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The Barry-Eaton Health Department warns the public of a potential measles alert due to exposure linked to two mid-April dining locations, as a case investigation is underway.

Measles Alert Exposure Warning in Michigan Prompts Call for Public Action

LANSING, MI – The Barry-Eaton District Health Department (BEDHD) is urgently investigating a possible measles case in an Eaton County resident, issuing a public alert on April 18 to notify individuals who may have been exposed at two separate restaurants.

With test results pending, BEDHD Medical Director Dr. Julie Kehdi emphasized the importance of rapid public communication and preventive steps, particularly as measles is highly contagious, even before symptoms appear.

“We are acting out of an abundance of caution to notify the public as quickly as possible,” said Dr. Kehdi. “Measles spreads easily and can have serious health consequences, especially for children and people with weakened immune systems.”

Potential Measles Exposure Sites Identified Across Two Counties

Anyone who visited the following locations during the specified time windows may have been exposed:

These sites span Eaton and Oakland counties, signaling a possible spread risk across different parts of the state. Patrons present during those periods are advised to assess their measles vaccination status and take immediate action if they are unvaccinated or unsure.

Measles Symptoms and Timeline: What to Watch For

Measles symptoms can begin 7 to 14 days after exposure and may include:

People are considered contagious four days before and four days after the appearance of the rash, which makes early detection and self-isolation essential.

Those exposed should monitor symptoms for 21 days from the exposure date. If symptoms arise, individuals are urged to call their local health department or healthcare provider. If seeking care, calling ahead is advised to avoid exposing others in waiting rooms or clinics.

Post-Exposure Treatment Still Possible Within 6 Days

For individuals exposed on April 13, post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is available until Saturday, April 19. PEP options may include MMR vaccination or immune globulin, depending on age and health status. Early intervention can prevent or reduce the severity of illness.

Those unsure of their vaccination history should contact their healthcare provider, pharmacy, or local health department for evaluation. Michigan residents can check their records via the MDHHS Measles Information Page.

Michigan Measles Risk Remains Due to Gaps in Vaccination Coverage

Although measles is vaccine-preventable, outbreaks still occur, largely due to declines in vaccination rates. According to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, MMR vaccine coverage among kindergartners dropped to 88.5% in 2023, below the 95% threshold needed for herd immunity.

The rise in vaccine hesitancy and medical misinformation has been a contributing factor. Health experts continue to stress that the two-dose MMR vaccine is 97% effective and remains the best defense against the disease.

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Dear Neighbor,

As you may have already seen from yesterday’s announcement by state and local health officials, there has been a confirmed case of measles in Ingham County — the first in the community since 1994.

Find additional information and resources below to help you and your loved ones stay safe, including potential exposure sites, measles symptoms, and where to get vaccinated.

Measles is a highly contagious disease that spreads via direct person-to-person contact and through the air. It’s also preventable through vaccination. As shared by the Michigan Dept. of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) and Ingham County Health Dept. (ICHD), those who are 1-years of age and older who have not yet received the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine are strongly encouraged to do so as quickly as possible in order to protect themselves and others.

Take care,

Sam SinghState SenatorDistrict 28

The below information has been provided by the Ingham County Health Dept.

Potential Exposure Sites

ICHD is working to identify and notify individuals with a confirmed exposure. Individuals who visited the following locations on the specified dates and times may have been exposed to measles

April 4th

April 5th

April 6th

April 8th

Recommendations for Exposed Individuals

If you were potentially exposed, monitor for symptoms for 21 days from the date of exposure. If

symptoms develop, contact your health care provider immediately. Individuals born in or before 1957 are generally considered immune.

Measles Symptoms

Symptoms usually appear 7–14 days after exposure but may take up to 21 days. Symptoms can include:

Measles can remain in the air for up to two hours after an infected person coughs or sneezes. Awareness and timely vaccination are key to preventing further spread. If you have not received a second dose or if you are unsure of your vaccination status, we encourage you to contact your health care provider. If you or someone you know may have been exposed or is experiencing symptoms like a high fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes, or a rash, please contact your health care provider right away.

