State Roundup

Detroit Snyder's office: Deal on bridge can't be undone DETROIT (AP) -- The office of Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder says an agreement to build a second international bridge across the Detroit River can't be undone by a ballot effort. Spokeswoman Sara Wurfel told the Detroit Free Press and The Detroit News on Monday that a constitutional amendment wouldn't undo the deal if passed by voters. Bridge opponents disagree. And they say they have enough signatures to let voters weigh in. Manuel "Matty" Moroun, the private owner of the Ambassador Bridge, opposes the Canadian-financed span. His Detroit International Bridge Co. wants to add a span of its own. Moroun's company is pushing a November ballot proposal that would require voters' approval to build an alternative bridge. U.S. and Canadian leaders announced the agreement Friday to build the bridge at no cost to Michigan. Harrison Twp. Tuskegee Airmen honored at guard base ceremony HARRISON TOWNSHIP, Mich. (AP) -- Southeastern Michigan's Selfridge Air National Guard Base is hosting four original members of the Tuskegee Airmen on Tuesday. The base in Macomb County's Harrison Township says the four World War II veterans will be guests of honor at noon at the Selfridge Base Community Council lunch meeting. The guests are retirees Col. Charles McGee and Lt. Cols. Alexander Jefferson, Washington Ross and Harry Stewart Jr. They were members of the famed African American air unit, the Tuskegee, Ala.-based 332nd Fighter Group. Selfridge says they will lead a discussion panel after the viewing of a short clip from a movie about the group's triumphs while facing racism and segregation. Cascade Twp. Worker dies in West Michigan industrial mishap CASCADE TOWNSHIP, Mich. (AP) -- Authorities say a 35-year-old worker has died following an industrial accident in West Michigan. The accident was reported early Monday at Mill Steel in Kent County's Cascade Township. The Kent County sheriff's department says the man was moving large steel coils when one fell on him. Mlive.com says police identify the victim as Samir Beslic of Grand Rapids. Lansing GM to announce 100th facility is now 'landfill-free' LANSING, Mich. (AP) -- General Motors Co. is reaching a landmark when it comes to keeping stuff out of landfills. The Detroit-based automaker is expected to announce Tuesday that its 100th facility has achieved "landfill-free" status. A distribution center in Lansing helped GM reach the milestone. The company says it first reduces waste and then focuses on recycling and reuse. That includes recycling scrap cardboard into sound absorbers for vehicle roofs and used tires into air deflectors on pickup trucks. The automaker says it recycled or reused 2.6 million metric tons at its plants worldwide last year -- equivalent to about 38 million garbage bags. GM says it's reduced total waste by about 43 percent since 1997. Highland Park Charter system proposed for school system HIGHLAND PARK, Mich. (AP) -- The new emergency manager overseeing the finances of Highland Park Public Schools is recommending that the district transforms into a charter system. The state treasurer's office said Monday that Joyce Parker will submit the proposal in a financial and operating plan draft to state schools Superintendent Michael Flanagan. Parker is expected to issue a request for applications for a management company. She says the district doesn't have adequate funding to continue providing a quality education to students. Highland Park Schools' budget deficit soared from $6.6 million to more than $11 million in the past fiscal year. The state has advanced the district several state aid payments to meet teacher payroll. Parker was appointed emergency manager May 21. Muskegon Heights and Detroit public schools also have emergency managers. Mount Clemens Smelly visitors: Fish flies out in force in Mich. MOUNT CLEMENS, Mich. (AP) -- The smelly fish flies are back in force along the water in southeast Michigan and they're reportedly turning up further inland this year. Also known as mayflies, they show up each spring in places such as New Baltimore, Harrison Township, St. Clair Shores and the Grosse Pointe communities along Lake St. Clair, clinging to streetlights, walls, boats, windows, trees and people. They also swarm along the Detroit River in Detroit. Lake St. Clair Metropark naturalist Michelle Serreyn tells The Macomb Daily of Mount Clemens that breezes have brought the fish flies further from the water this year. They've been reported inland in Mount Clemens, Roseville and Sterling Heights. They leave a fishy smell when they die. They're sensitive to pollution, so their presence is a water quality indicator. Iron River Couple ties knot at demolition derby in Michigan IRON RIVER, Mich. (AP) -- A couple in Michigan's Upper Peninsula got their marriage off to a smashing start over the weekend. WLUC-TV reports Heather Benette and Dennis Charbarneau tied the knot Saturday ahead of a demolition derby at the Iron County fairgrounds in Iron River. They've known each other for nearly two decades and, after going separate ways, saw each other again at a wedding in 2010. Benette and Charbarneau wanted to get married in a unique way, so the ceremony was held in the middle of the arena before the start of the demolition derby. They say their love, unlike the cars at the demolition derby, is indestructible. Detroit Curfew along Detroit riverfront draws attention DETROIT (AP) -- A curfew on privately owned sections of downtown Detroit's riverfront is drawing attention following recent enforcement. The Detroit RiverFront Conservancy requires visitors under age 18 who are on the property past 5 p.m. to be accompanied by a parent or guardian. The Detroit News reports Tuesday it's a policy the conservancy says it hasn't been actively enforcing, but Detroit police have been. Conservancy spokesman Marc Pasco says the curfew began in 2010. Details are posted on signs at the RiverWalk. The general curfew for youth in the city of Detroit is 10 p.m. Detroit police Sgt. Eren Stephens said officers aren't specifically assigned to the RiverWalk, but they will patrol the area at the request of the conservancy. Published: Wed, Jun 20, 2012