MI (WXYZ) — The Farmington Hills Fire Department (FHFD) is working to reduce risks on the road through promoting safe car seat practices for families Memorial Day weekend is approaching and that means the unofficial start of summertime — and road trip season — in Michigan Nationally certified child car seat technicians from the FHFD will be available to assist community members at a free car seat inspection event on Sunday Community members must make an appointment in advance for this important service According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) nearly 50% of all child car seats are installed or used incorrectly NHTSA estimates that properly installed car seats reduce the risk of fatal injury by approximately 70% for infants and 50% for toddlers It’s important to know the recommended stages to ensure each child is in the right type of car seat or booster seat for their age and that it is installed in the correct position FARMINGTON HILLS – The Farmington Hills City Council passed a deer management resolution Monday night (April 28) with a 6-1 vote The Michigan Department of Natural Resources and the city of Farmington Hills worked together as a suspected increase in deer population raised concerns for the community In March, residents and leaders began discussing a plan. The resolution is to have teams of public safety personnel participate in a highly regulated deer hunting program. Firearm use will not be allowed. Copyright 2025 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit - All rights reserved. Hannah Music is an alumna of Oakland University and has been with Local 4 since March 2024. Click here to take a moment and familiarize yourself with our Community Guidelines TV Listings Email Newsletters RSS Feeds Contests and Rules Contact Us Careers at WDIV Closed Captioning / Audio Description Public File Current EEO Report Terms of Use Privacy Policy Do Not Sell My Info FCC Applications Copyright © 2025 ClickOnDetroit.com is managed by Graham Digital and published by Graham Media Group Farmington Hills is moving forward with plans to cull the city's deer population with sharpshooters The city council listened to more than four hours of impassioned pleas to use nonlethal means to address deer overpopulation and then voted 6-1 Monday to authorize a cull The cull by professional sharpshooters will take place next year It will be followed in 2027 by bow hunting or crossbow hunting by up to five volunteer public safety officers who would have to demonstrate hunting proficiency Councilman Michael Bridges cast the dissenting vote “I don’t think the case has been made” for a cull.Other council members said they were taking the advice of experts who believe a cull is the most effective means of addressing overpopulation Councilwoman Jackie Boleware said people have strong feelings about the issue on both sides and no decision will make everyone happy “My decision is based on research,” she said Council members said they are concerned about increasing numbers of car-deer crashes destruction of landscaping and the possibility that overpopulation is reaching a point where it could become unhealthy for the deer those who spoke against the cull outnumbered those who favored it but council members said they’ve received hundreds of requests for a cull over the past several months They said residents have been asking the city to take action for about a decade Resident Sue Gerrity said she found it ironic that the experts the city consulted maintain that killing is the most humane way of dealing with overpopulation She said the city’s documents that justify the cull are “ripped right out of a hunting manual.” Douglas Gradin said his family stopped growing vegetable gardens because of the deer His daughter’s car was totaled in a crash with a deer several years ago It’s not unusual to see 17-20 deer in his backyard But there comes a time when (a cull) is necessary,” he said deputy director of the city’s Special Services Department deer specialist for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources They disputed claims that the city will be killing “tame” deer and that the city has not taken any nonlethal steps to control the deer herd A cull is a controlled operation performed at night using rifles with silencers and thermal imaging to identify deer The sharpshooters are elevated in tree stands The city will contract with organizations like the U.S Department of Agriculture to perform culls Both the cull and the bowhunting will be performed on designated public property The professional culls and the bowhunting will only take place for about two days per year Bridges said the number of car-deer crashes averaged 122 per year over the last several years He said the city hasn’t done enough to educate people about the kinds of landscape that are resistant to deer FARMINGTON HILLS — The city council approved deer culls In a 6-1 vote that came after midnight following comments from dozens of the more than 300 people in attendance the council decided that culls will begin early next year An accompanying pilot archery hunt planned for 2027 will be performed by “public safety personnel” and will not be open to a public lottery as originally proposed Councilman Michael Bridges was the sole no vote I don’t think the case has been made,” Bridges said “Looking at the number of complaints in city provided by Deputy Director of Special Services Bryan Farmer who has been studying deer management in the city for the past decade Farmer prefaced his remarks at the meeting by identifying himself as a hunter but said he was unbiased in the research of deer issues in the city which include 621 deer-vehicles crashes reported in the past five years He noted that many more collisions with the animals go unreported and cited the loss of habitat as perhaps an even larger concern—with the loss of saplings “We’re not looking to eradicate the deer,” Farmer said “We are reducing the population to have a healthier herd and a better landscape.” The loss of hundreds of dollars in landscaping to hungry deer was cited by several of the 15 Farmington Hills residents who spoke in favor of the cull who said he had lived in the city since 1971 when there were “no deer and no ticks.” He began seeing deer around 2006 when they were still a novelty and said he now has up to 20 deer in his backyard.“My landscaping is gone don’t even bother with a vegetable garden,” Green said it’s faced by communities all over the country folks.”He added that he didn’t want to see the deer eliminated Green viewed it as the “kind thing” to do for the herd which he predicted would otherwise suffer from disease and starvation But the roughly 25 city residents that voiced their opposition to the cull see the practice as anything but humane said the results of a survey showed a significant majority of residents did not want hunting in the city ‘It’s the only humane thing to do,’ because their landscape plants are eaten or they might be in a crash,” Gerrity said “(Deer) are living beings and killing them is not humane I always believed we’re a city that welcomes people from all over… This vote affects what kind of city we are along with others that opposed lethal means of controlling the deer population also wondered why other solutions had not been considered Among ideas residents proposed were sterilization and contraception for the animals but DNR Wildlife Biologist Chad Fedewa explained that both of those options are ineffective Deer contraceptive drugs are not approved for use in the state and sterilization is impractical in terms of both cost and logistics as animals would have to be darted and then operated on by veterinarians before being returned to where they were taken from Fedewa noted that deer can easily jump fences less than 10-feet high and while there are repellents that can work deer numbers will continue to grow in the absence of natural predators along with negative impacts to the community He also took issue with claims from flyers mailed to homes in the community that councilmembers and staff said were filled with “erroneous information,” including that the deer in Farmington Hills are “tame.” who added that the only method for reducing the number of animals is through hunting or permitted culls Councilwoman Valerie Knol observed that she had heard from a lot of residents that “the deer were here first we invaded their territory and took over the land they were living on.” Knol said that Farmington Hills had actually been a mostly built-out community for many years with the majority of large subdivisions built between the 1950s and 1990s The deer population began exploding around 2000 and really began taking over with unchecked growth since 2010 Councilman Jon Aldred noted that suggestions had been made for education on deer-resistant plans education on the city’s ordinance against feeding deer he noted those things had already been done Aldred reassured residents that hunters would not be wandering around their neighborhoods and there would be “zero risk” to residents with a cull held over the course of a few days at night with trained sharpshooters using thermal imaging and silencers on their weapons Mayor Theresa Rich added the final comments before the close of the five-hour meeting requesting the resolution be modified to limiting proposed archery hunts only to public safety personnel “We’ll see what we can do to mitigate (the deer issue) over time,” she said “(But right now) it’s do a cull or do nothing I can’t get my arms around the do nothing approach.” Rich and others on the council will now watch to see what approach other communities in the Southeast Michigan Urban Deer Management Coalition take The coalition has more than 24 stakeholders in the region including the cities of Farmington and Southfield whose councils are expected to vote on deer culls May 5 Contact reporter Susan Bromley at sbromley@hometownlife.com Teammates cheer Saline's Ava Stripp (7) on after she crossed the plate for a run Saline is ranked second in the state in Division 1.Chloe Miller | MLive.com .st1{fill-rule:evenodd;clip-rule:evenodd;fill:#2a2a2a}By Hugh Bernreuter | hbernreu@mlive.comThe fight for the top spot in Division 1 for Michigan high school softball teams continues with Farmington Hills Mercy and Hudsonville taking turns at the top In the Michigan High School Softball Coaches Association state rankings for April 29 Mercy returns to the top spot after defending state champ Hudsonville held the No 1 teams stayed atop their divisions with Gaylord (Division 2) Evart (Division 3) and Unionville-Sebewaing (No 4) ready to defend their state championships If you would like your local high school sports news delivered free to your inbox daily, click here and sign up for one of our local high school sports newsletters Love reading about local sports? 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All rights reserved (About Us) The material on this site may not be reproduced except with the prior written permission of Advance Local Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site YouTube's privacy policy is available here and YouTube's terms of service is available here Ad Choices OAKLAND COUNTY – A 21-year-old charged with assaulting an 80-year-old man at a gym locker room in 2024 was found guilty by a jury Prosecutors said Smith and the 80-year-old exchanged words in the locker room and then got into a physical fight Former University of Michigan wide receiver Braylon Edwards was also at the YMCA, and he said he heard the fight and went to see what was going on. “I walk into the locker room after work, and basically, I hear -- about four rows behind me -- arguing about music and how it was being played too loud,” Edwards said. “So, I’m not paying attention, and I was just minding my business.” “The noise escalates, and then you can hear some pushing and shoving, so you know what fighting sounds like, but once I hear a thud, that’s when I got up and turned around.” “I see the guy ... (he) grabs the back of the victim’s head by the hair, and he was about to slam it down on the counter.” Edwards pulled Smith away from the 80-year-old. “The victim was left unconscious and bleeding, and he had to be hospitalized after this assault,” said Prosecutor McDonald. “When we first brought charges, I said this was a vicious, senseless attack and clearly the jury agreed after looking at the evidence. Their verdict will hopefully provide the victim a measure of justice.” Smith faces up to ten years in prison. He is expected to be sentenced on May 20, 2025. Samantha Sayles is an Oakland University alumna who’s been writing Michigan news since 2022. Before joining the ClickOnDetroit team, she wrote stories for WILX in Lansing and WEYI in Flint. A Farmington Hills man was found guilty of attacking an 80-year-old man in a YMCA locker room last year was convicted Friday of assault with intent to do great bodily harm by an Oakland County Circuit Court jury The defendant is scheduled to be sentenced on May 27 "The victim was left unconscious and bleeding and he had to be hospitalized after this assault," Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald said in a statement Monday and clearly the jury agreed after looking at the evidence Their verdict will hopefully provide the victim a measure of justice." said he was not willing to comment at this time Authorities alleged assault