Vaccine Availability

The MMR vaccine is available through the Ingham County Health Department’s Immunization Clinic:

ICHD Immunization Clinic

5303 S. Cedar St., Lansing, MI 48911(Entrance #3 – 2nd Floor)

Phone: 517-887-4316Email: Immunization@ingham.org

To stay updated on public health information, follow the Ingham County Health Department’s Facebook page.

For more information about measles, visit the state’s webpage.

LANSING — Michigan residents have less than three weeks to get a Real ID before it becomes a requirement for domestic flights and visits to some federal buildings, including courthouses, military bases and nuclear plants.

So what's the next step to get your driver's license updated with the Real ID to avoid hassles.

First, you can check your driver's license to see if it is already compliant: In the upper right corner, it will have either a yellow circle with a white star in the middle or a yellow Michigan-shape with a white star in the middle. If it has either mark, that's a Real ID. And if your license says "Enhanced driver license" instead of just "driver license," that too is a Real ID, even if there's no star.

If there are no Real ID markings, here's how to get the Real IDs first introduced 20 years ago and becoming mandatory on May 7.

Are appointments necessary?

Visit a Secretary of State office, either through an appointment or walking in.

However, any walk-ins may result in a scheduled appointment later in the day or the following business day.

"We strongly recommend scheduling a visit, so you can be served on time and be back on your way in about 20 minutes," the Michigan Secretary of State site advises. "When you schedule a visit, the system will walk you through everything you need to bring with you for your transaction, helping you to avoid having to make a return visit."

What will you need?

Be prepared with:

What does it cost?

If you upgrade your license at the normal expiration time, there is no extra cost for the Real ID. If not, there is a $9 fee for upgrading a license early or $10 for a non-license identification card, according to the Michigan Secretary of State's office.

Is a Real ID necessary to vote?

Any Michigan-issued identification is valid, not just a Real ID, if voters are asked to show their ID while voting, according to the Michigan Secretary of State. Voters who don't have state identification can sign an affidavit of identity to qualify to vote.

Other forms of identification may be accepted in place of a Real ID at those locations, including a passport, passport card or Department of Defense identifications. A full list is available here.

Regular, non-Real ID driver's licenses will continue to be valid for most purposes: Driving, cashing checks, renting vehicles and buying controlled substances like alcohol or tobacco. Those standard licenses will say "Not for federal identification."

Need to know more about Real IDs?

A Real ID is a driver's license or state ID card that is federally approved for travel and some higher-security locations.

Once set to be required in 2020, the deadline has been pushed back several times due to a backlog in states, according to USA Today.

Do I have a Real ID already?

There's a good chance you were upgraded the last time your license was renewed.

More than 74% of Michigan driver's license or ID holders have already upgraded to Real ID, according to a statement from the Michigan Secretary of State's office.

"It’s great to see so Michiganders making sure they get their Real ID before the May 7 deadline," Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson said in a release. "While Michigan is already well above the national average for Real ID compliance, the recent uptick in appointments is proof that residents are taking the necessary steps to avoid potential travel delays in the future.”

Contact Mike Ellis at mellis@lsj.com or 517-267-0415.

The old Tim Hortons building on Jolly Road on Lansing's southeast side has stood empty for a few years, but all that is changing fast.

Several weeks ago we learned that Auntie Anne's and Cinnabon planned to open at that particular former Tim Hortons location - sweet news, to be sure. Now the news is getting even sweeter.

Signs just went up for Smoothie King as well - in that same building!

According to Google, this Smoothie King location expects to open for business on April 28. Projected opening dates for Auntie Anne's and Cinnabon have not yet been revealed.

RELATED: More Than 20 Restaurants Opening in Lansing in 2025

This marks Smoothie King's first foray into the Lansing area. The national chain does already have Michigan locations throughout Metro Detroit, Flint, Ann Arbor and Kalamazoo.

It's been more than 20 years since I last visited a Smoothie King, and I feel like things have changed tremendously in that time. A cursory scan of their website reveals an overwhelming amount of smoothie options that I honestly do not remember.

But the Smoothie King website has a cool feature that helps you figure out the perfect smoothie for you, based on what you're after. It's called the "Smoothie King Fuel Finder".

The "Fuel Finder" guides you through a few questions to narrow the Smoothie King menu down to a few options that you're likely to find enticing.

