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LOCAL 4 NEWS AT 6

Local 4 News at 6 -- Jan. 12, 2021

Here’s what you missed on Local 4 News at 6:Michigan plans to charge ex-Gov. Snyder in Flint water probeTuesday’s show included a discussion with former Flint Mayor Karen Weaver about a report on ex-Gov. Rick Synder being charged in connection with the Flint Water Crisis. Snyder, his health director and other ex-officials have been told they’re being charged after a new investigation of the Flint water scandal, which devastated the majority Black city with lead-contaminated water and was blamed for a deadly outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease in 2014-15.

Benched: Oakland University’s Greg Kampe discusses getting creative since the NCAA put in-person recruiting on hold

Benched: Oakland University’s Greg Kampe discusses getting creative since the NCAA put in-person recruiting on holdPublished: March 29, 2020, 6:36 pmTwo weeks ago, the NCAA announced a moratorium on all on-campus and off-campus recruiting through April 15th. Oakland University’s Head Men’s Basketball Coach Greg Kampe said that makes it really tough to get players for next season.

Metro Detroiters step up to help hospitals, medical centers amid escalating coronavirus pandemic

Metro Detroiters step up to help hospitals, medical centers amid escalating coronavirus pandemicPublished: March 28, 2020, 6:39 pmAs the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic escalates, nurses and doctors are working around the clock to fight the outbreak from the frontlines. Communities across Metro Detroit have been stepping up to show healthcare workers their appreciation, from donations to food drop offs to social media drives.

Michigan health officials announces 6th COVID-19 related death

Michigan health officials announces 6th COVID-19 related deathPublished: March 21, 2020, 6:28 pmHealth officials recorded the state’s fifth and sixth coronavirus deaths Saturday. Both victims are 90-year-old women -- one in Detroit and the other in Oakland County. Local leaders said they are increasing their efforts to keep residents indoors and isolated. As of Saturday afternoon, there were 787 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Michigan.

Police: 2 robbers arrested after targeting Livonia woman at gunpoint in her driveway

LIVONIA, Mich. – Two robbers have been arrested after they targeted a Livonia woman at gunpoint in her driveway, police said. The robbery happened around 1 p.m. Sunday in the 30800 block of Robert Drive in Livonia. Police said the 52-year-old woman was in the middle of unpacking her van in the driveway when the men approached. “He made me take off my coat and he searched and asked me if I had any money on me,” the woman said. One of the men was arrested by Livonia officers in Wyandotte.

Stolen truck with snow plow used to break into Melvindale gas station

MELVINDALE, Mich. – Police are investigating after a stolen truck with a snow plow on it was used to break into a Mobil gas station near Oakwood and Schaefer in Melvindale. Early Thursday morning at the Mobil gas station a couple men arrived in the truck. When that wasn’t enough, the two men put the vehicle in reverse and barreled through the front of the gas station. They almost hit the propane tank trying to smash into the gas station,” Mohamad Akhdar said. Akhdar runs the gas station.

Parents charged with child abuse after Detroit police find children living in deplorable conditions in camper

DETROIT – Two parents are in jail and charged with child abuse after police did a welfare check at a camper in Detroit. Investigators looked further into the case and arrested the parents for child abuse. Alexander is facing a torture charge and two counts of second-degree child abuse and two counts of third-degree child abuse. There was a rifle the family kept inside the camper, the living conditions in general indicated apparent child neglect. Alexander was ordered to not have any contact with her children or her sister who is caring for them.

2 home intruders arrested after Ferndale break-in leads to police chase

FERNDALE, Mich. – A break-in Tuesday morning in Ferndale led police on a chase that ended with a crash. UPDATE: 2 men charged after Ferndale break-in, police chasePolice said a resident who lives on West Drayton awoke to an intruder standing in his living room at about 4 a.m. The man called Ferndale police, who said Madison Heights police gave them information that linked the break-in to similar crimes. Madison Heights officers provided Ferndale police with descriptions of a vehicles and suspects connected to the crimes in their city. Police said a Ferndale dispatcher was able to connect one of the suspects to a Hazel Park address.

