The Detroit Evening Report

Detroiters who need housing assistance have two weeks to sign up before the state stops accepting new applications for its COVID era program. The City of Detroit has announced a three-part plan to help Detroiters facing eviction. Residents have taken advantage of the Michigan State Housing Development Authority’s COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance (CERA) program – or CERA. It helped eligible individuals for up to 18 months with rental and utility bill assistance. The state will stop accepting new applications for CERA rent and utility assistance on June 30th. The city’s plan also allows renters facing eviction after CERA aid runs out to get legal representation for free. They can also get help finding a job or training to earn more money to help pay the rent. The city will also connect people who have lost their homes with emergency shelter assistance. Mayor Mike Duggan said the city has helped more than 19-thousand Detroiters with back rent since March 2021, and $159 million dollars has helped keep Detroit renters in their homes.

Organizers behind three high-profile proposed laws in Michigan skipped a deadline to potentially appear on November’s ballot. Instead they will look to get the initiatives approved by the Republican-controlled Legislature. Let MI Kids Learn provides tax breaks so public money can be used toward scholarships at private schools. Secure MI Vote would change ID requirements for voters. Michiganders for Fair Lending is proposing to cap payday loan rates. Lawmakers will look to use a provision in the Michigan Constitution to get their proposed laws passed. Some petition organizers say they are concerned after several Republican candidates recently had petitions rejected for fraudulent signatures.

The City of Detroit Opened Cooling Centers today because of extreme heat. Seven recreation centers are open to provide air-conditioned spaces and protection from extreme temperatures. Seven Detroit Public Library branches are also open to provide relief. Safety protocols will be in place to protect against COVID-19. Residents and staff are required to wear a face mask and observe social distancing. Staff will also conduct temperature checks. High-touch areas and restrooms will be disinfected every two hours, and maximum capacity limits at each site have been lowered. PPE and bottled water will also be provided. Tomorrow is expected to reach 90 degrees.

One of Detroit’s oldest gay bars caught fire Tuesday morning. Officials say the fire at the Woodward Bar & Grille in New Center started just before 11 a.m. Residents and workers in nearby buildings were evacuated. Woodward was closed to traffic and the QLine ceased operations. The fire department says the building was empty and there are no reports of injury.

A bipartisan group of U.S. senators has agreed on a package of gun laws. Of the 20 senators signed onto the legislation, 10 are Republicans. The bill would create a national red flag law aimed at keeping guns out of the hands of people who pose a threat to themselves or others. It would also invest in mental health programs and school safety resources. It would change the review process for gun buyers under 21 and strengthen federal licensing requirements for gun sellers.

Former Detroit police Chief James Craig says he is running as a write-in candidate in the Republican gubernatorial primary this August. The announcement comes after he failed to make the primary ballot due to fraudulent petition signatures that left him short of the minimum requirement. Craig was seen as the front-runner in the crowded field of 10 original candidates. After Craig and four other GOP hopefuls were left off the ballot, five remain. The ballot includes Ryan Kelley, who was arrested Thursday for his role in the January 6th insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. Kelley’s attorney says he plans to continue his campaign.

A Michigan police officer who killed Patrick Lyoya with a shot to the back of the 26-year-old Black man’s head has been charged with second-degree murder. Prosecutor Chris Becker announced the charges Thursday against Grand Rapids Officer Christopher Schurr, weeks after Lyoya was killed following a chaotic traffic stop on April 4. Lyoya was on the ground when he was killed. A bystander recorded the shooting on cellphone video. Schurr, who is white, told Lyoya that he stopped his car because the license plate didn’t match the vehicle. Roughly a minute into the stop, Lyoya began to run after he was asked to produce a driver’s license.

A Michigan prosecutor says he will announce on Thursday whether charges will be filed in the death of Patrick Lyoya, the Black motorist who was shot in the back of the head by a Grand Rapids police officer in April. Kent County Prosecutor Chris Becker would only say that he would disclose his “charging decision” at an afternoon news conference in Grand Rapids. Video shows 26-year-old Lyoya was killed by Grand Rapids Officer Christopher Schurr after a traffic stop.

Gas prices continue to rise in Michigan, setting new records. AAA Michigan says the average price for a gallon of gas in Metro Detroit is $5.23. That’s up 9 cents from Monday and $2.14 more than a year ago. Analysts say high crude oil prices, the annual switch to summer blends of gasoline and higher demand by motorists have all worked together to raise prices. Consumers are complaining about the pain at the pump, as they pay more than ever to fuel their cars. It could cost as much as $150 to fill the tanks of some SUVs.

Heavy rain and high winds are expected this evening and overnight. Metro Detroit may see as much as 3 inches of rain in total. The National Weather Service has issued a flood watch through Tuesday morning and warns that periods of rain may be accompanied by wind gusts up to 60 mph. Residents should clear the storm drains of leaves, twigs and debris to help prevent street flooding.