State Roundup

Detroit Ex-Wayne State exec, MLK associate Johnson dies DETROIT (AP) -- Former Wayne State University administrator and civil rights and civic activist Arthur Johnson has died. He was 85. Family spokesman Trevor Coleman tells the Detroit Free Press that Johnson had Parkinson's disease and died Tuesday after an extended illness. Johnson was born in Americus, Ga., and was a friend of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., graduating with him from Morehouse College in Atlanta in 1948. Johnson later advised then-Detroit Mayor Coleman Young. Johnson held administrative jobs at Wayne State for 23 years, retiring in 1995 as senior vice president. Ex-Detroit Mayor Dennis Archer says "there was nothing too small or too big" for Johnson to take on if he thought it was in the interest of the city. Johnson's memoir "Race and Remembrance" was published in 2008. Crystall Falls Man charged in death of Mich. trial witness, 81 CRYSTAL FALLS, Mich. (AP) -- A 44-year-old man is charged in the death of an 81-year-old woman who was scheduled to testify as a witness in his Upper Peninsula trial. Authorities announced Tuesday that David Levack of Kingsford was charged with murder, home invasion and witness intimidation. The Iron County sheriff's department said Joyce Johnson of Stambaugh Township was scheduled to be in an Iron County court Sept. 27. When she didn't appear, deputies found her dead at home. Levack was held at the Dickinson County Jail. The Associated Press sent a message Wednesday seeking comment from lawyer believed to be representing him. Court documents reviewed by The Daily News of Iron Mountain indicate Johnson was scheduled to testify in the trial for Levack, who was accused of stealing jewelry from her in 2008. Port Huron Port Huron scraps plans for $28M aquarium project PORT HURON, Mich. (AP) -- Port Huron officials say they're scrapping plans for a $28 million aquarium development in the city for now. The Times Herald reports Wednesday that City Manager Bruce Brown says the city can't afford to build an aquarium. Brown says it would cost about $8 million for the aquarium itself and an additional $20 million for the building. The city in 2010 approved paying New Zealand-based Marinescape Ecoaquariums $100,000 to study the feasibility of opening an aquarium. City Council also approved buying property that could have been used for the project. Officials say the land now could be used for another development. Saugatuck Judge rejects deal to allow Lake Michigan resort SAUGUTUCK TOWNSHIP, Mich. (AP) -- A federal judge has rejected a proposed agreement that would have allowed a co-owner of the NBA's Oklahoma City Thunder to build a resort along Lake Michigan. The Grand Rapids Press and The Holland Sentinel report that U.S. District Court Judge Paul Maloney on Tuesday threw out the proposed settlement between Allegan County's Saugatuck Township and Aubrey McClendon's development company Singapore Dunes LLC. The judge says the proposed settlement reached in July takes away power from future township officials but another deal could be negotiated. McClendon wants to build a resort at the mouth of the Kalamazoo River in southwestern Michigan as it enters Lake Michigan. It would include a hotel, marina, houses, condominiums and a golf course. Backers say it would be on 12 acres of the 320-acre property. Warren Priest won't face charges after sex abuse report WARREN, Mich. (AP) -- A prosecutor says a 66-year-old priest won't face charges following a complaint that he engaged in sexual misconduct with a minor. Oakland County Chief Assistant Prosecutor Paul Walton tells The Oakland Press of Pontiac and The Detroit News the complaint dates back to 1991, beyond the state's statute of limitations in such a case. The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Detroit announced Sunday that the Rev. Gary Schulte went on administrative leave Friday from St. Sylvester Parish in Warren. The archdiocese said it found "sufficient substance" behind a complaint received in September that he engaged in sexual misconduct. The Associated Press left a message Wednesday for Schulte. Schulte was ordained in 1972 and also has worked at parishes in the Detroit suburbs of Clawson, Beverly Hills, Royal Oak and Madison Heights. Woodhaven Dad allowed to visit 9-year-old who drove van WOODHAVEN, Mich. (AP) -- A judge says a Detroit-area man accused of allowing his 9-year-old daughter to drive his van can see her under certain conditions. Shawn Weimer can visit his daughter under the supervision of child welfare officials. He also will use a device that determines whether he has consumed any alcohol. Weimer is charged with child abuse. Police say he allowed his daughter to drive on Oct. 8 in Brownstown Township after drinking. A judge approved the changes Tuesday at the request of Weimer lawyer David Steingold. The Wayne County prosecutor's office didn't object but plans to ask the judge to take another look at Weimer's bond conditions. He's due in court Nov. 8 for a hearing to determine if he'll go trial on child abuse charges. Steingold says felonies don't fit. Published: Thu, Nov 3, 2011