Avondale has their new Varsity Football Coach

Avondale has their new Varsity Football Coach

by | Feb 25, 2025 | Feature Writers, High School Sports

Avondale has their new Varsity Football Coach

Written Wednesday February 19th at 1:50 PM

The Yellow Jackets have their new football coach.

Avondale has named Jim Carlisle as their new football coach according to an accurate source and the MHSAA website. Carlisle takes over for Coach Bob Meyer who stepped down at the end of the season.

Carlisle has coached 36 years most recently he coached at Vassar from 2022 until this season. He also had a stint at Imlay City which he was the coach from 2018 until 2022.

The Yellow Jackets will be in line for another change in offense. Carlisle likes to run the spread offense, it will be a much in line to past Avondale coaches Steve Duestch and Ed Coutrier when they were in Auburn Hills.

Carlisle will be tasked of keeping the tradition alive in Auburn Hills. Avondale will be in the Gold with Berkley, Royal Oak, Pontiac, and Ferndale this season.

My Thoughts.

Carlisle is a really interesting hire coming from the thumb area. Carlisle brings experience and the spread to a program that has seen a ton of experience in this offense. I don’t know if he is familiar with the OAA when it comes to the teams. What helps is the majority of the division has new coaches if you include Casey Humes who was at Berkley last season. It will be very interesting to see what happens.

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

 

MHSAA Website

https://www.mhsaa.com/schools/avondale/boys/varsity/football/2025

MiLEAP Celebrate PreK for All Success

MiLEAP Celebrate PreK for All Success

by | Feb 24, 2025 | Regional News

LG Header 2022

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE    

February 24, 2025

Contact: [email protected]

 

Lt. Governor Gilchrist and MiLEAP Celebrate PreK for All Success, Highlight Continued Investments for Michigan’s Youngest Learners

 

LANSING, Mich. – Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist II and the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP) are celebrating the success of the PreK for All Initiative, which is helping Michigan families save money while preparing the state’s youngest learners for kindergarten. This milestone was marked today during in event with families at the South Lyon Early Childhood Center in southeast Michigan.

 

“Governor Whitmer and I are committed to ensuring that every child in Michigan receives the strong start they deserve,” said Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist II. “Thanks to PreK for All, we have witnessed record enrollment for 4-year-olds across our state, and we are building on that momentum. This is about investing in our kids’ futures, and we will continue collaborating with all partners to make sure every Michigan family has access to high-quality early education, no matter where they live.”

 

“PreK for All is truly transforming lives, making quality early learning more accessible than ever for Michigan families,” said Dr. Beverly Walker-Griffea, director of MiLEAP.  “We are pleased to see so many families benefiting from these investments as their children grow academically and socially, all while keeping more money in their pockets. With the Governor’s budget recommendation, we will continue to expand lifelong education opportunities to ensure that every in child in Michigan has a solid foundation for success.”

 

“I strongly believe that no family should have to pay out-of-pocket for a high-quality preschool experience,” said Michael Lloyd, Principal at the South Lyon Early Childhood Center. “Continued investments in PreK for All means more families will have access to early education without the financial burden, ensuring every child can learn and grow in a supportive environment. Free preschool will have a lasting impact for families in our community, and with support from the state, we can make sure every Michigan four-year-old has a strong foundation for lifelong learning at this crucial stage of their development.”

 

Michigan’s PreK for All initiative saves families an estimated $10,000 per year in child care costs, putting an estimated $450 million back into Michigan families’ pockets this school year. The Governor’s recent budget recommendation builds on these efforts by:  

  • Investing $676.1 million to continue providing PreK for All through the Great Start Readiness Program.
  • Piloting free PreK for three-year-olds, anticipated to serve nearly 4,000 children by 2029.

 

In addition to the benefits for children and families, PreK for All benefits Michigan’s economy as a whole. A recent analysis from the Upjohn Institute found that for every dollar spent on the program, it creates $1.72 in total economic benefits for our state.

 

PreK enrollment for 2025-2026 school year will open soon. Families can learn more and find programs that fit their needs by visiting MiPreKforAll.org . For families seeking other child care options, visit the Great Start to Quality website.

