By ZEINAB NAJM Times-Herald Newspapers HEIGHTS — Residents of all ages gathered to create survival kits for police officers in order to show their appreciation. The project was organized for the Back the Blue program and National Night Out initiative to support all public safety agencies. “With everything happening around the country involving shootings and police, appreciation bags were a nice way to thank our officers,” Councilwoman Lisa Hicks-Clayton said. “This encourages residents to show their support for our police … [Read more...] about Heights residents create police survival kits
Dearborn Heights
Heights officer praised for heroic action
By ZEINAB NAJM Times-Herald Newspapers HEIGHTS — A Dearborn Heights police officer is being hailed as a hero for his actions during an apartment fire where he saved a 7-year-old boy’s life. Cpl. Scott Keller and Sgt. Tim Zawacki responded to the call for a kitchen fire July 29 in the 6800 block of Country Lane, and arrived before firefighters. With no fire truck in sight and a mother worried about her 7-year-old son, Yusuff Salem, trapped inside, Keller went inside the building without hesitation. The only protection … [Read more...] about Heights officer praised for heroic action
Crestwood ASU cleans, fixes Heights park
By ZEINAB NAJM Times-Herald Newspapers HEIGHTS — With paint, gloves and sanding materials in hand, the Crestwood High School Arab Student Union prepared to fix the wear and tear at Van Houten Park. About 40 volunteers joined forces Aug. 8 to replace missing wood chips, remove weeds, sand down wood and repaint rusting play sets. Founder and President Mohamed Hojaij said the idea began during a board meeting in July with the help of Dearborn Public Schools teacher and ASU Advisor Rashid Baydoun. “We discussed how we can … [Read more...] about Crestwood ASU cleans, fixes Heights park
Heights woman killed in vehicle crash
HEIGHTS — Dearborn Heights resident Laura Tabaka was killed in a crash with a semi-truck near 12 Mile Road and Beck in Wixom July 28. The 58-year-old woman was a passenger in a Ford Escape that collided with the semi-truck pulling a trailer about 4:30 p.m. First responders arrived to the scene, but were able to save Tabaka’s life after conducting revival techniques. The driver of the Escape was taken to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The semi-truck driver was not injured and alcohol does not seemed … [Read more...] about Heights woman killed in vehicle crash
Standoff ends in arrests
By ZEINAB NAJM Times-Herald Newspapers HEIGHTS — Dearborn Heights police arrested five people after a nearly five-hour standoff at a house in the 17000 block of Annapolis following an alleged drug set-up. Police were alerted to the situation by a man who had been shot in the leg and was being treated at a local hospital. He allegedly met the suspects — four teen boys and one female — on Facebook before going to the house. When officers arrived on house about 2:30 a.m., it became a barricaded-gunman situation when the five … [Read more...] about Standoff ends in arrests
Heights police find over 100 marijuana plants at house
By ZEINAB NAJM Times-Herald Newspapers HEIGHTS — Police arrested a Heights man after finding more than 100 marijuana plants growing inside his mother’s house Aug. 4. Officers were in the 25000 block of Rouge River Drive on a call for an alarm at a neighbor’s house in the early morning when they discovered the operation. Police Chief Lee Gavin said police were able to smell the more than 100 marijuana plants from the house next door. As officers investigated the property, they found an 8-foot-by-10-foot swimming pool … [Read more...] about Heights police find over 100 marijuana plants at house
Heights police officers rescue boy from apartment fire
By ZEINAB NAJM Times-Herald Newspapers HEIGHTS — Two police officers rescued a 7-year-old boy trapped in an apartment fire July 29. The boy’s mother, Salsabeel Tolbda, called 911 after a fire broke out on the stove in her kitchen about 5 p.m. She was able to escape the apartment with her seven-month-old daughter, but not her son who ran upstairs. Sgt. Tim Zawacki and Cpl. Scott Keller were dispatched to the apartment complex in the 6800 block of Country Lane. They arrived on the scene before firefighters. A resident … [Read more...] about Heights police officers rescue boy from apartment fire
Heights man charged in stabbing death
By ZEINAB NAJM Times-Herald Newspapers HEIGHTS — Thomas Czapiewski, 32, of Dearborn Heights was charged with second-degree murder for the July 20 stabbing of a Detroit man. He was arraigned in 36th District Court July 22 where he was denied bond. A preliminary examination of the evidence against him is scheduled for Aug. 5 in the same court before Judge Lydia Nance-Adams. Police said Czapiewski was at his girlfriend’s house in the 18400 block of Oakfield in Detroit July 20. The 20-year-old victim, Jalen Davis, was also at … [Read more...] about Heights man charged in stabbing death
DHMC students raise money to help children with heart health issues
HEIGHTS – Students at Dearborn Heights Montessori Center jumped rope in the school gym during a Jump Rope for Heart fundraiser in April to help children not healthy enough for such exercise. Students from first through sixth grade took turns at different stations jumping rope individually and in teams. It was part of DHMC’s annual fundraiser to benefit the American Heart Association, which began with an assembly in March, when students learned about heart disease, and the value of exercise and nutrition in preventing heart … [Read more...] about DHMC students raise money to help children with heart health issues
City holds study session for possible dispatch center merger
By ZEINAB NAJM Times-Herald Newspapers HEIGHTS — Residents voiced their opinion regarding the purposed dispatch merger with the city of Dearborn during a study session July 19. Kerry Laycock, president and management consultant for Kerry D. Laycock Organizational, presented new information to the residents and answered questions from the audience. The purposed 911 emergency service dispatch consolidation plans to include Dearborn, Dearborn Heights, Garden City, Inkster, Wayne and Westland. Melvindale also was involved, … [Read more...] about City holds study session for possible dispatch center merger