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XLFD posted a discussion

LPD Privilege: Another Friendly DUI Released by LPD, Records not Released

This reporter has been arguing with those who coordinate the release of public records from the City of Ludington for 19 years running, so it's not surprising that we find ourselves at loggerheads again with them over proper responses that comply with the Michigan Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) law.  This time it's in regard to a credible report that one of Ludington's finest, LPD Officer Trey Forfinski was their representative at an accident happening early in the morning of December 24,…See More
Sunday
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Sam is now a member of The Ludington Torch
Jan 7
Welcome Them!
XLFD posted a discussion

Goodbye Self-Serve Soda: McDonald’s Ends an Era — But at What Cost?

One of our contributors notices a disturbing trend that may come to the local McDonald's, a trend that may carry over to other area fast food chains and some of our mom-and-pop restaurants that encourage their patrons to stay hydrated on their own terms.  Let us know in your comments about how you feel about this potential shake-up of what many consider an expected convenience and whether you've noticed any local business removing self-service soda machines-- or bucking the trend and putting…See More
Jan 6
0 Comments
Freedom Seeker replied to XLFD's discussion A Revocation of Equal Justice Under Law
"Thanks for the refresher, X. Your memory is brilliant. Looking forward to the continuing story and further exposure of corruption of Hand-Wiegand involving Mendez. If our taxes are blown in malicious prosecution, at least we should get some juicy…"
Jan 5
XLFD replied to XLFD's discussion A Revocation of Equal Justice Under Law
"You recall the incident back at the Rendezvous Bar recounted in this Sleight of Hand article, where Ms. Hand tried to be both prosecutor and prosecutor's main witness, crookedly passing herself off as bar patron Beth Wiegand to the…"
Jan 5
Freedom Seeker replied to XLFD's discussion A Revocation of Equal Justice Under Law
"Well explained, X. I hope you can pursue the "malicious" prosecution. This is crazy that LPD and Hand would waste taxpayer money with such lacking and wrong evidence. I hope you have a few layers of Kevlar under that bullseye on your back,…"
Jan 5
XLFD posted a discussion

A Revocation of Equal Justice Under Law

On June 1, 2024, off-duty LPD Officer Austin Mendez was driving home after the bar closed and had fellow officer Noah Noble trailing behind him for about half a mile, half the time while his overhead lights were on.  Mendez's driving was caught on Noble's in-car camera, the footage shows Mendez making a dangerous unlawful pass, swerving, disobeying a traffic light, speeding 25+ over the 30 mph limit while being pursued by a police vehicle.  Noble's body cam would show a clearly inebriated…See More
Jan 5
3 Comments
XLFD replied to XLFD's discussion Mendez DUI Cover-up Continues, Goes All the Way to the Top
"That severance package was a hoot; I hope the three old-school board members (including the last two chairmen) that are up for re-election this year don't expect another term for saddling us with this golden parachute.   My favorite…"
Jan 2
Rick replied to XLFD's discussion Mendez DUI Cover-up Continues, Goes All the Way to the Top
"Great work on this story, “X”! Nothing ever mentioned of this until you broke the story recently, now it’s all out damage control by LPD! As you know, I moved away from Ludington this summer but I still follow this page and the…"
Jan 2
XLFD posted a discussion

Mendez DUI Cover-up Continues, Goes All the Way to the Top

In our two decades of making Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests and receiving FOIA responses, one axiom has developed that has floated to the top when you are dealing with a government agency that is resistant to transparency, like the City of Ludington and (particularly) the Ludington Police Department (LPD).  The most interesting information is not what they voluntarily allow you to look at, it's the information that they voluntarily withhold from you.…See More
Jan 2
2 Comments
Blityer is now a member of The Ludington Torch
Jan 2
Welcome Them!
XLFD replied to XLFD's discussion The Ludington Torch's 2026 Resolutions for the New Year
"Our resolution doesn't preclude us from covering what needs to be covered and attending important meetings, but our limited resources, the most important being time, will be centered and increased at the courthouse and for legal proceedings…"
Jan 1
Freedom Seeker replied to XLFD's discussion The Big Lyla
"Good point, X. FORTUNATELY you never drink and drive!"
Jan 1
Paul Galinski replied to XLFD's discussion The Ludington Torch's 2026 Resolutions for the New Year
"Interested in whatever ‘route’ is taken.  Judicial and prosecuting action is only one facet of a northern lakeshore city.  Seems like county commissioner and board influence (like school or church) and potential revenue and…"
Jan 1
XLFD posted a discussion

