Starting Wednesday, March 19, the left shoulders of I-96 in western Oakland County will be used as flex lanes during heavy traffic periods in the morning and afternoon.
The flex lanes along I-96 between Kent Lake Road and the I-275/I-696/M-5 interchange are intended to improve safety and efficiency, according to a release from the Michigan Department of Transportation.
Green arrows on electronic signs over the left shoulders will indicate when the flex lanes are usable. A red “X” indicates the flex lane is not open and driving in it is illegal. MDOT will open the flex lanes only when it is safe to do so.
Flex lanes will generally be in use on the eastbound side from 6-9 a.m. and on the westbound side from 3:30-6 p.m. weekdays and during traffic incidents or other events that cause congestion
Suggested speeds will be posted on the electronic signs to help reduce crashes and slow traffic before reaching a congested area.
The flex routes are monitored by MDOT’s transportation operations centers, which house dispatchers from MDOT and the Michigan State Police around the clock.
The agencies share information by monitoring traffic sensors, distress calls and video feeds from closed-circuit cameras.
Not only do overhead signs indicate when the flex lanes are open, but they also allow operations center staff to direct traffic around incidents that block a lane.
A recently completed multi-year reconstruction project on I-96 in western Oakland County included work to make the flex lanes possible.
Also coming in April on I-96, ramp meters will act as traffic signals on entrance ramps to manage the flow of traffic entering the freeway during periods of heavy congestion.
When activated, drivers will stop at the red signal, then enter the freeway when the green signal is shown.
MDOT said ramp meters help reduce stop-and-go traffic and crashes, improving traffic flow.
The first flex route in Michigan was built along US-23 between M-14 and M-36 in Livingston and Washtenaw counties. MDOT is working to extend that flex route north to I-96.
“Flex routes make use of the current road infrastructure to address directional congestion (heavy commuter traffic in one direction in the morning, then the other direction in the evening) at a much lower cost than building new lanes and shoulders, as well as widening bridges/overpasses and purchasing all the needed right of way to make room for such expansion,” the release said.
Flex lanes along the inside shoulders of I-96 around Novi and Wixom will open March 19 during rush hour traffic, according to the Michigan Department of Transportation.
An Oakland County adult is the first measles patient in Michigan since July 2024.
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and Oakland County Health Division confirmed the case at a press conference Friday afternoon, March 14.
Officials received confirmation of the disease only hours before, and wanted to alert the public because measles is highly contagious and can be dangerous for the unvaccinated.
“I’m not worried about vaccinated individuals,” said Kate Guzman, Oakland County health officer. “The vaccine is highly effective.”
The infected adult had recently traveled overseas; the patient’s vaccination status is unknown. The county did not release the person’s name, city of residence, age or travel destination.
Measles is spread by direct person-to-person contact and through the air. MDHHS recommends unvaccinated people ages 1 year and older receive measles vaccination to protect themselves and those around them.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have confirmed 301 measles cases in the United States in 2025. There have been three measles outbreaks, with three or more related cases, accounting for 93% of cases this year. One outbreak in Texas infected over 145 people and led to the death of a school-aged child.
Of the U.S. cases this year, 95% of those infected did not receive the measles vaccine, according to the CDC.
Guzman said infants can be vaccinated at 6 months if they are at higher risk of measles because of factors such as living with people who travel overseas or the household is hosting overseas visitors who are unvaccinated.
She said travel puts people at higher risk because of time spent in airports, where they encounter people from all over the world. Immunization rates are lower than the U.S. in some countries where the vaccine is not available.
Guzman said children, the elderly and people with compromised immune systems are at greatest risk of serious complications from the measles.
Measles-mumps-rubella Immunizations are typically given to children at 1 year and 4 years. After two doses, the vaccine is 97% effective, Guzman said. Adults born before 1989 who aren’t sure whether they ever got the vaccine or a booster should get one, especially if they work in health care or travel frequently.
“Let’s just get another vaccine,” she said.
Those who visited the following locations during these days and times may have been exposed to measles:
— Kruse & Muer on Main restaurant at 327 S. Main St. in Rochester Monday, March 3 from 5:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m.
— Henry Ford Rochester Hospital Emergency Department at 1101 W. University Drive in Rochester on Saturday, March 8, from 3:40 a.m. to Sunday, March 9, at 9:32 a.m. and Monday, March 10, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Additional sites of potential exposure may be identified as more information becomes available.
Guzman said it’s “unusual” that the exposure locations are this limited.
