The Detroit Red Wings are marking their centennial with a four-day fan festival in downtown Detroit, giving fans the chance to meet current and former players while celebrating a century of hockey history.

Watch Peter Maxwell's video report: Detroit Red Wings celebrate Centennial with 4-day fan fest at Motor City Casino

The celebration kicked off Thursday at Motor City Casino, featuring exhibits, autograph sessions and memorabilia from the team's 100-year legacy in Hockeytown.

"It's incredible to see the history of 100 years," said Ryan McIntire, a Red Wings fan attending the event.

Jim McBroom, another longtime fan, was equally impressed by the scope of the celebration.

"It's really mind boggling and touching to see how far back this goes," McBroom said.

The festival showcases Stanley Cup trophies, vintage equipment and jerseys from legendary players, including the Russian Five. Fans can view Red Wings legend Terry Sawchuk's old mask and stick, along with Grind Line memorabilia and other historic artifacts pulled from the team's archives.

"If you're a Red Wings fan, if you're a hockey fan, you definitely want to come down and experience this," said Ron Colangelo, senior vice president of communication for Ilitch Sports and Entertainment.

For many attendees, the event brings back childhood memories of meeting their hockey heroes.

"I remember getting my autograph from Gordie Howe, and I was probably I don't know 12 years old or so," said Greg Best, a Red Wings fan.

The festival features appearances by Red Wings alumni, including Justin Abdelkader, Drew Miller and Greg Stefan, who are excited to reconnect with fans.

"It's just going to be great seeing a lot of fans that I've seen over the years and a lot of my old teammates that I played with," Abdelkader said.

Miller praised the organization's efforts in putting together the celebration.

"I think the Red Wings are putting on a fantastic event here at the Motor City Sound Board. So signing with the fans, get to reminisce with them on some of the memories they have too, so all around it's a fun weekend," Miller said.

Stefan echoed the sentiment about the nostalgic nature of the event.

"I really enjoy weekends like this because it brings back a lot of great memories," Stefan said.

The Centennial Fan Fest runs through Sunday. Tickets start at $35, with VIP packages also available.

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If you think traffic is bad now on I-696, prepare for significant delays as the Michigan Department of Transportation's "Restore the Reuther Project" enters a major new phase.

Watch Peter Maxwell's video report: Major traffic changes coming to I-696 as construction project enters new phase

Starting the weekend of November 15, westbound drivers will be shifted into the eastbound lanes, while the freeway will remain closed for eastbound drivers between Lahser and I-75 for the next year.

The traffic shift will require closing that stretch of freeway from around 4 a.m. Saturday, November 15, until 10 a.m. Sunday. By Monday morning, November 17, commuters will face a dramatically different driving experience.

Several I-696 exit and entrance ramps will be closed as part of this shift, including Evergreen, Greenfield, and Coolidge.

"We're going to close all westbound 696 ramps, which means if you don't get off at 75, you can't get off until M-10 going westbound," said Diane Cross from MDOT.

Cross warned that the changes will catch many drivers off guard.

"So once we shift you the weekend of Friday the 14th, you're only going to be able to exit starting Monday morning at Woodward or at Southfield Road, and that's going to catch a lot of drivers by surprise," Cross said.

Local drivers are already preparing for the impact on their daily commutes.

"I definitely feel like it is an inconvenience," said Barbra McCray of Southfield.

"I mean, it's disappointing as I'm sure it's going to be for everybody who commutes and who have to leave out extra early so that they can make sure that they're on time," McCray said.

However, some drivers are taking a more optimistic view of the construction project.

"It's just one of them things they're getting out there. They're getting it together. It's going to take some time, and we just got to just work with them while they're working," said Joe Jones of Southfield.

Fred Prime of Southfield echoed that sentiment.

"We all wanted it done. It's getting done, and we'll just have to manage the inconveniences as we work through it," Prime said.

The rebuild project is expected to be completed late next year.

This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.

Warren police officers have a new way to patrol their community while connecting with residents: sleek, silent, three-wheeled electric scooters equipped with lights and sirens.

The Warren Police Department will debut four brand new scooters Friday night to assist with Halloween patrols. The scooters are designed to help officers move faster during community events and neighborhood patrols.

