Declaration to Support Communities affected by Tornadoes

by orionontv | Jun 6, 2024 | Regional News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 6, 2024

Gov. Whitmer Requests Presidential Disaster Declaration to Support Communities in Southwest Michigan affected by Tornadoes

LANSING, Mich.—Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer sent a letter to President Joe Biden requesting a Major Disaster Declaration and activation of the federal individual assistance (IA) programs for Branch, Cass, Kalamazoo, and St. Joseph counties following an assessment of damage to the area. The governor requested the declaration after four tornadoes and severe storms caused massive damage across the affected counties on May 7.

“Michiganders across Southwest Michigan have been devastated by four tornadoes and severe storms, with many losing their homes and businesses,” said Governor Whitmer. “I’m requesting a presidential disaster declaration so we can deliver critical financial assistance to support families, businesses, and communities as they recover and rebuild. Michiganders are resilient. We will get through this together, just as we always have.”

“On May 7, communities across southwest Michigan were impacted by severe storms and tornadoes,” said U.S. Senator Gary Peters. “Our state and local first responders were quick to assist communities in need, but now the federal government should provide the emergency assistance needed to help those who are working to get back on their feet and recover from damages. I urge the President to swiftly issue a Major Disaster declaration so that our communities have the necessary resources to rebuild after these storms.”

“Southwest Michigan was significantly damaged by the tornados that struck the region in May,” said U.S. Congressman Bill Huizenga. “While our communities are resilient, and neighbors have rallied to help those impacted by these terrible storms, it is clear there is a role for the federal government to play in supporting recovery efforts. I am hopeful the Biden Administration will respond swiftly to this request.”

The severe thunderstorms and tornadoes that struck the southwest part of the state, resulted in roughly sixteen injuries, and caused significant damage to homes, businesses, and the power grid. Hail ranging from one to four inches in diameter was also reported along with dangerous straight-line winds. Debris removal and other storm related clean-up has lasted several weeks.

“I’m grateful for Governor Whitmer’s request today for a presidential declaration of disaster,” said state Senator Sean McCann (D-Kalamazoo). “My community continues to remain resilient following these devastating storms and tornadoes. I am hoping this will bring swift and long-term relief to my district.”

“Recent storms and tornadoes have brought unprecedented devastation to our community, leaving many without homes, power and essential services,” said state Representative Christine Morse (D-Texas Township). “The swift and coordinated response from our local and state agencies has been remarkable, but the scale of the damage requires federal assistance. I support Gov. Whitmer’s request for a presidential emergency declaration from the Biden administration. This declaration is crucial for expediting the resources and support our community needs to rebuild and recover. Our thoughts are with those affected, and we are committed to doing everything possible to help our residents through this difficult time.”

“I wholeheartedly support Governor Whitmer’s request for a presidential emergency declaration for the devastating storms that hit Kalamazoo County in early May,” said state Representative Julie M. Rogers (D-Kalamazoo). “I appreciate the emergency declarations from both state and local governments to try to mobilize resources to the hardest hit areas in our community — however, unfortunately, there is more work to be done. The significant impact of these storms requires additional assistance from the federal government as well. Having federal funding available will ensure residents can rebuild quicker and return to their everyday lives.”

The night of the storms, Governor Whitmer declared a state of emergency for the impacted counties, directing state departments and agencies to use all available state resources in cooperation with local response and recovery efforts.

At the state’s request, a joint preliminary damage assessment was conducted by state, federal, and local officials beginning on May 15. The initial assessment estimates a need of more than $4 million in assistance.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) IA assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster.

FEMA will review Governor Whitmer’s request and make a recommendation to the president. The president will then decide whether to declare a major disaster and grant this federal aid.

Oxford Meijer Simply Give benefits FISH thru June 29th

by orionontv | Jun 3, 2024 | Local News, Nonprofit

Oxford Meijer Simply Give program benefits FISH thru June 29th

How to Give During the spring Simply Give campaign, Oxford Meijer customers purchase $10 Simply Give

donation cards at checkout. Once purchased, the donation is converted into a Meijer Food-Only Gift

Card and donated directly to Oxford/Orion FISH. Simply Give donation cards can also be purchased

as an add-on to pickup and delivery orders. The Simply Give spring campaign will run through

June 29.

Oxford Meijer will double match any

cards purchased on Saturday, June 15, effectively

tripling contributions made on that day.

