Industrial park SAD takes next step
BY NICK POWERS npowers@candgnews.com
FRASER — A special assessment district typically carries with it some unavoidable discomfort.
Rehabbing the roads in the Fraser Industrial Park is no exception. The long gestating project has had many stops and starts but, with a series of votes at the Jan. 9 Fraser City Council meeting, the project is on track to begin.
“It’s going to be inconvenient, but
it’s going to get done and that is a huge thing,” Fraser Mayor Michael Lesich said at the meeting.
Construction in the park is set to start later in 2025 and will continue through 2026, according to Anderson, Eckstein & Westrick Vice President Michael Vigneron.
Businesses in the industrial park will cover 25% of the total project cost through the SAD, not to exceed $4 million.
There are 128 businesses included
in the assessment roll. The property with the highest assessment is 17801 E. 14 Mile Road at $123,243. The lowest assessed property is 33690 Pompo Drive at $11,057. The average cost for businesses in the park is $41,403.58. Each business in the district would pay off the amount over a 15-year period. The assessment is done based on the front footage of a property.
The estimated total cost of the project is $16 million, according to City
Emerson student donates money to create reading corner
BY ALYSSA OCHSS aochss@candgnews.com
FRASER — Inspired by his mother’s love of reading, one student at Emerson Elementary school donated money to create his own reading corner in the school’s library.
Cody Conser-Quarterman said his mom inspired him to create his corner in the library. His mother passed away when he was just 5 years old.
“She always had a book in her hand,” Conser-Quarterman said. His grandparents, Robin Quarterman and Paul Quarterman, helped fund the corner. Robin said one day her grandson noticed the dedications in some of the books at the library.
“He asked if we could do it and I said, ‘How much do you think is a good amount?’” Robin said. “And, you know, he was 7 years old. He
Photo by Alyssa Ochss
Rick Repicky, interim principal, and librarian Jennifer Barozzini stand with Cody Conser-Quarterman at his corner.
Photo by Nick Powers
This photo shows a particularly rough section of Commerce Road in the Fraser Industrial Park. The Fraser City Council moved the project forward at its Jan. 9 meeting.
Officers rescue driver from retention pond
BY NICK POWERS npowers@candgnews.com
CLINTON TOWNSHIP — On New Year’s Eve, a driver sinking into an apartment complex retention pond was rescued by a team of Clinton Township police officers.
Sgt. Ryan Bates jumped in to save the driver. Bates downplayed any heroism at a Jan. 9 press conference at the Clinton Township Department, saying it was a team effort. Those involved in the rescue were from Platoon C, which Bates called “tight-knit.”
“It wasn’t just me. I couldn’t have done it without them,” Bates said. “I was just the one who got in the water the fastest.”
‘The music is still alive today’
NO QUARTER IS FULLY ‘LED’ED
BY MARIA ALLARD allard@candgnews.com
WARREN — When Bryan Christiansen first heard Led Zeppelin’s “Heartbreaker” as a teen, it immediately grabbed his attention.
“This guy is the greatest guitar player,” he thought of axeman Jimmy Page. “The riff was just amazing with some killer vocals. I was just kind of baptized into Zeppelin so to speak.”
While there will never be another Led Zeppelin, Christiansen has banded together with other talented musicians to carry on the supergroup’s legacy. In 1998, he founded No Quarter, a Led
Jay White shines like a ‘Diamond’ on stage
BY MARIA ALLARD allard@andgnews.com
CLINTON TOWNSHIP — Neil Diamond fans, get ready to sing along to “Sweet Caroline.”
“The Sweet Caroline Tour” starring Jay White, featuring the music of Neil Diamond, comes to the Macomb Center for the Performing Arts Feb. 1. White, a former Detroiter who performs as Diamond on the Las Vegas Strip, looks forward to playing for his hometown.
On stage, White takes on the role of the celebrated singer/songwriter with his music, mannerisms, fashion style and personality. Audience members will experience songs from Diamond’s 50-plus year career with “I Am…I Said,” “Song
Las Vegas performer Jay White, who grew up on Detroit’s east side, will bring “The Sweet Caroline Tour” to the Macomb Center for the Performing Arts Feb. 1. Photo provided
Photo provided by the Clinton Township Police Department
This photo shows Clinton Township police officers rescuing a driver sinking in a retention pond at The Harbours apartment complex on New Year’s Eve.
See DIAMOND on page 9A
The Led Zeppelin tribute band No Quarter, featuring Bryan Christiansen as Jimmy Page on guitar will play at the Andiamo Celebrity Showroom on Jan. 25.
Photo provided
See ZEPPELIN on page 15A
COMMUNITY BRIEFS
February events at CMPL
CLINTON TOWNSHIP — The shortest month is not short of activity across the Clinton-Macomb Public Library’s branches.
At the South Branch in Clinton Township, community members can create and submit miniature masterpieces for the monthlong Tiny Art Show. Teens in grades 6-12 are challenged to do their worst at Bad Art Night on Monday, Feb. 10 starting at 6 p.m. Representatives from The Detroit Zoo will visit the branch for a presentation about a program focused on native Michigan wildlife, conservation and rattlesnakes at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 1. Adults are invited to a Glass Etching craft on Thursday, Feb. 13 at 2:30 p.m. Participants will learn how to apply a heart stencil, etch the glass, and then add a treat.
At the North Branch in Macomb Township, middle and high schoolers are invited to an after-hours Nerf night from 6-8 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 15. The Macomb County Clerk’s Office will hold a tutorial about how residents can use the county’s tools to trace your roots at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 25.
Visit http://cmpl.libnet.info/events for a full list of events and to register for events.
Sabatini becomes board chair
MOUNT CLEMENS — The Macomb County Board of Commissioners voted on Jan. 9 to appoint Joe Sabatini, RDistrict 4, as its new chair in a unanimous vote.
“I will work with each Commissioner on their individual goals to support their district,” Sabatini said in a press release. “I will ensure we effectively (execute) our legislative
powers and provide sound oversight of our fiduciary responsibilities.”
Sabatini was first elected as a commissioner in November 2010 and served through the end of 2016, representing Macomb Township as well as portions of Clinton Township, Shelby Township and Utica. He was elected to return to the board in November 2020, serving two consecutive terms and was re-elected in November 2024, serving most of Macomb Township. Since his return, Sabatini served as chair of the Finance/Audit/Budget Committee, managing the board’s process in reviewing, amending and adopting the recommended budget.
County medical examiner receives accreditation
MACOMB COUNTY — On Jan. 9, the Macomb County Medical Examiner’s Office announced it received full accreditation from the National Association of Medical Examiners.
NAME is the premier accreditation organization for medical examiner and coroner offices nationwide and promotes the highest quality forensic pathology practice and medicolegal death investigation in the world. Originally accredited in 2014, the Macomb County Medical Examiner’s Office most recent accreditation marks 10 consecutive years of this distinction.
“By achieving and maintaining NAME accreditation, the Macomb County Medical Examiner’s Office continues to advance its level of service to Macomb County residents and law enforcement agencies,” County Executive Mark Hackel said in a press release. “This accomplishment is a testament to the commitment and professionalism of the Medical Examiner’s Office and the entire staff who helped earn this recognition.”
The Macomb County Medical Exam-
Te Fraser Public Schools invites resumes of interested persons to fll one vacated board seat expiring January 31, 2025.
QUALIFICATIONS: Citizen of the United States. Resident of the State of Michigan for 30 days. Resident of the Fraser Public School district for at least 30 days immediately preceding appointment and at least 18 years of age.
Please address letter and resume to Kristin Sommer, Director of Community Relations, 33466 Garfeld, Fraser, MI 48026 and fll out the application found at: https:// bit.ly/FraserBoard25. Application deadline is 4:00 p.m., Tursday, January 30, 2025.
SCOTT WALLACE President, Board
of Education
Fraser Public Schools
iner’s Office serves the residents of Macomb County and provides high quality forensic death investigation services. Staff assists local law enforcement agencies with forensic evaluation of death due to violence, accidents and those not attended by a physician.
Clinton Township physician stays on national commission
CLINTON TOWNSHIP — Beena Nagappala, a Clinton Township physician, will stay on the American Academy of Family Physicians Commission on Federal and State policy.
“I am honored to congratulate Dr. Nagappala on her appointment and continued service to the AAFP,” said Karlene Ketola, CEO of the MAFP, is quoted as saying in the release. “Her expertise and dedication will shape the work of Michigan family physicians for many years to come.”
Township hosts youth painting party
CLINTON TOWNSHIP — A touch of color can be helpful during these gloomy winter months.
That’s where Clinton Township’s Youth Painting Parties come in. The event offers a step-by-step course for kids, according to Recreation Director Brian Kay.
Nagappala has been on the commission since 2023. Members serve two-year terms with the option of one two-year extension, according to AAFP’s website. Commissioners meet twice a year. Members are expected to attend both the Family Medicine Advocacy Summit and the State Legislative Conference.
