Around the Mitten This Week: Tentative Budget Deal; Food Collection for Needy; and Royal Oak Bar Closes

Nearly every school district in Michigan is waiting to see how the state's budget will play out. Here's the latest:

Governor Revises Budget, Gets GOP Agreement

Gov. Rick Snyder is pressing forward with his budget plans but is , starting with some relief from what has been called draconian cuts to education funding. Snyder revised his initial $470 per-pupil cut in education funding to $100 per student.

Clawson City Offices to Close Fridays; Employees, Police Get Less Pay

, effective July 1, under the 2011-12 budget adopted by City Council at its meeting Tuesday night. The new budget results in a 10 percent salary cut for city employees, accomplished by cutting their work week from 40 hours to 36 hours. Also, police officers agreed to a 10 percent wage cut to reduce the city's deficit; they will still work the same shifts, but at lower pay.

Dexter Celebrates Mill Creek's 'School to Watch' Designation

Mill Creek Middle School is one of 100 middle schools across the country as part of a national recognition program for schools that excel in academic achievement. Saline Middle School and Oakview Middle School in Oakland Township also made the list.

Wyandotte Boy Throws First Pitch at Tigers Game

Six-year-old Aidan LaForest of Wyandotte was born with hypoplastic left heart syndrome, a condition that leaves the left side of the heart severely underdeveloped. He also was born with a love of baseball. On Monday, of the Detroit Tigers game.

Birmingham Loses Leo, Canine Ambassador

Birmingham lost one of its most recognizable figures last week: known for patiently waiting for his owner outside Einstein Brothers Bagels, while letting everyone and anyone give him a pet or hug. Leo was hit by a car last Friday. During the ensuing week, his owner, Keena Catanzaro, has received an outpouring of condolences from friends, community members and those who simply loved Leo.

Patrons Say 'Cheers' to Royal Oak's Four Green Fields

After 31 years in Royal Oak, . Doors closed at 2 a.m. Sunday. Manager Cris Frisone has worked at Four Green Fields, nestled in the Northwood Shopping Center at the southwest corner of 13 Mile Road and Woodward Avenue, since she was a student in college.

She said the bar's closing is the result of "a perfect storm."

"It was a hard decision," Frisone said. "This place is so much more than four walls."

Royal Oak Patch was there for the last call Saturday night.

Macomb SWAT Team Adds Henry Ford Doctor to Ranks

Through a partnership with Henry Ford Macomb, to provide a high level of medical support to SWAT team members and anyone else who may be injured in a SWAT situation.

Motorcycle-Riding Secretary of State: Watch Out for Bikes

Secretary of State Ruth Johnson to draw awareness to Motorcycle Safety Month. "With the warmer weather coming and much higher gas prices, I think you're going to see a lot more motorcycles on the road this summer," Johnson said, adding that those circumstances make it more important for drivers of four-wheeled vehicles to "share the road" with cyclists.

Compuware Arena Set to Open Curtain on Drive-In Theater Season in Plymouth

One of the few drive-in theaters in Michigan opened this weekend for a sneak preview. . The drive-in season officially kicks off in June, but the arena allowed area movie buffs to catch a glimpse before regular screenings get under way.

Club: Financial 'Reality' Drove Metal Jackets from Trenton

Trenton's Junior A hockey team, , to become the Jamestown Ironmen—the North American Hockey League’s newest entity. NAHL Commissioner Mark Frankenfeld said the move was nothing against the Trenton community but more about the economics of running a sports franchise.

Runner Thanks Berkley Officers Who Saved His Life

It was an emotional reunion Friday for Art Garcia and the two Berkley Public Safety officers who helped save his life. Two weeks ago, May 8 at Anderson Middle School. Frantic onlookers called 911, alerting BPS Officers Greg Betts and Jeff Onesko, who jumped in to help resuscitate him. "I was in the right place at the right time," Garcia said.

All Systems 'Go' for Dearborn's Arab International Festival

A little more than a week ago, the city of Dearborn told the American Arab Chamber of Commerce that it may have to cancel its annual Arab International Festival due to unmanageable costs that would be incurred by the city. But now, the group and the city have worked things out, and it was announced that .

Fenton Resident Goes from Construction Job to Award-Winning Chef

Food Network Challenge winner and Fenton resident Douglas St. Souver switched careers from construction worker to award-winning fruit and vegetable carver. .

Salvation Army Volunteers Help Sort More than 39,000 Pounds of Food

Plymouth, Canton and Belleville letter carriers collected 31,144 pounds of food during their National Association of Letter Carriers May 14, and donated 8,600 pounds of food from its 13th annual food drive May 14 and May 15. Volunteers will work through Thursday to sort foods, remove expired items and package similar items.

Elementary School Staff Help a Mama Duck, Ducklings to Marsh

Staff at Round Elementary School in Hartland opened doors and sealed off hallways to help a mama duck and 10 ducklings go from a courtyard to a marshy area behind the school. It wasn't easy either as it took the cautious mother two days and four tries before guiding her flock through.