ROCHESTER HILLS – Talk about getting off on the right foot.

Defending Division 1 girls cross-country state champion Romeo opened up the 2025 campaign by winning the Golden Grizzlies Invitational Friday at Oakland University.

The Bulldogs finished ahead of multiple quality programs – several from the Macomb Area Conference and Oakland Activities Association – and many teams expected to do well this fall. Romeo collected just 66 points to finish ahead of Rochester (86), Novi (88), Utica (112), Clarkston (130), Macomb Dakota (153), Rochester Stoney Creek (159), Fraser (166), Oxford (227) and Pontiac Notre Dame Prep (263) in a field that featured several returning All-State runners from Division 1 and Division 2.

The field was deep as state qualifying teams from all three of the state’s four divisions competed at the annual event. Remember, Rochester (fourth), Utica (16th), Fraser (23rd), Novi (24th) and Clarkston (27th) also competed at last year’s D1 state meet. Even D2 state qualifiers Notre Dame Prep (10th), Dearborn Division Child (20th) and Macomb Lutheran North (23rd) competed in this at the Golden Grizzlies Invite and finished in the top 20.

Romeo, Rochester and Clarkston have all won state championships over the years.

In impressive fashion, Romeo junior Annie Hrabovsky joined some elite company as she clocked 17:15.20 to win the race. Her effort ranks her inside the top 50 all-time in Michigan history – a state known for producing high-level distance runners. Hrabovsky was 11th at last November’s Division 1 state meet at Michigan Speedway near Brooklyn, Mich.

Romeo had three of the top four finishers, as Ella Goodsell was second (18:00.84) and Natalia Guaresimo fourth (18:24.43). Emmerson Clor was 11th (19:19.62) and Ella Thibodeau a distant 48th (21:25.59) to aid Romeo’s championship effort. The Bulldogs return five of its top seven runners and plenty of depth runners from last year’s roster.

Runner-up Rochester was paced by returning All-State runner Ella Abraham, who was fifth (18:36.29), while Charlotte Jones finished 10th (19:16.35). The Falcons return seven of their top 10 runners and have several key newcomers.

Oxford freshman Taryn Moore made her high school debut by finishing third (18:04.70), as the former Oakland County 1,600 and 3,200 middle school champion is expected to be one of the top ninth-graders in Michigan. Stoney Creek’s Leah Corby finished sixth (18:40.28), Novi’s Katelynn Egli seventh (19:01.14), Utica’s Siene Muraszewski (19:05.74) and Dakota’s Lidia Clancy ninth (19:16.16).

Meanwhile, Romeo’s boys team, which dipped to 24th at last season’s D1 state finals, edged Clarkston 64-71 to earn the crown Friday at OU. Macomb Dakota slipped just ahead of Rochester for third (114-115), while Macomb Lutheran North (158), Oxford (171), Utica (176), Fraser (178), Walled Lake Northern (179) and Rochester Stoney Creek followed in the top 10 of the star-studded field.

Likewise, Clarkston (12th), Oxford (13th), Utica (15th), Dakota (20th) and Romeo (24th) all competed at the D1 state meet in 2024, while Lutheran North was 22nd in Division 2.

Clarkston took the top two spots, as David Dubeck broke the tape in 15:50.81 and Ryan Barnes finished in the runner-up slot (15:55.36).

Romeo’s depth was a little better, as Owen Perry was fifth (16:10.50), Rio Hrabovsky 12th (16:32.26), Luke Allen 14th (16:35.12), James Brickel 16th (16:36.82) and Carson Hlavin 17th (16:39.58), which helped the Bulldogs land all five of their point-scorers inside the top 20.

Clarkston had three other finishers in the top 30, as Vern Clyne (19th, 16:49.20), Miles Foster (21st, 16:52.73) and Anthony Dubeck (28th, 17:06.27) helped the Wolves contend.

Rochester’s Dylan Pascoe was third (16:06.19), Lutheran North’s Joshua Macri fourth (16:08.18), Rochester’s Owen Owczarek sixth (16:14.03), Walled Lake Northern’s Finn Gammerath seventh (16:16.83), Lutheran North’s Xavier Roman eighth (16:18.30), Dakota’s Joseph Kaleto ninth (16:21.22) and Utica’s Harper Wesley 10th (16:23.40) in the deep field of over 130 runners.

The beach at a popular state park has been closed for swimming since early August and will remain so for Labor Day weekend.

The beach at Seven Lakes State Park in Holly Township closed Aug. 5 because of elevated levels of E. coli bacteria.

In Waterford Township, Pontiac Lake Recreation Area’s beach reopened Wednesday, Aug. 27; it had been closed for almost a month because of E. coli readings.

Other smaller beaches across the county, many of them privately owned, have also been closed this summer. In addition to Seven Lakes, there were four beaches on the Oakland County Health Division’s list as of Friday.

To view the list, visit https://www.oakgov.com/home/showpublisheddocument/11972/638901678527381433.

Every summer, the Health Division routinely tests 100 public and private beaches, but that monitoring does not identify a source of E. coli contamination.

If levels are too high, a sign is posted and the beach is closed. It is then retested every weekday until an acceptable reading is reached and the beach reopens, said Mark Hansell, chief of Environmental Health Special Programs for the Oakland County Health Division.

Closed beaches prohibit swimming; they are generally open for walking and other activities.

Seven Lakes beach users posted on the park’s Facebook page that a large group of Canada geese that inhabit the area – and their droppings – are likely responsible for the closing.

The park’s administrative staff posted that they do the best they can to remove droppings from the beach.

But the Health Division doesn’t know the source of the E. coli contamination at Seven Lakes, Hansell said. Specialized testing showed it did not come from human waste, which can occur if there is a leak or other problem in a sewer or septic system.

“The Oakland County Health Division Lab does keep samples frozen for more analysis in partnership with other labs in the state that can run different genetic markers – goose, canine, ruminants, etc.,” he said in an email.

“Results from this process last year were primarily related to canine sources.  But we do not know, and we may never know, the source from this season,” he said.

Last year, the county conducted a special study, in cooperation with several other entities, of beaches most troubled by E. coli contamination. They took 20 samples from nine lakes to determine the sources.

In 12 samples taken from seven lakes, dog waste was responsible. In the other eight samples, the source was undetectable. Geese and all warm-blooded animals carry E. coli in their guts; any wildlife could have been the source, Hansell said.

Dogs do not have to be on a beach to cause elevated E. coli readings. Waste left on lawns can wash into bodies of water, Hansell said.

The sample was small, as Oakland County has dozens of lakes with frequent closings every summer, he said.

Most E.coli strains cause no symptoms or only mild illness, but a few are responsible for serious health problems, Hansell said.

Monitored beaches have to meet the one-day standard of 300 E. coli colonies per 100 milliliters of water and the 30-day average of 130 colonies per 100 milliliters. The county’s list indicates whether each beach failed the one-day test or the 30-day test or both.

New I-75 ramp closings coming soon in northern Oakland County

Teen arrested for allegedly spray painting graffiti on Waterford gas station

More security, cameras in place as State Fair returns to Novi

“I know it’s jazz fest,” Detroit poet laureate Jessica Care Moore told the crowd at Hart Plaza on Friday night, Aug. 29, “but we’re doing something different.”

No lie there.

Moore’s remark came in the midst of a groundbreaking combination of her, electronic pioneer Jeff Mills and pianist Jason Moran, the Artist-In-Residence for the 46th annual Detroit Jazz Festival that runs through Monday, Sept. 1. More than merely unique, the 80-minute exposition was unlike anything that’s been part of annual Labor Day weekend tradition before, a multi-disciplinary interweaving of sensibilities and philosophies that used obvious preparation to create a foundation for anything-goes improvisation, and the trio delivered it as smoothly as if they’d been playing together for years.

The New York-based Moran began the set by expressing his honor for being this year’s Artist-In-Residence and explaining that he views the piano itself as a machine, like any in the array of devices Mills used during the performance.

He then started on a traditional note, with a solo rendition of John Coltrane’s “After the Rain” while smoke swirled around him. But the audience didn’t have to wait long for the sonic fireworks to begin.

Mills joined Moran for the second number, living up to his nickname The Wizard as he incorporated syncopated beats, looped sounds, ambient keyboard washes and conga drum patterns that responded to and occasionally drove what Moran was doing on the keyboard. The two shared a keen knack for not only hearing what the other was doing but anticipating what they’d do next, Moran using repetitive rhythmic patterns as jumping-off points for his piano rides.

It was an enveloping alchemy that drove a clearly energized — and perhaps somewhat surprised — Moran to shout “Come on!” at the conclusion of the piece and then launch into an equally inventive and occasionally playful rendition of the late Detroit pianist Geri Allen’s “Feed the Fire.”

Moore’s arrival brought yet another element, lyrical and melodic, to the performance as she essayed four of her poems into the sound swirl — including “Where Are the People?” from her acclaimed 2023 mini-film project of the same title. More than reciting, she too found places within the pieces to extemporize and expand, repeating and recasting lines as she followed the instrumentalists (or, if you prefer, machinists), who in turn followed her. It was a textbook display of jazz ethos, in its own way as “traditional” as it was otherworldly — and certainly an exciting way to fire up another year for the world’s largest free-admission jazz festival.

Keyon Harrold did a bit of that earlier in the evening, too, flexing a musical orientation that hails from both hip-hop and R&B (he’s played with Beyonce, Rihanna and Jay-Z) and jazz.

Following the traditional festival-starting performance by Shannon Powell and Dr. Valade’s Brass Band, the Missouri-born trumpeter and his quintet — driven by monster drummer Charles Haynes — opened with a pair of unreleased songs one of which, “Commission 8,” doesn’t even have a formal title yet.

Mostly, however, his 70-minute set focused on his Grammy Award-nominated 2024 album “Foreverland,” and the Harrold troupe was joined on three of the four tracks performed by Detroit vocalist Malaya Watson, a Season 13 “American Idol” finalist who appears on the album.

She added more dimension to “Foreverland’s” title track, then sang a bit of Antia Baker’s “Sweet Love” during “Don’t Lie” before the ensemble finished with “Grounded,” with Harrold inserting a bit of the standard “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” into his solo.

