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'There goes the trampoline'; Storm damage, power outages in southwest Michigan

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'There goes the trampoline'; Storm damage, power outages in southwest Michigan


Severe storms blew through southwest Michigan Sunday night causing some damage and power outages in the region.

The hardest hit areas are in Van Buren County where a tornado warning was in effect around 10 p.m. Sunday. A fire official reported a tornado on the ground east of Gobles and about 7 miles southwest of Otsego.

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Jeremiah Ashbrook of Bloomingdale captured video of high winds that sent his trampoline flying into a field.

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Storm Damage Video: Trampoline flies away, Jeremiah Ashbrook

It also caused some damage to a portion of his house.

Bloomingdale Damage

Jeremiah Ashbrook

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Another viewer sent in photos showing a flipped dock and boat lift on Long Lake in Van Buren County. Their boat ended up at the neighbor’s place.

Long Lake Damage

The National Weather Service has received these reports of damage as of early Monday morning.

  • Lots of damage in Pine Grove and Bloomingdale areas extending to Gobles. A number of trees down, power lines down. One power pole snapped in half, one tree on house, one tree on car. No reported injuries.
  • Number of trees and power lines down with power outages between Texas Corners NE to the Oakwood Area in Kalamazoo County
  • “Bright electric flash” on soaked road as power went out between I-94 and US-131 interchange. Possibly a live line falling into the standing water.
  • Tree limbs down in Lexington Green area in Portage
  • 76 mph wind gust in Kalamazoo County

As of 11:30 p.m., Consumers Energy reports more than 21,000 customers are without power. Most outages are in Allegan, Kalamazoo, and Van Buren counties. You can see the current outages HERE.

If you do lose power, Consumers Energy recommends unplugging sensitive electronics like computers, TVs and printers to prevent electrical damage when power is restored.

If you use a generator, Consumers Energy says to never place it in your basement, garage or other enclosed space. Keep generators away from any air intakes to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.

Consumers Energy says a downed power line should be given a 25-foot buffer. If you spot a downed power line that has not been marked, call 9-1-1 and Consumers Energy 1-800-477-5050.





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Dollar General grants fund Michigan literacy programs with $280K

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Dollar General grants fund Michigan literacy programs with 0K


Michigan schools, libraries and nonprofit groups are set to receive more than $280,000 in literacy funding, according to a community announcement issued by Dollar General Literacy Foundation. The money is intended to support reading and education programs across the state.

The grants are part of a nationwide single-day award total of nearly $16 million. The funding supports adult, family and summer literacy programs in the 48 states where Dollar General operates.

In Michigan, the grants are expected to affect more than 9,600 people, according to the announcement.

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The grants are for nonprofit organizations, libraries and schools. According to the announcement, eligible groups must be within a 15-mile radius of a Dollar General store or distribution center.

The money may be used for new technology, books, materials or software. The grants can help groups start literacy programs or expand existing ones.

Several Michigan organizations received grants of $10,000, the highest amount. Those recipients included:

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  • Adrian Rea Literacy Center in Adrian
  • Arab Community Center For Economic And Social Services (Access) in Dearborn
  • Literacy Center Of West Michigan in Grand Rapids
  • Houghton Lake Community Education in Houghton Lake
  • Livingston County Literacy Coalition in Howell
  • Goodwill Industries Of Southwestern Michigan in Kalamazoo
  • Kalamazoo Literacy Council in Kalamazoo
  • Capital Area Literacy Coalition / The Reading People in Lansing
  • The Global Institute Of Lansing
  • Van Buren Intermediate School District in Lawrence
  • Reading Patch Literacy Foundation Inc. in Niles
  • Grace Centers Of Hope in Pontiac
  • Oakland Literacy Council in Pontiac
  • Literacy And Beyond Inc. in Port Huron
  • Gigi’S Playhouse — Detroit LLC in Southfield
  • Southgate Community Schools in Southgate

Other larger grants included $9,999 for Wayne State University in Detroit, $9,500 for Iosco Regional Educational Service Agency in Tawas City and $8,500 for Plymouth-Canton Community Literacy Council in Plymouth.

The recipient list also included many grants of $3,000. Those went to:

  • Allendale Public Schools
  • Boys And Girls Club Of Alpena
  • Cedar Springs Public Library
  • Clinton Community Schools
  • Coloma Public Library
  • Mason County Eastern Elementary in Custer
  • North Dickinson County School in Felch
  • Wilson School Parent Advisory Committee in Herron
  • Hillman Community Schools
  • Ida Public Schools
  • Lawton Public Library
  • Luther Area Public Library
  • Saginaw African Cultural Festival Inc.
  • Sebewaing Township Library
  • Tekonsha Community Schools
  • Columbia Township Library in Unionville
  • Wakefield Public Library
  • Whitmore Lake Public Schools

Other awards listed were $2,000 for Taymouth Township Library in Burt; $2,100 for Clinton-Macomb Public Library in Clinton Township; and $2,500 for Friends Of Cadillac Wexfod Public Library in Cadillac, Teamer Dreams Foundation in Eastpointe, Michigan Adult, Community & Alternative Education Association in Lansing and Palomino Hope Equine Experience in Tawas City.

The list also showed a $1,000 grant for Townline Elementary in Grand Rapids and a $4,500 grant for D House Of Angels in Pontiac.

Also receiving grants were Houghton Lake Community Education and Reading Patch Literacy Foundation in Niles.

A full list of grant recipients is available at dgliteracy.org.

“Since the foundation’s inception in 1993, our focus has remained on making meaningful investments in students, teachers and the organizations that support literacy and learning at every stage of life,” Denine Torr, executive director of the Dollar General Literacy Foundation, said in the announcement. “These funds will help educators enhance their instruction and create opportunities that help empower students to reach their full potential.”

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This story was created with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more at https://cm.usatoday.com/ethical-conduct/.



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Michigan groom sentenced for killing his best friend on his wedding night

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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.

James Shirah is sentenced to at least 30 years in prison during a hearing, Monday, May 11, 2026 in Flint, Mich. (Jake May/The Flint Journal via AP)

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.

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“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.

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SW Michigan show returns as growing destination for vinyl collectors

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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.

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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.

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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.



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