Michigan Secretary of State explains absentee ballot voting, what it means for citizens

DETROIT – Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson spoke with Detroit City Council about an expected surge in voter participation in 2020, and how many voters will likely vote by mail. In 2018, Michigan voters amended the constitution to give all citizens the right to register to vote through election day and to vote by mail without providing a reason. Benson explained that many voters took advantage of these new rights in elections in 2019, and she expects many more will do so in 2020. The increase in voting by mail presents a challenge for clerks, who are currently barred by state law from processing or counting absentee ballots prior to election day. Benson said she supports the clerks and jurisdictions across the state that would like to see the law changed.

Controversial program monitors student activity on computers to prevent bullying, violence, suicides

HAZEL PARK, Mich. – A controversial new program that tracks and monitors every move students make on their computers is becoming more prominent in schools. The program is called “Gaggle,” and its goal is to prevent bullying, violence and suicides. The software works by looking for bullying, violence or suicidal thoughts and notifying administrators when it flags a problem. But Gaggle officials say the program looks at school computers and accounts, not personal ones. Gaggle officials said the program prevented 722 suicides last year.

Test results at Detroit, Sanilac County properties owned by Gary Sayers show no hexavalent chromium

DETROIT – Initial test results from a Detroit property and Sanilac County property owned by a businessman who spawned a county-wide contamination investigation show no threats to public health. MORE: Discovery of substance on I-696 leads to multi-county contamination investigationThat substance was coming from the condemned Electro-Plating Services, so crews started checking other properties owned by that business’ owner, Gary Sayers. Officials said tests taken at Sayers’ Deckerville property and the Commonwealth Industry building in Detroit did not show hexavalent chromium. Silver, mercury and chromium were found in the soil at the Deckerville property, but the levels weren’t high enough to cause a public health issue. PFAS test results are expected next week.

Port Huron hockey announcer suits up when team needs goalie

PORT HURON, Mich. – The broadcaster for the Port Huron Prowlers seems to do it all -- announcing, social media, marketing and graphics. But that’s not all ...Three goalies were unable to play last weekend while the team was on the road, creating a major issue. General manager and head coach Joe Pace was surprised when Skiba said he would fill in. He didn’t neglect his broadcasting duties and instead chose to live stream his coverage of the game from the bench. “I wore the other goalie’s gear.

‘It is business as usual’ -- Detroit River spill not cleaned up 50 days later

DETROIT – Residents are outraged over the uranium contaminated site that partially collapsed into the Detroit River and the lack of urgency from officials to fix the situation. “We have to stand up and say, ‘Enough is enough.’”Local 4 Defenders brought to light Detroit Bulk was operating without a permit earlier this week. That heavy is believed to have caused the dock to collapse and then spill contaminated soil into the river. Why was the soil contaminated? Tlaib said dealing with Detroit Bulk Storage is deja vu.

‘He didn’t deserve this:' Friends grapple with brutal murder of 25-year-old Michigan man

BENNINGTON TOWNSHIP, Mich. – We’re learning more about the murder of a man from the Flint area whom police believe met his killer through a dating app. Bacon’s roommate said that Bacon was going to see a man he had met on Grindr, a dating app. Latunski was arrested and charged with Bacon’s murder. READ: Police release disturbing details in murder, mutilation of Michigan manTiara Hill said Bacon was her best friend. “That was extremely hard to go up there and do, but it was something that I needed to do and I really think that he would appreciate it,” Hill said.

Macomb Township fire leaves family of 7, including newborn baby, homeless

MACOMB TOWNSHIP, Mich. – Seven people are without a home after their Macomb Township house caught fire Friday. “I was just sitting in the living room with my daughters watching a movie and I smelled something odd," Angelaca Jarubas said. “I went to open up the front door and I seen this side of the house was on fire,” Jarubas said. The whole family made it out alive, but now they are without a home just days before Christmas. A GoFundMe page has been set up to help the family.

