Judge again stops $2.5M to private schools in Michigan
DETROIT (AP) — A judge has extended a freeze on $2.5 million in state aid for Michigan private schools.
Judge Cynthia Stephens signed an injunction last week after reviewing the possible impact of a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision.
The American Civil Liberties Union and public-school groups are challenging the appropriation to private schools for fire drills, inspections and other state requirements. They say it violates the state Constitution’s ban on aid for private schools.
The Supreme Court recently said it was illegal for Missouri to deny a grant for a church preschool playground. Stephens says the Michigan case is a different matter that’s not focused on religion.
She notes the state Constitution prohibits public money for any private school. Dan Korobkin of the ACLU says, “Our constitution could not be clearer.”
Man denied murder charge appeal in bike crash case
KALAMAZOO (AP) — The state Court of Appeals will not hear an appeal of second-degree murder charges against a man involved in a fatal bicycle crash last year.
A three-judge panel said Charles Pickett Jr.'s leave to appeal was denied "for failure to persuade the Court of the need for immediate appellate review."
Pickett is charged with five counts of murder, five counts of driving while intoxicated and four counts of reckless driving related to the June 2016 crash. Police say he plowed into a group of bicyclists in Cooper Township, killing five and injuring four.
Defense attorney Alan Koenig argued that the prosecution's evidence wasn't enough to send Pickett to trial for second-degree murder.
Pickett's trial is scheduled for Sept. 19.
Police officers sent back to driving school
CASA GRANDE, Ariz. (AP) — An Arizona police chief is sending his patrol officers back to driving school after a slew of minor accidents involving the department's vehicles.
The Casa Grande Dispatch reports that Casa Grande Police Chief Mark McCrory says nine of his department's police vehicles have been involved in accidents since April 5.
There were only five such accidents in all of 2016.
Each collision will cost the taxpayers a $1,000 deducible to the insurance company.
McCrory says four units were damaged in two separate incidents where officers driving vehicles bumped into parked police vehicles. Two were damaged in separate incidents where officers struck poles.
Texas calf born looking like KISS rocker Gene Simmons
KERRVILLE, Texas (AP) — KISS frontman Gene Simmons is udderly thrilled by a newborn calf born with strikingly similar black-and-white markings to the face paint he wears on stage.
Simmons tweeted his admiration for the calf on Sunday, saying, "This is real, folks!!!"
The calf was born at a ranch near Kerrville, Texas, northwest of San Antonio.
Heather Taccetta, who lives at the ranch with her family, said the calf belongs to her grandmother. It is named Genie, in honor of Simmons.
Taccetta says the calf and its mother are doing fine and that Genie is a family favorite and won't be sold for slaughter.
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