Detroit, MI
Families welcome snow, cold, Elsa from ‘Frozen’ at Detroit Fire and Ice Festival
Detroit — After a snowfall that stuck, Detroiters took advantage of winter games and activities at the riverfront Sunday.
The Fire and Ice Festival at Robert Valade Park attracted families, especially those who are fans of the animated kids’ movie “Frozen.” Elsa, one of its main characters, visited the park Sunday afternoon.
Johnathan Schultz of Detroit, 45, was strolling his 6-month-old baby while his 4-year-old daughter Norah, who’s a “Frozen fanatic,” was blowing off steam with winter activities until she could meet Elsa.
“She was pretty hyped for it. … People are always complaining that it’s cold, I personally love the cold,” Schultz said.
“She didn’t want to sit in the ice throne. I think the ice throne was a little intimidating for her 4-year-old brain, but mom sat in the ice throne so we got a winning pic out of that.”
The Fire and Ice Festival was named after “A Song of Ice and Fire,” the book series that inspired “Game of Thrones.” The festival also featured ice sculpting, medieval strolling performers who held adventure quests for families, activities like inflatable ax throwing and sledding, live bands and items from local vendors.
Jodi Arka of Allen Park, 38, brought her 5-year-old twins, 8-year-old and 3-year-old to the festival. She wanted to get the kids out of the house during the winter season. They played inflatable basketball, throwing basketballs at multiple rims.
“We went to Atwater (Brewery), had lunch and then let them play the games in the park, check out the ice sculptures,” Arka said.
Roslyn Wiseman of Detroit, 53, was with her 3-year-old granddaughter and husband who she watched sled down a hill at the park. Her granddaughter and other girls were able to take pictures with Elsa.
“We wanted to bring the baby out so that she could sled, to get her in some participation in some cold weather fun,” Wiseman said. “I like to do things in the city, so when I see something pop up in the city we try to make it down.”
Darcie Burton of Detroit was cuddling up with her 8-month-old boy at a giant fireplace. Her 3-year-old daughter loves Elsa which was the selling point for making it out to Sunday’s event.
“We like that there’s snow on the ground,” Burton said. “We were a little bit bummed out that nobody was here a few weeks ago when it first snowed but now that it’s after the holidays, this is a great place to go.”
Until Feb. 23, parkgoers will find winter games, sledding, fireplaces, Fireside Fridays with karaoke and Self Care Sundays featuring mindfulness classes as part of Winter at Valade Park.
mjohnson@detroitnews.com
@_myeshajohnson
Detroit, MI
The first Detroit Lions OC candidate has emerged
Blough is only two years into his coaching career after retiring from playing after the 2023 season. He has spent the last two seasons as the Washington Commanders’ assistant quarterbacks coach, helping young quarterback Jayden Daniels emerge as a strong franchise player for Washington. Late in the 2025 season, Commanders quarterbacks coach Tavita Pritchard took the Stanford head coaching job, leaving Blough to serve as the interim quarterbacks coach for the rest of the season.
While backing up Jared Goff in Detroit, Blough was often described by the coaching staff as an excellent backup and strong offensive mind.
“I love the kid, if I’m being totally honest with you,” Campbell said back in 2021. “He’s just a little football player. And when I say that, I mean that in the highest regard. Look, he’s smart. He’s extremely smart. He knows where to go with the football, I love his timing. He knows how to command the huddle, he communicates well and on top of that, he’s a hell of a dude, by the way. He just is. So, he has not disappointed. He’s doing a good job. He’s out there competing with the rest of those guys.”
As of now, this is the only known candidate for the Lions’ offensive coordinator position, but it’s still early in the process. When more candidates emerge, we’ll have a tracker so you can see all of the names in one place.
Detroit, MI
Popular Detroit sports columnist announces stage 4 cancer diagnosis
Longtime Detroit sports radio host and columnist Pat Caputo has been diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer, he announced Monday.
