by orionontv | Nov 25, 2025 | Feature Writers, High School Sports
Written Saturday November 22nd at 7:45 PM
Adams: The Highlanders needed to play clean and turnover free football against Detroit Cass Tech on Saturday afternoon in the Division One State Semifinals sadly they did not do that and fell 48-22 at Troy Athens. Ryland Watters and Matt Toepneer played well but Detroit Cass Tech’s Julian Taylor had five rushing touchdowns and Corey Sadler had an interception for Detroit Cass Tech. The Highlanders lose a lot of proven talent including Watters but they have a quarterback in Brady Lindstrom, Lorenzo Sartar, along with Castle (played Junior Varsity) at running back. Adams will be back next season for Coach Tony Patritto.
Groves: The Falcons were outmatched on Saturday afternoon against Dexter as they fell 41-6 to the Dreadnoughts at Ypsilanti Lincoln. The combination of Cooper Arnedt and Cole Novara who both broke State records in this game were both huge for Dexter and have had an incredible run this postseason. The Dreadnoughts defense after allowing 42 points against Gibraltar Carlson shut down Jeremiah Whitley and held a very good Groves offense to six points. The Falcons really overachieved getting to the Division Two State Semifinals for the second straight season and fifth in the last nine years but they haven’t made it to Ford Field. Groves has a lot of experience along with Whitley coming back next season for Coach Brendan Flaherty but they were just outmatched on both sides of the football as mentioned.
by orionontv | Nov 25, 2025 | Feature Writers, High School Sports
Written Saturday November 22nd at 3:30 PM
The State Semifinals did not go as well for the OAA in the Divisions One and Two State Semifinals. Here are the recaps.
Detroit Cass Tech 48, ADAMS 22: The Highlanders needed to play clean and turnover free football but they were not able too against Detroit Cass Tech at Troy Athens in all three phases of the game. Adams started with the football but fumbled at the Detroit Cass Tech 43 yard line but the Highlanders defense stopped the Technicians on fourth down. The Highlanders offense had a three and out and a bad punt has the ball at the Adams 16 yard line which ended up being a 11 yard touchdown run by sophomore running back Julian Taylor and a 7-0 lead for Detroit Cass Tech. The Highlanders answered after getting a 39 yard pass play then quarterback Ryland Watters found wide receiver Matt Toepneer on a fourth and goal on a 11 yard touchdown pass and added a two point conversion with Watters and Toepneer for a 8-7 Adams lead. Detroit Cass Tech responded on a Corey Sadler kickoff return and then Taylor added his second touchdown from 18 yards out giving the Technicians a 14-8 lead. Adams has had chances but they turned the ball over on downs giving Detroit Cass Tech another opportunity which they converted as quarterback Donald Tabron hit Sadler from 26 yards out extending the Technicians lead to 21-8 heading into the half. Adams recovered an onside kick to start the second half but the Detroit Cass Tech defense forced the Highlanders to turn the ball over on downs. Taylor added his third rushing touchdown from 13 yards out and a 28-8 Detroit Cass Tech lead. The Highlanders answered as Watters ran for a nine yard touchdown plus a two point conversion making it 28-15 Detroit Cass Tech. Adams recovered a fumble and had another chance to get the score closer but Sadler got an interception sealing the Highlanders fate which led to Taylor’s fourth score of the game from 11 yards out and a 35-15 Detroit Cass Tech lead. The Technicians added another touchdown to go up 42-15 but the Highlanders went with the Watters to Toepneer combination from 67 yards out to make it 42-22 Detroit Cass Tech. Taylor would add his fifth touchdown from 32 yards to make it 48-22 Detroit Cass Tech. The Highlanders finished the season at 10-3. They lose a lot of proven talent that made two Division One State Semifinal appearances including Watters. Adams will be back that is for sure.
Dexter 41, GROVES 6: The Dreadnoughts quarterback receiver duo was at it on Saturday afternoon at Ypsilanti Lincoln against a really good Falcons defense. Dexter starting the scoring as quarterback Cooper Arendt found wide receiver Cole Novara for a 26 yard touchdown and a 7-0 Dexter lead. Groves went three and out and then the Dreadnoughts went to the ground as running back Brady Arbaugh ran a 10 yard rushing touchdown for a 14-0 lead for Dexter. The Falcons answered as quarterback LaVelle Shannon found running back Carter Hladki off the play action pass from 54 yards out but missed the two point conversion for a 14-6 Dreadnoughts lead. Arbaugh added his second touchdown of the first quarter from three yards out making the score 21-6 Dexter. Arendt found Novara again for his 50th touchdown pass of the season, a 48 yard passing touchdown and a 27-6 Dexter lead. The duo added another score which was Novara’s 27th receiving touchdowns from 31 yards out and a 34-6 Dreadnoughts lead heading to the half. Both touchdown State records from Arendt and Novara were broken in this game. They added a fourth conversion from 30 yards out making it 41-6 Dexter forcing a running clock. The Dreadnoughts shut down Jeremiah Whitley and the Falcons. Groves dreams of going to Ford Field will have to wait another season as the Falcons finished with a 9-4 season.The Falcons have Whitley coming back and they were pretty young this season. Dexter heads to Ford Field for the first time in school history to play Orchard Lake St. Marys.
