https://www.benclevenger.comRSS Feed for Ben ClevengerenSun, 23 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0100https://www.wnem.com/2026/08/23/michigan-native-jakob-marsee-celebrates-roots-with-custom-bat-mlb-players-weekend/SAGINAW, Mich. (WNEM) - Players’ Weekend is underway across Major League Baseball, giving players a chance to show off a little more personality on the field. For one Michigan native, that means bringing a piece of home to the batter’s box. Miami Marlins outfielder and former Central Michigan Chippewa Jakob Marsee — a sixth-round pick in the 2022 MLB draft — is using a one-of-a-kind, hand-painted bat that celebrates his Michigan roots. The bat is painted maroon and gold to represent Central Mi...Sun, 23 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0100https://www.wnem.com/2026/08/23/michigan-native-jakob-marsee-celebrates-roots-with-custom-bat-mlb-players-weekend/https://www.wnem.com/2026/08/02/tigers-dodgers-finalize-tarik-skubal-trade/DETROIT, Mich. (WNEM) - The Detroit Tigers and Los Angeles Dodgers have finalized a blockbuster trade sending two-time Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal to Los Angeles in exchange for outfielder Zyhir Hope and right-handers River Ryan and Brady Smith, according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan. Skubal, 29, is set to become a free agent at the end of the season. He missed time earlier this year after undergoing arthroscopic elbow surgery, an injury that likely ended his pursuit of a third consecutive Cy Y...Sun, 02 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0100https://www.wnem.com/2026/08/02/tigers-dodgers-finalize-tarik-skubal-trade/https://www.wnem.com/2026/04/15/saginaw-police-announce-passing-william-ruth/SAGINAW, Mich. (WNEM) - The Saginaw Police Department announced on social media that William “Bill” Ruth died at 4:57 a.m. Wednesday, April 15, 2026. He was 74.The department said Ruth served with the Saginaw Police Department from 1974 until his retirement in 2001. During his career, he worked in patrol, community policing, narcotics and traffic services.His obituary is available here.“We extend our deepest condolences to Bill’s family, friends and all who had the honor of working alongside him...Wed, 15 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0100https://www.wnem.com/2026/04/15/saginaw-police-announce-passing-william-ruth/https://www.wnem.com/2026/04/15/genessee-county-road-commission-closes-webster-road-due-sinkhole/VIENNA TWP., Mich. (WNEM) - The Genesee County Road Commission will temporarily close Webster Road between Lake Road and Farrand Road due to a sinkhole forming.Buses and emergency services will still be able to pass through.There is no word yet on when it is expected to reopen.Subscribe to the WNEM TV5 newsletter and receive the latest local news and weather straight to your email every day.Copyright 2026 WNEM. All rights reserved. VIENNA TWP., Mich. (WNEM) - The Genesee County Road Commission...Wed, 15 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0100https://www.wnem.com/2026/04/15/genessee-county-road-commission-closes-webster-road-due-sinkhole/https://www.wnem.com/2026/04/15/genesee-county-road-commission-announces-lane-closure-elms-road/FLUSHING TWP., Mich. (WNEM) - The Genesee County Road Commission announced the closure of the southbound lane of Elms Road between River Road and Flushing Road on Thursday, April 16, as a contractor completes work to prepare for an upcoming construction project.Two-way traffic will be maintained.The road commission said motorists should allow additional time to reach their destination.Subscribe to the WNEM TV5 newsletter and receive the latest local news and weather straight to your email every...Wed, 15 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0100https://www.wnem.com/2026/04/15/genesee-county-road-commission-announces-lane-closure-elms-road/https://www.wnem.com/2026/04/15/tigers-sign-mcgonigle-8-year-extension/DETROIT, Mich. (WNEM) - The Tigers announced Wednesday that they had agreed to an eight-year contract extension with rookie infielder Kevin McGonigle guaranteed $150 million.McGonigle is the Tigers’ No. 1 prospect and the second-ranked prospect in baseball. So far in his first season in the big leagues, McGonigle is batting .311 with six doubles and eight RBIs. McGonigle has reached base in 15 of 16 games this season and is one of only 10 players in Major League Baseball with more walks (11) tha...Wed, 15 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0100https://www.wnem.com/2026/04/15/tigers-sign-mcgonigle-8-year-extension/https://www.wnem.com/2026/04/08/arenac-county-man-wins-500000-playing-michigan-lotterys-electric-50s-instant-game/LANSING, Mich. (WNEM) - An Arenac County man and his wife are now $500,000 richer after playing the Michigan Lottery’s Electric 50s instant game.