Deel retains Rochester Hills City Council president role
JASON CARLOCK TO SERVE AS COUNCIL VICE PRESIDENT
BY MARY BETH ALMOND malmond@candgnews.com
ROCHESTER HILLS — Rochester Hills City Council President Ryan Deel will continue to serve in his leadership position for another year.
Every year, the Rochester Hills City Council elects members to one-year terms for the president and vice president positions.
Deel, an attorney, was unanimously elected to retain his position by his peers Dec. 2.
“Thank you everybody for your continued faith and confidence that you have in me in this position,” Deel said during the meeting.
Deel and his wife, Melinda, and their twin sons, Jack and Brennan, have lived in the city since 2003. Deel was first elected to the council as the city’s District 4 representative in 2017.
The council, also by a unanimous vote,
Rochester Hills fire lieutenant saves
2 from second story of burning home
BY MARY BETH ALMOND malmond@candgnews.com
ROCHESTER HILLS — Two people are alive thanks to the quick thinking of an off-duty fire lieutenant in Rochester Hills.
The Rochester Hills Fire Department was dispatched to the 700 block of John R Road on the report of a house fire with people trapped inside just before 9 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 27.
Rochester Hills Fire Lt. Chris Ogg, who was off duty, happened to be driving by the area and saw smoke coming from the home.
“He went there, saw people upstairs, went around the corner, grabbed a ladder, put the ladder up himself, climbed the ladder and pulled two people down (from the second-story window),” Rochester Hills Mayor Bryan Barnett said.
Ogg — who was recently promoted to lieutenant — comes from a long line of people who have served the community, Barnett noted. His grandfather was the city’s first mayor, Earl Borden.
“It was absolutely heroic work,” Barnett said. “Those two folks, thankfully, were taken to (DMC Detroit Receiving Hospital) and spent a couple days recov-
Firefighters extinguished a house fire in the 700 block of John R Road Nov. 27. Pictured right, Rochester Hills Fire Lt. Chris Ogg rescued two people from the fire.
Photos provided by the city of Rochester Hills
Rochester High School’s varsity dance team captured first place in both the small (11 dancers or fewer) varsity pom category and large (11 dancers or more) varsity jazz category while also being crowned grand champions for its pom routine November 10 in the Dance Team Union Detroit Regional at Rochester High School.
of
‘WE’RE NOT DONE YET’ ROCHESTER VARSITY DANCE KICKS SEASON OFF AS GRAND CHAMPIONS
BY JONATHAN SZCZEPANIAK
jszczepaniak@candgnews.com
ROCHESTER HILLS — In late September of this year, Rochester High School’s varsity dance team captivated the TikTok world with its pep assembly performance to AC/DC’s hit song “Thunderstruck.”
The video currently has nearly 2 million views and over 330,300 likes, but it was only a small sample size of what the Falcons’ varsity dance team could bring to the floor.
On November 10 in the Dance Team Union Detroit Regional at Rochester High School, the team’s season-opening competition for 2024-2025, lightning escaped the bottle as Rochester surged throughout the competition.
Not only did the Falcons capture first place in both the small (11 dancers or fewer) varsity pom category and large (11 dancers or more) varsity jazz category, it was also crowned grand champions for its pom routine, tallying the highest score of the day. The Falcons’ jazz routine earned a “Technical Excellence” award as well.
Rochester’s jazz routine had the second-highest score of the day while junior Brielle Bates earned first in the solo competition and received a “Wow Moment” award for her
See CHAMPIONS on page 16A
HOLLY JOLLY HOMETOWN FUN
The
LEFT: A dog from Sit Means Sit Dog Training jumps through a hoop for the crowd during the Rochester Hometown
Photo courtesy
Andrea Arnold
ABOVE: Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus greet the crowds during the Rochester Hometown Christmas Parade Dec. 8.
Photos by Erin Sanchez
ABOVE:
Rochester Adams Marching Band spreads cheer during the Rochester Hometown Christmas Parade.
Christmas Parade.
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 decla-
ration 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
RIGHT: While serving in the U.S. Navy, John Cuthbert Auld, of Detroit, was killed during the attack on Pearl Harbor 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.
BELOW: Sailors aboard the USS Oklahoma pose for a group photo. Photos provided by the Public Affairs Office, Navy Personnel Command
RELATED STORY:
See AULD on page 10A PEARL HARBOR ARTIFACTS LINK BACK TO DAY OF INFAMY 83 YEARS AGO/12A
Adams student, adviser named winners of 2024 National Student Production Awards
BY MARY BETH ALMOND malmond@candgnews.com
ROCHESTER — Winners of the ninth annual National Student Production Awards were announced Nov. 21 during a ceremony presented by the Foundation of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS).
The competition recognizes talented high school students from across the country for achievements in filmmaking and journalism — including Oliver Mutart from Rochester Adams High School.
“One day we will see our world reflected through the eyes and lenses of these motivated student journalists and storytellers, and it’s an honor to celebrate the work they’re already doing,” Adam Sharp, president and CEO of NATAS, said in a statement.
