Latest news with #LansingStateJournal
Hindustan Times
17 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Billy Strings continues show after mother's passing: ‘my mom would have wanted…'
Billy Strings is mourning the loss of his mother, Debra Apostal. The Grammy‑winning bluegrass star revealed that his mother passed away just hours after he performed in Lansing, Michigan, as reported by People. The 32-year-old learnt about the tragic news while he was on stage in Lexington, Kentucky, on Friday, June 20. 'After our set we drove through the night and I finally fell asleep when we got parked here in Lexington, probably about 5:40 this morning or so. I might have got three hours of sleep and I was in a deep sleep,' he said. Billy Strings mourns the loss of his mother, Debra Apostal, who passed away on June 20.(@BillyStrings/X) Billy Strings' wife shared the heartbreaking news. 'My wife woke me up this morning and told me that my beautiful mother, Debra Apostal, passed away in her sleep,' he continued. Instead of collapsing, Strings acted. 'I just put my shoes on and started walking,' Strings said. He stopped at a country church nearby. Inside, 'a kind lady let me in and she stayed with me and prayed with me for a while.' The moment was quiet. It was poignant. It was real. Strings perform despite the heartbreaking news Strings then went on to explain why he continued the show despite his grief. 'It was, it was my decision to carry on with tonight's show because that's what my mom would have wanted me to do. She really loved this group of people,' he said. He thanked the audience for supporting his family. 'She loved you all so much and for the last couple of years were some of her happiest because of a lot of you folks from here. You all became some of our best friends, and I really want to thank you for that," he added. He asked the crowd not for silence but for volume: 'So please, instead of a moment of silence, can you please make as much noise right now for my mom?' Strings' father joins him on stage According to People, Strings' father, Terry Barber, also a bluegrass musician, joined him onstage during the Charlotte Bluegrass Festival in Lansing. Debra couldn't attend that show. Strings remembered how his parents brought him to the same festival in 1997 when he was just four. The Lansing event has been a family tradition since its start 53 years ago, as reported by MLive. He also paid tribute to his mother in an Instagram post, sharing a heartfelt message. According to the Lansing State Journal, Apostal died in the early hours of Friday, June 20. FAQs How did Billy Strings find out about his mother's death? Billy Strings' wife informed him after their Michigan show. Why did Billy Strings decide to continue performing? Because Billy Strings believed that's what his mother would have wanted. Who supported Billy Strings on stage after the news? His father, Terry Barber, joined him during the performance. When did Debra Apostal pass away? She died in her sleep in the early hours of Friday, June 20.
Toronto Sun
7 days ago
- Toronto Sun
Michigan couple, believing prayer would cure baby, gets at least 20 years for child's death
Joshua and Rachel Piland were each sentenced to 20 to 45 years in prison for the death of their baby girl. Photo by Handout / Lansing Police Department A religious Michigan couple were each sentenced to at least 20 years in prison for the murder of their baby girl after they chose prayer over urgent medical care. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account A jury found Joshua Piland, 44, and Rachel Piland, 38, guilty of second-degree murder and first-degree child abuse following a trial in March, ending an eight-year criminal case against the pair. On Wednesday, both were sentenced by a judge to 20 years to 45 years in prison for each charge, which will run concurrently. 'What you have done … has impacted multiple lives,' Judge James Jamo told Rachel Piland, as he read her sentence, reports the Lansing State Journal . Jamo said there was absolutely no reason to believe that the couple would make better decisions in the future, 'and that means there is a high risk and a need for protection of children.' Baby Abigail was only 61 hours old when she died of a buildup of bilirubin, a treatable condition commonly known as jaundice, at the family's Lansing home in February 2017. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Less than a day after her birth, a midwife and her assistant told the mother to get to a hospital for immediate treatment, but the couple declined. Rebecca Kerr, Rachel Piland's mother, also advised her to seek medical care for the newborn, but they refused again base on an extreme religious doctrine. 