A Novi man is facing multiple charges after he allegedly carjacked an ambulance, ran a red light and crashed into another vehicle, fled on foot and resisted police.

Changlin Li, 33, is held in the Oakland County Jail on a $5 million bond.

Li was involved in a rollover crash with another vehicle at 10 Mile and Novi roads at about 3:15 p.m. Friday, Oct. 24. A paramedic and patient were in the rear of a Medstar ambulance when Li entered it and drove south on Novi Road with emergency lights flashing, said Commander Bob Manar of the Novi Police Department.

Officers pursued the ambulance as it traveled two miles on Novi Road to Eight Mile Road, where it headed west.

The ambulance ran a red light at Beck Road and crashed into a vehicle traveling south on Beck.

The ambulance caught fire; Li attempted to flee on foot, but officers immediately apprehended him.

Li, the paramedic and patient in the ambulance and the driver of the second vehicle in the Eight Mile-Beck crash were hospitalized with non life-threatening injuries.

Manar said Li attempted to grab firearms from an officer at the scene of the second crash and at the hospital.

He had a knife in his possession at the time of his arrest, Manar said.

He is charged with second-degree fleeing and eluding, two counts of resisting/obstructing a police officer, two counts of peace officer-disarming firearm, carrying a concealed weapon and carjacking. All are felonies.

Manar said police do not know what prompted Manar to allegedly steal the ambulance and flee.

There was no indication that alcohol or drugs were involved, he said.

Manar did not know whether Li has a criminal background or a history of mental illness.

 

 

While Royal Oak police haven’t yet provided an update for the slaying of an 83-year-old man on Oct. 24, his identity has been confirmed as David Ong of Bloomfield Hills.

A volunteer at St. Hugo of the Hills Catholic Church’s parish office told The Oakland Press on Monday that Ong, who died last Friday at a home in Royal Oak, was a member of St. Hugo’s.

The Oakland County Medical Examiner’s Office conducted an autopsy on Ong on Monday and ruled the death a homicide. The cause of death was “multiple sharp force injuries to the head and hands, and complications thereof.”

Royal Oak police arrested the suspected killer, a 35-year-old woman — described as an acquaintance of the family — on Friday evening after responding to a report of a man calling for help in the 4300 block of Sheridan Drive in Royal Oak. The suspect had blood on her hands, police said, and was taken into custody following a brief foot chase.

Ong was found unresponsive in the home’s basement with multiple stab wounds. He was pronounced dead at the scene, police said.

The suspect’s name has not yet been released. Arraignment is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, police said.

A social media post from Ong’s daughter, Kelley Ong Smith, said he died “while protecting his cherished 3 year old granddaughter.”

“The loss is immeasurable,” she stated.

According to Ong’s obituary, he was “the most loving husband to Jacqueline” — his wife of more than 60 years — devoted father of four, and “Grandpa Dave” to 11.

The obituary further states, in part: “David’s life was defined by faith, humility and a gentle spirit. He was deeply caring, a true friend and a steady source of encouragement and support. He took joy in understanding everything about his children and grandchildren. He loved sports and rarely missed a chance to cheer for his Wolverines, Lions and Tigers. He enjoyed rides in his convertible, loved music and served as a mentor to his family and to many colleagues and employees.”

Ong founded the commercial real estate consulting and development firm, Acquest Realty Advisors, which he led for 45 years, the obituary states.

Visitation is planned for Oct. 31 at Desmond Funeral Home, 2600 Crooks Road in Troy from 1 to 5 p.m. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Hugo of the Hills Catholic Church, 2215 Opdyke Road in Bloomfield Hills on Nov. 1, with visitation at 9:30 a.m. and Mass at 10 a.m.

 

By Max Bryan, MediaNews Group

A Republican is the only city clerk candidate on the ballot in Democratic-dominated Southfield, a prospect that worries Democrats and has GOP leaders arguing that the Democrats are in disarray.

Republican Gavriel “Gabi” Grossbard is running for the Southfield clerk’s seat after losing his 2023 bid to current city Clerk Janet Jackson, a Democrat who was disqualified from running for reelection. Democrats are hoping either City Council member Coretta Hogue or city clerk’s office worker Wynett Guy can prevail as write-in candidates, but political experts said write-in campaigns are often uphill battles.

The clerk oversees local elections and public records in the predominantly Black city of more than 75,000 residents. This would include overseeing the local results of the 2026 midterm election, when Republicans are seeking to win an open U.S. Senate seat as well as take back the governor’s office and state Senate.

The Michigan Democratic Party has highlighted this race in part due to a November 2020 federal lawsuit that Grossbard filed with three other voters that sought to decertify the presidential ballot counts in the Democratic strongholds of Wayne, Washtenaw and Ingham counties. Grossbard and his co-plaintiffs accused election officials of clerical errors, fraud and counting illegal votes.

The lawsuit in the Western District of Michigan sought to invalidate more than 1.2 million votes — more than 848,500 votes for Democrat Joe Biden and more than 368,400 votes for President Donald Trump, a Republican — after Biden defeated Trump by 154,000 votes. But Grossbard and his co-defendants withdrew the lawsuit five days later.

“There’s good reason that, in a majority-Democratic city, we wouldn’t want somebody like that to be clerk,” said Michigan Democratic Party President Curtis Hertel, adding that “it’s incredibly important that those people’s votes are counted in a free and fair election in 2026 and beyond.”

Southfield Mayor Ken Siver said he’s known Grossbard to be “a reasonable, nice guy” and would be ethical in the clerk’s office if elected. Siver also said he doesn’t believe Grossbard is “MAGA” or a Make America Great Again diehard, although the mayor is not supporting his bid for clerk.

Grossbard didn’t respond to multiple requests for comment, and campaign manager Pea Gee did not arrange an interview with the candidate despite multiple requests.

Jackson, a former Oakland County commissioner who beat Grossbard 75%-25% for the clerk’s office in 2023, was taken off this year’s ballot due to an unresolved campaign finance fee.

Michigan Republican Party Chairman Jim Runestad called Jackson a “Keystone cop” for getting disqualified from an election she’s charged with overseeing.

“How catastrophic for the city, one of the biggest in Oakland County, to have this level of incompetence,” Runestad said. “So then, they’re now stuck with trying to plug in whoever they can as opposed to a gentleman who went about it the right way, filed in time, filed his paperwork correctly and is on the ballot.”

State Democrats have thrown their support behind Guy at the request of local Democratic chapters, Hertel said.

“She doesn’t come in with a learning curve,” said Southfield / Lathrup Village Democratic Club President Joseph Person, referencing Guy’s position in the clerk’s office. “(Grossbard and Hogue) come in with a learning curve.”

Expert: Write-in efforts ‘extremely difficult’

But the Democrats have unique challenges to win the Southfield clerk’s race, a political analyst said.

Write-in candidacies usually are “extremely difficult” because of the huge educational effort required by campaigns to ensure voters remember a candidate’s name and write it on the ballot, said Southfield-based consultant Mario Morrow Sr.

The Southfield situation complicates the situation further because of the dueling write-in candidacies, he said.

“Just off the bat, the write-in candidates might end up splitting votes if they get people to support them, which leaves the person who, love him or hate him, is a legitimate candidate, on the ballot, and very well could end up in this spot,” Morrow said.

Guy originally sought to be placed on the election ballot, but said her name was removed because Grossbard pointed out disqualifying aspects in her campaign. Grossbard’s campaign manager, Gee, rejected the claim, arguing that Guy failed on her own to ensure she complied with state election law.

As a result, Guy mounted a write-in campaign.

Guy said she would make sure the clerk’s office flows more efficiently if elected. She also said she would better educate its employees about the office’s functions.

Hogue said she put her name down before she knew Guy was going to launch a write-in campaign.

The City Council member said she is concerned about the prospect of split votes, but said she was the only write-in candidate before Guy threw her hat in the ring. Hogue also said she has experience running a voting precinct.

Asked about the possibility of a weakened write-in vote due to the two candidates, Person said he’s not concerned about “hypotheticals” and is instead focused on helping Guy win the election.

2020 lawsuit becomes focal point

Grossbard’s supporters said he was within his rights to try to decertify a portion of Michigan’s votes in the 2020 presidential election if he believed there were irregularities.

Grossbard and three other plaintiffs said in the lawsuit they were worried their votes were “unconstitutionally diluted” by fraudulent ballots, including some of the absentee ballots counted at what was then the TCF Center in Detroit.

“There exists sufficient evidence to place in doubt the November 3 presidential-election results in identified key counties, including issues with transparency, fraudulent changing of dates, a software glitch, clerical errors, illegal votes, and many other issues and irregularities,” according to the lawsuit.

The lawsuit cited other lawsuits and conservative blogs in its reasoning and claimed the plaintiffs would analyze poll books and other records to create “expert reports” to provide proof of fraud. None of the other lawsuits seeking to overturn Michigan’s election results succeeded. Grossbard and his allies withdrew the lawsuit without explanation on Nov. 16, 2020.

The lawsuit would have invalidated more than 20% of Michigan’s 5.5 million votes if successful.

“This case was clearly designed to spread misinformation about the security and integrity of Michigan elections,” state Attorney General Dana Nessel said of the lawsuit.

Gee said Grossbard “had some concerns, didn’t break the law, put their name on a lawsuit.” Runestad agreed.

“It’s perfectly legal to be able to do this. It happens all the time that people feel that there were things that were not kosher in the election process,” Runestad said.

Gee said Grossbard would be “more cognizant” of election integrity than other candidates since he’s sued over them before.

Guy said she wouldn’t care about Grossbard’s politics if he hadn’t challenged the 2020 election.

“I was concerned about the city, so they needed to be told, and not just blindly vote for someone who’s the only person on the ballot without knowing their track record,” Guy said.

Noting prior clerk’s misconduct

Gee accused the Democratic Party of hypocrisy because it supported former Southfield Clerk Sherikia Hawkins in 2019. Hawkins was convicted in 2022 of misconduct in office for ending the city’s 2018 election without counting nearly 200 absentee ballots. She was forced to resign from office, leading eventually to the Jackson-Grossbard race in 2023. She was also ordered to pay a $10,000 fine.

Gee also accused the Democrats of making the campaign “about a Jewish man running against one African American write-in candidate,” and pointed out that both Guy and Hogue are Black.

Michigan Democratic Party Chair Hertel called Gee’s claim “ridiculous.”

“The only thing that we have talked about in this campaign is his lack of credibility in county elections when he himself has been part of denying them,” Hertel said.

Grossbard said he will “defend and preserve the individual right to vote, secure the voting process, and will fight voter suppression,” according to his campaign literature. The campaign materials also said Grossbard will expand services to include passport applications and process birth and death certificates in a timely manner.

Grossbard would bring council minutes up to date if he were elected, Gee said. She claimed these records have fallen out of compliance with Michigan’s Open Meeting Act under Jackson.

“I’m surprised that the Democratic Party is worried about the candidate as opposed to the people getting their accurate information,” Gee said.

Jackson did not respond to a request for comment regarding Gee’s claim.

Democrats mount ‘huge undertaking’

While the Democrats have thrown their support behind Guy in their efforts to keep Grossbard from office, the dynamic of dueling write-in candidates persists.

Volunteers have knocked on more than 7,000 doors in support of Guy, Southfield Democratic Club’s Person said. The Michigan Democratic Party has also invested in mailers and digital campaign materials for her election, Hertel said.

Mayor Siver claimed the local Democratic Club initially said it would support Hogue, but then switched to Guy a few days later.

“I said, ‘Well, I’m sorry. I’m not going to go back on my word to Coretta Hogue. I wish Wynett Guy every success, but I am backing Coretta,'” Siver said.

Person said Hogue “didn’t have any money” and wanted the club to “do the heavy lifting for her,” which contributed to the club’s decision.

Hogue said she believes “people have personal gains that they’re seeking” in their decision to support Guy but did not elaborate when asked what those were. She also pointed out that she was the only person running against Grossbard who wasn’t kicked off the ballot.

“It’s been a dirty campaign,” Hogue said. “I think that it’s really shown in how people are choosing to support and endorse and are overlooking qualifications.”

Like Grossbard, Hogue said she would get the City Council meeting minutes up to date. She also claimed integrity needs to be brought back to the office.

Grossbard’s Gee called Hogue a “valid and viable candidate.”

The result is that defeating Grossbard is “a huge undertaking” for the Democrats, Morrow said.

“It would have probably been beneficial if everybody was on the same page and wanted to go after Gabi, that one of the two write-in candidates would have pulled out,” Morrow said. “That would have been an easier task to take on.”

Bloomfield Township police are investigating several incidents of malicious destruction of property where similar graffiti was spray painted on school facilities and two homes under construction.

The word “LOV3” was spray painted in red at the Booth Center and Wing Lake Developmental Center on Wing Lake Road — on the exterior walls, shed and a dumpster — and the words “LOV3” and “LOV3 Liv3” were spray painted in black and white at homes under construction in the 7000 block of Franklin Road, police said.

The MDOPs were reported on Oct. 22 and Oct. 23.

A can of red spray paint was collected from the school facilities, police said, and is being processed for evidence.

Anyone with further information on the incidents is asked to call the Bloomfield Township Police Department at 248-433-7755.

Sheriff: Bicyclist killed when SUV crosses white line at edge of roadway on Milford Road

Police: 83-year-old man stabbed to death in Royal Oak home

 

 

By Jennifer Pignolet, MediaNews Group

After a few easy prompts to get them started, Michele Malesyzk warns her daughter: This next one’s going to be tough.

“ANG,” says Maleszyk, emphasizing the three sounds in the one blended sound found in words like “pang” or “angry.”

Sitting atop a barstool at their kitchen countertop, 8-year-old Grace Zinczuk sticks her left index finger into a tray of sand in front of her and traces out the letters that make the sound. “A-N-G,” she writes.

Having properly matched the letters to the sound, Grace gives the tray a shake, and the black and green grains of sand fall flat again, ready for her next set of letters.

Grace, a third grader, practices these lessons with her mother most days after school in addition to her usual homework in a bid to fill a hole in Grace’s foundational literacy skills. Grace has dyslexia, a learning disability that makes reading and writing difficult, especially without explicit, direct instruction on the mechanics of reading. The hole in Grace’s literary skills exists, Malesyzk said, because of the reading curriculum used by Troy Public Schools, where Grace attended kindergarten through second grade.

Troy’s curriculum has received years of criticism, locally, across the state and the country, for its gaps in how it teaches students — especially ones with dyslexia — to learn to read. The Troy district defended its approach by noting its third graders have high reading scores on the Michigan Student Test of Educational Progress, with 67.9% proficiency compared with the state’s overall third grade English language arts proficiency of 38.9%.

But districts with the same or similar programs across Michigan are soon going to be forced to adopt new ways — at least in part.

The state of Michigan last year approved two new literacy laws aimed at districts like Troy that have been using programs that are not aligned with what’s known as the “science of reading.” Many districts across Michigan have already moved in that direction, focusing on equipping students with skills to “decode” words they don’t know.

School districts will have to screen children for signs of dyslexia, address lagging students’ needs with intervention methods approved by the state, and involve parents in the process of catching up students who are behind. They will also have to provide training to teachers in the science of reading.

The literacy laws’ supporters said the new requirements are a significant step toward moving Michigan’s stubbornly low literacy rates, while still balancing the state’s tradition of local control, especially in schools. But some are worried the law doesn’t go far enough.

‘I would have tried to guess the word’

While her parents have read to her regularly since she was a baby, Grace struggled to learn to read. She particularly didn’t love chapter books.

“Sometimes I didn’t really read a page,” Grace said. If she got stuck on a word she couldn’t figure out? “I would have tried to guess the word.”

Maleszyk grew up in Troy and attended Troy schools. When her family moved back to the area, she said, they chose Troy for the community and the schools.

Maleszyk, a former teacher in older elementary school grades, said she didn’t research the school’s reading curriculum when deciding where to move. She wishes she had.

