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

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

“He’s like, ‘I want to be with Bryce,’” Moore told reporters on Monday, adding he asked why Bredeson wanted that roommate assignment. “He’s like, ‘Yeah, let’s get that done,’ (and) I was like, ‘OK, cool. You’re the captain. We can do that.’”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Not a problem. Moore said the freshman embraces it.

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

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

By CHRISTOPHER BODEEN, Associated Press

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The nations top public health agency was left reeling Thursday as the White House worked to expel the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention director and replace her with Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. 's current deputy.

The turmoil triggered rare bipartisan alarm as Kennedy tries to advance anti-vaccine policies that are contradicted by decades of scientific research.

Two administration officials said Jim O'Neill, the second-in-command at the Department of Health and Human Services, would supplant Susan Monarez, a longtime government scientist. O'Neill, a former investment executive who also served at the federal health department under President George W. Bush, does not have a medical background. The officials, who confirmed the change, requested anonymity to discuss personnel decisions before a public announcement.

RELATED STORY | Susan Monarez ousted as director of U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

A flashpoint is expected in the coming weeks as a key advisory committee, which Kennedy has reshaped with vaccine skeptics, is expected to issue new recommendations on immunizations. The panel is scheduled to review standard childhood shots for measles, hepatitis and other diseases.

Two Republican senators called for congressional oversight and some Democrats said Kennedy should be fired. He is scheduled to testify on Capitol Hill on Sept. 4.

No explanation given for CDC director's ouster

Kennedy has not explained the decision to oust Monarez less than a month after she was sworn in, but he warned that more turnover may be ahead.

Theres a lot of trouble at the CDC and its going to require getting rid of some people over the long term, in order for us to change the institutional culture, Kennedy said at a news conference in Texas.

The White House has only said that Monarez was not aligned with President Donald Trump's agenda.

Monarezs lawyers said she refused to rubber-stamp unscientific, reckless directives and fire dedicated health experts. She is fighting her dismissal, saying the decision must come directly from Trump, who nominated her in March. The president has not said anything publicly about the matter.

It's unclear if O'Neill, who was just sworn in as HHS' deputy secretary, will remain in both roles as acting CDC director.

Monarez tried to block political interference, departing CDC officials say

The saga began Wednesday night with the administration's announcement that Monarez would no longer lead the CDC. In response, three officials Dr. Debra Houry, Dr. Demetre Daskalakis and Dr. Daniel Jernigan resigned from senior roles at the agency.

RELATED STORY | Who is Susan Monarez? Senate confirms Trump's new CDC leader

The officials returned to the office Thursday to collect their belongings, and hundreds of supporters gathered to applaud them as they left the Atlanta campus. There were bouquets of flowers, cheers and chants of USA not RFK.

Daskalakis, who resigned as head of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, said, I fear that children will be hurt by poor decision making around vaccines.

You cannot dismantle public health and expect it to still work," he said.

Jernigan stepped down as director of the National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases and Houry quit her post as the agency's deputy director and chief medical officer.

Houry told The Associated Press that Monarez had tried to guard against political meddling in scientific research and health recommendations.

We were going to see if she was able to weather the storm. And when she was not, we were done, Houry said.

Dr. Richard Besser, a former CDC acting director, said Monarez told him that she had refused orders to fire her management team. He also said she refused to automatically sign off on any recommendations from Kennedys handpicked vaccine advisers.

Dr. Monarez was one of the last lines of defense against this administrations dangerous agenda, said Besser, now president of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, which helps support The Associated Press Health and Science Department.

Health agencies have faced turmoil since Trump took office

The CDC has long been the target of controversy, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, as the agency struggled to balance politics and public health.

The strife only increased this year with Kennedy elevating unscientific ideas at the Department of Health and Human Services, which oversees the CDC, while pushing waves of layoffs.

Earlier this month, a police officer was killed when a man opened fire at the agencys headquarters because of anger over COVID-19 vaccines, which have been the subject of falsehoods and conspiracy theories. A memorial to the officer remains outside the building, close to where staff members gathered Thursday.

Monarez stands to become the shortest-serving director since the CDC was founded in 1946, exacerbating a leadership vacuum that has persisted since Trump took office. He initially chose David Weldon, a former Florida congressman who is a doctor and vaccine skeptic, but yanked the nomination in March.

