“Transformer 4” filming in Detroit
DETROIT — The Rosa Parks Transit Center in downtown Detroit was transformed into a movie set this week, as filming commenced in the City on Sunday, Aug. 4 for the "Transformers 4" movie. The bus station and surrounding streets were shut down on Sunday at 5 a.m. and reopened on Monday at 4 a.m. The Detroit Department of...Orr hires auction firm to value DIA art
DETROIT — Emergency Manager Kevin Orr has hired Christie’s Appraisals, a New York-based international auction house, to appraise the City-owned collection at the Detroit Institute of Arts. Orr said, in a statement on Monday, August 5, that the City's plan has never been to sell art, but the City must know the current value of...Cancer doctor accused of misdiagnosing patients to enrich himself
ROCHESTER HILLS —A physician is accused of misdiagnosing patients with cancer and making them undergo chemotherapy deliberately to enrich himself. Dr. Farid Fata was arrested Tuesday morning at his Rochester Hills practice by federal agents. He appeared in court Thursday, and faced Judge David Grant who set the conditions of...Law Corner: Injured employees usually cannot sue their employer
Michigan, like many states, utilizes a workers’ compensation system to provide for medical care and lost wages for employees who are injured on the job. Under the workers’ compensation system, most employers are required to obtain workers’ compensation insurance. In the event that an employee is injured, or becomes ill...Ficano initiative aims to generate revenues for financially distressed municipalities
WAYNE COUNTY — An initiative launched by Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano is continuing to bring municipal leaders from across the County together to engage in important conversations about generating different streams of revenue for communities that have been struggling financially as a result of the 2008 housing...Community rallies in support of International Al-Quds Day
DEARBORN — Rallies in support of International Al-Quds (Jerusalem) Day are held locally and throughout the Middle East and the world each year on the last Friday of Ramadan. This year community members gathered on Aug. 2 outside of Dearborn City Hall. Demonstrators held up signs, banners and flags, in support of...
Dearborn Primary election results: Three first time Arab American candidates advance
August 7th, 20130 DEARBORN-The Primary election results are in, and despite a low turn-out, three first time Arab American city council candidates landed in the Top 14, and will be advancing to the November elections.Mike Sareini, with 5,302 votes, came in second place on the ballot. He received endorsements from both the Arab American Political Action...We must rid our justice system of racial and class bias
In conjunction with the observance of the 85th birthday of the late Martin Luther King, Jr. in January, the Michigan Coalition for Human Rights is organizing a community-wide conversation with the goal of ridding our justice system of racial and class bias.Representatives of police agencies and courts, together with clergy, interested...What you need to know for Election Day
• If you experience any difficulty on Election Day and need assistance, whether it’s regarding getting translation in Arabic, or if you have questions about your ballot, or voting in general, AAPAC volunteers will be at The Arab American News’ office until the polls close, to assist voters. AAPAC members can be reached on Election...
Our Endorsements: They deserve your vote on August 6
August 2nd, 20130 The Arab American News (TAAN) has announced its endorsements for the Aug. 6 primary elections. TAAN is endorsing every candidate who has received endorsements from the Arab American Political Action Committee (AAPAC). The following candidates were recently endorsed by AAPAC. TAAN is supporting the same candidate endorsements...
Local campaigns gear up for Primary during Ramadan, energize youth
August 2nd, 20130 DEARBORN — This year's municipality race has, without a doubt, generated some hype from the local Arab and Muslim American communities, as three Arab American candidates vie for the mayoral position and four other Arab American candidates look to fill one of seven positions on the city council.However, even with the large Arab American...
