With the Sugar Bowl postponed until Thursday in the wake of the deadly attack in New Orleans, all hands are on deck to learn more about those behind the attacks.

Agencies are also working to make sure appropriate security is in place to keep crowds safe for next week's games, the NFL games and more. That goes for the pivotal Lions vs. Vikings game on Sunday night at Ford Field.

If you've ever been to Ford FIeld, you know how packed the streets can get outside of the entrances before kickoff. That's why they have barricades in the street and huge concrete blocks on the sidewalk to make sure what happened in New Orleans doesn't happen here.

In light of recent events, security experts say they'll be heightened awareness heading into the big game.

"It's always pretty crowded," Tiana Keaton said. "I've seen the barricades normally all over the place making sure no one runs everyone over when people are walking."

Those barricades to protect fans have been in place long before the New Year's Day attack in New Orleans where a truck drove through large crowds on Bourbon St.  killing more than a dozen people and injured more than 30 in an act of terrorism.

"This is going to be a full court press by every law enforcement agency working on this case," Andy Bartnowak, a retired Detroit FBI Supervisory Special Agent, said.

Barnowak said right now, investigators are hard at work, digging into the suspect and his associates.

Was this just the lone target or were they looking at other targets? And if so, are there still other people out there planning those targets, I think thats really going to be the focus of their investigation right now and the clocks ticking right? We got a game tomorrow, we got bowl games coming up next week, NFL games this weekend," he said.

No NFL game is bigger this weekend than the Lions vs. Vikings. Bartnowak doesn't expect any change in procedure, but says you could see a larger police presence and potentially larger barriers to prevent tragedy from striking again.

"Every stadium across the county and every special event around the country happening in the next week and months is going to be aware of that and is probably going to take extra precaution," he said.

I wouldn't really say it would change my thoughts about downtown. Theyre normally pretty good with keeping everyone safe and the police especially they're always around if you need them as well," Keaton added.

Where Your Voice Matters

A man armed with knives and threatening employees at a 7-11 in Warren is facing multiple felonies after a tense arrest that was caught on camera.

46-year-old Brian Steele first drove his car into the 7-11 at 12 Mile and Schoenherr before brandishing the weapons. Police say without the work of responding officers, the situation couldve been much worse.

It happened just minutes before midnight on Friday, December 27.

This had all the ingredients for a different outcome, said Lt. John Gajewski with the Warren Police Department.

Lt. Gajewski says the man had driven his car into the building and began to threaten employees, who had locked themselves in a back room. Officers found him outside when they arrived.

As soon as they get out of the car, they see the suspect armed with two knives, squaring off with them, ignoring repeated verbal commands to drop the weapons. Intensity couldn't be higher," said Lt. Gajewski. We train for situations like these. We emphasize de-escalation; we train on our less lethal tools, we train on tactics and communication.

We showed the video to a number of customers who saw the now boarded-up window but had no idea how it happened.

POLICE VIDEO: Man wielding knife at Warren 7-11 tased, arrested POLICE VIDEO: Man wielding knife at Warren 7-11 tased, arrested

A knife? That's insane, thats scary, said Katrina Frazier from Inkster.

I'm shocked, actually," said Darian Hall of Warren. "The police have a heavy presence around here.

After a brief standoff, officers tased the man, who fell to the ground and was placed under arrest.

Police recovered the knives and say the suspect has a history of violent crimes and mental illness. He was also on parole, and alcohol is believed to be involved.

This is somebody who has a violent and dangerous criminal history," Lt. Gajewski said. "Previous convictions for everything from home invasion to larceny to sex offenses.

I'm glad everybody is okay," said Hall. "I talk to these employees all the time, I'm here every other day.

It's only women that work here most of the time, two young women, so thats scary," Frazier said. "I'm glad he didn't get behind the counter and injure them or something.

Steele has been arraigned on multiple felony charges that could land him up to life in prison. He was given a $250,000 cash or surety bond and is due back in court on January 7.

With metro Detroit families traveling for the holidays, Police are putting out a warning that theft groups from South America are still active in Michigan, targeting high-end homes for cash, jewelry, and more.

As recent as this month, the transnational gangs have been targeting high-end homes across metro Detroit, responsible for at least 8 break-ins in Oakland County in a 7-day span.

PREVIOUS REPORT: Transnational gangs hit Oakland County again, 8 high-end homes burglarized in 7 days Transnational gangs hit Oakland County again, 8 high-end homes burglarized in 7 days

"It's just scary," said Greg Williams of Bloomfield Township. "We have an alarm system; we always have it on, and we always lock our doors.

It's an uneasy feeling knowing that you have to make sure your doors are locked when you go to bed and leaving throughout the day, that you might come back and your stuff not be there, said Autumn Brandon of West Bloomfield.

With Oakland County residents already on alert, police are also encouraging vigilance as families travel for the holidays, leaving their homes unattended.

