Check out these photos of ships in the Soo Locks from Michigan History.

MSU Medical School Could be Coming to Grand Rapids
WZZM TV-13 Grand Rapids reports that the announcement of the expansion of MSU's Medical School in Grand Rapids and could be just a few weeks away. The MSU Board of Trustees is currently in Grand Rapids touring a number of medical facilities including Spectrum Health, Saint Mary's, and The Van Andel Institute.

Romulus Chemical Plant Explosion
The Detroit News has a report on a massive series of explosions that rocked the Detroit-area EQ Resource Recovery chemical plant in Romulus, causing a fire that sent plumes of black smoke into the air and prompting hundreds of residents to evacuate their homes. The facility processed substances like paint solvent and aircraft deicing solutions totalling over 1 million gallons of waste a day.
Also see Explosions Rock Chemical Plant in Detroit from First Coast News (with video)

EPA to Perform Michigan Air Quality Study
The Traverse City Record-Eagle reports that as part of the 2005 Energy Bill, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will perform a two-year study of how other state's air pollution affects western Michigan. The law also prevents the EPA from imposing any sanctions until the completion of its study of ozone pollution.

Fireworks, Boat Parade for Soo Locks 150th
The Soo Evening News reports that a fireworks display and recreational boat parade light up Soo Harbor this Saturday (Aug 13) as part of the Soo Locks 150th Anniversary Celebration. Fireworks will begin around 10 p.m. over the lower St. Marys River and area boaters are invited to decorate their vessels prior to joining the parade.
More about the Soo Locks Sesquicentennial from the Sault Ste. Marie CVB

EPA Developing Rapid Beach Water Test
A new rapid beach-testing program under development by the EPA would yield water quality results in just 2 hours as opposed to the current 24 hour test. Michigan beaches are tested for E. coli, a bacteria found in human and animal waste that indicates the presence of other disease-causing bacteria. The new DNA tests look for enterococci, another indicator bacteria also found in feces.

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