DNR announces new ‘free snowmobiling weekend’

DNR announces new ‘free snowmobiling weekend’

by | Jan 17, 2023 | Recreation

 
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DNR News
Jan. 12, 2022

Contact: Ron Yesney, 906-228-6561 or John Pepin 906-226-1352

DNR announces new ‘free snowmobiling weekend’

Snowmobilers are shown enjoying a trail ride in Gogebic County.Next month, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources will debut its free snowmobiling weekend, which will allow snowmobilers to operate their machines over a two-day period without the requirement of a snowmobile registration or trail permit.

The dates for the free snowmobiling weekend are Feb. 11-12.

The Michigan Legislature approved bills requiring the DNR to offer the weekend, saying it will allow experienced riders to bring along friends new to the sport who may get hooked on the experience for a lifetime.

Michigan also offers Free ORV and Free Fishing weekends each year.

“Free Snowmobiling Weekend is a great opportunity for those that haven’t dusted off their snowmobiles to jump on the trails,” said Ron Olson, chief of the DNR Parks and Recreation Division. “It’s also a great time for out-of-state visitors to come explore thousands of miles of trails found in the Upper and Lower peninsulas.

During these weekends, the requirement of a license, registration or trail permit is suspended, but operators and anglers must still adhere to all regulations and rules governing these activities.

For more information on snowmobiling in Michigan, including trail maps, visit Michigan.gov/Snowmobiling.

Note to editors: An accompanying photo is available below for download. Caption information follows. Credit: Michigan Department of Natural Resources, unless noted otherwise.

Riding: Snowmobilers enjoy a trail ride in Gogebic County.
OACC Announces the 2023 Board of Directors

OACC Announces the 2023 Board of Directors

by | Jan 17, 2023 | Local News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 17, 2023
Joyce Donaldson, IOM, President and CEO
Orion Area Chamber of Commerce
1335 Joslyn Road, Lake Orion, MI 48360
Phone: 248.693.6300 I Cell: 760.808.0823
Email: joyce@orionareachamber.com

______________________________________________________________

Media Release

Orion Area Chamber of Commerce Announces the 2023 Board of Directors

The Orion Area Chamber Leadership Team is dedicated to creating a healthy local economy and
building a strong environment for economic growth and sustainability.
In keeping with this vision, the Orion Area Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce New Board
Member Nicki North of Hershey Insurance. Nicki North joins newly elected officers: Chamber
Chairman of the Board, Wayne Haney of Haney Farm Bureau Insurance, Vice-Chairman Jimmy
Johnson of Graphic Takeover, Treasurer Steve Wandrie of Caliber Home Loans, Secretary Adrian
Schirr of Forum Health, Immediate Past Chair Garrett Hoffman of Your Food Dude, and Board
Members Angela DelPup of Ascension Providence Rochester Hospital, Theresa Doan of Genisys
Credit Union, Bill Kokenos of Golling Buick GMC; Orion Area Parade Group, Aaron Whatley of Orion
Township Parks & Recreation, and Jennifer Whitteaker of DTE Energy.
“The Orion Area Chamber is very fortunate to have such dedicated volunteers who devote their
time, talent, and treasures to benefit of the Orion Area business community.” states Joyce
Donaldson, President and CEO of the Chamber. “We are a passionate team of 11 volunteer Board of
Directors, two paid staff, and nearly 300 enthusiastic members. Together, we are working rigorously
to enhance the quality of life in the Orion area and are proud to offer a growing and energetic
environment in which businesses can joyfully flourish”
The Orion Area Chamber will host their Annual Meeting and Membership Appreciation Breakfast on
Thursday, February 2 nd at the Orion Center. To register or for more information please contact Joyce
Donaldson at 248-693-6300 or visit orionareachamber.com.
###

About the Orion Area Chamber of Commerce
The Orion Area Chamber of Commerce is dedicated to creating a healthy local economy and building
a strong environment for economic growth and stability. In ongoing efforts to achieve this lofty goal,
we represent business to government, coordinate educational forums, host networking events,
advocate for business-friendly legislation, and promote community.

Lower Health Care Costs for Michiganders

Lower Health Care Costs for Michiganders

by | Jan 16, 2023 | Regional News

Image
 

Friend ––

No one should have to choose between getting the health care and prescription drugs they need and putting food on the table for their families.

There’s no question this dilemma is a reality too many Michiganders face. That’s why I joined with my Senate colleagues to pass into law the Inflation Reduction Act — and I want to make sure you, your family and friends know about several of the law’s provisions that went into effect January 1, 2023, which are lowering health care and prescription drug costs:

· Insulin now costs no more than $35 a month for seniors on Medicare.

· All vaccines approved under Medicare Part D are free.   

· Prescription drug rebates will go into effect for Medicare, requiring pharmaceutical companies to pay back the federal government if prices for critical prescription drugs covered through Medicare rise faster than inflation. This measure is aimed to lower costs for Medicare patients and discourage pharmaceutical companies from exploiting inflation to hike up their prices.

If you are a senior on Medicare, these new Inflation Reduction Act provisions will be automatically applied, and you do not need to take any action.

