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SPOTLIGHT ON HEALTH 8A

Upcoming budget sees losses to fund pensions

BY DEAN VAGLIA dvaglia@candgnews.com

CLINTON TOWNSHIP — A preliminary budget forecast for Clinton Township’s upcoming fiscal years shows general fund spending dipping into the red as a result of additional retirement expenditures. However, the city’s finances are expected to be back in the black within a few years.

On March 3, the Clinton Township Board of Trustees got its chance to look at the first presented draft of the township’s fiscal year 2025-26 budget. The board also opened a public hearing to let residents and stakeholders comment about the details of the proposed budget.

Though no attendees took up the offer at the meeting — and the hearing was left open for residents to send in their thoughts ahead of the March 17 board meeting — Clinton Township Finance Director Mary Hein guided trustees through highlights of the budget as presented.

The general fund is expected to see expenditures

See BUDGET on page 5A

SELFRIDGE PLAYS HOST TO HISTORIC AIR RACE

BY DEAN VAGLIA dvaglia@candgnews.com

HARRISON TOWNSHIP — On the morning of March 6, six F-22 Raptor jets of the 1st Fighter Wing took off from Langley Air Force Base in Virginia on a mission nearly 90 years in the making.

Their target: Selfridge Air National Guard Base, an airfield located just off the shores of Lake St. Clair. Their goal: victory at all costs.

So began the 2025 edition of the Mitchell Trophy Air Race, a long-dormant test of speed and skill that traces its very beginnings to the

See AIR RACE on page 14A

An F-22 Raptor of the 94th Fighter

al Guard Base on March 6. Pilots from the 94th, 27th and 71st squadrons flew into Selfridge as part of the Mitchell Trophy Air Race, a historic trophy first awarded to Selfridge-based units in the 1920s and 1930s, now revived as a cross-country training mission for the 1st Fighter Wing. ABOVE: Members of the 94th Fighter Squadron at Langley Air Force Base celebrate winning the 2025 running of the Mitchell Trophy Air Race on March 6. The race saw pilots from the 1st Fighter Wing

their way from Langley to Selfridge Air National Guard Base and

Photo by Tech. Sgt. Andrew Schumann, 127th Wing

TOP:

Squadron takes off from Selfridge Air Nation-

navigate

back to Langley.

Photo by Tech. Sgt. Matthew Coleman-Foster, 1st Fighter Wing

by Dean Vaglia

Clinton Township PD to host social worker

BY DEAN VAGLIA dvaglia@candgnews.com

CLINTON TOWNSHIP — A plan to add a social worker to the Clinton Township Police Department’s headquarters was announced Feb. 28.

The announcement came several days after the Clinton Township Board of Trustees gave its approval to the department to subcontract with CARE of Southeast Michigan to provide a police social worker at the department’s 37985 S. Groesbeck Highway headquarters. The social worker position will be covered by a $675,000 Department of Justice grant awarded in 2023. Funding for the program is set for about the next four years.

Township Supervisor Paul Gieleghem cited Laura Cardamone, former township trustee, as the inspiration behind the police social worker role.

“Laura believed that having someone on the backend with the right training who can call, listen, make assessments and, hopefully, ensure that individuals and families in crisis can receive the care they need by assessing the resources — that are often already available — could have a measurable impact,” Gieleghem said. “We also believe that this program can provide the added bonus of freeing up officers to be able to do what they do best: protecting public safety. But we also know that once they’ve left the scene, someone will be available to follow up and provide assistance.”

BLEVINS CHOSEN AS 2024 FIREFIGHTER OF THE YEAR

BY ALYSSA OCHSS aochss@candgnews.com

HARRISON TOWNSHIP — Sgt. Joe Blevins was named the Harrison Township Fire Department’s 2024 Firefighter of the Year at the township’s Board of Trustees meeting March 10.

Friends, family members and colleagues were there to witness the presentation and celebrate with him.

Blevins started his career at the Harrison Township Fire Department in 2016. He said the award was a surprise. He compared getting the award to getting caught off guard by residents buying food or coffee for him in public,

and he said it’s nice.

“I work with a lot of really talented, great guys, hard-working guys,” Blevins said. “Yeah, anybody here could receive this award. Super humbled by it.”

He was promoted to sergeant in early 2024 and was given the responsibility of maintaining the department’s EMS equipment. He purchases it, communicates with different suppliers and representatives and more. He also rides with his crew when they’re going to fires and makes sure they’re OK, Blevins said.

He said the job can be stressful, with late nights, and sometimes there are problems going on at home that he can’t handle right away.

See BLEVINS on page 12A

Clinton Township Police Chief Dina Caringi speaks at a press conference announcing the coming addition of an embedded social worker at the Clinton Township Police Department Feb. 28.

