Seven Families Fed Thanks to Ascend Foundation and NPG in Pontiac (C. Proxmire, Nov. 26, 2014) The Ascend Foundation and NPG Foundation teamed up with 4 Brothers Lounge to give groceries to seven local families in need. The organizations contacted social workers in Pontiac Schools to identify children living in poverty they could help for…
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…
Free Training on Mental Health to Help Youth Dec. 6 (HACC, Nov. 19, 2014) A young person you know could be experiencing a mental illness or crisis. Do you know how to help? The Holly Area Community Coalition, in partnership with Rose Hill Center, is offering Youth Mental Health First Aid Training. This training is…
Volunteers Clean Up Baldwin Ave. in Pontiac (video) (Crystal A. Proxmire, Nov. 17, 2014) About a dozen volunteers from Cross Streets and Shepherd’s Fold Community Church braved the chilly weather on Sunday to pick up litter and debris along Baldwin Avenue between Caesar Chavez and Montcalm. “We’re trying to show support for Hope Warming Shelter,”…
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,…
Blexting App Uses Volunteers and Smart Phones to Track Blight in Pontiac (Crystal A. Proxmire, Nov. 9, 2014) Volunteers and technology are enabling the City of Pontiac to tackle an age-old problem in a revolutionary way. Thanks to a grant from PNC Bank and a “blexting” app designed by Detroit-based Loveland Technologies, there will soon…
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…
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…
Donate Candy to Treats for Troops – Several Locations – Through Nov. 5 (Oakland County Sheriff’s Department, Nov. 2, 2014) For parents looking for an alternative to their children consuming excessive amounts of candy at Halloween while engaging in a service project with their children, the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office is accepting Halloween candy as…
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…
Thousands of Kids Enjoy Angels Night in Pontiac (Crystal Proxmire, photos contributed from various sources, Oct. 31, 2014) The Pontiac community helped over 5,000 kids enjoy an Angel’s Night celebration full of costumes and candy. There was music and food, games and even a rock climbing wall. Many groups came together for the epic celebration,…
No On-Street Parking in Downtown Pontiac on Sunday (Downtown Pontiac Business Association Press Release, Oct. 31, 2014) Everyone is asked to clear street parking on Sunday, November 2 prior to 9:00 AM to 3:00PM Downtown Pontiac will be seeing more capital improvements after the recently repaved Huron Street. On Sunday parking spaces will be striped along…
A Look at Low Voter Turn Out Rates in the Aug. 5 Primary (Guest Column by Kurt Metzger, Mayor of Pleasant Ridge, orig. Aug. 26, 2014, republished Oct.29 ) Access to more detailed, geographically focused data sets, combined with the developed of more sophisticated mapping (GIS) systems, have made the Redistricting (gerrymandering) process more sophisticated.…
Angel’s Night Halloween Fair for Pontiac Youth Oct. 30 (Oakland County Sheriff’s Dept. Press Release, Oct. 27, 2014) Promoting a fun and safe Halloween season for students, the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office’s 3rd Annual Harvest Festival Angels Night will be even bigger this year as Pontiac Schools partners to provide a “Lights On: Trunk or…
Phoenix Center Condemnation Suit Dismissed (Crystal A. Proxmire, Oct. 22, 2014) Those who want to tear down the Phoenix Center hit a wall on Tuesday as Oakland County Circuit Court Judge Michael Warren dismissed the City’s attempts to have the parking structure and amphitheater torn down by condemnation. Half of the parking deck is in…