by orionontv | Jun 21, 2022 | Local News
CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF ORION
OFFICE OF THE SUPERVISOR
CHRIS BARNETT
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Jenny Bhatti
248-391-0304 ext. 1003
[email protected]
ORION TOWNSHIP RECOGNIZED FOR
ENVIRONMENTAL LEADERSHIP
Orion Township, MI (May 20, 2022) – Orion Township was recognized for environmental leadership by
the statewide Michigan Green Communities program. As part of the 2021 Michigan Green Communities
(MGC) Challenge, 44 participating local governments were awarded gold, silver, or bronze seals of
achievement reflecting community leadership in areas such as energy efficiency, climate adaptation and
resilience, recycling, environmental justice, and more. Ten communities received bronze certification,
twelve received silver certification, and twenty-two received gold certification.
Orion Township achieved gold status for exemplary action in multiple categories, including economic
development, materials management, water protection, and community engagement. A few years ago,
Orion Township, implemented a community-wide garbage and recycling program. The recycling program
included participation in Recyclebank – a rewards points system for recycling. Just for signing up and setting
out recycling each week, residents can earn points to redeem at local stores or donate to the school district
for one of their recycling programs.
The Michigan Green Communities (MGC) program is open to all local governments in Michigan, at no cost.
MGC is a sustainability networking, benchmarking, and technical assistance program. It guides and supports
communities in adapting to a changing climate, protecting infrastructure, improving the quality of life for
residents, and creating a more environmentally and economically sustainable future for the state of
Michigan.
Michigan Green Communities is supported by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and
Energy; the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services; the Michigan Economic Development
Corporation; the Michigan Association of Counties; the Michigan Municipal League; and the Michigan
Townships Association. More details about this program can be found at www.migreencommunities.com.
Questions regarding the Michigan Green Communities program can be directed to
[email protected].
by Becky Andrus | Jun 20, 2022 | High School Sports
MHSAA NOW: The weekly newsletter of the Michigan High School Athletic Association
THIS WEEK
We’re into the second day of the final weekend of the 2021-22 sports school year, and today’s edition includes previews of the Girls Soccer, Softball and Baseball Finals and coverage of Thursday’s Semifinals. We also highlight an all-stater whose final high school goal clinched last weekend’s Division 1 girls lacrosse championship.
Do you know a high school sports fan who would enjoy this weekly newsletter? Share this link to register on MHSAA.com and be added to the MHSAA NOW mailing list.
AROUND THE STATE
This weekend’s Girls Soccer Finals field includes two of the winningest champions in MHSAA history, and two teams hoping to celebrate the ultimate prize for the first time. Hudsonville Unity Christian with 10 Finals titles and Marian with nine trail only Madison Heights Bishop Foley’s 12 on the list of most MHSAA girls soccer championships.
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The team with the second-longest winning streak in MHSAA baseball history, and the appearances of three likely high-round Major League Baseball draft picks are among several intriguing storylines as we head into this weekend’s Baseball Finals at Michigan State University’s McLane Stadium.
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The roster for this weekend’s MHSAA Softball Finals at Michigan State University’s Secchia Stadium makes for a power-packed lineup. The 16 teams playing for four championships have combined to claim 28 Finals titles in the past. Unionville-Sebewaing and Stevensville Lakeshore are among those sitting second in MHSAA history with seven championships won – and with opportunities to tie the record of eight Saturday.
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As much as he tried to keep it out of his mind, it became nearly impossible for Ada Forest Hills Eastern senior pitcher Jacob Pallo to do so late in his team’s Division 2 Semifinal against Goodrich. Pallo was four outs away from a no-hitter Thursday, but then a bloop single with two outs in the sixth ended that hope of him making history.
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Things were not going according to plan for Allen Park early in Thursday morning’s Division 1 Semifinal at Secchia Stadium. Mattawan, fresh off an upset of top-ranked South Lyon on Tuesday, came out in giant-killer mode again, jumping out to a quick 2-0 lead against the No. 2-ranked Jaguars. “Those nerves, they got us early, but we came back to play,” said third-year Allen Park coach Michael Kish.
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Trenton and Essexville Garber are not used to making long runs in softball. In fact, most of the players on both teams weren’t even born the last time their schools reached the Softball Semifinals. The newcomers put on a show Thursday on the state’s biggest stage, with Trenton holding off Garber, 2-1, in a classic pitcher’s duel at sunny, windswept Secchia Stadium.
