by orionontv | Nov 9, 2023 | Transportation
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State Transportation Commission approves
final 2024-2028 Five-Year Transportation Program
Fast facts:
- The State Transportation Commission (STC) approved MDOT’s final 2024-2028 Five-Year Transportation Program (5YTP) for transmission to the Michigan Legislature, state budget director, and the House and Senate fiscal agencies by March 1, 2024.
- The final 2024-2028 5YTP document is available at Michigan.gov/MDOT5YearProgram.
LANSING, Mich. – Today, the State Transportation Commission (STC) approved the final version of the Michigan Department of Transportation’s (MDOT) 2024-2028 Five-Year Transportation Program (5YTP) for posting on the MDOT website and transmission to the Michigan Legislature, state budget director, and the House and Senate fiscal agencies by March 1, 2024, as required under state statute. MDOT invited public and stakeholder input on the draft document from Aug. 7 to Sept. 9, 2023.
The 5YTP contains a list of planned projects for the MDOT Highway Program (state-maintained roads, bridges, and facilities), as well as information on the Public Transportation, Rail, and Aeronautics programs. The document helps connect MDOT’s long-range goals and strategies for asset management with project programming and monitoring of performance measures and budget targets. Highlights of this year’s 5YTP include:
- $15.8 billion in anticipated state and federally funded investments, with:
- $11.2 billion in Highway Program projects focused primarily on repairing and rebuilding MDOT roads and bridges, with Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s $3.5 billion Rebuilding Michigan program contributing more than $592 million to that total.
- $4.7 billion in multimodal programs, covering MDOT Public Transportation (bus, marine, rail and ports) at $3.7 billion, and Aeronautics at $989 million.
- Highlights on Highway, Public Transportation, and Aeronautics program projects contributing to MDOT’s focus on equity and inclusion, transportation resiliency, and pedestrian and bicycle improvements, and
- A summary of public comments received during the comment period.
Accessibility:
Accommodations can be made for persons who require mobility, visual, hearing, written or other assistance. Please contact Orlando Curry at 517-241-7462 or [email protected]. Forms are located on the Title VI webpage. Reasonable efforts will be made to provide the requested accommodation or an effective alternative, but accommodations may not be guaranteed. |
by orionontv | Nov 9, 2023 | Regional News
Oakland County Animal Shelter and Pet Adoption Center Expands Hours for Public to Adopt Pets
Post Date:11/02/2023 10:04 AM
- Oakland County Animal Shelter and Pet Adoption Center is now open Saturdays and later Tuesdays and Thursdays.
- County Executive Dave Coulter’s administration worked with the Board of Commissioners to hire four additional employees to support the additional hours that the pet adoption center is open.
- For more information about adopting a pet, go to www.oakgov.com/petadoption.
Pontiac, Mich. – Oakland County Animal Shelter and Pet Adoption Center is now open on Saturdays and expanding its hours on Tuesdays and Thursdays to make it more accessible and convenient for people to adopt a pet or purchase a dog license.
The shelter has an unprecedented number of dogs and cats that need loving homes. In response, County Executive Dave Coulter’s administration worked with the Board of Commissioners to hire four additional employees to support the additional hours that the pet adoption center is open.
“There’s no better time to get a friend for life than right now,” said Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter. “We want to make it as convenient and accessible as possible for residents to head to the Pet Adoption Center and check out all the great dogs and cats, who are patiently awaiting their forever home.”
Beginning Nov. 4, Oakland County Animal Shelter and Pet Adoption Center will be open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays. In addition, the pet adoption center will be open until 7 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays starting Nov. 7.
“We believe that by being open to the public on Saturdays and later two days during the week, we will enable the public to have additional opportunities to come to the shelter to interact with our adoptable pets and hopefully pick out a furever loving addition to their family,” said Bob Gatt, shelter manager.
Currently, there are at least 125 dogs and more than 80 cats available at the pet adoption center.
Dog licenses for 2024 are available beginning Dec. 1. Proof of a current rabies vaccine is required to purchase a license. The shelter is offering free rabies vaccines every Tuesday morning from 9 a.m. until noon when the pet owner purchases a license at the same time.
