Wayne County announces $3 million in relief for residents
May 6th, 20200 WAYNE COUNTY — Eligible Wayne County residents who have been negatively affected by the COVID-19 pandemic in their county can now look for rent, mortgage and utility relief, among other forms of assistance, through a brand new program. With Wayne County residents facing unprecedented challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Wayne...
‘Murder Hornets’ won’t be seen in Michigan for years
May 6th, 20200 While there have been multiple reports of Asian giant hornets attacking beehives in Washington, it will be years before they spread to the Midwest according to a board certified entomologist. Dubbed “Murder Hornets” by researchers, the species has a venomous sting that can kill a human if they are stung several times. The hornets...
Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine trial begins, initial manufacturing in Kalamazoo
May 5th, 20200 LANSING — The pharmaceutical company Pfizer has teamed up with the German biotech company BioTech in beginning a historic trial to test the BNT162 vaccine program to prevent COVID-19. The trial is part of a global development program and the dosing of the first testing group, or cohort, was completed last week in Germany. The first...
Iraq-born Arab American boxer chasing spot in 2021 Olympics while balancing work, education in Tennessee
May 5th, 20200 KNOXVILLE, TN — When 22-year-old Esam Abid first moved to Tennessee from Turkey by way of his native Iraq, the going was a bit rough. “It was a little difficult at first not speaking the language,” said Abid, an aspiring Olympic boxer who is currently in his third year at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, studying civil...
Emmy Award winning Palestinian American poet from Dearborn releases first collection of poetry
May 5th, 20200 “How the Water Holds Me”, the first collection of poetry by Detroit-based and Dearborn-born community organizer and Emmy Award-winning poet Tariq Luthun was released late last month, after which it quickly found its way onto top 10 lists for both Amazon new releases and small press distribution. The book's release came as a part...
Dearborn Heights woman accused of welfare fraud faces 14 felony counts
May 4th, 20202 DEARBORN HEIGHTS — Attorney General Dana Nessel’s office announced today that a Dearborn Heights woman, Tabarak Qaiser Wutwut, 30, is facing 14 felony counts for allegedly committing welfare fraud. Wutwut is accused of taking public benefits and lying to the state about her economic status, the AG's office and the Michigan...
MDHHS issues emergency order related to handling of bodies
May 4th, 20200 LANSING — Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) Director Robert Gordon issued an Emergency Order today that shortens the time frame hospitals and funeral directors have to contact individuals with authority over disposition of the body of a deceased individual and the amount of time that individual has to make a...
Dearborn Schools postpones high school graduations
May 4th, 20200 DEARBORN — Dearborn Public Schools has officially postponed high school graduations scheduled for early June and early college ceremonies set for May. “As we continue to see encouraging signs that social distancing and other preventative measures ordered by the governor are making a difference in slowing the spread of COVID-19,...
Four U.S. Reps, including Tlaib and Dingell, introduce Arab American Heritage Month resolution
May 2nd, 20200 WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Reps. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-New Jersey), Rashida Tlaib (D-Detroit), Donna Shalala (D-Florida) and Debbie Dingell (D-Dearborn) introduced a resolution honoring Arab American Heritage Month this past Thursday, recognizing the many contributions Arab Americans have made to the United States. “As a strong and...
Dearborn’s mayor should’ve been transparent about having COVID-19
May 1st, 20201 On Wednesday, Dearborn Mayor Jack O'Reilly announced on Facebook that he and his wife were dealing with the coronavirus and the city’s many residents were happy to hear that they had recovered from the terrible virus, safe and strong. “Although I am a public figure, I am someone, like many of you, who values personal and family...
Whitmer signs executive order to re-open construction and real estate, safely
May 1st, 20200 LANSING - Today, at a press conference with members from health care industry, business, and labor, Governor Whitmer signed Executive Order 2020-70 as part of her "MI Safe Start" plan. The executive order will allow the May 7 resumption of some types of work that present a very low risk of infection, including construction,...
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......
