Tuesday News Summary 09-20-22Tue, 20 Sep 2022 12:16:27 EDT
(Stories Courtesy of Michigan News Radio)
MICHIGAN PARENTS COUNCIL
Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced the members of the Michigan Parents Council, an advisory group the governor established to more formally bring parents into the education budget process for the first time in Michigan history. The council represents parents from across Michigan, as well as parents of students with a variety of educational needs. The council will convene a series of regional parent roundtables to gather input. The appointees include: Jennifer L. Figler, of Gwinn, an active volunteer in her community ; Sarah Kucher, of Birch Run, a senior commodity buyer for ValuePoint Solutions; Yazeed Moore, of Grand Rapids, a senior programs officer for the W.K. Kellogg Foundation; and Bailey Nuss, of Traverse City, the Northwest region impact director for the United Way of Northwest Michigan.
COLLEGE AND CAREER KICKOFF
Area colleges and universities have teamed up for a College and Career Kickoff event October 4 from 6-8 p.m. at the University of Michigan-Flints Riverfront Conference Center in downtown Flint. The event is designed to help young adults identify a higher education or career pathway through a comprehensive slate of drop-in programming presented by a diverse team of experts. Attendees interested in taking the next step toward a college degree can discuss their needs with admissions and financial aid professionals from UM-Flint, Kettering University and Mott Community College. Topics covered will include choosing the right college, the application process, submitting the FAFSA and financing a college degree.
BASKETBALL STAR ARRESTED
Former top Michigan high school basketball player Emoni Bates has been arrested in Washtenaw County on weapons charges. The 18-year-old is facing carrying a concealed weapon and altering ID marks charges. Bates -- an Ypsilanti native -- played at Lincoln High School and then Ypsi Prep Academy. He played one college season at Memphis before transferring to Eastern Michigan University over the summer. He was at one point considered one of the top high school players in the country.
TRAFFIC DEATHS
The number of people killed on U.S. roadways fell slightly during the second quarter of the year, the first decline in two years. But the government says traffic fatalities are still at a crisis level. Estimates from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration show that 20-thousand-175 people died in crashes from January through June, an increase of 0.5% over the same period last year. The small decline from April through June was the first drop after seven-straight quarters of increases that started in 2020. Analysts say the decrease may signal that traffic deaths are finally dropping after an increase fueled by more dangerous driving that happened as roads were clear of traffic during lockdowns early in the pandemic.
UPS DRIVER KILLED IN CRASH
The Grand Traverse County Sheriffs Office says a UPS driver from Interlochen was killed in a single-vehicle crash in Blair Township last Friday night. Deputies says a UPS truck driven by 57-year-old Timothy Strobl left the road and hit a tree. The road was closed for several hours while deputies investigated. The sheriffs office says alcohol and drugs are not believed to have been a factor in the crash. It is not known if Strobl suffered from a medical condition, but deputies are waiting for autopsy results.
VA FRAUD
A Michigan veteran has been sentenced to five years in prison after investigators who followed him discovered he had faked injuries that allowed him to claim more than $260-thousand dollars in federal benefits. 53-year-old Joseph Gray of Lawton repeatedly claimed he had lost the use of his legs and left hand in order to obtain the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs benefits, prosecutors said. However, government investigators saw him walking, using his left hand and even carrying a heavy bag on his shoulder. Acquaintances also told investigators they had not seen Gray in a wheelchair except for his VA appointments.
HERSHEY CONTEST
Halloween fans, now is your chance to celebrate your love for the season. According to a new survey from Hershey, 60% of Americans agree that it is socially acceptable to start celebrating Halloween before October. To make this news even sweeter, Hershey is giving away Halloween starter kits, filled with all of the wicked supplies to get your season started early. To enter for your chance to win, respond to dedicated sweepstakes posts on @hersheys social media using #HersheyHalloweenKit and #Giveaway.
MSP CRASH
A Michigan State Police trooper taken to the hospital early Monday morning after his police car was hit by a suspected drunk driver. State Police were blocking a lane on I-94 near Zeeb Road in Washtenaw County for a tow truck when a driver from Canton crashed into the squad car. The trooper had minor injuries. The 33-year old driver who crashed into the State Police car was arrested for drunk driving.
GUN BUYBACK
Residents turned in nearly 300 firearms at Saturdays Grand Rapids gun buyback event. The 285 firearms collected is twice as many than was turned-in during the Citys first two gun buyback events combined. In 2020, during its first two buyback events, SAFE and the GRPD collected a total of 267 firearms. Two of the firearms turned-in were reported stolen, including one from the Grand Rapids Police Department back in 1982. The third buyback program was sponsored by the Safe Alliances for Everyone Task Force and Grand Rapids Police Department as part of their ongoing efforts to reduce violent crime in the city. The event was funded through a $40-thousand contribution from the SAFE Task Force.
BIRTH CONTROL ACCESS
Governor Gretchen Whitmer has announced that pharmacists in the State of Michigan are eligible to prescribe hormonal birth control in partnership with doctors. This action from the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs offers women easier access to birth control and provides them greater freedom to plan their families. It is the result of the governors executive directive in May instructing state departments and agencies to identify and assess opportunities to increase protections for reproductive health care in anticipation of Roe v. Wade being overturned.Licensed physicians may delegate to pharmacists the ability to prescribe self-administered, hormonal contraceptives in most circumstances.
