by Becky Andrus | Feb 23, 2021 | Regional News
Oakland County Warns Of COVID-19 Related Phone Scam
Pontiac, Michigan – Oakland County is warning the community of a potential scam related to COVID-19 vaccine appointments. According to reports, the caller is asking questions in order to schedule a vaccine appointment, and then is asking for personal and financial information.
“Oakland County will never ask for any financial information including credit card or social security numbers,” said Leigh-Anne Stafford, health officer for Oakland County. “If you are unsure if it is a scam, avoid sharing any personal information over the phone, and report it to the authorities.”
Concerned residents can report scam calls by calling the non-emergency phone number at the local police or Oakland County Sheriff’s Office.
Avoid becoming a victim of phone scams or identify theft by:
- Making a list of contact information for family members, close friends, health providers or anyone who might call regularly. This will help you know if the call is legitimate.
- Letting a call go to voicemail if you don’t recognize a phone number. Scammers rarely leave messages.
- Hanging up if a stranger asks for personal or financial information. If you do answer the phone, it’s OK to hang up.
- Remembering that government agencies will always identify themselves.
- Not sharing any personal information such as your social security number to anyone over the telephone.
For more information, visit www.oakgov.com/health or call Nurse on Call at 800-848-5533, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. and Saturday, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. For up-to-date public health information, follow @publichealthOC on Facebook and Twitter.
For media inquiries only please contact Bill Mullan, Oakland County media and communications officer, at 248-858-1048.
by Becky Andrus | Feb 23, 2021 | Regional News
Gov. Whitmer Lowers Flags to Honor 500,000 American Lives Lost to COVID-19
As of this order, the coronavirus has infected 581,403 and killed 15,362 people in Michigan.
LANSING, Mich. – Governor Gretchen Whitmer, in accordance with a proclamation issued by President Biden, has ordered U.S. and Michigan flags within the State Capitol Complex and upon all public buildings and grounds across the state of Michigan to be lowered to half-staff immediately through Friday, February 26 to honor and mourn those who have lost their lives due to COVID-19.
“As we lower the flags to honor and remember the 500,000 American lives, my heart is with the families of loved ones who passed away from this vicious virus,” Whitmer said. “Our nation grieves as we continue the fight to eradicate COVID-19. The quickest way out of the pandemic is through equitable distribution of the safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines. That’s why we are encouraging every Michigander to make a plan to get vaccinated when a vaccine becomes available. We can see the light at the end of the tunnel, and we will get through this pandemic together.”
The State of Michigan recognizes and mourns the lives lost to the coronavirus by lowering flags to half-staff. Michigan residents, businesses, schools, local governments and other organizations also are encouraged to display the flag at half-staff.
To lower flags to half-staff, flags should be hoisted first to the peak for an instant and then lowered to the half-staff position. The process is reversed before the flag is lowered for the day.
Flags should be returned to full-staff on Saturday, February 27, 2020.
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by Becky Andrus | Feb 23, 2021 | Regional News
PHOTOS: Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist II Toured Vaccination Operation at University of Michigan
Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist returned to his alma mater to see how the vaccination rollout was progressing and thank the hardworking Michiganders distributing the COVID-19 vaccine
ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Today, Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist II, along with Dr. Mark Schlissel, president of the University of Michigan, toured the University of Michigan vaccination operation, which is being operated out of the ‘Big House,’ University of Michigan’s football stadium.
“Governor Whitmer and I have made it a priority to tour and further understand how these vaccination sites are operating and to ensure that we’re equitably distributing the vaccine. I was proud to visit my alma mater and see this lifesaving work in real-time,” said Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist II. “It’s clear that our public health professionals, doctors, nurses, the Michigan National Guard, and volunteers are doing everything they can to get shots in arms, but they need more resources. It’s time for the legislature to come to the table and work with Governor Whitmer to pass the MI COVID Recovery Plan. This plan will allocate $90 million in federal funding to help us ramp up vaccine distribution in Michigan, bring us closer to our goal of 50,000 shots in arms per day and help us end the COVID-19 pandemic once and for all.”
As of last week, Michigan has administered 1,787,509 vaccines, moving the state closer to Governor Whitmer’s goal of equitably vaccinating at least 70% of Michiganders ages 16 and older as soon as possible. As part of these efforts, Michigan is working to administer 50,000 shots per day through Governor Whitmer’s MI COVID Recovery Plan, partnering with private organizations and nontraditional venues like the Big House to create more opportunities for Michigan residents to receive a vaccine.
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by Becky Andrus | Feb 22, 2021 | Environmental
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Feb. 22, 2021
Kirstin Clemens, EGLE scrap tire coordinator, [email protected], 517-614-7431
Jill A. Greenberg, EGLE spokesperson, [email protected], 517-897-4965
EGLE offers scrap tire cleanup, market development grants for 2021
The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) has announced availability of grants that promote and support the cleanup and reuse of scrap tires in Michigan. Grants also are accessible through EGLE for the development of markets that reuse scrap tires in Michigan.