happened on March 1 at the YMCA at 28100 Farmington Road near 12 Mile Road Police received a call about the attack at about 10:45 a.m and found an 80-year-old West Bloomfield Township man unconscious with severe facial injuries in the men’s locker room witnesses and authorities testified that Smith and the victim exchanged words inside the locker room A witness who intervened to help the victim said he saw Smith slam the elderly man's head against a counter former UM and professional football player Braylon Edwards told WDIV-TV (Ch 4) he was the good Samaritan who intervened who played for the New York Jets and the Seattle Seahawks posted a link to his interview with the TV station on his X feed Police said the assailant fled before they arrived but were able to identify him from the facility's membership records officers arrested the suspect on Parkhill Street north of 12 Mile Prosecutors charged Smith in connection with the assault Earlier this month a Detroit man accused of shooting and wounding a man with autism was charged with assault with intent to murder assault with intent to do great bodily harm Also this month a Pontiac man accused of setting a man on fire with a lighter was charged with assault with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder A Garden City man was charged this month with eight felonies including assault with intent to murder and assault to do great bodily harm for allegedly setting fire to a massage spa while two women were inside (WXYZ) — Twelve people have been hospitalized after a fire destroyed a home in Farmington Hills on Tuesday morning FULL VIDEO: Farmington Hills police and fire update on house fire We're told that six of the people hospitalized are in serious but stable condition as of 2:00 pm Those three officers have been transported to the burn unit at Detroit Receiving Hospital on ventilators due to smoke inhalation Officials have released the following information on those still hospitalized: The fire started at a home on 10 Mile near Middlebelt 911 calls were received just before 5:00 a.m The callers said people were trapped inside Crews from every Farmington Hills fire station responded as did everyone on duty from the Farmington Hills Police Department and Timothy Shingleton immediately rushed to the rear of the property and forcibly entered through a back door They worked to rescue an unconscious man with a 7-year-old child pinned beneath him The unconscious man was dragged out the rear door Officers also helped another man crawl over the unconscious man and outside of the house police released body camera footage of the officers pulling people to safety from the fire BODY CAMERA VIDEO: Farmington Hills officers rescue victims from house fire (WARNING: Intense video “I am extremely proud of the selfless and heroic actions of these officers who risked their lives to rescue these residents,” said Farmington Hills Police Chief John Piggott “We remain hopeful and are praying for the full recovery of the officers involved and the residents who were rescued.” helped an adult and a child out a side door Officers also rescued two cats from the home They are being treated at a local animal hospital The afternoon press conference followed an earlier news conference by Farmington Hills Fire Chief Jon Unruh "The heroic actions of these four police officers exemplify the very best of public service they rushed into danger to rescue residents trapped in the burning home demonstrating extraordinary courage and selflessness,” said Unruh at the afternoon news conference coupled with the Fire Department's immediate medical attention and transportation of all twelve individuals to the hospital This incident serves as a powerful reminder of why working smoke alarms are absolutely critical in every home These simple devices provide the early warning that can make the difference between life and death in an emergency We are profoundly grateful to these brave officers and fire personnel for their exceptional service to our community." WATCH THE PRESS CONFERENCE FROM FARMINGTON HILLS FIRE CHIEF JON UNRUH Farmington Hills police officers were the first to the scene just after 5 a.m. rescuing the eight family members trapped in the bedrooms of the home We're told that at least two of the people in the home were unconscious upon arrival The ages of the family members range from five months old to 27 years old The remaining two adults and child were able to get out of the home before officers arrived on scene a faith-based organization that is located directly across the street Three members of the family are in critical condition fire officials say the children are not among them is standard procedure in fires involving a faith-based organization Everyone hospitalized is believed to have suffered from smoke inhalation A cause of the fire is yet to be determined Officials believe the fire started in a bedroom They say the home did not have working smoke detectors The cause of the fire is still under investigation but at the Monday afternoon news conference officials said that their first impressions based on the initial investigation are that the fire does not seem suspicious in nature individuals have only a few minutes to escape and save their lives the American Red Cross and the Farmington Hills Fire Department have teamed up to offer free smoke alarm installations in homes This initiative was highlighted during a controlled fire demonstration outside the Farmington Hills Fire Department The demonstration showcased how quickly fires can spread Brian Pankow of the Farmington Hills Fire Department noted With the synthetic materials in furnishings The demonstration room took exactly 1 minute and 40 seconds to burn down The moment the match ignited the couch fabric and every home needs multiple,” Pankow emphasized The same goes for carbon monoxide detectors Carbon monoxide is a silent killer; it’s odorless The Farmington Hills Fire Department and the American Red Cross are ensuring that smoke alarms are installed and functioning correctly through their Sound the Alarm campaign Regional Disaster Officer for the American Red Cross “It’s just an opportunity to make sure that if you need smoke alarms We’ll do the installations and provide education during this time we’ll let you know where the smoke alarm will work best Pankow added that smoke alarm installation is just the first step in keeping families safe It’s also essential to have a plan for what to do when alarms sound and to practice that plan with children practicing with your little one as early as possible makes it a norm,” he said The fire department recommends practicing the escape plan with pets as well Going back inside puts you at risk of injury.” He also advised against trying to grab photos or special items during an evacuation as there isn’t enough time and it’s too dangerous To have a smoke alarm installed for free, contact the American Red Cross by visiting their website here. You can watch Kim on the morning newscast weekdays from 4:30 to 7 a.m., and frequently doing reports on the 5 and 6 p.m. newscasts. FARMINGTON HILLS — City officials are taking a deer overpopulation problem by the antlers proposing annual culls and local hunter participation a decade after they began studying how to manage the animals The city council will vote April 28 on whether to implement lethal methods of controlling the deer population through sharpshooter culls and eventually regulated hunts by qualified citizens Department of Agriculture sharpshooters could take place in less than a year “It’s been years since we started the process,” Bryan Farmer but this council said we need to not keep pushing this down the road and now they are addressing that goal.” More: Milford Township officials taking fresh look at where hunting should, or shouldn't, be allowed Farmington Hills' deer population is higher than the state recommends The Michigan Department of Natural Resources suggests no more than 15-20 deer per square mile in order to maintain a healthy herd and ecosystem Aerial surveys show Farmington Hills has areas with up to 80 deer per square mile in a 34-square mile city with about 83,000 human residents DNR officials favor culls as the cost-effective method to achieve the right ratio rather than sterilization or relocation of the animals They have said overpopulation of deer leads to not only a decline in deer health other wildlife and increased risk of ticks and tick-borne diseases and deer-vehicle crashes Deer-vehicle collisions are on the rise in Oakland County with a record 2,125 crashes involving the animals in 2023 the second most in the state behind only Kent County there were 621 deer-vehicle crashes recorded in Farmington Hills alone although Farmer believes there were many more that went unreported These concerns and the lack of deer concern for boundaries led Farmington Hills in 2021 to take a regional approach and establish the Southeast Michigan Urban Deer Management Coalition Southfield Mayor Ken Siver said in an email this week that the majority of Southfield voters approved culling the deer herd in an advisory referendum three years ago “We are in the middle of budget building currently,” he wrote who attended the Farmington Hills study session on Monday night and saw four deer crossing Farmington Road on his drive home is planning to discuss the issue with his city council in April but they haven’t officially seen a presentation or made any decisions,” he said I want to make sure I have the revenue for it in the budget.” Farmer said a cull of deer by the USDA is expected to cost about $20,000 in Farmington Hills sharpshooters in tree stands would use thermal imaging to identify deer and then shoot downward with guns equipped with silencers and the venison distributed to local food banks If the city council approves the deer management plan on April 28 highly regulated bow and arrow hunts could be done by citizens who have proven their skill through proficiency tests The plan would be reviewed about every five years the length of time expected to see a meaningful reduction in the deer population Similar deer management programs have been implemented elsewhere which has used volunteer archers annually since 2011 and additionally performed police culls from 2020-2023 the township saw a 36% decrease in deer-vehicle collisions over a 13 year-span; a “noticeable” decline in deer browsing damage in parks and preserves; no Chronic Wasting Disease in deer reported since 2016; and more than 6,000 pounds of venison donated to food banks in the 2023-24 management year according to data presented at the Farmington Hills meeting this week.The average hunter participation also has increased during the past several years something Farmer hopes to encourage in Farmington Hills He noted that not only are the citizen hunts cost effective but an annual parks and recreation archery survey showed “40-50% of people want to hunt but only 10% currently hunt.”  One of the reasons cited for a decline in hunter participation and deer harvest is access to land and restrictive local ordinances but when it comes to managing parks and invasive species we have a lot of responsibility,” Farmer said also citing a Michigan study that shows an 89% approval rating for hunting we are responsible for deer crashes… We don’t want to eradicate the deer but the number we have is out of control and responsibility falls on city leadership.” The Farmington Hills City Council will vote on the deer management plan during a meeting that starts at 7:30 p.m. More: Livonia police rescue deer whose life was literally on the line (WXYZ) — Deer/vehicle collisions have been on the rise in Oakland County the potential spread of ticks and Lyme disease are making some city leaders across the region think about how to manage a rising deer population A group of experts presented a potential plan toward that end to the Farmington Hills City Council on Monday “It’s been an ongoing problem since we’ve been here but I also just saw a deer get hit by a car on 14 Mile Road,” Farmington Hills Resident Jeremy Long said The overpopulation of deer has become a point of concern for residents and leaders in southeast Michigan Farmington Hills is set to consider a proposal from the Department of Natural Resources and the Southeast Michigan Urban Deer Management Coalition to lower the city's deer population “It’s strictly going to be hunting and or culls A cull is a sharpshooter being up in a tree elevated in the dark They would have thermals and suppressors on their guns you wouldn’t hear them They would shoot down on the deer and drop them there,” Bryan Farmer said Farmer is the Deputy Director of the city’s Special Services Department and heads up the deer management coalition “The hunting plan would be bows and crossbows and the same type of plan where you can set up organized hunts where it’s safe,” Farmer said like Jacob Kunz an amateur wildlife photographer “I really enjoy being able to come out here in the city and walk around at this nice park and see the wildlife I wouldn’t want that to really not be a part of Farmington Hills,” Kunz said The problem is far from exclusive to Farmington Hills Several neighboring communities have an overpopulation of deer and you can see where they’ve bitten off the vine they’ve chewed up all the leaves,” Waterford resident John Durnbaugh said Durnbaugh says deer are ruining