She said the patient developed a rash on March 7. Patients are contagious for four days before and after a rash appears.
If you think you were exposed to measles on or after Monday, March 10, Immune Globulin (Ig) treatment is effective within six days of exposure for high-risk individuals. That includes pregnant people and those who have a weakened immune system due to diseases such as diabetes or HIV, malnutrition or medications.
If you think you were exposed to measles before Monday, monitor for symptoms for 21 days. If symptoms develop, call your health care provider. Individuals born oin or before 1957 are considered immune.
If symptoms develop, do not visit your doctor or emergency room unless you call ahead so they can take precautions to prevent exposure to others, Guzman said.
FILE – A vial of the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine is on display at the Lubbock Health Department Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025, in Lubbock, Texas. (AP Photo/Mary Conlon, File)
Measles can live for up to two hours in the air where an infected person coughed or sneezed. Symptoms of measles usually begin 7-14 days after exposure, but can appear up to 21 days after exposure, and may include:
– High fever (may spike to over 104 degrees).
– Runny nose.
– Red, watery eyes (conjunctivitis).
– Tiny white spots on the inner cheeks, gums and roof of mouth (Koplik Spots) two to three days after symptoms begin.
– A rash that is red, raised, blotchy; usually starts on the scalp and spreads to the face and torso.
The MMR vaccine is available through some health care providers, Oakland County Health Division offices in Southfield and Pontiac, and many pharmacies. Health Division offices are located at the following addresses:
– North Oakland Health Center, 1200 N. Telegraph Road, Building 34 East, Pontiac.
– South Oakland Health Center, 27725 Greenfield Road, Southfield.
Health Division clinics hours:
– Monday, Wednesday and Friday 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
– Tuesday 9:30 a.m.-6 p.m.
– Thursday 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
Visit www.oakgov.com/health for more information on measles, or contact Nurse on Call, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday, at 800-848-5533 or noc@oakgov.com.
Nurse on Call will be available until 7 p.m. on Friday, March 14 and from 9 a.m.-noon on Saturday, March 15.
Kate Guzman, Oakland County health officer, speaks to the media outside the county's Health Division office in Southfield, about a measles case. Anne Runkle/MediaNews Group.
A multi-year reconstruction project on I-75 in north Oakland County resumes for the season on Tuesday, March 4.
Beginning at 7 a.m. Tuesday, northbound I-75 will have two lanes open from Clarkston Road in Oakland County to Baldwin Road in Genesee County for pavement markings and construction preparation.
From 9 p.m. Friday March 7, until 5 a.m. Monday, March 10, northbound I-75 will be down to one lane open from Clarkston Road to Baldwin Road.
This stretch of I-75 will be back to two lanes open until March 14, according to a release from the Michigan Department of Transportation.
MDOT is investing about $160 million to resurface and repair I-75 from M-15 (Ortonville Road) to the Oakland/Genesee county line.
The project includes resurfacing I-75, repairing 11 bridges, drainage improvements, culvert replacements and new signs and guardrails.
This year, southbound I-75 will be milled and resurfaced from M-15 to the county line, with two lanes of northbound and southbound traffic sharing the northbound side of the freeway. Bridge repairs will be performed along southbound I-75. Work is expected to be completed for the year in late fall.
In 2026, crews will remove the temporary crossovers and perform remaining miscellaneous work.
Funding for the project comes from Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s Rebuilding Michigan program, a plan to rebuild highways and bridges that are critical to the state’s economy and carry the most traffic, the release said.
The 1972 AMC Gremlin that Nolan McCann will show in the Autorama is a melding of two cars.
The 17-year-old from Madison Heights is one of the youngest exhibitors in the annual hot rod and customized car show at Huntington Place in Detroit, which starts Friday, Feb. 28.
McCann, a senior at Lamphere High School, learned car restoration from his grandfather. He started looking for a Gremlin to rebuild because he “just thought it was funky and cool.”
He bought a 1974 model and had it shipped from Connecticut for a total of about $5,200. It had more rust than he anticipated.
“That was a bit of a costly mistake,” he said.
Then he found the 1972 model that was “just a shell” and bought it for $1,500. With some parts borrowed from the 1974 Gremlin and help from friends, the reconstruction began last June.
“It’s been a lot of work and a lot of patience,” he said. “I’m super excited about Autorama. A lot of family and friends are coming to the show.”
McCann financed the work by buying, restoring and reselling 1990s-era Jeeps.
He entered vintage mopeds in the Autorama for the last two years.
