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Court backlogs, bail system result in lengthy pretrial incarcerations

LANSING — Congested dockets in circuit courts have resulted in lengthy waits for people awaiting trial. Delayed trials are one still-lingering effect of the COVID-19 pandemic, Michigan Sheriffs’ Association Executive Director Matt Saxton said. “We’re still dealing with the backlogs in the courts. Every new crime just stacks up on a number of trials they haven’t caught up on from 2020 and 2021,” said Saxton, a retired Calhoun County sheriff. The latest data for circuit courts, which handle felony cases, shows their average clearance rate — a figure comparing their ...

Emergency mental health transport remains big burden on UP residents

LANSING — Last year, someone called Upper Peninsula support group director Robin Spindlow, threatening suicide. After the person refused help, Spindlow filed paperwork for police to assist with the emergency. The person was taken to the local hospital and held in protective custody by two Luce County Sheriff’s Department officers for 12 hours before being taken to a psychiatric hospital in Kinross — about an hour away. Spindlow said the person was lucky to get that comparatively “quick” response. In her years working for Tahqua Journey Drop-in Center, a mental health ...

Forever chemicals in biosolids may pose problems

LANSING — A common practice by farmers to fertilize their fields may be spreading forever chemicals into new areas and into the food supply. Biosolids are nutrient-rich organic materials derived from the treatment of sewage sludge from wastewater treatment plants that are applied as fertilizer. They can be a cost-effective way for local governments to dispose of sewage sludge and for farmers who pay little or nothing to use it as fertilizer. “Solids handling is a cost for municipalities,” said Christian Smith, the PFAS in Biosolids contact for the Department of Environment, ...

Trump downplays uncertainty on prices

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — President Donald Trump is dismissing business concerns over the uncertainty caused by his planned tariffs on a range of American trading partners and the prospect of higher prices, and isn’t ruling out the possibility of a recession this year. After imposing and then quickly pausing 25% tariffs on imports from Mexico and Canada that sent markets tumbling over concerns of a trade war, Trump said his plans for broader “reciprocal” tariffs will go into effect April 2, raising them to match what other countries assess. “April 2, it becomes all ...

Program addresses teacher shortage

LANSING — As Michigan continues to face a significant educator shortage, Holt Public Schools has helped high school students explore teaching careers and is expanding the program to junior high. The program includes a weekly class where students learn about education careers and then spend time in classrooms to gain first-hand experience in the field. “Our partnership with the Department of Education’s Future Proud Michigan Educator EXPLORE programs aligns beautifully with that vision,” said Lucas Schrauben, the director of secondary programs in the district south of ...

Celebrating Slotkin’s shameless speech

Everyone knows that winning the assignment of officially responding to a State of the Union speech can be a curse, not a blessing. But it depends on which party is responding. Last year, the media ripped apart freshman Sen. Katie Britt (R-Ala.) as a ditz. PBS analyst Jonathan Capehart made a “Legally Blonde” joke: “After watching Sen. Britt, I am just sitting here thinking what in the Elle Woods was that?” Actress Scarlett Johansson mocked her on “Saturday Night Live” as “auditioning for the part of Scary Mom.” This year, the Democrats picked freshman Sen. Elissa ...