 

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AG Re-issues Tax Season Consumer Alerts

AG Re-issues Tax Season Consumer Alerts

by | Feb 24, 2025 | Regional News

Michigan Department of Attorney General Press Release banner

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
February 24, 2025

Media Contact:
Danny Wimmer

AG Nessel Re-issues Tax Season Consumer Alerts

LANSING – This tax season, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel is encouraging Michigan residents to file their taxes early to help prevent tax-related identity theft and is reissuing tax season consumer alerts to ensure consumers are better prepared to protect their personal information.

“During tax season, scammers take advantage of the opportunity to steal taxpayers’ money, access their personal data, and commit identity theft,” Nessel said. “To protect yourself, file early and stay informed about their tactics and how to avoid common tax-season scams.”

Tax-related Identity theft occurs when someone uses stolen personal information – including, but not limited to, an individual’s Social Security number (SSN) – to file a phony tax return and claim another person’s refund.

The IRS is often the first to inform victims that their identity has been stolen. Nessel’s advice to help consumers protect themselves and avoid being a victim includes:

  • Filing your tax return as early as you can, before identity thieves have the opportunity to do so.
  • Not giving out your SSN unless there’s a good reason, you’re confident you’re giving it to someone authorized to request this information, and you know how they will protect it.
  • Using a secure internet connection if you’re filing electronically.
  • Sending your tax return directly from the post office if you’re filing by mail.
  • Thoroughly researching a tax preparer before handing over your personal information and never sending your personal information in a text or email.
  • Reviewing the IRS’ informational guides, like their Taxpayer Guide to Identity Theft and Identity Theft Information for Taxpayers (PDF).

The Attorney General is also reissuing the IRS Phone and Email Tax Scams Alert to remind consumers the IRS will never call taxpayers to:

  • Threaten arrest;
  • Request payment by wire transfer, gift card, or prepaid debit card; or
  • Ask you to provide credit card information over the phone.

For residents who find they owe money after filing, the Debt Collectors & the IRS and Tax Debt Resolution Scams alerts include valuable information to avoid falling for a debt collection scam.

Businesses are not immune from tax-season scams or identity theft. Small and midsized business owners are encouraged to know the signs and watch for common tactics and signs during tax season and year-round.

Nessel encourages those who find they are victims of any type of identity theft to follow the steps recommended by the Federal Trade Commission and file a complaint.

If an individual’s SSN is compromised and tax-related identity theft is suspected, the IRS recommends that consumers:

  • Immediately contact the IRS Identity Protection Specialized Unit at 800-908-4490;
  • Respond immediately to any IRS notice;
  • Complete the IRS Form 14039 Identity Theft Affidavit (PDF) – also available online through IRS Publication 5027: Identity Theft Information for Taxpayers (PDF);
  • Continue to pay your taxes and file your tax return even if you must do so by paper; and
  • Remember: Even if a false refund is claimed and issued in your name, identity scammers do not actually steal your refund. If you are legally entitled to a tax refund, being a verified victim of tax-related identity theft will not change that. Your refund may be delayed, but you will, eventually, get your refund.

To file a complaint with the Attorney General or get additional information, contact:

Consumer Protection Team
P.O. Box 30213
Lansing, MI 48909
517-335-7599
Fax: 517-241-3771
Toll-free: 877-765-8388
Online complaint form
Action Against Counterfeit Weight Loss Drug Makers

Action Against Counterfeit Weight Loss Drug Makers

by | Feb 21, 2025 | Regional News
Michigan Department of Attorney General Press Release banner

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
February 20, 2025

Media Contact:
Danny Wimmer

Attorney General Nessel Calls for Action Against Counterfeit Weight Loss Drug Makers

LANSING – Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has joined a 38-state and territory bipartisan coalition requesting that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) take swift action against bad actors who are endangering consumers with counterfeit forms of the weight loss and diabetes drugs Mounjaro, Zepbound, Ozempic, and Wegovy (GLP-1 drugs).

“As weight loss and diabetes medications grow in popularity, scammers are taking advantage of the demand,” Nessel said. “To ensure you receive the medication you need and avoid counterfeit products, always get your medications prescribed by your doctor and the prescription filled at a licensed pharmacy. I urge the FDA to take action against counterfeiters to protect Michigan consumers.”

