State Roundup

Benton Harbor Commerce Department backs Whirlpool complaint BENTON HARBOR, Mich. (AP) -- Whirlpool Corp. welcomed a preliminary decision by the government on Monday that affirms that the company and other U.S. appliance makers are being harmed by competitors importing certain refrigerators from South Korea and Mexico. The U.S. Department of Commerce found that Samsung Electronics Co., LG Electronics Inc., AB Electrolux and other smaller brands were illegally "dumping" some of their foreign-made appliances in the U.S., by selling the products at less than fair value. Whirlpool filed a petition with regulators a year ago, asking that the government impose extra duties on its competitors for these actions. The company said the selling of these appliances, specifically certain refrigerators with the freezer on the bottom half, violate international trade laws. The case now goes back to the U.S. International Trade Commission, which is scheduled to make its final ruling by April 30. The companies face higher tariffs as a result of Monday's decision. Whirlpool, based in Benton Harbor, Mich., is the world's biggest appliance maker. Its brands include its namesake as well as Maytag and KitchenAid. "As the world's leading home appliance maker, we are taking a stand with these petitions to protect our 23,000 U.S. employees who produce the innovative and high-quality products that consumers demand," said Marc Bitzer, president of Whirlpool North America. Samsung, based in Korea, said in a statement that the company is disappointed in the decision and said the calculation is based on flawed methodologies. LG Electronics said in a statement from its North American subsidiary that it will aggressively contest the determination, also saying the decision is based on inaccurate calculations. LG said it believes the findings will be reversed on appeal. A representative from Swedish company Electrolux was not immediately available for comment. Pontiac Rally follows 5 recent homicides in city PONTIAC, Mich. (AP) -- Community leaders and law enforcement authorities in Pontiac are taking steps to curb violence after the city saw five homicides in the span of a month. A Stop The Violence march and rally was held Monday, just days after a young man from Pontiac was fatally shot in the head in an apparent street robbery. WXYZ-TV reports Montonez Whitehead was walking home from work Friday when he was killed, and his iPhone and iPad were taken. The killing is under investigation. The Oakland Press of Pontiac reports that Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard said during the event that "violence isn't the answer." Bouchard, whose office handles law enforcement for the city, says Pontiac will be a "zero tolerance town" for crime. He says he wants people to feel safe. Lansing City Council gives OK to proposed casino LANSING, Mich. (AP) -- The Lansing City Council has voted to move forward with a proposed $245 million tribal casino in Michigan's capital city. The Lansing State Journal reports council on Monday approved plans 7-1 related to the Kewadin Lansing development. The vote allows the city to sell property to the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians and approves agreements that would govern the project. Plans for the casino were announced in January. Backers say it would create jobs and help improve the city. The plans are opposed by Gov. Rick Snyder and Attorney General Bill Schuette, as well as American Indian tribes that separately operate casinos in Mount Pleasant and near Battle Creek. Michigan has more than two dozen casinos, most of which are owned and operated by tribes. Grand Rapids Stepdad imprisoned for stabbing driver GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (AP) -- A Grand Rapids man has been sentenced to up to 15 years in prison after being convicted of stabbing the driver who fatally struck the man's 2-year-old stepson. Dierre Coteat was sentenced Monday to between two years and 15 years for the assault last July. The driver survived and was cleared by police, who said he couldn't have avoided hitting the boy as he ran after a ball in the street. Javonni Conley later died at a hospital. Coteat told the judge he was sorry for what had happened. He was convicted of assault with intent to do great bodily harm, though also charged with assault with intent to murder. St. Johns Mother charged with child abuse after girl's death ST. JOHNS, Mich. (AP) -- The mother of a 10-year-old girl found dead in her mid-Michigan home has been charged with second-degree child abuse. Kathleen Parker was arraigned Monday in Clinton County District Court in St. Johns, about 20 miles north of Lansing. The body of her daughter, Vienna Parker, was found in their St. Johns' home in September. Kathleen Parker was home when child welfare workers arrived to investigate why the girl hadn't been at school. Vienna had been dead about two weeks. Authorities were told Vienna was ill and suffered from diabetes. Kathleen Parker was jailed Monday on a $1,000 bond. A preliminary examination was set for March 29. The Associated Press left a message Monday afternoon seeking comment from her court-appointed attorney. Published: Wed, Mar 21, 2012