Farmington Press

Published December 28, 2018

Realtors report 2018 was a seller’s market

METRO DETROIT — Real estate professionals are saying 2018 strongly leaned toward being a seller’s market in southeast Michigan, but they added that this could begin to shift in 2019.

Published December 27, 2018

A year of influence in the Farmington area

FARMINGTON/FARMINGTON HILLS — The celebratory sentiments have all but died down, and the greater Farmington area is thriving in the wake of 2018’s highlights and indelible moments.

Published December 27, 2018

New parks and training facilities, roadwork top 2019 wish list

OAKLAND COUNTY — From Pleasant Ridge to Holly, Hazel Park to Farmington Hills, 2018 was a good year for Oakland County, officials said. For many at the helm of the county’s various departments, the new year will be largely about staying the course: keep up the economic growth, the safe communities and impeccable public services.

Skylar Miklus, Emme D’Errico and Ella D’Errico, all of Farmington Hills, skate it up at the Riley Park Ice Rink during a past event.

Published December 20, 2018

Farmington residents prefer youth athletics, wildlife protection in new rec plan

FARMINGTON — The city of Farmington wants to hear your ideas on the future for its 2019 recreation master plan.

Superintendent George Heitsch, center, and other local officials gather during the Farmington STEAM Academy ribbon cutting Oct. 12, 2017.

Published December 20, 2018

Heitsch to retire in 2019 from Farmington Public Schools after decades in education

FARMINGTON — Farmington Public Schools Superintendent George Heitsch has made a 40-year career out of helping shape students’ minds.

Dottie Pheney, a Farmington Community Library paraprofessional, reads “Bugs Galore” to children in 2015 at a district media center.

Published December 18, 2018

Farmington Area PTA Council receives grant for diverse books

FARMINGTON HILLS — A grant to a local school group will put more diverse books on the shelves of Farmington Public Schools’ media centers.

The 8-by-32-foot mural on the brick wall along State Street, part of the CVS Pharmacy building, was created by Farmington Hills resident John Martin.

Published December 18, 2018

Farmington Hills man’s art selected for mural project

FARMINGTON — The large brick wall along State Street, part of the CVS Pharmacy building, 23391 Farmington Road, was a blank canvas. Now it is home to an eye-catching mural.

Published December 18, 2018

Air quality ‘unhealthy for sensitive groups,’ MDEQ warns

METRO DETROIT — Did you notice, last week, when the weather app on your phone warned that the air quality in metro Detroit was poor, and maybe even dangerous for at-risk groups? You weren’t alone. The air quality in many areas of southeastern Michigan has been rated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as “unhealthy for sensitive groups” periodically since late November.

Published December 17, 2018

Ring in the new year with size and style

METRO DETROIT — New Year’s Eve is a special kind of holiday. Following the hustle and bustle of a month mostly dedicated to Christmas, the final day of the year can sometimes be an afterthought. But those who are hosting parties can benefit by upgrading electronics and configuring decorations.

Published December 17, 2018

Metro Detroiters share experiences with working on holidays

METRO DETROIT — There’s no place like home for the holidays — with family gatherings, stories of yesteryear and delicious meals. But for some, it’s another day at the office, whether that office is in a squad car, inside an emergency room or behind a snowplow.

Published December 13, 2018

The Friday 5 — Dec. 14-16

Your guide to this weekend's events

Published December 12, 2018

Dealership asks for socks, warm clothes for veterans

ROCHESTER HILLS — The holidays are a time for giving, and the staff at Rochester Hills Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram are announcing their effort to pick up some clothing items for homeless veterans.

Published December 12, 2018

Faraway holiday traditions decorate local homes, hearts

METRO DETROIT — During Christmastime, Birmingham resident Rita Dunker, 63, doesn’t have to look far to find what takes her back to her childhood growing up in post-war Germany in the small country town of Weseke. Dunker frequents the annual Birmingham Winter Markt, described as a European-themed wonderland in Shain Park in Birmingham.

Published December 12, 2018

Holiday music provides a soundtrack for the season

METRO DETROIT — According to the Christmas classic, there’s no place like “Home for the Holidays.”

Farmington resident Ginny Morris was queen of her own court and passed always Dec. 1 from a stroke. She was loved by many in the community and gave tirelessly through volunteerism.

Published December 11, 2018

‘The true Miss Farmington’: Community activist leaves legacy behind

FARMINGTON HILLS — Ginny Morris, 73, of Farmington, died Dec. 1 from a stroke.

The Johnson Nature Center in Bloomfield Township has wetlands and wildlife.

Published December 11, 2018

Proposed wetlands bill would cause environmental ‘degradation,’ groups warn

METRO DETROIT — A bill recently introduced to the Michigan Senate Natural Resources Committee is causing concern about potential threats to local wetlands, lakes and streams.

Published December 11, 2018

Explore Aretha Franklin’s music, social impact at Detroit Historical Museum

DETROIT — The legacy of Detroit’s Queen of Soul lives on in the heart of the city. Until spring 2019, the Detroit Historical Museum in Midtown is celebrating the life and music of Aretha Franklin in a special exhibition inside the museum’s Kid Rock Music Lab.

Published December 11, 2018

Good deeds go a long way on regional Mitzvah Day

METRO DETROIT — Any day is a good day for a mitzvah. On Dec. 25, nearly 1,000 volunteers of all ages will roll up their sleeves and make the community a little bit better with some mitzvahs of their own — that means good deed, in Hebrew — during the 22nd annual Mitzvah Day.

Published December 10, 2018

Proposed wetlands bill would cause environmental ‘degradation,’ groups warn

METRO DETROIT — A bill recently introduced to the Michigan Senate Natural Resources Committee is causing concern about potential threats to local wetlands, lakes and streams.