| July 6, 2021 
 Vince Volovlek’s life took a left turn when he nearly lost his right arm eight years ago. The 28-year-old didn’t plan on operating a successful medicinal marijuana lotion brand at this point in his life. He hadn’t planned on much at all. He was 20 and had an itch to head out West, but fate intervened. “I thought I’d be just like all my friends,” he said. “They’re just wandering. They’re couch-hopping ... And then this happened and I’ve just been working.” Volovlek raises his sleeve to reveal a scar. It looks like a healed shark bite, but it’s not. His nearly fatal injury inspired him to create an award-winning product, Michigan Organic Rub, a medicinal cannabis lotion that was bought by Pincanna Labs. READ MORE ►Legal options running out for Ypsilanti Township woman defying marijuana law  Seven of Michigan’s 83 counties have hit President Biden’s goal of having 70% of adults age 18 and older vaccinated by July 4. At the other end of the spectrum, nine counties are at 45% or below. As of Thursday, July 1, Michigan’s statewide average was 62.6% compared to the national average of 67%. Nineteen states have hit or surpassed the 70% mark, including Illinois and Minnesota in the Upper Midwest. Vermont has the highest vaccination rate, with 85% of those 18 and older at least partially vaccinated. Take a look at the data on Michigan counties here: READ MORE  Did you miss out on fireworks this year? Or maybe you are already sad the fireworks shows are over? Want to see them from another perspective? We have some amazing drone footage from one of Michigan's largest fireworks displays, as well as photos of displays from across the state. According to organizers, 50,000 people watched in Grand Rapids as approximately 22,000 fireworks were launched into the sky Saturday evening. If you weren't there, you can still check it out here. Heck, even if you were there, why not relive the moment? READ MORE ►At Saginaw's fireworks this year, Independence Day took on a new meaning
 A shuttered Catholic church in rural Bay County, where for decades people worshipped together and celebrated some of life’s most important milestones, will once again be a place where memories are made. Tonya Zube purchased the former St. Norbert’s Church, 120 W. Munger Road in Munger, about eight miles southeast of Bay City, last fall and transformed it into Corinthian Chapel, an inclusive wedding ceremony venue where all couples are welcome regardless of their religious beliefs, sexual orientation or gender identity. Take a look at the transformed chapel here: READ MORE  Just across the Huron River from downtown Ann Arbor and a short ride up Pontiac Trail, a big transformation of the landscape is underway. Hundreds upon hundreds of new homes and apartments have been steadily rising on the city’s north side over the last five years, in some cases replacing old farm fields and vacant lands, and the north side housing boom is still going strong. Over 1,200 new residences are included in projects in various stages of construction or completion on the north side, and several hundred more are in the pipeline. READ Get your local news 24/7 Connect with MLive
To ensure receipt of our emails, please add newsletters@update.mlive to your address book or safe sender list. | ||||||||||||||||||