The Detroit Jazz Festival runs through Monday, Sept. 1, at two stages in Hart Plaza, one in Cadillac Square, with additional performances at the Gretchen C. Valade Jazz Center on the Wayne State University campus. Performances will also be livestreamed free via the festival’s web site and social media. Schedules and other information can be found at detroitjazzfest.org.

Daniel Craig’s Benoit Blanc is back. So are the stars of “Wicked” and the animals of “Zootopia.”

Summer may be known as sequel season, but part twos, and threes, will play big roles this fall at the movies. That goes not just for the likes of Rian Johnson’s “Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery,” “Wicked: For Good” and “Zootopia 2,” but for new installments in family sagas, ranging from the Crawleys (“Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale”) to the Na’vi (“Avatar: Fire & Ash”).

Still, much of the season will belong, as it always does, to original dramas and awards contenders. Hollywood tends to save its best for last. This year includes some already-seen sure bets (Jafar Panahi’s “It Was Just an Accident,” Joachim Trier’s “Sentimental Value” ) and dozens of promising new releases from top filmmakers, such as Kathryn Bigelow’s “A House of Dynamite,” Yorgos Lanthimos’ “Bugonia” and Chloé Zhao’s “Hamnet.”

Here’s The Associated Press’ guide for the movies heading to theaters and the home through Christmas.

SEPTEMBER MOVIE RELEASES

Sept. 5

“The Conjuring: Last Rites” (Warner Bros., in theaters): The fourth entry in the James Wan-created horror franchise.

“Twinless” (Lionsgate and Roadside Attractions, in theaters): Dylan O’Brien stars as twins, one of whom dies early in James Sweeney’s darkly funny tale.

“The Baltimorons” (IFC, in theaters): Jay Duplass directs this quirky Baltimore odyssey about a man (Michael Strassner) and his emergency dentist (Liz Larsen) on Christmas Eve.

Sept. 12

“Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale” (Focus Features, in theaters): Julian Fellowes brings his Crawley family saga to a close in this third and supposedly final “Downton Abbey” film.

“The History of Sound” (Mubi, in theaters): Paul Mescal and Josh O’Connor star in Oliver Hermanus’ New England-set period romance.

“Spinal Tap: The End Continues” (Bleecker Street, in theaters): Rob Reiner and company return for a sequel to the 1984 mockumentary classic.

“Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie” (Neon, in theaters): Matt Johnson and Jay McCarrol bring their cult comedy series to the big screen.

“Rabbit Trap” (Magnolia, in theaters): Rosy McEwen and Dev Patel play musicians recording a record in the Welsh countryside who inadvertently stir dark woodland forces.

“The Long Walk” (Lionsgate, in theaters): Cooper Hoffman stars in this Stephen King adaptation, directed by Francis Lawrence, about a march across a dystopian America.

“Looking Through Water” (Good Deed Entertainment, in theaters): Michael Douglas stars as a father trying to reconnect with his son during a father-son fishing competition.

“Dreams” (Greenwich Entertainment, in theaters): Norwegian filmmaker Dag Johan Haugerud brings his trilogy to a close, following the 2025 films “Love” and “Sex.”

“Happyend” (Film Movement, in theaters): In filmmaker Neo Sora’s first narrative feature, set in a near-future Tokyo, a prank by high schoolers triggers a surveillance state.

“Tin Soldier” (Samuel Goldwyn Films, in theaters): Jamie Foxx, Robert De Niro, Scott Eastwood and John Leguizamo star in this action movie about mercenaries.

Sept. 13

“Lost in the Jungle” (National Geographic Documentary Films, streaming Disney+/Hulu): E. Chai Vasarhelyi, Jimmy Chin and Juan Camilo Cruz’s documentary chronicles a dramatic rescue for a four young siblings after a plane crash in the Colombian rainforest.

Sept. 19

“A Big Bold Beautiful Journey” (Sony Pictures, in theaters): Margot Robbie and Colin Farrell play lovers who travel back in time in Kogonada’s latest tender sci-fi drama. Co-starring Kevin Kline and Phoebe Waller-Bridge.

“The Lost Bus” (Apple TV+, in theaters; streaming Oct. 3): Paul Greengrass directs this based-on-a-true-story drama about a school bus driver (Matthew McConaughey) and schoolteacher (America Ferrera) trying to save 22 children from California’s 2018 Camp Fire.

“Him” (Universal, in theaters): Former college wide-receiver Tyriq Withers stars as Cameron Cade in this Jordan Peele-produced thriller fusing football drama with horror.

“Adulthood” (Paramount, in theaters): Josh Gad and Kaya Scodelario play siblings who discover a long-buried corpse in their parents’ basement in this dark comedy directed by Alex Winter.

“Predators” (MTV, in theaters): David Osit’s documentary looks at the NBC series on child predators, “To Catch a Predator.”

“My Sunshine” (Film Movement, in theaters): A coming-of-age drama from Japanese filmmaker Hiroshi Okuyama.

“Swiped” (Hulu, streaming): Lily James plays Whitney Wolfe Herd in Rachel Lee Goldenberg’s drama about the founder of the dating app Bumble.

“Steve” (Netflix, in theaters; streaming Oct. 3): Cillian Murphy reteams with “Small Things Like These” filmmaker Tim Mielants in this drama about a reform college’s headteacher.

“Riefenstahl” (Kino Lorber, in theaters): Andres Veiel’s documentary is about the German filmmaker Leni Riefenstahl whose films for the Nazis include “Triumph of the Will.”

Sept. 26

“One Battle After Another” (Warner Bros., in theaters): Leonardo DiCaprio and Teyana Taylor plays parents with a vigilante past that reemerges in Paul Thomas Anderson’s latest.

“All of You” (Apple TV+, streaming): Brett Goldstein and Imogen Poots star in a sci-fi romance.

“Eleanor the Great” (Sony Pictures Classics, in theaters): June Squibb stars in Scarlett Johansson’s directorial debut about an elderly woman who pretends to be a Holocaust survivor.

“Gabby’s Dollhouse: The Movie” (Universal, in theaters): A big-screen version of the kids series, from DreamWorks Animation.

“The Strangers: Chapter 2” (Lionsgate, in theaters): The second chapter of a new trilogy in the “Strangers” horror series.

OCTOBER MOVIE RELEASES

Oct. 1

“Play Dirty” (Prime Video, streaming): Mark Wahlberg stars as a thief trying for a major heist in a thriller from director Shane Black.

Oct. 3

“The Smashing Machine” (A24, in theaters): Dwayne Johnson stars as a mixed martial arts fighter in Benny Safdie’s film.

“Anemone” (Focus Features, in theaters): Daniel Day-Lewis comes out of retirement to star in this drama about family bonds, directed by his son, Ronan Day-Lewis.

“Shelby Oaks” (Neon, in theaters): YouTube movie reviewer Chris Stuckmann makes his directorial debut in this horror film about a woman’s search for her long-lost sister.

“Orwell: 2+2=5” (Neon, in theaters): Filmmaker Raoul Peck examines the work of George Orwell, with reflections on recent and contemporary times.

“Good Boy” (IFC, in theaters): A haunted house movie from the perspective of a dog.

“Are We Good?” (Utopia, in theaters): A documentary about comedian and podcast pioneer Marc Maron following the sudden loss of his partner, the filmmaker Lynn Shelton.

Oct. 10

“Roofman” (Paramount, in theaters): Channing Tatum plays a prison escapee who hides out inside a Toys R Us in Derek Cianfrance’s film.

“Kiss of the Spider Woman” (Roadside Attractions, in theaters): Bill Condon’s film, based on the stage musical stars Diego Luna as a political prisoner who grows closer to his cellmate (Tonatiuh Elizarraraz), with song-and-dance interludes with Jennifer Lopez.

“Tron: Ares” (Disney, in theaters): The third film in the futuristic sci-fi series, and a sequel to 2010’s “Tron: Legacy.”

“After the Hunt” (Amazon MGM, in theaters): Luca Guadagnino’s psychological thriller stars Julia Roberts as a professor whose close friend and colleague is accused of assault. With Ayo Edebiri.

“If I Had Legs I’d Kick You” (A24, in theaters): Rose Byrne plays a mother on the brink in Mary Bronstein’s drama.

“John Candy: I Like Me” (Prime Video, streaming): A documentary portrait of the great Canadian actor, directed by Colin Hanks and produced by Ryan Reynolds.

“Urchin” (1-2 Special, in theaters): Harris Dickinson makes his directorial debut with this portrait of a drifter.

“The Woman in Cabin 10” (Netflix, streaming): Keira Knightley plays a woman on a cruise ship convinced she’s seen someone thrown overboard.

“Fairyland” (Lionsgate, in theaters): A daughter-father drama, starring Emilia Jones and Scoot McNairy.

“Vicious” (Paramount+, streaming): Dakota Fanning stars in a reality-bending horror film.

Oct. 15

“It Was Just an Accident” (Neon, in theaters): Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi’s Palme d’Or-winning revenge drama.

“Ballad of a Small Player” (Netflix, in theaters; streams Oct. 29): Colin Farrell plays a gambler in financial trouble in Macao in director Edward Berger’s latest.

Oct. 17

“Frankenstein” (Netflix, in theaters; streams Nov. 7.): Guillermo del Toro’s Mary Shelley adaptation, starring Oscar Isaac and Jacob Elordi.

“Black Phone 2” (Universal, in theaters): A sequel to Scott Derrickson’s supernatural horror film.

“Good Fortune” (Lionsgate, in theaters): Aziz Ansari directs this comedy about an angel (Keanu Reeves) whose body-swap lesson for a struggling worker (Ansari) with a wealthy venture capitalist (Seth Rogen) results in him losing his wings.

“Blue Moon” (Sony Pictures Classics, in theaters): Ethan Hawke plays songwriter Lorenz Hart in Richard Linklater’s film set on the 1943 opening night of “Oklahoma!” With Andrew Scott as Richard Rodgers.

“The Mastermind” (Mubi, in theaters): Kelly Reichardt’s 1970s-set heist movie stars Josh O’Connor as an unlikely art thief.