Keep lights on, arm your alarm, make sure all your windows and doors are locked before you leave. If you have a trusted neighbor, let them know youll be out of town so they can look for any suspicious activity, said Officer Nick Soley with the Bloomfield Township Police Department.

Officer Soley says this time of year one of the most common calls for officers on day shift in Bloomfield is to check on homes.

We do offer a program called the vacation house watch, Soley said. "We come out while youre gone, well walk around the house, we get out of our cars, we check the windows, check the locks, we make sure everything looks okay, and we actually make note and log it into a document that we came out.

While its been months since Bloomfield Township has had a confirmed case linked to the transnational gangs, Soley says the groups are still operating in the area, making it even more important this holiday season to be alert.

PREVIOUS REPORT: Town Hall in Bloomfield Hills discusses South American gangs, home break-ins Town Hall in Bloomfield Hills discusses South American gangs, home break-ins

Were just doing our best to keep an eye out. We are upping our extra patrols every time we hear of another one in target-rich environments, but theres no real rhyme or reason, said Soley. It's extremely frustrating. It's frustrating as we don't know exactly how many groups there are. We know theres multiple groups; we know they're from all the way east and all the way west in this country.

We're not going out of town for the holidays, but we definitely have our alarm system in, and we put in motion detectors, said Williams.

I don't announce if I'm going out of town, but I do have a select few list of neighbors that I will let know," said Brandon. "I think everyone just has to be extra diligent about making sure their stuff is locked up and they're looking out for their neighbors and looking out for themselves.

Another tip from police: if you are out of town, program your local police department's non-emergency number into your phone. That way, if you get an alert from your alarm at home, you can call them directly. Calling 911 from your cell phone will instead connect you to local dispatch in the area you're calling from.

A man in Ann Arbor suffered burns to his hands after an electric longboard caught fire inside his home on Friday morning.

The department said firefighters arrived to the scene on Pontiac Trail near Swift Street around 7 a.m. and found the lithium-ion battery scooter on fire in the front yard. The Ann Arbor Fire Department originally called it a scooter in a Facebook post Friday, but the owner, Jonethan James, clarified to us that is was an electric longboard.

James was woken up by smoke detectors inside his home to find his longboard burning just inside the front door. He grabbed the burning scooter and threw it outside.

James suffered minor burns and smoke inhalation but refused transport to the hospital.

The scorched wall inside the apartment and the charred remains is whats left of James' electric longboard that randomly burst into flames. After the smoke detector woke him up, he said he saw an orange glow coming from his main floor.

I was just hitting the board to put out the fire and it was working for a second until it reignited," James said while showing a blanket he used to attempt to snuff out the flames. "I was like, this is not something I'm going to be able to handle.

James then picked up the burning board and threw it outside. The lithium-ion battery wasnt plugged in, wasnt wet, wasnt cheap and was only two months old. James rides the board to work most days but said it wasnt turning on the day prior.

James also said the fire coming from the battery was no joke.

It's literally a rocket that takes off," Ann Arbor Fire Chief Mike Kennedy said. "It's an explosive flame that is like a mini jet engine that shoots out of these batteries. And they go into what's called thermal runaways where one will go off and then its a whole series that really can't be stopped at that point until they run out.

Kennedy says they responded to the apartment, and from lawnmowers to power tools, its not their first battery fire.

Unfortunately, we have seen quite a few of these," Kennedy said. "This is our sixth one this year in the city of Ann Arbor by itself of some sort of lithium-ion battery.

The fire department strongly warns people not to store lithium-ion batteries near exits, and in this case, the front door was James' only way out. They also point to the working smoke alarm that saved him.

There was no smoke, there was nothing, just the smoke alarm that woke me up, James said.

While James suffered minor burns on his hands, besides the damage and lingering smell, tragedy was avoided.

Had this been someone who wasn't as able or wasn't able to have the wherewithal that he did to grab it and throw it in the front yard, this would have been a lot different, Kennedy said. "It was brand new, he took good care of it, it wasn't being charged, he was doing everything right. So the fact this thing failed the way it did is concerning.

Really hoping they send me a replacement. That would be my ideal situation," James said.

The fire department is warning the public that anytime a lithium-ion battery device is not working correctly, it should be left outside and at least 10 feet from a structure.

They listed these warning signs for devices:

Pungent odors Discoloration, blistering, bulging, or swelling of the casing Leaking electrolyte Heating up and feeling extremely hot to touch Abnormal popping, hissing or crackling sounds, smoke and fumes Never touch a swollen or ruptured device or battery with bare hands as the heat and/or chemicals can cause severe burns. Use a tool such as shovel or dust pan.

If a small battery or device starts overheating or is swollen:

Unplug it from the power outlet if it is on charge Avoid inhaling any smoke or fumes If possible, remove it to an outside area away from any combustible material and away from windows or doorways. It is recommended to leave it outside for at least 24-hours

A rush hour road rage shooting left a man in critical condition after he was shot in the head on the west side of Detroit near the intersection of Joy Road and Schaefer Highway.