The Oakland County Animal Shelter and Pet Adoption Center is located at 1200 N. Telegraph Road, Bldg. 42E, in Pontiac on the county government campus. To contact the pet adoption center, call 248-858-1070 or email [email protected]. For more information about adopting a pet, go to www.oakgov.com/petadoption.
by orionontv | Nov 9, 2023 | Regional News
Governor Whitmer Announces Over $73 Million in Support for Entrepreneurial Hubs Across the State
LANSING, Mich. – Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer joined the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) to announce that 27 organizations have been selected to serve as entrepreneurial hubs across the state of Michigan, providing comprehensive resources and support to the state’s small businesses.
The Small Business Support Hubs (SBSH) program received approval by the Michigan Strategic Fund in June, following the passage of the $75 million Small Business Smart Zones and Business Accelerators initiative by the Michigan legislature in February. The program is funded by a one-time appropriation using American Rescue Plan Act (“ARPA”) dollars to create and operate programs to support small businesses disproportionately impacted by COVID-19.
“Small businesses are the backbone of Michigan’s economy, and this investment to support their growth from President Biden’s American Rescue Plan will build on Michigan’s economic momentum,” said Governor Whitmer. “These 27 entrepreneurial hubs across the state will shore up our small business ecosystem, providing economically disadvantaged entrepreneurs and small businesses with the support they need to keep growing and expanding right here in Michigan.”
The program generated a high level of interest and demand, with a Joint Evaluation Committee reviewing over 80 applications representing a total of $275 million in funding requested. The 27 organizations selected will receive an average grant size of $2.7 million. While state law requires 20-percent of the businesses served by SBSH program to be minority-owned, an average of over 50-percent minority-owned businesses will be served among the applications selected.
“Michigan is committed to bolstering our entrepreneurial ecosystem by supporting the small businesses that drive our economy, as well as the trusted and expert partner network that serve them, across the state,” said Amy Rencher, MEDC Senior Vice President of Small Business Services. “By leveraging federal dollars, the Small Business Support Hubs will help us expand and improve resources across the state, as well as raise the national profile of the strength of our entrepreneurial community.”
Programming across the 27 hubs is designed to meet regional needs as well as economic competitiveness measures, such as resources for strategic sectors including ClimateTech and Advanced Manufacturing. The hubs will also offer targeted support to family-owned and rural businesses to drive resiliency in a rapidly evolving economic climate.
Resources available from the hubs will include one-on-one coaching, cohort-based learning and accelerators, mentor matchmaking, pitch competitions, networking events, access to capital, partner referrals, and statewide resource navigation.
- In Region 1, the grantees are Michigan Tech Enterprise Corporation ($3,426,316), Lake Superior Community Partnership, Inc ($3,426,315), and Chippewa County Economic Development Corporation ($1,426,315).
- In Region 2, the grantee is Traverse City Center for Entrepreneurship ($3,300,000).
- In Region 3, the grantees are Target Alpena Development Corporation ($2,149,239) and Otsego County Economic Alliance, Inc ($1,136,859).
- In Region 4, the grantees are Muskegon Innovation Hub at Grand Valley State University ($1,796,721), Start Garden Inc ($3,426,316), and Grand Rapids Nehemiah Project ($2,426,316).
- In Region 5, the grantee is Central Michigan University Research Corporation ($3,426,316).
- In Region 6, the grantees are Flint & Genesee Chamber Foundation ($2,366,356) and Economic Development Alliance of St. Clair County ($2,500,792).
- In Region 7, the grantee is Lansing Economic Area Partnership ($3,426,316).
- In Region 8, the grantees are Battle Creek Unlimited, Inc ($3,300,000) and Can-Do Kalamazoo dba Can-Do Kitchen ($1,926,315).
- In Region 9, the grantees are Ann Arbor SPARK ($3,426,316) and Lean Rocket Lab ($1,400,000).
- In Region 10, the grantees are Operations School ($2,815,115), Tejara ($3,426,316), Detroit Economic Growth Association ($3,426,316), Wayne State University Research and Technology Park in the City of Detroit ($3,426,316) and Velocity SmartZone ($1,800,000).
Multi-Region grantees are West Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce ($2,500,000) and ProsperUs Detroit Micro Lending ($2,000,000), while state-wide grantees are Lawrence Technology University Centrepolis Accelerator ($3,426,316), Small Business Association of Michigan Foundation ($3,426,316), and Michigan Founders Fund ($2,926,315).
Among the awardees for Region 1, Lake Superior Community Partnership has provided support to its business community in Marquette County for 25 years. With 95 percent of businesses in Marquette County classified as small businesses, the $3 million in funding from the SBSH program will ensure they can continue to support the small business ecosystem in the U.P.
