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Livonia Churchill's girls cross country team won the Livonia City Meet Friday, Oct. 16, at Cass Benton Park, scoring 23 points to Stevenson's 42 and Franklin's 67, and junior Maddie Vargo won the girls race in 20:21.6. Churchill's boys were second to Stevenson, 35 points to 30, and sophomore Troy Verhelle won the boys race in 16:26.6. This season the girls were third at the Autumn Classic and the Wayne County Championships and second at the LVC Lakes Division meet; the boys won the Autumn Classic and were second in the Lakes Division and fourth at Wayne County, according to official results on athletic.net. At the Lakes Valley Conference championship Tuesday, Oct. 20, at Willow Metropark, the boys placed fourth of 12 teams and the girls sixth of 11. The MHSAA Region 06-1 meet is at the same park Saturday, Oct. 31. A year ago the girls won that regional and both teams ran at the Division 1 Finals.

Paris, the massage therapist behind Paris Massage, began a professional career in Livonia 12 and a half years ago, while living in Redford. In answers to Livonia Thrive, Paris said each visit starts with a sit-down consultation on health history, pressure, past experience with massage and comfort; that Livonia-area clients carry back and neck pain from desk jobs and from caring for children or elderly parents; and that a hot stone massage paired with a sugar foot scrub is meant for deep relaxation rather than work on trouble areas. Paris recommends at least one stretch after every massage, and more water, and called "no pain no gain" the biggest misconception about massage. Paris Massage is at 39209 Six Mile Road, Suite 211, in Livonia, and works by appointment. A Livonia Thrive drawing for 50% off a one-hour massage there ($42.50 value) closes Monday, Oct. 26.

Former Mayor Jack E. Kirksey, who led Livonia from 1996 to 2003 and 2008 to 2015 and built the recreation center later named for him, died Oct. 13 at 97, the City of Livonia said; the city says no services are planned at this time, and his family's obituary says a celebration of life will be held later. At the Oct. 12 City Council meeting, all 17 speakers on the city's Flock license-plate cameras in closing public comment opposed them; speakers cited records of more than 1 million outside searches of Livonia's data in July and August, and a motion to move the issue out of the Public Safety committee failed 1-5. Council voted 6-0 to have a 10 p.m. quiet-hours ordinance drafted and 4-2 to give the park mowing contract to the low bidder for $84,518, and set the Seven Mile condominiums and Brome Modern Eatery for its Monday, Oct. 26, meeting. The Planning Commission recommended an EV charging lot on Levan Road 3-1 Oct. 13 and voted against a truck yard on Amrhein Road. A Chicago-area school worker was charged after an FBI sting at Beverly Park. The week is dry, with highs from 61 Sunday, Oct. 18, to 68 Friday, Oct. 23. Comments are open below.

Churchill beat Stevenson 42-14 in football Friday, Oct. 16, and Franklin beat Walled Lake Northern 38-6. In volleyball, Stevenson beat Franklin 3-1 and Churchill won 3-2 at Farmington Tuesday, Oct. 13. Stevenson's boys soccer team beat Southfield Arts & Technology 9-0 Wednesday, Oct. 14, and Franklin beat Westland John Glenn 2-1 Thursday, Oct. 15. This week's Game of the Week is Franklin at Walled Lake Central in football Friday, Oct. 23; Franklin is 5-2 in the Lakes Valley, a game behind Milford, Walled Lake Western and South Lyon, and Walled Lake Central is 1-6. Stevenson plays at South Lyon the same night and Churchill hosts Farmington. Stevenson plays Novi in soccer Monday, Oct. 19, at North Farmington. Churchill's listings carry its girls cross country meet with South Lyon East on both Tuesday, Oct. 20, and Thursday, Oct. 22; neither is resolved.

Former Mayor Jack E. Kirksey, who served 16 years as mayor and led construction of the Livonia Community Recreation Center, died Oct. 13 at 97, @cityoflivonia posted. Spectrum News Michigan posted that dozens of residents protested the city's Flock Safety cameras at the Monday, Oct. 12, council meeting. Pickup changes day for homes between Seven Mile and Eight Mile and Angling and Inkster roads, with the first pickup on the new schedule Monday, Nov. 2, and "Haunt Your Home" registration closes Monday, Oct. 19, the city posted. Also posted: the Housing Sustainability plan, precinct consolidation, a plea deal in a Livonia break-in case, a MAS Detroit potluck and a ribbon cutting. The week's news, city events and school sports run in separate editions.

