Orange barrels and barricades are officially up on Allen Road on the west side of Van Horn in Woodhaven as the long-awaited grade separation project gets underway Monday.

Watch Carli Petrus's video report: Allen Road grade separation project officially begins in Woodhaven

The project, nearly two decades in the making, will lower Allen Road beneath the railroad tracks and build a new rail bridge over the roadway. Construction is expected to last until 2028.

Wayne County official Dayo Akinyemi said drivers will no longer be delayed by trains crossing at the intersection once the project is complete.

"The job has been a long time coming," Akinyemi said. "So, were separating the conflict that currently exists. Before now, its not strange for people to be delayed for half an hour or more."

Woodhaven resident Bria McLeish said she has been stopped by the Allen Road train dozens of times.

"Coming home from work late at night, 10 oclock, its very inconvenient," McLeish said. "Im hoping that now with this construction, they get it sorted."

We spoke with local business owners who echo her feelings, bracing for the impact of the massive project over the next two and a half to three years.

"Its going to be a long three years," Monica Lopez said.

Lopez, a Woodhaven resident and owner of Taco Stand, said the restaurant just opened in September of last year.

PREVIOUS STORY: Long-awaited Allen Road train overpass in Woodhaven is finally moving forward Long-awaited Allen Road train overpass in Woodhaven is finally moving forward

"Yeah, yeah, we were aware (of the project), again, werent sure on the timeline of it, figured maybe a year and a half, two years, and figured with that it shouldnt affect us too much, but hearing the three years, puts a damper on things," Lopez said.

Despite concerns for her small business, Lopez said she is looking forward to the train no longer being an issue.

"Itll be worth it," Lopez said.

Right next door to the taco shop is Tracys Nail Bar. Owner Trang Gazan said she believes they will be okay because their business is appointment-based.

"Weve been alive after COVID, so hopefully we can keep on going," Gazan said. "Sometimes the train is in the way too right, like it will run us behind, so I think everybody will be okay as long as they leave a little bit early to get to us."

Both business owners are reminding the community they will remain open throughout the construction.

"Keep coming to see us, and word of mouth is always good," Gazan said.

"Well be here ready to serve, and were just hoping people stop in," Lopez said.

As for what drivers can expect in the coming months, Akinyemi said the first couple of weeks will bring some delays as people adjust to detours, most of which will use Ford Lane. After that, major backups are not expected.

"The first set of work youre going to see when a project of this magnitude begins are the advance road closures and the signs and the barrels on the roadway. After that, youll see a lot of the utility companies, underground utility companies that cross the road, now they can go there," Akinyemi said.

"This is a short-term pain for a long-term gain," Akinyemi 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.

Police departments across metro Detroit are increasing patrols around places of worship and schools following an attack at Temple Israel in West Bloomfield.

Agencies from Detroit and Dearborn Heights to Ann Arbor and Pittsfield have taken to social media to let the public know they have stepped up patrols. Dearborn Heights Mayor Mo Baydoun said the increased presence in the community is not meant to alarm residents but to help the community feel at ease.

The heightened security comes after violence at Temple Israel in West Bloomfield on Thursday. Oak Park Public Safety Director Steve Cooper said he and about a dozen other officers were called to the scene to help.

Related Coverage: Attack on Temple Israel in West Bloomfield Township Temple Israel attack coverage: 7 News Detroit at 5 p.m.

"You never want to get a call over the radio of an incident such as that. It was a little bit chaotic but very unnerving. I know my team of officers were one of the initial teams that were able to actually make entry into the building and assist with some of the searching of the interior of the building and helping to assist some of the children out of the classrooms and helping them get to a safe location," Cooper said.

No one inside the temple or its school was seriously injured. A few first responders suffered minor injuries.

Although no threats have been made in Oak Park, Cooper said the community has a large Jewish population that deserves to feel safe.

Related Coverage: Investigation into Temple Israel attack moves forward Investigation into Temple Israel attack moves forward

"The safety of our community has always been our top priority. We want the members of the Jewish community to feel comfortable and safe if they move about during the Sabbath, through their place of worship, to their events and if we can help bolster that with our visible presence, then we're definitely going to do that," Cooper said.

Melvindale is among the surrounding communities that will also see increased police patrols. Melvindale Police Chief Chris Egan said officers will be patrolling local mosques, churches, and schools.