Troy uses a reading curriculum called Units of Study, authored by Lucy Calkins, from the Teacher’s College at Columbia University. In the past few years, Columbia has distanced itself from the program, dissolving its professional development support efforts for the curriculum. The program, once beloved for its literature-rich materials and goal of building a love of reading in young children, has faced intense scrutiny for its gaps in explicit instruction, especially around phonics.

Some of the curriculum has been updated to include a stronger phonics piece, but multiple states with mandates to use the science of reading have not approved Calkins’ program for use, including Ohio and Tennessee.

The Troy district said in an email that it will comply with all Michigan laws, but did not commit to moving away from Calkins’ program. The district touted its high overall reading rates in third grade and noted that a review of the English language arts curriculum will begin next year.

“As part of this process, we will evaluate a variety of evidence-based resources,” director of Communications and Strategic Initiatives Kendra Montante said. “While committed to continuous improvement, the district’s literacy program is comprehensive with instruction and intervention systems fully aligned to Michigan standards.”

In June, the school board approved the purchase of Calkins’ Units of Study writing program.

Two board members dissented, saying they were aware of the criticism of Units of Study. Board member Stephanie Zendler said then the district “must begin to align all literacy instruction with the science of reading.”

“Recent revisions to the program have attempted to incorporate some of these things, but these changes still fall short of what is required for a comprehensive, research-aligned literacy framework that works for all of our students, in particular, our most at-risk learners,” Zendler said. “Adopting a curriculum that does not fully reflect this work would be a step backward at a time when we need to accelerate learning recovery and close achievement gaps.”

Last year’s test scores showed a significant achievement gap between students who are economically disadvantaged and those with disabilities. The district also had a significant racial disparity in third-grade reading proficiency. About 38% of Black students tested proficient, compared with 70% of White students and 73% of Asian students. White and Asian students make up 83% of the school’s third graders.

Board member Vital Anne, who voted for the adoption, said at the meeting she heard the concerns and was aware of the upcoming literacy laws, but that she was comfortable with the curriculum updates and that they had support from Troy’s teachers.

“No curriculum ever is perfect or complete,” Anne said.

Maleszyk said she could see the curriculum was not working for Grace.

“She would sometimes cry in the morning, not want to go to school,” Maleszyk said.

After spending over $10,000 on tutoring, buying materials to help tutor her at home and hiring an advocate to push for additional services through the Troy schools, she pulled Grace out of the district this fall. Three months in at her private Catholic school, Grace is receiving three 30-minute sessions a week to rebuild the foundational skills she missed, Maleszyk said. She loves chapter books now, especially ones about ponies and magic.

“I’m thinking like, wow, this is so much better,” Grace said.

Maleszyk said she worries that districts like Troy will continue to do a “workaround” of the law. She reached out to the Michigan Department of Education to ask how its officials would enforce the law.

“They told me that they’re going to rely on parents like me,” she said.

DeNesha Rawls-Smith, literacy unit manager at the Michigan Department of Education, emphasized that the new literacy laws are just that — laws.

“If you have a child that is not performing, then they are entitled to intervention, no matter how well your school is doing,” Rawls-Smith said. “So I would encourage them to sit down with parents and make the changes needed for that child, because that’s what the law requires. If I can’t appeal to your humanity, I’m going to appeal to what the law says.”

Even successful districts, she said, are “only as successful as your most challenging student, or your student that is having the most challenges, or your teacher that is having the most challenges.”

“I think if one child is not reading, that’s a cause for us to pause and look at what we’re doing,” Rawls-Smith said. “And we don’t have any districts … that have 100% proficiency.”

Michigan avoids full mandates

About a decade ago, when state Sen. Jeff Irwin, D-Ann Arbor, was a member of the state House, a mother told him about having to fight her son’s public school to get him the help he needed after being diagnosed with dyslexia.

“Her message to me was, ‘You know, not every kid’s gonna have the resources and the parent with the time and the ability to fight this fight,'” Irwin said. “‘And this is wrong. And you know, do you know anything about the science of reading, and do you know anything about dyslexia? Maybe you should.'”

The science of reading includes five main components: phonemic awareness (sounds), phonics (the connection between letters and sounds), fluency (reading text accurately), vocabulary (knowing the meaning of words), and comprehension (understanding what’s been read). It teaches students skills to figure out words they don’t know by attacking the word directly, sounding it out or using their fingers to tap out the sounds as they say them.

Previous methods of teaching, known as “whole language” or “balanced literacy,” have focused less on the explicit teaching of reading, and more on the exposure to books, and encouraging other ways of figuring out words, like looking at the pictures or other words around the one a student doesn’t know. Critics have said balanced literacy often leads more to memorization than actual reading.

Irwin and a group of literacy advocates tried over a period of years to pass legislation that would require schools to do more not just for students with dyslexia, but also those who may just need more support to learn to read.

“We tried to make this a bill that would promote literacy broadly, not just a bill that was focused on how to help kids who have characteristics of dyslexia,” he said.

In October 2024, the Michigan Legislature passed two new literacy laws, aimed at spurring growth just as new test scores showed the state ranking 44th in the nation in fourth grade reading. The laws updated what was formerly known as the Read by Grade Three Law.

The first law, Public Act 146, requires the Michigan Department of Education to create a list of high-quality instructional materials aligned with the science of reading. It also requires school districts to screen students three times a year for signs of dyslexia or any struggle to read. Districts must use a state-approved program to do the screening and support the student through intervention. Both must align with the science of reading.

The law also requires training for all teachers that hits on seven aspects of teaching reading, although no specific program or a set number of hours was required. Districts must also notify parents if a student is showing signs of struggling to read, including challenges with spelling or letter and sound recognition. The majority of the law does not take effect until fall 2027.

The second law, Public Act 147, addresses teacher training programs, requiring that future teachers receive training in the science of reading.

In the last three years, 26 states have passed laws around the science of reading, according to APM Reports. They have used a series of tools to help either strongly encourage or require districts to move away from balanced literacy programs.

Some states have opted for more stick than carrot, legislating a mandate that districts must use a curriculum vetted by their departments of education and rooted in the science of reading.

Michigan steered away from such mandates — more carrot, less stick. The state offered funding for new programs, and to use the funding, districts had to adopt from an approved list. But there is no law fully stopping districts from using a balanced literacy program, even alongside, for example, an early literacy phonics program.

Troy received state grant money to adopt UFLI, a phonics program for students in grades K-2.

rwin said Michigan could have tried to go the way of a full curriculum mandate, but a commitment to being a local-control state made that untenable.

“We need to win this battle on literacy through changing culture, through demonstrating that the right methods work,” Irwin said. “And I think that’s always going to be more important than the statutory hammer.”

But even those who strongly support the new law are worried it won’t be enough.

“It’s a problem,” Ann Arbor Public Schools board member Susan Wald-Schmidt said. “There are no teeth in this bill to say they have to do it.”

Wald-Schmidt, who worked closely with Irwin and others on the bill, said she heard from a teacher in another state — one that does have a mandate — that their district still was finding ways around the law. Even in states with “mandates,” she said, if there isn’t a penalty, there will be those unmotivated to change.

LETRS training eye-opening

David Pelc, a Romulus School District reading interventionist, created a network to support teachers. Pelc is the founder and administrator of a Facebook group called “Michigan’s Science of Reading-What I Should Have Learned in College.” It has over 4,300 members.

Teachers, parents and administrators across the state post questions, resources, strategies and trainings, providing the support that, in some cases, districts have not provided.

Pelc said before the COVID pandemic, he knew the reading strategies, especially for struggling readers, weren’t working. He looked for a new way and found people online talking about the science of reading.

“People were kind of grabbing little parts and pieces,” he said.

Once he saw the difference it made in his own students, he wanted to help pull all those pieces together and help teachers learn the baseline knowledge they need to know to teach reading.

“I’m always looking at like, ‘Why don’t they know this?’ you know?” Pelc said. “But then I’m like, I didn’t know that. How did I find out? And it’s a lot of just kind of discovering, which takes a long time, and wastes a lot of time.”

Pelc said he was encouraged to see the new literacy laws. But without proper training, not just on the science of reading but any new curriculum a district adopts, it won’t be successful, he said.

Pelc said as more districts begin to support teachers through the transition, more are looking to go deeper still. Michigan is recommending, but not requiring, all teachers who work with young students or who teach English at any age to take an intensive, 60-hour course called LETRS as a way to meet the state training requirement.

Some districts, like Detroit Public Schools Community District, have found ways to incentivize teachers to take it, paying them a $5,000 bonus. (“Don’t tell me that,” Pelc said, noting he took the training for free.)

Pelc said it was eye-opening, but he knows of some teachers who started the training and dropped out because it was difficult and time-consuming.

“I really don’t know what the answer is,” he said. “I feel like there’s got to be a way to teach this in an easier, more structured way, like to roll it out so everyone is sold on it and believes in it, you know?”

Jeff Cobb, director of government affairs for EdTrust Midwest, said the training for teachers is the key to the science of reading reaching all students, even without a mandate.

“Understand that science of reading is based in science, and it’s actually evidenced, proven, and it’s not just opinion,” Cobb said. “It’s curriculum, and it’s interventions that are that are based on things that work.”

The science of reading has been credited with what’s known in education circles as the “Southern surge,” as traditionally red states such as Arkansas, Tennessee, Georgia and Mississippi — which has its own “Mississippi Miracle” slogan — find success in turning around stubbornly low reading rates. Cobb noted that in Michigan, efforts to pass the legislation were bipartisan.

“It seemed to bring people from both sides of the aisle together,” Cobb said. “And let’s face it, that’s very unusual in this political climate.”

One former Troy parent moved her family to the South, in part because of the literacy laws.

Tracy Owens said she fought for her son, who had dyslexia, to receive more services at his school in Troy. She, too, initially moved to Troy for the schools, believing they were the best.

“I realized a lot of kids were getting tutoring, and I was like, you know, we can’t afford a couple thousand dollars a month to send our kids in for tutoring,” Owens said.

When they moved to Georgia, testing showed that her daughter, a third grader who had gone to school in Troy up to that point, was reading at a level between kindergarten and first grade. Owens said she sent the results to the Troy school board.

“It’s hard for me because I’m like — I knew something was wrong,” Owens said. “… I maybe would have caught it when it was earlier, if I would have pushed a little harder.”

A West Bloomfield lottery club’s $2 million Powerball win is being called “comforting and unbelievable” by the club spokesperson.

Club members agreed to buy several Powerball tickets when the jackpot exceeded $1 billion.

“They were checking their tickets after the drawing and didn’t believe it when they realized one was a $2 million winner,” said club representative and spokesperson, Sheldon Larky. “They scanned the ticket on the Michigan Lottery app to double check it and make sure it was real.”

The club’s winning ticket matched five white balls in the Sept. 3 drawing: 03-16-29-61-69. The Power Play option multiplied the prize to $2 million. The Sunkiss Market, 13535 Puritan Street in Detroit, sold the ticket.

Lottery Commissioner Suzanna Shkreli congratulated the club.

Powerball tickets cost $2 each but the “Power Play” option costs $1 more and a “Double Play” option raises the ticket price to $4.

Powerball tickets are drawn at 10:59 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday and are sold in 45 states, Washington D.C., U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico.

Free confidential help is available for people with gambling addictions and their loved ones via the National Problem Gambling Helpline, (800) GAMBLER or (800) 426-2537.

 

By Max Reinhart, MediaNews Group

The total number of vehicle crashes in southeast Michigan dropped in 2024, even as fatalities from those crashes climbed, newly released data shows.

The statistics, compiled by the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments (SEMCOG), indicate a need for increased focus on major contributing factors like lane departures, impaired driving and problematic intersections, SEMCOG officials said.

“The overall decline in crashes and continued reduction in speeding-related fatalities represent a meaningful win for safety in Southeast Michigan,” said Amy O’Leary, executive director of SEMCOG. “These gains reflect the dedication of our local, regional, state, and federal partners who work every day to make our roads safer.

“Still, the persistence of high-severity crashes reminds us that our work is far from done. Together, we remain committed to advancing and supporting a transportation system where no loss of life is acceptable,” O’Leary said.

According to SEMCOG’s Quick Facts report, there were 129,583 total crashes across the organization’s seven-county area last year. That’s a 1.4% decrease from 131,448 crashes in 2023 and below the 10-year average of 133,511 crashes per year. It also marked the first decline in total crashes across the region since 2020.

However, there were 402 fatalities on Southeast Michigan’s roadways last year, 14 more than in 2023 and the fifth-highest yearly total in the past decade, according to SEMCOG’s findings.

The data also shows that while serious injuries from crashes were down 3% in 2024 (2,211 compared to 2,276 in 2023), that figure is the third-highest in the past 10 years.

In analyzing data regarding contributing factors, SEMCOG identified lane departures, impaired driving and intersections among the top causes for fatal and serious injury crashes.

There were 723 collisions resulting in either death or severe injury last year in which lane departure was a factor. About 39% of fatal crashes and 26% of serious injury crashes in southeast Michigan in 2024 involved drivers drifting from their marked lane.

Crashes that involved driver impairment decreased overall in 2024, hitting a 10-year low of 3,918. However, SEMCOG reported, impairment was still a top factor in traffic deaths, accounting for 36% of traffic fatalities.

The organization reported that there were 397 serious injuries and 145 fatalities linked to driver impairment last year, representing slight increases from 2023 (395 injuries and 141 deaths).

Grievous crashes at intersections across southeast Michigan jumped notably in 2024, the report found. There were 125 deaths in vehicle crashes at intersections (31% of all traffic fatalities), which was the first increase in fatal crashes at intersections since 2020, SEMCOG’s data shows. There were also 912 serious injuries in crashes at intersections (41% of all such crashes), which marks a 10-year high.

SEMCOG data shows that the most dangerous intersections in southeast Michigan last year were Drahner and Lapeer roads in Oxford Township as well as Metropolitan Parkway and Utica Road in Clinton Township. Both those locations were the site of seven fatal or serious injury crashes.

There was only one such crash at Greenfield and Plymouth roads in Detroit, but that intersection continues to have the highest rate of injury/fatal crashes over the past five years (2.8 per year), according to SEMCOG.

Other notable findings from the SEMCOG report:

• 2024 was a particularly deadly year for motorcyclists with 71 fatalities, a 25% jump from 57 in 2024 and the highest total since 2015.
• Total crashes involving pedestrians dropped to 1,180 in 2024 from 1,216 in 2023, the first decrease in that statistic in four years. Some 78 pedestrians died in crashes last year in southeast Michigan, down from 97 in 2023 and the second-lowest total in the past decade.
• Speeding decreased as a factor in fatal and serious injury crashes for the third straight year. There were 392 such crashes in 2021, 365 in 2022, 322 in 2021 and 300 in 2024.
• Crashes involving bicyclists increased for the third straight year (875 total in 2024) but bicyclist fatalities (seven) dropped to the lowest rate since 2021.

mreinhart@detroitnews.com

 

For a month, the Great Lakes Water Authority has been asking residents and businesses in western Oakland County to limit water usage. And there’s no end in sight.

GLWA issued a release on Monday, Oct. 20, asking that water conservation efforts continue, but offered no estimate on when the request might be lifted.

A water main broke on 14 Mile Road in Novi on Sept. 25, resulting in a drop in water pressure and boil advisories in Commerce Township, Walled Lake, Wixom, most of Novi and a small part of Wolverine Lake. The boil advisories have been lifted.

GLWA’s release said it “continues its response” to the break in the 42-inch main on 14 Mile, west of M-5. GLWA owns and operates the broken main.

In addition to asking for continued water conservation, GLWA is asking that water users winterize their irrigation systems, the release said.

GLWA said in an earlier release that it expected to complete work on the broken main by Oct. 16, which would mean the water conservation request could be lifted. GLWA officials could not be reached for comment Friday, Oct. 24.

In the days immediately following the water main break, boil advisories were imposed, lifted and imposed again because of over-consumption of water during peak hours.

All of the affected communities asked residents and businesses to refrain from water use that was not necessary, including watering lawns and washing vehicles.

