Royal Oak Review

Farmington Hills City Clerk Pam Smith leads an election poll worker training seminar Oct. 21, 2020.

Published October 23, 2020

Another election, another record-setting turnout by voters

OAKLAND COUNTY — We saw it in the March election. We saw it again in August, and we will likely continue to see it during the upcoming Nov. 3 presidential election. Voters in 2020 are coming out in record-breaking droves to cast their ballots.

The Salvation Army of Metro Detroit is offering assistance for Oakland County residents who have been financially affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Published October 23, 2020

Grant money helps Salvation Army provide assistance to Oakland County residents

OAKLND COUNTY — The Salvation Army of Metro Detroit is helping to provide relief for Oakland County residents who have been hit hard financially by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Published October 22, 2020

Operation Blue Santa to make Christmas bright for local children

METRO DETROIT — Because police officers are often the first to see the impoverished situations some children live in, officers who worked with the late Collin Rose are trying to bring cheer, charity and kindness to less fortunate children this holiday season.

Published October 21, 2020

Family transforms Pontiac GTO into a winner

ROCHESTER HILLS — In 2003, Rochester Hills resident Mary Jane Pasko entered a contest at the local Farmer Jack grocery store.

Published October 20, 2020

Royal Oak Schools students to begin hybrid in-person learning

ROYAL OAK — During the Oct. 8 Royal Oak Board of Education meeting, Superintendent Mary Beth Fitzpatrick revealed the district’s plan to bring students back to school buildings beginning Nov. 9, the first day of the second-quarter marking period.

Local officials advise caution Halloween night

Published October 20, 2020

Royal Oak, Clawson officials advise caution Halloween night

ROYAL OAK/CLAWSON — As Halloween is a national holiday, local jurisdictions can neither legislate nor cancel Halloween.

Published October 20, 2020

Memorial garden for late Commissioner Kim Gibbs coming to South Barton Park

ROYAL OAK — On Oct. 12, the Royal Oak City Commission unanimously directed staff to begin the necessary preparations for a memorial garden dedicated to late City Commissioner Kim Gibbs.

Published October 20, 2020

Clawson PD hosts virtual pumpkin carving contest

CLAWSON — Spooky season is here, and although COVID-19 public health risks have led to the cancellation of many in-person Halloween activities, the Clawson Police Department found a creative solution for families to get festive.

Eric Florka works in Royal Oak as a gas line worker for Consumers Energy after surviving his battle with COVID-19.

Published October 20, 2020

COVID-19 survivor, hospitalized 44 days, encourages people to ‘mask up’

ROYAL OAK — Ever since 48-year-old Eric Florka’s unique and life-threatening encounter with COVID-19, he has become a strong advocate for wearing facial coverings to prevent the spread of the virus.

Published October 20, 2020

Grant to supplement sobriety court program in Royal Oak

ROYAL OAK — On Oct. 12, the Royal Oak City Commission unanimously approved a Michigan Drug Court Grant Program contract for the 44th District Court, which serves Royal Oak and Berkley, in the amount of $77,000 for the period of Oct. 1, 2020, through Sept. 30, 2021.

Published October 20, 2020

State launches new weekly data on COVID-19 school outbreaks

METRO DETROIT — As students begin to transition to in-person learning, Michigan families can now see if there are COVID-19 outbreaks within their schools, colleges and universities.

Published October 20, 2020

Don’t let isolation lead to stagnation

METRO DETROIT — Many of us, fortunately, have been able to avoid contracting the dangerous COVID-19 virus.

Published October 20, 2020

Summer to fall transition is ideal time for closet makeover

METRO DETROIT — The leaves are turning colors and falling, pools are closed for the season, and we are still in a global pandemic.

Published October 20, 2020

Social media serves as saving grace for seniors in COVID era

METRO DETROIT — The list of essential items needed to get through the COVID-19 pandemic goes well beyond personal protection equipment.

Published October 16, 2020

Men charged with using robocalls to intimidate voters

METRO DETROIT — Two men described as “political operatives” by Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel’s office have been charged with crimes related to voter intimidation.

Published October 16, 2020

Musicians band together for the Pope Francis Center

METRO DETROIT — Under a broken movie screen amid bright lights and piles of concrete off to the side, the Orbitsuns finish their 10th take of Bob Seger’s “Sunspot Baby.”

Published October 16, 2020

Candidates share vision for Oakland Community College

OAKLAND COUNTY — In the Nov. 3 election, seven candidates will be on the ballot for Oakland Community College’s Board of Trustees. There are two seats for which they are competing — each is a six-year term.

Published October 7, 2020

Clawson school board seeks write-in candidates

CLAWSON — With the election less than a month away, the Clawson Board of Education does not have enough candidates officially running for office.

Published October 7, 2020

Royal Oak introduces amendments to marijuana licensing ordinance

ROYAL OAK — On Sept. 28, the Royal Oak City Commission voted 5-1 to approve the first reading of two amendments to its recreational marijuana licensing ordinance, which it initially adopted July 27, in an effort to provide a more open playing field.