WATZ Today's Country

Thursday News Summary 10-20-22
Thu, 20 Oct 2022 11:57:57 EDT

(Stories Courtesy of Michigan News Radio)

MUTILATION SENTENCING
The suspect who acknowledged killing a Schwartz Creek man and hanging the mutilated body from a ceiling will face life in prison without parole. A judge said Wednesday that the killing was premeditated murder. Mark Latunski pleaded guilty in September to killing 25-year-old Kevin Bacon. Judge Matthew Stewart called it a "crime of cold calculation." The men met on the dating app Grindr. Latunski initially was found incompetent to stand trial, but that status changed after mental health treatment. Defense attorney Mary Chartier says first-degree murder doesn't fit the case. Firstdegree murder carries a mandatory sentence of life in prison. The next hearing is Dec. 15.

YOUTH SOCCER COACH ARREST
A former soccer coach in Michigan is facing rape and other charges related to a relationship with an eleven-year old player. The Attorney General's office filed 18 charges including criminal sexual conduct, accosting a child for immoral purposes, and using a computer to commit a crime against 34-year old Andrew Olnhausen. Investigators say Olnhausen was a coach with Fellowship Christian Athletes in Adrian and had a five year relationship with the victim until she was 16-years old. The investigation by Adrian Police included a search of Olnhausen's cell phone and social media accounts and led to the discovery of dozens of naked images of the victim as well as other evidence. Olnhausen is now working as the Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Cornerstone Healthcare Group in Dallas. He was arrested by U.S. Marshalls in Texas and is awaiting extradition back to Michigan.

NEWS ANCHOR MURDER
A police case file has revealed new details about the murder of news anchor Jim Matthews and the attack on his family in their Macomb County home. 55-year old Author Williamson of Port Huron is facing first degree murder, attempted murder and unlawful imprisonment charges in connection with the incident on September 23rd. According to the case file, Matthews' girlfriend said she was friends with Williamson, and he'd called her at around 3 a.m., while Matthews was still at work. She told police that Williamson asked her if she would be up, she said yes, and he showed up at the Chesterfield Township condo where she lived with Matthews and their two children at around 4 a.m. Williamson allegedly brought a bag with him that night filled with zip ties, duct tape and a knife. He remains held in the Macomb County Jail without bond.

UM STUDY ON ALS AND PRODUCTION WORKERS
A new University of Michigan study shows that those who work in manufacturing jobs may be more likely to get Lou Gherig's disease. The study found elevated levels of cancer-causing chemicals in the blood of patients with ALS, a neurological disease that weakens the muscles, eventually causing death. The study found that nearly threequarters of the nearly 400 patients surveyed reported working manufacturing, welding or other chemical operation on the job. Researchers say that with no cure for the disease, they are looking into prevention.

SPIRIT JETBLUE
Airports in Michigan could see additional flights. Spirit Airlines and JetBlue are merging. Sixty-seven percent of Spirit stockholders have voted in favor of the marriage. If the Fed allows it, the deal could close by the first half of 2024. Airline officials say it would mean more service by JetBlue.

RAP MUSIC
When it comes to music - rap is apparently king in Michigan. A new survey by Wisevoter compared the favorites music genre in all 50 states. Rap was the top in 23 states, followed by country in 22. Rock music was far behind, the favorite in just five stats, including Alaska and Nevada.

WHITMER-MINIMUM WAGE
What will happen with the minimum wage in Michigan? Governor Gretchen Whitmer says that a pending hike in the state's minimum wage is probably not sustainable for businesses and she urges the legislature to work with her on a plan to possibly phase in the hike. Crain's reports Whitmer is concerned about the implementation of the minimum wage hike. A judge in July declared unconstitutional a 2018 Republican lame-duck maneuver to weaken voter-proposed minimum wage and paid sick leave laws to make them more business-friendly, saying the original initiatives will take effect in February. If his decision holds, the current $9.87 hourly minimum wage which is scheduled to go to $10.10 in January would rise to $12 a month-and-a-half later and increase annually with inflation.

