MUSKEGON HEIGHTS, Mich. (WZZM) - Muskegon Heights Public Schools Emergency Manager (EM) Don Weatherspoon issued layoff notices to 158 employees of the district effective Friday, June 8. Staff were handed a letter as they left work today.

The letter cited "urgent financial circumstances surrounding the district."  The district is approximately $12 million in debt.

In the letters, Weatherspoon wrote that he "regretted the uncertainty which results from the notice..." but that the "action is being taken to provide the flexibility required to accomplish the reorganization of the School District." 

Teacher aides, support staff, and some administrators received layoff notices. Some administrators and teachers were given notices of non-renewal which refer to their individual employment contracts. According to Weatherspoon the intent of both letters is the same, but employment laws require the different wording.

Muskegon, MI (May 15, 2012) – The Salvation Army is currently accepting applications to send local youth to residential camp.  “Since 1926, Little Pine Island Camp (Comstock Park, MI) has been a place for young people to reconnect with nature and meet new friends,” said Captain Stephanie Sawka of The Salvation Army.  This year, The Salvation Army of Muskegon would like to send local youth to experience this for themselves.

If parents are interested, please contact The Salvation Army by phone or stop in at 1221 Shonat, Muskegon, MI 49442.  Encampments happen throughout the summer and are specific according to age.  The cost is only $25.00 for an average of four (4) nights, five (5) days of a great camping experience. 

Salvation Army:

Captain Stephanie Sawka; 231-773-3284

MUSKEGON, Mich. (WZZM) - A Muskegon woman says the Sunrise Memorial Gardens isn't giving her what she paid for more than a year ago and the cemetery admits it has happened to other families.

It has been more than a year since Natalie Jackson says she paid for a $300 marking on her mother's grave at Sunrise Memorial Gardens. 

"I'd like the end date put on the plaque, that's all I want, just the end date. I want it done yesterday," says Jackson.

Jackson's mother paid for the rest of the grave markings before she died last February. Since then, Jackson says she contacted Matt Scott, a Director at Sunrise Memorial Gardens, several times with no luck.

"He told me it would be a struggle, but that they would try to get it by Mothers Day 2011. Here we are Mothers Day 2012 and my end plaque is still not there," says Jackson.