Road Closed For Salamander Crossing To Help Species Survive

DETROIT, MI — If you’re planning a trip to the U.P. in the next month or so, don’t plan to visit Marquette’s Presque Isle Park. The lone road leading to the park will be closed so blue spotted salamanders can safely cross, the Detroit Free Press reports.

Last year, something like 430 of salamanders were killed while crossing Peter White Drive, according to a count by Northern Michigan University biology student Eli Bieri. The salamanders go underground to survive the cold, snowy winters on the Upper Peninsula, then emerge en masse in the spring to make their way to nearby pools to mate and lay eggs.

The amphibian isn’t endangered, but continuation of the species in the 323-acre, forested park depends on their getting across the street safely, Bieri told the Free Press. He said the number counted last year probably was much greater because they’re a food source seagulls, foxes and raccoons.

As part of his research last year, Bieri said he and student volunteers saw "thousands and thousands of salamanders crossing the street in just one night.

“It was really amazing — until we see cars zip by and squish salamanders,” he said “That really troubled me — it kept me awake at night." » Read the full story on the Detroit Free Press

Woodward Avenue Bike Lane OK’d

The cities of Ferndale and Pleasant Ridge are moving ahead with a plan to reduce Woodward Avenue two three lanes in both directions between 8 Mile Road and Interstate 696 to allow for the installation of bike lanes, news station WXYZ reported.

Both cities approved measures to apply for $2.5 million in grants to help pay for the $3.9 million project. » Read the full story on WXYZ.com.

Metro Detroit Headlines

• Tornado Drill Coming Up: The statewide drill at 1 p.m. Wednesday is designed to nudge Michiganders to review their severe weather preparation plans, via Detroit Patch.
• Clawson Teen Fatally Shot, Standoff Results: A 15-year-old teen died from injuries Monday after she was shot the day before by her stepfather, who barricaded himself in the house in an hourslong standoff with police, authorities said, via The Detroit News.
• Troy Arrest Reveals Long Record: Police said a 27-year-old woman pulled over in Troy had 32 unpaid tickets, 19 outstanding warrants and a concealed weapon, via The Oakland Press.

“We’ve been talking about it all year, and it took a mass shooting for America to wake up.”

— State Sen. Stephanie Chang, the first Asian American woman to be elected to the Michigan Legislature, at a rally in Detroit calling for an end to anti-Asian hatred, via WDIV.

SPORTS TALK: Black collegiate and professional golfers will be showcased at a new event, The John Shippen, as part of the PGA tour’s Rocket Mortgage Classic to be played in late June at Detroit Golf Course, the Detriot Free Press reports. At age 16 in 1896, he was the first American-born golf professional in the United States, and was also the country’s first Black professional golfer.

WEATHER IN A WORD: Gray.

LET’S MAKE PLANS: Artist Emmy Bright’s exhibit of work created during the pandemic, “Alone Together (Views from the Bottom of the Pool),” opens Tuesday at David Klein Gallery, 163 Townsend St., Birmingham. Social distancing will be enforced.

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