'We believed (praying) was the best thing we could possibly do for her,' Rachel Piland testified at the trial. 'Even if she had died from some kind of struggle, we wouldn't have called 911.' RECOMMENDED VIDEO After the baby was dead, the parents and friends prayed over the lifeless body. Authorities were not immediately contacted to report her death. It was only after a relative in California called police that officers responded to the house, about nine hours after Abigail died. The couple lost custody of their surviving children, two of whom needed the same treatment as Abigail. The state took them away for life-saving medical care and they survived. Read More Sports Sunshine Girls Relationships Editorial Cartoons Relationships
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
HGTV went looking for the Great Lakes' ugliest homes. These 3 were in the running
To claim the title "Ugliest House in America," you only need to meet one requirement to win HGTV's $150,000 makeover — have a really ugly home. One Michigan home met the criterion during a qualifying episode of the series. A Jenison, Michigan, home built in 1920 and covered in carpet, was chosen as the ugliest home in the Great Lakes region — over a UFO and a boat-shaped house — on a recent episode of the HGTV series, and will compete in the finals against four other homes across the country. The show, in its sixth season, follows comedian Marietta "Retta" Sirleaf as she travels across the country to find the worst designed homes. After establishing the worst home in the country, designer Alison Victoria, provides the homeowners with a $150,000 renovation. The "Great Lakes, Great Ugly" episode premiered on Monday, June 9, and featured three Michigan homes seeking a chance for a renovation, according to HGTV's website. Here's what to know about the Michigan homes featured on HGTV's "Ugliest House in America": The show, in its sixth season, debuted in 2022 and follows Retta as they examine homes in various regions of the country. She travels across the country to find the worst designed homes, establishing the worst homes for each episode. The finalists then face off and at the end, a designer gives the overall champion homeowners a renovation. Designer Alison Victoria does the $150,000 renovation, according to HGTV's website. The "Great Lakes, Great Ugly" episode premiered on June 9, and featured three Michigan homes, according to HGTV's website: "Three ugly homes in the Great Lakes vie for the chance at a $150,000 makeover by designer Alison Victoria! It's between a house that looks like a boat, a home with carpet up the walls and a place that looks like a UFO," the website says. The episode will appear again at 9 a.m. June 12, 1 p.m. June 15 and 8:30 p.m. June 19. The latest episode featured three Michigan homes located in Au Gres, on the northeast coast of Saginaw Bay, Jenison, a Grand Rapids suburb, and outside of Lansing, in mid-Michigan. A UFO-shaped home near Lansing was featured on the show. The 3,509-square-foot home in DeWitt Township looks like a flying saucer that landed on a hilltop. The two-story property was for sale in 2023, the Lansing State Journal reported. In 1994, Robert Clark built the house, with an exterior of concrete bricks, a rubber roof and a glass atrium connecting it with a two-car garage. The three-bedroom, three-bathroom house has a round front door, full kitchen, living area and office space on the lower floor. Properly named the "Carpet Castle," the Jenison home was built in 1920 and has 7.4 acres of riverfront access. The 2,727-square-foot property has three bedrooms, one bathroom, and has carpeted floors, walls and ceilings. The property moved on to the next round and will compete in the finals against other homes across America for the title of ugliest home. The third competitor from Michigan is a home called the SS Huronia on Point Lookout, along the shore of Saginaw Bay, that is built like a boat. The house, painted white, looks like it could slide down to the beach and sail away. says the home was built in 1936 and includes five bedrooms, 2.5 baths, a roof deck and is 2,199 square feet. The house was listed for sale in 2021 for $750,000. Jalen Williams is a trending reporter at the Detroit Free Press. Contact him at jawilliams1@ This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: HGTV's 'Ugliest House' features 3 in Michigan. How to watch
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Liquor license suspended at last Bobcat Bonnie's location