According to sources, the 30-year-old suspect is now in custody after he turned himself in to Detroit police at the 2nd Precinct. The full circumstances are still unknown.

"In the moment this happened, I was working and I just heard one shot, said Marcos Dubon, who works at a collision shop nearby. "I hear the shot and come out, the body's already in the street. I don't know how it happened."

According to police, the shooting is a case of alleged road rage. Sources told us a man in a red Toyota Camry got out of his car to confront another driver. A few seconds later, that other driver shot him in the head.

A gun was found near the Camry, and police were seen swabbing it for evidence.

Police stayed late into the evening collecting evidence and animal control removed a dog from the car. Witnesses saw the victim lying on the ground and police say he was taken to the hospital. At last check, he remained in critical condition.

There was another guy holding his hand, took off his shirt, he was a nurse," said Ahmad Aoun, who also works at the collision shop. "Because it was cold out, he threw the stuff on there for him and he was trying to keep him warm because the guy was shaking on the floor... I hope hes still alive doing well.

The cost to heat your home in Southeast Michigan could be going up, with Consumers Energy requesting a rate hike for natural gas next year.

The plans submitted to the state of Michigan this week request an additional $248 million from customers, which could cost the average household roughly $117 more per year.

Consumers Energy spokesperson Brian Wheeler talks more about the request in the video player below: Consumers Energy spokesperson talks about request of natural gas rate increase

Consumers has 1.8 million natural gas customers in the state, more than half of which are in Southeast Michigan.

It's just frustrating having to deal with the bills coming on," Consumers customer Matthew Inskeep of Clinton Township said. "The cost of living has just been going up and up and up and up.

It's ridiculous. Its high enough," another Consumers customer, Carey Mcdaniel from Southfield, said. "Food, everything is going up. When are we going to get a break?

Consumers says the additional $248 million will be spent to replace 10,000 old service lines, reduce the risk of leaks and install remote controlled valves throughout the system.

We really try our best to make sure that were making improvements to make the system strong, dependable and safe, Consumers Energy spokesperson Brian Wheeler said. We talk about a safe and reliable system, but we also have to make it affordable for the people who count on us.

Related video: 'A flat-out money grab.' DTE customer outraged over cost of new gas meter for generator 'A flat-out money grab.' DTE customer outraged over cost of new gas meter for generator

Wheeler says the company tries to keep their increases to inflation or less and says the total cost for customers would still be under $3 per day after the increase. The rate hike wouldnt take effect until October of 2025.

We at Consumers Energy are acutely sensitive to the impact on our customers and were trying to be as reasonable as we can to make sure we have a 21st Century systems at a rate people can afford, Wheeler said.

However, customers still aren't happy to hear of the increase.

In one sense, I understand it, but in the other sense, its just sort of the cost of doing business and making sure your product can meet the standards of what we need, Inskeep said. "As a business owner myself, sometimes, we have to eat those costs and it's unfortunate when you have to pass that on to the consumer.

The request still has to be approved by the Michigan Public Services Commission, which will hold a public hearing on the increase soon, but a date has not yet been set.

Its a Thursday night out in Windsor and like most bars along the border, shelves at Leftys on the O are stocked with both Canadian and American alcohol.

The bar's owner Jim Arbour learned Thursday about a potential ban on the sale of American-made alcohol in Ontario.

It doesn't really worry me because a lot of our alcohol products are bottled in Canada or Europe, so I can't see it affecting us a ton, Arbour said. "We're gonna have some American ones like Jim Beam, Jack Daniels. We'll just have to see how it goes when they do that.

While many American beer brands sold in Canada are also bottled in Canada, bourbon like Woodford Reserve, Jack Daniels and Jim Beam come from the U.S.

Around the corner, the owner of Eastwoods Bar and Grill estimates 30% of the alcohol he sells is American made.

It will be detrimental to our industry for sure, Eastwood's owner Duane Chouinerd said. "We'd have to cross that bridge when we get to it or I'd have to stockpile it just before that just so I'm not running out.

The threat from Ontarios Premier Doug Ford comes in response to President-elect Donald Trump's promise of sweeping tariffs on Canada including a 25% tax on all imports from Canada.

If he comes out and says he's gonna tariff everything, that's a big problem," Ford said during a press conference. "It's a big problem for Canadians, it's a big problem for Americans as well.

Related video: 'The effect will be immediate': Auto expert on Donald Trump's proposed tariffs 'The effect will be immediate': Auto expert on Donald Trump's proposed tariffs

In addition to banning the sale of U.S.-made alcohol in Ontario, Ford also threatened to cut off electricity sent to states like Michigan. He says doing so would make electricity unaffordable for Americans. Ontario is known to power about 1.5 million U.S. homes, but DTE did not have a comment Thursday evening on how this would impact its customers.

I don't want this to happen, but my No. 1 job is to protect Ontario," Ford said. "We will go to the full extent depending how far this goes."

