Tribes want elders to be certified as native language teachers

BY RICK PLUTA
Michigan Public Radio Network
   
The state allows native languages to satisfy Michigan’s high school graduation requirements. Tribal leaders hoped that would help save native languages from extinction
.
“The Potawatami language is classified as an endangered language, it’s a dying language.”
Ken Meshigaud is the tribal chairman of the Hannahville Indian Community in the Upper Peninsula.

He says now there’s another problem – pretty much the only people left who are fluent in native languages such as Potawatami are elders who don’t have state-issued teaching certificates.

“Not many schools or colleges offer Potawatami language as a major or a minor in their college degrees, so this is one avenue that we think will work.”

The bill would allow tribal elders who are fluent to be certified by the state as language instructors who would expose younger generations to dying tongues. There’s no word on when the state Senate might vote on the bill.

© Copyright 2010, MPRN
 

Lawmakers say they’ll work on fireworks bill

BY LAURA WEBER
Michigan Public Radio Network

It’s not equitable. It creates almost a monopoly for the people who are benefited by the bill.
Sanborn says the only businesses that would benefit from the bill are out-of state fireworks retailers.

And he says there are safety concerns that need to be addressed. There does appear to be interest from the House and Senate to find consensus on the fireworks bill, but Sanborn says he doesn’t think that will happen before this year’s Independence Day.

Most lawmakers agree Michigan could use the millions of dollars that leave the state every year for neighboring states that do sell larger fireworks.

© Copyright 2010, MPRN

Petoskey says bad economy won’t put a damper on tourism numbers

The Petoskey Area Chamber of Commerce says it won’t let a few years of bad business lower its optimism about this year’s tourism season.

Carlin Smith is the president of the chamber.

He says an advantage travel-related businesses have going into summer is that people in Michigan, normally like to vacation in the state.

“Travel in Michigan comes from Michigan primarily. That’s good for us although it’s been bad recent years because so many people are out of work.  It allows people who are on tighter budgets to stay close to home and still get a quality vacation out of the deal” says Smith

He says that, plus the steady stream of people who own vacation homes in the area should result in a profitable summer.
 
“Those businesses that are strong and have been around for a while they’re capitalized and they’re able to survive these lower periods and we hope we can throw some dollars in these businesses and get them flush again and also give people some great travel experiences in our state. And we’re ready for that this year” says Smith. 

Smith says although there are still a lot of people out work in the state, people are looking to get away, and he hopes they’ll come up north to do so.

MDOT lifts most traffic restrictions for holiday weekend

Traffic restrictions are being lifted in construction zones across the state today, just in time for the Memorial Day holiday.

Lane restrictions will be lifted in 121 construction zones beginning at 3 this afternoon, in anticipation of the 1.1 million motorists who are expected to travel this weekend.

But another 62 projects will still have some restrictions in place, according to the Michigan Department of Transportation.

Below is a list of traffic restrictions that will remain in place this weekend.

Upper Peninsula

• I-75 southbound bridges over Mackinac Trail and the Carp River, Mackinac County, will have one lane open.

• M-28 at the Presque Isle Bridge, Gogebic County, will have one lane of alternating traffic controlled by a temporary signal.
• M-129 between M-80 and 10 Mile Road, Chippewa County, will be closed to through-traffic. The Charlotte River Bridge is closed with traffic detoured on M-80, Gaines Highway, I-75 and M-28.
• US-2 in Crystal Falls, Iron County, will have traffic controlled by a temporary signal.
• US-2 in Rapid River, Delta County, will have one lane open in each direction at the US-41 intersection.
• US-41 in Marquette, Marquette County, will have one lane open in each direction, with Front Street closed. Access to downtown Marquette will be maintained on Grove Street.
• US-41 in Menominee, Menominee County, will have through-traffic detoured on 30th Avenue and 13th Street.

Northern Lower Peninsula 

• M-32 Business Spur in the village of Hillman, Montmorency County, will have a lane shift with a temporary bridge.
• US-10 from US-131 to the Lake County line, Osceola County, will have shoulder closures.
• US-23 will have a lane shift from French Road to Hamilton Road, Alpena County.