Monarez was tapped next to lead the $9.2 billion agency while serving as its interim director. However, questions immediately emerged within Kennedys circle about her loyalty to the Make America Healthy Again movement, especially given her previous support of the COVID-19 vaccines that Kennedy has routinely criticized.

Vaccine panel changes prompt demands for new oversight

Kennedy rarely mentioned Monarez by name in the way he did other health agency leaders such as Mehmet Oz of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services or Marty Makary of the Food and Drug Administration.

One issue has been Kennedy's handling of the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, a group of outside experts who make recommendations to the CDC director on how to use vaccines. The recommendations are then adopted by doctors, school systems, health insurers and others.

The panel is expected to meet next month, and Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., said any recommendations issued then will be lacking legitimacy.

Serious allegations have been made about the meeting agenda, membership, and lack of scientific process being followed," said Cassidy, who heads the Senate committee overseeing Kennedy's department. He added that "these decisions directly impact childrens health and the meeting should not occur until significant oversight has been conducted.

Cassidy, a doctor, provided crucial support for Kennedy's nomination after saying Kennedy had assured him that he would not topple the nations childhood vaccination program.

And yet, according to a government notice, the committee on Sept. 18 will take up votes on vaccines that have been settled fixtures for children, including shots to protect against hepatitis B and a combination shot against measles, mumps, rubella and chickenpox.

Kennedy is a longtime leader in the anti-vaccine movement, and in June, he abruptly dismissed the entire panel, accusing members of being too closely aligned with manufacturers. He replaced them with a group that included several vaccine skeptics and then he shut the door to several doctors organizations that had long helped form vaccine recommendations.

Departing CDC officials worry science will be compromised

Houry and Daskalakis said Monarez had tried to make sure scientific safeguards were in place.

For example, she tried to replace the official who coordinated the panels meetings with someone who had more policy experience. Monarez also pushed to have slides and evidence reviews posted weeks before the committees meetings and have the sessions open to public comment, Houry said.

HHS officials nixed that and called Monarez to a meeting in Washington on Monday, Houry said.

Daskalakis described the situation as untenable.

I came to the point personally where I think our science will be compromised, and thats my line in the sand, he said.

Medical and public health organizations said they worried about the future without Monarez in charge.

The scientific community is beginning to draw a line in the sand and say, No way,' said Dr. Georges Benjamin, executive director of the American Public Health Association.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Here at 7 News Detroit, we want to make sure you start your day off on the right foot, informed about weather, traffic, the latest news and more. That's why we have the 7 Morning Digest, where we'll get you out the door informed and ready to go.

What's the weather for today? Metro Detroit Weather: Fall-like feel for Friday, dry for holiday weekend

It's going to be a Fall-like feel, and we're close to a record-low high temperature on Friday. There will be a warming trend through the weekend and including Labor Day.

Friday: It will be partly sunny with highs in the mid to upper 60s. Winds: N 5 mph.

Saturday: Mostly sunny with highs in the low 70s. Winds: NE 5 mph.

The top stories to know about Paying a price: Michigan abuse survivors charged to have PPOs served by police Paying a price: Michigan abuse survivors charged to have PPOs served by police

The recent shooting death of Latricia Green, a Detroit nurse allegedly killed by her ex-husband after obtaining a personal protection order against him, illustrates a serious gap in how Michigan protects those living in fear, advocates for domestic abuse survivors say.

As 7 News Detroit first reported last week, despite a judge granting a PPO against Mario Green on July 21, the Detroit Police Department says Green was never served with the order.

Under Michigan law, it is the responsibility of an alleged victim to make sure that a PPO is served on the person theyre seeking protection from. Often, they have to dig into their own pockets.

Each one of these barriers thats erected for people seeking help and seeking safety is another avenue for a perpetrator to potentially cause harm," said Johanna Kononen, the director of law and policy for the Michigan Coalition to End Domestic and Sexual Violence.

"Theres no cost to calling 911, right?" Kononen asked. "This is an extension of that. This is that type of safety that we should be offering to victims of crime."

Escalating behavior

In the months before she would be killed, Latricia Green lived in fear.

According to court records, she had called Detroit Police over a dispute with her ex-husband Mario Green back in March. By April, she said hed shown up to her job, trying to enter her office.

