A 9/11 memorial in Pontiac brought together former and current first responders Friday to mark 25 years since the attacks including several Oakland County Sheriff's Office deputies who drove through the night to help at Ground Zero.

Ten officers from the Oakland County Sheriff's Office loaded a truck full of supplies and drove to New York in the hours after the attacks. Several of them gathered at the Pontiac memorial for a ceremony that included a 21-gun salute and a helicopter flyover.

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Oakland County first responders mark 25 years since 9/11

Retired Deputy Roger St. Jean was among those who responded.

"I feel fortunate that I was capable of doing something to help," St. Jean said.

St. Jean described the conditions at Ground Zero when they arrived.

"And somebody would lead you out to where they wanted you to dig, and we would dig by hand because you couldn't get a shovel or a tool in any place, any heavy equipment wasn't there yet," St. Jean said.

Deputy Thomas Poulin said the response from within the department was immediate and overwhelming.

"He wanted volunteers and everybody said, 'I'll go.' I mean, we're talking over 300 people in our union saying, 'We'll go,'" Poulin said.

For Poulin, the memory remains vivid.

"It's amazing how fast it went. I mean, we're watching everything and it's like seems like yesterday," Poulin said.

Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard reflected on the lasting toll the response took on those who went.

"Now we know how many kinds of particulates and asbestos and everything that was in the air. After that day, I've never heard one person that went say, 'I wish I didn't go.' Again that goes to the the heart and soul of the men and women that responded from all over this country, including the team from Oakland County," Bouchard said.

Thomas Quisenberry, who served as Oakland County Undersheriff at the time, said the magnitude of what they experienced took time to fully set in.

"It was big, but I never knew quite how big until later when we came back and had time to think about it because for that first week when we were working, you didn't think about it," Quisenberry said. "You were just doing your job, working and trying to help out the best way you can."

Friday marked the first time Quisenberry visited the 9/11 memorial in Oakland County, where his name appears on a plaque.

"That's the first time I've seen this monument. It's the first time I've stepped in here. I just didn't have the heart to want to come and address. Upstairs, all the emotions that have gone on," Quisenberry 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.

Detroit is investing $2.2 million to expand a free after-school program that provides busing to activities and enrichment opportunities for students across the city.

The GOAL Line program where "GOAL" stands for "Get On and Learn" is growing from 33 locations to 40, adding seven new sites where students can go after the school day ends.

WATCH VIDEO REPORT BY 7 NEWS DETROIT'S TONY GEFTOS BELOW: $2.2M program expansion to help Detroit kids

Sloan Gibson, whose 9-year-old son uses the program, said he is enthusiastic about what the expansion means for his child.

"I'm just excited for him," said Gibson.

Each day after classes, Gibson's son takes a bus to the Northwest Activity Center, where he can finish homework and use facilities like a recording studio.

"I just saw the studio that they put in here, um, I know he'll be eager to use that," added Gibson.

Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield announced the $2.2 million city investment at an event celebrating the expansion.

"So we are excited to be here together to make a historic investment in after-school programming for our young people today," said Mayor Sheffield.

The seven new locations include four recreation centers Helen Moore, Coleman Young, J.W. Williams and A.B. Ford and three libraries: Conely, Lincoln and Chaney.

Students in kindergarten through eighth grade in the Detroit Public Schools Community District, charter schools and homeschool programs are all eligible to participate in GOAL Line.

Dr. Ricky Fountain, executive director of the Community Education Commission, said the expansion marks a milestone for the program.

"Goal Line for the first time in its program history will have program locations in all seven districts in the city of Detroit," said Dr. Fountain.

Dr. Nikolai Vitti, superintendent of the Detroit Public Schools Community District, said the program gives students more than just a place to go.

"They can get to go to somewhere safe, uh, they get to go to somewhere where adults, uh, are engaging them, talking to them. They're a part of enrichment programming, athletics, they're moving around and staying healthy," explained Dr. Vitti.

Ralph Bland, CEO of New Paradigm for Education Charter Schools, said the program's impact extends beyond the students themselves.

"We're just not talking about childcare. We're talking about family stability. We're talking about public health, we're talking about parents that can go to work without worrying where their kids are -- after -- school," said Bland.

The expansion to seven new locations is expected to serve an additional 1,000 students across Detroit.

For information about the GOAL Line program and how to enroll, CLICK HERE.

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The family of a 70-year-old Royal Oak man is desperately searching for answers after he failed to return home from a solo hiking trip to Isle Royale National Park.

Craig Berg traveled to the Upper Peninsula for a solo trip to Isle Royale National Park nearly two weeks ago. He was supposed to return home this past weekend but never showed up. Family members believe he was last seen near Hatchet Lake in the remote national park.

WATCH VIDEO REPORT BY 7 NEWS DETROIT'S TONY GEFTOS BELOW:

Search continues for missing Royal Oak hiker at Isle Royale

His son, Evan Berg, said the last contact the family had with Craig was on Sept. 2. Evan describes his father as an avid hiker who set a goal of tackling Isle Royale this year.

"Last year he hiked Pictured Rocks, and this year he made it his uh, his goal to hike Isle Royale," Evan said.

Evan said his stepmother alerted the family when Craig did not come home as expected. Searchers initially focused on Rock Harbor, where Craig's hike was supposed to end, but have not located him there.