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Up until there were two outs in the top of the seventh inning of its Division 4 Semifinal on Thursday, Riverview Gabriel Richard was winning with an unusual formula. At that point, the Pioneers had three more errors (5) than hits (2), but still found themselves up a run as they looked for some insurance. After the first two batters made outs, the Pioneers found insurance, and then some.
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Boose finished her senior season Saturday with one of the most memorable moments in Brighton girls lacrosse history. Her overtime goal gave the Bulldogs a 12-11 victory over Grand Rapids Forest Hills Northern/Eastern and the Division 1 championship after the they had finished runners-up the previous three seasons.
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GAME TIME
Upcoming MHSAA Tournament Schedule
MHSAA TV
For a complete list of all games and streaming options go to mhsaa.tv.
Click here for a schedule of available student broadcast video streams.
by orionontv | Jun 20, 2022 | Feature Writers, High School Sports
Written Saturday June 18th at 7:15 PM
Updated Sunday June 19th at 12:05 PM
Hello all, hope all is well. The MHSAA hasn’t released the boys and girls basketball districts as of yet. Now I did like a projection list of teams that could be the districts.
THESE ARE NOT THE OFFICIAL DISTRICTS, these are my projections. If you have any questions please comment on the comments, DM, or tweet me. I will gladly explain.
I used my early district projections along with the volleyball and MHSAA divisions lists for the 2022-2023 seasons which included the Co-Op’s and the teams that moved up.
Hopefully these are the districts. Here are my projections for Divisions one and two. It took me a few hours so here goes.
Division One
Alpena
Marquette
Petoskey
Sault Ste Marie
Gaylord
Traverse City Central
Traverse City West
Muskegon
Muskegon Mona Shores
Muskegon Reeths Puffer
Cedar Springs
Greenville
Rockford
Mt. Pleasant
St. Johns
DeWitt
Bay City Central
Bay City Western
Midland
Midland Dow
Saginaw Heritage
Saginaw Arthur Hill (Boys Only)
Grand Haven
Holland
Holland West Ottawa
Zeeland East
Zeeland West
Coopersville
Grand Rapids Northview
Grand Rapids Kenowa Hills
Grand Rapids Union
Grand Rapids Forest Hills Northern
Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central
East Grand Rapids
Grand Rapids Ottawa Hills
Grandville
Hudsonville
Jenison
Wyoming
Byron Center
Caledonia
East Kentwood
Lowell
Middleville Thornapple-Kellogg
Kalamazoo Central
Mattawan
Richland Gull Lake
St. Joseph
Stevensville Lakeshore
Battle Creek Harper Creek
Battle Creek Central
Jackson
Jackson Northwest
Battle Creek Lakeview
Coldwater
Kalamazoo Loy Norrix
Portage Central
Portage Northern
Sturgis
Mason
Grand Ledge
East Lansing
Lansing Holt
Lansing Everett
Lansing Waverly
Brighton
Hartland
Howell
Okemos
South Lyon
South Lyon East
Ann Arbor Pioneer
Ann Arbor Skyline
Ann Arbor Huron
Dexter
Saline
Belleville
Ypsilanti
Ypsilanti Lincoln
Romulus (Boys Only)
Taylor
Brownstown Woodhaven
Monroe
Riverview (Girls Only)
Gibraltar Carlson
Temperance Bedford
Trenton
Wyandotte Roosevelt
Canton
Plymouth
Salem
Northville
Novi
Novi Detroit Catholic Central
Detroit Henry Ford
Livonia Stevenson
Livonia Churchill
Livonia Franklin
Redford Thurston
FARMINGTON
Dearborn
Dearborn Heights Crestwood
Dearborn Fordson
Allen Park
Wayne Memorial
Westland John Glenn
Detroit Cass Tech
Lincoln Park
Detroit Martin Luther King
Detroit Western
Melvindale
River Rouge
BERKLEY
OAK PARK
SOUTHFIELD ARTS AND TECH
Detroit Renaissance
Detroit Mumford
Detroit University-Detroit Jesuit
Fraser
Grosse Pointe North
Grosse Pointe South
Hamtramck
HARPER WOODS
St. Clair Shores Lakeview
Roseville
Sterling Heights
Warren Cousino
Warren Woods Tower
Warren Mott
Warren De LaSalle
GROVES
SEAHOLM
BLOOMFIELD HILLS
NORTH FARMINGTON
