Morning 4 is a quick roundup of stories we think you should know about to start your day. So, let’s get to the news.
Why winter is the best time to check trees for this invasive pest
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is asking people with eastern hemlock trees on their property to take time this winter and check them for signs of hemlock woolly adelgid.
Winter is the best time to look for evidence of an infestation. As the tiny, soft-bodied insects feed, they consume a hemlock’s stored nutrients and slowly suck the life from the tree.
“Cooler temperatures trigger feeding activity,” Robert Miller, MDARD’s invasive species prevention and response specialist said. “As hemlock woolly adelgid feeds, it secretes a white, waxy material that creates ovisacs. The presence of these small, round, white masses makes it possible to identify infested trees.”
The insects are considered invasive because they are not native to Michigan. The DNR said they could cause “significant harm” to Michigan’s hemlock trees. The state has an estimated 170 million hemlock trees.
Michigan businessman convicted of PPP loan fraud by federal jury
A federal jury convicted Michigan businessman Dale Thrush of Farwell of wire fraud for fraudulently obtaining a Payroll Protection Program (PPP) loan and loan forgiveness.
Court documents said Thrush owned and operated several automotive repair service locations and a gas station.
From approximately February 2021 through September 2021, Thrush defrauded the Small Business Administration (SBA) by falsely representing a bank and the SBA in an application for a PPP loan that he was not subject to an indictment, when in fact, he was, and then by seeking forgiveness of that loan.
What we know: Water main break shuts off water service for Harsens Island
A water main break in the North Channel of the St. Clair River has shut off water service for Harsens Island residents.
“This is horrible. We can’t wash our clothes. We can’t wash our dishes. We can’t wash our bodies,” resident Stacy Williams said.
About 600 customers, or at least 1,500 people, have been impacted.
“The biggest thing is the toilet, not being able to go to the restroom is not very pleasant,” resident Brandon Oakey said.
The water main break was discovered at 12:15 a.m. on Dec. 12.
“The water plant notified the DPW director here in Clay Township that there was some sort of water main issue, and they thought it might be on Harsens Island. So they dispatched their staff to go look around the island and look around the mainland for a water break, and did not find one,” St. Clair County Homeland Security and Emergency Management Director Justin Westmiller said.
Detroit man arrested after crashing stolen car into home in Greater Lansing
A Detroit man was arrested early Thursday morning in Eaton County after allegedly stealing a car and then crashing it into a home.
Michigan State Police said two people were trying to steal an SUV off the lot of a CN Railroad Distribution Center in Windsor Township just after 3 a.m. on Dec. 12, 2024. The suspects left the SUV and ran away from the scene before police arrived.
While troopers were searching the area, they saw two Jeeps leaving. When the trooper tried to conduct a traffic stop with one of the Jeeps, authorities said the Jeep’s lights turned off and sped away.
However, due to icy road conditions, the Jeep immediately crashed into a home on Oak Highway. The driver, a 24-year-old Detroit man, got out of the Jeep and ran away into a nearby wooded area.
Weather: Sunshine, cold temps on Friday before temps warm and rain moves into Metro Detroit
After a few snow flurries possible throughout the end of the week, we will keep some sunshine into the forecast looking ahead into our Friday as well. The cold temperatures will remain, after starting off into the teens we will warm into the mid 20s by the time we get to Friday afternoon.
Expect an increase in cloud cover Friday night into early on Saturday morning, but the dry weather sticks around for the start of the weekend on Saturday. We will crack the freezing mark looking ahead into the start of the weekend. High temperatures heading for the mid to upper 30s by Saturday afternoon.