10/30/24 Warren Weekly

SPOTLIGHT ON SENIOR LIVING

SETTING UP ESTATE SALES

19A

BY MARIA ALLARD allard@candgnews.com

WARREN/STERLING HEIGHTS/

TROY

— As Election Day nears on Nov. 5, residents in the Van Dyke Public Schools and Warren Consolidated Schools districts will be asked to consider bond proposals.

Van Dyke is placing a $36.1 million bond initiative on the ballot that, if passed,

will support facility and learning environment improvements.

Warren Consolidated officials are asking residents to approve an operating millage replacement.

Van Dyke Public Schools bond initiative

Van Dyke’s $36.1 million bond is for 25 years. The proposal is a zero-mill increase ballot question. If the bond passes, it will

Van Dyke, Warren Con offer ballot proposals Nov. 5

generate funding to pay for improvements to school facilities districtwide. Officials said the bond would not increase the current school property tax because of the previous bond issue.

A bond proposal is developed by the school district and presented to the voters for approval. When a bond proposal passes, the bonds are sold in the capital markets at a date determined by the district, a finan-

cial advisor and an underwriter. Upon closing, funds generated from the bond sale are deposited in the district’s construction fund and are available to spend for completion of the projects contemplated in the bond proposal.

According to ballot language provided by the Macomb County Clerk/Register of Deeds Office, the estimated millage that will

Best friends in life are celebrated in death

BY GENA JOHNSON gjohnson@candgnews.com

DETROIT — Hundreds gathered at Second Ebenezer Church in Detroit Oct. 18 to celebrate the lives of Cedric Antwan Hayden Jr. and DeJuan Kyle Pettis, who were killed when a speeding Warren police SUV crashed into Pettis’ new Dodge Durango.

Hayden, 34, and Pettis, 33, were best friends since they were 12 years old and often referred to themselves as brothers. They were going to Hayden’s home in Warren when the crash happened at 5 a.m. Sept. 30.

“If you were to know Brother Hayden and Brother Pettis, they would want it no other way but to be with one another and to be of support to one another,” the Rev. Tariq Cummings said. “I don’t know about you, but I need a friend like that.”

“We stand at a very unique crossroad but in the midst of our crossroad, I believe that we all would

Cedric Hayden Jr., 34, right, and DeJuan Pettis, 33, were best friends since they were 12. They were going to Hayden’s home in Warren on Oct. 30 when they were killed in a crash with a Warren police SUV on Schoenherr Road.

Facebook photo

School board, police lieutenant address school threat protocols

BY MARIA ALLARD allard@candgnews.com

WARREN — Warren Mott High School has endured some fearful moments this school year.

The first incident occurred Sept. 9 when a technical error set off an alarm that called for a lockdown. Staff initiated the school’s ALICE protocols, which caused stress among students who thought there was a real threat in the building when there was not.

A second incident happened during the homecoming dance Sept. 21 when students ran out of the school because they thought they heard gunshots, which turned out to be decorative balloons popping.

Classes were canceled Sept. 23, two days after the dance, when someone posted a false threat to the school.

A fourth episode occurred Oct. 4 when police evacuated Warren Mott during the team’s football game against Cousino after a Cousino student was asked to leave for making several inappropriate comments to a Warren Mott administrator. He wouldn’t leave and was arrested by Warren police. From there, a 911 call was received about a possible threat the arrested student had made, which turned out to be a false alarm.

Because of these matters, Warren Police Lt. John Gajewski gave a presentation on police procedures during the Warren Consolidated Schools Board of Education meeting Oct. 16.

See PROTOCOLS on page 14A

Happy Halloween

TOP: Seven-year-old Damirr Prozapas and his alien buddy receive candy from Karen Malujin during the Christ Lutheran Church Trunk or Treat event in Warren Oct. 19. ABOVE: Three-year-old Christian Michael responds with a mix of joy and surprise as a bony skeleton hand comes up out of the candy dish. LEFT: Threeyear-old Riley Brown — dressed as Marvel comic book character Ghost-Spider — enjoys a refreshing sip of apple cider during the Trunk or Treat event.

Photos by Liz Carnegie

Macomb receives $2 million to enhance firefighter training

BY MARIA ALLARD allard@candgnews.com

CLINTON TOWNSHIP — It took them about two minutes, but they did it.

On Oct. 23, Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel and state Rep. Denise Mentzer, D-Mount Clemens, rappelled down Macomb Community College’s live burn tower, located on the grounds of the Public Service Institute on the school’s East Campus at 21901 Dunham Road.

Their descent down the five-story tower highlighted the recent $2 million state appropriation college officials received to offer more opportunities for students enrolled in firefighter training courses.

The state’s investment will help fund a new building for firefighter training that will house a fire engine truck, an aerial ladder fire truck and the equipment that firefighters use daily. The new building is expected for completion in December 2025.

According to college officials, Mentzer was very successful in securing the $2 million with help from state Sen. Kevin Hertel, D-St. Clair Shores.

“We’re very grateful to their leadership and the Macomb delegation all supporting us in the $2 million endeavor. We’re so pleased to celebrate the $2 million we received

See TRAINING on page 6A

On Oct.

23, Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel, left, and state Rep. Denise Mentzer, D-Mount Clemens, rappelled down the Macomb Community College’s live burn tower.

Photo by Patricia O’Blenes

Training

from the state of Michigan,” Macomb Community College President James O. Sawyer IV said. “This is something that’s going to be very transformational for the fire academy here at the college. We’re going to expand our fire apparatus bay and give our students the accommodations and the room they need to really train effectively.

“If you’ve had an interaction with a police officer or a firefighter in Macomb County, they all likely came through this facility and I’m very proud of that,” Sawyer said. “We hold that very sacred.”

Mentzer, who said “rappelling was like one of the most awesome things I’ve done,” comes from a family of law enforcement personnel. She persevered to get the $2 million funding from the state.

“I know what this kind of training is going to mean to the law enforcement community,” she said. “It’s Dr. Sawyer and the college who have the vision of what this facility can be.”

The $2 million appropriation is just the beginning. College officials have plans for an $11 million renovation project at the Public Service Institute, which provides training for students to become first responders, including firefighters, police officers and emergency medical professionals. The PSI also offers ongoing professional development to support them throughout their careers.

College officials are exploring funding options for the $9 million. The goal is to update the live fire tower, create new emergency medical services and firearms classrooms, house a new simulator and increase training space to accommodate more students.

Macomb offers a number of classes including the police academy, tactical training, corrections officer training, criminal justice, crime scene investigation, basic emergency medical technician lab, firearms, firefighter training, fire behavior and combustion, fire investigation, and more.

The current PSI opened in 1996. In 2003, a 27,000-square-foot addition opened, which included more police training programs, four new classrooms, a commons area and an indoor firearms range.

Hackel, the former Macomb County sheriff, went through the college’s police academy. He said that Mentzer’s dad was his lieutenant while he worked for the Macomb County Sheriff’s Office. PSI Director Mike Lopez said the academy has already trained one generation of first responders.

“We have another generation of first responders to train and this is the place to do it,” he said. “This $2 million is a huge need for our fire training. Our fire apparatus bay only holds one small fire engine. So this is going to be creating a full functioning fire station. It’s going to change the dynamics of all our drill run fire academy training.”

Lopez also said the institute is continuing to work for additional funding.

“We have very big plans at the criminal justice training center to expand our capabilities, especially with virtual reality training that is critical for the de-escalation training that we’re presenting to our officers. It gives them an opportunity to practice that in a very realistic setting. We’ll have expansion of our crime lab capabilities,” he said. “There have been so many industry changes in 30 years. We have to make those changes with our facility as well so we can properly train police officers, firefighters, EMTs.”

Warren Mo Band

Haliday Craft Show

November 9 • 10am-4pm

3131 Twelve Mile Rd. Warren, 48092 FREE SHUTTLE from Beer Middle School

Photo by Patricia O’Blenes

Clerks outline what voters should know for the general election

BY GENA JOHNSON gjohnson@candgnews.com

WARREN /CENTER LINE — Whether voting early, by absentee, or going to the polls on Nov. 5, Warren City Clerk Sonja Buffa and Center Line Deputy City Manager and Clerk Janice Pockrandt shared pertinent information for voters in the Warren Weekly coverage area.

Register to vote

Anyone 18 and over can register to vote at mvic.sos. state.mi.us/registervoter. An adult can register to vote and vote on the same day, according to Pockrandt. However, they would have to register at the clerk’s office.

Early voting

There are nine days of early voting which start Saturday,

Oct. 26, and continue through Sunday, Nov. 3. Warren and Center Line voters can vote at their respective city halls from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Absentee voting

Absentee ballots can be requested now through Nov. 4 through the city clerk’s office. The last day absentee ballots will be mailed out is Nov. 1, according to Buffa’s office. Requests for an absentee ballot after that must be made in person at the clerk’s office before 4 p.m. daily.

The Center Line election website stated changes are coming to the absentee application process. The permanent absentee application list is being phased out after the 2024 election. It will be replaced by a permanent mail ballot list. By selecting the permanent mail ballot box in the top righthand corner of the application, voters will be mailed a ballot

for any election in which they are eligible to vote. By selecting this box, voters will no longer need to fill out the absentee application to receive an absentee ballot. For those opting not to select the permanent mail box, after the 2024 elections, they can still request an absentee ballot either online, by mail or at the clerk’s office and complete the application for each upcoming election.

