Dear Neighbor,
As the start of summer’s warm weather starts to roll in, we hope you are enjoying all Michigan has to offer. The season of sunshine and outdoor adventure is upon us, offering many opportunities to explore and enjoy the beauty of our state. With temperatures rising, it’s a perfect time to dive into summer activities, whether it be relaxing by the water, walking through one of our many public parks, or simply spending time with loved ones.
Featured in This Newsletter:
- Tips for Staying Safe in the Heat
- Cooling Centers Open to Public
- Heads Up Michigan Drivers: Be Aware of Toll Road Scams
- Know the Signs: Medicare Scam
- Dive into Summer, Not Danger: Water Safety Tips
- Prevent Tick Bites This Season
- Michigan Home Energy Rebates Program (MiHER)
- Make Michigan Home Program Grants
- Tips to Planning Your Next Getaway
- Warren and Center Line Partner Up for Recreational Opportunities
- Warren’s City Square Street Fair
As always, it is an honor to represent you. If you would like any assistance with state-based issues, please feel free to reach out! You can email me at SenPWojno@senate.michigan.gov or call (517) 373-8360.
Warmest regards,
Paul Wojno
State Senator
District 10
Tips for Staying Safe in the Heat
When temperatures rise above 90 degrees, it is important you take steps to stay safe. This type of heat is dangerous for everyone, but especially for the elderly and young children. With high temperatures like these, heat-related illnesses can occur. Signs of heat-related illnesses include headaches, dizziness, nausea, heavy sweating, confusion, and pale or flushed skin. The American Red Cross recommends the following treatment for people suffering from heat-related illness:
- Move the victim to a cool place.
- Give him or her cool water to drink.
- Apply ice packs or cool wet cloths to the skin.
- If a victim refuses water, vomits, or loses consciousness, call 9-1-1 immediately.
Tips for preventing heat-related illness:
- Stay indoors if possible. Stay in an air-conditioned place. If your home does not have air-conditioning, go to a public place that does, check with your local city for a list of cooling centers. If outside, stay in the shade.
- Drink water. Even if you do not feel thirsty. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which dehydrate the body.
- Wear light-colored clothing. (Avoid wearing black clothes, especially if you’re in direct sunlight). Loose fitting, lightweight, light-colored clothing reflects heat. Protect yourself from the sun by wearing a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses.
- Never leave a person, especially children, the elderly, or a pet in a closed, parked vehicle. The temperature inside the car can become 30 to 40 degrees hotter than the outside temperature.
- Slow down and avoid strenuous activity. If you must work outside, take frequent breaks.
- Visit at-risk people twice a day and watch them for signs of heat illness.
- Speak with your doctor about any medications you are taking to learn whether they may interfere with your body’s ability to regulate temperature.
- Do not use salt tablets unless directed to do so by a physician.
Cooling Centers Open to Public
It is important that you stay cool in these hot and humid conditions. For those who do not have air conditioning available, the City of Detroit has their recreational centers and public libraries open to the public for residents seeking relief. Additionally, the City of Sterling Heights has their public library open, the City of Warren has the Macomb County Health Department office open, and the City of Center Line Parks and Recreation Building is open and available to residents. These relief centers will be open during normal operating hours. Some of these locations are outside of my Senate district, so please feel free to share these locations with family and friends.
