3/6/24 St. Clair Shores Sentinel

Pool on track to open Memorial Day weekend

BY ALYSSA OCHSS aochss@candgnews.com

In a 6-0 vote at their meeting on Feb. 20, the St. Clair Shores City Council approved a request to increase contingency costs for the pool pump house project.

Councilwoman Linda Bertges was excused from this meeting.

The St. Clair Shores pool is on schedule to open at 10 a.m. on May 25 this year. It is also fully staffed with lifeguards prior to March 1, according to Parks and Recreation Aquatics Manager Jason Harms.

An increase in contingency costs was recommended by Partners in Architecture in the amount of $44,509.46.

Harms said in an email that the contingency is a slight increase in costs “needed to correct problems that occurred during excavation work for the Pool Main Drain Replacement.”

Harms presented the item and also provided images showing the progress of construction on the pool. He explained when he previously came before the council that they came across cast iron piping and that the piping would be covered up by the new concrete they would be installing.

Harms said the recommendation from their pool consultant was to replace the piping with a pool side wall drain. The plan to replace the cast iron piping was brought to the City Council’s Nov. 20, 2023, meeting.

St. Germaine Catholic School hits fundraising goals, needs enrollment

BY ALYSSA OCHSS aochss@candgnews.com

St. Germaine Catholic School has hit both of its fundraising goals and is still working on its enrollment goal of 150 students.

In an email sent to parents, St. Germaine Catholic School Principal Colleen Maciejewski said as of Monday, Feb. 26, they surpassed the fundraising goals.

The goals, as previously reported, were set at $150,000 in donations and $150,000 pledged for the future.

Photo by Patricia O’Blenes

Modern Cone on Harper Avenue in St. Clair Shores hosted a fundraiser for St. Germaine Catholic School on Feb. 26.

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3A/ ST. CLAIR SHORES SENTINEL • MARCH 6, 2024

Memorial Day parade preparations running smoothly

BY ALYSSA OCHSS aochss@candgnews.com

Preparations are going smoothly for the St. Clair Shores Memorial Day Parade, and Parade Committee members are excited.

The parade will be on Harper Avenue this

year, Memorial Day Parade Committee Chairman Dave Ellis said, and it is on Sunday May 26. The advanced group starts at 12:45 p.m. and the main body at 1 p.m.

Ellis said there is always a lot of confusion when they run the parade on Harper because it starts at Ridgeway Street.

“So it’s a little further, about a quarter-mile north on Harper,” Ellis said. “The reason I bring that up is because every year we do it on Harper, I have to go down on the south side of Harper and tell people, ‘You’re not seeing the parade.’”

The route is shorter when they run the parade

See PARADE on page 20A

CITY COUNCIL OKS SITE PLAN APPROVAL EXTENSION

BY ALYSSA OCHSS aochss@candgnews.com

At their meeting on Feb. 20, the St. Clair Shores City Council voted 4-2 to extend site plan approval for a proposed multistory, 40-unit condo project at 24101 Jefferson Ave.

The special land use and site plan approval was requested by Jefferson Plaza LLC and presented by Joe Vaglica, the head engineer and architect for the project, during the August 2023 meeting. The same company asked for the extension and no one from the company was there to present at the February meeting.

According to items attached to the Feb. 20 agenda, the prior specifications were to get the proper certifications and clearance reports from the State of Michigan and submit them to council six months after the council approves the agenda item, regardless of whether the development occurs, according to the agenda item.

Over 1,100 tons of soil was removed from the site and transported to a landfill for hazardous waste materials. A report about the “remediation activities and findings” was completed and submitted to the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy on Jan. 29, 2024, according to the letter attached to the agenda. A confir-

See SITE PLAN on page 19A

Photo by Patricia O’Blenes

A multistory, 40-unit condo development has been proposed for the property at 24101 Jefferson Ave.

Lakeview wrestling: The MAC’s best-kept secret

BY JONATHAN SZCZEPANIAK jszczepaniak@candgnews.com

For the past two seasons, St. Clair Shores Lakeview has quietly constructed a program ready to prove they’re one of the top teams in the Macomb Area Conference.

With back-to-back league titles in the MAC Gold, back-to-back district championships, and another state qualifier in junior and 157-pounder Logan Craft, who will compete on March 1 at Ford Field in the Michigan High School Athletic Association Division 1 individual state finals, it’s time the Huskies start drawing some attention to what they’re building.

Lakeview collected a 54-21 win over MAC Gold rival Grosse Pointe South in the district finals on Feb. 7 at Grosse Pointe South High School.

Behind second-year head coach Eric Julien, who previously served as the head wrestling coach at Macomb Community College, Lakeview has adapted a mentality synonymous with a winning mindset: Your spot is earned, not given.

“The big quote that I used this year with the kids was ‘competition breeds success,’” Julien said. “When you have a bunch of guys behind you that all want to wrestle, you seem to step it up so you don’t lose your spot.”

Taking that to heart, the freshmen and sophomores jumped at the opportunity to earn a spot on the mat for the Huskies and also a chance to show the rest of the MAC

what they’re in for over the next couple of years.

Freshman Chris Rodgers, an athletically gifted wrestler in the 150-pound weight class, broke out to the tune of a 26-13 record but really made his money when the state tournament rolled around.

Rodgers qualified for regionals on Feb. 11 at Royal Oak High School, placing third. Although he missed the top-4 spot at regionals to qualify for states, Julien said Rodgers showed his true potential as a wrestler.

“In order to make it to regionals, he knocked off a kid from Cousino that was ranked eighth in the state,” Julien said. “We didn’t think he (Rodgers) was that good. In order to make it to the blood round at regionals, he knocked off the guy that took first in his district. He turned it on at the right time.”

Alongside Rodgers, sophomore Dion Lacey, sophomore Gino Gisevan, sophomore Nikholas Dix, freshman Kingston Dix, and freshman Aiden Deguzman all made an impact as underclassmen. The Huskies are also counting on freshman Gavin Houthoofd and junior varsity county champion in the 157-pound weight class Jaylen Lewis to be consistent contributors next season.

A motivated, young group can do wonders for a program, especially when they’re keeping the upperclassmen on their toes at all times.

Holding in-team tournaments to challenge spots, wrestlers such as senior Brady

See WRESTLING on page 23A

Photo provided by Lakeview wrestling Lakeview senior Logan Craft will compete in the MHSAA Division 1 individual state finals on March 1 at Ford Field.

Golf Club to renovate first tee

BY ALYSSA OCHSS aochss@candgnews.com

The St. Clair Shores Golf Club is renovating its first tee, and they’re selling memorial bricks to pay for renovations.

Matthew Crippen, golf course operations manager, said the first tee hasn’t been renovated since the 1970s. Their plans right now are to improve landscaping, install a new retaining wall, add paver stone walk-ups and add a new golf clock that has four faces instead of two.

The item was originally presented to the St. Clair Shores City Council at the Dec. 4, 2023, meeting. It was a part of the proclamations and presentation portion of the meeting.

The golf course is selling custom brick pavers to pay for the new renovations, Crippen said. During the December meeting, he said the area of brick pavers is around 150 feet to 160 feet.

“Some people are doing them as in honor of somebody or someone (who) passed away, some are doing it for a holein-one they got, some are doing it for their business,” Crippen said.

He also said a lot of people are listing

each member of their family on the bricks as well.

“So pretty much (you) can do it any way you want on there,” Crippen said.

During the December meeting, those presenting said the money will also be used to install a flagpole where the water tower once was. Crippen said they do have a part of the original hatch of the water tower and the city also has a piece of it. He said the decision about what to do with the pieces depends on the City Council.

“But we might use something from the water tower and make something out of it or some kind of idea,” Crippen said at the December meeting.

Mayor Kip Walby said they will involve the Historical Commission in making a memorial plaque for the water tower.

Crippen said the plan and what they need is to get 150 to 200 bricks sold. The golf course is going to get the initial order of bricks which takes around 10 or 11 weeks, and then install the bricks. Blank bricks will be in place until more customized bricks are sold. They have room for around 500 bricks to sell. Right now, they have around 60 bricks sold.

