Breaking News in 2009
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DeJonge
11:40 am: Man guilty of murder, mutilation
KALKASKA — David DeJonge will spend life in prison for killing Sarah Wilson.
A Kalkaska County jury took less than two hours to convict DeJonge of first-degree murder and mutilation of a body. Jurors announced the verdict shortly before 5 p.m. Monday, capping a three-week trial that featured nearly 60 witnesses.
Police found Wilson's torso in a swampy area of Kalkaska County's Oliver Township on May 22, 2008. Her parents reported her missing May 12 after she didn't arrive at their Big Rapids home for a Mother's Day visit.
Wilson, 26 knew DeJonge, 46, for several years and lived with him in Bloomfield Township, her family said. DeJonge was supposed to drop her off in Big Rapids before continuing to a cabin his family owns in Kalkaska County's Orange Township.
The verdict pleased Kalkaska County Prosecutor Brian Donnelly.
"I feel like it was the correct decision," he said. "I feel sad for the family of this young lady ... this is the kind of case where you can't help but get to know these people well."
Donnelly said an "interlocking series of things" helped jurors convict DeJonge: Wilson's blood was found on a wheelbarrow in his cabin and boots in his Bloomfield Township home, he repeatedly changed his story about when he saw her last, and testimony of a jail inmate who heard DeJonge say he "chopped up" his girlfriend.
"When you collect it all together, it's just too much," Donnelly said.
A sentencing date has not been scheduled.
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10:30 am: Stove likely cause of fatal fire
A deadly Christmas morning fire originated near the family's wood-burning stove, officials said today.
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10:15 am: Lake effect snow expected Friday
The National Weather Service in Gaylord has issued a lake effect snow watch, in effect from Friday morning through Saturday morning.
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11:12 am: Historic barn spared in blaze
EMPIRE — Officials are looking into what caused a fire that destroyed a wood shed adjacent to a historic barn in northern Benzie County.
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9:40 am: GMAC to get more federal aid
The government was moving ahead Wednesday on a fresh multibillion dollar cash infusion to stabilize auto financing company GMAC Financial Services, according to a person with knowledge of the matter.
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6:30 pm: GT may scrap committee system
The Grand Traverse County board may scrap a committee system that officials said dates "from the start of time."
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7:15 am: Film Fest plans comedy event
TRAVERSE CITY -- Northern Michigan could use some laughs in the icy throes of late winter, and the Traverse City Film Festival wants to make the region smile.
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The festival today will unveil plans for the inaugural Traverse City Comedy Arts Festival. - December 22, 2009
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12:28 pm: Man arrested for assault on father
TRAVERSE CITY — Police arrested a Traverse City man after he allegedly assaulted his father.
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Traverse City Police responded to a complaint Monday near Boardman Avenue and 8th Street. The victim, 40, of Traverse City, told police that his son assaulted him after an argument. -
9:45 am: State files suit over Asian carp
TRAVERSE CITY -- Michigan asked the U.S. Supreme Court on Monday to sever a century-old connection between the Great Lakes and the Mississippi River system to prevent Asian carp from invading the lakes and endangering their $7 billion fishery.
Continued ... - December 18, 2009
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10:10 pm: Packed agenda for final meeting
A busy agenda with a myriad of topics awaits Traverse City commissioners at their last scheduled meeting of the year.
Continued ... - December 17, 2009
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1:30 pm: Winning charities announced
Cherryland Humane Society took the top spot in this year's annual Shop Your Community Day fundraiser.
Continued ... - December 16, 2009
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1:17 pm: Crash victims identified
INTERLOCHEN — A Frankfort woman and her father died in a Grand Traverse County traffic crash.
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Nancy Mueller, 62, and passenger Louis Mueller, 91, died in a crash on U.S. 31 near Morgan Run Drive in Green Lake Township at about noon Tuesday. - December 15, 2009
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5:50 pm: Two dead after U.S. 31 crash
The head-on collision occurred around noon Tuesday on U.S. 31 South, just east of Gonder Road in Green Lake Township.
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3:39 pm: Local projects gain state funding
TRAVERSE CITY — Three projects in northern Michigan were among 18 approved for state tax credits through the Michigan Economic Development Corp.
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1:50 pm: Kids' Swine flu shots recalled
Hundreds of thousands of swine flu shots for children have been recalled because tests indicate the vaccine doses lost some strength, government health officials said Tuesday.
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8 am: Illinois prison to get Gitmo detainees
The White House plans to announce today that the government will acquire a state prison in rural Illinois to be the new home for terrorist suspects held at Guantanamo.
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10:30 am: Stove likely cause of fatal fire
