Detroit, MI

Jimmy Carter built houses with Habitat for Humanity in Detroit, Michigan | Letters

Published

1 year ago

December 30, 2024

Jimmy Carter built houses with Habitat for Humanity in Detroit, Michigan | Letters

President Jimmy Carter, who died on Dec. 29 at 100, leaves a legacy of compassion, humility, kindness, and peacemaking. While world leaders reflect on his greatness, we in Detroit had the privilege of working directly with him. We consider ourselves fortunate, as he profoundly impacted our lives.

During our tenure with Habitat for Humanity in Detroit, we oversaw and managed several Habitat Blitzes, where six to 20 homes were constructed in a week. Our dedicated team of staff, volunteers, donors, business executives, corporate volunteers and religious leaders came together with families to help them build and own homes, lifting them up in the process.

Many involved with Habitat for Humanity Detroit, including us, had volunteered with President Carter in different countries. He was well aware of the power of his name, and willingly offered it along with his volunteer service. As we recall, it was President Carter who suggested to Habitat International that the 2005 Habitat for Humanity build should take place in Michigan, specifically in Detroit, Benton Harbor and Windsor, Canada. He chose Benton Harbor because he had witnessed the civil unrest there and wanted to heal the divide by bringing people together to build homes for those in need. Detroit opted to build 30 homes in the Core City Neighborhood, a place chosen for its strong community involvement.

As is customary, we hosted a fundraising event to thank donors and welcome guests. The atmosphere was electric, but it was President Carter who set the tone. Despite having Secret Service agents around him, they were unobtrusive. He approached us with a handshake and introduced himself simply: “Hello, I’m Jimmy Carter.” He mingled with the guests, posed for photos, and when the program began, we had to adjust the schedule to accommodate local politicians who were in a hurry. In contrast, President Carter stayed until the end.

True to form, he explained to the audience that he was in Detroit, Benton Harbor and Windsor to volunteer. He and his team would be building homes, and if possible, he preferred not to be disturbed while working. Those of us who had traveled abroad with him knew the protocol and ensured it was followed.

Like all volunteers, President Carter began his day by holding hands with the family whose house he was building and then started hammering. Each house had a leader, sub-leaders and volunteers. His team was a mix of skilled carpenters and volunteers, many of whom had never held a hammer before. Since the build was spread across three locations, President Carter divided his time between Detroit, Benton Harbor and Windsor. While on-site, he worked alongside his team, including members of his family who mirrored his work ethic. Volunteers came from all over the world to participate in the Jimmy Carter Build, including the Armenian Patriarch of Jerusalem and several bishops. When his work was done, he visited each construction site, posing for pictures with volunteers who were thrilled to work alongside him.

President Carter was not an ordinary man or political leader — he was a servant leader who led by example. He was a man of deep conviction, dedicated to building a peaceful, healthy and safe world for all. As president, he was ahead of his time, but more importantly, he redefined what it means to be a humanitarian.

His accomplishments are too numerous to list, but for those of us fortunate enough to meet and work with him, we aspire to follow in his footsteps by serving and healing the world. He was a rare human being, a great American who will be deeply missed. More importantly, he will be remembered as a humble, honorable and powerful example of all that is great about America.

John E. Mogk

The writer is a former chairman of Habitat for Humanity Detroit Former HFHD Chairman

Terrry Ahwal

The writer is a former president of Habitat for Humanity Detroit Former HFHD Chairman

Rob Dewaelsche

The writer is a former executive director of Habitat for Humanity Detroit

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Detroit, MI

4Warn Weather Alert issued for Wednesday morning in Metro Detroit — What this means

Published

9 hours ago

March 11, 2026

Press Room

4Warn Weather Alert issued for Wednesday morning in Metro Detroit — What this means

A 4Warn Weather Alert has been issued for Wednesday morning in Metro Detroit following overnight thunderstorms.

A Flood Watch is in effect for most of Southeast Michigan through 2 p.m. on March 11, prompting a 4Warn Weather Alert as rounds of rain and storms move across the region during the morning commute and through midday.

Full forecast –> Wild weather: Heavy rain leading to flood concerns in Metro Detroit

What is a 4Warn Weather Alert?

We issue a 4Warn Weather Alert when we’re expecting weather conditions that will be inconvenient to our viewers.

Why did we issue an alert for Wednesday morning?

Early Wednesday morning, thunderstorms were rolling through Metro Detroit. While severe weather was a possibility overnight, most storms in Southeast Michigan remained below severe limits. Stronger storms developed across West Michigan earlier, and a Severe Thunderstorm Warning was issued for the Saginaw area.

Meanwhile, parts of the Thumb and Mid-Michigan are dealing with freezing rain and icy conditions, while Northern Michigan is under Ice Storm Warnings, including Alpena.

The biggest concern in Southeast Michigan Wednesday morning is heavy rainfall.

Several rounds of rain could produce localized flooding, especially in areas that typically collect water, such as low-lying neighborhoods, underpasses and roads with poor drainage.

A Flood Watch is in effect for most of Southeast Michigan through 2 p.m. Wednesday, March 11, 2026. (WDIV)

Flood safety tips

Drivers should be cautious of standing water on roadways. Even shallow water can hide hazards or stall vehicles Here is an important rule during flood events: Turn around, don’t drown.

Just a foot of moving water can sweep a vehicle away. Drivers should never attempt to cross flooded roadways and should seek alternate routes if water covers the road.