Neighbors helping neighbors…

In addition to the letter carriers, we are so thankful for all of the volunteers who helped make the Letter Carriers’ Food

Drive successful. See some of them below.

From promotion to transport, to checking in, sorting, and shelving, it doesn’t work without all of you!

June at the NOCC

by orionontv | Jun 3, 2024 | Local News, Nonprofit

Summer is here!

Now that the school year is drawing to a close, the North Oakland Community Coalition is excited to kick off our summer programming!

In the email below you will find:

How to make your voice heard by taking our quick, five minute community survey
Important information about registration dates for our 2024 Level Up Camp
A quick wrap-up on the May NOCC activities

We are listening!

You have the best insight regarding the unique needs of youth and families in Lake Orion and Oxford. Please share your thoughts with us by taking this quick, five minute survey found here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/nocc-pc-2024

Level Up Camp is almost here! If you are interested in having a student attend this year’s camp, the last day to register is June 7th at 12pm.

Youth entering 6th grade for the 2024-2025 school year are invited to join the NOCC for a 4-day camp. Camp will run Monday through Thursday from 9:00am-1:00pm. Your camper will play games, create art, and participate in group activities while becoming better prepared for their middle and high school years. Topics covered include resiliency, goal setting, communication skills, dealing with stress, drug and alcohol refusal skills, and more. This is also an excellent opportunity for your child to become familiar with the middle school setting, practice opening lockers, and meet new friends that will be a part of their middle school experience. Campers will have so much fun they won’t even realize they are learning skills that will strengthen their future!

Registration is open at noccmi.org.

May was Mental Health Awareness Month, and the wonderful trainers at Flip Spot Gymnastics took the time to become All About Connections QPR certified!

These amazing trainers understood the importance of coaching the whole child, working not just on gymnastics skills, but helping their students build mental fortitude and strong bonds that will allow the child to feel safe and secure.

If you would like your business to become QPR Suicide Prevention certified, reach out to Jill McCollum at [email protected].

This month, the NOCC spent time at Lake Orion High School encouraging students to make the smart choice to stay sober during prom and graduation season. Students visited our tables during lunches to participate in our intoxication goggle puzzle or take a field sobriety test with School Resource Officer Deputy Tolan.

Additionally, we hosted a Smart Dragons Don’t Drink prom photobooth, where students were able to take photos with their friends and share why they are choosing to stay sober.

AG Sues Tree Service Companies for Price Gouging

by orionontv | Jun 3, 2024 | Regional News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

June 3, 2024

Media Contact:
Danny Wimmer

AG Nessel Sues Tree Service Companies for Price Gouging, Other Consumer Protection Act Violations Following Severe Weather

LANSING – Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel filed a lawsuit (PDF) against a group of tree service companies alleging they deceived consumers seeking storm clean-up services. The suit, filed in the 30th Judicial Circuit Court in Ingham County, alleges Canary Date Sculpting, Inc. (which does business as Canary Tree Service), a Florida-based company, led a group of storm chasing tree service companies that violated the Michigan Consumer Protection Act (MCPA) while performing work for Oakland and Washtenaw County residents during the summer of 2021, and for a resident in Gaylord following the May 2022 tornado. Following the 2022 Gaylord tornado, the Attorney General initiated an investigation into potential incidents of consumer exploitation and MCPA violations that sometimes follow severe weather emergencies. This lawsuit follows that investigation.

According to the lawsuit, Canary Tree Service and its owner, Justin Hartmann, recruited Mississippi-based Garrison McKinney Tree and Bridge Service, LLC, Kentucky-based E & B Contracting, and Holtslander and Sons Tree Service, LLC, a Michigan-based company, to perform storm clean-up work in 2021 and 2022. The suit alleges these companies misled consumers about the nature of the agreements they were signing, the cost of the services, potential financial responsibility for costs not covered by insurance, and their legal rights and obligations. The Department also accuses Canary of price gouging consumers affected by severe weather, which increased the demand for tree-trimming services, throughout 2021 and 2022.

“After major storms, bad actors take advantage of vulnerable residents desperate to repair damage to their homes and clean up debris,” Nessel said. “My office will not tolerate businesses that exploit consumers with deceptive tactics and will continue to investigate and pursue predatory companies to the fullest extent of the law.”

