A Huntington Woods public works employee was recently killed while clearing storm debris from a road after high winds ripped through Metro Detroit.

See the full story in the video below

Doug Chmiel was a supervisor with the City of Huntington Woods Department of Public Works. He had been with the department for four years.

According to the Huntington Woods Department of Public Safety, Chmiel died after being hit by a fallen tree limb.

7 News Detroit Reporter Tiarra Braddock sat down with Michael Taylor, Chmiel's brother-in-law, who described him as the kind of person who brought everyone together.

"Doug was glue that held everybody together. He was very charismatic, always making sure everybody had a good time," Taylor said.

Taylor said he has known Chmiel most of his life.

"He's been my big brother since they started dating. I was about 11 or 12," Taylor said.

Taylor remembered Chmiel as a devoted family man and a faithful member of his community.

"A good husband to my sister, he was an active church member in his Faith Covenant Church in Farmington Hills," Taylor said.

Before his career in public works, Chmiel served in the military. Taylor shared details about his brother-in-law's service.

"He was actually in Operation Enduring Freedom in 2000/2004. He served six years in the Michigan Army National Guard and he was deployed over there. He was an artillery man," Taylor said.

Taylor was with his sister when the family received the devastating news.

"I was with my sister when they told us that he was not going to live," Taylor said.

Chmiel is survived by his wife, Dawn, and their three children 12-year-old Penny, 9-year-old Ellie, and 7-year-old Griffin.

"His kids loved him and they still do and they still want to see him and they're still asking for him sometimes," Taylor said.

A GoFundMe has been set up to help cover Chmiel's funeral costs and other expenses.

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A massive tree fell onto a home on Delaware Street near Five Mile and Beech Daily in Redford Township during high winds, leaving a couple displaced.

Watch Tiarra's report below

A tree crashed into a Redford Township home during high winds, displacing a couple

Tiffany Baker was at work when the tree came down on the home she and her husband were renting. Her husband was inside at the time.

"He was in the living room, and he said that the walls started looking like they were caving in and had like what's going on," Baker said.

Baker's husband and the couple's two dogs were able to safely make it out of the house. The damage extended beyond the structure itself.

"Even our car was demolished in there too; it went all the way over the house into the driveway," Baker said.

The city condemned the home, preventing the couple from retrieving their belongings.

"Now we have to buy everything new, the city deemed the house condemned and they won't let us in to get anything out. We literally had the clothes on our backs at the time. They were able to get us a few things that they saw that they thought were important," Baker said.

Baker and her husband are currently staying with a friend while they figure out their living situation.

"It just sucks not having somewhere to go that is home," Baker said.

Baker described the experience as surreal.

"It's still kind of like shocking, we both kinds of feel like we're going to wake up and it's not going to be real," Baker said.

A longtime friend set up a GoFundMe to help the couple cover costs not included in their renter's insurance.

"We're so so so thankful to everybody that has donated and is reaching out and donating to us personally and not even through there. It's just amazing to see how many people are in our corner and want to help," Baker said.

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Members of Temple Israel gathered Friday evening at Shenandoah Country Club in West Bloomfield Township for Shabbat service, supporting one another after an attack on their place of worship.

This comes as the FBI released new details about the suspect and the events leading up to the incident.

Watch the video report below: Temple Israel congregation gathers for Shabbat, FBI reveals new details about attack

Rabbi Jennifer Kaluzny reflected on the outcome of the attack during the service.

"Every staff member, security officer and teacher survived. Every parent was reunited with their child. Everyone went home with their family. We survived," Kaluzny said.

Kaluzny praised the security guards who confronted the attacker and stopped him from getting further into the building. One guard was injured in the attack after being hit by the suspect's vehicle.

"Even after he was injured, he got himself somehow to the ECC school door to warn them not to come into the hallway," Kaluzny said.

Related video: Rabbi opens synagogue doors to all after attack on Temple Israel Neighboring synagogue embraces community

Rabbi Paul Yedwab also addressed the congregation.

"We are Temple Israel," Yedwab said.

Related video: What we're learning about the suspect in the attack on Temple Israel What we're learning about the suspect in the attack on Temple Israel

On Friday afternoon, the FBI and other law enforcement agencies shared more details about the events leading up to the attack. FBI Detroit Field Office Special Agent in Charge Jennifer Runyan said suspect Ayman Ghazali spent about two hours in the Temple Israel parking lot before crashing into the building.

