Freeze warning issued through Friday morning

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Posted Thursday, Oct. 17, 2019

A freeze warning is in effect from 2 a.m. to 8 a.m. Friday.

Sub-freezing temperatures are forecasted for several hours after midnight through sunrise Friday.

Low temperatures near 30 occur in most areas with upper 20s possible in typically colder locations.

The warning is for all of Southeast Michigan.

Frost and freeze conditions will kill crops, other sensitive vegetation and possibly damage unprotected outdoor plumbing.

Take steps now to protect tender plants from the cold. To prevent freezing and possible bursting of outdoor water pipes they should be wrapped, drained, or allowed to drip slowly. Those that have in-ground sprinkler systems should drain them and cover above- ground pipes to protect them from freezing.

Source: National Weather Service

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I-94 near Metro Airport down to one lane in both directions this weekend

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Posted Thursday, Oct. 17, 2019 — 3:00 PM EST

I-94 near Detroit Metro Airport will be down to one lane over the weekend, according to MDOT.

Eastbound and westbound I-94 will have only one lane open between I-275 and US-24 (Telegraph Road), from 8 p.m. Friday through 5 a.m. Monday.

The closures are due to roadwork projects on the freeway.

“With fall weather settling in, crews are getting in as much work as possible during favorable weather conditions,” MDOT said.

 

Camilleri introduces bills that fund construction of bridges over problematic railroad crossings

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In Huron Township, blocked railroad crossings, like this one seen here at Sibley Road, are common occurrences. Crossings in Huron can sometimes be blocked for over an hour at a time, posing an obvious safety risk to the community. (Huron Hub file photo)

By Scott Bolthouse | The Huron Hub
ScottBolthouse@HuronHub.com
Posted Thursday, Oct. 17, 2019

State Rep. Darrin Camilleri (D-Brownstown) said Thursday that he introduced legislation that would create a dedicated statewide fund to build bridges over the most problematic railroad crossings in Michigan.

According to a statement from Camilleri, House Bills 5129 and 5130 introduced this week would allow municipalities to receive as much as 80 percent of the funding necessary in matching state grants to complete high-priority grade separation projects.

State Rep. Darrin Camilleri speaking on the House floor.

Camilleri said the bills were inspired by a similar program in Indiana, and would set aside $50 million per year for five years to support critical grade separation projects.

The railroad crossings that would benefit from the legislation would be determined based on priority factors including average wait times, proximity to schools, hospitals, and assisted living centers.

“All across Michigan, train crossings not only cause headaches as trains block the road for hours, they pose a huge threat to public safety, blocking access to hospitals, nursing homes and emergency sites,” said Camilleri in a statement. “By creating this dedicated fund to build bridges over our most problematic crossings, we have the opportunity to solve one of Michigan’s most critical transportation challenges and improve public safety Downriver and across our state.”

 

NOAA predicts ‘wetter-than-average’ winter for northern U.S.

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(Seen here is Huron River Drive in New Boston on Feb. 12, 2016 following a fresh snowfall — Photo by Scott Bolthouse — The Huron Hub)

By Scott Bolthouse | The Huron Hub
ScottBolthouse@HuronHub.com
Posted Thursday, Oct. 17, 2019

NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center released their winter prediction for the U.S. today, and it says the northern portion of the country, including Michigan, will likely be “wetter-than-average.”

“Wetter-than-average weather is most likely across the Northern Tier of the U.S. during winter, which extends from December through February,” NOAA said Thursday.

NOAA also says warmer-than-average temperatures are forecast for much of the U.S. this winter, and that although below-average temperatures are not favored, cold weather is anticipated and some areas could still experience a colder-than-average winter.

This 2019-20 winter outlook map for precipitation shows wetter-than-average weather is most likely across the northern tier of the U.S. this coming winter. (Images: NOAA)

 

The 2019-20 winter outlook map for temperature shows warmer-than-average temperatures are likely for much of the U.S. this winter.

NOAA says the outlook does not project seasonal snowfall accumulations as snow forecasts are generally not predictable more than a week in advance.

Even during a warmer-than-average winter, periods of cold temperatures and snowfall are expected.

NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center updates the three-month outlook each month. The next update will be available November 21.

Seasonal outlooks, according to NOAA, help communities prepare for what is likely to come in the months ahead and minimize weather’s impacts on lives and livelihoods.

 

Verizon Wireless customers experiencing service disruptions in Metro Detroit

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By Scott Bolthouse | The Huron Hub
ScottBolthouse@HuronHub.com
Posted Thursday, Oct. 17, 2019
Posted11:00 AM EST — Updated 11:15 AM EST 

Some Verizon Wireless customers in Metro Detroit are reporting service disruptions with their  phone calls and internet data.

According to Down Detector, Verizon customers in the Detroit area, as well as customers in other major cities in the region, are experiencing the network issues.

Here is the Down Detector outage map for Verizon Wireless

Verizon customer service representatives are not sure when the issue will be resolved.

“We are aware of the issue in your area and are working to restore service as soon as possible,” an automated Verizon Wireless message said when a call was placed to the company Thursday afternoon.

Customers have been experiencing the issues for over 24 hours in some parts of the metro area and in other parts of the country.

It appears both phone calls and data services are impacted by the outage.

 

Michigan State Police ‘Click It or Ticket’ initiative starts today

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Posted Thursday, Oct. 17, 2019

Autumn in Michigan includes tailgates and bonfires, along with Halloween parties. Officers from police departments, sheriff’s offices and the Michigan State Police want to remind people to enjoy these activities and make safe driving choices this month as seat belt enforcement steps up across the state during the two-week Click It or Ticket campaign Oct. 17-31.

In Michigan, 192 people killed in traffic crashes during 2018 were not wearing a seat belt. October is the second deadliest month, behind only July, for fatalities of those unrestrained in a passenger vehicle in Michigan between 2013 and 2017.  

“Wearing a seat belt is the simplest thing you can do to save lives and reduce injuries in a crash,” said Michael L. Prince, OHSP director. “When you’re out enjoying fall in Michigan it’s important to remember to buckle up – every trip, every time, every passenger.”

Michigan law requires drivers, front seat passengers and passengers 15 and younger in any seating position to be buckled up.  The fine and associated costs for not wearing a seat belt is $65.  Children must be in a car seat or booster seat until they are 8 years old or 4’9” tall, and children under 4 years old must be in the back seat.

In Michigan, the seat belt usage rate stands at 94.4 percent. The national seat belt use rate in 2018 was 89.6 percent.

The OHSP coordinates the Click It or Ticket effort which is supported by federal traffic safety funds. 

Source: Michigan State Police

3 drivers ticketed recently for failing to stop for school buses in Huron Township

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By Scott Bolthouse | The Huron Hub
ScottBolthouse@HuronHub.com
Posted Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2019

Three drivers were cited recently in Huron Township for failing to stop for school buses.

The drivers were cited within the last week and were from Carleton, Newport, and Lincoln Park.

One driver was also cited for having no proof of insurance.

The fine for failing to stop for a school bus is $195 in addition to 3 points on a person’s driving record.

Both marked and unmarked Huron Township police vehicles have been randomly following school buses as they pick up students recently.

Everette Robbins, director of public safety, says policing bus stops will be a continued effort in the township.

“We will continue to have a zero-tolerance policy regarding this issue. Make no mistake, if you
disregard the signals and fail to stop and hurt one of our children, we will to see to it that you face the maximum penalties allowed by law,” he said.

Tips from the director of public safety regarding bus safety:

●Parents and kids should wait for the bus to come to a complete stop and for the red lights to be engaged before approaching the bus. Many drivers were observed to stop for the yellow lights, but not all. Many kids have been seen crossing the street while the yellow yield lights were flashing, which could cause them to get struck by a vehicle.
●Multiple bus stops on busy roads had elementary age children at the stop without an adult
present. This was especially dangerous with icy road conditions and kids too close to the road.
●Multiple parents were observed at the stop with their hands full. This included cell phones,
coffee, etc. This could make it difficult for a parent to pull their child to safety in the event of
an emergency.

Here is some other noteworthy information about school bus safety from the Michigan State Police. View the info here.