Community Corner
š± Patch AM: How Ferndaleās drone program is turning students into paid tech pros
Happening soon: Antiques & Collectibles Market on the Ferndale Patch calendar

Good morning to you Ferndale! Catch up on our news and events right here. Keep reading to stay in the know. ☀️
In today's newsletter:
- How Ferndale's drone program is turning students into paid tech pros
- Why a 'MasterChef' Top 5 cook wants to move to Ferndale
- Recent Dearborn train death echoes a fatal incident in Ferndale
Today's riddle: What has a neck but no head? 🤔 (Answer below!)
- Saturday: Partly sunny and warm, with a high of 85 and low of 68 degrees.
- Sunday: High thin cloudiness and warm, temps: high: 86, low: 70. 🌶 Hot!
- Monday: A shower in the morning, with a high of 86 and low of 73 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. Ferndale Students Soar with Drone Apprenticeship Program (oaklandcounty115.com) — Ferndale Public Schools is running a paid drone apprenticeship that's giving local middle and high school students intensive STEM training, industry certifications, and even summer job opportunities. With hundreds of training hours, national-level competition berths, and thousands in student wages, the district and partners like Ferndale Youth Assistance are positioning kids for emerging tech careers while showcasing Ferndale talent regionally.
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2. Hemlock native Jake Kelley advances to 'MasterChef' Top 5 (ourmidland.com) — A rising "MasterChef: Global Gauntlet" contestant is eyeing Ferndale as his future home base for private-chef work and culinary opportunities in Metro Detroit. Hemlock native Jake Kelley, now living in Mount Pleasant, just captained his team to victory in a high-pressure restaurant takeover challenge, securing a coveted Top 5 spot and boosting attention from food fans across Michigan.
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3. Woman with dementia hit by train in Dearborn, dies (detroitnews.com) — A Dearborn woman with dementia died after being struck by a train, and the case is being linked to several recent pedestrian-train deaths across Michigan, including one in Ferndale involving a 33-year-old earlier this year. For Ferndale residents, the pattern underscores ongoing rail-safety concerns and how similar tragedies are affecting communities just like theirs.
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4. Lipscomb scores seven TDs in Fitzgerald's rout of Warren Mott; Utica cruises past Cousino; Lutheran North edges Madison; Port Huron outlasts Anchor Bay in 2 OTs (macombdaily.com) — Ferndale's football team pulled away in the second half to beat Madison Heights Lamphere 36–12 in an OAA-MAC crossover matchup, one of many Week 1 prep results across Metro Detroit. The roundup highlights standout performances and lopsided wins from schools around the region, giving Ferndale fans context on how other nearby programs opened their seasons.
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📸 Around Ferndale
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓 Upcoming Events in Ferndale
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
- Antiques & Collectibles Market →
City of Royal Oak - Community Events Royal Oak Farmers Market - 316 E 11 Mile Road Royal Oak MI 48067
8:00 am - First Pour: New Releases with Domaine Berrien Cellars
Greater Royal Oak Chamber-Commerce Michigan by the Bottle Royal Oak
12:00 pm - Hotel Royal Oak - Sunday Summer Concert Series
Greater Royal Oak Chamber-Commerce 811 E. 11 Mile Road, Royal Oak, MI 48067
4:00 pm - Board Meeting
Hazel Park Memorial Library (5th-12th Grade) Hazel Park, MI 48030
7:00 pm - ROYAL Networking
Greater Royal Oak Chamber-Commerce Royal Oak Chamber of Commerce 200 S. Washington Ave. Royal Oak, MI 48067 Parking across the street at the Center Street deck is free for the first two hours. Please do not park in the Chamber parking lot next to the building.
8:00 am - Gathering Place - ROMS - Cheer
Royal Oak Middle School Royal Oak, MI 48067
5:00 pm - Ribbon Cutting Champagne Chocolates
Greater Royal Oak Chamber-Commerce Champagne Chocolates 301 W. Fourth St. Royal Oak, MI 48067
12:00 pm - GROUNDS - Back 2 School Picnic
Keller Elementary Royal Oak, MI 48067
5:00 pm
Sunday August 30
Monday August 31
Tuesday September 1
Wednesday September 2
📣 Ferndale Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
🗓 Events Nearby
- FIELDS - ROYSA GAMES
Keller Elementary Royal Oak, MI 48067
8:00 am - First Pour: New Releases with Domaine Berrien Cellars
Greater Royal Oak Chamber-Commerce Michigan by the Bottle Royal Oak
12:00 pm - Hotel Royal Oak - Sunday Summer Concert Series
Greater Royal Oak Chamber-Commerce 811 E. 11 Mile Road, Royal Oak, MI 48067
4:00 pm - Board Meeting
Hazel Park Memorial Library (5th-12th Grade) Hazel Park, MI 48030
7:00 pm
Saturday August 29
Sunday August 30
Monday August 31
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Kroger Family of Companies posted a job opening for Bakery/Deli Clerk in Ferndale. Apply here.
- Mayville Engineering Company, Inc. posted a job opening for Production Operator I - 3rd Shift in Hazel Park. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Ferndale here.
Ok Ferndale! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: A bottle (Thank you Netty W. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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