Goo blast summary committee approved
CLINTON TOWNSHIP ALSO HALVES VOTING PRECINCTS
BY DEAN VAGLIA dvaglia@candgnews.com
CLINTON TOWNSHIP — As prosecution against the owner of the Goo Smoke Shop is set to continue later this month, Clinton Township trustees approved their own investigation of sorts along party lines.
The Clinton Township Board of Trustees voted 4-3 on Feb. 10 to establish a committee to develop a summary of the events surrounding the Goo Smoke Shop fire and explosions. Initially proposed at the Jan. 27 board meeting, the proposal’s creator, Trustee Dan Kress, told the board the group would develop a summary for the benefit of the three newest part-time trustees.
See BLAST on page 13A
Crews Inn sold to Bumpers Landing owner
BY ALYSSA OCHSS aochss@candgnews.com
HARRISON TOWNSHIP — Crews Inn, a long-standing waterfront restaurant in Harrison Township, has been sold to the owner of the adjacent Bumpers Landing.
Jeff Metry, the now-former owner of Crews Inn, said his dad Fred Metry and uncle Gil Metry purchased the restaurant in 1976. Before that, they were lawyers and Metry said they had no pre-
vious restaurant experience.
Crews Inn was the site of a fire in 1978.
“And then they started to rebuild in 1980 and at that point it was just them who owned the property,” Metry said.
He went on to say they reopened the restaurant in December 1980 and that it remained open until another fire occurred in 1994.
“This was an electrical fire, and it pretty much decimated the building,” Metry said.
Crews Inn, a waterfront staple for many years, will be changing ownership after the recent sale of the restaurant.
Photo provided by Jeff Metry
See CREWS INN on page 14A
Clinton Township trustees approved the creation of a committee to develop a summary of the Goo Smoke Shop/Select Distributors fire at the Board of Trustees meeting on Feb. 10.
Photo by Dean Vaglia
MACY’S TO CLOSE AT LAKESIDE MALL
DROPPED ANCHOR NOT SLOWING REDEVELOPMENT PLANS
BY DEAN VAGLIA dvaglia@candgnews.com
STERLING HEIGHTS — It takes a long time for stars to burn out, but they all will eventually. With its own trademark red star, Macy’s at Lakeside Mall now marches toward its own final end.
On Jan. 9, the New York City-based retail titan Macy’s Inc. announced its intention to close 66 locations across the county including the anchor store at the now-dead Lakeside. The retailer expects it and the 65 other stores to be shuttered by the end of the first quarter 2025.
“Closing any store is never easy, but as part of our Bold New Chapter strategy, we are closing underproductive Macy’s stores to allow us to focus our resources and prioritize investments in our go-forward stores, where customers are already responding positively to better product offerings and elevated service,” Tony Spring, chairman and chief executive officer of Macy’s, Inc., said in a press release.
Macy’s closure came as no shock to Out
of the Box Ventures — the mall’s owner since 2019 — and the city of Sterling Heights.
“It was anticipated,” said Luke Bonner, CEO of the Bonner Advisory Group and a senior economic development adviser for the city of Sterling Heights. “We saw a lot of the national headlines last summer and last fall that Macy’s was closing hundreds of stores across the county. We hadn’t been notified of it yet, but we were assuming it was going to happen.”
Bonner says Out of the Box Ventures acquired the mall’s northern Macy’s property in late 2024 in anticipation of the retailer moving out. Out of the Box already owned the southern Macy’s anchor and leased it to the retailer. News of the north Macy’s closure means Out of the Box is tasked with incorporating the land into its plans for the Lakeside site.
“The Macy’s will likely be demolished with the rest of the mall,” Bonner said.
From the rubble of Lakeside Mall are the plans for the Lakeside City Center, a mixed-use project aiming to turn the con-
crete oval into 2,359 multifamily residential units, over 700,000 square feet of retail space, 70,000 square feet of offices, a 20,000-square-foot community center and a hotel with 80-100 rooms.
Progress on the site’s future continues with Out of the Box focusing on planning
and engineering work, as well as preparing tax incentive documents to be submitted to the state.
Bonner expects demolition to begin in the fall.
Call Staff Writer Dean Vaglia at (586) 498-1043.
Photo by Dean Vaglia
As the sun sets on the Macy’s at Lakeside Mall, demolition and redevelopment plans for the site continue to be advertised and worked on.
SECOND FRONT PAGE
State set to send teens to Macomb juvenile center
BY DEAN VAGLIA dvaglia@candgnews.com
MOUNT CLEMENS — Teenagers incarcerated at a state juvenile center in Grayling are moving south in the coming months.
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services announced on Jan. 24 that the 17 male youths lodged at the Shawono Center will be relocated to the Macomb County Juvenile Justice Center.
“While the decision to relocate the services provided by the Shawono Center was difficult, transferring to Macomb County will allow us to serve more youths and help them become healthy and productive citizens,” MDHHS Director Elizabeth Hertel said in a press release. “I appreciate the hard work and dedication of the staff at the Shawono Center, and we will work to find positions for all staff who would like to remain with MDHHS.”
The state’s inmates, who range from 12-21 years old, will move into the justice center’s west wing. The wing was previously occupied by Rite of Passage — a “national youth services provider” according to the MDHHS — with around $360,000 in renovations made for that program. The state intends to further renovate the wing for the purposes of housing the teens formerly lodged in Grayling, as well as renaming the wing the Michigan Youth Treatment Center.
“The state is looking to use about 40-60 beds,” Macomb County Deputy Executive Andy McKinnon said.
McKinnon said details about the move, such as how much money will be spent on further renovations and operations, remained in flux as of early February. Some services at the justice center like dining may be shared, though it is unlikely the state and county prisoners will mix together.
Housing prisoners from outside of the county is not new for the
LOCAL LIBRARIES THRIVE IN THE DIGITAL WORLD
BY DEAN VAGLIA, ALYSSA OCHSS dvaglia@candgnews.com, aochss@candgnews.com
MACOMB COUNTY — Although the world is seeing a digital shift, libraries are still thriving with increased programming and continued renovations to better suit the needs of their communities.
Harrison Township Public Library
Melissa Goins, Harrison Township library director, said the library has done very well over the last couple of years. In November 2022, a millage was passed giving the library more funding.
“With that money we hired full-time staff, full-time librarians, and we’ve really kicked up our programming in 2023,” Goins said.
She said their programming has been “skyrocketing” ever since with around 1,000 more programs added in 2024 than there was in 2023.
The library is wrapping up renovations that added two study rooms. Each room can hold up to eight people.
“They’re not quite ready for the public yet,” Goins said. “We’re hoping that they will be ready
for the public in another month or so.”
Policies for the rooms have not yet been finalized, but one stipulation may say that Harrison Township residents and taxpayers can use the rooms first.
A joint construction project with the township is also planned around 2026 that will expand the library.
The Harrison Township Public Library holds around 30,000 physical items and Goins said they’re consistently in circulation.
She said libraries have seen a shift from physical checkouts to digital checkouts with audio book checkouts skyrocketing.
“The interesting thing is even though physical checkouts aren’t where they used to be and digital checkouts are climbing, we’re still getting the foot traffic in the library,” Goins said. “It’s because of programming that people are still coming into the library and they’re using libraries differently than they have in the past.”
Goins said they’ve also seen an increase in patrons using the libraries to print out documents and other things like that.
“People aren’t buying home printers any-
Photo by Dean Vaglia
State-level juvenile inmates are expected to be relocated to a wing of the Macomb County Juvenile Justice Center by the end of spring 2025.
The Harrison Township Public Library has seen continued growth since it became tax funded in 2015.
Photo by Alyssa Ochss
NEWS & NOTES
HARRISON TOWNSHIP BOARD DEALS WITH MAY ELECTION MATTERS
HARRISON TOWNSHIP — At their regular board meeting on Feb. 10, the Harrison Township Board of Trustees approved a motion to not host early voting at the next special election in May. The board also approved a motion to temporarily move a polling location.
Harrison Township Clerk Adam Wit explained that the only affected part of Harrison Township for this election will be the Selfridge National Guard base, and they only have three people eligible to vote.
“Based on this we feel that early (voting) in this instance will not be of service to our residents while adding additional cost to the school district,” Wit stated.
The polling location will temporarily be moved from South River Elementary School to the Harrison Township administration building. This will affect precinct 6B. Wit explained this will prevent disruption to the school for the voters. These resolutions will only affect the May 6 election.
