Government
City hall, county government and the state legislature
ARTICLES
More motorists seriously injured in construction zones
But the state says fewer were killed last year.
LANSING — Serious injuries from Michigan road construction crashes are on the rise, although the actual number of crashes, deaths and all injuries has dipped.
Read More
Kent County commission to consider agribusiness study
Recurring concerns about farmland preservation led to the proposal.
An agribusiness “community work group,” similar to the one set up by Kent County a couple of years ago to study collaboration and potential consolidation of local governments, has been proposed by the Board of Commissioners’ Executive Committee.
Read More
Kent County senior millage on August ballot
The ballot question, set for final review May 8, would raise it to 0.50 mills.
A committee of the Kent County Board of Commissioners has approved proposed language for the August primary election ballot that would renew the senior services millage at 0.50 mills. The wording of the ballot proposal now goes to the full commission May 8.
Read More
Snyder targets Michigan’s poor recycling record
More than $435M in recyclable materials is sent to state landfills each year.
Gov. Rick Snyder is asking Michiganders to stop taking out the trash.
Read More
City approves finance pact with DGRI
The Grand Rapids comptroller objected on legal reasons but was overruled.
A financial agreement between the city of Grand Rapids and Downtown Grand Rapids Inc. has been approved by the city commission, despite objections by city comptroller Sara Vander Werff.
Read More
Inside Track: The new face of change at Muskegon City Hall
Frank Peterson, a native of Flint, is the Port City’s first new city manager in 19 years.
Don’t ever try to suggest to the new city manager that Muskegon is just a gritty Rust Belt town, a former industrial center down on its luck and struggling to stay alive — like, say, Flint.
Read More
Rising rivers reach flood warning
Flood warnings are in effect along rivers in a wide swath of the region, as rising water from heavy rain and snow melt threatens some structures.
Read More
Could Russia impact West Michigan?
So far, sanctions are against individuals and one financial institution.
In short, yes: West Michigan could feel the impact of U.S. sanctions against Russia, particularly if sanctions targeting specific industries are imposed.
Read More
Social media finds its way into court
While character evidence is generally not permitted in the courtroom, there are a few exceptions.
Read More
Farmland preservation to continue in 2014
Applications will continue to be accepted for farmland preservation by Kent County this year under the county’s Purchase of Development Rights program, but without any county funding appropriated for the program.
Read More