FARMINGTON HILLS/NOVI — A select group of students at East Middle School recently found out that a book they authored with the assistance of local children’s author Andy Gutman of Novi won “multiple accolades” as part of the Royal Dragonfly Book Awards.

NOVI — The flex lanes on Interstate 96 in Oakland County are now open.

FARMINGTON HILLS — Oakland Community College Theater students are bringing Alfred Hitchcock’s 1935 film to life, with a comedic twist.

NOVI — Peggy Bassett, who has taught English in the Novi Community School District since 1992, was named the Novi Community School District Educator of the Year while her students were attending a senior-themed presentation by Awkward Pause…, a Novi High School improvisational theater group, on Feb. 26.

NOVI — Broadway actress Erin Chupinsky now flies high in theaters around the world as an aerialist in “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child,” currently being performed in Los Angeles. However, she took her first flight as Peter Pan on the stage of Novi High School more than 20 years ago.

NOVI — During the annual State of the District address Feb. 25, Novi Community School District Superintendent Ben Mainka spoke of the district’s aspirations and the possibilities attached to the potential approval of a no-tax-increase millage later this year.

NOVI — Canada geese are causing problems in the city of Novi, especially near Walled and Shawood lakes, according to Jerry Anderson, of the Lakes Area Homeowners Association.

NOVI — A small group of Novi High School students is actively working to educate people on the dangers of distracted driving.

NOVI — The city of Novi has agreed to sell a portion of land for $68,000 to Novi Industrial LLC so that it can build a sand silo/storage tower.

METRO DETROIT — Sunlight brightens our day in more ways than one. It not only has the power to warm the air and melt the snow, but it also can warm your heart and melt the winter blues away.

NOVI — Fourth graders throughout the Novi Community School District have decorated coffee cup sleeves to be handed out with hot drink purchases at the “Read a Latte Cafe” located inside the Novi Public Library Feb. 10-14, or while supplies last.

NOVI — After more than 26 years as a Novi police officer, and with a tear in his eye, Novi Police Cmdr. Jason Meier left the precinct for the last time as an officer on Jan. 31. However, the imprint he left on the department, his colleagues and others remains.

NOVI — The Novi Community School District has implemented numerous safety measures to protect the children within the district, and the school board received a report on the district’s efforts during a Jan. 23 meeting.

NOVI — Seniors at Waltonwood facilities in metro Detroit were able to learn about the many different aspects of Dolly Parton’s life as the various locations held a weeklong celebration in honor of the singer’s 79th birthday on Jan. 19.

NOVI — Although the weather outside is well below zero, the Novi Community School District is on “fire” when it comes to music video announcements. In what is apparently becoming a tradition, the school district announced the cancellation of school Jan. 21 and Jan. 22 with the release of “It’s Still Snowing,”a previously unseen music video.