Wednesday News Summary 07-06-22Wed, 06 Jul 2022 06:42:52 EDT
(Stories Courtesy of Michigan News Radio)
AG CONSUMER ALERT
With a potential ban on abortions looming -- Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel is issuing a consumer alert to Michiganders that use personal health data applications on their phones. Nessel's message specifically mentions programs that track pregnancy, fertility, and menstrual cycles and says there is legal concern the intimate information could be used as evidence if abortion is criminalized. Users should review usage terms and privacy policies in detail because information may be sold to entities for other uses.
DEADLY BATTLE CREEK ACCIDENT
The father of the jet engine-powered semitruck driver killed during a performance at a southwestern Michigan air show is blaming the explosion on a mechanical failure. The accident happened Saturday during a race between the Shockwave Jet Truck and two airplanes at the Battle Creek Field of Flight Air Show and Balloon Festival. 40-year-old Chris Darnell was driving the truck at the time of the accident and died from his injuries. The custom-built jet truck reaches speeds topping 350 mph and races at air shows across North America, according to Springfield, Missouri-based Darnell Racing Enterprises. Video from an audience member shows the truck catching fire before flipping down the runway at Battle Creek Executive Airport.
MENTAL HEALTH WALK
Here's a way you can get some exercise and help increase mental health services. The first Wild Walk 4 Mental Health will be held Sunday July 10 at the Detroit Zoo. The event will raise funds for the non-profit Words of Hope 4 Life which aims to integrate mental wellness into communities.To learn more go to words of hope 4 life dot com.
WARREN MAYOR ON FIREWORKS
How were the fireworks in your neighborhood Monday night? One Metro Detroitl mayor is fed up with them -- even likening the explosions to what Ukrainians are experiencing. Warren Mayor Jim Fouts posting on Facebook -quote-"I guess tonight some of you are experiencing what Ukrainians have had to deal with for the past six months or so." He goes on to say -quote-"The power of these exploding rockets is far more than what should be allowed in a residential neighborhood particularly on an evening when most people have to work the next day." Fireworks are allowed in Michigan on certain holidays -- and the days leading up to them.
BENTON HARBOR WATER
Free bottled water continues to be provided by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services for City of Benton Harbor residents for cooking, drinking, brushing teeth, rinsing foods and mixing powdered infant formula because of lead in the city water. To arrange water delivery to homebound or residents without transportation in the City of Benton Harbor, contact 211, which is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
OPEN ENROLLMENT
During this years upcoming open enrollment period, Michiganders will have more than 300 health plans to choose from, giving them more flexibility in the coverage they need to protect their health and the health of their families. This information comes from proposed rate filings sent by health insurers to the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services. Open enrollment for 2023 health coverage will run from November 1 through December 15, 2022. Michiganders can obtain coverage by visiting the Health Insurance Marketplace or by calling 800-318-2596. During open enrollment, consumers will be able to choose from 233 health plans on the Marketplace, 59 more than last year. For the overall individual market, which includes off-Marketplace plans, 308 plans will be available, 52 more than last year.
FLAGS LOWERED
Governor Gretchen Whitmer has ordered that flags be lowered to half staff here in Michigan -- to honor the victims of the shooting in Illinois. U.S. and Michigan flags within the State Capitol Complex and at all public buildings and grounds across the state should be lowered to half-staff immediately through sunset on Saturday. The Governor says "Michigan mourns today with our Midwestern neighbors in Highland Park, Illinois after the horrific shooting at their Fourth of July parade. Our thoughts go out to the families and loved ones of those who were killed, the dozens still in the hospital, and the entire community that has been impacted by this devastating act of violence."
BODY IMAGE
Some dermatologists are seeing an increase in patients seeking cosmetic procedures since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many of us had to work from home and use video conferencing services like Zoom. Dr. Wendy Sadoff is a dermatologist in Farmington Hills says & it's led to an increase, around 11-percent, in body dysmorphic disorder, a mental health disorder where you obsessively focus on a perceived flaw. That's according to a recent report in Dermatology World.
DOG STUDY
If you're looking for a safe neighborhood to live in, look for a place with a lot of dog walkers. Neighborhoods with more dogs had lower rates of homicide, robbery and aggravated assaults compared to areas with fewer dogs. The study from Ohio State University found neighborhoods with a lot of dogs had about two-thirds the robbery rates and about half the homicide rates compared to areas with fewer dogs. Researchers say people walking their dogs are essentially patrolling their neighborhoods by putting more eyes on the street, which can discourage crime.