See GOLF COURSE on page 19A

Panelists discuss Macomb County’s economic future

BY MARIA ALLARD allard@candgnews.com

WARREN — Although inflation has decreased in recent months, “I don’t know if we’re out of the woods,” said Thomas Alongi, a partner with the UHY accounting firm, in Sterling Heights.

“Everything you touch, everywhere you go, prices are up 10% or 20% on everything,” Alongi said. “It’s come down, but maybe the damage has been done. We’ll see if we are able to keep that in check with fiscal spending.”

According to the website usinflationcalculator.com, inflation was at 6.5% in 2022 and 3.4% in 2023.

Alongi was among the panelists who spoke to business leaders, manufacturing employees and school officials at the 2024 Macomb County Economic Forecast, held Feb. 23 on the South Campus of Macomb Community College.

The panel also included Ahmad Ezzeddine, vice president for Academic Student Affairs and Global Engagement at Wayne

State University; Brian Parthum, an economist with the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments; and Vicky Rowinski, director of Macomb County’s Department of Planning & Economic Development.

Through PowerPoint presentations displayed on two large screens, the panelists shared their knowledge and research. Much of the discussion centered on Macomb County. The Macomb County Chamber Alliance hosted the event.

“Despite all the news we get every year, some of it is not that rosy, there are always great things happening. Things are happening in the county, in the region, they’re happening in the state,” Ezzeddine said. “This is an opportunity for us to see how we can all work together and move on.”

Ezzeddine, who moderated the event, would like to see WSU and MCC collaborate more with local businesses.

“We have great programs that start at Macomb Community College and finish with us,” Ezzeddine said. “Both institutions are very open and interested in partnering

See ECONOMY on page 17A

MCC tuition rates to increase next year

BY MARIA ALLARD allard@candgnews.com

MACOMB COUNTY

— Macomb Community College students will see a tuition increase next year.

At its regular monthly meeting Feb. 21, the Macomb Community College Board of Trustees authorized a 1.8% increase in tuition rates for the upcoming academic year, which is fall 2024 through spring/summer 2025.

The rate for residents will increase slightly from $111 per billable contact hour to $113. Even with the increase, college officials maintained that Macomb’s tuition rates are lower than average.

Board members Roseanne DiMaria, Joan Flynn, Katherine Lorenzo, Shelley Vitale and Vincent Viviano voted in favor of the increase, while Frank Cusumano voted against it. When the roll call for the vote was taken, Kristi Dean voted “present.”

Macomb President James O. Sawyer IV weighed in on the board’s decision.

“Providing accessible, affordable and high-quality educational opportunities that connect to meaningful career pathways is one of our highest priorities,” he said in a prepared statement. “This modest increase in tuition upholds our commitment to affordability while ensuring we have the resources to support our students’ success, to innovate and invest in emerging opportunities and to preserve the fiscal viability of the college.”

Tuition is one of the three primary sources of revenue for the college, comprising 35% of Macomb’s revenue, with local property taxes at 33% and state appropriations at 27%.

Here is the scope of increase per billable contact hour of the 2024-2025 rates:

• Resident rates increase from $111 to $113.

• Out-of-district rates increase from $208 to $212.

• Out-of-state/foreign rates increase from $265 to $270.

See TUITION on page 24A

ST. CLAIR SHORES FIREFIGHTERS

MOURN PASSING OF SCOTT SCHWABE

St. Clair Shores firefighters announced the passing of Scott Schwabe in a Facebook post on Feb. 28.

The post stated Schwabe was a driver and engineer for St. Clair Shores Fire Department for 18 years prior to his lymphoma diagnosis.

“Despite his diagnosis and multiple reoccurrences of this cancer, Scott never stopped fighting,” the Facebook post stated.

Schwabe was 47 years old.

“We are all too familiar with the obvious risks of firefighting, but the risk of cancer in the fire service is a topic quickly becoming all too familiar as well,” the post said. “We offer Brother Schwabe’s family our deepest sympathies and thoughts during this difficult time.”

St. Clair Shores Fire Chief James Piper said in an email the entire Fire Department is saddened by Schwabe’s passing.

“Scott dedicated 18 years to our community prior to his medical retirement and we were honored to have shared that time with him in the fire service,” Piper said in the email. “My heart mourns along with the men and women of the St Clair Shores Fire Department, past and present, that served beside Scott during his career and who carry the weight of his loss.”

Scholarship recipients chosen

The St. Clair Shores Community Chorus recently chose its 2024 scholarship recipients.

The recipients are Chippewa Valley High School senior Taylor Pozzi, in first place; Grosse Pointe North High School senior Sloane O’Neill, in second place; and L’Anse Creuse High School senior Ava Kern, in third place.

“The scholarship recipients will be featured in the ‘Disney Dazzle on Stage’ spring show of the St. Clair Shores Community Chorus under the direction of Ms. Cynthia Ohrt at Lake Shore High School, 22980 13 Mile Road (at Jefferson) in St. Clair Shores on May 2,” a press release stated.

This event starts at 7 p.m. and presale tickets are $20 for adults. Tickets are $22 at the door. Children ages 4-12 are $10 and children 3 and younger are free.

For ticket information, call (586) 482-056 or visit the chorus website scscommunitychorus.org.

Bank employee marks milestone

Carol Reddick recently celebrated her 40th anniversary with Comerica Bank, where she is a customer service representative at the Mack/Brys Banking Center in Grosse Pointe Woods. Bank officials said she knows her customers by name and goes above and beyond to help them. Comerica Bank is also celebrating a milestone anniversary this year — its 175th birthday.

Library to host STEAM Stories

The St. Clair Shores Public Library Youth Services Department invites children 6-10 to attend a STEAM Stories program from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. on March 16.

This event has hands-on projects related to science, technology, engineering, the arts and math, according to a press release.

Registration is required and begins on March 11. Registration is available online at scslibrary.org, in person, via phone at (586) 7719020 or via email at SCSYouth@libcoop.net.

Remembering ‘Captain Dan’

Dan Chimelak, who was known for his fishing reports, passed away on Feb. 29, 2024.

He was the previous owner of Lakeside Fishing Shop and was known as “Captain Dan” to the community. His famous fishing report, which is also the longest-running report on the lake, told people where to fish and where not to.

He worked at the shop for 40 years before he retired. Chimelak also worked as a charter captain for the same amount of time, where he took people fishing and showed them all the best fishing spots.

Chimelak saw many generations of anglers walk through the shop on their way to fish and even had his children work in the shop.

St. Clair Shores to host Easter Egg hunt

St. Clair Shores firefighters and the St. Clair Shores Parks and Recreation Department are inviting children to attend their annual Easter Egg Hunt.

The hunt will take place promptly at noon on Saturday, March 30, at Blossom Heath Park, 24800 Jefferson Ave.

Residents are asked to bring their own Easter baskets.

Transportation Asset Management Plan now due in October

At the St. Clair Shores City Council meeting on Feb. 20, Councilwoman Candice Rusie gave an update regarding the city’s Transportation Asset Management Plan.

The state is allowing them to submit the new TAMP in October of this year.

A story about the plan was published in the Sentinel on Feb. 21, but the update was announced after press time.

“We won’t be seeing that again until closer in the fall,” Rusie said.

Library to host presentation on Anishinaabe tribes of the Great Lakes region

The St. Clair Shores Public Library invites guests 18 and older to explore the rich history and present-day significance of the Anishinaabe tribes of the Great Lakes region.

The library will host a presentation by a park ranger from the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore at 2 p.m. on March 21.

“Attendees will learn of the Anishinaabe’s deep connection to the land and have the opportunity to craft their own model wiigwaasimakak, a traditional birchbark basket,” a press release stated.

This event is available in person at the St. Clair Shores library or virtually on Zoom.

Registration is required and can be done in person, by phone at (586) 771-9020 or online beginning Feb. 29. Virtual attendees will be provided the Zoom link and materials needed via email.

The St. Clair Shores Public Library is located at 22500 E. 11 Mile Road.