West Michigan 

• I-196 between US-131 and Fuller Avenue in Grand Rapids, Kent County, will be reduced to one lane in each direction to College Avenue. Eastbound I-196 is closed between College and Fuller. Westbound I-196 is closed between College and Ottawa avenues. Coit Avenue over I-196 will be reduced to one southbound lane. Eastern Avenue over I-196 is closed. The following ramps will be closed: northbound US-131 to eastbound I-196; Michigan Street to eastbound I-196; College Avenue to westbound I-196 and eastbound I-196; and Fuller Avenue to westbound I-196.
• M-21 over the Flat River in downtown Lowell, Kent County, will be reduced to one eastbound lane. Westbound M-21 is closed and detoured on local streets.
• M-21 between M-66 and Lovell Street in the city of Ionia, Ionia County, will be closed with a posted detour.
• US-31 Business Route (BR) over the south branch of the Muskegon River (known locally as “The Spider Web”) in the city of Muskegon, Muskegon County. Northbound US-31 BR (outbound traffic) is closed to US-31, with two lanes remaining open to M-120.

Southwest Michigan 

• I-94 at Westnedge Avenue in Kalamazoo/Portage, Kalamazoo County, will have two lanes maintained in each direction. The following ramps are closed: westbound I-94 to southbound Westnedge Avenue; eastbound I-94 to southbound Westnedge Avenue; eastbound I-94 to northbound Westnedge Avenue; northbound Westnedge Avenue to eastbound I-94; and southbound Westnedge Avenue to eastbound I-94.
• I-94 Business Loop through downtown Benton Harbor, Berrien County, will be reduced to one eastbound lane with westbound traffic detoured.
• I-196 over the Paw Paw River at Mile Marker 3, Berrien County, will be reduced to one lane in each direction.
• M-40 through downtown Paw Paw, Van Buren County, will be reduced to one lane in each direction.
• M-96 bridge over the Kalamazoo River mill race in Augusta, Kalamazoo County, will have one lane open and traffic will be regulated with traffic signals.
• M-222 at Eastern Avenue in Allegan, Allegan County, will be open with traffic maintained using a traffic shift. There is a truck detour in place that will extend through the holiday.

Central Michigan and Thumb 

• I-69 from M-15 to M-24 in Genesee and Lapeer counties will have eastbound and westbound traffic shifted onto eastbound lanes with one lane open in each direction.
• I-75 from Hotchkiss Road south to Crane Road in Saginaw and Bay counties will have three lanes maintained in each direction with a traffic shift.
• I-475 southbound lanes in Genesee County will remain open through the holiday weekend. Northbound I-475 will have one lane open from Atherton Road north to I-69.
• I-675 northbound lanes in Saginaw County will remain closed from Exit 2 to Tittabawassee Road. Tittabawassee Road north to the north junction with I-75 will be open.
• M-13 over the Kawkawlin River in Bay County will have one lane maintained in each direction over the bridge.
• M-13 at M-46 in Saginaw County will remain closed with a detour posted.
• M-83 at Dead Creek in between Curtis and Townline roads (just south of Bronner’s) in Frankenmuth, Saginaw County, will have one lane alternating in each direction with traffic maintained using temporary traffic signals.
• M-84/I-75 in Bay County will remain closed with a detour posted.

Southern Mid-Michigan 

• The Northfield Church Rest Area on southbound US-23, just north of Ann Arbor, Washtenaw County, is closed for reconstruction.
• The ramp from N. Territorial Road to southbound US-23 near Ann Arbor, Washtenaw County, is closed with a detour posted.
• The ramp from Geddes Road to southbound US-23 in Ann Arbor, Washtenaw County, is closed with a detour posted. Also on Geddes Road over US-23, there is one lane maintained eastbound with westbound traffic detoured.
• I-75 near Monroe, Monroe County, has two lanes of traffic maintained in each direction with a traffic shift.
• I-94 at Dettman Road near Jackson, Jackson County. Dettman Road is closed with a detour posted.
• I-94 from Sargent Road to the Jackson/Washtenaw county line has two lanes of traffic maintained in each direction with a traffic shift.
• I-96 from M-100 to M-43 in Clinton and Eaton counties has two lanes of traffic maintained in each direction via median crossovers.
• I-96 from US-127 to Meridian Road in Ingham County has two lanes of traffic maintained in each direction via median crossovers.
• M-43 near Park Lake Road in Meridian Township, Ingham County, has one lane open in each direction with a traffic shift.
• M-52 is closed just south of M-21 in Owosso, Shiawassee County, with a detour posted.
• M-99/M-50 in downtown Eaton Rapids, Eaton County, will have one lane open northbound; southbound traffic detoured.
• Old US-27 over I-69 and the Looking Glass River near DeWitt, Clinton County, has single-lane closures in each direction.

