State Roundup

Detroit Company recalls 36,000 tires for safety problem DETROIT (AP) -- Multistrada Arah Sarana is recalling more than 36,000 light truck tires because sidewall defects can cause them to lose air, increasing the risk of a crash. U.S. safety regulators say the 16-inch tires were sold under the name of Achilles Desert Hawk and Radar Radial RLT-9. Blisters can develop on the side of the Achilles tires. The Radar tires have a defective sidewall design that can cause tread separation. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says both tires could lose air suddenly. The company says in documents that it doesn't know of any crashes or injuries from the problems. The tires will be replaced free of charge starting this month. Both tires have been redesigned to fix the problem. Customers with questions can call the company at (800) 944-8414. Grand Rapids Gerald Ford graffiti pops up in Michigan hometown GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (AP) -- Former President Gerald Ford is remembered in his hometown of Grand Rapids by a museum and a stretch of interstate. Now, a graffiti artist has decided to memorialize the 38th commander in chief on the freeway that bears his name. Mlive.com reports Tuesday that several stenciled Ford images have popped up recently along east I-196 in the West Michigan city. One is accompanied by the phrase, "I am indebted to no man" -- words spoken by Ford in 1974 after he took the oath of office. The Gerald R. Ford Public Museum has no official position on the graffiti, though one official says it's difficult to condone something that's not approved by the city. A local art professor says it's art and the city should leave it alone. Lansing Schuette orders Internet gambling cafes to close LANSING, Mich. (AP) -- Attorney General Bill Schuette says his office has ordered the closing of three Internet gambling cafes. Schuette said Monday that his staff sent "cease and desist" letters telling operators they risk legal action unless they stop violating Michigan's gambling laws within two weeks. He says state police investigated Cyber Cafe in Holt, Lansing Business Center and Flint Business Center. Schuette says the businesses sell Internet access and the chance to play computer-based casino-type games. A woman who answered the phone Monday at the Flint Business Center declined to give her name for comment. A woman who answered the phone at a number listed for the Lansing Business Center said it was a home phone and not connected to a business. A phone listed for Cyber Cafe wasn't working Monday evening. Detroit Laid-off Yahoo workers urged to think Detroit DETROIT (AP) -- A financial company that is betting on a Detroit turnaround is trying to lure laid-off Yahoo workers to Michigan. Quicken Loans has started the website www.valleytodetroit.com to promote the Motor City to Yahoo workers axed last week in California. Quicken's businesses include mortgages, venture capital and sports graphics. Sunnyvale, Calif.-based Yahoo announces plans Wednesday to lay off 2,000 people, or about 14 percent of its workforce. The Detroit News says Quicken plans to interview candidates and fly them to Detroit. The company has thousands of workers downtown, and its founder has been snapping up buildings. Detroit Venture Partners chief executive Josh Linkner says people with skills in marketing and Web development should consider Detroit. Lansing Group hoping to recall Snyder clears first hurdle LANSING, Mich. (AP) -- A group that wants to recall Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder can begin collecting voter signatures in an effort to make the ballot. A three-person election panel in Washtenaw County voted 2-1 Monday that a petition sponsored by a group called Michigan Rising has clear language. Supporters of recalling the Republican governor next would have to collect roughly 807,000 valid signatures to put the measure on a ballot. An effort to recall Snyder fizzled last year, falling well short of the required signatures. A message was left Monday with a Snyder spokeswoman. The Snyder administration has said it believes citizens will be more focused on recent economic and state budget improvements in Michigan than an effort to recall the governor. No Michigan governor has ever been recalled from office. Published: Wed, Apr 11, 2012