Flags Lowered to Honor Former State Rep. Douglas A. Bennett 

Flags Lowered to Honor Former State Rep. Douglas A. Bennett 

by | Aug 9, 2021 | Regional News

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 6, 2021

Contact: [email protected]

 

Gov. Whitmer Lowers Flags to Honor Former State Rep. Douglas A. Bennett

 

Lansing, Mich. — Governor Whitmer has ordered U.S. and Michigan flags within the State Capitol Complex to be lowered to half-staff on Saturday, August 7 to honor the life and service of former State Rep. Douglas A. Bennett. The flag honors will coincide with his celebration of life.

 

“Our state mourns the loss of former State Representative Doug Bennett,” Governor Whitmer said. “It was an honor to serve alongside him in the House. He will be remembered for his dedicated service to the Muskegon area. I extend my deepest condolences to his family and loved ones during this difficult time.”

 

Bennett was born on October 24, 1945 in Muskegon, Michigan. He was a graduate of Ravenna High School in 1964, and began his Steamfitter’s apprenticeship at U.A. Local #174. He was elected Business Manager of U.A. Local #154 in 1983. He served as Muskegon County Commissioner from 1999 to 2004, and as State Representative for the 92nd District from 2004 to 2010.

 

Bennett passed away July 16, 2021 at the age of 75 years old.

 

The State of Michigan recognizes the duty, honor and selfless service of former state Rep. Douglas A. Bennett 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 Sunday, August 8.
AG Applauds COA Ruling Related to Ethnic Intimidation

AG Applauds COA Ruling Related to Ethnic Intimidation

by | Aug 5, 2021 | Regional News

Attorney General Dana Nessel

Media Contact:

Lynsey Mukomel
517-599-2746

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Thursday, August 5, 2021

AG Nessel Applauds COA Ruling Related to Ethnic Intimidation Against Transgender Individuals

LANSING – Today, in People v Deonton Rogers, the Michigan Court of Appeals ruled that Michigan’s ethnic intimidation statute protects individuals who are targeted because of their gender, including intimidation against transgender individuals. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel previously filed amicus briefs in the Michigan Court of Appeals and Michigan Supreme Court supporting this outcome.

“The transgender community is at heightened risk for intimidation and bias-based crimes, and I applaud the Court for making clear that gender intimidation includes intimidation based on a person being transgender,” Nessel said. “I also want to thank Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy and the Fair Michigan Justice Project for their dedication to protecting vulnerable communities from violence by pursuing this important case.”

In the case, defendant Deonton Rogers is alleged to have intimidated and threatened a transgender woman as she entered a gas station in 2018 in Detroit. Rogers allegedly prodded her with insulting remarks, showed her that he had a gun, and threatened to kill her. The victim believed Rogers to be serious and attempted to pull the gun away; the gun went off, hitting the victim in the shoulder and requiring her hospitalization.

After Rogers was bound over on an ethnic intimidation charge, among others, the circuit court quashed it. On appeal, and contrary to Nessel’s position in her arguments to the Court, the Court of Appeals initially agreed that Rogers’ conduct did not fall within the ethnic intimidation statute. Ultimately, the Michigan Supreme Court remanded the case to the Court of Appeals to reconsider its ruling. Nessel filed an amicus brief in the Michigan Supreme Court prior to that ruling.

Today, the Court of Appeals changed course, holding in part that a “plain reading of the statute would dictate that, whenever a complainant’s gender was the impetus for the intimidating or harassing behavior, the conduct falls within the ethnic-intimidation statute.”

Thus, the Court of Appeals reinstated the ethnic intimidation charge and remanded for further proceedings.

“Incidents like these are unfortunately far too common in the transgender community,” Nessel said.  “Since taking office, I have fought for all Michiganders – especially those who are often the target of hate crimes. This ruling supports that priority and reinforces our most basic and fundamental protections under the law.”

