News Digest – Week of April 3, 2023

by orionontv | Apr 6, 2023 | Recreation

News Digest – Week of April 3, 2023

Daffodils emerge from the verdant ground, tall and vibrantly yellow in the spring afternoon.

Spring is on the way, and with it, new experiences, classes and events!

Here are just a few of this week’s stories from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources:

See other news releases, Showcasing the DNR stories, photos and other resources at Michigan.gov/DNRPressRoom.

PHOTO FOLDER: Larger, higher-res versions of the images used below, and others, are available in this folder.

Photo ambassador snapshot: Belle Isle blossoms

Blooms of white flowers cover two trees, creating a botanical veil through which the Belle Isle fountain can be seen aglow with sunlight. Want to see more pictures like this, taken by Michigan state parks photo ambassador Diane Wilks at Belle Isle State Park in Wayne County? Visit Instagram.com/MiStateParks to explore photos and learn more about the photo ambassadors! For more on the photo ambassador program, call Stephanie Yancer at 989-274-6182.

Your ‘burning questions,’ answered

A burning brush pile is supervised by an onlooker holding a shovel.

Warmer weather has arrived in some parts of the state and is coming soon to the rest! While setting out the lawn chairs, you might notice your yard has accumulated some unwanted scenery: fallen leaves, twigs and branches from seasonal pruning, and the remnants of last year’s foray into gardening are majorly harshing the BBQ vibes.

While you’re dreaming of warm-season fun, keep in mind that as temperatures rise and the ground dries out, spring also paves the way for wildfire season. Most wildfires are started by humans, so be extra careful with how you plan to dispose of yard waste or other materials.

If you’re planning to open burn, let’s make sure all your questions are answered:

What is a burn permit and why do I need one?

The State of Michigan’s burn permit is required for burning any unwanted material, such as yard waste or paper products. It’s not a physical permit you apply for. Instead, you can check online to see if weather conditions allow for you to safely open burn.

Burning trash, plastic, Styrofoam or other hazardous materials is never permitted and can have serious effects on your health. A burn permit is required anytime snow is not covering the ground.

For the Upper Peninsula and the northern half of the Lower Peninsula, you can check online to see burn conditions for your county. For the southern Lower Peninsula, contact your local fire department or governing body for a burn permit.

Individuals can be held legally responsible for letting a fire escape, and additional city or township burn restrictions may be in effect. Always double check before lighting anything.

“Nine out of 10 wildfires in Michigan are caused by people, but following a few simple fire safety tips can reduce the risk for everyone,” said Paul Rogers, DNR fire prevention specialist. “When you’re burning, always have a water source and shovel nearby to thoroughly extinguish the embers, and never leave your fire unattended.”

What other options do I have?

Burning your yard waste isn’t the only way to dispose of it. Here are some other ideas for getting your yard in shape:

Composting can retain soil nutrients for your yard, giving flowers, trees and other plants a boost.
Leave the leaves if you can – they are a fantastic habitat for native pollinators!
Chip up woody material for garden beds or pathways.

To learn more and see if conditions are safe for burning, visit Michigan.gov/BurnPermit.

For fire safety tips, visit Michigan.gov/PreventWildfires.

Questions? Contact DNR fire prevention specialist Paul Rogers at 616-260-8406.

‘An Ordinary Man’: Discussion on President Gerald R. Ford

What do you know about the 38th president of the United States, Gerald R. Ford? Maybe his brief presidency in the 1970s is ancient history to you, or perhaps you’re old enough to recall Chevy Chase parodying President Ford on “Saturday Night Live.” Whatever the case, there is so much to know about the life and legacy of the only U.S. president from Michigan.

Join the DNR’s Michigan History Center Thursday, April 13 at 2 p.m. for “An Ordinary Man,” in-depth conversation about President Ford, his family and his life between two men who knew him: author and nationally recognized historian Richard Norton Smith and Hank Meijer, vice-chairman and a trustee of the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation.

After the discussion, there will be time for audience questions and a book signing of Smith’s latest presidential biography “An Ordinary Man: The Surprising Life and Historic Presidency of Gerald R. Ford.”

The event is free of charge at the Michigan Library and Historical Center, 702 W. Kalamazoo St., Lansing.

Springtime fun on the agenda with April events

An angler wades in knee-deep water, eyes focused on their bobber in the mildly agitated waves.

