More stupid Michigan crooks

The Kalamazoo Gazette is reporting a large marijuana bust in Cass County in the wee hours of Sunday morning. The circumstances leading to this large drug bust are what makes me smile. A 60 year old resident of Calvin Township called the sheriff's department to report a home invasion. The armed suspects had bound her hands and feet while pointing a gun at her. The woman's 63 year old boyfriend was found by deputies in a similar fashion out in the barn.

During the course of searching for the suspects a large marijuana growing operation was discovered in another building on the property.

Police found more than 500 growing marijuana plants, a large amount of processed marijuana, a “highly technical” electronic lighting and heating system, and loaded weapons.

The suspects who tied the couple up made off with "valuable items" and cash. Any guesses as to what the "valuable items" were? Note to processors, sellers, and growers of marijuana:

If someone breaks into your home and steals "valuable items" and cash or anything for that matter - remember to weigh the consequences of calling that in to the police.

They call that - police work made easy. :)

Michigan gas prices drop $.19 from last week

Whatever the reason may be, enjoy these low gas prices across Michigan while they last. Today's average price of regular unleaded gas across Michigan is down to $2.053. That is down $.19 from last week's average of $2.24. This is the lowest I have seen gas prices in quite some time. The last time prices were this low was back in late September if I am remembering correctly. One year ago at this time we were paying $2.34 across Michigan.

Gas price data courtesy of AAA's Fuel Gauge Report.

Michigan Historical Museum kicks off the Mackinac Bridge's 50th!

On January 27th the State Historical Museum will begin a year of celebrating the technical marvel that is our Mackinac Bridge. Here is a bit of what you can expect to see at the museum on the 27th -

• Kim Nowack, Mackinac Bridge Authority Engineer, will present a fascinating overview of the 50-year history of the bridge at 11 a.m.
• Build a bridge model! Kids ages 8 to 12 can take part in a build-a-bridge workshop from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• The Archives of Michigan will display photographs, drawings and documents that exhibit the history of the construction and opening of the Mackinac Bridge.

Via Michigan.gov

Check out this cool site put together by Keith Stokes - www.mightymac.org He has put together some neat photos of the bridge, straits area lighthouses, Mackinaw City in the winter, and many others.

P.S. - Don't forget to celebrate Michigan Statehood Day on January 26th. On this day in 1837 Michigan officially was welcomed into the Union. Happy 170th!

Cold weather comes to Michigan - can snow be far behind?

Hopefully this recent cold spell will begin to help out Michigan's beleaguered winter dependent businesses. Ski hills are making snow around the clock to make up for the lack of the natural variety. Of course, snowmobilers and cross country skiers still need the snow and so do the businesses that depend on raising revenue from those winter activities. Swiss Valley here in southwest Michigan has been making snow around the clock this week. Check out some of the photos from their man-made snowstorm here.

Weather Underground has a fairly comprehensive listing of Michigan ski resorts and their current conditions if you are interested.

News of a decent sized snowstorm possible hitting Michigan this Sunday/Monday has a lot of folks who make their living from our winter weather in good spirits. You can view snowmobile trail reports at www.michiweb.com. They have a very extensive listing for conditions all across the northern lower peninsula in addition to the U.P.

Read this Traverse City Record Eagles article about the nation's freeway system

The Traverse City Record Eagle ran a two-part series that coincided with the 50th anniversary of the creation of the interstate system. The two-part article covers the good (get from Point A to Point B much quicker) and the bad (the homogenization of America). The homogenization of America refers to going just about anywhere in the U.S. and having it look like anywhere else. Starbucks, McDonald's, and every other chain store can be found in strip malls all across America.

Not only is the history of the interstate system given, but its future as well. We have 46,876 miles of interstate highways rumbling through America and a large majority of them are in various states of disrepair.

Read Part One - How the interstate system reshaped America

Read Part Two - Interstate system needs money for updates