COURT OF APPEALS JUDGES PONDER DECISION ABOUT ROOSEVELT
BY GENA JOHNSON gjohnson@candgnews.com
DETROIT/KEEGO HARBOR
— Legal arguments to save the former Roosevelt Elementary School in Keego Harbor from being demolished were heard by Mich-
igan Court of Appeals judges at a hearing in Detroit Feb. 5.
Teen struck by vehicle while crossing Orchard Lake Road
BY GENA JOHNSON gjohnson@candgnews.com
WEST BLOOMFIELD — At approximately 5:30 p.m. Feb. 7, the West Bloomfield Police Department received a 911 call about a pedestrian who was struck by a vehicle.
According to a press release, a 16-year-old female who was walking eastbound across Orchard Lake Road near Indian Trail was struck by a vehicle traveling southbound on Orchard Lake.
After being “immediately” dispatched, the West Bloomfield Police Department and the West Bloomfield Fire Department provided emergency assistance.
The teenager was then transported to a nearby hospital.
Reportedly, she sustained serious but non-life-threatening injuries.
In the other corner was the appellee, the West Bloomfield School District, which was represented by attorney Lindsay Hazen of the law firm Giarmarco, Mullins & Horton, P.C.
See ROOSEVELT on page 10A
In one corner was the appellant, the Heart of the Lakes Community, a nonprofit, grassroots organization that wants to preserve Roosevelt Elementary. The nonprofit was represented by attorney Derek Howard of the law firm Doerr MacWilliams Howard, PLLC.
The driver of the vehicle that struck the teen is cooperating with the investigation, according to the release.
If anyone has further information, call Sgt. Bob Houchins at (248) 975-8945. Call Staff Writer Gena Johnson at (586) 498-1069.
Photo by Patricia O’Blenes
Michigan Court of Appeals judges Kristina Robinson Garrett, Adrienne N. Young and Randy J. Wallace listen as attorney Derek Howard presents the case for the appellant, the Heart of the Lakes Community, at a hearing Feb. 5. The HOTLC is fighting to save the former Roosevelt Elementary School in Keego Harbor from demolition.
First suspect charged by OC Human Trafficking Task Force
BY ANDY KOZLOWSKI akozlowski@candgnews.com
OAKLAND COUNTY — Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard has announced the first person arrested and charged by the newly formed Oakland County Human Trafficking Task Force.
Wayne County resident Damon Napier, 61, has been charged with human trafficking enterprise resulting in injury, third-degree criminal sexual conduct, prostitution — accepting earnings, prostitution — pandering, and prostitution — transporting, with a conviction for any of the prostitution charges punishable by up to 20 years in prison.
He faces charges in both Hazel Park 43rd District Court and Southfield 46th District Court. Napier was arraigned in Hazel Park Jan. 21 and in Southfield Jan. 18, with his bond in each case set at $500,000 at cash/surety. At press time, he was being held in Oakland County Jail.
Court records list Napier’s attorney as Melissa Sue Krauskopf. At press time, she had not returned a request for comment.
According to the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office, Napier has a decades-long rap sheet that includes convictions in Michigan, Indiana and California. Prior crimes include kidnapping, assault with a deadly weapon and assorted drug charges.
His most recent arrest was the result of an investigation started by the Sheriff’s Office in collaboration with the Madison Heights Police, along with the Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office.
The victims in the case are two women, both age 31, who were residents of Oakland and Macomb counties. What began with a missing person report filed in 2023 ended with Napier’s arrest in Dearborn on Jan. 17 by members of the Fugitive Apprehensive Team, part of the Sheriff’s Office.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, Na-
See TRAFFICKING on page 6A
Winter weather brings unique birds — if you can find them
BY DEAN VAGLIA dvaglia@candgnews.com
METRO DETROIT — As the air chills and days get shorter, it’s common for snowbirds to take their flights south.
But while our senior set heads for the Florida coast, some of nature’s feathered fellows find their way to Michigan from the Arctic.
These seasonal guests from the high north, along with being interesting company, make the winter a fascinating time for dedicated birders.
“A lot of people don’t necessarily think of a lot of birds being around in the winter,” said Stephanie Beilke, senior manager of conservation science at Audubon Great
See BIRDS on page 18A
• Anti-Inflammation
• Anti-Pain (Analgesic)
• Accelerated Tissue Repair and Cell Growth
• Improved Vascular Activity
• Increased Metabolic Activity
• Trigger Points and Acupuncture Points
• Reduced Fibrous Tissue Formation
• Improved Nerve Function • Immunoregulation • Faster Wound Healing
Photo by Lynette Spence, provided by Audubon Great Lakes Female, left, and male redhead ducks are one species of waterfowl that migrates to Michigan during the winter.
SECOND FRONT PAGE
‘The
entire community mourns’
House fire in West Bloomfield claims the lives of three children
BY GENA JOHNSON gjohnson@candgnews.com
WEST BLOOMFIELD — The lives of three siblings were celebrated at a funeral service at the O.H. Pye III Funeral Home in Detroit Feb. 7.
The Oliora children — Hannah, 16, Jeremiah, 14, and Jacob, 12 — were killed from injuries they sustained from a house fire in the 5000 block of Pembury Lane in West Bloomfield Feb. 2.
“The entire community mourns the loss of the three young people who perished in the fire,” West Bloomfield Township Su-
See HOUSE FIRE on page 9A
Our next edition will come to homes March 5. Stay current by
A fire in the 5000 block of Pembury Lane
investigation.
Girl Scouts chill out with ice fishing experience
BY MARIA ALLARD allard@candgnews.com
CLARKSTON — The recent cold front that moved into southeastern Michigan made for the ideal weather conditions for local Girl Scouts to get hooked on ice fishing.
On Jan. 26, about 40 members of various Girl Scouts of Southeastern Michigan troops
Our comprehensive hearing evaluation is always no charge. 3A/ WEST BLOOMFIELD BEACON • FEBRUARY 19, 2025
from kindergarten through 11th grade and their leaders ventured over to Crooked Lake inside the Independence Oaks County Park to spend an hour learning how to ice fish.
With the temperature at 28 degrees Fahrenheit, there were four one-hour Ice to Table sessions set up between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Girl Scouts of Southeastern Michigan lead outdoor edu-
Can you hear the whisper of your sweetheart or your grandchild asking you to read a story?
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cation program specialist and avid ice fishing angler Paige Wigren helped lead the excursion. She brought her husband, Ryan Wigren, and dad Mark Evans as volunteers.
“This one brought out the dads and the grandpas,” Wigren said. “It was really cool to see three generations on the ice.”
The Scouts, who made sure
See ICE FISHING on page 5A
The participants learned how to fillet a fish during the ice fishing excursion Jan. 26.
Photo by Patricia O’Blenes
in West Bloomfield killed three children Feb. 2. According to the West Bloomfield Fire Department, the case is still under
RIGHT:
Photo provided by Girl Scouts of Southeastern Michigan
NEWS & NOTES
WB BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING
WEST BLOOMFIELD — At the Feb. 11 West Bloomfield Township Board of Trustees meeting, an ordinance was enacted to lower the fees for food trucks in the area.
“One of the things we are doing is lowering the fees for food trucks in the area to be more in line with what they pay elsewhere and the township’s costs,” Township Supervisor Jonathan Warshay said. “We have done a review.”
Food trucks can be anywhere in the township, whether it is a public or private event, according to Warshay.
