Tag: Michigan DNR

Why are so many yellowjackets buzzing around Southeast Michigan?

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Five yellowjackets hovering around a nest among fallen autumn leaves

They induce fear. They’re aggressive. And for some people, they pose a serious health risk. Many people’s instinct is to swat and run away from those black-and-yellow bugs that have a really painful sting, but this year it seems there are a lot of yellowjackets everywhere. But why? Dion DeGennaro, president of Sergio’s Pest Control, says the increase in yellowjackets in Southeast Michigan is due to multiple factors, but mainly to trophallaxis.

“The past couple of years, we were up over 30% each year, so in recent memory, it has gotten a lot worse than 10 years ago,” DeGennaro said.  DeGennaro says yellowjackets are having a hard time finding food, which is a sweet liquid created by bee larvae, which is why they are preying on sugary human food. “I’m scared of them,” said Liliana Boggenes, who was eating her cider doughnuts in a parking lot because she was afraid to go near yellowjackets. “They want your food, and they won’t leave,” said Janet Armil, who still remembers when she was stung by a bee when she was 7 years old.

While you can’t always avoid these bugs in public, DeGennaro has some tips to steer clear of the stingers at home, especially when tending your gardens and lawns. “They can nest in the ground, in the gap between bricks or siding, or they can build a physical nest in a bush,” DeGennaro said. The holes in the ground are the size of a quarter. DeGennaro says to avoid running your lawn mower near the holes or hives. Doing so can actually aggravate them. While stores sell sprays and traps, DeGennaro advises you call an expert because one hive can house thousands of yellowjackets.

Source: Why are so many yellowjackets buzzing around Southeast Michigan? – CBS Detroit

Lasst ab ‹davon› und erkennt, dass ich Gott bin! Ich werde erhöht sein unter den Völkern, erhaben über die Erde.
Psalm 46:11

Powerful earthquake shakes Panama

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Plague in Russia?

Russian authorities have sought to allay global worries over the death of a young woman who worked at a Siberian anti-plague laboratory. But moves to isolate her contacts and…

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Bat found in Livingston County tests positive for rabies, health officials say

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Bat flying above forested mountains beneath a sunset sky

A bat found in Livingston County, Michigan, has tested positive for rabies, the local health department said on Thursday. Officials said the finding marks the first rabies case in an animal reported in the county this year. They have yet to disclose where in the region the bat was located.  Rabies is a deadly virus that spreads to people from the saliva of infected animals, according to the Mayo Clinic. It’s usually transmitted through a bite from a bat, coyote, fox, raccoon or skunk. Livingston County health officials say bat bites can be very small and people may be exposed to rabies even if they don’t see a bite or scratch.

According to health officials, exposure to rabies can also happen when a person touches a bat’s saliva or brain tissue or wakes up with one in their bedroom. Children, people with developmental disabilities and intoxicated individuals may also be considered exposed if they are in a room with a bat. Anyone in Livingston County who believes they’ve been exposed is asked to capture the bat, report the exposure by filling out a form on the health department’s website and call department staff at 517‑552‑6882 for testing guidance and next steps. Health officials say people can prevent rabies by keeping bats out of homes, vaccinating their pets and washing bites or scratches with soap and water before seeking medical help. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources says the state is home to nine species of bats.

Source: Bat found in Livingston County tests positive for rabies, health officials say – CBS Detroit

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.
Jeremiah 29:11

For God so Loved the World

“God loved you enough to send His Son, Jesus loved you enough to give His life, and through faith, you are offered a hope this world can never take…

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2 Timothy 3:12 

Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted Paul was reminding Timothy that following Christ does not guarantee an easy life. When we choose…

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John 15:18–20

“If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but…

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Galatians 1:6-10

“When truth becomes negotiable, faith becomes vulnerable so know the Gospel, stand on God’s Word, and seek His approval above the world’s applause.” “I am astonished that you are…

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Detroit’s air quality early Thursday ranked as hazardous, worst in the world – CBS Detroit

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Wildfire smoke drifted across Southeast Michigan Wednesday night and a smoky, hazy sky resulting from fine particulate pollution was clearly visible by daybreak on Thursday.  All of Michigan is under an air quality alert through Friday.  The air was so bad early Thursday in Southeast Michigan that Detroit was listed as having the worst air quality in the world in the IQAir database, well into the “hazardous” range, topping even Toronto, Canada, and Minneapolis, Minnesota. 

