Dear Neighbor,
With the fall season underway, I encourage you to enjoy the last warm days, new cooler evenings, and the changing of the leaves. In this newsletter, I have included some resources to help you settle into this new routine.
Featured in This Newsletter:
- 2026 Fiscal Year Budget Update
- Expanding Mental Health Care with Limited License Psychologist Bill
- Combat the Fall and Winter Blues
- Deer and Winter Season Driving
- Proper Fall Leaf Disposal
- Interactive Fall Leaves Map
- Pumpkin Patches in the Area
- Sterling Frights
- Community Resource Fair Trunk or Treat
- Terror on Tillson
- Center Line Trunk or Treat
- Wayne County Halloween Festival
- Wayne County Harvest Festival
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
2026 Fiscal Year Budget Update
Last week, my colleagues in both the Senate and House of Representatives passed a bipartisan state budget for the 2026 Fiscal Year. This budget not only boosts education, but invests in our roads, health care services, and more.
Some budget highlights include:
- Record per-pupil education funding, free pre-k programs, and universal free school meals.
- Increased funding for at-risk students, school safety and mental health, and for Michigan Community Colleges and Universities.
- Significant road and infrastructure investments.
- Tax exemptions for tipped workers, overtime, and Social Security earnings.
- Increased public safety and victim services funding.
This budget was signed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer earlier this week.
Expanding Mental Health Care with Limited License Psychologist Bill
Michiganders having adequate access to mental health care is a priority of mine. That’s why I introduced Senate Bill 413. This bill is vital, because it would allow limited license psychologists (LLP) across Michigan with masters-level mental health qualifications to provide much needed care to thousands of Michiganders in need of mental health services.
With this legislation, an individual could practice psychology after the appropriate education, training, and experience requirement – which includes at least two years of supervised postgraduate experience (totaling at least 4,000 hours). The important change to note is the supervision requirement. An individual with a limited license currently must be supervised by the holder of a doctoral license for their entire career.
This legislation has passed the Senate and now waits deliberation in the House of Representatives. To track this legislation, please click here.
Combat the Fall and Winter Blues
As our days get shorter and we start to see less sunlight, many people may start to feel the effects of seasonal blues. The Michigan Dept. of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is offering tips and resources to help Michiganders combat these feelings.
MDHHS offers the following tips for those suffering from winter blues:
- Stay active, even if it is doing small things each day.
- Eat a balanced diet and get enough sleep.
- Keep a schedule and try to get fresh air every day.
- Try to find a small pleasure for yourself within each day.
- Avoid using too much alcohol and avoid drugs.
- Create a buddy system to have someone you can call when you feel down.
- Set boundaries on how you want to spend your time in a way that works for you. Be respectful of others who may want things from you but remember to take care of yourself.
- Seek professional help if you need it.
Symptoms of the seasonal blues include:
- Experiencing sadness frequently or on a daily basis.
- Experiencing feelings of a diminished desire to continue living.
- Excessive sleep
- Reduced engagement in activities
- Changes in weight
- Reduced ability to focus
- Low energy, sluggish
- Thoughts of worthlessness, guilt, hopelessness
For a free, confidential conversation with a trained Stay Well crisis counselor, dial 888-535-6136 and press “8” at the prompt. The phone line is open 24/7 for any Michigan resident. You can also visit Michigan.gov/StayWell to locate the nearest community mental health services program office, register for a virtual support group, or access helpful brochures and recorded webinars.
Michigan residents with serious mental illness or substance use challenges wishing to speak with someone who understands these issues can call the Michigan Warmline at 888-PEER-753 (888-733-7753). The service is available from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m. seven days a week.
Finally, if you or a loved one is concerned about suicide, call 800-273-8255 or visit SuicidePreventionLifeline.org.
Deer and Winter Season Driving
It is deer season in Michigan, which means deer activity has increased, along with deer-related incidents on the road. From late October to mid-November, it is important to stay vigilant of deer on the roads. We also will start to see icy and cold weather. It is important to consider all these factors when driving in the coming months.
Deer season driving tips from the Michigan Dept. of Natural Resources (DNR) include:
- Use high beam lights to see better in dark areas. Deer have highly reflective eyes. The additional lights might help to scare off deer.
- Slow down in deer crossing areas, at dawn and dusk. It is important to drive at a rate where you can stop. Deer are most active from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.
- Scan the roadside and look for deer in wooded areas, fencerows, field edges, near water, and common feeding areas.
- Do not swerve if you see a deer. You could swerve into another driver or lose control of the vehicle. Instead, slow down as quickly as possible and hold the steering wheel firmly.