The Ludington Torch's 2026 Resolutions for the New Year

It's a special year and the Ludington Torch in starting what is our own recently started 18th year of existence will do something unusual and make some resolutions.  Surely in our short history, we have changed organically at times our focus, scope, and even editorial direction to reflect our core missions and vision as the local situation has adapted towards the worse, or for the better.  But as we take the year to celebrate our country's 250th birthday, much like we celebrated Ludington's…See More
Dec 31
2 Comments
XLFD replied to XLFD's discussion The Big Lyla
"Unfortunately, I never drink and drive, so I will never completely know for sure the answer to your first question.  But if it's equal justice under the law, shouldn't I get a ride home by our friendly LPD? But who am I kidding; I was…"
Dec 31

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LPD Privilege: Another Friendly DUI Released by LPD, Records not Released

Started by XLFD in Waving the Torch Around Our Area on Sunday. 0 Replies

This reporter has been arguing with those who coordinate the release of public records from the City of Ludington for 19 years running, so it's not surprising that we find ourselves at loggerheads…Continue

Goodbye Self-Serve Soda: McDonald’s Ends an Era — But at What Cost?

Started by XLFD in Torch Light Jan 6. 0 Replies

One of our contributors notices a disturbing trend that may come to the local McDonald's, a trend that may carry over to other area fast food chains and some of our mom-and-pop restaurants that…Continue

A Revocation of Equal Justice Under Law

Started by XLFD in Waving the Torch Around Our Area. Last reply by Freedom Seeker Jan 5. 3 Replies

On June 1, 2024, off-duty LPD Officer Austin Mendez was driving home after the bar closed and had fellow officer Noah Noble trailing behind him for about half a mile, half the time while his overhead…Continue

Mendez DUI Cover-up Continues, Goes All the Way to the Top

Started by XLFD in Waving the Torch Around Our Area. Last reply by XLFD Jan 2. 2 Replies

In our two decades of making Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests and receiving FOIA responses, one axiom has developed that has floated to the top when you are dealing with a government agency…Continue

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    About

    XLFD created this Ning Network.

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    Migration Update

    The elves of the Ludington Torch were hopeful that we could move from our current Ning 2.0 network to the Ning 3.0 network shortly after our five year anniversary, but we have got news from them back that they are not currently doing any new migrations to the higher platform at this time.  We surmise that there has been problems with the migrations of other Ning sites, because some things do not transfer very well or at all, including videos and group modules. 

    As they continue to…

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    Created by XLFD Jan 3, 2015 at 12:38am. Last updated by XLFD Jan 3, 2015.

    Spammertizing

    Over the last couple of months our members have swelled due to an advertising push by those who join, post an ad, provide a link, and possibly send messages to other members advocating some product or action.  While these are basically harmless if you ignore them, the Torch tech wizards cannot fully protect against the intruders.  I have eradicated about two dozen of these infidels, and will make it a practice to do so in the future. 

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    Created by XLFD Dec 28, 2012 at 12:02pm. Last updated by XLFD Dec 28, 2012.

    Downloading Videos

    Want to download videos for a thread or just to add to our Videos library, but are having a hard time figuring it out?  It's not hard once you know how to do it.  First you will need the Video's "Embed" code; on a typical video site like Youtube they will have a "share" button you need to click, you will then see an "Embed" button you need to click.  You will see the code all in blue, you need to "copy" (as in copy and paste) this code by going to your copy command.

    Now go to the…

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    Created by XLFD Nov 23, 2011 at 10:52am. Last updated by XLFD Nov 23, 2011.

    Each American generation passes the torch of truth, liberty and justice –- in an unbroken chain all the way down to the present

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