Man arrested and charged for string of break-ins in Dearborn
April 30th, 20200 Dearborn — Since December of last year, multiple business owners in the city have experienced a rash of break-ins and theft of donation boxes. Jose Cartalla, 33, has been criminally charged with seven of the incidents beginning last December and ending in April. After an extensive investigation, Dearborn Police Department patrol...
Challenged by Republicans, Whitmer signs four new executive orders
April 30th, 20201 LANSING — On Thursday, after the Republican-controlled Michigan legislature all but declared victory in their battle to reopen the economy and effectively end Governor Whitmer’s emergency powers, Whitmer took swift and decisive action by signing four new executive orders to continue fighting COVID-19 and the save lives of...
Hassan Alwaily charged with murder of Balkees Sadek, examiner rules death by “strangulation and drowning”
April 30th, 20200 DETROIT — On Thursday, The Arab American News learned from sources in the Wayne County Examiner’s Office that the long-awaited toxicology report in the death of Dearborn resident Balkees Sadek has come back negative for all drugs. The Wayne County examiner is getting ready to rule Sadek's death was caused by “strangulation and...
Republican-controlled legislature refuses to extend Whitmer’s emergency order
April 30th, 20200 LANSING — On Thursday, as another wave of protesters converged on the state’s capitol, Michigan Republicans refused to extend Governor Whitmer's emergency declaration and voted to authorize a lawsuit challenging Whitmer’s authority and actions to combat the pandemic. Whitmer’s emergency declaration expired on Thursday. The...
Rotary Club of Dearborn awards more than $60,000 to 24 high school seniors
April 30th, 20200 DEARBORN — The Rotary Club of Dearborn recently announced a total of more than $60,000 in scholarships awarded to 24 graduating high school seniors in Dearborn. Scholarships are awarded in four, merit-based categories. Each award category is endowed by or honors a past Dearborn Rotarian who recognized the importance of education...
Downtown Dearborn hosts first-ever, virtual “Ladies Night In”, May 6
April 30th, 20200 DEARBORN — Ladies looking for a fun night of shopping and an opportunity to support local businesses are invited to Downtown Dearborn’s first-ever, virtual Ladies Night In on Wednesday, May 6, from 5 p.m. - 7 p.m. This free community event is open to the public and will showcase a variety of shopping, dining and entertainment...
Assistance available for Michiganders who need help paying utility bills
April 30th, 20200 LANSING — State officials are urging Michiganders to be look for help if they’re struggling to pay their utility bills by reaching out to their energy providers and seeking financial assistance if they’ve lost a job or their income has dropped amid the coronavirus pandemic. State leaders encourage anyone facing financial...
Wayne County prosecutor charges Mohamed Saad with first degree murder
April 30th, 20200 DETROIT — Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy has charged Mohamed Ali Saad, 32, with first degree murder in connection with the homicide of his mother, Fatemah Ibrahim Saad, 64, both of Dearborn Heights. On April 16, at approximately 7 p.m., the Dearborn Heights Police Department received a 911 call to a home in the 27000 block of...
Claims court says Michigan’s “stay home” order does not violate constitution
April 29th, 20200 LANSING — While the U.S. Department of Justice seeks probes into the constitutionality of lock-down orders in various states, including Michigan, Lansing announced on Wednesday a Michigan Court of Claims ruling that sided with Governor Whitmer, holding that the current “Stay Home, Stay Safe” executive order did not infringe upon...
Whitmer announces tuition-free college for frontline essential workers
April 29th, 20200 LANSING — On Wednesday, Governor Whitmer announced a series of initiatives to help Michigan workers and their families during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, including the "Futures for Frontliners” program to provide a tuition-free pathway to college or a technical certificate to essential workers who don’t have a...
We need to do our part in fighting the coronavirus
April 29th, 20200 As the effects of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic spreads around the world, it is important that we all realize the impact that this virus has had on essential workers and low-wage laborers who support the global consumer economy. There are people who are still getting up and going to work every day, so that we can all enjoy the...
Oakland County Treasurer Meisner: No one will lose property to tax foreclosure due to coronavirus
April 28th, 20200 PONTIAC — Oakland County Treasurer Andy Meisner issued a pledge on Monday that no one in the county will lose their property to tax foreclosure because of circumstances related to the coronavirus, including taxpayers who contract the virus and are required to self-quarantine or anyone facing circumstances relating to the virus and its...
Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Phase 2 is now open, here is how to apply.
April 28th, 20200 PPP is an SBA loan that helps businesses keep their workforce employed during the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis. NOTICE: PPP resumed April 27. The Paycheck Protection Program is a loan designed to provide a direct incentive for small businesses to keep their workers on the payroll. SBA will forgive loans if all employees are kept...