Detroit public schools considering later start time at high schools

DETROIT – The Detroit Public Schools Community District is considering pushing the start time at its high schools to 9 a.m.DPSCD said moving the time back would lead to better rested students who would do better in school. A later start time would mean high school students would be in school until 4:20 p.m. If the change is made, it would make the start time earlier at some elementary schools. The start time at Henderson, T. Marshall, Garvey and Nichols would be moved up to 7:30 a.m., while the start times at Emerson and Clippert would become later. Yvonne Carson’s daughter attends Cass Tech High School.

New Lakeside Mall owner plans mixed-use development

STERLING HEIGHTS, Mich. – Lakeside Mall is one of the largest malls in the state and Sterling Heights Mayor Michael Taylor said it could be getting better. “It’s just really a concrete step in the right direction. Recently, Miami-based developer Out of the Box Ventures bought the property and is now the new owner of the mall. “It’s been in limbo for quite a while, so this is a great step in the right direction,” Taylor said. But with the new sale complete, Lakeside Mall’s new owners say it’s not over just yet.

Family remembers mother of 3 killed in Plymouth Township murder-suicide

PLYMOUTH TOWNSHIP, Mich. – Three children are left without their mother after police say her ex-husband killed her and himself Tuesday in Plymouth Township. Family members said she was killed early Tuesday when she briefly stopped by her ex-husband’s home in the 14000 block of C Drive. Her family said there were deep-rooted problems between the two, but they never thought it would lead to death. “He took a great woman out of this world,” said Ava Sills, Salamay’s daughter. It was always her kids, then it was her friends and family, and then it was herself,” Ava Sills said.

Former Utica Eisenhower High School band director facing criminal sexual conduct charges

UTICA, Mich. – A longtime band director at Eisenhower High School in Utica has been charged with child sexual abuse. READ: Ex-Utica Eisenhower High School band director charged with sex crimes against childrenHe is also accused of befriending a middle school student and sexually assaulting her when she was in high school. He is facing two counts of fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct. Utica Community Schools released this statement in October:“Our school district is following all district policies and procedures regarding personnel matters. The district does not publicly discuss personnel matters and works closely with law enforcement as part of any investigation.

Utica school’s late decision to extend holiday break leaves parents scrambling to change plans

UTICA, Mich. – The recent announcement from the Utica Community Schools to extend Christmas break had a lot of people talking Wednesday. What about the parents that work and thought their kids would be in school on January 2 and 3? Now they have to scramble to find childcare for them.”A spokesperson for Utica Schools released this statement:“UCS continues to bargain in good faith with its teachers’ association. Working collaboratively, we mutually agreed to another component of the district calendar. An important factor that impacts the school calendar is a change in state law related to professional development days.

Foot traffic restored to Harsens Island after dock collapses

CLAY TOWNSHIP, Mich. – The only dock for the Harsens Island ferry collapsed Wednesday and left people stranded on the island. UPDATE: Harsens Island ferry service disrupted after dock collapses, crane takes out power linesThere was also an arcing power line blocking access to get to the ferry on foot. DTE crews were on site working to fix the downed power line issue. The power line was brought down when a crane struck it. Pedestrian traffic can now travel to and from the island, behicles were still stuck as they wait for the ferry service to be restored.

Power outages put damper on some Thanksgiving preparations in Metro Detroit

HARRISON TOWNSHIP, Mich. – A generator is the Duffy family’s only hope of even having a little bit of power at their Harrison Township home. “Oh yeah, we got no power at all,” Terrance Duffy said. Terrance Duffy said his family has been in the dark for hours. Turkey is still in the fridge,” Terrance Duffy said. There are pies for after the big Thanksgiving meal, but Mejia said without power, they may not make it until then.

