DNR News: New high-tech beach warning system

DNR News: New high-tech beach warning system

by | May 21, 2024 | Recreation

 
DNR banner with link to website

DNR News
May 20, 2024
Contact: Andrew LundBorg (Grand Haven State Park supervisor), 616-307-0667 or Pat Whalen (DNR PRD district supervisor), 269-838-1196

Electronic, web-enabled beach warning system takes Grand Haven State Park beach safety to the next level

a man in black shirt and pants gestures to a tall tower on the beach. The tower is topped by red, yellow and green lights and has a life ring attachedRepresentatives from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Parks and Recreation Division, SwimSmart and the city of Grand Haven, community members and other stakeholders gathered Monday at a ribbon-cutting at Grand Haven State Park to formally unveil a new electronic beach safety notification system.

The new system features 12 electronic and web-enabled towers, demonstrating the DNR’s ongoing commitment to enhancing public safety and emergency response times at this popular state park.

Grand Haven State Park is among the state’s most well-known beach destinations – in fact, earlier this year it was listed in Travel and Leisure’s top 25 beaches in the nation – but it is critical that visitors respect the strong, powerful waters of Lake Michigan and are aware of and prepared for rapidly changing conditions.

“To boost safety at popular Great Lakes state park beaches, SwimSmart towers will help provide real-time warnings to beachgoers,” said Ron Olson, chief of the DNR Parks and Recreation Division. “This innovative, technology-based system features two types of towers visible along the Grand Haven swim beach, marking the first state park location for this initiative.”

Eight orange towers, located on the beach, feature an easy-to-understand electronic light display that mimics the familiar double-red, red, yellow and green flag system visitors are used to seeing on the beach. Additionally, life rings are stationed at each tower. If one of the rings is accessed to aid in helping someone in the water, 911 and park rangers will simultaneously be contacted. The towers can play prerecorded messages to alert users to changing conditions, emergencies and other important information.
The simple, silver surface of the SwimSmart blue light beach safety tower, showing the "push for help" button and call sent/received statusThe four blue light towers, located along the sidewalk, feature a readily accessible emergency phone that park staff and visitors can press to trigger an immediate emergency response. The blue light towers are equipped with a higher-power loudspeaker, video monitoring system and a direct line to the Ottawa County 911 center. The loudspeaker system will work in conjunction with the prerecorded messages of the orange beach towers and allow park staff to broadcast live messages.

The $570,000 project was made possible with a $200,000 grant from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, and the balance covered through DNR Parks and Recreation capital outlay funds.

The products were invented, developed and installed by Michigan-based SwimSmart, an innovative technology company whose products are created to empower beachgoing families and patrons to make informed decisions when it comes to water recreation.

The DNR will leave the current flagpoles in place but will only fly the flags if the new system goes down due to loss of electricity or other reasons.

“This partnership with the Michigan DNR brings us one step closer to realizing our mission of preventing the next water emergency from happening,” said Jacob Soter, founder and CEO of SwimSmart. “We share the DNR’s commitment to public safety, and are excited to provide this resource to the countless families who will be visiting Grand Haven State Park this summer and for years to come.”

“The safety of our visitors on the Great Lakes is our top priority,” said Pat Whalen, district supervisor for the DNR Parks and Recreation Division. “That’s why we continually evaluate and refine beach safety protocols at state parks throughout the year.”

For example, the DNR introduced double-red warning flags at all state-designated swim beaches along the Great Lakes in Michigan state parks in 2022. When double-red flags are present, beachgoers are not allowed to enter the water from the beach.

Visit Michigan.gov/BeachSafety for tips and information on safely visiting the Great Lakes, including state-designated swim beach locations, the beach flag warning system, Great Lakes currents (and how to escape them) and more.

For more information, contact Andrew LundBorg, park supervisor, at 616-307-0667 and LundBorgA@Michigan.gov or Pat Whalen, PRD district supervisor, at 269-838-1196 or WhalenP1@Michigan.gov.

