West Bloomfield Beacon

Published April 10, 2021

Oakland County Michigan Works! hosts free yearlong financial fitness series

OAKLAND COUNTY — Oakland County Michigan Works! annual weeklong Money Smart week programming, in partnership with the Federal Reserve, just got longer — by 51 weeks, to be exact.

Published April 8, 2021

Farmington Class of 1946 still as close as ever

FARMINGTON — Though the class size has dwindled over the years, the bond of the Farmington High School Class of 1946 has never wavered.

The Friendship Circle recently hosted a UMatter event about mental health challenges facing teenagers. The speakers at the event were, from left to right, Ann Arbor Skyline senior Gracie Greenberg, former Detroit Lions player Trevor Bates, HAVEN of Oakland County volunteer Kelly Erickson, and Eastern Michigan University junior Hannah Palmer.

Published April 7, 2021

Teen mental health takes center stage

WEST BLOOMFIELD — For more than two decades, the Friendship Circle has been a source of support for metro Detroit residents.

Published April 7, 2021

New program to help with rent, utilities for those struggling in the pandemic

METRO DETROIT — The advent of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020 changed everything for everyone, but shutdowns have affected some residents more than others.

Published April 7, 2021

Homebuyers, renovators battle ‘unprecedented’ lumber costs

METRO DETROIT — First it was toilet paper and paper towels, then cleaning supplies and hand sanitizer. Now, the latest product to become scarce amid COVID-19 is lumber.

Published April 7, 2021

Local doctor pleads for vigilance as COVID cases climb

METRO DETROIT — A year ago, when metro Detroit was just getting used to the COVID-19 virus being an everyday risk, we had just a small amount of information and a lot of worries.

Published April 7, 2021

Finding new interests during shutdowns

METRO DETROIT — When the COVID-19 pandemic hit in March 2020, musician Mike McCabe was on his way to his job playing piano for vacationers aboard the Carnival Cruise Line.

Published April 6, 2021

Oakland University ranked third-safest college campus in U.S.

ROCHESTER — Oakland University ranks among the safest colleges in the nation, according to a recent study by CollegeMagazine.com.

Published April 6, 2021

OU plans in-person classes, events for fall

ROCHESTER — Oakland University students can expect to return to classrooms and their dorms this fall, according to OU officials.

The Oakland County Community College automobile servicing program received national accreditation from the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence Education Foundation. The program had to meet a five-step accreditation process.

Published April 6, 2021

OCC Auto Service program receives national accreditation

OAKLAND COUNTY — The Oakland Community College automobile service program has achieved national accreditation by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence Education Foundation.

Published April 5, 2021

West Bloomfield Parks and Recreation commissioner writes book on protecting local watersheds

WEST BLOOMFIELD — Last year, West Bloomfield Parks and Recreation Commissioner Sally Wenczel completed a book that she would like to both entertain and educate children.

The West Bloomfield Police Department has reported an increase in scams against residents. Sgt. Jeff Fletemier, Detective Pete Canelopoulos and Lieutenant Kevin Roy handle fraud cases.

Published April 4, 2021

West Bloomfield Police Department reports an increase in fraud cases

WEST BLOOMFIELD — An increase in frauds perpetrated against township residents has gotten the attention of the West Bloomfield Police Department.

The Michigan State Police is putting more than 1,250 calming bags in all of its patrol vehicles to help during interactions with people on the autism spectrum.

Published April 4, 2021

State police outfit vehicles with calming kits to help people with autism

METRO DETROIT — April is Autism Awareness Month, and the Michigan State Police is joining with other law enforcement agencies to not only raise awareness about autism, but also include new calming bags in their patrol vehicles.

Published April 1, 2021

Officials encourage continued vigilance as COVID cases surge

METRO DETROIT — An increase in coronavirus cases across Michigan are causing medical practitioners to again stress the importance of mask wearing and social distancing.

Published March 31, 2021

Woman killed in crash on Gratiot in Roseville

ROSEVILLE — The Roseville Police Department is investigating a deadly crash that occurred March 28 on Gratiot Avenue.

Warren Mayor Jim Fouts and Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel announced a drive-thru COVID-19 vaccination site that will begin operation in Warren on April 8, in the parking structure next to City Hall on Van Dyke Avenue, north of 12 Mile Road.

Published March 31, 2021

Macomb County adds COVID-19 vaccination sites in Warren

WARREN — Eligible people who live or work in southern Macomb County now have increased accessibility to COVID-19 vaccinations by appointment in Warren.

Published March 27, 2021

Lawrence Tech to offer new scholarship to STEM majors

SOUTHFIELD — In the founding documents written for Lawrence Technological University, the words “every student deserves an education, and finances should never get in the way” are written.

Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter speaks at an Oakland County Parks and Recreation Department grand opening in 2020. Coulter recently backed additional protections of LGBTQ residents in the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act.

Published March 26, 2021

Oakland County executive, local legislator back additional LGBTQ protections in Elliott Larsen Civil Rights Act

SOUTHFIELD — The Elliott Larsen Civil Rights Act, signed into law in 1976, prohibits discrimination in Michigan on the basis of race, religion, national origin, age, sex, height, weight, familial status and marital status in employment, housing, education and access to public accommodations.

Published March 24, 2021

Summer camp is back

METRO DETROIT — New friends, crafts, activities and a way to while away the summer are all traditional tenets of summer camp, but after a year that’s been anything but normal, will those traditions survive?

Published March 24, 2021

Spring forward in the garden

METRO DETROIT — For new and experienced gardeners, springtime is the perfect time to assess, observe, prepare and plan what the garden will look like and what it will need for the, hopefully, long and fruitful growing season ahead.