1998 in Michigan

Last updated

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1998
in
Michigan
Decades:
See also:

This article reviews 1998 in Michigan , including the state's office holders, performance of sports teams, a chronology of the state's top news and sports stories, and notable Michigan-related births and deaths.

Contents

Top stories

Readers of the Detroit Free Press ranked the top 10 Michigan news stories of 1998 as follows: [1]

  1. The 1997–98 Detroit Red Wings won the club's second consecutive Stanley Cup championship, sweeping the Washington Capitols in the 1998 Stanley Cup Finals.
  2. The October 24 demolition of the 87-year-old, 25-story J.L. Hudson building in Detroit.
  3. The 1997 Michigan Wolverines football team's 21–16 victory over Washington State in the 1998 Rose Bowl, capping an undefeated season and national championship.
  4. Chrysler's merger with German auto manufacturer Daimler-Benz.
  5. A sex scandal in Grosse Pointe involving high school seniors having sex with underage girls as young as 14 at drinking parties, leading to criminal prosecutions and a CBS 48 Hours episode focuing on the scandal.
  6. Right to die advocate Jack Kevorkian on September 17 administered a lethal injection to Thomas Youk, a 42-year-old Waterford Township man in the final stages of ALS. Kevorkian videotaped the voluntary euthanasia and delivered the tape to 60 Minutes which aired it on November 21. Kevorkian was charged with first-degree murder on November 25 and was ultimately convicted by a jury in 1999 of second-degree murder and sentenced to 10-15 years in prison.
  7. Strikes at parts plants in Flint caused a 54-day shutdown of General Motors and a loss of $2.8 billion.
  8. The surprise selection of Geoffrey Fieger as the Democratic candidate for governor and his loss to John Engler by a 62–38 margin, despite Fieger spending $5.7 million of his own money on the campaign.
  9. Northwest Airlines pilots went on strike for 15 days from August 29 to Septmember 13, causing travel disruption throughout the state.
  10. Construction started on the temporary MGM Grand Detroit casino.

The newspaper's most frequently viewed item on its website was a story reported in ate Novmber and early December about a hunter, Mitch Rompola, killing a potential world-record deer with 12 points, a dressed weight of 263 pounds, and an antler spread of 38 inches. [1] [2] [3] A follow-up story in late December reported on readers who believed that, based on the droopy ears on Rompola's buck, that his record-seeting deer was a fake. [4]

