Community
Sterling Heights
About Sterling Heights
Sterling Heights is Macomb County’s largest city and the fourth largest in Michigan, with about 134,000 residents. Manufacturing anchors its economy, including Stellantis’ Sterling Heights Assembly Plant and a cluster of defense contractors. The Clinton River winds through the city, and Dodge Park is the setting for many of its community events. It is also home to a large Chaldean community. Our Sterling Heights coverage follows city council and school news, high school sports from Stevenson, Henry Ford II, Sterling Heights and Parkway Christian, and things to do across the city.
Top things to do in Sterling Heights
- Walk or bike the Clinton River Park Trail.
- Spend an afternoon at Dodge Park, the city’s main event grounds.
- Explore the trails at the Sterling Heights Nature Center.
- Shop and eat along Hall Road on the city’s north edge.
- Eat at the city’s Chaldean and Middle Eastern restaurants and bakeries.
Guides
- Michigan Halloween Guide 2026: Haunted Houses, Corn Mazes and Trick-or-Treat Events by Region
- All Mitten Daily guides
Nearby on The Mitten Daily
Latest from Sterling Heights
News · October 21, 2026
Sterling Heights man convicted of murder in the 2024 stabbing death of his pregnant girlfriend; sentencing set for Dec. 3
A Macomb County jury convicted Damarion Goler, 33, in the 2024 killing of Talic Mersina and her unborn child. He faces up to life at his Dec. 3 sentencing.
Election 2026 · October 20, 2026
Sterling Heights voters decide two charter changes: special elections for long council vacancies and a $50,000 purchasing limit
One proposal would let voters, not the council, fill seats with two or more years left. The other would raise the spending amount that needs council approval from $5,000, set in 1968, to $50,000.
News · October 20, 2026
Clinton River Road's $10 million rebuild: one-way traffic now, a new trail and signals by November 2027
Work on 4.5 miles between Canal and Hayes runs two seasons. Northwest-bound drivers detour in the Canal-to-19 Mile and Saal-to-Hayes sections, which reopen for winter.
News · October 20, 2026
Sterling Heights council takes a public vote on keeping its Flock license plate cameras through 2028
The two-year renewal would cost $84,100 a year plus $3,000 per camera. Police say new rules bar searches tied to immigration enforcement or reproductive health care. At least one council member is a firm no.
News · October 20, 2026
After a crude oil leak at 18 Mile and Mound, federal regulators order Energy Transfer to check hundreds of pipeline repairs it has no records for
A failed 2010 repair sleeve on a 1967 pipeline leaked about 15 barrels into a gas station lot on Sept. 18. A 16-mile segment stays shut until regulators approve a restart.
News · October 20, 2026
Lakeside Mall's $1 billion makeover: what is planned, who pays and when demolition could start
The plan calls for about 1,545 apartments, 154,000 square feet of retail and a central park on the 100-acre site. State officials approved $270.7 million in brownfield incentives in June.
News · October 20, 2026
Sterling Heights police drones have flown about 150 missions in their first month, reaching one homicide scene in a minute
Drones launch from three city docking stations and stream live video to officers and firefighters. The program costs about $149,000 in year one, paid with federal forfeiture money, not local taxes.
News · October 20, 2026
Sterling Heights will put solar panels on five city buildings, betting on federal credits to cover half the $3.1 million cost
The council approved $2.03 million for City Hall, police headquarters, the library and the community center, then $1.07 million for the DPW. The credits depend on finishing by Dec. 31, 2027.
News · October 20, 2026
FBI data ranks Sterling Heights as Michigan's safest big city for the seventh straight year
Violent crime fell 3.3% in 2025 and robberies were cut in half. The city's property crime rate was 15% lower than Dearborn's and 17% lower than Warren's.
Michigan Travel · October 20, 2026
"Firekeeper's Daughter" author Angeline Boulley speaks at the Sterling Heights library Nov. 5; residents register first
The free evening opens Native American Heritage Month. Residents get first crack at seats Oct. 22-29; everyone else can register starting Oct. 30.
Michigan Travel · October 20, 2026
Sterling Heights Halloween week: a costume parade at the library, zombie paintball for teens and owl pellets at the Nature Center
The library's free Halloween Parade runs Monday evening, Oct. 26, or Tuesday morning, Oct. 27. Kids 8 and up can dig through owl pellets at the Nature Center on Halloween if they sign up by Oct. 28.