The Michigan-Ohio border slices directly through one family’s property.
It’s more than just a fun fact. It means more money out of their pockets in more ways than one.
“Take a few steps this way…we are in Ohio,” Dennis Butch said outside his back door. “Do we look different in Ohio?”
When someone pulls up to Dennis Butch’s home, they know he’s a Michigan fan. But this story is about more than team spirit.
“We’re literally standing on it,” Butch said.
“So, it’s in line with that fence, correct?” Local 4 asked.
“That fence and this fence there,” Butch asked.
Butch’s dog, Virgil, makes the long journey from their back door to Ohio often.
“He’s well traveled?” Local 4 said.
“He’s well traveled,” Butch said.
Most of the time, it’s fun and games.
“We do have a party or two now and then where we have a true border battle. There’s not many places that can do that,” Butch said.
Their driveway is barely in Michigan, which means Michigan car insurance – and a pretty penny to cover his four cars.
“$3,600 for six months, here. Same there, about $2,200,” Butch said.
That’s about 64% more for Michigan versus Ohio.
The way you get billed can come down to where the utilities land, where the meter sits, and what address is tied to it.
Butch started shopping for savings and found a crafty workaround using this backyard shed.
“I’m going to call Toledo-Edison and say, ‘Hey, I have an address, a legitimate mailing address’ and put a mailbox out by the church,” he said.
A few feet will save them thousands.
“And I will send you a gift card for a meal somewhere,” Butch said.