WATZ Today's Country

Monday News Summary 01-09-23
Mon, 09 Jan 2023 12:21:28 EST

(Stories Courtesy of Michigan News Radio)

FUNDRAISER FOR FAMILY AFTER MURDER SUICIDE
A Go Fund Me account has been set up after a west Michigan family was the victim of
a murder suicide. The Allegan County Sheriff's Department says Cindy Clouse and her
two daughters were shot to death by 34-year old Roger Hagger before he took his own
life in Lee Township , southeast of Saugatuck. The bodies were found Saturday
afternoon. Family members identified the girls as 13-year old Autumn and ten-year old
Mackenzie. The motive is unclear. Money raised through the Go Fund Me account will
be used to pay funeral expenses.

3 ARRESTED AFTER LONG CHASE
Three suspects from Jackson are in jail and facing charges after a drag race and police
chase. Michigan State Police troopers started chasing the suspects who were in a car
that was drag racing in Detroit Saturday night. The chase lasted several miles before
troopers near Ann Arbor were able to stop the car. The suspects tried to run away, but
were caught a short time later.

ALBION COACH UNDER INVESTIGATION
Several Albion College basketball players are calling for change. According to multiple
reports, ten basketball players from the Albion College basketball team decided NOT to
play in their game against Trine University Saturday as a form of protest against head
coach Jody May who allegedly repeated a racial slur during a practice. Reports also
state that May addressed the situation with his players and the college already
addressed the issue with a temporary suspension.

MINI HORSE KILLED
Police in southwest Michigan are looking for the person who shot and killed a mini
horse in its pen. The Van Buren County Sheriff said they started receiving multiple
calls of gun shots heard in the area around 7-30 Wednesday night. The following
morning, a resident reported they found their mini horse dead in its pen when they went
to tend their animals. It happened near the village of Decatur, southwest of
Kalamazoo. The Sheriff said the horse was shot in the neck. They believe the suspect
fired shots from the roadway and left the scene.

SCHOOLS, COVID, MASKS
Some local schools are masking up for the next couple of weeks following the holiday
break. In Wayne County, health officials are recommending all people in K-thru-12
schools wear masks during the 2-week period when schools restart after the holiday
break, as the country sees a spike in COVID-19, flu, and R-S-V. In Washtenaw
County, the Ann Arbor Public Schools superintendent announced a mask mandate
requiring students, staff, and visitors to wear masks while indoors, beginning today
through January 20th. Health officials say the return from winter break is a time of
higher risk of transmission in the school-setting for COVID and other respiratory
illnesses.

GRAND RAPIDS CAR BREAK-INS AT RETIREMENT CENTERS
Police in Grand Rapids are looking for information on thieves that have targeted
vehicles at several retirement centers over the weekend. Police say items were stolen
from vehicles at Samaritas Senior Living, Spectrum Health Rehab and Nursing center,
Beacon HIll and Holland Home. Police believe it's the same suspects that have been
driving up, looking in cars, and breaking in to steal valuables.
Anyone with information should call Grand Rapids Police or Silent Observer.

LIONS OUT OF PLAYOFF CONTENTION
The Detroit Lions were eliminated from the playoffs before their game got underway,
Sunday night... after the L-A Rams lost to the Seattle Seahawks earlier in the evening...
so the Lions decided to crush the hopes of a longtime foe instead.
Sun ... making the
Packers fall short of the playoffs -- for the first time in Matt LaFleur's 4 seasons as
coach. After winning 4 straight games and receiving plenty of help from other teams,
the Packers had control of their postseason fate heading into the final game of the N-FL regular season. But they couldn't get past the Lions.
Seattle instead earned the N-F-C's final playoff spot

GAS PRICES UP
Gas prices are up for a second straight week. After ringing in the New Year with a 21-
cent price hike, prices at the pump are up 13 cents compared to last week. According
to Triple-A Michigan, drivers in the state are now paying an average of $3.32 per gallon
for regular unleaded. The highest price is in the Lansing and Grand Rapids areas at
$3.34 a gallon. The lowest price is in Marquette at $3.28 a gallon.

SCHOOL MASK UP-METRO DETROIT
Some Metro Detroit schools are masking up for the next couple of weeks following the
holiday break. In Wayne County, health officials are recommending all people in Kthru-12 schools wear masks during the 2-week period when schools restart after the
holiday break, as the country sees a spike in COVID-19, flu, and R-S-V. In Washtenaw
County, the Ann Arbor Public Schools superintendent announced a mask mandate
requiring students, staff, and visitors to wear masks while indoors, beginning today
through January 20th. Health officials say the return from winter break is a time of
higher risk of transmission in the school-setting for COVID and other respiratory
illnesses.

MEIJER GARDENS 14 MILLIONTH VISITOR
Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park will welcome its 14 millionth guest this
afternoon.Meijer Gardens first opened to the public in 1995 and welcomes guests from
around the world.
Meijer Gardens recently completed its $115-million Welcoming the World: Honoring a
Legacy of Love expansion project and is listed in the top 45 most visited museums in
the world and the 30 most visited museums in the United States by The Art Newspaper.
Meijer Gardens President & CEO David Hooker will welcome the 14 millionth guest
and present them with a gift basket.

UNEMPLOYMENT FRAUD
The allegations are of an elaborate plot that defrauded the government of $614,000 in
unemployment benefits during the COVID pandemic.
Now, two McComb County residents are among nine people facing charges in Detroit's
U.S. District Court next month.
Sharrell Harrison, of Eastpoint, was the alleged ring leader. Sharonda Griffin, of Center
Line, is also charged.
All nine face up to 20 years in prison if convicted.
The scheme involved filing claims using stolen identities then setting up a California
Airbnb where fraudsters went to collect the benefits.

HARBAUGH BRONCOS INTERVIEW
There's still no word on whether or not Michigan head football coach Jim Harbaugh will
return to U of M or return to the NFL. But, there's word this morning that Harbaugh will
interview virtually with the Denver Broncos, who fired head coach Nathaniel Hackett a
few weeks ago. That's according to Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport of NFL.com.
On Thursday, Harbaugh said in a statement that he expects to be enthusiastically
coaching Michigan in 2023. Nevertheless, his future remains uncertain ... as his
statement released to the public also said, "no one knows what the future holds."

OAK PARK AREA HIGH SCHOOL SHOOTING
Students who attend Oak Park High School or NOVA Academy will have the day off
today following a shooting that took place outside the high school on Friday. However,
classes WILL be in session at all other Pre-K through Grade 8 schools.
District officials say four arrests were made over the weekend in connection with the
shooting. Three are students at Southfield A&T High School and one is a student at
Thurston High School in Redford Township.
In response to the shooting, the district says additional safety initiatives will be
implemented.

FIRE DESTROYS DETROIT BUSINESS
Fire .. destroys a business on Detroit 's east side.
Chalmers Garden Market, near East Outer Drive -- burned down yesterday.. as
neighbors looked on in shock and sadness. They say the building has been there for
decades -- and a new owner recently took over the space. Fire officials say NO one
was injured -- and the cause of the fire is still under investigation.

TIP UP TOWN FESTIVAL
Even with warmer weather lately, the Tip Up Town Festival is set to go in a couple of
weeks. Jay Jacobs, with the Houghton Lake Chamber of Commerce, says they're
checking ice conditions to make sure they're safe for some events. If they're not, he
tells 9 and 10 news those events won't happen.