Related video: Auto analyst weighs in on Trump's proposed tariffs Extended interview: Auto analyst weighs in on Trump's proposed tariffs

Those enjoying their night out are also reacting to the potential trade war.

A little disappointed that I might see the banning of my favorite shots to take, but we'll get around it, Starr Meloche of Windsor said. More than the specifics of like oh no, I won't be able to drink Jack Daniels, I think about what are the wider implications and whats going to follow suit and if we start with tariffs on alcohol, what other industries are going to be affected?

While the threat of tariffs and restrictions are so far just talk, Ford believes its real.

We need to be ready to fight. This fight is coming 100% on January the 20th or January 21st, Ford said. We will use every tool in our toolbox to fight back. We can't just sit back and rollover. We can't. We can't as a country.

Ahead of a Wednesday night board meeting, Ann Arbor teachers marched outside for 30 minutes demanding better pay and benefits.

Tamala Bell is a fourth grade teacher and vice president of the Ann Arbor Education Association. She says teachers are struggling, with some leaving for nearby districts that offer better pay.

"We're bringing everybody out here tonight in order to protest the rising costs of our health care and how it is unfair and inequitable, Bell said. "One of the things were hearing directly from members are the number of members that have to take on two, three, even four jobs.

With their current contract up at the end of next year, teachers wanted to make their demands clear. They moved their rally inside as the meeting was set to start.

As chanting teachers filled the room over capacity, the school board delayed the meeting for almost 45 minutes. Then one by one, teachers and supporters offered public comment.

After 13 years of pay freezes, half steps and broken promises, I'm at a breaking point and you can see that we all are, one teacher on the microphone said.

"I have spent my entire prime earning years watch my salary flatline," another teacher said. "You cannot ask us to keep biting the bullet.

We're subsidizing a lot of the other groups in the Ann Arbor Public Schools," AAEA President Fred Klein said. "They pay a lot of lower rates than we do, so our high costs subsidize their low costs, and we need that to change.

The union says right now, the health care issue is top of mind, saying theyll be paying double the out-of-pocket expenses they used to as teachers pay the brunt of the plans increase.

Hear more from teachers in our October report below: Ann Arbor public school teachers voicing concern over rising healthcare costs

It's not good for students to have teachers who are overworked or they are fatigued because theyve worked a second or third job, Bell said. In order for us to be able to do the best for our students each and every day, we have to be taken care of as well.

A representative from the school district said they are currently in the middle of collective bargaining and hope to reach a resolution soon.

A Rochester Hills couple is thankful to be alive after escaping a house fire late last month.

The couple was trapped in an upstairs bedroom with no escape, until a firefighter who was off duty just happened to be driving by.

The timing was just odd," Lt. Chris Ogg with the Rochester Hills Fire Department said. "The right place at the right time for sure.

Ogg was off duty in his own car driving down John R near Avon roads when a home caught his eye.

As I was driving, I saw smoke coming from a window and then realized I could see two people in the window with smoke coming out of it, Ogg said.

What Ogg saw was a couple trapped upstairs who had no way out. The lieutenant, with his gear still at the station, pulled over to help. He found a ladder next to the house and propped it up to the window, giving them an exit.

In a matter of minutes, they were out before the firetruck arrived.

Our first truck was on scene within four minutes," Ogg said. "I look back at it and I don't know that they would have had four minutes in that window with the amount of smoke and everything pushing out.

Ogg says it wasnt just him who saved the day; the couple inside did everything right.

Having working smoke detectors. The fact that those went off, that woke them up and let them know there was a problem. Once they got to the door and realized there was an issue, them closing the door, that bought them the extra time they needed in order to get rescued. And also getting to the window and making attention. No matter how loud you have to get, whatever you got to do to make noise, let them know something is going on, so you can get the right people on the way, Ogg said.

In his 11-year career as a firefighter, this was Oggs first ever rescue. For the couple he saved, its one theyll never forget. They are still recovering and declined to interview just yet but had a message they wanted to share.

"My family and I are forever grateful for Lt. Ogg and his heroic and decisive actions. In a moment of immense stress, he did not hesitate and because of his bravery, I am able to kiss my children goodnight," the woman said in a text message.

"Thats pretty cool, Ogg said. "Its not very often on the job you get a rescue in a situation like that, but being off the job and getting it is even more mind boggling.

It's that time of year again for drivers across metro Detroit. On a night of winter weather, theres a simple question with different answers.

So when you see snow in the forecast, what do you see?" I asked metro Detroit drivers.

"Anxiety," Leah Graze of Livonia said. "The thought of driving in the winter, it scares me.

Related video: How to prepare your vehicle to keep the roads safe How to prepare your vehicle for winter driving

Inconvenience, Kelvin Ambers of Detroit said.

Good question; I see money," said Oneil Colley, owner of Ravendale Lanscaping. "Every snowflake is dollars!

