MICH (WXYZ) — Get ready for a weekend of vibrant culture delicious food and unforgettable entertainment as the Ferndale Cinco de Mayo Festival makes its much-anticipated return two-day festival will take over East 9 Mile between Woodward and Bermuda on Saturday This year’s celebration promises even more excitement The Ferndale Cinco de Mayo Festival continues to be a free all-ages celebration of Latin culture Voters in several communities across Metro Detroit will head to the polls Tuesday to decide on everything from school bond proposals to one measure to maintain the size of the city council in one Oakland County community Five school districts are putting bond proposals before voters — Ferndale Ferndale voters will actually decide on two measures: a $114.8 million bond proposal for Ferndale Public Schools to update its middle and high school and a separate measure to renew the city's operating millage at the amount it was originally set at in 2015 Ferndale's current millage expires at the end of 2025 and has dropped to about 4.2808 mills thanks to the Headlee Amendment a Michigan law that requires local governments to reduce millage rates if taxable property value rises faster than the rate of inflation If adopted, funds would be used to maintain public services, said Assistant City Manager James Krizan. The measure would cost the owners of a $150,000 home $816.30 in taxes, up from $642.12 in 2024, according to the city's website "It'll go to help fund the police department Public Works and City Hall staffing," Krizan said "Hopefully the plan is there should be a little bit left over that we can use to address some long standing maintenance issues on city facilities." The maintenance investments would focus on one of the city's fire stations and the Department of Public Works buildings the city will still have its original charter millage but the city will likely have to make up a $4 million funding gap we're going to continue to defer the capital projects," Krizan said After Ferndale voters rejected an initial millage proposal in November 2024 that would have increased the rate to 8.3 mills we were looking at building some new facilities They don't want us to wrap it all in the same millage it's going to be a very simplified millage It is going directly into services and maintenance of the current buildings." 30-year bond for the public school district The funds would be used for additions to the middle and high schools remodeling classrooms and athletic facilities "Our students deserve learning spaces that inspire curiosity and confidence," said Superintendent Camille Hibbler in a statement to The Detroit News "This bond proposal is about more than buildings — it’s about creating environments that prepare our students for the future and reflect the values of our community We have a unique opportunity to make this happen The city's annual debt millage would likely stay the same at 7 mills and a 1.35 mill tax would be levied to pay for the school bonds voters will decide on a charter amendment that would continue to limit the city government to four City Council members and one mayor preventing a charter revision plan adopted in 2023 that would expand the council to six members from going into effect City Council members would be elected to four-year terms every two years preventing a charter revision that would allow the three highest City Council vote-getters in the 2025 city election to hold office for four years and the fourth highest to hold office for two years is pursuing an $85 million bond proposal to add a gym to the high school remodel and furnish school buildings and athletic facilities and buy equipment for the middle school robotics teams The 4.15 mill measure would cost the owner of a $100,000 home about $207 a year in taxes The district hasn't sought a bond proposal since 1997 and engaging spaces that support student learning and growth,” said Superintendent Dale Steen in a statement on the district's website “This bond proposal outlines improvements that will enhance our schools and provide updated facilities for our students and the community.” two school districts — Redford Union and Southgate — are seeking bond proposals Redford Union School District will ask voters for $44.375 million in bonds to be paid for over 30 years District officials say the measure would not increase taxes and would be used to cover infrastructure work "Redford Union Schools would have to delay much-needed improvements and enhancements," said the district on its website emergency improvements would have to be paid for with general operating funds that would otherwise go to support educational programs for students." Southgate Community Schools is asking voters for $28 million in bonds over 25 years District officials said voters would see no net increase in taxes from the .35 mill measure and it would be used to installed air conditioning and HVAC in all school buildings update athletic facilities and do other improvements Southgate schools also is asking voters to renew for 10 years an operating millage of 18.1262 mills This would prevent a decrease caused by the Headlee Amendment Incumbent Robert DeSana is facing Curtis Kile Mount Clemens Community School District is seeking a $91.82 million bond over 20 years to preserve a century-old historic building that it calls the "gateway to community." It would also pay building repairs across the district; improve athletic facilities; create separate entrances for the high school and middle schools; and create security "vestibules" at building entrances District officials say if the measure is approved its debt millage would decrease from 11.8 mills to 10.8 mills "This bond reflects a careful balance of investing in critical improvements without placing an unnecessary financial burden on our community," said the district on its website A Ferndale man accused of rape and child molestation was sentenced to a minimum of 12 years in prison with a chance to spend the rest of his life in prison was arrested in 2023 following a sex crime investigation that found he had groomed a child he babysat for more than five years food and nicotine products in exchange for sexual contact and intercourse During his sentencing hearing in August 2024 a Whatcom County Superior Court judge ordered Blevins serve between 12 years to life in prison for rape of a child in the second degree as well as 41 months for the charge of child molestation The 12-year-to-life sentencing is considered an exceptional sentence under state law the charge comes with a standard sentencing range of 102 months to 136 months with up to a maximum sentence of life the victim’s mother said Blevins’ actions negatively impacted her family including trust issues and guilt for allowing the victim to be babysat by “a predator.” Blevins is currently incarcerated at the Coyote Ridge Corrections Center in Connell Annie Todd is CDN’s criminal justice/enterprise reporter; reach her at annietodd@cascadiadaily.com; 360-922-3090 ext Email newstips@cascadiadaily.com or Call/Text 360-922-3092 FERNDALE – A pedestrian was killed in a vehicle collision in Ferndale The incident occurred on Friday (May 2) at 7:40 p.m The Ferndale Police Department said that upon their arrival officers located the pedestrian who had suffered injuries from the incident Officials said the pedestrian was transported to a Metro Detroit hospital The circumstances surrounding the incident are currently under investigation Anyone with information related to this incident is asked to contact the Ferndale Police Department by calling their non-emergency line at 248-541-3650 All tips to Crime Stoppers are anonymous. Click here to submit a tip online. Copyright 2025 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit - All rights reserved. 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. 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 Watch today's top stories and most popular videos which provide you with features like past/future radar and customizable layers Trust us to help you plan the best day possible with the most accurate weather forecast available We recognize our responsibility to use data and technology for good We may use or share your data with our data vendors The Weather Channel is the world's most accurate forecaster according to ForecastWatch, Global and Regional Weather Forecast Accuracy Overview French champagne and more are all on the menu at new downtown Ferndale spot Nine Kitchen & Bar Set to open to the public Tuesday after a week of soft service Nine takes over where Brooks Brewing was on the west side of Woodward just north of Nine Mile The entire interior has been redone with plush booths elegant lighting and a large bar in the center with cushy bar chairs American bistro." Better for date nights rather than an afternoon with the kids espresso drinks and craft cocktails with and without alcohol we're going to have a really good spicy shrimp some good flatbreads," said co-owner Damian Dabish who comes from a fast-casual restaurant background cocktail aficionados and those who don't drink at all They're definitely going for upscale with the craft cocktails buzzing around $16 and a bottle of Veuve Clicquot for $150 but one could also get a $4 Labatt or a local craft draft for a few bucks more Vegans will be eying the tacos with roasted rosemary carrots micro greens and a vegan dill sauce and the “power up” quinoa salad with chickpeas All the flatbreads and the double-patty smash burger come with a gluten-free option a wagyu Manhattan strip steak with peppercorn sauce and Cajun lemon pepper fries House wine is discounted $5 and draft beers are $2 off while specialty cocktails run $9 and La French vodka drinks are $6 More: Grey Ghost’s Ferndale burger concept debuts its name and a cute look Dabish says a weekend brunch menu is forthcoming "We've worked so hard on this project and we've been working on it for a while," he said adding that the journey started in early 2024 Starting April 29, Nine Kitchen & Bar's hours are 4-11 p.m. Tues.