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Friends and Community Shiawassee County News and Views, 2910 W M-21, Owosso, MI (2026)

01/07/2026

BREAKING NEWS - RCOC employee charged in deadly Farmington Hills hit-and-run that left man deceased.

Farmington Hills, MI - Friends Community News Group, January 7, 2026, 1:30 a.m. ET - A Road Commission for Oakland County (RCOC) employee has been charged in connection with a fatal hit-and-run crash in Farmington Hills that left a 68-year-old man dead, authorities said.

Police say the incident occurred Jan. 1, when a pedestrian was found unconscious and badly injured along Middlebelt Road near Eldon Street in Farmington Hills. The victim, later identified as 68-year-old Edward Detroit, was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Investigators traced the crash to a plow truck operated by RCOC — the county agency responsible for roads in much of Oakland County. Police identified the driver of the truck as 51-year-old Bryan Derryberry, a long-time Road Commission employee who had been driving the vehicle in the area at the time of the crash.

Derryberry was arraigned Monday on one felony count of failure to stop at the scene of a personal serious accident, authorities said. The charge carries the possibility of up to a five-year prison sentence if he is convicted.

He was released from custody on a $100,000 personal bond, according to Farmington Hills Police Department officials. Derryberry is next expected in court for a pre-exam conference on Jan. 16.

Police determined that the RCOC plow truck was involved in the early-morning collision after reviewing evidence recovered from the vehicle and interviewing witnesses, officials said. The investigation is ongoing as detectives continue to gather information.

Farmington Hills Police Chief John Piggott praised the work of investigators and thanked the Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office for its support, saying the swift arrest may bring “some measure of closure for the family of the victim.”

The victim was found along Middlebelt Road early on New Year’s Day after a passerby reported seeing someone injured on the roadside. Police initially said the man appeared to have been struck by a vehicle, and investigators worked to identify the driver responsible.

There has been no comment yet from RCOC officials beyond acknowledging the agency is cooperating with investigators. Family members of the victim have not yet released public statements. Law enforcement has urged anyone with additional information about the collision to contact the Farmington Hills Police Department.

By: Tom Manke

01/07/2026

Trump says Cuba ‘ready to fall,’ claims communist government losing grip

Washington DC - Friends Community News Group, January 6, 2026, 11:00 p.m. ET - President Donald Trump said Cuba’s communist government is “ready to fall,” arguing that years of economic collapse, public unrest and pressure from the United States have left the island’s leadership on the brink.

Trump made the remarks while discussing U.S. policy toward Cuba, saying the regime is facing mounting internal strain from shortages, blackouts and popular dissatisfaction. He credited tougher sanctions during his administration with weakening Havana’s ability to sustain control and said renewed pressure would accelerate change.

“Cuba is in terrible shape,” Trump said, contending that the government is “running out of money and support” as living conditions deteriorate for ordinary Cubans.

Cuba has endured years of economic crisis, marked by food and medicine shortages, power outages and an exodus of migrants. Large-scale protests in recent years — among the biggest in decades — have underscored public frustration, even as authorities have responded with arrests and tighter controls.

U.S. officials and international observers say Cuba’s economy has been hit by a combination of mismanagement, declining tourism, reduced oil supplies, and the lingering effects of U.S. sanctions.

Trump has argued for maximum pressure on Havana, criticizing policies he says provide relief to the communist government without meaningful reforms. He has called for tougher enforcement of sanctions and stronger support for democratic change.

The Biden administration had taken a different approach, easing some restrictions related to travel and remittances while maintaining others. Critics say those steps have failed to deliver political openings; supporters argue they help Cuban families.

Trump said the United States should be prepared to back a transition if it comes, insisting that “freedom is coming” for the Cuban people.

By: Tom Manke
Photo: Miguel Díaz-Canel, President of Cuba (since Apr 19, 2018; re-elected on Oct 10, 2019)

01/07/2026

Meet Tyler Frelitz and Mersadeez Tottingham, owners of the New Restore 242 Restaurant in Downtown Chesaning.

