Happy last day of April! Here are this morning’s top stories:
Driver wanted by police causes deadly crash in Sterling Heights
According to the Macomb County Sheriff’s Office, deputies attempted to pull over a vehicle at around 11:30 p.m. Thursday night in the area of 30 Mile and Van Dyke roads in Romeo. Officials say several cars were stolen from a car dealership in that area, and police began pursuing a vehicle that was believed to be stolen.
The car did not stop and a police chase began. The pursuit was called off, but soon after, the driver crashed into another vehicle, killing a 20-year old woman at 15 Mile and Van Dyke roads.
‘That’s 5 police chases in one day’: Livonia man streams pursuits on Facebook Live
A man who led Livonia, Farmington Hills and Redford Township officers on several police chases in the same day streamed the pursuits on Facebook Live.
“I’ve got 10 police cars on me,” Cody Mahon, 30, of Livonia, said in one of the Facebook streams. “That’s five police chases in one day. I’m not worried about the police.”
The man is now in police custody.
Looking for COVID-19 vaccines in Metro Detroit: Track openings, clinics, appointments 💉
How long will it take Michigan to reach a 70% vaccination rate?
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced a new plan Thursday to motivate Michiganders to get vaccinated against COVID to lift virus restrictions in the state.
The plan has thresholds to reach: 55%, 60%, 65% and 70% of residents who are fully vaccinated. Theoretically, how long will it take to reach those steps?
Detroit Pistons to host ‘Family Vaccination Day’ event at training facility Saturday
The city of Detroit is teaming up with the Detroit Pistons for a special COVID-19 vaccination event at the Pistons Performance Center this weekend.
Throughout the day, there will be free food, giveaways and first dose Pfizer COVID vaccines for Detroit residents and employees 16 years old and older.
Learn more about the event here.
Appointment-only visits to Michigan secretary of state here to stay
Michigan residents who visit secretary of state offices will always need an appointment, Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson said Thursday, making permanent a change that was made to help slow the spread of the coronavirus.
Gone are the days when a person could walk into a branch and wait in line. Benson called it an “antiquated, inefficient, take-a-number system that nobody liked.”
Weather: Few Friday showers before warm weekend 🌧
COVID in Michigan 💉
The number of confirmed cases of the coronavirus (COVID-19) in Michigan has risen to 837,514 as of Thursday, including 17,576 deaths, state officials report.
Thursday’s update includes a total of 3,623 new cases and 109 additional deaths, including 78 from a Vital Records review. On Wednesday, Michigan reported a total of 833,891 cases and 17,467 deaths.
Testing has been steady around 35,000 diagnostic tests reported per day on average, with the 7-day positive rate above 11.5% as of Thursday, lower than one week ago. Hospitalizations have plateaued over the last week but remain high.
New: Whitmer announces Michigan will ease specific COVID restrictions as 4 vaccination goals are reached
Overall, new cases have slowed over the last 10 days. The state’s 7-day moving average for daily cases was 3,989 on Thursday -- lower than one week ago. The 7-day death average was 68 on Thursday, slightly higher than the last two weeks. The state’s fatality rate is 2.1%. The state also reports “active cases,” which were listed at 193,500 on Thursday. More than 626,000 have recovered from the virus in Michigan.
Michigan has reported more than 6.8 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine administered as of Thursday, April 29 with 49.6% of residents having received at least one dose.
Here’s a look at more of the data: