KALAMAZOO (WKZO AM/FM) — There was a crazy scene Tuesday evening at a home in the 3400 block of Knox Street, in the Oakwood neighborhood.
Sgt. Marc Rifenberg says three men, one of them armed with a knife, were apparently seeking revenge when they tried to get at the occupant of a home through the back door. When the occupant barricaded the door, they set fire to the porch.
They were able to smash their way in the front door, but by that time the victim had dashed through the flames to escape through the back door.
The suspects then fled in a black sedan.
The victim, a guest at the home, returned and used a garden hose to douse the flames.
EarlyWednesday morning the black sedan was spotted and stopped and a 26-year-old taken into custody for Home invasion and arson.
They also found marijuana in the car.
They are seeking the identity of the other two suspects.
MIAMI (WKZO AM/FM) — Derek Jeter has proven quite adept at making his dreams come true and his latest dream was to become an owner. It looks like he will get his chance.
The Captain is reportedly part of a group led by former Florida Governor Jeb Bush that has reached a deal to purchase the Miami Marlins for $1.3-billion. The current owner, Jeff Loria bought the club 15 years ago for just $160-million, which would make it a terrific deal for him.
The deal is still subject to approval by the other owners, but it’s hard to imagine them saying no to the son of a former President and the Kalamazoo Kid.
Especially since both of them have a history with the League. The Bush family owned a stake in the Astros and Jeter was one of the league’s brightest scandal free stars for two decades.
PORTAGE (WKZO AM/FM) — Portage’s new Chief of Public Safety introduced the newest member of their department to the Portage City Council last night.
Zorro the crime fighting dog is trained to sniff out drugs and bad guys.
Handler Jordan Wentworth says he was trained in the Netherlands and actually speaks German, or at least those are the commands he obeys.
He is the first K-9 to ever be deployed by the Portage Public Safety Department. Until now they have had to rely on Kalamazoo City and County K-9’s when they needed a dog’s special abilities.
He was trained to sniff out meth, heroin, and other drugs but not marijuana. They didn’t want the dog to have an ability he might not need in a few years.
KALAMAZOO (WKZO AM/FM) — Kalamazoo Schools and The Michigan Department of Education have come to terms on a tentative “partnership” with K-RESA that will end any threats of closing the Washington or Woodward Magnet schools.
Superintendent Michael Rice says the three year agreement will allow them to retain total local control. Dr. Rice says they aren’t releasing the details until after the Board of Trustees approves the agreement and it becomes official tomorrow night, but he says it should be cause for celebration.
Their agreement with State Superintendent Brian Whiston will be reviewed at 18 months and again at 3-years. He says they will retain total local control, no closures, no state managers and no intervention by the School Reform Office.
Rice says he has no immediate plans to withdraw their suit challenging the state’s claim they can close schools. He says that’s a separate issue that needs to be resolved.
RUTLAND TOWNSHIP (WKZO AM/FM) — An Alzheimer’s patient, who surrendered his driver’s license last year, is being blamed for causing a collision that sent five people to the hospital.
The 85-year-old could face charges. Barry County Deputies say the collision happened at 5:30 Tuesday afternoon at M-43 and M-47 when the elderly man turned left, failing to yield to an oncoming car and the two collided. The 59-year-old driver of the other car and his four passengers were all transported to Spectrum Butterworth for treatment of non-life threatening injuries. Officers say the elderly driver seemed quite confused after the crash. It remains under investigation.
PORTAGE (WKZO AM/FM) — The Mayor of Portage was ambushed by a few council members last night who objected to his plans to deliver the State of the City address this year.
Apparently on his own, Mayor Peter Strazdas has obtained sponsors for an open event to be held at the Air Zoo on May 24th. In recent years the City Manager, Larry Schaffer has done the speech at Rotary Meetings where only members are invited. Council Member Jim Pearson says they should have been consulted first, after he got an angry letter from the President of the Rotary. Pearson suggested it was unethical if the sponsors do business with the city.
Mayor Pete Strazdas says this may not be how they have done it, but it is the way other cities do it. He got the idea and offers from some of the sponsors at the Grand Rapids address.
A motion was made to require that the Portage State of the City address be delivered only by the City Manager and only to non-profit organizations, but it was defeated 4 to 3.
PORTAGE (WKZO AM/FM) — The City of Portage will be putting out bids for a single ambulance firm to provide Emergency Response, something that is about two decades overdue. It seems that back in the 90’s, Portage city officials asked Life EMS and Pride Care to alternate month to month so they could compare which company provided better service. Then they never got back to them. They have been alternating ever since.
Life EMS and Pride Care executives both says its become a logistical problem for their data systems to predict where high call volumes may occur and to anticipate need.
Pride Care officials are also asking the city to make up its mind. Last night the council approved issuing a request for proposals from the firms, so they can finally make a choice.
OSHTEMO (WKZO AM/FM) — An Oshtemo based masseuse who allegedly had hands that wandered to areas they were were never supposed to explore has been bound over to stand trial on five counts of criminal sexual conduct. Since his arrest was publicized, over two dozen more women have come forward to say they were also abused by Lockett.
