METRO DETROIT — A look at five things to do during the weekend of Jan. 11-15, 2024.

METRO DETROIT — Focus: HOPE is looking for more than 3,000 new seniors to apply for its Food for Seniors program due to a growing food insecurity crisis among seniors in metro Detroit.

DETROIT/HUNTINGTON WOODS — A local author is inviting the public to join him for a book signing to celebrate and explore the history of Detroit.

NOVI — Two Novi High School students received the state’s top honor for theater students during the annual Michigan Thespian Festival in Lansing last month.

NOVI — The Novi High School band and orchestra has something to rave about this year.

NOVI — After controversy on how to best fill the City Council seat vacated by Justin Fischer after he was elected to be the city’s mayor in November — when differences of opinion resulted in a deadlocked council vote on a motion to put the fourth-highest vote-getter in the November election on the council — the council unanimously voted Dec. 18 to appoint Priya Gurumurthy as the city’s newest council member.

SOUTHFIELD — Southfield resident Brea Hartsfield has her eyes set on the FBI.

SOUTHFIELD — The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Task Force, in partnership with the city of Southfield, will host the 39th annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Peace Walk at 9 a.m. Jan. 15. This year’s theme is “Peace and Justice for the Next Generation.”

SOUTHFIELD — Controversy ensued around gun buyback programs after the New York Times launched an investigation that found the guns collected at buybacks in Flint and Southfield were not destroyed but were instead recycled and resold.

SOUTHFIELD — Since last February, the Southfield Public Library has hosted a Family Research Forum 6:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. on the third Tuesday of each month for people seeking to uncover their genealogy.

SOUTHFIELD — A business and its owner were found liable for operating an illegal dump at 20905 Mapleridge Ave. in Southfield, with asbestos and other hazardous materials found on-site.

TROY — An all-girls robotics team from Larson Middle School closed out its first year with a trip to the state championships.

MACOMB TOWNSHIP — In a festive final meeting of 2023, the Macomb Township Board of Trustees received two gifts at its Dec. 20 meeting.

MACOMB TOWNSHIP — A loss is a loss, but some impact a team far more than others, especially when it’s on the regional semifinals stage.

MACOMB TOWNSHIP — It may not feel like it, but 2023 was a busy year for Macomb Township.

ROYAL OAK — Shrine Catholic High School’s four National Honor Society officers visited Brewer Academy in Detroit on Dec. 14 to give the students Christmas gifts this holiday season.

ROYAL OAK — Class projects tend to bring out the creative side in students, especially when it revolves around something that the students are passionate about.

CLAWSON — The Clawson Public Schools Board of Education and the City Council are joining forces following the approval of a joint task force at the Dec. 19 City Council meeting.

ROYAL OAK — The Royal Oak City Commission unanimously approved the design for the city’s first public restroom building at the commission meeting Dec. 18.

FRASER/CLINTON TOWNSHIP — Leaders of local governments took time to examine the past year and give some idea of what can be expected in 2024.