MICHIGAN GOVERNOR-KIDNAPPING PLOT

COVID-19 delays trial in plot to abduct Mich. Gov. Whitmer

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (AP) — The trial for four men accused of plotting to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer that was scheduled to resume Monday has been postponed at least until Thursday because an essential participant tested positive for COVID-19. U.S. District Judge Robert Jonker ordered the delay Sunday. Undercover FBI agents and informants were expected to testify in the coming weeks, as were two co-conspirators who pleaded guilty prior to trial. Prosecutors last week sought to counter defense claims that the FBI entrapped the defendants, tricking them into joining a kidnapping conspiracy. Jurors heard a recording of one of the defendants specifically talk about the prospect of kidnapping the Democratic governor.

MICHIGAN GOVERNOR-KIDNAPPING PLOT-DEFENDANTS

Snapshots of 4 men charged in Whitmer kidnapping plot

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (AP) — Jurors have unflattering snapshots so far of four men charged with plotting to strike back against government by kidnapping Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. During the first two days of testimony, prosecutors introduced videos, messages and secretly recorded conversations full of antigovernment screeds. Federal Judge Robert Jonker told the jury to not try “to pull it all together just yet.” The trial in Grand Rapids, Michigan, which is expected to last weeks, was scheduled to resume Monday but has been delayed until at least Thursday after an essential participant tested positive for COVID-19. Barry Croft Jr., Adam Fox, Daniel Harris and Brandon Caserta are charged with conspiracy. Lawyers have signaled an entrapment defense.

CAB DRIVER’S SLAYING-PAROLE

Man sentenced to life for cab driver’s killing seeks parole

FLINT, Mich. (AP) — A man who was 17 when he was convicted in the fatal 1981 shooting of a taxi driver in Flint is seeking parole with the help of a group that works to free adolescent offenders who have spent decades in prison. Carlos Jordan, now 57, is scheduled for a Thursday hearing before the Michigan Parole Board. He is serving a life sentence after being convicted in Genesee County of second-degree murder in the December 1981 killing of 25-year-old Stephen Warnemuende. The Flint Journal reports that Jordan is getting support from the Adolescent Redemption Project, which says on its website that he is a model prisoner.

CHURCH DAMAGED-ARREST

South Korean man charged with damaging Detroit-area church

ROYAL OAK, Mich. (AP) — A South Korean man is facing charges after officers allegedly found him ransacking a Detroit-area church last week. Authorities say officers were called to St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Royal Oak last Tuesday night to investigate a report that a suspicious person was inside the church building. WDIV-TV reports that when officers arrived, they discovered a 30-year-old South Korean man throwing things around inside the church before he began dragging a damaged religious statue out of the church. The man has been been arraigned on one count each of breaking and entering, and malicious destruction of property over $1,000.

JUDGES-MISCONDUCT

Misconduct might affect ex-judges’ Michigan law licenses

LANSING, Mich. (AP) — The Michigan Supreme Court is considering a way to keep the heat on judges who leave office before they can be removed for misconduct. The court is proposing a rule that would allow the Attorney Grievance Commission to pursue disciplinary proceedings for misconduct, even if a judge quits the bench. Judges have a law license. So any misconduct investigation could affect their ability to practice law when they’re out of office. The Supreme Court plans to hold a public hearing on the matter. The court is accepting public comment until July 1.

LANDFILL SETTLEMENT-MICHIGAN

State, landfill reach settlement over compliance issues

SALEM TOWNSHIP, Mich. (AP) — The state has reached a settlement with a suburban Detroit landfill operator over compliance issues. Michigan’s Attorney General’s office says Arbor Hills Landfill in Salem Township is required to pay fines and the cost of emissions monitoring and measuring equipment as part of the settlement. The Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy began receiving complaints in 2016 from nearby residents about odor coming from the landfill. The state filed a lawsuit in 2020 over compliance with state and federal regulations, and public nuisance issues. The state said an adequate collection and control system to capture gas generated from the landfill needed to be installed.

WATER CONSERVATION-FLINT

Flint water main breaks prompt water conservation request

FLINT, Mich. (AP) — Water main breaks blamed on temperature fluctuations has prompted Flint officials to ask residents and businesses to temporarily cut back on water usage. The city says Friday in a release that the water conservation request is through Wednesday. Main breaks have impacted water storage supply in a reservoir and elevated water tower. Flint uses about 10 million gallons of water per day. Water main breaks since early January have increased water usage to more than 11 million gallons per day. The city says that as it works to complete construction of an additional backup water storage system, only one water storage system is in operation and includes the reservoir along with the elevated water tower.

ELECTION OFFICIAL-CHARGED

Elections official in Michigan charged with ballot tampering

FLINT TOWNSHIP, Mich. (AP) — A former township clerk and current county elections supervisor in Michigan has been charged with ballot tampering in the August 2020 primary election. The Michigan attorney general’s office said Friday that Kathy Funk also is charged with misconduct in office. Both charges are felonies punishable by up to five years in prison upon conviction. The office says Funk was Flint Township’s clerk when authorities allege she purposely broke a seal on a ballot container. Under Michigan law, that prevented votes inside the container from being counted in an anticipated recount. Funk oversaw the August 2020 election in the township and narrowly won reelection. She later resigned as clerk to take Genesee County’s elections supervisor’s job.

CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS-WAYNE COUNTY

Wayne County to invest nearly $90M in road, bridge projects

DETROIT (AP) — Wayne County is investing nearly $90 million into 25 road and 10 bridge projects this year. The county says this construction season continues its 10-Year Asset Management Plan for infrastructure. The plan initially was implemented in 2019 and focuses on preventative maintenance. Many of the roadwork projects involve resurfacing. County Executive Warren Evans said additional state and federal dollars are needed to assist the plan, which he called a roadmap designed to continue helping achieve “the goal of being proactive and not reactive when it comes to Wayne County infrastructure.”

TALL BUILDING-VOTE

Development in Traverse City will go to the voters

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. (AP) — Voters in Traverse City will decide whether the city gets a large new building. It’s an unusual step but one that follows a policy approved by Traverse City residents in 2016. A developer, Innovo TC Hall, has proposed a building with dozens of apartments and retail space. City planners initially said it wouldn’t exceed the 60-foot threshold necessary for a vote. But a judge said an elevator shaft and other features should have been included. Voters in November will determine whether the project moves forward, although the developer is appealing the judge’s decision.