THAT EMPTY STORERONT at the corner of Washington and Front Streets will soon be filled by a downtown neighbor. Boomerang, which features retro clothes, housewares and furnishings from the Fifties and Sixties, will be moving from its current location on Washington, a half block away. The new space, formerly occupied by ... Continue Reading
Kivela’s Nightmare, Boathouse Indecision, a Stagnant Mall, Shriners’ Influx, and a Trans-gender Triathlete
A TOUGH COUPLE of weeks for State Representative John Kivela. He was arrested on November 9th while driving erratically, with an open container in his pickup, just north of Lansing. Spent a night in jail, now charged with being "super-drunk." A nightmare for anybody, but especially for a respected, elected ... Continue Reading
Dark Stores, Harleys, Shriners, North Wind, VRBO, Blighted Maples, and a Barn Dance
A SHOWDOWN ON the dark store issue is coming in Lansing. In two weeks, Representative John Kivela and State Senator Tom Casperson are planning to introduce their bills that would essentially prevent large box stores from being taxed as though they were vacant (or dark). Recent rulings by the state's Tax Tribunal have ... Continue Reading
Dark Stores, Bold Crosswalks, Plugged-in City Manager, Global Professor, and a Chocolate Risk-Taker
ANY LEGISLATION TO resolve the "dark store" controversy isn't going to happen until this fall at the earliest. State Representative John Kivela (D) and State Senator Tom Casperson (R) now plan to introduce their bills in both chambers in September. The UP legislators have written up two bills: One would no longer ... Continue Reading
NMU Faculty Deal, Wine Bar Wishes, Dark Store Delay, Angel Investors, and Population Influx (sort of)
IT'S TAKEN SIX long, sometimes contentious months, but it looks like NMU faculty members finally have a new contract deal. Negotiators for the administration and the American Association of University Professors have reached a tentative agreement. Faculty members will be getting the details in the next couple of days. ... Continue Reading