by Becky Andrus | Dec 3, 2020 | Regional News
MEDIA ADVISORY – Oakland Together Restaurant Relief Program Offers Another $10 Million To Aid Restaurants Impacted By COVID-19
Oakland Together Restaurant Relief Program Offers Another $10 Million To Aid Restaurants Impacted By COVID-19
Who
David Coulter, Oakland County Executive
David T. Woodward, Board of Commissioners Chairman Sean Carlson, Deputy County Executive Drew Ciora, Owner of the Royal Oak Brewery
What
Oakland County Executive David Coulter and Board of Commissioners Chairman David T. Woodward will unveil details of $10 million in Oakland Together Restaurant Relief program for restaurants struggling because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Categories will include general operational assistance, help to adapt facilities for outside service, and aid to reopen safely. Further details will b released at the news conference.
When
Dec 3, 2020, 1:30 PM
Additional Info
The news conference will stream live on the Oakland County Executive Facebook page (@OakGov.EO). Journalists who are unable to attend in person may text questions to 248-202-9668. With your question, please include your name and organization. Because of the pandemic, the news conference will be held outdoors in front of the Royal Oak Brewery. Masks will be available for those who arrive without one. For media inquiries only, please contact Bill Mullan, Oakland County media and communications officer, at 248-858-1048.
by Becky Andrus | Dec 3, 2020 | Regional News
Media Statement
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Dec. 2, 2020
CONTACT: Bob Wheaton, 517-241-2112, wheatonb@michigan.gov
Statement from MDHHS Director Robert Gordon on latest favorable
court ruling in Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association lawsuit
“We are happy that today’s ruling keeps in place measures that will save lives by limiting specific indoor gatherings that greatly increase the risk of COVID-19 spread. The science is settled: public health experts from around the nation and world say these types of actions must be taken to prevent the health care system from being overwhelmed by COVID-19 cases. These protocols on specific indoor gatherings, along with wearing face masks, social distancing and frequent handwashing, give Michigan a fact-based approach to slow the spread of COVID-19 so we can return to a strong economy and get back to normal safely as soon as we can.” |
by Becky Andrus | Dec 3, 2020 | Uncategorized
Governor Whitmer Recognizes Today as Persons With Disabilities Day
LANSING, MICH. — Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed a proclamation designating today as Day of Persons With Disabilities in Michigan to acknowledge the unique challenges that those with disabilities face.
“As we continue to fight the COVID-19 pandemic here in Michigan, we must continue working around the clock to protect people with disabilities and compromised immune systems,” said Governor Whitmer. “Today is a time to recommit ourselves to creating a state where persons with disabilities have equal rights and freedom, and to dismantle the barriers Michiganders with disabilities face every day.”
In Michigan, 27% of residents have disabilities, and this percentage increases with age demographics. People with disabilities face hardships with regard to securing employment, health care and education. Governor Whitmer is committed to protecting health care for those with preexisting conditions and creating a state that provides opportunities for everyone.
In 2019, the Michigan Developmental Disabilities Council (DD Council), an advocacy organization housed within the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, launched a multi-year campaign aimed at creating fully inclusive communities, educational environments and employment opportunities for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD).
The initial campaign encouraged employers to hire individuals with I/DD and advocated for individuals with I/DD to be welcomed and engaged as contributing members of their communities by friends, neighbors and family members. This year the DD Council expanded the campaign to include voting rights for individuals with disabilities. Leading up to the election, the campaign focused on individuals with disabilities right to vote, including those with guardians, and provided guidance to have accessible voting.
As the state continues to grapple with the COVID-19 pandemic, persons with disabilities are especially vulnerable due to the virus’s increased rate of severity in those with preexisting conditions. Michiganders must do their part by continuing to wear a mask, maintaining physical distance from others, and washing their hands frequently.
To view the proclamation, click the link below:
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by Becky Andrus | Dec 2, 2020 | Recreation
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DNR Get Involved – December 2020
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Here are a few ways to get involved in taking care of Michigan’s natural resources in December. For more opportunities to volunteer, contribute and provide input, visit Michigan.gov/DNRVolunteers.
 Several state parks in southern Michigan will host volunteer stewardship workdays in December. Volunteers are needed to help with removing invasive plants that threaten high-quality ecosystems in the parks.
Please note that preregistration is required for all volunteer workdays, and participation may be limited due to social distancing requirements.
Although these are outdoor programs and proper social distancing of at least 6 feet is required, participants are asked to wear a face covering at the beginning of the day when volunteers are gathered more closely during instruction.
