Michigan farmers markets could lose the ability to offer SNAP benefits to customers. A federal judge has delayed a ruling on whether a northern Michigan housing community can continue to have a religious requirement to live there. Battle Creek Commissioners will decide how to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of the city's vice mayor.
(Michigan Radio) Volunteers are continuing to pass out free cases of bottled water in Parchment. Residents were informed late last week that their water may be unsafe to drink. The state found high levels of compounds in a family of chemicals called PFAS in Parchment city water. PFAS compounds have been linked to kidney and testicular cancer -- among other health issues.
(MPRN) About 50 farmers markets across Michigan are at risk of losing their ability to offer SNAP benefits, formerly food stamps, to customers. The company that processes their SNAP benefit transactions is going out of business after the federal government ended its contract with the company. As a result, those 50 markets – and dozens of individual farm businesses – won’t be able to accept SNAP benefits when selling their produce and other goods.
(WCMU) A federal court judge said Monday that he will delay issuing an opinion on a suit against Bay View in Emmet county alleging the community’s religious requirement is in violation of the Fair Housing Act. Current Bay View bylaws require people to be christians in order to own a cottage in the upscale community. Lawyers for Bay View submitted a proposed bylaw amendment to the court last week which would strike the religious requirement. Judge Paul Maloney said he would not issue an opinion until the fate of the proposed amendment is decided. The vote on the bylaw amendment is scheduled for Saturday. If it passes both parties have until August 28th to file briefs on how it changes the case - and whether it renders the case moot.
(Battle Creek Enquirer) The Battle Creek City Commission is set to vote Tuesday night on filling the vacancy left by the resignation of Vice Mayor Dave Walters. Walters announced earlier this month that private and professional matters prevented him from serving as the commissioner for Ward Five. Walters was elected to a three year term in November. The Battle Creek Enquirer reports that 10 candidates have applied to fill the vacancy.
In baseball, Kalamazoo beat Wisconsin Monday night 6-2. Growler’s starting pitcher Adam Wheaton held the Woodchucks to one hit over six and two thirds innings. The two teams will play again Tuesday night at Homer Stryker Field.
Battle Creek won at Lakeshore Monday night 9-0. Bombers’ starting pitcher Jordan Rhodeslimited the Chinooks to three hits over seven innings. The two teams wrap up their two game series Tuesday night.