Kalamazoo's Mayor and a City Commissioner defend the decision to remove the Fountain of the Pioneers from Bronson Park. Michigan health officials confirms a case of measles in the Detroit area. WMU softball's eight game winning streak ends.
Kalamazoo Mayor Bobby Hopewell and City Commissioner Don Cooney say the city is not trying to erase history by removing the Fountain of the Pioneers from Bronson Park. Hopewell and Cooney issued a statement Wednesdaysaying the decision to remove the fountain and the sculpture by Alphonso Ianelli was “difficult.” The sculpture has been criticized for depicting a white settler standing over a Native American with a club. Hopewell and Cooney say removing the statue won’t immediately resolve all of the racial issues in the city, but they say it is a recognition that symbols matter. Historic preservationists say it’s a work of art that should be preserved. Hopewell and Cooney say that the plan is to remove the sculpture from the park and display it somewhere else.
Michigan health officials are confirming a recent passenger at Detroit Metro Airport had the measles – the first case reported in the state this year. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services says a person from Washtenaw County was infected with measles…when they traveled through Detroit Metro on March 6th. State officials say anyone near the customs or baggage area during that afternoon should seek medical attention if they begin to show signs of the disease. Symptoms include having a fever, being sensitive to light, or developing red eyes or a red rash. Measles can incubate for almost two weeks. The virus can lead to conditions like pneumonia and in some cases can prove fatal.
In softball, Western Michigan’s eight game winning streak ended with a 9-6 loss to Fort WayneWednesday. The Broncos are off until next week. They will play their next eight games on the road, beginning Wednesday at Notre Dame.