Mechanic inspections now required for rebuilt salvage vehicles

March 30, 2017

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LANSING — Under a new state law now in effect, damaged vehicles deemed salvage must be inspected by a certified mechanic before being allowed back on the road, Secretary of State Ruth Johnson recently announced.

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Previously, only an inspection by a trained law-enforcement officer was required to verify that the vehicle was not repaired using stolen auto parts. The new law adds a certification by a licensed mechanic to ensure the repair work was done adequately and the vehicle is safe to drive.

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“Michigan car-buyers now will have peace of mind that a newly rebuilt vehicle they buy has been inspected by a certified mechanic and wasn’t repaired poorly,” Johnson said. “I thank lawmakers for approving this important consumer-protection law.”

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People who have repaired a salvage vehicle must use the same salvage-vehicle inspection form, which now includes a section for a certified mechanic to fill out. The form is available online or at any Secretary of State office. Once completed, the vehicle owner must submit the form at a Secretary of State office along with the vehicle’s salvage title and a salvage certification form before receiving a rebuilt salvage title.

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Salvage titles are issued to distressed vehicles that weigh 4 tons or less and were manufactured in the last six model years, or those that weigh more than 4 tons and were manufactured in the last 16 model years. A vehicle becomes distressed when one or more of its major components, such as bumpers, engine, body or frame, have been wrecked, stolen or missing so the vehicle’s estimated damage is from 75 percent to less than 91 percent of its pre-damaged value.

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A seller is required to disclose if the vehicle has a salvage title. Car buyers should watch for an orange title when purchasing a car. An orange title means that the vehicle has a salvage title, and may not be worth as much as the same car with a green or “clean” Michigan title.

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Canadian toll adjustments at International Bridge based on currency rates

 

March 30, 2017

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SAULT STE. MARIE — Bridge customers paying Canadian currency will see the toll rate adjusted due to the current value of the Canadian dollar. The changes, effective Saturday, April 1, are a result of the mandated exchange review conducted by bridge officials twice each year. The U.S. fare will remain unchanged at $3.50.

 

Starting April 1, the passenger vehicle rate for Canadian currency will change from $4.50 to $4.60. The three-tiered U.S. commuter rates are unchanged at $2.45, $2.80, and $3.15. Canadian currency commuter rates will be $4.14, $3.68, and $3.22. IBA's Prox card commuter discount program is based on the number of one-way crossings on each account. Customers with Prox commuter accounts have online access and payment options, while receiving discounts up to 30 percent off the regular cash rate. Discounts are based on the number of crossings in the previous 30 days. Commuter account balances do not expire.

 

"Since 2002, to maintain compliance with the bridge authority's Canada/U.S. operating agreement, the rates are reviewed each April and October," said Peter Petainen, International Bridge Administration (IBA) general manager. "This is a mandatory semi-annual adjustment due to changes in the value between the U.S. and Canadian dollars."

 

IBA officials stress that much of the bridge's toll revenue is funneled back into the community, making the bridge not just a connector between the twin cities but a major economic driver in both communities. The operation and maintenance of the International Bridge is totally self-funded, primarily through bridge tolls. It is not subsidized by any state, provincial or federal government entity.

 

"The toll revenue we collect is not just used to maintain the excellent condition of the bridge," said IBA Chief Financial Officer Crystal Knutsen. "We put $6.6 million back into the local economy on an annual basis, split equally between both Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, and Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan."

 

Knutsen also points out that the bridge has recently experienced an increase in commercial traffic. "That's a good thing for everyone," she said. "Even though commercial traffic only represents a small percentage of the total bridge crossings, close to 40 percent of our toll revenue comes from commercial tolls. Commercial traffic helps keep toll rates for passenger vehicles lower."

 

For a complete list of International Bridge tolls, visit the IBA website at www.michigan.gov/iba. For more information on the International Bridge, please visit www.saultbridge.com or follow us on twitter at www.twitter.com/saultbridge.

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Sen. Schmidt announces coffee hours in the district

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March 29, 2017

LANSING — State Sen. Wayne Schmidt will hold coffee hours with constituents throughout the 37th Senate District next month.

 

The senator will be available to answer questions and provide information and assistance, as well as take suggestions on issues affecting communities and businesses in the district. No appointment is necessary.

 

For more information or to contact Schmidt, please visit Senator Wayne Schmidt.com or call 517-373-2413.

