A delay in approving two proposals for the November ballot. Some residents of fire damaged Battle Creek apartment complex can collect belongings this weekend. The Growlers win a high scoring battle while the Bombers split a double header.
(MPRN) Tensions were high at a Board of State Canvassers meeting over ballot initiatives to increase the state’s minimum wage and to require employers offer earned sick time. The board was ready to decide whether to certify the proposals, but an attorney for a business group that opposes the measures told the board a technicality prevented the board from legally voting on it Thursday. So the Board went to recess without a vote Friday. The board needs to make a decisions in the next few days in order to avoid risking missing deadlines to make the November ballot. The board’s staff recommended it certify both proposals.
The city of Battle Creek says some residents of an apartment complex severely damaged by fire will be able to collect their belongings this weekend. The city says the fire department will be at the Village Inn Apartments Saturday and Sunday. Parts of 90 and 100 Riverside will be open to residents Saturday afternoon from one until four o’clock. They will be open again beginning Sunday morning from 10 until noon, and again from 1:00 until 3:00 Sunday afternoon. Some areas will not be accessible, including 80 Riverside. City officials say it is still not safe for entry. People coming to pick up items are advised to bring identification, although the apartment manager will be there to help identify residents whose ID is inside the apartments.
(Michigan Radio) Grand Rapids based Bethany Christian Services says 90% of kids in their care who were separated from their families at the southern U.S. border have been reunited with their parents. A federal judge set Thursday as a deadline for all families to be reunited. But nationwide only about 50 percent of separated kids have been returned to their parents so far.
(MPRN) The Michigan Supreme Court says former state Senator Virgil Smith can run for office. The senator had previously bargained away his political career as part of a plea deal with prosecutors. As part of Smith’s criminal plea deal, he agreed he would not hold any elected or appointed office for five years – that’s the length of his probation. But the Michigan Supreme Court says that provision is not enforceable because it goes against public policy.
In baseball, Kalamazoo beat Green Bay 13-10 Thursday night. The Growlers and the Bullfrogs play again Friday night at Homer Stryker Field.
Battle Creek split a double header at Kenosha Thursday. The Bombers won the first game 8-6. The Kingfish won the second, 9-4. The two teams play again Friday night.