Mo Baydoun looking to retain his seat on the Dearborn Heights City Council
June 6th, 20210 DEARBORN HEIGHTS — Mo Baydoun, who was appointed to the Dearborn Heights City Council earlier this year, is running to retain his seat. Baydoun was appointed to finish out former Councilwoman Lisa Hicks-Clayton’s term once she was elected treasurer in November. In 2017, Baydoun ran for a full-term seat on the City Council and...
Detroit commemorates 54 Years since Al-Naksa
June 5th, 20210 DEARBORN - Organizers and community members will gather this Saturday, June 5th, at Ford Woods Park in Dearborn, to commemorate the 54th anniversary of Al-Naksa (or "the setback") marking 54 years since the second major land loss and mass expulsion of Palestinian people from their homeland. The event will include a march and a...
Pro-IDF restaurant owner Jeremy Sasson says critics of his pro-Israel post are “anti-Semitic”
June 5th, 20213 DETROIT — During the beginning days of Israel’s 11-day assault on Gaza, the owner of two popular restaurants took to Instagram to say he stood with Israel. Jeremy Sasson is the CEO of Heirloom Hospitality Group, LLC, which operates Prime + Proper in Detroit and Townhouse in Birmingham and Detroit, establishments regularly...
Westland mayoral candidate removed from the ballot
June 5th, 20212 WESTLAND — After a hearing on Wednesday, an election commission deemed that mayoral candidate William Asper was to be removed from the ballot. Asper told The Arab American News that he believes he was removed from the ballot illegally. “I am running for mayor to stop the corruption,” he said. “They stated that residency...
Redistricting Commission holds public hearing in Dearborn
June 4th, 20210 DEARBORN — The Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission (MICRC) met in Dearborn Thursday to address redistricting in the state. More than 150 residents from all over downriver attended the event to provide their input on the redistricting. In 2018, Michigan voters approved the creation of the MICRC under Proposal...
Whitmer to help bridge digital divide
June 4th, 20210 LANSING — Governor Whitmer signed a directive to establish the Michigan High-Speed Internet Office to try to bridge the digital divide across the state. The governor said about 865,000 households in the state are not connected to the Internet. “One in four Michigan families do not have a connection that meets their needs and...
Oakland County judge denies motion to dismiss felony charges against Southfield city clerk
June 4th, 20211 SOUTHFIELD — An Oakland County judge has denied the Southfield city clerk’s motion to drop two felony charges against her connected to the Nov. 2018 election. Last year, City Clerk Sherikia Hawkins was ordered to stand trial on one count of violating election law by falsifying returns or records, one count of forgery of a public...
Michigan House passes measure to ban vaccine passports
June 3rd, 20210 LANSING — The Republican-led Michigan House is trying to ban government-sanctioned vaccine passports, despite no current plan to enforce them. The COVID-19 Vaccination Privacy Act would ban any government entity from issuing a COVID-19 vaccine passport requiring proof of vaccination to access a public place or service, or imposing...
James Parrelly wants to show his love for Dearborn by running for mayor
June 3rd, 20210 DEARBORN — Financial planner James Parrelly is one of seven people vying for the residents’ votes for mayor in the August 3 primary election and, ultimately, the Nov. 2 general election. Parrelly had run in the 2017 election, but lost in the primary. He said he believes he is the thought leader in the campaign. “I was...
Emgage endorses Abdullah Hammoud for Dearborn mayor; Hassan Ahmad and Mo Baydoun for Dearborn Heights City Council
June 2nd, 20210 DEARBORN/HEIGHTS — Emgage has announced its endorsement for Abdullah Hammoud for Dearborn mayor and Hassan Ahmad and Mo Baydoun for Dearborn Heights City Council. Emgage's website says it is a family of civic and political institutions dedicated to strengthening the engagement of Muslim Americans in the civic and political process,...
Redistricting Commission to hold meeting and public hearing in Dearborn on June 3
June 2nd, 20210 The Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission will conduct a meeting at 5 p.m. and a public hearing at 6 p.m. on June 3 at the Ford Community and Performing Arts Center, 15801 Michigan Avenue in Dearborn. Masks are required at all times while indoors. Individuals are encouraged (but not required) to RSVP in advance to...
Immigrants’ contributions recognized in Michigan, nationwide
June 2nd, 20210 LANSING — Contributions made by the state’s immigrant community were given a nod with a proclamation by Governor Whitmer, declaring June 2021 Immigrant Heritage Month. The state has joined a nationwide effort to collectively celebrate the history, culture and powerful influence immigrants have in shaping their communities and...