Birmingham Brother Rice/Birmingham Marian
Orchard Lake St. Marys/Farmington Hills Mercy
TROY
TROY ATHENS
ROCHESTER
ADAMS
STONEY CREEK
ROYAL OAK
Chippewa Valley
Macomb Dakota
Sterling Heights Stevenson
Macomb L’Anse Creuse
Macomb L’Anse Creuse North
St. Clair Shores LakeShore
Romeo
Utica Eisenhower
Utica
Utica Ford II
Port Huron
Port Huron Northern
Lapeer
Davison
Flint (Boys Only)
Flint Kearsley
Flint Carman Ainsworth
Flushing
Fenton
Linden
Holly
Grand Blanc
Swartz Creek
CLARKSTON
LAKE ORION
OXFORD
AVONDALE
PONTIAC
Waterford Kettering
Waterford Mott
Milford
Lakeland
Walled Lake Western
Walled Lake Central
Walled Lake Northern
WEST BLOOMFIELD
Division Two
Escanaba
Gladstone
Kingsford
Negaunee
Houghton
Boyne City
Cheboygan
Kalkaska
Grayling
Kingsley
Big Rapids
Reed City
Cadillac
Ludington
Remus Chippewa Hills
Clare
Gladwin
Ogemaw Heights
Standish Sterling
Midland Bullock Creek
Shepherd
Fruitport
Montague
Muskegon Oakridge
Muskegon Orchard View
Whitehall
Spring Lake
Fremont
Grant
Howard Tri County
Newaygo
Sparta
Grand Rapids Forest Hills Eastern
Comstock Park
Grand Rapids Catholic Central
Grand Rapids West Catholic
Wyoming Lee
Alma
Belding
Central Montcalm
Ionia
Portland
Grand Rapids Christian
Grand Rapids South Christian
Grand Rapids West Aviation Academy
Kentwood Grand River Prep
Wyoming Godwin Heights
Wyoming Kelloggsville
Allendale
Hamilton
Holland Christian
Hopkins
Hudsonville Unity Christian
Comstock (Boys Only)
Allegan
Ostego
Paw Paw
Plainwell
South Haven
Coloma (Boys Only)
Benton Harbor
Berrien Springs
Buchanan
Dowagiac
Edwardsburg
Niles
Battle Creek Pennfield
Constiantine
Marshall
Parchment
Three Rivers
Vicksburg
Charlotte
Eaton Rapids
Hastings
Lake Odessa Lakewood
Olivet
Wayland
Fowlerville
Haslett
Lansing Catholic
Lansing Eastern
Lansing Sexton
Williamston
Adrian
Chelsea
Hillsdale
Jonesville (Boys Only)
Parma Western
Onsted
Pinckney
Carleton Airport
Milan
Tecumseh
Dundee
Ida
Monroe Jefferson
Flat Rock
Grosse Isle
New Boston Huron
Riverview (Boys Only)
Romulus Summit Academy North
Taylor Prep
Romulus (Girls only)
Ann Arbor Father Gabriel Richard
Canton Prep
Dearborn Divine Child
Dearborn Star International
Garden City
Dearborn Advanced Tech
Dearborn Heights Annapolis
Dearborn Henry Ford Academy
Dearborn Heights Robichaud (Boys Only)
Detroit Cesar Chavez
Detroit Cody
Detroit Lincoln King
Detroit Voyaguer
Livonia Clarenceville
Redford Union
Redford Westfield Prep
FERNDALE
FERNDALE UNIVERSITY
Hazel Park
Clawson
Warren Fitzgerald
Warren Lincoln
Detroit Collegiate Prep
Detroit Edison
Detroit Southeastern
Detroit University Prep
Detroit University Prep Arts and Design
Detroit University Prep Science and Math
Detroit Denby Tech
Detroit East English
Detroit Osborn
Eastpointe
Harper Woods Chandler Park
St. Clair Shores South Lake
Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood
Detroit Country Day
Orchard Lake St. Marys (Girls Only)
Pontiac Notre Dame Prep
Wixom St. Catherine Sienna Academy
Center Line
Macomb Lutheran North
Madison Heights Lamphere
Warren Michigan Collegate
Warren Regina
Algonac
Armada
Marine City
Marysville
Richmond
St. Clair
Almont
Croswell-Lexington
Imlay City
North Branch
Yale
Durand
Flint Powers
Goodrich
Lake Fenton
Brandon
Clio
Corunna
Flint Hamady
Flint (Girls Only)
Mt. Morris
Owosso
Birch Run
Bridgeport
Saginaw
Caro
Frankenmuth
Bay City John Glenn
Carrolton
Essexsville Garber
Freeland
Saginaw Swan Valley
Saginaw Arthur Hill (Girls Only)
by Becky Andrus | Jun 20, 2022 | Regional News
Gov. Whitmer and Lt. Governor Gilchrist Sign Juneteenth Proclamation
Today marks the first time Juneteenth is recognized as a state holiday in Michigan
LANSING, Mich. — Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer and Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist II issued a proclamation declaring June 19th as Juneteenth Celebration Day in Michigan. Juneteenth commemorates the day in 1865 when slavery was abolished in the United States.