Emergency connections in use while crews worked on the broken main could not withstand excessive water use, officials said.

GLWA said in a release on Oct. 13 that the system was in a “vulnerable state,” and asked water customers to continue to limit usage to avoid putting additional stress on the emergency set-up.

Western Oakland County communities asked to conserve water a little longer

Last boil water advisory lifted in western Oakland County

 

 

The following is a list of in-person and online worship services and events happening at churches and synagogues in the Oakland County area. Visit websites or call for service times and events.

• Abiding Presence Lutheran Church, 1550 Walton Blvd., Rochester Hills, 248-651-6550, abidingpresence.org. Sunday worship services are at 9:30 a.m., also virtual services are available on the website.

• Adat Shalom Synagogue, 29901 Middlebelt Road, Farmington Hills, in-person and online services via Zoom. To view daily Minyan video conferences; email Executive Director Michael Wolf at mwolf@adatshalom.org or visit adatshalom.org, 248-851-5100.

• All Saints’ Episcopal, 171 W. Pike St., Pontiac, allsaintspontiac.org, 248-334-4571, rector@allsaintspontiac.org.

• The Apostolic Church of Christ, 3655 N. Squirrel Road, Auburn Hills, theapostolicchurch.com, 248-373-4500, Sunday worship services at 11 a.m.

• Archdiocese of Detroit, livestream Mass times, aod.org/livemasses.

• Auburn Hills Christian Center, 2592 Walton Blvd., Auburn Hills, Sunday worship services at 10:30 a.m., Servicio Evangelistico services (in Spanish) at 2-4 p.m. Sundays, 248-373-7139, www.myahcc.org.

• Beacon Unitarian Universalist Congregation, Troy, in-person and online services at 10:30 a.m. Sundays, beaconcongregation.org, admin@beaconcongregation.org.

• Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church, 5631 N. Adams Road, Bloomfield Hills, livestream services at 9 a.m. Sundays, and in person at 9 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. at bslcmi.org, facebook/bslcmi, 248-646-5041.

• Berea Family Tabernacle of Faith, Pontiac, Sunday worship services are at 11 a.m., experienceberea.org, 248-338-4748.

• Berkley First United Methodist Church, 2820 12 Mile Road, Berkley, worship services are 10 a.m. Sundays in person and online at www.berkleyfirst.org.

• Bharatiya Temple, 6850 N Adams Road, Troy, www.bharatiya-temple.org, 248-879-2552.

• Big Beaver United Methodist Church, 3753 John R Road, Troy, worship services at 10 a.m. Sundays, http://bbumchurch.org.

• Birmingham First United Methodist Church, 1589 W Maple Road, Birmingham, www.fumcbirmingham.org, 248-646-1200. Sunday worship services are in person and online at 9:30 a.m., and in-person only services at 11 a.m. (Summer worship services are at 10 a.m. between Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day.)

• Birmingham Unitarian Church, 38651 Woodward Ave., Bloomfield Hills, in-person and online worship services, 10:30 a.m. Sundays, bucmi.org, 248-647-2380.

• Bridge Community Church, 5700 Rochester Road, Troy, in-person and online worship services, 10 a.m. Sundays, bridgecommunitychurch.com/live, 248-879-9500.

• Bridgewood Church, 6765 Rattalee Lake Road, Clarkston, 248-625-1344, www.bridgewoodchurch.com. Sunday worship services are 8:30 a.m., 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m., also online services, and locations in Goodrich.

• Brightmoor Christian Church, 40800 W. 13 Mile Road, Novi, www.brightmoorchurch.org. Sunday worship services at 9 a.m. and 11:15 a.m.

• Calvary Chapel Oakland County, 1975 E. Long Lake Road, Troy, 248-457-9673, ccoaklandcounty.com. Worship 7 p.m. Wednesdays and 10 a.m. Sundays.

• Calvary Church, 1361 Giddings Road, Pontiac, Sunday worship services are at 10 a.m., https://ccpontiac.org, 248-373-0311.

• Calvary Evangelical Lutheran Church, 6805 Bluegrass Drive, Clarkston, calvary-lutheran.org. Sunday worship services are Traditional Worship at 7:55 a.m.; Modern Worship at 9:30 a.m. and 11 a.m.; and livestream at 9:30 a.m. Food pantry (drive-up or curbside pickup) is 9-11 a.m. Wednesdays.

• Central Church, 1529 Twelve Mile Road, Madison Heights, www.centralchurch.cc. Sunday worship services at 10 a.m.

• Central Oaks Community Church, 2005 Rochester Road, Royal Oak, www.centraloaks.com, 248-547-7755. Sunday worship services at 11 a.m.

• Central United Methodist Church, 3882 Highland Road, Waterford Twp., 248-681-0040, WaterfordCUMC.org. In-person worship at 8:45 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Sundays and online at 10:30 a.m. at Live.WaterfordCUMC.org.

• Central Woodward Christian Church Disciples of Christ, 3955 W. Big Beaver Road, Troy, 248-644-0512, centralwoodwardchristian.com. Sunday worship services are at 10:30 a.m., in person and online at centralwoodwardchristian.com and Facebook at www.facebook.com/CentralWoodward.

• Chapel of Our Lady of Orchard Lake, 3535 Commerce Road, West Bloomfield Twp., www.sscms.edu, 248-683-0310.

• Christian Science Church, 355 E Maple Road, Birmingham, worship services are 10:15 a.m. Sundays, https://christiansciencebirminghammi.com, 248-644-7935.

• Christian Tabernacle Church, Southfield, ctabchurch.com, 248-213-4770.

• Christ Church Cranbrook, 470 Church Road, Bloomfield Hills, in-person and online worship services, 10 a.m. Sundays, ccc-info.org.

• Christ Lutheran Church, Waterford Twp., https://christwaterford.org, 248-673-7331. Sunday worship services at 10 a.m.

• Christ Lutheran Church and School, 620 General Motors Road, Milford, www.christlutheranmilford.org. Sunday worship services at 8:30 a.m. and 11 a.m.

• Christ, Our Light! Catholic Church, 3077 Glouchester, Troy. Mass times are: Saturday at 4 p.m.; Sunday at 8 a.m., 9:30 a.m. and 11 a.m.; weekday Masses (followed by Rosary recitation) are Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday at 9 a.m., and Friday at 12:05 p.m., www.coltroy.org, 248-649-5510.

• Christ the Good Shepherd Progressive Catholic Church, 3947 Twelve Mile Road Berkley, church services: Saturday Mass at 4:30 p.m. and Sunday Mass at 10:30 a.m., 248-439-0470, www.cgs-occ.org.

• Christ the Redeemer Parish, 2700 Waldon Road Orion Township, 248-391-1621, www.ctredeemer.org. Weekend Masses are 5 p.m. Saturdays, and 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. Sundays.

• Crown of Life Lutheran Church, 2975 Dutton Road  Rochester Hills, www.crownoflifechurch.org, 248-652-7720. Sunday worship services are 9 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.

• Church of the Holy Spirit, 3700 Harvey Lake Road, Highland Twp., www.holyspirithighland.com.

• The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints congregations in Oakland County include: Bloomfield Hills, Clarkston, Commerce Twp., Farmington Hills, Lake Orion, Pontiac (Spanish), Rochester, Troy and White Lake Twp. The congregations host worship services on Sundays. For worship times and locations, visit churchofjesuschrist.org.

• Church of the Resurrection, 6490 Clarkston Road, Village of Clarkston, https://clarkstonepiscopal.com, 248-625-2325. Sunday worship services at 10 a.m.

• Clarkston Community Church, 6300 Clarkston Road, Clarkston, in-person and online services at 9:15 a.m. and 11 a.m. Sundays, clarkstoncchurch.com, 248-625-1323.

• Clarkston United Methodist Church, 6600 Waldon Road, Clarkston, in-person and online faith services, 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. Sundays, clarkstonumc.org, 248-625-1611.

• Commerce United Methodist Church, 1155 N. Commerce Road, Commerce Twp., commerceumc.org/media.

• Community Bible Church, 1888 Crescent Lake Road, Waterford Twp., https://cbcmi.com, 248-674-4871. Sunday worship services at 11 a.m.

• Community Fellowship Seventh-Day Adventist Church, 27800 Southfield Road, Lathrup Village, church services at 11 a.m. Saturdays, http://communityfellowship22.adventistchurchconnect.org, 248-469-8539.

• Community Presbyterian Church, 4301 Monroe Ave., Waterford Twp. In-person worship is 10 a.m., Sundays, cpcwaterford.org, 248-673-7805.

• Congregation Beth Ahm, 5075 West Maple Road, West Bloomfield Twp., 248-851-6880, cbahm.org.

• Congregational Church of Birmingham, UCC, 1000 Cranbrook Road, Bloomfield Hills. Worship services are 10 a.m. Sundays, ccbucc.org, 248-646-4511.

• Congregation Shaarey Zedek, 27375 Bell Road, Southfield, Jewish religious services including daily morning and evening Minyan services, Shabbat morning services and Youth Shabbat activities, shaareyzedek.org, 248-357-5544. Daily minyan services are hybrid services, meeting both in person in the Lee and Gerson Bernstein Chapel (morning services are followed by breakfast), and on Zoom. Shabbat musical services meet on the first Friday evening of each month, in person  and on Zoom.

• Congregation Shir Tikvah, 3900 Northfield Parkway, Troy, www.shirtikvah.org.

• Cornerstone Baptist Church, Ortonville, in-person worship services, Sundays at 11 a.m. and 6 p.m., Wednesdays at 7 p.m. Also online at Facebook at Cornerstone Baptist Church Ortonville, cbcortonville.com, 248 627-4700.

• Cornerstone Church, 4995 N Hickory Ridge Road, Highland, cornerstonehighland.com, 248-887-1600. Worship services at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. Sundays, 7 p.m. Wednesdays. Also, livestream at 11 a.m. Sundays on YouTube, Facebook, and website.

• Crossroads Free Will Baptist Church, 4804 White Lake Road, White Lake Twp., https://crossroadswl.org, Sunday worship services at 11 a.m. The church has a Blessing Box that is stocked with non-perishable food items, books and other household items for those in need. Donations welcome.

• Destiny Faith Church, 501 University Drive, Pontiac, Destinyfaith.org, 248-322-2200. Worship services at 10 a.m. Sundays and 7 p.m. Wednesdays, in person and online.

• Divine Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church, 3000 S. Lapeer Road, Orion Twp., divinegrace.net, Sunday worship services at 8 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.

• Door of Faith Christian Church, Pontiac, online services, 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. Sundays, mydooroffaith.org.

• Emmanuel Lutheran Church, 23425 Lahser Road, Southfield, 248-357-1848, emmanuellutheransouthfield.org.

• Empowerment Church of Southfield, worship services are 7:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Sundays at new worship center location, Shriner’s Silver Garden Events Center, 24350 Southfield Road, Southfield, 248-569-2299, empowerment.mi.org. Also virtual worship services, 10:30 a.m. Sundays at empowermentmi.org/stream and on Facebook Live.

• Encounter Church, 600 North Campbell Road, Royal Oak, in-person and online services, 11 a.m. Sundays; also services at 7 p.m. Wednesdays, www.encounter360.org.

• Faith Church, 160 W Hamlin Road, Rochester Hills, Sunday services at 9 a.m. and 10:30 a.m., www.faithrh.com, 248-651-3535.

• Faith Covenant Church, 35415 W. 14 Mile Road, Farmington Hills, worship services at 9:30 a.m. and 11 a.m., Sundays, 248-661-9191, www.4fcc.org.

• First Baptist Church, 2601 John R Road, Troy, worship services at 10 a.m., Sundays, fbctroy.org.

• First Baptist Church, 255 E. Scripps Road, Lake Orion, worship services at 10:30 a.m., Sundays, fbclo.org, 248-693-6203, info@fbclo.org.

• First Congregational Church, 5449 Clarkston Road, Clarkston, (just east of Sashabaw Road), 248-394-0200, www.fcclarkston.com, worship services at 10 a.m. Sundays.

• First Congregational Church of Rochester UCC, 1315 N. Pine, Rochester, worship services at 10 a.m. Sundays, fccrochester.org, 248-651-6225.

• First Congregational Church of Royal Oak, 1314 Northwood Blvd., Royal Oak. Worship services at 10:30 a.m. Sundays, www.fccro.org.

• First General Baptist of Waterford, 2933 Frembes Road, Waterford, wgbchurch.com, 248-673-6481, Sunday school at 10 a.m., worship services at 11 a.m. and 6 p.m.

• First Missionary Church, 4832 Clintonville Road, Independence Twp., www.fmcclarkston.org, 248-674-3186. Sunday worship services at 11 a.m.

• First Presbyterian Church Birmingham, 1669 W. Maple, Birmingham, worship services are Sundays, 8:30 a.m. in person, and 10 a.m. in person and livestream, fpcbirmingham.org, 248-644-2040.

• First Presbyterian Church of Pontiac, 99 Wayne Street, Pontiac, fpcpontiac.info.

• First Presbyterian Church of Royal Oak, 529 Hendrie Blvd., 248-541-0108. Sunday worship services are at 10:30 a.m., online services available anytime at fpcro.org, 248-541-0108.

• First United Methodist Church of Troy, 6363 Livernois, Troy. Church services are 10 a.m. Sundays in person and livestream on YouTube and Facebook, www.FUMCTROY.org, 248-879-6363.

• Five Points Community Church, 3411 E Walton Blvd, Auburn Hills. Sunday worship services are at 10 a.m., https://5pointscc.org, 248-373-1381.

• Four Towns United Methodist, 6451 Cooley Lake Road, Waterford Twp. Sunday worship services are at 10 a.m., www.fourtowns.org, 248-766-8868. Sunday worship services are at 10 a.m.

• Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 1950 S. Baldwin Road, Lake Orion. Sunday worship services are at 10 a.m., 248-391-1170, goodshepherdlakeorion.net.

• Grace Gospel Fellowship, 65 East Huron Street, Pontiac; in-person and livestream services are 11 a.m. Sundays and 7 p.m. Wednesdays. Livestream services are at www.facebook.com/GraceGospelFellowshipPontiac, 248-334-2187.

• Greenfield Presbyterian Church, 2312 Greenfield Road, Berkley, from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, Sunday worship services are at 10 a.m. only, youtube.com/user/GreenfieldChurch, greenfieldchurch.com, 248-544-1800. (After Labor Day, in-person and online worship services are at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. Sundays.)

• Grace Church, 220 Bogie Lake Road, White Lake Twp. Sunday services are 9:30 a.m. and 11:15 a.m., Gracechurchinfo.net, 248-887-3700.

• Harvestland Church, 5848 Clintonville Road, Independence Twp., https://harvestland.church, 248-391-2063. Sunday worship services at 10:30 a.m.

• Hazel Park First United Methodist Church, 313 E. Nine Mile Road, Hazel Park, 248-546-5955, hpfirst.org. Sunday worship services at 11:15 a.m.

• Heart of the Hills Christian Church, 5085 Orion Road, Rochester, https://heartofthehills.com, 248-841-1679. Sunday worship services at 10:30 a.m.

• Hillside Bible Church, 73 N Church St, Ortonville, 248-627-2513, hillsidebible.org, Sunday worship services at 10:30 a.m.

• Hilltop Church of the Nazarene, 21260 Haggerty Road, Northville, hilltopnaz.org, Sunday worship services at 10:30 a.m.

• Holly Calvary Church, 15010 N Holly Road, Holly, hollycalvary.org, Sunday worship services at 10 a.m. in person and online, Wednesday worship is at 6:30 p.m.

• Holy Spirit Lutheran Church, 4800 Orchard Lake Road, West Bloomfield Twp. In-person worship services at 10 a.m. Sundays, livestream on YouTube youtube.com/@spiritdrivenchurch, 248-682-5441, spiritdrivenchurch.com.

• Hope United Methodist Church, 26275 Northwestern Hwy., Southfield, 248-356-1020, hopeumc.org.