LSPS ballot item passed by voters

The Lake Shore Public Schools ballot proposal passed according to unofficial results from Macomb County.

The results show 60% of voters voted yes

with 3,141 votes and that 40% of voters voted no with 2,095 votes. The ballot item was to renew a non-homestead tax in the amount of 19.3227 mills, with 18 mills being the maximum

levy for the next 10 years.

Superintendent Joe DiPonio said in an email that he is extremely appreciative of the support they’ve received.

“This operating millage is a vital part of our ability to continue the great things our staff and students do each and every day,” he said in the email. “We couldn’t be more thankful.”

Pozzi O’Neill Kern

Reddick

Photo provided by the St. Clair Shores Fire Department

Photo provided by the St. Clair Shores Community Chorus

HOMES TIME TO GET OUTDOOR SPACES READY FOR SPRING AND SUMMER

BY GENA JOHNSON gjohnson@candgnews.com

Outside living spaces have grown in popularity over the years. As spring approaches, this is the time to start preparing lawns and gardens for “backyarding” fun.

“‘Backyarding,’ I think we came up with the term during COVID. It was the first time I heard it,” said Kris Kiser, president and CEO of the TurfMutt Foundation, which advocates for the care of outdoor spaces from yards to parks. “It’s a verb meaning to champion the outdoors and creating the spaces for your particular needs.”

According to Kiser, lawns and backyards are no longer meant just to look pretty and provide curb appeal.

“We’ve worked with Realtors who have said, ‘Young people want outdoor living spaces,’” Kiser said.

These spaces are determined with a purpose in mind and tailored to the owner’s needs and desires: a Zen space, a cooking space or outdoor fun. When planning these spaces, one must factor in kids, dogs, deer and flowering plants.

Matching the right plant to the right place is the mantra of many gardeners and growers. To find the right match, homeowners must know their climate zone, Kiser said.

“The U.S. Department of Agriculture recently updated their plant hardiness map,” said David Lowenstein, consumer horticulture supervising extension educator at the Michigan State University Macomb County Extension Office. “Now everyone is in zone 6 in the Detroit metro area.”

“What the zone information describes is the average minimum winter temperature. Zone 6A, the average temperature is minus 10 degrees Fahrenheit to minus 5 degrees Fahrenheit,” Lowenstein said. “That means the plants can survive if temperatures get to minus 10 degrees.”

Combining the right plant with the right soil can yield thriving results. Common types of soil are clay, sand and loam, according to Lowenstein.

“We do tend to have a lot of clay soil in our area,” Lowenstein said about the soil in Macomb and Oakland counties.

Outdoor living spaces are growing in popularity. Spending time outdoors can decrease stress and anxiety.

Photo by Rebecca Finneran

10A/ ST. CLAIR SHORES SENTINEL • MARCH 6, 2024

from page 1A

“As I expressed at council, one of the concerns we had was that by drilling through the side of the pool, since it is from 1966, that we could take a chance on collapsing the pool wall,” Harms said. “I’m pleased to inform you that we were successful in coring through the pool wall with no damage to the pool.”

He said that while they did that, they disturbed extra concrete, conduits for the pool lights and the electrical bonding wire that surrounds the pool.

“So the increase in contingency tonight is to deal with those issues, but again, we were successful in installing the pool side wall drains without any damage to the pool proper itself,” Harms said.

Mayor Kip Walby asked if they would need any more money for the pool after this. Harms said this contingency will close out the main drain portion of the pool, but they still have substantial funds and contingency dollars to deal with any remaining issues.

“But we are now inside the building and to date we’ve had to make no changes to the building construction,” Harms said.

Councilman Chris Vitale asked about

the collapsed clay crock for the deck drainage.

“That’s not being replaced because that’s under concrete, correct, most of it?” Vitale asked.

Harms said they’re not replacing all of it, and that the sections where they had to take up the concrete is what they had to replace. Vitale asked if they could get a camera to look at the other sections of clay. Harms said they are going to have the sewer department do that inspection.

The pool experienced issues last summer which shut it down for multiple days at a time.

The request to replace the pool pump house was brought to the City Council’s July 17 meeting. The request included the equipment and the pool pump as well as the boiler and the heating, ventilation and air conditioning system.

“Antiquated equipment in the pool pump house has, in the recent past, caused the pool to be closed for weeks at a time,” the meeting minutes from July 17 stated. “Replacing the equipment is necessary to ensuring the pool is available for residents.”

Harms started his presentation after the vote by saying, if they had not ordered the needed equipment when they did in July, the

Photo by Patricia O’Blenes

The St. Clair Shores City Council extended its site plan approval for a multi-story, 40-unit condo complex on Jefferson Avenue in a 4-2 vote on Monday, Feb. 20.

SPOTLIGHT ON HOMES FURNITURE BANK PUTS UNWANTED HOUSEHOLD BASICS TO GOOD USE

Nonprofit reports serious shortage of furnishings

BY K. MICHELLE MORAN kmoran@candgnews.com

Spring — the season of renewal — is a popular time for people to remodel or redecorate their homes.

But what many may not realize is the old dresser or couch they no longer want could make life substantially better for a local family in need.

The nonprofit Furniture Bank of Southeastern Michigan, which provides household basics like beds, dining tables and chairs to vulnerable metro Detroiters who are rebuilding their lives, is facing a serious shortage of furnishings at a time when demand for these items is spiking.

“Donations are down,” said Furniture Bank Board President Wanda Van Haitsma,

Neighborhood Masonry Specialists: Building a legacy, brick

As a single mother, Nichole Shier was eager to build a family business that she could be proud of and eventually pass down to her sons.

In April 2014 her dream came true when she launched Neighborhood Masonry Specialists. “I discovered my passion for restoring historical homes while working for another masonry company for seven years, and I take pride in being a woman who now owns a construction company where both of my sons work with me,” Nichole said. Her eldest son, Jamie Shier, serves as the head mason and her younger son, Julian Shier, is the sales manager. “Both of my sons went through advanced training so they could contribute their own expertise to the business,” she said.

From age 17, Jamie spent his summers working alongside the company’s master masons. To perfect his craft, he completed a union apprenticeship and achieved both journeyman and master mason status on his own.

Julian decided at age 11 to pursue a career in sales and went on to study construction management and business. “My daughter-in-law, Carlie Shier, plays a crucial role on our team too,” Nichole added. “She is our office manager and handles bookkeeping, payroll and administrative duties. Our team also includes a tightknit group of dedicated masons who each have 30 years of experience and still choose to work with me.”

As a result of their expert craftsmanship and unparalleled customer service, the company has earned a reputation throughout all five of the Grosse Pointes and St. Clair Shores as a sought-after leader in residential masonry restoration. “We do chimney

repairs and rebuilds, tuckpointing, porch repairs and rebuilds, paver patios, aggregate driveways, sidewalks and patios, foundation work and comprehensive solutions from rebricking to waterproofing,” Nichole said, adding that, while her team also does roofing projects and gutters, their primary focus is on masonry. “The fact that we put quality before quantity and take our time with each project has given us the opportunity to work on some amazing historical homes.”

Their meticulous restoration of 50 Moross, originally designed by renowned

architect Louis Kamper in 1914, earned them a feature in Grosse Pointe Magazine. And last year they restored a historic porch at 1324 Buckingham consisting of 2,700 bricks, eight columns — and three separate entrances, each with custom limestone-tread steps.

Nichole added: “As a small family-owned business, it’s rewarding when past clients call years later, and I immediately recognize them because I’m involved in every project. It’s also a testament to our work when they insist on using nobody

Families served by the Furniture Bank are happier and healthier because they have a comfortable place to

and have a meal together.

Photos provided by the Furniture Bank of Southeastern Michigan

Furniture Bank

from page 14A

of Redford. “We have about 180 families waiting for beds and other furniture, and that’s a big number.”

Furniture Bank of Southeastern Michigan Executive Director Robert Boyle, of Grosse Pointe Woods, said that’s three times the number of families waiting for furniture at this time in 2021. At the same time, furniture donations have dropped; Boyle said that in 2022, they went on 4,600 pickups, but in 2023, there were only 3,800 pickups.