“We are proud to celebrate Juneteenth as an official state holiday for the first time,” said Governor Whitmer. “Today presents an important opportunity to celebrate and elevate the stories of Black Americans as we continue to make record investments in communities of color. Since we took office, the lieutenant governor and I have prioritized building a state representative and responsive to the people we serve, addressing racial disparities and improving equity across Michigan. I am proud to declare June 19th as Juneteenth Celebration Day, and I am committed to working with anyone to build a more equitable and just state for all Michiganders.”
“Juneteenth marks a crucial day in our nation’s history to recognize the important progress we’ve made, while committing ourselves to the ongoing effort to center equity in all our work and make Michigan a place where every person can succeed,” said Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist II. “As the first Black lieutenant governor in our state, I’m building the policies and practices that will address and undo the damage racism and injustice has caused on our communities. That’s why we continue to invest in schools, job training, environmental justice, infrastructure and supporting businesses – all transformational investments and policies that celebrate, support and uplift communities of color. I am proud of the progress we’ve made thus far and will continue to work every day to make sure every all Michiganders have the support and opportunities they need.”
Juneteenth originated on June 19, 1865, when Union Army General Gordon Granger landed in Galveston, where he read General Order #3, stating that all slaves were free, and that former masters and slaves were absolutely equal in personal and property rights. Acting as the date of emancipation, June 19th also became a long-standing day of celebration, meant to honor African American resilience and the end of slavery.
Since they took office, Governor Whitmer and Lt. Governor Gilchrist have been committed to making Michigan a more equitable and just state. The governor assembled the most diverse cabinet in Michigan’s history to ensure that government is more representative of all Michiganders. More than 338 Black Michiganders have been appointed to boards, commissions and full-time positions, and 60% of appointees are women or people of color. The governor also appointed 12 Black Michiganders to the bench out of 41 judicial appointments. Under Executive Order 2020-163, the governor required implicit bias training for all state employees.
In response to COVID-19, Governor Whitmer established the Michigan Coronavirus Task Force on Racial Disparities by Executive Order 2020-55. The task force, which Lt. Governor Gilchrist chairs, has made real progress in bringing down the COVID disparity for Black Michiganders and has extended its work to tackling health disparities as a whole.
Additionally, Governor Whitmer signed Executive Order 2020-163, recognizing racism as a public health crisis and creating the Black Leadership Advisory Council. The Council is the first of its kind in Michigan to elevate Black leaders and representatives and take initial steps to address racism within state government.
Last year, Lt. Governor Gilchrist launched his ‘Making Real Change’ Tour across Michigan to highlight the administration’s continued efforts to flatten and eliminate racial disparities during the COVID-19 pandemic. The tour focused on what the state has learned to apply those lessons to equitably administering vaccines and building the resilience required to reduce racial disparities in health and other areas within communities.
Governor Whitmer made strides in police reforms when she called on the legislature to address racial disparities and strengthen relationships between law enforcement and communities of color. The governor also made Michigan a leader in transparency and accountability by developing a new web page to improve public access to information on the use of force and traffic stop data, department policies and training requirements.
View the full proclamation here.
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by Becky Andrus | Jun 20, 2022 | Regional News
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| Hi there,
Some HUGE news for our veterans – the Senate has passed a bipartisan deal on a landmark package of legislation to finally, and comprehensively, address toxic exposure. The bill now heads to the President’s desk.
Sometimes, really important, landmark things do get done in Congress — and sometimes you get to share those moments with folks who are directly impacted. Thursday was one of those days.
As the roll was called, the Congresswoman was able to watch from the Senate gallery with Ryan Hart and his family, who are visiting D.C. from Springfield Township for the induction ceremony of his late father, Paul, to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Honor Roll.
Paul Hart passed away two years ago from lung cancer that resulted from exposure to Agent Orange during his service. It took our government decades to finally acknowledge the damage Agent Orange did to our troops, and too many lives were lost as a result.
