by Becky Andrus | Sep 7, 2021 | Regional News
PHOTOS: Gov. Whitmer Leads Annual Labor Day Mackinac Bridge Walk
LANSING, Mich. — Today, as part of recognizing Labor Day, Governor Gretchen Whitmer led the annual walk across the Mackinac Bridge.
“I am honored to be a part of this quintessential Michigan tradition as we celebrate Labor Day together on the Mighty Mac,” said Governor Whitmer. “Today we recognize the contributions of working people who fought tirelessly for their rights. Unions helped build Michigan’s middle class, and as Governor, I will continue to fight with working people, for working people, ensuring they are treated with dignity and respect.”
“The Mackinac Bridge Authority is so pleased that Gov. Whitmer joined us today for the annual bridge walk, a part of our state’s history since 1958,” said Authority Chairman Patrick “Shorty” F. Gleason. “My father helped build this bridge, and I cannot think of another structure in Michigan that represents the connection between our peninsulas and each other.”
The governor also released a video recognizing Labor Day. Watch the video here .
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by Becky Andrus | Sep 1, 2021 | Regional News
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Gov. Whitmer Proclaims September as Hispanic Heritage Month
LANSING, Mich. — Governor Whitmer is celebrating Michigan’s Hispanic population by proclaiming September 2021 as Hispanic Heritage Month.
“Michigan’s Hispanic and Latino residents are an essential part of our state’s cultural and economic fabric,” said Governor Whitmer. “I am proud to proclaim September as Hispanic Heritage month and celebrate alongside a community filled with rich tradition as we continue to ensure that Michigan is a welcoming and inclusive place for all.”
“Governor Whitmer’s proclamation establishing September as Hispanic Heritage Month is very exciting! Michigan’s Hispanic population is dedicated to building Michigan’s future, and we are honored to have a Month of official celebration,” said Jesse Venegas, Chair, Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. “We will take this opportunity to continue to celebrate the contributions of Hispanics in Arts, Sciences, Labor, Agriculture, Business, and Civil Rights. The Hispanic and Latino community in Michigan is woven with many threads from many nations and cultures, but we all stand together as Michiganders! Adelante!”
“The West Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce applauds the efforts of our state government to proclaim September Hispanic Heritage Month,” said Guillermo Cisneros, President and CEO, West Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. “This is a great recognition from our government to the hundreds of thousands of Latinos that are in Michigan contributing to the economy and making an impact in the community.”
“Hispanic/Latinos have a long history of contributions in all areas, cultural, economics, art, science, and technology to this great state of Michigan,” said Monica Reyes, Executive Director, Great Lakes Bay Hispanic Leadership Institute. “It is only fitting that we celebrate the generations of Hispanic Latino families that continue to contribute and enrich our state beyond measure.”
The month of September recognizes and celebrates the contributions of Hispanic and Latinos in Michigan and the United States. Michigan’s Hispanic and Latino population has grown from 2010 to 2020, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. According to the 2020 U.S. Census, Hispanics and Latinos make up 5.6% of the state’s residents, up from 4.4% in 2010.
View the full proclamation here.
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by Becky Andrus | Sep 1, 2021 | Regional News
Oakland County Holding COVID-19 Vaccine Clinics for School-Age and College Students
Pontiac, Michigan – Oakland County is holding school-based COVID-19 vaccine clinics as students return to classes this month. The Oakland County Health Division will also administer COVID-19 vaccine at the Arts, Beats and Eats Festival in Royal Oak Labor Day weekend. Public health nurses will be on hand at 301 W. 4th St. from noon – 5:00 p.m. Friday, September 3 – Monday, September 6 to vaccinate individuals on a walk-in basis. For more information, go to OaklandCountyVaccine.com.
The Health Division is offering school-based clinics to school-age and college students because there are 51,000 Oakland County residents from the ages of 12 to 19 years old who have not received their COVID-19 vaccination. In addition, there are about 66,000 residents 20-29 years old who are not immunized. Greater than one in three new COVID-19 cases in Oakland County from August 16-29 were residents 29 years and younger.
