Detroit sailor killed at Pearl Harbor laid to rest/5A
Pearl Harbor artifacts link back to day of infamy 83 years ago/5A
Council approves capital improvement, master plans
BY ALYSSA OCHSS aochss@candgnews.com
BY NICK POWERS npowers@candgnews.com
METRO DETROIT — Lots of coins get dropped in the Salvation Army’s red kettles, but for 12 years one donation has stood out. On Dec. 2, a mysterious deep-pocketed donor dropped off a final gold Krugerrand coin at a Kroger in St. Clair Shores.
The St. Clair Shores City Council approved the master plan draft in a 6-1 vote and a capital improvement plan in a 7-0 vote at their meeting on Dec. 2.
Councilwoman Candice Rusie cast the opposing vote against the master plan draft.
In an interview, Community Development and Inspections Director Denise Pike explained the master plan is a visionary document stating where the city is looking to evolve. She said it includes the current conditions of the city including demographics, its physical profile and more.
“It also talks about where do we see transitions happening, where do we envision that would be in the city,” Pike said. “It talks about current (conditions), but then it talks about (the) future and really kind of lays out a road map to get to one place from the other.”
Pike also said the current master plan is a revision of previous master plans and that the last one was completed in 2016. Work on the current master plan started in 2023. Pike said the consultant from Spalding DeDecker
GOLD COIN GETS DROPPED IN RED KETTLE ONE LAST TIME
The donor’s identity has been kept secret throughout the years. The coin has been dropped
See KETTLE on page 8A
This year’s coin came with a note: “Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night! I am sorry to say — this is my last (Krugerrand). Hoping there are others who have (Krugerrands) that can help keep up this tradition in the future to help so many in need during the holidays. God Bless!”
Photo by Patricia O’Blenes
The St. Clair Shores City Council approved the master plan draft in a 6-1 vote and a capital improvement plan in a 7-0 vote at their meeting on Dec. 2. These plans are layouts of goals for the city.
See MASTER PLANS on page 12A
Shores firefighters to host ‘Night at the Races’ fundraiser
BY ALYSSA OCHSS aochss@candgnews.com
The St. Clair Shores Firefighters Local 1744 is hosting a Night at the Races event to raise money for a good cause.
Sean Porter, president of the St. Clair Shores Firefighters Fund, said the Night at the Races is a virtual horse racing event. He said there are 10 prerecorded races picked randomly from thousands of races.
“So you have no idea whose or what horse is going to win,” Porter said. “It’s completely random.”
The union sells horses until the event on Jan. 26 and, Porter said, the winning horse’s buyer doubles their money. There will be 100 horses for eventgoers to buy and a person can buy more than one horse.
“(It is) $25 per horse. If your horse wins, you win $50,” Porter said.
Admission for the event is $60, and it is for adults 21 and older.
Porter said that the winning horse will then get auctioned off. There will be a bonus race, and the winner of that race will double their money as well.
Porter also said that eventgoers can bet on the horses and that allows those who do to win the bet as well. Betters can name their horses any funny name they want, Porter said.
The event will also feature a 50/50 raffle, hors d’oeuvres, drinks and a separate elimination raffle. Firefighter Michael Haddad, a driver and engineer with the St. Clair Shores Fire Department, said they will sell 150 raffle tickets with 50 prizes for eventgo-
Local woman helps stray cats in need
BY ALYSSA OCHSS aochss@candgnews.com
HARRISON TOWNSHIP — A love for animals and inspiration from friends got this Harrison Township resident into making cat carriers to keep stray cats warm during the winter.
Jo Addington learned how to make the carriers around 10 years ago.
“A lot of them (cats) don’t have shelters,” Jo said. “They’re out in the cold. People dump them, leave them and they have nowhere to go all winter.”
Photo provided by Michael Haddad
The Night at the Races raises money for the Firefighters Union Local 1744 cancer fund to help members of the department and other local departments.
Photo by Patricia O’Blenes
Jo Addington poses with Sandy the cat who sits atop one of the cat carriers she made.
BY ALYSSA OCHSS aochss@candgnews.com
Thanksgiving
Detroit sailor killed at Pearl Harbor laid to rest
John Cuthbert Auld’s remains identified through DNA
BY MARIA ALLARD allard@candgnews.com
DETROIT — While growing up, Richard Auld remembers his grandmother, Lillian, and his dad, Edwin, sharing memories about a family member named Jack.
But he wasn’t sure who Jack was, until one day he realized the stories were about his uncle, John Cuthbert Auld, who was nicknamed Jack. The U.S. Navy man, who grew up in Detroit, was killed during the bombing of Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941.
This year marks the 83rd anniversary of the Pearl Harbor attack, which killed approximately 2,400 American service members and civilians.
In time, Auld learned more about his uncle, a 23-year-old seaman 2nd class who was aboard the USS Oklahoma when naval and air forces of the Japanese empire attacked the American base on Hawaii’s island of Oahu. On the following day, Dec. 8, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt addressed Congress and asked for a declaration
See SAILOR on page 20A
on Dec. 7, 1941. At press time, he was expected to be laid to rest on Dec. 6 with full military honors at Fairview Memorial Park in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Pearl Harbor artifacts link
back to day of infamy 83 years ago
BY DEAN VAGLIA dvaglia@candgnews.com
METRO DETROIT — The belongings, material and personal, of Michiganders who were at Pearl Harbor on and around that infamous day continue to make their way home.
John Lind, director of the Detroit Arsenal of Democracy Museum, has been able to secure several items from the USS Oklahoma and USS Arizona: a prayer book from either ship and four envelopes from the Arizona postdated Dec. 7, 1941.
The Arizona items come from the estate of a Michigan man, who Lind did not name, who was on his way out of the Navy on Dec. 6.
“This person went to the mail section on the ship and got these envelopes in advance,” Lind said. “The story is this gentle-
man here was transferred on Dec. 6, the Saturday before, because they conducted no business on Sunday. … He was going back stateside. He was done, his hitch was over, and he reached California and he said, ‘You know what? I’m going back in.’”
The unnamed Arizona sailor joined over 300,000 Americans who showed up to recruitment offices on Dec. 8, 1941. Lind says about 30,000 people volunteered at the Detroit office.
The Oklahoma prayer book, which is in a more fragile state than the Arizona book, was acquired from a separate sailor who reached out to Lind.
“He was on (the USS) Oklahoma,” Lind said. “He came back to the United States, was retrained and then he got on other ships throughout the war.”
Prayer books were commonly taken
See ARTIFACTS on page 18A
Photo provided by Public Affairs Office, Navy Personnel Command
While serving in the U.S. Navy, John Cuthbert Auld, of Detroit, was killed during the attack on Pearl Harbor
Genesis Cadillac earns Master Dealer Award
BY ALYSSA OCHSS aochss@candgnews.com
Genesis Cadillac, located in St. Clair Shores, recently won the Master Dealer Award for the third year in a row.
