by Becky Andrus | Nov 1, 2021 | Feature Writers, High School Sports
Inside the OAA
Covering all 23 OAA teams with insight and thoughts on each school from Northern Oakland County, Southern Oakland County, and one from Wayne County.
Saturday, October 30, 2021
By Sammy Taormina
Written Thursday October 28th at 11:10 AM
Updated Saturday October 30th at 10:30 AM
Birmingham Marian is the defending Division One State Champions in Volleyball.
They have gotten a ton of press in the State rankings and even made multiple appearances on State Champs.
Birmingham Marian is very talented led by Sarah Sylvester, Ava Brizard, Ava Sarafa, Gabi Hock, among others. They also have program strength as well.
I have seen the highlights from the Beast of the East Tournament, their games against Farmington Hills Mercy, and the Catholic League tournament. They have been dominant all season. I have seen the praise, they are very good. There is a reason why they are the top team in Division One.
They have the talent to repeat as Division One State Champions and have the confidence to back it up.
They are the favorite to win it all.
Sometimes though having too much confidence is very dangerous.
They have the perfect makings of Anakin Skywalker from Star Wars. He a cunning warrior. Skywalker was deemed “The Hero with No Fear” in Star Wars Revenge of the Sith in both the movie and the book.
I took some passages from the novel “Star Wars Revenge of the Sith” by Matthew Stover, to which describes the Mustangs and the similarities are quite familiar.
Here are a few of them.
“The dark is generous and it is patient, it is the dark that seeds cruelty into justice, that drops contempt into compassion, that poisons love with grains of doubt. The dark can be patient because the slightest drop of rain will cause those seeds to sprout. The rain will come and the seeds will sprout for the dark is the soil in which they grow and it is the clouds above them and it waits behind the star that gives them light. The dark’s patience is infinite, eventually stars burn out.”
I’m pretty sure that the players and Coach Mayssa Cook welcomes this role of being the hunted. They were the hunters last season which saw them beat Farmington Hills Mercy, Clarkston, and Lowell on route to the Division One State title.
The Mustangs have certainly earned their rank thus far with their play.
However with that success, the dangers and fears are out there. Some in the media have already started to crown them as back to back State Champions even though the postseason hasn’t begun yet.
The Mustangs are in a very tough district despite having home court however Farmington Hills Mercy, Seaholm, and Bloomfield Hills should provide tough challenges even though they are on the other side of the district. They host Farmington in the district semifinals before facing one of the three top teams mentioned in the district final.
Should they win the district then a real difficult challenge awaits once they get to the regional.
Birmingham Marian could clash with host Novi in a regional semifinal. The Wildcats were a final four team last season. The Mustangs were the two time MHSAA Class A. State Champions in 2011 and was pretty much rolling into the regional semifinals. They played Lake Orion in the regional semifinals at Lake Orion. The Dragons used the home court advantage and stunned Birmingham Marian in four games and earned their way to the regional finals. The crowd and the atmosphere was pretty intense. I announced that match and remember losing my voice while announcing during the fourth set of that game. It’s very difficult to play an actual road game in a hostile environment in the postseason, that’s what happened to the Mustangs that night. It could be the same feeling if Birmingham Marian and Novi meet in front of the Wildcats home crowd in the regional semifinals.
If Birmingham Marian were to win that match then they would likely see a Red heavyweight in either Lake Orion or Clarkston in the regional finals. Both teams are really stout even though the Mustangs had their way with both teams during the regular season. The Wolves were also in the final four last season and fell to the Mustangs in the Division One State semifinals in four games.
All of it pending though if all four teams makes it to regionals.
If they get by the regional then they could see possibly Hudsonville, Rockford, Grand Rapids Forest Hills Northern, or Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central in the later rounds.
Birmingham Marian should expect to get everyone’s best shot in the postseason.
The Mustangs have risen to the challenge thus far.
But the postseason is a different animal.
The Mustangs remind me of Anakin Skywalker “The Hero with No Fear” with everything they have accomplished however what happened to Skywalker in the novel and movie was that he let doubt and fear get to him which eventually clouded his mind and made him turn to the dark side of the force and become Darth Vader.
