Crain's Detroit Business articles from January 2003

Crain's Detroit Business archives from January 2003

Bankruptcies.(weeks of December 16-27)(Brief Article)(Directory)
January 6, 2003... The following businesses filed for Chapter 7 or 11 protection in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Detroit the weeks of Dec. 16-27. Under Chapter 11, a company files a reorganization plan that the court must approve. Chapter 7 involves total...

We resolve to bring you the news - daily.(Column)(Column)
January 6, 2003... Byline: Mary Kramer Have you broken your New Year's resolutions yet? Because this is our first issue of 2003, the ink is barely dry on our resolution list, which leads with improving regional coverage and expanding our free Web-based...

Briefly.(Briefs)(includes, Small Business Administration and Department of Defense integrate databases)
January 6, 2003... Federal agencies combine contractor databases The recent merger of two government databases should make it easier for small businesses to do business with the federal government. The U.S. Small Business Administration and the Department...

Jennifer Granholm.(News)(becomes first woman governor of Michigan)
January 6, 2003... Byline: Amy Lane Governor State of Michigan Jennifer Granholm made Michigan political history in November, winning a hard-fought contest to become the state's next leader and its first woman governor. In claiming the...

Stock uncertainty treats state better than nation as a whole.(News)
January 6, 2003... Byline: Katie Merx Uncertainty about the possible effects of war, accounting irregularities and corporate-earnings expectations - unsurprisingly - depressed the stock prices of Southeast Michigan companies, as they did those in the rest of...

Video pizzazz set to steal auto show.(Cover Story)(North American International Auto Show )
January 6, 2003... Byline: Jennette Smith The marketing emphasis of the Detroit auto show has shifted this year to exhibits that are almost theatrical, with huge video walls and even more scripted lighting and audio productions. The point of the...

Oakland cities try to reinvigorate neglected areas; Four communities review $57M in projects.(News)
January 6, 2003... Byline: Andrew Dietderich Tired of watching new developments creep farther away from their core commercial and downtown strips, Oakland County communities are luring developers back by taking action to foster redevelopment of vacant or...

Eminem.(News)(creates opportunities for Detroit area businesses)(Brief Article)
January 6, 2003... Byline: Andrew Dietderich Producer, rapper, actor Like Em or not, rapper Marshall Mathers, a.k.a. Eminem, has put Detroit back on the map of the entertainment world in a way that hasn't been seen since Bob Seger and Motown Records...

Frank Macher.(News)(Federal-Mogul Corp. executive, company reports net income)
January 6, 2003... Byline: Terry Kosdrosky Chairman and CEO Federal-Mogul Corp. Frank Macher's efforts in turning around troubled auto supplier Federal-Mogul Corp. began to bear fruit last year. While working through a Chapter 11 bankruptcy...

William McCormick Jr.(News)(resigns from CMS Energy Corp.)
January 6, 2003... Byline: Amy Lane Former chairman and CEO CMS Energy Corp. William McCormick Jr. ended a 161/2-year career at CMS Energy Corp. in a way no executive would want - distinguished not by his sizable accomplishments but by an...

Richard Whitmer.(News)(works to prevent changes to laws regarding health insurance and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Michigan)
January 6, 2003... Byline: Katie Merx President and CEO Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Michigan After picking a fight in 2002 with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Michigan, Gov. John Engler learned that Blues CEO Richard Whitmer packs a powerful...

James Bronce Henderson III.(News)(sells DCT Inc.)
January 6, 2003... Byline: Michael Strong President and owner DCT Inc. (defunct) On Feb. 7, James Bronce Henderson III walked into a crowded room of DCT Inc. employees and changed their lives. He informed the 200 workers gathered that he had...

Northwest sees friendlier skies; Detroit called key to strategy.(News)(Northwest Airlines Corp.)
January 6, 2003... Byline: Michael Strong Northwest Airlines Corp. thinks it will survive the tough operating environment that forced United Airlines parent UAL Corp. to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, and its Detroit hub is critical to that...

Innovation drain; Foreign automakers likely to benefit from pressures facing suppliers, experts say.(News)
January 6, 2003... Byline: Terry Kosdrosky Price reductions that automakers' demand from suppliers could stem the flow of innovation to the traditional Big Three and direct it toward foreign-owned manufacturers, industry analysts say. Automakers rely...

