Grattan Township, MI

Beyond Grattan Center


Keep Michigan lakes and rivers 'Great' – your stewardship matters

More than 11,000 inland lakes, 3,200-plus miles of Great Lakes shoreline, and rivers that stretch over 51,000 miles – that's a lot of reasons to love the Great Lakes State. In fact, there's no spot in Michigan more than 6 miles from an inland lake or wetland.

These inland waters, like other natural treasures, must be protected and maintained, and there's plenty you can do to help ensure our waters and their bounty of wildlife, fish, plants and sheer beauty will be here for generations.

“It's important for everyone who uses and values Michigan's lakes to do their part to protect them,” said Joe Nohner, DNR inland lakes analyst. “Our inland lakes face threats from declining water quality, invasive species, changing climate and unnatural shorelines that lack vegetation or woody habitat.”

Nohner said there are simple steps we can take to protect the lakes we love. 

Be cautious near islands and other shoreline areas.  Nesting birds like loons, wood ducks, trumpeter swans and other amazing birds need quiet water to maintain nests and raise their young. Slow down, keep your distance, and watch for signs and buoys that mark nesting areas prone to damage from boating.  See a by-county listing of local watercraft controls , including no/slow-wake zones.

Be safe.  When on the water, remember your life jacket and watch for severe weather patterns that might affect the day.

Pack out everything you pack in.  Ducks, loons, turtles and other animals can become tangled in fishing line, plastic can rings and other litter.

Clean, drain and dry boats and trailers and keep wader boots squeaky clean.  Recreational equipment can spread aquatic invasive species to new locations, and zebra mussels, mudsnails, milfoil plants and other invaders can wreak havoc on lakes and streams.  Learn more about actions boaters and anglers can take  at  michigan.gov/invasives .

Volunteer. Clean Boats, Clean Waters  recruits “volunteer heroes” to show boaters how to inspect their boats, trailers and gear;  Michigan's Clean Water Corps  supports volunteers who monitor water quality through its Cooperative Lakes Monitoring Program, and  Adopt-a-Beach  volunteers clean up Great Lakes shorelines. 

Protect your shore.  Lakefront property owners can learn more from the  Michigan Natural Shoreline Partnership  about maintaining natural shorelines for fish and wildlife habitat and keeping water clean. Learn how to be recognized through the  Michigan Shoreland Stewards program .

Report illegal dumping.  If you see it, say it. Call the Report All Poaching hotline at 800-292-7800. 



Protect MiChild Registry can help keep kids safe from unsuitable online ads

LANSING, Mich. - With June celebrated as National Internet Safety Month,  parents can help keep their kids safe by joining the ProtectMiChild Registry. The registry is a free and secure program housed on the Secretary of State website that families and schools can use to block adult-oriented ads for products like alcohol, tobacco, pornography and online gambling from reaching their children's email inboxes, tablets, cell phones or instant messenger IDs. “With kids spending a great deal of time on their smartphones and other devices, parents face a tough task in keeping children safe from influences and products that are not age appropriate” . “The ProtectMiChild Registry provides parents with the tools they need to help control the Internet content to which their children are exposed. It's a great resource and I encourage parents and schools to use it to protect their kids.” Concerned parents or schools may register the electronic addresses for any devices children use at ProtectMiChild.com. The registry will block adult Internet ads for all registered contact points (such as an email address, smart phone number or instant messenger ID) for three years or until the youngest child with access to the contact point reaches the age of 18. Once the information has been entered into the registry, companies that send messages that advertise or link to prohibited products or services are required to remove the registered contact email, phone number or IM within 30 days from their mailing lists. ProtectMiChild registrations may be renewed at any time for an additional three-year period.

U.S Census figures from 2014 show that youth under the age of 18 comprise about 22 percent of the state's population. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, teens spend an average of 2.3 hours per day engaged in electronic communication and recreation (surfing the Internet, playing video games, texting with friends, and viewing TV) and nearly twice as much time on the weekends. There are a number of Internet games, devices and services produced just for preschoolers.

Visit the registry at ProtectMiChild.com

When encountering Michigan's snakes, it's best to leave them be
Michigan is home to 18 different species of snakes, 17 of which are harmless to humans

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources gets many questions this time of year about Michigan's snakes . Eighteen different species of snake call Michigan home, but only one of them poses any real harm to humans.