Note to editors: Accompanying photos are available below for download. All photos courtesy Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

  • SwimSmart demo: Jacob Soter, founder and CEO of SwimSmart, explains how the electronic light displays work on one of the newly installed orange towers at the Grand Haven State Park beach. The LED lights replicate the traditional flag system (double-red, red, yellow and green) for water conditions, and the tower contacts 911 dispatch center in the event of an emergency.
  • SwimSmart blue light tower: One of the towers located along the beach sidewalk at Grand Haven State Park. Each tower features two-way communication with a 911 dispatcher, loudspeaker broadcasting and video monitoring for water emergencies and park security.
  • Blue light tower – help: The easy-to-use help button and speaker on the blue light towers that staff and the public can use to summon emergency assistance from the Grand Haven State Park beach sidewalk.
  • Orange light tower menu: Signage on the orange towers, now installed at the Grand Haven State Park beach, shows each light color with corresponding safety category.
Softball District Preview

Softball District Preview

by | May 20, 2024 | Feature Writers, High School Sports

Softball District Preview.

Written Sunday May 19th at 10:45 AM

Here is the softball district preview. This will be updated once we get the District 56 matchups.

District 4 at Lapeer

Lapeer vs. Holly

OXFORD vs. Davison

THOUGHTS/PROJECTION: This should be a very interesting district. Oxford and Davison will be very interesting as will Lapeer and Holly in the district semifinals. I think the Wildcats experience moves them on over a very good Bronchos team. PICK: OXFORD.

 

District 22 at Farmington Hills Mercy

Livonia Stevenson vs. FARMINGTON

SOUTHFIELD ARTS AND TECH vs. Farmington Hills Mercy

THOUGHTS/PROJECTION: Livonia Stevenson and Farmington Hills Mercy should be a very interesting district finals. The Spartans have a very strong team but so does the Marlins. Home field will be the difference here. PICK: FARMINGTON HILLS MERCY.

 

District 23 at Warren Mott

FERNDALE vs. Warren Mott

OAK PARK vs. Detroit Renaissance

THOUGHTS/PROJECTION: This is not a very strong district when looking at the teams. Warren Mott is a very young team and could get to the district finals. Ferndale is the other team that could make a run. I think Detroit Renaissance wins this district with ease. PICK: DETROIT RENAISSANCE.

 

District 26 at Waterford Kettering

Waterford Mott vs. Waterford Kettering

Waterford Mott/Waterford Kettering vs. BLOOMFIELD HILLS

WEST BLOOMFIELD vs. CLARKSTON

THOUGHTS/PROJECTION: This is a very interesting district. Clarkston hasn’t been themselves while West Bloomfield has had some moments of good and bad. Bloomfield Hills has also been solid as well. I can’t go against the Wolves in this district even with the changes they made, nope. PICK: CLARKSTON.

 

District 27 at Seaholm

NORTH FARMINGTON vs. GROVES

SEAHOLM vs. BERKLEY

THOUGHTS/PROJECTION: This is a very interesting district. Berkley looks to be the favorite in this district with a ton of proven experience. Seaholm played in the Red and has home field. The Maples have been looking really strong recently. Groves has been up and down as has North Farmington. Both the Raiders and the Falcons are more than capable of winning this district as Seaholm. I think the Bears find a way and win this very competitive district. PICK: BERKLEY.

 

District 28 at Avondale

TROY vs. TROY ATHENS

AVONDALE vs. ROYAL OAK

THOUGHTS/PROJECTION: This is a very interesting district. Troy and Troy Athens should be a very interesting district semifinals. I really like what Royal Oak has done. They won a district last season beating Berkley and hopes to continue that same magic. It’s a tougher district this time around but the Ravens get it done for the second time. PICK: ROYAL OAK.

 

District 29 at Stoney Creek

LAKE ORION vs. ROCHESTER

STONEY CREEK vs. ADAMS

THOUGHTS/PROJECTION: Erin Flynn vs the Dragons looks like it will be inevitable pending if there isn’t any upsets. Stoney Creek is ranked, has one of the State’s best pitchers, and has home field. Lake Orion has been an honorable mention all season. If the Dragons can get to Flynn and force her pitch count to rise that spells trouble for the Cougars. Give me the team that has been there before. PICK: LAKE ORION.

