by Becky Andrus | Sep 16, 2021 | Regional News
Gov. Whitmer Lowers Flags to Honor Former Staff Sergeant Natalie Barajas
LANSING, Mich. — Governor Whitmer has ordered U.S. and Michigan flags throughout the state of Michigan to be lowered to half-staff on Friday, September 17 to honor the life and service of former Staff Sergeant Natalie Barajas. The flag honors will coincide with her funeral service.
“Our state mourns the passing of former Staff Sergeant Natalie Barajas,” Governor Whitmer said. “Staff Sergeant Barajas served her country honorably and inspired many with her dedication to helping others. I extend my deepest condolences to her family and loved ones as they lay her to rest.”
Barajas was born April 26, 1990 and graduated from Gaylord High School in 2008. She then joined the U.S. Army, where she served as a combat medic, orthopedic technician, clinic supervisor and staff sergeant. Her military career included deployments to Iraq and Germany. During her service she earned the Army Commendation Medal seven times, the Army Achievement Medal five times, the Army Good Conduct Medal three times, and the Iraq Campaign Medal.
Barajas passed away on Tuesday, May 12, 2020 at the age of 30 years old.
The State of Michigan recognizes the selfless leadership, determination and honor of Staff Sergeant Natalie Barajas. 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, September 18 unless otherwise notified.
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by Becky Andrus | Sep 16, 2021 | Health and Wellness
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Sept. 16, 2021
CONTACT: Bob Wheaton, 517-241-2112, wheatonb@michigan.gov
Event to raise funds for child abuse, neglect prevention statewide
Michigan Children’s Trust Fund 19th annual Pam Posthumus Signature Auction set for Sept. 28
LANSING, Mich. – Child abuse and neglect prevention supporters can make a difference in the lives of Michigan children and families by taking part in the 19th annual Pam Posthumus Signature Live Virtual Auction Event Tuesday, Sept. 28 at 7 p.m.
People can help fund child maltreatment prevention programming in all of Michigan’s 83 counties by bidding on sports and concert tickets, travel packages and more.
The event seeks to raise $500,000 in critical funds for the Children’s Trust Fund, which is within the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. Money raised from the auction pays for programs such as food pantries, safe sleep, shaken baby syndrome prevention, child development support, adverse childhood experiences prevention and more. Additionally, it supports other targeted services that allow local partners around the state to continue to provide education, training, and other child abuse and neglect prevention programs. All private donations and state funding is eligible to be multiplied through Children’s Trust Fund federal funding.
“The Pam Posthumus Signature Auction is a sign of hope for Michigan’s children and families,” Children’s Trust Fund Executive Director Suzanne Greenberg said. “The funding raised through this auction helps strengthen families and communities across the state by educating and supporting them on child safety, health and well-being. Child abuse and neglect is preventable when we work together, and I encourage Michiganders to support this crucial event for kids.”
The auction is named in memory of Pam Posthumus, a tireless advocate for preventing child abuse. Posthumus was appointed to the Children’s Trust Fund Board of Directors in 1997 and became its chair in 2002. The event is made possible by the generosity of the state of Michigan, Michigan Legislature and sponsors such as Cinnaire, DTE, Jackson, and countless other organizations and individuals.
To register for the event or donate, visit https://CTFAuction.cbo.io
To learn more about Children’s Trust Fund (and to learn where the program is near you) and its efforts to end child abuse, visit michigan.go/CTF.
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ABOUT the Children’s Trust Fund Created by the Michigan Legislature in 1982, the Children’s Trust Fund is Michigan’s only statewide nonprofit organization solely dedicated to the prevention of child abuse and neglect. The Children’s Trust Fund serves as a voice for Michigan’s children and families and promotes their health, safety and welfare by funding effective local programs and services that prevent child abuse and neglect.
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by Becky Andrus | Sep 16, 2021 | Regional News
Coulter Appoints Menna Chief Attorney for Indigent Defense
Pontiac, Michigan – Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter has appointed Pete Menna as the county’s first chief attorney for indigent defense, a new position under the county executive. Menna will oversee the implementation of the county’s criminal defense appointment system for individuals who have been accused of a crime in Oakland County Circuit Court or 52nd District Court but cannot afford an attorney.
“Indigent defense is a vital piece of criminal justice reform and I have full confidence in Pete to help Oakland County meet the standards set by the Michigan Indigent Defense Commission,” Coulter said. “Pete has compassion for people and a depth of legal experience which make him a great choice to fill this role.”
One of the reforms by the Michigan Indigent Defense Commission is for the criminal defense appointment system be independent of the judiciary. At the end of September, the Oakland County Board of Commissioners (BOC) will consider a nearly $5.8 million State of Michigan grant that will help the county carry out indigent defense reform for Fiscal Year 2022. If the BOC approves the grant, the county will also contribute over $1.8 million in local funds. The resolution before the BOC includes creating a new division under the county executive called the Indigent Defense Services Office which Menna will manage.
Among Menna’s other responsibilities will be overseeing the appointment and monitoring the performance of all contract attorneys engaged in indigent criminal defense services in Oakland County Circuit Court and 52nd District Court, handling the case management information systems and ensure timely reporting of activities, and advising staff on rulings and legislation affecting procedures related to the indigent defense system.
Menna served as Oakland County’s acting corporation counsel since February. He joined the Oakland County Corporation Counsel as a litigator in April of 2018 and quickly rose to the number two position of deputy corporation counsel in October 2019. Prior, he was an assistant prosecutor for Oakland County beginning in March of 2009. His last assignment in the Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office was in the Special Victims Section. From 2012 – 2018, he was assigned to the Special Victims Section. In 2017, the Oakland County Coordinating Counsel Against Domestic Violence awarded its HERO Award to Menna for his actions in recognizing that one of the defendants on his docket had been wrongly charged with domestic violence after her abuser made a false report against her to the police. Menna worked quickly to ensure that all the criminal charges against this survivor were dismissed.
