METRO DETROIT — The winter months of the year often get gloomy with the lack of sun and greenery outside, which leads people to sprucing up the insides of their homes to make them lively.

METRO DETROIT — When it comes to educating your children, there are a multitude of options to consider before choosing the right fit. The key, experts say, is finding a suitable learning environment for your child — whether it be at a traditional public, charter, private, home, virtual or other school.

LANSING — The Library of Michigan announced the 2026 Michigan Notable Books list, honoring “a diverse collection of works that highlight the state’s vibrant literary landscape and the voices shaping its cultural narrative.”

UTICA — During a Jan. 13 meeting, the Utica City Council split $1,000 among four local organizations while giving $1,390 to the Utica Public Library for its fiscal year 2026 Community Development Block Grant allocation of funds.

SHELBY TOWNSHIP — An out-of-state man wanted by police for violating his parole related to a bank robbery in Wisconsin was arrested in Shelby Township.

SHELBY TOWNSHIP — A 24-year-old man from Shelby Township will serve 18 months in federal prison after disrupting a flight from Nebraska to Detroit, prompting an emergency landing.

METRO DETROIT — There is an urgent need for blood donations. On Jan. 20, the American Red Cross held a virtual news briefing via Zoom to announce blood supplies are down 35% nationally, which is about 40,000 units.

METRO DETROIT — Here's a look at five things to do during the weekend of Jan. 23-25.

UTICA — The home of the United Shore Professional Baseball League has rebranded its ballpark’s name to UWM Field, the league announced on Jan 13.

METRO DETROIT — Anyone who donates blood for the American Red Cross before Jan. 25 will automatically be entered to win a trip for two to Super Bowl LX in February in Santa Clara, California.

METRO DETROIT — Here's a look at five things to do during the weekend of Jan. 16-18 and Martin Luther King Jr. Day Jan. 19.

DETROIT — Roger Faulkner, the co-founder of the Detroit Express, of the North American Soccer League, and former president of the Michigan Soccer Association, is releasing a book, “You Can’t Get There from Here: My Soccer Journey from Derby to Detroit,” on Feb. 24.

NOVI — In the aftermath of the September shooting at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc, and with other shootings at places of worship, the Michigan State Police has resurrected a training program for security at places of worship, which had been paused during the COVID-19 pandemic.

UTICA — The city of Utica is considering relocating city facilities, as Plante & Moran PLLC will be studying the feasibility of this move and will provide a report on its findings to the City Council.

METRO DETROIT — AAA is reminding homeowners of how essential it is to stay proactive on maintenance during the winter cold, and it shared 10 tasks to help people stay prepared and safe during this time.

METRO DETROIT — Residents should be wary of a circulating phone scam where callers impersonate deputies from the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office and demand payments.

METRO DETROIT — When starting a business, entrepreneurs think about all aspects that will make it successful: daily operations, building a customer base, hiring employees, managing cash flow, city zoning ordinances and much more.

UTICA — Sidney Emmanuel Davis Jr., a 25-year-old man from Utica, was recently referred for a competency evaluation after being charged with first-degree premeditated murder related to a stabbing that occurred at a Meijer gas station in Shelby Township.

SHELBY TOWNSHIP — Angela Spalla is the Shelby Township Senior Center’s featured artist for the months of January and February.

SHELBY TOWNSHIP — A 24-year-old man has been charged in connection with a recent drive-by shooting at a mobile home park in Shelby Township.