MACOMB COUNTY COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH SEEKS AWARD NOMINEES
CLINTON TOWNSHIP — In recognition of their labor, Macomb County Community Mental Health is asking members of the public to nominate eligible mental health and substance abuse professionals for its 2025 Mental Health Matters Awards. The third-annual edition of the awards seeks to recognize professionals in the following categories:
Self-Advocate Champion
Provider Champion
Caregiver Champion
Community Partner Champion
Advocate Champion
Nominations are open until April 25 and can be submitted surveymonkey. com/r/TQDXGJR. Contact Communications@mccmh.net with any questions about the award or the submission process.
LOCAL PANEL WILL DISCUSS MACOMB’S ECONOMIC FORECAST
WARREN — The 2025 Macomb Economic Forecast will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Feb. 21 at the South Campus of Macomb Community College, 14500 E. 12 Mile Road. The event will be in room 301 of the K Building.
Thomas Alongi, a partner with the UHY; Vicky Rowinski, director of Macomb County’s Department of Planning & Economic Development; and Brian Parthum, an economist with the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments, are among the panelists. Also scheduled to speak is Quentin L. Messer, Jr., of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation’s Michigan Strategic Fund.
The cost to attend is $45 for Eastpointe-Roseville Chamber of Commerce members and $55 for nonmembers. Email events@erchamber.com or call (586) 776-5520 to attend.
Beanbags to beat childhood cancer
CLINTON TOWNSHIP — 13Forever, a local organization that supports organizations and research facilities fighting pediatric cancers, invites the public to take part in its third-annual cornhole tournament at Great Shots Backyard Bar and Games in Clinton Township on Saturday, Feb. 22 from 4-8 p.m.
Tickets start at $15 for spectators and $40 for participants with all tickets giving attendees access to pizza. The event will have a 50/50 raffle, cash bar and tournament winners will receive a cash prize.Tickets can be purchased at 13forever.org/events.
After an 11-day run that included ride-alongs, celebrity appearances and visits from some of the greatest cars to grace the silver screen — including the Ferrari from “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” — the Detroit Auto Show drew in 275,000 visitors with an estimated $370 million financial impact on the region.
by Dean Vaglia
2025 Auto Show has estimated $370 million impact
DETROIT — After an 11-day run in January, organizers of the Detroit Auto Show announced on Feb. 5 the show drew in 275,000 visitors with an estimated $370 million financial impact on the region.
“The impact the Detroit Auto Show has had on our remarkable region cannot be overstated — with hundreds of thousands of Detroiters and visitors experiencing the best we have to offer, supporting our economy and dining in our amazing restaurants,” Claude Molinari, president and CEO of Visit Detroit, said via press release. “Every year the Detroit Auto Show is one of the most important and influential mobility events in the world, shining a light on the city and creating experiential opportunities with the brands and technologies that define us as the Motor City.”
The show’s black-tie Charity Preview drew 7,000 attendees and raised $1.7 million for six children’s charities in the region, while bringing the total funds generated since 1976 to over $125 million.
Black Lake sturgeon season lasts 17 minutes
LANSING — Nearly 800 anglers descended upon Black Lake in Cheboygan and Presque Isle counties on Feb. 1. After 17 minutes of hooks and spears plunging beneath the lake ice, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources gave the word to 790 anglers to go home empty-handed.
A lucky seven anglers secured their place in history.
The Black Lake sturgeon season is a highly regulated annual harvest limited to six fish every year between Feb. 1-5, as agreed to by the state and tribal governments; seven fish are allowed if simultaneous harvests occur.
The hard limits on the Black Lake sturgeon angling season support the rehabilitation of lake sturgeon in the Cheboygan River watershed by the DNR with the support of the Black Lake Chapter of Sturgeon For Tomorrow, Michigan State University, Tower-Kleber Limited Partnership, the Bay Mills Indian Community, the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians, the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians, the Little Traverse Bay Band of Odawa Indians and the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians.
Anglers on the lake were notified of the season’s quick end by text messages and shanty visits by DNR officials, getting the word out within minutes that the season’s quota was reached.
RAIN BARRELS STILL AVAILABLE TO MOUNT CLEMENS RESIDENTS
MOUNT CLEMENS — Residents in the combined sewer district are still able to receive a free rain barrel by applying through the city’s online application found at mountclemens.gov/rainbarrel program.
A total of 166 rain barrels are available on a first-come, firstserved basis to select city residents who live in the combined sewer district. An interactive map is available to help determine eligibility. If you are not in the combined sewer district but are still interested in a rain barrel, the city has brokered a deal with MI Rain Barrel to sell $185 rain barrel kits that include:
• A 58-gallon rain barrel
• A rain barrel stand
• A6-pack of mosquito dunks
• Free delivery
Discounted installation at $50 is available to qualifying residents. For more information visit.mountclemens.gov/rainbar relprogram and find the link to the order form under the “Not in the combined district?” heading.
‘COWABUNGA’
WARREN — The Great Lakes Comic-Con is coming to the Macomb Community College Expo Center from 5-9 p.m. Feb. 21; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Feb. 22; and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 23. The Expo Center is located at South Campus, 14500 E. 12 Mile Road. The event is designed for comic lovers, toy collectors, and cosplay enthusiasts. There will be gaming, attractions and guest appearances from Sam J. Jones, known as Flash Gordon, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles co-creator Kevin Eastman. For ticket information and a list of events, visit greatlakescomicconvention.com.
Photo provided by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources This season’s harvested Black Lake sturgeons ranged in size from 43.5 inches to 64 inches long and weighed 18.2 pounds to 78.3 pounds.
Photo
Commissioners allocate grants, receive post office updates
BY DEAN VAGLIA dvaglia@candgnews.com
MOUNT CLEMENS — After hearing from a number of community groups last month, Mount Clemens city commissioners made their annual Community Development Block Grant allocations at the commission’s Feb. 2 meeting.
With $13,700 at the city’s disposal, commissioners decided to grant all of the funds to the city’s senior recreation program. Commissioner Spencer Calhoun recommended splitting part of the funds with Interfaith Volunteer Caregivers, which asked for funding for its program to help homeowning seniors with chores, in the amount of $1,590 with the remainder going to senior recreation.
While the idea had appeal with some commissioners, all of which gave statements of support to the various organizations that vied for a cut of the funds at the Jan. 21 meeting, Commissioner Erik Rick and Mayor Laura Kropp argued in support of keeping the funds for senior recreation.
“All of these charities are amazing and do amazing work and I think it is in our best interests to find more ways to support them, but it feels like a drop in the bucket where providing recreation for seniors — our seniors, here in our city — is of an underappreciated importance,” Rick said. “Isolation is (the) No. 1 indication … for abuse and neglect of seniors, and recreation programs like this are the kinds of things that get seniors
out and get them involved so they don’t have to rely on Interfaith (Volunteer) Caregivers as much.”
Up to two projects can be applied for under CDBG rules, and the city approved sending grant applications for the purchase of fire rescue equipment and for expanding the Cairns Community Center playground. Both projects are seeking the maximum grant allocation of $150,000.
Postal update
The Jan. 21 meeting was marked by an extended discussion about the city’s post office and how its postal vehicles were being parked in the neighborhood to the west of the building, causing much inconvenience to the residents.
Clarence Blaze, a letter carrier with the U.S. Postal Service and president of the National Association of Letter Carriers for the Mount Clemens post office, spoke during the Feb. 3 meeting’s public comment period about how he has been working with the postmaster to address those issues.
“Our stance is that the postal service should provide parking for their employees,” Blaze said. “There’s just about 200 employees that work out of that Mount Clemens location and we went so far as to initiate a grievance. We believe that the post office should assist with paying for parking. Most of the people pay for parking and it goes about $20-30 a month. We are trying to get off the residential streets.”
Photo by Dean Vaglia
Clarence Blaze, a USPS letter carrier and president of the National Association of Letter Carriers for the Mount Clemens post office, speaks to Mount Clemens City Commissioners on Feb. 3 about how the union is working with the post office to reduce the number of employees parking in surrounding neighborhoods.
HOMES
6A/FEBRUARY 19, 2025
MANY FACTORS CONTRIBUTE TO GETTING A GOOD NIGHT’S SLEEP
BY MARIA ALLARD allard@candgnews.com
METRO DETROIT — Most of us have been there.
Snuggled in bed under a favorite blanket, yet unable to fall asleep.