The Attorney General advises consumers impacted by storm damage to request a written quote or estimate for any work, even if they expect their insurance to cover the costs. Nessel also urges consumers to read all the fine print of any contract they intend to sign. If consumers are signing an electronic contract and can not read the small text of the agreement on the screen, they should request a printed copy.

To file a complaint with the Attorney General, or get additional information, contact:

Consumer Protection Team
P.O. Box 30213
Lansing, MI 48909
517-335-7599
Fax: 517-241-3771
Toll-free: 877-765-8388
Online complaint form

Baseball/Softball Regional and Girls State Semifinal Preview

by orionontv | Jun 3, 2024 | Feature Writers, High School Sports

Baseball/Softball Regional and Girls State Semifinal Preview.

Written Saturday June 1st at 8:15 PM

Softball

Have projections for softball as well.

Region 7 @ Waterford Mott

TROY ATHENS vs Lakeland

NORTH FARMINGTON vs BLOOMFIELD HILLS

THOUGHTS/PREDICTION: This should be a very competitive but interesting regional. Anyone can win this regional. Bloomfield Hills outscored their two opponents in Waterford Kettering (13-0) and Clarkston (2-0) by a combined 15-0 in both games. The Blackhawks have a ton of balance heading into their game with North Farmington. The Raiders had to earn their way to a district crown by beating Groves 7-4 in the district semifinal and Seaholm 4-3 in eight innings. North Farmington has been really tested as anyone heading into this regional. Lakeland might have a case to say what the Raiders have been saying. The Eagles had to survive Walled Lake Northern 6-3 in the district semifinal and survive 10-7 over arch rival Milford in the district finals. Troy Athens has been riding with a ton of confidence. The Red Hawks knocked off arch rival Troy 12-6 in the district semifinal and 12-3 over Avondale in the district finals winning by a combined 24-9 in both games. It should be a very interesting semifinal matchup with Lakeland.

PICK: Lakeland: The Eagles have a ton of proven experience and beating a team like Walled Lake Northern should help their confidence. I think Bloomfield Hills gets by North Farmington in a really tight game. I like Lakeland over Troy Athens but also that will be close. I think experience gets the Eagles to the quarterfinals as mentioned.

Region 8 @ Lake Orion

LAKE ORION vs Utica Ford II

Macomb Dakota vs New Baltimore Anchor Bay

THOUGHTS/PREDICTION: I watched the State Champs Softball podcast and they were very high on Macomb Dakota and the accomplishments they have had this season. Yes the Cougars have a new coach in Shelby Weeks and have had a great season which included a 7-5 win over Lake Orion at Lake Orion. The Dragons are coming off an emotional 5-4 win over Stoney Creek and their star ace Erin Flynn. Utica Ford II really wasn’t tested in their district. The Falcons won over Macomb L’Anse Creuse (15-0) and Fraser (10-6) by a combined 25-6 in their two district games. New Baltimore Anchor Bay has been up and down all season. The Tars won their district over Port Huron Northern (18-0) and Romeo (3-0) by a combined 21-0. Macomb Dakota has beaten New Baltimore Anchor Bay this season in MAC play. These four teams know each other quite well.

PICK: Lake Orion: The State Champs Softball Podcast has Macomb Dakota winning this regional. Now I respect their opinion but I don’t agree with it. I think Lake Orion comes out of this for a few reasons. I think they will beat Utica Ford II in a very competitive game. The Cougars should have no issue with New Baltimore Anchor Bay now that could change. Lake Orion should be motivated after falling to Macomb Dakota earlier in the season. The Dragons beat the Cougars in the regional final last season which featured an insane catch by Ellie Britt in that game. The loss to Lake Orion was the Cougars motivation earlier in the season. This could be a very interesting and very tense regional.

Region 14 @ Trenton

HARPER WOODS vs Carleton Airport

Dearborn Divine Child vs Riverview

THOUGHTS/PREDICTION: These are some very familiar teams in this regional particularity three of the four you kind of expected to be here in this regional. The Pioneers weren’t really tested in their district. They won by a combined 30-0 over Detroit East English Village Prep (15-0) and Detroit Denby Tech (15-0.) Harper Woods will have a really difficult task against a solid Carleton Airport program. The Jets knocked off a very good New Boston Huron program 4-3 in 12 innings in the district semifinals and a really good Trenton team 7-0 in the district final to get to this matchup. The second game should be very interesting between Dearborn Divine Child and Riverview. The Falcons had no problem with Detroit Martin Luther King and Dearborn Henry Ford in their district. The Pirates had no issue with Dearborn Heights Robichaud, Southgate Anderson and Dearborn Heights Annapolis outscoring their three opponents by a combined 45-2. This should be a very interesting regional over in Trenton.

