Governor Whitmer presents her first budget proposal this week. A Battle Creek man faces charges for vandalizing a memorial to a slain Kalamazoo public safety officer. Congressman Justin Amash won’t rule out running for President as a Libertarian in 2020.
(MPRN) Governor Gretchen Whitmer will share details of her first proposed budget this week. The centerpiece will be her campaign promise to fix roads and improve other infrastructure. Governor Whitmer discussed her first budget proposal with Detroit TV station WDIV. She is set to appear Tuesday before a joint meeting of the state House and Senate budget committees. Both the state House and Senate are led by Republicans. Whitmer is a Democrat.
(Kalamazoo Gazette) A 29 year old Battle Creek man faces charges in connection with vandalizing a bust of a fallen Kalamazoo Public Safety officer. The memorial for Eric Zapata, who was shot and killed in the line of duty in 2011, was vandalized over the weekend. The Kalamazoo Gazette reports that the bust of Zapata on the Kalamazoo Mall was found tipped over early Sunday morning. The name of the suspect has been withheld until he is arraigned. He faces charges of willful destruction of a memorial. A conviction for that felony could include a five year prison sentence.
(Battle Creek Enquirer) The city of Battle Creek wants to explore replacing the concrete channel that surrounds the Kalamazoo River in the city’s downtown. It was installed by the U-S Army Corps of Engineers in the 1960’s to prevent flooding. Battle Creek officials want to see if a more natural looking alternative can replace the concrete. The Battle Creek Enquirer reports that the city has contacted the Army Corps of Engineers about possibly taking on the project.
(CNN) West Michigan Congressman Justin Amash says he will not rule out running for President as a Libertarian candidate in 2020. On the CNN program State of the Union, Amash said that a Presidential run is not on his radar right now. But the Grand Rapids Republican says it’s important for someone to present a vision that is different from what Democrats and Republicans are presenting.
The Kalamazoo County Sheriff’s Office says a threat made against Gull Lake Schools over the weekend was deemed not credible. A news release says that the sheriff’s department investigated the threat after it was discovered on social media Saturday night. But it was determined that there was not a coordinated threat against the schools. The sheriff’s office says its working with Gull Lake school officials.
(Detroit Free Press) Detroit Red Wing legend Ted Lindsay has died. He played most of his career in Detroit, and was part of Red Wing teams that won four Stanley Cup championships in the 1950’s. Lindsay, a member of the hockey hall of fame, also played three seasons with the Chicago Blackhawks and was instrumental in helping to start the NHL Players’ Union. The Detroit Free Press reports that Lindsay died while reportedly under Hospice Care. He was 93 years old.
(MiBiz) Saugatuck Brewing is buying Kalamazoo based Gonzo’s Big Dog Brewing. MiBiz reports that they plan to rename Gonzo’s Kalamazoo location, Saugatuck Brewing Company – Kalamazoo. The new owners plan to maintain several of Gonzo’s brands, but also produce Saugatuck Brewing beers in Kalamazoo. The deal must be approved by the Michigan Liquor Control Commission and the Alcohol, Tobacco, Tax and Trade Bureau.
(WCMU) Governor Gretchen Whitmer is creating a new regulatory agency to oversee Michigan’s marijuana industry. The governor signed an executive order on Friday that gets rid of the Michigan Marihuana Licensing Board and replaces it with the Marijuana Regulatory Agency - which will be housed under the state’s Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs. The order will take effect on April 30th if the legislature does not move to reject it.
In softball, Western Michigan lost to South Florida Sunday 5-3 in Clearwater. The Broncos split their two games on Saturday, and have eight games remaining on their spring Florida trip.
In baseball, Western Michigan’s rally came up short in Tampa Florida Sunday. The Broncos took the lead with four runs in the top of the ninth inning, but South Florida scored two in the bottom of the ninth to defeat Western 10-9.
In hockey, Kalamazoo scored three goals in the third period to defeat Cincinnati Sunday 4-2. The K-Wings play three games at home next weekend beginning Friday night against Fort Wayne.