Metro Detroit Region 

City of Detroit

• The left lane of northbound I-75 is closed over the Rouge River.
• Eastbound and westbound I-96 single-lane closures between Livernois and Davison avenues.
• Nort
  hbound and southbound M-1 (Woodward Avenue) are reduced to a single lane each between Tuxedo and Chandler streets. 
• Eastbound and westbound M-8 (Davison Avenue) have a single-lane closure between M-10 (Lodge Freeway) and I-96.
• Westbound M-8 (Davison Freeway) is closed from Conant Avenue to I-75, while eastbound M-8 has a single lane open from I-75 to Conant Avenue for reconstruction. Westbound motorists are detoured north on Conant Avenue to westbound McNichols Road, then southbound I-75 back to westbound M-8.
• Northbound and southbound M-85 (Fort Street) are closed to through-traffic between Oakwood Boulevard and Schaefer Highway.
• The right lanes of northbound and southbound M-85 (Fort Street) are closed at Springwells Avenue. 
• Eastbound and westbound US-12 (Michigan Avenue) each have the two right lanes closed between Livernois Avenue and Clark Street. 

Oakland County 

• Northbound and southbound I-75 have two lanes open each at Nine Mile Road for ongoing reconstruction.
• I-96 has three lanes open in each direction, with a traffic shift and reduced speeds, between Novi and Beck roads. In addition, the ramp from northbound M-5 to westbound I-96 is closed.
• Eastbound and westbound M-59 have two lanes open each via a traffic shift, between Crooks and Ryan roads.
• The M-102 (Eight Mile Road) ramp to northbound M-10 is closed.
• Northbound US-24 (Telegraph Road) has two lanes open from 12 Mile to Maple roads, while southbound US-24 has two lanes open from Long Lake to Maple roads.
• Northbound and southbound US-24 (Telegraph Road) have two lanes open each, between Square Lake and Orchard Lake roads.
• Northbound and southbound US-24 (Telegraph Road) have two lanes open each, between M-102 and I-696.

St. Clair County 

• Eastbound and westbound I-94 have a single lane open each via a traffic shift, between Allington Road and St. Clair Highway. The eastbound I-94 exit to Fred Moore Highway is closed.

Macomb County 

• The two-lane ramps at the I-94/I-696 interchange are reduced to a single lane.

Wayne County 

• The ramp from Ecorse Road to eastbound and westbound I-94 is closed.
• The northbound I-275 ramp to eastbound I-94 is closed.
• Northbound and southbound I-275 have a single lane open each, between Will Carleton Road and I-94.
• Northbound and southbound M-39 (Southfield Road) have two lanes open between I-75 and I-94.
• Eastbound and westbound US-12 (Michigan Avenue) have a single lane open each, between Brady Street and Outer Drive.

Senate holds annual Memorial Day service

BY LAURA WEBER
Michigan Public Radio Network

“Because it’s important that we remember why we’re here, that freedom is not free, that there is a cost. And the families in the gallery and the folks behind me are testimony to that.”

This is the sixteenth year the Senate held the Memorial Day service.

© Copyright 2010, MPRN

Consumers pauses plans for new coal plant

BY RICK PLUTA
Michigan Public Radio Network

Consumers officials say the recession lasted longer than they expected and the recovery has been weaker. Also, the cost of natural gas is expected to plummet as energy companies develop new ways to tap into previously unreachable gas reserves.

That would make gas generation a better deal for utilities and their customers than coal.
The company will assess the future of existing plants that would have been retired if the new cleaner-burning Bay City plant opened as planned in 2017. 

But a Consumers spokesman says that also means Michigan won’t see the benefits of reduced emissions. Nevertheless, environmentalists are cheering the decision, saying they hope Consumers and other utilities will turn instead to emissions-free alternative fuels.

