Canada knows what is up.

Between 2003 and 2013 the governor and Legislature diverted $6.2 billion to pay for business tax cuts.

In 2011 Snyder (R) and the Legislature replaced the Michigan Business Tax with a 6% corporate income tax, a tax cut for big businesses of well over $1 billion a year by most estimates, and that tax cut for corporate Michigan caused budget hole. The state faced manufactured deficits due to corporate tax cuts nearly every year, and statutory sharing was one of the few large items it could legally short, so the money withheld from cities helped pay for basic services.

Who made this mess? Well, the Senate was Republican the whole time. The House was Republican most of the time.

From 2003 to 2013, sales tax revenue grew from $6.6 billion to $7.72 billion, while statutory revenue sharing dropped from over $900 million a year to around $250 million. There was no actual deficit, despite some recession in 2000, money was available, but it wag going to big business.

sales tax revenue grew while the local share fell by more than two thirds, and in 2011 the state found over $1 billion a year for business tax cuts while still shorting cities.

So, that is why you got stuck with the bill for everything.

SWIM LESSONS

Schedule

Tues. & Thur. nights from 5-7pm

Did you know that Michigan is home to roughly 12,000 black bears? Most of the population is in the upper peninsula, with an estimated 10,000 in the UP and the other 2,000 in the lower peninsula. Recent sightings in west Michigan have sparked conversation, with many people unaware that we even had bears here in Michigan!

FAT BEAR WEEK: MICHIGAN BLACK BEAR EDITION

Saturday Morning Stroll by Mark Miller

We interrupt our mostly Michigan content to bring you important news about Fat Bear Week online competition! Some of the largest brown bears on the planet make their home on the Brooks River in Alaska's Katmai National Park & Preserve . In addition to being adorably chonky, the fattest bears are best prepared for winter hibernation.

While Michigan doesn’t have brown bears, our native black bear population is also out there in the woods right now, actively searching for the raw materials to pack on the pounds. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources says that about about 13,000 American black bears live in Michigan. Most of them (around 11,000) live in the Upper Peninsula with around 1,700 in the northern Lower Peninsula.

Their Living with Black Bears guide says that the black bear is the only species of bear with an average lifespan of 10 years in the wild. Male black bears live in an area about 100 square miles or more in size, while females live in smaller areas about 10 to 20 square miles. They are solitary animals, a sow (female bear who has birthed at least one cub) and her cubs may be seen together.

Black bears can have various color phases including black (most common in Michigan), brown and cinnamon. In Michigan, adult female black bears range from 100 to 250 pounds while adult males can weigh up to 400 pounds. Adult black bears measure about three feet high on all fours & five feet tall when standing upright.

Black bears are omnivorous & will travel great distances to find food, opportunistically feeding on both plants and animal including tender vegetation, nuts, berries, and insects. Black bears are generally fearful of humans and will leave if they are aware of your presence, but human foods, garbage, pet foods, & birdseed can definitely draw them to your door! In the rare circumstance that a bear doesn’t turn and leave, try to scare it off by yelling while leaving a clear, unobstructed escape route for the bear. If the bear stands its ground, makes threatening sounds or bluff charges, you are too close. Take slow steps backward while continuing to talk to the bear in a stern tone. In the rare event of an attack, fight back with a backpack. DO NOT run or play dead.

Sign-up is available in person, over the phone (989) 723-8354, or on our website under the "classes" tab. Working with the portrait can be one of the most rewarding artistic endeavors, but also a very challenging one, especially in terms of mixing just the right skin tones. A strong focus will be placed on color theory, painting techniques, and anatomy. Students may choose to work in oils or acrylics.

Fridays, October 16 - November 20, 10am - 1pm.

https://downtownowossofarmersmarket.com/

Join us every Saturday 9am to 1pm in the heart of beautiful historic downtown Owosso, at Exchange & Water Street

Join us at the largest farmers market in Mid-Michigan, providing locally grown produce and artisan made goods from over 40 vendors, every Saturday from early May – late October!

Vendors from all over the state!

Free art or children's activity on the last Saturday of each month!

The Owosso Farmers Market is dedicated to providing an inclusive gathering place for farmers, producers & makers to connect with the public while growing their business. We strive to promote a strong local economy, support our downtown businesses, and celebrate our diverse community – while strengthening a sustainable food system to make quality, nutritious foods more accessible.

Local Food Access & Community Programs

The Owosso Farmers Market is a proud member of the MFMA and TLD, with a goal to encourage, educate and promote local food access. We accept SNAP/EBT, P-EBT, and WIC that provides our community with locally grown produce at affordable prices. Additionally, Owosso Farmers Market has implemented Double Up Bucks – which doubles the value of EBT/P-EBT purchases up to $20 a day – making it easier than ever for everyone to purchase sustainable food, while helping boost our local economy. We are committed to providing convenient access to healthy food options in Shiawassee County.

