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A Consumers Energy vehicle at a downtown Jackson charging station, located at the Consumers Energy Innovation Center.  Consumers Energy photo. (April 19, 2021 4:06 PM) Consumers Energy is celebrating Earth Week by announcing it has now built the backbone for the still-growing fast-charging network for electric vehicles across Michigan. Charging stations that allow emissions-free EVs to power up quickly are in place in 24 locations reaching 250 miles north to south. Over the next three years, Consumers Energy plans to help 200 fast charging locations – and over 2,000 chargers at homes and businesses – start powering EVs across Michigan.  “Our country’s auto industry was born right here in Michigan. Consumers Energy is excited to charge the next generation of transportation in our home state and help Michigan lead the nation into a clean automotive future,” said Lauren Youngdahl Snyder, Consumers Energy’s vice president of customer experience. “Fast charging means EV owners can power their vehicles wherever they travel across Michigan, and their options are growing by the day.” Consumers Energy launched its PowerMIDrive program less than two years ago. Since then, it has provided over 600 rebates for home, business and public charging stations that make electric vehicle ownership…

Dustin on his daily training walk.  Photo by Jeff Steers, JTV News. By Jeff Steers JTV News (April 19, 2021 3:41 PM) A Jackson man who said his name is “Dustin” uses an unusual training method daily. Dustin said walking more than four miles a day with a heavy log on his shoulders helps him with his mental and physical being. He can be seen walking with pails of water down the same stretch of Morrell Street in Jackson from time to time. He has been doing it for years. Dustin said he started the training exercise years ago because of family, mental, and physical stress on his mind and body. Doctors told him at one point that he may never walk again, according to Dustin. He calls the training – walking more than four miles up and down Morrell Street – his own personal boot camp. “You push the physical to help your mental controls,” Dustin said. “It hurts, but you are training your mind.” He said the exercise has helped him turn fat into muscle and has been a positive influence in his life.