Emmett Township Department of Public Safety

08/15/2026

PRESS RELEASE

Public Safety Officers Arrest Suspect Following Reported Shooting on S. Wattles Road

For Immediate Release
August 15, 2026

On Friday, August 14, 2026, at approximately 4:18pm, Emmett Township Department of Public Safety officers responded to the 200 block of S. Wattles Road for a report of a possible shooting.

While officers were en route, they were advised that a male subject had exited a residence and fired at a vehicle and an individual who were parked along the side of the roadway in the 200 block of S. Wattles Road.

Public Safety officers arrived in the area and immediately secured the scene. With assistance from the victim, officers were able to identify and locate the residence believed to be associated with the suspect. Officers made contact with the suspect, who surrendered to police without incident and was taken into custody.

The suspect, a 30-year-old Battle Creek man, is facing felony charges of:

Assault with Intent to Do Great Bodily Harm Less Than Murder and
Felony Fi***rm

No further details regarding the circumstances of the incident are being released at this time as the investigation remains active and ongoing.

Anyone with additional information regarding this incident is asked to contact the Emmett Township Department of Public Safety Detective Bureau at 269-968-9303

07/30/2026

PUBLIC INFORMATION RELEASE
Emmett Township Department of Public Safety

Date: July 29th, 2026

Two Killed, One Seriously Injured in I-94 Rollover Crash

On Wednesday, July 29, at approximately 6:42 p.m., the Battle Creek Police Department and Battle Creek Fire Department were dispatched to a reported rollover crash on Interstate 94 near M-66. Upon arrival, responders determined that the crash had occurred within Emmett Charter Township.

The vehicle was occupied by three people. The driver, a 41-year-old Battle Creek-area man, was pronounced deceased at the scene. Two passengers—a 50-year-old man and an 11-year-old boy—were transported to an area hospital in serious condition. The 11-year-old later died from his injuries while receiving treatment.

The crash remains under investigation by the Battle Creek Police Department and Emmett Township Department of Public Safety. Preliminary information indicates that speed and suspected alcohol consumption were contributing factors.

ETDPS recognizes the coordinated response provided by the Calhoun County Consolidated Dispatch Authority, Battle Creek Police Department, Battle Creek Fire Department, and LifeCare Ambulance Service.

Our community’s thoughts are with the families and friends affected by this tragedy.

This crash is a devastating reminder of the consequences of impaired and excessive-speed driving. Slow down, drive sober, and wear your seatbelt.

07/17/2026

Air Quality Alert through Saturday

Michigan EGLE has extended the Air Quality Alert through Saturday
There could be a temporary window later this evening and Saturday morning where the smoke moves out
Some smoke will likely move back in Saturday afternoon
Severe weather potential for Saturday

Cold front moves through mid-Saturday morning to mid-afternoon from North to South.
Severe threat is highest south, and even south of Michigan
Main threats will be winds and large hail

07/16/2026

Smoke and Upcoming Storm Information

Smoke is expected to hold over all of the state into Friday
Michigan EGLE has issued an Air Quality Alert valid through Friday evening.

Pollutants are expected to range from Very Unhealthy to Hazardous
It is possible that conditions may improve late Friday as winds from the SW increase

Storm Potential Saturday

Marginal Risk (Level 1 of 5) of severe storms Saturday
Highest threat SE Lower Michigan
Gusty winds and large hail are the main threats

Air Quality

The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) has issued a Statewide Air Quality Alert for July 16 and July 17, 2026, for elevated levels of fine particulate due to wildfire smoke. Pollutants within those areas are expected to range from Very Unhealthy to Hazardous. Monitor air quality at EPA AirNow. Some areas will also experience moderate to major heat risk. Monitor heat risk at NWS HeatRisk.

More information can be found at EH.michigan.gov/WildfireSmoke-Health.

Recommended actions to protect health:

Everyone should seek cleaner air indoors and keep activity levels low.

While indoors, take action to improve the indoor air quality and do not engage in activities that will make the air quality worse.