“Stiller & Meara: Nothing Is Lost” (Apple Studios, in theaters; streaming Oct. 24): Ben Stiller profiles his comedy duo parents, Jerry Stiller and Anne Meara in this documentary.

Oct. 24

“Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere” (20th Century Studios, in theaters): Jeremy Allen White plays Bruce Springsteen during the making of his 1982 album, “Nebraska.”

“Bugonia” (Focus, in theaters): A conspiracy-obsessed man (Jesse Plemons) and his cousin (Aidan Delbis) kidnap a CEO (Emma Stone) they’re convinced is an alien. From director Yorgos Lanthimos.

“A House of Dynamite” (Netflix, streaming): Kathryn Bigelow directs a thriller about the White House scrambling to handle an incoming missile attack.

“Mortal Kombat II” (Warner Bros., in theaters): The video game adaptation series continues with this sequel to the 2021 film.

“Hedda” (Amazon MGM, in theaters; Prime Video on Oct. 29): Tessa Thompson stars in Nia DaCosta’s adaptation of Henrik Ibsen’s “Hedda Gabler.”

“Regretting You” (Paramount, in theaters): A romance adapted from the author of “It Ends With Us,” Colleen Hoover, starring Allison Williams, Mckenna Grace and Dave Franco.

“Last Days” (Vertical, in theaters): Justin Lin directs this based-on-a-true story of a Christian missionary attempting to evangelize to the Sentinelese people.

Oct. 31

“Nouvelle Vague” (Netflix, in theaters; streaming Nov. 14): Richard Linklater captures the French New Wave and the making of “Breathless.”

“Hallow Road” (XYZ Films, in theaters): Rosamund Pike and Matthew Rhys star as parents rushing to help their daughter after a tragic accident.

“The White House Effect” (Netflix, streaming): A documentary about a key moment in the climate crisis, during President George H.W. Bush’s administration.

NOVEMBER MOVIE RELEASES

Nov. 7

“Nuremberg” (Sony Pictures Classics, in theaters): A historical drama about the Nuremberg trials, with Rami Malek as the chief psychiatrist Douglas Kelley and Russell Crowe as the Nazi Hermann Göring.

“Die, My Love” (Mubi, in theaters): Lynne Ramsay directs Jennifer Lawrence and Robert Pattinson, who play new parents in a rural home.

“Predator: Badlands” (20th Century Studios, in theaters): A new “Predator” film, this one rooted in the experience of a Predator and an android, played by Elle Fanning.

“Sentimental Value” (Neon, in theaters): Joachim Trier’s Norwegian drama about a filmmaking family, with Renate Reinsve as the estranged actor daughter of Stellan Skarsgård’s director patriarch.

“Train Dreams” (Netflix, in theaters; streams Nov. 21): Clint Bentley’s adaptation of the Denis Johnson novella, about a logger in the Pacific Northwest in the early 20th century.

“Sarah’s Oil” (Amazon MGM, in theaters): A biopic of Sarah Rector (Naya Desir-Johnson), one of the first female Black millionaires in the United States.

“Peter Hujar’s Day” (Janus and Sideshow, in theaters): Writer-director Ira Sachs’ drama stars Ben Whishaw as ’70s photographer Peter Hujar and Rebecca Hall as his friend, the author Linda Rosenkrantz.

“Rebuilding” (Bleecker Street, in theaters): Josh O’Connor plays a cowboy whose ranch is taken by wildfires.

Nov. 14

“Keeper” (Neon, in theaters): Osgood Perkins, director of “Longlegs” and “The Monkey,” returns with more horror, starring Tatiana Maslany and Rossif Sutherland.

“Now You See Me: Now You Don’t” (Lionsgate, in theaters): Nine years after the last “Now You See Me” film, more magician heist games, with Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson and Morgan Freeman.

“The Running Man” (Paramount, in theaters): Edgar Wright adapts the dystopian Stephen King novel, starring Glen Powell.

“Jay Kelly” (Netflix, in theaters, streams Dec. 5): George Clooney plays a famous actor and Adam Sandler his manager in Noah Baumbach’s latest.

“Eternity” (A24, in theaters): A romantic comedy set in the afterlife, with Miles Teller, Elizabeth Olsen and Callum Turner.

“In Your Dreams” (Netflix, streaming): An animated adventure in which two siblings travel into the world of dreams.

“Sirāt” (Neon, in theaters): Óliver Laxe’s Cannes prizewinner follows a father (Sergi López) and his son (Bruno Núñez Arjona) searching the Moroccan desert for his missing daughter.

“Left-Handed Girl” (Netflix, in theaters, streams Nov. 28): Shih-Ching Tsou, a regular collaborator of Sean Baker, directs a drama following three generations of women building a life in Taipei.

“Arco” (Neon, in theaters): A French, animated sci-fi adventure about a 10-year-old boy from the future who accidentally travels back in time to the year 2075.

“Come See Me in the Good Light” (Apple TV+, streaming): Ryan White’s documentary follows poet and activist Andrea Gibson navigating a diagnosis of terminal ovarian cancer.

Nov. 21

“Wicked: For Good” (Universal, in theaters): Part two of Jon M. Chu’s extravagant big-screen adaptation of the stage musical, with Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande.

“Rental Family” (Searchlight, in theaters): Brendan Fraser plays an American actor in Tokyo who begins working for a rental family service.

“Sisu: Road to Revenge” (Stage 6 and Screen Gems, in theaters): A sequel to the 2022 action film “Sisu,” with Jorma Tommila returning as the Nazi killer Aatami Korpi.

Nov. 26

“Zootopia 2” (Disney, in theaters): Judy Hopps (Ginnifer Goodwin) and Nick Wilde (Jason Bateman) are back on a new mysterious case in the animal metropolis.

“The Secret Agent” (Neon, in theaters): Kleber Mendonça Filho’s ’70s-set Brazilian political thriller stars Wagner Moura as a technology expert returning to his hometown.

Nov. 27

“Hamnet” (Focus Features, in theaters): Chloé Zhao adapts Maggie O’Farrell’s bestseller about William Shakespeare (Paul Mescal) and wife Agnes Shakespeare (Jessie Buckley) after the death of their son.

DECEMBER MOVIE RELEASES

Dec. 1

“Troll 2” (Netflix, streaming): A Norwegian monster movie and sequel to 2022’s “Troll.”

Dec. 3

“Oh. What. Fun.” (Prime Video, streaming): Michelle Pfeiffer stars an underappreciated matriarch in Michael Showalter’s Christmas comedy.

Dec. 5

“Five Nights at Freddy’s 2” (Universal, in theaters): A sequel to the 2023 video-game adaptation, starring Josh Hutcherson, Elizabeth Lail, Piper Rubio and Matthew Lillard.

Dec. 12

“Ella McCay” (20th Century Studios, in theaters): Writer-director James L. Brooks returns with a comedy-drama about a young politician (Emma Mackey), with Jamie Lee Curtis as her aunt.

“Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery” (Netflix, streaming): Daniel Craig returns as the investigator Benoit Blanc in the third of Rian Johnson’s whodunits.

“Scarlet” (Sony, in theaters): Japanese filmmaker Mamoru Hosoda’s anime is about a princess who transcends time and space.

“Silent Night, Deadly Night” (Cineverse, in theaters): A Christmas-themed slasher and remake of the 1984 film.

“Dust Bunny” (Lionsgate and Roadside, in theaters): A young girl asks her neighbor to help her kill the monster under her bed, with Mads Mikkelsen and Sigourney Weaver.

Dec. 19

“Avatar: Fire and Ash” (20th Century Studios): James Cameron extends his sci-fi epic in the third film of the franchise in which the Na’vi encounter an aggressive tribe called the Ash People.

“Is This Thing On?” (Searchlight, in theaters): Bradley Cooper directs and co-stars in a comedy about post-divorce life, starring Will Arnett and Laura Dern.

“The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants” (Paramount, in theaters): SpongeBob travels to the deepest depths of the ocean to face off against the Flying Dutchman.

Dec. 24

“The Plague” (IFC, in theaters): A socially anxious 12-year-old boy encounters hazing at an all-boys water polo camp, with Joel Edgerton.

Dec. 25

“Marty Supreme” (A24, in theaters): Timothée Chalamet stars as Marty Mauser, an aspiring table tennis player, in Josh Safdie’s ’50s-set drama. Co-starring Gwyneth Paltrow.

“Anaconda” (Sony, in theaters): Childhood friends (Jack Black, Paul Rudd) travel to the rainforest to remake their favorite film from their youth.

“The Housemaid” (Lionsgate): Paul Feig’s psychological thriller stars Sydney Sweeney and Amanda Seyfried.

“Song Sung Blue” (Focus Features, in theaters): Two down-on-their-luck musicians (Hugh Jackman, Kate Hudson) form a Neil Diamond tribute band, directed by Craig Brewer.

“The Choral” (Sony Pictures Classics, in theaters): Ralph Fiennes stars as the leader of a Yorkshire choral society in 1916, during World War I.

Crews will close an exit and entrance ramp on southbound I-75 in northern Oakland County at 5 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 2, as part of the ongoing $160 million project to resurface the expressway in both directions between M-15 and the Oakland/Genesee county line.

Weather permitting, Exit 91 to M-15 and the southbound M-15 entrance ramp to southbound I-75 will close Tuesday. They will remain closed until late fall, according to a release from the Michigan Department of Transportation.

During the ramp closures, traffic will take Exit 89 on southbound I-75 to southbound Sashabaw Road, then westbound Waldon Road to M-15.

Both directions of I-75 are reduced to two lanes between Baldwin Road and Clarkston Road.

These exit ramps are closed until late fall:

– Southbound I-75 Exit 98 to East Holly Road

– Southbound I-75 Exit 93 to US-24 (Dixie Highway).

These entrance ramps are closed until late fall:

– East Holly Road to northbound I-75

– Northbound Dixie Highway/Saginaw Road (Grand Blanc Township) to northbound I-75

– Grange Hall Road to southbound I-75

– East Holly Road to southbound I-75

– Southbound US-24 (Dixie Highway) to southbound I-75

– Northbound US-24 (Dixie Highway) to southbound I-75.

