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AP-CN-VIRUS-OUTBREAK-PROTESTS

Blockades on Canada-US border continue, protests swell

WINDSOR, Ontario (AP) — Protesters opposed to COVID-19 vaccine mandates and other restrictions have withdrawn their vehicles from a key U.S.-Canadian border bridge but ramped up demonstrations in cities across Canada. That includes the capital, where police say they are awaiting reinforcements before ending what they described as an illegal occupation. The tense standoff at the bridge eased somewhat in the morning when police persuaded demonstrators to move the trucks they had used to barricade the busy crossing. But protesters reconvened nearby — with reinforcements — and were still choking off access from the Canadian side as night fell, snarling traffic and commerce for a sixth day. Similarly inspired protests were seen Saturday in France and the Netherlands.

SCHOOL SHOOTING-MICHIGAN

US paying $360K to law enforcement in Oxford school shooting

OXFORD, Mich. (AP) — The federal government will pay $360,000 to local authorities who responded to the shooting at a Michigan high school in November. U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin says the money will go for overtime and other expenses related to the immediate response at Oxford High School. Four students were killed and more were injured. Much of the money is going to the Oakland County sheriff’s office. A student, Ethan Crumbley, has been charged with murder and other crimes. His parents are accused of gross negligence and also face charges.

MOSQUE FIRE-SHOOTING

Man killed by police after fire at Detroit-area mosque

DEARBORN, Mich. (AP) — Police say a man was shot and killed by police after officers noticed a fire at a Detroit-area mosque. Police in Dearborn say the armed man fled from the Al-Huda Islamic Association and fired at officers before he was killed early Saturday. Police say he refused orders to drop his weapon. State police and Detroit police are investigating. Dearborn Chief Issa Shahin calls it a “tragic incident” for the community and unfortunate loss of life. Mayor Abdullah Hammoud says the man may have been “experiencing a mental health crisis at the time.”

ELECTION 2022-CONGRESS-MICHIGAN

Detroit city clerk says she’ll challenge U.S. Rep. Tlaib

DETROIT (AP) — Janice Winfrey, the elected clerk in Detroit, said she will challenge U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib in the summer Democratic primary. The showdown will occur in the newly drawn 12th District. It has part of Detroit as well as Southfield, Dearborn and other Wayne County communities. Winfrey was elected last year to a fifth term as Detroit clerk. Her office oversees elections and public records in the city. Tlaib will be seeking a third term in Congress. Winfrey challenged U.S. Rep. John Conyers in 2016 but was easily defeated.

DETROIT-FLOOD RELIEF

Detroit program to target basement flooding from storms

DETROIT (AP) — Officials in Detroit are starting a program designed to reduce chronic basement flooding during intense rainstorms. Mayor Mike Duggan says the program initially will target two neighborhoods and later be expanded to others. The program follows heavy rain events last summer that left thousands of basements flooded. Backwater valves or sump pumps will be installed in the basements of homes. The valves open only when sewage is leaving a home. Sump pumps move water from a basement’s lowest point out of the home. The initiative will be paid with federal money, up to $6,000 per household. Phase one will launch in spring in the city’s Aviation Sub and Victoria Park neighborhoods.

MOTOWN MUSEUM

Motown Museum receives $1M grant for expansion project

DETROIT (AP) — Bank of America has given the Motown Museum a $1 million grant for its expansion campaign. The grant brings the Detroit museum’s total fundraising effort to $38 million. The project will expand the museum into a 50,000-square-foot entertainment and education tourist destination. The first phase is called Hitsville Next. It comprises three homes that have been transformed to serve as the centerpiece of the museum’s educational and creative programming. Hitsville Next will be home to camps, workshops, master classes and community events. Phase two includes work on an outdoor plaza. The Motown Museum is located in the house where Berry Gordy launched the record label in 1959.

AIRPORT-KICKBACKS

Man caught in record-setting kickback scheme kills himself

DETROIT (AP) — A judge is defending how she handled the case of a former Detroit-area airport official who killed himself. James Warner was supposed to report to prison for accepting more than $6 million in kickbacks in a record-setting corruption investigation. Warner’s body was discovered Friday. He was convicted in 2019 but allowed to remain free while pursuing appeals. Federal Judge Victoria Roberts says Warner had agreed to continue mental health treatment and his doctor had certified he was not a danger to himself. The government warned the judge in 2019 that Warner might flee or harm himself if granted bond while filing appeals.

HOG DISPUTE

Court: Township can sue couple raising hogs in non-farm area

FRASER TOWNSHIP, Mich. (AP) — A township near Bay City can pursue zoning violations against a man who is raising an unusual breed of hogs in a non-farm area area. That’s the decision from the Michigan Supreme Court. The unanimous opinion is a victory for Fraser Township, which had lost a decision at the Court of Appeals. It will also help guide Michigan’s local governments in nuisance disputes. The Supreme Court says the township’s lawsuit in Bay County isn’t barred by a time limit, even if officials waited years to formally try to get Harvey and Ruth Haney to remove hogs. The Haneys started with one mulefoot hog in 2006, but the township didn’t file a lawsuit until 2016 when there were approximately 20.

AP-US-ODD-DETROIT-RAMS-SHIRTS

‘Detroit Rams?’ Odd Super Bowl shirts sold for Stafford fans

LIVONIA, Mich. (AP) — A sports apparel company is capitalizing on Detroit Lions fans’ loyalty to Matthew Stafford, the Super Bowl-bound Los Angeles Rams quarterback who for 12 years prior had made an appearance in that game seem possible for their home team. A store in a metro Detroit mall is selling the Lions-colored clothing with the phrase “Detroit Rams” featured above a logo that resembles a lion, only it’s a ram. The owner of the store selling the clothing told the Detroit News on Friday that the apparel has been “flying off the shelves.”

VIRUS OUTBREAK-MICHIGAN

9 Michigan counties drop orders requiring masks in schools

LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Nine Michigan counties are dropping masking requirements for schools and day care facilities, pointing to sharp declines in coronavirus cases and hospitalizations and many children’s ability to get vaccinated. The announcements by Wayne, Oakland and Washtenaw counties and six counties in northern Michigan come a day after Ingham County lifted its mandate. The orders will end starting Feb. 18 or Feb. 28. Local health officials strongly recommend masking in public indoor settings, including educational settings. Schools will decide whether to still require masks.