11" of snow forecast? Whoo. Hoo.

Nestle in Negotion with Evart for Ice Mountain Water
The Associated Press reports that Nestle Waters North America Inc. is in talks with Evart officials to begin purchasing water that would be trucked 40 miles to its Ice Mountain water-bottling plant in southern Mecosta County. Nestle is willing to build baseball and softball diamonds and a football practice field by next year. The company also would relocate at least 300 campsites at the Osceola County Fairgrounds to provide a buffer around Evart's water wells.

Budget or Tracking?
The Detroit Free Press reports that Gov. Jennifer Granholm said Monday that a college grant of up to $500 promised to tens of thousands of middle school students in 2000 and 2001 can't be awarded because state records don't show which students qualify. Initially, the measure was pitched as strictly budgetary.

Marysville Setter Named Miss Volleyball
The Port Huron Times-Herald reports that senior Stephanie Booms, setter for the Class B Marysville Vikings has been named Michigan's 3rd Miss Volleyball. From the start of her freshman year through last week's regionals, Booms has led the Vikings to a 231-5-1 record. This year, Marysville is 57-0 and boasts league, district and regional championships.

Michigan Tourism Posts Gains
The Detroit dBusiness News reports that the Michigan Tourism Index (compiled by Detroit-based Comerica Bank) found that tourism activity in Michigan increased 10.2 points between the third quarter 2004 and fourth quarter 2004. The fourth quarter index, at 121.45, is up 2.7 percent from 118.21 a year earlier.

Hybrids Exhibit Staying Power
The Detroit News reports that an annual Consumer Reports survey found that hybrid owners (at least those of the Toyota Prius) exhibited strong satisfaction with their vehicle as the hybrid systems have proven very reliable over time. Early on, it was feared that they were likely to be trouble plagued and expensive to maintain.

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