WATZ Today's Country

Friday News Summary 10-14-22
Fri, 14 Oct 2022 12:09:57 EDT

(Stories Courtesy of Michigan News Radio)

MICH GOV DEBATE
It was a historic debate in Michigan last night as for the first time two women went at it in a gubernatorial debate. Republican challenger Tudor Dixon and incumbent Governor Gretchen Whitmer started the debate at WOOD-TV in Grand Rapids outlining their positions on abortion. Dixon called the Governor's support for abortion rights "extremely radical." Whitmer said abortions are still legal in Michigan because of her actions and said Dixon's position is "too extreme and too dangerous." The two candidates also answered questions about education, the COVID pandemic and the economy. Political analysts say there were no knockout blows delivered by either candidate. Voters will get their say November 8th, or earlier if they vote by absentee ballot.

AG MICH HUMANE PARTNERSHIP
The attorney general and Michigan Humane are partnering to stop animal cruelty in our state. Dana Nessal and her department will provide support and resources to the Humane society, that way, more animal abuse cases can lead to more prosecutions. So far, The Attorney General and Michigan Humane announced charges against 52- year-old Kevin Warren from River Rouge, after he used Facebook accounts to post videos and pictures of animals for dog fights, and to communicate about breeding, selling, and fighting dogs. Warren was arraigned in Wayne County on three counts of Animal fighting, and one count of possessing fighting animals.

ROADS MONEY
Officials call it "historic" and "a game changer" for infrastructure in Michigan, after Senators Debbie Stabenow and Gary Peters announced our state will get more than $1.5-Billion-Dollars to rebuild roads and bridges. Both senators say the funding will come from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which was signed into law last November. Senator Peters says the money will "provide much-needed support for our roads, highways, and bridges while creating a network of new electric vehicle charging stations." This all comes thanks to President Joe Biden and his partnership with Congress to pass the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

OXFORD THREAT
A 14-year-old Oxford Township boy has been arrested at his home -- after allegedly posting pictures on social media of handguns, along with a claim that he would kill individuals of Jewish descent. After receiving a tip from the FBI, Oakland County Sheriff's investigators made the arrest Wednesday night. The boy, reportedly, admitting to posting the pictures and making the threat. Investigators noting that he DID have access to firearms. A hearing set for Thursday in the case was adjourned until next week. In the meantime, a Juvenile Court referee has authorized the boys placement at Childrens Village, in Pontiac, where he is being held without bond.

BIG JACKPOTS
Lottery players have a change to win BIG in the next drawings. The Mega Millions jackpot currently sits at $494 MILLION for TONIGHT'S drawing -- with the cash only option of $249 MILLION. If someone wins tonight..it would be the second largest Mega Millions jackpot won this year. Nobody won the Powerball drawing Wednesday night...boosting the jackpot to $454 MILLION -- the cash option is now $233 MILLION. The next Powerball drawing is on Saturday.

SPONGY MOTHS
Tree lovers should be on the look-out for masses of tree-killing pests. The Michigan State Macomb County extension is asking the public to look out for Spongy Moth -- formerly Gypsy Moth -- egg masses. The moths are not native to the U-S with few natural predators. Reoccurring large populations of the pest can eventually kill trees. The moths lay eggs in late summer..which hatch the next spring. The eggs masses are a tear-drop shaped yellow-brown color. The caterpillars can ALSO cause allergic reactions in people. Homeowners who believe they have Spongy Moth egg masses can contact the Macomb County M-S-U Extension office.

BELLEVILLE HIGH SCHOOL GUN
A Belleville High School student in Metro Detroit was arrested yesterday after bringing a gun to school. Police say they received a tip that the student was posting videos on social media with the gun. Officers then entered the school and found the gun after searching the student. The student told police he carries the gun because of an ongoing conflict in his neighborhood. Police say other Belleville students thought to be involved in the conflict were also removed from the school yesterday.

