A St. Clair Shores man is facing up to life in prison after allegedly scamming a 78-year-old Clinton Township woman out of more than thirty thousand dollars. Eric Williams, 60, claimed her new home had defective paint and bad concrete, then drove her to the bank several times so she could hand over the cash. No repairs were ever made. Williams was arraigned May seventh in Clinton Township. He faces embezzlement and repeat larceny charges as a habitual offender.

Reporting for WGRT – JP bZet

Schools in Lambton and Kent counties are bracing for tighter budgets. The Lambton Kent District School Board expects to lose about 250 students next year, which could cut provincial funding by roughly 3.5 million dollars. Slower housing growth across the region is a major reason, with fewer new homes and families moving in. Officials say this enrollment drop is part of a wider Ontario trend that may last several years. The board has already cut 22 custodial jobs and is planning more staffing changes while preparing next year’s budget.

Reporting for WGRT – JP bZet

A 37-year-old Warren man is facing serious felony charges after police say he broke into eight churches across the city in less than three weeks. Officers say the suspect used a bicycle to ride up to the buildings, smashed windows or doors, rummaged through offices, and even tampered with security systems. Detectives spotted him on surveillance wearing the same distinctive clothes and riding the same bike. When they saw him leaving his Warren apartment dressed exactly like the suspect, they moved in. Bond is set at $800,000.

Reporting for WGRT – JP bZet

Columbus County Park on Bauman Road in Columbus Township is looking more natural after forestry mulching work wrapped up. All trails are now open to visitors. Crews cleared invasive shrubs and trees in the first phase of a project to restore native grasslands. The work will help create prime habitat for Monarch butterflies, grassland birds like the Grasshopper Sparrow, and many other local wildlife species. Additional invasive plant removal is set for this summer and fall, followed by native seed planting.

Reporting for WGRT – JP bZet