-Wed., 4 p.m.-midnight Thurs.-Sat. and 1-10 p.m. Sun. It's at 22925 Woodward in Ferndale. Reservations are accepted, but walk-ins are welcome. Call (248) 965-3661 or visit ninekitchenbar.com or instagram.com/ninekitchenandbar Pedestrian Struck by Car on 8 Mile Road in Ferndale Dies from Injuries the Ferndale Police Department responded to a report of a vehicle-pedestrian collision on East Eight Mile Road near Lindsay Lane officers located a pedestrian who had sustained injuries from the accident The victim was transported to a nearby hospital Additional details will be released as they become available Anyone with information related to this incident is encouraged to contact the Ferndale Police Department by calling our non-emergency line at 248-541-3650 NOTE: Police and Fire Reports come directly from the agency involved and are written by the person or agency listed below the title We generally run these “as is” or with minimal editing for punctuation Those needing more information about a case are encouraged to follow up with the reporting agency or court system for the most current information This story is presented without internal advertising due to the nature of the story FERNDALE, Mich. – Police are asking witnesses to come forward after a man was shot in the groin area outside a Ferndale nightclub. Ferndale police said at 12:30 a.m. on Sunday, April 13, 2025, officers were patrolling on foot in Downtown Ferndale when they heard multiple gunshots fired in an alley between 9 Mile Road and West Troy Street. Officers found a Warren man near the back entrance of the Orchid Theatre on 9 Mile Road. He had been shot once in the groin area, according to police. “Our officers responded within seconds of hearing gunfire and immediately rendered lifesaving aid to the victim,” said Deputy Chief David Spellman. “Their quick response stabilized the victim until Ferndale Fire arrived. We want to thank Ferndale Fire, the Michigan State Police, and the Hazel Park, Oak Park, and Royal Oak police departments for their assistance during the incident.” The man was transported to an area hospital and is stable. Police said he was shot by an unknown suspect who left the scene of the shooting in an unknown vehicle. Police are asking the public to help identify the people responsible. Anyone who witnessed the shooting, has video footage from the area, or has other information is asked to contact Ferndale Police Department detectives at 248-541-3650, extension 5. Kayla is a Web Producer for ClickOnDetroit. Before she joined the team in 2018 she worked at WILX in Lansing as a digital producer. The California Horse Racing Board did not advance two requests for race dates for summer racing at Northern California fairs during its monthly meeting in Sacramento The first request from the Alameda County Fair to conduct nine days of racing at Pleasanton that would have begun June 20 and continued through July 6 was voted down 4-1 by the five CHRB board members in attendance The request for dates came outside the CHRB's customary time frame for advance notice coming from the Humboldt County Fair to run seven dates from Aug with three CHRB board members voting in favor of a motion to deny dates it requires the support of four commissioners There is one unfilled spot on the usual seven-member CHRB and commissioner Damascus Castellanos was absent from Thursday's meeting Race dates are the first step in CHRB approval An operator must later secure license approval Sign up for BloodHorse Daily desired race dates for the Humboldt County Fair at Ferndale encouraged the fair to resubmit a race dates application at a future meeting who views Northern California racing as crucial to the state and its horsemen was the only commissioner to support the requested race dates for the Alameda County Fair Greg Ferraro sparred several times during the meeting a group headed by owner/breeders George Schmitt and John Harris and backed by their personal financial support Their organization was formed recently after CARF announced in January that it would discontinue managing racing operations Commissioners were critical of scant operating details regarding Bernal Park Racing "I think any racing organization going to try to make a go of it needs to have more meat on the bones and have spent considerably more time investigating what's available." Ferraro and commissioner Dennis Alfieri want a more detailed examination of the feasibility of racing in Northern California "I kind of like your comment you made earlier about why don't we study this for a year," Alfieri said "Why don't we take a pause and see because to me we're going to put up all the money.' Great Where were you a year ago when we had the same discussion We saw this happening a year ago with Golden State Racing The Thoroughbred Owners of California and Southern California racetracks argue that a consolidation of racing in the south has been successful this year. Benefiting from a redirect to the south of simulcast revenues generated from betting in Northern California, purses are up at Santa Anita Park this winter and spring Photo: Courtesy of Santa Anita ParkRacing at Santa Anita Park With 385 horses having relocated from the north to the south, according to the TOC, Santa Anita has been carding some races for Northern California-caliber runners. Del Mar plans to continue the practice this summer "Del Mar would very much like to continue that with this new single circuit approach that we have in the state we've been very consistent from day one upon the closure of Golden Gate Fields that we will not compete with the north," Del Mar president Josh Rubinstein told commissioners president of the board of directors for the Humboldt County Fair Association acknowledged that racing at Ferndale "might be the minor leagues but every professional sports team has it." The Humboldt County Fair was supported in letters from two influential legislators sent to the CHRB before the meeting TOC board members Andy Mathis and Ty Green two of its designated Northern California representatives gave their perspective on racing at Ferndale I've been asking the same trainers from Northern California if they would have any interest in running at a Ferndale meet I seem to get the same answer time and time again," Mathis said "People have moved; they've moved their homes They've moved their families and their businesses They would not be running at Ferndale." Humboldt County Fair plans to attract a significant portion of its horse population from Oregon if it is awarded race dates said he found it too difficult to win at Southern California tracks with his horses that formerly raced in Northern California he is instead planning to race in Washington this year although he still desires to run in Northern California "And if there's no racing in Ferndale or anything like that I'm going to be out of business," he told the CHRB during the public comment period Between $1 and $2 million in coveted simulcast revenue is at stake related to the Humboldt County Fair conducting a meet That money is considered vital for conducting its racing operations at Ferndale would help sustain recent purse increases at the state's flagship racetracks in the south Ferndale police are searching for a suspect who allegedly shot a man outside a local nightclub early Sunday morning Ferndale police officers on foot patrol at about 12:30 a.m in the downtown area heard multiple gunshots fired in the Woodward alley between Nine Mile Road and West Troy Street Officers went to investigate and found a man from Warren with a single gunshot wound in his groin area near the rear entrance of the Orchid Theatre on Nine Mile Police rendered aid until medics arrived and took the victim to a hospital where he is listed in stable condition the man was shot by an unknown suspect in a vehicle that fled before police officers arrived "Our officers responded within seconds of hearing gunfire and immediately rendered lifesaving aid to the victim," Ferndale Deputy Police Chief David Spellman said in a statement "Their quick response stabilized the victim until Ferndale firefighters arrived." Anyone with information about the incident or the suspect should call the Ferndale Police Department at (248) 541-3650 ext The incident is among the most recent shootings in Metro Detroit Last week, an Oak Park man was charged in the fatal shooting of a DoorDash delivery driver last month Earlier this month an innocent bystander who was bringing home groceries was killed after an argument escalated to gunfire on Detroit's east side Last month a teen allegedly shot a 19-year-old Taylor man in the hand during a fight in a parking lot outside of Southland Mall Now, the team has announced the spot will be called Little Ghost, and is giving people a peek at what the location will look like. Little Ghost is set to open in a nearly 1,000-square-foot space at 22305 Woodward Avenue this summer. This is the first fast-casual dining concept from Four Man Ladder Hospitality, the restaurant group behind Grey Ghost, Second Best and Basan. Little Ghost will feature a scratch-made menu that includes the popular Grey Ghost burger, along with a chicken sandwich and signature sides. “We’re really excited to bring this new project to life,” says chef and co-owner Joe Giacomino. “The Grey Ghost burger has built quite a loyal following - we’re thrilled to be able to offer it in a playful new way in Oakland County.” Once Little Ghost opens, it will operate daily and offer local delivery and catering services. It will cater to takeout customers, and the team envisions Little Ghost as being the first location of many. Construction is underway, and an opening date will be released in the future. Sara Powers joined WDIV as a digital content producer in Oct. 2024 and has been covering Metro Detroit news since 2021. A new concept planned for Ferndale from the owners of Grey Ghost now has a name Little Ghost is the new fast-casual concept from Four Man Ladder Hospitality — the team behind Grey Ghost according to a Monday