Traverse City Record-Eagle

Michigan

March 20, 2010

Michigan in Brief: 03/21/2010

Freighters stuck in ice in Port Huron

PORT HURON -- The U.S. Coast Guard says two freighters got stuck in ice near the Blue Water Bridge in Port Huron.

Frank Frisk, a consultant for the Great Lakes Maritime Center in Port Huron, told the Times Herald that winds shifted an 11-mile-long section of ice into the commercial shipping channel on Saturday.

The freighter Alpena got stuck Saturday morning and was freed by tug boats. The freighter Edgar B. Speer was held up by the ice Saturday afternoon, and another freighter waited for ice to clear before traveling on the St. Clair River.

The U.S. Coast Guard and Canadian Coast Guard planned to break ice in the area today and Monday if needed.

Plans move forward for casino

FRUITPORT TOWNSHIP -- Plans to build a casino at the former Great Lakes Downs horse track are moving forward.

Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm and the tribal government of the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians on Friday announced an agreement that represents a major step in the effort for a casino in Muskegon County's Fruitport Township.

The Muskegon Chronicle and the Ludington Daily News report two amendments to the tribe's current gambling compact have been agreed upon. The effort also needs approval from the federal Bureau of Indian Affairs.

A third amendment needs approval from the state House and Senate.

Union votes to ratify contract

LANSING -- Members of a union representing 17,000 state workers in Michigan have voted to ratify a contract agreement that includes concessions but avoids 10 unpaid days off in 2010.

The union said on its Web site 2,522 voted yes and 1,923 voted no. The Lansing State Journal reports votes were counted Friday.

Gov. Jennifer Granholm's administration had imposed the furlough days after the state and United Auto Workers Local 6000 failed to reach an agreement on concessions, but a new agreement was reached.

Under the agreement, union members must set aside 26 hours that they would bank for future payment after this budget year. Granholm has been trying to wring $50 million in savings from state workers.

The union also is planning a rally Tuesday at the State Capitol.

Text Only
  • Detroit tries community policing

    Loitering, cracked windshields and broken taillights — at times overlooked by often overwhelmed Detroit police — are being targeted at what some consider its source.

    Continued ...
    Feb 13, 2012 7:05 am 1 Photo
  • State abortion proposals await votes

    Rallied by the approval last fall of a state law banning so-called "partial birth" abortion, Michigan abortion opponents are pushing for more in 2012 — from a "Choose Life" fundraising license plate to a ban on abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy.

    Continued ...
    Feb 12, 2012 7:14 am 2 Photos
  • U-M requests security review

    University of Michigan officials said they have ordered an outside review of campus security in the wake of a botched response to child pornography found on a medical resident's computer flash drive.

    Continued ...
    Feb 12, 2012 7:14 am
  • Region in brief: 02/12/2012

    New state park opens near Alpena; Weather causes crashes statewide; GVSU to base charters in Detroit; and more.

    Continued ...
    Feb 12, 2012 7:14 am
  • Detroit Symphony claims record with webcast

    The Detroit Symphony Orchestra said Saturday its latest "Live from Orchestra Hall" webcast drew the largest audience of any live online performance by a U.S. symphonic group.

    Continued ...
    Feb 12, 2012 7:14 am
  • Inmates moved after crane collapse

    Western Michigan authorities said they have transferred about 175 inmates from Kent County jail in Grand Rapids following a crane collapse that damaged a large part of the complex.

    Continued ...
    Feb 12, 2012 7:14 am
  • February 11, 2012
  • Detroit-area author Zaslow killed in car accident

    Best-selling author Jeffrey Zaslow was killed in Antrim County on Friday when he lost control of his car on a snowy road after promoting his latest book in northern Michigan.

    Continued ...
    Feb 11, 2012 7:14 am
  • Pot law may see ballot

    A state appeals court said Friday that Detroit officials and a judge in 2010 illegally blocked voters from considering whether to ease penalties for marijuana possession, a ruling that could pave the way for the measure getting on the ballot this year.

    Continued ...
    Feb 11, 2012 7:14 am
  • February 10, 2012
  • Public safety gets a boost in budget

    Michigan's depleted law enforcement ranks would get a financial boost with a budget plan laid out Thursday by Gov. Rick Snyder, an attempt to start reversing steady declines in officer numbers over the past decade.

    Continued ...
    Feb 10, 2012 7:24 am 1 Photo
  • Gov. ties extra school cash to learning

    Gov. Snyder said Thursday that Michigan should capitalize on its brightest economic outlook in a decade by opening its checkbook to school districts — but only those that can show their students actually are learning from year to year.

    Continued ...
    Feb 10, 2012 7:24 am 1 Photo
  • Details of Gov. Snyder's budget plan

    Highlights of Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder's $48.2 billion budget proposal for the fiscal year that starts in October.

    Continued ...
    Feb 10, 2012 7:24 am
  • Nice, snowy day for a ... bike ride?

    You're not much of a skier, and snowmobiling isn't your idea of fun either. Is there any other reason to take a winter trip to the cold, snowy Upper Peninsula? Actually, there are many.

    Continued ...
    Feb 10, 2012 7:24 am 1 Photo
  • February 9, 2012
  • It's official: Wings, Leafs at Big House

    Next year's Winter Classic could set an attendance record when the Detroit Red Wings will face the Toronto Maple Leafs.

    Continued ...
    Updated Feb 9, 2012 2:24 pm
  • Ford execs to retire

    Ford says two top executives who helped lead its comeback are retiring.

    Continued ...
    Feb 9, 2012 9:37 am 1 Photo
  • Asset limit hits families

    The 2010 Buick Enclave parked in her garage kept Michigan resident Renee Moore from getting food stamps for two months last year, even though her family's income had dropped to below the poverty level.

    Continued ...
    Feb 9, 2012 7:24 am 1 Photo