Farmington Press

Farmington Hills firefighters work to extinguish an early morning Nov. 21 house fire that started after two vehicles in the garage went up in flames.

Published November 23, 2020

Blazing vehicles cause early morning house fire in Hills neighborhood

FARMINGTON HILLS — Firefighters extinguished two vehicles engulfed in flames in an attached garage at a home in the 28000 block of Kendallwood Drive during the early hours Nov. 21.

Hillside Elementary School is one of eight local elementary schools that will now wait to start in-person instruction until Jan. 11, 2021, after Farmington Public Schools Board of Education trustees unanimously approved the postponement date.

Published November 20, 2020

Elementary school in-person start date pushed back to January

FARMINGTON/HILLS — Elementary school students at Farmington Public Schools were gearing up to return to the classroom for the first time since last March in a hybrid model of instruction Nov. 16, but with COVID-19 cases spiking in Oakland County, now they won’t re-enter their school buildings until Jan. 11, 2021.

The Cheese Lady Farmington owner Kendra Mantey puts together a holiday gift basket behind the counter with her husband, Joe.

Published November 20, 2020

Shops adapt, look to Small Business Saturday for support

FARMINGTON — The economic climate for businesses has certainly shifted since the start of the pandemic, but arguably no other sector has been shortchanged more than small businesses and local shops, who rely heavily on local foot traffic.

Gifts to be delivered to seniors across Farmington Hills, as part of the Adults 50 & Better Division’s Senior Secret Santa program, line the walls of the Costick Center in 2019.

Published November 20, 2020

Senior Secret Santa program aims to spread joy to Hills residents

FARMINGTON HILLS — Even while remaining anonymous, people can make a senior citizen’s life brighter this holiday season.

Assistant Superintendent of Diversity Equity and Inclusion Dr. Bobbie Goodrum receives a $1,000 check from Stephanie Trivax and Justin Becker of Brookfield Management.

Published November 20, 2020

FPS receives $1,000 donation from local apartment complex

FARMINGTON/HILLS — One way or another, COVID-19 has impacted us all, but luckily, 2020 hasn’t been all bad.

A Suburban Collection Farmington Hills Nissan employee makes a donation to the Drive Away Hunger campaign.

Published November 20, 2020

Drive Away Hunger campaign hopes to donate 1 million meals

METRO DETROIT — Food is a basic need, but for some families, it’s become their biggest challenge.

State rolls out COVID-19 exposure notification app

Published November 19, 2020

Michigan rolls out COVID-19 exposure notification app

LANSING — MI COVID Alert is a new statewide COVID-19 exposure notification app that lets users know whether they might recently have been exposed to COVID-19. It uses randomly generated phone codes and low energy Bluetooth technology instead of GPS location to protect privacy.

Published November 18, 2020

‘Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree’ at home with your favorite holiday music

METRO DETROIT — This holiday season will be different for many because of COVID-19, but that doesn’t mean it has to be a “Blue Christmas.”

Published November 18, 2020

Veterans group celebrates Veterans Day remotely

METRO DETROIT — Recognizing Veterans Day Nov. 11 was a challenge for most people given the COVID-19 quarantine, but the Metro Detroit Veterans Coalition forged ahead with a virtual alternative to its annual parade.

Published November 18, 2020

It’s beginning to look — kinda — like Christmas

METRO DETROIT — COVID-19 has taken a lot of celebrations away from us this season. Will it take out the season of giving, too? Not if retailers have a say in the matter.

Published November 18, 2020

FPS superintendent, 2 board members resign

FARMINGTON — Talks of division, accountability and adult behavior shared the spotlight at the special Board of Education meeting Nov. 16, where not only did board trustees approve the resignation of Superintendent Robert Herrera, but trustees approved the censure of Trustee Angie Smith, and Board President Pam Green and Board Vice President Terry Johnson also resigned.

Signs like this one, seen at the splash pad at Kensington Metropark, helped visitors know how far they should social distance while using Huron-Clinton Metroparks in 2020.

Published November 17, 2020

Huron-Clinton Metroparks see 2020 attendance surge

METRO DETROIT — With outdoors seemingly safer places to have distanced gatherings than inside, Huron-Clinton Metroparks saw attendance increase this year as metro Detroit residents looked for a place to safely get out of the house.

Published November 12, 2020

Two arrested for break-ins in Oakland, Macomb, Wayne counties

FARMINGTON HILLS — Farmington Hills police arrested two Detroit residents Nov. 11 for suspected serial involvement in the breaking and entering of numerous businesses across Oakland, Macomb and Wayne counties.

Published November 10, 2020

Equity, accountability, curriculum top priorities for new FPS board members

FARMINGTON/HILLS — This past Election Day, Nov. 3, local voters made their voices heard by selecting three new community members to fill three seats on the Farmington Public Schools Board of Education.

Farmington Civic Theater General Manager Scott Freeman stands behind the concessions stand counter. Hand sanitizer and barcode/QR code scanners sit atop the counter to provide patrons a touchless experience.

Published November 10, 2020

Farmington-area theaters work to adapt amid new guidelines

FARMINGTON/HILLS — It’s been a hard knock life for entertainment establishments across the state ever since Gov. Gretchen Whitmer shuttered their operations March 16 in response to COVID-19, but with the recent green light to reopen, local theaters said they are ready to bounce back.

Published November 10, 2020

Farmington Hills city manager retires to move up north, access in-person learning for family

FARMINGTON HILLS — An aura of sadness permeated the air at Farmington Hills City Hall Oct. 30 as now former City Manager David Boyer packed up his desk, said farewell to friends and colleagues, and retired from his position.

Published November 10, 2020

Farmington Farmers Market has record year despite pandemic

FARMINGTON — When husband and wife Jacob and April Karl attended the first Farmington Farmers Market of the 2020 season May 16 — with only about 500 people in attendance, compared to its pre-pandemic normal of about 3,000 — they said it felt like a ghost town.

Published November 10, 2020

Farmington City Council approves brownfield plan for new gas station

FARMINGTON — A new Amoco gas station is coming to town, and the city has approved a brownfield redevelopment plan for the project.

Home flu shots available for older adults

Published November 10, 2020

Oakland County Health Division offers at-home flu shots for seniors

OAKLAND COUNTY — Beverly Hills resident Marilyn Ferber, 87, who has been homebound, especially since the onslaught of the coronavirus pandemic, couldn’t fathom having to leave her house this year to receive an influenza vaccination.

Published November 10, 2020

Families alter Thanksgiving plans amid pandemic

METRO DETROIT — Thanksgiving has always been a big deal for Elyse Van Houzen, of Franklin, who has been hosting large turkey day celebrations for friends and family for over 25 years.