigan sports doctor -- a key step in a $490 million dollar deal with more than one-thousand people. The settlement between the school and victims of the late Dr. Robert Anderson was announced in January. A request was filed this week under seal in Detroit federal court. It seeks the establishment of a "survivors settlement fund" and the appointment of someone to oversee the fund. Anderson died in 2008 after working at the university for nearly 40 years.

EMU PROF RATIFICATION VOTE
Professors at Eastern Michigan University will vote on a new contract next week. The new agreement, which was reached last weekend, provides faculty members with a four percent raise or four-thousand dollars in base pay and seven percent pay increases in the following two years. The contract also calls for professors to receive the same health care options as administrators and other groups on campus. About 500 professors went on strike for four days last week as a result of the contract dispute.

FORMER PRESIDENT COMING TO MICHIGAN
Former president Donald Trump will be coming to Michigan in just over two weeks to campaign for Republicans running for Governor, Secretary of State and Attorney General. The former president's political committee said the October first rally will take place at Macomb Community College in suburban Detroit. Tudor Dixon is challenging Governor Whitmer, Attorney General candidate Matt DePerno is facing Dana Nessel and Kristina Karamo is running against Jocelyn Benson for Secretary of State. The election is November 8th, however absentee ballots will start going out later this month.

SISTER OF RUSSIAN PRISONER TO MEET WITH PRESIDENT
Senior administration officials say President Joe Biden plans to meet at the White House today with the families of Michigan resident Paul Whelan and WNBA star Brittney Griner who remain jailed in Russia. The meetings are to be the first in-person encounter between Mr. Biden and the families and come amid sustained but so far unsuccessful efforts by the administration to secure the two Americans' release. The administration said in July that it had made a "substantial proposal" to get them home, but Russia has not yet settled on a deal with the U.S.

MISSING TEENS IN NORTHERN MICHIGAN
Michigan State Police are asking for the public's help in finding three teenagers who have been missing since Tuesday. Troopers say a 13-year old girl is believed to be with a 15-year old boy and a 16-year old. The girl, Marissa Kollien, is considered a juvenile runaway. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the MSP Alpena Post or call 911.

PEEPING TOM-ANN ARBOR
A man accused of hiding cameras in public bathrooms at businesses in and around Ann Arbor is back behind bars and expected to face a judge today. The Washtenaw County Prosecutor's office brought 13 more charges against Erric Morton who was arrested for a second time yesterday. Morton had posted bond earlier. The new charges include capturing and distributing images of an unclothed person and using computers to commit a crime. Authorities say Morton putt the hidden cameras in various businesses including Starbucks and Bath and Body works. Investigators say there may be more victims, but it's unclear how many.

EQUINE ENCEPHALITIS-ROSCOMMON COUNTY
A case of eastern equine encephalitis has been confirmed in a horse in Roscommon County. The Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development says it's the state's second Triple E confirmation in a domestic animal. The horse became ill September second with colic-like symptoms that progressed to muscle tremors and being down with an inability to rise. State Vet Nora Wineland says the horse was not vaccinated against the disease and was humanely euthanized due to the severity of her condition.

FORMER DEPUTY CHARGED IN ASSAULT-INGHAM COUNTY
A former Kent County Sheriff's deputy has been charged in an assault in Ingham County. Marcelo Aranda is accused of attacking a paralyzed man after a road rage incident near Lansing a few weeks ago. That man, Tyler Leuken, was charged with operating while intoxicated. He claims Aranda pulled him from the vehicle, threw him on the ground and punched him in the face. The Kent County Sheriff's department has fired Aranda.

UHAUL CHASE-WEST MICHIGAN
A west Michigan man, accused of stealing a U-Haul and leading police on a chase, now faces several charges. 36-year-old Robert Gallup, of Kentwood, is accused of felonious assault, malicioius destruction of police property and other charges from a chase last week. The Ottawa County Sheriff's Office says they were investigating a stolen motorcycle when police struggled with Gallup, who drove off....leading police on a chase. They say he stopped and swam across the Grand River to Georgetown Township where he stole a U-Haul. Deputies say he hit several cruisers, other vehicles and street signs. Captain Jacob Sparks says a deputy shot Gallup and the U-Haul was disabled. Two deputies had minor injuries. Gallup has been released from the hospital.

POW-MIA CEREMONY-NOVI
A special ceremony scheduled this evening to remember and honor Prisoners of War and those missing in action. The POW Committee of Michigan is holding the 43rd annual memorial service at Oakland Hills Memorial Gardens in Novi. National POW-MIA Recognition Day is a day when the nation pauses to honor returned prisoners of war, remember those U.S. military members who remain missing from past wars, and to support ongoing search efforts to find those who have not been recovered. There are about three-thousand soldiers and others from Michigan who remain missing from wars including World War 2, Vietnam and Iraq.

AUTO SHOW CHARITY PREVIEW
The Charity Preview for the North American International Auto Show will be held tonight. The dressy, black tie fundraiser is being held for the first time in three years because of the pandemic. You'll see a drone show and a demonstration of jet packs along with the launch of the new Dinosaur Off Road Vehicle Encounter. The auto show opens to the public on Saturday.

CHILD PREDATOR-U-P
A 41-year-old Marquette County man has been arrested for allegedly accosting a child for immoral purposes, & child sexually abusive activity. Upnorthlive reports Royce Hagemeister was conversing online with someone he thought was a child and arranged a meeting with the minor for sex. A state trooper had posed as a minor and Hagemeister was arrested when a female trooper posed as a decoy near Marquette High School earlier this month.

DOG ON ISLAND
Clare County Animal Control will now take over efforts to rescue a Great Dane on an island in Cranberry Lake in mid Michigan. 9 and 10 News reports that's after Moore's Lost K9 Search & Recovery has spent 29 days trying to trap Zaria. In a Facebook post, the recovery group says they are leaving today and have left food and water for two days. Animal control plans to set another trap today.

KALKASKA COUNTY CRASH
In Kalkaska County, two children and two adults are hospitalized after a two car crash Wednesday night. Two SUV's collided. One child was flown to DeVos Hospital in Grand Rapids with serious injuries. Police say one of the drivers had been drinking.

WEEKEND EVENTS
The 43rd Michigan Firemen's Memorial Festival is taking place through Sunday in Roscommon County. Other events this weekend inlcude: Balloons over Bay Harbor, C.S. Lewis Festival in Petoskey, and the Taste of Harbor Springs. The Paddle Antrim Festival includes a two-day event thru the Chain of Lakes Water Trail. The big rigs return to the straits area for the St. Ignace Truck Show which includes a lighted parade across the Mackinac Bridge Saturday evening.