SHELBY TOWNSHIP/STERLING HEIGHTS/UTICA — Two Utica Community Schools teams will be competing in the FIRST Lego League Robotics state championship after earning top honors at the ThunderQuest competition.

SHELBY TOWNSHIP — A Shelby Township woman celebrated her 99th birthday last month without setting off a smoke alarm at Hamlin Pub in Shelby Township Nov. 30.

SHELBY TOWNSHIP — The Shelby Gardeners Club braved the cold and morphed into winter warriors in low 20-degree temperatures to festively decorate Christmas pots along the brick path to Heritage Gardens at the Township Hall.

SHELBY TOWNSHIP — The Packard Proving Grounds is bringing back a historical Christmas setting with ’Twas a Night Before Christmas 1939,” which will take place from 5 to 9 p.m. Dec. 20.

UTICA — As a firefighter in the city of Utica and a parent of a child attending Utica Community Schools, Mark Ricketts is concerned about the high volume of traffic in the areas of the crosswalks on Van Dyke Avenue at Hahn Street, as well as Cass Avenue and Hahn Street.

ROSEVILLE — At Christmastime during World War II, families scaled back on meal options, decorations and gifts because of the rations on food and other merchandise.

DETROIT — A Warren man pleaded guilty Dec. 3 in U.S. District Court in Detroit to spray-painting racist graffiti on a predominantly Black Roseville church.

ROSEVILLE — During a Dec. 10 meeting that lasted fewer than 10 minutes, the Roseville City Council approved the purchase of a truck for one of its K-9 officers.

ROSEVILLE — One of Michigan’s own would like to introduce himself to Ralph Macchio and Jaden Smith as the new “Karate Kid.”

ROSEVILLE — When Christmas arrived in 2020 — the year of the COVID-19 pandemic — Rick and Dawn Gaines wanted to do something to lift up people’s spirits.

ST. CLAIR SHORES — Before the days of home refrigerators, Americans placed ice in ice boxes to help preserve their food. Lake St. Clair supplied the ice for most local residents.

METRO DETROIT — While winter recreational activities provide a cool time, it’s important to remember safety when venturing out on the ice.

ST. CLAIR SHORES — Members of the St. Clair Shores City Council received the city’s fiscal year 2024 audit at their meeting on Dec. 2.

ST. CLAIR SHORES — At its meeting on Nov. 18, the St. Clair Shores City Council approved the purchase of bunker gear for the city’s firefighters in a 6-0 vote.

Center Line — The city of Center Line began its annual holiday celebrations with a 71st tree lighting ceremony Dec. 7 at Memorial Park.

WARREN — The National Fire Sprinkler Association partnered with the Warren Fire Department for a live demonstration of two identically decorated rooms catching on fire on Dec. 9 and gave fire safety tips for the holiday season and year-round.

CENTER LINE — The city of Center Line had a ribbon-cutting to unveil a specially designed mural on the side of City Hall Dec. 6 as part of the Detroit Institute of Arts Partners in Public Art program.

CENTER LINE — Superintendent Joseph Haynes called it one of his “favorite events.” At the Nov. 25 Center Line Public Schools Board of Education meeting, the district held its fall staff appreciation ceremony.

WARREN — The Busch Branch of the Warren Public Library, located at 23333 Ryan Road, will remain closed after school hours until Feb. 28, 2025, per the Warren Library Commission.

WARREN — Students at Green Acres Elementary School played Santa Claus this Christmas season.