Rochester has their new Girls Basketball Coach

Rochester has their new Girls Basketball Coach

by | May 6, 2024 | Feature Writers, High School Sports

Rochester has their new Girls Basketball Coach.

Written Thursday May 2nd at 11:00 PM

The Rochester Falcons have their new girls basketball coach confirmed by the MHSAA website.

Rochester named Andrew Topie as their new basketball coach. He replaces Bill Thurston who was let go last month. Topie was an assistant under Thurston last season.

Rochester won nine games and fell 37-32 to Stoney Creek in the district finals last season. He will have Alice Max, Kylie Robinson, Lucy Cook, Angelia Cichowski, and Erica Procter coming back next season. Topie will also have program strength as well.

The Falcons will be in the White after being in the Red. They will have Bloomfield Hills, Seaholm, Groves, Troy, and Royal Oak next season.

It will be very interesting to see what happens with Topie taking over the program.

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

Here is the article confirming the hire.

https://my.mhsaa.com/schools/rochester/girls/varsity/basketball/2024

Rochester has their new Girls Basketball Coach

Massey leaves Bloomfield Hills with great legacy

by | May 6, 2024 | Feature Writers, High School Sports

Massey leaves Bloomfield Hills with great legacy.

Written Thursday May 2nd at 10:50 PM

Bloomfield Hills will have a new coach next winter.

Blackhawks coach Kristen Massey has stepped down as coach of the Blackhawks according to the MHSAA Website.

Massey led Bloomfield Hills through a tough rebuild when she took over for Coach Jeff Rubin. She went 5-27 in her first two years coaching the program but went 32-14 in her final two years. Massey won a district crown in 2024 along with sharing the White with Seaholm in 2024, and the Blue crown in 2023.

The Blackhawks will have Brianna Young, Brianna Brooks, and Giselle Haddad coming back for the new coach. Program strength should be solid going forward for Bloomfield Hills.

Bloomfield Hills should be a team to watch this offseason.

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

 

Here is the MHSAA website.

https://my.mhsaa.com/Schools/bloomfieldhills/girls/varsity/basketball/2024

Health Division Encourages to Ready Kindergarteners

Health Division Encourages to Ready Kindergarteners

by | May 1, 2024 | Regional News

Oakland County Health Division Encourages Parents to Ready Their Kindergarteners for the Upcoming School Year

Post Date:05/01/2024 1:01 PM

Pontiac, Mich. – Parents and guardians whose children will enroll in kindergarten for the 2024-2025 school year should take steps now to ensure their kids meet Michigan’s requirements to enter the classroom. These requirements include dental, hearing, and vision screenings and specific vaccinations.

Screenings and immunizations are available at Oakland County Health Division if a child does not have a healthcare provider.

“Kindergarten is an exciting time for families. Screenings and immunizations help keep kids healthy and on track during their first year of school,” said Leigh-Anne Stafford, director of Oakland County Health and Human Services. “Be proactive and talk to your child’s healthcare providers so you can be confident that they are ready to take on this milestone.”

Michigan’s requirements for kindergarteners for the upcoming school year are:

  • Kindergarten Dental Screenings: Senate Bill 280 (Public Act 316 of 2023) requires children going into kindergarten to have a dental screening. Children who have dental problems may have trouble sleeping and eating which affects their ability to learn.
  • Hearing and Vision Screenings: The Michigan Public Health Code (Act 368 of 1978) mandates children to complete hearing and vision screenings before entering kindergarten. These screenings help children develop and learn by identifying a hearing or vision problem early.
  • Immunizations: State law requires kindergarteners to have specific vaccines before beginning the school year. Vaccines are safe and effective tools to prevent diseases that are more readily spread in group settings like classrooms.

Call Oakland County’s Nurse on Call at 800-848-5533 to schedule screening appointments with the Health Division. Screenings are available to children who live or learn in Oakland County. There is no charge.

Immunizations do not require an appointment. Oakland County Health Division clinics are walk-in only and located in Southfield (27725 Greenfield Road) and Pontiac (1200 N. Telegraph Road, Building 34 East). Clinic hours are:

  • 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays
  • 9:30 a.m. – 6 p.m. Tuesdays
  • 7:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. Thursdays

No one will be denied access due to the inability to pay for immunizations. There is a discounted/sliding fee schedule available for those who are under or uninsured. The Health Division accepts health insurance, as well as Medicaid, Medicare, Vaccines for Children (VFC) program, cash, and credit. VFC offers vaccines at no cost for eligible children. There is a $7 fee per vaccination, per client. There are additional fees for credit card payments.

More information about kindergarten readiness can be found on the Health Division’s website at oakgov.info/kindergarten-readiness or by contacting Nurse on Call at 800-848-5533 or [email protected]. Nurse on Call is available 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. For up-to-date public health information, follow @publichealthOC on Facebook and X (formally known as Twitter).

For media inquiries only please contact Bill Mullan, Oakland County media and communications officer, at 248-858-1048.

