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2011 Year In Review

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Farmington, Farmington Hills See Business Changes in 2011

Startling closures and exciting openings topped the past year's business news.

From the arrival of buybuy Baby at Hunter's Square shopping center, to the loss of Big Apple Bagels in downtown Farmington, 2011 was an up-and-down year for the Farmington-Farmington Hills business community.  Here are some of the highs and lows: The popular superstore, offering infant and toddler merchandise, moved into the former Borders Books & Cafe space at Hunters Square shopping center. The store opened in late September.  After the closures of Quizno's sub shop and Ace Hardware in 2010, the downtown strip mall also saw the loss of Big Apple Bagels and Dots women's clothing store in 2011. New additions included Tubby's Submarines (in the former Quizno's space) and The Olive Grove, which moved from the Village Mall at Grand River and …

In this Article:

buybuy Baby Opens Today in Farmington Hills, Quiznos, ACE Hardware, and 18 more ›

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Farmington, Farmington Hills Greet New Officials, Consider Ordinance Changes in 2011

Local elections bring out a record number of candidates in Farmington.

New city council members in Farmington and Farmington Hills, more sharing and changes in cable television and recycling agreements marked a busy year in local government.  Here's a look back at what went on at both city halls in 2011:

In this Article:

Farmington Budget: 'More Bad News', 5 Things You Should Know About the Census, Farmington Council Reviews Masonic Hall Parking Agreement, and 25 more ›

Monday, January 2, 2012

Farmington Schools Endures Challenging Year

In 2011, the district struggled with the demolition of four buildings, a lawsuit, tense union negotiations and tougher academic standards.

It seemed like the hits just kept on coming for Farmington Public Schools in 2011. From a controversial building sale to unsettling news about academic performance under new state standards, officials often faced angry parents at board meetings. But the district also celebrated some significant milestones. Here are a few of the year's biggest stories:  A controversial vote in January authorized the solicitation of bids for the demolition of elementary buildings closed in 2010, and Fairview Early Childhood Center, closed in 2006. Wooddale, Flanders and William Grace Elementary and Fairview Early Childhood Center were eventually leveled, but officials in January received an offer for Eagle Elementary, from the Islamic Cultural Association (…

In this Article:

Farmington Public Schools Lewis Schulman Administrative Center, Farmington School Officials Vote to Demolish Buildings, Demolition of Four Farmington School Buildings Nears Completion, and 27 more ›

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Joni Hubred-Golden

3:11 pm on Tuesday, January 3, 2012

S, we will be doing stories about the progress of Farmington's program in its first year.   more ›

Friday, December 30, 2011

Tragedies Topped Public Safety News in Farmington, Farmington Hills in 2011

Murder-suicide cases took four lives this year.

Farmington-Farmington Hills Patch published nearly 200 stories this year about incidents and crimes handled by the Farmington Hills Police and Fire departments and the Farmington Public Safety Department. Here are some of the cases that attracted the most interest from our readers: A 66-year-old woman died of injuries she suffered in an October fire at Jamestown Apartments. Her death was the first fire fatality in Farmington in more than 20 years, Farmington Public Safety Director Bob Schulz said. Public safety officers responded to a call about smoke in the building's second-floor hallway and discovered fire in a bedroom of the woman's second-floor apartment. The woman was found lying on the floor. Tiffany Goetz, 21, was killed Dec. 15 in…

In this Article:

Farmington Hills Police Department, Farmington Hills Police Investigate Murder-Suicide, Farmington Hills Police Still Investigating Apparent Murder-Suicide, and 16 more ›

Thursday, December 29, 2011

Visual Moments Capture 2011 Memories in Farmington, Farmington Hills

From January through December, photographs and videos tell our stories.

As we come to the close of 2011, Farmington-Farmington Hills Patch looks back at the visual moments we remember most. These photos and videos represent a month-by-month look at what made news in our community in the past year. In the coming days, we'll also take a look back at the year's top stories in education, business, local government and crime.  We're also looking for the most memorable story of 2011. Vote in our poll, or leave your nomination in the comments. 

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Videos

 

Most Popular Articles

  1. Power Outage Affects More Than 1,000 DTE Customers in Farmington Hills
  2. Farmington Hills-Based ACO Hardware Closing 14 Stores
  3. Farmington Schools Superintendent Raises School Funding Deal Alarm
  4. Farmington Hills Splash Pad Opens; City Offices Closed on Memorial Day
  5. Help Celebrate Long-Time Harrison Teacher's Retirement June 7

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