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Yahoo
8 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Election preview: What's on the Aug. 5 ballot in Chippewa County?
Voters across Chippewa County will be heading to their local polling places on Tuesday, Aug. 5 to make their voices heard about school funding, road improvements, parks and recreation needs and more. Here's what on the ballot: More: What voters need to know about Sault Area Schools' bond proposal in the August election Sault Area Schools Bond Proposal Voters in the Sault Area Schools district will consider a bond proposal for a millage of 1.65 mills to help refurbish the newly consolidated school buildings. The proposal would not increase taxes for county residents and will allow the district to borrow up to $20,540,000. The district is planning on moving playground equipment, renovating an unusable pool at the high school into an indoor gym, updating locker rooms and bathrooms, and more. The ballot language reads: 'Shall Sault Ste. Marie Area Public Schools, Chippewa County, Michigan, borrow the sum of not to exceed $20,540,000 and issue its general obligation unlimited tax bonds therefor for the purpose of: remodeling, furnishing and refurnishing, and equipping and re-equipping existing school facilities; acquiring, installing, equipping and re-equipping existing school facilities for instructional technology; and preparing, developing, equipping and improving playgrounds and sites? The estimated millage that will be levied for the proposed bonds in 2026 is 1.65 mills, for a 0 mills net increase over the prior year's levy. The maximum number of years the bonds may be outstanding, exclusive of any refunding, is 30 years. The estimated simple average annual millage anticipated to be required to retire this bond debt is 1.32 mills.' Bruce Township Road Improvement Millage Renewal Bruce Township is asking voters to renew a millage of 2.5 mills, which was previously approved in 2021. It would go towards maintaining and fixing roads in the township for four years, beginning in 2026. The ballot language reads: 'Shall the expired previously voted increase in the 15 mill limitation imposed under Article IX Section 6 of the Michigan Constitution on general ad valorem taxes within Bruce Township, Chippewa County, Michigan of 2.5 mills be renewed to the original voted 2.5 mills, and be levied for four years, beginning 2026, 2027, 2028, 2029 inclusive, for the purpose of providing funds for road paving, maintenance and improvements within the township, and shall the township levy such millage for said purpose? The estimate of revenue the township will collect if this millage is approved and levied in 2026 is $258,500." Dafter Township Road Millage Proposal Dafter Township is requesting a new millage of 0.5 mills for six years, beginning in December 2025. This millage would exclusively fund road construction, repairs, paving and other road-related infrastructure projects. The millage is expected to raise around $26,283 each year. The ballot language reads: 'Shall the Township of Dafter, County of Chippewa, Michigan, impose a tax limitation increase of 0.5 mills (or $0.50 per $1,000 of taxable value) on all taxable property within the township for a period of six years, 2026 through 2031, inclusive, commencing Dec. 1, 2025 for the purpose of road repairs, maintenance, paving, repaving, construction, reconstruction, bridge repairs and related infrastructure within the township? If approved, this millage would raise an estimated $26,283 annually for six years.' Kinross Township Parks and Recreation Millage Kinross Township voters will decide whether to approve a proposed millage of 2 mills for Parks and Recreation needs. The millage funding would go towards the Kinross Recreation Center, Duke Lake and the community park in Kinross Township. The millage would be levied this year and last for a total of four years. It is expected to raise $131,373 in the first year. The ballot language reads: 'Shall the soon to expire, previously voted increase in the tax limitation imposed under Article IX, Section 6 of the Michigan Constitution on all taxable real and tangible personal property in Kinross Charter Township, Chippewa County Michigan be re-instated in an amount not to exceed 2.0 mills ($2 per $1,000 of taxable value) for a period of four years, being 2026, 2027, 2028 and 2029 inclusive, for the purpose of operating, maintaining, equipping and making capital expenditures for the Kinross Recreation Center, Duke Lake and the Community Park within Kinross Charter Township, this being a reinstatement of 2.0 mills which expired with the 2024 levy, and shall the township levy such millage for said purpose, raising an estimated $131,373.33 in the first year.' Raber Township Medical Services Millage Request Raber Township is requesting a millage that will help fund the newly formed Northern Emergency Medical Services for the next three years. The proposal would levy a maximum of 3 mills to raise an estimated $110,000 in the first year. The new service would cover Whitefish, Hulbert, Chippewa, Kinross, Bruce, Pickford, Marquette, Raber and DeTour townships. The ballot language reads: 'Shall the limitation imposed under Article IX, Section 6 of the Michigan Constitution on all taxable real and tangible personal property in Raber Township, Chippewa County, Michigan be increased up to the amount not to exceed 3 mills ($3 per $1,000 of taxable value) for a period of three years being 2025, 2026 and 2027 inclusive for the purpose of operating, equipping, purchasing and making capital expenditures for the newly formed Northern Emergency Medical Services, and shall the township levy such millage for said purpose, thereby raising up to an estimated $110,000 in the first year?' Raber Township Fire Protection Millage Renewal Raber Township is also looking for a renewal on its existing fire protection millage. The millage was previously approved at .6955 mills and expired in 2024. The proposed millage would raise an estimated $23,000 in the first year and would last five years, beginning in 2025. The