If you try to visit the Houghton-Douglass falls, a tall fence and a warning sign is as far as most people get. That’s because in 1996, the falls–which are located on private property–were closed to the public. That could soon change. Calumet Township Supervisor Paul Lehto said, “It’s the highest …
Read More »UPEC Announces New Community Conservation Grant Program
Media Release November 20, 2015 The Upper Peninsula Environmental Coalition announces a new Community Conservation Grant Program with a call for proposals due by January 10, 2016. The program is in honor of UPEC member Tom Church (Watersmeet) whose bequest in 2013 made this new fund possible. Tom is …
Read More »CLK Schools To "Give Drugs The Boot"
CLK Schools are looking to “Give Drugs The Boot”. That’s the theme for this year’s drug awareness event, which is a Boot Hockey Tournament. The CLK Board of Education heard a presentation at Tuesday’s meeting from Calumet High School SADD Chapter Co-Presidents Rosie Torola and Claire Haapala, along with their …
Read More »MI Ranks Poorly in Smoking Cessation Spending
Michigan ranks poorly compared to other states when it comes to state funded efforts to prevent kids from smoking and helping smokers quit. That’s according to a coalition of public health organizations. The report shows Michigan ranking 44th overall in funding anti-smoking programs. It notes the state spent $1.6 million …
Read More »MI Giving Ranks Low
A new analysis shows Michigan ranking 44th overall in charitable giving. The study comes from Wallethub.com. The key metrics studied were areas such as volunteer rate, the percentage of taxpayers who donated to charity, number of charities per capita and growth in charitable giving. Michigan did rank 18th in the …
Read More »House Committee Advances Bill Banning Drones In Some Areas
Legislation cracking down on the recreational use of drones has been broadened to prohibit someone from flying them near utility workers and hazardous waste, telecom, chemical or pharmaceutical facilities. State Representative Kurt Heise, R-Plymouth Township, is sponsoring the bill and says he also tweaked a planned no-fly zone around state …
Read More »Legislation Would Allow State Level Super PACs
Legislation to allow Super PACs on the state level cleared a Senate committee Tuesday. Supporters of the bill say it would bring Michigan in line with the 2010 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that deemed campaign contributions free speech, allowing for corporations and unions to contribute to political action committees. Lansing-based …
Read More »Bill to Eliminate Straight-Ticket Voting Clears House Committee
Straight-ticket voting would be a thing of the past under legislation that cleared a House committee Tuesday. The measure has already passed the Senate. State Representative Jeff Irwin voted against the bill in committee saying it will create long lines on Election Day. He says minorities in urban areas will …
Read More »Bill Headed to Governor to Allow Retired Teachers to Substitute Teach
Certain retired teachers would be able to return to the classroom, under legislation the state Senate has sent to the governor. The bill would allow teachers who retired after mid-2010 to substitute teach under limited conditions in subject areas with a critical shortage without risk of losing their pensions and …
Read More »Michigan Lawmakers Ask Obama To Give Back Military Vehicles To Police
Six Republican members of Michigan’s Congressional delegation have sent a letter to President Barack Obama asking him to reconsider a decision to make county sheriff’s departments give back military gear the feds gave them. The delegation says the value of the large armored trucks was proven last week when police …
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