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…
Pleasant Ridge Seeks Input on Parks Plan, Including Gainsboro (Crystal A. Proxmire, Dec. 26, 2013) Plans for Gainboro Park and others in Pleasant Ridge are wrapping up, and the City Commission is looking for final input from residents before sending the plans off to Lansing in hopes of getting grants to make improvements possible. As…
Ferndale Second Graders Take Virtual Trip to Japan (Crystal A. Proxmire, Dec. 25, 2013) Second graders from Roosevelt and Kennedy Elementary Schools in Ferndale boarded an imaginary plane bound for the far off land of Japan for a “virtual trip” Thursday. In this annual tradition, teachers and volunteers plan a day’s worth of cultural lessons…
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 (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) (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…
Moeser Resigns, Ferndale School Board Seeks Applicants (Crystal A. Proxmire, Dec. 18, 2013) Charles (Chuck) Moeser turned in his resignation Tuesday night after over 20 years on the Ferndale School Board, including ten as Board President. The Board has 30 days to find someone to appoint who will fill his position. The partial term ends…
Pleasant Ridge Picks John Zech For Interim City Manager (Crystal A. Proxmire, Dec. 13, 2013) After interviewing five potential candidates, the Pleasant Ridge City Commission has chosen former Wayne City Manager John Zech to serve as Interim City Manager while a long-term replacement for Sherry Ball is sought. Zech retired from Wayne in 2010, after…
Deadlines For CDL Drivers And Their Medical Providers Fast Approaching (Michigan Secretary of State Press Release, Dec. 12, 2013) Secretary of State Ruth Johnson strongly encourages Michigan residents with a Commercial Driver License (CDL) to self-certify to which type of commercial motor vehicle (CMV) operation they perform to avoid losing CDL privileges after Jan. 30.…
EAA Expansion to be Voted On (Crystal A. Proxmire, Dec. 11, 2013) Michigan legislators are considering bills this week to expand the State’s authority to take over schools and run them as part of a State-controlled school district known as the Education Achievement Authority. The EAA takes over failing schools and puts them in a…