by orionontv | Oct 17, 2023 | Regional News
Oakland County Public Transit Is on a Roll a Year After Voters Approved Millage
Post Date:10/17/2023 11:35 AM
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- Oakland County is eliminating the boundaries between communities and truly creating a countywide public transportation system, such as SMART’s new fixed-route service to Novi.
- Ridership is up more than 20 percent for WOTA, NOTA, OPC, and People’s Express after they expanded service areas and hours of operation.
- The Regional Transit Authority of Southeast Michigan is facilitating a regional federal grant application for Oakland, Macomb, and Wayne counties and SMART to attract federal investment in transit.
Pontiac, Mich.– Public transit is making strides in Oakland County nearly a year after voters approved a public transportation millage. Multi-year agreements were in place with SMART, Western Oakland Transportation Authority (WOTA), North Oakland Transportation Authority (NOTA), the Older Persons’ Commission (OPC), and People’s Express weeks after the vote while route and service planning continues with input from communities, businesses, and residents.
“Easily accessible, reliable and affordable transportation will help make Oakland County an even more attractive destination for residents, employers and visitors,” said Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter. “Countywide public transportation has always been a top priority for me and the progress that has been made since voters agreed to fund the expansion is truly remarkable.”
Oakland County and its transportation service providers are expanding and improving public transit as the planning process continues. Some highlights include:
- Ridership is up more than 20 percent for WOTA, NOTA, OPC and People’s Express this year.
- WOTA, NOTA, OPC, and People’s Express expanded their service areas and operation hours.
- The fees to ride WOTA, NOTA, OPC, and People’s Express are standardized at $2 per ride.
- Oakland County is eliminating the boundaries between communities and truly creating a countywide public transportation system.
- SMART has expanded fixed routes to Novi and Wixom.
- SMART has a fixed route stop at Woodward and Long Lake in Bloomfield Hills.
- SMART is using Farmington, Pontiac and Troy as Flex micro-transit demonstration routes, which began prior to the millage approval but will inform where and how to serve future riders.
- The Oakland County Transit Division is completely staffed with an experienced transit manager and two planners.
- Oakland County is helping transit providers with some of the funds they need to expand and diversify their fleets.
- The Regional Transit Authority of Southeast Michigan is facilitating a regional federal grant application for Oakland, Macomb, and Wayne counties and SMART to attract federal investment in transit, including for Woodward Bus Rapid Transit. This would not have been possible if Oakland County did not have county-wide public transportation.
- Next year, SMART will extend fixed routes from Troy into Rochester and from Pontiac into Waterford and White Lake along M-59, among other improvements.
“We are pleased to work with Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter and Oakland County Board of Commissioners Chairman David T. Woodward in supporting their efforts and those of the residents in providing greater access to communities by way of SMART’s bus transit in Oakland County. The expansion of routes provides economic growth, economic security, and regional competitiveness,” said Dwight Ferrell, general manager of SMART.
Oakland County’s transit goals include the growth of demand response through the county’s four local operators and SMART Flex for the public to schedule point-to-point rides.
“Better transit in Oakland County unlocks more opportunities for residents,” Board Chairman David T. Woodward said. “New routes to more destinations is one more step to creating the most connected, accessible and equitable transit system in our region’s history.”
The county’s other goals are to coordinate services among the different transit providers, expand transit to unserved and underserved areas, develop a long-term countywide plan that considers all transit options and where they should be implemented, enable more seamless transit trips, make transit stops easier, safer and more comfortable, implement higher frequency, higher capacity transit including bus rapid transit, support the transition to low/zero-emission transit vehicles, and support transit-oriented development.
As Oakland County transit grows, transportation providers are still experiencing hiring challenges and delays in getting equipment which have slowed some efforts this year. The county and its transit providers, however, are working to resolve these issues so the entire system is stronger next year.
Of the total budget for the 10-year, 0.95 millage for transit approved by voters in November 2022, 79 percent of the funds are directed to transportation services with SMART, NOTA, WOTA, OPC and People’s Express. This year, one percent went to local governments for reimbursement for transportation they provided in 2023. Another one percent has paid administration costs. The remaining 19 percent is available for future services and service access enhancements.
SMART serves a more populous portion of the county while WOTA, NOTA, OPC and People’s Express cover a greater geographic area.
Additional information about transit services can be found on the Transit Division’s website at oakgov.com/OaklandTransit.
by orionontv | Oct 16, 2023 | Regional News
Keep yourself and your family safe by signing up for OakAlert, the County’s emergency notification system.