“At a time of high inflation, it would seem people would rather sit on their current couch than buy a new one,” Boyle said.

That same high inflation disproportionately hurts people on the lower end of the income spectrum. More than 80% of the people the Furniture Bank serves have incomes of $20,000 or less, and most are families with children.

“Now it’s even more difficult to cover basics like a bed for a child or a dining table to share a meal at,” Boyle said.

The Furniture Bank will collect essential items in good condition from homes across metro Detroit at no charge, if these items can be placed in a garage or on a porch, or they’ll

charge a flat fee of $75 to collect any number of essentials from inside the home. Essential items include mattresses, box springs, dressers, end tables, nightstands, coffee tables, sofas/loveseats (excluding reclining sofas and sofa beds), dining/kitchen tables (excluding glass or heavy marble), dining/kitchen chairs (in sets of at least two) and living room chairs. The Furniture Bank will also collect as essentials up to five bags or boxes of smaller housewares, such as towels, pots, pans, silverware, lamps, bedding and other basics; they cannot accept clothing.

Because there’s such a serious need for mattresses and box springs in good condition, the Furniture Bank is currently offering to pick up these items for free, whether they’re inside or outside the house.

For essential items that are structurally damaged, stained, torn or badly worn, they will haul these items away for $100 per item, whether they’re inside or outside of the home.

For fees ranging from $100 to $125 per item, the Furniture Bank will also pick up nonessential items from inside or outside of homes, including desks, bookshelves, armoires, china cabinets, buffets, sofa beds, reclining sofas, entertainment centers and treadmills. Proceeds from fees support the work of the Furniture Bank and enable them

See FURNITURE BANK on page 27A

Photo provided by the Furniture Bank of Southeastern Michigan Janith Bryson — one of the 2,000 local individuals and families helped last year by the Furniture Bank — can now have visitors because she has furniture.

CRIME WATCH

Road rage incident reported

At 6:57 p.m. on Feb. 15, a report was made about a traffic crash at Harper Avenue and 13 Mile Road.

Upon arrival, the officer met with the victim, a 21-year-old man. The man stated he was exiting a business during a heavy traffic time and tried to turn south onto Harper. Other vehicles were reportedly allowing him through, but a black vehicle traveling north on Harper nearly collided with him. Gestures were exchanged between both drivers, and they pulled over into another business’s parking lot. The man stated the unknown suspect punched his passenger window shattering it but leaving it intact and proceeded to yell profanities at him. The victim stated he got scared and drove away.

The other driver chased him in the parking lot of a strip mall. The two vehicles began doing donuts where they collided with each other, and the second vehicle left the scene. The victim was not injured but still shaken. He did not get any identifying details of the other vehicle. He stated the driver was a middle-aged white man.

Burglary reported

At 3:58 a.m. on Feb. 14, a report was made about a burglary at a business in the 20000 block of 10 Mile Road.

Several officers and a sergeant arrived on the scene. Officers observed pry marks to the front doors of the business and an alarm was going off inside. The keyholders and owners, a 68-year-old man and a 30-year-old man, arrived at the scene and turned off the alarm. The surveillance footage reportedly showed a white vehicle coming east on 10 Mile. Three people exited the vehicle once in the parking lot and they wore dark outfits, medical masks and gloves. The pry bar was used to gain entry to the front door.

The suspects took multiple reels of lottery tickets, vape pens and vape cartridges. A person was seen walking outside of the building west to east on 10 Mile and they were observed running to the vehicle. The vehicle then exited the parking lot and traveled west on 10 Mile toward Interstate 94.

The owners were given incident numbers and said they would inventory to see what they were missing.

— Alyssa Ochss

Economy

from page 7A

with all of you in the room here.”

As a member of UHY’s audit and assurance department, Alongi advises public and private clients regarding their finances and operations. Alongi specified the economy’s success rests on growing and attracting knowledge. Last year, Alongi predicted the economy would be like a rollercoaster, but it ended up more like a merry-go-round.

“The data that we presented showed a mixed bag,” he said. “It shows how resilient our economy is. We’re really excited we were able to drive through that. How did

we make our way through that? The reality is that consumers were resilient. Demand could not be broken. It ties into a strong fiscal spending.

“We have some excess inventories to work off. When I look at ’24 and from what I have seen with our clients, backlogs are strong, releases are strong. We have more job openings than we have individuals,” Alongi said. “The data is showing a kind of return to normalcy this year. Manufacturing, every report I see is that employment is up and opportunities are up.”

Alongi indicated colleges and businesses owners need to come together.

“I want to see more collaboration of

See ECONOMY on page 20A

Photo by Patricia O’Blenes

“I want to see more collaboration of industry with the schools and you’re seeing some of it,” said Thomas Alongi, a partner with the UHY accounting firm, right. “The skills that are needed today will be different than the skills of tomorrow. When I look at 2024, we have more job openings than individuals.” Also pictured are Vicky Rowinski, director of Macomb County’s Department of Planning & Economic Development, left, and Brian Parthum, an economist with the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments, center.

COMMUNITY BRIEFS

New storytime sessions announced

The St. Clair Shores Public Library Youth Services Department has announced another round of storytime sessions for children to enjoy.

The new sessions begin the week of March 4 and run through the week of April 1.

Morning storytime for children of all ages will be held on Wednesdays at 9:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.

Evening storytime for children of all ages will be held on Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m.

Baby storytime for children up to 18 months will be on Thursdays at 9:30 a.m.

Registration is required and is available online at scslibrary.org, in person, via phone at (586) 771-9020 or via email at SCSYouth@libcoop.net.

Adults must stay with children at all storytime sessions.

Outdoor

from page 10A

The soil types can vary in this area depending on how close you are to a body of water, according to Lowenstein.

“Streams have been channeled, and they’re now underground,” Lowenstein said. “Where your house is now could have once been a wetland or had a stream nearby, and that can impact the soil type.”

The right plant for the right place is as simple as a couple of clicks of the mouse, according to Kiser. Homeowners can do research on the internet into the kind of soil they have and what plants are optimal in that environment. The MSU Extension Office also has soil testers that give the nutrient composition of the soil. The testers are available in the office or online for purchase. For more information, see homesoiltest.msu.edu.

Kiser created an outdoor office during the COVID-19 pandemic and continues to enjoy it today as it draws colorful migrating birds, butterflies and a fox.

— Alyssa Ochss

“The office has turned into a bit of an interaction with nature,” Kiser said. “It’s a disturbance I like.”

“Whatever you have, work with it.” Kiser said. That can include everything from a potted plant on a terrace to sprawling acres with plants, bushes, flowers, fruit trees and vegetables.

A beautiful outdoor garden can attract unwanted visitors. Deer love tender young plants and flowers. According to Lowenstein, it is difficult to keep the deer away completely unless there is a high fence or other barrier.

Deer typically avoid holly and ornamental grasses, according to Lowenstein. Catmint also deters deer with its fragrant scent and fuzzy leaves. Deer usually do not eat plants with hairy leaves like lamb’s ear.

Lowenstein suggests covering new plants and flowers with a cage to keep the deer away, at least until the new plants have been in the ground a month or two.

A lush green lawn can be a highlight of a beautiful outdoor space.

“Lawns look green when their fertilSee OUTDOOR on page 26A

Detect to Protect: Full-body MRI scans now available in South eld

Early detection is crucial when it comes to cancer because screening for early signs of disease not only creates opportunities for e ective treatment but also signi cantly improves survival odds. Yet many individuals only discover they have cancer after symptoms develop, and that often means it has already progressed to Stage 3 or 4, or possibly metastasized to other parts of the body.

at’s exactly what unfolded for the late Warren Ringold, M.D., founder of Bionicc Body Screening — and the reason why he became passionate about helping others avoid the su ering he faced due to his own late-stage cancer diagnosis.