Workdays will take place:
- Saturday, Dec. 5, 9 a.m. to noon at Bald Mountain Recreation Area (Oakland County)
- Sunday, Dec. 6, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Waterloo Recreation Area (Washtenaw County)
- Saturday, Dec. 12, 9 a.m. to noon at Belle Isle Park (Wayne County)
- Sunday, Dec. 13, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Brighton Recreation Area (Livingston County)
- Saturday, Dec. 19, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Island Lake Recreation Area (Livingston County)
- Sunday, Dec. 20, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Pinckney Recreation Area (Washtenaw County)
More details about each workday can be found on the DNR volunteer events calendar. |
 Online registration for the Run for the Trees / Happy Little Virtual 5K is now open.
Taking place April 22-30, 2021, this virtual race – bookended by Earth Day and Arbor Day – supports state parks, with all proceeds going toward Happy Little Tree-planting and preservation efforts in the parks.
You can choose to walk, run or hike, and you pick the pace and the place, as long as it’s outdoors.
Cost is $34 per person. Everyone who participates gets a keepsake Happy Little T-shirt, commemorative bib and finisher’s medal featuring a real Bob Ross painting.
The 2021 event is capped at 20,000 participants.
Entries to the Bob Ross-inspired Happy Little Virtual 5K also make great holiday gifts!
Through a partnership with Bob Ross Inc. and funding from the U.S. Forest Service Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, the DNR’s Happy Little Trees program helps state park campgrounds recover from invasive forest pests/diseases, like emerald ash borer and oak wilt, that damage or kill trees. Learn more at Michigan.gov/DNRHappyLittleTrees. |
 A new segment of Michigan’s Iron Belle Trail currently under development will add about 20 miles to the trail’s planned 828-mile biking route, but project managers also plan to add layers of story to this stretch that connects Higgins Lake Nursery and the Civilian Conservation Corps Museum at North Higgins Lake State Park with Hartwick Pines State Park – and you can help.
Led by the Michigan History Center, this heritage trail project in Crawford County – unofficially dubbed the Forest Heritage Trail – is welcoming local history stories as part of Michigan’s Heritage Trails program. The Center is partnering with Central Michigan University and local stakeholders to identify the unique and critical history of the area and plan for a series of interpretive informational signs for people to enjoy while exploring the trail.
Heritage stories about the Forest Heritage Trail do not have to directly connect to or be about the forest.
Want to learn more about the project and share some stories? Join in a virtual meeting from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 9. Advance registration for the meeting is not needed; just visit TinyURL.com/Forest-Heritage-Trail around 6:50 p.m. to sign in and join the meeting. |
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If you have eastern hemlock trees on your property – or if you’re out in the woods enjoying the outdoors – winter is the optimum time to look for evidence of hemlock woolly adelgid, invasive insects that can cause significant harm to Michigan’s hemlock trees. Learn how to identify and report them at Michigan.gov/HWA. |
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by Becky Andrus | Dec 2, 2020 | Regional News
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2020
CONTACT: Kim Nowack, Mackinac Bridge Authority, 906-643-7600
Police investigating illegal climber on the Mackinac Bridge
December 2, 2020 — The Michigan State Police is investigating a case of felony trespassing on the Mackinac Bridge, discovered after photos of the incident were posted on social media.
“This is not a harmless stunt; it’s inexcusably reckless,” said MBA Executive Secretary Kim Nowack. “This individual risked not only his own life but also the lives of those crossing the bridge beneath him, and would have threatened the safety of emergency personnel and Mackinac Bridge Authority (MBA) staff had a rescue been needed.”
Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) Director Paul C. Ajegba, a member of the MBA, underscored the need for a thorough examination of security protocols.
“It is very troubling that someone would put their own life at risk not to mention that of others just for photos and thrills on our state’s signature bridge,” Ajegba said. “While the Michigan State Police continue their investigation, I have also asked the MDOT employees at the bridge to conduct a thorough review and implement measures to prevent future incursions.”
Michigan State Police (MSP) D/Sgt. Gary Demers at the St. Ignace Post said the person responsible could be facing felony charges of trespassing at a key transportation facility, section 750.552c of the Michigan Penal Code.
“This matter is being investigated by MSP,” said Demers. “We will use all of our resources to identify and prosecute this individual.”
After MBA staff became aware of photos posted on social media, apparently shot from the top of one of the bridge towers, they reviewed an incident where an alarm was activated on the bridge early one morning in early November. Though staff investigated the alarm, they could not immediately determine how it was activated. When another alarm was activated several hours later, they observed someone leaving the bridge. Local police were called to investigate but the person could not be located.
