Features

Election Day, back in the day

METRO DETROIT — With just a few days until the presidential election, many of us are ready to be done with what’s been referred to as the most contentious race in our nation’s history.

And plenty of others are just ready to drown out the hysteria with a strong cocktail.

But looking back in history, it turns out this election isn’t all that different from other votes in the past — booze included.

Published November 2, 2016

Rochester Post

Rochester expands farmers market season to winter

ROCHESTER — Those who frequent the Downtown Rochester Farmers Market for locally grown produce don’t have to wait until next summer to snap up fresh, Michigan-made goods.

For the first time, the farmers market will have a new home for the winter at the Rochester Fire Department, 277 Second St.

Published November 1, 2016

Rochester Post

New PBS documentary explores Rochester farm history

ROCHESTER HILLS — The Van Hoosen Farm will star in a new Detroit Public Television documentary.

The film, “On Van Hoosen Farm,” explores how five generations of the Taylor and Van Hoosen families lived, raised their families and worked the land.

“It is one of the great American stories that happened right here in Rochester,” said Pat McKay, Rochester Hills Museum supervisor. “We always felt our story was strong. This takes it to a whole new regional audience.”

Published November 2, 2016

Macomb Township Chronicle

Former clerk candidate announces write-in trustee candidacy

MACOMB TOWNSHIP — A former candidate for Macomb Township clerk has announced his candidacy as a write-in for a Board of Trustees spot in the general election.

Charles Missig, 56, filed to run for trustee with the Macomb County Clerk’s Office the morning of Oct. 27, just before the filing deadline.

Published November 1, 2016

Sterling Heights Sentry

Sterling chamber, residents opine on RTA transit proposal

Local businesses and residents are weighing in on the debate over mass transit as the countdown to a public vote on an upcoming millage continues.

In late September, the Sterling Heights Regional Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s board of directors voted to advocate a “yes” vote on a millage proposal that comes courtesy of the Regional Transit Authority of Southeast Michigan.

If it passes at the polls Nov. 8, the proposal would levy 1.2 mills for 20 years, thus costing $120 annually to a taxpayer owning a home with an assessed value of $100,000.

Published November 1, 2016

Sterling Heights Sentry

‘High School Musical’ becomes Ford’s H.S. musical

Local high school students will soon get a chance to re-enact a TV movie that turned Zac Efron, Vanessa Hudgens and other performers into household names.

Henry Ford II High School will present “High School Musical on Stage!” Nov. 10-12. The stage musical is based on the 2006 TV movie, “High School Musical,” which aired on the Disney Channel and has since spawned sequels.

Published November 1, 2016

School officials make case for millage renewal

HAZEL PARK — Two millages are set to expire next year for Hazel Park Public Schools, millages that allow the district to repair and update its buildings — say, if a boiler breaks down or the roof starts leaking. On Election Day Nov. 8, voters will be asked to approve one millage that will replace both.

Published November 1, 2016

Mural brings fresh look to community center

HAZEL PARK — One of the main hallways at the Hazel Park Community Center has been given a dramatic face-lift thanks to the efforts of a talented artist.

What were once drab cinderblock walls outside the main banquet hall are now floor-to-ceiling arrangements of triangles in varying shades of green, blue and beige — official city colors — that perfectly intersect points created by door thresholds, light fixtures and other details.

Published November 1, 2016

HP voters asked to change the way petitions work

HAZEL PARK — The city of Hazel Park has a petition problem, officials say.

Currently, it takes very little to get an issue on the ballot — only 15 percent of the votes received by the mayor. Now a proposal seeks to increase the signature requirement for initiative and referendum petitions so that issues on the ballot better reflect the will of the people.

The ballot language for Proposal 2, up for vote on Nov. 8, reads as follows:

Published November 1, 2016

HP voters to decide staggered terms for mayor, council

HAZEL PARK — Officials in Hazel Park are asking voters to approve a change to the terms of City Council, saying it will provide greater stability in local government.

Currently, the mayor and four council members of the Hazel Park City Council are all up for reelection the same year, every two years. On the ballot Nov. 8, a proposed charter amendment seeks to move them onto staggered terms, and to increase their terms from two years to four years.

Published November 2, 2016

Baldwin Library gears up for fall book sale

BIRMINGHAM — What’s better in the fall than cozying up under a blanket with a good book?

How about getting that book at a deep discount?

Published November 2, 2016

Children’s Charities Coalition hopes to win big at fundraiser

BIRMINGHAM — When you head to the casino, typically it’s with the unfortunate knowledge that the house always wins.

But during Casino Royale Friday, Nov. 18, it’s CARE House of Oakland County that will win. And The Community House in Birmingham. And Variety, the Children’s Charity.

And isn’t that a bet worth taking?

Published November 2, 2016

Clerks brace for next week’s election

Unless you’re blissfully unaware, you’ve probably heard by now that there’s a big election coming up next week.

Well, local clerks have heard too, and as the public officers charged with overseeing elections, they’ve been preparing for months for what’s expected to be a busy day at the polls.

Published November 2, 2016

Advancing Macomb to collect bikes for youths in need

SHELBY TOWNSHIP — Advancing Macomb, a civic leadership group, is in the process of hosting its inaugural East Side Bike Drive to collect gently used bicycles for families in need.

The weeklong Shelby Township bike drive kicked off Saturday, Oct. 29, and will conclude Nov. 6.

Bikes can be dropped off at the Parks, Recreation and Maintenance Department 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. through Nov. 5 and 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Nov. 6.

Melissa Roy, executive director of Advancing Macomb, said one of the county’s greatest assets is its bike trails.

Published November 2, 2016

Township to commemorate Veterans Day with run, ceremony

SHELBY TOWNSHIP — On Sunday, Nov. 6, Shelby Township on its municipal grounds will host a 5K walk/run to honor and support local veterans, followed by a ceremony at the township’s memorial.

Registration for the run will open at 8 a.m. the day of the event, and the run will start at 10 a.m. The Veterans Day ceremony will begin at 1:30 p.m. with a special emphasis on the Fire and Police departments.

Published October 31, 2016

Auburn Road landscaping to extend east to Ryan Road

SHELBY TOWNSHIP — On Oct. 18, the Shelby Township Board of Trustees unanimously approved the second phase of a landscaping project that will extend landscaping on both sides of Auburn Road.

The original project was to landscape Auburn Road from Dequindre Road east to Hixson Street. Because the township received low bids for the first phase, it had extra funds and put the second phase — to landscape Auburn Road to Ryan Road — out to bid.

Published November 1, 2016