Photo by Sue Suchyta Allen Park Cabrini coach and Michigan High School Softball Coaches Association 2014 Hall of Fame inductee Debbie Norman (center) shares a lighter moment with players Amber Steelman (left), 17, a senior from Dearborn, and Lillian Ranspach, 16, a junior from Allen Park. By SUE SUCHYTA Times-Herald Newspapers ALLEN PARK – Cabrini High School girls softball coach Debbie Norman, 2013 Michigan High School Athletic Association Softball Coach of the Year, said her induction into the Michigan Softball Coaches Hall … [Read more...] about Cabrini softball coach inducted into hall of fame
Allen Park
Shopping with a cop
Photo by Gabriel Goodwin Allen Park Police Officer Dan Mack (left) and Clyde the K-9 watched as Avery, 6, picks out a toy during the Police Department’s Shop with a Cop program. The department sponsors local children from the three the elementary schools in the Allen Park Public Schools — Arno, Bennie and Lindemann — and takes them shopping for Christmas gifts for themselves and their family. Each child receives a $165 Meijer gift card to spend. The program is in its fourth year, but has been sponsored by Meijer for the last three … [Read more...] about Shopping with a cop
AP families will receive toy boxes at Christmas
By GABRIEL GOODWIN Sunday Times Newspapers ALLEN PARK — A donation program held at Allen Park High School ensures that needy families will get a Christmas this year. The Toy Box campaign is wrapping up this week at the school, but APHS Principal Janet Wasko said staff from the school district worked together to collect toys, blankets and money to support local families during the Christmas season. Wasko said they currently have 19 families and about 40 children who will receive a toy box through the program and other needed … [Read more...] about AP families will receive toy boxes at Christmas
Getting ready on Thanksgiving
Photo by Gabriel Goodwin The Allen Park High School Marching Band plays “Get Ready” by the Temptations during the 87th America’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Thursday in Detroit. It was the 10th time the band has been apart of the parade’s Battle of the Bands competition. They competed against 11 other bands and voting took place during Thanksgiving weekend. Dearborn Divine Child participated as well. The winner will be announced December 2 on “Local 4 News Today.” … [Read more...] about Getting ready on Thanksgiving
Allen Park hiring part-time firefighters
By GABRIEL GOODWIN Sunday Times Newspapers ALLEN PARK — The city’s emergency manager OK’d hiring part-time firefighters to compliment the fill-time personnel and decrease overtime costs. “The part-time personnel was hired to compliment the staff already in place,” Emergency Manager Joyce Parker said. “We are committed to staffing the department with 22 full-time firefighters, then supplementing them with the part-timers.” Residents and council members questioned Parker about the Fire Department’s overtime costs last month … [Read more...] about Allen Park hiring part-time firefighters
AP EM forms advisory council
By GABRIEL GOODWIN Sunday Times Newspapers ALLEN PARK — Emergency Manager Joyce Parker selected 14 people to help bridge the gap between residents and her office to assist in the important decisions regarding the city’s future. “The Allen Park Advisory Committee was established to to be advisors to me and serve as a liaison between the local government and the greater Allen Park community,” Parker said. “They will provide feedback to me on particular issues and recommend solutions to resolve those issues.” Parker selected … [Read more...] about AP EM forms advisory council
Two shot during community center argument
By GABRIEL GOODWIN Sunday Times Newspapers ALLEN PARK — Two people were shot when an argument broke out at the Community Center about 11 p.m. Nov. 16. Police Lt. Dave Williams confirmed the shooting Monday, but said no arrests had been made before press time. He said the incident happened near the back of the parking lot near Philomene Avenue and the identities of the victims have not been released, but they are continuing to investigate the matter. “This is not something we see too often in our community, and it is very … [Read more...] about Two shot during community center argument
Officers aim to enhance disaster response with CERT program
By GABRIEL GOODWIN Sunday Times Newspapers ALLEN PARK — Two police officers brought disaster preparation to the area Tuesday with the creation of an Allen Park/Melvindale Community Emergency Response Team program. Allen Park Police Lt. Christopher Egan presented the program at the city council meeting Tuesday and said the purpose of the program is to give people the tools necessary to assist in a disaster situation. “I knew there was an interest by the residents because a lot of them tried to start a CERT program in Allen … [Read more...] about Officers aim to enhance disaster response with CERT program
Council looks to make meetings more efficient
By GABRIEL GOODWIN Sunday Times Newspapers ALLEN PARK — The city administration committee Wednesday discussed potential changes to the way council meetings are conducted to make “everything run more efficient and get residents’ questions answered correctly.” The committee — comprised of Councilman Angelo DeGuilio, Councilman Harry Sisko and Councilwoman Tina Gaworecki — acknowledged city council meetings are not run the way residents should expect and presented their concerns with the rest of the council members. Gaworecki … [Read more...] about Council looks to make meetings more efficient
City, EM forced to defend changes made to retirees’ benefits
By GABRIEL GOODWIN Sunday Times Newspapers ALLEN PARK — A lawsuit was filed by the Allen Park Retirees Association in an attempt to reverse the changes made to their benefits by the city’s emergency manager. The lawsuit was filed in the 30th Circuit Circuit of Ingham County in Lansing because it names the city of Allen Park, Emergency Manager Joyce Parker, the state of Michigan, and the Department of Treasury as the defendants in the case. Responses, by the state and city, are required by Nov. 22. Circuit Court Judge … [Read more...] about City, EM forced to defend changes made to retirees’ benefits