State distributes $15M for blight elimination
LANSING (AP) — Michigan is distributing $15 million from a national foreclosure settlement to 34 entities around the state to eliminate blight.
The awards announced Wednesday will go to land banks, cities, townships, housing commissions and other organizations.
Last year, Michigan received $97 million as part of a settlement with big banks accused of questionable foreclosure practice during the housing crisis.
Nearly a quarter of the money was designated for blight elimination.
Detroit received $10 million to demolish blighted houses and buildings around schools. The other $15 million is being spread around the state.
Michigan received more than 90 applications for the money. The grants were announced by the state Department of Human Services, Michigan State Housing Development Authority and Michigan Land Bank Fast Track Authority.
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Siding with car wash in dispute over ice
PONTIAC (AP) — A car wash in the winter? Look out for ice.
The Michigan Court of Appeals has ruled in favor of a Pontiac car wash in a lawsuit by a customer who fell when he got out of his car to adjust the mirrors.
Eugene Rogers blamed Ultimate Auto Wash for the black ice. He says he was “violently thrown to the ground” without warning when he stepped out of his vehicle after it was washed.
But the appeals court says Rogers could have driven a short distance and adjusted his mirrors or simply rolled down the windows and stayed in the car.
The court says anyone with “ordinary intelligence” would know that water running off vehicles at a car wash would likely form ice.
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Court bars retrial of Michigan arson suspect
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court has ruled that a Michigan defendant cannot be retried for arson even though his initial acquittal was based on a judge’s mistake.
The court voted 8-1 Wednesday in favor of Lamar Evans, who was charged with arson after he was seen running away from a burning vacant house in Detroit with a gasoline can in his hand.
A judge acquitted Evans midway through his trial based on a mistaken interpretation of the law.
Justice Sonia Sotomayor said for the court that the acquittal is final, even if granted in error. Justice Samuel Alito dissented.
The case is Evans v. Michigan, 11-1327.
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Judge draws lines over power in Detroit schools
DETROIT (AP) — A judge says the Detroit school board has authority over academic policies, at least for the next five weeks before a new emergency manager law kicks in.
The recent decision by Wayne County Circuit Court Judge Annette Berry means the board and emergency financial manager Roy Roberts must talk more and work together on some key issues.
Berry appeared sympathetic to the board and Roberts, who was appointed by Gov. Rick Snyder. The power struggle began last year when an emergency manager law was suspended for months and ultimately repealed by voters.
Roberts has remained on the job under an old manager law. But a new law starts in late March, restoring much of his previous authority in the struggling school district.
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