Whitmer previews plan for gradual economic reopening, U.S. Attorney Schneider eyes lawsuit
April 27th, 20200 LANSING — On Monday, Governor Whitmer signaled her broad and long-term plan for the gradual reopening of the state’s economy. Strict isolation and shutdown measures have thus far proven markedly successful, as hospitals and county health department report plateauing numbers of COVID-19 related cases in Michigan. Whitmer was...
He’s got virus tests, but the state won’t take them
April 27th, 20200 Gov. Whitmer said reopening Michigan's economy is slowed by a shortage of COVID-19 tests to screen employees reentering workplaces, and she blames the Trump administration for not responding to states' needs. Dearborn businessman Ali Siblani said he can make all the test swabs Michigan requires and he blames the state bureaucracy for......
Wayne County Exec. Evans orders hiring and spending freeze to help eliminate revenue shortfall from pandemic response
April 27th, 20200 DETROIT — Wayne County Executive Warren C. Evans signed executive order 2020-001 instituting hiring and spending freezes across the county's government in response to a projected revenue shortfall of at least $152 million created by the COVID-19 pandemic and economic shutdown. “The ongoing global pandemic and 'Stay Home' orders...
Whitmer to announce new executive order allowing partial reopening of the economy
April 24th, 20200 LANSING - Governor Whitmer is set to address the state at 11:00 am today. Whitmer will be announcing a new executive order (2020-59), effective through May 15, that will reopen certain parts of the economy and ease up on certain restrictions. Some workers will be allowed to go back to work: This includes landscapers,......
Young Arab American Aya Alcodray brings much needed food relief to families
April 24th, 20200 DEARBORN — 17-year-old Aya Alcodray, a student at Dearborn High School, understood that the COVID-19 outbreak had adversely affected many of her fellow students and their families. Many students rely on lunches their schools provide; and while schools continue to provide food during the weekdays, Aya knew something needed to be done...
While restrictions continue, Muslim houses of worship prepare for Ramadan
April 23rd, 20200 DEARBORN — To kick off 2020’s first Ramadan weekend, The Arab American News spoke to local Muslim leaders representing some of the most frequented and well-know houses of worship, to find out how they plan to adapt their Ramadan plans in light of the continuing state-imposed COVID-19 related restrictions. Unsurprisingly, mosques...
Michigan Department of State to temporarily lay off 60 percent of staff
April 23rd, 20200 LANSING — The Michigan Department of State (MDOS) will temporarily lay off more than 900 members of its staff starting on Sunday, April 26. The layoffs will last two weeks, and could be extended. “This is an extremely challenging time for our state, our state government and our department,” said Secretary of State Jocelyn...
Stimulus checks have been sent out to deceased people, while others still aren’t receiving them
April 23rd, 20200 WASHINGTON, D.C. — Some Americans have been surprised to discover that their dead loved ones have been sent stimulus checks in recent days, while others in need have been unable to receive or cash their checks. “Okay this is insane, but just the tip of the iceberg,” tweeted Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Kentucky), who shared an image of......
Muslims applaud popular children’s television show for recognizing Ramadan
April 23rd, 20201 WASHINGTON, D.C. — On Thursday, the immensely popular children's television show SpongeBob SquarePants brought a smile and message of love and peace to Muslims across the globe with a social media post depicting the show's main characters wishing audiences "Ramadan Mubarak." Muslims everywhere, including high-profile Muslim figures,...
Community organizations host first ever Ramadan Lights challenge in Dearborn
April 23rd, 20200 DEARBORN — Three community organizations are teaming up to bring the first ever Ramadan holiday lights competition, the Ramadan Lights challenge, to Dearborn. The organizer of the renowned Ramadan Suhoor Festival is joining Halal Metropolis and the Michigan Muslim Community Council to bring some holiday cheer despite restrictions on......
UIA says $1.37 billion paid out to 820,000 unemployed Michiganders
April 23rd, 20200 LANSING - The Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) has released tallies for benefits given out to unemployed workers in Michigan as a consequence of the COVID-19 outbreak in the state. The UIA said it has provided an estimated 820,000 unemployed Michigan workers $1.37 billion in benefits, an unprecedented number. The agency...
Whitmer says possible short-term extension of stay-at-home order is needed, highlights improved numbers within the state
April 22nd, 20200 LANSING — Governor Whitmer's stay-at-home order will likely be extended beyond May 1, at least for a short term, she said during a press conference earlier this afternoon. Whitmer had previously said on Monday that the ensuing 10 days would help decide whether or not an extension would be warranted, but said today that those who are......