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.
THE GOLDEN AGE OF COCKTAILS
WEST BLOOMFIELD — Explore the “Golden Age of Cocktails” from the 1860s through 1918 via a variety of drinks with Rebecca Morrow from Tammy’s Tastings at the West Bloomfield Township Public Library.
The event is 7 p.m. – 8 p.m. Monday, March 3 at the library’s meeting room.
Registration is required.
This event is in the “Adult” and “Seniors” group.
According to a disclaimer, the library cannot guarantee that the event will be free from allergens.
Attendance at library programs may be photographed or recorded and the images may appear in the library’s print and digital marketing materials.
Those who do not want their image to be published can notify a member of the library staff before the start of a program.
For more information, call (248) 232-2290.
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
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.
Photo provided by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources
Pictured is the Ferrari from “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.”
Photo by Dean Vaglia
3A
to dress warmly, used fishing poles and situpon buckets during the activity. They also had access to warming shanties and a heated shelter on the shore.
While there are several fishing programs within the GSSEM, this was the first time for the Ice to Table event. Attempts were made in the past, but the ice just wasn’t safe. This year Paige and Ryan tested out the ice first with a propane power auger. At least 6 inches of ice is needed for fishing, and the test showed ice 11-12 inches thick. When the Scouts first made it onto the ice, Oakland County Sheriff’s Deputy Tim Brown provided them with a number of safety lessons.
Only one fish was caught during the day, but the participants still learned how to fillet a fish and cook it on a portable grill. Evans packed some white crappie and bluegills for the trip, and everyone was invited to try a bite-sized piece of fish.
“They were super excited and curious,” Wigren said. “They can do anything if they put their minds to it. The opportunities in the Girl Scouts are endless.”
As a child, Wigren was a Girl Scout for
See ICE FISHING on page 19A
Jan. 26,
St. Patrick's Day 2025
Photo provided by Girl Scouts of Southeastern Michigan
On
about 40 members of various Girl Scouts of Southeastern Michigan troops enjoyed an ice fishing activity on Crooked Lake inside the Independence Oaks County Park in Clarkston.
SUNSHINE, EXERCISE HELP MELT AWAY WINTER BLUES
BY CHARITY MEIER cmeier@candgnews.com
METRO DETROIT — Sunlight brightens our day in more ways than one. It not only has the power to warm the air and melt the snow, but it also can warm your heart and melt the winter blues away.
Dr. Ibrahim Sablaban, a psychiatrist with Beaumont Behavioral Health in Dearborn, a part of Corewell Health, said that around 40% of people experience a mild but functional depression in the winter that is commonly called the “winter blues,” which does not require clinical treatment.
“It’s definitely a common phenomenon,” he said.
He said that with more daylight hours in the spring and summer, people can be more social and feel that their time after work is more productive.
“In the winter, it’s 20, 10 degrees and you’re limited on daylight hours. It’s just life really thrives on warmer days,” Sablaban said.
However, a small percentage of people,
Trafficking
from page 2A
pier allegedly used tactics such as controlling his victims’ ability to use a phone, moving them to different places to engage in prostitution, providing them illegal narcotics to create a drug dependency, and assaulting them physically and sexually — all common tactics employed by human traffickers.
“We know human trafficking is one of the most insidious and terrible crimes through its ongoing victimizing of those that are being trafficked,” Bouchard said in a statement. “We will do all in our power to hold these disgusting criminal individuals accountable for their acts, and to remove trafficked individuals from this torture. Sadly, we have another example of a career criminal out on the street in a position to hurt more people.”
Madison Heights Police Chief Brent LeMerise said in an email that human trafficking takes place all around us, and people must be vigilant to root it out.
“Human trafficking, in this case forced sex labor, is not a problem that only exists in distant lands or on a movie set, but it’s a serious problem right here in metro Detroit,” LeMerise said.
He noted that most trafficking operations center around hotels, with traffickers
around 5%, develop a form of clinical depression called seasonal affective disorder. This is where someone may experience a persistent “grumpy” mood and a constant state of depression. He said those with seasonal affective disorder may get more irritable with family, friends and loved ones, or have suicidal thoughts. Sablaban said that anyone who experiences those kinds of things should seek help from a mental health professional. Seasonal affective disorder is treated via therapy and, if need be, anti-depressant medication.
“Seasonal affective disorder happens when we don’t expose ourselves to the sunlight and daylight,” said Dr. Jill Skurnowicz, a licensed naturopathic doctor and a certified registered nurse anesthetist, of the Natural Care Institute in Birmingham.
According to Sablaban, many Michiganders have a vitamin D deficiency and a lack of vitamin D is associated with feelings of depression. He said that it is something people can be screened for and possibly treated with supplements. Although many
See WINTER on page 7A
abusing their victims and limiting their access to ID cards, money, transportation and any form of communication with the outside world, as well as providing them with narcotics.
He said certain circumstances and behaviors might be red flags of a potential victim.
“Some signs you may see are someone who has an unstable living situation, is the victim of violence or abuse, has run away from home, or is addicted to drugs or alcohol,” LeMerise said.
He noted that tips on human trafficking can be reported by calling the National Human Trafficking Hotline at (888) 3737888, or by texting 233733.
“It takes vigilance from the community to help law enforcement intervene on human trafficking,” LeMerise said.
While an arrest has been completed, the Sheriff’s Office believes that other victims of Napier’s alleged human trafficking ring are still out there and have not yet come forward. Some have already been identified by investigators.
Any victims or individuals with more information about this human trafficking case or others are urged to call the Sheriff’s Office at (248) 858-4950, Madison Heights Police Det. Arnela Dizdarevic at (248) 8372762, or their local police department.
Call Staff Writer Andy Kozlowski at (586) 498-1046.
from page 6A
are available over the counter, he said people should consult their doctors first.
Sunlight provides vitamin D naturally. So, in order to combat the winter blues, he recommends taking in as much sunlight as possible during the day.
“We might not have as many hours as we do during the summertime, but we do have sunlight, so try to get out there into the sun on lunchbreaks and stuff,” Sablaban said. “Bundle up and try to stand in the sun for just a little bit. Especially on the weekend, there’s a tendency to try to sleep in and not really partake in a whole lot, especially if the weather is not fairing too well, but try to take advantage of daylight hours. It’s super important.”
Skurnowicz said that people should strive to maintain a proper circadian rhythm and get sunlight within one hour of waking up.
Those who are unable to take advantage of the sunlight can purchase what is known as “happy lights.” Happy lights come in many different forms and are available all over.
Sablaban said it is also important to maintain a healthy, active lifestyle. He said
lack of exercise, sleep and poor diet also contribute to the winter blues.
“Regular physical activity, whether that’s exercise at a gym or going for a walk can really reduce the stress and anxiety that can build up with the limited socialization that happens in winter months,” he said.
“Exercise is one of the best ways to help with mental health as well as physical health,” Skurnowicz said.
Lissa Pietrykowski, a personal trainer and owner of Peak Physique and its offshoot, Peak Women, in Troy, said they see a lot of people in the winter months who are battling the winter blues or some form of depression. She said many say they didn’t want to come in but are glad they did, as they feel better after exercise.
