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Michigan Lefts aren’t new, but visitors might not understand them

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Michigan Lefts aren’t new, but visitors might not understand them


First-time visitors to Michigan might be wondering any number of things, from why do I keep seeing all these references to Coney Island to exactly how many flavors does Faygo make?

They might also be wondering why they’re told not to turn left at some busy intersections as they drive around metro Detroit and other parts of the state. In other words, they might be wondering about the Michigan Left.

What is a Michigan Left?

We’ll rely on the Michigan Department of Transportation for the most definitive answers to our Michigan Left questions. Here’s MDOT’s definition:

“Michigan Lefts, also referred to as indirect left turns, are a common type of turn that have been part of Michigan’s road system since the late 1960s. Intersections that have Michigan Lefts do not allow traditional left-turn movements. Instead, to turn left, a person must drive straight through the intersection or turn right, then make a U-turn at a median crossover.”

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Why would I turn right to make a left-hand turn?

Safety is the word. Michigan Lefts redirect traffic to cut down on left turns across oncoming traffic, which tend to increase the risk of a serious crash. According to MDOT, about 30% of all crashes in Michigan occur at intersections and almost 58% of those are head-on left-turn and angle crashes. “In addition, roughly 30% of all Michigan fatal crashes occur at intersections.”

Why is a specific location picked for a Michigan Left?

MDOT cites crash history, the type of road and traffic volumes. “Michigan Lefts are most often used in urban situations where congestion and crashes are more common. Indirect left turns can be built on divided roads with any number of lanes … but they are not used on freeways or limited-access roads.”

More: Ford Road project would mean no left turns

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Should I pull behind or beside the vehicle ahead of me at a Michigan Left?

That depends on how many lanes you see. A single-lane Michigan Left isn’t meant to accommodate more than a single lane of traffic, according to MDOT. The extra space you sometimes see is for trucks and large vehicles that need additional room to make the turn. Sometimes a Michigan Left is paired with a loon, an extension of the roadway across from the turn area, so big trucks can make the U-turn without rolling up on a sidewalk. There are multilane Michigan Lefts, but they include clearly marked lanes, not just more space.

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What about bicyclists?

MDOT says bicyclists have options here. “Bicyclists can use a Michigan Left as a pedestrian, dismounting the bicycle and crossing in the pedestrian area, or as a bicyclist, riding through the Michigan Left and using the designated median crossover to navigate a U-turn.”

More: 24 songs about cars, driving to crank with the windows down

If you want more information about Michigan Lefts, MDOT has a brochure posted at https://www.michigan.gov/-/media/Project/Websites/MDOT/Travel/Safety/Road-User/Michigan-Lefts/Michigan-Left-Brochure.pdf?rev=e4bea28e194e4070b973db40e5f610ce#:~:text=What%20is%20a%20Michigan%20Left,allow%20traditional%20left%2Dturn%20movements

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By the way, we did a quick check of the Faygo website, and it says there are more than 50 flavors. Hey, editors, maybe it’s time for a taste test.

Contact Eric D. Lawrence: elawrence@freepress.com. Become a subscriber. Submit a letter to the editor at freep.com/letters.



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Michigan

Michigan college student Connor Lotterman killed at house party in ‘intentional’ shooting

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Michigan college student Connor Lotterman killed at house party in ‘intentional’ shooting


A Michigan college student was killed when multiple gunshots were fired through the floor at a house party in an “intentional” shooting, according to reports.

Connor Lotterman, a 19-year-old engineering student at Grand Valley State University, was struck in the head by a recklessly shot bullet fired from an upstairs bedroom during the May 9 party, WOOD-TV reported.

The tragic scene unfolded just after 11 p.m. in Tallmadge Township, MI, 6 miles east of the school’s campus.

Grand Valley State University student Connor Lotterman died after being shot during a house party in Tallmadge Township, Michigan on May 9, 2025. Langeland-Sterenberg Yntema Funeral Homes

Officials say a 20-year-old suspected gunman unloaded several rounds from his own gun into the floorboards as 10-20 people were partying inside.

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“The shooting was quite intentional,” Ottowa County Sheriff’s Office Capt. Jake Sparks told the outlet. “Multiple rounds were fired. It wasn’t like as if it were a one-shot accidental discharge. This was numerous rounds discharged. Although the result of the shooting led to an accidental death, this shooting was intentional.”

Lotterman was rushed to a local hospital in critical condition but died on May 10, three days shy of his 20th birthday.

The coroner’s officer ruled Lotterman’s death an accident, with alcohol suspected of playing a role.

