City council pays tribute to Hubbard and Sareini at their last meeting
DEARBORN - After 24 years on the city council, Nancy Hubbard and Suzanne Sareini attended their last meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 17. Fellow councilpersons, the mayor and the city clerk took the opportunity to praise the outgoing councilwomen for their service and dedication to the city."The citizens were well-served for 24 years," said...Law corner: Liability for fraud comes from the words you speak or don’t speak
The word “fraud” often evokes feelings that something terrible has happened. Fraud is the word loosely ascribed to situations where one person has obtained something of value from someone else by deceit. In the legal context, fraud has several specific forms. As a general rule, civil fraud consists of the following...Local businessmen making national news for offering $15 an hour minimum wage
DEARBORN HEIGHTS/CANTON -Harry Moorhouse and Brian Parker are making national headlines for offering a $15/hour minimum wage to workers at their two all-natural fast food restaurants.The businessmen launched the first Moo Cluck Moo location in Dearborn Heights in April of this year and another in Canton shortly after. “I am a...
ADC Michigan cancels annual gala
December 13th, 20130 DEARBORN — The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee Michigan regional office (ADC-MI) has cancelled its annual gala, which was scheduled for Friday Dec. 13 at Greenfield Manor in Dearborn.ADC-MI incoming director Fatina Abdrabboh announced the cancellation in a statement on Tuesday, Dec. 10."I have assessed and examined the...Lawmakers and activists call for restrictions on use of domestic drones by government
ROYAL OAK — As the number of drones being manufactured throughout the country increases, the discussion is emerging on what the proper regulations for using the unmanned aircraft should be. According to the Federal Aviation Administration, by the end of the decade there will be 10,000 drones circling skies in the United States....Dearborn CERT program hosts training sessions for UAE volunteers
DEARBORN — On Tuesday, December 10, the City of Dearborn kicked off a week-long advanced training session for a group of volunteers from the United Arab Emirates (UAE), who were in town to receive training from the police and fire department's Community Emergency Response Team (CERT).The CERT program is based on assembling volunteers...
“Mock eviction” pro-Palestinian stunt causes a stir at UM-Ann Arbor campus
December 13th, 20130 ANN ARBOR — About 1,500 University of Michigan students were startled this week after waking up on Tuesday morning with eviction notices under their doors at six dormitories across campus."If you do not vacate the premises by 13 DECEMBER 6 PM, we reserve the right to demolish your premises without delay. We cannot be held responsible...GM names first female CEO
DETROIT — General Motors Co CEO Dan Akerson will step down next month and be replaced by GM "lifer" and global product chief Mary Barra, a sign that the development of new vehicles will be the paramount focus of the company that emerged from bankruptcy four years ago.The appointment of Barra, 51, is at once groundbreaking - she...Detroit’s bankruptcy focus of new reporting collaborative: New Michigan Media newspapers join the effort
DETROIT – Five of the largest ethnic and minority newspapers have a critical role in a new reporting project examining the city’s bankruptcy and its effect on the region. Funded by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, the project involves four nonprofit media organizations as well as New Michigan Media (NMM). All the media...Civil rights group hosts new special agent in charge of Detroit FBI
Special agent in charge, Paul Abbate (3rd from right) stands with members of the Arab community when they met earlier this week.DEARBORN — On Tuesday, Dec. 10, Arab American Civil Rights League board members hosted a lunch for the new special agent in charge of the Detroit FBI, Paul Abbate. Other representatives from the Detroit FBI...Chaldean American Jack Seman remembered as a peace activist
DEARBORN HEIGHTS-Jack Seman, a member of the Chaldean Catholic community who used to participate in many interfaith and weekly religious services at the Islamic House of Wisdom here (IHW) passed away Dec. 5 peacefully surrounded by family and friends. Seman was born in 1935. Imam Elahi of the IHW addressed Seman’s family and...Dearborn Police seek public’s assistance in Chase Bank Robbery
DEARBORN — Police are still investigating a robbery that occurred at Chase Bank located at 7301 Wyoming on Oct. 25 at approximately 2:29 p.m. The suspect entered the bank and passed the teller a note demanding money. He left after becoming impatient when he did not receive the money quickly enough.The suspect was described...ACRL, law firms litigating class action lawsuit against Huntington Bank
DEARBORN — After receiving hundreds of calls from Arab Americans about bank account closures, the Arab American Civil Rights League is litigating a class-action lawsuit filed against Huntington Bank on July 11, 2013. Since March of this year, hundreds of complainants have called the bank closure hotline that was set up after members...Dearborn man sentenced to 14 months in prison for violating Clean Air Act
DETROIT — Khalil (Charlie) Mahmoud Saad of Dearborn was sentenced to 14 months in federal prison on Tuesday by U.S. District Judge Paul Borman for violating the Clean Air Act.In November Saad, 40, was hired to demolish a vacant commercial warehouse at 10401 Ford Road, just west of Wyoming. Authorities say Saad failed to properly...Dearborn Heights woman sentenced to four years in jail, victim’s family speaks out
DETROIT — On Wednesday, December 11, Wayne County Judge Vera Massey Jones sentenced Dearborn Heights woman Natalie Hassan to 47 month in jail for charges stemming from an altercation in April 2012 involving another woman.Hassan ran over Dearborn Heights woman Hannan Achkar in the parking lot of an apartment complex after the two......
