Biden signs drunk driving prevention bill honoring Abbas family
December 21st, 20210 NORTHVILLE — President Biden signed a bill into law this week that brings drunk driving detection systems to vehicles in honor of a local Arab American family killed by a drunk driver. U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-Dearborn) first introduced the bill in 2019. The Honoring Abbas Family Legacy to Terminate (HALT) Drunk Driving Act is...Dearborn Heights fire officials urge safety in holiday plans
December 21st, 20210 DEARBORN HEIGHTS — With the holiday season in full swing, the Dearborn Heights Fire Department is urging residents to be careful and aware when it comes to their holiday plans. According to Dearborn Heights Fire Chief David Brogan and Fire Marshal Max Mitts, holiday fires kill or injure upward of 2,000 individuals and cause more...Nessel to help save DTE Gas customers more than $110 million
December 21st, 20210 LANSING — The Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) released its final order in DTE Gas’ most recent rate case, approving an $84,173,000 annual increase in DTE Gas’ rates, which is nearly $111 million less than the original request. In February, DTE Gas requested a $195 million increase, so the commission’s decision...Art teacher charged with making threats against St. Clair Shores middle school
December 21st, 20210 MACOMB COUNTY — A 59-year-old art teacher is accused of slipping hand-written threatening notes into three classrooms at a St. Clair Shores middle school. Johnna Rhône claimed that the allegations were not true when she appeared in court on Dec. 20. Police say that she made the false threats at Jefferson Middle School last week...Biden announces more hospital aid, free at-home COVID-19 tests to combat virus
December 21st, 20210 WASHINGTON D.C. — With the rapid spread of the omicron variant of COVID-19, President Biden announced new actions in an attempt to combat the virus. While Biden was scheduled to speak on Dec. 21, the White House provided details on his updated COVID-19 winter plan. A major update to his plan is the decision for the U.S....Mayor-elect Hammoud selects Issa Shahin as next Dearborn chief of police
December 20th, 20210 DEARBORN — Dearborn Mayor-elect Abdullah Hammoud has selected Dearborn Police Department Commander Issa Shahin as the city’s next chief of police, effective Saturday, Jan. 1. Shahin has served in that department for some 24 years, serving as executive commander for the last three. He will succeed current Chief Ronald Haddad, who...Vaccine clinic opening in Dearborn Heights
December 20th, 20210 DEARBORN HEIGHTS — Residents looking to get their COVID-19 vaccines, their COVID-19 boosters and flu vaccines will have a chance to do so this week. Dearborn Heights residents and residents of surrounding communities are invited to take advantage of a free vaccination clinic on Dec. 23 at the Dearborn Heights Berwyn Senior...COVID-19 vaccine clinic closing for the holiday break
December 20th, 20210 DEARBORN - The COVID-19 vaccine clinic at the Henry Ford Community and Performing Arts Center will be closed for the winter holiday break. The clinic, operated by the Wayne County Health Department, will not be on site from Dec. 24 until Jan. 3. The clinic offers Johnson and Johnson, Moderna, and Pfizer vaccines and the booster...Dearborn Council President-elect Mike Sareini talks outgoing administration’s rush to fill positions in its 11th hour
December 18th, 20211 Dearborn's City Council president-elect is speaking out against the efforts of the outgoing administration to illegally create a position for one of its political appointees in the new city administration. Dearborn City Councilman Mike Sareini, who is also Council president-elect, stopped by The Arab American News offices to chat with...Dearborn Public Schools District identifies 13 students for making threats, Police to visit schools on winter break
December 17th, 20210 DEARBORN — With the rise of threats against schools, Dearborn Public Schools and the Dearborn Police Department are teaming up to ensure safety. On Tuesday Dec. 21 and Wednesday Dec. 22, school district staff and Dearborn police officers will be visiting all school buildings to allow police officers to become more familiar with the...Dearborn native Abir Mehanna appointed new Market CEO of Vibra Hospitals of Southeastern Michigan
December 17th, 20210 DETROIT — Vibra Healthcare has announced Abir Mehanna as the market chief executive officer of Vibra Hospitals of Southeastern Michigan. Mehanna has held a variety of leadership positions in the industry and worked with Beaumont Health, Vibra Hospitals of Southeastern Michigan’s joint venture partner, since 2006. She has a...Detroit’s TCF Center, formerly Cobo Hall, now called Huntington Place
