Halloween and drunk driving

Take precautions: Name a designated driver before your celebration starts

Halloween is marked by spooky costumes and parties that can be a lot of fun - unless the drinking gets out of hand.  Party hosts need to be sure that their guests can safely drive home. And if they can't, they should have a back-up plan, with designated drivers or taxis at the ready.  The National Highway Transportation and Safety Administration is targeting the holiday with an anti-drunk driving campaign. NHTSA's messages to the public: "Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over," "Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving," and "They'll See You Before You See Them" - meaning you don't know where the police are looking for drunk party-goers.  So plan before you party and drive this Halloween!

Do you have a local election Nov. 3?

Not all communities are holding elections on Nov. 3, but scores of cities and townships are. Check here to see if yours is one of them! Want to make sure you're registered, see a sample ballot or find your polling place? You can click here for this and more information.

Where is the SOS Mobile Office next?

- Wednesday, Oct. 21 in Gibraltar - At the City Park Pavilion at 29340 S. Gibraltar Road, from noon to 6 p.m.

- Friday, Oct. 30 in Battle Creek - At the veterans’ “Stand Down” event from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Full Blast, 35 Hamblin Road. The event also includes the Project Connect Calhoun County Homeless Health Fair.

- Saturday, Oct. 31 in Garden City - At the city’s Community Day from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at City Hall, 6000 Middlebelt Road. The day includes a document-shredding service from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Residents and businesses can bring up to five bags of sensitive documents to be shredded at no charge. They are also encouraged to bring non-perishable foods to be donated to the H.O.M.E. Food Pantry.

FAST FACTS: How Michigan picks candidates for its presidential primary

The 2016 Presidential Primary is March 8. How do candidates get on the ballot? 

On Nov. 13, the Department of State issues a “list of the individuals generally advocated by the national news media to be potential candidates” for major party nominations, as required by Michigan law.

On Nov. 17, the chairpersons of the state Republican Party and Democratic Party may also add to the potential candidates.

On Dec. 11, any GOP or Democratic candidates not on the ballot can file nominating petitions. 

More details here.

It's National Teen Driver Safety Week!

Don't forget to tell your teen about the "Five to Drive" rules (see above) during Teen Driver Safety Week, Oct. 18-24. 

More on safe driving for teens.

Have a Question?

You'll find many answers online at our Frequently Asked Questions page.

You also can seek help by emailing us via our Contact Page or by calling our customer help line at 888-SOS-MICH (767-6424).