Business

Birthplace of Meijer supercenter gets historical marker

A Michigan historical marker now stands at the original site of the store from Midwest retailer Meijer that pioneered the idea of a shopping supercenter. The marker was unveiled Monday at the site of the store in Grand Rapids. Hank Meijer, co-chairman of Meijer Inc., says it’s “just exciting to have the historical significance of this corner recognized.” Frederik Meijer …

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What power plant ruling means for Michigan

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled 5-4 Monday in favor of Michigan and other Republican-led states that challenged Environmental Protection Agency rules that would reduce mercury and other air pollution from coal-fired power plants. The regulations, announced in 2011, are different from rules proposed last year to cut carbon dioxide emissions. What the decision means: ___ RULING A Supreme Court majority …

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Michigan unadjusted joblessness 5.9 percent, up 1.1 points

The state says Michigan’s seasonally unadjusted unemployment rate rose 1.1 points to 5.9 percent in May as a large number of people entered the workforce for the summer. The Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget released state and regional employment figures Thursday. The statewide rate is down 1.6 points from 7.5 percent in May 2014. The department says the …

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Deer Forest up for auction

A once-popular family attraction in southwestern Michigan is up for auction after it didn’t open this year. The Kalamazoo Gazette reports the telephone at Deer Forest has been disconnected and later this month a Kalamazoo-based online auction house has scheduled the sale of the 32-acre tourist attraction. Deer Forest included train rides through the trees and the feeding of deer …

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THREE RIVERS HEALTH HAND THERAPIST RECEIVES CERTIFICATION

Three Rivers Health is pleased to announce that our outpatient occupational therapist, Erin Nowak, MS, OTR, has met her credentialing requirements and is now a Certified Hand Therapist. A Certified Hand Therapist (CHT) is an occupational therapist who has a minimum of five years clinical experience, including 4,000 hours or more in direct practice in hand therapy. In addition, the …

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Miller praises budget

State Rep. Aaron Miller last week praised Gov. Rick Snyder for signing a fiscally responsible budget that increases funding for classrooms and continues to build a solid public-safety foundation. Miller, chair of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on State Police, said the 2015-2016 budget pays down debt while prioritizing spending for transportation, education and law enforcement. Miller said the budget, after …

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Maintenance, refueling outage finished at Cook nuclear plant

Operators of southwestern Michigan’s Donald C. Cook Nuclear Plant say that one of its units has returned to service after a 34-day shutdown for refueling. Unit 2 at the plant went back online about 2 a.m. Tuesday. Indiana Michigan Power runs the plant, which is along Lake Michigan in Berrien County’s Lake Township, near Bridgman. The Fort Wayne, Indiana-based company …

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Frontier Communications Encourages You to Call Before You Dig

Spring has finally sprung across many of the markets served by Frontier Communications, bringing with it construction projects large and small.  Spring is the perfect time of year to remind homeowners and construction companies to call 811 at least three working days before projects start. Calling 811 connects homeowners and contractors to their state’s one-call center, which in turn notifies …

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Blind man says restaurant told him to remove service dog

A Detroit-area man who can’t see says a restaurant eschewed requirements of federal disability law when it asked him to remove his service dog. The Macomb Daily reports 38-year-old Nathan Schneck and his wife, Stacy, were at Grand Azteca restaurant in Fraser, with his service dog, Husker, sitting under the table. Schneck said the manager asked him to put the …

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Michigan officials monitor bird flu outbreak in other states

Michigan agriculture officials are monitoring a bird flu outbreak that’s affected other Midwest states and say they’re ready to respond if needed. Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development spokeswoman Jennifer Holton says in an email that the state don’t have any cases at this time. She says the department is “preparing to respond quickly, effectively and efficiently” if bird …

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