Governor proclaims March for Meals Month in Michigan

by orionontv | Mar 11, 2025 | Regional News

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 11, 2025

CONTACT: Lynn Sutfin, 517-241-2112, [email protected]

Governor Whitmer proclaims March for Meals Month in Michigan
Senior Nutrition Program honored for supporting nutrition services for older adults

LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is joining with the federal Administration for Community Living and senior nutrition service providers in celebrating the 53rd anniversary of the Senior Nutrition Program as part of March for Meals Month.

“For more than 50 years, senior nutrition services have helped create healthy, strong communities where all members can flourish, including our older residents,” said Elizabeth Hertel, MDHHS director. “The Senior Nutrition Program ensures we provide nutritional and social supports to those in need. It is often the gateway for referrals to other nutrition and wellness services such as nutrition education and counseling services, health promotion and disease prevention programs, and other home and community-based services.”

Since 1972, the national Senior Nutrition Program has supported nutrition services for older adults. Funded by the Older Americans Act, local senior nutrition programs serve as hubs for adults ages 60 and older to access meals and other vital services that strengthen social connections and promote health and well-being. In recognition of the impact of the Senior Nutrition Program, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has declared this month as March for Meals Month in Michigan.

Each year in the U.S., up to half of adults over 65 are at risk of malnutrition and more than 10 million face hunger. In communities throughout Michigan, older adults sometimes lack access to the high-quality, nutritious food they need to remain healthy and independent.

According to the Current Population Survey Food Security Supplement conducted by the U.S. Census for the U.S. Department of Agriculture for 2021, 9.8% of older adults in Michigan have only marginal food security, meaning their “households had problems at times, or anxiety about, accessing adequate food.” Another 6% experience low food security, with households reducing “the quality, variety and desirability of their diets,” and 2.7% have very low food security where “at times during the year, eating patterns of one or more household members were disrupted and food intake reduced because the household lacked money and other resources for food.” That means more than 337,000 members of Michigan’s population age 65 and older are not fully food secure.

As part of the Senior Nutrition Program network, local Area Agencies on Aging, Commissions on Aging, senior centers and other local organizations help older adults across the state by promoting healthy eating, decreasing social isolation and improving health. These partners also provide connections to home and community-based services, such as home-delivered meals and congregate dining sites that can support independence and overall well-being.

In Michigan in fiscal year 2024, 8.7 million meals were provided to nearly 50,000 home-delivered meal recipients, with another 1.5 million meals served to nearly 42,000 older adults through congregate dining sites at more than 450 different locations, including senior centers and senior housing complexes.

For more information about programs and services for older adults and how you can support senior nutrition, visit the Behavioral and Physical Health and Aging Services Administration or the Senior Nutrition Program promotion video.

Visitor Survey to Shape Comprehensive Tourism & Attraction Plan

by orionontv | Mar 11, 2025 | Regional News

Oakland County Launches Visitor Survey to Shape Comprehensive Tourism & Attraction Plan

Post Date:03/10/2025 3:35 PM

Residents and visitors may participate in the survey through April 18. It is available online at this link and takes about 15 minutes to complete: Oakland County’s Strategic Plan page.
The survey will gauge the perceptions about Oakland County’s downtowns and attractions.
The Tourism & Attraction Strategic Plan will measure the value and economic impact of tourism in Oakland County and develop strategies to attract new visitors, businesses and employees while enhancing visitor experiences.

Pontiac, Mich. – Oakland County is launching a new initiative to develop a Tourism & Attraction Strategic Plan aimed at strengthening the county’s tourism sector and enhancing business attraction and retention. As part of this effort, the county is inviting residents and visitors to participate in a survey through April 18.

“This strategic plan will help us build on our county’s strengths and ensure Oakland County remains an inviting destination for visitors,” said Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter. “It also gives us a chance to support and promote our local businesses, cultural institutions and outdoor recreation.