“When I opened Peak Women, the main reason of doing so was to help people that suffer from anxiety and depression and to allow them to have the benefit of exercising and getting personal training, because exercising releases endorphins and it helps with depression, but so often people aren’t going to just come to a gym because they are intimidated,” Pietrykowski said. “So in a roundabout way, that was the purpose of why we opened it, was so that everybody could benefit from exercise.”
Pietrykowski said she is partial to strength training, especially for women, as it
is good for not just mood but bone strength, especially as you get older. However, she said it is important to just get your body moving, even for a short period of time. She recommends exercising three days a week for at least a half hour.
“Small goals. Make sure you do 10 minutes a day at first and then do 15 minutes a day,” she said. “If you can do that three days a week, it’s a great start.”
Pietrykowski said people could do body weight exercises at home such as push-ups or squats, or possibly take a yoga class on YouTube. She recommends Tabata as a great way to get one’s heart rate up and bring it back down, which can be done at home. She said it is a type of exercise routine where a person does an exercise for 30 seconds, breaks for 15 seconds, and then repeats with different 30-second exercises, followed by a 15-second break. She said that there are several free apps for Tabata.
“It’s a very fast way to get your body moving and it’s very effective,” Piertrykowski said.
According to Skurnowicz, people should also optimize blood sugar levels as they have a lot to do with cognitive function and maintain proper gut health. She said that if your gut isn’t healthy, your brain isn’t healthy. In order to do that, she said people need to monitor their diet and eat healthy
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If you’re serious about your health, if you
foods such as fruits and vegetables.
“Eat organic, whole foods and a wellrounded diet,” she said.
Sablaban also emphasized the importance of socialization. He said many people don’t see friends and family as often during the cold winter months. He suggests making a “purposeful effort” to socialize and see friends and family members.
“A lot of times we don’t realize how much the minimization of daylight does,” Sablaban said. “So you know you haven’t seen a buddy or you haven’t seen a friend or colleague outside of the work environment for two months, I mean, that’s going to have an impact, especially if you are regularly used to getting together.”
Pietrykowski said that it is always beneficial to exercise with someone else. She said that it goes quicker because you are talking to someone and it is more fun. She said it also provides accountability and motivation and something for someone to look forward to seeing. For those who aren’t able to get out of the house, she suggests working out with a friend on the phone or via Zoom.
“Having that other person doing something with you could be motivating,” she said. “Even for me as a trainer, it is so much easier doing the workout to have someone there with me.”
See WINTER on page 19A
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COMMUNITY CALENDAR
8A/ WEST BLOOMFIELD BEACON • FEBRUARY 19, 2025
FEB. 20-22
‘Exit Laughing’: Show about three women who “borrow” ashes from funeral home to give deceased friend one final — and unexpectedly wild — time out with the girls, 8 p.m., Farmington Players Barn, 32332 W. 12 Mile Road in Farmington Hills, (248) 553-2955, farmingtonplayers.org
FEB. 22
2025 Polar Plunge: Fundraiser for Special Olympics Michigan, watch law enforcement teams jump into cold water at 11 a.m. and others at 1:30 p.m., after-splash bash to follow, The Beach Tiki Bar & Boil, 142 E. Walled Lake Drive in Walled Lake, register and donate at plungemi.org
Bad art competition: Kid/adult teams encouraged to do their worst, for ages 7 and older, supplies provided, 2-4 p.m., West Bloomfield Township Public Library - Westacres Branch, 7321 Commerce Road, (248) 363-4022, wblib.org
FEB. 25
‘Detroit ‘67: Looking Back to Move Forward’: Presentation about historical context and subsequent community engagement project, 6:30-7:30 p.m., West Bloomfield Township Public Library - Main Branch, 4600 Walnut Lake Road, (248) 682-2120, wblib.org
FEB. 26
Wildlife tracking: Stories, photos and videos from wildlife biologist, for ages 10 and older, West Bloomfield Township Public Library - Westacres Branch, 7321 Commerce Road, (248) 363-4022, wblib.org
Instrument Zoo: Ages 5-12 can try, listen to and learn about instruments, program held in collaboration with West Bloomfield High School Tri-M Music Honor Society members and staff, 4:30 p.m.-5:15 p.m., West Bloomfield Township Public Library - Main Branch, 4600 Walnut Lake Road, (248) 682-2120, wblib.org
‘Detroit’s 1910 Kosher Meat Riot’: Presentation by Jewish Historical Society of Michigan Executive Director Catherine Cangany, 7 p.m., West Bloomfield Township Public Library - Main Branch, 4600 Walnut Lake Road, (248) 682-2120, wblib.org, gwbhs.org/ events
MARCH
9
Technology petting zoo: Try out VR headsets, security cameras, digital picture frames, smart lights, watches, plugs, speakers and more, 2-4 p.m., West Bloomfield Township Public Library - Main Branch, 4600 Walnut Lake Road, (248) 682-2120, wblib.org
MARCH 15
Passion For Life 5K and 5 Mile: 5-mile run at 10 a.m. and 5K run/walk at 10:15 a.m., raises money for medical research at U-M C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital and local families, starts and finishes outside The Beach Tiki Bar & Boil, 142 E. Walled Lake Drive in Walled Lake, passion-for-life.org
Charity hockey games: See Belle Tire Sled Hockey vs. MI-UCP Sledsters at 5 p.m. and Detroit Red Wings alumni vs. MI-UCP Pucksters at 7 p.m., also chuck-a-puck for prizes and 50-50, St. Mary’s Arena, 3535 Indian Trail in Orchard Lake, free admission but spectators asked to donate to players at mi-ucp.org/ hockey, money supports programs and services for Michiganders with disabilities
MARCH 16
Talkin’ Broadway on ‘Merrily We Roll Along’: Monthly play and musical discussion group featuring performances by local actors and singers plus expertise from visiting Broadway veterans, 2-4 p.m., West Bloomfield Township Public Library - Main Branch, 4600 Walnut Lake Road, (248) 682-2120, wblib.org
ONGOING
Oakland County Farmers Market: 7 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Saturdays, 2350 Pontiac Lake Road in Waterford, (248) 858-5495, ocmarket@oakgov.com
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING Sylvan Lake Planning Commission
Notice is hereby given that the Sylvan Lake Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on Wednesday, March 12, 2025, beginning at 5:00 PM, or as soon thereafter as the agenda allows, at the Sylvan Lake Community Center, 2456 Pontiac Dr., Sylvan Lake, MI 48320.
The purpose of the hearing is to receive public comments on amendments to the Zoning Ordinance. The frst set of amendments pertain to Section 78-1 Defnitions, Division 1 Section 78-37 Fees that do the following:
• Clarify the activities for which city council may establish fees
The second set of amendments pertain to Division 3 Section 78-323 Permitted uses after special approval (R-1 and R-2 district), Division 2 Section 78-620 Automotive trailer camps or tourist cabins, and Division 2 Section 78-571 – Parking Schedule. The amendments do the following:
• Remove antiquated and unnecessary defnitions of “boardinghouse” and “tourist home,”, and update the defnition of “motel”
• Remove tourist homes, boardinghouses, and breakfast inns from permitted uses after special approval in the R-1 and R-2 district
• Remove the section prohibiting automotive trailer camps or tourist cabins, as it is redundant
• Update the parking schedule by removing the requirements related to lodging establishments and tourist homes in residential districts
A complete copy of the amendments may be examined at the Sylvan Lake City Offces, 1820 Inverness St., Sylvan Lake, MI 48320, prior to the public hearing, during the City’s regular business hours, Monday through Thursday, 8:00 AM through 4:30 PM. Written comments may be addressed to the Planning Commission at the City Offces address. Oral comments will be taken during the hearing on March 12, 2025. This notice is published pursuant to the requirements of the Michigan Zoning Enabling Act, PA 110 of 2006, as amended. John Martin Sylvan Lake City Manager
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.
