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90 Giant African Land Snails found in passenger's bag at Detroit airport

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90 Giant African Land Snails found in passenger's bag at Detroit airport


A total of 90 Giant African Land Snails have been seized by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) Office of Field Operations in Detroit from a passenger arriving from Ghana, authorities said.

The incident occurred on June 30 at Detroit Metropolitan Airport when the massive haul of live snails was discovered “after a passenger arriving from Ghana was referred for a secondary examination after declaring various fresh food items,” according to a statement released by CBP on Tuesday.

“During the baggage inspection, a tied, woven bag with an odd odor caught the attention of agriculture specialists,” the statement said. “Inside the bag were Giant African Land Snails ranging from 3 to 6 inches in length. Prior to the luggage being opened, the passenger began declaring other prohibited items, such as beef skin and fresh peppers, but there was no mention of the snails, which are considered an invasive species in the U.S.”

The snails were subsequently seized and humanely euthanized as a means to ensure they did not enter the ecosystem and cause havoc to U.S. agriculture, officials said.

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“These snails are an invasive species that could negatively impact our economy,” said Acting Port Director John Nowak. “Our agriculture specialists are always keeping a watchful eye out for harmful plants, animals and insects.”

A cache of live snails discovered by CBP at Detroit Metropolitan Airport after a passenger arriving from Ghana was referred for a secondary examination after declaring various fresh food items. The snails were humanely euthanized as a means to ensure they did not enter the ecosystem and cause havoc to U.S. agriculture.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection

CBP officials said that even though the Giant African Land Snails were intended for consumption, they have a “voracious appetite and cause major crop damage when they escape into the environment.”

“They can also pose a public health threat to humans,” authorities said. “The snails can grow up to 8 inches and feed on a wide variety of plants, including many economically important crop plants, and cause structural damage by using stucco on houses to meet their calcium requirement for shell growth.”

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CBP officials did not say if there would be any immediate repercussions for the traveler entering the United States but they did take the opportunity to encourage those entering the United States to “learn more about current regulations before attempting to bring food items into the United States to avoid penalties, seizures, and even arrest.”



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Detroit, MI

Multiple tornadoes reported in Southwest Michigan amid severe weather

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Multiple tornadoes reported in Southwest Michigan amid severe weather



At least two tornadoes were reported in Southwest Michigan on Friday amid severe weather, according to CBS Detroit’s Chief Meteorologist Ahmad Bajjey.

Two of the tornadoes were reported in Union City and Three Rivers, while a possible third tornado may have been in St. Joseph County. Bajjey says the tornadoes caused significant damage. According to Consumers Energy, more than 3,200 customers are without power as of 7:40 p.m. on Friday.

Official reports of fatalities or injuries are unknown, but CBS-affiliate WWMT in Kalamazoo reports that the Branch County medical examiner is on scene in Union City.

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The Michigan State Police Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division says Gov. Gretchen Whitmer activated the State Emergency Operations Center in response to the storms in Branch, Cass and St. Joseph counties. The department says the center will be supporting local requests for assistance.

This story will be updated as more information becomes available.



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U.S. Postal Service could run out of money within a year

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U.S. Postal Service could run out of money within a year




U.S. Postal Service could run out of money within a year – CBS Detroit

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The head of the U.S. Postal Service warns the agency could run out of money in a year unless Congress steps in.

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Rapper Tee Grizzley plans mixed-use apartment project in Brush Park

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Rapper Tee Grizzley plans mixed-use apartment project in Brush Park


A new mixed-use, mixed-income apartment building proposed for Detroit’s Brush Park is expected to bring 37 units of housing to the neighborhood, according to the project’s lead developer.

The $12 million project at 205 Watson St., known as Wallace Estates, is owned by Detroit rapper Tee Grizzley, whose legal name is Terry Wallace. The 30,000-square-foot development is expected to go before the Detroit Historic District Commission on Wednesday for review. Because the quarter-acre site sits within a historic district, the commission must approve elements such as windows, brickwork, facade materials and other architectural features.

Wallace Estates is planned to be a five-story building with the residential units across the first four floors. The ground floor is expected to include a lobby, a walk-up apartment, commercial space and tuck-under parking. A partial fifth floor will house indoor and outdoor amenities for residents. The building is designed with a masonry facade and large, offset windows, according to the project application.

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“Detroit raised me — I’m a west side kid, and I’m passionate about bringing mixed-income housing to my city,” Wallace said in a statement Thursday. “The 205 Watson project is about building safe, quality housing for everybody; that respects longtime residents and welcomes new neighbors — building opportunity without pushing people out.”

The project was the winning bid of a City of Detroit request for proposals for the site, said Nevan Shokar, principal of Shokar Group and the day-to-day development lead. McIntosh Poris Architects is the designer.

“It’s an infill site that’s bringing high-quality housing, both for affordable and market-rate renters,” Shokar said. “And I think it complements the neighborhood nicely with the brick aesthetic, as well as the brass inlays in the windows.”

Construction could begin this summer and be finished in 18 months, Shokar said, placing completion at late 2027.

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Wallace Estates will join a wave of new residential development in Brush Park, a neighborhood that has seen nearly a decade of revitalization. Last summer, Bedrock celebrated the completion of City Modern, a nearly 10-year effort to transform a once-neglected area of the historic district.

Shokar said the building would primarily include studios and one-bedroom units, with a few two-bedroom apartments. About 20% of the units will be designated affordable at 80% of area median income, with the remainder rented at market rates.

“The highest demand that you have within this neighborhood and across the city as a whole, is to produce more studio and one-bedroom units,” Shokar said. “The two-bedroom units sometimes and larger sometimes have a hard time filling up, leasing up within buildings, and that’s why you typically see units generally smaller in size.”

Shokar said estimated rents for the new building could range from $1,800 per month for a 450-square-foot studio to $2,700 per month for an 800-square-foot two-bedroom unit.

Shokar said the team will pursue incentives including a Neighborhood Enterprise Zone tax abatement and a housing tax increment financing package.

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cwilliams@detroitnews.com



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