In today's newsletter, changes to hunting could be coming, why MDOT uses the Model T for road audits and Isle Royale National Park is named the best in the country. |
Summer fun with the family |
With students out for the summer you might be in search of opportunities for a bit family-friendly fun to pass the long, warm days this season. Visit to Railyard Fenton in Genesee County to experience five diverse food vendors, exciting arcades, a self-serve beer wall boasting 30 taps, and a vibrant children’s play area. The establishment is also pet-friendly. Check out The Wheel House – An American Grill at Captain Dave’s Family Entertainment Center in Midland for tasty food and fun. The Key West restaurant offers pizzas, burgers, sandwiches, seafood and more. After dining, lace up your roller-skates and head to the other side of the building for the Roll Arena. |
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Trees near the Moskey Basin campground at Isle Royale National Park. (Photo by Cory Morse | MLive.com/The Grand Rapids Press) |
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Should 19- and 20-year-olds be sentenced to life in prison without the chance of parole? |
In court: A trio of court cases set to be heard by Michigan’s highest court may change the rules on young defendants facing or serving sentences of life without the possibility of parole. The Michigan Supreme Court 2022 decision, People v. Parks, set the precedent, finding it was unconstitutional to sentence 18-year-old offenders to prison without the possibility of parole because 18-year-old offenders share neurological characteristics identical to those of juveniles, making it cruel and unusual punishment for them to spend the rest of their lives in prison. Also in the legal system: Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Thursday granted five clemency requests, including sentence reductions for two people serving life terms for murder. |
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Without a ‘magic bullet’ for Michigan’s deer woes, hunting season changes could be coming |
Gone hunting: Michigan’s deer population is out of whack, and hunters, conservationists and wildlife officials agree the status quo isn’t working. Now, a wide-ranging set of proposed tweaks to state hunting regulations – including historically hot-button issues for Michigan’s deer hunters – are on the verge of a final vote, in time for the 2024 deer season. Relocated: National forest officials are continuing their efforts to trap and remove multiple black bears from Grand Island, a popular outdoor recreation spot in Lake Superior offshore from Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. Hemlock, Gamefence, and Hardwood campgrounds on Grand Island are closed to the public while trapping efforts continue. Under the sea: To celebrate Discovery Channel’s “Shark Week” (July 7 - 14) the SEA LIFE Aquarium in Auburn Hills has unveiled its newest addition to Stingray Bay, a Horn shark named Nessie. |
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Good news so far for Michigan’s fruit crops after too-early flowering |
On the farm: An extremely warm February and a warmer-than-normal March developed Michigan’s fruit buds very early, making the fruit crop vulnerable to frost damage. Now the early blossoms are translating to early-maturing fruit crops, and the fruit crops are bigger than normal. Back pay: Fourteen former employees of 305 Farms have sued the West Michigan marijuana company in federal court, alleging that it failed to pay them thousands of dollars in wages and took money for benefits they never received. 10,000 lavender plants: Lavender lovers aren’t going to want to miss this upcoming festival near Milan. The seventh annual Lavender Harvest Festival happens from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, July 13, and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, July 14, at Lavender Lane Farm. |
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Why MDOT actually uses a vintage Model T for road audits in some Amish areas |
On the road: Don’t be surprised if you cruise past a vintage Model T while driving around in parts of northern Lower Michigan. The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) is actually driving around in one of those old Ford vehicles to perform road audits on state roads in areas with Amish and Mennonite populations. Here's why: MDOT Cadillac Transportation Service Center Manager Del Kirkby explains it’s because the width of the Model T is pretty much the same as the narrow track on the type of horse-drawn buggy used as transportation by Amish communities, making it safer for MDOT staff to drive on the small shoulder. Speaking of driving: Michigan drivers, prepared for construction. More than 130 new lane, ramp, and road closures are scheduled to begin this week, according to the Michigan Department of Transportation. |
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Michigan national park beats Denali, Yellowstone, Big Bend as ‘Best in U.S.’ |
Great outdoors: Isle Royale National Park has just been ranked higher than Denali, Yellowstone and Big Bend, among others, to be named the best national park in the United States. The ranking comes from the Wall Street Journal, which listed the national park in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula No. 1 in the nation, using crowd size as 50% of its criteria for the ranking, along with hiking, camping and outdoor recreation opportunities. Cruise lovers, you’ve got a new reason to raise a glass to evenings spent on Grand Traverse Bay. The Tall Ship Manitou is partnering with award-winning winery Black Star Farms to offer wine-tasting sunset sails around the bay. The wine cruises are set for a handful of dates this summer. Save the date: A popular outdoor tequila festival is set to return to Grand Rapids’ northeast side. Tickets are now on sale for the second annual Taco and Tequila Fest planned for Saturday, July 27, at Riverside Park. |
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I hope you had a fun and safe weekend. Let's get ready to take on Monday. All day long, you can find the latest Michigan news at MLive.com. While you're there, consider becoming a subscriber. Make today a great day! — Cara Hackett |
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