Snyder signs new laws to protect consumers against ‘skimmers’
LANSING – Gov. Snyder has signed a package of bills intended to safeguard Michiganders from devices used to steal their personal information and use it to commit fraud. The bills are included among 14 other pieces of legislation intended to help protect Michiganders and their property in a variety of ways.The five-bill package...
Local singer sentenced to 11-22 year prison sentence for sexual assault
December 20th, 20130 DETROIT - Local singer Nasser Mohamad Bazzi, who goes by the stage name Nasser Habib, was sentenced to a minimum of 11 years and a maximum of 22 years in prison on Thursday, Dec. 19 for criminal sexual conduct involving his niece, who was a minor at the time the incidents occurred. Bazzi’s sentencing hearing took place at the...Santa visits Salina Elementary School, delivers gifts to 900 children
Dearborn — ACCESS employees made dreams come true on Friday, Dec. 19, when they provided gifts to 900 smiling children at Salina Elementary School just in time for the Christmas holiday.For more than 40 years, ACCESS has teamed up with local businesses and nonprofit groups in December to distribute toys to elementary...
The Muslim Christmas: Residents, religious leaders debate celebrating the holiday
December 20th, 20130 DEARBORN - The local Muslim-American community seems to have adopted several cultural and religious traditions as it has established its presence here. However, every year a debate seems to emerge amongst local residents over how to ingest the nationally celebrated holiday of Christmas.For Americans, the presence of Christmas can be felt...Children chop off hair for charity at Becker Elementary
14 elementary girls cut their hair at Becker school to be used for wigs by the organization Children With Hair Loss. PHOTO: Nofila HaidarAlong with the hair drive, which will be donated to the organization Children With Hair Loss to make wigs for cancer patients, dozens of other children at the school donated canned...
Local community collects clothing, blankets for Syrian refugees
December 20th, 20130 DEARBORN - "My people and your people, my Syrian Brothers, are dead. What can be done for those who are dying? Our lamentations will not satisfy their hunger, and our tears will not quench their thirst. What can we do to save them between the iron paws of hunger?" Kahlil Gibran wrote these words to urge Levantine expatriates'...OK-2-SAY hotline intended to make schools safer
LANSING – Students statewide will have a 24/7 confidential tip-line to help prevent school tragedies after Gov. Rick Snyder signed a law creating the OK-2-SAY hotline.“The OK-2-SAY student safety program will help students break the culture of silence by providing them with a confidential resource to stop tragedy and violence before...Schools to carry epinephrine injectors to help protect students from dangerous food allergies
LANSING - On Tuesday, Dec. 17, Gov. Rick Snyder signed legislation to help protect Michigan children suffering from dangerous and life-threatening food allergies by making sure schools carry epinephrine injectors.The legislation requires schools to have at least two injectors onsite and to have at least two staff members trained to use...Detroit emergency manager, mayor-elect reach power-sharing agreement
DETROIT - Detroit Mayor-elect Mike Duggan will control about two-thirds of city operations once he takes office next month, the Detroit News reported Wednesday.Detroit, the largest U.S. city ever declared bankrupt, is under the control of state-appointed emergency manager Kevyn Orr. He and Duggan, who won the mayor’s race in November,...Renisha McBride’s shooter to stand trial for second degree murder
DEARBORN HEIGHTS - 20th District Court Judge David Turfe ruled that Theodore Wafer will stand trial for the slaying of Renisha McBride, the 19-year-old African American woman who he shot on his front porch in a Dearborn Heights neighborhood in the early hours of Nov. 2Judge Turfe said at the end of the two day pre-trial that based on...HFCC offers new “Study Abroad” course in Morocco for Spring 2014
DEARBORN - In collaboration with The Arab American Foundation for Multicultural Education and Students’ Understanding (ARAMFO) in Denver, Colorado, Henry Ford Community College is launching a new "Study Abroad" course in Art History (ART-290) in Morocco. ART-290 is a three-credit course taught by Dr. Hashim Al-Tawil, a specialist...Brighton High School students embrace diversity by wearing Islamic headscarf for whole day
BRIGHTON - Students at Brighton High School embraced diversity recently when they decided to wear Islamic headscarves for a whole day. The students were from an AP language course. Earlier this fall they were required to read a memoir by Iranian author Azar Nafisi. The memoir discusses the experiences of women during Iran's...Michigan Arab Orchestra expands mission nationally under new name
DETROIT - The Michigan Arab Orchestra has a new mission and a new name. Now called the National Arab Orchestra, the expansion of its mission was announced by the Orchestra's Board Chairman, Moose Scheib. Under his leadership and vision, Scheib will direct the organization into broader opportunities across the United States and...City council pays tribute to Hubbard and Sareini at their last meeting
DEARBORN - After 24 years on the city council, Nancy Hubbard and Suzanne Sareini attended their last meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 17. Fellow councilpersons, the mayor and the city clerk took the opportunity to praise the outgoing councilwomen for their service and dedication to the city."The citizens were well-served for 24 years," said...Law corner: Liability for fraud comes from the words you speak or don’t speak
The word “fraud” often evokes feelings that something terrible has happened. Fraud is the word loosely ascribed to situations where one person has obtained something of value from someone else by deceit. In the legal context, fraud has several specific forms. As a general rule, civil fraud consists of the following......
