Michigan officials warn people to be aware, use caution on ice
CHICAGO, IL - JANUARY 21: A man walks on ice along the shore of Lake Michigan as storm clouds, which dumped several inches of lake-effect snow on the city, heads east over the Lake on January 21, 2014 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)LANSING, Mich. โ Authorities in Michigan are warning people to be extremely cautious on frozen bodies of water after six snowmobiles have fallen through ice in less than two weeks. State Conservation officers in southeastern Michigan are seeing snowmobilers riding into open water and falling through ice, said Sgt. In Michiganโs Upper Peninsula, officers responded Jan. 22 to reports of a drowning after strong winds created a pressure crack in ice over Lake Michigan. โBe aware of the ice conditions before you go out,โ Becker said.
What questions, concerns do you have about climate change in Michigan?
(Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)With our newest Newsletter, the team at ClickOnDetroit is taking a deep dive into climate change on a local level: working with experts to identify how climate change will impact Michigan, how it already is and what you might be able do about it. You can sign up for the In This Climate Newsletter right here. We want to hear from you: Do you have any questions or concerns about climate change, particularly in Michigan? ๐ Become an Insider ๐Introducing WDIV Insider: A new way for loyal Local 4 fans to gain access and customize your ClickOnDetroit news experience. Learn more about WDIV Insider -- and sign up -- here!
Ice fisherman drowns in Lake Michigan in Upper Peninsula
GARDEN, Mich. โ A 64-year-old man drowned in a Lake Michigan bay when his off-road vehicle hit open water, authorities said. Edward Lester of Garden was at Big Bay De Noc, off Delta County, for ice fishing Thursday. Ice in the area was 4 to 5 inches thick but "recent high winds caused the crack to open,โ said Lt. Eugene โSkipโ Hagy of the Department of Natural Resources. Pressure cracks are very hazardous and can occur very fast, particularly on large bodies of water,โ Hagy said. Authorities were contacted when Lesterโs wife said he had not returned from a routine fishing trip.
When will the ice crack at a UP lake? Guess right and win
An Upper Peninsula community is selling chances to guess when replica mining equipment will fall through ice at Teal Lake as the lakeโs ice cover melts. It's an annual fundraiser organized by the Negaunee Lions Club and the Greater Ishpeming-Negaunee Area Chamber of Commerce. โWith the increasing popularity of the Teal Lake Melt-Down fundraiser weโre hoping payouts continue to rise each year,โ organizers said. In 2019, the winning guess was April 26. The winning entry must be purchased at least 48 hours prior to the structure falling through the ice.
State dismisses case challenging Nestleโs water withdrawal permit in Michigan
A 2018 case challenging Nestleโs permit to extract Michigan water and sell it for a profit has been dismissed by the stateโs environmental department on Friday. Residents have also shown outrage over the company taking Michigan water almost for free and turning it into a huge profit. In 2018, residents told Local 4 that the creek was thriving a few years ago, but things have changed because of the water Nestle is pumping out. In an effort to ramp up the legal fight against Nestleโs use of Michigan water, environmental groups requested that Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel step in back in July of this year. Our water use in Michigan ranks us far down on the list of the stateโs top water users.
Court hearing reveals new details in domestic terrorism plot to kidnap Gov. Whitmer
Court hearing reveals new details in domestic terrorism plot to kidnap Gov. WhitmerPublished: October 16, 2020, 12:08 pmThe preliminary hearing began Tuesday and featured hours of testimony by a lead FBI agent on the Michigan case, revealing new detail about investigators' use of confidential informants, undercover agents and encrypted communication to thwart the purported scheme.
Domestic terror plot leader wanted to leave Whitmer on boat in middle of Lake Michigan, FBI says
Gretchen Whitmer wanted to leave her on a boat in the middle of Lake Michigan after kidnapping her, an FBI agent testified. Adam Fox, 34, of Grand Rapids, was one of five Michigan men in court Tuesday on charges that they conspired to kidnap the governor. Trask was asked why the men had been inspecting a boat ramp while plotting to kidnap Whitmer. โTo be able to get a boat and take the governor out on the boat, leaving the area,โ Trask said. Fox stated his plan or his idea was to take her out on the boat and leave her out in the middle of Lake Michigan,โ Trask said.
