by Becky Andrus | Apr 19, 2022 | Local News
Media contact: Carla Tousley, treasurer
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friends of the Orion Township Library Gently Used Book Sale
- May 18-21 Public Days / May 17 Preview for Friends Members and Teachers
(Lake Orion, Mich.) April 18, 2022 – The Friends of the Orion Township Library will be hosting the Friends Gently Used Book Sale at the library with public days Wednesday, May 18, 2022, through Saturday, May 21, 2022, and exclusive preview to “Friends” members and teachers on Tuesday, May 17, 2022.
“Our Friends book sales are a great place to pick up summer reading material and help the Friends raise funds for our library at the same time,” said Don Walker, president of the Friends of the Orion Township Library. “Donations have continued pouring in, thanks to the generosity of library patrons, and we are well stocked again for the spring sale.” The Friends offer hard cover and soft cover books in over 40 categories, with prices at $1 or less. Cash, credit card, and checks accepted.
Spring Gently Used Book Sale
- Tuesday, May 17: Friends Member Day & Teacher Day (Memberships available at door) – 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Open to the Public 4:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m.
- Wednesday, May 18: Open to the Public – 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
- Thursday, May 19: Open to the Public – 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
- Friday, May 20: Open to the Public –10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Half Off Day)
- Saturday, May 21: Open to the Public – 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. ($5 Bag Day)
olunteers:
Those interested in volunteering to help with the book sale, please reach out to the Friends at [email protected] or orionlibrary.org/friends.
About the Friends
The Friends are a 501 (c) 3 non profit organization that was started in 1985 “to promote public support of the Orion Township Public Library and the library in the community, to promote reading, literacy and lifelong learning, and to maintain an association of persons interested in the library.” Friends act in cooperation with the library board and staff, serving as a liaison between the community and library. All money raised by the Friends, except for minimal administrative costs such as postage and printing, is donated directly to the library in the way of program funding, material purchases and monetary contributions.
by Becky Andrus | Apr 18, 2022 | Regional News
Oakland County Extends Free Rabies Vaccine with Dog License Purchase Through May 31
• Free rabies vaccine clinics Tuesday mornings throughout April and May.
• One- and three-year vaccines and dog licenses available.
• No appointment needed.
Pontiac, Michigan– Oakland County Animal Shelter and Pet Adoption Center has extended its offer of a free rabies vaccine with the purchase of a dog license Tuesday mornings through the end of May.
Free rabies vaccines with the purchase of a dog license have been available at the Oakland County Animal Shelter and Pet Adoption Center in Pontiac from 9-11:30 a.m. Tuesdays during April. The shelter is now adding Tuesdays in May to meet demand.
“Residents have lined up out our door on Tuesday mornings to get their dogs a free rabies vaccine with the purchase of a license,” said Bob Gatt, Oakland County Animal Shelter and Pet Adoption Center manager. “We don’t want the cost of the rabies vaccine to be a barrier for anyone getting a dog license.”
If a dog is spayed or neutered, a dog license costs $15 for one year or $40 for three years. For a dog that is not spayed or neutered, those fees rise to $25 or $70, respectively. The three-year license requires a three-year rabies vaccine. Pet owners must bring proof of a prior rabies vaccination to get the three-year vaccine. Dog license fees for a spayed or neutered dog go up to $40 after June 1.
Michigan law requires licenses for all dogs as a public health measure to ensure dogs have their rabies vaccines. Plus, it makes it easier to return strays to their owners. For more information, go to www.oakgov.com/petadoption or call 248-858-1070.