“I was on my way home from work and stopped to buy a lottery ticket,” said Patrick Jedrzejczyk, of Alger. “There are a few scratch-off games I usually play, Electric 50s being one of them, and that’s what game I just happened to pick that day. I scratched the ticket when I got in my car and went numb when I saw I won $500,000. I called my wife and said:...Wed, 08 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0100https://www.wnem.com/2026/04/08/arenac-county-man-wins-500000-playing-michigan-lotterys-electric-50s-instant-game/https://www.wnem.com/2026/04/08/michigan-antique-festivals-spring-tradition-returns-midland-county-fairgrounds/MIDLAND, Mich. (WNEM) - Continuing its spring tradition of more than 50 years, Michigan Antique Festivals will return to the Midland County Fairgrounds on Saturday and Sunday, May 30-31, bringing more vendors than ever before. In addition to antique and vintage dealers, Midland Antique Festival features Mid-Michigan’s largest classic car show, a legendary automotive swap meet, live acoustic music, an expanded lineup of food trucks and vendors and on-site family camping. The festival is also intr...Wed, 08 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0100https://www.wnem.com/2026/04/08/michigan-antique-festivals-spring-tradition-returns-midland-county-fairgrounds/https://www.wnem.com/2026/04/08/clio-high-school-hosts-arrive-alive-tour-teach-students-about-impaired-driving/CLIO, Mich. (WNEM) - Students at Clio Area High School learned about the dangers and consequences of driving while under the influence today.The school hosted the Arrive Alive Tour, a nationally recognized program that uses a high-tech driving simulation to show students the real dangers of distracted and impaired driving without the real-life consequences.“It gives them an idea of what the real-life consequences would be if they were impaired or distracted while driving, but they don’t have the...Wed, 08 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0100https://www.wnem.com/2026/04/08/clio-high-school-hosts-arrive-alive-tour-teach-students-about-impaired-driving/https://www.wnem.com/2026/04/08/construction-begins-roundabout-mundy-township/MUNDY TWP., Mich. (WNEM) - The Genesee County Road Commission will begin construction on a roundabout at the intersection of Fenton Road and Baldwin Road on Monday, April 20.Weather permitting, the road is expected to reopen to traffic in mid-August. The intersection will be closed to all traffic during the project.The posted detour will take drivers from Thompson Road to Torrey Road to Grand Blanc Road to Dort Highway, and vice versa.The road commission says drivers should allow additional time...Wed, 08 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0100https://www.wnem.com/2026/04/08/construction-begins-roundabout-mundy-township/https://www.wnem.com/2026/04/06/easter-sunday-apartment-fire-displaces-17-bay-county/HAMPTON TWP., Mich. (WNEM) - Seventeen people are displaced after an Easter Sunday fire damaged a Bay County apartment complex.Fire crews were called to the Golfview Apartments off Hampton Road in Hampton Township Sunday afternoon.According to complex management, two buildings were affected, with at least two units heavily damaged.“I’m just sitting there watching TV, heard a fire alarm going off, and I went back to my bedroom and there was smoke everywhere,” said Logan Gillespie, a resident.Resi...Mon, 06 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0100https://www.wnem.com/2026/04/06/easter-sunday-apartment-fire-displaces-17-bay-county/https://www.wnem.com/2026/03/16/michigan-earns-1-seed-michigan-state-earns-3-seed-mens-march-madness-tournament/SAGINAW, Mich. (WNEM) - Michigan and Michigan State have learned where they will be playing in the first round of the Men’s March Madness tournament. For the fourth time in program history, Michigan earned a No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament and will be the top team in the Midwest Regional, the NCAA selection committee announced Sunday March 15. The Wolverines previously earned No. 1 seeds in 1985 (Southeast; second round), 1993 (West; national runner-up) and 2021 (East; Elite Eight). The Wolver...Mon, 16 