“My father was a family physician for over 40 years, and he started a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) clinic that focused on imaging for sports and auto accident injuries,” said Ryan Ringold, who joined the company as director last September with a mission to carry on his father’s legacy. “He became short of breath while he was at work one day in 2018, left for the hospital, and was diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer. It required aggressive treatment, which led to cruel side e ects but, thankfully, put the disease in remission for a year. en it resurfaced as a brain tumor, and he faced another brutal battle that resulted in a second remission. My father was a ghter, and we were blessed to have had a lot of extra moments to cherish with him, but he contracted pneumonia and passed away last summer.”

Back around the time of his cancer treatment, Dr. Ringold started hearing about companies in Canada that were performing full-body MRI screenings. Ryan recalled that this piqued his father’s interest, and he wondered what his outcome might have been had he gotten into his own MRI machine a year earlier and discovered his cancer in the early stages when it was much more treatable.

at realization compelled Dr. Ringold to convert his MRI clinic into a place where people could get preventive full-body MRI screenings.

“Full-body MRIs screen from the top of the head to about mid-thigh,” Ryan explained. “ e technology is capable of detecting tumors as small as a pea, or from 1 to 1.5 centimeters. It also detects early signs of multiple sclerosis, aneurysms, kidney stones, degenerative disc disease of the spine, liver disease — literally hundreds of di erent abnormalities. e hope is to detect early so that the prognosis is better.”

It is crucial, however, to understand that MRIs are

MRI machines use magnets and emit no radiation.

an additional tool and not a replacement for routine screenings like colonoscopies and mammograms. Even with the advancements in full-body scans, the screenings ordered annually by a patient’s physician remain irreplaceable for comprehensive health monitoring.

“People tell us they’ve been waiting for something like this and cannot believe full-body MRIs are nally available right here in Michigan,” Ryan said. “My father was determined to make this service available to anyone who wants it. He was a very beloved man, and his spirit is de nitely still with us.”

Call before March 31 and get a $200 discount on a full-body MRI screening.

Bionicc Body Screening is located at 26550 Northwestern Hwy. in South eld. For more information or to schedule a consultation, call (833) 246-6422 or visit bioniccbodyscreening.com.

0404-2410

Site plan

from page 3A

mation letter from EGLE was received on Feb. 6, 2024.

Councilwoman Candice Rusie and Councilman John Caron were opposed to the extension. Councilwoman Linda Bertges was excused for the meeting.

The development plan, which included a request for a special land use and site plan approval, was presented before the council in March 2023 and tabled 5-2 with Rusie and Caron opposed. It was brought back to council in August 2023, where it was approved in a 5-2 vote, again with Rusie and Caron opposed.

City Manager Dustin Lent said the project engineer and the city staff met on Jan. 9 to discuss several changes, including those to the water distribution system, the fire suppression system and water service to the building.

“The project engineer was in agreement of the proposed changes and has subsequently submitted revised plans to CDI,” Lent said. “Construction documents were submitted also on Jan. 24 of 2024.”

Lent was not at the August meeting when the plan was approved. He said there was no way for the information to get to EGLE with the organization’s 90-day approval. Once EGLE received it, they had 20 days before they responded, Lent said.

“As when we approved this back on Aug. 21, even if they hadn’t done any of the cleanup or they had all the cleanup ready and submitted, EGLE would not have been able to get the information back in time,” Lent said.

The plan, which includes a four-story

building and rooftop lounge area, drew the ire of many residents who lived around the area. Many commented on the agenda item when it came back to the City Council the second time.

At the Feb. 20 meeting, one resident, Rick Zaremski, commented on the agenda item before the council voted on it. He stated that, when he was researching the item for the March meeting, he found information that stated that two of the five underground tanks from the gas station were removed in 1986.

“No record exists of the three remaining tanks ever being removed,” Zaremski said.

He also stated his second issue was that the language in the agenda for the February meeting said the development was four stories with a rooftop deck.

“The previous Planning Commission and City Council meetings have stated the condo was a five-story building with a rooftop clubhouse,” Zaremski said. “Has something changed in the plan?”

He went on to say the clubhouse would increase the height of the building and it should be considered a five-story building instead of a four-story building.

Lent said the requester has cleaned the site, they completed sampling of the entire site and they have radar technology to check for tanks under the site.

There are no remaining tanks according to Lent.

“The state does review all of this as well, so the state will make sure that site is 100% clean,” Lent said.

He added that, if EGLE decides the site is still contaminated, the city will notify the company.

Mayor Kip Walby also said there are no changes to the plan.

TENTATIVE

CO-ED:

WOMEN:

MEN:

Caron said he is a little perplexed.

“The city manager said, well, I wasn’t here. Well, perhaps if he was, he would have brought that that was never going to be possible to meet,” Caron said. “Except that was what the Planning Commission had recommended.”

He went on to say he did have discussions about where the language came from.

“To me, I think for anyone that’s developed large projects and had experience would have known that type of turnaround from EGLE wasn’t going to happen, but they agreed to it,” Caron said. “I’m guessing they would have agreed to anything being said just to get the project.”

St. Clair Shores City Councilman Dave Rubello said he voted for the project months ago and that he’s still for it.

“If it takes an extension to make sure safety and all that is brought to the highlight, I don’t care if it would take a year,” Rubello said.

He went on to say they need this type of housing in St. Clair Shores and that he understands there are residents who are unhappy with the project.

“This is a nice option for housing for people in St. Clair Shores,” Rubello said.

Call Staff Writer Alyssa Ochss at (586) 498-1103.

Golf course

from page 6A

“We could obviously go bigger if it gets bigger than that,” Crippen said. “But we can’t really order the clock and some of the other stuff until we sell the bricks. The bricks are paying for everything.”

Plans will start in the spring with the bushes and other vegetation surrounding the first tee. Once they sell the bricks, the clock will be built in July. The clock itself will take around four months to get built and installed, Crippen said.

Crippen said they are very excited for the renovations and the excitement was echoed at the council meeting on Feb. 20 as well as at the December meeting. Walby said the Golf Club was opened in 1975, making next year its 50-year anniversary. He also said they average around 50,000 rounds of golf on the course.

“Another great facility here in St. Clair Shores and they do a great job maintaining that,” Walby said.

There are four options for the bricks with prices ranging from $100 to $275 at different levels of customization. The size of the brick and the lines of text also vary.

Call Staff Writer Alyssa Ochss at (586) 498-1103.

MEN “D”

Economy

from page 17A

industry with the schools and you’re seeing some of it,” Alongi said. “The skills that are needed today will be different than the skills of tomorrow. When I look at 2024, we have more job openings than individuals.”

Parthum, who has studied economic trends in southeast Michigan since 1999, talked about electric vehicles. He said auto manufacturing is “critically important” and advised a dual growth strategy.

“It’s important that we, as economic developers, continue to help the automotive manufacturing in our region. It’s critically important to help them to continue the rapid change that is happening in the industry,”

Parade

from page 3A

on Harper though it is not without its challenges. Ellis said when they run the parade on Jefferson Avenue, they have the Chapaton Pump Station parking lot.

“When we do it over on Harper, we have to stage on the part of Harper south of Ridgeway and then back over behind what used to be Kapones in that parking lot,” Ellis said. “And then close a lot of Little Mack. The group’s more spread out and we’re using more city streets that are routinely in business.”

The parade awards for 2024 are Mayor’s Choice, Chairman’s Choice, Best Overall Entry, Best School Band, Best Color Guard, Best Patriotic Float, Best Band and Best Special Entry.

The parade committee plans on making their selections for Grand Marshall and Veteran of the Year in the next month and announcing those two people in April, Ellis said. There will also be a fundraiser on April 18 at the VFW Bruce Post. Tickets for the dinner will go on sale in mid-March.

Ellis said they are still working on the special guests for this year as well.

“We’ll have an announcement about that probably about April,” Ellis said.

The Parade Committee needs more volunteers, and they also have three vacancies on the committee itself.

“It was founded on patriotism, but it’s sustained really by the number of people that volunteer and the donations of folks to keep us going year to year,” Ellis said. “Because we don’t get any tax money or anything like that. It’s only money that we raise ourselves or people donate to us.”

Volunteers are needed mainly for Sun-

day, but volunteers are also needed to help set up on Saturday.