"At approximately 12:19 pm, Ghazali drives his vehicle into Door 5 on the southeast corner of the building," Runyan said.

Watch the full news conference below: RAW VIDEO: Law enforcement holds a news conference updating Temple Israel Attack

Runyan said Ghazali hit a security guard as he rammed his truck into the building. The suspect then engaged in a gunfight with security guards.

"Soon after, his engine compartment catches on fire, and at some point during the gunfight, Ghazali suffers a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head," Runyan said.

The FBI said fireworks were found in Ghazali's truck. Phantom Fireworks said video shows Ghazali at their Livonia location on Tuesday, making two trips for fireworks and spending more than $2,000. The company said he only purchased consumer-grade fireworks, which are less explosive than professional grade pyrotechnics.

Watch the video from Phantom Fireworks below: Video shows suspect buying fireworks before attack at Temple Israel

As the investigation continues, members of Temple Israel say they are thankful they survived the attack.

"In some way, just being here tonight is a sign of survival, of defiance, but tradition teaches us that's not enough. It is incumbent upon us to respond aloud and say this prayer. Why? Because we survived it together as one community," Kaluzny said.

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Residents in Walled Lake and parts of Novi have been without water since a massive water main break early Saturday morning, while crews from the Great Lakes Water Authority work around the clock to restore service.

Watch Tiarra's report below

Massive water main break in Farmington Hills leaves Novi and Walled Lake residents without water

The break occurred at 4:30 a.m. Saturday on 14 Mile near Verona Road in Farmington Hills, between Drake and Farmington roads. A 48-inch pipe burst, sending water gushing into the street and turning the roadway into what looked like a river.

Cars were stranded, and some drivers had to be rescued from the floodwater.

The City of Novi said on Sunday morning that the Boil Water Advisory is still in effect as repairs continue. Drinkable water is available until 1 p.m. today at the following locations:

Department of Public Works (26300 Lee BeGole Drive) Village Oaks Elementary School (23333 Willowbrook)

Residents are asked to bring their own containers for the water.

"If you walked this area here, you can feel the thunder, the vibration from the water going down. It's a massive, you and I could walk inside that pipe," a Farmington Hills resident said.

"I've never seen anything like it," Barry Kaufman, a Farmington Hill resident said.

Water was shut off for residents in the immediate area but was turned back on within a few hours. There is no boil water advisory in place for Farmington Hills residents.

Residents in Farmington Hills, West Bloomfield, and Commerce Township are not under a boil water advisory but are being asked to conserve water.

Some Novi residents stopped by the city's Department of Public Works to pick up drinkable water.

"We just grab a few bottles to fill up to help us wash up after dinner tonight, flush the toilets, and have some drinking water to try to get through this," Jenifer Lampi of Novi said.

When asked if she was prepared for the long haul, Lampi was direct.

"No, gosh, I hope not," Lampi said.

She added that she was hopeful service would be restored soon.

"I hope it's on tomorrow or something, or at least in the near future, otherwise we'll be right back here," Lampi said.

Another Novi resident, Anna Takahachi, said she was caught off guard by the outage.

"You never expect it, that's why it's a problem, you never know when it can happen," Takahachi said.

Suzanne Coffey, CEO of the Great Lakes Water Authority, said the exact cause of the break is still under investigation, but offered a possible explanation.

"It appears a power disruption at one of our pumping stations was the initial event that created a high-pressure transient wave that ran through the water transmission system," Coffey said.

Coffey said GLWA hopes to restore water to Novi and Walled Lake residents as soon as possible. She added that the authority is looking to replace aging pipes in the water system to prevent future breaks.

"It's about a billion dollars of pipe that's already past its useful life, and to keep up with the assets aging will cost us about $75 million dollars a year. We did put $7 1/2 million in our budget this year to begin to work toward that target of trying to keep steady, tread water if you will," Coffey said.

For residents who are under a boil water advisory, GLWA officials note that freezing water does not disinfect it. Water must be boiled.

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Ann Arbor residents and drivers can expect to see significantly more construction activity this year after city council approved a $21.6 million plan for road repairs and utility upgrades across the city.

The funding will be used to improve neighborhood roads and major streets, upgrade sidewalks, replace aging water mains, reconstruct the East Huron River Drive retaining wall between Chalmers Drive and Riverside Drive and reconstruct the roadway.

Watch the video report below: Ann Arbor approves $21.6 million plan for road repairs and utility upgrades

City Administrator Milton Dohoney Jr. said the money was drawn from state grants, taxpayer dollars and the city's general fund.