Oakland County encourages community members and visitors to participate in the visitor survey which takes about 15 minutes to complete. It will gather insights on:

Tourism assets and experiences in the county
Perceptions of Oakland County as a destination
Preferred transportation methods for visiting attractions
Key factors influencing travel decisions
Tourism spending
Visitor demographics

The survey will gauge the economic impact and the perceptions of residents and visitors who frequent downtowns and attractions in the county. It is available online at this link: Oakland County’s Strategic Plan page.

In 2023, Oakland County contributed 28 percent of total visitor spending to Metro Detroit’s tourism economy, accounting for 11 percent of Michigan’s statewide tourism spending. The county has a diverse array of attractions including outdoor recreation, historic sites, culinary and cultural experiences, special events and vibrant downtowns, most supported by Main Street Oakland County.

The Tourism Attraction Strategic Plan will help establish sustainable models for tourism development and management, develop strategies to attract new visitors, businesses and employees while enhancing visitor experiences, and explore options for the county’s tourism brand, messaging and marketing approach.

The Oakland County Economic Development Department is leading the effort, partnering with Think Place Agency, BLKDOG, and Tourism Economics to guide the planning process. A Steering Committee of business leaders, local government representatives and venue operators will provide strategic input, while additional stakeholders will be engaged through interviews, focus groups, public meetings and surveys.

“As one of Michigan’s largest paid family attractions, the Detroit Zoo is pleased to work with the county on its tourism strategic plan,” said Randi Hamilton, chief experience officer, Detroit Zoological Society. “The Zoo is deeply committed to the community, and we are thrilled to collaborate with neighboring downtowns and other attractions to create unforgettable experiences — both for local guests and visitors far and wide.

Follow the initiative’s progress and join the conversation on social media using #VisitOaklandPlan.

Girls Basketball Regional Preview

by Becky Andrus | Mar 11, 2025 | Feature Writers, High School Sports

Girls Basketball Regional Preview.

Written Saturday March 8th at 5:30 PM

Here is the regional previews for Girls Basketball set for Monday and Wednesday March 10th and 12th.

CLARKSTON vs Utica Eisenhower @ Lapeer

This is a really interesting matchup. The Wolves are the more veteran team taking on an Eagles team that is coming into this game with a lot of confidence. Clarkston came from 17 down on their home floor to stun Lake Orion 59-56 in overtime in an emotional rivalry game. Utica Eisenhower beat Stoney Creek 49-46 at Stoney Creek in a very controversial game. The interior matchup looks to be the key in this matchup and can Clarkston stop the full court trap Utica Eisenhower does??? It should be a really interesting matchup.

WEST BLOOMFIELD vs Grand Blanc @ Lapeer

This is a Division One State Finals rematch and also a rematch from a 76-39 Lakers win over the Bobcats on West Bloomfield’s senior night. The Bobcats will have an advantage on travel but West Bloomfield isn’t afraid of anyone. Usually the Lakers perform which they did against Orchard Lake St. Marys winning 41-36 on their home floor. This should be a really interesting matchup.

ROYAL OAK vs Warren Cousino @ St. Clair Shores Lakeview

The Ravens won their second straight district crown with a 42-35 win over Berkley on their home floor. Now they bring the baby green dinosaur to St. Clair Shores to have a rematch with Warren Cousino. The Patriots have not forgotten the 43-41 buzzer beater by Lucy Freytag last season in Warren. This looks to be a classic between these two teams. The winner will likely see Utica Ford II or Macomb Dakota in the regional final.

FERNDALE vs Redford Union @ Detroit Edison

The Eagles are coming off a convincing 62-28 district final rout of Madison Heights Lamphere. Ferndale has proven players despite the lack of depth. The Eagles should have no issue but they will have a tough one if they can get by Redford Union with Detroit Edison in the regional finals. It will be really interesting to see what happens.