- Deer travel in herds, so assume if you see one there are more.
- Wear a seat belt. If you are to collide with a deer, seatbelts are crucial in minimizing your risk.
- If you hit a deer, leave the deer alone and contact the police. It is unsafe to exit your vehicle on a highway, and the deer may not actually be deceased. However, if you hit a deer and want to salvage it, you can do so by obtaining a salvage permit from the DNR.
Winter season driving tips:
- Drive slowly when snow or ice is present. It can take up to 10 times longer to stop.
- Avoid using cruise control. If your car skids, cruise control will accelerate to maintain a constant speed.
- If your vehicle begins to skid, take your foot off the accelerator and steer in the same direction as the rear of your car.
- Clear your car of ice and snow, as well as winterize your car.
- Check the tread and pressure on your tires. If your tires are worn, consider purchasing new ones.
- Remember to drive safely near snowplows. Do not pass them. Slow down and allow at least six to 10 car lengths between you and move over for stopped snowplows.
To learn more about winter safety on the roads, please click here.
Proper Fall Leaf Disposal
While the fall leaves are beautiful to look at, they can be quite a burden to pick up. When picking up and disposing of fall foliage, it is important to discard them properly. Putting yard waste in dumpsters, bodies of water, and nearby woods is illegal. Please place your yard waste in a compost cart or heavy-duty paper yard waste bag. Please note that this way differs by city. Tree branches and shrugs must be bundled.
Visit the following links to learn more about your city’s rules and pick up dates and times: Warren | Sterling Heights | Center Line | Detroit.
Interactive Fall Leaves Map
Fall is one of Michigan’s beautiful seasons with the changing of the leaves. If you are looking to take a day trip to explore all the fall foliage, I encourage you to click here and check out an interactive fall leaves map! This map tracks the changing or the leaves in each area of Michigan, ensuring you can find the best fall views. They also offer an array of places they recommend visiting on a day trip to experience all Michigan has to offer in the fall months.
Pumpkin Patches in the Area
Picking pumpkins is one of the many great fall activities! If you are looking for a pumpkin patch to visit with friends and family, I have included a list of pumpkin patches in our area.
- Puma’s Pumpkin Patch – 53773 Foss Rd., Macomb, MI 48042.
- West View Orchards – 65075 Van Dyke, Washington, MI 48095.
- Blake’s Big Red Orchard – 4900 32 Mile Rd., Washington, MI 48095.
To find additional details and their hours of operation, please visit their websites.
Sterling Frights
The City of Sterling Heights will be hosting their annual “Sterling Frights” event on Saturday, Oct. 18 at Dodge Park from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. This event will include music, hayrides, a straw maze, crafts, trick or treating, photo opportunities, inflatables, rides, cider and donuts, and more! Sterling Frights is free to attend for all Sterling Heights residents.
Additionally, this year, in partnership with Vibe Credit Union, Sterling Heights will be collecting canned goods for the Community Food Bank of Macomb, so please bring any canned food you have to spare.
To learn more about this event, please click here.
Community Resource Fair Trunk or Treat
A community resource fair and trunk or treat will be taking place on Oct. 17 at Macomb Warren MDHSS from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Stop by for safe, trick or treating experience and gain some valuable resource information for the whole family!
Terror on Tillson
If you are looking for a place to feel the Halloween spirit with family and friends, consider visiting Tillson Street in Romeo. A dedicated group of homeowners transform their street into a Halloween village. Over 30 houses participate in decorating their historical homes. This is a public street that is always open to visit for free. You can visit this impressive display anytime from now to Halloween. You may also trick-or-treat on Tillson Street from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. and join 2,000+ other trick-or-treaters. To learn more, please click here.
Center Line Trunk or Treat
The City of Center Line is hosting their Trunk or Treat and Haunted House on Oct. 11, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Center Line Parks and Recreation. This celebration will include a hayride, free pumpkins, candy, games, food trucks, and more.
Wayne County Halloween Festival
Wayne County is hosting their Halloween Festival on Sat., Oct. 11 at Nankin Mills Park Area. This event is free and includes games, entertainment, hayrides, candy, and fun. This event is entirely outdoors, so please dress for the weather. Costumes are optional!
Wayne County Harvest Festival
Wayne County will be having a free, kids-friendly Harvest Festival on Sat., Oct. 18 at Crosswinds Marsh in New Boston. This includes a hayride, campfire with kid-friendly stories, and harvest-themed games and crafts. Family-friendly costumes are encouraged.
For more information, call 734-261-1990 or visit waynecountymi.gov.