WATZ Today's Country

Thursday News Summary 06-23-22
Thu, 23 Jun 2022 07:28:20 EDT

(Stories Courtesy of Michigan News Radio)

OTTAWA COUNTY COVID TESTING
Free, walk-in COVID-19 testing will be available throughout the summer months in Ottawa and Allegan counties. Testing is available for anyone who thinks they may have been exposed to COVID-19 or who has symptoms. All testing sites offer PCR and Rapid antigen COVID-19 tests. Samples will be taken via nasal swab. Rapid testing is available to people with or without symptoms. Rapid COVID-19 tests results take 15-30 minutes. PCR results take 48-72 hours. No doctor's order or insurance is needed. You must bring a form of ID, wear a facial covering upon arrival and minors must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.

ELECTRIC FOREST
The popular music festival Electric Forest returns to the Double JJ Resort in Rothbury, starting TODAY through Sunday. The festival is back for its tenth year after being canceled the last two years due to the coronavirus pandemic. The event draws thousands into the small community with a wide array of musical acts all weekend long.

ALEWIFE DIE-OFF
Alewife, small prey fish that reach 2 to 9 inches in length, are experiencing a seasonal die-off in Lake Michigan, an event that frequently occurred 20 to 60 years ago but has been rare in recent times. Not native to the Great Lakes, alewife migrated from the Atlantic Ocean into the Great Lakes through the Welland Canal in the 1920s. Alewife spend most of the year in deep, cold waters. In the spring and summer, they migrate to nearshore areas to spawn and search for food. Some alewife come out of winter in a weakened state and dont tolerate changing conditions such as large temperature swings. The combination of poor over-winter condition, temperature changes and spawning stress cause the die-off. The DNR is fully aware of the situation and believes this is a natural event and not caused by pollution or disease. Both state and federal agencies annually collect alewife to evaluate their condition and abundance in Lake Michigan.

ALLEGIANT AIR
Allegiant and the Detroit Pistons are joining forces. A new multi-year partnership designates Allegiant as the "Official Airline of the Detroit Pistons." The airline says with two of its permanent bases located in Flint and Grand Rapids ... Michigan is a key market for Allegiants network. The partnership with the Pistons begins July 1st.

WISCONSIN HOMICIDE SUSPECT ARRESTED
The Wisconsin homicide suspect authorities said may have been hiding out in the Upper Peninsula has been arrested in Phillips, Wisconsin. Philip Novak was taken into custody without incident late Tuesday night. Although Novak was the primary suspect is in custody, the sheriffs office said it is still following up on a number of leads and has additional interviews to conduct. The 36-year-old Novak is a suspect in the murder of Eddie L. Banks.

LATEST COVID STATS
Michigan's COVID numbers have dropped for a fifth week in a row. State officials now report over 10-thousand-600 new cases and 69 deaths. That compares to over 15- thousand cases last week and 137 deaths. Just over 4-percent of the state's hospital beds are currently taken up with COVID patients. 18 of the patients are children.

MSU LAWSUIT
The Detroit Free Press is suing Michigan state University to try to force the school to release agreements with two donors who are helping pay the salary of football coach Mel Tucker. Michigan State won't give up the documents, citing privacy issues, but attorney Herschel Fink said the deals clearly fall under the state's public records law. Michigan State has acknowledged that Matt Ishbia and Steve St. Andre have donated money to help meet a 10-year, $95 million contract for Tucker, who is 13-7 after two seasons in East Lansing.

MAY RETAIL SALES
Michigan Retailers Association report that May 2022 sales increased over April. Until May, sales in Michigan have decreased, month-over-month, since February. The May Retail Index survey came in at 55.5, an increase over Aprils 52.4. Fifty-nine percent of Michigan retailers reported a sales increase over April; Thirty-nine noted a decrease, and 2% reported no change. The 100-point Index provides a snapshot of the states overall retail industry. Index values above 50 generally indicate positive activity; the higher the number, the stronger the activity.

FIREWORKS SHOW TIPS
Michigan State Police out with some reminders ahead of next week's downtown Detroit fireworks show. They say for those hoping to get a glimpse of the big boomers from Belle Isle, only 3- THOUSAND vehicles will be allowed on the island. It will be open early to pedestrians, but closed to traffic until 2pm. They say alcohol is NOT allowed on the island, and there can be no tents, canopies, drones, or consumer fireworks either. Finally, a curfew will be in place for Belle Isle and in Detroit beginning at 6pm -- though they say minors are welcome to view the fireworks, but they must be accompanied by an adult.

WALBURG OFFICE VANDALIZED
Seven-term-U.S. Congressman Tim Walberg representing Michigan 7th district, says his Jackson campaign office was vandalized Tuesday night by pro-choice group Jane's Revenge. His campaign office shares the building with pregnancy center Jackson Right to Life. They say the front door was smashed, multiple windows broken and a Jackson Right to Life office sign was spray painted. Walberg says he's rated Michigan's most conservative congressman. And that coupled with his pro-life stance makes him a target.

OXFORD HIGH VIDEO
An Oakland County Judge will allow the release of a surveillance video capturing the horror inside Oxford High school when a gunman opened fire last November, leaving four people dead. The request for the video was made by attorney Ven Johnson, who is representing families in their suit against the district and accused shooter Ethan Crumbley's parents. Johnson argued that not allowing the release of the video would be like the government hiding the truth from the victims' families. Judge Rae Lee Chabot said that the videos will allow the plaintiffs to be prepared for what is to come in the trial.

