The Michigan High School Athletic Association has handed down a decision on the question of age waivers for high school athletes in certain circumstances. In a statement released this morning, the MHSAA said, based on a vote of member schools, the age waiver would be allowed in certain cases. The question had come before the MHSAA due to the case of Eric Dompierre of Ishpeming. Dompierre is a student with Down syndrome who under the original MHSAA rule would have been ineligible to play sports in his senior year due his age. His playing career had been delayed in school due to his disability. According to the statement from the MHSAA, 94-percent of the member schools voting approved of the change to the rules.
Michigan State Police say the results of preliminary reports indicate eight people lost their lives in seven separate traffic crashes during the Memorial Day holiday weekend. In comparison, nine people died in traffic crashes during the 2011 Memorial Day holiday weekend. Officials say of the eight fatalities, three were known to have seat belts, and alcohol was a known factor in two of the seven crashes. The reports indicate all of the fatalities were recorded downstate. The Memorial Day holiday weekend ran from 6 P.M. On Friday, May 25th, through midnight on Monday, May 28.
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources now says 132 structures have been destroyed by the Duck Lake wildfire in Luce County forest. The total includes 41 homes or cabins, 25 campers, one store and one motel. According to DNR officials, 55 percent of the fire is now under control. The overall size of the area affected is about 21,450 acres. Meanwhile, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service says the wildfire that burned through roughly 3,400 acres of the Seney Wildlife Refuge in Schoolcraft County since may 20th has been 95 percent contained. Both wildfires were triggered by lightning strikes.
A worker was killed yesterday in an industrial accident at Manistique Papers. 53-year old Debbie Carlson of Manistique was operating a forklift in the outside storage area of the mill papers when the accident occurred. Manistique public Safety says in the process of moving bales of paper, the forklift rolled on its side, crushing Carlson, who died instantly. No one else was injured. The Michigan Occupational Safety and Health administration is conducting a separate investigation into the accident. Carlson was an employee of the paper mill for 32 years.
