–MML #6 – State Helps Communities Become Redevelopment Ready (Crystal A. Proxmire, Sept. 29, 2016) Mackinac Island, MI – Change in communities happens in one of two ways, either with thoughtful planning or by chaos. Across the state there are communities on the cusp of recovering from the recession of the past decade, and those…
MML #4 – How Crowdfunding Builds Community with Patronicity (Crystal A. Proxmire, Sept. 23, 2016) Mackinaw Island, MI – “When most people think of cities, they think of buildings, streets and cars. But when I think of cities I think of people… Where people go and where people meet is at the core of community,”…
Sheriff’s Office Hosting Self Defense Class Oct 1, 15 and 29 (EVENT page) The Oakland County Sheriff’s Office is proud to team up with the Miss Michigan America Organization, the IGroup Model and Talent Agency, and Common Ground to present the Women’s Self-Defense Awareness Month in Oakland County during the month of October. Sergeant Jen…
MML#3 – Cities and Civic Tech, How Local Governments Serve Residents Online (Crystal A. Proxmire, Sept. 18, 2016) Mackinaw Island, MI – Cities vary on how much effort they put into their websites, apps, social media, and online presence. Yet clearly the internet is important to residents and those wishing to do business. How can…
MML#2 – Cities Facing Increasing Lawsuits over Fees (Crystal A. Proxmire, Sept. 18, 2016) Mackinaw Island, MI – Class action lawsuits against municipalities are becoming more common, particularly those over water and sewer billing. Litigation attorney Soni Mithani, a Principal at Miller Canfield in Ann Arbor, took time to educate officials about these types of…
Oak Park Public Safety Open House Sept. 24 (EVENT page) Oak Park, MI – Come check out the Oak Park Public Safety department which handles police and fire services for the city. The open house is Saturday, Sept. 24 from 1-4pm at 13800 Oak Park Blvd. There will be tours, photo ops, gift bags and…
MML #1: From Pork to Pollination, Best Ways to Support Local Development (Crystal A. Proxmire, Sept. 15, 2016) Mackinac Island, MI – Development professionals often use the phrase “attract and retain businesses” as their main job functions. But economist and author Michael Shuman is determined to change that. “You cannot attract a local business,” Shuman…
Readers Urged to Check Thermostats for Recall Notices after Fire in Troy (Crystal A. Proxmire, Sept. 15, 2016) Troy, MI -The folks at Troy Medical Plaza had no idea that the thermostat in their building had been similar to one ordered recalled by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (SPSC) until it caught fire on Wednesday…
Two Women Killed in Oak Park (City of Oak Park, Sept. 15, 2016) Oak Park, Michigan – Two females are deceased and one male is in custody after Oak Park Safety Officers were dispatched to the 21000 block of Church Street in Oak Park, Mich., on Wednesday, September 14. The Oak Park Public Safety Department does not believe…
Scheer’s ACE Hardware 70 Year Anniversary Celebration Sept. 17 (EVENT page) 70th Anniversary Celebration Scheer’s ACE Hardware Saturday, September 17, 10am to 4pm 8601 W 9 Mile Rd, Oak Park, MI 48237 CELEBRATE HISTORY WITH SCHEER’S: Scheer’s Ace Hardware was founded by Martin & Philip Scheer in 1946. The store was originally started as…
Ferndale Businessperson Funds Reading Program, Calls for Matching Support (Crystal A. Proxmire, Sept. 11, 2016) Ferndale, MI – For a minute it was awkward. Nervous teenagers who were happy to be out of class but quiet and shy around unknown grown-ups and the press. They were there in main hall of Ferndale High School to…
Regional Transit Briefing for the Public Sept. 14 in Birmingham (Event Page) Birmingham, MI – On Wednesday, Sept. 14 from 7pm to 8:30pm transit activists will share information on the Regional Transit Plan that will be on the Nov. 8 ballot. The meeting is at First United Methodist Church of Birmingham This November, citizens…
Eye on Oakland Features oc115 Publisher Crystal Proxmire (Crystal A. Proxmire, Aug. 28, 2016) Bloomfield Township, MI – Oakland County 115 News Editor and Publisher Crystal A. Proxmire was recently the guest on Eye on Oakland, a public access program hosted by Dave Potts and Chuck Moss and produced by Bloomfield Public Television. Apart from…
Help Control Rats in your Neighborhood (City of Oak Park, orig. Aug. 31, 2104, republished Aug. 24, 2016) The City of Oak Park sent out the following guidelines to help residents control rats and rodents in the community. The tips are useful for any community: Here are seven actions you can take to control the…
How to Spot Signs of Domestic Abuse (Guest blog by Beth Morrison, HAVEN, orig. Feb. 27, 2015, republished Aug. 21, 2016) Domestic violence is a pattern of coercive behavior including emotional, verbal and physical abuse, used by an abuser to gain and maintain power and control over a current or former spouse, intimate partner or…
2016 Election: Candidate Interviews and Issues (ongoing main coverage page) Oakland County, MI – Now that the primaries are over, it’s time to think about the 2016 Presidential Election. There are many local races happening as well, plus ballot issues. The official list is not ready from the County Clerk yet, however we’ve been doing…
Troy Community Coalition Gives Safety Tips for Pokemon, Applauds Benefits (Troy Community Coalition, Aug. 10, 2016) Troy, MI – Pokemon GO has taken the world by storm and it’s likely that your children, regardless of their age, are playing it. The mobile phone app has caused a lot of positive effects in communities around the…
15 Pictures from the 2016 Oak Park Summerfest (Crystal A. Proxmire, Aug. 7, 2016) Oak Park, MI – Summerfest is in full swing in the City of Oak Park, with a full weekend of contests, performances, recreational activities, music and fun. Learn more about this annual tradition at www.oakparksummerfest.com. Check out previous Summerfest stories: 2015…
Reporter Food: Egg Salad Sandwich from Bread Basket in Oak Park (Crystal A. Proxmire, Aug. 6, 2016) Oak Park, MI – As I travel Oakland County in search of news, I also like to let my taste buds explore. Recently I had a craving for an egg salad sandwich, so I asked oc115 readers on…
Oak Park Blossoms with Sunflowers (Cheryl Weiss, Crystal Proxmire, Aug. 4, 2016) Oak Park, MI – Oak Park is blooming this summer! If you walk, ride, or drive through almost any area of the city, you are greeted with spectacular sunflowers in what has become a beautiful community project built on hope and happiness. It…