ST. CLAIR SHORES — At its meeting on April 20, the St. Clair Shores City Council voted 6-0 to adopt an ordinance regulating the use of kratom by young people. 

ST. CLAIR SHORES — The St. Clair Shores City Council held its budget hearing on April 27, going through the entire budget for the upcoming 2026-2027 fiscal year. 

ST. CLAIR SHORES — At its meeting on April 20, the St. Clair Shores City Council voted 6-0 to approve a new sidewalk replacement policy.

WARREN — Instead of a house standing on the property on Toepfer Road where John Hofmann, treasurer of Urban Seed, grew up, there sits a small community garden.

WARREN — New motorcycles that officials say will make officers safer, faster and more efficient are rolling into the Warren Police Department’s fleet. The new motorcycles are 2026 BMW R 1300 RT-P’s and were purchased from BMW Motorcycles of Southeast Michigan in Plymouth. The plan is to replace the department’s current fleet of 2018 Harley Davidson Electra Glides by the end of 2026.

METRO DETROIT — When Nick Binson went to work for his dad James Binson in the family business, he learned, “You can’t manage what you can’t measure.” That philosophy is what made James a successful entrepreneur and longtime owner of Binson’s Medical Equipment and Supplies.

MACOMB COUNTY — This year’s field of candidates seeking state and federal offices representing Sterling Heights has been finalized. Voters this summer and fall will make choices for Michigan’s top elected officials — governor, attorney general and secretary of state — along with representatives for state Senate and House districts.

STERLING HEIGHTS — Oliver is a good listener. He keeps still and doesn’t interrupt, but he might lick your hand. The fluffy, friendly 2-year-old golden retriever was on duty April 21 — eyes bright and ears perked — as a lineup of children read stories to him at the Sterling Heights Public Library.

STERLING HEIGHTS — It’s not going out on a limb to say that Sterling Heights loves trees. For instance, the community has been recognized by the Arbor Day Foundation as a Tree City USA community for 41 straight years and is also embarking on another substantial round of neighborhood tree plantings, part of the Pathway to Play and Preservation millage voters passed in 2024.

STERLING HEIGHTS/WARREN — For the past several weeks, the talented students of the Warren Consolidated Schools Performing Arts program have been rehearsing the classic musical “West Side Story.”

MACOMB COUNTY — Macomb Community College will offer a part-time fire academy this fall. Macomb already has a traditional 10-week fire academy. The full-time, daytime program is offered twice a year, once in the fall semester and once in the winter semester at the college’s East Campus, 21901 Dunham Road in Clinton Township, the location of the school’s fire tower.

STERLING HEIGHTS — The city is looking up in order to bring electricity costs down. Up as in the sky, which is where a proposal in the 2026-27 budget calls for harnessing sunlight to generate power for three municipal buildings: City Hall, the public library and the police station.

STERLING HEIGHTS — A public pickleball palace is taking shape in Sterling Heights. The $10 million project — a key piece of a millage voters approved in November 2024 — is on track to debut in late June or early July, promising a top-notch experience for players of all skill levels.

STERLING HEIGHTS — If art, as the saying goes, is in the eye of the beholder, then behold Sterling Heights. The city has assembled a notable public art collection over its history — ramping up significantly in recent years — and the momentum shows no signs of slowing.

FARMINGTON HILLS — At the April 27 meeting of the Farmington Hills City Council, members voted to move forward with an architectural study for the new Costick Center at the site of the current Costick Center, and to no longer consider The Hawk’s location.

FARMINGTON HILLS — Farmington Hills Mayor Theresa Rich, along with her peers on the City Council, proclaimed April 12-16 as National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week in Farmington Hills, honoring the city’s dispatchers with a proclamation and plaque at the meeting April 13.

FARMINGTON/FARMINGTON HILLS — Regina “Gina” Szymczak is passionate about math and the lasting impact it has on students’ lives. This was among other the reasons the Power Middle School sixth grade math teacher was awarded the title of Farmington Public Schools Middle School Teacher of the Year.

GROSSE POINTE SHORES — With its tranquil atmosphere, mature trees and lakefront setting, the grounds of the Edsel and Eleanor Ford House in Grosse Pointe Shores make for a scenic spot for a stroll.

ROYAL OAK — A day of remembrance and community has been scheduled for May 17 at The National Shrine of the Little Flower Basilica on 12 Mile Road in Royal Oak to honor the life and legacy of Al Fracassa.

DETROIT — On April 24, around 200 youth sports coaches, advocates, development professionals, volunteers and leaders gathered at the Wayne State University Field House for the second annual Unite to Ignite Youth Sports Summit.