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.
The Natural Resources Commission is expected to vote next month on a plan to save money by permanently closing 23 state forest campgrounds.
The Grand Rapids Press reports:
State officials said the closures are a financial necessity. General Fund support for the program was reduced by $314,700 for fiscal year 2011, and less-used campgrounds are unable to pull their weight financially.
By closing some of these campgrounds that aren’t putting money in the coffers, the state will save staff time providing maintenance at these rustic spots.
“We will come up with a plan to decommission each one,” said Jim Radabaugh, the forest recreation program leader with the DNR. That means shutting off water pumps at the sites and yanking fire rings and picnic tables.
“We anticipated that the General Fund would be cut again,” said Brenda Curtis, state forest campground program manager. “And we anticipate that it will be cut even more next year to the point that we don’t get anything. “
The state forest recreation program did receive $242,000 in General Funds for 2011. In 2010, its budget was $1.9 million, with $556,700 coming from General Fund dollars. The balance came from camping fees and the state waterways fund, which supports the maintenance of boat ramps at each of the campgrounds.
The DNR has increased camping fees to $15 dollars a night for the rustic campgrounds where facilities are limited to a water pump and outhouse.
The campgrounds that may close are:
• Beaufort and Big Lake state forest campgrounds, Baraga County.
• Black Lake Trail Camp, Cheboygan County.
• Lime Island State Forest campground and cabins and Munuscong River State Forest Campground, Chippewa County.
• Manistee River Bridge State Forest Campground, Crawford County.
• Deer Lake State Forest Campground, Iron County.
• Bray Creek State Forest Campground, Lake County.
• Blind Sucker (hash)1, High Bridge, Holland Lake, Natalie and Reed & Green Bridge state forest campgrounds in Luce County.
• Black River State Forest Campground, Mackinac County.
• Little Wolf Lake State Forest Campground, Montmorency County.
• McCollum Lake State Forest Campground, Oscoda County.
• Pigeon Bridge and Round Lake state forest campgrounds, Otsego County.
• Canoe Lake, Cusino Lake, Mead Creek and South Gemini Lake state forest campgrounds in Schoolcraft County
• Long Lake State Forest Campground, Wexford County.
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