"All of our officers, every day, are out there patrolling and they can be highly visible but obviously after an event like yesterday, it's even more heightened," Egan said.

Egan said no threats have been reported in Melvindale, but that the department is taking the situation seriously.

"In Melvindale, we haven't had any threats, either threats of attacks or counter hate threats in Melvindale, but that doesn't mean we're not going to take this situation seriously like we always do," Egan said.

While officers are increasing their visibility, police are also urging community members to stay vigilant.

"Unfortunately, you live in a time, you get to a point where it's not if something is going to happen but when," Cooper said.

"We're ready, we've been training for a long time, and we hope we never have to deploy the specific tactics, but if we do, we'll do whatever we have to to keep this community safe," Cooper 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.

A restaurant in Canton is serving up more than just great food, it's also a place where dogs are always welcome.

Watch Carli's report below

Maverick's in Canton offers wide array of delicious food, dog-friendly indoor patio

From fish and chips to fresh sandwiches, to their No. 1 seller, the California Bowl, Maverick's is a must-try spot here in Canton. And even better, you can bring your furry friend for a bite.

When he says this place is for everyone, the owner of Maverick's, Chad Wilson, isn't kidding.

We wanted a place, something for everyone, because Cantons a very family community," Wilson said.

Opening the restaurant back in 2019, he has a long history in the business. Starting in 1991 at a Canton Outback, Wilson always dreamed of one day opening his own place. Now, Maverick's is a favorite spot for more than just families.

I didnt know this, but we were actually voted best place for a Tinder date," Wilson said. "On Tinder! I was very surprised."

And whether it's a first date or a regular lunch meet-up, customers like Jason Johnson say they keep coming back.

Every time we come here, they know us now because we come here so often, so it makes you feel like youre part of their family when you come in," Johnson said.

But it's not just people who are welcome here; Maverick's indoor patio is also dog-friendly.

"The dogs get free bacon, so they love it," said Savannah Walukonis.

Walkonis brought in her two dogs for lunch on Tuesday, something she told me she does often.

In the state of Michigan, the weather is kind of unpredictable, so a lot of places have like outdoor seating only, so this place is nice because its covered and temperature-controlled, so you can have your dogs and still be comfortable and eat here all year round if you want," she explained.

The popular spot is actually named after a dog: Maverick, a Jack Russell Terrier rescued by one of Wilson's partners.

Maverick unfortunately passed last year after 18 years," Wilson said. Long time. He lived a long, happy life, but yes, unfortunately, he passed last year.

But Maverick's memory lives on here, with photos of him throughout the restaurant. And the team continues to help other dogs just like him.

One of the things we love to do is identify local animal shelters and animal rescues, and we will take time to donate to them," Wilson said. "We also have had pet adoptions here in the past where we will bring the animal shelter in, and we can offer to have dogs adopted out on our patio.

And of course, there's food. General Manager Wally Lis gave me a taste of his favorites.

Well, we figured, since it is Lent, that we would bring out some fish and chips. Its a big mover right now. Its our hand-battered cod, served with our homemade tartar sauce and on a bed of fries.

I also got to try their popular Prime Rib sandwich, California Bowl, and Tuscan Chicken dish.

I wish I could fill this table, I mean, theres pastas, steaks, salmon, theres so many other things, but these are really popular sellers, and I would recommend them to anybody," Lis said.

So if you're looking for a new spot with great food, tons of TVs, and a place where your dog is welcome, Maverick's might be worth a try.

"We're dog lovers," Wilson said.

Make sure to stop by our Let's Talk Event at Maverick's this evening! It's happening at 42820 Ford Road in Canton from 4:30 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. We hope to see you there! If you have a comment or story idea for us and can't make it to the events, email us at

tips@wxyz.com

. Where Your Voice Matters

Brett White II is not your typical college basketball player. At 28 years old, the Oakland University guard is helping the Golden Grizzlies make a push in the Horizon League Tournament and every shot carries years of sacrifice behind it.

"I wake up today happy because here I am in a conference tournament at a division one level," White said.

Watch the video report below: Brett White II: Oakland's 28-year-old guard proves it's never too late to chase your dreams

When White graduated from Battle Creek Central High School in 2016, basketball had to wait.

