Bay-Journal Monthly Magazine - October 2005 / Bay-Journal

October 2005, Issue No. 34 -- Published by Bay-Journal.com

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- Bay-Journal Commentary - by Marvin Kusmierz, Editor

Statistics
Sep. 2005
Visits: 28,015
Pages: 12
YTD 2005
Visits: 263,675
Pages: 143
Since Apr. 2002
Visits: 478,674
Views: 783,344
Pages: 982

With over 980 web pages at the end of last month, we should achieve 1,000 very soon. That’s a lot of content and far more than many novels.
Web pages are created using what is call HTML language, which stands for Hyper Text Transfer Protocol, and are a set of codes used to define the structure of a web page. Codes are placed inside “<“ code “>” without the quote marks. An example is "<"B">", which tells the computer to make everything following it “bold.” To stop the “bold,” a forward slash is used like this "<"/B">". There are hundreds of codes that cover, punctuation, text, margins, layout and other items to get the desired result.
I decided to learn the HTML code as I went along, which isn’t the best way for most folks to learn it. However, being an impatient sort of fella, I plunged in to using the HTML language and spent hours trying to find my mistakes. I learned early on that commas are extremely important, and hard to find when they are the mistake after you coded a full page with text in between the codes. A missing comma can make the page do all sorts of strange things when seen in a browser. I’ve had occasions when nearly an entire page disappeared because of a missing comma.
If you have never seen a coded HTML page and are interested in doing so, you can view an HTML page by using the “View Source” command of your browser. Try this web page and you’ll get an idea of how easy a mistake can be made. You'll notice at the top of each page is some descriptive information which informs the browser of what HTML version was used to prepare the page and other information used by Search Engines.
The number of visits to the website in September was over 28,000 bring the total for the first nine months to over 263,000 as compared to 162,000 for all of last year. At this rate, the total visits to the website since it bagan should hit 500,000 by the end of the year.

- Featured History Subject -

Graphic - The Edgar & Adeline Cooley Family
with picture of Edgar's father, Thomas M. Cooley.

Edgar and Adeline (Seymour) Cooley.

Edgar and Adeline (Addie) were born during the mid-1800s, Addie grew up in New York and Edgar was a Michigander, and the son of Thomas Cooley, a prominent citizen of his day. The lives of Addie and Edgar merged in 1876 when they were married, and shortly thereafter they moved to Bay City where they raised their family.
Edgar, the son of Thomas Cooley who was a Michigan Supreme Court Justice from 1864 to 1885, was a prominent person in local business circles. His first few years in Bay City were quite remarkable. He joined the law firm of Marston and Hatch and became a founding partner in the Industrial Works in 1873.

Where he met Addie remains unknown at this time. They married in 1876 in Genessee County, which may be where her parents lived at the time. Two years later, their first child, Walter was born. Two more children followed before Addie died at the young age of thirty-three.

Heritage/People / Edgar A. Cooley & Family.

- Featured Websites -

Featured websites from Bay-Journal's White and Yellow pages directories.
Contact us for a free listing.
Bay 3 TV
910 Walnut Street, Bay City

Bay 3 TV is a public cable service station serving Bay City, Bay County and Schools. Their programs on carried on Charter Communities and may be seen on channel 3. They have a number of regular scheduled programs that includes meetings of the city commission and county commission and others. In addition, Bay 3 TV offers a variety of special public service programs. A daily schedule of their programs is available on their website.
[Visit Website]
Bay City Motor Company
1120 N. Water Street, Bay City

The Bay City Motor Company is a new business and will open its doors for business this month in downtown Bay City. As the company name implies, there products are automobiles. What makes them unique from most other companies selling automobiles is they specialize in the Vintage, Classic, Neoclassic, Muscle Specialty and Investment Motoring vehicles. In their new facilities they will have a large display area for their stock of vehicles, which is sure to become a popular browsing spot for car lovers. Another feature of their business that separates them other car dealers is the Automobile Museum. Imagine having your picture taken in front of one of those $100,000 classic beauties to share with your out of town friends.
[Visit Website]

