A Waterford woman has spent nearly a decade tending to a tree she calls a living piece of history one that traces its roots back to the September 11 Memorial.

Since 2016, Julie Ogg has been growing what she calls her 9/11 tree, a swamp white oak descended from the trees that surround the memorial.

See the full story in the video below Waterford woman grows tree descended from oaks at the September 11 memorial

"You know, it's a reminder of the tragedy that happened that day, but also it's a symbol of growth and resilience," Ogg said.

The tree's journey to Ogg's front yard began when the son of her friend, Roy Johnson, collected acorns from the swamp white oaks surrounding the 9/11 Memorial and mailed them to his father.

"He started walking across the park area there, and I guess one year, after the acorns became rather prolific and he just decided to pick a bunch of them up and send them to Dad," Johnson said.

Johnson said he received somewhere between 50 and 100 acorns and was asked to plant them so he did. When the seedlings began to sprout, he turned to Facebook to find them homes.

"They were probably 2 or 3 inches tall and they were growing out of the Dixie Cups, so I had to get rid of them. So, I put a post on Facebook asking who would like a 9/11 memorial descendant, a tree descendant?" Johnson said.

Ogg answered that call, and what began as a small seedling has grown into a tall, healthy oak in her front yard.

"It just seemed like a wonderful opportunity to have a tangible piece of history. You know, we all remember where we were that day," Ogg said.

The tree's path from a son, to his father, to a friend mirrors the way remembrance itself travels from person to person.

Now, years later, Ogg looks at the oak and sees more than a tree.

"It's amazing that grown from a tiny little twig to this great height, it's healthy," Ogg said. "But it's also symbol of resilience... how we can rise up. We can still grow from here," she said.

This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.

Over the summer, Keego Harbor residents and business owners were asked to fill out a survey to understand the community's vision for the former Roosevelt Elementary School property with many wanting it to be something the city has never had: a downtown.

Keego Harbor Interim City Manager Joe Gacioch said the city received around 140 survey responses about the 5-acre site.

"All in all it's pretty consistent. They want to see better walkability... new small businesses, restaurants, markets, retail, specialties," Gacioch said.

Watch the Full Story Below

Gacioch said others would like to see green space, and a large majority want a historical marker honoring the beloved school.

"Naming streets after former administrators even naming the site after the school," Gacioch said.

One resident who lives near the property and also attended Roosevelt Elementary said it's time for a change but she doesn't think the city needs more shops or restaurants.

"Maybe a community center or a park or something just to bring the community together and more for the kids," Amber Wellinger said.

The property is owned by the West Bloomfield School District, but the district is working with Keego Harbor city leaders to gather community input on its future. In a statement, the district said:

"The work is ongoing, and no final decisions have been made at this time. The District thanks the community for its continued partnership throughout this process."

Gacioch said the city has a broader vision for the corridor.

"The city has a very bold vision about redeveloping Cass Lake Road into a future downtown, and the Roosevelt site and a few other sites play an important role in catalyzing that, that vision," Gacioch said.

After hearing from the community, city leaders developed a design concept for the space. The city also had 16 developers tour the site Wednesday.

"We're gonna find a way to build a downtown here that serves Keego, and I think also the Greater Lakes community," Gacioch said.

The city says it hopes to discuss possible plans for the future with the West Bloomfield School District in the next few weeks.

This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.

PONTIAC, Mich. A Pontiac man is on a mission to run every street in his city all 765 of them and he's using each mile to shine a light on the history many residents never knew existed.

Aaron Barnett, a veteran of 11 marathons including the New York City and Chicago marathons, started his street-by-street journey in June. He is now more than halfway through his self-described personal project, with a goal of finishing in October.

"I felt like this was the right time to take on a challenge like this," Barnett said.

7 News Detroit reporter Jolie Sherman has more on Barnett's mission in the video below:

Pontiac man on mission to run every street in the city to highlight its rich history

As he runs, Barnett records videos about the city's history how a street got its name, or what a neighborhood looked like decades ago and shares them on social media.

"Pontiac has such a rich history, and I feel like it's not as well known, and it's also to put more stories about the city of Pontiac. A lot of times we see negative things related to the city," Barnett said.

Barnett, who found running in 2017, says he can complete 20 to 25 streets in an hour, and the community has taken notice. Lifelong Pontiac resident DaQuavay Wellons said Barnett has become a familiar face on the streets.

