Week In Review: Rally for the Rutherfords, Charity Premiere of 'Oz' Benefits Dwarf Advocacy

Are you spending your Sunday catching up with last week's news? Here's the top 12 stories you may have missed about Birmingham this week:

Police

Birmingham Police say last Friday's robbery of Comerica Bank is similar to several recent bank robberies in Royal Oak, Berkley and Madison Heights.

The incident happened just over a week after two bikes worth more than $5,000 were stolen from the Woodward Avenue bike shop.

Community

Birmingham's Palladium 12 will host a charity premiere of Oz: The Great and Powerful to raise money for dwarf advocacy and honor the extras from this Michigan-made film.

Business

Meanwhile, a third applicant, Crush, will return to the Birmingham City Commission in two weeks with another request for an economic development license.

Birmingham Renews All of Its Liquor Licenses for 2013

At the Monday night City Commission meeting, residents complained about a pending lawsuit with Townhouse and police chief says seven Birmingham businesses sold alcohol to minors in 2012.

Travel Channel Star Says Townsend Hotel Is One of His Favorites

Anthony Melchiorri, star of the Travel Channel's 'Hotel Impossible,' listed the Birmingham hotel as one of his favorites in the world.

Schools

Harlan Elementary Rallies Around 5th Grade Teacher After Cancer Diagnosis

A 'Rally for the Rutherfords' is planned for Feb. 27 to raise money for Harlan fifth grade teacher Chad Rutherford and his family.

Expenditures continue to grow and if the district does nothing, they could face a $10 million deficit by 2016, officials say.

Birmingham Students Outpace State Averages on 2012 MEAP Exam

While Birmingham's 2012 MEAP scores exceeded state averages, the district saw a 10 percent drop in the percentage of students proficient in fifth grade science.

Roeper's Young Chess Players Named State Champs

In addition, 13 players received medals for their performance during the Michigan Scholastic Team Championship, held earlier this month.

Pierce Students Look to Finish a 'Marathon' As Part of New Running Club

The new Pierce Elementary running club will prepare students for the Martian Invasion of Races this spring in Dearborn.

Government

The U.S. Senator spoke in Birmingham Monday morning as part of the Birmingham Bloomfield Chamber's Government Forecast Breakfast.