NOVI — The long-awaited Sheetz store at the corner of 12 Mile and Haggerty roads officially opened as the first location in Oakland County April 28 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and grand opening celebration.

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.

GROSSE POINTE WOODS — A hockey-loving dad and former professional hockey player is seeing his dream for a youth hockey training facility in the community come true.

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.

WEST BLOOMFIELD — At its April 22 meeting, the West Bloomfield Parks and Recreation Commission heard from Kelly Hyer, the executive director for the township’s Parks and Recreation Department, who sought approval for items needed to advance a budget for the new Connect Community Center. 

NOVI — The Novi Chamber of Commerce will be participating in the annual Community Impact Day May 13 for the first time. 

ROYAL OAK — A site plan for a new seasonal ice cream shop at 620 Cherry Ave. was unanimously approved by the Royal Oak Planning Commission on April 14. 

ROYAL OAK — On April 6, the Judson Center in Royal Oak broke ground on some renovations to the original Judson campus. 

SOUTHFIELD — The Army Reserve has opened a new Area Maintenance Support Activity facility in Southfield, which will service, house and maintain military vehicles.

ROYAL OAK — On April 14 the Royal Oak Planning Commission had a public hearing and unanimously approved sending a proposal to the City Commission to build a Kroger at 2800 W. 14 Mile Road, and an apartment building, the North Royal Oak Flats, at the same location with 85 dwellings. 

FRASER — Some of the city’s finest citizens and contributors will be recognized next month at the 2026 Fraser F.A.M.E. (Fraser Academy Member of Excellence) Award celebration.

TROY — After much deliberation, plans for an El Car Wash location at the northwest corner of Long Lake and Dequindre roads received preliminary site plan review and special use approval from the Troy Planning Commission at its April 14 meeting.

GROSSE POINTE FARMS — Families with very young children and expectant parents on the east side have reason to rejoice: It appears an early child care center will be coming to Grosse Pointe Farms after all.

FRASER — Plans for a new library building took another step forward April 9 when the City Council got a look at concept details and a funding proposal. 

METRO DETROIT — Female business ownership is on the rise. A 2026 report by Wells Fargo showed that women owned 15.7 million businesses in the United States — 40.6% of the total.

WEST BLOOMFIELD — Seeking an ordinance change that would have allowed for a different mix of building materials in the construction of new homes, Schafer Development was denied by the West Bloomfield Planning Commission at its meeting March 23.

MOUNT CLEMENS — A short strip of city-owned land is public no more, as the Mount Clemens City Commission approved trading a piece of downtown property for a dumpster easement at the commission’s April 6 meeting.

SYLVAN LAKE — At its meeting March 11, the Sylvan Lake City Council heard a proposal for a planned unit development for Trailside, at the former site of the Daniel Whitfield School at 2000 Orchard Lake Road. 

ROYAL OAK — Michigan has been a part of KISStory for 50-plus years.

TROY — The Troy City Council recently approved additional funding for an inclusive playground project at Boulan Park. The council voted unanimously March 2 to transfer a portion of federal funds from the city’s Community Development Block Grant.