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OCT
28 2004
* Belleville: NMS teacher
receives grant for classroom tech program
Sixth graders at North Middle School will soon be
able to create mammals using Clamation Software, thanks to
the countless efforts of the school's media specialist,
Connie Nagle. Because of this advanced technology, students
will be create and manipulate clay figures then photograph
them frame-by-frame; basically, the software allows students
to create short films, similar to the animated program Gumby
and other stop-motion photography feature films. "Our
students are always thrilled with technology projects,"
said Nagle. "This in-depth project includes several
subject areas including library research, art, video
production, science, and script writing, as well as the
experience of working toward a common goal."
Source: Belleville View, http://www.bellevilleview.com/stories/102804/loc_20041028011.shtml
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Warren: E2020 helps students stay on graduation track
A new program at Warren Consolidated Schools lets
high school students control their teachers, literally. With
Education 2020 (E2020), a computer-based program, students
watch video lectures that they can pause, rewind or
fast-forward. The purpose of E2020, which also includes
electronic quizzes and tests, is “credit recovery,” the
making up of classes students failed or did not take. The
program is not mandatory, but is encouraged as an
alternative to summer school attendance.
Source: Sterling Heights Mirror, http://www.hometownlife.com/Hometownlife/NewsSearch.asp?pageType=Story&StoryID=62974
OCT
29 2004
* Leslie: SBC picks small town
for big broadband benefits
The tiny agricultural town of Leslie (population
2,000) in Ingham County is getting a big show this week from
SBC Communications, which has selected it as a demonstration
site to be transformed by high-speed Internet technology.
SBC Michigan President Gail Torreano brought the SBC Yahoo!
Route DSL Hometown Tour to Leslie, one of about 50 rural
places around the country the company thinks can benefit
from broadband.
Source: Detroit Free Press, http://www.freep.com/money/tech/mwendland29e_20041029.htm
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Marquette: Telemedicine program gets grant
Life for dialysis patients in three rural Upper
Peninsula areas will soon become a lot easier thanks to a
federal grant awarded Thursday to Marquette General Health
System. The hospital has received a $176,421 grant from the
U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Development program
to implement live video conferencing between medical
specialists at MGH and patients at dialysis centers in
Hancock, Newberry and Crystal Falls. "Wireless
telemedicine services will be installed within these
dialysis centers, allowing patients to receive clinical
services and continuing education programs without traveling
to Marquette," said Sally Davis, director of telehealth
at MGH.
Source: The Mining Journal, http://www.miningjournal.net/news/story/1029202004_new04-n1029.asp
OCT
30 2004
* Midland: Visiting Nurses
receive grant
A grant that will help provide technology was
awarded to the MidMichigan Visiting Nurse Association
Hospice Friday. The $215,519 grant will be used to acquire
telemonitors to transmit vital signs of rural homebound
patients to clinicians and physicians, and laptop and
personal computers for transmitting medical information from
homes and field offices to stand alone servers with
software. The technology will provide up to the minute
patient status information thereby improving the quality of
care, provide opportunities for patients to learn how
lifestyle behaviors impact their health conditions, and
reduce the cost of care.
Source: Midland Daily News, http://www.ourmidland.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=13257439&BRD=2289&PAG=461&dept_id=472542&rfi=8&xb=yeqif
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St. Clair County: Ongoing fees boost radio price
After St. Clair County spends about $12 million to
build its new 800-megahertz emergency radio system, it could
cost another $187,000 a year in membership fees. The new
equipment will be joined to a system run by the state of
Michigan. The state requires the annual membership fee of
$200 per radio. However, county officials hope to negotiate
with the state to get the cost of the system credited toward
the annual operating fees. Local officials say the state has
made such agreements with other counties, but there are no
guarantees. The county already has $2 million in grant money
to put toward the $8.9 million cost of building four towers
and equipping the dispatch center.
Source: Times Herald, http://www.thetimesherald.com/news/stories/20041030/localnews/1505647.html
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Flint: Financial data now on city's Web site
You can now track Flint's cash and you'll soon be
able to do the same for some of the commentary. Flint's
check registry and invoices - paid and unpaid - are now
available online at www.cityofflint.com.
Computer terminals for public access in the City Hall lobby
are available.
