Celebrating New Year's Day with Fireworks? Michigan Law Allows It

The start of the new year is among the 10 national holidays on which the state permits fireworks use.

This New Year's Day may be one of the noisiest on record for Michigan, thanks to revisions in state fireworks laws approved in 2012. The start of the new year is included on the list of national holidays for which the use of these colorful explosives is permitted by state law. Under Michigan's controversial fireworks law, citizens can ignite, discharge and use consumer fireworks the day before, day of and day after a national holiday, including New Year's Day. The list of approved fireworks now includes "projectiles," such as bottle rockets and Roman Candles. The penalty for violating this ordinance is a $500 fine and/or 90 days in jail. The 10 national holidays recognized by the law include: Many state residents and city leaders — …

• Photos (1)

Michigan Law Allows Labor Day Fireworks

While the tents are gone, a Michigan business still has valid permits to sell fireworks in West Bloomfield.

While Labor Day may not be considered a "fireworks holiday" by everyone, it is one of 10 national holidays on which the use of these colorful explosives is permitted by Michigan law. Under the state's controversial new fireworks law, residents can ignite, discharge and use consumer fireworks the day before, day of and day after a national holiday.  Many of the fireworks tents that cropped up in local communities during the early part of summer disappeared after July 4. But in West Bloomfield, Phantom Fireworks and Elite Fireworks have permits for locations at 7300 Haggerty Rd. and 6287 Haggerty Rd., respectively. Dirt Cheap Tobacco in Sylvan Lake has a permit at 2322 Orchard Lake Rd. The permits are good through April of 2013.  Although …

• Photos (1)

Thousands Call on Governor to Repeal Fireworks Act

West Bloomfield man leading petition effort, saying the danger is not worth the additional revenue.

Thousands in Michigan this summer are still making noise about the additional noise as a result to easier access to fireworks. West Bloomfield resident Brad Lang is among them and is soliciting support from residents across the state to repeal the Fireworks Safety Act of 2011, which was designed to increase revenue to the state and encourage citizens to buy consumer fireworks in Michigan rather than in neighboring states. "The result has been a drastic increase in the amount and violence of private fireworks displays all over the state of Michigan, thereby endangering people, pets and property. It is not worth the additional revenue," Lang wrote in a letter to members of the Michigan civic action group, MoveOn, adding that is why he …

•  28 Comments
• Photos (1)

Sabrina-Royal Oak

10:46 pm on Tuesday, August 7, 2012

I should not have to move because of idiot morons with no brains. I just went up north to my property there and it was the same racket, only the neighbor paid the people a visit and then so did the police, there are better ways to make revenue and loud rude ill mannered people should be stopped   more ›

Boom! What Did You Think of the 4th of July Fireworks After Michigan's New Law?

Everywhere in southeast Michigan Wednesday night, fireworks, smoke and lots of pops and booms filled the air. Folks were amused and/or annoyed with the results of the new law. What did you think?

State law now allows more types of fireworks to be sold and ignited in Michigan had people reacting Wednesday night. There were far more pops and booms and sparks in the air far and wide across southeast Michigan. Some were thrilled with the spectacle. Others were miffed with the noise and smoke. What did you think? Tell us in comments or in the poll.

•  153 Comments
• Photos (1)

2012 Fireworks Displays Near West Bloomfield

Here's a guide to fireworks shows this summer.

Looking to enjoy some fireworks for the Fourth of July? Here's a list of nearby shows that begin at dusk, according to MichiganFireworks.com. Date: July 3 Where: Township Park - 46640 Ann Arbor Trail; east of Beck Road. Date: July 3 Where: Over Sylvan Lake Date: July 4 Where: Westland City Hall Grounds - Ford Rd and Carlson St Date: July 3 Where: Lincoln Hills Golf Course - 2666 West 14 Mile Date: July 3 Where: Launched from the center of the lake Date: July 4 Where: Clawson Park, Main - North of 14 Mile Date: July 4 Where: Lakeside Park; Bush Lake; end of Thomas Street and Holly Bush Date: July 4 Where: Rackham Golf Course; Scotia and I-696 Date: July 4 Where: Clintonwood Park; 6000 Clarkston Rd Date: July 6 Where: Dequindre at 10 Mile …

• Photos (1)

Police Blotter

Police: Man Slashed Brother Over Internet Use

The following information was provided by the West Bloomfield Township Police Department. Where arrests or charges are mentioned, it does not indicate a conviction.

West Bloomfield Township Police Department reports from Jun. 19-25 included 79 alarms, 28 crashes and 10 arrests. Among the highlights: A 21-year-old West Bloomfield man was arrested this week, accused of slashing his brother with a hunting knife in an argument over Internet use at the home they live in together, according to Police Lt. Tim Diamond. Shane Thomas Seelig is currently being held at Oakland County Jail on $75,000 cash surety bond after the incident on June 22. Diamond said that Seelig, who lives at home on the 1500 block of Cardinal Ridge with his 19-year-old brother and both parents, had been aggravated with his brother over the Internet before. "Their Internet connection — apparently, they can't both be on it at the same …

• Photos (2)

Boom! How are West Bloomfield Residents Handling Fireworks Season?

Retail profit and increased noise are by-products of new fireworks law.

If you haven't been in bed early every night this past week with earplugs on, you're likely familiar with the new sounds of Independence Day. The state Fireworks Safety Act which went into effect on Jan. 1 of this year, lifting a ban on airborne fireworks and authorizing the state to collect revenue from an application fee, sales tax, and a six percent "safety fee." It has led to fireworks tents spouting up throughout Metro Detroit as amatuer pyrotechnicians have plucked the pyro off of shelves at between $10-75 for most individual items. The act mandates that a permit approved through the West Bloomfield Township Board of Trustees is required to shoot newly-legal bottle rockets, Roman candles, and other flying devices, but that hasn't …

•  1 Comment
• Photos (2)

Fireworks Tents, Storefronts Sprout Widely Under New Michigan Law

Hundreds of local sellers peddle bottle rockets, Roman candles and other dazzlers for summer revelry.

Get set for a loud and lively fireworks season as dozens of new sales outlets take advantage of a relaxed state law in effect this year. Now that consumers can buy airborne fireworks without leaving Michigan, more than 200 retail sales permits have been issued to temporary sites and stores around Metro Detroit, MLive Media Group reports. Macomb tops the list with 86 sellers, followed by Oakland (61), Wayne (70) and Livingston (38). Some have colorful names – such as Thunderking in Rochester Hills, Red Dragon in Shelby Township and Phantom in West Bloomfield. Others are generic tents, sprouting like carnivals as a sign of the season. Churches benefit from sales at sites in Royal Oak and White Lake. It became legal this year to sell bottle …

•  2 Comments
• Photos (2)

West Bloomfield Moves to Regulate Fireworks Use

While new state law opens doors for sale of fireworks in West Bloomfield, ordinance amendment regulates use of fireworks.

It isn’t a question of whether West Bloomfield will allow fireworks sales this summer, but rather an issue of when you can ignite, discharge or use consumer fireworks. According to the Michigan Fireworks Safety Act, which went into effect on Jan. 1 of this year, "A local unit of government shall not enact or enforce an ordinance, code, or regulation pertaining to or in any manner regulating the sale, display, storage, transportation, or distribution of fireworks regulated under this act." However, a local unit of government may regulate the ignition, discharge and use of consumer fireworks. With July 4 quickly approaching, the Township Board on Monday passed a new fireworks ordinance as part of the consent agenda. The ordinance prohibits …

• Photos (1)