Oakland County Executive Patterson touts budget surplus, jobs in speech

Pontiac — Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson touted economic development efforts, a budget surplus and technology initiatives in his 18th annual State of the County address Wednesday evening.

• Text of Patterson's State of the County address

AJ’s Music Cafe in Ferndale will be leaving with a legacy of headlines and good will

The mournful high school kids left a few minutes ago, and now AJ O’Neil is hearing condolences from a homeless guy named Lucky.

Bing, county execs play up parks to boost quality of life in Metro Detroit

Dearborn— Parks and recreation are among the keys to rejuvenating the city, Mayor Dave Bing said Thursday morning.

Sterling Heights man arraigned on Craigslist diamond ring theft

Madison Heights — A 20-year-old Sterling Heights man is in jail after being charged with stealing a diamond ring advertised by its owner on Craigslist.

Oakland Dems to give own county address

Pontiac — Oakland’s Democratic commissioners plan to put on their own State of the County after Republican Executive L. Brooks Patterson excluded them from his 18th annual address over the legal battle involving a controversial redistricting law.

$6K rewards offered in Ferndale holdups

Ferndale — Rewards totaling $6,000 are being offered for information leading to the person or persons responsible for holdups of Ferndale businesses, including a Huntington Bank hit Tuesday for the second time in less than a month.

Oakland redistricting ruling expected within a week

Pontiac— An Ingham County Circuit judge is expected to rule within a week on a Democratic challenge to a redistricting law that shrinks Oakland County's commission and allows the GOP-controlled panel to decide voting districts.

Auburn Hills girl, 11, found but father may face charges

Auburn Hills— A missing 11-year-old Auburn Hills girl is back home and her noncustodial father is in Oakland County's jail and may face parental kidnapping charges.

Missing Auburn Hills girl found safe; father held

Auburn Hills — An 11-year-old girl reported missing Sunday in a suspected parental kidnapping has been found and her father arrested, police said. Tavia Bentley was recovered safely about 8:30 p.m. Monday in the 14000 block of Dolphin Street in Detroit.

Oakland sheriff looks for more alleged sex victims of Oxford gymnastics coach

Police are investigating whether a 24 year-old coach at an Oxford gymnastics facility who is accused of sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl may have had contact with other young girls.

Fraser club aspires to build special play area

Fraser — Carla Fanson says there aren't many playgrounds for her 21/2-year-old son Mason.

Cigarette cited in fatal Pontiac fire

Pontiac — Investigators have determined a cigarette was the cause of a fire that killed a 67-year-old, wheelchair-confined man in his home Wednesday night.

Suspected gunman, 17, held in shooting outside Ferndale school

Ferndale — Police said Wednesday two people have been arrested in connection with the Dec. 8 shooting of a student at Taft Education Center, including a 17-year-old Detroit man suspected of being the shooter.

Pontiac EM says service changes will save $8.2M a year

Ex-Chrysler exec gives Oakland U $21M

West Bloomfield schools reopen; vandalized buses repaired

Tape: Troy mayor calls gay lifestyle 'dangerous,' but doesn't mention mental illness

Hearing told of confession to robbery, slaying of senior

Pair charged in Royal Oak murder planned other killings, detective testifies

Cranbrook, DPS announce deal

Elizabeth Smart recounts ‘nightmare,’ urges vigilance to protect children

Mom accused of driving drunk with son, 5, in Troy

Former OCC student released from custody in Syria

Attorney: Dearborn Heights football players charged because they are Arab-American

Patterson releases letters to Snyder, lobbyist on redistricting bill

Rolladium shooting suspect appears in court

Armed robbery suspect shot after Southfield police chase

Commerce Township man to face charges in party shooting