Just a foot of moving water can sweep a vehicle away. Drivers should never attempt to cross flooded roadways and should seek alternate routes if water covers the road. (WDIV)

Heavy rain can also lead to basement flooding in some homes. Residents are encouraged to check sump pumps, clear nearby drains if possible and monitor lower levels of their homes for water intrusion during prolonged rainfall.

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Detroit, MI

Detroit Lions Sign QB Teddy Bridgewater To Backup Jared Goff in 2026

Published

21 hours ago

March 10, 2026

Press Room

Detroit Lions Sign QB Teddy Bridgewater To Backup Jared Goff in 2026

The free agency tampering period has begun for the NFL, and the Detroit Lions are among the active teams acquiring players as they try to get back to the playoffs after they did not meet their own standard for last season.

On Monday, it was revealed that 2025 Lions backup quarterback Kyle Allen was heading to Buffalo, leaving another hole in the roster to fill. Nearly 24 hours later, that hole has been filled, as veteran quarterbackTeddy Bridgewater is heading back to Motown.

Bridgewater spent the 2023 season with Detroit, in what initially was going to be his final season in the league.

However, after coaching Miami Northwestern Senior High School to a state championship in Florida during the 2024 season, he announced he was planning to unretire, and Detroit picked him up for their push towards the top seed in the NFC.

Bridgewater then resigned as head coach at Miami Northwestern and signed with Tampa Bay to backup Baker Mayfield last season.

He appeared in four games last season, throwing 15 passes for the Buccaneers, which were his first NFL pass attempts since 2022.

Bridgewater is a safe option at backup quarterback in Detroit, as the former Rookie of the Year has had a steady career since entering the league with Minnesota out of Louisville in 2014.

Bridgewater returns to back up Jared Goff under new offensive coordinator Drew Petzing, as this is a situation where Detroit stuck with a player they knew. For Petzing, this is not the first time coaching Teddy Bridgewater, as he was an offensive assistant with Minnesota when they drafted Bridgewater in 2014.

A leg injury derailed his career after a Pro Bowl season in 2015, but he has started 37 games since the injury as a journeyman. Bridgewater left Minnesota and Drew Petzing and would overlap with Dan Campbell when the quarterback played for New Orleans in 2018 and 2019. In addition to Minnesota, New Orleans, Tampa Bay, and Detroit, Bridgewater has also played for Carolina, Denver, and Miami.

Detroit stuck with a safe and familiar option in Bridgewater, as a majority of their offense, alongside most of their offensive staff, have worked with the quarterback before. If Bridgewater is turned to in any situation, there will be full confidence in the Louisville product to make the right play.

NFL Draft Implications

This puts Detroit in a unique position when looking ahead towards the NFL Draft, as a popular mock draft pick for Detroit was taking a quarterback, with Cole Payton, Luke Altmyer, and Taylen Green all being among the names mentioned.

Bridgewater is an excellent mentor alongside Goff, but having three quarterbacks on the Lions roster after injury-riddled campaigns in the last two seasons may not be the wisest allocation of a roster spot.

For the time being, Detroit has their backup quarterback for the season, and there is not a better option than Bridgewater when it comes to familiarity and adaptability. While the former Pro Bowl quarterback has yet to throw a pass in Detroit, he has the familiairity and trust of the coaching staff to be a backup entering a pivotal year.

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Detroit, MI

Detroit ‘Sloppy Chops’ restaurateur\u00a0killed: What to know

Published

1 day ago

March 10, 2026

Press Room

$Detroit ‘Sloppy Chops’ restaurateur\u00a0killed: What to know$

Mourning continued and no suspects were in custody a week after the fatal shooting of Detroit restaurateur and nightlife figure Mikey “Mike B” Brown at the end of February.

Brown was the beloved figure behind the “Sloppy” brand of restaurants, and remembrances have been rolling in online since his death.

Here’s what to know:

Shooting outside cocktail bar

“Mike B” Brown, 51, and two others were shot about 4:30 a.m. Feb. 28 in the area of 15789 Schaefer, police previously said.

The two others were found in front of the location, and Brown was found across the street, police said.

Police have asked those with information on the shooting to come forward.

There were no suspects in custody and no further updates in the case as of Monday, March 9, according to a statement from the Detroit Police Department.

Updates on the conditions of the two other individuals shot were also not provided.

Who was Mikey ‘Mike B’ Brown?

Brown was a husband, a father of five and a restaurateur.

He opened Sloppy Chops Restaurant, a steakhouse, in 2020 on West McNichols off the Lodge Freeway and later opened a seafood restaurant called Sloppy Crab, which was renamed the Crab Sports Bar, on East Jefferson Avenue near the Renaissance Center. Brown previously had two clubs, as well.

His downtown dining spot served as an answer to questions on offerings for Black diners in the city’s renaissance. His other “Sloppy” location showcased successful reach beyond downtown and into the city’s neighborhoods. Brown was also a cultural figure in not only the world of dining, but in the nightlife, the Free Press reported.

When are funeral services for Mikey ‘Mike B’ Brown?

A family hour was set for 9 a.m. March 13 and a funeral was set for 10 a.m. March 13, both at Triumph Church –North Campus at 15600 J.L. Hudson Drive in Southfield.

What’s been the fallout since Mike ‘Mike B’ Brown’s death?

Outside of the community hurt, there’s also been calls for a crackdown on establishments that stay open into early morning hours in residential areas, ClickOnDetroit reports.

How to report tips on Mikey ‘Mike B’ Brown’s shooting

Those with information tied to the triple shooting can contact the Detroit Police Department’s homicide unit at 313-596-2260 or submit anonymous tips through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-Speak-Up or DetroitRewards.tv.

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