by orionontv | Apr 3, 2023 | Feature Writers, High School Sports
Written Wednesday March 29th at 9:35 AM
Here are the baseball district early thoughts heading into the season.
District 16 at Livonia Stevenson
FARMINGTON
NORTH FARMINGTON
Livonia Stevenson
Novi
Novi Detroit Catholic Central
EARLY THOUGHTS: This should be a very interesting district. Livonia Stevenson should be the early favorite but Farmington, North Farmington, and Novi Detroit Catholic Central could have very strong says. Anyone can win this district with how good these teams are this season.
District 20 at Grosse Pointe South
HARPER WOODS
Grosse Pointe South
Grosse Pointe North
St. Clair Shores Lakeview
EARLY THOUGHTS: This is a very interesting district. Grosse Pointe North looks to be the favorite but Grosse Pointe South and St. Clair Shores Lakeview looks to be very tough outs. It’s going to be rough for Harper Woods being up in Division One this season.
District 22 at Royal Oak
ROYAL OAK
BERKLEY
Sterling Heights
Warren Cousino
Warren Mott
EARLY THOUGHTS: This is a very interesting district. I really like what Berkley has done in the past and they should be the early favorite. Royal Oak looks like they will have a strong say. I’m not sure about the Macomb County schools but right now this district looks like it’s the Bears to lose.
District 23 at TBA
OAK PARK
FERNDALE
Detroit University-Detroit Jesuit
Detroit Mumford
Detroit Renaissance
EARLY THOUGHTS: This is not a very strong district on paper. Detroit University-Detroit Jesuit should be the favorite to win this district. Ferndale looks like they will be the Cubs biggest challenger. Other than that there really isn’t anyone that could challenge the Cubs or the Eagles.
District 24 at Birmingham Brother Rice
SOUTHFIELD ARTS AND TECH
GROVES
SEAHOLM
Birmingham Brother Rice
EARLY THOUGHTS: This district looks like it could be a three teamer between Groves, Seaholm, and Birmingham Brother Rice. The Warriors look like they are the team to beat but never ever count out the Falcons or the Maples. Southfield Arts and Tech could make some noise but the other three teams are going to be very tough for them to beat.
District 27 at Romeo
ROCHESTER
ADAMS
STONEY CREEK
Romeo
Utica Eisenhower
EARLY THOUGHTS: This district has Adams and Utica Eisenhower written all over it. The Highlanders are the early favorite because of proven experience. The Eagles could be a player if things go right. Rochester is solid as is Stoney Creek. Romeo is the wildcard in this district. Until proven otherwise this district looks like its Adams to lose.
District 28 at Avondale
AVONDALE
TROY
TROY ATHENS
BLOOMFIELD HILLS
Utica
EARLY THOUGHTS: This is a pretty even district. Utica is the early favorite but Troy, Troy Athens, Avondale, and Bloomfield Hills should have strong says. This should be a very interesting district to watch that is for sure.
District 29 at West Bloomfield
WEST BLOOMFIELD
LAKE ORION
Waterford Kettering
Waterford Mott
Orchard Lake St. Mary’s
EARLY THOUGHTS: There are two powerhouse programs in this district and it’s very unfortunate that one of them is going home early. The Eaglets are the favorite but the Dragons should have a very strong say. West Bloomfield is the wildcard in this district. I don’t see the Waterford schools making a ton of noise right now.
District 31 at Oxford
OXFORD
CLARKSTON
Fenton
Holly
Grand Blanc
EARLY THOUGHTS: This looks like a very interesting baseball district. Clarkston is the early favorite to win this district but keep an eye on Oxford and Grand Blanc. They could surprise some people. The Bobcats had a deep postseason run last season and they could be more than capable of doing it again. The Wildcats are well coached despite being a young team.
by orionontv | Apr 3, 2023 | Feature Writers, High School Sports
Written Wednesday March 29th at 9:30 AM
Here are the early thoughts for the Girls Soccer districts this season.