When counting sheep doesn’t work, we lie awake all night long. Then it’s morning. Exhaustion sets in, and you wonder how you’ll make it through the day.
For some people, a sleepless night happens on occasion. However, for others, chronic insomnia, sleep apnea and other disorders make it impossible to ever have sweet dreams.
Brenna Wyffels, a family medicine physician assistant, certified, for McLaren Macomb — Sterling Heights Pediatrics & Family Medicine, has helped many patients with sleep disorders.
“Sleep is the first priority,” Wyffels said. “If not, everything else is going to suffer.”
Sleep apnea, which causes snoring and people to sometimes wake in the middle of the night gasping for air, is the main culprit for wakefulness.
“When you have pauses in breathing and impaired breathing, the brain isn’t getting enough oxygen,” Wyffels said. “People wake up with fatigue even after eight hours of sleep.”
For patients having sleeping issues, Wyffels recommends they make an appointment with a sleep clinic “to be tested and monitored and to see what treatment would be the best.” Sleep studies also can be done at home. CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machines are often recommended for sleep apnea. The machine contains a motor and a filter that turns room air into pressurized air and delivers it through a mask to help the nose and mouth keep the airway open.
“They get a bad rap as loud machines with giant hoses that (will) keep (your) partner awake,” Wyffels said, adding that the machines are now easier to handle. “Technology has come very far.”
Wyffels has witnessed patients with CPAP machines overcome their sleep issues.
“They have better mental clarity, can focus and feel rested,” she said. Along with sleep disorders, people are always on the go and don’t give themselves a chance to wind down to transition from the stress of the day.
“Unplug at the end of the day,” Wyffels said. “Have some sort of routine. Settle into bed with a book or podcast. Sleepytime tea, magnesium supple-
ABOVE: Having a nighttime routine, turning off electronics, settling into bed with a book and staying away from caffeine in the later part of the day can help you get a good night’s sleep.
LEFT: “Sleep is a necessity, not a luxury,” Dr. Nader Mina, medical director, Sleep Center, Corewell Health, said. “Chronic sleep disorders cause problems long term. It has consequences on the heart, increases risks of asthma and is strongly linked to iron deficiency.”
ments and calming diffusers can get them ready for bed. People also tend to sleep better if it’s cool out.”
Therefore, turning down the thermostat could help. White noise, blackout curtains and weighted blankets in the bedroom can be used as sleep aids, too. The right pillow and mattress that support you also might make a difference between tossing and turning all night or sleeping soundly.
“Some pillows and mattresses are better for side sleepers, back sleepers or stomach sleepers,” Wyffels said.
Scandia Home, located in Birmingham, carries a large selection of fine linens, comforters, pillows, duvet sets and mattress pads that provide a cozy environment for a good night’s sleep.
“We specialize in European bedding from various European linen companies,” Danielle Schindler said of the family-owned business. “I help people solve their bedroom quandaries and do it in a way that makes the home beautiful.”
Staff at Scandia Home, which also sells specialty gifts, is always available to help customers looking for bedding that is not only stylish, but comfortable.
“We help you figure out your stature, what sleep position you prefer and if you want a firmer mattress to keep the spine straight,” Schindler said. “Comforters and pillows are really important to get a good night’s sleep. Get the right pillow that provides support. Nice linens will last a very long time, up to 25 years.”
Clients also may opt for a mattress with temperature control that can automatically adjust how cold or hot it feels.
“That’s very important for sleeping,” Schindler said. “It keeps you at a comfortable heat.”
Fibers also should be taken into consideration. Cotton percale bedsheets, for instance, are cool to the touch due to the lightweight, breathable weave that provides good airflow. Cotton sateen material is warmer.
‘Sleep is a necessity, not a luxury’
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that adults ages 18-60 get at least seven hours of sleep per night; adults 61–64 get seven to nine hours of sleep; adults 65 and older get seven to eight hours of sleep. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends more sleep for children from infancy to age 18 depending on the age. Yet many people aren’t getting enough shut-eye.
According to Dr. Nader Mina, medical director, Sleep Center, Corewell Health, sleep deprivation can increase the risks of cardiovascular diseases, strokes and diabetes. Lack of sleep affects mental health, job performance, academics and can lower your immune system. Sleep deficiency also can contribute to car crashes because of driver fatigue.
“Sleep is a necessity, not a luxury. Sleep apnea is the most common sleep disorder. When your breathing is closed and narrowed, there’s a drop in the oxygen level,” Mina said. “Chronic sleep disorders cause problems long term. It has consequences on the heart, increases risks of asthma and is strongly linked to iron deficiency.”
One reason for sleeplessness could be what Mina described as “bad routine habits we do every night.” That includes being on cellphones and other electronic devices, or watching television just before bed.
Exposure to blue light in those devices disrupts sleep patterns because it impacts when bodies create melatonin. Mina recommends shutting down electronic devices 30 to 60 minutes before bedtime. Also, if something is bothering you that could be keeping you up, journaling before bedtime could solve that issue.
“Once you engage your mind, it becomes very difficult for our brains to shut down and go to sleep,” Mina said. “It’s very essential to relax before going to bed. Our brains are not able to fall asleep very quickly.”
He also advised to stop drinking coffee and other caffeinated beverages six hours before bedtime. Another tip: make sure the bedroom is quiet, dark and cool. Taking certain medicines at nighttime also could be the reason for sleeplessness. Mina encourages people to speak to their physicians about possibly taking their medications during the daytime rather than in the evening.
“This is very important to discuss with a health care provider,” Mina said.
Daylight saving time also can be an issue for some, and might take two to three weeks before the body adjusts. Mina also treats patients who sleep excessively, including those with narcolepsy.
“There are certain disorders we look for in the brain,” Mina said.
Mina and staff devise an individualized plan for each patient with pretesting and analysis to get them on a better sleep pattern.
“It’s a gradual process,” he said. “It’s going to take some time, but there is always hope.”
Call Staff Writer Maria Allard at (586) 498-1045.
Red Oak Academy 22280 E Price Rd., Clinton Twp, MI (586) 533-4448
Charter School open to all Michigan students for a free public education is holding OPEN ENROLLMENT for the 2025-2026
SCHOOL YEAR. Red Oak Academy is tuition-free Open Enrollment dates: 02/21/25 – 3/7/26
The academy will be open to accept applications Monday - Friday: 8:30am –3:00 pm.
Two Evenings 2/24/25 and 2/26/2025 from 4-6 pm Saturday-3/5/25 12-2:00 pm
Should the academy receive more applications than we have room for, a random selection drawing will be held in the presence of a third-party offcial on Friday, March 10 th, 2025, at 6:00 pm at the academy. Red Oak Academy is a public school academy and does not discriminate on the basis of intellectual or athletic ability, measures of achievement or aptitude, handicapped status, religion, creed, race, sex, color, or national origin. For questions, please call the school at the above number. Red Oak Academy welcomes visits from interested applicants. Maximum Enrollment for the 2025-2026 School Year-75 Students 0327-2508
ARE YOU LOOKIING TO TREAT YOUR CAR TO SOMETHING SPECIAL? GVE YOUR VEHICLE THE TREATMENT IT DESERVES! AT BASHA’S MAGICAL TOUCH WE ARE MORE THAN JUST A QUICK LUBE!
more,” Goins said. “So much of our world is digital so that when they do need something printed, they come to the library.”
The library is also working on its summer reading program, and the kickoff will be on June 21. The theme this year is “Color Our World.”
Goins agreed that libraries are an important part of the community.
“I think libraries build community,” Goins said. “I mean, they bring people together and people come here for programs and meet their neighbors and are able to talk with their neighbors.”
Goins said she’s excited for the future of the library. In 2009, the library started off as a volunteer-run effort and the township passed a millage to be a tax-funded library in 2015.
“The addition of the study rooms is an area of growth and we’ve been regularly growing since then to be a better library for our community,” Goins said.
Clinton-Macomb Public Library
Change is in the air throughout the Clinton-Macomb Public Library system, and nowhere are those changes bigger than at the Main Library on Romeo Plank Road. Work to modernize the facility that is over 20 years old continues since its start last May, which now enters its fourth phase.
“(Construction now) is all upstairs and the second floor needs to remain closed as they work on upgrading our lights to LED, laying new carpet and making improvements to the heating and cooling components,” Jamie Morris, head of CMPL communications and strategy, said via email. “Even though the second floor is closed, we have brought down items from children’s, teen and adult nonfiction to the first floor so there is a browsable collection of popular items for people to see. We are also happy to place holds on items that are upstairs and let people know when they are available. We have even turned half of the auditorium into a children’s area with a few favorite toys, puppets and activity table(s).”
