Month: January 2014

Two-way traffic on U.S. 223 near County Line Highway in Riga Township has been restored. Police and fire crews were called to the scene of a jackknifed semi trailer shortly before 2 p.m. Tuesday.

Police also discovered a Jeep rollover accident east of the semi’s location.

Traffic was shut down as wrecker crews removed the semi trailer. As of 4 p.m. the Jeep had not been removed.

Police have been responding to stranded motorists locations in both Lenawee and Monroe counties Monday and Tuesday. With record low temperatures and wind chills officials in both counties have issued advisories. Lenawee County Sheriff Jack Welsh and the county emergency management office has issued a travel advisory recommending people stay off the roads. Monroe County Sheriff and the Monroe County Emergency Management Office have requested people not drive on county roads until 7 a.m. Wednesday.

High winds continue to blow and drifting across secondary roads is still a hazard.

OTTAWA LAKE — U.S. 23 is currently open in both directions according to the Michigan State Police. An accident shut down the southbound lane at approximately 11:30 a.m. The accident allegedly injured a state trooper and at least five vehicles were involved in one crash. No other known injuries are reported at the time.

The road was shut down for a significant amount of time. According to the Michigan State Police the road was open at 1:30 p.m. However, police said they have had numerous problems in both directions on the freeway throughout the day.

The Riga Township Hall is open to Lenawee County residents as a warming station. With frigid temperatures, residents may need some place to go to keep warm, Riga Township Fire Chief Mike Norman said. The hall located at the south end of the village of Riga on Riga Highway will be open through Wednesday.

Lenawee County Sheriff Jack Welsh and emergency coordinator, Curtis Parsons issued a dangerous weather advisory for the county Friday afternoon. The National Weather Service in Detroit has issued a winter storm watch for the area and is predicting accumulation of between six to 12 inches of snow to begin falling in southeast Michigan Saturday afternoon, overnight and into Sunday. In addition, blowing and drifting winds are expected to add to hazardous road conditions.

If the previous year was marked by tragedy and triumph, 2013 was surely marked with personal achievements, potential and pitfalls in the area.

Throughout the year several local residents were recognized for their accomplishments and announcements and decisions were made giving possibility to new opportunities. Although a few stumbling blocks were in the way, the pitfalls often resulted in a new approach to old problems.

For a full, month-by-month review of 2013, please see the Jan. 1, 2014, edition of The Advance. A full review of 2013 sports is in this edition as well.

Two reports of fires early Christmas morning kept Blissfield and other fire crews busy and destroyed a Blissfield Township couple’s unattached garage and its contents.

Blissfield Township fire crews were first dispatched to Riverview Apartments on Joy Street at approximately 1:15 a.m. for a smoke investigation. Blissfield Fire Chief Gary Crist said it appeared someone had set a pizza box on a hot stovetop and then moved it into the hallway. Fire crews cleared the scene about 2 a.m.

They had not left the fire hall long when a passerby called 911 at 3:24 a.m. to report a fire east of Blissfield on Lamley Highway. Riga and Deerfield townships were also called to assist at the scene. Crist said they were able to leave the scene about 7 a.m. but were called back out for a rekindle at 8:15 a.m. and were there until approximately 10 a.m. The cause of the fire is unknown, although it is not suspicious, Crist said.

For the complete story, please see the 1-1-14 edition of The Advance.