The Solar Sail ... Is it in orbit or not??

Fire Destroys Studebaker Plant, Piquette Market
The Detroit News reports that a huge fire destroyed the former Studebaker Piquette Avenue Plant near New Center and home of the Piquette Market. The fire started late Monday night and wasn't extinguished until yesterday afternoon. The fire is the latest blow to preservation efforts in Detroit, which some consider among the worst cities in the Midwest at honoring old buildings.
Fabulous Ruins of Detroit web site for history & bulletin board discussion
Amazing (300 picture) photo gallery on Flikr (NOTE: Flikr is a huge site that contains some off-color photos -- be warned!)

11,000 Rally for Education
The Lansing State Journal reports that a huge crowd (est. 11,000 by the Michigan State Police) of Michigan teachers, parents and students rallied Tuesday on the Capitol lawn to call for more adequate school funding. Gov. Granhold spoke to the crowd, pushing her proposal that Michigan's 800+ school districts receive $175 more per student. Most of which will be eaten up by higher insurance.

Negaunee's Piston Potluckers
The Detroit Free Press's Undercover Fan has a feature on the Pistons Potluckers, a group of 25-odd young men ranging in age 9-19 who meet for every playoff game. They eat, play some sports and cheer on the Pistons and (like all Pistons fans) you can bet they are pretty darn happy this morning!
Also read MITCH ALBOM: Gritty Pistons rain on Spurs' parade, force Game 7 in the Freep
ESPN's Daily Dime

Residents Fight to Save Newberry Correctional Facility
The Mining Journal has a report on what UP residents and employees are thinking (and doing) about the potential budget-cutting closure of the Newberry Correctional Facility. The prison is on the site of the former Newberry Regional Mental Health Center, which devastated the region when it was closed in 1992.
Also see City (of Sault Ste. Marie) formally opposes Newberry prison closure in the Soo Evening News
Visit savenewberry.com

Rural Broadband Coming to Michigan via Satellite
The Detroit News reports that the Midwest Energy Cooperative of Cassopolis will be launching satellite Internet service by July 1, 2005. The Michigan Broadband Development Authority (formed to increase high-speed Internet) says there are large geographical areas unserved or underserved by broadband and Midwest (with the aid of Ka-band satellite technology) will focus on rural & semi-rural areas.
Midwest WildBlue web site

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