Detroit Finds

Michael Morrison, of St. Clair Shores, was working on a steel beam when he plunged seven stories to his death.

Was it an accident or suicide?

The Detroit Police Department and Wayne County Medical Examiner’s Office declared it an accident. So did a longtime inspector at the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA). But MIOSHA overruled its own inspector, ousted him, destroyed his handwritten notes, and declared the death a suicide, according to an investigative report in The Detroit Free Press.

Questions by the Free Press prompted Nessel and the Labor Department to review MIOSHA’s handling of the case. Safety experts also raised “questions about whether regulators are putting big business ahead of Michigan workers,” wrote Free Press investigative reporter Jennifer Dixon.

The cause of death is a big deal because an accident can increase the costs of workers’ comp, other insurance, and performance and payment bonds.

Morrison’s widow, Lynne Morrison, is trying to collect workers’ comp death benefits, but the suspicious ruling is standing in her way.

Her attorney, Joel Alpert, called MIOSHA’s handling of the case “perplexing but not surprising.”

"MIOSHA is supposed to be independent, but the facts here appear to show a significant bias in favor of the business community and that does not serve the people of the State of Michigan,” Alpert said.

MIOSHA stood by its findings.

“MIOSHA’s mission is to help protect the safety and health of Michigan workers," MIOSHA Director Bart Pickelman told the Free Press. "The investigation determined there were no MIOSHA rules or recognized safety practice that would have prevented Mr. Morrison’s unfortunate death.” 

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1. Better Living Through Human Amusements - They had me at their first line, "Are you tired?" Head to Go Comedy for some laughs and cure what ails you. April 17—18 + every Thursday and Friday through June 13th.

2. Bunnyville - Hop on over to the Detroit Zoo for family fun! Activities include a golden egg, the Jelly Bean Jamboree, Funny Bunny Games, springtime crafts, whisker painting and the Easter Bunny! April 18—19.

3. Totally Awesome Fest - Looking for fun, music and pancakes? Ypsi is the place to be with a week of all-ages events. April 20—27.

4. August: Osage County - Modern America or dysfunctional family? Yes. Go see this dark comedy by Tracy Letts at the Hilberry Theater. April 18—19, through May 10th.

5. British Arrows - Advertising like you won't see in America. Check out the best of the best of the commercials from the UK. April 19—20.

Do you know of a great event going on in Metro Detroit this weekend? Add it to the comments and share it with us!

Bonus: Detroit Restaurant Week

(On the Pistons’ performance tonight…)

“I thought we set the tone in the second quarter. Against a team like Milwaukee you have to do it for a longer period of time. I think we extended it long enough. It showed in the third quarter. They scored 35 points to our 17. It was our Achilles heel tonight. Again, our challenge has been extending hard play, not getting bored with doing fundamentals, not getting bored kicking the ball out, doing those things offensively. Defensively, staying solid and making sure we execute what we need to do. That’s a discipline that has to be at the top of our charts going into next game and next year.”

 (On Luke Kennard…)

“I was really proud of him. He gave us more spacing. A smaller lineup gave us the opportunity to score, space the floor and move the ball. Again we got away from that in the third, subsequently, scoring 17 points.”

(On switching between Luke Kennard and Bruce Brown …)

“It set the tone, gave us a little juice and energy. Against this team you have got to score. You have got to score. You cannot think that you can get that many stops and not give yourself a chance to win. For us to win we have to make sure we do a good job executing the ball and attacking the paint, attacking the paint kick outs, attacking the paint finishing. We got up 36 threes. We had some great looks from three and knocked those down. That’s the recipe to give us the chance to beat a team like Milwaukee.”

 Detroit Pistons Forward Luke Kennard

(On making shots early in the game…)

“What they’ve been doing, from what I’ve seen, they are staying home with shooters. With Wayne [Ellington] and I out there, they’re respecting our shots. That kind of opens the floor a little bit more. [It] gives Reggie [Jackson] some space to create. We got the shots we wanted because the defense, especially in the second quarter, was really good. We got back in transition. We were able to get some stops, get out and run. Transition offense is some of our best offense. It was good for us.”