DEFECTIVE WASTEWATER ORDER
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has announced the issuance of an Order by the Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy to Lockhart Chemical Company in Flint that requires the company to immediately stop use of defective wastewater and stormwater conveyance systems and to pump the facilitys wastewater and stormwater for offsite disposal. The Order requires Lockhart to immediately cease use of leaky underground tunnels that carry the facilitys wastewater offsite for treatment. EGLE used laboratory chemical analysis fingerprinting to establish that the pollutants entering the Flint River near Lockhart are a match to the wastewater inside the facility.
MONKEYPOX
There's a PROBABLE case of Monkeypox in Kalamazoo County. Health officials say the patient is isolating... and does not pose a risk to the public. The virus is spread from person-to-person by direct contact. As of Sunday... 246 confirmed monkeypox cases have been identified in Michigan.
WATER MAIN UPDATE
It will be another two weeks before a broken water distribution line will be operating normally. The Great Lakes Water Authority said that flushing and disinfecting of the 10- foot wide transmission main near Port Huron has been ongoing, but due to the size of the pipe, and the technical nature of the work, the line won't be in normal operation until October 5th. The pipe ruptured in mid-August and forced a boil water advisory for nearly one million residents in southeastern Michigan. Some communities still have a ban on outdoor watering as a result of the break.
NEW TIGER GM
The Detroit Tigers have a new person running their front office. After firing General Manager Al Avila last month -- the team has now reportedly hired San Francisco Giants general manager Scott Harris as their new president of baseball operations. He's been with the Giants since 2019, after spending time as an assistant GM to Theo Epstein with the Chicago Cubs when they won the World Series in 2016.
COP NOT CHARGED IN SHOOTING-ALLEGAN COUNTY
An officer involved in the shooting of Joseph Nagle in June in Allegan County will not be charged. Michigan State Police say the deputy observed a vehicle swerving over the yellow center line and suspected the driver was drunk. The deputy stopped the vehicle and asked the driver for his license and registration and smelled marijuana. The deputy had Nagle get out of the car and Nagle was acting erratically and as the deputy tried to arrest him, Nagle began punching and head butting the deputy and threatened to kill him. The deputy said he was starting to fall to the ground and lose consciousness when he pulled out his gun and shot Nagle. He began chest compressions, but Nagle died. The deputy was taken to the hospital with a traumatic head injury, facial swelling and contusions.
EMU PROFESSORS VOTE
Professors at Eastern Michigan University today will vote on a tentative contract that last week called a halt to their strike. Officials with the professors' union say the deal calls for a 4% pay increase in the first year - and a 3.5 percent raise the next two years after that. The professors are voting by secure email. Results are expected by Friday night.
LEGISLATORS BACK TO WORK
It's back to work for state lawmakers this week. The Senate will return to Lansing today, while the State House will convene tomorrow. Both chambers have not met on the same day since July 1st. Lawmakers say they do work in their districts when not in session. Michigan is one of only ten states where the legislatures are considered fulltime.
BODY FOUND-GRAND RAPIDS
The body of a man has been found at Grand Rapids Fish Ladder Park. The body of the unnamed victim was found late last night. It's not yet known how the many died. Anyone with information is asked to Grand Rapids Police or Silent Observer.
FALL COLOR-MI
We're already seeing Fall color in some areas of Michigan. Those changing leaves bring millions of dollars into Michigan. Fall color is a huge tourism draw in Michigan. Travel Michigan vice president Dave Lorenz says the colors are already changing in the western and central U-P and will begin moving south.
OTTAWA COUNTY SURVEY
Residents in Ottawa County in west Michigan want to see affordable housing with county money from the American Rescue Plan Act. In a new survey, they'd also like to see social programs. Ottawa County has received $57 million dollars in American Rescue Plan Act money. A committee will look at spending proposals and present the findings to the full board.
DRIVER CHARGES-WEXFORD COUNTY
In Wexford County, a driver is facing several charges after driving over a 100 miles per hour on U.S.-131. 32-year-old Ronald Williamson, of Manton , was arrested for driving under the influence, possession of meth and felony firearms charges.
MISSING TEEN-ROSEVILLE
Roseville Police are asking for the public's help to locate a missing teenager. 14-year-old Bradley Michael Sexton was last seen on Sunday around 6 p.m. in the area of Elmhurst Street and Longfellow running towards Gratiot. Police describe Sexton as 5-foot-8 to 5-foot-9 and 165 pounds with hazel eyes and short brown hair. He was last seen wearing a red shirt, red pants, and black Nike "Air Jordan" shoes. Sexton is known to frequent Huron Park in Roseville and hangs out in the Mount Clemens area. Anyone with information on Sexton is asked to call Roseville Police.
PICKFORD EMS
In Chippewa County, Kinross Emergency Medical Services has begun to answer Pickford Township's EMS calls For almost 60 year, Pickford Township EMS has served the local community, But , in recent years, it's been harder to maintain the service due to staffing issues and less volunteers.
NORTHVILLE DOWNS
For more than four hours last night, Northville residents, business owners, and city council members debating whether or not to proceed with redeveloping Northville Downs, an 80-year-old horse racing track, into a living space. One man in favor of the development expressing confusion over any opposition. The city council will be looking at rezoning the area and getting input from the Northville Historical District Committee before voting to approve the project or not.
TRAVERSE CITY SPLASH PAD
Last night, Traverse City commissioners approved spending more that $126-thousand dollars to upgrade the Clinch Park Splash Pad, agreed to purchase a strip of property on West Front Street for a planned future parking deck, and authorized a two-year contract extension for a school resource officer.
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