Gov. Whitmer Lowers Flags to Honor 10,000 Michigan Lives Lost to COVID-19
(December 8, 2020 3:25 PM) Governor Gretchen Whitmer has ordered U.S. and Michigan flags within the State Capitol Complex and upon all public buildings and grounds across the state of Michigan to be lowered to half-staff for 10 days -- representing one day per 1,000 deaths – immediately on Tuesday, December 8 through Friday, December 18 to honor and mourn those who have lost their lives due to the coronavirus (COVID-19). Right now, more than one out of every 1,000 Michiganders has lost their lives to this virus. “Our nation is grieving alongside each of the families who have an empty seat at the dinner table each night or who will be missing family members during the holiday season,” Whitmer said. “Right now, we need to listen to our scientists and medical professionals who are asking us to double down on wearing masks and maintaining physical distancing to prevent an unnecessarily greater loss of life. With a vaccine on the horizon, there is light at the end of the tunnel, but we each need to do our part until then. We will get through this together.” The State of Michigan recognizes and mourns the lives lost to the coronavirus by lowering flags to half-staff. Michigan residents, businesses, schools, local governments and other organizations also are…
Michigan Reports 5,909 Coronavirus Cases Today, State Total Now 410,295; Deaths Surpass 10,000
(December 8, 2020 3:19 PM) Michigan reported 5,909 coronavirus (COVID-19) positive test cases today, with the state reported total now at 410,295. Michigan is reporting 191* COVID-19-related deaths today, with the state total at 10,138. *The deaths announced today includes 79 deaths identified during a Vital Records review. See cumulative data page for more information. State Cumulative Total of Recovered COVID-19 Cases (as of 12/4/2020): 197,750. This information is updated Monday through Saturday at 3 p.m., with COVID-19 results included as of 10 a.m. Monday reports include Sunday data.
Jackson County Cumulative Report: 5,978 COVID-19 Positive Cases and 88 Deaths
(December 8, 2020 12:49 PM) The Jackson County Health Department released the COVID-19 positive numbers for Jackson County. As of 12 PM today, there are 5,978 positive cases (cumulative), and 88 deaths (cumulative)*. There are 88 new cases since yesterday's report. Cumulative recovered, as of December 8, 2020: 2,553** The cumulative numbers posted on Mondays include the data from Sunday and Monday. Recovered numbers are being posted as received. The Michigan Department of Corrections is reporting as of 4 PM December 4, there are 2,960 confirmed positive cases at Jackson facilities and 350 confirmed positive staff cases. MDOC positive case numbers are cumulative. As of 11 AM December 7, there 78 persons at Henry Ford Allegiance Health being treated as inpatients for COVID-19. Note: Jackson County will post COVID-19 data daily by mid-afternoon, Monday-Saturday, keeping with the schedule established by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS). The cumulative numbers posted on Monday will include the data from Sunday and Monday. Recovered numbers are being posted as received. Epicurve data and Township maps are also posted on Mondays by 3:30 PM. *These numbers do not reflect any cases or deaths identified through Michigan Department of Corrections…
Benny Poole, Jackson Jazz Legend, Passes Away
Benny Poole poses in front of the Evan Struck mural "Thrive" this past June. JTV photo. (December 8, 2020 12:32 PM) Benny Poole, Jackson Jazz Legend, passed away Saturday, December 7 at the age of 91. He leaves behind his wife Christiane, a loving family, and a large community of dedicated fans. Benny Poole, a well-known Jackson jazz musician who performed tirelessly into his 90’s, wrote and recorded dozens of songs, and played at venues throughout the world, had been struggling with health issues the past few months. Benny was naturally drawn to music as his mother was a piano player and he used to sit and watch her play. He fell in love with the saxophone after being influenced by Wardell Gray, who lived in Jackson for a brief time early in his career. Gray played with the Benny Goodman, Count Basie and Earl Hines orchestras. Many jazz saxophonists copied his style of playing, as did Benny. With the influence of Wardell Gray, Benny started playing the sax in his late teens and early twenties. Benny, in an interview with the Hillsdale Collegian said, “I didn’t have a home because we were too poor to have a home…