- Highlighted News & Articles -

Index to Stories:

News Icons:
Regional
National
World
B-J Article
Updated
Online News Sources:
Bay City Times
Bay-Journal Headline News
Michigan News (Michigan.gov)
MichigansThumb (Huron Co.)
Midland Daily News
My Bay City (Local articles)
Pioneer Times (Tuscola Co.)
Saginaw News
Bay County Courts Calendar (2005):
October November December
Other Bay-Journal Resources:

{Articles}
{Events}
{Forum}
{Photos}
(Tourist)

Please note: The featured news is an editorial service for our viewers. Its primarily focus is on local stories appearing in various public news sources. The headline and brief description for each story is prepared by the editor of Bay-Journal. Refer to the "Online Local/National News Sources" listing for additional news coverage.

^ Oct. 1 - Halloween Event At Hartwick Pines October 15th.

LANSING: Families are invited to Hartwick Pines State Park for a Halloween to walk through the old forest on a trail lit by jack-o-latherns. Other fun and educational activities will be provided,including a treat.
-- Full story:
[Sep. 29: Michigan Newswire] - Michigan.gov

^ Oct. 1 - Bill Signed, Schools Will Begin After Labor Day.

LANSING: It's official, Governor Granhold sign the bill and beginning next year schools will officially begin after Labor Day weekend.
-- Full story:
[Sep. 30: Michigan Newswire] - Michigan.gov

^ Oct. 2 - 794.5 Pound Pumpkin Nets 4th Place, Winner 1,999 Pounds.

CLARE: The Central Michigan Giant Pumpkin Club held their annual pumpkin weigh-off on Saturday with brothers, Chad and Todd Swarts taking first place with a pumpkin weighing in at a whopping 1,199 pounds. As a comparison, the fourth place pumpkin grown by Doug Nehrig of Coleman weighed 794.5 pounds. There'll be a few extra pumpkin pies on the table for the Thanksgiving family dinner of those who competed in this year's event.
-- Full story:
[Oct. 2: Cheryl Wade] - Midland Daily News

^ Oct. 2 - Times Editorial Calls For Urgent Fix to Michigan Economic Woes.

BAY CITY: The title of The Bay City Times editorial in Sunday's paper read, "Leaders dither while economic hurricane blows this way." The reality is that Michigan's economy has been under seige of a great storm for sometime now,and as the Times' article points out, we have seen the worse of it yet. Michigan's poor economy is not in a temporary dip on the charts, it's a condition that is getting worse with time, and as the editorial suggests, politicians and other leaders need to stopping dithering away precious time on other matters that won't matter unless we act now to stop the economic bleeding.
-- Full story:
[Oct. 2: Editorial] - The Bay City Times

^ Oct. 2 - Animal Lover And Stranded Animals Need Urgent Help.

SAGINAW: Sherry Moon of Carrollton township has been helping stranded animals for the past 20 years by taking care of them at her home. She is now in need of help herself to continue her work after losing her home.
-- Full story:
[Oct. 2 - Jill Armentrout] - The Saginaw News

^ Oct. 5 - World's Youth Better Educated - But Greater Effort Needed.

UNITED NATIONS: The United Nations has released a report stating youths of this generation are the most educated ever. The report which estimates the number of youth age 15 to 24 at 1.2 billion also found that nearly half live on less than $2 a day. The report calls for a greater effort to be made citing over 200 million youth live in poverty, 130 million are illiterate, 88 million are unemployed, and 10 million living with HIV/AIDs.
-- Full story:
[Oct. 5: Edith M. Lederer] - Associated Press Writer
[U.N. World Youth Report 2005] - United Nations Organization

^ Oct. 5 - Location Of New Jail In Midland Is Upsetting Some.