“Encouraging students’ pursuit of excellence is at the core of our Foundation’s work. Thanks to the hardworking teachers, advisors and parents who support and shape the craft of these young people.”
Mutart and his adviser, Amy Limon, were recognized for Outstanding Animation/ Graphics/Special Effects for their piece “Some Things Never Change.”
The national winners were selected from submissions previously recognized as winners in the NATAS Regional Chapter competitions.
“Our Foundation had the privilege of reviewing so much fantastic work from students across the nation, and all of these students should be proud of the work they’ve accomplished,” said Doug Mummert, NATAS Foundation chair.
“This year’s submissions provided a glimpse into the communities and lives of today’s young craftspeople, producers, directors, and more, and if these fantastic nominees are an indication, tomorrow’s media is in good hands.”
The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences is a service organization dedicated to the advancement of the arts and sciences of television and the promotion of creative leadership for artistic, educational and technical achievements within the television industry, according to officials.
It recognizes excellence in television with the coveted Emmy Awards for news and documentary, sports, and daytime television programming, as well as achievements in television technology and engineering.
NATAS membership consists of more than 18,000 broadcast and media professionals represented in 19 regional chapters across the United States. Beyond awards, NATAS provides extensive educational programs through its Foundation, including regional and national scholarships and Student Production Awards.
Call Staff Writer Mary Beth Almond at (586) 498-1060.
BY SARAH WRIGHT swright@candgnews.com
TROY — A documentary film made by some Michigan locals promises to give viewers insight into Mad Magazine’s history and its impact on the culture through its satirical influences.
The idea for this “When We Went MAD!” documentary came from its Director Alan Bernstein from Pleasant Ridge, who has been a fan of Mad Magazine since he was 7 years old. Bernstein said he was waiting for someone to make this film but decided to take on this challenge himself when no one else did.
“I’ve been interested in this since I was a kid and I’d have loved to write for MAD or make movies and I chose film making,” Bernstein said.
Mad Magazine is an American humor magazine that was started by Harvey Kurtzman and William Gaines in 1952. Much of its comedic content comes from poking fun at different aspects of pop culture
Alan Bernstein is the director of the “When We Went MAD!” documentary film. Photo provided by Alan Bernstein
NEWS & NOTES
8A/ ROCHESTER POST • DECEMBER 12, 2024
ROCHESTER CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY BOARD ANNOUNCES INTERIM PRESIDENT
ROCHESTER — The Rochester Christian University Board of Trustees has selected Tom Rellinger, executive vice president and chief financial officer, to serve as interim president until a new leader begins his or her official duties in 2025.
Tom Rellinger
Rellinger, a 1980 alumnus, has worked at the university since 2011 when he served as director of development and alumni relations. In 2013, he was promoted to vice president, and in 2017, he was appointed to executive vice president.
Some of his key accomplishments during his time at RCU have been assisting the university in the creation and implementation of an overall five-year strategic plan and a strategic financial plan for accreditation; securing the largest financial gift in school history; and implementing process improvements resulting in streamlined workflow in the departments he oversees.
“The board has been able to work with and observe Tom very closely these last few years,” said Joe Alexander, chair of the RCU Board of Trustees, in a press release.
“We’ve continued to be impressed with his abilities to solve financial problems and lead his primary area through complex banking, budgeting and regulatory issues. But more than just that, we have observed his abilities to collaborate with other members of the senior leadership team with the overall goal of helping all areas on campus be successful.”
Prior to his time at RCU, Rellinger was in the marketing/sales division of tech company IBM. He also served as senior minister at the Petoskey Church of Christ for 15 years, while holding positions on several local and regional nonprofit, education and healthcare advisory boards.
“We thank Tom for stepping up to these leadership challenges at a time when the university needs a steady hand to help with continued progress over these coming months,” Alexander said in a press release.
Dr. Brian Stogner, president of Rochester Christian University, announced his resignation effective Dec. 31, 2024, as he moves on to become president of the Michigan School of Psychology in Farmington Hills.
The Rochester Christian University Board of Trustees has selected FaithSearch Partners of Dallas to assist with a national search for its next president. FaithSearch is a nationally known executive search management firm with expertise in identifying mission-driven leadership for Christian organizations.
Museum hosts
old-fashioned Christmas
ROCHESTER HILLS — Join the Rochester Hills Museum at Van Hoosen Farm for old-fashioned holiday fun from noon to 4 p.m. Dec. 21.
Guests can visit the All Aboard! Model Train display that will fill the Calf Barn. Farm wagons transport guests to all museum buildings for musical entertainment, crafts, snacks, theater groups and even chestnuts roasting over an open fire.
The cost is $5 for nonmember adults and $3 for seniors and students. Museum members get in free. No preregistration is required.
For more information, visit rochesterhills.org/ musprograms. The Rochester Hills Museum is located at 1005 Van Hoosen Road, off Tienken Road between Rochester and Dequindre roads.
