Social districts hope to draw summer crowds, stimulate local economies

SOCIAL DISTRICTS: So far, 39 municipalities are taking advantage of a law allowing them to create social districts where visitors can consume alcohol outdoors. The intent is to help bars and restaurants recover from pandemic-related losses and to lure local residents and visitors downtown. They include Petoskey, Ludington, Sturgis, Three Rivers, Cadillac, Wyandotte, Dundee, Adrian, Northville and Mount Clemens. Officials from Greenville and Petoskey and the Michigan Restaurant and Hospitality Association discuss. By Sheldon Krause, FOR GREENVILLE, GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS, IONIA, PETOSKEY, HARBOR SPRINGS, BLISSFIELD, CORP! STURGIS, THREE RIVERS, DETROIT, CADILLAC, MONROE AND ALL POINTS.

East Lansing Police Department faces oversight commission amid significant policy changes

After many months of increased scrutiny and renewed conversations about the role of law enforcement in American society, the City of East Lansing has formed a study committee to put in place a permanent oversight board to work with the East Lansing Police Department on better serving their community.

The Study Committee on an Independent Police Oversight Commission, which began in October following the summer’s mass protests over police brutality and misconduct, is working with East Lansing community members, officials and law enforcement to form a board to provide guidance to the police department.