The prestigious award is given to only 47 dealerships in the country.
Rob Gagliano, co-owner of Genesis Automotive Group, said the award is given to dealerships that meet a dozen different criteria points based on sales, objectives and more. Gagliano said only 10 awards are given out in the region and that they are awarded by Cadillac.
Over the three years Genesis has won the award, Gagliano said the dealership has continued to improve its processes. The one big thing it has changed was a remodel of its facility which it moved into in 2022.
“We completely remodeled, expanded,” Gagliano said.
He said the dealership never knows if it is going to get the award.
“Because it’s pretty stringent and competition is strong,” Gagliano said.
Along with the Master Dealer Award, Genesis Automotive Group also received the Top Workplaces Award. This award is based on surveys handed out to employees by employee engagement technology partner Energage LLC, a press release stated. According to the Top Workplaces website, the automotive group was ranked 14 out of 69 in the 150-499 employee category. A total of 198
workplaces were recognized by Energage, a Detroit Free Press research partner.
“I don’t remember how many years in a row we’ve had that,” Gagliano said. “The only year we missed was the COVID year.”
“Earning a Top Workplaces award is a badge of honor for companies, especially because it comes authentically from their employees,” said Eric Rubino, Energage’s CEO, in a press release. “That’s something to be proud of. In today’s market, leaders must ensure they’re allowing employees to have a voice and be heard. That’s paramount. Top Workplaces do this, and it pays dividends.”
Gagliano said he hopes to continue to win both awards, especially the Top Workplaces Award.
“That one is probably the one that is nearest and dearest to our heart because that’s coming from our employees,” Gagliano said.
He said the awards are more about the employees and the work they do than bragging about how great the dealership is.
“This only happens because we’ve been blessed with a really incredible group of people that loves doing what they do and it just shows in the customer experience that people are getting when they’re buying and or servicing their Cadillac with us,” Gagliano said.
The Master Dealership Awards are judged based on surveys from customers about sales and service as well as twice-a-year inspections and data measurements.
Call Staff Writer Alyssa Ochss at (586) 498-1103.
Genesis Cadillac in St. Clair Shores received the Master Dealer Award for the third year in a row.
Photo provided by Genesis Automotive Group
COMMUNITY CALENDAR
7A/ ST. CLAIR SHORES SENTINEL • DECEMBER 11, 2024
DEC. 11
Christmas concert: Performance by The Belgian American Association Band, 7 p.m., St. Lucy Church, 23401 E. Jefferson Ave. in St. Clair Shores, donation appreciated, www.belgianband.org/home/upcoming events
DEC. 11 & 18
Powerful Tools for Caregivers: Virtual workshop hosted by AgeWays, learn to communicate with family and healthcare providers, reduce stress, guilt, anger and depression, and make difficult decisions, 6-7:30 p.m., free but donations accepted, (833) 262-2200, wellnessprograms@ageways.org, tinyurl.com/ageways workshops
DEC. 13
VIP Family Dance: For kids and role model, also buffet dinner, photos, balloon drop, board game free play and gift, 6-8 p.m., Barrister Gardens, 24225 Harper Ave. in St. Clair Shores, registration required, (586) 445-5480, rare-mi.org
DEC. 22
Lions Lounge: Detroit v Chicago: Watch game on big screens in Alger House, also food and drinks for purchase, 1 p.m. (doors at 12:15 p.m.), The War Memorial, 32 Lake Shore Drive in Grosse Pointe Farms, free but RSVP encouraged, warmemorial.org/ eventcalendar
DEC. 20
Holiday concert: Featuring Krissie Reardon and Abi Tipton, 6-11 p.m., VFW Bruce Post #1146, 28404 Jefferson Ave. in St. Clair Shores, facebook.com/ vfw1146brucepost
DEC. 21
Grosse Pointe North High School - 2014 class reunion: 6-10 p.m., WaterMark Bar and Grille, 24420 Jefferson Ave. in St. Clair Shores, more on eventbrite. com
JAN. 4
Half-off book sale: 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Used Book Store inside St. Clair Shores Public Library, 22500 11 Mile Road, (586) 771-9020, scslibrary.org
ONGOING
Tunnel of Lights: 5-9 p.m. daily until Jan. 26, also food trucks and entertainment Dec. 13-14 and 19-21, plus cookies and hot cocoa Dec. 12-15 and 19-23, Blossom Heath Park, 24800 Jefferson Ave. in St. Clair Shores, www.facebook.com/st.clairshoresparksand recreation
Silent Book Group: Bring own book, for ages 18 and older, socializing at 6:30 p.m. and silent reading at 8 p.m. every third Wednesday of month, St. Clair Shores Public Library, 22500 11 Mile Road, (586) 771-9020, scslibrary.org
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.
Activities for seniors: Crafting, movies, knitting and crocheting, dominoes, euchre, pickleball and many more games, St. Clair Shores Senior Center for Active Adults, 20100 Stephens Road, (586) 445-0996
St. Gertrude Senior’s Club: Meets 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Mondays, St. Margaret of Scotland, 21201 E. 13 Mile Road in St. Clair Shores, (586) 293-2240
Overeaters Anonymous meetings: 10 a.m. Saturdays, St. Margaret of Scotland, 21201 E. 13 Mile Road in St. Clair Shores, (586) 293-0814
Lakeshore Ukulele Strummers: Jam sessions for all levels, 1:30-3:30 p.m. Wednesdays, Lakeshore Presbyterian Church, 27801 Jefferson Ave. in St. Clair Shores, (586) 321-9535
Lakeside Palette Club of St. Clair Shores: Open studio events, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Tuesdays, St. Clair Shores Adult Education Center inside North Lake High School, 23340 Elmira St., (586) 944-8253, lpcofscs@ gmail.com, lakesidepaletteclub.org
Santa photos: Daily until Dec. 24, bring pets after 4 p.m. Mondays, sensory-friendly sessions Dec. 15, South Court at Macomb Mall, 32233 Gratiot Ave. in Roseville, see times at shopmacombmall.com, book appointments at vipholidayphotos.com/mall/h-mac
Storytime: 1:30 p.m. every second Wednesday of month, near Dick’s Sporting Goods at Macomb Mall, 32233 Gratiot Ave. in Roseville, shopmacombmall. com
‘Miracle on 34th Street’: Performance by Warren Civic Theatre, 7 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays and 3 p.m. Sundays Dec. 13-15 and 20-22, Owen Jax Community Center, 8207 E. Nine Mile Road in Warren, warrencivic. org
Young Modelers Club: For ages 8-16, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays until April 19, Michigan Military Technical & Historical Society Museum, 16600 Stephens Road in Eastpointe, contact Jim at (248) 574-3487, (248) 399-2386 or jimandkatie17@att.net
Home for the Holidays: Take 1-mile lighted walk around property and visit Santa, also explore decorations inside, plus complimentary hot cocoa, entry every half hour from 5:30-8:30 p.m. until Dec. 22, Edsel and Eleanor Ford House, 1100 Lake Shore Road in Grosse Pointe Shores, fordhouse.org/events
Ice skating: 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Sundays-Thursdays and 11 a.m.-midnight Fridays-Saturdays until Jan. 5, then new hours until March 2, also holiday hours noon-10 p.m. Dec. 25 and 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Jan. 1, The Rink at Campus Martius Park, 800 Woodward Ave., downtowndetroit.org/experience-downtown/ things-to-do/the-rink
Kettle
from page 1A
at the Kroger near the intersection of Marter Road and Jefferson Avenue each year. According to Monex last week, the value of the coin is $2,642. Last year’s coin was valued at $2,031 when it was donated.