“The dark is generous, and it is patient, and it always wins but in the heart of strength lies weakness. One lone candle is enough to hold it back. Love is more than a candle. Love can ignite the stars” said Stover in the last passage of the book.
It’s much better to be the hunter and not the hunted.
Birmingham Marian is certainly the hunted and one match could end the season if they are not careful.
We shall see what happens.
by Becky Andrus | Nov 1, 2021 | Feature Writers, High School Sports
By Sammy Taormina
Written Saturday October 30th at 10:00 AM
A team with no fear and nothing to lose can be the most dangerous.
Especially in the postseason with a team that has been through it all and believing they have nothing to lose.
When you have nothing to lose and everything to gain that makes you fearless.
This is what describes Oxford football.
The Wildcats started the season with the most brutal schedule in my nearly 20 years I have ever seen. They started out 0-3 with losses to Romeo, Adams, and West Bloomfield. It looked like it was going to be a very long year at Oxford.
Then everything changed.
The Wildcats went with that nothing to lose mindset when they went into Lake Orion and put up 51 on the Dragons on their home field winning the Double O Trophy from them.
That changed everything and the belief they can win.
They also went on the road and knocked off Stoney Creek and Southfield Arts and Tech as well along with huge home wins over Rochester and then the big one when they beat perennial Macomb Area Conference Red powerhouse Chippewa Valley by one point.
Probably the biggest proof that the Wildcats have arrived was when they played Clarkston. The Wolves had beaten Oxford three times in the last two years including the playoffs. These two teams played on Oxford’s homecoming but the Wildcats fell in a tight one 20-17.
Come to Friday night, the Wildcats had nothing to lose and everything to gain went into Clarkston and out toughed them in the trenches. They pulled off to what many experts said was a huge upset 38-28.
To the minds of the Oxford players it wasn’t an upset.
They knew they could do this.
They were prepared for this.
This was a team that was built for Clarkston.
The Wildcats are senior heavy and veteran laden team. Oxford has a gritty and talented quarterback in Brady Carpenter, although not like his brother Drew, Brady has taken major strides and has really improved as a passer and runner. The Wildcats are known for their pound the rock scheme under former and legendary coach Bud Rowley. What always helps is that you need a proven running back and they have a proven running back in Sal Valcaro. Valcaro had his best game of his career going for 300 yards and four touchdowns against the Wolves. Oxford has a pretty solid wide receiving group for Carpenter to throw too in Jon Aschusto, Mitchell Vivano, and Alec Brown. They also converted junior Tate Myre from running back to tight end which has paid dividends. Also the offensive line has given Valcaro the huge chunk plays along with protection for Carpenter with Kewone Burton and Landon Severn. They have been huge along with the rest of the rest of the offensive line. It also helps when you have a kicker in sophomore Jay Cady who is also a soccer player can kick you a 47 yard field goal like he did against Clarkston.
The defense is still an issue though. This is something that the Wildcats need to address if they want to go far in the postseason.
I give credit to the Wildcats coaching staff led by Coach Zach Line. Line played under Rowley at Oxford but learned some things at SMU in college and in the NFL with the Minnesota Vikings and New Orleans Saints.
When Line took over the program, Oxford changed their helmets from blue to yellow, and has changed the mindset of the program.
The players have bought in especially the senior class.
When a team has nothing to lose like the Wildcats are, that’s what makes them the most dangerous.
by Becky Andrus | Oct 28, 2021 | Regional News
Gov. Whitmer Signs Directive Limiting State Purchases of Products Containing PFAS
Governor hosts roundtable with residents and community leaders in Oscoda, seeks input on reducing toxic contaminants to keep families safe
LANSING, Mich. — Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed an Executive Directive (ED) to minimize the purchase of products containing PFAS by state government. She also hosted a roundtable with Oscoda residents impacted by toxic contaminants from the decommissioned Wurtsmith Air Force Base.