"We're looking forward to spending it all over the community for the benefit of the residents," Dohoney said.

One of the major projects included in the plan is a $2.5 million upgrade to Packard Street from South Main Street to South State Street. The work will include ADA-compliant sidewalk ramp upgrades and the installation of a new 12-inch water main.

Hear more from the city administrator below: Ann Arbor City Administrator Milton Dohoney Jr. talks about construction plans

"We have infrastructure needs. So things underground that need to be replaced, we have water mains that need to be replaced, we have a lot of surfacing needs," Dohoney said.

Ann Arbor resident Tom Woods said he welcomes the improvements to the busy corridor.

"Packard is a major thoroughfare how you cut across Ann Arbor, so it's good that they're improving it," Woods said.

Not everyone is eager for more disruption. Erik Kissel, the owner of Blue Front, a business located at Packard and South State Street, said the area has seen repeated construction in recent years.

"Three years ago, they ripped up the whole five-way intersection. Then after that, it's been this building or a water main. It's always construction here, so I just can't wait for it to be done," Kissel said.

Additional work included in the plan covers improvements to Ann Street from North First Street to North Fifth Avenue. Construction is also planned in the Bryant Pattengill East neighborhood, where crews will replace aging public water mains and completely resurface Needham Road from Medford Road to Manchester Road.

Neighborhood resident Dave Wible said the work is long overdue.

"The pipes are getting older. It's time for that to be fixed, and it'll be nice to have a nice smooth street," Wible said.

Information about construction timelines and detours for the projects is expected to be released in the coming weeks.

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The U.S. and Israel military strikes are hitting close to home for many Metro Detroiters.

Watch Tiarra's report below

Metro Detroit's Arab and Jewish communities react to escalating Middle East conflict with Iran

Nazi Shokoohi, a Wayne resident originally from Iran, said the strikes brought a complicated mix of feelings.

"It was a very emotional day, not only for me but also for many Iranians around the world. It's a mix of happiness, hope, and concern," Shokoohi said.

Shokoohi said she hopes the U.S. and Israel's strikes on Iran will lead to new leadership being implemented in the country.

"We think our voice is heard, and Mr. President Donald Trump, he helps us," Shokoohi said.

Jason Issacson from the American-Jewish Committee shared similar thoughts.

"War is hell, but what was the alternative? The alternative was a continuation of a regime that threatens the region, that oppressed its people," Issacson said.

Imam M.A. Elahi, co-chair of the Imams Council of Michigan, condemned the strikes, saying innocent Iranians are losing their lives.

"They are saying that, 'well, we are targeting the military bases', but we saw that so many schools were attacked," Elahi said.

Elahi also called for an end to the fighting.

"We are also calling for an immediate ceasefire stop this fire, we don't want anybody to be hurt," Elahi said.

I also spoke with Peter Trumbore, a professor and chair of political science at Oakland University, about the potential economic impact of the conflict.

"The more significant and the broader the conflict becomes, I think the greater the impact is going to be," Trumbore said.

Trumbore said the conflict could have a direct impact on gas prices. The concern centers around the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway controlled by Iran. Any disruption to shipping through the strait could tighten global oil supplies.

"I think we will wake up Monday morning and see that gasoline prices have skyrocketed and that the prices of oil have skyrocketed. If Iran, we've seen this in the past, right? Anytime there's been significant conflict in the Middle East, oil prices spike," Trumbore said.

Trumbore added that the world will now have to wait and see what the larger fallout from the conflict will be.

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As bitterly cold temperatures grip southeast Michigan, the Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation is deploying warming buses across Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb counties to help protect vulnerable community members from dangerous weather conditions.

I visited one of the mobile warming centers near Macomb Mall in Roseville, where the SMART bus remained stationary to serve as a refuge for anyone needing to escape the freezing temperatures.

Watch Tiarra's report below

SMART provides warming buses across metro Detroit during extreme cold

"I think that's nice," said Sheila, a woman waiting for her regular bus near the mall. "It was very freezing cold, very freezing, very freezing cold."