The smoke plume from hundreds of wildfires in Canada and Minnesota began crossing into Northern Michigan during the day on Wednesday. By midnight Wednesday, the MiAir database showed significantly deteriorating air quality in Southeast Michigan.  The CBS News Detroit weather team has declared Thursday and Friday to be NEXT Weather Alert Days, stepping up forecasts and announcements as needed. 

Air quality forecast for Metro Detroit on July 16, 2026. CBS News Detroit How bad is the air?  The MiAir database run by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy showed air quality numbers well over the “very unhealthy” range in multiple locations in Metro Detroit early Thursday.   Other communities in Michigan, including Lansing, Flint and Grand Rapids saw readings at or above the very unhealthy range early Thursday. 

The air quality reading in Detroit at 5 a.m. July 16, 2026. Screen image from the AirNow website. AirNow How can this affect your health? Dr. Herb Aronow, the chair of heart and vascular health at Henry Ford Health, says unhealthy air affects everyone with heart and vascular diseases, even those who haven’t been diagnosed yet. Even healthy people may notice eye irritation or difficulty breathing during prolonged outdoor activity.  How widespread is the smoke?  It’s not just Michigan facing air quality issues. Several states are or will be in the path of the wildfire smoke plume.  Some of the wildfires feeding the smoke plume are in Minnesota, where much of the state is under an air quality alert. 

An air quality alert called for the Chicago area was aggravated by wildfire smoke drifting into the region.  Pennsylvania will be under a code red air quality alert on Thursday, the state’s Department of Environmental Protection says.  And the entire state of Ohio was placed under an air quality alert for Thursday as air quality readings may reach the unhealthy stage, the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency said.  A map of the wildfire smoke plume across Michigan and other states on July 16, 2026. CBS News Detroit What does this mean for summer events and programs? 

The combination of poor air quality rising on the heels of a heat wave in Metro Detroit resulted in several summer school and community program closures for Thursday.  When will Detroit get a break from the smoke?  A cold front will move through Southeast Michigan Thursday night into Friday, bringing cooler temperatures, lower humidity, and a shift in winds that should gradually push the wildfire smoke out of the region and improve air quality heading into the weekend. 

Source: Detroit’s air quality early Thursday ranked as hazardous, worst in the world – CBS Detroit

I cried to Him with my mouth, And He was extolled with my tongue.
Psalm 66:17

Isaiah 45:2

“I will go before you and level the exalted places, I will break in pieces the doors of bronze and cut through the bars of iron, This verse reminds us that…

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Proverbs 21:23

Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble. This verse emphasizes that people who carefully watch what they say will protect themselves from serious trouble. “Guarding your…

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Slow to Speak: The Secret to Wise Reactions

Talk less, listen more, because wisdom speaks after it understands, not before. If you want stronger relationships and real influence, master this: control your tongue, calm your anger, and lead with…

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Psalm 5:8

Lead me, O Lord, in your righteousness because of my enemies; make your way straight before me. In the verse David is praying in the morning while people who hate him…

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City officials consider all options to reduce deer population in Beverly Hills, Michigan

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three white tailed deer grazing in dover tennessee

Deterrents, deer hunting or trapping, and even deer birth control are among the options city officials are considering to lower the deer population in Beverly Hills.  “First and foremost problem we have is safety– we’re concerned we’re going to start seeing more car-deer accidents,” said Edward Arnold, the director of public safety for Beverly Hills.  Arnold said deer in the area like to make a feast of people’s gardens and tend to cross the street whenever they feel like it. He said that they can also be aggressive. “We had some reports that the deer would start to stomp with their hooves and then actually trotted after a person one time– someone said that it chased them and their dog back into their house,” Arnold said.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources spoke with local officials and residents earlier this month to outline their options, from trapping or hunting the deer to deterrents like wire to cover plants, to trapping and then sterilizing the deer so they can’t reproduce.  “The option might be education and promoting coexistence, and that might be the answer for their community if the goal is to reduce deer-vehicle collisions because they’ve seen an increase that would then lend itself to some sort of lethal management option,” said Kara Colton, a wildlife biologist with the DNR.  Arnold said that it is possible to have a firearm hunt within village limits. There would be restrictions on the time and place where hunters could discharge their firearms. Another option is an archery hunt.  He said village officials are considering all the options and will probably discuss them well into the summer.  “They’re going to want to have several more meetings; they’ll be public meetings, so residents are encouraged to come there and voice their opinion.

