by orionontv | Jun 26, 2024 | Transportation
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 26, 2024
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MEDIA CONTACT
Jocelyn Garza
989-245-7117
[email protected] |
Blue Water Bridge eastbound span project update
Fast facts:
- The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) expects to complete maintenance on the eastbound span of the Blue Water Bridge (BWB) in mid-October.
- Both directions of traffic are currently using the westbound bridge.
- Wide loads are restricted to less than 10 feet and dedicated lanes are not being provided for buses.
- Through the remainder of construction, the Pine Grove Avenue ramp to the toll plaza will be closed 9 a.m. Thursdays – 9 a.m. Saturdays.
PORT HURON, Mich. - The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) has closed the eastbound span of the Blue Water Bridge (BWB) to complete critical maintenance, expected to be finished in mid-October. This project is managed by MDOT and will address required maintenance on the eastbound BWB span connecting Port Huron, Michigan, and Point Edward, Ontario.
During construction, both directions of traffic will be using the westbound span.
To reduce traffic congestion and improve safety on BWB and in the city of Port Huron, MDOT is closing the Pine Grove Avenue ramp to the toll plaza every Thursday at 9 a.m. until every Saturday at 9 a.m. throughout the rest of construction. This ramp closure will prevent congestion from impacting local streets in the community during peak travel times for bridge users. Pine Grove Avenue ramp traffic will be detoured via Pine Grove Avenue, westbound Hancock Street, westbound I-94, southbound Range Road, and eastbound I-94 to the BWB Plaza.
MDOT will continue to provide a dedicated toll lane for EDGE pass holders.
While MDOT completes this critical maintenance, the Federal Bridge Corporation Limited (FBCL) will address additional repairs on the eastbound span, much of which is occurring under the bridge deck. MDOT and FBCL are working closely to coordinate work and closures, reducing continual impact on commuters.
BWB customers should expect the following impacts for the remainder of construction:
- Dedicated lanes for buses are not being provided.
- Wide loads are being restricted to less than 10 feet.
The BWB is an essential economic link between Canada and the United States. This important project continues the commitment between MDOT and FBCL to maintain and preserve the safety and reliability of the BWB.
For more information:
Dave Smith
MDOT BWB
810-434-3274
[email protected]
Jocelyn Garza
MDOT Office of Communications
989-245-7117
[email protected]
by orionontv | Jun 25, 2024 | Community Event, Feature Writers
LAKE ORION, Mich. — On the days of Thursday, June 20 through Sunday, June 23, 2024m the Lake Orion Chapter of the Lions Club threw their annual Summer Jubilee celebration. This celebration primarily acts as a fundraiser for the Lake Orion Lions Club, proceeds from the fundraising go to charitable organizations and causes throughout the community.
The Lions Club International Foundation is a charitable and humanitarian organization that gives back to their chapters’ communities through fundraising, volunteering and more. The Lake Orion Chapter started in 1938, according to their website, lakeorionlions.org.
The Lions Club have hosted this event for more than 50 years throughout Lake Orion’s history, with each event seemingly getting bigger than the last.
ONTV intern Lexi McKinney spoke to Roger Brodeur, a member of the Lake Orion Lions Club, at the event about the impact of the Club on the local community.
“It’s one of our biggest fundraisers of the year, between this and our auction in November, we raise a lot of money to help our community… ,” Brodeur said.
Photo by Joe Johnson
According to Brodeur, the proceeds from the auction and the jubilee events go towards buying mass quantities of food in order to pack it all up and deliver about “2-3 weeks” worth of food to needy families.
“You’ll see me at some point, just standing there, looking around and I’m just grinning from ear to ear every year that the number of people that are just having fun… it just makes me feel good because I know we’re raising a lot of money to help others,” Brodeur said.
The main form of activities in the Jubilee are the carnival, with rides, games and tons of fun for kids, and the beer tent, with live music, drinks, and dancing for adults.
