MADISON HEIGHTS/HAZEL PARK — With the new year underway, officials in Hazel Park and Madison Heights are taking one last look back at 2022. In a series of emails, they shared their thoughts on the year that was — as well as what’s next.

HAZEL PARK — A Hazel Park man who was caught in possession of crack cocaine in November is facing double the charges after allegedly being caught with the substance again in December, leading to a consolidated case in the new year.

MADISON HEIGHTS — Two separate killings that happened roughly a month apart during the holiday season remain unsolved, and authorities are asking the public for help solving each case.

OAKLAND COUNTY — If all goes the way some hope, there could be exciting additions coming to some communities in Oakland County.

MADISON HEIGHTS — For half a century, the Association of Chinese Americans has looked out for the interests of metro Detroit’s sizable Chinese American population.

MADISON HEIGHTS — A little bit of light dispels a lot of darkness. It’s one of the core concepts of Hanukkah, the Jewish festival that began Dec. 18 and ends the night of Dec. 26.

MADISON HEIGHTS — The Madison Heights Public Library closed its doors Dec. 16 and began curbside pickups by appointment only Dec. 19. While an exact date has not been determined, it’s expected that the building will reopen sometime in March 2023.

HAZEL PARK — The parent of a student in the Hazel Park Public Schools district is facing criminal charges after allegedly threatening to blow up the high school.

OAKLAND COUNTY — The Oakland County Parks and Recreation Department is asking residents to make their voices heard and share what they would like to see from their local parks and community activities.

OAKLAND COUNTY — Jamie L. Wittenberg, a judge in the 44th District Court, died Nov. 20 at the age of 48 after a three-year battle with brain cancer.

OAKLAND COUNTY — The Oakland County Parks and Recreation Department is granting recreationalists the opportunity to gift loved ones with the great outdoors. The department encourages residents to consider giving an experience by purchasing one of their gift cards this holiday season.

HAZEL PARK — Each year, the Hazel Park District Library has an array of programs that help cement its reputation as a community hub. One of its most popular is Crafts with Santa, where the man in red takes time out of his busy schedule to visit children at the library.

MADISON HEIGHTS — Have an old phone you no longer need? It could save a life.

HAZEL PARK — When police officers and firefighters go to work, they don’t know if they will return safely at the end of their shift. The Project Blue Light ceremony held in Hazel Park each year is a solemn reminder of this, paying tribute to those who gave their lives serving others.

MADISON HEIGHTS — The Madison Heights City Council unanimously approved the return of the Memorial Day Parade for 2023, something that has been absent from the city since 2019.

OAKLAND COUNTY — Motorists across the state should be extra cautious behind the wheel and be on the lookout for deer for the next few months.

OAKLAND COUNTY — City officials are celebrating a commitment by Oakland County to invest heavily in municipal parks and recreation, with about $20 million split across destinations such as Ambassador Park in Madison Heights and portions of Beech Woods Park in Southfield.

HAZEL PARK/MADISON HEIGHTS — Small Business Saturday is Nov. 26, an opportunity to appreciate the many unique shops that keep the local economy humming.

OAKLAND COUNTY/WAYNE COUNTY — During the general election Nov. 8, Mike McFall, the mayor pro tem of Hazel Park, prevailed in his bid for the newly redrawn 8th District of the Michigan House of Representatives.

OAKLAND COUNTY — Five candidates were competing for three six-year terms on the Lamphere Board of Education in the general election Nov. 8.  Paul Cavanaugh came in first with 22.54% (2,367 votes), followed by Ryan McCann at 21.15% (2,221 votes) and Anthony Austin at 19.