Stories

TAYLOR — A 57-year-old homeless man was found dead in the woods last Sunday some 50 yards north of Isis Coney Island, 26866 Eureka near Inkster Road.   Police believe the man, who had been living in a tent in those woods, died from exposure to last week’s extreme cold. He was found by a 38-year-old woman and a 38-year-old man who also are homeless and had lived with him in the tent for a few days beforehand.   The brother of the younger man had invited the three to stay with him during the worst of the cold weather, but … [Read more...] about Pair finds homeless man’s body in woods

By BROOKE STEVENSON Sunday Times Newspapers RIVERVIEW — Unlike other area communities, the city is not experiencing road salt shortages or large price increases.   This year officials joined the Michigan Inter-governmental Trade Network, and say that so far the decision has paid off.   MITN is a group of agencies that joined forces to create a regional bid notification system to notify members of new bid opportunities. In previous years the city sought road salt bids through the state of Michigan.   Dearborn and … [Read more...] about City avoids road salt woes

By BROOKE STEVENSON Sunday Times Newspapers   RIVERVIEW — City officials are trying to take the edge off a company’s impending departure.   Taminco, at West Jefferson near Pennsylvania announced last year that it soon would be moving its production facility, which mainly manufactures chemical amines, to St. Gabriel, La.   To help counter the loss of jobs and taxes to the community, officials have hired Carlisle Wortman Associates Inc. to help prepare for brownfield development on the site.   A committee made … [Read more...] about Company hired to oversee brownfield

By TOM TIGANI Sunday Times Newspapers   LINCOLN PARK — The next phase of a window and door replacement project at Lincoln Park High School will begin this summer.   Lincoln Park Public Schools Board of Education members recently gave the go-ahead for the fourth phase of a five-phase plan to improve energy efficiency by replacing all of the high school’s windows and doors. Supt.   Randall Kite said the project, which is supported with money from a 1.5 mill sinking fund approved by voters in 2003, was planned in … [Read more...] about Beating the elements: High school improvements to improve energy efficiency

TAYLOR — The city’s Police Department has discontinued its Traffic Detail Program.   The detail, which ended Jan. 14, was a voluntary program for police officers to work during off-duty hours. Officials say the department’s regular three patrol shifts will not be impacted.   They also say they have serious concerns over the long-term impact that the overtime pay associated with the detail will have on the viability of the city’s pension system.    Because hours worked under the detail are outside regular duty hours, … [Read more...] about City discontinues traffic detail

By BROOKE STEVENSON Sunday Times Newspapers   WYANDOTTE — After four days in Washington, D.C., and performing in President Barack Obama’s inaugural parade, the Marching Chiefs returned home Wednesday afternoon.   Members of the Roosevelt High School marching band practiced tirelessly for the performance since learning Dec. 5 that they had been chosen from more than 1,300 applicants nationwide and were one of just two Michigan groups to perform.   With Tuesday’s events behind them, members now consider themselves … [Read more...] about Chiefs come marching home from Washington

By J. PATRICK PEPPER Times-Herald Newspapers   DEARBORN — After learning about the plight of the endangered black rhinoceros, McCollough-Unis fifth-graders Hussein Elashkar, Haidar Zaidan and Hassan Hammoud just had to help.   The children found the animal’s granite-like stature and majestic horn simply too beautiful a creature for to sit idly by. So with the help of some teachers, a couple of artistic ninth-graders and a generous student body, the trio launched a fundraiser to “adopt” one of the hulking … [Read more...] about Local fifth-graders rally support for rhinos

LANSING — State Rep. Gino Polidori (D-Dearborn) plans to reintroduce legislation that would make it illegal to use cell phones while driving in Michigan.   A similar bill, one that banned text messaging while driving, passed in the final days of the December session of the Legislature.   “I said I’d be bringing it back,” Polidori said. “We don’t need distracted drivers causing accidents. Driving a car or a truck is serious business.”   He cited a recent statement issued by the National Safety Council, which asked for … [Read more...] about Reintroduced bill would ban cell phones while driving

‘The real issue is, why does the public have to do something in good faith while the private, for-profit company doesn’t?’   — Councilman Thomas Tafelski   By J. PATRICK PEPPER Times-Herald Newspapers   DEARBORN — It was with great hopes that city officials signed a 2003 contract with developer Burton-Katzman to reinvent the former Jacobson’s department store in the city’s west end.   The Bingham Farms-based company came with high marks on municipal projects and a track record of success. The project, dubbed … [Read more...] about Development drama: City sues Burton-Katzman for breach of contract, fraud

By BROOKE STEVENSON Sunday Times Newspapers   ALLEN PARK — The city is one of many Downriver currently experiencing a salt shortage.   With large amounts of snow and below-freezing temperatures, cities are finding their salt supplies dwindling. The decreasing amounts are met with a recent increase in price.   City Administrator Eric Waidelich said there have been many phone calls to his office about road conditions.   “Believe it or not, there is a salt shortage, even though we’re sitting on salt mines,” he … [Read more...] about Salt prices double for city