Beyond Grattan Centre'

The Department of Natural Resources reminds hunters that spring turkey hunting applications are on sale now through Feb 1. The application fee is $4. Hunters may apply for one limited-quota hunting license, or purchase a license for spring turkey Hunt 234, which does not require the $4 application fee. Applications and licenses may be purchased at any authorized license agent or online at www.michigan.gov/huntdrawings .

The 2012 spring turkey season runs from April 23 through May 31, with hunts lasting from seven to 39 days, depending on the hunt unit. A total of 114,290 licenses are available, including 49,290 general licenses and 65,000 private-land licenses.

"Hunters looking for the greatest flexibility should consider Hunt 234, which runs May 7-31 and includes all open areas of the state except the public lands of southern Michigan," said DNR Upland Game Bird Specialist Al Stewart.

Applicants can check whether they were drawn for a license beginning March 1 at www.michigan.gov/huntdrawings. Any leftover licenses will be sold until the quota is met in each hunt unit and hunt period.

Your winter wonderland passport

Even in wintertime, Recreation Passports mean outdoor fun

Outdoor fun at Michigan's state parks doesn't stop when the snow starts flying. Parks across the state offer wintertime activities so Michigan motorists who have winter birthdays shouldn't forget to buy a Recreation Passport when they renew their plate tabs or get a new plate, Secretary of State Ruth Johnson and Department of Natural Resources Director Rodney Stokes reminded residents today.

Many state parks offer snowmobiling, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing opportunities, among other wintertime outdoor activities, and state boat launches let anglers find new ice-fishing spots. Select state parks offer winter camping opportunities in lodges and mini-cabins.

“For many Michigan outdoor enthusiasts, winter is the best time of the year,” Johnson said. “I encourage people renewing their plate tab to help support our state's exceptional parks by buying a Recreation Passport. For only $10, the natural wonder of Michigan parks can be yours.”

The Recreation Passport allows Michigan residents the option of paying an additional $10 per car or truck, or $5 per motorcycle when renewing a vehicle registration or registering a new vehicle. The letter “P” is printed on the vehicle tab of people who have bought the Recreation Passport. The passport allows entry into all state parks, natural areas and boat launches for no additional cost and is valid for the entire time the license plate tab is.

“Whether you enjoy lying on a sandy beach on a hot summer day or hitting the trails on skis when temperatures dip below zero, Michigan parks have something for you,” Stokes said. “No matter the season, the interest in the Recreation Passport has been incredible. But people who might have missed the opportunity to buy one the first time around now can get one when they renew their plates.”

People without a Recreation Passport also are able to buy one when entering a state park.

In its first year of existence, more than 24 percent of Michigan motorists participated in the Recreation Passport program, resulting in more than $18.8 million for state parks and state forest recreation programs. Out of the money raised, the Department of Natural Resources last month handed out almost $600,000 in grants to 24 local communities for recreational facilities.

Motorists can renew plates for individually owned or leased cars, pickup trucks, vans and motorcycles up to six months before they expire. They can renew online at www.ExpressSOS.com , through the mail or at a Secretary of State office even if they have not received their renewal information in the mail.

Customers also may call the Department of State Information Center to speak to a customer service representative at 888-SOS-MICH (767-6424).

After spending 22 weeks in Texas, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is happy to welcome home state firefighters that have been diligently working to stem the wildfires that have burned throughout Texas.

Under an interagency agreement that all 50 states participate in, the Michigan DNR sent four tractors/plows and eight staff to Texas in mid-June. Staff rotated through every two to three weeks, with over 40 DNR staffers having spent time in Texas. The last of the crews and equipment returned home on Nov. 18.

“Fighting wildfires is dangerous, which is why we are happy to report that all of the Michigan DNR staff returned unharmed,” says Scott Heather, section manager for the Resource Protection & Cooperative Programs of the Michigan DNR. “Additionally, the State of Texas will reimburse the department for all of the costs associated with having the staff and equipment down there for 22 weeks.”

Firefighters from 43 states fought more than 29,000 blazes across almost 4 million acres of land since wildfire season began on Nov. 15, 2010. Michigan firefighters battled two of the largest fires – the Bastrop County Complex and the 101 Ranch, saving many homes.