“Whether you think snakes are terrifying or totally cool, it is best just to leave them be,” said Hannah Schauer, wildlife communications coordinator for the DNR.

The snake the DNR gets the most questions about is the eastern massasauga rattlesnake , the only venomous species found in Michigan. This snake rarely is seen and is listed as a threatened species by the U.S Fish. and Wildlife Service due to declining populations from habitat loss. As its name implies, the massasauga rattlesnake does have a segmented rattle on its tail. It should not be confused with the other, harmless species of snake in Michigan that do not have segmented rattles but will buzz their tails if approached or handled.

“The massasauga rattlesnake tends to be a very shy snake that will avoid humans whenever possible,” said Schauer. “They spend the vast majority of their time in wetlands hunting for mice and aren't often encountered.”

Schauer said that when a massasauga is encountered, if the snake doesn't feel threatened it will let people pass without revealing its location.

“If you do get too close without realizing it, a rattlesnake will generally warn you of its presence by rattling its tail while you are still several feet away,” Schauer said. “If given room, the snake will slither away and likely will not be seen again.”

Rattlesnake bites, while extremely rare in Michigan, can and do occur. Anyone who is bitten should seek professional medical attention.

Learn more about the massasauga and get more snake safety tips .

Another snake that can cause quite a stir is the eastern hog-nosed snake, one of the many harmless species found in Michigan. When threatened, hognose snakes puff up with air, flatten their necks and bodies, and hiss loudly – this has led to local names like "puff adder" or "hissing viper." If this act is unsuccessful, they will writhe about, excrete a foul-smelling musk and then turn over with mouth agape and lie still, as though dead. Despite this intimidating behavior, hog-nosed do not pose a threat to humans.

Michigan snakes do not attack, chase or lunge at people or seek out human contact. If you have spotted a snake, stay at least 3 feet away from the head to avoid getting bit. Handling or harassing snakes is the most common cause for humans getting bit. Simply put, if left alone, Michigan snakes will leave people alone.

To find out what other kinds of snakes Michigan has and how to tell the difference between them, check out the "60-Second Snakes" video series on the DNR's YouTube channel.

Learn more about Michigan's snakes by visiting mi.gov/wildlife and clicking on the “Wildlife Species” button, then selecting “Amphibians and Reptiles.”

Please consider reporting any reptile or amphibian sightings to the Michigan Herp Atlas research project to help monitor amphibian and reptile populations in the state and protect these important Michigan residents for future generations. Visit www.miherpatlas.org for more information.


Anglers who report marked and tagged fish provide DNR with critical information

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources again this year is encouraging Great Lakes anglers who catch marked and tagged fish to report them. The DNR has used the coded-wire tag program to mass mark various fish species in Michigan since the 1980s. Mass marking provides critical data as fisheries biologists look to determine the value of naturally reproduced fish versus stocked fish, and lakewide movement of fish.

The coded-wire tag program involves implanting a small, coded-wire tag, which is invisible to the naked eye, into the snout of a fish. A fish containing a coded-wire tag can be identified because its adipose fin (the small, fleshy fin between the dorsal and tail fins) has been removed. An angler who catch a tagged fish then can record needed information about the fish, remove and freeze the fish's snout, and drop it off at a designated location.

For years the DNR primarily tagged Chinook salmon and lake trout as part of its mass marking effort in Lake Huron. Tagging these fish has helped biologists understand more about lakewide natural reproduction and how many wild fish are available in the Great Lakes. It also has helped determine if the percentage of wild fish varies from year to year and how fish stocking locations contribute to lake and river fisheries. Additionally, it provides insight into fish movement and where fish are stocked compared to where they are caught.

Because of the value of the information the mass marking effort brings, the DNR, in conjunction with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, has continued to coded-wire tag all lake trout, Chinook and Atlantic salmon stocked into lakes Huron and Michigan, as well as a subsample of rainbow trout (steelhead) from the Au Sable River.

“We rely heavily on Michigan's anglers to return tagged fish and are appreciative of their cooperation,” said Randy Claramunt, the DNR's Lake Huron Basin coordinator. “Participating in the DNR's mass marking effort allows us to learn more about the state's fish species so we may manage them more effectively in the future.”

Because of the vast number of fish marked by this method (millions annually), there are no longer rewards given to anglers for returning tagged fish. Any angler returning a coded-wire tagged fish to the DNR now will receive a letter describing the history of the fish caught (such as stocking location and age).

