Michigan Department of Natural Resources officer charged in off-duty campsite shooting
Michigan Department of Natural Resources officer Ryan Cox, 22, has been charged in the 77th District Court in Mecosta County on one charge each of assault with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder (10-year felony) and felony firearm.
Hereโs why hunters are declining during deer season in Michigan
Starting Tuesday morning, more than half-a-million hunters will head out into the woods for dear season. Itโs estimated that hunting contributes more than $2 billion to the stateโs economy yearly. But a shift is happening as both numbers have trended down for years.
Mount Clemens man fires shots at police, barricades himself inside home, officials say
Officials say a man has fired gunshots at police and then barricaded himself inside a home in Mount Clemens. The man has fired multiple gunshots at officers from his garage, police say. He then fired more shots from his window.
DNR: Rash of brush fires reported around Michigan
ALPENA, Mich. โ A dry winter and recent sunny skies have led to a rash of recent brush fires around the state, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources says. Since Friday, the agency has responded to at least 40 such fires in the state, said Don Klingler, DNR resource protection manager for the Lower Peninsula. A fast-moving grass fire Monday burned 86 acres in northeast Michigan's Alcona County, The Alpena News reported. Roger MacNeill, a forest fire officer at the Lincoln DNR office, said the fire jumped a drainage ditch and the Black River. Grass fires have been rampant in Michigan this spring, with about 20 burning at once on Monday, including one that burned 600 acres in Manistee, MacNeill said.
This may look destructive but guess what? Itโs helping wildlife and hereโs how
Spring officially begins this weekend, and with the return of warm weather comes more active local wildlife. Leightner said that springtime kicks off many of their habitat projects, which are designed to benefit wildlife big and small. Leightner explained that by burning certain parts of Michigan grasslands, theyโre able to help promote local plant growth and control invasive species. To find out more about how you can help with wildlife conservation, watch the video above. To learn more about Michiganโs important wildlife conservation efforts, click here.
Sumpter Township residents asked to avoid outside burning amid high wildfire risk
SUMPTER TOWNSHIP, Mich. โ Authorities are urging residents of Sumpter Township to avoid โoutside burning of any kindโ as the region is considered at high risk for wildfires Thursday. According to the Sumpter Township Police Department, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has identified the township area as being at very high risk of wildfires due to dry ground conditions. Residents are being asked to avoid any outdoor burning activities to prevent a wildland fire. Authorities say they have responded to several wildland and/or field fires in the surrounding area over the past week, and five within Sumpter Township over the last two days. Sumpter Township police say that residents whose โnegligent activity leads to wildland fire and subsequent property destruction can be held liable, both criminally and civilly.โTo learn more about fire safety, visit the DNRโs website right here.
28-year-old man killed after snowmobiler crashes into ice shanty on Devils Lake
LENAEWEE COUNTY, Mich. โ A 28-year-old man has died after a snowmobile operator crashed into his ice shanty on Devils Lake in Lenawee County, according to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. DNR officials said upon arrival, they discovered a snowmobile tangled in debris from the ice shanty, and the 28-year-old from Jerome was found lying in the debris. The 33-year-old snowmobile operator from Hudson was treated for minor injuries and voluntarily submitted to a toxicology blood draw. AdAccording to DNR, speed is the No. READ: Metro Detroit road crews out in full force ahead of winter stormREAD: โNo ice is safe iceโ -- Police issue warning after snowmobile rider killed breaking through ice on Wolverine lake
Michigan DNR moves historic building away from eroding Lake Michigan shoreline
MANISTEE, Mich. โ The Michigan DNR relocated a historic shelter building to keep it safe from eroding shoreline on Lake Michigan. The DNR said after months of planning, Orchard Beach State Parkโs historic shelter building now sits a safe 230 feet back from the eroding Lake Michigan shoreline. โIโm proud and excited that this community and the state joined together to save this historic building,โ said Doug Barry, unit manager for Orchard Beach State Park. โSo many families have held events here over the years because of the unique charm of this park shelter. High water has created the need to stabilize shorelines and historic structures around Michigan, including upcoming work at nearby Big and Little Sable lighthouses.
Michigan DNR pursuing concessionaires to run park businesses
LANSING, Mich. โ Michiganโs state parks, harbors and recreation areas are seeking entrepreneurs to run camp stores, boat rentals and other businesses as the coronavirus pandemic has spurred an increase in state park visitors. Lori Green, the concession and lease manager for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, told MLive.com that there are perks that come with operating a business within a state park or recreation area. Green said state park visitor numbers were higher this year then ever, which could be encouraging for state-park based enterprises. Most opportunities are seasonal, such as operating camp stores, bike or watercraft rentals, food trucks, and even a water park. An anomaly on the current list is the ski hill at Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park.
Invasive mile-a-minute weed found at Albion Collegeโs Whitehouse Nature Center in Calhoun County
CALHOUN COUNTY, Mich. โ An invasive mile-a-minute weed (Persicaria perfoliata) has been found at Albion Collegeโs Whitehouse Nature Center in Calhoun County, officials said. What is mile-a-minute weed? Mile-a-minute weed is an annual vine that can grow up to 6 inches per day, or 25 feet in 6 to 8 weeks. Mile-a-minute weed infestations have been reported in 15 states across the United States. While mine-a-minute weed can be removed by hand, seeds can persist in the soil for up to six years.
Proposition 1 could change how Michigan buys land, renovates parks in Nov. election
In addition to the races for office in the November election, Michigan voters should prepare to vote on a few proposals that would change the stateโs constitution. Proposition 1, also known as Prop 1, will change the way Michigan buys new land and renovates state parks. Specifically, the proposition impacts how much money Michigan can hold in the trust the funds state parks, and where that money ultimately goes. The proposition on the 2020 General Election ballot has been a long time coming -- the last major change to how Michigan funds state parks occurred in the mid 1990s. It is also supported by business groups like the Michigan Oil and Gas Association and the Michigan Chamber of Commerce.
Former mine sites in Michigan to be repurposed as large-scale solar power operations
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources awarded Circle Power of Royal Oak a 5-year lease agreement to develop solar arrays on two former mine sites. โOur department is entrusted with taking the best possible care of the stateโs natural resources and creating quality outdoor experiences. Circle Power is backed by Amber Infrastructure and its U.S. parent, Hunt Companies, Inc. โThe potential development of two former mining sites for large-scale solar power, in my opinion, checks all the boxes,โ said John A. Kinch, executive director of Michigan Energy Options. What the project does do is to drive the creation of more clean, renewable energy in Michigan, with the DNR leading by example.
Southeast Michiganโs first off-road vehicle park opens in Holly
HOLLY, Mich. โ It took years of planning and collaboration, but the first 113 acres of the Holly Oaks ORV Park has opened. The park is in Groveland and Holly townships, near Groveland Oaks County Park and Campground on Dixie Highway. Itโs considered part of the Holly Recreation Area. READ: More community news coverageIt is operated by Oakland County Parks and Recreation in partnership with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Click here to learn more or purchase tickets.
Michigan hunters should expect changes to deer check stations this fall due to COVID-19
LANSING, Mich. โ Deer hunters should expect changes to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources deer check stations this fall. Hunters will be required to wear masks and following social distancing guidelines at DNR deer check stations. At many check stations, hunters will be required to stay in their vehicles while their deer is checked. Hunters who want disease testing are asked to bring only deer heads to check stations by removing them ahead of time. Hours and locations of deer check stations will be available by clicking here.