BERKLEY/ROYAL OAK — Sept. 27 was a surreal day for Andrew Kowalkowski, as he formally was sworn in as a judge for the 44th District Court.

SHELBY TOWNSHIP — Justin Wrinkle, a photographer who loves capturing life’s most precious moments and who owns Behind the Lens Photography LLC, a professional photography service, has been named the Shelby Township Featured Artist for the months of September and October.

METRO DETROIT — The majority of people look forward to retirement somewhere around the age of 65. However, for some, retirement is simply a boring separation from a career they love, and thus they choose to forgo it.

FARMINGTON HILLS — A North Farmington High School student has overcome multiple physical and mental health challenges to rise to the top of her game as Miss Michigan Teen USA, and she is using that platform to bring awareness to those conditions.

ROSEVILLE — If you’ve ever visited American House East I on Common Road, you probably have come across resident Carol Huck.

NOVI — The junior varsity tennis coach at Detroit Catholic Central in Novi pursues his tennis dreams in honor of his friend, a New York deputy fire chief who perished during the collapse of the World Trade Center towers on Sept. 11, 2001.

LATHRUP VILLAGE — Dressed in heels no less than 3 inches tall, Loretta DeLoach is not your typical 90-year-old woman.

WARREN — When students at two Warren Woods Public Schools buildings return to school this month, they’ll be sure to notice the new murals displayed inside.

ROYAL OAK — The city of Royal Oak announced that City Commissioner Patricia Paruch died Aug. 22 in her home. She was 72.

FERNDALE — The city of Ferndale recently honored outgoing Assistant City Manager Kyle Pollet, who will serve his last day on Sept 7.

SHELBY TOWNSHIP — Stevenson High School senior Andrew Bogusz, from Shelby Township, won the Must See Racing Bob Frey Classic Midwest Lights 30-lap feature event Aug. 19 at Lorain Raceway Park in South Amherst, Ohio.

SHELBY TOWNSHIP/UTICA/STERLING HEIGHTS — Sara Holden, who graduated from Utica High School and attended Jeannette Junior High and Schuchard Elementary, did theater while she was at UHS and has since taken the skills she learned even further.

ST. CLAIR SHORES — Following biblical promises and a strong commitment, Michael Agnello said he feels obligated to bless others in the way he has been blessed.

ROYAL OAK — Due to a cancer diagnosis earlier this year, Royal Oak City Commissioner Patricia Paruch announced she will be stepping away from the commission and entering hospice care.

BLOOMFIELD HILLS — The first CAR-T therapy patient at Corewell Health’s Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak, plans to walk his daughter down the aisle in September.

STERLING HEIGHTS — Sterling Heights resident Dawn King loves attending Sterling Heights events like Music in the Park concerts and watching everyone cut loose on the dance floor.

ST. CLAIR SHORES — Rosanne Minne comes from a long line of volunteers, including her grandmother, who volunteered during World War I.

SOUTHFIELD — The National Veterans of Foreign Wars’ #StillServing Campaign recognized Southfield veteran Seth Allard for his hard work and dedication to studying suicide and mental health within the military and veteran community.

STERLING HEIGHTS — As a retiree from a past career of clinical therapy and social work, Sterling Heights resident James Schmittdiel says he often spends his days going to the gym, bike riding, walking and running.

GROSSE POINTE WOODS — In retail, a profession that routinely sees employees come and go, Howard Lettner has been a welcome, friendly constant.