The Livonia Planning Commission on Oct. 13, 2026, voted 3–1 to recommend rezoning 0.29 acres at 15150 Levan Road from C-1 to C-2 for an electric vehicle charging lot. Commissioner Peter Ventura cast the dissenting vote. Rennolds Ravines residents had submitted a 25-signature petition and raised concerns about stormwater, creek erosion, lighting and security, and the petitioner offered a conditional rezoning that would limit the site to EV charging. The commission denied a truck and trailer storage yard at 36555 Amrhein Road, the former Contractors Steel site, after commissioners called the plan too preliminary and questioned the use of crushed concrete instead of pavement; that petitioner has 10 days to appeal to City Council. It recommended approval of outdoor storage for a contractor yard at 34426 Rosati Avenue with nine conditions, and voted 4–0 to recommend a permanent drive-thru windscreen for Chick-fil-A at 11700 Middlebelt Road. A proposed ordinance setting rules for future zoning moratoriums was tabled to Nov. 10, with commissioners asking for a clearer process and shorter time limits. Only four of the seven commissioners attended.

At its Oct. 12 study session, the Livonia City Council took no final votes. It sorted items for the Oct. 26 Regular Meeting, putting six on the consent agenda: Infinity Homes’ plan for seven for-sale ranch-style condos and two single-family homes on the site of the vacant Up North Craft Bar at Seven Mile and Floral; Brome Modern Eatery in the former PNC Bank at 19450 Haggerty Road, where the old drive-thru canopy will be replaced by an addition subject to Planning Commission review; a smaller, no-cost state conservation easement for Bell Creek at Fox Creek Golf Course; a $56,644.85 brush chipper; up to $250,000 for outside fleet repairs; and a referral of a state-required residential backflow inspection program to the Capital Outlay and Infrastructure Committee. A $162,029.95 backhoe and two leaf vacuums costing $185,082 went to the regular agenda at Council Member Carrie Budzinski’s request while absent Council Member Eileen McDonnell awaits answers from the administration, and a golf course roof bid was pulled. Five of eight speakers in opening public comment urged council to drop or rein in the city’s Flock license plate cameras.

Two stage shows open Friday, Oct. 16: the Franklin Players' "The Somewhat True Tale of Robin Hood" at the Franklin High School Performing Arts Center, with shows through Sunday, Oct. 18, and tickets at $15, $12 for students and seniors, and Livonia Community Theatre's "Tales from the Scrypt" at Rosedale Gardens Presbyterian Church, which returns Saturday, Oct. 17, and Friday, Oct. 23. Emmanuel Lutheran Church holds its Fall Fest Saturday, Oct. 17, and the Ramallah Club's Annual Banquet & Benefit Dinner is Sunday, Oct. 18. The Human Relations Commission meets Tuesday, Oct. 20; the LERS board, Civil Service Commission and Library Commission meet Wednesday, Oct. 21, when the chamber also holds three ribbon cuttings. Behavior Frontiers' sensory-friendly trunk-or-treat and Livonia Church of Christ's Fall Festival are Friday, Oct. 23. DJ ZIG-ZAG's listings give both 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. Worth the drive: the Red Wings host San Jose and Michigan hosts Penn State Saturday, Oct. 17, and the Pistons' home opener is Tuesday, Oct. 20. The week's news and school sports run in separate editions.

Flock license plate cameras dominated the Livonia City Council's October 12 meeting, but council took no action on them. A motion by Councilmember Brandon McCullough to move the issue to the Committee of the Whole failed 1–5, keeping it in Vice President Patrick Brockway's Public Safety committee while more than a dozen questions await answers. Seventeen speakers opposed the cameras, citing FOIA'd logs showing more than 1 million outside searches of Livonia's data in July and August, including searches tied to immigration and federal agencies. Council also voted 6–0 to have the Law Department draft an ordinance moving residential quiet hours from 11 p.m. to 10 p.m. A sidewalk waiver for four new Fairlane homes failed on a 3–3 tie. Council voted 4–2, against staff's recommendation, to award a one-year park mowing contract to low bidder Russell Landscaping for $84,518. Approved 6–0 were three unmarked police vehicles, an Inkster Road resurfacing agreement with Wayne County, new ADA doors at City Hall, three utility easements, and the city's 2026 Transportation Asset Management Plan. Councilmember Eileen McDonnell was absent while recovering from surgery.