Spring is here, and the DNR’s April calendar is full of opportunities to enjoy and learn more about Michigan’s natural and cultural resources.

Try a new outdoor activity, or get better at one, with the DNR Outdoor Skills Academy. Learn strategies and techniques for chasing Michigan’s “chrome torpedoes” at the April 15-16 steelhead fishing clinic or the A to Z of walleye fishing at the April 16 walleye clinic, both in Cadillac. And sign up now for the Saginaw Bay walleye clinic, coming up May 2-3 in Bay City. See a full schedule of classes at Michigan.gov/OutdoorSkills.

The Outdoor Adventure Center in Detroit offers a variety of fun for all ages this month. The April calendar features a variety of archery programs throughout the month, education programs for kids and seniors, opportunities to learn more about our avian friends with Birding Belle Isle April 16 and the Detroit Pheasant Walk April 30, and a boater safety class April 22. Get up close to cows, pigs, chickens and more during Down on the Farm in Downtown Detroit April 23, and learn how to make a wine bottle hummingbird feeder April 28. Find more info about these and other programs on the Outdoor Adventure Center events calendar.

Also on the April agenda are Maple Syrup Day at Hartwick Pines State Park in Grayling April 8, Easter egg hunts, a dark sky event at Lake Hudson Recreation Area in Lenawee County April 22 and more. For a full list of DNR events, see Michigan.gov/DNRCalendar.

Get involved in state park stewardship, wildlife habitat improvement and more

Volunteers pick uprooted invasives off a forest floor, placing them in large trashbags.

Each month, the DNR offers a variety of opportunities to help take care of Michigan’s natural and cultural resources. Here are a few ways to get involved this April.

State park volunteer stewardship workdays

Several state parks in southern Michigan will host stewardship workdays, where volunteers are needed to help remove invasive plants that threaten high-quality ecosystems.

Workdays will take place at:

Warren Dunes State Park (Berrien County), 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 8 and April 29.
Bald Mountain Recreation Area (Oakland County), 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 15.
Yankee Springs Recreation Area (Barry County), 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Sunday, April 16 and April 30.
Fort Custer Recreation Area (Kalamazoo County), 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, April 22.
Waterloo Recreation Area (Washtenaw County), 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, April 23.
Island Lake Recreation Area (Livingston County), 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, April 29.
Brighton Recreation Area (Livingston County), 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, April 30

More details about each workday and how to register can be found on the DNR volunteer events calendar.

Wolf Lake Fish Hatchery volunteer open house

Want to turn your passion into action? Learn about volunteering at Wolf Lake State Fish Hatchery Visitor Center in Mattawan during an open house from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 19. Find out how you can make a difference by getting involved in opportunities with kids’ fishing, stewardship projects and more, and join a special, behind-the-scenes hatchery tour at 6 p.m. Light refreshments will be available.

On the Ground habitat improvement projects

Join in fish and wildlife habitat improvement efforts with On the Ground, Michigan United Conservation Clubs’ volunteer program in partnership with the DNR. Projects coming up in April include:

Clinton River watershed cleanup, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, April 15 in Pontiac (Oakland County). Volunteers will help the Clinton River Watershed Council and Metro-West Steelheaders clean up Dawsons Millpond at Beaudette Park and Upper Silver Lake at Hawthorne Park.
Brush pile building in Kalkaska County, 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 22. Part of the Mark Kenyon’s national Working for Wildlife Tour. Volunteers will be working to maintain wildlife openings and build brush piles on public hunting land in the Traverse City Forest Management Unit.
Brush pile building and edge-habitat enhancement, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, April 29 in St. Clair County. Work with the Robert J. Lytle Chapter of the Ruffed Grouse Society to remove invasive woody vegetation and create brush piles for wildlife habitat at Port Huron State Game Area.

Find more details and register for these events at MUCC.org/on-the-ground.

For more opportunities to volunteer, contribute and provide input, visit Michigan.gov/DNRVolunteers.

THINGS TO DO

Get a jump-start on caring for your local trees and start planning for hemlock woolly adelgid management.

BUY & APPLY

Forest Legacy Program nominations are due May 1; the program protects important forests in Michigan.

GET INVOLVED

Michiganders love our loons – and you can help protect this important species by joining the Loon Rangers.

