Detroit News wine writer Sandra Silven reports on the success of Peninsula Cellars at the Michigan Wine & Spirits Competition in East Lansing.

Detroit Free Press & Detroit News Ownership Changes
Both the Detroit News & Free Press have features on a complex deal wherein the MediaNews Group acquired the News from Gannett Co who then purchased the Freep from Knight Ridder (owner since 1940). The two newspapers will continue to combine advertising, circulation, distribution and other business operations. We almost expected to see Antoine Walker as part of the deal...
Read A NEW ERA FOR FREE PRESS: SOLD TO GANNETT: Deal will end newspapers' joint weekend editions in the Freep
Read News, Free Press change owners in three-way deal in the Detroit News

News You Can Use: Avoiding & Surviving Rip Currents
The Petoskey News Review has a feature that warns swimmers on the dangers of rip currents, strong currents of water rushing out from the shore to deeper water. A sign of a rip current is a channel of churning, choppy water and a break in the wave pattern. To get out of one, don't swim against the water as the currents can be much stronger than even an experienced swimmer. Instead swim parallel to the beach or save your strength, relax and float out with the water where the current is weaker.
Water Safety & Rip Currents from Michigan Sea Grant

Four Marquette City Commissioners Recalled
The Mining Journal reports that in the Marquette's first-ever recall election, four commission members - Mayor Jerry Irby and commissioners Stu Bradley, Sandy Spoelstra and Sue Kensington - were removed from office by a nearly two-to-one vote. The ballot asked whether the commissioners should be recalled "because of his/her vote on January 31, 2005 to fire the City Attorney, Ms. Bonnie Hoff?"

June Michigan Business Index Rises, Further Improvement Forecast
The Michigan Business Activity Index, compiled by Comerica Bank, rose 5 points to 107 in June, putting it in the middle of the range over which it has been moving in 2005. Comerica economist Dana Johnson said: "The Michigan economy probably bottomed out in May. I expect a pattern of gradual improvement to emerge over the second half of 2005."

In Season: Michigan Blueberries
Taste the Local Difference reports that Michigan blueberries are ready to pick and that farmers say the colorful berries will last until September. The feature includes some blueberry facts, locations where you can buy them and recipes for Blueberry-Spinach Salad, Blueberry Gingerbread and a very tasty and interesting Mixed Berry Gratin.

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