(On the adjustments they made in Game 2…)

“We really didn’t change much of our game plan from the first game to the second game. We paid a little bit more attention to detail, especially getting back, making sure Giannis [Antetokounmpo] didn’t have big gaps to drive the ball. It was just a thing where we needed to play with more energy, toughness and fight. I thought we did that in the first half.”

(On if there was a difference between him starting and coming off the bench…)

“Not really. As a starter, you’re expected to start the game off with a lot of energy, a lot of physicality, [and] try to build a lead right away. I didn’t feel any difference. Starting today or coming off the bench, either way is fine with me. Obviously, you have to get a lead or keep the score even. It was a thing where we wanted to create a little bit more space on offense. I thought we did that and we got some good looks.”

(On coming off the bench and giving a spark to the second unit…)

“I think it was okay, to be honest. I didn’t mind it too much. I actually liked it. I brought some energy off the bench. When I was out there, I brought some energy, we made a run, took the lead. I liked it.”

 (On if he could feel the game change when he got in…)

“I think when I took that charge, the energy picked up. Everybody started taking charges. [Langston Galloway] took one. We started making shots.”

 (On what to take away from tonight’s loss…)

“We just have to limit their transition buckets. I think they had 20 or 30 [points in transition], something like that. We limit that, we’re right in the game.”

(On Pat Connaughton’s performance…)

“It’s great when you have a little bit of pop off your bench. I love the pop he gives us defensively. How many blocked shots did he have? He covers a lot of ground. He gets some great contests even when he doesn’t block shots. I think he bothers shooters, and he’s really great chasing and staying with guys. He mixes in making some threes and he’s going to the basket and finishing. He and I were laughing that he’s turned into our best power forward with a jump hook. He’s doing a little bit of everything.”

(On how the Pistons defense gave the Bucks a difficult time in the first half…)

“I think we need to move them a little bit more, and we have to play with each other a little bit more. In the first half, there were some times that we were just trying to beat our guy without even passing. When there are lanes and opportunities, we like that. We have to be just as willing to make a couple of passes and move the defense a little bit and attack again. In the first half, it didn’t feel like we were willing to make those passes and move them before we attacked. The second half was better.”

(On Luke Kennard entering the starting lineup for the Pistons…)

“He was a big part of that first half thrust that they put out there. Certainly, give credit to Luke, he played well. I think there are a couple areas where we need to tighten up and we can be better. They’re a good team, there’s a reason they’re in the playoffs. Kennard made a lot of shots, and Reggie Jackson made a lot of shots and reads. They played well. I think we can be better, but you have to give him credit.”

(On Pat Connaughton’s performance off the bench…)

“I’m proud of Pat. That was impressive. He was just everywhere tonight and brought so much energy to the game. It was great to see.”

(On what changed for the team in the third quarter…)    

“I thought Detroit came out in the second quarter and their energy exceeded ours. At times, their focus exceeded ours. It was great to see our team’s response. We’ve been great so far in the playoffs. The playoffs are very long, but we have to keep just taking it one game at a time.”

(On Detroit using a small lineup at times…)

“We just have to make adjustments out of that. We have to try to stay the team we are and not really change our identity. We need to continue to be the aggressor offensively and defensively. They’re trying to make us change the way we play and more like they want us to. We can’t let that happen, and focus on what we can do.”

(On taking control in the second half…)

“We knew they were going to come out with fight. We just had to match their intensity. I thought we did a good job of coming into the half, Coach [Budenholzer] came and talked it over with us. We came out and executed the plan.”

(On the intensity of playing in the playoffs…)

“I feel like for us as a team, we have players that have been on the team for a while. We went through adversity, seven games last year. We know what it takes now. We are focused, so we’re trying to block everything out and focus on us, just do our job.”

(On going on the road to Detroit…)

“Giannis [Antetokounmpo] said it earlier. We took care of business like we should. Now we’re going on the road playing against a tough crowd and a tough team. We’re going to go in, practice, and see what we can do better. We’re looking forward to Game 3 in Detroit.”