“(It was) very generous that someone was able to do that every year,” said Salvation Army Maj. Charlotte Hall, who oversees the organization’s Great Lakes Division.
When a coin is received by the organization, it is cashed in, and funds are distributed back to the unit that received the coin, according to Hall.
Hall said she has been stationed at Salvation Army locations throughout the country during her career and has seen gold Krugerrands donated.
“It’s amazing,” Hall said. “I was in Aurora, Illinois, and we had one donated while I was there.”
The donation came a day before Giving Tuesday, when all statewide donations to the Salvation Army Great Lakes Division, up to $25,000, were doubled. This match also comes from an anonymous donor, according to a press release.
The Krugerrand started being pro-
duced in South Africa in 1967. It’s named after Paul Kruger, who was the president of the South African Republic from 1883 to 1900.
According to a Los Angeles Times article, President Ronald Reagan banned imports of the currency in 1985 following pressure from Democrats to crack down on South Africa’s apartheid government. The article states that $600 million worth of Krugerrands were marketed in the United States in 1984. A Seattle Times article states that the ban on importing the coins into the U.S. was lifted in 1991.
How are people giving?
This year, the Salvation Army is pushing its “Tap to Give” option. This allows donations to be made with a cash app, credit card and debit card at locations throughout metro Detroit. When giving, donors will be prompted with different amounts they can contribute.
“You can use your phone or any of your chipped cards,” Hall said.
Donations are down nationwide 40%, according to Hall, though she said the Detroit area holds its own in comparison to the rest of the country.
“Detroiters are known for supporting the Army,” Hall said. “They always come
through for us and we really appreciate that.”
Galina Roehl, who does public relations for the Salvation Army, said donations are up from last year. Though, she said, donations to the red kettles themselves are down.
“They’re getting more money from mail and social media,” Roehl said, who added that these alternative sources include the “Tap to Give” option.
Hall said volunteer hours have been down this year. The organization is looking for those who can help to meet its goal.
“It really just takes an army of volunteers to raise $7 million,” Hall said.
Those interested in volunteering can sign up at registertoring.com.
Call Staff Writer Nick Powers at (586) 498-1059.
When shopping at home, be alert for grinches trying to steal gifts and info
BY MIKE KOURY mkoury@candgnews.com
METRO DETROIT — The holiday season, while very much a joyous time of year, also is a time when criminals try to take advantage of others.
As many people will look to be charitable or purchase Christmas gifts for loved ones, a local bank and local police departments are offering advice to avoid package thefts and fraud.
Brian Dowgiallo, vice president of risk management at Genisys Credit Union, said the holidays tend to be their busiest time, as reports of fraud usually ramp up.
According to the banking institution, financial fraud can come in a variety of forms including identity theft, phone call and text scams, phishing scams, and fraudulent investment schemes.
People should be wary of unsolicited emails, phone calls or text messages requesting personal or financial information. They should also verify the legitimacy of any organization or person before making financial transactions.
Dowgiallo has been aware of scammers who use Facebook groups or community pages to take advantage of others looking for deals.
Detective Lt. James Breuckman, of the St. Clair Shores Police Department, has seen this too, specifically with people trying to buy Detroit Lions tickets.
“People trying to buy tickets and it’s somebody’s Facebook account that’s been hacked, and then the hacked Facebook account is saying they got four tickets for sale or six tickets for $1,000 or $1,200,” he said. “They don’t find out until after they’ve already paid.”
Breuckman said common scams his office has been seeing target older people by stating that they owe money to the Internal Revenue Service. The scam artists convince their victims to pay through bitcoin or financial cards so they can’t be traced.
Breuckman also said there have been issues with people stealing delivery packages.
“People somehow or some way, they’re finding out deliveries of iPhone products and different stuff like that, and people are
See SHOPPING on page 19A
Santa Claus is coming to town
NORTH POLE — The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) will again track Santa Claus on Christmas Eve Dec. 24. The program, based in Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado, is in its 69th year.
NORAD monitors and defends North American airspace 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. On Dec. 24, NORAD takes on an additional mission of tracking Santa Claus as he makes his way across the globe.
The NORAD Tracks Santa website, noradsanta.org, launched on Dec. 1. It features Santa’s North Pole Village, a holiday countdown, games, a movie theater, holiday music, web store and more.
The website is available in nine languages: English, French, Spanish, German, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, Chinese and Korean. Children awaiting Santa can count the days on mobile devices with the official NORAD Tracks Santa app, via social media and on Amazon Alexa, SiriusXM, and OnStar.
St. Clair Shores to host Holiday Market, Tunnel of Lights
St. Clair Shores will host its annual Holiday Market and Tunnel of Lights from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Dec. 14 at Blossom Heath Park on Jefferson Avenue.
The event will feature live entertainment, food trucks, beer, Santa Claus and more.
According to a Facebook post by St. Clair Shores Parks and Recreation, everyone is welcome, and no park pass is required.
and $40 per person and $35 for additional children for nonresidents.
Tickets can be purchased in person at the Civic Ice Arena on 20000 Stephens Road.
Council approves EW Grobbel renovations
At the Dec. 2 meeting, the St. Clair Shores City Council approved exterior renovations and a 300-foot vestibule at the EW Grobbel building. Ryan Chapp, senior VP of business development at EW Grobbel, and City Planner Liz Koto presented the item.
Councilmembers were excited for the continued progress of EW Grobbel in St. Clair Shores. Councilman John Caron said they appreciate the company coming in and taking over the building and Councilman Chris Vitale echoed these sentiments.
Vitale expressed concern when they became aware of the empty building.
“My thought was, ‘Oh, my God. We’re stuck with a white elephant here,’” Vitale said. He also suggested the company could create an outlet store attached to the business building.
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File photo
Master plans
was requested in March 2023 and their first meeting about the plan was held in the same month. In total, the master plan took around $78,000 to create.
Pike said three large scale plans were completed in this 24-month period: the parks and recreation master plan, the city’s master plan and the capital improvement plan. The parks and recreation master plan was approved in January 2024.
Over the last two years, the city had over 800 survey responses from residents and nonresidents. Pike and City Planner Liz Koto said there were four focus groups. Pike said they were happy with the number of responses they received. In a Social District outreach program, the city asked eventgoers what they liked about the city, why they came to St. Clair Shores and what would make nonresidents potentially move to the city.
