Winter weather brings unique birds 3A
Company mistakenly started building on city land
BY CHARITY MEIER cmeier@candgnews.com
The city of Novi has agreed to sell a portion of land for $68,000 to Novi Industrial LLC so that it can build a sand silo/storage tower.
Temperform, a company that makes heat, corrosion and wear-resistant alloy
castings, and a tenant of Novi Industrial, had already installed the base of the tower adjacent to the north end of its building, located at 25425 Trans X Road, when it was discovered by Novi city staff during the initial concept meeting that part of the tower base was being constructed on cityowned land. The city could not approve the initial concept as a result of the error.
City sells land to allow business to build storage tower
It was determined that although the company could look into obtaining zoning variances, there would not be enough space to fit the tower, even with the variances, on its land. The company then asked if it could purchase a portion of the land so that it could continue to build the storage tower it had started. The land in question is located at
the southeast portion of the city’s water tower park at the corner of Novi Road and Trans X.
Councilwoman Priya Gurumurthy asked if there was something the city could do to require that properties adjacent to city property confirm land ownership before starting construction.
See TOWER on page 8A
Novi teenagers work to prevent distracted driving
BY CHARITY MEIER cmeier@candgnews.com
A small group of Novi High School students is actively working to educate people on the dangers of distracted driving.
“Distracted driving is a thing and it can be deadly, and it’s, like, important to know that you should stay focused on roads,” Anushka Atchutuni, 16, said.
Atchutuni, along with three of her classmates, Ruha Komaragiri, 15, Anshika Khanna,
See DISTRACTED on page 12A
Photo provided by Sri Komaragiri Novi High School students working to combat distracted driving pose for a picture with officer Adam McGee, of the Novi Police Department, after speaking with him on the issues he sees with distracted driving on the road.
City Council gives support to Canada goose nest destruction permit
BY CHARITY MEIER cmeier@candgnews.com
Canada geese are causing problems in the city of Novi, especially near Walled and Shawood lakes, according to Jerry Anderson, of the Lakes Area Homeowners Association.
Walled Lake is approximately a square mile in size. The majority of the lake lies within the city of Novi.
The federally protected birds are heavily overpopulated, can carry disease and have no real enemies, making it necessary to enforce some population control, Anderson said.
“Both the lakes are just perfect breeding grounds for geese,” Anderson said. “Now they don’t always stay on the lake. I’ve been at Powerhouse Gym and saw them at the front door. There are stories about geese in the area that are somewhat hilarious, but it’s a public health hazard too, because now they have found that the bird flu is now carried by geese.”
In order to lessen the population of geese in the area, the Lakes Area Homeowners As-
A snowy owl, spotted in St. Clair County, is a raptor that migrates to Michigan during the winter. ABOVE: A dark-eyed junco, spotted around 26 Mile Road, is a songbird that migrates to Michigan during the winter.
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 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.
LEFT:
Photos by Barb Baldinger
See BIRDS on page 10A
Photo by K. Michelle Moran
Bankruptcy forcing closure of multiple Joann stores in state
BY K. MICHELLE MORAN kmoran@candgnews.com
GROSSE POINTE FARMS — Crafters, knitters and parents looking for project materials for their kids will soon need to buy their supplies elsewhere.
The Joann store in Grosse Pointe Farms and most other locations in the area are going to be shuttered. As part of the Chapter 11 bankruptcy process, the company filed a motion Feb. 12 seeking court authority to start closing roughly 500 stores around the country.
Of about 41 stores in Michigan, 33 are slated to close, including almost all stores in metro Detroit; among them are the ones in Roseville, Novi, Shelby Township, Madison Heights, Rochester Hills and Bloomfield Hills. It wasn’t known at press time how long these stores would remain open.
Once the closures occur, the only stores in metro Detroit that will remain open will be the locations in Livonia and White Lake Township.
“This was a very difficult decision to make, given the major impact we know it will have on our Team Members, our customers and all of the communities we serve,” a Joann spokesperson said in a prepared statement issued Feb. 12. “A careful analysis
of store performance and future strategic fit for the Company determined which stores should remain operating as usual at this time. Right-sizing our store footprint is a critical part of our efforts to ensure the best path forward for JOANN.”
On Jan. 15, Joann Inc. launched voluntary Chapter 11 proceedings in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware. It was announced at that time that Gordon Brothers Retail Partners LLC would serve as the stalking horse bidder, meaning that they were the first bidder to vie for the bankrupt company and its assets.