“Through her work, the Commission shapes the AAFP’s federal advocacy strategy and supports state-level advocacy efforts that address key healthcare challenges,” a press release from the Michigan Academy of Family Physicians states.
Nagappala has a practice in Clinton Township. She’s involved with quality and compliance initiatives for the group and her practice. She’s the medical director of Henry Ford Southeast Michigan Community Health School-Based/Linked Health Centers. Nagappala also oversees medical care at the organization’s 24 school-based clinics in and around metro Detroit. She volunteers at the Health Unit on Davison Avenue clinic and the Michigan Association of Physicians of Indian Origin clinic where she was the clinic director.
“They get to take home their own masterpiece that they can put on display in their room,” Kay said.
The township has been putting on the event for the past two years, according to Kay. He said it’s been successful so far and kids have seemed to enjoy it.
“I think people have a propensity to stay at home a little bit more when it’s colder out and we just wanted to get the word out there that this class is being offered,” Kay said.
Kay said kids can be left at the event if parents are comfortable leaving them under the supervision of township staff members. The event takes place at the Steiner Community Building and is geared toward kids 7-13 years old. It takes place on Feb. 3 from 6-7 p.m., with a required preregistration fee of $14 for residents and $18.50 for nonresidents. Art supplies are covered in the registration fee. If you miss February’s party, there’s one at the same time and place on April 7. Preregistration is also required for the event. To register, visit register.clintontownship. com/CourseActivities.aspx?id=11.
Nagappala
City delivers audit on time, shows improvements
BY NICK POWERS npowers@candgnews.com
FRASER — Alan Panter, a partner at Yeo & Yeo, presented the city of Fraser with its audit for the 2023-24 fiscal year at the City Council’s Jan. 9 meeting.
The audit was presented on time for the first time since 2021.
“The audit went very well this year,” Panter said. “The city was well prepared when we arrived and able to complete our procedures efficiently.”
Panter said the city had one internal control issue and Yeo & Yeo provided comments for management. However, he made sure to say the issues were less severe than they were over the last couple of years.
Panter explained that an audit gives the city an opinion on its financial statements. It is not a mechanism to detect fraud or give assurance on internal controls. The firm gave the city an unmodified or “clean” opinion.
“The statements are formatted with generally accepted accounting principles,” Panter said. “So, in other words, everything that should be there is there and also, based on the procedures we perform, the numbers are good.”
The audit detected an internal control issue with the pension grant the city received. Panter said funds collected from the state grant never went to the city itself but were funneled directly into the Municipal Employees Retirement System. This was required to be recorded as a revenue and expenditure for the city. While the transaction
was recorded by the finance director, it was after the year’s end and the budget wasn’t amended.
“You have about $3 million over budget for money that you never got in your hand,” Panter said.
However, he said the city’s budget was well managed and that it shouldn’t be concerned about the internal control issue.
“Sitting in your seat I would not be concerned about this,” Panter said. “This was a one-time, very unusual transaction.”
The audit includes three management letter comments. Following the meeting, Panter explained these are suggestions for things the city could improve on and aren’t required to be reported on.
“These are not major issues,” Panter said.
One issue was with deficiencies with the city following Michigan escheat laws. Panter said the city has outstanding checks that need to be reissued to the payee or turned over to the state as unclaimed property.
“They’re supposed to make an attempt to find the person or the business that the payments are due to and reissue the payment,” Panter said. “Failing all of that, they’re supposed to turn the money over to the state as unclaimed property.”
There are old items on the city Building Department’s accounts receivable list, according to Panter. He said the city also needs to update its capital asset list, removing some assets the city no longer has or has any use for.
In a graph showing the city’s revenues
See AUDIT on page 13A
Board of Review appointment receives scrutiny
BY NICK POWERS npowers@candgnews.com
CLINTON TOWNSHIP — The appointment of three members to the township’s Board of Review sailed by without incident at the Clinton Township Board of Trustees meeting on Jan. 13.
A fourth application, separated out into its own vote, was the source of some controversy.
Mike Licavoli, Gerald Miller and Derek Wilczynski were unanimously appointed by the township board. Outgoing Clinton Township Emergency Manager Paul Brouwer’s application was put to a separate vote.
The Board of Review’s job is to listen to appeals from residents about the tax assessments of their properties. The board then determines any necessary reassessments.
Opposition to Brouwer’s appointment was mounted by Trustee Dan Kress. Kress had written Brouwer a letter on Dec. 16 inquiring about Brouwer’s performance during the Goo Smoke Shop Explosion that left one dead last March. Kress said Brouwer never responded to that letter. Brouwer’s final day on the job was Dec. 20.
“I don’t think we should reward him with an appointment to the Board of Review because of those circumstances,” Kress said.
In the letter, Kress asked the outgoing emergency manager to give an “hour-to-hour” breakdown of events on March 4; a summary of steps taken to protect citizens on that day; the plan of action put in place in the days that followed the explosion; and Brouwer’s whereabouts and response on the day of the explo-
See REVIEW on page 11A
DISPATCHER ASSISTS WITH BABY DELIVERY
BY NICK POWERS npowers@candgnews.com
The baby wasn’t going to wait. The mother’s water broke, and contractions were a minute apart. That was the scenario a dispatcher at the Macomb County Sheriff’s Office Dispatch Center was faced with early Dec. 29.
The father of the baby called around 5:42 a.m. and was guided through the birth by dispatcher Cidnee Schramm. The dispatcher rose to the occasion, “calmly” guiding the couple through the delivery and stimulating the baby’s breath after the birth, according to a press release from the Macomb County Sheriff’s Office.
SAD
from page 1A
Manager Elaine Leven. In addition to the amount the businesses chip in, the state will pick up $4 million of the tab and the city will contribute about $3.5 million from its general fund. The remaining amount, about $4 million, would be paid for through a bond over a 15-year term.
Out of the 128 businesses, two protested the assessment of their property at the Jan. 9 meeting. In order for a business to get a reassessment or to be removed from the roll it needs to go before the Michigan Tax Tribunal to see if the claim has merit, according to Fraser City Attorney Donald DeNault.
Pradeep Korgavkar owns the building that Turn-Tech Inc. is housed in. Korgavkar and Turn-Tech’s Brian Johnson protested their share of payment for the SAD because the road in front of their business is drivable. Their share of the SAD would be $32,250.
“The area in front of our business is 90% good, there’s very little damage to what’s in front of our building,” Johnson said.
Korgavkar spoke about the impacts to the business in his building.
“Looking outside of the window, I have a hard time understanding why am I paying
Editor: Brian Louwers | (586) 498-1089 | brianlouwers@candgnews.com
Reporters: Dean Vaglia | (586) 498-1043 | dvaglia@candgnews.com
Alyssa Ochss | (586) 498-1103 | aochss@candgnews.com
Artroom: (586) 498-1036 | ads@candgnews.com
$32,000, first of all. Secondly, the business we are in is not in a position to take the additional burden of $32,000,” Korgavkar said.
Bulldog Records Management’s Founder and President Stephen Insardi disputed his share of the district, which is $70,029. He disagreed about the calculation for his property compared to his neighbor, which he said has the same front footage on the industrial park road to be improved.
“I’m not asking for special treatment from this board. I’m asking for fair treatment from this board,” Insardi said.
Vigneron said the calculation was done to keep things fair. He said the “front yard,” which was used to determine the front footage assessed, is a zoning term and not literally the front yard of the property.
“We worked with the assessor to determine an equitable way to share the assessment amongst all the properties,” Vigneron said following the meeting. “The accessible front footage was determined to be the appropriate method based on her recommendation. The assessable front footage doesn’t always correspond with every property to their actual frontage on the roads that are being considered for improvement. In some instances, it was a different dimension, but it was an effort to provide a representative way to assess all the properties in the district in an equitable fashion.”
Classifieds: For ad rates (586) 498-8100 For retail ad rates: Paula Stelzer | (586) 498-1076 | pstelzer@candgnews.com Karen Bozimowski | (586) 498-1032 | kboz@candgnews.com Legals and Obits: (586) 498-1099
Automotive Advertising: Louise Millar | (586) 498-1054 | lmillar@candgnews.com
Real Estate Advertising: Paula Kaspor | (586) 498-1055 | pkaspor@candgnews.com
“We are incredibly proud of the composed and professional manner in which Dispatcher Schramm handled this call,” Sheriff Anthony Wickersham is quoted as saying in a press release. “Dispatchers like Cidnee prepare diligently for instances like this, and we are thankful for this positive outcome.”
Schramm helped out until the Clinton Township Fire Department arrived to assist with the birth.
The baby and mother are “doing well,” according to the release.
“My partners and I are well-trained for situations like this, and it’s extremely rewarding to see said training paying off in such a special way,” Schramm stated in an email. “I’m thrilled to hear that Mom and baby are doing well, and wish them nothing but the best.”
