MI Suspended Eatery’s License; Now The Owner Has Been Arrested

DETROIT, MI — A west Michigan restaurant owner was arrested on a civil warrant charging her with contempt of court after authorities said she continued to operate without a food license and in violation of the state’s coronavirus restrictions.

The food license for Marlena’s Bistro & Pizzeria in Holland was suspended in January by the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, but has continued to operate.

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel said in a news release that owner Marlena Pavlos-Hackney’s continued violation of public health and court orders is “a dangerous act that may have exposed dozens of diners and employees to the virus.” At least one customer tested positive for COVID-19 within two days of eating there, Nessel said.

Pavlos-Hackney remains defiant and has made her case about Michigan’s “tyrannical government” to Fox News host Tucker Carlson and conservative talk show host Glenn Beck in recent days.

“If they want to arrest me, they can arrest me — I’m not going to close,” she told The Grand Rapids Press. » Read the full story on MLive.com

More Revenue A Safe Bet

With the legalization of sports betting, the state of Michigan could rake in millions of dollars from the NCAA March Madness men’s basketball tournament, betting analysts told news station WXYZ. The tax dollars the state takes in from betting support schools, first responders and the city of Detroit.

PlayMichigan.com analyst Jessica Welman told the news station that betting could eclipse Super Bowl wagers because the NCAA tourney is a monthlong event. » Read the full story on WXYZ.com

Metro Detroit Headlines

• “Arranged Marriage” May End Early: The Detroit/Wayne County Port Authority voted 4-1 Friday to end a century-old deal with the Moroun family to operate the Ambassador Bridge, via the Detroit Free Press.
• Dressing Aretha "Sew" Difficult: Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin dressed to match her four-octave voice, creating a challenge for Jennifer Bryan, the costume designer for “Genius Aretha,” via the Detroit Free Press.
• Video: You May Rethink Pizza Delivery: A Detroit couple’s doorbell camera caught a delivery guy dropping their pizza, scooping it up and walking away as if nothing had happened, via WJBK.

“It’s life-altering. But I’ve made a decision to not let it affect me and stop me from living.”

— Stephanie Spears, a metro Detroit “long-hauler,” to news station WDIV on lingering COVID-19 symptoms a year after diagnosis

SPORTS TALK: Well-known Michigan high school basketball official JK Haehnle has returned to the basketball court after surviving a medically induced coma to fight off the coronavirus, MLive.com reported. “It was surreal,” Haehnle said of his triumphant return, noting that “at this time last year, I wasn’t sure if I’d be around to officiate games anymore.”

WEATHER IN A WORD: Beautiful.

LET’S MAKE PLANS: The Detroit Pistons host the rival Chicago Bulls Sunday at Little Caesar’s Arena at 6 p.m. Sunday. Seating is limited due to coronavirus restrictions.

• Jason Locke of The Groove Suns performs live from 5-7 p.m. Sunday, Proving Grounds Coffee & Ice Cream, 417 S. Washington Ave.
• Photographer and activist Leni Sinclair’s Motor City Underground exhibition continues through April 18 at the Museum of Contemporary Art, 4454 Woodward Ave., Detroit.

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