District 6 at Clarkston
CLARKSTON
OXFORD
Lapeer
Davison
Grand Blanc
Flushing
Swartz Creek
EARLY THOUGHTS: This should be a very interesting district at Clarkston. Three teams standout with Clarkston, Oxford, and Grand Blanc being the favorites. Davison is the wildcard. Flushing could also play spoiler if things go right. The Wildcats, Wolves, and Bobcats have great chances to get to the regionals.
District 7 at Lakeland
WEST BLOOMFIELD
NORTH FARMINGTON
Milford
Lakeland
Waterford Mott
Walled Lake Central
Walled Lake Northern
EARLY THOUGHTS: This should be a very interesting district in White Lake. Lakeland stands as the early favorite but Waterford Mott, Walled Lake Northern, and Walled Lake Central stands out. Milford is the wildcard. North Farmington and West Bloomfield could surprise some people. When I see this on paper, when in doubt go with the hosts.
District 8 at Novi
FARMINGTON
Farmington Hills Mercy
Livonia Stevenson
Northville
Novi
South Lyon
South Lyon East
EARLY THOUGHTS: This should be a very tough regional at Novi. Northville looks like they are the favorite but can’t count out Livonia Stevenson, Novi, South Lyon, or South Lyon East. Farmington looks like the wildcard and Farmington Hills Mercy is more than capable of beating anyone. The Mustangs should be the favorite but like some said “Anyone can be beat on any given day.”
District 12 at Grosse Pointe South
HARPER WOODS
Grosse Pointe South
Dearborn
Dearborn Fordson
Detroit Cass Tech
Dearborn Heights Crestwood
Detroit Western
EARLY THOUGHTS: This is going to be a very tough district for Harper Woods. Grosse Pointe South is solid as is Dearborn and Dearborn Heights Crestwood. This district right now looks like it favors the Blue Devils to advance to the regional.
District 13 at Royal Oak
BERKLEY
GROVES
SEAHOLM
BLOOMFIELD HILLS
ROYAL OAK
SOUTHFIELD ARTS AND TECH
TROY
EARLY THOUGHTS: This is an all OAA district. Troy looks to be the early favorite but Bloomfield Hills is the defending Division One State Champs. Seaholm, Berkley, and Groves should be big time players as well. Royal Oak has home field which helps and they are more than capable of springing an upset. This should be a very interesting district to watch at Royal Oak.
District 14 at Utica
LAKE ORION
ROCHESTER
ADAMS
STONEY CREEK
Romeo
Utica
Utica Eisenhower
EARLY THOUGHTS: This is a very tough district at Swienhart Field. Whomever wins this district should have a great chance to get to the Final Four. Rochester is the early favorite, they have a lot of proven talent coming back. Stoney Creek has their fair share as does Adams. Lake Orion is the wildcard in all of this with their defensive first mindset. Utica Eisenhower is also solid as is Romeo. Utica is not bad as well. As mentioned whoever wins this district is more than capable to get to the Final Four.
District 15 at Troy Athens
TROY ATHENS
Chippewa Valley
Fraser
Sterling Heights
Sterling Heights Stevenson
Utica Ford II
Warren Cousino
Warren Mott
EARLY THOUGHTS: This is a very interesting district. Troy Athens should be the favorite with home field but keep an eye on Utica Ford II. The Falcons are more than capable of winning this district. Chippewa Valley and Fraser are dark horses in this district and could upset some people as well. This should be a fun district.
District 24 at TBA
FERNDALE
Walled Lake Western
Livonia Clarenceville
Detroit Renaissance
Birmingham Marian
Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood
EARLY THOUGHTS: This district should be very interesting. It looks like this is Birmingham Marian’s to lose but Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood could have a say in this district and give them some problems but early indications look like this district is all Mustangs.
District 26 at Goodrich
AVONDALE
PONTIAC
Goodrich
Holly
Orchard Lake St. Mary’s
Brandon
Waterford Kettering
EARLY THOUGHTS: This should be a very interesting district. Orchard Lake St. Marys, Brandon, and Goodrich look like they are the strong contenders in this district. Avondale looks to be the wildcard. They can beat anyone in this district. This looks like the Catholic League and Flint Metro League reign supreme for now.
by orionontv | Apr 3, 2023 | Feature Writers, High School Sports
Written Wednesday March 29th at 9:30 AM
Here is my early thoughts heading into the softball districts.
