Spartan Newsroom (https://news.jrn.msu.edu/category/news/business/tourism/page/3/)
FALL COLORS: Pure Michigan has rolled out the webcams to livestream scenic fall spots around the state and boost tourism. A Detroit poet was commissioned to write “Keep Falling for Michigan.” Mackinac Island is gearing up for its annual Halloween weekend. By Kenzie Terpstra. FOR GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS, WKTV, DETROIT, ST. IGNACE, CHEBOYGAN AND ALL POINTS.
DAYLILY FARM: By day, Mary Ann Cleary deals with state tax and budget issues as director of the House Fiscal Agency. The rest of the time she and Saundra Dunn run Along the Fence, a daylily farm in Dansville, southeast of Lansing. It’s home to over 1,200 plants, and post-pandemic business is booming. Cleary’s two worlds intersect when her farm participates in farmers markets on the Capitol grounds. By Stephanie Rauhe. FOR FOWLERVILLE, MICHIGAN FARM NEWS, LANSING CITY PULSE AND ALL POINTS.
DARK SKY: Dark sky parks are drawing more public attention in Michigan as venues for stargazing unaffected by artificial light. There are currently three international designated ones near Emmet, Keweenaw and Cass counties. The DNR has also designated parts of six state parks in Emmet, Presque Isle, Lenawee, Huron and Alcona counties as dark sky preserves. We talk to a dark skies advocate from Ann Arbor, a Keweenaw park activities leader and the park manager of Headlands in Mackinaw City. By Kelsey Lester. FOR IRON MOUNTAIN, MARQUETTE, STURGIS, THREE RIVERS, PETOSKEY, CHEBOYGAN, ADRIAN, BLISSFIELD, ALPENA, ALCONA AND ALL POINTS.
E. COLI: As many as half the state’s rivers and streams have elevated levels of E. coli, threatening the health of those who swim there or eat fish caught there. This summer’s closures included beaches in Traverse City and Chippewa, Oakland, Macomb, Aranac, Roscommon and Cheboygan counties. We talk to a Roscommon Township supervisor, a Central Michigan health official and the Michigan Environmental Council. By Kelsey Lester. FOR TRAVERSE CITY, DETROIT, PLANET DETROIT, CHEBOYGAN, BAY MILLS, SAULT STE MARIE AND ALL POINTS.
With nearly 200 restaurants, 75 retail stores and living spaces opening up, the downtown area of Bethesda, Maryland known as Downtown Bethesda is evolving into a bustling district.
The city located just outside Washington has grown over the last couple of years. Bethesda has grown in its population since 2010. According to Census data over 8,000 residents have moved to the Bethesda area in the past 10 years.
“My job is to figure out understanding what the mix is today if there’s an interest in retail and ground up new development,” said Vanessa Mendoza, who serves as the director of leasing for Bethesda Row, a mixed-use development area located at the intersection of Bethesda Avenue and Arlington Road. Within the row, there are numerous restaurants, shops and living spaces that have been added to the area.
Most recently. Nike opened up its store in Downtown Bethesda on May 25.
The Montgomery County Libraries in Maryland kicked off its Summer Reading Challenge with lots of festivities on June 17. The event included music from Ghanaian drummer and storyteller Kofi Dennis, storytime led by Maranda Schoppert of Germantown Library and a meet-and-greet with Read to a Dog service dogs.
The challenge is offered to provide local kids and teens the opportunity to read books and participate in activities. This year, the theme is “All Together Now,” which was created to promote kindness, friendship and unity within the Montgomery County community.
The Montgomery County Summer Reading Challenge kicked off June 17. Photo by Liz Thomas. To participate in the challenge kids and teens can login onto the READsquare app or sign up at their local library.
“Friends of the Library make a donation to the Montgomery County Animal Services and Adoption Center and Friends of Montgomery County Animals,” said Tyler Chadwell-English, who serves as the teen services manager for MCPL.
The animal services and adoption center is one of the six local organizations partnering with MCPL. Partnering with the animal services and adoption center is to help animals find their forever homes.
Other Organizations partnering with MCPL include the Washington Nationals, Manna Food Services and Montgomery County Parks.
The Washington Nationals provided vouchers that MCPL will give out to participants who make it to the midway portion of the challenge.
SLEEPING BEAR DUNES: A Frankfurt man pleaded not guilty to federal charges of vandalism and tampering that allegedly damaged the Platte River through Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. By Eric Freedman. FOR LEELANAU, TRAVERSE CITY AND ALL POINTS.
MUSKEGON, Mich. – Ann Meisch and her team of volunteers prepared for the largest crowd in the history of Taste of Muskegon. From 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on June 8, there would be thousands of people waiting in lines to try food from local Muskegon businesses.
“We sold 30,000 additional tickets than we’ve ever had before in the past,” Meisch said, the city clerk of Muskegon and the director of Taste of Muskegon. “It was very much a success.”
Taste of Muskegon began in 2007 with little community involvement and only a few vendors participating. This year, over 25 vendors were in attendance, lining up the streets around Hackley Park with food and activities.
“At this point, they [the vendors] are totally overwhelmed and excited and like ‘wow, I’m already using Saturday’s food on Friday.
TICKS: Deer ticks that can transmit Lyme disease are already widespread in Michigan and the mild winter could spell deep trouble this season. But health officials say don’t let it discourage you from enjoying the outdoors – just take precautions. We talk to a supervising sanitarian at the Kent County Health Department who regularly checks areas for ticks and a medical entomologist with the state. By MORGAN WOMACK. FOR HOLLAND, LANSING, MARQUETTE, BAY MILLS, ST. IGNACE, SAULT STE. MARIE AND ALL POINTS.
PLANES: Air travel is surging post-pandemic and so are prices. Michigan airport managers are among those nationwide attempting to handle what could be record demand this summer. At the Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport, Delta Airlines is bringing in bigger planes with more seats. Flint’s Bishop International Airport reports increased demand since the airport became a hub for Allegiant Airlines. Travel experts recommend booking summer travel three months in advance. By Samuel Blatchford. FOR BUSINESS AND NEWS SECTIONS OF ALL POINTS