Flags Lowered to Honor Students of MSU Shooting 

Flags Lowered to Honor Students of MSU Shooting 

by | Feb 12, 2024 | Regional News

Office of the Governor header

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

February 12, 2024

Contact: [email protected]

 

Gov. Whitmer Lowers Flags to Honor Students on One-Year Anniversary of MSU Shooting

 

LANSING, Mich. — Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer has ordered U.S. and Michigan flags within the State Capitol Complex and upon all public buildings and grounds across the state of Michigan to be lowered to half-staff on Tuesday, February 13, 2024 to honor and remember the students who lost their lives in the shooting at Michigan State University in East Lansing that took place on February 13, 2023.

 

“A year ago today, every Spartan’s heart stood still as our community was shattered by a devastating act of gun violence,” said Governor Whitmer. “Today we honor the memories of those we lost and hold each other close as we continue to grieve and process. We are—and always will be—Spartan Strong, but days like today are hard for everyone. I encourage us all to give each other some grace and be there for one another. We will get through this together.”

 

The State of Michigan remembers the students who lost their lives and stands in solidarity with the Spartan community by lowering flags to half-staff. Michigan residents, businesses, schools, local governments, and other organizations are encouraged to display the flag at half-staff.

 

To lower flags to half-staff, flags should be hoisted first to the peak for an instant and then lowered to the half-staff position. The process is reversed before the flag is lowered for the day.

 

Flags should be returned to full staff on Wednesday, February 14, 2024

 
Begin Building a Career with a Summer Job

Begin Building a Career with a Summer Job

by | Feb 7, 2024 | Local News

Begin Building a Career with a Summer Job at Oakland County

Post Date:02/07/2024 10:30 AM
  • College students and teens will gain valuable experience with a summer job at Oakland County.
  • Starting pay for summer jobs and internships at the county range from $12.42-$20.38 per hour.
  • Apply online at oakgov.com/jobs or at one of the application PC stations at the Oakland County Human Resources Department. For more information, call 248-858-0530.
Pontiac, Mich. – The “O” in Oakland County stands for opportunity as the county begins accepting applications for summer jobs. These positions give college students and teens indispensable experience as they prepare for their adult careers.
“Making new friends and some hard-earned cash is a great way to spend the summer in Oakland County,” said Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter. “This is an excellent chance to gain job skills and explore career paths for the future.”

County departments and divisions hiring summer employees and interns include Oakland County International Airport, Animal Shelter and Pet Adoption Center, Health Division, Parks, Sheriff’s Office, Circuit Court, and Water Resources Commissioner (WRC).

Some of the available jobs, which have starting pay ranging from $12.42-$20.38 per hour, are epidemiologist intern, sanitarian intern, health education assistant, animal census worker, criminal justice/casework assistant, law clerk intern, summer business clerk, summer business assistant, and laborer.

Apply online at oakgov.com/jobs or at one of the application PC stations at the Oakland County Human Resources Department in the Executive Office Building at 2100 Pontiac Lake Road in Waterford. For more information, call 248-858-0530.

Summer employment will generally be limited to a maximum of 13 weeks. In some departments and positions, the nature of the work may require a longer term of employment.

Applicants under 18 who have not completed high school will be required to obtain working papers at the time of appointment. They will also be required to provide written parental consent for the employment physical and a parent/guardian must be present for the TB skin test.

Drug testing may be required of individuals assigned to the Sheriff’s Office and Animal Shelter and Pet Adoption Center.

1.3 million Michigan voters applied for absentee ballots

1.3 million Michigan voters applied for absentee ballots

by | Feb 7, 2024 | Regional News

Secretary Benson banner
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Feb. 6, 2024Contact: Cheri Hardmon

(517) 643-7236

 

Nearly 1.3 million Michigan voters have applied for absentee ballots three weeks before Election Day

Michigan voters have several options to participate in Presidential Primary this month

LANSING, Mich. – There are three weeks left until Election Day in Michigan’s Presidential Primary and nearly 1.3 million voters have requested absentee ballots for the primary – an 80% increase over the same point before the 2020 Presidential Primary. Starting this year, voters have new options for casting their ballot safely and securely – absentee voting is underway; in-person early voting begins statewide on Saturday, Feb. 17; and Election Day is Tuesday, Feb. 27.

 

”I’m thrilled to see so many Michiganders engaged and energized about this month’s presidential primary,” Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson said. “Whether you choose to vote early – from home or at an early voting location – or in person on Election Day, clerks across the state are ready to ensure you are able to cast your ballot safely and securely.”

