MUSKEGON, Mich. (AP) -- State officials say they've reached another milestone in the long-delayed cleanup of Muskegon County's White Lake.

White Lake is among 14 so-called "areas of concern" in Michigan that are heavily polluted and designated for special restoration efforts. Each of those areas has a list of problems to be solved.

One of White Lake's shortcomings was excessive algae caused by high phosphorus levels. The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality announced Monday those levels have fallen enough to remove that problem from White Lake's list.

Six other major issues remain. Among them are degraded organisms on the lake bottom, degraded fish and wildlife populations, habitat loss and drinking water restrictions.

Patricia Birkholz of the DEQ's Office of the Great Lakes said she expects more progress this year.

Visit www.relayforlife.org/whitelakemi for additional information.

From: http://www.montague.k12.mi.us/

Three NBC 8th graders were honored at the Muskegon County Bar Association's Law Day banquet May 4.  The contest required students to consider the question:  "Should schools intervene in cases of cyber-bullying when that behavior occurs off school grounds, and what role, if any, should the courts play, keeping in mind a citizen's rights under the first amendment?"  The students could respond to this question in a variety of formats: essay, poetry, video, music, art, etc. 

The fourth place essay entry was awarded to Andrew Bobian.  For her video entry, Brandi Rice received third place. The winning essay entry belonged to NBC's Alexis Grimshaw.  These students received savings bonds and plaques honoring them for their outstanding efforts. Congratulations!