his landscaping The township says it’s not considering any proposals to decrease the deer population Chad Fedewa from the DNR says other communities are have been working with the city of Farmington have been working on some sort of regional approach on potential deer management but there are other communities in the southeast Michigan area that exploring opportunities as well,” Fedewa said the city council is set to take up the proposal on April 28 there's areas where you could probably do it safely,” Long said “I would support it cause something’s gotta be done.” Deer overpopulation is causing some serious trouble across Michigan One Metro Detroit community came together on Monday (March 24) night to find solutions many passionate people were inside this special meeting to hear the plan for tackling the issue The cull will be performed at night using thermals,” said Farmington Hills Deputy Director for the Department of Special Services It was standing-room-only Farmington Hills City Hall as residents eagerly listened to the Department of Natural Resources for a solution to deer overpopulating the area and my friend who’s down in a valley probably sees 12-20 per day,” said resident Laura Paulson “People of Farmington Hills are getting a little upset because 10 years is a long time the deer herd went from 340 to 1,500 plus at this point That’s a little bit much,” said resident Paul Olsen According to the Department of Natural Resources, Oakland County is ranked second in Michigan for deer collisions, as the number of deer only rises each year. The total number of hunters has decreased by 32% since 1995. “It’s not just our backyards that are affected. It’s our wild areas. The deer are way too many,” said Paulson. The proposed solution would be to perform annual culls or have sharpshooters eliminate the animals from high and allow hunting to help with harvest. The draft resolution also proposes temporarily suspending fire-arm ordinances during those times. “And over a period of time, we’d be able to better manage that dear herd,” Farmer said. “There aren’t many predators on the landscape for deer in southern Michigan. So, the only way to manage those populations are through legal regulate hunting,” said Chad Fedewa with the Department of Natural Resources. The only thing is this proposed plan is not an overnight fix. To be honest, it will be years before we see progress made. City leaders will be meeting in April to vote on whether they want to proceed with the plan. Victor Williams joined Local 4 News in October of 2019 after working for WOIO in Cleveland, OH, WLOX News in Biloxi, MS, and WBBJ in Jackson, TN. Victor developed a love for journalism after realizing he was a great speaker and writer at an early age. FARMINGTON HILLS — The city is launching a $33 million infrastructure overhaul this week with more than a dozen road and watermain projects planned for the 2025 season including major reconstruction of Halstead Road the projects are funded largely by the city’s road millage They include $12.9 million for major roads $14.1 million for local roads and $6.6 million for watermain improvements The project is expected to begin in May and be completed in November a portion of Halsted Road will be closed to through traffic The work will affect approximately 14,000 vehicle trips per day and will be what the city calls a “critical enhancement to infrastructure.” The release said the city will hold public information meetings for impacted community members before the start of construction for both local and major projects with residents near projects receiving notification letters with details about the project and meeting information Local road projects for spring and summer 2025 include: as well as projects from the Road Commission for Oakland County Farmington Hills Council Adopts Plan to Cull Deer and Have Public Safety Officers Participate in Hunts MI – After years of discussion and research Farmington Hills City Council has voted on a plan of action for deer population management With Councilperson Michael Bridges casting the only “no” vote Council approved contracting with the US Department of Agriculture to coordinate professional culls of two to fives days per year beginning in 2026 USDA sharpshooters will conduct the kills at nighttime using thermal imaging and rifles with silencers The sharpshooters will be positioned to take safe and the meat from the deer will be processed and donated to local food banks and pantries Goals for the quantity of deer will be set with the USDA and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources each year The City has also approved allowing a very limited team of public safety personnel to archery hunt using bows and crossbows for a period of two days in 2027 “Prior to the highly regulated organized archery hunt the selected public safety personnel will undergo rigorous training and skills testing During the highly regulated organized archery hunt the selected public safety personnel will be positioned in a tree or elevated position above the deer allowing them to shoot arrows toward the ground.” temporary suspension of firearms ordinances during the cull and hunt days has been approved only for those participating in those activities The plan also calls for continued monitoring and participation of regional planning The City of Farmington hills will continue to be collect data related to deer-vehicle crashes resident deer concerns and ecological impacts A Deer Management Report will be provided annually to the Farmington Hills City Council and the Deer Management Plan will be reviewed every five years as part of the City of Farmington Hills Parks and Recreation Master Plan the City of Farmington Hills will continue to work in collaboration with the MDNR National Deer Association (NDA) and participating members of the Southeast Michigan Urban Deer Coalition to share resources and information The City will continue to share resources with the community on a dedicated deer management page on the City’s website with people speaking both in favor of the cull and against it Councilperson Jackie Boleware said that she has not “just listened to the DNR.” I’ve gone to the University of Chicago I’ve done as much research as I could It’s a very difficult issue and whatever decision we make will have just as many people disappointed in the outcome,” she said Councilperson Jon Aldred expressed wishes for unity “We may have different opinions on this but a lot of us have similar motivations People want to have a beautiful environment to live in They want to retain and maintain the reasons why they love Farmington Hills.” Councilperson Michael Bridges cast the one lone dissenting vote He said he was not convinced that Farmington Hills had a deer problem stating that complaints have averaged just two per month and that with a population of 82,000 having 122 deer vehicle crashes per year was still a low probability of crashes He said residents should consider planting deer-resistant plants and that the city should enforce the ban on feeding deer before using fatal methods For the latest updates on the Deer Management Plan, visit the City of Farmington Hills website. FARMINGTON HILLS — A house fire on Ten Mile Road left 12 people injured early Tuesday morning including four Farmington Hills police officers who rushed into the burning home to save trapped residents Three people who were in the home and three police officers are listed at area hospitals in serious condition frantic 911 callers reported a fire in the 29000 block of Ten Mile Road noting the cause of the fire is still under investigation Farmington Hills police officers arrived on the scene in under 90 seconds followed by units from all five city fire stations Police found the home fully engulfed in flames A resident outside told officers multiple adults and children were trapped inside and Timothy Shingleton forced their way in through a back door they found an unconscious man pinned between a cabinet and a wall with a 7-year-old child trapped beneath him As officers worked to free the man and child another adult was able to crawl to safety with police assistance who risked their lives to rescue these residents,” Farmington Hills Police Chief John Piggott said Officer Antoneta Bucaj assisted another adult and child to safety noting three other residents made it out before emergency crews arrived which are receiving treatment at a local animal hospital Farmington Hills Fire Chief Jon Unruh praised the officers’ actions “The heroic actions of these four police officers exemplify the very best of public service demonstrating extraordinary courage and selflessness,” Unruh said coupled with the Fire Department’s immediate medical attention and transportation of all twelve individuals to the hospital police confirmed that all residents were out of the home 23 Farmington Hills Fire Department personnel responded treating and transporting all 12 injured individuals were taken to Corewell Health Farmington Hills Hospital for initial treatment The cause of the fire remains under investigation Officials emphasized the importance of working smoke alarms calling them a critical tool for early fire detection “This incident serves as a powerful reminder of why working smoke alarms are absolutely critical in every home,” Unruh said “These simple devices provide the early warning that can make the difference between life and death in an emergency.” The Farmington Hills Fire Department thanked the Livonia and West Bloomfield fire departments for providing mutual aid during the incident Contact reporter Laura Colvin at lcolvin@hometownlife.com Four Farmington Hills police officers who were injured while rescuing occupants from a house fire have been released from a hospital Officers Devin Hunt, Muhieddine (Dean) Turk, Timothy Shingleton and Antoneta Bucaj were released from DMC Detroit Receiving Hospital Wednesday after suffering smoke inhalation in the house fire early Tuesday Three of the officers were on ventilators and were in serious but stable condition Tuesday All four officers were initially taken to Corewell Health Hospital in Farmington Hills and later transferred to the burn unit at Detroit Receiving The fire started in a home on West 10 Mile Road “The officers are in good spirits and are truly grateful for the outpouring of support that they and their families have received while they have been hospitalized,” said Farmington Hills Police Chief John Piggott the officers and I are exceptionally grateful to the medical staffs at Corewell Health Farmington Hills Hospital and DMC Detroit Receiving Hospital Burn Unit for their outstanding care and support.” “I am extremely proud of the selfless and heroic actions of these officers who risked their lives to rescue these residents,” Piggott said police officers arrived at the burning home and entered because an occupant told them there were others trapped inside Firefighters from all five Farmington Hills fire stations arrived shortly after; they extinguished the fire treated the injured and transported the officers and eight occupants to Corewell Health Hospital One woman and an infant were treated and released Four adults were transported to the University of Michigan Hospital three of whom were in serious condition and on ventilators late Tuesday Two children were transported to University of Michigan CS Mott Children’s Hospital Current conditions of the occupants have not been released The fire remains under investigation; no cause has been determined © 2025 The Oakland Press, Sterling Heights, Mich.. Visit www.theoaklandpress.