An appellate court won't hear an appeal of second degree murder charges in last year's deadly bicycle crash near Kalamazoo. More students will start class before Labor Day in Michigan this year. New polling on next year's race for governor and U.S. Senate.
The Michigan Court of Appeals will not hear an appeal of second degree murder charges against the man accused of killing five bicyclists in a crash last year near Kalamazoo. Charles Pickett Junior is accused of plowing into a group of bicyclists in June of last year while under the influence of drugs. In addition to the five cyclists killed, another four were seriously injured. Pickett’s trial is scheduled to begin in September. (Kalamazoo Gazette)
More students in Michigan will hit the books early next month. The state has granted 123 school districts waivers so they can start classes before Labor Day. That's up from 67 districts last year. The state began offering the waivers in 2006. A state law requires schools to wait until after Labor Day to start the year, unless they get a waiver. The law was intended to help Michigan's tourism industry. (Detroit News)
State environmental officials say Nestle needs to rethink plans to draw more water in northern Michigan. The Department of Environmental Quality has told the company's North American division to re-examine plans to withdraw 210-million gallons from groundwater in Osceola County. The agency says it wants to know how that would affect wetlands and streams in the area. The water would be used by Nestle's bottled water subsidiary. (MLive)
A new poll shows former state Senator Gretchen Whitmer and attorney Geoffrey Fieger as the leading candidates for the Democratic nomination for Michigan governor. Whitmer has launched a campaign for governor, while Fieger says he is seriously considering getting into the race. Another Target-Insyght poll shows U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow with an eight point lead in a hypothetical matchup with Kid Rock. The musician is considering running for U.S. Senate next year. (Detroit News)
In baseball, Battle Creek beat Rockford last night 12-3. The Bombers and the Rivets are now tied for the lead in the Nothwoods League’s South Division second half standings. (Battle Creek Bombers)
Kalamazoo lost at Wisconsin Rapids 8-2. The Growlers and Rafters will play again Tuesday night. (Kalamazoo Growlers)