Most recently, in June, Nessel declared unconstitutional a state law requiring “sex-reassignment surgery” to change the sex designation on a birth certificate in Attorney General Opinion #7313. She also enacted a department-wide Transgender Policy that same month.
State of Emergency White Lake, Armada Township, Village of Armada

State of Emergency White Lake, Armada Township, Village of Armada

by | Aug 5, 2021 | Regional News

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

August 5, 2021

Contact: [email protected]

 

Gov. Whitmer Declares State of Emergency for White Lake, Armada Townships, and the Village of Armada Due to Storm and Tornado Damage

 

LANSING, Mich. – Governor Gretchen Whitmer today declared a state of emergency for White Lake, Armada Townships, and the Village of Armada due to damage caused by severe thunderstorms and tornadoes that moved through the area on July 24 and 25.

 

“These communities were hit hard by the late July storms and tornados and our recovery efforts will continue to get people the help they need, where they need it, as soon as possible,” said Governor Whitmer. “A state declaration ensures state assistance gets to  areas affected by the severe weather as soon as possible, and we will keep monitoring the situation to help communities recover and rebuild.”

 

By declaring a state of emergency, Governor Whitmer has made available all state resources in9 cooperation with local response and recovery efforts in the designated area. The declaration authorizes the Michigan State Police, Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division (MSP/EMHSD) to coordinate state efforts above and beyond what MSP/EMHSD has provided in conjunction with local agencies.

 

On July 24, a tornado touched down in Armada Township, just outside of Armada Village. The storm moved through the village, and significantly impacted properties both in the village and the township.

 

“The immediate response efforts in Armada were an amazing example of a community coming together during a crisis,” said Macomb County Executive Mark A. Hackel. “As we transition to our rebuilding efforts, this designation from the state will provide much needed resources for residents and local businesses. I want to thank the Governor for her declaration and commitment to support this community.”

 

On July 25, in White Lake Township, a severe thunderstorm and a tornado caused widespread or severe damage, or loss of life or property.

 

“Gov. Whitmer’s prompt action to declare a state of emergency in communities impacted by the tornado opens the door to resources our townships need to get their lives and properties back to normal,” said Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter. “I know they are breathing a sigh of relief in White Lake today.”

 

In response, on July 25, 2021, the townships of White Lake and Armada and the Village of Armada each declared local states of emergency, and local disaster response and recovery operations were activated. Armada Township and the Village of Armada formally requested a governor’s declaration on July 30. White Lake Township formally requested a governor’s declaration on July 29. By requesting a governor’s declaration, the cities have determined local resources are insufficient to address the situation.

 

Governor Whitmer’s declaration concludes that state assistance is required to protect health, safety and property and to lessen or avert the threat of more severe and lasting harm.

 

To view a copy of EO 2021-10, click the link below:

 
MDHHS issues updated COVID-19 school guidance

MDHHS issues updated COVID-19 school guidance

by | Aug 5, 2021 | Health and Wellness

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Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 4, 2021

CONTACT: Lynn Sutfin, 517-241-2112, SutfinL1@michigan.gov

MDHHS issues updated COVID-19 school guidance
to help keep kids and educators healthy

LANSING, Mich. – Today, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) issued updated recommendations for schools designed to help prevent transmission of COVID-19 within school buildings, reduce disruptions to in-person learning and help protect vulnerable individuals and individuals who are not fully vaccinated.

The guidance has been updated to reflect the most current recommendations by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on masking and prevention strategies to help operate schools more safely. It includes guidance on assessing risk levels when making decisions about implementing layered prevention strategies against COVID-19.

“We are committed to ensuring Michigan students and educators are safe in the classroom, including those who may not yet be vaccinated,” said Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, chief medical executive and chief deputy for health at MDHHS. “MDHHS is issuing this guidance to help protect Michiganders of all ages. We continue to urge all eligible residents to get the safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine as soon as possible as it is our best defense against the virus and the way we are going to end this pandemic.”

“Our students and staff need to be in schools as much as possible this year,” said State Superintendent Dr. Michael Rice. “Following the informed guidance from national and state health experts will help keep our students and staff healthy and help maximize student learning.”

Prevention Strategies The most effective way to prevent transmission within school buildings, reduce disruptions to in-person learning and help protect people who are not fully vaccinated is to layer multiple prevention strategies recommended by CDC. All prevention strategies provide some level of protection, and layered strategies implemented at the same time provide the greatest level of protection.