The letter states that “online retailers are illegally selling the active ingredients of GLP-1 drugs directly to consumers without a prescription. These retailers claim that the active ingredients they sell are “for research purposes only” or “not for human consumption.” In reality, these companies advertise directly to consumers on social media, claiming their products are an easier and more affordable way to obtain GLP-1 drugs. Much like with counterfeit versions, these active ingredients come from unregulated, undisclosed sources” and pose risks of contamination and inclusion of foreign substances.

The letter declares that the Food and Drug Administration has the expertise and resources to stop the bad conduct and deceptive practices by counterfeit drug manufacturers and that they should increase enforcement actions against compounding pharmacies illegally participating in this market. It also encourages the FDA to partner with state pharmacy boards to ensure compounded GLP-1 drugs are produced safely and in sanitary environments.

Attorney General Nessel joined this bipartisan letter, co-led by South Carolina, Colorado, Illinois, and Tennessee and joined by Alaska, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Georgia, Hawaii, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Utah, Vermont, U.S. Virgin Islands, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.
Start Your Career with a Summer Job at Oakland County

Start Your Career with a Summer Job at Oakland County

by | Feb 19, 2025 | Regional News

Start Your Career with a Summer Job at Oakland County

Post Date:02/19/2025 12:05 PM
  • Summer employment and internships with Oakland County enable students to begin developing professional networks.
  • Starting wages for summer employment at the county range $12.71-17.89 per hour.
  • Apply at oakgov.com/jobs. For more information, call 248-858-0530.

Pontiac, Mich. – With a summer job or internship at Oakland County, college and high school students can earn credit hours and paychecks while understanding how local government serves residents.

“Working for Oakland County helps young people explore different career paths and gain new skills, all while earning a decent wage,” said Oakland County Executive David Coulter. “And it’s a great opportunity to make new friends.”

Young woman working in Groveland Oaks booth

Summer employment at Oakland County begins April 1 with wages ranging between $12.71 and 17.89 per hour depending on job classification. College internships are paid and eligible for credit hours for freshman through graduate students during all semesters. Additionally, employees and interns are enrolled in a retirement plan.

Oakland County is actively hiring for various positions across different departments and divisions, including:

Applications opened Tuesday, Feb. 18. Apply online at oakgov.com/jobs or in person at the Oakland County Human Resources Department in the Executive Office Building at 2100 Pontiac Lake Road in Waterford. For more information, call 248-858-0530.

Summer employment is generally limited to 13 weeks; however, some departments and positions may require a longer term of employment.

Applicants must be at least 16 years old and enrolled in high school or college. Job seekers younger than 18 who have not completed high school must obtain working papers at the time of appointment. They will also be required to provide written parental consent for the employment physical and a parent/guardian must be present for the TB skin test. For positions that require proof of college or university enrollment, applicants must upload a copy of their college transcripts.

Avondale has their new Varsity Football Coach

Bloomfield Hills new Varsity Football Coach

by | Feb 19, 2025 | Feature Writers, High School Sports

Bloomfield Hills has their new Varsity Football Coach.

Written Monday February 17th at 9:05 PM

Bloomfield Hills has their new varsity football coach.

The Blackhawks have named Scott Merchant as their new varsity football coach. He takes over for Dan Loria who stepped down this past offseason.

Two very accurate sources confirmed to me the news.

Merchant was at Chippewa Valley from 2007-2023 before going to Lawrence Tech for a season. Merchant stepped down on Monday from Lawrence Tech and returned to High School football accepting the Blackhawks job. What attracted Merchant to the job according to sources was that his son was in the Bloomfield Hills program and that he wanted to coach his son.

Merchant is a game changer for a program that is in need of a reboot. He brings a ton of proven experience to a program that needs it. The Blackhawks were 5-22 in their last three seasons with no postseason appearances.

Loria was at Bloomfield Hills Lahser before they merged with Bloomfield Hills Andover to become Bloomfield Hills in 2013. Loria went 42-67 with four postseason appearances in his 11 years with the program.

Merchant will have a ton of challenges ahead of him. He will have to build the program which starts with program strength. Bloomfield Hills has not fielded a freshman program on a consistent basis. With Merchant expect the Blackhawks to have three programs.

The Blackhawks are in the Blue and will be with Seaholm, North Farmington, Farmington, Oak Park, Troy Athens, and Troy this season. Bloomfield Hills could be a possible sleeper in the division with Merchant coaching the program.

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