“Logically, as a taxpayer, I would be in his position saying why am I paying two and a half times what my neighbor is,” Lesich said about the assessment of Insardi’s property.
Mayor Pro Tem Dana Sutherland was concerned about changing the assessment rules for one property and then having more owners coming forward for a more favorable assessment.
“I just want to make sure that it’s not getting misconstrued, the rules were applied consistently and accurately,” she said.
While all of the owners present agreed the improvements were needed, there was disagreement about how the improvements were being done. Aside from those who protested the assessment, six other representatives came to the microphone to either ask questions about the process or to speak to the burdens an additional tax would have on businesses.
Tom Monroe, owner of FluidCut Water Jet Cutting Services, reluctantly agreed with the assessed amount, but encouraged the city to look for additional funding sources or to find a way to lessen the impact on businesses in the park.
“It’s quite impressive the amount of money you guys have found for us but maybe looking a little more and checking a few more places might help the burden,” Monroe said.
The city had applied for additional funds from the federal government, through U.S. Rep. John James, R-Shelby Township. While there is no update, Councilwoman Patrice Schornak encouraged business owners to call lawmakers and advocate for the funding.
“We’re supposed to be all doing this together and if we’re going to do it together the more people who poke the bear the more likely we are to be heard,” Schornak said.
Later in the meeting, Lesich explained the tax roll needed to be established and the project needed to be worked on in this timeframe to maximize state funding.
“This takes that $4 million and spreads it evenly across that park,” Lesich said.
The City Council ultimately moved the project forward with two motions. It first passed a resolution to affirm the SAD tax roll. All council members except Councilman Kenny Perry voted in favor of this item. Council members then unanimously approved a resolution with intent to issue bonds to fund a portion of the project.
Roads to be improved in the industrial park include Malyn Boulevard, Commerce Road, Riviera Drive, Doreka Drive, James P. Pompo Drive, Cross Drive, Mike C. Court, Vermander Drive and Bennett Drive.
Call Staff Writer Nick Powers at (586) 498-1059.
Man allegedly held son and mother of his child at gunpoint
CLINTON TOWNSHIP — A Clinton Township man was arraigned Jan. 14 for a litany of charges stemming from an incident where he allegedly held his child and the child’s mother at gunpoint.
Dalvin Devonte Brooks, 30, allegedly assaulted the mother of his child and held her at gunpoint Jan. 12, according to a press release from the Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office. Brooks then allegedly held his 2-year-old son at gunpoint. When township police arrived, Brooks reportedly barricaded himself in a bedroom. The release alleges that Brooks used the child as a “human shield” as he pointed his gun at officers. Brooks eventually surrendered to authorities and was taken into custody.
Brooks is charged with seven counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, a felony with each count carrying a four-year sentence. He also faces eight felony weapons charges, with each count carrying a mandatory two-year sentence. Charges of possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, a
five-year felony; fourth-degree child abuse, a one-year misdemeanor; and domestic violence, a 93-day misdemeanor, were also brought against Brooks. Additionally, Brooks was charged as a habitual fourthtime offender.
Brooks was arraigned in Clinton Township’s 41B District Court by Magistrate Ryan Zemke. His bond was set at $500,000 cash or surety only.
A probable cause conference was scheduled for 1 p.m. Jan. 27 in front of District Court Judge Carrie Fuca.
“It is my duty to ensure the safety and well-being of all members of our community. The alleged actions of this individual are reprehensible,” Macomb County Prosecutor Peter Lucido is quoted as saying in a press release. “Such acts of violence are intolerable, and we will pursue justice to the fullest extent of the law to protect these victims and prevent further harm.”
Brooks’ attorney, David Sinutko, did not respond for comment at press time.
— Nick Powers
Bellacino’s Pizza & Grinders
Tony Gorgievski has more than 25 years of experience with Bellacino’s Pizza & Grinders restaurants in metro Detroit.
He previously owned Bellacino’s locations in St. Clair Shores and Sylvan Lake. His most recent move with the company brings Bellacino’s closer to home. Located at 39771 Garfield Road in Clinton Township, it had its grand opening back in October. As a family-run restaurant, Tony works alongside his wife and two sons. Known primarily for its sandwiches (named grinders), Bellacino’s menu also includes pizza, salads, pasta, wings and many other options. There are currently 28 di erent grinders, including the Chicken Bacon Ranch, Chicago
Steak and their house specialty, the Italian grinder, which includes ham, sausage, salami, mushrooms, green peppers, onions, cheese, mayo, lettuce and tomato. “That’s been the most popular item we’ve had at any of the Bellacino’s I’ve owned,” Gorgievski says. All bread is made fresh daily in the restaurant, which also relies on the highest-quality, freshest ingredients for all menu items.
Thus far, business at the Clinton Township location has been steadily rising, which is no surprise given the reputation the restaurant has. “Bellacino’s is a recognizable brand,” Tony says. “We’ve been making quality products for years. It’s great to (own a location) closer to home.”
The Garfield Road location is open Monday to Saturday, 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekdays, and until 9 p.m. on weekends. If demand necessitates it, they will consider extending the hours. Orders can be placed online at bellacinos. com, as well as on all major food delivery apps, or by calling directly at (586) 789-7932.
Brooks
SPOTLIGHT ON LEARNING
MSGCU accepting scholarship program applications
BY MARIA ALLARD allard@candgnews.com
METRO DETROIT — Michigan Schools and Government Credit Union is accepting applications for its annual scholarship program. The credit union will award over $130,000 in scholarships, including 43 scholarships of $2,500 each to help students and educators reach career goals, and 14 scholarships of $2,000 each to support future first responders.
According to a press release, 10 additional scholarships will be awarded in 2025, representing an increase of $25,000.
MSGCU will award scholarships in various categories to teachers and administrators.
Nonmembers are welcome to apply for an MSGCU scholarship and must become a member if selected as a scholarship recipient.
“Earning a degree or certification requires a great deal of determination and hard work, along with a significant financial investment,” said Steve Brewer, president and CEO of MSGCU, in a release announcing
the 2025 scholarship program. “MSGCU is increasing our scholarship awards this year to support more students in the communities we serve. We have provided over $1.25 million in scholarships since our program started 20 years ago, helping more than 600 recipients complete their education.”
The MSGCU High School Excellence Scholarship, formerly the Educational Solutions Scholarship, helps high school seniors who attend college. There are 18 scholarships in the amount of $2,500 each.
The Rudolph Heino People Helping People Scholarship supports college-bound high school seniors with a commitment to helping others. A total of 15 scholarships of $2,500 are being offered.
With four $2,500 scholarships, the Larry Swantek Educational Studies Scholarship benefits high school seniors and current college students planning to become teachers.
The Milo Perreault Educator Advancement Scholarship helps certified teachers and administrators continue their education. Four $2,500 scholarships will be offered.
William Cayen Skilled Trades Scholarship supports students pursuing certification in electrical, heating/air conditioning, automotive, or other industrial and advanced technologies or skilled trades programs. Two $2,500 awards are offered to current skilled trades students or graduating high school seniors pursuing a skilled trades certificate. The credit union also funds the Stephen Thomas First Responder Scholarship, which supports first responders enrolled in
MSGCU will award scholarships in various categories to teachers and administrators. Nonmembers are welcome to apply for an MSGCU scholarship and must become a member if selected as a scholarship recipient.
police and/or fire academies at local colleges with 14 scholarships of $2,000 each. Applications occur directly with Macomb Community College, Oakland Community College, Washtenaw Community College, and Schoolcraft College.
Scholarship applications can be submitted online at msgcu.org/scholarships. The deadline to apply is Feb. 25.
Call Staff Writer Maria Allard at (586) 498-1045.
Photo provided by Michigan Schools and Government Credit Union
from page 3A
Sung Blue,” “Forever in Blue Jeans,” “Love on the Rocks” and “America.” It’s a night for any Neil Diamond fan.
“Jay White’s Sweet Caroline Tour was selected for our season based on several factors. Listening to the feedback from our donors and patrons, I felt Jay’s programming was an excellent fit for the Macomb Center,” William Wood, director of Cultural Affairs and Community Engagement, said in a prepared statement. “Plus, knowing Jay’s local roots and his status as an alum of Macomb Community College made this choice even more special. We’re thrilled to support a hometown talent and can’t wait for our community to experience his incredible show.”
White grew up near Seven Mile Road and Mack Avenue on Detroit’s east side. He attended St. Philomena Catholic School, Bishop Gallagher High School and in 1973 graduated from Finney High School. White also enrolled in classes at Macomb Community College in Warren and Wayne State University in Detroit, but performing was his true calling.
“I kind of gravitated towards that,” White said. “For me it felt very natural, very comfortable.”
