2/5/25 Royal Oak Review by C & G Newspapers

Verner family, Clawson community to memorialize Alex Verner at city park

BY MIKE KOURY mkoury@candgnews.com

Royal Oak Fire Department upgrades fleet with King Cobra aerial truck

BY TAYLOR CHRISTENSEN tchristensen@candgnews.com

ROYAL OAK — The Royal Oak Fire Department soon will be fighting fires using its brand-new Rosenbauer King Cobra aerial truck.

The truck was delivered to the Royal Oak Fire Station #1, 215 E. Sixth St., on Jan. 16. It is built with lightweight aluminum and fully equipped with a 101-foot bucket ladder, and it is replacing a 20-year-old straight ladder truck.

A bucket ladder truck is equipped with a

CLAWSON — As the second anniversary of Alexandria Verner’s tragic death approaches, the Clawson community will be holding a memorial to honor and remember her.

Feb. 13 marks the two-year anniversary of Verner’s death in a shooting at Michigan State University. A community gathering has been organized to remem-

ber Verner from 8 to 8:30 p.m. Feb. 13 at Clawson City Park. A moment of silence will be held at 8:18 p.m., the time of the shooting.

The gathering will be located at a

File photo by Donna Dalziel

Amid a snowfall, the Clawson community remembered Alexandria Verner last year on the first anniversary of her death.

Photo by Patricia O’Blenes

Royal Oak Fire Marshal Scott Gardner sits in the cab of the truck.

Zoofari Market closes for a revamp

BY TAYLOR CHRISTENSEN tchristensen@candgnews.com

ROYAL OAK — Some big changes are being made at the Detroit Zoo to align with the rebranding that took place in 2024, including a revamp of the Zoofari Market involving a coffee shop at the front of the zoo.

“We are really listening to guests

and we really want to make continuous improvements for the zoo experience,” said Emily O’Hara, senior director of guest experience. “We think this will enhance both the beginning and end of the visit.”

The renovations are going to be done by SSA Group, which the Detroit Zoo has partnered with for all things gift shop and dining related.

The improvements will be paid for through SSA, according to Michelle Hurley, SSA general manager.

“This has been a conversation for a few years,” Hurley said. “We started planning about a year ago.”

One of the major additions, a coffee shop, will be selling Great Lakes Coffee in a variety of arrangements.

ROHS students up for awards from Michigan Association of Broadcasters

BY TAYLOR CHRISTENSEN tchristensen@candgnews.com

ROYAL OAK — Communications is a subject that Royal Oak High School thrives in, considering the past two years of students being nominated for the Michigan Association of Broadcasters Student Broadcast Awards.

Senior AJ Mikos has received a nomination for the News Features category, while Ben Machiniak, a senior, and Sam Klonke, a 2024 graduate, are nominated for the Talk Show/ Scripted Show category.

Mikos’ news feature, “Royal Oak Unveils Monument Honoring Freedom Seeker” shows the unveiling of the Elizabeth Hamer statue that took place on Sept. 23, 2024, at Hamer Finch Wilkins Park.

“I thought it was a story that I think people in the community would want to hear about,” Mikos said. “It’s a really important piece of history of the city, and it’s close to home for a lot of people that are still relatives of the family (Hamer, Finch, Wilkins) that I covered that live

Rendering provided by the Detroit Zoological Society

The Detroit Zoo is renovating the Zoofari Market and adding updated signage to welcome guests to the zoo.

in Royal Oak.”

Klonke

Machiniak

Mikos

Shrine celebrates community and service during National Catholic Schools Week

BY TAYLOR CHRISTENSEN tchristensen@candgnews.com

ROYAL OAK — Shrine Catholic Schools celebrated National Catholic Schools Week Jan. 28 to Feb. 1 with a week of service and activities.

“Catholic Schools Week is just an opportunity for us to unite all of our Shrine schools and celebrate the foundation of why our school is so special,” said Sarah Cerone, principal of Shrine Catholic High School.

National Catholic Schools Week has been celebrated since 1974, according to the National Catholic Educational Association website, ncea.org.

Catholic schools around the nation observe the week with Masses, assemblies, events and other activities for students, families, parishioners and community members, according to the NCEA.

“One of our core values is taking care of others,” Cerone said. “Down at 12 Mile and 13 Mile campuses are the food drives that we have going on with Gleaners, so we are seeking contributions both online and actual physical food.”