morning news release The Oakland County location marks the team’s first foray outside of greater Detroit and its first into the fast-casual dining scene scratch-made menu and a highlight will be the popular Grey Ghost cheeseburger Chefs Joe Giacomino and John Vermiglio lead Four Man Ladder Hospitality along with partners Will Lee and Michael Gray "We’re really excited to bring this new project to life," says chef and co-owner Joe Giacomino "The Grey Ghost burger has built quite a loyal following — we’re thrilled to be able to offer it in a playful new way in Oakland County." the hospitality group announced they’d acquired a building Ferndale at 22305 Woodward Ave the restaurant expects to offer local delivery and catering The Ferndale location could be the first of many additional restaurants Grey Ghost, the group’s first restaurant, opened in 2016 in the Brush Park neighborhood with a menu that offers craft cocktails and eclectic meat-centric dishes. In 2017, Grey Ghost landed on the No. 2 spot of the Detroit Free Press Best New Restaurant list. It's a corner pub of sorts across the street from its sister restaurant at 42 E There's a full beer and cocktail menu along with snacks and bites Related: Basan, steps from Little Caesars Arena, landed at No. 4 spot on the 2023 Detroit Free Press/Metro Detroit Chevy Dealers Best New Restaurant list. Contact Detroit Free Press food and restaurant writer Susan Selasky and send food and restaurant news and tips to: sselasky@freepress.com. Follow @SusanMariecooks on Twitter. Subscribe to the Free Press KARK Foodie favorite Kevin Shalin of the Mighty Rib Food Blog is back Today he exploring all the vibrant flavors of Ferndale Market Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" these are the actual most popular baby names so far in 2025 Whether it’s a short vacation or they’re jetting off to begin their career show the future traveler you care with a meaningful graduation gift National Teacher Appreciation Week begins May 5 take advantage of these freebies and deals Little Ghost will also serve a quinoa burger and chicken sandwiches On Monday, April 7, Four Man Ladder — also behind Basan and Second Best — revealed details Little Ghost should open this summer inside a 1,000-square-foot space in Ferndale at 22305 Woodward Avenue and a special veggie burger offering made from a quinoa patty the rep says they’re considering other metro Detroit locales for future locations They see Ferndale as a great starting point as many of their customers live in southern Oakland County The announcement comes as another local restaurant group, the folks behind Freya, opened Dirty Shake, a corner bar where the burger stars It’s not unusual for groups to go more casual hoping to expand their brand and introduce lower price points to customers A rep from Four Man Ladder tells Eater they began considering opening a burger-centric restaurant about four years ago as the Ghost Burger had built a strong fanbase since Grey Ghost opened nine years ago: “We’re excited to give it its own showcase while bringing it out to more people in a new way and market,” the rep writes Grey Ghost won’t be impacted by Little Ghost look forward to making the burger more accessible to more people on a regular basis.” the City of Ferndale has chosen its next chief of police.  Sean O’Laughlin will replace former Ferndale Police Chief Kevin Turner, who left the post in December to lead the Burlington Police Department who spent 26 years with the department before he retired in 2023 has served as the interim chief during the city’s search The Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs assisted with recruitment.  a lifelong Washingtonian and former football player for the University of Washington has more than two decades of experience in law enforcement and military service He started at the UW Police Department in 2001 and has been the Deputy Chief of Police for Eastern Washington University since 2019.  During a community meeting on March 25 residents had the opportunity to meet the two finalists for the position: O’Laughlin and James Miyashiro of San Diego O’Laughlin said at the meeting that community policing looks like getting out in the school districts and hosting events through the police department.  “That’s how you’re ingrained within the community and you know what’s going on,” he said “I’d like to do a community survey within the first six months of my job just to get feedback from the community on what the police department’s doing well what the police department needs to work on.” Ferndale Mayor Greg Hansen said in a Monday April 7 announcement that he’s confident O’Laughlin will be “an engaged and enthusiastic member of our Ferndale community.” The position draws an annual salary of between $145,000 and $170,000 depending on experience and qualifications Assuming O’Laughlin successfully completes a background check psychological evaluation and health evaluation Huffman has agreed to remain as interim chief through June to aid the transition “Thanks to the exceptional quality of our police officers and staff and Matt Huffman’s familiarity with the department we were able to take the time necessary to search for the right person to permanently lead the department,” Hansen said Julia Tellman writes about civic issues and anything else that happens to cross her desk; contact her at juliatellman@cascadiadaily.com Ferndale softball catcher Kaelin Blakley was named the Northwest Conference Offensive Player of the Year as a junior last season after having a .698 batting average and smashing 42 RBIs especially after not having a not-so-great sophomore year,” Blakley said and it showed last season and I am grateful for that My dad took me to the cages every day and motivated me so I am happy to make him proud when I had those numbers.” Blakley began playing softball 13 years ago to follow in her father’s footsteps who played baseball in high school and helped Blakley fall in love with the sport “He is my coach and helped push me through everything He is the reason I am going to play softball in college Having that connection with him is one of the things I am most grateful for.” Blakley plays catcher for the Golden Eagles and typically bats near the top of the order As one of two seniors and the starting catcher Blakley plays a leadership role for her team so I am trying to build them up,” Blakley said “Supporting and building them up is the best I can do for our future team I love these girls so much and we have so much potential.” Blakley has showcased the possibility of becoming a star this season — as of April 20 she is batting .516 with 16 hits and 19 RBIs and softball has taught her how to become a more outgoing person “Softball opened me back up and gave me a lot of connections I can now talk to anybody so easily because you are thrown into situations with new teammates where you have to make a connection with them I love meeting new people and making new friends Even though Ferndale is 6-9 overall and 4-6 in the NWC as of April 20 She said she has seen the younger players grow offensively while the defense continues to improve after each practice “They are the number one NAIA softball team in the country and their coach is amazing,” Blakley said so I like the smaller classes and will be in the honors college.” Nick Zeller-Singh is CDN's sports reporter; reach him at nickzellersingh@cascadiadaily.com; 360-922-3090 ext Ferndale Pride — which hosts an annual gay pride celebration that draws roughly 30,000 people — will no longer accept sponsorship money from Corewell Health after the hospital system became the first in the state to announce it is limiting gender-affirming care for minors "Since something was happening to harm our community, we had to take action," said Julia Music, executive director of Ferndale Pride She said Pride will return the health system's $2,500 sponsorship Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan has pulled its sponsorship "There's a lot of people waiting to hear from their higher-ups which has been difficult," Music said.A longtime sponsor Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan had been providing $3,000 plus another $500 for art supplies to fund the event's children's area "They just said that they don't have money for these events," she said In wake of that action, Corewell said it will no longer allow minors seeking gender-affirming care to start new hormone treatment regimens; minor patients already receiving hormone therapy will be allowed to continue their treatments More: Corewell becomes first Michigan health system to limit gender-affirming care for minors Trump's order is being challenged in federal court Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has said that limiting gender-affirming treatment to minors may be a violation of the state's anti-discrimination laws If you are providing healthcare in compliance with Michigan law the Ruth Ellis Center (a Detroit nonprofit that provides services for transgender young people) Affirmations (Ferndale-based LGBTQ community center) and others sent an open letter to Corewell's board of directors and executives imploring the health system to reinstate gender-affirming treatment for minors "We respectfully urge you to reconsider your course of action and to evaluate the ethical principle of 'do no harm' in the context of sustaining vital treatment for the young people in your care," the letter said "It is not hyperbole to posit that if health care for transgender people can be denied across the country without due process we could see similarly contrived assaults on the bodily autonomy of women and girls or any other matter at the intersection of health care and individual rights." “Trans people are the brave people that started pride; our festival stands on the side of trans people," Music said in a prepared statement "With last week’s announcement and multiple reports to LGBTQ advocacy agencies about Corewell Health refusing gender affirming care to trans individuals we can not take