Local Government

Published April 6, 2021

Council moves to regulate short-term rentals

FERNDALE — The Ferndale City Council approved regulatory standards pertaining to short-term rentals at its March 22 meeting.

Published April 6, 2021

C&G Newspapers

The future of the justice system

MACOMB COUNTY — For over a year now, the Macomb County judicial system has largely operated remotely, from moving court proceedings to Zoom and YouTube, to delaying in-person jury trials.

LEFT: Pamela Alexander is the president of the Northern Macomb County Branch, NAACP. RIGHT: Tristam Craig, the first vice president of the Northern Macomb County Branch, NAACP, was supportive and thought starting the branch was a good idea from the beginning.

Published April 5, 2021

C&G Newspapers

Civil rights organization opens new northern Macomb branch

MACOMB COUNTY — On March 14, after many months of organizing, petitioning and training, and in accordance with all NAACP bylaws, the Northern Macomb County Branch of the NAACP has officially been established and is ready to serve in local communities.

Published April 5, 2021

Roseville - Eastpointe Eastsider

Eastpointe partners with Habitat for Humanity to refurbish, sell homes

EASTPOINTE — A partnership between the city of Eastpointe and Macomb County Habitat for Humanity is yielding positive results, with the latter renovating and remodeling several tax-reverted homes in the community so that they can be resold to local families or those in need, including one on Gascony Avenue that was completed March 26.

Published April 3, 2021

Madison - Park News

State of emergency extended in Madison Heights

MADISON HEIGHTS — With three vaccines beginning to roll out, officials hope to see society return to normal sooner rather than later. But with most people not yet vaccinated, and variants of the coronavirus beginning to appear, the city of Madison Heights is extending its emergency order.

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

C&G Newspapers

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.

New Clinton Township interview series takes candid look at first responders

Published March 25, 2021

Fraser - Clinton Township Chronicle

New Clinton Twp. interview series takes candid look at first responders

CLINTON TOWNSHIP — “I honestly believe it’s an opportunity to show we’re human, too.” Those are the words of Clinton Township Police Department officer Joseph Biggers, who is one of numerous public safety personnel taking part in a new digital interview series hitting the airwaves in the township.

Published March 25, 2021

Grosse Pointe Times

New gazebo being built at Pier Park

GROSSE POINTE FARMS — Pier Park’s iconic gazebo met with the wrecking ball, but plans for a new one are in motion.

Published March 24, 2021

Farmington Press

Gary Mekjian named new Farmington Hills city manager

FARMINGTON HILLS — The city of Farmington Hills recently announced that Gary Mekjian will step into the role of city manager.

Published March 24, 2021

Macomb Township Chronicle

Reimbursements approved for employees who testified in grand jury

MACOMB TOWNSHIP — Three Macomb Township employees will be reimbursed for expenses related to testifying before a grand jury.

Published March 24, 2021

Madison - Park News

Madison Heights mayor delivers State of the City Address

MADISON HEIGHTS — The mayor of Madison Heights issued her State of the Cities Address during an online broadcast March 4 through the Madison Heights/Hazel Park Chamber of Commerce.

Published March 24, 2021

Grosse Pointe Times

Grosse Pointe Park Public Safety director candidates to undergo initial interviews this month

GROSSE POINTE PARK — Grosse Pointe Park is getting closer to naming a new public safety director, and many are hoping that person will be able to address issues of racial bias that have long troubled the community.

Published March 24, 2021

Shelby - Utica News

Utica City Council approves updated noise ordinance

UTICA — The Utica City Council approved an updated noise ordinance at its March 9 Zoom meeting. The noise ordinance is meant to preserve the peace and tranquility of neighborhoods, public places and streets within the community.

Published March 24, 2021

Mount Clemens - Clinton - Harrison Journal

Bidder selected to rehabilitate township pump station

HARRISON TOWNSHIP — Rehabilitation is officially underway for the Catfish Channel and Seaway Pump Station in Harrison Township.

Published March 23, 2021

Grosse Pointe Times

Dog park location opponents ask Grosse Pointe Park to hold off on construction

GROSSE POINTE PARK — While many dog lovers say it’s long overdue, a forthcoming dog park at Patterson Park is still the subject of concern for some residents.

Published March 23, 2021

Shelby - Utica News

SEMCOG awards funding for walking and biking projects in Shelby Township

SHELBY TOWNSHIP — SEMCOG, the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments, has announced an award of $3.6 million in Transportation Alternatives Program, or TAP, funding for eight walking and biking projects throughout the region this year, including in Shelby Township.

Published March 23, 2021

C&G Newspapers

Macomb County board passes budget amendments

MACOMB COUNTY — Following a February funding presentation and Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office review, the first of several requests are now approved.

Royal Oak approves downtown park budget, contracts

Published March 22, 2021

Royal Oak Review

Royal Oak approves downtown park budget, contracts

ROYAL OAK — On March 8, the Royal Oak City Commission unanimously approved two agenda items that greenlighted the budget and construction contracts for the new downtown park, the last element of the expansive civic center project.

The company that provided these electric scooters to the Nautical Mile in 2020, Gotcha, is no longer in business. City Council tabled a decision on whether to contract with a new company, Bird Rides, to provide scooters across the city.

Published March 22, 2021

St. Clair Shores Sentinel

New scooter company wants to swoop into St. Clair Shores

ST. CLAIR SHORES — Residents and visitors to the Nautical Mile in the summer of 2020 couldn’t miss the teal electric scooters parked along the sidewalk, waiting for riders to take them for a spin.

Published March 22, 2021

Madison - Park News

Hazel Park City Council introduces human rights ordinance

HAZEL PARK — When April DeBoer and Jayne Rowse — Hazel Park residents at the time — challenged Michigan’s same-sex marriage ban in 2012, their goal was to marry so they could ensure their adopted children have the same rights under both parents.