1/20/2025

CRYSTAL FALLS - A verdict has been reached after a seven-day murder trial in Iron County, Michigan Court in Crystal Falls.  71-year-old James Clement was originally charged with four felonies, including second-degree murder, manslaughter, and two counts of lying to a police officer. He has only been convicted on two charges, the lesser offense of involuntary manslaughter and lying to a peace officer. Clement was also denied bail and will be remanded pending his sentencing.  Clement’s sentencing is scheduled for March 3 at 10:30 a.m. 

1/20/2025

UPPER MICHIGAN - Attorneys for four tribal nations and environmental groups have filed motions with the Michigan Court of Appeals to overturn the state’s approval of the Enbridge Line 5 tunnel project. The tribes and groups contend that the pipeline expansion threatens the health of the Great Lakes and disregards tribal and ecological concerns. The twin pipelines would carry crude oil and liquid natural gas under the Straits of Mackinac and pose a spill risk to Lakes Michigan and Huron. According to one of the environmental groups, the pipeline would be transporting flammable product, and any type of spill cleanup would be costly and difficult to complete. Enbridge is waiting for permitting from the Army Corps of Engineers which has delayed that approval until a full environmental study could be completed, which in draft form could be released this spring.

1/17/2025

ASHLAND - An Ashland man who witnessed and video recorded the incident that led to the shooting deaths of brothers Manuel and Luis Garcia Salas was called to testify.

Co-owner of Taqueria La Monarca, Aquiles Garcia testified that he and the brothers went to the Stagecoach and when they entered Monkelien made a racial comment and that he had actually had a conversation with Monkelien as the bar was closing. Later, Monkelien approached him holding a metal bar while he was in his vehicle and the brothers walked up to speak to him Garcia said it then that he started recording the confrontation, with Manuel Salas brandishing what appeared to be a knife and speaking to Monkelien. Garcia turned off the camera the sound of the metal bar hitting the ground could be heard and then several gunshots being fired. Garcia said he saw the gun, and moved because he thought he might get hit. He then called the brother of the two men, Ricardo Garcia to let him know what happened. He said he didn’t call the police right after the event and that Ricardo Garcia didn’t return to the taqueria the next day. The trial is expected to continue throughout the rest of the month. Monkelien is facing life in prison if convicted.