this situation lightly." Contact Georgea Kovanis: gkovanis@freepress.com Editor's note: This story has been updated to correct the name of the sponsor that pulled its funding for Ferndale Pride The Free Press had been given incorrect information One of the first big restaurant stories of 2025 popular Detroit restaurant Grey Ghost announced it would open a small more casual burger outpost in the heart of downtown Ferndale this year Little Ghost is a 1,000-square-foot fast-casual restaurant that will sell Grey Ghost’s popular cheeseburger plus a chicken sandwich and side dishes like fries and more pink space is built for speed and efficiency for a mostly carryout experience It’s the first fast-casual concept for Four Man Ladder Hospitality "We’re really excited to bring this new project to life," said chef and co-owner Joe Giacomino in a press release announcing the name The team of Four Man Ladder see the Ferndale Little Ghost as just the first of a few locations Once ready at 22305 Woodward just south of Nine Mile Little Ghost will be open daily for carryout Placemaking projects will add critical housing The projects build on the state’s ‘Make It in Michigan’ economic development strategy through developing attractive thriving communities where people want to live and businesses want to grow Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced Michigan Strategic Fund (MSF) Board support for placemaking projects that will add critical housing thriving communities where people want to live and businesses want to grow.  “Today’s projects will build 1,220 homes across Muskegon and Ferndale and make these cities even better places to live we’re turning empty spaces into vibrant places These projects will help us continue our mission to help anyone ‘make it’ in Michigan Let’s keep working together to make cities and towns across Michigan great places to live.”  “To build a Michigan where everyone can ‘Make It,’ we must invest in the places that people call home,” said Lt “This support for community revitalization projects is helping transform neighborhoods Let’s keep standing tall for community development so every person can build a great life right here in Michigan.”  “Developing attractive places and revitalizing communities are a key pillar in the state’s ‘Make It in Michigan’ economic development strategy of supporting People CEO of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and Chair of the MSF Board “Today’s approved projects continue to deliver on this strategy for fellow Michiganders our bipartisan partners in the state legislature and the volunteer MSF Board for their ongoing support of the critical economic development placemaking tools needed to make these projects a reality but the approvals of these projects are additional steps forward in ensuring all Michiganders live in vibrant communities as the state addresses growing workplace housing demand.”  Overview: The MSF Board approved a Transformational Brownfield Plan (TBP) incentive package to support a redevelopment project at a former furniture manufacturing site in the City of Muskegon commercial space and a parking garage to the area while serving as a catalyst for future investment.   The $159,598,389 TBP package requested by the City of Muskegon Brownfield Redevelopment Authority and developer Parkland Properties of Michigan will support redevelopment across seven buildings creating an estimated 571 residential units and 74,549 square feet of commercial space the project is anticipated to create 200 full-time jobs and bring an estimated total capital investment of $221,335,800.   president and founder of Parkland Properties of Michigan founded the Parkland family of companies in 1988; today the company is one of the largest real estate development firms in West Michigan with over two million square feet of building space currently developed or under development.    “On behalf of Parkland Properties of Michigan and the greater Muskegon community we extend our sincere appreciation to the Michigan Economic Development Corporation the Michigan Strategic Fund and the City of Muskegon for their unrelenting support of the transformational Shaw Walker project,” said Jon Rooks president/founder of Parkland Properties of Michigan the Shaw Walker Furniture Company grew from an idea into the largest manufacturer of furniture and filing equipment in the world these factory buildings have stood tall on the shores of Muskegon Lake embodying an era of vision and ambition While the factory operations are no longer these buildings have an opportunity to continue to support the needs of their community by providing over 500 housing units and space for supporting businesses A project of this size and nature is complicated; we appreciate the public-private-partnership that will enable these buildings to continue to stand tall for future generations.”   “The City of Muskegon is grateful to the Michigan Strategic Fund Board for their consideration and approval of the Shaw Walker Project Transformational Brownfield,” said Jake Eckholm director of Development Services with the City of Muskegon “This facility has long been our community’s largest and most visible eyesore and Parkland has stepped up to turn it into a once-in-a-generation asset the strong residential demand in our traditional downtown and the desire our residents have to beautify their neighborhoods it would be hard to imagine a more beneficial project City staff and the team at MEDC on this endeavor truly exemplifies a mutually beneficial public private partnership that will deliver great outcomes for the residents we serve.”  Overview: The MSF Board approved a Transformational Brownfield Plan (TBP) incentive package to support a multi-building redevelopment project that will reinvigorate blighted vacant land in the center core of the City of Southfield through added housing commercial space and community amenities.   The $131,822,436 TBP package requested by the City of Southfield Brownfield Redevelopment Authority and developer Middlepointe Investment Group LLC includes construction of a walkable high-density mixed-use development including three multi-story a single-story retail structure and one multi-story parking deck with ground-floor retail.   the project is planned to include 577 residential units surface and structured parking spaces and 42,665 square feet of retail and commercial space The project also includes two pocket parks and a pedestrian greenway connecting Southfield’s central park with development to the west It is anticipated the overall project will create 100 full-time jobs and bring a total capital investment of $209,552,970.  The development team is led by Hassan Jawad a seasoned real estate investor and developer with a longstanding track record of delivering transformative projects across Michigan the Middlepointe Development Team brings deep collective expertise across real estate acquisition The team has successfully developed and managed hundreds of residential units and significant commercial square footage and mixed-use developments throughout Southeast Michigan.    Why It Matters: This transformational project will usher in a new era for the City of Southfield by attracting talent and businesses to the region while linking existing assets and employment centers to help them grow through place-based investment community green space and other amenities that will help to catalyze additional development and investment in the city while creating a transformational impact on local economic development and community revitalization.  The Middlepointe development builds on placemaking efforts for the City of Southfield, which became a Certified Redevelopment Ready Community in 2016.  "We're grateful to the Michigan Strategic Fund and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation for their support of the Middlepointe Development," said Hassan Jawad president of Middlepointe Investment Group "This project represents a major investment in Southfield and the broader Southeast Michigan region4one that will create jobs and help meet the growing demand for high-quality Middlepointe is about more than buildings – it's about building opportunity and contributing to a more inclusive and economically vibrant community."  “This is more than a redevelopment—it’s a rebirth,” said Southfield Mayor Dr “The Middlepointe project will bring much-needed residential density It’s a transformative investment in our future and a shining example of how public-private partnerships can reshape communities in profound and productive ways.”  “Revitalizing this long-vacant property in the heart of Southfield will contribute to a vibrant thriving city center,” said state Senator Jeremy Moss (D-Southfield) “I’ve supported this project for years and I’m excited to see it make real progress with the promising potential to bring jobs and walking paths — everything a community needs to be welcoming and the developers for helping move our city forward.”    “I’ve supported this project since my time on Southfield City Council in 2019 and it’s incredibly rewarding to see it moving forward,” said State Representative Jason Hoskins (D-Southfield) “This transformational redevelopment will breathe new life into the heart of Southfield -- turning long-vacant land into a vibrant this project represents more than bricks and mortar -- it’s an investment in Southfield’s future and a catalyst for inclusive growth and long-term revitalization.”  Overview: A blighted surface parking lot in the City of Ferndale will be converted into a multi-family mixed-use property with 72 residential units and commercial space adding housing and residential density to the community.   The residential component of the Vester Flats project will be comprised of a mix of 45 studio units the first floor includes approximately 1,585 square feet of commercial space integrated under and located behind the building.   