Now, the 9/11 generation of American veterans – including many Michiganders – are struggling with the long-term consequences of burn pits, and red tape at the VA is blocking them from getting the care they’re entitled to.
The Veterans Burn Pits Exposure Recognition Act, which Rep. Slotkin introduced with her Republican colleague and fellow Michigander Rep. Peter Meijer over a year ago, is part of the package. It cuts red tape to make it easier for veterans to get benefits and care, and the Congresswoman is thrilled it’s included in this package, which the House will soon send to the President’s desk.
The Veterans Burn Pits Exposure Recognition Act will:
- Eliminate the unreasonable requirement that veterans prove they were exposed to burn pits during their service;
- Formally recognize that veterans who served near burn pits were exposed to airborne hazards and toxins, potentially aiding thousands of veterans who otherwise do not have documentation of their exposure;
- And require the VA to conduct a full medical examination on veterans to determine a potential connection between an ailment and past toxic exposure.
Burn pits are the post-9/11 generation’s Agent Orange, and we need to support them not just with words, but with action.
– Office of Rep. Elissa Slotkin |
by Becky Andrus | Jun 15, 2022 | Regional News
Gov. Whitmer Announces Investment to Help Build 529 Affordable Apartments, Townhomes, and Housing Units Across Michigan
LANSING, Mich. – Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced the state is moving forward with a plan to invest $13 million to build 529 affordable apartments, townhomes, and housing units to help increase the amount of affordable housing options across the state amidst a housing shortage, which will help lower costs for Michiganders. The projects are located in Ann Arbor, Detroit, Grand Rapids, Jackson, Midland, Nashville, Traverse City, and Wyoming. The investment from these projects is expected to add approximately $151 million to the state’s economy and create 1,000 jobs.
“Michigan should always be a place where everyone can afford to live, work, and raise a family. As rent and home prices increase across the country, we are moving forward with an aggressive plan here in Michigan to build more quality affordable housing. This will help put money back in people’s pockets, and give them a place to call home,” said Governor Whitmer. “Since I took office, we have built nearly 12,000 affordable, attainable housing units, and I look forward to much more progress. Under the Building Michigan Together plan that I signed into law in April, we’re charging forward with an ambitious goal of creating 75,000 new or rehabilitated housing units within the next five years. When Michiganders have a safe place to call home, it serves as a launchpad for economic opportunity and a strong foundation for people to pursue their potential. Together, we can make necessary investments to create equitable pathways to attainable housing for all Michiganders.”
Through the federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program, developers that receive awards can claim credits against their tax liability annually for up to 10 years – an important initiative that helps incentivize investments in affordable housing in local communities across the state. This current round of funding will enable the creation or preservation of 561 total units including market rate apartments.
“We know that creating affordable housing benefits everyone in the state by stimulating local economic growth, but it also creates opportunities for Michiganders to have equitable access to safe, quality, affordable housing for their families, making for stable and secure living and upward mobility,” said Chad Benson, MSHDA rental development director.
A full list of development projects includes:
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Cinnaire Solutions Corp. & Woodbridge Neighborhood Development Corp.
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Catholic Charities of Southeast Michigan & Cinnaire Solutions
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Cass Corridor Neighborhood Development Corp
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CHN Housing Partners & Detroit Blight Busters
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Boston Square Together II
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Brinshore Development LLC & Amplify GR
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Woda Cooper Development, Inc.
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MVAH Development LLC & Jackson Housing Commission
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Dogwood Community Development
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Traverse City Housing Commission, Cove Investments LLC & Ethos Development Partners
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Union Suites at Michael II
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Union Suites Development LLC & Dwelling Place of Grand Rapids
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Building Michigan Together Plan Housing Investments
Governor Whitmer’s Building Michigan Together Plan will fund the construction of thousands of affordable, attainable housing units to give thousands of working families a stable foundation to pursue their potential. It will also help over 100,000 families stay in their homes with mortgage and rental assistance and finance energy-efficient home repairs, lowering costs for Michiganders.
Governor Whitmer’s Housing Investments
Since taking office, the Whitmer-Gilchrist Administration has made several investments to help families find a place to call home. The administration helped thousands of families buy homes with the Down Payment Assistance Program and MI Home Loan Mortgage Program, and provided services through the Housing Education Program to encourage homeownership and assist homeowners with the transition to new housing.
The governor also proposed funding for home repair and plumbing improvements for low-income households and encouraged housing developers to meet higher levels of sustainability commitments and energy efficiency by shifting construction of new units near amenities essential to healthy living like parks, grocery stores, and more.
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