Clarkston avenges Belleville loss in rematch of last season’s opener

Commuters and shoppers hoping for reopening of Joslyn-Brown roads have to wait

By Kate Sequeira, Los Angeles Times

LOS ANGELES — For Rebecca Zeitlin, packing her 5-year-old son’s school lunch is always full of surprises. Offer him a peanut butter and jelly sandwich at home and he won’t touch it. But pack it in his lunch with fruits, vegetables and a small treat and he’ll dive in.

He will “chow down” on applesauce at preschool parties. But if she served him applesauce at home, “he’d look at me like I was crazy,” Zeitlin said.

Like many parents, Zeitlin has been thinking about school lunch ahead of her son’s first day of kindergarten. Lunchtime will be different than it was at his small private preschool, where teachers could more closely monitor whether he was eating. She’s already been eyeing school lunch conversations in mom groups on Facebook, and she’s has new lunch boxes ready to pack.

She plans to start off with some of her usual go-tos. Perhaps she’ll pack him chicken nuggets or pasta alongside strawberries, oranges or watermelon.

“I think it’s going to be real interesting to see what next month is going to be like,” Zeitlin said. “I’ve got my plans for now, but when reality hits, his lunches might look different.”

For parents of children 5 and under, navigating school lunch can be challenging. Colorful videos fill TikTok and Instagram showing off creatively shaped sandwiches and neatly cut vegetables laid in bento box-like containers. Lunch box styles can make a difference, influencers advise, as they share school-friendly recipes.

It’s easy for parents to worry that they got it wrong when a child returns home with uneaten food, said Anet Piridzhanyan, a clinical dietitian at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. But there are a few basic steps to make school lunches a success.

What should parents put in their toddler’s lunch box?

It’s important to remember that the start of the school year is exciting, but can also be overwhelming for a young child, said Lori Russell, a registered dietitian and nutritionist at the Mayo Clinic. It may not be that they don’t like their food — they may simply be distracted. Either way, lean into familiarity to encourage them. And don’t offer too many options.

“We have this tendency to overdo it,” Russell said. “If parents want to fill that lunch box with everything that that kid might possibly consume that you have in the house, that’s stressful.”

Kids should have one main item in their lunch box and two or three snacks, which could include carrot sticks or an apple and perhaps a small treat such as a piece of chocolate, she said. Piridzhanyan agreed, recommending that parents rotate through the five food groups throughout the week, packing different fruits, vegetables, grains, proteins and dairy.

Consistency is key. If a parent plans to offer something new in their child’s lunch box, they should pair it with a food item they know their child likes, she added.

“Every day is a new day,” Piridzhanyan said. “They’ve only been around for two to five years, so it’s not like us where, when we see food, we’re like, ‘Oh yeah, I know what that is.’”

That’s something that Gabriella May has learned as her daughter has grown. May, of Fresno, has been making videos of her daughter’s school lunches for TikTok since she started kindergarten. She’s now in fifth grade. Her daughter has always been a picky eater, so introducing new foods at school without the pressure of having mom and dad nearby was helpful — and still is, she said.

What’s the best lunch box for toddlers?

It’s important for parents to make sure that the food they pack is accessible and that they have the utensils and napkins that they need, the dietitians said. Parents should practice opening containers with their child and make sure the lunch box isn’t too heavy.

“We tend to focus on what’s in it and what’s being consumed, and not the actual container,” Russell said. “And does the child like it? Are they enjoying opening it? Carrying it? All that really makes a difference.”

That’s where, for many parents, bento box-style lunch boxes come in. The compartmentalized containers have been popularized on social media.

For Zeitlin, the PlanetBox lunch box has been a great go-to.

“It’s just kind of convenient,” Zeitlin said. “Everything’s in one place.”

Russell, who has a 4-year-old, said that when a child likes their lunch box or container it can encourage them to eat. That’s why options with beloved characters can be a good choice.

“It’s not just about the food, it’s about the favorite cup, the plate,” Russell said.

How to get your kid to eat lunch at preschool

Parents should ask their children why they did or didn’t eat their lunch, Russell said. Sometimes the bread might have been too soggy, the apple slices may have browned or the texture of the macaroni and cheese may have changed after spending all day in a lunch box. If the answer isn’t satisfying, ask the teacher what they have observed, she said.

It helps to know how the teacher or child-care provider stores the food, Piridzhanyan added. Sometimes kids will have access to a refrigerator, other times the food may be left out in the sun, so it helps to be able to plan accordingly by adding an ice pack or a thermos to help keep food safe and appetizing, she said.

“A lot of times the lunch box bags are left out in the classroom, so that part’s really important,” Piridzhanyan said.

Presentation does matter to a degree, but there’s no need to go overboard. If parents want to do something special, Russell recommends quickly using a cookie cutter on a sandwich or adding a sticker alongside the snacks.

Zeitlin can’t wait until her 5-year-old son learns to read. Then, she’ll start leaving notes in his lunch box expressing encouragement and telling jokes. She’s held on to a book of dad jokes for 20 years just for the occasion.

Sequeira reports for The Times’ early childhood education initiative, focusing on the learning and development of California children from birth to age 5. For more information about the initiative and its philanthropic funders, go to latimes.com/earlyed .

©2025 Los Angeles Times. Visit at latimes.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

By JESSICA DAMIANO, Associated Press

If you spend any time gardening, you probably understand what I mean when I say it feels good — despite the lifting, sweating and straining involved. Yes, exercise is good for our bodies, but there’s something about digging in the dirt while listening to a bird soundtrack that lifts my spirits. Even the scent of the soil and mulch makes me happy.

As it turns out, there are scientific reasons for this.

In fact, there’s an entire field called horticultural therapy that’s dedicated to using “plant-based and garden-based activities to support people who have identified treatment needs,” according to Karen Haney, a horticultural therapy instructor at UCLA Extension in Long Beach, California.

“Research suggests 20-30 minutes (of gardening) a few times a week can reduce stress and lift mood, with benefits increasing the more regularly one gardens,” says Sarah Thompson, a professionally registered horticultural therapist in Boise, Idaho.

It’s not just about being outdoors

Yes, the simple act of being in nature can improve mood and restore focus, she said, but “the active engagement of nurturing plants, making decisions and seeing results over time adds a unique layer of meaning and satisfaction that passive time outdoors does not.”

In addition, Thompson said gardening has been shown to ease symptoms of anxiety and depression, and fosters a sense of calm, purpose and accomplishment.

A recent study at the University of Colorado-Boulder backs this up.

The researchers there provided one group of participants with an instructional gardening class, seeds, starter plants and a community gardening plot. They had a second group refrain from gardening for two years.

The gardening cohorts reported stronger social connections, lower stress levels and about a 7% increase in fiber intake, which have been shown to reduce risk factors for some physical and mental illnesses, including depression, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes and cancer. They also reported a 42-minute weekly increase in physical activity, which the non-gardeners did not.

A mindful, rewarding and versatile activity

Previous studies have arrived at similar findings. In 2020, for instance, researchers at the University of Exeter and the Royal Horticultural Society in the U.K. found the health and well-being of gardeners over non-gardeners to be similar to that of residents of wealthy communities over those who live in poorer areas.

In addition to encouraging mindfulness, grounding people in the present moment and providing a sense of achievement, Thompson said, “research has also shown that exposure to sunlight can boost serotonin levels, while contact with soil introduces beneficial microbes linked to mood enhancement.”

So, it seems you just can’t go wrong with gardening.

“Physically, gardening improves strength, flexibility and balance. Socially, it can foster connection. Cognitively, it engages problem solving and creativity,” Thompson said, adding that it’s a highly adaptable activity.

“Gardening can be scaled to any space, ability or age, and its benefits are accessible to everyone,” she said.

Deep down, we gardeners have always believed this. Now, we have the science to prove it.

Jessica Damiano writes weekly gardening columns for the AP and publishes the award-winning Weekly Dirt Newsletter. You can sign up here for weekly gardening tips and advice.

A new economic initiative focused on increasing southeast Michigan’s opportunities in the defense industry launched Thursday.

Organizers said the automotive industry’s long history of adapting to support defense, aerospace and advanced manufacturing efforts is the foundation for the success of the initiative.

Oakland, Wayne and Macomb counties, the Detroit Regional Partnership and Detroit Economic Growth Corporation are behind the effort.

On Thursday, Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter joined other officials at the Grosse Pointe War Memorial to sign a memorandum of understanding to create the Detroit Regional Defense Coalition.

The coalition’s purpose is to unite defense and aerospace industries to make southeast Michigan the defense capital of the Midwest.

That means expanding opportunities for the Detroit Arsenal in Warren and the Selfridge Air National Guard base in Harrison Township. Since 2023, the region has obtained $4.6 billion in U.S. Dept. of Defense funding for more than 350 defense contracts that support for more than 7,000 jobs. In 2024, an estimated 11,000 residents have benefitted from a payroll of more than $1.73 billion.

The new coalition will work with state officials, local companies, all branches of the military and federal agencies to secure new investments.

Wayne County Executive Warren Evans and Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel also signed the memorandum of understanding. In a joint statement, Coulter, Evans and Hackel said southeast Michigan plays a vital role in supporting national defense initiatives and that expanding that footprint will add jobs and investments to Michigan’s economic portfolio.

Vicki Selva was named the coalition’s executive director. She helped launch Oakland County’s small-business growth initiative called Thrive. In addition to her experience in Michigan’s defense sector, she was a director in former U.S. Senator Carl Levin’s office and an executive director for Michigan’s Defense Office. In the past, she was a National Defense Industrial Association board member.

“With our unmatched assets and capabilities, we can make a powerful case to the nation and our allies that the Detroit region is where you want to do defense and aerospace business,” she said.

The coalition was created over the last year with the help of more than 20 industry, education, military and government leaders.

Organizers set these priorities:

•  Attract new contracts

•  Strengthen supply chains

•  Expand critical missions and assets

•  Provide coordinated and strategic support to contractors and businesses across the region

•  Strengthen the Lansing – Washington, D.C., connection so southeast Michigan is represented well in both capitols.

