by orionontv | Jun 2, 2023 | Regional News
All Oakland County Residents Asked to Complete Regional Broadband Survey
Survey will help officials understand needs, develop solutions
Post Date:06/01/2023 11:52 AM
June 1, 2023, OAKLAND COUNTY, MI. – In partnership with Macomb and Wayne, Oakland County has launched a survey to help understand access to broadband, also known as high-speed internet, around the region. The survey will help local officials determine where infrastructure and service must be improved to meet the modern needs of residents. The effort is a result of a pledge county commissioners made during the 2022 Tri-County Summit to collaborate and share resources in order to make a greater impact collectively.
“This project is a top priority for our county, and it demonstrates how our region is working together better than ever,” Oakland County Board Chair David T. Woodward said. “The results from this survey are critical to maximizing our access to resources so we can address barriers.”
It is critical that all residents complete the survey and provide accurate information. Results will identify areas of Michigan that do not have high-speed internet or have poor internet service, plus areas where service is unaffordable.
“Widespread and affordable access to broadband service is more important than ever for our residents, our students and our businesses,” Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter said. “This survey is the first step toward identifying gaps in service so we can make the necessary investments to ensure equitable access to the internet.”
To identify gaps in internet service and affordability issues, the three counties have partnered with Merit Network, a Michigan-based nonprofit to develop a survey and promotional materials to reach all properties in Macomb, Oakland and Wayne Counties. The effort is part of Merit’s Michigan Moonshot initiative, which aims to leverage partnerships to connect everyone in Michigan regardless of geography.
Residents can visit MichiganMoonshot.org/Tri-County-Broadband to complete the brief survey. Paper surveys are available upon request by calling 313-625-0029.
by orionontv | Jun 2, 2023 | Recreation
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DNR News
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| June 1, 2023
Contact: Jason Hartman, 989-275-5151
What’s with those trees? They’re making seeds for the future
 Folks rolling along Michigan roads may notice some strange-looking forestry: Stands where some red pines have been cut and others remain, but have their tops sheared off.
The scenes – near Roscommon, along U.S. 2 near Manistique and near the Cheboygan County town of Wolverine – look forlorn. But despite their disheveled look, these trees will create seeds to make sure red pines grow in Michigan well into the future.
“Red pine is a difficult species to regenerate naturally because they don’t generate cones on a regular basis,” said Jason Hartman, silviculturist for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. “But it’s an important tree in Michigan for forest restoration, timber and carbon sequestration. We plant seedlings as the most common method to regenerate red pine, but we need large volumes of seed to grow that many seedlings.”
When tops are cut out of the trees, the bottom branches become bushy and generate cones that can easily be harvested to provide more seeds for future plantings.
“We know it looks strange right now, but it will look better as the trees respond and as we continue to manage those seed collection areas” Hartman said.
Red pine trees typically grow 50 to 80 feet tall, but can reach 100 feet in height. That makes them perfect for one of their key uses: as utility poles. Red pine also is used for lumber and paper, making them a valuable part of Michigan’s nearly $22 billion forest economy.
Michigan’s landscape supports about 220 million red pines, according to the USDA Forest Service. Red pine trees also provide food and shelter for a variety of wildlife including birds and small animals.
The DNR plants approximately 4 million red pine seedlings per year in the northern Lower Peninsula and Upper Peninsula. Cones are collected in September, dried and then frozen for future use.
Note to editors: The accompanying photo is available below for download. Caption information follows.
- What’s up with those trees? Red pine trees in several locations around the state look like they’ve been ravaged, but the work was actually done with purpose. The strange-looking trims allow for the easy harvest of cones to provide seed for planting.
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by orionontv | Jun 2, 2023 | Local News
General Motors Announces $100,000 in Grants to local Nonprofits
Lake Orion, MI – Today, General Motors Orion Assembly, Pontiac Pre-Production Operations and Pontiac Stamping announced charitable investments in the community surrounding its manufacturing facilities, providing grants to five nonprofit organizations totaling $100,000.
The grants were provided through GM’s Community Impact Grants program, which was created in 2010 to empower local GM leaders and employees to direct funding toward nonprofit organizations addressing local issues facing their communities.
“As part of our mission at GM, we recognize our company’s responsibility to make a positive social impact” said Jim Quick, Orion Assembly Executive Director. “We’re proud to support these non-profit organizations that strengthen the communities where we live and work.” Since 2019, GM has granted more than $13 million to nonprofits in its facility communities, and $460,000 to Lake Orion and Pontiac, through the Community Impact Grants program.
Funding was provided to local nonprofits including:
- The Baldwin Center’s After School program provides academic enrichment activities for youth grades k-12 in Pontiac at little or no charge to families. Jump Start engages youth grades k-5 in the excitement of STEM activities and how it relates to everyday activities. The Kidnetic program, for grades 6-12 utilizes a series of social and emotional development curriculums, which help youth in critical thinking and problem solving, as a foundation for success in STEM programs.
- Blessings in a Backpack Lake Orion feeds hungry Lake Orion schoolchildren every weekend during the entire school year, whose families qualify for the federal Free and Reduced-Price Meal program. Better test scores, improved reading skills, positive behavior, improved health, and increased attendance have all been attributed to the success of this program.
- International Technology Academy Initiatives Foundation program includes two (2) Young Engineers Clubs (Elem. & Secondary) and two (2) Gaming & Artificial Intelligence Club (Elem & Secondary). The YEC will enhance STEM classroom learning by designing and completing engineering projects in the areas of computer-aided design, 3D printing, and in areas such as electrification and rapid manufacturing. G&AI Club will provide secondary students a chance to design & execute to completion.
