WATZ Today's Country

Tuesday News Summary 09-13-22
Tue, 13 Sep 2022 12:31:12 EDT

(Stories Courtesy of Michigan News Radio)

CHIEF JUSTICE RETIRING
A Michigan Supreme Court Justice is retiring six years before the end of their term. Chief Justice Bridget McCormack announcing she is calling it quits at the end of the year. Governor Whitmer says she will be tasked with naming a replacement Justice. McCormack spent a decade on the court -- she won a second eight-year term in 2020. This fall, McCormack chose to join the University of Pennsylvania law school as a senior strategist for its Future of the Profession initiative.

MSU PRESIDENT CONFUSION
Confusion continues to swirl in East Lansing over the future of Michigan State University President Samuel Stanley. Following multiple media reports that Stanley has been told to either resign by today, or risk being removed by the MSU Board of Trustees -- Board Chair Dianne Byrum has released a statement in support of the President. Byrum writes, QUOTE... "...any attempts to remove Stanley from his post before his contract is complete are misguided. It is my belief these board members should apologize,..." A University spokesman has confirmed that talks with Stanley are underway, but says reports of any deadline are, QUOTE... "factually inaccurate."

SWINE FLU
Another virus is being added to the long list of illnesses Michiganders need to be cautious of -- and this one is a throwback. The state Department of Health and Human Services detecting a human case of Swine Flu in Michigan. The person coming into contact with the swine at the Berrien County Youth Fair last month. The CDC confirmed the case last Friday. There is currently no vaccine for Swine flu. Health officials urge the public to be aware of any flu-like symptoms and to avoid contact with pigs. The flu usually only spreads in pigs -- this is just the fifth human infection detected in the U.S. this year.

MOBILE RESPONSE GRANT PROGRAM
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is seeking proposals for the newly created MI Kids Now Mobile Response Grant Program. It is providing additional funding during fiscal year 2023 to expand Intensive Crisis Stabilization Services for Children. The purpose of the program is to expand access to mobile response teams to address crisis situations for youth who are experiencing emotional symptoms, behaviors or traumatic circumstances that have compromised or impacted their ability to function within their family, living situation, school/child care setting or community.

U OF M DEARBORN HONOR
According to the U-S News and World Report guide on American colleges, the University of Michigan Dearborn ranks first in the state and fifth overall among regional public universities in the Midwest. The rankings are based on data on up to 15 indicators of academic quality including first-year retention rate, graduation rate, and strength of faculty. U-of-M Dearborn was also ranked as the top public regional university for veterans and for social mobility.

REPUBLICANS FOR WHITMER
Governor Gretchen Whitmer's campaign has announced the formation of a new leadership council aimed at supporting her reelection efforts this November. But the council isn't made up of people from Whitmer's own party."Republicans For Whitmer" is made up of over 150 prominent GOP members from across Michigan. Its goal is to help the democrat Whitmer defeat Republican candidate Tudor Dixon during the November gubernatorial election. The council is headlined by former Director of the Michigan Department of Community Health Jim Haveman and former president of AT&T Jim Murray.

GRAND TRAVERSE MONKEYPOX
The Grand Traverse County Health Department is reporting the first case of the Monkeypox virus in a Grand Traverse County resident. The person is currently isolated and does not pose a risk to the public. Currently, more than 229 Monkeypox cases have been reported across Michigan, however this is the first case reported in northern Michigan. Monkeypox spreads primarily through direct contact . Symptoms generally appear within three weeks after exposure and infection, and the rash often lasts two to four weeks. The infection may begin with flu-like symptoms and swelling of the lymph nodes that progress to a rash on the face and body.

CHILD SEXUAL MATERIAL
A 21-year-old Gaylord man is facing charges of possessing and promoting child sexually abusive material. MSP troopers from the Gaylord Post received a complaint in May 2021 from a Gaylord woman that she had been sent two videos on Facebook Messenger of a child performing sexual acts. According to the report, the video was sent by 21-year-old Camryn Leigh Guiney. Following an investigation, several search warrants were executed for electronic devices and on social media accounts. Guiney was later arrested without incident and lodged at the Otsego County Jail.

MACKINAC BRIDGE JOBS
It's an interesting opportunity for job seekers who enjoy a good view and don't mind working hundreds of feet in the air. The Michigan Department of Transportation is hiring open positions including Mackinac Bridge maintenance workers and steeplejack positions. The bridge maintenance positions perform repairs and follow all safety regulations over waterways and above 300 feet. The work includes sandblasting, painting, washing, cement work and inspection of the Mackinac Bridge. You can apply on MDOT's website.

