Community briefs: New bank branch for downtown Royal Oak, Arts, Beats & Eats sets charity record

Here's a roundup of business and community news from around Oakland County.

First Merchants Bank plans downtown Royal Oak branch

First Merchants Bank will open a 2,525-square-foot banking center at 323 S. Main St. in downtown Royal Oak, the Oakland Press reported. The bank signed a lease last month for the space, a former Comerica and Fifth Third location.

The branch will have two private offices, a conference room, a two-station teller area and a walk-up ATM, according to the Oakland Press. First Merchants already has its regional headquarters in Royal Oak, Dan Ervin, the bank's Michigan president, said in the Oakland Press story.

No opening date has been set. It depends on occupancy confirmation and regulatory approval, the Oakland Press reported.

Arts, Beats & Eats raises record $403,689 for charity

This year's Arts, Beats & Eats festival in Royal Oak raised $403,689 for charity, a record in the festival's 29-year history and its second record year in a row, the Oakland Press reported. Attendance at the Labor Day weekend festival was 365,000, up 6%.

More than $117,000 goes to Royal Oak charities, according to the Oakland Press. Royal Oak organizations have received nearly $2 million since the festival moved to the city in 2010, and the festival has given more than $8.5 million since 1998.

The totals were announced at Flagstar's regional headquarters in Troy with County Executive Dave Coulter and festival producer Jon Witz, the Oakland Press reported.

Oakland THRIVE pitch contest Oct. 22

Three small-business owners will pitch for prizes at Oakland THRIVE's fourth annual Spotlight fundraiser, 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 22, at the PEARLS Event Center, 26100 Northwestern Highway, Southfield, the Oakland Press reported.

The finalists, chosen from 15 applicants, are Cynthia Hartness of Wildling Sanctuary in Highland, Tiana Baker of Lenses of Love Foundation and Christina "Georgee" George of Yummee Pop Popcorn, according to the Oakland Press. Prizes are $5,300, $2,500 and $1,500.

Oakland THRIVE served 4,207 businesses in 2025 and helped them secure about $630,000 in grants and $1.3 million in loans, the Oakland Press reported. Tickets are at oaklandthrive.org/events.

County clerk office hours in Milford Oct. 20

Oakland County Clerk Lisa Brown's office will hold a Local Office Visit from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 20, at the Milford Public Library, 330 Family Drive, the Oakland Press reported.

Residents can apply for a concealed pistol license and get copies of vital records, court records and property records, according to the Oakland Press. Information: 248-858-0561.

Ortonville crosswalk honors firefighters and their dogs

A new painted crosswalk at Church and South streets in Ortonville, near the Brandon Township Fire Department, shows dogs driving a fire truck, the Oakland County Times reported.

The Ortonville Downtown Development Authority worked with Brandon High School, where about 20 students submitted designs. The winning design, chosen in a public social media vote, was by a Brandon senior from last school year, according to the Times. The crosswalk cost $3,000 to $4,000, including in-kind contributions. Local merchants helped sponsor it, along with a Main Street Oakland County grant. The DDA plans more crosswalks with students, the Times reported.

WOTA ridership hits record, new website launches

The Western Oakland Transportation Authority gave more than 101,000 rides last year, a record, and now provides more than 10,000 rides a month, the Oakland County Times reported.

WOTA has launched a new website with how-to videos, according to the Times. Rides still must be booked by phone.

This story uses reporting from the Oakland Press and the Oakland County Times.