DNR News Digest: Week of July 11, 2022
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News Digest: Week of July 11, 2022
“Support species like me with a Michigan wildlife habitat license plate!” |
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Want to see more pictures like this, taken by Michigan state parks photo ambassador 
Chosen from a pool of nearly 400 applicants, 15 recruits assembled Sunday in Lansing to start down the path to becoming Michigan DNR conservation officers. The group gathered for day one of Conservation Officer Recruit School #11, during which they received intensive training to test them academically, emotionally and physically.
Looking for a simple, yet powerful, way to help turtles, peregrine falcons, bats, common terns and other nongame wildlife species? Consider purchasing Michigan’s 
The next meeting of the Michigan Natural Resources Committee leads off with a Fisheries Committee agenda that includes an overview of statewide fisheries research.
Whitmer Continues to Fix the Damn Roads
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 11, 2022 Contact: [email protected]
Gov. Whitmer Continues to Fix the Damn Roads with Projects in Berrien, Cheboygan, Lenawee, Mackinac, Manistee, Mecosta, Montcalm, Oakland, and Wayne Counties Starting This Week In 2022, Gov. Whitmer is making the largest investment in state roads and bridges in Michigan’s history
LANSING, Mich. – Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced nine major road projects slated to begin this week in Berrien, Cheboygan, Lenawee, Mackinac, Manistee, Mecosta, Montcalm, Oakland, and Wayne counties. The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) projects include the I-94 resurfacing project in Berrien County, preparation work for the I-75 repair and rebuilding project in Cheboygan County, the M-50 resurfacing and improvement project in Lenawee County, the US-2 Rebuilding Michigan Project in Mackinac County, the US-31/M-22 roundabout project in Manistee County, US-131 rebuilding in Mecosta County, M-91 Flat River bridge improvements in Montcalm County, I-96 Flex Route update in Oakland County and the next phase of work on I-275 Rebuilding Michigan Project in Wayne County. These investments are expected to support 7,838 jobs.
“Across Michigan, we are fixing the damn roads to save drivers time and money. These investments in Berrien, Cheboygan, Lenawee, Mackinac, Manistee, Mecosta, Montcalm, Oakland, and Wayne counties will support 7,838 jobs, and help Michiganders go to work, run errands, and explore our beautiful state safely,” said Governor Whitmer. “Since I took office through the end of 2022, we will have invested 70% more in our roads than the previous four years to fix over 16,000 lane miles of road and 1,200 bridges, supporting nearly 89,000 jobs. Both my Rebuilding Michigan Plan and the bipartisan Building Michigan Together Plan are helping us build safe, reliable infrastructure that makes a difference for families and small business across the state. I hope you all like orange because you’ll be seeing a lot of cones and barrels throughout summer. I’m proud of what we have accomplished, so let’s keep moving dirt and getting it done.”
US-2 Rebuilding Michigan Project in Mackinac County MDOT will invest $7.9 million to resurface about 10 miles of US-2 from the Cut River to Worth Road and from Wildwood lane to Brevort Lake Road. Work includes cold milling and asphalt resurfacing, joint repairs, guardrail replacements, and pavement markings. Based on economic modeling, this investment is expected to support 100 jobs.
Funding for the 2.5-mile, $2 million segment of this project from Cut River to Worth Road is made possible by Governor Whitmer’s Rebuilding Michigan program to rebuild the state highways and bridges that are critical to the state’s economy and carry the most traffic. The investment strategy is aimed at fixes that result in longer useful lives and improves the condition of the state’s infrastructure.
I-96 Flex Route update in Oakland County The MDOT I-96 Flex Route project continues with work on the Wixom Road bridge over I-96 for approximately 10 days. Based on economic modeling, this $269 million investment is expected to support 3,416 jobs.
Funding for the 2.5-mile, $2 million segment of this project from Cut River to Worth Road is made possible by Governor Whitmer’s Rebuilding Michigan program to rebuild the state highways and bridges that are critical to the state’s economy and carry the most traffic. The investment strategy is aimed at fixes that result in longer useful lives and improves the condition of the state’s infrastructure.
There may be additional changes to this stretch of the project, for up-to-date information on the I-96 Flex Route, go to DrivingOakland.org
Next Phase of Work on I-275 Rebuilding Michigan Project in Wayne County Southbound I-275 ramps to eastbound and westbound I-94 will be closed through early August. Crews need to rebuild the area where southbound I-275 is currently crossing the work zone to exit to I-94. Based on economic modeling, the Revive 275 project and its $270 million investment is expected to support 3,429 jobs. Project information can be found at Revive275.org.
Funding for this project is made possible by Governor Whitmer’s Rebuilding Michigan program.
I-94 Resurfacing Project in Berrien County MDOT will be investing $5.9 million to resurface 5.4 miles of I-94 between Kruger Road and Three Oaks Road. Work includes milling and asphalt resurfacing, shoulder corrugations, and new pavement markings. Based on economic modeling, this investment is expected to support nearly 75 jobs.
Preparation Work for the I-75 Repair and Rebuilding Project in Cheboygan County MDOT will begin preparation work for a two-year, $52 million investment to rebuild 9 miles of I-75 from Levering Road to US-31 in Cheboygan County. Work this season will include widening the paved shoulder of southbound I-75 and building three crossovers to help maintain traffic during the rebuilding portion of the project. Based on economic modeling, this investment is expected to support 693 jobs.