The county will hold a walk-in clinic at the Troy School District Service Building on Thursday, September 9 from 3:00-7:00 p.m. at 4420 Livernois Rd. On Friday, September 10, there will be another clinic at the Rochester Community Schools Administration Building at 601 W. University Dr. from 3:00-6:00 p.m.
Oakland County Health Division is working closely with Oakland County colleges and universities including Lawrence Technological University, Oakland Community College, Oakland University, and Rochester University to offer COVID-19 vaccines to their students over the next two months.
The Oakland County Health Division is holding daily vaccine clinics from 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. at both its North Oakland Health Center in Pontiac and South Oakland Health Center in Southfield in addition to pop-up clinics in the community. Click on OaklandCountyVaccine.com to locate the nearest Health Division vaccine clinic. 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.
The following is an update on progress vaccinating Oakland County residents, according to the State of Michigan COVID-19 Vaccine Dashboard as of August 31, 2021:
Total eligible residents 16 and older: 1,029,737
- Number of residents 16 and older who have received first dose: 746,382
- Number of residents 16 and older who have completed vaccination: 693,159
- Vaccine coverage for residents 16 and older: 72.5 percent
Total eligible residents 12 and older: 1,091,389
- Number of residents 12 and older who have received first dose: 778,694
- Number of residents 12 years and older who have completed vaccination: 721,172
- Vaccine coverage for residents 12 and older: 71.3 percent
Total eligible senior residents 65 and older: 217,676
- Number of senior residents who have received first dose: 187,529
- Number of senior residents who have completed vaccination: 178,973
- Vaccine coverage for senior residents: 86.2 percent
Total doses distributed within Oakland County: 1,512,805
- Total doses administered within Oakland County: 1,445,176
- Percentage of doses administered within Oakland County: 95.5%
Clinics and Doses 090121 FINAL.pdf
by Becky Andrus | Sep 1, 2021 | High School Sports
MHSAA NOW: The weekly newsletter of the Michigan High School Athletic Association
THIS WEEK
We begin this week with a tip-off to our celebration of 50 years of Title IX, which was signed into law June 23, 1972. We also take a look back at a memorable opening week for football and learn how life as an athlete from Beaver Island is in many ways unique compared to the lives of high school athletes elsewhere in our state.
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
Before the passage of Title IX in 1972, fewer than 300,000 females participated in athletics nationwide, according to the National Federation of State High School Associations. During the 2019-20 school year – the most recent not affected by the COVID-19 pandemic – nearly 76,000 girls competed in athletics in Michigan alone, filling more than 120,000 spots on teams for 750 high schools statewide.
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Michigan high school football has been ripe for a fresh start after a COVID-rattled 2020 (and into 2021) season. Win or lose this past weekend, nearly 600 varsity football teams across the state should continue to have plenty to look forward to this fall – and of course, some have a few more reasons for early excitement.
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Chartered flights and overnight stays for all away games are part of the normal routine for one northern Michigan high school’s student-athletes. Opportunities to make lots of new friends always come with the games too. That’s the norm for Beaver Island athletes representing the Lakers in soccer, volleyball and basketball while competing in the Northern Lights League.
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More than 70 radio stations and web audio outlets have joined a growing list of Michigan High School Athletic Association Network affiliates for the 2021-22 school year, with more expected to come on board as fall sports schedules continue to build toward a busy September and October. Affiliates carry games and also the MHSAA Network radio show – “This Week in High School Sports” – which began its seventh season last week.
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GAME TIME
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.
