Around the Mitten This Week: Census Figures Released, Firefighters Fight Downsizing, Governor Visits and More

Here's a roundup of some of the news and features throughout southeast Michigan in the past week:

Census Figures Released in Michigan

The population for the state of Michigan decreased by .5 percent and is now at 9,883,640, according to census numbers released Tuesday, but some Macomb, Oakland, Livingston and Washtenaw counties have experienced growth since 2000. And some suburbs are seeing more diversity than ever before. Here's a look at some of the numers:

• The figures showed Ferndale's population had dropped in population by 10 percent. Surrounding communities also lost population, as did the state as a whole.
• Royal Oak experienced from 2000 to 2010, dropping 2,826 residents to 57,236 from 60,062 in 2000. U.S. Census Bureau data also show that Royal Oak is becoming more diverse with a dramatic increase in residents counted in the categories of black or African American, Asian and two or more races. Those classified as Latino or Hispanic, regardless of race, increased by 72 percent, from 781 in 2000 to 1,340 in 2010.
• Census numbers revealed that , a decrease of 551 people, or approximately 3.6 percent of the city's population. However, , an increase of 87 people, or approximately 1.4 percent of the city's population.
• And at 75%, the saw the largest growth rate of any community in the state during the past 10 years. It grew from 2,338 to 4,067.
• Dearborn's population, according to the 2010 Census count, is 98,153–an increase of .4 percent from 2000's count. , moving up one spot from 2000. It is also now the second largest city in Wayne County.

Gov. Rick Snyder Visits Farmington Hills

With protestors outside, at the Farmingotn Hills Manor on Friday. He spoke about job creation: “What we need to do is to create an environment for success,” Snyder said. “The role of government is not to create jobs, but to create an environment where those jobs can be created and work -- and do it in a way that young people get excited to say, 'This is the place to be,' because of the quality of life, job opportunity, because of all of those things.”

Firefighters' Supporters Inundate Plymouth Township Hall

Plymouth Township residents, employees and firefighters Tuesday evening to speak out against the township's plans to downsize its current full-time firefighter crew to part time or paid on-call.

Macomb County Program Provides Free Meds for Seniors

A personalized program through Macomb County Senior Citizen Services is in medication costs. Macomb County seniors need only contact the program's coordinator, Colleen Burns, and she takes care of the necessary research and paperwork.

Clawson Police, Coaches Defeat Students in Annual Fundraiser Game

Police officers and coaches squeezed in a 101-99 win against the high school basketball players in the . The event raised more than $600, which will benefit the Clawson Schools Liaison Officer program and the Clawson Athletic Booster Club. A halftime raffle featured prizes and two slam dunks by senior Eric Thompson.

Should Macomb County Gamble on a Lakeside Casino?

Local leaders are mixed on whether Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel's idea for a would float in their towns. Hackel has made for recreational and business opportunities a priority. He has a dedicated a position in the planning and economic development department to coordinate the efforts for the an effort to capitalize on the county's waterways with recreational and business opportunities.

Brighton Patch Celebrates Launch with a Party

Patchtinis galore, coconut chicken and plenty of laughs were on the menu Thursday night at . Community members stopped by the Downtown Main Martini Bar & Grille for a festive happy hour and to meet Local Editor Wensdy Von Buskirk, along with other members of the Patch team.

Hundreds Gather in Rochester Hills to Support Film Tax Incentives

In Rochester Hills, and write letters to state lawmakers, urging their help in continuing the tax breaks. "The film credit is helping change the image of Michigan," said Oakland County Commissioner Tim Greimel. "It would be a great mistake for the legislators to end them."

Birmingham's Detroit Country Day Loses Shot at State Title

came Friday night for the Detroit Country Day boys basketball team when it lost its shot at back-to-back Class B titles. The Yellowjackets — also the defending state champions — fell in the state semifinals to Lansing Sexton 69-59 at the Breslin Center. Nine seniors played their last game Friday night for longtime head coach Kurt Keener.

Dearborn Students Take on the Emerald Isle

Dearborn High School's marching and jazz bands traveled to Ireland last week to perform in . The band — one of the largest and most well-traveled in Michigan — won a spot among a handful of bands to march the 2.5-kilometer route in the Dublin St. Patrick’s Day Parade, the largest celebration of the signature Irish holiday in the world. Now home, students say the experience was life-changing.

Video: Lake Fenton Students Witness Dangers of Drugs

Lake Fenton students received this week as a local drug prevention group put on a program that included an actual 911 call from the death of a 17-year-old Fenton Township girl, a simulated funeral and several speakers that discussed their own, or their family's battles with drug addiction.

Missing Shelby Woman's Death Ruled Suicide

The Macomb County Medical Examiner’s Office ruled that the death of a Shelby Township woman whose Saturday afternoon in Washington Township was suicide.

Washtenaw County to Get New Hospital Facility

The Chelsea Community Hospital, a nonprofit hospital serving western Washtenaw County, broke ground Tuesday on the first phase of a multimillion-dollar expansion to its facility near downtown Chelsea. The $60 million expansion will include a 54-bed addition, a new X-ray and imaging area, a new emergency room, renovations to the hospital's outpatient and rehab therapy operations and a new front entrance and lobby.