Online sales booming; Retailers rethink Web biz as sales increase.(News)
January 6, 2003... Byline: Brent Snavely The dramatic percentage increase in online retail sales over the holidays is causing Edmund T. Ahee Jewelry Co. to rethink its online strategy. Total consumer online sales between Nov. 1 and Dec. 20 exceeded...

$160M plan pushed for NE Ann Arbor; Environmental, other concerns pose obstacles.(development to include offices, health center, housing and retail space)(Cover Story)(Cover Story)
January 6, 2003... Byline: Laura Bailey A plan for a $160 million mixed-use development could transform 7 acres in northeast Ann Arbor from a suburban strip-center shopping area into a village-style complex with offices, a health center and housing connected...

About the Power Breakfast series.(News)(Calendar)
January 6, 2003... Crain's Detroit Business will host a series of private roundtable discussions in 2003 on key issues important to Southeast Michigan businesses. Four to six executives and experts will be invited to each ``power breakfast'' discussion for a...

People.(staffing changes at Detroit-area businesses)
January 6, 2003... architecture David Beschke to landscape architect and project manager, Professional Engineering Associates Inc., Howell, from vice president, Equinox Inc., Brighton. associations Heather Hunwick Van Poucker to manager, consulting...

Corrections.(Correction)(Correction Notice)
January 6, 2003... * A Dec. 23 Business Diary item gave an incorrect location for Lovio George Inc. The company is in Detroit. * A Rumblings item on Page 22 of the Dec. 23 issue said the Ford Motor Co. Piquette Avenue Plant was the birthplace of the moving...

Calendar.(Calendar)
January 6, 2003... Wednesday jan. 8 10th Annual AutoWeek Design Forum. Sponsored by AutoWeek magazine. 8 a.m.-7:30 p.m. Dinner speaker: J Mays, Ford Motor Co. design chief. Includes five other design speakers. Riverview Ballroom, Cobo Center, Detroit....

Check your lists.(News)
January 6, 2003... Companies and organizations featured on Crain's lists can update their information electronically throughout the year by visiting www.crainslists.com/update. Companies can log on anytime to update information such as executive changes, employee...

It will be great couple of weeks for Detroit.(North American International Auto Show to bring thousands of journalists)(Column)
January 6, 2003... Byline: KEITH CRAIN Be sure to say hello to a few thousand journalists from all over the world who arrived in Detroit over the past weekend for the press days at the North American International Auto Show. They'll be around for a few...

Federal funds may spur Legislature to re-enact transit bill.(for metro Detroit regional transportation)(News)
January 6, 2003... Byline: Amy Lane A window of opportunity to secure federal startup funds could help push metro Detroit regional transportation bills through a new Legislature. But it remains to be seen whether the compromise crafted to create the...

New axle firm faces labor fight.(News)(AxleTech International L.L.C. negotiating with United Auto Workers Local 291)(Brief Article)
January 6, 2003... Byline: Terry Kosdrosky Mary Petrovich spent 20 months putting together one deal and begins the new year trying to close another one. Petrovich and Chicago-based private equity firm Wynnchurch Capital Ltd. bought the off-road and...

Rumblings.(Compuware Corp. as acquisition target, Sparrow Hospital & Health System contract with Blue Shield of Michigan, six local law firms make national ranking, among other briefs)
January 6, 2003... Forget revenue - how much can you bench? Is your company's top gun in top shape? If so, he or she might qualify to land on the list of the ``50 Fittest CEOs'' in metro Detroit. Crain's Detroit Business and WJR AM 760 have joined...

Local nonprofits benefit from polluter-pay rulings.(News)(Metropolitan Affairs Coalition, Friends of the Rouge awarded fines paid by US Liquids of Detroit Inc.)
January 6, 2003... Byline: Robert Ankeny Two metro Detroit nonprofits are the latest to benefit from a trend of federal courts ordering companies convicted of polluting to contribute directly to cleanup efforts. U.S. District Judge Gerald Rosen on Dec....

James Adamson.(News)(working to repair Kmart Corp.)
January 6, 2003... Byline: Brent Snavely Chairman and CEO Kmart Corp. Everything that James Adamson did last year made local and national headlines, starting with his appointment as Kmart Corp. chairman nearly a year ago. After that, Adamson's...

Ringing in 2003 with some biz resolutions.(Opinion)
January 6, 2003... It's still early enough in the year to make resolutions for 2003. So for the benefit of some of our favorite headline-makers, we offer these modest suggestions: Detroit's domestic auto companies: Play nice with suppliers - for your own...

