FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2024 |
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In today's newsletter, John Gibbs placed on administrative leave by Ottawa County leaders, our weekend weather and summer rail-bike adventures to return. |
What's happening this weekend? |
So much! There are plenty of things to check out in the Ann Arbor area this weekend, including a storytelling festival and a fundraiser filled with LEGOs. And celebrate the end of winter with the Blizzard Bazaar in downtown Jackson on Saturday. Five fun events in Grand Rapids include the 16th Annual Winter Beer Festival and a Corgis on Ice event. In Muskegon, there's an open mic night and a free comedy show. Lastly, from a Valentine’s dance for kids to a garden-themed “Sip ‘N’ Swirl” for those longing for spring, here are some fun things happening across mid-Michigan this weekend. |
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Michigan's new driver's licenses and IDs with higher security features are now in circulation . Residents will receive the new license or ID if applying for their first card or when renewing or replacing their current card. |
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Michigan State Police were sent into cash-strapped towns to help. Beatings, complaints and lawsuits followed. |
Overview: A nearly $10 million-per-year Secure Cities Partnership started in 2012 with the aim of assisting local police departments in some of the state’s most dangerous cities. Analyzing: A recent MLive investigation showed that there have been more than 80 other complaints and a half dozen lawsuits filed against Michigan State Police over the years – many racial in nature – in Saginaw, Flint and the nine other cities that are part of the program. One activist told MLive he believes the program should end. Meanwhile state police are credited with helping places that don’t have enough officers. So what can be done to restore faith in the program in some of these cities? Here’s what experts, activists and law enforcement officials said. Also in crime: A man who previously owned and sold back the gun later used in a mass shooting at Oxford High School on Nov. 30, 2021, may be called to testify in court. |
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John Gibbs placed on administrative leave by Ottawa County leaders |
Suspended: Following almost an hour and a half of a closed-door meeting, the Ottawa County Board of Commissioners voted to place Administrator John Gibbs on paid leave for an undetermined amount of time. Commissioners are expected to have further discussion next week on Gibbs’ future and whether to authorize a payout in exchange for his resignation. On Feb. 15, Gibbs asked the county board of commissioners to pay $630,000 in exchange for his resignation. What's being said: Gibbs’ attorney, Noah Hurwitz, in a Feb. 15 letter to commissioners, accused them of retaliating against him because he made complaints against Kallman Legal Group. But David Kallman, head of Kallman Legal Group, described Gibbs’ claims as “baseless.” |
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Michigan’s weekend weather: A winter day booted quickly by next major warm-up |
No weather worries: There aren’t really any widespread storm systems to think about this weekend. A strong cold front from the north will blow through today. A northeast wind following the front should make spurts of snow showers fall across Lower Michigan. These snow showers will be brief and scattered. Sunday will be a transition day from cold weather Saturday to very warm weather for late February coming early next week. Saturday morning is actually going to be a true wintry, cold morning with a heavy winter coat needed. What the birds say: For proof that the seasons are truly changing, just listen for the unmistakable song of the red-winged blackbird . After spending the colder months living in the southern U.S., these boldly colored migratory birds are now starting to head back north, where we can find them calling out from trees and cattails at local wetlands. |
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‘Legit grit’ helps propel No. 4 Michigan State hockey to cusp of Big Ten title |
On the up: Michigan State is a program on a rapid rise under second-year coach Adam Nightingale and has earned its highest ranking since 2007. The Spartans haven’t reached the NCAA Tournament since 2012 but are now in contention to potentially land a No. 1 seed. In basketball: Michigan State relied heavily on its younger centers in its Tuesday loss to Iowa, but Tom Izzo was left disappointed in how they performed on the defensive end as the Spartans lost, 78-71, and gave up 40 points in the paint. Time to listen: On episode 140 of MLive's Spartan Confidential podcast, reporters Brandon Champion, Kyle Austin and Matt Wenzel react to the latest from MSU sports. |
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Summer rail-bike adventures to return to Traverse City with longer scenic route |
Hop on: After an inaugural year that saw crowds of people flocking to the state’s first rail-biking business, Wheels on Rails is returning for a second season in Northern Michigan. This year, it will have new rail bikes for a smoother, more comfortable ride and the option of a longer scenic route for those who really want to get a pedal-powered workout. While we're in town: Crews are set to resume work on a $24.7 million project to rebuild 2.2 miles of waterfront road in Traverse City. Catch a game: If the warm weather has you thinking ahead to spring, the West Michigan Whitecaps are gearing up for a new season of baseball near Grand Rapids. Here are the 2024 special theme nights. |
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Into the weekend we go... |
Thank you for joining me today on this edition of the Morning Briefing. As always, you can find the latest Michigan news at MLive.com. While you're there, consider becoming a subscriber . Have a great weekend! — Jamie Rewerts |
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