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When Rev. Justo Gonzalez II moved to West Michigan from Buffalo, New York last fall, he learned the area lacked a designated sanctuary church. He's worked to change that. The United Church of Christ now has eight beds with two more on the way, and expects its first sanctuary-seeker to arrive next week. "Immigrants always have been and will be welcome here," Gonzalez said. "Let it be known that this community of faith celebrates diversity, experiences immigrants as a blessing, and will always uplift the dignity and worth of God's creation." MORE
► Kalamazoo church provides sanctuary to woman facing deportation

Police helped man with his car minutes before his fatal drunk driving crash

An Ypsilanti man lost control of his car in December and went into a snow-filled ditch. Police respond, note nothing unusual in the man's appearance or demeanor, and issue a ticket for lack of insurance. But then, less than an hour later, less than a mile away, the same man, driving the same car, crossed the center line and crashed head on with another vehicle, killing himself and the other driver. An autopsy revealed the man had a blood-alcohol content of 0.24 -- three times the legal limit. MORE

The boys of spring training? Tigers' Florida phenoms from the past 10 years

MLive Detroit Tigers beat writer Evan Woodbery compiled a glorious trip down memory lane in examining the Tigers' spring training standouts of the past 10 years. Spoiler alert -- spring training success hasn't always carried over into the regular season. But what a fun exercise, reliving the good (Andy Dirks in 2012 had a career season), the bad (Don Kelly in 2013 opened 2-for-21), and the meh (Ryan Raburn went on to have a very Ryan Raburn year in 2011). MORE

Ford could give towering Detroit eyesore new life

Michigan Central Station, long a symbol of blight in Detroit, could be on its way to a revival. Rumblings out of Motown have Ford Motor Company in talks with the Moroun family, owners of the former train station. Speculation ranges from Ford purchasing the building to becoming a major tenant. Neither side is willing to speak on the record yet. But it is hard not to get excited that this once grand structure could see new life in the not too distant future. MORE

Wintry weather not done with Great Lakes region just yet

MLive chief meteorologist Mark Torregrossa has been getting quite a few reader questions of late about snow and winter and when it's all gonna come to a merciful end. One answer is: It is still only March, people! Any good Michigander knows April showers can, and often do, give way to April snow showers any given year. But we digress. Torregrossa feels your pain, though, and isn't pleased his forecast shows colder than normal temps for two more weeks. MORE