December 16th, 20210 DETROIT — The Detroit TCF Center, previously known as Cobo Hall, has gotten yet another name change. The property is now called Huntington Place after TCF Bank (TCF Financial Corp.) merged with Huntington Bancshares in June. ASM Global, the company that manages the convention center, says it is the 16th largest in the...City offices close for the holidays, trash collection to remain on normal schedule
December 16th, 20210 DEARBORN — City of Dearborn buildings will be closed for all Christmas and New Year’s holidays, including on Dec. 23-24 and Dec. 30-31. Trash and recycling collection will occur as normal on Christmas Eve and will remain on normal schedule for New Year’s Eve as well. Residents with any questions about trash or recycling...Eastern Michigan University opens campus apartments to Afghan refugees
December 16th, 20210 YPSILANTI — Nearly a dozen refugee families from Afghanistan will soon move into apartments on Eastern Michigan University’s (EMU) campus. The effort is in collaboration with Jewish Family Services of Washtenaw County (JFSWC), the county’s resettlement agency that helps provide refugees with support services and housing. EMU...Here’s a list of upcoming vaccinations sites for kids 5- 11-years-old in Dearborn, Detroit and Hamtramck
December 16th, 20210 DETROIT — The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is expanding COVID-19 vaccinations at its neighborhood testing sites to also offer the vaccine to children ages 5- 11-years-old. To date, vaccines have only been offered at these sites to adults and children ages 12 and older. On Nov. 2, Pfizer's COVID-19......
Dearborn police investigating armed robbery
December 16th, 20210 DEARBORN — On Wednesday, Dec. 15, at approximately 7:50 p.m., Dearborn police responded to the 7500 block of Wyoming on a report of an armed robbery. The report came from a local business. Police say that upon arrival, it was discovered that an unknown African American man wearing a surgical mask and all-black clothing had...11-year-old student charged with making threats at O.W. Best Middle School
December 15th, 20210 DEARBORN HEIGHTS — As more and more students countywide are being charged with making threats, an 11-year-old from O.W. Best Middle School is among them. In the weeks following the Oxford School shooting, police have been investigating several instances of threats against schools, resulting in dozens of juveniles across Wayne,...Blossom Learning Center offers a unique experience for children
December 15th, 20210 GARDEN CITY — Blossom Learning Center has a unique mission to help children grow and learn. The center, which opened in 2016 and expanded two years later, has 11 classrooms, all of which are separated by age group and include three Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP) classrooms. With more than 30 security cameras throughout the...When to expect $400 car insurance refund checks
December 14th, 20210 LANSING — The state of Michigan announced a new consumer page for residents to learn about the upcoming $400 car insurance refund checks, for which the state has set a May 29 deadline on insurers. The state has also launched a consumer FAQ page at Michigan.gov/MCCArefund. The web page contains important information and answers......
Woman dies in car crash, fire near Fairlane Mall in Dearborn
December 14th, 20210 DEARBORN — The Dearborn Police Department announced the death of a woman after a car crash near the Fairlane Mall Monday night. Police say that on Monday, Dec. 13, around 11:30 p.m., officers responded to the area of 500 Town Center Drive on a report of a vehicle that struck a light pole and had caught on fire. Upon arrival, it...Against city rules, outgoing Dearborn administration gives new $80K position to public information director
December 11th, 20210 DEARBORN - Dearborn community members and a City Councilman were alarmed and concerned by a last-minute salaried position created improperly at the 11th hour and given to a political appointee as the city transitions out into a new administration and Council, and is facing a massive budget shortfall. The “Neighborhood Liaison”......
Mayor Bill Bazzi gives Santa the key to the city
December 11th, 20210 DEARBORN HEIGHTS — With the holiday season in full swing, Mayor Bill Bazzi handed Santa the key to the city during its annual tree lighting ceremony. It was the first year Bazzi participated in the event as mayor and not as a City Councilman. “I wanted this year to be a joyous and memorable experience for our residents,...MIRC launches new program assisting Michigan immigrants at Detroit Immigration Court
December 11th, 20210 YPSILANTI — The Michigan Immigrant Rights Center (MIRC) has launched an immigration “helpdesk” program at the Detroit Immigration Court. The helpdesk will provide in-person legal information and assistance, as well as follow-up services remotely and in-office. The MIRC joins a national network of nonprofit organizations......