LAKE CITY â Kayakers, canoers, tubers and other users of the Muskegon River in Missaukee County will have an opportunity this summer to make a significant impact on the waterway s cleanliness.
The Missaukee Conservation District recently was awarded $4,547.71 by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy to purchase river cleanup kits that will be available at no cost to people using the river.
The MiCorps Volunteer Stream Cleanup Program provides grants to local units of government to clean and improve Michigan waterways. Local governments often partner with nonprofits or other volunteer groups for the cleanups, which include removal of trash and other manmade debris from streams and stream banks. The cleanup grant program began in 1998 and is funded by fees from the sale of Michiganâs specialty water quality protection license plates, available from the Secretary of Stateâs Office.
Recently, two Missaukee County businesses received some assistance in achieving that goal.
Northern Initiatives, a Community Development Finance Institution, and TCF Bank teamed up to provide financial support to Northern Michigan businesses negatively impacted by the ongoing COVID pandemic. During the month of February, Northern Initiatives distributed $1,000 mini-grants to six small businesses to help them navigate a new economic climate. The businesses submitted an application for the reimbursement-based funds made possible through a grant from TCF.
âWe are proud to support Northern Initiatives and its efforts to provide funding to those small businesses in Northern Michigan that need help during these pressing economic times,â said Deb Ballard, North Michigan Community Development Market Manager at TCF Bank. âOur No. 1 priority is to make sure the people and companies in our communities have the resources they need to thrive.â
LAKE CITY â Police believe a 62-year-old Missaukee County woman was murdered and the suspect has died due to an apparent self-inflicted gunshot.
Michigan State Police were called Saturday night to perform a welfare check at a home on North Seven Mile Road in West Branch Township. When troopers entered the home they found the woman dead from an apparent homicide, Michigan State Police said. Troopers identified a suspect and broadcast an alert.
Shortly after 1 a.m. Sunday Cadillac Police spotted the suspect vehicle and attempted a traffic stop. The suspect fled and police pursued. During the pursuit, the suspect fired shots at the police officer. No officers or vehicles were struck. Missaukee County Sheriffâs deputies assisted in the pursuit and set up stop sticks on M-55 near M-66. The vehicle was stopped and the suspect fled on foot.
CADILLAC â A number of business owners, service organizations and non-profit operators in Wexford and Missaukee counties are breathing a little easier after recently receiving some financial assistance from the government â and not a moment too soon.
Thirty entities received around $228,000 in assistance recently through the Michigan Small Business Survival Grant Program (see sidebars for full list).
Through the Michigan Strategic Fund and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, $2,375,000 in Michigan Small Business Survival Grant Program dollars was provided to Northwest Michigan small businesses that experienced a significant financial hardship due to the COVID-19 emergency âgatherings and face mask orderâ issued by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services in December 2020.
NMCAA offers two methods of tax preparation help
Benzie, Manistee counties have local options as well
March 4, 2021
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Local agencies in Benzie and Manistee can help people get free tax preparation assistance. (Courtesy Photo/Pixabay) Show MoreShow Less
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The Northwest Michigan Community Action Agency can help people file their taxes for free if they meet certain conditions. (Courtesy Photo/Pixabay) Show MoreShow Less
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TRAVERSE CITY Tax season is here, and the Northwest Michigan Community Action Agency is offering free tax preparation services in a year when many people may be facing new tax situations related to the pandemic.