Our recommendations for November ballot
City settles suit against officers for $675,000
The City of Birmingham has settled, for $675,000, a federal court lawsuit involving a local resident who claimed that in July of 2021 police officers violated his constitutional rights by using excessive force upon unlawfully entering his home as five of them responded to a report of an alleged domestic dispute disturbance.
School district group questions TCH lease
A group of residents in the communities served by the Birmingham Public Schools is raising questions about the proposed lease being negotiated by the district and the governing board for the City of Birmingham Community House Foundation for space in the iconic city building to offer early childhood education services.
Township Waste Day coming next Saturday
Bloomfield Township residents will be able to dispose of hazardous waste on Saturday, October 3 when the popular Household Hazardous Waste Drop Off Day event returns to the township campus from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Bloomfield Township open house this Sunday
Bloomfield Township will be holding an open house this Sunday, September 27, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. so visitors can explore the various departments of the local government.
Annual Best Burger contest starts October 1
The BirminghamBURGER event is back for its third year, highlighting the creativity, talent, and flavor of downtown Birmingham’s top restaurants starting next Thursday, October 1 and running until the end of the month.
Home invasion suspect arrested once again
Bloomfield Township police have arrested once again a home invasion suspect who was first arrested in 2024 but had his case dismissed because a witness was not available due to a medical issue.
Masked group takes merchandise from store
A downtown Birmingham business located near the 200 block of Pierce Street was reportedly broken into around Thursday, September 17, and merchandise was stolen.
Woman caught trying to cash fake check
A Pontiac woman was arrested in Birmingham the morning of Monday, September 21, after trying to cash a fraudulent check at a credit union in the 2000 block of W. Maple.
Car found missing from outside home
Birmingham police are currently searching for suspects in an alleged car theft that took place around Thursday, September 17, in the 1000 block of Emmons Avenue.
Driver arrested on warrant during traffic stop
A Detroit man was arrested in Birmingham on Saturday, September 19, during a traffic stop near Chesterfield Avenue and Pine Street after officers discovered an outstanding warrant.
Man arrested for alcohol theft at grocery store
After allegedly stealing a pack of alcoholic beverages from a Birmingham grocery store in the 600 block of E. Maple, a Pontiac man was arrested by city police officers.
Police looking for suspected grocery thief
Birmingham police are currently searching for a suspect in a grocery store theft that took place the night of Thursday, September 10, at a store on the 600 block of E Maple.
Package missing after delivery to residence
After a package worth about $250 had been marked as delivered to a Birmingham resident’s home on the 1000 block of N. Adams Road, it reportedly went missing and has yet to be found.
Bike stolen from outside city public library
An investigation by Birmingham police is underway in the search for a missing bike reported stolen the afternoon of Sunday, September 13, by the owner who claimed he left it parked outside Baldwin Public Library for a couple of hours.
Lockbox stolen from property for sale
A lockbox installed on the front door of a property for sale in Birmingham was reportedly stolen and replaced with a different lockbox.
State, county wetlands under growing pressure
Wetlands are easy to overlook, especially their importance. They may look like unassuming acres of native plants, wet soil, and trees, filled with frogs and other amphibians and animals. That is, until your basement floods, your favorite lake turns green, the shoreline at your lakeside home erodes, or the spring night chorus of frogs you usually enjoy goes silent. These aren’t wastelands but an assembly line of working landscapes – part sponge, part kidney, part nursery – that slow stormwater, filter runoff, recharge groundwater, protect lakes and rivers, sequester carbon, create natural greenspace and recreational areas that stimulate economic benefits, and provide shelter for fish, birds, amphibians, insects, and mammals.
SCHOOL BOARD POLITICS
For those looking for an example of politics – on the part of both major parties – entering the world of school board elections, turn to the Troy Schools district contest this year in which five people are seeking two six-year terms in the November election. Candidate Walter Cook, who has one child in an elementary school in the district, posted a text on social media mocking the assassination of hard-right-wing political activist Charlie Kirk in September of 2025.
