Michigan “Ballot Selfie” Case Settled, Here’s What Voters Can and Can’t Do on Election Day (Secretary of State, May 8, 2019) Lansing, MI- Subject to court approval, the Secretary of State today settled a federal lawsuit challenging Michigan’s restrictions on ballot photography, sometimes known as “ballot selfies.” Under the settlement, in which both parties to…
Summer Spark Website Helps Families Find Educational Events and Opportunities (United Way for Southeastern Michigan, April 24, 2019) Summer Spark, a free online tool designed to help busy parents and caregivers find quality summer programs all in one place, has made it easier than ever to search for fun, engaging and educational activities and programs…
Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson Announces Cancer Diagnosis (Crystal A. Proxmire, March 26, 2019) Waterford, MI- Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson announced Tuesday afternoon that he has been diagnosed with stage 4 Pancreatic Cancer. Patterson will not be resigning from his position, but will instead take time off for treatment and to be…
Lathrup Village Welcomes Two New Police Officers, Including First Arab American (City of Lathrup Village, March 25, 2019) LATHRUP VILLAGE, MI – The City of Lathrup Village has hired 2 full-time officers – one is its first of Arab American heritage – Officer Zahraa Elhourani. The other officer, Michael Tackett is a seasoned law enforcement…
Local Officials and Admins Gather in Lansing for Michigan Municipal League Capital Conference (C. Proxmire, March 21, 2019) Lansing, MI- Officials and city administrators from across the state gathered in Lansing this week for the Michigan Municipal League Capital Conference. MML provides educational and networking opportunities, including classes on topics that are important to local…
Lathrup Village Considering 18 Month Ban on Marijuana Businesses (City of Lathrup Village, March 14, 2019) Lathrup Village, MI- The Lathrup Village City Council is scheduled to consider an Ordinance at the March 18th Council Meeting to Prohibit Marijuana establishments. The Ordinance has a sunset provision to expire in 18 months, unless re-authorized. This will…
Sales Coach Frank Driscoll Shares Tips for Motivation and Social Media (Crystal A. Proxmire, March 6, 2019) Ferndale, MI – Frank Driscoll starts every day off with success. “I wake up, right off the bat, I close my eyes and I start to think. I’m in my car. In my driveway. I go in. I…
Goals, Compromise, and Ethics Part of MTA Training for Elected Officials (Crystal A. Proxmire, Feb. 17, 2019) Okemos, MI – When a room full of elected officials from townships around the state were asked how many of their boards do annual or bi-annual goal-setting, only a couple raised their hands. The question was asked at…
Survivors of Violence Need Not Leave Beloved Pets Behind (Lara Mossa, Feb. 2, 2019) PONTIAC, MI – It was 2001. Dr. Tracy Thompson knew she had to do something. Thompson had only the clothes on her back and a hastily-packed suitcase when she left her husband. He had tried to hold her against her will…
Resources for Those in Need 2019 Oakland County, MI – Here is a list of resources for shelter, food, medical care and more. This list will be updated if other resources are found. If you know of any please email editor@oc115.com. Shelter Welcome Inn—Covenant Presbyterian Church 21575 W Ten Mile Rd, Southfield 48075 (248) 677-8757.…
Oakland County Elite 40 Under 40 Announced Waterford, Michigan – Beginning Friday at noon, the public can cast an online vote to choose the winner of the Oakland County Executive’s Elite 40 under 40 Class of 2019. About 250 applications and nominations were reviewed by a panel of judges, looking for the top 40 young…
Oakland County Commissioners Sworn In, Democratic Majority Begins (Crystal A. Proxmire, Jan. 9, 2019) Pontiac, MI- “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed it’s the only thing that ever has.” The quote from Margaret Mead graced the back of the program for the Inaugural Ceremony for the…
New Law Reduces Number of Days for Fireworks Lansing, MI – The number of days one can set off fireworks in Michigan has been reduced from 30 to about a dozen since Public Acts 633, 634, and 635 were signed into law at the end of 2018. Bills were introduced by Rep. Jim Lilly (R-Park…
New Data Shows Education Levels, Income, & More by City (Kurt Metzger, Dec. 23, 2018) Oakland County, MI- Newly released data from the U.S. Census Bureau clearly demonstrate the wide social and economic diversity that exists across communities in Oakland County. Utilizing data collected by the American Community Survey over the 2013-2017 period, I have…
Oakland County Creates Interactive Holiday Light Map (Oakland County Blog, Dec. 13, 2018) Celebrate the season with a tour of holiday light displays in and around Oakland County! Show off your decorated property or visit one of the many holiday light displays using the 2nd annual Oakland County Holiday Lights Map. Use the map below to…
Former Chief Shares Why Youth Assistance Matters as Org. Celebrates 65 years (Crystal A. Proxmire, Dec. 2, 2018) Oakland County, MI – Recently-retired Auburn Hills Police Chief Doreen Olko has seen firsthand what happens when kids are exposed to violence, poverty, or neglect. Often when young people find themselves in trouble with the law, it…
Introducing: Reporter Food Index, City by City (Crystal A. Proxmire, Nov. 29, 2018) Oakland County, MI – Oakland County Times has been on a mission to try as many restaurants throughout our great county as possible. These “Reporter Food” columns have evolved over time to become one of our most popular ongoing features. Scroll…
Lack of Affordable Housing Impacts throughout Oakland County (Crystal A. Proxmire, Nov. 27, 2018) Troy, MI- As rental prices continue to increase throughout Oakland County, so too are the problems associated with homelessness and housing instability. A panel of leaders from various organizations met Nov. 14 in Troy to look at the scope of…
County Commission Leadership Selected, Dave Woodward to Serve as Chair (Oakland County Board of Commissioners, Nov. 19, 2018) Pontiac, MI- The Board of Commissioners’ Democratic Caucus met last week to determine leadership positions for the 2019-2020 term, when they will become the Democratic Majority Caucus for the first time since the 1970s. Next year,…
Voter Turnout by City/Twp in Oakland County 2018 Election (Kurt Metzger, Crystal Proxmire, Nov. 7, 2018) Oakland County, MI- Oakland County voters came out yesterday in record numbers for a Midterm Election. The overall turnout percentage of 64.2 percent of all registered voters, compares to 48.0 percent in 2014 and 51.4 percent in 2010. Turnout…