Around the Mitten This Week: Kevorkian Tattoo, School Food Fight, Spring Sports, Teachers' Day of Action

Here’s a look at some of the other news and interesting stories in Patch sites this week:

Day of Action: Teachers Pass Out Fliers, Inform Parents

Teachers throughout the area braved the heat Tuesday to pass out fliers and conducted informational pickets about the looming cuts to education, at schools from  to  from  to . In Royal Oak,  managed to get about 55 signatures in 25 minutes, while , with informal social gatherings rather than pickets at schools. 

Spring sports playoffs in full swing

Spring sports playoffs were in high gear; in lacrosse, came away with state championships   while  took the Division I title. In baseball,  with a controversial victory over Dearborn Divine Child, and . In golf, several athletes in the area advanced to the state individual finals next weekend, including, who captured regional medalist honors with a 3-under 69.

Pennsylvania Woman’s Tattoo a Tribute to Jack Kevorkian

Betsy Harron of Allentown, PA, has , “Fever,” that covers her entire back. Harron, who had hoped to meet the assisted suicide advocate and artist in Royal Oak this year to show him the tattoo, said the late pathologist was “the most influential person in her life.” “I balled my eyes out when I heard he died,” she said days after Kevorkian’s death on June 3.  at White Chapel Cemetery in Troy.

Fenton Father Travels from Libya for Son's Graduation

A Fenton father, who had been serving spokesman for the Libyan revolution, traveled home from Libya to attend his son's graduation from Fenton High School. The proud father joined the throngs in the school gymnasium with his wife, Lois Van Lente, to honor their youngest son.

VIDEO: Runaway Cat Lived at Home Depot for a Year

After Coyote the cat ran away from his Lake Orion home a year ago and didn't return, his family presumed he was dead. In reality,  a few miles away, where customers and employees cared for him for more than six months. A Home Depot employee, hoping to adopt the cat, brought him in to Goodison Veterinary Center in Oakland Township Thursday, where Dr. Kristi Yee found a microchip in Coyote. He was returned to his family Thursday afternoon.

Salem High School Food Fight Probe Leads to Criminal Charges

 at Plymouth-Canton Educational Park, a three-high-school campus with about 6,200 students enrolled, disrupted classes Wednesday, the seniors' last day, drew police and has resulted in an investigation. About a dozen students have been charged with disorderly conduct on school property and more are expected to be charged. At least 10 students have also received five-day suspensions, no appeals. Multiple cell phone videos have been posted on YouTube, Facebook and other public websites, such as Tosh.0. This annual tradition is one that's been escalating, police said, and they and the school district have adopted a zero tolerance.

Community Garden, a 'Pride of Town,' Dedicated in Rochester

The city of Rochester  this week. The garden features 42 plots that are leased by city residents for growing vegetables, herbs, fruits or flowers. It's the first phase in a project that will also involve a children's educational garden.

Prosecution Offers Witnesses, Evidence in Macomb Stabbing

Evidence  on Feb. 23 was heard June 9 in the 41A District Court of Judge Douglas Shepherd. The suspect, Fraser resident Joseph Reiner, 27, is charged with first-degree home invasion and assault with intent to murder.

Utica May Cut Seventh- and Eighth-Grade Athletics

More than 2,000 seventh- and eighth-grade Utica Community School athletes may have to wait until the ninth grade to play school sports if the Board of Education approves a $3.1 million budget reduction that would eliminate junior high school sports.

Tips Lead to Arrest of Trenton Bomb Suspect

Agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives arrested a man in Flat Rock on Tuesday who was wanted in connection with April bomb scares in Trenton due to tips provided to the ATF and Trenton Police Department. The man is currently in federal custody with the ATF.

Roeper Community Celebrates Life of School Founder

Roeper students young and old gathered Monday to celebrate the life of Roeper School founder George Roeper during the school's annual . George, who passed away in 1992, would have been 100 this year. Students from the school for gifted students celebrated the "Roeper philosphy" with performances, speeches and songs.

Farmington Hills PD Unveils Prescription Drop-Off

A wildly popular, one-day  is now a permanent fixture at the Farmington Hills Police Department. On Tuesday, Chief Chuck Nebus and Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard cut the ribbon on a permanent drop box located in the FHPD lobby. The box is made possible through a partnership among the local police department, sheriff's department and Home Instead Senior Care, which has offices around Oakland County.

Mitt Romney Holds Private Fundraiser in Grosse Pointe           

, including a stop in Grosse Pointe Shores, where he had a private fundraiser at the Grosse Pointe Yacht Club. A minimum donation of $1,000 was required to attend and those wishing to attend a pre-reception meeting paid $2,500.

Tears, Laughter Shared During Candlelight Vigil

  gathered Monday outside Grosse Pointe North for a candlelight vigil to remember the 19-year-old whose death is under investigation. Wilhelm's mother discovered her dead in her bed in late May upon returning home from out of town; the Wayne County Medical Examiner's Office is waiting on lab results before ruling on her death. Those who attended the vigil shared stories about how Wilhelm lived for herself, accepted others for who they are and the defender of the underdog.

Viewfinder: Funky Front Doors in Berkley, Huntington Woods

Warm weather gives homeowners a full palette of colors as . Green grass and ivy, pots and patio furniture, flowers and paint give each of these entrances a unique personality. Click through this photo gallery and maybe you'll find some inspiration for your own front door!

Rolling Down Memory Lane with Bob Allison

 as host of "Bowling For Dollars" for much of the 1970s, gives an update on what he's up to now, and a behind-the-scenes look at how things were then.

Lake St. Clair Tourism Effort Gets Boost

Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel announced Friday  to highlight Lake St. Clair and the "hot spots" along the body of water. Locations such as the Nautical Mile, downtown New Baltimore and Boat Town will also have signage on I-94 to inform motorists about the these unique boating locations.

Blessings in a Backpack Sends Food Home to Students in Need

 to ensure that Wyandotte elementary students who qualify for free or reduced priced school lunches don't go hungry on the weekends. Blessings in a Backpack will send home a backpack full of food to provide a needy child with three meals a day on Saturdays and Sundays.

Dearborn Budget, Parking Rate Increases Pass Unanimously

After two months of debate, . The budget includes agreements to shut down two pools and one library branch in order to cut costs, as well as lay off over 40 city employees. Along with cuts, millage rates were raised from 19.5 to 21.9 mills, while parking rates were increased for all paid city parking.