First, you're asked what you hope to accomplish. You can select up to 2 choices from among feeling energized, toning up, managing weight, staying well, or enjoying a treat. (I picked managing weight and enjoying a treat.)

SEE ALSO: One of Lansing's Most Anticipated Restaurants Has a Grand Opening Date

Next, you're given a variety of taste options. You can pick up to 3 from among banana, fruity, chocolate, coffee, veggies, nutty and tropical. (I chose fruity, chocolate, and tropical.)

Finally, it checks for any dietary restrictions. Do you want or need to avoid eggs, milk, peanuts, tree nuts, or added sugar? (I decided to avoid added sugar.)

The system then offered up six options that fit my particular criteria - all of which looked really good. (I think I'd go with either The Shredder Chocolate or the Island Impact. And I may. This Smoothie King is just a stone's throw from work. That could be amazing or dangerous. We shall see.)

LANSING TWP. — An Illinois-based restaurant chain known for its wine, tasting rooms and contemporary American menu will open its first Lansing area location on Monday.

General Manager James Rennie said plans for and construction of Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant's nearly 10,000-square-foot location on approximately 2.5 acres at 2101 Lake Lansing Road has been underway for a few years. It will be the chain's fourth restaurant in Michigan.

The restaurant, which will celebrate 20 years later this year, is the brainchild of its CEO Tim McEnery.

"He was a big fan of Napa-style tasting rooms, and he could never figure out why he'd do a tasting and not see a nice restaurant attached," Rennie said.

At Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant, customers can enjoy both. Each location features a tasting room where the winery's creations are spotlighted and guests can explore different types of wine. The restaurant, with a full-service bar, is attached.

Here's everything you need to know before the chain opens its Lansing Township location.

Menu, wine offerings

Rennie describes the restaurant's menu as "contemporary American."

"There are a lot of flavors from around the world, but our kitchen is from scratch," he said. "The things that we do, from our sauces to everything else are from scratch."

The menu includes steak and pork chops, pasta dishes, salmon and grouper, as well as chicken, burgers and sandwiches, and vegetarian dishes. Some of the menu options do change seasonally and different chef's recommendations are featured every few months, Rennie said.

"Our risottos are very popular and one of my favorites is our short ribs," he said.

The restaurant offers a brunch menu on Saturdays and Sundays.

Dishes range in price from $17 to $44, he said.

The chain has its own winery and offers an extensive wine list. The tasting rooms also sell the restaurant's in-house truffles, glassware, decanters and other items. Residents can purchase a wine club membership at the restaurant for up to three bottles of wine a month.

What to expect when you go

Cooper's Hawk Winery & Restaurant is modern and casual, Rennie said.

"I don't think it's intimidating to anybody," he said. "If you walk in here in a pair of jeans ... it shouldn't scare you away."

Reservations are recommended for the dining room and can be made at www.opentable.com but customers visiting the tasting room don't need one for that, he said.

In total the restaurant, which offers a bar with seating, dining room and private dining space, seats nearly 350 people. There will be additional seating on the restaurant's patio, which will be open in warmer weather.

Location is ideal, management says

The restaurant's staff of about 147 part- and full-time employees have been preparing and training for the location's opening for over a week now, Rennie said.

"We're itching to go," he said.

The restaurant's location is perfect because it's close to East Lansing and Lansing customers, he said. "We do want to support and be a part of East Lansing, MSU, and we love being part of the community when it comes to Lansing itself. I think it's a great spot."

What's in a name

The company operates more than 60 locations in 11 states, including restaurants in Kentwood, Clinton Township and Troy, according to its website. Its first restaurant opened in Chicago in 2005.

The restaurant's name has a two-fold meaning, Rennie said. It was first named after Cooper's hawk, a North American bird commonly found in forests. Secondly, it was inspired by professionals who make wine barrels, referred to as "coopers."

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Learn more

Learn more about Cooper's Hawk Winery & Restaurant online at www.chwinery.com . Follow the business on Facebook at "Cooper's Hawk Winery & Restaurant."Contact Reporter Rachel Greco at rgreco@lsj.com. Follow her on X @GrecoatLSJ .