Maintaining a grade point average over 4.0, he has scholarship offers from several colleges, and is particularly interested in Michigan State University and Wayne State University. While undecided on a course of study, he considers himself an entrepreneur and is leaning toward business.
McCann is one of about two dozen Oakland County residents entering cars in the show.
Murray Pfaff of Royal Oak is a car designer who has had his own exhibit, the D Lot, at Autorama for the past decade.
This year, the D Lot will exhibit 10 cars, eight of which he designed and drew himself.
Pfaff has raised $250,000 for charities over the past decade by holding a raffle of donated auto-related prizes, which have a combined value of about $50,000. This year, his efforts will benefit Make-A-Wish Michigan, which provides trips and other experiences for terminally ill and seriously ill children. Raffle tickets cost $5 each and there is also an online auction. For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/thedlot.
“I feel very fortunate being in this industry,” Pfaff said. “It started out as a hobby and now I have clients who invest more than $1 million in these cars.”
Over the years, Pfaff has also entered his own vehicles after spending hours fixing them up.
How much time? “If you ask my wife, way too much,” he said.
Gary Hicks of Southfield is entering his 2023 Corvette Stingray, which has been outfitted with all manner of add-ons, he said.
He did some of the work himself and paid professionals for other amenities.
The “Lamborghini” doors, which open up instead of out, are his favorite customization.
“They make it easier to get in and out,” he said.
He also paid extra for the customized rapid blue exterior color. But that meant he got the two-tone interior thrown in for free.
Crowds mill around cars on display at a previous Autorama. Photo courtesy of Autorama.
Other Oakland County residents with cars in the show:
– Charlotte Davidson of Southfield 2017 Chevrolet Corvette
– John Leonard of Farmington Hills, 2005 Ford Mustang.
– Alex Della Torre of Farmington Hills, 1992 Mazda Miata
– Larry Harvey of Southfield, 2022 Chevrolet Corvette
– Mike Marmorstein of Southfield, 1932 Ford 5 window coupe
– Ernest Morrison Jr. of Lathrup Village, 1969 Chevrolet Chevelle
– Harold Sullivan of Bloomfield Hills, 1967 Plymouth GTX
– Everett Stephenson, 1971 Dodge Challenger
– Don Swartz of Rochester Hills, 1946 Ford Coupe
– Ron Kline of Rochester Hills, 1946 Plymouth convertible
– Matt and Dave Chojnacki/Gulda of Oxford, 1965 Ford Galaxie
– Justin Kowalski of Oxford, 1969 Buick
– Justin Shinouski of Auburn Hills, 1964 Mercury Marauder
– Frank Polito of Hazel Park, 1981 AMC Concorde station wagon
– Pontiac Transportation Museum, 1974 Pontiac GTO
– Everett Mero of Madison Heights, 1971 Ford pickup truck
– Vince Blaszcyzyk of Commerce Township, 1937 Chevrolet Custom Coupe
– Gerald Camico of Commerce Township, 1965 Plymouth Barracuda
– Bob Dewitt of Walled Lake, 1970 Oldsmobile Coupe
– Edward Frank of Waterford Township,1991 Ford Mustang
– Sean Gennari of Waterford Township, 2000 Van Dieman
– Joe Giummo of Waterford Township, 1980 AMC Spirit
– Phil Hargrate of Waterford Township, blue 1957 Hans Coupe 300 and 1969 Honda CT70 and his trailer home
– Ryan Lightfoot of Commerce Township, 1978 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
– Tony Nacewicz of Commerce Township, 1971 Dodge Demon
– Tommy Shea of Waterford Township, 1977 Penton MC 5
– William Duren of Bloomfield Hills, 2014 Chevrolet Corvette
– Thomas Dorr of Clawson, 1935 Chevrolet pickup truck
– Phil Hatzos of Berkley, 1978 Chevrolet Chevette
– Mike Radonovich of Royal Oak, 1965 Ford Fastback
Autorama runs Friday, Saturday and Sunday and will feature about 800 vehicles.
Attractions include a pink Barbie convertible, as seen at Disney’s Epcot Center; a giant mega transformer car; WWE wrestlers and Detroit Lions linebacker Alex Anzelone.
HOURS
Friday, February 28, noon-10 p.m.
Saturday, March 1, 9 a.m.-10 p.m.
Sunday, March 2, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.
