From Warren to Rochester Robert Shaner, the new Rochester Community Schools superintendent, has been on the job since March 1. While the school year is close to an end, spring offers many opportunities for Dr. Shaner to experience school-related events. He has been visiting schools and meeting staff. Superintendent Shaner’s background and experience can be reviewed in Rochester Media’s preview of the hiring by reporter Annette Kingsbury. Meeting with Parents The new … [Read more...]
Red, white and blue
November 7, 2012 by Leave a Comment
With Veterans Day this Sunday, I am thrilled to share a peek inside the lives of two Michiganders who have courageously and selflessly protected our every freedom. As your health reporter, I was excited to connect with Rosemarie Kenny, a former U.S. Army healthcare specialist as well as to chat with former U.S Air Force drill sergeant Brad Calahan about healthcare for veterans. Be sure to join the conversation—Share your story if you are a veteran or active military member or let us know what … [Read more...]
Mayor presents proposed 2012 Hills budget
August 10, 2011 by 1 Comment
It’s budget time again in Rochester Hills, and Monday night city council received the mayor’s proposal for 2012. The proposed budget is the work of the mayor and department heads, but it is subject to approval by council. Council has scheduled two workshop meetings to dig into the document, at 5:30 p.m. on Aug. 15 and 29. The public will have its chance to weigh in at a Sept. 19 public hearing. The budget proposal can be viewed online on the city’s Web site at … [Read more...]
Riverwalk, Bridge Enhancements get Rochester Council’s OK
July 27, 2011 by Leave a Comment
Improvements designed to draw pedestrians onto North Main Street from the Riverwalk along Paint Creek were approved by Rochester City Council Monday. But due to much-higher-than-expected bids, the final project is a scaled-back version of what the Downtown Development Authority had hoped to do. Still, supporters expect it to spur foot traffic and, eventually, new economic development north of University Drive. On a 6-1 vote (Councilwoman Kim Russell dissented), council approved an … [Read more...]
Bridge, Riverwalk Improvements Proposed
July 20, 2011 by Leave a Comment
After a long and difficult process, a plan to improve a portion of the downtown Rochester Riverwalk and the Paint Creek Bridge is on its way to city council. The Downtown Development Authority has been discussing improving pedestrian amenities for the bridge on North Main Street, and the section of the Riverwalk beneath it, for the last two years. Requirements from the Michigan Department of Transportation, which owns the bridge, and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and … [Read more...]
Dequindre to get help in Rochester Hills
June 23, 2011 by Leave a Comment
Dequindre Road north of Beaumont Hospital may be the worst stretch of road in Rochester Hills. Now, it’s going to get a facelift. Bids are scheduled to be let Aug. 5, for resurfacing from South Boulevard to Auburn, a stretch that “needs it and needs it badly,” Mayor Bryan Barnett said. A plan to widen and rebuild the road had been scheduled for 2013 but was pushed back to 2018 due to lack of funding. Money has now become available through the Road Commission for Oakland County for … [Read more...]
Three Cities Pledge to Work Together for Sustainable Future- With Video
June 8, 2011 by Leave a Comment
Municipalities are getting the message loud and clear: Find ways to work together to cut costs, or suffer the consequences. Rochester, Rochester Hills and Auburn Hills are taking that one step further. With help from Oakland County, the three communities will design a template for future partnerships for community and environmental sustainability. At a kick-off open house June 2 of the Tri-City Sustainability Planning Project held at the Auburn Hills Community Center, residents from the three … [Read more...]
City, Country Gardens Featured on Museum’s Garden Walk
June 1, 2011 by Leave a Comment
The Rochester garden of Larry and Marian Kreul shows just how much you can do on a postage-stamp-sized urban lot. In the 15 years the Kreuls have lived in downtown Rochester, they have converted a steep, narrow lot into a lovingly landscaped oasis with nary a leaf out of place. It includes waterfalls, a fish pond and a mix of sun and shade they have put to maximum use. Their garden is one of six that will be featured in the Rochester Hills Museum’s annual garden walk June 16. Soon after … [Read more...]
Déjà vu: Ambrozaitis challenges Barnett again in Rochester Hills
May 12, 2011 by 1 Comment
Erik Ambrozaitis and incumbent Bryan Barnett will once again slug it out in the August primary election race for mayor of Rochester Hills. They’ll be joined by two other candidates, Paul Miller and Luke Wylie. Ambrozaitis is a former councilman who ran against Barnett in the 2007 primary, coming in second with 13 percent of the vote. He lost his seat on council in 2009. Wylie is an Adams High School student who announced his intention to run last year. He has nearly 3,500 friends on Facebook, … [Read more...]
Facing Surgery, Councilman Brennan Won’t Seek Re-election
May 11, 2011 by 1 Comment
Incumbent Rochester Hills City Councilman J. Martin Brennan said he won’t run for re-election this year because he was recently diagnosed with prostate cancer. Brennan said Wednesday that he is scheduled for robotic surgery May 26. “Given my health condition and time to recuperate, I could not maintain an effective campaign,” he said. “You know the physical activity to campaign locally. You have to go door to door.” Brennan does not expect to undergo chemotherapy or radiation after … [Read more...]
