Local News

A Mid-Michigan family is taking legal action after a deadly crash in Tuscola County last fall. The Putman family filed a lawsuit, blaming a semi-truck driver and his North Carolina-based company for a September 26 collision in Ellington Township, that killed three family members and injured five others. The suit claims the truck ran a stop sign hitting the family’s Jeep as they drove home from a football game. Now, the family is seeking damages, citing negligence, unsafe driving, and long-term injuries.

Reporting for WGRT – JP bZet

A Michigan man convicted of murder more than five decades ago is set to walk free after a judge ruled he has served enough time. Seventy-three-year-old Willie Bankston has spent over 50 years behind bars for a 1973 fatal shooting in St. Clair County. A judge resentenced him to 53 years, clearing the way for his release in August. The decision follows court rulings requiring youth to be considered in life sentences. Bankston, who has shown decades of good behavior, apologized and is no longer seen as a threat.

Reporting for WGRT – JP bZet

A Huron County man will lose his hunting privileges for years after a jury found he helped organize an illegal deer hunt. Prosecutor Timothy Rutkowski says 61-year-old Christopher Ahearn of Kinde was convicted for aiding the unlawful taking of deer during a restricted season in Lincoln Township back in December of ’24. Testimony from hunters, along with DNR evidence and messages, showed he coordinated the hunt. Jurors reached a verdict in under two hours. Ahearn cannot hunt for the rest of this year plus five more.

Reporting for WGRT – JP bZet

Residents in Tuscola County are dealing with dangerous flooding after days of severe weather, prompting Governor Whitmer to declare a state of emergency. Floodwaters have damaged roads, bridges, and culverts, with at least one roadway now permanently closed until repairs are made. Across Michigan, more than 40 counties are seeing similar destruction from heavy rain, snowmelt, and storms. The emergency order allows state resources to move in quickly and gives local communities access to funding, to repair infrastructure and support ongoing rescue and recovery efforts.

Reporting for WGRT – JP bZet

Drivers across Michigan’s Thumb region should expect delays as road work ramps up. The Michigan Department of Transportation is spending about $475,000 to seal pavement cracks on key highways in Lapeer, Tuscola, Huron, and Sanilac counties. Work starts May 11th on M-24 in Lapeer County, then moves through nearby counties, covering routes like M-25, M-46, and M-53. Crews will fix cracks to extend road life and prevent bigger damage. Motorists should plan for intermittent lane closures through late June, depending on weather.

Reporting for WGRT – JP bZet

Two Port Huron students are being recognized after making a strong showing at the city’s first-ever ACT-SO competition. Malencia Price earned silver medals in both written poetry and spoken word, while Jamal Waldon took silver in contemporary instrumental music. The event, hosted last Sunday at the Hersey Reinvestment Center, marks a new step for the local NAACP chapter in supporting youth achievement. Organizers say both students plan to attend the national ACT-SO event, as the community now rallies to help fund their trip and grow the program.

Reporting for WGRT – JP bZet