Before his career as Neil Diamond began to shine, White had a passion for theater and was cast in several Detroit and Grosse Pointe productions, including “The Music Man,” “Fiddler on the Roof” and “Inherit the Wind.” He also fine-tuned his musical chops in various groups around town. Local residents may remember White singing baritone with an acapella doo-wop “The Voices.”
“People said to me a couple of times, ‘You sound like Neil Diamond when you sing,’” White recalled.
That sparked an idea and from 1983-87 White performed as Diamond — along with Elvis Presley, Kenny Rogers, Diana Ross, Lionel Richie and Olivia Newton-John impersonators — at Mr. F’s Beef & Bourbon in Sterling Heights, a supper club known for its cow statue outside.
It took time for White to master Diamond’s vocals, characteristics and style.
“It really did start with the voice first,” White said. “Then I started working on the look.”
By 1990, he was one of the headliners in the show “Legends in Concert” at the Imperial Palace in Las Vegas, a gig that lasted nine years and 5,014 performances. The neon lights of the Vegas strip suited White, where he has been a mainstay for more than three decades, including an 8-year stint at the Riviera Hotel & Casino.
“It’s been quite a ride,” White said. White performs alongside a group of
talented players that includes members of Diamond’s band, King Errisson on conga drums and Richard Bennett on guitar. White also recruited his son, Neil White, on bass guitar. He and his wife, Pam, named their son before White embarked on a career as Neil Diamond.
White also takes the show on the road, even traveling Down Under to Australia. When Hollywood director Ron Howard needed a Neil Diamond impressionist for a scene in his 2008 film “Frost/Nixon,” White got the job.
“It was just a tremendous experience,” White recalled.
White has met Diamond twice. The first time was before a Diamond concert at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. They also crossed musical paths again when Diamond performed at the Los Angeles Forum, where he met some of the superstar’s family, including his mom.
“We had a chance to chat,” White said. “She was very kind, very complimentary and very appreciative. The family was very, very kind and took me in very quickly.”
At one point in his career, Diamond gave White a couple of his costumes; they became part of the act. As another memento, Diamond autographed a picture of the two singers together with the following message: “Jay, keep singing so I can stay home and relax. Your friend in music, Neil Diamond.” In 2018, Diamond retired from touring and performing after being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.
White didn’t start out as a Neil Diamond fan. He changed his tune when in 1978, he attended a Neil Diamond concert with his then-girlfriend and her mother at Pine Knob in Clarkston.
“Wow, this guy is really good. By the end of the two-hour show, I was hooked,” White recalled. “I really loved the songs. What a great artist. His stage persona was appealing, so fun, so interesting. His personality was so likeable.”
White also makes time for this other love: hockey. When White’s not center stage as Diamond, he can be found on the ice. He played in metro Detroit as a kid and grew up watching “Hockey Night in Canada.” As an adult, he has played goalie in several NHL and Hollywood all-star games.
White will perform “The Sweet Caroline Tour” featuring the music of Neil Diamond on Feb. 1 at the Macomb Center for the Performing Arts, located on the Macomb Community College Center Campus at 44575 Garfield Road, at Hall Road. For tickets call (586) 286-2222, email Macom bArts@macomb.edu, or visit macombcenter. com.
Call Staff Writer Maria Allard at (586) 498-1045.
Rescue
from page 3A
The driver was transported to the hospital after the incident, but the department did not have any further updates on his condition. The incident is currently under investigation. Bates said the vehicle was pulled out of the pond with the assistance of a diver afterward. The estimated depth of the pond is 10-12 feet.
Dispatchers received calls around 1:50 a.m. about the sinking SUV at The Harbours apartment complex on Bayview Avenue off of Hall Road.
Officer Celeste Smith first arrived on the scene and coordinated where the officers should go. The call came from a building near the south side of the U-shaped pond, according to Bates. Smith called out to the driver to climb out from a visibly open window, though the driver was not responding.
“I was asking him his name, if he was OK, how far the water was up and to let me know if it got any higher,” Smith said.
Bates said the vehicle was floating on the surface of the pond when he arrived.
“I noticed that the front end of the vehicle started going down,” he said. “At that point we didn’t have time to wait for the Fire Department or a boat to show up.”
The team sprang into action, each member playing their part. Bates attached the rescue rope to the life vest for the driver and started getting into the pond. Sgt. John Kuehn, officer Preston Ku and officer Gabrielle Mason got ready to pull the two in with a rescue rope.
“It was like a machine,” Bates said. “Everybody did their part. We didn’t have to talk about it, we didn’t have to discuss it. Everything fell into place. That’s what happens when you (have a) shift full of people that you trust.”
When Bates swam to the vehicle, he saw the driver through the sunroof trying to stay near the roof. Before the open driver’s side window was completely submerged, Bates reached in and pulled the driver through it.
“Initially he kind of resisted because he was trying to stay where it was safe in the air pocket,” Bates said. “I ended up having to pull him underwater out through the window.”
Bates then stabilized the driver and got a life jacket on him. He started attempting to swim to shore, calling out to his fellow officers to start pulling the rope.
“Had officer Kuehn, officer Mason and officer Ku not been on the rope, myself and the driver may have been down at the bottom of the pond,” Bates said.
Bates also credited Smith’s coordination in the rescue.
“Without officer Smith telling us to go around to the north side, we would’ve been too late to get there,” Bates said. “It was seconds that we had from getting him out of the car before it was completely underwater.”
Kuehn said that efforts by Sgt. Joshua Lundin put life vests and rescue ropes in each of the department’s squad cars.
“You don’t think you’ll need it, but you come to a time like this where this was crucial in what we were doing,” Kuehn said. “Thanks to him for equipping all of our vehicles with this.”
Bates said a few years ago a similar incident happened when the Clinton River overflowed. A driver was traveling down Millar Road when the vehicle was swept off. The vests and ropes were put in the vehicles after the incident.
According to the National Weather Service website, the low temperature on New Year’s Eve was 33 degrees. Bates said he never felt cold during or after his plunge into the pond, possibly chalking it up to adrenaline.
“I jumped in the shower and changed into dry clothes. I just never had that chill,” Bates said.
After all was said and done, Bates typed up the report and said he went “right back on the road.”
Smith said the incident was “...an interesting thing that happened during the day and then we moved on.”
Call Staff Writer Nick Powers at (586) 498-1059.
Photo by Nick Powers
The Clinton Township Police Department’s Platoon C includes Sgt. John Kuehn, Sgt. Ryan Bates, officer Celeste Smith, officer Gabrielle Mason and officer Preston Ku. In this photo, the officers get ready for a Jan. 9 press conference about saving a driver who was sinking into a retention pond.
sion. He also inquired about why Nixle, an emergency messaging system the township utilizes, did not send out a notification to residents.
Clinton Township Clerk Kim Meltzer, Trustee Julie Matuzak and Township Supervisor Paul Gieleghem all spoke to Brouwer’s qualifications for his Board of Review appointment.
“To discredit this man who has committed to 50-plus years of impeccable service to this community, I’m going to stand up for him because this is not fair,” Meltzer said. “I think you’re out of line.”
Gieleghem explained there are some limitations on what township employees are able to talk about with regard to the explosion at the direction of Macomb County Prosecutor Peter Lucido.
“It was very, very clear from Prosecutor Lucido: This is an ongoing criminal investigation. We want the township to be able to reassure the public in due time, but we do not want public comments made that will jeopardize the investigation and seeking justice for the family,” Gieleghem said.
Gieleghem tried to refocus the discussion on the Board of Review.
“The Board of Review is a statutory body that reviews applications for people who want to appeal their tax assessment,” he said. “I think we want to stick to that message and his qualifications in relation to his ability to do this appointed job that pays little, that is a lot of aggravation and some very weighty decisions for the township.”
Brouwer was ultimately approved for the appointment. All trustees voted in favor of Brouwer except for Kress.
In a previous interview for C & G Newspapers, Brouwer commented on the response to the explosion.
“That was a classic case of a multiagency response and it went quite well considering the magnitude of the incident,” Brouwer said.
Liquor license for Vinny’s Brunch denied
Mimosas at brunch are on hold for the moment at one establishment.
A motion by Meltzer to allocate a Class C Quota Liquor License to Vinny’s Brunch was voted down by the board. Matuzak, Gieleghem, Trustee Bruce Wade and Trustee Shannon King voted against the license. Meltzer’s motion was supported by Treasurer Mike Aiello and Kress.
At the meeting Meltzer said she had spoken with township Fire Marshal Jason Kropf who said the restaurant had nine violations. However, Meltzer said the violations overlap
and would be easy fixes. She said an approval could’ve been conditional upon resolving these issues.
“None of these violations send up a red flag that we couldn’t approve it with a conditional approval,” Meltzer said.
Representatives from Vinny’s said at the meeting that customers had been asking about serving alcohol at the restaurant. They said that most of the violations outlined by the fire marshal had already been addressed.
“We already have fixed most of the problems,” Laura Jakaj said. “I think it was just one more thing we were waiting for with the CO2 tank, but besides that everything was done immediately that day.”
