-- To Travel Michigan, the state's tourism arm, for launching its 2008 version of the very successful Pure Michigan travel ad campaign, first in Milwaukee and Cincinnati and then in Michigan. Officials hope the award-winning campaign will draw more tourists from nearby states and Canada. Travel Michigan says the tourism industry contributes $18.8 billion to Michigan's economy each year, accounts for 200,000 jobs and generates $1.1 billion in state tax revenues.
-- To Elk Rapids schools residents who voted overwhelmingly to approve a $1.65 million bond issue that will pay for new computers and upgraded energy systems. Bonds will fund new computers and buses, update the district's telephone system and upgrade energy efficiency. About $788,000 will be allocated to technology.
-- To 10 Northwestern Michigan College students who took part in a week-long service trip with Safe Passage, an international organization that pairs volunteers with children and families who work in the Guatemala City dump. The program offers education and other activities for children. The NMC chapter formed this school year and raised the $13,450 required for the trip. Of 25 members, 10 went to Guatemala.
-- To the state of Michigan for spending $350,000 from its Refined Petroleum Fund to clean up significant contamination at the site of a former gas station on M-113 in Kingsley. The site was saturated with kerosene, diesel fuel and gasoline. Workers dug a 10-foot-deep, 180-by-60 feet hole and removed about 4,000 tons of contaminated soil and 1.5 million gallons of water.
-- To three northern Michigan high school jazz bands that were to get some one-on-one time with jazz guru Bill Sears Sunday. Students from Elk Rapids, Kingsley and Suttons Bay high schools were scheduled to work with Sears during the day before competing in a battle of the bands later that night.
-- To the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, which is planning a number of summer projects aimed at preserving a lighthouse and the park's signature sand dunes. About 20 park employees and Nature Conservancy workers will root out the invasive baby's breath plant and work to restore the beacon and lantern room at South Manitou Island Lighthouse.
-- To the State House for passing legislation to protect workers from being fired for what they do off the job as long as the activities are legal and not done at their work place, according to an Associated Press report. The bills would prevent employers from firing or not hiring workers who may smoke cigarettes or engage in other legal behavior some employers don't like.
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