The key strategies recommended by the CDC to keep schools safer are as follows:

  1. Promoting vaccination against COVID-19 for eligible staff and students. Vaccination has proven incredibly effective as the leading public health prevention strategy.
  2. Consistent and correct mask use
    1. CDC recommends universal indoor masking for all educators, staff, students and visitors to schools, regardless of vaccination status.
    2. CDC has recommendations for proper use of masks.
    3. CDC’s order requires all persons – regardless of vaccination status – wear masks on public transportation, including school buses.
  3. Physical distancing CDC recommends schools maintain at least three feet of physical distance between students within classrooms, combined with indoor mask wearing by students, teachers and staff, regardless of vaccination status. When it is not possible to maintain a three-foot physical distance, it is especially important to layer multiple other prevention strategies, such as indoor masking, screening testing, cohorting, and improved ventilation to help reduce transmission risk.
  4. Screening testing identifies infected people, including those without symptoms who may be contagious, so that measures can be taken to prevent further transmission or outbreaks.
  5. Ventilation
    1. Improving ventilation by opening multiple doors and windows, using child-safe fans to increase the effectiveness of open windows and making changes to the HVAC or air filtration systems.
    2. Avoiding crowded and/or poorly ventilated indoor activities (e.g., engaging in outdoor activities when possible).
    3. Open or crack windows in buses and other forms of transportation to improve air circulation, if doing so does not pose a safety risk.
  6. Handwashing and respiratory etiquette: Promoting handwashing and covering coughs and sneezes.
  7. Staying home when sick and getting tested
    1. Encouraging students and staff to stay home if sick or having COVID-19 symptoms.
    2. Encouraging students and staff, regardless of vaccination status, to get tested for COVID-19 if having symptoms or if they are a close contact of someone who has COVID-19.
  8. Contact tracing in combination with quarantine: Collaborating with the local health department.
  9. Cleaning and disinfection: Cleaning once a day is usually enough to sufficiently remove potential virus that may be on surfaces. Disinfecting (using disinfectants on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency COVID-19 webpage) removes any remaining germs on surfaces, which further reduces any risk of spreading infection. CDC has information on routine cleaning to help maintain healthy facilities.

The following factors should be used when determining mitigation strategies:

  • Level of community transmission of COVID-19.
  • COVID-19 vaccination coverage in the community and among students, teachers and staff.
  • Use of a frequent SARS-CoV-2 screening testing program for students, teachers and staff who are not fully vaccinated.
  • COVID-19 outbreaks or increasing trends in the school or surrounding community.
  • Ages of children served in the school and risk associated with school, extracurricular and social activities.

To learn more about the COVID-19 vaccine, visit Michigan.gov/COVIDVaccine

For more information about COVID-19 in Michigan, visit Michigan.gov/coronavirus.
Two lanes reopen on northbound I-75

Two lanes reopen on northbound I-75

by | Aug 4, 2021 | Transportation

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                         WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 4, 2021

 

CONTACT: Rob Morosi, MDOT Office of Communications, [email protected]

 

Two lanes reopen on northbound I-75

from I-696 to 12 Mile Road     

 

Fast facts:

– Northbound I-75 now has two lanes open from I-696 to 12 Mile Road in Madison Heights.     

– This change restores northbound I-75 to its previous configuration prior to the voids discovered under the pavement last Friday   

– Southbound I-75 remains unchanged, with two lanes open through the area.  

 

August 4, 2021 — Contracting crews have reopened a second lane on northbound I-75 near 11 Mile Road in the city of Madison Heights. This change now restores the northbound side of the freeway back to its configuration prior to the voids that were discovered on Friday, July 30.

Currently, both directions of I-75 have two lanes open between 8 Mile and 13 Mile roads as crews continue to rebuild pavement and bridges on the I-75 modernization project in Oakland County.

The northbound I-75 service drive remains closed from 11 Mile Road to Gardenia Avenue. Currently, there is not an estimate on when that section of the service drive will reopen.

The voids appeared when crews were mining for a drainage tunnel under the northbound service drive near 11 1/2 Mile Road. The operation affected the pavement of the northbound lanes and the service drive. This section of northbound I-75 and the service drive will be rebuilt in 2022.

Follow I-75 modernization progress on the web at www.Modernize75.com, or follow on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Modernize75 or on Twitter at www.twitter.com/Modernize75.