Local freelancer running for the Charter Revision Commission
October 2nd, 20210 DEARBORN — Michael Kuentz, a freelance photographer for the city of Dearborn, is campaigning to be one of nine mebers elected to the Charter Revision Commission. Kuentz, a resident for more than 20 years, is a photographer and video producer, freelancing for the city and the Press & Guide and producing videos for the...
Community efforts in state redistricting could lead to unprecedented Arab American representation in State House and Senate
October 2nd, 20210 The state’s citizen-led redistricting effort is approaching some crucial deadlines and draft maps have been released for public consideration that show how the process could potentially rework the state’s political maps. Michigan voters approved the creation of the Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission (MICRC) in...
Chaldean Community Foundation breaks ground on $25M affordable housing development in Sterling Heights
October 1st, 20211 STERLING HEIGHTS – The Chaldean Community Foundation officially broke ground on Friday on a $25 million affordable housing development project on a 3-acre lot in Sterling Heights. According to a press release, over the next 18-months, a four-story, mixed-use affordable housing complex with 135 apartment units and 9,000 square feet...
FEMA deadline extended to Nov. 12; five things to keep in mind about flood assistance
October 1st, 20211 DEARBORN — The deadline for survivors of the June 25-26 severe storms and flooding to register with FEMA to get flood relief has been extended to Friday, Nov. 12. The extension applies to survivors living in Wayne, Washtenaw, Macomb and Oakland counties. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is urging residents of those...
Pfizer booster recommended for 65 and older, those with underlying conditions and more
September 30th, 20210 LANSING — Following FDA approval, recommendations from the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and additional recommendations by the CDC director, the Michigan Department of Health and Humans Services (MDHHS) is urging certain Michiganders to get a booster shot if they received Pfizer’s COVID-19...
Tafelski, Parrelly, Dabaja all endorse Abdullah Hammoud for mayor
September 29th, 20211 DEARBORN — As the election nears, State Rep. Abdullah Hammoud (D-Dearborn) has secured several more endorsements for his campaign to become the city's next mayor. Hammoud's former competitors in the primary election, Tom Tafelski, Jim Parrelly and Council President Susan Dabaja, all have announced their support for him. “Tom...
No quorum for Dearborn Heights City Council meeting, Council members accused of “protesting”
September 29th, 20211 DEARBORN HEIGHTS — With only three members of the City Council attending the Council meeting, there was no quorum and the meeting was forced to be adjourned. The Council meeting lasted only 12 and a half minutes as only Council Chairwoman Denise Malinowski-Maxwell, Councilman Mo Baydoun and Councilman Bob Constan were in...
Dearborn’s Andiamo restaurant equipment to be auctioned off
September 29th, 20210 DEARBORN — After closing their doors in February due to COVID-19, the new owners of Andiamo are holding an auction. The restaurant had been a staple of the community for more than 17 years before closing, citing a nearly $3 million loss during the frequent statewide shut downs. The property was purchased for $2.6 million and the...
Detroit Councilman pleads guilty in bribery charge
September 29th, 20210 DETROIT — Detroit City Councilman Andre Spivey has pleaded guilty to accepting more than $35,000 to influence towing contracts. The plea comes two months after Spivey, 47, was indicted on the charge. Spivey entered his guilty plea to conspiracy to commit bribery on Tuesday and will leave his seat on the City Council. He could...
Dearborn Heights officials are taking out the trash, seeking new waste removal bids
September 29th, 20210 DEARBORN HEIGHTS — With residents becoming increasingly frustrated over the service being provided by GFL, the city is stepping into action. Ever since the June flooding that impacted more than 1,500 residents, GFL has not been performing well and some residents have even reported it taking days or even weeks for their yard waste,...
Federal judge tosses out female genital mutilation case
September 28th, 20210 DETROIT — A federal judge has tossed out the case against a Metro Detroit area doctor facing charges for female genital mutilation (FGM). Dr. Jumana Nagarwala was the first person in the nation to face charges for FGM. FGM is described in many ways, including as a partial or total removal of the clitoris for nonmedical...
Police given access to security cameras in Dearborn Public Schools
September 28th, 20210 DEARBORN — After a unanimous vote by the City Council, Dearborn police will now have access to security cameras in the Dearborn Public Schools. The decision will allow police to access livestream feeds of some of the security cameras installed on Dearborn Public Schools’ property, but only in the case of a medical or police...
