State Roundup

Novi
Stabenow to serve as grand marshal of agriculture fair
NOVI, Mich. (AP) — Organizers of a revived state fair in Michigan say U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow is expected to serve as the event’s grand marshal.
The Michigan Democrat serves as head of the Senate Agricultural Committee. The Great Lakes State Fair is Aug. 31 to Sept. 3 at Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi.
The Michigan State Fair, which took place in Detroit, closed in 2009 because of a lack of funding. In addition to having a different name and location, the new event isn’t funded by the state.

Saline
Police: Vandals smash produce at community garden
SALINE, Mich. (AP) — Police say vandals smashed produce at a community garden in Washtenaw County and carved a swastika into a watermelon that was left behind.
AnnArbor.com reports police were called Monday to Saline Community Garden near Woodland Meadows Elementary School following a report of vandalism, which likely happened late Sunday or early Monday. Tomatoes, corn, onions and watermelons were tossed about the garden.
Saline police Detective Don Lupi says the vandalism is “unacceptable” and the department is taking it seriously.

Pontiac
Oakland County chief has surgery again from crash
PONTIAC, Mich. (AP) — Oakland County’s top elected official is resting following a second surgery to repair injuries from a two-car crash last week in suburban Detroit.
The office of L. Brooks Patterson said in a statement that Monday’s surgery was part of the original treatment plan for the 73-year-old.
Patterson underwent surgery Friday to repair broken bones. He also had a gash to his scalp.
Patterson’s leased Chrysler 300 was being driven by a 60-year-old former state police trooper, who suffered serious injuries.
Police say they weren’t wearing seat belts.

Lansing
Michigan organ donation license plate now on sale
LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Michigan Secretary of State Ruth Johnson says a license plate that encourages organ donation efforts is now on sale.
The Donate Life plate carries the message: “Be an Organ, Eye & Tissue Donor.”
A portion of the proceeds from the plate’s sale will go to the Thomas Daley Gift of Life Fund to promote organ, tissue and eye donation. The fund is named in honor of Thomas Daley, a 23-year-old who died in an accident last year and was an organ donor.
The plate costs $35 in addition to any applicable registration fees.

Manistique
Michigan to take ownership of lamprey barrier
MANISTIQUE, Mich. (AP) — The state of Michigan is taking ownership of a new barrier on the Manistique River in the Upper Peninsula designed to block the path of parasitic sea lampreys.
Deterioration of a century-old dam is giving the lampreys access to the river, where they spawn and launch invasions of Lake Michigan. Lampreys fasten themselves to fish and feed on their bodily fluids, sometimes killing the hosts.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is constructing the barrier with funding from the Great Lakes Fishery Commission. Gov. Rick Snyder announced Monday the state will take ownership of the barrier and related structures.