Some trustees who voted the license down were primarily concerned with where in the township the licenses should be allocated.
Matuzak said she wanted the license to promote businesses starting on Groesbeck
Highway and Gratiot Avenue. Vinny’s is located on Hall Road.
“I personally feel like there’s a potential to use these very precious liquor licenses for some other establishment,” Matuzak said.
“We have areas in our township that I believe might be in greater need,” King said.
Meltzer said there was a reversion clause in the contract for the license. This ensures that if Vinny’s were to close the license would go back to the township to reissue to another applicant. The township currently has two licenses and another in the process of being returned. These are the remaining licenses the township has for the next 10 years.
Following the vote, the business’ owner Vilson Jakaj said he was looking into another business on Gratiot.
Call Staff Writer Nick Powers at (586) 4981059.
L’Anse Creuse Unified leads MAC, proves turnaround is real
BY SCOTT BENTLEY
MACOMB TOWNSHIP — The new year has brought new results and expectations for L’Anse Creuse Unified hockey.
Last season, the team finished in fourth place in the MAC Red, went 2-8 to end the year, had a record under .500, and was eliminated in the first round of regionals.
So far this year, Unified is 10-4-2 and has more points than any team in either division of the MAC.
“The kids are buying in,” L’Anse Creuse Unified coach Jon Nader said. “The kids are playing really good hockey right now. They’re all on board and we’re really excited about that.”
There’s been a focus on defense this year and it’s translated extremely well, with only two regulation losses in the team’s last 10 games.
“When we talk about defense on this team … we talk about how it’s not just one. It’s not just the goalie,” Nader explained. “It’s everyone on that ice.”
Although it’s not “just the goalie,” the goaltender situation has been great for L’Anse Creuse Unified with Perez Silva starting in more than half of the team’s games and posting a .926 save percentage and a goals against average of 2.86.
“Knowing that we have that in the back end has been a huge success for us,” Nader said. “I mean, all three of them have been working hard in the offseason, getting a lot of pucks hit at them. They’ve been stellar for us this year.”
Silva is joined in net by senior Zachary Hill (3-1 record, .904 SV%) and freshman Jake Stewart (1-1, .859 SV%), with all three
netminders currently posting a goals against average of under 3.00 on the year.
“The chemistry between all three of us goalies is so healthy right now,” Silva said. “We all want that playing time, so it’s healthy competition. It helps us stay competitive and translates over into the game which helps our back line… If we have a confident goalie back there all our team has to worry about is scoring goals.”
Scoring goals has come easy to the team’s dynamic top line of Logan Jarvey (12 goals, 16 assists, 28 points), Aiden Suchocki (12 goals, 10 assists, 22 points), and Drew Halaas (10 goals, 5 assists, 15 points), who are all scoring at least a point a game and have allowed the rest of the team to focus on defense.
“Working with my linemates Aiden and Drew, we’ve been communicating more than we were last year,” Jarvey, a junior forward and the team’s point leader, explained. “We knew we had talent, but I feel like last year we were all more focused on the individual. Now we’re starting to come together as a line and as a group.”
All of this has led to a program-wide trust from coaches to players, and everyone has bought into the team.
“I definitely think it’s trusting the system,” Silva said. “Some games you have bad bounces and stuff happens… It’s trusting the system again, trusting the coaching staff, and trusting our team most importantly. Knowing that we’ll get those goals back… I strive to do better and I’m pretty sure Logan does, too. We want to do what’s best for the team and it’s nice to have the buy-in from the rest of the guys.”
On Jan. 14, the team played St. Clair Shores Unified, which is a program that not
On Jan. 14, L’Anse Creuse Unified played St. Clair Shores Unified, a team they lost to
again defeated L’Anse Creuse, by a score of 5-3, in a close game that saw L’Anse Creuse get out to a
in the first period.
only started off the season as the MAC title favorites but also crushed L’Anse Creuse 5-0 in November.
“We played St. Clair Shores (in November), and they gave it to us pretty good,” Nader said. “Shores was picked to win the MAC. It’s bulletin board material. We have it in the locker room all the time. We’re going to see how much better we got because we’ve been playing really good hockey.”
St. Clair Shores Unified again defeated L’Anse Creuse Unified by a score of 5-3 in a close game that saw L’Anse Creuse get out
to a 2-0 lead in the first period. Despite the loss, the team showed noticeable improvement from its November blowout and is still ahead of St. Clair Shores in the standings by four points.
L’Anse Creuse Unified is looking to keep the momentum going and take home a division title at the end of the year.
“I’m sure there’s going to be some more bumps in the road,” Nader said. “But we have 10 games left and we’re just trying to get better every time we step foot on that ice. Our goal is always to win the MAC, not just our division.”
My approach, using advanced treatments, personalized care, and a commitment to saving limbs and lives, offers a new horizon for those afflicted with chronic foot wounds. If you or someone you know is navigating the challenges of foot wound care, the opportunity to transform this struggle into a story of healing and hope is within reach. Call me for an appointment today.
Photo by Patricia O’Blenes
5-0 in November. Shores
2-0 lead
Audit
from page 5A
vs. expenditures over five years, Panter showed expenditures exceeding revenues in only 2022. The general fund balance is shown to be trending up following a dip in that same year. This upward trend in revenues and expenditures is due to the $3.9 million pension grant, according to Panter. He expects this to change by next year.
“I would expect to see that come down because that’s a one-time grant,” Panter said.
For water and sewer, the city invested $1.7 million into its system for this fiscal year. The city paid $1.8 million in debt and the system depreciated by about $1.7 million. In a five-year graph, revenues exceeded expenditures for each year.
“You guys are putting more into your system in terms of ongoing investments in the system and debt payments than what the depreciation is taking away every year,” Panter said.
Councilman Patrick O’Dell questioned whether there were procedures in place to ensure any new employees maintain the internal controls previously in place. City Manager Elaine Leven said those procedures are written down in some cases but are always changing. Finance Director Anjlee Bansal agreed with the assessment, saying there’s still room for improvement in some areas.
“This is the shortest audit presentation we’ve had in a while,” Fraser Mayor Michael Lesich said.
Call Staff Writer Nick Powers at (586) 498-1059.
A Pro Climate Control Ready To Service Any HVAC Need
Allen Haddo understands that replacing or repairing an HVAC system and related equipment can be stressful for both businesses and homeowners. As the owner of A Pro Climate Control in Harrison Township, Haddo has built a reputation of quality and integrity with customers throughout southeastern Michigan.
A Pro Climate Control is an award-winning company that provides full replacement, quick repair and scheduled maintenance for residential and commercial heating and cooling systems, and additional services such as air puri ers, chimney liners, gas lines, generators, humidi ers and more. Haddo himself has worked in the industry for 13 years. Since he founded A Pro Climate Control, Haddo has grown the business extensively as proven by the storefront he opened this summer at 35618 Je erson Avenue.
With this growth, Haddo is looking to hire professionals interested in joining his team. Anyone with a desire to work in the HVAC eld can stop in the Harrison Township location to ll out an application or call (248) 860-8629 for more information.
New employees and clients alike will quickly come to realize that Haddo cares about those he works for and with. A Pro Climate Control will never overcharge customers for unnecessary equipment, and Haddo will always con rm if a less expensive repair is possible rst. Haddo believes in a “no pressure” approach designed to best serve customers based on their needs and budget.
A Pro Climate Control’s residential business, in particular, has grown to the point where he strives to exceed the expectations of his customers through attention to detail. On the commercial side, A Pro Climate Control can work with businesses in just about any industry, with specialization in health care, retail and manufacturing, as well as cultivation systems for businesses operating in the cannabis sector.
Whether you need a furnace tune-up, air puri er, humidi er, or a complete system, A Pro Climate Control is the solution. A Pro Climate Control is a certi ed Ruud Pro Partner, making the company certi ed for dependable, safe and satisfactory installation and servicing of high-performing Ruud products. Haddo and his employees are also IAQ Indoor Air Quality specialists.
A ordable nancing solutions are available for all customers. Contact Haddo and his team of experienced professionals for a free estimate by calling (248) 860-8629 or visiting callaproclimatecontrol.com. All customers are also eligible for monthly incentives on products and/or services and for membership in the company’s APRO Protection Plan, which o ers discounts for repeat customers.
Simply put, at A Pro Climate Control, the job isn’t done until the customer is happy.
The three featured books of the Clinton-Macomb Public Library’s 1-2-3 Initiative — “All the Little Bird-Hearts” by Viktoria Lloyd Barlow, “A Day With No Words” by Tiffany Hammond and “The Extraordinaries” by TJ Klune — all tackle the subject of neurodiversity.
CMPL tackles neurodiversity for 1-2-3 Initiative
BY DEAN VAGLIA dvaglia@candgnews.com
CLINTON TOWNSHIP — Since 2020, the Clinton-Macomb Public Library has strived to drive conversations in its two communities through its 1-2-3 Initiative.
