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CBS News
6 days ago
- Business
- CBS News
Royal Oak city leaders to reveal public input survey results on 11 Mile Road project
The city of Royal Oak, Michigan, is planning to rebuild 11 Mile Road between Woodward Avenue and Stephenson Highway. Officials are expected to provide the results of the public feedback survey on the proposed road project on Tuesday. Earlier this month, the city asked its residents to weigh in on proposed changes. The main purpose of the project is to incorporate left turn lanes throughout the corridor. "What that does is remove the left the turns essentially off the travel lanes into a dedicated lane, and in theory, that helps things move along much quicker. In doing so, you have some new real estate on the outer edge," said Royal Oak City Manager Joe Gacioch. Business owners with storefronts on 11 Mile have a wish list of changes they want to see. "We do need more parking. That's what is more necessary. Parking is terrible. You've got to pay around here. Nothing is free," said Devin Lou, who works in Royal Oak. Gacioch says the results of the survey reflect those desires. The project is still in the early stages. "What is desired most? That's pedestrian accessibility across the board. Everyone wants more pedestrian crossings," he said. "A substantial portion still said, not everywhere, but some places we want dedicated bicycle lanes, and we want on-street parking." "Bike lanes can be a little controversial. But, I mean, you know you're looking to incorporate those around commuter lines." The city will present multiple options to the traffic committee. The goal is to have the design finalized this year. "Our engineering team ultimately will provide a design recommendation for the commission, hopefully by July," Gacioch said. "We have secured $2.3 million in federal funding, and that is for construction year 2027-2028." In total, the project is expected to cost between $9-$12 million. The traffic committee meeting is at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall. It's open to the public, and anyone is welcome to attend.
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Opponents of City Manager Peter Zanoni want him fired. Here's why, and here's his response.
Some are calling for Corpus Christi City Manager Peter Zanoni to be fired and have started a petition. May 21, a group of about 20 people gathered on the steps of City Hall to air objections to Zanoni's employment. He has held the position of Corpus Christi city manager since 2019. Among those was City Councilwoman Sylvia Campos, who said his annual performance review is currently underway. She asserted that he had created a 'toxic environment' at City Hall and also hired what she described as unqualified management in some departments. 'We have to have someone that we can count on, that is going to be looking out for taxpayers and having a positive workplace environment,' Campos said. A statement emailed by city spokesperson Cassandra Hinojosa described 'transformative progress' during Zanoni's tenure, citing bolstered public safety resources, improved infrastructure and efforts to acquire additional water supply, including through desalination. 'With the support of the Mayor and City Council, alongside an exceptional leadership team and dedicated employees across 29 lines of business, our city has realized substantial improvements benefiting residents, businesses, and industry,' the email states. Both Campos and former City Council member Jim Klein accused Zanoni of being responsible for information attained by media about an employee-filed grievance related to an incident in which the councilwoman experienced a health-related event. Zanoni said the accusation that he had disseminated the information was 'completely false.' However, he added, the grievance report has been released as a public document under open records requests. Klein criticized what he described as Zanoni's 'bloated salary,' referencing the city manager's raise last year. Zanoni characterized criticism of his salary as, in part, a reflection of 'a huge misperception … that I set my own salary.' The City Council sets Zanoni's salary and, last year, voted 5-4 to increase it by 10% — based on performance and merit, council members said — bringing it to about $409,000. Klein and Campos were among those on the dissenting vote. Klein also questioned the use of certificates of obligation for projects. 'Our budget is growing by leaps and bounds — and we are doing good work, he's done some good things here — but he's also dramatically increased the number of certificates of obligation that the city is using,' Klein said. 'The COs are debt the city's incurring, but the distinction here is that the COs don't come before voters.' Utility ratepayers are required to pay back the debt accumulated, Klein said. While city staff may recommend issuing certificates of obligation, they are ultimately approved by the City Council. 'We have issued COs in a conservative way as we have the right to do so by state and federal law,' Zanoni said. 'COs have been used to fill gaps in some of our bond program budgets.' Klein contended that Zanoni has continued 'reckless pursuit of desalination, without looking at the long-term environmental consequences.' The city's email sent in response to the news conference added that 'a small group of people continues to try and undermine this progress, including attempts to disrupt the region's water security.' 'Their arguments are built around inaccurate information and a disregard for constructive conversation,' the email states. More: The Corpus Christi City Council considered new drought rules. Here's how members voted. More: Corpus Christi City Manager Peter Zanoni is 2021 Caller-Times Newsmaker of the Year More: The City Council awarded the city manager a raise. Here's why. This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: Some want Corpus Christi city manager fired. Here's why.
