Eastpointe police are investigating a hit-and-run that left a 17-year-old severely injured after being hit while riding his bike.

The incident occurred at the intersection of Veronica and Hayes avenues when a driver in a dark-colored pickup truck towing what appeared to be a landscape trailer hit Miles Rice and then fled the scene.

Watch Jolie Sherman's video report below: Teen injured in hit-and-run while riding bike in Eastpointe, police searching for driver

"As I got to this corner, the guy stopped because it's a yield sign, and he looked down on his phone, so I decided to hurry up and get across, and as I got across, he decided to take off and hit me," Rice said.

Rice suffered a fractured wrist and multiple cuts on his body from the collision.

"My leg was in between the bike and the front bumper and I had to pull my leg out, and then I had to pull the bike out from under it, and his front bumper kind of fell apart," Rice said.

Instead of helping the injured teen, Rice says the driver became aggressive before driving away.

"He rolled down his window and started screaming at me, saying it was my fault, saying I should have stopped and slowed down," Rice said.

Jerrica Rice, Miles' mother, expressed her distress about the driver's actions.

"It upset me, made me furious. I don't understand how people can do that to a child, regardless of if they were in the right or wrong, how can you leave a child hurt and injured in the street?" she said.

Eastpointe police are actively investigating the incident and working to identify the driver.

"(Regardless) if the child was at fault or the driver was at fault, both should wait for police arrival. Somebody fleeing the scene shows some kind of guilt, or there's a reason they don't want to wait, apparently," police said.

Residents in the neighborhood have voiced concerns about the intersection where the incident occurred, describing it as dangerous with vehicles frequently driving over the speed limit.

"We would like to see a stop sign, just for the safety of our children," said Kissy Lewis, an Eastpointe resident.

Another local resident, Donald Brant, shared similar concerns about the intersection.

"There's a lot of traffic here for the party store, and it should be a four-way stop, and they constantly run through it, and I've seen numerous accidents," Brant said.

Police are asking anyone with information about the hit-and-run to contact the Eastpointe Police Department.

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 local nonprofit purchased a new police dog for the Shelby Township Police Department, marking the first time the organization has been able to fund an entire K-9 addition.

Watch Jolie Sherman's video report: Nonprofit helps Shelby Township police add third K-9 to their force

Szajna-Carr For the Paws received a $20,000 grant from the Four County Community Foundation to purchase CJ, a 2-year-old Belgium Malinois, for the department.

"In our infancy of this non-profit, we never fathomed to purchase a dog," said Evette Szajna, co-founder of Szajna-Carr For the Paws.

The grant covered the $10,000 cost of purchasing CJ, $5,000 for training, and $1,300 for a bulletproof vest. The remaining funds were donated to police departments in Oakland, Lapeer, and St. Clair counties.

Officer Justin Goebel, who will be CJ's handler, gave him a special name.

"I named him in honor of a friend of mine who I lost in the line of duty Collin James Rose," Goebel said.

Sgt. Rose was a K-9 handler at Wayne State University who was shot and killed at age 26. Goebel wanted to keep his memory alive through his new partner.

RELATED STORY FROM 2016: Wayne State University police officer dies after being shot

"For the Paws has been absolutely amazing. I can't say enough about Evette and Mark. They are legitimately some of the nicest people I have ever met in my entire life," Goebel said. "I don't know if CJ would have come to be without their donation."

CJ is replacing Goebel's former K-9 partner, Niko, who was forced to retire due to a leg injury. Goebel will be putting CJ through the K-9 Academy in October, where he'll be certified in narcotics and tracking.

The community will have a chance to meet CJ at the department's open house on Saturday.

"We've been looking forward to this, yes. It's been a work in progress."

RELATED STORY: Macomb County couple's nonprofit helps fund new K9 officer for Shelby Township police Non-profit offers support for poiice K-9 units

So far, the non-profit has raised $17,000 to buy supplies and equipment for police K-9 units around the state, helping 50 police dogs across 26 departments. Their work continues as they're currently raising approximately $15,000 to purchase a police dog for Dearborn Heights and are halfway to their goal.