CLARIFICATION:
The story “Off-duty nurse helps save man’s life during heart attack” in the Dec. 4 issue of the Rochester Post should have clarified that Amanda Drogowski is a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA).
MUSEUM HOSTS CANDLELIGHT WALKING TOURS DEC. 19
ROCHESTER HILLS — The Rochester Hills Museum at Van Hoosen Farm is hosting hourlong candlelight walking tours from 6 to 9 p.m. Dec. 19. Spread across the museum grounds, guests will visit historical vignettes, observe historic campfire cooking, listen to a cappella Christmas carols, and explore the decorated 1840s Van Hoosen Farmhouse. Dress for the weather, as stations are both inside and outside. Tickets cost $8 for museum members and $10 for nonmembers. To register, visit rochesterhills.org/musprograms. The Rochester Hills Museum is located at 1005 Van Hoosen Road, off Tienken Road between Rochester and Dequindre roads.
Church presents the Motor City Chorale’s ‘The Holly and the Ivy’ concert
ROCHESTER – First Congregational Church, United Church of Christ, in Rochester will host the Motor City Chorale when it presents its “The Holly and the Ivy” concert at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 20. The church is located at 1315 N. Pine Street in Rochester.
Originally founded in 1933 as the General Motors Chorus, the Motor City Chorale is celebrating more than 90 years of continuous service to the Metro Detroit community. The Dec. 20 concert will feature an enchanting evening filled with festive music and a joyous celebration. Open to the
AVONDALE YOUTH THEATRE CO. ANNOUNCES WINTER PERFORMANCE
ROCHESTER HILLS/AUBURN HILLS/BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP — On Dec. 19-20, the Avondale Youth Theatre Co. will present a combination of plays based on Marvel Comics characters, including “Squirrel Girl Goes to College,” “Thor and Loki: Hammered,” and “Ms. Marvel: Mirror of Most Value.” The performance will feature the talents of Avondale elementary through middle school students. The curtain goes up at 6:05 p.m. in the Avondale High School Performing Arts Center, 2800 Waukegan in Auburn Hills. Tickets are available at avondaletheatrecompany.ludus.com.
public, the concert is free of charge.
The chorale is directed by Eric Miller, a post he has held since 2008. He served as choir director of Warren’s Lincoln High School from 1981 to 2015, and he currently is the senior choir director of St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church in Grosse Pointe Farms.
The accompanist of the chorale is Robert Foster, who has served as organist of First English Lutheran Church in Grosse Pointe Woods since 1984 and piano accompanist for Grosse Pointe North High School since 2017.
“The Motor City Chorale always presents an enjoyable and delightful evening as they share their musical gifts,” Pastor Scott Cunningham said in a statement. “We welcome the community at this special holiday event.”
HEALTH DIVISION OFFERS VIRTUAL VAPE 101, PRESCRIPTION MEDICATION DISPOSAL PROGRAMS
OAKLAND COUNTY — The public is invited to participate in two free substance use disorder prevention programs offered virtually by the Oakland County Health Division this month. Vape 101 — a free educational training about the real dangers of vaping — will be held at noon on Tuesday, Dec. 17, via Microsoft Teams online. Learn more about how e-cigarettes operate and identify commonly used products; the health consequences, safety and other concerns; why youth are using these products; and vaping prevention resources. Parents; community members and organizations; and middle, high school and college students can take the training. In addition, Oakland County Health Division health educators will share how to dispose of medications safely and properly during a “Dispose of Unused & Expired Medications — Education and Technical Support” program at noon Dec. 19 via Microsoft Teams online. Learn what local stores in Oakland County accept medications and provide safe medication disposal kiosks. The class is open to adults. To register for either program, contact Nadli Arabo at arabon@oakgov.com or Melanie Stone at stonem@oakgov.com.
following medals and decorations: Purple Heart medal, Combat Action Ribbon, 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 fam-
ily. 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 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.
CRIME WATCH
Intoxicated man arrested for disrupting condo residents
ROCHESTER — Officers were dispatched to a condominium building on a report of a male subject being disruptive and banging on doors at approximately 11:55 p.m. Dec. 2.
Officers arrived on scene and reportedly observed the suspect inside the building stumbling around. The officers also observed the subject kick the elevator doors multiple times, police said.
The officers were able to gain access to the building and placed the subject under arrest. A preliminary breath test resulted in a blood alcohol content of 0.17%, police said. The driver was reportedly lodged until sober and released.
Driver caught on the road with suspended license
ROCHESTER — An officer performing selective enforcement in the area of University Drive and Walnut Boulevard reportedly observed the driver of a dark-colored truck not wearing a seat belt at approximately 12:35 p.m. Dec. 5.
The officer conducted a traffic stop and made contact with the driver, who reportedly had a suspended license. The driver was placed under arrest and transported to the Rochester Police Department for processing.
Police said the driver had a prior suspended license conviction. The driver was released with a pending court date.
— Mary Beth Almond
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 gentleman 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 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.”
