WATZ Today's Country

Tuesday News Summary 02-21-23
Tue, 21 Feb 2023 12:27:36 EST

(Stories Courtesy of Michigan News Radio)

MI BRACING FOR WINTER STORM
The National Weather Service calling for impactful winter weather Wednesday through
Thursday. Heavy snow expected between Lansing and Alma, ice to the south of
Lansing. Grand Rapids could see both. Travel could be hazardous and power outages
are possible. Much of the lower-and-mid-portion of the state is under a Winter Storm
Watch until noon Thursday.

MSU PROTEST ON DAY OF RETURN
Hundreds of Michigan State students gathered on the steps of the state capitol,
demanding lawmakers make a change after the shootings last week which killed three
students. Most are calling for safe-storage laws, so-called "Red Flag" laws, and
expanded background checks. David Hogg, a survivor of the shooting five years ago at
Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, was also at the protest.

WOMAN RUNS FROM POLICE
A Cadillac woman that led police on a 50-mile chase was arrested in an unusual spot.
Sunday night, Midland Police were given a tip about a stolen vehicle in Mackinaw City.
When the woman was spotted, she sped off and led officers on a chase through
Cheboygan County. Police say she was driving recklessly and at speeds up to 100
miles per hour. Eventually she got stuck and fled on foot. Mackinaw City Police say it
took several hours for K-9 units to find her hiding in a tree. The 36-year-old woman was
booked on several charges.

PUPPY ABUSER CHARGED
The Genesee County Sheriff's office says they've arrested a 36-year-old man who
allegedly beat a 1-year-old German Shepard puppy, named Pluto, to make another
family member do what he wanted. Police say the puppy was in the wrong place at the
wrong time and is now safe. The suspect is charged with using an animal in a domestic
violence incident -- with a prison term of up to 10 years -- and an animal abuse
misdemeanor charge.

PACZKI DAY
Bakeries across Michigan are bracing for one of their busiest days of the year. Paczki
(Poonch-key) Day takes place the day before Ash Wednesday. Paczki is a Polish
tradition of fried dough filled with jam or custard.

MSU VICTIMS UPDATE
Another one of the Michigan State students injured in the mass shooting last week is
improving in the hospital. Sparrow Health in Lansing has provided an update for one of
the victims.. they have been upgraded to serious BUT stable condition after previously
being in critical condition. One student is in fair condition and a second student is in
serious-stable condition. Two students remain in critical condition.
No identifying information is being released about these students at this time, although
two are from China.

DETROIT OFFICERS UPDATE
Livonia Police providing an update on the two Detroit officers found dead.
The officers have been identified as 22-year-old Maria Martin and 26-year-old Matthew
Ethington II. A preliminary investigation by the medical examiner reveals, officer Martin
allegedly died from being shot multiple times, while officer Ethington II died from a
single gun shot. Officials believe it was self-inflicted.
The two were found Sunday afternoon at a condominium in Livonia after a family
member requested a wellness check.

FAKE FIREFIGHTER-LIVINGSTON COUNTY
An 18-year-old man allegedly impersonating a firefighter, arrested last week after
responding to a fire in Livingston County.
The man from Grand Blanc, arriving at the scene of the fire in a personal car with
emergency lights and a siren. Police officials say he also had a helmet, safety vest, and
a radio.
Firefighters on the scene NOT allowing the man to help. He is charged with
impersonating a firefighter, plus using a scanner in the commission of a felony.
Police officials say the man admitted to responding to fires in other counties as well.

SANDHILL CRANES SHOT AT-SW MI
A man could face charges for shooting at sandhill cranes in southwest Michigan's
Schoolcraft Township, south of Kalamazoo. The DNR says it happened in January and
the the suspect recorded himself on video shooting a .22 caliber rifle from a second
story window into a field across the street. Investigators say the birds , which are
federally protected, flew away after the first shot and the suspect continued to fire shots.

GRAFFITI REWARD-GRAND HAVEN
After graffiti was found on a Grand Haven playground Monday, a reward is being
offered for information that leads to the arrest of those responsible. The Grand Haven
Department of Public Safety says racial slurs and profanity were spray painted on
playground equipment and memorial stones at Mulligan's Hollow Imagination Station.
There was similar graffiti on other city-owned properties and street signs. Director of
Public Safety Jeff Hawke calls it sad and disgusting.

MSU VICTIM FUNERAL
A funeral service will be held today for Arielle Anderson, one of the three students killed
in last week's shooting at Michigan State University. The service will be held at 11 a.m.
at Zion Hope Baptist Church on Detroit's east side.
Yesterday -- hundreds streamed into First English Evangelical Lutheran Church in
Grosse Pointe Woods to honor Anderson's memory. Funeral services for the other two
victims, Alexandria Verner and Brian Fraser, were held last weekend.

TRAVERSE CITY HOUSING
Tonight, Traverse City commissioners will consider allowing bigger housing
developments in industrial areas, officially recognizing the base of Old Mission as a
new city neighborhood association and approving agreements with the National Cherry
Festival for its events in 2024 and 2025. The commissioners are meeting on a Tuesday
night due to the President's Day Holiday yesterday.

CHEBOYGAN SCHOOL BOARD
The Cheboygan School board held the first of two special meetings this week last night
as they conduct second interviews of superintendent candidates. They will have
another special meeting tomorrow evening. Current Superintendent Paul Clark will be
retiring at the end of the school year.

PETOSKEY SAFETY DIRECTOR
The city of Petoskey has selected its new public safety director. Lieutenent Adrian Karr
has been promoted to the role. He has served with the department since 2004 and
been a lieutenent since 2010. Karr replaced former Director Matthew Breed, who
recently retired.

GWINN SEX ED
In the U-P's Marquette County, a public hearing was held in the Gwinn Area
Community Schools on proposed new sex education material. W-L-U-C reports the
material is a series of videos on HIV-AIDS. Supporters say the old sex education plan
is nearly 20 years outdated. Some, who oppose the new material, are questioning if it's
relevant and age-appropriate.