Orchard Lake Museum: Visit home of Greater West Bloomfield Historical Society for open houses from 1-4 p.m. Feb. 23, March 9 (also learn about history of West Bloomfield Parks), March 23, April 6 and April 13 (also find tax records information), 3951 Orchard Lake Road, gwbhs.org/events
Open Play at The J: Drop-in program for ages 4 and younger, 9 a.m.-noon most Mondays while school is in session, The J, 6600 W. Maple Road in West Bloomfield, jlive.app/events/9144
Live music: 8 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays, Fork n’ Pint, 4000 Cass-Elizabeth Road in Waterford, (248) 7913256, forknpintcasslake.com
Ice skating: 10 a.m.-10 p.m. daily, Riley Park, 33113 Grand River Ave. in Farmington, free but donations encouraged, facebook.com/rileyparkicerink, (248) 474-5500
Game nights: For Sylan Lake residents only, 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays, Sylvan Lake Community Center, 2456 Pontiac Drive, (248) 682-1440, sylvanlake.org/ community_center
Editor: Mark Vest | (586) 498-1052 | mvest@candgnews.com
Reporter: Gena Johnson | (586) 498-1069 | gjohnson@candgnews.com
Sports: Scott Bentley | (586) 498-1090 | sports@candgnews.com Artroom: (586) 498-1036 | ads@candgnews.com
• 5-6:30 p.m. every first and third Wednesday of month, Commerce Township Community Library, 180 E. Commerce Road, (248) 669-8108, commercetwp. com/library
Grief and loss support group: 4:30-5:45 p.m. every second Tuesday of month through April, Adat Shalom Synagogue, 29901 Middlebelt Road in Farmington Hills, jfsdetroit.org/upcoming
Health workshops: For hypertension, diabetes, pre-diabetes and more, hosted by Corewell Health, free and virtual, corewellhealth.org/classes-events/ southeast-michigan
Lupus support groups: 10 a.m. every second Tuesday of month and 7 p.m. every last Wednesday of month, 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
House fire
from page 3A
pervisor Jonathan Warshay said. “We have great sympathy for their parents. The township is doing all it can to investigate the cause of the fire.”
According to attendees, the funeral service was beautiful, although it was overwhelming to see the children’s caskets.
At around 8 p.m. Feb. 2, West Bloomfield Township Police Department dispatch received a 911 call from one of the children in the home saying their house was on fire and they could not get out, according to a press release from the West Bloomfield Police Department.
After entering the home, the West Bloomfield Fire Department removed the children and gave them emergency medical assistance. They were then transported to a local hospital, where they died from their injuries, according to the release.
“No one is staying in the home now,” West Bloomfield Fire Marshal Byron Turnquist said. “The case is still under investigation.”
Hannah Oliora was a junior at West Bloomfield High School. Messages on the funeral home website described her as a
beautiful person who was committed to her faith. She was also described as a brilliant student, a loving sister, a loyal friend and an accomplished musician who always wore pretty dresses.
Residents purchased flowers and lit candles for the children, according to the funeral home’s website.
Jeremiah and Jacob Oliora were both students in the Farmington Public Schools system.
The West Bloomfield School District and Farmington Public Schools sent letters to families who reside within their respective districts to inform them that the siblings had died. West Bloomfield Superintendent Dania Bazzi and Eric Pace, the principal at West Bloomfield High, signed the letter on behalf of the West Bloomfield School District, with Kelly Coffin, the superintendent for Farmington Public Schools, signing on behalf of her district.
Both letters expressed heavy hearts for the loss of the students.
Grief support resources were also provided.
“During this difficult time, it is important that we come together as a community and support the family involved and one another,” the letters from both districts stated.
See HOUSE FIRE on page 15A
Johnnette Eggert,
1A
The West Bloomfield School District Board of Education previously recommended demolishing the Roosevelt building, which is more than 100 years old.
Judges Adrienne N. Young, Kristina Robinson Garrett and Randy J. Wallace listened to arguments from both sides.
Howard made arguments in support of continuing a stay to prevent the demolition of the building.
From the perspective of the HOTLC, Roosevelt is a historic building.
However, Hazen shared a different perspective.
“The former site of Roosevelt is a building that is not a historical building by any recognized designation,” Hazen said.
Howard’s arguments against the district included an alleged violation of an Open Meetings Act, promising but failing to revisit the issue of demolishing the building and being amiss with an asbestos abatement bid for Roosevelt.
According to Howard, although there were five recommendations that were made for Roosevelt, only one was considered.
Photo by Patricia O’Blenes
Community members who oppose the demolition of the former Roosevelt Elementary School building in Keego Harbor showed up at a Court of Appeals hearing Feb. 5.
Roosevelt
from page 10A
“Knock down Roosevelt. That was the only recommendation,” Howard said in court. “Demolition was the only option considered publicly, even though there were five others that were considered non-publicly.”
In regard to what those other recommendations were, Howard said, “We still, to this day, have no idea.”
Because the West Bloomfield School District did not open a meeting to public scrutiny and discussed the five recommendations privately, the district was in violation of the Open Meetings Act at a Board of Education meeting last March, according to Howard.
He made the argument that because the West Bloomfield School District has an “ongoing pattern” of violating the Open Meetings Act, “We deserve a preliminary injunction and an order stating, ‘Stop doing that and redo everything.’”
Redoing everything could entail redoing the process of awarding an asbestos abatement contract, publicly discussing all of the recommendations for Roosevelt in an open meeting, and having another Board of
See ROOSEVELT on page 17A
Photo by Patricia O’Blenes
Attorney Lindsay Hazen represented the West Bloomfield School District at a Court of Appeals hearing Feb. 5. The West Bloomfield School District Board of Education previously approved a recommendation to demolish the former Roosevelt Elementary School in Keego Harbor.
SPOTLIGHT ON WOMEN IN BUSINESS
“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 shoppers 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
Photo by Patricia O’Blenes
Women
from page 13A
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 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
See WOMEN on page 16A
NOTICE TO ALL PROPERTY OWNERS AND TAXPAYERS OF THE CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF WEST BLOOMFIELD MARCH MEETINGS OF THE BOARD OF REVIEW
The exemption of certain local school operating taxes for “qualifed agricultural properties” may be appealed to the local Board of Review. The exemption of certain taxes for “Principal Residence Properties” may be appealed to the Michigan Department of Treasury.
To appeal an assessment, properties classifed as Agricultural and Residential must protest at the Board of Review to protect your right for further appeal to the Michigan Tax Tribunal for valuation and exemption appeals and/or State Tax Commission for classifcation appeals.
Please use the Parcel Identifcation Number when referring to your property so that your records can be quickly located.
An Organizational Meeting will be held on Tuesday, March 4, 2025 from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Note: No appeals are heard at this meeting.