See ARTIFACTS on page 13A
Photo by Dean Vaglia
Prayer books from the USS Arizona and Oklahoma, along with envelopes from the Arizona, have come into the possession of the Detroit Arsenal of Democracy Museum.
President
from page 1A
named Jason Carlock as council vice president.
Carlock, who has served on council as the city’s District 3 representative since 2023, was nominated by Theresa Mungioli.
“In looking at the continuity of our City Council and making sure we have a good succession plan in place for the years to come, I would like to nominate Jason Carlock as vice president of council for next year,” Mungioli said during the meeting.
Carlock — who has worked at Xperi since 2005, focusing
from
and politics, and it would reach 2.5 million issue sales in the 1970s.
“For generations, MAD Magazine shaped and warped its readers’ senses of humor and their very outlook on the world around them. From the McCarthy hearings and the Cold War to Taylor Swift and social media, MAD Magazine was there to poke fun at all of it,” said a press release from the “When We Went MAD!” team.
In 2019, the magazine would cease to publish new content, though previous edi-
Fire
from page 1A
ering, but are fine now.
“Really, you talk about something to be thankful for this season — the fact that they are with us is thanks to one individual, who followed what he knows to do and saved lives. We’re certainly proud of him.”
Rochester Hills firefighters — with mutual aid support from the city of Rochester, Auburn Hills, and Shelby Township — ar-
Artifacts
12A
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 Nation-
on engineering and program management in the automotive technology sector — was also unanimously elected to the role.
“Thank you all for your confidence,” Carlock said during the meeting.
Rochester Hills City Council meetings are held inside the Rochester Hills City Hall auditorium, 1000 Rochester Hills Drive, at 7 p.m., typically on the second and fourth Mondays of every month. Council meetings can be seen live on Rochester Hills Television or via streaming on the city’s website.
For more information, including an approved meeting schedule, visit www.rochesterhills.org.
Call Staff Writer Mary Beth Almond at (586) 498-1060.
tions can be mailed to subscribers or found at comic book shops.
For this film, Bernstein, documentary editor Erich Wiemer and cinematographer Scott West have been working with former magazine staff members and celebrity guests for around 16 years to tell a compelling story about Mad Magazine’s history and impact. Through a Kickstarter, the filmmakers were able to raise $40,000-$50,000 for the project.
“We’re not trying to make a History channel piece,” said Wiemer, who is from Troy. “We want to look at Mad from a satirical standpoint of how the culture feels about presidents and hippies, and make sure
rived shortly after and extinguished the fire.
The victims were transported to the hospital and treated for smoke inhalation.
Firefighters also rescued one dog from the fire. Oakland County Animal Control transported the dog to a nearby animal hospital for treatment, where he reportedly passed away.
The Oakland County Sheriff’s Office Fire Investigation Unit is investigating the cause of the fire.
Call Staff Writer Mary Beth Almond at (586) 498-1060.
al 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.
Call Staff Writer Dean Vaglia at (586) 498-1043.
people know about the cultural impact that led to its demise by making (‘Saturday Night Live’) or ‘The Simpsons.’”
The film initially started with interviews from the Mad staff. Through the connections of production company Chassy Media, the film was able to include interviews with well-known names like Quentin Tarantino, Judd Apatow, Bryan Cranston, Gilbert Gottfried, Howie Mandel, and Weird Al Yankovic.
“We interviewed Weird Al at the Cherry Festival in Traverse City before his performance,” Wiemer said. “We were brought into the makeup trailer and hung out for 45 minutes to an hour. We’re all Weird Al fans.”
The film had its world premiere in New York in October and recently held a Midwest premiere at the Redford Theatre in Detroit in November. “When We Went MAD” will likely have another premiere in Los Angeles in the near future, and the filmmakers are currently exploring streaming service options with Amazon Prime and Apple.
“We hope to expand to other screenings,” Bernstein said. “We’re looking at film festivals and figuring out what our distributor will let us do.”
For more information, visit the “When We Went MAD” Facebook page or www. whenwewent mad.com.
Drunk Driving
Divorce, Custody Support & Parenting Time • Bankruptcy • Drivers License Restoration
Personal Injury
Criminal
Wills, Estates, Trusts & Lady Bird Deeds
Ryan Deel will continue for another year as president of the Rochester Hills City Council.
File photo provided by Ryan Deel
HOMES
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.
iPhone products and different stuff like that, and people are pretty soon
“People somehow or some way, they’re finding out deliveries of iPhone products and different stuff like that, and people are 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.”
pirates don’t have easy access to the delivered goods. He suggested
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.”
person, they’re doing it to several. So it’ll help us track these incidents
Emmi said fraudulent charities can pop up during the holiday truly
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.”
of a charity, and they can be just a little bit off and you’re donating to
Dowgiallo also has seen scams where people have received calls
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,
“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
Shopping
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 logging 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 one-time 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.
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Champions
from page 3A
routine. Rochester swept the top three solo spots with Luke Loftus placing second and Shaila Buhat third.