"My dad messed his back up from work, so he really couldn't work a lot and he was struggling to get back on his feet a little bit. And my mom was in prison, so when she was gone, we didn't really have that support system," White said.

At 18, instead of moving into a dorm, White moved into oil refineries often working 17-hour days, seven days a week, becoming the sole provider for his family.

"I went down that routine and chose to step up," White said.

Four years later when his family found stability, White made a decision: it was finally his turn.

Now wearing No. 10 for the Golden Grizzlies, White is currently one of the oldest players on a Division I college team and he said his journey carries a message for others.

"That's been my message since 2020, since I went back to school. I talked to so many kids in my community back home. It's really for them, is really why I started doing it because there's so many kids not chasing their dreams and falling short because of the environment they live in. I just wanted to show them it's never too late and to chase it. If it's right there in front of you, grab it. Just chase your dream and never give up on yourself," White said.

As for what comes next, White said he is not done chasing his dreams.

"Play pro basketball, go overseas, that's another dream. Since I've come here, it opened up a lot of doors for me, so I feel like I could play overseas and play professional basketball after this," White 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.

Northville's Planning Commission held a public hearing Tuesday on a proposed zoning ordinance that would prohibit new street-level offices in key blocks of the downtown area.

The proposal is designed to protect walkable retail corridors from being displaced by office tenants willing to pay premium rents but it drew sharp pushback from some business owners at a packed city hall meeting.

Watch the video report below: Northville considers banning street-level offices in downtown core to protect retail, restaurants

Community Development Director Justin Quagliata said the Central Business District, centered at the intersection of Main Street and Center Street, is one of the city's most prized commercial areas and that rising property values are creating pressure on the spaces that make it thrive.

"Northville is very fortunate there are no vacancies downtown," Quagliata said.

But that popularity comes with a tradeoff. As demand for downtown space grows, Quagliata said offices are increasingly outbidding retailers and restaurants for street-level storefronts.

"We're seeing that absolutely," Quagliata said.

The proposed ordinance would require office uses to occupy upper floors or street-level spaces outside the targeted zone which includes two blocks on Main Street and one block on North Center Street.

Quagliata also emphasized that the ordinance would not force out any existing street-level offices.

"They would be able to continue to operate under the ordinance without any ramifications," Quagliata said.

Related video: Northville businesses could see a drop in foot traffic with construction Northville businesses could see a drop in foot traffic with construction starting today

Supporters of the proposal point to businesses like Great White Buffalo Brewing Company as examples of what the ordinance aims to preserve. The brewery is marking three years in downtown Northville and manager Nolan Radloff said their street-level location is central to their success.

"We couldn't do anything without them obviously, so they're just a huge part of it," Radloff said, referring to the surrounding community.

Radloff said foot traffic from their downtown location drives business in a way that would be difficult to replicate elsewhere.

"Absolutely. I mean, walking around on the streets, you just wander right in or you know exactly where we are. People just know hey, here's the buffalo, let's go in for a quick drink, some great food," Radloff said.

Not everyone is for ordinance. Longtime Northville business owner Dan Welch called the proposal an overreach, arguing that the city cannot legislate consumer demand.

"You cannot ordain demand," Welch said.

Welch questioned the financial burden the ordinance could place on property owners looking to attract or build out retail tenants.

"Do you know how expensive it is to build out a retail space and that's going to be on us?" Welch said.

Welch, who said he purchased his building with plans to either expand his own business into additional space or lease to tenants, said the ordinance would limit his options as a property owner.

"We bought this building for two reasons: we wanted to be owner-tenants and we wanted to use the other space as an opportunity maybe to grow our business and move into or to be a landlord to great tenants like Celebrity Pets. And now, you're going to tell me whether we can do that or not," Welch said.

Welch and several other attendees called on the planning commission to pause the process before moving forward.

Related video: Northville's Town Square Refresh construction begins spring 2026 Downtown Northville undergoing a $3.3 million refresh

Quagliata said the intent behind the ordinance is broadly shared, even among those with concerns.

"Ultimately, the goal is to have an active, strong downtown which I think everybody supports," Quagliata said.

The public hearing was only the first step. The Planning Commission does not have final authority over the ordinance; city council will cast the deciding vote.

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.