"They thought that maybe he made it to Rock Harbor on Saturday, the day before we reported him missing, but it wasn't for sure," Evan said.

Evan said rangers have since expanded their search deeper into the island.

"Searched pretty thoroughly around Rock Harbor, which was where his hike was supposed to end. They haven't found him. It sounds like I kind of spoke with...one of the rangers earlier today. Sounds like they're gonna start making their way more into the interior of the island and the other end of the island to do some more digging," Evan said.

He added that the remote and rugged terrain of Isle Royale has made the search especially challenging.

"They're spread pretty thin up there. I know it's a pretty remote national park. There's no horses, there's no motor vehicles; everything's by foot. I mean, it's what, 400 square miles of wilderness? That's a lot for a handful of people to try to search," Evan said.

The family has contacted multiple agencies in an effort to find Craig.

"I honestly, I don't know," Evan said. "We've spoken with the National Park Service, we've spoken with the different, you know, state police, Houghton police. We even called the Coast Guard, and the Coast Guard said they're aware of it," Evan said.

Craig's picture has been posted at every campsite on the island, and park staff is asking everyone entering or leaving Isle Royale if they have seen him.

"I know his picture's at every campsite and every area, and everybody who's entering the island is being told to look for him, and everybody who's leaving the island they ask if he's been seen," Evan said.

Despite the uncertainty, Evan said the family is holding on to hope.

"You know, we appreciate all the support that's been coming out on social media and from our friends and family... we're keeping up hope," Evan said.

The National Park Service said search operations on Isle Royale are ongoing.

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.

Victory Day, an event pairing kids with disabilities with high school athletes, is coming to Woodhaven this Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon.

The event brings together kids of varying abilities to spend time with high school football players, marching band members, and cheerleaders from more than 12 schools across the Downriver area.

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Victory Day unites kids of all abilities with Downriver athletes Saturday

Aaron Segedi, 51, a teacher in the Trenton School District, founded Victory Day in 2010 after facing his own battles with cancer and a liver transplant.

"The idea of giving back to our community, which was part of their wrapping their arms around me when I had my transplant and my cancer treatments, it was a way for me to give back now," Segedi said.

Segedi said Victory Day has since spread to high schools and universities across the country.

"This is their Superbowl. This is their moment in the sun where they can score a touchdown, be the star of the team, and that feeling that we as a community can give to these children and their families is immeasurable," Segedi said.

Student athletes from Trenton High School are among those who will take the field Saturday, and they say the day is as meaningful to them as it is to the kids they welcome.

"It's just a really good opportunity for these young kids, you know, to come out and experience what it's like to be out there on Friday night," junior football player Parker Saches said.

"I feel like it's a great experience for the kids, you know, being able to be in our shoes for a day and just having fun building connections," senior football player Chris Szczechowski said.

Junior football player Ben Strok said the event gives the broader community a chance to unite.

"For all the communities to come together and bond, making the day special for the kids," Strok said.

Cheerleaders are also a key part of the day.

"I just feel like it's a great day for like all the Downriver schools and all the communities to come together and let these kids have a chance to be a football player, become a cheerleader, and have that day where they can just be themselves," cheerleader Sydney Bialy said.

Cheerleader and High School Junior Adrianna Vitale said the significance of the event goes beyond the field.

"I know the meaning behind it is greater than anything that we've ever done here and I know it means a lot to him and it means a lot to the Down River schools and the community," Vitale said.

Registration for this Saturday's Victory Day is closed, but Segedi said he would love to see the stands filled with fans cheering on the athletes. Admission is a donation of a non-perishable food item. The event runs from 10 a.m. to noon in Woodhaven.

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Westland police have arrested a teenager's live-in boyfriend after 18-year-old Monica Rokita was shot and killed in what investigators are calling a case of domestic violence.

WATCH VIDEO REPORT BY TONY GEFTOS BELOW

Westland teen killed in domestic violence shooting

The shooting happened Sunday, September 6, 2026, at The Landings apartment complex in Westland, along the back of the complex near Hunter Avenue. Officers arrested Rokita's boyfriend, with whom she had been staying at the time of the shooting.

Close friends and family say they had concerns about the relationship Rokita had with the man, but never expected news of her death.

"It is horrible. My mom called me last night. And yeah, it was just horrible. I think I was in shock most of the night," Myah Moore, a friend of Rokita, said.

Moore said Rokita had recently reconnected with her boyfriend just days before the shooting.

"Yeah, yeah, I think they were separated, um, but they had recently reconnected a couple of days prior," Moore said.

Moore described Rokita as a sweet young woman with her whole life ahead of her.

"Only 18, just turned 18. Had a whole future ahead of her. It's a shame, she was such a sweet, sweet girl," Moore said.

Moore said the two had a rocky relationship and that warning signs were present.

"There's definitely some signs there, and it's unfortunate that. You know, nothing happened to prevent any of that," Moore said.

Moore's younger sister and Rokita were best friends.

"They were inseparable. They were each other's best friends. They went to homecoming together. They were, you know, they begged their teachers to be in each other's classes. She went on family trips with us. She was very special to our family," Moore said.

Moore said the loss has been devastating for both families.

