State Roundup

Detroit
Gov. Snyder gets turn as morning radio host on WJR
DETROIT (AP) — Gov. Rick Snyder has taken a turn on the other side of the microphone as a morning talk show radio host.
Snyder stood in Wednesday as guest host of the Paul W. Smith Show on Detroit station WJR-AM. He conducted interviews and introduced traffic, weather, news and sports reports.
Snyder also discussed ballot initiatives going before voters in November and heard from Ford Motor Co. Executive Chairman Bill Ford Jr., who expressed his support for a plan Snyder is pushing for a new Canadian-financed bridge between Detroit and Windsor, Ontario.
University of Michigan athletic director David Brandon and Michigan State University athletic director Mark Hollis joined Snyder in the studio for the show.
Snyder quipped to listeners that he knows they will “want Paul W. back” after hearing the broadcast.

Traverse City
City officials looks at several ways to address homeless
TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. (AP) — A popular northern Michigan vacation destination says city officials plan to look at ways to address problems reported with homeless people in downtown public places.
The Traverse City Record-Eagle reports commissioners this week voiced frustration with homeless people drinking alcohol or sleeping in public spaces. Their comments came amid a vote to ban alcohol at a Traverse City walkway. They want city staff and police to do something.
Commissioner Michael Gillman says he’s concerned with “drunken bums” and “people who are dope heads.” He says downtown is becoming less family friendly.
Police Capt. Brian Heffner says officials estimate there are about 700 homeless in Grand Traverse County, but only as many of 10 are linked to problems being described. He says police end up arresting the same few repeatedly.

Lansing
Dog found bound in Lansing gets home at sanctuary
LANSING, Mich. (AP) — A dog found frozen to the ground in Lansing last year with its legs bound in electrical tape is getting a new home.
Tatiana, a pit bull mix, spent time this week with the Capital Area Humane Society staff members and volunteers who helped her recover from her injuries, Lansing State Journal reported. Her new home will be at McKenzie’s Animal Sanctuary in Lake Odessa, about 30 miles west of Lansing.
Julia Palmer, the humane society’s president and CEO, said the dog’s physical wounds have healed but she has an intense fear of men and strangers.
“She’s too fearful to go to a traditional home,” Palmer said.
At the sanctuary, Tatiana will likely be kept in isolation and gradually conditioned to be around other dogs, said Jorel Davis, the center’s assistant general manager.
A man from Dimondale who was charged after the dog was found in January 2011 pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor animal abuse charge and was sentenced to jail.
For those who helped care for Tatiana, her move to the sanctuary is bittersweet.
The dog often would stay in Palmer’s office and attracted many supporters.
Some of them stopped by the Capital Area Humane Society this week to say goodbye and sign an over-sized card for the animal.
“It’s like giving away your own dog,” Palmer said. “We all fell in love with her and we are all so compelled by her story and her strength.”

Flint
Ex-Flint mayor sues city over $4.5M judgment
FLINT, Mich. (AP) — Ex-Flint Mayor Don Williamson is suing over a demand that he pay $4.5 million awarded to police officers who claimed race was a factor in promotions to a special unit in 2006.
The Flint Journal reports a status conference is Oct. 15 in U.S. District Court for the lawsuit, which also demands back wages.
The city says the lawsuit is without merit and has asked that the case be dismissed.
The Citizens Service Bureau was later disbanded, but not before 48 officers sued the city and Williamson in state and federal court.
The case went before arbitrators, who ruled in favor of the officers and awarded them $3.8 million. The money owed grew with interest. Flint wants Williamson to pay.
Williamson resigned in 2009 while facing a recall election.r