Business & Economy

Proposed fund would help reclaim old mines

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MINING: Mining reclamation projects, such as creating a safety barrier between an abandoned mine and a hiking trail, could get a boost under legislation proposed by a Marquette lawmaker. But one big problem: the money would be diverted from education. The proposed Metallic Mineral Mine Reclamation Fund would be used to fill tunnels, shafts and entryways of land that had previously been used for mining. We talk to the Sierra Club, the Michigan League of Conservation Voters and the Michigan Education Association. By Liam Jackson. FOR MARQUETTE, BAY MILLS, IRON MOUNTAIN, ST. IGNACE and ALL POINTS.

Autos & Manufacturing
Dreamboat on the water, a Coolest Thing Made in Michigan top 10 contest winner.

Contest finds Michigan’s coolest manufactured products

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COOLEST THINGS: Mattresses that stay cool on hot nights, an electric motorcycle, a table for performing back surgery and a hand-crafted boat that took a year to build are in the running for the Coolest Thing Made in Michigan. The Michigan Manufacturers Association contest is down to 10 candidates that exemplify diversity of the state’s manufacturers. A winner is set to be announced Nov. 10. By Liam Jackson. FOR HOLLAND, HARBOR SPRINGS, PETOSKEY, HILLSDALE, ADRIAN AND ALL POINTS.

Agriculture

Legislative fixes to drain code stir controversy

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DRAIN CODE: A proposed plan to revamp how Michigan manages water problems would give drain commissioners authority across county lines. The change is part of a package of legislative fixes to the state drain code that could set up water management programs based around a single drainage basin that overlap multiple counties. Advocates say that would make it easier to manage floods. By Liam Jackson. FOR ALL POINTS

Agriculture

Cottage food producers want income cap raised

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COTTAGE FOOD: Michigan home producers of jams, jellies, bread, baked goods, popcorn and other cottage food are asking for more leeway in the laws to do business. Proposed legislation would raise the $25,000 cap on gross annual income of the businesses that are not state inspected. It also would allow third party delivery systems and change the requirement that home addresses be placed on each label. We interview a Midland cooker maker and a state representative from Midland and a national advocate for the cottage food industry. By Liam Jackson FOR MIDLAND AND ALL POINTS.

Business & Economy
A rendering of the Grove Fourplex, a pattern for an affordable four-family home

Old ideas proposed to alleviate Michigan housing shortage

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PATTERN BOOK: The future of Michigan housing may be in its past. State and local officials are leading an effort to create what are known as “pattern book” houses in communities desperate for affordable housing. The two- and four-unit housing fills a niche between one-family residences and multi-family apartments. We interview a Traverse City planning commissioner, the Michigan Municipal League and Michigan Association of Planning. By Liam Jackson FOR TRAVERSE CITY AND ALL POINTS

Arts & Entertainment
The Fallasburg covered bridge in Kent County sits on a route that made the list of best fall color roads in Michigan.

And the winners are…best Michigan roads for color 

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FALL ROADS – Up for a color road trip? As Michigan starts the peak fall color season, local officials have identified more than 120 “don’t miss” roads for viewing the changing foliage. The County Road Association of Michigan had plenty to choose from the nominations gathered from local officials. With the nation’s fourth-largest local road system, Michigan county roads account for 90,000 miles of road and 5,700 bridges. We talk to officials from the County Road Association of Michigan, Kent County and Chippewa County. By Liam Jackson. FOR BAY MILLS, GRAND RAPIDS, MARQUETTE, ST. IGNACE, IRON MOUNTAIN, WKTV AND ALL POINTS.

News

Trenton restaurants adapt to indoor dining restrictions

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Indoor dining has returned to Michigan, but there is still work to be done in order to return to “normal”

Restaurant owners in Trenton modified their rules and regulations to align with state and federal guidelines, but some said the hurdles are worth it. Nick Piunti, owner of Sibley Gardens on 916 W. Jefferson Ave., said that they can’t accommodate all of the “pent up demand” there has been since the shutdown. He said Sibley Gardens is not even advertising at the moment because they are not able to promise anyone a reservation. Sibley Gardens is on 916 W. Jefferson Ave, Trenton, MI. Local restaurants in Trenton and throughout the state have adapted to new protocols and limited capacity for their customers since indoor dining returned.

Health

Trenton hockey returns

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The Trenton Trojans were two games away from a state championship when COVID-19 ended the season. After nearly a full calendar year, the Trojans are back on the ice to start the 2021 season.