• Immanuel Congregational Church of Christ, Oxford, 248-628-1610, icucc.org, in-person worship services at 11 a.m. Sundays, and online at facebook.com/oxfordimmanuelucc.

• International Christian Church, 1630 Joslyn Ave, Pontiac, worship services at 11:30 a.m. Sundays, 248-494-8757, globalicc.org, facebook.com/icchurch/live.

• Islamic Association of Greater Detroit, 879 West Auburn Road, Rochester Hills, www.childrenofabrahamday.org.

• Jewel Heart Tibetan Buddhist Learning Center, 27745 Woodward Ave., Berkley, www.jewelheart.org.

• Journey Lutheran Church, (joined with Holy Cross Church) 136 S. Washington St., Oxford, in-person and online worship services, 8:45 a.m. and 11 a.m. Sundays, education hour is at 10 a.m., journeylutheran.church, 248-628-2011.

• Kensington Church with locations in Birmingham, Clarkston, Clinton Twp., Orion Twp. and Troy, in-person Sunday worship times, and online services offered streaming on YouTube, Facebook, and website, kensingtonchurch.org.

• King of Kings Lutheran Church, 1715 S. Lapeer Road, Lake Orion, www.kingofkingslakeorion.org. Sunday worship services are at 9:30 a.m. Sundays, online streaming at www.facebook.com/kingofkingslakeorion.

• Kirk in the Hills, 1340 W. Long Lake Road, Bloomfield Hills. Sunday worship services are at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m., kirkinthehills.org, 248 626 2515.

• Lakecrest Baptist Church, 35 Airport Rd, Waterford Twp., www.lakecrestbaptist.com, 248-681-3214. Sunday worship services are at 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. Spanish service at 1 p.m.

• Lake Orion Church of Christ, 1080 Hemingway Road, Lake Orion, www.lococ.org, 248-693-7242. Sunday worship services at 10:30 a.m.

• Lake Orion Methodist Church, Lake Orion, www.lakeorionumc.org. Sunday worship services at 10 a.m., in person and online.

• LakePoint Community Church, 1550 W. Drahner Road, Oxford, https://lakepointcc.org, 248-628-0038.

• The Lakes Church, 1450 S Hospital Road, Waterford Twp., www.thelakes.cc, 248-254-7833, Sunday worship services are 8 a.m., 9:30 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. The 9:30 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. services are livestreamed.

• Liberty General Baptist Church, 3545 Joslyn Rd, Auburn Hills, https://libertygeneralbaptistchurch.org, 248-431-3498. Sunday worship services at 11 a.m.

• Lifepoint Church, 5601 Scott Lake Road, Waterford Twp., lifepointchristian.com.

• Life Renewal Church, 28312 Grand River, Farmington Hills, https://liferenewalchurch.org, worship is 11 a.m. Sundays.

• Madison Heights Church of the Nazarene, 555 E 13 Mile Road, Madison Heights, mhnaz.org, 248-585-5551.

• Maranatha Baptist Church, 5790 Flemings Lake Road, Clarkston, Sunday worship services at 10:30 a.m., www.mbcclarkston.org.

• Marimont Community Church, 424 W Walton Blvd., Pontiac, Sunday worship services are at 10 a.m. and 6 p.m., https://marimontcommunitychurch.com.

• Masjid Mahmood, Ahmadiyya Muslim Community Center, 1730 W. Auburn Road, Rochester Hills, ahmadiyyamosque.blogspot.com.

• Metro Detroit Christian Church, 33360 W. 13 Mile Road, Farmington Hills, https://metrodetroit.org, 248-562-7998. Sunday worship services at 10:30 a.m.

• Mother of God Chaldean Catholic Church, 25585 Berg Road, Southfield, https://mogccc.com, 248-356-0565.

• Motor City Church, 3668 Livernois Road, Troy, www.motorcitychurch.org, 248-524-2400. Sunday worship services are at 9:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.

• Mt. Zion Church, 4900 Maybee Road, Clarkston, mtzion.org. Sunday worship services at 9 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.

• Muslim Unity Center of Bloomfield Hills, 1830 W. Square Lake Road, Bloomfield Hills, Muslimunitycenter.org.

• Nardin Park United Methodist Church, 29887 W Eleven Mile Road, Farmington Hills, 248-476-8860, nardinpark.org, www.facebook.com/NPUMC.

• Nativity Episcopal Church, 21220 W. 14 Mile Road, Bloomfield Twp., nativityepiscopalchurch.org, 248-646-4100.

• New Heights Baptist Church, Grand Blanc, 10:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. Sundays, newheightsbc.com. For information, email pastornewheights@gmail.com or call 810-866-4563.

• New Hope Christian Fellowship, 6020 Pontiac Lake Road, Waterford Twp., https://newhopemi.org, 248-886-1500, Sunday worship services at 10 a.m.

• New Hope Missionary Baptist Church, 23455 W Nine Mile Road, Southfield,  www.newhope-mbc.org, 248-353-0675. Sunday worship services at 11 a.m., in person and livestream.

• New Hudson United Methodist Church, 56730 Grand River Ave., New Hudson, newhudsonumc.org. Worship services, 10:30 a.m. Sundays.

• Northminster Presbyterian Church, 3633 W. Big Beaver Road, Troy, 248-644-5920. Worship service at 10:30 a.m. Sundays, in person and livestream, www.facebook.com/TroyNorthminster.

• Northwest Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 23925 Northwestern Hwy, Southfield, www.northwestuu.org, 248-281-4902. Worship service at 10:30 a.m. Sundays in person and virtual.

• North Congregational Church, 36520 W. 12 Mile Road, Farmington Hills, northcongregationalchurch.org.

• North Hills Christian Reformed Church, 3150 North Adams Road, Troy, worship services, 9:30 a.m. Sundays, 248-645-1990, northhillscrc.org.

• North Oaks Church, 9600 Ortonville Road, City of the Village of Clarkston, worship services are 10:30 a.m., Sundays, northoakschurch.org, office@northoakschurch.org, 248-922-3515.

• Oakland Church, 5100 North Adams Road, Rochester, worship services, 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. Sundays, www.oaklandchurch.me.

• Oakland Church of Christ, 23333 West 10 Mile Road Southfield, in-person and online worship services are at 10:30 a.m. Sundays, TheOaklandChurchofchrist.org, 248-355-9225.

• Oakland Hills Community Church, Farmington Hills, ohcc.net, 313-686-4578.

• Oakland Woods Baptist Church 5628 Maybee Rd, Village of Clarkston, www.facebook.com/OWBCClarkston, 248-625-7557. Sunday worship services are at 9 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.

• Oak Pointe Church,1250 South Hill, Milford, in-person or online worship services are 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. Sundays, opcmilford.org.

• Oak Pointe Church, 50200 W. 10 Mile Road, Novi, in-person or online worship services are 9:15 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. oakpointe.org, 248-912-0043.

• Oak Pointe Church, 6343 Farmington Road, West Bloomfield, in-person or online worship services are 10:15 a.m. Sundays, oakpointe.org/westbloomfield.

• Oakwood Community Church, 5791 Oakwood Rd, Ortonville, www.oakwoodcc.org, 248-628-6388.

• Orchard Grove Community Church, 850 Ladd Rd; Bldg. C, Walled Lake, Sunday worship services are at 10:10 a.m., www.orchardgrove.org.

• Orchard Lake Community Church, Presbyterian, 5171 Commerce Road, Orchard Lake, worship services are at 9 a.m., and 10:30 a.m. Sundays, olccp.com, 248-682-0730.

• Orchard United Methodist Church, 30450 Farmington Road, Farmington Hills, Sunday worship services are 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. (Summer worship services are at 10 a.m., mid June to September). Livestream at youtube.com/c/OrchardUMC and facebook.com/OrchardUMC/live_videos, 248-626-3620, orchardumc.org.

• Our Lady of La Salette, 2600 Harvard Road, Berkley, 248-541-3762, par8551@gmail.com, lasalette-church.org, Mass is at 4:30 p.m. Saturdays, and 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Sundays.

• Our Lady of the Lakes Catholic Church in-person Mass, Saturday at 5 p.m., Sunday at 8 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 11 a.m., 12:30 p.m., weekdays at 8:15 a.m., 5481 Dixie Hwy., Waterford Twp. Livestream Mass at 5 p.m. Saturdays and 9:30 a.m. Sunday, ollonline.org/live.

• Our Lady of Refuge Church, 3700 Commerce Road, Orchard Lake, olorcc.org, 248-682-4099, Mass is 5 p.m. Saturdays and  8 a.m., 9:30 a.m. or 11:30 a.m. Sundays.

• Our Lady of Sorrows Church, 23815 Power Road, Farmington, church.olsorrows.com.

• Our Mother of Perpetual Help, 13500 Oak Park Blvd, Oak Park, www.omoph.org. Saturday mass is at 4:30 p.m. and Sunday mass is at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m.

• Oxbow Lake Baptist Church, 10730 Elizabeth Lake Rd, White Lake Charter Township, www.oxbowbc.com, 248-698-3034. Sunday worship services at 11 a.m. and 6 p.m.

• Oxford United Methodist Church, 21 E. Burdick St. Oxford, 248 628-1289, oxfordunitedmc.org. People Feeding People (PFP) free breakfast is 9:30-10:30 a.m. Saturdays. In-person worship services and online at youtube.com/channel/UCN2R96oWdXzxDqwdz8YBlrQ.

• Paint Creek United Methodist Church, 4420 Collins Road, Rochester, www.paintcreekumc.org, 248-373-2360, Sunday worship services are at 11 a.m.

• Renaissance Vineyard Church, 1841 Pinecrest Drive, Ferndale, https://renvc.com, 248-545-4664. Sunday worship services at 10:33 a.m.

• The River Church of Auburn Hills, 315 S. Squirrel Road, Auburn Hills, http://riverchurch.faith, 248-853-1524. Worship services are 9 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. Sundays.

• The River Church, Holly, Lake Orion, Waterford and more locations, livestream and videos of sermons, theriverchurch.cc, 248-328-0490.

• River North Church, 67 N Lynn Ave, Waterford Twp., Sunday School is 10 a.m. Sundays, worship services at 11:15 a.m. Sundays and 7:15 p.m. Wednesdays. Also view sermons online at www.youtube.com/@rivernorthchurch2023, nondenominational family church, 248-724-6559, www.facebook.com/Rivernorthchurch.

• River Of Life Christian Church, 5482 Winell St., Independence Twp., 248-599-3074.

• Rochester Christian Church, 4435 Rochester Rd, Rochester Hills, https://rcc4me.com, 248-652-3353, Sunday worship services at 10 a.m.

• Rochester Church of Christ, 250 W. Avon Road, Rochester Hills, www.rochestercoc.org, 248-651-1933, Sunday worship services at 10 a.m.

• Royal Oak First United Methodist Church, 320 W. 7th Street, Royal Oak, www.rofum.org, 248-541-4100. Worship services are 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. Sundays, in person and online, www.rofum.org/live.

• Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 3400 S. Adams Road, Auburn Hills. Mass times are at 4 p.m. Saturday, and 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. Sunday. Weekday Mass services are 9 a.m. Monday through Friday, www.esacredheart.org, 248-852-4170.

• St. Anastasia Roman Catholic Church, 4571 John R Road, Troy, www.stanastasia.org, 248-689-8380.

• St. Anne Catholic Church of Ortonville, 825 South Ortonville Road, Ortonville. Mass times are Sunday at 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.; Saturday at 5 p.m.; Monday at 7 p.m. and Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday at 9 a.m., 248-627-3965, churchofstanne.org.

• St. Augustine Lutheran Troy (SALT) Church, 5475 Livernois in Troy, www.saltchurch.net, communications@saltchurch.net, 248-879-6400.

• St. Benedict Catholic Church, 60 South Lynn Street, Waterford Twp., 248-681-1534. Sunday Mass times are 9 a.m. and 11 a.m., streaming at stbencc.org/live-stream.

• St. David’s Episcopal Church, 16200 W. Twelve Mile Road, Southfield, www.stdavidssf.org. Sunday worship services are at 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. both in person and via zoom. Food pantry is 9 a.m.-noon Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

• St. George’s Episcopal Church, 801 E Commerce, Milford, 248-684-0495. Sunday worship services 8:30 a.m. and 10:15 a.m., in person and online, www.stgeorgesmilford.org.

• St. George Greek Orthodox Church, 43816 Woodward Ave, Bloomfield Hills, 248-335-8869, www.stgeorgebloomfield.org.

• St. George Orthodox Church, 2160 E Maple Road, Troy, 248-589-0480, www.stgeorgeoftroy.org, www.facebook.com/stgeorgeoftroymi.

• St. James Church, 46325 Ten Mile Road, Novi, Mass times are 8 a.m., 9:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. Sundays, and 4 p.m. Saturdays. Livestream services, 4 p.m. Saturdays, 248-347-7778, stjamesnovi.org.

• St. John Lutheran Church & School, 1011 University Drive, Rochester. Traditional praise worship services are Sundays at  8 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. Modern praise services are Saturdays at 5 p.m. and Sundays at 10:45 p.m. The 8 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. Sunday worship services are livestreamed and posted on the website at stjohnrochester.org.

• St. John Lutheran Church, 23225 Gill Road, Farmington Hills, www.stjohn-elca.org.

• St. John’s Episcopal Church Royal Oak, 26998 Woodward Ave. Royal Oak. Services are 8 a.m. Sundays, in person and 10:15 a.m. Sundays, in-person and online worship, stjohnsroyaloak.org, 248-546-1255.

• St. Joseph Catholic Church, Lake Orion, view Mass services on the church’s Youtube channel, youtube.com/user/stjosephmassarchive, or at Facebook page, facebook.com/StJoeLo, stjoelo.org, 248-693-0440.

• St. Joseph Chapel and Shrine of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, 400 South Blvd. West, Pontiac, https://terrasanctaministries.net.

• St. Mark and St. Mary & St. Philopater Coptic Orthodox Church, 3603 Livernois Road, Troy, www.stmarkmi.org. Divine liturgy services are at 7 a.m. (Arabic) and 8:15 a.m. (English), Sundays.

• St. Mary Catholic Church, 730 S Lafayette Ave., Royal Oak, www.stmaryroyaloak.com, 248-547-1818. Mass at 4:30 p.m. Saturday, and 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. Sunday.

• St. Mary of the Hills Roman Catholic Church, 2675 John R. Road, Rochester Hills. In-person Mass is 9 a.m. or 11 a.m. Sunday, 248-853-5390, smoth.org. Live online Mass is 4 p.m. Saturday, on Facebook and YouTube.

• St. Mary’s In-the-Hills Episcopal Church, 2512 Joslyn Court, Lake Orion, 248-391-0663, www.stmarysinthehills.org. Sunday Services are at 8:30 a.m.-Simple service of Holy Eucharist and at 10 a.m.-Service of Holy Eucharist with choir and Children’s Church School-Service, livestream on YouTube or Facebook or www.stmarysinthehills.org. Adult Bible Study is held Tuesdays at 10 a.m.

• St. Matthew Lutheran Church, 2040 S. Commerce Road, Walled Lake, 248-624-7676, st-matthew.org. Blended Worship services are 8:45 a.m. Sundays (also livestream on YouTube); Prayer & Praise Worship services are 11 a.m. Sundays; Monday Blended Worship services are 7 p.m.

• St. Matthew Lutheran Church, 48380 Pontiac Trail, Wixom, 248-624-9525, st-matthew.org. Sunday worship services are 10 a.m.

• St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, Divine Liturgy at 9:30 a.m. Sundays, 760 W Wattles Road, Troy, 248-362-9575, stnicholastroy.org.

• St. Owen Catholic Church, 6869 Franklin Road  Bloomfield Hills, stowen.org.

• St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church, 1413 E. Thirteen Mile Road, Madison Heights, 248-585-9591, in-person Sunday worship services are at 10 a.m., or online at stpatsmh.org.

• St. Paul Community Lutheran Church, 1133 Joslyn Ave., Pontiac, www.stpaulpontiac.com. 248-758-9019. Sunday worship services at 11 a.m.