•  Become the trusted source of data, analysis and messaging to unify stakeholders and showcase southeast Michigan’s defense and aerospace profile on a national level.

By JOSH JACQUOT for Associated Press

Buying a new car has never been more financially daunting. A 2025 analysis from Edmunds found that a record 19.3% of consumers who financed a new vehicle in the second quarter of 2025 committed to a monthly payment of $1,000 or more. That’s nearly one in five buyers taking on what was once considered an extreme car payment — driven by high interest rates and rising vehicle prices.

While it might be tempting to stretch your budget for the car you want, locking yourself into a high-cost loan can be a painful mistake. Before you sign, here are five common car-buying missteps to avoid.

Buying a car you can’t (or shouldn’t) really afford

There’s a difference between being able to buy something and being able to afford it wisely. With an average new vehicle transaction price of approximately $49,000, many buyers are truly stretching their budgets. It’s not uncommon to see buyers opt for extended 72-month or 84-month financing terms.

That shiny SUV might seem within reach thanks to flexible financing, but the long-term hit to your financial health could be considerable. Buying within your means — ideally targeting a loan term of no more than 60 months and keeping your car-related expenses under 15%-20% of your monthly take-home pay — is smart shopping in an era of rising interest rates and ever-increasing car prices.

Not shopping around for a loan

One of the most costly and common mistakes car buyers make is waiting until they’re sitting in the dealership finance office to think about a loan. Dealerships may offer convenience, but their financing may include marked-up interest rates or hidden fees.

Instead, walk into the dealership with a preapproved loan offer from your bank, credit union or an online lender. According to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, this move can save buyers hundreds to thousands of dollars over the life of the loan. When you do this, the dealer can still try to beat the rate — and sometimes will. But now you’re negotiating from a position of strength, not desperation.

Rolling negative equity into a new car loan

If you owe more on your current car than it’s worth — a situation known as negative equity — trading it in for a new vehicle can be a financial landmine. This commonly happens when people take out a six-year loan, trade in the vehicle after just three or four years, and carry the previous balance into the new vehicle. Rolling that deficit into a new loan just worsens the problem, guaranteeing that you’ll be underwater for even longer.

According to Edmunds, 28.2% of trade-ins in July 2025 involved negative equity, and the average amount buyers owed above the vehicle’s value was $6,902. That sets the stage for a vicious cycle, especially if buyers trade cars frequently or face unexpected job loss or repair costs. If you’re in this situation, consider keeping your car longer or making extra payments. If you can get a better rate, even refinancing can get you back to breakeven.

Skipping the sales department

Most major dealerships now have dedicated internet sales teams that exist to sell you a car quickly and often at better prices than you’ll get face-to-face. If you already know what make, model and trim you want, you can save hours — and hundreds or even thousands of dollars — by working with the internet sales department instead of walking onto the lot.

Sites such as Edmunds can help you compare pricing between multiple dealers, and many will show you real-time inventory, rebates and incentives. This lets you shop from the comfort of home and make dealers compete for your business. It also gives you a written quote you can bring with you — a powerful tool when negotiating.

Overlooking used alternatives

Buying new is tempting — it smells great, it’s under warranty, and no one else has touched it. But it’s not always the smartest financial move. Today’s certified pre-owned vehicles often come with extended factory warranties, undergo rigorous inspections, and cost thousands less than their new counterparts. The rapid depreciation of most new vehicles only worsens the picture. Most lose 20%–30% of their value in the first year alone, according to Edmunds. Avoiding that depreciation hit can save thousands.

Edmunds says

Buying a new car is one of the biggest financial decisions most people make — second only to purchasing a home. Avoiding these five common mistakes won’t just save you money — it has the potential to help ensure your long-term financial security. Take your time and do your homework. The right deal isn’t just about the car — it’s about the life you want to live after you drive it off the lot.

This story was provided to The Associated Press by the automotive website Edmunds. Josh Jacquot is a contributor at Edmunds.

The Detroit Lions made two significant draft mistakes back in 2023. For an ascending team, the front office took a chance on two players who were not considered immediate impact players.

Not only did Hendon Hooker and Brodric Martin not pan out, the team used draft capital to move to select Martin with pick No. 96 overall.

General manager Brad Holmes gave up a fourth-rounder (No. 122 overall) and two fifth-rounders (No. 139 & No. 168) to get back up into the third round to select the defensive lineman.

Speaking with reporters, Holmes addressed what the team learned from not being successful drafting and developing Hooker and Martin.

“All you can do is put all the work in and feel good when you take the player. Look, I think there’s risk involved with every single pick that you do,” said Holmes. “There was a great definition of risk. Man, I’m drawing a blank on the book. It was one of Morgan Housel’s books. I’m not sure if it was Morgan Housel’s quote, but he said, ‘Risk is what’s left after you think you’ve thought of everything.’ And I think it’s a very clear, vivid illustration of I don’t know how much more preparation that we could have done when we select these players, but it’s just a respect of the unknown.”

Holmes continued, “Unfortunately, they did not meet expectations in the timely manner that we would have liked for them to do, but you’ve just got to just look at it. I’m a big self-assessment individual, after I actually review, look at it, analyze it. I think we’ve already identified some areas already. But yeah, you’ve just got to learn, you’ve just got to grow and get better.”

Assistant general manager Ray Agnew discussed the human element, and also noted that a change of scenery has the potential to benefit players at times.

Martin was signed to the practice squad of the Chiefs, while Hooker landed on the practice squad of the Panthers.

“It’s kind of easy to pick those two players out. You talk about those two players, we did a lot of work on both of those guys. We believed they had the talent to play in this league. The first thing that comes to my mind is the kid, I think about the kid,” Agnew said. “The kid, for the first time in his life he’s being told, ‘You’re not good enough,’ and how’s he doing mentally, how’s he doing.

“Cause every time you get a change of scenery, things could go better for a kid and some kids just need a change of scenery. And maybe that’s what’s going to happen for both of those kids. It’s easy to pick those two kids out, but those two kids are talented kids and we did a lot of work on those kids and wish the best for them first and foremost in their new endeavor.”

This article was produced by the staff at Detroit Lions On SI. For more, visit si.com/nfl/lions

ANN ARBOR — Michigan senior Max Bredeson, a two-time captain who has made a name for himself as a violent blocker, pregame motivator and leader, went to head coach Sherrone Moore before the start of preseason camp and made a request.

Moore was pairing up teammates to room together during camp and figured Bredeson, a fullback/tight end, would enjoy spending time with tight end Marlin Klein. Bredeson had a different plan. He was aiming to room with highly touted freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood, who on Monday was named the team’s starter. He is the fourth true freshman quarterback to start for the Wolverines.

For the duration of camp, Underwood, who turned 18 this month, and Bredeson roomed together. They found out, among other things, that they both enjoy Cheez-It Grooves crackers.

“That was fun,” Bredeson said of rooming with Underwood. “A lot of great things (happened), like obviously getting to see him play football. It’s cool to see that stuff, but the way he talks to people, the way he interacts in the building, I think that’s really special.

“I got to be around him every day for a month straight and you get to see what someone’s really like after you go back to a hotel room after a three-hour practice, you can see the real version of them, and the real version is as good as could be.”

Moore initially found himself wondering why Bredeson would make that request but realized it was about messaging and what an experienced senior could share with a freshman. And not just any freshman, but one of the most talked about in college football entering this season.

Bredeson said he doesn’t know exactly what he hoped to get out of the experience but instinctively felt it was a good plan.

“I just knew it could help the team being around each other every day,” Bredeson said. “Everybody wants to have a positive impact on everybody. I got a lot out of it from him, too. So it wasn’t all about me trying to be around him. A lot of good things came for me from being around him, too.”

Bredeson wanted to use the opportunity to impart some of his well-earned football wisdom. He also knows what it’s like to be a freshman and trying to find your voice within a team. Underwood, because of the nature of his position, has to be in control of the offense and has to command respect. That’s not easy to earn or develop.

“He’s definitely been able to grow in that role and kind of settle in,” Bredeson said.

Underwood hasn’t had a lot of media interaction, but when he has, he has made clear he’s confident in his abilities. He told Big Ten Network last week, for instance, that he wants to “shock” the world.

“They’ve seen a lot of freshmen, but nobody’s seen a freshman like me,” Underwood said on BTN.

During an interview with The Detroit News in April, he was asked his best on-field traits.

“What I feel like I do best, I lead and I’m an honest-to-God game-changer,” he said.

In an interview with Rich Eisen earlier this year, he said he plans to win “a couple Heismans and at least one natty.”

Bold talk but no one seems to mind. Perhaps that’s his media persona, because the players and coaches have said they’ve seen nothing but a young quarterback who wants to learn, one who stays late to work on his game and study film.

“Bryce is a very even-keel kid,” Moore said. “Doesn’t get up too high, too low, but he was very excited about the opportunity (to start). He said that’s why he came here, to be that guy.”

Now that he is that guy, Moore made clear that while he considers Underwood “mature beyond his years,” people need to understand he will make mistakes. He called it a journey and said the entire team is along for the ride.

The coaches have always leaned toward Underwood during preseason interviews about the quarterback competition, which is why the announcement Monday was anticlimactic. Offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey described the starting quarterback as requiring the right mindset to own the key leadership position. The best guys he said he’s coached have not been the loudest but those who can motivate.

“Whoever affects the other 10 guys the best,” Lindsey said during camp about what he looks for in a starting quarterback. “Whoever can manage the whole offense. Communication, getting us in and out of the right plays, making sure we’re in the right protection and so forth. Who has that ability to affect the others?”

Underwood and the receivers will work this season to revive a pass game that struggled last season. Junior receiver Semaj Morgan, who attended West Bloomfield and knew Underwood from the 7-on-7 circuit, said the receivers and Underwood have developed chemistry.

“Since I already knew Bryce, he already knew what I can do and believes in me,” Morgan said.

Senior left guard Gio El-Hadi said it doesn’t matter that Underwood is only 18. He has the attention of his teammates.

