Lansing
Recipients to see major cut in state food assistance
LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Michigan’s nearly 1.8 million recipients of government food assistance are going to have to make do with less aid starting Friday.
The reduction will be felt nationwide in November because extra benefits that were part of the federal stimulus program in 2009 are ending.
The Michigan Department of Human Services says the average family of four on food stamps in the state will receive $36 less a month. The cash assistance is added to debit cards once a month, so some recipients will notice the decline earlier in November and others later in the month.
DHS spokesman Dave Akerly says recipients can call 888-689-8914 to see exactly how much their assistance is declining, but they should wait until after their November benefits are loaded onto their cards.
Traverse City
Mayor remorseful after his arrest for possible DUI
TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. (AP) — Traverse City’s mayor says he wants to earn the public’s forgiveness following his arrest on suspicion of drunken driving.
Mayor Michael Estes is seeking a second two-year term in next Tuesday’s election. He said during a brief press conference Wednesday that if elected he’ll “do everything in my power to serve the citizens of Traverse City to the best of my ability.”
The Traverse City Record-Eagle reports he took no questions.
Police said the 63-year-old mayor was pulled over Oct. 23 after an officer saw a vehicle cross the center line and then move into a designated bicycle lane. An officer reported a breath test produced a blood alcohol level of 0.12 percent, exceeding the state’s threshold of 0.08 percent.
Lansing
Lawmakers review law on yard waste in public landfills
LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Michigan lawmakers are considering a proposal to allow exceptions to a 1994 law that prevents landfills from taking yard waste, which could affect grass-cutting and leaf-raking throughout the state.
The state Senate’s Energy and Technology Committee heard testimony Tuesday on the law that barred grass, twigs and leaves from being dumped in landfills along with regular household waste, The Detroit News reported.
State Sen. Rick Jones, R-Grand Ledge, has sponsored a bill to give communities the option to send yard waste to dump sites. The proposal, which the committee could discuss again next week, would allow exceptions to the ban when yard waste can be used for energy production.
“We have a lot of yard waste that could be picked up by some landfills, but it doesn’t need to be all of them,” Jones said. “Some of that could be converted to methane gas and then electricity.”
The bill also would require landfill owners accepting the waste to file annual reports on gas production.
The proposal raised concerns it could hinder recycling and hurt some composting businesses. Fred Thompson started Summer Recycling in Casco in 1990, several years before the state enacted its yard waste ban. It does composting and he testified Tuesday against lifting the ban.
“Truly, I think it would put us out of business,” he said. “Haulers would perceive it as cheaper to take the yard waste directly to landfills.”
One supporter of Jones’ legislation is Lansing-based Granger Energy, which operates landfills and composting centers around the state. The company also specializes in developing systems for private businesses and municipalities to harness gases produced by organic products in landfills.
“We know yard clippings and organic materials can have equally successful results as a source of energy than as composting materials,” said Tonia Olson, Granger’s director of governmental and community relations. “We have customers that want to buy renewable energy and they want more of it.”
James Clift, policy director for the Michigan Environmental Council, said the benefits of the ban outweigh what can be gained by rolling it back. Allowing yard waste back into the general waste collection system means more landfill space will be eaten up more quickly, Clift said.
“When you put it into a composting facility it creates a soil conditioner that is useful all over the state,” he said of yard waste.
The mine isn’t operating yet.
Marquette
Appeals court won’t intervene in UP mine dispute
MARQUETTE, Mich. (AP) — A hunting club that claims a new Upper Peninsula mine will spoil the environment has failed to persuade a federal appeals court to intervene.
The court affirmed a 2012 decision by a federal judge, who declined to issue an injunction against the Eagle Mine, near Marquette.
The Huron Mountain Club has been challenging the mine in state and federal courts. The club owns 19,000 acres, including land that comes within 3.3 miles of the mine. Some mining will take place under the Salmon Trout River and area wetlands.
In a 3-0 decision Wednesday, the appeals court turned aside the club’s arguments that the nickel-and-copper mine needs federal permits. The government hasn’t taken any enforcement action against the mine.
Mount Clemens
Judge won’t bar escort ad killings early statements
MOUNT CLEMENS, Mich. (AP) — A judge has denied a request to suppress statements to police by a Detroit-area man who authorities say killed four women in 2011 after meeting them through online escort ads.
Macomb County Circuit Court Judge James Biernat wrote in a recent order that he’s satisfied that James C. Brown “was not coerced to confess, and that his confession was the result of his free will,” the Detroit Free Press reported.
Brown’s attorney, Jeff Cojocar, says his client maintains his innocence. He was trying to have the videotaped statements suppressed.
Brown is charged with killing the women at his Sterling Heights home and leaving their bodies in cars in the same Detroit neighborhood.
He told police he met the women on Backpage.com, which carries personal ads.
“Clearly we’re pleased with the judge’s decision and we’re planning to move forward to trial,” said Therese Tobin, an assistant prosecutor.
A hearing Thursday could set a date for trial on murder and other charges.
Brown, of Sterling Heights, is accused of killing the women in pairs on two days. Police said the bodies of Renisha Landers and Demesha Hunt were left Dec. 19, 2011. Six days later, on Christmas Day, the bodies of Natasha Curtis and Vernithea McCrary were found in a burning car in the same neighborhood.