• St. Paul Lutheran Church, 202 E. Fifth St, Royal Oak, worship services are 8:15 a.m. and 11 a.m. Sundays. Livestream also at 8:15 a.m. service, stpaulroyaloak.org, 248-930-3100.

• St. Paul United Methodist Church, 165 E. Square Lake Road, Bloomfield Hills, 248-338-8233, services are at 9:45 a.m. Sundays, SPUMC.net, facebook.com/spumcbloomfieldhills, 248-216-1657.

• St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, 620 Romeo Street, Rochester. Open door worship services are at 9:30 a.m. Sundays and sanctuary worship services are at 11 a.m., Sundays, livestream available, facebook.com/stpaulsrochester, stpaulsrochester.org.

• St. Philip’s Episcopal Church, 100 Romeo Road, Rochester, stpfeeds.org.

• St. Rita Catholic Church, 309 E Maple, Holly, 248-634-4841, stritaholly.org. Weekend services are 4 p.m. Saturday, and 9 a.m., 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. Sunday.

• St. Stephens Episcopal Church, 5500 N Adams Road, Troy, www.ststephenstroy.org, 248-641-8080, In-person Sunday worship services are at 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. Online service at 10 a.m.

• St. Stephens Missionary Baptist Church, 69 S. Astor St., Pontiac, 248-335-5873, www.saintstephenmbc.com. Sunday worship services are at 11 a.m.

• St. Thomas Chaldean Catholic Church, 6900 West Maple Road, West Bloomfield Twp., www.stccc.org.

• St. Thomas Orthodox Church, Divine Liturgy at 10 a.m. Sundays,  29150 W. 10 Mile Road, Farmington Hills, 248-471-1059, stthomasalbanianorthodoxchurch.org.

• St. William Parish, 531 Common St., Walled Lake, stwilliam.com, 248-624-1421.

• Sanctuary Church, 300 Willits St., Birmingham, in-person and online services, 10:30 a.m. Sundays, 248-644-0550, sanctuary-church.com.

• Sashabaw Presbyterian Church, Clarkston, worship services via Zoom, services at 11 a.m. on 1st, 3rd and 5th Sundays of the month, and at 6 p.m. on 2nd and 4th Saturdays of the month. Email sashabawpresbyterianchurch@gmail.com for a link to services, sashabawpresbyterianchurch.org, 248-310-0792.

• Scott Lake Baptist Church, 811 Scott Lake Road, Waterford Twp., Sunday worship services at 11 a.m. and 6 p.m., also livestream, https://hisscottlake.org.

• Seymour Lake United Methodist Church, 3050 S. Sashabaw Road, Oxford, in-person or online services at 10 a.m. Sundays, 248-572-4200, email- office@seymourlakeumc.org, seymourlakeumc.org.

• Shepherd of the Lakes Lutheran Church, 2905 S. Commerce Road, Walled Lake, worship services are 10 a.m. Sundays, and Wednesdays at 7 p.m. during Lent and Advent, www.shepherdlakes.org, 248-624-4238.

• Shrine Catholic Church, 12 Mile and Woodward, 248-541-4122, https://shrinechurch.com.

• Silver Lake Church Of The Nazarene, 20 W Walton Blvd., Pontiac, https://slcpontiac.org, 248-977-4698.

• Spirit of Grace Church, 2399 Figa Ave., West Bloomfield Twp., 248-682-0270, Sunday worship at 10 a.m., spiritofgrace.church, facebook.com/spiritograce/videos. The church has a diabetic food pantry for those in need with dietary restrictions. The church seeks donations of non-perishable food items for diabetics including: proteins, nuts, grains and beans, sugar-free foods, low carb and high fiber foods as well as shopping bags and unused boxes. Drive-up diabetic food pantry hours are 10 a.m.-noon, 3rd Saturdays of the month.

• Spiritual Life Center, Troy, www.slctroy.com, 248-925-6214. A Message of Hope is 10 a.m. Sundays at www.youtube.com/c/SLCTroy.

• Temple Beth El Synagogue, 7400 Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Hills, www.tbeonline.org. In person services are Friday at 7 p.m. Online services are Saturdays at 10 a.m. and Sundays at 10:30 a.m. on Zoom, www.tbelive.org and facebook.com/tbeonline/live, 248-851-1100.

• Temple Israel, West Bloomfield Twp., streaming video at temple-israel.org.

• Temple Kol Ami, 5085 Walnut Lake Road, West Bloomfield Twp., tkolami.org, 248-661-0040.

• Temple Shir Shalom, 3999 Walnut Lake Road, West Bloomfield Twp., www.shirshalom.org, 248-737-8700. Rabbi Michael Moskowitz is being honored as Rabbi and Spiritual Leader at Temple Shir Shalom on his 30th anniversary. Services are at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 14 and on Nov. 15, a celebratory bourbon- themed dinner along with live music and dancing will be featured at the Temple.

• Thrive Church, a Global Methodist Church, 680 W. Livingston Road, Highland Twp., www.thrive-church.us, 248-887-1311.

• Trinity United Methodist Church, 6440 Maceday Drive, Waterford Twp., Services, 11 a.m. Sundays, waterfordtrinityumc.org, 248-623-6860.

• Troy Church of the Nazarene, 6840 Crooks Road, Troy, troynaz.org, 248-802-7650. Worship Services and Bible Study, 11 a.m. Sundays and 6 p.m. Wednesdays.

• Unity of Farmington Hills worship service in person and online at 10 a.m. Sundays, youtube.com/channel/UCi90mgzXUDpw0k21_3JXlTg, Unityfh.com.

• Unity of Lake Orion, 3070 S. Baldwin Road, Orion Twp., unitylakeorion.org, 248-391-9211. Sunday worship services are 10 a.m. Sundays, in person and livestream on Facebook.

• Unity of Royal Oak, 2500 Crooks Road, Royal Oak, unityofroyaloak.org, 248-288-3550. In-person Sunday worship services at 10 a.m., livestream on YouTube and Facebook.

• Universalist Unitarian Church of Farmington, 25301 Halsted Road, Farmington Hills, uufarmington.org. Sunday worship services at 10:30 a.m. Sundays, in person and livestream.

• University Presbyterian Church, 1385 S. Adams, Rochester Hills, universitypres.org, 248-375-0400.

• The Village Church of Ortonville, 93 N Church St. Ortonville, www.facebook.com/oumvillagechurch, 248 627-3125.

• Walled Lake United Methodist Church, 313 E Northport St., Walled Lake. Sunday worship services at 9:30 a.m. in person, or at Facebook Live, facebook.com/walledlakeumc and YouTube, youtube.com/channel/UCjOTQmG5DAGUdd_ghKdp2FQ, walledlakeumc.org, 248-624-2405.

• Warren’s Amazing Grace Lutheran Church, 29860 Dequindre, Warren. Sunday worship services are at 10 a.m. in person and livestream at www.aglc-warren.org, 586-751-7750.

• Waterford Seventh-day Adventist Church, 5725 Pontiac Lake Road, Waterford Twp., www.waterfordadventist.org, 248-681-3334. Worship services in person and livestream, 11 a.m. Saturdays.

• Waypoint Church, 8400 Dixie Hwy., Clarkston, waypoint.org, 248-623-1224. Sunday worship services at 10:30 a.m.

• Welcome Missionary Baptist Church, 143 Oneida St, Pontiac, www.welcomemissionarybaptistchurch.com, 248-335-8740. Sunday worship services are at 8:30 a.m. in person and livestream on Facebook at www.facebook.com/welcomemissionary.church.

• Wellspring Bible Church, 485 Farnsworth, White Lake Twp., worship services are at 10:30 a.m. Sundays, wellspringbiblechurch.org, 248-682-0319.

• West Bloomfield United Methodist Church, 4100 Walnut Lake Road, West Bloomfield Twp., worship services are at 10:30 a.m. Sundays, westbloomfieldumc.org, 248-851-2330.

• White Lake Presbyterian Church, 4805 Highland Road, White Lake Twp., 248-887-4654, www.whitelakepc.org.

• Williams Lake Church, 2840 Airport Road, Waterford Twp., www.facebook.com/williamslakechurch, 248-673-5911, www.williamslakechurch.com.

• Woodside Bible Church, with 14 locations in Southeast Michigan, in-person service times vary by location, online services at 8:15 a.m.10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. Sundays, live.woodsidebible.org, 248-879-8533.

• Zion Lutheran Church, 143 Albany St., Ferndale, in-person and online worship services at 10:30 a.m. Sundays, www.zionlutheranmi.org.

To add a church to this list, visit https://bit.ly/40a2iAm.

— MediaNews Group

Fundraisers/Volunteer activities

• Pontiac’s Super Run Club hosts “Day of the Dead” 5K Fun Run to benefit the Pontiac Creative Art Center, 9 a.m. Nov. 1, at Pontiac Creative Art Center, 47 Williams St., Pontiac. The fundraiser is non-timed and open to all ages and paces. Coffee and Mexican treats from local Shelia’s Bakery will await finishers and first glimpse of the PCAC’s Community Ofrenda and Dia de los Muertos Art Exhibition which runs from noon until 5 p.m. with a candlelight vigil to honor loved ones. Register at www.superrunclub.com/store/p/day-of-the-dead-fun-run-fundraiser-for-pontiac-creative-arts-center, $5+ minimum donation to participate.

• Farmington/Farmington Hills Education Foundation hosts Toast to Education is 7-9:30 p.m., Nov. 7, at The Meridian, 26750 Haggerty Road, Farmington Hills, fundraiser to benefit the students in Farmington Public Schools. The event features wine, craft beer, and mocktail tasting stations, raffle prizes and live music, ages 21+, Event tickets start at $50. To buy tickets or to make a donation, visit www.ffhedfoundation.org/toast. Additional raffle tickets and packages will be available at the event.

• Judson Center to host a night of food, fun and entertainment at the human service agency’s “A Night to Embrace” Gala, 5:30-11 p.m. Nov. 7, at The Henry, 300 Town Center Drive in Dearborn. The annual gala raises money for Judson Center’s programs for children, adults and families in autism, behavioral and primary healthcare, disabilities services, foster care, adoption, and mentoring. The evening will include a gourmet dinner, cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, live and silent auctions, a raffle, photo booth, live entertainment, and dancing. Attire is black tie optional and valet service is complimentary. www.judsoncenter.org.

• 29th Annual Fall Fix Up family-friendly volunteer event is Nov. 9 at homes of older adults served by Jewish Family Service. Registration is at 9:30 a.m. and begins with breakfast and supply pick-up at Congregation Shaarey Zedek, 27375 Bell Road, Southfield. Register by Oct. 31, at jfsdetroit.org/fallfifixup For more information contact fallfixup@jfsdetroit.org or 248-325-9537.

• A Night of Giving is 6 p.m. Nov. 10, Bella Piatti, 167 Townsend St., Birmingham, presented by Children’s Miracle Network at Corewell Health Children’s and Variety The Children’s Charity of Detroit, fine dining, stories of hope, live auction, and philanthropy with proceeds benefiting children across Southeast Michigan, www.Variety-Detroit.com, www.facebook.com/VarietyDetroit, ticket prices vary.

Halloween activities

• Trunk or Treat and Concert is 3 p.m. Oct. 26, at St. John Lutheran Church, 23225 Gill Road, Farmington Hills, www.stjohn-elca.org. The free concert titled “Music for a Spooky Time” begins at 4:30 p.m. with Sean Michael Jackman, St. John Music Director and Organist/Pianist and featured guest performers – soprano Amber Rogers and violinist Minkyung Lee.

• Trunk or Treat is 1-4 p.m. Oct. 26, at the Southfield Pavilion, 26000 Evergreen Road, Southfield, presented by The Southfield Police Department, opportunity to check out the vehicles while children get a treat from each one. The police department will be collecting toy donations of new, unwrapped toys to give back to the community during the holidays. Southfield Parks and Recreation will provide games and crafts and giveaways. For information, call Officer Tim Simon at 248-796-5441.

• Annual Trunk or Treat is noon-2 p.m. Oct. 26, at Pontiac Trail and East Walled Lake Drive, across the street from Greenhouse of Walled Lake, presented by the Greenhouse and Walled Lake Mayor Linda Ackley, mayorackley.com. Trick or treating, prizes for best trunks, best costumes, NFL Hall of Famer and Lions legend Calvin “Megatron” Johnson, former Detroit Lion Rob Sims and Red Wings legend Darren McCarty are scheduled to attend.

• Zap Zone Trunk or Treat is 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Oct. 26, Zap Zone, 31506 Grand River Ave, Farmington Hills. Families are invited to celebrate Halloween with candy stations for trick-or-treaters, costume contest with prizes, carnival games and activities, https://zap-zone.com/halloween, 248-471-6777, free admission.

• Halloween Stroll is Friday-Sunday, through Oct. 26 and Oct. 30, at Canterbury Village, 2369 Joslyn Ct., Orion Twp., immersive displays, animatronics, and whimsical characters, Scarecrow Row, Spooky Carousel House, ticket prices vary, advance purchase timed tickets at www.canterburyvillage.com, food and drinks to purchase.

• Skeletons are Alive is Outdoor Public Art Display is through the month of October, featuring life-sized themed skeletons, downtown Northville, www.downtownnorthville.com.

• Haunted Highland is through October, visit the Highland DDA’s spooky skeletal selfie displays scattered around downtown Highland and snap a pic, post it to social media, and tag it #HAUNTEDHIGHLAND, www.highlandtwp.net.

Health/Fitness

• Ladies’ Night-Wealth & Wellness! is 6-8 p.m. Oct. 29, at Rochester Community House, 816 Ludlow Ave., Rochester, featuring a “Financial Fitness” mini-workshop with Heidi McCarroll, Investment Adviser and Registered Representative, breast cancer screening and dense breast education by Dr. Shoshana Hallowell, mocktails and food, wellness and beauty vendors, Boobie Bingo. Register at https://cbo.io/app/public/bidapp/ladiesnight, $10+.

• SALT Church is hosting a free suicide, depression, and self care seminar, 10 a.m. to noon, Nov. 1, at the church, 5475 Livernois in Troy. Doors open at 9:30, coffee and light snacks will be provided. Seating is limited to 60 people, and advanced registration is suggested by calling 248-879-6400. Walk-ins welcome as space allows, www.saltchurch.net.

Holiday activities

• Annual Holiday Boutique is 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Nov. 6, at The Village Club, 190 E. Long Lake Road, Bloomfield Hills, buffet lunch with decadent desserts, vendors selling women’s clothing, jewelry and holiday gifts, tickets are $48.95 per person and reservations are required at  https://thevillageclub.org/events/holiday-boutique-luncheon, 248-644-3450.

Library/Author events

• True Crime Author Panel is 7:30 p.m. Oct. 26, with Nina Innsted, host of true crime podcast “Already Gone”, at The Hawk Black Box Theatre, 29995 W. Twelve Mile Road, Farmington Hills, TheHawkTheatre.com, beer and wine to purchase for ages 21+, $15+ advance.

• The Rochester Hills Public Library to host the Human Library event, Feb. 28, 2026, as an official Publishing Partner of The Human Library Organization. The library seeks community members to volunteer to share their story and represent a stigmatized group in the community, and answer questions. The purpose of the Human Library is not to further a political platform or mission, but to enable individuals to speak about their own lived experience. Those interested in being a Human Library book may apply at rhpl.org/humanlibrary by Nov. 3.

Museum activities

• “The Sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald-A Dramatic Retelling” will be presented at 4 p.m. Nov. 8, at the Troy Community Center, to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the sinking of the freighter in Lake Superior, Nov. 10, 1975. Light refreshments will be available before and after the program, recommended for ages 12+, tickets are $10 each, www.TroyHistoricVillage.org or 248-524-3570.

• Leonid Meteor Shower Overnight: 7:30 p.m.8 a.m. Nov. 15, at Cranbrook Institute of Science, 39221 Woodward Ave., Bloomfield Hills, 248-645-3200,  pre-registration is required at https://science.cranbrook.edu/explore/programs/special-events-public-programs/evenings-overnights, $93 for members and $110 for non-members.