“The unprecedented wildfires in Texas this year were just another example of why these types of interagency agreements are so important,” says Heather. “Due to the favorable weather in Michigan this summer and fall, the threat of wildfires was low, allowing us to lend our services and equipment to Texas for an extended period of time.”

This was the longest period of time that Michigan has lent staff and equipment to another state for the purpose of fighting fires. Michigan has a long history of providing equipment and staff to other states and has also benefited greatly from the interagency agreement. Most recently in 2007 during the Sleeper Lake fires in Luce County, over 230 firefighters from around the Midwest battled the 18,500 acre fire.

LANSING, Mich – Michigan residents are choosing the convenience of ExpressSOS.com, the online, no-wait Secretary of State option, with more than 250,000 transactions completed since the new tool was launched on Sept. 22, Secretary of State Ruth Johnson announced today.

“You can do more business online with the Secretary of State than ever before,” Johnson said. “By simply going to ExpressSOS.com, you may be able to save yourself a trip to a branch office.”

Residents now can complete the most popular Secretary of State transactions online, something that previously required visiting a branch office. Those include:

Renewing or replacing standard state driver's licenses and ID cards
· Changing their address when they move
· Ordering multiple copies of vehicle registrations and titles

Customers are pleased with the convenience of doing more online. One ExpressSOS customer wrote, “Thanks for the great online service. It really took the hassle out of my birthday. It was easy. Very smooth and predictable.” Another said, “Thank you! This is an awesome and very welcomed change, and it's so good to see the government serving the people.”

Under Johnson's leadership, the department launched ExpressSOS.com earlier this year as a means to reduce customer wait times in Secretary of State branch offices. A low-cost advertising campaign to promote ExpressSOS.com has included billboards, Internet ads and a radio commercial.

Every year, more than 10 million people visit their local Secretary of State office, Johnson explained. Of the 9 million license plate/tab renewals processed last year, 6.5 million were processed in the branch offices, she said, adding that nearly 700,000 people come into the branch offices just to change their address.

Customers also may call the Department of State Information Center to speak to a customer service representative at 888‑SOS‑MICH (767‑6424).

The Department of Natural Resources reminds hunters that Mi-HUNT is a cutting-edge, web-based application that can optimize a hunter's experience. No matter where you are in Michigan, you can find public hunting land. The interactive mapping application can be found at www.michigan.gov/mihunt .

Mi-HUNT provides the platform for users to view and navigate through public and private lands open to public hunting and trapping in Michigan. T he interactive layers of Mi-HUNT allow the user to view:

This year, the DNR received a grant from the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) to improve Mi-HUNT for the user. It is being updated to provide more services to the user while improving the ease-of-use. Improvements will include:

“We are listening to our customers and making these modifications to improve their hunting experience,” said Russ Mason, chief of the DNR Wildlife Division. “Mi-HUNT is an incredible and very useful web-based application and ties in perfectly to DNR Director Rodney Stokes' recruitment and retention priority. We appreciate the grant funding from NSSF.”

The DNR also wants to remind hunters they have an additional opportunity to receive turkey, bear, elk, deer, and reserved waterfowl licenses by applying for the 2012 Pure Michigan Hunt drawing. Each application is $4 and you may apply as many times as you like. Three lucky winners will receive a hunt package that also includes a rifle and crossbow. For more information, go to www.michigan.gov/puremichiganhunt .

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is committed to the conservation, protection, management, use and enjoyment of the state's natural and cultural resources for current and future generations. For more information, go to www.michigan.gov/dnr

A Department of Natural Resources director's order listing sporting swine as an invasive species took effect over the weekend on Oct. 8, making it illegal to possess the animals in Michigan.

“Absent a regulatory program in Michigan law for sporting swine facilities, the invasive species order is being put into effect,” said DNR Director Rodney Stokes.

Stokes said active enforcement of the invasive species order will not start prior to April 1, 2012, with compliance visits to swine shooting and breeding facilities planned after that date.

Sporting swine facilities can use the next six months to schedule hunts to reduce the population of sporting swine on their properties. Facilities still in possession of sporting swine on April 1, 2012, may face violations and fines.