Office holders

State office holders

Gov. Engler John Engler.jpg
Gov. Engler

Mayors of major cities

Federal office holders

Sen. Levin Carl Levin official portrait.jpg
Sen. Levin

Sports

Baseball

American football

Basketball

Ice hockey

Auto racing

Chronology of events

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

Births

Deaths

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Michigan Top 10". Detroit Free Press. December 31, 1998. p. 8A via Newspapers.com.
  2. Eric Sharp (November 28, 1998). "Hunter decides to have big buck scored". Detroit Free Press. p. B1 via Newspapers.com.
  3. Eric Sharp (December 3, 1998). "Critics wonder; friends defend Rompola". Detroit Free Press. p. 4D.
  4. Eric Sharp (December 24, 1998). "Deer tale has more legs than the deer". Detroit Free Press. p. 3F via Newspapers.com.
  5. "1997 Detroit Tigers Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved December 8, 2025.
  6. "1998 Detroit Lions Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved December 27, 2025.
  7. "1998 Michigan Wolverines Stats". SR/College Football. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved December 27, 2025.
  8. "1998 Michigan State Spartans Stats". SR/College Football. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved December 27, 2025.
  9. "1997-98 Detroit Pistons Roster and Stats". Basketball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved December 27, 2025.
  10. "1998 Detroit Shock Stats". Basketball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved December 27, 2025.
  11. "1997-98 Michigan Wolverines Men's Roster and Stats". SR/College Basketball. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved December 27, 2025.
  12. "1997-98 Michigan State Spartans Men's Roster and Stats". SR/College Basketball. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved December 27, 2025.
  13. "1997-98 Detroit Red Wings". Hockey Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved December 27, 2025.
  14. "1997-98 Michigan Ice Hockey Statistics". Mgoblue.com. University of Michigan. Retrieved December 27, 2025.
  15. "The Maestro's Homecoming". Detroit Free Press. May 21, 1998. p. 1A via Newspapers.com.
  16. Hugh McDiarmid, Chris Christoff (May 28, 1998). "Kelley calls it quits after 37 years". The Detroit News and Free Press. p. 1A via Newspapers.com.
  17. Jennifer Bott, Charlotte Craig. "GM, UAW square off again in Flint: Strike called at stamping plant; key issue is fear of more job losses". The Detroit News and Free Press via Newspapers.com.
  18. Nicholas J. Cotsonika (July 13, 1998). "Miss Bud wins 12th Gold Cup going away". Detroit Free Press. p. 1D via Newspapers.com.
  19. Joe Swickard (July 14, 1998). "Rape trial is ordered for 4 men: Defense lawyer says school, 3 teen girls concocted the story". Detroit Free Press. p. 1A via Newspapers.com.
  20. Joe Swickard (July 2, 1998). "Girls tell of being led into sex acts: Grosse Pointe Woods rape claims unfold". Detroit Free Press. p. 1A via Newspapers.com.
  21. Joe Swickard (June 30, 1998). "Experts say sexual assault often is kept quiet". Detroit Free Press. p. 1A via Newspapers.com.
  22. "Race car's wheel kills 3 in stands". Detroit Free Press. July 27, 1998. p. 1A via Newspapers.com.
  23. Rachel Konrad, Jennifer Bott (July 29, 1998). "Back To Work". Detroit Free Press. p. 1A via Newspapers.com.
  24. Rachel Konrad (July 30, 1998). "Happy days -- but for how long? As vote ends strike, experts already see next day of reckoning". Detroit Free Press. p. 1A via Newspapers.com.
  25. John Gallagher (August 29, 1998). "A Long Wait for Takeoff: Strike preparations heat up as Northwest talks go down to the wire". The Detroit News and Free Press. p. 1A via Newspapers.com.
  26. George Hunter; Melissa Preddy; Karl Leif Bates (August 30, 1998). "Pilots' strike jolts U.S.: Frustrated fliers scramble; Northwest talks on hold". The Detroit News and Free Press. p. 1A via Newspapers.com.
  27. John Gallagher (September 3, 1998). "27,500 laid off; meeting is set". Detroit Free Press. p. 1A via Newspapers.com.
  28. John Gallagher; Ruby L. Bailey (September 4, 1998). "Northwest No on is budging; Rhetoric gets hotter instead of cooler, no end to pilots strike in sight". Detroit Free Press. p. 1A via Newspapers.com.
  29. John Gallagher; Mike Brennan (September 11, 1998). "Tentative pact could put Northwest back in the air". Detroit Free Press. p. 1A via Newspapers.com.
  30. George Hunter (September 13, 1998). "Pilots OK four-year contract". The Detroit News and Free Press. p. 1A via Newspapers.com.
  31. "Strike cost Michigan $323 million". Detroit Free Press. September 17, 1998. p. 1A.
