West Bloomfield Beacon

A Suburban Collection Farmington Hills Nissan employee makes a donation to the Drive Away Hunger campaign.

Published November 20, 2020

Drive Away Hunger campaign hopes to donate 1 million meals

METRO DETROIT — Food is a basic need, but for some families, it’s become their biggest challenge.

State rolls out COVID-19 exposure notification app

Published November 19, 2020

Michigan rolls out COVID-19 exposure notification app

LANSING — MI COVID Alert is a new statewide COVID-19 exposure notification app that lets users know whether they might recently have been exposed to COVID-19. It uses randomly generated phone codes and low energy Bluetooth technology instead of GPS location to protect privacy.

Published November 18, 2020

‘Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree’ at home with your favorite holiday music

METRO DETROIT — This holiday season will be different for many because of COVID-19, but that doesn’t mean it has to be a “Blue Christmas.”

Published November 18, 2020

Veterans group celebrates Veterans Day remotely

METRO DETROIT — Recognizing Veterans Day Nov. 11 was a challenge for most people given the COVID-19 quarantine, but the Metro Detroit Veterans Coalition forged ahead with a virtual alternative to its annual parade.

Published November 18, 2020

West Bloomfield police, fire departments face hiring hurdles

WEST BLOOMFIELD — Despite an unpredictable, rollercoaster year of events, the West Bloomfield police and fire departments each recently had postings for open positions, with the township seeking police officers and firefighters/paramedics.

Published November 18, 2020

It’s beginning to look — kinda — like Christmas

METRO DETROIT — COVID-19 has taken a lot of celebrations away from us this season. Will it take out the season of giving, too? Not if retailers have a say in the matter.

School district breaks ground on ‘state-of-the-art’ early childhood center

Published November 17, 2020

WLCSD breaks ground on ‘state-of-the-art’ early childhood center

WALLED LAKE — When Cathy Kochanski was hired as the assistant superintendent of learning services for the Walled Lake Consolidated School District in July 2019, there was an instant perk that came with the job.

West Bloomfield Youth Assistance has been offering “Parenting on the Go” webinars to help educate parents on mental health topics pertaining to children and families.

Published November 17, 2020

Group’s ‘Parenting on the Go’ program offers tips for parents

WEST BLOOMFIELD — During her time as a professional psychologist over the past 15 years or so, Dr. Melanie Schwartz has never dealt with anything like this period in world history.

Published November 17, 2020

JVS recognizes Salvation Army worker as local ‘Employee of the Year’

KEEGO HARBOR — Life hasn’t always been easy for Tyler Feil.

Signs like this one, seen at the splash pad at Kensington Metropark, helped visitors know how far they should social distance while using Huron-Clinton Metroparks in 2020.

Published November 17, 2020

Huron-Clinton Metroparks see 2020 attendance surge

METRO DETROIT — With outdoors seemingly safer places to have distanced gatherings than inside, Huron-Clinton Metroparks saw attendance increase this year as metro Detroit residents looked for a place to safely get out of the house.

Home flu shots available for older adults

Published November 10, 2020

Oakland County Health Division offers at-home flu shots for seniors

OAKLAND COUNTY — Beverly Hills resident Marilyn Ferber, 87, who has been homebound, especially since the onslaught of the coronavirus pandemic, couldn’t fathom having to leave her house this year to receive an influenza vaccination.

Published November 10, 2020

Families alter Thanksgiving plans amid pandemic

METRO DETROIT — Thanksgiving has always been a big deal for Elyse Van Houzen, of Franklin, who has been hosting large turkey day celebrations for friends and family for over 25 years.

Published November 10, 2020

Women talk about how passion drives their business

METRO DETROIT — In a society constantly working to bring equality to women in the workplace, consider for a moment an alternative point of view: Women might not always be equal to men because, sometimes, they can do the job better.

Published November 10, 2020

Preserve and display military memorabilia in the home

METRO DETROIT — For veterans and their families, memorabilia represent an individual’s service and can bring back memories of one’s time in the military.

Published November 9, 2020

Oakland County Parks millage renewal passes

OAKLAND COUNTY — For the first time in the park system’s nearly 55-year history, the Oakland County Parks and Recreation Department asked residents to vote to increase its operating millage by about 50%.

Pictured is Dakota Bread Co. co-founder Bassie Shemtov. Employers and job seekers have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic in different ways.

Published November 7, 2020

Employers, job seekers feel the sting of the pandemic

METRO DETROIT — In a year that has challenged so many in profound ways, both employers and job seekers are among those who have had their lives altered as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Published November 6, 2020

Zoning ordinance change governs where senior housing could go

WEST BLOOMFIELD — Residents aren’t likely to see many new senior housing facilities popping up in the area in the near future.

Published November 6, 2020

MCC, OCC board of trustees election results

MACOMB/OAKLAND COUNTIES — The results for the Macomb Community College and Oakland Community College board of trustees races are in.

Published November 5, 2020

Housing options in West Bloomfield are expected to be more diverse in coming years

WEST BLOOMFIELD — When it comes to the types of housing in West Bloomfield, residents may notice a more diverse look in upcoming years.

Published November 5, 2020

High turnout marks success on Election Day

WEST BLOOMFIELD/ORCHARD LAKE/SYLVAN LAKE/KEEGO HARBOR — Aside from casting a vote for their choice for president Nov. 3, local residents also had an opportunity to vote on matters closer to home.