Detroit: EPA says Michigan now meets ozone rule
DETROIT (AP) — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency says the entire state of Michigan now meets the eight-hour outdoor air quality standard for ozone.
Ground-level ozone is known as smog and is formed when pollutants interact on warm, sunny days. Motor vehicles, factories and other sources release the chemicals that contribute to ozone, which can cause breathing problems.
The EPA said in a release Monday it granted Michigan’s request to reclassify the air quality for Allegan County.
The agency says outdoor air monitoring data from the counties for 2007-2009, and preliminary data from 2010, meet the federal standard. It also approved Michigan’s plan to continue to meet the standard through 2021.
Detroit: State program aimed at preventing child abuse
DETROIT (AP) — Five suburban Detroit nonprofit agencies will share $6 million as part of a pilot program aimed at preventing child abuse and neglect.
The Michigan Department of Human Services said Monday in a release agencies receiving contracts include Lutheran Social Services of Michigan, Spaulding for Children, the Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services, Spectrum Child and Family Services, and the Oakland County Health Department.
Services will be aimed at helping parents learn about budgeting, nutrition and child management, and will include in-home family counseling.
The Detroit News says the program is part of the statewide “Helping Families 101: Get ready 2 learn” effort and includes home visits in Dearborn, Detroit, Pontiac, Flint and Grand Rapids.
Detroit: Slain police officer to receive posthumous award
DETROIT (AP) — A Detroit police officer slain while investigating a complaint at an abandoned duplex is being honored posthumously at an annual awards program.
The police department says Brian Huff’s family will receive the city’s Memorial Medal of Honor Tuesday evening during the 2010 Honor Awards Ceremony.
The 42-year-old husband and father was shot in the face May 3 after entering the house. Four other officers were wounded or injured during the shooting.
Jason Gibson has been charged with first-degree murder and assault in the case.
Tuesday’s ceremony also honors about three dozen other officers for their “dedicated service, courageousness and hard work” over the past year.
Lansing: Peters opponent plans lawsuit over campaign ad
LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Republican congressional challenger Rocky Raczkowski (roch-KOF’-skee) says he is suing incumbent Democratic U.S. Rep. Gary Peters over a campaign ad.
The ad airing recently in the Detroit area relates to a federal lawsuit against Raczkowski. The suit says he and his company destroyed ticket stubs to cover up the actual number of people who attended concerts in South Dakota in 2008.
The ad features people saying they don’t trust Raczkowski because of the lawsuit.
Raczkowski said in a statement announcing the defamation lawsuit Monday that Peters showed “reckless disregard for the truth.”
Peters spokesman Dan Farough says the campaign stands by the ad.
Peters and Raczkowski are running in the 9th District.