Residents of Warren or Center Line can return their absentee ballots via mail, bring them to their respective city hall or place them in a ballot drop box before 8 p.m. Nov. 5.

“We prefer that they bring it back only because things can happen when they put it through the mail,” Pockrandt said.

Overseas absentee ballots are accepted through Nov. 12, according to Pockrandt.

NEWS & NOTES

Ho! Ho! Ho!

WARREN — Santa Claus is coming to town a bit early this year.

Ed’s EMS Classic Car Care will welcome the jolly man in the red suit during a fundraiser Nov. 16.

Families can visit with Santa, take selfies with him and sip on hot chocolate from noon to 4 p.m. The cost is $20 per family. There will be several backdrops from which to choose to take photos.

Adults also are welcome to enjoy evening festivities with Santa from 7-9 p.m. The evening event is $10 per person and will include stories of past Christmases, carol singing and tales of holiday traditions. There also will be time for photo opportunities with Old St. Nick.

Money raised will benefit the Ed and Emica Syrocki Legacy Scholarship through the Macomb Community College Foundation. The scholarship will assist Macomb Community College students who want to

pursue a career in the skilled trades, which includes the automotive area.

Ed Syrocki, now retired, was the owner of Ed’s EMS Classic Car Care. He loved working in the auto industry and wanted to create the chance for others to find their passion in a similar field. The scholarship is for tuition, fees, books and other educational expenses.

The minimum requirements for the scholarship include the following: half time enrollment of six credit hours or more each semester, enrolled in a skilled trades program either credit or noncredit at Macomb and have a minimum 2.5 GPA at the time of applying.

While tickets for the fundraiser will be sold at the door, all are asked to respond in advance by texting Santa Joe at (586) 293-9081. Include your names, number of attendees and which event you will attend.

Ed’s EMS Classic Car Care is located at 11530 Timken, three blocks north of Nine Mile Road and west of Hoover Road.

Susick Elementary School receives donations

TROY/WARREN — At the Oct. 16 Warren Consolidated Schools Board of Education meeting, school board members announced monetary donations Susick Elementary School received. The school is part of the district but located in Troy.

Burlington Stores partnered with the nonprofit AdoptAClassroom.org to donate $5,000 to Susick. Board Trustee Kyle Johnson said the donation was in celebration of a new Burlington store at 600 John R Road in Troy. The donation will be used to assist teachers with classroom supplies. During the meeting, Board Trustee Carmela Rudd recognized the Jatin Bedi Charitable Society for its $12,000 donation to Susick.

“Each year a donation is made in honor of Jatin Bedi who was a student at Susick Elementary School until his death in 1985,” Rudd said. “The donation will be used to support and benefit all Susick Elementary School students.”

STUDENTS SHOW THEIR ARTISTIC SIDES

STERLING HEIGHTS/WARREN — Talented students from Sterling Heights High School will be among the local schools featured in the annual TriCounty High School Exhibition Nov. 1-22, at the Art Department Gallery, Wayne State University.

The exhibition features approximately 85 selected artworks created by high school students from Macomb, Oakland, and Wayne counties. An opening reception with an awards presentation will be held from 5-8 p.m. Nov. 1

At the opening reception, four awards will be presented to students for their outstanding artwork. This year’s guest juror Laura Foxman, associate professor of interior design, will select the top three awards. Additional awards include an alumni selec-

CELEBRATING VETERANS

STERLING HEIGHTS — Students who attend the Warren Consolidated Schools Career Prep Center will host a Veterans Day celebration Nov. 14 at the center, 12200 15 Mile Road. The doors open at 9:15 a.m., and there will be a flag ceremony at 9:45 a.m. The culinary arts students will then serve a buffet breakfast. For military veterans interested in attending, contact Cheryl Piec by Nov. 1 at (586) 825-2800, extension 17907.

tion award, selected by artist and alumnus Andre Barker and a teacher award.

“Fishing for Light and Color, 2023,” pictured, was created in colored pencil by Mercy High School student Gianna Ivezaj. The WSU Art Department Gallery is located at 150 Art Building, 5400 Gullen Mall, in Detroit.

File photo by Patricia O’Blenes

Center Line home invasion suspect charged after shoot-out with officers

BY GENA JOHNSON gjohnson@candgnews.com

CENTER LINE — Brendan Tyrell Wilson, 24, of Highland Park, appeared in the 37th District Court Oct. 15 where he was arraigned on nine charges in connection with an alleged home invasion that evolved into a shoot-out with public safety officers.

At approximately 12:20 p.m. Oct. 12, Center Line Public Safety Department dispatch received a transferred call from Detroit about a home invasion in progress at a residence in the 7300 block of State Park Street at the corner of Landau Street in Center Line.

According to the Center Line Public Safety Department, when the first officer arrived, he saw a Black woman exit the side door of the home and run northward in the backyard. The officer pursued the woman on foot but lost her when she rounded the corner of the garage. At the same time this happened, Wilson reportedly exited the residence from the front door and was allegedly armed with an “AR-style pistol.”

Investigators said Wilson ran down the sidewalk to a gray automobile parked in

front of the garage in the driveway. A second officer pulled up and tried to stop Wilson from driving away. Wilson’s vehicle reportedly hit the patrol car. He then proceeded south on Landau and pointed the pistol at the officer, police said.

“The officer fired several rounds at the suspect’s vehicle and the suspect fired at the officer,” the Center Line Public Safety Department stated in a press release.

The investigation took several hours with the assistance of the Warren Police Department. Wilson was taken into custody without incident.

Wilson appeared in Judge Suzanne Faunce’s courtroom Oct. 15 where he was charged with assault with intent to murder, a felony punishable by up to life in prison; home invasion in the third degree, a five-year felony; fleeing police officers in the third degree, a five-year felony; assault with a dangerous weapon, a four-year felony; and three felony weapons charges, which carry a twoyear mandatory sentence for each count. In

addition, Wilson was charged with two misdemeanors: malicious destruction of a building less than $200 and driving with a license suspended.

Faunce set bond at $1 million cash or surety only, no 10%, which means the entire bond must be posted if the defendant is released.

According to court records, no defense attorney was assigned to Wilson’s case as of Oct. 15.

“The defendant’s actions put the safety of our community and law enforcement at serious risk. We will ensure that justice is served and the safety of our residents is upheld,” Macomb County Prosecutor Peter Lucido said in a press release.

Wilson remains in the Macomb County Jail where he awaits a rescheduled probable cause conference at 8:45 a.m. Nov. 13 in Judge Michael Chupa’s courtroom in the 37th District Court.

Brian Louwers | (586) 498-1089 | brianlouwers@candgnews.com

Wilson

CRAVING SOMETHING ‘SWEET’

HOMEGROWN TALENT CONTINUES ROCK BAND’S LEGACY

BY MARIA ALLARD allard@candgnews.com

WARREN — Music fans of the 1970s English glam rock scene most likely have a Sweet album in their collection.

They probably have the lyrics to “Fox On The Run” and “Ballroom Blitz” memorized.

And they know that three members of the famed foursome — Brian Connolly, Steve Priest and Mick Tucker — are in rock ‘n’ roll heaven while remaining bandmate Andy Scott is still alive and has formed his own version of the group, which tours the U.K. and Australia.

But there’s a second set of talented musicians carrying on Sweet’s history: among them, 1982 Mott High School graduate Jimmy Burkard on guitar. The five-member group obtained the rights to use the name and perform as “The Sweet” in the U.S. and Canada. The band gigs on a regular basis, performing all of Sweet’s original material while paying homage to the band.

“It’s a new version,” Burkard said. “Steve Priest gave grace to keep the legacy going.”

Followers of the music can satisfy their “Sweet” tooth when The Sweet performs Nov. 8 at the Andiamo Celebrity Showroom, 7096 E. 14 Mile Road. Showtime is 8 p.m. Wearing glitter is optional.

With leather-inspired outfits, solid musical chops and a distinctive sound, Sweet strutted through the 1970s in platform boots with catchy songs like “Teenage Rampage,” “Hell Raiser” and “Love Is Like Oxygen.” The British rockers never lost their fan base even with countless personnel changes over the years.

Burkard, who grew up in Warren and now resides in the Los Angeles area, has been a member of The Sweet for about two years. The seasoned musician knew drummer Richie Onori from jamming together at various Hollywood clubs, including the Viper Room and the Whisky a Go Go. Onori and Priest played in a previous rendition of Sweet before Priest died.

“I played a couple of shows, and boom, it clicked,” Burkard said. When he was asked to join The Sweet, the guitar man couldn’t tune his Gibson Les Paul fast enough. “I’m like, ‘Hell yeah. Let me do it.’”

Burkard is having “a blast” performing alongside Onori, bassist Stevie Stewart, vocalist Patrick Stone and keyboardist Dave Schulz. The axe man looks forward to playing in his hometown Nov. 8 and has a number of family members and friends coming to the concert.

The Sweet’s setlist includes “not only the hits but the not-as-well-known songs,” Burkard said.

There is always a mixture of all ages in the crowd.

“You have the core group that knew them from the ’70s. You have kids of parents that are coming to the shows,” Burkard said. “We feed off that. It’s a rock ‘n’ roll show. We have a great time up there. It’s high energy.”

The band even has a new single, “Little Miracle.” Some diehard Sweet devotees, though, haven’t embraced the present-day lineup.

