Tuesday marks the return to school for thousands of children in Macomb County. Unlike neighboring Oakland and Wayne counties, there is no countywide mask mandate. Most districts have decided to make masks optional.

STERLING HEIGHTS, Mich. – Sterling Heights’ U.S. Space Command nomination has been chosen for further evaluation. United States Space Command is a unified combatant command of the United States Department of Defense. READ: Sterling Heights wants to be considered for headquarters of United States Space CommandMacomb County Executive Mark A. Hackel released the following statement:“The state of Michigan has the talent and tools necessary to house the future U.S. Space Command headquarters. I am hopeful that these assets give our region a competitive advantage during this next phase of further evaluation. We stand ready to become the epicenter of defense for land, air and space.”

STERLING HEIGHTS, Mich. – It may sound preposterous, but when you consider the federal government is looking for a U.S. Space Command headquarters, city officials with Sterling Heights said the area is looking to innovate Michigan’s defense corridor. READ: Sterling Heights wants to be considered for headquarters of United States Space CommandWe depend on satellites for a lot these days -- almost everyone uses the GPS on their cellphone. The new Space Force does the training and the Space Command does the deploying when it gets more fully developed. That’s why Sterling Heights Mayor Michael Taylor raised his hand and filed his paperwork Tuesday. “Aside from the 1,400-1,500 jobs that I’ve heard it would employ at the headquarters, it would be huge accomplishment for the city of Sterling Heights,” Taylor said.

STERLING HEIGHTS, Mich. – Sterling Heights has requested to be considered for the future headquarters for the United States Space Command. The nomination request was signed by Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer and Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel. “When the City’s nomination is scored, we are confident that Sterling Heights will be a prime location for the headquarters for the United States Space Command,” said Sterling Heights Mayor Michael Taylor. “There is a rich heritage in this region for defense assets and this is a strong foundation for this new undertaking.”United States Space Command is a unified combatant command of the United States Department of Defense. “As our state explores the feasibility of landing the United States Space Command in our community, we stand ready to illustrate our competitive advantage and showcase the inspiring capabilities we have right here in Macomb.”READ: Trump touts logo for new Space Force, with nod to Star Trek“As part of this nomination process, we have done an extensive review of the United States Space Command competition criteria,” said Maj. Gen. Paul Rogers, Adjutant General and Director of the Michigan Department of Military and Veterans Affairs.