Both of the Cologne-Garcia children have spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), a rare genetic disorder that destroys the muscles and nervous system, but a life-saving therapy at Beaumont Children’s Hospital has them incredibly grateful this year. “It just makes us cherish the time that we have with our families so much more.”Beaumont Children’s Hospital is one of just four hospitals in Michigan that offer the infusion therapy Olivia received. They have just been absolutely amazing,” the children’s mother said. New noninvasive heart procedure at Beaumont Health shortens recovery timeImagine heart surgery without anesthesia, breathing tubes and weeks of recovery time. A new noninvasive surgery is being offered at Beaumont Hospital that has the patient awake for the procedure.

DETROIT – Every year during the holiday season, Detroit Lions quarterback Matt Stafford and his wife Kelly help several families in need of a pick-me-up. The need is even greater this year due to the COVID pandemic, so the Staffords made it a point to choose families impacted by coronavirus. It was a moment the Wilson family will never forget -- the day Matt and Kelly Stafford connected with them on Zoom. Mott Children’s Hospital in Ann Arbor, but Courtney Wilson and her husband, Chad, also had coronavirus, so they weren’t allowed inside. “Something that’s going to follow us forever and ever.”The Staffords chose ten families impacted by COVID, including frontline workers, people who lost loved ones, struggling businesses and more.

DETROIT – If the weather cooperates, something very special will be visible on the winter solstice this Monday night -- the “Star of Bethlehem,” also known as the “Christmas Star.”Despite the names, it’s actually not a star at all. Since Jupiter orbits the sun every 12 years and Saturn orbits the sun every 30 years, the two largest planets in the solar system don’t line up very often. The two gas giants will cross paths in the night sky on the winter solstice on Monday, Dec. 21. Though the planets are 450 million miles apart, to the naked eye, they will appear as one bright light in the sky. To view the Christmas Star, turn your gaze toward the southwest sky a little after sunset on Monday, Dec. 21.

DETROIT – As the COVID-19 pandemic rages on, a new survey finds parents are worried about their children’s ability to cope -- especially with the holidays approaching and a long winter ahead. Huston speaks with countless families about coping with stress and creatively building resilience in their children during this challenging time. A new national survey by Nationwide Children’s Hospital, finds two-thirds of parents are worried the effects the coronavirus pandemic is having on their children’s mental health will be harder to reverse the longer it continues. “They’re constantly changing and adapting to new things and learning new things,” Huston said. More tools to help children stay positive and engaged can be found on its official website here.

Sitting on Santa’s lap is a big deal for Children around the world, but this year it’s tough. While he’s no stranger to house visits, he’s just dropping in earlier this year. Canton wasn’t about to let the pandemic stop children from getting their picture with Santa. They arranged socially distanced house visits on families’ front lawns. Just one day after Thanksgiving, the children of the Detroit Youth Choir are spreading Christmas cheer with a new holiday EP.

Rod Meloni is turning in his reporter notepad for a Rod the Builder apron and challenging our own Steve Garagiola to an Italian cook-off! ½ cup Parmesan cheeseCroutonsDirections :In a mixing bowl, dice anchovy fillets into nearly a paste. Toasted ravioli :Toasted ravioli (WDIV)If you ever visit St. Louis, go The Hill for Italian food. Mickey said, “Hey, with a little parmesan cheese and sauce, these would be great!”A tradition was born. Sprinkle with parmesan cheese before serving.

One Metro Detroit store decided to put safety first and the response from customers has been more than they ever imagined. Local businesses have had to make some tough decisions over the last few months, but one Ferndale store made the choice to close and customers are rewarding them for it. Emily and John Murray opened Modern Natural Baby on Nine Mile Road in 2009 after having a baby of their own. Their store was able to survive thanks to the loyal customers who shopped online and through social media. John Murray said they’ve been getting orders from customers that don’t have children or grandchildren because they want to support the store.