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.

Detroit came together Thursday at Campus Martius Park to mark 24 years since the September 11 attacks, remembering the 2,977 lives lost and honoring first responders who continue to serve their communities.

Watch Jolie Sherman's video report: Marking 24 years since the 9/11 attacks

"24 years ago today, of course, our world changed. We all remember, a majority of us, what we were doing at that moment. We used words like 'surreal' to describe it because we just really couldn't believe what was actually happening," said Detroit Police Chief Todd A. Bettinson.

The solemn event brought together police officers, firefighters, and community members.

"As we mourn the death of almost 3,000 people, including over 400 first responders, we will continue to protect and serve our community with honor and dignity," Charles Simms said. "These heroes did not die in vain; they have energized first responders across the country and around the world to train better and become more diligent at protecting our communities."

7 News Detroit anchor Glenda Lewis, who emceed the event, shared her personal connection to the tragedy.

"Three weeks later, I arrived to Ground Zero, a young reporter for WJRT. We drove all night to get there, and you could still hear the crackling. That smell was unmistakable," she said. "New York Police surrounding the perimeter, and me, trying to hold my composure and do my job, I approached the officer and said, 'Sir, can you tell me what you're thinking, feeling?' He turned and he looked at me, eyes welled with tears, and he said, 'We just found the hand of a woman and inside of it was the hand of a child."

WEB EXTRA: 7 News Detroit anchor Glenda Lewis talks about 9/11 aftermath WEB EXTRA: 7 News Detroit anchor Glenda Lewis talks about 9/11 aftermath

Two members of the Detroit Fire Department received special recognition for their service at Ground Zero following the attacks.

"I was actually told, 'Kid, you're going. You're not missing this, you're going," Lt. Jeremy DeSmet said.

DeSmet was just 25 years old, just beginning his career as a firefighter, when he was deployed to New York. He says the experience left a lasting impression on him.

FULL INTERVIEW: Detroit Fire Lt. Jeremy DeSmet talks about 9/11 FULL INTERVIEW: Detroit Fire Lt. Jeremy DeSmet talks about 9/11

"It was indescribable to be there each day, let alone them guys, living it each day. Still having to go back to work. Even if you lived or worked around Ground Zero, you could still smell it burning, and the sight of trucks in and out. It was just very heavy for a very long time," DeSmet said.

Detroit Fire Department's Chief Chaplain George Aren, who turned 90 this year, also traveled to New York as part of the Salvation Army's disaster team, providing meals around the clock for two weeks.

DeSmet reflected on the significance of the anniversary and his service.

"Each day I put this uniform on, whether the name on the back is DeSmet or Detroit, it's who you represent, it's what you represent, and this date, September 11, 2025, we all get to wear those colors, I believe. We all get to represent that FDNY, Port Authority love and support. It's just a reminder of, yes, how horrible that day was, but how resilient we are as citizens of the United States to overcome that and to live free again," DeSmet said.

Detroit Fire Chief Carl Billings from the 8th Battalion shared these photos with us that he took in the aftermath of 9/11:

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.

Detroit's Department of Public Works is expanding its recycling program with dozens of new recycling bins at bus stops throughout the city and the addition of two electric heavy-duty vehicles to their fleet.

Watch Jolie Sherman's video report: New eco-friendly initiatives in Detroit

"Recycling is one of the many things and strategies we're trying to do in order to get people to litter less and, ultimately, use less to make our city beautiful," said Sam Krassenstein, Detroit's deputy director of the Department of Public Works.

Forty-two blue recycling bins have been installed at bus stops across all seven districts in Detroit. One of the new electric trucks will collect recycling from these bus stops, while the second truck will gather recyclables from small apartments, restaurants, and businesses.

"So, these trucks will be specific to recycling on our commercial corridors," Krassenstein said.

Detroit residents have responded positively to the initiative.

"I obviously think electric vehicles and recycling are a great idea. That's all good news to me, and I love living in this city," said Rob Abbott, a Detroit resident.