”He’s very confident,” El-Hadi said. “He has that natural leadership. He’s loud, he calls something he’s confident in. You gotta be confident to be a quarterback. Not cocky but confident, and I really love that about him. He’s (18) years old playing with 21-, 22-, maybe 25-year-olds, but he just has that ability to lead us and the ability to talk through stuff just like all the other quarterbacks. And for him to do that at a young age is so impressive.”

Now, Underwood must navigate the pressure that comes with being the starting quarterback.

Not a problem. Moore said the freshman embraces it.

“I think he kind of likes it, and I think he also turns it into fuel,” Moore said. “I asked him a question, like, what’s his goal, and it was just me and him. He said, ‘Do everything I can to help my team win.’ That’s it. That’s all you want to hear. And all those other things, I think everybody has individual goals, and they should have them, but ultimately you should be about the team.

“He definitely is about the team and wants to make sure the team is at their best. So there is hype, but that’s what happens when you’re the starting quarterback at Michigan.”

By CHRISTOPHER BODEEN, Associated Press

TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — A visit by a pair of U.S. senators to Taiwan has drawn criticism from China, which claims the island as its own and objects to any contact between officials of the two sides.

Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Roger Wicker, a Mississippi Republican, and Nebraska Republican Deb Fischer arrived in Taipei on Friday for a series of high-level meetings with senior Taiwan leaders to discuss U.S.-Taiwan relations, regional security, trade and investment, according to the American Institute in Taiwan, which acts as Washington’s de facto embassy in lieu of formal diplomatic relations with the self-governing island democracy.

Upon arrival, Wicker said: “A thriving democracy is never fully assured … and we’re here to talk to our friends and allies in Taiwan about what we’re doing to enhance worldwide peace.”

“At a time of global unrest, it is extremely significant for us to be here,” Fischer added, noting that discussions would include “security, opportunities and progress for this part of the world.”

But Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun protested the visit, saying it “undermines China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and sends a gravely wrong signal to the separatist Taiwan independence forces.”

The pair’s two-day visit to Taiwan follows stops in Hawaii, Guam, Tinian, Pala and the Philippines.

The U.S. is Taiwan’s largest supplier of arms. It provides the island with the latest generation tanks, air defense missiles and upgraded F-16 jet fighters as part of its guarantee of security against Beijing’s threat to invade.

China considers the American supply of arms to Taiwan a violation of commitments made to it by previous U.S. administrations.

Labor Day weekend, accompanied by all of the music-heavy festivals around the metro area, brings the summer to an unofficial end. But the music hardly stops.

For starters, the outdoor venues will continue to host shows into October; the Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre in Sterling Heights doesn’t wrap things up until the second weekend in October. Moving indoors won’t reduce the offerings, either, and besides the stage, we have movies, books and TV specials to keep the music coming up to — and beyond — the holiday season.

There’s a lot to look forward to in the coming months, and the “end” of summer seems like a good time to spotlight 20 of those that we’re most looking forward to…

The kahuna of the fall will be Taylor Swift’s 12th studio album, a decidedly upbeat and pop-flavored affair inspired by her uber successful Eras Tour — and possibly, some think, the predecessor to a halftime appearance at this season’s Super Bowl. Swift, who co-produced with Max Martin and Shellback and features a guest appearance by Sabrina Carpenter on the title track, promises there won’t be myriad extra songs a la last year’s “The Tortured Poets Department.” It will, however, come in multiple formats, especially on the vinyl front. And it’ll come during the world’s fascination with her engagement on Tuesday, Aug. 26, to Travis Kelce, a tight end for the Kansas City Chiefs. It is scheduled for release on Oct. 3. (Republic Records)

Tedeschi Trucks Band and Gov’t Mule, Sept. 10 at Pine Knob Music Theatre, Independence Township: Derek Trucks and Gov’t Mule co-founder Warren Haynes played together in the Allman Brothers Band from 2000-2014 and remain tight as friends and collaborators — including on Haynes’ 2024 solo album “Million Voices Whisper.” That means we can expect plenty of collaborative guitar fireworks when they hit town for this one. (313-471-7000 or 313Presents.com)

“Spinal Tap II: The End Continues,” Sept. 12: The Tap troupe is back and Marty Di Bergi (Rob Reiner) has his cameras rolling for the iconic sequel to 1984’s “This Is Spinal Tap.” They’ve turned things up past 11, too, as Paul McCartney, Elton John, Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood make guest appearances. Hopefully, Stonehenge will look as it should and they’ll be able to find the way to the stage in Cleveland this time out. (spinaltap.com)

The Lumineers, Sept. 13 at Comerica Park, Detroit: The home of the Tigers’ only concert this summer is from this duo that’s been filling up Little Caesars Arena and Pine Knob for the past few years. They’ll be joined by the Backseat Lovers and Chance Pena on one of The District’s biggest nights of the year, with Bonnie Raitt and Malcolm Todd across the street at the Fox Theatre and Fillmore Detroit, respectively, and Garbage up the road at the Masonic Temple Auditorium.  (313-471-7000 or 313Presents.com)

The B-52’s, Devo and Lene Lovich, Sept. 25 at Pine Knob Music Theatre: Call ’em weird or wacky, these kindred spirits will throw back to a time when we didn`t know what to make of their bouffant hairdos or yellow factory suits and upside-down plant-pot hats — but now accept ’em as part of what we came to recognize as provocative creative genius. (313-471-7000 or 313Presents.com)

Queens, Sept. 28 at Little Caesars Arena: They’ve earned their respective crowns with generations of groundbreaking R&B, so the spectacle of Chaka Khan, Patti LaBelle, Gladys Knight and Stephanie Mills on one show should be a royal treat indeed.  (313-471-7000 or 313Presents.com)

Alice Cooper, Judas Priest and Corrosion of Conformity, Oct. 2 at Pine Knob Music Theatre: Shock rock hero Cooper’s mostly annual concert visits to his hometown are never to be missed, and if you think you can skip this pairing with Judas Priest — their first time together since the Operation Rock & Roll Tour in 1991 — well, you’ve got another thing coming. (313-471-7000 or 313Presents.com)

Ozzy Osbourne, “Last Rites,” Oct. 10: There was already great anticipation for the sequel to the Prince of Darkness’ award-winning 2010 memoir “I Am Ozzy,” and that’s only been further stoked by his death in July. The new volume tracks the past decade and a half, including the myriad health issues he experienced during that time, as well as his last musical projects, such as Black Sabbath’s farewell tour and his last couple of solo albums. (Grand Central Publishing)

Elvis Costello & the Imposters, Oct. 9, Royal Oak Music Theatre: This one’s for the OG fans; the Radio Soul: The Early Songs of Elvis Costello will focus on his first 11 albums, from 1977-1986, and will include the title song, which is an early version of his hit “Radio Radio.” Guitarist Charlie Sexton will be joining the Imposters band again for the run. (249-399-3065 or royaloakmusictheatre.com)

Judy Collins, Oct. 10, Flagstar Strand Theatre, Pontiac: When the true legends come around, it’s always advisable to see them. We haven’t had Collins, 86, in town since her 2018 show with Stephen Stills at the Meadow Brook Amphitheatre, and who knows how many more opportunities there will be to hear her sing “Both Sides, Now” or “Send in the Clowns.” (248-309-6445, ext.2 or flagstarstrand.com)

Don Was and the Pan-Detroit Ensemble, Oct. 11 at the Majestic Theatre, Detroit: The Grammy, Emmy and BAFTA Award-winning musician and producer’s latest all-star troupe has made a global impact since it premiered last year, and the fall promises more with a trip to the Blue Note Jazz Festival in Japan during September (playing the Grateful Dead’s “Blues For Allah” to commemorate its 50th anniversary) and the subsequent release of its debut album on Mack Avenue Records. The Ensemble will come home to celebrate with a concert at the Majestic, its second performance in the metro area. (313-833-9700 or themajesticdetroit.com)

“The Beatles Anthology,” starting Oct. 14: There are some polarized opinions about the return, and updated expansion, of the 1995 Fab Four documentary project to celebrate its 30th anniversary this fall. But those who can’t get enough will certainly be saying “yeah, yeah, yeah.” A new version of “The Beatles Anthology Book” publishes on Oct. 14, and “The Beatles Anthology Music Collections,” now with an additional fourth volume, releases on Nov. 21. “The Beatles Anthology” series itself, meanwhile, is now a nine-episode opus that begins Nov. 26 on Disney+. (TheBeatles.com)

Detroit Symphony Orchestra plays Marsalis and Shostakovich, Oct. 17-19 at Orchestra Hall: After releasing its recording of Wynton Marsalis’ “Blues Symphony” earlier this year, the DSO takes on another of his pieces, “Violin Concerto,” along with Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 9. Music Director Jader Bignamini will conduct, with Giuseppe Gibboni as guest violinist. (313-576-5111 or dso.org)

“Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere,” Oct. 24: “The Bear’s” Jeremy Allen White stars as The Boss in this adaptation of Warren Zanes’ best-selling book of the same name — primarily about the making of Bruce Springsteen’s 1982 album “Nebraska,” but also telling the story about how he got to that point. Directed by Scott Cooper, it premieres at this year’s New York Film Festival on Sept. 28 before its wide release. (imbd.com)

Jon Batiste, Oct. 24 at the Fox Theatre, Detroit: The award-winning Louisiana musician’s delivered one of 2024’s best concerts at the Fillmore Detroit, and there’s every reason to expect more of the same this time through after the release of his hot new album, “Big Money,” just a couple weeks ago, which features guest appearances by Andra Day, Randy Newman and No ID. (313-471-7000 or 313Presents.com)

David Byrne, Oct. 25 at the Fox Theatre: Two must-sees on the same weekend is a big deal, but anyone who witnessed Byrne’s “American Utopia” show at the Fox in 2018 or watched the Broadway production via HBO, knows that the former Talking Heads frontman can be counted on to deliver the goods any time he steps on stage. This year’s performance will be in support of his new solo album, “Who Is the Sky?,” which comes out Sept. 5. (313-471-7000 or 313Presents.com)