DO: Close windows and minimize the opening of outside doors. If HVAC systems are not equipped with MERV-13 filters or higher, use portable air cleaners to maintain good indoor air quality. If possible, use the recirculate feature on central HVAC systems and close the outdoor air intake on air conditioners if you have a window AC unit.

DO NOT: burn candles, use vacuums without a HEPA filter, use gas stoves more than necessary, smoke, spray aerosol products

If you don't have a portable air cleaner, consider creating a DIY Air Cleaner. If you do not already have the materials on hand and must go outside to purchase them, it is recommended to follow the masking recommendation below.

Reschedule or move all outdoor activities indoors, if possible.
When possible, make accommodations for employees to work inside with proper HVAC systems and high efficiency air filters.

Contact MiOSHA for more information or to file a complaint.
If you must be outdoors for short periods of time, wear an N95 or P100 respirator marked with “NIOSH.” Instructions for fitting a respirator mask properly are at this link. If N95 or P100 respirators are not available or do not fit well, properly selected KN95 and KF94 respirators also filter particulate matter. Medical or surgical masks are the least effective option and should only be used as a last resort. Cloth, paper masks and tissues will not filter out wildfire smoke. Do not use masks for children under age 2.

Seek medical care if you or someone else is experiencing these symptoms: shortness of breath, constant or severe coughing, chest pain, dizziness or any type of change in consciousness/confusion, or worsening of any chronic conditions.

Heat Risk: Seek shelter elsewhere if you do not have an air conditioner and it is too warm to stay inside with the windows closed. Call or text 211 or contact your local health department to find out if there is a shelter or cooling center nearby. Or consider spending time in an air-conditioned public place such as a library, mall, movie theater, etc.

07/13/2026

Hot and humid conditions through much of this week

- Max temperatures expected to be in the 90s Tuesday through Thursday
- Humid conditions will push heat indices up to around 100 degrees Tuesday-Thursday
- Temperatures will trend cooler late in the week and weekend as storm chances increase

06/15/2026

Strong to Severe storms Possible Tomorrow afternoon

Showers and storm should develop tomorrow afternoon
Some storms could become strong to severe late in the day
Main timeframe between 2 PM - 10 PM
Main risk of damaging winds and large hail
Severe storms possible late Wednesday

Organized storm system moves through late Wednesday
Main area of concern is along and south of the I 94 corridor
Damaging winds main threat
Minor flooding from localized heavy rainfall possible

06/09/2026

Good Afternoon,

Here is an update on the expected heat and severe weather this week.

Heat Wednesday and Thursday:

Temperatures climb into the mid 80s to low 90s each day
Dew points will be in the mid 60s to mid 70s
Combination of temperatures and dew points will cause heat index values in the 90s to near 100 each afternoon
Severe Thunderstorm Potential Wednesday and Thursday:

Wednesday:

Timing - best chances after 6PM Wednesday ending early Thursday morning
Hazards - Damaging winds (highest risk), large hail, tornadoes, and localized flooding possible
Area - all of western and central Michigan
Thursday:

Timing - Thursday night (some uncertainty with the exact timing)
Hazards - Damaging winds (highest risk), large hail, tornadoes, and localized flooding possible
Area - all of western and central Michigan

06/08/2026

Thunderstorms Next Several Days

Monday evening through Tuesday evening: Scattered thunderstorms, severe wind or hail not expected, localized 1 to 3 inch rain totals with temporary minor flooding of low or poor-drainage spots.

Wednesday afternoon-night and Thursday afternoon-night: Severe thunderstorms possible in portions of Michigan.
Heat and Humidity Midweek

Wednesday-Thursday: High temperatures in the mid 80s to lower 90s favored, with uncomfortably high humidity and a Heat Index (feels like in the shade) in the 90s to near 100.

Heat illness is a concern for some individuals.

06/08/2026

Elevated temperatures can cause heat-related issues and medical problems. Try to stay cool over the next couple of days.

Check the HeatRisk forecast for your area and find out what you can do to stay safe.