With support from the City Council, Detroit DPW has secured $500,000 to install 800 more recycling cans within a year. The new trucks were funded by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy, as well as DTE Energy.

"We need to know we have a need for them because we have a blight issue in the city. So, just giving people an option to where they can put their trash, their recycled goods, their cans, their bottles. It makes a difference," said Angela Whitfield-Calloway, Detroit City Council member from District 2.

Whitfield-Calloway noted that there's now a recycling bin at all 16 bus stops in her district, but she has bigger ambitions for the program.

"Those blue bins will be throughout the city at every bus stop; that's the goal. That's the goal," Whitfield-Calloway said.

The new bins and trucks have been operating for three months, and Detroit DPW leaders report positive results.

"It's very successful. We're not really seeing a lot of trash mixed in with recycling," Krassenstein 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 74 years, the remains of Korean War soldier William Arlo Wheeler have been identified and brought home, allowing his family to finally lay him to rest with full military honors at Great Lakes National Cemetery in Holly.

"Not everybody answers the call. Not everybody is willing to do a service that goes well beyond ourselves," said a military representative during Tuesday's ceremony.

Wheeler was just 18 years old and had served in the military for less than a year when he was killed in a surprise attack on August 31, 1950. Initially, he was thought to be missing in action (MIA), but the military declared him dead four years later.

His brother, Gary Wheeler, explained that William's body was found three weeks after the attack, but identification was impossible at the time.

"Because people take things, they steal things [from] dead bodies. There were no dog tags; they didn't know who he was," Gary said.

Wheeler was one of 10 children, with only three siblings still alive today. They attended his funeral Tuesday, marking the end of what they described as a "black cloud" that had hung over the family for decades.

"You know when you're a puzzle and when there's a part missing, it's just not complete, and that's how I felt," Karen Sallen, Wheeler's sister, said.

WEB EXTRA: Karen Sallen talks about her brother William Arlo Wheeler WEB EXTRA: Karen Sallen talks about her brother William Arlo Wheeler

The family spent decades searching for William Wheeler, eventually believing it might be impossible. But in 2024, they received a call from the military confirming his remains had been identified.

For years, Wheeler's remains were at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Hawaii, where unidentified soldiers are interred.

"He was identified as 'Unknown X181' to the military," said Gary. "[But], the military never gave up, they never gave up to find out who is this unknown soldier, and they did it for us."

Modern DNA testing finally provided the answers the family had sought for generations.

"It really is beyond words," Karen said.

Though his living siblings have no personal memories of their brother, they remained committed to finding him and bringing him home.

"He was bloodhe was blood," Karen 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.

Apples, peaches, sweet corn, and tomatoes: with all of these fruits and vegetables in season now, it's a popular time to pickle and can. That way, you have delicious foods all year long.

We went to the kitchen of a self-taught chef in Belleville to show us how to properly pickle and can.

Watch Jolie's video report below It's canning and pickling season; here's how you can make your food last longer

"My mother did it, and I think it kind of brings me back to her a bit," said Mary Spencer, the owner of Taste a Cook's Place.

Canning and pickling are two of Mary's favorite pastimes.

"You got beautiful fresh tomatoes in the summer," Mary said. "You can those, you have them all year round, and you get to pull them out and say, 'hey, I made this', and that's kind of part of the allure."

Spencer is no stranger to the culinary world. She's been teaching cooking classes for over 30 years.

"If it has anything to do with food, I do it, you know," she said.

But cooking was something she discovered late in life.

"Basically, I got married and I couldn't cook, and that was over 40 years ago, so I started taking cooking classes and I got terribly hooked," Spencer said.

Today, she's the owner of Taste of Cook's Place in Plymouth, where she teaches all types of cuisine, ethnic, savory & sweet, and even canning and pickling.

"I do bread and butter pickles, which are kind of like sweet and sweet and sour pickles," Spencer said. "I love to can okra."

Pickling and canning are fun and delicious, but it's important you follow all the steps carefully, so that what you're making is safe to eat.

