Volleyball Regional Preview

Volleyball Regional Preview

Volleyball Regional Preview.

Written Saturday November 9th at 8:50 AM

Region Seven @ West Bloomfield

CLARKSTON vs Birmingham Marian

South Lyon vs Orchard Lake St. Marys

REGIONAL THOUGHTS: This is shaping up to be a really interesting regional. Clarkston is coming off a three game sweep of Lake Orion in the district finals but the Wolves are going to have it tough against a proven powerhouse in Birmingham Marian. The Mustangs had no troubles with North Farmington in the district finals. The other side has Orchard Lake St. Marys who had to survive a tough district beating Bloomfield Hills in a five set thriller and South Lyon who has been really impressive which included a five set win over Lakeland in the district finals. This should be a really interesting regional of current and new State powers in this regional.

PROJECTED CHAMPION: Birmingham Marian: To take a Ric Flair quote, “if you want to be the man, you got to beat the man.” The Mustangs are the team to beat and will do so over Clarkston and Orchard Lake St. Marys.

Region 14 @ Dearborn Divine Child

FERNDALE vs Detroit Edison

Dearborn Divine Child vs Detroit Cesar Chavez

REGIONAL THOUGHTS: This is a really interesting regional. The Falcons are in and are hosting the regional. They will have a really interesting matchup with Detroit Cesar Chavez who won over Dearborn Henry Ford in the district finals in the semifinals. The Eagles had a hard fought win over Ferndale University in the district finals. They will have a really tough matchup with Detroit Edison in the regional semifinals. It should be a really interesting regional.

PROJECTED CHAMPION: Dearborn Divine Child: When in doubt go with the home team, I have the Falcons moving onto the State Quarterfinals.

Residents reminded of carbon monoxide dangers

Residents reminded of carbon monoxide dangers

MDHHS banner with logo no names

Press Release


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Nov. 8, 2024

CONTACT: Laina Stebbins, 517-241-2212, [email protected]

Michigan residents reminded of carbon monoxide dangers;
routinely check detectors and appliances 

LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Department of Health and Human Servies (MDHHS) and Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) urge residents to protect their family by taking preventative measures against carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning and check CO detectors and fuel-burning appliances.  

Carbon monoxide is known as the “Invisible Killer.” You cannot see, taste or smell it, but it can be deadly when you breathe it in. CO is found where carbon-based fuels like gasoline, propane, charcoal, wood and others are burned. The gas can build up to deadly levels within minutes in enclosed or poorly ventilated spaces. 

“Carbon monoxide poisoning can happen to anyone if there are no safety measures in place,” said State Fire Marshal Kevin Sehlmeyer. “The only way to tell if it is present is with a carbon monoxide detector. Most CO poisonings take place at home and are caused by items that are not properly installed, cared for or vented like furnaces, water heaters, generators, grills, dryers, space heaters, fireplaces, chimneys and gas stoves. Having these appliances checked yearly by professionals will reduce CO poisoning from happening.”  

“Carbon monoxide poisoning symptoms are similar to the flu,” said Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, chief medical executive. “Symptoms include fatigue, headache, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, drowsiness and confusion. Carbon monoxide poisoning can lead to coma and death, so these symptoms should not be ignored.”  

If you suspect you may be experiencing CO poisoning, or your CO detector alarm alerts, go outside immediately and call 911. Stay away from the enclosed space, even if you aren’t experiencing symptoms, until the fire department tells you it is safe to return.  

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that each year approximately 100,000 people across the country visit the emergency department for accidental CO poisoning. In 2022, there were 727 Michigan emergency department visits for CO poisoning (MiTracking Data Portal).  

