Lawmakers Looking to Combat Scrap Metal Theft

(DETROIT) -- Lawmakers are working to make it more difficult to sell scrap metal in response to thefts that represent a threat to public safety and a financial drain on businesses and homeowners.

According to the Detroit News, a number of state representatives have proposed legislation that would ban cash payment for scrap metal and require scrap yards to keep stricter records.

Current law makes buying or selling stolen scrap metal a five-year felony. The existing laws also require documentation of the buyer's thumbprint as well as signed statements concerning authorization to sell scrap and what items are being sold.

Scrap metal theft has been a problem in recent years for the city, according to the News. Multiple men have died during attempts to steal scrap metal from sewers and utility poles, and thefts cost business and homeowners millions of dollars every year.

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Detroit Turnaround Efforts to Cost Millions

(DETROIT) -- The City of Detroit will spend almost millions in contracts with nine consulting firms in exchange for financial and legal recommendations to help overcome the city's financial woes.

According to the Detroit Free Press, the city's contracts will cost nearly $14 million, including $3 million in hiring emergency manager Kevyn Orr's former law firm.

Orr, who was given the power by the mayor and the City Council last month, told the Free Press that "there's a lot of work to be done in this city."

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State Investigating Shooting of Bald Eagle

(DEWITT, Mich.) -- Conservation officers with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources are investigating a bald eagle shooting in Clinton County.

The bald eagle was shot on April 27, according to the DNR. Officers were called to investigate a complaint about gunfire a little before 12 noon on Saturday in Dewitt, Mich. The caller found the body of a bald eagle, felled by a gunshot, and turned it into the DNR, who launched an investigation.

Bald eagles, an American icon, have been under federal protection since 1940 and state protection since 1954. Under two federal laws and one state law, it is illegal to kill, disturb, harm or harass bald eagles.

Bald Eagles were named the national bird in 1782. The species spent a lengthy period of time on the endangered species list, but thanks to conservation efforts it was upgraded to “threatened” in 1995, and was taken off the list in 2007.

“Anyone with information about this incident should come forward and talk to us about it so that we can apprehend the person responsible for this poaching incident,” said Lt. Sherry Chandler, DNR Law Enforcement supervisor for the region. “Information can be left anonymously by calling the DNR’s Report All Poaching Line at 800-292-7800.”

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Spring Weather Damages Lower Peninsula Trails

(LANSING, Mich.) -- Spring weather, and the accompanying rain, wind, ice, and snow has damaged trails throughout the Lower Peninsula, the Department of Natural Resources warns.

The DNR says that the weather has created impassable conditions at several pathways, forest roads and snowmobile trails. DNR staff is working to identify the most damaged trails, and say that some trails will be closed due to downed trees or flooding.

"It is difficult to identify all of the sections that were affected by the heavy spring rains," said trails analyst Amanda Matelski. "We ask that trail users exercise care when approaching these areas, and realize flooded trail crossings may be deeper than they appear. Our users will also need to have patience while our trail sponsors, volunteers and staff remove downed trees."

The condition of the trails should progress as summer comes along.

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Investigators Working to ID Human Remains Found in Detroit Suburb

(ROMULUS, Mich.) -- Authorities are working to identify a human skull and other remains a woman found while walking her dog in Romulus on Sunday, according to the Detroit Free Press.

The dog walker reportedly discovered the remains on Sunday evening; shortly before 6 p.m. Romulus Police say they were in a wooded area near Tyler and Hannan roads.

Investigators do not know much about the deceased at this point, but they believe that the remains are those of a man, as scraps of men’s clothing were found with the bones. The Wayne County Medical Examiner’s Office is in the process of identifying the remains and determining a cause of death.

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