STERLING HEIGHTS — Is a ravenous insect responsible for recruiting one of the city’s top-performing employees?

EAST LANSING — The representative council of the Michigan High School Athletic Association has approved the expansion of personal branding activities, allowing student-athletes at MHSAA member schools to benefit from such opportunities.

FERNDALE — A fire that ignited a Ferndale home Jan. 29 was strong enough to force its eventual demolition.

SOUTHFIELD — The Southfield Fire Department arrived at a house fire at approximately 8:20 p.m. Jan. 27 in the 22000 block of Leewright Avenue, south of Nine Mile Road and west of Telegraph Road, and found the structure with heavy smoke and flames.

SOUTHFIELD — At approximately 2:44 a.m. Jan. 29, the Southfield Fire Department was dispatched to a structure fire at a four-story apartment complex located at 23105 Providence Drive, off Nine Mile Road, west of Greenfield Road.

CENTER LINE — It was where the chilly air met the best chili in town.  On the afternoon of Jan. 24, the Center Line Moms and Dads’ Club held its first-ever chili cook-off fundraiser in the Center Line High School cafeteria.

CLINTON TOWNSHIP — The Clinton Township Board of Trustees approved amendments to the township budget at its Jan. 26 meeting, paving the way for a new playground feature and police overtime.

NOVI — Despite some pushback from residents, the Novi City Council decided Jan. 26 to move forward with a planned rezoning overlay for a development to be built on approximately 34 acres of land east of Novi Road, south of 10 Mile Road.

SOUTHFIELD — After being dubbed the 2025 Detroit Lions Fans of the Year, Southfield mother-daughter duo Ninotchka Jackson-Wright and Kyla Wright are competing for the title of the Ultimate NFL Fan of the Year.

NOVI — Changlin Li, of Novi, the man who allegedly hijacked an ambulance last October, was declared to be incompetent to stand trial during a forensic review and competency hearing on Jan. 14 in 52-1 District Court.

ROYAL OAK — City Manager Joe Gacioch’s separation agreement has officially been approved by the Royal Oak City Commission as of Jan. 12. 

ROSEVILLE — A Roseville police officer and suspect were both shot during a standoff Jan. 23.

BEVERLY HILLS — Jabari Long, a 45-year-old Beverly Hills resident, pleaded guilty on Jan. 20 to wire fraud affecting a financial institution.

STERLING HEIGHTS — Look, up in the sky, it’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s … a drone? Yes, a drone. And, much like Superman, new aerial technology coming to Sterling Heights will be a valuable asset to law enforcement, firefighters and other city departments during emergencies.

ST. CLAIR SHORES — On Jan. 17, the city of St. Clair Shores hosted its Diamond Jubilee Gala, celebrating the 75 years of its existence.

ROSEVILLE — The suspect in the disappearance of a Warren mother has been arraigned in circuit court.

ST. CLAIR SHORES — Every time C & G Newspapers advertising sales representative David Rubello stepped inside Uncle Harry’s Deli Restaurant, it wasn’t just to hustle a sale.

STERLING HEIGHTS — The possibility of a Sheetz in Sterling Heights inched ahead Jan. 6 when the City Council, with little fanfare, scheduled a public hearing for the proposal in March.

MADISON HEIGHTS — The kennels are empty at the Madison Heights Animal Shelter, thanks to holiday efforts to find homes for the animals.