CO exposure may be particularly dangerous for:

  • Developing babies: Fetal blood cells absorb CO more easily than adult blood cells.
  • Children: Children have smaller bodies and breathe more rapidly than adults, potentially taking in more of the gas.
  • Older adults: Older adults are very susceptible to carbon monoxide poisoning and may be more likely to develop brain damage following exposure to the gas.
  • People who have heart disease: CO causes direct damage to the heart, which permanently impairs heart function. People who have pre-existing heart disease are at greater risk for serious adverse health effects following exposure.
  • Those with chronic exposure: People who are repeatedly exposed to carbon monoxide can incur more severe health effects at lower levels of exposure.

CO poisoning is preventable. Here are some prevention tips to follow:

  • Install CO detectors. Detectors should be on every level of your home including the basement, mechanical rooms and near sleeping areas.
  • Replace detectors every five years or according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
  • Test detectors monthly to ensure they work.
  • Generators should be run at a safe distance (at least 20 feet) from the home. Never run a generator in the home, garage or next to windows, doors or other enclosed spaces. Remember that CO can build up and linger for hours, even when the generator has been shut off.
  • Maintain and use fuel-burning devices correctly. Have heating systems, water heater and any fuel-burning devices inspected by a professional every year. Make sure gas appliances are vented properly.
  • Where you have fuel-burning devices, use a CO detector. Have a detector handy when camping or hunting and/or when using tents, cabins, RVs and boats with enclosed cabins.
  • Never run a car in an enclosed space. If a vehicle is running in the garage, the garage door must be fully open to allow harmful fumes to escape.
  • Use fuel-burning devices outside only. Never run a gasoline or propane heater or charcoal, gas or wood grill inside your home or in any enclosed space, including a garage.

Additional CO poisoning and poisoning prevention information is available at the following sites:

State of Michigan

National

Visit https://Michigan.gov/MiTracking for more information about CO poisoning. 

Mackinac Bridge Authority approves credit card fees

Mackinac Bridge Authority approves credit card fees

MBA header June 2024


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 8, 2024 
MEDIA CONTACT
James Lake
906-250-0993
[email protected]

Mackinac Bridge Authority approves credit card convenience fees, lower deposit limits for MacPass

Fast facts:

  • Citing credit card transaction fees the Mackinac Bridge Authority pays, the Authority approved a new 2.3 percent convenience fee to recoup some of those costs beginning Jan. 1.
  • The Authority approved lowering initial MacPass deposits from $80 to $40, and refill deposits from $50 to $20.
  • The Authority also voted to discontinue acceptance of American Express credit cards, noting their higher average transaction costs.

SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. – Recognizing the increased costs for credit and debit card transaction fees, the Mackinac Bridge Authority (MBA) today approved collecting a 2.3 percent convenience fee for tolls paid by credit cards to recoup some of those expenses.

 

Authority members cited the rising costs of transaction fees from credit card companies, which totaled $341,761.51 in 2024, as the reason for the new convenience fees. The current average credit card fees for tolls paid is 3.07 percent; roughly 12-13 percent of all tolls are paid by credit card.

 

“Though this convenience fee will not cover all credit card processing costs, it will help defray those costs in a way that will allow us to continue directing most of our toll revenues to the neverending job of maintaining and operating the Mackinac Bridge,” said Authority Chairman Patrick “Shorty” Gleason.

 

The convenience fee will add roughly $0.09 for the typical $4 toll for passenger vehicles. The new fee would take effect Jan. 1, 2025.

 

Customers who pay in the toll lanes can avoid the credit card fees by paying cash. MacPass holders can make deposits with cash or electronic checks to avoid the fees.

 

To make it easier for customers to open and refill their MacPass commuter toll program accounts, the Authority also reduced the initial account minimum deposit from $80 to $40, and refill deposit minimums from $50 to $20. Those changes are expected to take effect Dec. 1, or as soon as possible.

 

Noting the relatively higher credit card processing fees for American Express, currently at 4.79 percent, the Authority also approved discontinuing acceptance of those credit cards for payment beginning Jan. 1, 2025.

 

The MBA took action today at its meeting in Sault Ste. Marie, Mich. A recording of the meeting is available to view on YouTube.