Colley named his company after the east side Detroit neighborhood he grew up in. He may be one of the few drivers behind the wheel Wednesday actually excited for the snow, especially after last winter.

We didn't have that much snow last winter. It was kind of tough," Colley said. "I went through a lot last winter.

He and his two other drivers will be out all night Wednesday salting parking lots and driveways for customers and are ready to plow if needed.

County road commissions will also be out trying to prevent a repeat of last Friday, when slick roads shut down two major freeways. Wayne County will be using their new salt dome in Plymouth for the first time and Oakland County says theyll be spraying roads with a liquid brine.

Take a closer look at how road crews are preparing for snowfall in the video player below: How Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb county road teams are preparing for snow

Particularly, the ramps and overpasses on the freeways," said Criag Bryson with the Oakland County Road Commission. "That delays the formation of ice.

While not every driver wants to be out on nights like Wednesday, some have to be and say it's best to use common sense behind the wheel.

I take my time, I give myself enough time, I leave early, Graze said.

I just try to go slow, but you just got to watch for everyone around you, Lindsay Vancamp of Livonia said.

Inside an event space in Eastern Market, the Michigan Department of Transportation held its seventh community meeting on the project to remove I-375 and put in place a street-level road with traffic lights from Gratiot Avenue to Atwater Street.

The project likely wouldn't be completed for a few years, but it's been in the works for a long time. However, there's still a lot MDOT is working to figure out.

We're committed to building the boulevard and we're committed to the project," MDOT spokesperson Rob Morosi said. "But in terms of final design, were not close. In terms of how the property will be developed, we're not there. We're not close yet.

Beverly Kindle-Walker went to the meeting to giver her input. She lives near I-375 and says she relies on the freeway, which is a major route into downtown Detroit.

"It's going to be a major inconvenience for years to come, and it's not necessary, Kindle-Walker said of the project. "This is the Motor City, right? So to change that into a boulevard for whose benefit? It's not ours.

Hear what people had to say ahead of the meeting in the video player below: MDOT holding meeting tonight on the I-375 Reconnecting Communities project

Yanni Dionisopoulos is a business owner in Greektown who also attended the meeting with concerns about the project.

"The majority of people coming to downtown and Greektown use that Lafayette exit off of 375, Dionisopoulos said. "We're all about development, we're all about moving forward, but I don't see the moving forward as a small business right now no matter what MDOT or anyone else says.

There's some people that are concerned about this project, but we're working with them," Morosi said. "We continue to meet with people who have expressed concerns and we feel that we're making progress and that they have a better understanding of what we want to achieve.

MDOT says the boulevard will help connect downtown neighborhoods, making them more accessible. It also would clear roughly 30 acres of land. During the meeting, MDOT wanted to hear from residents about what they want to see in the space.

"That's a big swath of land in a downtown area and that's what removing the freeway and replacing it with a street-level boulevard will do, Morosi said.

Jazlyn Anderson is with Black Bottom Archives, which shares the history of the once-thriving majority Black neighborhood destroyed in the 1960s to build the freeway.

I hope to see thriving Black businesses, a way that people can work and live in their city," Anderson said. "Instead of people just working downtown or having to go to the outskirts of downtown and vice versa, I want to see a thriving community.

Another goal of the project is to incorporate the history of neighborhoods like Black Bottom that were destroyed to build the freeway.

Kindle-Walker says she herself grew up in Black Bottom. She feels instead of incorporating the history, the project is repeating history.

"There is no reconnection. This is a pipe dream, and its going to disenfranchise a lot of people today, Kindle-Walker said. "You're going to affect the people who live there right now and then they'll go through the same sorrow that my family went through when we had to leave in 1960s.

MDOT says public comments can still be submitted via an online comment form, email or by phone at 855-375-MDOT (6368).

A Warren library is now closing in the middle of the day due to fighting among teenagers.

The Warren Public Library Dorothy Busch branch will be closed for nearly two hours every afternoon on school days, which is a decision prompted by concerns from police and library staff over fights among teens.

Warren police say recently, they have been called to the library nearly every week for disturbances and fights, mostly involving students from Fitzgerald High School across the street.

That's just too bad," nearby resident Marlene Dubiel said. "I hate to see it closed like that.

I think it's terrible," another library patron Christine Grippi said. "Those are prime hours when students who really want to utilize the library should have access to it.

Grippi says she has been coming to the library for years.

This library is very important to me. It's been a staple in my family. I'd like to take my grandson here, but I don't, Grippi said.

The last time she says she brought her 2-year-old grandson, she had to leave after rowdy teenagers took over the kids area.

I've seen fights outside the window at the library where kids are scuffling and pushing each other, getting rowdy outside the library, Grippi said. I don't take my grandson here for that very reason because I'm afraid a fight might break out.

It's for that reason that the library is now closing its doors every school day from 2:15 p.m. to 4 p.m. after a decision by the Warren Library Commission.