“We felt very confident that we were able to get the public input that helped inform the plan,” Pike said.
The final draft of the master plan needed to be approved by Dec. 31 if they want to receive grant money. Koto also said because
they used grant money to pay for the update, it has a due date. In 2022, the state of Michigan put out a request for proposals for grant applications, Koto said, through the high water infrastructure program.
“The idea was that a community would submit a plan that would address the issues of flooding and high water in coastal communities. As part of this update, we submitted a proposal to include a resiliency plan,” Koto said. “The idea is that we presented a bunch of different concepts and ideas that the council could choose to implement to better address the way that the city physically prepares for climate change.”
These things include having natural shorelines, planting more trees and anything, Koto said, that could combat shocks and stresses on the land and people.
“That was incorporated as part of this update so we could get the grant money for it,” Koto said.
She said there isn’t a state law that puts a specific due date on the documents. However, there is a state law that requires communities to review their master plan every five years. Addendums and amendments can be made to the master plan over the years if a significant change is needed. The process to make amendments includes a public hearing and additional statistics.
“Substantively, the master plan was largely OK,” Pike said. “There were some areas that we modified that we basically bolstered. But the real difference between previous master plans and this master plan is the resiliency chapter.”
The capital improvement plan is related to the master plan, Koto said, and it explains the major purchases over $10,000 by the city. She said some of the goals of the master plan should line up with the capital improvement plan. Examples of large purchases include the new buildings for the police and fire departments and fire trucks. Routine maintenance is not included in the plan.
“It would include new streets, new utilities,” Koto said.
Pike said the capital improvement plan is the financial forecast for the city in terms of what resources they need to get to the goals in the master plan.
“It’s, ‘What do I want to do and how am I going to pay for it?’” Pike said.
Though the capital improvement plan is mostly based on the input of the city administration, the City Council and the mayor, Koto said public comments are always welcome.
At the meeting, Rusie took issue with the errors she found in both documents.
This included out-of-date items and already completed projects still in the documents. She said it was strange to read about renovations to the police and fire stations in the master plan when they are complete replacements.
“This is coming after a long time, a lot of plans of the TAMP plan and all the issues, the parks and rec master plan and all the issues, the Nine Mile DDA plan which we didn’t even see,” Rusie said of the master plan. “But it included some weird stuff it’s said to be on the DDA including a road diet proposal. And it’s just like I kind of have some sort of fatigue going with all these plans right now.”
Councilman John Caron said added spreadsheets in the council packet about the capital improvement plan included things that were already completed, and some years just were not filled out at all. He also said some other items that should be included were not included.
“Just kind of having this included,” Caron said. “It’s like, ‘Hey, this is the only document we had. Let’s throw it in it.’”
Caron asked that a few items from the capital improvement plan be edited including removing columns in fiscal years 2024, 2027 and 2028, as well as other amend-
See MASTER PLANS on page 17A
Stray cats
from page 3A
Jo said she was inspired by her friend who got really involved with animal rescue work.
“She taught me a lot of things that I know,” Jo said.
Her husband, Don Addington, said Jo also is an animal lover who grew up with cats.
The cat carriers are made out of Styrofoam coolers, bubble wrap and plastic jugs for an awning to keep out the elements. Jo gets the coolers from a hospital where she works.
She also adds straw for more warmth. The carrier sits on a wooden pallet to keep it away from the ground.
There are two sizes; a small carrier and a bigger one that can house a mother cat and her babies. Jo said the number of carriers needed depends on the number of cats and if the cats get along with each other.
Jo first learned how to make them by going to a shelter-building class hosted by All About Animals.
“And then I learned as I went along,” Jo said.
Don cuts out the inside of the coolers.
“I couldn’t have done this without him,” Jo said.
This year alone, they’ve made around 115 cat carriers. Last year, they only made 50.
“It’s like an overwhelming response, you know,” Jo said. “You get more and more people.”
Jo told of various circumstances the people who get a carrier experience. She said there was a trailer park that had around 100 cats and another person had around 25 cats and 10 kittens behind her business.
“I try to do a little at a time, each place, just so everybody gets some,” Jo said. “Because I still have a long list. I mean, there’s still people wanting them.”
The cat carriers are given away on a mostly first-come, first-served basis. Jo said some people say they want a carrier but can’t get it until the next week.
“Well, it’s freezing out and there’s cats that need it, so this person is probably going to get it if they come today. You know what I mean?” Jo said. “And then I’ll eventually make more that they can have more. But I’d rather get them out there when it’s cold.”
“They’ll just go to the bottom of the list,” Don said. “(It’s) whoever comes first.”
Jo also said if there is an emergency, such as a mother cat who recently had babies, they get first priority.
“(It) just depends,” Jo said. “I try to keep a list of everybody, what they need and how many, and how many cats they have.”
Jo asks people to make a small donation when asking for a cat carrier. If they can’t, that’s fine as well.
Along the way, Jo made friends in the animal rescue world.
“It’s just amazing how many people are out there that do help and, you know, it’s just really nice that there are so many special people,” Jo said.
Some of the people who use the cat carriers will sometimes send her pictures of the cats using them.
“It’s kind of therapeutic to me,” Jo said. “I work full time, so I do this on my days off.”
Jo added that building the cat carriers is relaxing.
Don said that a large number of outside cats are not feral, but rather are cats that were dumped by their humans.
“A high percentage are feral, but a larger percentage is growing because people just move and they don’t take them or they can’t afford to feed them,” Don said. “And those are cats that aren’t used to being outside.”
The number of feral, unowned cats is tricky to nail down. A United States Department of Agriculture study from 2021 said 30 million to 80 million cats are unowned in reference to a 2013 study. This study also specified that a large portion of owned cats are considered “free ranging.” A study from the National Library of Medicine published in 2019 states there are around 70 million unowned cats in the United States compared to around 1.4 million to 2.4 million in Canada. A study from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission estimated there are anywhere from 60 million to 100 million “homeless stray and feral cats.”
Don and Jo said they both think others should start making the cat carriers. Jo even offered to show people how to make them.
Don often asks Jo why other people don’t make them.
“She’s like the queen of making them,” Don said.
To donate supplies to Jo, contact her on Facebook under the name Jo Sweeney Addington.
Call Staff Writer Alyssa Ochss at (586) 498-1103.
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Races
ers to win. The grand prize is a seven day stay in Gulf Shore, Alabama at a mutually agreed upon time. Raffle tickets are $100.
“There will be 50 winners, so you’ll have a one in three chance of winning,” Haddad said.
Winners will be chosen by a random generator. Other prizes include a Detroit Lions basket, jewelry and more.
“You don’t need to be present to win and tickets will be available up until the night of the race,” Haddad said.
The Firefighters Union Local 1744 set up a 501(c)(3) charity a couple years ago, Porter said. He said they started the event in January of 2022.