“There are internet haters,” acknowledged Burkard, who encourages them to give the band a chance. “We want to keep the music out there as a live show. It should be heard live.”

Burkard himself is a Sweet fan from way back.

“I remember hearing ‘Little Willy’ on the radio in the ’70s,” the Michigan native said. “‘Action’ has got to be my favorite and a deeper cut is ‘Sweet F.A.’ The songwriting is what got their songs to a wider audience. The songs have a harder edge, but there’s a pop element. Now to be able to play the songs, I’m honored.”

Joe Nieporte, who assists with the entertainment bookings at the 800-seat Showroom, believes Sweet is the most underrated rock band to come out of the 1970s.

“Their album ‘Desolation Boulevard’ has sold millions of copies and is considered by many to be one of the greatest albums of all time,” Nieporte said. “Their song ‘Ballroom Blitz’ is one of the most played and copied songs ever.”

This isn’t the first time Burkard has performed Sweet live. Once upon a time, he played “Fox On The Run” while attending Siersma Elementary School in the Warren Consolidated Schools district. The sixthgrade student and a couple friends banded together to participate in a school talent show. That moment on stage — amid the lights, applause and guitar riffs — struck a chord with Burkard, cementing his destiny to become a professional musician.

As a teen, his first band was Atomic Axe, which was a fixture at many Warren basement parties. When the band became

Mommy’s Dearest, they packed local clubs — including New York, New York, in Warren; the Ritz in Roseville; and Harpo’s in Detroit. Hoping to land a record deal, the blues-based rock band moved to the West Coast in 1988, but eventually disbanded. Burkard, however, kept shredding his six string. The entertainer has shared many stages with his peers, currently is a member

the band West Bound, and writes and performs his own solo projects. For more information on Burkard and The Sweet, check out his Instagram page at @jimmyburkard.

For ticket information on the Nov. 8 show, go to andiamoshowroom.com or call (586) 268-3200.

Call Staff Writer Maria Allard at (586) 498-1045.

ORDINANCE NO. 80-824

AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHAPTER 2 OF THE WARREN CODE OF ORDINANCES RELATING TO EMERGENCY PURCHASES

THE CITY OF WARREN ORDAINS:

SECTION 1. That Chapter 2, Article VI, Division 4, Section 2-337.9 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Warren, Michigan, is hereby amended to read as follows:

(a) Emergency purchases are authorized not to exceed the amount of ffty thousand dollars ($50,000.00) to be procured at the lowest obtainable price. For purposes of this section, an emergency is defned as a severe and imminent threat to the health, safety, or welfare of the public where a delay would be detrimental to efforts to lessen or respond to the threat.

(b) Emergency purchases shall be authorized by the mayor, the city controller, or his or her designee, and the purchasing agent.

(c) Council shall be immediately notifed upon the execution of an emergency purchase, based upon the limits contained in this section.

(d) A full report of the circumstances of an emergency purchase shall be fled by the purchasing agent with the council and shall be entered in the minutes of the council and shall be open to public inspection.

(e) Pursuant to section 5 of the Open Meetings Act, Act 267 of 1976, the City Council may meet in an emergency session with less than 18 hours public notice to consider approving emergency expenditures that exceed ffty thousand dollars ($50,000.00). To convene an emergency session, there shall be a two-thirds vote of the members of the City Council to determining that there is an actual emergency as defned in subsection (a).

SECTION 2. This Ordinance shall take effect on October 30, 2024.

I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing Ordinance No. 80-824 was adopted by the Council of the City of Warren at its meeting held on April 9, 2024.

SONJA BUFFA City Clerk

Photo by Jim Zons

The Sweet, — left to right, bassist Stevie Stewart, drummer Richie Onori, lead vocalist Patrick Stone, keyboardist Dave Schulz and guitarist Jimmy Burkard — will perform Nov. 8 at the Andiamo Celebrity Showroom in Warren. Burkard grew up in Warren, and graduated in 1982 from Mott High School. He now resides in the Los Angeles area and is looking forward to playing his hometown.

WARREN POLITICAL VETS RUN AS WRITE-INS FOR THE GENERAL ELECTION

BY GENA JOHNSON gjohnson@candgnews.com

WARREN — Current District 12 Macomb County Commissioner Michelle Nard and former District 5 Warren City Councilman Eddie Kabacinski are running as writein candidates for the seat Nard currently holds.

Nard ran for reelection in the primary and received 1,153 votes, which is 21.1% of the total vote cast. This resulted in a thirdplace finish in the all-Democratic contest. Michael Howard won the race with 2,014 votes (37.04%), followed by Khaja Shahab Ahmed with 1,236 votes (22.73%). Terry Wisniewski received 1,007 votes (18.52%).

“I ran as a write-in because of the incident that happened on Aug. 6. Apparently, some of the polling precincts were moved and they (the school district) claimed it was due to power outages or something happening in the building,” Nard said. “But when I checked with DTE, they said there were no power outages on Aug. 5 or 6th. So then, they (the school district) said it was some type of fuse or something.”

Nard ran previously as a write-in candidate for mayor of Warren to no avail.

“If I win, that’s great. If I don’t, that’s fine also,” Nard said. “It’s just, I want people to know you cannot disenfranchise voters and nobody’s going to speak on it. I’m doing this for the people because they have a right to choose who they want.”

In the primary election, Kabacinski ran for Macomb County sheriff.

According to Kabacinski, before officially filing for sheriff, he conferred with Terence Mekoski to make sure Mekoski was not a candidate in the race. Kabacinski said he did not want to run against him because Mekoski had previously run for sheriff.

“He (Mekoski) told me two days before the filing deadline that he was not going to do so (run), then I went ahead and filed,” Kabacinski said.

Mekoski later decided to run for sheriff as did Scott Budnick, both Republican candidates, and three Republican candidates were in the race.

“I was debating whether to run for the sheriff’s position or to run for the county commissioner’s position. I chose to run for the sheriff’s position, since we (Republicans) did not really have a candidate at that point to run against Anthony Wickersham,” Kabacinski said.

In the primary, Kabacinski came in third receiving 8,419 votes for sheriff which was 13.57% of the votes cast. Mekoski led the Republicans with 26,752 votes (43.14%). Budnick was a close second with 26,568 votes (42.83%), according to the Macomb County clerk’s official election results.

Kabacinski said that the number of votes he received in the primary were the result of little to no campaigning. This inspired him to run as a write-in candidate.

“I was encouraged by the Macomb County Republican Party as well as other constituents, that I should run as a write-in position for the county commissioner’s position since it was left vacant, and basically you just have the one Democrat that was just going to sail through the primary then into the general election without any opposition,” Kabacinski said.

Nard and Kabacinski will face Democrat Michael Howard and Libertarian Frederick Horndt, who are on the ballot in the race for county commissioner.

Call Staff Writer Gena Johnson at (586) 498-1069.

Eddie Kabacinski Michelle Nard

Protocols

from page 3A

‘Detailed investigations often time take time’

There are three school resource officers that work primarily at the district’s three high schools: Warren Mott officer Jeff Carrero, Cousino officer Jason Vandervord and Sterling Heights High School officer Duane Casbar. Carrero and Vandervord are from the Warren Police Department, and Casbar is from the Sterling Heights Police Department.

“We collaborate well together because we have the same goals when it comes to students,” Gajewski said. “That’s safety, security and the well-being of everybody involved. Obviously in today’s times with school threats, it’s unfortunate, we all have to err on the side of caution.

“I know all of us want our students to have excellent social activities, but we cannot compromise safety,” Gajewski said. “It’s because of the relationship we have with the district in general and the establishment of our school resource officers, it allows us to be on the same page more times than not.

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So much of this is done behind the scenes.”

During the meeting, School Board President Susan Trombley asked Gajewski about situations at the schools — including building evacuations or stopping an event — in which the department takes over. Gajewski said each event is conducted on a case-by-case decision.

“If officers have to make an immediate decision based on an actual emergency, a perceived emergency or a report with what we know at the time, which oftentimes is limited information, we of course will do that,” Gajewski said. “That is when those types of actions, such as shutting something down or evacuating, take place. We strive to make the best, most informed decision we can, keeping all parties abreast to assure the safety and well-being of everybody at the event.”

Trombley also asked Gajewski what occurs after “the crisis situation is resolved.”

First off, a police report is completed and assigned to a detective for follow-up.

“The goal of a detective is to do an investigation to determine the truth of the matter, collect facts and see if those facts prove or disprove that a crime did in fact be committed,” Gajewski said.

Each investigation “is a multistep pro-

cess” that “takes time.” That includes conducting witness interviews, reviewing security cameras and using digital forensics.

“At the Warren Police Department, most of those investigations, particularly when they are centering on a school threat, an online threat, a threat of violence, are referred to the Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office,” Gajewski said. “The Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office, whether an adult or a juvenile, they are the ultimate decision-maker when it comes to issuing a charge.”

Board Vice President Carl Weckerle wanted to know more about how the Warren Police Department provides guidance to the district regarding what is communicated publicly during ongoing investigations.

“We understand that in today’s times everybody wants everything answered instantly right away and so do we. Detailed investigations oftentimes take time,” Gajewski said. “The one thing we cannot do is cause the release of inaccurate information to go out. That obviously harms the trust with parents, the trust with students, and from a law enforcement side can absolutely adversely affect the integrity of an ongoing

PROTOCOLS on page 15A

Photo by Maria Allard

During the Warren Consolidated Schools Board of Education meeting Oct. 16, Warren Police Lt. John Gajewski discusses various police procedures taken during school-related threats.

