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Southwest Michigan Today: Thursday August 23, 2018

WMUK

West Nile virus is found in birds in Kalamazoo County. Environmentalists call for stricter standards for PFAS's. Plunging temperatures could cause danger in Lake Michigan. 

West Nile virus has been found in birds in Kalamazoo County. Health officials say that’s according to tests on birds collected by the State Department of Natural Resources. The disease, which can be serious, is spread by mosquitoes that bite birds and then land on people. Officials say people should use insect repellent with DEET while they’re outdoors and empty standing water around their homes.

(Michigan Radio) Some environmentalists want Michigan to set stricter drinking water standards for chemicals known as PFAS’s. The chemicals are commonly used in firefighting foam and waterproofing materials, and some compounds have been linked to cancer. PFAS’s are being found at high levels in drinking water in Parchment and other cities across the state. The state's current action level for these chemicals is 70 parts-per-trillion. The Michigan League of Conservation Voters is suggesting it be lowered to less than 12 parts-per-trillion.

(Kalamazoo Gazette) Kalamazoo County could have spent more last year helping its neediest residents. The Kalamazoo Gazette says the county had nearly $260,000 in unspent state and federal grants. The money was rolled over into this year's budget for things like food vouchers and senior services. The county also had a $234,000 balance on hand at the end of the 2016 budget. The money is handled by the Community Action Agency. It's one of only six in the state not operated by non-profit groups.

(WDET) High waves and strong currents that caused warnings in Lake Michigan have calmed down a bit. But now meteorologists say cold water has become a big threat to swimmers in the lake. National Weather Service Meteorologist T.J. Turnage says water temperatures near Lake Michigan’s eastern shoreline have decreased substantially. He says strong winds caused “upwelling” which is when the water from the bottom of the lake circulates to the top. Turnage says exposure to cold water can cause people to reflexively gasp and drown. The Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project reports five people drowned or went missing in Lake Michigan last week.

(Kalamazoo Gazette) The City of Kalamazoo is looking for new ways to fight graffiti. The Kalamazoo Gazette says the city is considering a plan to add "graffiti gardens" in two city parks. It's part of a proposal to overhaul Kalamazoo's ordinances on graffiti and vandalism. City officials say the "graffiti parks" would allow people to be creative without damaging public and private property. The parks are in the Edison and Eastwood neighborhoods. City commissioners are expected to vote on the plan early next month.