Wednesday News Summary 12-28-22Wed, 28 Dec 2022 12:08:26 EST
(Stories Courtesy of Michigan News Radio)
ANOTHER WHITMER CASE SENTENCING
The co-leader of a plot to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer will learn his
sentence in court later today. Barry Croft, Jr. was convicted of kidnapping conspiracy
and conspiracy to use a weapon of mass destruction. Prosecutors have been urging a
life sentence. Just yesterday... the judge sentenced co-defendant 39-year-old Adam
Fox to 16-years in prison. Governor Whitmer was never physically harmed, after the
FBI had secretly embedded into the group and broke up the plot with 14 arrests. The
government said Croft offered bomb-making skills and ideology while Fox was the
"driving force," urging recruits to take up arms and kidnap the governor.
MISSING DOCTOR DEAD
Police now say they've recovered the body of a doctor who had gone missing in the
Jackson area last week. Dr. Bolek Payan was last seen leaving Henry Ford Jackson
Hospital last Thursday. His car was found at his home -- but he did not have contact
with family, friends, or co-workers. Officials with Blackman-Leoni Public Safety now say
divers found Dr. Payan's body under the ice of a pond on the property near his home.
The Jackson County Medical Examiner's Office will be conducting an autopsy and
toxicology testing.
MICHIGAN FLU LEVELS
According to the CDC flu map -- Michigan is now seeing a HIGH level of cases. The
state has reported 326 cases of the flu since October 8th... with 58 percent of them in
southeast Michigan. 2.7 MILLION Michigan residents have gotten a flu shot... well short
of the state's goal set at 4 MILLION. The CDC is also urging doctors and parents to be
on the lookout for signs of Strep A... a rare but rising invasive form of bacterial infection
in kids.
STEVE UPTON DIED
The father of a longtime U-S Congressman from Michigan has died. Republican
Congressman Fred Upton's office announced Steve Upton died Tuesday morning. He
was once a senior vice president at Whirlpool -- and also served in the military during
World War Two. Steve Upton was 98 years old.
CHRISTMAS RECYCLING
Recycling companies are receiving a lot more boxes and recycling material this time of
year -- but some of it, may be costing consumers more. Things like ribbons, holiday
lights, ornaments, and other Christmas decor often gets lumped into the recyclables
this time of year, but can't actually be recycled -- and when places have to remove it
from the batch, it could result in extra charges and fees from slowing down production.
Another item that often gets lumped into recyclables, but is actually hazardous, are
batteries.
PANCAKE ICE
A waterfall know as one of Michigan's most famous natural landmarks is serving up...
pancakes? Ice pancakes... that is. The DNR says Tahquamenon Falls -- one of the
crown jewels of the Upper Peninsula -- is forming rare, pancake shaped ice... discs that
form naturally under specific conditions. The ice pancakes can be spotted in the Great
Lakes during the winter months. They're created when waves forming pieces of ice to
run into one another... which rounds their edges.
MEGA MILLIONS JACKPOT GROWS
The Mega Millions jackpot keeps growing. There was no big winner in last night's
drawing, meaning Friday's jackpot is worth 640-million dollars. The numbers drawn last
night were 9, 13, 36, 59 and 61, and the Mega Ball was 11. Lottery officials say this is
by far the largest Mega Millions prize ever offered in the final week of any year.
MSU NEW BOARD MEMBER
A bank executive has been appointed to the Michigan State University Board of
Trustees. Governor Whitmer announced yesterday that Sandy Pierce, who is senior
executive Vice President of Huntington National Bank, will take the seat of Pat O'Keefe
who resigned in November citing concerns about a lack of transparency within the
university. Pierce calls the appointment a wonderful opportunity to continue to help
advance MSUs mission and provide relevant guidance on its strategic goals and
objectives.
FIRST SNOW, NOW FLOODING
First it was snow, now some road crews are worried about flooding as temperatures
rise in the 40's. The Ottawa County Road Commission says crews have been working
to clean up subdivisions and other roads after the Christmas weekend storm. Officials
are also warning drivers that the warmup and subsequent snow melt will lead to
localized flooding. In addition, gravel roads are expected to be a challenge. Residents
are asked to make sure storm drains are kept clear of snow and ice.
COVID CASES IN MICHIGAN
Michigan reported over 10-thousand new cases of COVID-19 over the last week as the
state inches closer to 3 million cases since the start of the pandemic. The state Health
Department also reports 110 COVID-19 deaths over the last week. Since the start of
the pandemic -- the state has reported nearly 2.9 million cases and over 40-thousand
deaths.
FIGHTER JET EXERCISES
Some people in Michigan's thumb region may be seeing some fighter jets in the sky
today. The 180th Fighter Wing of the Ohio Air National Guard is expected to conduct
air defense exercises over the area this morning. Officials say people living in and
around Bad Axe and Cass City may hear and see the jets flying close to a Civil Air
Patrol plane. The purpose of the exercise is to evaluate response and coordination
procedures.
SOUTHWEST AIRLINES DELAYS
Some travelers at the Gerald R Ford International Airport in Grand Rapids and Metro
Airport outside Detroit are having to change plans due to flight cancellations. Flight
Aware says there are more than 30 cancellations and delays this morning, with most
being Southwest Airlines flights. In a video statement Southwest C-E-O Bob Jordan
said he was sorry for cancelled flights. The U.S. Transportation Department will
investigate why Southwest has lagged behind other airlines.
POLICE OFFICER SHOOTING UPDATE
We are expected to learn more later today about a shooting involving two Battle Creek
police officers earlier this week. Police will talk with reporters at ten o'clock this
morning and provide an update on the case in which a man was wounded. Police were
responding to a domestic dispute when the shooting occurred. Two officers were put
on administrative leave as the investigation continues.
FORMER FOOTBALL STAR ARREST UPDATE
Former Ferris State University football star Jayru Campbell is facing several charges
after his encounter with Auburn Hills police on Christmas Day. Court records say
Campbell has been charged with three counts of felonious assault along with three
misdemeanor charges of child abuse, disorderly conduct and trespassing. He was
booked into the Oakland County jail late Sunday night after he was live on Facebook
showing his interaction with four police officers while inside a psychiatric and substance
abuse facility. During the video, Campbell is seen holding a child, who he says is his
daughter, and a pair of scissors. Campbell is due to face a judge later today.
GUN DEALER ARREST
A gun dealer from Macomb County has been indicted on charges of illegally importing
Glock conversion devices from Russia. The U.S. Attorney and Special Agent in
Charge at the Detroit ATF office say 23-year old Chase Farmer allegedly imported the
devices using a Russian website in 2020 and 2021. While Farmer is a licensed gun
dealer, he isn't licensed to import guns into the U.S. Investigators say he used a Pay
Pal account to buy the devices, which are used to convert a gun into a machine gun.
Farmer faces up to ten years in prison if convicted.
NEW LAWMAKERS SWORN IN
Swearing-in ceremonies for new state lawmakers taking place across the state over the
next few days. Five lawmakers, including incoming Senate Majority Leader Winnie
Brinks, were sworn in at the Grand Rapids Public Museum yesterday. The Governor
will be sworn in for a second term on New Years Day. The new legislative session is
scheduled to start January 11th.
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