ADMISSION
At Gate:
Adults, $28
Children 6 to 12 years, $10
Children 5 and under, free
Discount tickets are available at participating O’Reilly Auto Parts locations. Discounted general admission is $26 and children 6 to 12 years, $9
For more information, visit www.autorama.com or call 248-373-1700.
Multiple planets will appear close together in the sky, beginning on Friday, Feb. 28, and the Cranbrook Institute of Science in Bloomfield Hills is planning a celebration.
Experts call it a planetary alignment. Some fans of astronomy are calling it a “planet parade.” It won’t happen again until September 2040.
The Cranbrook science museum, 39221 Woodward Ave., is preparing its observatory telescopes and holding its celebration on Saturday evening, March 1, but experts say Friday evening at about 6:10 p.m. will be the best time to see some planets, especially if unaided by a microscope or binoculars.
A cloudy forecast on Friday evening could make it difficult to see them, said Michael Narlock, Cranbrook’s head of astronomy.
“A number of the planets are near to the sun, so they will disappear with the sun,” he said, which will make timing important on Friday.
“Fingers crossed, it’s supposed to clear up on Saturday,” he said. “But it’s Michigan.
Through the telescopes, visitors will be able to see the planets as well as the Andromeda Galaxy, the Orion Nebula and more.
“It’s going to be a great jolt to the senses to see all of these things in the sky,” he said.
The museum will be closed during the day Saturday and will be open from 5-11 p.m. for the planetary celebration.
From 5-8 p.m., pre-registration is required. Walk-ups will be allowed after that, but due to capacity limits, admittance isn’t guaranteed. Pre-registration will close at 3 p.m. Friday and is available at https://bit.ly/4i12CJf.
Tickets are $21 for members and $25 for non-members. In addition to telescope viewings, there will be planet-related activities throughout the museum and planetarium shows available for an extra charge.
Tickets for the museum-wide event are non-refundable. Free passes and reciprocal membership privileges are not valid for this event.
This Jan. 2, 2010 image made available by NASA shows the planet Saturn, as seen from the Cassini spacecraft. (NASA/JPL-Caltech/Space Science Institute via AP)
Royal Oak will hold a Community Resource Fair on Thursday, Feb. 27, where residents can learn about city resources, connect with local organizations, discover volunteer opportunities and more.
The fair will be held from 4-8 p.m. at the Royal Oak Farmers Market, 316 E. 11 Mile Road.
The fair will offer everything from getting a license for your dog to making a home fire escape plan, according to a release from the city.
There will also be food trucks, live music, crafts, giveaways and a kids’ activity zone.
The first-ever event was organized by the Community Engagement Advisory Board, the Farmers Market, and the Royal Oak Inter Club Council.
A new mental health center has opened in Rochester Hills to give free assistance to those impacted by the mass shooting last year at the Brooklands Plaza Splash Pad.
The Rochester Hills Resiliency Center, 1970 Auburn Road, is a program of Common Ground, an Oakland County mental health services agency.
The center has trained trauma-informed staff on site and “provides a safe and nurturing environment for healing, compassionate mental health support, opportunities for community connection and other resources,” Common Ground said in a release.
In-person hours of operation are 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays for walk-in help and Tuesdays and Thursdays by appointment.
Contact the center by phone at 248-451-2610, by email at RHRC@cghelps.org and on its website at www.RochesterHillsRC.org.
Rochester Hills Mayor Bryan Barnett and Jamie Ayers, director of victim services for Common Ground, cut the ribbon in front of the new Rochester Hills Resiliency Center. Photo courtesy of Common Ground.
While the center’s primary purpose is to help those affected by the splash pad shooting, it will not turn away anyone in need. Common Ground’s resources would be used to support those with needs unrelated to the shooting.
Funding comes from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, via a grant from the U.S. Department of Justice Anti-Terrorism Emergency Assistance Program.
Common Ground looks to donor dollars and foundations to help with costs that the grant doesn’t cover.
Nine people were injured June 15 when a gunman opened fire at the splash pad, 1585 E. Auburn Road, including a Rochester Hills boy who is now blind.
The shooter, Michael Nash, fired 36 rounds from a semiautomatic handgun at random before fleeing the scene. Police found him dead from a self-inflicted gunshot at his mother’s Shelby Township home, half a mile away from the splash pad.
Nash, 42, of Shelby Township, did not have a criminal record but had dealt with mental health challenges, police said.
A crew from BELFOR Property Restoration cleans the scene of a mass shooting at the Brooklands Plaza Splash Pad in Rochester Hills on Sunday, June 16. FILE PHOTO.
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