Man Dies After Being Ejected from Motorcycle and More News Near You

1.  reported Thursday that Christopher Muncy, 53, of White Lake, died at the scene of a traffic crash after he lost control his motorcycle on U.S. 23 in Hartland and was ejected into traffic, being hit by several vehicles. 

Reportedly, the first vehicle that struck Muncy initially stopped, but left prior to emergency vehicles arriving on scene. 

Police are asking for help identifying the missing vehicle which based on parts found on the scene appears to be a grayish or light blue Mercury that was possibly an older model Grand Marquis. The vehicle would have significant front end damage and may be missing the silver Mercury grill, according to reports. Witnesses say a female was seen exiting the vehicle when it initially stopped at the scene.

Anyone with information about the vehicle is asked to contact Crime Stoppers or Deputy Brad Neff with the Livingston County Sheriff’s Department Traffic Safety Bureau at 517-540-7984.

2. Farmington Hills planning commissioners unveiled a proposal Monday that would make the area of Orchard Lake, from 12 Mile to 13 Mile more pedestrian friendly, according to

Planning consultant Rod Arroyo said the plan includes "the potential for a narrow, landscaped median" to calm traffic and help pedestrians cross the wide expanse of Orchard Lake, creating areas for "mixed use" development, such as 3-4 story buildings with retail on the bottom floor, and office or residential uses above.

Commission chair Christopher McRae said the commission will discuss the proposal at a future meeting before bringing the proposal to a public hearing.

3. Fifteen volunteers from Ford Motor Co.'s transmission prototype operations plant in Livonia spent the day at  in Northville building a playground, reported Wednesday.

"It's important because you create a relationship with the community and create a relationship with the customer," said volunteer Jim Dana.

The playground, which is open for use, includes wooden trains, a wagon and other farm-themed playground equipment.

4. reported that Plymouth-Canton Community Schools will now accept transfers from Northville Public Schools students under two new measures approved Tuesday by the Plymouth-Canton Board of Education.

Michigan now allows students from state-designated “focus schools” to transfer to other schools in the same district. However, because both Hillside and Meads Mill middle schools in Northville were designated as focus schools, the students were able to transfer to an adjacent district.

The Plymouth-Canton board voted Tuesday to allow these students to transfer to Pioneer Middle School in Plymouth. Northville Public Schools will provide transportation arrangements for the transferred students. 

5. Birmingham Holy Name School students got a first-hand lesson in exercise, healthy eating and setting goals during a Monday visit from the Detroit Red Wings' School Assembly Program, including retired star Kris Draper, reported.

It was a sea of red and white at the private Catholic school, located between North Old Woodward and Quarton Lake, with students decked out in their finest Red Wings gear. The star, of course, was Draper, who talked about everything from scoring his first goal for the Red Wings to eating cereal with his family out of the Stanley Cup.

"It literally was a breakfast of champions," he said.

A team from the School Assembly Program discussed everything from setting goals to healthy eating with the students, while mixing a fair of amount of prizes and exercises along the way.

Patch local editors Tatum Ryan, Joni-Hubred Golden, Nancy Kelsey, John McKay, and Laura Houser contributed to this report.