State Roundup

Grand Haven Art display offers people a chance to share life goals GRAND HAVEN, Mich. (AP) - An interactive art display in downtown Grand Haven is offering people a chance to share their life goals. The Grand Haven Tribune reports that Brad Fisher, an area attorney, made the piece with his girlfriend, Erin Turrell. The 32-foot-long display has lines that begin "Before I die I want to" followed by empty lines. People can write their thoughts in chalk. It was put up recently and the lines filled up quickly. A dedication ceremony for the display is planned for Friday evening. Artist Candy Chang created the first such wall on an abandoned house in her New Orleans neighborhood in 2011 and hundreds of similar walls have gone up around the world. Fisher and Turrell organized the Grand Haven display after a visit to New Orleans. Ypsilanti Man charged with murder sentenced in drug case YPSILANTI, Mich. (AP) - A Washtenaw County man who had murder charges against him dismissed in the June 2014 fatal shooting of a 17-year-old boy during a gang conflict has been sentenced on drug charges. The Ann Arbor News reports Keandre Duff pleaded guilty in two cases to delivery of marijuana, buying a gun without a license, possession of marijuana and possession of prescription drugs. The 20-year-old received to two years of probation Tuesday. Duff's court-appointed lawyer had asked for a sentence of time served since he spent 296 days in jail while charged in the death of Keon Washington at an Ypsilanti house party. The Ypsilanti Township man had been charged with open murder, but that was dismissed as trial was to begin in April after prosecutors said there was insufficient evidence. Marquette Wildlife managers win appeal to ban exotic pigs MARQUETTE, Mich. (AP) - The Michigan appeals court has ruled in favor of wildlife managers in their effort to ban Russian boars and similar pig breeds. The court says there's nothing unconstitutional about the Department of Natural Resources targeting some breeds and not others. It overturned an injunction ordered by a Marquette County judge last year. The DNR designated exotic swine as an invasive species off-limits in Michigan. The agency says they're escaping from game ranches and small farms and ravaging wetlands, streams and crops. The appeals court says plaintiffs in the lawsuit appear to be "highly responsible" Russian boar owners. But the court notes that boars are in the "wilds of our state," and the DNR is reasonably exercising its authority in trying to control them. The 3-0 decision was released Wednesday. Ann Arbor Policy could require students to take state tests ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) - The public school district in Ann Arbor is considering whether to require all students to take state exams and keep those who don't out of some school programs. The district's Board of Education discussed the idea last month and is scheduled to vote on the policy at its June 10 meeting, The Ann Arbor News reported. Board President Deb Mexicotte said the proposed policy is under review and could see some changes at the meeting. Under the current proposal, students who don't take the tests would be kept from district schools or programs that require an application to participate. The proposal has been met with opposition from some parents. It could affect admissions to schools such as Ann Arbor Open School. "The school board should not take away parents' right to choose what is right for our children," said Andrea Horvath, an Ann Arbor Open School parent. The policy will not affect students who cannot take the test because of an emergency. The district already requires 11th grade students to take state assessments to graduate. "We do not believe that requiring participation in state-mandated student assessments is an unreasonable or discriminatory requirement for participating in our district's application-based schools," Andy Thomas, school board secretary, said in a statement. Students around the state this year took the Michigan Student Test of Educational Progress, known as the M-STEP, but some opted out. The exam replaces Michigan Educational Assessment Program, or MEAP, which students previously took each fall. This year, nearly all of the district's students took the M-STEP, Mexicotte said. One school had a substantial number of students who didn't take it. District officials worry that if too many students opt out it could affect funding and performance measurements for their schools. Lansing Legislature OKs bill to tie truancy to assistance LANSING, Mich. (AP) - A Michigan Department of Human Services policy of requiring school attendance for families receiving cash assistance would become law under a bill sent to Republican Gov. Rick Snyder for consideration. The Republican-led House gave final approval to the bill Tuesday. The measure would make law of the existing department policy in which a family loses eligibility for the Family Independence Program if a child ages 6 through 15 doesn't meet certain attendance requirements. Children 16 or older who are still dependents and haven't graduated from high school would lose cash assistance for themselves if they don't meet attendance requirements. Republican sponsor Rep. Al Pscholka of Stevensville says multiple precautions would be taken before removing people from cash assistance, and the legislation would help "break the cycle of generational poverty." Lansing Officials requiring canine flu case notification LANSING, Mich. (AP) - Veterinarians and diagnostic labs across Michigan now must notify the state if they suspect canine flu or see a positive test for the disease. The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development says state veterinarian James Averill added canine influenza Wednesday to the state's 2015 Reportable Disease list. Three cases of canine flu that hit the Midwest earlier this year have been confirmed in Michigan, including one in Macomb County and two in Kent County. Experts blame the epidemic on a strain called H3N2 that is seen in Asia and leaves pets feeling lousy for about two weeks. The virus gets passed through the air when dogs sneeze or by people when germs jump on hands or clothing, where they can live for hours. Canine flu doesn't sicken people. Detroit ACLU of Michigan launching app for recording police DETROIT (AP) - The American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan is bringing to the state a version of a smartphone app to safeguard videos they record of law enforcement officers. The Detroit Free Press reports the Mobile Justice MI app will upload a video immediately and automatically after a user finishes recording. ACLU of Michigan spokesman Darrell Dawsey says a team will later review the video and pursue action if a complaint has merit. The first such app was launched by the New York chapter of the civil liberties group in 2013 and since then other state chapters have followed suit. The app will be available for Apple and Android devices. Lansing Michigan Senate holds hearing on state Treasurer LANSING, Mich. (AP) - A Michigan Senate committee grilled the newly appointed state treasurer in an advice and consent hearing, but the next steps - if any - are unclear. The Republican-majority Senate Financial Committee on Wednesday questioned Treasurer Nick Khouri on issues ranging from how he planned to improve the department to whether he believed his former position with DTE Energy Co. would present a conflict of interest. Republican Gov. Rick Snyder announced the appointment March 17. It took effect April 20. Michigan's Constitution lets the Senate hold hearings up to 60 session days after an appointment is made. An appointment can be disapproved by a majority of the Senate in that period. Committee Chairman Sen. Jack Brandenburg refused to answer questions from reporters after the hearing about what may come next. Published: Thu, Jun 04, 2015