"It's heartbreaking. We would have never imagined anything like this could have happened," Moore said.

"My heart breaks for my sister. I don't know how she's ever gonna get past this," Moore said.

Friends are now calling for justice for Rokita.

"She deserved so much more," Moore said.

If you would like to make a donation to help the family of Rokita pay for funderal expenses, CLICK HERE.

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Cleanup is underway on Belle Isle after a powerful storm tore through Detroit's island park Thursday afternoon, ripping trees in half, mangling rooftop sections of the Detroit Boat Club and tossing a boat into a tree.

The Belle Isle Conservancy put out a call for volunteers to help with the massive cleanup effort after trees the size of mature hardwoods uprooted entirely from the ground.

WATCH VIDEO REPORT FROM TONY GEFTOS BELOW:

Volunteers help clean up Belle Isle after powerful storm

Vicki Dobbins, who lives in River Rouge, said she was stunned by what she saw.

"I cannot believe what's going on on Belle Isle," Dobbins said.

After seeing the damage in person, Dobbins said she understood why the park needed as many people as possible to pitch in.

"If you don't do anything, but come and help clean up Belle Isle. This is our Belle Isle," Dobbins said.

Meagan Elliott, president and CEO of the Belle Isle Conservancy, said people began asking how they could help almost immediately after the storm hit Thursday afternoon.

"You know the loss of the mature trees is actually really devastating for us. We always say that Belle Isle's where Detroit comes to breathe and a great part of that is the natural respite," Elliott said.

Jonathan Teh was among those who showed up to volunteer.

"When I was leaving the island, I saw the amount of trees just completely uprooted and I thought it'd be a good opportunity to help give back to the place that I love," Teh said.

Sareen Papakhian, urban district park supervisor for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, said the buildings on the island are largely intact, though the aquarium had water coming through the skylight.

"So far, it appears that most of the structures here on the island are structurally intact. Mostly, it looks like tree damage, but there are a lot of downed trees here on the island so we do need help collecting branches and loose brush and things of this nature," Papakhian said.

Bill Lucas, a volunteer with the Detroit Mower Gang a group that spends its free time mowing grass around neglected playgrounds said he spotted an opportunity when he saw the conservancy's call for help.

"Saw the conservancy post that they wanted volunteers and I'm like wow that's a great thing to do," Lucas said.

Lucas brought a leaf blower to the island and coordinated with other volunteers working the area.

State DNR officials said the cleanup could take weeks, as crews work to carve up and haul away the massive downed trees.

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A storm knocked out power to homes and businesses across Redford Township, leaving residents and business owners dealing with downed power lines, electrical fires, and another day of lost revenue.

Heavy branches crashed down during the storm, some landing on power lines and disrupting lives across the township.

WATCH VIDEO BY REPORTER TONY GEFTOS BELOW

Storm knocks out power across Redford Township

Chuck Fox has lived in his home on Ivanhoe near Norborne for the past 25 years. Late Wednesday night, he watched as a storm started an electrical fire in the backyard next door.

"We looked out our back window, and there was a line, obviously down behind our neighbor's house here, and it was on fire all along there," Fox said. "The grass was on fire."

Redford Township firefighters arrived within minutes, making sure the flames did not spread. DTE line workers then spent the morning cleaning up and working to restore power.

On West Chicago, Celeste Kelley heard a large tree branch crash onto the roadway during the storm. Kelley, who has lived in the area for 30 years, calls the tree a problem and wants Wayne County to remove it entirely.

"Yeah, I did hear a little bloop," Kelley said. "Hopefully they will come cut it down at some point in time because, as you can see, it's leaning pretty much into the street. This is a consistent thing that the branches are falling every time there's a storm."

At Beech-Daly and Five Mile, Gjon Sinishtaj was once again firing up his gas-powered generator to keep the coolers running inside his restaurant, Redford Grill and Bar.

"It's been happening a lot in the last year," Sinishtaj said. "It gets a little difficult. I still have a family to feed. I still have bills to pay, and I have girls texting me all day today; they depend on coming to work cause it is the first month that rent is due."

"The whole business day is lost by the time I call all my staff in, and we get back to normal and re-organize everything, and I'm sure we have to throw some stuff away because obviously we didn't use it," Sinishtaj said.

Sinishtaj said he is still waiting for his insurance to cover losses from the last time that storms knocked out power to his restaurant two months ago.

"Actually, just July 4. We were out for eight days, and now we just got.....trying to get back to normal, and now this happens again and we still haven't got recovered from the eight days we lost back then," Sinishtaj said.

He is hoping to quickly bounce back from yet another storm and power outage that hurt his business.

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One of Detroit's most beloved pieces of history is welcoming visitors again. The S.S. Ste. Claire, one of the original vessels used to carry families to and from Boblo Island, has opened its lower deck as a floating museum at Riverside Marina, 150 St Jean, Detroit.

Built in 1910, the steamship survived a fire in 2018 and now offers timed tours featuring artifacts dating back to the early 1900s. The boat does not leave the dock, but visitors can walk the deck and explore a collection of souvenirs, pamphlets, and other historical items from the Boblo Island era.

WATCH VIDEO REPORT BY TONY GEFTOS BELOW

Boblo Boat reopens as floating museum

The amusement park the boat once served closed in 1993.