Protocols

investigation. Our goal is, of course, to get the accurate, most updated information we can.”

Superintendent John Bernia took an opportunity to address various measures educators take when disciplining students. He talked about the district’s student code of conduct, which outlines the student discipline process.

“There is student discipline that can be handled within the building. That handles the majority of it, and is handled by our building administrators,” Bernia said. “When we have something that is egregious or goes beyond what we might call school discipline, we have a process for that. It’s called a disciplinary hearing. That is chaired

and led by our director of security, crisis and management, Mr. (Rick) Scholz. He collects the documents and collects the facts and then it comes to an impartial panel that’s not connected to that student.”

From there, that can result in a number of consequences, including expulsion. Expelled students cannot attend a public school for up to 180 days. Then there’s a reinstatement process students go through in which a panel evaluates whether or not the student can return to school on a case-bycase basis.

“We have an obligation to guarantee due process to the student,” Bernia said. “I don’t enjoy this part of the job, but it is a necessary part of the job to ensure we hold people accountable and make sure we send a message we are serious about safe schools.”

Call Staff Writer Maria Allard at (586) 498-1045.

CANDGNEWS.COM

AREA CLERKS VOTE NO

BY GENA JOHNSON gjohnson@candgnews.com

WARREN / CENTERLINE — Although many communities are embracing the preprocessing of absentee ballots for the general election, Warren City Clerk Sonja Buffa and Center Line Deputy City Manager and Clerk Janice Pockrandt have opted not to use it.

“I have been administering elections for 24 years and my staff has always demonstrated accuracy and precision with elections,” Buffa said in a press release. “Accuracy is the number one priority for me, and then speed is second. It is for these reasons I have chosen not to preprocess.”

Center Line is a small community.

“We just don’t have the need for it,” Pockrandt said.

Preprocessing is a system where clerks are allowed to open the absentee ballots and run them through the tabulator; however, the results are not printed until the polls close on Election Day, according to

Pockrandt.

“It actually would take more time to preprocess absentee votes for eight days given the extra people needed, the time it takes, the storage necessitated, and the compiling afterwards, than one full day of counting,” Buffa said.

Preprocessing is not mandated by law but gives clerks the option to implement.

“The legislature could have easily mandated preprocessing, but they chose to make it optional,” Buffa said. “And finally, up to eight days of preprocessing opens the door for results to get leaked or compromised. I will not risk compromising the integrity of the election.”

Buffa said she wants the result quickly and her team and she are committed to accomplishing this task while keeping the election accurate, safe and secure.

In spite of the scrutiny Buffa said her office has received, she wants to encourage the general public to vote.

Call Staff Writer Gena Johnson at (586) 498-1069.

Election

from page 7A

Where to vote

If a voter does not know what precinct they are in and its location, that information can be found various ways.

In Warren contact the clerk’s office at (586) 574-4557, go to votewarren.org or use the QR code.

In Center Line, call City Hall at (586) 757-6800 or go to mi.gov/vote and look under “find your voting place.”

During the August primary, Warren had a few precincts closed, and many voters were not aware of the change until they arrived at their polls and were instructed to go to other locations to cast their ballots. In the event something like that happens again, voters can be alerted.

“As of right now, the schools are not anticipating any building closures. We would notify communications and they would send out messages through social media and the Warren CAN (Warren Community Alert Network),” Buffa said.

She suggested signing up for the city’s new alert system. Residents can receive alerts from the city through text message, email or their home phone.

“This allows the city to contact you for a variety of alerts that you request, from snow emergencies to special events, to road closures, and more.

To sign up, go to cityofwarren.org/ how_do_i/warrencan.

ID

Voters should bring a photo ID or their voter registration card, according to Pockrandt.

“If they don’t have a picture ID, they can sign an affidavit of identity,” Pockrandt said.

Acceptable forms of photo ID are a driver’s license, a personal ID card from another state, a federal, state or local government-issued photo ID, a U.S passport, a military photo ID card, a student photo ID card from an educational institution, or a tribal photo ID card, according to Buffa.

The polls

The polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m.

For this presidential election, Pockrandt is expecting a heavy turnout on Election Day.

Buffa was less inclined to speculate on the turnout.

“It’s difficult to predict the turnout at

the polls, because this is the first time we have nine days of early voting for a presidential election,” Buffa said.

The busiest times to vote, according to Pockrandt, are early in the morning and in the evening after 4 p.m. or 5 p.m.

“We do try to keep it (the line) moving but of course we have a long ballot so it may take the voter a little bit longer to vote their ballot,” Pockrandt said.

Buffa doesn’t anticipate much will be different on Election Day, except there

might be a longer wait at the polls.

Both clerks said if voters are in line by 8 p.m. the polls will not close until each voter has turned in their ballot.

Call Staff Writer Gena Johnson at (586) 498-1069.

SPOTLIGHT ON SENIOR LIVING

Michigan’s home for health insurance, has plans that beneft you.

ESTATE SALE COMPANIES

PROVIDE HELPFUL SERVICE FOR DIVERSE HOME SITUATIONS

BY SARAH WRIGHT swright@candgnews.com

METRO DETROIT — For those looking to move or for those who have lost someone and are interested in downsizing their possessions, estate sales professionals can provide assistance as individuals and families navigate through these issues.

Mara Topper, CEO and mediator for Senior Counseling Services, has worked with many people interested in scoping out estate sales professionals as they look to move and consider selling their houses.

“There’s a couple of people I refer clients to,” Topper said. “I also suggest they go with someone with good reviews that are clear about what they do.”

Potential clients are advised to consider how companies deal with cleaning out the home as well as donations and any other items that don’t sell. Clients should also consider what they want to take with them or give to family members, and if there are items they can’t take, they should

consider taking smaller pieces or photos of the items.

Clients may also need emotional support through the process of these sales and may consider reaching out to friends, family members, or mental health professionals for emotional support. On the day of the sale, they should also consider doing something special with their loved ones and letting the estate sale companies handle the sales.

“This can be a very emotional event for seniors, children and families,” Topper said. “If you hire an estate company, let them run it.”

Clearview Estate Sales & Auctions provides support to interested parties throughout the metro Detroit area as well as in other parts of the country.

Chris Deneau, owner of Clearview Estate Sales & Auctions, has been interested in collecting and selling household items and antiques for around 25 years. He held his first estate sale when he was 19 years old and, through his business, aims to provide clients

These items were available during an estate sale in Troy that took place in July 2024. The estate sale was put together with the help of Clearview Estate Sales & Auctions. Photos provided by Clearview Estate Sales & Auctions

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Creating a trust and choosing the right person to manage it are crucial for protecting your wealth and preserving your legacy. While many people consider picking a family member, professional advisors like those at Credit Union Trust ofer a neutral, reliable option that can ease the burden on loved ones during emotional times.

At Community Choice, we connect you to personalized trust services and an experienced team to help secure your future and provide valuable peace of mind.

Creating a trust and choosing the right person to manage it are crucial for protecting your wealth and preserving your legacy. While many people consider picking a family member, professional advisors like those at Credit Union Trust ofer a neutral, reliable option that can ease the burden on loved ones during emotional times.

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Your trusted ally, just one click away. Learn more today.

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Managing nances can be a challenge at any stage of life, and Community Choice Credit Union is committed to helping members navigate these complexities with free, personalized guidance and estate planning resources.

According to Catherine McMacken, product design manager, the credit union’s Choice Map program is a complimentarynancial management tool aimed at guiding members toward making sound decisions and achieving their nancial goals.

“We see ourselves as a nancial partner for our members, whether they’re dealing with short-term goals or long-term plans,” McMacken said. “Choice Map is a tool that o ers access to a personal nancial plan created by our credit union certi ed nancial counselors. Every member center employee is required to earn this certi cation.”

Choice Map also o ers a suite of user-friendly tools available through the mobile app. Members can check their credit score, set savings targets, create a budget and more—and it’s always free.

McMacken pointed out that similar programs from other companies can cost hundreds of dollars per month. “Even for members con dent in their nances, it never hurts to check in and explore options,” she said. “We are

Free Financial Guidance and Trust Services for Community Choice Credit Union Members

here to serve our members, not to pro t from them, o ering a second opinion much like a healthcare specialist might provide.”

For more specialized needs, Community Choice has partnered with Credit Union Trust to o er members seeking assistance with trust, estate and other duciary services. Credit Union Trust President and CEO Jordan Summers explained how this partnership bene ts members. “We’re an alternative to traditional bank trust departments,” he said. “Our services include acting as a trustee, conservator or personal representative, helping members settle estates and ensure their plans are carried out. While we don’t draft estate documents, we help members understand the process and make recommendations to attorneys and professionals who can.”

Summers emphasized the importance of estate planning, particularly for members with unique needs. “Blended families, special needs situations or adult children with a history of substance abuse—these are all scenarios where our services come into play. Planning for worst-case scenarios is critical, especially as we’re living longer and facing more complex family dynamics.”

McMacken emphasized the signi cance of having the right people in place. “Our personal advisors often speak to senior members about reaching out to bene -

ciaries and ensuring everything is properly documented,” she said. “Even something as simple as updating bene ciary information can make a huge di erence down the road.”

Summers added that proper estate planning can also help members avoid the probate process.

be unintended consequences,” he said.