The warming buses operate free of charge from Saturday, Feb. 7-Sunday, Feb. 8, running during two shifts: 5 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. The mobile warming centers are stationed at various locations throughout metro Detroit, including:

Phoenix Center in Pontiac Southland Center in Taylor, 23000 Eureka Rd, Taylor, MI 48180 Fairlane Mall in Dearborn, 18900 Michigan Ave, Dearborn, MI 48126 Old Redford Meijer in Detroit, 21433 Grand River Ave, Detroit, MI 48219 Mack Avenue and Moross Road Greenfield and Joy roads (DDOT may be moved around based on usage) Macomb Mall,  32233 Gratiot Ave, Roseville, MI 48066

"This is something that is important to us; safety is a cornerstone," said Bernard Parker, chief marketing officer at SMART.

Parker explained the reasoning behind the warming bus program during our conversation aboard one of the mobile units.

"Michigan has had, I would say, this year alone, probably unprecedented temperatures below 20, and we want to do something for the greater good," Parker said.

The warming buses also attract community organizations looking to help those in need. Gail Marlow from Motor City Mitten Mission visited the different warming bus locations to distribute food, blankets, bus passes and other essential items.

"It's so important to have the buses because it's become quite the respite center for people who are struggling with homelessness and don't have any place to go to," Marlow said.

Parker emphasized the meaningful impact of the program on the community.

"To be able to help folk is a blessing," Parker said.

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Former residents of the Leland House apartment building in downtown Detroit remain unable to retrieve their belongings more than two months after being forced to evacuate due to safety concerns.

Residents were ordered to leave the building in December following a major power outage that damaged the building's electrical equipment. The building has since been deemed too dangerous to enter, leaving dozens of former tenants without access to their personal items, medications and sentimental belongings.

Watch Tiarra Braddock's video report below: Former Leland House residents waiting to retrieve belongings months after sudden evacuation

"I simply want my belongings returned to me," said Anthony Howard, who lived at Leland House for 15 years.

Howard and other residents have been staying in hotels since the December evacuation. He said important items remain in his apartment, including his TV and computer equipment.

"There's a fair amount of medications, insulin and other expensive medications," Howard said.

Former resident Wendy Gill said she left behind irreplaceable sentimental items.

"My pictures, my gemstones, they are very close to me. All my stuff I have to have for my family," Gill said.

The Detroit fire marshal said allowing residents back into the building would create a liability issue since the building lacks working fire protection systems. The owners of Leland House filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in November, further complicating the situation.

On Wednesday, a federal judge in U.S. Bankruptcy Court gave the Leland House Tenant's Union, the city, building owners and DTE until Feb. 24 to develop a plan for retrieving former tenants' belongings.

Previous coverage: Power outage forces dozens from Detroit's Leland House after weeks of uncertainty Power outage forces dozens from Detroit's Leland House after weeks of uncertainty

"We want what the tenants want. We want them able to get their property," said Conrad Mallett, corporation counsel for the city of Detroit.

Mallet said the city has presented one potential solution to residents.

"The fire marshal said he would allow professionals who could operate in that circumstance who has insurance to go through and remove their property," Mallett said.

Previous coverage: Judge orders DTE to keep power on at troubled Detroit apartment complex Relief for tenants amid bankruptcy

"When I left the building the day that the power went out, I didn't know I wasn't coming back there," Howard said.

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Community members packed a Washtenaw County town hall Thursday night as Sheriff Alyshia Dyer addressed immigration enforcement and residents' rights.

"There's kids that can't go to school because they're scared and parents who are terrified to put their kids on the bus," said Evette Dziedzic, an Ypsilanti resident who attended with her 7-year-old daughter.

Watch Tiarra Braddock's video report below: Washtenaw County sheriff hosts town hall on immigration enforcement Tiarra Braddock is 7 News Detroit's Washtenaw County beat reporter. If you have a story idea for her, email her at Tiarra.Braddock@wxyz.com

Dziedzic said her daughter has been affected by news coverage of Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Minneapolis and other areas.

"We were at her therapist office and there was a guy that came in just with warm weather gear and she got scared and she's like 'it's ICE, it's ICE,' and it was just a patient that was coming in from the cold," Dziedzic said.

During the town hall, Dyer explained residents' rights when dealing with ICE agents.

"Opening a door can imply consent, so the advice is if you see ICE do not open the door unless you consent to them coming in. And if they have a warrant, you can ask to have them slide it under the door," Dyer said.

Ramiro Martinez, co-founder of the Washtenaw County-based organization Movement for Immigration Rights Action, attended the town hall and shared his own experience with ICE enforcement from last April.

"I was telling them that they got the wrong person they just ignored me," Martinez said.

State Rep. Carrie Rheingans was among the local leaders and state and federal representatives who attended the packed town hall.

