Royal Oak Review

Published December 18, 2018

Royal Oak to ban tobacco vaping by minors per school district’s request

ROYAL OAK — On Dec. 10, the Royal Oak City Commission unanimously approved the first reading of an ordinance amendment that would ban minors, or those younger than 18, from using e-cigarettes and tobacco vaping products.

Published December 18, 2018

Clawson Veteran Memorial in search of donations

CLAWSON — Almost four years ago, a group led by Clawson veterans embarked on a journey to honor deceased active-duty service members with ties to the community — who either lived in Clawson, attended school in Clawson or owned a business in Clawson.

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 18, 2018

Oakland County holiday displays mapped out online

OAKLAND COUNTY — Holiday light displays can be works of art, don’t you think? No matter how big or small, elegant or whimsical, bright and colorful, or subtle and chic, each family’s light show is an expression of spirit, and the wire and bulbs are their medium.

Published December 18, 2018

Royal Oak denies zoning variance for home firearms dealer

ROYAL OAK — A sizable showing of concerned residents attended the Dec. 13 Royal Oak Zoning Board of Appeals meeting for a public hearing regarding a home occupation variance to sell guns.

Published December 17, 2018

Parking lot sale part of OCC expansion plan

ROYAL OAK — On Dec. 10, the Royal Oak City Commission voted 5-2 to direct staff to prepare a purchase and development agreement with Oakland Community College for the school’s proposed expansion.

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.”

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

Clawson selects interim city manager

CLAWSON — In a 3-2 vote Dec. 4, the Clawson City Council conditionally approved a contract with GovTempsUSA to appoint Richard Haberman as the city’s interim city manager.

Published December 11, 2018

Royal Oak encourages neighborliness with Shovel It Forward campaign

ROYAL OAK — Without a formal snow ordinance on the books, the city of Royal Oak recently rolled out a Shovel It Forward campaign that aims to rely on residents’ goodwill to clear sidewalks and driveways.

Published December 11, 2018

After September brain surgery, 5-year-old has been seizure-free

ROYAL OAK — After struggling with seizures since she was an infant, 5-year-old Sophia Carr’s family is happy to report that their daughter has not had a seizure in the two months since she had surgery to remove the brain tissue responsible for the seizures.

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 11, 2018

Clawson extends suspension of enforcement on chicken violations

CLAWSON — On Dec. 4, the Clawson City Council unanimously voted to extend the suspension of enforcement on chicken violations for an additional 45 days, or until Jan. 18, on the premise that an updated ordinance will be in place by that time.

Published December 10, 2018

Flashlight program shows strong support for child patients

ROYAL OAK — For the second year, the community has gathered outside the pediatric unit at Beaumont Hospital every night in December with flashlights in hand to support the Moonbeams for Sweet Dreams program.