What we've been seeing over the last couple weeks is fights of up to 20 kids, and that just puts everyone in a very unsafe situation, said city of Warren Treasurer and Library Commission Trustee Lorie Barnwell. We want to work with students, we want them to feel welcome at the library but not at the expense of other peoples safety.

Barnwell says Warren police have been called to the library more than 100 times this year for high school kids fighting. While mostly outside in the parking lot, they have also happened inside and Barnwell says police are concerned the larger brawls could spill inside the library as weather gets colder.

Both Barnwell and the police department are calling on the Fitzgerald Public Schools district to do more. In part of a statement, the police department said:

"The Warren Police Department has engaged with the Fitzgerald School District to explore comprehensive solutions to this community issue. The Fitzgerald School District was initially cooperative however lately, the Superintendent has been unwilling to sit down with the Police Department and other stakeholders to discuss this issue. It is important for residents and parents to realize that the Fitzgerald School District is the only district in Warren that lacks a door-to-door enforcement policy for student conduct. This means that the district does not impose a school-based disciplinary action for inappropriate behavior that occurs after school hours, even with the behavior takes place right across the street from the school! Despite being made aware of the negative consequences of this policy, the District has thus far been unwilling to reconsider its stance on this policy."

In response, Fitzgerald Public Schools Superintendent Hollie Stange sent 7 News Detroit a statement:

"Fitzgerald Public Schools prides itself in working with the greater community to provide a safe and orderly environment for its students to learn. To that end, we carefully monitor our students actions within school during school hours and at school activities and hold them accountable to a carefully-drafted set of expectations. In circumstances where conduct occurs after school hours or off school property, the School District carefully reviews the facts of the situation. In those instances where there is a connection between the school day and a rule infraction, such a recent off-campus fight involving School District students, the School District carefully examines the facts and applies its rules. The fight in question, for example, was found to have been planned during the school day. Thus the rules were applied due to that connection. However, the School District must respect the due process rights of all involved and cannot impose its handbook absent a legitimate connection. We will continue to engage stakeholders regarding this item. We will continue to monitor each situation, carefully examine the facts, and enforce our rules in light of the requirements of the law."

Of course, everyone wants the libraries to reopen at full capacity. We would like to as well, but the school district is going to have to partner with us and they are going to have to change their policies, Barnwell said.

The new hours are in place Monday through Friday from now until Feb. 28, 2025.

**Frontline Strong Together has a number of resources available for first responders in need including a 24/7 crisis line manned by current and former first responders.

The number for that hotline is 1-833-34-STRONG. You can access more information about the organization on their website.**

DETROIT (WXYZ) Were learning more about the moments before and during an October shootout between Detroit police officers and one of their own that ended with the death of a sergeant who first opened fire.

Detroit police have released the body camera footage and audio of the 911 call placed by the sergeant, who was a member of the departments Special Response Team. In the call, he told the operator hes calling in his own suicide and wanted his fellow officers on the SRT to shoot him.

Previous coverage: Suspect in shooting of 2 Detroit cops was an active DPD officer, police say Off-duty Detroit police officer shoots 2 other officers before he was fatally shot

Its a gut-wrenching 911 call that's now being made public by DPD to explain in full detail.

Through this briefing, you will able to review what happened with context provided by our investigators about what occurred, DPD Interim Chief Todd Bettison said in a recorded statement.

The information in the briefing matches what then-Chief James White told reporters on scene that day on Oct. 14. However, the 911 call also shows what 7 Investigator Ross Jones reported: that the sergeant demanded his own elite special response team be the ones to respond.

Watch 7 Investigator Ross Jones' report below: DPD sgt. wanted fellow officers, negotiator to respond to scene before he opened fire What kind of weapon do you have sir?" the operator asked. "I have all that I need. Send Special Response Team, the sergeant responded. I already have help requested over there to you," the operator said moments later. "Listen to me, do not send officers in here. You better keep them backed off," the sergeant said on the call. "Do not send regular officers. If you send regular officers, theyre going to rush in and theyre going to get hurt.

Ultimately, officers did respond. Video show the first ones on scene entering the abandoned building but finding nothing. They then get a call that the suspect is a Special Response Team sergeant and they pull back.

Moments later, they were forced to take cover behind a squad car with the sergeant in crisis moving toward them, firing his rifle into the air. Officers kept him in their sights

"Are you comfortable with your shot," one officer is heard asking another on the bodycam video. "Don't take it. He's not shooting at us. But be ready if you need to.

We showed the video to Scott Taylor, a former Warren police officer with nearly 30 years on the job.

They handled it fantastic in my opinion," Taylor said. "They withheld deadly force as long as they could."

Taylor now works with the Michigan-based organization Frontline Strong Together, an organization promoting mental health support for first responders.

As the average Joe, you see a traumatic event, you may have seven to eight years to process it," Taylor said. "As a first responder, you may have seven to eight hours to process it then you have to come back 10 hours later.

For officers on scene this day, the situation was as traumatic as they come.

