Rochester Post

Published September 30, 2015

OAKLAND TOWNSHIP —The township’s rich history will soon be visible to residents and visitors, thanks to a new historic marker program.

“Our historic resources are scattered throughout the township,” Heidi Paterson, chair of the Oakland Township Historic District Commission, said during a Sept. 22 presentation at Oakland Township Hall. “The historic marker program is our opportunity to raise their visibility through a marker, a marker booklet, photos and maybe even a marker tour, if resources are available.”

Published September 30, 2015

West Nile virus claims the life of 81-year-old woman

OAKLAND COUNTY — An 81-year-old woman from Oakland County has become the first Michigan fatality associated with the mosquito-borne West Nile virus this year.

Oakland County Health Division officals said that prior to last week, Michigan had not seen a West Nile virus-related human death since 2003.

George Miller, director of the Oakland County Department of Health and Human Services, said the death is a tragic reminder of how severe West Nile virus can be, especially for adults over 50 who are at greater risk for severe illness.

Published September 30, 2015

Dinosaur Hill to celebrate Halloween with annual fundraiser

ROCHESTER — For the past 34 years, Dinosaur Hill Nature Preserve has proven that Halloween events don’t have to be spooky to be spectacular.

Dinosaur Hill’s Halloween Hoot is one of the area’s oldest family-friendly Halloween events — one that has turned into a tradition for many in the Rochester area.

Published September 29, 2015

Oakland County on the hunt for next ‘MI Great Artist’

METRO DETROIT — Artists from eight counties across the state can enter an online art competition through Oct. 9 for the chance to be named the fourth annual MI Great Artist winner.

Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson, along with Park West Gallery founder and CEO Albert Scaglione, launched the contest in 2012 as a quality-of-life initiative to identify and support up-and-coming artists. Now in its fourth year, the program’s cash awards have grown to a total of $3,000, with additional prizes bringing the total to more than $16,000.

Published September 29, 2015

Officials ‘break ground’ on state’s first Legoland Discovery Center

AUBURN HILLS — Approximately 50,000 Lego bricks tumbled from a large construction truck onto a tarp in front of Great Lakes Crossing Outlets Sept. 28, marking the first step of the piecing together of Michigan’s Legoland Discovery Center.

Published September 23, 2015

Fall farm visits to support the library in October

OXFORD — Each fall, families across the country bundle up and head to local farms and orchards to pick apples and pumpkins, sample fresh cider and doughnuts, and enjoy some seasonal family fun.

During the month of October, people who visit Upland Hills Farm in Oxford for its annual Fall Harvest Festival can also support the Friends of the Rochester Hills Public Library.

Published September 23, 2015

Village to host Spotlights Market

ROCHESTER HILLS — Fne art, gifts and fun for the family will be on offer at the upcoming Spotlights Market, presented by the Meadow Brook Theatre Guild at the Village of Rochester Hills shopping center.

“The juried show will feature 115 artisans from near and far,” Suellen Parkes, Spotlights chairperson, said in an email. “Almost half of which are new to the show this year, along with the return of many favorites.”

Published September 23, 2015

RCS schools ranked among America’s top high schools by Newsweek

ROCHESTER — Two Rochester-area high schools were recently recognized in Newsweek’s list of America’s top high schools.

Each year, Newsweek releases a list of the high schools across the nation that it says “do the best job of preparing students for college.”

According to Newsweek, the report is based on student retention, Advanced Placement scores, SAT/ACT scores, dual enrollment participation and counselor-to-student ratios, among other criteria.

Published September 23, 2015

OU students study the art of the costume

ROCHESTER HILLS — Oakland University’s Costume Shop, tucked away in Varner Hall, provides all of the costumes for the dances and theatrical performances presented by the school’s Department of Music, Theatre and Dance.

“We make about 350 costumes each year,” said Christa Koerner, OU Costume Shop manager and teacher. “We are nonstop.”

All costumes are student-designed, said Koerner, who teaches costume construction and craft.

Published September 23, 2015

Celebrate fall at pumpkin festival

ROCHESTER HILLS — The city’s Stone Wall Pumpkin Festival is so popular there is a waiting list for workers.