The following recreation centers are open to provide residents relief from the heat in Detroit:
- Adams / Butzel Center Cooling Center
- 10500 Lyndon, Detroit, MI
- (313) 628-0990
- Monday – Friday 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
- Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
- Closed Sunday
- Crowell Recreation Center Cooling Center
- 16630 Lahser, Detroit MI 48219
- (313) 628-2050
- Monday – Friday 1:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
- Closed Saturday and Sunday
- Farwell Recreation Center Cooling Center
- 2711 E. Outer Drive, Detroit, 48234
- (313) 628-2028
- Monday – Friday 11:00 am – 7:00 pm
- Closed Saturday and Sunday
- Heilmann Recreation Center Cooling Center
- 19601 Crusade, Detroit, 48205
- (313) 224-9334
- Monday – Friday 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
- Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
- Closed Sunday
- Kemeny Recreation Center Cooling Center
- 2260 S. Fort, Detroit, 48217
- (313) 628-2819
- Monday – Friday 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
- Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
- Closed Sunday
- Lasky Recreation Center Cooling Center
- 13200 Fenelon, Detroit, 48212
- (313) 628-2030
- Monday – Friday 12:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
- Closed Saturday and Sunday
- Patton Recreation Center Cooling Center
- 2301 Woodmere, Detroit, 48209
- (313) 628-2000
- Monday – Friday 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
- Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
- Closed Sunday
Cooling Centers in Sterling Heights
- Sterling Heights Community Center
- 40250 Dodge Park Rd, Sterling Heights, 48313
- (586) 446-2700
- Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
- Thursday 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
- Closed Sunday
- Sterling Heights Senior Center
- 40200 Utica Rd, Sterling Heights, 48313
- (586) 446-2750
- Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
- Thursday 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
- Closed Sunday
- Sterling Heights Public Library
- 40255 Dodge Park Rd, Sterling Heights, 48313
- (586) 446-2665
- Monday – Thursday 8:30 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
- Friday 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
- Saturday 9:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
- Closed Sunday
Cooling Centers in Warren
- Macomb County Health Department
- 27690 Van Dyke Ave, Warren, 48093
- (586) 465-8090
- Monday – Friday 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
- Closed Saturday and Sunday
Cooling Centers in Center Line
- Center Line City Hall
- 7070 Ten Mile, Center Line, 48015
- (586) 757-6800
- Monday – Friday 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
- Closed Saturday and Sunday
- Center Line Parks and Recreation
- 25355 Lawrence, Center Line, 48015
- (586) 758-8267
- Monday-Friday 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
- Closed Saturday and Sunday
Heads Up Michigan Drivers: Be Aware of Toll Road Scams
The Michigan Dept. of Transportation (MDOT) wants Michigan drivers to be aware of the newest toll road scam, which includes an imposter government website that mimics MDOT’s official site but carries a different URL address. MDOT reminds all drivers that Michigan does not have toll roads and will never solicit payment via text or include threatening verbiage to avoid late fees or harsher penalties.
To stay safe, please remember that government agencies:
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Will not request personal information through email, over the phone or text.
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Will never demand money through email, over the phone or text. They will mail you a notice and offer payment options.
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Do not ask for or take payment by prepaid gift card, wire transfer, cryptocurrency, or a payment app.
Know the Signs: Medicare Scams
Scammers may try to attempt to steal your personal information, including your Medicare number, and it is important you know the signs. Medicare scammers may call, text, and email the following things:
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“You need to activate or renew your Medicare card.”
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“We’d like to send you a free genetic testing kit.”
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“Medicare has authorized us to send you a free (knee, back, or elbow) brace.”
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“You qualify for a refund on your Medicare costs.”
Remember, never give your Medicare card or number to anyone except your doctor or people you know should have it. It is also important to remember, Medicare will never contact you unless you have contacted them first. To learn more, please click here.
Dive into Summer, Not Danger — Water Safety Tips
With summer on the horizon and Michigan’s Great Lakes, rivers, and backyard pools soon ready for use, water safety is more important than ever!
Whether you’re heading to the beach or relaxing by the pool, keep these key water safety tips in mind:
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Ensure at least one adult is CPR-certified, especially in households with pools or near open water. Babysitters and caregivers should also maintain up-to-date CPR certification.
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Designate a “Water Watcher” during group gatherings, like pool parties — someone who remains alert and undistracted while friends, family, or children are swimming.
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Keep a phone nearby, ideally a landline with your physical address to quickly call 9-1-1 in an emergency. Cell phones may not automatically relay your location.
