by Becky Andrus | Dec 2, 2020 | Recreation
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DNR Get Involved – December 2020
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Here are a few ways to get involved in taking care of Michigan’s natural resources in December. For more opportunities to volunteer, contribute and provide input, visit Michigan.gov/DNRVolunteers.
 Several state parks in southern Michigan will host volunteer stewardship workdays in December. Volunteers are needed to help with removing invasive plants that threaten high-quality ecosystems in the parks.
Please note that preregistration is required for all volunteer workdays, and participation may be limited due to social distancing requirements.
Although these are outdoor programs and proper social distancing of at least 6 feet is required, participants are asked to wear a face covering at the beginning of the day when volunteers are gathered more closely during instruction.
Workdays will take place:
- Saturday, Dec. 5, 9 a.m. to noon at Bald Mountain Recreation Area (Oakland County)
- Sunday, Dec. 6, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Waterloo Recreation Area (Washtenaw County)
- Saturday, Dec. 12, 9 a.m. to noon at Belle Isle Park (Wayne County)
- Sunday, Dec. 13, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Brighton Recreation Area (Livingston County)
- Saturday, Dec. 19, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Island Lake Recreation Area (Livingston County)
- Sunday, Dec. 20, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Pinckney Recreation Area (Washtenaw County)
More details about each workday can be found on the DNR volunteer events calendar. |
 Online registration for the Run for the Trees / Happy Little Virtual 5K is now open.
Taking place April 22-30, 2021, this virtual race – bookended by Earth Day and Arbor Day – supports state parks, with all proceeds going toward Happy Little Tree-planting and preservation efforts in the parks.
You can choose to walk, run or hike, and you pick the pace and the place, as long as it’s outdoors.
Cost is $34 per person. Everyone who participates gets a keepsake Happy Little T-shirt, commemorative bib and finisher’s medal featuring a real Bob Ross painting.
The 2021 event is capped at 20,000 participants.
Entries to the Bob Ross-inspired Happy Little Virtual 5K also make great holiday gifts!
Through a partnership with Bob Ross Inc. and funding from the U.S. Forest Service Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, the DNR’s Happy Little Trees program helps state park campgrounds recover from invasive forest pests/diseases, like emerald ash borer and oak wilt, that damage or kill trees. Learn more at Michigan.gov/DNRHappyLittleTrees. |
 A new segment of Michigan’s Iron Belle Trail currently under development will add about 20 miles to the trail’s planned 828-mile biking route, but project managers also plan to add layers of story to this stretch that connects Higgins Lake Nursery and the Civilian Conservation Corps Museum at North Higgins Lake State Park with Hartwick Pines State Park – and you can help.
Led by the Michigan History Center, this heritage trail project in Crawford County – unofficially dubbed the Forest Heritage Trail – is welcoming local history stories as part of Michigan’s Heritage Trails program. The Center is partnering with Central Michigan University and local stakeholders to identify the unique and critical history of the area and plan for a series of interpretive informational signs for people to enjoy while exploring the trail.
Heritage stories about the Forest Heritage Trail do not have to directly connect to or be about the forest.
Want to learn more about the project and share some stories? Join in a virtual meeting from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 9. Advance registration for the meeting is not needed; just visit TinyURL.com/Forest-Heritage-Trail around 6:50 p.m. to sign in and join the meeting. |
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If you have eastern hemlock trees on your property – or if you’re out in the woods enjoying the outdoors – winter is the optimum time to look for evidence of hemlock woolly adelgid, invasive insects that can cause significant harm to Michigan’s hemlock trees. Learn how to identify and report them at Michigan.gov/HWA. |
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by Becky Andrus | Dec 2, 2020 | Regional News
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2020
CONTACT: Kim Nowack, Mackinac Bridge Authority, 906-643-7600
Police investigating illegal climber on the Mackinac Bridge
December 2, 2020 — The Michigan State Police is investigating a case of felony trespassing on the Mackinac Bridge, discovered after photos of the incident were posted on social media.
“This is not a harmless stunt; it’s inexcusably reckless,” said MBA Executive Secretary Kim Nowack. “This individual risked not only his own life but also the lives of those crossing the bridge beneath him, and would have threatened the safety of emergency personnel and Mackinac Bridge Authority (MBA) staff had a rescue been needed.”
Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) Director Paul C. Ajegba, a member of the MBA, underscored the need for a thorough examination of security protocols.
“It is very troubling that someone would put their own life at risk not to mention that of others just for photos and thrills on our state’s signature bridge,” Ajegba said. “While the Michigan State Police continue their investigation, I have also asked the MDOT employees at the bridge to conduct a thorough review and implement measures to prevent future incursions.”
Michigan State Police (MSP) D/Sgt. Gary Demers at the St. Ignace Post said the person responsible could be facing felony charges of trespassing at a key transportation facility, section 750.552c of the Michigan Penal Code.
“This matter is being investigated by MSP,” said Demers. “We will use all of our resources to identify and prosecute this individual.”
After MBA staff became aware of photos posted on social media, apparently shot from the top of one of the bridge towers, they reviewed an incident where an alarm was activated on the bridge early one morning in early November. Though staff investigated the alarm, they could not immediately determine how it was activated. When another alarm was activated several hours later, they observed someone leaving the bridge. Local police were called to investigate but the person could not be located.
by Becky Andrus | Dec 2, 2020 | Regional News
Gov. Whitmer Lowers Flags to Honor Former State Sen. Raymond Murphy
LANSING, Mich. – Governor Gretchen Whitmer has ordered U.S. and Michigan flags within the State Capitol Complex to be lowered to half-staff on Thursday, December 3, 2020, to honor the life and service of former state Senator Raymond Murphy.