“The point of doing this was to raise money for one of our firefighters who had retired,” Porter said.
He explained the firefighter left St. Clair Shores to go to another department on the anniversary he was first hired in the Shores. He started at the new department four days after that.
“And then within six months was di-
agnosed with a glioblastoma and ended up passing away a year to the day he retired,” Porter said. “So we do this fundraiser to raise money for him and his family.”
He said this highlighted a need for a cancer fund within their department.
“That way we can cover the deductibles of our guys, or if it’s any other local firefighters who are diagnosed with cancer, we are able to donate to them,” Porter said.
He also said their 501(c)(3) has donated to a lot of other local charities including the Great Lakes Burn Camp and the Goodfellows of Michigan.
Porter said he’s excited for the event.
“It’s a ton of fun and it’s for an awesome cause,” Porter said. “The fact that we’re able to do this for our community is the reason I love being a part of the 501.”
The event will run from 7 p.m. to midnight at the Blossom Heath Inn located at 24800 Jefferson Avenue. To purchase tickets and horses, open the event’s Google form link accessible on the flyer posted on the St. Clair Shores Firefighters Facebook page. Eventgoers can also sponsor the event using the Google form document.
Call Staff Writer Alyssa Ochss at (586) 498-1103.
COMMUNITY BRIEF
‘Snow Brigade’ looking for volunteers
Councilman Dave Rubello is looking for a few good volunteers to help with this year’s “SCS Snow Brigade.”
Volunteers will help shovel snow for neighbors in need during the winter season. Students who volunteer can also earn community service hours.
“I’m getting a lot of people calling saying they need services, but in order to get those guys going we need to have people that volunteer to shovel the snow,” Rubello said during the Dec. 2 St. Clair Shores City Council meeting.
To volunteer, contact Rubello by email at daverubello@netscape.net or by phone at (586) 489-8117.
— Alyssa Ochss
Thanksgiving
from page 4A
cereal, potatoes, a turkey and more.
“It’s not just the Thanksgiving dinner. It’s enough food and treats along with cookies and a bag of candy, pop for the kids throughout the week,” DePape said.
In the beginning, when the club was still new, they serviced four families. That number has increased to 12, servicing four families from each school district in St. Clair Shores. DePape said the basket-making has always been hosted the Sunday before Thanksgiving.
“This year, we actually got a donation of 12 of the turkeys from Paul Doppke,” DePape said.
Doppke is the owner of Landscape Services Inc. and DePape said he’s always been very generous in the community.
Joe Wielgot, a board member for the Optimist Club of St. Clair Shores, works for Value Fresh Marketplace and he receives help from the man he works for.
“We buy at his cost and then he helps us out a little. He is a very generous man,” Wielgot said of his boss.
The whole basket-making process from the food pick up to the last person leaving with a basket to deliver took an hour and a half, Wielgot said.
“It goes quick. Everybody does it. We have fun and you feel really good when you get done,” Wielgot said. “And it’s even more fun delivering the baskets because you get to see the people’s expression when you come up.”
He went on to say the families know they are receiving a food basket, but they don’t know what they’re getting.
Different families are helped every year. The club receives names of families from the school districts.
“Usually, four (or) five days ahead of time they give me their (the families’) phone numbers. I’ll call them and let them know that there’s somebody going to deliver a food basket on Sunday,” Wielgot said. “And that way there’s somebody home to accept it.”
He went on to say the number of fami-
lies serviced all depends on how much money they have to help. The club hosts fundraisers such as golf outings and poker throughout the year.
Wielgot said they do what they can to help the community.
“(We) can’t do everything, but if everybody does a little bit, then, you know, you can help the people in our community that are less fortunate than we are,” Wielgot said. “Because there are people in St. Clair Shores that are less fortunate.”
DePape said Wielgot has a list he’s created over the years for the food items. At 2 p.m. this year, they started assembling the boxes. Exactly at 3 p.m., they start filling the baskets with food and they finish packaging food 10 minutes later. DePape said they had around 26 volunteers this year.
The club held the event at the Senior Activity Center and DePape would like to thank them for giving the club the space to assemble the baskets.
“It’s not only our club. Members of the community step up and help us also,” DePape said.
DePape said they have members who originally started the club called charter members who still help out with the baskets.
In other news
DePape said at their first “no-sew” blanket-making party on Nov. 21, they had over 40 community members attend, and they made 79 blankets. She said it’s the most volunteers they’ve had show up.
“We’ve had people in the community that don’t show up to those evenings except for knocking on the door and dropping off bags of blankets,” DePape said.
The two junior Optimist Club groups at Lakeview High School and Jefferson Middle School also make blankets at school.
All blankets are donated to the Macomb Foster Closet. DePape said with the next party on Dec. 3, she anticipated around 125 blankets would be made.
The St. Clair Shores Optimist Club is still accepting members. To volunteer, contact DePape by email at deb216@aol.com or by phone at (586) 291-1271.
Master
plans
from page 12A
ments. These additions as well as a request to revisit the document in January and on more dates were added to the motion.
Caron said during the master plan discussion he appreciated that his comments were taken into consideration when creating it.
Mayor Pro Tem and Councilman Dave Rubello said he’s had every opportunity to ask Koto and Pike what he wanted to. He explained the significance of the master plan
Editor: Brian Louwers | (586) 498-1089 | brianlouwers@candgnews.com
Reporter: Alyssa Ochss | (586) 498-1103 | aochss@candgnews.com
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with the help of Koto. Koto explained that there wouldn’t be a grant that they couldn’t apply for or not be able to apply for because of the master plan.
“I appreciate these things, and I spent dozens of hours looking at this,” Rubello said about the master plan.
Both documents are available for public viewing on the city’s website at scsmi.net. Currently, the drafts of both documents are available as well as the survey for the master plan.
Call Staff Writer Alyssa Ochss at (586) 498-1103.
@candgnews
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Artifacts
from ships while the envelopes were postdated sometime before Dec. 7.
The attack on Pearl Harbor is as much a story of what was not lost as it is about what was. While the battleships USS Arizona, USS Oklahoma and USS Utah were scrapped and the aircraft carriers assigned to the base were saved by virtue of being out of port, the lightly attacked support facilities — dry docks, maintenance shops and oil yards — allowed for the other damaged ships to be repaired and returned to service. Lind says that Michiganders were sought out to repair and retrofit the fleet.
“The Navy came to Detroit and took as many skilled trades (as possible) to go to Pearl Harbor to get Pearl Harbor back in shape,” Lind said. “If the Japanese would have concentrated on the rebuilding centers, the fuel farms, the maintenance shops, Pearl Harbor would have come back but it would have been years later. Instead, within six weeks basically, all the dry docks and maintenance shops at Pearl Harbor were back online.”
It is hard to determine how many Pearl Harbor veterans are still alive for the 83rd anniversary, though the number is certainly not many. Anyone serving in the U.S. military at the time would be a centenarian by now.