In June, Green had called her job and threatened her colleagues, she wrote. By July, she told a judge that her ex-husband had broken into her car, cutting up her clothes and shoes

Her July application for a PPOher second in two monthswas only approved after she told a judge that Mario Green followed her, trying to turn his car into mineI feel that the system has now let me down each time that I have tried to make reports on this man, she wrote.

I am asking for help before this goes too far, and things are too late.

If you're seeking help in filing a PPO, Michigan Legal Help offers resources online. Click here to access the State of Michigan VOICEDV hotline for 24-hour phone, text and chat features To find providers in your area who specialize in resources for sexual abuse and domestic assault survivors, click here.

Once a PPO is granted, petitioners in Michigan have three options to have it served.

At no charge, they can choose an adultoften a family member or friendto serve the order, but that comes with risks.

Theyve asked for protection from that person for a reason, Kononen said. They know that theyre dangerous and they know what theyre capable of.

A petitioner can try to serve the person through a certified letter, but that relies on the accused agreeing to sign a piece of paper proving they were served.

The third option, which advocates say is best, is having law enforcement or a process server serve the accused. But in Michiganunlike most statesdoing so comes at a cost.

In the case of Latricia Green, it is unclear why the PPO was never served.

'Access to justice'

How much you pay depends on how far police have to travel. The Wayne County Sheriffs Office has a fee schedule, which prices as $28 and as high as $99.50.

In Macomb County, prices start at $60 and can reach as much as $79, according to sheriffs officials.

In Oakland County, PPO service ranges from $26 to about $82.

Experts with the Battered Womens Justice Project, which keeps track of how protective orders are served nationwide, say that by charging for PPOs to be served, abuse victims are forced to clear yet another hurdle.

Its an access to justice issue, said Monica Player, the director of the National Center on Protection Orders for the BWJP. We dont want victims who have fled their home to be forced to bear the costs related to accessing protective relief.

State Senator Stephanie Chang (D-Detroit) says its clear the law needs to change.

In an interview Thursday with 7 News Detroit, she says shes preparing legislation that would bring Michigan in line with most other states so that those living in fear dont have to pay to have a PPO served.

The fact is we know people are struggling right now. Some people may absolutely have the financial means to be able to pay $28 to $100, but there are certainly some people who most likely cannot, Chang said.

Road worker returns home after losing leg in work zone crash that killed colleague Road worker returns home after losing leg in work zone crash that killed colleague

A road worker who lost his leg in a devastating work zone crash that killed his colleague returned home from the hospital Thursday.

Robert Dinkins was working on Orchard Lake Road near 10 Mile Road on July 23 when an SUV barreled into the work site where he and two other Oakland County Road Commission workers were repairing a drainage basin.

"I had my left leg amputated from below the knee, I had four breaks in my arm," Dinkins said.

The crash badly injured Dinkins and another worker. The third man, 43-year-old Cedric Jones, died from his injuries.

"Not at all, not at all," Dinkins said when asked if he ever thought something like this would happen.

Family members greeted Dinkins when he arrived home Thursday after his hospital stay.

Clark, who previously worked for the Oakland County Road Commission before retiring, expressed his grief over the incident.

"I am really hurt that a fellow road commission worker lost his life, as well as the other road commission worker who lost, I think, a part of his leg also," Clark said.

Craig Bryson, a spokesperson with the Oakland County Road Commission, shared a message of support for the victims and their families.

"We know this is a challenging journey that they're on right now. We're doing everything we can to support them, and we just want them to know we're thinking of them," Bryson said.

VIDEO: Man charged with multiple felonies after violent attack at Planet Fitness, police chase VIDEO: Man charged with multiple felonies after violent attack at Planet Fitness, police chase

A 58-year-old man is facing multiple felony charges after allegedly attacking Planet Fitness employees and attempting to run over a police officer during his escape in West Bloomfield.

Wesley Joh is accused of entering the Planet Fitness on Orchard Lake Road and punching the front desk manager without warning last week. According to police, he then used a steel workout bar as a weapon, waving it around and throwing it at gym employees before attempting to flee.

Newly released body camera footage shows the dramatic confrontation between Joh and West Bloomfield police officers.