Stephen Faraj, who was put in charge of restoring the vessel after his brother-in-law purchased it, said the project is deeply personal.

"Oh, 100%. Absolutely it's personal. It was personal when my brother-in-law bought it. It's personal now," Faraj said.

The 2018 fire destroyed the top three decks. Faraj rebuilt them using metal rather than the original wood.

"It was a very sad loss, especially like the mahogany foyer and everything, but outside of the mahogany foyer it was 110-year-old wood. It was extremely dry. It was non-usable, and it needed to be replaced," Faraj said.

The upper decks are still not open to visitors, but the response to the lower deck opening has already been strong. Faraj said nearly 100 bookings came in shortly after the tours were announced.

"You know, reading the comments, that's our fuel, you know, that's what keeps us doing this," Faraj said.

Among the highlights on the lower deck is a fully intact piece of the ship's original machinery.

"This is a machine that raises and lowers the anchors. This machine is also 100% steam powered with no back up so this is gonna run on the same steam that this engine runs on," Faraj said.

All proceeds from tours go directly toward the ongoing restoration. Faraj said the next phase of work includes enclosing the front and back of the boat and adding railings to the second deck.

The S.S. Ste. Claire's sister ship is located in New York. Faraj said this one is staying in Detroit.

For information on tours and pricing, CLICK HERE.

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Toxic algal blooms that appear in Michigan lakes this time of year may pose health risks beyond touching or swallowing the algae researchers now say breathing it in could also be dangerous.

WATCH VIDEO REPORT FROM TONY GEFTOS BELOW

Toxic Lake Algae May Get Into Air

The bright green pond scum visible at Pontiac Lake is part of the cyanobacteria family of algae. Researchers have long warned against touching, swimming in, or ingesting it, but new evidence suggests airborne exposure may also be a concern.

Dr. Gregory Dick, director of the Great Lakes Center for Freshwaters and director of Human Health at the Cooperative Institute for Great Lakes Research at the University of Michigan, is among those studying the potential risks.

"Yeah, there's new, kind of emerging lines of evidence that have us more concerned or at least concerned in new ways about these toxic algae," Dick said.

Dick leads teams of researchers from the University of Michigan and the University of Toledo, collecting samples of toxic algae on Lake Erie. They are now also collecting air samples to better understand how toxins travel from the water into the surrounding environment.

"We need to get a handle on how much toxin is in the air, you know, what levels of toxin are a concern for people so that we can, again, take appropriate precautions," Dick said.

The concern is that cyanobacteria can become airborne and enter people's lungs.

"You know, we have some emerging evidence, I would say, that has us concerned about what those health risks are," Dick said.

The same type of harmful algae found in Lake Erie can also appear at Pontiac Lake, Dick confirmed.

Regular Pontiac Lake fisherman David Cantley said he tries to stay out of the water.

"I mean, it doesn't bother me. Like I said, I don't go in the water," Cantley said.

Some people at Pontiac Lake said the airborne risk makes sense to them.

Jeff McKenna, who avoids swimming in Pontiac Lake, said he was not surprised by the findings.

"I have a biology degree from U of M and I understand how that works. Our lungs are very moist, so it makes a lot of sense," McKenna said.

Others said they were not worried. Ben James, visiting from Arizona, said he felt protected regardless of the risk.

"I feel like God is protecting me, so anything that happens, I'm going to be protected," James said.

Dick said the most important precaution people can take right now is to stay out of the visible algae.

"Yeah, the real key is you want to keep yourself and your kids and your pets out of that green scum that's on the surface of the water. It can be quite dangerous," Dick said.

Dick plans to continue researching the potential effects of airborne algal toxins over the next 2 to 3 years. His team is also studying volunteers who have been exposed to toxic algae and tracking their symptoms.

"We have a lot to learn. We don't fully understand, you know, what the risks are and so that's why we're doing this research to try and understand, you know, how far from the lake is this toxin being transported? What are the concentrations of those toxins in the air? And just what are the risks to people?" Dick said.

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The entrance ramps to northbound and southbound I-75 from westbound I-696 are open again, marking a milestone in the $280 million reconstruction project along I-696.

The Michigan Department of Transportation announced the opening, which tens of thousands of drivers are expected to welcome after months of detours and longer commutes.

WATCH VIDEO REPORT FROM TONY GEFTOS BELOW:

Westbound I-696 ramps to I-75 now open

Dr. Anthony Sclafani, who works from his home in Huntington Woods, said he had been adding 10 to 15 minutes to his drives across town for the past year and a half because of the construction.

"You can't have it both ways. People say, oh, I want the roads fixed. Okay, but then we gotta close them to fix them," Sclafani said.

Jodi Rosen, who lives in Ferndale, said she also spent months navigating new routes around the construction.

"Definitely, it's gonna add anywhere between 10 and 15 minutes because you have to, like, go down here. Turn around. Sometimes you have to do, you know, Michigan U-turns, or you're not expecting to do them, or get off on this exit, turn around, go that way. It doesn't matter what direction we're going. We have to do some kind of detour," Rosen said.

Samantha Raj, who lives in Livonia and drives frequently for work, said the closure had been a significant inconvenience.

