WATER CONSERVATION-FLINT

Flint water main breaks prompt water conservation request

FLINT, Mich. (AP) — Water main breaks blamed on temperature fluctuations has prompted Flint officials to ask residents and businesses to temporarily cut back on water usage. The city says Friday in a release that the water conservation request is through Wednesday. Main breaks have impacted water storage supply in a reservoir and elevated water tower. Flint uses about 10 million gallons of water per day. Water main breaks since early January have increased water usage to more than 11 million gallons per day. The city says that as it works to complete construction of an additional backup water storage system, only one water storage system is in operation and includes the reservoir along with the elevated water tower.

ELECTION OFFICIAL-CHARGED

Elections official in Michigan charged with ballot tampering

FLINT TOWNSHIP, Mich. (AP) — A former township clerk and current county elections supervisor in Michigan has been charged with ballot tampering in the August 2020 primary election. The Michigan attorney general's office said Friday that Kathy Funk also is charged with misconduct in office. Both charges are felonies punishable by up to five years in prison upon conviction. The office says Funk was Flint Township’s clerk when authorities allege she purposely broke a seal on a ballot container. Under Michigan law, that prevented votes inside the container from being counted in an anticipated recount. Funk oversaw the August 2020 election in the township and narrowly won reelection. She later resigned as clerk to take Genesee County’s elections supervisor’s job.

CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS-WAYNE COUNTY

Wayne County to invest nearly $90M in road, bridge projects

DETROIT (AP) — Wayne County is investing nearly $90 million into 25 road and 10 bridge projects this year. The county says this construction season continues its 10-Year Asset Management Plan for infrastructure. The plan initially was implemented in 2019 and focuses on preventative maintenance. Many of the roadwork projects involve resurfacing. County Executive Warren Evans said additional state and federal dollars are needed to assist the plan, which he called a roadmap designed to continue helping achieve “the goal of being proactive and not reactive when it comes to Wayne County infrastructure.”

TALL BUILDING-VOTE

Development in Traverse City will go to the voters

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. (AP) — Voters in Traverse City will decide whether the city gets a large new building. It’s an unusual step but one that follows a policy approved by Traverse City residents in 2016. A developer, Innovo TC Hall, has proposed a building with dozens of apartments and retail space. City planners initially said it wouldn’t exceed the 60-foot threshold necessary for a vote. But a judge said an elevator shaft and other features should have been included. Voters in November will determine whether the project moves forward, although the developer is appealing the judge’s decision.

MICHIGAN-GOVERNOR-KIDNAPPING-PLOT

Whitmer kidnapping trial symbol of discord in west Michigan

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. (AP) — Four men accused of scheming to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer are on trial in a federal courthouse named for Gerald R. Ford, the former president known for moderation and bridge-building. It's a jarring contrast that reflects a growing political and cultural divide across the U.S. Anger and intense partisanship are showing up in western and northern Michigan, where the trial's jury members live. The region includes Grand Rapids, which Ford represented in Congress, plus farms, small towns and the Lake Michigan coast. Historically, the area has been known for Midwestern congeniality and mild-mannered leaders. But it has been torn by clashes over guns, race and the pandemic restrictions that prosecutors say inspired the plot against Whitmer.

GAS TAX-FREEZE-VETO

Whitmer signals veto of bill to freeze state gasoline tax

LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has signaled she will veto Republican-sponsored legislation that would freeze Michigan’s 27-cents-per-gallon gasoline and diesel taxes for six months amid high prices at the pump. The Democratic governor wants Congress to pause the federal 18-cents-a-gallon gas tax and 24-cent diesel tax. Whitmer said Friday she's “all in” on trying to get Michiganders relief. She says the focus should be on helping those who are struggling. The federal legislation supported by Whitmer would shift general funds to ensure there's no impact on road funding. Republicans say they'd do something similar if she signs the state bill.

PAROLE BILLS

Laws let parole board wait 5 years to review certain inmates

LANSING, Mich. (AP) — New laws allow the Michigan Parole Board to delay reviews of killers and other violent offenders so they occur every five years instead of every one or two years. The bipartisan measures signed Friday by Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer address what supporters say was an unintended consequence of a 2018 law changing parole rules. The legislation was spurred by victims who survived Lansing-area serial killer Don Miller. Among the changes in the 2018 law was a provision that shortened the maximum period between parole reviews for an inmate who was denied despite having a high or average probability of release.

PRISON GUARD THREATENED-INMATE CHARGED

Inmate faces charges after threats made to prison guard

MILAN, Mich. (AP) — A man scheduled for release from a federal prison in Michigan could face additional time after authorities said he threatened to kill a prison guard and the guard’s family. The Detroit News reports that prosecutors unsealed a new case Friday against Jemel Thompson, hours before he was to leave the prison in Milan. The 32-year-old Thompson was serving a 10-month sentence for violating supervised release conditions stemming from a conviction for gun and drug crimes. He now faces six more years if convicted of threatening the guard. An affidavit by an FBI agent states that guards at the prison on Feb. 24 noticed graffiti in Thompson’s cell that threatened the guard.

MICHIGAN ELK SURVEY

DNR: Aerial survey shows Michigan's elk herd growing

LANSING, Mich. (AP) — The state Department of Natural Resources says a survey conducted in January estimates that Michigan’s elk population has increased 5% since 2019. The DNR says the aerial survey over eight days in January covered 1,080 square miles of sample plots across the northern Lower Peninsula. The state's elk population is estimated to be between 870 and 1,684 animals. A total of 793 elk in 92 groups were observed and a population estimate model was used to account for the animals that may not have been observed during the survey. DNR deer, elk and moose management specialist Chad Stewart says “the latest estimates suggest that the elk herd remains healthy.”

TROLLEY CRASH

Northern Indiana bus crash sends 7 people to hospitals

GOSHEN, Ind. (AP) — Authorities say seven people have been were transported to hospitals following a bus crash Friday afternoon in northern Indiana. Goshen Fire Chief Dan Sink says the Interurban Trolley bus struck a pole Friday afternoon. He says first responders needed to "extricate the driver and a few other patrons on the bus.” The Interurban Trolley provides public transit with two routes from Elkhart to Goshen and Mishawaka and three circulator routes connecting major corridors in and around the City of Elkhart

News from © The Associated Press, 2022