- Center for Success Network’s program provides structured, literacy focused out-of-school learning programs for elementary-aged students in Pontiac. A rigorous literacy support program is complemented by inspiring enrichment events and family support engagements. The center transports students to after-school program sites, provides them with nutritional meals during each session, and connects them with a responsive community of staff, mentors, and enrichment partners.
- Reroot Pontiac installed a 2-acre community garden using sustainable gardening methods. This year produce will be available for residents. The next steps for the project will be to develop a cultural garden community program.
These local donations are part of charitable investments in the communities surrounding GM’s U.S. manufacturing facilities, providing grants to 157 nonprofit organizations totaling $3 million this year. These grants align with the company’s overarching philanthropic priorities focused on STEM education, vehicle and road safety, and community development, as well as targeted investments that enhance the quality of life in facility communities around the world.
In 2022, GM provided $60 million to more than 400 nonprofits dedicated to helping create inclusive solutions to social issues around the world. GM employees strengthened the impact with 158,000 volunteer hours and more than $5 million in donations. Learn more at gm.com/commitments/communities.
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General Motors (NYSE:GM) is a global company focused on advancing an all-electric future that is inclusive and accessible to all. At the heart of this strategy is the Ultium battery platform, which powers everything from mass-market to high-performance vehicles. General Motors, its subsidiaries and its joint venture entities sell vehicles under the Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, Cadillac, Baojun and Wuling brands. More information on the company and its subsidiaries, including OnStar, a global leader in vehicle safety and security services, can be found at https://www.gm.com.
by orionontv | Jun 1, 2023 | Health and Wellness
Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 1, 2023
CONTACT: Lynn Sutfin, 517-241-12112, SutfinL1@michigan.gov
Income guidelines for WIC program increased;
additional Michigan families may qualify
Lansing, Mich. – Michigan’s income guidelines for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) have increased and additional families may now qualify for the program.
“The 2023 federal income guidelines reflect a significant increase as of June 1,” said Christina Herring, WIC director. “This is good news for Michiganders as more families may now be eligible for this important program that provides valuable nutritional education and healthy foods.”
family of four may qualify for WIC with an annual income of up to $55,500, a $4,162 or 8.1% increase from last year. WIC is open to participants with incomes up to 185% of the federal poverty level.
Updated income guidelines by family size are as follows:
| Family Size* |
Annual Income |
Weekly Income |
| 2 |
$36,482 |
$702 |
| 3 |
$45,991 |
$885 |
| 4 |
$55,500 |
$1,068 |
| 5 |
$65,009 |
$1,251 |
| 6 |
$74,518 |
$1,434 |
*Each expected infant counts as one in the family size.
*For additional family sizes, please visit the Michigan WIC Income Guidelines.
Individuals who are pregnant or have had a baby within the past six month; are currently breastfeeding; or are the parent or guardian of a child up to age 5, are encouraged to contact their local county health department or WIC agency to apply.
Families who receive Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families already meet the income qualifications for WIC. Families who do not qualify for these programs may still be eligible for WIC due to WIC’s higher income limits.
WIC is a federally funded United States Department of Agriculture program administered by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. It serves low and moderate income pregnant, breastfeeding and postpartum women, infants and children up to age five who are found to be at nutritional risk. WIC provides nutrition education, supplemental foods, breastfeeding promotion and support and referrals to health care.
For more information, visit the Women, Infants & Children website. Contact WIC by calling 800-942-1636 or via email at [email protected].
by orionontv | Jun 1, 2023 | Health and Wellness
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Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 1, 2023
CONTACT: Chelsea Wuth, 517-241-2112, [email protected]
Michiganders urged to take precautions to prevent heat-related illness as temperatures climb across the state
LANSING, Mich. – With temperatures reaching over 90 degrees in Michigan over the next several days, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is encouraging all residents to stay cool to beat the heat.
MDHHS routinely reviews emergency department (ED) data for heat-related illness. As daily temperatures rise above 80 degrees, ED visits for heat-related illness tend to increase. This is often more likely for the first high-heat event of the year as people are not as used to those kinds of temperatures and may not take the necessary precautions.
“It’s important Michiganders stay hydrated and understand the risks of excessive heat exposure during this warm weather,” said Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, MDHHS chief medical executive. “Young children, older adults and those who have medical conditions are at increased risk for heat-related illness, so be sure to check frequently on them and others in your community who may need additional assistance.”
To prevent complications from the heat, residents are encouraged to:
- Drink more fluids and avoid liquids with large amounts of sugar or alcohol.
- Limit outdoor activities to when it is coolest in the morning and evening.
- Spend time indoors in air conditioning at home or in a cooling center.
- Wear lightweight, light-colored and loose-fitting clothing.
- Wear sunscreen, as sunburn affects a body’s ability to cool down.
- Check on elderly neighbors and relatives to determine if they need assistance.
For those without access to air conditioning, text or call 211 or contact your local health department to find out if there is a cooling center nearby. You can also spend some time at an air-conditioned library, shopping mall or other public building – even a few hours spent in air conditioning can help.
In addition to staying hydrated and out of the sun, residents are reminded to never leave children or pets alone in a car even with windows cracked. Temperatures inside a car can easily be double the temperature outside, and because a child’s body heats up three to five times faster than an adult’s they are more susceptible to heatstroke.
Heat exhaustion and heatstroke are both forms of heat-related illness. Signs of heat-related illness vary but may include heavy sweating, muscle cramps, weakness, dizziness, headache, nausea or vomiting, fainting, an extremely high body temperature (above 103°F) and tiredness. Heatstroke occurs when the body is unable to regulate its temperature and can result in death if not treated promptly.
For more information about how to protect yourself and your loved ones from heat-related illness, see the MDHHS Heat Awareness and Safety Fact Sheet, also available in Spanish, Arabic, and Bengali, or visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s website. |
