There’s just under two weeks left until Memorial Day, Monday, May 28, a day that many in west Oakland County mark with hot dogs and hamburgers and spending time with family — and, most importantly, honoring and remembering the members of the U.S. military who served during both peacetime and wartime. What follows is a rundown of parades and other events in the lakes area that will honor America’s veterans during the Memorial Day Weekend. [...]

Once again, boaters and riparians on most west Oakland County lakes will not be seeing the presence of the Oakland County Sheriff’s Department (OCSD) Marine Division this summer The exceptions to that budget casualty are the 13 lake communities that decided to contract with the Marine Division for 2012 patrols. Due to budget constraints and the economic decline, the Marine Division no longer had the funds to keep patrol boats stationed for the summer at [...]

When you’re younger, a birthday is always met with excitement and joy. But as you get older? Not so much. Rather, it serves as a reminder that you continue to age — another year has passed. But having a birthday is better than the alternative. In fact, it is something to celebrate, which is why the American Cancer Society makes it their goal to “create more birthdays” by saving lives through their Relay for Life [...]

With spring in full swing, lakes area residents can soon head out to the crop of nearby farmers markets to pick from the freshest plants and produce available. Farmers markets have become increasingly popular now that families are gravitating toward healthier food choices and choosing to shop local while supporting Michigan farmers. Whether you’re looking for sun-kissed tomatoes straight off the vine, vibrant greenhouse flowers or flavorful homemade jams and organic items, the local farmers [...]

Spring is here, marking that magical time full of anticipation for one of the biggest milestones in a high school student’s life: Prom. Between now and late May, west Oakland high school seniors will be preparing for prom with high hopes and expectations based on years of hype that prom is meant to be one of the best times of your life. While some see that characterization as exaggerated, what is not overblown is the [...]

After decades of legal interpretations and litigation, the battle over public use of road ends that provide boating access to inland lakes and streams may have finally come to an end with the passage of Senate Bill (SB) 778, which received approval in both chambers of the state Legislature and was signed by Gov. Rick Snyder on March 27. “After being debated for so long, it’s a good feeling to see something through to fruition,” [...]

With the economy still struggling to rebound from the Great Recession, many west Oakland County residents continue to turn to their local public libraries, whether it’s for entertainment, education, or personal purposes. Most of the lakes area public libraries have reported recent increases in their collections in all formats — including books, CDs, DVDs, and other materials — in order to accommodate a rising number of visitors. In tandem, those two trends are resulting in [...]

Statistics reported out of several lakes area communities indicate that crimes of the most serious nature declined during 2011. For the most part, thefts continue to challenge law enforcement officials. Several lakes area police chiefs cite unemployment and crime sprees involving copper thefts as two reasons for a relatively high number of larceny and burglary incidents last year. Communities with an increase in assault statistics still attribute a large proportion of those to domestic violence [...]

Recent medical and scientific advances have progressed to the point where people are living longer, healthier, and hopefully happier lives — far longer and far healthier than generations ago. This, of course, also means that the population is aging, especially with the baby boom generation entering the 65-years-old-and-over club last year. According to the Hartford Institute for Geriatric Nursing at New York University’s (NYU) College of Nursing, the senior population is expected to grow from [...]

A relatively new drug is enticing teens to spice up their lives and try a new high. The street drug Spice produces powerful and mind-altering effects and is considered by some to be more detrimental to those using it than marijuana. The distribution and use of this synthetic cannabis is making many wonder how can this drug legally be sold in convenience stores in Michigan as an incense, especially when it is considered so destructive [...]