Alert Advising Caution, Patience When Purchasing Used Cars

by orionontv | Apr 6, 2023 | Regional News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

April 6, 2023

Media Contact:
AG Press

AG Nessel Issues Alert Advising Caution, Patience When Purchasing Used Cars

LANSING – Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, through her Consumer Protection Team, is cautioning patience and thorough review of vehicle and sales terms to Michigan residents shopping for used cars in a new consumer alert.

Purchasing a used vehicle is an experience often marked by high-pressure sales tactics, few or missing vehicle history details, ‘as-is’ terms of sale, and most often the transaction is finalized in a legally binding purchase agreement or contract.

“Purchasing a used vehicle is often an anxious, uneasy experience for buyers who only engage in this type of transaction every few years and aren’t often making purchases with such large price tags,” said Nessel. “Following several key tips on vehicle inspection and taking your time to thoroughly review any agreements you are signing can give buyers confidence in the process and the purchase.”

Among the recommendations in the alert are:

Examine the vehicle using an inspection checklist;
Find out if the vehicle was involved in an accident or incurred other damage;
Ask for maintenance records;
Check for open recalls at safercar.gov; and
Determine the value of the vehicle before you negotiate.

For more information, visit Michigan Attorney General alerts:

You can file a consumer complaint here. More information about the complaint process is available on our website.

For more information about popular consumer scams, or if you believe you’ve been a victim, residents can contact the Consumer Protection Team Monday-Friday at 877-765-8388 or complete our online complaint form.

RCOC LOOKING TO HIRE SEASONAL SUMMER LABORERS

by orionontv | Apr 6, 2023 | Regional News

RCOC LOOKING TO HIRE APPROXIMATELY 29 SEASONAL SUMMER LABORERS

The Road Commission for Oakland County (RCOC) is looking to hire approximately 29 seasonal summer laborers.

The position pays $17.50 per hour, with a five-day work-week schedule. Workers are expected to report in early June. The positions will last 10 to 12 weeks, depending on the need.

Applicants must be 18 or older and have a high school diploma or GED by the first day, have a valid driver’s license, be legally eligible to work in the United States and be available to work Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

This position entails working outside and standing for most of the work shift. The job requires the applicant be able to lift 25 pounds.

“Seasonal employees are a great asset to the Road Commission,” RCOC Managing Director Dennis Kolar said. “This allows the Road Commission to expand our workforce and maximize productivity during the road-construction season.”

Those interested should go to www.rcocweb.org and click the “Careers” button. On the “Current Job Openings” page, find the posting for “Seasonal Summer Laborer.”

The posting provides additional job information and the option to apply.

RCOC Careers Page

Gov. Whitmer kicks off opening day in Michigan

by orionontv | Apr 6, 2023 | Regional News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 6, 2023

Contact: [email protected]

Governor Whitmer Kicks Off Opening Day in Michigan

Governor joined groundskeeping team to help prepare the field for Opening Day

LANSING, Mich.– Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer proclaimed April 6, 2023, as Opening Day in Michigan to celebrate the kickoff of the Detroit Tigers home game. The Tigers have called Comerica Park home since April 11, 2000 and today marks the beginning of their 122nd season.

“The days are getting longer, the Oberon is flowing, and now, Opening Day is here,” said Governor Gretchen Whitmer. “Recently, I had the honor of helping the hardworking staff at Comerica Park prepare for Opening Day. I hope every Michigander attending or watching the game has a great, safe day as the Tigers kick off their 122nd season. Let’s go, Tigers!”

Governor Whitmer joined Tigers Groundskeeper Heather Nabozny to prepare Comerica Park field for Opening Day. The Governor had the opportunity to drag the infield, drive the drag screen and place the brand-new bases onto the field. While her work on the field may done for the season, Governor Whitmer looks forward to cheering the Tigers on to a successful season!

To view the full Opening Day video, click here.

Lt. Gov. Gilchrist Announces Innovative Partnership

by orionontv | Apr 5, 2023 | Regional News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 5, 2023

Contact: [email protected]

Lt. Gov. Gilchrist Announces Innovative Partnership to Attract and Retain Investment Professionals in Michigan

LANSING, Mich. – Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist joined the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) today to announce the Venture Fellows Program, a collaboration between MEDC and the Michigan Venture Capital Association (MVAC). Lt. Governor Gilchrist led the push for Michigan Strategic Fund funding for the Venture Fellows Program which will accelerate the fundraising and deployment of capital into early-stage companies. The program will be administered by the MVCA which works to increase the capital and talent available to venture investors so they can support Michigan’s most innovative entrepreneurs.

