by Becky Andrus | Dec 7, 2021 | Local News
Philo Festival of Media Arts:
ONTV Earns Three Awards
Orion Neighborhood Television was honored at the Philo Festival of Media Arts, earning three awards for excellence in local programming. The Central States Alliance of Community Media held a virtual ceremony last month announcing the awards. Political Awareness category
ONTV was winner in the Political Awareness category for its “General Election Night Special.” On Nov. 3, 2020 ONTV brought the election race into the homes of local residents with its LIVE coverage and results. “One of the main goals of ONTV is to provide local news and information for Lake Orion residents, and that’s even more important during our elections, said production manager Tessa Penzien.” It feels great to be able to give Lake Orion a live and in depth look at election results that effect our community.”
ONTV was also recognized as a finalist for its “2020 Virtual Flower Fair” program in the community events professional category and for its “ONTV Newscast” in the news professional category. “The ONTV News episode that was submitted for a Philo award was our recap of the impact COVID had on the community in 2020, said station manager Joe Johnson.” “I’m very proud of that particular episode and being named a “Finalist” reaffirms that ONTV News ranks among the best in the nation when it comes to local news coverage.”
The Philo Awards in an annual public access television cable TV competition within the Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, and Michigan region. The “PHILO” is awarded for excellence in community media in various categories.
The Philo Awards is named after Philo T. Farnsworth, the father of modern television. The ACM Central States Region honors the memory of Philo T. Farnsworth by recognizing the effort of access producers who promote the use of media in their community.
by Becky Andrus | Dec 7, 2021 | Regional News
Governor Whitmer Keeps Flags Lowered for Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day
Flags are currently lowered to honor victims of the shooting in Oxford and should remain lowered until further notice
LANSING, Mich.— Governor Gretchen Whitmer has ordered flags to remain lowered to half-staff within the State Capitol Complex and upon all public buildings and grounds across the State of Michigan on Tuesday, December 7, 2021, to honor the 2,403 Americans who lost their lives during the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941.
“On Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, our state takes time to remember the courage and bravery of the men and women at Pearl Harbor. This day serves to honor the thousands of Americans who paid the ultimate price during the attack on our nation,” said Governor Whitmer. “Pearl Harbor is a reminder that, as Americans, during times of great adversity we come to together as one.”
The State of Michigan observes Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day by lowering flags to half-staff. Michigan residents, businesses, schools, local governments and other organizations 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 remain lowered until further notice to honor victims of the shooting in Oxford.
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by Becky Andrus | Dec 7, 2021 | Recreation
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– DNR News –
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Dec. 7, 2021
Contact: Michelle O’Kelly, 517-881-5884
Bob Ross-inspired Happy Little (Virtual) 5K registration is open
 Inspired by Bob Ross’ love of the outdoors, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources is bringing back the Run for the Trees / Happy Little (Virtual) 5K April 22-29, 2022, now in its third year.
Registration is open for this 2022 state parks-supporting race. The event is capped at 18,500 participants, so don’t delay.
Runners, walkers and hikers can complete their 5K anywhere outdoors anytime between April 22-29. For $34 per person, each participant will receive a keepsake Happy Little T-shirt, a commemorative bib number and a finisher’s medal. There is an international shipping option available to accommodate participants outside the United States.
Race proceeds support tree planting and forest protection efforts – such as invasive plant and forest pest management and early detection surveys – in Michigan state parks and recreation areas. Many of these locations have been affected by tree pests and diseases like emerald ash borer and oak wilt. |
 “We are thrilled to continue our partnership with Bob Ross Inc. in order to support our tree planting and stewardship efforts in Michigan state parks,” said Michelle O’Kelly, fund developer and Happy Little Trees race director for the DNR Parks and Recreation Division. “In just the first two years of this incredibly popular event, race participants have helped generate a stable source of funding toward healthy, thriving forests at state parks throughout the next decade.”
The tree planting program – where seeds are placed in the care of inmates in a Michigan Department of Corrections education program – began in 2004, but grew into the “Happy Little Trees” program in 2019, when the DNR Parks and Recreation Division and Bob Ross Inc. partnered on programming to help raise awareness of tree planting and forest protection efforts in state parks.