District 20 at Farmington Hills Mercy
FARMINGTON
NORTH FARMINGTON
WEST BLOOMFIELD
Farmington Hills Mercy
EARLY THOUGHTS: This looks like it will be a very tough district. North Farmington should be a player as will Farmington. Farmington Hills Mercy looks like they are the team to beat but also never count West Bloomfield out, they could surprise some people.
District 22 at Royal Oak
ROYAL OAK
BERKLEY
GROVES
SOUTHFIELD ARTS AND TECH
EARLY THOUGHTS: This district looks like it could be either Berkley or Groves that wins it. Royal Oak is the wildcard. It should be very interesting to see how this district goes.
District 23 at TBA
FERNDALE
OAK PARK
Detroit Mumford
Detroit Renaissance
EARLY THOUGHTS: This is not a strong district. Ferndale and Detroit Renaissance look like they are the two teams that could come out of this district.
District 24 at Grosse Pointe North
HARPER WOODS
Grosse Pointe North
Grosse Pointe South
Detroit Cass Tech
Detroit Western
EARLY THOUGHTS: This district looks like it could be a battle of Grosse Pointe’s between the Norsemen and the Blue Devils. Harper Woods is in Division One which they could surprise some people. Detroit Cass Tech and Detroit Western are solid teams as well. I think this district looks like it will be a Grosse Pointe school that moves on.
District 25 at Avondale
AVONDALE
BLOOMFIELD HILLS
SEAHOLM
TROY
EARLY THOUGHTS: This district looks like it is anyone’s to win. Bloomfield Hills looks like they are the early favorite but Seaholm, Troy, and Avondale will have strong says. This is a wide open district on paper.
District 26 at Utica
TROY ATHENS
Sterling Heights Stevenson
Utica Ford II
Utica
EARLY THOUGHTS: This district looks like it is a three team district. Utica looks like they are the favorite but keep an eye on Troy Athens and Utica Ford II. They could make some noise once the postseason comes.
District 29 at Oxford
OXFORD
Lapeer
Davison
Port Huron
Port Huron Northern
EARLY THOUGHTS: This could be a very interesting district. Oxford has a great chance to win this district. Davison and Lapeer could have very strong says. Three teams have a shot to win this district.
District 30 at Lake Orion
LAKE ORION
CLARKSTON
ADAMS
Waterford Kettering
Waterford Mott
EARLY THOUGHTS: This has the makings of a very tough district. Adams shocked everyone last season but Lake Orion and Clarkston are in this district. They could pose some problems for the Highlanders. I don’t see the Waterford schools competing. Three teams have a great chance to win this district.
District 31 at Romeo
ROCHESTER
STONEY CREEK
Romeo
Utica Eisenhower
EARLY THOUGHTS: This should be a very interesting district. Utica Eisenhower should be the favorite to come out of this district. Rochester should be very interesting as will be Stoney Creek. Romeo could surprise some people as well but this district should be the Eagles to lose.
by orionontv | Apr 3, 2023 | Religious
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DNR News
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April 3, 2023
Contact: Jon Spieles, 906-293-5131, ext. 4023
DNR offers variety of sponsorship and partnership opportunities
 The Michigan Department of Natural Resources invites businesses and organizations to get involved as sponsors and partners in taking care of and helping people experience the state’s natural and cultural resources, while connecting with the millions who enjoy these resources.
With less than 15% of the DNR’s annual, ongoing budget coming from general state tax dollars, new and creative revenue sources are vital to fulfilling the department’s mission.
“There has been unprecedented interest in Michigan’s natural and cultural resources in recent years, and as we fulfill our mission to protect these places, our goal is to provide world-class visitor experiences that will inspire future advocates for public lands,” said Jon Spieles, acting DNR Marketing and Outreach Division chief. “This is why we are open to a wide variety of sponsorships and partnerships – to help us provide responsible recreation opportunities while highlighting the many businesses that are growing the outdoor recreation industry and the state’s economy.”