"A huge pain. I've had to take 8 Mile a lot, um, which isn't bad, but it just takes a lot longer, so it's not convenient at all for me to commute with traffic lights and congestion and all of the things, so I'm really excited that it's opening back up," Raj said.

Jack Zaya, owner of 696 Master Collision in Madison Heights a business named after the interstate under construction said the project took a toll on the surrounding area.

"Construction on the highway made everywhere busy here," Zaya said.

Zaya said the disruption affected workers and businesses throughout the area.

"It hurt everything. People going to work, businesses around this area, everything was hurt," Zaya said.

He said the congestion created by detoured traffic compounded the problem.

"So it's just making everything busy, of course. Everyone wants to get to where they wanted to, and there are becoming 1,000 cars in one area," Zaya said.

With the ramps now open, Zaya said he is ready to move on.

"Very happy. It's helping everybody now," Zaya said.

The project is not yet finished. Construction is expected to be officially completed by the end of 2026.

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A 63-year-old woman is recovering in the ICU after police say she was stabbed 12 times in a random attack at a Dollar Tree in Inkster earlier this week. Her daughter is now speaking out about her mother's condition and the family's fight for justice.

Phyllis Robinson was shopping at the Dollar Tree at Cherry Hill and Inkster Road Monday afternoon when police say another customer attacked her without provocation.

WATCH VIDEO REPORT FROM TONY GEFTOS BELOW:

Woman stabbed at Dollar Tree recovering

"30 minutes later somebody attacks her, a stranger that she, she didn't know him, she's just shopping at a store and somebody just walks up to her. There's no words for that," Robinson's daughter, Brittany Clark, said.

Clark says she was on the phone with her mother Monday afternoon, making plans for the evening. Not long afterward, she received a call from Inkster police.

"My heart just kinda like dropped. Because I - it's like a bad dream," Clark said.

Robinson, who is a social worker, was transported to the hospital and placed in an induced coma until she stabilized from her wounds.

"She has been stabbed on her side. Her stomach," Clark said.

Clark says she has been at the hospital every day since the attack.

"Every day I've been here, like every single day, um, I let her rest. I let her, you know, know that I'm here. I hold her hand. I cleaned her fingernails because she had, like, residue from blood under her nails," Clark said.

Inkster police arrested Stephen Ross, 22, immediately after the attack. Ross lives in a group home not far from the Dollar Tree. I reached out to workers at that home several times, but they have yet to comment. Ross is now facing felony charges of assault.

"It's unreal; it's unimaginable that somebody could be so evil to do that to somebody, like, it doesn't make sense to us," Clark said.

Robinson is now stabilized and is no longer in a coma, but remains in the ICU.

"But it's been hard; it's been really hard. We can't sleep; like, it's hard," Clark said.

Clark describes her mother as strong and says she will keep fighting.

"I am just focused on her. I don't, I don't care about anything else. I care about my mama being able to come home, whether we, whatever we have to do. I want her to be home," Clark said.

The family has an online donation drive set up to help pay for expenses. To visit that link, CLICK HERE.

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Redford Township trustees approved a new ordinance allowing residents to grow vegetable gardens in their front yards, a change set to take effect Sept. 14, 2026.

The proposal passed 4-3 at Tuesday's Board of Trustees meeting after a second reading, following months of debate over aesthetics, blight concerns, and enforcement.

WATCH VIDEO REPORT FROM TONY GEFTOS BELOW:

Redford Township Approves Front Yard Gardens

Ryan Bednarski, 34, helped draft the ordinance after his mother received a citation last summer when he set up a front yard garden at her home. Bednarski said the backyard is too shaded for a garden.

"It feels like I made a change. It feels like I won," Bednarski said.

Under the new rules, residents who want a front yard garden must obtain a permit, which the township supervisor says will likely be free. Gardens must meet specific criteria, including setbacks and size limits.

"You have to have those setbacks four feet from the neighbors, three feet from the sidewalk, three feet from your driveway, and then you can have vegetables, native pollinator plants, meadowscaping. If you're going to grow vegetables, it needs to be in a raised bed four-to-12 inches, and you can't exceed 4 feet in total height with the vegetable plants," Bednarski said.

Permits can also be revoked for noncompliance.

"If you don't fix it, they would actually revoke your registration. So that's another part of the vegetables you need to register it," Bednarski said.

Not everyone supported the change. Resident Chris Flowers raised concerns about blight.

"I'm worried what would happen, where would we draw the line if we were to encourage people to grow things on their front lawn. The problem would get even worse," Flowers said.

Redford Township Treasurer Lily Cavanagh, who voted against the ordinance, cited enforcement as her primary concern.

"One of my biggest concerns is enforcement. I repeat, beauty is in the eye of the beholder," Cavanagh said.

Resident Scott White also questioned how the rules would be applied in practice.

"What about tomato cages, stakes, fencing, netting, hoses, buckets?" White said.

Linsaya VanDeusen, who also helped lead the push for the ordinance, called the vote a step forward for township residents.

"This is what we call an agreement, which is what we do here in the township," VanDeusen said.

"I'm very excited for the opportunity and most importantly for the freedoms that are maintained. So giving our township residents the ability to optimize their capacity to grow on their property, that's very important to me as a soil advocate," VanDeusen said.