 

Sen. Schmidt’s April coffee hours in the local area are as follows:

Thursday, April 13

• 11 a.m. – noon, Timber Charlie's, 110 Newberry Ave., Newberry

• 1:30 - 2:30 p.m., Cup of the Day, 406 Ashmun St., Sault Ste. Marie

•  4 to 5 p.m., Driftwood Motel, 590 N. State St., St. Ignace

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MDOT meeting to discuss transportation plans

 

March 27, 2017

SAULT STE. MARIE — The Michigan Department of Transportation has scheduled a series of annual public input sessions to discuss the department's Five-Year Transportation Program and the State Transportation Improvement Program.

 

Three meetings to present and discuss the plans are scheduled in locations throughout MDOT's Superior Region to accommodate residents of the region's 15 counties. The meeting to discuss Chippewa, Luce, and Mackinac counties will take place on April 6 in Sault Ste. Marie at theInternational Bridge Administration, James McIntyre Conference Room, located at 934 Bridge Plaza, from 3 to 5 p.m. Residents and business owners are encouraged to attend.

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MDOT's Five-Year Transportation Program, as well as a searchable map of projects, is available at www.michigan.gov/mdot5yearplan.

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LSSU accepted as MCRN affiliate

Internship program available

 

March 26, 2017

SAULT STE. MARIE —  Lake Superior State University has signed with the Michigan Corporate Relations Network (MRCN) as an affiliate, enabling it to offer assistance to small companies through the SCIP/TCA and SCIA programs.

           

The Small Company Internship Award (SCIA) program provides funding to help small businesses hire university students to work as interns on projects that are both beneficial to the company and academically relevant to the student. Especially targeted toward Michigan businesses in the science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) field, the SCIA program is designed to increase students’ exposure to innovative processes and products emerging from companies that employ high-skill workers and to encourage student job placements with innovative and dynamic Michigan companies after graduation. Technology-based companies should submit applications to LSSU by April 15 for the limited number of $3,500 internship awards available. See more information and application forms at www.LSSU.edu/bec.

 

The Small Company Innovation Program/Technology and Commercialization Assistance (SCIP/TCA) program provides matching funds up to $40,000 to Michigan small businesses to help cover the cost of conducting a project at any state of Michigan public university. The program is intended to help small companies access university resources to get to commercialization faster. LSSU has engaged in several SCIP/TCA projects to date. For more information visit the LSSU Business Engagement Center web site at www.LSSU.edu/bec.

 

For more information, contact the LSSU Business Engagement Center by email at bec@lssu.edu or phone 906-635-2738.

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Rudyard Lions Club seeks nominations for Community Service Award

Graduating Rudyard seniors are eligible

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March 22, 2017

RUDYARD— While sitting in a restaurant or meeting in a local store, conversations overheard are many and varied.  Often, the benefits of living in a small town come up for discussion.  One point of constant agreement is that if someone needs help in the community, a volunteer steps forward and despite other pending commitments,  help is given freely.

           

To honor that unselfish spirit, the Rudyard Lions Club gives an annual Russell LaPonsie Community Service Award.  This is given to a graduating senior from Rudyard High School who has shown a commitment to community service over the course of their high school career.  This is not an award that can be applied for; nominations are gathered from community members of Rudyard, Kinross, Trout Lake and Dafter from individuals who have worked with and witnessed these students and are aware of them as volunteers.  Examples of the types of activities include blood drives, scouting activities, cleaning up and raking leaves, checking on neighbors, visiting in hospitals, leading Sunday school outings, assisting local service groups and/or doing the things that usually remain unnoticed but add to the quality of life for individuals or the community. 

           

The Rudyard Lions Community Service Award is given in memory of Lion Russell LaPonsie and includes a scholarship of $500 for use by the recipient to further their education or training.  This award can only be given with input from the community by your nominating an individual.  Letters of nomination, explaining who the graduating Rudyard senior is and why that individual should be considered for the award, can be directed to:  Community Service Award, Rudyard Lions Club, P.O. Box 173, Rudyard, MI  49780 or emailed to  rudyardlions@gmail.com.  Nominations may also be dropped off at Spencer Insurance Agency, located on Main Street in Rudyard.  The deadline for submitting nominations is 4 p.m., Wednesday, April 26.

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