Thursday News Summary 11-17-22Thu, 17 Nov 2022 11:57:39 EST
(Stories Courtesy of Michigan News Radio)
DETROIT RAPE KITS
Survivors of sexual assault who submitted rape kits in Detroit between 1984 and 2009
can receive information and support via a new confidential information line and website.
It's called "11,000 to Zero." Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy has announced that
all untested rape kits discovered in 2009 have been tested. Survivors assaulted now
have an additional option for results of their rape kit testing and the status of their case
by visiting www.MyRapeKit.com. Survivors can also confidentially call 313-224-4111 for
results. Since the rape kits were discovered, Worthys office has closed more than
4,800 cases with 239 convictions across 40 states.
FUTURE MOBILITY
A group formed to focus on electric vehicles and future mobility in Michigan wants to
spend at least 85-million dollars to help fund research and new programs. The Council
on Future Mobility and Electrification released 16 policy recommendations today to
push efforts to remain a leader in the mobility and electric vehicle industries. Among
the recommendations are to spend 45 million dollars on a bus electrification program,
30-million on unmanned systems technology and ten million to revive the states
mobility challenges to help workers and bring down equity barriers. Council members
will work with state lawmakers to implement the recommendations.
FRAUD AWARENESS
November 13-19 is International Fraud Awareness Week, and the Michigan
Department of Insurance and Financial Services is reminding Michigan consumers to
report suspected insurance and financial fraud to the DIFS Fraud Investigation Unit.
The DIFS FIU investigates criminal and fraudulent activity related to the insurance and
financial markets and DIFS works with the Attorney General and other state, county,
and local law enforcement to investigate these cases and refer them for prosecution. In
addition to the work done by the FIU, DIFS also offers a variety of resources to help
fight fraud, including the DIFS website, publications, videos, and the DIFS Locator,
which enables consumers to verify that they are working with properly licensed
individuals and businesses in the insurance and financial services industries.Insurance
and financial fraud can include a wide range of acts such as selling fake auto insurance
certificates, staging fake accidents to file fraudulent claims, loan fraud, and taking
advantage of cash apps to steal money from victims.
GR SEWER STUDY
The Grand Rapids City Commission has heard an overview of the 2022 water and
sewer rate study for rates effective January 1, 2023. Based on the preliminary rate
study, City of Grand Rapids rate increases of 6.27 percent to water rates and 1.27
percent to sewer service rates are recommended wholesale and retail partner
communities are subject to varying rates. Comparatively, both system increases are
less than the current rate of inflation, with annual inflation for the 12 months ending
September 2022 at 8.2 percent.
City staff conduct a comprehensive review of operating and capital costs related to
water and sewer services each year for the purpose of recommending water and sewer
rate adjustments for Grand Rapids and its customer communities the cities of East
Grand Rapids, Kentwood and Walker, the county of Ottawa, and the townships of Ada,
Cascade, Grand Rapids, Gaines, Tallmadge, Caledonia, and Wright.
UNCLAIMED PROPERTY AUCTION
Michigan Unclaimed Property will hold a public auction on Saturday, November 19, at
the Quality Suites of Lansing in Delta Township. The auction will feature a wide variety
of items, including coins, currency, jewelry, and many collectibles. Inspection of auction
items will begin at 9 a.m. on Friday, November 18, at the Quality Suites of Lansing.
Doors will open at 8 a.m. with the auction starting at 9 a.m. Under Michigan's Uniform
Unclaimed Property Act, the Michigan Department of Treasury receives abandoned
safe deposit box contents and works to return items to their rightful owners or heirs.
Items that are not reunited with their owners can be sold at auction. Proceeds from this
auction and other unclaimed funds can be claimed by rightful owners or heirs by
submitting an electronic claim form or by calling Michigan Unclaimed Property.
ROGERS CITY TIE VOTE
The election to fill a city council seat in a northern Michigan town has been settled by
drawing two pieces of paper from a bowl. Rogers City council candidates Timeen
Adair and Brittany VanderWall each received 616 votes in last week's election. On
Monday, Adair drew a piece of paper that said "elected," while VanderWall's piece of
paper said "not elected." The two candidates hugged afterward, however VanderWall
says she's already looking forward to another election in two years.
