WATZ Today's Country

Wednesday News Summary 02-23-23
Wed, 22 Feb 2023 12:25:46 EST

(Stories Courtesy of Michigan News Radio)

ICE STORM WARNING
The National Weather Service has changed the winter weather advisory to an ice storm
warning. The warning is in place for much of southern lower Michigan WEDNESDAY
to 4 a.m. THURSDAY. . Officials say counties under the ice storm warning should
expect up to a half inch of ice... and snow and sleet accumulations of up to two inches.
Residents should expect power outages and tree damage. Driving could also be nearly
impossible.

YPSI FATAL
A man is dead following a wrong-way crash on US-23 in Ypsilanti early TUESDAY
morning. It happened just after 3 a.m. in the southbound lanes at Michigan Ave.
Michigan State Police says a 39-year-old woman from Battle Creek was driving the
wrong way on the freeway when she hit another car... driven by 34-year-old Jeffrey
Piotter of Milan. He died from injuries suffered in the crash. Police say alcohol was a
factor in the crash. An investigation continues.

IDENTITY THEFT
A Detroit man convicted of stealing thousands of identities in a money-making scheme
could spend up to two decades behind bars. Dewan Willians was sentenced to 2 to 20
years. The Attorney General's Office says Williams used personal information stolen
from about 7-THOUSAND people to file Medicaid benefits and get free government cell
phones to activate and sell. Multiple victims reported someone had applied for benefits
in their name. The AG's office said the whole scheme cost about 11-MILLION dollars
and they were able to recoup ALL of the money. Williams is also ordered to pay
restitution.

HEALTH BUDGET
The head of Michigan's Department of Health and Human Services, Elizabeth Hertel,
has presented the 2023-24 budget for the department to the Senate Appropriations
Subcommittee. It's a $35.7 Billion dollar budget that includes strengthening the child
welfare system. Hertel says they will also work to hire more health care workers,
expand access to health care, and invest in community based public safety.

ROBERT HALF SURVEY
Despite the pandemic being nearly three years old, many workers nationwide are still
concerned about COVID in the workplace. That's according to a Robert Half survey of
workers. Robert Half Recruiting manager, Shannon Edlinger (Ed-ling-er), says the
number one concern among workers surveyed is rising prices and interest rates,
finding a new job, and job security. She says 44-percent worry about losing the ability
to work where and when they want.

SCHOOL CLOSED
Hundreds of schools are closed throughout southern lower Michigan in anticipation of
an ice storm today.
Oakland University has also closed in response to weather forecasts and the
probability of hazardous driving conditions.

STELLANTIS PROFIT SHARING
Stellantis workers, learning this morning that they will see profit sharing checks of up to
14-THOUSAND-760 dollars. That's a LITTLE more than last year, which was the most
in 35 years. More than 40-THOUSAND workers are eligible for the checks.

BATTLE CREEK TEEN MURDER
We're learning more about the murder of a 17-year-old Battle Creek boy, Jack Snyder,
who was killed early last Friday. Snyder's family say he offered the 13 and 14-year-old
suspects a ride home because it was cold and police say they tried to carjack him.
When he resisted, he was shot. A 14-year-old boy was arrested and a 13-year-old boy
turned himself in and both are being held at the Calhoun County Youth Center. Both
are expected to be charged as adults.
Snyder had attended his girlfriend's birthday party before he was shot. A GoFundMe
has been set up for his family.

DETROIT CHILD FOUND
Detroit Police and Child Protective Services are investigating after a young boy was
found on the citys west side, Tuesday afternoon.
Police say that the boy's parents have now been found.
But... it all started when police say a man working on a house saw a woman pull up in
a silver Chevy Trailblazer... get out, drop the child off, and flee the scene. Officers were
called to pick up the child, and they took him to the 8th Precinct. Police then began a
search for the 4-year-old's parents.

LULULEMON THEFTS-STATEWIDE
Police have arrested a man accused of retail fraud at multiple Lulu-Lemon clothing
stores in Metro Detroit.
Birmingham Police were called to a LuluLemon in downtown Birmingham for reports of
a shoplifter back on February 12th. They arrested 27-year-old David Roberts. They
found that Roberts was a part of a team that committed multiple thefts throughout the
state -- totaling over $140-THOUSAND dollars. The group is also accused of stealing
$60-THOUSAND dollars worth of clothes from a Detroit Lulu-Lemon. Investigators
eventually recovered more than a dozen items from the Birmingham store -- totaling
$40-THOUSAND dollars -- throughout several cities in Oakland County.
Police also recovered illegal guns and stolen appliances connected to the theft ring.

MI RETAIL SALES
Retail sales rose in January over modest December sales. The Michigan Retailers
Association says the January Retail Index survey came in at 53.8, a significant
increase over December's 41.2. Thirty-three percent of Michigan retailers reported a
sales increase over December. Sixty-one percent noted a decrease, and 6% reported
no change. Index values above 50 generally indicate positive activity.
Association president and CEO William Hallan says when they see over a 12-point
increase month to month , especially in what typically is a slower month for retail, it's a
strong sign.

EX IRON MOUNTAIN OFFICER SUIT
A former police officer in Iron Mountain is suing the department and the city for sexual
harassment and discrimination. Former officer Teresa Williams resigned ten months
ago after her husband was pulled over in Florence County. She went to the scene and
her husband was charged with operating while intoxicated and she was charged with
disorderly conduct and lewd behavior. They both were sentenced to fines.
In her lawsuit, Williams claims she was discriminated against and sexually harassed,
which forced her to resign. She also claims she was groped by her partner.

MSU VICTIM SCHOLARSHIP
A scholarship is being launched at Michigan State in memory of one of the students
killed in the mass shooting last week. The parents of Brian Fraser, of Grosse Pointe,
and the fraternity where he was president , Phi Delta Theta, are establishing a
scholarship to help future presidents of the fraternity pay for their education. Fraser
was president of the fraternity. The fraternity says they will greatly miss Brian and
mourn his death deeply as their chapter supports each other during this difficult time.
More than 100-thousand dollars has already been donated to the scholarship fund.

COVID-MI
There have been 65-hundred new cases of COVID-19 in the past week and 89 more
Covid related deaths. The update is from the Michigan Department of Health and
Human Services.

PERSON WITH SWORD ARRESTED
An unusual arrest in Shiawassee County in mid Michigan. The sheriff's office was
called to a home in Owosso Township where deputies found a person from North
Carolina sleeping in a car with a large sword, a handgun, more than 100 rounds of
ammunition and drug paraphernalia. They say the person was making disturbing
remarks when they arrived at the home. The suspect is expected to be arraigned on
weapons charges.

FALL THROUGH ICE
State Police say two men were rescued after falling through ice earlier this month on
the Keweenaw Bay in the U-P's Baraga County. The men were spotted in the water
some 300 yards offshore. W-L-U-C reports troopers were able to guide Keweenaw
Bay Tribal officers to their location and they were rescued. They were taken to the
hospital.