 

Absent voter ballot request data shows that 1,287,265 Michiganders have requested an absentee ballot as of Feb. 6. As a comparison, 713,465 Michiganders had requested absentee ballots three weeks before the 2020 presidential primary. 1,083,863 ballots have been sent to voters by clerks so far this year and 391,404 voters have completed their ballots and returned them to be counted. A breakdown by jurisdiction is available online.

 

21 Days Before Election Day

 (Feb. 6, 2024)

 21 Days Before Election Day

(Feb. 18, 2020)
 

Number of applications received

  

1,287,265

  

713,465
 

Number of ballots issued

  

1,083,863

  

707,361
 

Number of completed ballots returned 

  

 

391,404

  

 

230,565

In 2022, Michigan voters passed Proposal 2, which created a permanent mail ballot list. Voters can choose to automatically receive an absentee ballot and vote from home for every election.

 

Eligible Michigan residents can register by mail or online to vote through Feb. 12 or at their local clerk’s office through 8 p.m. on Election Day. Under Michigan law, voters can cast a ballot for only one party’s candidates during the Presidential Primary and must select either a Democratic or Republican ballot before casting their vote. However, if the voter does not wish to participate in the presidential selection, and their jurisdiction has local contests to be decided, they can request a local-only ballot instead.

 

Michigan does not register voters by party – every voter is free to select a ballot from one of the two parties. Third-party or minor party presidential candidates are selected by a different process under Michigan law.

 

Voters can track their absentee application or ballot online at Michigan.gov/Vote or by contacting their local election clerk. Absentee ballots have prepaid postage and can be returned by U.S. mail. Voters who still need to return their completed ballot can drop it off at their clerk’s office or designated secure ballot drop box to avoid postal delays.

 

Michigan.gov/Vote provides important election information, including a sample ballot and how to contact your local clerk.

 

To find an early voting site near you, visit Michigan.gov/EarlyVoting.
Volunteer Tax Preparers Can Connect Taxpayers with Tax Credits

Volunteer Tax Preparers Can Connect Taxpayers with Tax Credits

by | Feb 6, 2024 | Regional News

Treasury Logo

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 6, 2024

Contact: Ron Leix, Treasury, 517-335-2167

Treasury: Volunteer Tax Preparers Can Connect Taxpayers with Tax Credits, Other Benefits

Low-to-Moderate Income, Older Taxpayers
Encouraged to Seek Assistance

LANSING, Mich. – With the quintupling of the Michigan Earned Income Tax Credit for Working Families from 6% to 30% and other tax benefits on the table this year, the Michigan Department of Treasury is encouraging low-to-moderate income taxpayers to find qualified professional or volunteer tax preparers to ensure no benefits are left behind.

“Eligible taxpayers could miss out on valuable tax benefits if they don’t file a tax return or incorrectly file a tax return,” said State Treasurer Rachael Eubanks. “Volunteer preparers can help taxpayers receive the most deductions and credits possible. These benefits can reduce the amount of tax owed or even create a refund. Please connect with the tax preparation assistance that fits your situation.”

The Internal Revenue Service’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) programs offer free basic return preparation to qualified individuals. Generally, assistance from VITA or TCE is available to taxpayers who meet one of the following conditions:

  • Your income is $60,000 or less.
  • You are a person with a disability.
  • You speak limited or no English.
  • You are age 60 or older.

For information about free tax help, go to irs.treasury.gov/freetaxprep or dial 2-1-1. Additional free tax help can be found at www.michiganfreetaxhelp.org.

The Michigan Department of Treasury provides guidance online about finding a qualified, paid tax preparer.

Under state law, taxpayers are responsible for the content within their tax returns and for any additional payments, penalty and interest that may result from a tax preparer’s error. While the state of Michigan does not require tax preparers to be licensed, many are licensed, certified and belong to professional organizations that require a minimum level of education and provide ongoing training.

To learn more about Michigan’s individual income tax and choosing a tax preparer, go to www.michigan.gov/incometax.
Basketball Top 23

Basketball Top 23

by | Feb 5, 2024 | Feature Writers, High School Sports

Basketball Top 23.

Written Saturday February 3rd at 9:05 AM

Updated Saturday February 3rd at 6:50 PM

Here is the top 23.

