Thursday, October 13, 2011

Deal reached on fire inspection fees

via Midland Daily News

The City of Midland will not likely follow through with an initial report's suggestion to implement annual fire inspection fees on businesses that would have allowed the city to add a fire department employee to catch up on a backlog of inspections. The proposed fee system was changed based on input from the business community, Midland Fire Marshal Chris Coughlin told the Midland City Council on Monday night. "We have what may be a little more palatable solution," he said. Instead of assessing a fee for annual or semiannual inspections, the department would charge for follow up visits if needed, starting at $50 for a second visit. The department is expected to create a pre-inspection checklist to help business owners or occupants achieve compliance before the inspection. The city also would be open to accepting reports from third party inspectors who are properly certified, Coughlin said.

Monday, October 10, 2011

Michigan Court of Appeals not overturning Midland man's 2005 murder conviction

via MLive.com

For the second time, a Michigan Court of Appeals has upheld the murder conviction of a Midland man, much to his attorneys’ chagrin. The three-member court — composed of judges Michael J. Talbot, E. Thomas Fitzgerald and Christopher M. Murray — on Sept. 22 denied to hear the appeal of James S. Altman, convicted in October 2005 of second-degree murder in the death of Christina J. Fisher. The ruling is the latest setback in attorneys Richard E. Priehs and Robert J. Dunn’s efforts to free Altman. A Michigan Court of Appeals — also featuring Talbot — upheld Altman’s conviction in 2007, the state Supreme Court did not consider the case and Midland County Circuit Judge Jonathan E. Lauderbach in June denied a motion to vacate the conviction.

Despite rainy start, Northwood University auto show a success

via MLive.com

Northwood University students didn't let bad weather rain on their parade. At this year's Northwood University International Auto Show, more than 600 student volunteers interacted with more than 45,000 attendees, showing off 450 of the latest and greatest vehicles. On the show's first day, scattered showers damped festivities, but cool fall weather made for an enjoyable weekend. "From an academic point of view, this year's Auto Show would be considered a smashing success," said Joseph Lescota, chair of the automotive marketing and management program at Northwood. "Our students excelled in the areas of guest services and product knowledge. I could not have been prouder of this year's student representation at the show."

Sunday, October 9, 2011

Runners Performance Store opens in Midland

via Midland Daily News

Runners, walkers and those with foot problems might want to stop by the new Runners Performance Store at 215 E. Wackerly in Midland. The store, which opened Sept. 24, offers a custom fit and gait analysis that is designed to help customers find the right shoe for them. The store offers shoes from many different companies, including Asics, Adidas, Avia, Brooks, Mizuno, New Balance, Pearl Izumi and Saucony. It also offers running- and walking-related apparel, accessories and arch supports. Runners Performance is locally-owned, with four locations in the Great Lakes Bay Region. Owners Bill and Jennifer Thompson of Bay City opened the first store in Bay City in 2002, followed by Mount Pleasant in 2005 and Saginaw in 2008.

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

2011 St. Jude Halloween Bash planned for Oct. 28th at Bay Valley Resort!

Great Lakes Bay MLS is proudly hosting the 2011 St. Jude Halloween Bash on Friday, October 28th at Bay Valley Resort in Bay City. 100% of the proceeds from this social event/dance will go to St. Jude Children's Hospital. Great Lakes Bay MLS is encouraging business members/leaders of the Great Lakes Bay area to come network with participants of an event sponsored by Kloha Contracting, Saginaw Spirit, Wolverine Bank, Dow Event Center, and more!

Tickets for the event are $15/person and can be purchased online at the official event website. For more details on attending, sponsoring, and/or donating for this special evening please visit HalloweenCharityBash.com or call Matthew at 989-698-3403.

Midland High's Wylie commits to play football at EMU

via Midland Daily News

Midland High's Andrew Wylie had the opportunity to play football for some pretty high-profile universities. Ultimately, he decided that pursuing a business degree, playing for coaches he really likes, and helping build a winning program at Eastern Michigan University was the best opportunity of all. Wylie, a three-year starter and senior left tackle at Midland, gave EMU coach Ron English a verbal commitment Saturday to play for the Eagles, beginning next fall. "It feels amazing. It feels awesome," Wylie said, adding of English's reaction, " ... He freaked out. He jumped right out of his chair. It was awesome. It made me feel good to know he was happy."

Dow Powerhouse Solar Shingle now available in some U.S. markets

via Midland Daily News

Several projects with ties to Midland were featured during The Dow Chemical Co.’s Investor Day event on Tuesday, including the company’s official commercial launch of the Dow Powerhouse Solar Shingle. The shingle, which places solar technology in a shingle that integrates with traditional asphalt shingles, will be available in some U.S. markets this month, starting in Colorado and moving to California, Florida and Texas. The solar shingles will be available for both residential customers replacing exisiting roofs and for homebuilders who can create entire subdivisions of houses featuring the shingles, Dow Solar Vice President Jane Palmieri said. The first national homebuilder to begin using the product will be D.R. Horton. Also announced was an investment in two research facilities within Dow Building Solution’s North American headquarters in Midland.