"No, stop. Open the door. Stop. Radio, he just tried to run me over. He's taking off," an officer can be heard saying in the bodycam video.

Police say Joh hit multiple police vehicles during the ensuing chase, which ended in a residential area near W. Maple Road and Orchard Lake Road on Tamerlane Drive.

"That's crazy just the thought of that happening and the thought that some innocent person could've been riding through the parking lot or riding down the street could've been in the middle of all that," said Kevin Campbell, who lives near where the chase ended.

The confrontation didn't end with the chase. Officers had to use a Taser to remove Joh from his vehicle after he allegedly refused to exit.

"He drove on our lawn, through our driveway and he almost hit our mailbox and car," said Nathan Sandiha, who works out at the Planet Fitness and lives in the neighborhood where the chase occurred.

"He better go to the gym in the jail he can work out there for free," Campbell added.

Joh faces nine charges including assault with a dangerous weapon and fleeing and eluding a police officer. He is due back in court Sept. 4 at 48th District Court and could face decades behind bars if convicted.

The Detroit Football Classic is taking place this weekend, bringing an HBCU football game and experience to the city after more than two decades.

According to organizers, the game will take place at Ford Field on Saturday, Aug. 30, between Kentucky State and Central State

The original Detroit Football Classic was held from 2003 to 2007, and this year it will also include tailgating, an outdoor fan experience and an after party.

The tailgating and fan experience will take place at Paradise Valley/Harmony Park at 1468 Randolph on Friday and Saturday, just a few minutes from the game.

You can learn more and purchase tickets at the Detroit Football Classic website.

By Melody Baetens, MediaNews Group

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

By MediaNews Group

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

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

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

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

Boodles, 935 W 11 Mile Road

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

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

Grand Azteca, 321 W 14 Mile Road

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

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

Wing Snob, 140 W 12 Mile Road

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

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

John R Grill, 26623 John R Road

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

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

Texas Roadhouse, 29485 John R Road

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

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

Tim Hortons, 493 W 12 Mile Road

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

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

As the air turns crisp and the leaves begin to change, fall festivities are already taking shape. Local cider mills and orchards are gearing up for the season, with fresh-baked donuts and apple picking.

I spent the day visiting a couple of orchards and cider mills across Southeast Michigan, and while the apples are just about ready for picking, owners tell me they're excited to welcome families back for one of Michigan's most beloved fall traditions.

"September, October, super apple season, it's going to have a load of them, no doubt about it," Mike Mitchell, the manager at Erie Orchards, said.

Related: Here are 2025 opening dates for metro Detroit cider mills

Mitchell said this summer's warm nights and heavy rains have paid off.

"You know, the past couple of years it's been a little bit where you, you know, we didn't have the warmth that we had this year, so we didn't quite have the crop, but like, beautiful crop this year," he said.

It isn't just about picking apples. Many say fall wouldn't be complete without a little sweet treat.

"There's nothing better than a warm doughnut and cider in the fall," he said.

Emma Smith and her husband are the owners of Obstbaum Orchard in Northville. She tells me for them, it's about more than just fruit.

"Our kids and our nieces and nephews have always loved coming here and we just thought it was a great opportunity to introduce them to different," Smith said.

Smith said it's really a family affair with generations pitching in to bring the cider mill to life each weekend.

"My mother-in-law that works here, my mom, my dad, my father-in-law, our nieces and nephews, a couple people that live down the street, so it's extremely family-oriented and we continue to keep it that way," she said.

When it comes to cider production, they say it takes a whole lot of apples to keep up with demand.

"When we make a full tank, we usually try to do between three to four bins, which is approximately 1,000 pounds per bin of apples," Smith said.

Where Your Voice Matters

Overnight, it may have just gotten a lot more expensive to shop online, and it's likely going to take even longer to actually get what you ordered. A shipping loophole, known as the "De Minimis Exemption," ended just after midnight.

It was an exemption that allowed packages worth less than $800 to enter the United States duty-free.

This is going to affect millions of international packages, especially on orders from places like Shein, Temu and Amazon.

We talked to several people on Friday morning, and the reaction was split. Some said it would affect them, while others said it wouldn't.

The Trump administration ended the nearly century-old exemption.