"He's the track star of Pontiac," Wellons said. "I think it's kind of important because he's giving history to the kids who understand none of this stuff and seeing these things and understanding why is it still there," Wellons said.

One location stopped Barnett in his tracks: A place known as "The Corner". Once a thriving community hub in downtown Pontiac, The Corner was home to churches, residences, businesses, musicians, and community advocates. Barnett said he had never heard of it before his run took him there.

"It was a cultural hub from the black community from the early 1900s to around the 1960s, and I had never heard of it," Barnett said.

Leona Patterson, chairperson for the Friends of the Library, is part of a committee currently working to identify and interview people who lived in the area located near Bagley and Wessen.

"It was a neighborhood. It had housing, it had service organizations, and it was primary Black-owned and operated," Patterson said.

Patterson said The Corner grew as a result of discriminatory housing policies that restricted where Black workers could live.

"When General Motors started bringing in people that worked in the plants, they were not allowed to live in certain areas of the city of Pontiac, so they all migrated in this area," Patterson said.

For Barnett, the project is as much about community as it is about running.

"It's really cool to be able to show our love for the city that we were raised in and to pour that love out and receive it back from people is really cool," Barnett said. " [and] To be able to represent the city in a way that people can take pride in and can see themselves in is so important to me."

This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.

WEST BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WXYZ) West Bloomfield police are seeing an uptick in vandalized Flock cameras this summer, part of a broader trend of camera damage across metro Detroit including six destroyed in Livingston County recently, with about 25 temporarily removed.

Deputy Chief Brian Tash said several incidents have occurred in West Bloomfield alone this summer, including one near Haggerty and Westwin Lake where police say a driver ran over a camera before fleeing, and another near Walnut Lake and Inkster where someone cut the pole in half and stole the camera.

Watch 7 Action News reporter Jolie Sherman's story in the video below:

Flock camera vandalism on the rise in West Bloomfield, as debate over surveillance continues

"It's frustrating. Because I feel there's other ways to handle something than vandalizing a camera," Tash said.

The camera near Walnut Lake and Inkster was not the first time that specific location was targeted. Detective Philip Beasley said a prior incident dates back to June of 2024.

"The individual in this video is going to be observed using what appears to be a paint roller to roll paint on a flock camera," Beasley said.

Tash said the cameras collect limited data and are not intended to infringe on privacy.

"With Flock, it reads a license plate. It doesn't give us any information from a police side: who's driving it, where they live, their birthday, it shows the license plate information only," Tash said.

He said the cameras have been useful in finding suspects involved in home invasions, hit-and-runs, and most recently helped locate a missing person from the Nevada area who was eventually found in Michigan.

"They're actually a valuable tool and we're not looking to get into anyone's private lives," Tash said.

Residents in West Bloomfield are divided on the cameras. Some say they support them.

"I feel like they're possibly there to protect people," Lindsay Waldman said.

"I'm perfectly fine with the Flock cameras," Jack Hotz said.

But West Bloomfield resident Sean Lavine is not on board.

"With these Flock cameras, this is a mass surveillance system. I believe it's illegal, unconstitutional, and un-American," Lavine said.

Still, Lavine said vandalism is not the answer.

"I don't think that's the most productive use. I see a lot of people outraged about that. But I would encourage them to participate in their local political system," Lavine said.

Tash echoed that sentiment.

"We have Town Hall meetings, and we have people come in and voice their concerns about Flock, and that's the way of going about doing it," Tash said.

This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.

For the first time in more than 30 years, the U.S. Department of Justice has launched a program giving people a path to restore their federal gun rights.

The DOJ made the program active last month, reviving a law that had existed for decades before Congress discontinued it in the 1990s. The program is aimed specifically at people convicted of non-violent felonies.

Attorney Barton Morris of the Law Offices of Barton Morris in Troy is one of the first attorneys in the country helping people navigate the new process.

Watch the Full Story Below

"Why shouldn't someone be given the opportunity to demonstrate that they deserve the restoration of that right, and particularly as it relates to someone who hasn't been in trouble for a long time, have a character and reputation of non-violence, and is a different person than they were when they committed the offense?" Morris said.

"It's a constitutional right that's no less important than the freedom of speech or the freedom of religion." Morris said.

Morris said those convicted of assault and other violent crimes are not eligible for the program. He also noted the program does not override state-level restrictions.

