Category Archives: State & Region

Michigan State Police accepting unwanted pills during National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day on Saturday

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(Photo source: Pexels)

By Scott Bolthouse | The Huron Hub
ScottBolthouse@HuronHub.com
Posted Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2019

In an effort to combat the opioid epidemic that’s affecting nearly all corners of the U.S., Michigan State Police are asking residents to dispose of expired, unused and unwanted pills during National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day on Saturday, Oct. 26

“This is something every Michigan resident can do to make sure unused prescription drugs don’t end up in the wrong hands. Even one pill makes a difference,” said Col. Joe Gasper, director of the Michigan State Police. “Take a few moments to check your home and get rid of these medications. Opioid and prescription drug abuse, accidental poisonings and overdoses are real. Help us fight this crisis.”

MSP’s 30 posts will participate in the one-day initiative from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday by serving as drop-off points.

All collected pills will be destroyed, with no questions asked, MSP said.

Liquids, inhalers, patches and syringes cannot be accepted.

To view a list of MSP Posts, visit this link.

National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day is held twice a year in April and October.

During the April 2019 effort, MSP posts collected 1,184 pounds of prescription drugs, according to MSP.

Anyone who is unable to participate on Saturday can anonymously give their unwanted prescription drugs to any MSP post, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., excluding holidays.

Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet.

Additionally, disposing of unused medicines by flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash can pose environmental and health hazards.

For more information about opioids and the additional steps residents can take to protect themselves and loved ones, visit michigan.gov/opioids.

Related: State Police create new investigative unit focusing on illegally prescribed opioids

 

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‘Destination Pass’ program at Detroit Metro Airport allows visitors without tickets to pass checkpoint

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By Scott Bolthouse | The Huron Hub
ScottBolthouse@HuronHub.com
Posted Monday, Oct. 21, 2019

A new program at Detroit Metropolitan Airport will allow visitors without air travel tickets the ability to enter the post-security side of the McNamara and North terminals.

Called “DTW Destination Pass,” the program lets those who are not flying enjoy amenities of the airport, surprise an arriving traveler, or spend extra time with a loved one who is departing.

Last year, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) amended its regulations, giving airports more flexibility when allowing non-ticketed visitors into the gate area.

“The new regulations allow us to expand our gate pass program that already exists for our Westin hotel guests,” said Wayne County Airport Authority CEO Chad Newton. “Now we can welcome more community members into our home to create memorable moments—from watching planes to greeting family and friends.”

The pass will be a pilot program and will be available to visitors at both terminals from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday.

Those wishing to take advantage of the program must apply for a pass through the airport’s website the day before their planned visit.

Applicants will receive an email notification advising of their approval status. If approved, detailed instructions will be sent electronically.

The DTW Destination Pass program will be limited to 75 visitor passes per day and is expected to end on January 5, 2020.

Participants must submit to the same security regulations as passengers boarding an aircraft.

Additional information on the program, application process and requirements can be found at metroairport.com/about-us/dtw-destination-pass.

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 judge issues preliminary injunction blocking ban on flavored e-cigarettes

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

A Michigan judge has issued a preliminary injunction blocking the recent ban on flavored e-cigarettes.

Related: Michigan becomes first state to ban flavored nicotine vaping products

According to David Eggert, Michigan government/politics correspondent for the Associated Press, the judge said there is evidence that if flavored vaping products are banned in Michigan, adults will return to using more harmful combustible tobacco products.

The decision temporarily stops the state from enforcing emergency rules banning the sale of the products.

Gov. Whitmer responded to the injunction and promised to seek an immediate stay and request a final ruling from the Michigan Supreme Court, The Detroit News reported.