I am writing today to announce the closure of the Michigan Messenger. After four years of operation in Michigan, the board of the American Independent News Network, has decided to shift publication of its news into a single site, The American Independent at Americanindependent.com. This is part of a shift in strategy, towards new forms [...]
An abstinence-only presentation provided to numerous school districts in Calhoun and Eaton Counties in October of this year provided false and misleading information to students about HIV, experts allege.
Two county registers of deeds filed a class action lawsuit Monday on behalf of Michigan’s 83 counties alleging that the Mortgage Electronic Registration Services owes millions of dollars in property title transfer taxes.
Despite evidence of the impact of mercury on children and public health, Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette last month joined with 24 other state attorneys general in filing a lawsuit to scuttle new EPA regulations that would reduce mercury emissions from power plants.
A USA Today article on federal spending for low priority airports kicks off with a description on Northern Michigan’s Pellston airport, which received $7.5 million from the FAA for improvements that include a massive stone fireplace and lodge-style exposed log construction though the airport serves only 72 passengers a day.
This airport is now slated to receive $7 million in additional federal aid to develop buildings to house snow equipment and a bunkhouse for employees.
Development of the airport has been a top priority for officials in Emmet County.
[Kelley Atkins, manager] of the Pellston airport hoped the new terminal would attract more passengers and flights. But since 2004, after the terminal opened, the number of departures has dropped 22%. Departing passengers have fallen 32%, federal records show.
Atkins cites the weak economy and the merger of Northwest and Delta airlines, but says the terminal is popular. Two couples held weddings there.
“We wanted to build something very special and unique, so we went after it,” Atkins said. “It’s every airport’s job to get as much as it can for itself.”
In 2007 the Emmet County Commission approved a plan to lease part of the airport to Sovereign Deed, controversial private security company that offered county club style rescue plans for the rich.
That deal stalled after Michigan Messenger reported on the questionable business practices of the company CEO, Barrett Moore, and the fact that he had lied about his military experience.
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