"In our office, we've introduced bills to protect people's rights of due process and bills to protect rights against unlawful searches and seizures," Rheingans said.

However, not everyone supported the sheriff's approach. Brian Szmytke from the Oakland County Republican Party criticized Dyer's town hall. In a statement to 7 News Detroit, he said:

As a law-enforcement official, Sheriff Dyer has a responsibility to her badge and to the public to act with integrity and to respect the enforcement of laws that have been on the books for years. Disparaging or undermining lawful federal action from a position of authority, as she did tonight at her town hall, does not educate the public - it misleads them. Unfortunately, Sheriff Dyer has a recent history of stoking unfounded fears about ICE and federal law enforcement. When dangerous messaging comes from elected or sworn officials like the Sheriff, the damage caused is often irreparable in the short term. Sheriff Dyer should either do her job and cooperate with federal authorities or resign so someone that will can take her place.

Dyer said her goal for the town hall was to inform residents about their rights and ensure they know what resources are available to them.

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Senior citizens living in the 21-story Washington Boulevard Apartments are struggling to navigate their daily lives after elevators broke down following a water main break on Friday.

Watch Tiarra's report below

Detroit apartment elevators down after water main break, seniors struggle with stairs

"Basically, everyone is stranded in their apartments," said Ronda Peete, a resident at Washington Boulevard Apartments.

Peete says she was in one of the elevators when the water main pipe broke.

"I went to the 21st floor to wash, and when I put my clothes in and got back on the elevator, the elevator started going like this. So finally it went down to the first floor, so when it got to the first floor, it opened up and water just gushed in," Peete said.

The building has two stairwells, but one remains closed after it was flooded with water, leaving residents with only one way to reach their apartments.

Barbara Williamson, another resident, expressed concern about the health risks the situation poses for elderly tenants.

"I have a heart condition all kinds of issue,s and those elevators are very important to us," Williamson said.

Robert Barry, who lives on the 15th floor, worries about emergency situations and how first responders would reach residents in need.

"If I pass out there and I call 911 and then I call Ronda, Ronda might make it up the stairs, but when that paramedic guy, he's got to get buzzed in, he's got to find a stairway to get, and I may not make it," Barry said.

Jim Harrigan, executive vice president of Independent Management Services, which helps manage the building, said repairs are underway.

We hope to get the elevators up and running by early next week, potentially as early as Monday," Harrigan said.

While residents wait for the elevators to be restored, Detroit city officials are working with building management to provide assistance. The city is helping deliver food and other essential services to residents who cannot navigate the stairs.

"What we found out is they have some concerns regarding the heat, they had some concerns about not having food because they weren't able to go back and forth down the stairs, so I contacted our resources, and we're able to provide them with food and other services," said Anquenetta Jones, senior advocate for the City of Detroit.

Peete emphasized the urgent need for help as residents continue to face these challenging conditions.

"We all need some type of help," Peete said.

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Some metro Detroit businesses chose to remain open during Friday's anti-ICE protests, offering what they described as safe spaces for their communities while others closed their doors in solidarity with the demonstrations.

Organizers of the protests called for people to skip work and school, and for businesses to shut down for the day.

Watch Tiarra Braddock's video report below: Metro Detroit businesses split on staying open during anti-ICE protest

Mark Maynard, co-owner of Bellflower restaurant in Ypsilanti, decided to keep his doors open.

"We struggled with it. Our first impulse was to close because a lot of other people we respected were closing and then we thought about it and thought what we do is cook and we take care of people," Maynard said.

The Pearl Street restaurant offered a "pay what you can" model for the day to encourage community participation.

"We thought people might need a place to come, so we though let's do it differently. We have pay what you can today, so we try to get as many people from the community to come in," Maynard said.

In Ann Arbor, the Michigan Theater remained open, screening "Resurgo," a documentary about Detroit's resilience that touches on the 1960s riots in the city.

Stephen McGee, the documentary's filmmaker, explained his decision to continue the screening.

"We were aware that the businesses were going to shut down and we wanted to respect that. At the same time, my film is what I think America needs right now. What I've seen in the past 20 years in Detroit makes me still believe in our country," McGee said.

Molly Rowan, the CEO of the Michigan and State Theaters, emphasized the venue's role as a community gathering place.

"I think the arts provided a safe space for multiple factions of the community and this is a beautiful 100-year-old building it's a cultural landmark, people know it and we're more than just a movie theater, we are a place of connection," Rowan said.

