by Becky Andrus | Aug 31, 2021 | Regional News
Board Healthy Aging Ad Hoc Committee, Area Agency on Aging 1-B hosting town halls to identify gaps in senior services
August 31, 2021, OAKLAND COUNTY, MI. – The Oakland County Board of Commissioners’ Healthy Aging Oakland County Ad Hoc Committee will be hosting four town halls throughout Oakland County, in partnership with the Area Agency on Aging 1-B (AAA 1-B), to identify gaps in services for senior residents. Officials from the committee and AAA 1-B will provide a brief presentation on areas of need and opportunity for senior programming. Following the presentation, participants will be invited to complete a survey to provide their input, which will be used to address the challenges and opportunities created by the aging of the county’s senior population.
“If we’re looking to make life easier for older adults, we have to make sure we’re listening to their questions and concerns during the process,” Commissioner Kristen Nelson (D-Waterford Twp.), who chairs the committee, said. “I’m excited to get to know our communities better and help such a large portion of our residents.”
The town halls will be hosted in person. Attendees can attend in person or remotely. No registration is required, and the agenda will be the same for all meetings. The host organizations are inviting any Oakland County senior to complete a feedback survey, which will also be distributed at the town halls.
“We are grateful that the Board of Commissioners is committed to improving the quality of life for older Oakland County residents and their family caregivers,” Michael Karson, AAA 1-B CEO, said. “I encourage seniors and stakeholders to attend and share your ideas on how we can make Oakland County a better place for us to live, retire, and age in place.”
The town halls will take place:
- 10 a.m., Thursday, September 23
City Council Chamber
45175 W. 10 Mile Rd.
Novi, MI 48375
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- 1:30 p.m., Thursday, September 23
Senior Community Center-Bartsch Hall
6000 Clarkston Rd.
Independence Township, MI 48348
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- 10 a.m., Friday, September 24
Orion Center
1335 Joslyn Rd.
Lake Orion, MI 48360
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- 1 p.m., Friday, September 24
Community Center – Room 304
3179 Livernois Rd.
Troy, MI 48083
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Those who wish to attend remotely can do so at the time of their chosen meeting using the below information.
For more information about the Board of Commissioners, please visit
www.oakgov.com/boc or call 248- 858-0100.
by Becky Andrus | Aug 30, 2021 | Local News
Animal Control Officers Rescued Dozens of Animals from Independence Township Home
A Total of 100 Animals but 16 Dead
Pontiac, Michigan – Oakland County Animal Shelter and Pet Adoption Center rescued dozens of animals Tuesday afternoon from a home in the 6000-block of Northview Drive in Independence Township after animal control officers responded to the home for a welfare check. After receiving a tip, officers discovered dogs, cats, rabbits, ferrets, and a bearded dragon that were living in highly unsanitary conditions and showing signs of illness.
Among 82 cats were many who were in distress due to high temperatures in the home, which lacked air conditioning and airflow. The temperature in the home was higher than the outdoor temperature which was in the 80s. Tragically, nine of the cats were dead at the scene, two died in transit, and two more died overnight at the shelter. Veterinary staff euthanized an additional three cats because of their deteriorating health from an infectious disease. Sixty-six cats remained alive as of Thursday afternoon.
In addition, there were eight ferrets, five dogs, four rabbits, and one bearded dragon, all of whom are alive. Veterinary and shelter staff are evaluating and caring for the 84 remaining animals at the shelter.
Animal control officers obtained permission from the resident and her spouse to enter and inspect the home when they arrived on scene. Because of the condition of the animals, with many needing immediate veterinary attention, the officers removed them from the home and brought them to Oakland County Animal Shelter and Pet Adoption Center.
The resident of the home and her husband told animal control officers they were providing “care” for the cats as part of their involvement with a cat rescue organization. She surrendered ownership of them to the shelter. Some of the animals, however, were privately owned by the resident and another adult tenant of the house who had recently moved in. Neither relinquished ownership of those animals despite all the animals being removed from the home. Consequently, Oakland County Animal Shelter and Pet Adoption Center will begin forfeiture proceedings.
This case remains under investigation. When complete, animal control officers will present the results to the Oakland County Prosecutor’s Officer for review and consideration of criminal charges.
by Becky Andrus | Aug 30, 2021 | Recreation
| Opportunities to get involved with the Michigan DNR for September 2021 |
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DNR Get Involved – September 2021
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Here are a few ways to get involved in taking care of Michigan’s natural resources in September. For more opportunities to volunteer, contribute and provide input, visit Michigan.gov/DNRVolunteers.
 Several state parks in southern Michigan have volunteer stewardship workdays coming up in September. Volunteers are needed to help remove invasive plants that threaten high-quality ecosystems in the parks.
Please note that registration is required for all volunteer workdays.
Workdays will take place:
- 8:30 to 11 a.m. Friday, Sept. 3, at Fort Custer Recreation Area (Kalamazoo County).
- 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Sept. 11, at Bald Mountain Recreation Area (Oakland County).
- 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 11, at Muskegon State Park (Muskegon County).
- 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 12, at Algonac State Park (St. Clair County)
- 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 12, at Yankee Springs Recreation Area (Barry County).
- 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Sept. 18, at Belle Isle Park (Wayne County).
- 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Sept. 18, at Warren Woods State Park (Berrien County).