The southern half of the project is scheduled to be built in 2023 while the northern half is scheduled for 2024. The project includes removing the 1950s-era concrete roadway, which has been susceptible to joint deterioration, particularly during extreme summer temperatures.
M-50 Resurfacing and Improvement Project in Lenawee County MDOT is investing approximately $1 million for resurfacing and improvements of M-50 from Sunset Drive to the River Raisin bridge. Based on economic modeling, this investment is expected to support 13 jobs.
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AG Nessel to Host Second Robocall Summit
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Oakland County WIC Project FRESH event expands
Oakland County WIC Project FRESH event expands to Farmington
Pontiac, Michigan – Oakland County Health Division’s Women, Infants, Children (WIC) program is hosting three Project FRESH events this July offering eligible WIC participants $25 for fresh fruits and vegetables. Project FRESH provides pregnant or breastfeeding woman, and children ages 1-5 years who participate in Oakland County’s WIC program coupons to purchase locally grown produce from authorized farmers, farmers’ markets, and roadside stands throughout Michigan.
“Project FRESH is always a great event for our WIC families”, says Calandra Green, Ed.D., Oakland County health officer. “It helps increase the amount of fresh fruits and vegetables available to our participants, and also positively impact our local farmers and economy.”
Project FRESH will take place the following days:
- Saturday, July 9 at Farmington Farmers Market, 33113 Grand River Ave. in Farmington, from 9a.m. – 1p.m.
- Saturday, July 23 at Oakland County Farmers Market, 2350 Pontiac Lake Rd. in Waterford, from 8 a.m. – 1 p.m.
- Wednesday, July 27 at Oak Park Farmers Market,13701 Oak Park Blvd. in Oak Park, from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Only one coupon book will be issued per family. Appointments are not required. Project FRESH occurs once a year and coupons are distributed on a first come, first served basis. Coupons must be used by Oct. 31, 2022.
Both the July 23 and July 27 Project FRESH events will take place during Oakland County’s Family Market Day. Oakland County Health Division’s Healthy Oakland Partnership encourages residents to participate in their annual Family and Senior Market Days this summer. Residents with a State of Michigan Bridge/EBT card or WIC Project Fresh coupons will receive an additional $5 coupon to purchase produce from local farmers on Family Market Days, and residents 60 years and older will receive a $5 coupon on Senior Market Days.
For up-to-date public health information, visit oakgov.com/health and follow @publichealthOC on Facebook and Twitter. Nurse on Call is available to answer health-related questions Mon. – Fri., 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. at 800-848-5533 or [email protected]. For media inquiries only, please contact Bill Mullan, Oakland County media & communications officer, at 248-858-1048.
About the WIC Program
The WIC program enables families to eat well and stay healthy by providing supplemental healthy foods, nutrition counseling and education, breastfeeding support, immunizations, referrals to health care, public health nurses, registered dietitians, and many other helpful services. WIC is open to low to middle income pregnant women; infants; children under five years; women who recently had a baby up to six months after delivery, including miscarriages; and breastfeeding women up to one year after delivery.
Scout plans project at therapeutic riding center
Brandon Kathman For Immediate Release:
District Executive 7/5/2022
(947) 886-5736
Scout plans project at therapeutic riding center
Local scout Vivien Burke of Troop 185 aims to renovate the viewing room at O.A.T.S. (Offering Alternative Therapy with Smiles), a nonprofit equestrian center located in Ortonville, to fulfill her last requirement for the rank of Eagle Scout.
O.A.T.S. offers alternative therapy through the healing power of horses for special needs children and adults, disabled veterans, and youth campers. Their facility spans 40 acres and offers year-round programming for those they serve. According to Burke, she has volunteered as a horse guide for O.A.T.S. several times, and her cousin received therapy through their programs.
“This project will help O.A.T.S. for years to come, providing a welcoming space for parents to watch their kids, volunteers to relax, or even help clients decompress if they get overwhelmed,” Burke said. “My hope for this Eagle Project is to help people in the community for years to come.”
The viewing room presently fulfills multiple functions, serving also as a family gathering area and volunteer break room. With many years of intense use having taken a toll, Burke endeavors to make the room warm and inviting. After removing the old furniture, she will give the space a deep clean and paint the walls to match the O.A.T.S. color scheme. The prospective Eagle will also install new flooring and furnishings, including sensory games and activities tailored for O.A.T.S.’ many autistic riders.
“It will benefit so many people here at O.A.T.S.,” Doug Rohrabaugh, the center’s executive director, said. “The Scouting community has been very kind to O.A.T.S. throughout the years and we are happy to continue to have scouts here at the farm.”
Burke seeks to raise at least $2,000 for this renovation and is also looking for potential partners. Michael Keene of M&K Floors in Oxford has pledged materials and labor to refurbish the floors of the viewing room.
“It would be great to find someone to partner to paint, so it looks professional and not like a bunch of kids did it… to donate new furniture that is comfy but has a material that won’t collect dust,” Burke said. “The lighting could use some help, as it’s kind of dark in there.”
Those interested in supporting Burke’s project can mail checks payable to “Troop 185” to the treasurer at 5724 Shannon Lane, Clarkston, MI 48348, noting “Vivien Burke Eagle Project” on the memo line. For other ways to donate (online, partnerships, etc.), call 248-843-9386.