Swimmers caught in Lake Michigan rip current rescued
PARK TOWNSHIP, Mich. Two men have been rescued from Lake Michigan after they were caught in a rip current while swimming. The 34-year-old and 32-year-old men were at Holland State Park in western Michigans Park Township early Sunday evening when they were swept into deeper water, according to the Ottawa County sheriff's office. A jet ski operator was able to get one of the men to a pier where bystanders began cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Another jet ski operator was able to take the second man to a beach where he was evaluated by paramedics. The sheriffs office said a no-swimming notice was posted at the state park where three people have drowned this year.
Bald eagle shows air superiority in Michigan, sends states drone into lake
Environmental quality analyst and drone pilot Hunter King said he had completed about seven minutes of the mapping flight when satellite reception became spotty. King pressed a button to return the $950 drone to him and was viewing his video screen when the drone began to twirl. Two birdwatchers who were nearby saw the bird attack something but told officials they didnt realize it was a drone. The drone sent 27 warning notifications in the 3.5 seconds that it took to spiral to the water, including one noting that a propeller was missing. Data later revealed that it landed in 4 feet of water about 150 feet offshore.
Port Huron man takes job at nursing home to see his wife during COVID-19 pandemic
FORT GRATIOT TOWNSHIP, Mich. A Port Huron man took a job at a nursing home so he could see his wife of 62 years after they were separated for four months by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Larry and Carol Burnett have been married for 62 years, but he was separated from her when the COVID-19 pandemic struck. For the past two years, Carol has lived at Regency on the Lake, a care home in Fort Gratiot Township near Port Huron. You know, after 62 years, it was almost like we were one person.When the pandemic hit, all visitors, including Larry, were shut out. Sandra Ball, the activities director for Regency on the Lake, had an idea involving an open part-time job.
Black candidates push race debate into GOP-held districts
The reenergized movement against racial inequality and police brutality following the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis has amplified the voices of Black candidates across the country. Its just a total shift.The reenergized movement against racial inequality has amplified the voices of Black candidates, in some cases pushing the political debate over race into Republican-leaning areas. Democrats say they've seen a significant boost in fundraising and other engagement for candidates running on racial justice issues, and believe it could help the party flip some Republican-held districts in November. It was the kind of fundraising appeal that typically would bring in about $1.50 for every $1 a congressional campaign spent on the ad buy. Other Black candidates are seeing a similar trend, she said.
Mothers ashes recovered after being swept away during Midland floods
When the village of Sanford was hit by massive flooding in May, Kathy Parsch set out to find her mothers ashes. ORIGINAL STORY: Sanford woman kayaks to floating home swept away by flood to recover mothers ashesSurrounded by unthinkable destruction, there wasnt a dry eye as Parschs ashes were pulled from mud. She was joined by friends on kayaks to paddle through the wreckage to find Parschs home in a river. After visiting the house seven times, Parsch couldnt find her mothers ashes. Her mothers ashes were found the day before Sanford officials would start scooping up debris to haul away.
Communities chip in for family expecting child who lost everything in Midland flood
Communities chip in for family expecting child who lost everything in Midland floodPublished: May 27, 2020, 6:18 pmWhen flood waters came through Midland County last week, it pushed Sam and Richie OโKeefeโs home against the post office.
Communities chip in for family expecting child who lost everything in Midland flood
When flood waters came through Midland County last week, it pushed Sam and Richie OKeefes home against the post office. The couple is expecting to give birth to their daughter Sydney Thursday. Everything the family had prepared for baby Sydney was washed away when the dam broke. RELATED: Midland County residents sue state of Michigan over Edenville Dam failureThe couple shared their story on social media and people rushed to help -- one person drove three hours to drop off some baby items. The couple said its overwhelming how helpful others have been for Sydney.
Midland County residents sue state of Michigan over Edenville Dam failure
A 28-page complaint was filed in the Michigan Court of Claims by Edenville, Mich. residents David and Andrew Krieger and James and Margaret Sperling. The Kriegers and Sperlings own adjacent properties and homes on the banks of the Tittabawassee River less than a mile south of the Edenville Dam. According to the complaint, the 96-year-old earthen embankment failed after several days of heavy rain on May 19, 2020. The complaint states that the failure of the Edenville Dam and subsequent flooding of a large area in Midland County was caused, in part, by a failure of EGLE to order the necessary repairs to the dam. For decades, federal regulators had demanded changes to the design of the Edenville Dam to improve its ability to withstand flooding, and federal regulators had warned since at least 1993 that the dam failed to meet safety requirements, reads the complaint.