© Copyright 2010,MPRN

 

Dillon says state will eventually need more big power plants

BY RICK PLUTA
Michigan Public Radio Network

The law guarantees utilities won’t lose most of their customers to competitors if they invest in building power plants. But it also requires utilities to show there’s enough demand for electricity to justify another generation plant.
 
Consumers Energy says a drop in customer demand led to its decision to shelve plans to build a new plant on the Saginaw Bay. House Speaker Andy Dillon says that shows the law is doing what it’s supposed to do.

“It created a framework that allows for what’s happening today, which is the company’s decided it can’t clear the certificate of need process. That’s how the system’s supposed to work and it will work five years from now or 10 years from now.”

Dillon says Michigan will eventually need one or more big new power plants fueled by coal, natural gas, or nuclear energy. Environmentalists are hoping the delay will convince Consumers Energy and other utilities to look to other alternative fuels.

© Copyright 2010,MPRN

LSSU gets money to research endangered shorebird

Students at one Michigan University are spending their summer researching a little one- ounce shorebird.

The Piping Plover nests mainly on beaches throughout Michigan. It’s been endangered for over 20 years.
 
Students at Lake Superior State University will be helping research the bird with the help of $150,000 grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.
 
LSSU says the bulk of the funding will go towards educating people about the species.
 
Tom Pink is with Lake Superior State University.  He says part of the funding will go towards educating others about the species.
 
Plovers are important and biologists are interested in them because they will only nest on wide open beaches along the Great Lakes so as humans encroach on that habitat it has an effect on the birds and piping plovers are in a tenuous position there aren’t very many of them” says Pink.

Pink says Michigan is the best place to research the plover because they seek out remote beaches and Northern Michigan has a good deal of them.

“There aren’t many other places like that in the world” says Pink.
 
 LSSU says they’ve wasted no time in putting the students to work on the research, placing them in locations across Northern Michigan. 

 

Consumers Energy decision described as an opportunity for alternative energy

Supporters of alternative energy say the decision to defer construction on a Bay County coal plant is good for the state.

Tom Karas is the Executive Director of the Michigan Energy Alternatives Project.  He says the economics make sense, and the decision provides an opportunity to pursue alternative energy.

“As everybody’s seen, the cost of wind and solar is going down dramatically, year by year.  There is a tremendous amount of new technology in batteries, that Michigan is trying to be a leader in, that are also going to come into play.  We have a great future ahead of us.”

Karas says recent decisions not to build some proposed coal plants cast doubt on the future of new coal plants.

“There may be some environmental work that’s going to be done on some
of the existing plants to make them operate cleaner and extend their
lives a little bit, but I really believe this signals an end of coal
and a turn in direction toward some really
much-more-economically-feasible — and cleaner — alternatives.”

According to state officials, now that the Bay county plant is on hold, the only other permit application on file is for a proposed coal facility in Holland.

Consumers Energy would have been the first company to pursue a certificate of necessity from the Michigan Public Service Commission under stricter legislation that was passed November 2008.

Biologists say wildfire good for endangered bird species

Thousands of acres burned.  More than a dozen homes destroyed.  There’s no question that the huge Meridian Boundary fire in Crawford County had a high cost.

But biologists say there is a silver lining.  The fire helped one little bird species that lives in the forests that were destroyed.

The Kirtland’s Warbler inhabited more than 400 acres of the 8,000 that burned in last week’s fire near Grayling.

 But specialists say the short term damage will lead to long term growth.

 Phil Huber is a wildlife biologist with the U.S forest service.  He says the area burned makes way for more habitat for the bird.

 “As a result of the fire there’s a lot of older jack pine that was not suitable habitat  for the Kirtland’s Warbler that burned up and that was between three and four thousand acres.  So we’ll have almost a ten fold increase in habitat with the next 8 to 10 years in this area” says Huber.

Huber says adjusting to fire disturbances is nothing new for species in Michigan.  He says since the 1850’s Jack Pine forests in Michigan have been burning and regenerating.
 
 “Fire removes dead vegetation and provides growing space for more plants and the ash from the fire releases nutrients and within a month or so the burn area will be covered by a lush green ground cover and we’ll probably start to see some young jackpine seedlings within a month or two” says Huber.

Huber says the Warbler can only nest in Jack Pine trees that are 5 to 15 years old.  He says 31 pairs of Warblers escaped from the fire.