CBS News
22-05-2025
- CBS News
Hamtramck police chief placed on administrative leave
Charges expected after truck smashes into Pontiac apartment and more top stories Charges expected after truck smashes into Pontiac apartment and more top stories Charges expected after truck smashes into Pontiac apartment and more top stories The city of Hamtramck confirmed on Wednesday that Police Chief Jamiel Altaheri was placed on administrative leave. City Manager Max Garbarino did not provide details on the suspension but said it was due to an ongoing investigation. This story is developing. Stay with CBS News Detroit as more information becomes available.
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Yahoo
Man shot, killed at troubled Camelot Condos in South Fulton
The Brief A man was shot and killed at Camelot Condominiums in South Fulton. No arrests have been made yet. South Fulton city leaders have expressed concerns over the ongoing violence at the complex. SOUTH FULTON, Ga. - A man was shot and killed at the troubled Camelot Condominiums on Old National Highway in South Fulton Saturday night. What we know Just after 7 p.m., police say they were called to investigate a shooting in the rain. A male victim was found with a gunshot wound. He died at the scene. There have been no arrests made yet. The victim will not be identified until his family has been notified. What we don't know It's not clear what led to the shooting. Police are still investigating this case. What they're saying South Fulton city leaders say something needs to be done about the violence at the Camelot Condominiums. "We got to do something about Camelot, period! Madame City Manager I know you're working on a plan and I believe in you," South Fulton Mayor Khalid Kamau said during the farewell address he gave on May 1. Dig deeper This is not the first incident reported at the troubled condo complex. There have been numerous shootings and fires reported at the property over the years. RELATED STORIES: Fire breaks out at troubled South Fulton Camelot Condominiums South Fulton Camelot Condominiums catch fire South Fulton outlines what they can and cannot do to fix Camelot Condos Six people have died this year at troubled Camelot Condos in South Fulton, police say The Source The information in this article has been confirmed by the South Fulton Police Department.
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Criticism intensifies of Worcester police response to ICE action
WORCESTER — One day after a chaotic scene during an immigration raid by federal agents, some community leaders blasted Worcester police for what they said was excessive use of force. 'The militant police response was egregious and an overuse of force, both federal and local,' said Fred Taylor, president of the Worcester chapter of the NAACP. A packed room at the YWCA of Central Massachusetts on May 9 heard several speakers condemn the May 8 federal raid on Eureka Street. Numerous videos on the internet show federal agents surrounded by angry residents as authorities attempted to detain a woman of Brazilian descent. Worcester police were called in as tensions escalated, and two people were arrested. One, according to reports, was the 16-year-old daughter of the woman taken away by federal agents. The girl is seen on video trying to stop the car that took her mother away. She is then forcibly taken to the ground by police. The other person arrested was Ashley Spring, a Worcester School Committee candidate, who was seen on videos being shoved by police. More: 'That is what we need to hold on to': Protesters find different paths to a common cause Spring was arraigned May 9 in Worcester District Court on several charges, including assault and battery on a police officer. She was released on personal recognizance and is due back in court on June 23. Several speakers during the press conference at the YWCA called on City Manager Eric Batista, Mayor Joseph Petty and the City Council to investigate the raid, especially the response by Worcester police. Petty filed an order on May 9 with the city clerk that asked Batista and Police Chief Paul Saucier to create a written policy on how the city interacts with ICE. At-Large City Councilor Khrystian King, the council's vice chairman, is also in the camp that feels there is a need for an investigation. He told those in attendance that trauma was inflicted on Worcester, and that the raid was an attack on a community of color. King called into question how Worcester police are trained, based on the response at Eureka Street. 