BY MIKE KOURY mkoury@candgnews.com
Amazon unveils Prime Air drone delivery service in Hazel Park
DRONES WILL SERVICE COMMUNITIES WITHIN AN 8MILE RADIUS
BY MIKE KOURY AND ANDY KOZLOWSKI mkoury@candgnews.com, akozlowski@candgnews.com
OAKLAND COUNTY — Amazon will soon begin offering deliveries by drone, flying packages straight to the homes of customers who live within an 8-mile radius of the company’s Hazel Park distribution center at the corner of 10 Mile and Dequindre roads.
The shipping option, dubbed Prime Air, will only be available for certain goods. It is being marketed as a convenient way to get last-minute items without a trip to the store. But some are concerned about the safety of flying packages over traffic and homes, the noise it might create and whether it violates the privacy of homeowners.
See DRONES on page 8A
Ferndale weighs new ALPR camera providers ahead
of meeting, vote
FERNDALE — A decision on a new automated license plate reader system will be postponed until Ferndale has held a community meeting on the topic.
At its Nov. 24 meeting, the Ferndale City Council discussed a potential company to take over as the new partner for the Police Department’s ALPR cameras.
Ferndale and its Police Department previously partnered with Flock Safety for its ALPR program, but they decided to end the relationship after policy changes on the company’s end allowed federal agencies to access their information and outcry from the local community.
At the meeting, Police Chief Dennis Emmi highlighted why the use of ALPR had been successful for the department and helped solve crimes. The Ferndale Police Department has been operating without ALPR technology since Nov. 13.
“Understanding the importance of this technology and the potential delays associated with the approval process — as well as installation — we needed to move quickly to minimize the impact on our ability to solve crime,” he said. The department looked at four companies to become its next ALPR provider: Axon, Genetec, Motorola and Rekor. Axon currently provides Ferndale police with technology such as body-worn and in-car cameras and was the company
See CAMERAS on page 11A
During an event at the Hazel Park Community Center Nov. 20, Kyle Degiulio, manager of economic development policy at Amazon, explains the delivery process for the MK30 drone that will deliver packages as part of Amazon’s new Prime Air program.
Photo by Patricia O’Blenes
COMMUNITY CALENDAR
2A/ WOODWARD TALK • DECEMBER 10, 2025
DEC. 13
Holiday concert: Performance by Encore Chorus (LGBTQIA+ affirming vocal group features tenor and bass singers of all gender identities), 7:30 p.m., Zion Lutheran Church, 143 Albany St. in Ferndale, encorechorus.org
DEC. 14
Concert: Hear Ferndale Community Concert Band, 3 p.m., Ferndale High School, 881 Pinecrest Drive, free but donations appreciated, performances continue March 29 and May 3, info@fcconcertband.org, (313) 549-9244, fcconcertband.org
DEC. 15
Make holiday placemats: 6:30 p.m., Berkley Public Library, 3155 Coolidge Highway, (248) 658-3440, berkleymi.gov/libraryevents
DEC. 18-21
‘The Phantom Tollbooth’: Show about boy whose boredom changes to adventure thanks to mysterious package he finds in his room, performed by Stagecrafters Youth Theatre, 7 p.m. Dec. 18-19, 2 and 7 p.m. Dec. 20, and 2 p.m. Dec. 21, The Baldwin Theatre, 415 S. Lafayette in Royal Oak, (248) 541-6430, info@stagecrafters.org, stagecrafters.org
ONGOING
‘Steel Poinsettias’: Holiday parody sequel to “Steel Magnolias,” 7 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays and Mondays and 3 p.m. Sundays until Dec. 21, Ringwald Theatre at Affirmations LGBTQ+ Community Center, 290 W. Nine Mile Road in Ferndale, (248) 545-5545, theringwald@ gmail.com, theringwald.com
‘Merry Cringemas’: Original holiday sketch show, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 11-13 and 19-20, Go Comedy! Improv Theatre, 261 E. Nine Mile Road in Ferndale, www. gocomedy.net
Food drive: Hosted by city of Berkley and Berkley Cares Food Pantry, drop off unexpired nonperishable food and toiletry items in plastic or paper bag at any municipal building and Vibe Credit Union until Dec. 20, (248) 658-3333, communications@berkleymi.go, berkleycaresfoodpantry.com
Art exhibit: “Think Small” features work by 100-plus multimedia artists, 1-5 p.m. Sundays, noon-5 p.m. Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, and noon-9 p.m. Fridays until Dec. 29, Lawrence Street Gallery, 22620 Woodward Ave. (Suite A) in Ferndale, www. lawrencestreetgallery.com
“In Search of Quietude” features interpretations of heads and figures by Paula Zaks, on display 1-5 p.m.
