ONEKAMA, Mich. (AP) - Water levels on the Great Lakes are falling to worrisome lows because of drought and rising temperatures, causing problems in the shipping industry and in small communities with recreational harbors.
The water is at near-record lows on Lakes Michigan and Huron, while Erie, Ontario and Superior are below their historical averages. Cargo freighters have been forced to lighten loads, marinas have become too shallow for pleasure boats and weeds are sprouting on exposed bottomlands, chasing away swimmers and sunbathers.
Congress used to provide money to dredge channels and repair other infrastructure for small communities. But those special appropriations called "earmarks" have fallen out of favor.
That leaves small towns scrambling to find ways to attract recreational traffic such as fishing charters, sailing yachts and motorboats.
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 9:14 AM EDT2013-05-22 13:14:38 GMT
NB I-75 shut down north of Cygnet due to accident involving school bus
Around two dozen people were injured Tuesday night in a bus crash on I-75. It happened around 10:30 p.m. in the northbound lanes of I-75, just north of the Cygnet exit
Wednesday, May 22 2013 7:47 AM EDT2013-05-22 11:47:17 GMT
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - Ohio state lawmakers moved boldly Tuesday against storefront sweepstakes parlors they have come to view as illegal gambling operations, advancing separate bills effectively banning
The bill to ban Internet cafes will head to the Ohio Senate floor today. Yesterday a Senate Committee overwhelmingly approved the plans. Two separate proposals would ban operations statewide and block new cafes until the ban takes effect. There are about 800 Internet cafes in Ohio.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 11:11 PM EDT2013-05-22 03:11:02 GMT
Imagine picking up the phone to hear your grandchild is in trouble. You're told not to tell any other family members, and send cash right away. Chances are, it's a crook trying to pull the 'Grandma Scam'.
Imagine picking up the phone to hear your grandchild is in trouble. You're told not to tell any other family members, and send cash right away. Chances are, it's a crook trying to pull the 'Grandma Scam'.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 6:32 PM EDT2013-05-21 22:32:52 GMT
We've been following their journeys since the fall: 170 contestants fighting for the title of Extreme Weight Loss Champion. Now it's time for the crowning moment! 13abc's Kelly Heidbreder introduces us
We've been following their journeys since the fall: 170 contestants fighting for the title of Extreme Weight Loss Champion. Now it's time for the crowning moment! 13abc's Kelly Heidbreder introduces us to this year's winner…Robin Chlebowski!
Tuesday, May 21 2013 6:20 PM EDT2013-05-21 22:20:37 GMT
If a tornado threatens, get into the basement. If you don't have a basement, a small, interior room in the lowest floor of your home is relatively safe. Avoid rooms with windows. Mobile homes are not safe in a tornado.
If a tornado threatens, get into the basement. If you don't have a basement, a small, interior room in the lowest floor of your home is relatively safe. Avoid rooms with windows. Mobile homes are not safe in a tornado.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 7:47 AM EDT2013-05-22 11:47:17 GMT
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - Ohio state lawmakers moved boldly Tuesday against storefront sweepstakes parlors they have come to view as illegal gambling operations, advancing separate bills effectively banning
The bill to ban Internet cafes will head to the Ohio Senate floor today. Yesterday a Senate Committee overwhelmingly approved the plans. Two separate proposals would ban operations statewide and block new cafes until the ban takes effect. There are about 800 Internet cafes in Ohio.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 7:32 AM EDT2013-05-22 11:32:46 GMT
LOGAN, Ohio (AP) - State officials say safety improvements are planned after a third fatal fall from a cliff recently in the Hocking's Hills region of southeastern Ohio. The Ohio Department of Natural
State officials say safety improvements are planned after a third fatal fall from a cliff recently in the Hocking's Hills region of southeastern Ohio. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources says signs warning hikers not to leave marked trails are being enhanced. Rangers also have increased trail patrols and are issuing more citations to people who stray from them
Wednesday, May 22 2013 7:26 AM EDT2013-05-22 11:26:32 GMT
CLEVELAND (AP) - The three women held captive in a Cleveland house for about a decade say they are doing fine. That was the message in a letter released by their attorneys Tuesday that also noted a charity
The three women held captive in a Cleveland house for about a decade say they are doing fine. That was the message in a letter released by their attorneys Tuesday that also noted a charity fund to help the women has now raised more than 650 thousand dollars.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 10:27 PM EDT2013-05-22 02:27:16 GMT
General Motors and Michigan are continuing the economic road to recovery. The company announced today it will invest more than 40 million dollars in a Cadillac factory in Lansing. The Lansing
General Motors and Michigan are continuing the economic road to recovery. The company announced today it will invest more than 40 million dollars in a Cadillac factory in Lansing. The Lansing
Tuesday, May 21 2013 8:22 PM EDT2013-05-22 00:22:27 GMT
Relatives of three teenagers killed in an Ohio school shooting are suing a charity that maintains a fund set up to benefit the families and support the well-being of students and others in the affected community.