An Associated Press article about the 2023 commemoration mentions five survivors were in attendance with a sixth unable to make it due to health concerns. The Los Angeles Times reported nine Pearl Harbor survivors attended a ceremony at the National World War II Museum in New Orleans in January 2023. Lou Conter, the last surviving sailor from the USS Arizona, died in April 2024 at 102 years old.
According to NBC’s KNHL local news in Hawaii, at least one survivor was expected to attend this year’s commemoration of the 83rd anniversary of the attack at 104 years old.
The National World War II Museum in
New Orleans says that of the 16.4 million Americans who served during World War II, around 66,140 were alive as of 2024. Of that number, 2,520 were Michiganders.
Staff Writer Dean Vaglia at (586) 498-1043.
to its
If you think we got it
please let us know. Call Gregg Demers at (586) 498-1042, email gdemers@candgnews. com or write us at 13650 11 Mile Road, Warren, MI 48089.
An envelope from the USS Arizona postdated for Dec. 7, 1941, leans against prayer books from the Arizona and USS Oklahoma.
Photo by Dean Vaglia
Shopping
from page 9A
pretty much waiting to come steal them off the porch as soon as they get delivered,” he said. “They know where they’re going somehow or another. That’s been a scam in the last, like, two weeks that’s been going on.”
On the subject of package delivery, Ferndale Police Chief Dennis Emmi said people should take measures to make sure that porch pirates don’t have easy access to the delivered goods. He suggested networking with neighbors or installing doorbell cameras and other security cameras to help, or having packages delivered to one’s place of work.
“There’s a lot of things you can do as we enter the holiday season, but if you do find yourself a victim of package theft or the victim of a porch pirate, make sure you report it to the police department so we can follow up on it,” he said. “There may be an opportunity for us to actually catch the offenders, because they’re not just doing it to one person, they’re doing it to several. So it’ll help us track these incidents and maybe help us build a case and hopefully lead to an arrest.”
Emmi said fraudulent charities can pop up during the holiday to take advantage of people in the giving spirit.
“Just make sure that you vet the source,” he said. “If someone is reaching out to you, this could be a flag. I would be the one to initiate it if you do truly want to donate to a worthy cause. As a donor, I would initiate that contact and not go with a blind text or blind email. A lot of these emails, they look very similar to the official email of a charity, and they can be just a little bit off and you’re donating to a scam or a criminal.”
Dowgiallo also has seen scams where people have received calls from a number that showed it was a bank or credit union calling, but then the callers use scare tactics to get personal information.
“The member thinks that they’re talking to the credit union, and they think it’s a trusted source, and they start giving away all the information, and then just giving it to the scammer,” he said. “That turns into the scammer going in and taking over an account through an online account takeover, or they’ll just end up giving their debit card information and then they just start making a fake debit card or they potentially could try to use an Apple wallet or Android wallet to create a card on their phone. And then they start using their card and money without their knowledge.”
Dowgiallo’s biggest recommendation is that people set up alerts with their financial institution to notify them if someone is log-
ging into their account or if there is a transaction with their card.
“If you have those alerts, and you’re a little bit more on top of your account, you’re going to quickly know when something’s not right,” he said. “Have those alerts in place so that when you feel confident or you think that maybe you clicked on something that you weren’t sure of, that you’re at least in the know on your accounts at all times.”
“No financial institution, including Genisys, will ever ask for your personal information,” he added. “They have that information, but we try to educate our members all the time. You know, you send these onetime codes, and it’ll say do not give this out, and Genisys would never ask for this information, but even if you think it’s a trusted source, just know that they shouldn’t be asking for that. They should have that information and to never give it out to anybody.”
Breuckman stated people need to be diligent and double check what they think they know.
“Don’t just immediately trust everybody,” he said. “You have to actually do your own diligence and figure out if you feel like something isn’t right, it probably isn’t. Never be ashamed to actually ask another person if they think it’s OK or not before you buy something.”
Emmi stated that many of these crimes go unreported, and that’s the message he wants to send people: They need to report to police when these thefts or frauds occur. Many of the culprits reside outside the United States.
“So they originate from outside the country or from another side of the country, and really it’s near impossible to track down the suspects in a lot of these cases, but if you report it, at least we can share the means in which they are committing their crimes, and maybe we could … through (public service announcements), we can inform the residents to what to look for going forward,” he said.
Shutterstock image
Sailor
from page 5A
of war with Japan, which drove the United States into World War II.
“They rescued several sailors that day after the attack,” Auld said. “Everyone else was presumed dead. They didn’t have much hope. They always told me he died on the Oklahoma.”
While the family knew John didn’t survive, his remains were only officially identified after Auld provided a DNA sample in 2017. At press time, John was set to be laid to rest at 10 a.m. Dec. 6 with full military honors at Fairview Memorial Park in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Auld, who resides in Albuquerque, said the cemetery was chosen because that is where Lillian and Edwin are buried.
“It will be an honor to have him with his mom and his brother,” Auld said.
Family members and friends were expected to attend the burial. John also was expected to receive military honors at the airport when his remains arrived.
For his service, John was awarded the following medals and decorations: Purple Heart medal, Combat Action Ribbon,
See SAILOR on page 21A
Photo provided by Public Affairs Office, Navy Personnel Command Sailors aboard the USS Oklahoma pose for a group photo.
from page 20A
Good Conduct Medal, American Defense Service Medal with fleet clasp, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with bronze star, World War II Victory Medal, and American Campaign Medal.
‘It’s definitely a huge loss’
John was born in Newcastle upon Tyne, England, on June 15, 1918. The family moved to the U.S. and settled in Detroit. On Nov. 6, 1940, John enlisted in the Navy and underwent basic training at Naval Station Great Lakes, in Illinois.
John’s seaman duties included painting, cleaning and polishing the vessel’s brightwork, equipment repair, storing and securing items, and assisting with cargo. The young man also stood watches as a lookout, telephone talker and messenger, and he was a member of a gun crew.
Richard Auld’s dad, Edwin, four years younger than John, served in the U.S. Air Force from 1942-46.
“They were normal kids in a good family. It’s definitely a huge loss. I never got to meet him,” said Auld, who was born in 1960. “Every Dec. 7, we talked about him. I feel like I know him now after the Navy’s recovery efforts.”
Auld’s dad moved the family, including wife, Esther, to New Mexico to work in the grocery business. Auld has some photos of his uncle and has been told there is a family resemblance.
A few years ago, Auld and his wife Karen traveled to Honolulu, Hawaii for a ceremony at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific to pay tribute to the 33 unaccounted for sailors from the USS Oklahoma buried with full military honors.
“Very emotional,” Auld said. “It was very moving.”
According to the Navy, since the ceremony, one more sailor, radioman 3rd class Frank Hoag Jr., has been identified.
Project Oklahoma
On Dec. 2, the Navy Personnel Command Public Affairs Office issued a press release that included information about Project Oklahoma, a disinterment and identification project through the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency.