Change could open way for exodus of hospital beds; Systems say Detroit won't lose as many as some fear.(News)
January 6, 2003... Byline: Katie Merx Opponents of new certificate-of-need legislation say the changes passed over the holidays were too broad and could result in many more beds leaving the city of Detroit than legislators thought they were approving. ...

Real estate insiders to reveal forecasts for the coming year.(News)(Metro Detroit Commercial Real Estate Trends and Forecasts Seminar)(Brief Article)
January 6, 2003... Byline: Jennette Smith Commercial real estate experts will offer a forecast on how this year's market is likely to shape up at an upcoming conference. The Jan. 17 Metro Detroit Commercial Real Estate Trends & Forecasts Seminar is...

New law likely to save businesses money on terrorism insurance.(News)(Terrorism Risk Insurance Act)
January 6, 2003... Byline: Katie Merx Business owners should keep an eye out for mail from their property insurers this month because the correspondence is likely to include instructions for reducing the cost of terrorism coverage, insurance experts said....

Ricardo looks to ride shifts in auto business.(News)
January 6, 2003... Byline: Terry Kosdrosky New car models, the growth of diesel engines and a shift in attitudes have created opportunities for engineering companies such as Ricardo Inc. Anticipating growth, the Van Buren Township-based auto supplier in...

Backers of border projects press on despite split decision.(News)(committee recommendations for truck-only parkway)
January 6, 2003... Byline: Michael Strong The backers of three proposals to relieve truck congestion in Windsor expect to push for their individual projects despite recommendations from a committee that selected bits and pieces of each of the proposals for...

This Just In.(includes, possible acquisition of Rootlevel Inc. by Carriersnet Group Inc.)
January 6, 2003... Rootlevel in talks to be purchased by Carriersnet Detroit-based Rootlevel Inc. and Dearborn-based Carriersnet Group Inc. hope to complete a $10 million stock swap in two months that would make Rootlevel a subsidiary of Carriersnet...

Letters.
January 6, 2003... Cranbrook students not ignorant Editor: Interested in business and hoping to become an entrepreneur and follow in my father's footsteps, I often read Crain's Detroit Business, specifically your articles on small businesses. Usually I...

In Jack he trusts; Ex-Decision Consultants owner starts new company.(News)(Jack Krasula starts Trustinus Inc.)
January 6, 2003... Byline: Andrew Dietderich A year ago, Jack Krasula was head of Decision Consultants Inc., a company with $117 million in revenue, more than 1,100 employees and a client list that included General Motors Corp. and DaimlerChrysler AG. ...

Commercialization gets attention in life-science funding.(News)(Michigan Life Sciences Corridor)
January 6, 2003... Byline: Laura Bailey The competition for $45 million in state life-sciences funding next year is more heavily weighted with proposals to commercialize technology than it was last year. The state has sent nearly twice as many...

Memo details losses, plans for cuts at DMC.(News)(Detroit Medical Center)
January 6, 2003... Byline: Katie Merx The Detroit Medical Center expects to post losses at many of its hospitals for 2002 and will cut executive salaries and vacations in 2003, according to an e-mail that DMC President and CEO Arthur Porter sent to the...

Legislation aims to tax Internet sales.(News)
January 6, 2003... Byline: Amy Lane Michigan may be about to take the next step in collecting more taxes from Internet and mail-order companies. Legislation expected to be introduced soon would ratify a multistate agreement designed to streamline...

Comerica names governance exec.(News)(Jon Bilstrom)(Brief Article)
January 6, 2003... Byline: Katie Merx Detroit-based Comerica Inc. last week named Jon Bilstrom executive vice president of governance and regulatory affairs. Bilstrom, 56, joined Comerica (NYSE: CMA) Thursday. He will be responsible for relationships...

Week in Review.(Review)(area briefs)
January 6, 2003... SBC gets $238.5M Michigan telecom deal SBC Communications Inc. won a $238.5 million contract putting it in charge of serving all of state government's telecommunications needs. The contract begins this year and lasts for six years. The...

Irvin Reid.(News)(Wayne State University president)(Brief Article)
January 6, 2003... Byline: Laura Bailey President Wayne State University Wayne State University President Irvin Reid has had a busy year, overseeing $108 million in construction projects and luring two major investments that are expected to mean...