Scrap tires pose a fire risk and a human health risk as mosquito breeding grounds. Through grants, scrap tires can be processed and used in paving products for roads, manufactured products and energy production.
The Scrap Tire Cleanup Grant is available for property owners to clean up old or abandoned scrap tire piles. EGLE will give priority to collection sites where tires were accumulated prior to Jan. 1, 1991, as well as collection sites that pose an imminent threat to public health, safety, welfare or the environment. Local units of government and non-profit organizations are also eligible for funding for cleanup days and roadside cleanup grants.
Scrap Tire Market Development Grants are available to fund up to 50 percent of total eligible costs for projects that demonstrate new or increased uses of scrap tires in manufactured products or paving projects. EGLE will prioritize proposals based on the amount of scrap tire material being used in developing the project or product, demonstration of a new use of scrap tire material and demonstration of a viable market for a proposed product.
To receive an application package for a grant, visit the Scrap Tire Cleanup Grant website or the Scrap Tire Market Development Grant website, and select the appropriate link or contact us at [email protected].
EGLE will accept Cleanup and Market Development Grant Applications with all supporting documentation received on or before 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, Friday, April 2, 2021. |
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by Becky Andrus | Feb 22, 2021 | Feature Writers, High School Sports
Covering all 22 OAA teams with insight and thoughts on each team from Northern Oakland County to Southern Oakland County.
Saturday, February 20, 2021
Inside the OAA Top 22 and Top 20 Basketball Rankings.
Written Sunday February 21st at 1:20 AM
Boys Top 22.
- North Farmington (4-0) – Raiders seem to be putting everything together at the right time.
- Ferndale (4-1) – Jason Drake and Traveon Lewis might be the best back court in the OAA.
- Clarkston (5-1) – Wolves still have some issues to fix.
- Troy (2-0) – Colts are in COVID protocol.
- Stoney Creek (3-1) – Cougars have had some battles lately.
- Troy Athens (3-1) – Red Hawks leaning on senior experience thus far.
- Southfield Arts and Tech (1-1) – Warriors are still a mystery team.
- Adams (4-2) – It wasn’t a good week for the Highlanders but beating Rochester was huge for their confidence.
- Berkley (3-2) – Arshad Walker has been the catalyst for the Bears.
- Pontiac (2-0) – Phoenix seems to be breaking out a bit.
- Rochester (2-3) – Falcons have been playing better lately.
- Bloomfield Hills (3-2) – Blackhawks are starting to figure some things out since their loss to Groves.
- Oak Park (1-3) – Knights have been up and down lately.
- West Bloomfield (0-5) – Lakers have played a tough schedule to their defense.
- Groves (1-3) – Falcons played better against Clarkston but still that overtime loss hurts.
- Lake Orion (3-2) – Dragons have the defense but the offense is missing in action.
- Oxford (2-3) – Wildcats can’t rely on Mason Mulholland to bail them out every night.
- Farmington (2-3) – When the Falcons play outside the Red they are pretty good.
- Seaholm (1-4) – Maples have been a hit or miss team lately.
- Avondale (2-2) – Yellow Jackets have won two straight since losing to Lake Orion.
- Royal Oak (0-3) – Ravens having a hard time putting together wins.
- Ferndale University (0-4) – Rising Eagles are struggling right now.
Girls Top 20.
- West Bloomfield (5-0) – Lakers really have no true weaknesses.
- Clarkston (4-1) – Wolves have been really good lately but the team ahead of them is better right now.
- Stoney Creek (5-0) – Mia Carson has played well at the point guard spot which is why the Cougars are where they are at.
- Farmington (5-1) – Falcons are buzzing with confidence right now.
- Troy (3-2) – If the Colts can get Alyssa Matuza and Charlotte Sobotka going to help Kendal Zeiter then the Colts could do some wonders.
- Groves (4-2) – Navaeh Otis has been playing really well and is getting better each week for the Falcons.
- Adams (3-1) – Maddie Doelinga has been the key for the Highlanders.
- Royal Oak (2-2) – Will the real Ravens please stand up???
- Rochester (3-2) – Falcons have been a very interesting team lately despite having some COVID issues.
- Lake Orion (2-4) – Dragons have played a brutal schedule. They are improving despite only scoring 40 points twice this season.
- Oxford (2-2) -Miranda Wymeniko has really filled in nicely for the Wildcats.
- Troy Athens (2-2, 3-2) – The Red Hawks will be as good as Gillian Ciak takes them.
- Seaholm (1-3) – Maples have been a mystery team.
- Berkley (1-3, 2-3) – How did the Bears blow an 11 point lead on Thursday night in Oxford???
- North Farmington (1-3) – Raiders can’t seem to close out games.
- Southfield Arts and Tech (0-3) – Warriors are putting up numbers but they are allowing more as well.
- Oak Park (1-0) – Knights haven’t played in a week.
- Ferndale University (1-1) – Rising Eagles haven’t played in a week.
- Bloomfield Hills (0-4) – Emelia Johnston has become a bright spot for the Blackhawks.
- Avondale (0-2, 0-4) – Yellow Jackets are not the same team that they were last season.