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To view more Community Calendar and to submit your own event, use the QR code or visit candgnews.com/calendar. To advertise an event, call (586) 498-8000.
Sundays, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays until Dec. 23, Woods Gallery at Huntington Woods Public Library, 26415 Scotia Road, woodsgallery.org
Holiday Art Market: Open noon-5:30 p.m. until Dec. 28, Articipate, 3833 12 Mile Road in Berkley, (248) 812-9022, welcome@articipate.us
Ferndale Senior Group: Meets 11 a.m. every second and fourth Wednesdays of month, Hazel Park Community Center, 620 W. Woodward Heights, (248) 544-6767 (ext. 503), jeannie1111@comcast.net
Monthly book clubs: Find meetups for kids, science fiction, graphic novels and more, virtual and in person, Ferndale Area District Library, 222 E. Nine Mile Road, also groups which meet off site, see full list at fadl.org/upcoming-events, (248) 546-2504
• Find meetups for teens and adults, Berkley Public Library, 3155 Coolidge Highway, berkleymi.gov/ libraryevents
Birmingham-Ferndale Stamp Club: Meets 6 p.m. every first and third Tuesdays of month (fellowship at 5:30 p.m.), Birmingham Next, 2121 Midvale St., birminghamstamp.club
Wild Lights: Nighttime strolls include 500-plus displays and millions of LEDs, also pop-up performances and music, Santa photos, seasonal drinks, eats and sweet treats, and more, select times and dates until Jan. 4, Detroit Zoo, 8450 W. 10 Mile Road in Royal Oak, detroitzoo.org/events/wild-lights, read story at candgnews.com
Royal Oak Holidays: Free outdoor activities held each weekend until Dec. 21, downtown Royal Oak and Centennial Commons, see themes and schedule at royaloakholidays.com, read story at candgnews.com
Ice skating: Open daily from 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Sundays, noon-9 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays, noon-11 p.m. Fridays and 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturdays until Jan. 4, The Rink at Royal Oak in Centennial Commons, 221 E. Third St., therinkatroyaloak.com
Eat Smart, Move More, Weigh Less: Virtual 15-week program presented by AgeWays Nonprofit Senior Services and led by registered dietitian nutritionist, free for first-time participants ages 60 and older, register at (833) 262-2200 or wellnessprograms@ageways. org, tinyurl.com/agewaysworkshops
Health workshops: Hosted by Corewell Health, free and virtual, corewellhealth.org/classes-events/ southeast-michigan
Matt Provost, a Berkley resident and alumni of the school district, previously was a principal in Waterford before taking over the job at Angell Elementary School.
NEW BERKLEY PRINCIPALS REFLECT ON FIRST MONTHS, GOALS
BY MIKE KOURY mkoury@candgnews.com
BERKLEY — Two new principals began their tenures in the Berkley School District this year.
Both Angell and Rogers Elementary schools started their school years with new principals, Matt Provost and Katie Lewis, respectively.
Before coming to Berkley, Provost was a principal in the Waterford, Center Line and Wayne-Westland school districts. This is his 10th year overall serving as a principal of a school.
But once upon a time, Provost was a graduate of the Berkley School District, where his kids now attend. His family resides in the city.
See PRINCIPALS on page 11A
Man found guilty in murder of DoorDash driver in Ferndale
BY MIKE KOURY mkoury@candgnews.com
FERNDALE — A 39-year-old Oak Park man was found guilty of a murder that took place in Ferndale earlier this year, and he soon will be sentenced.
Terrell Simms was found guilty of second-degree murder on Oct. 23 in the March killing of Mamadou Diallo. He also was found guilty of one count of carrying a concealed weapon, one count of a felon in possession of a firearm and two counts of felony firearm.
A representative from the Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office could not be reached for comment at press time.
At 1:45 a.m. March 9, Diallo was driving through Ferndale working as a DoorDash delivery driver. After making a pickup at a White Castle on Woodward Avenue and attempting to merge onto southbound Woodward, a GMC truck nearly collided with his vehicle.
At Eight Mile Road, the GMC truck, driven by Simms, had slowed down and waited for Diallo’s vehicle to catch up. It was here where six gunshots were fired into Diallo’s vehicle.
