Rachel LaPointe is in the race for a seat on the Dearborn Heights City Council
May 1st, 20210 DEARBORN HEIGHTS — Rachel LaPointe is one of two women vying for one of four full-term City Council seats that are up for election this year. “Dearborn Heights is in a time of transition, following the passing of Mayor Paletko, and we need strong, creative leaders,” she said. “When I noticed that the City Council could...
Khalil Othman announces “Dearborn Residents First” campaign in bid for seat on Dearborn City Council
May 1st, 20210 DEARBORN— In late February, Khalil Othman was among the first of 19 candidates to announce his bid for a seat on the Dearborn City Council. “I can best serve the Council because I come from a problem-solver mindset and experience,” Othman said. “Every single issue we have here, I will be advocating for as a core principle I...
Pandemic relief funding available to restaurants, bars: Here’s what to know
April 30th, 20210 Restaurants, bars and other food and drink establishments across Michigan hard hit by COVID-19 can now apply for funds from the $28.6 billion in federal Restaurant Revitalization Fund direct relief being provided by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) under the American Rescue Plan. “Restaurant owners and other food...
Ann Arbor council member proposes community conversation on Palestinian rights
April 30th, 20210 ANN ARBOR — A member of the Ann Arbor City Council has sponsored a resolution to hold a community conversation regarding Palestine. The resolution, titled “Resolution for the City of Ann Arbor to Hold a Community Conversation about the Palestinian People and Palestinian-Americans”, seeks to hold a community forum on the topic...
Dearborn Public Schools to host free COVID testing site and vaccine clinic
April 29th, 20210 DEARBORN — In its continued fight against COVID-19, Dearborn Public Schools is offering another free COVID test site and vaccine clinic at Edsel Ford High School. On Friday April 30, from 8 a.m. until 2:40 p.m., the district is inviting students ages 16- and 17-years-old in the community to receive a free Pfizer vaccine at Edsel...
Michigan lays out plan to open up state tied to vaccine numbers
April 29th, 20210 LANSING — Michiganders can look forward to coming months of normalcy, if they are willing to get an appointment to get a COVID-19 vaccine to help the state get to its 70 percent vaccination goal. Governor Whitmer has laid out a plan for the state to return to normal based on vaccination rates. The "MI Vacc to Normal" plan will use...
State Rep. Jewell Jones’ attorney says “excessive force” was used in Jones’ arrest
April 29th, 20210 DEARBORN — Dearborn based defense attorney Ali Hammoud said that state troopers used excessive force in their arrest of State Rep. Jewell Jones. Jones (D-Inkster), was recently charged with resisting and obstructing a police officer, operating a motor vehicle with a high blood alcohol content, operating a motor vehicle while...
Wayne County creates first ever Women’s Commission; appoints two local women
April 29th, 20210 WAYNE COUNTY — As Wayne County Commissioners voted to introduce the first ever Women’s Commission, two women were selected to represent Dearborn and Dearborn Heights. Twenty women from Wayne County were appointed to the newly formed commission Commissioner Sam Baydoun appointed Maali Luqman to represent the 13th District that...
Michigan proposes “return to work” grants to incentivize unemployed people to find jobs
April 29th, 20210 LANSING — Unemployed Michiganders who find a job could get $1,000 as part of COVID-19 relief spending that began advancing in the state legislature this week. The $12.7 billion proposal would help incentivize unemployed people to find jobs. The “return to work” grants would cover up to 400,000 residents, which is nearly half...
Michigan loses congressional seat as census data shows slow population growth
April 29th, 20210 The U.S. Census Bureau unveiled its first wave of data from the 2020 Census on Monday, April 29, showing Michigan’s population has grown by 2 percent since 2010’s count. The population growth means more federal funding for the state, an approximately $250 million a year increase, which will be spread across state programs, grants...
Dearborn Public Schools refinancing to save taxpayers $4 million
April 28th, 20210 DEARBORN — Dearborn Public Schools has completed the first of two bond refinancings, which will help save local taxpayers $4 million over the next several years. The refinancing was the first of a two-part refinancing approved by the Board of Education. The refinanced bonds totaled almost $40 million that were issued in 2014...
Teamsters endorse Abdullah Hammoud for Dearborn mayor
April 28th, 20210 DEARBORN — State Rep. Abdullah Hammoud has earned another big endorsement in his run for Dearborn mayor in this upcoming election. In a post on Facebook, Hammoud announced that the Teamsters have decided to endorse him. “We are excited to share that we have earned the endorsement of the Teamsters — Locals 283, 337 and...
