DNR April inspirations: Things to do, ways to help

DNR April inspirations: Things to do, ways to help

by | Apr 8, 2025 | Recreation

 
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April inspirations: Things to do, ways to help

Whether you want to get outdoors, enjoy a new destination or support your favorite natural and cultural resources, April offers options around the state. Upcoming classes, programs and volunteer opportunities include:

Nature hiking, beekeeping, trails expo and more

sun breaks through the trees on a narrow forested trail that winds along a small river. Tiny green plant, tree shoots sprout on forest floor

  • Signs of Spring Hike – Ludington State Park (Saturday, April 12). What better way to observe the first signs of spring – budding trees, emerging plants and the return of migrating birds – than on a 1.5-mile hike over easy terrain at one Michigan’s most beautiful spots?
  • Beekeeping Clinic – Carl T. Johnson Hunting and Fishing Center (Saturday, April 12 or Saturday, April 26). Whether you’re new to beekeeping or looking to expand your knowledge about these vital pollinators, this daylong class in Cadillac is for you. We’ll cover everything from bee biology and equipment to bee health and seasonal tasks.
  • Trails Expo – Outdoor Adventure Center (Saturday, April 26). The Outdoor Adventure Center in Detroit is celebrating its neighborhood rail with this event on the Dequindre Cut. Learn tips and tricks for hitting the trails from local experts in hiking, biking, paddling and more, then test out your skills in hands-on workshops.

Show state parks some love at stewardship workdays

about a dozen state park stewardship volunteers dressed in long sleeves, jeans and other outdoor gear walk down a forested pathSeveral state parks in southern Michigan will host stewardship workdays, where volunteers help remove invasive plants that threaten high-quality ecosystems. It’s a great way to get outside and feel good about doing good!

Upcoming workdays are planned at:

Follow the volunteer stewardship calendar for future work dates at state parks.

Find an adventure

Not sure what you feel like doing? Check out the DNR events calendar for programs near you and around the state, or try our Things to Do page for your next outdoor recreation inspiration.

Lend a hand

From habitat help and forest cleanup to community science and campground hosting, there are many ways to help the places and resources you love! Get ideas at  Michigan.gov/DNRVolunteers.

More than a week after the severe northern Michigan storms, many of our friends and neighbors are still without power or access to their homes. As communities work to clean up the damage, there are ways you can help, too. Visit Michigan.gov/IceStorm for volunteer/donation info.
AG Nessel Issues New Consumer Alert on Bitcoin ATMs

AG Nessel Issues New Consumer Alert on Bitcoin ATMs

by | Apr 8, 2025 | Regional News
Michigan Department of Attorney General Press Release banner

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
April 8, 2025

Media Contact:
Danny Wimmer

AG Nessel Issues New Consumer Alert on Bitcoin ATMs

LANSING – Today, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel issued a new consumer alert warning residents of scammers using Bitcoin ATMs to defraud unsuspecting victims.

“Because money sent through Bitcoin ATMs is nearly impossible to recover and these machines lack oversight and regulation, they have become an attractive option for criminals engaged in fraud and money laundering,” Nessel said. “Staying informed can protect consumers from falling victim.”

A common Bitcoin ATM scam targeting older adults involves a fraudulent message or phone call. The call might be from someone claiming to be with Apple, Google, or another well-known company, or even law enforcement. The scammer tells the victim that their financial accounts have been compromised. The call recipient is told they need to take immediate action to prevent unauthorized transactions on their account. If the scammer is pretending to be from a law enforcement agency, they may even threaten the victim with criminal prosecution or jail time if the victim doesn’t pay a fine right away.

Victims are then instructed to withdraw large amounts of cash from their bank accounts. They are told to deposit the funds into a Bitcoin ATM. The cash is inserted and converted into Bitcoin. The victim is directed to scan and send a receipt or QR code to the scammer. The moment that transaction is completed, the money is gone —permanently. Traditional bank transfers, wire transfers, or credit card transactions have fraud prevention measures. These measures provide customer protection or financial institution safeguards to stop or reverse the transfer. That is not the case with Bitcoin ATM transactions.

