VIRUS OUTBREAK-FEDERAL FUNDING

Whitmer proposes spending $1.5B to boost business climate

LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer wants to spend more than $1.5 billion in federal pandemic rescue funding to help boost the business climate, redevelop polluted sites and take steps such as accelerating the development of electric vehicle charging infrastructure. The proposals are the latest offered by the Democratic governor since Congress and President Joe Biden approved an unprecedented $6.5 billion in discretionary aid for the state. She and the Republican-led Legislature have not allocated any of the funds, though some might be allotted as they work to finalize the next state budget before October.

DETROIT POLICE CHIEF

James White named Detroit police chief after national search

James White has been named Detroit’s police chief after serving since June 1 as an interim replacement for James Craig who retired and is looking at a possible run at Michigan governor. Mayor Mike Duggan announced Monday that the job now belongs to White pending approval by the City Council. Duggan was given three candidates to consider by the Board of Police Commissioners following a national search. White is the latest in the line of about a dozen Detroit chiefs since 1990. He stepped down as chair of Michigan’s Civil Rights Commission to take over as interim chief.

BLACK BEAR DEATH-CRASH

Black bear euthanized after injured in hit-and-run crash

GREEN LAKE TOWNSHIP, Mich. (AP) — A female black bear has been euthanized after it was injured in a hit-and-run car crash in northern Michigan. Wildlife biologist Steve Griffith of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources says the bear suffered injuries to its hindlegs that rendered them unusable. He says the injuries were too extensive for the bear to survive. The crash occurred Sunday evening in Grand Traverse County. Griffith tells MLive.com that the motorist who collided with the bear didn't stop, but someone else called emergency responders regarding the injured animal.

VIRUS OUTBREAK-MICHIGAN

Oakland County woman wins $2M prize in vaccine sweepstakes

LANSING, Mich. (AP) — An Oakland County woman has won the grand $2 million prize in Michigan’s coronavirus vaccination sweepstakes. Christine Duval was announced as the winner Monday. The lottery program was geared toward increasing the state’s vaccination rate in July. Residents who got a shot earlier were eligible, too. State officials also announced the final eight winners of daily $50,000 drawings and nine recipients of four-year prepaid college tuition contracts valued at $55,000. About 65% of Michigan residents ages 16 and older have received at least one dose. About 55% of those ages 12 and older are fully vaccinated.

ISLE ROYALE-WILDFIRE

Trails, camps closed on Isle Royale after wildfire expands

ISLE ROYAL, Mich. (AP) — A wildfire that’s burned about 200 acres on Michigan’s remote Isle Royale has prompted the National Park Service to close some trails and campground areas on the wilderness island. The park service said Sunday on the Isle Royale National Park’s Facebook page that the closures were necessary “to maintain public health and safety” after the fire on the Lake Superior island’s east end expanded over the weekend amid lingering drought conditions. MLive.com reports the fire was burning so intensely that it could be picked up by satellites and that planes were being used to ferry water over the fire in the hopes of dousing some of it.

AP-US-ROLLER-COASTER-ACCIDENT

Cedar Point coaster dropped metal plate, injuring woman

TOLEDO, Ohio (AP) — Investigators in Ohio say a piece of metal that flew off the world’s second-tallest roller coaster and hit a woman in line came from the back of the coaster’s train. The head of the state’s amusement safety office said Monday that the metal piece hit the woman from Michigan in the back of the head and was about the size of a fist. Authorities haven’t released any information about her condition or what caused the accident a week ago at Cedar Point amusement park. Officials from Cedar Point announced last Friday that the coaster will remain closed this year.

THREE DEAD-JACKSON COUNTY

3 men found shot to death inside southern Michigan home

JACKSON, Mich. (AP) — Police are investigating the deaths of three men found shot to death Sunday inside a southern Michigan home that’s near a state wildlife area. Deputies with the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office found the bodies of an 80-year-old man and two 70-year-old men about 6 a.m. Sunday while responding to a reported shooting. Sheriff Gary Schuette says all three men had died from apparent gunshot wounds. The victims' identities were not immediately released, pending notification of relatives. The bodies were found in a home in Grass Lake Township that’s located near the Sharonville State Wildlife Management Area.

COLD WAR BASE

Former Cold War radar base in UP could become tourism spot

EAGLE HARBOR, Mich. (AP) — A group of Michigan Tech University alumni have submitted the winning bid for a former U.S. Air Force radar station in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula they hope can become a tourist destination. The bid last week was $227,000. The former base, which has more than 100 acres, is in Keweenaw County and is known locally as Mount Horace Greeley. For nearly 40 years, it served as a radar station during the Cold War with the Soviet Union. Zach Garner of Perry says he submitted an offer on behalf of himself and Michigan Tech alumni who are engineers. Garner says they hope to make the site a tourism spot.

APPLE FORECAST

Michigan apple harvest expected to fall after cold April

SPARTA, Mich. (AP) — A spring freeze will likely put a fall chill on the size of Michigan’s apple harvest. The state is expected to produce 18.25 million bushels of apples this year, down from 22 million in 2020. The Michigan Apple Committee reported the forecast from an industry trade show in Chicago. Some growing areas in April had temperatures in the 20-degree range. Diane Smith, executive director of the Michigan Apple Committee, says there will still be plenty of apples for people to enjoy. There are more than 14 million apple trees in commercial production at hundreds of Michigan farms. The state typically ranks third in the U.S. in apple production.

HEMINGWAY CELEBRATION-WALLOON LAKE

Michigan art installation to be dedicated to Hemingway

WALLOON LAKE, Mich. (AP) — A village in northern Michigan is planning an art installation dedicated to author Ernest Hemingway who frequented the area during his summers in the state. The art installation is part of Walloon Lake’s yearlong Hemingway Homecoming celebration which also will feature formal dedication of a series of historical signs. The village says activities will take place Sept. 4 and will be hosted along with the Michigan Hemingway Society. The Hemingway Society also is expected to officially recognize Walloon Lake on its Michigan Hemingway Tour with the dedication of a bronze plaque. Hemingway's family spent summers at their cottage on Walloon Lake. His area adventures inspired early short stories.

News from © The Associated Press, 2021