Initially, the program began with hundreds of volunteers helping to plant “happy little trees” at locations hard-hit by invasive pests and tree diseases, but the partnership quickly expanded to include nearly 40,000 participants raising awareness and funding for stewardship efforts through this virtual 5K. In the first two years, the event has raised more than $600,000.
The program has produced more than 100,000 native plants, shrubs and trees since its start in 2004. With support from the Bob Ross partnership, more than 2,100 trees have been planted in 20 state parks across Michigan.
Learn more about the program and register for the race at Michigan.gov/DNRHappyLittleTrees.
For more information, contact Michelle O’Kelly at 517-881-5884 or [email protected]. |
Note to editors: Accompanying photos are available below for download. Caption information follows.
- Happy Little Trees T-shirt design: Every participant in the 2022 5K will receive a T-shirt, featuring this design, as well as a finisher’s medal and commemorative bib number.
- 2022 HLT finisher’s medal: Each participant will receive a finisher’s medal, a keepsake Happy Little T-shirt and a commemorative bib number.
- Happy Little Trees participants 2021: Alison Porter, of Southfield (left), and Kimberly Porter, of Farmington Hills (right), shared this picture with race organizers after completing their 2021 Happy Little Trees 5K.
- Happy Little Trees Ahead sign: This Bob Ross-inspired sign is installed at state parks and recreation areas where trees supported by the program have been planted.
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| DNR COVID-19 RESPONSE: For details on affected DNR facilities and services, visit this webpage. Follow state actions and guidelines at Michigan.gov/Coronavirus. |
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| The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is committed to the conservation, protection, management, use and enjoyment of the state’s natural and cultural resources for current and future generations. For more information, go to Michigan.gov/DNR. |
by Becky Andrus | Dec 7, 2021 | Recreation
| Opportunities to get involved with the Michigan DNR for December 2021 |
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DNR Get Involved – December 2021
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Here are a few ways to get involved in taking care of Michigan’s natural resources this month. For more opportunities to volunteer, contribute and provide input, visit Michigan.gov/DNRVolunteers.
 Several state parks in southern Michigan will host volunteer stewardship workdays this month. Volunteers are needed to help with removing invasive plants that threaten high-quality ecosystems in the parks.
Please note that registration is required for all volunteer workdays.
Workdays will take place:
- 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Dec. 11, at Bald Mountain Recreation Area (Oakland County)
- 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Dec. 11, at Warren Dunes State Park (Berrien County)
- 10 a.m. to noon Sunday, Dec. 12, at Hoffmaster State Park (Muskegon County)
- 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 12, at Island Lake Recreation Area (Livingston County)
- 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Dec. 18, at Belle Isle Park (Wayne County)
- 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 18, at Saugatuck Dunes State Park (Allegan County)
- 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 19, at Pinckney Recreation Area (Washtenaw County)
- 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 19, at Yankee Springs Recreation Area (Barry County)
More details about each workday and how to register can be found on the DNR volunteer events calendar. |
 Hemlock woolly adelgids, tiny invasive insects that suck nutrients from hemlock trees, have been found in Allegan, Ottawa, Muskegon, Oceana and Mason counties.
State agency staff, university researchers and regional cooperative invasive species management areas have been working to identify and contain infestations that span across public and private lands.
These insects are considered invasive because they are not native to the state and can cause significant harm to Michigan’s hemlock resource, estimated at 170 million trees. If untreated, hemlock woolly adelgids can kill hemlock trees in four to 10 years. Trees can be protected with proper insecticide treatments.
If you have eastern hemlock trees on your property, or are just spending time outdoors this winter, we encourage you to take time to inspect these trees for signs of hemlock woolly adelgid.
Winter is the optimum time to look for evidence of an infestation because cooler temperatures trigger feeding activity, and as hemlock woolly adelgids feed, they secrete a white, waxy material that creates ovisacs. These small, round, white masses make it possible to identify infested trees.
Look on the undersides of branches for evidence of round, white ovisacs near the base of the needles. Up close, ovisacs look like balls of spun cotton and may appear alone or in clusters. The short video “Hemlock woolly adelgid: Invasive species in Michigan” provides helpful identification tips.
Report infested hemlock trees through the Midwest Invasive Species Information Network, available online at MISIN.MSU.edu or as a downloadable smartphone app. The MISIN smartphone app will take a GPS location point if a report is made at the site; it also will allow you to upload photos with a report.