“Since becoming a private company in April (2024), the Board and management team have continued to execute on top- and bottom-line initiatives to manage costs and drive value,” interim Joann CEO Michael Prendergast said in a press release. “However, the last several years have presented significant and lasting challenges in the retail environment, which, coupled with our current financial position and constrained inventory levels, forced us to take this step. After carefully reviewing all available strategic paths, we have determined that initiating a courtsupervised sale process is the best course of action to maximize the value of the business. We hope that this process enables us to find See JOANN on page 13A
The Joann store in Grosse Pointe Farms is one of dozens across Michigan that will be closing permanently.
Senate passes bill for compromise in minimum wage increase
BY NICK POWERS npowers@candgnews.com
METRO DETROIT — In a bipartisan effort, eight Democrats and 12 Republicans in the Michigan Senate passed a bill Feb. 13 to head off automatic changes to the state’s minimum wage.
Senate Bill 8 of 2025, sponsored by Kevin Hertel, D-St. Clair Shores, retains the automatically scheduled increase to $12.48. Each subsequent increase would happen Jan. 1. Next year, it would be $13.73, and in 2027, it would rise to $15. After that, the treasurer would update the rate each year.
The bill would increase the wages of tipped workers. The first year tipped workers would receive 38% of the $12.48 minimum wage. The wage would rise in 2% to 3% increments each Jan. 1 until hitting 60% in 2035.
SB 8 passed with 20 in favor, 12 voting against and five members excused. The House of Representatives would still have to OK the plan before it would arrive on Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s desk to sign it into law. Another bill addressing paid sick time, Senate Bill 15, sponsored by Sam Singh, D-East
Lansing, had not yet been passed as of press time.
The majority of Democrats in the Senate did not vote for Senate Bill 8. The Senate currently has 37 members, composed of 19 Democrats and 18 Republicans. There is one seat, district 35, that is vacant. Whitmer will need to call a special election to fill the position after Democrat Kristen McDonald Rivet was elected to a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Senate Bill 8 attempts to strike a compromise between workers and businesses interests.
“When I sat down with workers and small business owners to discuss the importance of Michigan’s tipped wage system, our political differences didn’t matter — what mattered was finding a solution that allows small businesses to thrive and keep their doors open,” Hertel said in a press release following the bill’s passage. “Crafted with those perspectives in mind, this legislation protects and improves Michigan’s tipped wage, so workers earn a good living while
small businesses have the stability they need to continue serving our communities. I’m grateful for my colleagues on the other side of the aisle for doing what we were sent here to do: put politics aside, find room for compromise, and deliver a solution to help move Michigan forward.”
Republicans played a key role in getting the legislation over the finish line in the Senate.
“While this is by no means a perfect solution, I am relieved for the tens of thou-
sands of hospitality workers across Michigan who feared for their jobs,” Michael Webber, R-Rochester Hills, said in a press release after voting for the bill. “Republicans were finally able to get Democrats to the table and compromise on this vital bipartisan solution ahead of next week’s looming deadline. We heard their voices, and we responded.”
State Sen. Jim Runestad, R-White Lake, was one of the Republicans against SB 8.
“This bill was a bad compromise and
Hertel
Registration open for State of the City address
Tickets are now on sale for the annual State of the City address luncheon. The event is scheduled to be held at the Suburban Collection Showplace, 46100 Grand River Ave. in Novi, on March 21 at noon. Tickets cost $45 for an individual or $425 for a table sponsor (10 guests) and can be purchased at novichamber.org. Doors will open at 11 a.m. Those wishing to only hear the address can come at 12:40 p.m. for no charge.
NOVI WILDCATS PLAY OUTDOOR HOCKEY GAME
Novi High School played an outdoor hockey game against the M1 Griffins Unified Hockey Team Feb. 11 at Clark Park in Detroit. Novi won the game 7-4. Pictured playing the puck along the boards is Luke Londo, a team captain who scored a goal in the game and who had 54 points this season at press time. According to a post on the Novi Wildcat Hockey Facebook page, after the team beat Ann Arbor Huron 8-0 Feb. 17, the team gave Londo, a defenseman, its inaugural Silver Stick award for reaching 100 career points. This year, Londo had 22 goals and 28 assists in the regular season. The Wildcats (16-10-0) next play Northville High School (14-11-0) in a playoff game at 5 p.m. Feb. 20 at Novi Ice Arena.