  32. Joe Swickard (September 18, 1998). "One defendant makes deal in Grosse Pointe rape case". Detroit Free Press. p. 1A via Newspapers.com.
  33. Ron French (September 20, 1998). "Public Shame in a Private Suburb: The Grosse Pointe Sex Scandal". The Detroit News. p. 1A via Newspapers.com.
  34. Joe Swickard (September 23, 1998). "Teen rape suspect guilty of lesser charge". Detroit Free Press. p. 1A via Newspapers.com.
  35. "Monaghan sells pizza business". The Detroit News and Free Press. September 26, 1998. p. 1A via Newspapers.com.
  36. "Leveling a Legend". Detroit Free Press. October 23, 1998. p. 1A via Newspapers.com.
  37. "The Hudson's building: 1911-1998 It's History". Detroit News and Free Press. October 25, 1998. p. 1A via Newspapers.com.
  38. "5 killed in shootings north of Muskegon". Detroit Free Press. December 1, 1998. p. 1A via Newspapers.com.
  39. Lisa Singhania (December 2, 1998). "$5 million bail set for suspects in slaying". Detroit Free Press. p. 1A via Newspapers.com.
  40. Elsa C Arnett; David Hess (January 7, 1998). "Sonny Bono 1935-1998: Pop singer, Sonny Bono surprised many". Detroit Free Press. p. 1A via Newspapers.com.
  41. Drew Jeschke (January 28, 1998). "City remembers a legend". The Herald-Palladium. p. 1B via Newspapers.com.
  42. Matt Helms (January 21, 1998). "Detroit singer hit it big with star-studded Falcons". Detroit Free Press. p. 2B via Newspapers.com.
  43. Michael Killian (February 12, 1998). "Theatrical legend: For real estate magnate Roger Stevens, the play was the thing". Chicago Tribune. p. 10 (section 5) via Newspapers.com.
  44. Dave Pearson (February 20, 1998). "Former resident, who counseled JFK, dies: H. Gardner ackley was U-M professor, former ambassador and Johnson's top economic adviser". Kalamazoo Gazette. p. 1 via Newspapers.com.
  45. Matt Helms; Maryanne George (February 26, 1998). "Ex-U-M chief Hatcher dies; he guided growth". Detroit Free Press. p. 3B via Newspapers.com.
  46. "Reuben Kelto". The Daily Globe. Ironwood, Michigan. March 23, 1998. p. 3 via Newspapers.com.
  47. Patricia Montermurri (April 5, 1998). "Sculptor was local; images were global". Detroit Free Press. pp. 1A, 12A via Newspapers.com.
  48. Niru Warikoo (May 15, 1998). "Marianne Hammarstrom: Weaver, artist, teacher". Detroit Free Press. p. 4B via Newspapers.com.
  49. "Oscar Johnson: Peace comes to a hero". Lansing State Journal. May 17, 1998. p. 12A via Newspapers.com.
  50. Karla D. Shores (June 22, 1998). "Former speaker of state House George M. Van Peursem dies at 85". The Grand Rapids Press. p. B2 via Newspapers.com.
  51. Niraj Warikoo (July 7, 1998). "Auto exec known for audacious move dies: He left GM to run Ford -- then got fired". Detroit Free Press. p. 1B via Newspapers.com.
  52. Niru Warikoo (July 8, 1998). "Lenore Romney 1908-1998: Wife of former governor left her own legacy". Detroit Free Press. p. 8A via Newspapers.com.
  53. "Dr. Patricia Shontz Longe". Naples Daily News. August 18, 1998. p. 2D via Newspapers.com.
  54. Niraj Warikoo (August 26, 1998). "Charles Diggs Jr. 1922-1998: Advocate of civil liberties". Detroit Free Press. pp. 1C, 2C via Newspapers.com.
  55. Roger Kullenberg; Scott Sexton (August 28, 1998). "Gentleman politician Garry Brown dies". Kalamazoo Gazette. pp. A1, A2 via Newspapers.com.
  56. Todd Schulz (September 10, 1998). "Walter Adams 1922-1998: Adams leaves mark on MSU, students, world". Lansing State Journal. pp. 1A, 5A via Newspapers.com.
  57. "Oldest Olympic champ dies". September 21, 1998. p. C1 via Newspapers.com.
  58. Chelsea J. Carter (September 27, 1998). "'The godmother of jazz' dies of cancer". The Detroit News. p. 5A via Newspapers.com.
  59. "Betty Carter: Jazz on the razor's edge". The Guardian. September 23, 1998. p. 16 via Newspapers.com.
  60. "Lions great Doak Walker dies at 71". Detroit Free Press. September 28, 1998. p. 2D via Newspapers.com.
  61. Cecil Angel (October 8, 1998). "Longtime legislator Hood dies". Detroit Free Press. pp. 1B, 2B via Newspapers.com.
  62. "Perry Bullard 1942-1998: Lawmaker remembered as liberal's liberal". The Flint Journal. October 19, 1998. p. 3 via Newspapers.com.
  63. Molly Abraham (October 29, 1998). "Fran Harris: Broadcaster was female pioneer on TV". Detroit Free Press. p. 4B via Newspapers.com.
  64. Gene Guidi (November 11, 1998). "Hal Newhouser 1921-1998: 'Prince Hal' was crafty competitor, top lefty". Detroit Free Press. pp. 1A, 2A via Newspapers.com.
  65. Joel Thurtell; Brian Murphy; Matt Helms (December 19, 1998). "John Nichols 1918-1998: Tough sheriff 'was an icon. He cannot be replaced'". Detroit Free Press. p. 1A via Newspapers.com.
  66. "Lillian Hatcher: War job turned to activist career". Detroit Free Press. May 3, 1984. p. 3B via Newspapers.com.