NOVI — A district court judge recused himself from a case July 12 as a result of the defendant allegedly making threats against him and his family.

SOUTHFIELD — Beloved former Southfield Mayor and Councilman Donald F. Fracassi passed away peacefully in his home on Sunday, June 25, on his 63rd wedding anniversary with wife, Karen.

METRO DETROIT — Michigan homeowners may have new options when it comes to those annoying critters digging up their gardens or threatening pets.

ROCHESTER HILLS — Hazardous air quality caused by the Canadian wildfires prompted city officials to postpone their annual Festival of the Hills fireworks show, which will now be held Wednesday, July 26.

TROY — A 48-year-old Troy man has been charged with five counts of solicitation to commit murder after allegedly planning the deaths of five of his own family members.

GROSSE POINTE SHORES — An attack on a small senior dog and her owners has left a number of Grosse Pointe Shores residents afraid of walking their dogs or strolling by themselves in one Shores neighborhood.

SHELBY TOWNSHIP — The Burgess-Shadbush Nature Center has announced the arrival of its newest animal ambassador, a red-tailed hawk named Artemis.

BIRMINGHAM — The Birmingham City Commission unanimously adopted in its entirety completed Birmingham Historic District design guidelines June 26.

EASTPOINTE — Approximately 80 people carrying rainbow flags and wearing Pride T-shirts on the evening of June 28 attended a Pride Protest in front of Eastpointe City Hall, located at 23200 Gratiot Ave.

DETROIT — Facing off against Collin Morikawa and Adam Hadwin in a three-man playoff on the 18th hole at the Rocket Mortgage Classic on July 2 at Detroit Golf Club, Rickie Fowler stared down a potential tournament-winning putt from 11 feet out.

ST. CLAIR SHORES — According to a press release by the St. Clair Shores Police Department, at approximately 4:45 a.m. on July 3, an officer saw a vehicle associated with an Amber Alert issued by the Lansing Police Department. The vehicle was traveling near Nine Mile Road and Harper Avenue.

FARMINGTON — A longstanding tradition is set to continue in Farmington, as the Greater Farmington Founders Festival is scheduled to take place July 20-22 in the downtown area.

STERLING HEIGHTS — Sterling Heights is working on ideas to increase its living lumber.

BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP — A 62-year-old man has been hospitalized after being hit by a car on Maple Road in Bloomfield Township July 5.

HAZEL PARK — A Hazel Park man has been charged with felony assault after police said he admitted to strangling his girlfriend, who survived but is bruised. Police are also reminding the public that help is available to anyone who believes they’re in an abusive relationship.

MACOMB COUNTY — In a time where finances are all over the headlines, two of the region’s most prominent politicians took time in late June to discuss the state of Macomb County’s economy.

HARRISON TOWNSHIP — When military planes roar by for a flyover, onlookers usually spot some of the U.S. Air Force’s fastest and flashiest jets. But on June 27, two unsung heroes of military aviation took off from Selfridge Air National Guard Base for a statewide tour in their honor.

TROY — At the core of every sport is a sense of community and love, and there are no boundaries determining who can or cannot be a part of that.

SOUTHFIELD — In response to the uptick in automobile thefts, Deputy Chief Aaron Huguley said that Southfield is not an anomaly.

TROY — A suspect has been charged in connection to the hit-and-run crash that injured a 7-year-old girl in Troy May 13.