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Equip your pool with essential rescue tools, such as a reaching pole, throwable floatation device, CPR instructions, a breath mask, and a fully stocked first aid kit.
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If a child goes missing, check the water first. If you can’t locate them quickly, call 9-1-1 immediately.
Stay safe, stay prepared, and enjoy everything Michigan’s waters have to offer this summer!
Prevent Tick Bites This Season
With warmer weather here, the risk of tick bites has increased. The Michigan Dept. of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is encouraging Michiganders to take steps to prevent tick bites.
Tick bites can put one at risk for tick-borne illnesses such as Lyme Disease and anaplasmosis. Lyme disease cases in Michigan have risen 168% in the last five years. Both Lyme Disease and anaplasmosis are transmitted by Ixodes scapularis, commonly known as the blacklegged or deer tick. The blacklegged tick is well-established in parts of Michigan’s Upper and Lower Peninsulas and has been expanding its range over the years.
Signs and symptoms of tick-borne disease typically begin one to two weeks after a tick bite, often after being in wooded or brushy areas where ticks commonly live. Early symptoms can be non-specific and include fever or chills, rash, headache, fatigue, and muscle aches. Early treatment with appropriate antibiotics can decrease the risk of serious complications.
People can protect themselves against Lyme disease and other tick-borne diseases by following these tips:
Avoid tick-infested areas.
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As ticks live in grassy, brushy, and wooded areas, individuals should walk in the center of trails to avoid contact with overgrown grass, brush, and leaf litter at trail edges.
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Dogs and cats can encounter ticks outdoors and bring them into the home. Talk with your veterinarian about the best tick prevention products.
Use insect repellent.
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Apply an EPA-registered repellent on exposed skin. Find a repellent product that is right for you.
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Treat clothes (especially pants, socks, and shoes) with permethrin, which kills ticks on contact, or buy clothes that are pre-treated. Do not use permethrin directly on skin.
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Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions when applying repellents.
Perform daily tick checks.
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Always check for ticks on yourself and your animals after being outdoors, including in your own yard.
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Inspect all body surfaces carefully and remove attached ticks carefully with tweezers.
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To remove a tick, grasp the tick firmly and as closely to the skin as possible. With steady, even pressure, pull the tick’s body upward and away from the skin. Cleanse the area with an antiseptic.
Bathe or shower.
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Bathe or shower as soon as possible after coming indoors (preferably within two hours) to wash off and more easily find ticks.
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Wash clothing in hot water and dry on high heat to kill ticks in clothing.
Not all ticks spread the same germs. MDHHS can help to identify ticks you may encounter. Residents can email photos of ticks to MDHHS-Bugs@michigan.gov for identification. Michigan citizens can also submit ticks to MDHHS for identification free of charge.
To submit a Tick Picture Click Here
For more information on Lyme disease and other tickborne conditions, or how to submit your tick and/or photo of a tick, visit Michigan.gov/Lyme.
Michigan Home Energy Rebates Program (MiHER)
The Michigan Home Energy Rebates Program (MiHER) is aimed at assisting 15,000 Michigan households. This program helps Michiganders make energy efficient upgrades, ranging from improved insulation and air sealing to high-efficiency heating and AC. In Michigan, 86% of the energy used in our homes goes toward heating, cooling, cooking, and refrigeration. MiHER offers households up to $14,000 in rebates so they can replace old or broken-down appliances with new heat pumps, electric stoves, and water heaters to reduce energy use.
To learn more about this program, please visit Home Energy Rebates.
Make Michigan Home Program Grants
The Michigan Growth Office recently announced the launch of Make MI Home, a first-in-the-nation statewide talent retention and attraction program. As part of the program, the office is awarding $769,000 in grant funding to five new consortiums across the state to support locally tailored strategies and help kick-start population growth.