After police were called for gunshots in the area, officers found Diallo outside his Ford Escape with a gunshot wound in his torso. He was taken to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
On the guilty verdict, Police Chief Dennis Emmi said he was “incredibly proud” of the work done by his officers and the collaboration with the FBI’s Oakland County Gang and Violent Crime Task Force, which led to Simms’ arrest on April 8.
“The work done by our investigators and working hand in hand with the Prosecutor’s Office to be able for the jury to return a guilty verdict in less than an hour is incredible,” he said. “That means there is absolutely no doubt in the jury’s mind that this person committed that crime.”
See SIMMS on page 5A
Photo provided by Berkley School District
The Ringwald Theatre’s production of “Steel Poinsettias, an unauthorized parody sequel to “Steel Magnolias,” opened on Dec. 5. Shows will continue throughout the month until Dec. 21.
Ringwald Theatre celebrates holidays with ‘Steel Magnolias’ parody
BY MIKE KOURY mkoury@candgnews.com
FERNDALE — The Ringwald Theatre has kicked off another series of shows, this time honoring a film beloved by the LGBTQ+ community.
The Ringwald’s production of “Steel Poinsettias” began on Dec. 5 and will continue to run until Dec. 21. The show is an unauthorized parody sequel to “Steel Magnolias.”
Quinn Jacob plays Shelby, which is not the same character portrayed by Julia Roberts in the film adaptation, but the child birthed at the end of the movie by Daryl Hannah’s character, Annelle.
“I have never really worked on source material like this,” Jacob said. “I’ve never really done kind of like a parody sort of show. It’s been really cool getting to find the connections between the movie and the stage version of “Steel Magnolias.” … It’s been very cool to see the connections between the old source material and kind of the new script that Vince (Kelley) has put together because of his love for ‘Steel Magnolias.’”
Co-director with writer Vince Kelley, Brandy Joe Plambeck said “Steel Magnolias” is an iconic gay classic film and was something they felt was ripe to parody for a holiday production.
“I’m really proud of it,” he said. “It has a lot of heart in it as well. It is the holidays, and I think that humor plus heart is something that people really love the combination of those two things. So, I appreciate and very much enjoy that our show does that. And it is fun to be in drag and to work with a lot of the folks that we have worked with before in similar fashions. So, it’s been a lot of fun and now we just need an audience, because you never know something’s really funny until you get butts in the seats, and then you see.”
Jacob has acted in a number of shows from Plambeck and Joe Bailey, but this only is the second show she’s performed in at The Ringwald.
The actress from St. Clair Shores believes anyone who attends the show will love the vibe of it all.
“It is so much like the vibe of the movie,” she said. “It’s warm, it is comforting, it’s got the Southern charm. At its core, it’s still just a story of all these women who come together, and all of this adversity, and in all the stages of their life, they’re there for each other. And I think that really shines through in this play version.”
“It’s just a really exciting show,” she continued. “I think that the plot lines are really fun. I think that it being Christmastime just adds a little extra something to it all. I think the people are really going to enjoy it.”
The theater is located inside the Affirmations LGBTQ+ Community Center, 290 W. Nine Mile Road. Performances will take place at 7 p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays and Mondays, and 3 p.m. on Sundays.
Tickets for “Steel Poinsettias” cost $25 for shows Friday through Sunday and $15 for Monday shows, and they are available at theringwald.com.
Call Staff Writer Mike Koury at (586) 498-1077.
Photo provided by Brandy Joe Plambeck
Emmi also was glad that this verdict will bring some justice to the family and community of the victim, Diallo.
Along with Simms, two other people were arrested in connection with the shooting, but they were released pending further investigation. Emmi confirmed that there is no active investigation into the other two suspects.
“We’re confident that the person that we arrested was solely responsible for the shooting,” he said.
Simms was scheduled to be sentenced on Dec. 9, according to the Oakland County Circuit Court’s website, but Emmi stated that the sentencing has been delayed to January and no specific date has been set.
Simms’ attorney, Adam Clements, could not be reached for comment at press time.
ABOVE: A jury found Terrell Simms guilty of seconddegree murder in October in the death of Mamadou Diallo, pictured above. Simms originally was set to be sentenced this week, but the date has been delayed. TOP: Diallo was shot on March 9 in what police described as a road rage incident.
File photos provided by the Ferndale Police Department
6A/DECEMBER 10, 2025
WOODWARD TALK
2026 colors of the year celebrate warm, sophisticated tones
BY MARY BETH ALMOND malmond@candgnews.com
METRO DETROIT — Trend forecasters from major paint brands have announced their colors of the year for 2026.