This is actually an exemption from tariffs that has existed since the 1930s. So, its been in place for a long time," Michael Greiner, an Oakland University professor, said. "Essentially, what it says is that under a certain value, now its $800 of value, that its not worth the trouble for the Customs and Border Protection authorities to try to assess how much tariff is on a package.

The administration said the change, which took effect overnight, will reduce the amount of drugs and counterfeit goods coming into the U.S.

Literally every single package coming into the United State, no matter how small the value that it represents, is going to have to be checked to determine how much tariff is associated with it. And, as a result of that, its both going to slow down how long it takes for things to ship from pretty much everywhere into the United States," Greiner said.

Additionally, the Trump administration said the move will also help small businesses. According to one estimate, ending the loophole will bring in nearly $10 billion per year.

Critics warn the tariffs could slow spending and cost the average American household an estimated $1,300 annually.

Metro Detroiters reacted to the news overnight, and Plymouth resident Mason Barraco said he does a lot of online shopping.

It would affect me a little bit because, I mean, if youre working only one job making the same amount and trying to buy that one item, and now its up, you cant afford it if you make the same," he said.

Others, like Ashley Parson, said the changes won't impact her much.

I dont really like to shop. But, if I need something, or if I have some extra free time, Ill go. I think its a little bit more sustainable for waste reduction to be able to shop even if it is something like Shein or Amazon to be able to like shop that in a thrift second-hand," she said.

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

Today in history:

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

Also on this date:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Today’s Birthdays:

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

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

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

Adams never trailed and picked up great balance offensively. The Highlanders racked up 403 yards of offense while allowing Romeo to amass just 231 yards on the night.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

 

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

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

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

And with that, the comeback fell short.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Waterford Township police add drones to arsenal

Photo gallery of Clarkston vs. Belleville football in the 20th Amazon Prep Kickoff Classic

‘Sudden’ loss of business prompts logistics supplier to close its Macomb County facility

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

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

DETROIT – Clarkston’s defense made a Belleville offense that had been a five-star handful in recent seasons look ordinary on Thursday afternoon as the teams ran back last year’s season opener.

The Wolves took down Belleville, sans the nation’s top QB in now-graduated Bryce Underwood, in a 38-7 victory at Wayne State University.

Junior Geonte Morris caught a 37-yard touchdown pass from Kendall Franklin, Underwood’s successor, with 29 seconds left that kept the Tigers from suffering their first shutout since a 15-0 loss to Dearborn on Sept. 1, 2016.

“We had pressure on him all day and our guys just made plays,” Clarkston head coach Justin Pintar said.

The biggest of those plays came with just under five minutes left and the Wolves already up by three scores. Lukas Boman hit Franklin from his blind side and forced a fumble, allowing senior defensive end Gabe Mansour to scoop it and run 56 yards to the house, making it 24-0.

“I was right there in that moment and just picked it up and went to the end zone,” Mansour said. “The Boman boys (Lukas and Griffin), they were trailing, so I definitely knew I was safe with the Bash Brothers behind me.”

Adding to that, Pintar said, “It was a heckuva play, and our defense was flying around and making plays. And offensively, I thought we did a really good job of controlling the game, hitting some passes and some shots when we had the opportunity to. And we got the ground game going, so yeah, I was really proud.”

Lukas and the Wolves weren’t deterred by his fumble in the red zone that derailed the Wolves’ first drive. Junior Alex Waszczenko, whose first start came in last year’s 35-28 loss to the Tigers, connected down the left side with a wide-open Hank Hornung for a 55-yard TD on the first play of Clarkston’s second drive to get on the board with 5:20 left in the opening quarter.

A 27-yard screen pass by Waszczenko to Griffin Boman got Clarkston in the red zone for a third time and Waszczenko finished off the drive with a six-yard keeper that made it 14-0 early in the second quarter.

The Wolves showed their ability in the third phase, too. Senior Aidan O’Neil booted a 49-yard field goal with 5:44 left in the first half that probably could have gone at least another 10 yards prior to Mansour’s scoop and score.

After stopping Belleville on its drive that opened the second half, a 23-yard reverse to junior receiver Wendall Childs set up Griffin Boman’s five-yard rushing TD, extending Clarkston’s lead to 31-0 just 2:12 into the third quarter.

Less than three minutes later, Lukas Boman added to the Wolves’ highlight reel of scores, scampering 58 yards for his team’s fifth and final TD of the afternoon.

