Top Thrill Dragster Plans, Carol Duvall Dies & Other Top Stories

Check out the most read stories from Hour Detroit this week along with other Hour stories you loved and the biggest local news.
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Rendering courtesy of Cedar Point

HGTV Host Carol Duvall Dies at 97

Carol-Jean Duvall of Traverse City died at age 97 on July 31, 2023, at the senior living complex, Cordia. The former HGTV host of the self-titled The Carol Duvall Show shared crafting talents and “how-to” tutorials with the public for decades. 

Cedar Point Announces Plans for Top Thrill Dragster

Building upon the legacy of the original, Cedar Point “will once again redefine roller coaster innovation” with its soon-to-be newest coaster, Top Thrill 2. When it opens next summer, Top Thrill 2 will be the world’s tallest and fastest triple-launch roller coaster.

Revisiting Detroit’s Iconic Restaurants

For our 2023 August issue, the food issue, we pieced together a pantheon of restaurants that have served Detroit dutifully and deliciously over decades. Find out how local staples like The Whitney, Golden Fleece, Dakota Inn Rathskeller, and others are faring today.

Owner of The Reptarium Plans to Open New Aquarium

Brian Barczyk, the owner of interactive reptile zoo The Reptarium, was diagnosed with inoperable pancreatic cancer in earlier this year. Now he’s hoping to fulfill his dream of opening The LegaSea Aquarium — a family-friendly space for people to interact with animals and share the love for animals — by the end of 2023, and is currently raising money for construction.

Eighty Years Strong: Diana Lewis Talks Life After Retirement

Ten and a half years into retirement from WXYZ-TV, Channel 7, Diana Lewis, now 80, discusses what she’s been up to after retiring including how she is taking on the challenging role as a caregiver for loved ones.

The Grand Reopening of Michigan Central Station  

The Albert Kahn-designed Michigan Central Station and the surrounding area underwent a $950 million transformation and is now open, Take a look back at the work that went into the project and what the historic building looked like prior to the work.

The Way It Was — Suwanee Steamboat

Take a deep dive into a 1958 photograph of the steamboat that once circled a small island in the middle of an artificial lagoon that surrounded Dearborn’s Greenfield Village and became a “summer favorite” for village visitors.

Michigan Health Officials Warn About Harmful Algal Blooms

Harmful algal blooms, also known at HABs, are common on state lakes, rivers, and ponds during August and September.These blooms contain toxins called cyanotoxins that can cause health issues in humans and animals. If swallowed, these health issues include asthma-like symptoms, stomach pain, diarrhea, vomiting, headaches and more, along with rashes, blisters, and hives if it comes in contact with skin. Experts suggest staying away from discolored or scummy waters.

Michigan Wolverines Unveil Giant Scoreboard

Michigan Stadium, the home of the U-M football team, has nearly completed a $41 million project that includes upgrades to rooms, audio system and safety of scoreboards. The new scoreboards  at the north and south ends of the stadium are 85% bigger than the previous boards at 179 feet wide and 62 feet tall.

Former NBA Star to Open Soul Food Restaurant in Detroit  

Former NBA All-Star Kevin Johnson has revealed that he will open a soul food restaurant called Fixins Soul Kitchen on Randolph Street in Downtown Detroit. Menu items include peach cobbler, collard greens, potato salad, and shrimp and grits. The opening date for the new eater is not confirmed but Johnson hopes to open doors in mid-December or early 2024.


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