Hunter House Hamburgers, a Birmingham staple for 73 years, has filed a 62-page trademark lawsuit against Better Burgers, the restaurant that opened in its former location on Woodward Avenue.

Third-generation owner Kelly Cobb says customer confusion began the moment Better Burgers opened its doors.

You can see the full story in the video below

Hunter House sues Better Burgers over trademark concerns, customer confusion in Birmingham

"We welcome competition, but the day they opened, we had customers calling us, confused," Cobb said.

Hunter House had operated for decades out of the same white building with black signage on Woodward Avenue before the landlord forced the business out. Cobb says the move required quick action to keep the restaurant running.

"We had to move out of there relatively quickly, and we had to find a solution to make sure we could keep operating," Cobb said.

The restaurant is currently operating out of a tent and a makeshift kitchen at its new Woodward Avenue location while renovations are completed.

Months after Hunter House's departure, Better Burgers opened in the old space, and reports of confusion followed. We spoke with a Hunter House customer who said he was unsure where to go.

Watch below: Past coverage on New burger joint opens in former Hunter House location, sparking community confusion

New burger joint opens in former Hunter House location, sparking community confusion

"A little bit until I found out the location was here," the customer said.

The 62-page lawsuit outlines not only customer confusion but confusion from other businesses as well, including a sign company that attempted to deliver a sign to Hunter House a sign Hunter House never ordered.

You can read the full lawsuit below

Hunter House lawsuit over Better Burgers by WXYZ-TV Channel 7 Detroit

Better Burgers manager Mikos Plumaj spoke about the new restaurant's opening when it first launched.

"We figured this is a very busy area right here downtown Birmingham and Woodward and we just wanted to open the doors, you know, people talk, people start coming," Plumaj said.

Plumaj declined to comment further when approached this week about the lawsuit.

A judge has already weighed in, issuing an order requiring Better Burgers to post exterior signage clearly identifying the business. Signage is now wrapped around the building something that was not there just days ago. The restaurant's menu has also been updated, now featuring the words "Welcome to Better Burgers" in large red letters. The other side of the menu references possible changes coming to the building.

You can read the judge's order

Judge's order over Hunter House lawsuit by WXYZ-TV Channel 7 Detroit

Those changes reflect confirmed plans from the landlord to develop the property into a mixed-use space, though no timeline has been announced.

Cobb says the lawsuit was a last resort.

"Our primary concern was, you just have to tell the public who you are because people think that you're Hunter House," Cobb said.

When asked about the end goal of the legal action, Cobb was direct.

Watch below: Past coverage - Hunter House Hamburgers moves to new location after 72 years

Hunter House Hamburgers moves to new location after 72 years

"My end goal here is to just re-open Hunter House. No one wants to file a lawsuit, we just felt like this was getting out of hand and it wasn't right for us and our brand that we've spent 73 years building here and it's not right to the public who got confused as to where they are going," Cobb said.

Cobb says the focus now is on the future getting the new Hunter House location open. The business is waiting on approvals before major renovations can begin.

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 Northville man is stranded in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, with limited resources and no clear timeline for getting home after cartel-related violence forced the local airport to close and prompted major airlines to cancel or delay flights.

Michael Odom said he arrived in Puerto Vallarta on Thursday for his annual trip to the popular vacation destination. By Sunday, the situation had changed dramatically.

Watch Carli Petrus' video report below: Northville man stranded in Puerto Vallarta amid cartel violence describes scene

"I was trying to go outside in the morning to have breakfast and that's when everything started, so people were rushing inside the condo saying 'you can't go outside, you can't go outside,'" Odom said.

Fire bombs and military helicopters became part of the scene. The violence is believed to be tied to cartel unrest following reports surrounding the killing of leader El Mencho.

"It was very surreal experiences," Odom said.

Related Video: Viewer video shows fires in Puerto Vallarta Viewer video shows fires in Puerto Vallarta

By the following day, Odom described the area outside as eerily quiet.

"There are no buses, no taxis, things like that," Odom said.

With many local businesses closed or burned down, Odom said finding basic supplies has become a challenge.

"I heard there was one store that was open so I did kind of scuttle down the road to try and see if I can get in line and when I got there, there was about 130 people in line. The store was pretty much stripped bare thin," Odom said.

