Significant discussion has echoed off the walls of capitols and city and town halls across the state about the perceived mass exodus that’s taking place in Michigan due to the economy and a job market that may be experiencing growing pains as policy leaders attempt to move the state away from tried-and-true manufacturing to a more knowledge-based private sector. And while the state hasn’t experienced the loss of hundreds of thousands of people over the [...]

For the 16th year, the state Department of Natural Resources (DNR), along with volunteers from around Michigan, will be conducting a statewide frog and toad survey. The annual survey efforts help biologists keep track of the frog and toad population and distribution in Michigan. Since the 1980s, declining populations of frogs, toads, and other amphibians have been documented worldwide. According to studies, habitat loss, pollution, disease, and collection have all contributed to the decreasing numbers [...]

Amanda McCartney, a special education teacher at Walled Lake Central High School, was “shocked” when representatives of Oakland Schools, together with Walled Lake Consolidated School District administrators entered her classroom yesterday, Tuesday, March 29, with balloons and a sign proclaiming her the 2011 Oakland County Outstanding High School Teacher of the Year. “I’m still very, very surprised,” said McCartney, who began her teaching career at Central in 2004. “I didn’t even imagine. I work with [...]

In the wake of the Michigan Medical Marijuana Act (MMMA) passed by state voters in 2008, the Waterford Township Board of Trustees adopted a resolution on Monday, March 28 that casts a blind eye to certain in-home and individual activities related to medical marijuana use. The resolution states the township’s zoning ordinance won’t be amended given the understanding that for enforcement purposes, certain medical marijuana activities will be not be regulated nor prohibited. The Planning [...]

Students from Lakeland and Milford high schools recently competed in the 65th annual Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA) State Career Development Conference in Grand Rapids, with many walking away with either honors or the opportunity to advance to the International Career Development Conference in Orlando, Fla. on April 29. Membership in the High School Division is restricted to students with a career interest in hospitality, finance, sales and service, business administration and/or entrepreneurship. DECA [...]

With Orchard Lake City Clerk Janet Green’s retirement coming June 30, the City Council, along with city administration, most likely will divvy out her duties among two long-time staff members. Assistant City Clerk Rhonda McClellan and Department of Public Works (DPW) Director Gerry McCallum have been tapped to take on Green’s daily tasks. McClellan has been employed by the city for 21 years, while McCallum has been there for 11 years. According to Green, each [...]

Engineers from Giffels-Webster have provided Commerce Township officials with a preliminary estimate that pegs the cost of paving the parking lot at Dodge Park No. 5 at $219,242. The parking lot currently consists of gravel, a composition that was used to save money, according to Commerce Township Supervisor Tom Zoner. However, since then the board has had to reconsider. “Initially, it was a nice parking lot, but we have to some extent people who don’t [...]

It’s another hot year for the Huron Valley HOT (Heroes of Tomorrow) Robotics Team, which placed second among its peers at the West Michigan District event on Friday, March 18 and Saturday, March 19. The HOT Team also brought home the GM Industrial Design Award, which celebrates form and function in an efficiently designed machine. “This was another display of awesome teamwork,” said HOT Robotics Team Coach Lori Gleason. “At West Michigan, our drive team, [...]

The West Bloomfield Township Board of Trustees has approved the appointment of Mark Jeffries to fill a vacancy on the township’s Parks and Recreation Commission. Jeffries, 65, will take over for Maxine Brickner, who has retired from the commission and had her resignation accepted by the board at a Monday, March 21 meeting, during which Jeffries was appointed. Jeffries’ term will expire in November 2012 and he will receive $85 per meeting, as do the [...]

The Milford Village Council will hold a public hearing on May 2 on the village’s proposed Fiscal Year (FY) 2011-12 budget, and has released a draft of the proposed budget. The village will tentatively appropriate $8.84 million in expenditures during the next fiscal year, with $2.17 million coming from the general fund. The Police Department Fund would expend $3.15 million, and $2.16 million would be spent from the Water/Wastewater Fund. The biggest general fund expenditure [...]