UTICA — Dron Datta, a senior at Stevenson High School and the Utica Center for Mathematics, Science and Technology, published and presented his research based around Artificial Intelligence at a workshop at the IEEE International Conference on Data Mining in Washington, D.C., last month.

TROY — The Troy Community Foundation recently awarded grants totaling $11,650 to a dozen organizations as part of its Fall 2025 grant cycle.

TROY — At its meeting Dec. 1, the Troy City Council approved a conditional rezoning agreement for the Village of Hastings residential development project. The project would rezone a 5.15-acre site along the east side of Livernois Road and the north side of Square Lake Road.

UTICA — Utica community members came together for the Downtown Utica Christmas Tree Lighting Celebration on Dec. 13.

TROY — Children’s Hospital of Michigan is making a multimillion-dollar investment in state-of-the-art technology aimed at helping young athletes.

TROY — Troy Historic Village, 60 W. Wattles Road in Troy, will offer an educational “Victorian Christmas” experience, 6-8:30 p.m. Dec. 12, as well both 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and again at 6-8:30 p.m. Dec. 13.

TROY — At its meeting Nov. 17, the Troy City Council unanimously approved an application for the 2026 Community Development Block Grant, hoping to secure federal funds for city services and facility improvements. 

TROY — This holiday season, the Ridgedale Players are performing a radio play version of “It’s A Wonderful Life,” with more show dates set for Dec. 12-14 and Dec. 19-21. 

UTICA — Three Utica Community Schools translators, who help support communications in Albanian, Arabic and Spanish, recently received their Language Line certifications.

UTICA — The Utica Fire Department will once again be holding its Toys for Tots Stuff an Ambulance event at Utica Memorial Park during the Downtown Utica Christmas Tree Lighting Celebration on Dec. 13.

UTICA — Following a police response to his apartment on Nov. 25, 70-year-old Joseph Vanker, of Utica, was arraigned on a charge of assault with intent to murder.

STERLING HEIGHTS/UTICA/SHELBY TOWNSHIP — A $43,000 grant from the Margaret Dunning Foundation has been given to Henry Ford II High School’s automotive repair program, which will help update equipment.

TROY — Shawn Rankin, a senior at Troy High School, has brought in donations and built doghouses for the Oakland County Animal Control and Pet Adoption Center — part of his efforts to achieve the status of Eagle Scout, the highest rank for Scouting America groups. 

TROY — An all-girls team at Larson Middle School has been coding and building robots while also running outreach events that promote interest in STEM learning — science, technology, engineering and math.

TROY — A full-size cricket field is nearing completion at Boulan Park, located at 3671 Crooks Road in Troy.