Whitmer on Passage of Economic Development Package

Whitmer on Passage of Economic Development Package

by | Jun 11, 2024 | Regional News

Governor Whitmer Header

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

June 11, 2024

Contact: [email protected]

 

Governor Whitmer Statement on Passage of Economic Development Package

 

LANSING, Mich. — Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer released the following statement after the Michigan House of Representatives Commitee on Economic Development and Small Business voted to pass the recently introduced transformational economic development package.

 

“Today’s progress on economic development delivers on our comprehensive vision to invest in people, uplift places, and win projects.

 

“Since I took office, we have announced 38,000 new auto jobs and driven unemployment to historic lows. We have continued our focus on the kitchen-table issues while growing and diversifying our economy. Together, we will secure the future of electric cars, semiconductor chips, technology, and clean energy here in Michigan, while delivering historic and long-overdue investments in housing and transit to make our communities better places to live, work, and invest.

 

“I am grateful to my partners in the Michigan House for their action today, and I look forward to reviewing this fiscally responsible economic development package when it reaches my desk.”

 
Groves has their new Girls Basketball Coach

Groves has their new Girls Basketball Coach

by | Jun 10, 2024 | Feature Writers, High School Sports

Groves has their new Girls Basketball Coach.

Written Thursday June 6th at 1:12 PM

Groves has their new girls basketball coach.

The Falcons named Jessica Duleba as their new girls basketball coach. Duleba takes over for Alison Hidey who left Groves to be the new girls basketball coach at Livonia Stevenson.

The MHSAA website confirmed the hire.

Duleba was the junior varsity coach at Lakeland and also coached at Oakland Community College for three years. She played her college ball in New York City and played internationally in Spain, Poland, and France according to her JD7 basketball page.

Hidey went 25-44 in her three years at Groves since taking over for Coach AntJuan Simpkins (Detroit Cass Tech) including going 8-14 falling 47-35 to Royal Oak in the district semifinals.

Duleba will be the third coach in five years at Groves.

Groves will be in the White with Rochester, Seaholm, Troy, Royal Oak, and Bloomfield Hills. They will have a proven lineup with Harlem Simpson, Jacey Roy, Anaiyah White, Sophie Schwinik, and Micah White coming back. Program strength will be a concern for Duleba next season.

We’ll see what happens. I’ll have thoughts on the hire on Monday’s podcast.

Stay tuned to OAA Now for the latest on this developing story.

Duleba’s JD7 Basketball page

https://www.jd7basketball.com/aboutme

MHSAA Website

https://www.mhsaa.com/schools/groves/girls/varsity/basketball/2024

Honoring the 80th Anniversary of D-Day

Honoring the 80th Anniversary of D-Day

by | Jun 10, 2024 | Regional News

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Friend ­­––

Last week, our nation — along with allies from across Europe — honored the 80th anniversary of the D-Day invasion.

On June 6, 1944, Allied troops landed on the beaches of Normandy to beat back the Nazi army and gain a foothold in continental Europe. It ultimately marked the turning point in World War II that led to victory for the Allied Forces. D-Day was a historic moment for our country and the entire free world.

It was an honor to join President Biden and a bipartisan group of my fellow senators in France to mark this hallowed occasion and pay our respects to the servicemembers who made the ultimate sacrifice so that future generations of Americans could live in freedom.

This anniversary is also personal to me. My father didn’t invade the beaches at Normandy, but he crossed them four months later when he was deployed to France with the U.S. Army. My mother — who grew up in France — was forced to live under Nazi occupation for several years. They met during the war, fell in love, and came back to Michigan to start our family.

 

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Click HERE to watch more.

 

My mother and father taught me to never take our freedoms for granted. They told stories of Nazi oppression and the brave men and women who gave everything to fight against it. They were powerful reminders of this history and of the sacrifices made to save democracy and liberty around the world.

Let’s honor those sacrifices – and the thousands of Americans we lost on D-Day – by continuing the fight for freedom that is the bedrock of our country.

 

Thanks for reading,

Gary Peters
United States Senator for Michigan
Groves has their new Girls Basketball Coach

Final Week Previews

by | Jun 10, 2024 | Feature Writers, High School Sports

Final Week Previews.

Written Sunday June 9th at 5:45 PM

We’re into the final week of the season. Here is the Girls Softball State Quarterfinal and Girls Soccer State Semifinal Previews.

Softball

LAKE ORION vs Lakeland @ Marysville

INSIGHT: This is shaping up to be a very interesting matchup of two teams that have very strong softball traditions. The Eagles are coming off a sweep of Troy Athens (15-0) and Bloomfield Hills (8-3) by a combined 23-3 which gave them their first regional crown since 2012. This will be Lakeland’s biggest test of the postseason as they face a Dragons team that has been battle tested and been put through the gauntlet. Lake Orion beat Stoney Creek and Macomb Dakota by 5-4 scores in the district and regional finals respectably. The winner of this State Quarterfinal matchup will see either Hartland or Ava Bradshaw and South Lyon in the State Semifinals at Michigan State.