Dearborn Historical Museum hosting annual Beer Festival
September 28th, 20210 DEARBORN — Craft beer enthusiasts, Halloween lovers, and supporters of Dearborn history are invited to the eighth annual Beer Festival. The Halloween-themed event hosted by the Dearborn Historical Museum will take place in the parking lot of the historic Commandant’s Quarters at 21950 Michigan Ave. on Friday Oct. 8 from 6 p.m....
ACCESS to host Arab Health Summit
September 28th, 20210 DEARBORN — ACCESS will be hosting the ninth annual Arab Health Summit, “Advancing Health Equity for Women", virtually from Oct. 19 through Oct. 21. The conference is centered around discussions on health rights, public health research, community engagement and more, with speakers and attendees representing the United States and...
Livonia resident dies during struggle with Dearborn Police
September 27th, 20210 DEARBORN — A 38-year-old Livonia resident died last week during a struggle with Dearborn police officers who were responding to a call. On Thursday, Sept. 23 at approximately 8:30 p.m., officers were dispatched to the Falcon Inn located at 25125 Michigan Ave. The report was that someone had been yelling, “call the police”......
Arab women have staked out college paths for themselves, as education became essential to community identity
September 27th, 20210 — This article was written with generous support from the Education Writers Association's Reporting Fellows program There is little doubt that the Arab American community in Metro Detroit has made great headway in gaining political and economic security as it grows and evolves. Much of this momentum can be attributed to a culture...
Former treasurer and finance director running for a seat on the Charter Revision Commission
September 27th, 20210 DEARBORN — Despite retiring from the city of Dearborn as the treasurer and finance director after 26 years of service, Jim O’Connor still wants to serve the city in other ways. O’Connor is one of 22 candidates running for nine seats on the Charter Revision Commission. He grew up in Dearborn and went on to graduate from Edsel......
Library Commissioner Mansour Sharha seeks a seat on the Charter Revision Commission
September 27th, 20210 DEARBORN — Mansour Sharha, who is currently serving as a Library Commissioner, is campaigning to earn one of nine seats on the Charter Revision Commission. Sharha, a husband and father of four, has lived in Dearborn for more than 17 years with his family and is an activist, leader and mentor to young professional groups, including...
Whitmer’s approval rating has fallen, poll finds
September 24th, 20210 A survey by Lansing-based Glengariff Group shows Michigan voters are split in their approval of Governor Whitmer’s performance in office, an approval that has fallen over time. The poll was commissioned by the Detroit Regional Chamber. It shows about 48 percent of voters approve of the Democratic governor's performance and 46...
State Rep. Jewell Jones removed from all committees, no word on his future in the legislature
September 24th, 20210 LANSING — State Rep. Jewell Jones (D-Inkster) was recently removed from all legislative committees due to his ongoing legal battles in Livingston County. Jones had been charged with resisting and obstructing a police officer, operating a motor vehicle with a high blood alcohol content, operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated,...
Years after 9/11 and Pulse, Arab Americans in Metro Detroit continue to challenge stereotypes
September 23rd, 20210 This article also appears in Metro Times Detroit through a partnership with the Race and Justice Reporting Initiative and the Detroit Equity Action Lab at the Damon J. Keith Center for Civil Rights. It has been edited for style. DEARBORN — Dave Serio, a third-generation Sicilian Lebanese American, came to better understand his Arab......
Wayne County reaches national vaccination rate milestone
September 22nd, 20210 WAYNE COUNTY — As of Sept. 21, 70 percent of Wayne County residents, excluding Detroit, have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. The 70 percent goal was set by President Biden and is seen by health officials as a crucial step toward getting a vast majority of residents vaccinated. Wayne County is only the sixth...
Hammoud announces $70 million secured to rebuild Miller Bridge and Miller Road
September 22nd, 20210 LANSING — The budget passed by the Michigan House of Representatives for historic investments in the economy, child care and infrastructure includes $70 million to rebuild the Miller-Rotunda Bridge and Miller Road. State Rep. Abdullah Hammoud (D-Dearborn), who is also a mayoral candidate, said this announcement is a......
Taylor student brings loaded gun to school, threatens officer
September 22nd, 20210 TAYLOR — A 15-year-old Taylor High School student brought a loaded gun to school and threatened to shoot the school security officer, according to police. The student had brought the gun in a fanny pack and the gun reportedly had the serial numbers filed off of it. Officers were called to the high school Wednesday morning, Sept....
James White officially confirmed as Detroit police chief
September 22nd, 20210 DETROIT — In a unanimous vote, the Detroit City Council officially confirmed the appointment of James White as Detroit’s 43rd police chief. White is a 24-year veteran with the department and previously served as assistant chief from 2012 until 2020 and is also a licensed mental health counselor. He said he is committed to looking......