Parks/Outdoor activities

• Heritage Park Hayrides are 5:30-7 p.m. Fridays through Oct. 31, at Heritage Park Nature Center, 24915 Farmington Road, Farmington Hills. Hayrides leave every half hour from the parking lot. Hayrides are $5+ per person, s’mores and cider kits extra. Advance registration is recommended, www.fhgov.com, call 248-473-1870 to book private group hayrides.

• Drop-in Hayrides are 3-4 p.m. select Saturdays through Nov. 22, at Hess-Hathaway Park, 825 S. Williams Lake Road, Waterford Twp., weather permitting, not offered if it is raining, $5 per person, 2 years and under admitted free, children must be accompanied by an adult, meet by campfire pit by Hilltop Pavilion I, www.waterfordmi.gov/1329/Parks-Recreation.

• Weekend Hay Rides are noon-4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday through Dec. 7, $5 for ages 13-61, $3 for ages 3-12, $3 per senior (62+), free for children under 2, at Kensington Metropark Farm Center Office, 4570 Huron River Pkwy., Milford, www.metroparks.com/kensington-metropark, plus park pass or vehicle entry fee.

• Oakland County Parks and Recreation offers free admission. General park entry fees and vehicle permits have been eliminated for all parks operated by Oakland County Parks, www.oakgov.com/community/oakland-county-parks.

• Huron-Clinton Metroparks in Livingston, Macomb, Oakland, Washtenaw and Wayne, metroparks.com. Park entrance fees apply. Annual vehicle passes are $40 for residents or $45 for non-residents. Senior citizen pricing on annual passes are available in-person at toll booths or park offices with ID as proof of age.

• Michigan State Parks and Recreation Areas, michigan.gov/dnr. Park entrance fees apply.

Seniors

• Medicare Open Enrollment: Oct. 15 to Dec. 7, Medicare beneficiaries may change their prescription drug plan (Part D) or Medicare Advantage plan – or have it reviewed – at no cost by a certified counselor. AgeWays Nonprofit Senior Services’ MI Options Medicare Assistance Program is offering phone, virtual, and in-person appointments. MI Options counselors are not affiliated with health insurance companies. Appointments are available by calling 800-803-7174 or 248-262-0545, or visit ageways.org for appointment times. AgeWays Nonprofit Senior Services was previously Area Agency on Aging 1-B.

Support resources

• For access to local community services, dial 211 (844-875-9211) or text zip code to 898211, for information and referrals to physical and mental health resources; housing, utility, food, and employment assistance; and suicide and crisis interventions, United Way, https://unitedwaysem.org/get-help.

• The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline provides 24/7 confidential support for people who are suicidal or in emotional distress, or who know someone who is. Calls and text messages to 988 route to a 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline call center, www.fcc.gov/988Lifeline.

• National Domestic Violence Hotline, 800-799-7233, available 24/7.

• Common Ground’s Resource & Crisis Helpline is available 24/7 – call or text 800-231-1127.

• Veterans Crisis Line, dial 988 and then press 1 to connect to the Veterans Crisis Lifeline. For texts, veterans should text the Veterans Crisis Lifeline short code: 838255.

Veterans activities

• The Clawson Senior Center to host a Veterans Days concert and lunch at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 6, at Clawson Senior Center senior dining room, 509 Fisher Court, Clawson. The Clawson Public Schools Band will perform. All ages welcome. Lunch is free to veterans $4 for others, advanced registration required at 248-589-0334, https://cityofclawson.com/your_government/parks_and_recreation/senior_adult_programs.php.

• Independence Twp. Senior Center to host Veterans Day luncheon for local veterans and their spouses, at 11:30 a.m. Friday, Nov. 7, at 8047 Ortonville Road. Free for veterans and spouses. Additional meals $7. Pre-registration required by Oct. 31, at 248-625-8231, www.indtwp.com/residents/senior_center.

• The City of Farmington Hills Special Services Adults 50 & Better Division will host its annual Veterans Day Celebration luncheon to honor local veterans at 11 a.m. Nov. 11, at the Costick Activities Center, 28600 W. Eleven Mile Road in Farmington Hills. All local veterans and their guests are welcome. Admission is free for veterans who live in the cities of Farmington Hills and Farmington. Tickets for non-veterans are $12 for residents and $15 for non-residents. Advance register at recreg.fhgov.com or call 248-473-1830 through Nov. 3, no walk-ins accepted.

• Orion Township to host a free veterans luncheon at noon, Nov. 11, at Great Lakes Athletic Club, 3800 S. Baldwin Road, Orion Twp. Each veteran may bring one guest, advance register at 248-391-0304, ext. 3500, www.orionveteransmemorial.com.

Submit community events online at https://bit.ly/40a2iAm.

The following is a list of Halloween trick-or-treating hours, Friday Oct. 31, for communities in Oakland County. Many communities have set trick-or-treating hours, but others do not. Homeowners are advised to leave their porch lights on to indicate they are distributing treats. For suggestions on Halloween safety, visit the National Safety Council website at www.nsc.org/community-safety/safety-topics/seasonal-safety/autumn-safety/halloween.

Auburn Hills

• Halloween trick-or-treating hours: 6-7 p.m. Oct. 31.

Berkley

• Halloween trick-or-treating hours: no set hours, Oct. 31.

Beverly Hills

• Halloween trick-or-treating hours: 5:30-8 p.m. Oct. 31.

Bingham Farms

• Halloween trick-or-treating hours: no set hours, Oct. 31.

Birmingham

• Halloween trick-or-treating hours: no set hours, Oct. 31.

Bloomfield Hills

• Halloween trick-or-treating hours: 6-8 p.m. Oct. 31.

Bloomfield Twp.

• Halloween trick-or-treating hours: no set hours, Oct. 31. Subdivisions and neighborhoods may have set trick-or-treating hours.

Clarkston/Independence Twp.

• Halloween trick-or-treating hours: 6-7 p.m. Oct. 31 for Clarkston and Independence Township

Clawson

• Halloween trick-or-treating hours: no set hours, Oct. 31.

Commerce Twp.

• Halloween trick-or-treating hours: 6-8 p.m. Oct. 31.

Farmington

• Halloween trick-or-treating hours: suggested hours are 6-8 p.m. Oct. 31.

Farmington Hills

• Halloween trick-or-treating hours: no set hours, Oct. 31.

Fenton

• Halloween trick-or-treating hours: 6-8 p.m. Oct. 31.

Ferndale

• Halloween trick-or-treating hours: suggested hours are 6-8 p.m., Oct. 31.

Franklin

• Halloween trick-or-treating hours: suggested hours are 5-7 p.m. Oct. 31.

Hazel Park

• Halloween trick-or-treating hours: 6-8 p.m., Oct. 31.

Highland Twp.

• Halloween trick-or-treating hours: suggested hours are 6-8 p.m., Oct. 31.

Holly/Holly Twp.

• Halloween trick-or-treating hours: 6-8 p.m. Oct. 31.

Huntington Woods

• Halloween trick-or-treating hours: 6-8 p.m., Oct. 31.

Keego Harbor

• Halloween trick-or-treating hours: 6-7:30 p.m. Oct. 31.

Lake Orion/Orion Twp.

• Halloween trick-or-treating hours: 6-8 p.m. Oct. 31.

Lathrup Village

• Halloween trick-or-treating hours: no set hours, recommended 5-8 p.m. Oct. 31.

Leonard

• Halloween trick-or-treating hours: 6-7 p.m. Oct. 31.

Lyon Twp.

• Halloween trick-or-treating hours: suggested hours are 6-8 p.m. Oct. 31.

Madison Heights

• Halloween trick-or-treating hours: no set hours Oct. 31, but customary is 6-8 p.m.

Milford

• Halloween trick-or-treating hours: 6-8 p.m., Oct. 31.

Northville

• Halloween trick-or-treating hours: 6-8 p.m., Oct. 31. Downtown historic district streets will be closed from 5:30-8 p.m.

Novi

• Halloween recommended trick-or-treating hours: 6-8 p.m. Oct. 31.

Oakland Twp.

• Halloween trick-or-treating hours: no set hours, Oct. 31. Subdivisions and neighborhoods may have set trick-or-treating hours.

Orchard Lake

• Halloween trick-or-treating hours: suggested hours are 5-8 p.m., Oct. 31.

Ortonville/Brandon Twp.

• Halloween trick-or-treating hours: 6:30-7:30 p.m. Oct. 31. A bonfire and cider and donuts to follow at the DPW garage, 159 Cedar St., Ortonville. Ortonville is collecting Halloween candy donations, which may be dropped off at 476 Mill Street, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday to Thursday, by Oct. 27. For information, call 248-627-4976 or email villageclerk@ortonville.com.

Oxford/Oxford Twp.

• Halloween trick-or-treating hours: 6-7:30 p.m. Oct. 31.

Pleasant Ridge

• Halloween trick-or-treating hours: suggested hours are 5-8 p.m. Oct. 31.

Pontiac

• Halloween trick-or-treating hours: 6-8 p.m. Oct. 31.

Rochester/Rochester Hills

• Halloween trick-or-treating hours: 6-8 p.m. Oct. 31 in Rochester and Rochester Hills.

Royal Oak

• Halloween trick-or-treating hours: no set hours, Oct. 31.

Southfield

• Halloween trick-or-treating hours: recommended hours are 6-8 p.m. Oct. 31.

South Lyon

• Halloween trick-or-treating hours: 6-8 p.m. Oct. 31.

Springfield Twp.

• Halloween trick-or-treating hours: no set hours, Oct. 31.

Sylvan Lake

• Halloween trick-or-treating hours: 6-7:30 p.m. Oct. 31.

Troy

• Halloween trick-or-treating hours: 6-8 p.m. Oct. 31.

Walled Lake

• Halloween trick-or-treating hours: 6-8 p.m. Oct. 31.

Waterford Twp.

• Halloween trick-or-treating hours: suggested hours are 6-8 p.m. Oct. 31. The Waterford Police Dept. will scan candy, 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Waterford Police Station, 5150 Civic Center Drive, Waterford Twp., www.waterfordmi.gov/162/Police.

West Bloomfield Twp.

• Halloween trick-or-treating hours: suggested hours are 6-8 p.m., Oct. 31.

White Lake Twp.

• Halloween trick-or-treating hours: suggested hours are 6-7:30 p.m. Oct. 31.

Wixom

• Halloween trick-or-treating hours: 6-8:30 p.m., Oct. 31.

Wolverine Lake

• Halloween trick-or-treating hours: 6-8 p.m., Oct. 31.

By David Welch

Bloomberg

General Motors Co. cut hundreds of jobs on Friday, just days after raising its profit guidance for the year in a move that sent the shares soaring.

The automaker laid off more than 200 salaried staff, mostly at its Tech Center in Warren. The message was delivered around 7 a.m., when the company called some of the affected employees to a Slack channel to say that the firings were due to “business conditions” and not their performance, according to people familiar with the meeting who asked not to be identified discussing internal matters.

GM has been streamlining the company to boost profits at a time when automakers are trying to cope with President Donald Trump’s changing policies. Tariffs have added costs that automakers mostly have not offset with higher prices, and they are reining in investments for electric vehicles that are selling slowly as the government eliminates incentives.

Earlier this week, GM reported better-than-expected earnings for the third quarter, sending its stock to the best one-day gain in more than five years. The carmaker boosted its profit forecast for the year, helped in part by policy changes that are supporting sales of high-margin, gas-powered SUVs and trucks.

Trump on Friday pointed to the performance of GM and Ford Motor Co. as indications that his tariff policies are working, saying in a social media post that the two automakers are “UP BIG.”

GM’s shares rose 2.4% as of 10:07 a.m. in New York.

Duplicate jobs

When deciding on positions to cut, the company looked through its white collar ranks to find duplicate jobs and ways to work more efficiently, said one of the people familiar with the matter.

In a statement to Bloomberg, a GM spokesman attributed the cuts to changes within its design engineering ranks, that resulted in the elimination of computer-aided design staff.

“We’re restructuring our design engineering team to strengthen our core architectural design engineering capabilities,” the company said via email. “As a result, a number of CAD execution roles have been eliminated. We recognize the efforts and accomplishments of the impacted team members, and we thank them for their contributions.”

A Detroit woman is facing criminal charges in Troy for allegedly stealing $1,800 in merchandise from a Kohl’s store as well as possessing fentanyl and a theft detection disabler — which she’s been caught with before, officials said.

The woman, 34, is charged with first-degree retail fraud, possession of a controlled substance and possession of theft detection device-second offense for allegedly having a magnet in her purse which can be used to disable theft detection devices. She was arrested shortly before 3 p.m. on Oct. 15 outside the store, located at 500 John R Road.

According to the Troy Police Department, officers dispatched to the store for a retail fraud in progress watched as she concealed large amounts of merchandise and then left the store with it, despite loss prevention staff’s attempts to stop her. She continued to her vehicle which was backed into a parking spot near the store’s west doors, where she was taken into custody and transported to the Troy lockup facility, police said.

Officers located a small bag in her purse that contained a substance that tested positive for fentanyl, police said, as well as the magnet.

The Oakland Press has reached out to the Troy Police Department for further information, including the woman’s name and booking photo.

 

A group of Royal Oak High School students held a peaceful protest Wednesday, Oct. 22, against the formation of a Turning Point USA student club.

Charlie Kirk, the conservative activist who was shot and killed during a rally at a Utah college last month, founded Turning Point in 2012.

“I don’t agree with the hate that they’re spreading with this club,” said Arriella Brown, a junior at Royal Oak High who helped organize the protest.

In particular, she objected to the group’s views on minorities.

She said Kirk was a “really hateful person.”

Liberals criticized Kirk for statements he made about homosexuals, Martin Luther King Jr., Muslims and other groups that were considered derogatory.

Superintendent John Tafelski said in a statement released to families of high school students that the club has not yet held a formal meeting but plans to do so in the coming weeks.

“Under the federal Equal Access Act of 1984, the district cannot regulate student groups based on the content of their speech—whether religious, political, philosophical, or otherwise,” Tafelski said in the statement.

“We recognize that the formation of clubs addressing current political or social issues can generate strong emotions. We will continue to monitor all student clubs and activities and remain committed to maintaining a safe, inclusive, and productive learning environment for every student. Should any student club members engage in conduct inconsistent with the mission of Royal Oak Schools, as outlined in the Student Code of Conduct and applicable Board of Education policies/guidelines, the district will take appropriate action in accordance with those guidelines.”

Tafelski said he met with the student protesters “to provide an opportunity for their voices to be heard while ensuring a safe and orderly environment.”

“I am pleased to share that students remained peaceful, respectful, and constructive throughout our discussion. I want to commend the maturity and respect demonstrated by all students involved.”

District policy requires that a staff member be assigned to attend a student-initiated meeting “in a custodial capacity” but that no staff member can be compelled to attend the meeting if the content of the speech “is contrary to his/her beliefs.”

District policy says school employees can’t “promote, lead or participate in the meeting.”

It was not known if the Turning Point group had a staff member who was willing to take on its meetings. District officials could not be reached for comment.

The policy says student organizations must apply for permission to meet on school premises. The meetings cannot occur during school hours.

Turning Point is a 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to “identify, educate, train, and organize students to promote the principles of fiscal responsibility, free markets, and limited government,” according to its website.

Its program for high schoolers is “the largest and most impactful youth movement for promoting freedom-loving, American values,” the website says. More than 1,000 U.S. high schools have chapters.

A college campus, a fiery speaker — and then a single gunshot

 

Thieves hit 5 vacant homes in Hazel Park; steal refrigerators, stoves, washers, dryers

Trick-or-treating hours and Halloween events for Oakland County communities

 

Lukas Nelson has been known, for all of his life, as Willie Nelson’s son and occasionally part of his family band. And for 16 years of his music-making life he was the leader of the band Promise of the Real, which backed Neil Young as well as releasing eight albums of his own.