Watch Peter Maxwell's video report below: Warren police debut electric scooters for community patrols and Halloween safety

"These scooters, we think, are a game changer for our community policing efforts," said Lt. John Gajewski of the Warren Police Department. "Officers and police departments across the country are always looking for ways to get officers out of the car and connect better with the community."

The scooters were purchased with leftover COVID-19 relief funds, so no local tax dollars were used. Gajewski said traditional foot patrols and bicycle patrols aren't practical due to the size of Warren.

"In our community, foot patrols and bicycle patrols just aren't that practical due to the size of our city. When we saw these and we tested them out, I think all of our hands were instantly up saying this is the vote we have to have," Gajewski said.

Hear more from Lt. John Gajewski below: Warren police lt. speaks on new scooters

The scooters have a top speed of 37 mph and can travel up to 30 miles when fully charged.

Warren residents are supportive of the new patrol method. Robert Pulice believes the scooters will be a great asset, especially for large events.

"It's a good way for crowd control, especially when there is a crowd," Pulice said. "Yeah, I am all for it."

Adam Mecher was setting up for Halloween outside his house and hopes to see one patrolling his street.

"It's good there's not patrol cars to jump in and out of. They're small, so they're not really a danger to anyone else," Mecher said. "They're not a bad idea."

Warren police say if residents spot one of the scooters rolling through their neighborhood, officers would be happy to stop and let them check it out.

This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.

Students at Walnut Creek Middle School in West Bloomfield Township traded their usual classroom attire for yellow shirts, blue overalls and goggles Thursday in an attempt to break the world record for most Minions in one place.

Watch Peter Maxwell's video report: Minion Madness: School attempts record with 580 students dressed as Minions

The school's hallways were transformed into a scene straight out of the Despicable Me and Minions movies, with students greeting each other with "Bello" that's hello in Minion language.

"Minions love bananas. So we're throwing bananas at kids today. We plan on stealing the moon tonight, yeah we're going all in," said Seth Taboh, Walnut Creek Middle School principal.

The previous world record was 419 Minions in one place. With over 900 students in the school, Taboh knew they could surpass that number.

"As we were talking about the idea, we just started thinking I wonder how many if there's a world record and what that world record is. Quick Google search, 419 was the previous world record. I have over 900 kids in this school, I knew we would be able to blow that away," Taboh said.

The school had 580 students participate in the Minion event, which was also focused on inclusion. The Parent Teacher Student Association donated 200 costumes to ensure all students could participate.

"I want to thank our PTSA for donating those 200 costumes, that was huge for our community. There's a lot of kids that would not have been able to participate without those donations," Taboh said.

Students appreciated that everyone could be included in the Halloween fun.

"Costumes can cause a lot of drama and like stress, like who you're going to be partners with, but like since everyone is doing it together no one feels left out," said Lily Taboh, a 7th grade student.

"I was like this is super cool because everyone is included, and if you couldn't participate, like we had people donate costumes, so everyone had a chance to participate and it's just like really cool," said Genevieve Matti, an 8th grade student.

"It was like really funny to see like all my classmates and even the teachers all dressed up, and it's like really nice to see everyone come together as Minions," said Nora Taboh, a 6th grade student.

The school expects to hear from Guinness World Records in the next few weeks to learn if they officially made Minion history the day before Halloween.

This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.

A Dearborn Heights family has been unable to return to their home for three weeks after an underground fire at their DTE power meter damaged their property.

Watch Peter Maxwell's video report: Underground fire at power meter displaces Dearborn Heights family for 3 weeks

Felicia Snell was at work earlier this month when her husband called to tell her there was a tag on their door from the Dearborn Heights Fire Department alerting them to a fire at their home.

"We want to be home, it's been three weeks now," Snell said.

Firefighters were called by a neighbor who heard a loud pop outside and saw a downed wire in her backyard. While investigating, firefighters spotted smoke coming from Snell's house, just four doors down, and discovered that her DTE power meter was on fire underground.

"I was totally shocked to see it came from underground," Snell said.

The fire charred the outside of her home, and her family has been displaced ever since. Snell has homeowners' insurance and has had electricians inspect the damage. She believes the fire was caused by a faulty meter.

DTE provided a statement that reads in part: "DTE Energy has been in contact with the customer for weeks and shared what steps she needs to take for our crews to restore power safely. We will continue to work with this customer to resolve the issue."

