by Becky Andrus | Mar 11, 2025 | Feature Writers, High School Sports
Written Saturday March 8th at 5:30 PM
Here is the regional previews for Girls Basketball set for Monday and Wednesday March 10th and 12th.
CLARKSTON vs Utica Eisenhower @ Lapeer
This is a really interesting matchup. The Wolves are the more veteran team taking on an Eagles team that is coming into this game with a lot of confidence. Clarkston came from 17 down on their home floor to stun Lake Orion 59-56 in overtime in an emotional rivalry game. Utica Eisenhower beat Stoney Creek 49-46 at Stoney Creek in a very controversial game. The interior matchup looks to be the key in this matchup and can Clarkston stop the full court trap Utica Eisenhower does??? It should be a really interesting matchup.
WEST BLOOMFIELD vs Grand Blanc @ Lapeer
This is a Division One State Finals rematch and also a rematch from a 76-39 Lakers win over the Bobcats on West Bloomfield’s senior night. The Bobcats will have an advantage on travel but West Bloomfield isn’t afraid of anyone. Usually the Lakers perform which they did against Orchard Lake St. Marys winning 41-36 on their home floor. This should be a really interesting matchup.
ROYAL OAK vs Warren Cousino @ St. Clair Shores Lakeview
The Ravens won their second straight district crown with a 42-35 win over Berkley on their home floor. Now they bring the baby green dinosaur to St. Clair Shores to have a rematch with Warren Cousino. The Patriots have not forgotten the 43-41 buzzer beater by Lucy Freytag last season in Warren. This looks to be a classic between these two teams. The winner will likely see Utica Ford II or Macomb Dakota in the regional final.
FERNDALE vs Redford Union @ Detroit Edison
The Eagles are coming off a convincing 62-28 district final rout of Madison Heights Lamphere. Ferndale has proven players despite the lack of depth. The Eagles should have no issue but they will have a tough one if they can get by Redford Union with Detroit Edison in the regional finals. It will be really interesting to see what happens.
by orionontv | Mar 7, 2025 | Regional News
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
March 7, 2025
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MPSC Disallows $30 Million in DTE Electric’s Cost Recovery Proposal
LANSING – Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel’s arguments before the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) succeeded in convincing the Commission to disallow $33,774,728 in attempted cost recovery sought by DTE Electric, per an order issued by the MPSC last week.
Regulated utilities file cost recovery cases annually with the MPSC (distinct and separate from rate increase request cases) in an effort to recover, from their monopolized ratepayers, costs incurred by the utility corporation to purchase power to satisfy Michigan residents’ grid demand. Often, utility corporations attempt to “recover” from their customers increased costs that benefit only their shareholders or otherwise result from imprudent or unreasonable management of outages, mismanaging or poorly planning their own power generation, or even purchasing power through sweetheart deals with affiliated or formerly affiliated energy companies. In this cost recovery case, the MPSC ruled that DTE improperly attempted to bill their customers for more than $30 million in costs the utility corporation failed to support as necessary or beneficial to their electric customers. Much of the $30 million dealt with DTE’s imprudent management of several power plant outages. The MPSC issued its order on February 27th.
“Regulated utility corporations often seek permission to recover certain increased costs they incur to deliver Michiganders’ energy supply but, in all instances, they must show these expenses were in the interest of their customers and procured at competitive costs,” said Nessel. “DTE failed to make the mark here, and not for the first time. My office will continue to argue before the MPSC to keep unsupported and wasteful cash outlays made to boost corporate profits or for any other improper purpose off Michigan ratepayers’ bills.”
Also on February 27th, the MPSC issued another order disallowing $7,537,566 in unsupported costs requested in a case filed by DTM Michigan Lateral Company, a pipeline owner and operator whose main customer is DTE Gas. The Attorney General’s intervention in this case led to the issues being fully examined before a judge. The order will prevent more than $7.5 million from being billed to DTE Gas customers.
Altogether, the two orders amount to a total Michigan ratepayer savings of $41,312,294.
DTE sells natural gas to 1.3 million customers across the state and electricity to approximately 2.3 million customers in Southeast Michigan. Since taking office, Attorney General Nessel has helped save Michigan ratepayers nearly $3.7 billion.
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by orionontv | Mar 7, 2025 | Transportation
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 7, 2025 |
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MEDIA CONTACT
Michael Frezell
517-281-6519
[email protected]
Max Fulkerson
Director of Safe Routes to School,
Michigan Fitness Foundation
517-908-3832
[email protected] |
MDOT and Michigan Fitness Foundation remind drivers to be alert as clocks “spring forward” on Sunday
LANSING, Mich. – As clocks “spring forward” to daylight saving time at 2 a.m. Sunday, March 9, the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) and Michigan Fitness Foundation (MFF) remind drivers to watch out for pedestrians, runners and bicyclists always, but especially in low light conditions. Sunrise will occur one hour later, meaning that it will be darker later in the morning. Drivers also should allow a minimum 3-foot distance when passing a bicyclist, according to state law.