“We’re honored to be awarded funds to expand those efforts by adding boots-on-the-ground support to reach small businesses in the entire central upper peninsula region, elevating our impact through more customized support and small business grants,” said Lake Superior Community Partnership CEO Christopher Germain. “With a wide range of partners, including Innovate Marquette, Accelerate UP, Northern Michigan University, Keweenaw Bay Indian Community, Sault Tribe Inc., and SDBC Upper Peninsula, the next three years will further cement the region as a great place to start and grow a small business.”
“The Upper Peninsula is a great place to live, raise a family, and work,” said state Senator Ed McBroom (R-Waucedah Township). “These funds will help to make sure opportunities to work remain available. Our small businesses remain the foundation of our economy, and the MEDC support shows a commitment to fostering those opportunities. Ensuring future generations have the chance to remain here is great for the U.P. and the state of Michigan.”
In Region 10 and also providing state-wide support, the Lawrence Technology University Centrepolis Accelerator also received a maximum award of $3 million from the SBSH program. The Centrepolis Accelerator aims to fuel the growth of Southeast Michigan’s small manufacturers and hardware entrepreneurs by providing access to key resources including mentors, workshops, cutting-edge technologies, corporate connections, student and faculty engagement, events, workspace, and a collaborative community of peers.
“The MEDC Small Business Hub award allows Centrepolis, Michigan’s only dedicated hardtech physical product technology accelerator, to scale up our capabilities to help support entrepreneurs throughout the Upper and Lower Peninsula,” said Dan Radomski, CEO of Centrepolis Accelerator. “With this funding, we will commercialize more physical products, advanced materials and manufacturing technologies, maintaining our state’s leadership in this area and ensuring these products are designed, engineered, prototyped, and manufactured in Michigan.”
The SBSH funding will also enable Centrepolis to launch a Defense Hardtech Accelerator to develop technologies critical to national security and address domestic supply chain gaps.
“It’s an exciting time in Michigan, we’re investing in businesses big and small,” said state Representative Jason Hoskins (D-Southfield). “This is crucial infrastructure to truly compete for the best jobs and to strengthen small business and entrepreneurship in our communities. Not just in Southfield— but across the entire State, we’re delivering.”
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by orionontv | Nov 9, 2023 | Lake Orion Schools
For IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 9, 2023
Lake Orion High School automotive program
awarded $30,000 grant
LAKE ORION, Mich. — Lake Orion High School has received a grant of $30,000 from the
Margaret Dunning Foundation to support automotive equipment upgrades.
The grant, submitted by second year LOHS Automotive Instructor Justin Montgomery, is one of
the largest grants received by the automotive program in recent history.
The grant will provide an opportunity to upgrade and add new equipment to the auto shop. We
will be upgrading both of our 2-Post Hoists, creating a safer welding space with two walk-in
welding booths with fume extraction, among other smaller equipment upgrades to benefit the
students. All these items will help the shop resemble what students will see out in the industry
and keep them even safer while working in the shop.
“I think that our automotive students deserve the best environment to learn new skills and
achieve their goals in. This equipment is going to really help jump start our program and
generate more excitement among our auto students” Montgomery said. “My students have so
much talent! I cannot wait to see them using this new equipment and continue helping them
build a foundation of knowledge that will lead them to success in life and the automotive
industry.”
The new equipment and upgrades will be installed over the course of the 2023-24 school year.
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About the Margaret Dunning Foundation
The Margaret Dunning Foundation was founded by Ms. Dunning in 1997. She was born in 1910 in
Redford Township, Michigan, and moved with her mother to Plymouth, Michigan in the1920s. During
her lifetime, Ms. Dunning was a successful businesswoman, philanthropist, and civic booster. She was
major supporter of many Plymouth nonprofits, including the Plymouth District Library and the Plymouth
Historical Society. In addition to her personal philanthropy, Ms. Dunning was a classic car enthusiast
and was a regular participant in the Woodward Dream Cruise with her 1930 Packard 740 Roadster.
Ms. Dunning died in 2015 at the age of 104. Her estate provided additional funding for the Margaret
Dunning Foundation, which continues to support her charitable interests and legacy.