I’ll have my thoughts on both games on the podcast.
by orionontv | Nov 24, 2025 | Regional News
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 24, 2025
Contact: Ron Leix, Treasury, 517-335-2167
Michiganders Encouraged to Find
Lost or Unclaimed Property This Week
LANSING, Mich. – Michiganders have a long-standing rivalry with our Buckeye neighbor to the south, especially during football season. This week, you too can channel your competitive Wolverine spirit and be part of Michigan’s blitz for the win.
Michigan Unclaimed Property is challenging the Ohio Division of Unclaimed Funds to see which state’s residents can find and claim the most forgotten funds. Special focus is on the University of Michigan vs. the Ohio State University game on November 29, which will spotlight the sparring states’ “Find Forgotten Funds-Football Edition” competition.
“This is a fun and spirited way to celebrate Michigan’s rivalry with ‘that state to the south’—and remind everyone who’s really on top,” said Terry Stanton, manager of Michigan Unclaimed Property. “The clock may run out on the game November 29, but there’s no time limit on claiming what’s yours. Unclaimed property is always available to its rightful owner.”
All Michigan residents are encouraged to visit Michigan.gov/UnclaimedProperty from now until November 30 to scoop up forgotten cash or property.
Michigan Unclaimed Property is looking for a repeat performance of their 2023 Michigan-Ohio Challenge victory.
At the midway point of the Challenge, Ohio holds a slim lead, so we need all of Michigan to get out there and search. Let’s win where it counts!
Michigan has returned more than $675 million to rightful owners or their heirs over the last five years, and a quick online search could reunite you, your friends and your family members with a potential windfall, including long-lost:
- Checking and savings accounts
- Certificates of Deposit (CD)
- Over payments
- Uncashed Checks (payroll, refunds, money orders, cashier checks, insurance benefits, etc.)
- Dividends Stocks and bonds
- Contents of a safe deposit box
As part of the home team, we want to award Michiganders the MVP (Most Valuable Property), but even more – we want our state to win the Find Forgotten Funds-Football Edition challenge. Rush to Michigan.gov/UnclaimedProperty and let’s win where it counts.
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by orionontv | Nov 24, 2025 | Regional News
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 24, 2025
Contact: Ron Leix, Treasury, 517-335-2167
Delta Township grandmother’s MET gifting tradition shows how small contributions, and this year’s bonus offer, can grow into a college future
LANSING — Black Friday and Cyber Monday holiday shoppers looking for meaningful gifts will find more than discounts at the Michigan Education Trust (MET) with seasonal bonuses added to a present that never goes out of style — prepaid college tuition.
For a limited time, MET is offering a special holiday bonus to encourage families to open or contribute to a prepaid tuition account, making this season the perfect time of year to give the gift of a college education.
With MET’s minimum contribution recently lowered to just $25, families can start a child’s college savings journey for less than many holiday stocking stuffers, while getting extra value in return with seasonal bonuses.
“Black Friday and Cyber Monday are all about finding value,” said Diane Brewer, executive director of MET. “There’s simply no better long-term value than helping a child pay for college. MET gives families a way to start small and build a meaningful foundation for the future.”
For Sue Stock, a mom and grandmother from Delta Township, that small start more than 35 years ago turned into a family tradition and a life-changing investment.
Stock first purchased MET accounts for her sons, Jon and Chris, in 1988 after reading about the then-new program in the Lansing State Journal. Her mother encouraged her to open an account for each boy and Sue quickly embraced the idea. Soon, she began asking her parents, relatives and close friends to contribute to the boys’ MET accounts instead of traditional gifts for holidays and birthdays.
“MET became our version of holiday giving,” Stock said. “The boys didn’t need more toys. I wanted to give them something that would matter long after the wrapping paper was gone.”
Those early gifts paid off.
Chris used every dollar of his MET savings to earn his degree from Michigan State University, graduating in 2003. Free from significant student debt, he landed a job with NASA before moving into the supply chain marketing field.
“He got a degree with little or no debt,” Stock said. “That is truly a gift that keeps on giving.”
Jon’s path took another turn. He earned an accounting degree at Lansing Community College, where his tuition was covered because Sue was working at LCC at the time. Since Jon didn’t need to use his MET benefits, the account remained intact and is now helping fund the MET account of Jon’s daughter, Sue’s granddaughter.
“That’s the beauty of MET,” Stock said. “Even when life takes a different direction, nothing is lost. It still becomes part of the future.”