From versatile neutrals to rich browns to earthy greens, these hues are expected to dominate interiors for at least the next year.
Benjamin Moore’s color of the year is “silhouette,” a mix of “rich espresso hues with subtle notes of charcoal,” according to the company’s website.
Andrea Magno, director of color marketing and design at Benjamin Moore, said the connection between fashion and interiors has always been a source of inspiration, but this year in particular she’s noticed a renewed interest in suiting and classic silhouettes, the resurgence of timeless pieces, and the growing interest in the brown color family.
“Silhouette embodies these qualities with its depth and luxurious blend of burnt umber and delicate charcoal undertones. Like a perfectly tailored suit, this hue has the versatility and softness to bring a space from expected to exceptional,” Magno said in a statement.
Every year, the Benjamin Moore PaintOutlets.com locations in Rochester, Shelby Township and Macomb Township have a Color of the Year wall on display for patrons to see the color in person.
“Every year, we repaint the wall and we use different sheens on the wall so people can see what sheen does to color also,” said Merlin Bush, president of PaintOutlets.com, which sells Benjamin Moore products.
Bush said he really likes this year’s color.
“They wove some luxurious burnt umber into the gray, which creates a nice hue that’s chic and looks great on the walls that people are doing,” he said. “It looks great with almost anything.”
Behr announced “hidden gem,” a smoky jade, as its 2026 color of the year. The color, See PAINT on page 7A
Behr’s color of the year, “hidden gem,” is a great hue for a relaxing bathroom.
Photo provided by Behr
“Universal khaki,” by Sherwin-Williams, adds a soft look to kitchen cabinets.
Photo provided by Sherwin-Williams
Behr officials said, is a dynamic blend of blue and green that creates environments that feel both grounded and energizing.
“Now more than ever, there’s a growing appetite for colors that challenge convention and bring an unexpected sense of wonder to everyday spaces,” Erika Woelfel, vice president of color and creative services at Behr Paint Co., said in a prepared statement. “Hidden Gem captures that spirit in both name and color — its depth and refinement meets the desire for colors that are eternally stunning and stylish.”
The Sherwin-Williams 2026 color of the year, “universal khaki,” was selected by the company’s global “trendsight” team to be an ultra-usable hue, tailored for classic sophistication, according to Sue Wadden, director of color marketing at Sherwin-Williams.
“Khaki is more than just a neutral — it’s a timeless, go-anywhere shade that brings a sense of grounded elegance to any space,” Wadden said in a prepared statement. “With its warm, earthy undertones, Universal Khaki SW 6150 effortlessly complements a wide range of colors, creating a rich, inviting backdrop that can transform an entire design with quiet confidence.”
ABOVE: Valspar’s color of the year, “warm eucalyptus,” is featured on the cabinets of this
Naturally restorative and serene, “warm eucalyptus” is Valspar’s 2026 color of the year. The green hue, according to the company’s website, reflects “a collective desire for calm, grounding design” that adapts to the ever-changing pace of life.
“Warm Eucalyptus is more than just a beautiful shade of green, it’s a reflection of the comfort we crave in our homes,” Sue Kim, director of color marketing at Valspar, said in a statement. “Its warm undertones create a grounded, welcoming mood while drawing inspiration from nature and the familiarity of retro design.”
Kim said the color encourages “restoration and resilience.”
Homeowners can easily add small pops of trending colors to their homes with decor they can swap in and out.
Colleen Lipp, of Huron Carpet and Floor Covering in Wixom, said she often helps clients with home design.
“For the last several years I have been encouraging clients to go mostly monochromatic and then to pick up pops of color in the artwork, pillows, throws and things like that,” Lipp said.
Or for a bolder look, homeowners can add a new color with a feature wall, or go all in by color drenching all the walls in a room.
Call Staff Writer Mary Beth Almond at (586) 498-1060.
CRIME WATCH
Fast food restaurant makes embezzlement complaint
BERKLEY — The Berkley Public Safety Department received a report of embezzlement at 2:22 p.m. Nov. 24 in the 3600 block of W. 12 Mile Road.
According to the report, police were sent to a local Burger King for a report of embezzlement. A manager told police that the restaurant had been notified that three deposits were missing from its safe.
The manager reviewed security camera footage from the day before and found that an employee, a 40-year-old Berkley man, had taken the deposits, according to the police report. The employee was told to return the deposits or the police would be involved, but he had not communicated with the business since, according to the Berkley Public Safety Department. The deposits were worth $2,095.92.