Business Diary.(Briefs)
January 6, 2003... acquisitions The Induction Bonding Systems unit of Robotron Corp., Southfield, has been acquired by the EFD Group, an induction-heating technology company with 14 operating companies in the United States, Europe, India and China. The new...

Waltraud Prechter.(News)(Heinz C. Prechter Fund for Manic Depression)(Brief Article)
January 6, 2003... Byline: Terry Kosdrosky Heinz C. Prechter Fund for Manic Depression The widow of Downriver industrialist Heinz Prechter spent the year not only managing the sale of her late husband's businesses but also leading the fight against the...

Biggest deals sought.(News)
January 6, 2003... Crain's Detroit Business will publish a list of the largest deals of 2002 in its Jan. 27 issue. Included will be mergers and acquisitions of at least $10 million, stock offerings, commercial-property sales and the largest office and industrial...

Don Coleman.(News)(GlobalHue chairman, CEO)(Brief Article)
January 6, 2003... Byline: Jennette Smith Chairman and CEO GlobalHue Last year was significant for Don Coleman, chairman and CEO of the GlobalHue ad agency. In April, Coleman took his name off the door of the Southfield agency to create a...

2002 Newsmakers of the Year.(Cover Story)(Brief Article)(Cover Story)
January 6, 2003... One of 2002's top newsmakers will be named Crain's Newsmaker of the Year in the Jan. 20 issue and will be honored at a Feb. 19 luncheon meeting of the Women's Economic Club and The Economic Club of Detroit. * James Adamson felt intense...

North American International Auto Show.(News)(includes ticket price and economic impact projection)(Brief Article)
January 6, 2003... Press days: Through Tuesday. Industry preview days: Wednesday and Thursday. Charity preview: Friday. Public show: Saturday through Jan. 20. Doors open 10 a.m.-10 p.m. daily. Tickets $12; $6 for those 65 and over; free for children...

Karmanos Cancer Institute ends health programs, cites lost aid.(News: Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute)(Brief Article)
January 13, 2003... Byline: Laura Bailey The Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute is ending a group of community-outreach health programs because the state intends to cut most or all of its support. For about seven years, Karmanos has been receiving...

Business Diary.(Briefs: Detroit area business briefs)(Brief Article)
January 13, 2003... contracts ROI Systems Group Inc., Bloomfield Hills, and Toronto-based Business Propulsion Systems have entered into an agreement in which ROI will market and support BPS' Project Activator, a Web-based program and project-management...

Union to new Great Lakes owner: Both sides must give; Steelworkers like proposal to National assets.(News: District 2 of the United Steel Workers of America, Great Lakes Steel and National Steel Corp.)
January 13, 2003... Byline: Terry Kosdrosky The head of the local Steelworker's union said he's willing to discuss concessions with the prospective new owners of Great Lakes Steel, but any sacrifices must be shared by management. Harry Lester, director of...

DMC head may ask for drink tax.(News: Detroit Medical Center)
January 13, 2003... Byline: Katie Merx The Detroit Medical Center president and CEO Arthur Porter says a small tax on alcoholic beverages could be an elixir to get the academic hospital system back to breaking even. Porter said he'll ask state legislators...

Charities find auto-show parties an ideal vehicle.(News)
January 13, 2003... Byline: Gary Anglebrandt Five children's charities that benefit from the North American International Auto Show's Charity Preview extended the evening's fund raising and hobnobbing with major afterglow receptions. The Children's...

Land wants to expand online dealer registration.(News: Michigan Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land)
January 13, 2003... Byline: Amy Lane Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land has a full agenda entering office. And many of the items fall under the category of customer convenience and Land's mantra: ``More people online, less people in line.'' Land...

This Just In.(Detroit area news briefs)(Brief Article)
January 13, 2003... Fed-Mogul wants to move HQ into Travelers Tower II Auto supplier Federal-Mogul Corp. wants to vacate its longtime headquarters at the Lodge Freeway and Lahser Road and move into the nearby Travelers Tower II. The company last week...

Bankruptcies.(Brief Article)
January 13, 2003... The following businesses filed for Chapter 7 or 11 protection in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Detroit the week of Dec. 30-Jan. 6. Under Chapter 11, a company files a reorganization plan that the court must approve. Chapter 7 involves total...

DTE Energy faces challenge to sale of transmission unit.(News: International Transmission Co. is the subsidiary)
January 13, 2003... Byline: Amy Lane Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox and a group of large industrial businesses are trying to squeeze more money for customers out of DTE Energy Co.'s pending $610 million sale of its electricity-transmission subsidiary. ...

