State Budget Woes, Borders Closings, Biggby Bob and Dirty Show 12

Gov. Rick Snyder's proposed budget is expected to have devastating effects across the region. It will cost each school district $470 per pupil in state funding, but officials say the district expects to lose $700 per pupil – as much as $10 million – for the coming school year because of additional increased retirement costs.

, the school superintendent is asking parents to oppose Snyder's proposed cuts, saying that otherwise, there will be reductions in elective classes and teacher layoffs.

, Kathy Sullivan, a parent of three, summed it up: "I know tough budgetary decisions need to be made to right the ship, but such a big, across-the-board cut in education seems like a short-sighted place to start."

Borders Starts Sales as It Closes Four Michigan Stores

Ann Arbor-based Borders Group Inc. announced it will close 200 stores throughout the country — including four in Michigan — as part of its efforts to reorganize after filing for bankruptcy. Stores in , , Ann Arbor and will close. On Saturday, started marking down merchandise by 20 percent to 40 percent, and long lines of customers snaked around the store. Meanwhile, residents in and Rochester Hills breathed a sigh of a relief that their Borders stores were spared – for now.

There's likely to be nonstop cheering in Rochester as three high school cheer squads advanced to regionals. Rochester took the top spot, while Stoney Creek and Adams also advanced.

Last week it was "Spot Bob" time at the Dearborn Biggby Coffee location. Bob Fish, founder of the Lansing-based coffee shop chain, stopped by to shake hands with locals, get his photo snapped and dole out free drinks.

Ferndale swore in last week, who takes over from Craig Covey, who resigned the seat to become an Oakland County commissioner. But while Ferndale gained a mayor, it also to Detroit with the announcement that the June gay pride event would move to Detroit's Hart Plaza this year.

Dancers swayed from poles, acrobatic artists twisted in the air from ropes, and burlesque performers danced on stage this past week at Dirty Show 12. Local artists, including two from Wyandotte, are displaying their work at the erotic circus that has quickly become a must-attend event for art lovers in the area.

Birmingham's parenting columnist Pam Houghton delves into the latest in parenting styles, from Tiger moms to French moms to ... free-range moms? Houghton concludes that worrying too much might just make you an insane mom.

In Brighton, police seized five long guns, 97 marijuana plants, 77 pounds of processed marijuana, prescription narcotics and $2,500 in cash from an Iosco Township home Friday after a trooper discovered basement grow rooms while he was investigating a burglary.

Ethan Bortnick, 10, who has been playing piano since age 3, entertained young patients and adults Thursday afternoon at Royal Oak's William Beaumont Hospital as a preview to a concert at Royal Oak Music Theatre.

Two Fenton couples shared their secrets, successes and relationship missteps in their 40-plus years of marriage. Patience and understanding are two big keys to a long, loving companionship.

Salem High School sophomore Darius Funches wrote A Black Boy's Notebook about the inner struggles of a young African-American male.

This joint exhibit of works at the Woods Gallery in Huntington Woods has a unique twist: Many pieces were not created by one artist or the other, but by both in collaboration. The exhibit, which features exuberant colors and thoughtful compositions, runs until March 24.

About 80 students at Stoney Creek High School in Rochester Hills spent a day last week packaging 12,000 bags of dry food for hungry children and adults in Guatemala and Haiti. It was part of the Kids Against Hunger campaign, and Patch was there as part of its "Give 5" day.