Detroit, MI - Wayne County led a seven-county region in both residential and nonresidential development in 2005, according to the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments (SEMCOG) annual survey of business investment in southeastern Michigan.

Fate of African-American Males [Aug. 15, 2006]

Wayne County is sponsoring a public hearing to discuss the dire fate of African-American males on Tuesday, August 15, from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. at Wayne County Community College District''s eastern campus.

HEAT ALERT

The Development Corporation of Wayne County (DCWC) recently selected 13 community development corporations (CDC's) to award $1.8 million in pre-development grants. The DCWC's Pre-Development Grant Program is designed to provide up to $150,000 in funding for selected CDC's and will spur neighborhood revitalization in selected urban communities.

A proposal to spur countywide development and neighborhood revitalization was approved Thursday by the Wayne County Board of Commissioners.

Whether a one-man operation or a billion-dollar corporation, any business can benefit by making one stop inside a new resource center. The One-Stop Business Resource Center provides single point of contact for Wayne County businesses to receive personal assistance with County programs and services.

Wayne County's Veteran Affairs Director Joseph Howard and Senior Services Director Kevin Kelley recently attended an educational recruiting seminar at Fort Sill, Oklahoma.

Wayne County showed its strength as the region's economic engine in a recent national survey that found 38 percent of companies here plan to hire in the second quarter, compared to about 25 percent for all companies in southeast Michigan.

Contradicting the conclusions of another forensic pathologist who testified earlier in the Mark Unger murder trial, Wayne County's medical examiner said Thursday that it can't be determined whether Florence Unger was killed -- or whether her death was an accident.

Dr. Michele Reid, medical director for the Detroit-Wayne County Community Mental Health Agency, will speak at forum convened by the White House Office of Drug Control Policy. Dr. Reid will make a presentation about the County's response to the emergence of fentanyl-laced heroin in the community. Dr. Reid, who chairs the county's fentanyl/substance abuse workgroup, was invited to make the presentation in Philadelphia along with Calvin Trent, Ph.D. of the City of Detroit's Bureau of Substance Abuse. They will report on what prevention steps and measures have been taken to inform area residents. The "Heroin-Fentanyl Demand Reduction Forum forum is being held at the University of Pennsylvania. The Detroit-Wayne County Community Mental Health Agency oversees Medicaid substance abuse treatment services in Wayne County. The Agency is a division of the Department of Health and Human Services.

Please join county veterans, their families and everyone interested in thanking our armed forces veterans at Veterans Service Day. County Executive Robert Ficano - in conjunction with county Commissioner Joe Palamara and Ecorse mayor Larry Salisbury - hosts this July 29 event, held in Ecorse along the river at John D. Dingell Park, W. Jefferson and Southfield Road. The three-hour event begins promptly at 9 a.m. The purpose of Veterans Service Day is to provide assistance, health-screenings and information to veterans and active military members and their families. It also acknowledges vets and the sacrifices they make in support of our county and our country. Local, state and federal officials will also join us in thanking Wayne County vets. It's free and refreshments will be provided. Details are available at (313) 213-5026.

Wayne County Executive, Robert A. Ficano has announced that Colonel Tadarial J. Sturdivant will join his administration in the department of Children & Family Services.

Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano is serving as an honorary co-chair for Cover The Uninsured Week 2006 during May 1-7th. County Executive Ficano has been a leader in developing programs to provide uninsured residents with affordable health coverage. Wayne County is a role model for the nation because residents have options like HealthChoice and Four Star, which both offer businesses affordable health coverage for their employees. HealthChoice also offers programs that provide health coverage for local residents who are college students; part- or full-time workers aged 18 to 30 years old; or seasonal or temporary employees. Ficano is urging uninsured residents to participate in the numerous enrollment and health fairs being held throughout Wayne County starting Sunday, April 30th. Cover The Uninsured Week is part of a national campaign designed to raise awareness and promote coverage options.

As part of Chemical Awareness Week, May 7-13, 2006, the Wayne County Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management is providing helpful tips and information on safety and preparedness, in the event of accidents or an emergency. Details are available in "What To Do in Case of a Chemical Emergency," a downloadable pamphlet. To access the pamphlet and to learn more about Wayne County homeland security, please visit the Wayne County Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management website at waynecountyemd.com.

County Executive Robert A. Ficano and Department of Public Health Director Anahid Kulwicki on Tuesday announced the renewal of Wayne County's Mosquito Abatement Assistance Program for out-County communities. The program provides assistance to municipalities that take measures to fight West Nile Virus (WNV). The County took similar measures in past years.

Recently a 4-year-old child in Minneapolis died from lead poisoning after swallowing a small piece of a charm bracelet. The bracelet was given as a free gift with the purchase of certain types of Reebok shoes. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has recalled about 300,000 bracelets. If you have one of these bracelets, you should dispose of it immediately. For more information, go online at www.cpsc.gov. Click here to view bracelet.

Wayne County Parks has been awarded a $50,000 Kresge Foundation "Green Building Initiative" Planning Grant toward the design of a "green building" that will be located at the gateway to the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge.

Wayne County Chief Financial Officer Carla Sledge, a national expert in government finance, is testifying before Congress during hearings on the use of tax-exempt financings by state and local governments.

"On behalf of the citizens and employees of Wayne County, I want to express our condolences to the family of Mr. McNamara. Our collective prayers and thoughts are with them." (Click here for more)

The local Bridge advisory board has approved the recommendation by the Regional Bridge Council to select the Trenton Channel Bridge (Grosse Ile Bridge) for inclusion in the Local Bridge Program, which means Wayne County will receive $3.5 million for the Grosse Ile Bridge repair.

Wayne County Road Commission will receive an Award of Excellence at this year's APAM-MDOT Paving Awards program in the Urban Street Projects category for its work on the Pelham Road.

The Wayne County Department of Public Health announced Tuesday it will take appointments at its three health clinics for residents who want to get the flu shot.