UTICA — On Jan. 14, the Barczyk family and the entire team at the Reptarium announced the passing of founder Brian Barczyk at the age of 54.

SHELBY TOWNSHIP — In a move aimed at enhancing pedestrian connectivity and ensuring safety for residents, initial work on constructing a new pedestrian bridge over the Lawson Drain on the north side of 25 Mile Road, between Mound Road and Van Dyke Ave, will begin this month.

METRO DETROIT — Transportation Riders United will host its annual State of Transit program, inviting the public to hear what is going on in metro Detroit transit and what local officials have to say on the topic.

HARRISON TOWNSHIP — Benvenuto Family Restaurant on Jefferson Avenue will be closed indefinitely after an early morning fire on Jan. 18.

ROSEVILLE/ST. CLAIR SHORES — According to a press release by the Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office, 31-year-old Shane Burns has been ordered to stand trial for stabbings in Roseville and St. Clair Shores last year.

ROSEVILLE — Dort Elementary School educators are mourning the loss of a Head Start employee who was found dead in the school’s parking lot Jan. 16.

FRASER — An 86-year-old Clinton Township woman died Jan. 16 after she was reportedly struck by a snowplow truck as she walked out of a Fraser hair salon. The incident occurred at approximately 12:31 p.m. outside of the Salon Inspire & Day Spa on 15 Mile Road near Hayes Road.

GROSSE POINTE FARMS — The Grosse Pointe War Memorial Association is inviting the community in to celebrate its 75th anniversary with a concert series beginning on Sunday, Jan. 21.

ST. CLAIR SHORES — According to letters sent to parents, St. Germaine Catholic School in St. Clair Shores is scheduled to close at the end of this school year. The school has been in the community for 60 years.

METRO DETROIT — It has been more than seven years since Candice Miller left Lansing, but that does not mean she’s stopped following capitol politics. Macomb County’s Republican public works commissioner is undertaking an advocacy campaign against a package of bills that could place an extra cost on water customers throughout the state.

HARRISON TOWNSHIP — The Department of Defense has selected Selfridge Air National Guard Base to receive brand-new air-to-air refueling planes, pending an environmental review scheduled for 2025.

MADISON HEIGHTS — With winter underway, officials at the Madison Heights Department of Public Services say they’re ready for the worst. January has already seen its share of snow and bitter cold, although the forecast is for a warmer season overall. 

WEST BLOOMFIELD – According to a press release from the West Bloomfield Police Department, at around 5 p.m. Jan. 9, a witness saw a physical altercation take place in a parking lot located at 4301 Orchard Lake Road.

TROY — On Jan. 10, Michigan state Reps. Tom Kuhn and Sharon MacDonell introduced a plan to establish a fund for sound barrier construction along state highways on which excessive highway noise has become an issue. 

METRO DETROIT — The Macomb County Sheriff’s Department is warning the public to be on the lookout for scams, particularly those selling tickets to high profile events such as the Detroit Lions’ playoff game on Sunday, Jan. 21.

AUBURN HILLS — Police are searching for three unidentified suspects responsible for robbing a jewelry store at Great Lakes Crossing Outlets.

ROCHESTER — Just as the cabin fever begins to set in, downtown Rochester is offering a chance to embrace the winter weather during the city’s first Frost Festival.

METRO DETROIT — After the Detroit Arsenal of Democracy Museum lost the ability to store its vintage military vehicles on the city of Warren’s Department of Public Works property, Koucar Management stepped up to provide a large indoor storage space in Detroit.

The McDonald’s All American Games are returning on April 2 at the Toyota Center in Houston, and 10 high school basketball players from the Detroit area graced the initial nominee list of 724 players nationwide.