Detroit, MI
Former library built in 1925 reopens as Detroit police precinct building
A historic library in northwest Detroit slated for demolition has been officially opened as the Detroit Police Department’s newest precinct building.
The city has repurposed the former Redford Branch Library on West McNichols Road into the Eighth Precinct Community Annex, a headquarters for DPD’s neighborhood police officers, a special unit that focuses on responding to calls that don’t require an emergency response. The nearly century-old building will also be used for community events and meetings.
The police department began renovations on the building in 2019. The current Eighth Precinct building opened in 2017 after it closed 12 years earlier as part of a restructuring of the police department’s patrol operations, according to WJBK (Channel 2).
Mayor Mike Duggan said at Friday’s ceremony he made reopening the Eighth Precinct a campaign promise.
“I promised the voters in this area that that one way or another, I would reopen the Eighth Precinct right in this area of northwest Detroit,” Duggan said Friday during a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Detroit first used the building, built in 1925, as the Redford Branch Library when the city annexed part of Redford Township in 1926 into the city limits. It closed in 1971, city officials said, and was reopened for a time as an African American history museum before shutting down again in the 1990s. The building was sold in 2010 as part of a deal that also included the former Redford High School complex.
Duggan credited City Council President Pro Tem James Tate, who represents District 1, for leading the push to preserve the building. Duggan said the city originally planned to demolish it and use it as a parking lot for the Eighth Precinct’s main building.
“It was very clear to me and other members of the community that a building with this level of architecture that you don’t find anywhere should not be demolished,” Tate said. “We knew that it wasn’t going to be easy project and clearly, it wasn’t. It took time, but as we know, important things it take time.”
Police Chief James White, Deputy Chief Tiffany Stewart, Eighth Precinct Commander Dietrich Lever and College Park Community Association President Peggy Noble also attended Friday’s ceremony.
Noble, a retired social worker, said it’s been necessary for her to act as a voice for her community. She said during the 12 years the Eighth Precinct was combined with the Sixth Precinct, residents remained hopeful it would reopen.
“We’ve been waiting for a long, long time,” she said. “You have to have someone in the community to act and make sure things go right.”
jcardi@detroitnews.com
Detroit, MI
Murder charge filed in aftermath of altercation outside Detroit bar
Murder and two related charges have been filed against a Detroit man in the aftermath of an altercation that left one man dead and his brother seriously injured.
Michael Alan Harris, 42, of Detroit was arraigned Tuesday in 36th District Court of Detroit on charges of first-degree murder, felony firearm and resisting and obstructing a police officer, Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy said.
The charges are related to the fatal shooting of Jalen Coats Stevens, 28, of Detroit, Worthy said. Stevens was pronounced dead at the scene of an altercation early Sunday in the 15900 block of Grand River Avenue.
During the altercation, Stevens’ brother, Glenn, was stabbed over a dozen times but survived. He has been in the hospital since. Hundreds of people gathered for a vigil hosted by the Stevens family Tuesday night outside of Chita’s Nefertiti bar. The brothers were celebrating a work promotion for Jalen Saturday night before the altercation erupted.
While it was known by Tuesday night that one person was in custody, the family asked the public and police to continue working on the investigation, as the person who had stabbed Glenn had not been located.
In the meantime, Harris is scheduled for a probable cause conference Jan. 14, and a preliminary exam is set for Jan. 21.
The above video originally aired Jan. 6.
Detroit, MI
The first Detroit Lions OC candidate has emerged
Blough is only two years into his coaching career after retiring from playing after the 2023 season. He has spent the last two seasons as the Washington Commanders’ assistant quarterbacks coach, helping young quarterback Jayden Daniels emerge as a strong franchise player for Washington. Late in the 2025 season, Commanders quarterbacks coach Tavita Pritchard took the Stanford head coaching job, leaving Blough to serve as the interim quarterbacks coach for the rest of the season.
While backing up Jared Goff in Detroit, Blough was often described by the coaching staff as an excellent backup and strong offensive mind.
“I love the kid, if I’m being totally honest with you,” Campbell said back in 2021. “He’s just a little football player. And when I say that, I mean that in the highest regard. Look, he’s smart. He’s extremely smart. He knows where to go with the football, I love his timing. He knows how to command the huddle, he communicates well and on top of that, he’s a hell of a dude, by the way. He just is. So, he has not disappointed. He’s doing a good job. He’s out there competing with the rest of those guys.”
As of now, this is the only known candidate for the Lions’ offensive coordinator position, but it’s still early in the process. When more candidates emerge, we’ll have a tracker so you can see all of the names in one place.
Detroit, MI
Popular Detroit sports columnist announces stage 4 cancer diagnosis
Longtime Detroit sports radio host and columnist Pat Caputo has been diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer, he announced Monday.
Caputo, a host on Detroit’s 97.1 The Ticket, last published a column on Nov. 7. On Monday, he explained the reason behind his absence.
“For those wondering where I’ve been: I have been diagnosed with Stage 4 pancreatic cancer, commonly referred to as a “death sentence” and had two other serious ailments which put me in ICU for several days,” Caputo wrote in a post to X. “It was sudden. I’ve literally been on my back for weeks. Bless you all.”
Caputo, 66, became a well-known personality in Detroit sports media during his time as an award-winning columnist for The Oakland Press from 1983-2020, according to the Detroit Free Press. He also was previously part of WXYT’s “Evening Sports” broadcast, and is an official voter for the Baseball Hall of Fame and college football’s Heisman Trophy award, according to his X bio.
Caputo is nicknamed “The Book” for his impressive memory retaining sports stats and information, according to FOX 2 in Detroit, where he has been a regular guest on its “Sports Works” broadcast.
Caputo’s social media announcement regarding his health drew support from fellow sports media professionals, including Brad Galli, sports director at WXYZ Detroit, and ESPN’s Dan Wetzel and Dave Pasch.
“Pat, we’re praying for [you],” Galli wrote. “Awful awful awful to read this, man. God bless you.”
“Legend. Stay strong my friend. So much support out here for you,” Wetzel posted.
“Book, praying for you my friend. So sorry to hear this,” Pasch wrote.
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