Three Ferndale Firemen Jobs Temporarily Safe as Merger Talks Continue (Crystal A. Proxmire, Jan. 29, 2014) Talks of a fire department merger between Ferndale and Hazel Park have been going on for years, but the hopefulness continues this week as Ferndale City Council voted to delay three firefighter layoffs in anticipation of the merger moving…
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,…
40 Under 40 Announced, Public to Pick Top Winner (Oakland County Press Release, Jan. 27, 2014) Starting Jan. 27 the public can cast an online vote to choose the winner of the Oakland County Executive’s Elite 40 under 40 Class of 2014. More than 500 applications and nominations were reviewed by a panel of judges,…
Oakland Chamber Network Learns From National Trends (Crystal A. Proxmire, Jan. 27, 2014) Collaborating to improve the environment for business success is the core strength of Chambers of Commerce in general, and the Oakland Chamber Network doubles up on that principle by bringing 27 local Chambers together. At their annual meeting on Jan. 22, OCN…
Group Seeks Ballot Measure to Increase Minimum Wage (Mothering Justice Press Release, Jan. 27, 2014) Community organizing, social justice and labor groups today formed a committee to explore a ballot campaign to raise the minimum wage in Michigan. The minimum wage in Michigan –currently $7.40 an hour – hasn’t been raised since 2008, leaving many…
The Return on Investment from Michigan Passenger Rail (Dan Sommerville, Michigan Environmental Council, Jan. 26, 2014, orig. Michigan by Rail Blog) Passenger rail has been booming nationwide and in Michigan. Record-breaking ridership was recorded in 10 of the last 11 years (1) (2), and there has been a whopping 78% growth in Michigan ridership since…
Details of UAW Contract with Ferndale Schools (Ferndale Schools Press Release, Jan. 20, 2014) EDITOR’S NOTE: Ferndale Schools is currently negotiating with all unions in hopes of wage concessions. Read a letter from School Board President Jim O’Donnell at https://oaklandcounty115.com/2014/01/19/letter-from-ferndale-school-board-president-jim-odonnell-on-budget/, and a story on picketing at the School Board meeting at https://oaklandcounty115.com/2014/01/14/proposed-pay-cuts-to-teachers-and-staff-spark-protest-at-ferndale-schools/. The union agreement…
Letter from Ferndale School Board President Jim O’Donnell on Budget (Jim O’Donnell, Jan. 19, 2014) (EDITOR’S NOTE: This letter was submitted by School Board President Jim O’Donnell and also appeared in the Ferndale Schools e-blast. This is in response to public questions about ongoing negotiations with district employees, discussed in this article: https://oaklandcounty115.com/2014/01/14/proposed-pay-cuts-to-teachers-and-staff-spark-protest-at-ferndale-schools/) Ferndale Public…
Jennifer LaTosch Gets Vacant School Board Seat (video) (Crystal A. Proxmire, Jan. 14, 2013) Attorney Jennifer LaTosch was sworn in Monday night to begin a one-year term on the Ferndale School Board. The position was left vacant by 20+ year veteran and longtime past President Chuck Moeser when he resigned to focus more on retirement.…
Proposed Pay Cuts to Teachers and Staff Spark Protest at Ferndale Schools (Crystal A. Proxmire, Jan. 14, 2014) Dozens of union members – teachers, secretaries, bus drivers and maintenance workers – held signs and chanted about fair wages as they looped around Burdette Street in front of the Ferndale Schools Administration Building before Monday night’s…
Barbara Mahan Passes Away (Crystal A. Proxmire, Jan. 13) At the age of 84, Ferndale resident Barbara Mahan has passed away. Mahan was incredibly supportive of Ferndale Schools, joining her husband Joe in many activities. Joe, who passed away last March, was known as “The Voice of the Eagles” because he was a regular announcer…
Three Applicants to Vie for Open Ferndale School Board Seat (Crystal A. Proxmire, Jan. 10, 2014) The Ferndale Public Schools Board of Trustees will hear from three applicants on Monday night, and decide which one will fill the seat left vacant by longtime Trustee and Board President Chuck Moeser when he resigned in mid-December. Lakesha…
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 (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 (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…
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…
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…
School Closings and Snow Emergencies (Crystal A. Proxmire, Dec. 2, 2014) There has been a lot of snow in SE Michigan, prompting many districts to cancel school and cities to declare snow emergencies. In snow emergencies people must keep their vehicles off the street until the street is plowed, or they could face ticketing or…
The Rose Bowl and Parade, Through the Eyes of a Loyal Spartan (Crystal Proxmire, Jan. 1, 2014) Dedicated Spartan fan and former Michigan State student John Taylor was able to go to Pasadena, California for the 100th Rose Bowl on New Year’s Day. There he watched his green-and-white-clad favorite team beat the Stanford Cardinals with…
George Morris and the Gypsy Chorus at The New Way Bar New Year’s Eve (video) (Jeff Milo, Dec. 30, 2013) It’s got a ring to it, doesn’t it? New Year at the New Way? The modest-sized bar just north of Cambourne, with new management taking over last May, has since been regularly hosting a revolving…