Detroit bankruptcy challenged on constitutional grounds
DETROIT — Public labor unions took aim at Detroit's historic bankruptcy filing on Monday, asking a U.S. court to toss the City's bid for protection from its creditors, because it is constitutionally flawed on both the state and federal levels.A union that represents public-sector workers even took the unusual step of arguing that...
Religious coalition challenges anti-Israeli protestors in Ann Arbor
August 23rd, 20130 ANN ARBOR — A coalition of over 30 religious leaders of various faiths, from Ann Arbor, Saline and Ypsilanti have come together to take a stand against a weekly anti-Israeli protest that is held outside of the Beth Israel Congregation, a synagogue in Ann Arbor. At the Ann Arbor City Council meeting that was held on Monday, Aug. 20,...Law Corner: You have a right to use deadly force to protect yourself in your own home
Nearly everyone has heard of and somewhat understands the self-defense doctrine. The Trayvon Martin killing brought this issue to the national spotlight. What does Michigan law say about self-defense? As a general rule, killing another person in self-defense is justifiable homicide if, under all the circumstances, the...Bill passes that expands Medicaid in Michigan
MICHIGAN-In June, the Michigan House of Representatives passed House Bill 4714, which would expand Medicaid in Michigan. It is estimated that more than 400,000 uninsured adults in Michigan will be eligible for medical coverage under this legislation. “Medicaid expansion is crucial to the health and well-being of Michigan citizens,...Snyder dives into Lake Huron
LAKE HURON — Governor Rick Snyder scuba-dived in Lake Huron on Tuesday, Aug. 20, to explore the Monohansett, a large wooden ship that sank in the lake in 1907.The shipwreck is located in the Thunder Bay Marine National Sanctuary, one of 14 marine areas protected by the federal government for ecological or historic reasons.The...Dr. Fata pleads “not guilty”
Dr. Fata, a local doctor who is being investigated by the federal government over accusations that he misdiagnosed patients with cancer and gave them unnecessary treatment to enrich himself, entered a “not guilty” plea on Monday. Many patients of the physician are speaking out in favor of the doctor and trying to find...Social justice coalition to march on 50th anniversary of King’s “Dream” speech
DETROIT – A massive coalition of workers and civil rights advocates will be joined by immigration reform advocates and other social justice groups to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, during which Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered his landmark “I Have a Dream” speech. ...Detroit Police Department adopts controversial ‘stop and frisk’ policy
DETROIT — The controversial 'stop and frisk' policy, which was originally used by the New York Police Department, will now be coming to Detroit. The department announced on Monday that it will begin implementing that method on traffic cops, which involves the random stopping and patting down of suspicious individuals. According to...City passes new ordinance against driving under the influence of substances
DEARBORN — On August 13, the Dearborn City Council approved an amendment to its drunk and impaired driving ordinance, to bring the City in compliance with a statewide law. Drivers in Dearborn can now be arrested for "driving under the influence of intoxicating substances."An individual may risk arrest or prosecution if they ignore the...Local group sends letter to Obama regarding persecution of Egyptian Christians
The American Middle East Christians Congress (AMECC) recently sent a letter to President Obama, regarding the persecution of Christians in Egypt. In the letter, the AMECC strongly condemned the senseless killing and destruction of the Coptic Christian priests, citizens and churches in Egypt. Ramsey Dass, president of the...Two new hotels to be built in Dearborn
DEARBORN — The Zoning Board of Appeals has approved the building of two new hotels in the west end of Dearborn.A Holiday Inn Express and a Staybridge Suites are to be built on vacant land on Michigan Avenue, near Telegraph Rad. Although construction will begin soon, no date has been set for the opening of the hotels. Each...CAIR-MI seeks banquet coordinator
SOUTHFIELD — The Council on American Islamic Relations of Michigan is seeking a banquet coordinator for its upcoming 14th annual banquet. Interested candidates may submit a cover letter and resume to info@cairmichigan.org. The CAIR-MI Annual Banquet Coordinator is responsible for organizing and coordinating all aspects of the...Suspects in local robberies captured
DEARBORN — On Friday, Aug. 16 at 4:30 p.m., Dearborn Police responded to a report of an armed robbery at Henry Ford Community College, located at 5101 Evergreen. The 36-year-old female victim reported that she was on her cell phone, near the outer perimeter of the parking lot, when she was approached by a silver Dodge Caravan....City warns business owners of scams
DEARBORN — Police are warning business owners against two potential scams.The first involves a nonexistent "DTE disconnect team" that threatens to cut off a business' power, unless it is in immediate receipt of a large sum of money electronically. Two businesses on Warren Avenue have fallen victim to this scam over this past summer.In...Man wakes up in Dearborn hotel with belongings stolen
DEARBORN — A 53-year-old Brown City resident woke up at the Victory Inn on Michigan Avenue on August 12 missing his clothes, $900 in cash, credit cards, cell phone and keys to his vehicle, which were allegedly stolen by a woman that he met the night before at the Motor City Casino.Dearborn Police are looking for a female suspect, who......