FENTANYL -ALLEN PARK
An Allen Park man has been convicted for allegedly possessing and selling dangerous drugs. 52-year-old Robert Burrell is guilty on three charges -- possession of fentanyl and heroin with the intent to distribute the drugs, maintaining a drug premises, and possession of a firearm and ammunition by a previously convicted felon. In December 2020, officials seized 800 grams of fentanyl and over 300 grams of heroin from his homes in Allen Park and Lincoln Park. Burrell was convicted yesterday by a federal jury in Port Huron. He faces 10 years to life in prison.

MENOMINEE STATE OF EMERGENCY
Governor Gretchen Whitmer has declared a state of emergency for Menominee County in the U-P due to a large scale industrial fire that began at a paper plant and neighboring warehouse last Thursday. Whitmer says through this emergency declaration, they are dedicating every available resource to fire suppression efforts, environmental protection, and financial assistance for the local response. Menominee city manager Brett Botbyl says the declaration will be immensely helpful because without this assistance the City of Menominee would not be able to sustain the financial burden from this catastrophic event.

PLANNED PARENTHOOD FIRE-KALAMAZOO
A man who made a video describing abortion as genocide has pleaded guilty to arson for a fire at a Planned Parenthood clinic in Kalamazoo. U.S. Attorney Mark Totten says 25-year-old Joshua Brereton of Paw Paw faces a Feb. 6 sentencing after entering the plea. Brereton faces five to 20 years in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. Brereton also faces a fine of up to $250,000 and will be ordered to pay restitution. The plea agreement estimates the amount of restitution Brereton will be ordered to pay to be more than $20,000.

95 YEAR OLD GETS DIPLOMA-GRANDVILLE
A 95-year-old World War Two veteran from west Michigan has finally received his high school diploma, 77 years after he was drafted and served in World War Two. Louis Nichols , of Grandville, was drafted when he was in the 10th grade and never received his high school diploma , even though he attended college when he came home. When the school district got wind of it, they presented Nichols with his honorary high school diploma. He says he'll frame it.

WALKER OFFICER WON'T FACE CHARGES
A west Michigan police officer, who shot and injured a suspect, will not face charges. Kent County Prosecutor Chris Becker has ruled that the Walker police officer was justified in his use of force . Body cam images show the suspect Robert Gallup pointing a gun at the officer before the officer fired at Gallup...shooting him in the arm. Gallup drove off and allegedly stole a U-Haul in September, hitting cruisers and other cars before he was arrested.

DEABORN BOOK DEBATE
A fiery debate over banning books continued last night in Dearborn. Hundreds of parents packed into the auditorium at Stout Middle School... giving their opinions on the fate of six books the school district says are under review because of LGBTQ themes and sexual content. Advocates who want to keep the books say a ban would infringe on students' rights. Opponents say the content of the books shouldn't be seen by children.

STOLEN CAR WITH TODDLER
A 16-year-old boy has been charged after allegedly stealing a car with a two-year-old inside and then leaving the child alone on the side of the road in Kentwood in west Michgian. The teen is not being named because he's charged in juvenile court with child abandonment and other charges. The toddler was picked up by a bus driver after one driver alerted other bus driver to the situation. The child was delivered safely to his parents. Kentwood Police Chief Bryan Litwin also thanked the citizens who rescued the toddler.

DETROIT WILL BREATHE LAWSUIT
A movement formed on the streets of Detroit in the midst of an international movement against police brutality towards Black lives is accepting a $1-million offer from the city to end a year long federal lawsuit The lawsuit filed by Detroit Will Breathe in August 2020, claimed the Detroit Police Department used items like tear gas, pepper spray and mass arrests without probable cause. The plaintiffs also alleged that police use of force resulted in injuries and hospitalizations. The Detroit Police Department, under the leadership of then-Chief James Craig, repeatedly denied wrongdoing

MOTOR CITY COMIC CON
Alice Cooper, Matt Smith, Clive Standen, Jamie Farr and Loretta Swit are among the actors and musicians who are appearing at Motor City Comic Con today through Sunday at the Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi. Many will sign autographs and take photos with fans. Many of the fans dress up in the costumes of their favorite characters. Tickets are $35 dollars today and Sunday..$40 on Saturday. Kids five and under get in free, while six to 12-tickets are 10-dollars, but all kids get in free on Sunday.