OakAlert sends texts, calls and emails when emergency situations occur. Because notices come from Oakland County Emergency Management, you can get information faster than from the news or social media. And you can avoid situations like:
- Chemical spills impacting public health (like a shelter-in-place order)
- Outdoor warning siren activation
- Active assailant situations causing an evacuation
- Closure or interruption in service of County operations
- Additional notifications affecting the health and safety of the county
Self-registration takes 90 seconds with your name, personal contact information, username and password for this no-cost service.
We are committed to maintaining a system that sends notifications only for legitimate emergencies, disasters or hazardous situations that would require immediate action.
To sign up, visit https://www.oakgov.com/oakalert or text “OakAlert” to 99411.
by orionontv | Oct 16, 2023 | Feature Writers, High School Sports
Postseason Watch-Week Nine.
Written Saturday September 30th at 7:00 PM
Updated Saturday October 14th at 1:30 AM
The postseason is a week away so here are some scenarios surrounding some teams in the OAA that have a chance to make the postseason, some are locks, others are on the bubble and others need to win out.
Thanks to GoosePoop on Twitter/X for giving me some analytics on each team’s chances to make the postseason so here they are.
LOCKS:
Lake Orion (8-0): The Dragons are looking really good when it comes to the postseason. Lake Orion has had strong wins over Harper Woods, West Bloomfield, Oxford, Adams, and Clarkston. They still have state power undefeated Saline coming up on the road which should be a good barometer to see where both teams are at going into the postseason. The Dragons are safely in the postseason field in Division One.
Clarkston (4-4): The Wolves are looking really good when it comes to the postseason and they keep getting better every week. They have played a really tough schedule and have beaten some really good teams as well. Despite losing to Northville, Southfield Arts and Tech, Lake Orion, and Harper Woods (all of whom are strong teams). They hold quality wins over Adams and West Bloomfield. Clarkston finishes the regular season playing Co Macomb Area Conference Red champion Utica Eisenhower. If you’re a Wolves fan, you won’t have to worry about not making the postseason but finishing strong is another concern. Clarkston is safely in the postseason field in Division One.
West Bloomfield (6-2): The Lakers had a big win over Southfield Arts and Tech to add to strong wins over Chippewa Valley, Adams, and Oxford. The Lakers only setbacks were to Clarkston and Lake Orion, both of whom field very strong programs. The Lakers finish the regular season against Oak Park. West Bloomfield is safely in the postseason field in Division One.
Southfield Arts and Tech (7-1): The Warriors early season wins have already got them into the postseason. Southfield Arts and Tech after dealing with their remaining White opponents took a setback against Red power West Bloomfield. Despite that, the Warriors hold strong wins over Detroit Cass Tech and Clarkston. The Warriors are safely in the postseason field for Division One.
Seaholm (7-1): The Maples have been rolling with confidence heading into the postseason. Seaholm has had some big wins under their belt as well with their only setback against Detroit University-Detroit Jesuit. The Maples will play arch rival Groves who have given them a lot of problems in the past, mostly because Groves has played in the much tougher White. Despite having to figure out their problems with Groves, the Maples are safely in the postseason field for Division Two.
Groves (6-2): The Falcons have played some very strong opponents (West Bloomfield and Southfield Arts and Tech) and picked up some big wins including a big league win over Harper Woods and a big non league win over North Farmington. Groves has arch rival Seaholm, whom they could possibly meet twice in the postseason in which the Falcons have gotten the better of the Maples primarily because of playing in the tougher White. Groves is safely in the postseason field for Division Two.
Harper Woods (5-3): For a team who is in Division Four, the Pioneers have played a really tough schedule playing against a ton of Division One (Stoney Creek, Lake Orion, Southfield Arts and Tech, Clarkston) and Division Two teams (Groves). Harper Woods finishes the year at Roseville. The Pioneers are safely in the postseason field for Division Four because of their strength of schedule and could be a state championship contender come postseason time.
Avondale (7-1): The Yellow Jackets have been rolling as of late, winning the Gold Championship in the process. Avondale has also been tested with quality wins over Division Three Brandon and Division Two Oak Park but had a setback against Division Two power Seaholm. Avondale has rival Warren Fitzgerald looming on their schedule. They are safely in the postseason field for Division Three and they could make a ton of noise.
Adams (5-3): The Highlanders are a very interesting team to watch because they are a wildcard. Their chances of getting in the postseason are still very strong, probably the strongest of the bubble teams. Adams has Sterling Heights Stevenson looming, two Division One teams, both teams they are capable of beating. The Highlanders based off their strength of schedule is safely in the postseason field for Division One.
North Farmington (4-4): The Raiders, despite the setback to Oxford and playing a very daunting schedule especially early with Division Two powers Groves, Caledonia, and Seaholm have held their own and was able to get strong wins over Division One’s Troy and Troy Athens along with Division Two, Oak Park, and Division Three Pontiac. The Raiders are safely in the postseason field for Division Two.
