News

Q & A with Meridian township Police captain Rick Grillo

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Engagement with community members is crucial in being transparent as a police organization. The department has taken the right step. The Meridian township police department has been a part of the Michigan Law Enforcement Accreditation program since 2016. 

This voluntary program helps to maintain standards to represent current professional law enforcement practices as well as increase effectiveness and efficiency in serving the community. 

The MTPD joined to make sure the department was doing things correctly said Police captain Rick Grillo who has been with the department for over 15 years. 

“[The accreditation} shows that we have a pact with the community,” he said. 

The department reached full accreditation status in February of 2020. Initiatives to become more transparent also took place. For example, the department now has a transparency section on its website.

Business & Economy

Record visitation at Michigan’s national parks expected to continue

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NATIONAL PARKS: Despite the pandemic, the number of visitors to Sleeping Bear National Lakeshore and Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore zoomed last year, and so did problems with parking and insufficient staffing. How are park managers planning to handle another possible onrush this summer? Isle Royale numbers, however, plummeted because the ferries between the island and the mainland shut down. By Samuel Blatchford. FOR MARQUETTE, LEELANAU, TRAVERSE CITY, SAULT STE. MARIE AND ALL POINTS.

News

Groups work to stop Michigan pedestrian deaths by trains

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TRAIN DEATHS: Eleven pedestrians were killed by trains in Michigan in the past three years, Federal Railroad Administration reports show. Among the fatalities were incidents in Ingham County and Davison. We talk to Norfolk Southern Corp. a Troy-based train safety group and a Detroit suicide expert. By Samuel Blatchford. FOR DETROIT, LANSING CITY PULSE, AND ALL POINTS.

Business & Economy

Small airports suffer big hits amidst pandemic

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AIRPORTS: The pandemic has hurt small airport in Northern Michigan with dropped routes, fewer passengers and less revenue, although CARES Act grants have helped ease the pain. AIrport operators say they’re hopeful for a turnaround this summer when COVID-19 vaccinations will be noe widely available. We hear from Cherry Capital, Chippewa County, MBS, Manistee County Blacker and Sawyer International airport operators. By Sam Blatchford. FOR TRAVERSE CITY, LEELANA, GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS, MANISTEE, LUDINGTON, SAULT STE. MARIE, MARQUETTE, ST. IGNACE, BAY MILLS, CHEBOYGAN, CADILLAC, PETOSKEY, HARBOR SPRINGS, AND ALL POINTS.

Capital News Service
Amtrak's new passenger cars will be in service later this year on Midwest routes.

Full steam ahead: Amtrak focused on resuming regular service to Michigan routes

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PASSENGER TRAINS: Amtrak trimmed service on its three Michigan routes due to lower passenger demand during the pandemic but has plans to restore service and provide new passenger cars. There’s also some discussion of adding service between Ann Arbor, Howell and Traverse City. We hear from MDOT, Amtrak and an Allen Park legislator. By Samuel Blatchford. FOR HILLSDALE, COLDWATER, STURGIS, THREE RIVERS, FOWLERVILLE, LANSING CITY PULSE, GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS, CORP! DETROIT AND ALL POINTS.

Agriculture

New state plan has hemp growers uncertain about the future

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INDUSTRIAL HEMP: Hemp growers are concerned because the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has raised testing and licensing fees for industrial hemp growers. Some say the higher costs may dissuade them from planting this year. We hear from growers in Empire and Honor and from a Ferrysburg-based association representing growers statewide. By Sam Blatchford. FOR MICHIGAN FARM NEWS, LEELANAU, BENZIE, TRAVERSE CITY, MANISTEE, HOLLAND, LANSING CITY PULSE AND ALL POINTS.