Source: City officials consider all options to reduce deer population in Beverly Hills, Michigan – CBS Detroit

For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
1 Corinthians 1:18

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Bear found in Mt. Pleasant relocated by wildlife officials, police said

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bears batching in a river

A young male bear that was spotted up a tree in a mid-Michigan city has been safely relocated to Houghton Lake, local authorities said.  The bear was spotted on Tuesday morning near Francher Avenue and Mosher Street, west of M-127, and was in a tree by the time local authorities arrived on scene. The Mt. Pleasant Police Department and Michigan Department of Natural Resources teamed up on the logistics for the animal rescue.  

The DNR said a thick pole vault mat borrowed from Mt Pleasant High School provided a safe space for the bear to land. “The tranquilized bear landed safely and completely unharmed after an 18-foot drop! DNR biologists gave him a quick medical checkup (he’s in great health!), tagged him, and safely relocated him about 60 miles north to a beautiful swamp in the Houghton Lake area,” the DNR said.

Source: Bear found in Mt. Pleasant relocated by wildlife officials, police said – CBS Detroit

But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. “And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled.”
1 Peter 3:14

A study of the Mesha Stele

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Texas man sentenced for killing bald eagle

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Rising fire danger in northern Michigan prompts DNR to urge caution with outdoor activities

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silhouette of bare trees surrounded fire at daytime

Rising fire danger in northern Michigan prompts DNR to urge caution with outdoor activities By Nick Lentz May 31, 2026 / 5:00 PM EDT / CBS Detroit Add CBS News on Google Elevated fire danger in northern Michigan has prompted the Department of Natural Resources to urge anyone in the area to be careful while engaging in activities outside. Paul Rogers, a fire prevention specialist with the state agency, said in a news release Friday that they weren’t expecting significant rainfall over the next 10 days, which greatly increases the risk for wildfires.  “Low moisture levels in conifer needles and dry pine fuels mean fires can start easily and spread quickly under the right conditions,” Rogers said. The agency is asking people to adhere to the following tips while enjoying the outdoors:

  • Keep a hose or water source nearby when burning.
  • Prevent sparks by ensuring trailer chains do not drag on roadways and avoiding parking hot equipment on dry grass.
  • Keep campfires contained in a fire ring or pit and fully extinguish them before leaving.
    • Douse fires with water, stir ashes and douse again.
  • Never leave fires or hot coals unattended.
  • Never shoot fireworks into wooded areas, dry grass or shrubs.
  • Avoid burning plastics, hazardous materials or household trash.
    • Use only approved burn barrels with screens for natural materials such as paper and leaves.

The DNR will not issue burning permits in the northern Lower Peninsula and Upper Peninsula while fire conditions are elevated, officials said.

“Residents in southern Michigan should check with their local fire department or municipality before conducting any outdoor burning,” the agency said.

Source: Rising fire danger in northern Michigan prompts DNR to urge caution with outdoor activities – CBS Detroit

Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming.
Matthew 24:42

Finding Truth and Life in Jesus

In a world filled with competing voices, confusing paths, and endless distractions, Jesus doesn’t simply show us the way He declares, ‘I am the way.’ When everything around you tries to pull…

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Black bear sightings confirmed in Flat Rock-Rockwood, Carleton areas

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bear in close up

The Michigan DNR says residents in two Southeast Michigan communities have reported black bear sightings in recent days.  According to the DNR, the first sighting happened around 1:13 a.m. on May 10 when a black bear was captured on a cellular trail camera near Carleton in Monroe County. 

Source: Black bear sightings confirmed in Flat Rock-Rockwood, Carleton areas – CBS Detroit

Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.
Jeremiah 33:3

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Dry conditions, high winds, feeding wildfire risk in parts of Michigan

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the straits of mackinac under the mackinac bridge

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources says elevated fire danger has been observed across parts of the state.  The conditions are fueled by downed trees and branches left by the March 2025 ice storm. The severe weather at the time damaged around 3 million acres of land. “Even with the heavy rains this spring, recent drier weather in the northern Lower Peninsula and Upper Michigan means that last year’s grasses and leaves are becoming dry and will readily burn,” said Paul Rogers, fire prevention specialist for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.  “In the ice storm area from last spring, the downed wood has been on the ground for a year, is starting to dry out, and can contribute to much hotter and more dangerous conditions if a fire gets started. While the temperatures have dropped, we are expecting to see elevated fire danger continue as we get closer to the weekend.” 

Source: Dry conditions, high winds, feeding wildfire risk in parts of Michigan – CBS Detroit

Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.
James 4:7

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