 

District 56 at Geographic host

HARPER WOODS

Detroit Denby

Detroit Lincoln King

Detroit East English

Detroit Southeastern

Harper Woods Chandler Park

THOUGHTS/PREDICTION: This is not a strong district when looking at the teams. I think Harper Woods wins this district because of the schedule. PICK: HARPER WOODS.

Softball District Preview

Baseball District Preview

by | May 20, 2024 | Feature Writers, High School Sports

Baseball District Preview.

Written Sunday May 19th at 9:05 AM

Here are the baseball districts preview.

District 15 at Novi

Novi vs. Livonia Stevenson

Novi/Livonia Stevenson vs. FARMINGTON

Novi Detroit Catholic Central vs. Northville

THOUGHTS/PREDICTION: This is shaping up to be a very tough district. Novi won the Division One State crown last season while Novi Detroit Catholic Central is a proven powerhouse. Northville has been a very strong program as has Livonia Stevenson and Farmington. This district could go either way with the winner likely having a deep postseason run. I don’t see anyone knocking the Wildcats in this district. PICK: NOVI.

 

District 21 at Detroit University-Detroit Jesuit

SOUTHFIELD ARTS AND TECH vs. Detroit Renaissance

Detroit University-Detroit Jesuit vs. FERNDALE

THOUGHTS/PREDICTION: This is not a very strong district when looking at the teams. Detroit University-Detroit Jesuit has had a strong season but can’t count Ferndale out despite having to face the Cubs in the district semifinals. Southfield Arts and Tech and Detroit Renaissance has been up and down. I think Detroit University-Detroit Jesuit wins this district with ease. PICK: DETROIT UNIVERSITY-DETROIT JESUIT.

 

District 22 at Seaholm

BERKLEY vs. TROY

BERKLEY/TROY vs. GROVES

ROYAL OAK vs. SEAHOLM

THOUGHTS/PREDICTION: This is a very interesting and competitive district. There are some really good teams in this district that could make some noise. Berkley, Groves, Troy, and Royal Oak are solid teams but Seaholm has been battle tested. Home field matters in a district like this and having the new facility will help. PICK: SEAHOLM.

 

District 23 at Bloomfield Hills

NORTH FARMINGTON vs. WEST BLOOMFIELD

Birmingham Brother Rice vs. BLOOMFIELD HILLS

THOUGHTS/PREDICTION: This is a very competitive district. Birmingham Brother Rice just won the Catholic League crown and is the top team in the State. West Bloomfield has been state ranked all season and has a really good pitching staff. Bloomfield Hills and North Farmington could play spoilers. If there is a team that is primed to be upset it’s the Warriors. I think the Lakers get it done behind their strong pitching staff. PICK: WEST BLOOMFIELD.

 

District 24 at Waterford Kettering

AVONDALE vs. Waterford Kettering

Waterford Mott vs. Orchard Lake St. Marys

THOUGHTS/PREDICTION: This is not a very strong district. I don’t see anyone in this district knocking off Orchard Lake St. Marys. PICK: ORCHARD LAKE ST. MARYS.

 

District 27 at Utica Ford II

Utica Ford II vs. TROY ATHENS

Utica Ford II/TROY ATHENS vs. Sterling Heights Stevenson

Sterling Heights vs. Utica

THOUGHTS/PREDICTION: This should be a very competitive district in Utica. Troy Athens has been solid all season. Utica has been very consistent all season. Utica Ford II has home field and has been solid. Utica got the best draw of the teams and the Chieftains should move on. PICK: UTICA.

 

District 30 at Lake Orion

STONEY CREEK vs. ADAMS

STONEY CREEK/ADAMS vs. LAKE ORION

Utica Eisenhower vs. ROCHESTER

THOUGHTS/PREDICTION: Lake Orion has been a very odd team to figure out this season. They lost the season series to Rochester but bounced back against Stoney Creek and Adams. The Dragons also have two wins against Utica Eisenhower. Rochester has proven they can go into Lake Orion and win, they did it twice this season. Utica Eisenhower is also a proven team as well. This is anyone’s district to take but when in doubt go with the home team. PICK: LAKE ORION.