My family really loves chutney, Indian chutney, which is really super simple to make," Spencer said. "So I want to have my jars cleaned, really, really well cleaned with hot water. You want to have your canning lids...have them in hot boiling water to sanitize them, and then you want to have some hot water boiling in a pot so that you can hot water bath them, which is basically the preserving process."

And if the lid makes a popping sound, that's how you know your jar is properly sealed and can be stored for up to a year.

"If you don't hear that pop the next day, you may want to either use that jar immediately, throw it in your fridge and use it for the next week, or re-water bath it," Spencer said.

We found out people across the state love to do this, filling their shelves with jams, jellies, and sauces. Some say it's to have fresh and flavorful produce year-round...or to carry on a tradition. For Mary Spencer, it's a way to feed her family and share with her community.

"I think it just brings me back to my childhood and, you know, the comfort that it gives me," Spencer said.

Where Your Voice Matters

Royal Oak is making major changes to its parking system, including replacing current meters with new pay stations, eliminating back-in parking spaces, and introducing "parking ambassadors" to assist visitors.

Watch Jolie Sherman's video report: Royal Oak parking changes expected to begin this fall, what you need to know

The city is replacing its current parking meters with Flow Bird pay stations, similar to those installed in Ferndale. They're also partnering with Park Mobile to give visitors a digital payment option.

For years, visitors to Royal Oak have expressed frustration with the current system.

"The way that this parking meter is designed, it's way too busy. It's way too much work," said Quincy Stewart from Pontiac.

"I can see how that can be a nuisance. Preferably, you would want to just pull into a parking space and not back in," said Nya Griffith from Warren.

Royal Oak City Manager Joseph Gacioch says their contract with the current system ends on December 31, and the new system begins on January 1, but changes are expected to begin this fall.

"Our goal is to have a turnkey solution, where we can turn on the new system January 1," said Gacioch.

He says over 100 new pay stations will be installed between October and November, but won't work until the new year. The city will also be removing back-in spaces and returning to traditional, angled parking. The old meters will be removed in the spring.

"You'll see us communicate a lot about Park Mobile and mobile pay, encouraging pre-downloads, and you'll see a lot of communications about what we're doing with these systems throughout the fall. All fall you're going to see that," Gacioch said.

WEB EXTRA: Royal Oak City Manager Joseph Gacioch details the parking changes coming to Royal Oak WEB EXTRA: Royal Oak City Manager Joseph Gacioch details the parking changes coming to Royal Oak

The city is also redoing the lines on S. Washington Avenue before the ground freezes to eliminate back-in parking, a change welcomed by local businesses.

"It's about time that they change it. People have been complaining about it for years. Hopefully, the next system is an improvement," said David Brown, owner of Paper Trail Books.

Brown has operated his business on South Washington Avenue for eight years. The store owner next to him, who declined to be identified, said she feels the current parking system drove customers away and hopes the new system will boost foot traffic as well.

In the new year, the city also plans to introduce parking ambassadors.

"What I mean by that is our parking enforcement team, getting out from the desk back into the field," Gacioch said.

But Gacioch emphasized they're not just there to enforce parking regulations.

"They're out there. They're boots on the ground, they are experts in their downtown. They're also there to give you directions to a business," Gacioch 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.

DTE Energy is working to provide more reliable electricity to customers by installing smart devices that have already prevented more than 16,000 customer outages since the beginning of the year.

The utility company aims to fully automate the grid by 2029, with crews actively installing the technology across southeastern Michigan, including on Roselawn Street in Detroit Wednesday.

Watch Jolie Sherman's video report below: DTE installing smart devices to prevent power outages across southeastern Michigan

"Whether it's snow, ice, wind, trees, the equipment that you see behind us, these smart devices really allow us to prevent outages from occurring," said Morgan Elliott Andahazy, director of DTE's Project Management Organization.

The devices have the ability to reroute power so less customers experience an outage. It also identifies damaged areas, speeding up restoration efforts and improves customer safety.