MOTHER SON GAME NIGHT
Mothers and sons can enjoy an evening together March 7 at the Novi Civic Center, 45175 W. 10 Mile Road. The city will be hosting a mother son game night that will include music, dancing and games. Tickets cost $17 per person for residents or $20 per person for nonresidents. Register online at cityofnovi.org by 5 p.m. March 5.
BRAD has a Facebook group and e-newsletter
The city of Novi is gearing up for BRAD’s return, as the orange flowers will soon be in full bloom.
BRAD (Better Roads Ahead Dude) is the city’s road construction information mascot, and now BRAD has a Facebook group, 2025 Novi Road Construction, and an e-newsletter. For more information or to sign up for the newsletter, visit cityofnovi.org/betterroadsahead.
take place at Novi High School, 24062 Taft Road. Prior to Mainka’s address, local businesses and organizations that have involvement with children will have booths available for people to see what they offer. During that time, event attendees will be able to enjoy a strolling dinner featuring the various foods offered to children in the district. The dinner and gathering will be held from 5:15 to 6:30 p.m. Mainka is scheduled to speak at 6:40 p.m.
Following his speech, the district will have its third community town hall event, this time on the issue of bonds. The town hall is scheduled to start at 7:20 p.m. Child care will be provided.
Photo by Erin Sanchez
File photo by Brian Wells
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 supplements 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,
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.
Shutterstock image
LOCAL WOMEN IN BUSINESS OFFER INSIGHT INTO SUCCESS, STRUGGLES
BY SARAH WRIGHT swright@candgnews.com
METRO DETROIT — 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
Tower
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“Is there something that we can do so that we can prevent this up front?” Gurumurthy asked.
City attorney Thomas Schultz said that this appears to be an isolated situation.
“Truely, mayor, I think this is just kind of a one-off, because it certainly appeared to them to be on their property and they had the ability do the improvement, but they were just putting it in the wrong location,” Schultz said.
“This is probably not something you can plan for, other than people make mistakes and it’s not necessarily something that we can change a rule for,” Schultz said.
Novi Industrial worked closely with Schultz, who consulted the city’s parks, planning and assessing staff to split the land so that both the city and the company would be able to adequately use the land as desired.
Schultz said they had talked about the possibility of
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 Wom-
See WOMEN on page 15A
giving the company an easement, but it became clear that the better solution would be to transfer property to them.
The 0.783 acres that Novi Industrial is purchasing does not include the developed portions of the Water Tower Park or the water tower itself.
Novi Industrial also agreed to maintain access from Trans X Road to the water tower for the city at all times. A declaration of ingress and egress and utility easement was part of the completion of the sale.
After the completion of the sale, the company will still have to apply for site plan approval.
On Feb. 10, the Novi City Council unanimously approved the company’s purchase of the land for $68,000, which will be put in the capital improvement program fund.
Mayor Justin Fischer said that the monies from the sale could possibly be used to help fund some improvements for pathways at Villa Barr Art Park that the city has been looking into ways to fund.
Call Staff Writer Charity Meier at (586) 498-1092.
Nest
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sociation has been participating in the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Canada goose nest and egg destruction program since 2014, when the issue was first brought to the limelight.
“We were getting beach closures, because goose droppings would mix with the weeds, and E. coli would just shut everything down for safety reasons,” Anderson said. “Then those could last up to a 30-day period when they’re continually testing.”
The DNR program allows the Lakes Area Homeowners Association to apply for a permit to find and destroy goose eggs and nests. Without a permit, it is illegal to disturb or harm the nests of Canada geese, as they are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.
“They have no natural predators, so this is just a way to be able to keep a little bit of balance within our community,” Anderson said.
The Lakes Area Homeowners Association will use a licensed contractor to find and destroy the nests in an “orderly fashion.” According to Anderson, the association has rounded up 107 nests and 502 eggs since 2020. He said that it is the only humane way to control the geese population.
The destruction permit is good for five years. However, in order to obtain the permit, the DNR requires the city to make a resolution declaring the issue to be a problem and showing support for the association’s efforts to combat the goose population.
The City Council previously approved a resolution on the issue in 2014 and 2020.
“I’m strongly in support of this. I’ve been in support of it the prior two times,” Councilman Dave Staudt said. “It’s probably one of the most requested items near the Walled Lake.”
