Macomb County receives over $2 million for housing projects, revitalizing neighborhoods
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Community Development Block Grant and HOME programs has awarded Macomb County with $2.7 million to build new housing and revitalize neighborhoods. The money will be used by communities within the county that aren’t eligible for such grants independently. Sterling Heights...Michigan Civil Rights Commission welcomes new members, elects officers
LANSING — The Michigan Civil Rights Commission (MCRC) elected officers for the new year at its first business meeting of 2012 this week while welcoming new members.The newly-elected leaders include: J. Michael Zelley of Grand Blanc as Chair; Lisa Peeples-Hurst of Benton Harbor as Vice Chair; Jared Rodriguez of Portland as...Secretary of State gathers six tons of food for needy
LANSING — Food contributions for the 2011 Michigan Harvest Gathering campaign significantly topped last year's with more than six tons of food raised for local hungry families.The SOS' employees and customers donated more than $4,400 and nearly 12,000 pounds of food this time around. The program raised about 9,000 pounds of food...Snyder highlights unfinished work to do in State of the State
LANSING — Michigan Governor Rick Snyder was optimistic during his 2012 State of the State address about Michigan's future, noting the unemployment rate has dropped from 11.1 percent to 9.3 percent, which drew applause. SnyderThe number does not take into account people who have quit looking and part-time workers who'd rather work...
Occupy Detroit, Arab Americans pledge solidarity with Egyptians
January 26th, 20120 DETROIT — The one-year anniversary of the revolution that toppled President Hosni Mubarak sent hundreds of thousands of Egyptians into the streets on Jan. 25, and also stopped traffic down Woodward here as demonstrators marched in solidarity. Members of Occupy Detroit and the Arab American community joined together in a group of about...
GPS spying: Supreme Court says police need a warrant
January 26th, 20120 The Supreme Court came to a landmark decision Monday morning, voting unanimously that police agencies must obtain search warrants before they can install GPS tracking devices on the vehicles of suspects. Although all justices voted that police must obtain a warrant, the reasoning differed among those involved. In a 5-4 split over the...Robert Ficano: There are no sweetheart deals
When asked whether he would resign in the wake of new reports surfacing on additional county employees receiving sweetheart deals, Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano said, "there are no sweetheart deals. People participated in buyout programs that were offered to over 200 employees." He says other companies are offering similar...Will Obama resist push for Iran war?
Neocons in Israel and the United States are escalating their rhetoric to prepare us for war with Iran. Even the infamous John Yoo, architect of President George W. Bush’s illegal torture and spying programs, is calling on the Republican presidential candidates to “begin preparing the case for a military strike to destroy Iran’s...Mentally disabled man may be sent to Iraq after conviction
CLINTON TWP. — Muwafak Zaya, a 40-year-old Clinton Township man, may be sent to Iraq because of a 2005 criminal conviction according to local reports. Muwafak Zaya, right, with his brother and guardian, Mazin Abro.The man has the mental capacity of a young child but is facing deportation because of his 2005 guilty plea to...Dearborn School board member Berry wins national award for service to youth
Hussein BerryNEW YORK — The National Child Labor Committee (NCLC) announced that Hussein Berry, the co-founder and president of the Dearborn Youth Football Association and also a member of the Dearborn School Board, will be honored for his decade-long work as a mentor and advocate in his community on behalf of area youth.Berry is one...Ambassador Bridge owner Moroun released from jail
DETROIT – Billionaire and Ambassador Bridge owner Manuel (Matty) Moroun was released from Wayne County Jail on Friday night of last week after a motion was granted to release him through the Michigan Court of Appeals. Dan Stamper, his top aide, was also freed. The appeals court Thursday denied their motion to overturn the main...
