by Becky Andrus | Jun 21, 2022 | Uncategorized
CONTACT: Jaime Bochenek, Senior Development Director
[email protected] or (248) 721-0903
SCOUTS TO HOST CORPORATE DODGEBALL TOURNAMENT
The Boy Scouts of America’s Michigan Crossroads Council will host its eighth annual “Dodge
for Detroit” corporate dodgeball tournament to support inner-city youth Scouting programs on
Thursday, Aug. 4, at Detroit PAL’s Corner Ballpark.
The tournament will take place from 5-9 p.m. and serves as a unique spin on happy hour for
businesses in southeast Michigan. The event will offer four courts of action-packed dodgeball,
beverages and various food options. The tournament will be open to the public, and organizers
have several spots remaining for additional teams and sponsorships. Teams start at $600 and
include 6-10 players. Each team must have two female participants on the roster.
All proceeds from the event will support the local ScoutReach initiative, which delivers the
Scouting program to disadvantaged communities at no charge to participants or their families.
ScoutReach Executive Charity Davenport works to provide such opportunities through both in-
school and after-school programs in Detroit, Pontiac, Flint and other cities across the region.
According to Davenport, over 1,000 youth are presently registered, and they intend to expand
further in the fall.
“We are thankful to all of the Dodge for Detroit participants and patrons,” Davenport said. “The
success of this event empowers us to provide youth with programs and materials, as well as
opportunities they would otherwise not receive.”
This year’s event is on track for success thanks to the investments of local companies, including
presenting sponsor Alliance Mobile, a national AT&T provider with over 165 locations across
the country. Additional key sponsors include Palatine Hill Wealth Management and Rightsize
Facility.
Chad Ever Hartung, three-year event chairman and marketing and communications director at
Alliance Mobile expressed gratitude for all involved and said he is looking forward to another
amazing day supporting Scouting.
“We are truly honored to continue to grow this event to where we are today.” Hartung said.
“Dodge for Detroit provides incredible experiences to the youth of Detroit that they cannot get
anywhere else. Many of these kids have never left the city, and because of this event the BSA
has been able to take them on camping experiences with full gear at no expense to the youth and
their families.”
For information or to register for the event, visit: www.dodgefordetroit.org.
by Becky Andrus | Jun 20, 2022 | High School Sports
MHSAA NOW: The weekly newsletter of the Michigan High School Athletic Association
THIS WEEK
We’re into the second day of the final weekend of the 2021-22 sports school year, and today’s edition includes previews of the Girls Soccer, Softball and Baseball Finals and coverage of Thursday’s Semifinals. We also highlight an all-stater whose final high school goal clinched last weekend’s Division 1 girls lacrosse championship.
Do you know a high school sports fan who would enjoy this weekly newsletter? Share this link to register on MHSAA.com and be added to the MHSAA NOW mailing list.
AROUND THE STATE
This weekend’s Girls Soccer Finals field includes two of the winningest champions in MHSAA history, and two teams hoping to celebrate the ultimate prize for the first time. Hudsonville Unity Christian with 10 Finals titles and Marian with nine trail only Madison Heights Bishop Foley’s 12 on the list of most MHSAA girls soccer championships.
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The team with the second-longest winning streak in MHSAA baseball history, and the appearances of three likely high-round Major League Baseball draft picks are among several intriguing storylines as we head into this weekend’s Baseball Finals at Michigan State University’s McLane Stadium.
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The roster for this weekend’s MHSAA Softball Finals at Michigan State University’s Secchia Stadium makes for a power-packed lineup. The 16 teams playing for four championships have combined to claim 28 Finals titles in the past. Unionville-Sebewaing and Stevensville Lakeshore are among those sitting second in MHSAA history with seven championships won – and with opportunities to tie the record of eight Saturday.