I realize that government services that we take for granted are intertwined throughout our society and they don't come for free. I would feel like a complete hypocrite if I drove down a publicly funded road that is safe because of publicly funded police forces to see my Congressman to complain that I get nothing for all the taxes that I pay.

That being said, I would like to thank President Trump and all the Republicans that follow him blindly for the huge tax increase I got this year. According to Pew Research Center, I fall into the middle class, which is mostly retirement income from my investments in Social Security and pensions. Between 2017 and 2018 my federal taxes increased about $2,000 on virtually the same income. That is an increase of 30%.

The new Trump Tax plan took away all my itemized deductions and left me with a slightly increased standard deduction. I understand that about 33% of Americans itemize and many middle class tax payers were affected the same way I was. Most of the deductions I lost were contributions to charities and medical costs.

I guess this is only fair, since companies like Amazon (which netted over $11 billion last year) paid no tax at all under the new plan. I guess someone has to make up the difference or our country would go trillions of dollars into new debt. (Oh, that's right, deficits don't matter when Republicans create them.) I can, however, feel better knowing that we are spending huge amounts of money to build a border wall that 70% of Americans think of as useless.

Of course, President Trump will need more income then just my new taxes to help pay for his wall, to allow huge corporations to convert tax money to million dollar raises and bonuses for their top executives, and pay off his huge deficit. That's why all the rest of us get to chip in by giving up the Social Security we paid for all our working lives and paying higher premiums for Medicare.

He also wants to get rid of supplementing all those pesky sick people who thought they should have insurance and decent medical care as a right rather than a privilege of wealth.

As it turns out, I didn't go to Minneapolis to see President Trump on Monday. Too bad. I should have asked someone who actually believes anything he tells us to go and give him a great big Thank You from me. I would have really meant it. Trust me. — Donald Johnson, Detroit Lakes

The upcoming year will be filled with more running thanks to a couple challenging races including a very hilly (over 5,000 foot of gain) marathon in New York and a very hilly 50k in the U.P. (my second).  It will also involve much less beer (I know crazy!) as I try to get in shape for these very difficult races.  I look forward to what the year has in store for me in regards to running and wish you a very Happy New Year.

Have a Great Day and....Keep Running!!!!

Source: http://www.detroitrunner.com/2016/12/2016-review-with-exciting-races-coming.html

Detroit Red Wings fans everywhere are celebrating the official news that Steve Yzerman is now the general manager of the Detroit Red Wings.

Take a listen as he joins 97.1 The Ticket’s Mike Valenti to talk about the timing of the hiring and some additional insight.

BONUS CONTENT:

Well, who would have thought that?

According to a report from Sportsnet, it was none other than Ken Holland who was the leading force behind Steve Yzerman’s return to the Red Wings to take over his position, and has been working on it for months.

Of course, it was Ken Holland who declined this move the first time around in 2010. Red Wings ownership allegedly wanted to tap Yzerman as the successor to Holland, who didn’t want to move “upstairs” just quite yet. Yzerman then went to the Tampa Bay Lightning, and for the past nine years, has built them into a powerhouse and yearly contender for the Stanley Cup.

Holland, who has been the team’s GM since 1997, was asked earlier this month on 97.1 The Ticket about remaining with the Red Wings.

“That’s a great question,” Holland said. “I don’t have an answer for you. But I am a proud, proud Red Wing and I love being a Red Wing and I love living in Michigan. We’ve put roots down. I love the fans, I love the people that work for the Red Wings, I love the young players.

“Certainly would be very difficult for me to leave.”

BONUS CONTENT:

Wow!

In perhaps the most shocking playoff result in recent memory, the 62-win Tampa Bay Lightning were swept in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs by the Columbus Blue Jackets.

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MT CLEMENS, Mich. - A Mount Clemens gas station clerk shot an attempted robber Wednesday afternoon, authorities said.

According to officials, a man wearing a mask and armed with a gun went into the Mobil gas station at 116 S. Main Street just after 5 p.m. and attempted to rob patrons and the clerk. 

The clerk was armed and shot the man. The man was transported to a hospital, where his condition is unknown.

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