Loyola High School in Detroit, a private Catholic school for boys, is seeing some major improvements including a new chapel.

Its big news for the city as it marks the first new Catholic place of worship in Detroit in more than 60 years.

On Wednesday, students, school leaders and community members gathered together to celebrate the grand opening of the new St. Peter Claver Chapel and the new Wayne and Joan Webber Welcome Center.

Both spaces are extensions of Loyola High School.

VIDEO: Take a walk-through tour of the new chapel VIDEO: Walk-through tour of the new chapel

It feels wonderful for me to still be in my initial weeks here and to be able to do something this joyful," said Detroit's new Archbishop Edward Weisenburger, who led Wednesday's service in the new chapel.

Related video: Detroit's next Archbishop talks about the future and the challenges he faces Detroit's next Archbishop talks about the future and the challenges he faces

Students now not only have a new entrance to the school, they also have a new facility for daily prayer and reflection whereas before, services were held in the gym.

What this chapel means to me is I get to grow in my faith and my beliefs in God more," Rommell Murry said.

The Archdiocese of Detroit told 7 News Detroit like many other dioceses around the country, they too have experienced a decrease in the number of parishes and church buildings.

This is going to be a blessing not just for a 100 or 150 young men at a time; this will be a blessing for the whole community," Weisenburger said.

Deborale Richardson-Phillips, Ph.D., Loyola High School's first female school president, agrees.

Loyola High School is part of the revitalization of the Detroit area," she said. "This chapel, and certainly our welcome center, will give people the opportunity to welcome people into our home in ways that we havent before.

Everything in the chapel the chairs, piano and pieces on the chancel was donated, and school leaders say its the communitys support that made it happen.

This remarkable addition to our campus would not have been possible without the generosity and vision of those of who supported Empower Loyola," Richardson-Phillips said.

A campaign generated more than $9 million in donations. Cynthia Webber Helisek was one of those donors.

It took no thoughts whatsoever to say yes to the projects, she said.

The welcome center is named after her uncle Wayne and aunt Joan Webber, who were big supporters of school and so is she.

Most importantly, I want the boys to know they are very valued in this space, and they deserve a beautiful space to learn," Helisek said.

A popular gathering spot in Troy could look a little different in the near future. City leaders are discussing plans to build a new public library.

If approved, the new library would be built near the Troy Community Center, just across the way from the current library, and staff members envision it being double the size.

"I come here about three times a week," said James Green of Troy, who was meticulously working on a 500-piece puzzle Monday afternoon.

"I'm a stay-at-home mom, so this is a great place to come," Brooks Hart of Troy said as her children played together in the kid's section. "At least once a month we come here. We have our library bag. We drop it all off and then get a whole fresh set of books."

Library Director Emily Dumas says there are many issues with the decades-old building including not enough space for students, families and programs.

"The problem with this library building is the original building is from 1971 and the addition was from 1984. Theres been no major renovations and no expansions since then," Dumas said.

In 2023, the library conducted a survey to understand the communitys needs.

What we found is people want more study space, more study rooms, they want a better play area and a better kid section for the children," Dumas said.

But she says there's simply no room for it. The building is about half the size they need it to be and it's also breaking down.

In the last few years, weve had to put a new roof on and there was a mold issue in the HVAC system," Dumas said.

Families we spoke to say while theyve grown to love the current building, some would be open to a new library.

I actually really like this library. Theres something about it, just feels really cozy," Brooks Heart of Troy said.

I would love to see a beautiful new building with expanded services, expanded options for kids and families," said Tara Lindsay, who works in Troy.

Troy Mayor Ethan Baker also says its time for a change.

"Though it may not look as bad as it is the average patron, it is a failing building in many, many ways," Baker said.

He says the city is looking at putting together a bond proposal that would not only address major improvements like the library but also other capital needs throughout the city, which would go on the ballot this November.

We would of course give the voters all of the facts and make the ultimate decision as to how they want to pay for the city and what kind of city they want to live," Baker said.

Next month, the library plans to host a joint city council and planning commission meeting to introduce the concept and design. That's scheduled for April 28 at 6 p.m. and all are welcome to attend.

Ten months ago, 21-year-old Cody Thomas got on his motorcycle as he loved to do, but little did he know that day would change his life forever.

"I was going home to see my mom for Mother's Day, that's about all I remember," said Thomas.

According to police, Thomas was riding along Gratiot Avenue near Carriage Way Drive in Chesterfield Township when he was hit by a pick-up truck.

"Every thought running through your head. Not knowing. They already told us on the phone that they thought he wouldn't make it," said Thomas' mother, Jennifer.

She remembers that day like it was yesterday.

"I was just thinking, my youngest. Hoping to be able to hold his hand one more time," she said.

The driver who hit Thomas was charged with driving with a suspended license, causing injury. On Tuesday, he was sentenced to 150 days in jail and two years' probation.

Thomas wasn't wearing a helmet at the time of the crash and suffered a traumatic brain injury. His doctors are saying he's lucky to be alive.

