WATZ Today's Country

Friday News Summary 12-23-22
Fri, 23 Dec 2022 10:05:17 EST

(Stories Courtesy of Michigan News Radio)

WINTER STORM
A winter storm is hitting Michigan with snow and dangerous cold. Forecasters say
some parts of the state could get up to two feet of snow. The entire state is under a
Blizzard Warning or Winter Storm Warning. Police departments are advising residents
to be very careful if they are traveling. Blizzard conditions are expected to last through
Saturday with wind gusts between 40 and 50 miles per hour and gusts over 60 miles
per hour possible. Whiteout conditions are expected to be frequent. A Blizzard
Warning is posted until Saturday evening. Authorities say travel will be treacherous so
people should avoid travel if at all possible. Utility companies are on standby for any
power outages. Many school districts, which had classes scheduled for today, have
canceled classes.

BRONNERS CLOSING DUE TO STORM
Michigan's most famous Christmas landmark is closing for the holidays early because
of the winter storm. Bronner's Christmas Wonderland is closed today and tomorrow,
Christmas Eve, due to the storm. Executives say this is the first time they've closed
due to a storm. The iconic store will also be closed on Christmas Day. It is expected to
re-open on Monday morning.

AMTRAK ROUTES CANCELLED
People trying to get out of town on a train will be out of luck. Amtrak has cancelled
trains that run between Grand Rapids and Chicago today. The Wolverine route, which
runs between Detroit and Chicago, has been cancelled through Christmas Day.

RED WINGS GAME CANCELLED
The winter storm is affecting the Detroit Red Wings. Tonight's game against the
Ottawa Senators has been postponed until late February. The NHL made the decision
to call off the game due to severe winter weather that is expected to affect the Ottawa
area.

GENERATOR SAFETY
In the event of a power outage, the Department of Homeland Security reminds us that
generators can be a helpful tool, if they are using properly. Generators kill an average
of 70 people a year and injure thousands. When power goes out safety experts, remind
us generators and all fuel devices should always be used outdoors and at least 20 feet
away from windows, doors, and attached garages. Take steps to keep the generator
dry and protected from the elements. And remember touching the generator or even
devices connected to one could cause electrical shocks.

MEGA MILLIONS JACKPOT
Just in time for Christmas, the Mega Millions jackpot has grown to 510-million dollars.
Lottery officials say it's the second-largest Mega Millions jackpot this year. The cash
option is nearly 267 million dollars before taxes. The winning numbers will be drawn at
eleven o'clock tonight. If the drawing produces one or more winning tickets, the
estimated prize would be the 11th largest jackpot in the history of the game.

WINTER STORM
The winter storm is making its way across Michigan with a blizzard warning in west
Michigan and in the U-P's Keweenaw, Ontonagon, Northern Houghton and Gogebic
Counties.
. There is snow, high winds and extremely cold temperatures through tomorrow
morning.
Consumers Energy has about three thousand power outages statewide and DET
Energy has about 33-hundred outages.

FLIGHT CANCELLATIONS
There will be more travel headaches at Metro Airport. Already this morning there are
more than 300 flights canceled. These include both flights leaving Detroit and coming
in from other airports. There are also 15 delays. Across the country, Flight Aware is
reporting more than five-thousand cancellations and six-thousand delays. The best
advice is to check your flight status before leaving for the airport.
In west Michigan, 12 flights have been canceled at Gerald R. Ford International Airport
in Grand Rapids.
Seven flights have been canceled at Flint Bishop Airport and one flight has been
canceled at Capitol Region International Airport in Lansing.

BIG WAVES ON GREAT LAKES
This will be quite a sight along most of the Great Lakes. The National Weather Service
has issued Marine Warnings for many areas along the lakes because the high winds
are expected to create waves that top 20 feet. Officials with the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration say it's not unusual to see 20 foot waves on the lakes, but
having them on four of the five Great Lakes is uncommon.