The DNR acted to list sporting swine as an invasive species to help stop the spread of invasive swine across the State to eliminate the disease risk they pose to humans, domestic pigs and wildlife, and to prevent damage to agricultural and other lands. The state is working with the U.S. Department of Agriculture to eradicate feral swine. Legislation was also passed last year allowing people with any valid hunting license to shoot feral swine on public land and on private land with the permission of the landowner.

Joined by two Gold Star mothers, Secretary of State Ruth Johnson and Sen. John Pappageorge marked the first production of the Gold Star Family license plates at the Gus Harrison Correction Facility in Adrian .

At the facility, Johnson presented the first Gold Star Family plates produced to Valerie May, of Midland , whose son, U.S. Army Cpl. Rollie M. Northhouse, was killed in Vietnam in 1968, and Carol Johnson, of Howell, whose son, U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Gregory McCoy, was killed in Iraq in 2006. They both selected personalized Gold Star Family plates to commemorate their sons.

“I don't think there is a better reminder than Mrs. May and Mrs. Johnson that freedom isn't free,” said Johnson. “This week, when we celebrate our freedom on the Fourth of July, seems especially appropriate to launch the Gold Star plates so we can honor those who gave the ultimate sacrifice and their families.”

Johnson supported the Gold Star plate legislation, sponsored by Sen. Pappageorge, R-Troy, and Rep. Robert Genetski, R-Saugatuck. Pappageorge, a highly decorated veteran who retired with the rank of colonel, served 30 years active duty in the U.S. Army, including two tours in Vietnam .

“This plate serves as a symbol of the sacrifice these American heroes have made,” Pappageorge said. “I'm thankful that the state of Michigan is now recognizing their great sacrifice.”

The use of gold stars to denote families who have lost sons and daughters in military service dates back to World War II. Families with sons and daughters in the military hung flags in their windows, with each blue star denoting a family member serving in the military and each gold star denoting a family member who had died.

“My new Gold Star Family plate will hold a special place in my heart like no other plate I've had before,” May said. “I thank Secretary Johnson, Senator Pappageorge and others for allowing me to see the creation of the first few Gold Star Family plates here today.”

Johnson, who toured the Gus Harrison Correctional Facility, thanked the prisoners for their hard work producing all of the state's license plates – about 1.5 million license plates every year.

Like other military and veteran plates, Gold Star Family plates cost $5 in addition to the vehicles standard registration fee.

Customers also may call the Department of State Information Center to speak to a customer-service representative at
(888) SOS-MICH (767-6424).

Johnson & Advocates Promote Organ Donor Registration
Advocates Applaud Secretary of State's New Policy, Say Lives Will Be Saved

Secretary of State Ruth Johnson promoted organ donor registration today at a West Michigan press conference, one day after she announced a new policy that directs employees, time permitting, to ask Secretary of State branch customers if they want to join the Michigan Organ Donor Registry.

Previously, there was no consistent policy from branch to branch or even employee to employee. Johnson made the announcement earlier this week during her State of the Secretary of State Address.

“Secretary Johnson's single decision to ask the question definitely will increase donor registration,” said Rich Pietroski, CEO of Gift of Life Michigan . “It will definitely save lives.”

Michigan ranks sixth from the bottom nationally in organ donation registration.

“With 3,000 people on the waiting list for organs, this is a matter of life and death,” Johnson said. “This demands a new approach, a new way of thinking. We can and will do better.”
4/20/2011

As spring brings the season for wildlife to give birth, the Department of Natural Resources reminds Michigan residents to resist the instinct to try to help seemingly abandoned fawns or other baby animals.

“The truth is, the animal doesn't need help – even if a fawn appears to be abandoned, its mother is almost always nearby,” said DNR wildlife biologist Sherry MacKinnon. “We appreciate the good intentions of those who want to help, but the animals are better off left alone than removed from the wild.”

MacKinnon said it's not uncommon for does to leave their young unattended for up to eight hours at a time, an anti-predator mechanism that minimizes scent left around the newborn animals. “The same holds true for rabbits, ground-dwelling birds and other wildlife,” she said. “Even avian parents will continue to care for hatchlings that have fallen from a nest.”