Scott Bouza is one of many people around the country preparing to apply to have his federal gun rights restored. He was convicted of three separate non-violent felonies when he was younger, including an unarmed breaking and entering.

"You'll probably laugh at it, but I broke into a store with a bunch of fishing lures.. that's the only thing I took." Bouza said. "I was hanging around bad people, made some decisions, came from a broken home." Bouza said.

Both state and federal law bar a person convicted of felonies from possessing a firearm but that is now changing for non-violent felons under the new 2026 DOJ program.

"It took me 20 years to get to this point in my life." Bouza said. "I paid my dues, did my time, and I couldn't enjoy fishing with my sons because I couldn't have a gun. My father raised me to hunt, and I wanted to show them what he showed me." Bouza said.

On November 4, the first 5,000 eligible applicants nationwide will be able to apply. The Law Offices of Barton Morris will show people how the process works on Saturday, October 10 at The Seven in Ferndale, ahead of the federal filing window in November.

This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.

The Waterford School District is apologizing after bus delays left children stranded and parents without information on the first day of school. Five routes were also canceled Tuesday across elementary, middle and high schools, marking the second straight day of disruptions.

On Monday, children riding to Riverside Elementary were 40 minutes late getting to school and an hour late getting home. A substitute driver unfamiliar with the route became lost, the district confirmed. The district cited a bus driver shortage as the cause of the problem.

Watch Jolie Sherman's full report in the video player below: Waterford parents demand answers after major busing delays

Sarah Dalton and Sarah Taylor live in the same neighborhood, and their children ride the bus together. Because of the morning delay, both had to drive their children to school.

The afternoon brought more anxiety. Dalton said the bus typically arrives around 4:22 p.m., but she waited without any communication from the school.

"I reached out to the transportation department. I was getting yelled at, hung up on. That's unacceptable... At 5:06 p.m., the school sent out a notice saying the children left the school at 4:20 p.m., and they did not know when and where the bus was or when and where the children would be dropped off," Dalton said.

Dalton said the children did not arrive home until 5:19 p.m.

Taylor described the experience as frightening.

"That whole hour I just kept thinking, where is she? It doesn't take that long to drive 3 miles, and when she got off the bus she was visibly shaken, and she doesn't shake easy," Taylor said.

Dalton said her 8-year-old was among the children on the bus.

"This was an entire hour of wondering where my eight-year-old was," Dalton said.

The district released a statement addressing the delays:

"We want to share our most sincere apologies for the transportation delays and the lack of communication many of our families experienced during these first couple days of school. We know how stressful and disruptive this is for our families morning and afternoon routines, and we take full responsibility for the frustration this has caused.Like so many other districts across Michigan and the country, we are currently facing an ongoing shortage of staff. While this is a widespread challenge, our number one priority remains the safety and care of our students.Our team is working hard to fix these issues. We are currently reviewing every bus route, reassigning drivers where they are needed most and actively looking for new drivers. We are also looking at long-term schedule changes to help keep things running on time.We are committed to finding solutions that work for our students and families, and we truly appreciate our families patience as we work through these challenges together.Sincerely,Adam Martin, Superintendent

Matt Dalton, Sarah Dalton's husband, said the district experienced several bus delays during the previous school year as well and expressed frustration that the problems have continued.

These are the children that cant fend for themselves in these situations. Theyre basically held hostage, and its just one of those things where you say, How long do you let someone say, Sorry, Ill do better? Matt Dalton said.

Taylor said the situation went beyond a minor mistake.

"I want a clear action plan. I want to know how they are training bus drivers. I would like a bus tracker, ultimately... This wasn't a hiccup. This was improper planning and a safety concern," Taylor said.

This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.

A brewery in Ann Arbor is turning a viral joke into a charitable statement.

HOMES Brewery began jokingly calling itself "Shame Brewery" in response to President Trump's executive order renaming Lake Ontario "Lake America." Now, the brewery is selling T-shirts bearing the word "Shame" above its logo flipping the familiar grade-school mnemonic "HOMES" on its head.

Trump signed the executive order Thursday, directing U.S. federal agencies to use the new name amid escalating trade tensions with Canada following failed trade talks between the U.S. and Canada.

Watch the full report in the video player below

Beatriz Bargas, manager at HOMES Brewery, said the response was about finding a constructive outlet.

