Stories

By BROOKE STEVENSON Sunday Times Newspapers   WYANDOTTE — The city’s new Downtown Development Authority executive director has high hopes for his new position.   Brandon Wescott was approved by the City Council on Monday to fill the position of DDA director. His first day on the job will be Feb. 17.   He currently is the community and transportation planner and transit coordinator for the Liberty Consolidated Planning Commission in Hinesville, Ga.   Hinesville has a population of over 30,000 and is home to the 3rd … [Read more...] about New DDA director has big plans

TAYLOR — The city will be a host community for the Junior League World Series of baseball for the 29th consecutive year.   Organizers of the World Series for the best teams of 13- and 14-year-olds recently received word from Stephen Keener, president and chief executive officer of Little League Baseball and Softball.   The 2009 JLWS is scheduled for Aug. 16 through 22 at World Series Field in Heritage Park, 12111 Pardee Road. The championship game on Aug. 12 between the winners of the United States and International pools will … [Read more...] about City gets nod to host junior Series again

By BROOKE STEVENSON Sunday Times Newspapers   ALLEN PARK — With talks of a $100 million film studio in the works, Mayor Gary Burtka clarified what he could for residents at last week’s City Council meeting.   On Jan. 6, among circulating rumors of a possible film production studio in the city, officials released information legally allowed by confidentiality agreements.   The release stated the city is in “heavy discussions” with a Hollywood studio executive with ties to Michigan who intends to build the multimillion … [Read more...] about Mayor addresses film studio concerns

By J. PATRICK PEPPER Sunday Times Newspapers   Bone-chilling air and more snow swept the region this week, making what already has been a wet winter bitterly cold.   Average daytime temperatures hovered in the single digits, while nighttime temperatures frequently plunged below zero, making even the shortest outdoor trips a foreboding prospect.   “It burns your skin,” said 25-year-old snowplow driver Mark Hook. “The cold usually doesn’t bother me, but I don’t even want to get out of the truck in this.”   The … [Read more...] about Arctic blast sweeps through region

By TOM TIGANI Sunday Times Newspapers   TAYLOR — The Downriver area’s first commercial wind turbine was installed Tuesday at the Heritage Park Petting Farm.   City officials say the 45-foot turbine and a 4-kilowatt-generating set of 21 photovoltaic panels installed last month will reduce the farm’s energy costs and serve as teaching tools for farm visitors. Savings from the $89,000 hybrid energy program is projected at 40 percent.   Members of the media were invited to observe the installation of the turbine and … [Read more...] about City gets Downriver’s first blast of wind energy

Wayne County Commissioner Gary Woronchak (D-Dearborn) has been reappointed chairman of the Commission’s committee on audit for the 2009-10 term.   The appointment came on the heels of his involvement in an audit that found glaring inefficiencies in the Commission’s payroll practices. The special payroll examination was conducted in part due to allegations made against former Commission leadership, and was related to a change in leadership made this month by the full Commission.   Commissioner Edward Boike (D-Taylor) was … [Read more...] about Woronchak reappointed chair of audit committee

By J. PATRICK PEPPER Times-Herald Newspapers   DEARBORN — Mayor John O’Reilly Jr. on Tuesday unveiled $61.5 million in ready-to-go projects in anticipation of the massive stimulus package proposed by President-elect Barack Obama.   In conjunction with Environment Michigan, a Dearborn-based advocacy group, O’Reilly presented a slew of projects ranging from solar panels and wind turbines to road and utility upgrades. In all, there are 57 projects that city officials said will create 150 new jobs.     Keeping form with the … [Read more...] about City unveils list of ready-to-go projects

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