Staudt said he has been to numerous Lakes Area Homeowners Association meetings over the years and it is a really important issue to residents in that area. He said he had received several calls on the issue prior to the meeting as well.
“Geese are kind of dirty things. You know we live with a number of them, but this is an excessive number in that area, and this really goes a long way to remedy that situation,” Staudt said.
The Novi City Council voted 5-1 to approve the resolution during its meeting Feb. 10. Mayor Pro Tem Laura Marie Casey voted against the resolution.
Call Staff Writer Charity Meier at (586) 498-1092.
CRIME WATCH
Employee reports threat during job interview
A human resources employee for Stoneridge Inc. in Novi came to the Novi Police Department to file a report Feb. 10 about a threat allegedly made during an online interview with a job candidate.
The employee had attempted to interview a man from Illinois for a job, but the man reportedly was rude. The man at one point threatened the employee by saying that he could search the employee’s name, find where the employee lives and shoot the employee in the head, and he said he talks to people who could do that for him, according to police.
Police attempted to contact the interviewee but were not able to, as the man had provided “fictitious” contact information, according to police. The employee was given a report number and told to contact police for any other concerns at the business.
— Charity Meier
COMMUNITY BRIEFS
Show announced on Feb. 5 the show drew in 275,000 visitors with an estimated $370 million financial impact on the region.
to quickly and efficiently do their job.
Genealogical assistance at library
NOVI — The Northville Genealogical Society will offer free genealogical research assistance to Novi Public Library patrons from noon to 2 p.m. Feb. 24. The assistance will be available in the local history room at the Novi Public Library. This service will continue to be offered on the fourth Monday of every month.
2025 Auto Show has estimated
$370 million impact
DETROIT — After an 11-day run in January, organizers of the Detroit Auto
“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.
—
Charity Meier & Dean Vaglia
page 3A
“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
See BIRDS on page 13A
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.
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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 con-
“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.”
sideration. 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,
See SLEEP on page 14A
Distracted
16, and Arya Dungrani, 17, decided to take on the challenge of spreading community awareness on the topic as part of a HOSA — Future Health Professionals project at the school.
Komaragiri and Atchutuni said that although they don’t drive on their own yet, they have noticed poor driving habits.
“As teenagers, there’s a lot of friends that we see just, like, stopping at a stop light and going on their phone for two seconds and, like, not noticing the green light or, like, playing music really loudly that’s almost distracting me as a passenger,” Komaragiri said.
Komaragiri and Atchutuni said the issue affects a wide age range and consequently is important for everyone to be aware of.
In order to find out more about distracted driving, the teens took the time to speak with the Novi Police Department about some of the issues that officers were coming across with distracted driving while on patrol.
“The biggest thing I tried to impress upon them is that anything can wait. It can absolutely wait and it is really going to take your friends and the passengers in your car to realize, hey, it might not seem dangerous in the moment, but it really only takes one time for some-
thing really, really bad to happen,” Novi police officer Adam McGee said.
The teens are attempting to spread awareness by handing out flyers and key chains at local stores, holding in-person meetings about the topic for their fellow students after school, and Zoom meetings for those who can’t meet in-person, They have given presentations at a local driving school and are talking to the media and anyone else who will listen.
During their presentations, they have an activity such as coloring a car while focusing on it and then trying to color a car while other distractions are taking place, to show how one’s accuracy can be lowered when not paying attention.
During the Thanksgiving holiday, the teens were able to get more than 100 people to sign a pledge to not drive distracted on the holiday. They are currently working on developing an app to track how many times a driver is distracted to help drivers “be aware of their actions.”
The teens said that many people are unaware of what exactly constitutes distracted driving. They said that many people associate it with talking on the phone, but it is more than that.
“It comes in manual, cognitive and visual. It comes in various forms — pets, foods, live music, conversations in the car; any of those could really take your mind off the road,” Komaragiri said.
Photo by Charity Meier
NHS students Ruha Komaragiri and Anushka Atchutuni show the key chains they are giving out to remind people of the dangers posed by distracted driving.
See DISTRACTED on page 14A
Wage
a bad deal for Michigan workers and small businesses,” Runestad said in a press release. “I refuse to support legislation that will ultimately harm workers and countless small businesses because of government overreach.”
The February changes stem from a Michigan Supreme Court ruling last year. The court’s 4-3 decision deemed state Republicans’ strategy of adopting and then amending two 2018 petitions, instead of allowing them to appear on the ballot, unconstitutional. The court’s ruling attempted to put into place the original petitions’ intent.
