Dear Neighbor,
July is officially underway with warm, sunny weather. I hope this letter finds you well and enjoying all the season has to offer. In this newsletter, you will find resources, events happening in our area, and more!
Featured in This Newsletter:
- Summer Meal Programs Available to Michigan Children
- DIFS and Michigan State Police Offer Vehicle Theft Prevention Tips
- Michigan Earns All-Time Highest Ranking as Top Six State for Business
- Beat the Heat and Save Money This Summer
- Sterling Heights’ Sterlingfest Art and Music Fair
- Stoudamire Park Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
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
Summer Meal Programs Available to Michigan Children
Michigan students who are under 18 will continue to have access to free meals this summer. The Summer Food Service Program (SFSP), also known as Meet Up and Eat Up, is available for children to receive nutritious meals during long school vacations.
The Meet Up and Eat Up Summer Food Service Program serves children up to 18 years old who live in low-income areas where 50% or more students qualify for free or reduced-price school meals. This program is operated at the local level by program sponsors and is administered by the Michigan Dept. of Education, Office of Nutrition Services. To find a Meet Up and Eat Up Site, please call 2-1-1 or text “food” to 304-304. You can also use this map to find a location nearest you. Every site includes contact information to help connect you with Summer Meals.
DIFS and Michigan State Police Offer Vehicle Theft Prevention Tips
July is National Vehicle Theft Prevention Month and the Michigan Dept. of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS) and the Michigan State Police (MSP) are offering tips to Michiganders to take precautions to protect their vehicles from theft. Last year, there were a total of 21,600 stolen vehicles reported in Michigan. Vehicle theft can lead to increased insurance premiums for consumers.
There are several safety measures everyone can take to help protect their vehicle from theft or provide coverage in the event of a loss:
- Park in well-lit areas.
- Close and lock all windows and doors when you park.
- Keep valuables out of sight.
- Do not leave your keys in your vehicle.
- Do not leave the area while your vehicle is running.
- Subscribe to your vehicle manufacturer’s communications, emergency services, and remote diagnostics systems.
Here are also a variety of anti-theft systems and devices designed to make vehicles more difficult to steal or easier to trace and recover:
- Audible/Visible Devices: A horn alarm deters theft as it brings unwanted attention to a person attempting to enter or steal a vehicle. Visible devices use obvious warnings to deter thieves, such as steering wheel locks, theft-deterrent decals, flashing lights, and window etching.
- Car Immobilizer: This prevents a thief from bypassing a vehicle’s ignition system or hot-wiring a car. Some of these devices incorporate computer chips in ignition keys or disable the flow of electricity or fuel to the engine to prevent the car from starting without the key.
Vehicle Recovery Systems: This uses electronic transmission technology to allow law enforcement to find stolen vehicles or even catch a thief in action.
If you fall victim to vehicle theft, these are steps you should take:
- Immediately contact the police. You will need a copy of the police report to provide to your insurance company to proceed with a claim.
- Contact your insurance provider to file a claim within 24 hours of the theft.
- If you happen to find your vehicle before law enforcement does, contact the police and your insurance company immediately.
For more information about vehicle theft prevention or to discuss auto insurance questions, call DIFS at (877) 999-6442, Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Michigan Earns All-Time Highest Ranking as Top Six State for Business
Michigan has ranked number 6 in CNBC’s America’s Top States for Business list! This is Michigan’s highest ranking as well as the third year in a row in the top 10, ranking number 9 in 2024 and number 10 in 2023.
From expanding access to higher education, investing in our small businesses, and repairing our infrastructure to cutting red tape for entrepreneurs, supporting a young, talented workforce, and helping create good paying jobs — my colleagues and I have worked hard to make Michigan one of the best places to do business in the nation. And we’ll continue fighting for even more economic progress.
Beat the Heat and Save Money This Summer
With summer in full swing, we are seeing warmer temperatures that may raise your energy bill. Electricity generation is at its most expensive during hot summer weekday afternoons, when residential demand for electricity to power air conditioning peaks. Small acts — such as turning up the AC a few degrees, postponing doing laundry or delaying running the dishwasher — can help keep your energy bill in check. Installing and setting up a programmable thermostat could help you save up to 10% yearly on heating and cooling costs.
The Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) and the U.S. Dept. of Energy offer some recommendations to help cut costs while staying comfortable this summer.
Keep Cool
- Close curtains and shades on windows during the day to keep the sun from heating the inside of your home.
- During moderate temperatures, use fans and open windows. Using a ceiling fan allows you to raise the thermostat setting about 4 degrees without impacting your comfort.
- When you cook, use an exhaust fan to blow hot air out of the kitchen. Consider grilling outside instead of using the stove or oven. If you run the dishwasher, consider letting dishes air dry instead of using the dishwasher heater.
- Insulate your attic and walls and seal cracks and openings to prevent warm air from leaking into your home.
- Insulate and seal ducts — air loss through ducts accounts for about 30% of a cooling system’s energy consumption.
- Use the bathroom fan when taking a hot shower to help remove heat and humidity from your home.
Use AC Wisely
- If you use air conditioning, check with your utility about voluntary programs that cycle air conditioning for a discount rate.
- When possible, install your window air conditioner, or the compressor unit of your central air conditioner, on a side of your home or building that is shaded. Direct sunlight falling on an air-conditioning unit increases the cost of running it.
- Keep the compressor unit of a central air conditioner free from leaves and other debris that can clog vents.
- Make sure your cooling system is well tuned with periodic professional maintenance, and clean or replace air filters once a month or as needed.
- Shut vents and close off unoccupied rooms, which can save 5% to 10% on your cooling costs.
- Buy an ENERGY STAR-qualified air conditioning unit — on average, they’re up to 15% more efficient than standard models.
Check out the MPSC’s Be Summerwise page and its Beat the Heat and Save tip sheet to find more tips and resources. The Dept. of Energy also has extensive suggestions to save on energy costs.
Sterling Heights’ Sterlingfest Art and Music Fair
The city of Sterling Heights will be hosting their annual Sterlingfest from July 24-26, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. This art and music festival has activities for everyone in the family! The event is free to attend and will have music, art, food, a drone show, and carnival rides. Please note, wristbands are sold separately for the carnival rides. To learn more about the events happening during Sterlingfest, please click here.
Sterlingfest is located on the City of Sterling Heights’ campus at 40555 Utica Road, Sterling Heights, MI 48313.
Free parking during the Sterlingfest Art and Music Fair is available throughout the City Center complex, located near the corner of Utica and Dodge Park Roads and at various schools and houses of worship.
Free on-site/walkable parking is available at:
- 41-A District Court, 40111 Dodge Park Rd.
- Stevenson High School, 39701 Dodge Park Rd.
- Great Lakes Church, 39051 Dodge Park Rd.
- Walsh Elementary (Community Education Center), 38901 Dodge Park Rd.
- Gene L. Klida Utica Academy for International Studies, 37400 Dodge Park Rd.
- Grass Lot at the NW corner of 18 Mile Road and Utica Road
- Metro Church of Christ, 40100 Dodge Park Rd. (across from City Center)
Free Handicapped Parking:
- Senior Center (limited availability; must show handicapped pass)
- City Center Lot in front of the library (limited availability; must show handicapped pass)
Stoudamire Park Ribbon Cutting – Celebrating Marlowe Stoudamire’s Legacy
The City of Detroit invites the community to celebrate the opening of a new playground, memorial garden, fitness equipment, sports courts, and more at Stoudamire Park – honoring the late community leader, Marlowe Stoudamire.
Stoudamire Park has been renamed and reimagined to pay tribute to the legacy of Mr. Stoudamire. His passion for Detroit lives on in his own neighborhood, with the park just blocks away from where he grew up. The beloved community leader is remembered as an entrepreneur, visionary, husband, and father.
Join the neighborhood for a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Saturday, July 19 from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. at 15044 Seymour Ave., Detroit, MI 48205. Light refreshments will be provided!