Credit Union Trust only charges members when acting in an o cial capacity, such as serving as trustee or personal representative. For those planning for future appointments, there is no charge until the service is needed.

“Probate makes personal a airs public, which many people prefer to avoid,” he said. “By planning ahead, we can help members ensure their assets are distributed as they wish, without the added stress on their families.”

Estate planning is more important than ever, Summers said, citing the ongoing transfer of wealth from baby boomers to their heirs. “Without the right plan, there can

Community Choice Credit Union has 24 member centers located across the state of Michigan, including such metro Detroit communities as Eastpointe, Warren, Roseville, Royal Oak, Farmington Hills and more. It o ers comprehensive mobile banking services online or via its app from anywhere in the world. Visit www. communitychoicecu.com to learn more.

Reaume Bene ts Advisors O ers Health Care Solutions, HR

Navigating the world of health care, Medicare and voluntary benefits for individuals and groups can be a full-time job. It’s not something an individual or business owner can do on their own when other duties call.

That’s where Reaume Benefits Advisors/Senior Health Advisors can help.

“We specialize in small to medium sized group benefits which include health care from all the major carriers,” said owner Art Reaume. “We also have individual plans that one of our agents can provide consultation about.”

Whether you’re an individual or an owner looking for benefits for your employees, there’s no cost for a consultation with our team of experts. This initial fact-finding meeting will discover what your needs are,

and what your budget will allow. The team will then examine the plan design you have, and if you don’t have one, will help you decide and understand what that would entail.

RBA (Reaume Benefits Advisors) has been in business since 2003 and has stayed on top of all the changes to Medicare and the benefits marketplace.

“We work as consultants for people on Medicare. We help them decide which of the plans is going to best fit their needs for both prescription drug coverage and doctor network,” Reaume said. “We guide them on what plan makes the most sense for them.”

For business group coverage, RBA identifies the needs of the group to work within a budget that allows them to offer benefits.

“Benefits are the biggest issue for employers right now, and it helps employee retention for the employer,” Reaume said. “Being able to offer the proper plan and do it in an affordable manner is very critical.”

Once the right plans are identified, our advisors assist with the enrollment process and paperwork that can be “overwhelming” for those tasked with other duties, like daily business operations, without the benefit of an in-house human resources staff on the payroll.

“We become their benefits advisors and in

many cases we’re almost the backend for their HR needs,” Reaume said. “The paperwork and compliance issues, we’re able to assist them with that so they are able to stay compliant and manage their business without having to interrupt it with day-to-day HR and health care benefits issues.”

Estate sales

with a stress-free experience as Clearview Estate Sales & Auctions provides assistance with valuation, research, advertising and sales for each of their planned sales events.

“The industry standard (commission) is typically between 35-45%,” Deneau said in an email. “We however tailor each estate to the client’s needs. In estates that are higher dollar we lower the percentage to be fair to the client and ourselves. We also do not play the ‘first $5,000 is ours and then 45% after that’ like many companies do.”

On top of estate sales, another service that this business provides includes buy out and clean out services which allows for Clearview to quickly purchase and clean out items or residences so that the estate may be prepared for its next plans. Consignment sales are also available through their website, which features a variety of coins, antiques, jewelry, boats, motorcycles, vehicles and art among other items. Some items may be shipped to buyers, though most items are sold in person.

“We have a heavy online presence but we don’t specifically sell online,” Deneau said.

Through Clearview’s clients, Deneau and his staff have also found some unexpected items like homemade drug-related board games from the 1970s, tiny vials of cocaine, bricks of silver, and gold coins among other antiques and odd items. Deneau and his team will dispose of or hand over any concerning items like drugs and firearms to the proper authorities.

“You never know what you’re going to find,” Deneau said. “We’ve found all kinds of valuable crazy items.”

A lot of cleaning and preparation goes into each sale. If personal items are found, they will generally be hidden away in order to check with the clients.

“We scour the houses before the estate sale,” Deneau said. “We also reduce commission on high end items.”

These estate sales will generally run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the different addresses listed and each sale may take a few days depending on the client’s preferences. Once the sale ends, clients can expect to receive their check after a week.

“Everything is beautifully displayed,”

Deneau said. “We get an eclectic mix of people and have gathered such a following. Our clients do very well.”

In July 2024, Deneau’s company worked with a retired 91-year-old resident of Long Lake Road in Troy, with the assistance of the resident’s friend and neighbor Karol Szymula, for a large estate sale that featured a large collection of different art pieces and antiquities.

“We already tried to help him sell some things,” Szymula said. “Clearview is the best and really tries to give the best bang.”

This Troy sale saw a long line of people come through, with over 130 people signed in for this event.

“When we started on Thursday, the first guy in line came from Seattle,” Szymula said. “The line never stopped.”

According to Szymula, it took roughly around 15 months to get the house prepared for the sale with over 2,500 boxes full of stuff. The sale likely brought in over $100,000.

“The sale was unbelievably successful,” Szymula said. “We couldn’t do what Chris has done. It’s amazing.”

For more information, visit seniorcoun seling.info or clearviewestatesales.com.

Pictured are a variety items that were part of a Troy estate sale.

Photo provided by Clearview Estate Sales & Auctions

HOMES

24A/OCTOBER 30, 2024

SELLERS SHOULD CONSIDER HIGH-IMPACT, LOW-COST RENOVATION PROJECTS

BY MARY GENSON mgenson@candgnews.com

METRO DETROIT — Before putting a house on the market, a little work can go a long way when it comes to attracting buyers.

However, these improvements do not necessarily have to be expensive projects. Local real estate agents shared recommendations for high-impact, low-cost projects that sellers can do to impress potential buyers.

Polishing the exterior

Buyers often make judgments on a home they are looking at before they even walk through the door. That is why it is important to make sure the exterior of a home is well-maintained before trying to sell. This can mean working on the landscaping, power washing dirty walkways and fixing up exterior paint.

“The curb appeal is the first thing people notice when they are walking up to the home,” said Rebecca Gulyas, of Gulyas Group Realtors in Birmingham.

While landscaping is important, there are some months in Michigan where certain outdoor projects are not realistic. If this is the case, it is still important to make sure the outside of the home looks clean and polished. For example, sellers should assess their exterior paint and address any spots that are peeling.

John Farhat, a Royal Oak realtor at Keller Williams, said, “A lot of people touch up paint inside, but very few people do that on the outside and I do think it’s equally as important.”

A fresh coat of paint

When it comes to the inside, there are several things sellers can do to make their home more attractive to buyers. In many cases, improvement begins with a can of paint.

“I think paint is one department where you can stretch your money quite a bit,” Farhat said.

Rather than a project that costs a lot of money for a small area, paint can brighten

the whole house.

When putting fresh paint on the walls, it is important to consider what buyers might be looking for in a home. For this purpose, neutral colors are usually the best option.

“Keep in mind that what your style has been while you’ve lived there may not be what everybody’s style is that is looking to make your home theirs,” Farhat said.

Farhat added that a fresh coat of paint can improve unexpected areas of the house such as an unfinished basement, garage or storage areas.

“A coat of paint could be the difference between someone getting excited about a room or wanting to stay away from it,” Farhat said.

If painting the house is not in the budget, Gulyas said sellers at the bare minimum should wash their walls before putting their house on the market.

Appliances

Many people notice the little things when buying a home. When sellers fine-tune the details of their home before putting it on the market, they might impress prospective buyers.

Farhat said that adding new appliances to a kitchen is a quick way to make an improvement. This might not necessarily fall under the category of a cheap fix, but he said there are typically good deals on appliances around the holidays.

“Fresh new appliances can make a kitchen feel so much newer in a day by literally changing nothing up except appliances,” Farhat said.

Smell

Looks are not the only factor buyers consider when searching for a home. While it is important for the space to look nice, it also needs to smell good — or at least not have any concerning scents.

Gulyas said sellers with pets should make sure they are paying attention to how their house smells. She said buyers can know within a minute of walking into a home if

they want to live in it, which is why it is important to make sure that the first thing they smell is not the pets.

However, the answer to covering up smells is not through an excess of air fresheners. Gulyas said this can lead buyers to jump to the conclusion that the seller is hiding

ABOVE: When prepping a home to sell, it is important that the landscaping is well maintained.

Since sellers do not know the personal color preferences of the buyers, it is often safest to paint the walls neutral colors.

something that would be causing the house to smell bad. To make their home as compelling as possible to buyers, sellers should make their home look and smell as clean and updated as possible. Call Staff Writer Mary Genson at (586) 498-1095.

TOP: Painting an unfinished basement can make the space feel more welcoming.

LEFT:

Photos provided by John Farhat

Mother, son dead in Warren murder-suicide

BY GENA JOHNSON gjohnson@candgnews.com

WARREN — A mother fatally shot her son then killed herself in what police said was a murder-suicide in the 13000 block of Geoffrey Drive, near 12 Mile and Schoenherr roads, Oct. 20.

Warren police were dispatched to the Geoffrey residence at approximately 8:22 a.m. A 33-year-old man called 911 after his mother reportedly pointed a gun at him after he awoke that morning. The son told police his mother and he had a brief struggle. He ran to a neighbor’s house for safety and then called 911.

Police reportedly arrived immediately after the call. Officers unsuccessfully tried to

make contact with the woman, who was inside of the house. Shortly after, police heard gunshots coming from inside. They reportedly entered the house and found the woman and her 26-year-old special needs son with gunshot wounds. Investigators determined the mother shot her son, and then shot herself.