“The goal was to provide space for the community to have discussions or at least think about the tough topics we face as a society,” said Amy Young, head of adult services at the CMPL. “Our goal is to provide communities with forums to learn about, think about and discuss challenging contemporary issues.”
With a record of hot button subjects like race and climate change, the library’s 2025 initiative focuses on neurodiversity. Neurodiversity refers to the differences in the brain that cause variances from “normal” functions, such as autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or dyslexia.
“We think neurodiversity is really an issue that nowadays affects everyone,’ Young said. “It’s a really timely topic for people to engage with, and we think it’s important … We’re excited to offer a broad range of insight into the topic, and we think the community, even with construction, will be as responsive and open-minded as they have been in the past.”
With the three in 1-2-3 standing for three books about the subject ordered by age group, CMPL librarians have selected the picture book “A Day With No Words” by Tiffany Hammond, the teen-centric “The Extraordinaries” by TJ Klune and “All the Little Bird-Hearts” by Viktoria Lloyd Barlow as the book for adults. Prior 1-2-3 selected books have been some of the most circulated library materials, so making sure there are enough copies available has been a key responsibility for CMPL collections management.
“We are looking for something we can
get in multiple formats,” said Celia Mulder, head of collections management at the CMPL. “If it’s available in large print or in digital copies, then that’s a huge bonus for us … We always order a lot of copies, so we always have at least one copy on hand at all of our locations when somebody comes in. A lot of it is driven by foot traffic since we have them on display and we have signage posted about them, so we want the books to be available for someone to pick up right from that display, which means we get a lot of copies of each title.”
A reading list of other books that discuss neurodiversity will be available for further exploitation on the subject at CMPL branches.
Events and guest speakers have been a mainstay of the 1-2-3 Initiative, extending the discussion further into the spring and early summer. The 2025 edition of the initiative will be no different. Discussions on the subject of neurodiversity and specific forms of neurodiversity will be held throughout the early year alongside craft and play events for children and teens.
While much of the 2025 initiative is expected to play out like other post-quarantine editions of 1-2-3, renovations at the Main Branch on Romeo Plank Road will see the shifting of resources and events to compensate. Events will take place either online, at the North or South branches or at nonCMPL locations.
“MISD (Macomb Intermediate School District) was nice enough to give us some space, but we’re finding people are making their way to the places we’re having the programs, so we’re happy to see that,” Young said.
For more information about the 1-23 Initiative and to learn about associated books, events and more, visit cmpl.org/ events/123.php.
Call Staff Writer Dean Vaglia at (586) 498-1043.
Reading
from page 1A
said, ‘Fifty dollars is good.’ I said, ‘Well, we could probably do better.’ I said, ‘What about $500?’”
Robin said with a laugh that Conser-Quarterman then said librarian Jennifer Barozzini was going to be happy. Barozzini said she was in fact happy and that it made her cry.
“But good cry,” Barozzini said. “It was a good cry.”
Robin and Conser-Quarterman then went to the principal of the school with the idea, and he was on board with it.
Together Conser-Quarterman and Barozzini selected the books for the corner. A few of Conser-Quarterman’s favorite books are displayed in his corner along with a few he hasn’t read yet. His favorite book is called “The Invisible String.” The book says that no matter how far a loved one is, they are attached by an invisible string.
He said the book is about love.
“I like it because my mom always had a book in her hand,” Conser-Quarterman said. “And she kind of loved the world. She always went everywhere.”
“‘The Invisible String’ is about being connected to his mother in heaven,” Paul said. “From down here, up there, that she’s never going to be completely away from him.”
Barozzini said they chose a lot of books about music because Conser-Quarterman’s mother loved music. She also said they chose a lot of books about space and knowledge.
“Because every time Cody would come to the library, he would grab a book and he would ask me, ‘Is this the most intellectual book that you have?’” Barozzini said.
She went on to say that they chose books they thought Conser-Quarterman would like.
“And we also kind of aged them up,” Barozzini said. “So he could read them now and then there’s books that he could read all the way up through sixth grade.”
Conser-Quarterman was a part of the whole process from scanning the books into the computer to placing the dedication label onto the front inside cover. However, the reading corner was a complete surprise.
“He did not know that was coming,” Robin said. “None of us knew that was coming. We knew the books were coming but we didn’t know the corner was coming.”
Other students have asked about Cody’s Corner, Barozzini said, and they open up about passed loved ones.
“They’re not sad when they talk about it, you know,” Barozzini said. “I had a couple little girls that kind of opened up to me a little bit because of it.”
Robin said the books help ease the conversation about death and make it not as taboo. She hopes other kids are inspired by Conser-Quarterman and his kindness and said she is very proud of him.
“I mean, for him to think of that, he just has a lot of empathy for a little boy. He thinks of others all the time,” she said.
Call Staff Writer Alyssa Ochss at (586) 498-1103.
CITY OF FRASER
NOTICE TO TAXPAYERS
2025 MARCH BOARD OF REVIEW
The Board of Review will be holding an organizational meeting at the City of Fraser City Hall, 33000 Garfeld Rd, Fraser MI 48026, on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, at 9:00 AM for the purpose of receiving the 2025 Assessment Roll of the City of Fraser, Macomb County, Michigan.
Matters pertaining to the assessment of property may be brought before the Board of Review BY APPOINTMENT on the following dates: Tuesday, March 11, 2025 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM Thursday, March 13, 2025 2:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Appointments will be taken until 4:30 PM on Thursday, March 13, 2025, by calling the Assessing Department at (586) 293-3100. Appeals will also be accepted by letter. All letter appeals must be RECEIVED by 4:30 PM on Thursday, March 13, 2025, addressed to:
City of Fraser Board of Review
33000 Garfeld Rd Fraser MI 48026
The tentative assessment ratios and county equalization factors for the City of Fraser, as recommended by the Macomb County Equalization Department, are as follows:
Photo provided by the Clinton-Macomb Public Library
page 3A
Zeppelin tribute band that performs around the world.
For Led Zeppelin fans who never saw the band in its heyday, here’s your chance. No Quarter is coming to the Andiamo Celebrity Showroom Jan. 25, and they’re “gonna make you sweat, gonna make you groove.” The Andiamo show is somewhat of an encore performance for No Quarter, which played a year ago at the 800-seat venue.
“The group was brought back because they were extremely popular with the audience members,” Joe Vicari Restaurant Group owner Joseph Vicari said in a prepared statement. “The music was spot on with Led Zeppelin’s.”
“We loved the place,” Christiansen said. “It had a good buzz and an excited crowd. Everyone was having a really good time.”
No Quarter, based on the West Coast, plays a full Led Zeppelin concert taking on the music, personas and look of the British quartet. Before going full throttle as Led Zeppelin, No Quarter had to get permission from the band.
On stage, Christiansen as Page — often dressed in a dragon-inspired jumpsuit — has
sparks coming from his amps. Stepping into the mystique of vocalist Robert Plant is August Young hitting those high notes. Joel Pelletier recreates the talents of bassist/mandolin player John Paul Jones. The sonic booms heard on drums is Nathan Carroll echoing the force of John Bonham, who died in 1980, resulting in the band’s permanent breakup after a 12-year run.
But Led Zeppelin never really went away.
“The music is still alive today. We get on stage and we basically act out all the characters,” Christiansen said. “We walk on stage and perform the music the way they would. We do it note to note. We play it the way they played it. The music has to be there. That’s everything.”
For some rock fanatics, Led Zeppelin is the soundtrack of their lives. Whether the band was shaking the earth with its classic rock sound, bursting with a heavy blues vibe or feeling mellow with a song like “Going To California,” they lived up to their moniker “hammer of the gods.” No Quarter takes its on-stage personalities to heart. Christiansen even named the tribute band after a Led Zeppelin song, known for its haunting overtones.
“I study Jimmy Page, the look, the mannerisms. I think that’s important because that’s my character,” he said. “Fans really
know their stuff and keep us on our toes. You get a lot of people that want the deep cuts. You got the classics like ‘Stairway To Heaven,’ ‘Kashmir’ and ‘Whole Lotta Love.’ We want to play what they know and what they like. It’s really fun to play. It’s never boring.”
For part of the show, No Quarter performs a mix of studio numbers. “Dazed and Confused,” for instance, is always popular with the crowd. Lately, one of Christensan’s favorite songs to replicate is “In My Time of Dying.”
“The power of that song blows me away. The way they rocked it up,” the guitarist said. “When we brought it into our set, the crowd reaction has been phenomenal.”
“When the Levee Breaks” is another highlight for the No Quarter founder.
“John Bonham launched into that with just an incredible groove,” Christiansen said. “I knew when he passed away Led Zeppelin was done. They had a psychic connection and you can’t bring someone in fresh and jump into it.”