"We believe it's a silly situation, and we're just trying to make light of it while also trying to stay positive and proactive. Therefore, we chose a non-profit organization to donate partial proceeds of the t-shirt," Bargas said.

That organization is Great Lakes, Great Responsibility, a nonprofit founded in 2020 dedicated to removing and preventing plastic pollution in the Great Lakes watershed.

Customers at the brewery said the shirts resonated with them. Ryan Jasper, who came out to the brewery on his anniversary after seeing the buzz, said the concept landed.

"I think it's hilarious. It obviously brought a lot of people out here. Tonight, it brought us out here," Jasper said.

Lorin Burgess said the charitable component made the purchase feel worthwhile.

"I don't mind that someone is making money off of it, and that it's going to the right causes versus somebody's pockets. So I like it, I'm going to get one," Burgess said.

One customer, Judy Power, said the name change hit close to home. She made it her goal this summer to swim in every Great Lake with her granddaughter.

"We just finished last weekend. We did a southern leg of Lake Ontario and Lake Erie, and then we did the northern loop. That was our HOMES tour, and now our HOMES tour is a SHAME tour, so it's really sad," Power said.

The back of the shirts read "Ontario Forever," and once they're made, staff members will be wearing them around the restaurant for a little while. Bargas reflected on why the brewery's original name carries meaning beyond just an acronym.

"I think the way they chose the organization and it goes back to being proud, blessed and lucky we are to be surrounded by so much clean water," Bargas said.

Lorin Burgess summed up the moment with a smile.

"There's kind of a delicious irony to it that I like," Burgess said.

The brewery says pre-orders are available through September 1st.

This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.

Waterford Township broke ground Wednesday on a new community center that officials and residents are calling a brand-new chapter for the community.

Watch Jolie Sherman's video report: New community center breaks ground in Waterford

The 56,628-square-foot facility will be built on the former Oakland Community College Highland Lakes Campus, which is expected to fully close in fall 2027. The 51-acre project is set to be completed in early 2028.

PREVIOUS STORY: Community helping decide future of OCC's Highland Lakes Campus Community helping decide future of OCC's Highland Lakes Campus

In November 2024, voters approved a 21-year, $36.4 million bond to fund the project, with support from a group called the Four Towns Citizens Action Team.

Township Supervisor Anthony Bartolotta said the facility will serve the entire region.

"It's going to be a beautiful facility for everybody. For Waterford, our neighbors, and beyond," Bartolotta said.

Waterford Township Parks and Recreation Director Allison Swanson said the project is about more than just a building.

"This is why today feels so meaningful. We aren't simply building a facility for today. We're building the future of Waterford Township," Swanson said.

Swanson also took a moment to recognize the community's role in making the project possible.

"Today, I want to say thank you for the voters who supported and believed in this project," Swanson said. "For those of us who work in Parks and Recreation, walls, rooms, or amenities, its about the people. The Waterford Community Center gives us a special opportunity to bring people of all ages and stages of life together under one roof.

The new center will feature a gymnasium, indoor pickleball, table tennis, and fitness classes. Outdoor amenities will include pickleball and basketball courts, a softball field, a courtyard, an amphitheater, outdoor restrooms, and a dog park. The facility will also offer a variety of programs focused on both mental and physical health.

Oakland Community College Chancellor Peter Provenzano said the transition reflects the college's evolving needs while keeping the property in service to the community.

"While we may no longer need the property, because over 50% of our classes are online, we're still looking for unique partnerships so that the property continues to give back to the community, the way it always has," Provenzano said.

Provenzano added that OCC will still have a presence on site through joint programming and at nearby Hess Hathaway Park.

Residents who voted for the project said they are eager for a dedicated space close to home.

"As a resident in Waterford, and as a member of Waterford's softball league and also a participant in pickleball, I'm excited to have a location here in Waterford, where we do not have to go outside the community to participate," Mark Smith said.

Voter Donald Swanson called the project an opportunity the township could not pass up.

"I think it's a great thing a deal we couldn't afford to pass up," Donald Swanson said.

Steve Og, a voter who supported the community center, said the effort to rally support was a community-wide push.

"We got about 150 lawn signs and got all the seniors out, not just for racket ball. But we wanted a place where seniors could hang out and not at one of those old elementary schools that are being refurbished all the time," Og said.

Waterford resident Joan Swanson said she is looking forward to leaving the old facility behind.