Many in the community also take this opportunity to reunite with distant and close relatives and simply have a good time.
ONTV asked festival-goers what they thought of the festivities going on during the weekend.
“I think it is a really great way to connect with the community and hang out with your friends while also donating to the Lions Club,” a community member, Paige Wied said.
Another member of the community Charlie Ghazal, said that the jubilee is “one of the best traditions here in Lake Orion.”
Finally, ONTV spoke to Lake Orion resident Cheryl Tront about what the jubilee means to the community.
“It’s very family-oriented, always something to do, always something different…” Tront said. “It’s a great place for kids growing up.”
For more information about events like these hosted by the Lake Orion Lions Club, visit their website at lakeorionlions.org.
by orionontv | Jun 25, 2024 | Community Event, Feature Writers
ORION TWP, Mich. — On Thursday, June 20, 2024, residents from all across the Orion area flocked to the backyard of the Orion Center building to take part in fun, games and free food. The event was put on by a partnership between the Orion Parks and Rec. department and the First Baptist Church.
Photo by Joe Johnson
The overbearing heat mixed with brief showers did not stop or delay the event from happening, Orion area residents were treated to a ‘staycation’ right in their backyard. The celebration coincides with the Summer Solstice, a celebration of the start of summer.
ONTV’s Joe Johnson spoke with Jennifer Vezina, a recreation programmer at Orion Parks and Rec. about the event that took place on Thursday evening.
“Every year we put this event together, and it’s just amazing to me how many families come out and enjoy it. What’s really nice, is anyone, everyone can come out because everything is free,” Vezina said.
The First Baptist Church sent volunteers to put on fun games and activities for all ages, as well as supplying tasty food to feed dozens of hungry residents.
“We are privileged every year to be able to partner with the township,” said Steve Sanders, a member of the First Baptist Church said. “The most fun I have is watching other people have fun.”
Photo by Joe Johnson
From snow cones, face-painting, cotton candy and more, this event helped bring the community together, whether they are involved in the church or not.
“They do it all, they bring it, they set it up, they pass it out and their volunteers are just happy to do it,” Vezina said. “Look at it, there’s families, families that perhaps couldn’t afford to go to something else and here they are, having that quality time together… everybody is happy and having a good time.”
One of the next big events for the township is the Dragon on the Lake celebration on August 23-25, an annual festival celebrating Lake Orion’s history put on by the Orion Art Center.
For more information about events like these, visit orionparks.com.
by orionontv | Jun 25, 2024 | Health and Wellness
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Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 25, 2024
CONTACT: Chelsea Wuth, 517-241-2112, [email protected]
MDHHS hotline for migrant and seasonal farmworkers provides bilingual information about influenza A (H5N1) in three languages
LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services farmworker hotline for seasonal farmworkers, 833-SIAYUDA (833-742-9832), is expanding to include resources and services that assist farmworkers impacted by influenza A (H5N1).
The MDHHS Farmworker Outreach Services Division launched the toll-free SIAYUDA hotline number in February 2023 to provide information and other service referrals in a farmworker’s primary language. Two-thirds of Michigan’s seasonal farmworker population speak only Spanish. The hotline provides English, Spanish and Haitian-Creole translation.
Michigan previously reported two human cases of influenza A (H5N1) in dairy farmworkers, and MDHHS is reminding Michigan residents about the bilingual SIAYUDA hotline that continues to provide prompts and culturally appropriate education to keep Michiganders healthy and safe.
“Immediate bilingual services like translations of safety, well-being and emergency press releases and more are available to seasonal farmworkers through the MDHHS Farmworker Hotline,” said Elizabeth Hertel, director. “MDHHS is proactively providing resources about health topics like influenza A (H5N1) for seasonal farmworkers in Michigan to ensure the health of all residents.”
A translation service is also available for farmworker calls in languages other than English and Spanish. MDHHS contracts with translation service industry professionals to provide quality health care to Michigan residents.