“All of our hard work has paid off,” Bates said. “Our saying this year is ‘better than yesterday,’ and it’s just great to see the hard work pay off. We’re not done yet. We still have so much work to do and we’re striving for our next competition.”
Bates, a first-year varsity dancer, has been a studio dancer at Suzette’s Masters of Dance in Shelby Township before finally taking her talents to a different side of dance.
Similar in sports to the age-old comparison of club/travel versus high school, there always seems to be a different feeling when you’re representing your school and competing alongside your classmates.
For Bates, this season, which is still very young, has already blown away her expectations for varsity dance.
“It’s honestly the people,” Bates said. “I’ve grown relationships with people on the team, and now those are my new best friends. Dance team is just so different from
Members of the Rochester varsity dance team:
Eva Teknos (senior), Megan Myrick (senior), Jillian Sieber (senior), Alina Patalan (senior), Shaila Buhat (senior), Amelia Sandoval (senior), Ellery Maras (senior), Victoria Brunell (junior), Brielle Bates (junior), Luke Loftus (junior), Brooke Dieterle (junior), Shelby Lawrence (sophomore).
what I’m used to because I’ve been a studio dancer since I was 5. It’s just been something so fun to experience.”
The Falcons continued their momentum-building start to the season with another impressive showing at Dance Force Xpress Michigan’s Dance Team Championship Nov. 17 at Lake Orion High School, adding another first-place finish in varsity elite pom while taking second in varsity elite jazz.
Rochester was also crowned grand champions for the second straight competition with its pom routine tallying the highest score of the day. Buhat also finished fifth in the solo competition.
What sets them apart from everyone else? Assistant coach Andrea Arnold said the team’s work ethic is immeasurable.
“They’re just really hard workers,” Arnold said. “They work really well as a team and they’re committed to being the best they can be as a team, and they work really hard to achieve that.”
Arnold and head coach Lisa Niskar both took over the team in 2019, and it’s just been a constant progression for the Falcons every year since.
“We’ve just been slowly building it up and building it up, but we’re really excited about this year,” Arnold said.
Aside from all the talent Rochester possesses, one of the things that Rochester can lean on is its veteran dancers, holding seven dancers with three or more years of varsity dance experience.
Senior Eva Teknos serves as the team captain while seniors Megan Myrick and Jillian Sieber are both assistant captains for the Falcons.
Throw in a few first-year varsity dancers with years of dance experience, and Rochester has a team of 12 dancers who can compete with the best around.
Rochester still has three competitions left in the season with Dance Team Union Detroit II at Dakota High School (Jan.
11), Dance Force Xpress Winter Wishes at Clarkston High School (Jan. 25), and Dance Team Union Nationals at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida, (Feb. 14-16) still on the calendar.
Nationals is where it all comes together and the best teams from around the country compete, but it’s also where Rochester has had recent success, tallying a runner-up finish in pom (2023) and jazz (2024) the past two seasons.
With the way they’re pushing themselves, Rochester expects another strong showing at nationals this season.
“Practices can be hard, but we all know where we need to be and what we need to accomplish at the end of the day,” Bates said. “If it’s a good or bad practice, we always have that dedication knowing that we want to bring home a national championship this year, we want to do good in our competitions, and we want to do better ourselves and prove to everyone else that we’ve been working.”
“Thunderstruck” brought a massive jolt to the start of the season, but two successful competitions already show Rochester means business.
“That (‘Thunderstruck’) was one of our biggest moments this year,” Bates said. “It was amazing!”