MIDLAND: Midland County's Jail Site Selection Committee is recommending an east side site near Bay City and Rockwell roads. However, some members of the Board of Commission expressed their own ideas about the new jail, as did several in attendance at the Tuesday meeting.
-- Full story:
[Oct. 5: Kathie Marchlewski] - Midland Daily News

^ Oct. 5 - Rare Calendar Event Shared By Muslins And Jewish Faithful.

SAGINAW: Two separate holy events, Ramadan and Yon Kippur, are being observed during October in what is a rare occurence on the calendar of each, and which happens only two or three times in the average life-span of an individual.
-- Full story:
[Oct. 5: Denise Ford-Mitchell] - The Saginaw News

^ Oct. 6 - Dow To Sell Its Share of Union Carbide Corporation.

MIDLAND: Dow Chemical Company announced on October 3, 2005, that it has reached an agreement to sell its share of Union Carbide Corporation for $825 million to Honeywell. The transaction is subject to regulatory review. Dow's CE0, Andrew Liveris, issued the following statement: "This is a good business and one that has made a steady contribution to Union Carbide and to Dow for a number of years," and, "As we move forward with our strategic agenda, however, we believe that our goal of maximizing the value of the business to Dow is best realized through this sale to our joint venture partner."
In another matter, Dow will host a live webcast (internet broadcast) of its third quarter earning conference call with securities analysts on Thursday, October 27, 2005 at 10: a.m. Eastern Time.
-- Full story:
[Sep. 28: Press Release - Union Carbide] - Dow Chemical Co.
[Sep. 28: Press Release - Webcast] - Dow Chemical Co.

^ Oct. 6 - St. Mary's Hospital To Have Robotic Surgery Capability.

SAGINAW: Computerized surgery using robitic instruments is expected to be available at St. Mary's Hospital by the end of this month. Robitic surgery offers many advantages to both surgeons and patients. A video probe inserted into the patient is connected to monitor at a work station that dramatically improves the surgeon's view during the surgical process which is further enhances the surgeons skills and precision by using computer controlled robotic instruments. Massive surgical cuts are replaced with several small cuts to allow instruments to the treated area of the body, reducing the risk of infection while providing a speedier recovery for patients. Robotic surgery is one of many new evolving technologies aided by computers that are dramatically transforming the healthcare industry.
-- Full story:
[Oct. 6: Jill Armentrout] - The Saginaw News
[Photo: Information about Robotic Surgery] - Current Science & Techonogy Center (mos.org)

^Oct. 7 - Old General Hospital Buildings Give Way For 21st Century Healthcare.

BAY CITY: The Bay Regional Medical Center is investing $53 million for a medical state of the art facilities. In November demolition will begin on the old structures which date back as far as the 1930s when the medical facilities was known as General Hospital. When completed in 2007 Bay Regional Medical Center will have a new efficient facilities designed for patient healthcare and medical procedures of the 21st Century.
-- Full story:
[Oct. 7: Patti LaLonde] - The Bay City Times

^Oct. 7 - Former Owner of St. Laurent Bros. Nut House Passes On.

St. Laurent Bros. about 1950s.

BAY CITY: Mary E. St. Laurent, age 92, passed away on Monday. She and her late husband, Howard St. Laurent, owned the St. Laurent Bros. "Nut House" on Water and Third streets, having taken over the business from Joseph and Alex St. Lauarent who founded the store in 1904. The present owner Steve Frye has owned the business for the past 20 years, and recalled with fondness, that Mary who lived in the Jennison Condo complex would reguarly stop by the store to say hello and determine what might have changed since her last visit. Frye said, "We'd laugh and say she was looking down on us (from her home at Jennison) to see how we were doing. I guess she still is."
-- Full story:
[Oct. 7: Tim Younkman] - The Bay City Times

^Oct. 7 - "The Job Show" Has Aired Monthly On Cable TV For Decades!