MDHHS continues to provide bilingual residents with tools to prevent disease, improve health outcomes and increase well-being.
For more information visit:
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by orionontv | Jun 24, 2024 | Recreation
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News Release
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| The following news release was issued earlier today by the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.
For immediate release: June 24, 2024
Program contact: Rob Miller, MDARD, 517-614-0454
Media contact: Jennifer Holton, MDARD, 517-284-5724
Michigan’s second detection of invasive insect
LANSING– Today, the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development confirmed the state’s second detection of invasive spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) in Monroe County. A small population of juvenile spotted lanternfly was recently detected in Lambertville, with the U. S. Department of Agriculture confirming the finding on June 17.
 “The infestation was detected through spotted lanternfly monitoring traps deployed by Michigan State University, as part of collaborative survey initiatives with MSU, MDARD, and the USDA,” said Steve Carlson, MDARD’s Pesticide and Plant Pest Management Division Director. “This work is a critical component of our ongoing efforts to identify and limit the spread of spotted lanternfly in Michigan.”
Spotted lanternfly is an invasive plant hopper native to eastern Asia. First found in the United States in 2014 in southeastern Pennsylvania, spotted lanternfly has spread rapidly through the eastern states. Confirmed observations of spotted lanternfly have since been recorded in 17 eastern and midwestern states. |
“MDARD is working with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, USDA, and Cooperative Invasive Species Management Areas to determine the scope of the infestation,” added Carlson. “We are currently in the assessment stage of response and will use the data we collect in the field to determine an appropriate response.”
 Spotted lanternfly has various life stages. Juveniles, known as nymphs, which resemble small, wingless black to red beetles with white spots, are found in the early summer, with adults, characterized by gray to brown outer wings with black spots, emerging in late summer.
Spotted lanternfly moves easily on firewood, tires, campers, vehicles and more. Prevention and early detection are vital to limiting the spread of spotted lanternfly. If you find a spotted lanternfly egg mass, nymph or adult, take one or more photos, make note of the date, time and location of the sighting, and report it online to Eyes in the Field. Photos are necessary to verify a report and to aid in identification. |
Spotted lanternfly prefers to feed on the invasive tree-of-heaven (Ailanthus altissima), but also feeds on a wide range of plants including grapevines and trees such as black walnut, river birch, willow, sumac, and red maple. When feeding, spotted lanternfly produces a sticky liquid, honeydew, that can collect on the ground or surrounding vegetation. This results in the growth of sooty mold, which can discolor and kill plants.
What can you do?
Everyone can help prevent the spread of spotted lanternfly. Remember to “See it. Squish it. Report it.”
- Check your vehicle: Before leaving a parking lot or work site, inspect vehicles for spotted lanternfly egg or insects. Check doors, sides, bumpers, wheel wells, grills, and roofs. Destroy any eggs or insects you find.
- Park with windows closed: The spotted lanternfly and its nymphs can enter vehicles unsuspectedly. When parked, make sure to keep windows closed.
- Remove and destroy pests: Crush nymphs and adult insects. Scrape egg masses into a plastic bag containing hand sanitizer or rubbing alcohol to kill them.
- Report sightings: Send in reports with photos to Eyes in the Field. Photos are necessary to verify a report and to aid in identification.
For additional information on identifying or reporting spotted lanternfly, visit Michigan.gov/SpottedLanternfly. You can also learn more at USDA’s spotted lanternfly website found at USDA APHIS | Spotted Lanternfly.
Michigan’s Invasive Species Program is cooperatively implemented by the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy; the Department of Natural Resources; and the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.
Note to editors: Accompanying photos are available below for download. Caption information follows.
- SLF hand: Spotted lanternflies are more likely to be seen with wings folded. Look for grey to brown wings with black spots, and black-striped wing tips. Photo courtesy of MDARD.
- Life cycles: The spotted lanternfly goes through several life cycles through the year. Learn to identify egg masses, nymphs and adult insects.
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