“If you know of a deer or other animal that has been orphaned, early in the year – for example, if a doe is dead nearby – please call your local DNR office, they can refer you to a licensed rehabilitator,” said MacKinnon. “Licensed rehabilitators are trained to handle wild animals and know how to release them so that they can survive in the wild.”

Standard Michigan driver's licenses and state identification cards will feature a new look and added security features beginning this month when they start circulating, Secretary of State Ruth Johnson announced today.

“The new licenses have the latest safeguards available to protect their integrity, further ensuring cardholders are who they say they are,” Johnson said. “During the changeover period, the licenses' fresh design is the only thing customers will notice. The cost to renew a license or get one for the first time won't change.”

Johnson said the state's new contract with its license card manufacturer provided a good opportunity to add the new security features, which make creation of fraudulent licenses even more difficult.

The basic look of the new license and ID card includes an intricate line pattern and outline of the state of Michigan with the Great Lakes . If a person has joined the Michigan Organ Donor Registry, a red heart symbol and the word “Donor” will appear on the lower portion of the card.

• Tricolor image of a bridge on the front that appears and disappears when viewed from different angles.

• New two-dimensional bar code on the back with encoded information available for law enforcement use, in addition to the existing magnetic stripe and one-dimensional bar code.

• Cardholder's photo and date of birth also on the back viewable under black light.

People who are younger than 21 will continue to be issued a vertical-format license or ID card. People who are 21 years old and older will receive the traditional horizontal version.

Because licenses and ID cards are valid for four years, the existing card design will remain in circulation through 2015, with some vertical Graduated Driver License cards in circulation through 2016. Cardholders will be issued a new license when they renew or if they need to replace a lost or damaged card.

The cost of a license and ID card will not change. A basic driver's license costs $25 for an original standard license and $18 to renew. A chauffeur's license costs $35 for the original and to renew it. Drivers with motorcycle or Commercial Driver License group designation endorsements face additional fees. Personal ID cards cost $10 for an original and to renew, unless the cardholder is eligible to have the fee waived.

The design of the license and ID card was last updated in 2003 when the smaller half-tone cardholder photo was added.

The new standard license and ID cards do not contain radio-frequency identification (RFID) chips.

For images of the new licenses or more information about how to obtain a driver's license, visit the Secretary of State website ( www.Michigan.gov/sos ). People also can follow the Secretary of State Twitter feed ( www.twitter.com/MichSoS ) or Facebook updates ( www.facebook.com/MichiganSoS ) to receive information.

Customers also may call the Department of State Information Center to speak to a customer-service representative at (888) SOS-MICH (767-6424).

Cannon Township received a start up grant from MiCorps (Michigan Clean Water Corps) in April 2010. It gave us $1,000 to start a stream study program on Bear Creek. We now hope to obtain a full grant from MiCorps to further the stream study program and to keep it as a permanent fixture in Cannon Township. The grant proposal will be between $10,000-$12,000. MiCorps wants grantees to have partners. We are considering the Ikes, possibly the Rockford Squire and hopefully Grattan Township. The role a partner would play in this grant would be to write a letter of support for the grant and to do some type of tangible work for the grantee

• Grattan Township borders Cannon to the east and parts of Bear Creek flow into Grattan. The Bear Creek Watershed is partially located in Grattan.

• One of Grattan's residents, Jen Medema, is a rep for Michigan Lakes and Stream Association (MLSA), one of MI Corps partners.

• Murray Lake, Big Crooked Lake, and Big Pine Island all have representatives who go to the Michigan Lake and Stream Association annual meeting each Spring. (Alan Rumbaugh, Jen Medema and Lisa ? are the reps)

• Grattan Township has many lakes and wetlands; citizens and government are interested in protecting the Township's lakes and water sources.

• Grattan Township can supply experienced volunteers for stream studies, for example, those mentioned above who are currently involved in MiCorps lake studies.

• Grattan could learn a great deal about the MiCorps Stream Study program and might be interested in applying for a grant to start a similar program in the future (MiCorps would like to hear this because they are always reaching out to bring in new grantees).

