State says indoor bar service closure is due to COVID-19 “super-spreader” events linked to bars
July 1st, 20200 LANSING — In an act to curb upticks in new cases across Michigan, and perhaps reprimand careless bar goers, Governor Whitmer announced on Wednesday that she will be closing down indoor bar services through most of lower Michigan. Bars will be able to serve customers outdoors and will be able to offer cocktails-to-go. The Upper...
Whitmer signs bill extending expiration of driver’s licenses, state ID cards, vehicle registrations to Sept. 30
July 1st, 20200 LANSING — On Wednesday, Governor Whitmer signed Senate Bills 876-878, which makes into law her previous executive orders, further extending the renewal dates for driver’s licenses, CDLs, state ID cards and vehicle registrations. Those with driver’s licenses or vehicle registrations expiring after March 1 have until Sept. 30 to...
New website allows Michiganders to easily find closest COVID-19 testing site, phone registration available
June 30th, 20200 LANSING — The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has unveiled a new online tool that lets users conveniently find a COVID-19 testing site near them and register for testing online. The test finder tool at michigan.gov/CoronavirusTest has filters which allow users to find sites that are free, test people with...
Whitmer releases plan for Pre-K to 12 school reopening
June 30th, 20200 LANSING — On Tuesday, June 30, the state of Michigan and Governor Whitmer released the executive order “MI Safe Schools Roadmap”, putting an extensive safety plan in place before schools reopen in the fall for in-person instruction. The protocol is a roadmap for all pre-K to 12 schools within the state and includes...
Gleaners brings free meal distribution to Dearborn’s Ford Community and Performing Arts Center
June 30th, 20200 DEARBORN — Gleaners Community Food Bank will provide free meals for children and adults with special needs at the Ford Community and Performing Arts Center in Dearborn, as part of its Summer Food Service Program, beginning in early July. The Ford Community and Performing Arts Center meal distributions will take place from 9 to 11...
Garden City Hospital performs up to 250 “Save-A-Life” COVID-19 antibody tests per day in first week
June 26th, 20200 GARDEN CITY — On Tuesday, officials from Wayne County and Garden City Hospital gathered at a launch event for the Save-A-Life program. The program offers free drive-through COVID-19 antibody testing and facilitates plasma donations. The one-of-a-kind program is intended to strengthen and increase the county’s response to COVID-19,...
200 semifinalists selected for the Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission
June 25th, 20200 LANSING — On Wednesday, 200 semifinalists for Michigan’s first Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission were randomly selected in a live broadcasted event by the Michigan Department of State (MDOS). The random selection was performed by Rehmann LLC, an independent accounting firm hired through a public bidding process to...
Reminder of fireworks law ahead of the Fourth of July holiday
June 25th, 20200 DEARBORN— With Independence Day coming up soon, residents are reminded of the city’s fireworks ordinance, which mimics state law. During and leading up to Independence Day in 2020, residents are permitted to use fireworks on the following days and times: • Between 11 a.m. and 11:45 p.m. on June 29, June 30, July 1, July 2, July 3...
New payment options for city of Dearborn customers through DivDat Kiosk Network and mobile app
June 25th, 20200 DEARBORN – The city of Dearborn announced the addition of the DivDat Kiosk Network to its payment options, which means Dearborn residents and customers will be able to pay their water and tax bills more conveniently through DivDat`s kiosk, mobile app and web pay services. The implementation of the DivDat Kiosk Network has many...
Michigan unemployment agency looks to clear backlog of claims
June 23rd, 20200 LANSING — Michigan’s Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) announced on Tuesday its intention to clear its backlog and make a determination on all eligible unpaid claims filed before May 1. This means that for 11,824 worker who are still waiting on an eligibility decision, the agency will pay out benefits, determine that the...
Wayne County to launch free, no-appointment COVID-19 antibody testing at Garden City Hospital
June 20th, 20200 WAYNE COUNTY – The Wayne County Public Health Division, in partnership with Garden City Hospital, will open to the public the COVID-19 Save-A-Life Program on Tuesday, June 23. The program provides COVID-19 drive-up diagnostic and antibody testing for Wayne County employees, Wayne County residents and the general public with no...
Macomb County prosecutor candidate Saima Khalil seeks bold reforms
June 20th, 20201 WARREN — In August, Macomb County residents will have the choice to vote for the first Muslim American candidate for county prosecutor in Michigan. The primaries pit Pakistani American Saima Khalil, 39, against four other non-incumbent Democrats. Beyond this historic candidacy, Khalil looks to bring long-needed progressive change...
