SNOWMOBILES-LIABILITY

State loses key immunity decision in snowmobile crash

DETROIT (AP) — A snowmobile driven by state employees is a motor vehicle under Michigan law. It's a key decision from the state Supreme Court because it could make taxpayers liable in a crash that injured two people in 2018. The issue was whether the Department of Natural Resources could claim governmental immunity and avoid legal responsibility for a crash in Antrim County. Audrey West was thrown into a river while her father was pinned under his snowmobile. They said they were forced to swerve when two DNR officers on snowmobiles were traveling in the wrong direction. The Supreme Court heard decided Friday to let a Court of Appeals opinion stand against the DNR.

LONGTIME COUPLE

Detroit-area couple die just days apart at age 97

FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich. (AP) — A Detroit-area couple married for 73 years died just four days apart — each at age 97. Vera and John Kerastas of Farmington Hills met at Wayne State University where both were students after World War II. John died at home on Jan. 15, and Vera followed on Jan. 19. They had three children. Vera worked as a chemist at Difco Laboratories while her husband spent decades as a financial analyst at Ford Motor. They liked to work out at the Farmington YMCA well into their 90s and then have coffee there with friends.

DOGS SEIZED

More than 160 dogs found on blighted property in N. Michigan

EAST BAY TOWNSHIP, Mich. (AP) — Authorities discovered more than 160 dogs at a rural property near Traverse City after arriving to enforce blight violations. The property is in East Bay Township in Grand Traverse County. Jamie Croel, county animal control supervisor, says it was “incredibly sad.” The dogs were found Friday in kennels in vehicles, campers and trailers. Animal control officers from area counties assisted, along with Cherryland Humane Center. The sheriff’s office is investigating. Beth Friend, East Bay Township supervisor, says authorities hadn't been able to walk the property in the past.

FOREVER CHEMICALS-MICHIGAN BEEF

Toxic 'forever chemicals' found in Michigan farm's beef

Officials say beef produced at a small Michigan farm was found to contain toxic "forever chemicals.” A state advisory says a PFAS compound was detected in steaks and roasts from Grostic Cattle Co. in Livingston County. Investigators say the contamination came from cattle feed that was fertilized with wastewater plant biosolids containing the compounds. They say Grostic Cattle Co. has cooperated with the state’s investigation. PFAS chemicals are found in a host of industrial and consumer products. They've been linked to a variety of health problems. They are known as “forever chemicals” because they don’t break down in the environment or the human body.

SCHOOL GIFT-ESPORTS

Game on! Catholic school will use big gift for esports

ALLEN PARK, Mich. (AP) — A Catholic school in suburban Detroit said it will use a $1.3 million gift to enhance its science and technology programs, including esports. The money for St. Frances Cabrini in Allen Park is coming from the estate of two late members of the parish, Don and Dolores King. The Rev. Tim Birney says the esports room is finished, and other projects soon will be underway. Cabrini is among just a handful of Detroit-area Catholic schools to have an esports program. The school is completely remodeling biology labs and adding more interactive technology.

SCHOLARSHIP ERROR

2 Michigan schools mistakenly award scholarships to students

ROCHESTER HILLS, Mich. (AP) — A university in Michigan says it erroneously notified students that they would receive top tuition awards, just days after another school in the state said its prospective students were mistakenly told they had won full-ride scholarships. Oakland University in Rochester Hills said Friday that due to human error email notifications were sent to about 5,500 admitted students saying they were entitled to receive its Platinum Presidential Scholar Award. Those students didn't meet eligibility requirements for the award. Central Michigan University said Friday that its admissions director no longer works at that school after 58 youths received messages last weekend telling them they had won an award that includes full tuition and room and board.

HOME VALUES-DETROIT

Detroit residential property assessments projected to rise

DETROIT (AP) — Residential property assessments in Detroit are projected to increase by an average of 31% per neighborhood in 2021. The city says the figure is based on the most recent sales study and analysis of property values across the city and marks the fifth consecutive year of growth. Mayor Mike Duggan says the steady rise is a reflection of on-going improvements in neighborhoods such as blight removal, park improvements, commercial corridor upgrades and other key city services. The city says 21 of Detroit’s 208 neighborhoods had an increase in value over 50%, while 91 neighborhoods showed an increase from 30% to 49%. Only five neighborhoods lost value.

SCHOOL EMBEZZLEMENT-JAIL DEATH

Man awaiting sentence in embezzlement case dies in jail

WEST OLIVE, Mich. (AP) — A man has died in a western Michigan jail days after pleading no contest in the theft of more than $900,000 from a school district where he worked. The Ottawa County sheriff's office says 56-year-old Brian Wheeler was pronounced dead Thursday night in the county jail after deputies responded to a medical incident. Wheeler of Muskegon was found unresponsive about 8 p.m. The sheriff's office says deputies, jail medical services and paramedics were unable to resuscitate him. His death was being investigated by the state police. Wheeler entered his plea Monday in an embezzlement case in the Grand Haven school district where he was technology director.

MICHIGAN REDISTRICTING

Groups to challenge partisan fairness of Michigan House map

LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Several groups will sue to challenge Michigan’s new state House map, alleging it's biased toward Republicans and should be redrawn to be fairer to Democrats. The lawsuit will be the third seeking to block congressional or legislative plans created by a new redistricting panel. The state constitution says districts “shall not provide a disproportionate advantage to any political party.” It's the fourth-ranked criteria. The commission’s own analysis shows a pro-Republican tilt in three scores that measure partisan fairness. But a fourth metric shows the party winning the most votes statewide would control the House. That frequently didn't happen under maps drawn by the Republican-led Legislature.

BOY KILLED-BULLDOZER

Police: Boy, 7, dies after being run over by bulldozer

MAPLE GROVE TOWNSHIP, Mich. (AP) — A 7-year-old boy has died after being run over by a bulldozer operated by his father in Barry County. State police say the boy was riding on a trailer that was being pulled by the bulldozer in a Maple Grove Township field when he fell about 5:30 p.m. Thursday. The bulldozer then rolled over the boy who died at the scene near his family’s home. His death was being investigated as an accident. Maple Grove Township is southeast of Grand Rapids.

News from © The Associated Press, 2022