Police called for Warren Fire Department paramedics who attempted lifesaving measures, but the mother and son were pronounced dead at the scene.

“There does not appear to be a history of mental illness with the mother,” police said in a release.

The investigation was active and ongoing on Oct. 21.

Call Staff Writer Gena Johnson at (586) 498-1069.

Morning practices alter the landscape for Mott swim and dive

BY JONATHAN SZCZEPANIAK jszczepaniak@candgnews.com

WARREN — If you asked senior Aggie Broadwell where her teammates’ heads were at before the season, she’d would’ve told you they were already underwater.

“We definitely got an early start this year,” Broadwell said. “People were already putting the work in at our summer practices with conditioning. There was a lot of effort put in there. We were ready to be in the pool before the pool was even open.”

What the four-year varsity swimmer and her teammates didn’t anticipate was a change in their ordinary routine.

Returning a senior core of Broadwell, Emily Kim, Megan Melnyk (four-year varsity swimmer), and Abigail Hinman (fouryear varsity swimmer) boded well for a potentially successful year for the Marauders, and a 91-41 win over St. Clair Shores Lake Shore to open the season showed its potential.

But if Mott was going to be a threat in the Macomb Area Conference Silver, which it last won in 2017, head coach Katie Braschayko would have to turn to a different tactic.

It started with morning practices, a first-ever introduction for a Marauders team that was now asked to be up and in the pool by 5:30 a.m. on Monday and Wednesdays.

“It was like a bunch of zombies walking into the pool,” Broadwell said. “You’d never seen people so tired, but not one of them complained. I was very impressed.”

It was a testament to their dedication to not only the team but to themselves in efforts to elevate their skill set, and the first true measuring stick to the morning practices’ impact came when the Marauders faced the reigning MAC Silver champions, Warren

SPORTS

Cousino, Sept. 19.

As Melnyk and Kim led the way with four first-place finishes each, Mott swam away with a 102-62 win over Cousino.

A week after that, Mott handled Sterling Heights 104-55 courtesy of impressive performances from Broadwell, Kim, Melnyk, junior Irena Abboud, sophomore Katrin Khamo, and sophomore Briana Turner.

“We haven’t won against (Warren) Cousino in a while, and we’re always close with Sterling (Heights),” Braschayko said.

“One year we win and one year they win, so it’s always back to back. Cousino was one of those like, ‘We got to beat Cousino.’”

One by one, swimmers for Mott were checking off the goal sheet Braschayko kept on the pool deck before Mott put a final stamp on its league-winning season with a win over Center Line Oct. 17, holding an unbeaten league record (4-0) and sending the entire team into a frenzy of excitement.

“It was as if someone put a wire in the pool with how fast those girls were swimming,” Broadwell said. “They were ready and they were determined. It was like an electric shock was sent through the entire team. When we got our score back, I don’t think I’ve ever been so proud and so excited in my four years I’ve been here.”

It’s tough to find a senior group more deserving than Mott’s, for injuries and outside factors held back the senior group from reaching its full potential at times.

Regardless, Broadwell, Hinman, Kim, and Melnyk — the only Mott swimmer to qualify for counties — battled through it all and ended their high school careers on a high note, setting the tone for future classes to follow.

“We had senior night against Lamphere, and I told them on the blocks, ‘You guys are like the foundation to this team right now with the way you hold everybody up together and keep the house stable,’” Braschayko said.

With a standout year comes expectations, and it will be up to the underclassmen and junior group to continue the success the Marauders achieved this season.

Luckily for Braschayko, the underclassmen group flexed its muscles all year, showcasing what the future has in store for Mott swim and dive.

Khamo and Turner headline the returning group alongside freshman Addie Mench, sophomore Mackenzie Forrester, freshman Yana Mykhaylyak, and freshman Emmalyn Hinman, Abigail’s younger sister.

Photos by Erin Sanchez

TOP: Warren Mott senior Emily Kim competes in the 200-yard freestyle in a meet against Romeo and Harrison Township L’Anse Creuse High School Oct. 22 at L’Anse Creuse High School. ABOVE: Warren Mott freshman

Emmalyn Hinman competes in the 200-yard IM in a meet against Romeo and Harrison Township L’Anse Creuse High School Oct. 22 at L’Anse Creuse High School.

WARREN MAN CREATES VIDEO GAME INSPIRED BY ANXIETY STRUGGLES

INDIE TITLE ‘AHRO’ AVAILABLE NOW ON NINTENDO SWITCH AND STEAM

BY ANDY KOZLOWSKI akozlowski@candgnews.com

WARREN — Inspired by his own journey overcoming panic attacks, and wishing to help others do the same, a Warren resident has released a video game with no combat or “game over” screen. It’s a game where players guide a man on a contemplative journey seeking a cure for the darkness that ails him.

The game is “Ahro,” available now on Nintendo Switch and the PC games platform Steam. Developed by Joel Vile, of Warren, and his company Oeh Interactive, the title is published by Nakana.io, an indie label focused on art house games. It launched Sept. 27.

“Ahro” follows a man of the same name through a setting inspired by premodern Asia, with highly stylized landscapes depicted from a 2D side-scrolling view. The protagonist has been experiencing panic attacks, called “breakdowns” in the game. When herbal remedies bring him only mild relief, he sets off on a journey seeking a miracle cure spoken of in legend.

There is no combat in “Ahro.” Instead, there is a strong focus on environmental storytelling — a hallmark of a video game genre often called “walking simulators.” It uses atmosphere and intrigue to draw players into its world, encouraging players to thoroughly explore their surroundings and find key items that open the way forward, advancing the narrative. The largely wordless tale is expressed primarily with subtle audiovisual cues.

The man also has a special power: he

Swimming

from page 28A

“They’re going to be somebody you don’t want to mess with their junior and senior years,” Braschayko said. “Addie had some background with swim lessons, but we stuck her in the water like, ‘Alright, we’re going to do breast, fly, and back,’” just to see what it looks like. Literally everything looks perfect, but it’s just about getting the strength, speed, and stamina for it. Same thing with Emmalyn, and she’s got that drive to be better than Abby (Abigail).”

Turner will surely keep the group loose

can release his spirit from his body when standing at certain platforms, at which point players control a wisp of light that soars freely through the sky above. In spirit form, players can access areas that would otherwise be out of reach, finding new items and story beats, as well as secrets.

“While in many ways it’s very simple, there’s a light strategy or puzzle-type mechanic to the gameplay loop that often surprises people once they start to understand it,” Vile said. “Part of the challenge is understanding the mechanics of the game, especially at first. That’s in addition to understanding the symbolism and the story. Players who are naturally curious will get the most out of the experience.”

Vile said that his game places a strong emphasis on what he describes as “collectible lore” — fragments of information, with three hidden in each level. Once acquired, these can be read as a summary in the pause menu, providing more insight into the game’s world and mythos.

Players can also use their phone to scan an included QR code that will link them to an expanded “lore page” in a printable PDF format. If the player collects all 15 fragments in the game, a new code becomes available that links to a complete booklet with the full story. Vile teases there is a larger puzzle to be solved within the booklet, and the solution unlocks more secrets in the game.

The saying goes that you can’t truly understand another person’s experiences until you’ve walked a mile in their shoes, and games like “Ahro” embody that concept by

and full of laughter, which she accomplished this year by lightening the mood with a certain kind of buttons.

“She took a photo of coach Elliot (Stansberry), my assistant coach, and I’s faces and made buttons out of them,” Braschayko said. “I was not expecting that. She gave it to the whole team and they all came into practice wearing buttons with our faces.”

With all the momentum and excitement on its side, the reigning league champions will look to successfully defend their title in 2025.

Mott will end its season at the MAC Silver division championships Nov. 8-9 at Sterling Heights High School.

Proposals

from page 1A

be levied for the proposed bonds in 2025, under current law, is 1.40 mills.

Van Dyke Public Schools Superintendent Piper Bognar said via email the bond issue will benefit the district and community in several ways.

“The bond is a way to ensure that our Van Dyke community receives the best in a fantastic environment with no tax increase. First, it will allow us to do critical maintenance on our buildings, including roof replacements and HVAC upgrades,” Bognar said. “We will also be able to do at least one or two more iterations of technology upgrades for students and staff. As far as ‘pretty’ projects, we’re looking at installing a new turf field and track, as well as a multipurpose community room at Lincoln High School.”

The district’s last bond issue passed in 2008 for $62.6 million, which provided funding for school building safety and security upgrades, technology enhancements and building updates throughout the district. With that bond, taxpayers paid 8 mills on it. If the 2024 bond proposal passes, the tax rate will decrease a bit with district residents paying 7 mills. That is why school officials are calling it a zero-mill increase.

“Strong neighborhood schools are the cornerstone of a strong community,” Bognar said. “A safe and secure environment is necessary for students to learn and staff to provide an education. Updating the facilities is a must. We’ll start by replacing two roofs and move on to HVAC and other work in our buildings.”

HVAC stands for heating, ventilation,

rental property.

The operating millage rate replacement, if approved, contributes directly to the district’s operating budget and assists in maintaining educational programs for students.

The proposal, if authorized, would replace, restore and extend the authority of the school district, which expires with the 2027 tax levy, to levy up to 18 mills for general school district operating purposes on taxable property in the school district.

