Parks & Recreation

Lower alcohol levels for snowmobilers advances safety efforts

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By ELIZABETH FERGUSON
Capital News Service
LANSING — A new law lowering the maximum blood alcohol content allowed for snowmobile drivers is a step in the right direction for the Michigan Snowmobile Association. The association has discouraged snowmobilers from consuming alcohol since 1999, and by reducing the legal limit from .1 percent to .08 percent — the same as the motor vehicle limit — beginning March 1, legislators have brought more awareness to the issue, executive director Bill Manson said. Manson said many snowmobilers are already limiting their alcohol consumption or not drinking at all while snowmobiling. Since 2004, snowmobile crashes involving alcohol have dropped 65 percent to 17 crashes in 2012, according to the Michigan State Police Office of Highway Safety Planning. Overall snowmobile fatalities, including fatalities related to alcohol, have been decreasing over the past 10 years, according to Dan Moore, Eastern Upper Peninsula recreation specialist at the Department of Natural Resources (DNS).

Business & Economy

Special events, indoor promotions increase winter tourism

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By ELIZABETH FERGUSON
Capital News Service
LANSING — Vacationers in the Grand Traverse region this winter can do a lot more than ski. At Shanty Creek Resort, skiers can take a shuttle to downtown Bellaire, home of popular breweries like Short’s Brewing. Black Star Farms winery in Traverse City now offers horse-drawn sleigh rides on the winery’s grounds. As of last year, visitors can snowshoe a trail connecting Brys Estate Vineyard, Bowers Harbor Vineyards and the Jolly Pumpkin Brewery of Old Mission Peninsula. In a bid to expand tourist-related economic activity, businesses like these and across the state increasingly provide indoor tourist experiences to complement the great outdoors.

Education

State financial aid increasing; deadlines approach

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By ELIZABETH FERGUSON
Capital News Service
LANSING — As college financial aid deadlines loom, Michigan officials are working to get the word out about increased help available from the state and universities this year. “We work throughout the year to promote aid and financial aid, but this is definitely a busy time of the year,” said Shannon Price, coordinator of outreach services at Michigan’s Student Financial Services Bureau, part of the Michigan Department of Treasury. This year, Michigan has $105 million in state-appropriated scholarships and grants for students. All are need-based, and some require other qualifications such as test scores. Last year, more than 73,000 students received state scholarships and grants, according to Price.

Business & Economy

Jobs for veterans a priority for state, local agencies

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By ELIZABETH FERGUSON
Capital News Service
LANSING — Officials working to reduce high unemployment among veterans now attack the issue from both ends — they prepare veterans for civilian jobs and educate employers on how to hire veteran talent. In 2013, the veteran unemployment rate in Michigan was 10.6 percent, the second highest rate in the U.S. To combat this, the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency (MVAA) created programs that bring veteran talent and employers together. Local organizations are also doing their part to connect veterans to employers in their own community. “It’s a matter of breaking down that wall between employers and veterans, and giving them the opportunity to communicate,” said Kristina Leonardi, director of strategy for Veterans Affairs. The agency starts by preparing veterans for a civilian career through resume building and interviewing skills.

Environment

DNR director’s mine decision will affect many stakeholders

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By ELIZABETH FERGUSON
Capital News Service
LANSING — A wide range of interests are on the line when Department of Natural Resources Director Keith Creagh decides in February whether to grant land rights for a proposed limestone mine in the Upper Peninsula. Bill O’Neil, chief of the Forest Resources Division for the DNR, says the agency must ensure the state will benefit from selling land rights to Canadian company Graymont Inc., while preventing environmental risks, considering economic benefits and listening to the opinions of local citizens. DNR officials have raised numerous concerns since receiving the company’s first land transaction application in 2013. Several officials have recommended that Creagh deny the proposal. Graymont has proposed to pay 18.75 cents to the state for each ton of limestone mined.

Business & Economy

Less state money for mandates makes counties pay

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By ELIZABETH FERGUSON
Capital News Service
LANSING — Michigan is requiring Kent County to increase public health counseling with no additional state funding. Ottawa County has just discovered it must begin reimbursing foster parents’ mileage under Department of Human Services requirements. State funding for Marquette County’s senior services has dropped more than 20 percent since 2007, leaving these expenses for the county to cover. Michigan counties say issues like these are created by unfunded or underfunded mandates — new services the state requires counties to perform without paying its share of the costs. “This is a sore spot with local government throughout the state,” said Alan Vanderberg, Ottawa County administrator.