About Oakland County Animal Shelter and Pet Adoption Center
Since 1980, the Oakland County Animal Shelter and Pet Adoption Center has been helping animals by providing shelter and care while attempting to reunite them with their owners or to find new homes. The shelter handles more than 4,000 animals per year. The new state-of-the-art shelter is located at 1200 North Telegraph, Building 42 East, in Pontiac on the Oakland County Government campus. The 35,000 sq. ft. facility provides the very best in care to the animals residing here.
by Becky Andrus | Apr 18, 2022 | Regional News
Governor Whitmer Encourages Michiganders to Get Covered, Save Money During the New HealthCare.gov Special Enrollment Period
LANSING, Mich. – Governor Whitmer and Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS) Director Anita Fox are encouraging Michiganders to take advantage of a new Health Insurance Marketplace Special Enrollment Period (SEP) that now gives Michiganders the opportunity to enroll in free or low-cost health insurance in 2022.
“We know that having access to quality, affordable health insurance improves overall health outcomes for Michiganders,” said Governor Whitmer. “Expanding access to high-quality, affordable healthcare unites us. When I served in the Michigan Legislature, I worked across the aisle with a Republican governor to establish Healthy Michigan, expanding access to care to nearly one million Michiganders. This new enrollment opportunity will help more Michiganders find free or low-cost health insurance, enabling them to protect themselves and their families while keeping more of their hard-earned dollars in their pockets.”
“Many Michiganders now have free or low-cost health insurance thanks to increased enrollment opportunities and the American Rescue Plan, but many thousands more remain uninsured despite being eligible for significant out of pocket savings,” said DIFS Director Fox. “Free local enrollment help is available to help you take advantage of this new opportunity at LocalHelp.HealthCare.gov. You can also contact DIFS, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., at 877-999-6442 for information about getting started.”
The new SEP went into effect last month and allows Michiganders the chance to enroll in Marketplace health coverage even if they don’t meet one of the traditional SEP qualifications. To qualify for the SEP, consumers must have a household income below 150% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL), which is approximately $19,000 for an individual and $40,000 for a family of four. Michiganders at this income level will also qualify for an Advance Premium Tax Credit, which may make a Marketplace plan available to them at no- or low-cost.
To determine SEP eligibility, log on to the Health Insurance Marketplace, available at Healthcare.gov, and either start a new application or modify an existing one. Once the application is completed and a plan is selected, health coverage will begin on the first day of the following month. For example, if an application is completed and a health plan is selected on April 22, coverage will begin on May 1.
As a result of the American Rescue Plan, a recent report by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services showed that Michiganders are seeing an average premium reduction of 45%, or more than $71 per month. This represents approximately $11.9 million in monthly savings for Michigan consumers. Nationwide more than half of consumers have found coverage for $10 or less per month on HealthCare.gov.
The last day to select a plan during this SEP is November 30, 2022, with coverage beginning December 1, 2022.
To review insurance options and enroll, visit the Health Insurance Marketplace at HealthCare.gov or call the Marketplace Call Center at 800-318-2596 (TTY: 1-855-889-4325). For more information on special enrollment periods, the 2022 Open Enrollment period that begins in November, and other ways to get covered, visit Michigan.gov/HealthInsurance.
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by Becky Andrus | Apr 18, 2022 | Uncategorized
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MEDIA CONTACT
April 18, 2022 Dan Weingarten
906-250-4809
[email protected]
Year’s first Adopt-A-Highway pickup starts Saturday
Fast facts:
– The first Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) Adopt-A-Highway pickup of the year is April 23-May 1 for the Lower Peninsula.
– Pickups for the Upper Peninsula will be from May 7 to 15.
– Sections of highway are still available to adopt. Go to www.Michigan.gov/AdoptAHighway for more information.
LANSING, Mich. - Volunteers will fan out across lower Michigan to give state highway roadsides their annual spring cleaning beginning Saturday as groups in the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) Adopt-A-Highway (AAH) program pick up litter from April 23 to May 1.
The first AAH pickup for the Upper Peninsula will be later, from May 7 to 15, when spring has had more time to set in.
“We want to acknowledge the valuable service these thousands of Adopt-A-Highway volunteers provide each year keeping our roadsides clean,” said State Transportation Director Paul C. Ajegba. “Their commitment to their communities makes a huge difference across Michigan. We also remind motorists to keep an eye out for the volunteers and drive cautiously during the pickup periods.”
