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.
###
by Becky Andrus | Apr 18, 2022 | Health and Wellness
|
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. |
by Becky Andrus | Apr 18, 2022 | Transportation
Even with rising costs, hundreds of road projects take shape
With prices of goods and services up across the board, it is no surprise that inflation is also affecting road and bridge building projects.
Road agencies across the country are facing higher prices for materials. Labor costs have also risen with a demand for skilled workers, challenging employers across all sectors and affecting the cost of home building like other construction.
Listen now: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1374205/10444769-even-with-rising-costs-hundreds-of-road-projects-take-shape
This week’s Talking Michigan Transportation podcast is the 100th episode. The guest is Brad Wieferich, director of the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) Bureau of Development, who talks about how the hundreds of projects in the works or planned across the state will continue this year despite the pressures of inflation.
Wieferich also explains that there’s no evidence that the Rebuilding Michigan bonding plan is the reason for the inflation, which is not unique to Michigan as outlined in data published by the American Road and Transportation Builders Association.
The higher prices are the result of a “perfect storm” as the pandemic, war in Ukraine and decades of disinvestment (meaning the longer we delay maintaining and building infrastructure, the more it costs) have taken a toll.
While emphasizing that this year’s MDOT projects remain on track, Wieferich explained that if prices continue to rise, planners may have to make adjustments to future projects in the five-year program.
Podcast photo: Crews work on the US-31 bridge in Grand Haven.
Portrait: Brad Wieferich, director of MDOT’s Bureau of Development.
|
|
|
by Becky Andrus | Apr 18, 2022 | Regional News
Governor Whitmer Issues Proclamation Kicking Off Earth Week in Michigan
LANSING, Mich. — Governor Whitmer today proclaimed April 18-24 as Earth Week in Michigan, celebrating the administration’s record investments in water infrastructure, and our state and local parks, which will create jobs, boost our economy, and ensure that all families can safely enjoy Michigan’s natural features.
“On Earth Day, we recommit ourselves to protecting the planet we all love and call home,” said Governor Whitmer. “I am proud of the investments we have made to protect our Great Lakes, improve our parks, and preserve public land. Protecting our planet is on all of us, and we will continue working together to tackle climate change, invest in clean energy, and safeguard Pure Michigan for generations to come.”
Governor Whitmer is committed to defending our Great Lakes, mitigating the impacts of climate change on our communities, and creating tens of thousands of good-paying jobs in industries of the future. She understands the health of our economy is inextricably linked to the health of our people and our planet.
Since taking office, Governor Whitmer has invested more resources into water infrastructure than the previous eight years combined. These investments support good-paying jobs and ensure every parent can give their kid a glass of drinking water and know it’s safe. She launched the MI Healthy Climate Plan to move all sectors of our economy to carbon neutral by 2050 and ensure marginalized communities impacted by climate change will benefit from our energy transition. The governor has made critical investments in our parks, trails, and public lands to create jobs, boost surrounding economies, and ensure that all families can enjoy “Pure Michigan.
Read more about Governor Whitmer’s accomplishments to protect Michigan’s natural resources:
View the full proclamation below:
ON BEHALF OF THE PEOPLE OF MICHIGAN,
I, Gretchen Whitmer, governor of Michigan, do hereby proclaim
WHEREAS, together, we can overcome environmental challenges and leave our future generations with cleaner air and water and a healthier environment; and,
WHEREAS, since April 22, 1970, Earth Day has been celebrated annually across the globe to confront our most pressing environmental issues and to unite around a shared mission of protecting the environment we live in and providing our future generations with a safe and sustainable future; and,
WHEREAS, Earth Day is a valuable opportunity to renew our commitment to preserving and protecting our Earth through community service, responsible stewardship, and daily practices; and,
WHEREAS, although we have made some progress over the years, the global community still faces challenges including climate change, environmental destruction, deforestation, and air and water pollution; and,
WHEREAS, each and every one of us can contribute to protecting and preserving the planet we share through individual acts such as making our next meal plant-based, using reusable bags, and reducing plastic waste; and,
WHEREAS, at a community level, we can adapt education systems to enhance climate and environmental literacy, advocate for climate action at our schools and workplaces, and volunteer at local environmental organizations; and,
WHEREAS, in 2020, my administration announced the MI Healthy Climate Plan, which aims to protect Michiganders’ public health and the environment and help develop new clean energy jobs by putting Michigan on a path towards becoming fully carbon-neutral by 2050; and,
WHEREAS, during this week, and especially on Earth Day we should appreciate the planet we live on, recognize the many environmental issues we are facing, and recommit ourselves to doing our part to “Invest In Our Planet,” as this year’s Earth Day theme calls for;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Gretchen Whitmer, governor of Michigan, do hereby proclaim April 18-24, 2022 as Earth Week and April 22, 2022 as Earth Day in Michigan.
|
by Becky Andrus | Apr 14, 2022 | Regional News
Gov. Whitmer Announces More than $900 Million in Auto Insurance Refunds Already Returned to Eligible Michiganders
$3 billion in refunds to be sent out to eligible Michiganders by May 9, 2022
LANSING, Mich. — Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced today that nearly a third of eligible Michiganders have already received their $400 auto refund checks from the Michigan Catastrophic Claims Association (MCCA) catastrophic fund surplus. According to data gathered by the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS), more than $906 million of the total $3 billion in surplus funds has been returned to Michigan drivers. Auto insurers have until May 9 to deliver the remaining $2.1 billion via checks or deposit to eligible drivers.
“Thanks to our bipartisan auto insurance reform, Michigan drivers are receiving $400 refund checks per vehicle. Already, more than $906 million has been put back into the pockets of Michiganders and into our economy, and another $2.1 billion is on the way,” said Governor Gretchen Whitmer. “We will continue working together to put Michigan drivers first. Keep an eye out for your $400 refund!”
“Ensuring that every eligible Michigander receives their refund check or ACH deposit as quickly as possible is a top priority for DIFS,” said DIFS Director Anita Fox. “If you are eligible for a refund and don’t receive it on or before May 9, or if your insurer offers your refund through something other than a paper check or ACH deposit, contact your company. If you cannot reach a resolution with your insurance company, call DIFS at 833-ASK-DIFS Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. for assistance, or visit Michigan.gov/MCCArefund for more information.”
As a result of the cost controls, consumer protections, and other savings put into place by the state’s new bipartisan auto insurance law, the MCCA catastrophic fund had a $5 billion surplus as of June 2021. In November 2021, Governor Whitmer called on the MCCA to return the maximum amount of surplus funds back to Michigan drivers while ensuring the viability of the fund. After completing a data verification process, the MCCA transferred $3 billion to the Michigan insurers responsible for issuing refunds to eligible drivers, while retaining $2 billion of the surplus to ensure continuity of care for accident survivors. This transfer, initiated on March 9, triggered the 60-day deadline imposed by DIFS for insurers to issue refunds to eligible Michiganders.
To be eligible for a refund, Michiganders must have had a car, motorcycle, or RV that was insured to drive legally on Michigan roads as of 11:59 p.m. Oct. 31, 2021. The refunds are $400 per vehicle or $80 per historic vehicle and must be sent in the form of a paper check or an ACH deposit no later than May 9, 2022. do not need to do anything to receive their refund but they may wish to verify their address or banking information with their insurance company to prevent delays.
Eligible drivers who do not receive their refunds by the deadline should contact their auto insurer or agent. For questions or concerns that cannot be resolved directly by an auto insurer, contact DIFS by calling Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 833-ASK-DIFS (833-275-3437) or by emailing [email protected]. More information is available at Michigan.gov/MCCArefund.
|
