Bouncing a little check can be a big problem
Being on the receiving end of a bad check can be an irritating experience. Most people would probably rather have someone avoid paying them altogether than to deposit a check, only to have their bank return it for non-sufficient funds or non-existent account. Under Michigan law, the writer (or “maker”) of a bad check...Workers call for politicians to raise minimum wage
DETROIT/LANSING – Michigan workers and community leaders joined a nationwide call to action for raising the minimum wage this week. “It seems like everything keeps getting more expensive, but my pay just stays the same,” said Sam Johnson, a local fast food worker and member of Michigan United. “A couple dollars more an...Darany Resolution offers well wishes for Ramadan
LANSING — State Representative George T. Darany (D-Dearborn) submitted House Resolution 191 to offer best wishes to Muslims in Michigan, and across the world, on the joyous and meaningful observance of Ramadan. Darany.The resolution was adopted by the Michigan House of Representatives and recognizes the month in which Muslims...Bill allows charities to collect donations on the street
MICHIGAN — A new bill would allow charities in the State to collect donations, while volunteers stand, or walk on the street. The bill was proposed by State Rep. Terry Brown, after a dispute in the Thumb area. Brown says that the Sebewaing Village Council didn’t allow the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars to have...Temporary Protection Status re-designated for Syrian nationals
Lathrup Village — The Arab American and Chaldean Council (ACC), along with Congressman Gary Peters, are urging any eligible Syrian nationals and persons without nationality, who last habitually resided in Syria and are now in the United States, to apply for Temporary Protected Status (TPS).On June 17, 2013, the U.S. Citizenship and...Detroit City Council stands with NAACP on bringing federal charges against George Zimmerman
DETROIT — On Tuesday, the Detroit City Council passed a resolution, supporting a petition created by the NAACP that is aimed at getting federal charges brought against George Zimmerman. The legislation was sponsored by Councilwoman JoAnn Watson and led to a discussion on violence in the City. Councilman Kenneth Cockrel, Jr....Willow Run Airport receives $9 million grant for renovation
WAYNE COUNTY – The Wayne County Airport Authority will receive a $9 million federal grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation to renovate runway 05R/23L at Willow Run Airport.“Willow Run Airport’s 24-hour schedule helps fuel the economic engine in Southeast Michigan,” said U.S. Sen. Carl Levin. “This funding for runway...Ford profits exceed expectations
Ford Motor Company’s profits in North America rose to $1.23 billion during the second quarter, an 18.6 percent increase from last year. In addition, the company's global revenues reached an all-time high of $38.1 billion, compared to $33.3 billion in the second quarter of 2012. The profit growth has exceeded the expectations of...Islamic House of Wisdom holds Ramadan iftar dinner
The Islamic House of Wisdom (IHW) hosted their annual Ramadan iftar dinner on Wednesday, July 24, in Dearborn Heights. Attendees included 19th District Court Judge Sam Salamey, Dearborn Police Chief Ron Haddad, Third Circuit Cour Judge Chris Dingell and Dearborn Mayor Jack O’Reilly. Imam Elahi, spiritual leader of the IHW, was...Gov. Snyder reappoints Arab American to Michigan Board of Pharmacy
LANSING — Gov. Rick Snyder recently announced the reappointments of Dhafer Almaklani of Dearborn and Pamela Wyett of Charlevoix to the Michigan Board of Pharmacy. The 11-member board is responsible for regulating and inspecting the practice of pharmacy and drugs manufactured and distributed in the State."Dhafer and Pamela are two...Drunken Canadian arrested for swimming to Detroit
A drunken Canadian man swam across the Detroit River, to the United States, and almost made it back to Canada, before being arrested on Monday evening, July 22.A woman notified police around 11:30 p.m. that her friend John Morillo, 47, of Windsor, had gone swimming in the river and had not returned to Windsor. American and Canadian coast...Dearborn Heights Police investigate home shooting
DEARBORN HEIGHTS — Police, this week, began investigating a home shooting near Telegraph Road. According to a report, at around 5 a.m. on July 23, an unresponsive man, between his 20s and 30s, was taken to Oakwood Hospital and Medical Center in Dearborn for treatment from a gunshot wound. Police say that the identity of the victim...BCBSM honored for diversity management practices for third consecutive year
DETROIT — Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan (BCBSM) has been named to DiversityInc’s 2013 Top 10 Regional Companies list for the third consecutive year and honored by DiversityInc, as one of the 2013 Top 10 Companies for Blacks. BCBSM was the only Michigan-based company recognized on both lists. BCBSM has also been ranked as...