Source: Flint Journal, http://www.mlive.com/search/index.ssf?/base/news-24/109914968162140.xml?fljournal?NEF
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Oakland County: Deputies testing hands-free computers
for cruisers
Oakland County Sheriff's Office deputies might soon
be able to turn on their overhead lights, check someone's
speed or run a license plate - without looking away from the
road or lifting a finger. Deputies are testing a new
computer system made by Visteon. The system, which costs
about $9,000 per vehicle, could soon be in every cruiser.
"If this saves one accident, it'll be worth it,"
said Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard. The system,
called TACNET, is being tested by deputies. It is a
command-and-control system, housed in the trunk of a
cruiser, that allows hands-free access to information. There
is also a computer touch screen and a hand-control device
that performs the same functions, said Phil Cushman,
director of Visteon's Public Safety Business.
Source: Oakland Press, http://theoaklandpress.com/stories/103004/loc_20041030006.shtml
OCT
31 2004
* Eaton Rapids Public Schools: New
phone system goes in for Eaton Rapids Public Schools
District Technology Director Lyne Roberts said the
new system, provided by ITI Inc., will see all outside calls
come through one large trunkline and then be routed by fiber
optic cable to the various district buildings. The new
system will replace the over 200 individual phone lines that
made up the old system. In addition to cost savings, the new
phone system will offer many benefits over the old, Roberts
said. Those benefits include a phone in every district
classroom, teacher and staff voice mail and a variety of
teleconferencing options.
Source: Eaton Rapids Community News, http://www.hometownlife.com/Hometownlife/NewsSearch.asp?pageType=Story&StoryID=63589
NOV
1 2004
* Huron, Lapeer, Sanilac and Tuscola
Counties: Virtual chamber up and running
The first meeting of the Thumb Area Virtual
(online) Chamber of Commerce is currently underway. Intended
to complement local Chambers of Commerce, this business
organization, developed by the Thumb Area Michigan Works!,
is free of membership dues, entirely internet-based, offers
access to a wealth of information, and provides a way for
businesses to network throughout the region. Michigan Works!
Services Controller Jody Kerbyson said the online chamber is
designed for the busy manager or owner. “This Virtual
Chamber of Commerce expands on local business networks
already in place throughout the Thumb region. Managers will
have access to more information without taking time out of
their hectic day to attend an extra meeting,” Kerbyson
said. “Everything they need is just a mouse-click away!”
Source: Huron Daily Tribune, http://www.michigansthumb.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=13266029&BRD=2292&PAG=461&dept_id=472759&rfi=8
NOV
2 2004
* Detroit: Hospital uses
cutting edge telemedicine
Donning 3-D glasses, doctors at a medical
conference in India resembled an audience at an IMAX movie
Monday as they watched the live broadcast of a Henry Ford
Hospital doctor performing prostate surgery. Dr. Mani Menon
used a new, high-tech operating room to beam the two-hour
surgery to 1,500 doctors at the World Congress on
Endourology in Mumbai, India. It marked the first time a
surgery was broadcast live and in 3-D across the Atlantic
Ocean. In another area of Henry Ford on Monday, Dr. Scott
Dulchavsky spoke with astronauts on the International Space
Station about a telemedicine experiment using ultrasound in
space to help pinpoint medical problems. The two experiments
are part of Henry Ford Health System's effort to reach the
leading edge of telemedicine - a new field that uses imaging
technology to connect doctors and patients across the globe.
Source: Detroit News, http://www.detnews.com/2004/health/0411/02/c01-322473.htm
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Grandville: Computers will help preserve memories,
relationships for area seniors
Proving that you're never too old to learn
something new, the Grandville Senior Neighbors center is
beginning to offer computer instruction to area seniors.
With the help of five new computers, new software, and
volunteer tutors, participants can become computer savvy,
even if they've lived their entire lives without using a
computer. Senior center director Dawn White said she wanted
to be able to offer seniors a chance to communicate with
loved ones via e-mail. The new computers at the center also
have programs that allow guests to scan and copy precious
photos to a CD, which White said can be an invaluable
service for seniors who want to leave photos to their
children.
Source: Advance Newspapers, http://www.mlive.com/search/index.ssf?/base/news-2/1099415684282200.xml?advancenewspapers?NEGV
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Holly: Holly Police Department goes high-tech
Officers at the Holly Police Department are
continuing to use the latest technology to better the
department and community. The most recent addition is a new
digital camera, purchased with funds donated by the Holly
Moose Lodge. "The camera will be used to photograph
crime scenes, serious car accidents, and injuries to victims
of crime," said Fischer. Downloading the photos to a
computer will allow the officers to share the photos with
other police departments and enhance communications. The
updated camera will save the department time on cases, not
having to wait for photos to develop and order reprints.