MET is putting a bow on it this holiday season to encourage families to follow Stock’s lead. With just a $25 minimum to open an account and digital gifting tools that allow grandparents, aunts, uncles and friends to contribute directly, MET offers a way to replace short-lived presents with something that grows in value over time.
MET makes holiday gifting easy
- Start an account for just $25.
- Online gifting portal for fast contributions from anywhere.
- Prepaid tuition that locks in today’s rates.
- Flexible use for Michigan public universities, community colleges and even private or out-of-state schools.
- A gift that lasts a lifetime, not a single season.
Families can learn more or open a MET online.
From Nov. 29-Dec. 2, families who start or grow their college savings with MET prepaid tuition contract can receive a $50 Black Friday Bonus when they contribute at least $250.
And as an added bonus during the season of giving, the offer applies to both newly opened MET contracts and qualifying contributions made to existing MET contracts, making it an easy way for parents, grandparents and loved ones to turn a holiday gift into long-term opportunity. New purchasers must enter the coupon code BLKFRI25 at checkout to qualify. All contributions must be made in a single transaction through MET’s online payment system.
The bonus is limited to one $50 award per beneficiary. Funds will be deposited into qualifying MET contracts within eight to 10 weeks following verification.
Complete details and full eligibility requirements are available on MET’s website.
About MET
MET is Michigan’s Section 529 prepaid tuition program, allowing parents, grandparents and others to purchase undergraduate tuition credits at today’s rates. MET is administered by the Michigan Department of Treasury.
by orionontv | Nov 21, 2025 | Regional News
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
November 20, 2025
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AG Nessel Issues Notice of Intended Action to Five Below Over Alleged Pricing Violations
LANSING – Today, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel sent a notice of intended action (PDF) to Five Below, urging the retail chain to address repeated allegations of scanner overcharges and failing to clearly display item prices. The Attorney General contends that Five Below has committed pricing violations under the Michigan Shopping Reform and Modernization Act and the Michigan Consumer Protection Act at nearly 20 stores in Michigan on 30 separate occasions.
Since June 5, 2025, the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) has issued 30 Shopping Reform and Modernization Act non-compliance findings at Five Below stores. Five Below previously stated it would conduct an internal pricing audit to confirm that all displayed prices align with sale prices, retrain staff, and instruct them to verify the prices of items in stores. However, it is alleged that these steps have not fully corrected the pricing violations.
From August 3 to November 5, MDARD documented more than 18 instances where items labeled as $5 were allegedly charged $6 or $7 at the register. In October alone, overcharges were documented at eight different Five Below store locations.
“Shoppers should know the price they see on the shelf is what they will be charged, and repeated overcharging violations are unacceptable,” Nessel said. “I want to thank MDARD for their work in identifying these violations and urge consumers to remain vigilant against overcharges when they shop.”
“MDARD’s Weights and Measures inspectors work every day to ensure Michiganders encounter fair and transparent pricing when they’re out shopping,” said MDARD Director Tim Boring. “This investigation and coordination with the Attorney General is an example of that diligent commitment to consumers and a reminder to pay attention to pricing when you get to the register, especially as we enter the holiday season.”
Five Below has until December 15, 2025, to meet with the Department of Attorney General to explore an agreement for voluntary assurance of compliance addressing the alleged pricing violations, including an enforceable agreement to cease and desist pricing practices that violate Michigan law. Failure to do so may result in litigation and civil fines.
To file a complaint with the Attorney General, or get additional information, contact:
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by orionontv | Nov 21, 2025 | Feature Writers, High School Sports
These are the official MHSAA Girls Soccer Districts. Stay tuned to History Now host Anthony Taormina for the latest updates on these districts.
This will be updated.
District 6 at TBA
CLARKSTON
OXFORD
Grand Blanc
Davison
Lapeer
Flint Carman Ainsworth
Flushing
District 7 at TBA
BLOOMFIELD HILLS
WEST BLOOMFIELD
Hartland
Milford
Lakeland
Walled Lake Northern
Walled Lake Central
District 8 at TBA
FARMINGTON
NORTH FARMINGTON
Livonia Stevenson
Northville
Novi
South Lyon
South Lyon East
District 13 at TBA
BERKLEY
GROVES
SEAHOLM
FERNDALE
ROYAL OAK
SOUTHFIELD ARTS AND TECH
TROY
TROY ATHENS
District 14 at TBA
LAKE ORION
ROCHESTER
ADAMS
STONEY CREEK
Romeo
Utica
Utica Eisenhower
District 29 at TBA
HARPER WOODS
Grosse Pointe North
Marysville
Port Huron
St. Clair
St. Clair Shores Lake Shore
Warren Woods Tower
District 30 at TBA
AVONDALE
OAK PARK
Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood
Birmingham Marian
Center Line
Madison Heights Lamphere
Warren Fitzgerald
District 31 at TBA
WATERFORD MOTT
WATERFORD KETTERING
Clio
Flint Kearsley
Holly
North Branch
Orchard Lake St. Mary’s