SNOWMOBILE FATAL
A 49-year-old Battle Creek man has been killed and a woman was injured in a
snowmobile crash near Battle Creek at about 11:30 last night. Michigan State Police
say the man was heading into a field in Newtown Township, near Battle Creek, he he
hit a rock and lost control. He was pronounced dead at the scene and his female
passenger was taken to the hospital.

ARREST IN MURDER OF MUSKEGON HTS SCHOOL BD MEMBER
A suspect has been charged in the murder of Muskegon Heights School board member
Julius Muhammad this week. 61-year-old Glenn Davis has been charged with open
murder and as a habitual offender after allegedly shooting Muhammad as he answered
his door Monday night. The 53-year-old Muhammad was elected to the school board
last month.
Muskegon County Prosecutor DJ Hilson says it was not random...that it's safe to say
that there's some connection between the two men.

SNOWMOBILERS -DNR ADVICE
While many are focused on driving conditions in this storm, the D-N-R reminds
snowmobilers to use caustion and "ride right" , especially since it will be the first ride of
the season for many. They are worried about those who are excited to hit the trails,
riding too fast ...hitting drifts and often riding beyond their capabilities. Officers are
reminding snowmobilers to ride sober at a safe speed and to leave a safe distance
between you and the machine ahead of you.

MICHIGAN POPULATION DROPS
We're losing population in Michigan . According to new census data, Michigan lost 33-
hundred and 91 residents, or point-03-percent in the past year. Michigan has lost
about 40-thousand residents since the 2020 census when there was a population of
more than ten million. Michigan is one of 18 states that saw a population drop.

CREDIT CARD SKIMMERS-N MI
In Emmet County, six credit card skimmers were discovered yesterday at a gas station
near Petoskey. The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development says
the skimmers were found at the Citgo Station at Bay Harbor. Customers who have
been there recently should check with their credit card company to verify their
purchase. Skimmers also have been reported recently at the Admiral Station in
Traverse City and the B. P. in East Jordan.

MARLINGA-ELDER ABUSE TASK FORCE
Former Macomb County Judge Carl Marlinga is bound for a role in the Attorney
General's office.
A.G. Dana Nessel announcing Marlinga has been named a special assistant in charge
of leading the Elder Abuse Task Force, launched three years ago.
Marlinga says he's excited and honored to work to protect those who have become the
target of unscrupulous predictors.
The Judge, who is a 1968 graduate of the University of Detroit and went to law school
at The University of Michigan, lost a bid for Congress in the November election.

INVESTMENT ADVISOR CHARGED-W MI
A west Michigan investment advisor for Forest Hills Financial Inc., 45-year-old Jaime
Westenbarger , has been bound over to circuit court on charges of embezzlement and
conducting a criminal enterprise for allegedly taking 260-thousand dollars from his
clients. State Attorney General Dana Nessel says people put their trust in
professionals when seeking to invest their hard earned money. She says it's critical that
they be held to high fiduciary standards.

CATHOLIC SCHOOL LAWSUIT
A Grand Rapids based Catholic parish and school and several of the school's families
have filed a federal lawsuit against Michigan officials for violating their freedom under
the First Amendment to practice and teach their Catholic faith.
Attorneys representing the group say the Michigan Supreme Court recently
reinterpreted the prohibition on sex discrimination in Michigans Civil Rights Act and
penal code to include sexual orientation and gender identity. That change requires
Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish and its school, Sacred Heart Academy, to hire faculty
and staff who lead lives in direct opposition to the Catholic faith, speak messages that
violate Church doctrine, and refrain from articulating Catholic beliefs in teaching its
students.

GOV SIGNS BILLS
Governor Gretchen Whitmer has signed a couple of house bills, which amend the
bipartisan Michigan Reconnect Act to help more adult learners earn a college degree or
a skills certificate. The bipartisan bills incentivize colleges to offer credit for prior
learning, create a new reporting structure for student success, and make technical
improvements.