Source: Tri-County Times, http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=13265900&BRD=2524&PAG=461&dept_id=494488&rfi=8
NOV
3 2004
* Troy: School applications
have real world use
College isn’t the only place where fundamentals
of graphics and design are taught, learned and applied.
Middle school classrooms are using technology to give
students a leg up on future competition. Using the newest
equipment, students at Baker Middle School are discovering
how to apply computer and communication skills by simulating
the process of an advertising agency. Seventh- and
eighth-grade students in introduction to computers and
computer applications classes teamed up to market their own
products. Some worked to design a unique shirt logo, while
others worked to create a program cover. For this
purpose, Baker Assistant Principal Mary Haezebrouck became
the customer.
Source: Troy Times, http://www.candgnews.com/editorial/2004/november/3/troy/computer.html
NOV
5 2004
* Statewide: Wireless Web
hotspots springing up across state
Over the past two months, Michigan's largest
telephone company has quietly built an impressive network in
which customers of its FreedomLink Wi-Fi service can access
the Internet at boat docks, a couple of freeway rest areas,
state parks and nearly 200 businesses and other public
locations throughout Michigan. That's more than double what
the company had in September, and part of what will be a
nationwide system of 20,000 hotspots that SBC says it will
have nationwide by the end of 2006. SBC, of course, isn't
the only Wi-Fi provider. T-Mobile, AT&T and a host of
companies like Intel and IBM are investing hundreds of
millions in the industry. Cities like South Haven in western
Michigan are now wholly covered by Wi-Fi, and service
providers like M-33 Access ( www.m33access.com)
in northern Michigan and I2K Wireless (www.i2kwireless.com)
in western Michigan are bringing broadband wireless
connections to hundreds of rural subscribers far off the
cable and DSL lines.
Source: Detroit Free Press, http://www.freep.com/money/tech/mwendland5e_20041105.htm
NOV
6 2004
* St. Clair: Web site
distributes police alerts
The city's latest police alerts aren't just coming
across the scanner. They're being phoned, faxed and e-mailed
to residents, churches, schools and businesses, thanks to a
Web site. The St. Clair Police Department has registered on
the CitizenObserver Web site. Dyck Security Services of Port
Huron has sponsored the department's placing on the site.
CitizenObserver of St. Paul, Minn., started four years ago
as a way to connect local law enforcement, citizens and
businesses. Law-enforcement agencies can send crime alerts
and post and distribute information about wanted fugitives,
missing persons and unsolved crimes. The information and
alerts are sent to registered users.
Source: Times Herald, http://www.thetimesherald.com/news/stories/20041106/localnews/1546005.html
NOV
7 2004
* Lansing: Sparrow's donation
of computers benefits local families
Sparrow Health System discovered a new way to
recycle used computers and benefit local students, thanks to
the Leaders of Employee Development for Greater Excellence
(LEDGE) program. LEDGE is a nonprofit organization dedicated
to assisting the people of mid-Michigan through education
and training that can provide positive, lifelong change in
their lives. "Because of Sparrow's donations, we
have successfully distributed 50 computers to youth and
families in need," said Willie C. Harris, CEO of LEDGE.
"Our community truly needs and benefits from the
support of organizations such as Sparrow."
Source: DeWitt Bath Review, http://www.hometownlife.com/Hometownlife/NewsSearch.asp?pageType=Story&StoryID=64960
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Oakland County: Teens get technical
Mentoring the elderly, tutoring elementary students
and building computers from scratch are all pastimes for a
group of local high school juniors and seniors. These teens,
coming from 12 school districts in Oakland County, say they
have done a lot for members in their communities when it
comes to computers, from teaching courses to donating
complete systems. Through the computer maintenance class at
Oakland Schools Technical Campus, Southwest, 16 second-year
students and 20 first-year students receive real-life
experiences as computer technicians. They spend half of the
school day learning how to build, repair and install
operating systems in computers to become Microsoft A+
certified. The other half of their day is dedicated to
special community service projects aimed at assisting less
fortunate students and senior citizens in the area.
Source: Oakland Press, http://theoaklandpress.com/stories/110704/loc_20041107044.shtml
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