The stories of 2014 Part 3 of 4 – July through September (Crystal A. Proxmire, Jan. 1, 2015) This has been an amazing year as the oc115 has ventured on the path of county-wide news coverage. From feel-good stories of neighbors helping each other to mass expressions of love, to the challenges of local governments,…
The stories of 2014 Part 4 of 4 – October through December (Crystal A. Proxmire, Jan. 1, 2015) This has been an amazing year as the oc115 has ventured on the path of county-wide news coverage. From feel-good stories of neighbors helping each other to mass expressions of love, to the challenges of local governments,…
SOGI Conference for Educators to Focus on LGBT Student Success Feb.6 (compiled, Nov. 13, 2014, republished Dec. 30) Oakland University’s School of Education & Human Services’ Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI) Initiative is excited to announce the 2015 Michigan SOGI Education Conference. This year’s conference will include 55-minute concurrent sessions and round-table discussions focused…
Auburn Hills Police Chief Weighs in on Body Camera Debate (Guest View by Auburn Hills Police Chief Doreen Olko, Dec. 27, 2014) If you are a person who believes that body cameras for police are the answer to improved police conduct, consider this: what are we going to do with all of this video? We…
Auburn Hills Police Chief Supports De-Certifying “Bad Cops” (View by Auburn Hills Police Chief Doreen Olko, orig. published on her blog at https://ahpdchief.wordpress.com/2014/12/15/no-bad-cops/, Dec. 15, 2014) You might recall that I was appointed by Governor Snyder to the Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards a few years ago. Governor Snyder has a policy that…
State Training Fund Grants Awarded: Businesses in Oak Park, Auburn Hills & Ferndale Included (Adapted from Oakland County Press Release, Dec 8, 2014) Thirteen Oakland County companies received almost $700,000 from the state’s Skilled Trades Training Fund, enabling them to hire nearly 1,300 new employees while upgrading the skills of more than 700 current employees.…
Auburn Hills Volunteers Take Kids Holiday Shopping (Public Safety Director Doreen Olko, City of Auburn Hills, Dec. 8, 2014) NOTE: This originally appeared at https://ahpdchief.wordpress.com/2014/12/08/more-christmas-shopping-with-kids/. On Saturday, Dec. 6th we went shopping with another group of special kids from the Avondale School District. We took 18 kids to Meijer on Brown Road and through Meijers’…
Guest Column: Thanksgiving for the Goodness of Regional Philanthropy (Kurt Metzger, Mayor of Pleasant Ridge, Nov. 25, 2014) A November 11 Detroit News Editorial, entitled “Foundations think out of box to aid Detroit,” paid credit to the foundations who came forth to help fund the Grand Bargain and move the Detroit bankruptcy process to…
Transit Summit Connects Business, Faith, Education Communities and More (video) (Crystal A. Proxmire, Nov. 22, 2014) Who cares about public transportation? Judging from the diverse crowd at the Build Business Build Transit summit on Nov. 18 at Ford Field in Detroit, it’s pretty much everybody. The summit brought together people in the faith community,…
Happy’s Pizza Founder Convicted of Multi-Million Dollar Tax Fraud Scheme (US Department of Justice Press Release, Nov. 21, 2014) On November 19, in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, a federal jury after deliberating 4.5 hours convicted the president and founder of Happy’s Pizza of conspiracy to defraud the United States…
Happy’s Pizza Founder Convicted of Multi-Million Dollar Tax Fraud Scheme (US Department of Justice Press Release, Nov. 21, 2014) On November 19, in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, a federal jury after deliberating 4.5 hours convicted the president and founder of Happy’s Pizza of conspiracy to defraud the United States…
Pontiac Holiday Extravaganza Parade and Art Festival Dec. 6 (Compiled, Nov. 21, 2014) December 6, 2014 is a day full of fun holiday activities in Downtown Pontiac for the annual Holiday Extravaganza Parade & Children’s WinterART Festival. Activities are listed below. The Holiday Extravaganza’s mission is to bring together Oakland County’s cities and townships to…
Republicans Seek to Change County Elections and Electoral College Vote Distribution (Crystal A. Proxmire, Nov. 17, 2014) Five Republican State Representatives from Oakland County have introduced legislation that would change the election date of the County Executive from Presidential Election Years to Midterm Election Years. HB 5953 was introduced Nov. 12 by Klint Klesto of…
Red Cross Blood Drives – Ongoing List of Opportunities to Save a Life (compiled, updated Nov. 16, 2014) Someone in the U.S. needs blood every two seconds. Eligible donors with all types are needed, especially those with O negative, A negative and B negative. To learn more about donating blood and to schedule an appointment,…
Veteran’s Day Observances in Oakland County (compiled, Nov. 2, 2014) Birmingham The City of Birmingham and the Piety Hill Chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution will host the traditional laying of the wreath on Nov. 11 at the Civil War and WWII Monuments in Shain Park, across from Birmingham City hall as 151 Martin…
Medicare Changes: Hotline Help and Presentation Dates for General and LGBT Communities (AAA1-B Press Release, Nov. 7, 2014) The Area Agency on Aging 1-B’s (AAA1-B) Medicare Medicaid Assistance Program (MMAP) is partnering with Affirmations to offer LGBT Medicare beneficiaries free information and assistance on Medicare and Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage plans during open…
Auburn Hills Arts & Crafts Fanfare Nov. 15 (City of Auburn Hills Press Release, Nov. 3, 2014) Attendees will find unique items or get a jump on their holiday shopping! More than 80 artisans and crafters will showcase their wares in clothing, food, seasonal items, wood, glass, ceramics, fabric, jewelry, photography and more. Auburn Hills…
Election Stories and Resources for Nov. 4, 2014 (Crystal A. Proxmire, Oct. 30, 2014) Nov. 4 is Election Day and there are many resources available to help people make informed decisions. The Oakland County Clerk’s Office provides a wealth of information on their website at http://www.oakgov.com/clerkrod/elections/Pages/default.aspx, including: How to Vote: Find out if you’re registered…
Prosecutor Speaks on Dangers of Sexting, Bullying and other Crimes (video) (Crystal A. Proxmire, Oct. 31, 2014) Oakland County Prosecutor Jessica Cooper does not like seeing kids on a professional basis, whether it’s because they have gotten in trouble or because they are a victim. The internet and cell phones make it easy for young…
Prosecutor Speaks on Dangers of Sexting, Bullying and other Crimes (video) (Crystal A. Proxmire, Oct. 31, 2014) Oakland County Prosecutor Jessica Cooper does not like seeing kids on a professional basis, whether it’s because they have gotten in trouble or because they are a victim. The internet and cell phones make it easy for young…