Tuesday, June 24, 2008
72 Marshall kids, parents enjoying Alaska experience
The 13th Alaska Great Lakes project is well underway under the supervision of Marshall Middle School Teacher Dale Rosene. See reporter John Hendler's story on this annual trek to Alaska that exposes Marshall eighth graders to some once-in-a-lifetime experiences in the June 21 Chronicle. Follow their progress daily on their website, AGLP 2008.
Public hearing July 9 on proposed garage sale ordinance
The Marshall City Planning Commission has proposed a new zoning ordinance amendment that would add restrictions on the number and duration of garage sales held on on a single lot. The public can voice their concerns at a public hearing July 9 at 7 p.m. in the City Council Chambers of Town Hall. See details on this proposed local law in a story by executive news director Shelly Sulser in the June 21 edition of The Chronicle.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Granholm Announces Legislation to Help Protect Consumers at the Pump
PRESS RELEASE
Legislation would broaden attorney general’s authority to investigate gas-gouging, price-fixing
LANSING – Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today announced that legislation will be introduced in the State House of Representatives that would give the attorney general full authority to investigate price-fixing and gas-gouging at Michigan’s gas pumps. The governor called for this legislation to protect consumers in her 2008 State of the State address.
“We are working to protect the pocketbooks of consumers who are feeling pain at the pump,” Granholm said. “While the vast majority of service station dealers are reputable business owners who deliver the proper quality and quantity of fuel, this legislation would give the attorney general the authority to make sure that consumers are treated fairly.”
The legislation would amend the Michigan Consumer Protection Act by granting the attorney general the ability to issue a civil investigative demand against companies believed to be in violation of the act without having to first obtain a court-ordered subpoena based on probable cause. And the legislation would clearly define what is considered to be a grossly excessive price for goods and services. With these amendments, the attorney general would be able to more efficiently and readily investigate a potential violation of the act, including consumer complaints against the gasoline industry for price-gouging.
The legislation would also amend the Michigan Antitrust Reform Act to expand the ability of the attorney general and local prosecutors to investigate anti-competitive conduct by the state’s retail gasoline industry by authorizing them to investigate and file actions based on possible violations of both state and federal antitrust laws.
“At a time when global markets and international speculation are causing gas prices to rise, we are going to continue to do everything we can to ensure citizens are getting every penny's worth at the pump,” Granholm said.
In 2007, the Michigan Department of Agriculture inspected 30,262 gas and diesel fuel meters at more than 3,100 locations across the state, which is the highest meter inspection since 1996, resulting in increased compliance efforts by the fuel industry.
Increased inspections have driven meter accuracy up five percent since 2004 to more than 99 percent. Overall meter compliance has increased 12 percent – from 80 percent in 2004 to approximately 92 percent.
Last year, the governor provided testimony before the U.S. House Oversight and Investigations subcommittee and asked Congress to repeal unnecessary federal tax subsidies while ensuring price competition of unbranded gasoline. Additionally, Granholm, along with 20 other state governors, called on President Bush to urge oil companies to invest profits in fixing current refinery capacity issues to help lower prices at the pump.
The legislation will be introduced by State Representatives Mary Valentine (D-Norton Shores) and Robert Dean (D-Grand Rapids).
Legislation would broaden attorney general’s authority to investigate gas-gouging, price-fixing
LANSING – Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today announced that legislation will be introduced in the State House of Representatives that would give the attorney general full authority to investigate price-fixing and gas-gouging at Michigan’s gas pumps. The governor called for this legislation to protect consumers in her 2008 State of the State address.
“We are working to protect the pocketbooks of consumers who are feeling pain at the pump,” Granholm said. “While the vast majority of service station dealers are reputable business owners who deliver the proper quality and quantity of fuel, this legislation would give the attorney general the authority to make sure that consumers are treated fairly.”