Bobcat Bonnie's has a new issue with its final location revolving around Michigan's Liquor Control Commission. The location in Lansing has had its liquor license suspended by the commission and appears to be closed. In Lansing at 637 E. Michigan Ave., an orange sign posted on the door reads 'The Michigan Liquor Control Commission has suspended the license of this establishment,' according to a photo on social media. The location appears to be closed, as calls to the restaurant were met with a busy signal. David Marvin, a spokesman for Michigan's Liquor Control Commission (MLCC) told the Free Press Bobcat's Bonnie's liquor license in Lansing was suspended for 'dishonored payments for spirits purchases.' 'We delivered spirits, and they initiated an ETF payment that was returned,' Marvin Michigan, establishments are required to buy spirits from the commission. Marvin said Bobcat Bonnie's owes for two separate purchases: One for $621.93 and another for $ MLCC also fined Bobcat Bonnie's $450 for the violations. Marvin told the Lansing State Journal that the fines were issued "months ago." Bobcat Bonnie's owners had 45 days to pay them, the Lansing State Journal reported. Marvin said the deadline for paying them expired on June 3. "We did give them a little bit of extra time as we do with everyone," Marvin told the Lansing State Journal. "We reach out to folks when there are payments due. We don't want to suspend somebody if we don't have to." The Free Press reached out to Bobcat Bonnie's owner, Matt Buskard, via Facebook message, who responded with no comment to the suspended Lansing liquor license. More: Oak Park has been establishing its culinary identity in recent years: 12 places to eat Bobcat Bonnie's opened the Lansing location in January 2024. The space was the former Clara's Lansing Station, which closed its doors nearly 10 years ago. It was just last week that, after seven years in Ferndale, Bobcat Bonnie's owners announced that the location would shutter with no reason given. The Ferndale restaurant was to close after service on June 2, leaving only Bobcat Bonnie's in Lansing remaining. Fixtures, glassware, artwork and furniture at the Ferndale location were being sold. At one time, Bobcat Bonnie's had seven March, after 10 years, Bobcat Bonnie's Corktown location — its first — shuttered abruptly. A Wyandotte location closed in January and offered the same type of sale of restaurant furnishings as Ferndale. Buskard has taken to social media the last several months, expressing in lengthy posts the challenges and struggles the restaurant industry has endured, including the pandemic and a tough business climate with a downward trend in sales. At one time, Bobcat Bonnie's had locations in Clinton Township at the Mall at Partridge Creek, which abruptly shuttered last August. Its Ypsilanti location closed a few months later. The Grand Rapids location is temporarily closed and was expected to move to another location, though the status is unclear, and the location is still listed on the website. A location in Toledo, Ohio, was also planned but never opened. More: Dutch Girl Donuts and the Schvitz owner buys iconic Detroit German restaurant Buskard's portfolio of restaurants at one time also included the Fly Trap in Ferndale, which he acquired in February 2022, but transferred ownership back to the original owners. Last August, Buskard opened Scout Vester in the former M Brew spot in Ferndale, but closed it four months later. Contact Detroit Free Press food and restaurant writer Susan Selasky and send food and restaurant news and tips to: sselasky@ Follow @SusanMariecooks on Twitter. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Bobcat Bonnie's Lansing liquor license suspended: Here's why
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Michiganders split on Trump tariffs, but almost nobody sees immediate benefit
Michiganders are split on the value of tariffs as a long-term economic strategy but almost nobody says they are seeing short-term benefits from President Donald Trump's signature policy, 100 days into his second term. That's a major takeaway from 100 Michigan residents interviewed over the last several weeks by reporters from the Detroit Free Press, Lansing State Journal and Center for Community Journalism — Michigan, who fanned out across the state to seek Michiganders' views on Trump's first 100 days back in office. Trump has imposed a wide range of tariffs of at least 10% on most countries around the world — and as high as 145% on China — in a series of moves that have caused massive stock market swings and provoked retaliatory tariffs from other nations. He has also delayed the implementation of some tariffs and granted exemptions for certain products, such as smartphones, computers, semiconductors and other electronics. On April 29, while en route to Michigan aboard Air Force One, Trump signed executive