Bear Creek Watershed
Grattan Township strongly supports Cannon Township's stream study efforts on Bear Creek. Five sites have been chosen on the creek from the headwaters by Bostwick Lake, two mid-point locations and one location near where Bear Creek empties into the Grand River. The Bear Creek Watershed is partly located in Grattan Township.

Grattan is partnering with Cannon by getting word out to volunteers in the Township via word of mouth, TV channel and newsletter. Grattan is aware of Cannon's wetlands, storm water and fertilizer ordinances and at times uses their format to design our own ordinances names.

Cannon and Grattan residents have worked together previously on mutual watershed activities open space committees and have worked in concert in preventing unwarranted development in the township's environmentally sensitive areas.

If anyone is interested in getting involved please contact Kim Sapkowski at Cannon Township at 616-874-6966.

U.S. military personnel and other Michigan motorists have the option of buying temporary license plates for vehicles they drive infrequently, Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land reminded them today.

“Instead of buying a full-year license plate, military personnel and other drivers should consider these less-costly plates,” Land said. “They're a great alternative for service members home for a short time.”

A 30-day plate costs one-tenth of the vehicle's annual registration fee or $20, whichever is more, plus a $10 service fee. A 60-day plate costs one-fifth of the registration fee or $40, whichever is more, plus a $10 service fee. The plate is a paper permit that must be displayed in the vehicle's rear window.

People can apply for the temporary plates at any Secretary of State office. They will need to bring proof of Michigan no-fault insurance and proof of ownership, such as the vehicle's Michigan title or expired plate registration.

Drivers with disabilities encouraged to bring ‘Pump Guide' along during travels

Motorists with disabilities can make their travels easier by remembering The Pump Guide , Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land advised Michigan residents.

The Pump Guide is an online directory of gas stations statewide that offer travelers with disabilities full service at self-service prices. The site, found at www.ThePumpGuide.com , was created by Michigan Paralyzed Veterans of America, a nonprofit organization.

“Before hitting the road, your first visit should be to The Pump Guide,” Land said. “You can map out your trip ahead of time with the knowledge that full-service gas stations are ready to assist you.”

To qualify for refueling assistance, drivers are required to display a state-issued disability license plate or placard.

Michael Harris, executive director of the veterans group, joined Land in promoting The Pump Guide. Harris, who is a paraplegic, came up with The Pump Guide idea during a 2001 business trip.

“I discovered that finding a full-service station was often hit or miss, and I realized that other drivers with disabilities had the same problem,” Harris said. “The Pump Guide offers help for drivers with permanent or temporary physical challenges. It's a great way to encourage independence while traveling.”

· Plan a trip using directions that include participating stations along the route

More than 900 gas stations participate in The Pump Guide program. In addition to locations and hours, the guide lists those stations that include car washes, ATMs, accessible restrooms and other amenities. The paralyzed veterans organization gets its information from an annual mailing to gas stations.

Land and Harris' organization first partnered in 2005 when they unveiled The Pump Guide bookmark campaign. The ongoing campaign provides residents who receive a disability license plate or placard with a bookmark printed with the guide's online address. The reverse side of the bookmark encourages people to renew their vehicle and watercraft registration online instead of visiting a Secretary of State office.

In addition, the Michigan Paralyzed Veterans of America also advocates the installation of “Fuel Call” buttons throughout Michigan. The button is mounted near the gas pump and when it is pushed, the button will notify the gas station attendant that a customer needs help pumping gas. The service is then provided at self-serve prices to individuals with disabilities. Already, about 50 stations on the Pump Guide offer a Fuel Call button.

Michigan Paralyzed Veterans of America is celebrating almost 50 years of service. It offers advocacy and assistance for veterans who have spinal cord injuries or diseases.

Additional information about the Michigan Paralyzed Veterans of America can be found at www.michiganpva.org .

This service is for specific incidents where there are no suspects or there is a property loss value of less than $1000

Destruction of Property

Larceny from an Auto

Lost Property

Misdemeanor Theft

Vandalism

http://www.accesskent.com/

Then: Report an incident to Sheriff