The MSF board approved a Michigan Community Revitalization Program direct loan of $3,950,000 to support the project which will have a total anticipated capital investment of $22,252,990 The City of Ferndale has also supported the project with a Workforce PILOT valued at approximately $4.4 million over 15 years.  Why It Matters: In addition to creating mixed-income housing for the City of Ferndale the redevelopment project will include public improvements for a more pedestrian-oriented streetscape along Vester Street and the adjacent alleyway The project will also add public art and upgrades to the water and sewer service providing cultural interest and infrastructure improvements to the area.  the development team is comprised of a group of developers who have worked in both the public and private sectors with over $1 billion worth of mixed-use development historic renovations and ground-up development in Detroit The project builds on placemaking prioritization in the City of Ferndale, which became a Certified Redevelopment Ready Community in 2017.   “Walters Group is proud and excited to be a part of the vibrant Ferndale community,” said Walters Group CEO Matt Walters “The Vester Flats mixed use project will provide new workforce housing that is much needed throughout the State of Michigan This project is a testament of the public private partnership between the Michigan Economic Development Corporation the Oakland County Housing Trust Fund and the City of Ferndale.”  “The City of Ferndale is excited to support this mixed-use workforce housing project within our downtown corridor,” said City of Ferndale Community and Economic Development Director Roger Caruso “This will make a real impact on people who want to live and play in our city.  It can’t go unmentioned that this project would not have come to fruition if it weren’t for the financial participation from Oakland County and the State of Michigan particularly the Michigan Economic Development Corporation.”  In addition to the approved placemaking projects the MSF Board voted in support of the following projects:  About Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) (WXYZ) — Police are investigating after a man was shot near a Ferndale nightclub early Sunday morning Ferndale Police Officers were conducting a foot patrol in downtown Ferndale when they heard multiple gunshots in the Woodward alley The officers found the man near the rear entrance of Orchid Theatre The man had been shot once in the groin; he was transported to the hospital Investigators say the man was shot by an unknown suspect who pulled up in an unknown vehicle before fleeing the scene Anyone with information about this shooting is asked to contact Ferndale Police Department Detectives at 248-541-3650 “Our officers responded within seconds of hearing gunfire and immediately rendered lifesaving aid to the victim,” said Deputy Chief David Spellman “Their quick response stabilized the victim until Ferndale Fire arrived.We want to thank Ferndale Fire and Royal Oak police departments for their assistance during the incident.” (WXYZ) — A 27-year-old man is dead after a shooting in Ferndale It happened at the border of Detroit on Woodward near 8 Mile and marks the city’s first homicide in nearly a decade Police are pleading with the public for tips that will help them crack the case it’s not a matter of if violent crime is going to visit your community it’s when,” said Chief Dennis Emmi of the Ferndale Police Department That’s when Emmi says several shots rang out on the Woodward overpass above 8 Mile A 27-year-old Detroiter driving a Ford Escape on the southbound express lane of Woodward was on the receiving end of those bullets “About six rounds were fired; we know that one of the rounds penetrated the vehicle and struck the lone occupant in that victim’s torso,” Emmi said Police say the man crawled out of his SUV after the shooting Officers found him on the side of the roadway “We’re entertaining all motives at this point We simply do not have enough information to make a determination at this point,” Emmi said  FULL INTERVIEW: Ferndale Police Chief Dennis Emmi talks about homicide Investigators are now turning every stone for a lead and checking with businesses near the shooting for surveillance footage The shooting marks Ferndale’s first homicide in more than eight years Sean Morrow says it hits close to home in more ways than one “I absolutely would’ve been walking down here because I live right across the street there I’m up checking out a place or walking to a friend’s house,” Morrow said I’ve always felt like I’ve had nothing to worry about Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Ferndale Police Department Detectives at 248-541-3650 The Best Restaurants, Bars, and Cafes in Hamtramck Metro Detroit’s Best Yemeni Restaurants The Best New Restaurants in Detroit, May 2025 and bagel icons are just the tip of the iceberg The small but mighty sandwich shop and lunch counter offers a rotating selection of sandwiches, soups, dips, and salads. Created by Michael Finsilver, Courtney McIntosh, and Małgorzata Bitel, the menu is updated daily on their social channels Proof Bakery in Birmingham supplies fresh loaves for the shop and Tall Trees hosts community collaborations with the Secret Bakery and plan to get there early to avoid missing out along with a five-course tasting menu for $89 are inspired by favorite childhood flavors The choco taco and milk and cookies have appeared more than once and Sunday mornings include a different brunch menu This small European restaurant serves German-style döner kabob and cevapi on soft Bosnian lepinja flatbread. Call ahead on Thursdays to place an order for Döner Dönnerstag (Döner Thursdays). Every dönor (filled with chicken, beef & lamb, or falafel) order includes an order of fries and a pop. Online ordering is available 15 of the Best Spots for Vegan and Vegetarian Food in Detroit but the company got its start right here in Ferndale The original location features a rotating selection of roasts many of which are gluten-free and vegan-friendly and the front of the shop typically offers a few tables and chairs for outdoor seating There’s a back entrance for those who park in the metered lot on Withington Street Where to Find Delicate Macarons in Metro Detroit This Woodward Avenue mainstay is home of the half-pound Sneaker burger The kitchen is open until midnight seven days a week and there are daily food and drink specials The space also has a jukebox and an arcade game that is played constantly throughout the night This Ferndale staple has served the greasy goodness of American coney islands since 1995 The coffee is served in classic dark diner mugs and it’s got the old-school diner vibes that don’t let your coffee hit halfway before getting topped off for those who want to beat the lunch crowds or snag a seat before the Sunday morning churchgoers hit the street Metro Detroit Restaurants Serving Brunch Classics for Takeout and Delivery Save Room for Ice Cream at These Fantastic Detroit Shops 13 Spots for Stellar Slices of Cake in Detroit though some picnic tables become available during the warmer months The brewery is also a hotspot for private events and hosts an annual homebrew competition; first place gets their beer brewed on a commercial system and a release party for friends and family The Best Twists on Classic Paczki in Metro Detroit 18 Spots to Drink Beer and Celebrate Oktoberfest in Metro Detroit 17 Satisfying Spots for Pierogi in Metro Detroit 17 Instagram-Worthy Metro Detroit Restaurant and Bar Bathrooms Where to Order Classic Paczki in Metro Detroit where customers bring their own containers to fill There’s a small parking lot connected to the shop as well as street parking (WXYZ) — We're getting new information and a first look at renderings for Grey Ghost's fast-casual concept coming to Ferndale this summer the new spot in Ferndale will be called Little Ghost the group announced plans to open the fast-casual restaurant at 22305 Woodward Ave The plan is to focus on Grey Ghost's famous burger We're told the project will primarily cater to takeout customers and they envision this as the first of many locations that will be open daily "We’re really excited to bring this new project to life," chef and co-owner Joe Giacomino said in a statement "The Grey Ghost burger has built quite a loyal following - we’re thrilled to be able to offer it in a playful new way in Oakland County." Construction is currently underway and a grand opening is planned for early this summer CDN Game of the Week: Oak Harbor at Ferndale Oak Harbor and Ferndale will battle for the fourth-place spot in the Northwest Conference and remain two games back from the top teams Oak Harbor has split its last four games and is averaging 6.4 runs per game are allowing 5.8 runs per game — the third lowest in the conference Ferndale is one of six teams in the conference averaging over 10 runs per game (10.4) but has allowed 9.9 runs per game as well The Golden Eagles have lost two straight games by a combined score of 26-7 Oak Harbor player to watch: Senior utility Loto Tupu Tupu is a utility infielder who was a second-team all-conference pick last season — the only Oak Harbor player to make the list Tupu is a threat at the plate while being able to play multiple positions to help the Wildcats’ defense Ferndale player to watch: Senior catcher Kaelin Blakley She is one of a few seniors on a young Ferndale squad looking to improve each game strong arm and leadership make her a dangerous threat to opposing squads Ferndale community members got the chance Tuesday to put two finalists for the Ferndale Police Chief position in the hot seat stressed their belief in growing trust between the Ferndale community and the police department during the forum at the Pioneer Pavilion Community Center Conversations at tables ranged from community relationships and handling speeding complaints to college sports The forum came after the candidates had toured Ferndale earlier in the day Miyashiro or O’Laughlin will replace former police chief Kevin Turner headed by the Washington Association of Sheriff’s & Police Chiefs Matt