Law corner: The government can seize property used to commit a crime unless the owner is innocent
The government may seize property that is used in the commission of a crime, or was used to facilitate a crime. For example, if a house is used as a drug house, the government can, literally, take the house from the owner. The process by which the government obtains such property is called forfeiture. In a suit or action...Protect your privacy and prevent utility fraud
MICHIGAN — The Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) recently released information on how consumers can protect their privacy and prevent utility fraud. According to LARA, consumers should never give out personal information, including financial account numbers or social security numbers, over the phone or...Wayne County officials ask for jail audit to be released
WAYNE COUNTY — Officials in Wayne County are asking that the audit into the costly and controversial jail project here is released. However, County Prosecutor Kim Worthy doesn’t want details of the audit to be made public, until her investigation into it is complete. Worthy is investigating whether information on the...Michigan Senate approves bill expanding Medicaid
LANSING — The Michigan State Senate on Tuesday, Aug. 27, voted 20-18, to approve a bill to expand Medicaid, under President Barack Obama's healthcare reform law.The expansion will cover an additional 470,000 low-income Michigan residents.Governor Rick Snyder expressed support for Medicaid expansion this year through the federal...Crime reporting drops in Michigan, even as crime increases in Detroit
LANSING — A new analysis has reported a sharp drop in reported crimes across the State of Michigan, even as the number of police officers has declined across the State and crime rates have reached an all-time high in the City of Detroit in 2012, according to the data.According to the FBI, the number of crimes reported to the agency has...Annual St. Sharbel Church Festival draws near
WARREN — The St. Sharbel three-day festival will offer a rich sample of Lebanese traditions, including authentic Lebanese food that is made from the finest Michigan produce and ingredients. The festival, themed “A Taste of Lebanon,” will feature entertainment by popular American and Lebanese performers and disc...Internship opportunities available at CAIR-MI
SOUTHFIELD — The Council on American Islamic Relations of Michigan (CAIR-MI)is offering internships to graduate, undergraduate and high school students. Internship credit can be acquired from the position. The organization is looking for motivated individuals, who can impact the Muslim American community, through hard work...Local woman delivers baby in hospital parking lot
TROY— Anna Wanagat gave birth in the parking lot of William Beaumont Hospital on Monday, Aug. 26.The mother arrived at the hospital around 6 a.m. but could not make it inside the building. Colleen Murphy, a nurse, who was walking by, helped her deliver in the parking lot. A team of specialized medics then rushed to take care of...Metro Times for sale
DETROIT — Times-Shamrock Communications, the owner of Metro Times, said Monday, Aug. 26, that it is selling Detroit's weekly alternative.The sale was announced on the Metro Times blog. “Detroit Metro Times has been a strong, profitable investment for us, for many years. As we look to diversify our family’s holdings, it made sense...Community activist recipient of Neal Shine Award for Exemplary Regional Leadership
DEARBORN — Longtime community activist Ismael Ahmed is this year’s recipient of the Neal Shine Award for Exemplary Regional Leadership, sponsored by the Detroit Free Press and Metropolitan Affairs Coalition. Ahmed.Ahmed is currently the associate provost for metropolitan impact at the University of...Dearborn, Melvindale fire departments officially merge
DEARBORN — Dearborn Mayor John B. O’Reilly, Jr. and Melvindale Mayor Stacy Striz joined in a ceremony, making official the merger of the two cities’ fire departments on Friday, Aug. 23. Dearborn Mayor John B. O’Reilly, Jr. (right, front row) and Melvindale Mayor Stacy Striz (left, front row) are shown with the new Dearborn...Tips for back to school shopping
During back-to-school shopping season, it can be easy to feel overwhelmed. From commercials, to coupons, to mailers, there’s an overload of information about where the deals are for all the stuff your kids need this school year.Even if you are a shopaholic, navigating the mall with your children in tow can be tiring.“We’re...Blue Cross to partner with U of M to promote early cancer detection
DETROIT — Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Blue Care Network are partnering with the University of Michigan (U of M) to launch The Michigan Football Experience Sweepstakes, a fan contest with a vital message – early detection of cancer, through regular visits to the doctor, can lead to vastly improved health outcomes for those...Dearborn, Melvindale fire departments officially merge together
DEARBORN, Mich. – Dearborn Mayor John B. O’Reilly, Jr. and Melvindale Mayor Stacy Striz joined in a ceremony making official the merger of the two cities’ fire departments on Friday, Aug. 23.It was exactly one year to the day from when talks began about how a merger could strengthen fire and EMS service in both...Dearborn, Melvindale fire departments officially merge together
DEARBORN, Mich. – Dearborn Mayor John B. O’Reilly, Jr. and Melvindale Mayor Stacy Striz joined in a ceremony making official the merger of the two cities’ fire departments on Friday, Aug. 23.It was exactly one year to the day from when talks began about how a merger could strengthen fire and EMS service in both......
Experts: U.S. will not sever military aid to Egypt
August 23rd, 20130 Several American foreign policy experts have told The Arab American News that the Obama Administration will not stop military aid to Egypt, after the army's ouster of elected President Mohamed Morsi and crackdown on Muslim Brotherhood leaders and protesters. Michael Hanna, a senior fellow at The Century Foundation, said the Obama...Consul General of Iraq discusses investment opportunities, upcoming elections and tourism in his country
SOUTHFIELD — Too often, positive news about Iraq is underreported or ignored, as the media focuses widely on the violence plaguing various parts of the country. As Iraq works to recover from a devastating war that spanned over a decade, many people remain optimistic about its future. During an interview with The Arab American......
Former Dearborn resident killed in recent Beirut car bomb attack
DEARBORN — Many in the local Arab American community are continuing to grieve the loss of a former Dearborn resident, who was killed in Beirut, Lebanon last week during a terrorist attack. A sign in Lebanon written in Arabic in remembrance of Ghamlouch and other victims of the bomb attackHussein Ghamlouch, 52, was one of more...
Department of Education: Edsel Ford one of the worst schools in the state
August 23rd, 20130 DEARBORN — Dearborn Public Schools received both good and bad news this year from the Michigan Department of Education. While the majority of the 33 schools in the district earned an average rating on the State's new reporting system for school performance, Edsel Ford High School was ranked as one of the worst in the State,...U of M-Dearborn unveils student housing
DEARBORN — The Union, a private apartment complex designated for University of Michigan-Dearborn (UMD) students, opened Wednesday, Aug. 21, after an official ribbon-cutting ceremony. Students will be able to move into their new homes on Sept. 1; three days before fall classes begin.The ceremony was attended by students, parents,...Wayne County outlines future plans of jail project
DETROIT—After a 60-day suspension of construction on a new County jail, Robert Ficano’s administration presented what it believes are the best options for the project to the County Commission at a special meeting Aug. 14. Ficano’s administration has faced a lot of criticism about the jail exceeding its budget. According to a......
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,......