The food drive ended Jan. 31. Nonperishable goods such as protein rich foods, nut butter, soups, canned vegetables or fruits, oatmeal and healthy cereal, pasta and pasta sauces, and healthy snacks were being accepted.

Shrine High School, located at 3500 W. 13 Mile Road, Royal Oak, hosted a blood drive

on Jan. 30, which was only open to Shrine students, family and staff.

Alexandra Paisley, a senior at Shrine Catholic High School and a member of the National Honor Society, said that the blood drive had a good turnout.

“I think it’s great seeing how receptive students, the student body, is to this. We have had so many people sign up to donate,” Paisley said.

“It’s definitely obvious, as a student, just how involved in the community Shrine is.”

Grades six through 12 had a penny war competition going on during the week. The different grades competed to see who could raise the most money for a charity.

“All of the students are bringing their pennies and change and filling up these giant containers, and at the end of the week, whoever wins gets to select the charity that the money goes to,” Cerone said.

The winning group will choose to donate the money to one of three charities including the Michigan Humane Society, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

“It’s really important that we have this community where we are able to share our faith with others and practice it together,” Paisley said. “It’s such a welcoming environment. It’s especially important at the young ages, where we are really growing in our faith, that we are supported in this way.”

For more information on Shrine Catholic Schools, visit shrinecatholicschools.com.

Photo by Patricia O’Blenes

Shrine Catholic High School senior Cordell Walton gets support from senior Alexandra Paisley while donating blood for the first time.

NEWS & NOTES

Michael Bouchard honored with Sheriff of the Year award

OAKLAND COUNTY — Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard was named “National Sheriff of the Year” during the Major County Sheriffs of America annual policy conference last week in Washington, D.C.

This is the third year that Bouchard has been awarded this title. In 2024, Bouchard was honored with the Sandra S. Hutchens “Sheriff of the Year” award.

In 2022, Bouchard was awarded the “Sheriff of the Year” by the Michigan Sheriffs’ Association, and in 2016 he was the recipient of the Ferris E. Lucas Sheriff of the Year award from the National Sheriffs’ Association. He is the only sheriff in Michigan to receive both awards, according to a press release from the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office.

“The Major County Sheriffs of America represent the largest sheriff’s offices in the country being led by the most proactive future-driven law enforcement leaders in the world,” Bouchard said in the press release. “To be named by them as their national Sheriff of the Year is a huge honor. I am very appreciative and humbled.”

Bouchard is a past president of and currently serves as vice president of government affairs for the Major County Sheriffs of America, where he has served in leadership positions for 25 consecutive years.

In his seventh term, Bouchard is now the longest-serving sheriff in Oakland County history.

According to the press release, Bouchard was appointed on Jan. 11, 1999, to succeed the late Sheriff John F. Nicols. Bouchard now oversees more than 1,400 employees and an annual budget of more than $210 million.

Under Bouchard the Sheriff’s Office has grown, providing law enforcement for 15 communities and more than 350,000 of Oakland County’s 1.2 million residents, according to the release.

‘Dogfight’ to play on

Stagecrafters

second stage

ROYAL OAK — The Stagecrafters second stage is presenting “Dogfight,” a musical depicting the story of a group of young marines who play a cruel game, Dogfight, the night before their deployment to Vietnam.

Dogfight is a game that involves each Marine finding the ugliest girl they can find and bringing her to a party. The winner gets a cash prize. One of the characters scouts one particular girl that changes the game entirely.

Directed by Jeff Lamothe and produced by Emilie Florkowski, the show features an award-winning musical lineup.

Dogfight will be playing Feb. 7-16 at 415 S. Lafayette Ave. in Royal Oak on the second stage. No late seating will be accepted; the exterior doors lock at 7:30 p.m. Refunds will not be issued if one arrives late. Tickets can be purchased at stagecrafters.org.

LEFT: Lucy Lyon Wolf’s work will be on display during the Habatat exhibit “Matriarchs of Mastery: Women Shaping the Future of Glass Art” Feb. 14 to March 15 at Habatat, 4400 Fernlee Ave. in Royal Oak. RIGHT: Nancy Callan’s glass artwork will also be shown.

Exhibit showcases women glass artists

ROYAL OAK — Habatat will be presenting the “Matriarchs of Mastery: Women Shaping the Future of Glass Art” Feb. 14 to March 15 at Habatat, 4400 Fernlee Ave. in Royal Oak.