The ordinance also addresses holiday yard decorations. The township supervisor says decorations will soon only be allowed 60 days before or after a holiday. Under that rule, Halloween decorations still displayed this time next year would be in violation.

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Ed Sheeran surprised a small crowd at a Detroit sushi bar Wednesday night, stepping up to the karaoke mic and performing a duet with a fan just minutes before closing time.

Watch Tony Geftos' video report below: Ed Sheeran surprises Detroit karaoke bar with impromptu duet ahead of Ford Field concert

Kevin Reddy, a karaoke night regular at Sakazuki in Detroit's Book Tower, spotted Sheeran at Hiroki-San, the restaurant downstairs, and struck up a conversation.

"And so then towards the end of that conversation, I was like hey, you know, I did queue up 'Thinking Out Loud,' and he's like, 'let's do it.' And so he immediately was game and we walked up here and it was, I mean, probably only like six or seven people left because it was like 10:50 and they close at 11," Reddy said.

Naomi Scott, general manager of both Sakazuki and Hiroki-San, said her staff could hardly believe what was unfolding.

"They just were talking about what if he came up and he did his song for karaoke, and then little did they know, you know, he did," Scott said.

Scott said her team was elated as Sheeran performed for the handful of people still in the bar.

"It's just a once-in-a-lifetime experience for everyone, for the team, for all the guests, for all of our regulars that come every karaoke, every Wednesday," Scott said.

Tyler Hedley was in the bar and captured the moment on video. The clip has since racked up tens of thousands of likes on TikTok.

"I am the biggest fan. Like he's my all-time favorite. I stood right there and he was singing right there," Hedley said.

Hedley said he had hoped to get a little more out of the night.

"Maybe, I'll get to sing with him this time. That was what I really wanted," Hedley said.

Reddy said the impromptu performance was made even more memorable by how down-to-earth Sheeran was throughout the night.

"And just the fact that he was just so willing to get to know us and talk to us, just icing on the cake for sure," Reddy said.

Reddy said the two genuinely connected.

"I feel like at any point, he could have been like, you know, good to see you, have a good night, but he, I think it was just we built that rapport. I made him laugh, which is like crazy to say and then we had just a blast. I mean, you could see with the video, it was just an amazing, amazing time," Reddy said.

With Sheeran set to return to Detroit next Saturday for a concert at Ford Field, the staff at Sakazuki is hoping he stops by again maybe even for an encore.

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 Humane Society of Huron Valley is asking the public to adopt after 149 cats were rescued from hoarding situations across the region over the past two months. The shelter has waived adoption fees for adult cats to help free up space.

Four separate hoarding cases brought cats from homes in Manchester, Ypsilanti, Northville and Ann Arbor Township to the shelter, filling every available area including administrative offices.

Watch Tony Geftos' video report below: Humane Society of Huron Valley overwhelmed with cats after 4 hoarding cases

Wendy Welch, communications and marketing director at the Humane Society of Huron Valley, said the cases included both court-ordered rescues and voluntary surrenders.

"A number of them were hoarding cases and several of them were people who reached out to us, and we always really appreciate that when people are able to reach out to us, versus getting the authorities involved," Welch said.

Images from the rescue scenes show cats living in unsanitary conditions.

"There was one house that was deemed not suitable for either humans or animals," Welch said.

Landon Jackson, an animal care technician at the shelter, said the conditions the cats came from can cause lasting health problems.

"The fecal build-up, the urine. Over time, it creates a lot of ammonia in those atmospheres, and it can cause those cats to go blind," Jackson said.

Many of the rescued cats are unsocial and are being slowly introduced to human interaction as they decompress at the shelter.

"These guys are very unsocial. Right now, we're working with getting them used to people being around them," Jackson said.

Jackson said prospective adopters should be prepared for the adjustment period these animals may need.

"We're going to need those adopters to have a little bit of patience with these guys, especially with them coming from some pretty rough environments," Jackson said.

With 149 cats now occupying every corner of the building, Welch said the shelter urgently needs the community to step up.

"Right now, we have cats in all areas of our building, including the administrative offices. So, we would really appreciate it if people would step up to adopt," Welch said.

"Absolutely. Yeah, as you know, space is limited. We only have four walls here. Fortunately, we do have fosters who step up and help us with things, but we really need adopters at this point," Welch said.

The adoption fee waiver applies to adult cats. For more information on adopting, visit the Humane Society of Huron Valley's website.

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A new ordinance that would allow residents to grow vegetable gardens in their front yards passed its first hearing in Redford Township. The proposal came after a resident was cited last year for doing exactly that.

Watch Tony Geftos' video report below: Redford Township considers allowing vegetable gardens to grow in residential front yards

Ryan Bednarski, 34, moved his vegetable garden to the front yard of his mother's house in Redford Township because of limited sunlight in the backyard.

"I would garden in the back, and then I moved to the front yard because I don't have a lot of sun in the backyard," Bednarski said.

Within weeks, the family received a citation for violating a township ordinance prohibiting vegetable gardens in front yards. Bednarski said the current rules are overly restrictive.

"It doesn't even say you can have grass. It doesn't even allow for flowers. It's just decorative fencing, trees, shrubs and lighting," Bednarski said.

After receiving the citation, Bednarski collected signatures and petitioned township trustees to change the ordinance.