"Initially, he got significant amounts of treatment, including where they had to take off a piece of his skull," said Dr. Tyler Williamson from DMC Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan.

"I was almost dead. I was almost, you know, 'pinned' if this was wrestling," said Thomas.

Extended interview: 'I'm proud that I'm alive.' Cody talks about his recovery journey after crash Extended interview: 'I'm proud that I'm alive.' Cody talks about his recovery journey after crash

A wrestler all through high school, it was Thomas's fighting spirit that kept him alive, and a little help from someone special his former high school wrestling coach

"I was involved in a car accident 36 years, 9 months, and 13 days ago," said Mark Pringle.

Pringle, a wrestling coach of more than 30 years, was 28 years old when he was hit by a drunk driver and suffered a traumatic brain injury.

His recovery is now inspiring Thomas.

"I see he's doing great after his accident, and I want to be just like him. I'm going to be doing great," said Thomas.

"Just watching him in therapy. 'Cody, this brings back memories.' He knows that he's not alone," said Pringle.

Thomas' mother says he has never once asked, 'Why me?' Meaning, he's had such a positive outlook about this whole experience, and his coach says that's the wrestler in him.

"Wrestling is 95% mental. Knowing what you can do, what you put your body through, what you want to do, and doing it,' said Pringle.

"It strengthens you, makes you strong, not give up," said Thomas.

Today, Thomas spends three days a week at Detroit Medical Center's Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan.

When he's there, it's like he's back on the mat with his coach by his side, telling him that he

can

win this fight.

"I mean, it makes me so proud," said Thomas.

Weve kicked the can down the road for too long, and were all paying a price for it," said Governor Gretchen Whitmer.

Fixing Michigan's roads remains top of mind for Whitmer.

In a one-on-one interview, she told 7 News Detroit the $3.1 billion road plan that passed through the Michigan State House on Wednesday doesn't solve the problem and creates holes in the budget.

FULL INTERVIEW: Governor Whitmer speaks on road funding and the Republican plan Governor Whitmer speaks on road funding and the Republican plan

But she says shes hopeful lawmakers on both sides of the aisle can come together to find a solution.

"I'm glad that the speaker is finally solving the roads or at least having another long-term solution that has eluded us for decades, she says.

If the plan were to pass, it would mean the sales tax you pay at the pump would go strictly to road funding.

Drivers we spoke to say theyre ready for that to happen.

"The roads are absolutely deplorable, and its been so long since weve seen them fixed," a Southfield resident said.

Thats what were focusing on, is the driveways to the highways. So our residents that are driving on these roads, in Lansing, thats a local road," said Rep. Ronnie Steele, who chairs the House Appropriations Subcommittee on State and Local Transportation.

The gas tax money that funds schools would go away, and money for schools would then come from the general fund, something the governor worries would create problems for the budget. 

But Steele says it won't, and she's confident about the plan.

"Of course, I'm excited. We think its a great plan. To be able to improve the roads without raising taxes," said Steele.

Whitmer says shell be working closely with the state Senate to try and come up with a plan that achieves everyone's goals.

Its not going to be all in cuts, and its not going to be all in new revenue, but all of these pieces are important to the final outcome that is going to be fixing the actual problem that were trying to solve," said Whitmer.

At a preschool in South Lyon on Tuesday, it wasnt the teacher reading to students but Olympic bronze medalist Frederick Richard.

On social media, the gymnast is known by many as "Federick Flips."

"I just, I dont know, I've just been flipping my whole life," Richard said.

Hes not kidding Richard has been a gymnast for a very long time.

Since I was 4 years old. So, I've been doing it before preschool," Richard said.

Just last summer, the now 20-year-old student at the University of Michigan made his Olympic debut in Paris.

You have one shot. You have one shot to represent for the country, bring home medals. It definitely felt like this full-circle moment," Richard said.

It was a full-circle moment once again on Tuesday as Richard found himself back in preschool at The Learning Center in South Lyon. This time, he was there to read to kids in honor of National Reading Month.

We just thought why not make it happen," preschool teacher Mollie Blixt said.

Blixt is a parent of a gymnast. Her son is actually Richard's teammate at Michigan, and it's why she felt inspired to organize Richard's visit.

I think he has a really strong platform and tries to bring a lot of awareness to the sport," Blixt said.

In fact, Richard is trying to make the mens gymnastics uniform better for gymnasts.

Theyre very tight and restrictive. I never felt very comfortable in it," said Richard, who now wears shorts and a loose top when he performs, despite losing points for it in competition.

You can make changes in your sport and for those younger kids who might also feel that way. These changes will help them," Richard said.

At one point, "reading time" turned into "show and tell" Tuesday as Richard showed off a couple of his moves, demonstrating a back flip right before students' eyes.

He also surprised the class with something thats part of his story forever: his bronze medal.

Richard says Tuesday's event was more than just reading a story but also a chance to share his own.

The goal is to inspire the kids. Be big, dream big. If I want it bad enough, why not me?" he said.