“The entire state of Michigan recognizes and honors Senator Raymond Murphy’s service and legacy,” Whitmer said. “His impact will live on through the lives he touched and his work in the community, including his historic role in the state Constitutional Convention.”
Raymond Murphy served in the state House of Representatives from 1983 to 1998 and then in the state Senate from 1998 to 2002 on behalf of residents in southeast Michigan. He was one of the last living delegates to serve at the state’s 1961-62 Constitutional Convention.
Former state Senator Raymond Murphy passed away at the age of 92 years old.
The State of Michigan recognizes the duty, honor and selfless service of former state Senator Raymond Murphy by lowering flags to half-staff. Michigan residents, businesses, schools, local governments and other organizations are encouraged to display the flag at half-staff.
To lower flags to half-staff, flags should be hoisted first to the peak for an instant and then lowered to the half-staff position. The process is reversed before the flag is lowered for the day.
Flags should be returned to full-staff on Friday, December 4, 2020.
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by Becky Andrus | Dec 2, 2020 | Regional News
Media Contacts:
Ryan Jarvi
(c) 517-599-2746
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2020
AG Nessel Supports Rep. Lightner’s Bill to Update Michigan Consumer Protection Act
LANSING – Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel is supporting proposed changes to the state’s consumer protection laws that – among other things – would require third parties to disclose that the online services they are offering are available from a public source.
The bipartisan legislation would help consumers understand that the services they are seeking are offered by government agencies, which may be at low or no cost, as opposed to the same or similar services offered by third parties, which usually come with a fee.
Rep. Sarah Lightner, R-Springport Township, introduced House Bill 6173 recently to amend the Michigan Consumer Protection Act (MCPA). It was passed Tuesday out of the House Regulatory Reform Committee. The full House and Senate need to take action on the bill by the end of the year before it can be presented to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer for her signature.
The legislation would require certain disclosures by a third party when that party offers online services which are actually performed by a state agency or department. If the third party is offering such services, it would have to:
- Clearly indicate on its website that it is not a state agency, department or division, and that the services offered are not endorsed by the state;
- Provide a link on its website to the state agency, department or division website where a person could use the online service; and
- Clearly indicate – before a transaction for an online service is completed – any fee it would charge.
“As more public services are offered online, some individuals may try to capitalize on that by charging consumers a fee for something they could get for free or for less money from a public source,” Nessel said. “These commonsense updates to the Michigan Consumer Protection Act offer a simple change with good results for Michiganders. By making them aware of what’s publicly available before they make a third-party purchase, consumers will be better informed when choosing to spend their money.”
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by Becky Andrus | Dec 2, 2020 | Regional News
Michiganders encouraged to explore high-demand, high-wage career pathways
LANSING, Mich. — To recognize the state’s urgent and growing need for talent and the programs and services in place to help and engage residents in employment, training and educational opportunities, Governor Gretchen Whitmer encourages Michiganders to explore the many career pathways available to them during Career Exploration and Awareness Month.
“We want to make sure all Michiganders have access to the tools and resources they need for career exploration at any stage in life,” said Governor Gretchen Whitmer. “Whether you’re a young student, just launching your career, re-entering the workforce, or considering a change to your current profession , there are many resources at your disposal to help prepare you for high-demand, high-wage career pathways in Michigan.”
Students, their parents and school counselors are encouraged to check out the Michigan Career and Education Pathfinder site to explore careers and identify educational opportunities throughout the state. Pathfinder helps you make informed choices about educational and career options and plans to reach your goals. This free tool uses labor market information, wage data and other metrics to best match users and their skills with career paths and jobs.
To further dive into career exploration, the Going PRO in Michigan website offers Michiganders a platform to explore careers with more than 545,000 openings through 2026 in the fields of manufacturing, automotive, IT, health care and construction. Going PRO identifies training and education required for in-demand careers, shares current job openings, and highlights a day in the life of each profession to paint a clear picture of what that career looks like.
“We are committed to making sure every Michigander has an equal and successful pathway to high-quality, high-paying, in-demand careers,” said Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) Acting Director Susan Corbin. “By providing the right tools, and encouraging more Michiganders to explore different careers, we can help prepare every Michigander for a rewarding career path and bigger paychecks.”
LEO works closely with the Michigan Bureau of Labor Market Information and Strategic Initiatives, within the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget, to highlight career and labor trends in the state. These include Michigan’s Hot 50 report, which covers high-demand, high-wage careers that show a favorable mix of long-term job growth, projected annual job openings, and median wages; Michigan’s Career Outlook report, which provides multiple lists of in-demand occupations by education and training requirements; and Regional Career Outlook reports, which provides a breakdown of career outlook data in each of the state’s 10 regions.
Career Exploration and Awareness Month also ties into Gov. Whitmer’s Sixty by 30 goal, which aims to increase the percentage of adults in the state with a postsecondary degree or credential by the year 2030. Michiganders interested in education beyond high-school to gain the skills they need for rewarding careers are encouraged to explore free education and training resources like Skills to Work, Futures for Frontliners, and the upcoming 2021 Michigan Reconnect program that will provide free tuition to Michiganders age 25+.
To view the proclamation, click the link below:
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