You're good brother. Relax, we got you, one officer is heard yelling to the sergeant.

Seconds after shouting to the sergeant, that officer was hit. Its this moment when he returns fire, killing the sergeant.

You can hear it in is voice and what he said... he didn't want to do it," Taylor said of that officer.

He's asking to be shot he's shooting in the air. He's inviting them to engage, Taylor said of the sergeant. "You could tell he (the sergeant) didn't want to hurt anybody. He just knew the only way he was going to get the end result he wanted was to do what he had to do."

With the public now able to know exactly what happened, Taylor hopes his fellow first responders know theyre not alone and that help is just a phone call away.

My hat's off to the Detroit officers on the scene. They handled it very well," Taylor said. "But it's a shame it got to this because man, help is available. Just reach out reach out.

**Anyone who is experiencing suicidal thoughts or needs someone to talk to during a crisis, you can call or text the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline 27/7 at 988.**

A police chase in Macomb County led to multiple charges for one suspect, accused of breaking and entering into a Harrison Township business on Irwin Drive and then fleeing in a stolen vehicle.

It began as a typical police chase. Multiple officers with lights flashing following an alleged stolen vehicle driven by a 45-year-old suspect, Joseph Calderon of Detroit, who is accused of breaking and entering into a Harrison Township business.

At one point during the chase, the pickup truck veers into someones front yard. Eventually, deputies say they used stop sticks and the truck lost a tire, it then veered off road into a field right next door to Jeanelle Halls grandmother's home.

She did tell me that there was a lot of commotion going on the other night but she didn't know what was going on, Hall said. "It's crazy a high-speed chase came through this neighborhood, it could have endangered a lot of people.

The chase happened Tuesday around 3 a.m., but while visiting Thursday for Thanksgiving, Jeanelle still saw the tire tracks stretching across the park.

Related Video: Dashcam video shows Macomb County chase Dashcam video shows Macomb County chase

They actually just built a new playground over there and children literally play in this field all the time, said Hall.

Dashcam video clearly shows the car fishtailing through that field before coming to a stop and the suspect getting out on foot.

Officers then chased the suspect before it appeared he hopped a fence. Losing sight, police brought out K9s to continue the search. Just when it seemed officers lost him, an officer led by a K9 found the suspect hiding in a bush in front of someones home.

Related Video: Bodycam video shows Macomb County chase Bodycam shows foot chase in Macomb County

We heard buzz in the neighborhood that there was some sort of chase and it was really crazy he was hiding out in someone's yard, said Hall.

Deputies recovered two electric bikes, batteries and tools in the stolen truck. Two deputies suffered minor injuries during the chase.

Calderon was arraigned Thanksgiving Day in 41District Court in Clinton Township on charges of:

One Count: Possession of burglars tools 10-year felony One Count: Police officer - fleeing third degree 5-year felony Three Counts: Unlawful driving away 5-year felony One Count: Malicious destruction of property $1,000 - $20,000 5-year felony One Count: Breaking & entering/vehicle stolen property $1,000 - $20,000 5-year felony Three Counts: Larceny $1,000 - $20,000 5-year felony Two Counts: Police officer assault/resist/obstruct causing injury 4-year felony Macomb County Sheriffs Office Anthony M. Wickersham One Count: Operating while license suspended 1-year misdemeanor.

Bond was set at $25,000, cash/surety. Calderon remains housed at the Macomb County Jail.

Up and down Woodward Avenue Wednesday night, there was a parade at a standstill. With floats lined up and ready to go, families got a firsthand look of America's Thanksgiving Parade in Detroit the night before.

It's really nice to have this behind-the-scenes view to what's going on, Kylie Baker of Detroit said.

Related video: Last-minute preparations underway for America's Thanksgiving Parade Last-minute preparations underway for America's Thanksgiving Parade

We just love coming down as a family," Aliah Davis of West Bloomfield said. "It's a great chance to get up close and take some pictures, which you normally can't do during the parade itself.

"We started coming down the night before to see the floats and things and we loved it," Leah Vanbelle of Detroit said. "Then we added to it. We started making cocoa and homemade cookies and bringing them.

Vanbelle started coming when her son was in preschool. Still today, their family tradition continues.

It feels really special to me, her son Langston Vanbelle said.

Related video: 10-year-old's drawing is part of Thanksgiving float 10-year-old's drawing is part of Thanksgiving float

I just feel it brings back a lot of memories for our childhood, Emma Repay added.

Theyre not the only families making this a tradition. Lnda Chupp and her son DeVon have also made this night a tradition before getting up bright and early to be downtown for the parade.

It's always enjoyable to come here and have a tradition with your parents, DeVon Chupp said.

I just love it," Linda Chupp added. "Its a traditional thing, time I get to spend with my son.

Its one of many Thanksgiving traditions for families around Detroit. The Turkey Trot has been running through the streets of Detroit for more than 40 years and the Detroit Lions have been playing their traditional Thanksgiving Day game for nearly 80 years. Along with the parade itself, decades of memories have been made.