“PFAS are dangerous, man-made chemicals that pose a threat to our health,” said Governor Gretchen Whitmer. “I’m proud to sign an Executive Directive today that will require the State of Michigan to procure PFAS-free products whenever possible. While this is a good step, we still have so much more to do to address these forever chemicals. We need to lead with science and work together to keep families safe and ensure Michigan continues leading the nation when it comes to protecting people from toxic contaminants.”
“Protecting Michiganders from unnecessary exposure to PFAS chemicals and their risks is the foundation of our state response to find and addresses sources of PFAS contamination,” said Liesl Clark, Director of the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy. “Governor Whitmer’s directive is a critical step towards accomplishing that mission by using the state’s purchasing power to move away from harmful products and toward smarter, safer alternatives. EGLE will continue finding ways to protect public health and our natural resources from PFAS and other toxic contaminants.” “It is critical that the products purchased by state government are safe for our residents and employees,” said Jared Ambrosier, Chief Procurement Officer for the Department of Technology Management and Budget. “Putting a priority on products that are free of PFAS when making purchasing decisions will reduce the amount of the dangerous chemical present in Michigan. DTMB is proud to be a national leader in this effort.”
“This is a ground-breaking and important action by Governor Whitmer on behalf of the people of Michigan,” said Tony Spaniola, Co-Chair of the Great Lakes PFAS Action Network. “The Governor’s Executive Directive makes clear that forever chemicals have no place in our bodies or our environment. We urge businesses across Michigan to follow Governor Whitmer’s lead and remove PFAS from the products they sell, not just to state agencies, but to all Michiganders. And we call on the legislature to take immediate action to more broadly limit the sale of products containing PFAS.”
“We are capable of limiting our exposure to these toxic chemicals, and this directive sets important groundwork for substantial change,” said Sen. Winnie Brinks (D-Grand Rapids), whose district has personally been affected by PFAS contamination. “I’m grateful the governor is making this move, and I am committed to continuing the long and hard work necessary in the legislature to hold corporate polluters accountable and bring justice, safety and security to our residents.”
Executive Directive (ED) Actions
The ED will serve to limit the purchase of nonessential products that contain PFAS. The State of Michigan has $2.5 billion worth of purchasing power annually, and the ED directs the Department of Technology, Management, and Budget (DTMB) to purchase PFAS-free products whenever possible. At the state-level, PFAS are primarily found in seating and office furniture, carpets, and sanitary supplies.
To view the full executive directive, click the link below:
Executive Directive 2021-08.pdf
Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a class of over 4,000 man-made chemicals that have been used in several industry and consumer products worldwide since the 1940s. PFAS have been used in non-stick cookware, fast food packaging, water-repellent jackets, stain-resistant carpets or furniture, cosmetics, and firefighting foams. PFAS are stable chemicals, breaking down slowly in the environment, such that they accumulate over time, and they also are highly soluble, easily transferring through soil to groundwater. As a result, they are persistent in the environment and in the human body. According to the CDC, over 95% of the U.S. population has PFAS in their bodies. While research is ongoing, there is evidence that exposure to PFAS can lead to adverse human health effects. People can be exposed to PFAS in a variety of ways, including working at locations where PFAS are produced or used in manufacturing, through the water they drink or the foods they eat, or when PFAS are released during normal use, biodegradation, or disposal of consumer products containing PFAS.
Whitmer-Gilchrist Administration Actions
Michigan’s proactive and transparent approach to PFAS contamination is widely recognized as a national model for action on PFAS. In 2019, Governor Whitmer issued Executive Order (EO) 2019-3. This EO made the Michigan PFAS Action Response Team (MPART) an established, enduring body and directed MPART to increase citizen engagement, transparency and accountability in the ongoing state efforts to identify PFAS contamination and protect public health.
Since MPART was established the team has sampled all public water supplies throughout Michigan, established some of the nation’s most comprehensive health based regulations limiting 7 PFAS chemicals in drinking water supplies, developed groundwater cleanup criteria for the same 7 PFAS, identified 189 sites to date where one or more of the 7 PFAS compounds exceed standards, removed 51,400 gallons of firefighting foam from Michigan’s fire stations and airport as part of a pickup and disposal program, and so much more.