The AAH program began in Michigan in 1990. Today, around 2,900 groups have adopted more than 6,000 miles of state highway. In a typical year, these volunteers collect 60,000 to 70,000 bags of trash annually, an estimated $5 million value for the state.
Volunteers pick up litter three times each year. Statewide, there will be a summer pickup from July 16 to 24 and a fall pickup from Sept. 24 to Oct. 2.
AAH groups wear high-visibility, yellow-green safety vests required by federal regulations when working within a highway right of way. MDOT provides free vests and trash bags, and arranges to haul away the trash. Volunteers include members of various civic groups, businesses and families. Crew members have to be at least 12 years old, and each group must number at least three people.
Sections of highway are still available for adoption. Groups are asked to adopt a section for at least two years. AAH signs bearing a group’s name are posted along the stretch of adopted highway. There is no fee to participate.
Several landfills in southwestern Michigan are also chipping in to help the AAH program. Westside Landfill in St. Joseph County, C&C Landfill in Calhoun County, Orchard Hill Landfill in Berrien County, Southeast Berrien County Landfill near Niles, and Republic Services Gembrit Circle Transfer Station in Kalamazoo have all agreed to accept trash generated by the three annual AAH pickups at no charge. In exchange, these businesses receive a sign recognizing their support.
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by Becky Andrus | Apr 18, 2022 | Health and Wellness
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Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 15, 2022
CONTACT: Chelsea Wuth, 517-241-2112, [email protected]
MDHHS reports first influenza-associated pediatric death in Michigan this season
Michigan residents ages six months and older eligible for flu vaccine
LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has confirmed the first influenza-associated pediatric death in Michigan for the 2021-2022 flu season.
The reported death involves a child from Kalamazoo County who contracted Influenza A/H3. Nationally, there have been at least 16 influenza-associated pediatric deaths reported during the current flu season.
“Flu vaccine is a recommended childhood vaccine, and it is important to ensure that children are up to date with all of their vaccines,” said Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, chief medical executive for MDHHS. “Once children reach six months of age it is recommended they receive two doses of the flu vaccine for their first series. In addition, pregnant women should get the flu vaccine during each pregnancy. Flu vaccine can be given at the same time as other vaccines, including the COVID-19 vaccine.”
Each year, influenza claims the lives of children across the United States. Increases in flu-like illness and hospitalizations are currently taking place in Michigan, which is not typical for this time of the year. MDHHS continues to strongly recommend that everyone six months of age and older get a seasonal flu vaccine. If you haven’t received your flu vaccine yet, there is still time to receive it. Flu can be serious and lead to severe illness and hospitalizations. Flu vaccine is the best way to prevent getting the flu and can also reduce the severity of flu illness.
There has been elevated flu activity across the country over the past few weeks, with Influenza A being the main flu type circulating. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that since October there have been at least 3.8 million flu illnesses, 1.8 million flu medical visits, 38,000 flu hospitalizations and 2,300 deaths from flu nationally.
Nearly all of the positive influenza specimens confirmed by MDHHS Bureau of Laboratories this flu season have been Influenza A/H3 virus. This virus can cause severe flu infections in children, as well as in adults.
The influenza vaccine is especially important for persons at increased risk for complications from flu, including children, adults aged 65 years and older, persons of any age with underlying medical conditions and pregnant women. Children less than six months of age are too young to be vaccinated and need to be protected by vaccination of their close contacts, including parents, siblings, grandparents, childcare workers and health care personnel.
Currently, for the 2021-2022 flu season, only 32% of Michigan residents have been vaccinated against flu. According to data from the Michigan Care Improvement Registry, flu vaccine coverage among children ages six months through 17 years is 5.4% lower for the 2021-2022 flu season (25.8%) compared to the 2020-2021 flu season (31.2%).
There is still plenty of flu vaccine available for those who wish to be vaccinated. To find flu vaccine near you, call your health care provider, local health department or check the Health Map Vaccine Finder.
For more information about the flu, visit Michigan.gov/flu. |