Bitcoin ATMs lack oversight and regulation. For this reason, they are widely used for scamming and money laundering. Some consumers may attempt to use them for legitimate transactions. However, they often come with very high fees. The fees make them an inefficient and costly way to buy cryptocurrency. It’s safer and cheaper to convert cash to cryptocurrency through a licensed and regulated online exchange.

Without regulation, victims of Bitcoin ATM scams have no meaningful consumer protections. Financial institutions have fraud prevention departments that monitor transactions. Banks can file suspicious activity reports (SARs) to investigate potential fraud. Unfortunately, Bitcoin ATMs operate outside these safeguards. They allow scammers to steal money quickly and anonymously.

To avoid becoming a victim of a Bitcoin ATM scam, remember these key points:

  • No legitimate company or government agency will ever ask you to deposit money into a Bitcoin ATM. If someone makes such a request, it’s a scam.
  • Beware of urgent requests. Scammers create a sense of urgency to prevent victims from thinking critically about the request.
  • Do not trust caller ID. Fraudsters can spoof phone numbers to make it appear as though they are calling from a trusted source.
  • Never download unknown software or grant remote access to your devices. This can allow scammers to take control of your personal information.
  • Talk to your bank before making large withdrawals. If you’re instructed to move money in an unusual way, seek advice first.
  • If you believe you have been targeted by a scam, report it immediately. Scams can be reported to the Michigan Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Team and local law enforcement.

To file a complaint with the Attorney General or get additional information, contact:

Consumer Protection Team
P.O. Box 30213
Lansing, MI 48909
517-335-7599
Fax: 517-241-3771
Toll-free: 877-765-8388
Online complaint form
DNR News: Inland sport fishing guide license required

DNR News: Inland sport fishing guide license required

by | Apr 7, 2025 | Recreation
DNR banner with link to website

DNR News
April 7, 2025
Contact: Kendra Kozlauskos, 231-330-2845 or Seth Herbst, 517-388-7759

Inland sport fishing guide license required for guided fishing on inland Michigan

With nearly 11,000 inland lakes and 76,000 miles of rivers and streams, Michigan has a wealth of inland fishing opportunities, and inland fishing guides help anglers enjoy those abundant resources. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources reminds anglers and guides that since March 1, 2024, inland fishing guides operating in the state are required to have an inland sport fishing guide license to take clients on guided trips on inland lakes, rivers or streams.

Great Lakes connecting waters refer to specific bodies of water in Michigan that connect the Great Lakes to each other: the St. Marys River, the St. Clair River (beginning at the Fort Gratiot Light), Lake St. Clair and the Detroit River (beginning at the imaginary line extending due south of the Windmill Point Light, Wayne County, and ending at the imaginary east/west line drawn through the most southernly point of Celeron Island).

Those interested should complete the following steps to apply for an inland sport fishing guide license:

  1. Review the requirements and complete the questionnaire. The DNR will review responses to verify license requirements are met. Applicants will be notified via email within five business days with further instructions.
  2. Upon receiving notification of DNR approval, buy the license online or on the Michigan DNR Hunt Fish mobile app.

The resident license fee is $150, and the nonresident license fee is $300. The inland sport fishing guide license is valid for three years after the date it is issued. Captains who possess a valid U.S. Coast Guard-issued captain’s license will receive a license fee waiver.

*Please note that obtaining a license is a two-step process: DNR authorization and license purchase. You must complete the process after you receive approval by purchasing your license on the DNR e-license site or in the Michigan DNR Hunt Fish app. This is an electronic license only; you will not receive a physical license or stickers.

All licensed inland fishing guides will be listed on the inland sport fishing guide webpage. This list is updated monthly.