The City of Detroit will be receiving $210,000 to launch the Detroit Tech Fellowship Program to elevate startup talent in Detroit and help drive the Michigan innovation ecosystem forward. The program will target recent graduates from Michigan universities to scale their startups in Michigan, strengthening Detroit as a hub for AI, biotech, clean energy, smart manufacturing, mobility, and other emerging industries.
Participants will benefit from:
- Access to coworking space;
- Housing support; and
- Community and cohort events to network and collaborate with peers and local entrepreneurs.
Additionally, one of the award recipients, Michigan Women Forward will support Michigan’s innovation economy by leading the Founder Forward program, targeting both talent recruitment and retention. Founder Forward will engage founders already based in Michigan who are poised to scale, including entrepreneurs operating in emerging ecosystems, founders ready to expand into growth-stage operations, or innovators who have not yet had access to structured mentorship, funding networks, or ecosystem connectivity.
As part of Make MI Home’s statewide launch, the Growth Office also announced a Welcome Program, designed to help recent graduates already located in Michigan and new residents settle into their communities faster. The program includes access to Michigan state parks, connections to Michigan programs that enhance the state’s quality of life — including free pre-K for every 4-year-old and free community college — as well as discounts to participating Michigan destinations and small businesses.
Learn more about Make MI Home and the award recipients here.
Tips to Planning Your Next Getaway
With summer around the corner, you might be planning your next getaway. Michigan has many great waterfront locations to travel to. If you would like to explore everything that our great state has to offer, from sightseeing, campground and boating locations to trails, you can request a free copy of the Pure Michigan Travel Guide by contacting our office or clicking here.
Additionally, Attorney General Dana Nessel has summer travel tips to offer Michiganders. She warns residents to beware of increased fees and surcharges this season, as some travel-related businesses adjust rates to offset inflation and tariffs. Check all costs carefully, including transportation fares, ferry, and parking passes, and ensure season passes purchased prior to any rate increase are still honored.
Because of the busy travel season during the summer, some delays on bridges and airlines are to be expected.
However, airline passengers are entitled to a refund for:
- Canceled or significantly changed flights: Passengers will be entitled to a refund if their flight is canceled or significantly changed, and they do not accept alternative transportation or travel credits offered. Significant changes to a flight include: departure or arrival times that are more than 3 hours domestically and 6 hours internationally; departures or arrivals from a different airport; increases in the number of connections; instances where passengers are downgraded to a lower class of service; or connections at different airports or flights on different planes that are less accessible or accommodating to a person with a disability.
- Significantly delayed baggage return: Passengers who file a mishandled baggage report will be entitled to a refund of their checked bag fee if it is not delivered within 12 hours of their domestic flight arriving at the gate, or 15-30 hours of their international flight arriving at the gate, depending on the length of the flight.
- Extra services not provided: Passengers will be entitled to a refund for the fee they paid for an extra service — such as Wi-Fi, seat selection, or in-flight entertainment — if an airline fails to provide this service.
Airlines are also required to provide automatic, prompt, and complete refunds in the same method of payment used by the consumer to purchase their tickets.
For additional resources, visit Pure Michigan for travel tips within the state. The Transportation Security Administration and the U.S. State Department also provide valuable information for domestic and international travelers.
Warren and Center Line Partner Up for Recreational Opportunities
Warren City Council and Center Line City Council have partnered up to provide residents with access to recreational programming in both Warren and Center Line at their community’s set residential rates. This agreement is now in effect. This allows Center Line residents to enjoy access to Warren recreational programming and Warren residents to enjoy Center Line parks. To learn more about what each Parks and Recreation Department has to offer, please visit Warren, MI – Splash and Parks & Recreation Department | Center Line, MI.
Warren’s City Square Street Fair
The City of Warren will be hosting their City Square Street Fair on June 25 from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. Admission is free and includes complimentary kids’ activities such as airbrush face painting, inflatables, as well as games and crafts. There will also be vendors, food trucks, and a movie night. To learn more, click here.