Across the street, neighbor Richard Fling won the 2025 Redford Township Best Yard Award a yard that includes wildflowers, a small pond and a vegetable garden. The key distinction: Fling's garden is technically located in his backyard, even though it runs along the sidewalk.

"Everything is in my backyard. It's not in the front yard as a obstruction," Fling said.

The proposed ordinance, which Bednarski helped create, passed its first hearing by a vote of 4 to 3. It would add 4-foot height restrictions, require raised beds and mandate a minimum of 10 feet of clear vision from driveways and sidewalks.

Redford Township Supervisor Pat McRae voted in favor of moving the ordinance forward.

"I think we're always looking for opportunities to try some things to make the township better for everybody," McRae said.

McRae acknowledged the need for clear boundaries around any new rules.

"You have to make sure that it's enforceable and it's not out of control," McRae said.

Lindsaya VanDeusen is also advocating for more front yard vegetable gardens. She said concerns about neighborhood appearance are driving opposition to the proposal.

"There's a lot of pushback because people are worried about blight," VanDeusen said.

VanDeusen sees the change as an opportunity for the community.

"I wholeheartedly believe that we are primed to be the doorway to the city and the city's beautiful. So, let's make it even more incredible with gardens," VanDeusen said.

Bednarski does not expect the change to dramatically alter the look of the township if the ordinance passes.

"I don't think there's going to be a rush to do it. I think people that already just have grass will continue to have grass. I think there's going to be maybe a handful of people that this applies to that really want to do it," Bednarski said.

The second hearing on the proposed ordinance is set for Aug. 25, 2026.

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A steady line of cars outside Womac Temple on Cherry Street in Inkster illustrates the food insecurity facing the community and the generosity of Metro Detroit viewers is helping address it.

Watch Tony Geftos' report below $90K raised by WXYZ donated to Forgotten Harvest to help fight food insecurity

Channel 7 teamed up with the Scripps Howard Fund, Cynthia and Edsel Ford, and generous viewers on Wednesday, July 22, to host a day of giving in support of Forgotten Harvest in Oak Park. The result: a check for $90,000, representing 270,000 meals.

Mike Murri, Regional Vice President and WXYZ-WMYD General Manager, presented the check to Forgotten Harvest President and CEO Adrian Lewis.

"Adrian on behalf of Channel 7, all the viewers in Metropolitan Detroit that opened up their hearts and wallets, the Scripps Howard Fund, our employees and the generosity of Cynthia and Edsel Ford, we're so proud to present you and the Forgotten Harvest team with a check for $90,000, 270,000 meals to help reduce hunger in our community. We're so grateful for the amazing work you do. Adrian, thank you," Murri said.

Murri reflected on the community response to the campaign.

"It really is incredible to see the outpouring of generosity from this community Detroiters always step up. We are so grateful. I just say thank you to the entire community," Murri said.

The funds help purchase food for drive-through pantries like the one at Womac Temple. Jai Simon, Director of Program Development at Womac Temple, said the need in the community is significant.

"A lot of people are without food. The food insecurities are unreal," Simon said.

Simon described what happens when the pantry goes without food.

"We went three weeks that we didn't have it and the phone was blew up the messages. My phone was blowing up my support that over there, her phone was blowing up. People just saying we need food," Simon said.

He said summer is often when the need is greatest.

"This is when you need it the most, and when kids are out of school, they need something to eat," Simon said.

Among those picking up food at the Womac Temple pantry was Linda, who was there for her grandchildren.

"I have my two grandsons that I take care of a lot and this really helps out. I'm a senior citizen. All I have is my Social Security. This is a blessing," Linda said.

Lewis said the support from Channel 7 viewers and the broader community reflects the organization's standing in Metro Detroit.

"The Detroit Free Press readers were able to vote on the best of the best of 2026 and in the category of best nonprofit, it was Forgotten Harvest, and again to know that their readers supported us in such a way that it just stood out that day," Lewis said.

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A Monroe bartender saved a 6-year-old boy who was choking inside the Mall of Monroe, and nearly two weeks later, the boy's tearful mother came back to thank him in person.

The incident happened Saturday, July 18, shortly after 4 p.m. Security cameras at Dirty Birdie, a sports bar with axe throwing and golf simulators, captured the moment.

Watch Tony Geftos' video report below: Bartender who saved 6-year-old boy choking at Mall of Monroe reunites with family

Oliver Webb, 6, had just eaten a peppermint he got at a nearby store when he began struggling to breathe. His older brother, Hudson Webb, 10, noticed first.

"I looked back and I see his face turning red, and I'm like, 'Oh, my God. He's choking.' And I didn't know what to do, so I just threw him over the chair," Hudson said.

Hudson said he learned a technique to help someone who is choking after watching a video. He began patting Oliver on the back but said it was not enough.

"I started patting him on the back, but I wasn't hard enough with the patting and then Devon came out and saved Oliver, and I'm super thankful," Hudson said.

Devon Forrest, the 27-year-old bartender and manager at Dirty Birdie, spotted Oliver struggling and calmly walked out to help. Forrest held Oliver over a garbage can until the peppermint became dislodged. Forrest said the owner of Dirty Birdie had paid for him to get CPR certified the month before the incident.