Hear more from Morgan Elliott Andahazy in the video player below: Web extra: DTE explains smart devices aiming to provide more reliable electricity

"When there is a downed power line on that circuit, these devices will cut off power so that that wire that's laying on the ground is now de-energized. So if anybody were to come in contact with it, they would not be in harm's way," Andahazy said.

(DTE recommends staying at least 25 feet - or the length of a school bus - away from all downed power lines, and to assume they are live and dangerous. Report downed power lines via

DTE's Outage Center

.)

We're told, crews will be installing more than 30 smart devices each week through the end of the year. By then, they will have added more than 675 devices to the grid.

"By the end of this year, we'll have more than 1,200 devices installed throughout our territory," Andahazy said.

Detroit resident Andre Bailey, who knows what it's like to lose power, welcomes the improvements.

"It is miserable. You can't watch television, you know, it gets cold, gotta get multiple blankets and everything. I'll put on sweaters," Bailey said.

Another neighbor, Rita Jessie, expressed gratitude for the technology.

"I feel they're doing a great job, you know, because we need more improvement," Jessie said.

This is all part of DTE's five-year, $10 billion plan to reduce customer outages by 30% and cut the duration of outages in half by 2029.

DTE also plans on making upgrades to existing electrical equipment, building brand-new substations and investing in tree trimming to reduce outages caused by tree damage.

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.

Starting next school year, all Michigan schools will be required to implement the same emergency response protocols, eliminating the current confusion caused by varying systems across districts.

Watch Jolie Sherman's and Brittany Toolis' video report: Michigan schools to adopt standardized emergency response protocols Michigan schools to adopt standardized emergency response protocols

Some schools, like the Novi Community School District, are already ahead of the curve.

The standardized response terminology aims to create consistency in how schools respond to emergencies, ensuring everyone from students and staff to parents and first responders understands exactly what actions to take.

"A lot of schools have developed their own language. They may have made code words. Their staff might be well trained on what that terminology was, but the community, law enforcement, anybody on the outside may have not had a clear idea of what that school was doing," said Dennis Huisman, Supervisor of Safety & Security for Novi Community School District.

Huisman, who was a police officer and school resource officer for 16 years, points out that terms like "shelter in place" currently have different meanings across school districts, creating potential confusion during emergencies.

"In some places, that might mean an active threat on the outside of the building or neighborhood. That might mean an active shooter in an area somewhere. So that terminology gets changed a lot, and shelter in place can also be used for tornado or gas leak," Huisman said.

The new standardized system uses five clear response terms: hold, secure, lockdown, evacuate, and shelter. Posters displaying these terms and their meanings are already being displayed throughout Novi schools.

Srp-k12 2025 Poster Msp-oss En by WXYZ-TV Channel 7 Detroit

The Michigan Department of State Police and the School Safety and Mental Health Commission are responsible for publishing these safety rules by July 1, 2026, with schools required to adopt them by the 2026-27 school year.

"I believe the intent of the legislature was no matter where you go to school or where you teach, there will be standard terminology," said Kim Root, Manager of the Office of School Safety for Michigan State Police.

Novi's Village Oaks Elementary School Principal Katy Dingelmann said staff will begin the year by teaching students the different safety procedures.

"We have updated all of our manuals and emergency operating procedures in our classroom go bags," Dingelmann said.

Teachers in the district appreciate the proactive approach to safety.

"I'm a mom of the district and also an educator, and it makes me very comfortable to know that everybody is on the same page," said Erin Laporte, a 4th-grade teacher at Village Oaks.

Parents like Jessica Orlowski, whose children attend Novi schools, also feel reassured by the standardized protocols.

"You know, my main priority is the safety of my children," Orlowski said. "To know those practices are going into place makes me feel a lot more safe."

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 Vietnam veteran from Lincoln Park has received an overwhelming response after his family asked the community to send him birthday cards for his 80th birthday.

Watch Jolie Sherman's video report: Vietnam veteran receives hundreds of cards for 80th birthday

Robert Carson, who turned 80 today, has received around 500 cards from people across Michigan and beyond. The Lincoln Park mayor also honored him by declaring August 25, 2025, as Robert Carson Day.

