by orionontv | Feb 6, 2024 | Regional News
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 6, 2024
Contact: Ron Leix, Treasury, 517-335-2167
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.
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by orionontv | Feb 5, 2024 | Feature Writers, High School Sports
Written Saturday February 3rd at 9:05 AM
Updated Saturday February 3rd at 6:50 PM
Here is the top 23.
Boys
- North Farmington (14-1): Congrats to Coach Todd Negoshian on your 200th win as head coach.
- Troy (14-1): Colts big three moving along toward a possible clash with Birmingham Brother Rice.
- West Bloomfield (11-5): Drew Wilson is playing his best basketball right now.
- Ferndale (9-6): Can’t blow an 18 point lead if you want to make another deep postseason run Eagles.
- Adams (10-5): When the three ball goes, so does the Highlanders.
- Clarkston (8-8): Wolves took the podcast call out to heart.
- Lake Orion (12-5): Dragons finding different ways to win.
- Groves (7-10): Falcons are playing much better despite the record.
- Troy Athens (11-5): Red Hawks need Emmanuel Robinson to be at his best come postseason time.
- Avondale (12-5): Yellow Jackets went 6-1 in January, that’s very good.
- Oxford (11-5): Jake Champagne has been playing very well lately.
- Berkley (11-5): Bears have been a Jekyll and Hyde lately.
- Pontiac (9-7): Jeremiah Claudio and Trey’von Peters are the real deal.
- Farmington (9-8): Falcons went 6-1 in January, that’s very good.
- Seaholm (5-11): Will Soderwall has been very impressive lately.
- Stoney Creek (5-10): Have the Cougars finally started to turn the corner???
- Oak Park (4-10): Knights went 2-7 in January, that’s not good.
- Harper Woods (5-9): Pioneers are a really hard team to figure out.
- Royal Oak (9-8): Ravens are 2-7 in their last nine games, that’s not good at all.
- Bloomfield Hills (3-11): D’Ron Mason and Philip Muhammad are two building blocks to build on in the future.
- Rochester (3-14): Falcons need to shore up the defense if they want to make any noise in the postseason.
- Ferndale University (2-13): Eagles are really struggling right now.
- Southfield Arts and Tech (2-14): Warriors are really struggling right now.
Girls
- West Bloomfield (12-1): Lakers will be fine after a tough loss to Anthony Wayne, Ohio.
- Stoney Creek (11-1): Cougars had a rough one with West Bloomfield, they’ll be fine.
- Ferndale (9-3): Eagles are clicking on all cylinders but questions still remain.
- Clarkston (12-4): Wolves much different team on the road than at home.
- Royal Oak (10-3): Ravens starting to get back on track.
- Oxford (8-6): Wildcats will be fine.
- Rochester (4-8): Falcons are fine despite rough week.
- Lake Orion (7-6): Dragons are fine despite offensive struggles.
- Troy (8-7): Diamond Prince is really something.
- Berkley (10-4): Bears are back to their winning ways.
- Harper Woods (7-3): Pioneers control their own destiny.
- Seaholm (8-5): Maples have won five of six with only loss to Harper Woods.
- Troy Athens (7-7): Red Hawks will be fine.
- Southfield Arts and Tech (9-4): Warriors have been a Jekyll and Hyde lately.
- Groves (4-9): Falcons have been up and down lately.
- Avondale (5-8): Yellow Jackets have put together two really good games.
- North Farmington (8-7): Raiders have been very inconsistent.
- Bloomfield Hills (5-8): Blackhawks have been very inconsistent right now.
- Adams (4-11): Highlanders have been playing better despite record.
- Oak Park (2-7): Knights have been up and down lately.
- Pontiac (4-10): Phoenix have been struggling lately.
- Farmington (1-12): Falcons are really struggling right now.
- Ferndale University (0-12): Eagles are really struggling right now.
by orionontv | Feb 5, 2024 | Regional News
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 5, 2024
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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.
by orionontv | Feb 5, 2024 | Regional News
| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
February 2, 2024 |
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AG Nessel Wraps Identity Theft Awareness Week with Tips on Recovering from Identity Theft
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LANSING – To conclude Identity Theft Awareness Week (January 28-February 3) and to provide consumers with the knowledge to recognize and respond to identity theft crises, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has re-issued her Identity Theft Recovery alert.
The alert lists steps that victims can take to quickly respond to the crime of identity theft. This crime occurs when an imposter uses key pieces of another’s personally identifying information (usually stolen) to commit fraud and other crimes.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) reported that in 2022, it received more than 1.1 million reports of identity theft through its website. AG Nessel would like Michigan residents to not only know the signs that their personal information is being used by imposters, but also know the process for recovering their identity and securing their accounts.
“Having your identity stolen is traumatic and unsettling and can be devastating for your financial well-being,” Nessel said. “However, I want consumers to know that there is a path to recovery. My Michigan Identity Theft Support unit provides guidance on what to do as soon as fraud is detected, and my office stands ready to offer support to Michigan residents in those efforts.”