Universal care would share costs efficiently.(Opinion)(Column)
January 13, 2003... Byline: Ron Gettelfinger America's health care system is in a serious crisis. Costs are rising. More than 40 million people have no insurance coverage. And the quality of care is inconsistent at best. Crain's joined the debate about...

Tough talk from, and for, suppliers.(Opinion)(Brief Article)
January 13, 2003... Tower Automotive Inc. recently fired a shot that may be heard, well, maybe as far as Detroit. Tower announced that it had decided not to bid on two major frame contracts: one for the new Ford Explorer, the other for the Dodge Durango....

Casinos fighting class-action status in cases.(News: MGM Grand Detroit Casino and MotorCity Casino are involved)
January 13, 2003... Byline: Robert Ankeny Two employment-discrimination lawsuits pending against two Detroit casinos highlight strategies on both sides in class-action litigation. Fourteen workers at MGM Grand Detroit Casino sued in 2001, claiming racial...

German American chamber offers Heinz Prechter Scholarships.(News: German American Chamber of Commerce of the Midwest's Michigan chapter)(Brief Article)
January 13, 2003... Byline: Laura Bailey The Michigan chapter of the German American Chamber of Commerce of the Midwest will fund three Heinz Prechter Scholarships in 2003. Three $2,000 scholarships will go to Michigan college students heading to Germany...

We're bursting at the seams at auto show.(Column: North American International Auto Show)(Column)
January 13, 2003... Byline: KEITH CRAIN If you believe that the North American International Auto Show in Detroit is one of the great events in our community, you're absolutely right. By far, it's the biggest and most significant event for Detroit and all of...

The Way he was.(Special Report: Ken Way's career history)(Brief Article)
January 13, 2003... Ken Way's career highlights 1966: Joined American Metal Products, where his father worked, as industrial engineer. Company was bought by Lear Siegler. 1988: Led management in a $500 million leveraged buyout of Lear Siegler Seating...

Builder plans $80M in homes; Majority are proposed for Macomb County.(News: Lombardo Cos. is the developer)(Company Profile)
January 13, 2003... Byline: Jennette Smith The Washington Township-based Lombardo Cos. is planning about $80 million in home construction this year, focused mostly on midpriced houses in Macomb County. The developer plans to launch several projects,...

China's cheap labor is next threat to suppliers.(Special Report)(Industry Overview)
January 13, 2003... Byline: Terry Kosdrosky The growing Chinese economy presents a competitive threat to U.S. auto suppliers that is much greater than any once posed by Mexico. But, like Mexico, opportunities for suppliers could be considerable. China's...

Experts: Emotions keep faltering suppliers going.(Special Report)(Industry Overview)
January 13, 2003... Byline: Terry Kosdrosky Many owners of privately held auto suppliers are living in denial as they head toward collapse, and part of the problem is that it's difficult to leave the business, two auto analysts said. That's one of the...

Developers pleased with changes in brownfield laws.(News)
January 13, 2003... Byline: Jennette Smith Developers and real estate attorneys consider changes to state and federal brownfield laws positive steps to encouraging more reuse of contaminated sites. The state Legislature recently extended Michigan's...

People.(Detroit area business employee briefs)(Brief Article)
January 13, 2003... construction Timothy Heiss to project manager, Willis Building Co. Inc., Saline, from project manager, Carver Construction Co., Ann Arbor. distributors Matt Bremer to vice president of strategic planning, Handleman Co. (NYSE:...

Briefly.(Briefs: Detroit area news briefs)(Brief Article)
January 13, 2003... Ex-Dietz Organization staffers form new real estate brokerage A handful of former Dietz Organization employees have formed a new real estate brokerage instead of taking part in Dietz's acquisition by a Phoenix company. Birmingham-based...

Screen presence; Partners hope they've written the script for success at megatheater in Novi.(Cover Story: Emagine Novi is the theater)(Cover Story)
January 13, 2003... Byline: Brent Snavely Two local business partners who opened an 18-screen theater in October called Emagine Novi are aiming to expand their small company into a regional chain with more than a half-dozen movie multiplexes. Paul Glantz...