SANTANA COLLAPSES -PINE KNOB
Rock legend Carlos Santana recovering after collapsing on a concert stage last night at Pine Knob Theater in Metro Detroit. The entertainer's PR team says Santana was transported to a nearby hospital for observation and is dong well and was overcome with heat exhaustion and dehydration. His concert in Pennsylvania has been postponed.
FIRE VICTIM-SW MI
A 16-year-old girl was killed in a house fire in Barry Township , north of Kalamazoo, Tuesday morning. The Barry County Sheriff's Office says the fire may have been caused by burning candles after the power went out. Kayla Casey was found in the basement of the home. The girl from Minnesota was reportedly visiting her grandparents and cousins in Michigan for the summer.
PICKUP DRIVER KILLED WHEN TRUCK GOES IN POND-FRUITPORT TWP AREA
A driver of a pickup truck has died after going into a pond near Fruitport Township, south of Muskegon, last night. Firefighters report the driver was trapped inside the truck. A dive team recovered the driver's body from the water.
GRAND HAVEN STATE PARK CLOSURE UPDATE
Alcohol is being blamed for fights that broke out on the beach and south pier at Grand Haven State Park, forcing police to close the areas on the Fourth of July. The DNR's Andrew Lundborg tells WOOD TV that several hundred people were crowded on the beach when fights broke out. One person was arrested for assault, but there were no serious injuries. DNR officers say they believe alcohol played a big role in the fights, even though it's banned at the state park.
TIM ALLEN'S YACHT
A marina in northern Michigan has to close over the holiday weekend after a yacht owned by actor Tim Allen leaked fuel into the water. Northport Village Marina....about 30 miles northwest of Traverse City, shut down Sunday after about 30 gallons of diesel fuel reportedly leaked from the "Home Improvement" star's yacht. Allen tells the Traverse City Record Eagle that only about 11 gallons leaked and it happened when the fuel filter gasket broke while he was taking the vessel around Omena Bay. Allen, who grew up in Metro Detroit, says he felt very uncomfortable closing the harbor down for everybody. Allen is responsible for cleanup costs. A beach and playground near the marina were also closed Monday after fuel washed up on shore. The Coast Guard is overseeing the cleanup. The marina did reopen Monday night.
U-P WILDFIRE
A wildfire burning in the Upper Peninsula's Schoolcraft County is expected to be contained by the end of the day today. The Creighton Swamp Fire that's burned more than 200 acres, started Saturday afternoon in a remote area east of County Road 454. A lightning strike reportedly may have caused the fire. There have been no reports of injuries.
LEVAR BURTON LIBRARY-KALAMAZOO
LeVar Burton is not happy with a Kalamazoo nonprofit that's using his name. The actor calls out Broncos Kitchen Foundation on his Twitter account calling it a scam that the charity established the LeVar Burton Library to provide programs and services and prompts users to make financial donations. Burton says it is not him and is not affiliated with him in any way. Bronco's Kitchen co-founder , Pastor William Steim says the literacy foundation is legitimate and associated with the charity that serves free dinners to those in need. He says they did reach out to Burton but never heard back.
TRAVERSE CITY ZONING
Traverse City commissioners approved changing the city's zoning ordinance to ban short term rentals on the first floor of downtown buildings and approved expanding the city's smart parking meter program, replacing some 35 on-street meters throughout the downtown area with smart meters.
VETS CLINIC-N MI
The Department of Veterans Affairs recently had a groundbreaking ceremony for a new, expanded clinic in Indian River in northern Michigan. It will be on M-68 , just east of Indian River. The original V-A clinic for Cheboygan County opened in 2012 in Mackinaw City. Construction will begin this week with completion expected next year.
CANNABIS CHAMBER-KALAMAZOO
Kalamazoo officials are thinking about having a cannabis chamber to promote social equity in the city's marijuana businesses. WOOD TV reports the plan was presented last night at a Committee of the Whole meeting. The idea is that marijuana businesses would buy into the chamber to get resources in their efforts to fill the social equity requirements in their license.
MEGAMILLIONS
It's the third largest Mega Millions jackpot ever offered in the month of July. On Friday, the jackpot will be an estimated $400-million-dollars, and if you win, that means $231.7-million-dollars in cash. The jackpot keeps rolling after no ticket matched all 6 numbers this past Tuesday. The Mega Millions, which began in 2002, only reached $400-million during the month of July only twice before.
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