Mayor, residents and business owners weigh in on Dix issues
DEARBORN — In June, The Arab American News (TAAN) published a story titled "Dix: Home to culture, economic growth, pollution and neglect," which described the City's south end community, along with some of the struggles the area continues to battle. At the center of this story was the industrial zone that surrounds this area and...
Low Arab voter turnout: Reasons, effects and solutions
August 16th, 20130 Dearborn — Voter turnout in some majority-Arab American neighborhoods, during last week's Primary Elections, was as low as 8.10 percent, despite the unprecedented number of Arab American candidates on the ballot.Although turnout was low, the primaries resulted in surprise victories for Arab American candidates. A historic record was......
LAHC hosts dinner for underprivileged
DEARBORN — On Tuesday, Aug. 6, the Lebanese American Heritage Club (LAHC) hosted a dinner for 100 underprivileged members of the community. The event was a part of the LAHC’s ongoing efforts, through its "Feeding Our Neighbors, Supporting Our Families" program. Byblos Banquets of Dearborn provided the food and drinks....Memorial fund established for children killed in boating accident
WEST BLOOMFIELD — A memorial fund has been established in honor of the two young children and siblings, who were killed in a boating accident on Sylvan Lake last month. The Alexander and Gabrielle Mansour Memorial Fund will be a permanently endowed fund to support the West Bloomfield School District. Annual distributions...Dearborn native elected chairman of World Medical Relief
DETROIT — An Arab American businessman from Detroit was elected as the new chairman of the board of directors of World Medical Relief, an international humanitarian charity, headquartered in Detroit. It is the first time that an Arab American chairs this 18 member board in the agency’s history. WMR’s involvment in the Middle East...School board asks residents to approve bond for renovations, technology and increased security
DEARBORN — The Dearborn School Board of Education is asking residents to approve a $76 million bond that will be placed on the November ballot, in an effort to accommodate several projects that are expected to impact all 31 of the district's schools.Titled the "S.M.A.R.T" school bond, the school board has drafted the proposal, after......
Law Corner: Defamation: Difference between stating facts, versus expressing an opinion
A communication is defamatory if it tends to lower an individual's reputation in the community, or deters third persons from associating or dealing with that individual. However, not all defamatory statements are actionable. If a statement cannot be reasonably interpreted as stating actual facts about the plaintiff, it is protected by...Dearborn City Council edges closer to selling City Hall
DEARBORN - City Council approved, on Tuesday, Aug. 12, a zoning variance to allow ArtSpace to build lofts for artists in the City Hall's east and west wings.The decision boosts ArtSpace’s chances of acquiring the building from the City. ArtSpace is a non-profit organization that helps artists find affordable living and work......
Dearborn installs energy saving lights, gets praise from Obama
DEARBORN-The City of Dearborn recently installed 25 high energy-efficient light bulbs and electric car-charging stations in the parking lot of the Henry Ford Centennial Library. The environmentally friendly lights were revealed by Mayor Jack O'Reilly, Jr. on Friday, Aug. 9. Mayor John O’Reilly plugs a Ford Fusion into a new electrical...Gas prices fall statewide by 16 cents
MICHIGAN — According to a report released by AAA Michigan this week, gas prices have fallen by 16 cents over the past week, leaving the statewide average at about $3.50. On Monday, the group found that the average was 49 cents per gallon less than this time last year. AAA Michigan says that the cheapest price for unleaded fuel is......