Chesaning, MI - Friends Community News Group, January 6, 2026, 7:30 p.m. ET - What a fantastic experience I had on Tuesday at the new Restore 242 Restaurant. This is not just a restaurant for locals. This is a destination place.

The food was absolutely to die for... Just not today. As usual, I asked to be surprised and, surprise, I was. They brought me out first, a Mexican Street Corn Cheese Fry. There was a hint or aroma of being smoked. It was so good. As I was eating that, the kitchen brought me out a kitchen tour.

There was a Corn Rib, a Pork Belly Chicharrones, a Jumbo Chicken Wing with Rock and Rye BBQ, a Crab Mozzarella Cheese Stick, and a Smoked Rib with House BBQ. The RIb was so so moist.

When I put my fork down for the last time, out of the kitchen came a Cioppono Seafood Stew.

I had no sooner finished that when I was asked if I would like a dessert. I had to turn down the cheesecake.

The food was absolutely delicious, and the vibe was exquisite. They have on the 2nd floor an area where people can relax and enjoy each other's company. It is a lovely area to just chill.

My server did an excellent job - Becky Irland

Some people are interested in the following tidbit; if you aren't, that's okay... but some people want to know. The men's restroom was clean, well-lit, and spacious. I imagine the women's would be the same.

It is well worth the drive to Chesaning, again, to enjoy a great meal and a warm experience.

Tom Manke

01/06/2026

BREAKING UPDATE - ON Man shot d... after allegedly trying to ram deputies with van in Ypsilanti

YPSILANTI, MI - Friends Community News Group, January 6, 2026, 3:00 p.m. ET - A man is d... early Tuesday after being shot by law enforcement during a chaotic police pursuit in Ypsilanti, officials say.

The Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office says deputies attempted to stop a van traveling without headlights or a license plate near Michigan Avenue and Prospect Road at about 1:55 a.m. Tuesday, but the driver fled from authorities instead of pulling over.

The van drove the wrong way on Grove Road during the pursuit.

According to the sheriff’s office, the driver allegedly tried to ram sheriff’s deputy vehicles as the chase continued.
The pursuit ended at about 2:07 a.m. near Prospect and Towner Streets when the van crashed into a Washtenaw County sheriff’s vehicle, authorities said.

Dispatchers received calls that the suspect was armed with a shotgun, and at some point after the crash, shots were fired. The driver was later found dead at the scene.

No deputies or other law enforcement officers were reported injured during the incident, officials said. The sheriff’s office called the loss of life a tragedy and noted that, to respect the privacy of the individual and their family, the suspect’s identity has not been released at this time.

The case has been turned over to the Michigan State Police for investigation, and state police say their First District Investigation Section will prepare a report for prosecutors once the probe is complete.

“Any loss of life and any officer-involved shooting is a tragedy,” the sheriff’s office said in a statement.

As of the latest update, authorities have not released details on the suspect’s background, possible motive or whether charges would have been filed if the suspect had survived.

By: Tom Manke.
Image: Social Media

01/06/2026

A man was arrested after stealing a concrete truck and leaving a trail of destruction in his wake.

Falls Township, Pennsylvania - Friends Community News Group, January 6, 2026, 2:00 p.m. ET - Police in Bucks County say a man is behind bars after allegedly stealing a concrete truck and crashing it into multiple vehicles, utility poles, trees, and trash cans along a busy stretch of Bristol Pike, causing widespread damage but no reported serious injuries.
Authorities identified the suspect as Leon Johnson, of Morrisville.

The incident unfolded Monday morning, prompting a significant police response as 911 calls poured in reporting a concrete truck driving erratically and striking property along the roadway.

According to the Falls Township Police Department, Johnson is accused of stealing an Esco Concrete truck, driving it down Bristol Pike (Route 13), striking unoccupied vehicles, hitting multiple utility poles, striking multiple trees, taking out bushes and lawns.

Police state that Johnson did a considerable amount of damage to personal property on his truck-driving jaunt.

