Thursday News Summary 12-22-22
Thu, 22 Dec 2022 12:12:09 EST


(Stories Courtesy of Michigan News Radio)


POWER OUTAGE PREP
The state is advising residents to be prepared in case the impeding winter storm
knocks out power. Tips include making sure you have extra batteries for a flashlight,
ensuring your gas or wood-burning fireplace is in working order, and checking windows
and doors to make sure they're properly insulated. The state also says residents should
NEVER try to thaw a pipe with a torch or open flame. Officials advise people to fill their
bathtub and spare containers with water in case pipes freeze.

OAKCO PLANE CRASH
A small plane crashed in Oakland County. It happened yesterday (Wednesday).
Auburn Hills police say a 63 year old male pilot from Detroit made an emergency
landing and crashed on Stellantis property after experiencing some kind of engine
trouble. He was rushed to the hospital for minor injuries. There were no other
occupants in the plane... or other vehicles involved in the crash.

COVID FRAUD
A Grand Rapids man has been sentenced to more than seven years in prison for a
scheme to obtain more than a million dollars in federal COVID-19 relief money. 47-yearold Jemar Mason pleaded guilty to a charge of conspiracy to commit money laundering.
Mason was among four people who prepared phony applications for federal Paycheck
Protection Program loans in 2020.

GORDIE HOWE BRIDGE
A new milestone during construction of the Gordie Howe International Bridge that will
connect southwest Detroit and Canada. The main span of the bridge is now underway
after workers used a crane to put the first girder heading towards the Detroit River in
place. The first girder on the Canadian side is also in place. The bridge is expected to
open in 2024, however officials told us last month the opening date could move to 2025.

KIDS MEDS SHORTAGE
Parents looking for cold and flu medicine for their children are seeing a lot of empty
shelves. The faster start to the flu season along with cases of RSV and other
respiratory illnesses have created a surge in demand for Children's Tylenol and other
medicines. Many stores like Meijer, CVS, Walgreens and Kroger had none in stock last
night. When they do get the pain relief medicine, they are putting limits on how many
people can buy. Doctors and other experts say the problem could persist through the
winter cold-and-flu season. Drugmaker Johnson & Johnson says it is not experiencing
widespread shortages of Childrens Tylenol, but the product may be less readily
available at some stores. The company said it is running its production lines around the
clock.

BLIZZARD WARNING-W SW MI
A blizzard warning is in effect for portions of west and southwest Michigan from four
this afternoon until 7pm Saturday. The National Weather Service says travel will be
very difficult with blowing snow reducing visibility.
The rest of the state is under a winter storm warning with snow expected to accumulate
from 6 to 10 inches.
If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in
your vehicle in case of an emergency.

BRACING FOR STORM
They're bracing for the winter storm in Cheboygan County. The director of the
Cheboygan County Office of Emergency Management, Lieutenent Jeremy Runstrom
says they expect outages due to the wet
snow and high winds and have several shelters ready to open if needed. He says the
Salvation Army and Red Cross are on standby ready to assist if needed.
Sheriff Dale Clarmont says if you don't need to go out, stay home. If you do go out, he
says make sure you have emergency supplies in your vehicle...snacks, blankets, winter
clothes and boots.

STORM-WHITMER
With a powerful winter storm barreling towards the Mitten state, Governor Whitmer
announcing a coordinated preparedness effort between the state and local
communities to ensure full staffing of first responders, pre-deployment of utility repair
crews, and readiness for road crews.
The governor also highlighting resources and tips to help Michiganders stay safe such
as warming centers and essential supplies. Emergency roadside kits are suggested as
well.

WARMING STATIONS-W MI
With a blizzard expected in west Michigan, Grand Rapids officials are opening several
different warming stations across the city. They include: Alano Club of Kent County,
Crossroads Bible Church, Degage (Deh-guh-ghay) Ministries, the Kent District Library
and Mel Trotter Ministries.

ROCHESTER FAKE COP
Rochester police are warning women to be on alert for a man who's impersonating a
police officer.
An investigation started Monday evening after a woman told police she was pulled over
by a car with red and blue flashing lights near Tienken (tean-kin) and Washington
Roads.
The suspect asked the woman where she was coming from and if she had been
drinking.
After getting a look at her licence and registration, he told her to get out of the car.
When she asked to have a second officer called to the area or to move to a different
area, the suspect abruptly told her she was free to go.
Police say if you've been stopped or are being stopped and are unsure about the
situation, call 911 and talk with dispatchers

HOPE COLLEGE DATA COMPROMISED
Personal information of Hope College students and others associated with the college
may have been leaked in a data breach. The college in Holland discovered a breach
September 27th and conducted a forensic investigation. The college says they found
that certain sensitive information ....names, birth dates, social security numbers and
driver's license numbers have been compromised. Those who may have been effected
will receive free crediting monitoring services from the college.

FATAL FIRE-U-P
One person has been killed in a fire in the U-P's Calumet Township Tuesday night. WL-U-C reports the body of one person was found in the home after the fire was put out.
Foul play is not suspected. An investigation is ongoing.

MURDER SENTENCE-U-P
In the U-P, Jason Sadowski has been sentenced to life in prison for the murder of his
roommate , Timothy Mozader, in 2019. Sadowski reportedly claims he killed him in self
defense, that Mozader attacked him from behind. Sadowski has filed an appeal.

CATFISHING MOM-ISABELLA COUNTY
We're learning more about an Isabella County woman who allegedly catfished her own
daughter and her boyfriend. Police say Kendra Licari would hide her identify and
location and send hateful text messages to her daughter and her boyfriend for more
than a year. Isabella County prosecutor David Barberi tells 9 and 10 News that they're
talking about several hundreds of text messages. Licari admitted to police that she sent
the messages, but not why.

VEHICLE CRASHES INTO MICHIGAN DEPT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES
BUILDIN
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, CLOSING its district office in
Mt. Clemens ... after a vehicle crashed into the building yesterday. Officials say the
office will be closed until further notice, while repairs are made. Anyone needing help
can visit offices in Warren OR in Sterling Heights.

SETTLEMNT WITH MI PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION
The Michigan Public Service Commission has approved a settlement agreement that
permits Northern States Power Co. of Wisconsin to implement a $733-thousand dollar
rate increase .
NSP-W, part of Xcel Energy, serves about 6-thousand natural gas customers in the
western Upper Peninsula. Under terms of the agreement, the rate increase will take
effect Jan. first.
In addition, the Commission authorized the utility to raise rates by $120,000 each year
in 2024 and 2025 to fund $1.2 million for gas pipeline capital investment for the
companys distribution integrity management program to fund pipeline replacement.


   

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