During Project Oklahoma, the Navy’s POW/MIA Office contacted family members to ask for their participation in the Family Reference Sample Program. That is where surviving family members of a veteran killed on duty offer DNA samples that are used to determine if there is a match.
That is exactly what Auld did to confirm his uncle’s remains.
Through the process, 356 of the 388 service members from the USS Oklahoma who were originally unaccounted for have now been identified, according to Capt. Jeff Draude, director, Navy Casualty Office.
Scientists with the DPAA, in Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii and Offutt Air Force Base in Omaha, Nebraska, are responsible for identifying unaccounted for service members by matching the DNA reference samples from surviving family members. Other documents, including available medical and dental records, are also used.
The Navy Casualty Office’s policy for notification is to work directly with the primary next of kin with matters involving their loved one’s remains. Once the DPAA makes a positive identification, the Navy’s Casualty Office conducts an official notification to the next of kin.
Once the identification brief has concluded, the family can decide to have the remains interred in a local national or state cemetery, a private cemetery, reinterred in the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Hawaii, or Arlington National Cemetery. Families may also choose to have the remains cremated and retained with the family.
“When briefing families, we often hear things like, ‘My family did not believe he was dead,’ or, ‘He probably was not on board the ship,’ or, ‘Maybe one day he would walk through the door,’” Draude said. “Being able to recover and identify the remains of these sailors aids in the closure to these families.
“It is especially important to the Navy to honor our sailors and Marines who paid
the ultimate sacrifice in giving their lives for our country,” Draude said. “Often the notification and identification briefing can be emotional, overwhelming and relieving for the families. Most families we speak with cannot believe their loved one has actually been recovered and/or identified after so
The USS Oklahoma was commissioned in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on May 2, 1916. The ship’s history includes sailing in August 1918 with her sister ship, the USS Nevada, to protect and escort allied convoys in European waters during World War I. In December 1918, the vessel escorted thenPresident Woodrow Wilson to France to negotiate the Treaty of Versailles. In June 1919, it returned to France to escort the president home.
many years.”
The Navy covers all primary mortuary expenses: preparation of the remains, casket of choice, all transportation of remains from the lab to final resting place, and family travel and lodging for up to three family members.
Photo provided by Public Affairs Office, Navy Personnel Command
CRIME WATCH
Suspected fraud reported on Grant Street
At 6:38 p.m. on Nov. 21, an act of fraud was reported on Grant Street.
The victim, a 68-year-old woman, stated she received a phone call earlier that day around 11:30 a.m. The suspect on the other line said he was an “agent” and told her she needed to send him funds in Bitcoin, or all her money would be taken. The woman went to two different establishments, including her bank, and took out a total of $22,500. When asked if the bank questioned her about the large amount of money withdrawn, the victim said they didn’t, and the man told her to say she was remodeling her home otherwise. She then went to a gas station and bought Bitcoin for the same amount.
The suspect instructed her to take a picture of the machine showing the transaction ID and wallet and send it to them, which she reportedly complied with. The suspect told her to buy another $20,000 worth of Bitcoin and she completed the same process; this time, going to a grocery store. The woman also stated she received another call
from a person claiming to be the U.S. Treasury Department. The woman stated both people had accents, and she was instructed to contact Bitcoin and her bank and advise them of fraud.
Larceny reported on Winshall Street
At 1:50 p.m. on Nov. 25, a larceny was reported in the 21000 Block of Winshall Street.
An officer made contact with the caller, a 62-year-old man, who stated he was inside his house when he heard a strange noise. When he looked outside, he reportedly saw somebody running from his porch with a package in hand. The suspect got into a black truck and left. The man did not see the suspect’s face but said the person had a small build. The package was delivered at 1:15 p.m. and taken at 1:50 p.m.
A different officer later located the package. It was reportedly ripped open with its contents missing. According to the report, the package contained an Apple Watch that was ordered by the caller’s wife. Other houses had cameras, and the man said he knew the owners of those houses and would speak with them that night. The man was advised to bring any camera footage to the station.
Suspected pickpocketing reported on Harper Avenue
At 11:48 a.m. on Nov. 21, a larceny was reported in the 26000 Block of Harper Avenue.
The officer met with the victim, a 56-year-old man, and an employee, a 54-year-old woman. The employee stated the suspect, a 41-year-old woman, said she found a man’s wallet and his cellphone in
the parking lot. The suspect said she went through the wallet, thought she knew who it belonged to and tried to open the phone but turned it off. The employee stated she found this suspicious, because the suspect acted strangely, and her story did not make sense. The wallet was also dry on a day it had been raining. The employee summoned the victim, who was seeing a doctor at the time.
The man said several things were missing from his wallet including cash, Walmart
South Lake Schools
2023 Bond
SECTION 00 11 13
ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS
Sealed Bids for the South Lake Schools, 2023 Bond consisting of:
Bid Package No. 3 – Renovations to South Lake Middle School
The School District requests Bids for the above-referenced Project. Bids will be received through Building Connected until (Tuesday, January 7th, 2025 at 1:00 PM.
1. All Bids shall be submitted electronically on or before the Due Date through Building Connected: https://app.buildingconnected.com/public/5ae227ade0d395000fd24541 (McCarthy and Smith Plan Room)
2. For instructions on how to submit a Bid please go to the following link: https://buildingconnected.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/360010222793-How-to-submit-yourBidthrough-BuildingConnected-
Bids submitted after the Due Date will not be opened, considered or accepted by the School District. Faxed and/or E-mail Bids will not be accepted by the School District.
Sealed Bids will be publicly opened and read aloud and tabulated, beginning at approximately 1:00 PM on Tuesday, January 7th, 2025.The Bid opening will be publicly conducted via a Zoom meeting.
Information regarding joining the Zoom meeting for all Bidders interested in participating is as follows: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83641249013
This Bid Package will consist of separate sealed Bids for the following Bid Divisions: 101/102 Site Excavation / Asphalt Paving 143 Electrical
Bidding documents prepared by Wakley Associates will be available for public inspection at the main offce of the Construction Manager, McCarthy & Smith, Inc., 24317 Indoplex Circle, Farmington Hills, MI 48335; the Construction Association of Michigan Plan Room, Bloomfeld Hills; the Builder’s Exchange, Lansing and Washtenaw Contractors Association.
Bidding Documents will be available beginning at 12:00 p.m. on Monday, December 9th. via Building Connected. There will be a Pre-Bid Meeting on Tuesday, December 17th at 3:30 p.m. at South Lake Middle School, located at 21621 California, Saint Clair Shores, MI 48080. The purpose of the meeting will be to review the Project Bidding Documents & schedule, and to answer any questions Bidders may have. Following the meeting, the Bidders will have the opportunity to visit the Project site. The pre-Bid meeting is not a mandatory meeting; however, Bidders are strongly encouraged to attend.
