At a Glance ...

Groundbreaking held for veterans home in Macomb County

CHESTERFIELD TOWNSHIP — Officials have broken ground for a new veterans home at the site of a former military housing complex in Macomb County.

The Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency said despite Monday's groundbreaking for the Southeast Michigan Veterans Home, construction isn’t expected to begin until the spring at the site known as Sebille Manor in Chesterfield Township.

The state purchased the site for $820,000 from the U.S. Defense Department.

When completed, the facility will be able to serve 128 veterans in a home-like setting providing state-of-the-art care, officials said. The property it located near Selfridge Air National Guard Base.


State pays $157,500 to settle bias lawsuit by prison worker

NEW HAVEN (AP) — The state of Michigan has agreed to pay $157,500 to settle a lawsuit by a longtime prison employee who said she was repeatedly passed over for promotions.

Merrianne Weberg sued the Corrections Department in 2017, saying her career had stalled as a shift commander at a prison in Macomb County. She said younger, less-qualified males were promoted over her when she applied for captain or inspector.

In her lawsuit, Weberg said she was told she wouldn’t be promoted unless she “got in the car” with an inspector or deputy warden.

Weberg's attorney said the Corrections Department agreed to settle the lawsuit without admitting any liability. Weberg retired in February, months after filing the lawsuit. She worked for the state for more than 25 years.


Settlement reached in case of stun-gunned girl

CINCINNATI (AP) — There’s a $240,000 settlement in the case of an 11-year-old black girl stunned by a Cincinnati police officer after she was spotted shoplifting in a grocery store and tried to run away.

The Cincinnati Enquirer reports that the city of Cincinnati will pay $220,000 and the Kroger Co. $20,000 to Donesha Gowdy. Use of the money will be monitored by probate court, and the city has also agreed to participate in a juvenile police problem-solving team.

Officer Kevin Brown, who also is black, was heard on body camera footage telling her: “... sweetheart, this is why there’s no grocery stores in the black community.”

Police say Brown violated four policies, including making a prejudiced comment and misuse of his stun gun.


Town changes name for Halloween

HUNTINGTON, N.Y. (AP) — A Long Island town changed its name to “Hauntington” for Halloween at the urging of a seven-year-old resident.

Newsday reports second grader Angelica Dee Cunningham was all smiles when she learned Huntington was making the one-day switch.

Angelica’s parents encouraged her to write to town officials after she blurted her “Hauntington” idea out during a car ride.

She sent a handwritten note explaining how the name would be fun to say, but she didn’t think officials would take her suggestion seriously.

Town Supervisor Chad Lupinacci loved the idea and says he expects to use Angelica’s moniker more in years to come.

Cunningham says she thought of the name because she has a Monster High doll named Ari Hauntington.

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