News
Broadband Map
State urging communities and residents to challenge the FCC’s broadband map
Because high-speed internet is not available to nearly a half-million homes in Michigan, the state is urging every Michigander to check their home and business address on the preliminary broadband map to ensure it accurately reflects their level of internet access. The Michigan High-Speed Internet Office is also working to challenge the map, but it’s important for everyone across the state to know how to view and challenge the map. Please share the following information and links with your residents and community members. To access the FCC broadband map:
- Visit broadbandmap.fcc.gov/home here, then type in an address and see if the reported coverage is accurate. You can access the site from a computer or a mobile device.
- Residents can submit a challenge by clicking “Location Challenge” if the location of their home or business is missing or incorrect, or “Availability Challenge” if the internet service information is incorrect.
- Residents should visit the website of any internet service provider that claims to serve their location and use the website’s “Check Availability” or similar tool to determine if the provider can serve their location. If they can’t, a screenshot of their website can be submitted to the FCC as evidence for an availability challenge.
Follow the instructions on how to file an availability challenge using the new map. A how-to video is also available.
Trees on Lorenson/Crystal Lake
Wondering why the trees are being cut on Lorenson and Crystal Lake Road? The Muskegon Conservation District owns that land, and periodically log it to maintain it. There is also a prescribed burn planned for that land in the next year. More information can be found here: Muskegon Conservation District or at their website: www.muskegoncd.org.
Political Signs
Whitehall Township’s ordinance states that political signs must not exceed 32 square feet, with a max height of 8 feet. They may be placed on private land only, and only with that land owner’s explicit permission. Signs should be on the property enough that they are not too close to the road, the ordinance states a minimum of 5 feet from any property line. Campaign signs should never be placed on public land. Any sign that is improperly placed will be removed and disposed of. All signs must be removed within 7 days after an election. The township ordinance does not state when signs can begin going up, however no more than 45 days before an election is recommended.