Lansing
Lawmakers may have to approve learning levels
LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Michigan’s Department of Education may not be able to spend money on the implementation of new education standards in the state’s public schools unless the Legislature approves it.
Under a budget bill passed by a Republican-led Legislative panel Tuesday, the Legislature would have to affirm the Common Core State Standards or the department could not use the funds to implement the standards.
The bill now heads to the Republican-led House and Senate floor.
The State Board of Education adopted the math, reading and writing standards in 2010. Republican Gov. Rick Snyder supports Common Core but the Legislature had originally proposed completely blocking funding for the standards.
Republican Sen. Howard Walker of Traverse City says the Legislature wants to have input on how Michigan’s curriculum is developed for its citizens.
Lansing
State budget may boost funding for veterans’ homes
LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Michigan’s two veterans’ homes could receive a funding boost under a budget approved by a legislative panel.
A conference committee approved the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs budget on Tuesday that would increase funding for the Grand Rapids Veterans’ Home by about $1.7 million.
The committee says that money will help upgrade the home’s pharmaceutical inventory control system and increase nursing staff.
The additional funds come after a state auditor general report earlier this month said the home failed to provide an on-site psychiatrist since August 2011 for residents with mental health disorders and lacked controls to safeguard food and medical supplies.
The D.J. Jacobetti Veterans’ Home in Marquette could also receive $850,000 next fiscal year.
The budget now heads to the Senate and House floors for consideration.
Flint
Ceremony to mark 60th anniversary of Flint tornado
FLINT, Mich. (AP) — A ceremony is planned next month to mark the 60th anniversary of a tornado the hit the Flint area, leaving 116 people dead, and efforts are taking place to build a new memorial to the victims.
A 7 p.m. event is planned June 8 at Village Conference Center, and a tornado siren will sound at 8 p.m. as part of the Beecher tornado service, The Flint Journal reported. Names of those killed will be read, and music is planned along with speeches from local religious leaders.
The tornado touched down four blocks from the home of Diane Bayeh, chairwoman of the memorial event, and she said she remembers that day well. She said hot, June weather started with heavy rainfall, sending her into the house, before the tornado struck.
“Just as I took my shoes off, it got pitch-black out and the lights went out and it was real black and it was just pouring down rain,” she said. “All of a sudden, it stopped raining and it got real quiet and we heard this horrible noise, which was the tornado.”
The memorial event is open the public. The Beecher tornado gets its name from the area where it struck in Genesee County, just north of Flint.
“We don’t want them to ever be forgotten,” Bayeh said of the victims and their families. “They need to be honored. It needs to be remembered.”
Plans also are in the works to build a new memorial to victims of the June 8, 1953, tornado. This year, a memorial wreath is to be placed at the Beecher Tornado Memorial Monument, which was damaged three years ago when bronze plaques were stolen.
East Lansing
Ex-Marine sniper makes video on Afghan conflict
EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) — An ex-Marine sniper now studying at Michigan State University has produced a video documentary dedicated to 25 members of a unit who were killed in fighting in Afghanistan.
Afghanistan War veteran Logan Stark is a senior in a professional writing program. The school says he and 2013 graduates Rebecca Zantjer and Lexi Dakin made the 48-minute video “For the 25” in an advanced multimedia class.
The documentary depicts members of the “Dark Horse” 3rd Battalion 5th Marines. It contains combat footage from Sangin, Afghanistan, and interviews with four Marines.
Stark attends Michigan State under the GI Bill.