The legislation would amend the Michigan Consumer Protection Act by granting the attorney general the ability to issue a civil investigative demand against companies believed to be in violation of the act without having to first obtain a court-ordered subpoena based on probable cause. And the legislation would clearly define what is considered to be a grossly excessive price for goods and services. With these amendments, the attorney general would be able to more efficiently and readily investigate a potential violation of the act, including consumer complaints against the gasoline industry for price-gouging.
The legislation would also amend the Michigan Antitrust Reform Act to expand the ability of the attorney general and local prosecutors to investigate anti-competitive conduct by the state’s retail gasoline industry by authorizing them to investigate and file actions based on possible violations of both state and federal antitrust laws.
“At a time when global markets and international speculation are causing gas prices to rise, we are going to continue to do everything we can to ensure citizens are getting every penny's worth at the pump,” Granholm said.
In 2007, the Michigan Department of Agriculture inspected 30,262 gas and diesel fuel meters at more than 3,100 locations across the state, which is the highest meter inspection since 1996, resulting in increased compliance efforts by the fuel industry.
Increased inspections have driven meter accuracy up five percent since 2004 to more than 99 percent. Overall meter compliance has increased 12 percent – from 80 percent in 2004 to approximately 92 percent.
Last year, the governor provided testimony before the U.S. House Oversight and Investigations subcommittee and asked Congress to repeal unnecessary federal tax subsidies while ensuring price competition of unbranded gasoline. Additionally, Granholm, along with 20 other state governors, called on President Bush to urge oil companies to invest profits in fixing current refinery capacity issues to help lower prices at the pump.
The legislation will be introduced by State Representatives Mary Valentine (D-Norton Shores) and Robert Dean (D-Grand Rapids).
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Monday, June 16, 2008
Weather, child predator top weekend news
A storm that blew through Marshall Friday night caused flooding to at least one residential basement and knocked a tree onto at least one house. Marshall police said the hard, fast rainfall led waters to rise quickly over Michigan avenue in the early evening and motorists were asked to stay away from the main artery through the city. The quick work of DPW and electric department workers led to power outages being restored and the streets being cleared before nightfall. And, on Sunday morning, Calhoun County and City of Marshall police snagged a potential child predator who thought he was meeting his 13-year-old female victim at McDonalds, according to reports. Instead, he met with a pair of handcuffs and some officers who took him straight to jail. See the June 28 Chronicle for more on these stories and more.
Monday, June 9, 2008
176 graduate MHS
At Marshall High School Saturday, 176 students became graduates, collecting their diplomas from Board President Vic Potter and Principal Bryan Klochack. See this week's Chronicle for the preview on this story and Wednesday's Ad-Visor for photos and stories on both the MHS graduation and the Marshall Alternative High School graduations, covered by Mary Tinsley Young.
MPS tours State Farm building
Marshall Public School officials toured the State Farm insurance building sitting empty on East Drive in Marshall for future, possible alternative high school use if other entities agree to share the building and expenses to operate the 211,000 square foot structure. Board President Vic Potter said the district cannot afford to buy the building which he hopes State Farm will donate to the community. See the June 7 Chronicle for more on this story.
Budget public hearings set at MPS, Mar Lee
Marshall Public Schools and Mar Lee School will hold public hearings tonight and tomorrow night respectively on their proposed, 2008-2009 operating budgets. MPS hopes to add a teacher and two sports teams while Mar Lee will use fund balance to balance the $50,000 deficit budget. See more on these issues in this week's Chronicle.
Some township officials face challenges in Aug. 5 primary
Officials in some Calhoun County townships will face challanges in the Aug. 5 primary while others have all incumbents seeking re-election in November. Still others have incubments not seeking re-election and newcomers filing. Get a closer look at these races at the Calhoun County Clerk of Elections.