GRiZMas, Nov. 19-20 at the Masonic Temple Theatre, Detroit: Southfield-raised EDM favorite Grant “GRiZ” Kwiecinski brings back his holiday charity tradition for a 10th time, which will culminate with a pair of already sold-out concerts. Another 12 days of activities will be announced in the near future, he promises. The initiative has raised more than $1 million over the years for his Seven Mile charity. (12daysofgrizmas.com)

“The Billy Joel Songbook,” Nov. 21-23, Orchestra Hall, Detroit: After the Piano Man postponed and then canceled his planned Ford Field concert, fans can get their fix during this three-show weekend stand with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra Pops, joined by singer-pianist Tony DeSare for a program of all the big hits. (313-576-5111 or dso.org)

“Hell’s Kitchen,” Dec. 2-14, Fisher Theatre, Detroit: Amidst an early season of other jukebox musicals (“Back to the Future: The Musical,” “Tina — The Tina Turner Musical”), Alicia Keys’ semi-biographical work, which was nominated for 13 Tony Awards, stands out thanks to a poignant story and songs that have already proven to be outstanding. (313-872-1000 or broadwayindetroit.com)

“Malcolm X Jazz Suite,” Dec. 5 at Orchestra Hall, Detroit: Trumpeter Terence Blanchard, the Detroit Symphony Orchestra’s jazz creative director, will lead his E-Collective and the Turtle Island Quartet through this one-night-only reimagination of the score he created for Spike Lee’s film “Malcolm X” in 1982. (313-576-5111 or dso.org)

By Melody Baetens, MediaNews Group

Busy restaurateur Adam Merkel has changed the concept of his rooftop space at the corner of 11 Mile and Main Street in downtown Royal Oak.

After shuttering the feminine and rosy Pinky’s Rooftop earlier this year, Bella Limone made its debut last week. Inspired by Italy’s Amalfi Coast, the new concept opens just in time to soak up the milder days of late summer and early fall on the rooftop patio and breezy dining room.

“Bella Limone was created to capture the warmth and vibrancy of Italian hospitality,” Merkel said in statement shared with the media. Merkel owns several area restaurants, including Cello Italian and Silver Pig in Howell and he’s also involved in the new Big Rock Italian Chophouse in Birmingham with Cameron Mitchell. “On a recent trip to Capri and Positano, I was inspired by the beauty, flavors, and spirit of the Amalfi Coast. From our handcrafted pasta to our signature limoncello, every detail reflects that inspiration and a passion for bringing people together.”

To help welcome guests to the new restaurant, the menu at Belle Limone will be 50% off for the first hour of business each day through the end of September. There will also be select wine specials during the first hour.

The menu highlights the house-made pasta, available in two sizes, as well as a gluten-free option. There’s also house specialties such as sausage and peppers, tomato bruschetta, chicken limoncello, beef tenderloin medallions and scallops with Parmesan risotto. Merkle’s well-known carrot cake with cream cheese frosting stays on the menu.

“Adam brings authenticity, creativity and heart to everything he does,” said Cameron Mitchell, Merkel’s partner and mentor, in a statement. “Bella Limone captures that spirit beautifully and I’m excited to see it thrive.”

Next, Little Bella’s Pizza and Wine Bar will open on the ground floor area at the same address, where Pearl’s Deep Dive restaurant was. Merkle says that should be ready in October. The other space in this floorplan, where Mediterranean restaurant Bohemia used to be will be used as a banquet area and private event room.

Bella Limone, 100 S. Main in Royal Oak, is open 4-9:30 p.m. Tues.-Thurs., 4-10:30 p.m. Fri., 3-10:30 p.m. Sat. and 3-8:30 p.m. Sun. Walk-ins are welcome, or reservations can be made through the OpenTable app or by visiting bellalimone.com.

By MediaNews Group

Recent health inspections in some Madison Heights restaurants revealed pests, mislabeled food and more between May and August of this year, according to Oakland County Health Department inspection reports.

Many of the violations have been corrected. The presence of violations in a past inspection does not necessarily mean the establishment has the same violations today.

Inspection reports can be found at swordsolutions.com/inspections/.

Below is a list of violations found at a few restaurants in Madison Heights.

Boodles, 935 W 11 Mile Road

During a routine inspection on July 29, an inspector noted several problems at Boodles:

• 1) Quat tabs [sanitizing tablets] observed on top shelf above food and food equipment. 2) Spray bottle of windex observed beside clean dishes on shelf.
• Heavy flies, large and small throughout, especially in dish area. Facility is working with pest control but did not provide documentation at the time of inspection.
• Container of cream, milk, and half and half with manufacturer’s use-by dates of 7/21, 7/17, and 7/8. Note: today is 7/29/25.
• 0ppm chorine sanitizer observed at dish machine after wash cycle. Slicer observed soiled with food debris for unknown amount of time.
• No paper towel observed at hand sink by dry storage.
• Menu missing consumer advisory (reminder and disclosure statements) from items which are cooked to order.
• Broken tiles observed in dry storage and in front of dish machine.
• Torn screen observed at window by dish machine.
• Floor at dish machine observed heavily soiled under floor mats.

Grand Azteca, 321 W 14 Mile Road

During a routine inspection on July 9, an inspector noted several problems at Grand Azteca:

• Several gallons of milk observed with manufactures use by date of 7/8 and 7/3. Note: today is 7/9/25.
• First aid kits stored on shelf above boxes of food.
• Hot water turned off at cookline hand sink.
• Ice machine door observed broken.
• Black buildup observed on wall around walk in cooler drain line.
• 1) Several loose or missing tiles on cookline floor. 2) Various cove-based tiles were observed missing throughout.

Wing Snob, 140 W 12 Mile Road

During a routine inspection on July 14, an inspector noted several problems at Wing Snob:

• Two large deep buckets with partially cooked wings prepared 7/13 observed in walk-in cooler, 49-53F. Note today is 7/14.
• Par-cooked wings not labeled as par-cooked.
• Two large deep buckets with partially cooked wings prepared 7/13 observed in walk-in cooler, — 49-53F. Note today is 7/14.
• Bottle of spray chemicals observed without a common name.
• Green wire rack holding sauces and oil observed with a buildup.
• Small cooler at front counter holding dressings observed without a unit thermometer.
• Caulk peeled away at three-compartment sink wall junction.

John R Grill, 26623 John R Road

During a routine inspection on August 14, an inspector noted several problems at John R Grill:

• Raw shell eggs observed stored on cooked food in cooler.
• The noted foods were observed 50-60F for less than four hours per person in charge: 1) feta, cut tomatoes, sliced and shredded cheese and 2) sliced ham, cooked sausage and raw shell eggs. Note: the coolers 1)-2) were observed with ambient temperatures 50-60F.
• Container of water stored in employee hand sink near cookline.
• Employee beverages stored on cook line cutting surface.
• 1) Salad cooler in waitstaff area observed in disrepair, food is being held on ice in top rail. Per owner they are waiting on a part to repair. 2) Top-loading cooler on make line holding potentially hazardous foods with an ambient of 60F. 3) Tall reach in cooler on cookline holding potentially hazardous foods with ambient of 50F.
• Rat droppings observed in rear of facility near Leonard’s tank. Facility is working with Guardian for routine pest control.
• Employees observed preparing food without an approved hair restraint.
• 1) Exterior of cooler doors, frames and gaskets on cookline soiled with buildup. 2) Shelf under flat top on cookline soiled with build-up and food debris. 3) Exterior of range and side of fryer.
• Wet wiping cloths stored in bucket with chlorine and degreaser.
• Cutting surface on wait staff cooler observed heavily grooved and stained.
• The floor under cook line and makeline equipment observed soiled with black buildup and food debris.

Texas Roadhouse, 29485 John R Road

During a routine inspection on June 30, an inspector noted several problems at Texas Roadhouse:

• Hose with sprayer observed affixed to faucet downstream of atmospheric vacuum breaker at mop sink.
• High temp dish machine observed not reaching 160F on plate surface after rinse cycle. Note: booster was turned off.
• 1) Slow draining floor drain in kitchen near to-go area. 2) Clogged floor drain under dish machine.
• Floor under dish machine observed with heavy food debris and standing water.
• Single live cockroach observed in dish area. Facility is working with a licensed pest control operator.
• Caulk at dish observed peeling with black buildup.

Tim Hortons, 493 W 12 Mile Road

During a routine inspection on June 4, an inspector noted several problems at Tim Hortons:

• Cut tomatoes, cut lettuce and cream cheese 47-50F for less than four hours in make line cooler. Note: cooler was observed with ice buildup on fan and with an ambient temperature of 46F.
• Grout under three-compartment observed heavily worn down with deep cracks between tiles, creating a surface that is no longer smooth and easily cleanable.
• Floor under front counter, central hot holding unit and makeline cooler observed soiled with buildup.
• Cooler holding potentially hazardous foods was observed with ice build up on fan and with an ambient temperature of 46F.
• Blender rinser drain, under-counter near hand sink, observed heavily soiled with buildup.

Today is Friday, Aug. 29, the 241st day of 2025. There are 124 days left in the year.

Today in history:

On Aug. 29, 2004, marathoner Vanderlei de Lima was attacked by a spectator during the running of the Olympic marathon in Athens; de Lima, who was leading the race at the time, eventually finished third and received the Pierre de Coubertin medal for sportsmanship in addition to his bronze medal.

Also on this date:

In 1814, during the War of 1812, Alexandria, Virginia, formally surrendered to British military forces, which occupied the city until September 3.

In 1825, the Treaty of Rio de Janeiro was signed by Portugal and Brazil, officially ending the Brazilian War of Independence.

In 1862, the Bureau of Engraving and Printing began operations at the United States Treasury.

In 1944, 15,000 American troops of the 28th Infantry Division marched down the Champs-Élysées in Paris as the French capital continued to celebrate its liberation from the Nazis.

In 1958, the U.S. Air Force Academy opened in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

In 1966, the Beatles concluded their fourth American tour with their last public concert, held at Candlestick Park in San Francisco.