Examples of opportunities include:
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- Advertising in the annual Michigan Hunting Regulations or Michigan Fishing Regulations digests, reaching hundreds of thousands of Michigan hunters or more than 1 million anglers. Find more information about advertising opportunities at Michigan.gov/DNRDigests.
- Improving accessibility at state parks by sponsoring a track chair. These off-road, electronic chairs can easily handle trails, snow, sand and even up to 8 inches of water, allowing users to explore areas of the parks that traditional wheelchairs might not reach. Michigan is working to have track chairs in more than 20 state parks, with several parks seeing so much use they are already fundraising for a second chair. Learn more at Michigan.gov/DNRAccessibility.
- Expanding visitor services and experiences throughout the DNR parks and recreation system by becoming a concessionaire. Business opportunities include concessions, restaurants, gift shops, rental outfitters, water park operators, guide services and many others. Find current concession opportunities at Michigan.gov/StateParkConcessions.
- Sponsoring habitat projects on state-managed lands through the Adopt-a-Game-Area program and helping grassland wildlife thrive. Support of this program provides valuable habitat for a wide range of wildlife, including deer, turkeys, pheasants, ducks, cottontail rabbits, songbirds and pollinators.
- Joining the “These Goods are Good for Michigan” program. These partners work with the DNR to raise awareness and support through revenue sharing – on products or services of interest to outdoor enthusiasts – for state parks, trails and waterways, and fish and wildlife species restoration.
For a complete list of ongoing options and contacts for each, visit the DNR sponsorship and partnership opportunities webpage, where new opportunities will be added as they become available. |
Note to editors: Accompanying photos are available below for download. Caption information follows.
- Bike_rentals: One partnership opportunity the Michigan Department of Natural Resources offers is expanding visitor services and experiences throughout the DNR parks and recreation system as a concessionaire. Business opportunities include rental outfitters and many others.
- Track_chair: Those interested in getting involved with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources can help improve accessibility at state parks by sponsoring a track chair. These off-road, electronic chairs can easily handle trails, snow, sand and even up to 8 inches of water, allowing users to explore areas of the parks that traditional wheelchairs might not reach.
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by orionontv | Apr 3, 2023 | Regional News
| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
March 31, 2023 |
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Department of the Attorney General
Sends Letter to Kroger Co. Urging Clear,
Truthful Advertising of Cage-Free Eggs
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LANSING – Last week Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel sent a letter to Rodney McMullen, CEO of regional grocery chain Kroger Co., urging the grocer “to add clear signage to your stores to help consumers understand which eggs, exactly, came from caged chickens.” The letter, authored by Jason Evans, division chief of Attorney General Dana Nessel’s Corporate Oversight Division, was spurred by a newly published report from Data for Progress, titled ‘Cracking Down on Koger’, which concluded from its polling, in-part, that “Kroger customers reveal that the company’s marketing of caged chicken eggs is both confusing and misleading, at best.”
In his letter from the Department of the Attorney General, Evans asserts the “report indicates that Kroger shoppers are being misled into buying eggs from caged hens wrongly thinking they are cage-free.”
“Grocery shoppers throughout the state should be able to decipher and trust the advertising in whichever grocer they shop,” said Nessel. “Grocers must be transparent and honest in their in-store marketing. It is troubling to read reports saying that is not what all customers are experiencing.”
At issue in the report is the use of product labeling terms such as “Farm Fresh” and “Grade A”, labels described by Data for Progress to not “have a relationship with the method by which the chickens that laid them were raised” and whose polling reflects “both uncertainty and misperceptions surrounding label meanings” among Kroger customers, per the report.
The Data for Progress report explains that Kroger Co. pledged publicly in 2016 to sell exclusively cage-free eggs by 2025. In 2021, the company reported being on track to meet this pledge, and then in 2022 abandoned its goal to ever achieve 100% cage-free egg stock on their shelves. In the departments letter, Evans reminds McMullen “Michigan law will prohibit – beginning in 2025 – the sale of eggs from caged hens.” Data for Progress concludes “Positive “Farm Fresh” language misleads many customers: Over 40 percent of Kroger customers are buying eggs from caged hens, believing they are cage-free.”
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