Royal Oak Review

Published August 7, 2020

Girl Scouts implement new STEM-focused badges and activities

METRO DETROIT — The Girl Scouts of Southeastern Michigan are encouraging interest in science, technology, engineering and math in their Scouts through new programs and the addition of 24 new badges.

Published August 7, 2020

Area Agency on Aging offers online program for caregivers

METRO DETROIT — The Area Agency on Aging 1-B is taking its caregiver class, the Powerful Tools for Caregivers program, and hosting it online so those caring for a sick loved one can still learn despite the pandemic.

Published August 6, 2020

Coulter, Kowall prevail in Oakland County executive primary

OAKLAND COUNTY — The Oakland County executive candidates have been set for the Nov. 3 general election.

Published August 5, 2020

Gregory, Bouchard to face off for sheriff in November

OAKLAND COUNTY — Democrat Vincent Gregory will face incumbent Republican Michael Bouchard for the Oakland County Sheriff seat in November.

Becky Skates, of Royal Oak, dropped off many bags of plastic for recycling at the SOCRRA Recycling Drop-Off Center after making an appointment July 24.

Published July 28, 2020

SOCRRA re-opens recycling drop-off center, by appointment only

METRO DETROIT — For the past four months, eco-conscious consumers have been stockpiling their paper, cardboard, glass and plastic containers while SOCRRA’s Recycling Drop-Off Center was closed due to COVID-19.

Published July 28, 2020

Beat the summer heat

METRO DETROIT — Seemingly endless weeks of hot, steamy weather along with a few intense storms have dramatically increased the use of air conditioning, and at times, cut power altogether this summer.

Published July 28, 2020

Detroit Zoo defends method of removing of native wildlife

ROYAL OAK — The Detroit Zoological Society has opted to keep its newborn female red panda cub in an indoor holding area not open to the public due to the increased number of red foxes and other native wildlife in the zoo

Published July 28, 2020

Royal Oak, Clawson school districts examine school year

ROYAL OAK/CLAWSON — School districts across the state are looking at what returning to school this fall will look like in the face of a global pandemic.

Kathleen Nasrey, of Royal Oak, sits in her living room with her grandchildren, Rylee, 9; Harper, 8; and Monroe, 6 months, on July 5, 2018. Nasrey received new living room floors through the home improvement program offered by the city.

Published July 28, 2020

Home repair program available for qualifying residents in Royal Oak

ROYAL OAK — For more than 40 years, the city of Royal Oak has offered a Housing Rehabilitation Program for qualifying low- to moderate-income residents to help finance home repairs.

Jill Jack and the American Songbook, a jazz band, performs at the 22nd annual Arts, Beats & Eats in downtown Royal Oak last year. The event is officially canceled this year, but organizers have maintained a semblance of normalcy with smaller events with heightened health measures.

Published July 27, 2020

Arts, Beats & Eats canceled, but ‘The Beats Go On’

ROYAL OAK — Due to social distancing guidelines and the health threat of COVID-19, Arts, Beats & Eats organizers officially announced the cancellation of the long-standing Labor Day festival July 22.

Published July 26, 2020

Will Postal Service delays impact primary election?

OAKLAND COUNTY — As Michigan draws closer to its Aug. 4 primary election, which has seen increases in absentee ballot voting, will postal delays end up having an impact on voters ability to submit their ballots on time and have them counted?

Published July 24, 2020

Experts warn seniors to be wary of scammers

METRO DETROIT — Senior citizens are a favorite target for many scammers, and they have plenty to watch out for both from criminals and from unscrupulous businesses who seek to take advantage of them.

Published July 23, 2020

Experts brace for problems as eviction and foreclosure moratorium ends

METRO DETROIT — On April 1, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer issued a moratorium on evictions and foreclosures due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The order was to last until June when it was extended to last until July 15.

Local residents Jonathan Sitko, left, and Brad Berry recently launched an online grocery store.

Published July 23, 2020

Locally grown food is an option close to home

OAKLAND COUNTY — Food preferences for metro Detroit residents can run the gamut, depending on taste and lifestyle.

Published July 22, 2020

Lights, a door and a good connection are key to working from home

METRO DETROIT — Across the United States, about 5 million employees work from home at least half of the time, according to the U.S. Census American Community Survey. That number has likely been pushed higher now — at least temporarily, but in some cases permanently — by a shift in the way companies do business in the COVID-19 pandemic.

Masks must be worn inside Jay Birds Rotisserie and Grill, 24480 10 Mile Road in Southfield.

Published July 21, 2020

Oakland County leaders, police weigh in on mask mandate

OAKLAND COUNTY — If you’re looking to make or keep friends in 2020, you’d be wise to steer clear of the topic of mask mandates.

Buses drop off students for the first day of class at Southfield High School for the Arts and Technology during a past school year.

Published July 21, 2020

Pediatrician group, district, governor talk about school plans

METRO DETROIT — One group of professionals is hoping students will head back to school in the fall, despite the COVID-19 outbreak.

Published July 21, 2020

Royal Oak moves forward with recreational marijuana

ROYAL OAK — In a 5-2 vote July 16, the Royal Oak City Commission approved the first readings of both a licensing and a zoning ordinance aimed at regulating recreational marijuana facilities in the city.

Royal Oak artists Marcia Hovland, left, and Laurie Eisenhardt, right, work on a clay mosaic at Eisenhardt’s home studio July 13. It tells the story of Royal Oak’s past, present and future and will be installed at the new Royal Oak City Hall.

Published July 21, 2020

Clay artists create Royal Oak-themed artwork for new City Hall

ROYAL OAK — Laurie Eisenhardt and Marcia Hovland, both of Royal Oak, have teamed up to create an interactive public art project sponsored by the Royal Oak Commission for the Arts’ inaugural artist laureate program.

A pair of Lighthouse volunteers load a truck with food boxes containing perishable and nonperishable food for distribution.

Published July 21, 2020

Royal Oak offers assistance for residents affected by COVID-19

ROYAL OAK — The Royal Oak City Commission recently appropriated a large portion of its CARES Act allocation from the federal government to three social service programs for city residents affected by COVID-19.