DETROIT (AP) — A Detroit business owner accused of spitting on a security guard at a popular open air market has appeared in court on a misdemeanor assault and battery charge. Robert Stanzler was arraigned Tuesday in 36th District Court. An Aug. 2 pre-trial hearing was scheduled. The spitting incident occurred July 17 over a parking issue during an event at Eastern Market. The security guard turned over a cellphone recording of the incident to police. The 50-year-old Stanzler was taken into custody at the scene and later released. A magistrate ordered him Tuesday to have no contact with the security guard. Stanzler’s attorney, Dean Elliott, declined to comment Tuesday on the charge. Stanzler has been suspended from selling merchandise from his retail business at Eastern Market.
LANSING, Mich. (AP) — The Michigan elections bureau says enough voter signatures have been submitted by proponents of ballot drives to raise the minimum wage and require employers to provide paid sick time. The bureau released reports Tuesday. The Board of State Canvassers could certify the signatures at a meeting Thursday. Business groups have challenged the petitions, but the challenges were rejected by the bureau. A lawsuit filed by restaurants opposing the minimum wage proposal is pending in the courts. If certified, the measures would go to the Republicanled Legislature. If it did not act, the proposals would be placed on the November ballot. Proponents want to gradually raise the minimum wage to $12 an hour and require a minimum amount of earned sick time, depending on the size of a business.
BATTLE CREEK, Mich. (AP) — FireKeepers Casino Hotel in southern Michigan plans to expand its hotel by building a second tower. The Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi announced Monday that an aim is to attract more people from across the Midwest to the casino and hotel near Battle Creek. They also hope to bring in new and larger conventions and business meetings. FireKeepers Casino Hotel opened its 243-room hotel tower in 2012. The tribe, which operates the casino, says occupancy at the hotel has exceeded 95 percent for the last year. FireKeepers’ attractions include nearly 3,000 slot machines, 70 table games and a poker room.
LONDON (AP) — A closely watched survey is showing that economic growth across the 19-country eurozone moderated at the start of the third quarter. Financial information firm IHS Markit said Tuesday that its purchasing managers index — a broad gauge of business activity — for the eurozone eased to 54.3 in July from 54.9 in June. Though still above the 50 mark that means the economy continues to grow, the firm said weakened new order inflows and reduced business expectations of future activity fostered a downbeat picture. The July reading, if sustained over the following two months, indicates quarterly economic growth of 0.4 percent, down from the anticipated 0.5 percent in the second quarter. Official figures for the second quarter are due at the end of the month.
BERLIN (AP) — Volkswagen AG says Markus Duesmann is joining its management board from German competitor BMW. It isn’t confirming a German newspaper report that the plan is for him to become CEO of the automaker’s Audi unit. Volkswagen said its supervisory board offered a job to Duesmann, currently the BMW board member overseeing that company’s purchasing and supplier network. It said in a statement Tuesday he “will take up his new position as soon as he is able to do so. An agreement to this effect has already been signed.” VW didn’t say what exactly Duesmann’s job will be. German business daily Handelsblatt, citing unnamed company sources, reported that he is slated to become Audi’s new boss. Audi CEO Rupert Stadler was arrested last month in an investigation of suspected fraud.