Religious display stays at elementary school
NEWAYGO (AP) — A Michigan school board has decided that a religious Christmas decoration will stay at an elementary school, though district officials may alter it following concerns from an activist group.
The Newagyo Public Schools Board of Education voted unanimously Monday to keep the display featuring wise men, which has been used at Newaygo Elementary for at least 40 years.
The Michigan Association of Civil Rights Activists complained about the decoration this year, saying that it violates the separation of church and state. The group says the display promotes one religion over others.
The board passed the issue over to Superintendent Peggy Mathis, asking her to ensure the decoration fits into district values and encouraging her to make changes if necessary. Mathis says it's unlikely any alterations will occur before Christmas.
Michigan-based bar chain to stop using ‘Crack Fries’ name
GRAND RAPIDS (AP) — A Michigan-based bar and restaurant chain plans to change the name of its “Crack Fries” in January to distance itself from a name associated with a drug epidemic.
A post on HopCat’s website by BarFly Ventures CEO Mark Gray says the recipe and ingredients of its seasoned fries will stay the same. He notes, however, the company’s “vision for creating an inclusive company ... is not compatible” with the old name. A new name will be announced later.
Gray said HopCat picked the “Crack Fries” name more than a decade ago “as a reference to the addictive quality of the fries and their cracked pepper seasoning, without consideration for those the drug negatively affected.” Since then, HopCat has expanded further into the Midwest and the South.
Gray says the crack epidemic “is not funny and never was.”
Some old favorites — very old — reappear on television
NEW YORK (AP) — Some of last week's most popular television programs are much older than most of the people watching them.
The Nielsen company said that ABC's showing of "A Charlie Brown Christmas" was the most-watched of a handful of holiday specials that aired in prime-time last week, reaching 5.3 million viewers. The show is a tradition in many households that was first on television in December 1965.
Two other old favorites, "Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer" and "Frosty the Snowman," were both seen by more than 4 million people on CBS Saturday night. "Rudolph" dates to 1964, while "Frosty" made his debut in 1969.
Disease attacking shrubs confirmed in Detroit area
PONTIAC (AP) — Officials say a fungal disease that attacks boxwood shrubs has been confirmed in suburban Detroit.
The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development says boxwood blight has been found in three Oakland County locations. The department says those include a landscape firm, a homeowner's yard and in holiday wreaths being sold at a retail store.
The state says it's the first time boxwood blight has been detected in Michigan.
Boxwood blight produces dark brown leaf spots and causes rapid defoliation that sometimes kills young boxwoods.
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