Huffman has served as interim police chief both candidates work at university police departments: Miyashiro is the Assistant Vice President for Public Safety at the University of San Diego while Sean O’Laughlin is the Deputy Chief of Police at Eastern Washington University Miyashiro told Cascadia Daily News he liked Ferndale because it was a smaller town and had a different style of living than San Diego His sister used to live in Bellingham and he’s visited the area multiple times He said if selected for the chief of police position he’d like to hold more community forums where he could speak face to face with residents and have more officers engaged in community policing “I talked to another group and they said they only see officers drive by,” he said “I don’t really think that’s something that we want to perceive as our job … When you have that interaction the community is the one that’s going to call the police once they see something wrong.” Miyashiro has nearly 40 years of police experience has served in various law enforcement and military capacities He started at the UW Police Department in 2001 and then went to EWU in 2018 community policing looks like getting out in the school districts and hosting events through the police department It also means making sure that officers know about community engagement expectations “That’s how you’re ingrained within the community and you know what’s going on,” he said “I’d like to do a community survey within the first six months of my job just to get feedback from the community on what the police department’s doing well what the police department needs to work on.” A final decision won’t be made immediately since there are a few more rounds of interviews – The Michigan Strategic Fund Board has approved a nearly $4 million direct state loan for a project that will turn a parking lot into a mixed-use development with residential units and commercial space The $3,950,000 loan from the Michigan Community Revitalization Program will support the Vester Flats project the four-story mixed-use development at 141 Vester Street The residential portion of the development will consist of 45 studio units 21 one-bedroom units and six two-bedroom units There will be about 1,585 square feet of commercial space along with 54 parking spaces under and behind the building The project is also expected to bring water and sewer service improvements and create a pedestrian-oriented streetscape Matthew Walters is leading the Vester Flats project with a group of developers who have experience working in the public and private sectors on developments in Metro Detroit and Grand Rapids “The City of Ferndale is excited to support this mixed-use workforce housing project within our downtown corridor,” said City of Ferndale Community and Economic Development Director Roger Caruso “This will make a real impact on people who want to live It can’t go unmentioned that this project would not have come to fruition if it weren’t for the financial participation from Oakland County and the State of Michigan particularly the Michigan Economic Development Corporation.” The city of Ferndale is also supporting the project with a 15-year the privately owned lot was listed for sale in 2021 and was purchased with the intent to create a mixed-use development For information about how this is expected to impact parking in the area, zoning requirements and more details about the project, visit the city’s website. You’d think my parents would have told me we fled integration they said: We moved because of the schools My family runs four generations deep here in southeastern Michigan: Pontiac and Waterford My great-grandparents were Ozark migrants and small-town laborers — or their wives — all of them flocking to industrial towns from Pontiac to Sault Sainte Marie it was to lament my grandparents’ continuing use of the N-word and to congratulate ourselves on doing better My parents made their own migration in 1981, when I was 4, trading a bungalow on a stretch of Rensselaer Street in Oak Park zoned into Ferndale schools for a Rose Township colonial zoned into Holly schools My father tells me he doesn't remember thinking about the schools back then when I was a teenager that we moved because of the schools he would have had to pay for private school It took four decades before I questioned what my father told me. It took a book contract for me to learn the truth for myself. It took this year's presidential election, as I watched white resentment morph into popular support for a racist presidential candidate for the second time in eight years for me to understand how dangerous it has been to leave it all unsaid Starting in 1968, the School District of the City of Ferndale began to receive letters from the Office for Civil Rights at the federal Department of Health and Welfare flagging concerns about segregation The segregation in Ferndale was not de jure — written into law by government — the way it was in the American South segregation of Ferndale’s schools and resources was considered de facto: enabled by private practices that government had That was six years before my parents moved to the district had not caused the problem; it was “solely the result of residential housing segregation.” Why would the schools have to fix a problem they had not caused the district opted to forgo federal money rather than integrate Grant In 1973, Ferndale became the first northern district to lose funding for refusing to integrate its schools. District documents suggest the schools sacrificed much of their vocational education as a result. In 1975, as my parents moved to Oak Park, Ferndale launched its first attempt to integrate Grant: a magnet program there that enrolled 200 students — 31 Black Magnet students met on a separate floor and ate lunch at school while Grant’s 230 other "traditional" students This kept the magnet students entirely segregated from students whose school they had joined District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan rejected the case on the grounds that the federal agency had not named a student as part of its case Progress, at lastIn 1978, the year my younger sisters were born, the Sixth Circuit overturned Kennedy’s 1975 decision saying it found “no logic at all” in her ruling In the summer of 1980, Ferndale schools offered, finally, three earnest proposals for integrating its elementary schools. The first two plans bused Black children to white elementary schools, while white children stayed at schools within walking distance of their homes. The Eastern District — where Judge Horace Gilmore sat in place of Kennedy — rejected these first two plans. “The Constitution will not tolerate a desegregation plan that places a five-to-one burden on black students as compared to white students,” wrote Gilmore in the Detroit Free Press. Nobody told me that as I turned 4 that fall, the judge approved Ferndale’s third proposal, which spread busing across the district. The district agreed to stop running multiple elementary schools that taught all grades but segregated the district’s students — and thus its spending on them — by race it planned to assign classes to buildings by grade 12 years after the original complaint was filed Ferndale integrated its elementary schools Black students who'd been in kindergarten when the suit began were now seniors in high school Journalists estimated that the district had given up $2 million in funding in its bid to prolong segregation. On June 12, 1981, the Detroit Free Press declared: “Busing Gets an A: Integration Is a Success in Ferndale.” If my parents had chosen to stay in their home I would have started kindergarten in an integrated school I wonder which places and schools my classmates' families had fled I wonder what their parents told them then — and what they tell them now I wonder if my classmates admire, as I do, Ferndale Schools' addition of a historical marker acknowledging its history of segregation that being honest about this history is necessary I wonder if they see how easily our democracy could crumble under the weight of all the racist things white Americans have done — and still do — and so rarely admit to aloud Tracie McMillan is the author of "The White Bonus: Five Families and the Cash Value of Racism in America" and the New York Times bestseller "The American Way of Eating," which won the Books for a Better Life Award and the Hillman Prize for Book Journalism. Submit a letter to the editor at freep.com/letters FERNDALE, Mich. (FOX 2) - A shooting early Sunday in Ferndale left a Detroit man dead Police said a caller first reported hearing gunshots in the area of Woodward and Eight Mile around 1:45 a.m another caller reported that a person was lying outside a Ford Escape in the southbound lanes of Woodward on the bridge over Eight Mile.  First responders arrived and found a 27-year-old man suffering from multiple gunshot wounds Police learned that the victim had been driving south on Woodward when someone pulled up alongside him and started shooting.  "This is a tragic event and our thoughts are with the victim’s family as well as loved ones during this difficult time We are committed to finding those responsible." said Ferndale Police Chief Dennis Emmi "We urge anyone with information to come forward and assist in bringing justice to the victim and his family."  