Our network

Crime
New 14th Circuit Court judge named
News
Police get high-priority tips in search ...

Second woman investigated for false Heeringa fundraiser

Submitted by Christa Graban, Producer
Tuesday, May 21st, 2013, 1:18pm

ROOSEVELT PARK, Mich. (WZZM) - The case against a second woman, accused of falsely collecting money for the family of Jessica Heeringa, is on its way to the Muskegon County prosecutor.

Roosevelt Park Police are not releasing the suspect's name, but say she's a local woman in her 50s.

Officers are trying to determine if this latest case is connected to another fundraising scheme allegedly involving 56-year-old Joann Vaughn. Investigators say Vaughn stood outside the Roosevelt Park Walmart and a nearby strip mall, asking for donations on behalf of Heeringa's four-year-old son. Vaughn is facing one count of larceny by false pretenses. Police say both suspects claim they do not know each other.

Heeringa disappeared from her job at a Norton Shores gas station on April 26. Police believe she was abducted. They continue to follow credible leads about her disappearance

View Comments | Post a Comment
Share: Facebook Twitter

Community Sponsors

Campbell’s Automotive & 24 Hr Towing
Quality Service in a Timely Manner
Fruitport Chiropractic / Pathways to Health
Watch video
A Pathway to Health!
PAINLESS ALLERGY ASSESSMENT
Mortgages by Mario
Watch video
Own your own home with Mario the Mortgage Man’s help
Chandonnet Builders LLC
Watch video
If you can dream it...we can build it!
All Community Sponsors

Man arrested for shooting girlfriend

Submitted by Bob Brenzing, Web Producer
Tuesday, May 21st, 2013, 1:03pm

MUSKEGON, Mich. (WZZM) - A Muskegon man is facing charges after police say he shot his girlfriend and tried to shoot her sister.

Darrius Lavelle Brown, 22, will be charged with two counts of assault with intent to murder.

Police believe the shootings took place inside a home in the 1400 block of Hoyt Street.  Officers say Brown got into a fight with his 22-year-old girlfriend, then pulled out a gun, shooting her twice.

She was taken to Hackley Hospital and is expected to recover.  Police say Brown also fired at his girlfriend's sister, but missed her.

Brown arrived at the hospital with a single gunshot wound and is expected to recover. Police are not looking for any other suspects in the crime.

Prosecutors say Brown has a long criminal history and was on parole at the time of the shootings.

View Comments | Post a Comment
Share: Facebook Twitter

New 14th Circuit Court judge named

Submitted by Christa Graban, Producer
Monday, May 20th, 2013, 1:59pm
New 14th Circuit Court judge named

MUSKEGON, Mich.—Governor Snyder is naming a new judge to the 14th Circuit Court in Muskegon County.

Muskegon native Kathy Hoogstra will finish out Judge John C. Ruck’s term.  Hoogstra has served as a Muskegon County Probate Court administrator and register since 2007. She previously served as the Muskegon County Family Court referee and contract attorney/public defender, as well as judicial law clerk for the Muskegon County Circuit Court. 

 Hoogstra is also an active member of the Muskegon County Bar Association and Women’s Lawyer’s Association of Michigan, Lakeshore Region.

Read More
View Comments | Post a Comment
Share: Facebook Twitter

Police get high-priority tips in search for Jessica

Submitted by Bob Brenzing, Web Producer
Monday, May 20th, 2013, 1:58pm

NORTON SHORES, Mich. (AP) - Police looking for a 25-year-old woman who disappeared from her job at a West Michigan gas station last month say they're investigating high-priority tips received over the weekend.

Details aren't being released. Norton Shores police Chief Dan Shaw says that "every piece of information we get is beneficial." Shaw says there are a "couple tips" about the case of Jessica Heeringa that have been actively investigated since Sunday.

Heeringa disappeared April 26 before she was set to close the station in Norton Shores, near Muskegon. Police said there was no indication of a robbery, and a task force is investigating. Police have released a description of a silver minivan and a man seen in the area.

 

View Comments | Post a Comment
Share: Facebook Twitter

Community Sponsors

Kelly Auto Electric Inc.
The Customer Always Comes First
Get 4 FREE Oil Changes
Sky Images Tattooing
Watch video
Muskegons Oldest operating Professional Tattooing Establishment
All Community Sponsors

Dispute over motorcycle safety signs

Submitted by Stacia Kalinoski, Multimedia Journalist
Sunday, May 19th, 2013, 7:50pm

NORTON SHORES, Mich. (WZZM) --  May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month.

One Norton Shores resident is trying to promote that, but he and the city disagree on one detail.

It's creating a stir among the Lakeshore motorcycle community. Joe Kidd is one of the few with two views of the road.

One is from his Harley; the other is from long hours in his semi-truck.

He's seen his fair share of accidents, and near-accidents, involving motorcycles.

Read More
View Comments | Post a Comment
Share: Facebook Twitter

Mona Shores student wins car in Ride with Pride contest

Submitted by Chris Zoladz, Multi-Media Producer, WZZM 13
Friday, May 17th, 2013, 5:47pm

NORTON SHORES, Mich. (WZZM) -- A Junior at Mona Shores High School no longer has to ask to borrow her parents' car.

17-year old Paige Wissner now has her own Ford Fusion. The car was the grand prize for the year-long Ride with Pride event.

Prosecutors, police, and Norton Shores merchants worked together to encourage the students at Mona Shores to pledge to stay off drugs, earn good grades, and practice safe driving habits.

"It will be a big help to me because I am going to go to cosmetology school and I needed a car, so I am super excited," said Paige Wissner.

Dozens of other students won other prizes for food, iPods, and gift cards.

View Comments | Post a Comment
Share: Facebook Twitter

Warrant issued for Heeringa charity imposter

Submitted by Bob Brenzing, Web Producer
Friday, May 17th, 2013, 5:01pm

MUSKEGON, Mich. (WZZM) - An arrest warrant has been issued for woman accused of asking for money under the pretense of helping a missing Norton Shores woman.

Joann Vaughn, 56, will be charged with one count of larceny by false pretenses, less than $200.  The charge is a misdemeanor that could net her 93 days in jail and fines up to $500.  She is not yet in custody.

Read More
View Comments | Post a Comment
Share: Facebook Twitter