DNR offers advice for those who find a feathered visitor nesting in their yard

Michigan residents may get a surprise this spring in their gardens, flower boxes or even in the landscaping by their office buildings. Bird nests can be found in some unusual locations.

Ducks nests, particularly mallard nests, seem to appear just about everywhere in the spring. Female mallards often build nests in landscaping, gardens or other locations that people may consider inappropriate. While finding a duck's nest in an unexpected location may be a surprise, there is no need for concern.

“She will be a very quiet neighbor, and with her cryptic coloration she may go largely unnoticed,” said Holly Vaughn, Department of Natural Resources wildlife communications coordinator. “Leave the duck alone and try to keep dogs, cats and children away from the nest.”

If she is successful and her eggs hatch, the mother duck will lead her ducklings to the nearest body of water, often the day they hatch.
“Don't worry if you do not live near water, the mother duck knows where to take her ducklings to find it,” said Vaughn.

The female mallard will sit on the nest for about a month prior to the eggs hatching. If the nest fails on its own – something that happens regularly – Vaughn advises to just wish her luck on her next attempt.

Canada geese sometimes build nests near houses or in parks, often near water. Similar to mallards, Canada geese will lead their young to water soon after they hatch. Adult geese can be quite protective of their nests and their goslings and may chase people or pets away by hissing and running or flying toward the intruder. If possible, try to avoid the area. If this is not possible, carry an umbrella and gently scare the bird away.

Those fortunate enough to have a bird's nest built in their yard, in a tree or on the ground may have noticed that the baby birds are starting to outgrow their nests. Baby birds learn to fly through trial and error. They may feel they are ready to fly, but their flight feathers might not have fully grown in yet. It is common to find baby birds on the ground after an attempt to fly. If this is the case, please do not touch them. Their parents will continue to take care of them, even when they are on the ground.

Touching a baby bird will not cause the adults to abandon it; however, if you move a baby bird, the parents may be unable to find and care for it. It is better to leave the baby bird alone to be raised by its parents.

In the event that you find a chick on the ground that is sparsely feathered, it may have accidentally fallen from the nest before it is ready to fledge (learn to fly). If you know where the nest is, you can put the chick back in the nest ONLY if you can do so safely.

Migratory birds, their nests and their eggs are protected by the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act and must be left alone. Unless you have a license, taking a baby bird or eggs from the wild is breaking the law.

Only licensed wildlife rehabilitators may possess abandoned or injured wildlife. Unless a person is licensed, it is illegal to possess a live wild animal, including birds, in Michigan.

The only time a baby animal may be removed from the wild is when it is obvious the parent is dead or the animal is injured. A licensed rehabilitator must be contacted before removing an animal from the wild. Rehabilitators must adhere to the law, must have gone through training on proper handling of injured or abandoned wild animals, and will work to return the animal to the wild, where it will have the best chance for survival.

A list of licensed rehabilitators can be found by visiting mi.gov/wildlife or by calling a local DNR office .

Goslings are a common sight in Michigan in the spring.

Killing off a wasp nest is tricky business. As many of us know, the occupants of these nests tend to resist any effort to kill them by stinging the daylights out of those attempting to do so. The wasps most problematic this time of year belong to the family Vespidae. Though many species of vespids lead a solitary lifestyle and rarely cause us problems, yellow jackets, bald-faced hornets and paper wasps are social insects that live in large colonies. They construct their nests in the ground, in trees, under eves and inside wall voids and attics. Nest construction starts in late spring and continues throughout the summer. The last brood raised includes males and next year's queens. Due to the importance of these reproductives, the worker wasps become very protective and aggressive toward those who venture too close to the nest this time of year.

In northern latitudes such as Michigan, social vespid nests are abandoned in the fall. After the new queens leave, all the workers eventually die due to starvation and cold weather. After mating, the queens seek protected sites in which to spend the winter; they are the only ones that survive the winter. The following spring, they emerge from their long winter's rest and search for a suitable nesting site and begin constructing new nests. Old nests are never reused, but a favorable nesting site may be selected year after year.

During August, the colony reaches its maximum size of worker wasps. The maximum size depends on the species: paper wasps may only produce a few dozen workers while colonies of yellow jackets may reach one or two thousand wasps. For those attempting to kill off a wasp nest, size certainly does matter.