In 2005, Hurricane Katrina struck the U.S. Gulf Coast in southeast Louisiana, breaching levees and spurring floods that devastated New Orleans. Katrina caused nearly 1,400 deaths and an estimated $200 billion in damage.

In 2008, Republican presidential nominee John McCain picked Sarah Palin, a maverick conservative who had been governor of Alaska for less than two years, to be his running mate.

In 2013, in a sweeping new policy statement, the Justice Department said it would not stand in the way of states that wanted to legalize, tax and regulate marijuana as long as there were effective controls to keep marijuana away from children, the black market and federal property.

In 2021, Hurricane Ida blasted ashore in Louisiana as one of the most powerful storms ever to hit the U.S., knocking out power to all of New Orleans, blowing roofs off buildings and briefly reversing the flow of the Mississippi River.

Today’s Birthdays:

• Actor Elliott Gould is 87.
• Former U.S. Treasury Secretary Robert Rubin is 87.
• Olympic gold medal sprinter Wyomia Tyus is 80.
• Olympic gold medal long jumper Bob Beamon is 79.
• Animal behaviorist and autism educator Temple Grandin is 78.
• Dancer-choreographer Mark Morris is 69.
• Actor Rebecca De Mornay is 66.
• Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch is 58.
• Singer Me’Shell NdegeOcello (n-DAY’-gay-OH’-chehl-oh) is 57.
• Actor Carla Gugino is 54.
• Actor-singer Lea Michele is 39.
• MLB pitcher Noah Syndergaard (SIHN’-dur-gahrd) is 33.

ROCHESTER HILLS – This time around there was no drama for Rochester Adams.

After defeating Romeo in overtime in the season opener last season, 22-21 — the winning points were scored courtesy of a 2-point conversion toss — Rochester Adams picked up little resistance Thursday with a resounding 39-7 victory over visiting Romeo in the season opener for both teams.

Three players did a lot of the damage, with senior quarterback Ryland Watters finishing a perfect 5-for-5 passing for 112 yards with two touchdown passes while rushing for 67 yards on 11 carries with two more touchdowns. Senior Matt Toeppner had six carries for 35 yards and hauled in three catches for 87 yards and two scores, and junior Lorenzo Sartor rushed for 118 yards on 11 carries to go along with a catch for 15 yards.

The Highlanders, state semifinalists last season, racked up 127 passing yards and 276 rushing yards using a wide variety of ball carriers (seven) and receivers (three) on the night.

The early lead set the tone and the Highlanders picked up steam.

“A thousand percent,” said veteran Adams coach Tony Patritto of his team’s start. “Toeppner has always been a great player for us. He emerged during the second half of last season for us. He had a great camp. He a tough kid — he has a great burst running. He never takes a down off. He’s a throwback.

“But we have a lot of kids who can makes players. That’s who we are. It could be someone different each game,” added Patritto.

Romeo graduated all of its defensive starters and brought back just four players that started games last year on the offensive side of the ball. The inexperience showed against a state powerhouse program in Rochester Adams.

“We don’t return much in terms of starters,” admitted Romeo coach Curt Rienas. “We don’t have any defensive starters back and just four players that started some games for us last season on offense. We have a lot of new players in there tonight. It showed. We fell behind early.

“And no, we did not recover,” added Rienas. “We replaced a lot of guys and we played very hesitant tonight. And Adams is a very good football team with a lot of experience and it showed. We can’t play hesitant against a team with that type of caliber like Adams. We have lots of room for improvement.”

Senior quarterback Sammy Nepa finished 10-for-15 passing for 115 yards for Romeo before exiting the game late in the second quarter. Junior running back Troy Smith had two catches for 59 yards and also rushed for 20 yards on seven carries and scored the lone touchdown on the ground for the Bulldogs (0-1).

Junior Brady Lindstrom and senior Liam Bullock had fumble recoveries for Adams, with Bullock’s strip and recovery helping set up the Highlanders’ second touchdown that gave them a 17-0 advantage three plays later. Defensively, the Highlanders dominated while offensively Adams controlled the line of scrimmage despite having just three starters check in at over 200 pounds and having just one returning offensive lineman back in uniform from the Division 1 Final Four team.

“We’re not very big, but we make up for it,” said Patritto. “I remember in 2005 a long time ago our biggest player was our quarterback but we were still able to win a lot of games that season. He weighed 205 pounds.”

After forcing Romeo to punt on its first series, Toeppner hauled in a short pass from Watters and raced 60 yards on Adams’ first play from scrimmage for the 7-0 lead with 8:39 still to go in the first quarter. Junior Nolan Grahn nailed the extra point and also booted a 24-yard field goal with 1:47 remaining in the first quarter for a 10-0 advantage.

Watters, a Ferris State University commit, scored on a 16-yard sweep with 3:20 left in the half to move the lead up to 17-0.

Romeo finally got untracked late in the second quarter when Smith scored on a 3-yard run with 45 seconds remaining in the half to trim the deficit down to 17-7.

Adams responded in a flash, putting together a swift three-play drive that was capped by a Watters 25-yard TD strike to Toeppner with 19 ticks left in the half to push the advantage up to 24-7 by the break.

In the second half, Adams controlled the clock and picked up two more scoring drives. Watters scored on a 1-yard plunge and Watters hit Jesse Geottes with a 2-point conversion pass for a 32-7 lead with 6:18 still left in the third stanza. Lindstrom, the backup quarterback, capped the scoring with a 32-yard touchdown run up the middle with 4:40 to play. Grahn added four extra points.

DETROIT – A missed extra point and a last-second interception prevented Lake Orion from opening football season with a victory over Northville for the second year in a row.

The Mustangs fended off a wild comeback by the Dragons in the final minute of Thursday night’s Amazon Prep Kickoff Classic contest at Wayne State University to win 14-13.

Trailing 14-7, the Dragons’ defense provided hope by forcing several incompletions to stop the clock before a fourth-down sack by senior Nicholas Frantz for a huge loss gave the offense the ball at midfield with just under four minutes to go.

The comeback only ramped up from there. Ryan Rocheleau’s 11-yard catch over the middle on fourth-and-5 followed by a 26-yard draw several plays later from running back James Bambard got the Dragons to the 3-yard line with under two minutes to go, and Bambard would take it right of center from a yard out for the touchdown with 47 seconds left.

But despite punching it in, the extra point that would have tied the game was driven low of the goalposts.

However, hope was not lost for Lake Orion. Kicker Sam Powers redeemed himself with a well-executed onside kick that took a bounce under a Northville player’s hands at the 50-yard line, then jumped over another before being gathered by Lake Orion senior Max Neering, leaving the Dragons just 38 yards to go with 42 ticks remaining.

Bambard did pick up two first downs that got Lake Orion inside the red zone, but the Dragons were called for a hold on a rollout by junior quarterback Anderson Adams, backing them up to the 26-yard line with seven seconds to go.

Following an incompletion on third down, Lake Orion was left with one play left and four seconds, but Anderson’s end-zone attempt to the 6-foot-5 Rocheleau, who was double-covered, resulted in a pick by Austin McGarrow, who ran it the opposite way some way before being brought down with time expired.

And with that, the comeback fell short.

Lake Orion head coach Chris Bell discussed his thought process on electing not to kick a potential game-winning field goal on the final play.

“Our kicker is a first-year guy, and even then, at the end of the game, that missed extra point is completely on me,” Bell said. “I should have went for two instead of putting a first-year guy in that situation. By then, I felt like after we had just missed one, so I’m just thinking, ‘You know what, let’s just throw it up to Ryan and see if we can come down with one.’ That was the plan.”

As to whether the missed extra point factored into the decision, Bell replied, “A little bit, (but) we would have been pushing his limits (as to whether) he could have hit it that far. It would have been about a 42-yarder.”

Northville, who had lost 21-13 at home to Lake Orion in last season’s debut, took the lead for the second time on the evening earlier in the fourth quarter. A drive that started at its own 32-yard line was capped off by a one-yard keeper from senior quarterback Cooper Derkach with 7:55 remaining – roughly the length of the possession itself.

Derkach was part of a two-horse tandem with running back Max DeFore that Lake Orion had issues slowing at times. The senior QB had a 22-yard keeper for the biggest gain on Northville’s first drive, which resulted in DeFore’s five-yard run to the outside that put the Mustangs up 7-0 with 5:27 left in the first.

Lake Orion senior Malek Pulford ensured it remained a one-score game when he blocked what would have been a 40-yard field goal with 6:30 left in the first half, and the Dragons took advantage on the ensuing drive. A pass interference call, then a 19-yard run by Brody Thompson set up paved the way for Adams’ seven-yard play-action keeper that knotted the game at 7-7 with 3:29 to go in the opening half.

Photo gallery of Lake Orion vs. Northville football in the 20th Amazon Prep Kickoff Classic

Each team had good chances at tacking on a second score both before the intermission and in the third quarter. A deflection near the goal line nearly led to a TD catch deep in the end zone with a second left in the first half for Northville, and after the break, Bambard and fellow running back Jayden Borrero were responsible for big gains on Lake Orion's first drive post-half that sputtered at the Mustangs' 32-yard line.

"I think we were able to mix up our front enough and our blitzes were able to get home a handful of times," Northville head coach Brent Luplow said. "I thought our safeties filled the alley really well in the run game, especially McGarrow. We were worried coming in because they were all over the place running the ball (from different formations), but I think our kids settled in, and I think our experience of 14 starters coming back paid off in this one."

Bell, meanwhile, said, "We're a young football team, they were playing a lot of guys in the box and we didn't take advantage of it, so that's just areas we've got to get better in. It was tough sledding there with nine guys (in the box), and we did a good job running the ball, but we just had missed opportunities. Little plays here and there -- it might have been a receiver screen where we missed one block, and we missed some easy throws earlier -- and against a good team, you can't miss opportunities."

Lake Orion aims to get its first win at home in Week 2 against Stoney Creek, while Northville begins KLAA West play on its own soil versus Plymouth.

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Today in History: August 29, Olympic marathoner attacked by spectator

Lake Orion scored a touchdown in the final minute, but came short of tying Northville, who beat the Dragons 14-13 at Wayne State University on Thursday, Aug. 28, 2025.