WATZ Today's Country

Monday News Summary 07-18-22
Mon, 18 Jul 2022 12:06:20 EDT

(Stories Courtesy of Michigan News Radio)

4 SHOT IN GRAND RAPIDS
An investigation is underway in Grand Rapids after four people were shot outside a bar. Police say four adults were shot early Sunday morning outside the Grand Woods Lounge. Police say three of the injuries are non-life threatening. The fourth victim has more serious injuries. There has been no word on if any arrests have been made. Witnesses say there was a fight before they heard gunshots.

EV CHARGING STATION REBATES
Consumers Energy says it's made progress installing electric vehicle charging stations and more people are using them. The utility company says it has provided more than two-thousand rebates for EV chargers at homes, businesses and public locations in the past three years. Consumers also plans to power another 200 public chargers in the next two years in addition to the 36 EV fast chargers already set up across the state. The number of sessions has skyrocketed to 18-thousand in the last year. Most of the use has been at sites in Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo and Saugatuck.

UM NATIONAL POLL ON EYES AND SCREEN TIME
A new national poll from the University of Michigan shows many parents don't recognize that screen time could affect their children's eyes. Researchers say many parents may not be aware of both the short and long term health issues linked to excessive screen time. In addition, some experts say the combination of increased screen time and less time outdoors may put children at higher risk for developing myopia, or nearsightedness, which can lead to serious eye problems in the future. The rate of nearsightedness in children has increased dramatically in the past 30 years. The survey had responses from just over two-thousand parents.

AG TAKING POWER OUTAGE COMPLAINTS
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel wants your feedback following any power outages to continue efforts to improve service quality and restoration times for Michigan residents. A short survey is available on the Attorney General's website and asks for the duration of outages, as well as feedback on the over-all restoration experience. Last year data was used to understand the impact extended outages have on consumers prior to a meeting with the Michigan Public Service Commission.

2 RESCUED IN LAKE ERIE
A close call in Lake Erie for two people who were on a boat that flipped over early Sunday morning. The Monroe County Sheriff's Department says one of the boaters was in the water when they called for help. The Sheriff's Department, local fire departments and the Coast Guard were all involved in the search which ended when the two people were rescued and taken to shore. The boaters were not hurt.

DOG TREATS RECALL
There is a recall involving dog treats that were sold in Michigan and across the country. Stormberg Foods says its chicken treats sold under the Beg and Barker, Billo's and Green Coast Pets brands are being recalled because some have tested positive for salmonella. The United States Food and Drug Administration says the treats were sold between June 8th and June 22nd. No illnesses have been reported. When infected with the bacteria, animals can have symptoms of lethargy, diarrhea, vomiting and abdominal pain. Buyers should contact Stormberg to return the items.

GAS PRICES DROP
Triple A Michigan says gas prices dropped 18 cents in the past week to an average of 4.63 per gallon. That price is 56 cents less than this time last month but still a dollar-36 more than this time last year. The least expensive gas is in Flint, Grand Rapids and Benton Harbor. Drivers are paying the highest prices in Traverse City, Marquette and Ann Arbor.

FUNERAL FOR OFFICER
A final farewell today for Detroit police officer Loren Courts who was shot and killed nearly two weeks ago while responding to a call about shots fired on the city's westside. Hundreds of people, including some who didn't even know the 40-year old Courts, went to the public viewing over the weekend. Courts' funeral is scheduled for 11:30 this morning at Greater Grace Temple on Seven Mile near Telegraph. Police Departments from all over the country are expected to send representatives. Burial will be at Woodlawn Cemetary. The suspect who shot Courts was shot and killed by police.

2 DEAD IN PLANE CRASH
Federal investigators are trying to determine the cause of a plane crash that killed two men from west Michigan. State Police say 56-year old Raymond Gundy of Muskegon County and 48-year old Troy Caris of Holton died when their plane crashed about a mile from the Oceana County airport. People living near the crash site say they heard the plane's engine failing before the crash.

PORT HURON TO MACKINAC RACE
Sailors in the Port Huron to Mackinac sailboat race are entering the final stretch of the roughly nautical 290-mile Cove Island course. The current leader is skipper Robert Hughes and his "Heartbreaker" sailboat, with William McKinley and his vessel "Denali" right behind them. The Cove Island race began Saturday morning in Port Huron and is one of three -- the other two being the Shore Course and Shinola Race to the 45th.

BACK TO SCHOOL SHOPPING
Its not too early to start thinking about back to school shopping. For many families this year it will be more difficult as the inflation rate hit 9.1 percent. Nearly 9 out of 10 parents say inflation will impact their back to school shopping. More than 40% plan to shop more frequently, spreading out their purchasing. Parents who are looking for electronics products might do best shopping online. The firm Adobe Analytics says electronics prices fell more than 1% in the past month and are now down more than 7% from this time one year ago. And back to school clothing online is about 4% lower than this time last year.

GM PLANT SHUTDOWN
It's a week off for General Motors workers at the Lansing-Delta Township assembly plant. A GM spokeswoman says production will be paused for a week because of issues with semi-conductors and supply chain disruptions. The Chevy Traverse and Buick Enclave are made at the plant. Workers are due back on the job next Monday.

MEGA MILLIONS JACKPOT
More people may be buying tickets for the Mega Millions lottery game because the jackpot has grown to 530-million dollars. Lottery executives say if someone matches all numbers drawn tomorrow night it would be the eighth largest winning jackpot on record. The cash option for the prize is 304.7 million dollars before taxes.

MICHIGAN AWARDS, NEW BUSINESS
Some high praise for Detroit and Mackinac Island may mean new business for the state. Michigan Economic Development Corporation president and CEO, Quentin Messer says TIME Magazine calling Detroit one of the World's Greatest Places of 2022 is a great third party validation of the good things happening in the city. Messer says the MEDC is working to attract more business to the state including in life sciences, medical devices, EV & battery development, and agri-business.

OZONE ACTION DAY IN SE MICHIGAN
Drivers in southeast Michigan are advised to delay or combine their errands and avoid cutting the grass. It's an Ozone Action Day, where high levels of ozone in the air pose problems for those with asthma and other respiratory issues. Children and the elderly are most vulnerable. Drivers are also advised to wait until nightfall to gas up the car, if possible. Bumping up the thermostat and other electricity-saving measures are also advised.

ELTON JOHN IN MICHIGAN
It will be a big night at Comerica Park in Detroit as Elton John brings his farewell tour to the Motor City. The singer started the farewell tour in 2018. It's expected to wrap up next year. There are still tickets left for tonight's show through Ticketmaster, but they're not cheap - starting at $184 each.