orders that ease some tariffs that impact automakers in a move that was welcomed by industry leaders but that analysts said will still result in higher vehicle prices. Nearly half of the Michigan residents recently interviewed about Trump's performance mentioned tariffs as a significant factor in their assessments. Of those, nearly half blasted tariffs or the way Trump has implemented them, while a roughly equal number said they favor the policies, adding in some cases that Michiganders will need to endure some short-term pain before the benefit of tariffs are evident. Views on Trump's tariff policies were split along party lines, with Republicans mostly favoring Trump's tariffs and Democrats and independent voters mostly opposed. More: We asked 100 Michiganders about Trump's first 100 days: Here's what they said Republican voter Perry Blackwell, 32, a Port Huron factory worker, said the tariffs should help wean Americans off of foreign products. "We need more factories here and the only way to do that is to jack up the prices," said Blackwell, who said he voted for Trump in November. More: It's been 100 days. How is Trump doing? Have your say in a letter to the editor | Letters But Democratic voter Jim Clair, 72, of Ortonville, who said he voted for then-Vice President Kamala Harris, said Trump's tariff have been a "disaster" that have cost him more than $100,000 in retirement savings as stock market indexes have reacted negatively. "He should've never been brought back,' Clair said of Trump. Clair was one of several Michiganders interviewed who said they are already experiencing negative impacts from Trump's tariffs. Mark Lewis, 68, of Madison Heights, who receives food assistance through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), said he's noticed prices of groceries and other items, such as batteries, continuing to rise under Trump, and he blames tariffs. 'I don't think we Americans are taking it as seriously as we should,' Lewis said. 'A recession, I think, is around the corner.' Garrett Ellis, 52, of Detroit, who considers himself an independent and said he did not vote in November, said tariffs are "killing the world." Ellis worked as a machine operator in automotive manufacturing but said he's out of work and looking for a job. He said the industry is slow due to difficulties in acquiring materials. "He's cutting everything out," Ellis said. "How are people going to live?" Several Republican voters acknowledged inflation remains a problem and tariffs are not helping but said it will take some time before Michiganders see the value of Trump's tariff policies. Ruby Meekhof, 66, of Cadillac, said that as a retired dairy farmer she has firsthand experience with unfair trade policies directed at the U.S. from Canada and Europe with respect to milk. She said she supports what Trump is trying to do. "I realize that we have to go through some pain before things get reset," Meekhof said. Some Michiganders said tariffs are not so much the problem, as the way Trump implemented them. Warren Holloway, 43, of Sterling Heights, a onetime Democrat who now is less sure of his political leanings, said he is hopeful that the chaos Trump has generated in his first 100 days will end up benefitting Americans and believes the aim is to improve the country's global standing. "The hot button issue is the tariffs — tariffs could have had a much more positive spin if done with a scalpel rather than a sledgehammer," Holloway said. Not everyone's views on tariffs aligned with their partisan leanings. Amy Barbieri, 45, of Warren, a small business owner who said she voted for Trump in 2020 and 2024, said the president has lost her support over tariffs. Barbieri, who sells metaphysical goods like tarot cards on TikTok Shop, said she was more of a Democrat before 2020 but this year displayed a large Trump flag in her yard. But her views have changed."I've made good money selling on TikTok, but I import from China," she said. "So now I just lost my small business." Evan Ellis, 33, of Ferndale, who identifies as a Democrat or independent, said many of Trump's actions are undermining the rule of law and have him worried about the future of democracy in the U.S. Yet Ellis said he sees a rare bright spot in Trump's tariff policies. He believes tariffs could help inhibit the country from manufacturing and selling cheap products that end up in landfills. Reporters Dana Afana, Jackie Charniga, Johnathan Hogan, Darcie Moran, Adrienne Roberts, Andrea May Sahouri and Beki San Martin contributed to this story. Contact Paul Egan: 517-372-8660 or pegan@ This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michiganders split on Trump tariffs, but few see immediate benefit
