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.
(Photo: davidsonscott15 via Flickr.com)
Jackson Police Chief Matt Heins said Monday in a phone interview that federal stimulus grants announced last week will help him save four positions in his department. The money, released by the White House, was part of the Justice Assistance Grants (JAG) program administered by the Justice Department.
Heins said he had planned on eliminating four posts — one that was currently empty and three that were currently filled. But with the money from JAG, the police chief said he will be able to protect those positions from elimination.
Jackson, Heins said, is facing a $2 million budget shortfall, and because public safety comprises a majority of the city budget, officials are looking to both the police and fire departments for cuts. Police and fire operations are funded out the city’s general fund, Heins said. And that fund has taken serious hits as the economy has tanked. He said income tax revenue is down, as are property taxes.
“I made $500,000 in cuts already,” Heins said. “I am waiting to find out if I have to cut another $500,000.”
Heins indicated the $160,000 to $180,000 the Jackson Police Department and Jackson County Sheriff’s Office will share is just the beginning of money coming in. He indicated the city would be applying for COPS money, a Justice Department program that boosts community policing efforts.
Does he think the stimulus money is helping?
“Absolutely,” Heins replied when asked. “We need it.”
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