The West Bloomfeld Township Board of Review shall meet on the following dates at the Township Hall, 4550 Walnut Lake Road, West Bloomfeld, Michigan for the purpose of hearing appeals:
TUESDAY March 04, 2025 - 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. (No Appeals)
WEDNESDAY March 05, 2025 - 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
THURSDAY March 06, 2025 - 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
FRIDAY March 07, 2025 - 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
MONDAY March 10, 2025 - 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
TUESDAY March 11, 2025 - 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
If you have any questions regarding your assessment, please call or visit the Assessor’s Offce at (248) 451-4850 for an informal Assessor’s Review beginning Friday, February 14, 2025 and concluding Monday, March 3, 2025 from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
If you wish to appear before the Board of Review for a formal appeal, contact the Assessor’s Offce for an appointment beginning on Friday, February 14, 2025 and no later than 4:30 p.m., on Monday, March 3, 2025. Appointments are 5 minutes each on the above published dates. Due to time constraints, appointments may not be rescheduled. Board of Review appeals by letter will also be accepted, in place of a personal appearance, if received by Friday, March 07, 2025
PRINCIPAL RESIDENCE EXEMPTION AFFIDAVIT INFORMATION:
If you purchased your principal residence after June 1, 2024, and have not claimed the Principal Residence Exemption, you are required to fle an affdavit on or before June 1, 2025 for the immediately succeeding summer tax levy and all subsequent tax levies or by November 1, 2025 for the immediately succeeding winter tax levy and all subsequent tax levies.
ASSESSOR’S OFFICE
WEST BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP
Published: West Bloomfeld Beacon 02/19/2025
City of Keego Harbor Board of Review
The City of Keego Harbor Board of Review will meet on the following dates for the purpose of reviewing the 2025 property tax assessments.
Organizational Meeting: Tuesday, March 4th, 2025, 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Monday March 10th, 2025: 9:00am - 12:00pm and 1:00pm - 4:00pm
Thursday March 13th, 2025: 1:00pm - 4:00pm and 6:00pm - 9:00pm
An appointment should be scheduled in advance for the Board of Review, please contact Oakland County Equalization Division prior to February 28th, 2025, Toll free at 1-888-350-0900, or 248-8580773. Written appeals must be submitted to Oakland County for Board of Review by Thursday, March 13, 2025.
Published: West Bloomfeld Beacon 02/19/2025
Notice of Posting For
Charter Township of West Bloomfeld Township
Board
1. Synopsis of the Regular meeting on: Monday, February 10, 2025
0003-2508
2. Adoption of Ordinance Amendment C-801-A to amend Chapter 8 of the Code of Ordinances Titled Buildings and Building Regulations, Article I, Administration and Enforcement of the Michigan State Construction Code
3. Emergency Adoption Ordinance Amendment C-619-D to amend Chapter 17 of the Code of Ordinances Titled Peddlers and Solicitors, Article II, Peddler, Solicitor, Vendor, Division 3, Mobile Food Vending, Sections 17-34 to 17-37
4. Emergency Adoption Ordinance Amendment C-91-F to Amend Chapter 23 of the Code of Ordinances Titled Vegetation, Article II, Noxious Weeds, Sections 23-14 to 23-18
The above Synopsis and Ordinances shall be posted (in their entirety) at the following locations:
(1) Offce of the Township Clerk 4550 Walnut Lake Road
(2) Township’s website: www.wbtownship.org
Debbie Binder Township Clerk
Published: West Bloomfeld Beacon 02/19/2025
CITY OF ORCHARD LAKE VILLAGE
NOTICE OF ZONING BOARD PUBLIC HEARINGS
0297-2508
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to Michigan Public Act 110 of 2006, the Michigan Zoning Enabling Act, as amended, the City of Orchard Lake Village Zoning Board of Appeals will consider the following appeal at their Regular Meeting on Monday, March 17, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. at the Orchard Lake City Hall, 3955 Orchard Lake Road, Orchard Lake, Michigan:
- Julie L. King Living Trust Appeal- 3785 Indian Trail (A Maximum Exterior Wall Height Variance for a Proposed Detached Accessory Building)
- Barbara Hutchings Appeal - 4000 Oak Grove (Rear Yard Setback Variance for Construction of a New Single-Family Home)
Complete copies of the request are available for review at the Offce of the City Clerk in City Hall. Written Comments will be received in the City Clerk’s Offce, 3955 Orchard Lake Road, Orchard Lake, MI between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, or may be submitted electronically to CityClerk@CityofOrchardLake.com. You are invited to attend the hearing.
Rhonda McClellan CityClerk@CityofOrchardLake.com
Publish: West Bloomfeld Beacon 02/19/2025
CITY OF ORCHARD LAKE VILLAGE
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING ON SPECIAL ASSESSMENT DISTRICT
0265-2508
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the City of Orchard Lake Village Council will hold a Public Hearing of Necessity on a proposed special assessment district for the preservation of Orchard Lake including marine safety, lake management services, goose removal, weed harvesting and application of herbicides on Monday, March 17, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. at the Orchard Lake City Hall, 3955 Orchard Lake Road, Orchard Lake, MI 48323.
The current Special Assessment District will expire on June 30, 2025. This Public Hearing of Necessity is for a new Special Assessment District for Orchard Lake.
All plans and cost estimates for the improvements are on fle at the offce of the City Clerk and are available for public inspection.
You are invited to attend this hearing, or you may submit your comments in writing to the City Clerk at City Hall, or via e-mail at CityClerk@CityofOrchardLake.com. All are welcome to attend.
Rhonda McClellan
CityClerk@CityofOrchardLake.com
Publish: West Bloomfeld Beacon 02/19/2025
0266-2508
House fire
from page 9A
“The most important thing we can do is love our kids and one another. Hug your loved ones and let them know you are there for them.”
Turnquist recommends that residents walk through their homes and check to make sure that all smoke alarms are in working order. Smoke alarms that are more than 10 years old should be replaced and there should be an alarm on every level of the home, with one outside of sleeping areas and one in each bedroom, according to Turnquist.
He also suggests having at least two ways of exiting a home and having a designated meeting place outside the home.
“If you have a two-story house and there is an upstairs hallway with all of the bedrooms (off of the hallway), there should be one in that hallway,” Turnquist said. “Then there should be one in all of the bedrooms.”
According to Turnquist, new smoke alarms are self-contained units that have a 10-year battery.
“So when you install it you don’t have to worry about it for about 10 years and then that smoke detector will start to chirp and let you know that the battery is dying at the end of its lifetime,” Turnquist said.
Although most newer homes have interconnected smoke alarms, meaning that when one smoke alarm goes off all of the other smoke alarms in the home go off as well, according to Turnquist, any working smoking alarm will do.
“Most importantly, you just need some type of smoke detection that will give you early notification, forewarns you of a fire, and (gives) you the most time possible to get out of your home safely,” Turnquist said.
Call Staff Writer Gena Johnson at (586) 498-1069.
CITY OF SYLVAN LAKE
OAKLAND COUNTY, MICHIGAN
ORDINANCE NO. 373
AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHAPTER 42, PARKS AND RECREATION, SECTION 42-2, DOCK SPACE LICENSE REQUIREMENT; SECTION 42-6, THE INSTALLATION OF DOCKS OR MOORINGS; RULES REGARDING THE USE OF DOCK SPACE; SECTION 42-16, SPORTS/TENNIS TAGS; SECTION 42-18, SPECIAL EVENTS, IN ORDER TO ESTABLISH NEW REGULATIONS RELATING TO THE SHARING OF DOCK SPACES, TO CLARIFY THE DEFINITION OF SMALL WATERCRAFT, TO ADDRESS PICKLEBALL USES, AND TO CHANGE THE REFERENCE FROM SPECIAL EVENTS TO COMMUNITY EVENTS AND IMPOSE CERTAIN REQUIREMENTS FOR SAME.