Michigan State University Extension says another important consideration when contemplating whether to eliminate a wasp nest is its location. Nests located in out-of-the-way sites that are not likely to be disturbed can be ignored since they are going to die out later in the year. Small, exposed paper wasp nests are easily controlled by aerosol wasp sprays that produce a concentrated stream of juice that has a range of 15 to 20 feet. Paper wasps do not cover their nests in a papier-mache envelope like those of yellow jackets and bald-faced hornets, so their brood cells and workers are exposed and vulnerable. Simply point the nozzle at the nest, shoot and watch ‘em die.

The larger nests of yellow jackets and bald-faced hornets that are protected by a paper mache envelope are more challenging and best left to pest control professionals. But, if you are bound and determined to try yourself, then in addition to nest location, your speed and agility should be honestly evaluated. The slow and clumsy should seriously reconsider hiring a pest control company. No attempt should be made to kill a nest that is located high in the upper branches of a tree, especially if using ladder is required to reach the nest. For reasons that should be obvious, a nest full of angry wasps and a fool on a ladder is a potentially dangerous and life-threatening combination. If the nest is located close to the ground in a tree, shrub or on a building, then you may have a fighting chance to survive the experience.

It is very important that an escape route be planned and cleared of any obstacles before spraying the nest as one will need to quickly vacate the area after the spray is applied. If the nest is located in an area where there is lots of foot traffic, like next to a city sidewalk, then the area should be cordoned off and would-be passersby's should be redirected away from the area (though many may prefer to watch to see if you get stung or not).

Clothing should also be considered. Again, for reasons that should be obvious, shorts, tank tops and sandals should be exchanged for jeans, shoes and socks, a hooded sweatshirt, and possibly leather gloves. The best time of day is early morning when most of the wasps will be inside the nest and activity is at a minimum.

I recommend having two cans of aerosol wasp spray at the ready. The first stream of spray should be directed at the main opening at the bottom of the nest and keep spraying this opening for at least 10 seconds, then spray other openings that may be present on the sides of the nest. Spray the openings for as long as possible and then quickly leave the immediate area via the predetermined escape route. Watch the nest throughout the day. If activity persists, hit it again the next morning following the procedures outlined above. Once activity has tapered off and most of the wasps are killed, knock the nest down with a rake or other long-handle tool, break it apart and saturate the pieces with spray.

Include hunter education as part of back-to-school plans

Michigan parents of children interested in learning to hunt should consider enrollment in a hunter education class as part of their "back-to-school" plans. Now is the best time for new hunters to enroll in a class so they are ready to hit the woods this fall.

"Although classes are held year-round, April, May, August and September class opportunities are typically the most plentiful,” said Sgt. Steve Orange, Recreational Safety, Education and Enforcement Section supervisor in the DNR Law Enforcement Division. “However, waiting until the last minute to enroll sometimes makes it difficult to find an available class.”

Sgt. Orange encouraged students to complete the course instruction no later than Oct. 1 so that instructors are available for the mandatory field day.

Michigan has three types of hunter education courses: traditional classroom, home-study and online. Anyone born on or after Jan. 1, 1960, is required to successfully complete the course in order to purchase a Michigan hunting license or to participate in an out-of-state hunting trip. Exceptions are made for youths under the age of 10 who are hunting with a Mentored Youth Hunting license or hunters older than 10 who are hunting with an apprentice hunting license. New hunters can hunt under the apprentice program for two years before they are required to take a hunter education course.

The traditional classroom course is a minimum of 10 hours, typically held over two days, and includes both classroom and field work with an instructor. The fee for the class is $10 or less to cover expenses. The home-study course features a workbook to complete the class.
A field day is required with the home-study course, as it is with all hunter safety education courses, and it's recommended the field day be scheduled with an instructor prior to starting the course.

Michigan also offers three approved online hunter education courses, www.hunter-ed.com/Michigan, www.huntercourse.com, and www.hunteredcourse.com/state/michigan. Students who opt for the online course complete their classwork online and then have a field/skills day with an instructor and take a written exam. The field day must be scheduled with an instructor prior to starting the online course. The online courses have varying fees but all are priced under $25. There may be an additional cost of up to $10 for the field day.

For more information about hunter education or to find a class in your area, go to www.michigan.gov/huntereducation.