DRUG TAKE BACK
The Drug Enforcement Agency has released "Drug Take Back" results. Communities
around the country contributed to the D-E-A's National Prescription Drug Take Back
Day on October 29th. Nearly 600 take back locations participated throughout Michigan,
Ohio and northern Kentucky. The DEA Detroit Division collected over 60-thousand
pounds of unneeded prescription medications. Nearly 700-thousand pounds of
medication were collected and disposed of throughout the U-S.
ILLEGAL GUNS
Governor Gretchen Whitmer has provided an update on the number of illegal guns
taken off the streets as part of the Operation Safe Neighborhoods program. Since the
start of the program, law enforcement officials have conducted almost 15 HUNDRED
check-ins with felony offenders... leading to 194 illegal guns taken off the street...
before they could be used to commit a crime. During the sweeps... officers also
recovered illegal drugs and ammunition.
MCC TIMELYCARE
Mott Community College has partnered with TimelyMD, a virtual health and well-being
solution in higher education, to offer its students free and equitable access to medical,
mental health and basic needs support through the TimelyCare platform. TimelyCare
serves as a 24/7 virtual extension of campus health and counseling center resources,
with a goal of improving student well-being, engagement, and retention. Through
TimelyCare on their phone or other device, MCC students can select from a wideranging menu of virtual care options from licensed physicians and counselors in all 50
states at no cost and without the hassle of traditional insurance. TimelyCare also
provides a library of digital self-care content and a peer support community to help
students be well and thrive, whenever and wherever they may be. Additionally, faculty
and staff have access to support that empowers them to guide students to TimelyCare
resources to help students achieve a sense of well-being, live healthier lifestyles and
improve their mental health.
SUN COUNTRY AIRLINES
More options are coming for those who those fly in and out of Cherry Capital Airport in
Traverse City. Sun Country Airlines will offer nonstop flights to Minneapolis Saint Paul
International Airport starting next summer. This will be a seasonal service, with flights
from June through September on Mondays and Fridays.
Sun Country Airlines is a hybrid, low-cost air carrier. TVC is expecting more travelers
with an expanding roster of flights but are prepared for them. Sun Country will be the
fifth airline at Cherry Capital Airport joining American, Delta, United and Allegiant
Airlines.
MANCELONA BUCK POLE
With firearm deer season officially open, the 68th annual Mancelona Buck Pole is
underway in Antrim County.
Hunters from all over northern Michigan bring their bucks to the Community Pavilion in
downtown Mancelona for this community contest. Some of those prizes are for the
heaviest buck, the most points and the first buck brought in. During the two-day event,
there are 75 more prizes available for hunters. There is a $5 registration fee to enter
the contest.
GRAND TRAVERSE RESORT UPGRADES
The Grand Traverse Resort and Spa is in the final phase of its $13 million renovations.
Last week, the resort started construction of its original six-story hotel that hasn't been
updated in more than a decade. The $10 million renovation is gutting more than 200
rooms to update flooring, lighting and bathrooms, while also staying open for guests.
The resort plans to have these renovations done by next spring, completing the fouryear renovation plan.
ESPORTS CHARITY
Kettering University Esports Coach Dan Nowaczyk could have a permanent reminder
of his teams charity efforts this year. Starting at 10 a.m. November 19, about 50 team
members will spend 24 hours gaming to raise money for Hurley Childrens Hospital in
Flint. The team is partnering with Extra Life, a nonprofit organization created to unite
gamers to raise money for Childrens Miracle Network Hospitals. This is the teams
second year hosting a 24-hour gaming event. The gaming marathon takes place in the
Esports rooms of the Academic Building. Students are welcome to participate too.
BAD CHECKS
A Macomb County man, who claimed he was a sovereign citizen and didn't have to pay
taxes, has pleaded guilty to writing fake one-million dollar checks. The Michigan
Attorney General's office says 54-year old Damon Montgomery pleaded guilty to three
counts of no-account check and faces up to six years in prison when he's sentenced in
January. Investigators say Montgomery sent three checks to the state Treasury
Department last year in an attempt to pay his taxes, but the checks bounced because
he didn't have a bank account. So-called sovereign citizens believe they dont have to
answer to any government authority or law enforcement.
BATTERY RECYCLING
The Energy Department has awarded nearly $74 million dollars from the bipartisan
infrastructure law for 10 projects to advance recycling and reuse of batteries for electric
vehicles and other purposes. The funding will go to academic and commercial
applicants in seven states, including four in California. Other grant winners are in
Michigan, Nevada, New Jersey, Tennessee, Indiana and Alabama. The announcement
supports President Joe Biden's goal for electric vehicles to make up half of all new
vehicle sales by 2030.
