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http://www.thebattlecreekshopper.com BATTLE CREEK SHOPPER NEWS Thursday, July 4, 2024 13

Paula S. Coleman, a licensed funeral
director with Richard A. Henry
Funeral Home & Cremation Services
in Battle Creek, was honored recently
by the Michigan Funeral Directors
Association for 40 years of licensure.
The recognition came at the Michigan
Funeral Directors Convention held in
Port Huron, a press release stated.
She has been employed with the
funeral home since 2014.
Coleman graduated from Worsham
College of Mortuary Science in
Illinois and is a third-generation
funeral director.

Local funeral

director honored for

40-year licensure

The Michigan Legislature on June
27 passed the final state budget for
the 2025 fiscal year ahead of the
legally required July 1 deadline.
Leaders in Lansing crafted a bud-
get focused on strategic, targeted
investments that improve the lives
of people and hometowns across
Michigan without raising taxes.

Lawmaker highlights state budget items for area

After the vote, state Rep. Jim

Haadsma (D-Battle Creek) issued the

following statement:

“Today, we helped deliver a smart

state budget on time, ensuring our

community benefits from investments

we’re making into infrastructure,

local businesses and public health.

I voted for a budget that puts our

residents’ economic health and well-

being first, without delay.”

The budget includes several items

that will specifically benefit commu-

nities that Haadsma represents.

Notable highlights include:

• $1.2 million for Oak Hill
  Cemetery in Battle Creek to improve
  the buildings and grounds.


• $450,000 for Starr Commonwealth
  in Albion to create a new program
  to support young adults building job
  skills.


• $300,000 to Voces to build out a
  kitchen facility in its Latinx commu-

nity center.

• $250,000 for Innovate Albion
  to construct an elevator, improving
  access for all children with after-
  school, hands-on learning of STEM
  skills.


• $50,000 each to Washington
  Heights United Methodist Church,
  New Level Sports Ministries and
  Kingdom Builders Worldwide in
  Battle Creek to improve programs for
  children.