The branch’s heating and cooling equipment is being changed to a geothermal system similar to the one found at the much newer North Branch in Macomb Township. Installation of the geothermal wells required drilling into the branch’s eastern parking lot.
While Morris expects the project will be completed by the end of June the prior phases of the project have seen patrons adjust their library habits by visiting the north and south branches.
“We usually recognize a lot of people,
so we can tell when (someone is new) because they’ve come to a program and … their card might be from Main,” said Margaret Dekovich, head of staff development at the CMPL’s South Branch. “I would say (it’s) at least a 25% increase.”
Programs and events, such as movie screenings or 1-2-3 Initiative speakers, moving to the branches has been a large part of the increased traffic at the South Branch. Dekovich says the changes have not led to any material circulation issues. Project updates can be found at cmpl.org/alert_detail. php and listings of events across the CMPL system can be found at cmpl.libnet.info/ events.
Mount Clemens Public Library
The Mount Clemens Public Library underwent its own renovation from 20202023. Among the changes made in that time included a slew of environmentally-efficient upgrades — installation of more durable building materials, LED lighting, its own geothermal system and the creation of rain gardens — and the creation of two makerspaces. An intensive makerspace is located in the basement with overhead electrical outlets, glass cutters and an airbrush sprayer.
The upstairs tech lab features a heat press, a Cricut cutting machine, a sublimation printer and several types of 3D printers.
“We can do more of the dirtier crafts, like making slime (in the makerspace),” Mount Clemens Public Library Interim Director Kathy McKinney said. “It has electrical units above every station in there if somebody needs electricity to work on a project. Maybe they want to work on a cosplay outfit, and they need a foam cutter or something like that where they need to get hands-on and dirty. That’s what our makerspace is more used for.”
Additions continue to be made to the tech lab with the recent inclusion of sewing machines.
Those who have not seen the library since it reopened or would like a more comprehensive look at their local library’s services are invited to an open house on Saturday, March 15.
“We just want people to come into the library if they haven’t yet been in and take a look around at all of the amenities and things that we have here,” McKinney said. “All of our librarians are putting together some programs … we will have arts and crafts in the different areas of the library whether it be the children’s, the teens, adults (or) local history.”
The Mount Clemens Public Library regularly hosts events and programming. A full listing can be found at mtclib.events. mylibrary.digital.
CRIME WATCH
Porch piracy cases
HARRISON TOWNSHIP — At least two cases of stolen FedEx packages occurred across two late-January days in Harrison Township, according to reports made to the Macomb County Sheriff’s Office.
The narrative of the Jan. 27 incident alleges a FedEx driver was stopped while making a delivery in the 39000 block of Mazuchet Drive. The driver was approached by a man who said was picking up a package for someone in the neighborhood and gave the driver a resident’s name. The FedEx driver placed the package at the correct address, and the alleged thief took the package from the residence. The stolen package contained a smartphone valued at $470.
The narrative of the Jan. 28 incident alleges a FedEx driver was stopped making a delivery in the 39000 block of Winkler Street when she was approached by a pajama-clad woman. The woman, who parked her car in front of the FedEx truck, told the driver she was picking up a package for
Post office
from page 5A
According to Blaze, the NALC is encouraging postal workers to pay for off-site parking and maintain a record for possible tax reimbursements as well as encouraging the USPS to provide about $10 a month per employee for off-site parking.
City Manager Gregg Shipman followed up on Blaze’s comments during the administrative responses segment of the meeting by sharing details of a conversa-
Editor: Brian Louwers | (586) 498-1089 | brianlouwers@candgnews.com
Reporters:
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Alyssa Ochss | (586) 498-1103 | aochss@candgnews.com
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Artroom: (586) 498-1036 | ads@candgnews.com
someone in the neighborhood and showed the driver a picture of the resident’s driver’s license. The FedEx driver gave the woman a box containing a tablet computer, and the woman left.
Both the tablet and phone were purchased through Verizon.
License plate swapper
HARRISON TOWNSHIP — At around 4 p.m. on Feb. 1, Macomb County Sheriff’s Office deputies were dispatched to the 32000 block of North River Road after receiving a call about a stolen license plate.
The caller, a 58-year-old Harrison Township resident staying in Florida at the time, initially received a call from the Taylor Police Department informing her that the license plate to her truck was turned in. She called Macomb County deputies after having a friend visit her home and confirm the plate on her truck was not the correct plate.
The plate on the Harrison Township truck belonged to a vehicle registered in Detroit. Deputies reached out to the Taylor police, who said someone initially came in earlier that day reporting the plates on his vehicles had been stolen and swapped with other vehicles’ plates.
— Dean Vaglia
tion he had with the postmaster and saying the metered parking lot behind South Main Street could be used as employee parking for postal workers. Parking stickers are available for that lot and other green, yellow, orange and purple lots for $300 per year at a quarterly rate of $75.
Postal delivery issues involving a dog on Diehl Drive were addressed by Blaze and Shipman, with Blaze saying the residence involved no longer receives deliveries and Shipman saying deliveries for the rest of the Diehl Drive neighborhood should have resumed by Feb. 1.
retail ad rates: Dave Rubello | (586) 489-8117 | drubello@candgnews.com Karen Bozimowski | (586) 498-1032 | kboz@candgnews.com Legals and Obits: (586) 498-1099
Classifieds: For ad rates (586) 498-8100 Automotive Advertising: Louise Millar | (586) 498-1054 | lmillar@candgnews.com Real Estate Advertising: Paula Kaspor | (586) 498-1055 | pkaspor@candgnews.com
“I think it’s very important to have that work/family life balance but at the same time I would tell all women entrepreneurs to just don’t give up,” said Shivani Sharma, owner of Right Food Choice in Troy. “Start wherever you can and if it requires you to work only part time, don’t give up hope, don’t give up on your dreams.”
Local women in business offer insight into success and struggles
BY SARAH WRIGHT swright@candgnews.com
According to a report from the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Office of Advocacy citing business ownership statistics for 2024, more than 12 million small businesses in the U.S. are owned by women, with a total of $2.1 trillion in sales.
The metro Detroit area is home to a wide variety of women-owned businesses offering a diverse array of merchandise and services.
At the request of C & G Newspapers, a group of owners recently reflected on their achievements and stresses and also provided insight for other potential entrepreneurs.
Follow the dream
Terri Cooper owns the Village Boutique at 6457 Inkster Road, which was recently moved from its previous location in Franklin to Bloomfield Hills. Cooper took over ownership of the business in June 2015
“I walked into a little shop in Franklin to return something my sister had bought me, and I looked around and I thought, ‘Oh, I’d love to have this,’ and I somehow got around to asking the nice ladies who owned it if they were interested in selling and they were eventually,” Cooper said.
The boutique sells different contemporary fashions, accessories and gifts for shop-
pers of all ages.
“When we first got it, it was in Franklin,” Cooper said. “It was maybe geared toward a slightly older crowd, much more conservative crowd, and we slowly started changing things so that it could appeal to a broader mass of people.”
“We switched it all around. It’s nothing like when the ladies had it, and they’ve been in support of our changes, too,” she added.
Lissa Pietrykowski owns Peak Physique Fitness Training at 1071 E. Long Lake Road in Troy with her husband Nick. They currently have around 140 clients.
“My husband bought Peak Physique Fitness in 2008 and then I came on board in 2014, and in June of this year I started kind of a sister business called Peak Women,” Pietrykowski said. “We’re a personal training studio only.”
The studios provide a wide range of personal training services online and in their studio space that can be open for one-on-one and shared training sessions. This includes prenatal and postpartum training, sport-specific training, corporate training, and senior training among other services with personal trainers.
“I think that women suffer from mental health (issues) as men do. However, I think sometimes women are a little bit more intimidated to go to a gym, and exercise is good for mental health in so many different
Photo by Patricia O’Blenes
ways,” Pietrykowski said. “Just getting out of the house, releasing endorphins or just accomplishing something, all those different things. But sometimes I think that when you’re in that state or even for other reasons, you just feel intimidated going to the gym.”
“Our gym is very welcoming and loving. If you were there, you would never feel (intimidated) that way. However, just getting some people to walk through the door is the first step. So I wanted to open up an opportunity for people to benefit from exercise that wouldn’t normally do something like that,” Pietrykowski added.
