Featured Categories

Council refuses to pay unapproved charges By SUE SUCHYTA Sunday Times Newspapers MELVIN DALE — A local ServPro franchise is demanding the city pay an additional $11,000 for January fire station mold remediation, and the City Council refused to approve the unauthorized charges. At a special council meeting held Jan. 25 to discuss mold remediation at Fire Station 5 on Oakwood Boulevard, the council approved $10,000, $2,000 more than ServPro representative Maureen Winfree requested at the time. Now, however, Winfree is … [Read more...] about ServPro more than doubles bill for mold remediation

By SUE SUCHYTA Sunday Times Newspapers ALLEN PARK – City officials will break ground at 5 p.m. June 30 for a new Department of Public Services facility located on 12 acres east of I-94 and south of Outer Drive. Designed by Novi-based Sidock Group, the project will consolidate the city’s current three DPS locations to one site, on land purchased from Baker College, which originally acquired Buhl Athletic Field from St. Mary Magdalen Parish in Melvindale. Currently, Allen Park has DPS facilities on Roosevelt, across from the … [Read more...] about Allen Park to break ground Tuesday for new DPS facility

Protests continue Downriver By SUE SUCHYTA Sunday Times Newspapers MELVINDALE – As peaceful protests continued Downriver for the third week since the death of George Floyd, chants of “No justice, no peace” and heartfelt, first-hand stories of discrimination resonated at gatherings. In Melvindale, protesters walked from the Civic Center, along Allen Road and Oakwood Boulevard, on June 14, gathering at the Veterans Memorial, where the crowd held an 8 minute 46 second silent vigil while lying on the ground to commemorate … [Read more...] about Young, diverse crowd gathers in Melvindale to call for justice

By ZEINAB NAJM Times-Herald Newspapers DEARBORN — Two weeks after the statue of former Mayor Orville Hubbard was removed from the grounds of the Dearborn Historical Museum, 915 S. Brady, demands to rename Hubbard Drive and the Hubbard Ballroom are being made by protesters. A Dearborn for Black Lives protest and march June 14 began at the police station just across the Hubbard Ballroom inside the Ford Community & Performing Arts Center and concluded at Hubbard Drive. “We will not allow our city to continue to uphold and … [Read more...] about Protesters call for renaming of Hubbard Drive, Hubbard Ballroom

  By PATRICK DUNN Metromode Media DEARBORN — Alcamo's Market in Dearborn reopened its doors to the public on May 22 after nearly two months of offering curbside service only. As an essential business, the 55-year-old market could have stayed open through that entire period, but owner Emily Chimento says she was concerned for her customers' safety. "You would see the fear in the customers' faces ... and your heart goes out to them because you just want to be there for them," she says. Chimento said that the long-lived … [Read more...] about Dearborn’s Alcamo’s put customers first during pandemic

Peaceful protests, marches continue across Downriver By SUE SUCHYTA Sunday Times Newspapers RIVERVIEW – As peaceful protests continued throughout Downriver last week in support of the Black Lives Matter movement, participants gathered in Young Patriots Park June 11 to begin a protest march. Attendee Angela Croft, a Taylor city councilwoman, said she wants people to understand that BLM is not an “anti-police” movement. This is about coming together,” she said. “I know a lot of good officers, both in my family and for … [Read more...] about Black Lives Matter protest kicks off at Riverview’s Young Patriots Park

By SUE SUCHYTA Sunday Times Newspapers WYANDOTTE – Stephen Decker of Wyandotte was arraigned on charges recently for defrauding the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs and the Michigan Department of the Treasury of hundreds of thousands of dollars. Decker, 32, and Melissa R. Flores, 53, of Westland, were charged with stealing more than $470,000 in public benefits by submitting fraudulent documents in support of claims for VA survivor benefits and Michigan Unclaimed Property, Michigan Attorney General announced June 1, and said a … [Read more...] about Wyandotte man arraigned for part in scheme to defraud VA, Michigan Treasury

Power of Produce children’s program will move online By SUE SUCHYTA Sunday Times Newspapers LINCOLN PARK – The Farmers Market will be limited to three days this season, Aug. 9, Sept. 13 and Oct. 4, founder and treasurer Leslie Lynch-Wilson announced June 2, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Power of Produce program for children will move to an online format. The Farmers Market is limiting its dates to help ensure the health of the volunteers who work at the Sunday events. “It will require more volunteers to ensure … [Read more...] about LP Farmers Market faces changes due to pandemic

  By SUE SUCHYTA Sunday Times Newspapers LINCOLN PARK – The former Sears parking lot at Dix and Southfield was uncharacteristically crowded with vehicles June 4, as the area served as the starting point for a Black Lives Matter march. Participants of the well-attended, peaceful protest walked north on Southfield Road to Allen Park City Hall, then turned into the southbound lanes of Southfield Road to walk to Lincoln Park City Hall, near Southfield Road and Fort Street. Police officers shut down alternating sides of … [Read more...] about Protesters march through Allen Park, Lincoln Park in support of Black Lives Matter movement

  By SUE SUCHYTA Times-Herald Newspapers DEARBORN – A diverse crowd gathered the afternoon of June 2 at the Dearborn police station to protest systemic racism, with Police Chief Ronald Haddad and officers “taking a knee” to show support. The practice of “taking a knee” began when professional athletes used the gesture during the national anthem to protest against police brutality and racism. The event featured local speakers, after which the microphone was made available to attendees, who shared their thoughts … [Read more...] about Peaceful protest at Dearborn police station draws diverse crowd