The case was under investigation.
Makes The Most Perfect Hostess
Marty Meldrum has been lighting the Pointes for over 40 years!
inviting kitchen area.
Photo provided by Valspar
LEFT: “Silhouette,” Benjamin Moore’s 2026 color of the year, adorns the walls of this home.
Photo provided by Benjamin Moore
— Mike Koury
Drones
To address any concerns, Amazon held a public event Nov. 20 at the Hazel Park Community Center, 620 W. Woodward Heights Blvd. The event allowed guests to see the MK30 drone up close, learn about how its one-hour delivery service works, and meet the team members who operate it.
Gordy Dalziel lives in Royal Oak, which is within range of the drones. Dalziel described how he had previously seen an Amazon drone making a delivery in Berkley, in what he believes was a test run.
“It was pretty noisy, which is how we noticed it, but it was fast — it took maybe five minutes once we saw it to drop off its package, and then it was gone. It hovered for a moment and took off,” he said. “When you see how it cuts over the houses and it’s gone so quickly, you can see the efficiency of not being on the roads making those deliveries.”
After the event in Hazel Park, he said he still has some concerns, such as whether the drones will work in all weather conditions, or whether they could violate people’s privacy.
“If you want it delivered in your backyard, to avoid porch pirates, (the drone) might come in with the camera when you’re not expecting it, and you might be doing something where it invades your privacy,” Dalziel said. “So, I can see pluses and minuses. There might be some kinks for them to work out.”
According to Sharyn Ghacham, a representative for Amazon, customers will see whether a product is eligible for drone delivery upon checkout. Customers select and confirm a preferred delivery spot at their address, such as in a driveway or yard. Once it arrives, the drone descends to about 13 feet from the ground — low enough to safely deliver the item. It also scans the ground to make sure it’s clear of people, pets or cars before dropping the item.
Prime Air delivers packages that weigh less than 5 pounds and fit within the drone’s delivery box, which measures 15-by-8-by-5 inches. Eligible items include household products, beauty products, office supplies, some electronics and more. The service promises delivery within 60 minutes of the order being placed. The shipping cost is $4.99 per drone delivery for Prime members and $9.99 per drone for non-Prime members.
“You could wake up in the morning, realize you’re out of coffee, and if you don’t feel like leaving your house to run to the store, this drone comes to you and arrives in your backyard with the coffee like 20 minutes later,” Ghacham said.
Upon first hearing about the service, Huntington Woods City Councilman Jules Olsman said his feelings on the drones were “very complicated” and he wasn’t sure how much, if any, local enforcement the city could have.
“I’m sure that they’ll argue that it’s less dangerous than a delivery truck, less intrusive than a delivery truck … that the delivery of packages is going to occur whether it’s by truck or by drone,” he said. “I guess it’s no surprise that this sort of service is coming about, and it’s not a surprise that a company the size of Amazon is doing it, and they’ve got the resources to get it approved and they’ve got the resources to, I suppose, stand behind it.”
“I’m sure they’re going to argue it’s more environmentally responsible. You know, it doesn’t bother anybody. It comes and goes. You wouldn’t notice that any — it’s not a commercial aircraft,” Olsman continued. “It doesn’t make any noise. … They said it’s 40% less noisy than the original models were. Well, I don’t know what that means. I don’t know what the decibel levels are. I can see it being … intimidating to animals, maybe.”
Olsman is interested to see how other municipalities are going to react to the drone program.
“I’m hearing about it for the first time now,” he said. “I would have a lot of questions and I surely wouldn’t vote to approve anything without a thorough, independent survey on our part, or at least by other municipalities of what the safety risks and concerns are.”
It was exciting for Pleasant Ridge Mayor Bret Scott to hear about a new service coming to the area.
“I’ve not had an opportunity to talk to Amazon directly about it to know how it impacts Pleasant Ridge residents and which residents would be able to take advantage of the service,” he said. “So, there’s some homework that I have to do yet to understand all of that.”
Scott thinks anything that can provide better service from Amazon is good but understands any concerns people might have about the drones, which he hopes to get more insight on from the company.
Scott also wondered what, if any, are the technical challenges of the drones flying into a city like Pleasant Ridge, such as weather conditions and the number of trees in town.
“There are also issues around tree coverage and things that might rule out a number of homes in Pleasant Ridge,” he said. “I’m curious to speak with them about all the things that might allow for an address to have service and not have service, but also
understand how people can opt in or out.”