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Kayla Clarke – It’s been 13 years since the baseball bat attack inside the Cipriano family home in Farmington Hills the family has undergone a journey of recovery unlike any other Robert Cipriano was killed in his Farmington Hills home The attack nearly killed Robert Cipriano’s wife Sal Cipriano -- leaving them both critically injured Both were sentenced to life without the possibility of parole the Cipriano’s continue to heal -- but their journey is a long and twisted road of lows and highs ---> Cipriano family shares what’s next on their road to recovery in Farmington Hills Their story captured the nation’s attention there was worry about whether or not Rose and Sal would survive Rose had seven plates in her face and seven in her head She spent two weeks in a coma after the attack The level of brain injury Sal endured had many thinking he may not survive -- but he did and a few setbacks -- but their message has always been clear Local 4 has followed Sal’s recovery from moments of struggle to victory As his progress grew Local 4 followed him to Canada for an eye therapy that helped him walk He even threw the first pitch at a Tiger’s game -- Sal loves baseball But this past year has been difficult for Sal hospital stays -- and lost much of what he had achieved Part of his recovery includes occupational therapy to learn activities of daily living He keeps going and rarely tells his therapist he’s too tired to try again As Sal and Rose work to build back their physical strength Isabelle is graduating Notre Dame this year and makes many trips back home to see his twin The 14th annual Cipriano Classic fun run and walk will take place Friday, June 6, 2025. You can learn more about the event by visiting ciprianoclassic.com. Here is a timeline with links to Local 4’s coverage of the attacks, court case, and the family’s journey: Karen Drew is the anchor of Local 4 News First at 4, weekdays at 4 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. She is also an award-winning investigative reporter. Kayla is a Web Producer for ClickOnDetroit. Before she joined the team in 2018 she worked at WILX in Lansing as a digital producer. Nearly 100 employees at a casino gaming manufacturing facility in Farmington Hills will be laid off next month when the site closes LNW Gaming Inc., a subsidiary of Light and Wonder Inc., filed a WARN notice Feb 25 with the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity stating that it expected the closure at 22630 Haggerty Road to be permanent is a cross-platform global gambling company with immersive content for players Mlive.com first reported the closure and job cuts "The closure of our Michigan facility is related to our strategic decision to discontinue and divest our Live Casino business," the company said in a statement "This reflects our commitment to allocating resources to the most impactful parts of the business where we have good line of sight to meaningful returns on our investments." Fans will get an opportunity to vote on who they think is the best at their respective positions. We started with outfielders Read through the nominees and cast your vote There are hundreds of outstanding players in Michigan and these lists are not intended to be comprehensive Let us know about other athletes worthy of fans’ attention Disclaimer: Voting polls are intended to be a fun way to create fan engagement and express support for your favorite high school athletes and teams there are no awards for winning the voting Our primary focus is to highlight the abilities and accomplishments of all the athletes and teams included in our poll You may vote as many times as you'd like and are encouraged to share our polls with others Heffelbower made the MHSSCA Division 1 First Team in 2024 Lambert is a significant reason why Farmington Hills Mercy is ranked No 1 in Division 1 Michigan high school softball She had a .482 batting average through 10 games this season Bruman is both a shortstop and outfielder, and she was voted the top infielder two years ago She is committed to play basketball at Bethel University The second baseman set multiple Dow records last season and she made the MHSSCA Division 1 All-State team Kawalyk is a third baseman who had a .455 batting average to start the season Merz had a Milford record 15 home runs in her junior season She made the MHSSCA Division 1 All-State team in 2024 Craven was named to the MHSSCA Division 1 All-State team in 2024 She is committed to Mount Vernon Nazarene University Greene was on the MHSSCA Division 1 All-State team in 2024 last season She’s batting cleanup for Flat Rock this season Hagle is a catcher who had 55 hits on a .468 average last season She helped White Lake Lakeland win a Regional title last season Hoebeke was an MHSSCA Division 2 Honorable Mention last season and she was on the OK Gold All-Conference team Ross had a .492 average last season for Sparta She played second base and amassed 59 hits and 28 RBIs One of the best first baseman in the state Taliercio is committed to Grand Valley State University Giroux hit .471 last season to be an honorable mention in MLive’s 2024 Detroit Metro Dream Team Absher is hitting .591 this season so far this season Daniels is the Milan single-season record holder for home runs with 14 last season She also had a batting average of .511 last season Hool has played both catcher and third base and she is committed to Oakland University had eight RBIs this past weekend in games against Chippewa Valley JACK BUTLERJack Butler is the Regional Editor of the Midwest for SBLive/High School on SI Jack has covered high school sports in Oregon © 2025 ABG-SI LLC - SPORTS ILLUSTRATED IS A REGISTERED TRADEMARK OF ABG-SI LLC The content on this site is for entertainment and educational purposes only Betting and gambling content is intended for individuals 21+ and is based on individual commentators' opinions and not that of Sports Illustrated or its affiliates All picks and predictions are suggestions only and not a guarantee of success or profit If you or someone you know has a gambling problem crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER – The city of Farmington Hills kicked off a $33 million construction season and announced several projects that will improve major and local roads and water mains The infrastructure projects are largely funded by the road millage Here are all the construction projects people can expect to see this spring and throughout the summer: Among the projects scheduled to happen in Farmington Hills this year the Halsted Road reconstruction plan is the largest project Crews will replace pavement from West Eight Mile Road to south of West Nine Mile Road This project is expected to start in May and last until November A part of Halsted Road will be closed during the project and traffic will be detoured to Haggerty Road Here’s what to expect during the local road projects that are scheduled to happen in Farmington Hills this year There will also be projects led by the Road Commission for Oakland County (RCOC) The city has put together an interactive map so motorists can track the road projects being led by the city and the county. For more information about the road improvement projects, people can contact the city’s Department of Public Services at 248-871-2530. Sara Powers joined WDIV as a digital content producer in Oct. 2024 and has been covering Metro Detroit news since 2021. OAKLAND COUNTY, Mich. – 12 people were taken to a hospital early Tuesday morning after a fire at a home in Farmington Hills. Farmington Hills Fire Chief John Unruh said crews received a call at around 5 a.m. reporting a fire at a home near 10 Mile and Middlebelt on April 1, 2025. When firefighters arrived at the scene, they learned people were still trapped inside the home. Officers responded to the house before firefighters arrived and went inside to rescue those trapped. Eight people between the ages of 5 months old and 27 years old were in the home at the time of the fire. Some were found unconscious. Unruh said four officers who rushed into the home to rescue everyone were taken to a hospital. Of the eight people trapped in the home, Unruh said three are in serious condition. Out of the four officers hospitalized, one is temporarily in serious condition. Fire crews believe the fire may have started in one of the bedrooms. were taken to a hospital after a fire ravaged a Farmington Hills home early Tuesday said that of the eight people inside the home during the fire three are in serious condition and five are in good condition He added the victims are all related and range in age from 5 months to 27 years old The chief said all of those in serious condition are adults He also said one police officer is in temporary serious condition and three are in good condition Unruh made the remarks during a media briefing early Tuesday near the scene of the fire Farmington Hills firefighters were called at about 5 a.m to the single-family home on 10 Mile Road near Middlebelt for a report of a fire He said police officers and firefighters arrived to find heavy fire and smoke coming from the home "Police officers received information from people on the scene that there were people trapped inside the home," Unruh said "Four officers made entry into the home and made several rescues The victims were found unconscious in bedrooms in the home firefighters also rescued two cats from the home Unruh said the cause of the fire is under investigation and officials believe it started in one of the bedrooms He also said firefighters determined the home did not have working smoke alarms "I can't emphasize enough how important it is to have working smoke alarms in the home," Unruh said Twenty-three firefighters from all five of Farmington Hills' fire stations arrived at the scene minutes after dispatchers received a 911 call and quickly extinguished the fire The incident follows other blazes across the region On Monday, a fire and explosion at an apartment building on Detroit's west side displaced multiple families and at least 13 people were injured Last week, an elderly man died after a fire on Detroit's east side Also in March, a small explosion rocked a home in Garden City and set it on fire but no injuries or fatalities were reported In February,  a 12-year-old boy and his two teenage siblings died in a fire at a West Bloomfield Township home I ate a Sheetz cheeseburger for lunch Friday and it's nothing I'd drive 31 miles for At 3 a.m., though? Closer to home? Then I'd understand why some people are giddy about the 24-hour convenience store, restaurant and gas station chain alighting in Michigan What I haven't understood is Sheetz's approach to expanding here starting with its insistence on wedging itself into spaces where it seems widely unwanted Sheetz's regional real estate director said the howls and refusals are all part of the growing process − even the marathon of rejection at a city council meeting in Farmington Hills on Monday that stretched almost an hour past midnight And it turns out that the 7-0 vote against allowing a Sheetz at 12 Mile and Middlebelt roads doesn't mean the company is giving up on the location which has been twiddling its girders since Ginopolis' Bar-B-Q Smokehouse closed in 2019 “The vote is still fresh,” Justin Mandel told me and “we're still debriefing about the meeting that took place.” What he and the rest of the real estate team are pondering is the parade of grumpy neighbors business owners and unaffiliated citizens who came to the microphone with a roster of complaints and fears: too much light the planning commission had approved their proposal with only one dissent and a few people spoke in Sheetz's defense it's nothing the company hasn't heard before “The land development process is long,” he said and come to find out you're less likely to hear from testy neighbors when you don't have any That hasn't been the case in Madison Heights where beefing has begun over a proposed Sheetz where a drugstore went out of business at Eight Mile Road and Newburgh which sits a mile from the northwest corner that brothers John and Peter Ginopolis sold for $1.77 million five years ago to a company that planned to build an assisted living center That company sold the space and two small lots in 2022 for about $440,000 less with the buyer something called HRA Farmington Hills LLC Sheetz “has a lease agreement with an entity that has a purchase agreement with the entity that owns the property.” Farmington Hills doesn't seem to want any part of it — a classic NIMBY situation Then I stopped by the Sheetz north of Interstate 94 where airliners descending into Metro Airport almost seem to pause atop the canopy over the six gas pumps More: A Michigan woman got a lottery ticket as a white elephant gift. She won $500,000. More: Child labor, charter school transparency, public transit among bills signed by Whitmer that makes the notion of hoodlums stopping by to order Shnack Wrapz and Cheezecake Shakez and then pillage our neighorhoods seem even more unlikely my house isn't so near the corner that I'd be awakened by revving pickup trucks or see any glare Sheetz calls itself a convenience store company and the store was both unusually well stocked and noticeably clean and the array of options even for something as simple as an Italian sub was dazzling The burger ($5.58 with American) was relatively small and I was on a factfinding trip with an expense account so I ordered the half sub as well ($6.58 with provolone) I'll be tempted to patronize the other Sheetz along Middlebelt Road in Farmington Hills which has a better chance of being built than the one that kept everyone up past 1 a.m That proposed location is at the corner of Grand River 3.6 miles south of the one that's arousing passionz on 12 Mile It would replace a closed auto repair shop on a plot that's already zoned for gasoline and Pizza Flatz so the city council doesn't get to weigh in Sheetz hadn't explained why it needs two stores so close together “It's less about the distance between them or the time it takes to travel than it is about traffic composition or the customers we serve,” Mandel said and 12 Mile is more for serving who's there Between the two sites are a pair of gas stations at 10 Mile “We believe firmly that competition in our market makes everyone better,” he said That's an easier position to take when you have 760 stations and the guy on the northeast corner has two but he said “it hasn't been our experience” that Sheetz drives a lot of other gas stations out of business text messages and a Farmington Hills Sheetz Facebook page drumming up grassroots support that smells a lot like AstroTurf “Even though it's the BYE week,” the last text said “wouldn't you love to be able to BUY some Sheetz Schwingz and Schweetz for a game?” and it supplied a link to a form with a cheery note about how “the plans for the new store look terrific,” and “most people in Farmington Hills want to see this happen.” there's another store under construction in Romulus and eight more from Ypsilanti to Chesterfield Township in what the company called the final stages of approval the goal is 50 to 60 stores in