On top of being a nutritionist, a registered dietitian and certified Lifestyle Eating and Performance therapist, Shivani Sharma is the owner of Right Food Choice at 1380 Coolidge Hwy. in Troy.
Right Food Choice provides patients with one-on-one nutrition consultation, group coaching and nutrition-related courses.
“I had been practicing dietetics for over two decades now,” Sharma said. “I studied here in Wayne State and then I moved to Texas for some time and that’s where I started the company Right Food Choice.”
“Right Food Choice is nutrition and wellness consulting for kids and adults where we provide nutritional counseling or medical nutrition therapy for diabetes, chronic kidney disease, heart disease, high cholesterol,” Sharma said. “So we serve wherever the nutritional need is, and we are a team of three dietitians right now.”
Weight management, gut health treatment, food allergies and gluten free options, metabolic disorders, gastrointestinal disorders, sports nutrition, nutritional options for female-related health concerns, and meal and diet plans are among the services offered.
“We have a weight loss program running right now which is a 12-week transformation program,” Sharma said.
She said the program focuses on “improving gut health, reducing inflammation and feeding your gut microbiome good bacteria really while balancing your blood sugar, balancing your hormones, focusing on how to improve your stress and sleep and how to conquer your sugar cravings, and how to have a total behavior modification.”
“We provide ongoing coaching calls for medication, exercise, and behavior modification,” Sharma said.
Living the dream
All three women discussed their personal and professional struggles as business
owners.
“I’m one of those people who prefer to work 24 hours a day and when you have your own business that’s exactly what you do,” Cooper said. “This is not my first business. I owned a cheerleading camp for 20 years and I was a teacher and a coach and a counsellor before this, so I knew what I was in for, and I make the sacrifices really happily.”
She added, “I have one son, and he is graduated from school and is off to Chicago, so I don’t have those responsibilities like I once did. I have five animals at home, so that’s the only thing, and my husband’s really helpful. So it’s a balance but it’s a really fun balance and I’m in the age group I can do this.”
Pietrykowski said running a business, and a household, is both rewarding and a lot of work.
“I think that if you don’t own a business or work for yourself that sometimes people don’t understand we work every day,” Pietrykowski said. “I train during the day. I’ve got four kids as well and then I get home, pick everybody up and make dinner, and then usually sit down and work for another couple hours. Then I take one day on the weekend, work for a couple hours but I love it. It’s not necessarily a hard thing to do but it does require some sacrifice.”
Sharma said she never worked full time until she started her own business.
“This is the first time that I am like all in right now,” Sharma said. “I have two kids. I have one son who is working, and I have a daughter who will be going to college this year. So right now, I feel now is the right time for me to go full in because I personally never worked full time before for the last 20 years.”
She said the biggest struggle she has encountered professionally is the lack of dietician credentialing in Michigan.
“Michigan is one of the only states that does not credential dieticians,” Sharma said. “So it is very hard for me to accept insurance in Michigan and because you have to pay for the service out of pocket. I think sometimes it becomes less reachable for people who just want to go through their insurance, who don’t want to pay up front.”
She said that Right Food Choice does accept Medicare, which covers nutrition counseling for diabetes and chronic kidney disease but not for weight loss.
Growing the dream
All of these local business owners are considering their goals as their work continues.
“We’re always looking to grow it,” Cooper said. “It was hard to grow it in such a
Business
from page 11A
village like Franklin where a lot wasn’t going on, so we’re just looking to grow it as much as we can, and I think our customers are hoping to help us in that process.”
“Our goal right now is to make Peak Women have its own space near Peak Physique and have that running separately,” Pietrykowski said. “We also are hoping, longterm, to be able to start our own certification process and train trainers to do our type of training.”
“I think what I see as a practice, because now we have three dietitians, I really want to be able to see more and more people who we can help change their life with food, especially diabetes and chronic kidney disease and high cholesterol because those are the things that can be easily fixed by a diet,” Sharma said. “Also (to) see if we can reach more kids and moms who are stressed out if the child cannot have gluten for some reason, if (the child) cannot have dairy, or what if you are a vegetarian or a vegan, if you need help with a high protein diet. So we would like to cater to a big area of (the) population with nutrition and the best thing is we are in
house as much as we are virtual.”
Advice for other entrepreneurs
Cooper, Pietrykowski and Sharma also shared a few tips for potential entrepreneurs looking to pursue their own endeavors
“My first thing is I don’t consider myself a woman business owner. I’m just a business owner,” Cooper said. “I don’t take stock in any of that stuff. I want to be successful as anyone could be in this business and I would say if you are willing to think about it and work for it 24/7, then it’s for you. If that doesn’t appeal to you, being an entrepreneur probably isn’t your thing.
“I would say just do it, I mean absolutely give it a shot,” Pietrykowski said. “I had this idea for a while but kind of went back and forth about even bringing it up because I was scared, I didn’t want it not to work and then it got to the point where the worst thing that can happen is that it doesn’t work and if it doesn’t work, that’s okay.”
“I think it’s very important to have that work/family life balance but at the same time I would tell all women entrepreneurs to just don’t give up,” Sharma said. “Start wherever you can and if it requires you to work only part time, don’t give up hope, don’t give up on your dreams.”
from page 1A
“It’s a summary with three board members that we put together,” Kress said. “There’s no public input. There’s no public hearing. Because it’s a three-person committee, it’s not an open meeting, and I’m looking to just gather information that we share with each other, or we share in closed session.”
According to the proposal document submitted with the Feb. 10 meeting agenda packet, the summary committee is tasked with “look(ing) into the Township’s permitting practices, approvals, ordinances, emergency notification system and overall response” in order to “provide an honest summary including the financial burden ultimately left to our taxpayers.” The final summary developed by the committee would include “an overview and ultimately a special recognition certificate for every devoted & heroic Firefighter, Police officer, or Township worker that braved the sight during and after the explosion.”
The move to form the committee comes nearly a year after the fire, as well as a year after Kress’ election to the board and months after King and Wade were elected themselves. Kress said he has not received an update about the incident since officially joining the board.
“We (trustees) are in the dark regarding facts,” Kress said. “Regarding whether the case is closed. Regarding whether the EPA investigation (had concluded), the ATF, FBI. If there’s a report, we’ve never been shared any of that and none of that is privileged information for you (Supervisor Paul Gieleghem) to have or the planner to have or for anybody to have. The board needs to stay attuned to what’s happening, what happened and plan forward in the spirit of transparency.”
Approval of the group came along party lines with all board Republicans — trustees Kress and Wade along with Town-
Teens
from page 3A
justice center. Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel said the center takes in convicted youths from neighboring counties.
“They (the state) reached out to us knowing we’re a regional facility, and I say that because we house juveniles from the thumb area,” Hackel said. “We have contractional relationships with them depend-
ship Treasurer Mike Aiello and Township Clerk Kim Meltzer — voting to approve while Democrats — trustees King and Julie Matuzak, along with Gieleghem — voting against it with concerns that the committee’s work could sway the legal proceedings in favor of Goo’s owner.
“I totally want us to learn what we can learn about what happened,” Matuzak said. “I want us to make sure our ordinances are in the best possible shape, that we can do this. I am just really concerned that having this committee inadvertently can really hurt this criminal trial, and I’m very concerned about that.”
Gieleghem told trustees Macomb County Prosecutor Peter Lucido advised him not to “prejudice a jury” and told Deputy Supervisor Dan O’Leary to not “let the township screw up (his) case.” Township Attorney Jack Dolan told trustees the township was working with state legislators to force Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel to issue an opinion on whether the township could investigate businesses like Goo Smoke Shop without prior warning.
“You catch criminals who want to be undetected by being able to catch them by surprise, and we’re hoping that we can get a ruling that we can enter these types of facilities without having to give notice so they can (with), whatever they were doing illegally, disguise or hide it, remove the items and so on,” Dolan said.
The AG’s opinion would be used to direct changes to the code of ordinances regarding searches.
Dolan also pushed back against a claim in Kress’ proposal stating the federal government’s investigation into the explosion had finished. While the Environmental Protection Agency’s cleanup of the site ended, Dolan said he was unaware of ongoing investigations and that the FBI’s official stance on any investigation would be neither confirmed nor denied.
Kress expressed a willingness to have the summary’s public release withheld until the end of legal proceedings.
ing on their needs. St. Clair, Sanilac, Lapeer (counties) … A lot of these counties don’t really need their own facility. They don’t really have a lot of juveniles that they are sending to detention. But if they do, they notice that we have some space available to accommodate that on a per-bed, per-day price, so we do that.”