While attending law school, Menna was a clerk for Oakland County Circuit Judge Steven N. Andrews from July 2006 to March 2009.
Menna, 38, has a law degree from Wayne State University and a bachelor’s degree in history from Kalamazoo College. He is a member of the Oakland County Brownfield Redevelopment Authority and is admitted to practice law in the State Bar of Michigan, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, and the Sixth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals. He lives in Oakland County with his wife and daughter.
The pay range for chief attorney for indigent defense ranges from $146,702 to $170,914 per year.
Menna Appointed Indigent Defense Chief Attorney 091421 FINAL.pdf
MennaPete_2.jpg
by Becky Andrus | Sep 16, 2021 | Local News
Brandon Kathman
District Executive
[email protected]
947-886-5736
Prospective Eagle Scouts complete service projects at Agawam
Brooke Muzzy, a scout with Troop 185G in Clarkston, cleared new paths and installed benches along the lakefront at Orion Township’s Camp Agawam, fulfilling the community service requirement for the rank of Eagle Scout.
With the final criteria met, it is almost certain that Muzzy will be the first female Eagle in Scouting’s local Pontiac-Manito District since the movement began welcoming female participants in 2019. The rank is Scouting’s highest honor, achieved by only 4% of youth in the program.
“It means everything to me,” Muzzy said. “I wanted to be part of it ever since I was six years old and my brother joined Cub Scouts. When I was fifteen, we formed Troop 185G; two and a half years later, here I am.”
Her project transformed much of the Tommy’s Lake waterfront at Agawam. While access was previously limited to a small footpath to the swim area and fishing dock, Muzzy’s project established new trails to the water’s edge, providing patrons with a new opportunity to experience the lake’s natural beauty. Furthermore, the scouts took special care to remove invasive plant life from the area.
“Behind the scenes there was fundraising and budgeting and paperwork,” Muzzy said. “There’s always more behind the scenes.”
Muzzy said she learned many lessons over the course of her project, foremost among them that it’s ok to ask for help or advice. Dozens of fellow scouts from several different troops attended her workdays. Casey Houlihan of Troop 128, a candidate for the Eagle rank himself, expressed that he was glad he could support her as a fellow scout.
“I just think it’s cool to see that girls are now recognized for doing the same things we’ve been doing,” Houlihan said.
Wayne Beutler, who has served as scoutmaster for Troop 185G since its founding, expressed pride in Muzzy, noting that she displayed indomitable persistence throughout her time in Scouting.
“Brooke is one of the founding members of our troop,” Beutler said. “From the beginning, she has been a role model for the other girls. Being the first female Eagle Scout in the district is quite a distinction, and I am thrilled that Brooke was able to accomplish this while enjoying the adventure, learning so much, and actively giving back.”
by Becky Andrus | Sep 15, 2021 | Regional News
Oakland County Makes Resources Available To Understand Spread Of COVID-19 In The Community And Vaccine Coverage
Pontiac, Michigan – Oakland County is reminding parents and guardians that the county has several online resources that will help them understand vaccination rates and transmission of COVID-19 where they live as the school year gets underway.
Resources include a weekly report of new COVID-19 cases broken down by age and other pertinent information, maps that show the number of new cases within their school district boundaries and recent cases within their zip code, and a map and data page which show COVID-19 vaccine coverage by zip code. In addition, there is the COVID-19 case dashboard updated daily.
The weekly report of new COVID-19 cases shows that new cases continue to grow among school age and college age students. About two out of every five new cases from August 30 – September 12 were 29 years old or younger. One in five new cases were between the ages of five and 18. The seven-day percent positivity rate for COVID-19 testing continues to notch up to 7.27 percent.
The COVID-19 case dashboard indicates the seven-day average for new cases in Oakland County is 263 or over 1,800 per week, as of Sept. 13
Over 49,000 Oakland County residents 12-19 years old have not received the COVID-19 vaccine.
The Oakland County Health Division continues to hold daily vaccine clinics from 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. at both its North Oakland Health Center in Pontiac and South Oakland Health Center in Southfield in addition to pop-up clinics in the community. Click on OaklandCountyVaccine.com to locate the nearest Health Division vaccine clinic. Those who do not have access to the Internet may call the Nurse on Call at 800-848-5533 Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. for more information.
The following is an update on progress vaccinating Oakland County residents, according to the State of Michigan COVID-19 Vaccine Dashboard as of September 14, 2021:
Total eligible residents 16 and older: 1,029,737
- Number of residents 16 and older who have received first dose: 753,049
- Number of residents 16 and older who have completed vaccination: 700,676
- Vaccine coverage for residents 16 and older: 73.1 percent
Total eligible residents 12 and older: 1,091,389
- Number of residents 12 and older who have received first dose: 786,115
- Number of residents 12 years and older who have completed vaccination: 730,115
- Vaccine coverage for residents 12 and older: 72.0 percent
Total eligible senior residents 65 and older: 217,676
- Number of senior residents who have received first dose: 188,484
- Number of senior residents who have completed vaccination: 179,697
- Vaccine coverage for senior residents: 86.6 percent
Total doses distributed within Oakland County: 1,552,975
- Total doses administered within Oakland County: 1,460,000
- Percentage of doses administered within Oakland County: 93.9%
Total third doses administered in Region 2 North (Oakland, Macomb, and St. Clair counties): 15,252
Clinics and Doses 091521 FINAL.pdf
