Detroit Public Schools show off new safety features on district buses

A GPS-tracking system and onboard cameras are among new safety features on Detroit Public Schools buses this year to help keep students safe. (Photo by HB Meeks/Tell Us Detroit)

DETROIT (Tell Us Det) - Detroit Public Schools, Friday morning at Brenda Scott School 18400 Hoover, on the city's northeast side offered a demonstration of the new safety features on school buses, which are expected to dramatically improve the safety of student transportation starting this fall. Buses from First Student, ABC Transportation and Safeway were on display to the media to show off new technology inside and out. The safety enhancements include:

• Crossing gates to ensure children cross in front of the bus at a safe distance.

• Child Check-Mate – an electronic reminder system that ensures no child is left on the bus.
The system becomes activated the moment a child boards the bus, and cannot be deactivated until the driver walks to the rear of the bus and depresses the "Stop and Check" reset button upon completion of each run.

• Zonar system, which includes GPS, allows staff to pinpoint the exact location and speed of each bus at any time. In the event of an emergency, buses can pinpoint the exact location and provide a quick response. If there is a traffic jam or any instance where the buses are delayed, schools can be immediately notified.

• Zonar also has a vehicle inspection component which immediately identifies any maintenance issues that need addressing during the driver's daily safety inspections and ensures buses are operating at maximum safety and efficiency levels. Bus fuel efficiency can be tracked to decrease fuel costs by monitoring for any unnecessary idling using this component.

• A camera to monitor all on-board activities.

Detroit People Mover expands hours during busy Labor Day weekend

System helps to navigate through street closures, multiple holiday events

DETROIT, MI - Labor Day weekend gets a jump start today with something for everyone. Don’t feel torn between events; the key word is convenience. Planning to drive downtown repeatedly? Then the Detroit People Mover helps you travel everywhere you wish to be.

Friday, Sept. 3: The Hip-Hop World Series’ second evening merges with the first evening of the Detroit Jazz Fest. Woodward is closed from Campus Martius to Jefferson, so use Broadway or Grand Circus Park Stations for Comerica Park or Cadillac, Millender Center or Financial stations for the Jazz Fest.
DPM Hours: 6:30 AM – 2:00 AM

And After the Concert, It’s the After Party!

• DJ The Alchemist to Heat Up the Ones and Twos at MGM Grand Detroit’s V Nightclub for Premier Eminem and Jay-Z After Party

•  Eminem’s Official Tour DJ/Producer to be featured as part of “Double Vision Fridays” with DJ Whip

Detroit, Mich. — DJ The Alchemist, hip hop artist Eminem’s official tour DJ and producer, will continue the party vibe at MGM Grand Detroit’s V Nightclub on Friday, September 3 for the premier Eminem and Jay-Z concert after party. Alchemist will be featured as part of V Nightclub’s “Double Vision Fridays” featuring DJ Whip. “Double Vision Fridays” is one of MGM’s most popular parties at V.

DJ The Alchemist hails from Beverly Hills, CA. After rising to prominence in the late 1990s as a close associate of Dilated Peoples and Mobb Deep, he went on to produce for many of hip hop’s leading artists, including Detroit’s own Eminem, and has been hailed as one of the genre's leading producers.

King High's Dennis Norfleet is DPSL's Proud Strong Learner of the Week

DETROIT - Dennis Norfleet is a Martin Luther King High scholar-athlete whose favorite subject fits right in step with his football exploits.

“I like math because I like working with big numbers,’’ he says.

Norfleet’s numbers on the field were huge Friday night as the 5-8, 175-pound tailback carried the ball 30 times for 254 yards and five touchdowns in the Crusaders’ 32-19 victory against Birmingham Brother Rice in the 2010 season-opener for both teams.

Nut-free zones help Hiller’s allergy sufferers stay safe

Commerce Township, MI - After hosting two Hiller's Nut-Free Health Tours this summer where attendees scoped out nut-free foods and sought expert advice from allergy specialists, Hiller’s Markets realized the huge demand for nut-free living. Therefore, Hiller’s Markets is introducing stand-alone nut-free sections in its stores.

“Nut allergy reactions can be so serious and so frightening. We want to do everything we can to help our families – and the people who cook for them – find foods they like and can eat safely,” said Jim Hiller, CEO of Hiller’s Markets. “We are nuts about our customers…and that is why we are expanding our nut-free sections.”  