ELDER ABUSE
A Kalamazoo County man pleading guilty to multiple counts of financial elder abuse
involving a 77-year-old woman who suffered from multiple medical conditions. 39-yearold Craig McCauley of Kalamazoo is charged with taking more than 45 thousand
dollars worth of the victim's money and property for his own use between 2018 and
2019. Attorney General Dana Nessel says MacCauley used the victim's money to
purchase multiple items, maxed out the victim's credit cards, and overdrew her bank
account. Macauley has been ordered to pay restitution and is scheduled for
sentencing on September 11, 2023, in Kalamazoo Circuit Court.
WINTER STORM
Get ready for a blast of winter in much of Michigan today. The National Weather
Service has issued a Winter Storm Warning for Kent, Ionia, Barry, Eaton, Kalamazoo,
and Calhoun Counties, with total snow accumulations of six to 12 inches. The Weather
Service says travel could very very difficult, with hazardous conditions affecting the
morning or evening commute. The warning is in effect from this morning until 7am
Saturday.
If you must travel, officilals say keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle
in case of an emergency.
ST.CLAIR HACKER
A hacker has hijacked theSt. Clair County Sheriffs Office Twitter account and Tweeted
anti-LGBTQ content.
The first tweets from the hacker appeared on Tuesday. The person who took over the
account responded to a tweet from actress Hilarie Burton-Morgan written three years
ago. In three replies, the person went on an an anti-gay rant using the sheriff's office
account.
Officials say Twitter has notified them about the hack. The sheriff's office plans to
remove the posts and investigate the incident.
DOCTOR ABUSE
Farmington Hills Police are being flooded with calls about a hockey doctor who faces
several charges of criminal sexual conduct.
Dr. Zvi Levran faces 17 total charges... stemming from his time working with youth
hockey teams for at least two decades -- not only in Metro Detroit -- but also in other
states. Police have received a total of 33 new tips about Levran's conduct from across
Metro Detroit... along with five other states and Canada.
Levran most recently served as a volunteer to the Novi High School hockey team. The
district says it's working with police during the investigation.
WAYE LIGHT FEST
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...as The Wayne County Lightfest opens today
for its month long run at Hines Park. The FOUR MILE stretch features nearly 50
animated holiday displays and more than 100-THOUSAND lights. The entrance is on
Merriman Road -- between Ann Arbor Trail and Warren Avenue, in Westland. The
Lightfest be open Wednesday thru Sunday ... December 24, Christmas Eve.
DOCTOR ABUSE
Farmington Hills Police is being flooded with calls about a hockey doctor who faces
several charges of criminal sexual conduct.
Dr. Zvi Levran faces 17 total charges... stemming from his time working with youth
hockey teams for at least two decades -- not only in Metro Detroit -- but also in other
states.
Police have received a total of 33 new tips about Levran's conduct from across Metro
Detroit... along with five other states and Canada.
Levran most recently served as a volunteer to the Novi High School hockey team. The
district says it's working with police during the investigation.
SCHOOL BACK
Classes across Jackson and Hillsdale counties are back in session today after being
canceled for three days in a row... following a ransomware attack.
District officials had to take technology systems offline over the weekend to contain the
attack.
Public schools in Jackson and Hillsdale counties belong to a technology system that
shares services.
Officials say the system outage impacted everything from heating and cooling -- to
phones and classroom technology.
MEAT RECALL
Tyson Meats is recalling nearly 100 THOUSAND pounds of raw ground beef products
due to contamination from a reflective, mirror-like material.
The products were produced on November 2nd. Anyone concerned about an injury or
illness after consuming Tyson beef should contact a healthcare provider. NO incidents
have been reported as of this morning -- but customers are asked to throw away any
ground beef products listed in the recall.
NARCAN VENDING
The City of Dearborn is opening a Narcan Vending Station -- allowing residents to
access the lifesaving drug... proven to reverse overdoses.
The vending machine is located in the lobby of the John D. Dingell Transit Center on
Michigan Ave. Residents who need Narcan can take it at no cost.
Dearborn's Director of Public Health says the vending machine is one of several
planned interventions to curb the rise of opioid-related overdoses across the city
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