Detroit
Democrats say they're holding off on Iran sanctions
DETROIT (AP) - Michigan's Democratic U.S. senators have told President Barack Obama they'll hold off for now on a bill to increase sanctions against Iran to allow negotiations on nuclear weapons a chance to work.
Debbie Stabenow and Gary Peters were among 10 Democratic senators who signed a letter saying that they won't press for immediate passage of the bill. Republicans now control the Senate but lack the votes to override a presidential veto without Democratic backing.
Peters says he believes "a diplomatic solution provides the best opportunity for a good deal."
The other signers are Bob Menendez of New Jersey, Chuck Schumer of New York, Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut, Bob Casey of Pennsylvania, Ben Cardin of Maryland, Chris Coons of Delaware, Joe Manchin of West Virginia and Joe Donnelly of Indiana.
Georgetown Twp.
County says it will keep sign with Bible verse
GEORGETOWN TOWNSHIP, Mich. (AP) - Commissioners in a western Michigan county voted Tuesday to reinstall a park sign that quotes the Bible.
The sign from the 1960s carries an excerpt from Psalm 19 declaring the glory of God. It was removed last year from Hager Park in Ottawa County's Georgetown Township after complaints that public property was being used to promote religion.
In a 9-2 vote, county commissioners said the sign will return in one form or another. It will be accompanied by another sign that says county government isn't endorsing the views of the late Titus Hager, who donated the land, by displaying the Bible verse.
Hager's family is willing to put the sign elsewhere to end the controversy. If that happens, commissioners have directed the county to erect something similar.
"The generosity of Titus Hager, a noteworthy citizen of Ottawa County, is an important part of our community's rich history and worth celebrating in perpetuity," commissioners said.
The sign has been in the 104-acre park for decades, apparently at Hager's request. Ottawa County, along Lake Michigan, is a culturally conservative area with many churches.
The county received dozens of letters from people who wanted the sign returned to the park. Parks director John Scholtz, however, defended the removal in a Dec. 22 response, the Holland Sentinel reported.
"We asked ourselves if the sign was one that we would install today and the answer was no," Scholtz said, referring to his staff.
Lansing
Ex-nursing home worker pleads to embezzlement
LANSING, Mich. (AP) - A former nursing home employee accused of stealing $460,000 from residents has admitted to her role in an embezzlement scheme at an Oakland County facility.
Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette announced Tuesday that 44-year-old Tina Binkley of Lapeer County pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement from vulnerable adults. The felony charge carries a maximum 20-year prison sentence and at least a $50,000 fine.
Schuette reports Binkley has agreed to pay more than $460,000 in restitution to 136 victims. According to the attorney general's office, Binkley stole the money between May 2010 and April 2013 while she was working as the business office manager at Boulevard Health Center in Rochester Hills.
Sentencing for Binkley is scheduled at the beginning of March.
Madison Heights
Naked man taken into custody along chilly road
MADISON HEIGHTS, Mich. (AP) - Police say a 25-year-old man was taken into custody after being spotted running naked along a road in chilly suburban Detroit.
The Daily Tribune of Royal Oak reports motorists in Madison Heights called police on Tuesday afternoon.
Detective Sgt. Mark Zupic says an officer tried to get the man into a patrol car. Instead, the man reportedly said he needed to go where there was sun. Zupic says the man took off running and, when officers caught up, he tried to push an officer.
Zupic says officers grappled with the man before handcuffing him. No charges are pending against the man, who was hospitalized for psychiatric observation.
The National Weather Service says temperatures nearby were in the low 20s with 9 mph winds making it feel like 10 degrees.
Grand Rapids
Commission OKs spring test of police body cams
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (AP) - The Grand Rapids City Commission has voted to equip some police officers with body cameras to see how well they work.
The commission voted Tuesday to start a process that could lead to all 300 police in the western Michigan city having body cameras by the end of 2015.
The plan calls for about 12 body cameras getting tested this spring and about 50 more going into service this summer. City Manager Greg Sundstrom says Grand Rapids plans to test four body cameras each from three manufacturers.
The Grand Rapids Press says body cameras are one of several recommendations for improving police-community relations. Sundstrom says the cameras and the other proposals will cost about $1.5 million.
The commission plans to discuss a policy for using the cameras March 10.
Detroit
State gets more than $67M for homeless efforts
DETROIT (AP) - Michigan is getting more than $67 million to support 325 local housing and service programs as part of an effort to end homelessness.
The funding was announced this week from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Officials say HUD's Continuum of Care grants will help provide housing and support services for homeless individuals and families.
A list of grant recipients is posted online.
Lansing
Man threatens paramedics with sword, jailed
LANSING, Mich. (AP) - Authorities in Michigan's capital city say police arrested a man who threatened paramedics with a sword when they responded to an emergency at his house.
Lansing police say paramedics went to the house about 1 a.m. Tuesday for a man having a seizure. The paramedics say another man threatened them with a sword but they were able to get out with their patient.
Police say their officers arrived and arrested 31-year-old Michael D. King Jr. They say that as they were making the arrest, 30-year-old Tommy L. King threatened them with a weapon.
Police say they arrested Tommy King as well. Both were arraigned Tuesday on weapons charges and return to district court Friday for pre-exam conferences. It's unknown if they have lawyers.
Eastpointe
Mom to face murder charge in baby's death
EASTPOINTE, Mich. (AP) - Police say a woman whose newborn baby was found dead at a Detroit-area recycling center will face murder and child abuse charges.
The woman's name hasn't been released. Roseville police say in a statement she's being charged with open murder and first-degree child abuse. Eastpointe District Judge Carl Gerds says he expects to handle the mother's arraignment early Wednesday afternoon.
Police believe the boy was born around Dec. 22 and died two days later. Police say the body was left in a shed in Eastpointe and somehow ended up at a recycling center nearby in Roseville on Jan. 14.
Investigators initially believed the baby might be a missing child from the Lansing area, but tests ruled that out.
Published: Thu, Jan 29, 2015
