Here is a roundup of the latest news concerning the COVID-19 pandemic in addition to announcements from local, state, and federal governments, as well as international channels. To share a business or nonprofit story, please send us a message.
Locast Now Streaming Local TV Channels in Detroit Market
Locast, the Detroit-based nonprofit broadcast TV streaming service, now is delivering more than 65 local TV channels via the internet – for free – to those living in the Detroit and Ann Arbor TV market in Michigan.
Locast provides a public service by giving access to important local news, storm coverage, emergency information, election coverage, sports, and entertainment programming to internet-connected devices.
“For the first time, more than 4.5 million residents in Michigan will be able to watch their local TV stations on their phones, tablets, laptops, or streaming media devices,” says David Goodfriend, founder and chairman of Locast. “Local TV news is critical for receiving alerts about the 2020 elections, coronavirus safety information, as well as staying informed about people in the community voicing their opinions. This makes Locast an important lifeline for Michiganders, especially for those who can’t get local TV channels from an off-air antenna or cannot afford a pay-TV subscription.”
The service is available via the Locast app and here.
Smoothie King Opens New Locations in Royal Oak and Southfield
Smoothie King has opened a new location in Royal Oak and will open a store in Southfield on Sept. 1. The brand now has 11 locations in Michigan.
The Royal Oak store is located at 3135 West 13 Mile Rd. and the Southfield location will be 29111 Telegraph Rd. Both offer drive-through service only due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The new stores are owned and operated by entrepreneur Christopher Klebba of Northern Diamond Management. Klebba and team opened nine Michigan locations last year.
“We want to provide access to exceptional service and quality ingredients to become a part of the community’s lifestyles whatever their purpose may be,” says Klebba.
An outdoor grand opening event for Southfield will take place on Saturday, Sept. 19. Every hour, all day on Sept. 19, two guests will win free smoothies once a week for a year.
CTVA Automotive LIDAR 2020 Conference Goes Virtual
The Commercial Vehicle Training Association is hosting its Automotive LIDAR 2020 conference online Sept. 22-24.
Companies such as Aptiv, BMW, Daimler. FCA, Ford, Gatik, General Motors Co., Isuzu, Hyundai, Mahindra, Marelli, Toyota, Waymo, Yandex, and more will be participating.
For a complete agenda, visit here. To register, visit here. CVTA members and participants get a 10 percent discount to attend. Use the discount code CVTA10 when registering.
Beaumont, Farmington Hills Updaters Visitation Policy
Effective today, Beaumont, Farmington Hills has amended its visitation policy in line with the other facilities in the Beaumont system.
Visitors will continue to be limited according to Beaumont’s COVID-19 guidelines. All family members are required to be screened for symptoms of respiratory illness (fever, cough, and shortness of breath) prior to entering one of Beaumont’s campuses and will be issued a sticker indicating they have been screened. Individuals with symptoms of respiratory illness will not be permitted to visit patients.
Family members must clean their hands upon entry/exit to the acute care campus, patient’s room and before/after eating or using the rest room. Masks must always be worn while on the campus.
The Future of Vehicle-to-human Interface on Display During Virtual Expo
The Metropolitan Detroit Chapter of the Society for Information Display (SID) will host the 27th Annual Vehicle Displays and Interfaces Symposium and Expo virtually Oct. 14-15.
The two-day event gives registrants an opportunity for in-depth learning and insights from keynote and technical presentations from globally recognized scientists, tech visionaries, thought leaders, and researchers presenting leading-edge science and research and development with leading value-add suppliers providing solutions to global supply chains from pandemic disruption. Registrants can conduct online Q and A with speakers, as well as move projects forward by arranging real-time private chat sessions with exhibitor technical staffs.
“This year’s technical program underscores how the future of electronic vehicle displays resides in the confluence of new and emerging sciences, materials, form factors, and technological advances in hardware, software, sensors, systems, components and applications,” says Silviu Pala, chair of the symposium.
To review the symposium program and exhibitor list, and to register, visit here.
