by Becky Andrus | Jan 17, 2022 | Feature Writers, High School Sports
This is a blog that is devoted to the OAA. We cover 23 schools from Oakland County to Wayne County. From Oxford to Harper Woods. This blog will give insight and projections around the OAA.
Wednesday, January 12, 2022
By Sammy Taormina
Royal Oak will have a new Football Coach This Fall.
Written Wednesday January 12th at 10:10 AM
The Ravens will have a new football coach this fall.
Royal Oak Coach Ray McMann has stepped down from the program according to a very accurate source.
McMann has coached the Ravens since 2013. He was 25-49 in his eight years coaching at Royal Oak with two postseason appearances.
McMann was a huge part of bringing football to Royal Oak especially in the youth levels despite the wins and losses. He has also been a positive influence with his players as well leading them to life lessons every day.
Royal Oak finished 2-7 last season. It will be very interesting who the Ravens find as their new coach. There is a lot of talent coming back with running back Michael Jenkins, quarterback Hudson Siddle, and linemen Ellie Finch and Jordan Wood. They have some talent coming back.
Whoever the new coach is will have a very tough job ahead of him. Program strength will be the key for the new coach. There are also a ton of questions on the varsity especially in the defensive secondary and depth will also be a huge question mark heading into 2022.
Stay tuned to OAA Now for the latest on this developing story.
by Becky Andrus | Jan 17, 2022 | Regional News
Gov. Whitmer Declares Monday, January 17 as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day in Michigan
LANSING, Mich. – Governor Gretchen Whitmer today issued a proclamation declaring Monday, January 17, 2022 as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day in Michigan, honoring the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Governor Whitmer and Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist call on Michiganders to reflect on the life of Dr. King and commit themselves to continuing his work.
“Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was a passionate advocate and leader who fought for social justice, tolerance, and freedom for all,” said Governor Gretchen Whitmer. “This Martin Luther King Jr. Day, I encourage every Michigander to take a moment and think about what Dr. King’s work means to you. While we have been through a lot these past few years, I am optimistic that we can come together and continue his mission. By following Dr. King’s example, we can fight injustice, discrimination, and hate and build a Michigan with justice and equal rights for all.”
“Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s life and service continue to inspire, motivate, and challenge Michiganders from all walks of life,” said Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist II. “This year, as we reflect on Dr. King’s legacy and the obstacles we have yet to overcome, let us resolve to practice the values he and others so courageously stood for: courageous nonviolence, committed compassion, and unflappable love for our fellow people. By committing ourselves to these values, we can triumph over injustice and build a state that reflects our best ideals.”
Congress designated Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day as the third Monday in January, coinciding with Dr. King’s birthday. This year marks the 36th observance of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
View the full proclamation here.
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by Becky Andrus | Jan 17, 2022 | Regional News
Governor Whitmer Encourages Michiganders to Obtain Free At-Home COVID-19 Tests, Saving Families Hundreds Per Month
Insurers required to cover eight COVID-19 tests per person per month, potentially saving a family of four at least $384 a month, helping to slow the spread of COVID-19
LANSING, Mich. – Governor Gretchen Whitmer and Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS) Director Anita Fox are encouraging Michiganders with health insurance to take advantage of a new federal rule that requires health insurers to cover the cost of eight over-the-counter COVID-19 home tests per month. As insurers work to implement this new coverage, Michiganders should save receipts and boxes for COVID-19 tests purchased beginning on Saturday, January 15 so they can submit them for future reimbursement, saving a family of four at least $384 a month.
“We will continue working with our federal partners to ensure that COVID-19 testing is more accessible and less expensive for every Michigander,” said Governor Whitmer. “Thanks to this new rule, a family of four, for example, can get 32 tests every month, saving them at least $384 every month. This expanded access to tests will lower costs and help limit the spread of COVID-19.”
“This new health insurance benefit will help reduce barriers to at-home COVID-19 testing for Michiganders,” said DIFS Director Fox. “Depending on the insurer, consumers may be able to get their covered tests for free at the store or pharmacy, or they may be required to keep receipts for later reimbursement. Following the guidance issued Monday by the federal government, insurers have begun developing their plans for offering this new benefit. DIFS will compile information from Michigan insurers as it becomes available, and more information will be posted in the coming weeks at Michigan.gov/DIFS.”
Under the new rule, starting January 15, private insurers will be required to cover up to eight FDA-approved over-the-counter COVID-19 tests per month for each person covered by a health plan. Insurers may, but are not required to, cover tests purchased before January 15. Free COVID-19 testing is not limited to Michiganders with private health insurance. Consumers’ out-of-pocket costs will vary depending on how the coverage is provided:
- Through a network of preferred pharmacies or retailers: If your insurer establishes a network of preferred pharmacies or retailers, you can get over-the-counter COVID-19 tests with no up-front costs at those locations. If you choose to purchase your tests elsewhere, your insurer is required to reimburse you up to $12 for those tests.
- Through reimbursement: If your insurer does not establish a network of a preferred pharmacies or retailers, you will have to pay up front for your tests, and your insurer will be required to reimburse you for the full purchase price of the covered tests.
- Michigan Medicaid and MIChild: Participants of these programs have coverage for FDA-authorized at-home COVID-19 tests.
- If you do not have insurance: People without insurance can also get tested for free at some community health centers. More information about COVID-19 testing for people without insurance is available on the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services website.
Later this month, all Michiganders will also have access to free at-home tests that will be sent directly to them upon request in the mail by the federal government. More information on this new federal program, including a website for making test requests, is expected soon.
Consumers who have questions that cannot be resolved directly with their insurer can contact DIFS 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at 877-999-6442.
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.
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by Becky Andrus | Jan 17, 2022 | Regional News
Media contact:
Lynsey Mukomel
517-599-2746
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Monday, January 17, 2022
AG Nessel Honors Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
LANSING – Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel released the following statement to commemorate Martin Luther King Jr. Day:
“Now more than ever, Dr. King’s tireless work and eloquent words remain relevant to our nation. His dedication to bettering our country carried a power to alter hearts, transform minds and create change. May we all use this day to reflect on his influence as a guide in our own lives.”
by Becky Andrus | Jan 13, 2022 | Transportation
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Who knew naming snowplows would be so popular?
A year into the Michigan Department of Transportation’s (MDOT) initiative to engage the public in naming snowplows across the state, an update on progress.
Listen now: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1374205/9881771-who-knew-naming-snowplows-would-be-so-popular
Shortly after MDOT launched the project in 2021, inspired by a plow-naming venture by Transport Scotland, Michigan Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist visited an elementary school in Benton Harbor where a class of fifth graders named a plow Tiger in honor of their school mascot. Gilchrist visited the school and spoke to the students shortly afterward.
On this week’s podcast, Nick Schirripa, MDOT’s Southwest Region media relations representative, talks about the project, the eye-popping numbers of submissions it inspired and why it has been a fun but important endeavor. He and Courtney Bates, a department analyst and web site administrator, worked together to create the naming contest, sort through the names and even put the names of plows on the Mi Drive site so they can be tracked in real time.
As the Detroit Free Press reported in December, ”One year and more than 15,000 possible plow monikers later, and a handful of Michigan Department of Transportation staffers say they see a light at the end of the tunnel. But the project isn’t quite over.”
Schirripa talks about the interest this has generated and why it helps with education about what’s involved in clearing snow from roads in Michigan winters and how the plow-naming project helps in education efforts about safety.
Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist visited an elementary school in Benton Harbor where a class of fifth graders named a plow Tiger in honor of their school mascot.
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