Wednesday, June 11 is Guadalupe Aguilar Day in Marshall
Marshall Mayor Bruce Smith has proclaimed June 11 Guadalupe Aguilar Day in the City of Marshall. Guadalupe, who has lived in Marshall since 1946, is 100 yeras old. Read the story of how this child migrant worker, born in Mexico in 1908, has led a happy and successful life surrounded by her loving family in this week's Chronicle. An open house celebrating her birthday is set for noon to 8 p.m. at her home on Warren Street.
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
I-94 eastbound lane, ramp to be closed this weekend
From 10 p.m. on Friday, June 6 until 6 a.m. on Monday, June 9, the driving lane of eastbound I-94 from Exit 92 to Renton Road will be closed for concrete repairs. In addition the ramp from eastbound I-94 to Exit 92 will be closed and detoured. The detour follows: Exit 88 (40th Street), Michigan Avenue, and Mercury/Columbia Avenue and back to I-94.
This work is weather-dependant.
For more information, contact: Julie A. Hurley, Southwest Region Communications Representative, Michigan Department of Transportation, hurleyju@mi.gov, 269.208.7829 (Nextel)
For lane closure information visit
michigan.gov/drive
This work is weather-dependant.
For more information, contact: Julie A. Hurley, Southwest Region Communications Representative, Michigan Department of Transportation, hurleyju@mi.gov, 269.208.7829 (Nextel)
For lane closure information visit
michigan.gov/drive
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
MPSC grants 911 surcharge rehearing request for county
The Michigan Public Service Commission today granted 911 surcharge rehearing requests by Grand Traverse and Calhoun Counties and denied re-hearing requests by Huron and Muskegon counties.
Calhoun's hearing is reportedly scheduled for 3 p.m. today, according to a report by Marshall City Council Trustee Brent Williams at Monday's public meeting.
The MPSC on March 11 issued an order that approved or adjusted 911 surcharges submitted by 68 Michigan counties.
Between April 4 and 10, Grand Traverse, Calhoun, Huron and Muskeon counties filed petitions for rehearing.
Calhoun County's request for rehearing was based on new information, seeking to reduce its surcharge from 65 cents currently levied on hard wire phone service bills to 60 cents though the 60 cents will be newly applied to cell phones, voice over internet and other methods used for dialing 911.
"The result is a cost savings for ratepayers and the consolidation of three 911 facilities into one," reported Judy Palnau of the MPSC. "In today's order, the MPSC granted the request for rehearing and approved the requested 60-cents surcharge."
See this Saturday's Chronicle for more on this story.
Calhoun's hearing is reportedly scheduled for 3 p.m. today, according to a report by Marshall City Council Trustee Brent Williams at Monday's public meeting.
The MPSC on March 11 issued an order that approved or adjusted 911 surcharges submitted by 68 Michigan counties.
Between April 4 and 10, Grand Traverse, Calhoun, Huron and Muskeon counties filed petitions for rehearing.
Calhoun County's request for rehearing was based on new information, seeking to reduce its surcharge from 65 cents currently levied on hard wire phone service bills to 60 cents though the 60 cents will be newly applied to cell phones, voice over internet and other methods used for dialing 911.
"The result is a cost savings for ratepayers and the consolidation of three 911 facilities into one," reported Judy Palnau of the MPSC. "In today's order, the MPSC granted the request for rehearing and approved the requested 60-cents surcharge."
See this Saturday's Chronicle for more on this story.
Monday, June 2, 2008
Damon gets life in prison with possibility of parole
A 21-year-old Marshall man convicted of second degree murder for striking a fatal blow to the head of four-year-old McKenzie VandenHeede last July was sentenced by Calhoun County Circuit Judge Stephen Miller to life in prison with the possibility of parole in 20 years. Damon said he asked McKenzie's mother, Jill VandenHeede for forgiveness "and she did." Jill VandenHeede said her daughter was her "whole life" and that she, Damon and her daughter had happy times together. McKenzie's father, Jarrod Wetzel, called Damon a "monster." For more on what was said at the sentencing hearing today, see Saturday's Chronicle.
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