At a Glance ...

Peregrine Falcon chicks named and banded

Macomb County Executive Mark A. Hackel, along with representatives from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, recently named and banded two Peregrine Falcon chicks that have again made their home in Macomb atop the Old County Building.

The chicks were hatched to parents Hathor and Nick in the beginning of May 2013 on the 11th floor of the Old County Building, 10 N. Main Street, downtown Mount Clemens.

Executive Hackel named the chicks Oakland and Wayne, each representing a part of the region surrounding Macomb County.

The Peregrine remains protected federally under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. In Michigan, Peregrines remain listed as an endangered species under state law.

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School challenges $41.7 million verdict

NEW HAVEN, Conn. (AP) — A Connecticut boarding school is challenging a $41.7 million jury award to a former student who contracted a tick-borne illness on a school trip to China, saying the school could not have foreseen the risk and the award was excessive.

The federal jury ruled in March in favor of Cara Munn in her lawsuit against The Hotchkiss School, a private school in Lakeville. Munn’s attorneys say she suffered insect bites that led to tick-borne encephalitis in 2007 when she was in the ninth grade, leaving her unable to speak and brain damaged.

Hotchkiss recently sought a new trial and a $26.5 million reduction in damages. The school called Munn’s disease unprecedented, saying there are no reported cases of travelers to China contracting tick-borne encephalitis.

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Man who killed father takes county to court

SHAWANO, Wis. (AP) — A man institutionalized for killing his father is suing the Shawano  County Sheriff’s Department, claiming deputies mishandled his call for help which resulted in the homicide.

Joshua Johnson was found not guilty by reason of mental illness in the death of his father, Donald, in February 2012. Johnson is confined to a state psychiatric facility.

His lawsuit says he called 911 to report his father had sexually assaulted him, but that deputies failed to meet with him outside the presence of his father. Johnson called 911 again to say he had killed his father.

WLUK-TV says Johnson’s mother has filed a companion lawsuit, making the same claims. While Johnson’s litigation does not seek specific damages, Johnson’s mother, Lori Boris, seeks $250,000 in damages.

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Group files lawsuit to ban fracking

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (AP) — A group of Colorado Springs residents is suing the city in hopes of eventually banning oil and gas drilling, including hydraulic fracturing, within city limits.

Colorado Springs Citizens for Community Rights filed the lawsuit recently, urging the 4th Judicial District Court to overturn a city decision blocking a petition to amend the city charter to ban drilling.

The city has denied the petition a title that it needs before it can be circulated.

Several Colorado towns are grappling with how to regulate fracking, which involves shooting water, sand and chemicals underground to release oil and gas.

The Daily Camera reports the Boulder City Council will consider a fracking moratorium in June.

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