Daily Briefs

Detroit razes 10,000th vacant house under Duggan blight plan


DETROIT (AP) — A two-story, wood-frame house on Detroit's northwest side became the 10,000th vacant structure torn down as part of Mayor Mike Duggan's massive plan to eliminate blight.

An excavator was used to quickly tear down the house Tuesday on Marlowe Street. It was another win in a yearslong battle to improve Detroit neighborhoods.

Duggan's blight program started 2½ years ago. He said Tuesday that Detroit's demolition program is "moving much more efficiently" than others around the country.

About 10,000 houses were also demolished during the administration of Dave Bing, the previous mayor.

Detroit has received about $258 million from the federal Hardest Hit Fund for demolitions and other blight removal efforts.

A blight task force survey in 2014 revealed more than 40,000 structures needed demolition with another 38,000 tipping toward blight.

 

Former District Court Judge Pieter G. V. Thomassen dies at 84
 

Pieter G. V. Thomassen, who served for 26 years as a district court judge in Ann Arbor, died July 13 at Tidewell Hospice in Bradenton, Fla., at the age of 84.

Thomassen, who earned his bachelor’s and juris doctor degrees at the University of Michigan where he was a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity, was first elected as a judge in 1968 when the District Court system was introduced in the state.

He was a member of the American Judges Association (Board of Governors), the American Bar Association, the State Bar of Michigan and the Washtenaw County Bar Association.
He is survived by his wife Eleanor; four children, eight grandchildren; and a sister.

A memorial service will be held at a later date. Memorial contributions will be welcomed by Tidewell Hospice of Southwest Florida: 5955 Rand Blvd, Sarasota, FL 34238 (specify funds for Tidewell Hospice in Bradenton).

 

Wayne County Criminal Defense Bar Association Golf Outing – Best-Ball Scramble set for Aug. 26
 

Join WCCDBA for an afternoon of golf and dinner. The event will be held from 2-6 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 26 at Warren Valley Golf Club, 26116 West Warren in Dearborn Heights. A $75 fee includes nine holes, cart and dinner; $30 for dinner only. Shotgun start for golf is at 2 p.m., followed by dinner at 4:30 p.m. For more information, contact Wyatt Harris at (313) 549-7659 or harris5489@gmail.com.
 

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