McKinnon estimated the existing youth detainees at Grayling would all be moved down by the end of spring.
Elections changes
Trustees also voted 5-2 to cut the number of voting precincts in half, reducing the number from 42 to 20 and the number of polling locations from 23 to 19. The change comes in the wake of the maximum precinct population size being raised from 2,999 to 4,999 people in 2023 and was described by Matthew Cheung, elections coordinator, as a cost-cutting measure and a response to a growing number of absentee voters.
The measure also removed early inperson voting as an option for the May 6 Mount Clemens Community Schools bond election.
Gieleghem and King voted against the measure.
On another election matter, trustees voted unanimously to use $29,900 in grant funds to purchase cameras, video recorders and other equipment to monitor ballot drop boxes throughout the township.
Crews Inn
from page 1A
The next time they reopened was in July 1995.
The building has undergone renovations and expansions to make it what it looks like today.
“I’d been working back there since 2007,” Metry said. “I worked there growing up.”
Tom Moons joined the team in the early 1990s and after the fire, he became a limited business partner, something he’d do for over 32 years.
Metry’s uncle died in 2000, and his dad died in 2022. His brother and sister were part owners of the restaurant, but Metry said they were not hands on.
He said ownership has been a great run.
“All good things must come to an end and it’s just we have a good opportunity to sell to someone who we know is going to renovate it to where it’s going to look great,” Metry said.
David Colling, general manager of
Bumpers Landing, said they plan to use the restaurant as an expansion of Bumpers.
“I know the sale was something that (the) ownership group had thought about for a while,” Colling said. “So the fact that it was sold to us I would say, yes, went well.”
Plans include connecting the two buildings, making use of both kitchen spaces, reworking the sea wall, docks and patio on the Crews Inn side and more.
At press time, there was no set construction start date pending plan approval from the township.
Colling said he is very excited for the expansion and that Bumpers Landing is a very happening place in the summer. Bumpers started as a small restaurant next to the current main building which, at the time, was called the Mariners Boat Club.
“The expansion started that way,” Colling said. “We acquired the Mariners Boat Club and have been operating that way for about 10, 12 years.
Though he’s only been there for four years, Colling said he had a good relationship with Metry.
“I even joked with him from time to
PUBLIC NOTICE CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF HARRISON NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT THE HARRISON TOWNSHIP ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS WILL HOLD A PUBLIC HEARING ON TUESDAY, MARCH 11, 2025 AT 7:00 P.M. IN ROSSO MEMORIAL HALL, 38255 L’ANSE CREUSE ROAD, IN SAID TOWNSHIP, FOR THE PURPOSE OF CONSIDERING AN APPEAL BY: CASE #04-25-ZBA: Jason Velarde – 42600 Executive Dr. Property #17-12-07-301-010 Harrison Twp., MI 48045 (IND)
PURPOSE OF REQUEST: Requesting a 6’-4” side yard setback variance BY REASON OF: Charter Township of Harrison Code of Ordinances Article 14, Section 14.20 – Industrial district Notice is further given that the Charter Township of Harrison Zoning Board of Appeals may modify or change the variance(s) as requested, including granting of variance(s) for said purpose, which may create another and different variance(s) from the requirements of the above cited Charter Township of Harrison ordinance, all within its discretion and as otherwise permitted by law. Any interested person(s) may appear or be represented at said meeting.
Additional information or comments, written or oral, will be received at the Harrison Township Offces, 38151 L’Anse Creuse Rd, Harrison Twp., MI, 48045 (586-466-1461) between the hours of 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Monday - Friday. Individuals with disabilities or impairments who plan to attend this meeting should contact the Planning / ZBA Department at (586) 466-1461 or email pc-zba@harrison-township.org if auxiliary aids or services are needed. Published: Journal 02/19/2025
0139-2508
time about selling the place to us,” Colling said.
He asked customers for patience as they completed construction and planning.
Metry said they’ve had people reach out asking if they were interested in selling the restaurant in years past.
“We didn’t really have much interest,” Metry said. “We had two different groups in the fall that were very interested.”
He went on to say they received an offer they didn’t like and countered.
“We knew the owner next door had an interest, so we reached out to him because at that point we had said, ‘OK, this is the writing on the wall. It’s time,’” Metry said.
At press time, paperwork had been signed, and the restaurant owners were waiting for the liquor license transfer to go through. Crews Inn will be open for the rest of February and Metry will hand over the keys sometime in March.
Metry said he thinks the restaurant is a staple in the community and he hopes it
continues to thrive under the new ownership.
“I can’t wait to see what they end up with,” Metry said. “I can’t wait to sit on the other side of the bar and enjoy a cocktail with them.”
Metry said he’s had a number of events at the restaurant including wedding receptions, memorials, showers and more. He also said they’ve personally hosted memorials for customers who died.
Metry said he’s met great friends over the years, and he thanked his customers for their continued support.
“We loved being out in Harrison Township, Boat Town USA, and there’s so many good people out there,” Metry said. “We’ve done a few charity events out there. The Festival of Lights. But they’re all, all such good customers and great friends and I’m looking forward to seeing them over the next few weeks.”
Call Staff Writer Alyssa Ochss at (586) 498-1103.
NOTICE
To the residents of the Charter Township of Harrison, County of Macomb, Michigan.
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Clerk’s Offce for the Charter Township of Harrison will post, for public inspection, the Agenda for Township Board Meetings and a Synopsis of the approved Meeting Minutes at the Clerk’s Offce located at 38151 L’Anse Creuse Road, and to the Rosso Hall bulletin board located at 38255 L’Anse Creuse Rd. The Agenda and a full text of the Minutes will be available on the Township Website, www.harrisontownshipmi.gov and, upon request from the Clerk’s Offce.
Adam Wit, MMC, MiPMC, Clerk Charter Township of Harrison
Published: Journal 02/19/2025
CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF HARRISON NOTICE TO TAXPAYERS
2025 MARCH BOARD OF REVIEW
PUBLIC NOTICE
CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF HARRISON
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT THE HARRISON TOWNSHIP ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS WILL HOLD A PUBLIC HEARING ON TUESDAY, MARCH 11, 2025 AT 7:00 P.M. IN ROSSO MEMORIAL HALL, 38255 L’ANSE CREUSE ROAD, IN SAID TOWNSHIP, FOR THE PURPOSE OF CONSIDERING AN APPEAL BY:
CASE #03-25-ZBA: G4 Limited Housing Development Authority, LLC Property #17-11-25-327-077 Harrison Twp., MI 48045 (RM-1)
PURPOSE OF REQUEST: Requesting a 8.56’ rear setback variance BY REASON OF: Charter Township of Harrison Code of Ordinances
Article 14, Section 14.12 – RM-1 multiple family residential
Notice is further given that the Charter Township of Harrison Zoning Board of Appeals may modify or change the variance(s) as requested, including granting of variance(s) for said purpose, which may create another and different variance(s) from the requirements of the above cited Charter Township of Harrison ordinance, all within its discretion and as otherwise permitted by law. Any interested person(s) may appear or be represented at said meeting.
Additional information or comments, written or oral, will be received at the Harrison Township Offces, 38151 L’Anse Creuse Rd, Harrison Twp., MI, 48045 (586-466-1461) between the hours of 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Monday - Friday.
Individuals with disabilities or impairments who plan to attend this meeting should contact the Planning / ZBA Department at (586) 466-1461 or email pc-zba@harrison-township.org if auxiliary aids or services are needed.
Published: Journal 02/19/2025
0004-2508
The Board of Review will be holding an organizational meeting at the Harrison Township Assessor’s Offce, 38144 Townhall, on Tuesday, March 4, 2025 at 2:00 PM, for the purpose of receiving the 2025 Assessment Roll of the Charter Township of Harrison, Macomb County, Michigan.