Shortly after SB 8’s passage, Restaurant Opportunities Center Director Chris White spoke out against the bill. ROC was one of the plaintiffs in the court case that set the wage increases into motion.
“Last night’s vote directly undermines the implementation of a law as mandated by the state Supreme Court,” White said in a press release. “These actions have weakened our democratic process and will erode the public’s confidence in our right to petition for change that reflects the best interests of our state. This vote sends a message that in times of rising expenses, lawmakers are looking to cut wages, a decision that directly
Joann
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a path that would allow JOANN to continue operating as a going concern.”
Shoppers at the Grosse Pointe Farms store — many of whom hadn’t yet heard the news about the store’s fate — were upset.
Camila Rubio, of Harper Woods, said she and her 4-year-old daughter are frequent Joann shoppers. Her daughter loves the crafts and materials for projects, such as glitter.
“That is so sad,” Rubio said upon learning the store would be closing. “We love it here.”
Rubio said she could find things at reason-
harms those who are economically vulnerable.”
In January, the Michigan House passed two bills of its own: House Bill 4001 and House Bill 4002. House Bill 4001 deals with wages, setting the minimum wage at $12 and leaving tipped workers’ wages at 38% of all other workers. House Bill 4002 deals with paid sick time, increasing the number of employees a business must employ before it’s required to pay out sick time.
HB 4001 was passed with a vote of 63-41 and HB 4002 was passed on the same day with a vote of 67-38. The majority of the votes for both bills were from Republicans. The House of Representatives has 110 seats with 58 occupied by Republicans and 52 filled by Democrats.
Both legislative efforts attempt to head off changes that would go into effect Feb. 21. If nothing happens, the minimum wage will rise to $12.48, with increases each year determined by the state’s treasurer. Tipped workers would make $12 an hour by 2029.
The changes in February also impact paid sick time in the state. Every 30 hours an employee works generates one hour of paid sick leave. Employees get 72 hours paid sick time per year at larger companies. However, employers with fewer than 10 employees need to only pay for 40 hours of sick leave a year.
Call Staff Writer Nick Powers at (586) 4981059.
able prices at Joann, and said they had a good selection of merchandise.
“They have everything you need,” Rubio said. “I feel sorry for everybody in the community, because they need this store.”
While online shopping is an option, Rubio said she needs to see “the colors, the texture” in person — something the internet can’t replicate.
At the Grosse Pointe Farms store, an employee said liquidation sales were starting Saturday, Feb. 15. The employee said she couldn’t comment on the closures.
Joann Inc. has been in business for more than 80 years.
Call Staff Writer K. Michelle Moran at (586) 498-1047.
Birds
from page 10A
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 bird-sighting 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 short-reared 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 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 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.
COMMUNITY CALENDAR
FEB. 20-23
Outdoorama and Cottage & Lakefront Living Show: Find gear, demonstrations, packages and deals for hunting, fishing, boating, camping, hiking, bird watching and more, also designers, furnishings, lakefront builders and realtors, boats and docks, and vacation services and financing, events held concurrently from 1-8 p.m. Feb. 20, noon-8 p.m. Feb. 21, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Feb. 22 and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Feb. 23, Suburban Collection Showplace, 46100 Grand River Ave. in Novi, suburbancollectionshowplace.com
FEB. 25
CPR and AED training: Free 30-minute sessions led Henry Ford Health and American Heart Association, noon-4 p.m., Gardner White, 41661 Ford Road in Canton, news.gardner-white.com
FEB. 27
Veterans Resource Fair: Get information about benefits, housing, careers, training, behavioral health issues, suicide prevention and more, 9 a.m.-noon, Novi Civic Center, 45175 W. 10 Mile Road, free but registration required, tinyurl.com/mr2x74m7
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
MARCH 1-2
Brick Fest Live: See life-size models and get hands on, also shop for hard-to-find Lego merchandise, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. March 1 and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. March 2, Suburban Collection Showplace, 46100 Grand River Ave. in Novi, suburbancollectionshowplace.com
MARCH 8-9
Maplefest 2025: Learn process of making syrup from sap, how to identify maple trees, try samples, tour sugar shack, take wagon ride, participate in activities and more, hourly timeslots available 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m. both days, Michigan State University Extension - Tollgate Farm and Education Center, 28115 Meadowbrook Road in Novi, canr.msu.edu/events/ maplefest-2025
MARCH 16
Michigan Psychic Fair: Readings, guidance, energy healings, connections with deceased and more, noon6 p.m., Holiday Inn Express & Suites, 39675 W. 12 Mile Road in Novi, mipsychicfair.com/events
ONGOING
Novi Choralaires: Open rehearsals from 7:30-9:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Novi Middle School, 49000 W. 11 Mile Road, novi.choralaires@gmail.com, novichoralaires. org
and they plan to reach even more people as the project continues.