Reports also can be made by email to [email protected] or by phone to the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Customer Service Center at 800-292-3939.
For more information on identification, reporting or treatment, visit the Michigan Invasive Species Program’s hemlock woolly adelgid page at Michigan.gov/HWA. |
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Check some shopping off your list and support natural and cultural resources with our holiday gift guide. These unique items make perfect stocking stuffers or gift basket essentials for those who love to camp, hunt, hike, explore and more. The guide includes Michigan gear that gives back, gifts for tree lovers, family fun and gifts to celebrate Michigan history. |
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Audubon’s Christmas Bird Count – Dec. 14 through Jan. 5, 2022 – is entering its 122nd year! Data submitted by volunteers helps scientists identify long-term population trends and movements for hundreds of bird species across North America. Visit Audubon’s interactive map to find contact information for a Christmas Bird Count coordinator near you. |
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by Becky Andrus | Dec 7, 2021 | Regional News
Governor Whitmer Announces $3 Billion in Refunds for Michigan Drivers
Michigan Catastrophic Claims Association adopts the governor’s plan to lower costs for Michiganders by delivering $400 refund checks per vehicle to drivers.
LANSING, Mich. — In a move that will put money back into the pockets of Michigan drivers, Governor Gretchen Whitmer and the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS) today announced that the Michigan Catastrophic Claims Association (MCCA) has acted upon the governor’s call to return surplus funds to Michigan policyholders and will immediately begin the process of refunding $400 per vehicle to Michigan drivers. Drivers are expected to receive checks in the second quarter of 2022.
“These refunds and the recently announced statewide average rate reductions are lowering costs for every Michigan driver,” said Governor Whitmer. “Michiganders have paid into the catastrophic care fund for decades, and I am pleased that the MCCA developed this plan so quickly after unanimously approving my request to return surplus funds to the pockets of Michiganders. We are working together to put Michigan drivers first, and I am directing DIFS to ensure that the MCCA and Michigan’s auto insurance companies accurately, fairly, and promptly issue these refunds.”
“The Governor and I called for these refunds because we recognize that this surplus money belongs to Michigan drivers, and we need to put it back in their pockets,” said Lt. Governor Gilchrist. “These refunds are a major win for all drivers—especially Detroiters—who have paid the highest insurance rates in the nation for decades. There is still work to be done, and Governor Whitmer and I will continue to take action in the best interest of Michigan drivers.”
“DIFS stood with Governor Whitmer in calling upon the MCCA to return surplus funds to Michiganders with auto insurance, and we applaud the MCCA for taking the necessary next steps to deliver the largest refund possible to drivers while maintaining the viability of the fund,” said DIFS Director Anita Fox. “In the coming months, DIFS will work to ensure that refund checks are issued to Michigan consumers as quickly as possible.”
In November, Governor Whitmer called on the MCCA to issue refund checks to consumers from its projected $5 billion surplus, which the MCCA then voted unanimously to issue. The surplus and refunds are possible, in part, due to the historic bipartisan auto insurance reform signed into law by the Governor in 2019.
The MCCA’s analysis determined that approximately $3 billion of the surplus could be returned to policyholders while ensuring continuity of care for auto accident survivors. The refund plan submitted to DIFS Monday by the MCCA will return money to every Michigander with an auto insurance policy in force as of 11:59 p.m. on October 31, 2021. Eligible consumers do not need to take action in order to receive a refund. The surplus funds will be turned over by the MCCA to the insurance companies operating in Michigan by March 9, 2022, and the insurers will be responsible for issuing checks to eligible policyholders. DIFS will direct insurers to issue refund checks to consumers as expeditiously as possible, but in no event later than 60 days after the transfer of funds. That deadline and additional guidance to insurers will be detailed in a bulletin to be issued by DIFS in the near future.
The mission of the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services is to ensure access to safe and secure insurance and financial services fundamental for the opportunity, security, and success of Michigan residents, while fostering economic growth and sustainability in both industries. In addition, the Department provides consumer protection, outreach, and financial literacy and education services to Michigan residents. For more information, visit Michigan.gov/DIFS or follow the Department on Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn.
To view the full letter from the MCCA, click the link below:
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