Michigan wine sales continue to increase

Michigan wine sales are increasing by 9% on average every year. In the past year, two new wineries have opened in Berrien County, with owners saying that the areas are great fruit growing regions. Overall, there were 670 acres of wine grapes in southwest Michigan's region in 2003, a 7% increase from 2000. The Michigan Grape and Wine Industry will take another count this January, so expect some new acreage numbers will be out in 2007. (Read the full story)

Coast Guard wants live fire excercises on Great Lakes

The U.S. Coast Guard wants to establish 34 "safety zones" on the five Great Lakes so their crews can practice firing "machine guns, rifles and small 9mm guns." The Coast Guard says that the training is necessary for combating terrorist and intercepting smugglers. Understandably, the proposed zones have upset ferry boat owners, fishing enthusiasts and environmentalist. (USA Today points out that most of those groups missed the Aug. 1 call for public comment published in the Federal Register.) The Coast Guard promises that boaters and shipping companies will be warned away from the zones when live-fire exercises are being conducted. The proposed plan calls for fourteen zones on Lake Michigan, seven on Superior, six on Huron, four on Erie and three on Lake Ontario.