Utica News

In a tough economy, local businesses are looking to band together to develop ideas and strategies for helping local commerce.

The Utica Community Schools Board of Education on Monday approved $4.3 million in cuts, including more than three dozen layoffs that'll take effect next month.

One person was critically hurt and two others had minor injuries during a rollover crash on 17 Mile at Dequindre in Sterling Heights on Wednesday night, police said this morning.

Three Utica Community Schools unions have declined to take three, unpaid furlough days this school year while five other employee groups have agreed to take the days, saving the district about $360,000. The district hoped to save about $2.8 million if most employees agreed to the voluntary furloughs.

'My grandparents came from Russia in the 1920s to immigrate to Michigan," Virginia Nardecchia of Utica wrote recently to Trash or Treasure.

First-term Macomb County Commissioner Ken Lampar plans to announce publicly his candidacy for the state House of Representatives on Thursday.

Utica Community Schools is asking employees to voluntarily accept a three-day unpaid furlough this school year to reduce the district's anticipated $19-million deficit by about $2.8 million.

The City Council will consider at its Dec. 1 meeting a proposal to construct a noise-dampening wall on M-53 between 18 Mile and Utica roads.

I have a vivid memory of my beautiful granddaughter, Lucy, standing in front of a mirror just after she turned 2: "No," she said.

In this week's column, one citation conscious driver is concerned about the difference between "parking" and "standing;" another reader would like to collect a few bucks from the state while a third is baffled by all the blinking lights in Macomb County.

The Southfield and Romulus school districts have created committees within the past month to study shrinking student populations and consider whether to close buildings or repurpose them for more efficient uses.

An embattled Roseville muralist won't spend 30 days in jail for painting the word "love" on the outside wall of his studio -- at least not yet.

Macomb STERLING HEIGHTS: The City Council is to swear in and reorganize the 2009-11 council at 7 p.m. Tuesday at City Hall, 40555 Utica.

The Public Works Department is to collect clothing for the Salvation Army and food for the Macomb Food Program for people in need starting next month.

Donations are now being accepted to help young, first-time mothers in the need of help.

Thousands are to gather starting today at breakfasts, parades and other events to honor the nation's war veterans.

Macomb County voters made history Tuesday adopting a charter that restructures the county's government under a full-time executive.

People who intend to party over the Halloween weekend better make sure they have designated drivers.

Trunk-or-treat events allow people to decorate car trunks and hand out treats in a safe environment.

Utica Community Schools is forming a citizens group to review the district's building use and to recommend options, which could include closing one or more schools beginning in the 2010-11 school year.