metro Detroit across five or six years a rapidly expanding gas station and convenience store chain announced on Wednesday four new proposed locations in Metro Detroit Sheetz now has plans to bring 13 stores to the state since opening its first store in Romulus in August Sheetz said in a statement that it would open new stores at 29455 Grand River Avenue in Farmington Hills “We’ve heard loud and clear there’s strong support for Sheetz across greater Detroit,” Travis Sheetz “The City of Romulus has embraced us with tremendous enthusiasm for our distinctive offerings which include indoor and outdoor dining options electric vehicle chargers and an award-winning menu of made-to-order food We look forward to working closely with neighboring municipalities who are excited to introduce our unique experience to their residents all while driving growth attracting investment and creating good jobs for their communities.” Other propsed locations are in Macomb and Warren joining previously announced locations in Wayne 3 a Sheetz location at M-59 and Milford Road Sheetz has faced opposition and outright rejection from some communities in which it has tried to locate, including Livonia. and two gas stations already existing at that corner A preliminary site plan for the Novi Sheetz store which will be located on the southwest corner of Haggerty and 12 Mile was unanimously approved by the Planning Commission at the end of October along with necessary woodland and wetland permits The existing BP gas station on the site will be demolished which operates 760 convenience stores 24/7 said in a statement it has further growth plans in Michigan A representative for the company could not be immediately reached for comment Contact Susan Bromley at sbromley@hometownlife.com FARMINGTON HILLS — After nearly three decades with the Farmington Hills Police Department John Piggott has been appointed the city’s new chief of police was confirmed by the Farmington Hills City Council during its meeting on Monday Piggott, who has served as interim chief since December expressed his gratitude and commitment to the community “I am honored that the city manager has asked me to step into this very important role,” Piggott said in a press release from the city “I am excited to have the opportunity to further serve the Farmington Hills community and lead the extraordinary men and women of the Farmington Hills Police Department I look forward to building on the Department’s excellent foundation of community service and transparency.” Mekjian praised Piggott’s leadership and dedication “Over the course of nearly three decades in Farmington Hills John has demonstrated exceptional leadership integrity and dedication to community policing making him the right person to lead the department forward,” Mekjian said “John’s deep understanding of the Farmington Hills community and commitment to public safety will continue to strengthen the relationship between the department and residents I look forward to seeing the positive impact of his leadership in the years to come.” Piggott took on the role of interim chief following the retirement of former Chief Jeff King in December he served as assistant chief since July 2021 Piggott began his career with the department in 1996 and worked in a variety of roles He also served as a school liaison officer and has received 46 citations and awards for his service The city said Piggott holds a master’s degree in business administration from Madonna University a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Grand Valley State University and an associate degree from Oakland Community College He is a graduate of the Police Executives’ and New Chiefs’ School through the Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police and the Northwestern University School of Police Staff & Command The city said Piggott was selected from a pool of internal and external candidates who underwent multiple rounds of interviews with cross-departmental city leaders as well as representatives from the 47th District Court and Farmington Public Schools With Piggott officially stepping into the role the city will now begin the process of hiring a new assistant chief Contact reporter Laura Colvin at lcolvin@hometowmlife.com Woodland Officecentre along Northwestern Highway in Farmington Hills including the Kirk Gibson Center for Parkinson’s Wellness The 235,000-square-foot building is now 95 percent leased The Kirk Gibson Center will be joined by Amentum Technology Behavioral Health & Autism Therapy Services to a new headquarters it built in downtown Detroit part of the Detroit Tigers 1984 World Series team and an outfielder and a manager (for other teams) was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease in 2015 and provide inspiration to those living with the disease bringing his vision of a state-of-the-art facility to life at Woodlands “Opening this Parkinson’s Center means providing a center of hope for anyone fighting this battle with Parkinson’s,” says Gibson reflects the strength we find in each other but it’s also for all those who need to know they’re not alone.” The center will occupy 40,892 square feet of space at Woodlands where it will offer a wide range of comprehensive programming “The Woodlands facility provides us with a unique combination of a wonderful location and a first-class quality building,” says Steve Annear CEO of the Kirk Gibson Foundation for Parkinson’s “The design of the building itself is a great fit for the programming we will provide and the community we aim to build.” the Kirk Gibson Center takes a strategic approach to Parkinson’s through exercise and movement programming It will be the first of its kind in Michigan offering a safe space for those with Parkinson’s and their caregivers to connect with others facing similar challenges All offerings at the center will be free for members who complete a registration process “Registration is really important,” says Annear “The reason is that people with Parkinson’s usually have a unique set of symptoms and it can affect individuals very differently our classes are set up according to the classification of mobility and ability of the individuals.” The facility also will offer cognitive improvement programs like speech therapy as well as educational sessions on kitchen and fall safety “We are so proud to play a role in seeing Kirk’s vision become a reality,” says Dale Watchowski “Not only does the Woodlands Officecentre provide the Kirk Gibson Center a central location in a densely populated area in southeast Michigan but it’s also a premium Class-A property with buildout opportunities that fulfill the functionality For more information, visit kirkgibsoncenter.org/ and redico.com/ unapproved pest sprays and expired ingredients are only some of the violations found in Farmington Hills between January and March according to Oakland County Health Department inspection reports Many of the violations have been corrected. The presence of violations in a past inspection does not necessarily mean the establishment has the same violations today. Inspection reports can be found at swordsolutions.com/inspections/ Below is a list of violations found at some restaurants in Farmington Hills an inspector noted several problems at Tabla — Raw eggs stored above ready-to-eat vegetable and unwashed vegetable in walk-in cooler — Container of chicken stored on shelves underneath the prep table in cookline measured 52F Operator was not sure when it was placed on the shelves — One container of diced tomatoes and one container of shredded cabbage stored on counter measured 62F Operator was also unsure when they were placed into the counter — One container of boiled eggs stored on counter measured 63F Operator stated they were placed 1 hour ago — Operator stated that rice was soak in water into the refrigerator overnight — One unlabeled spray bottle containing degreaser was stored at the warewashing area — Observed several soiled knives being stored as clean — Employee coat hanging on dry storage shelf with food items — Round bowls used as scoop in ready to eat food in cooler and dry food containers throughout the kitchen — In-use utensils stored in water measuring 72F in cookline — Aluminum foiled covering stove is soiled with accumulation of food debris and dust — Aluminum foil used under spices at the window near cookline soiled with accumulation of food debris 37660 W 12 Mile Rd.During a routine inspection on February 13 an inspector noted several problems at Kerby’s Koney Island — Observed dressing pitchers with facility made ranch dressing in a reach-in cooler at the server station Ranch dressing serving pitchers are provided for table service and then returned to serve to other tables — Container of shredded cheese measured at 70F on the counter of the make line it has been there for an unknown amount of time — Large container of chili stored on a table next to the steam well measured at 63F — Large open container of whipped butter measured at 72F on a counter at the server station — Observed an employee wash and rinse the can opener blade and then store it as clean; no sanitize step intended — Two containers of sour cream with a manufacturer expiration date of 2/11/25 in the walk-in cooler — Observed a container of cooked bacon stored directly on top of a container of raw burger patties in a stand up cooler next to the make line No quaternary ammonium test strips available — Unlabeled chemical spray bottle in the warewashing area — Knife soiled with food debris and stored as clean Can opener blade soiled with food debris and stored as clean — The person in charge is not the certified manager and is unable to answer questions regarding food holding temperatures and proper cleaning and sanitizing of food contact surfaces The person in charge is not preventing priority / priority foundation violations from occurring — This food establishment has lost its Certified Food Service Manager The establishment shall provide a Certified Food Service Manager with a current — Observed a red cutting board heavily scored and stained behind the food prep sink — Space between fryer and flat-top grill soiled with food buildup — Ledge under flat-top grill soiled with food buildup — Table under 4-burner range soiled with food buildup — Fan covers in the walk-in cooler soiled with dust accumulation — Observed a large amount of light entering through the bottom of the back door an inspector noted several problems at Shots Bar and Grill — Observed a package of hot dogs stored among packages of raw beef and lamb in the walk-in cooler — Sanitize basin leaking at the four-compartment sink at the bar and is not able to hold water and sanitize dishes utilizing two of the four compartments temporarily — No quaternary ammonium test strips available — Observed a large amount of small flies at the bar most notably located amongst soiled rags near the handwashing sink the facility does not work with a licensed pest control operator — Interior drip shield of the ice machine is soiled with buildup — Hood ventilation filters are heavily soiled with grease buildup — Box of mashed potatoes stored on the floor of the make line — Personal food items stored among / above customer food items in coolers throughout the facility — Manufacturer plastic attached to the stand up freezer near the walk-in cooler — Bottom of clean equipment containers on the make line are soiled with food debris During a routine inspection on February 12 an inspector noted several problems at Pars Restaurant — Measured a container of rice at 108F on the make line the rice is kept on the counter without temperature control for lunch service and has been there for about an hour — Bloating bag of shredded lettuce with a manufacturer expiration date of 1/25/25 in the walk-in cooler — No paper towel available at the handwashing sink near the fountain beverage machine (dispenser jammed) — Meat grinder soiled with food debris and stored as clean — Two knives soiled with food debris and stored as clean on a magnetic strip — No soap available at the handwashing sink near the fountain beverage machine — Fan covers in the walk-in cooler soiled with dust accumulation and mold like growth — Ceiling in the rear prep area is soiled with food splatter — Personal vitamin containers stored on a shelf above a food prep table in the rear prep area 29470 W 10 Mile Rd.During a routine inspection on January 8 an inspector noted several problems at Awsan Nandi & Grill — A spray nozzle is attached to the hose downstream from the atmospheric vacuum breaker — Pest strip containing dichlorvos hung above prep table near the walk-in cooler door Pest strip containing dichlorvos hung above prep table near the walk-in cooler door Pest strip containing dichlorvos hung in back room near mop sink — No soap available at the handsink located in the corner by the stove The handsink in the corner near the stove was blocked with knives in the basin No paper towel available at the handsink located in the corner by the stove — Interior of microwave heavily soiled with food debris — Observed a couple unused desks with many loose items on them The presence of these desk in the middle of the back of the kitchen Operator said that the noted equipment belongs to the previous owner — Shelves of prep table soiled with food debris Exterior of sauce mixer soiled with food debris Hood filter over the grill soiled with