Troy (5-3): The Colts, despite setbacks with division two powers Seaholm, Oak Park, and North Farmington has been much more successful against Division One opponents, particularly Detroit Mumford, Macomb L’Anse Creuse and arch rival Troy Athens. The Colts also have wins over Royal Oak and Berkley as well. They have another big game looming with Fraser but win or lose, the Colts for another year is safely in the postseason in Division One. Will they win a playoff game, that is another question we will find out.
NEED TO WIN OUT:
Oxford (3-5): The Wildcats are in a win now mode if they want to make the postseason. They have University-Detroit Jesuit at Wildcat Stadium. Despite playing a very tough schedule with the likes of Utica Eisenhower, Clarkston, Adams, arch rival Lake Orion, and West Bloomfield, Oxford has three wins (Division Two, Oak Park and North Farmington along with Division One, Stoney Creek.) If Oxford wins, given their strength of schedule, they will be in the postseason for Division One.
Oak Park (3-5): The Knights have faced a very difficult postseason, despite getting strong quality wins over Division One Troy and Troy Athens, the Knights have had tough losses to Division One Oxford along with Division Two University of Detroit-Jesuit, Seaholm, and North Farmington. The Knights will have a tough test looming with Division One power West Bloomfield visiting Knight Valley. Should Oak Park win, they will be in the postseason but if they don’t, then they will have to wait and see to be in the postseason.
by orionontv | Oct 16, 2023 | Feature Writers, High School Sports
Written Friday October 13th at 11:55 PM
AROUND THE OAA TOP TEN-Week Nine
- Lake Orion
- Seaholm
- West Bloomfield
- Southfield Arts and Tech
- Groves
- Harper Woods
- Avondale
- Adams
- Troy
- Clarkston
SCORES.
AVONDALE 49, PONTIAC 19
ROYAL OAK 37, BERKLEY 0
GROVES 49, FERNDALE 0
OXFORD 34, NORTH FARMINGTON 7.
TROY 35, TROY ATHENS 13.
SEAHOLM 42, OAK PARK 22
ADAMS 42, BLOOMFIELD HILLS 13.
LAKE ORION 42, FARMINGTON 7.
STONEY CREEK 35, ROCHESTER 7.
HARPER WOODS 34, CLARKSTON 7.
WEST BLOOMFIELD 31, SOUTHFIELD ARTS AND TECH 20.
BEST WIN: West Bloomfield: Bryce Rowe returned and an early start lifted the Lakers to a 31-20 win in the Swamp on Friday night. West Bloomfield was clearly the better team and dominated in all phases. They have Oak Park looming next week.
TOUGH LOSS: Troy Athens: The Red Hawks saw their postseason hopes take a hit falling 35-13 on Friday night to arch rival Troy. Troy Athens has Utica Ford II looming next week.
TEAM THAT NEEDS A HUG: Pontiac: The Phoenix had a tough 49-19 loss to Avondale on Friday night. Pontiac will be fine. They have Garden City looming next week.
VALENTI RANT: Clarkston: What is going on with the Wolves after a stunning 34-7 homecoming loss to Harper Woods. It’s a big win for Coach Rob Oden and the Pioneers but with the Wolves something is up especially allowing two deep touchdowns. Clarkston has Utica Eisenhower looming next week.
ARE YOU KIDDING ME: Berkley: The Bears have hit rock bottom falling to arch rival Royal Oak 37-0 on Friday night. Berkley has St. Clair Shores Lakeview looming next week to close the season.
by orionontv | Oct 16, 2023 | Feature Writers, High School Sports
Written Friday October 13th at 11:45 PM
West Bloomfield: The Lakers earned a big 31-20 win over Southfield Arts and Tech on Friday night. Bryce Rowe returned and had a big night for West Bloomfield and the rest of the Lakers followed suit as well. West Bloomfield was clearly the better team. They have Oak Park looming next week.
Lake Orion: The Dragons had no issues on their homecoming with Farmington winning 42-7 on Friday night. TR Hill had three total touchdowns and Billy Roberson had two touchdowns in the game. Lake Orion has a big one looming with Saline next week.
Clarkston: The Wolves have some defensive issues to address. They have allowed 66 points in two weeks including a 34-7 stunner to Harper Woods on Friday night. Clarkston could not get off the field on third down which was a huge problem. They have a tough one with Utica Eisenhower looming next week.
Adams: The Highlanders had no problem with Bloomfield Hills on their homecoming winning 42-13 on Friday night. Brady Prieskorn had a strong game for Adams. They have Sterling Heights Stevenson looming next week.