"It'll be nice to have a new facility and instead of going from the old CAI building, which is falling apart," Joan Swanson said.

This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.

The Somerset Collection in Troy is celebrating a major milestone 30 years since the north side opened its doors.

Watch Jolie Sherman's video report: Somerset Collection marks 30 years as a thriving retail destination in Troy

On Aug. 16, 1996, the 3-story north side expansion spanning 940,000 square feet opened across Big Beaver Road, connected to the original south side by a 700-foot glass skywalk.

Nathan Forbes, managing partner of The Forbes Company, which owns Somerset Collection, reflected on the anniversary.

"It's hard to believe it's been 30 years since we opened the combined Somerset Collection," Forbes said. "I was looking back and thinking about the history of the shopping center. When we opened on day one, the front page of the Detroit Free Press read 'Downtown Michigan,' and that's because this is the downtown shopping emporium for the entire region."

Forbes said 45% of the mall's stores are the only ones in the state of Michigan.

In an era when many malls have closed, and online shopping has reshaped retail, Somerset Collection continues to draw customers from across the region. Forbes credits the mall's success to striking the right balance between digital and physical retail.

"I really think it's finding that perfect matrix of e-commerce and brick-and-mortar," Forbes said. "So shoppers are looking for the ease of e-commerce, but they also want the best brick-and-mortar experience in the United States. This is a regional draw for so many people to satisfy their social needs, their shopping needs."

Longtime shopper Blake Restelli has been coming to Somerset for about 25 years and says the appeal goes beyond the stores.

"The food, the atmosphere. Very cool!" Restelli said.

First-time visitor Molly Spieca, a Grand Rapids resident, said she was struck by the family-friendly atmosphere during her visit.

"I was honestly just shocked by all the family presence around here. All the mommies and the strollers. I have a 16-month-old at home too, and I was like, gosh, I wish I had a place like this close by," Spieca said.

As for what's next, Forbes says the mall will continue to evolve.

"Well, listen, I think we're always modifying and updating. We are always wanting to bring the newest, freshest concepts to this retail emporium," Forbes said.

This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.

Construction is underway on Michigan Medicine's first Oakland County medical facility, a 220,000-square-foot building on the former Kmart headquarters site in Troy that will bring specialty care closer to tens of thousands of patients in the region.

Watch Jolie Sherman's report below Michigan Medicine's new Troy facility is 60% complete, expected to open in spring 2027

The four-story building, to be known as the Frances and Kenneth Eisenberg Troy Center for Specialty Care, is 60% complete and on track to open in late spring 2027.

Ron Henry, executive director of Facilities, Planning and Operations, said the project has drawn significant support from local workers.

"What's impressed us the most is how much the local construction trades have jumped in to be a part of this project. The men and women that are part of the everyday here total 225 people," Henry said.

The facility will focus on adult specialty services anchored by three major programs: a cancer center, reproductive healthcare, and sports medicine.

Angela Beck, Michigan Medicine's associate chief of nursing and operations officer, said the new campus fills a critical gap in the health system's regional presence.

"As you know, we don't have a clinical presence here in Oakland County - Michigan Medicine doesn't - so it's our opportunity to bring our reputation, our clinical quality, and our expertise closer to home for patients in and around Oakland County," Beck said.

Beck outlined the scope of services each program will provide.

"Reproductive health will be focused on infertility and fertility, not only for women, but also for men and our musculoskeletal and sports medicine care will be focused on joint replacement surgery sports medicine care, and our cancer services are comprehensive," Beck said.

Cancer care at the facility will include treatment for tumors and blood cancers, surgical oncology services, radiation therapy, and an infusion center.

Sustainability is also a priority in the building's design. Henry said half of the parking lot will feature solar carport structures capable of generating enough electricity to power the entire building on a sunny day.

"At Michigan Medicine, we practice green health. We are very keen to making sure our facilities reduce our carbon footprint," Henry said.

Residents near the 40-acre property, which sat vacant for decades after Kmart vacated the site, said they welcome the development.

Gary Shear, a Clawson resident and disabled Vietnam combat veteran, said the facility will benefit the broader community.

"I get all my health done at the veterans hospital in Ann Arbor, all U of M doctors, so getting U of M out here is great for the community," Shear said.

Laura Leslie, a Bloomfield Township resident, connected the project to the site's history.

