Birmingham ballot recount delayed one week
The recount of election returns from the city of Birmingham November 2 city commission election has been postponed until next Tuesday, November 30, according to the Oakland County Clerk's Election Division. >>>
Ethics panel nixes anti-Semitism complaints
Birmingham City Commissioner Clinton Baller received some relief from the Birmingham Ethics Board on Tuesday, November 16, after being accused of sending an email newsletter which some critics say included anti-Semitic tropes, along with accusations against supporters of former commission candidates David Bloom and Andrew Haig, prompting the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) to weigh in with a letter to the city criticizing the city commissioner. >>>
Second draft of master plan begins review
The Birmingham Planning Board on Wednesday, November 10, began the public review process of the second draft plan of the city’s 2040 master plan, which outlines long range planning and land use in the city. >>>
Celebrate holiday season in downtown Birmingham
From visiting Santa to enjoying horse-drawn carriage rides, the traditional holiday tree lighting and Winter Markt, Small Business Saturday and stores and boutiques with loads of merchandise, downtown Birmingham is the spot to enjoy the holiday season once again. >>>
Chamber music event at library canceled
An evening of chamber music at the Bloomfield Township Public Library on Friday, November 19, at 7 p.m. has been canceled due to the rising cases of COVID-19 in Michigan. >>>
Racist postings reported to police; lawsuit filed
Bloomfield Township police reported that Bloomfield Hills Schools Administration had notified them on Monday, November 15, regarding racist social media messages and on Wednesday, November 10, racist graffiti in a bathroom at Bloomfield Hills High School. At the same time, a Black student has filed a federal lawsuit against the school district and the high school over how racial complaints have been handled. >>>
Vehicle rummage through during night time
A Birmingham resident discovered his vehicle had been rummaged through
during the overnight hours of Sunday, November 7, although only change was missing. >>>
Downtown Newsmagazine has launched a membership campaign for donations to the publication to allow us to remain strong and grow while still remaining free to most homes in the Birmingham/Bloomfield area. Publisher David Hohendorf’s letter to the local community explains the background on the membership effort. >>>
Redrawing districts: the shape of things for 2022
If they are approved and finalized, they will be the official districts for the next decade, until the next decennial census is complete in 2030. >>>
Cameras in the courts: rules vary but change afoot
During Derek Chauvin’s recent trial for the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis, news stations nationally aired footage from inside the courtroom. Those following the case came to recognize the judge, the attorneys, even some of the witnesses as they watched to see whether Chauvin would be found guilty. The same thing happened more than two decades ago with the infamous O.J. Simpson trial and the endless media coverage that coincided with the rise of 24-hour cable news stations and Court TV. Yet despite these seemingly ubiquitous courtroom scenes filling our television and computer screens, those who follow the news might also realize that for some court cases, the only imagery available is sketches drawn by artists from inside the courtroom. >>>
When looking to get support for a leadership position, it doesn’t hurt to know people in high places. State Rep. Matt “Mad Dog” Maddock (R-Milford) really, really wants to be the next leader of the state House – so badly, he’s turned to the Big Dog of the current Republican Party himself, former President Donald Trump, who recently issued his endorsement. >>>