No Quarter also brings its audience back to 1973 when Led Zeppelin performed three concerts at Madison Square Gardens in New York City. The footage eventually became the 1976 film “The Song Remains the Same.”
“It takes you right back to the Gar-
dens,” Christiansen said. “It’s like you’re sitting in the fifth row.”
It’s hard for Christiansen to pick a favorite Zeppelin album. He’s a fan of “Led Zeppelin II” and “Led Zeppelin IV,” but “‘Physical Graffiti’ is probably my all-time go-to album,’” he said.
Although Christiansen never saw Led Zeppelin live, he made sure to attend a Page/ Plant concert when the duo toured in the 1990s. That set the wheels in motion to form No Quarter.
According to Christiansen, No Quarter has been mentioned in Rolling Stone magazine and has played shows with many players from the rock world including Peter Frampton, Eddie Money, Tesla, Nazareth and Foreigner.
One highlight for Christiansen was performing at the Whisky a Go Go on the famed Sunset Strip in West Hollywood, California. He said he stood in the same spot as Page did when the band came over from England to the U.S. in 1969.
No Quarter performs Jan. 25 at the Andiamo Celebrity Showroom. Doors open at 7 p.m. Showtime is 8 p.m. For ticket information visit andiamoshowroom.com or call (586) 268-3200.
Call Staff Writer Maria Allard at (586) 498-1045.
Hauling & Waste Removal
***AAA HAULING*** JUNKREMOVAL Wehaulitall!Demolition Big&Small,Residential/ Commercial,Rubber WheelDumpsters-10,15, 20-Yards,Clean-outs, ConstructionMaterial, Small-Moving,Appliances,Furniture&More! Free-Est.Sen/Mil/Disc. 586-360-0681 ucallwehauljunk.com
Home Improvement 586-610-1209
outs,AnyHomeRepairs, FreeEst.30%Disc. AllMajorCC'sAccepted. 586-822-5100
PaintingInterior/Exterior RemodelingKitchens, Bathrooms,Finish Basement,Tiles,Drywall, Repairs,Remove Wallpaper,Repairingand StainingDecks,Power washing.Free-Estimates.
Home Improvement
ROZE
REMODELINGLLC.
•InteriorRenovations •Kitchens•Bathrooms •TileWork•Basements •Painting•VinylFloors •Fireplaces •CustomDesigns Free-Estimates Andre-586-354-7791
Home Repairs
EXTERIOR REPAIRSLLC. Since1999 Roofing,Siding, Gutters,LEAFGUARDS, HandymanRepairs& More!Reliable Ask,WeMightDoIt! FREEESTIMATES 248-242-1511
Kitchens/ Cabinets/ Countertops
MR.BACKSPLASH ·CUSTOM BACKSPLASHES ·CUSTOMKITCHENS ·COUNTERTOPS *Granite*Quartz* ·CustomBathrooms ·TILEREPAIRS *FREEESTIMATES* 586-552-5416 mrbacksplash.com
Painting PAINTING GPC
MASTERPAINTER PLASTER&DRYWALL Restoration/Insurance Projects, Wallpaper Removal/Carpentry, 30-yrsLicensed SeniorDisc/FreeEst. 586.899.3555(Cell) 248.566.6460(Office)
PEAKPAINTING
Custom-Painting, Commercial/Residential, Interior/Exterior. Drywall-Repair,Paper Removal,Carpentry. *WillBeatAnyOther ReasonableEstimate! 35yrsexp.Sen.Disc.Ins. CC-Accepted/References 586-722-8381
Painting
STEVE'SCUSTOM PAINTING 586-350-1717
Since1985 ProfessionalQuality, Neat,MeticulousPrep, Drywall/PlasterRepair, Interior/Exterior, Insured,References, Free-Estimate, 10%SeniorDiscount. (586)795-8122
ChrisCronin Painting& StainingInc. Professionalquality. Interior-exterior. Power-washing, decksealing.Insured, References.Free-Est. MC/VI/DC/AXaccepted.
ANDERSON Painting&Carpentry CompleteInterior/Exterior Services.Plaster/Drywall &WaterDamageRepairs. Wood-Staining.Wallpaper Removal.Kitchen/Cabinet Refinishing,Insured/References.Free-Estimates 586-354-3032 248-974-4012
DʼAchillePainting &Decorating 3-generationsof comprehensive-service. Extremely-neat, meticulous-prep. Wallpaper/removal/installation.Interior/Exterior. Free-Est.&consultation Licensed/Ins. Nathan 586-855-9766
Plumbing MASTER PLUMBER Sewer&DrainService. Remodeling,Repairs, NewInstallations. FreeEstimates SeniorRates. 35+yrsexp.CallPaul 248-904-5822 Lic.#8109852 586.421.5520 586.524.6752 ANDY'SPLUMBING 25-YearsExp.Lic/Ins. CallUsToday ForAllYour PlumbingNeeds!! ServingThe Tri-County-Area 10%/Senior/Military/
Jeeps stolen, recovered
GROSSE POINTE WOODS — A resident in the 2100 block of Hawthorne Road reported to police that his unlocked Jeep Wagoneer was stolen from his driveway before 9:20 a.m. Jan. 2. The resident told police that the key fob had likely been left inside the vehicle. Police said they recovered the vehicle later in Harper Woods, but items that had been inside — including checks, camera equipment, a stroller, an iPad, a North Face jacket and a bracelet — were missing.
In a separate incident, a resident in the 2000 block of Lennon Street contacted police at 6 a.m. Jan. 6 after finding that one of the two Jeeps that had been parked in his driveway had been stolen. The other Jeep had been broken into and the victim told police that Jeep had contained keys to the Jeep that was stolen. Police said they recovered the missing Jeep later in Harper Woods.
Vehicle break-in attempt reported
GROSSE POINTE PARK — Two unknown suspects — possibly juveniles — are being sought by police after they reportedly tried to break the driver’s side window on a Chrysler Pacifica while the vehicle was warming up in the 1400 block of Lakepointe Street at 6:45 p.m. Jan. 2. Police said surveillance footage shows the suspects walk up to the vehicle and try to break in.
Vehicle theft under investigation
GROSSE POINTE FARMS — According to an online Nixle report, a vehicle was stolen from the Country Club of Detroit at around 1 p.m. Jan. 3. Police said three unknown people in a red Honda Civic — believed to be a 2006 to 2011 model — arrived at the club and allegedly entered three vehicles in the main parking lot and attempted to enter three other vehicles. The vehicle that was stolen was recovered a few hours later, abandoned on the east side around the Warren/Detroit border.
The case was under investigation.
Threatening suspect sought
GROSSE POINTE CITY — An unknown woman in her mid-40s is facing possible charges for issuing threats and causing a disturbance after the suspect is said to have menaced an employee at The Village Lululemon store at around 4:15 p.m. Dec. 27. According to a police report, the suspect threatened the employee after the employee asked the suspect and the group that the suspect was with about a missing skirt that was in the group’s shopping bag, but which hadn’t been paid for.
The group said they had bought the skirt.
Broken window emergency
MOUNT CLEMENS — At around 11:15 p.m. on Dec.
to the corner of Dickinson and Avery streets to speak with a 34-year-old woman about damage to her car.
The woman said her boyfriend, 36, broke the front passenger window of her Subaru Legacy after she refused to drive him home. The boyfriend walked home.
Angry diner
MOUNT CLEMENS — On Dec. 18 at around 1 p.m.,
a 52-year-old Harrison Township man entered Paco’s Restaurant on Crocker Avenue to pick up lunch. After eating in his van, the man reentered the restaurant with a bloody hand and claimed the restaurant was responsible for his injury. Paco’s staff called for Macomb County Sheriff’s Office deputies, but the man left before deputies arrived.
The Harrison Township man called Paco’s at least four more times, blaming the restaurant for his injury.
Lots of tires flattened
SHELBY TOWNSHIP — Officers from Shelby Township were dispatched to the 40000 block of Van Dyke Avenue for a malicious destruction of property complaint at 12:11 a.m. Dec. 8. Upon officers’ arrival to the parking lot, they met with the caller. The caller advised that she noticed her vehicle had two flat tires.
The caller looked around the parking lot and noticed several other vehicles that also had flat tires.
The officers walked through the entire parking lot and found eight vehicles with flat tires. The department had no suspects and the case was turned over to the detective bureau.
Package stolen
SHELBY TOWNSHIP — A Shelby Township officer was dispatched to the Police Department’s lobby to meet with a woman whose package had been taken from her porch Dec. 8. The woman said she had purchased Christmas gifts to be delivered to her home. The woman reviewed her doorbell camera surveillance video and observed an unknown male suspect take the items that were sitting on her porch.
Minivan stolen
STERLING HEIGHTS — Police said they investigated the theft of a Dodge Caravan from the 43000 block of Schoenherr Road Dec. 26.
