An increasing number of expected state retirees is going to save the crumbling state of despair – I mean – Michigan, more money than expected.

A spokesman for the state says that 4,755 state workers will have generously taken a bow by the first of January, saving more than the projected $60 million for the state. The important jobs like child service workers will have replacements, but in the bigger picture, two out of three vacant jobs will be replaced.

State workers were given more lucrative pension offers to take a hike, and only one-third were eligible for the offers. Governor elect Snyder is waiting to tally the savings before deciding with vacant seats should be filled.

Popularity: 66% [?]

A local man is being heralded as a selfless hero today.

Mark Woods, 50 years old from Pellston, died when a rock wall collapsed on him as he pushed another man out of the way. The rock wall they were working on in the basement of a Harbor Point cottage crumbled and was heading right for Dan Osier. Woods jumped to move Osier out of the way, but was buried in the process.

They were both rushed to Northern Michigan Regional Hospital, where Woods would be pronounced dead. Osier was treated for minor injuries.

The cousin of both men, Mitch Osier, told Petoskey News “he was a dedicated father; he was a very nice guy and he’d go out of his way to help you… That was quite a thing to do.”

Popularity: 63% [?]

A Petoskey man dodged eight bullets in the form of felonies as a result of a plea deal stemming from his theft of a rifle from a man who had killed himself.

Howard Keshick, 32, took the rifle from the dead hands of Charles Steele on September 8, claiming he did it to prevent any possible harm to Petoskey citizens. Steele was being hunted by police for threatening to kill himself following a dispute with his wife and was found dead near Ingalls Avenue. Keshick was found walking with the rifle covered in a shirt by Petoskey police around 9:30 am and was detained.

Keshick was already on probation for a March 2009 conviction for felon in possession of a firearm and third-degree home invasion in Cheboygan County.

Keshick avoided the following felonies with his plea deal: one count of receiving and concealing a firearm, which is a 10-year felony; one count of larceny of a firearm, a five-year felony; one count of firearms – possession by a felon, a five-year felony; one count of tampering with evidence, a four-year felony; and four counts of weapons – felony firearm, which carries a mandatory two-year penalty to be served consecutive to, and preceding any term of imprisonment imposed.

His sentencing has not been scheduled as of yet.

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It was inevitable due to the fierce winds that have been blowing in Michigan since Tuesday.

Great Lakes Energy says some 18,884 members in 26 counties have lost power over the course of 24 hours. Officials for the company say power has been restored to 16,840 customers. The remainder are scattered across four counties, with sporadic reports of power loss as far south as Kent County.

The winds on Tuesday guested anywhere from 37 to 63 mph along the shoreline of Lake Michigan, and today they keep on blowing. So far today, Petoskey has recorded a gust of 51 MPH, while Mackinaw City has experienced a 72 MPH gust – the strongest in the state as of yet. The storm, which is a result of two massive low pressure systems converging over Nebraska and Montana, came packed with rain and some severe storms Tuesday. They have since passed and left the wind as a special treat.

As with any wind storm, debris and power lines are strewn across the landscape. Take extreme caution when driving, and notify authorities of any downed power lines you see.

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Northern Michigan can expect winds near hurricane force on Tuesday and Wednesday as an intense area of low pressure moves into the area.

The cold front passing through tomorrow is the expected culprit, which will sustain the strong winds into Wednesday. Residents on the Northern Michigan shoreline are expected to be the hardest hit, as well as any location open to the southwest.

Tree damage and power outages are a main concern of the impending storm. For mariners, wave heights are projected to be anywhere from 15 to 20 feet.

Before the storm hits, take measures to secure and brace any outdoor belongings. Don’t go outside during the storm for fear of flying debris and the obvious notion of being blown away. Flying power lines aren’t very kind, either.

Popularity: 53% [?]

The Bayview Yacht Club Board of Governors personally appeared before the Mackinac Island City Council today to voice opposition to plans for consolidated ferry service that could put the club’s yacht race to the island in jeopardy.

“This is an economic issue that we believe adversely impacts Bayview and tourism in Michigan,” said Bayview Commodore Bruce J. Burton. “We are really surprised that this is even under consideration and we have had no response to concerns we have voiced on the issue.”

Burton and the Bayview Board are in unanimous agreement that plans to have two ferry services – Arnold and Star Lines – merge under one company and forcing Shepler’s Ferry out of business would be bad news for Bayview and island tourism.