I grew up in Clare and every Thanksgiving, the big thing was to come down and go to the parade, go to Hudson's, see Santa Claus, U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow said.

Stabenow came out to see the floats with her kids and grandchildren. Shes serving as grand marshal in the parade, but Wednesday night was about family

Related: America's Thanksgiving Parade in Detroit: Road closures, parking & everything you need to know

My mom loved the parade," Stabenow said. "Shes no longer with us, so were kind of all here in her honor to celebrate tomorrow.

While everyone has their holiday favorites, Thanksgiving in Detroit is about community. Whether friends, neighbors or family, the city comes together.

We're neighbors who care for each other," Baker said. "That's part of what I was saying before about me moving to Detroit, looking for community, and this is what it looks like.

It was a sight to see for all ages as people near and far packed shoulder to shoulder into Campus Martius for Light Up The Season some experiencing it for the first time.

VIDEO: Detroit tree lit during Light Up The Season Detroit tree lit during Light Up The Season

I've never seen a tree being lit, so it was my first time," said Morgan Meirelles from Rochester. "It was beautiful, I mean the tree is perfect. What more could you ask for?

It's bigger than I thought it was going to be," Martin Emery said of the event. "It's almost like New Year's Eve here.

Emery is from Lake City and drove from Up North, Just like the tree itself, which he and his team at Dutchman Tree Farm supplied from Manton.

"I drive around looking for these things... You drive around, keep your eyes peeled looking for the right height, explained Emery. "I'm humbled. Again I love the people, this is all for them.

Sabrina Gross of Detroit said for her the event is tradition, with 2024 marking her 20th year in attendance.

"Theres just such an energy, you don't get that from your TV," said Gross. "You cant feel it, you can't feel this.

Outside the tree lighting itself, the night was filled with performances and the lighting of the world's largest red kettle.

"We have people coming in from all around Michigan, so it really just shows our sense of community as Michiganders, said Emmy Vanderpool from Canton.

Whether its a family tradition or a first-time event, Light Up the Season is not just a celebration of the holidays, but also of the city. While the tree shines bright, Detroit shines even brighter.

To see it rebuilt, for me, I could cry right now," said Gross. "It's everything.

Detroit is just a whole new city now," said Autumn Woods of Commerce Twp, who brought her 3-year-old to the event. "It's just fun to have them see the enjoyment of Detroit.

Being 48 years old, being from here, just seeing the people, the regeneration of the City it's awesome. I don't have words, said Ryan Tinkham of Canton. "10 to 15 years ago you wouldn't have seen this. This many people having a good time? It's awesome.

Where Your Voice Matters

A man who was critically injured earlier this month after being hit by a car in Rochester Hills has since died.

Seventy-two-year-old Stephen Singleton, a beloved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, was out for his morning walk on Nov. 3 when he was hit and killed crossing Rochester Road near Avon Road around 6:45 a.m.

Investigators say he was wearing a reflective vest and was in the marked crosswalk.

The Oakland County Sheriff's Office says the driver is a citizen of Colombia who was in the country illegally. However, he did have a valid foreign drivers license, which is accepted in Michigan.

I was sitting at the table reading my bible waiting for him to come back and he left about 6 o'clock or so," the victims wife Teri Singleton recalled. "It started being 7 (o'clock) and then 7:30 and I started thinking did something happen?"

Shortly after, she learned something did happen.

I was sitting there as there was a knock on the door and it was unusual for someone to knock on the door that early in the morning," Teri Singleton said. "I went to the door and when I looked out, I saw a sheriff."

The deputy informed Teri Singleton of the accident and she says her husband was initially alert at the time.

Initially, he was talking," Teri Singleton said of her husband. "I don't know how he was talking because the car hit him so hard that he flew in the air and hit the windshield and broke it.

Teri Singleton and her daughter Ruth sat down with our Glenda Lewis and told her that after Stephen arrived at the hospital, he took a turn and was put on life support. Doctors gave him a slim chance.

He (doctor) said that my dad was not going to make it, that he had zero percent to live," Ruth Singleton said. "I remember thinking to myself that my dad was so strong that he just doesn't know my dad. He doesn't know all the things my dad did to help people.

Stephen Singleton was a former WXYZ-TV employee back in the 80s. During 9/11, he went to Ground Zero as a volunteer. It was one of his many selfless actions that we highlighted with a story back in 2022.

I started tearing because I couldn't find survivors," Stephen Singleton said during the 2022 interview. "We would find people who were perished, but we couldn't find survivors.

You can watch our 2022 report with him below: First responder recalls driving to NY to help after the attacks on Sept. 11

The family is still hoping to get more answers and waits for potential charges in the case against the driver.

One day, I wake up and just know he's gone for such a simple and senseless thing," Ruth Singleton said. "I just don't understand.

The Singleton family has set up an online fundraiser to help cover expenses as they mourn their loss.