Good morning, Sterling Heights.

Drivers in Sterling Heights face winter car difficulties today as cold temperatures lower tire pressure and weaken batteries.

Local auto experts advise regular tire and battery checks — a key step to avoid unexpected breakdowns.

The American Red Cross warned that hospitals in Southeast Michigan are struggling to meet patient needs as blood donations dangerously fall short.

Community blood drives are planned soon + local residents are urged to help rebuild the critical supply.

In January, health officials remind families to test their homes for radon (a colorless gas that is the second leading cause of lung cancer) using kits that cost as little as $10 and may be provided free by local health departments.

Local experts advise residents to ready their homes for winter by maintaining furnaces, running faucets to protect pipes, and adjusting thermostat settings to save energy (Family Heating, Cooling, & Electric and Hire It Done offer budget-friendly tips).