Councilman Dave Rubello, the St. Clair Shores City Council’s parade liaison, said they are full speed ahead. He assembles groups for the parade and is in the process of doing that.

“So I started already, early, trying to guarantee the best parade we’re going to see on the streets of St. Clair Shores,” Rubello said.

He also said the city as well as the Parade Committee is expecting a great parade. So far, they have around 60 groups signed up which he says is about right for the time of year.

Rubello has seen a lot of repeat entries, but they are always welcoming new groups. He also said for people and businesses to look out for a chance to join the “$100 Club” coming soon.

Ellis said he’s excited for the parade. Last year, an estimated 55,000 people showed up for parade day.

“We draw a lot of people from outside of St. Clair Shores,” Ellis said. “Because basically that’s the population of St. Clair Shores and we know not everybody in the city goes. So we know we have a big draw from other places, especially around the state.”

Ellis added that they run into people every year who come from out of state to see the parade. He also said they get great support from the city’s fire, police and parks and recreation departments.

“It’s amazing that we manage to do all this and put all this together in one day without a real rehearsal,” Ellis said. “You know, rehearsal for this year was last year’s parade.”

Last year, the only injury that occurred was a man who was dehydrated and fell off a vehicle. Ellis said the man was taken to the hospital, treated and released.

“Our first main focus is try to run a safe operation,” Ellis said. “It’s a challenge with a lot of people that aren’t rehearsed. There’s a lot of people, there’s a lot of big moving vehicles put in a small space kind of all at one time.”

Ellis went on to say their foremost priority is safety and having a great parade is secondary.

“It won’t be a great parade if somebody gets hurt,” Ellis said.

To become a committee member, email parade@scsmi.net for more information. To volunteer for the parade, email parade coordinator Maria Galla at mariavgalla@gmail. com.

Call Staff Writer Alyssa Ochss at (586) 498-1103.

From left, Vicky Rowinski, director of Macomb County’s Department of Planning & Economic Development; Brian Parthum, an economist with the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments; Thomas Alongi, a partner with the UHY accounting firm; and Ahmad Ezzeddine, vice president for Academic Student Affairs and Global Engagement at Wayne State University, discuss the current state of the economy.

Photo by Patricia O’Blenes See ECONOMY on page 25A

Pool

from page 12A

equipment would not have arrived in time for the summer.

“We did good work by ordering them ahead of time,” Harms said.

Harms also said this is the first time in his 23-year career they’ve been fully staffed with lifeguards before March 1. He attributes the success to the diligent work of Assistant Aquatics Manager Jeremy Schelosky.

Walby also did not want to gloss over this fact.

“It’s a real positive,” Walby said. “It’s very tough, too, getting lifeguards.”

Harms added that other communities have reached out to them asking St. Clair Shores to send them any extra lifeguard applicants.

Councilman Ronald Frederick, after the presentation, asked if there are safety features for the three intakes. Harms said the suction is pulling from three different places.

“And it’s not so intense where someone is going to get lodged against the grate,” Harms said.

Harms also said the water in the pool is now turned over every four hours instead of every eight hours, as it previously was.

“So throughout our working day and throughout the usage of the pool that water (is) being filtered when people are in it every four hours,” Harms said. “Which is fantastic for clarity and health of the water.”

St. Clair Shores City Councilman Dave Rubello commended Harms for his hard work in letting council know about the needed repairs.

“I think you do a wonderful job, and

your communication is, at least in my eyes, is perfect,” Rubello said.

Call Staff Writer Alyssa Ochss at (586) 498-1103.

Photo provided by Jason Harms

An aerial view shows the new pump house at the St. Clair Shores municipal pool.

Wrestling

from page 5A

Pope were consistently being pushed with six guys in the 165-pound weight class.

Pope held his own time and time again, and his 26-10 record reflected his work ethic and the adversity he overcame.

Even as seniors would lose their spots, they came back energized from a leadership perspective, mentoring the younger wrestlers in their own weight class.

Julien said seniors Max Mowrey, Anthony Gisevan, and Corion Lattimore were key veterans for the Huskies.

“We had seniors that weren’t the starters at their weight classes, and they were helping out the underclassmen who took their spot, stepping up and helping them out,” Julien said.

But as polarizing as the youthful Huskies were, Pope, senior Hayden Grainger and the junior class were as effective as a group can be.

Six Huskies tallied 25 or more wins as Grainger (31-6), junior Karl Monasterski (30-11), junior Ryan Doebler (26-16), junior Oliver Koepp (33-6), Pope (26-10) and Craft (40-3) put on a show. Grainger, Monasterski, Doebler, Koepp and Craft were all regional qualifiers for Lakeview.

Grainger, a four-year varsity wrestler, came into his own as a junior, and said he came into the season ready.

“Junior year, I really started to pay attention to what the coaches were saying and I really made a step up that year,” Grainger said. “I was only 180 last year as our starting 190, but we didn’t have a 215 or heavyweight (285) so I wrestled all three weight classes. Now as a senior, I made my way up to 215 and wrestled the 215 and the heavyweights.

It was kind of a kick in the butt every time I had to wrestle a heavyweight because these guys are 285 and way bigger than me, but I still did it for my team.”

Grainger said he has to adapt on the fly with what weight class he’s wrestling, utilizing a more conservative, defensive approach against heavyweights.

He has the talent to wrestle collegiately, but Grainger’s time as a coach for the Jefferson Middle School wrestling program has unlocked a passion for coaching wrestlers as well, especially having someone like Julien as his coach the past two seasons.

“I really built a relationship with him ( Julien),” Grainger said. “He really made me enjoy wrestling more than I did before because I made a bond with the coaches, and

- In Loving Memory ofWilliam Herald Mills Jr.

William Herald Mills Jr., age 98, July 31, 1925 ~ February 22, 2024. William, the only son of Helen and William Mills was born in Marquette, Michigan and moved to St Clair Shores at a young age. He went to South Lake High School then graduated early to serve in the United States Army from March 29, 1944 until May 29, 1946. He met his future wife (Harriet Taylor) while attending Radio School. Tey were married 62+ years. Tey adopted a daughter (Jane) in 1958 when she was 6 months old. He worked at Western Union Telegraph Co for 32 years as a Communications Electronic Technician. After his retirement, he and his wife enjoyed years of traveling and participating in the Antique Radio Club. He will be missed by many. Interment took place at Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Detroit, Michigan. Services were already held. Arrangements entrusted to Kaul Funeral Home St. Clair Shores Chapel.

I really love my coaches so much. I wouldn’t do anything wrestling without them. I like having them in my corner.”

While Craft looks to end his junior season with a strong showing at the state finals, Lakeview will regroup for the 2024-2025

campaign behind a loaded senior class and a slew of young talent.

From what the Huskies have shown recently, don’t be surprised to see them in the district finals again, or even competing for a regional title.

Photo provided by Lakeview wrestling

St. Clair Shores Lakeview celebrates a team district championship win on Feb. 7 at Grosse Pointe South High School.

St. Germaine

from page 1A

Krystal Moore, a parent of a St. Germaine student, said at the time of publication they had received $187,900 in donations and $156,000 in pledges with the total amount being $343,900.

“This remarkable accomplishment speaks volumes about the dedication and support within our community,” Maciejewski said to parents in her email. “I extend my heartfelt gratitude to each and every one of you who contributed to this achievement.”

Their next goal is to hit the needed 150-student enrollment threshold by the March 1 deadline. Several open houses were hosted since the needed goals were announced to parents in an email on Feb. 13.

“I think that the goal is obtainable. We just have to hit it by March 1,” Moore said.

In the email sent on Feb. 26, Maciejewski said they have received deposit checks for 110 students with around 138 families expressing interest in enrolling in the school.

“However, it’s important to note that, in order to be officially counted by the Archdiocese, it’s imperative to submit your deposit,” Maciejewski wrote to parents. “Your verbal affirmation alone won’t suffice in this regard.”

She urged parents to complete the deposit within 48 hours.

Moore also said, while there are no upcoming open houses scheduled, parents and families can ask for private tours of the school or host a shadow day.