License requirements

To be eligible for an inland sport fishing guide license, an applicant must:

  • Possess a valid certification in first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation issued by the American Red Cross or the American Heart Association and be able to provide a copy of the certification to the DNR upon request.
  • Possess a valid, lawfully obtained Michigan driver’s license issued under the Michigan vehicle code, an official state personal identification card or a DNR-issued Sportcard.
  • Have not been convicted of a felony or other violation listed within MCL 324.48714a(2)(c) in the last three years.
  • Be eligible to purchase a license for the fish species targeted while acting as a sport fishing guide.
  • Possess a valid state inland pilot’s license issued by the DNR or a valid captain’s license issued by the U.S. Coast Guard, if intending to operate a watercraft while acting as a sport fishing guide. Navigability of waters will determine which license needed.
  • Possess, while acting as a sport fishing guide, a basic first aid kit that includes, but is not limited to, all the following: tourniquet, chest seals, compression gauze, CPR mask, trauma shears, sterile eyewash, mylar emergency blanket, bandages, moleskin and tweezers.

Mandatory reporting

All licensed inland sport fishing guides must file an electronic report of their monthly catch activity for all trips that occurred on all waters, except those included in previously required reporting (Great Lakes, Great Lakes connecting waters) and lakes or ponds with a surface area of less than 5 acres. Details about the reporting requirements are available on the inland sport fishing guide webpage. If you have questions regarding submitting monthly catch activity reports or how to obtain an inland sport fishing guide license, contact Kendra Kozlauskos at 231-330-2845 or DNR-Fish-Charter@Michigan.gov.

The reporting requirements for inland sport fishing guides are in addition to the existing requirements for the Great Lakes charter boat program. Great Lakes and Great Lakes connecting waters reporting is also required. Reporting of Great Lakes/connecting waters is limited to boat trips. See the charter boat operator webpage for more information.
Porter steps down in Southfield

Porter steps down in Southfield

by | Apr 7, 2025 | Feature Writers, High School Sports

Porter steps down in Southfield.

 Written Thursday April 3rd at 8:33 PM

There will be a new boys basketball coach in Southfield this winter.

Terrance Porter has stepped down at Southfield Arts and Tech after three seasons coaching the Warriors. The former Farmington Falcons coach went 20-50 in his three years with the Warriors.

The D-Zone confirmed the news.

Porter has been having a tough time with the program going 10-36 in the last two seasons. Southfield Arts and Tech has been up and down when it comes to program strength.

It will be really interesting to see who replaces Porter at Southfield Arts and Tech.

Stay tuned to OAA Now for the latest on this developing story.

The D-Zone Tweet

https://x.com/TheDZoneBBall/status/1907934320242937905

Porter steps down in Southfield

Oxford has their new Varsity Football Coach

by | Apr 7, 2025 | Feature Writers, High School Sports

Oxford has their new Varsity Football Coach.

Written Friday April 4th at 6:04 PM

Updated Saturday April 5th at 8:44 AM

Oxford went in house with their new Varsity Football Coach.

The Wildcats named Trevor Potts as their new varsity football coach with the move confirmed by Oxford Community Schools Instagram and Facebook pages and also Wildcats assistant Athletic Director Brandon Goredl.

“Oxford football is proud and excited to announce Coach Trevor Potts as our Varsity Head Football Coach. Coach Potts will continue to uphold the culture of leading students to become great young men and to lead to program to successes on the field. Congratulations Coach Potts” the program tweeted on their X page.

Potts takes over for Coach Zack Line who went back to the NFL to be with Coach Sean Payton and the Denver Broncos.

Potts is no stranger to the Red and the Wildcats community. He was the defensive coordinator at Oxford from 2020-2024 under Line and was an assistant at Adams for 15 years learning under Coach Tony Patritto. Potts helped lead the Wildcats to the Red crown and an 21-14 postseason win at Davison last season.

Oxford will have two big returners in quarterback Jack Hendrix and running back Preston Wilder coming back. They also have program strength which should help in Potts first year as head coach along with a brutal non conference which includes Hartland (week one,) Macomb Dakota (week nine,) and that’s not mentioning the Red which has Adams, Clarkston, West Bloomfield, and Lake Orion.

The transition period should be smooth with the players knowing Potts really well but he will have some of his wrinkles to the Wildcats system. It will be really interesting to see what happens.

Stay tuned to OAA Now for the latest on this developing story.

X Tweet announcing the hire

https://x.com/OxfordFBall/status/1908293616432296401