LANSING: "The Job Show" produced monthly by the Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth has been airing for over two decades. The 30 minute long show provides an informative format of discussions with workers, employers and government officials regarding subjects pertaining to jobs in Michigan. During October the show is featuring information on jobs in healthcare and the future of advanced manufacturing and other high growth jobs in Michigan. Unfortunately, it appears from the listing on The Jobs Show website that the only local cable tv channel carrying this program is Midland Community Television - Channel 5, which broadcasts within Midland County.
-- Full story:
[Oct. 7: Michigan Newswire] - Michigan.gov
[The Jobs Show website] - Michigan.gov (www.deleg.state.mi.us)

^Oct. 8 - Bay County Committee Investigating Library Expenses Meets.

BAY CITY: The Committee consisting of County Board chairman and three other board members met this past Friday to hear directly from two members of the Library Board involved in the $27 million library project for updating three facilities and building a new central library building. Of concern were legal fees accumulated on the project which were considered unusual in an earlier report published by The Bay City Times.
-- Full story:
[Oct. 8: Crystal Harmon] - The Bay City Times

^Oct. 8 - Dow CEO Speaks Before Congress On Impact Of Energy Costs.

WASHINGTON, DC: Andrew Liveris, President and Chief Executie Officer of Dow Chemical Co. testified before the U.S. Senate Committee on Engergy and Natural Resources this week. He told Congress the nation has an urgent engergy crisis that threatens U.S. industry, and urged them to act now to deal with it. He stated, "A far greater threat to the U.S. Chemical industry -- and the entire U.S. manufacturing sector -- is the serious vulnerability of the nation's engery supply." He pointed out that natural gas costs have been skyrocketing over the past six years going from $2 per million btu to $14 today. U.S. industries that are heavily dependent on natural gas are being forced to relocate their businesses to countries where engergy costs are less expensive to be competitive.
-- Full story
[Oct. 8: Kathie Marchlewski] - Midland Daily News
[Oct. 6: Press Release] - Dow Chemical Company

^Oct. 8 - Delphi Files Bancruptcy - Sets Record As Largest In U.S. Auto History.

CHICAGO (Reuters): Delfi Corporation file for Chapter 11 protection in Bankruptcy Court in New York on Saturday becoming the largest to ever have done so in U.S. automotive history. Subsidiaries outside of the U.S. were not included.
-- Full story:
[Oct. 8: David Bailey] - Reuters

^Oct. 9 - Times Does Trip On Travel Expenses Of Bay-Metro Officials.

BAY CITY: On the front page of today's edition of The Bay City Times is an article entitled, "First-Class Transit," which for some reason does not appear in their online website. The article is but another of a series of articles have published in calling attention to the public about questionable expenses of local government officials. It is highly recommended that tax-payers available themselves of this newspaper to read the details of their findings.
According to the article which was written by Steve Neveling, Bay Metro officials has spent $200,000 on cross-country travel -- the following are but a few specifics mentioned:

Trip for eight to San Francisco conference costing $27,480.
Trip for four first-class plane tickets costing $7,208.
Steak dinner for one coasting $54.28.

The article also listed the number of trips and total cost by board officials since September, 1999. It also included a listing of places traveled to along with the frequency and number of travelers involved, the totals being 101 trips and 178 travelers.
The story points out that Bay Metro this summer in the face of a $325,000 deficit the agency decided to cut the number bus routes and offer early-retirement incentives to employees to cuts costs.
The Times' article stated, "Bay Metro officials defend the travel expenses, crediting conferences with making the transit system a model for innovation and thriftiness."
It should be noted that expenses for business trips are often necessary and essential in maintaining an efficient and effective operation. The issue raised by this Times' article is how many of them where essential and how many were more costly than what was necessary.
Oct. 10: The full article is now available online at: [Steve Neavling] - The Bay City Times.

^Oct. 10 - First Things First - State Says No To Wal-Mart In Portsmouth.