Photo gallery of Clarkston vs. Belleville football in the 20th Amazon Prep Kickoff Classic

Voted the game's Most Outstanding Player for Clarkston, Lukas finished with 11 carries for 146 yards.

"The blocking was great," Lukas said. "Our O-line did awesome today. We've been working in practice on our reads, and our scout team does a great job giving us a good look, just making sure we're ready for any game we play."

Belleville's biggest threat, junior receiver Charles Britton, who holds a number of D1 offers, looked to grab a 10-yard TD pass in the left corner of the end zone on the final play of the first half. Rightly or not, it was ruled incomplete by officials, though he still nearly hit the century mark in receiving yards.

Asked whether Clarkston was more motivated by last year's narrow defeat to the Tigers or a 41-0 district loss to Rochester Adams, Lukas Boman, "Obviously, we've still got that taste in our mouth from last year. Those playoff games hit hard because you've got to think about them all year, and I mean, it could have been any team we played (today), we were coming out with the same intensity. We've been working on it all offseason, every single day. We took all that grit and now we're gonna ride with it and take it one game at a time."

The Wolves have one more week after this before getting their OAA Red portion of the schedule underway. Next Friday they'll host White Division favorite Harper Woods. The Pioneers open up at Redford Union.

A 58-year-old man is facing multiple felony charges after allegedly attacking Planet Fitness employees and attempting to run over a police officer during his escape in West Bloomfield.

Wesley Joh is accused of entering the Planet Fitness on Orchard Lake Road and punching the front desk manager without warning last week. According to police, he then used a steel workout bar as a weapon, waving it around and throwing it at gym employees before attempting to flee.

Watch Ruta Ulcinaite's video report below: VIDEO: Man charged with multiple felonies after violent attack at Planet Fitness, police chase

Newly released body camera footage shows the dramatic confrontation between Joh and West Bloomfield police officers.

"No, stop. Open the door. Stop. Radio, he just tried to run me over. He's taking off," an officer can be heard saying in the bodycam video.

You can see the dramatic video below: Bodycam video shows police encounter after attack at Planet Fitness in West Bloomfield

Police say Joh hit multiple police vehicles during the ensuing chase, which ended in a residential area near W. Maple Road and Orchard Lake Road on Tamerlane Drive.

"That's crazy just the thought of that happening and the thought that some innocent person could've been riding through the parking lot or riding down the street could've been in the middle of all that," said Kevin Campbell, who lives near where the chase ended.

The confrontation didn't end with the chase. Officers had to use a Taser to remove Joh from his vehicle after he allegedly refused to exit.

"He drove on our lawn, through our driveway and he almost hit our mailbox and car," said Nathan Sandiha, who works out at the Planet Fitness and lives in the neighborhood where the chase occurred.

"He better go to the gym in the jail he can work out there for free," Campbell added.

Joh faces nine charges including assault with a dangerous weapon and fleeing and eluding a police officer. He is due back in court Sept. 4 at 48th District Court and could face decades behind bars if convicted.

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The parents of the two schoolchildren fatally shot in a Minneapolis church spoke out for the first time on Thursday afternoon, with some imploring the shaken community to address the root causes of shootings that target schools.

Fletcher Merkel, 8, and Harper Moyski, 10, were killed on Wednesday morning when a shooter opened fire at a Mass that hundreds of students at Annunciation Catholic School attended.

City officials increased to 15 the number of injured children, who are ages 6 to 15. Three parishioners in their 80s also were injured. Only one person a child was in critical condition.

A call to action

In a statement released Thursday, Moyski's parents described Harper as a bright, joyful, and deeply loved 10-year-old" who was adored by her younger sister.

As a family, we are shattered, and words cannot capture the depth of our pain, the statement read.

The 10-year-old's parents said that they were focused on healing in the wake of the shooting, but added that they hoped Harpers memory would fuel action that might prevent shootings going forward.

No family should ever have to endure this kind of pain, Harpers parents wrote. We urge our leaders and communities to take meaningful steps to address gun violence and the mental health crisis in this country.

RELATED STORY | Minneapolis Catholic school shooter sought to 'terrorize' children, authorities say

Remembered by his life, not death

Fletcher Merkel's his father, Jesse Merkel tearfully read a statement on Thursday outside of the church where his son was killed, saying the eight-year-old loved his family and friends and enjoyed fishing, cooking and playing any sport.