The Attorney General’s alert recommends taking the following steps as soon as identity theft is confirmed:
- Call the companies where you know the fraud occurred and ask them to close or freeze your accounts.
- Place a fraud alert and get your credit reports. These alerts last for one year and require you to be alerted whenever you or someone else attempts to open a credit account in your name, increase the credit limit on an existing account, or get a new card on an existing account.
- Report the identity theft to the Federal Trade Commission — the federal government’s one-stop resource where they can report it and develop a recovery plan – or call the FTC’s ID Theft Hotline at 877-IDTHEFT (877-438-4338); TTY: 866-653-4261; and report the theft to your local police.
The alert also contains helpful information for reporting stolen mail, ordering credit reports, and contacting the 3 major credit bureaus.
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by orionontv | Feb 1, 2024 | Regional News
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 1, 2024
Contact: Ron Leix, Treasury, 517-335-2167
National Unclaimed Property Day
is on Thursday, February 1, 2024
LANSING, Mich. – Michiganders are encouraged to conduct a simple search online to see if they have any lost or abandoned property as a part of National Unclaimed Property Day on Thursday, Feb. 1, according to the Michigan Department of Treasury (Treasury).
“I encourage Michiganders to take a few moments out of their busy day to see if they have lost or unclaimed property,” said Terry Stanton, who oversees Michigan’s Unclaimed Property Program. “Even if you have searched for unclaimed property recently, please check our website again. Our unclaimed property database is updated multiple times throughout the year. My team is ready to help begin the process to reunite you with your unclaimed property or assets.”
To find out if you have cash or property, go directly to the Michigan’s Unclaimed Property website, which provides enhanced search options and the ability to upload verifying documentation easily and securely. Individuals who live outside of the state of Michigan can check multiple states’ unclaimed property listings at www.UCPday.com.
Treasury has millions of dollars in lost or forgotten assets that includes dormant bank accounts, uncashed checks, valuables left in safe deposit boxes and stock certificates. These properties were all turned over to the state once they were determined to be abandoned as required by law.
Treasury is the custodian of these assets and reunites them with their owners — or the owners’ heirs — when they are rightfully claimed.
Individuals are encouraged to search their name, a maiden name, or the name of a business or nonprofit. There is never a charge to search for and claim property.
Claimants may also call 517-636-5320 between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m., Monday through Friday.
For businesses, corporations, nonprofits, public entities and other organizations holding unclaimed or abandoned property, instructions on how to prepare and easily submit your report and remittance online can be found on Michigan’s Unclaimed Property website as well.
According to the National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators (NAUPA), more than $2.87 billion dollars in unclaimed property was returned to rightful owners around the country in 2023. Nearly 33 million people in the United States – 1 in every 7 – has unclaimed property: financial accounts or items of value in which the owner has not initiated any activity for a number of years.
In Michigan, $138.5 million was returned to rightful owners and heirs last year and more than $600 million over the last five years.
In 2021, to increase awareness of unclaimed property, NAUPA launched the first National Unclaimed Property Day on Feb. 1. Then and now, unclaimed property administrators encourage everyone to search for unclaimed property. To learn more about National Unclaimed Property Day, go to www.UCPday.com.
In support of National Unclaimed Property Day, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has proclaimed Thursday, Feb. 1, as Michigan’s Unclaimed Property Day.
For more information about other services provided by the state Treasury Department, go to www.michigan.gov/treasury or follow @MITreasury on X, formerly known as Twitter, or on LinkedIn.
by orionontv | Jan 31, 2024 | Regional News
| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
January 31, 2024 |
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Attorney General Nessel Re-Issues Identity Theft Alert in Recognition of Identity Theft Awareness Week
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LANSING – Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel is re-issuing her alert detailing Identity Theft Warning Signs in recognition of Identity Theft Awareness Week to make residents aware of the clues that might mean their identity has been stolen.
A recent study completed by U.S. News and World Report noted that nearly three-fourths (73%) of its respondents said they had experienced one case of identity theft with more than a quarter (27%) saying they faced identity fraud more than once. While 2023’s final numbers are not yet available, in 2022, the Federal Trade Commission received more than 1.1 million reports of identity theft.
Identity theft occurs when someone uses another person’s personal information, such as social security numbers, credit card details, or other sensitive data, without permission to commit fraud or other unlawful activities.
“Identity theft can wreak havoc on our finances, our credit, and our sense of personal data security. Consumers can reduce their risk of falling victim to this widespread and damaging crime by heeding the warning signs,” Nessel said. “I encourage everyone to visit the Michigan Identity Theft Support webpage for resources and guidance.”
The attorney general’s alert recommends paying attention to clues like missing mail, mysterious bank withdrawals, and credit denials. A previously released alert provides the following tips to help consumers reduce their risk of identity theft:
- Charge everything to a credit card. You are most protected against liability for fraudulent charges.
- Shred papers with a device that makes micro cuts. Turn your documents into confetti.
- Consider credit monitoring. Know when someone checks your credit and more.
- Never pay with a personal check. You expose your account, routing number, and your money to anyone who handles the check.
To file a complaint with the Attorney General, or get additional information, contact:
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