Head count coming up for public schools
By Charles Sercombe Hamtramck Public Schools were bracing for a loss of 80-some students this year. The good news is that projected loss was off by almost half. “We are…
State rejects councilmember’s request to waive election fines
By Charles Sercombe City Councilmember Mohammed Hassan can’t catch a break. Hassan faced fines totaling $1,830 for failing to submit campaign financial reports stemming from 2012 through 2014. He paid…
State loan in line for sewer repairs
By Charles Sercombe The city is taking the first step toward plugging basement flooding. Thanks to an $11.5 million grant from the state’s Department of Environmental Quality, Hamtramck can…
City is serious about enforcing noxious weeds code
By Charles Sercombe City code enforcers, armed with an updated ordinance, are cracking down. And, predictably, not everyone is welcoming that. Take longtime business owner Shimpu Barua, who recently…
Breaking news … Feds crack down on food stamp fraud
By Charles Sercombe On Tuesday morning, federal and state investigators raided six Hamtramck markets, all Bengali-owned, for allegedly participating in food stamp fraud. Raids were also conducted in other…
Sale of vacant lots has been profitable for the city
By Charles Sercombe There are no longer lots of empty lots for sale in Hamtramck. During the past year the city has sold 122 vacant lots and 10 other…
AV ballot defendants plead guilty
By Charles Sercombe Apparently following the lead of a fellow defendant, three Hamtramck men have changed their minds about fighting a felony charge of illegally handling absentee ballots in last…
Hamtramck’s Labor Day Festival had mixed results this year
By Charles Sercombe Hamtramck’s annual Labor Day Festival had all the ingredients of enjoying another successful year. A great band line-up. Plenty of good food and cold beer. An eclectic…
Hearing will be held on whether to fire suspended public works director
By Charles Sercombe Director of Public Works Steve Shaya should find out if he still has a job next week. Wayne County Circuit Court Judge Sheila Ann Gibson ordered that…
Flooding becoming more common
By Charles Sercombe Not again. That was the sentiment heard echoing throughout town Monday after yet another heavy rain caused widespread basement flooding. The city was first hit with a…