After getting more information on Prime Air through an online informational meeting, Ferndale Mayor Raylon Leaks-May thinks it will be a worthwhile service
“There were some people online that were concerned about what these cameras and the drones would be recording,” she said. “It sounds like based on what I heard that they’ll strictly be covering the deliveries and, of course, assessing the area as far as landing and safety.”
Leaks-May was uncomfortable when she first heard about the drone program, likening it to something out of a movie, and had concerns about potential privacy issues. She now thinks it can be a resource of convenience.
“With technology, I guess anything can go wrong,” she said “I was uncomfortable at first because I didn’t know how that would actually work. I mean, you just drop a package. Where are you going to drop it?
Or what about the weather? How do these things work? It’s just something I didn’t know much about. But apparently they have navigated all of that and I’d like to see what happens.”
The drone itself has received approval from the Federal Aviation Administration and features advanced technology for detecting and avoiding obstacles. Ghacham also said that the drone is “quieter than a vacuum (cleaner) upon delivery,” faster than traditional delivery and that it helps reduce road congestion.
The program also has a system in place for detecting what it calls “high-frequency buyers,” changing up routes between deliveries so that the drones don’t always fly past the same homes.
At press time, a start date for the delivery service had not been finalized.
Call Staff Writer Mike Koury at (586) 498-1077. Call Staff Writer Andy Kozlowski at (586) 498-1046.
Kyle Degiulio, manager of economic development policy at Amazon, demonstrates how the drone carries the packages.
Photo by Patricia O’Blenes
NEWS & NOTES
Ferndale educator recognized
FERNDALE — A Ferndale educator was honored with an award from the city of Detroit.
Valencia Cade, the supervisor of special education for Ferndale Public Schools, was awarded the Spirit of Detroit Award, which recognizes Cade’s “exceptional leadership and unwavering commitment to coordinating the 4th Annual Domestic Violence Awareness Program and Rally, held annually in the City of Detroit,” a news release states.
“This issue is near and dear to me, and it’s very important that as a community we bring awareness to this cause and work together to end all forms of domestic violence,” Cade said in the news release.
Signed by the Detroit City Council, the award acknowledges the “profound impact of (Cade’s) efforts in bringing the community together around an important cause. This year’s program centered on the theme, ‘Domestic Violence and the Impact on Youth.’”
“We applaud Valencia for her dedication, advocacy, and courageous leadership in shining a light on this critical issue,” the district said in a prepared statement. “Her work continues to inspire meaningful dialogue and drive positive change within our community.”
GALLERY EXHIBITION
FERNDALE — The Lawrence Street Gallery’s current show began last week, and it will continue through the month. Titled “Think Small,” the show runs Dec. 4-29. The show’s judge is artist Sheri Lee Robinson. The gallery at 22620 Woodward Ave. is open from noon to 5 p.m. Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays; noon to 9 p.m. Fridays; and 1 to 5 p.m. Sundays.For more information, visit lawrencestreetgallery.com.
BERKLEY CROSSING INSTALLATIONS
BERKLEY — The Berkley City Council approved an agreement with the Berkley School District to install rapid flashing beacon installations on Catalpa Drive. Council approved the agreement at its Dec. 1 meeting. It comes during the construction of the district’s BEAR Complex, and a rapid flashing beacon is required at two mid-block crossings on Catalpa. The RFBs are similar to ones already installed on Coolidge Highway.
The district will be responsible for the installations, and the city will be responsible for all future operation and maintenance of the RFBs.
Golf outing raises over $12,000 for Berkley foundation
BERKLEY — The Berkley Education Foundation held its annual golf tournament last month, and the proceeds will be used to fund district initiatives.
The BEF Open was held on Nov. 14 at X-Golf Royal Oak and featured 10 teams competing and helping to raise money for the foundation.
In total, $12,365 was raised. The foundation helps fund four giving initiatives: teacher innovation grants, free student enrichment programs and clubs, eighth grade college tours and student scholarships for the Maxfield Science Symposium.
Oakland County Football Club to host open tryouts
AUBURN HILLS — Oakland County Football Club will be hosting an open tryout from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Dec. 27, at Evolution Sportsplex in Auburn Hills.
The tryout will give players an opportunity to make the OCFC roster in 2026, with the chance to play in the United Soccer League’s USL2 and the Midwest Premier League.
