OAKLAND COUNTY — Bloomfield Hills resident Pecky D. Lewis Jr., who died at his home July 10 at the age of 94, left his mark on Oakland County through his long service on the county’s Parks and Recreation Commission, as a longtime business owner and as the mayor of Royal Oak in the late 1970s and early 1980s.

METRO DETROIT — Years have passed since the COVID-19 pandemic first hit the country, and the work-from-home culture that emerged has inevitably affected commercial real estate and occupancy rates in some sectors of the community.

BIRMINGHAM — Mackinac is a popular Michigan tourist destination that brings people from throughout the country to its car-free streets every summer. Whether you are planning a trip Up North this summer or are just fascinated with Michigan history, mark your calendars for Monday, July 24.

BIRMINGHAM — The Birmingham Museum’s John West Hunter Park, along Willits Street, will be undergoing planned improvements this summer.

BIRMINGHAM — The Birmingham City Commission unanimously adopted in its entirety completed Birmingham Historic District design guidelines June 26.

BIRMINGHAM — The Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center has been hosting the Michigan Fine Arts Competition since they inherited it from the Detroit Institute of Arts in 1982.

BIRMINGHAM — For the 34th year, The Community House Foundation has announced its annual Birmingham House Tour. The community is invited to register for the event that will take place 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 14.

BIRMINGHAM — As the Fourth of July approaches, the safety and laws governing fireworks should be deeply considered by anyone planning on celebrating the holiday, officials said.

BIRMINGHAM — Crestview Park in Birmingham is now home to pickleball courts for the community to enjoy. These facilities have been a topic for discussion and highly requested by the community since around 2018, officials said.

FRANKLIN/BINGHAM FARMS — The Franklin-Bingham Farms Police Department celebrated exemplary officer achievements at their annual awards recognition during the Franklin Council meeting June 12.

BIRMINGHAM — Throughout June, the Birmingham Museum has been honoring Juneteenth by displaying a special exhibit banner at City Hall.

BIRMINGHAM — Since 2016, the Baldwin Public Library has been undergoing a three-phase renovation plan.

BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP — For the last 14 years, the Detroit Institute of Arts has been bringing art closer to the communities of Macomb, Wayne, and Oakland counties through the Inside|Out program.

BIRMINGHAM — The Birmingham Fire Department recently earned a Class 2 rating from its five-year Insurance Services Office review. ISO ratings are graded 1-10, with 1 being the best. This is an improvement from Class 3 training, which the department has held for the past 18 years.

BIRMINGHAM — Starting June 9, the Birmingham Shopping District’s Movie Night series will be back at Booth Park.