Caputo, a host on Detroit’s 97.1 The Ticket, last published a column on Nov. 7. On Monday, he explained the reason behind his absence.
“For those wondering where I’ve been: I have been diagnosed with Stage 4 pancreatic cancer, commonly referred to as a “death sentence” and had two other serious ailments which put me in ICU for several days,” Caputo wrote in a post to X. “It was sudden. I’ve literally been on my back for weeks. Bless you all.”
Caputo, 66, became a well-known personality in Detroit sports media during his time as an award-winning columnist for The Oakland Press from 1983-2020, according to the Detroit Free Press. He also was previously part of WXYT’s “Evening Sports” broadcast, and is an official voter for the Baseball Hall of Fame and college football’s Heisman Trophy award, according to his X bio.
Caputo is nicknamed “The Book” for his impressive memory retaining sports stats and information, according to FOX 2 in Detroit, where he has been a regular guest on its “Sports Works” broadcast.
Caputo’s social media announcement regarding his health drew support from fellow sports media professionals, including Brad Galli, sports director at WXYZ Detroit, and ESPN’s Dan Wetzel and Dave Pasch.
“Pat, we’re praying for [you],” Galli wrote. “Awful awful awful to read this, man. God bless you.”
“Legend. Stay strong my friend. So much support out here for you,” Wetzel posted.
“Book, praying for you my friend. So sorry to hear this,” Pasch wrote.
Detroit, MI
Murder trial starts this week in death of Detroit neurosurgeon Devon Hoover
DETROIT (WXYZ) — Desmond Burks’ murder trial starts this week. On Monday, he attended his pre-trial hearing. Burks faces first-degree murder, felony murder and larceny charges in the death of Dr. Devon Hoover.
The prominent Detroit neurosurgeon was found dead in his attic in April 2023 after Detroit police performed a wellness check. Investigators said he had been shot twice in the head and his body was wrapped in a blood-soaked carpet.
Watch Darren Cunningham’s video report below:
Trial set to begin in Dr. Devon Hoover murder case
At the pre-trial, Judge Paul Cusick set the tone for how he expects the trial to go. It could last several weeks, according to court administration.
“Obviously, there’s always been respect shown to this court by the defendant and attorneys in this case, and all of the witnesses need to show the respect that is going to be required. There will be no outburst from any witnesses or anyone else during the proceedings,” the judge said.
Cusick discussed scheduling for the trial, starting with jury selection Wednesday and outlined restrictions for news media.
“Media is prohibited from showing and/or publishing the faces of any civilian witnesses not employed by the government,” he read.
WXYZ
Those same restrictions were in place during the preliminary hearing.
At the prelim, a number of people testified that they were former lovers of Desmond Burks.
Those men and women described Burks as a hustler and said he would send them money from an unknown Cash App and then have them send the money back to his Cash App.
Watch our coverage of the third day of the preliminary hearing below:
Day 3 concludes in Desmond Burks’ preliminary hearing in murder of Dr. Devon Hoover
Burks is accused of stealing more than $30,000 from Hoover via credit card and fraudulent bank transactions, and Burks allegedly used other people to execute his plan.
Investigators said text messages revealed Burks had an intimate relationship with Hoover and was sometimes paid for sexual services.
Watch our coverage of the second day of the preliminary hearing below:
Mystery backpack focus of testimony during day 2 of Hoover preliminary hearing
Testimony from the prelim also revealed that authorities zeroed in on Burks, in part, through cellphone records and surveillance footage involving Hoover’s stolen truck.
During the trial, we may hear from a close relative of Burks who identified him in surveillance footage during the prelim. The footage allegedly shows Burks walking away from Hoover’s stolen vehicle.
Watch our coverage of the first day of the preliminary hearing below:
Preliminary hearing begins for man charged with killing Dr. Devon Hoover
The jury selection process is scheduled to start at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday.
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