OCFC has established itself as one of the top developmental paths in the state of Michigan by providing a plethora of opportunities to young soccer players looking to take the next step on the pitch. It plays home games in Royal Oak. Most of the players in the USL2 are collegiate athletes who are looking to get playing time in the summer months. There are exceptions, with standout high school players and some older players also getting opportunities. It’s a popular league for professional teams to scout for young talent.
In order to try out, all players must register. Visit oaklandcountyfc.com and click ‘Register’ on the homepage. There are limited spots available.
Photo
Photos provided by Lawrence Street Gallery
File photo by Liz Carnegie
Lights shine in Pleasant Ridge
NEAR RIGHT: Rosalia Kinney, 2, is welcomed to the Pleasant Ridge tree lighting on Dec. 1 by Santa and Mrs. Claus.
FAR RIGHT: Trees in Memorial Park near City Hall are adorned with Christmas lights.
ABOVE: A classic Christmas village gives off a warm glow inside the Pleasant Ridge Historical Museum.
Photos by Liz Carnegie
Principals
from page 3A
“I always had a want to come back to the community that gave so much to me and give back to that community and be close to my kids and family,” he said. So, that was the main driving reason (in taking the position).”
Now with a few months under his belt at Angell, Provost said the job has been going great so far and he’s enjoyed connecting with families and getting to know the students and staff.
“I’ve been able to connect with our PTA, who are amazing — so much support,” he said. “And then within the school building, I have those one-on-one conversations with staff and learn their background, what’s important to them as an educator and what I can do to support them. So it’s one thing that Berkley schools, I think, does a really great job of, is that sense of community. So I’m really proud to be a part of that.”
For the remainder of the school year, Provost is hoping to still make a better connection with members of the community, his staff and students.
Cameras
from page 1A
that Emmi recommended to City Council. According to Emmi, Axon only allows sharing on a one-to-one basis, is only available to law enforcement and the company doesn’t have access to department data.
If approved, the ALPR program would be funded with drug forfeiture funds. For nine cameras at a cost of $2,465.95 per camera, each year would cost $27,741.90. As the first year of a five-year contract would be deferred, the total cost of the deal would be $110,967.60.
City Manager Colleen O’Toole explained the preference for Axon.
“In our research of these alternatives, it was definitely clear that Axon was the sole provider that aligned most directly with the goals that we were aiming to accomplish in our existing policies, being that we had ownership and control over the data, that we had no third-party access to the data and gave us the most concrete controls over avoiding things in the future like facial recognition technology, human analytics or real-time monitoring,” O’Toole said
That said, Ferndale residents in attendance at the meeting were unhappy and uncomfortable with the speed at which the
“Those opportunities, it’s not just a matter of me getting to know the school community, but also for them to get a chance to know me as well,” he said. “So communication, especially the first year in a building, is No. 1 to me to continually work on that and build those relationships throughout the school.”
city was moving in choosing a new ALPR provider.
Andrea Popovic voiced her support for the Police Department and the value of community-based policing, but she felt the proposal was disappointing.
Popovic said the city just ended its partnership with Flock because of data sharing and privacy concerns.
“That is a serious breach and it shows how easily these tools shift away from protecting and towards surveillance of citizens rather than for them,” she said. “Given that experience, the speed of this new proposal is concerning. We ended Flock only weeks ago and in about a month the department has vetted four new vendors, selected one, obtained a detailed quote and is now asking for an approval of a new five-year contract agreement. A contract that newly elected council members whom residents just chose will have no say in. That feels rushed.”
Popovic continued to say that speed should not be the priority and that trust, transparency and accountability should be.
“ALPRs may help solve crimes, but they also create vast logs of movement data about every single one of us,” she said. “History shows how often that kind of data is misused, breached or shared outside of its original purpose. All I’m asking is that we slow down, allow the new council to weigh
While Provost came to Berkley with a number of years as principal under his belt, this is Lewis’ first year as a principal. Before becoming principal of Rogers Elementary, she previously was an elementary literacy coach at the school.
Lewis said she wanted to become a principal in order to help better serve the
in. Let the community fully understand what we are signing up for, and please do not lock Ferndale into a long-term surveillance system just weeks after leaving one that exposed us to harm.”
The timeline and speed at which a new provider was proposed was a major concern, not only from residents but members of council such as Rolanda Kelley. The Nov. 24 meeting took place 11 days after the department announced it was severing its relationship with Flock.
Emmi said he didn’t want to waste any time because of how important they value the ALPR technology.