For more information about how the Inflation Reduction Act will cut health care costs for Michiganders, CLICK HERE.

Working to expand access to quality, affordable health care and lowering prescription drug prices are among my top priorities as your U.S. Senator –– and I’ll keep fighting to reduce costs.

 

Thanks for reading,

Gary Peters
United States Senator for Michigan
Snowmobilers cautioned to watch for watery trail hazards

Snowmobilers cautioned to watch for watery trail hazards

by | Jan 16, 2023 | Recreation

 
DNR banner with link to website
A large water hole is shown across a lengthy section of snowmobile trail.

DNR News
Jan. 12, 2023

Contact: Ron Yesney, 906-228-6561 or Peter Costa, 906-630-0513

Snowmobilers cautioned to watch for watery trail hazards

A rider stops a snowmobile after a water hole across a snowmobile trail.Michigan Department of Natural Resources trail officials are urging snowmobilers to watch out for watery hazards along some state trails.

“There are still wet areas that are normally frozen by this time of year and there are wet areas that are not normally wet at all,” said Peter Costa, eastern Upper Peninsula trail specialist for the DNR’s Parks and Recreation Division. “Most areas still have good riding, but there are spots riders need to be careful and aware of.”

The situation highlights one of the tenets of riding best practices and that is to “know before you go.” Checking with websites or social media pages generated by local snowmobile trail clubs can be a great source of local information on trail conditions.

Another place to check would be the DNR’s trail reports page.

Over the next few days, unseasonably warm temperatures are forecasted for much of the Upper Peninsula and parts of the northern Lower Peninsula.

In general, snowmobilers are reminded of ways to safely “ride right” along the state’s more than 6,000 miles of snowmobile trails:

  • Ride at a safe speed.
  • Ride sober.
  • Ride on the right.
  • Ride within your abilities.
  • Watch out, and move over, for trail groomers.

Find out more about snowmobiling at the DNR’s snowmobiling and DNR closures webpages.

Note to editors: Accompanying photos are available below for download. Caption information follows. Credit: Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

Trail: A lengthy patch of water, slush and ice is shown along a trail in the eastern Upper Peninsula.

Water: A snowmobiler stops along a trail after passing through a watery hole.
Michigan releases new fish consumption guidelines

Michigan releases new fish consumption guidelines

by | Jan 16, 2023 | Health and Wellness

MDHHS banner with logo no names

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Jan. 12, 2023

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

Michigan releases new fish consumption guidelines
for rainbow smelt and carp caught in various lakes

LANSING, Mich.- The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has released new Eat Safe Fish guidelines for rainbow smelt and carp from seven different lakes across the state.

The updated Eat Safe Fish guidelines recommend limiting the consumption of certain locally caught smelt and carp based on levels of chemicals found in the commonly eaten parts of the fish.

The new rainbow smelt guidelines are based on elevated levels of perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) found in the smelt. PFOS is a chemical in the family of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and can build up in fish and in people who eat these fish.

The new Eat Safe Fish consumption guidelines for rainbow smelt are as follows:

  • Lake Huron: 6 servings per year.
  • Lake Michigan: 1 serving per month.
  • Portage Lake in Houghton County: 1 serving per month.
  • Gull Lake in Kalamazoo County: 2 servings per month.
  • Higgins Lake in Roscommon County: 4 servings per month.

MDHHS currently recommends that no one eat more than 1 serving per month of rainbow smelt from Lake Superior due to elevated levels of PFOS.

MDHHS is also releasing two new guidelines for carp based on elevated levels of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Like PFOS, PCBs take a very long time to break down in the environment and can build up in fish and in people who eat these fish.

The new Eat Safe Fish consumption guidelines for carp are as follows:

  • Thompson Lake in Livingston County: Do Not Eat
    • This means everyone should avoid eating carp from Thompson Lake.
  • Earl Lake in Livingston County: Limited
    • This means individuals under age 15, those with health problems such as cancer or diabetes and those who might have children in the next several years, are pregnant or are breastfeeding should avoid eating carp from Earl Lake. All other individuals should limit their consumption of carp from Earl Lake to one or two servings per year.

These new guidelines and others previously published in the MDHHS Eat Safe Fish Guides for lakes and rivers statewide can help Michiganders find safer fish to eat and reduce exposure to chemicals that can cause harmful health effects.

The Eat Safe Fish Guides are currently being updated for 2023 and will include these new carp and smelt guidelines along with others pending analysis. To view the regional 2022 Eat Safe Fish Guides, visit Michigan.gov/EatSafeFish and click on “Find Your Area.”

It is important to note that fish from some areas in Michigan are more contaminated than others. By using the Eat Safe Fish Guide, Michigan fish consumers can be confident they are making informed choices about eating the fish they catch from their local lake or river. Eat Safe Fish guidelines are not laws or regulations, and no one is required to follow them.

For more information on where to find, prepare, eat or buy safe fish, visit Michigan.gov/EatSafeFish or call MDHHS Division of Environmental Health Hotline at 800-648-6942.

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