Auto show also an engine for small-business growth.(Cover Story: North American International Auto Show)(Cover Story)
January 13, 2003... Byline: Robert Ankeny Detroit businesses are benefiting from the North American International Auto Show to the tune of more than $300 million this year, and it's not all spectacular lights and music, fancy meals and hotel rooms, or miles...

Robert Geake's track record.(News)(Brief Article)(Biography)
January 13, 2003... Legislature: First elected to the state House of Representatives in 1972, representing Northville and part of Livonia. Was elected to the state Senate in 1977 and served until 1998, representing northwest Wayne County. State government:...

Collins & Aikman ends bid to buy German supplier; Stock drop could have busted deal.(News: HP-Chemie Pelzer will not be acquired)
January 13, 2003... Byline: Terry Kosdrosky Plastics supplier Collins & Aikman Corp. said it has dropped its bid to purchase German sound-controls supplier HP-Chemie Pelzer. Pelzer's $520 million in annual sales, mostly in Europe, would have given...

Losses could keep Kmart in bankruptcy, experts say; Management stays upbeat; Feb. 24 reorganization plan still goal.(News)(Company Profile)
January 13, 2003... Byline: Brent Snavely Kmart Corp.'s financial track record during its first 10 months in Chapter 11 bankruptcy is likely to complicate the company's goal to emerge from bankruptcy by July, according to bankruptcy experts. Kmart...

Letters.(Letter to the Editor)
January 13, 2003... 'A built bed is a filled bed' Editor: The Jan. 6 edition (``Change could open way for exodus of hospital beds: Systems say Detroit won't lose as many as some fear'') quotes Vin Sahney, the Henry Ford Health senior vice president of...

Rumblings.(Detroit area news briefs column)(Column)
January 13, 2003... Bureau passes out car leases to lure conventions The Detroit Metro Convention and Visitors Bureau is using the North American International Auto Show to showcase Cobo Center to prospective clients and the meeting-trade media. As part of...

Secure access; Carriersnet building Web-based system to track worldwide cargo.(News: Carriersnet Group Inc.)
January 13, 2003... Byline: Michael Strong Dearborn-based Carriersnet Group Inc. is working with the U.S. Customs Service to carry out a comprehensive, Internet-based system that would ensure container security on cargo ships coming into the United States...

Week in Review.(Review: Detroit area news briefs)(Brief Article)
January 13, 2003... Handleman to stop Internet services The Troy-based Handleman Co. said Internet services no longer would be developed or supported by the music-distribution company. Launched in November 2001, Handleman's online division manages the...

Horse track complex proposed; Van Buren Twp. site of $200m plan.(Cover Story: Triple Creek Downs would be the name)(Cover Story)
January 13, 2003... Byline: Andrew Dietderich A Downriver businessman who bid to build a Detroit casino six years ago and is in the running to redevelop the Pontiac Silverdome wants to build a $200 million horse racetrack and convention center on 300 acres in...

Correction.(Brief Article)(Correction Notice)
January 13, 2003... A Week in Review item in the Jan. 6 edition should have listed Bruce Gershenson, owner of Gershenson Realty & Investment in Southfield, as a partner in BKG Birmingham L.L.C., a company set up to purchase the former Jacobson store at 325 N. Old...

get breaking news every day.(News)(Brief Article)
January 13, 2003... Crainsdetroit.com has launched a daily e-mail containing a roundup of breaking news, stories of interest from other Crain publications, and news and links from other sources. Registered Web users can sign up for the free e-mail service by...

Way better; Ken Way credits common sense for Lear's successes.(Special Report)(Company Profile)
January 13, 2003... Byline: Dale Jewett In 36 years of working in the auto industry, Ken Way has seen plenty of turmoil: vehicle sales battered by recession and oil embargoes, the struggle to meet government-mandated safety regulations, the scrabbling for...

Celebs are sweet on Hawkins' new eatery.(News: La-Van Hawkins' new restaurant is Sweet Georgia Brown)(Restaurant Review)
January 13, 2003... Byline: Michael Strong Detroit is not one of the top destinations for celebrities, but where do they go when they're here and they're hungry? Sweet Georgia Brown, lately. ``It's where regular people can come to eat and see someone...

New horse-racing boss: Give us gambling; Business at tracks continues to decline, report says.(News: Robert Geake becomes the head)
January 13, 2003... Byline: Andrew Dietderich When Robert Geake wrote a weekly column about horses in the 1960s, he never thought he would be called on to help save Michigan's horse-racing business. But as the industry faces continued drops in attendance,...