accumulation of dust and grease an inspector noted several problems at Kabuki Restaurant — Home defense pest spray stored in the dry storage area near the office Observed a container of whipped cream with a manufacturer expiration date of 6/3/24 in a reach-in cooler under the soup well — Measured the following foods between 44F-46F in the two-door stand up cooler held there for two hours per the person in charge: Two containers of kimchi and a container of cucumber salad (contains imitation crab meat) — Strainer with radishes stored in the handwashing sink basin next to the walk-in cooler — Hood ventilation filters soiled with grease buildup — Scoops without handles stored in food items in the walk-in cooler and in the dry storage area — Pot of frozen beef stored on the floor between the top loading coolers and handwashing sink on the make line the beef is being prepared to be cooked from frozen — Gochujang stored in a plastic Folger's coffee container — Measured an ambient air temperature of 45F in the two-door stand up glass cooler per sanitarians thermometer The cooler is not maintaining potentially hazardous foods at 41F or below — Fan covers in the walk-in cooler are soiled with dust accumulation (WXYZ) — It may surprise you just how many K-12 students across the country including Michigan don't know how to read According to the National Center for Education Statistics only 19% of fourth graders in Michigan were deemed "reading proficient" in 2024 But a local nonprofit in Farmington Hills is working hard to boost that number “It was a struggle," Kahlil Assad of Bloomfield Township said He told us his son was struggling in school when it came to reading Extended interview: Kahlil Assad talks about the early signs that his child was struggling with readng His son was in elementary school when the pandemic hit and by the time he was in seventh grade he could only read at a fourth grade level "I think COVID really impacted a lot of children with the stay-at-home (orders) Here's an example of what it's like to read below a fourth grade level The bottom paragraph would look like the one above it — just a string of words that don't make sense I've called this a silent epidemic," Pamela Good said Good is the CEO and co-founder of Beyond Basics a nonprofit that for more than a decade has been working to make sure students in Michigan know how to read “What we have in this moment is an opportunity to get fourth through 12th graders caught up," Good said She says far too many students are moving onto the next grade before knowing how to read at their current grade level causing them to fall behind and struggle in class recent data from the National Assessment of Educational Progress shows more than 60% of eighth grade students in every state are reading below proficiency people think that all the kids are reading," Good said Beyond Basics found that nearly 65,000 students in Oakland County need extra reading help We have a site leader and we send in a number of tutors and schools decide which kids to send to us," Good said Veronica Reynolds has been one of those tutors for six years “Each student has an individual lesson plan we catch them up one day at a time for 50 minutes a day We have that one-to-one connection with the student," Reynolds said Assad says when his son got help from Beyond Basics “My son went from a 4.5 grade reading level to an 8.5 grade reading level over a summer They're results that Good would say is key for a child's future success and we should enter that race to literacy right now," Good said Farmington Hills Council Could Vote Monday on Deer Management Plan MI – After exploring the issue of how to respond to the growing deer population in the city Farmington Hills City Council will be considering adopting a plan on Monday April 28 Due to anticipated attendance the meeting location has been changed to Harrison Hall on the second floor of The Hawk Community Center The agenda does not share details of the plan and the agenda packet has not yet been posted as of Sunday on the City’s Deer Management page of the website it states “Pending City Council approval of a resolution the City plans to start with organized professional deer culls in 2026 with the possibility of adding a highly regulated archery hunting program in the future The MDNR considers the combination of culling and regulated hunting to be the safest and most effective way to manage deer in urban and suburban areas.” In March City Council held a study session to learn more about the issue Here is the Oakland County Times article with the information presented: Details From Farmington Hills Deer Population Presentation as City Considers Culling and Hunting MI – Farmington Hills City Councilperson Valerie Knoll is one of many residents who have been struggling with impacts of the increasing deer population in her community Over the past dozen or so years, the deer population has grown bringing along with it multiple problems.  An aerial survey in Feb 2021 found 729 deer there were a total of 1,598 deer across both cities in 2021 “I see 10-12 in my yard each day,” Knoll said “It is not healthy to have that many deer in an area.” Scores of residents packed City Hall on March 24 for a council study session on what impact the deer have been making Many residents have been frustrated by the deer In 2015 the city began researching deer population challenges officially and in 2017 they joined with neighboring cities to investigate a regional approach In 2021 the SE Michigan Council of Governments (SEMCOG) formed the Urban Deer Coalition and in 2022 they did a seven-county deer survey In 2025 Michigan released it’s statewide Urban Deer Management Plan The City of Farmington Hills began working with Masters students from the University of Michigan School of Sustainability last year so that students could do research on the impacts of deer and potential solutions Those students attended the study session and took turns talking about the different things they learned There are a number of consequences to having a large deer population In 2023 there were 2,125 documented auto crashes involving deer in Oakland County The city has reported that from 2015-2022 there were 180 calls from residents about deer concerns The SEMCOG survey also included many of the shared concerns Students dove into more detail about the ecological impacts of deer sharing that deer feed on saplings and in particular slow-growing saplings like oaks are most at risk Wooded areas can become saturated with fast growing trees that are unpalatable to the deer combined with the deteriorating natural vegetation impacts other animals as well There are fewer insects for food and pollination Populations of birds and small mammals like rabbits and chipmunks also decline due to the lack of food and protection from predators Students suggested ecological goals of encouraging oak regeneration who’s been leading the research for the city said that “management means reducing population.” There are two options that the city is considering – hunting and culling Culling would involve having sharpshooters kill deer It would be done at night using thermal vision goggles and riles with silencers on them The sharpshooters would set up tree stands so they would be aiming at the animals towards the ground This increases accuracy and reduces risk of stray bullets impacting neighbors most likely parks or larger private land areas who could use bows and crossbows for their hunts It would require some public relations work to get people excited about hunting the deceased deer could be processed and the meat donated to local charities An antler-less deer can provide an average of 45.05 lbs of venison while an antlered buck can provide up to 62.51 lbs Hunters Feeding Michigan is a program that facilitates venison donation with the DNR Grace Centers of Hope in Pontiac receives 129,000 meals per year though the program CARES in Farmington Hills could also be a recipient according to Farmer If Farmington Hills were to start doing hunting and culling it would likely take five years for the impacts to really be noticed by residents Farmer also recommends that the city continue working with neighboring cities Voters in the City of Southfield passed a ballot measure to direct city leaders to organize a deer cull more deer would come over from Southfield.”  He suggested that Farmington Hills do their deer cull in tandem with Southfield’s deer cull and to encourage neighbors to do culls as well 67 archery volunteers were able to harvest 141 deer The archery hunts have been in place since 2010 and in that time the number of crashes has gone down by 36% and the Michigan DNR all have culling programs to reduce deer population Farmer hopes that by opening up Farmington Hills to hunting it can help to revive interest the sport He shared that one reason people don’t hunt is because there are not hunting opportunities near them Residents who are not in favor of killing deer have asked about alternatives There is an ordinance on the books that prohibits people from feeding deer in the city “Some people are intentionally feeding deer so do what you can to stop that,” said DNR representative Chad Fedena Others have inquired about sterilization methods This isn’t on the table in Farmington Hills but there is some history about sterilization programs that was not discussed in depth at the meeting Ann Arbor conducted a research study in 2017 where 54 female deer were sterilized, in tandem with culling in the area.  The project did have some success and the DNR at the time stated “While sterilization is not viewed as a replacement for recreation hunting due to the expense and difficulty in applying the technique across a large scale the recent work done in several communities indicates it may have a role in the future of deer management in urban settings The DNR recommends no additional legislation restricting the use of sterilization on game or other species where it may prove beneficial in preventing unwanted expansion of invasive species.” The practice has a cost of over $1,000 per deer.  In 2018 the state legislature ordered the DNR to cease issuing permits for sterilization through 2022, with the main argument by legislators being that hunting should be the preferred method for deer management the DNR is focusing on hunting and not issuing sterilization permits stating that sterilization can cause bleeding and is inhumane The presentation also did not mention another Oakland County suburb Rochester Hills which has created a Deer Management Advisory Committee with residents and council members but rather than population control their focus has been on educating residents and visitors to co-exist with the animals The City began adding signage, including lighted signs in high-deer areas to alert drivers.  The number of crashes in 2017 was 161.  In 2020 it was 153. And in 2021 it was 120. The bulk of crashes happen in Oct, Nov, and Dec when deer are most active.  The City created a brochure for residents called “Coexisting with Whtie-Tailed Deer in Rochester Hills,” which talks about deer crash prevention and the city’s ordinances against hunting and feeding They also publish a “Deer-resistant plant list for Rochester Hills Homeowners,” which others can use to help guide their landscape choices Others have suggested catching the deer and relocating them to more rural areas but that is not an option for deer in Michigan according to Farmer because it just increases the problem elsewhere and is not healthy for the deer due to the stress of the move After hearing the research and recommendations Farmington Hills City Council will next consider a resolution to move forward They could opt to have a cull conducted by professional sharpshooters a hunt or cull would not take place until 2026 They would need to temporarily suspend firearms ordinances during the time of culls and regulated hunts They could require deer management reports every five years and they could include deer management as part of their parks and recreation master plan Council would also have to decide what areas would be targeted for hunting and culling Culling typically takes place in February or March The City could hire the US Department of Agriculture to do the culling but is estimated to be about $20,000 per year Council will vote on the ordinance on April 28 the meeting will be held at The Hawk Community Center at 29995 W City of Farmington Hills website City of Southfield website City of Rochester Hills website Michigan DNR website – Two gas stations are already at the intersection of 12 Mile and Middlebelt roads That’s one reason the Farmington Hills City Council voted Monday (Jan 13) night not to approve a proposed Sheetz location on the northwest corner --> Sheetz faces strong opposition in Farmington Hills over traffic concerns for proposed location People packed Monday night’s council meeting including the 24-hour restaurant in Sheetz and how that could increase foot traffic late at night Sheetz’s gas stations are larger than most “It’s just too big to put because it would abut a residential area,” said resident Pea Gee Sheetz seemed to know which way the vote was going. Prior to the council meeting, they put out a statement requesting Farmington Hills delay the vote The chain’s first Michigan location opened last year in Romulus Farmington Hills is not the only community Sheetz has its eye on Taylor, Warren, Macomb, and Chesterfield are also set to get their own locations. Sheetz plans to open 50 to 60 gas stations throughout the Great Lakes state within the next five years. Local 4 was told that 50 citizens spoke at the meeting, and their city council unanimously voted to decline Sheetz’s request to build at the 12-mile and Middlebelt location. Brandon Carr is a digital content producer for ClickOnDetroit and has been with WDIV Local 4 since November 2021. Brandon is the 2015 Solomon Kinloch Humanitarian award recipient for Community Service. FARMINGTON HILLS — The proposal for a Sheetz gas station is moving forward despite strong opposition from residents concerned about traffic property values and other potential impacts on surrounding neighborhoods The Farmington Hills Planning Commission at its Nov 21 meeting recommended approval of a 12-pump gas station and a 6,100-square-foot convenience store that would operate 24/7 on a 3.8-acre parcel at the corner of 12 Mile and Middlebelt roads The plan will now go to the Farmington Hills City Council for review Commissioner Barry Brickner explained that while the city council has the authority to approve or reject specific businesses the planning commission’s role is to determine if the proposed use complies with zoning regulations “If the city council wants to say ‘I don't want a Sheetz,' that's their decision,” Brickner said ‘Does what they're asking for fit within our zoning ordinances?’ and that's how we go forward We just decide whether or not…it’s an allowed use under our ordinances.” The proposal       Sheetz is a popular convenience store and gas station chain known for its 24-hour service The company operates more than 750 locations in seven states, including Michigan, where its first location recently opened in Romulus. Several others are in the works around the state the proposed $8.5 million project would feature a café “There is nothing like Sheetz anywhere in southeast Michigan except for the Sheetz in Romulus,” said Alex Siwicki engineering and entitlement manager for Sheetz “We have a full kitchen; Sheetz is truly a restaurant first You can get made to order food anytime you you want it.” “We have some of the best benefits…I have ever seen,” he said parental leave (and) financial assistance including tuition reimbursement.” But the many residents who spoke one after the next during the meeting were concerned about everything from the potential for increased crime and traffic crashes to the disruption of the quiet residential area Kathleen Hayes-Parvin said she moved to the Farmington Hills in 1993 and felt a 24/7 operation was not compatible with the neighborhood “We need gas stations and junk food like we need more holes in our head,” she said I feel like the people's voice needs to be heard and I think that she is not the right thing for our neighborhood.” Two residents spoke in favor of the proposal who said he moved to the area about eight years ago “I'm very excited that Sheetz has come in to develop that area that will otherwise sit unused for countless years,” he said “I see no basis for concerns about the additional crime especially that they're proposing to have the area very well lit We have no 24-hour restaurants or convenience stores currently.” History and decisionsAfter Ginopolis closed the property was rezoned from commercial to multifamily residential to accommodate a senior housing project that never materialized but ultimately chose to pursue a planned unit development (PUD) which allows for flexibility in land use beyond the standard zoning ordinance The commission voted 4-1 to approve the PUD and site plan with conditions including compliance with commercial lighting standards “The development is compelling in the sense that the property's been undeveloped for a while,” Planning Commissioner Dale Countegan said “The current building is in decline and (the proposal) provides redevelopment to the area “Certainly we're all hopeful that all the promises made by the developer come to fruition Like all other projects that come to our commission employment opportunity and service to our residents.” Planning Commission Chair John Trafelet cast the sole “no” vote after confirming the company was committed to a 24-hour operation “I am going to oppose this motion because it's not compatible with surrounding residential area,” he said The Farmington Hills City Council will review and make a final decision on the proposal The Farmington Hills Mercy girls basketball team didn't flinch whenever Livonia Stevenson battled back because its seniors weren't about to graduate empty-handed The Marlins (19-4) proved that time and time again throughout their March 7 Division 1 district championship game even outlasting a pair of rallies by the Spartans to pull out a 60-45 victory They'll face Wayne Memorial in Monday's regional semifinal Sure, the seniors had won two district titles before as freshmen and sophomores. They had even played in the prestigious Catholic League tournament championship once But Aizlyn Albanese wasn't as prolific of a scorer as she is today, and Bentley University commit Emily Walker wasn't one of the most well-rounded players in the state back then When the 2022 class went out the door, all of a sudden, those two were thrust into leadership roles as only juniors And to make the job more challenging for them the Marlins brought in about a half-dozen freshmen You can already guess how well the 2023-24 season went Albanese and Walker needed to learn how to lead on the fly while coaching up many first-year varsity players competing in arguably the best league in Michigan Mercy finished with an uncharacteristic 12-12 record and saw its streak of winning five consecutive district titles snapped with a heartbreaking loss to eventual state champion West Bloomfield in the district final More: How rooting for Notre Dame has improved a Farmington Hills Mercy girls basketball player Their surrounding cast is more experienced And the Marlins are winning games — but they didn't have anything to show for it until beating Stevenson They lost to Toledo Notre Dame a month ago in the CHSL tournament semifinal So winning a league title was out of the question The Basketball Coaches Association of Michigan announced its five finalists for its annual Ms But Albanese's name was absent from the list despite being one of the 20 players it was initially considering for the award early this winter So there'd be no Player of the Year celebration or ceremonial photo shoot at the Detroit Free Press' office next week for her So Mercy coach Gary Morris reminded his players about all that before taking on Stevenson The Marlins have more talent than most teams Walker and a handful of others all expected to play college basketball They hadn't earned a spot on the banner inside their gym More: Meet Elle Geerlings, a star sophomore for Farmington Hills Mercy girls basketball "They've got their spot up on the banner now," said Morris with a smile Walker buried one of her four 3-pointers at the buzzer before halftime to give the Marlins a 28-19 lead entering the locker room but the Spartans responded with a 9-3 run that made it a 30-29 game early in the third A quick timeout is all Mercy needed to straighten out things "The difference between this year and last year and we know how badly we wanted this win," said Walker I don't think there was any doubt in our minds that this was going to be a win for us I knew I had to step up and show the team we had nothing to worry about We know the team that we are and what we're capable of We know the players that we have are more capable than the players on most of the teams we play."  Mercy responded with a 10-0 run to grab another double-digit lead which included Walker sinking another 3 to get the scoring spree started and Albanese hitting a baseline jumper the Spartans fought back again in the fourth cutting their deficit to 46-44 after scoring six-straight One of those points came after Walker was assessed a technical foul They'd probably double down and make more over-aggressive mistakes to help out the opponent that kind of stuff fires me up more," added Walker who knocked down back-to-back 3-pointers to halt Stevenson's second rally immediately following her technical foul "We knew we just had to hold the ball and finish it out with the win."  More: Emily Walker has become Farmington Hills Mercy girls basketball's 'defensive stopper' scoring 11 of the final 12 points to finally earn its seniors some hardware to show for the journey they've taken as new leaders over the past two seasons "We knew we were coming in here to win," said Albanese It just fueled us more because we were like we're still going to come out on top of this."  We always tell the kids to never take winning for granted We've won quite a few in the last few years but we knew we'd get a fight here on their (Stevenson's) home floor "We haven't won a district since our sophomore year," Walker said we lost last year to West Bloomfield and took a real hit We're so close and everyone plays together This is my favorite team I've ever been on Brandon Folsom covers high school sports in metro Detroit for Hometown Life. Follow him on Twitter at @folsombrandonj — The city of Farmington Hills Planning Commission approved the proposal of a new Sheetz gas station and convenience store going in the area of 12 Mile and Middlebelt Road Thursday night some residents say it’s an ill fit for the area and even protested the discussions before the meeting took place The potential Sheetz location would go in place at the site of the old Ginopolis restaurant People at the meeting protested the 24-hour convenience store in an area already full of gas stations and surrounded by residential homes and a sit-down restaurant is something that you see on major highways not in the middle of a neighborhood," Sharkey Haddad with the Chaldean American Chamber of Commerce said Lloyd Banks founded the group Concerned Citizens Against Sheetz and says Farmington Hills is not a 24-hour town and doesn't need a 24-hour business "This could potentially be a loitering place and we don’t want that in our neighborhood," he said they have a restaurant and a loud horn that’s in the backyards of subdivisions that people will hear this.” Haddad says the majority of members within the Chaldean American Chamber of Commerce are small business owners "This national chain store with multi-billion dollar operations is coming into Michigan intersection where we are at and we cannot compete with them It’s like a David and Goliath kind of thing where they will be forced out of business," he says Some residents expressed they wouldn't mind a place to get food at all hours of the night "This will provide a great benefit for our city we have no 24-hour restaurants or convenience stores currently," Farmington Hills resident Steve Bridges said the decision now moves to City Council who will have to vote on final approval Where Your Voice Matters MI (WXYZ) — The City of Farmington Hills invites metro Detroiters to celebrate Black artists during Black History Month with concerts at The Hawk Theatre part of the City’s Special Services Cultural Arts Division contact the Farmington Hills Cultural Arts Division at 248-699-6709 Erika Erickson – Farmington Hills police and fire departments released bodycam video of the officers who rushed into a burning home in Farmington Hills early Tuesday morning Previous coverage: 12, including officers, taken to hospital after house fire in Farmington Hills Farmington Hills Fire Chief Jon Unruh said crews received a call at around 5 a.m. reporting a fire at a home near 10 Mile and Middlebelt on April 1, 2025. Officers Devin Hunt, Tim Shingleton, Dean Turk, and Antoneta Bucaj responded to the house moments before firefighters arrived and went inside to rescue those trapped. Eight people between the ages of 5 months old and 32 years old were in the home at the time of the fire. Some were found unconscious. Hunt’s bodycam video was shown in a press conference Tuesday afternoon, showing officers finding a man lying on the ground unconscious with a young girl pinned underneath him. Police believe the man was trying to carry the girl out of the home but collapsed. The officers were able to rescue both the girl and the man. Unruh said the four officers who rushed into the home to rescue everyone were taken to a hospital. Of the eight people trapped in the home, Unruh said three are in serious condition, three are in good condition, and two have been discharged. Police Chief John Piggott said three of the officers hospitalized— Shingleton, Hunt, and Turk—had to be transferred to Detroit Receiving Hospital as their condition worsened from smoke inhalation and had to be on a ventilator. Bucaj is still in the hospital under observation. “It just goes to show the dedication that our officers have every day,” said Piggott. “They go out there without a second thought to their own safety.” “It’s selfless. I think it’s heroic and it just goes to the nature of the officers involved, and their dedication to service,” said Piggott. Fire crews believe the fire may have started in one of the bedrooms. According to the fire chief, there were no working smoke alarms in the home. The investigation into the fire is ongoing, with officials emphasizing the absence of working fire detectors in the