Boys

  1. North Farmington (14-1): Congrats to Coach Todd Negoshian on your 200th win as head coach.
  2. Troy (14-1): Colts big three moving along toward a possible clash with Birmingham Brother Rice.
  3. West Bloomfield (11-5): Drew Wilson is playing his best basketball right now.
  4. Ferndale (9-6): Can’t blow an 18 point lead if you want to make another deep postseason run Eagles.
  5. Adams (10-5): When the three ball goes, so does the Highlanders.
  6. Clarkston (8-8): Wolves took the podcast call out to heart.
  7. Lake Orion (12-5): Dragons finding different ways to win.
  8. Groves (7-10): Falcons are playing much better despite the record.
  9. Troy Athens (11-5): Red Hawks need Emmanuel Robinson to be at his best come postseason time.
  10. Avondale (12-5): Yellow Jackets went 6-1 in January, that’s very good.
  11. Oxford (11-5): Jake Champagne has been playing very well lately.
  12. Berkley (11-5): Bears have been a Jekyll and Hyde lately.
  13. Pontiac (9-7): Jeremiah Claudio and Trey’von Peters are the real deal.
  14. Farmington (9-8): Falcons went 6-1 in January, that’s very good.
  15. Seaholm (5-11): Will Soderwall has been very impressive lately.
  16. Stoney Creek (5-10): Have the Cougars finally started to turn the corner???
  17. Oak Park (4-10): Knights went 2-7 in January, that’s not good.
  18. Harper Woods (5-9): Pioneers are a really hard team to figure out.
  19. Royal Oak (9-8): Ravens are 2-7 in their last nine games, that’s not good at all.
  20. Bloomfield Hills (3-11): D’Ron Mason and Philip Muhammad are two building blocks to build on in the future.
  21. Rochester (3-14): Falcons need to shore up the defense if they want to make any noise in the postseason.
  22. Ferndale University (2-13): Eagles are really struggling right now.
  23. Southfield Arts and Tech (2-14): Warriors are really struggling right now.

 

 

Girls

  1. West Bloomfield (12-1): Lakers will be fine after a tough loss to Anthony Wayne, Ohio.
  2. Stoney Creek (11-1): Cougars had a rough one with West Bloomfield, they’ll be fine.
  3. Ferndale (9-3): Eagles are clicking on all cylinders but questions still remain.
  4. Clarkston (12-4): Wolves much different team on the road than at home.
  5. Royal Oak (10-3): Ravens starting to get back on track.
  6. Oxford (8-6): Wildcats will be fine.
  7. Rochester (4-8): Falcons are fine despite rough week.
  8. Lake Orion (7-6): Dragons are fine despite offensive struggles.
  9. Troy (8-7): Diamond Prince is really something.
  10. Berkley (10-4): Bears are back to their winning ways.
  11. Harper Woods (7-3): Pioneers control their own destiny.
  12. Seaholm (8-5): Maples have won five of six with only loss to Harper Woods.
  13. Troy Athens (7-7): Red Hawks will be fine.
  14. Southfield Arts and Tech (9-4): Warriors have been a Jekyll and Hyde lately.
  15. Groves (4-9): Falcons have been up and down lately.
  16. Avondale (5-8): Yellow Jackets have put together two really good games.
  17. North Farmington (8-7): Raiders have been very inconsistent.
  18. Bloomfield Hills (5-8): Blackhawks have been very inconsistent right now.
  19. Adams (4-11): Highlanders have been playing better despite record.
  20. Oak Park (2-7): Knights have been up and down lately.
  21. Pontiac (4-10): Phoenix have been struggling lately.
  22. Farmington (1-12): Falcons are really struggling right now.
  23. Ferndale University (0-12): Eagles are really struggling right now.
Mackinac Bridge is currently closed due to falling ice

Mackinac Bridge is currently closed due to falling ice

by | Feb 5, 2024 | Regional News

Mackinac Bridge Banner - June 2023

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 5, 2024

 

 MEDIA CONTACT
James Lake
906-250-0993
[email protected]

The Mackinac Bridge is currently closed to traffic due to falling ice, which has formed from recent fog freezing to the bridge’s towers and cables. There is no ETA for reopening the bridge, as ice continues to fall.

Updates will be posted to the Mackinac Bridge Twitter/X page @MackinacBridge and on the website at www.MackinacBridge.org.

See the Mackinac Bridge Authority’s FAQs on falling ice for more information: https://www.mackinacbridge.org/about-the-bridge/frequently-asked-questions/

Some photos and videos have been included in a video about the dangers of falling ice on the Mackinac Bridge.