“Safety on our roads is a shared responsibility regardless of how you are getting around,” said State Transportation Director Bradley C. Wieferich. “Whether moving about by walking, rolling or driving a motor vehicle, it is essential everyone remain alert and avoid distractions to ensure everyone gets to their destination safely. Drivers are reminded that Michigan’s distracted driving law makes it illegal to manually use a cell phone or other mobile electronic device while operating a vehicle. Under the law, a driver cannot hold or support a phone or other device with any part of their hands, arms or shoulders. Road users need to be alert and eliminate distractions. Also, people travelling on foot or rolling are encouraged to wear brighter colored clothing with reflective material to enhance visibility.”
Drivers are reminded that bicyclists are permitted to ride on most roadways in Michigan, unless otherwise posted. As legal roadway users, bicyclists are required to obey all traffic laws, signs and signals.
Working with schools and communities across the state, MFF Safe Routes to School program staff provide best practices that help communities identify and overcome safety barriers that make it safe for children to commute safely to and from school.
“Through our Safe Routes to School partnership with MDOT, we work with communities to create safe environments for children who walk, bike and roll to school,” said MFF President and CEO Amy Ghannam. “As we all adjust to the upcoming time change, it is important to remind ourselves to stay alert on the roadways to keep children safe.”
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 7,522 pedestrians and 1,105 pedalcyclists (bicyclists and riders of two-wheel, nonmotorized vehicles, tricycles and unicycles powered solely by pedals) died in traffic crashes in 2022. In Michigan, 2,224 pedestrians were involved in crashes, resulting in 183 killed and 1,743 injured, according to the Michigan Traffic Crash Facts (MTCF) for 2023. Bicycle crashes accounted for 24 killed and 1,126 injured in the same MTCF 2023 report. Most pedestrian fatalities (76 percent) and pedalcyclist fatalities (50 percent) occur during dark conditions between 5 and 9 p.m.
MDOT continues to work with partners statewide on the Toward Zero Deaths safety campaign based on the National Strategy on Highway Safety, which is intended to influence driver behavior and improve safety. For more information on the Toward Zero Deaths campaign, visit www.Michigan.gov/ZeroDeaths.
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Crash Not Accident
Note to reporters: Crashes are no accident, they are preventable. Please use “crash” instead of “accident” when
reporting. Learn more at www.Michigan.gov/CrashNotAccident.
by orionontv | Mar 6, 2025 | Transportation
Evidence mounts that distracted driving laws make a difference
On this week’s edition of the Talking Michigan Transportation podcast, an update from Ryan McMahon of Cambridge Mobile Telematics, a Massachusetts-based firm that tracks data from drivers, participating voluntarily with their insurance carriers, to analyze statistics and driver behavior.
 McMahon spoke on the podcast previously, including a few months after Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed the law making it illegal to use a hand-held electronic device while driving.
His analysis includes data on distracted driving in Michigan broken down by county. His firm is reporting updated numbers that show meaningful strides in the right direction.
McMahon also cites preliminary data showing a reduction in crashes in Michigan in 2024.
Michigan phone motion by county showing above and below Michigan averages.
Hand-held phone calls chart showing Michigan vs. the United States. The chart shows the average minutes of hand-held calls per hour of driving.
Phone motion showing Michigan vs. the United States. The chart shows the average minutes of hand-held calls per hour of driving.
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by orionontv | Mar 6, 2025 | Regional News
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Gov. Whitmer Makes Appointments to the Bench
LANSING, Mich. —Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced the upcoming appointment of Andrew Stevens to the 65-A District Court in Clinton County.
“I’m proud to appoint Andrew to the bench in Clinton County,” said Governor Whitmer. “As a former prosecutor in Ingham County myself, I know that he brings decades of invaluable experience to the position. Andrew will keep families safe and uphold the rule of law.”
65-A DISTRICT COURT- CLINTON COUNTY
Andrew Stevens is currently an assistant prosecutor at the Ingham County Prosecutor’s Office, where he has served for over fifteen years. In this role, Stevens has held various professional assignments and currently serves as the District Court Unit Chief, supervising attorneys and acting as a resource and homicide prosecutor in the Complex Crimes Division. Stevens is also involved in community and educational initiatives. He serves on the Lansing Community College—Eaton Regional Education Service Agency Advisory Committee and is a presenter for the Michigan State University Police Department Citizens Academy.
Andrew Stevens holds a Bachelor of Arts in political science from Michigan State University and a Juris Doctor from the Michigan State University College of Law.
“I humbly thank Governor Whitmer for this incredible honor and distinction,” said Andrew Stevens. “Every day of the past fifteen years, it has been my privilege to represent the People of the State of Michigan and uphold the vow of justice. I look forward to continuing that commitment as I boldly serve the residents of Clinton County on the 65A District Court.”
This appointment will be made to fill a partial term following the resignation of Judge Michael Clarizio. Judge Stevens’s term will commence on April 14, 2025, and expire at twelve o’clock noon on January 1, 2027.
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