According to the ballot language provided by the Macomb County Clerk/Register of Deeds Office, the operating millage, if approved and levied, would provide estimated revenues to the district of $857,642 during the 2024 calendar year, to be used for general operating purposes.

and air conditioning.

“We appreciate the support from our community and know what a great opportunity this bond will provide,” Bognar said. “We look forward to the continued growth and success of our students.”

School officials have worked with SiteLogIQ to create a facilities management plan, which led to the bond proposal. Should the bond proposal pass, SiteLogIQ will manage the construction projects.

If the bond passes, work on the projects would begin next summer. If the bond does not pass, school officials will go back to the drawing board.

“Operating a school district is sometimes like owning a home. There are some items that are expensive and nearly impossible to fund,” Bognar said. “State and federal budgets don’t adequately allow for roof replacements, new boilers, etc. so that we

can continue to provide the best opportunities for our students.”

Go to the district’s website at vdps.net to view the details of the impending projects or call the bond hotline at (888) 786-7168 for more information.

Warren Consolidated Schools operating millage replacement

Residents in the Warren Consolidated Schools district are being asked to consider keeping the district’s operating millage rate steady for the next 10 years.

According to school officials, the operating millage replacement is not a tax increase for community homeowners on their principal residence. If approved, the operating millage would allow the district to levy the statutory limit of 18 mills on non-homestead property, which is primarily industrial and commercial real property and residential

If the millage renewal does not pass, the district will receive 19 percent less funding for the next 10 years, which would negatively impact programs, class sizes, learning supplies, staffing, utilities and extracurricular activities.

The millage affects only the district’s general fund. It is not related to the $150 million capital improvement bond that passed in 2022.

At the Oct. 16 Warren Consolidated Schools Board of Education meeting, Superintendent John Bernia encouraged community members to read up on the millage proposal on the district’s website at WCSKIDS. NET.

“There is a plenty of information, frequently asked questions and contact information just to make sure that the community is informed when they go to vote about proposal,” he said.

Call Staff Writer Maria Allard at (586) 498-1045.

Dr. Bergeron has comprehensive education, training, and experience in hospital and clinic-based patient care. She excels in all areas of foot and ankle care with specific training and interest in wound care and foot and ankle surgery (including cutting-edge minimally invasive techniques designed to minimize surgical trauma and help patients recover faster).

Photo provided by SiteLogIQ

Van Dyke Public Schools will have a $36.1 million bond proposal on the Nov. 5 general election ballot.

Friends

say that we’ve been blessed because these two have been in our life,” Cummings said.

To lighten the somber mood, the minister asked those in attendance to turn to their neighbor and take a minute and tell the “craziest story” they had about Hayden and Pettis, but not to get them in trouble. A buzz of conversation could be heard, and more smiles were seen in the audience.

Family and friends honored both men with their remarks. Cedric was affectionately referred to as “Twan” by many who spoke, and DeJuan as “Juan.”

Hayden worked the afternoon shift at Stellantis. He was also a fashion and shoe designer. His brand was “Fashionable Illness.”

“I’m the fashion and he’s the illness,” said one of Hayden’s older cousins.

Hayden was described as “Warmhearted, with a contagious smile, fun-loving, and the life of the party.” He was deeply family oriented, and his daughters Lynnira, 16, and Sarai, 7, were the center of his life and world.

Hayden and his daughter Lynnira’s mother, Jeanette Taylor, met at Clintondale High School.

“He would always tease me about how I kissed him when we first met without even asking,” Taylor said.

“The last year and a half we got so close, he apologized for all his mess-ups,” she added.

“He became so spiritual; the Lord definitely was preparing him for this day whether we wanted it or not. He cleaned his mind, body and soul right before our eyes,” she said.

Many who spoke talked about how Hayden had changed his life. He was happy with himself, eating well, drinking sparkling water, carrying crystals and educating his family about the chakras.

Hayden was also described as having a playful nature. His father, Cedric Hayden Sr., told a story that reflected this and their bond.

“He was staying with me. Each night our hours would cross at work and each one would make sure the other one had a meal when they came in,” Hayden Sr. said.

When the senior Hayden came in, Hayden Jr. was laughing and asked his dad, “Did you eat the chicken?”

Hayden Sr. said, “I’m not going to eat the chicken because you’re laughing.”

While this was happening, the father said he smelled cinnamon rolls but didn’t see any in the kitchen. Hayden Jr. kept laughing. Hayden Sr. then took a bite of the chicken, and his son asked, “Is it good?

“No,” Hayden Sr. said.

“It was my secret ingredient,” Hayden Jr. said.

“Your secret ingredient? Why did you put it on my food?” Hayden Sr. said. “He put cinnamon on the chicken.”

“We sat in the kitchen and kept laughing,” Hayden Sr. added. “I gave him all the chicken and ate a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.”

Pettis worked the afternoon shift at General Motors. He picked up his new Dodge Durango just a few weeks ago.

He was described in his obituary as, “A man of great integrity and whose strength of charter left an incredible mark on all who knew him. A dedicated father of two beloved sons, Devin (9) and DeJuan, Jr. (7).”

“Throughout his life DeJuan embodied the value of hard work, integrity and compassion. His legacy is not measured by the accomplishments he gathered, but by the profound impact he had on the people he encountered. To know him was an experience of rare and genuine kindness, a heart open to all, and a spirit of unwavering optimism,” Maurice Jones said.

“Though our hearts ache with his passing, we find comfort in the lessons he taught us, the love he shared, and the example he set. His memory will forever be cherished,” Jones added.

Pettis attended Denby High School in Detroit where he remained friends with many of his classmates. His high school friend, Reggie Carr, described Pettis as softspoken but as someone who would always get noticed because he was funny.

Carr told a story about how it was a trend in their high school for some groups to pick on kids who were seen as vulnerable.

“Somebody came up to Juan and said, ‘Go beat him up.’ Juan turned to him and said, ‘How about I beat you up?’ That was one of the most memorable things about his character,” Carr said. “That is the mindset of a leader. That’s what I remember about Juan.”

Carr spoke about the “responsible man” Pettis had become. He said he does not live in the area, but had heard reports that Pettis’ mother, Charisse Brown said, “Every time I would see my son, he would look me in the eye and say I’m going to take care of you.”

Carr said that was a part of Pettis he did not see when they were 13 and 14 years old, “Because boys wanted to be tough.”

Many spoke about how the two men were loved, how they will be missed, and how their light will never dim.

“Gone too soon,” was repeated throughout the service.

Call Staff Writer Gena Johnson at (586) 498-1069.

allowing players to accompany their character on a deeply personal journey. While the premise of “Ahro” is fantastical, the message at the heart of the tale is down to earth, drawing upon Vile’s own struggles with a condition called panic disorder.

He explained that the protagonist, Ahro, is not a warrior trying to save the world. Rather, he is someone who has experienced trauma and loss, and who is trying to make sense of his past in order to overcome anxiety in the present.

“I started dealing with pretty frequent and intense panic attacks in my late 20s, rather suddenly and without an immediate understanding of why. I was later diagnosed with panic disorder, and spent years learning how to deal with it,” Vile said. “Dealing with panic attacks has been, without a doubt, the most difficult thing in my life. Thankfully, while I still have some difficulty with it, I’m better than I was before, by orders of magnitude.”

He said he followed the adage of “write what you know” in crafting the scenario for “Ahro.”

“I really wanted to feel like I could make

something positive out of such a difficult experience,” Vile said. “It turned out to be kind of unpleasant at first — publicly dealing with it and needing to think about it all in the form of a game. But looking back, it was actually a vital part of me coming to terms with anxiety and panic disorder. For me, facing and accepting the issue, rather than trying to solve it or run from it, was the biggest key.”

“Ahro” is Vile’s debut game, unless you count a fan mod he made for the seminal first-person shooter “Doom” back in the 1990s. He graduated from the College for Creative Studies with a degree in graphic design and has worked for more than 20 years in advertising, digital marketing, web and print design. He has long wanted to create his own work of art, purely for himself and not for a client. He feels that with “Ahro,” he has been able to accomplish just that.

The idea to create an indie title first came about 10 years ago. In the end, the team consisted of his brother Kevin as lead programmer, and Joel himself for nearly everything else: game director, art director, sound director, character designer, scenario writer, and more. “Ahro” is set in a world he has dreamt of since his early 20s.

A friend, Rich Geyer, assisted with programming early on, while another friend, Julie Craft, helped with brainstorming ideas for

the game in general. A mix of people worked on the soundtrack. Andrzej Jezierski provided additional programming for the port from PC to Switch.

Development sped up in the spring of 2020 when Vile was laid off from a job in advertising due to the pandemic. At first, he looked for other jobs, but then he decided to take a break from his normal career and focus 100% on finishing the game. He also redoubled his efforts to contact publishers around the world, catching the attention of a few who didn’t think it would fit for their companies, but who provided pitching tips and helped spread the word.

Eventually, Vile discovered Nakana. io through a list of independent publishers shared on the indie gaming scene. While Nakana.io isn’t funding the game, the publisher provided access to the Nintendo eShop for distribution on the Switch — a platform with more than 141 million units sold as of August 2024. Nakana.io also provided marketing assistance and other resources.

“The game likely would not have crossed the finish line without Nakana,” Vile said. “I can’t say enough good things about them.”

In a statement, Mikaël Bourget, the Polish-based founder of Nakana.io, said he decided to publish the game based on its vibes, message and approach to storytelling.

He described the game as both “relaxing” and “strangely thrilling.”

