STERLING HEIGHTS — There’s emphasizing a defensive mindset, and then there’s prioritizing the defensive unit night in and night out.

STERLING HEIGHTS/SHELBY TOWNSHIP/UTICA — A Utica Community Schools career and technical education student was recently named Michigan state champion after achieving a perfect score on the Microsoft Word certification exam.

SHELBY TOWNSHIP — Longtime Shelby Township resident and Korean War veteran William B. Harrell, 91, was the recipient of an Honor Flight in November to visit the national war memorials in Washington, D.C.

SHELBY TOWNSHIP/UTICA/STERLING HEIGHTS — Utica Community Schools plans to open an academy at Utica High School next year that will put students on paths toward careers in the medical field.

BIRMINGHAM — Birmingham Seaholm senior Grayson Davis earned first place at the Boys Oakland County Championship Dive Tournament Feb. 3 at Royal Oak Middle School.

BLOOMFIELD HILLS — Twenty years ago, Dream Arts Co. was founded by Tiffany Sims, who had a vision that she brought to life in the Birmingham-Bloomfield community.

BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP — Through March 26, Bloomfield Township residents can put their creative eye to the test for the library’s annual photo contest.

BIRMINGHAM — The City Commission declared a climate emergency and established an Ad Hoc Environmental Sustainability Committee Jan. 23.

BLOOMFIELD HILLS — Detroit Country Day hockey speaks for itself with its culture, its championships and the success it delivers each season.

FRANKLIN — Since Franklin Village retail shops are 100% women-owned, the downtown community has a strong culture of women supporting women. This winter, they are once again giving back to the community through supporting the organization, I Support the Girls.

BEVERLY HILLS — On Dec. 13, 2022, Beverly Park turned 100. The village of Beverly Hills is celebrating the park’s anniversary throughout 2023 by sharing memories and stories of Beverly Park.

MACOMB COUNTY — Several local school districts are receiving grants from the state to assist in the hiring of more school resource officers.

BIRMINGHAM — Scott Grewe has recently begun his new role as the Birmingham Police Department’s chief of police.

BIRMINGHAM — Improving the trails in Birmingham has been a plan circulating since 2006. However, when the original Trail Improvement Concept Plan was made, there was no funding available at the time.

CENTER LINE — The Center Line Department of Public Safety has a new sleuth on the force helping to keep its residents safe.

METRO DETROIT — Students from the Warren Consolidated School of Performing Arts were center stage when they attended the Michigan Thespian Festival Dec. 8-9 at the Lansing Center & Radisson Hotel.

METRO DETROIT — During her State of the State address Jan. 25, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer addressed several issues, including education.

ROSEVILLE — Kment Elementary School special education teacher Kimberly Harvey and speech and language pathologist Kaela Calcaterra wanted to find a way to further help students with autism and sensory issues.

WARREN — At their Jan. 10 meeting, Warren City Council members voted unanimously to approve a $112,984 cost-sharing agreement with Macomb County for engineering designs linked to a construction project along Mound Road from Eight Mile Road to Interstate 696.

WARREN — Every time Rolan Covert drives by the Mobil gas station at 12 Mile and Ryan roads, it takes him back to when he first set eyes on Annie Gudgalis.