THE CITY OF SYLVAN LAKE ORDAINS:
Sec. 42-2. – Dock space license requirement.
For the purposes of this ordinance, a watercraft is defned as a boat or vessel, generally with a motor, that is required to have a State of Michigan registration and a required MC decal permanently affxed to it.
A small watercraft is defned as a kayak, canoe, pedal boat, or small sailboat that does not require State of Michigan registration or MC decal.
Sec. 42-16 Sports/Tennis Tags.
(a) Each Sports Tag entitles a resident to the use of one (1) tennis court, pickleball court, bocce court or volley ball court with a maximum of three (3) guests.
(b) No guest is entitled to use of the facilities listed in subsection (a) or other recreation area unless accompanied by a resident with a valid sports tag
(c) The Sports/Tennis Tag must be hung on the board (if provided) at the tennis/pickleball court entrance prior to use of the tennis/pickleball facility.
(d) Tennis courts, pickleball courts, bocce courts and volley ball courts are to be used on a frst come, frst served basis, but when people are awaiting the use of a court, there shall be a maximum time use of the court of ninety (90) minutes.
(e) Hours of use of the tennis/pickleball courts are restricted to 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Sec. 42-18. – Community Events
A request to conduct an event on park property for the residents of the City, to promote good health and encourage community involvement, may be administratively approved by the City Manager if all of the following conditions are met:
(i) The applicant is a resident of Sylvan Lake.
(ii) The event involves less than two hundred (200) attendees at one time.
(iii) The event will be located in or adjacent to a park area
(iv) Disruption of the park area will be limited.
Section 5. Effective Date
The provisions of this Ordinance are hereby ordered to take effect ten (10) days after adoption by the Sylvan Lake City Council, February 12, 2025.
Ask the Low Vision Doctor
Macular Degeneration and Seeing Faces
Dr. Jacobi, I have advanced macular degeneration that was diagnosed approximately ten years ago. I no longer receive shots in my eyes. My sight is limited to the point that I can no longer recognize friends or family. I am 82 years old. Can you do something for me so I can see faces and watch TV?
Rita
Dear Rita,
Good news Rita, I prescribe low vision devices for patients in your predicament! My ability to help you see faces is almost certain. The devices are used to magnify so the enlarged image falls on to the remaining healthy portions of your retina.
Doctors tell patients that they will never go blind from macular degeneration. However, the sight can become so compromised that these patients feel as if they are sightless. If these patients do not receive low vision care they can feel isolated and depressed. Many of these patients lose their independence.
The devices we use are telescope mounted devices that allow a patient to see further away. The way they are designed is to keep people “hands-free” and therefore, enjoy a more natural way of seeing. Also, I can make sure to prescribe them in such away as to make it easier for you to get around.
The frst step is do have you in for a low vision evaluation. During the visit I will assess your remaining sight and prescribe just what you need to improve your quality of life. Be rest assured you will certainly leave much better than when you came in!
John P. Jacobi, OD, FCOVD, FIALVS
Dennise Dryden, City Clerk
Women
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 little 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, long-term, 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) popula-
tion 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.”
Call Staff Writer Sarah Wright at (586) 498-1068.
Roosevelt
from page 12A
Education vote on whether or not to demolish the site.
“There’s asbestos in that building,” Howard said. “It is shockingly low, the bid that was selected. There is a lot more asbestos than that bid accounts for.”
It was previously reported that Board of Education members voted to award asbestos abatement work to Environmental Maintenance Engineers for $93,000.
The concern of those who represent the HOTLC is that if there is more asbestos than has been accounted for, there could be a health risk to nearby residents of Roosevelt if the building is demolished.
“These are the folks that have to live in that community, have to breathe that air, have to drink that water from that lake from across the street,” Howard said. “They want to know things are done right and the West Bloomfield School District didn’t do that. They weren’t transparent.”
Hazen asserted that accepting the bid shows fiscal responsibility.
According to a construction manager in the field, the bids were viable, Hazen said. “Pursuant to the law, they recommend the lowest, most responsible bidder (to West Bloomfield Board of Education members) because fiscally it makes sense to go with the most cost-effective option. And that is what happened here.”
Howard asserted the West Bloomfield School District repeatedly reassured the public that the issue would be revisited.
According to Howard, at a Board of Education meeting in 2023, the public was “promised it wasn’t final.”
Hazen sees things differently.
“The Board of Education’s decision to demolish the former site of Roosevelt Elementary cannot be undone,” Hazen said.
She argued that the time to have challenged that decision has already passed. According to Hazen, the decision was made Sept. 18, 2023, and according to the statute of limitations, a decision has to be challenged within 60 days of minutes from a meeting being published.
Please Help Rose Fight Brain Cancer
Rose battled and beat stage 3 lobular breast cancer the past two years. After chemotherapy, a double mastectomy, and lymph node surgery, including reconstructive surgery finishing with radiation, she was all clear and was tackling PT with flying colors. However, she suddenly wasn’t feeling well. Her oncologist immediately ordered a CAT scan, and the result is nothing we expected, and we were all in shock. She’s had a biopsy done of one of seven masses in her brain. It actually turned into brain surgery. They were able to remove one of the masses that was very near the skull’s surface. Rose finished her Gamma-knife radiation which targets the cancer masses without damaging or radiating other parts of the brain that don’t need fixing and other organs is the hope. It keeps radiating for a few weeks. She’s battled a lot discomfort and inflammation in her face, feet and mouth. She’s able to eat and drink but it’s really uncomfortable for her. The team of doctors are keeping in close touch and have been wonderful. The gifts of food and your donations have been a blessing to her. It’s dificult to manage meals and appointments so thank you so much!
Your continued help is appreciated. If you can take the time to share her gofundme page to your friend, families and coworkers that would be amazing!!
Sincerely, The Chila’s
“There is no jurisdiction to invalidate that decision,” Hazen said. “Even if there is an Open Meetings Act violation found, at best the appellant could perhaps get fees and costs.”
In the courtroom, multiple HOTLC members donned “Roosevelt For Everybody” shirts.
Keego Harbor resident David Emerling is one of the HOTLC’s supporters.
“The entire character over the course of Keego Harbor’s existence has been anchored by the gorgeous school, Roosevelt,” Emerling said. “You take that down for no apparent reason (and) it strips the whole identity of Keego Harbor.”
Hazen shared her request with the judges.
“We would ask this court to affirm the trial court’s ruling, denying appellant’s motion for preliminary injunction and dissolving the temporary restraining order,” she said.
After Howard’s final words, Young said, “The case will be submitted.”
Young then informed the courtroom that the judges will deliberate and once a decision is made, the attorneys will be notified immediately via email and it will be posted online.
Call Staff Writer Gena Johnson at (586) 498-1069.
0224-2508
APPROVAL OF THE TAX INCREMENT FINANCE AUTHORITY 2025 AMENDED DEVELOPMENT PLAN AND TAX INCREMENT FINANCING PLAN
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, pursuant to the provisions of the Recodifed Tax Increment Financing Act, Act 57 of the Michigan Public Acts of 2018, that the Keego Harbor City Council shall hold a Public Hearing on THURSDAY, APRIL 17, 2025 at 7:00 PM at Keego Harbor City Hall, 2025 Beechmont St, Keego Harbor, MI 48320.
