Eastbound I-696 to close between I-75 and Lahser for 2 years
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Science teacher heads to Finland for research 3A JANUARY 22, 2025 • Vol. 23, No. 2
Winter Blast to bring the heat with new events BY TAYLOR CHRISTENSEN tchristensen@candgnews.com
ROYAL OAK — Freezing temperatures are back, which means more fun activities in downtown Royal Oak to enjoy the weather. The annual Winter Blast event will be back Jan. 31 to Feb. 2 and will be full of fun winter activities for the whole family at Centennial Commons, near The Rink, 221 E. Third St. in Royal Oak. “The Winter Blast is one event in town that’s free admission, or one of the only major festivals out there now that are free admission,” Jon Witz, event producer said. “It just has a lot of value. It’s a time for people to get out of the house and embrace winter and just get moving again.” Kicking off the 2025 Winter Blast will be a special event that has never been seen before. The Royal Oak Police Department and the Royal Oak Fire Department are going to be competing in a game of broomball to raise money for two Royal Oak homeless shelters, Outreach on 7th and the Welcome Inn Day Center.
BY KATHRYN PENTIUK AND MIKE KOURY
kpentiuk@candgnews.com • mkoury@candgnews.com
OAKLAND COUNTY — On March 1, the third and final phase of the “Restore the Reuther” project will commence, as eastbound and westbound Interstate 696 between Lahser Road and Interstate 75 will be rebuilt in 2025-2026. In 2027, I-696 between I-75 and Dequindre Road will see improvements such as the rebuilding of the roadway, bridge work and drainage structures.
See I-696 on page 6A
See BLAST on page 14A File photo by Patricia O’Blenes
Ellie Huerta, 8, of Novi, takes a ride on the zip line during the 2024 Winter Blast. This year, the zip line will be hovering over Centennial Commons at 34 feet high, stretching 300 feet long.
Photo by Patricia O’Blenes
The last phase of the Michigan Department of Transportation’s “Restore the Reuther” project is slated to begin on March 1. Eastbound and westbound I-696 between Lahser Road and I-75 is set to be rebuilt in 2025-2026.
Adult ...................................$12 Senior .................................$11 Children (12 and Younger) FREE *Parking not included in Show Admission
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