DAM COLLAPSE

Report: Loss of soil strength likely led to dam collapses

MIDLAND, Mich. (AP) — A sudden loss of soil strength under saturated conditions most likely caused dams to collapse last year and contributed to flooding that forced evacuations of about 10,000 people. That's according to an interim report commissioned by federal regulators and released Monday. A five-member independent forensic team said there's “strong evidence” the failure of the Edenville and Sanford dams during steady rain in May 2020 came from static liquefaction,. The report says that's the “most plausible principal mechanism for the failure.” The 42-page interim report says the team has “essentially completed” investigation into the physical mechanism of the failure, but “evaluation of human factors is still in progress.” A final report is pending.

BUCKLED GROUND-DETROIT

Issue causes ground to shift, buckle in Detroit neighborhood

DETROIT (AP) — A building in southwest Detroit has been damaged after ground beneath it shifted. City officials say the cause of the ground buckling Saturday has not yet been determined. No injuries were reported. The damaged marijuana dispensary was considered to be at-risk to collapse on sidewalks and utility lines and will be demolished. The shop’s general manager Ashley Babcock told The Detroit News that some employees were inside the building at the time the ground shifted but no one was hurt. Detroit’s Public Works department, DTE Energy and the Great Lakes Water Authority were trying to determine what caused the ground to shift. A watermain break was found in the impacted area.

PROFESSOR DEATH

University professor falls to death through rusted staircase

A Boston University professor died over the weekend when he fell about 20 feet through a rusted out staircase near a train station. University and law enforcement officials say David K. Jones, an associate professor in the university’s School of Public Health, died Saturday. State police said in a statement that the death of the 40-year-old Milton man is under investigation. Troopers responded to the area near the JFK MBTA station in Boston at about 1:30 p.m. after a passerby spotted a body. The staircase has been closed for about 20 months and was blocked at both ends. Jones’ wife said he had gone out for a run.

FATAL SHOOTINGS-DETROIT

Shooting leaves 2 women dead, 4 others wounded in Detroit

DETROIT (AP) — Two women have been fatally shot and four other people wounded on Detroit’s eastside. WXYZ-TV reports that police said a group of people were standing outside Sunday night when shots were fired from a vehicle. WDIV-TV reports Monday that the victims were attending a family gathering. The shooting was under investigation.

SAGINAW-EV STATIONS

Saginaw hopes charging stations will bring people to town

SAGINAW, Mich. (AP) — Electric vehicles heading to northern Michigan are invited to get some juice in Saginaw. The city said it has installed its first set of charging stations. City Manager Tim Morales believes the stations will be popular before there are few north of Saginaw. Morales says the charging stations will also draw visitors to downtown Saginaw and the Old Town area. Six more chargers should be ready by late November. The total cost was more than $250,000, though state grants and rebates from Consumers Energy will cover more than half.

VIRUS OUTBREAK-REPORTER ATTACKED

Complaints filed after reporter attacked at anti-mask event

GARFIELD TOWNSHIP, Mich. (AP) — A prosecutor has filed criminal complaints against two northern Michigan men in connection with an attack on a newspaper reporter covering a meeting by a group opposing masks and vaccination mandates. The Traverse City Record-Eagle reports Saturday that court records show misdemeanor assault or assault and battery complaints were authorized against Michael Adams and Joseph Welsh. The charges were authorized Friday by Grand Traverse County Prosecutor Noelle Moeggenberg. Record-Eagle reporter Brendan Quealy said he was punched in the face Aug. 26 at an event near Traverse City. Quealy told investigators he was attacked when he refused to leave.

NORTHLAND MALL-DEVELOPMENT

Demolition started on Southfield's former Northland Center

SOUTHFIELD, Mich. (AP) — Crews have started demolishing the former Northland Center in suburban Detroit to make way for a housing and retail development. The Detroit Free Press reports that the Northland City Center project in Southfield has an official Oct. 7 groundbreaking to mark the start of construction. The first phase of the $403 million redevelopment envisions 1,546 new for-rent housing units. The majority of the units would be in 14 planned five- and six-story buildings. Nine buildings would have ground-floor retail space for tenants such as fast-casual restaurants, convenience stores and perhaps an urgent care. Northland once was one of the nation’s oldest shopping malls. It closed in 2015.

IMMUNIZATION RECORDS-ONLINE

Michigan adults can find their immunization history online

LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Michigan’s health department has created a way for adults to find their immunization records online. The Michigan Immunization Portal is open to residents ages 18 and older. They can download, save or print their vaccination history free of charge. People must create an account and upload a valid government-issued ID such as a driver’s license or passport. Vaccinations done in another state or country may not be shown in the portal, though records still can be requested from a doctor’s office or local health department. COVID-19 vaccinations will be included in people’s records in case they lose their vaccine card.

DETROIT-SPEED HUMPS

Detroit putting the brakes on more drivers with speed humps

DETROIT (AP) — The Motor City wants drivers to slow down. Detroit said it is adding 700 speed humps in neighborhoods by mid-November, on top of 4,500 announced earlier this year. Speed humps in streets force drivers to ease up on the gas. It’s a quality-of-life issue for residents fed up with reckless motorists. Speed humps go into neighborhoods where the speed limit is 25 mph. Streets near schools and parks are a priority, and so are neighborhoods where there’s support from residents. The city said there have been 17,000 requests. Mayor Mike Duggan says it's a popular program.

BENTON HARBOR-WATER

Groups seek federal help with lead in Michigan city's water

Advocacy groups want the Biden administration to help provide safe drinking water in Benton Harbor, Michigan. Tests in recent years have shown excessive lead levels in the low-income, predominantly Black city's water. A petition filed with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency says state and local officials haven't done enough to deal with the problem. It asks the EPA to help distribute filters and provide free water from alternative sources. The EPA says it's monitoring the situation. Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer this week called for spending $20 million to remove lead service lines in Benton Harbor.

News from © The Associated Press, 2021