Sleep
from page 11A
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.
The teens said they acquired statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. They said that according to the NHTSA, almost 3,000 people are killed every year as a result of distracted driving.
“We emphasize the fact that this is still happening and that it needs to be known to people that you need to stay focused on the road or it could be really detrimental to your well-being,” Komaragiri said.
Atchutuni said that she thinks their work is slowly starting to cause her friends to think twice about distracted driving.
“Our goal is to reach as many people as possible and get the word out that this is a problem now, and you need to be able to face it, and we want to make sure they know what to look out for,’ Komaragiri said. “We want to be sure people are educated on the fact that distracted driving is a real thing.”
During the first stage of their campaign, the teens said they reached more than 20,000 people both locally and internationally. They said they have now doubled that
Recently the teens held a bake sale at Novi High School and their parents’ worksites to raise money and awareness for End Distracted Driving, an organization that was created after Casey Feldman, 21, of New Jersey, was killed by a distracted driver. Her parents created the organization to prevent other unnecessary deaths, by educating the public. The bake sale raised $200 for the organization, which the teens said they hope to partner with.
The teens said they want to encourage drivers to be more aware of distractions while on the road and for passengers to know that it is OK to speak up. They also suggest that drivers put their phones in “do not disturb” mode so that they won’t be distracted by the various alerts they might otherwise receive, and not to play music at high volume while driving.
As a physical reminder, the teens are handing out keychains to remind drivers to keep their focus on the road. Printed on the key chains are the words, “No text is worth a life.”
For more information, visit their Instagram page @distracteddrivinghosa.
“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.”
Editor: David Wallace | (586) 498-1053 | dwallace@candgnews.com
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Women
en,” 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 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
“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.”
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 “im-
WOMEN on page 16A
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
Photo by Patricia O’Blenes
page 15A
proving 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 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, 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.”
5th, 2025 @10:00 AM
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21. *Stonewall riots location
23. Division of time
24. West African country
25. Refuse to comply
28. *The Jackson 5 co-founder
30. *Don ____ of Barney Fife fame
35. Soon, to a bard
37. Hyperbolic tangent
39. Sunlight’s interference
40. *Apollo Moon Landing org.
41. Operatic solos
43. Alexander Hamilton/Aaron Burr incident
44. Deposit the ashes
46. Related to ear
47. Meat in a can
48. Transport onward, as in letter (2 words)
50. Not written
52. Pilot’s estimate, acr. 53. Ill-mannered one
55. Hawaiian welcome wreath
57. *Ford’s pony car
61. *Assassinated president
65. “____ death do us part”
66. Down Under runner
68. Hindu caste
69. Moonshine maker
70. *Spock’s was pointy
71. Comforter stuffng
72. Ruptured
73. Ground cover
74. Coach-and-four
DOWN
1. Use a cat o’ nine tails
2. Hokkaido language
3. Network of nerves
4. Mojave plant
5. Go away
6. March Madness org.
7. *____ of Pigs, failed military operation
8. Madison Square Garden, e.g. 9. Command to Fido
10. Designer Boss 11. Copycat
12. Sinister side in “Star Wars”
15. Garment-making
20. Yogurt-based dip 22. Benevolent one 24. Hall order keeper
25. *Joplin of “Summertime” fame
26. Foolish
27. Same as boatswain
29. Tropical tuber
31. Auto pioneer
32. Brownish gray
33. Something yummy
34. *Certain march starting point
36. Backgammon predecessor
38. *Place for a fower
42. Part of mermaid’s tale
45. Cricket umpire’s call (2 words)
49. Not, prefx
51. Optical devices
54. S-shaped moldings
56. Arctic people
57. Necessary thing
58. Archaic preposition
59. *Bob Marley’s hit “____ It Up”
61. Kurdistan native
63. Fortune-telling coffee remnants
64. Ready and eager
67. *Zedong of Cultural Revolution
60. Fresco piece
62. Cocoyam