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As much as he tried to keep it out of his mind, it became nearly impossible for Ada Forest Hills Eastern senior pitcher Jacob Pallo to do so late in his team’s Division 2 Semifinal against Goodrich. Pallo was four outs away from a no-hitter Thursday, but then a bloop single with two outs in the sixth ended that hope of him making history.
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Things were not going according to plan for Allen Park early in Thursday morning’s Division 1 Semifinal at Secchia Stadium. Mattawan, fresh off an upset of top-ranked South Lyon on Tuesday, came out in giant-killer mode again, jumping out to a quick 2-0 lead against the No. 2-ranked Jaguars. “Those nerves, they got us early, but we came back to play,” said third-year Allen Park coach Michael Kish.
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Trenton and Essexville Garber are not used to making long runs in softball. In fact, most of the players on both teams weren’t even born the last time their schools reached the Softball Semifinals. The newcomers put on a show Thursday on the state’s biggest stage, with Trenton holding off Garber, 2-1, in a classic pitcher’s duel at sunny, windswept Secchia Stadium.
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Up until there were two outs in the top of the seventh inning of its Division 4 Semifinal on Thursday, Riverview Gabriel Richard was winning with an unusual formula. At that point, the Pioneers had three more errors (5) than hits (2), but still found themselves up a run as they looked for some insurance. After the first two batters made outs, the Pioneers found insurance, and then some.
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Boose finished her senior season Saturday with one of the most memorable moments in Brighton girls lacrosse history. Her overtime goal gave the Bulldogs a 12-11 victory over Grand Rapids Forest Hills Northern/Eastern and the Division 1 championship after the they had finished runners-up the previous three seasons.
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GAME TIME
Upcoming MHSAA Tournament Schedule
MHSAA TV
For a complete list of all games and streaming options go to mhsaa.tv.
Click here for a schedule of available student broadcast video streams.
by Becky Andrus | Jun 20, 2022 | Regional News
Gov. Whitmer and Lt. Governor Gilchrist Sign Juneteenth Proclamation
Today marks the first time Juneteenth is recognized as a state holiday in Michigan
LANSING, Mich. — Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer and Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist II issued a proclamation declaring June 19th as Juneteenth Celebration Day in Michigan. Juneteenth commemorates the day in 1865 when slavery was abolished in the United States.
“We are proud to celebrate Juneteenth as an official state holiday for the first time,” said Governor Whitmer. “Today presents an important opportunity to celebrate and elevate the stories of Black Americans as we continue to make record investments in communities of color. Since we took office, the lieutenant governor and I have prioritized building a state representative and responsive to the people we serve, addressing racial disparities and improving equity across Michigan. I am proud to declare June 19th as Juneteenth Celebration Day, and I am committed to working with anyone to build a more equitable and just state for all Michiganders.”
“Juneteenth marks a crucial day in our nation’s history to recognize the important progress we’ve made, while committing ourselves to the ongoing effort to center equity in all our work and make Michigan a place where every person can succeed,” said Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist II. “As the first Black lieutenant governor in our state, I’m building the policies and practices that will address and undo the damage racism and injustice has caused on our communities. That’s why we continue to invest in schools, job training, environmental justice, infrastructure and supporting businesses – all transformational investments and policies that celebrate, support and uplift communities of color. I am proud of the progress we’ve made thus far and will continue to work every day to make sure every all Michiganders have the support and opportunities they need.”
Juneteenth originated on June 19, 1865, when Union Army General Gordon Granger landed in Galveston, where he read General Order #3, stating that all slaves were free, and that former masters and slaves were absolutely equal in personal and property rights. Acting as the date of emancipation, June 19th also became a long-standing day of celebration, meant to honor African American resilience and the end of slavery.
Since they took office, Governor Whitmer and Lt. Governor Gilchrist have been committed to making Michigan a more equitable and just state. The governor assembled the most diverse cabinet in Michigan’s history to ensure that government is more representative of all Michiganders. More than 338 Black Michiganders have been appointed to boards, commissions and full-time positions, and 60% of appointees are women or people of color. The governor also appointed 12 Black Michiganders to the bench out of 41 judicial appointments. Under Executive Order 2020-163, the governor required implicit bias training for all state employees.