“We have people who are disappointed they can’t get in on the volunteer list,” said Pat Hambleton, a Rochester Garden Club member who is in charge of the volunteers. “We think this is the most fun.”

The entire family is invited to attend the festival and carve a pumpkin after enjoying games, music, food and much more at the Rochester Hills Museum at Van Hoosen Farm.

Published September 23, 2015

RCS bus fleet undergoes new inspection process

ROCHESTER — Of the 111 buses in the Rochester Community Schools fleet, nine did not pass inspection by the Michigan State Police.

The MSP Traffic Safety Division conducts school bus inspections throughout the state on an annual basis between Sept. 1 and Aug. 31 and publishes a report of its findings.

Published September 22, 2015

Downtown Rochester to bring popular fairytales to life

ROCHESTER — The community is invited to step into a world of enchantment along Main Street this October to watch as scenes from beloved fairytales are re-created during Rochester Posed.

The city’s third annual live mannequin event, scheduled for 6-8 p.m. Oct. 1 this year, invites downtown Rochester businesses to turn their storefront windows into live mannequin displays modeled after popular fairytales.

Published September 22, 2015

Rochester police join National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day

ROCHESTER — Rochester residents can rid their homes of unwanted over-the-counter and prescription drugs this Saturday.

The Rochester Police Department will partner with the Drug Enforcement Administration during the 10th annual National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Sept. 26. The department will serve as a drop-off point for people to discard expired, unused and unwanted medications for destruction. Injectable medication will not be accepted.

Published September 22, 2015

Campus police search for sexual assault suspect

ROCHESTER HILLS — Oakland University police are asking anyone who has information about a man who sexually assaulted a student at 6 p.m. Sept. 8 on campus to contact police.

“A student met someone online, and they communicated for some time,” Oakland University Chief of Campus Police Mark Gordon said. “They met on campus. She was sexaully assaulted.”

Published September 16, 2015

Art & Apples Festival hits 50-year mark

ROCHESTER — The Paint Creek Center for the Arts celebrated the 50th anniversary of its Art & Apples Festival last weekend, an accomplishment that drew the recognition of many local dignitaries.

A number of state, county and city leaders came to kick off the event Sept. 11, helping to officially cut the ribbon to open the event in Rochester Municipal Park.

Published September 16, 2015

City named safest in state

ROCHESTER HILLS — A new report names Rochester Hills the safest city in Michigan.

Munetrix, a state-based data aggregator, listed the city as No. 1 among local municipalities with populations over 50,000. After collecting data over three years, Munetrix found Rochester Hills’ crime rate of 2.47 percent per capita to be the lowest. The city’s crime rate has decreased every year since 2008.

Published September 16, 2015

State releases four RCS schools from Focus Schools list

ROCHESTER — The state has removed all four of the remaining schools within the Rochester Community Schools district from its Focus Schools list for their efforts to bridge the achievement gap between the top and bottom 30 percent of students.

Focus Schools, according to the Michigan Department of Education, are the 10 percent of Michigan schools having the widest gap in student achievement between the lowest- and highest-performing students.

Published September 16, 2015

Drivers reminded to stay alert now that school is back in session

METRO DETROIT — The school year kicked off Sept. 8, filling the roads and sidewalks once again with buses and children traveling to and from school.

With more traffic on the roads and more children walking outside, AAA Michigan is reminding motorists to stay alert in neighborhoods and school zones as part of its School’s Open — Drive Carefully awareness campaign.

Published September 15, 2015

Brooksie Way promotes healthy living

ROCHESTER HILLS — The official Brooksie Way training program grows every year, according to race officials.

“We have about 500 people in the training program this year,” said Sue Barnes, Brooksie Way training program coordinator. “Thirty to 40 percent have never run in a race before; 60 percent come back every year for the training and the social benefits.”

Published September 15, 2015

Squires serve up wild game dinner

ROCHESTER HILLS —Since 1983, a dedicated group has made sure Meadow Brook Hall is in working order.

“The Squires are our men’s volunteer group,” said Shannon O’Berski, MBH marketing manager. “They are the handymen of Meadow Brook, keeping up the integrity of the home. They help out around the house and with special projects as needed.”

“We are a maintenance group — mending and fixing and whatever needs to be done around the house,” Squire Randy Walker said.