Wayne County — Today, The Detroit/East Medical Control Authority (DEMCA) committee awarded an EMS crew this year’s Lifesaver of the Year award for the work they did this past summer while transporting a cardiac arrest patient to the hospital.

This past summer, Wayne County awarded (DEMCA) monies to equip EMS trucks with the Pre-Hospital 12 Lead EKG Program. This program links EMS providers with emergency center physicians. EMS providers can transmit a patient’s EKG en route to the hospital. This quick assessment gives pre-hospital notification to activate the internal emergency plan for a heart attack patient. The essential hospital staff is notified and is waiting at the ER for the patient to arrive. continue

Detroit – The sound of an electric saw and hammers pounding nails may not raise eyebrows in many neighborhoods, but in this area along Linwood in Detroit, for some, it’s the sound of music.

Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano and members of a county team (today) inspected construction of two houses undergoing renovation by Young Detroit Builders, a nonprofit formed to assist young adults with job and life-skills development. Young Detroit Builders is also part of the federal AmeriCorps program, which since 1994 has channeled thousands of young adults into programs that, among other tasks, build affordable housing. continue

Trenton - Wayne County and the city of Trenton are hosting this year's annual Downriver Senior Olympics, a celebration of health and vitality for athletes over age 50.

Downriver Senior Olympics is a tradition dating to the 1980s. Each downriver community has hosted the event, with Wayne County taking on the duties of co-hosting when Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano first took office in 2003. Several hundred senior athletes typically participate in the games. continue

HURON TOWNSHIP -- For horse owner Henry Mast, the only thing more surprising than being the first winner at Pinnacle Race Course on Friday afternoon was that he couldn't find a parking spot at the track before the race.

"I had to park on the backside near the stables and walk across the track," Mast said. "I was amazed when I saw the traffic -- although I think this area has been ready for it."

And how. It was a banner day, to say the least. You would have figured people would have had to be at work in the middle of the day. Nope. There they were, jam-packed into this beautiful new track minutes away from Metro Airport. continue

They had breezed through "vicissitude"; now, Team 11 had only to spell "xenobiotic" to clinch first place in Tuesday's Spell-Off for Seniors.

Gail MacDonald, 63, and her spelling bee partner, Leonard Kozle, 64, both of Westland, briefly talked until it was showtime for MacDonald. continue

Detroit - Wayne County's far-reaching travels to recruit investment and attract attention to our region are part of an important documentary on China scheduled for broadcast on the highly popular Discovery channel.

A team of business and public officials on June 25 screened a segment of the program, which is narrated and produced by former "Nightline" host Ted Koppel. The Discovery program - "The People's Republic of Capitalism " - peers into the life and times of modern China. The powerful series includes interviews with Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano, who had been in China during the show's taping in 2007. continue

Detroit – Imagine non-violent offenders focused on organic gardening in an area bigger than a city block. Imagine the offenders producing four tons of food for the hungry. And, imagine that garden being a source of rehabilitation and community pride.

That’s what happened last year when Wayne County’s Department of Children and Family Services (CAFS) and the national Urban Farming project recruited and supervised approximately 100 volunteers to plant, weed, water and maintain a garden on Linwood and Gladstone in Detroit. The volunteers were on probation for non-violent offenses. continue

Dearborn - The volunteers for Wayne County's Meals on Wheels have been recognized for their hard work and dedication to a program that serves nearly 3,000 meals a day.

The special afternoon luncheon at the Michael A. Guido Theater in Dearborn showcased the volunteers, supporters and board members of the Meals program, which nationwide dates to the 1970s. continue

Detroit - Wayne County and its Veterans Affairs' division again recognized its military servicemen/women and their families with a special health expo at the Samaritan Center in Detroit.

The county-hosted Veterans Service Day provides a range of programs to veterans and their families, from health-screenings to employment assistance and counseling. continue

Detroit - Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano helped welcome visitors, sponsors and experts to a health expo at Cobo Hall on Monday that stressed the importance of coverage for Michigan's uninsured citizens.

Open to the public at no charge, the Health Expo for the Uninsured featured health coverage options for small business, children and individuals, free and low cost health screenings, Medicaid/MIChild Eligibility training and informational sessions on the ballot initiative, Divided We Fail, Medicare Part D, and health care disparities. continue

A new biodiesel fuels production plant is being developed in Romulus, the second biodiesel facility to locate in Wayne County.

Alternegy plans to construct a 25,000-square-foot plant at Wick and Middlebelt roads that would include production, storage, offices and distribution. The plant would produce 10 million gallons of carbon-reducing biodiesel fuel per year with the capability of expanding to 30 million gallons per year. continue

Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano announced Wednesday a way to let onetime, nonviolent offenders wipe out their criminal records by staying clean for five years.

In an upbeat State of the County speech Wednesday night at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History in Detroit, Ficano also revealed that a German company, IAV Automotive Engineering, will build a $16.5-million North American headquarters in the county this year. A crowd of about 300 people interrupted the speech frequently with applause. continue

Wayne County signs papers, takes ownership of Guardian

Most women expect birthday cards from friends and family, but women who hit 40 and live in Wayne County will start getting cards from a man most of them don't know personally -- Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano.

Ficano's birthday message will remind the women to get a mammogram.

"The rate of breast cancer in Wayne County is higher than the national rate," he said Thursday. "But we're confident that this initiative will give women some tools to take control of their own health." continue

Detroit - Wayne County’s Human Relations Division today hosted its third certification and business workshop, an annual event that attracted more than a hundred merchants, workers and entrepreneurial hopefuls to learn more about vendor bidding and doing business with Wayne County.

Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano provided welcoming remarks, noting that Wayne County has a long history of innovation and entrepreneurial spirit that has made this region recognized around the world. Talking to large groups about the county’s services’ bidding, teaching the steps to vendor certification and showcasing other county standards will further build the business base, he said. continue

Detroit – By any measure, Wayne County’s first mentoring recognition event was deemed successful.

But for the participants of the county’s World of Mentoring and recognition of National Mentoring Month, the event was far more meaningful than simple praise. It was an opportunity for expression and gratitude. Wayne County and its Michigan State University/Extension office have partnered in program that matches adult mentors and child (mentees), bringing together the wisdom of aging and excitement of youth. More than a hundred adults and children have participated in the program since its launch in 2006. continue