Huntington Woods Makes Friendliest Towns List, Football Coach Says Farewell and More News This Week

We shared a lot of good information last week and want to make sure you didn't miss a thing, so here are some highlights.

• Christmas Grinch Slashes Snowmen: The Berkley Public Safety Department supplied the following information.
• Who's Hiring in Oakland County This Week: Are you looking for a job and don't mind traveling a bit from home? We've found a dozen jobs available from around Oakland County, from a sales associate at Best Buy to an "occasional babysitter" for a Royal Oak family.
• : Plus, a woman with six OWI convictions is arrested in Bloomfield Township while candles cause a blaze in West Bloomfield.
• : Sip and savor your way around Oakland County's eateries with Patch.
• : "I hope the kids understand it was not an easy decision," to accept the head coaching job at Novi High School; the move will allow him to spend more time with his family.

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• : Larry Obrecht, who is headed into retirement, reflects on the past nine years he spent helping to reunite pets and owners, improving media relations and making improvements to facilities.
• Mentor Connection Helps Teenager Navigate Obstacles to Adulthood: Jewish Family Service program has helped at-risk youths since 2005, but faces difficulty recruiting men to help.
• : Here's where to find all of the collegiate bowl games leading up to the Jan. 7 BCS Championship.
• Huntington Woods Makes Forbes' 'America's Friendliest Towns' List: The city, which was ranked No. 9 in the national survey, was the only Michigan town to be included.
• Local Children Shop With Heroes: The call public safety officials responded to Tuesday night was one of a compassionate nature.
• Snyder Vetoes Bill That Would Have Allowed Guns in Schools: The legislation would have permitted concealed weapons in gun-free zones such as schools and sports arenas.
• : The North American Aerospace Defense Command has a website that now offers a Santa tracker mobile app to follow the jolly man's magical flight.
• L. Brooks Patterson Sworn In for Sixth Term as Oakland County Executive: He says he'll focus on job attraction, technology, fiscal management and quality of life during his next four years after taking the oath of office Monday.
• Berkley Holiday Spirit Contest Winners Brighten City: The top six residential and business contestants were honored during the City Council meeting Monday at City Hall.
• : Every building keeps its doors locked and has a buzz-in system with a video feed, BSD Communications Supervisor Jessica Stilger says; staff members also have been asked to review safety procedures after Friday's school shooting in Newtown, CT.
• Girl Scouts Share Holiday Cheer With Senior Citizens: Troops from Rogers Elementary School visited residents of Oxford Towers in Berkley on Dec. 9 to sing carols and snack on cookies and juice.
• 2013 Calendar Showcases Beauty of Huntington Woods: Sales proceeds will benefit the Community Fund, which assists with projects throughout the city.
• : "I'm of the belief that if you help other folks and extend yourself out, it will come back to you," says Scott Zuchlewski, who owns CAPTURECOM, Inc., a home-based media services company that serves clients including General Motors and DTE Energy.