Why Michigan's New Strangulation Law is Important and More in This Week's Blogs

Bloggers from across the area are updating our Local Voices section weekly. Check out their newest contributions below. If you are interested in starting a blog on Patch, it's easy! Simply log in and click "Start A Blog". We look forward to hearing from you!

Celebrating Michigan’s New Felony Strangulation Law

In their latest blog, HAVEN writes about Michigan's new stangulation law. The group writes, "It’s true. All of us working in advocacy land are genuinely thrilled about this new law that went into effect April 1, 2013. Of course it seems odd to be so excited about something so cryptic, but hear me out. This is a giant victory for batterer accountability and enhanced protection for survivors of abuse. For the past seven years, folks have lobbied tirelessly to strengthen laws to prosecute assailants who use lethal force like strangulation."

Give Your School Library Or Gym a Makeover From The Detroit Pistons

Want to win a makeover for your school's library or gym? Then you will want to check out the first blog from the Detroit Pistons. They write, "To date, the Pistons renovated 28 facilities into Live, Learn, and Play Centers at schools, shelters, and hospitals in Michigan. As a part of the renovation, the Pistons commission new paint, carpet, furniture, technology, and add themed graphics and decorations."

Andrea Bonomo receives coveted Girl Scout Award

Andrea Bonomo, a member of Troop 40728, received her Gold Award on May 5 at the Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan Kalamazoo Regional office for a project she developed called "Teaching Kids to Respect Planet Earth. In a blog, J.C. Parikh writes, "The Gold Award is the highest achievement possible for Girl Scouts with GSHOM and its parent organization Girl Scouts of the USA. Girls earn this most coveted award for developing projects which will positively impact their communities and continue after they are no longer involved."

Be the Tweet You Wish to See in the World!

Are you tired of seeing people being bullied through social media? In her latest blog, Susan Tish writes, "Too often today I hear stories, even from my own teens , of the cowardly or cruel texts, sent out for the world to see, that tear down friends or classmates. A recent study by the University of Wisconsin Madison revealed that there are approximately 15,000 bully related tweets posted every day resulting in more than 100,000 nasty messages hitting the internet airwaves each week."