February 5, 2021 Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced yesterday that contact sports can soon resume. The sports set to return on Monday include boys and girls basketball, wrestling, competitive cheer and ice hockey. Before the new orders, the sports were barred from competition and contact in practices until Feb. 21. “We continue to make progress in reducing cases and hospitalizations, helping protect our families and frontline workers and saving lives,” Whitmer said in a press release. “Now, starting February 8, contact sports can resume with safety measures in place." According to the new orders, participants must be masked during play and practice. MORE ►Whitmer says Let Them Play rally did not influence return of high school sports At 33-years-old, Gene Stein is not yet eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. For his mother, Lauri, that’s a difficult pill to swallow. Because Gene has Down syndrome, he is 10 times likelier to have a fatal case of COVID-19 than someone in the general public. What makes the reality facing the Stein family worse is the knowledge that there are countless healthy Michiganders, whose jobs allow them to work from home, who have gotten their shots ahead of Gene and other high-risk individuals. MORE ►Gov. Whitmer gets first-hand look at COVID-19 vaccine production inside Pfizer's Portage plant So, it is winter, after all. We are getting some of the snow that has been lacking for much of the season. But how much will you have on the ground when the last flake falls? Check out this high-definition map. Just click on the area you are interested in and the map will show you how many inches are expected there. Then you will know just how hard your shovel will have to work during the clean-up phase. Oh, and after you check out this map, make sure to get all of your cold-weather gear ready. The temperatures are shifting into bitter cold territory. MORE You could own a sweet piece of Michigan history and become the next Willy Wonka, of sorts. Alinosi Ice Cream and Candy has put its business on the market. The deal includes an abandoned 1950s ice cream shop. Alinosi is currently a two-person operation, with the owner and a chocolatier operating five days a week. The business makes ice cream and French-style chocolates, which are distributed wholesale to various Metro Detroit grocery stores and restaurants. Even if you aren't in the market, you should check out these photos: MORE Jenna Arcidiacono knows how tough it has been for restaurant workers during the coronavirus pandemic, since she owns Amore Trattoria Italiana in Comstock Park. Over the course of a month, she crowdsourced donations to bring some help and joy to others in the restaurant industry. Arcidiacono raised more than $7,000 and used it to hand out tips of at least $1,000 for staff members at local eateries. If you are looking for an infusion of good feels, you should check out this video of the West Michigan chef handing out these very generous tips.WATCH Get your local news 24/7 Connect with MLive To ensure receipt of our emails, please add newsletters@update.mlive to your address book or safe sender list. |