The exhibit is celebrating over 20 visionary women artists who have “propelled the medium of glass art to unprecedented heights,” according to habatat.com.

The show features work from artists Jen Blazina, Christina Bothwell, Karen Browning, Nancy Callan and more.

According to habatat.com, the artists have redefined glass art, showcasing their innovative techniques, conceptual depth and exceptional craftsmanship. For more information, visit habatat.com.

BATTLE OF THE BULGE SPEAKER PROGRAM AT RO HISTORICAL SOCIETY

ROYAL OAK — The Royal Oak Historical Society is hosting a program about the Battle of the Bulge.

From 7 to 9 p.m. Feb. 14, Steve Mrozek will be the special guest for the historical society’s speaker series.

Mrozek is a local historian and executive director of the Selfridge Military Air Museum. He will be discussing the Battle of the Bulge.

The Battle of the Bulge is known as one of the largest battles on the western front during World War II. Tickets are available at royaloakhistoricalsociety.com.

Bouchard

Photos provided by Aaron Schey

New gym technology motivates ‘new year, new me’ crowd

BY TAYLOR CHRISTENSEN tchristensen@candgnews.com

ROYAL OAK — A new way to work out has given South Oakland Family YMCA members the motivation needed to continue their New Year’s workout resolutions into the rest of the year.

South Oakland Family YMCA, 1016 W. 11 Mile Road in Royal Oak, has seen an influx of people getting memberships and working out in the gym, according to Tricia Hamzik, vice president of operations.

But this is not only because of the “new year, new me” crowd. People are coming to the South Oakland YMCA for the new 11-piece EGYM equipment set.

“It’s extremely popular. It’s the only one in Michigan, not just in a Y, but in general,” Hamzik said. “There’s no other place you can find it.”

The EGYM tracks and logs the user’s progress and automatically sets up to the user’s abilities or goals with the swipe of a bracelet.

“It sets up the machine so there is no guesswork,” Hamzik said. “You sit down, once you’ve been oriented, you swipe your

bracelet, it knows exactly where you should sit, what program you’re on. It’s almost like a personal trainer without a person.”

Before being able to work out with the machine, the user has to set up an appointment with a YMCA staff member to do a fitness assessment that records the user’s health status to create a tailored workout experience, specifically the user’s “BioAge.”

“BioAge” is the measurement of how quickly a body is aging, based on measurements of strength, flexibility, metabolism and cardio, according to egym.com.

“To calculate the BioAge, EGYM uses a sophisticated analysis of various scientifically proven factors that directly relate to physical performance, health, and immune system status,” egym.com states.

“I think that what excites me the most is that it programs to everyone,” Hamzik said. “There isn’t a specific age group that we bought this equipment for. We bought it for anybody that can use it and that can use it safely.”

The EGYM provides a variety of workout options, including beginner, weight loss, muscle building, athletic, general fitness, rehab fit, body toning, metabolic fit and im-

munity boost, according to ymcadetroit.org/ programs/wellness/egym.

John Davids, a member of the YMCA and husband of Royal Oak Communica-

tions Engagement Specialist Judy Davids, said he began going to the gym frequently at the beginning of January. Davids said the See GYM on page 8A

Photo by Patricia O’Blenes

Sue Rauschert, of Royal Oak, works out on the shoulder press of the EGYM at the South Oakland Family YMCA at 1016 W. 11 Mile Road, Royal Oak.

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

7A/ ROYAL OAK REVIEW • FEBRUARY 5, 2025

FEB. 7-8

‘Five Women Wearing the Same Dress’: Show about bridesmaids avoiding wedding and their discovery of common interests, 8 p.m., St. Dunstan’s Theatre, 400 Lone Pine Road in Bloomfield Hills, (844) 386-7826, stdunstanstheatre.com

‘Knock the Ball Loose’: Show about empty nest couple holding big secrets, presented by Rosedale Community Players, 8 p.m. Feb. 7 and 2 and 8 p.m. Feb. 8, Peace Lutheran Church, 17029 W. 13 Mile Road in Southfield, (313) 532-4010, rcptickets@ gmail.com, rosedalecommunityplayers.com

FEB. 8

Hearts and Flowers Craft Show: Special event featuring handmade gifts and baked goods part of regularly scheduled farmers market, 7 a.m.-1 p.m., 316 E. 11 Mile Road in Royal Oak, (248) 246-3276, romi. gov/1533/farmers-market