Now this Nelson, 36, is out on his own.

During June, Nelson — who won Grammy and BAFTA awards for the songs he wrote for the hit 2018 remake of “A Star is Born” — released “American Romance,” the first album to bear his name alone. Produced by longtime friend Shooter Jennings, the 12-track set includes a collaboration with Sierra Ferrell (“Friend in the End”), as well as a new version of “You Were It,” the first song Nelson ever wrote — at 11 years old — that was first released on Willie Nelson’s 2004 album “It Will Always Be.”

The set ushers in what Lukas Nelson acknowledges is a new era in his career, one he feels will allow him to make a wide array of music, entirely on his own terms…

* Nelson says via Zoom from New York that he considers stepping away from Promise of the Real — whose other members are working in Young’s Chrome Hearts band — to be “almost cosmetic. What happened to me was the name Promise of the Real was so tied into Neil Young from the times we’d been playing with him that I felt like I wanted to make sure I could do something different, that felt different, that maybe fans of Neil Young or even fans of my dad wouldn’t necessarily be bummed about. I love Neil Young fans, and I love my dad’s fans, but I want to bring other fans along, too. And I felt like sometimes people were getting a little aggressive about me not playing as much guitar or rocking out at certain points. I wanted the freedom to NOT do that, and to do what I want to, when I want to. So I just felt I had to change the name, really.”

* He acknowledges that the tenor of “American Romance” is a bit quieter and more reflective than the harder-rocking Promise of the Real material. “I have so many songs. I was in a flow of writing, and you can’t really tell yourself to write a certain song — some people can, but for me, whatever comes out comes out. So I was writing a lot of songs that were more about lyrics and vocals than they were about rockin’ out. That’s just what was coming out, and I wanted to focus on those songs. Since then, I’ve written a lot of rockers.” (laughs)

* Nelson — who splits time between homes in Nashville and Maui — considers “American Romance” to be a kind of aural travelogue, inspired by his own journeys as a musician. “Moving, traveling — up until this point in my life and, actually, continually that has been my biography the defining aspect of my life. That’s what’s kept me from getting married and having kids. It’s what keeps me from so much. It’s a romance; there’s happiness and sadness, and heartbreak and elation. It kind of covers the gamut.”

* As “American Romance” is his first “solo” album, Nelson felt it would be appropriate to include “You Were It” as the closing track. “I was on the school bus one day when I was 11, and it started playing in my head and I realized it was a song that hadn’t been written yet. So I wrote it and played it for my dad, and he liked it so much he put it on his album. That gave me a lot of confidence; I knew it wasn’t just fluff ’cause dad put it on his album. I figured it was appropriate to finally put it out, and what better way to put it out than on a record with just my name on it. It’s very stripped down; that’s me at my core, so it was kind of a nice callback.”

* Nelson says he has “so many things I’m excited about in the future, including both music and movies. “I’m working on a movie project right now that I can’t really talk about yet, but I’ve written 30 songs for that with Ernest, and that’s exciting. I’ve got some other stuff in New York that I might be doing soon. And I’m planning on recording another album coming up pretty soon; I’m writing for that now, ’cause I can’t stop the songs from coming. I just wrote a song with Ben West and Laci Kaye Booth that feels like a mix of Radiohead and country. So it’s hard to say; I can just tell you there’s a lot of music, and some fun stuff on the horizon.”

Lukas Nelson performs Wednesday, Oct. 22, at the Majestic Theatre at the Majestic Theatre, 4140 Woodward Ave. Doors at 7 p.m. 313-833-9700 or majesticdetroit.com.

By Beth LeBlanc, Chad Livengood, Melissa Nann Burke, Grant Schwab, MediaNews Group

After vowing to bring state employees back to Lansing, the Legislature’s actual written instructions included in this year’s spending plan leaves much of the decision-making on remote work up to Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer‘s administration, as it has been for the past several years.

The so-called boilerplate language in the state budget bill requires state departments to “optimize” in-person work, to monitor remote workers and ensure all state employees comply with Office of State Employer standards.

But it leaves those standards up to Whitmer’s administration, which has allowed state workers to operate under a patchwork of remote work policies that differ by agency since the governor sent them home in March 2020 because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Additionally, the provisions in the budget require state buildings to have about 80% occupancy, without defining how that occupancy would be measured. Currently, the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget measures building occupancy by available square footage versus the amount of square footage allocated to an agency or tenant.

In other words, an increased occupancy rate, under the current definition, does not necessarily mean more individuals in a building.

More: Amid remote work scrutiny, Michigan refuses to release state office building occupancy data

House Speaker Matt Hall, R-Richland Township, had been an outspoken critic of the Whitmer administration’s post-pandemic in-person work requirements, vowing in April to “bring the state workers back to work” through a state budget mandate. One Republican-controlled House committee held a blistering hearing about the issue in May.

When asked about the budget’s work requirements last week, Hall said through a spokesman that the language included in the budget stems from “productive conversations” between Hall and Whitmer about how to get employees back from the office.

While the speaker believes the language represents progress, “the House will be monitoring that progress over the next few weeks to see how it plays out,” said Gideon D’Assandro, a spokesman for Hall.

D’Assandro referred questions on specifics to the governor’s team.

The Department of Technology Management and Budget said it is “constantly evaluating our state-owned buildings and leased footprint.”

“That work will continue as we implement the new boilerplate,” spokeswoman Laura Wotruba said.

The Office of State Employer, when asked about the possibility of new work requirements, did not answer directly.

“The Office of the State Employer is currently reviewing the budget recently signed into law by Gov. Whitmer and will provide information and appropriate guidance to our department and agency partners in the near future,” the office’s spokeswoman, Lauren Leeds, said.

The vagueness of the budget language prompted the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce to formally ask for clarification last week on when workers might return to the capital city. The letter from the chamber’s president and CEO, Tim Daman, seeks a clear timeline for the implementation of return-to-work policies and a clear indication of how occupancy will be measured.

“As the chamber continues to collaborate with state agencies and business partners to strengthen Michigan’s capital region economy, clear communication about the policy’s timing and application will help ensure businesses are prepared to support increased workforce activity downtown,” Daman wrote.

Will autism funding be restored?

The Autism Alliance of Michigan laid off 18 employees last week who worked in their autism navigator program, helping thousands of families find services for their children on the spectrum, said Colleen Allen, president and CEO of the nonprofit organization.

The Autism Alliance’s $2 million appropriation in the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services was swept up in targeted spending cuts as lawmakers sought to find funds for a roughly $1.8 billion annual road repair increase.

Allen said the layoffs amounted to half of the organization’s staff and will result in the remaining autism navigator staff being able to serve 1,000 families annually instead of 4,000.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has signaled her support for restoring the $2 million in a year-end spending bill.

“The governor included funding for the Autism Alliance in her executive recommendation and would support restoring the funding,” Whitmer spokesman Bobby Leddy said.

But Allen said she couldn’t take a chance of not being able to make payroll in the coming monts if lawmakers don’t come through with promises to restore the funding.

In an Oct. 8 interview, House Speaker Matt Hall said he’s unsure if lawmakers will be able to restore the $2 million program.

“I don’t see a vehicle to do that,” Hall said of restoring the funding. “I don’t think that we wanted it out. I think that essentially there wasn’t enough money left to pay for it.”

The Kalamazoo County Republican characterized the decision to cut the autism navigator program as “an oversight.”

“I think it was also an oversight because I don’t know that anyone intended for it to happen,” Hall told The News.

Hall also labeled the $2 million line-item as “pork,” a description Allen took exception with.

“We’re not an earmark,” Allen said. “We’re embedded in the MDHHS budget.”

Clerks oppose ranked choice voting

County clerks across the state voted unanimously Tuesday to oppose a ballot initiative that would allow for ranked choice voting in Michigan.

The Michigan Association of County Clerks’ rare public rebuke of a ballot initiative was based on concerns over the effect RankMiVote’s voting initiative would have on ballot length, voter confusion, audits and recounts and delayed results.

“We support the rights of voters to amend the state constitution through the initiative process. And as county clerks, it is our duty to implement all election requirements, including this one, if enacted,” Washtenaw County Clerk Larry Kestenbaum said in a statement. “But we feel that this proposal, as written, will have unintended consequences for Michigan elections.”

More: Backers of ranked choice voting want proposal on Michigan ballot despite Trump opposition

Ghalib to get ambassadorship hearing

Hamtramck Mayor Amer Ghalib is scheduled for a hearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Thursday morning, about seven months after President Donald Trump nominated him to be ambassador to Kuwait.

The hearing comes after New Hampshire U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, the top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, last month said the panel’s chairman, Republican Idaho Sen. Jim Risch, had agreed to postpone consideration of Ghalib’s nomination as senators await more details about Ghalib’s background.

Ghalib’s nomination has prompted criticism from groups accusing him of antisemitism and of being anti-Israel. But Ghalib earlier this month said he had received a call from Trump, who “renewed” his support for Ghalib, despite the pushback to his nomination.

Last year, the mayor endorsed Trump for president and campaigned with him in Hamtramck in October at a critical juncture in the 2024 election when the Republican nominee was trying to win over Arab American voters in battleground Michigan.

Groups devoted to fighting antisemitism have come out strongly against Trump’s pick of Ghalib.

They have highlighted Ghalib’s support for the movement to boycott, divest and impose sanctions on Israel and called him a “denier” of sexual violence by the militant group Hamas in its 2023 attack on Israel ― an apparent reference to Ghalib’s remarks at a protest following the Oct. 7 attack.

Both the Anti-Defamation League and the grassroots group StopAntisemitism called on Trump to withdraw the nomination months ago, with the ADL saying it “strongly” opposes the pick. The American Jewish Committee expressed similar concerns.

McClain, Slotkin on No Kings rallies

Republicans in Congress spent the last week deriding the No Kings protests against the Trump administration as the “I Hate America” rallies, and suggesting that Democratic lawmakers were only trying to keep the government shutdown until after the protests.

“I hope after they have the ‘I hate America’ rally on Saturday that some reasonable Democrats will stop being ruled by their Marxist left-wing arm of their party and come to their senses and open up the government for the American people,” said U.S. Rep. Lisa McClain of Bruce Township, chairwoman of the House Republican Conference.

Sen. Elissa Slotkin of Holly led a group of Democratic members of Congress last week, pushing back against the narrative. The group, which served in the military or, like Slotkin, in national security roles, called on veterans and others to show up “patriotically” and protest peacefully at their local No Kings rally on Saturday.

“We are all watching what President Trump is doing with the uniform military, using it to police American streets. … We’ve seen this authoritarian playbook before in too many other countries,” Slotkin and the others said in a montage video.

“As people who have served, we think it’s important that we say something. … Let’s exercise our freedoms and make clear that this is out of a deep sense of patriotism, love of country and collective desire to make our country better. … Because this is our country, and we need to fight for it, because America … has no king.”

Appearing in the video with Slotkin were Sens. Mark Kelly and Ruben Gallego of Arizona and U.S. Reps. Jason Crow of Colorado, Pat Ryan of New York, Chris Deluzio and Chrissy Houlahan of Pennsylvania, Maggie Goodlander of New Hampshire.

Reps: Pay federal law enforcement

U.S. Rep. Bill Huizenga, R-Holland, led a group of lawmakers in writing to the director of the White House Office of Management and Budget to encourage efforts to pay federal law enforcement during the government shutdown after the administration previously reprogrammed funds to ensure troops wouldn’t miss a paycheck last week.

The shutdown is in its third week, with most civilian federal employees scheduled to miss their first paycheck Oct. 24.

“Federal law enforcement are currently performing dangerous, mission-critical work without pay—including Border Patrol, ICE agents, CBP officers, DEA, Secret Service, Federal Air Marshals, and Transportation Security Officers,” Huizenga wrote.

“This is especially true in this climate of increasingly hateful rhetoric and violence directed at these officers — from the recent sniper assault on an ICE facility in Dallas to the nationwide harassment, endangerment, and doxxing of federal agents by extremist groups like Antifa, and by cartels placing assassination bounties on law enforcement officials.”

The letter was also signed by Reps. Tom Barrett of Charlotte and John James of Shelby Township, among others.

Rep. Debbie Dingell, D-Ann Arbor, last week introduced legislation in Congress to pay Transportation Security Administration (TSA) employees during government shutdowns.

Former candidate endorses in 10th District Dem primary

Days after posting the top quarterly fundraising haul in a suburban Detroit Democratic congressional primary, attorney Eric Chung won the endorsement of a one-time opponent.

Chung, of Sterling Heights, is one of three Democratic hopefuls looking to replace James after the twice-elected GOP lawmaker’s term expires at the end of 2026. James is running for governor of Michigan instead of seeking reelection to Congress.

Alex Hawkins of Rochester, an Army veteran and former congressional fellow for then-Rep. Slotkin, recently dropped out of the race. He will instead challenge GOP state Rep. Mark Tisdel of Rochester Hills for a seat in the state Legislature.

“I’ve gotten to know Eric Chung over the course of this campaign, and I’m proud to endorse him for Congress in Michigan’s 10th District. Eric’s the real deal,” Hawkins said in a statement.

He continued: “(Chung) shows up, listens, and fights for people instead of playing politics. At a time when so many are tired of career politicians and empty promises, Eric brings honesty, integrity, and a deep commitment to serving our communities. I’m proud to stand with him in this race and look forward to working alongside him to deliver real results for Michigan.”

Hawkins chose Chung over former special victims prosecutor Christina Hines of Warren and Pontiac Mayor Tim Greimel.

“I am honored to have Alex’s endorsement,” said Chung, a former U.S. Commerce Department attorney during the Biden administration. “A veteran and a community leader, Alex understands what it means to lead with integrity and purpose. I am looking forward to working with him to build a brighter future for workers and families in Macomb and Oakland County and across Michigan.”

Tweet of the Week

The Insider report’s “Tweet of the Week,” recognizing a social media post that was worthy of attention or, possibly, just a laugh, from the previous week, goes to Republican gubernatorial candidate Mike Cox.

The former attorney general had a bone to pick with the way the recent state budget was portrayed when the actual numbers told a different story.

eleblanc@detroitnews.com

mburke@detroitnews.com

gschwab@detroitnews.com

 

After more than a month of renovations, the Royal Oak Senior Center reopened earlier this month with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and tours of the rejuvenated facility.

With $500,000 invested in improvements both inside and outside, including some infrastructure repairs, Director Yolanda Botello-McClain has seen an influx of residents and non-residents fill the building.

“We have all new flooring throughout the entire Senior Center, except for the three tiled floors. We have new paint, a state-of-the-art coffee bar, and all-new bathrooms, which are now ADA compliant,” she said after the facility re-opened Friday, Oct. 3. “We now have all new LED lighting throughout the entire senior center and all new ceiling tiles, along with a new reception area.”

Paid for by a grant from Oakland County and matching ARPA funds from the city, the half-million-dollar project didn’t cost Royal Oak taxpayers a dime. The updates include a new generator – key in keeping the kitchen up and running and keeping food safe during power outages. The center had undergone some previous updates, including the workout area, back in February 2025.

“I applied for a grant through Oakland County for senior centers, and we received it. Then, the city matched that amount with ARPA dollars, which paid for all of these things,” Botello-McClain said. “Also, last year, we upgraded our commercial kitchen with all new appliances. The grant also covered new laptops.”

She noted the center is “so much brighter and it just gives it a totally different look without the dark carpeting and the lighting was very dim in here. It’s definitely a breath of fresh air when you walk in now.”

The Senior Center is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. However, evening activities and classes often extend the center’s hours until 8 or 9 p.m., depending on the schedule.

“We have everything from card groups, massage therapy, art classes, fitness classes, dancing classes, French classes and we have congregate meals every day with lunch at 11:40 a.m. for only $5. You can choose dine-in or carry-out,” she said.

The center features two billiard tables and offers support groups for grief, aphasia, Alzheimer’s, caregivers, and various veteran support groups. With the renovation finished, residents and non-residents are filling the center and getting back into their routines.

