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.

UTICA — Visible from M-53 near Hall Road, a new Utica sign can be viewed in front of the Bowdega and Burn1 property at 45411 Park Ave.

TROY — The Calvary Chapel of Oakland County in Troy is one of 5,000 drop-off locations across the country that will be open to collect shoebox gifts for Operation Christmas Child during National Collection Week Nov. 17-24.

TROY — The Troy City Council has unanimously approved a three-year contract for updated catalog software and messaging services at the Troy Public Library.