BAY CITY: The state says it will not release the owner of the property proposed for a new Wal-Mart in Portsmouth. The agreement was set up under a program providing the owner with tax-incentives to preserve the property as farmland until 2008. It seems kind of silly that factions for and against a Wal-Mart in Portsmouth have been in a heated battle for nothing for many months, when they could have waited for the state's decision first. Our ancestors might have referred to such a boggling as getting the cart ahead of the horse.
-- Full story
[Oct. 10: Steve Neavling] - The Bay City Times

^Oct. 10 - State Democrats Pushing Insurance Reform Package.

LANSING: Governor Granholm and Democratic members of the House and Senate announced today that they will push legistlation to lower insurance costs, strengthen consumer protection, and improve accountability of the insurance industry in Michigan.
-- Full story:
[Oct. 10: Michigan Newswire] - Michigan.gov

^Oct. 12 - Train Engine Vandalized At Saginaw Railroad Museum.

SAGINAW: A 1951 diesel electric engine in the yard of the Saginaw Railroad Museum had its windows and instruments damaged by vandals this past Tuesday with repairs estimated at $8,000. The diesel locomotive is considered rare with only about six left in existence.
-- Full story:
[Oct. 12: Joe Snapper] - The Saginaw News
[Website: Saginaw Railroad Museum]

^Oct. 12 - U.S. Supreme Court To Hear Sixteen Year Old Wetlands Case.

MIDLAND: The sixteen year saga of Midland developer John Rapanos may becoming to an end now that the U.S. Supreme Court has decided to hear the case over disputed wetlands involving the federal Clean Water Act. The state of Michigan and Rapanos have been legally arguing over Rapanos right to fill in portions of property that he owns in Williams township of Bay County.
-- Full story:
[Oct. 12: News Staff] - Midland Daily News

^Oct. 13 - Bay City Players & Member Receive National Awards.

BAY CITY: The American Association of Community Theatre has recognized the Bay City Players with the Twink Lynch Theatre Award, and Joan Berry, a member of the groups for more than 40 years, received the Fellows Award. Both awards will be presented by Sen. James A. Barcia at the Player's theatre on Friday at 8 p.m. prior to the showing of The Odd Couple.
-- Full story:
[Oct. 13: Pati LaLonde] - The Bay City Times

^Oct. 16 - Customers Upset With Bay City s Huge Water & Sewer Bills.

BAY CITY: Today's font page headline of The Bay City Times newspaper reads, "Piping Mad," in reference customer complaints about huge water and sewer bills they are paying to live in Bay City. Most of the city's leaders are less than empathic to customer complaints claiming it was necessary to pay for long over due maintenance of aging sewers and updates require for the water system. They may be right, but being right could result in many of their customers moving out of the city that could expedite the downward trend of the city's eroding population and poor economy. A trend that will have severe implications for the rest of Bay County.
Full story:
[Oct. 16: Patti Brandt] - The Bay City Times

^Oct. 18 - Corny Alternative To High Heating Costs Is Available.

FARWELL: If you're looking for a cost savings alternative to the high prices of natural gas or fuel oil to heat your home, The Corn Crib in Farewell might be your solution, according to co-partner, Frank Robinson. The major draw back of using corn as heating fuel is that the hopper holding the corn needs to be refilled. However, using a standard heating system in conjunction with a corn fueled furnace eliminates the concern of running out of corn.
-- Full story:
[Oct. 18: Cheryl Wade] - Midland Daily News

^Oct. 18 - State Tweaks Emergency Rules Regarding Gas & Electric Bills.

LANSING: In the face of double-digit energy costs and concerns that more consumers will not be able to cope financially with these costs, the state has established new emergency rules covering billing practices that will be in effect November 1 through March 31, 2006.
-- Full story:
[Oct. 18: Michigan Newswire] - Michigan.gov

^Oct. 18 - Alumni To Meet In Memory Of "Old" Handy High School.

BAY CITY: This Saturday from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m., alumni and staff members of the former Handy High School will gather at their old school building on Blend Street to recall their glorious and youthful days at Handy High School. In 1990 Handy was converted to a middle school after the new Western High School in Auburn opened. Handy began as new junior high school in 1922, then in 1943 it was turned into a high school.
-- Full story:
[Oct. 18: Scott E. Pacheco] - The Bay City Times

^Oct. 19 - It'll Be Lumber Barons' Gharcoal Grill & Brew Pub.