In response to COVID-19, Governor Whitmer established the Michigan Coronavirus Task Force on Racial Disparities by Executive Order 2020-55. The task force, which Lt. Governor Gilchrist chairs, has made real progress in bringing down the COVID disparity for Black Michiganders and has extended its work to tackling health disparities as a whole.
Additionally, Governor Whitmer signed Executive Order 2020-163, recognizing racism as a public health crisis and creating the Black Leadership Advisory Council. The Council is the first of its kind in Michigan to elevate Black leaders and representatives and take initial steps to address racism within state government.
Last year, Lt. Governor Gilchrist launched his ‘Making Real Change’ Tour across Michigan to highlight the administration’s continued efforts to flatten and eliminate racial disparities during the COVID-19 pandemic. The tour focused on what the state has learned to apply those lessons to equitably administering vaccines and building the resilience required to reduce racial disparities in health and other areas within communities.
Governor Whitmer made strides in police reforms when she called on the legislature to address racial disparities and strengthen relationships between law enforcement and communities of color. The governor also made Michigan a leader in transparency and accountability by developing a new web page to improve public access to information on the use of force and traffic stop data, department policies and training requirements.
View the full proclamation here.
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by Becky Andrus | Jun 20, 2022 | Regional News
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| Hi there,
Some HUGE news for our veterans – the Senate has passed a bipartisan deal on a landmark package of legislation to finally, and comprehensively, address toxic exposure. The bill now heads to the President’s desk.
Sometimes, really important, landmark things do get done in Congress — and sometimes you get to share those moments with folks who are directly impacted. Thursday was one of those days.
As the roll was called, the Congresswoman was able to watch from the Senate gallery with Ryan Hart and his family, who are visiting D.C. from Springfield Township for the induction ceremony of his late father, Paul, to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Honor Roll.
Paul Hart passed away two years ago from lung cancer that resulted from exposure to Agent Orange during his service. It took our government decades to finally acknowledge the damage Agent Orange did to our troops, and too many lives were lost as a result.
Now, the 9/11 generation of American veterans – including many Michiganders – are struggling with the long-term consequences of burn pits, and red tape at the VA is blocking them from getting the care they’re entitled to.
The Veterans Burn Pits Exposure Recognition Act, which Rep. Slotkin introduced with her Republican colleague and fellow Michigander Rep. Peter Meijer over a year ago, is part of the package. It cuts red tape to make it easier for veterans to get benefits and care, and the Congresswoman is thrilled it’s included in this package, which the House will soon send to the President’s desk.
The Veterans Burn Pits Exposure Recognition Act will:
- Eliminate the unreasonable requirement that veterans prove they were exposed to burn pits during their service;
- Formally recognize that veterans who served near burn pits were exposed to airborne hazards and toxins, potentially aiding thousands of veterans who otherwise do not have documentation of their exposure;
- And require the VA to conduct a full medical examination on veterans to determine a potential connection between an ailment and past toxic exposure.
Burn pits are the post-9/11 generation’s Agent Orange, and we need to support them not just with words, but with action.
– Office of Rep. Elissa Slotkin |
by Becky Andrus | Jun 16, 2022 | Environmental
MI Environment features upcoming Great Lakes beach walks
Journalists: We thought you might be interested in today’s MI Environment story that highlights  the eight upcoming Great Lakes beach walks in Michigan, hosted by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
The program’s goal is to increase coastal communities’ resilience — the ability to understand and use available resources to respond to, withstand, and recover from adverse situations.
The walks also will provide an opportunity to learn about the Michigan Coastal Management Program’s Pathway to Resilience and information on grant funding.
EGLE partners with Army Corps of Engineers for educational beach walks
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