Anyone with information is asked to contact Ferndale police at 248-541-3650 The Source: Ferndale police provided details for this story in a press release By clicking Sign Up, I confirmthat I have read and agreeto the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. Citing tough economic times in the industry the owners of Public House restaurant in Ferndale announced it will close in February with a Michigan restaurant chain expected to move into the space Located on Nine Mile road for a dozen years Public House offers a menu of classic bar food including sliders and craft cocktails Formerly owned by the Working Class Outlaws restaurant group, Public House closed during the pandemic. Brian Kramer, owner of Ferndale-based Hometown Restaurant Group, acquired the restaurant in 2020 and reopened in 2021 with new features called the decision to close "difficult" and "heartbreaking." “The restaurant business is very difficult right now In my 30-plus years in the restaurant business I’ve never experienced a tougher economy than what we are experiencing today tight profit margins and endless hours of work — we just agreed the time was right to close the restaurant focus on our other restaurant operations and give someone else a chance to re-concept the location.” More: Auto supplier Piston Automotive to create 144 jobs at old State Fairgrounds in Detroit Hometown Restaurant Group restaurants include One-Eyed Betty’s the restaurant will be open Friday-Sunday only with limited hours Sidecar Slider Bar will take over the Public House space and is expected to open quickly This will be Sidecar Slider Bar's eighth location Sidecar Slider Bar is known for gourmet sliders Kramer said the new concept will fit well with the current mix of offerings in the city’s core Savvy Sliders: Michigan-based chain to celebrate grand opening of Plymouth location who owns the building that houses Public House said the plans are to hand over the keys to Sidecar on Feb and will be a great addition to our Ferndale community," Kramer said greyghostdetroit.com Leyland “Lee” DeVito is the editor in chief of Detroit Metro Times since 2016 His writing has also been published in CREEM He once asked porn star Stormy Daniels to spank him with an issue of Metro Times Renata Lasso Guerrero moved from Colombia to Whatcom County two and a half years ago She started school at Cascadia Elementary School in Ferndale knowing little English.  the 10-year-old is the vice president of the Latinos in Action club at Cascadia which provides students a place to connect to their culture and become leaders Her role includes public speaking and meeting with student leaders from other schools and districts Latinos in Action is a national program that focuses on empowering Latino youth service and college and career readiness,” said founder Jose Enriquez Classes at the middle and/or high school level are offered at just four districts in Washington: Ferndale Ferndale is the first school in Washington to offer an elementary-level program and one of the few in the country that offers the program in elementary about 20 fourth and fifth graders showed up to school early for the club They completed an activity on the “cultural iceberg,” a concept that divides a person’s culture into “surface culture” — like the way a person looks food or language — and “deep culture,” which includes religion they go into the district’s Transition to Kindergarten program and read to 4-year-olds The impact of the club on the students is already clear: Teacher Adriana Boulos said she’s seen growth in students’ confidence Behavior in other classes has also improved the bilingual secretary at Cascadia and Latinos in Action teacher She said she and Boulos often remind the students that they’re leaders and should be role models for younger students I think a lot of times the students see themselves below everyone else because they’re having to learn a new language and so they’re always trying to catch up,” Boulos said “But I feel like [Latinos in Action] has really showed that the fact that they speak other languages — that’s their superpower said Latinos in Action has taught her mistakes are OK because she can learn from them.  “We’re not just growing in Latinos in Action [but] also outside of school,” she said.  said she has been told she “can’t be Mexican because [her] skin isn’t dark enough.” no one would think that,” the 9-year-old said She said she’s learned through the club to embrace her culture and to be empathetic and kinder to others.  students learn about college and career readiness tutor younger students and plan events and fundraise Mendoza said students in positions of leadership in the class “flourish.”  having that Latino influence has definitely been a benefit for them,” she said “A program like this [teaches them] what it’s like to have self-reliance and take action.” Enriquez said Latinos in Action is needed now given the current political climate.  Since President Donald Trump entered office in January, the federal government has targeted diversity initiatives and programs that consider race While Latinos in Action is open to all students Enriquez challenges people who question the program’s importance to observe what Latinos in Action students are doing.  “When you enter the students’ classroom you [see] an entirely different thing than what the narrative may be out there,” he said “… People are trying to impose a narrative that isn’t true is to showcase our young people serving and leading.”  Charlotte Alden is CDN’s general assignment/enterprise reporter; reach her at charlottealden@cascadiadaily.com; 360-922-3090 ext which will be ceasing its stabling and training operations in March Despite the turmoil happening in the state's racing industry the California Horse Racing Board's Feb With the cessation of all Golden State Racing stabling and training operations at the Alameda County Fairgrounds CHRB executive director Scott Chaney said his "impression" is that at least one fair is considering applying for racing dates.  met with counterparts representing the racing fairs individually and collectively "They all expressed their desire to race but acknowledged the hurdles to racing which included economic headwinds with the closure of Pleasanton the prospect of no existing horse population in Northern California and the logistics of operating a fair meet without the assistance of (the California Authority of Racing Fairs)," Chaney said CHRB vice chairman Oscar Gonzales noted that Chaney extended each of the fairs "up to 90 days from the time that they would commence a fair meet from the time that they request the dates they would have to submit their application again."  Gonzales said Ferndale expressed interest in running a meet "They're trying to bring together the different components of Fresno But I'd have to say preliminarily that the other three fairs—Cal Expo and Pleasanton—are probably going to opt out this year Gonzales also said that he believes there will come a time when the CHRB will have to discuss the impact of closures in Northern California on the workforce which he said is "significant."  "There will come a time when we have to have a conversation about what this board's role is or is not as it relates to other areas of impact because of this significant setback," Gonzales said.  the CHRB approved a request to modify the distribution of market access fees from advance-deposit wagering which chairman Gregory Ferraro said "otherwise would have funded purses and commissions to cover the assessments as allocated to each signatory racing association." Chaney said that the total cost of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority's 2025 assessment for the state is $6.9 million He said what was before the board was the industry's proposal for paying what is owed Chaney said HISA and the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit were "very generous" with California After factoring in some of the services the state provides from adjudication to sample collection to testing at the University of California-Davis and research California stakeholders would be "on the hook" for approximately $800,000 which Chaney said is about half of what was paid last year.  the handle for day racing in California was down 15% while the total handle was down 15% when compared to January 2024 He said these numbers reflect the lack of racing in Northern California Chaney said that total all-sources handle for the year was $2.8 billion who was appointed to the CHRB in August 2024 Chaney acknowledged during Thursday's meeting Chaney said the resignation came "about 10 days ago." No reason for Carvelli's resignation was given Just a few months after the Emory in downtown Ferndale closed a new concept is ready to emerge in its place Carajillo will make its debut Friday with a menu of authentic Mexican cuisine and a full bar to match Chef and owner Ara Sotelo and her team will serve salads Sotelo will also have options for those who are vegan There will also be Mexican cocktails and beer "I want to keep the authenticity and traditions so we're going to be sharing that here," said Sotelo adding that Carajillo will also host events including a monthly karaoke night the last Friday of each month Sotelo grew up in Mexico City but has been living in Michigan for more than 20 years This area is not new to Sotelo's cuisine. She operated Cafe de Olla for a few months inside Cafe Muse restaurant in downtown Royal Oak. (That space is now occupied by Colombian restaurant Rosita's Treats.) which owns and operates Woodward Avenue Brewers next door Cvrses cocktail lounge and the Loving Touch music venue Once open Friday, Carajillo will operate 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Sun.-Thurs. and 11 a.m.-midnight Fri.-Sat. at 22757 Woodward in Ferndale. Follow the restaurant on Instagram at instagram.com/carajilloferndale « OBITUARY: Shannon Dale Jones, 1969-2025 THE ECONEWS REPORT: Reviewing Trump’s First 100-ish Days » Joe Oeschger pitching for the Philadelphia Phillies Then came the historic Saturday afternoon of May 1 Leon Cadore pitched major league baseball’s longest game for the Brooklyn Robins [The Joe Oeschger quotations are from “Joe Oeschger Remembers” and a 1970 New York Times story.] Commemorative baseball card from the collection of Jack Nash Nancy and Joe Oeschger flanking the plaque naming Oeschger Field in Fireman’s Park in Ferndale Commissioner of Major League Baseball (1945-1951) in Philadelphia during the 1983 World Series (Phillies vs threw out the opening pitch in the third game of  the World Series FERNDALE — Anacortes boys soccer scored three goals in the final 10 minutes to open its season with a 3-0 victory against Ferndale Thursday “It was an evenly matched game,” Ferndale coach Rigel Weis said We had a chance before they scored the first one but soccer can be cruel sometimes.” One of Ferndale’s best opportunities came in the 68th minute when Ryder McCllelan had a diving header miss wide left of the net.  “Ferndale had a couple good shots but Ashton (Gere) is a wall in the goal so it is hard to get around him,” Anacortes coach Ross Ramsdell said Gallery: Anacortes boys soccer blanks Ferndale Anacortes senior Riley Walgamott received a through ball pass and snuck the ball underneath the goalkeeper for the first goal of the game Owen Foley nailed a free kick from 20 yards out into the upper left corner to make it 2-0.  we gave Owen the freedom to go for it and that was as good as it gets,” Ramsdell said “Riley decided he wanted to finally finish and scored two goals Walgamott battled through a couple of Ferndale defenders and fired a shot with his left foot into the upper left corner to end the game.  Anacortes (1-0) next plays at Kingston at 3 p.m while Ferndale (0-1) will host Squalicum at 7 p.m “I made sure everyone got some playing time tonight so we can have an idea of everyone’s potential tonight.” FERNDALE, Mich. – People will be able to get the popular Grey Ghost burger at a new fast-casual dining spot opening in Metro Detroit this summer. Four Man Ladder Hospitality, the team behind Grey Ghost, Second Best and Basan, announced that its first fast-casual restaurant will open in Ferndale sometime in the summer of 2025. The restaurant, which has yet to be named, comes after the group recently acquired a nearly 1,000-square-foot building at 22305 Woodward Avenue, according to a release. It will cater to takeout customers and focus on a small menu that spotlights the team’s burger, chicken sandwich and sides. “Over the past nine years, our beloved Grey Ghost burger has developed a loyal following,” says chef and co-owner John Vermiglio. “Its simple preparation and exceptional ingredients resonate with our guests, and we’re excited to translate that same spirit into a quick-service format. Alongside this fan favorite, we’ll introduce fresh new menu items, all crafted with the same commitment to quality.” The team says they envision this as their first location, with more to follow. The restaurant is set to operate daily and offer local delivery and catering services. More details about the menu, the restaurant name and the grand opening date will be shared at a later time. Four Man Ladder is led by chefs Joe Giacomino and John Vermiglio, beverage director Will Lee and director of operations Michael Gray. co-lead pastor of the Renaissance Vineyard Church joined the show to share more about what inspired him and his wife to start a comedy club in the church’s basement Subscribe to The Metro on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, NPR.org or wherever you get your podcasts The pandemic was a lonely time for a lot of people Social isolation quickly became social distancing the separation caused a lot of problems that may now be associated with disconnection Today on The Metro, we spoke with co-lead pastor of the Renaissance Vineyard Church in Ferndale Drew Fralick. He and his wife started a comedy club in the basement of the church to help build positive, in-person connections within the community after the pandemic, while creating a space for local comedians to try out new material. Called the Joke Gym, the space also hosts addiction recovery meetings every other Friday Hear more stories from The Metro on Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2025. “Would you homeschool your kids and why?” Join the conversation by calling 313-577-1019 or leaving us an Open Mic message on the WDET app to noon ET on 101.9 FM and streaming on-demand WDET is a community service of Wayne State University CONTACT Membership Sponsorship Studio Rentals Technical Support Pitch Us a Story Help/FAQ Other Inquiries Shows Podcasts Schedule Listen Live Contests & Giveaways SUPPORT WDET Membership Leadership Circle Car Donations Business Sponsorship Broadcast Partners Program More » INSIDE WDET About Staff Jobs & Internships Public File FCC Applications The Washington State Department of Ecology is asking for public input on a cleanup plan for the Treoil Industries site in Whatcom County where the multi-decade buildup of hazardous waste has contaminated the soil and may have seeped into the groundwater On March 20, Ecology released its Remedial Investigation, Feasibility Study and Public Participation Plan for review — the comment period opens on March 24 and closes on April 22.  owned by Jagroop Gill and Campbell Land Corporation is on a 34-acre property northwest of Ferndale part of the property had been used for industrial operations primarily refining biodiesel and processing tall oil — liquid rosin from pine trees.  Spills and poor maintenance operations through the decades have led to hundreds of thousands of gallons of oily waste tons of solidified wastes and many containers of hazardous materials at the Treoil site Environmental Protection Agency was called in twice to conduct multimillion dollar cleanups in 2017 and 2022 the EPA also demolished multiple above ground storage tanks containment areas and other structures that were being unlawfully used to store dangerous waste The Whatcom County health department pitched in to tow old cars off the site In December 2023, Ecology fined the owners $900,000 for failing to comply with the state’s dangerous waste laws an environmental consulting firm has been studying the site and preparing some remediation options illegal dumping of abandoned vehicles and garbage still appears to be occurring.  The newly released feasibility study outlines three alternatives for cleanup with containment by capping and long-term monitoring chosen as the preferred alternative approximately 6,268 tons of contaminated soil will be covered with clean fill and compacted to prevent exposure to people The cap will have low permeability to ensure stormwater will run off beyond it Ecology will host a drop-in open house (with snacks) from 4-6 p.m. on Wednesday, April 2 at the Ferndale Library at 2125 Main St. Phone interpretation will be available in Spanish, Russian, Ukrainian, Arabic, and Punjabi, and there is also a virtual meeting option.  Ecology will publish all the input received and respond to significant comments and questions If public input leads to substantive changes to the cleanup documents the documents will be revised and reissued for review FERNDALE — State budget woes dominated the conversation at a packed legislative town hall featuring three state lawmakers in Ferndale on Saturday As Washington state faces down a $12 billion operating budget shortfall Sharon Shewmake (D-Bellingham) stressed that difficult decision-making would lead to budget cuts and delayed implementation of certain programs Some of those decisions have already been made including the delay of expanding access to an early learning program A similarly packed town hall meeting said they would fight to preserve education funding for K-12 schools and Western Washington University “I was at Mount Baker School District when a parent was dropping off paper because the central office had run out ‘that’s no way to run a school district,’” Shewmake said “…Are we making sure we’re taking care of the people that take care of our kids?” Mount Baker School District is one of several school districts in the state facing tough challenges from continued budget cuts to dwindling state funding state funding gaps have cost the district about $17.17 million.  larger class sizes and the potential decline of advanced college-level classes for high school students Students involved in the Mount Baker’s Associated Student Body visited Olympia in February to speak with lawmakers about the impact of budget cuts “They are really one of the canaries in the coal mine,” Timmons said “They are in binding conditions … and if we don’t listen to them every student around the state is going to suffer.” Shewmake said the working Senate budget proposal includes putting $1 billion toward K-12 schools in the state Public schools aren’t the only ones worried about what their funding could look like in the next state budget. Gov. Bob Ferguson called for 3% cuts to all four-year public universities and colleges across the state For Western Washington University, a 3% cut — about a $7.47 million reduction — could worsen the university’s already challenging financial situation. The university already has the lowest per-student funding of all four-year public institutions in the state Timmons noted the members of the 42nd Legislative delegation had sent a letter to the state budget writers requesting that Western’s per-student funding level be matched with other universities Shewmake added she was hopeful Western could receive $10 million–15 million in the budget “so we don’t have to continue these destructive cuts.” As lawmakers struggle to figure out which programs and department budgets to cut, they’re also struggling with finding revenue sources. Democrat leaders have said new taxes or tax increases will be necessary while state Republicans have said new taxes are unnecessary, according to the Washington State Standard Former Gov. Jay Inslee, when presenting his proposal to curb the looming deficit in December before he left office, proposed a 1% tax on an individual’s wealth above $100 million that could generate roughly $10 billion in the next four years Ferguson has not commented on tax increases and said during a press conference in late February that the state’s upcoming revenue forecast could impact those discussions Shewmake said Saturday that rather than rely on Washington state’s regressive sales and property tax structures “I’d like to see us rely less on things that really impact working people people that are just getting by and instead ask those that are very very wealthy to pay their fair share,” she said The Washington state Legislative session ends on April 27