PREDICTION: This will be the Eagles toughest test in the postseason. Lakeland has played against fellow Lakes Valley Conference rivals South Lyon and South Lyon East. The tough schedule favors the Dragons and that’s why they’ll be heading to Michigan State for the second straight year and likely see Bradshaw and the Lions. PICK: LAKE ORION.

Soccer

ADAMS vs Plymouth Salem @ Troy

INSIGHT: This is shaping up to be a very interesting matchup between two teams that have made surprising runs this postseason. Plymouth Salem had a big district final win over Livonia Stevenson in the district final. The Rocks had to see Plymouth and Plymouth Canton have deep runs but this season was their time to shine and it’s their first regional crown since 1995. Adams had to go through Rochester and Troy to get to this point. The Highlanders seen Stoney Creek make a deep run last season but it’s their time. The winner will see Hartland or Grand Haven in the State Finals at Michigan State.

PREDICTION: This should be a good one, I see the Highlanders winning this one being it’s a shorter drive from Rochester to Troy unlike Plymouth to Troy. I see Adams winning in a classic. PICK: ADAMS.

National Recognition to 21 Main Street OC Communities

National Recognition to 21 Main Street OC Communities

by | Jun 10, 2024 | Regional News

Main Street America Gives National Recognition to 21 Main Street Oakland County® Communities

Post Date:06/07/2024 10:51 AM

 

 

  • Berkley, Clawson, Farmington, Ferndale, Franklin, Highland, Holly, Ortonville, Oxford, Lake Orion, Rochester and Royal Oak earned accredited status.
  • Auburn Hills, Birmingham, Clarkston, Hazel Park, Lyon Township/New Hudson, Lathrup Village, Oak Park, Pontiac and South Lyon received affiliate status.
  • More than $88 million in new public and private investments have been made to Main Street Oakland County downtowns.

Pontiac, Mich. – Twenty-one out of 28 Main Street Oakland County (MSOC) communities have been recognized by Main Street America for their commitment to improving their downtowns using preservation-based economic development and community revitalization through the Main Street Approach™.

This annual accreditation process has two tiers of national designation: accredited and affiliate. The accredited status is Main Street America’s top tier of recognition. It proves a community has met the six Community Evaluation Standards, such as strategy-driven programming, and baseline requirements, including a revitalization budget. Affiliate communities have shown efforts toward meeting those standards.

Berkley, Clawson, Farmington, Ferndale, Franklin, Highland, Holly, Ortonville, Oxford, Lake Orion, Rochester and Royal Oak earn accredited status.

Auburn Hills, Birmingham, Clarkston, Hazel Park, Lyon Township/New Hudson, Lathrup Village, Oak Park, Pontiac and South Lyon received affiliate status.

In 2023, more than $88 million in new public and private investments have been made to MSOC downtowns, helping to establish 185 new businesses generate almost 250 jobs and restore 123 buildings. In that same year, Main Street America honored John Bry, MSOC program coordinator with the Mary Means Leadership Award, the organization’s highest honor.

Established in 2000, Main Street Oakland County is the first and only county in the U.S. to operate a full-service, countywide Main Street coordinating program.

 

About Main Street America

Main Street America leads a movement committed to strengthening communities through preservation-based economic development in older and historic downtowns and neighborhood commercial districts. For more than 40 years, Main Street America has provided a practical, adaptable, and impactful framework for community-driven, comprehensive revitalization through the Main Street Approach™. Our network of more than 1,600 neighborhoods and communities, rural and urban, share both a commitment to place and to building stronger communities through preservation-based economic development. Since 1980, communities participating in the program have generated more than $107.62 billion in new public and private investment, generated 175,323 net new businesses and 782,059 net new jobs, rehabilitated more than 335,675 buildings, and levered over 35.3 million volunteer hours. Main Street America is a nonprofit subsidiary of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. For more information, visit mainstreet.org.

Severe weather in Michigan

Severe weather in Michigan

by | Jun 10, 2024 | Regional News

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Hi there,

I’m heartbroken to hear about the tragic loss of a 2-year-old in Livonia due to severe weather in Michigan this week. It’s a terrible loss for a family and highlights that severe weather season is fully upon us.

A month ago, we saw a frightening outbreak of tornadoes in West Michigan, and last August, tornadoes caused destruction in the Williamston area and Metro Detroit. According to the National Weather Service, this season has already been one of the busiest and most damaging on record.

In 2023, severe weather claimed the lives of nine Michiganders. As we think about those affected by recent storms, I wanted to share some reminders on ways to prepare and respond to severe weather.

  • Following heavy storms, it’s essential to allow emergency crews to clear downed power lines and debris efficiently. Avoid traveling to hard-hit areas if possible, as it can hinder clean-up efforts and put both yourself and emergency responders at risk.
  • One non-emergency resource you can call following a storm is 211. Their response partners and resource managers can connect you to resources like temporary housing, transportation, and financial assistance.
  • If your home or business is damaged, document the damage with photos and report it to your county’s emergency management team. This documentation helps officials assess the full scope of damage and allocate resources effectively.

Lastly, one of the most effective ways to prepare is by creating an emergency plan for your household. Visit Ready.gov to learn more about creating a plan and preparing for severe weather events.

– Rep. Elissa Slotkin