315 N. Lapeer
Lake Orion, MI 48362
(248) 653-4637 cell
Mark Snyder
Director of Communications
and Marketing
LakeOrionSchools.org
Twitter: @LkOrionSchools
Facebook: @LakeOrionCommunitySchools
by orionontv | Nov 8, 2023 | Feature Writers, High School Sports
Written Tuesday November 7th at 7:00 PM
Welcome to the 2023 football season, here are our pickers for the season. Here are everyone who is doing picks this season.
SANDY DUNES is Sammy Taormina, OAA Now host and blogger.
COTTER is Sean Cotter, Walled Lake Western football and North Farmington basketball video coordinator
DUNLAP is Keith Dunlap, WDIV freelance writer
STICK is Dan Stickradt, North Oakland Sports writer
BURNEY is Scott Burnstein, MIPrepZone and State Champs sports writer.
TIM is Tim English, High School Sports Historian and Blogger.
SANDY DUNES 108-39
COTTER 121-26
BURNEY 109-38
DUNLAP 102-45
STICK 115-32
TIM 113-34
We’ll get Tim’s picks when we can.
Carleton Airport at HARPER WOODS: The Jets have been rolling people since their week three loss to Flat Rock. Carleton Airport had been averaging over 40 points per game and even put 70 on Detroit East English Village Prep in the first round but Carleton Airport with deep respect hasn’t played the schedule the Pioneers have. Harper Woods has played a brutal schedule and it has paid dividends. They also have proven players as well. It should be a fun one in northeast Wayne County on Saturday afternoon.
SANDY DUNES: HARPER WOODS 45, CARLETON AIRPORT 21.
COTTER: HARPER WOODS 32, CARLETON AIRPORT 21.
DUNLAP: CARLETON AIRPORT 24, HARPER WOODS 21.
STICK: HARPER WOODS over CARLETON AIRPORT.
BURNEY: HARPER WOODS 29, CARLETON AIRPORT 24.
TIM:
Haslett at Goodrich: This is a very interesting matchup of two teams that are rolling right now. The Martians survived Freeland 21-20 last week while the Vikings went into Chelsea and stunned the Bulldogs 30-22 last week. It should be a fun matchup on M-15 this week.
SANDY DUNES: GOODRICH 21, HASLETT 17.
COTTER: GOODRICH 35, HASLETT 28.
DUNLAP: GOODRICH 28, HASLETT 20.
STICK: GOODRICH over HASLETT.
BURNEY: HASLETT 40, GOODRICH 35.
TIM:
SOUTHFIELD ARTS AND TECH at Chippewa Valley: The Warriors are one game away from having the longest year in school history if they can go into Clinton Township and beat Chippewa Valley. Both teams have proven quarterbacks in Isisah Marshall and Andrew Schuster. Both teams have deep threats and solid rushing attacks. It should be a very interesting matchup that is for sure in Chippewa Valley.
SANDY DUNES: SOUTHFIELD ARTS AND TECH 35, CHIPPEWA VALLEY 27.
COTTER: SOUTHFIELD ARTS AND TECH 32, CHIPPEWA VALLEY 28.
DUNLAP: SOUTHFIELD ARTS AND TECH 27, CHIPPEWA VALLEY 20.
STICK: SOUTHFIELD ARTS AND TECH over CHIPPEWA VALLEY.
BURNEY: SOUTHFIELD ARTS AND TECH 31, CHIPPEWA VALLEY 28.
TIM:
CLARKSTON at WEST BLOOMFIELD: This is a rematch of a 44-36 Wolves win over the Lakers in week seven. Clarkston is coming off a stunning 38-37 upset at Lake Orion last week behind the play of Desman Stephens, Brody Kosin, and Brady Collins but injuries have seem to be piling up for Clarkston as of late. West Bloomfield is coming off a very impressive 24-6 win over Utica Eisenhower at Swienhart. Jaiden Allos had two interceptions including one for a touchdown while Rick Nance had three touchdown passes in that game. It should be a very interesting matchup in the Swamp.
SANDY DUNES: WEST BLOOMFIELD 45, CLARKSTON 21.
COTTER: WEST BLOOMFIELD 38, CLARKSTON 35.
DUNLAP: WEST BLOOMFIELD 34, CLARKSTON 20.
STICK: WEST BLOOMFIELD over CLARKSTON.
BURNEY: WEST BLOOMFIELD 33, CLARKSTON 26.
TIM:
My Podcast
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J6iPGnzqLi8&t=2463s