FEB. 10

Royal Oak Garden Club: Social time at 6:30 p.m. and business meeting from 7-8 p.m., Unity of Royal Oak, 2500 Crooks Road, also meets March 10, April 14, May 12 and June 9, royaloakgardenclub@gmail.com, royaloakgardenclubmi.org

FEB. 19

‘The Mighty Monarch’: Presentation by Bees in the D

about insects’ migration to mountains of Mexico and how people can help, 6:30-7:30 p.m., Blair Memorial Library, 416 N. Main St. in Clawson, (248) 588-5500

FEB. 22

Getting Creative with Scraps: Bring machines and other supplies to sewing event, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Blair Memorial Library, 416 N. Main St. in Clawson, (248) 588-5500

Winter seed sowing workshop: Presented by Royal Oak Garden Club, bring 1-gallon translucent jugs and seeds, noon-3 p.m., Mahany/Meininger Senior Community Center, 3500 Marais Ave. in Royal Oak, registration required, royaloakgardenclub@gmail.com, royaloakgardenclubmi.org

MARCH 1

Mother-son sports night: 6-8 p.m., gym at Hunter Community Center, 509 Fisher Court in Clawson, (248) 589-0334, recreation.cityofclawson.com

ONGOING

Ice skating: 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Sundays, 3-9 p.m. Tuesdays-Thursdays, 1-10 p.m. Fridays and 11 a.m.11 p.m. Saturdays until Feb. 17, The Rink at Royal Oak in Centennial Commons, 221 E. Third St., (248) 5417550, info@winterblast.com, therinkatroyaloak.com

To view more Community Calendar and to submit your own, use the QR code or visit candgnews.com/calendar. To advertise an event, call (586) 498-8000.

Fish fries: Also chicken tender dinners and live music, 4:30-7 p.m. Feb. 21, March 7 and 21, and April 4, Royal Oak First United Methodist Church, 320 W. Seventh St., (248) 541-4100, rofum.org

‘Golden Foxes’: Comedic play about queer men who save friend from homophobic assisted living facility, 8 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays and Mondays and 3 p.m. Sundays March 7-24, Ringwald Theatre at Affirmations LGBTQIA+ Community Center, 290 W. Nine Mile Road in Ferndale, theringwald.com

Kit Homes of Clawson exhibit: Includes advertisements, photos, artifacts and more about unique early 20th century housing, open 2-5 p.m. Saturdays and Wednesdays until Dec. 31, Clawson Historical Museum, 41 Fisher Court, cityofclawson.com, (248) 588-9169, historicalmuseum@cityofclawson.com

Farmers markets: 7 a.m.-1 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, also antiques and collectibles 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Sundays, 316 E. 11 Mile Road in Royal Oak, (248) 246-3276, romi.gov/1533/farmers-market

Bingo: 12:30-1:30 p.m. every first Friday of month, Mahany/Meininger Senior Community Center, 3500 Marais Ave. in Royal Oak, (248) 246-3900

Monthly groups: For kids, LGBTQIA+, book clubs for

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horror fans and more, Royal Oak Public Library, 222 E. 11 Mile Road, (248) 246-3700, romi.gov/1532/ library

• STEM and electronics hobbyists meet 6-7:30 p.m. every first Wednesday, book club meets 1-2 p.m. every third Wednesday, and writing group meets 6-7:30 p.m. every fourth Wednesday, Blair Memorial Library, 416 N. Main St. in Clawson, clawson.lib.mi.us

Harmony United Chorus: Open rehearsals for men’s barbershop-style group from 7-9 p.m. Tuesdays, Royal Oak Middle School, 709 N. Washington Ave., greaterdetroit.org

Widowed Friends breakfasts: 9:30 a.m. every second and fourth Wednesday of month, The Avenue Family Restaurant, 31253 Woodward Ave. in Royal Oak, RSVP to Marilyn at (248) 543-1018, widowedfriends.com

‘The Underground Railroad in Oakland County’: Traveling exhibit on display through February, also separate exhibit “A Tangled Web: Stories About African Americans in 19th Century Royal Oak” on site through May, Royal Oak Historical Society and Museum, 1411 W. Webster Road, royaloakhistoricalsociety.org

Health workshops: Hosted by Corewell Health, free and virtual, corewellhealth.org/classes-events/ southeast-michigan

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CRIME WATCH

Firearm stolen from locked vehicle

ROYAL OAK — A complainant reported that between 11 p.m. Jan. 16 and 3 a.m. Jan. 17, an unknown person stole a firearm from the complainant’s locked vehicle at the Leo’s Coney Island at 110 S. Main St.