Because of the shooter's actions, Merkel said, we will never be allowed to hold him, talk to him, play with him and watch him grow into the wonderful young man he was on the path to becoming.

Please remember Fletcher for the person he was and not the act that ended his life, Merkel said.

Even as Merkel mourned the loss of his son, he said he was thankful for the swift and heroic actions of adults and students inside the church without whom this could have been a tragedy of many magnitudes more.

Acts of heroism

Minneapolis doctors and law enforcement echoed Merkel's sentiment throughout the day on Thursday, describing the grueling escape children and teachers endured, as well as the heroic rescue efforts that saved countless lives.

When one of the students who was injured during the shooting went in for a CT scan on Wednesday, she was visibly distressed.

Without hesitation, a nurse at the hospital who was not assigned to respond to the mass casualty event sat with the young girl throughout the procedure even though safety protocols stipulate that medical staff should clear the room to prevent radiation exposure.

The nurse put a little lead on, stayed there and held her hand and held her hair while she went through scanners so she didnt have to go through alone, Dr. Jon Gayken, one of the head trauma surgeons at Hennepin County Medical Center, said.

Several medical first responders many of whom were stationed just blocks away from the church have children enrolled at the Catholic school, officials announced on Thursday.

Those are the types of things we witnessed yesterday, Gayken said.

Despite the unimaginable tragedy of the day, Gayken said, there were far less casualties than there could have been.

Children follow active shooter training

Marty Scheerer, the chief of Hennepin County Emergency Medical Services, credited unrecognized heroes, like the children and teachers in the church who followed their active shooter safety trainings, despite the chaotic and incessant hail of gunfire.

Children protecting other children often laid on the floor and covered each other up while teachers ushered kids to safety.

That was key, Scheerer said.

The first police officer entered the church without hesitation just minutes after the 911 call reported the shooting, Minneapolis Police Chief Brian OHara said.

Parishioners told O'Hara that it was the first time that the children and others there had any sense that they might be safe and survive.

When officers entered the church, they encountered children that had blood on them from not because they were injured, but because of blood pressure from other kids, OHara said at a separate news conference later in the day.

There's going to be countless lessons of bravery, from young children all the way up to elders, OHara said.

Unadilla Township police say a 22-year-old Ohio man suffered "significant" injuries in a plane crash Thursday afternoon.

The single-engine aircraft crash happened shortly before 4:00 p.m. at the southern end of Richmond Field. Police say they received a crash detection notification from an iPhone, followed by calls from nearby residents.

The 22-year-old pilot was found outside the aircraft and taken by ambulance to the University of Michigan Hospital. His exact condition hasn't been released. Police say he was flying from Charlevoix to Toledo.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation. Anyone with information is being asked to contact the Unadilla Township Police Department at 734-498-2325.

A wide range of small imports to the U.S. will lose duty-free status starting on Friday, as the Trump administration ends de minimis exemptions on imported goods valued at less than $800.

Starting on Friday, all commercial shipments that were formerly eligible for de minimis exception will be subject to full U.S. duties and inspection by customs officers.

The change expands the new application of customs fees, which previously only applied to parcels from China and Hong Kong since May. Under the new rules Friday, all countries trading with the U.S. will be subject to new customs inspection and taxes on qualifying parcels.

Personal items & letters will not be affected by the changes. There will also be exemptions for personal travel and gifts, a senior administration official said.

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But the Trump administration has focused on de minimis shipping as a health and safety hazard, particularly concerning the shipment of fentanyl and other drugs and drug materials.

Most customs seizures in 2024 involved de minimis shipments, a senior administration official said. Such stoppages accounted for 97% of intellectual property seizures and 77% of health and safety seizures. Weapons parts and drug components were frequently seized, the official said, with more than 800 fentanyl cases.

"President Trump's ending of the deadly de minimus loophole will save thousands of American lives by restricting the flow of narcotics and other dangerous and prohibited items, add up to $10 billion a year in tariff revenues to our Treasury, create thousands of jobs and defend against billions of dollars more lost to counterfeiting, piracy and intellectual property theft," said White House trade and manufacturing senior counselor Peter Navarro.