Around the Mitten: Rain, Rain, Go Away

Rain, rain, rain and more rain.

Yes, it was wet this week. But despite the weather, plenty of things happened around the great Mitten State.

Paying Tribute This Weekend
From parades to , the state honored the armed forces on Memorial Day weekend. A 91-year-old veteran will lead the parade in Hartland, a hometown hero and Air Force general returned for Trenton’s tribute, and Adrian Cronauer of Good Morning, Vietnam fame came to Dearborn. at Guardian Angel Cemetery in Oakland Township paid a touching tribute to the 245 Michigan soldiers who have died in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Fiat Comes to Macomb Township
Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne joined Chrysler management in Macomb Township on May 23 to open Carl Galeana's Fiat of Lakeside, the first of three Fiat studios slated to open in Michigan.

Controversy in Grosse Pointe Public Schools
A recent investigation revealing inappropriate adult images on school-issued computers and BlackBerrys led to the sudden resignations of Grosse Pointe South's Principal Allan Diver and Assistant Principal Brandon Slone. The investigation continues as a third computer was also seized and turned over to police.

More News of Teacher Layoffs, Callbacks
While Utica Community Schools issued layoff notices for more than 200 teachers, and reduced some central administration staff and support staff positions, the school boards in Trenton and Grosse Pointe voted to bring some teachers back. State budget cuts continued to be a controversial topic. When state lawmakers came to a "community conversation" about school budget cuts in Rochester, they were met with tough questions—and some heckling—from the crowd of more than 100.

The Kids Are Alright
There was more heartening school news this week.

• Members of the Wyandotte Roosevelt High School football team when they visited him inside the nursing home he's staying at while under hospice care.
• Friends of the late Kendal Lividini, a Hartland High School junior, before they went to their prom, arriving in a limo and placing a tiara, prom queen sash and flowers at her final resting place.
• Anchor Bay seniors, who are gearing up for graduation, shared their favorite memories from high school days.
• All 14 of Birmingham's schools were recognized this year as at the Oakland County Green Schools ceremony May 25.
• A new snack policy rolling out at Dexter Community Schools next year frowns upon non-healthy snacks students pack in their lunches.

Farmers Market Season Kicks Off
The Dearborn Farmers and Artisans Market kicked off Friday, May 27, to small but eager crowds who were happy to see the event back for its fifth year.

The Big Red Bus Rolls into Fenton
The Big Red Bus appeared at Gerych's Distinctive Flowers & Gifts in Fenton for England's big wedding of Prince William and his lovely brunette bride, Catherine Middleton. But one doesn't have to be a member of the royal family to rent the double-decker for corporate picnics, weddings, graduations, community events and other celebrations.

Oak Park Woman Charged with Second-Degree Murder
A 21-year-old Oak Park woman was arraigned Wednesday on a second-degree murder charge in the death of Terrence Dyer, 42, of Detroit, who was killed March 20 in a fiery three-car accident near 12 Mile and Greenfield roads.

'We Just Don’t Really Need Kroger,' Royal Oak Petition Signers Say
Preserving Royal Oak is what is behind a new "save the community" advocacy group that is to build on the long vacant former auto dealership property on the east side of Main Street north of 11 Mile Road—just north of the newly opened Emagine entertainment complex.

Meet Downtown Plymouth's Dancing Man
George Harvell's colorful outfits and smooth dance moves have become a fixture at downtown Plymouth's weekly summer concerts.

Farmington Hills Commission Honors Volunteers
A large group of volunteers, who have given thousands of hours to community organizations, were honored at Monday night's Farmington Hills City Council meeting. The Commission for Children, Youth and Families recognized their annual honorees, including Bonnie Murphy, winner of the George Romney Volunteer of the Year award.

One More Thing
Did mention it rained?