'There's a flaw there,' said King, who, like Taylor, said there's a need for a civilian review board to scrutinize the work of local police. King said he didn't have information on whether federal authorities on Eureka Street had a warrant to detain the woman, where she was taken, and where her husband is. Reports indicate he was detained earlier by federal agents. When asked if the city and its police force collaborated with ICE on the Eureka Street raid and whether people put their hands on police and federal agents during the commotion, King said he didn't have any information. He noted he had only seen a snippet of the videos from the scene and planned to watch more of them. Batista and Saucier have stated that the city doesn't work with ICE on detainers and raids and doesn't target the city's immigrant community, but is responsible for ensuring community safety. In response to a Telegram & Gazette inquiry that included how would Worcester police handle future situations of federal agents in Worcester to detain or deport residents, a Police Department spokesman said the incident on Eureka Street is still under investigation, video is being reviewed and further charges might be forthcoming. As for what happens if ICE returns to the city, King said Worcester will 'not cower.' One woman spoke up at the press conference about how the city, especially Batista, must be held accountable for not keeping the community safe during the Eureka Street raid, especially since it's no surprise, she said, of what ICE is trying to do. King responded that accountability is as much of an issue for the City Council as it is for Batista. District 5 City Councilor Etel Haxhiaj can be seen in videos of the Eureka Street incident standing between authorities and the woman targeted for detention. "You do not have an arrest warrant," Haxhiaj can be heard saying. "These are not targets, these are my constituents." At the YWCA press conference, Haxhiaj said the response by the federal government and the Worcester police at Eureka Street was 'completely unacceptable.' 'The message for ICE is get out of our city,' she added. Haxhiaj later told a reporter her job is to protect her constituents, and while she's not sure how she will act if another ICE raid happens in Worcester, she said it's her duty to be involved. 'I feel that as a city councilor, as a mother, as a resident, as a representative, it is appropriate for me to defend my constituents when I see somebody in distress, that is my job to protect them," said Haxhiaj. "And whatever I can do to support my community, I will always step up." Haxhiaj said the city is creating a rapid response network to protect families from federal ICE raids. A hotline operated by the LUCE Immigrant Justice Network of Massachusetts is part of that network. Operators take calls from people who see ICE agents in their neighborhood, and then immediately contact residents who have been trained in emergency response to go to the site of the raid. That's what happened on Eureka Street, said Dálida Rocha, executive director at Neighbor to Neighbor. It oversees the hotline and is part of a network of organizations, including the American Civil Liberties Union, said Rocha, that trains residents in rapid response. Roughly 100 Worcester residents have been trained, said Rocha, and their role is to document what happens during raids. 'So you are an eyewitness,' said Rocha. 'You're becoming an eyewitness to what's happening. And usually because people's rights are being violated, like the mom's was being violated yesterday.' She continued: 'And people are just being kidnapped and disappearing. So, we need to make sure that the community is bearing witness.' Neighbor to Neighbor is in contact with the office of state Attorney General Andrea Campbell, said Rocha, and information gathered is posted on the organization's website. Angel Flores of Worcester took in the press conference at the YWCA. Flores said he's lived in Worcester for 50 years and has a relative on the Worcester police force. 'My heart breaks,' said Flores of what happened on Eureka Street. He feels federal agents and Worcester police were overly aggressive at the scene. As for how local police should respond if there is another federal raid, Flores said, 'I wish I had the answer.' Contact Henry Schwan at Follow him on X: @henrytelegram. This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Criticism intensifies of Worcester police response to ICE action