Hamtramck, River Rouge, other cities, receive grants to upgrade water systems
June 2nd, 20210 LANSING — Governor Whitmer announced this week grants awarded to different Michigan communities to help upgrade drinking water infrastructure towards safe, affordable tap water across the state. The grants come under the umbrella of the MI Clean Water plan. Under that plan Hamtramck receives $188,315 under the Drinking Water...
Secretary of State seeking $25 million to hire more staff
June 2nd, 20210 LANSING — Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson and Democratic lawmakers want $25 million to hire more staff and pay overtime to employees. The money would go towards expanding appointments and hours at branch offices that are facing large backlogs of transactions due to the COVID-19 pandemic. If the spending is approved by the...
A tribute to Francis Allen, an Arab American veteran and a decorated Detroit Police deputy chief
May 31st, 20210 Francis Cyril Allen, born a Detroiter in 1929 to Sadie (Maklouf) of Trablos and Minum Allen of Zahle; a CYO football champion and (in his mind at least) sandlot hall of fame third baseman; a Korean War Veteran; for 59 years, the faithful husband to the only woman he ever loved (the girl next-door and his eighth grade crush); the father......
Redistricting: What is it and why it matters
May 29th, 20210 By Hayg Oshagan What is it? Every 10 years, every state redraws all of its district election maps. For Michigan, that’s 110 House district maps, 38 Senate district maps and 13 U.S. Congressional district maps. Once these are drawn, you elect your Michigan House, Michigan Senate and U.S. Congressional representatives based on...
Dearborn high school students can participate in a free summer program at the Michael Berry Career Center
May 28th, 20210 DEARBORN — High school students enrolled in Dearborn Public Schools have an opportunity to get a head start on their career goals with a free summer program. The Michael Berry Career Center (MBCC) will be offering courses during its free summer program that will help students explore career-oriented classes, earn high school credit......
Dearborn’s Ford Woods community pool to reopen Memorial Day weekend
May 27th, 20210 DEARBORN — With summer temperatures in full swing and COVID-19 cases on the steady decline, the city of Dearborn is starting to reopen its community pools. On Saturday, May 29, the Ford Woods community pool will reopen. The Ford Woods pool will be open from 12 p.m. until 6 p.m. on weekends and holidays. Until June 18 the pool...
Dearborn Public Schools to offer a final COVID vaccination clinic
May 27th, 20210 DEARBORN — Dearborn Public Schools is offering students, parents and community members a final shot to get their COVID-19 vaccines. With the Ford Community and Performing Arts Center finishing its vaccine clinic this week, Dearborn Public Schools will be offering the Pfizer vaccine at Bryant Middle School on Wednesday, June 2 from...
Dearborn Heights names Officer and Firefighter of the Year
May 27th, 20210 DEARBORN HEIGHTS — In a recent social media post, the Dearborn Heights’ Rotary Club named its Dearborn Heights Officer and Firefighter of the Year. Firefighter John McLeay was selected as Dearborn Heights’ Firefighter of the Year. McLeay, who has been with the department for six years, said he is humbled and...
Dearborn man faces felony charges after stomping bird to death at Allen Park pet store
May 27th, 20210 ALLEN PARK — A 22-year-old Dearborn man has been charged with third-degree animal killing after striking and stomping a bird to death at a pet store. Ali Chehade was charged in Wayne County with third-degree animal killing, a felony punishable by up to four years in prison and a fine of up to $5,000. Chehade is accused of......
Nancy Bryer puts her name in the hat for a seat on the Dearborn Heights City Council
May 27th, 20210 DEARBORN HEIGHTS — Having thought of running for City Council the previous two elections, resident Nancy Bryer has decided now is her time. Bryer, who earned an associate degree in criminal justice from Washington State University, has been president of the South Dearborn Heights Civic Association for four years. “I am running...
Dearborn Heights Community Cultural Relations Commission starts “Hate Has No Home Here” campaign
May 27th, 20210 DEARBORN HEIGHTS — In response to recent hate crimes in the community, the Dearborn Heights Community Cultural Relations Commission has launched a no hate campaign. The commission is selling yard signs for $15 each that say, “Hate Has No Home in Dearborn Heights” and is offering a second option for other communities that says,......
Rashida Tlaib to host virtual town hall with the IRS and FEMA
May 26th, 20210 LANSING — U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Detroit) is inviting residents in the 13th District that she represents to a virtual town hall with special guests to help answer the community's questions. Joining Tlaib will be Liaison Kate Hunyady from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Region 5 External Affairs Specialist Dan Shulman and...
Moderna says COVID-19 vaccine protects children as young as 12
May 26th, 20210 DEARBORN — Moderna has said that its COVID-19 vaccine strongly protects kids as young as 12, making its vaccine the second option for that age group in the U.S. Moderna also said that it will submit its teen data to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and other global regulators early next month. In its research, Moderna......
