By J. PATRICK PEPPER Times-Herald Newspapers DETROIT — A former clerk in the city’s now-closed Building and Safety Department last week received a two-year prison sentence for accepting bribes in exchange for illegally issuing work permits. Wanda Smith, 42, admitted in court to receiving bribes in excess of $15,000 in cash and repairs to her house and car for the permits between 2006 and 2008. Prosecutors said she issued the permits without charging a fee or at a greatly reduced fee. After prison, Smith will face a … [Read more...] about Another ex-city employee goes to prison
Detroit
Man awaits sentencing in double murder, arson
DETROIT — A Wayne County Circuit Court jury recently found a 42-year-old Lincoln Park man guilty of the deaths of two men who were found murdered Feb. 27, 2008. Dennis Langley and John Mascow, both 61 years old, were found in Langley’s home in the 20600 block of Coachwood in Riverview. The jury reached its verdict Oct. 7. Unless a successful appeal is filed, officials say Doyle William Palmer likely will spend the rest of his life incarcerated. While there is little the prosecution and defense agree on, both have stated … [Read more...] about Man awaits sentencing in double murder, arson
Governor gives locals lowdown on stimulus
By J. PATRICK PEPPER Times-Herald Newspapers DETROIT — In front of a standing-room only crowd of local policymakers, Gov. Jennifer Granholm outlined many details for nearly $6.7 billion in federal stimulus money soon headed to Michigan. But her enthusiasm for the sorely needed cash influx was tempered by the reality that there are a lot more proposals than there is money to spend. A 1,206-page document on the state’s Web site shows thousands of requests for the money ranging from school, road and sewer projects to new … [Read more...] about Governor gives locals lowdown on stimulus