“Encourage people to be smart, firearms and alcohol don’t mix that’s for sure,” Sparks said. “I think this situation could’ve been avoided without those things mixing.”

The tragic scene unfolded just after 11 p.m. in Tallmadge Township, MI, 6 miles east of the school’s campus. WOOD-TV
Lotterman was rushed to a local hospital in critical condition but died on May 10, three days shy of his 20th birthday. Langeland-Sterenberg Yntema Funeral Homes

The suspected gunman has not been publicly identified as police and prosecutors are considering criminal charges in the fatal shooting.

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Lotterman was the youngest of five and is survived by his parents, siblings, grandparents and nieces and nephews, according to an online obituary.

His sister mourned her younger brother in a touching birthday message posted to social media.

“Thank you for being the best little brother a girl could ask for,” Marielle Lotterman wrote in the tribute. “I am so thankful to God for the 20 amazing years you had on this earth.”

Officials say a 20-year-old suspected gunman unloaded several rounds from his own gun into the floorboards on the second floor as 10-20 people were partying inside. WOOD-TV

Lotterman was completing his second year at GVSU when he was killed.

“The Grand Valley community is saddened by Connor’s tragic death,” Dean of Students Aaron Haight said in a statement obtained by WOOD-TV. “On behalf of President Mantella, the Laker community extends our deepest sympathies to his family and friends.”

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Talking with Meredith from “The Office” who spent all weekend in Michigan

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Talking with Meredith from “The Office” who spent all weekend in Michigan


NOVI, MI – You know her as the sometimes wild and not always sober employee at Dunder Mifflin Paper Company.

We caught up with “The Office” star, Kate Flannery, who played Meredith on the hit comedy series from 2005 – 2013.

Flannery is one of around three dozen celebrity guests at Motor City Comic Con. The event’s final day this weekend is today and both Flannery and Leslie David Baker (Stanley) will be there today, as well.

Flannery told us about some of her favorite episodes.

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“I have about 17, she joked, as you can see in our video interview. ”The one I’ll talk about now is “Rockin’ Christmas.” I just loved when Meredith thinks Michael Scott is taking her to get a cocktail, but instead, he’s dragging her to rehab. It’s kind of fantastic.”

And this isn’t Flannery’s first time in Michigan.

“I did a movie in Troy and Royal Oak called ”Dial a Prayer” with William H. Macy. I also did a stage show in 1993. We played in Pontiac. I went to Sign of the Beef Carver. I did that many times. Not once. Oh, and I played the Fox Theatre, too.”

Flannery says she enjoys returning to Michigan when she can. She says she’s thrown out a first pitch at a minor league baseball game in Midland, among other things.

“I love the vibe. I love the Michiganders. I did spend one St. Patrick’s Day here. It was very memorable.”

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Flannery says she is somewhat like her character on the show, minus being an alcoholic.

“We had the best writers on TV. I did not write Meredith. Occasionally I get to improvise a little bit. My dad did own a bar in Philadelphia. If you invite me to a party, I will probably show up. I’m not completely like Meredith. I don’t drink as much as I would like to.”



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Over 95,000 still without power in Southwest Michigan nearly 2 days after storms

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Over 95,000 still without power in Southwest Michigan nearly 2 days after storms


Cleanup underway after storms hits Holly, Michigan

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Cleanup underway after storms hits Holly, Michigan

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Over 95,000 Southwest Michigan residents were without power on Saturday evening, nearly two days after severe storms rolled through the area, according to online outage maps. 

As of 6 p.m., Consumers Energy’s outage map is reporting 96,040 people are without service. The utility company says it has more than 660 crews “working around the clock” to restore power. The majority of reported outages are near Kalamazoo, Battle Creek and Bellevue. 

According to the company, service is estimated to be restored to most customers between Saturday night and Sunday morning. 

Indiana Michigan Power’s outage map is reporting over 3,000 Southwest Michigan residents are without service as of 6 p.m.

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A large part of Michigan was in the path of a widespread severe weather system late Thursday

The National Weather Service (NWS) confirmed that three tornadoes touched down in Southwest Michigan during the storms, according to CBS affiliate WWMT. An EF-1 tornado touched down near Charlotte and traveled towards Lansing, an EF-0 tornado touched down between Kalamazoo and Calhoun counties and another EF-0 touched down near Battle Creek.

The NWS also confirmed three tornadoes touched down in Southeast Michigan during the storms. An EF-1 tornado was detected in Livingston County, an EF-0 tornado touched down in Genesee County and another EF-0 tornado was confirmed in Saginaw County. 

Tree specialists were knocking on doors in Holly on Friday, offering residents help with cleanup.

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