COMMUNITY CALENDAR
18A/ ROCHESTER POST • DECEMBER 12, 2024
DEC. 13
Milk & Cookies with Santa: Also photos, activities and meet The Grinch, 4-8 p.m., Rochester Avon Recreation Authority, 500 E. Second St., rararecreation.org
‘My Favorite Things’: Performance by Rochester Symphony Orchestra, 8 p.m., St. Paul’s Methodist Church, 620 Romeo Road in Rochester, rochestersymphony. com/event/my-favorite-things
Meet actors from ‘A Christmas Story’: Q&A with Zack Ward (Scut Farkus) and Yano Anaya (Grover Dill) at 8 p.m. and screening at 8:30 p.m., also VIP meet-andgreet with photo opportunities and autographs from 4-7:30 p.m., Emagine Rochester Hills, 200 Barclay Circle in Rochester Hills, emagine-entertainment.com
Advent concert: Noon, St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, 620 Romeo St. in Rochester, stpaulsrochester. org/index.php/harmony-in-the-hills
DEC. 14
Gingerbread House Challenge: Also get decorating tips from chef and his team, plus pop-up shops featuring local makers and Neighborhood House collecting mittens and hats, noon-3 p.m., Twin Lakes Golf Club, 455 Twin Lakes Drive in Oakland Township, (248) 601-4172
DEC. 15
Holiday Home Tour: See six decorated houses in Rochester, Rochester Hills and Oakland Township, noon-5 p.m., get map and tickets at Rochester Hills Public Library, 500 Olde Towne Road, or online at rhpl. org/friends-of-rhpl/#friends-events
DEC. 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, ageways.org, tinyurl.com/agewaysworkshops
DEC. 19
Candlelight Walking Tours: Features historic vignettes
Beth Almond | (586) 498-1060 | malmond@candgnews.com
Sports: Jonathan Szczepaniak | (586) 498-1090 | sports@candgnews.com
Artroom: (586) 498-1036 | ads@candgnews.com Classifieds: For ad rates (586) 498-8100
and campfire cooking, a capella carols, and decorated 1840s farmhouse, guided tours includes inside and outside stations, hour times slots available 6-9 p.m., Rochester Hills Museum at Van Hoosen Farm, 1005 Van Hoosen Road, registration required, (248) 656-4663, rochesterhills.org/musprograms
DEC. 20
Holiday concert: Performance by Motor City Chorale, 7:30 p.m., First Congregational Church of Rochester, 1315 N. Pine St., motorcitychorale.com/home, fccrochester.org
DEC. 21
Old-Fashioned Christmas: Take wagon to all buildings for theater groups, live music, crafts, snacks and more, noon-4 p.m., Rochester Hills Museum at Van Hoosen Farm, 1005 Van Hoosen Road, (248) 6564663, rochesterhills.org/musprograms
ONGOING
The Big, Bright Light Show: See downtown Rochester buildings illuminated, 5 p.m.-midnight until Jan. 19, www.downtownrochestermi.com/the-big-bright-lightshow
‘A Christmas Carol’: Select dates and times until Dec. 22, Meadow Brook Theatre on campus of Oakland University, 378 Meadow Brook Road in Rochester, (248) 377-3300, mbtheatre.com/a-christmas-carol-24-25
Holidays at Meadow Brook: Holiday Walk on select dates until Dec. 23, Winter Wonder Lights on select dates until Dec. 30, and Santa Saturdays 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Dec. 14 and 21, Meadow Brook Hall, 350 Estate Drive in Rochester, meadowbrookhall.org/holidays
Santa visits: Take own photos at Santa’s Snug and drop off wish lists in Magical Mailbox, weekends through mid-December, then daily Dec. 19-24, Festival Park at The Village of Rochester Hills, 104 N. Adams Road, free and walk-up only, see times and special dates with reindeer at Fountain Park at thevorh.com/events
All Aboard! Model Railroad Exhibit: Presented by
Jeannine Bender | (586) 498-1034 | jbender@candgnews.com
Bozimowski | (586) 498-1032 | kboz@candgnews.com Legals and Obits: (586) 498-1099
Advertising: Louise Millar | (586) 498-1054 | lmillar@candgnews.com
Estate Advertising: Paula Kaspor | (586) 498-1055 | pkaspor@candgnews.com
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.
Stoney Creek Model Railroad Club, noon-4 p.m. Dec. 14-15, 21-22 and 26-29, and Jan. 2-4, Rochester Hills Museum at Van Hoosen Farm, 1005 Van Hoosen Road, (248) 656-4663, rochesterhills.org/musprograms
Dinosaur Hill Nature Preserve activities: Owl Hoot (6-7:30 p.m. Dec. 21), plus ongoing Story & STEAM (ages 3-5, 10-11 a.m. every second and fourth Friday of month) and Nature Tales Classic (story, snack and craft, ages 3-5, 10-11 a.m. every third Thursday of month), 333 N. Hill Circle in Rochester, dinosaurhill.org
Widowed Friends Movie Club: Meets every second Tuesday of month, Emagine Rochester Hills, 200 Barkley Circle, shows and times TBD, contact Valerie at (248) 701-9567 or widowedfriends9@gmail.com
Live entertainment: Upcoming shows include Motown tribute/Christmas Show featuring The Prolifics (Dec. 13), Christmas with The King - The Ultimate Elvis Tribute (Dec. 14), Aaron Caruso - Christmas Crooner (Dec. 15), Journey Tribute featuring Captured Detroit (Dec. 20), Dueling Pianos (Dec. 21 and 27), Toby Keith tribute/Christmas Show (Dec. 22), and Sponge (Dec. 28), The Roxy, 401 Walton Blvd. in Rochester Hills, (248) 453-5285, theroxyrochester.com/events
• 7-10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, Fork n’ Pint, 51
N. Broadway in Lake Orion, forknpintlakeorion.com, (248) 845-4476
Rochester Toastmasters: Meets 6:30 p.m. every first and third Thursday of month, Pixley Memorial Hall, 322 W. University Drive in Rochester, (248) 828-5649, www.4890.toastmastersclubs.org
Health workshops: For ovarian cancer support, diabetes prevention, nutrition education and more, hosted by Corewell Health, free and virtual, beaumonthealth. digitalsignup.com
Lupus support groups: 10 a.m. every second Tuesday of month and 7 p.m. every last Wednesday, Zoom, (248) 901-7299, milupus.org/support-groups
ADHD meetings: Hosted by CHADD of Eastern Oakland County, for adults and parents, 7:30-8:30 p.m., Zoom, see schedule on chadd.net/chapterevents/527
Wild Lights: Millions of lights,500-plus displays, interactive wishing tree, seasonal drinks, food and treats, warming stations with live entertainment, and more, select dates and times until Jan. 5, Detroit Zoo, 8450 W. 10 Mile Road in Royal Oak, dzoo.org/ wildlights
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HAPPY HOLIDAYS
Driver arrested for possession of a stolen vehicle
BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP — The Bloomfield Township Police Department responded to the area of Telegraph Road and Maple Road on the report of a stolen vehicle from a license plate reader Nov. 10.