Help prevent the spread of oak wilt; don't move firewood

Now that the season has shifted to August – well past the “no pruning of oak” time of year (April 15 to July 15) – there still are steps residents can take to minimize the spread of the deadly oak wilt disease.

Notably, Michigan Department of Natural Resources forest health experts say not moving firewood is critical to limiting oak wilt. Wood from oak wilt-killed trees can produce spores, which can infect healthy oaks if they're wounded in spring the following year.

According to Bob Heyd, DNR forest health specialist, oak wilt is a serious disease of oak trees. It mainly affects red oaks, including northern red oak, black oak and pin oak. Red oaks often die within a few weeks after becoming infected. Because white oaks are more resistant, the disease progresses more slowly.

“The spread of oak wilt occurs overland to new areas from April through July as beetles move spores from trees killed this year by oak wilt to wounds on healthy oaks next year,” Heyd said.

“We need to stop that cycle, and that's why it's important for people not to move firewood for the rest of the summer and fall seasons,” he said. “With the transport of firewood and other tree-related activities, you have to assume the risk is present, whether you live in metro Detroit or in the Upper Peninsula.”

Oak wilt has been detected in Dickinson, Iron and Menominee counties in the Upper Peninsula and in Alcona, Allegan, Alpena, Antrim, Barry, Benzie, Berrien, Calhoun, Cass, Cheboygan, Clinton, Crawford, Genesee, Gladwin, Grand Traverse, Kalamazoo, Kalkaska, Kent, Lake, Leelanau, Lenawee, Livingston, Macomb, Manistee, Mason, Midland, Missaukee, Monroe, Montcalm, Montmorency, Muskegon, Newaygo, Oceana, Oakland, Ogemaw, Oscoda, Ottawa, Roscommon, Saginaw, Shiawassee, St. Joseph, Van Buren, Washtenaw, Wayne and Wexford counties in the Lower Peninsula.

Although oak wilt hasn't been confirmed in each of Michigan's 83 counties, the need for vigilance is present statewide.

Once an oak is infected, the fungus moves to neighboring red oaks through root grafts. Oaks within approximately 100 feet of each other – depending on the size of the trees – have connected or grafted root systems. Left untreated, oak wilt will continue to move from tree to tree, progressively killing more red oak over an increasingly larger area.

“There are other oak problems that can easily be confused with oak wilt,” Heyd said. “Unlike most other problems, oak wilt causes the tree to suddenly drop its leaves in July or August. In fact, an oak wilt-infected tree dropping its leaves can happen all the way up to fall.”

Heyd advises residents who suspect their trees have oak wilt to first confirm their suspicion. “Once confirmed,” he said, “you'll be given information on the variety of treatment options available.”

Trees that have died from oak wilt should be properly treated to prevent development of spore mats. These treatments include debarking, chipping or splitting, and drying the wood. For more information on the background, symptoms and prevention of oak wilt , visit the Michigan Society of American Foresters website.

Heyd also suggests requesting the help of the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development's Forestry Assistance Program or Michigan State University Extension.

To report a suspected oak wilt site, email DNR-FRD-Forest-Health@michigan.gov or call 517-284-5895.

To learn more about other forest health issues in Michigan, go to www.michigan.gov/foresthealth.

Remember to leave Michigan's wildlife in the wild
raccoon-small_original
With spring in full swing, Michigan residents may be noticing an increase in sightings of nestlings and baby animals. For example, baby cottontail rabbits and raccoons are a common find this time of year. The Department of Natural Resources reminds those who stumble across a nest of baby bunnies or see other baby wildlife to please leave them be. Leaving wildlife in the wild is best for humans as well as animals.

“Animals are better left alone than removed from the wild," explained DNR wildlife technician Hannah Schauer. "A nest full of young rabbits may look helpless, but staying in the nest is their best chance for survival. However, we appreciate the good intentions of those who want to help.”

If a rabbit's or other animal's nest is found, it's important to also keep children and pets away. If the nest is left alone, the mother will likely return when she feels it is safe.

Every day an animal spends with humans makes it less likely to be able to survive in the wild. Animals that are habituated to humans generally do not do well when released back into the wild.

may seem cute, especially when they are young, but they are well-known for becoming aggressive as they get older. Wild animals can act unpredictably, even if they seem tame. It is important to remember they are still wild animals and can seriously injure a person or pet.