Package theft

ROYAL OAK — A complainant reported that between 2:20 and 3:20 p.m. Jan. 21, an unknown person stole a package from the complainant’s porch on Linwood Avenue near Normandy Road.

Car theft

ROYAL OAK — A complainant reported that between 3:50 and 6:30 a.m. Jan. 11, an unknown person stole the complainant’s Jeep Grand Cherokee near Wellesley Avenue and East Fourth Street.

Cellphone stolen at gym

ROYAL OAK — A complainant reported that between 9 and 9:45 a.m. Jan. 15, an unknown person stole the complainant’s cellphone after the complainant left it unattended at LA Fitness, 25352 Woodward Ave.

Holiday Market theft

ROYAL OAK — A complainant reported that at 3:20 p.m. Jan. 15, an unknown person stole various grocery items from Holiday Market, 1203 S. Main St. — Taylor Christensen

efficiency of the program helps him stay motivated to come into the gym.

“Once you log in and do the strength test, it automatically adjusts to you, so it knows how much you lift. You don’t have to change any machines ever,” Davids said.

The EGYM has 11 stations, and it is set up in a circuit format — each person does an exercise and then moves on to the next station. Each station takes 90 seconds to complete, and the machines do a variety of exercises for different muscle groups.

“You kind of all move in unison — it’s honestly really fast — and it’s also more fun because it has a graphic interface that you can kind of watch as you lift, and you can trace your progress on a screen,” Davids said. “It’s really good for tracking progress. If you don’t have this system, it takes a lot of time to do that yourself, to do all of the figuring on what you lifted and how much. This is all automatic.”

The system has a gamelike component that gives the user digital coins as they progress, which can make it more of a fun experience while promoting correct form and reducing injury.

“If you are doing a shoulder press, you’re knocking down coins, but you’re trying to go full range of motion, and you get coins as you go,” Hamzik said. “It really personalizes it, but you’re using it safely, because you have to move in order to knock the coins down.

You want to go full range of motion and at the speed that is safe for you while doing shoulder presses.”

One of the most compelling features of the EGYM is the secrecy. Because the machines instantly change the weight to the user’s specific abilities, other people will never know if you are lifting 5 pounds or 600 pounds, according to Hamzik.

“It’s daunting to pull out that yellow clip and decide which weight and where you should be at,” Hamzik said. “You get instant results each time you go on the machine. It pushes you about every three times to go harder or to change it up. It’s never stagnant and it’s encouraging.”

Hamzik said that since they got the EGYM in October, she has seen noticeable progress in people who have been consistent on the machines.

“We found people that their BioAge has dropped like 10 years off of them. It’s really cool,” she said.

The goal is to get the EGYM into more YMCA locations in Michigan, according to Hamzik.

“We were able to pilot this at our branch; we are one of seven (associated YMCA branches in metro Detroit),” she said. “We piloted it here for probably a lot of reasons, but we wanted to have an opportunity to see if it would take off, and it certainly has taken off.”

For more information or to schedule an orientation on the EGYM equipment, visit the South Oakland Family YMCA at ymcadetroit.org/southoakland.

Call Staff Writer Taylor Christensen at (586) 4981081.

Explosion at medical facility leads to 5-year-old’s death

BY SARAH WRIGHT swright@candgnews.com

TROY

— At 7:54 a.m. Jan. 31, the Troy Fire Department and the Troy Police Department responded to a report of a hyperbaric chamber explosion that killed a 5-year-old boy from Royal Oak.

The explosion took place at the Oxford Center, located at 165 Kirts Blvd.

Upon arrival, it was determined the child inside the chamber had died.

“I think the mother of the child also

Awards

Mikos’ video demonstrates his skills in interviewing, videography and use of the video equipment, according to Jaret Grisamer, multimedia specialist for Royal Oak Schools.

“It has a really nice, natural flow. I think the shots he used are really beautiful. There are a lot of slow pull zoom outs that he used and a lot of great interviews that were done right on the spot,” Grisamer said. “We were blown away that it got nominated because it was a very, I wouldn’t say small project, but it was a project we didn’t expect to get nominated.”

Grisamer said that they knew the quality of the piece, but because of the scale of the competition and the number of entries, they weren’t sure it would get nominated.