Project Dignity and LAHC team up to feed the needy
DEARBORN — Project Dignity Detroit and the Lebanese American Heritage Club (LAHC) have been working together to help feed the needy in metro Detroit. Recently, both groups partnered up with Chef Habib Bazzi of Habib's Cuisine to feed the homeless and provide them with clothing and shelter. Project Dignity has been at the forefront...ACC receives Beacon of Light Award from Food Bank Council of Michigan
LATHRUP VILLAGE — The Arab American and Chaldean Council (ACC), a human services organization serving southeast Michigan, announced it recently received the 2013 Beacon of Light Award from the Food Bank Council of Michigan (FBCM) for its Pantry of Plenty Program. The award was presented to the ACC at the FBCM’s Michigan Harvest...Law corner: Michigan’s Lemon Law Only Applies in Some Circumstances
Many people are familiar with the concept of a car being a “lemon.” The phrase is commonly used to describe a vehicle that gives the owner difficulty from the very beginning. Michigan has a “Lemon Law” that affords buyers of defective vehicles rights. However, the Lemon Law does not apply every time someone buys...ADC-MI cancels upcoming gala scheduled for Dec. 13
The American Arab Anti Discrimination of Michigan canceled its upcoming gala that was scheduled to take place Friday, Dec. 13 where people planned to protest over the handling of the group's sexual harassment scandal.A statement issued by the organization’s new incoming director, Fatina Abdrabboh reads as follows: Dear ADC......
Federal judge declares Detroit officially bankrupt: Cuts coming for Detroit creditors, pensioners
DETROIT — A federal judge on Tuesday, December 3, formally declared Detroit bankrupt, a landmark ruling that clears the way for potentially sweeping cuts to city worker pensions and retirement benefits and for steep and possibly precedent-setting losses to the cash-strapped city's bond holders. The ruling by U.S. Judge Steven Rhodes,...
New FBI Special Agent in Charge Paul Abbate meets with leaders, listens to community’s concerns
December 6th, 20130 Special Agent in Charge Paul M. Abbate.DEARBORN — Paul M. Abbate, the new Special Agent in Charge of the FBI's Detroit Division visited The Arab American News’ (TAAN) office on Nov. 25 as part of a series of meetings to introduce himself to the region’s Arab and Muslim communities. TAAN conducted a short introductory interview......
Ollie’s restaurant celebrates grand opening of third location
DEARBORN HEIGHTS — The Middle Eastern cuisine market might seem overcrowded in Metro Detroit, home to the largest Arab American population outside of the Middle East. But for Ali Hojaij, owner of Ollie’s restaurants, it’s a field with plenty more potential and growth for new investments.This week, Hojaij celebrated the...
Samer Khalaf replaces Warren David as ADC president
December 6th, 20130 DEARBORN — The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) terminated Warren David as its national president and on Wednesday, Dec. 4 appointed Attorney Samer Khalaf as his successor. A statement by the organization thanked David for his service and said that he was "no longer employed with ADC as of Nov. 26," without......