Local News

In Applegate, tempers ran high Monday night as residents packed a special village meeting over a call to dissolve the village government. The controversy started with a letter from the husband of former president Michelle Warren, accusing council members of cronyism and ignoring public record requests. Village leaders fired back, saying new officials were properly hired and records were handled by the book. They also disputed claims that the fire department is separate from village control. The council plans to meet again March 2nd.

Reporting for WGRT – JP bZet

After nearly five decades in emergency medical services, Tri-Hospital EMS CEO Ken Cummings is preparing to retire this summer after leading the agency since it opened in 1983. Under his direction, Tri-Hospital grew into the main ambulance provider for St. Clair and Sanilac counties. Cummings says the timing feels right, with a strong team in place to carry the department forward. The board expects to select his successor by March to ensure a smooth leadership handoff for the region’s lifesaving service.

Reporting for WGRT – JP bZet

Prosecutors in Port Huron say two people accused in the murder of a local man will face separate trials later this year. Sayon Florence will go before a jury September 8th, and Dazman Drake will follow November 3rd, both charged in the death of 31-year-old Vincent Buckles, who was shot outside his Vanness Street home in January of ’25. Investigators say Florence arranged for Drake to confront Buckles—her former partner—after accusing him of abusing their child, though he was never charged. Each faces life in prison if convicted.

Reporting for WGRT – JP bZet

In Macomb County, one busy Sterling Heights roundabout topped the list for crash-prone intersections in ’24. The roundabout at 18 ½ Mile and Van Dyke, linking to the M-53 Freeway, accounted for three of the county’s 10 most dangerous spots. The southbound M-53 off-ramp alone saw 90 crashes last year. Overall, more than 7,400 intersection crashes happened countywide—an 8 percent jump from the year before. Other hot spots included 11 Mile and Van Dyke in Center Line and 23 Mile and Schoenherr in Shelby Township.

Reporting for WGRT – JP bZet

Police in Harbor Beach have confirmed that the body of 36-year-old Shana Umbreit, missing since late January, was found on Saturday. She was last seen January 23rd on surveillance video at Brown’s Market and reported missing two days later. Investigators say an autopsy was completed over the weekend, but results aren’t in yet. Harbor Beach police are offering their condolences to her family and asking for privacy as they continue looking into how she died. Anyone with tips is urged to contact Harbor Beach police.

Reporting for WGRT – JP bZet

A tragic fire early Saturday morning left a 79-year-old man dead in Custer Township. Fire crews from Deckerville, Sandusky, Moore, and Argyle rushed to a home on North Sandusky Road to find it fully engulfed. Six people were inside when flames broke out — five escaped, but the elderly man could not. A 51-year-old woman and a 24-year-old woman were taken to McKenzie Health and later airlifted to Hurley Medical Center. Investigators with the Sanilac County Sheriff’s Office and Michigan State Police are still searching for the cause.

Reporting for WGRT – JP bZet