MAN HEADED FOR TRIAL IN SHOOTING CANVASSER-W MI
A west Michigan man is headed to trial after he allegedly shot an anti-abortion volunteer who was going door to door urging people to vote against Proposal 3. A judge has bound over 74-year-old Richard Harvey for trial on two felony counts of assault and careless discharge of a weapon near Lake Odessa last month. Joan Jacobson went to the home about Proposal 3 and she and Harvey's wife began arguing and Harvey says he tried to intervene. He told state police that he ran over with his finger on the trigger of the gun and it accidentally went off, hitting the 83-year-old Jacobson in the shoulder.

ANN ARBOR FOOTBALL TEAM ASSAULT
Police are investigating assault allegations involving a high school football team in Ann Arbor. Earlier this month, a 15-year-old Huron High School JV football player came forward... saying he was assaulted by four teammates. The teen was allegedly pulled to the floor and wrapped in netting. His phone was also thrown and broken. Part of the incident was recorded on video. The student's mother contacted the school after the incident... Huron then called the police. Ann Arbor Public Schools says the district is working with police as it determines discipline for the four students. An investigation continues.

MONKEYPOX MI
The spread of monkey pox remains slow -- but consistent -- in Michigan. The state added 31 new cases over the last two weeks -- bringing the state's total to 311 known cases of the viral infection. Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties have seen the most monkey pox cases since the outbreak began. Total monkey pox cases across the nation are up 3 percent over the last week.

POWERBALL-ONE MILLION DOLLAR MI WINNER
There was no big winner of last night's powerball jackpot, but check your tickets. There was a ONE million dollar ticket sold in Michigan for matching five numbers. The jackpot is now 550 million dollars for Saturday's jackpot.

MICHIGAN RETAILERS
September sales have jumped over August sales in Michigan. The Michigan Retailers Association that the September Retail Index suvey came in at 61-point-5, a jump from August's 49-point-3. Index values above 50 generally indicate positive activity. 47-percent of Michigan retailers reported a sales increase over August while 36- percent reported a decrease with 17-percent reporting no change.

FATAL CRASH-SW MI
There was a fatal crash on U-S-131 near White Pigeon in southwest Michigan's Constantine Township Wednesday afternoon. State Police say a 39-year-old woman from Three Rivers was driving northbound when she crashed head-on with a pickup truck driven by a 59-year-old man. The woman was pronounced dead at the scene. Police say witnesses say the man had passed several cars in a no-passing zone. His truck caught on fire and he was pulled out of the truck and taken to the hospital.

EASPOINTE WATER
A state senator has scheduled a water giveaway in Eastpointe in response to lead contamination in the city's drinking water. Michael MacDonald will be giving away water from 2 to 4 on Friday at Eastwood Odd Fellows Lodge on Gratiot. Any resident is welcome to pick up water free of charge. On Monday, Eastpointe announced that some of its water samples came back with lead levels exceeding the state standards. The city reported that 30 testing sites registered at 18 parts per billion. Michigans lead action level is 15 parts per billion.

GRAND RAPIDS CRASH ARREST
A 27-year-old west Michigan man has been arrested in a fatal crash that happened in Grand Rapids back in June. Jeremy Cox has been charged with reckless driving death and driving while suspended causing death in the crash that killed a 65-year-old man on June 9th. Police say Cox crossed the center line causing the death. Speed was believed to be a factor in the crash.

GUN BUYBACK-SOUTHFIELD
A Metro Detroit church is taking a stand on gun violence. St. David's Episcopal Church is Southfield will be one of four locations in a county-wide gun buyback event on Saturday. Residents who want to participate in the buyback can put their gun in the trunk of their car, pull up to the church... and a police officer will take the gun in exchange for a gift card. There will be 100 dollar gift cards for a handgun, 200 for a rifle, and 300 for an assault rife.