Odom is not scheduled to fly home until March 8, but his husband is expected to fly into Puerto Vallarta this week.

"We've been staying in touch via text and talking every day, but at this point, nothing is for certain," Odom said.

Related Story: U.S. citizens urged to 'shelter in place' after Mexico drug lord's killing sparks wave of violence US citizens in Mexico told to shelter in place after killing of cartel leader

The Puerto Vallarta airport remains closed. United and Southwest, both of which operate flights out of Detroit Metropolitan Airport, have delayed or canceled flights to and from parts of Mexico until at least Wednesday, according to their websites.

Some Michigan elected officials, including Sen. Gary Peters and Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib, have posted on social media directing travelers to fill out the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program form, known as STEP.

Alex Zimmerman, director of International Education at Oakland University, said registering for the program is something travelers should do even now if they have not already done so.

"What registering for that program does is basically it notifies the closest Embassy of the United States that you are there, who you are, and how long you plan to stay there, and how to get in touch with you. So, the Embassy will send updates about the security situation to everybody who is registered with them," Zimmerman said.

Zimmerman said situations like this can happen anywhere, including in the United States, and that it should not discourage people from traveling.

"But it is a reason to keep informed and to pay attention to the news wherever you're going," Zimmerman 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.

A Warren woman is facing more than 10 counts of animal cruelty after 20 dogs and four turtles were discovered living in deplorable conditions inside her home during a drug investigation.

Watch Carli Petrus's video report: Warren woman faces animal cruelty charges after 24 animals rescued

The Macomb County Sheriff's Office arrested 57-year-old Michelle Reyntiens on Thursday while executing a search warrant on her Hobart Avenue home as part of an investigation led by their undercover drug task force, the Sheriff's Enforcement Team, known as "SET."

During the search, officers discovered 11 puppies, nine adult dogs, and four turtles living in what officials described as poor conditions.

"This was a lot of animals in one small, confined area that was in pretty bad shape," said Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel.

Hackel said he and animal control immediately responded to help rescue the animals.

"When we got there, all hands on deck. We were there trying to figure out, okay, how do we bring them out, one at a time, and super sweet dogs, but you could tell, they were very unkempt, some of them needed some medical attention," Hackel said.

All 24 animals are now being cared for at the Macomb County Animal Control Shelter, where they're receiving grooming and medical attention before becoming available for adoption.

Web extra: Dogs rescued from Warren home Web extra: Dogs rescued from Warren home

Kennel Technician Anna Young said many of the animals required urgent care upon arrival.

"We were dealing with overgrown nails, pretty heavy matting, and urine staining in the fur," Young said.

With 11 puppies among the rescued animals, reuniting them with their mothers presented an additional challenge for shelter staff.

"It was difficult in the beginning because the moms who were close to the puppies know they're scared and they're being protective, so they want their puppies to stay with them, but slowly we were able to figure out what puppies should go where and the moms," Young said.

Young said staff eventually identified three mother dogs and successfully reunited them with their puppies.

The four turtles found at the home were in better condition than the dogs, but are still too young for adoption, according to Young.

"The turtles are in much better condition than the dogs were, but they're still very young, so we have to care for them until they can reach age and size so they can be able to get adopted," Young said.

A neighbor who asked not to be identified said she was shocked to learn about the conditions inside the home.

"It's sad to know that they were not being taken care of. That just breaks my heart," the neighbor said.

Young said all the animals are already showing improvement and becoming more comfortable around people.

Reyntiens is being held in the Macomb County Jail with bond set at $30,000. Her next court date is scheduled for Feb. 26.

Hackel said the public can help by donating money or supplies to assist with medical expenses, grooming, and feeding costs for the rescued animals.

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.

As Valentine's Day approaches, love is in the air, and so are higher prices. From roses to candy, the cost of celebrating is rising.

Watch Carli's report below

Why it may be a little more expensive to celebrate Valentine's Day in 2026

Between all the chocolate and flowers, there's no denying that Valentine's Day has a real impact on our wallets. And if it feels like celebrating the day of love is costing more than ever, you're not imagining it.

"We would usually just go out to dinner and then go home, go watch a movie and open some presents," said Ren Phillips.

In previous years, we have splurged and gone to the restaurant on top of the Ren-Cen," said Phillip Bunker.