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000https://www.wnem.com/2026/03/16/michigan-earns-1-seed-michigan-state-earns-3-seed-mens-march-madness-tournament/https://www.wnem.com/2026/03/11/mdot-continue-lane-shoulder-closures-i-75-saginaw-county-bridge-improvements/SAGINAW CO., Mich. (WNEM) - The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) will continue work on a $10.1 million investment to improve five bridges on I-75 between Maple Road and Riverview Drive beginning Monday, March 23.The project is expected to last until July 2026.Traffic will be maintained with lane closures, shoulder closures and lane shifts within the project area.The Riverview Drive, Townline Road, Busch Road and Maple Road bridges will be closed, and traffic will be detoured to the C...Wed, 11 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000https://www.wnem.com/2026/03/11/mdot-continue-lane-shoulder-closures-i-75-saginaw-county-bridge-improvements/https://www.wnem.com/2026/03/11/harrison-man-arrested-after-online-predator-sting/HARRISON, Mich. (WNEM) - A sergeant with the Clare County Sheriff’s Office arrested Richard Todd Shank, 44, at his residence, 11940 E. Long Lake Road, on Saturday, March 7, 2026, at about 10:31 a.m., following a multi-day online predator investigation.The investigation was initiated after the nonprofit organization Bikers Against Predators contacted the sheriff’s office. The group had been communicating with Shank online for several days prior to the arrest. During this time, Shank had been comm...Wed, 11 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000https://www.wnem.com/2026/03/11/harrison-man-arrested-after-online-predator-sting/https://www.wnem.com/2026/03/11/wilson-doc-smith-former-saginaw-high-school-principal-dies/SAGINAW, Mich. (WNEM) - A retired Saginaw Public School District leader who served as the principal of Saginaw High School for nearly three decades died this week, the district said.Wilson “Doc” Smith died Sunday, March 8, the district said.There is no obituary information posted at the time of publication.Smith, a longtime educator and respected leader in the Saginaw Public School District, is being remembered for a career that shaped generations of students and helped guide the district throug...Wed, 11 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000https://www.wnem.com/2026/03/11/wilson-doc-smith-former-saginaw-high-school-principal-dies/https://www.wnem.com/2026/03/11/coleman-man-arrested-multiple-assault-firearm-charges/COLEMAN, Mich. (WNEM) - A Coleman man has been arrested after assaulting two juvenile males and a 33-year-old female.Midland County Sheriff’s Office deputies were dispatched to a Warren Township residence on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, at approximately 1:30 a.m. for an assault complaint.When they arrived, deputies spoke to a 33-year-old female who identified herself as the live-in girlfriend of the suspect, her 15-year-old son, and a 17-year-old male who was later identified as the son of the suspe...Wed, 11 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000https://www.wnem.com/2026/03/11/coleman-man-arrested-multiple-assault-firearm-charges/https://www.wnem.com/2026/03/05/skubal-cabrera-among-tigers-heading-world-baseball-classic/DETROIT, Mich. (WNEM) - The World Baseball Classic, billed as the world’s largest international baseball tournament, begins tonight, and players with ties to the Detroit Tigers, Great Lakes Loons and Central Michigan University will all compete to bring the trophy home to their countries of origin.The WBC is a global, MLB‑backed tournament featuring national teams from around the world. Clubs are divided into pools for round‑robin play, with the top teams advancing to a knockout bracket that cul...Thu, 05 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000https://www.wnem.com/2026/03/05/skubal-cabrera-among-tigers-heading-world-baseball-classic/https://www.wnem.com/2026/03/04/moving-vietnam-veterans-memorial-return-genesee-county/Genesee Co., Mich. (WNEM) - Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 175 of Genesee County is bringing the Moving Vietnam Veterans Memorial for the fifth time to Bluebell Beach, in Flint, this summer. The wall will be set up July 29th and will be open to the public 24 hours a day from July 30th until August 2nd, 2026.The chapter says this will be its “Last Hurrah.” After helping veterans and their community since 1984, the chapter will retire soon.The chapter says the Vietnam Veterans Memorial is a p...Wed, 04 