 

District 31 at Grand Blanc

Fenton vs. CLARKSTON

Fenton/CLARKSTON vs. OXFORD

Grand Blanc vs. Holly

THOUGHTS/PREDICTION: This is a very interesting district. Clarkston and Oxford have both been up and down all season. Grand Blanc has been very good all season. Holly and Fenton have been solid teams as well. The Bobcats have home field in their district which helps. Grand Blanc could be in line to make a deep postseason run. PICK: GRAND BLANC.

 

District 56 at Grosse Pointe University Liggett

Grosse Pointe University Liggett vs. St. Clair Shores South Lake

Grosse Pointe University Liggett/St. Clair Shores South Lake vs. Harper Woods Chandler Park

Detroit East English vs. HARPER WOODS

THOUGHTS/PREDICTION: This is not a very strong district. Grosse Pointe University Liggett is a proven powerhouse. Harper Woods could make some noise and get to the district finals. I don’t see the Pioneers getting by Grosse Pointe University Liggett. PICK: GROSSE POINTE UNIVERSITY LIGGETT.

Ben Kirby farewell open house — May 29

Ben Kirby farewell open house — May 29

by | May 20, 2024 | School News

After four years guiding LOCS through many challenges and creating opportunities as our superintendent, Ben Kirby is moving on to a new opportunity. We plan to celebrate him with a community open house on May 29 from 3:30-4:30 p.m. at the LOCS Administration Building (315 N. Lapeer St.)

Join us to wish him well in his new endeavor.

Sincerely,

LOCS Assistant Superintendents Heidi Mercer, Andrea Curtis, Adam Weldon

May 19-25 is EMS Recognition Week

May 19-25 is EMS Recognition Week

by | May 20, 2024 | Health and Wellness

MDHHS banner with logo no names

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 20, 2024

MDHHS CONTACT: Lynn Sutfin, 517-241-2112, SutfinL1@michigan.gov

     MAAS CONTACT: Laura Biehl, 248-921-5008, Laura@reschstrategies.com

Governor Whitmer honors EMS Heroes by
proclaiming May 19-25 as EMS Recognition Week
EMS personnel provide life-saving health care to Michiganders 24/7

LANSING, Mich. – As a thank you for the life-saving health care EMS practitioners provide every day, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has proclaimed May 19-25 as EMS Recognition Week in Michigan.

EMS practitioners stand ready day or night to help residents in need of help. They provide critical pre-hospital care to Michiganders in both emergencies and other health care situations including preventative medicine, follow-up care, other transportation needs and more. The efforts of EMS workers help improve the survival and recovery rates of people who experience sudden illness or injury.

“The work EMS personnel do is essential to the health and safety of our communities,” said Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, chief medical executive. “Paramedics and EMTs are there when we are at our worst and need them most, and we owe them so much gratitude during this week and all year round.”

Though Michigan is still dealing with an EMS staffing crisis, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services EMS workforce grants approved in the Fiscal Year 2022 state budget are helping alleviate this problem. So far, 432 Michigan EMTs have completed or are in the process of completing paramedic training programs throughout the state. Residents interested in a career in EMS can get involved or learn more at GotWhatItTakes.org.

“Michigan’s EMS heroes are proud to serve their communities and provide lifesaving pre-hospital care to residents in need,” said John Clayton, president of the Michigan Association of Ambulance Services and EMS manager at MyMichigan Health in Midland. “Working in EMS is a tough but rewarding career and we encourage young people to consider serving their community and joining EMS.”

Michigan is home to 29,253 EMS providers, 798 life support agencies and 3,998 licensed life support vehicles, according to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Division of EMS and Trauma within the Bureau of Emergency Preparedness, EMS and Systems of Care. For more information, visit Michigan.gov/ems.