BAY CITY: The former Herford & Hops on Midland Street will take on a lumbering theme, but much of the facilities will remain the same according to owner Art Dore. In addition, prices will be very affordable, and the menu will carry cajun food and more seafood items. The lumber baron theme was picked because the property was part of a sawmill operation owned by Henry W. Sage, a lumber baron and founder of the village of Wenona.
-- Full story:
[Oct. 19: Schott E. Pacheco] - The Bay City Times

^Oct. 19 - State's Sept. Unemployment Rate Lowest In Three Years.

LANSING: The jobs situation in Michigan continued to improve in Michgian according to September's data -- employment rose by 36,000 and unemplovement dropped by 17,000.
-- Full story:
[Oct. 19: Michigan Newswire] - Michigan.com

^Oct. 20 - 85,000+ Added To State's Unclaimed Properties Database.

LANSING: The Treasury Department may be holding an unclaimed property of yours, a relative or a friend. It's worth your time to check! I did a search for "Bay City" and 22 unclaimed properties were found with "Bay City" in their name. Another search on my surname yielded 8 properties -- 2 were from Bay City. The database is update once a month.
-- Full story
[Oct. 20: Michigan Newswire] - Michigan.gov
[Direct Link to Search Engine] - Michigan.gov
[Direct Link to Search Results on "Bay City"] - Michigan.gov

^Oct. 20 - Pheasant Season Opens Today, But Nothing Like Long Ago.

HURON CO.: Writer Walt Rummel tells about the 1930s and 40s when "ring-neck hunting" was truly a rage. So many participated that it created a seasonal bed and breakfast industry for many homeowners in Huron County who rented rooms to hunters. Walt provides a couple of pictures along with a wonderful recollection that hunters and history buffs should enjoy.
-- Full story:
[Oct. 20: Walt Rummel] - Huron Daily Tribune

^Oct. 21 - Shooting At Saginaw High School On Thursday Not Unexpected!

SAGINAW: A 15 year old student was shot in the chest Thursday in a school hall way incident that law enforcement authorities believe may have been avoidable. The victim was rushed to Covenant Medical Center where he underwent surgery -- he remains in critical condition but is expected to survive. Regrettably, the shooting is not an isolated school incident, there have others since and it's only the beginning of the school year.
-- Full story:
[Oct. 21: Joe Snapper] - Thye Saginaw News

^Oct. 21 - State Meeting On Wildlife Plans To Be Held Bay City.

LANSING: The Department of Natural Resources will hold an open meeting October 27, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Bay City State Recreation Area's Visitors Center to get input from the public on wildlife areas associated with Crow Island, Bluff Creek, Gagetown and Rush Lake.
-- Full story:
[Oct. 21: Michigan Newswire] - Michigan.gov

^Oct. 21 - Concerns Raised About Expanding MBS International Airport.

MIDLAND: Some members of the MBS Internation Airport Commission have raised concerns about the need for an airport expansion considering several major airlines are facing financial difficulties. They prefer taking a wait and see approach at this time. Expansions being considered include additional property and possibly a new terminal. The number passengers using MBS has declined for the past six years, which many attribute to lower fares offered at Flint's Bishop International Airport.
Full story:
[Oct. 21: Cheryl Wade] - Midland Daily News

^Oct. 23 - Denny Hayes Honored For His Devotion to Local Sports.

BAY CITY: Friends and fans will gather at the Double Tree Hotel today to participate in honoring Denny Hayes who will be receiving Bay County Hall of Fame's President's Award. The former owner of the Green Hut is being recognized for his contributions to local sports for many years and as a founder of the local Hall of Fame organization.
Full story:
[Oct 23. The Bay City Times]

^Oct. 23 - Dave Rogers Recalls Wenonah Beach Amusement Park.