Matters pertaining to the assessment of property may be brought before the Board of Review BY APPOINTMENT on the following dates:
Monday, March 10, 2025 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM & 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM Wednesday, March 12, 2025 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM & 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Appointments will be taken until 12:00 PM on Wednesday, March 12, 2025, by calling (586) 466-1410. Appeals will also be accepted by letter. All letter appeals must be RECEIVED by 12:00 PM on Wednesday, March 12, 2025, addressed to: Harrison Township Board of Review 38151 L’Anse Creuse
Harrison Township, MI 48045
The 2025 tentative assessment ratios and county equalization factors for the Township of Harrison, as recommended by the Macomb County Equalization Department, are as follows:
Published: Journal 02/19/2025
0017-2508
COMMUNITY CALENDAR
15A/ JOURNAL • FEBRUARY 19, 2025
FEB. 20
Medicare 101 seminar: Presented by Medicare Learning Services, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Macomb Community College - Center Campus, 44575 Garfield Road in Clinton Township, also held March 20, May 22 and June 26, registration required, (586) 465-0588
FEB. 21
Mother-son dance: Inaugural event presented by Macomb Township Parks & Recreation, also includes buffet dinner, DJ, crafts and photos, for ages 4 and older, 6-9 p.m., Fern Hill Golf Club, 17600 Clinton River Road in Clinton Township, macombtwp.org/3BSjnHv
FEB. 21-23
Great Lakes Comic-Con: Scheduled guests include Kevin Eastman (co-creator of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles), Sam J. Jones (“Flash Gordon”), Ax and Smash (from WWF tag-team Demolition), and more, also comic books, toys, collectibles, cosplay contests, fan panels, kids activities and gaming, 5-9 p.m. Feb. 21, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Feb. 22 and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Feb. 23, Sports & Expo Center, Building P on Macomb Community College - South Campus, 14500 E. 12 Mile Road in Warren, greatlakescomicconvention.com
FEB. 22
Frozen 5K and 2025 Polar Plunge: Run/walk along Freedom Trail at 16 Mile Road and Crocker Blvd. in Harrison Township, meet at MacRay Harbor (30675 N. River Road) at 8:30 a.m. to take bus to and from race site, then participate and/or watch others jump into cold water to benefit Special Olympics Michigan, noon, also at MacRay Harbor, register, donate and see information about pre- and post-plunge parties at plungemi.org
Gardening 101: Learn about succulents with Sue Keehn of Harrison Township Beautification Commission, 1 p.m., Harrison Township Public Library, 38255 L’Anse Creuse (Suite A), also lecture about composting (March 8) and spring cleanup (April 12), register at htlibrary.org/events
Bag Childhood Cancer Cornhole Tournament: Also 50-50, raffle prizes and cash bar, discount tickets for spectators, 4-8 p.m., Great Shots Backyard Bar and Games, 36901 Garfield Road in Clinton Township, 13forever.org/events
FEB. 23
Michigan Psychic Fair: Readings, guidance, energy healings, connections with deceased and more, noon6 p.m., The Commonwealth Club, 30088 Dequindre Road in Warren, mipsychicfair.com/events
FEB. 25
Planetary viewing: See night sky through telescope and make planet charms out of Shrinky Dinks, for ages 10-17, Warren Public Library - Burnette Branch, 23345 Van Dyke Ave., free but registration required, (586) 353-0579, warrenlibrary.net
FEB. 26
‘The Giver’: One-person show about utopian society revealed to be dystopian, adapted from 1993 Lois Lowry novel and intended for kids in grades 3-6, 9:30 a.m. and noon, Macomb Center for the Performing Arts on Macomb Community College - Center Campus, 44575 Garfield Road in Clinton Township, (586) 2862222, macombcenter.com
Easy Bake Oven Bake-Off: For teams of tweens/teens and parents, 6:30-8 p.m., Harrison Township Public Library, 38255 L’Anse Creuse (Suite A), register at htlibrary.org/events
FEB. 28
‘Magic & Illusion’: Featuring magician-comedian Mike Super (winner of NBC show “Phenomenon” and finalist on “America’s Got Talent”), 7:30 p.m., Macomb Center for the Performing Arts on Macomb Community College - Center Campus, 44575 Garfield Road in Clinton Township, (586) 286-2222, macombcenter. com
MARCH 1-2
Shipshewana on the Road: Gift, food and craft show, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. March 1 and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. March 2, Sports & Expo Center, Building P on Macomb Community College - South Campus, 14500 E. 12 Mile Road, shipshewanaontheroad.com
MARCH 2
Macomb Symphony Orchestra: Concert featuring Nielsen’s “Flute Concerto” with Amanda Blaikie and Brahms’ “A German Requiem” with singers Jennifer Cresswell and Rolfe Dauz, 3 p.m., Macomb Center for the Performing Arts on Macomb Community College - Center Campus, 44575 Garfield Road in Clinton Township, macombcenter.com, (586) 286-2222
MARCH 6
Clinton/Macomb Senior Expo: Connect with dozens of organizations specializing in assistance and care, also free admission, health screenings, prizes, giveaways and refreshments, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Italian American Cultural Society Banquet & Conference Center, 43843 Romeo Plank Road in Clinton Township, (248) 524-4868, seniorexpousa.com
ONGOING
‘Leading Ladies of Michigan’s Past’: Exhibit on display 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays Feb. 24-April 26, also presentations about “Dynamic Dames of Detroit” (1 p.m. Feb. 28), “Women Engineers Moved the Motor City: Female Automotive Pioneers in Detroit” (1 p.m. March 8), “She Won, and Won, and Won: Women in the Michigan Legislature” (11 a.m. March 12), “Integrating Boblo: The Story of Sarah Elizabeth Ray” (1 p.m. March 15), “Great Girls in Michigan History” (11 a.m. March 19), “Michigan’s Most Dangerous Women” (1 p.m. March 29), “What She Left Behind: Uncovering the Stories of Rochester Women” (1 p.m. April 11 and 23), “Nancy Harkness Love: The True Story of a WWII Pilot” (1 p.m. April 12), “Conquering
To view more event and to submit your own, use the QR code or visit candgnews.com/calendar.
Heroines: How Women Fought Sex Bias at U of M and Paved the Way for Title IX” (11 a.m. April 25), and “Elly Peterson: Mother of the Moderates” (1 p.m. April 25), Lorenzo Cultural Center on Macomb Community College - Center Campus, 44575 Garfield Road in Clinton Township, lorenzoculturalcenter.com
Art exhibits: “Sky & Space” features works by Mount Clemens Art Association and other local groups, and “Michigan Annual LII” highlights works by 45 artists as part of statewide fine art competition, both on display 10 a.m.-5 p.m. until Feb. 22, Anton Art Center, 125 Macomb Place in Mount Clemens, theartcenter.org, read story at candgnews.com
Social groups: Find meetups for yoga, knitting and crocheting, anime, babies and teens, book clubs and storytime, kids music, Lego, and more, Harrison Township Public Library, 38255 L’Anse Creuse St. (Suite A), (586) 329-1261, htlibrary.org/events
Widowed Friends breakfasts: 10:30 a.m. every second Monday of month, Big Boy, 16880 Hall Road in Clinton Township, RSVP to Gerry at (586) 556-9471, widowedfriends.com
Take Off Pounds Sensibly: Weight-loss group for ages 7 and older, includes education, ideas, recipes, accountability, support and prizes, confidential weigh-ins at 5:30 p.m. and meetings at 6 p.m. every
FEB. 28-MARCH 2
Detroit Autorama: 72nd annual event includes more than 800 customs, trucks and motorcycles, Megamorph Transforming Robot Car, Barbie Pink Cadillac Convertible, appearances by Danny Koker and Kevin Mack from “Counting Cars,” Miss Autorama Pinup Girl contest, and more, noon-10 p.m. Feb. 28, 9 a.m.-10 p.m. March 1 and 10 a.m.-7 p.m. March 2, Huntington Place, 1 Washington Blvd. in Detroit, autorama.com, read about local gearheads at candgnews.com/news/auto
Tuesday, Tucker Senior Center, 26980 Ballard St. in Harrison Township, contact Barb at (586) 549-2925 or tbreardon@comcast.net
Men overcoming loss ofpartner/spouse: Meetings from 6-7:30 p.m. every third Tuesday of month, virtual and in person, Hospice of Michigan, 39531 Garfield Road in Clinton Township, wlawton@hom.org, (586) 263-8514
Health workshops: For hypertension, diabetes, pre-diabetes and more, hosted by Corewell Health, free and virtual, corewellhealth.org/classes-events/ southeast-michigan
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Reckless road rage investigated
MACOMB TOWNSHIP — On Jan. 20, a 24-year-old New Baltimore woman was driving west on 22 Mile Road when she said she noticed a white BMW X5 tailgating her. As she attempted to turn onto Fairchild Road, the BMW reportedly crossed into oncoming lanes to pass her and drove at a slow pace.
The woman followed the BMW to track the license plate number until it stopped in a turning lane at the 21 Mile Road and North Avenue intersection.
