Divisive, certainly, but not really modular: Court OKs house
WATSON TOWNSHIP (AP) — The Michigan Supreme Court has ended a dispute over a house that was partly delivered by truck to a lakefront lot: The retirement home can stay.
Neighbors sued David and Helen Goyings, arguing they had violated a ban on modular or manufactured homes in the Timber Ridge Bay subdivision in Allegan County.
The house is 59 percent stick-built construction and 41 percent modular components. There’s a walkout basement, stone columns, garage and deck.
The Goyingses chose builders that integrate modular components with traditional construction.
In a 5-2 opinion, the Supreme Court said Wednesday that no neighborhood covenants were broken. The court says “modular components don't necessarily make a modular home.”
In dissent, justices Stephen Markman and Brian Zahra say the Goyings violated the rules and the house should come down.
Dems launch campaign for resignation of indicted lawmaker
LANSING (AP) — Democrats and the mayor of Traverse City are launching a campaign to force the resignation of state Rep. Larry Inman, who was charged in an alleged scheme to trade votes for campaign money.
The Grand Traverse Democratic Party, Mayor Jim Caruthers and others announced Thursday they hope to collect thousands of signatures calling for the Republican lawmaker to resign.
Inman was indicted on federal charges in May and has been removed from legislative committees.
Democrats say Inman should be fighting for his constituents, not corruption charges in court. Inman makes nearly $72,000 annually as a legislator and is being treated for an addiction to prescription drugs.
His lawyer, Chris Cooke, says he has no intention to resign at this time and Inman is presumed innocent until a trial is held.
Judge orders man’s mouth taped because of interruptions
LAFAYETTE, La. (AP) — Court logs show a Louisiana district court judge ordered a man's mouth be taped shut for repeatedly interrupting proceedings.
The Acadiana Advocate reports Michael C. Duhon was being sentenced July 18 for theft and money laundering.
Court minutes show Duhon objected when Judge Marilyn Castle asked him to stop submitting motions on his own behalf instead of through his attorney.
After repeatedly requesting for Duhon to be quiet, Castle ordered the bailiff to tape Duhon's mouth shut.
The tape was removed after an objection from Duhon's public defense attorney, Aaron Adams, who requested the judge remove his client from the courtroom instead.
Castle sentenced Duhon to 11 years in prison and recommended he be transferred to a facility with mental health treatment options.
Another public defender in the courtroom faces contempt charges for recording the incident.
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