Bridge Magazine Ranks Michigan School Districts

Bridge Magazine Ranks Michigan School Districts (Crystal Proxmire, Feb. 9, 2014) Bridge Magazine looked at public school districts and public charters and compared them based on performance weighted by economics to determine how schools are performing compared to expectations.  The publication used three years’ worth of data and ranked the schools.  A score of 100…

Mode Shift’s Road Map To Understanding SEMCOG

Mode Shift’s Road Map To Understanding SEMCOG (David Sands, Mode Shift, Feb. 2, 2014, orig. wearemodeshift.org/mode-shifts-road-map-understanding-semcog) It was a noteworthy 2013 for the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments. The organization not only helped jumpstart the new Regional Transit Authority, but it’s been busy developing a regional non-motorized transportation plan and conducting an analysis of rapid transit…

Cold Prompts School Closings for Tuesday

Cold Prompts School Closings for Tuesday (C. Proxmire, Jan. 27, 2014) School administrators across SE Michigan have declared Tuesday a “snow day” due to temperatures and wind chills below zero.  Classes and events will be cancelled in many districts, including Berkley, Birmingham,  Clawson, Farmington, Ferndale, Hazel Park, Madison Public Schools, Pontiac, Rochester Schools, Royal Oak,…

Bob Bruner to Leave Birmingham City Manager Position

Bob Bruner to Leave Birmingham City Manager Position (Crystal A. Proxmire, Jan. 15, 2013) “Don’t believe everything you read,” said Birmingham City Manager Bob Bruner about news reports and internet rumors of strife between himself and the City Commission. After weeks of negotiations the Commission decided not to offer Bruner an extension on his contract.…

Tips to Avoid Crimes Targeting Seniors

Tips to Avoid Crimes Targeting Seniors (Troy Police Dept. Press Release, Jan. 8, 2014) Health Insurance Frauds Medical Equipment Fraud: Equipment manufacturers offer “free” products to individuals. Insurers are then charged for products that were not needed and/or may not have been delivered. “Rolling Lab” Schemes: Unnecessary and sometimes fake tests are given to individuals…

Tips to Avoid Crimes Targeting Seniors

Tips to Avoid Crimes Targeting Seniors (Troy Police Dept. Press Release, Jan. 8, 2014) Health Insurance Frauds Medical Equipment Fraud: Equipment manufacturers offer “free” products to individuals. Insurers are then charged for products that were not needed and/or may not have been delivered. “Rolling Lab” Schemes: Unnecessary and sometimes fake tests are given to individuals…

Tips to Avoid Crimes Targeting Seniors

Tips to Avoid Crimes Targeting Seniors (Troy Police Dept. Press Release, Jan. 8, 2014) Health Insurance Frauds Medical Equipment Fraud: Equipment manufacturers offer “free” products to individuals. Insurers are then charged for products that were not needed and/or may not have been delivered. “Rolling Lab” Schemes: Unnecessary and sometimes fake tests are given to individuals…

Birmingham Couple Killed in Plane Crash

Birmingham Couple Killed in Plane Crash (Crystal A. Proxmire, Between the Lines, Jan. 8, 2014) Todd Lloyd, 51, and his partner, Christopher Neumann, 38, of Birmingham, were killed Monday morning when their single-engine Mooney M20 plane crashed shortly after take-off. The men left from Boyne City Airport headed towards Troy in dismal weather conditions and…

Shelters for Homeless in Oakland County

Shelters for Homeless in Oakland County (City of Oak Park, Jan. 5, 2014) The City of Oak Park released the following information via email to help those in need of shelter during the cold.  For a printable pdf. go to http://origin.library.constantcontact.com/download/get/file/1113800372963-61/OC+Warming+Centers.pdf. Please also call the Housing Resource Center at 248-928-0111 for additional specific information related…

Winter Storm Update: Schools Closed, Snow Emergencies Declared

Winter Storm Update: Schools Closed, Snow Emergencies Declared (Crystal A. Proxmire, Jan. 5, 2014) With low temperatures and high snowfall predicted, many cities have issued snow emergencies and school districts have taken the day off Monday. The National Weather Service is predicting snowfall of 3-7 inches tonight, and temperatures dropping to about 1 degree tomorrow,…

Twenty Notable Michigan Books for 2014 Announced

Twenty Notable Michigan Books for 2014 Announced (Library of Michigan Press Release, Jan. 3, 2014) The Library of Michigan today announced the 2014 Michigan Notable Books – 20 books celebrating Michigan people, places and events. “Michigan is rich in talented writers, history, and resources,” said State Superintendent Mike Flanagan. “Our Notable Books for 2014 express…

Christmas Tree Recycling in Oakland County

Christmas Tree Recycling in Oakland County (Oakland County Press Release, Dec. 23, 2013) Oakland County Parks and Recreation offers free Christmas Tree Recycling at 11 park locations. Dec. 26, 2013 – Jan. 20, 2014 Free Self-Serve Christmas Tree Recycling, seven days, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Please remove all decorations, metal, plastic and string. Locations: Addison Oaks near…

More than Just a Pretty Trunk: How Trees Enhance Complete Streets

More than Just a Pretty Trunk: How Trees Enhance Complete Streets (Jeff Prygoski, orig. Transportation for Michigan, Dec. 19, 2103) Roads and sidewalks have undergone dramatic transformations in communities with complete streets policies. More than 90 Michigan communities have passed complete street policies, which contain a variety of design elements that foster a safer, more…

DNC Chair, Michigan Dems Rally For LGBT Equality (video)

DNC Chair, Michigan Dems Rally For LGBT Equality (video) (Crystal A. Proxmire, Between the Lines, Dec. 18, 2013) As Republicans continue to condone the hateful, anti-gay comments of their Republican National Committeeman Dave Agema, Democrats brought out the big guns for a community forum at Affirmations featuring Democratic National Committee Chairperson Debbie Wasserman Schultz. “In…