Mikos said that the prospect of winning an award at the Michigan Association of Broadcasters Student Broadcast Awards is going to give him confidence going into his freshman year of college.

“Now I know what I can do; I know I am capable of making good videos,” Mikos said. “So to see other people who know a lot about this stuff recognize me for that in some way would just be really good and very motivating to work harder.”

The students’ videos are judged by a panel of broadcasting professionals in Michigan who judge the entries based on the criteria listed in each category and how well it follows the category description, according to michiganmedia.com.

The students have the chance to win first, second or an honorable mention, as there are three entries nominated in each category.

Machiniak and Klonke have been nominated for episode 10 of “The Raven RoundUp,” a sports podcast outlining the athletes

suffered some injuries to her arms as she was standing right next to the chamber when the explosion occurred,” Troy Police Department Lt. Ben Hancock said during a press conference that was held at 10:30 a.m. Jan. 31 at the Troy Police Department.

The Oxford Center provides therapy to children for a wide variety of physical and mental health conditions.

“Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, or HBOT, is a specialized form of medical treatment administered by delivering 100% pure oxygen to the body through increased

and coaches at ROHS. Episode 10 discusses winter sports, bowling and figure skating at ROHS.

“I am most proud of the inclusion of sports that don’t get the recognition they deserve,” Machiniak said. “We had bowling and figure skating on the episode as interviews, and it was a great experience to learn things I never knew. They put hard work in just like football and basketball, so it’s awesome to be able to give them recognition.”

Mike Conrad, video, media and television production studies teacher at ROHS, said that Machiniak and Klonke have taken this project to the next level with their skill level.

“They are operating at a level that some professionals don’t. They are really doing a great job in terms of rising above the concept of a student and are always asking themselves how to make the next podcast better,” Conrad said. “I don’t think enough professionals actually look at their craft and say, ‘What can I do every time to make it better?’”

Klonke created the podcast and graduated in 2024, but before doing so he passed the baton to Machiniak, showing him the ropes of the podcast so he could continue it.

Now, Machiniak is doing the same, showing junior Javien Johnson the ropes.

“Taking over as the host was stressful at first; luckily, Sam was a great teacher and had me prepared for it,” Machiniak said. “Being able to teach Javien is very fun and makes me realize the podcast will be in good hands for season three.”

Machiniak said that winning an award would mean a lot to him.

“Knowing that me and Sam’s hard work isn’t going unnoticed is a really awesome thing,” he said.

Conrad said being recognized by professional broadcasters as a high school student helps propel the students into college with confidence.

“It’s not a scholastic program; it’s a professional broadcasting program. What they

atmospheric pressure greater than 1.3 ATA in an enclosed hard chamber,” the Oxford Center’s website states.

The oxygen from a hyperbaric chamber has up to three times the amount of oxygen that a normal room has. The presence of such a high amount of oxygen in a pressurized environment can make it extremely combustible, according to a press release from the Troy Fire Department.

“Our initial research shows that this type of incident is uncommon,” the Troy Fire Department stated via a press release.

are doing feels like a profession,” Conrad said. “To be recognized by professionals at their age is a massive resume booster and also gives them pride in their work to let them know they can do this.”

Mikos said he is going to pursue a degree in film at either Central Michigan University or the University of Michigan and Machiniak said he is planning to attend the University of Mississippi to study business with the hope of running his own company.

“I have an open mind because the podcast isn’t something I want to put in the past.

The fire caused by the explosion was contained to the room where the explosion occurred, with no extensive damage to the facility itself.

The situation remains under active investigation.

Social workers from the Oakland Community Health Network have made themselves available to work with emergency personnel who responded to the scene and medical staff at the facility.

“As far as our investigation goes with

I can see myself doing stuff like this in the future,” Machiniak said.

The awards will be presented at the Michigan Student Broadcasters Awards Luncheon March 20 at the Crown Plaza, 925 S. Creyts Road in Lansing.

Machiniak’s episode 10 of the Raven Round-Up and Mikos’ news feature can be found on YouTube.com. For more information on Royal Oak High School, visit www. royaloakschools.org.

Call Staff Writer Taylor Christensen at (586) 498-1081.

Explosion

from page 10A

the Fire Department, we don’t really have an investigation,” Troy Fire Department Lt. Keith Young said during the press conference. “We took our initial investigation for the fire and the explosion, but from that everything’s going to get turned over to the state.”

