Local News
Small aircraft crashes into storage facility in Lowell
LOWELL, MI — A small single-engine aircraft crashed into a storage facility near the intersection of Lincoln Lake Avenue and Vergennes Street in Lowell on Monday afternoon, igniting a large fire and prompting an extensive emergency response from multiple departments.
The crash occurred around 4:29 p.m., according to initial emergency dispatch reports.
Authorities confirmed that the plane went down into the storage complex, setting multiple units ablaze.
The extent of the damage is still being assessed, and officials have not yet confirmed how many individuals were on board the aircraft or whether anyone was inside the building at the time of impact.
By 4:31 p.m., large plumes of smoke were visible from a distance, and emergency responders began arriving on scene.
Fire departments from Airport, Ada, Cascade, Alto, and Caledonia were immediately dispatched to assist in containing the fire.
Within minutes, the situation escalated, and additional mutual aid was requested from Grattan, Saranac, and Cannon Township Fire Departments.
The first fire crews on scene reported heavy fire involvement in the structure and quickly began suppression efforts.
Emergency medical services (EMS) and police units were also dispatched shortly after 4:34 p.m. to support firefighting operations and establish a secure perimeter.
As of now, the area remains cordoned off for safety while crews work to extinguish the remaining flames and assess structural stability.
No official word has been released regarding injuries or fatalities, and the identity of the aircraft has not yet been confirmed.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are expected to be involved in the investigation, which is still in its early stages.
Local officials are expected to provide an update later today as more information becomes available.
Local News
Suspended Dearborn Ford worker Thomas Sabula received more than $320K after Trump flips him off
DEARBORN, Mich. — A suspended Ford Motor Company employee has become the focus of national attention after a confrontation with former President Donald Trump during a visit to a Dearborn assembly plant, prompting an outpouring of public support that has raised more than $324,000 for his family through an online fundraiser.
The worker, Thomas “TJ” Sabula, a 40-year-old United Auto Workers (UAW) Local 600 member, was placed on suspension pending an internal investigation following an exchange that occurred while Trump was touring the facility.
According to video later obtained and published by TMZ, an off-camera voice can be heard shouting “pedophile protector” at the former president, an apparent reference to the administration’s handling of documents related to the Jeffrey Epstein case.
In the footage, Trump appears to mouth an expletive and make a hand gesture before walking away.
The Washington Post subsequently identified Sabula as the individual who made the remark.
In an interview with the newspaper, Sabula confirmed that he was suspended after the incident and said he believes the action amounts to political retaliation.
“As far as calling him out, definitely no regrets whatsoever,” Sabula told The Post. “But I am concerned about my job. I believe I’ve been targeted for political retribution for embarrassing him in front of his friends.”
Sabula, who describes himself as politically independent, said he has never voted for Trump, though he has supported Republican candidates in the past.
In the days following the incident, a GoFundMe campaign was launched to assist Sabula and his family during his suspension.
The campaign states that Sabula is “a father of two young children, a husband, and a proud UAW Local 600 line worker,” and that the funds will be used to help cover household and living expenses “during this time of uncertainty.” Donations quickly surged past $100,000, with notable contributions reportedly made by the rock band Dropkick Murphys.
Supporters have characterized Sabula’s actions as a form of protest and free expression, while others have questioned whether his conduct violated workplace policies.
Ford Motor Company and union representatives have not publicly released details regarding the status of the internal investigation or whether disciplinary action beyond the suspension is being considered.
Following his visit to the Dearborn plant, Trump went on to deliver remarks at the Detroit Economic Club, where he had last spoken in October 2024.
The incident continues to draw attention amid broader political debate, as questions remain about workplace discipline, free speech, and the role of political expression in employment settings.