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000https://www.wnem.com/2026/03/04/moving-vietnam-veterans-memorial-return-genesee-county/https://www.wnem.com/2026/03/04/attorney-general-reissues-ai-scam-alert/LANSING, Mich. (WNEM) - Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel reissuing her Artificial Intelligence and Scams alert to warn residents about the growing use of artificial intelligence (AI) by scammers to take advantage of consumers.Nessel said AI is being misused to create realistic deep-fake audio and video scams.Scammers can clone a person’s voice using audio data collected from public social media posts or videos, Nessel said. They can then call victims, spoofing the phone number of a loved on...Wed, 04 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000https://www.wnem.com/2026/03/04/attorney-general-reissues-ai-scam-alert/https://www.wnem.com/2026/03/04/bavarian-inn-restaurant-bavarian-inn-lodge-host-easter-dinners-takeout-options/FRANKENMUTH, Mich. (WNEM) - The Bavarian Inn Restaurant and Bavarian Inn Lodge are hosting Easter dining options on Sunday April 5th. Dining options that day include meals at the restaurant and the lodge’s annual “Bountiful Easter Buffet.” Families looking to celebrate at home can order the restaurant’s popular takeout dinner in advance for pickup. This year the lodge’s annual Easter Day Bountiful Buffet will offer seating between 11 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. The menu includes salad and dessert tables,...Wed, 04 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000https://www.wnem.com/2026/03/04/bavarian-inn-restaurant-bavarian-inn-lodge-host-easter-dinners-takeout-options/https://www.wnem.com/2026/03/04/roscommon-man-arrested-delivery-narcotics/ALPENA CO., Mich. (WNEM) - A Roscommon man was arrested on charges of delivering narcotics.Michigan State Police (MSP) said on Feb. 19 around 10:30 p.m., troopers from the MSP’s Alpena Post conducted a traffic stop on 11th Avenue near Park Street in Alpena for a vehicle violation. MSP said the vehicle was initially slow to stop after troopers activated their emergency lights. Troopers said the delayed stop and other observations suggested possible criminal activity.A consent search of the vehicl...Wed, 04 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000https://www.wnem.com/2026/03/04/roscommon-man-arrested-delivery-narcotics/https://www.wnem.com/2026/02/19/cmu-announces-contract-extension-head-womens-basketball-coach-kristin-haynie/MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. (WNEM) - Central Michigan University (CMU) Athletics and head women’s basketball coach Kristin Haynie have agreed to a two-year contract extension that will run through the 2028-29 season, Zyzelewski Family Vice President/Director of Athletics Amy Folan announced Tuesday.“Under her vision and leadership, Kristin continues to build our program to be a leader in the Mid-American Conference,” Folan said. “In her third season here, she has elevated the trajectory of our program...Thu, 19 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000https://www.wnem.com/2026/02/19/cmu-announces-contract-extension-head-womens-basketball-coach-kristin-haynie/https://www.wnem.com/2026/02/11/flint-city-bucks-announce-2026-home-schedule/FLINT, Mich. (WNEM) - The Flint City Bucks have finalized their schedule for this summer of semi-professional soccer in Flint and Genesee County.The Bucks, entering their 30th season, return to USL League Two as the defending champions of the Central Conference and Great Lakes Division. The club will look to reach the USL League Two postseason for the seventh consecutive season, the club’s entire tenure at Kettering University’s iconic Atwood Stadium in downtown Flint.They first will play a 12-m...Wed, 11 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000https://www.wnem.com/2026/02/11/flint-city-bucks-announce-2026-home-schedule/https://www.wnem.com/2025/12/14/tigers-sign-rhp-kenley-jansen-one-year-deal/DETROIT, Mich. (WNEM) - The Tigers have agreed to a one-year, $11 million contract that includes a club option with 16-year veteran and four-time All-Star closer Kenley Jansen, pending a physical.Jansen, 38, began his major-league career with the Los Angeles Dodgers (2010-21) and has since pitched for several clubs. He originally signed as a catcher and appeared with the Great Lakes Loons in 2007-08 before converting to pitching.He spent the 2025 season with the Los Angeles Angels, throwing 59 i...Sun, 14 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000https://www.wnem.com/2025/12/14/tigers-sign-rhp-kenley-jansen-one-year-deal/https://www.wnem.com/2025/11/13/tarik-skubal-wins-2025-american-league-cy-young-award/DETROIT, Mich. (WNEM) - Tarik