“We cannot abandon emerging technologies when it comes to law enforcement,” he said. “We have to hold ourselves accountable, and I will hold ourselves accountable. I’m not happy with the last vendor. … We were trying to keep a seamless transition. When I realized that it wasn’t going to be possible, I didn’t want to waste any time. I don’t want to waste your time. I don’t want to waste my time or the community’s time. It was time to pivot and find a better option. And a lot of our engagement said to do that, said, ‘Find a better option for me, Chief.’ So, I did that and I did it as quickly as possible because I think it’s important. So, that is my reasoning for a somewhat compressed timeline, but there’s
teachers at Rogers.
“One of my top values is to support teachers and to make teachers feel supported,” she said. ‘When teachers feel supported and happy, they’re better able to meet the needs of their students, and so I felt like this was a way that I could do that.”
So far, Lewis feels she has been accomplishing that goal four months into her tenure, but she hopes to help them more by increasing the teachers’ capacities to implement small group instruction.
“It was something that I started work on as an instructional literacy coach, and it’s an ongoing goal,” she said. “It’s something that I want to continue working on, some work that I started last year at the beginning of this year, that I’d like to continue working on with teachers. Because again, if teachers feel supported in implementing small group instruction, their students’ needs are better met.”
“It’s important to me to build a culture of deep listening and deep care to foster a positive culture in the building, in the community, where teachers, students and families feel seen and heard,” she continued.
Call Staff Writer Mike Koury at (586) 498-1077.
just truly only so many vendors out there within our price point to accomplish what we need.”
The city decided to postpone a vote on Axon as its ALPR provider and will hold a community conversation this week for input. It will be held at 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 12, at City Hall, 300 E. Nine Mile Road.
Mayor Raylon Leaks-May told the Woodward Talk that the community is split on the use of this technology. She said there will be a facilitator present at the meeting to hear everyone’s concerns and guide the conversation, and there will be a vote on the ALPRs that will come before council at the Dec. 15 meeting.
As of right now, Leaks-May is for the use of the ALPR program.
“We already have our relationship with Axon. The police have used this technology responsibly, even when it was under the Flock contract. Flock wasn’t the right company for us, but it seems like our police are really asking to be able to have this technology to assist them in solving cases, not preventing cases,” she said. “It is not a preventative tool, but to help them solve, and it’s something that I’ve always believed that technology can assist with cases and even saving lives in some instances. So, I am for it, but really what it comes down to is a council decision.”
Photo provided by Berkley School District Katie Lewis, in her first year as principal of Rogers Elementary School, leads an assembly for her students.
Holiday Lights brighten Berkley
MICHIGAN
Public Hearing: Wednesday, December 16, 7:30 PM
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING TO PASS RESOLUTION OF ADOPTION: 20262030 FIVE-YEAR PARKS AND RECREATION MASTER PLAN
Notice is hereby given to any and all interested parties that Huntington Woods is seeking public comment on the Huntington Woods Five Year 2026-2030 Parks and Recreation Master Plan.
Huntington Woods is preparing this Five-Year Parks and Recreation Plan in accordance with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources requirements. When completed, the plan will serve as a guide for the acquisition and development of community recreation facilities and programs over the next fve (5) years.
A public hearing hosted by the City Commission will take place on December 16, 2025, at Huntington Woods City Hall, 26815 Scotia, Huntington Woods, MI 48070. Any and all input is greatly appreciated.
Written comments may be submitted prior to the public hearing and should be addressed to: Planning Consultant, Jane Dixon, 235 East Main Street, Suite 105, Northville, MI 48167 or emailed to jdixon@mcka.com until 1:00 p.m. the day of the meeting.
Published: 12/10/2025 Woodward Talk
Editor: David Wallace | (586) 498-1053 | dwallace@candgnews.com
Reporter: Mike Koury | (586) 498-1077 | mkoury@candgnews.com
Sports: Scott Bentley | (586) 498-1090 | sports@candgnews.com
Artroom: (586) 498-1036 | ads@candgnews.com
Classifieds: For ad rates (586) 498-8100
rates: Mark Reitenga | (586) 498-1050 | mreitenga@candgnews.com Karen Bozimowski | (586) 498-1032 | kboz@candgnews.com
and Obits: (586) 498-1099
Advertising: Jeannine Bender | (586) 246-8114 | jbender@candgnews.com
| (586) 498-1055 | pkaspor@candgnews.com
RIGHT: Dancers from Linda’s Dance Works participate in the Berkley Holiday Lights Parade.
Parade on Dec. 6.
Photos by Liz Carnegie
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