Michigan
Michigan lawmaker penalized after covering Republican colleague's car in plastic wrap
A Democratic lawmaker in Michigan has gotten a bad “wrap” after pulling a prank on a Republican colleague who she said had parked in her spot.
Rep. Julie Brixie’s floor-speaking privileges were revoked and her parking spot moved after she was caught on camera covering her colleague’s BMW in plastic wrap, a House Republican official told NBC News on Tuesday.
Brixie and House Democrats did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The Republican official said the penalties, first reported by State Affairs, would remain in place for the foreseeable future.
The bizarre incident happened on April 17, when state Rep. Matt Maddock arrived to go to work at the Capitol and parked his car across two spots, one of which was Brixie’s, the official said.
Video of the parking area that was later released by House Republicans showed Brixie wrapping the midsection of the car in plastic wrap.
“My good colleague from the 51st district parked in two spots, including mine, to make sure no one hit his fancy car,” Brixie told The Detroit News earlier this month. “I Saran Wrapped it to give it an extra layer of protection.”
She then appeared to try to draw Maddock’s attention to her work by making an announcement on the House floor a short time after the wrapping. “I just came in from the parking ramp and there’s a black BMW” with a vanity license plate, Brixie said. “Your hood is open, your lights are on and your engine is running. Thank you.”
Maddock responded on social media later that day, saying Brixie “keeps trying to get my attention and I keep telling her I’m married.”
The penalties mean that Brixie cannot deliver official addresses or remarks on the House floor for the time being, and has to park much farther away.
Asked Tuesday if he and Brixie had exchanged apologies, Maddock said in an email, “She hasn’t apologized, but I wouldn’t expect her to since Democrats get to crime and never say sorry.”
“I can forgive her for pranking my car, but she should really be sorry for her awful votes that have been ruining Michigan,” he added.
Maddock’s wife, whose car he said he had borrowed that day, also ripped Brixie on social media on the day of the wrapping and announcement on the floor.
“Rep Brixie makes a false statement otherwise known as a LIE in the presence of the entire Michigan House, after wrapping my car in plastic wrap like a 13 year old girl,” Meshawn Maddock wrote in a post on X. “Democrats arent just soft on crime, like Brixie, they are crime.”
Meshawn Maddock, a former state Republican Party co-chair, is among those charged in the Michigan fake electors scheme related to President Donald Trump’s 2020 election loss. She pleaded not guilty in the case and has said she believes the charges are politically motivated, The Associated Press reported.
Michigan
Michigan groom sentenced for killing his best friend on his wedding night
FLINT, Mich. (AP) — A man in Michigan who got married and then ran over his best friend that same day, killing him, after an alcohol-fueled argument was sentenced Monday to least 30 years in prison.
“The only thing I can do for the rest of my life is express my apology and remorse. … I will forever be sorry,” James Shirah said in Genesee County court.
Shirah, 24, was driving when his vehicle struck Terry Taylor Jr. in Flint, about an hour’s drive northwest of Detroit, on Aug. 30, 2024. He and Savanah Collier were married earlier that day and the celebration had moved to a house.
Shirah’s attorney had argued that the crash was not intentional. Prosecutors, however, said Shirah had left the scene and had time to reflect before returning and striking Taylor, MLive.com reported.
“Mr. Shirah, I believe that you are not a criminal. You are, however, a killer,” Judge Khary Hanible said.
In April, Shirah pleaded no contest to second-degree murder and other offenses. He will be eligible for parole after 30 years.
“I hope that they throw the book at you,” Taylor’s cousin, Eren Taylor, said before Shirah received his sentence.
Shirah’s wife will be sentenced later in May for being an accessory.
Michigan
SW Michigan show returns as growing destination for vinyl collectors
BENTON HARBOR — Vinyl collectors and music fans are invited to dig through thousands of records and music collectibles at the Southwest Michigan Record Show.
The event is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 16 at Grand Upton Hall inside Lake Michigan College’s Mendel Center in Benton Harbor, according to a press release.
Now in its fourth season, the show features 25 vendors from five states, offering 70 tables filled with vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, record supplies and music memorabilia.
Free admission begins at 10 a.m.
General admission is free starting at 10 a.m., while early entry is available at 8:30 a.m. for $5. Door prize drawings are planned for 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., including $25 shopping certificates and record supplies from BCW Supplies. The first 75 attendees will receive free tote bags.
A food truck will be on site, and cash is preferred for purchases. Some vendors may accept cards, PayPal, Venmo and other payment methods, but there is no ATM on site.
Vendors from across the Midwest and beyond
The show is expected to feature a wide selection of music genres, including classic rock, pop, ’80s, metal, punk, jazz, blues, R&B, country and soundtracks.
“This show is still being discovered, and that’s part of what makes it exciting,” event organizer Jeremy D. Bonfiglio said in the release. “We’ve built a strong group of experienced vendors, so whether you’re just getting into vinyl or digging for something rare, there’s a real opportunity here to find something unexpected.”
Free parking is available near the entrance of Mendel Center, 2755 Napier Ave.
Future dates planned
The Southwest Michigan Record Show is also scheduled to return Sept. 19.
For more information, visit southwestmichiganrecordshow.com or follow the event on Facebook.
This story was created by reporter Cheryl Morey, with the assistance of artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing.
Michigan
Yes, you can play curling in West Michigan
ALGOMA TOWNSHIP, Mich. — The spirit of curling is one of friendship.
While memory of the Winter Olympics may have long melted away in the minds of many Americans, there some whose curiousness for the sport of curling has extended all the way into the springtime.
“Everybody’s having fun,” said Paul Curran, league manager for the Grand Rapids Curling Club. “It’s a really weird sport in that it’s really friendly.”
The club, which plays at the Cedar Rock Sportsplex in Algoma Township, has seen a recent spike in interest in its beginners leagues and learn to curl classes.
“We’re all here to curl and learn,” said beginner Aaron Schwieterman. “Everyone’s making mistakes, but still having a great time learning the sport and trying to mimic what the professionals do at the Olympics.”
“I recommend it to anybody who wants to try something different,” said beginner Margaret Steketee. “If I can do it, anybody can do it.”
For a period of time on the ice, these newcomers to the sport turn into competitors. Then, at the conclusions of their games, they revert to being friends.
“Largely, what you’ll find with curlers is that when they’re done curling, they want to be friendly and hang out,” Curran said. “Which is what our league is doing right now.”
As long as people are interested, Curran says the club will continue to put on beginners leagues and lessons.
“The more people we get out here curling, the better,” he said.
For more information on ways to play and learn how to curl in West Michigan, visit the Grand Rapids Curling Club’s website.
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