"I remember Kmart corporation being there so I think the access we have to healthcare, the healthier we'll be," Leslie said.

In addition to the specialty care center, crews are set to begin construction Wednesday, August 11 on a 74,000-square-foot cardiovascular and imaging center across the facility, which is expected to open at the end of 2027.

This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.

Residents in a Taylor neighborhood had their garbage sitting out for nearly a week before it was finally collected.

Bob Trezona and his neighbors say trash is supposed to be collected every Monday. But when we spoke with Trezona on a Friday evening, the garbage was still sitting out.

Watch Jolie Sherman's video report below: Taylor residents waited nearly a week for trash pickup before 7 News Detroit got involved

"You know, we're taxpayers, and we'd like to make sure what we're paying taxes for and that some of the essentials are taken care of," Trezona said.

Trezona said he had been calling city hall every day this week trying to get answers. When asked what happened when he called the city, he told us:

"I actually talk to human people. They told me that they would write it up," Trezona said. "But at least somebody should go to the mayor and say hey, we've got a problem with our people in Taylor."

Fellow neighbor Don Seymour said the uncertainty has become routine.

"You never know if they're going to pick it up or not," Seymour said.

This is not the first time we've reported from this neighborhood. Earlier this month, neighbors said their recycling was not being picked up. On Friday, the problem was the trash.

"As you can see, there are five or 10 of them in the complex that need to be picked up and it's ridiculous," Trezona said.

Watch our report from earlier this month below: Priority Waste CEO responds to problems across SE Michigan, outlines future plan

This week, Priority Waste has said pickup has improved after a month of service, stating the company "achieved their first 100% collection completion rate across every community we serve." But residents say problems persist.

Not long after we contacted the city, Priority Waste came through the neighborhood and collected the trash something Seymour noticed right away.

"I got up to look and I said, that's a garbage truck out there!" Seymour said.

Watch our report from earlier this week when Priority Waste touted improvement below: Priority Waste CEO outlines progress 1 month after service recovery plan

Taylor Mayor Tim Woolley said he was never made aware of the residents' complaints and pledged to look into why their calls did not reach him.

"That's the one thing I'll have to look into. You know, there's a process, so I'm kind of shocked about it as well," Woolley said. "Now what I'll do is go back on Monday, find out where this was and say hey look, what was the reason for this? A down truck? Not making excuses for them... But Sunday to Friday is too long in my opinion. Absolutely. I agree with that," Woolley said.

As for whether Monday's pickup will happen on schedule, Trezona was not optimistic.

"There ain't no guarantees on that. We'll just wait and see," Trezona said.

This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.

A 16-year-old from Troy nearly lost $900 to a job scam after receiving an email that appeared to come from his school and now he's warning others about the red flags he missed.

"Of course, I needed a job, and it was through the school and I thought it would be valid," Jassal said.

Watch Jolie Sherman's video report below: Troy teen loses bank account access after falling for job scam disguised as school email

Jassal received the email in June about a part-time work-study opportunity. It included information about the position, schedule and compensation, and was signed "Sincerely, Bloomfield Hills Schools." While he thought it was odd the email came from a student account, it had a bloomfield.org domain.

"So, I thought that school email would be credible," Jassal said.

He filled out the application, providing his phone number, address and email. He received an email containing three checks for $500 each, which he was instructed to deposit. He was then told to send back $900 via Zelle. When the checks bounced, he realized something was wrong.

"Because of that, I was able to understand that this was a scam," Jassal said.

When asked about the job offer, Jassal mentioned $300 a week, but the actual email listed the wage as $299.99 per hour another red flag he didnt catch at the time.

While Jassal did not lose any money, his father, Jasvinder Singh, said the incident cost him access to his Bank of America account.

"They have actually closed that account and they're going to report the situation to checks systems and early warning systems, and he may not be able to open another bank account for the next five years," Singh said.

A new report from the Consumer Federation of America found Michigan residents lost $2.7 billion to online scams and crimes in 2025, up nearly 60% from the year before. The study also found that while the under-20 age group remains the smallest targeted demographic, experts saw a 198% increase in reported losses from 2024.

Sgt. John Julian of the Troy Police Department said knowing the warning signs before it's too late is critical.

"Scammers are going to prey on what you desire: money. You desire a big return on your investment, so they're going to prey on that. Trust is built slowly typically, but the scammers want to build trust quickly," Julian said.

