West Bloomfield Beacon

Published June 23, 2021

Class of 2021 grad reflects on being part of history

WEST BLOOMFIELD — In normal years, a senior getting to go to prom and attend a graduation ceremony wouldn’t be all that noteworthy.

Published June 20, 2021

Spring season brings many local champs

METRO DETROIT — With baseball, softball and girls soccer teams concluding their seasons in East Lansing June 18-19, the high school spring sports season is officially complete.

Published June 18, 2021

Michigan Science Center launches new exhibit to make math come alive

DETROIT — Making math fun may sound impossible to some, but the Michigan Science Center is doing just that with its new MathAlive! Program.

Published June 17, 2021

Labor shortages making it tough on businesses

METRO DETROIT — Those who have recently looked to purchase a home may have noticed that the available supply isn’t exactly plentiful.

Published June 17, 2021

Fireworks shows return to metro Detroit

METRO DETROIT — The summer skies will be full of color and excitement as fireworks displays return.

WB residents face criminal charges for alleged crimes

Published June 13, 2021

West Bloomfield residents face criminal charges for alleged crimes

WEST BLOOMFIELD — Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has charged three individuals with West Bloomfield ties in connection with loan program and insurance scams.

Published June 12, 2021

West Bloomfield teen draws attention with her artwork

WEST BLOOMFIELD — More than 15 years ago, West Bloomfield resident Simone Abrams was pregnant with her first child.

Published June 11, 2021

St. Mary’s breaks ground on new building for ‘state-of-the-art’ classrooms

ORCHARD LAKE — Orchard Lake St. Mary’s Preparatory High School Headmaster Bob Pyles recently described the school’s campus as “beautiful.”

Published June 10, 2021

Quadriplegic DJ/songwriter’s first music video produced with local foundation’s help

METRO DETROIT — Local 22-year-old DJ and songwriter Anna Pannell, or DJ Malika, from Ypsilanti, has never let the physical limitations of being paralyzed stop her from pursuing her dreams, even when it comes to uncharted territory.

The Orchard Lake Fine Art Show is set to return after being disallowed last year.

Published June 10, 2021

Orchard Lake Fine Art Show set to return

WEST BLOOMFIELD — Some local residents may want to mark their calendars for July 24 and 25, as those are the scheduled dates for the Hot Works’ 18th Orchard Lake Fine Art Show.

Published June 9, 2021

Road diet planned for Orchard Lake Road

WEST BLOOMFIELD — The Road Commission for Oakland County, in partnership with West Bloomfield Township, Orchard Lake, Keego Harbor and Sylvan Lake, is seeking public input on a study to change the lane configuration on Orchard Lake Road between Commerce and Middlebelt roads.

Published June 9, 2021

Find stress relief, satisfaction in gardening

METRO DETROIT — Remember the frenzy that took place in spring of 2020, when Michiganders rushed to their local home and garden shops to buy all sorts of goodies to make their spaces sparkle?

Bees in the D President Brian Peterson-Roest inspects a beehive frame, looking for eggs to ensure the queen bee is healthy. Bees in the D maintains four beehives on the rooftop of Shinola Hotel in Detroit.

Published June 8, 2021

Bills aim to save state’s pollinators by banning new pesticides on public land

METRO DETROIT — Two new Michigan House bills have been introduced in an effort to save the state’s bees, butterflies and other native pollinators.

Published June 8, 2021

Behind the Wheel: Chevy Camaro is all in the family

METRO DETROIT — In April 1970, Carol Alex, of Warren, Ohio, purchased a shiny burgundy 1969 Chevrolet Camaro 307.

Published June 6, 2021

Report analyzes cost of living and the difficulty of meeting it in southeastern Michigan

METRO DETROIT — Each year, the United Way for Southeastern Michigan releases a report that analyzes the state of poverty and living expenses in the southeastern Michigan area.

Published June 4, 2021

USPBL celebrates five-year anniversary

UTICA — Though COVID-19 presented plenty of obstacles to the United Shore Professional Baseball League, the league is still going strong, kicking off its fifth year May 28 at Jimmy John’s Field.

The West Bloomfield Police Foundation assists with various charitable endeavors.

Published May 29, 2021

National Police Week shines light on work of West Bloomfield Police Foundation

WEST BLOOMFIELD — One of the first images anyone who visits the West Bloomfield Police Foundation Facebook page may see is a picture of Patrick O’Rourke, who was an officer with the West Bloomfield Police Department when he was shot and killed by a barricaded gunman in 2012 while responding to a domestic dispute.

Southfield partnered with the Oakland Livingston Human Services Agency to put on a financial education webinar May 20. Topics discussed included credit reporting agencies, credit scoring and credit laws, as well as ways to build and repair your credit history and knowing what to do in the event of identity theft.

Published May 29, 2021

Local groups promote free financial education

OAKLAND COUNTY — A poor credit score will make securing a loan, receiving utility services, paying bills and maybe even getting a job a lot harder than they need to be.

Published May 28, 2021

Sylvan Lake, Keego Harbor set to host garage sales

SYLVAN LAKE/KEEGO HARBOR — Those who like garage sales and mingling have ample reason to be excited as the Sylvan Lake Home and Garden Tour prepares to host its City Wide Garage Sale 9 a.m.-4 p.m. May 27-29.

Published May 28, 2021

TIA, victim’s families advocate for hands-free Senate legislation

METRO DETROIT — As a mother, everything changed for Laurel Zimmerman on Dec. 28, 2010, the day her 16-year-old daughter Ally Zimmerman was fatally injured in a crash involving a distracted driver.