“Shepler’s is a long-time sponsor of the race which began in 1925,” said Burton, adding that the company places the finish line buoy, transports race equipment, volunteers and coordinates logistics as well as offers free transportation to the Coast Guard Cutter crew that monitors the race.

Burton said the move would in effect create a monopoly on the island that would subject Bayview and tourists to potential labor strife, rising prices, and reduced service schedules if there is no competition.

“It would be like Europe and the time the labor chooses to strike is during peak tourist season when they have leverage,” said Burton. “This would wreak havoc on an 87-year tradition that pumps some $25 million in the state’s economy. Are we seriously willing to risk that for a $2 reduction in ferry ticket prices that logically would spike once the monopoly has been established?”

Burton added that Shepler’s has been a good company that has provided excellent service for three generations. Some 150 people would lose their jobs if the ferry consolidation occurs.

Concerned that a letter to the City Council of Mackinac Island in September on this subject went unanswered, Burton lead the BYC Flag Officers and Board of Governors to the island to personally address the issue and voice the club’s concerns over the pending action.

“Michigan’s economy is in tough shape and forcing one of our major sponsors out of business is of great concern to Bayview,” said Burton. “Government should be about assisting the private sector in creating jobs.”

The Mackinac Island City Council scheduled a 2 p.m. meeting Wednesday for a discussion of the issue. Shepler’s has filed a federal anti-trust lawsuit against the island and the other ferry operators to block the move. Proponents of the consolidation say it will provide longer service schedules to the island, increase ridership of the boats and thereby reduce ticket prices which currently average $24 roundtrip to the island.

Popularity: 34% [?]

Johnson Controls recently recognized its top performing automotive suppliers during its 15th annual North American Supplier Performance Awards ceremony. The event was held at The Inn at St. John’s in Plymouth, Mich. A total of 43 awards were given to 37 supplier companies that demonstrated their commitment to the Johnson Controls Automotive Experience business.

“These awards give us an opportunity to thank our supply base for their commitment to excellence throughout the year,” said Jim Bos, vice president of purchasing, North America, for the Automotive Experience business of Johnson Controls. “Our suppliers’ dedication to quality and delivery is key to our success as a global automotive leader.”

Johnson Controls’ North American Supplier Performance Awards are presented for top performance in the following key business areas: quality; cost; logistics; development; technology and service. This year, outstanding performance by the company’s supply base was recognized on three levels – gold, silver and bronze.

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Five months have passed since the Smoke Free Air law went into effect, and there have been only five complaints from citizens in Northwest Michigan. Some of the complaints that have come in are blamed on managers of their respective establishments not understanding the new law.

Some restaurants, to accommodate smokers, have set up outdoor areas for guests to smoke. One pub owner in Petoskey who is doing this has had no complaints, and says it works nicely for those who wouldn’t come in thanks to the new law.

According to a report from the Michigan Department of Community Health, local health departments have gotten 583 complaints about smokers in restaurants, from which 158 were given citations. The citations go to individuals in question, or bar owners and managers. Violations yield penalties of $100 for the first offense, and $500 for each repeated offense.

The response to the law has been positive overall.

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The bear that attacked a Petoskey hunter will  be euthanized, according to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

Chad Fortune, 21, wasn’t living up to his last name October 9, as four bears surrounded his hunting stand. Two of them climbed the tree and attacked him, biting his left calf, thigh, shoulder and his arm pit. He eventually kicked them away.

The DNR says it was most likely a case of a protective mother and her cubs.

They have yet to catch the bear, but they plan on euthanizing it because they don’t want a violent bear running around. Also, none of the cubs will be killed. Hibernation season for the bears is November, so the problem may go away without any killings.  Still, the DNR has set up cameras and a trap to catch the bear and find out how much of a threat it really is.

Popularity: 12% [?]

Eight dead birds found on Fisherman’s Island State Park raises concerns of avian botulism emerging again in Northern Michigan.

So far, this number is innocuous compared to the 2007 outbreak that clipped around 8,000 birds in northern Lake Michigan.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) conducted a series of tests that confirm the disease making so many birds perish is botulism E. According to reports from petoskeynews.com, Kevin Cronk, a researcher at a local watershed council says many more birds are expected to die, as avian botulism season is only getting started.

If you come across any dead birds, keep your pets away from them and if you must handle them, use gloves.

Cronk says to contact Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council if you come across any fish or bird corpses so they can test them.

Popularity: 36% [?]