Saturday October 11, 2008

Michigan Living is now news and information from Michigan sources.

Grand Rapids News & Information
   Wood TV
Report: State failed teen in fire death
Michigan's Office of Children's Ombudsman (OCO) reported that CPS workers failed to recognize Calista Springer was being abused.

Car cuts off motorcycle, man hospitalized
A motorcyclist is now in the hospital after an oncoming vehicle turned into his path near Grand Valley State University in Allendale.

Woman turns self in after late night hit-and-run
A woman was arrested on Saturday after she fled the scene of a late-night hit-and-run on Grand Rapids' southeast side.

GM, Chrysler talk merger
General Motors Corp. and Chrysler LLC have held preliminary talks about a merger or an acquisition of Chrysler by GM, according to published reports Saturday.

Man shot multiple times in Kentwood
Police are looking for the suspects involved in a shooting that left one man with multiple gunshot wounds early Saturday morning.

Man critical after falling off bumper, driver in jail
A Muskegon man is in critical condition; while another man is in jail pending drunk driving charges.

Back from Africa, 26 Marines return home
After seven months, a big homecoming for 26 west Michigan Marines.

MAX van runs stop sign; Hope golfer critical
A Hope College senior was critically injured Friday after being ejected from his vehicle during an accident with a MAX van.

Housing slow - just ask local contractors
Contractor Steel is up and running. It's a completed project for Houseman Construction. Mike Houseman said it's the only active job, commercial or residential, for his company.

Source: GM production, plant cuts near
The cuts likely will hit engine, transmission and stamping operations to correspond with a June announcement that GM would close four truck and sport utility vehicle assembly plants.

 

Battle Creek man found dead in Alabama
Police in Battle Creek say a man who went missing earlier this month has been found dead in Alabama.

5 honored with Hispanic Excellence Awards
Five people were honored at the 2008 Hispanic Excellence Awards in Grand Rapids Thursday night.

Silent Night ceremony, parade in Walker
This week is National Fire Prevention Week. West Michigan firefighters hosted the 8th annual Silent Night Memorial Service and Parade of Apparatus Thursday night.

GR sex case suspect arrested in Vegas
U.S. marshals say a 28-year-old fugitive in a Michigan child sex assault case has been arrested in southern Nevada.

Election officials deny illegally purging voters
A newspaper report Thursday said tens of thousands of eligible voters have been removed from rolls or blocked from registering in at least six swing states. Election officials lined up to defend their registration procedures and said they had done nothing wrong.

Police confiscate truckload of food near Ionia
Associated Press - October 11, 2008 12:54 PM ET IONIA, Mich. (AP) - Michigan State Police have confiscated a shipment of unrefrigerated food headed to Grand Rapids stores.

3 killed after boat hits dock on St. Clair River
Associated Press - October 11, 2008 8:44 AM ET CLAY TOWNSHIP, Mich. (AP) - Authorities say a boat collided with a dock on the St. Clair River, killing three people and injuring a fourth.

Freman Hendrix plans another run for Detroit mayor
Associated Press - October 11, 2008 11:34 AM ET DETROIT (AP) - Former Detroit mayoral candidate Freman Hendrix plans to run again for the post.

Source: Chrysler, GM discuss merger, acquisition
Associated Press - October 11, 2008 11:34 AM ET DETROIT (AP) - General Motors, Chrysler and private equity firm Cerberus Capital Management have held preliminary talks about a merger or an...

Mazda says no decision on sale of Ford's stake
Associated Press - October 11, 2008 10:24 AM ET TOKYO (AP) - Mazda is denying that a decision had been made by Ford to sell its stake in the Japanese automaker, but didn't rule out a possible...



Video
Pregnant woman tapes dogs mouths shut
Police say she did it to stop the dogs from barking while she was in the hospital.

Neighbors Spar Over Political Halloween Display
One says he's using his Halloween display to voice his displeasure with his neighbor, who is running for an office.

Reaction in Detroit to GM's shares plunge
The company issued a statement in response to a stock plunge not seen since 1950.

MAX van runs stop sign; Hope golfer critical
A Hope College senior was critically injured after being ejected from his vehicle during an accident with a MAX van.

Gainey still trucking after interim decision
The Gainey Corporation was ordered to put $1 million per month into an account.

Source: GM production, plant cuts near
It is dealing with slumping sales and a collapse in its stock price.

26 Battle Creek Marines return home
They were on a mission in Africa the past seven months.

Housing slow - just ask local contractors
The ripple effect of the financial crisis is putting everything at a standstill including development.

Ehlers and Hoekstra talk economics
The two congressmen were in the WOOD TV8 studios on Friday to break down the country's economic emergency.

Economic tips for you
Brad Stamm from the Economics Department at Cornerstone University and Bernie Anderson, a stock broker, have some ideas.



Sports
Bengals sign former Detroit Lions K Dave Rayner
Associated Press - October 11, 2008 2:44 PM ET CINCINNATI (AP) - The Bengals signed former Lions and Michigan State player Dave Rayner on Saturday, giving them another kicker with Shayne Graham...

Lions, Vikings both looking for running game
Associated Press - October 11, 2008 7:54 AM ET MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - The Detroit Lions and the Minnesota Vikings both will be looking for the running game tomorrow.

Wallace's 12 points lead Pistons over Wizards
Associated Press - October 10, 2008 11:24 PM ET WASHINGTON (AP) - The Pistons improve to 3-0 in the preseason under new coach Michael Curry by beating the Washington Wizards 73-62 tonight...

Kitna 'doubtful' for Sunday's game at Minnesota
Associated Press - October 10, 2008 7:44 PM ET ALLEN PARK, Mich. (AP) - Detroit Lions quarterback Jon Kitna missed a third straight practice and is listed as doubtful for Sunday's game at...

Erin Henderson practices for Vikings
Associated Press - October 10, 2008 6:54 PM ET EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. (AP) - Minnesota Vikings linebacker Erin Henderson has returned to practice for the first time since suffering a concussion on...



Community
Collect, drive, donate to help feed kids
According to the Kids Food Basket, 80 percent of the children attending Grand Rapids Public Schools live at or below the poverty level, and many of them are not getting the nutrition they need.

WOOD TV8 WOTV4 Salvation Army Angel Tree
Sign up your business, school, church or organization to be an Angel Tree Toy Drive drop off location!

Walk, Ride, and Support Others
If you are looking for a way to give back this weekend, there are plenty of places to start.  Here's a look at a few events happening to help some important causes.   

Solve a crime like a real sleuth
Exercise your imagination and crime solving skills by visiting an exhibit back by popular demand called "Whodunit? The Science of Solving Crime."

Ford Museum sheds light on elections
The Gerald R. Ford Museum is hosting a free series of forums where you can share your opinions and join a national discussion.  That's just one reason to visit during this election year. 

Red Cross Relief Fund Drained
It's the worst financial situation in it's hisotry.  That's the message today from The American Red Cross.  They say the National Disaster Relief Fund is drained and help is needed now.

Kalamazoo Institute of Art offering classes
The Kalamazoo Institute of Arts has dozens of new opportunities for you to find your hidden talent.

Arthritis Foundation offers exercise programs
Everyone can benefit from exercise, as long as the exercise program is suited to fit your needs.

Schools of Hope need reading mentors
Schools of Hope kicks off another year of matching kids struggling with reading with adult mentors who can help them succeed.

Want to publicize your event?
Here's how to promote your event on WOOD TV8, WOODTV.com and Search West Michigan.