DETROIT BUSINESSMAN DON H. BARDEN NAMED ONE OF BE’s 40 MOST POWERFUL AFRICAN AMERICANS IN BUSINESS

Barden to be honored Friday, September 3 at Black Enterprise reception

DETROIT, MI – Casino Magnate and Detroit Businessman Don H. Barden will honored this Friday, September 3, 2010 by Black Enterprise Magazine as one of the nation’s ‘Titans: 40 Most Powerful African Americans in Business.’

Barden, who will be recognized as part of the publication’s annual networking event at La Costa Resort & Spa in Carlsbad, Ca., was also recognized in the magazine’s August, 2010, 40th Anniversary edition.

“It is truly humbling and an honor to be in such great company,” Barden said of the recognition. “I’m grateful to have the recognition.”

Former DPS employees, one student charged with embezzling over $100K from school

DETROIT (Tell Us Det) - Prosecutor Kym L. Worthy’s Public Integrity Unit in collaboration with Detroit Public Schools (DPS) Office of the Inspector General recently conducted an investigation at the A. Phillip Randolph Career and Technical Center (Randolph). The investigation has resulted in charges against four persons, and was conducted at the request of Detroit Public Schools Emergency Financial Manager Robert Bobb.

InAccord’s 4th Annual Music Competition Presents Teens with Scholarships to Elite Music Camp at Fundraiser September, 3

Ben’s Friends Jazz Orchestra to perform; funds raised to support young musicians.

DETROIT -  Jaina Bennett and Haidya Knight demonstrated that they have extraordinary instrumental music talent. They were selected the winners among several young talented competitors, and will perform and be celebrated at InAccord’s 4th Annual “If Only For One Moment Scholarship Awards & Legacy of Excellence Benefit Concert” on Fri., September 3 at 6 p.m. at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, 315 E. Warren, Detroit. The program begins at 7 p.m. and will feature a performance by Ben’s Friends Jazz Orchestra, a 17-member big band, lead by Benjamin “Car Daddy” Pruitt, Sr. The public is invited.

100 Black Men of Greater Detroit and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Partner for Better Health

‘Man up! Walk the Walk for Healthy Families’ seeks to get more black men to the doctor, reduce death rate

DETROIT, MI - Officials from 100 Black Men of Greater Detroit and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan this week kicked off Phase II of a year-long campaign to improve health and preventive care in Southeast Michigan. The group has joined with other health and non profit agencies to host a health walk and screening on Belle Isle on Saturday, September 11, 2010. 

Suburban Church and African Centered School in Detroit Create Volunteer Program
DETROIT - Renaissance Unity Church in Warren, Michigan and Timbuktu Academy of Science and Technology, a K-8 Detroit Public School charter located on the east-side of the city, have created the T.R.U.E. Project, “Timbuktu, Renaissance Unity Education” Project, a unique Detroit school and suburban church collaboration that brings together volunteers from the congregation who are supporting students through tutoring, mentoring and school initiatives. Volunteers completed a school orientation last spring and began working with students.   

SHIMMER ON THE RIVER TO BENEFIT THE DETROIT RIVERFRONT CONSERVANCY

– INAUGURAL FUNDRAISING GALA ON THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2010

DETROIT – The Detroit RiverFront Conservancy, the non-profit organization responsible for the construction, operations, maintenance and programming of the Detroit International Riverfront and the Dequindre Cut Greenway, is hosting its first-ever fundraising celebration, Shimmer on the River, on Thursday, September 16, 2010 at the UAW-GM Center for Human Resources on the Detroit Riverfront, from 6 to 11 p.m. This magical night is expected to attract hundreds of guests with proceeds benefiting the Detroit RiverFront Conservancy to support the continued transformation of the Detroit Riverfront.  

$2,500 College Scholarships Money Available from Rainbow PUSH Detroit Bureau and General Motors, Apply Today

Here is your opportunity to compete for college scholarship money.

If you are a graduating senior, or currently enrolled in college please check back with Tell Us Detroit later this week for more information regarding the new Rainbow PUSH Scholarships for Detroit students.

The scholarship is being offered by the Rainbow PUSH Detroit Bureau and General Motors.

DETROIT DETROIT RESTAURANT WEEK RETURNS FOR FALL

DETROIT, MI - The Detroit Restaurant Week dinner promotion returns Friday, September 24 through Sunday, October 3 at select fine dining restaurants located in greater Downtown Detroit.

Detroit Restaurant Week is a great opportunity for residents from southeastern Michigan and visitors from Windsor, Ontario and beyond to enjoy outstanding three-course meals for just $28 per person (excluding tax, gratuity, and beverages).