ORCHARD LAKE — Communities that contract with Oakland County for assessing services are raising concerns — and in some cases, changing vendors — after a narrowly divided Oakland County Board of Commissioners voted to raise rates.

METRO DETROIT — A mission group to Haiti that includes churches in Sterling Heights, Southfield and more is sounding the alarm on the plight of the country — the poorest in the Western Hemisphere — as gangs have captured the town of Mirebalais, once a safe haven.

MADISON HEIGHTS — The cost of operating the Madison Heights Animal Shelter adds up quickly between housing animals, feeding them and providing medical treatment.

METRO DETROIT — A mission group to Haiti that includes churches in Sterling Heights, Southfield and more is sounding the alarm on the plight of the country — the poorest in the Western Hemisphere — as gangs have captured the town of Mirebalais, once a safe haven.

OAKLAND COUNTY — Communities that contract with Oakland County for assessing services are raising concerns — and in some cases, changing vendors — after a narrowly divided Oakland County Board of Commissioners voted to raise rates.

HAZEL PARK — Earlier this year, the Hazel Park Public Schools Board of Education placed the district’s superintendent, Amy Kruppe, on non-disciplinary paid administrative leave, pending an investigation into alleged board policy violations. Now, after 107 days, Kruppe has been reinstated.

MADISON HEIGHTS — The city of Madison Heights is home to many Asian-American businesses. To celebrate the fact, the city’s Human Relations and Equity Commission is planning a lantern festival where attendees can enjoy authentic Asian food, music and dance.

MADISON HEIGHTS — One of the fastest growing sports in the United States now has some prime real estate in Madison Heights.

EASTPOINTE — Tensions flared and a gun was fired during a dispute between two groups at a shopping mall, resulting in two deaths and felony charges against a brother and sister.

STERLING HEIGHTS — Officials in Sterling Heights recently celebrated the planting of 200 new trees, the first of 15,000 that will be planted during the next several years, as funded by last fall’s “Pathway to Play and Preservation” millage.

MADISON HEIGHTS — Gardeners can learn about the benefits of native plants and add them to their collection at an upcoming event — part of a larger effort by the city to support the ecosystem.

MADISON HEIGHTS — Nearly 58% of participating voters rejected a Lamphere Schools tax proposal during the special election May 6. The proposal would have raised taxes by hundreds of dollars each year to pay for enhancements at buildings across the district.

MADISON HEIGHTS — The Madison Heights City Council is looking at limited options for the town’s next trash contractor, and also whether to switch to a more cost-effective model where residents would be required to use special carts for curbside pickup.

STERLING HEIGHTS — For more than 10 years, Kim Walton served as the animal control officer for Sterling Heights, Warren and Eastpointe. She enforced animal welfare laws, taught the public about pet safety and found homes for strays at the shelter.

MADISON HEIGHTS — Members of the Madison Heights City Council have been reviewing a working draft of the budget for fiscal year 2025-26, one that maintains the current millage rate and avoids tax increases for the time being.