Police state that when they were able to get Johnson to stop, they were able to take him into custody without incident.

Police noted that Johnson appeared impaired at the time of his arrest, though toxicology testing is pending.

Johnson has been charged with numerous offenses, including:
Theft by unlawful taking
Receiving stolen property
Accidents involving damage to unattended vehicles or property
Failure to stop and give information
Additional related traffic and criminal offenses

Johnson was preliminarily arraigned before District Judge John Galloway, who set bail at $250,000. Johnson stated he couldn't post that kind of money and was remanded to the Bucks County Correctional Facility.

Police say the investigation remains active as damage assessments continue, and utility crews work to repair downed and damaged infrastructure along Bristol Pike.

A witness is reported as saying Johnson is just a Good Ole Boy.

By: Tom Manke

01/06/2026

BREAKING - Indiana State Police Seize $7 Million of Co***ne in Major I-70 Traffic Stop

Putnam County, Indiana - Friends Community News Group, January 6, 2026, 1:00 a.m. ET - Indiana law enforcement scored a significant drug bust over the weekend, seizing an estimated $7 million worth of co***ne hidden in a semi-truck during a routine traffic stop on Interstate 70 west of Indianapolis, authorities said.

Indiana State Police troopers pulled over a blue International semi-tractor-trailer at about 1:30 p.m. Saturday near the Cloverdale exit for a Department of Transportation compliance inspection. During the stop, officers observed “criminal indicators” while speaking with the driver and called in a K-9 unit, which gave a positive alert.

Once searched, officers uncovered 309 pounds of suspected co***ne hidden in the sleeper berth of the truck. The seized narcotics, authorities said, have an estimated street value of about $7 million — one of the largest roadside co***ne seizures in recent Indiana law-enforcement history.

The two occupants of the truck were immediately taken into custody without incident and transported to the Putnam County Jail. Both men now face felony narcotics dealing charges under Indiana law.

Officials identified the suspects as:
Gurpreet Singh, 25, of Fresno, California, and
Jasveer Singh, 30, of Santa Clara, California.

In addition to criminal charges, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations has placed deportation holds on both men due to their immigration status, authorities said.

Route and Interdiction Efforts
Investigators said the semi was traveling from Joplin, Missouri, to Richmond, Indiana, when officers made the stop.

Indiana Gov. Mike Braun publicly praised the State Police and their interdiction teams for removing the massive quantity of co***ne from the nation’s highways, emphasizing the state’s commitment to combating drug trafficking and keeping illegal substances out of Hoosier communities.

“Indiana has zero tolerance for drug traffickers,” Braun said in a news release, commending troopers for their proactive work.

The seizure was credited to full-time interdiction patrols with assistance from the Indiana State Police Drug Enforcement Section, the Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division, the Putnam County Sheriff’s Department, and federal partners including ICE.

The large seizure highlights ongoing efforts by state and federal agencies to disrupt illegal drug movement through the Midwest a known corridor for narcotics trafficking into and across the United States.

By: Tom Manke
Photo: Gurpreet Singh, 25, of Fresno, California, and Jasveer Singh, 30, of Santa Clara, California.

01/06/2026

Parents cheer move to cut back childhood vaccine recommendations, praise Kennedy’s push for fewer shots

Washington DC - Friends Community News Group, January 6, 2026, 12:10 a.m. ET - A growing number of American parents say they welcome the federal government’s decision to scale back childhood vaccine recommendations. They argue the move gives families more control over what goes into their children’s bodies and reins in what they see as an expanded vaccine schedule.

The changes were announced under Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has directed federal health agencies to reduce the number of vaccines routinely recommended for all children and shift several others to a shared decision-making model between parents and doctors.

Supporters of the move say it reflects what many Americans have been saying for years, that the U.S. childhood vaccine schedule grew dramatically compared with past decades and that parents want more say, not mandates, when it comes to medical decisions for their kids.

“This is about restoring trust and common sense,” Kennedy said in recent remarks, arguing that children today are recommended to receive far more shots than previous generations, even as other developed countries take more flexible approaches.

