Packages Stolen in Royal Oak, and More Police Reports (Royal Oak Police Dept, Dec. 21, 2013) Breaking and Entering 4703 Crooks (Subway), 12-18-13, 12:23am – 6:50am: Complainant reported he noticed the rear door of the business ajar when he was preparing to open the store for the day. Further investigation revealed an unknown suspect entered…
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…
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…
How Michigan Funds Schools (Kevin Deegan-Krause, orig. Ferndale Friends/ KevinDeeganKrauseForFerndaleSchools.com, Dec. 10, 2013) Please put away your notes and let’s begin our discussion of school funding with a high-stakes multiple choice test: 1. Does Michigan fund schools from: A. Local sources B. Federal sources C. State sources 2. Does the revenue come from: …
SEMCOG Approves I-94, I-75, US-23 Amendment to Expand (David Sands, SEMCOG, Dec.7, 2013, orig. http://wearemodeshift.org/node/1055) Although plans to widen the I-94 and I-75 expressways have been generating a bit of a buzz this week, dissenting voices seemed to have little sway over the bulk of the Southeast Michigan Council of Government’s Executive Committee. At a Friday meeting, the…
Royal Oak Police Department Weekly Update Nov 28- Dec 5 (Royal Oak Police, Dec. 7, 2013) Home Invasion 2600 block of Ferncliff, 11-30-13 – 12-2-13, 9:00pm – 12:30am: Complainant reported an unknown suspect attempted to break into the residence through the rear door. The door frame was damaged but the suspect did not gain entry…
Could Bikeshare Come to Royal Oak? Info Meeting Dec. 11 (Tom Regan, Dec. 4, 2013) “Bikeshare” is an automated, dispersed bike rental network that provides free or low-cost access to bikes for short trips. Use bikeshare once and you immediately become an evangelist. It is such a good idea–inexpensive, convenient, healthy, green, and immensely popular…
Disabled Veterans Property Tax Exemption Deadline Nears (Oakland County Press Release, Nov. 28, 2013) Counselors in Oakland County’s Veterans’ Services Division are ready to help totally disabled veterans meet the Dec. 5 deadline to retroactively claim their homestead property tax exemption for 2013. Under a new Michigan law, Public Act 161 of 2013, totally disabled…
Small Turtles Not a Good Pet Choice: Risky and Illegal (Oakland County Health Dept. Press Release, Nov. 27, 2013) According to the Michigan Departments of Community Health (MDCH) and Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD), and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) small turtles with shells that measure less than four inches in length…
Senator Stabenow Speaks to Women Elected Officials (video) (Crystal A. Proxmire, Nov. 25, 2013) In her over 34 years in public office, Senator Debbie Stabenow has seen the faces of leadership change in Michigan and in the nation. In particular she’s witnessed the impact of increasing the number of women holding elected office. On Nov.…
Royal Oak’s Holiday Magic Parade Brings Communities Together (video) (Crystal A. Proxmire, Nov. 25, 2013) The Royal Oak Holiday Magic Parade brought people from all over SE Michigan together for an afternoon of fun. Students from Southfield, Ferndale, Royal Oak and Detroit marched in the parade. Many community groups did as well, including Brownie Troops,…
Free Kids Environmental Calendar, Order Online (Oakland County Water Resource Commission Press Release, Nov. 24, 2013) For the ninth year in a row the Oakland County Water Resources Commissioner’s office (WRC) is proud to offer its 2014 Kids’ Clean Water Calendar free of charge to the public. The Kids’ Clean Water Calendar was designed to…
Ellen Cogen Lipton Shares EAA Concerns, Education Alternatives (video) (Crystal A. Proxmire, Nov. 21, 2013) As Democratic Vice Chair of the Education Committee of the Michigan House of Representatives, Ellen Cogen Lipton saw first-hand the way The Michigan Education Achievement Authority has taken shape. Beyond that, she has looked into the results of having the…
Royal Oak Barnes and Noble Safe for Now (Crystal A. Proxmire, Nov. 20, 2013) Developers withdrew plans to open a bar in the location of the current Barnes and Noble store at 500 S. Main St. in Royal Oak. The Royal Oak City Commission was scheduled to hear a liquor license transfer request on Monday…
From Barnes and Noble to a Bar, Royal Oak Commission to Decide (Crystal A. Proxmire, Nov. 18, 2013) UPDATE: The developer has withdrawn their request. Please read our updated story about the property at https://oaklandcounty115.com/2013/11/20/royal-oak-barnes-and-noble-safe-for-now/. The Royal Oak City Commission is considering a liquor license transfer to the current location of Barnes and Noble, for…
New Testing Standard for Teachers Announced (Michigan Dept. of Education Press Release, Nov. 15, 2013) Better prepared and effective teachers will be available for Michigan students with the advent of a more rigorous teacher certification exam this year. “We want the best and brightest teachers in Michigan classrooms,” said State Superintendent Mike Flanagan. “Increasing the…
Holiday Magic Parade in Downtown Royal Oak Nov 24 (City of Royal Oak, Nov. 13, 2013) Downtown Royal Oak invites families to the 12th Annual Holiday Magic Parade presented by Star Lanes Restaurant & Sports Bar at Emagine Royal Oak on Sunday, November 24th at 2pm. The parade starts at Lincoln and Washington and heads…
Royal Oak Human Rights Ordinance Passes (video) (Crystal A. Proxmire, Originally printed 11/6/2013, Issue 2144 – Between The Lines News) “I cannot stress too much how important tonight is to the City of Royal Oak,” said Mayor Jim Ellison as he addressed the crowd at the victory party for several local campaigns including the proposal…