MT. PLEASANT STARBUCKS VOTES YES TO UNION
The Starbucks workers on E Pickard in Mt. Pleasant voted 10-1 in favor of unionizing, making them the 11th store in Michigan to do so. Employees watched their votes counted via zoom by the National Labor Relations board. The Mount Pleasant workers say this union win is a show of the care they have for one another, and they are committed to protecting each
Other.

FATAL FIRE-DETROIT
A fire on Detroit's East side killed one person and left multiple people injured – A person was killed at a house fire that broke out after 8 last night. At least two more victims -- including a child -- were taken to the hospital. The Fire Department is investigating the fire..BUT the cause is still unknown.

SMASH AND GRAB GUNS-METRO DETROIT
Police are looking for more than a half a dozen suspects in three daring gun store robberies over the past two days. Police say eight men in a Kia SUV crashed through the front door of Armed in Michigan in Westland. They made off with 50 guns in the smash and grab. The thieves then targeted C and C Coins pawn shop in Dearborn Heights. They smashed through the store and stole about 50 handguns and rifles. Officials say that later last night, the thieves struck the boarded up pawn shop again, stealing even more weapons. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is offering up to a $20,000 reward for information into the pawn shop case.

OXFORD SCHOOL THREAT
There is armed security at Oxford Schools following an online threat. The Oakland County Sheriff says someone wrote "come bring a gun to Oxford School" on Snapchat. Police say they still don't know who sent the message or whom it was sent to. It was reported by a student. Officials say the message does not appear to have been sent by or to any students in the Oxford District. Officials encourage students who see or hear anything suspicious to report it on the OK2SAY app.

PAVILION TO BE TORN DOWN-KALAMAZOO
A pavilion north of downtown Kalamazoo will be demolished by the city after continuing vandalism . WOOD TV reports a city spokesperson says the decision was not made lightly , but it was necessary because of vandalism and illegal trash dumping at the site along the Jack Coombs Trailway. The Kalamazoo River Alliance canceled a summer cleanup of the park last April because of drug paraphernalia and bio-hazardous waste.

BANK ROBBERY-BATTLE CREEK
Police in Battle Creek are looking for a man who robbed a PNC Bank on Capital Avenue Monday afternoon. The man reportedly showed a gun and asked for money and took off. No one was hurt.

ONTONAGAN MAN FOUND DEAD
A 58-year-old man from Ontonagon in the western U-P, has been found dead. The body of Joseph Bittner was found Saturday...about one and a half miles west of where his ATV was found. He was reported missing last Thursday after he did not return home from a camp. An autopsy will be performed.

SUSPECT IN BREAK-IN ARRAIGNED, W MI
Bond has been set at one million dollars for 51-year-old Harold Lebeau in connection to a home invasion and kidnapping in west Michigan's Oceana County. A Mason County deputy shot Lebeau during a foot chase last Friday after Lebeau made comments that he would go out in a police shootout. Mason County Sheriff Kim Cole says he's proud of his deputy and that a gun was recovered.

NMU PRESIDENT SEARCH-MARQUETTE
Northern Michigan University has narrowed down their search for a new president to four people. The candidates will visit the campus in Marquette this month and hold forums with students, faculty ,and staff. The board of trustees will interview candidates the week of September 26th. The board terminated the contract of President Fritz Erickson nearly a year ago.

CREDIT UNION MERGER-NE MI
In northeast Michigan, it's official...Calcite Credit Union officials in Rogers City are announcing today that their members have overwhelmingly approved a merger with Alpena-Alcona Credit Union. Calcite has locations in Rogers City, Posen, and Cheboygan.

GREILICK PROPERTY-GRAND TRAVERSE COUNTY
In Grand Traverse County, after a marathon five hour meeting Monday, East Bay Township trustees delayed voting on a proposal from Rotary Camps and Services to open the former 500 acre Camp Greilick property for public recreation, camping and special events. The few remaining issues seem to be related to alcohol and amplified music . The site is now called the Greilick Outdoor Recreation Center or Go-Rec. Trustees could take up the proposal again in October.

TORNADO TALK-GAYLORD
In Otsego County, the National Weather Service is inviting the public to attend a presentation later this month on the historic Spring tornado that tore through Gaylord, killing two people and injuring more than 40. The EF-3 tornado, with peak winds of 150 miles per hour, damaged and destroyed homes and businesses May 20th. Meteorologists will provide an in -depth review of the environment timeline, and damage as well as provide tips on severe weather safety and preparedness. The event is September 29th at the E-Free Church on M-32.

KENT COUNTY DEPUTY FIRED
A sheriff's deputy in Kent County has been fired after he was allegedly involved in an off-duty incident in Ingham County. Marcelo Aranda was allegedly involved in a misdemeanor assault and battery a few weeks ago. He's due in court September 15th.