The purpose of the public hearing is to hear and consider public comments on the Keego Harbor Tax Increment Finance Authority’s proposed 2025 Amended Development Plan and Tax Increment Financing Plan (the “Plan”), prior to City Council approval. The Plan establishes the boundaries of a Development Area, establishes the initial assessed value for capturing tax increment revenues, describes proposed projects within the Development Area, provides cost estimates for those projects, and includes maps and text. The Plan does not intend to require displacement and/or relocation of families or individuals from the area. All aspects of the Plan will be open for discussion at the public hearing.
The Development Area to which the Plan applies generally includes the City’s Commercial Core and immediately adjacent areas. More specifcally, the TIFA’s designated Development Area includes lots on the north side of Orchard Lake Road just east of Willow Beach Street to just west of Prynne Street, and lots on both the east and west sides of Cass Lake Road from Orchard Lake Road to Cass Lake Front Road, except for the Roosevelt School property. The Development Area also includes lots on the west side of Cass Lake Road from Cass Lake Front Road to the City’s border with Waterford Township.
The proposed Plan (including maps of the Development Area, legal description and related information) is available for public inspection on the City of Keego Harbor website at https://www.keegoharbor.org/tax-increment-fnanceauthority-tifa, or at City Hall, 2025 Beechmont Street, Keego Harbor, MI 48320 during business hours.
At the public hearing, interested persons desiring to address City Council shall have an opportunity to be heard with regard to the Plan. Written comments on this matter will be accepted by the City’s Planning Consultant, Emily Huhman of McKenna by email to info@mcka.com, or at City Hall at the address listed above during business hours until 4:00 pm the day of the hearing.
Stacy Goodall
Deputy Clerk, City of Keego Harbor
In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, reasonable accommodations will be provided upon advance notice by contacting the City in writing or calling the following: 248-682-1930.
Birds
from page 2A
Lakes. “You hear more birds singing in the spring and summer and there’s more obviously around, but in the winter there’s still a lot of bird activity in Michigan.”
Winter birders keep their eyes out for a number of unique birds. Raptors, notably the snowy owl and various hawks, are some of the most famous winter birds. Another unique winter sight is the arrival of “weird ducks” with striking feather and beak patterns. Notable winter ducks include the bufflehead, northern pintail, common goldeneye and the ruddy duck.
“They’re looking for anywhere that just has open water because that’s all they need to find food,” Beilke said. “They’re looking for fish or plants that are underwater.”
Small birds, too, make southerly journeys for the warmer weather of frigid Michigan. Those birds, like the dark-eyed junco, can be best spotted at properly-equipped bird feeders — one of the least chilly ways of winter birding. Finches also may make an irruptive migration south due to what kind of seed crops have grown over the year.
“True sparrows … like the dark-eyed junco like to feed on platforms, so getting a tray feeder or a larger hopper feeder where you’ve got an edge to it that they feel comfortable sitting on,” said Rosann Kovalcik, owner of the Wild Birds Unlimited in Grosse Pointe Woods.
Some bird feeders are enjoyed by being directly watched, while others use technology to catch visiting birds with camera feeders.
“What’s good about them is that you can be in your house, you can have the camera set to be transmitting to your laptop or your phone and you can take pictures from that to help identify (birds),” Kovalcik said. “The camera feeder that we sell actually has identification built in it. There’s a huge surge of that going on. There’s still probably a much larger group of people that go out and they just want to look with their binoculars and they’re just getting into the hobby.”
For those looking to get more outdoors but still close to heat, car caravans organized by Audubon and Bird Alliance groups are a great way to seek birds out.
“What’s fun is just the discovery,” Kovalcik said. “What could I possibly see as I’m driving through this area of Macomb County near Algonac, and that day (Dec. 20, 2024) my partner and I had a screech owl, we had a bald eagle, we had a red-shouldered hawk, red-tailed hawk, northern harrier. We had so many raptors that we could see that were out during the day or you could play
tapes of and they’d call back. It’s such a treat to come across that and to see it and to know that I’m only going to get this (experience) this time of year.”
Locations close to water — such as Lake St. Clair Metropark, Belle Isle and almost anywhere along the Detroit River/Lake St. Clair coast — offer a wide variety of birdsighting opportunities due to optimal plants and prey. Wooded areas like the non-coastal Metroparks offer great opportunities to view birds. Kovalcik says not to discount open fields, such as in northern Macomb County, when planning your winter bird watch; songbirds like snow buntings will take to open fields to scour about for seeds and insects.
“And flying over them would be shortreared owls, which are also out because they are looking for voles and mice in the same fields,” Kovalcik said.
Those with technology on their side can stay up to date on the latest bird sightings throughout the region.
“(The website) eBird is a great resource for finding birding locations called eBird Hotspots, which provide up-to-the-minute
See BIRDS on page 19A
Why participate?
• Receive study medications and office visits at no cost
• Health Insurance is not required
• Receive compensation for time and travel
You may qualify if you are:
• Ages 18 and older
• Diagnosed with Type II Diabetes
• Not yet on a medication for weight loss
A dark-eyed junco, spotted around 26 Mile Road, is a songbird that migrates to Michigan during the winter.
Photos by Barb Baldinger
A snowy owl, spotted in St. Clair County, is a raptor that migrates to Michigan during the winter.
Ice fishing
many years.
“It helped foster my love for the outdoors and gave me a good level of confidence,” she said.
Wigren added that the GSSEM partnered with local businesses and organizations to make the ice fishing event possible. The Bait Shop, in Waterford, was the bait, tackle and gear supplier. Secondary partners included the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge, in Trenton, with park rangers Erika Van Kirk and Alex Gilford. Other secondary partners were the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Alpena Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office, Detroit River Substation in Gibraltar with fisheries biologist Arika Reed, and fisheries and habitat biologist Jocelynne SamuPittard.
Julie Quinn, leader with Troop No. 77339 based in Waterford, took about 10 members ice fishing, including her three daughters Kelsey, 11; Kayley, 9; and Katelyn, 9. Their husband and dad, Shawn Quinn, who fishes often during the summer months, joined them on the frozen lake.
“It was a big area and spread out pretty wide in a horseshoe shape,” Quinn said. “They predrilled the holes and had trails. It was a little chilly. Once the sun peeped out, it wasn’t so bad.”
Although nobody in Troop No. 77339
Birds
from page 18A
information on the very best locations and what has been seen there,” Barb Baldinger, long-time birder and former vice-president of the Macomb Audubon Society, said via email. “Another place to check is the St. Clair-Macomb Birding Trail website, which has information about 38 bird viewing sites in St. Clair and Macomb counties.”
While coming across an exotic bird can be a cool experience, it is best for the birds to keep your distance.
“One of the best things to remember
Winter
from page 7A
She said that having another person there allows her to focus on her workout rather than taking time to check emails or text messages.
“Drink lots of water and set realistic
caught any fish, they still enjoyed the experience.
“It helps the girls know they can do something different and unexpected they normally wouldn’t do and still have fun doing it,” Quinn said.