Michigan High School Athletic Association Newsletter
1661 Ramblewood Drive, East Lansing, MI 48823
Subscribe
If you would like to unsubscribe from this newsletter, click here.
by Becky Andrus | Aug 31, 2021 | Regional News
Board Healthy Aging Ad Hoc Committee, Area Agency on Aging 1-B hosting town halls to identify gaps in senior services
August 31, 2021, OAKLAND COUNTY, MI. – The Oakland County Board of Commissioners’ Healthy Aging Oakland County Ad Hoc Committee will be hosting four town halls throughout Oakland County, in partnership with the Area Agency on Aging 1-B (AAA 1-B), to identify gaps in services for senior residents. Officials from the committee and AAA 1-B will provide a brief presentation on areas of need and opportunity for senior programming. Following the presentation, participants will be invited to complete a survey to provide their input, which will be used to address the challenges and opportunities created by the aging of the county’s senior population.
“If we’re looking to make life easier for older adults, we have to make sure we’re listening to their questions and concerns during the process,” Commissioner Kristen Nelson (D-Waterford Twp.), who chairs the committee, said. “I’m excited to get to know our communities better and help such a large portion of our residents.”
The town halls will be hosted in person. Attendees can attend in person or remotely. No registration is required, and the agenda will be the same for all meetings. The host organizations are inviting any Oakland County senior to complete a feedback survey, which will also be distributed at the town halls.
“We are grateful that the Board of Commissioners is committed to improving the quality of life for older Oakland County residents and their family caregivers,” Michael Karson, AAA 1-B CEO, said. “I encourage seniors and stakeholders to attend and share your ideas on how we can make Oakland County a better place for us to live, retire, and age in place.”
The town halls will take place:
- 10 a.m., Thursday, September 23
City Council Chamber
45175 W. 10 Mile Rd.
Novi, MI 48375
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- 1:30 p.m., Thursday, September 23
Senior Community Center-Bartsch Hall
6000 Clarkston Rd.
Independence Township, MI 48348
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- 10 a.m., Friday, September 24
Orion Center
1335 Joslyn Rd.
Lake Orion, MI 48360
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- 1 p.m., Friday, September 24
Community Center – Room 304
3179 Livernois Rd.
Troy, MI 48083
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Those who wish to attend remotely can do so at the time of their chosen meeting using the below information.
For more information about the Board of Commissioners, please visit
www.oakgov.com/boc or call 248- 858-0100.
by Becky Andrus | Aug 30, 2021 | Local News
Animal Control Officers Rescued Dozens of Animals from Independence Township Home
A Total of 100 Animals but 16 Dead
Pontiac, Michigan – Oakland County Animal Shelter and Pet Adoption Center rescued dozens of animals Tuesday afternoon from a home in the 6000-block of Northview Drive in Independence Township after animal control officers responded to the home for a welfare check. After receiving a tip, officers discovered dogs, cats, rabbits, ferrets, and a bearded dragon that were living in highly unsanitary conditions and showing signs of illness.
Among 82 cats were many who were in distress due to high temperatures in the home, which lacked air conditioning and airflow. The temperature in the home was higher than the outdoor temperature which was in the 80s. Tragically, nine of the cats were dead at the scene, two died in transit, and two more died overnight at the shelter. Veterinary staff euthanized an additional three cats because of their deteriorating health from an infectious disease. Sixty-six cats remained alive as of Thursday afternoon.
In addition, there were eight ferrets, five dogs, four rabbits, and one bearded dragon, all of whom are alive. Veterinary and shelter staff are evaluating and caring for the 84 remaining animals at the shelter.
Animal control officers obtained permission from the resident and her spouse to enter and inspect the home when they arrived on scene. Because of the condition of the animals, with many needing immediate veterinary attention, the officers removed them from the home and brought them to Oakland County Animal Shelter and Pet Adoption Center.
The resident of the home and her husband told animal control officers they were providing “care” for the cats as part of their involvement with a cat rescue organization. She surrendered ownership of them to the shelter. Some of the animals, however, were privately owned by the resident and another adult tenant of the house who had recently moved in. Neither relinquished ownership of those animals despite all the animals being removed from the home. Consequently, Oakland County Animal Shelter and Pet Adoption Center will begin forfeiture proceedings.
This case remains under investigation. When complete, animal control officers will present the results to the Oakland County Prosecutor’s Officer for review and consideration of criminal charges.