According to a statement from The Oxford Center, Jan. 31 was an “exceptionally difficult day for all of us.”

“The safety and wellbeing of the children we serve is our highest priority,” according to the statement. “Nothing like this has happened in our more than 15 years of providing this type of therapy. We do not know why or how this happened and will participate in all of the investigations that now need to take place.”

Call Staff Writer Sarah Wright at (586) 498-1068.

ELDER LAW

Zoofari

from page 3A

“We are going to have cold brew coffee, hot coffee, lattes as well,” Hurley said. “We will have some simple breakfast items and some snack items.”

A walk-up window will also be added to the coffee shop area outside the gates to provide access to those waiting in line for an event or general admission.

“We have always felt like we missed coffee at the front of the zoo; a lot of our guests have expressed that as well,” Hurley said. “So it felt like a good fit, and we had this space with the new renovation to make it work.”

O’Hare said that the inspiration behind adding a coffee shop also came from wanting to provide older zoo visitors with a spot to grab a treat.

“We want to make sure we are attending to our parent and caregiver audience as well,” O’Hare said. “We want to be able to have folks grab their coffee and be ready to enjoy their visit, even while they are gathering before they enter.”

In addition to the coffee shop, the market will have refreshed point-of-sale areas, new display shelves, a mini water tower in the center of the shop, and new signage out front that aligns with the rebrand.

“Guests will really continue to see that refreshed look throughout this gift shop design and coffee shop design,” O’Hare said.

Along with the revamp, the market will be adding some new gifts to the assortment of souvenirs currently being sold at the Detroit Zoo.

Hurley said that the zoo is now partnering with Uncle

Goose, a Grand Rapids-based company that makes and sells wooden toy blocks and sensory toys for toddlers.

The shop will also be adding Thumbprint Artifacts, another Michigan company that sells fair trade home decor handmade in South Africa.

Renovations to the market are slated to be completed

in mid- to late April, but until then guests can still purchase merchandise at Drake Passage Gifts inside the Polk Penguin Conservation Center or the Arctic Outpost outside the Arctic Ring of Life.

Merchandise continues to be sold online at dzoo.org/shop. Call Staff Writer Taylor Christensen at (586) 498-1081.

Rendering provided by the Detroit Zoological Society

A mini water tower will be put in the middle of the renovated gift shop.

Verner

tree planted by the Clawson High School class of 1983, which was the graduating class of Verner’s father, Ted Verner. The tree was planted in late summer, early fall of 2023 during a reunion, in honor of Alex Verner, and the spot has grown to be a personal one for the Verner family.

“It’s very special to me,” Ted Verner said. “I go for a walk either once or twice a day, and I always stop by and spend a little time with Al at the tree.”

“Throughout the last almost two years — at different times — there are different things that (people) have left there. A girl that Al graduated Clawson with and who also attended Michigan State actually left a beautiful note, flowers and left a Michigan State graduation cap cord for Al,” stated Nancy Verner, Alex Verner’s mother. “Other people have left notes for either Ted or myself, or randomly we’ll find flowers just there from somebody who’s visited.”

As the months and years have passed since Alex’s death, the Verners have found each day to be a challenge. At times, they were going through the motions, not remembering certain days and coming to

terms with the pain and anger they were left with in her death.

The family has been dealing with the numbness of losing their daughter and, for T.J. and Charlotte, their sister, but even as the numbness has subsided, it hasn’t made their efforts to heal any easier.

“You find a photo on social media, a memory comes up. Someone shoots you a picture, you come across a picture at the house, a certain smell, anything, and it just takes you back to that day. And I think now that the numbness is off, it’s harder, but time is helping. And as a family, every day we try to get through,” Ted Verner said.

Though the family is a bit separated with Charlotte attending the University of Michigan, they still get together over a phone call each Tuesday to check in with each other.

“We just get together and we talk and make sure Charlotte is doing well and live and heal as a family,” Ted Verner said. “That’s the best we can do, is just get through the day and not break down crying. It seems to be the biggest thing for us.”

The community also has continued to honor Alex Verner, whether it’s renaming the high school’s basketball/volleyball court with her name, the establishment of the Alex Verner Scholarship that’s given to a gradu-

ating Clawson student, the constant fundraisers for the scholarship by the likes of the Clawson Mavericks youth football program or high school volleyball team, or the MSU Strong and AV24 signs and stickers that still adorn homes and cars in the city.

