“If you just speak to knowledgeable people in the community you could easily be dissuaded from disparaging our court.”

A Grand Traverse County probate judge used nearly $70,000 in public funds to avert a threatened whistle-blowers‘ lawsuit, a newspaper reported Sunday.

Judge David L. Stowe last year spent court funds to head off the possible suit by Michael Stein, former top administrator for the 13th Circuit Court’s Family Division, the Traverse City Record-Eagle reported.

Stowe fired Stein in March 2007 after the State Court Administrator’s Office closed a probe sparked by Stein’s complaint about the judge and Cynthia Marie Curry, a former family court employee who worked under Stowe from 2002 to 2005. Read more

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A Grand Rapids man and another man from Rockford died this week in a crash near Traverse City. via WZZM-TV Grand Rapids

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“I see coming out of this, hopefully, a way to better address how we get (people in poverty) help. A big part of it, too, is just education.”

Finding ways to combat poverty in Livingston County is the goal of a two-day conference set for May in Oceola Township. via Press & Argus

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“Maybe I’m not supposed to. Even if I can’t figure it out, I know that God has a purpose for it, even if I never completely understand what it may be.”

This combination of undated photos released by Taylor University shows Whitney Cerak, left, and Laura VanRyn, both students at Taylor University. via The Florida Times Union

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“They have not fully complied with our request, and the next step is further court action to force compliance”

Meijer Inc. and its law firm are refusing to hand over documents sought by the Grand Traverse County prosecutor in an investigation of the company’s role in a failed recall election, the prosecutor’s office … via WSBT

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“Negotiate, negotiate, negotiate”

Although the price of a first-class postage stamp is going up a penny May 12, small businesses will get a break for the first time on Express Mail and Priority Mail costs. via Los Angeles Times

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Governor Granholm is expected to focus on the state’s economy during a “town hall meeting” to air live this evening around the state. via WNDU-TV South Bend

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“A product that’s manufactured in Michigan and proudly promotes its home state.”

While thinking recently about how Michigan can shake off its economic malaise, I found some inspiration in a beer bottle. via Ann Arbor News

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A traffic stop turned into a drug bust for two downstate men in Traverse City. Police became suspicious during a traffic stop near 31 South and South Airport Road last week. via WWUP-TV Cadillac

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“Oxygen is a natural medicine, that’s what the body needs at that time because basically you’re drowning in smoke”

A home fire is a devastating event where losses can be compounded for survivors when a beloved pet dies. via Grand Traverse Herald Online

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