BAY CITY: Forty years have passed since Wenonah Beach Amusement Park closed down in 1965 to be have a trailer park take over its property along the Saginaw Bay at the foot of Patterson. Thanks to MyBayCity.com writer, Dave Rogers who has written an article on the subject, younger citizens of Michigan can get a peak of understanding that thrilled their parents and grandparents. The park was much more than the thrill of rides on summer days by the waterfront, it was an entertainment mecca with many stars of that time come there to perform.
Full story:
[Oct. 23: Dave Rogers] - MyBayCity.com
Heritage/Places/ [Wenona Beach Amusement Park} - Bay-Journal.com (Includes link to Pictorial)

^Oct. 25 - Economy Like Muscle Building - Growth Comes With Pain.

UNIVERSITY CENTER: Bill Mulvihill, senior economist for Claymore Securities based in Lisle, ILL, spoke before the Tri-County Economics Club on Monday, and many afterwards had a new perspective about the economy - no paid, no gain. He explained that the pain many are experiencing in today's may seem like a downer, but in realty is a positive sign of a new emerging economy. It's akin to what muscle builders must go through to improve their body. The pain we're presently experiencing may hurt but will soon yield a much stronger economy than in the past.
Full story:
Full story
[Oct. 25: About Rosa Parks] - Google.com

^Oct. 26 - Michigan's Family History Celebrations This Saturday.

LANSING: October is Family History Month in Michigan, and this Saturday there will be a full day of special activities at the Michigan Library and Historical Center including a free concert by the Step' In It band from Lansing.
Full story:
[Oct. 26: Michigan Newswire] - Michigan.gov

^Oct. 26 Exciting Improvements Planned For Children's Zoo In Saginaw.

SAGINAW: One of the best educational and fun places to go to for families is the Children's Zoo in Saginaw. A $1.98 million expansion project is underway that is sure to make your trip to the zoo even better by next spring. By then a new wetland's pond is expected to be completed that'll be an oasis for fish, plant life and a bird santuary. But, there's more! Within three years kids will be able to enjoy the experience a working barnyard and a walk-through vegetable garden. -- I can hardly wait for my grandkids to take me there!
The Children's Zoo has been around for over 75 years and is made possible by the Saginaw Valley Zoological Society, a local non-profit organization. Funding for the new project is still needed. Your support will help provide children with the best possible positive experience while attending their local zoo.
Full story:
[Oct. 26: Jeremiah Stettler] - The Saginaw News
[Children's Zoo Website] - Saginaw, MI

^Oct. 27 - MI Unemployment Rate In Sept. Was 5.9% Vs. 6.6% A Year Ago.

LANSING: Unemployment figures for September 2005 continued to decline. The largest drop in Regional Unemployment was in Detroit which went down 0.7 percent points. September's unemployment rate for counties in the Saginaw Valley were: Bay 5.8%; Genesee 6.9%; Midland 5.1% and Saginaw 6.8%.
Full story:
[Oct. 27: Michigan Newswire] - Michigan.gov

^Oct. 28 - 1st Quarterly Meeting On Tri-City Dioxins Planned In Saginaw.

LANSING: Michigan's Department of Environmental Quality and Dow Chemical Company will host a public meeting in Saginaw on November 9, 2005. This is the first in what will be serious on meetings held quarterly to address the challenges related to deal with the dioxin and furan levels in Mid-Michigan.
Full story:
[Oct. 28: Michigan Newswire] - Michigan.gov

^Oct. 29 - Times' Finding On Bay City's Sewer Project Shocks Officials!

BAY CITY: Another investigation by The Bay City Times into local government spending has city officials scurrying for answers. It turns out that city may have spent $1.8 million more than it needed to over the past 2-1/2 years to upgrade the city's aging sewers, which has resulted in huge rates increase to its customers. The Times' inquiry found that a unique formula for chosing the lowest bidder for the sewer upgrades may not have yielded the lowest cost to the city for the work required.
Full story:
[Oct. 29: Patti Brandt] - The Bay City Times