WOMAN SLAIN-SON ARRESTED

Man charged in mother’s fatal shooting after family dinner

ROYAL OAK, Mich. (AP) — A 22-year-old suburban Detroit man has been charged with open murder in the fatal shooting of his 52-year-old mother as she drove him home from a family dinner on Thanksgiving eve. The Oakland County sheriff’s office says Monday that George Harry II also is charged with five counts of attempted murder and using a firearm during a felony after shots later were fired at passing vehicles. Harry of Troy faces arraignment Tuesday. Sonya Harry of Southfield was shot once in the head Wednesday along the city limits of Royal Oak and Pleasant Ridge. George Harry II also is accused of firing shots at three passing vehicles. A woman driving one of those vehicles was struck in the leg.

VIRUS OUTBREAK-MICHIGAN

COVID-19 hospitalizations reach record high in Michigan

LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Michigan’s number of hospitalized adults with confirmed COVID-19 cases has reached a new pandemic high, nearing 4,200 as the state continues to confront surging infections. The total of 4,185 cases surpassed the previous record of 4,158, which was set seven months ago during the state’s third wave. Only Minnesota had a higher seven-day case rate than Michigan as of Sunday, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. State health officials are urging people to get vaccinated and to wear masks in public settings to limit the spread of the coronavirus amid the fourth surge.

BENTON HARBOR WATER CRISIS

Benton Harbor starts accepting bids to replace lead pipes

LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Benton Harbor leaders say the city is accepting bids from contractors for an ambitious project to replace all lead water pipes no later than 2023 due to elevated levels of the toxic metal in the municipal supply. Because the “action level” for lead has been exceeded, for three years, the estimated 2,800 service lines must be removed over about 15 years under federal and state regulations. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has promised to spend millions of dollars to replace them in 18 months, with work starting next spring. Benton Harbor invited bids last week and released details about the plan Monday.

WOMAN RAPED-ARRESTS

Detroit police: Two men in custody in beating, rape of woman

DETROIT (AP) — Two men were in custody in connection with the rape and brutal beating of a 63-year-old woman outside a closed Detroit church. Police Chief James White told reporters Monday that tips from residents led investigators to the suspects in the Nov. 14 attack. He says the woman was acquainted with both men and was not targeted randomly. White says the victim still is ”fighting for her life.” A 44-year-old man has been charged with assault with intent to commit murder. He has not been charged with sexual assault. White said the investigation into the rape was continuing. The second man was being held on a charge not related to the attack.

MYANMAR-US-JOURNALIST

Journalist freed by Myanmar helps light menorah in Detroit

DETROIT (AP) — An American journalist who was recently freed after spending nearly six months in jail in military-ruled Myanmar helped light one of eight Hanukkah candles during a holiday celebration in downtown Detroit. Thirty-seven-year-old Danny Fenster joined elected and community leaders Sunday night for the “Menorah in the D” event marking the start of Hanukkah. Fenster, who is from the Detroit suburb of Huntington Woods, was freed on Nov. 15 and returned to the U.S. the next day. He told the Detroit Free Press that he didn’t think about a link between his release and the menorah lighting before he was freed, but “I think there’s that obvious connection with bringing light to darkness in journalism.”

SHIFTING INDIANA DUNE

Indiana Dunes’ Mount Baldy keeps slowly blowing inland

MICHIGAN CITY, Ind. (AP) — A towering sand dune at the Indiana Dunes National Park has kept up its inland creep, covering up an access road and threatening to bury a parking lot in the coming years. The park’s landmark Mount Baldy has largely been closed to public climbing since a 6-year-old boy was rescued in 2013 after being buried in sand there from a cavity that researchers blamed on decaying sand-covered trees. A Park Service ranger says winds winds off Lake Michigan have taken as much as 30 feet off its previous 125-foot peak. The shifting sands could eventually consume the entire parking lot and a restroom building near Mount Baldy.

AP-US-COMMUNITY-SOLAR

Community systems offer alternative paths for solar growth

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — As demand for renewable energy surges, “community solar” installations are popping up around the U.S. They’re larger than home rooftop systems but smaller than utility-scale complexes. Community solar gardens are located atop buildings, or on abandoned factory grounds and farms. Customers subscribe to portions of energy sent to the grid and get credits that reduce their electricity bills. The model attracts people who can’t afford rooftop solar or live where it’s not accessible, such as renters. More than 40 states have at least one community solar operation. But in some places, growth is hampered by debates over who should be allowed to enter the market.

ASSISTED LIVING

Assisted living center closing, highlighting need for staff

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. (AP) — An assisted living center is closing in Traverse City. It is casting a light on the shortage of workers in the field and the scramble to find new housing for people. Northern Star Assisted Living might be turned into a hotel. The owners say having enough people to work has been a challenge. Northern Star administrator Amber Phillips says staff have been helping find new housing for 46 residents. At the same time, other assisted living centers were eager to snap up new employees.

SUGAR BEETS-ODOR

People upset about odor lose decision against Michigan Sugar

BAY CITY, Mich. (AP) — Residents complaining about foul odors from a sugar beet processor in Bay City have a lost a key decision at the Michigan Court of Appeals. Michigan Sugar turns beets into sugar. It is accused of depriving people from enjoying their property because of odors. But the appeals court says Mikkie and Jonathan Morley haven’t exhausted the complaint process at state agencies. The court also dismissed a separate negligence claim. Laura Sheets says her law office has been contacted by hundreds of residents. Michigan Sugar’s attorney says millions of dollars are being spent to control odors under a previous agreement with state regulators.

PROBLEM-SOLVING COURTS-GRANTS

Redford court awarded grants for non-traditional programs

REDFORD TOWNSHIP, Mich. (AP) — The 17th District Court in Redford Township has been awarded $48,500 in grants for its Veterans Treatment Court and for planning for a new hybrid DWI/drug court. The funding from the Michigan Supreme Court’s State Court Administrative Office is for fiscal year 2022. Judge Krista Haroutunian will preside over the hybrid court and says the new treatment court will help address drug and alcohol related issues in a more comprehensive fashion. The Supreme Court says the Redford Township court also is preparing to initiate a new drug testing facility that will serve treatment courts in Redford and the surrounding area.