Pet Store Owner Faces Second Animal Cruelty Charge

(WARREN, Mich.) -- Approximately 100 animals were taken from a Warren, Mich., pet shop Wednesday and now the store owner faces his second animal cruelty charge in under a year.

According to the Detroit Free Press, the conditions in the store were terrible, with at least one animal dead. When enforcement officers arrived at the store on Wednesday, the store owner, Dennis Jones, allegedly sent a dog to attack them.

The animals, including roosters, birds, iguanas, a python, a puppy and two kittens, were living without food. Also, the store's power and water had been turned off due to failure to pay, says the Free Press.

Jones is being held at Macomb County Jail on $10,000 bond.

Copyright 2013 ABC News Radio

Man, 24, Sought in Fatal Shooting

(DETROIT) -- Police are searching for a man accused of shooting five people, and killing one, in Detroit on Wednesday.

According to the Detroit Free Press, the incident took place near the 9600 block of Carlin Street. A group of children were playing outside when an adult reportedly sent one of the children home.

The child told family members what had happened, and those family members went to the location on Carlin Street, where a verbal altercation occurred, according to the Free Press.

A 24-year-old man is accused of firing the shots.

A 60-year-old woman was killed in the gunfire, while a 58-year-old man, a 32-year-old woman, a 24-year-old woman and a 15-year-old girl were hospitalized for gunshot wounds.

Copyright 2013 ABC News Radio

Veterans Designation Added to Mich. Driver’s Licenses and IDs

(LANSING, Mich.) -- Gov. Rick Snyder signed legislation on Tuesday that authorized the Secretary of State to add a veterans designation on Michigan driver’s licenses and other state IDs.

"The veterans designation is great way for Michigan to honor those who have served and makes it easier for veterans to access discounts and offers from retailers, restaurants and hotels who offer special opportunities to veterans," explained Maj. Gen. Gregory Vadnais, director of the Michigan Department of Military and Veterans Affairs.

The bills, one for driver’s licenses and one for state issued ID cards, were sponsored by state Rep. Nancy Jenkins and state Sen. Darwin Booher, respectively.

The new licenses and ID cars will be available in May of next year.

The veterans designations will not serve as legal proof of military service or replace the DD214, but will simply make it easier for veterans to identify themselves in a day-to-day setting.

"This is a small way to say thank you to veterans who have done so much for us, for this country," said Secretary of State Ruth Johnson. "They'll have easy-to-carry, clear-cut proof of their service to help them more easily access the benefits they have earned and deserve.”  

Copyright 2013 ABC News Radio

Officials: Michigan Teens to Face Competitive Summer Job Market

(LANSING, Mich.) -- Michigan teens looking for work this summer face a competitive job market, according to a new forecast from the Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget released Monday.

The release explains that the teen summer labor market is traditionally very competitive, and 2013 is no exception. When school ends, the number of teens looking for work skyrockets, and these usually inexperienced would-be workers face stiff competition from each other and older, more experienced job seekers.

The forecast predicts a summer unemployment rate of 25.5 percent, saying that approximately 242,800 teens are projected to be in the Michigan workforce, and approximately 180,900 are expected to find employment.

According to the department, the summer teen jobless statistics rose sharply during the recession. Still, it declined last year to 26.7 percent, down from 35 percent in 2010. It’s still much higher than the pre-recession levels, which were consistently in the high-teens.

The department attributes this increase in part to older job seekers who are forced to look for jobs that typically employ teens due to lack of employment elsewhere. These industries include food and drinking places, and clothing and clothing accessory stores.

Michigan's Department of Technology, Management & Budget closes its forecast by offering teens summer job search tips:

• Start looking early
• Keep looking
• Visit local businesses
• Let friends/neighbors know you are looking for work
• Talk with school guidance counselors
• Utilize on-line job boards and newspaper want-ads
• Think about self-employment: lawn service, pet sitting, etc.

Copyright 2013 ABC News Radio

Michigan Welfare Work Participation Rate Reaches Federal Target

(LANSING, Mich.) -- The Michigan Department of Human Services announced late last week that the state had reached a federal target by realizing a work participation rate of 50 percent for residents receiving cash assistance.

The federal government announced in 2002 that all states should strive to have 50 percent or more of their residents receiving Family Independence Program dollars working as well. Failure to meet this goal meant millions of dollars in possible government sanctions.

In 2010, Michigan’s work participation rate was only 22.8 percent. In March 2013, the close of the fiscal year, the participation rate was 50 percent, an increase of 119 percent.

In a press release, the government credited the new state program known as PATH with helping them reach the target. PATH, which stands for partnership, accountability, training and hope, replaced JET, an older work participation program. Officials say PATH offers “a more holistic approach to assessing client needs and skills.”

Copyright 2013 ABC News Radio