According to police, the vehicle owner said the Caravan was stolen after it had been left running by itself for approximately 25-30 minutes. The owner reportedly said the minivan was in bad shape and was essentially junk, though it reportedly contained tools that were more valuable than the vehicle.
Police said they were seeking surveillance footage that might have captured the minivan’s theft.
Time to check hemlock trees for invasive species
METRO DETROIT — The Michigan Department of Natural Resources and the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development are asking for help protecting eastern hemlock trees from an invasive species.
The pests are hemlock woolly adelgid and the best time to catch them feeding is in the winter months. Robert Miller, an MDARD invasive species prevention and response specialist, said this climate triggers feeding activity, making the adelgids easier to spot.
“As hemlock woolly adelgid feeds, it secretes a white, waxy material that creates ovisacs,” he is quoted as saying in a DNR press release. “The presence of these small, round, white masses makes it possible to identify infested trees.”
The insects, which aren’t native to Michigan, drain the nutrients out of the hemlocks. Infestations have been confirmed in Allegan, Antrim, Benzie, Leelanau, Mason, Muskegon, Oceana, Ottawa and Washtenaw counties. Hemlock trees have the following characteristics: Cone- or egg-shaped trees up to 75 feet tall; drooping or feathery branches; flat needles growing individually from the sides of twigs; needles that are dark green on top with two parallel, white stripes underneath; and papery cones about three-quarters of an inch long that hang downward from branches.
You can report an infestation to the Midwest Invasive Species Information Network, at MISIN.MSU.edu or available as a downloadable smartphone app. Reports can also be submitted by email to MDA-Info@ Michigan.gov or by phone to MDARD at (800) 292-3939.
to leave gas station
STERLING HEIGHTS — Police went to a gas station in the 8000 block of 15 Mile Road Dec. 6 upon hearing that a man wearing a beige hoodie “with cartoons on it” was acting aggressively in the store while disturbing customers and asking for money. Police said they also heard that the man smelled of alcohol.
When police arrived, a manager reportedly said the suspect was refusing to leave, though he reportedly complied once police told him to depart.
Man accused of stealing balls from store
STERLING HEIGHTS — Police heard Dec. 7 about a shoplifting incident at Walmart, 33201 Van Dyke Ave.
Store staff said a man tried to leave the store after failing to scan a basketball and football at the self-checkout. Police said $90.94 worth of unpaid items was found with the suspect. Police said they cited the suspect for third-degree retail fraud.
Woman accused of stealing bathmat set, storage bin
STERLING HEIGHTS — Police said they went to Target, 2310 Metropolitan Parkway, Dec. 7, upon hearing that a woman grabbed two bathmat sets and two plastic storage bins but allegedly only scanned for purchase one bathmat set and one bin.
Police said the stolen items amounted to $44.99 in value. Although the suspect reportedly said she had scanned all the items and blamed the situation on an equipment failure, police said they cited her for third-degree retail fraud.
Electric scooter riders accused of hitting things
STERLING HEIGHTS — Police heard a Dec. 7 report of two male individuals who were allegedly refusing to leave the premises of Target, 2310 Metropolitan Parkway, despite multiple requests.
The individuals were accused of “hitting things” while riding an electric scooter, police said.
Police said one of the individuals ended up walking away, while the other one reportedly stood outside the building before leaving with his mother. Police took no further action.
Expired tags trouble
HARRISON TOWNSHIP — While patrolling around Shook and Union Lake roads at around 5:40 p.m. on Dec. 18, Macomb County Sheriff’s Office deputies pulled over a Ford Fusion with an expired license plate tag. The driver, a 24-year-old Detroit woman, told deputies she had an appointment the next day to get new tags and a new license.
GET A SLICE OF THIS
METRO DETROIT — Michigan has good taste when it comes to pizza.
Recently, the McNair Center at Northwood University partnered with the Michigan Chamber of Commerce to conduct an analysis of who serves the best pizza. According to their report released Dec. 16, Michigan is the pizza capital of the United States and maybe even the world.
The study, “Michigan: The Unlikely Pizza Capital of the United States (and the World?),” analyzed the size and scope of the U.S. and global pizza industry and the economic role Michigan plays. The study also looked at the history and economic role in growing the U.S. and global pizza markets, and what role eight entrepreneurs from Michigan had in influencing the size, scope, and quality of the growth.
“We found that across the U.S. and around the world, millions of people speaking different languages were brought together by the common pleasure of consuming pizza, whose origins emanated from entrepreneurial activity within a 60mile radius of downtown Detroit, Michigan,” stated Dr. Timothy G. Nash, one of the study’s authors who led the McNair Center for Free Enterprise and Entrepreneurship at Northwood.
The study determined Michigan is home to four of the top 10 U.S. pizza chains by sales in 2023: Domino’s Pizza at No. 1; Little Caesars Pizza at No. 3; Hungry Howie’s Pizza at No. 8; and Jet’s Pizza at No. 9. Those four institutions accounted for 30.5% of the U.S. pizza sales in 2023, recording a combined $14.36 billion of the $46.98 billion industry total.
According to the results, the four Michigan pizzerias recorded nearly 15% of global pizza sales with $23.6 billion of the $159 billion total. The headquarters for the “Michigan Four” are all located within less than 60 miles of each other in southeast Michigan in Madison Heights, Detroit, Sterling Heights and Ann Arbor.
achieve their career goals and scholarships for future first responders and those seeking careers in skilled trades. The credit union plans to award a total of $130,000 in scholarships this year. “Earning a degree or certification requires a great deal of determination and hard work, along with a significant financial investment,” MSGCU President/CEO Steve Brewer said in a press release. “MSGCU is increasing our scholarship awards this year to support more students in the communities we serve. We have provided over $1.25 million in scholarships since our program started 20 years ago, helping more than 600 recipients complete their education.”
For a scholarship application or more information, visit msgcu.org/scholarships.
driver came by to drive her home.
Guard dog
HARRISON TOWNSHIP — At around 9 p.m. on Dec. 16, a 53-year-old Harrison Township woman entered her apartment in the 36000 block of Union Lake Road to discover it was broken into.
While nothing was stolen, the woman’s dog was nowhere to be found. She told Macomb County Sheriff’s Office deputies she believed the dog chased off an intruder, which had appeared to access the apartment through a window. Deputies told her the dog had been found by the Clinton Township Police Department.
Condiments caper
HARRISON TOWNSHIP — At around 6 p.m. on Dec. 17, a 45-year-old Harrison Township woman pulled into the driveway of her home in the 43000 block of E. Morgan Court with a rental GMC Terrain. About two hours later, she went outside to find the GMC covered in ketchup and mustard. She called for Macomb County Sheriff’s Office deputies to report the incident, who were greeted by a condiment-free crossover.
Abandoned trailer
Pups compete in annual dog show
BIRMINGHAM/BEVERLY HILLS — The Birmingham Youth Assistance’s 42nd Annual Kids’ Dog Show will take place from 1-3 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 2 in the Berkshire Middle School gymnasium, located at 21707 W. 14 Mile Road in Beverly Hills.
All participants are required to be checked into the show by 12:30 p.m. Registration to participate has passed. Each year, kids ages 4-14 bring their dogs to compete in a fun competition for prizes. The categories are designed to be low stress and include, Best Costume for dog and child, Best Trick, Waggiest Tail, Best Looking, and Musical Sit, which is a game similar to musical chairs.
Comfort dogs will be at the event, courtesy of the Oakland County Sheriff’s Department. Kids will also get a chance to learn an easy obedience command from an instructor from the Southern Michigan Obedience Training Club.
“We are thrilled that this fun event has become such a popular tradition in our community,” BYA Chair Ann Nazareth Manning stated in a press release. “The enthusiastic kids who participate each year and the generosity of our sponsors make this show possible and help further the work of Birmingham Youth Assistance.”
Visit birminghamyouthassistance.org/kids-dog-show, for more information.
COREWELL HEALTH CHILDREN’S RECEIVES $1.6 MILLION IN GRANTS
ROYAL OAK — Corewell Health Children’s has recently received $1.6 million in Children’s Miracle Network Grants.
The grants will be used to enhance pediatric programs at Corewell Health Children’s locations, and more than 60 programs received funding.
“The success of the Corewell Health’s Children’s/CMN partnership relies upon the generosity of the entire community,” Matthey Denenberg, M.D., chief of pediatrics for Corewell Health, said in a press release. “Individuals, corporate partners and hospital team members all contribute to provide our pediatric team the opportunity for ongoing advancement in medical care for our youngest patients. Together, we can give children exceptional care that positively impacts their lives.”
The grants included funding for the pediatric social work program, pediatric epilepsy research support, child life therapist program, Corewell Health’s Teen Safe Driving Initiative, more than 480 bike safety helmets for the annual Bike Day event and the purchase of neonatal intensive care unit equipment including ventilators and pediatric vision screeners. For more information on Corewell Health Children’s, visit corewellhealth.org/SEchildrens.
Photo provided by Birmingham Youth Assistance
