WATZ Today's Country

Friday News Summary 07-08-22
Fri, 08 Jul 2022 07:22:17 EDT

(Stories Courtesy of Michigan News Radio)

RYAN KELLEY NOT GUILTY
A Republican candidate for governor of Michigan has pleaded not guilty to several misdemeanor charges related to the January 6 U.S. Capitol riots. Ryan Kelley appeared via video for a brief hearing in federal court in Washington DC, weeks after he was arrested as FBI agents raided his home in Allendale -- west of Grand Rapids. Authorities allege that Kelley was caught on video during last year's riot.

CAMP DEARBORN UPDATE
Michigan State Police say the death of a ten year old boy at Camp Dearborn appears to be a tragic accident. An autopsy was performed on the boy this morning, but a final report hasn't been completed. The boy fell off the floating playground on the lake at the camp in Milford yesterday afternoon. He was unresponsive when he was pulled from the water and died at the hospital.

JAMES CAAN DIED
Actor James Caan has died. He was well known for his roles in 'The Godfather,' 'Brian's Song' and 'Misery.' Caan attended Michigan State University for two years. James Caan was 82 years old.

SELLING ALCOHOL PLAN
A new plan would allow alcohol sales at college stadiums in Michigan. The bipartisan legislation would lift the state ban and allow university governing boards to apply for liquor licenses to sell alcohol at basketball, football, and hockey games. One of the sponsors, State Representative Graham Filler, says data from universities in other states clearly shows that the number of alcohol-related incidents inside stadiums declines when alcohol sales are allowed. He says instead of binge drinking in the parking lot or sneaking alcohol into the stadium, fans can simply buy a beer in the concourse.

DIAL 9-8-8
You dial 9-1-1 for an emergency. But soon there will be a new emergency hotline number to call for help during a mental health crises. The new number is 9-8-8. Starting July 16th, the emergency hotline will connect the caller to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and is part of a government initiative to make it easier for people to reach the help they need. The request for mental health services has skyrocketed since the start of the pandemic.

MONKEYPOX-DETROIT
Detroit has reported its first case of monkeypox. The city's Chief Public Health Officer Denise Fair Razo saying in a Twitter message that the case has been identified by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. This is the second probable monkeypox case in Michigan -- the first was identified last week in an Oakland County resident. Both cases remain under investigation. Health officials are trying to identify close contacts of the people who have monkeypox and might have been exposed.

GERBER WORKER DIES
Thurs at the plant in Fremont. The worker's name has not been released. Nestle says it's investigating and cooperating with authorities. The Fremont Police Department is investigating along with the Newaygo County Medical Examiner's Office and the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Operations at the plant have stopped temporarily. Support services are being offered to its more than 500 employees.

MICHIGAN HIKER RESCUED
Authorities say a Michigan tourist who tried to retrace the steps of a family who died during a grueling summer hike in Northern California had to be rescued last week after getting lost. The Mariposa County Sheriff says the man -- who has not been identified -- was reported missing near the trail where officials last year found the bodies of Jonathan Gerrish, his wife, their toddler and their dog. Officials determined the family and their dog died of extreme heat exhaustion after running out of water. The man told another hiker he was in the area investigating the deaths because he found the official cause of death "odd."

PETE BUTTIEGIEG-TRAVERSE CITY
Traverse City has a new resident - and he's a high-profile Democrat. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg has moved to Michigan from his home state of Indiana and Politico reports that he plans to vote here this fall. Traverse City is Buttigieg's husband Chasten's (Chase-en's) hometown. Buttigieg was last in Michigan to speak at the Mackinac Policy Conference in June.

OFFICER KILLED -DETROIT
Detroit Police Chief James White says an officer who was shot and killed Wednesday night was ambushed and stood no chance. Police shot and killed the 19-year-old suspect. Meantime, donations are being collected to help the family of Officer Loren Courts, who leaves behind a wife and two children.

PUPPY MILL OWNER SENTENCE
The operator of a puppy mill in the U-P's Delta County, Rebecca Johnson, of Rock, has been sentenced to one year in jail, five years probation and 500 hours of community service. She reportedly will not be allowed to own animals. The investigation began nearly two years ago when a state trooper responded to a horse running loose on the roadway in Maple Ridge Township. During the investigation, the trooper saw a large number of dogs that appeared under weight on her property. 135 dogs and 23 horses were seized from the property . They were taken in by the Delta Animal Shelter.

LINE 5
A Michigan regulatory panel wants more information on Enbridge Energy's plan to drill an oil pipeline tunnel beneath a channel linking two of the Great Lakes. The state Public Service Commission delayed a decision Thursday on the Canadian company's request for a permit to run a section of its Line 5 through the proposed tunnel. The commission says it doesn't have enough details on tunnel engineering and safety risks. The 69-year-old pipeline carries oil through northern Michigan and Wisconsin to refineries in Sarnia, Ontario. One section crosses the bottom of the Straits of Mackinac between Lake Huron and Lake Michigan.

CAR-MOTORCYCLE CRASH-W MI
A motorcyclist was injured in a crash with a car in Algoma Township , near Rockford in west Michigan last night. State Police say the motorcyclist is in stable condition. They are investigating the crash.

KZOO CARJACK SHOOTING
The Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety is asking the public's help to find more suspects in a shooting and carjacking last night. One of the suspects, a 27-year-old man, showed up at the hospital with a gunshot wound, according to police. They believe he was involved in the shooting and the carjacking and is expected to face charges.

WOLVERINES FAMILY DAY
The Michigan Wolverines plan to hold their annual family fun day on the beach in Grand Haven later this month. WOOD TV reports city council has approved the event on the condition that the parks board approves it and it has done so . Interim City Manager Ashley Latsch says the primary concern with council was the exclusive use since historically, they haven't allowed that sort of use on their public property.

BIG TICKET FEST-GAYLORD
The 16th Big Ticket Music Festival is underway in Gaylord through Saturday. A dozen Christian music performers, 15 food trucks and a kid's play area are part of this year's event at the Otsego County Fairgrounds. Ten percent of sales will be donated to Gaylord's Tornado Disaster Relief.