0162-2351
DECEMBER 20, 2023 • Vol. 42, No. 27
Happy Holidays from the Staff at C & G Newspapers
Madison Heights announces service award winners
During the 20th annual Project Blue Light ceremony at St. Justin’s Church in Hazel Park Dec. 5, the lights were turned off, taps was played, and audience members held red and blue lights, honoring police officers and firefighters who have died. Photo by Patricia O’Blenes
BY ANDY KOZLOWSKI akozlowski@candgnews.com
Business of the Year
LIGHTS HONOR POLICE, FIREFIGHTERS WHO MADE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE BY ANDY KOZLOWSKI
The Jarbo brothers own Amori’s Market, 26122 John R Road. Joe Jarbo began working there fresh out of Lamphere High School in 1986, and acquired the store with his brother, Rafid, in 1998. Upon becoming owners, they immediately set about making improvements to the building. About 10 years later, they also acquired the building across the street, which they transformed into We All Scream for Ice Cream. Earlier this summer, they sold that business to a friend, who turned it into Frosty Scoop. Mayor Roslyn Grafstein said that the Jarbo brothers were honored with the award not only because of the reputation Amori’s Market has as an inviting place, but also because of the efforts Joe and Rafid have made to improve Madison Heights. Joe said that he and his brother are deeply humbled by the award See WINNERS on page 10A
akozlowski@candgnews.com
HAZEL PARK — Police and firefighters face many perils, and there is no guarantee they will return home at the end of the shift. That’s why, amid the cold darkness of winter nights, residents are asked to place a blue or red light in their window as a show of support. The initiative has come to be known as Project Blue Light. Each December, it starts with a solemn ceremony at St. Justin’s Church in Hazel Park, where current and retired first responders gather with family and friends to pay respects to those who fell in the line of duty. This year’s event was Dec. 5, the 20th com-
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memoration to date. Among those named in the 2023 “Roll Call of Heroes,” which dates back to the summer of 2022, were the following: • Sgt. Daniel A. Kammerzell, Shelby Township Police Department, died Nov. 5, 2022. • Lt. Ethan M. Quillen, Paw Paw Volunteer Fire Department, died Feb. 22, 2023. • Apparatus Operator Ricky A. Hill, Jr., Flint Fire Department, died Feb. 25, 2023. • Lt. Frederick C. Bowens, Jr., Detroit Police Department, died March 13, 2023. • Retired Battalion Chief and Active Firefighter/Paramedic Shawn C. Goldie, St. Clair Shores and Oxford fire departments, died April 28, 2023.
2.9%
See LIGHTS on page 14A
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MADISON HEIGHTS — Earlier this year, the city of Madison Heights announced a program recognizing exceptional volunteers with its At Your Service Awards. The 2023 winners were revealed at the Nov. 27 City Council meeting. They include Dianna Lutz, named Volunteer of the Year; Michael and Martha Covert, recipients of the Outstanding Neighbor Award; Kevin and Keleila Wright, with the Madison Heights Spirit Award; and Joe and Rafid Jarbo, with the Business of the Year Award.