According to Consumer Price Index data, Valentine's Day-related costs are up about 30 percent since 2021. And consumers I spoke with say that's why they're changing up their plans for the year.

We dont want to spend a lot of money at this time," Phillips said.

Phillips tells me that she and her partner are going to keep it more "low-key."

"Were not doing any presents this year. Its really just stay home and just cook together and maybe bake something," Phillips said.

As for Bunker, he said he and his partner are having to get more creative.

I dont want to spill the beans but it might be a little smaller bouquet, you know, a hand-written card, instead of one purchased from the store, and it may be some hand-made gifts," Bunker said.

And local businesses in metro Detroit are feeling the price hikes too, including David Ogloza, owner of Quix Chocolate in Ferndale.

In about three and a half years, the price of our chocolate has nearly doubled," Ogloza said. We had some shortages in the cocoa market about over a year ago, and that definitely has worked its way through to me, and then obviously the end user. So, I have to say,y for this year our pricing for our Valentines Day chocolate boxes is maybe a few dollars more than they were last year.

David isn't the only chocolatier feeling this impact.

It definitely is and you will find that some stores and maybe even the bigger brands, especially, you may have seen articles about them using less chocolate in their products and focusing more on sugary candies instead," Ogloza said.

As for flowers, Michael Fraley, one of the new owners of Tiffany Florist, a longtime flower shop in Birmingham, said we're now seeing the impact of tariffs.

Weve seen a pretty high increase in flowers coming from Europe," Fraley said.

And although flowers cost more, Fraley said he's not passing that cost down to his customers.

"Yes, we did $8 a stem then. Something like red roses on Valentines Day you have to have. So, we are probably making a little less profit on them than we did last year," Fraley said.

But even with higher prices, couples say love isn't about what's in the box or the bouquet.

I really think the proof of a really strong relationship on Valentines is just spending time together and doing activities together and sharing experiences together, rather than sharing items if that makes sense.

Where Your Voice Matters

Employees at a Sterling Heights Wendy's say they've been working without heat for years, forcing them to wear multiple layers and coats while serving customers.

Alexis Martin, who works at the Wendy's near 18 Mile and Ryan roads, said the restaurant has been without proper heating for two to three years.

Watch Carli Petrus' video report below: Sterling Heights Wendy's employees say they've worked without heat for years

"Every time I come in here, I always have my hoodie on, I have a shirt on underneath my work shirt, I always wear my coat and gloves if I have it," Martin said.

Martin said the cold conditions are so severe that employees can see their breath in the bathroom. She said complaints have been made to the franchise owners multiple times over the years, but nothing has been done.

"It's every day that people are complaining about us not having heat," Martin said.

The situation prompted Martin's mother, Angel, to contact 7 News Detroit for help. Angel Martin previously worked at the restaurant and said she's concerned about her daughter's safety.

"I don't want her to get frostbite, you know. I know the temperatures have been crazy lately and I worried about her all the last couple weeks working," Angel Martin said.

When contacted about the issue, a Wendy's corporate spokesperson said ensuring a safe and comfortable work environment is their highest priority.

"We are aware heat is partially working at this restaurant, and our teams have been on-site today to address the issue," the spokesperson said.

However, when I asked Alexis Martin if corporate representatives had visited the restaurant as promised, she said no one had come in.

"No, I spoke to my manager about that and several other employees that have been here all day and they've said nobody has come in at all," Martin said.

When I visited the restaurant to speak with the manager, he said he wasn't allowed to speak with me. Calls to the franchise owners have not been returned.

Angel Martin said she hopes the issue gets resolved quickly for all the employees trying to make a living.

"I just hope that it gets fixed and they can correct it as soon as possible. I mean, I know things like that aren't cheap but you still have people trying to make a living," she 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.

An Eastpointe mother is warning other parents about the hidden dangers of sledding after her 10-year-old daughter suffered severe injuries in an accident at a local park.

Jennifer's daughter Cheyenne was sledding at Spindler Park on a Friday afternoon when what started as a fun winter day quickly turned into a terrifying emergency. The girl went down the back side of the hill, despite warning signs, and crashed into nearby poles.

Watch Carli Petrus' video report below: Eastpointe mother warns of sledding dangers after daughter's severe injuries

"I never would have thought they would have gotten hurt sledding like we go every year, we've always went," Jennifer said.