Helen Thomas, legendary White House correspondent dead at 92
July 20th, 20130 Legendary White House correspondent Helen Thomas died Saturday at her apartment in Washington D.C. She was 92. Thomas, who’s widely known for breaking gender barriers in journalism, emerged as one of the most prominent White House reporters at a time when the profession was dominated by men. Thomas, is Lebanese and...
Detroit files for the largest municipal bankruptcy in U.S. history
July 19th, 20130 Detroit filed the largest-ever municipal bankruptcy in U.S. history on Thursday, marking a new low for a city that was the cradle of the U.S. automotive industry and setting the stage for a costly court battle with creditors.The bankruptcy, if approved by a federal judge, would force Detroit's thousands of creditors into negotiations......
Flashing traffic light at busy and dangerous intersection raises concerns
DEARBORN — Dubbed as "Dearborn's most dangerous intersection," a flashing red traffic light at the crossing of Warren Ave. and Chase Rd. continues to be the source of traffic problems for local drivers, prompting many to question why the City has yet to enforce the standard green-yellow-red signal at this location around-the-clock.At...Israel’s in-your-face appointment
Israel announced this week that its ambassador to the United States beginning in September will be Ron Dermer, a 42-year-old neoconservative political operative. Dermer grew up in the United States, once worked for Newt Gingrich, renounced his U.S. citizenship in 2005, and now works for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as a......
There’s a Palestinian in the NFL!
Palestinian Americans are split on a fundamental American issue: Football. Many of those from my father's generation of immigrants are simply confused by the whole concept. They came from a land and time where "football" meant kicking a ball with your foot into a goal. Trying to divorce them from this word association...Dearborn mayoral candidates share motives for running
DEARBORN — The municipality race in Dearborn has drawn plenty of attention and interest from the Arab American community, due to a handful of city council candidates who have launched impressive and vibrant campaigns. However, most residents may not be aware of the fact that three Arab American candidates are vying for an even more...
AAPAC announces endorsements for August 6 primary election
July 19th, 20130 This week, the Arab American Political Action Committee (AAPAC) announced its endorsements for the August 6 primary elections. The group endorsed seven candidates for Dearborn City Council and three candidates, who are running for mayor in the cities of Detroit, Hamtramck and Dearborn Heights. Dearborn will elect seven city...
Boating tragedy claims lives of two children, devastates community
July 19th, 20130 SYLVAN LAKE — This week several vigils were held at Chaldean churches across metro Detroit, where members of the close knit community gathered to pray for the victims of the horrific boating accident that took place on Sunday and left two siblings, ages 11 and six, dead and another, 10, in critical condition, who’s fighting for......
EEOC: Crestwood School District discriminates against Arab Americans
July 19th, 20130 DEARBORN HEIGHTS — Evidence gathered throughout the course of an investigation by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission into the Crestwood School District shows Arab Americans were discriminated against. The EEOC has determined that the District violated Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, by discriminating...Dearborn Police seek public’s help to solve dollar store homicides
DEARBORN — A 20-year-old man was shot dead at the Family Dollar store, located at 22631 Michigan Ave., on the evening of Monday, July 15. Brenna Machus, the store's assistant manager was abducted in the incident and was found dead in a wooded area near the Southfield Freeway and Michigan Avenue, on Thursday July 18.Employees who opened......
Trustees vote to include HFCC millage proposal on November ballot
DEARBORN — During the last Dearborn School Board of Trustees meeting, a millage renewal was approved, in a 5-1 vote, to include on the November ballot. The decision will allow voters to decide on whether, or not, to approve a 3-mills renewal, along with a 1-mill increase, over the span of 10 years for Henry Ford Community College...Dearborn Public Library receives grant for reading series on Islam
DEARBORN – Henry Ford Centennial Library recently received a $3,500 grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) and the American Library Association (ALA) to host a five-part reading and discussion series about the Muslim faith, culture, history and people.The project, which seeks to familiarize the public with Islam in......