Bloomfield Hills Schools said it was unaware of the incident and provided a statement.

"We recognize that phishing scams and other forms of cyber fraud continue to impact individuals and organizations across the country. We remain committed to educating students and staff about online safety encouraging everyone to verify unexpected emails or requests before taking action," the district said.

Jassal said he plans to stay vigilant going forward.

"I'm not proud of the fact that that happened, but now I know, anything financial, I'm running through him (dad), guaranteed," Jassal said.

It's important to note that while Jassal's school, International Academy East, is located in Troy, Bloomfield Hills is administratively tied to the school, so students have "bloomfield.org" emails.

This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.

Four months after a man crashed a pickup truck into Temple Israel in West Bloomfield, crews are working to rebuild the synagogue that was home to nearly 105 students and more than 50 teachers and staff members at the time of the attack.

Watch Jolie Sherman's video report: 4 months after attack, rabbi & director take us inside Temple Israel

The March 12 attack, which the FBI later characterized as a "Hezbollah-inspired act of terrorism," sent the community reeling. The perpetrator drove a truck loaded with fireworks through the building's entrance, causing extensive smoke, fire, and water damage throughout nearly the entire structure.

Rabbi Arianna Gordon and Early Childhood Director Rachel Levine offered an exclusive look inside the temple as restoration work continues.

"We're standing in the hallway right where the attack happened," Gordon said.

She pointed to where the truck entered the building and traveled deep into the structure.

"The truck came in through that entrance and made it all the way. You can kind of see where the brick juts out," Gordon said. "That couple inches of brick really saved the lives of all our children because the car got stuck there and wasnt able to get any further."

Levine was in her office when the perpetrator crashed through the doors.

"I remember thinking that the ceiling must have fallen in. That's the sound that it was," Levine said.

She recalled coming down the hallway moments after the attack.

"I came down this hallway a little bit and saw Danny, the head of our security, kind of on the ground in the crevice between this door," Levine said.

The damage extended far beyond the point of impact. Sprinklers activated throughout the building, and smoke spread to nearly every room including the main sanctuary, which once held just under 1,000 seats.

"In the days right after, this hallway really looked like a war zone. It was full of soot and fire and things melted off the walls," Gordon said.

"It really impacted the entire building because of the extensive smoke damage and water damage and sprinklers going off. Almost the entire building has had to be taken down to the studs," Gordon said.

Levine said walking through the building in the days after the attack was overwhelming.

"Walking through the halls a couple days after, I was actually with Rabbi Arianna, and I was physically ill. Literally, that was my reaction," Levine said.

Gordon, who has been a member and rabbi at Temple Israel for 15 years, said the broader public may not fully grasp the ongoing impact on the community.

Watch below: Teacher recalls keeping children safe during Temple Israel attack Teacher recalls keeping children safe during Temple Israel attack

"I think it's actually what most people don't realize is thank god no one was killed that day and so much of the world has moved on, but for us here at temple, we're still displaced, we're still not able to be here," Gordon said.

The full cost of repairs remains unclear. Temple Israel is still working with its insurance provider and plans on fund raising to cover uninsured losses.

"We are still working with insurance, but beyond the cost that insurance will cover, there's still quite a bit of uninsured losses that we're working to figure out and do fund raising for, and our security enhancement so we can really be the safest, more secure building that we can possibly be," Gordon said.

Watch below: FBI calls Temple Israel attack a 'Hezbollah-inspired act of terrorism' FBI calls Temple Israel attack a 'Hezbollah-inspired act of terrorism'

Despite the ongoing work, Gordon said her feelings about returning to the building have shifted.

"Usually when I came into the building it felt very devastating and traumatic to come in and I'm not at that point anymore," Gordon said.

She said the restored space will feel familiar to those who worshiped there before the attack.

"There definitely will be some features outside that look a little different, there will be some things inside that will look a little different. But in general, the bones are still the bones, and when they come into the sanctuary, it will look very much like the sanctuary that they left on March 11," Gordon said.

Levine echoed that sense of resilience.

"It feels very familiar. It's the same classrooms, it's the same size, but fresh and happy and renewed in a sense of like I said resilience. That's what I feel when I walk in is look at what we've done, and we're not going to let anyone stop us," Levine said.

Temple Israel expects to open its childcare center by the start of the school year. Details for holidays and social halls are still being worked out.

This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.