Officers arrived in the area and located a stolen silver Chevrolet Malibu in the parking lot of the Bloomfield Plaza. The driver was arrested for being in possession of a stolen vehicle, police said.
Television stolen from storage unit
BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP — A burglarized storage unit at an apartment near south Opdyke and east Square Lake roads was reported Nov. 10.
The owner told police that at approximately 1:30 p.m. they went down to their storage unit to put something away and discovered damage to the door. Upon further investigation, the owner discovered their 24-inch television missing. The television was valued at $100.
Police recover stolen car mirrors following road rage incident
BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP — Police took a report of two stolen side mirrors on a black 2021 Alfa Romeo Stelvio in the parking lot at Costco, 2343 S. Telegraph Road, at approximately 10 a.m. Nov. 24.
According to police, the officer who took the report was able to successfully identify and get a confession from the suspect. The suspect allegedly admitted to stealing the mirrors because he was upset over a road rage incident and “did not have the balls” to confront the victim.
Police said the suspect brought the stolen mirrors into the police station and turned them over. Charges were pending.
Rock thrown through home window
BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP — Police took a report for malicious destruction of property Nov. 24.
The female victim stated that at approximately 3:30 a.m., she heard a loud crashing noise and discovered that a grapefruit-sized rock was thrown through a front window on a home in the 1500 block of Old Chatham Drive. An additional large landscaping rock was found on the driveway.
The victim’s granddaughter, who lives with her, reportedly got into an altercation the previous night with a group of girls in Pontiac, police said. The granddaughter showed the officer a series of threatening Facebook messages that were sent around the same time the rock was thrown through the window.
The case was turned over to the Bloomfield Township Police Investigation Division.
BIRMINGHAM — At approximately 1 p.m. on Nov. 8, officers were dispatched to the 2000 block of Dorchester for a report of vehicle theft.
The victim, a 48-year-old male resident, stated that he had hired a moving company the day before to help him pack up his home, and during that time he learned that his car keys had gone missing. The following day, he learned that his truck was missing. Upon investigation, the vehicle was found in Detroit and returned to the owner.
Reckless driver with expired CPL gets arrested
BIRMINGHAM — On Nov. 18 at approximately 8 p.m., officers on patrol identified a vehicle driving recklessly northbound on Woodward Avenue.
Officers performed a traffic stop and upon making contact with the driver and suspect, a 31-year-old man from Dearborn, he reportedly informed officers that he had a firearm in his vehicle, as well as a concealed pistol license to carry the firearm.
Upon investigation, the suspect’s CPL had expired the previous year, police said. The suspect was placed under arrest for possession of a firearm without a CPL. An investigation was ongoing.
Fight over bar seat results in arrest
BIRMINGHAM — At approximately 8 p.m. Nov. 22, officers on the street were waved into a restaurant in the 200 block of South Old Woodward Avenue to help stop a fight.
Police said employees had separated two men, who reportedly fought after arguing over a seat at the bar. The suspect, a 45-year-old Farmington Hills man, allegedly picked up the other man, a 44-year-old from Bloomfield Hills, by the throat and slammed him to the ground. The suspect was arrested for assault.
Southfield police apprehend car thief
SOUTHFIELD — At 3:45 a.m. Nov. 15, Southfield officers located an unoccupied running vehicle near the 25000 block of Shiawassee Road.
Upon further investigation, a nearby vehicle’s car alarm went off, and officers observed an unknown individual running from the car. The suspect was apprehended.
Resident reports social media hack and scam
BERKLEY — A 38-year-old Berkley woman reported a case of identity theft to the Public Safety Department at 1:23 p.m. Nov. 6.
According to the report, the woman told police
potentially used to scam a friend of hers.
The woman said the hacker posted on her account approximately 50 items for sale. One of her friends sent $300 to the hacker in exchange for an item listed for sale. She also stated that she was in the process of getting her account fixed with Facebook.
Vehicle almost stolen
BERKLEY — Police were called to an attempted stolen vehicle at 7:20 p.m. Nov. 6 in the 2300 block of Oxford Road.
According to the report, police were informed of two suspicious individuals around a white 2020 Kia Niro in the parking lot of Oxford Park Towers.
Witnesses told police that the alarm for the vehicle was going off and that two people were visibly fleeing the scene, jumping over the retaining wall separating the parking lot from The Wedding Shoppe and Taco Bell.