Dearborn mayor discusses future plans, sale of City Hall and relations with Arab community
August 2nd, 20130 DEARBORN — After the passing of the late Mayor Michael Guido in 2006, no one could argue that John B. “Jack” O’Reilly, Jr. didn't have the experience and know-how that was needed to take over the post of Mayor of Dearborn. O'Reilly and his family are deeply rooted in the City. Their service dates back to when his father was...Mother creates app to help autistic son better communicate
YPSILANTI — One local mother has created an app to help her autistic son communicate more effectively. Nabeela Jaffer’s son, Salman, 16, has experienced difficulty communicating verbally throughout his life. He was diagnosed with autism at age four. The struggles he faced trying to communicate is what inspired Jaffer to create...Preliminary hearing for suspect in Family Dollar murders postponed
DEARBORN — The preliminary hearing of Lavere Bryant, who is accused of the murder of two Family Dollar store employees in Dearborn, was postponed this week until August 21, upon his state-appointed attorney's request.Judge Sam Salamey of the 19th District Court ordered the postponement of the hearing on Wednesday, July 31, after...Group welcomes EEOC recommendations for CSD
DEARBORN HEIGHTS — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) recently found the Crestwood School District in Dearborn Heights in violation of the federal Civil Rights Act for failing to hire Arab-American and minority teachers and discriminating against Arab Americans in its hiring and recruiting. ......
Celebrating Eid al-Fitr: Food and fun across Metro Detroit
Although known as the "smaller holiday," Eid al-Fitr is one of the most celebrated occasions in Islamic societies. Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of Ramadan, is a sacred day in Islam. During this holiday, Muslims around the world celebrate, by performing a special prayer, visiting family members, going out and lighting...Dearborn Heights Police step up traffic enforcement on Ford Rd.
DEARBORN HEIGHTS — On Monday, July 29, officers of the Dearborn Heights Police Department (DHPD) began increasing patrols along Ford Road (M-53), in a concentrated effort to curb excessive speeding and other unsafe driving habits. “We have experienced a number of serious accidents along Ford Road over the past few months that,......
Two women found naked, physically assaulted in Detroit fields
DETROIT — The case involving two women, who were found severely assaulted in local fields, is still being investigated by the Detroit Police Department. To date, no arrests have been made in either case. In the first incident, a 37-year-old woman was found physically assaulted, with burn marks on her body, in a field on Eaton...42nd annual Arab and Chaldean Festival celebrates culture
DETROIT — The 2013 Arab and Chaldean Festival was, once again, a success as it celebrated its 42nd year last week. The annual festival serves as a celebration of Arab and Chaldean culture. It took place during the weekend of July 27th at Hart Plaza and included cultural exhibits, live performances, Middle Eastern food, vendors,...
Syrian Archbishop: Assad is staying
August 2nd, 20130 Archbishop Louka El-Khouri, patriarchal auxiliary of the Syrian Orthodox church, believes that the Syrian regime will not fall and President Bashar Assad will stay in power. Khouri adds that Assad will run in the promised 2014 presidential elections and will win, undoubtedly because the people support him overwhelmingly.The...Efforts made to decriminalize marijuana in Ferndale
FERNDALE — A group, based in Ferndale, is working to get marijuana decriminalized in the City. It has collected more than 500 signatures, enough to get the issue on the November ballot. About 10 years ago, the City passed an ordinance to get marijuana legalized. The group hopes to decriminalize marijuana use and possession within......
Police officers arrested for robbing victims
DETROIT — The City of Detroit faced another internal setback this week, after an announcement that two local police officers were arrested, in connection with an alleged assault and robbery in the City.Detroit Police Chief James Craig spoke to reporters on Monday about the two veteran police officers, one from Detroit and the other...Communities urged to participate in Jewish-Muslim survey
DETROIT — Local Muslim and Jewish Americans are being encouraged to participate in a survey that is aimed at determining an accurate view of how people from the two communities perceive one another. The survey is an effort that is being brought forward by the Michigan Muslim Community Council, the American Jewish Council Detroit and......
Thousands expected to attend 18th Annual “Jazz on the River” Festival
TRENTON — The 18th annual celebration of “Jazz on the River” will provide two full days of music and fun, from August 3-4, along the river's edge, at Elizabeth Park in Trenton. International and emerging artists will be featured during this festival, including Sax and The City, starring Marion Meadows; Paul Taylor; Vincent...Dearborn train station to be named in honor of Congressman John Dingell
DEARBORN — The City’s new intermodal passenger rail station will be named after John D. Dingell, Jr., the longtime champion of Dearborn, who became the longest-serving member of Congress in the history of the United States in June.Mayor John B. O’Reilly, Jr. initiated the idea to bestow this honor, because of Congressman......