“A shadow day is where you get to come and be a student for the day, and they would be able to contact the school office to schedule a shadow day,” Moore said.

Moore said the parents weren’t really sure what to expect when they started fundraising to save the school. She said they’re humbled by the support of the community, local businesses, alumni and current families.

“Honestly, I don’t think anyone ever expected to be in this position,” Moore said. “It’s been very overwhelming, that outpour from the community.”

The emotions brought on by the support have reached both the parents and the students attending the school. Moore said it was interesting seeing her fifth-grade daughter Emma Moore displaying emotions and helping out with events such as the recent “hair-a-thon.”

“Even our youngest people to our oldest people are very, very involved and invested. So it’s wonderful,” Moore said.

Moore said some of those families who

Tuition

from page 8A

• Affiliate rates, which are students living in areas not served by a community college district, increase from $143 to $146.

were uncertain if they were going to re-enroll in the school have gained interest in enrolling their students again. She understands the difficult decisions they have to make as parents.

“I think that knowing that you are in a community where everyone is stepping up for your child has been kind of that deciding factor for a lot of families that may have been uncertain,” Moore said.

Maciejewski expressed her gratitude to the parents.

“Once again, I want to express my deepest appreciation to everyone who has contributed to our progress thus far,” Maciejewski said. “Together, we’re making remarkable strides towards our shared vision.”

Moore said she is feeling optimistic and hopeful for the future of St. Germaine. She would also like to thank everyone in the community.

“Whether it’s a neighbor or a business or just a family,” Moore said. “We are beyond grateful for the support and continued support.”

For more information about enrollment, contact the school at (586) 771-0890.

• Early college/dual enrollment rates increase from $106 to $108.

According to college officials, 76% of the college’s students are Macomb County residents.

Call Staff Writer Maria Allard at (586) 498-1045.

Photo by Patricia O’Blenes

Patrons gather at Modern Cone in St. Clair Shores for a fundraiser on Feb. 26 to support St. Germaine Catholic School.

Economy

from page 20A

Parthum said. “At the same time, continue to diversify your economy and leverage those knowledge-based jobs. Professional and technical services, financial activities, management of companies and information. These are jobs that mostly require a bachelor degree or more.”

He also said the county gained 24,000 jobs in the last three years.

“I’m not saying that’s going to continue three years into the future, but it’s really encouraging,” Parthum said. “When I looked at those numbers, what was actually growing were the knowledge-based jobs, information, financial activities, professional services and management of companies all combined added 15,000 to 16,000 jobs of those 24,000 jobs.”

With “some funding through the state of Michigan,” Rowinski said she and her team have been conducting a “talent attraction” campaign in an effort to attract people from out of state to Macomb County.

“We’ve looked at top engineering colleges throughout the country and which of those colleges are actually producing more engineers, more professional severe degree individuals than there are jobs available in that area,” Rowinski said. “We also pulled together a roundtable with some of our business leaders that represent the aerospace industry.”

Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel, who provided the welcoming remarks, shared his thoughts on Macomb County’s manufacturing future. He said there are 1,600 manufacturing facilities in the county.

“I think our biggest challenge is making sure that we’re providing the talent for these facilities,” Hackel said. “That seems to be the void right now. How do we find people for the jobs that are available in manufacturing.”

“We knew the ‘silver tsunami’ was happening. This is looking at the number of seniors that are hitting retirement age,” Rowinski said. “Our youth, our Gen Xs, our millennials do not meet the number of retirees that are hitting 55 and up age.”

Call Staff Writer Maria Allard at (586) 498-1045.

Outdoor

from page 18A

ity needs are met,” Lowenstein said. “What I mean by that is, when there is a sufficient amount of nitrogen available to them.”

Fertilizer can add nitrogen to the lawn, but err on the side of caution and do not overfertilize, Lowenstein said. Slow-release fertilizer can be used less frequently than the fast-release variety, because slow-release continues to release nutrients.

Although metro Detroit had some unseasonably warm days in February, according to Lowenstein, the time to seed and plant will be in April.

“We could still have days that could bring us freezes, frosts or even snow,” Lowenstein said. “You don’t want to be fooled by Mother Nature and plant too early.”

Now the lawn can be mowed and any debris cleared. In a few weeks, the lawn will be ready to aerate, which involves punching holes into the ground, and to scarify, which creates grooves in the soil for grass seed to penetrate, protecting it from birds, according to Kiser. Kiser said to order plants, hardscapes and pools and arrange for labor now, because they may be more difficult to come by later in the season.

Call Staff Writer Gena Johnson at (586) 498-1069.

Photo provided by TurfMutt Foundation

“Backyarding” champions the outdoors and creates the spaces for one’s particular needs.

Furniture Bank

from page 15A

to hire professional movers to safely remove furniture.

“It’s such a great nonprofit,” Van Haitsma said. “We’re providing furniture and beds for people who are trying to get back on their feet.”

In some cases, the people helped by the Furniture Bank are individuals who are moving from a homeless shelter into their own apartment or home. In other cases, they’re people starting over after escaping from an abusive relationship.

Boyle said their clients are excited to leave shelters for their own dwelling — until

Over the last year, the Furniture Bank of Southeastern Michigan has supplied more than 800 children in metro Detroit with beds, including Nehemiah, of Pontiac, who’s thrilled with his.

they realize they were more comfortable in the shelter because, at least there, they had a bed.

“It’s stressful,” Boyle said of sleeping on the floor. “It’s not comfortable. It’s not good for your mental or physical health.”

Boyle said they’re trying to provide people with a stable, dignified life. Studies show there are higher rates of attention deficit disorder and obesity in children who don’t get adequate sleep.

“It’s really important that families get what they need when they need it and they don’t go through any more distress,” Boyle said.

To donate or for more information, visit www.furniture-bank.org or call (248) 3321300.

Photo provided by the Furniture Bank of Southeastern Michigan

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Our Name Says It All...

586-825-3333

or zihc5@sbcglobal.net, milupus.org/events/ bowloutlupus2024

APRIL 5 Spring Fling: Presented by Grosse Pointe South Choir, includes dinner, live entertainment and silent auction, Blossom Heath, 24800 Jefferson Ave. in St Clair Shores, gpsouthchoir.org

ONGOING

Fish fries: 4-8 p.m. Fridays until March 29, Cpl. Walter F. Bruce VFW Post 1146, 28404 Jefferson Ave. in St. Clair Shores, dine in and carryout, cash only (ATM on site), vfw1146brucepost.org

• 4-7:30 p.m. Fridays until March 29, Our Lady of Hope Parish, 28301 Little Mack Ave. in St. Clair Shores, dine in and carryout, olohscs. org, (586) 771-1750

• 4:30-8 p.m. Fridays until March 22, St. Isaac Jogues, 21100 Madison St. in St. Clair Shores, saintisaacjogues.com, (586)

MARCH 8

Night at the Races

fundraiser: Hosted by St. Clair Shores Fire Fighters Local 1744 to fight cancer, includes dinner, drinks and virtual horse betting, 21 and older, 7 p.m.-midnight, Blossom Heath Inn, 24800 Jefferson Ave. in St. Clair Shores, facebook.com/ stclairshoresfirefighters, scsffulocal1744@gmail.com

month, St. Clair Shores Public Library, 22500 11 Mile Road, scslibrary. org/bookdiscussion.html

Overeaters Anonymous meetings: 10-11 a.m. Saturdays, St. Margaret of Scotland, 21201 E. 13 Mile Road in St. Clair Shores, (586) 2932240

Sweet Mountain Strings: Dulcimer music group for all levels, 10:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m. Tuesdays, Big Family of Michigan, Suite 1, 23500 Pare St. in St. Clair Shores, (586) 777-4602

Lakeshore Ukulele Strummers: Jam sessions for all levels, 1:30-3:30 p.m. Wednesdays, Lakeshore Presbyterian Church, 27801 Jefferson Ave. in St. Clair Shores, (586) 321-9535

older, 7 p.m. Mondays, spring concert May 2, Triumphant Cross Lutheran Church, 22360 13 Mile Road, scscommunitychorus.org, (586) 980-5844