Snyder praises immigrants in State of the State address
January 20th, 20120 Rick SnyderLANSING — Michigan Governor Rick Snyder's State of the State speech this week included nods to immigrants, keeping up the drumbeat for immigrants as job creators and innovators. Governor Snyder has repeatedly called for preserving high-level science, tech, engineering and math talent in Michigan by enacting...Fakih to stand trial for DUI in March
HIGHLAND PARK — A judge has ordered former Miss USA Rima Fakih of Dearborn to stand trial on a misdemeanor drunken driving charge after a pre-trial hearing on Wednesday.The hearing was held in the city's 30th District court, and a bench trial was set for March 14 by Judge Brigette Officer. Fakih was arrested on Dec. 3 after she...Ficano comments on Elder lawsuit at MLK rally
DETROIT — Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano is being sued by former Deputy Executive Azzam Elder for $25 million following Elder's dismissal for his role in November 2011's severance package controversy surrounding former Metro Airport CEO Turkia Mullin.Ficano spoke on Monday about Elder's suit, saying at Romulus High School during...ACC receives grant to provide medical services to refugees
The Arab American and Chaldean Council has received a grant from the State of Michigan Department of Human Services that will be used to provide medical services to newly arrived refugees in Macomb, Oakland or Wayne county.According to Kimberly Hassan of the ACC the grant is a three year contract that will serve refugees until Sep. 2014.......
The Mother of All Immigrants: 111-year-old Chaldean woman becomes U.S. citizen
January 20th, 20120 Before passing away Warina Bashou’s husband wished her a long life. That wish came true beyond his greatest expectations. Bashou, 111, often tells others she hopes they live to be 100. Receiving a U.S. citizenship is something Bashou has wanted to accomplish since arriving in America. She’s enjoyed the U.S., but...
October football scuffle leads to questionable assault charges for four teens
January 20th, 20120 Motion to dismiss expected to be filed as parents, officials attempt to grasp situation DEARBORN — The physical, competitive nature of football leads to several on-field confrontations between players in most games, from the professional level on down to high school action. Hamadeh Educational Services Founder and CEO Nawal......
Freight forwarder company ‘Seastar’ implements unique business model
January 20th, 20120 Fida Mourtada and his wife Zainab have been married almost as long as they have been in the transportation business together. Today, Mourtada and his wife run Seastar, a freight forwarding company that specializes in ocean, inland & air transportation. While the couple has been able to successfully manage their own business, the road...
Occupy Detroit meets local Arab leaders to discuss Jan. 25 Egyptian solidarity protest
January 20th, 20120 Occupy Detroit organizers discussing the upcoming rally. PHOTO: Nafeh AbuNabDEARBORN - On Thursday Jan. 19 members of the Occupy Detroit movement and Arab community met at the Lebanese American Heritage Club to discuss plans for a protest expected to take place Jan. 25 starting 4:30 p.m. at Grand Circus Park in downtown...Obama administration brings undocumented residents relief with new policy changes
DETROIT — Recently the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced changes that will allow the undocumented spouses and children of U.S. citizens who are eligible for a green card to file their applications for family unity in the United States and stay in the country while they are processed. Ascencio and his family...Judge David Allen to receive prestigious award
Judge David AllenDEARBORN — Friends and family of the Honorable Kaye Tertzag will host the third annual Tertzag Tribute Dinner in his honor on Thursday, February 23, 2012. Judge Tertzag passed away on February 4, 2009, having established a legacy of integrity and service to the state of Michigan. Arab American judge David Allen......
Wayne County to lay off 44 employees
DETROIT – On Monday, the Wayne County Executive’s Office announced a round of 44 layoffs, with the Health & Human Services Department among the departments affected.The cuts will save the county about $6 million over the next 20 months according to local reports. “I am still committed to making whatever cuts are necessary...Henry Ford Community College offers free Computer Numerically Controlled training course
DEARBORN — Henry Ford Community College is offering a free, six-week Computer Numerically Controlled programmer training course from Feb. 6 to March 16, 2012.In the course, students will gain knowledge and experience in C.N.C. machinery, which includes various computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) systems, 2D programming, Solid Works......
Dearborn Stars announce Sam Piraine as new head coach
DEARBORN — The Dearborn Stars Soccer Club announced the hiring of its new Head Coach Sam Piraine on Tuesday, Jan. 10. Piraine becomes the Stars' seventh head coach in the club's 30-year history. Sam PiraineThe Dearborn Stars Board of Directors led by its president, Dr. Ned Fawaz, held a thorough search. Piraine has been...
Sterling Heights company helps build tanks for Egyptian military as part of $395 million contract
January 12th, 20120 As the first anniversary of the beginning of the Egyptian Revolution in Tahrir Square approaches, international focus has shifted to the country's struggle to maintain the democratic virtues its citizens thought it had wrested from the hands of ex-President Hosni Mubarak.Hundreds of thousands of people have returned to the square......