Public support and polling signals
While public opinion on vaccines remains divided, recent surveys show rising skepticism toward blanket vaccine mandates, particularly after the COVID-19 pandemic. Polls from Pew Research and other national survey groups have found that a sizable share of parents now favor fewer government requirements and greater parental choice, even while still supporting core vaccines for serious diseases.

Fox News Digital spoke with parents who said they are relieved to see federal officials acknowledge concerns long voiced by families who felt ignored by public-health bureaucracies.

“Parents aren’t anti-science,” said one Minnesota mother. “They’re anti being told they have no choice.”

What changed — and what didn’t
Federal officials stress that core childhood vaccines — including measles, polio and whooping cough — remain recommended, while others such as influenza, RSV and some hepatitis vaccines are no longer universally advised for all children and instead fall under individualized guidance.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says the revised guidance is intended to better reflect risk-based medicine, not eliminate access. States still control school vaccination requirements, meaning mandates have not automatically changed nationwide.

Some Public-health groups and pediatric associations have criticized the move, they claim they know what is best for children, not parents.

They warn that fewer recommendations could lead to lower vaccination rates and increased outbreaks. They argue that vaccines added in recent decades were introduced in response to scientific advances and disease prevention goals.

Kennedy and his allies counter that questioning the scope of government recommendations is not anti-vaccine, but pro-parent and pro-transparency, that children are not lab rats for scientists to try out different drugs on.

That children should not automatically be expected to receive vaccines that previous generations never faced as routine requirements.

The Bottom line is that parents today are doing more critical thinking and are asking questions. The debate highlights a broader shift in public sentiment. After what many parents called the COVID-19 debacle when the government wanted people to wear masks that could not stop COVID-19 from spreading. And making children wear masks that according to their own studies were useless.

More Americans are openly questioning federal health authority, particularly when it comes to children. Whether the policy change leads to long-term improvements in trust — or new public-health battles — remains to be seen.

For now, supporters say the message is clear: parents want fewer mandates, more choice and a seat at the table when it comes to their children’s health.

By: Tom Manke
Photo Robert Kennedy Jr

01/06/2026

BREAKING NEWS - Maduro appears in U.S. court, pleads not guilty to drug trafficking charges

New York - Friends Community News Group, January 5, 2026, 8:15 p.m. ET - Nicolás Maduro appeared in a U.S. federal court on Monday for the first time since his capture by U.S. forces, pleading not guilty to multiple charges including narco-terrorism, co***ne trafficking and conspiracy, according to court proceedings.

Maduro, 63, appeared before a federal judge in Manhattan, speaking through an interpreter and declaring, “I am innocent,” while insisting he remains Venezuela’s legitimate president.

His wife, Cilia Flores, who was also taken into U.S. custody, entered a not-guilty plea to related charges.

Prosecutors allege Maduro led a criminal enterprise that conspired with drug trafficking groups to move large quantities of co***ne into the United States. His defense team is expected to challenge the legality of his capture and argue he is protected by sovereign immunity.

The judge scheduled the next hearing for March, as Maduro remains held in federal custody. The case marks an unprecedented moment in U.S.–Venezuela relations and has drawn international attention and protests both supporting and opposing Maduro.

This is a developing story.

By: Liam Anderson
Photo: ABC News

01/06/2026

BREAKING - Grand Rapids Anti-War Organizer Jessica Plichta Arrested During Protest

Grand Rapids, MI - Friends Community News Group, January 5, 2025, 8:00 p.m. ET - Authorities arrested Jessica Plichta, a local anti-war organizer with Grand Rapids Opponents of War, on Sunday afternoon during a protest in downtown Grand Rapids, video and police reports show.

Plichta was speaking to reporters on camera when two Grand Rapids police officers approached and took her into custody, said multiple eyewitnesses and local media coverage of the incident.

Footage circulating on social media and confirmed by local broadcasts shows Plichta speaking to a news crew when officers arrived and arrested her on the sidewalk.