Michigan Republican Party Co-chair Sunny Reddy weighed in on the protests, expressing support for peaceful demonstration while defending ICE operations.

"So I strongly support peaceful protest. There's no question about it. But at the same time, let the ICE do their job. They're not targeting. I don't see they're targeting any individual or any individual race," Reddy said.

Meanwhile, Mark Maynard emphasized his restaurant's mission to bring the community together during challenging times.

"It's good to have a place in the community where people can meet and talk," Maynard said.

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Detroit Public Schools Community District Superintendent Nikolai Vitti highlighted student attendance as the district's greatest challenge during his State of the Schools address Thursday, citing recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity as a factor deterring some students from attending classes.

"If I had to start to list some of our greatest challenges, it would be student attendance," Vitti said.

Watch Tiarra Braddock's video report below: Detroit schools superintendent addresses chronic absenteeism amid ICE activity concerns

The superintendent emphasized the critical connection between attendance and academic success, noting that students who miss 18 or fewer days are significantly more likely to perform well academically.

"When our students miss 18 or fewer days, they are three to five times more likely to be at or above grade level at MSTEP and to be college ready on the SAT," Vitti said.

Related video: Sheriff clarifies post after talking to ICE regarding Ypsi bus stop reports Sheriff clarifies post after talking to ICE regarding Ypsi bus stop reports

Recent immigration enforcement activity in Detroit has created additional barriers to school attendance, according to Vitti. Families are becoming increasingly cautious about their daily routines, including walking children to school.

"I know that families are second guessing walking their children to school, thinking about when they leave, monitoring the neighborhoods absolutely, it is impacting student attendance," Vitti said.

The concerns are resonating with parents throughout the district. Aliya Moore, whose daughter attends Detroit public schools and who grew up in southwest Detroit, expressed heartbreak over the current situation affecting students.

"I just can't possibly imagine one of my classmates being scared or being fearful for their family and themselves," Moore said.

To address chronic absenteeism, the district has established resource centers to support families. Parent Melinda Mo'Nae Rawls praised these efforts as beneficial for both parents and students.

"Since he is providing a lot of resources to help these parents, that also helps engage the children and also encourage them to come to school and be the best that they can be," Rawls said.

This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.

Despite bitter cold temperatures forcing event cancellations across metro Detroit, the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy's Fire and Ice Festival continued in full force at Robert C. Valade Park on Saturday.

Watch Tiarra's story in the video player below

Detroit's Fire and Ice Festival draws crowds despite freezing temperatures

Bundled-up visitors braved the freezing weather to enjoy ice sculptures, sledding, and warming stations at the riverfront festival. The combination of fire and ice elements motivated people to venture out despite the harsh conditions.

"It's like very, very cold," said Ava, one of the festival attendees.

Jared Hocker, another visitor, advised future attendees to come prepared. "It's definitely cold, layer up if you come out here, hat, gloves, everything," Hocker said.

Personal Wilson described the cold as "like a knife cutting through you," but that didn't stop her from bringing her grandchildren to see the ice sculptures and go sledding.

"It's very cold but we love it, I've been born and raised in Michigan so I'm use to it," Wilson said.

William Walker echoed similar sentiments about embracing Michigan winters. "I was also born and raised in Michigan, also have a winter birthday so I'm use to the cold and I really like it out here," Walker said.

The festival even attracted visitors from warmer climates. Paola Martinez and Christian Lugo traveled from Miami to attend the event as part of a birthday celebration that included the Ford factory tour and auto show.

"We're here for my son's 21st birthday, we came for the Ford factory tour and also to the auto show," Martinez said.

Lugo appreciated the dramatic change of scenery. "It's a great change of scenery, you know we never get to see snow, so it's good to have a change in life," Lugo said.

While many events across the metro Detroit area were canceled due to the extreme cold, Rachel Frierson, CEO of the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy, said her team was determined to keep the festival running.

"We wanted to make sure we had an opportunity for people to both stay warm and enjoy, Frierson said. "This is a really lonely time a year so we wanted to kind of have these exciting moments."

For many attendees, the harsh weather was simply part of the authentic winter experience.

"It's really kind of what winter is all about, it's a good thing about living in the area like this, you get to experience all four seasons," Hocker said.

The Fire and Ice Festival continues through Sunday until 6 p.m. at Robert C. Valade Park on Detroit's riverfront.

This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.