Coleman police chief Larry Nielsen said $300, a rifle, and ammunition were taken from the Coleman Department of Public Works Wednesday.

Attempted break-ins at Rick's Body Shop, Carin's Family Market, and a home in the 400 block of West Railway Street resulted in hundreds of dollars in damages. The Coleman Police Department believes the break-ins are connected.

Anyone with information should contact the Coleman Police Department.

Mt. Pleasant city officials are urging snowbirds to make sure they are counted correctly in the upcoming 2010 census. Census forms will be mailed in February through March of 2010 and residents must declare residency in the city where the spend the most time throughout the year.

For forms received at the second home, number of residents should be entered as zero and "usual home elsewhere" put as a reason for the number.

When they return to their permanent residence, occupants can return their correctly filled out forms to local "Be Counted" locations.

FOR THE FIRST TIME IN OVER A YEAR, MICHIGAN'S UNEMPLOYMENT RATE DROPPED SLIGHTLY. THE RATE FOR OCTOBER DROPPED TO 15 POINT 1 PERCENT FROM 15 POINT 3 PERCENT THE MONTH BEFORE. THE JOBLESS RATE IN MICHIGAN WAS STILL SIX PERCENTAGE POINTS HIGHER THAN THE RATE IN OCTOBER OF 2008.

ACCORDING TO THE MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY, LABOR & ECONOMIC GROWTH THE 22-THOUSAND NEW JOBS WERE PRIMARILY IN CONSTRUCTION AND HEALTH CARE.

Mount Pleasant's water rates may be going up.

City staff members will recommend to the city commission in December to raise the price of the demand rate for city water.

City Financer Director... Nancy Ridley says the average homeowner's bill will go up 90 cents a month or less than eleven dollars a year.

Several things contributed to the decision to raise rates... including losing the Mount Pleasant Center... the city's second largest water customer.

The recommendation is expected to be announced at the December 14th City Commission meeting.

AFTER BEING LAID OFF FOR NEARLY FIVE MONTHS. 55 STATE POLICE TROOPERS ARE BACK ON DUTY.

IN THE MIDST OF DECLINING STATE REVENUES. THE STATE LAID OFF 100 TROOPERS ON JUNE 28TH.

AFTER THE LAY-OFFS, THE STAFF WAS SHORT HANDED CAUSING PUBLIC SAFETY, RESPONSE TIME AND INVESTIGATIONS TO SUFFER.

THE STATE BUDGET RECENTLY SIGNED INTO LAW BY GOVERNOR GRANHOLM AUTHORIZED AND FUNDED THE RE-HIRE OF THE TROOPERS.

IN ANTICIPATION OF A LARGE CROWD THE MOUNT PLEASANT PUBLIC SCHOOL BOARD HAS MOVED THE LOCATION OF TONIGHT'S MEETING TO THE WEST INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL CAFETERIA.

IF THE REDUCTIONS OF IN STATE SCHOOL AID STAND THE ADMINISTRATION HAS ALREADY RECOMMENDED THE CLOSING OF ROSEBUSH ELEMENTARY, THE ELIMINATION OF ALL DAY KINDERGARTEN AND PUTTING A STOP TO BUSING FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS.

LAST WEEK THE BOARD ANNOUNCED THAT IT WOULD SUPPORT THE REDUCTION OF SUPPORT STAFF AND THE COMBINATION OF TWO KINDERGARTEN CLASSES.

THE MEETING WILL START AT 6:30 TONIGHT.