The boys' mother, Mandy Michael, had dropped off her two sons and several friends at the mall that day. She said she was not far away when Hudson called her.

"And he told me, 'Oliver choked and this guy from the Dirty Birdie saved him,'" Michael said.

Watch Tony Geftos' previous report about the incident below: Bartender saves choking boy at Mall of Monroe after spotting him in distress

Michael said she did not fully grasp what had happened until she saw the security video.

"And then, until I saw the video. I mean, to see it. I don't know. I don't know how it would've turned out had he not been here," Michael said.

Nearly two weeks after the incident, the boys returned to the mall with their mother to meet Forrest.

"I just want to say thank you so much," Michael said.

Forrest said seeing Oliver safe made the reunion meaningful.

"It feels good knowing that he's safe. Obviously, that was the number one concern at the time. Seeing him now, it's awesome," Forrest said.

Michael said she is grateful Forrest was in the right place at the right time and trained to act.

"You deserve everything. Like, this is my baby. Like, I'm a middle-aged mom and this is my baby. And if something would've happened to him, I always tell them, I'd never make it if something would happen to one of them. So, I can't thank you enough. Thank you doesn't cut it," Michael said.

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The City of Wayne has opened a new $1.2 million amphitheater at Goudy Park, replacing a longtime gazebo that hosted concerts in the round during summers past.

Watch Tony Geftos' video report: City of Wayne's new $1.2M amphitheater opens Wednesday for free summer concerts

Free concerts are scheduled Wednesday evenings at 7:30 through the end of August.

Mayor John Rhaesa said the project was fully grant-funded through federal, state, and county sources, with no cost to City of Wayne taxpayers.

"It's been great," Rhaesa said.

The renovation included an underground water reservoir and a pump house, which the Rotary Club of Wayne will use to sell T-shirts and beer during concert nights.

Trish Hampton of the Rotary Club of Wayne said the community has been eager for the amphitheater to open.

"People have been so excited to have this. We have been pushing for this for 2 years now. People have been calling and saying, 'When is this happening?'" Hampton said.

The Rotary Club worked alongside the City of Wayne and the Wayne Downtown Development Authority to bring the amphitheater to life.

Lori Goin, director of the Wayne Downtown Development Authority, said the concerts draw people to nearby businesses as well.

"Typically what happens the night of a concert, people will go over to the US 12, they'll have a bite to eat, then they'll come down here," Goin said.

Owners of the family-run Mike & Mona's U.S. 12 Bar & Grill said they are ready for the crowds the concerts are expected to bring.

John Goci, owner of Mike & Mona's U.S. 12 Bar & Grill, said anticipation has been building all season.

"The people've been waiting all year. This year's Cruisin' US 12, the talk of the town, was all about the upcoming concerts in Goudy Park," Goci said.

Rhaesa said the draw extends well beyond the city limits.

"People bike all the way from Farmington, and you're going 'What?'" Rhaesa said.

Free concerts at Goudy Park's new amphitheater begin with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 5:00 PM Wednesday, July 29, 2026, followed by a concert at 7:30 PM. Concerts will run Wednesday evenings through the end of August.

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The Gordie Howe International Bridge is now open, offering drivers and truckers a new way to cross between Detroit and Windsor with a process designed to be smoother than what came before.

Watch Tony Geftos' video report: Gordie Howe Bridge designed to look like 'slapshot', speed border crossing

Traveling southbound on I-75 through Detroit, drivers exit for the bridge and don't stop until they've crossed the Detroit River entirely. From there, it's a check with Canada Border Services Agency followed by a stop at the toll booth.

POV of crossing the Gordie Howe International Bridge during opening day

Among the first vehicles to cross opening day were tractor-trailers from the fleet of OnFreight Logistics, a shipping company with 200 employees and trucking operations on both sides of the border.

"We're excited at the opening and the opportunity that it's going to create for not only for Canada, but the US," OnFreight Logistics President Steven Ondejko said.

"We've got trucking operations on both sides, both in Canada and throughout the US as well," Fleet Manager Steven Ondejko Jr. said.

The company is a member of the Ontario Trucking Association and the Canadian Trucking Alliance. Stephen Laskowski serves as president and CEO of both organizations.

"36 US states rely on Canada as their largest trading partner, and that bridge over there, it's 10,000 trucks a day It's going to allow that trade to be more efficient, more productive. And what does that mean? More jobs in the United States and more jobs in Canada, and nobody loses with that," Laskowski said.

Beyond its capacity, the bridge was also designed with aesthetics in mind. Architect Erik Behrens, who designed the Gordie Howe International Bridge, said the structure was built to be visually striking.

"We articulated, also, the deck edge to make it slender and elegant. So, it's almost gravity-defying when you look at the bridge from a distance," Behrens said.

The columns also carry a subtle tribute to the bridge's namesake. Look closely, and they're shaped like the tops of hockey sticks.

"Gordie Howe is obviously Mr. Hockey and hockey is your game in this region, so we wanted to express his slapshot, which is sort of his signature slapshot, and, you know, is the most feared on the ice, and when you look at the curvature of the tower legs, we actually worked quite hard on making that reflected," Behrens said.

The bridge is also set to light up at night with what Behrens described as elegant all-white lights capable of animated sequencing.

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