WATZ Today's Country

Friday News Summary 11-18-22
Fri, 18 Nov 2022 08:59:18 EST

(Stories Courtesy of Michigan News Radio)

COVID PANDEMIC FRAUD SCHEME
A former state employee and three others have been indicted on fraud charges related
to a one-million dollar scheme. The U.S. Attorney in west Michigan says Adelita Juarez
of Kent City was working as an Unemployment Insurance Examiner and helped
process fraudulent claims that were filed in hopes of receiving federal benefits related
to the COVID-19 pandemic. The claims involved in the case were allegedly for workers
who were ineligible for benefits because they were not working in the state or live in
Michigan. If convicted, the suspects face up to 30 years in prison.

INTERNET, SPORTS GAMING
A new record for internet gaming in Michigan. The Gaming Control Board says gross
receipts for casino operators in October were a record 141-million dollars. That beats
an earlier high of 132-million in April. The latest report shows the amount of sports
betting increased by about one-and-a half million dollars to 49.2 million. All totaled,
internet and sports betting in October totaled 190-million dollars, which is up 7.7
percent over a month ago.

ECONOMIC FORECAST FOR MICHIGAN
It's a good news-bad news story about the economy. University of Michigan
economists say we can expect a recession next year, but it should be a mild one. The
report released Thursday says a strong auto sector should keep Michigan from
suffering the worst effects of the economic downturn. Economists expect the Federal
Reserve to keep raising interest rates through the first hal of next year to get a handle
on inflation.

FLINT WATER CRISIS APPEAL
Attorneys for former Michigan Health Director Nick Lyon are asking an appeals court to
dismiss an effort to reinstate involuntary manslaughter charges related to the Flint
water crisis. Lyon's defense team made the request earlier this week in response to a
pledge by prosecutors to keep fighting for criminal charges to be reconsidered after the
indictments were ruled invalid by the Michigan Supreme Court. Charges against Lyon
and other defendants were dismissed shortly after the decision.

NFL GAME AT FORD FIELD, NOT THE LIONS
Due to a massive snow storm on the east coast, an NFL game between the Buffalo
Bills and Cleveland Browns will be played this Sunday at Ford Field in Detroit. Details
on tickets and other game day information for the game should be announced today.
The Bills will play at Ford Field again next Thursday against the Lions on Thanksgiving.

WINTER STORM
Western Michigan has already seen Snowfall totals of 7-8 inches from the early winter
storm that's hitting the state. And forecasters say that is only the beginning of our
snowfall forecast. The National Weather Service say another eight inches of snowfall
could fall ascross the region between now and Saturday morning, with even more
snowfall possible through the day.
That means you can expert slow travel and slippery conditions to continue and even
get worse over the next few days. In addition to the snowfall, winds are also expected
to pick up , meaning blowing and drifting will also be a problem.
The reason for all this snowfall continues to be several low-pressure areas that are
moving to our north and weak throughs that are pushing through the Great Lakes
region. New York's Governor has already declared a state of emergency for parts of
western New York ahead of a dangerous storm that had the potential to dump several
feet of snow on some communities on the eastern ends of Lake Erie and Lake Ontario.

FORD FIELD BILLS GAME
The Detroit Lions are on the road this Sunday. But there will be football at Ford Field.
The Buffalo Bills and Cleveland Browns will play at Ford Field in Detroit this Sunday
due to a massive snow storm expected on the east coast. Kickoff is at 1 o'clock. Ticket
information is NOT yet available.. but should be announced shortly, according to the NF-L. Detroit is on the road this weekend as they take on the New York Giants. The Bills
will make their way to Ford Field AGAIN next week for the annual Detroit Lions
Thanksgiving game.

FLINT WATER
Another chapter in the legal fight over the Flint water crisis. Lawyers for Michigan's
former Health Director Nick Lyon are asking an appeals court to quickly stop an effort
to revive criminal charges against him in the case, which dates back to 2014. Lyons'
defense team made thie plea in response to a pledge by prosecutors to try and save
indictments that were thrown out by the Michigan Supreme court.
A Flint judge subsequently dismissed charges against Lyon and others. Lyon was
charged with involuntary manslaughter. He was accused of failing to inform the public
in a timely manner about an outbreak of Legionnaires' disease linked to water tainted
by bacteria and lead.

INTERNET GAMING
A new record regarding internet gaming in Michigan. The Gaming Control Board says
gross receipts for casino operators in October were a record 141-million dollars. That
beats an earlier high of 132-million in April. The latest report shows the amount of
sports betting increased by about one-and-a half million dollars to 49.2 million. All
totaled, internet and sports betting in October totaled 190-million dollars, which is up
7.7 percent over a month ago.

COVID 19
A former state employee and three others have been indicted on fraud charges related
to a one-million dollar scheme. The U.S. Attorney in west Michigan says Adelita Juarez
of Kent City was working as an Unemployment Insurance Examiner and helped
process fraudulent claims that were filed in hopes of receiving federal benefits related
to the COVID-19 pandemic. The claims involved in the case were allegedly for workers
who were ineligible for benefits because they were not working in the state or live in
Michigan. If convicted, the suspects face up to 30 years in prison.

SEXUAL ASSAULT
A 16-year-old Chelsea High School student is in custody -- accused of sexually
assaulting TWO classmates.
Chelsea police say they were contacted by the school on November FOURTH after
one of the victims reported to a counselor that she had been sexually assaulted the
week prior. The investigation lead to a SECOND victim. The suspect was arrested -
he's being held at the Washtenaw County Youth Center. Investigators say they are
working to identify any additional victims or witnesses.

STISLICKI MISSING CASE
Some evidence in the Danielle Stislicki missing-persons case may not be used after a
judge called it into question.
Stislicki disappeared from her office in Southfield in December of 2016.. her body was
never found. Floyd Galloway -- an office security guard -- was charged with her murder.
An Oakland County judge ruled that evidence compiled during a lie detector test was
protected by attorney-client privilege and CANNOT be used in trial. Evidence that put
Galloway near the scene was allegedly leaked to a police officer who that turned it in to
the investigators.. breaking the attorney-client privilege. The prosecutor is set to
appeal the decision.

MISSING HUNTER
An 80-year-old Michigan hunter who got lost and repeatedly fell into a river was
rescued by canoe after a police dog tracked down the soaked man. The man's wife
called Michigan State Police on Wednesday after her husband went out to track deer
but failed to return home. According to published reports the woman heard her
husband shooting several shots, meaning he was lost.
Troopers dispatched to the area in Crawford County's Lovells Township used a State
Police dog to track the man down along the north branch of the Au Sable River. After
local responders ferried the man to safety using a canoe he was reported in good
health following a hospital visit.

LYFT CARJACKING RING
A carjacking ring targeting Lyft drivers .. has been busted in Detroit.
Police Chief James White says the thieves set up a dummy account to set up Lyft
rides. When the drivers showed up -- they were robbed of their cell phones, wallets,
and clothing:
One suspect has been charged in federal court -- and two others are expected to be
charged next week.

SIBLING ROAD RAGE
Macomb County siblings were charged in connection with a road rage situation. Two
sisters -- 36-year-old Latisha Yvonne Higgins from Warren and 31-year-old Bianca
Harvey were charged in connection with a road rage incident that happened on
November 16. Police say there was a family argument and one driver threw something
out of the window at the other car near 10 Mile and Schoenherr roads. Both women
were charged with resisting and obstructing police and domestic violence. Higgins was
also charged third degree fleeing and eluding.