"Oh man, we got a ton of them," Carson said.

His ex-wife and caregiver, Paulette DeBaldo-Carson, initiated the birthday card campaign on Facebook earlier this month.

PREVIOUS STORY: Vietnam veteran's family wishes for cards from the community for his 80th birthday Vietnam veteran's family wants cards from the community for his 80th birthday

"I expected 80 cards. That's what I expected," DeBaldo-Carson said.

The response far exceeded expectations, with cards arriving from all over Michigan and from as far away as Florida. Many cards came from veterans, family members of veterans, and those who've lost loved ones who served.

Lincoln Park Mayor Maureen Tobin presented Carson with a proclamation declaring his birthday as Robert Carson Day in the city.

"Honoring him and his service and what he's done for this country means a lot to me, and I'm just very happy to come out and do this for him," Tobin said.

The birthday celebration has also connected Carson with important resources. Rose Walsh, who runs the non-profit Downriver for Veterans in Wyandotte, visited Carson to inform him about benefits available to veterans.

"We help veterans get their benefits, which is what we're going to be doing with this gentleman back here," Walsh said. "Veterans don't seem to understand that if you have boots on the ground, which means you were in a war zone, there's benefits out there for you."

The Lincoln Park Police Department also participated in the celebration, driving by Carson's home with lights and sirens before delivering a card and gifts.

The birthday cards continue to arrive daily, bringing birthday wishes and long-overdue thanks for his service.

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 and teachers will soon be setting alarm clocks for the new school year, but health advocates argue that school bells ring too early for teenagers' biological needs.

Watch Jolie's report in the video player below New push for later school start times to address teen sleep deprivation

According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, students ages 13 to 18 need between 8 and 10 hours of sleep every night to function properly. Without adequate rest, teens can experience attention, behavior and learning problems.

Advocates say the solution isn't as simple as going to bed earlier, as teens are biologically wired to fall asleep later than adults and younger children.

"It's really a health crisis that our kids are in," said Katherine Nitz, a chapter leader for Start School Later, a global movement advocating for healthier school schedules.

The organization recommends middle schools start no earlier than 8 a.m. and high schools begin at 8:30 a.m. or later.

In 2018, Nitz started a Start School Later chapter in Rochester Hills to address what she describes as chronic sleep deprivation in teens.

"Kids really need that 5 a.m. - 7 a.m. sleep, that REM sleep. That's when your brain goes through emotional regulation and memory consolidation. So kids are constantly fighting against their biology," Nitz said.

Students feel the impact of early start times on their daily lives and academic performance.

"I hate it. I just hate waking up that early," said Emily Nitz from Rochester Hills.

"It's definitely tough to be ready and focused at 7:30 a.m.," said incoming senior Spencer Scherr. "It's just difficult to feel tired all the time and to know that you can perform better academically."

Scherr took action by speaking with his school leaders about the issue, helping to change the start time at Seaholm High School in Birmingham from 7:30 a.m. to 7:50 a.m. this year.

"Obviously, we as an organization with Start School Later, we definitely wanted to push back further, but that was all we were able to get this year," Scherr said.

The Troy Public School District is also examining the possibility of later start times.

"This has been a conversation that the board has had at times during the last number of years," said Dan Trudel, Troy's assistant superintendent.

Trudel explained that implementing later start times involves numerous considerations, including impacts on sports and extracurricular programming, students with jobs, and the district's bus routes.

"I think the easiest way is to say let's hire 20 more drivers and then we can accommodate," Trudel said.

While adding more drivers would be the least disruptive solution, it comes with significant costs.

"When you look at an upwards of $70,000 annually for a route, and if I had to add 20 to 25 routes, you're well over a million dollars just from that," Trudel said.

The district has hired an outside vendor to assess their transportation system and plans to present 4 - 5 options to the Board of Education in the fall.

Despite the challenges, advocates remain convinced of the benefits.

"Any district can do this, and it will be in the best interest of every single student," Nitz 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.