“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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“For example, people think they ought to be able to send a text message via cell phone to 9-1-1 because text messaging is already commonplace in the private sector”

Leelanau may be able to reduce costs. A new federal grant of $1.3 million may help northern Michigan counties with financially strapped 9-1-1 dispatch centers join forces with neighboring counties to establish … via Leelanau Enterprise

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Volunteeres at PetSafe Rescue Alliance pride themselves on preventing cats and dogs from being euthanized, but sometimes it costs more than they actually have. via WWUP-TV Cadillac

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“We’re fully cooperating and we gave them everything we have”

Meijer Inc. and the law firm it used to wage a secret recall campaign refuse to turn over corporate documents demanded by Grand Traverse County’s prosecutor. via Traverse City Record-Eagle

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“It will be interesting to discuss whether it is standard practice for a public official to divest all file materials shortly after completing (the investigation of) a controversial killing involving 12 or more law enforcement agencies”

An attorney who sued the Grand Traverse County Sheriff’s Department can question a prosecutor who investigated the shooting of an Interlochen man by a department sniper. via Traverse City Record-Eagle

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“But if people want a bridge over the Boardman River people can see if that’s something they want to pay for.”

Jim Lively always liked the notion of a light rail system in Traverse City. Thursday, he’ll find out if it’s a practical concept. via Traverse City Record-Eagle

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“It is kind of a referral-by-mouth business. You are coming into their house, and they don’t know who you are”

It’s a dog’s life for Sherry McAdams. And cats, chickens, birds and fish, too. McAdams operates the pet sitting business Tails-A-Wag’n and offers in-home animal care while pet owners are away. via Traverse City Record-Eagle

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“It’s become a great tradition for us”

The weather was chilly but spirits were warm as green-clad merrymakers marched and danced throughout downtown, spreading their Irish cheer. via Traverse City Record-Eagle

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“The way Michigan is becoming important, is an unintended consequence”

The Democratic presidential candidates already have their hands full with primary elections scheduled for the next several weeks. via WTOM-TV Traverse City

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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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