MPSC Disallows $30 Million in DTE Electric’s Cost Recovery

by orionontv | Mar 7, 2025 | Regional News

Michigan Department of Attorney General Press Release banner

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
March 7, 2025

Media Contact:
Danny Wimmer

MPSC Disallows $30 Million in DTE Electric’s Cost Recovery Proposal

LANSING – Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel’s arguments before the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) succeeded in convincing the Commission to disallow $33,774,728 in attempted cost recovery sought by DTE Electric, per an order issued by the MPSC last week.

Regulated utilities file cost recovery cases annually with the MPSC (distinct and separate from rate increase request cases) in an effort to recover, from their monopolized ratepayers, costs incurred by the utility corporation to purchase power to satisfy Michigan residents’ grid demand. Often, utility corporations attempt to “recover” from their customers increased costs that benefit only their shareholders or otherwise result from imprudent or unreasonable management of outages, mismanaging or poorly planning their own power generation, or even purchasing power through sweetheart deals with affiliated or formerly affiliated energy companies. In this cost recovery case, the MPSC ruled that DTE improperly attempted to bill their customers for more than $30 million in costs the utility corporation failed to support as necessary or beneficial to their electric customers. Much of the $30 million dealt with DTE’s imprudent management of several power plant outages. The MPSC issued its order on February 27th.

“Regulated utility corporations often seek permission to recover certain increased costs they incur to deliver Michiganders’ energy supply but, in all instances, they must show these expenses were in the interest of their customers and procured at competitive costs,” said Nessel. “DTE failed to make the mark here, and not for the first time. My office will continue to argue before the MPSC to keep unsupported and wasteful cash outlays made to boost corporate profits or for any other improper purpose off Michigan ratepayers’ bills.”

Also on February 27th, the MPSC issued another order disallowing $7,537,566 in unsupported costs requested in a case filed by DTM Michigan Lateral Company, a pipeline owner and operator whose main customer is DTE Gas. The Attorney General’s intervention in this case led to the issues being fully examined before a judge. The order will prevent more than $7.5 million from being billed to DTE Gas customers.

Altogether, the two orders amount to a total Michigan ratepayer savings of $41,312,294.

DTE sells natural gas to 1.3 million customers across the state and electricity to approximately 2.3 million customers in Southeast Michigan. Since taking office, Attorney General Nessel has helped save Michigan ratepayers nearly $3.7 billion.

Gov. Whitmer Makes Appointments to the Bench

by orionontv | Mar 6, 2025 | Regional News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 6, 2025

Contact: [email protected]

Gov. Whitmer Makes Appointments to the Bench

LANSING, Mich. —Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced the upcoming appointment of Andrew Stevens to the 65-A District Court in Clinton County.

“I’m proud to appoint Andrew to the bench in Clinton County,” said Governor Whitmer. “As a former prosecutor in Ingham County myself, I know that he brings decades of invaluable experience to the position. Andrew will keep families safe and uphold the rule of law.”

65-A DISTRICT COURT- CLINTON COUNTY

Andrew Stevens is currently an assistant prosecutor at the Ingham County Prosecutor’s Office, where he has served for over fifteen years. In this role, Stevens has held various professional assignments and currently serves as the District Court Unit Chief, supervising attorneys and acting as a resource and homicide prosecutor in the Complex Crimes Division. Stevens is also involved in community and educational initiatives. He serves on the Lansing Community College—Eaton Regional Education Service Agency Advisory Committee and is a presenter for the Michigan State University Police Department Citizens Academy.

Andrew Stevens holds a Bachelor of Arts in political science from Michigan State University and a Juris Doctor from the Michigan State University College of Law.

“I humbly thank Governor Whitmer for this incredible honor and distinction,” said Andrew Stevens. “Every day of the past fifteen years, it has been my privilege to represent the People of the State of Michigan and uphold the vow of justice. I look forward to continuing that commitment as I boldly serve the residents of Clinton County on the 65A District Court.”

This appointment will be made to fill a partial term following the resignation of Judge Michael Clarizio. Judge Stevens’s term will commence on April 14, 2025, and expire at twelve o’clock noon on January 1, 2027.