Residents dealing with loud noises from trains idling for days in Bloomfield Hills

BLOOMFIELD HILLS, Mich. – Residents are dealing with loud noises in Bloomfield Hills as trains idle on tracks. Trains have been idling on about three miles of tracks, from Opdyke and Kensington roads to almost 12 Mile Road. Canadian National Railway is blaming the stopped trains on a strike in Canada, saying trains are being held near the border because 3,200 employees are striking. Below is a full statement from CN:“Unfortunately, 3,200 employees in Canada are on strike, forcing us to curtail operations. As a result, some trains are being held near the border.

Gov. Whitmer introduces plan to combat opioid epidemic in Michigan

Gretchen Whitmer introduced a plan Thursday to combat the opioid epidemic in Michigan. “I’m formally setting a goal to reduce the number of opioid deaths by 50 percent in the next five years,” Whitmer said. The plan to reduce opioid deaths includes improved access to treatment and expanded services. Doctors will also be educated on how to safely prescribe the drugs, and a media campaign will address stigmas surrounding opioid addiction. “The media campaign, called Auto Correct, will implement an animated graphic that replaces a stigmatizing word with a healing word," said Robert Gordon, the director of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.

Judge denies bond for Van Buren Township man charged in wife’s homicide

ROMULUS, Mich. – A Van Buren Township man charged with allegedly murdering his wife was arraigned Saturday. Local 4 cameras were rolling as 63-year old Terrance O’Neal was arraigned through a TV monitor. As he stood before a judge, O’Neal heard the charges he is facing. Van Buren Township police said witnesses told them both O’Neal and his wife 62-year old Belinda O’Neal were arguing and in the middle of that argument, he allegedly shot her. On Saturday his attorney asked for a reasonable bond, due to this being his first offense with the law, but the judge denied bond.

Dashcam footage shows Oak Park police officer being dragged by vehicle during traffic stop

OAK PARK, Mich. – A driver took off during a traffic stop Sunday, dragging an Oak Park police officer behind her vehicle. Police stopped a Chevrolet Equinox about 4:45 p.m. after the driver was seen stealing clothes from Citi Trends at 9 Mile Road and Coolidge Highway. The driver gave the officer her ID, but when he asked her to get out of the vehicle, she drove away, dragging him for about 20 feet. Police said the woman ran a red light to get away. See dashcam footage in the video above.

Oakland County Child Killer: Lead investigator shares insight about where case stands

ROYAL OAK, Mich. – Investigators have exhausted many leads while trying to solve the Oakland County Child Killer case. Read more: Oakland County Child Killer case backgroundAt least four children were killed between 1976 and 1977, and investigators have been working for decades to determine who the serial killer is. A lead investigator in the case, Cory Williams, said that DNA is a large part of the investigation, and he is excited about new DNA technology that could help develop profiles in the future. Hear from Williams in the video above.

Father of Oakland County Child Killer victim works to make sure case is never forgotten

OAKLAND COUNTY, Mich. – As we take a closer look at the Oakland County Child Killer case this week, we’re hearing from those who have a real stake in unraveling the mystery that’s frustrated investigators for more than four decades. Barry King, whose son, Timmy, was the fourth and final known victim, is heavily involved in the case as he does everything possible to ensure the case is not forgotten. At that point, terrified families became certain the murders were the work of a serial killerIn Birmingham, the King family was about to find out that the Oakland County Child Killer was not done yet. Search for killer continues decades laterPolice and prosecutors have a white board with their top 19 suspects on it. Some are in jail, some are dead, and none have been charged with the death of the four children.

Defenders: New footage uncovered in Oakland County Child Killer case

OAKLAND COUNTY, Mich. – It's one of Metro Detroit's biggest unsolved mysteries. A serial killer struck Oakland County in the mid-1970s. Before stranger danger existed, kids in Oakland County would stay out and play until the street lights came on. Defender Kevin Dietz was 12 years old and lived in Bloomfield Hills when the Oakland County Child Killer sent the parents in his neighborhood into a panic. Everyone was speculating who the child killer might be.