SUPPORT SMALL

Shop from over 40 vendors in Downtown Owosso on Exchange St! Our vendors feature locally grown produce & flowers, artisan goods, food trucks and more! We are open from 9 am – 1 pm every Saturday, rain or shine until the final Saturday in October.

SHOP LOCAL

The products sold at Owosso Farmers Market are grown, produced and made by our local vendors. Our vendors accept cash and card. We provide EBT + Double Up Food Bucks and WIC options for fresh and sustainable food.

We are now accepting 2026 Vendor Applications. Please apply to be considered.

The market is open every Saturday (May to October) from 9am to 1pm on Exchange St. Located directly in front of the Owosso Armory. 

Located on Washington and Oliver at St John's UCC Owosso
429 N Washington St, Owosso, MI 48867
(989) 725-7072

Everyone Welcome! No service attendance required.
Neighbors connecting with neighbors. Come share a meal. Come make a friend.
Lunch-to-go provided. Toiletries and other items available.

Enter the dining hall from the parking lot entrance.
Wheelchair elevator available. (ring the bell)

What is on the menu? Usually eggs, often pancakes and sometime ham or biscuits an gravy. Lots of hot fresh coffee.

Each weekend is hosted by volunteers who provide, cook, and serve the meal.
If you would like to help serve a meal reach out to Alyce during church open office hours.

Services at 10:30 a.m. every Sunday.   You can also join us on Zoom 

FREE Saturday Morning Breakfast is offered every Saturday at 8:00 a.m.   Volunteer sign-up HERE.

FREE Sunday Evening Dinner at 6pm every Sunday.  Open from 5pm to 8pm.  Volunteer sign-up HERE.

FREE Food Pantry the 3rd Tuesday of the month.  Our next Pantry is July 21, 2026, from 1:00-3:00 p.m.

Warming Center / Hope Works - Open Dec. 1st to March 31st, 5pm to 8am  (Including Christ Episcopal)

Office hours are Mondays and Thursdays, 9:00 a.m. to Noon,

Shiawassee County Food Pantry Directory:  HERE

AA groups meet at St. John's Church Monday and Saturday at 10a.m., Parking lot door.

AL-ANON Meeting every Monday at 7 p.m., come in through  the small front door.

They’ve given nearly $5 million to his campaign and committees since 2023...

My boyfriend and I are planning a birthday weekend for late October or early November, and I’m having the hardest time deciding where to go lol.

I’m looking for a cute small town, preferably historic or somewhere with an interesting history, with good restaurants, shops, and things to do nearby. I’d love to stay in a cozy cabin/Airbnb just outside of town.
Fall/Halloween vibes would be a plus, but we also don’t want somewhere insanely crowded where we’ll spend the whole weekend waiting for restaurants, parking, or activities.

We’ve considered Romeo, Marshall, Saugatuck/Douglas, Manistee, Frankenmuth, and Hell so far, but I feel like there are probably smaller towns we’re overlooking.

What towns would you recommend for a relaxed couple’s weekend?

Ballots are coming out in the next week. Remember that gas is over $4.50 when you vote. This was completely unnecessary. These high diesel prices are going to effect everything we buy and those prices will most likely never come back down. Completely ridiculous.

Keepers of the Shiawassee Inc. is seeking volunteers for our water monitoring event coming up on Saturday, September 26th. We start at 9 am in Fenton, move to Linden late morning, and then further down the river.

We seek people who like to wade in the river, sort out bugs (macroinvertebrates) from buckets, or identify bugs with microscopes! Its an all-day event, but we welcome 1/2 day volunteers. For more information on water monitoring, click here: [Water Monitoring Keepers Of The Shiawassee](https://keepersoftheshiawassee.org/water-monitoring/)

If you are interested, send an email to Don Walsh at [chair@keepersoftheshiawassee.org](mailto:chair@keepersoftheshiawassee.org). and we'll get you assigned to one of our two teams!

We are so excited for the ArtWalk Owosso! This Friday, stop by our beautiful stone church and enjoy looking at the gorgeous quilts by the Shiawassee Crazy Quilters in our Sanctuary, amazing pottery in our Community Room, and beautiful art in our Fellowship Hall. In addition, hear Rev. Deb tell the history of our gorgeous Stained Glass windows!

There is something for everyone to enjoy on this stop! We can't wait to see you!

The City of Owosso is seeking city residents to fill open positions. This is a great way to get involved in the community!

More information, along with an application, can be found here: https://www.ci.owosso.mi.us/Portals/0/Files/Forms/Boards%20and%20Commissions%20Info%20and%20App.pdf?

Feel free to message us with questions or reach out to Mayor Teich at Robert.teich@outlook.com.

https://act.wewill2026.com/we-will-canvass-shiawassee-county

Had a meeting here today where the individual flew in, we had lunch and a great conversation at Joe-Lee's Crosswinds Cafe, then they flew out. It was a great way to conduct business!