In an email to the GSSEM, Julie Zawalski shared details on the ice fishing experience she had with daughters Lucille, 12, of Troop No. 77115, and Elizabeth, 9, of Quinn’s Troop No. 77339. Lucille attends West Bloomfield Middle School, and Elizabeth attends Scotch Elementary School in West Bloomfield. Zawalski volunteers for both troops and was a Girl Scout while growing up. Both of her daughters would like to ice fish again.
“I liked learning about ice fishing. It helps the girls learn new skills, as well as get them into the outdoors. It was something I’ve never done before,” Zawalski said via email. “I’m not sure we would’ve tried ice fishing if (Girl Scouts) hadn’t offered it. It requires a lot of gear, which we don’t own. We do have friends who go ice fishing and since they heard that we went, have offered to take us. I think we might take them up on it sometime.”
The Scouts had the opportunity to earn patches from the ice fishing activity. The different Girl Scout councils funded the Ice to Table program from their cookie sales.
For more information on the Girl Scouts of Southeastern Michigan, visit gssem.org or call (800) 482-6734.
Call Staff Writer Maria Allard at (586) 498-1045.
is to use good birding ethics to keep your distance from any owl or other sensitive species,” Baldinger said via email. “Using your vehicle as a photo blind, if possible, is much less intrusive than walking too close to an owl and perhaps causing it to fly, when it needs to conserve energy.”
The largest birding event of the winter is the Audubon Christmas Bird Count, which runs from Dec. 14-Jan. 5 every year. Groups like the Detroit Bird Alliance, the Oakland Bird Alliance and the Macomb Audubon Society organize field trips throughout the season.
Call Staff Writer Dean Vaglia at (586) 498-1043.
goals,” Pietrykowski said. “With exercise, it doesn’t have to be all or nothing. Little bits add up. Just make the goal of getting yourself to move.”
Pietrykowski said she sees people’s moods improve the same day they begin to exercise and it heightens over time.
Call Staff Writer Charity Meier at (586) 498-1092.
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shattered with a large rock.
Running vehicle stolen
SOUTHFIELD — Between 6:10 a.m. and 6:19 a.m. Jan. 24, a resident started her vehicle and left it unoccupied in the 25000 block of Greenfield Road while it was running. Upon return, she noticed that her 2010 Toyota Corolla was gone.
Patrol car struck by stolen vehicle
SOUTHFIELD — At 7:52 p.m. Jan. 25, Southfield Police Department officers located a stolen vehicle, a 2021 BMW X3, near Paul Revere Street & Virginia Street.
The officers apprehended the driver after the vehicle struck a patrol vehicle.
A handgun was recovered from the vehicle.
Resident discovers stolen electricity
— Sometime between Sept. 1, 2024, and Jan. 10, 2025, a resident from Ardmore Drive reported that he made a series of investments with three separate apps that he believed were legitimate. When he inquired about withdrawing his funds, he was advised he would have to pay an exorbitant fee to recover his money.
He then realized that it was a scam.
Scammer attempts to impersonate pizza owner
TROY — At 8:57 p.m. Jan. 15, an employee at a pizzeria located on John R Road reported having a phone conversation with someone that she believed was the store owner.
The unknown male told the employee to call him from her cellphone for privacy and was then instructed to take $170 from the business and go to the nearest retail store to put the money on a MoneyPak card.
The employee followed the instruction and provided photos of the MoneyPak card and receipt to the suspect.
However, the employee became suspicious when he asked for a code.
The employee contacted her boss and was advised that she was not speaking to the owner.
Door shattered at pizza shop
TROY — At 7:21 a.m. Jan. 17, the owner of the Little Caesars Pizza shop at 4973 Livernois Road
NOVI — A Howell woman allegedly opened an account with an electric company in the name of a Novi resident. That resident found out about it and contacted police on Jan. 23. The Howell woman allegedly had racked up a bill of about $300 before the Novi resident noticed. Charges had yet to be filed against the Howell woman.
Woman arrested for shoplifting
NOVI — The loss prevention department at Walmart in Novi apprehended a woman after she allegedly tried to walk out without paying for toilet paper and paper plates Jan. 24. The items totaled $22.96. The woman was arrested and charged with shoplifting.
Vehicle stolen from Washington Blvd.
BIRMINGHAM — At approximately 7 a.m. Jan. 23, officers were dispatched to a home in the 1400 block of Washington Boulevard for a reported stolen vehicle.
The residents, a 28-year-old woman and a 31-year-old man, said their vehicle was taken from their driveway overnight. In it were belongings valued at more than $1,800 and $1,100 in cash. An investigation was ongoing.
Taxi driver chases down fraudulent customer
BIRMINGHAM — At approximately 12:30 p.m. Jan. 21, officers were dispatched to a business in the 34500 block of Woodward Avenue for a reported fight. They found a 63-year-old Center Line man who is a taxi driver holding another man, a 25-year-old Detroit resident, up against a building.
driver’s vehicle without paying his $38 fare. The driver chased and caught the passenger and asked someone inside the building to call the police. Officers arrested the passenger for fraud and discovered a warrant for his arrest out of Detroit. The suspect was transferred to the Wayne County Jail.
Footprints in snow lead to broken-into vehicles
BIRMINGHAM — At approximately 3:30 a.m. Jan. 23, officers were dispatched to the 1400 block of Cedar Street, where a resident reported seeing a vehicle slowly driving northbound on Cedar as people got out and ran into multiple driveways and backyards.
Officers canvassed the area and found footprints in the snow leading to 15 vehicles parked outside 13 homes on Cedar, Lincoln, Henrietta and Pierce. Three of those vehicles had unlocked doors, with consoles that were open with contents in disarray. An investigation was ongoing.
Money and miscellaneous items taken from vehicles
WEST BLOOMFIELD — Items from the glove compartments and $320 were taken from a gray Lincoln Navigator and black Chevrolet Tahoe around 1:50 a.m. Jan. 13. The vehicles were parked and unlocked in the owner’s driveway in the 6600 block of Crest Top Drive.
According to the Ring doorbell video, the suspect was dressed in a brown Carhartt jacket, dark jeans and carrying a black bag, in which he put the contents from the vehicles. The suspect used a flashlight while in the vehicles.
Wallet reportedly stolen WEST BLOOMFIELD — A resident in the 7100 block of Orchard Lake Road reported that his wallet was stolen after patronizing a bar in Ferndale Jan. 12.
The wallet contained several credit cards and other items. The West Bloomfield resident was alerted about fraudulent purchases from Best Buy and a Marathon gas station on one of his credit cards. Officers advised the victim to report the incident to the Ferndale Police Department.
Delivery driver robbed WEST BLOOMFIELD — A resident in the 5800 block of Cherry Crest Drive called West Bloomfield police around 2:24 p.m. Jan. 10 when a man in his 20s “forcefully” took the package out of the hands of a delivery driver.
Reportedly, the package had several iPhones and was intended for the Cherry Crest resident. The
vehicle where a driver was waiting. The vehicle was described as a black, newer model Jeep Grand Cherokee with tinted windows.
Items stolen from vehicle
MADISON HEIGHTS — According to a police report, an unknown suspect entered a 2013 Lincoln belonging to a 26-year-old Madison Heights resident while the vehicle was parked in the 31000 block of Concord Drive between 4 p.m. Jan. 17 and 10:15 a.m. Jan. 18, and stole photography equipment. There was no damage to the vehicle. Investigations were ongoing.
Telephone fraud
MADISON HEIGHTS — According to a police report, a 38-year-old
Truck
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.
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
Free skating event offered
