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As local motorists gas up to travel this Memorial Day weekend, they may be glad to leave the headaches of driving in Metro Detroit behind, at least temporarily.

From potholes to construction to confusing roundabouts to sky-high auto insurance rates, motoring in and around the Motor City comes with a high frustration factor.

Why does it feel like driving in Metro Detroit is such a drag? You're not imagining it — the data backs it up. Researchers at WalletHub, for example, ranked Detroit 94th out of the 100 biggest cities in America for drivers last year.

A real estate company has withdrawn its application for a potential data center in Washington Township, but indicated that it may return with another proposal in the future.

Prologis, a San Francisco-based real estate company, proposed developing a technical campus on 312 acres south of 32 Mile Road last year. Washington Township Supervisor Sam Previti posted on Facebook on Tuesday that the company has now withdrawn its rezoning application, and the matter will be removed from the township's June 11 planning commission agenda.

Want to own a piece of White Stripes history? Place your bid.

Eleven items dating back to the Detroit band's influential run as one of the world's top rock acts are currently being auctioned by Julien's Auctions, which specializes in pop culture artifacts.

Among the items up for bid are a lacy cocktail dress worn in the Stripes' 2001 music video for their hit "Hotel Yorba," a personalized Zippo lighter once cherished by frontman Jack White and an industry platinum sales award for the band's 2003 album "Elephant."

Who knew Vernor's was 160 years old? I did not.

>Taking place on the afternoon of June 14 on Riopelle Street in Eastern Market, the party will include a street-wide toast to the iconic brand. One highlight is the return of Vernor's ice cream, which hasn't been seen since the 1980s, according to organizers.

>Naturally, the event is being organized by the Vernor's Club, and several Eastern Market businesses have also partnered to be part of the festivities.

That's a fish story: Five fishermen found themselves in hot water after taking more than their legal limit of walleye from the Detroit River, officials said. Officials said the group exceeded the daily legal limit by 34 walleye. The daily legal limit is six per angler.

The group from northern Michigan was caught Friday after fishing on the river near Milliken State Park, east of downtown on Atwater Street near Orleans, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources said.

Haven't we seen this before?

Letters sent Thursday to the Michigan Bureau of Elections allege that two of the leading Republican candidates for governor, John James and Perry Johnson, have numerous invalid signatures on the petition sheets needed to secure spots on the August primary ballot.

The challenges come as the state Bureau of Elections combs through candidate signatures to ensure gubernatorial hopefuls have the 15,000 valid signatures required to appear on the Aug. 4 ballot.

State election officials eventually will present their findings to the Michigan Board of State Canvassers, which will make the ultimate call regarding the candidates' eligibility. The letters sent to the Bureau of Elections ahead of Thursday's deadline flagged several alleged issues in the signatures, including suspicious handwriting, ineligible signers and duplicate signatures.

The James campaign dismissed the challenge submitted against it and chalked it up as an unserious distraction.

The Grand Hotel has apparently gotten a subtle refresh. From the story:

The operator of the historic Grand Hotel spent $20 million over the past six months to restore its original elegance and design with such care that some visitors may not immediately recognize the subtle differences. Things feel brighter and fresher, yet tradition is undisturbed.

“You can go anywhere and get luxury. But this is special. There’s no other place like it in the world,” said Marlene Brewbaker, a retired dentist and church music director from Okemos.