The BMW driver, a 54-year-old Macomb Township man, reportedly exited the X5 and approached the woman’s car screaming. He allegedly kicked her door, smashed a window and fled when the woman said she was calling the police.
When Macomb County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrived at the man’s house in the 22000 block of Case Court, he admitted to everything and was arrested.
Deposits scam
MACOMB TOWNSHIP — On Jan. 10, a 77-yearold Macomb Township man received an email about a charge on his PayPal account. He called a phone number included in the email that reportedly connected him with someone named “Dominic” who said he would send $90 to verify the man’s account. “Dominic” allegedly claimed he accidentally sent $9,000. Without checking his PayPal account, the Macomb Township man spent the next few days sending “Dominic” $12,890 under the impression the money had yet to be returned to “Dominic” before banks flagged the activity as fraudulent.
Man bought stolen Jeep
MACOMB TOWNSHIP — On Jan. 17, Macomb County Sheriff’s Office deputies were called to the home of a 28-year-old Macomb Township man to investigate his Jeep Cherokee.
The man purchased the Jeep in November 2024 through an online auction out of the Chicago area. When he attempted registering the Jeep with the Michigan Secretary of State’s office, he was told the car was reported stolen in Illinois. Macomb County deputies ran the Jeep’s vehicle identification number and found it was indeed registered as stolen, and the Chicago Police Department confirmed the vehicle’s status.
The Jeep was towed away from the Macomb Township home.
Gift card scammer
MACOMB TOWNSHIP — On Jan. 13 at around 7:20 p.m., the Hall Road Jimmy John’s sandwich shop received a call from someone claiming to be from the FBI demanding around $800 in gift cards.
to purchase the cards and read their codes to the caller over the phone.
Buzzed and confused
HARRISON TOWNSHIP — On Jan. 21 at around 10:40 p.m., Macomb County Sheriff’s Office deputies were dispatched to westbound Interstate 94 near North River Road to investigate a damaged Honda Accord on the right shoulder.
Upon reaching the driver, deputies learned the 26-year-old Warren man was confused about where he was and the situation he was in. He denied being under the influence, though deputies noted signs of intoxication and asked him to perform field sobriety tests.
After stepping out of the car, the driver told deputies he had cocaine in his pants pocket. His breath test registered a 0.239 blood alcohol content, and deputies took the man to a hospital for a blood test before finally placing him in the Macomb County Jail.
Stoop swindler
HARRISON TOWNSHIP — On Jan. 15, a package containing $265 of Verizon Wireless equipment was delivered to a home in the 39000 block of Whitewater Drive.
At around 12:15 p.m., a gray Toyota Camry pulled into the driveway and, after sitting around for a few minutes, a man reportedly exited the car and took the package.
Wrong number
HARRISON TOWNSHIP — On Jan. 15, Macomb County Sheriff’s Office deputies were sent to an apartment complex in the 26000 block of South River Road after a 911 caller disconnected.
Deputies located the caller, a 51-year-old Cheboygan man, who denied calling 911 and sent the deputies away. Deputies then learned the man had an outstanding narcotics warrant and arrested him, discovering a bag of what appeared to be meth while searching him.
Fraudulent investing
MOUNT CLEMENS — On Jan. 15, a 69-year-old Mount Clemens man deposited $100 into a cryptocurrency investment account after an ad on Facebook promised high returns in a short amount of time. The ad connected him with an “investment agent” who helped him set up and manage the account via Facebook Messenger.
Several days passed and he noticed around $4,500 in the account. He attempted to withdraw the funds but was told by the agent he needed to
AND NOTES NEWS
NEWS BRIEFS TAKEN FROM AROUND OUR COVERAGE AREAS
LIBRARY SHARES ‘THE DISTRACTED LIBRARIANS’ PODCAST
BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP — Bloomfield Township Public Library
shares The Distracted Librarians podcast with library and booklovers everywhere. The podcast premiered March 1, 2024, and over 20 episodes are already available.
“We use the ‘distracted’ moniker pretty liberally to allow us to bounce around to whatever topics interest us, as long as there’s a tie to storytelling, books, or other forms of media,” Adult and Teen Services Librarian and co-host Drew Heuser said in a statement. “We’ve had fun covering things like guilty pleasures, reading slumps, and adaptations of books and stories, as well as telling a few stories of our own, and we’re looking forward to seeing where being easily distractible will take us next.”
The podcast is hosted by librarians from adult and teen services as well as youth services. The librarians partner with Bloomfield Community Television to use their recording space and sound editing expertise, as well as another avenue to share episodes.
Podcast episodes are released on the first and 15th day of each month and can be found on Podbean, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and other podcast content outlets. Episodes are also available on the library website and the Bloomfield Community Television YouTube channel.
The Distracted Librarians can be reached at distracted@btpl.org or btpl.org/the-distracted-librarians.
rected to another site where he was required to pay an additional $700 to withdraw the funds.
He finally realized the scam and reported it to the Macomb County Sheriff’s Office.
Stolen car
MOUNT CLEMENS — At around noon on Jan. 19, Macomb County Sheriff’s Office deputies were called to a home in the 50 block of Englewood Street for a stolen vehicle report.
The resident, a 40-year-old man, parked his Kia Optima outside his home the prior afternoon and last saw it before going to bed. When he went outside on the morning of Jan. 19, the Kia was nowhere to be seen.
The man had both keys to the Kia but did not remember if the car was locked that night.
Resident reports fraud
SHELBY TOWNSHIP — At 6:24 p.m. Jan. 6, a complainant came into the Shelby Township Police Department to make a fraud report. The complainant stated that she had received emails from Venmo asking to verify the account. The complainant advised that she did not verify the account and knew it was a fraudulent attempt to access the account. The complainant did the right thing and did not verify the account, meaning she was not out any money. The case was turned over to the department’s detective bureau for follow-up.
Keys stolen
SHELBY TOWNSHIP — Police officers from Shelby Township responded to the 7000 block of 26 Mile Road for a larceny complaint at 12:33 p.m. Jan. 7. When officers arrived, they were met by a male victim who advised that his vehicle keys had been stolen while he was working out. The gym was able to find a possible suspect using its camera system. All information was turned over to the Police Department’s detective bureau. The victim advised that his vehicle was still in the parking lot and it did not appear anything was missing from it.
Money stolen
SHELBY TOWNSHIP — At 4:12 a.m. Jan. 12, a man came into the Police Department to report that $1,000 in cash had been taken from his home. The victim advised the police officer that around the time he noticed his money was missing, he had a family member over. Shelby Township police attempted to make contact with the family member, but the family member did not answer the phone. This case was to be turned over to the detective bureau.
Local group celebrates its birthday DETROIT/GROSSE POINTE FARMS — More than 80 members were on hand at the Country Club of Detroit in Grosse Pointe Farms Jan. 18 to mark the 132nd birthday of the Louisa St. Clair Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution.
The Louisa St. Clair Chapter, which is based in the Grosse Pointes, presents scholarships to local high school seniors, offers essay and art contests on American history topics, supports veterans and active duty servicemembers and works with the Grosse Pointe Historical Society.
A posthumous American History Medal was awarded to Mary Upshaw Evans McClendon for her efforts to improve wages and conditions for domestic workers in metro Detroit. McClendon’s granddaughter, Esteralita Evans, was present to accept the award. University Liggett School student Da’Mya Johnson, whose research brought McClendon’s story to the attention of DAR members, was on hand as well when Louisa St. Clair Past Regent Peggy King Scully presented Evans with the medal in honor of McClendon’s
Larceny reported on Little Mack Avenue ST. CLAIR SHORES — At 8:32 p.m. on Jan. 26, an act of larceny was reported at a store in the 25000 block of Little Mack Avenue. The clerk, a 27-year-old woman, stated the suspect entered the store and requested scratch-off lottery tickets. As she was fulfilling the request, the man took six $50 lottery tickets while she wasn’t looking. He attempted to pay but his card was declined. He said he’d come back with the money, but he never did. Surveillance footage inside shows the events as they played out. Outside footage shows the man returning to an apartment building where he was last seen walking into the darkness of the parking lot.
Help sought for suicidal man
Free skating event offered
TROY — A Troy resident and Lawrence Technological University student is offering a free skating event for individuals of any age with physical and intellectual disabilities from 7:30 a.m.-8:30 a.m. Feb. 22 at the Troy Sports Center/ Buffalo Wild Wings Arena, located at