Local businessmen making national news for offering $15 an hour minimum wage
DEARBORN HEIGHTS/CANTON -Harry Moorhouse and Brian Parker are making national headlines for offering a $15/hour minimum wage to workers at their two all-natural fast food restaurants.The businessmen launched the first Moo Cluck Moo location in Dearborn Heights in April of this year and another in Canton shortly after. “I am a...
ADC Michigan cancels annual gala
December 13th, 20130 DEARBORN — The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee Michigan regional office (ADC-MI) has cancelled its annual gala, which was scheduled for Friday Dec. 13 at Greenfield Manor in Dearborn.ADC-MI incoming director Fatina Abdrabboh announced the cancellation in a statement on Tuesday, Dec. 10."I have assessed and examined the......
Lawmakers and activists call for restrictions on use of domestic drones by government
ROYAL OAK — As the number of drones being manufactured throughout the country increases, the discussion is emerging on what the proper regulations for using the unmanned aircraft should be. According to the Federal Aviation Administration, by the end of the decade there will be 10,000 drones circling skies in the United States....Dearborn CERT program hosts training sessions for UAE volunteers
DEARBORN — On Tuesday, December 10, the City of Dearborn kicked off a week-long advanced training session for a group of volunteers from the United Arab Emirates (UAE), who were in town to receive training from the police and fire department's Community Emergency Response Team (CERT).The CERT program is based on assembling volunteers...
“Mock eviction” pro-Palestinian stunt causes a stir at UM-Ann Arbor campus
December 13th, 20130 ANN ARBOR — About 1,500 University of Michigan students were startled this week after waking up on Tuesday morning with eviction notices under their doors at six dormitories across campus."If you do not vacate the premises by 13 DECEMBER 6 PM, we reserve the right to demolish your premises without delay. We cannot be held responsible...GM names first female CEO
DETROIT — General Motors Co CEO Dan Akerson will step down next month and be replaced by GM "lifer" and global product chief Mary Barra, a sign that the development of new vehicles will be the paramount focus of the company that emerged from bankruptcy four years ago.The appointment of Barra, 51, is at once groundbreaking - she......
Detroit’s bankruptcy focus of new reporting collaborative: New Michigan Media newspapers join the effort
DETROIT – Five of the largest ethnic and minority newspapers have a critical role in a new reporting project examining the city’s bankruptcy and its effect on the region. Funded by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, the project involves four nonprofit media organizations as well as New Michigan Media (NMM). All the media...Civil rights group hosts new special agent in charge of Detroit FBI
Special agent in charge, Paul Abbate (3rd from right) stands with members of the Arab community when they met earlier this week.DEARBORN — On Tuesday, Dec. 10, Arab American Civil Rights League board members hosted a lunch for the new special agent in charge of the Detroit FBI, Paul Abbate. Other representatives from the Detroit FBI......
Chaldean American Jack Seman remembered as a peace activist
DEARBORN HEIGHTS-Jack Seman, a member of the Chaldean Catholic community who used to participate in many interfaith and weekly religious services at the Islamic House of Wisdom here (IHW) passed away Dec. 5 peacefully surrounded by family and friends. Seman was born in 1935. Imam Elahi of the IHW addressed Seman’s family and...Dearborn Police seek public’s assistance in Chase Bank Robbery
DEARBORN — Police are still investigating a robbery that occurred at Chase Bank located at 7301 Wyoming on Oct. 25 at approximately 2:29 p.m. The suspect entered the bank and passed the teller a note demanding money. He left after becoming impatient when he did not receive the money quickly enough.The suspect was described......