Police later confirmed she was arrested for:
Obstructing a roadway, and Failure to obey a lawful command from an officer during the protest.

The charges are misdemeanors under Michigan law relating to public order and compliance with police directions during demonstrations.

Plichta helped organize a protest through Grand Rapids Opponents of War, a local activist group that has held several demonstrations opposing U.S. military action abroad.

The protest where the arrest took place centered on public opposition to recent U.S. military action in Venezuela, including strikes and the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro.

Eyewitnesses say dozens of demonstrators marched through the streets with signs, including slogans such as “No U.S. war with Venezuela” and “Free Maduro Now."

Just before her arrest, Plichta told the news crew that demonstrators were there to apply pressure on U.S. policy. In her remarks, captured on video, she said:
“We have to apply pressure… It’s our tax dollars that are also being used to commit these war crimes.”

Jessica Plichta is a well-known organizer in the Grand Rapids community of anti-war opponents. The group has been active in anti-war demonstrations, especially in response to recent U.S. foreign policy moves.

According to The New Republic’s reporting, Plichta had recently returned from a solidarity trip to Venezuela about three weeks before the protest and spoke about her experiences there in the context of U.S. actions.

Grand Rapids Police Department officers conducted the arrest at the scene. So far, there has been no indication that additional charges are pending, and Grand Rapids police have not released a formal statement detailing the arrest or their reasons beyond the cited offenses.

Public reactions to the arrest have been mixed online, with some supporters calling the arrest an infringement on free speech, while others argue that protesters must comply with police commands. Local city officials have not yet commented publicly. (Social media reports summarizing reactions from bystanders.)

By: Liam Anderson
Photo: Social Media

01/06/2026

BREAKING NEWS - Missing teen Mackenzie Dalton still unaccounted for; police say case remains ‘endangered juvenile’ investigation

Lexington County, South Carolina - Friends Community News Group, January 5, 2926, 7:30 p.m. ET - Authorities are continuing an urgent search for Mackenzie Dalton, a 16-year-old girl who has been missing for weeks, with investigators warning that her safety remains a concern as of 7:30 p.m. Monday.

The Lexington County Sheriff’s Department said Dalton was last seen in late November after leaving her home in Lexington County.

She has since been classified as an endangered juvenile, a designation used when authorities believe a minor may be at risk.

Deputies say Dalton may be in the company of an adult male she knows. However, officials have not released the man’s identity and have not confirmed whether any criminal charges are pending against him. Investigators stress that the case remains active and that they are pursuing multiple leads.

Police have recovered Dalton’s vehicle as well as a suitcase believed to belong to her, but have not disclosed where those items were found or whether they provided new clues to her whereabouts. No confirmed sightings have been publicly reported since she disappeared.

Dalton is described as approximately 5 feet 4 inches tall, weighing about 118 pounds, with blonde hair and blue eyes. Authorities say she may have left voluntarily, but emphasize that her age and the length of time she has been missing elevate the concern for her well-being.

The sheriff’s department continues to ask the public for help, urging anyone with information — no matter how small — to come forward. Tips can be submitted anonymously through Crime Stoppers or directly to the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department.

Officials said there is no indication at this time that Dalton has been located or that the search has been scaled back.

“This investigation is ongoing,” authorities said, adding that deputies will continue following up on tips until Dalton is found.

This is a developing story. Updates will be released as new information becomes available.

By: Tom Manke

01/06/2026

Breaking - US Vice President J.D. Vance’s Home Attacked Overnight, Suspect Arrested

CINCINNATI, Ohio - Friends Community News Group, January 5, 2026, 7:00 p.m. ET - A man was arrested early Monday after he allegedly attacked the Cincinnati residence of US Vice President J.D. Vance, smashing windows and damaging property, law enforcement officials said.

The deranged hammer-wielding vandal who busted several windows at Vice President JD Vance’s home in Cincinnati is allegedly the son of a prominent millionaire family — and appears to have been going by “Julia” in recent weeks.