PICK: Riverview: The Pirates were a machine in both of their district games and is a proven powerhouse. Dearborn Divine Child and Carleton Airport should give them games but at the end of the day it will be too much Riverview here for them to move on.

Baseball Regional Semifinals

SEAHOLM vs Detroit University-Detroit Jesuit @ Seaholm

This should be a very interesting matchup between the Cubs and the Maples. Seaholm became an honorary member of the Catholic League. Detroit University-Detroit Jesuit wasn’t really tested in their district after winning by a combined 23-1 over Ferndale (13-1) and Southfield Arts and Tech (10-0.) Seaholm was very impressive in their district outscoring Royal Oak (10-1) and Troy (8-1) by a combined 18-2 earning back to back district crowns. The winner of this game will meet either Birmingham Brother Rice or Orchard Lake St. Marys in the regional final at Wayne State.

ROCHESTER vs New Baltimore Anchor Bay @ Stoney Creek

This is a very interesting matchup of two teams that haven’t really seen on another. The Falcons are coming off winning the Lake Orion regional knocking off Adams 6-1 in the district finals. The Tars earned a hard fought 4-3 win over Romeo in the district finals. This should be a very interesting matchup as mentioned in Stoney Creek. The winner will meet either Grand Blanc or Flushing at Grand Blanc in the regional final.

Girls Lacrosse State Semifinals

BLOOMFIELD HILLS vs Brighton

This is a very interesting matchup between the Blackhawks and the Bulldogs at West Bloomfield. Brighton has had Bloomfield Hills number and has been impressive this postseason after winning 19-11 over Northville. Bloomfield Hills had to survive Troy in overtime 13-11 in their regional final. This should be a very interesting matchup to watch as mentioned.

OAA Champions Crowned

by orionontv | Jun 3, 2024 | Feature Writers, High School Sports

OAA Champions Crowned.

Written Saturday June 1st at 6:06 PM

Oak Park repeats as State Champions in Girls Track.

The Knights girls track and field team showed their dominance in the Division One State meet at East Kentwood on Saturday afternoon.

Oak Park scored 88 points repeating as the Division One State Champions.

The Knights did their damage in the mid distance. Oak Park got 18 points from Neveah Burns and Dayshana Kellogg in the 400. Kylie King won the 800. The Knights won the Four by One, the Four by Two, and the Four by Four relays. Burns took sixth in the 200.

Rochester finished 12th with 18 points, West Bloomfield was tied for ninth with 19 points, Bloomfield Hills was tied for 30th with seven points, Farmington was tied for 33rd with six points, Royal Oak was tied for 41th with four points, Groves was tied for 44th with three points, Southfield Arts and Tech and Lake Orion were tied for 48th with two points.

Ferndale was in the Division Two State meet at Hamilton High School. They finished tied for 49th with four points.

Oak Park has a ton of proven talent coming back next season. It wouldn’t surprise anyone if the Knights are right back in this conversation.

On the boys side, Troy Athens was 13th with 15 points, Troy was tied for 17th with 13 points, Oak Park was tied for 20th with 11 points, Adams was tied for 31st with eight points, Royal Oak was tied for 36th with five points, West Bloomfield and North Farmington were tied for 41st with four points, and Groves was tied for 45th with three points.

Clarkston wins State Crown in Tennis.

The Wolves earned their first State crown in Girls Tennis scoring 28 points in the Division One State meet in Midland on Saturday afternoon.

Troy was fourth with 18 points, Adams and Stoney Creek tied for eighth with 12 points. Bloomfield Hills was 13th with eight points. Rochester was 17th with five points, Troy Athens and West Bloomfield were tied for 22nd with one point, and Royal Oak did not score.

Clarkston had three winners in Kayla Lemke, Charlotte Partchenko, and Sydney Gisez who won their respective brackets in the singles competition.

In Division Two, last season’s state champions Seaholm finished second with 23 points falling to Grand Rapids Forest Hills Northern who had 29 points. Groves was tied for seventh with 11 points, North Farmington was 10th with 10 points, and Berkley was tied for 15th with four points.

Congrats to Oak Park and Clarkston for bringing home State crowns to the OAA.

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