The Livonia Orioles beat the Livonia Falcons 34-12 in varsity youth football Sunday, Oct. 11, at Bentley, and the Livonia Blue Jays beat the Walled Lake Braves 38-24 Saturday, Oct. 10. The Livonia Eagles beat the Garden City Cougars 31-6 the same day. The Blue Jays and Orioles, both 4-2 and seeded sixth and fifth, meet at Bentley Sunday, Oct. 18, this weekend's Game of the Week.

Stevenson volleyball beat Franklin 3-1 at home Tuesday, Oct. 13, in a match coach Amy Osborn said would decide second and third place in the teams' Lakes Valley Conference division, and is 10-14-2. Osborn said about seven or eight of the losses came against state-ranked teams; the toughest was a five-set loss at Churchill Thursday, Sept. 24. Through Oct. 8 the team had 171 aces, serving at 89.3%; junior Delaney Madigan led with 117 kills and senior Madi Schleif had 327 assists.

Franklin volleyball is 3-3 in conference play and 6-9 in nonconference matches and tournaments, 9-12 overall, coach Sarah Atteveld said, with conference wins over Walled Lake Central, North Farmington, in five sets, and Farmington, and a five-set loss at Churchill Thursday, Oct. 1. Senior Tessa White has 139 kills, senior Abby Jonika has 415 sets and sophomore libero Giona Moraskey has 141 perfect passes. Co-captains are Jonika, Mia Morris and White. Franklin plays at Stevenson Tuesday, Oct. 13.

The Franklin Players stage Mary Lynn Dobson's The Somewhat True Tale of Robin Hood at the Franklin High School Performing Arts Center, 31000 Joy Road, Friday, Oct. 16, and Saturday, Oct. 17, at 7 p.m., and Sunday, Oct. 18, at 2 p.m. Tickets are $15 for adults and $12 for students and seniors, online or at the door. Director Colleen Meyer said she chose the comedy for its "hilarious twist" on a classic tale and its large cast; 26 students are in the cast, led by sophomore Dylan Ripper as Robin Hood and senior Audrey Schutte as Marian, with 32 student crew positions. Parking will be limited Friday, when Franklin football also plays at home.

Franklin football won 35-28 at White Lake Lakeland Friday, Oct. 9, and is 5-2, 4-2 in the Lakes Valley Conference, with home wins over Stevenson, 37-22, and Churchill, 31-17, that coach Christopher Kelbert says make a fifth straight city championship. Kelbert called the 31-13 win over Farmington, after a 58-7 loss at Walled Lake Western, a big win. In its first six games Franklin ran for 1,416 yards and 20 touchdowns; Zyaire Lainer leads with 549 rushing yards and Brody Gross has 10 rushing touchdowns. Franklin hosts Walled Lake Northern Friday, Oct. 16, and plays at Walled Lake Central Friday, Oct. 23.

Churchill football beat Walled Lake Central 35-0 Friday, Oct. 9, and is 3-4 through seven games, 2-4 in the Lakes Valley Conference, starting ten sophomores, six of them two-way players, and six juniors; coach Allen Feigel calls it one of the youngest lineups in the state and says the staff has been pleased with the team's process and practice effort. Feigel named Sage Adams, Bryce Bennett and Isaac Snead as the statistical leaders. Churchill plays at Stevenson Friday, Oct. 16, and hosts Farmington Friday, Oct. 23.

Churchill shut out Walled Lake Central 35-0 and Franklin beat White Lake Lakeland 35-28 in football Friday, Oct. 9; North Farmington beat Stevenson 26-7 and Detroit Lincoln-King beat Clarenceville 34-22. Stevenson soccer beat White Lake Lakeland 4-0 Tuesday, Oct. 6, and Stevenson volleyball won 3-0 at Walled Lake Central the same night. This week's Game of the Week is Churchill at Stevenson in football Friday, Oct. 16; both are 2-4 in the Lakes Valley. Franklin hosts Walled Lake Northern the same night. Stevenson and Franklin also meet in volleyball Tuesday, Oct. 13, and in swimming Thursday, Oct. 15. Franklin's own feed lists its home soccer game with Westland John Glenn on two dates, Oct. 14 and Oct. 15. Today, Saturday, Oct. 10, outside the covered week, Clarenceville volleyball plays at Warren Fitzgerald.