Lakeside Palette Club of St. Clair Shores: Open studio events, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Tuesdays, St. Clair Shores Adult Education Center inside North Lake High School, 23340 Elmira, (586) 944-8253, LPCofSCS@ gmail.com, lakesidepaletteclub.org

Book Discussion Group: Meets 1 p.m. every second Wednesday of

Health workshops: For chronic pain, high blood pressure and more, hosted by Corewell Health, free and virtual, beaumonthealth. digitalsignup.com

• For high blood pressure (6-7:30 p.m. Mondays until March 11), diabetes (6-8 p.m. Mondays until March 11) and kidney disease (1-3 p.m. Wednesdays until March 20), free and virtual, nkfm.org/PATH, www.mihealthyprograms.org

Lupus support groups: 10 a.m. every second Tuesday of month and 7 p.m. every last Wednesday, Zoom, (248) 901-7299, milupus.org/ support-groups

Fire leads to discovery of mushroom grow operation

EASTPOINTE — According to a police report, the Eastpointe police assisted the Eastpointe Fire Department on a structure fire Feb. 5 at a location in the 23000 block of Schroeder Avenue, south of Stephens Road, during which officers observed a mushroom grow operation in the basement. The Eastpointe Special Investigations Unit then conducted a search warrant and arrested one person for the manufacturing of psilocybin mushrooms, with about 1 pound of mushrooms seized. Investigations were ongoing

Cars stolen from repair shop

EASTPOINTE — According to a police report, a vehicle repair shop in the area of Eight Mile and Kelly roads was broken into overnight Feb. 10. Two vehicles that were left for service were driven through repair doors and stolen. Surveillance video was obtained. The stolen vehicles are a gray 2018 Dodge Durango and a gray 2017 Chrysler 300. Police were investigating.

Police say they stopped

2 scams at the same time

SHELBY TOWNSHIP — While investigating a possible scam in progress Jan. 21, officers with the Shelby Township Police Department believe they prevented a second scam from also being successful.

Police said they were aware of a suspected scam in which a person planned to come to an 88-year-old Shelby Township resident’s home to pick up $8,400 in cash. Detectives set up surveillance of the resident’s home and soon observed a woman driving for the ridesharing company Lyft pull into the resident’s driveway. Police detained the woman and then released her when they were sure that an unknown person was using the woman, who had no knowledge of the scam, to pick up the money.

Police said that they were continuing to investigate who was responsible for the attempted scam against the resident.

While the detectives were guarding against the $8,400 scam, they saw a suspicious Ram pickup truck slowly driving in the area. Police said that they saw the truck park in a driveway down the street and a man in his 30s talk to the homeowner, 84, in the driveway.

The two talked for a half-hour before they went in the home. Detectives went to the home and spoke to the homeowner to ask what was going on. The homeowner reportedly said that the man in his 30s randomly approached him and talked about doing cement repairs. Police said two more men were in the pickup truck.

men were identified as scam artists known to law enforcement in the metro Detroit area. Shelby Township police said that typically while one distracts a homeowner, another suspect enters the home and steals money and valuables. Shelby Township police said that they often target senior citizens.

Police arrested two of the suspects, one for a valid felony warrant and the other for soliciting without a permit, police said. One of the suspects, police said, had recently pleaded guilty to defrauding a senior citizen of more than $50,000, but the suspect was not sentenced to jail time.

Break-in reported ST. CLAIR SHORES — At 3:18 a.m. on Feb. 4, a report was made about a forced entry of a dealership that occurred at 2:50 a.m. on the same day in the 22000 block of Nine Mile Road.

Upon arrival, an officer observed a red vehicle in the middle of Lakeview Street. The garage door at the north entrance of the business was damaged.

The red vehicle was reported stolen out of Detroit, per dispatch. The officer then made contact with a 66-year-old man who stated he received a call from an alarm company. He initially thought it was just related to staff cleaning the location but checked out the scene anyway. The man observed the red vehicle blocking Lakeview Street with the engine still on once he arrived. The brother of the man arrived at the dealership and provided the officers with security footage showing the red vehicle traveling eastbound toward the north entrance garage. It then reversed and four suspects exited the vehicle.

They reportedly made entry into the business and attempted to steal one of the showroom vehicles. One of the suspects reportedly ripped the alarm system off the wall. The suspects then allegedly ran through the business rummaging through the offices before gaining entry to three vehicles that already had keys inside near the service entrance/exit. All three vehicles were driven toward the north entrance of the garage as one of the suspects held up the damaged garage door to let the others out of the business.

Inside the red vehicle were 34 stolen key fobs that were taken for evidence. An evidence technician processed the scene and the investigation was ongoing.

Police investigate fleeing and eluding, stolen vehicle ST. CLAIR SHORES — At 1:18 a.m. on Feb. 3, a report was made about a fleeing and eluding case and a stolen vehicle investigation near 11 Mile Road and Interstate 94.

reporting that a car hit a sign near the freeway at that location. The caller stated that when they were about to exit onto 11 Mile Road, the vehicle lost a tire. There was also a report that Eastpointe had similar circumstances with a recent stolen vehicle in that city.

Once on scene, officers didn’t see any property damage, but they did find a loose tire near the flower bed by the “Welcome to St. Clair Shores” sign. When they headed westbound on 11 Mile from Little Mack, they found a vehicle with its hazard lights on driving eastbound.

The vehicle was gold in color and was missing a tire. As the officers got closer, the vehicle proceeded to turn to enter an eastbound entrance ramp. The officers checked the license plate and it was indeed the stolen vehicle from Eastpointe. An officer activated the lights and aired the location on the radio. The vehicle initially pulled to the shoulder but when the two officers stepped out of their vehicle, the driver took off.

After a pursuit on the highway, the vehicle crashed behind a business at 12 Mile and Congress Street. The driver, a 22-year-old man, and two passengers, a 22-year-old man and a 28-year-old man, exited the vehicle and fled the scene. After a pursuit on foot, two of the men were found in two different backyards and one was found in a truck bed with the help of residents. There were two other passengers in the vehicle who stated they didn’t know the vehicle was stolen.

Leaf raker is possible suspect in breaking and entering GROSSE POINTE WOODS — Jewelry and other items were reported stolen from a home in the 500 block of North Brys Drive at around 2:15 p.m. Feb. 8. The victim discovered that someone had broken into the home through a back door and made off with the items. According to a police report, an unknown male was seen at the home raking leaves the afternoon of this incident, but no one at the home had hired anyone to do any yardwork.

Home invasion under investigation

GROSSE POINTE PARK — An unknown suspect is said to have tried to break into a home in the 600 block of Middlesex Road at around 8:55 p.m. Feb. 6. The victim, who discovered damage to the back door, told police that nothing appeared to have been stolen. Police said the homeowner might have startled the intruder upon returning to the residence. Police said a surveillance camera caught what might be the suspect lurking around the back of the house

ongoing.

Woman sought for using counterfeit cash GROSSE POINTE CITY — An unknown woman is being sought by police after she reportedly used counterfeit money to make three separate purchases from a Village store in the 17000 block of Kercheval Avenue at around 11:10 a.m. Feb. 9. A police report states that the suspect made her purchases with fake $100 bills.

Driver found with gun, crack GROSSE POINTE FARMS — Police pulled over a 54-year-old Grosse Pointe Park man in the area of Mack Avenue and Broadstone Road at around 12:03 p.m. Feb. 10 after a check of his license plate showed that his registration was expired. Police asked the driver if there was anything in the vehicle they should be aware of and the driver said no, and when asked if there were any weapons in the vehicle, he also said no.

However, when police inventoried the contents of his vehicle before impounding it, they found what appeared to be crack cocaine, a burnt glass pipe, a handgun and ammunition. The driver was arrested and is facing possible charges including possession of crack and driving a vehicle without registration or insurance. Police said the driver’s gun was registered to him, but he didn’t have a permit to carry a concealed weapon.

Tequila

about the alleged theft. Police said one of the women handed over a $100 bill to the