Relatives of three teenagers killed in an Ohio school shooting are suing a charity that maintains a fund set up to benefit victims' families and support the well-being of students and others in the affected community.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 9:14 AM EDT2013-05-22 13:14:38 GMT
NB I-75 shut down north of Cygnet due to accident involving school bus
Around two dozen people were injured Tuesday night in a bus crash on I-75. It happened around 10:30 p.m. in the northbound lanes of I-75, just north of the Cygnet exit
The Boy Scouts of America will convene a two-day meeting of 1,400 local leaders to consider changing its long-standing ban openly gay boys belonging to the scouting movement.
The Boy Scouts of America will convene a two-day meeting of 1,400 local leaders to consider changing its long-standing ban openly gay boys belonging to the scouting movement.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 7:47 AM EDT2013-05-22 11:47:17 GMT
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - Ohio state lawmakers moved boldly Tuesday against storefront sweepstakes parlors they have come to view as illegal gambling operations, advancing separate bills effectively banning
The bill to ban Internet cafes will head to the Ohio Senate floor today. Yesterday a Senate Committee overwhelmingly approved the plans. Two separate proposals would ban operations statewide and block new cafes until the ban takes effect. There are about 800 Internet cafes in Ohio.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 7:32 AM EDT2013-05-22 11:32:46 GMT
LOGAN, Ohio (AP) - State officials say safety improvements are planned after a third fatal fall from a cliff recently in the Hocking's Hills region of southeastern Ohio. The Ohio Department of Natural
State officials say safety improvements are planned after a third fatal fall from a cliff recently in the Hocking's Hills region of southeastern Ohio. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources says signs warning hikers not to leave marked trails are being enhanced. Rangers also have increased trail patrols and are issuing more citations to people who stray from them
Wednesday, May 22 2013 7:26 AM EDT2013-05-22 11:26:32 GMT
CLEVELAND (AP) - The three women held captive in a Cleveland house for about a decade say they are doing fine. That was the message in a letter released by their attorneys Tuesday that also noted a charity
The three women held captive in a Cleveland house for about a decade say they are doing fine. That was the message in a letter released by their attorneys Tuesday that also noted a charity fund to help the women has now raised more than 650 thousand dollars.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 11:11 PM EDT2013-05-22 03:11:02 GMT
Imagine picking up the phone to hear your grandchild is in trouble. You're told not to tell any other family members, and send cash right away. Chances are, it's a crook trying to pull the 'Grandma Scam'.
Imagine picking up the phone to hear your grandchild is in trouble. You're told not to tell any other family members, and send cash right away. Chances are, it's a crook trying to pull the 'Grandma Scam'.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 8:22 PM EDT2013-05-22 00:22:27 GMT
Relatives of three teenagers killed in an Ohio school shooting are suing a charity that maintains a fund set up to benefit the families and support the well-being of students and others in the affected community.
Relatives of three teenagers killed in an Ohio school shooting are suing a charity that maintains a fund set up to benefit victims' families and support the well-being of students and others in the affected community.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 6:08 PM EDT2013-05-21 22:08:56 GMT
A Toledo family who moved to Moore less than a year ago only had minutes to take cover. "Its devastation buildings are ripped down families lost their homes houses are flattened." It's been a difficult
A local woman who moved to Moore Oklahoma almost a year ago survives a deadly tornado. 21 year old Kristina Legree says the twister touched down a mile for her home.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 5:18 PM EDT2013-05-21 21:18:53 GMT
A suspended TPS teacher charged with receiving, distributing and possessing child pornography has pleaded guilty to receiving child porn on his home computer. Bruce Omlor, 49, was suspended from Riverside
A suspended TPS teacher charged with receiving, distributing and possessing child pornography has pleaded guilty to receiving child porn on his home computer. Bruce Omlor, 49, was suspended from Riverside Elementary earlier this year.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 5:11 PM EDT2013-05-21 21:11:44 GMT
A Lucas County sheriff's deputy was arrested Tuesday. Deputy Paul Little was charged with filing false reports, unlawful transfer of a firearm to a convicted felon, and intimidation of a witness. Little
A Lucas County sheriff's deputy was arrested Tuesday. Deputy Paul Little was charged with filing false reports, unlawful transfer of a firearm to a convicted felon, and intimidation of a witness.
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