SLEEP STUDY
Falling asleep with the TV on or having a night light or smart phone near-by may lead to health problems in older people. People in their 60's to 80's who were exposed to any amount of light while sleeping at night were significantly more likely to be obese, have high blood pressure and diabetes compared to adults who were not exposed to any light according to a report from Northwestern. To reduce light levels, don't charge laptops or cellphones in your bedrooms where melatonin-altering blue light can disrupt your sleep. If you need a night light try an Amber or a red/orange light that's less stimulating for the brain.

BEACH CLOSURE
A Lake Michigan beach on the west side of the state had to close after several near drownings. Officials at Grand Haven State Park say an off-duty police officer helped two people save two children who were struggling in the water Tuesday, while earlier a man and a woman struggled to make it to shore. In a third incident, police helped a woman who was struggling against the current as her husband tried to drag her to shore. The beach will be closed until water and wind conditions are deemed safe.

OFFICER INVOLVED SHOOTING-ALBION
There's been an officer involved shooting in Albion, east of Marshall. The Albion Department of Public Safety says family members told police about a relative who was having psychological issues and was taking medication and drinking. They said he had told his family he wanted to kill a relative he fought with a few weeks ago. Police found him at that relative's house last evening and he had broken into the front door and the relative ran out the back door. Police say three officers responded and the man started to raised a gun when one officer shot him. Officers rendered first aid and the man was taken to the hospital. His condition is not known. The officer has been placed on administrative leave.

TWO SHOT & KILLED -GRAND RAPIDS
Grand Rapids Police are looking for information after two men were gunned down early this morning on the city's southeast side. Police say life saving measures were attempted on the scene but were not successful. Anyone with information is asked to call Grand Rapids Police or Silent Observer.

ROUGE PLANT BOMB HOAX
Ford's Dearborn Truck Plant, briefing stopping the assembly lines last night -- after getting a report of a bomb threat. Police shut down the plant for about TWO HOURS and brought in bomb sniffing dogs.. before determining that it was a hoax. Investigators say nothing was found and the shutdown ended around 8 o'clock. Dearborn Truck is back at full operations.

PERSON HIT BY TRAIN-KALAMAZOO
A pedestrian was struck and killed by an Amtrak train in Kalamazoo Wednesday evening. The incident caused a nearly four-hour delay for the train passengers. The collision happened west of the Kalamazoo station and none of the 170 passengers inside the train were injured. The train was on its way from Chicago to Pontiac. The police investigation caused the lengthy delay as well as the need to bring in a new train crew.

U-OF-M FALL COVID POLICIES
The University of Michigan has released its COVID-19 policies for the fall 2022 term. U of M says it will maintain its face covering and vaccination policies, which require all students, faculty and staff to have their initial two-dose COVID vaccine and one booster. Face masks are optional on campus EXCEPT at the university's COVID testing sites and in patient care settings.

FORMER U-M PLAYER MURDER-GRAND RAPIDS
A 26-year-old Grand Rapids man , arrested for stalking, has now been accused with the murder of former University of Michigan player Richard Jekel. Devon Matthews is expected to be charged with the murder of the 69-year-old Jekel, who may have given Matthews a ride in his car. When police went to arrest Matthews on a second stalking charge , they found him outside his victims' home with a gun. Prosecutors say they then found Jekel shot dead in the back seat of the car Matthews was driving. Jekel's family says the car belonged to Jekel and that he frequently gave free rides.

CAMP GRAYLING HEARING
Hundreds of people showed up for a public hearing last night about a proposed expansion of Camp Grayling by 162-thousand acres. Camp Grayling plans to use the land as a practice area for things like electronic attacks. The post commander assured the public there will be no new live firing areas. Officials will give the concerns of the public to the DNR director, who will make a final decision by the end of the summer.

GAYLORD UPDATE
It's been a month since an EF-3 tornado hit Gaylord in northern Michigan, killing two people and injuring 44 others. Many homes and businesses were detstroyed and damaged , along with vehicles. Otsego County Emergency Manager & EMS chief, John Deming, says they're making progress. Deming says they have not heard yet if the federal government will approve Governor Whitmer's request for a federal disaster declaration for the area. He says there is a housing shortage.

RALLY FOR VLADY
Red Wings legend Darren McCarty will be the featured speaker at a rally on behalf of Vladimir Konstantinov and thousands of other survivors of catastrophic injuries. The "Say No to Retro" rally will be hosted by the Brain Injury Association of Michigan. The organization says in addition to Konstantinov, 18-thousand Michigan residents are losing necessary care due to the retroactive application of auto no-fault reforms. Today's rally which runs from 4 to 6pm at the Spirit of Detroit Plaza comes on the 25th anniversary of the tragic accident that left Konstantinov with life-altering brain injuries. He requires round-the-clock care.

HENRY FORD DISNEY DAY
A special exhibit opening this weekend inside the Henry Ford Museum of AmericanInnovation. "Heroes and Villains: The Art of the Disney Costume in partnership with the Walt Disney Archives" opens on Saturday. More than 70 original items, including ball gowns, sorcerers capes, military uniforms, tiaras, and of course glass slippers, will be on display. The Henry Ford is only the second museum to show the exhibition following its run at MoPOP in Seattle.