Bombshell Treat Bar Bringing Artisanal Popsicles to Metro Detroit
Troy-based Bombshell Treat Bar, metro Detroit’s newest frozen treat concept is launching next month with contact-free doorstep delivery of its Party Pops.
Created by Michigan native Jill Kasle, these small-batch popsicles are dunked in premium Belgian chocolate and sprinkled with toppings like candy confetti, magic dust, sugar crystals, and pop rocks.
The popsicles carry names like Summer in Traverse City, Creamy Vanilla Popsicle, Michigan Cherry Shell, Candy Caviar, White Chocolate Drizzle + Glitter Dust, Thin Mint Wannabe, Vegan Milk-N-Cookies Popsicle, Peppermint Patty Shell + Crushed Oreos, Lemon Meringue, and others.
Party Pops are available now for online purchasing here in three Taster kits: Creamy, Dairy-Free, and Mixed, starting at $40. Deliveries will begin Sept. 10.
New Computer Mouse Designed to Help Children with Special Needs
A group of Michigan entrepreneurs has created a product that could help millions of children nationwide.
The Hoglet is a mouse that’s a cross between a fidget toy and a computer mouse. It helps children who have learning challenges stay focused. The manufacturer says a device like this is needed with more students learning online and in front of computer screens during COVID-19.
Parker Lynch, the company’s CEO, grew up with ADHD and went on to become a special education teacher. During his work with children with autism he discovered that fidget toys helped many students. So, he invented a functional fidget.
For more information, visit here. To participate in a Kickstarter program, visit here.
Lake Trust Credit Union Announces 11 Scholarship Recipients
Lake Trust Credit Union, a community-based credit union serving nearly 200,000 individuals and businesses throughout Michigan, announced the recipients of the 2020 New Beginnings Scholarship and the 2020 Michigan Impact Scholarship.
The 2020 New Beginnings Scholarship aims to highlight skilled trade work as a career path in Michigan. It is designed for those residents that are looking to further their education or career in a technical or trade field at a Michigan college or university in the next 12 months. Six winners were selected to receive up to $5,000 for tuition costs, trade equipment, professional dues and/or certifications. They include:
- Trevonne Beacham, studying robotics and automated systems at Oakland Community College.
- Leena Bekkala, studying ICU nursing at Lansing Community College.
- Charles Haller, studying diesel technology at Auto Diesel Institute at Baker College.
- Remy Hoelbl, pursuing energy trades.
- Derek Maier, starting the electro-mechanical tech program at MIAT
- Matthew Kramer, studying welding at Ferris State University.
Lake Trust Foundation’s 2020 Michigan Impact Scholarship committee awarded five full-tuition scholarships for Michigan residents interested in attending Cleary University at their Livingston or Detroit campuses or online. Special consideration was given this year to applicants pursuing an education in one of Michigan’s Hot 50 Careers through 2026, to represent the demands of Michigan’s changing labor market. Recipients include:
- Farah Austin, marketing.
- Kennedy Connolly, strategic leadership.
- Hunter Geisenhaver, sports promotion and management.
- James Bell, economics.
- Brendyn Galloner, cybersecurity and digital forensics.
Disability Network Brings Fresh Greens to Seniors in Wayne County
The Disability Network of Wayne County Detroit has partnered with Featherstone Gardens in Detroit’s Morning Side neighborhood at 4178 Lakepointe in the Living Greens project, which provides seniors and disabled people with green, leafy vegetables every week.
The garden grows all-natural vegetables, herbs, and flowers that complement each other as companion plants, support native pollinators, and contribute to a healthy urban ecosystem.
The Disability Network picks up greens for up to 300 consumers in Wayne County. With a commitment to purchase 30 trays per week, Detroit Disability Network will be able to engage 60 people, every eight weeks, using funds under the 2020 CARES Act.
“Each tray will include two or three varieties of fresh, live microgreens, plus a rotating weekly salad dressing and recipe card with suggestions on how to prepare a meal with the greens,” says Lori Hill Sanders, executive director of The Disability Network.
Rotating greens varieties include pea tendrils, radish shoots, sunflower shoots, kale, collards, mizuna, mustards, pac choi, and many more.