DTE said they will be sending a crew to Snell's house on Wednesday. The Dearborn Heights Fire Department is still investigating the cause of the fire.

Snell and her family just want to return home.

"I am hoping to get this problem fixed, get my house back to normal, and make us whole again," Snell said.

This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.

After three years of construction and seven years of planning, the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Centennial Park on the Detroit Riverfront opens to the public with a grand opening celebration featuring live music and food trucks.

Watch Peter Maxwell's video report: Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Centennial Park opens to public after 7 years of planning

The $80 million park spans 22 acres and offers green space, play zones and waterfront views in what's being called a once-in-a-generation transformation of Detroit's Riverfront.

"I am excited for everyone around the region and Detroit to see it. I think that there's a lot of anticipation about the park and I think it's going to blow away all expectations, so I am just excited for the public to see it," said Jim Boyle from the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation.

Watch Chopper 7 above the park: Video: Chopper 7 over Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Centennial Park ahead of grand opening

Ben Larson-Wolbrink drove down from Berkley to get a glimpse of Detroit's newest park and plans to return for the grand opening weekend.

"I love the Detroit Riverfront. I love coming down here and I love how they're adding more beautiful spaces for the public," Larson-Wolbrink said.

Related: Grand opening of Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Centennial Park: Everything you need to know

The park features four major attractions designed to boost Detroit as a destination. Visitors will find playgrounds and sports areas, including two full-size Detroit Pistons courts.

One of the park's standout features is a play garden filled with larger-than-life sculptures, including a 26-foot-tall otter, a 14-foot beaver and a 20-foot Berenstain Bear created in Denmark by Monstrum Design Studio.

The new park also fills a crucial gap along the waterfront. Visitors can now travel 5 miles along the Detroit River from Belle Isle to the Joe Louis Arena site thanks to a new boardwalk connection.

"I love it. I love it. Whenever I can come down here, one of my favorite places is to be on the riverfront and relax and renew," Larson-Wolbrink said.

The grand opening weekend will offer live music, food trucks and activities for the entire family.

"I feel like it's a win-win all around," Larson-Wolbrink said.

The Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Centennial Park officially opens to the public at 10 a.m. Saturday.

This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.

A 9-year-old Westland boy is recovering from a concussion and other injuries after being struck by an SUV in his elementary school's parking lot, prompting his family to demand answers from the school district about safety measures.

Avyon Casteels was hit by the vehicle in the crosswalk of Schwitzer Elementary's parking lot Wednesday afternoon, moments after classes ended.

Watch Peter Maxwell's video report below: 9-year-old boy recovering after being hit by SUV in Westland elementary school parking lot

"I was going outside of the school walking. I was in the middle of the parking lot and got hit," Avyon said.

Anthony Sedlarik was waiting to pick up his own children from Schwitzer Elementary when he witnessed the incident.

"I saw something out of the corner of my eye that made me turn around real quick and unfortunately, it was this 9-year-old child that got hit," Sedlarik said.

Sedlarik and a nearby teacher immediately ran to check on Avyon after the collision.

"He was able to get up by himself. He did seem hunched over," Sedlarik said.

Sedlarik then focused on ensuring the driver stopped and cooperated. Westland police say the driver moved her vehicle to avoid blocking traffic and has been cooperating with their investigation.

"I am like hey, you need to get out and go to the main office and I am going to walk you to the main office," Sedlarik said.

Avyon's mother, Marrianne Casteels, expressed her shock at the incident.

"I was numb. I was numb," Casteels said.

She is upset with the school and district, citing safety concerns she believes contributed to the incident. Casteels says school surveillance video shows a bus partially blocking the crosswalk in the parking lot. She also noted that until this school year, there was a crossing guard at the location.

"The school has been very aware of the issues with these kids crossing at a crosswalk on school property and nobody has been out there to make sure the kids are getting across OK," Casteels said.

I reached out to the school district for comment, but they did not respond by our deadline.

Avyon is dealing with multiple injuries and fears returning to school.

"I don't want to go back to school because I am probably going to be hit again," Avyon said.

The boy says his knee, ribs and head hurt from the collision.

Despite his ordeal, Avyon has an important message for drivers in school zones.

"Watch out for any kids and grown-ups," Avyon said.

This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.