Michigan
Human remains found near Hoover Dam in 2009 identified as Michigan man last seen in 1995
(CBS DETROIT) – Human remains found near the Hoover Dam in 2009 have been identified as those of a Michigan man last seen by his family in 1995.
In November 2009, construction crews were on break while working on a cement project on Highway 93 at Milepost 3 near the Hoover Dam when they found what appeared to be a bone, the Mohave County Sheriff’s Office said.
The workers looked around the area and found additional bones that they believed were human. Construction workers and National Park Service agents searched the area and found additional bones, a sun-bleached pair of blue jeans, a damaged white towel, a sun-bleached red t-shirt, a black athletic shoe and a green sleeping bag. A second search days later found additional remains.
Mohave County Sheriff’s detectives continued the search for years to generate leads but without any results.
In February 2022, a Mohave County Sheriff’s detective obtained a bone sample from the victim and sent it to the Arizona Department of Public Safety’s lab in hopes of identifying the man. A sample was also sent to the University of North Texas, where it was stored for analysis, but an identification was not made.
Two years would go by before Othram, a genetic lab in Texas, received grant funding in April 2024 to pay for forensic genetic genealogy for this case. Using the sample from the University of North Texas, Ortham created a DNA profile and uploaded that profile to a genealogy database for investigation.
In October, investigators received a report that the man was a descendant of ancestors born in the mid-1800s and lived in Michigan. Detectives interviewed the brother of the man, who was identified as William Herman Hietamaki. Siblings interviewed say Hietamaki went by his middle name, Herman, and had been traveling the southwest United States when he was last seen in 1995.
Hietamaki was born on April 4, 1950, and grew up in Trout Creek in the western Upper Peninsula. He attended high school and mechanic’s school in Michigan.
According to officials, Hietamaki left Michigan shortly after graduating from high school and was known to hitchhike and live a nomadic lifestyle. His family last saw him while visiting his sister in New Mexico in 1995. Public records show Hietamaki resided in Las Vegas at one time, and he was known to suffer from epileptic seizures.
The medical examiner’s office was unable to determine Hietamaki’s cause of death but estimated that he died between 2006 and 2008.
Saturday, July 11, 2026 2:48PM
CHICAGO (WLS) — Sailors are making their way from Chicago to Mackinac Island on Saturday morning.
The racing division of the Race to Mackinac took off from Monroe Harbor. The first sailors began their journey at 9 a.m.
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The race, spanning over 300 miles into Michigan, brings sailors from all over the world to compete. The event is considered the longest annual freshwater sailing race in the world.
The Race to Mackinac is now on its 117th year and is the Chicago Yacht Club’s signature sailing event. This year, there are 2,000 sailors competing on 252 boats total.
The race’s unpredictable weather and shifting winds on Lake Michigan serve as a challenge for sailors. The event goes on, rain or shine.
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ROTHBURY, Mich. — Michigan State Police (MSP) detectives shared some more information Friday about their investigation of the infant death at this year’s Electric Forest music festival in Rothbury.
Troopers recently received a tip about a Muskegon woman who was said to have information about the incident, but after interviewing her and completing other necessary investigative steps, MSP said they ruled her out as a suspect.
A restroom vending company employee at the festival found the body of a neonate, a newborn infant who is four weeks old or younger, in a portable restroom in the festival camping area on June 28, according to troopers.
The festival is hosted at the Double JJ Resort, which was locked down to anyone entering the following day as police surrounded the scene.
Troopers are asking for tips from the public at michigan.gov/michtip.
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — Harmful algal blooms have been reported on two notable lakes in West Michigan: Gun Lake and Muskegon Lake.
The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy says cyanobacteria was reported on Muskegon Lake July 3, but no tests have confirmed it.
The Barry-Eaton District Health Department says a harmful algal bloom was confirmed Thursday on Gun Lake. The lake remains open, but the BEDHD is encouraging visitors to use caution and avoid water that has “visible algae.”
Visitors are encouraged to avoid any contact with water that appears bright green, blue-green, brown or red or has “floating mats of scum.”
Pets should also avoid the water. If they come into contact with the algae, pets should be rinsed off as soon as possible with clean, fresh water.
Exposure to algae can cause a rash or irritation to the skin, eyes, nose and throat. It can also cause stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, fever and trouble breathing.
“If you become sick, contact your healthcare provider. Seek medical care right away if you have trouble breathing, severe vomiting, or other serious symptoms,” the BEDHD said in a statement. “If your pet was exposed, rinse them well with clean water and do not let them lick their fur until they have been washed. Contact your veterinarian right away if your pet has vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, trouble walking, excessive drooling, shaking, or seizures.”
Harmful algal blooms are powered by the sudden growth of cyanobacteria, also known as blue-green algae. Cyanobacteria occur naturally in lakes, rivers and ponds but is often boosted by a sudden excess of nutrients, often caused by fertilizer runoff from farms or failed septic systems.
They can last for several days and sometimes even months. The water will look “scummy” or like “spilled paint or pea soup.” They are typically found in the summer and fall — usually peaking in August or September and dying off by the end of October.
You can report a suspected harmful algal bloom to EGLE at AlgaeBloom@Michigan.gov or 1.800.662.9278.
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