University of Michigan-Dearborn announces COVID-19 vaccine or testing requirement for fall semester
April 28th, 20210 DEARBORN — The University of Michigan-Dearborn announced its plan to return to campus for the fall semester, which requires vaccines and testing. The university is planning to have most classes taught fully in-person or hybrid fashion and a return of on-campus student support services, co-curricular activities and campus...
Henry Ford College’s Coach Chris Shepard named Coach of the Year for third time
April 28th, 20210 DEARBORN — Chris Shepard, head coach of the Henry Ford College (HFC) men’s basketball team, was named Coach of the Year for the third time. He was named by his peers in the Michigan Community College Athletic Association (MCCAA). Shepard began coaching at HFC during the 2017-18 season and in his first year, he led the team to...
City clerk accepting nominating petitions for a Charter Commission
April 26th, 20210 DEARBORN — In addition to narrowing down their mayor and Council selections, voters will have another big decision in the Aug. 3 primary elections. Whether the community wants to revise the City Charter or not will be put before voters. If voters decide that the charter should be revised, a Charter Commission will be established......
Dingell, Tlaib introduce Arab American Heritage Month resolution in U.S. House
April 26th, 20210 WASHINGTON, D.C. — On Monday, U.S. Reps. Rashida Tlaib (D-Detroit) and Debbie Dingell (D-Dearborn), introduced a resolution honoring Arab American Heritage Month, a celebration held in April to recognize the incredible contributions Arab Americans have made in the country. "As a strong, proud and unapologetically Arab American...
Dearborn student takes social media by storm with Rubik’s Cube art
April 24th, 20210 DEARBORN — A local 12-year-old boy is using Rubik’s Cubes to display his creativity and is taking multiple social media platforms by storm. Mohamed Charara, a student at Unis Middle School, started collecting Rubik’s Cubes a year ago. “I once saw a video of someone doing it and I wanted to try it,” Charara said.......
Kamal Alsawafy announces his candidacy for Dearborn City Council
April 24th, 20210 DEARBORN — With the filing deadline coming to a close, Kamal Alsawafy becomes one of 19 candidates vying for one of seven City Council seats up for grabs. “What makes me a qualified and unique candidate for Dearborn City Council is my diversified and relevant experience,” Alsawafy said. “Dearborn is a great place to call...
Seven candidates file for Dearborn mayor; 18 for City Council; no challenger for City Clerk
April 23rd, 20211 - Ali "Barber Al" Alhashemi withdrew from the race. There are now 18 candidates for the seven city council seats. DEARBORN — While candidates had until April 23 to withdraw their names from the race, an unofficial list has been announced in Dearborn. The primary election is scheduled for August 3. With the retirement of...
Three candidates running for Dearborn Heights mayor; eight for City Council
April 23rd, 20210 -Robert Constan withdrew from running for treasurer. Lisa Hicks-Clayton will now run unopposed for the treasurer position. DEARBORN HEIGHTS — With partial and full terms on the ballot for the 2021 elections, all candidates had until April 23 to withdraw from the race. The partial terms are for mayor, ending on Dec. 31, city...
Fire department recognized for years of support to the Salvation Army
April 23rd, 20210 DEARBORN HEIGHTS — After nearly a decade of support, the Dearborn Heights Fire Department is being recognized for its support of the Salvation Army. The department first started working with the Salvation Army in 2012 when firefighters began ringing bells for the annual Red Kettle Campaign and have been volunteering every year......
D7 Superintendent responds to social media comments
April 23rd, 20212 DEARBORN HEIGHTS — With students spending more and more time online, D7’s superintendent is addressing social media concerns and comments with students. Layla Cruz, a ninth grader at Annapolis High School, said that she was recently called out of class to discuss her own social media comments. “I had gotten called down to...
Hamtramck elections: Eight candidates file for Council; four candidates for mayor
April 22nd, 20210 HAMTRAMCK — After Tuesday’s filing deadline for the upcoming races for Hamtramck mayor and three Council seats, the city now has a tentative list of candidates for an important 2021 election. The following candidate list is up to date as of Saturday, as candidates had the option to drop out by Friday, April 23. Hamtramck City......
Michigan House votes to subpoena former Health Director Robert Gordon over departure
April 22nd, 20210 LANSING — A State House committee has authorized its chair to subpoena the state’s former health director and require him to testify regarding his resignation. The Michigan House Oversight Committee voted 6-3 to give it the power to subpoena former Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) Director Robert Gordon to...
University of Michigan poll says youth sports not properly enforcing COVID-19 protocols
April 22nd, 20210 ANN ARBOR — A poll conducted by the University of Michigan found that 25 percent of parents in the U.S. say their children or teens participated in fall and winter sports. While most of the parents ranked their child’s sports organization highly for communicating safety protocols, one in four rated their child’s team or......