home. Authorities wanted to remind residents to regularly check their smoke detectors. A family friend revealed that the family had just celebrated Eid Mubark at the Tawheed Center across the street, making the tragedy even more shocking. As for the family’s condition, three members remain in critical condition, while three others are stable, and two have been discharged from the hospital. The friend noted that the children’s conditions have been improving, and one of the parents has been able to speak. While the family members were awake and talking, their breathing became more labored, leading to three individuals being classified as serious but stable. Officers Shingleton, Hunt, and Turk are now on ventilators. Shingleton is suffering from burns and smoke inhalation, while the others are experiencing smoke inhalation. In a display of camaraderie, the officers first inquired about the family’s well-being before asking about their fellow officers. Even in the moments where they’re lying in hospital beds getting treatment, their minds and hearts are not only with the family, but with their fellow officers. Farmington Hills — The Farmington Hills City Council voted down a proposed Sheetz gas station at the intersection of 12 Mile and Middlebelt roads citing concerns about its closeness to residential neighborhoods and the number of gas stations at the same intersection Voting shortly after midnight Tuesday morning the council was unanimous in turning down the proposed planned unit development that would include a 24-hour Sheetz with six fueling pumps "I just believe that this project is too intense of a project it's not compatible with the surrounding neighborhoods," said Councilwoman Valerie Knol The vote came after roughly 50 residents packed the meeting some questioning the location and if it's needed "We are deeply disappointed by tonight’s outcome especially given the overwhelming amount of support Sheetz received from the Farmington Hills Planning Commission in November," Sheetz Public Affairs Manager Nick Ruffner said "We remain committed to expanding in the greater Detroit-area and will be evaluating all available options at this location moving forward." president of the nearby Forestbrook-Pebblebrook homeowners association did not think the proposed Sheetz location at 12 Mile and Middlebelt is close enough to Interstate 696 to serve as a truck stop “We do not want a night time eatery to be available to encourage people to be wandering around our residential neighborhoods in the middle of the night,” Whittemore said “If there are no truckers and few citizens who want to frequent Sheetz in the middle of the night… then Sheetz is likely at risk for failing in that location.” The Sheetz at 12 Mile and Middlebelt — one of two proposed in Farmington Hills — required council approval because the location where it would be built isn't currently zoned for a gas station Two other gas stations already sit at the intersection and some residents say there isn't a demand for another in that location The three-parcel site contains the now-vacant site of Ginopolis Bar-B-Q Smokehouse "I don't like the abandoned old Ginopolis there eventually I think if this doesn't go in there something more appropriate," Councilman Randy Bruce said "I don't want to see another gas station there — I hope Sheetz can find a better location in our city I think it would be great somewhere else in our city a Farmington Hills resident and engineering and entitlement manager for Sheetz said the proposal would substantially increase the green space and buffering between the current site and neighboring residential communities He also assured the council that it would capture traffic rather than generate it meaning most customers would already be passing by the location “The current location is deteriorating,” Siwicki said “So we are very happy to be able to come in and revitalize this very important part of the city.” Opponents of the Sheetz which would be open 24/7 and have 44 parking spots say it is incompatible with the nearby residential neighborhoods Given the proposed gas station's size and hours of operation “It’s a good idea but not at that location,” said Chuck Firment we’ll end up with two more vacant properties.” Monday's meeting comes after the Farmington Hills Planning Commission already recommended the proposed planned unit development in late November 2024 The commission's recommendation was contingent on conditions that Sheetz had to maintain lighting standards for commercial use and install buffers separating the gas station from neighboring residential areas including former mayor and city council member Barry Brickner voted in favor of the proposed development "We don't look at the applicant based upon their name," Brickner said after the vote the application based upon what they're asking to do and whether or not it fits within current zoning or based upon the recent changes we did to the master plan." The Sheetz at Middlebelt and 12 Mile is one of two proposed Sheetz locations in the city In December, the planning commission approved another Sheetz location at the intersection of Grand River and Middlebelt The property is already commercially zoned so the Grand River and Middlebelt Sheetz did not require city council's approval as well as a convenience store and restaurant area It is expected to cost around $8.5 million and will provide between 30 and 35 jobs who lives close to the proposed location at 12 Mile and Middlebelt called Sheetz an “excellent business” but compared their gas stations to truck stops and said they belong along busy thoroughfares like Telegraph Road my major concern… is that this is now the second location that will be in the proximity of just several miles within one another,” Broglin-Peterson But not everyone who spoke at Monday's meeting was against the project or location Mike Yandora spoke in favor of the proposed Sheetz at 12 Mile and Middlebelt and said those opposed were trying to stifle competition “Sheetz is the better product in my experience,” Yandora that they can’t compete with an existing business… Let the competition happen Sheetz opened its first Michigan location in Romulus this summer and announced plans to open as many as 60 new fueling stations across the state over the next five to six years Jurors delivered a mixed verdict Thursday in federal court in Detroit acquitting a Farmington Hills man of two felonies in a case alleging he assaulted a Black female postal carrier after getting upset about receiving mail involving Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris last fall was acquitted of using a deadly or dangerous weapon and interfering with a federally protected activity charges that could have sent him to prison for up to 20 years following a three-day trial in front of U.S But jurors convicted him of a lesser-included offense of assaulting intimidating or interfering with a federal employee As part of a verdict reached after about two hours of deliberations jurors concluded Valleau targeted the postal carrier because she is Black Prosecutors alleged he confronted a Black female postal carrier on Sept 26 and brandished a four-inch silver knife while yelling “I’m tired of getting this black "I think that there was no evidence that there was a knife — none," Valleau's lawyer "And it was clear that my client had some issues It was in my opinion that there was alcohol and mental health issues going on "He is very thankful for the jury," Amberg added Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald charged the man with one count each of felony ethnic intimidation and misdemeanor assault and battery Ethnic intimidation is punishable by up to two years in prison and a fine up to $5,000 while assault and battery is punishable by up to 93 days in jail and a fine up to $500 The case is pending in Oakland County Circuit Court Out of 4,586 defendants charged in federal court on the east side of Michigan only 15 were acquitted during jury trials from 2018-23 Amberg has won full or partial acquittals for at least five clients in federal court in recent years, including 23-year-old Detroiter Karamoh Turner. He faced up to life in prison but was acquitted in a high-profile kidnapping conspiracy case last year in federal court The incident involving Valleau happened while the carrier was delivering mail on her route in Farmington Hills She noticed Valleau riding in circles on a bicycle before he approached her truck "As (the postal carrier) began to roll her window up Valleau raised a knife and pulled it back as if he were going to throw it at her or reach through the window and stab her," Assistant U.S Attorneys Frances Carlson and Darrin Crawford wrote in a trial brief Farmington Hills Police officers arrived and found Valleau nearby and searched the area but did not find a knife Amberg reiterated that there was no knife but said the upturned handles of Valleau's bike are silver and resemble knives he showed jurors Valleau's bike during the trial (WXYZ) — Dozens of Farmington Hills residents used their voices to stop a controversial plan to bring a Sheetz gas station and convenience store to their neighborhood When we say people are passionate about this Concerned residents took the podium before city council for hours Monday night Sheetz hoped to set up the new location at the site of the former Ginopolis restaurant on 12 Mile and Middlebelt roads Sheetz was hoping to stake claim in the city but residents say the 24-hour aspect is a big turn-off The other reason: there's already locally owned gas stations in the area "We don’t need this here," one commenter said Dozens of Farmington Hills residents came to Monday's city council meeting All but one of the residents were against a 24-hour Sheetz gas station going up where the restaurant once stood Previous coverage: Farmington Hills Planning Commission approves Sheetz location "The people around there we have this visceral reaction to hearing of a 24-hour gas station," one commenter said we already about one to eight gas stations in that square mile Do we need another gas station?" one commenter asked Residents are saying the 12 Mile and Middlebelt intersection already has two gas stations Sheetz said in their presentation that a lot of the $8.5 million project will go back into the community hiring local crews to build the structure and locals to work at the location with a representative laying out the additional changes they had planned "To make us fit better with the community we’ve added additional evergreen buffering," said Alex Siwiki with Sheetz We’ve put the 6-foot tall vinyl fence along." saying a 24-hour business would have helped when his kids were little "I guess I'm the lone dissenter tonight," he said "I was very disappointed with how little 24/7 operation there was when I needed to get milk for my son or get cough medicine or whatever." Even council members spoke out against the development before voting saying between Farmington and Farmington Hills There are 24-hour gas stations near by right now Council members added another concern they had of Sheetz: one of these two gas stations could drive the other out of business and a vacant gas station is a lot harder to re-develop as opposed to a vacant building FARMINGTON HILLS — A Little Caesars Pizza franchise has been fined more than $26,000 after violating child labor laws The Little Caesars franchise located at 29235 W. 11 Mile Road, near Middlebelt Road, illegally assigned minors to operate dangerous equipment and allowed three 15-year-olds to work past 7 p.m. on school nights, federal labor officials said in a Jan.15 press release. To resolve its violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act’s child labor provisions JMP Pizza paid $26,341 in civil money penalties assessed by the labor department's wage and hour division.An employee who answered the phone on Tuesday at the Little Caesars owned by JMP Pizza Inc State LLC records indicate Marvin Pattah of West Bloomfield is the resident agent of JMP PIzza but he could not be immediately reached for comment The shop’s operator “tasked one child under age 16 to use an oven heated between 500 and 900 degrees Fahrenheit to cook pizza and to operate a pizza dough mixer,” labor officials said in their release Workers that are 14 and 15 years of age are limited in cooking tasks and forbidden by federal law to perform any baking activities  Three of the minor employees also worked later and longer hours than permitted by law “Learning new skills in the workforce is an important part of growing up – but we must protect children and ensure their first jobs are safe jobs and do not interfere with their education or well-being,” said Timolin Mitchell the labor department's wage and hour division district director in Detroit “The Fair Labor Standards Act allows for safe work experiences but restricts the employment of young workers in certain jobs and during certain hours and provides for penalties when employers do not follow the law.”  Federal regulations state that children ages 14 and 15 may not work later than 7 p.m. between the day after Labor Day and May 31 their work hours may not exceed eight per day on a non-school day or 40 a week when school is not in session They can work no more than three hours on a school day and no more than 18 hours in a week when school is in session Contact Susan Bromley at sbromley@hometownlife.com.