Skubal has been named the American League (AL) Cy Young award winner for the 2025 Major League Baseball (MLB) season, beating out fellow finalists Hunter Brown (Astros) and Garrett Crochet (Red Sox).Skubal, 28, has solidified his status as one of MLB’s best pitchers, securing his second consecutive AL Cy Young award after a breakout season last year, which also saw him win the Triple Crown.The Triple Crown is an award that is given to a player if they lead in the ma...Thu, 13 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0000https://www.wnem.com/2025/11/13/tarik-skubal-wins-2025-american-league-cy-young-award/https://www.wnem.com/2025/09/17/two-loons-selected-midwest-league-all-star-team/MIDLAND, Mich. (WNEM) - Josue De Paula and Kendall George have been named as two of the three outfielders on the Midwest League All Star team for their performances in the 2025 season.De Paula, the Los Angeles Dodgers #1 prospect and #12 prospect overall according to MLB.com, was second in the Midwest League in walks with 81 in 98 games. The Brooklyn, New York native, who turned 20 on May 24th, played in 93 games as a teenager with Great Lakes dating back to last season. In 2025, De Paula posted...Wed, 17 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0100https://www.wnem.com/2025/09/17/two-loons-selected-midwest-league-all-star-team/https://www.wnem.com/2025/08/20/former-central-michigan-university-baseball-player-files-lawsuit-alleging-assault-retaliation/MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. (WNEM) - A lawsuit has been filed against Central Michigan University (CMU) and some members of its athletic department, accusing a coach of physically assaulting a student athlete and the university of retaliation. The complaint filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan on August 19, 2025, obtained via public court records (Case No. 1:25-cv-12575), details the accusations of former CMU pitcher Dean Brown. Brown claims that CMU pitching coach Aar...Wed, 20 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0100https://www.wnem.com/2025/08/20/former-central-michigan-university-baseball-player-files-lawsuit-alleging-assault-retaliation/https://www.wnem.com/2025/08/14/former-cmu-baseball-star-ties-marlins-single-game-record/CLEVELAND, Ohio (WNEM) - Jakob Marsee, a former CMU Chippewa, has tied the Miami Marlins single game RBI record with 7 RBIs in a game yesterday against the Cleveland Guardians.Marsee started his day in the first inning with a 3-run home run off Gavin Williams giving the Marlins a 4-0 lead. Marsee’s second career home run went 403 feet and came off the bat at 105.4 mph.Marsee didn’t stop there, he added to his RBI total with another home run, this time a 2-run home run in the 5th that gave the Ma...Thu, 14 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0100https://www.wnem.com/2025/08/14/former-cmu-baseball-star-ties-marlins-single-game-record/https://www.wnem.com/2025/08/14/ncaa-informs-michigan-ruling-sign-stealing-investigation-will-be-released-friday/ANN ARBOR, Mich. (WNEM) - The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) has informed the University of Michigan that they will announce the results of its sign-stealing investigation, according to the Associated Press.The NCAA investigation surfaced early in the 2023 season with allegations that Michigan used in person scouting and sign-stealing operations during the 2022 season conducted by Connor Stalions, a former low-level staffer who was suspended by the school and later resigned.In t...Thu, 14 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0100https://www.wnem.com/2025/08/14/ncaa-informs-michigan-ruling-sign-stealing-investigation-will-be-released-friday/https://www.wnem.com/2025/07/10/mcdonalds-michigan-breaks-guinness-world-record-longest-game-telephone/DETROIT, Mich. (WNEM) - McDonald’s of Michigan made history at Comerica Park by setting a new Guinness World Record for the Longest Game of Telephone.1,847 fans joined in on the fun during the Detroit Tigers vs. Minnesota Twins game on June 27.The phrase that broke the record? “The Snack Wrap is coming back. Pass it on.”The telephone game was organized by the Michigan Operators Business Association in partnership with Doner, a Detroit-based creative agency. It served as a playful and nostalgic w...Thu, 10 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0100https://www.wnem.com/2025/07/10/mcdonalds-michigan-breaks-guinness-world-record-longest-game-telephone/