Oxford: The Wildcats had no problem with North Farmington winning 34-7 on Friday night. Luke Johnson had a big game for Oxford. They still have a shot at the postseason but they need to beat Detroit University-Detroit Jesuit next week.
Stoney Creek: The Cougars had no issue with Rochester winning 35-7 in the Falcon Frenzy Game on Friday night. They got 14 points from their defense with two pick sixes. Stoney Creek concludes the season with a trip to New Baltimore Anchor Bay next week.
Southfield Arts and Tech: The Warriors lost a tough one to West Bloomfield falling 31-20 on Friday night. West Bloomfield was clearly the better team in that game. They have Detroit Renaissance looming next week.
Harper Woods: The Pioneers made a huge statement with a 34-7 stunner at Clarkston on Friday night. Harper Woods proved that they are for real and will be a force in Division Four that is for sure. Kobe Taylor was huge early and Nate Rocheleau and Stephone Buford had great games at quarterback. They need to clean up the penalties. The Pioneers have Roseville looming next week.
Groves: The Falcons earned a 49-0 win over Ferndale setting up the showdown with arch rival Seaholm next week. It should be a fun one to watch that is for sure.
Farmington: The Falcons had a ton of trouble with Lake Orion falling 42-7 on Friday night. Farmington concludes the season with Utica next Thursday night.
Bloomfield Hills: The Blackhawks fell to Adams 42-13 on Friday night. Bloomfield Hills will conclude the regular season with North Farmington next week.
Rochester: The Falcons fell to Stoney Creek 35-7 in the Falcon Frenzy Game on Friday night. They threw two pick sixes in the game which was a difference. Rochester concludes the season against Walled Lake Northern next week.
Seaholm: The Maples won the Blue and set up a big showdown with arch rival Groves in a 42-22 win over Oak Park in the Maple Forest. The Kinnie brothers, Kyle Robbins, and company have been very consistent. They have Groves as mentioned next week.
North Farmington: The Raiders had a tough 34-7 loss to Oxford on Friday night. North Farmington will be fine. They have Bloomfield Hills looming next week.
Oak Park: The Knights postseason hopes took a hit with a 42-22 loss to Seaholm on Friday night. Oak Park needs to beat West Bloomfield to have a chance at the postseason next week.
Troy: The Colts kept their postseason hopes alive with a 35-13 win over Troy Athens on Friday night. Troy got big games from Nolan Block and Greg Tester. They have Fraser looming next week.
Troy Athens: The Red Hawks postseason hopes took a hit with a 35-13 loss to Troy Athens on Friday night. Troy Athens has Utica Ford looming next week.
Ferndale: The Eagles were blown out by Groves 49-0 on Friday night. Ferndale closes the regular season against St. Clair Shores South Lake next week.
Avondale: The Yellow Jackets rolled to a 49-19 win over Pontiac. Avondale has Warren Fitzgerald looming next week.
Berkley: The Bears were shutout by arch rival Royal Oak 37-0 on Friday night. Berkley closes the regular season against St. Clair Shores Lakeview next week.
Royal Oak: The Ravens have scored 74 points in the last two weeks and took the Battle of Woodward Trophy with a 37-0 win over Berkley on Friday night. Coach Colin Campbell has this program believing. They have a tough one with Madison Heights Lamphere looming next week.
Pontiac: The Phoenix lost a tough one to Avondale 49-19 on Friday night. Pontiac closes the season against Garden City next week.
by orionontv | Oct 11, 2023 | Regional News
More Than 70 County Jobs Available at Oakland County’s Virtual Job Fair
Post Date:10/11/2023 1:24 PM
Pontiac, Mich., – Apply for more than 70 full- and part-time positions at Oakland County’s virtual career fair. Registration is required for the job fair, which runs 1-4 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 17, at bit.ly/OC-VirtualJobFair.
“We have incredibly talented people who make up our workforce at Oakland County,” Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter said. “Whether you are beginning your career or advancing it, Oakland County has a broad range of positions available in a welcoming work environment.”
County departments and divisions that are hiring include Vehicle Operations, Information Technology, Corporation Counsel, Parks, Sheriff’s Office, Workforce Development, Children’s Village, Human Resources, Water Resources Commissioner, Community Corrections and Equalization. These departments will have virtual booths at the job fair to answer questions about county operations, the diverse career opportunities that are available, and what it takes to get hired and succeed.
Some of the positions include social worker, maintenance laborer, general staff nurse, sheriff deputy, custodial worker, office support clerk, dispatch specialist, legal secretary and more. To explore the available jobs or for more information about working at Oakland County, visit oakgov.com/jobs.