“You certainly see Al’s memory everywhere often, and that is extremely intentional and very valuable for us,” Clawson Public Schools Superintendent Billy Shellenbarger said. “Being able to honor her in a number of different ways from so many different people, and this is just one more way to do it on the 13th and remember her and who she was and what she did for all of us.”

The Verner family has said the gathering on Feb. 13 will be the last public memorial they will be doing for Alex, but they wanted the community to know they’ve greatly appreciated its support the last two

years and how it always has come together for their daughter.

“The idea was that we wanted to sprinkle a little bit of Al’s ashes at that tree,” Ted Verner said. “So many people go to it and it’s such a great place. We have her final resting place. We’re going to be burying her this summer in Waterford, but really to do this last get-together with the city of Clawson, and these are thank yous because we have so many people that just want to pray and celebrate Al’s life with us together, and that’s why we’re doing this public event and gathering at her tree, a moment of silence at the time that we lost her … and then we’ll just go on our way and continue to love her well as always.”

Call Staff Writer Mike Koury at (586) 498-1077.

Truck

from page 1A

large, extendable platform at the top of the ladder that can hold multiple firefighters and allows for maximized maneuverability.

Jim Cook, chief of the Royal Oak Fire Department, said that this truck is going to be very helpful in different situations, mentioning the advantage it gives firefighters when trying to extinguish a fire that is in a building with multiple floors.

“If we have a commercial fire, you can have two guys up there to see it more, directing the nozzle a little better,” he said. “You have a lot more flexibility, because you are kind of controlling everything from up in the air, if you will.”

With the straight stick ladder in the old truck, only one person would be going up the ladder, and when they climbed up, they would just be in one place.

“It’s always good to have a bucket ladder truck, especially when it comes to commercial buildings; our ground ladders only get up 35 feet,” Cook said. “These newer and bigger homes in the city are well beyond what our ground ladders would touch, so the bucket ladders can actually get us up over the fire if we have to.”

The Fire Department had to wait more than two years following the unanimous approval of the purchase at the City Commission meeting on Aug. 8, 2022. The truck was budgeted at a cost of $1.7 million, which was taken from the motor pool fund.

“Having modern equipment is important to keep our community and firefighters safe,” said Judy Davids, Royal Oak community engagement specialist. “The special features of this truck will help firefighters work faster and more efficiently during emergencies, and that will help save lives and protect our homes. We want to make sure our city is ready for anything.”

Cook said a truck committee went over multiple manufacturers, the features the de-

partment was looking for, and spoke with the manufacturers to see what was the best fit for the Royal Oak Fire Department.

The committee ultimately landed on the Rosenbauer King Cobra aerial truck, which is manufactured by the same company that has manufactured the department’s three frontline trucks, three fire engines, two ladder trucks and three ambulances.

Cook said the truck won’t actually be operated until the end of February, because the firefighters will have to learn the equipment first. Rosenbauer is going to be coming in at some point to show the firefighters the ropes, and then the crew is going to outfit the vehicle.

“We can’t put this truck to service until we outfit it. We got to put more gear on it, so just because we have it doesn’t mean we’re running fires on it today,” he said. “We got to put a hose on it, shelving units … there’s a little bit of a process.”

Firefighters at the Royal Oak Fire De-

C & G Newspapers publishes 21 papers in Macomb, Oakland and Wayne counties:

Editor: David Wallace | (586) 498-1053 | dwallace@candgnews.com

Reporters: Taylor Christensen | (586) 498-1081 | tchristensen@candgnews.com

Mike Koury | (586) 498-1077 | mkoury@candgnews.com

Artroom: (586) 498-1036 | ads@candgnews.com

Classifieds: For ad rates (586) 498-8100

On Jan. 16, the Royal Oak Fire Department received its brand-new

partment will also be trained on how to drive the vehicle, as it is a bit different than the previous vehicles because of the bucket that is located above the windshield.

“This is like a brand-new toy to a bunch of kids — everybody is excited about it,” Cook said. “It pretty much updates all of our equipment, all of our engines, frontline engines, ambulances, and our ladder trucks are now all from 2020 or newer.”

Call Staff Writer Taylor Christensen at (586) 498-1081.

Rosenbauer King Cobra aerial truck at Royal Oak Fire Station #1, 215 E. Sixth St., Royal Oak.

Photo by Patricia O’Blenes

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