- 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 19, at Waterloo Recreation Area (Washtenaw County).
- 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 19, at Hoffmaster State Park (Muskegon County).
- 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Sept. 25, at Grand Mere State Park (Berrien County).
- 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 25, at Island Lake Recreation Area (Livingston County).
- 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 26, at Pinckney Recreation Area (Washtenaw County).
- Noon to 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 26, at Ludington State Park (Mason County).
More details about each workday and how to register can be found on the DNR volunteer events calendar. |
 The DNR responsibly manages 3.9 million acres of state forest land using techniques such as timber harvests, planting and prescribed burns to keep forests thriving and healthy.
To make the work more efficient and easier to oversee, the DNR divides those millions of acres into 15 forest management units, which are further divided into compartments. Management activity in each forest management unit is finalized two years in advance. This summer and fall, recommendations for 2023 are being presented.
Open houses for 2021 are virtual, and you can give input by email, phone or mail during the designated time frame. This is a great opportunity to offer input to foresters, wildlife biologists and other DNR professionals regarding forest plans.
After the end of each comment period, a public compartment review meeting will take place, where foresters present the DNR’s final decisions on management activities. The DNR reviews 10% of the state forest annually. That equates to about 400,000 acres or roughly 220 compartments.
For more information, including a link to the interactive forest map showing details of all forest management activities, visit Michigan.gov/ForestInput.
Below are the comment periods taking place in September and the related compartment reviews. Contact the area unit manager to make arrangements to view the compartment review meeting online or listen over the phone.
- Crystal Falls: Comments through Sept. 16; compartment review is Oct. 28. Contact Dan McNamee, 906-875-6622.
- Grayling: Comments Sept. 7-Oct. 7; compartment review is Oct. 21. Contact Thomas Barnes, 989-348-6371, ext. 7440.
- Gwinn: Comments through Sept. 21; compartment review is Oct. 12. Contact Kristen Matson, 906-346-9201.
- Newberry: Comments Sept. 14-Oct. 14; compartment review is Oct. 26. Contact Keith Magnusson, 906-291-0120.
- Sault Ste. Marie: Comments through Sept. 15; compartment review is Oct. 5. Contact Karen Rodock, 906-875-1039.
- Shingleton: Comments Aug. 31-Sept. 30; compartment review is Oct. 14. Contact Bob Burnham, 906-420-1645.
See a full comment period schedule. |
 On the Ground – Michigan United Conservation Clubs’ volunteer wildlife habitat improvement program in partnership with the DNR – is looking for volunteers for the following projects in September.
Prairie Restoration at Pierce Cedar Creek Institute in Hastings (Barry County)
9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 11
Help remove woody vegetation to begin restoring a prairie located on publicly accessible Pierce Cedar Creek Institute land. To prepare the field for a prescribed burn and other ecological restoration efforts, a hedgerow and other woody shrubs need to be removed from a 5-acre field. This project will benefit a variety of native wildlife and pollinator species. All necessary equipment, including personal protective equipment, will be provided, although volunteers are encouraged to bring their own work gloves. All registered volunteers will receive a free lunch and volunteer appreciation gift.
Register for prairie restoration event.
Tree Planting in the Escanaba River State Forest (Menominee County)
9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 18
Help plant and fence more than 100 native trees and shrubs to improve wildlife habitat throughout openings within the Escanaba River State Forest near Daggett Township. These native, mast-producing trees will benefit a variety of wildlife including ring-necked pheasant, wild turkey, ruffed grouse, golden-winged warbler and American woodcock. Shovels and all necessary equipment will be provided, although volunteers are encouraged to bring their own work gloves if possible. All registered volunteers will receive a free lunch and volunteer appreciation gift.
Register for tree-planting event. |
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The beloved Pigeon River Country State Forest in the northern Lower Peninsula recently added two new properties, and we need your input on how outdoor enthusiasts will access this land to hike, fish, hunt, view elk and more. Share your thoughts via two short surveys, available now through Sept. 17, and help us shape the type of recreation opportunities and access, including motorized access, offered in each area. |
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Check out new NotMISpecies webinar series sessions for an abundance of information, resources and field experiences to help identify and manage invasive species in Michigan. Sept. 15, it’s “Fowl play,” exploring the work of protecting managed waterfowl hunt areas from the threat of invasives. Oct. 21, learn about how volunteering for a state park stewardship workday can help manage invasive species with “Just Do it!” |
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by Becky Andrus | Aug 30, 2021 | Local News
Orion residents, here’s your chance to win a $100 gift card. All you have to do is scan the QR code and complete the survey. It only takes 5 minutes!
by Becky Andrus | Aug 30, 2021 | Regional News
Governor Whitmer on Loss of U.S. Service Members in Afghanistan
LANSING, Mich.—Governor Gretchen Whitmer issued the following statement after the loss of American troops in a deadly bombing attack in Kabul, Afghanistan.
“Earlier today, terrorists killed 12 American service members, at least 60 Afghans, and injured hundreds at the airport in Kabul.
“Our men and women in uniform represent the best of us. They put their lives on the line to keep us safe and help those in danger. This devastating loss leaves a hole in all of our hearts. Every Michigander is thinking of our fallen and wounded service members and their families. We will continue to closely monitor the situation and honor the memory of the extraordinary Americans we lost today.
“We are praying for the safety of those still on the ground in Afghanistan continuing the mission.”
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