In spite of the CDC warnings, a lot of people are planning to see family on Thanksgiving. Because coronavirus can be spread while someone is asymptomatic or presymptomatic, there’s no way to know if your family is being infected. After months of carefully following COVID-19 restrictions, the family gathered for a birthday party. Those infected spread the virus to three other relatives who didn’t attend the party. By staying apart, we can fight this virus together.”The family does not have plans to gather for Thanksgiving.

Knowing that, some Metro Detroit restaurants came up with a solution. “I’m an emotional guy, I feel for those people,” said Joe Ciamillo. Joe Ciamillo and his sister, Ashley Ciamillo, own Joe’s Italian Take-Out on 23 Mile Road in Shelby Township. “Especially older people who really look forward to being with their family,” Joe Ciamillo said. “We usually get together with our family for Thanksgiving.”Anyone who has to celebrate Thanksgiving alone due to COVID-19 can get a free meal from Joe’s Italian Take-Out.

DETROIT – Malls and local stores across Metro Detroit are preparing for what is typically one of the biggest shopping days of the year -- Black Friday. Local stores have had to reinvent themselves with many limiting the number of customers inside, offering hand sanitizing stations, requiring masks and putting safety first. As far as the deals go, many stores and malls will still be offering sales on Friday. Help Me Hank toy test: Testing 2020′s top toys ahead of the holidaysThe Help Me Hank Toy Test went virtual this year to keep everyone safe. We asked two families, both previous Help Me Hank toy testers, to try out some toys at home and give us their opinions.

REDFORD, Mich – A new business owner in Metro Detroit decided to make giving back to the community her first order of business. Kathyna Melton is a single Metro Detroit mother of two who used to manage at a Dominos Pizza. Since then, she’s gone from worker to boss by working hard, building credit and dreaming big. Her first order of business was to not sell, but to give. You can watch Paula Tutman’s full story in the video below.

DETROIT – We hope you’re craving Italian food this Friday -- and you likely will be with this year’s Rod the Builder challenge. It’s a tradition everyone in the Local 4 newsroom looks forward to on the day after Thanksgiving, as business editor Rod Meloni turns in his reporter notepad for his Rod the Builder apron. This year, Rod the Builder has his work cut out for him as he heads into the kitchen to compete against Steve Garagiola. I don’t know how much Rod cooks but he is Italian. You can watch the Rod the Builder challenge Friday on Local 4 News at Noon, 4, 5 and 6, and on ClickOnDetroit.com.

DETROIT – The highest number of air travelers are expected to take to the skies since the onset of COVID-19 this week. There is such widespread covid activity across the country, air travel is a real risk when it comes to spreading coronavirus. The biggest concern about air travel over the holiday is the gatherings of large numbers of people into indoor areas -- airports, airplanes -- where infected people can more easily transmit the virus. “America’s Thanksgiving Parade presented by Gardner-White,” a holiday tradition that originates from Downtown Detroit, will be a TV and online-only event this year on Local 4 and ClickOnDetroit.com. Themed “We Are One Together,” this year’s parade will honor frontline workers and heroes of the COVID-19 crisis.

With rapidly increasing case counts across the country, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Thursday it is recommending against all travel for the Thanksgiving holiday. The CDC is instead urging Americans to stay home and celebrate with only the people in your household. “The safest way to celebrate Thanksgiving this year is at home with the people who live in your household,” said Dr. Erin Sauber-Schatz. “We’re recommending not traveling this Thanksgiving.”Sauber-Schatz leads the task force that wrote the CDC guidelines urging Americans to change their traditional Thanksgiving plans. A recent study found that 20% of Americans still plan to gather with more than 10 people.

DETROIT – With the Holiday Season approaching and a new stimulus deal still in the distance, many people are taking a hard look at their finances to budget for lean times. RELATED: How to get help while battle for second round of stimulus checks stalls in WashingtonHaving some type of a budget is essential -- especially as we head toward the Holiday Season, when spending is up for many. Look at your billsTake a look at all your bills and expenses to prioritize and determine what are the “must-pay” bills. Create a budgetAs for holiday spending, set a plan and create a spending budget for each person on your list. Talk to peopleIf you are having financial problems now, contact your landlord, your mortgage company and credit card companies.