“While we were out, we were actually stationed at the library. And we did hold some of our classes in the Farmer’s market. Some of our support groups were held at a builder’s club and the Presbyterian Church,” Botello-McClain said. “And then there were some of our groups that chose to go to either Clawson or Madison Heights for a space there. But they’ve all returned.”

Outside the Senior Center, landscaping was added and the drainage system was fixed as it had caused damage to some of the walls.

“They discovered that some of the downspouts where the water wasn’t going out into the drain system, so water was sitting and we had to have some of our walls fixed,” Botello-McClain explained. “They remedied all of that on both sides of the building.”

Touchscreen computers have been installed for residents to find their classes and groups and the technology helps the staff keep up with how many are using the facility.

“We can now handle our transportation scheduling with the new software. It really fits our senior center well. They were previously using recreation software, which required many workarounds,” Botello-McClain said. “We’re working smarter, not harder. It benefits the seniors because we can see which classes have high enrollment and which have low, helping us better utilize our space. We also have new technology throughout the senior center. Every room has TV monitors, allowing instructors and leaders to bring in their PowerPoints or for rentals to play videos during celebrations. At the main entrance, there’s a 75-inch monitor that shows our daily schedule and upcoming programs.”

Renovated and rejuvenated for the use of Royal Oak residents and non-residents (who can participate for a small fee), the Leo Mahany/Harold Meininger Senior Community Center is now open for business at 3500 Marais Ave., just off 13 Mile Road near Royal Oak High School.

By Max Bryan and Craig Mauger, MediaNews Group

Nearly 100 “No Kings” rallies throughout Michigan on Saturday brought thousands of demonstrators to the streets and spurred a war of words between local officials in the country’s two major political parties.

The cross-country rally initially organized in opposition to President Donald Trump’s birthday parade in June returned Saturday to Metro Detroit, Lansing and the Upper Peninsula in response to moves including sending immigration agents into cities, pushing for the redrawing of congressional maps to favor Republicans and “gutting health care,” according to the rally website.

The rallies were held as the federal government is shut down amidst a fight between Republicans and Democrats over Medicaid policy, and after Trump’s attempts to send National Guard troops into Chicago and Portland, Ore. to reduce crime. Trump has also sent an influx of Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents into Chicago to arrest undocumented immigrants.

In Oakland County’s Ferndale, the No Kings rally was on Woodward Avenue between Cambourne and Albany streets, where hundreds of demonstrators lined each side of the thoroughfare and the median and waved signs at traffic. Motorists honked their horns as they passed by, prompting cheers from the crowd.

Beth McGraw held a sign with her father’s picture from his service in the Navy with the words “My dad fought for freedom, not fascism.” McGraw said her father served on one of the ships that bombarded the Germans in the allied invasion of Normandy.

McGraw said today’s political landscape is “a slap in the face” to her father.

“We’re barreling into fascism if we’re not already there yet, the way that there’s no checks and balances anymore,” she said. “It’s almost like everybody forgot their civics classes.”

Demonstrator Michael Bachman had a sign with playing cards showing four poker hands, none of which had kings.

Bachman said the protesters were exercising their constitutional right to peacefully assemble, noting that tea party members publicly demonstrated against the Affordable Care Act in the early 2010s.

“The shoe’s on the other foot now,” he said. “We have the right to protest.”

Ahead of the rallies Saturday, the Oakland County Republican Party claimed that “affiliates” of the No Kings rallies “have a well-documented history of fueling division and unrest in our communities.” The party’s news release listed the Communist Party USA, the Freedom Socialist Party and the Democratic Socialists of America as affiliates, though none of these groups are listed as partners on the No Kings website.

“The Oakland County Republican Party stands for law and order, and we reject the radical and violent tactics that have become the hallmark of the No Kings movement and its extremist sponsors,” Chairman Vance Patrick said in the release.

The release also asked anyone with “intelligence or information regarding Antifa domestic terrorism activity” to report it to the FBI, referencing the leftist group recently designated by the Trump administration as “a militarist, anarchist enterprise.”

In June, confrontations at the No Kings rallies were isolated and the protests were largely peaceful.

Police in Los Angeles, where protests over federal immigration enforcement raids erupted the week prior and sparked demonstrations across the country, used tear gas and crowd-control munitions to clear out protesters after the formal event ended. Officers in Portland also fired tear gas and projectiles to disperse a crowd that protested in front of a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement building well into the evening.

In a prepared statement, members of the Oakland County Democratic Party said they were “deeply disturbed” by the local Republican Party’s statement.

“Their statement, cloaked in the language of safety, instead fans the flames of division and fear by mischaracterizing peaceful civic mobilizations as threats and by implying that those who exercise their constitutional rights should be treated as suspects,” the statement reads. “At a moment when our democracy demands leadership rooted in truth and responsibility, this kind of rhetoric is not only reckless, it is dangerous.”

State leaders had opinions of Saturday’s demonstrations as well. Michigan Democratic Party Chairman Curtis Hertel praised them and said demonstrators are making clear that “the power belongs to the people.”

“Today’s marches are a peaceful demonstration of patriotism in the face of a Republican Party that is more interested in Trump’s power grabs and passing tax cuts for billionaires than serving the American people,” Hertel said in a prepared statement.

State Republican Party Chairman Jim Runestad had an unfavorable view of the demonstrations, calling them “a canard” that gives credence to the idea that Trump will take citizens’ rights away. Runestad said presidents have the right to federalize law enforcement when they see fit, and used Dwight Eisenhower sending troops into Little Rock, Ark., during school integration as an example.

Runestad said accusations of Trump acting in a “totalitarian” manner are a deflection on the part of the Democrats in the wake of the federal government shutdown. Republican leaders are refusing to negotiate on an end to the shutdown until a short-term funding bill to reopen the government is passed, while Democrats say they won’t agree without guarantees on extending health insurance subsidies.

“They’re frustrated with the shutdown, and they want to cast all the blame on the Republicans, and this thing is just a big canard pretending that President Trump is the dictator-in-chief when Biden went after conservative groups in every way he possibly could, and there never was a peep out of them on any of that,” Runestad said.

In Lansing, demonstrators crowded outside of the Michigan Capitol for the event, marking one of largest rallies on the Capitol lawn this year.

Among them was 78-year-old Bob McVeigh of Dimondale. He carried multiple signs, including one that said, “Nobody paid me to be here. I just hate Trump.”

The crowd chanted things like, “Lock him up,” referring to the Republican president.

“We’ve got to do what we can to save the country,” McVeigh said, as he stood on the Capitol lawn.

Speakers at the Lansing event frequently focused on immigration and criticized the deportation efforts of the Trump administration.

Rick Martinez, 66, of Potterville, who described himself as a lifelong Democrat, contended Republicans had been “stagnant” in the face of Trump’s actions and said Trump had been “jailing his enemies.”

“We just need to make sure that we have a good democracy here,” Martinez said.

In Detroit, demonstrators brought their signs to Roosevelt Park, where they heard speakers give calls to action.

Sharon Jeter, who stood in the crowd with an American flag, said she marched with the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. when he visited Detroit in the 1960s. She said she came to the rally “to save America.”

“I’ve seen so much happen, and so many things that were really bad, improve. And now we’re supposed to go back? We’re supposed to go in our corners and be quiet? I don’t think so,” said Jeter.

Nine new wells to monitor groundwater contamination will be added to Oakland County International Airport in Waterford Township over the next 90 days. It’s part of a five-year consent agreement the airport signed with the state in February.

Township Supervisor Anthony Bartolotta said Thursday he was aware of some PFAS discussion “four or five years ago,” but did not know about the new wells, the consent agreement or a dedicated county airport-PFAS webpage. There is no requirement for the airport or Michigan’s Environmental, Great Lakes and Energy office to notify the township of PFAS monitoring at the airport.

Eight wells were installed on airport grounds in 2021, after the airport and hundreds of others across the state were linked to groundwater contaminated with forever chemicals per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances generally known as PFAS. These chemicals have been used in firefighting foam, flame retardant in carpet and upholstery and cosmetics. PFAS has been linked to some cancers. Twelve more wells were installed on airport grounds since 2021, as state tests continued to find unacceptable PFAS levels.

EGLE online records show that in July 2023, a state contractor collected water samples at 26 of the 39 homes known to be affected. Tests found PFAS traces in two residential wells at two homes at levels below allowable limits. On Oct 31, 2023, testing on 22 homes found 15 wells exceeded groundwater clean-up criteria for PFAS. The highest result was 11,000 parts per trillion for a subtype called PFOS; the state’s limit is 16 parts per trillion.

On Friday, airport’s manager Cheryl Bush told The Oakland Press the new wells were planned as a result of the agreement with EGLE.

EGLE officials have been testing wells in some nearby homes and the water and fish in White Horse Lake, an eight-acre body of water downstream from the airport, north of Elizabeth Lake Road and south of Pontiac Lake Road. It’s part of the Clinton River watershed and has bluegill and panfish.

Abigail Hendershott is executive director of EGLE’s PFAS action response team. She spoke to The Oakland Press Friday along with Stephanie Kammer, EGLE’s emerging-pollutants section manager, and PFAS response team expert Mike Jury. They encourage homeowners with wells to regularly test for contaminants.

Township’s DPW director, Justin Westlake, was also unaware of the airport’s consent agreement – in part because the township has no jurisdiction over the airport property or homes that rely on wells for drinking water. The township has its own water system, which uses deep wells to draw water from the aquifer.

The airport is still in the investigation phase, Bush said. She said she is “happy to sit down and update the township on its progress at their convenience.”

The township’s website includes water testing results for its own wells and information on PFAS chemicals classified by the federal Environmental Protection Agency as an emerging contaminant.

Health and lab studies show elevated levels of PFAS may cause increased cholesterol, changes in the body’s hormones and immune system, decreased fertility and increased risk of certain cancers.

The EPA has set a lifetime health advisory level for drinking water for two PFAS compounds but no enforceable limits for the chemicals in drinking water.

AIRPORT PFAS HISTORY

EGLE’s website recaps the airport’s history. The first truck with the fire-fighting foam arrived in 1965 with 400 gallons aboard. Records on how and why the foam was used between then and 1996 to 1996 are lost.

Between 1996 and 2019, the foam was used in seven incidents. In March 2020 an accidental release of the foam happened during a nozzle certification on the airport property. In 2020, the airport received a grant to pay for a PFAS investigation.

As of Thursday, the state’s website had not been updated with any tests in 2024 or 2025. The airport’s PFAS webpage was updated this month, online at https://www.oakgov.com/community/airports/oakland-county-international-airport/pfas-response

Kammer oversees the consent agreements like the one with Oakland County’s airport. The voluntary agreement gives each facility four years to create a process testing surface-water runoff for PFAS and minimizing the contamination, with the final year dedicated to ensuring ongoing compliance. The airport submitted its plan in June.

“If they still have exceedances they have to evaluate and update their plans to bring the site into compliance,” she said. “It can be an iterative process. Oakland County airport has been very cooperative.”

The agreement is limited to the airport itself, though state officials know there are nearby homes and waterways that may be affected.

EGLE officials have made four or five efforts to alert households near the airport that rely on wells, Hendershott said. Awareness campaigns include knocking on residents’ doors, leaving door hangers with information and sending informational letters multiple times to ask permission to test the water.

“We’ve sampled between 40 and 45 home wells but we have many people who declined the sampling,” Hendershott said. Eight of the residential wells tested were found to have unacceptable levels of PFAS.

WHY TESTING HOUSEHOLD WELLS MATTERS

She and Jury encourage homeowners to have their wells tested through the state or independently.

Jury said there are many sources of PFAS besides the airport’s stormwater runoff.

They said PFAS continues to be used in manufactured products, including cosmetics, hand creams, eye drops and rug shampoo.

Jury said it’s an ingredient that isn’t yet required to be listed in many cases, but the state has an online resource where people can look up various items to check.

Something as simple as shampooing stain-resistant carpets or upholstery and dumping the wastewater into a septic field can increase PFAS saturation, he said.

EGLE doesn’t offer specific guidelines on PFAS and well depths. Jury said many people don’t know how deep their household wells are. There’s no standard depth for residential wells because the depth depends on the water table, who made the well and when it was installed. Some are barely 14 feet deep and others could be close to 150 feet deep.

That’s why testing matters, he said. Predicting stormwater runoff filtration depends on the various types of earth filtering the water and a well’s depth.

The state offers tests worth nearly $300 for homes in the affected areas near the airport. If unacceptable levels of PFAS are found, they provide an under-sink water filter and other resources.

People outside the affected area can buy their own tests and under-sink filters, Jury said.

State and township officials emphasized that homeowners with wells are effectively their own water departments and should regularly test their wells for contaminants on a regular basis and maintain the electric pump.

Hendershott’s team works with a wide range of facilities; there are dozens in Oakland County. The state has an interactive map where people can check their own neighborhoods for details, online at  https://egle.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=bdec7880220d4ccf943aea13eba102db

She said Michigan’s PFAS response is so comprehensive, it is used by the EPA and other states. EGLE works with the EPA to develop interim strategies to manage exceedances, she said.

Because PFAS and PFOS can accumulate in fish, EGLE instituted a monitoring program in White Horse Lake, downstream from the airport.

WATERFORD’S OUTLOOK

Waterford’s DPW director Westlake said the lion’s share of the township’s 32,000-plus households are connected to the township’s water supply. Township wells, an estimated 100 feet or more deep. He estimated 2,000 to 3,000 households have their own wells.

The most recent township tests for PFAS, copper, lead and other known contaminants based on EGLE’s schedules and found they were below dangerous levels, he said. The township has about a dozen wells in various spots with two close to the airport.

He said DPW officials have so far not found excessive contaminants.

“But who knows what it’ll be in 10 years,” he said. “I think that’s the worry, that the groundwater is supposed to filter it out because the deeper it goes the more it gets filtered.”

The chemicals are already in the ground, he said, adding that “the best you can do is monitor it and God forbid it becomes an issue in our public wells.”

If the township were to find excessive levels in its wells, he said, mitigation options could include digging new, deeper wells or overhauling the water treatment plant.

“But you’re not going to spend millions to overhaul a treatment plant for something that’s not there,” he said.

People using wells who are concerned and want to connect to the township’s system can contact DPW for guidance, he said. Some may be eligible for help based on financial hardship, but they would still likely have to pay a contractor to install a water line between the township’s system and the home.

“As of right now, Waterford is ‘so far, so good’ and hopefully it stays that way,” he said. “If not, we’ll adapt and adjust.”

AIRPORT ACTION

Airport officials belong to the Michigan Association of Airport Executives and other organizations that share information about limiting PFAS contamination at their airports, Bush said.

In August, the airport added a new fire-fighting vehicle, which uses the new fluorine-free foam and has an older vehicle that uses a concentrate called 3% aqueous film forming foam as a back-up plan for an extreme emergency, Bush said, adding that all the vehicles and foam storage comply with FAA rules.

Each year, the airport conducts FAA-mandated firefighting training and a demonstration by the airport’s emergency response team during the annual August airshow.

Bush said no foam is dispensed during the drills and no foam has ever been used at the airport during training exercises.

If an emergency leads to foam use, rules require cleaning it up as quickly as possible to limit what gets into the ground. Absorbent booms capture pollutants and filter water out, drains are plugged immediately and a contractor specializing in environmental clean-up disposes the captured foam.

The airport relies on EGLE grants for monitoring, tracking and analyzing PFAS to understand its full impact on the airport and nearby neighborhoods and has applied for additional state grants, Bush said. More state funds may be available for disposing of old equipment and any foam it holds, she said.

The next airport committee meeting is 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 3, in the conference room near the county  commission auditorium at 1200 N. Telegraph Road in Pontiac. Airport committee members: County Commissioners Karen Joliat, Penny Luebs, Linnie Taylor, Christine Long and Dave Woodward, with executive designee J. David VanderVeen. Typically Bush and another airport employee are present for these meetings.

ELGE has a dedicated website with resources at https://www.michigan.gov/pfasresponse/resources/action.