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Nonprofit garden organization Detroit Abloom loses everything in a fire

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Nonprofit garden organization Detroit Abloom loses everything in a fire


DETROIT (WXYZ) — A propane tank should never be used indoors, fire officials warn. Unfortunately, that may be what’s behind a fire at a nonprofit flower farm in Detroit, causing major damage and a loss of everything they were growing for the season.

“We lost over a thousand seedlings,” said Tom Milano, co-founder of Detroit Abloom. “Our potted plants got pulverized. All the shelving just desegregated.”

Detroit Abloom is an organization founded by Milano and his wife, Nancy. The group hosts a wellness garden for plant-based diets to help feed the community, along with using cut flower farming, the creation of native plants and sanctuary gardens to repurpose blighted land in the city of Detroit.

Tom Milano said everything just went up in flames after he lit a burner attached to a propane tank inside the organizations hoop house on the city’s east side. The burner, Tom Milano said, fell off the propane tank because the piece connecting it to the nose of the tank broke.

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I reached out to a fire marshal to confirm if the small tank was being used properly. I was told no and a propane tank should never be used indoors.

Detroit Abloom organizers said they were not aware of this and that they had been using the tanks for years to heat up the hoop house, so the seedlings could grow.

Along with the seedlings and plants that were destroyed in the fire, so was the hoop house’s plastic roofing.

Now the team is looking to rebuild, but the organization will need to raise money.

“We need to raise like $15,000 to get back to where we were before,” Tom Milano said.

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Neighbors who heard about the devastating fire stopped by the hoop house to help clean up.

When I asked them why they came out, their answer was simple: “They’re neighbors,” James Rhodes said. ‘And we help neighbors.”

Tom Milano, said they have never experienced this kind of devastation, but they are hoping the community will step in like Rhodes to help them rebuild.

“Detroit Abloom is all about learning how we can bloom from within,” Tom Milano said. “And as we bloom from within, the world blooms from without.”

To support Detroit Abloom in their rebuilding, visit their fundraising page.

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Detroit, MI

Murder charge filed in aftermath of altercation outside Detroit bar

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Murder charge filed in aftermath of altercation outside Detroit bar



Murder and two related charges have been filed against a Detroit man in the aftermath of an altercation that left one man dead and his brother seriously injured. 

Michael Alan Harris, 42, of Detroit was arraigned Tuesday in 36th District Court of Detroit on charges of first-degree murder, felony firearm and resisting and obstructing a police officer, Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy said. 

The charges are related to the fatal shooting of Jalen Coats Stevens, 28, of Detroit, Worthy said. Stevens was pronounced dead at the scene of an altercation early Sunday in the 15900 block of Grand River Avenue. 

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During the altercation, Stevens’ brother, Glenn, was stabbed over a dozen times but survived. He has been in the hospital since. Hundreds of people gathered for a vigil hosted by the Stevens family Tuesday night outside of Chita’s Nefertiti bar. The brothers were celebrating a work promotion for Jalen Saturday night before the altercation erupted. 

While it was known by Tuesday night that one person was in custody, the family asked the public and police to continue working on the investigation, as the person who had stabbed Glenn had not been located. 

In the meantime, Harris is scheduled for a probable cause conference Jan. 14, and a preliminary exam is set for Jan. 21. 


The above video originally aired Jan. 6.



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Detroit, MI

The first Detroit Lions OC candidate has emerged

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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.

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Popular Detroit sports columnist announces stage 4 cancer diagnosis

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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.

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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.

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