COMMON CARP DEATHS-LAKE
DNR: Virus behind deaths of common carp on Detroit-area lake
LAKE ORION, Mich. (AP) — A virus is being blamed on the deaths of between 300 and 600 mostly adult common carp this summer in a Detroit-area lake. Michigan’s Department of Natural Resources says Friday that an investigation has confirmed that the koi herpesvirus caused the fish kill in Lake Orion. People living along or near the lake, northwest of Detroit, began finding the dead fish in July. DNR fisheries division staff collected samples July 23 for analysis at the Aquatic Animal Health Laboratory at Michigan State University. DNR Fisheries Division Research Program Manager Gary Whelan says that the koi herpesvirus only affects common carp, koi and goldfish. The DNR says that viruses and bacteria that affect fish typically are not human pathogens.
AP-US-MICHIGAN-GOVERNOR-KIDNAPPING-PLOT
October trial postponed for 5 men in Michigan governor plot
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (AP) — A judge says he would postpone the Oct. 12 trial of five men accused of planning to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. A new date wasn’t immediately set. But federal Judge Robert Jonker suggested the trial might get pushed to February or March. Defense lawyers say they need more time to pore over evidence shared by federal prosecutors, especially the work of FBI agents and informants. The government says the five men were upset over coronavirus restrictions when they conspired to kidnap Whitmer, even scouting her second home in northern Michigan. They’ve pleaded not guilty. A sixth man, Ty Garbin, pleaded guilty and is expected to be a star witness for prosecutors.
EXPLOSIVES-PHONE STORES
FBI asks public’s help after explosives found in N. Michigan
CHEBOYGAN, Mich. (AP) — The FBI wants the public’s help after explosive devices were found in boxes outside two phone stores in northern Michigan. The devices were discovered Thursday in Cheboygan in the northern Lower Peninsula and Sault Ste. Marie in the Upper Peninsula. The FBI is urging the public to share information to help investigators find who’s responsible for the explosives. Anyone with information can call (800) 225-5324. The boxes had threatening notes addressed to Verizon and AT&T. Investigators believe the explosives are related to letters recently found at communication towers across the Upper Peninsula. The letters made demands and claimed to be from the “Coalition for Moral Telecommunications.”
LAWMAKER CHARGED
Michigan lawmaker to get a mental health exam, stay jailed
HOWELL, Mich. (AP) — A Michigan lawmaker has been ordered to complete a mental health assessment after repeatedly getting in trouble with the court following his drunken driving arrest earlier this year. The Livingston Daily Press & Argus reports that a judge ordered the exam on Friday for state Rep. Jewell Jones. The 26-year-old Inkster Democrat must also remain in jail until at least his next court appearance on Oct. 15. Jones had his bond revoked Tuesday after admitting to violating the terms of his bond. After Jones was transported to the jail on Tuesday, authorities say he had taped a handcuff key to his foot and now is facing charges of attempted escape.
MISSING KAYAKERS
Kayaker dies, another missing off Pictured Rocks in UP
MUNISING, Mich. (AP) — A kayaker has died and another paddler is missing in Lake Superior at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. The kayakers were reported missing Thursday night in the Upper Peninsula. The search includes the use of a helicopter and C-130 aircraft. No other details were released by the National Park Service.
ELECTION 2022-ATTORNEY GENERAL
Trump endorses election fraud lawyer for Michigan AG
LANSING, Mich. (AP) — A lawyer who has made false claims about vote-counting machines in Michigan’s 2020 election has won former President Donald Trump’s endorsement for state attorney general. Matthew DePerno secured Trump’s support Wednesday night. It could prove decisive when Republicans meet at conventions next year to first endorse and later nominate a candidate to face Democrat Dana Nessel, who is up for reelection. DePerno, from the Kalamazoo area, was the attorney for an Antrim County resident who unsuccessfully sued after a clerk’s error led the county to initially erroneously show a local victory for Joe Biden over Trump. It was quickly corrected.
AIRLINE PASSENGER-FIGHT-CHARGES
Detroit-area woman charged in assault on airline flight
ROMULUS, Mich. (AP) — A woman accused of assaulting a woman and calling her a racial slur on a Spirit Airlines flight to Detroit has been arraigned. Thirty-nine-year-old Alexandra Farr, of Roseville, faces ethnic intimidation and assault charges. She was released Friday on personal bond. The victim was a Black, Muslim woman. Prosecutors say Farr and another passenger on Saturday’s flight were involved in a verbal confrontation when the 29-year-old victim was called a racial slur and started recording the encounter with her cellphone. That’s when Farr allegedly struck the woman’s hand. Farr later was arrested by airport police. She also was charged with being a disorderly person.
WOMEN KILLED-LANSING
2 women killed in Lansing; injured boy in good condition
LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Police say two women were shot to death in Lansing while a 6-year-old boy survived. The shooting occurred Thursday. Two girls missing from the scene were found overnight. The victims were identified as 46-year-old Michelle Roper and 24-year-old Alexis Brown. Police say the victims and male suspects knew each other, and the shootings were not part of a random act. One man was in custody and cooperating with investigators while police searched for a second suspect.
CONTRACTOR EMBEZZLEMENT-POSTAL SERVICE
Contractor convicted in embezzlement of postal service funds
DETROIT (AP) — A suburban Detroit contractor has been convicted in the embezzlement of more than $1.2 million from the United States Postal Service. The U.S. Attorney’s office in Detroit says 59-year-old Michael Rymar of Rochester Hills pleaded guilty Thursday. Rymar’s company, Horizons Materials & Management, was awarded more than $5 million in contracts for repairs to postal service buildings in Michigan and New York. Authorities said documentation contained false and fraudulent statements. Some falsely overstated amounts paid to subcontractors to complete repairs. Amounts paid to Horizons Materials & Management employees and for materials for postal service work also were falsely inflated. The scheme took place from 2015 to 2018.
MICHIGAN LAWMAKER-ABUSE ALLEGATIONS
Michigan lawmaker: Allegations are ‘character assassination’
LANSING, Mich. (AP) — A Michigan lawmaker who’s accused of threatening a legislator over their past romantic relationship is denying her allegations. Republican Rep. Steve Marino issued a statement Thursday after Democratic Rep. Mari Manoogian suggested his removal from two committees stemmed from their “volatile” relationship. She said she was taking steps to ensure her safety following domestic abuse, including threats of public shaming. Marino says their relationship ended “well over” a year ago. He said the “insinuations made are nothing more than politically motivated character assassination that I am confident will conclude as a waste of the public’s time.”
The Associated Press