Additionally, raccoons and other wild animals can carry diseases and parasites that can infect humans and pets. Whether an animal may be a carrier of a disease or parasite cannot be determined simply by observing it's physical appearance.

Only licensed wildlife rehabilitators may possess abandoned or injured wildlife. Unless a person is licensed, it is illegal in Michigan to possess a live wild animal, including raccoons and rabbits.

The only time a baby animal may be removed from the wild is when it is obvious the parent is dead or the animal is injured. A licensed rehabilitator must be contacted before removing an animal from the wild. Rehabilitators must adhere to the law and have gone through training on the proper handling of injured or abandoned wild animals and will work to return the animal to where it will have the best chance for survival.

A list of licensed rehabilitators can be found by visiting mi.gov/wildlife or by calling your local DNR office.

/ Editors' note: Accompanying photos are available below for download. Suggested captions follow.

Baby rabbit: A baby rabbit's best chance for survival is staying in the wild.

Raccoon: Raccoons are known to be aggressive as they mature, even if they seem tame./



DNR encourages public to enjoy springtime baby animal sightings, but remember to leave wildlife in the wild
fawn
With the arrival of spring, wild animals are giving birth and hatching the next generation of Michigan's wildlife. Baby red foxes appeared in dens during the last days of March and the first days of April. Young great-horned owls have already hatched and are growing up in stick nests high above the ground. Mourning doves have made nests, and some have already laid eggs. The first litters of cottontails will appear soon.

Springtime brings with it an increase in sightings of nestlings and baby animals. The Department of Natural Resources encourages Michigan residents to get outside and enjoy the experience of seeing wildlife raising its young, but reminds them that it is important to remain at a distance.

"These are magical moments to witness but, unfortunately, sometimes the story has a different ending when people take baby wild animals out of the wild," said DNR wildlife technician Katie Keen. “Please resist the urge to try to help seemingly abandoned fawns or other baby animals this spring. Some people truly are trying to be helpful, while others think wild animals would make good pets, but in most cases neither of those situations ends well for the wildlife.”

"We appreciate the good intentions of those who want to help, but the animals are better off left alone than removed from the wild," Keen added.

The animals most commonly rescued by well-intentioned citizens include white-tailed deer fawns and raccoons.

“Spring is the time for fawns,” said DNR wildlife technician Holly Vaughn. “Remember a fawn's best chance for survival is with its mother. Do not remove a fawn that is not injured from the wild.”

“Fawns rely on their camouflage coat to protect them from predators, while their mother stays off in the distance,” Vaughn added. “The mother will not return if people or dogs are present. If you find a fawn alone, do not touch it, just quickly leave it alone. After dark the mother deer will return for her fawn.”

It is not uncommon for deer to leave their fawns unattended for up to eight hours at a time. This behavior minimizes the scent of the mother left around the fawn and allows the fawn to go undetected from nearby predators. While fawns may seem abandoned, they almost certainly are not. All wild white-tailed deer begin life this way.

Most mammals have a keen sense of smell, and parents may abandon their young if humans have touched them. Other wildlife, such as birds, should not be handled either. Adult birds will continue to care for hatchlings that have fallen from their nest. If people move the hatchlings, the adults may not be able to locate and care for them.

The DNR advises:
It is illegal to possess a live wild animal, including deer, in Michigan. Every day an animal spends with humans makes it less likely to be able to survive in the wild.
Many baby animals will die if removed from their natural environment, and some have diseases or parasites that can be passed on to humans or pets.
Some "rescued" animals that do survive become habituated to people and are unable to revert back to life in the wild .Eventually habituated animals pose additional problems as they mature and develop adult animal behaviors. Habituated deer, especially bucks, can become aggressive as they mature, and raccoons are well-known for this too.

“If you find any baby animal, it should be left in the wild,” said Vaughn. “The only time a baby animal should be removed from the wild is when you know the parent is dead or the animal is injured. Please contact a local licensed wildlife rehabilitator before removing the animal.”

For a list of licensed rehabilitators visit www.michigandnr.com/dlr or call your local DNR office .


The online, no-wait Secretary of State

ExpressSOS.com records 250,000 transaction

LANSING, Mich – Michigan residents are choosing the convenience of ExpressSOS.com, the online, no-wait Secretary of State option.

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.”



KENT COUNTY SHERIFF ON-LINE REPORTING SERVICE

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

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