Stories

By J. PATRICK PEPPER Times-Herald Newspapers   DEARBORN — Two female police officers have been awarded $235,000 in a settlement agreement reached recently with the city.   Lt. Karen Wilkes and Sgt. Susan Fett received $175,000 and $60,000, respectively, for their gender discrimination lawsuits filed against the department in 2007. Both officers contended that they were subject to retaliation and harassment following a 2000 discrimination filed by Wilkes that eventually was settled for $80,000. Wilkes and Fett are close … [Read more...] about City settles two suits with female cops, one pending

ALLEN PARK — Auditions will be held this next weekend by Creative Characters Youth Theater in conjunction with the city’s Parks and Recreation Department for “Are We There Yet?” by Stephen Murray.   Students 5 to 15 years old are eligible to audition for the production, which producers call a musical revue with momentum. Through songs and vignettes it explores travel and transportation.   The show spoofs mankind’s quest to get from one place to another, whether by walking, riding, on wings or by water.   Auditions … [Read more...] about Get ‘there’ soon for youth theater auditions

By GARY L. THOMPSON Sunday Times Newspapers   TRENTON — The remodeling of City Hall has been proceeding on schedule, City Council members learned recently.   The temporary City Hall at 2674 W. Jefferson closed for a few days during the holidays.   City Engineer William Hogan told the council late last month that his department holds weekly progress meetings with J.S. Vig Construction Co. of Taylor to keep abreast of any construction surprises at the permanent building.   So far, he said, construction is on schedule to … [Read more...] about Engineer: City Hall renovation still on schedule

WYANDOTTE — Two annual city Christmas events will take place this week.   The Wyandotte Business Association will host its 3rd Friday this Friday evening.   A Holiday Greens and Flower Market will be held in front of City Hall, 3131 Biddle Ave. It will include fresh balsam, white pine and cedar door prize wreaths. Poinsettias and other holiday plants will be on sale in the lobby of City Hall.   The tree-lighting ceremony will be held 6:30 p.m. at the corner of Elm and First by “Santa’s house.”   Select … [Read more...] about Christmas comes to town

ALLEN PARK —The city begins the Christmas season with annual events this week.   A Santa mailbox will be available starting Wednesday in the lobby of the Community Center, 15800 White. Children can stop by and drop in their completed Christmas list. Those not sure what to say can pick up a form letter available at the Recreation Office to help them get started.   For more information call (313) 928-0770.   The seventh annual Allen Park Lighted Christmas Parade will be held at 6:30 p.m. Friday; the route will be Park … [Read more...] about Annual events mark beginning of Christmas season

By J. PATRICK PEPPER Times-Herald Newspapers   WASHINGTON, D.C. — Only a day after winning his 28th term in the U.S. House of Representatives and still wheelchair-bound from a recent knee surgery, John Dingell learned of a new challenge.   Dingell got a call Nov. 5 from U.S. Rep. Henry Waxman (D-California) who informed him of his intent to seek to wrest chairmanship of the powerful Energy and Commerce Committee from Dingell — just hours after Democrats further entrenched their congressional majority with big wins in the … [Read more...] about Dingell fights to retain chairmanship of energy and commerce committee

By BROOKE STEVENSON Sunday Times Newspapers WYANDOTTE — After serving as mayor for 21 of the last 48 years, James DeSana will not seek re-election for the 2009-13 term.   He formally announced at Monday’s City Council meeting that while he has enjoyed serving the people of the city, being there for his family is very important to him.   “The mayor’s position requires attendance at many events and meetings in addition to the administrative duties associated with that office,” DeSana said, “Everyone who knows me knows … [Read more...] about DeSana won’t seek another term

By GARY L. THOMPSON Sunday Times Newspapers   TRENTON —After waiting six years for the closed Riverside Osteopathic Hospital to be sold, city officials may be running out of patience.   In a letter to Henry Ford Health System President Nancy Schlichting, Mayor Gerald Brown recently said that the hospital’s 2002 closing has turned a downtown renaissance into empty storefronts and barely surviving businesses. Making matters worse, he said, is that the building is becoming an eyesore.   Brown charged that Henry Ford … [Read more...] about Officials call for action on vacant hospital site

LINCOLN PARK — Fire Department officials are investigating the cause of a two-alarm fire Wednesday that injured one person at Dix Automotive Recyclers, 3298 Dix.   Fire Chief Ken Elmore said the blaze began in the southwest corner of the facility shortly before 11 a.m. after an explosion. Investigators believe a spark from auto parts dismantling equipment ignited an ungrounded gas barrel.   Because the fire already had breached the south side windows and the roof over the southwest bay area when the call came in, he said … [Read more...] about Auto parts shop fire remains under investigation

By GARY L. THOMPSON Sunday Times Staff Reporter   SOUTHGATE — Gratitude and well-wishing marked Wednesday’s graduation ceremony for the largest class in the history of the Southgate Adult and Community Education program.   A total of 208 graduates — 83 men and 125 women — were joined by an overflowing crowd at Allen Park Civic Arena, who witnessed a processional march to the tune of the Southgate Anderson Symphonic Band, presentations of scholarships and addresses from U.S. Sen. Carl Levin (D-Mich.) by video and a … [Read more...] about Adult ed students make most of second chance with graduation