NEWSPAPERS n o i t i d E l a i c e p S
OCTOBER 23, 2024 candgnews.com
Oakland County papers
OAKLAND COUNTY BREAKS GROUND ON FIRST ‘NEURO-INCLUSIVE’ HOUSING DEVELOPMENT BY MARY BETH ALMOND malmond@candgnews.com
ROCHESTER HILLS — Oakland County’s first “neuro-inclusive” neighborhood, Walton Oaks, is coming to Rochester Hills. On Sept. 25, officials broke ground on the $10 million project, which is a partnership between Oakland County; Rochester Housing Solutions, a nonprofit founded by families to create homeownership opportunities for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities; and Three Oaks Communities, a developer that specializes in homes for neurotypical homebuyers as well as adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. “Walton Oaks is a groundbreaking project that embodies the spirit of inclusion and community that we strive for in Oakland County,” Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter said. “By creating spaces where people of all abilities can live together, we are building more than homes — we are fostering opportunities for independence, belonging and growth.” Walton Oaks is the first housing development of its kind in the county and the second in Michigan. The first was launched by Three Oaks Communities in Saline, Michigan, in 2022. Walton Oaks, located on Walton Boulevard, across from Oakland University, will include 11 ranch homes on one-third acre lots — including three that have been reserved for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. “Walton Oaks has been designed with a very, very specific purpose: to be a place where adults that face the challenge of disability can thrive, in the same community that many of them went to school, work, volunteer, See HOUSING on page 9A
Matt Cooney sits inside an excavator to break ground on the site of Walton Oaks, a “neuro-inclusive” neighborhood Sept. 25. Once the homes are completed, Cooney is planning on moving into a home with four friends, including Carly Guy. Joining him on the ground are Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter, center, and David Woodward, chair of the Oakland County Board of Commissioners. Photo by Liz Carnegie
Arts, Beats & Eats raises more than $335,000 for local organizations BY TAYLOR CHRISTENSEN tchristensen@candgnews.com
ROYAL OAK — For its 27th year running, the Soaring Eagle Arts, Beats & Eats festival has raised a significant amount of funds for local charities and cultural organizations. Organizers of the event announced at
an Oct. 9 press conference in Troy that the festival raised $335,103.53 and attracted approximately 345,000 people to downtown Royal Oak. The number of people who attended made the 2024 event one of the top 10 most-attended Arts, Beats & Eats in the festival’s history. “This year’s Soaring Eagle Arts, Beats & Eats not only delivered an unforgettable
experience with its blend of art, music, and food, but also made a lasting impact on the community,” Jon Witz, producer of Arts, Beats & Eats, said in a press release. “The support we have seen from attendees, partners, and volunteers has been incredible — raising significant funds that will directly benefit dozens of local charities and organizations that will make a real difference in the
lives of those in need.” Including the 2024 funds, the festival has donated more than $7.7 million to charitable organizations since 1998, according to the press release. The release stated that this year’s donations to Royal Oak-based charities reached $117,289.54, bringing the total generated See AB&E on page 5A