The westbound I-96 off-ramp to Merriman Road is closed Wednesday, Oct. 7, through Saturday, Oct. 24, for the city's water main replacement project, the City of Livonia posted; the city directs drivers to the Inkster Road or Farmington Road exits. MDOT's eastbound M-14 ramp to northbound I-275 is closed through Monday, Oct. 19. Rock City Music Company posted that Alice Cooper appears at the Livonia record store at 5 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 5. Trinity House Theatre's own listing confirms a Friday, Oct. 9, "Songwriters in the Round" show. The week's news, city events and school sports run in separate editions.

The Livonia Eagles beat the Livonia Orioles 24-22 in varsity youth football Sunday, Oct. 4, at Bentley, and the Livonia Blue Jays beat the Dearborn Lions 57-12 Saturday, Oct. 3. The JV Falcons, 6-0 and the top seed in the Southeast Michigan Youth Football Association's JV division, host the JV Orioles, 4-1 and the No. 3 seed, Sunday, Oct. 11, at Bentley, this weekend's Game of the Week. All four Livonia clubs play this weekend at every level: the Blue Jays host the Walled Lake Braves and the Eagles play at the Garden City Cougars Saturday, Oct. 10, and the Falcons host the Orioles Sunday, Oct. 11.

Livonia City Council takes formal votes on eight items at its 2,050th regular meeting Monday, Oct. 12, among them three unmarked police vehicles, $170,332 in new City Hall entrance doors and a two-year park mowing contract, Livonia Thrive reported; a public hearing on two items not yet published precedes it at 6 p.m. The Traffic Commission meets Thursday, Oct. 8, when elementary schools close for parent-teacher conferences and the Livonia Community Foundation holds its Fire & Flannel fundraiser, and the Planning Commission meets Tuesday, Oct. 13. Faith & Blue runs 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 10, at Nehasil Park, alongside Wilson Barn's Haunted Barn, two trunk-or-treats and a coffee hour with Councilmember Carrie Budzinski; Spooky Swim runs Sunday, Oct. 11. Trinity House Theatre hosts shows Friday, Oct. 9, Saturday, Oct. 10, and Friday, Oct. 16. DJ ZIG-ZAG's One Under Craft Beer listings give 9 a.m. in the time field and 9 p.m. in the description, and one LEARN listing gives both Oct. 8 and Oct. 15; neither is resolved. Worth the drive: the Red Wings Oct. 9 and 13, the Greater Detroit Gem, Mineral & Fossil Show Oct. 9, the Lumbre Festival Oct. 10 and a Pistons preseason game Oct. 16. The week's news runs in a separate Livonia Thrive news edition and the city's school games in a separate Livonia High School Sports edition.

Livonia City Council votes Monday, Oct. 12, on eight items from its Sept. 28 study session, Livonia Thrive reported, among them three unmarked police vehicles for $132,718, $170,332 for new City Hall entrance doors and a two-year, $188,230 park mowing contract; a second sidewalk waiver for four Fairlane Avenue homes returns, listed on the Consent agenda in the draft minutes and on the Regular agenda in the meeting video. At its Sept. 28 regular meeting council voted 6-0 to extend four engineering firms through 2031 and award an $84,689.40 Westbrook Drive drainage contract, and three Trinity Park senior residents said their building is ending income-based rents. Police arrested a caregiver Tuesday, Oct. 6, accused of taking money from 86-year-old Cynthia Dame. Detroit Fire battalion chief Thomas Suchora faces a preliminary hearing Thursday, Oct. 8, in a Livonia road-rage case. Alice Cooper appears at Rock City Music Co. Thursday, Nov. 5; Deadline Detroit gives the ticket price as $50, The Detroit News as $50.02. Blessing Baskets return for a third year for Livonia elementary families, and the Bennett Civic Center Library is renovating its lobby restrooms. Regionally, the Wayne County Commission overrode a veto of tax breaks for Google's Van Buren Township data center. Rain falls Tuesday, Oct. 13, and Friday, Oct. 16, and highs drop to 51 by Saturday, Oct. 17. Comments are open below.