Howell
Nature center says eagle may have been shot
HOWELL, Mich. (AP) — Staff members at a Howell nature center say a wounded bald eagle may have been illegally shot.
The Howell Conference and Nature Center has asked the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to investigate. The adult male eagle was recovered Saturday in Marion Township.
Center director Dana DeBenham says there were no fractures to the bird's wings and no evidence of lead, but two circular injuries near his chest could be gunshot wounds.
Bald eagles were taken off the U.S. endangered species list in 2007 but remain federally protected. Violations can carry penalties of up to six months in prison or a $15,000 fine.
Lansing
Minor league ballpark renovations $3M over budget
LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Renovations to Lansing's minor league baseball park are expected to cost up to $3 million more than budgeted.
The Lansing State Journal reports the project to outfit the home of the Lansing Lugnuts with new locker rooms, scoreboards and concessions areas will have to rely on more private funding, team payments and money borrowed in bonds.
The renovations will be done in conjunction with a private development of apartments in the Cooley Law School Stadium outfield. The ballpark renovations are scheduled to finish in 2015 and the apartment construction is set to end a year later.
The project initially was estimated at $22 million. Lansing's chief operating officer says the city underestimated the cost of materials needed to protect concrete from cold weather.
East Lansing
Funds to boost rural economic development
EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Michigan State University is getting $200,000 from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to help boost economic development in rural areas.
The grant announced Monday is from the USDA's Rural Cooperative Development Grant program.
Michigan State plans to use the funds to provide technical assistance to 15 cooperatives and help incorporate two cooperatives.