The accident left Cheyenne with a Stage 3 liver laceration that is almost a Stage 4, along with a severe concussion and possible brain damage due to brain swelling, according to Jennifer.

"I got a call that Cheyenne, you know, she was hurt, she was hurt bad," Jennifer said.

Watch our extended interview with Jennifer below: Extended interview: Mom talks about daughter's severe injuries after sledding accident

Now Jennifer is urging other parents to think twice before letting their children go sledding.

"I have heard of a broken arm over the weekend, and on the other side of the hill as well, someone hit a tree, someone went through the fence it's repetitive injury," Jennifer said.

The city of Eastpointe acknowledged awareness of the sledding activity on the hill. A spokesperson said in a statement: "While signage speaks to the risks of sledding on the hill, the City works to keep the hill as safe as possible, with staff routinely ensuring there are hay bales, fencing, and safety measures in place. We have empathy for the child and family involved, and will work to continue to make our parks and public spaces as safe as possible for all users."

Dr. Aamna Hafeez at Henry Ford Hospital says the best way to stay safe is to know the risks and take precautions.

"Sledding can definitely be a fun activity, but there are risks associated with it and those injuries can range from minor bumps and bruises all the way to severe head trauma," Hafeez said.

The doctor recommends families take safety precautions, with head protection being the most important.

"So, there's absolutely some precautions families can take in terms of safety for their children sledding. The most important being some sort of protection for their heads, so whether that's a helmet or a ski helmet or a biking helmet, either of those options because really what you're trying to do is prevent brain injuries," Hafeez said.

William Hirsch, who was at Spindler Park with his two young daughters, said sledding is an activity they enjoy regularly.

"It's something the kids love to do. It's an activity that gets us outside, gets us outdoors and something to do to have fun," Hirsch said.

He says he makes sure his girls are safe by going down the hill with them, making sure they're not going toward anything harmful.

"Sometimes, you slip and fall down, but you have to get back up, you know. It's a learning lesson," Hirsch said.

For Jennifer, her message is simple: awareness.

"It can happen, like I said, at any hill. Just because it was at this one doesn't mean that it can't happen at the one down the street from your house, right. So, just be aware," Jennifer said. "I just want these kids and people to be safe in general because it's scary."

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As we continue News Literacy Week, we're lifting up the voice of one Birmingham librarian. She is making it her mission to make sure students learn how to separate fact from fiction early on.

The library at Birmingham Covington School recently turned into a full-on news literacy adventure with different learning stations and students led their families through each one to learn how to think critically about the information they see every day.

Watch Carli Petrus' video report below: Librarian hosts news literacy for kids and familys

Students at Birmingham Covington School are signing the news literacy pledge promising to pause, question, and verify before believing or sharing information.

Its never too young to start these skills," said Laura Amatulli, the librarian who organized the literacy night event.

It's designed for third and fourth graders and their families, and the goal is simple.

"To learn how to slow down, think critically, and ask smart questions before trusting and sharing information," said Amatulli.

Amatulli says this is especially important as artificial intelligence, or AI, becomes more prevalent in our lives.

"Were building habits of asking good questions. We want students to think, 'who created this? Why was this picture made?' Or 'why was this article made? What evidence supports this article?' and these critical thinking skills give them a lifelong piece in their toolbox," she said.

And it seems like those lessons are already sticking for fourth grader Melia Farr.

"How do you make sure what youre looking at is truthful? I asked.

"Well, its hard to make sure, but you have to like think about it and make sure it is, because its important, because if its not factual, then its not really that useful," she said.

Melia attended the event with her mom, Jasmine Farr, who says growing up, the news looked very different.

I remember getting the newspaper twice a day and it came on your porch and that was kind of it, you just took that for what it was but now we have it on internet, we have it on social media, youre getting it from left and right and all these different forms, you have to find out what really is the news," said Jasmine.

Jasmine says she wants her daughter to stay on the offense as AI technology continues to advance and she believes events like this one give kids the tools they need to do just that.

"It takes a village so schools cant do it alone, parents cant do it alone, and children definitely cant do it on their own so we all have to come together collectively and make sure that theyre protected, that theyre safe, that theyre learning and we can all do it together as a community," said Jasmine.