Bipartisan Bills to Strengthen Health Services

Bipartisan Bills to Strengthen Health Services

by | Apr 30, 2024 | Regional News

Governor Whitmer Header

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

April 30, 2024

Contact: [email protected]

 

Gov. Whitmer Signs Bipartisan Bills to Strengthen Health Services and Criminal Justice

 

LANSING, Mich. – Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed legislation that aims to establish a licensure framework for dietitian nutritionists. The governor also signed legislation that delivers ongoing funding for trial courts across the state, reducing costs for local municipalities.

 

“Today’s commonsense, bipartisan bills will improve health care licensing for dietitian nutritionists and protect critical funding for trial courts,” said Governor Whitmer. “Together, we will continue delivering on the issues that make a real difference in people’s lives, from health care to public safety. Let’s keep working together to build a brighter, safer future for Michigan.”

 

House Bill 4608, sponsored by state Representative Laurie Pohutsky, establishes licensing requirements and standards for dietitians and nutritionists. By doing so, the bill seeks to ensure that individuals who provide dietary advice and guidance meet certain qualifications and adhere to professional standards.

 

“I sponsored House Bill 4608 to protect Michiganders and help make sure crucial healthcare is accessible and affordable,” said Speaker Pro Tem Laurie Pohutsky (D-Livonia). “Now, when individuals are looking to receive a dietician’s opinion, individuals can easily identify qualified and trustworthy providers — that is very important when it comes to health and wellness. Licensure will also help ensure medical nutrition therapy is covered by insurance, making it much more accessible for countless Michiganders. It is a win to have the governor sign this into law today.”

 

House Bill 5392, sponsored by state Representative Sarah Lightner, provides essential funding to ensure trial courts have the necessary resources to operate effectively. By supporting our courts, Michigan becomes a safer place for all its residents.

 

“This bill is a step forward toward our shared goal of courts that are funded fairly all across Michigan while maintaining the independence of the judicial branch,” said State Court Administrator Tom Boyd. “We look forward to providing the Governor and Legislature with the data, information, and recommendations they need to take the next steps in this process as we work together to develop and implement a long-term funding plan that delivers justice for all.”

 

“We appreciate the legislature acting in a bipartisan fashion to extend the expiring sunset,” said Dan Gilmartin, Executive Director and CEO of the Michigan Municipal League. “With Governor Whitmer taking swift action to sign this legislation, we ensure the seamless functioning of the district and municipal courts supported by cities across the state.”

 

 

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Rochester has their new Girls Basketball Coach

Oxford will have a new Girls Basketball Coach next season

by | Apr 29, 2024 | Feature Writers, High School Sports

Oxford will have a new Girls Basketball Coach next season.

Written Saturday April 27th at 7:05 PM

The Wildcats will have a new Girls Basketball Coach next winter.

Oxford coach Rachel Bryer stepped down coaching the program after eight years coaching the program.

The move was confirmed by Athletic Director Tony DeMare and Oxford Assistant Athletic Director Brandon.

The Wildcats were 94-68 in her eight years since taking over for Coach Steve Emert in the 2016-2017 season. Oxford went 19-5 in the 2022-2023 season which was Bryer’s best season as coach.

The Wildcats went 11-12 but they played a very tough schedule this season. Oxford fell to Grand Blanc 60-38 in the district finals, it was the third time in the postseason that the Bobcats won over the Wildcats.

According DeMare, he confirmed that there are three candidates for the coaching job which interviews are expected to start next week.

Whoever the new coach will have a proven team with a ton of experience in Allison Hufstedler, Sophia Rabb, Mia Champagne, Emma Buggs, Claire Bruski, Tegan O’Connor, Brynley Cardona, Camryn Quidort, Katelyn Brockway, and Jaylen Jacobsen coming back. They will also be in the Red with West Bloomfield, Ferndale, Stoney Creek, Clarkston, and Lake Orion next season.

Bryer did a ton of good for the program and she’ll be missed.

Program strength will be very interesting for the new coach as well.

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

Rochester has their new Girls Basketball Coach

Groves will have a new Girls Basketball Coach next season

by | Apr 29, 2024 | Feature Writers, High School Sports

Groves will have a new Girls Basketball Coach next season.

Written Tuesday April 23rd at 1:50 PM

Groves will have a new girls basketball coach next season.

Falcons Coach Alison Hidey has stepped down according to Athletic Director Tom Flynn.

“I would like to thank Alison Hidey for what she did for our program” Flynn wrote on X.

Hidey was 25-44 since taking over for Coach AntJuan Simpkins three years ago. Hidey went 8-14 last season falling to Royal Oak 47-35 in the district semifinals.

Groves will be in the White next season 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 the Falcons next season.

It will be very interesting to see where Flynn goes with the coaching search. He will be retiring at the end of the school year.

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

 

Here is the tweet confirming the news

https://twitter.com/GrovesAthletics/status/1782810590798340243