ballot language reads: 'Shall the previous voted increase in the 15 mill limitation imposed under Article IX, Section 6 of the Michigan Constitution on general ad valorem taxes within Raber Township, Chippewa County, Michigan of 3/4 mill ($0.75 per $1,000 of taxable value) which has been reduced to .6955 mill by the required millage rollbacks, be renewed at .6955 mill ($0.6955 per $1,000 of taxable value) for five years, being 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028 and 2029, inclusive, for the purpose of providing funds for fire protection purposes (this being a renewal of the fire protection operating millage which expired with the 2024 levy) within the township and shall the township levy such renewal in millage for said purpose, thereby raising in the first year an estimated $23,000?' Sugar Island Ambulance Department Operations The first item Sugar Island Township voters will be asked to decide in the Aug. 5 election is a renewal of the ambulance operations millage. The previous millage was for 3 mills and was approved in 2023, lasting for two years. The new proposal is asking for 2.9811 mills to be levied for three years, starting in 2025. This would raise an estimated $160,979 in the first year and would fund ambulance services on the island. The ballot language reads: 'Shall the previous voted increase in the 15 mill limitation imposed under Article IX, Section 6 of the Michigan Constitution for general ad valorem taxes within Sugar Island Township, Chippewa County, Michigan of 3 mills ($3 per $1,000 of taxable value) which was reduced to 2.9811 mills by required millage rollbacks, be renewed at 2.9811 ($2.9811 per $1,000 of taxable value) for three years, being 2025, 2026 and 2027, inclusive, for the purpose of providing funds to continue ambulance department operations within the township and shall the township levy such continuation in millage for said purpose, thereby raising in the first year an estimated $160,979.40.' Sugar Island Fire Department Operations The Sugar Island Fire Department is asking for a renewal of its previous millage, which was approved by voters in 2023. The proposal would levy 1.4230 mills on the township for three years to fund fire department services. The proposal would raise an estimated $76,842 over the first year. The ballot language reads: 'Shall the previous voted increase in the 15 mill limitation imposed under Article IX, Section 6 of the Michigan Constitution for general ad valorem taxes within Sugar Island Township, Chippewa County, Michigan of 1.5 mills ($1.50 per $1,000 of taxable value) which was reduced to 1.4230 mills by required millage rollbacks, be renewed at 1.4230 ($1.4230 per $1,000 of taxable value) for three years, being 2025, 2026 and 2027, inclusive, for the purpose of providing funds to continue fire department operations within the township and shall the township levy such continuation in millage for said purpose, thereby raising in the first year an estimated $76,842.' Sugar Island Solid Waste Services The final item on the ballot for Sugar Island residents is a renewal in the solid waste services millage. The previous proposal levied 1.65 mills on the township for four years, starting in 2021. The new proposal would levy 1.6235 mills on the township for three years, beginning in 2025. This would raise an estimated $87,669 for the first year. The ballot language reads: 'Shall the previous voted increase in the 15 mill limitation imposed under Article IX, Section 6 of the Michigan Constitution for general ad valorem taxes within Sugar Island Township, Chippewa County, Michigan of 1.650 mills ($1.650 per $1,000 of taxable value) which was reduced to 1.6235 mills by required millage rollbacks, be renewed at 1.6235 ($1.6235 per $1,000 of taxable value) for three years, being 2025, 2026 and 2027, inclusive, for the purpose of providing funds to continue solid waste services within the township and shall the township levy such renewal in millage for said purpose, thereby raising in the first year an estimated $87,669.' — Contact Brendan Wiesner: BWiesner@ This article originally appeared on The Sault News: What's on the ballot in Chippewa County for the Aug. 5, 2025 election? 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BBC News
11 hours ago
- Politics
- BBC News
Hart petition demands A179 Hartlepool road safety work
Hundreds of people have signed a petition demanding major safety improvements on a road where a pedestrian Parish Council has joined calls for work on the A179, including dualling from its junction with the A19 to the Tall Ships pub roundabout, a new roundabout at the top of Hart village and a 40mph speed petition raised concerns about the number of accidents, including the death of the pedestrian in February, with councillor Rob Darby saying: "We just do not think that road is safe at all."Labour-led Hartlepool Borough Council said: "We will await the petition and will consider it in due course." The online petition has attracted over 650 signatures so far, the Local Democracy Reporting Service Parish Council vice chair Thomas Britcliffe said he wanted the speed limit implemented as soon as possible."On a night when it's quiet people race along there and then crash at the roundabout at the bottom," he said. Traffic 'crisis' The petition stated that over 40 years the area had seen thousands of new homes built nearby, "all placing increasing pressure on the A179 link to the A19".Campaigners said "no significant upgrades have been made since Hart village bypass opened in 1983" and, with multiple large-scale energy projects planned off the A179, traffic congestion had reached "crisis levels."The petition runs until the end of September and will then be submitted to Hartlepool Borough Council's leader, Hartlepool's MP Jonathan Brash and Tees Valley Mayor Ben said campaigners had his "total support"."As a former resident of Hart Village and someone who has two young children, I know full well the very real concerns that residents have about traffic in that area," he said."I therefore fully support this campaign and would be only be too happy to meet with residents, the parish council, the borough council and Tees Valley mayor to see what can be done to deliver this for residents." Follow BBC Tees on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