The two individuals both are believed to be males and possibly juveniles.
Police found that the Kia was running, the rear right window was broken out, the steering column was damaged and it was offset from the other vehicles in the lot, as it possibly was rolled backward a couple of feet.
License plate stolen off car
ROYAL OAK — A complainant reported that between 6 p.m. Nov. 11 and 9 a.m. Nov. 12, an unknown person stole the license plate from the complainant’s car near North Stephenson Highway and 12 Mile Road.
Intoxicated driver gives thumbs-up, then hits street sign
TROY — Officers were dispatched to the Lanergan Drive and Newgate Road area for a welfare check at 1:51 p.m. Nov. 22.
The witness reported observing a vehicle stopped in the intersection of Wendover and Paddington for over 20 minutes. He went to check on the driver, who reportedly gave him a thumbs-up before driving away slowly. The witness then reportedly saw the vehicle travel off the road onto multiple yards and hit a street sign.
Upon speaking with the driver, a 59-year-old woman from Troy, officers immediately noted she was in an altered state. The driver allegedly admitted to drinking Champagne before driving. She submitted to a preliminary breath test with a result of 0.219%, police said.
She was arrested and transported to the Troy
to submit to a chemical breath test with results of 0.266% and 0.279%, police said. The driver was issued a citation for operating with a blood alcohol content of 0.17% or more.
Intoxicated driver apprehended during traffic stop TROY — On Nov. 23 at 1:02 a.m., officers initiated a traffic stop on the driver of a 2009 Ford Flex for speeding around southbound Interstate 75 and Rochester Road.
Upon speaking with the driver, a 22-year-old man from Grosse Pointe, officers noted he had glassy eyes and there was an odor of alcohol and marijuana coming from the vehicle. When asked, the driver reportedly admitted to consuming two beers and smoking marijuana from a vape pen earlier in the evening.
The driver was asked to perform several sobriety evaluations, which he did, but the officers noted he performed poorly. He submitted to a preliminary breath test with a result of 0.02% blood alcohol content.
Police said the driver was arrested for operating under the influence of drugs and was transported to the Troy Police Department’s lockup facility, where he was read his chemical test rights and reportedly agreed to submit to a blood draw. His blood was drawn by medical personnel. The case was turned over to the Detective Bureau for appropriate warrants once the blood results were returned.
Police investigate report of child sexual abuse material
ROCHESTER HILLS — A 31-year-old man walked into the Rochester Hills substation at 7:29 a.m. Nov. 1 and explained to deputies that he had met a 46-year-old man from Vancouver, Canada, via an internet site.
According to the report, the two men rendezvoused at a motel in the 1900 block of Star Batt Drive, and during their encounter, the 46-year-old man allegedly showed the 31-year-old man videos of him engaging in sexual acts with a child. Sometime later, the 31-year-old collected the electronics used to show the videos, left the motel and arrived at the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office to turn over the computer equipment.
As the 31-year-old man arrived at the Sheriff’s Office, the 46-year-old man came into the station to report his electronics had been stolen, police said. Detectives conducted interviews of both individuals. The investigation was ongoing.
EISENHOWER SHOW CHOIR IS TOPS AT FESTIVAL
SHELBY TOWNSHIP — The Eisenhower Show Choir was chosen as the top ensemble at the Michigan School Vocal Music Association Musical Theatre Solo and Ensemble Festival Nov. 9.
The group received a perfect score for its performance of “Something About This Night” from “Finding Neverland” and “Louder Than Words” from “tick...tick... BOOM!”
At the end of the festival, the show choir was chosen as the group that will represent the east site at the MSVMA All-State Festival in May. The group will sing at the Gala Concert at 7 p.m. May 8 at Fairchild Theatre on the campus of Michigan State University.
DOWNTOWN UTICA TO HOLD CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING
UTICA — The city of Utica will host its 2024 Downtown Utica Christmas Tree Lighting Celebration at 7 p.m. Dec. 14 at Utica’s Memorial Park. The event will include Lori Barczyk, from the Reptarium and LegaSea Aquarium, as the special guest. There will be visits and photos with Santa Claus, Jack Skellington and Sally from “The Nightmare Before Christmas,” a fireworks spectacular, Vanessa Carr performing Christmas songs, the Utica High School Marching Band, a performance by The Dance Class Youth Troupe and the Utica Fire Department’s “Stuff an Ambulance” to benefit Toys for Tots.
BIRMINGHAM COLLECTS
DONATIONS FOR TOYS FOR TOTS
or Birmingham
at 151 Martin St. The Birmingham Fire Department has partnered with Toys for Tots, run by the United States Marine Corps Reserve, for the last 25 years to collect new toys for kids from families who cannot afford to buy Christmas presents. More information on Toys for Tots can be found at toysfortots.org. Questions for the Birmingham Fire Department about this program can be directed to Station 1 at (248) 530-1906.
File photo by Erin Sanchez