Dearborn officials talk budget and COVID-19 economic impact
June 20th, 20200 DEARBORN — The COVID-19 pandemic has hit state and municipal budgets hard. Businesses came to a screeching halt at the height of cases in Michigan, but with the state slowly transitioning into more relaxed phases, city governments are cautiously looking forward to a summer of economic activity. The Arab American News spoke to...
Garden City Hospital staff celebrated, attendants take knee for racial equality and George Floyd
June 19th, 20200 GARDEN CITY — Healthcare workers at Garden City Hospital were thanked and celebrated on Monday for their service during the COVID-19 crisis. Doctors, nurses and other front line staff came together with hospital officials in the celebration. Those in attendance also took a knee in support of racial equality and nation-wide protests...
Local businesses and Dearborn officials organize COVID-19 essentials giveaway
June 18th, 20200 Dearborn — Dearborn officials have come together with local businesses to organize a COVID-19 essentials giveaway. On Saturday, June 20, the Bint Jebail Cultural Center, in partnership with Comerica Bank, the Dearborn Police Department and Dearborn Fresh Market, will be holding the community drive-by giveaway of COVID-19......
Wayne County treasury office open by appointment only
June 17th, 20203 DETROIT – Today, Wayne County Treasurer Eric Sabree announced the re-opening of the Treasurers’ office to the public by appointment only effective immediately. This change was made to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and to comply with social distancing protocols. Appointments can be made by visiting the Treasurer’s Office website :...
Whitmer announces next steps for school reopenings in the Fall
June 17th, 20200 LANSING —Michigan schools may resume in-person learning in phase 4 of the MI Safe Start Plan, with strict safety measures in place, according to Governor Whitmer. Whitmer announced on Wednesday that on June 30, she will release an executive order and a robust document called “Michigan’s Return to School Roadmap” that will......
Annual downtown Dearborn summer events returns
June 16th, 20200 DEARBORN — Downtown Dearborn welcomes back the Farmers Market on Friday, July 10, from 2 to 7 p.m., and the Movies in the Park series, kicking off on August 7 at Wagner Park. Tailored to follow suggested local and state safety guidelines, both events will continue throughout the summer. 2020 Summer Events Calendar July 10, 2-7...
As demand for graves rises, cemetery attempts to break contract with Dearborn mosque
June 15th, 20200 DEARBORN — On May 22, the American Moslem Society (AMS) of Dearborn filed a lawsuit in Wayne County Circuit Court against Woodmere Cemetery for attempting to breach its contract with the mosque. The cemetery is located next to the mosque, on the Detroit side. AMS has hired attorney Steven Cohen of Farmington Hills to represent it...
A deeper look into the new Michigan auto insurance law
June 11th, 20200 LANSING — Michigan’s new auto insurance law will go into effect for policies that issue or renew after July 1. A landmark piece of bi-partisan legislation, the new law aims to bring down the overwhelming costs drivers in Michigan have had to pay to stay insured. Simply put, the law lets drivers choose their level of medical...
Dearborn high schools to hold personalized graduation ceremonies in July
June 11th, 20200 DEARBORN — There’s some good news for Dearborn Public Schools’ students and their parents whose graduation ceremony plans were modified by COVID-19. This week, the district announced graduation events for Fordson, Edsel Ford, Magnet and Dearborn High Schools. The July ceremonies will provide students and their parents a......
Southfield clerk bound over for trial on six felony counts
June 11th, 20200 SOUTHFIELD – Judge Michelle Friedman Appel has bound over Southfield Clerk Sherikia Hawkins on all six felony counts brought against her, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced on Thursday. Stemming from the Nov. 6, 2018 general election, Hawkins was charged as follows: Count One: Election law –...
Dearborn Public Schools to continue offering free student meals during the summer
June 11th, 20200 DEARBORN — Free student meal distributions will continue throughout the summer at seven Dearborn Public School sites. The district has been distributing the free grab-and-go meals since shortly after Gov. Whitmer ordered schools to close in March. That program was slated to end on June 10, the scheduled last full day of school in......
June 2020 declared Pride Month in Michigan by proclamation
June 10th, 20200 LANSING — June has been declared Pride Month in Michigan. On Wednesday, Governor Whitmer announced the proclamation, which recognizes the estimated 350,000 Michiganders who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+). The proclamation notes that Michigan’s LGBTQ+ population are an important part of the...
New poll shows Michigan voters rank fixing roads and infrastructure as top priority after COVID-19 economic recovery
June 9th, 20200 LANSING — A new poll by EPIC-MRA found that Michiganders overwhelmingly want roads and other infrastructure fixed after the state has recovered economically from COVID-19. Roads and infrastructure were a central theme for the Whitmer administration and the state legislature up until the economic decimation caused by the......