Yahoo
29-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
South Jersey businessman fights to protect property amid Super Wawa plans
MANTUA, N.J. - A South Jersey businessman, Mike Campbell, is fighting to protect his property from being partially taken for road improvements linked to a new Super Wawa planned at a busy Mantua intersection. Campbell feels caught in a David vs. Goliath situation as Gloucester County officials propose using part of his property at Route 45 and Harrison Avenue to widen the road and add a turning lane. What we know Campbell purchased the small house as an office building five years ago. Since then, the county announced the need for highway improvements, coinciding with Wawa's plans to build a new superstore at the intersection. Campbell suspects a connection between the two developments and has put up signs targeting Wawa. What they're saying "I'm not slandering Wawa," Campbell stated, "I think with a period of time that they've been there if they were offended, I'd be hearing from their attorneys." In January 2025, the Mantua mayor addressed the intersection improvements and the Wawa proposal, stating on the city's website, "These intersection improvements are warranted, especially with the proposed Super Wawa coming to this area in the future." Residents like Johnny Greco acknowledge the potential impact of a Super Wawa on traffic: "If this is a Super Wawa, it's already a busy intersection and it'll become a lot busier." Carl Jackson, another resident, empathizes with Campbell's predicament: "It would suck for him. I don't know how to balance that out. It's a tough one." What's next Campbell is seeking fair compensation for his property loss and hopes his signs will bolster his cause. He has rejected the county's low offer for part of his property. We have reached out to the county and Wawa for comment and will provide updates as they become available. As the situation unfolds, Campbell's fight highlights the challenges faced by small property owners in the face of large-scale development projects. Solve the daily Crossword
BBC News
18-07-2025
- Automotive
- BBC News
A582: One of Central Lancashire's busiest roads set for upgrade
Major improvements to one of Lancashire's busiest roads are set to go ahead thanks to the approval of government junctions on the A582 in South Ribble will be redesigned as a way of boosting the flow of traffic on a route that is routinely at a crawl during peak Department for Transport has committed £57.9m towards the project, which is a scaled-down version of previous plans to turn the stretch between Lostock Hall and Penwortham into a dual carriageway. That decade-old blueprint was effectively abandoned by Lancashire County Council last year following years of funding challenges and rising costs. 'Discourage rat-running' Three roundabouts will be replaced with traffic light-controlled interchanges that will use the latest technology to help minimise twin roundabouts where the A582 meets Croston Road and Centurion Way will make way for the new the roundabout at the junction of Lostock Lane, Farington Road, Stanifield Lane and Watkin Lane – which is already controlled by traffic lights – will become a plans also involve traffic-calming measures along Leyland Road and Watkin Lane designed to discourage rat-running and promote cycling and roundabout at the northern end of Leyland Road will also be road improvements - some of which will require planning permission - are dependent on ministers approving a full business case which will now be submitted by the county estimated cost of the entire project stood at £70.7m at the time of last summer's public consultation into the County Council had already earmarked £19m in "match funding" to add to the nearly £60m from Local Democracy Reporting Service understands a revised cost estimate is now being calculated, which could see the ultimate bill exceed £77m. Listen to the best of BBC Radio Lancashire on Sounds and follow BBC Lancashire on Facebook, X and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
BBC News
15-07-2025
- Automotive
- BBC News
Resurfacing work set for major Wolverhampton route
Resurfacing work is set to be carried out on Cannock Road in Wolverhampton as a crackdown on improving roads and removing potholes continues, the council 24 July, work will take place at night from 19:00 until 05:00 BST to minimise traffic first section, from the Stafford Street junction to Nine Elms, is expected to be finished by 8 August, weather permitting, the council Park Lane junction of the road will be resurfaced and have new lines painted from 11 to 15 August. The scheme follows improvements made to roads across the city in recent weeks, the council said, adding that it had made a commitment to repair more than 7,500 potholes this year."We know Cannock Road needs resurfacing and that work will be taking place soon giving this main route into the city a much-needed facelift," councillor Qaiser Azeem, cabinet member for transport, said."Fixing roads and tackling potholes is a priority for the council and we have a programme of work being put into action."He added: "The Local Government Association estimated the backlog of road repairs stands at about £17bn [nationally] and could take more than a decade to fix."In Wolverhampton we are following a data-led, informed strategy to identify where improvements can have the greatest impact, reducing the need for urgent repairs on our roads in the long run."The council said it was responsible for maintaining 480 miles of roads and nearly 800 miles of maintenance is funded through the council's £9.7m capital programme for 2025/26 and received an extra £2m in funding from the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement (CRSTS) to help fix more potholes, the authority said. Follow BBC Wolverhampton & Black Country on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