“With a stylish visual and audio atmosphere, no violence and just a few words, its storytelling is unique and universal,” Bourget said.

For those aspiring to make their own indie title, Vile had some words of advice.

“My tips would be to have something unique, or a unique take on a specific genre, so it’ll be less likely to be overlooked,” Vile said.

He cautioned against oversaturated genres such as “roguelikes,” where players explore randomized levels acquiring upgrades that are lost upon defeat, or “Metroidvanias,” a genre where players search for abilities that allow them to reach new places.

“Create a good pitch deck, and then contact every publisher you can,” Vile said. “If they respond saying they aren’t interested, politely ask for advice or if they could refer you to anyone else. Always be super flexible and polite, and try to keep your emails as short and succinct as possible.

“Additionally, I will say I was surprised to find the indie dev and publisher scene is a pretty small world,” Vile said. “And overall, everyone is really kind and helpful.”

For more information and to watch the trailer, visit the game’s website, ahro-game. com.

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

35A/ WARREN WEEKLY • OCTOBER 30, 2024

OCT. 31

Trick-or-treating: Drop-in event, 5-7:45 p.m., Warren Public Library - Burnette Branch, 23345 Van Dyke Ave., (586) 353-0579, warrenlibrary.net

NOV. 1-3

‘The Addams Family - Young@Part’: Performance by Warren Civic Theatre, musical features two casts of youth and teens (ages 7-18), 7 p.m. Nov. 1, 3 and 7 p.m. Nov. 2, and 3 p.m. Nov. 3, Warren Community Center, 5460 Arden Ave., warrencivic.org

NOV. 2

Craft show: 9 a.m.-4 p.m., St. Anne Catholic Grade School, 5920 Arden Ave. in Warren, facebook.com/ stannewarren

Macomb Reads Carnival: Featuring puppet show, author Jonathan Rand and illustrator Bea Jackson, free kids books, STEM and art activities, DJ, music, games, costumed charatcers and school mascots, cider and doughnuts, and more, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Macomb Intermediate School District, 44001 Garfield Road in Clinton Township, misd.net/macombreads

NOV. 9

Harvest Game Night Fundraiser: Also dinner and drinks, separate fee for poker tournament, presented by United Spinal Association of Michigan, 6-11 p.m.,

The Gazebo, 31104 Mound Road in Warren, (734) 604-1498, unitedspinal.sm@gmail.com

NOV. 10

Detroit Area Auto Modelers Toy Show: 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Sports & Expo Center, Building P on Macomb Community College - South Campus, 14500 E. 12 Mile Road in Warren, (586) 344-9496, daambear@gmail.com, facebook.com/detroitareaautomodelers

NOV. 13

Family Safety Night: Demonstrations and tips from police and fire departments, CPR and smoke detector program signups, health screenings, food trucks and more, 5-7 p.m., Owen Jax Recreation Center, 8207 E. Nine Mile Road in Warren, cityofwarren.org/events

NOV. 14

Warren Fall Senior Expo: Connect with dozens of organizations specializing in assistance and care, also free health screenings, prizes, giveaways and refreshments, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Warren Community Center, 5460 Arden Ave., seniorexpousa.com

NOV. 15

Veterans Day – Brass & Breakfast: Food, drinks and “honoring heroes with harmony,” for Warren residents, 10:30 a.m., Warren City Hall, 1 City Square, RSVP to mayor@cityofwarren.org or (586) 574-4520

To view more Community Calendar and to submit your own, use the QR code or visit candgnews.com/calendar. To advertise an event, call (586) 498-8000.

NOV. 16

Chic and Unique Vintage Market: 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Sports & Expo Center, Building P on Macomb Community College - South Campus, 14500 E. 12 Mile Road in Warren, (734) 250-2328, chicanduniquemi.com

NOV. 22-24

Michigan State Numismatic Society Fall Convention & Coin Show: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Nov. 22-23 and 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Nov. 24, Sports & Expo Center, Building P on Macomb Community College - South Campus, 14500 E. 12 Mile Road in Warren, (734) 453-0504, michigancoinclub.org

NOV. 23

CBA Holiday Arts & Crafts Show: Also 50-50, cookie walk, and pierogi, pies and greenery for sale, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., De La Salle Collegiate High School, 14600 Common Road in Warren, delasallehs.com/events/ craft-show

NOV. 24

Warren Symphony Orchestra: Hear music composed by Beethoven, Brahms and Strauss, 3-5 p.m., Warren Woods Middle School, 13400 12 Mile Road, www. warrensymphonyorchestra.com

NOV. 26-27

Free medicare help: Hosted by Michigan Medicare

Assistance Program and AgeWays, meet with trained counselor by appointment, 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Nov. 26, Fitzgerald Recreation Center, 4355 E. Nine Mile Road in Warren, also 9 a.m.–2:30 p.m. Nov. 27, Owen Jax Community Center, 8207 E. Nine Mile Road in Warren, (800) 803-7174

NOV. 30

Christmas Craft and Vendor Show: Also food and drinks, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., plus visit with Santa, noon-2 p.m., Macomb Elks Lodge, 25950 Schoenherr Road in Warren, (586) 771-8550, cityofwarren.org/events

ONGOING

Warren Tri-County Fine Arts: Meets every first Tuesday of month until June, 5:30 p.m., Warren Community Center, 5460 Arden Ave., warrenfinearts.net, facebook. net/WTCFA

Historical Society of Center Line: Meets 10 a.m.-noon most first Fridays of month, Center Line Public Library, 7345 Weingartz St., (586) 758-8274, centerline.events.mylibrary.digital

La Leche League of Warren: Meetings for pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers, 6:30-7:30 p.m. every third Wednesday of month, Warren Public Library - Civic Center inside Warren City Hall, 1 City Square, lllofwarren.weebly.com

Apartments/Flats For Rent

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Condos/Duplexes For Rent

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SALE OF GOODS TO SATISFY SELF-STORAGE FACILITY LIEN THE UNDERSIGNED WILL SELL AT PUBLIC AUCTION BY ACCEPTING SEALED BIDS AT 4:00 PM ON NOVEMBER 26TH

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UNITS® of Detroit, moving and portable storage.

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Vacation Property & Time Shares

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Special Events & Announcements

HOLIDAY CRAFTFAIR November2nd, 9am-4pm, St.MartinDeporres, 31555HooverRd. Warren, FreeAdmission

Antiques & Collectibles

BUYING Coins,SportCards& StampsCollections Top$$$ Call248-471-4451

Miscellaneous For Sale

WHEN veterinarycareis unavailableorunaffordable,askforHappyJack® animalhealthcarefor cats,dogs,&horses.At TractorSupply® (www.happyjackinc.com)

Miscellaneous For Sale

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Rummage Sale

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Dogs & Cats For Sale

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OFFERINGS AROUND MICHIGAN

AUCTION

Greta VanFleet Online Auction. Bid through 11-4-24. Wood working power tools, Coleman, Igloo coolers, carnival glass, Christmas decorations, antiques, more! To bid, see other great auctions visit Bid. SherwoodAuctionServiceLLC.com. Questions, call 1-800-835-0495.

Huron Clinton Metro Parks Surplus Online Auction, 11-16-24. Prior years included golf carts, vehicles, plow trucks, loaders, backhoe, gator, trailers, lawn maintenance equipment and more! CrydermanAuctions.com for photos, to bid. 586-784-8890.

Multiple Quality Auctions bidding open now. Commercial woodworking, machinist’s tools, reloading equipment, ammo, tools, farm, household. Bid @ JohnPeckAuctions.com Selling? Call John Peck 989-426-8061. Ofices Charlotte & Gladwin. Statewide auctions since 1979.

BUILDINGS

BUILT RITE POLE BUILDINGS

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IF YOU HAD KNEE OR BACK SURGERY, SUFFERING AN INFECTION POST- OPERATIVELY and a Bair Hugger (BLUE BLANKET) was used during the surgery, between 2020present, you may be entitled to compensation. Attorney Charles H. Johnson 1-800-535-5727

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Bathrooms

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Brick Work

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Brick Work

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Carpet Cleaning

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Heating & Cooling

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Electrical

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Gutters

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Why PT Is Essential For Preventing Falls As We Age

Falls are prevalent in the older population, many result in moderate to severe injury.

Skilled PT can help decrease risks of falls by addressing multiple risk factors a patient may present with.

PT can provide education about fall prevention, teach exercises to improve strength and mobility and balance, instruct safer strategies for mobility within your home.

The fear of falling is one of the most common complaints of our older patients. That’s because they know it frequently leads to hospitalization, loss of independence, and even death.

Fall Risk is Progressive, But PT Can Reduce and Even Reverse it.

• Muscle Strength: A detailed assessment of the muscles in the legs is performed to identify key muscles that may be weak. An emphasis is placed on the muscles that are most active during standing, balance, and walking, as weakness in these muscles can lead to falls.

• Balance: Balance during standing and walking is assessed both on firm (tile) and uneven (foam) surfaces. A physical therapist will also assess your gait and ability to perform pivot turns to gauge safety in the home and community. Depending on the extent of the balance deficits, your balance may also be assessed with your eyes closed.

• Functional Limitations: A physical therapist may assess your ability to stand up from a chair, climb stairs, and traverse curbs to see where your baseline is. Overall, a physical therapist will give you exercises to help you restore and improve your individual functional limitations.

Melissa J. Orille, DPT,