In addition to MPART’s work, the state has made critical investments to protect our waters. The State of Michigan has invested more in its water infrastructure than the previous five years—from 2014 to 2018—combined. The governor launched the MI Clean Water plan to invest $700 million to build up drinking and wastewater infrastructure while supporting 10,000 good-paying jobs. The plan addresses tackles toxic contaminants like PFAS, high water rates, builds up sewer and septic systems that can’t meet demand, and replaces lead service lines. In addition to MI Clean Water plan, Michigan has invested millions to address PFAS contamination and improve water infrastructure across the state.
The governor also created the Office of the Clean Water Public Advocate to elevate the concerns of residents and investigate complaints related to drinking water and has partnered with Attorney General Nessel to hold PFAS polluters accountable for their contamination. While the State of Michigan has made significant progress on PFAS, additional action remains necessary to protect from the wide-ranging effects of PFAS contamination.
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by Becky Andrus | Oct 28, 2021 | Regional News
Oakland County Gearing Up To Administer Pediatric Doses Of COVID-19 Vaccine
Pontiac, Michigan – In anticipation of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) soon approving emergency use authorization for pediatric doses of COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 5 – 11 years old, the Oakland County Health Division is developing plans to administer pediatric doses as early as sometime in November.
The Health Division is collaborating with local school districts to determine how best to rollout clinics for pediatric doses. Plus, the Health Division has placed preliminary orders for pediatric doses so they will arrive in a timely manner following the CDC’s approval. Oakland County will release details of pediatric COVID-19 vaccine clinics after the CDC approves emergency use authorization for and issues guidance about administering pediatric doses.
“Immunizing residents who remain unvaccinated is vital to limiting the transmission of COVID-19,” Oakland County Health Division Medical Director Dr. Russell Faust said. “The more residents who get the COVID-19 vaccine, the closer we will be to slowing the pandemic to manageable levels.”
More than 276,000 eligible Oakland County residents remain unvaccinated, at least 45,000 of whom are ages 12-19 years old. New cases of COVID-19 continue to grow, especially among unvaccinated residents. Of the more than 4,600 new confirmed and probable cases in Oakland County from October 11-24, residents 39 years old or younger accounted for 53.8 percent of the new cases.
Oakland County Health Division continues to offer first, second, third, and booster doses at community clinics for COVID-19 vaccine. Click on OaklandCountyVaccine.com for addresses, times, and to schedule an appointment. Those who do not have access to the Internet may call the Nurse on Call at 800-848-5533 Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. for more information. Appointments are strongly encouraged, but walk-ins are welcome.
The flu vaccine is also available at Oakland County’s indoor community clinics. Individuals who schedule their COVID-19 vaccine appointment at an indoor clinic will be asked to indicate whether they would like to receive the flu vaccine. Residents may also request it at the time they show up to get their COVID-19 vaccine at an Oakland County indoor clinic. The flu vaccine is unavailable at drive-through clinics.
The following is an update on progress vaccinating Oakland County residents, according to the State of Michigan COVID-19 Vaccine Dashboard as of October 26, 2021:
Total eligible residents 12 and older: 1,091,389
- Number of residents 12 and older who have received first dose: 814,702
- Number of residents 12 years and older who have completed vaccination: 758,148
- Vaccine coverage for residents 12 and older: 76 percent
Total eligible residents 16 and older: 1,029,737
- Number of residents 16 and older who have received first dose: 779,236
- Number of residents 16 and older who have completed vaccination: 725,612
- Vaccine coverage for residents 16 and older: 75.7 percent
Total eligible senior residents 65 and older: 217,676
- Number of senior residents who have received first dose: 194,258
- Number of senior residents who have completed vaccination: 182,830
- Vaccine coverage for senior residents: 82 percent
Total doses distributed within Oakland County: 1,733,945
Total primary series doses administered within Oakland County: 1,513,495
Total third and booster doses administered in Oakland County: 86,660