“Michigan workers are the most innovative and talented in the world, and we can lead the future if we support them with the resources they need to thrive,” said Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist II. “We can make Michigan the best place for dreamers and doers to realize a groundbreaking idea or pursue an exciting new venture. This crucial support for the Venture Fellows Program will help transform breakthrough ideas into new companies and industries that attract and retain talent and grow our economy. Governor Whitmer and I look forward to seeing this program’s impact and building on this progress to drive Michigan toward a bright future.”

The MVCA will create a broad network of talent to grow Michigan startups and support Michigan’s venture capital ecosystem. The Michigan Strategic Fund is supporting the Venture Fellows Program with $500,000 in matching funds that will be used to increase the number of venture professionals in Michigan, helping to accelerate fundraising for early-stage companies.

“Talent is essential and a priority for Michigan and the relaunch of the Venture Fellows program will help assist Michigan investor funds to add more staff capacity in order to expand their efforts,” said MVCA Executive Director Ara Topouzian. “This program is meant to ignite a new generation of investors that will hopefully create their own funds and support Michigan’s entrepreneurial community.”

To promote a diverse, equitable, and inclusive venture capital talent pool in Michigan, Lt. Governor Gilchrist brought together stakeholders to ensure the Venture Fellows Program prioritizes diversity, equity, and inclusion policies and practices. The Program will help Michigan venture capital firms hire the next generation of venture fellows with diverse experiences and backgrounds.

“As the MEDC strives to make the state’s economy the fastest-growing, most equitable, and most resilient in the nation, developing the talent for Michigan’s tomorrow is a foundational piece of the puzzle,” said MEDC Executive Vice President and Chief Talent Solutions & Engagement Officer Kerry Ebersole Singh. “By supporting the Venture Fellows Program, we can increase the number of venture professionals in Michigan, help accelerate the fundraising and deployment of capital into early-stage companies, and build a more diverse and equitable economy in the state.”

The 2023 Venture Fellows Program will require candidates to have a track record of actively contributing to a diverse and inclusive community, a commitment to diversity initiatives, and diversity and inclusion training through MVCAcademy, a required one-day training for venture fellows.

Venture firms that participate will be required to:

Be headquartered in Michigan or with a Michigan office.
Be structured in a manner that has general partners receiving a percentage of the total
investment capital each year (carry).
Be dedicated to building the entrepreneurial and investment community in Michigan.

If Assets Under Management (“AUM”) are greater than $100 million, match at least 60 percent; if AUM is less than $100 million, match at least 40 percent of the venture fellow’s annual salary.
Priority given to firms that do not already have an existing fellow.

Venture fellows who participate will be required to:

Demonstrate significant ties to Michigan.

Be interested in making a meaningful contribution to the Michigan entrepreneurial and
investment community.
Actively contribute to promoting the entrepreneurial and investment community.

To learn more about the Venture Fellows program, visit here: https://michiganvca.org/venture-fellows/.

Today’s news comes on the heels of Michigan announcing its comprehensive approach to marketing the state as a home of opportunity for all through a holistic campaign effort, including a talent attraction and retention effort.

In February 2023, the Michigan Strategic Fund approved $3.5 million in funding for the new EV Scholars Pilot Program, intended to retain top talent in the electric vehicle and mobility industry in the state. The EV Scholars program will provide scholarships of up to $10,000 for students graduating from the University of Michigan, Michigan State University, or Michigan Technological University who accept a job offer for full-time employment as an electrical engineer or software developer with a participating EV Scholar Core employer.

The program will also award $5,000 scholarships to junior or third-year students at one of the three participating universities who accept an internship as an electrical engineer or software developer with one of the participating employers in the EV Scholars Pilot Program.

Additional universities and companies may be added to the program in the future. The program is intended to help create new, rapid pathways to critical jobs in the EV and mobility sectors. It will also provide an incentive to students who may otherwise not have explored careers in the EV industry in Michigan.

Learn more about the EV Talent Action Team here.

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