All Bids must include the following sworn and notarized statements:
- Familial Disclosure Affdavit (Section 004205)
- Iran Linked Business Affdavit (Section 004210)
- Criminal Background Check Affdavit (Section 004220)
The Board of Education will not accept a Bid that does not include these sworn and notarized disclosure statements. Bids shall be submitted electronically into Building Connected. Bid security by a quality surety in the form of a Bid bond, cashier check, or certifed check in the amount of fve percent (5%) of the Bid shall be submitted with each Bid, payable to School District, as a guarantee that if the Bid is accepted, the School District is secured from loss or damage by reason of the withdrawal of the Bid or the failure of the Bidder to enter into a Contract for performance. All cashier’s checks must be scanned and submitted electronically through Building Connected by the Due Date and be delivered to School District Administration Offce allocated at 23101 Stadium Dr., Saint Clair Shores, MI 48080. to the attention of Gloria Salter-Reid within 48 hours of the Due Date. The School District will not consider a Bid that does not include a Bid security. Further, the Bidder will execute the Contract, provide the required insurance certifcate(s) and fle the required bonds within ten (10) days after notice of award of Contract but prior to Work commencing.
If awarded a Contract, the successful Bidder may be required to furnish a Performance Bond and Labor and Material Payment Bond in the amount of 100% of the Contract price.
The School District reserves the right to accept or reject any and all Bids, either in whole or in part, to waive any informalities and irregularities therein, or to award the Contract to other than the Bidder (s) submitting the best fnancial Bid (low Bidder), in its sole and absolute discretion. END OF SECTION
gift cards, a Bridge card, an Apple Pay card and a debit card. The man canceled the debit card and the Apple card prior to the officer’s arrival. The man thought the suspect pickpocketed him when he fell asleep in the office, stating he needed his ID and insurance card to check into the office, both of which were still in his wallet when it was returned to him. He said the suspect sat directly next to him in the office. The office does not have cameras inside or outside and the officer did not see any cameras on other buildings. A database search showed the suspect had numerous contacts with police, including those related to larceny and drug crimes.
Suspected fraud reported on Bayview Drive
At 3:55 p.m. on Nov. 20, allegations of larceny and fraud were reported in the 22000 block of Bayview Drive.
The victim, a 57-year-old woman, made contact with the police over the phone and stated she was scammed out of Detroit Lions tickets. She contacted an old high school classmate, who posted about the tickets on their high school Facebook page. In messages, the person stated they would sell the tickets for $1,500.
The woman received a phone number for an Apple Pay account and sent $500 to the account since that was the maximum. The woman grew suspicious when she received a separate phone number and account to send another $500. She reached out to the person with the other phone number and found out the Facebook account had been hacked. The woman said she is going to contact her bank to report the transaction.
Suspected fraud reported on Pleasant Street
At 1:01 p.m. on Nov. 25, a case of fraud was reported in the 21000 block of Pleasant Street.
The victim, a 27-year-old woman,
stated at the police station that she messaged an acquaintance, a 26-year-old woman, on Facebook. The victim inquired about Detroit Lions tickets the other woman had made a post about. Both women agreed on a price of $1,000 for six tickets to the Dec. 15 game against the Buffalo Bills. The victim sent one payment totaling in $800 and another payment totaling to $200. The woman then advised the victim to send money to two separate cousins. When the payments went through, the woman blocked the victim, and the victim is now disputing the claims with Venmo.
An officer called the woman and left a voice mail. On a returned call, the woman stated her Facebook account was hacked approximately two months ago. She reported the incident to Facebook and thought the account had been taken down. She advised other family and friends who told her about the potential scams to report and block the account.
— Alyssa Ochss
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gnome was being stolen. Camera footage showed a man taking a garden gnome and antique lantern off her porch. The woman told Macomb County Sheriff’s Office deputies that she believed her 30-year-old neighbor was the culprit and she was just interested in getting the decor back.
Deputies spoke with the neighbor’s dad, who recovered the items, before summoning the 30-year-old himself to the screen door. He told deputies that the items were found in the garbage but, once confronted with video footage, said he did not remember everything due to the medication he was taking.
Man steals dog food
EASTPOINTE — According to a police report, a suspect entered the Dollar General in the area of Eight Mile Road and Gratiot Avenue at 4:15 p.m. Nov. 17 and loaded a shopping cart with numerous large bags of dog food before fleeing the location on foot without paying. He was last seen in the city of Detroit before the caller lost sight of him. Police were investigating.
Seasonal décor used in vandalism
GROSSE POINTE PARK — Sometime between the hours of 10 p.m. Nov. 1 and 11:50 a.m. Nov. 2, an unknown suspect is said to have shattered the windshield of a 2020 Jeep Compass while it was parked in the 1100 block of Kensington Road. Police said they found chunks of broken pumpkin around the vehicle, leading them to believe that the pumpkin was tossed at the Jeep’s window.
Hacker intimidation
MACOMB TOWNSHIP — In September, a 68-yearold Macomb Township woman purchased a new laptop. She turned the laptop on for the first time on Nov. 8 at her home in the 51000 block Battonwood Drive and quickly encountered a pop-up window. The pop-up encouraged her to call a “Microsoft Support” phone number, which was answered by a man who claimed the computer contained child porn downloaded onto it. After the woman denied this due to not downloading anything yet, the man ordered her to open her online banking accounts. She refused to do so, and the man began moving her cursor, turned on the computer’s camera and brought up a pornography website, prompting the woman to close the laptop.
Woman finds tracker on vehicle
SHELBY TOWNSHIP — A police officer from Shelby Township responded to the 50000 block of Scotland Boulevard, near 26 Mile and Mound roads, for a suspicious situation at 2:30 a.m. Nov. 6. The officer
met with the caller, who advised that she had found a tracker on her vehicle.
The woman stated that she is in a relationship that is ending and believes it was placed on her vehicle by her soon-to-be ex. The caller stated that this is the second tracking device she has found. This case was turned over to the detective bureau for further investigation.
Fraud reported ST. CLAIR SHORES — At 12:33 p.m. on Nov. 14, a case of fraud was reported in the 32000 block of Harper Avenue.
A skimming device was found on an ATM at a business. Upon arrival, the officer spoke to the owner, a 59-year-old man, and a machine technician, a 27-year-old man. The technician stated he came to the business and found the device attached to the ATM in the store. The device had two parts: a plate that covered the ATM insert card hole and a “Y” shaped device inserted in the card slot. Both men had handled the devices prior to the officer’s arrival. Evidence was collected and photos were taken. The officer asked the owner to have employees take notice of suspicious behavior near the machine.
Suspect cited for attempting to steal STERLING HEIGHTS — On the night of Nov. 7, a man allegedly tried to steal a “large amount of groceries” collectively valued at $188.76 from Walmart, 33201 Van Dyke Ave. Police said store staff witnessed the suspect not scanning multiple items before trying to leave with the unpaid merchandise. The report added that the suspect had multiple carts filled with over 100-150