The incident occurred shortly after midnight in the East Walnut Hills neighbourhood, prompting a rapid response from the United States Secret Service and Cincinnati Police Department. Officers took 26-year-old William DeFoor into custody at the scene.

According to authorities and local media reports, DeFoor allegedly approached the property and used a hammer to break multiple windows at the residence and damaged a vehicle parked nearby. A Secret Service agent witnessed the alleged vandalism and confronted the suspect before Cincinnati police arrived and detained him.

Vance and his family were not at home at the time of the attack, having already returned to Washington, D.C. on Sunday. In a social media statement, the vice president thanked law enforcement for their quick response and referred to the assailant as a “crazy person” who attempted to break in by hammering the windows. He also appealed to media outlets to protect his children’s privacy by avoiding widespread publication of images showing the damaged home.

The suspect, William DeFoor, is a 26-year-old Cincinnati resident, according to police records. At this early stage of the investigation, law enforcement has not publicly stated a clear motive for the attack.

Authorities are continuing to review evidence, including surveillance footage and witness accounts, to determine whether the incident was politically motivated or driven by other personal factors.

DeFoor has a prior criminal history that includes earlier charges of trespassing and vandalism in 2023 and 2024, court records show. In previous cases, he was found not competent to stand trial and was ordered to receive treatment.

Charges the Suspect Faces
Local and federal prosecutors have filed multiple charges against DeFoor in connection with the alleged attack:

Local charges include:
Obstructing official business (second-degree misdemeanor)
Criminal damaging or endangering (second-degree misdemeanor)
Criminal trespass (fourth-degree misdemeanor)
Vandalism (fifth-degree felony)

Federal charges include:
Damaging government property
Engaging in physical violence against any person or property in a restricted building or grounds
Assaulting, resisting or impeding federal officers

The U.S. Secret Service is coordinating with local law enforcement and the U.S. Attorney’s Office as the legal process moves forward. DeFoor is expected to appear in court later in the week.

Authorities have not released further details on whether DeFoor has an attorney or if he has entered a plea.

By: Tom Manke

01/05/2026

BREAKING - Police in Hong Kong subdue a woman with 2 knives attacking police. Police in Lincoln Park shot a suicidal Man with a box cutter.

Allen Park, MI - Friends Community News Group, January 4, 2026, 11:30 p.m. ET - A 36-year-old man who police say was threatening to harm himself with a box cutter was shot by a Lincoln Park police officer Sunday afternoon. The suicidal Man was ordered to put a box cutter down, he refused, walked towards officers, and was shot.

In Communist Hong Kong, a woman had a meltdown while trying to pay her bill because her phone's battery had died. She grabbed 2 large kitchen knives and attacked the police. They never pulled a gun. They knocked her down as she was trying to knife them. And took her into custody.

A person working in the mental health field states that we see people being arrested the same way as Hong Kong arrested this woman in many other cities in the world. While in the United States, a suicidal person, as in the case where the person was only armed with a box cutter, is shot.

Critics state that a person trained in mental health should be the first person on the scene and not a police officer trained only to shoot a person until their weapon is empty.

The mental health expert stated, In the Allen Park incident, Responders were told the man had been placing the blade to his throat, according to police. In this case, the police acted as if the person were robbing a store. They ordered the suicidal man to drop the box cutter. When he didn't... they shot him.

The mental health expert stated that in Communist Hong Kong and other areas of the world, the police surround the person, as in this case, a woman with two very long knives who was trying to stab police, knock them down, and disarm them. She stated that it is only in the United States that Police are allowed to use deadly force to subdue a person.

Per the police funding data base .org that tracks publicly reported settlements and verdicts related to police misconduct (which includes shootings, excessive force, wrongful arrest, and other civil-rights violations), it shows at least about $3.96 billion in monetary compensation from such cases based on 403 publicly reported cases in the database as of late 2025.

A critic claims that the almost 4 billion paid out would have easily paid the costs of having trained mental health officials responding alongside officers trained to simply shoot in the upper mass until the perpetrator is compliant.

By: Liam Anderson

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