Photo

Photos by Alyssa Ochss

ABOVE: Fire Chief David Bostater presents the Harrison Township Fire Department 2024 Firefighter of the Year award to Sgt. Joe Blevins at the township board’s meeting March 10. LEFT: Sgt. Joe Blevins poses for a picture with his Harrison Township Fire Department 2024 Firefighter of the Year award.

NEWS & NOTES

HARRISON TOWNSHIP BOARD OF TRUSTEES APPROVES FIREFIGHTER TRAINING

HARRISON TOWNSHIP — The Harrison Township Board of Trustees approved a $5,000 request from the Fire Department to complete flashover training at Macomb Community College. They passed the request in a 6-0 vote. Trustee Brian Batkins was excused for this meeting.

Fire Chief David Bostater said they will be the first Fire Department to use the flashover trailer and facility. The training will cover all firefighters, and Bostater said the price comes at a discount because they are the first department to try it out.

“As much as we train and simulate it doesn’t really speak to what we do,” Bostater said. “We go through the actions, we can simulate, we can blackout our masks to try to simulate that of a fire. But when you’re a brand-new firefighter or someone who hasn’t experienced a fire in a while, it’s very important to train with live fire.”

Trustee Liza Brown asked if the training will be completed annually and Bostater said they could complete it semiannually or annually, but that it’s something they have to discuss.

EASTER EGG HUNT PLANNED

New tenants announced for Partridge Creek

CLINTON TOWNSHIP — The Mall at Partridge Creek announced on March 12 that seven new tenants are expected to open up in the shopping center throughout early 2025.

“The Mall at Partridge Creek continues to expand the shopping and dining experiences available to our visitors,” said Carmen Spinoso, CEO of Spinoso Real Estate Group. “Partridge Creek offers an in-demand space where both innovative local entrepreneurs and established national brands can connect with customers.”

Stores and tenants planned to move in this year include Zumies, Bold Label, Klaysh Floret, Kiki Kafé, Masala Grill, Mr. Miguel’s Mexican Grill & Cantina and The B-12 Store.

L’ANSE CREUSE BOARD MEMBER RESIGNS

CLINTON TOWNSHIP — Andrew Parski, a trustee on the L’Anse Creuse Public Schools Board of Education, announced his resignation from the board effective March 9.

The school board has 30 days to appoint a new board member and began accepting applications on March 11 from L’Anse Creuse district residents aged 18 years and older. Interviews for the position are scheduled to begin March 19.

A teacher for Center Line Public Schools by day, Parski was elected to the L’Anse Creuse school board in November 2024. Parski was the top vote-getter with 8,763 votes cast in support of him.

Macomb County sports fan honored by proclamation

LANSING — For years, Andy Isaac built camaraderie among his fellow Detroit sports fans through his @WorldofIsaac social media accounts. As sports fans and community members have mourned the Sterling Heights native’s death to Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in early March, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer issued a proclamation dubbing March 8, 2025, as “Faturday” in honor of Isaac.

Isaac’s tradition of #Faturday posts highlighted various restaurants around the metro Detroit area, with the proclamation itself shouting out Sweetwater Tavern’s wings, and pizza from Michigan & Trumbull.

HARRISON TOWNSHIP — Members of the Harrison Township Firefighters Local 1737 will host their annual Easter egg hunt starting at 10 a.m. on April 5.

This event is for kids 12 and younger. Activities start at 10 a.m. and the hunt starts promptly at 11 a.m. Kids must bring their own Easter basket to collect eggs. Other features include pictures with the Easter Bunny and Sparky the Fire Dog, games and more. Find a golden egg and get a special prize.

This event will take place at the L’Anse Creuse High School football field located at 38495 L’Anse Creuse Road. For more information, call the Fire Department at (586) 466-1450.

“Faturday celebrates not only a passion for food but also the vibrant fan culture that defines Michigan’s sporting spirit and brings Michiganders together,” the proclamation reads.

Compost service starts in April

HARRISON TOWNSHIP — At their meeting on March 10, Harrison Township Supervisor Kenneth Verkest reminded residents that compost services don’t start until April. Anything placed outside for pickup sooner than that will not be picked up.

| (586) 489-8117 | drubello@candgnews.com

| (586) 498-1032 | kboz@candgnews.com

and Obits: (586) 498-1099

Budget

outpace revenues in the upcoming budget, with a loss of $1.9 million expected on the back of $25.2 million in revenues and $27.1 million in expenditures. Part of the deficit is the result of the township ramping up its additional contributions to the state’s Municipal Employees’ Retirement System pension program, which will see additional annual contributions in the range of $3 million for the next few fiscal years.

“The board has prudently elected to make additional contributions to fund the liabilities,” Hein said.

“The projections assume the additional contributions will continue to be made through the (202728) fiscal year, after which we currently expect the unfunded liability will be paid and we can return to making just the required contributions.”

The additional MERS contributions are assumed to be equal to the required contribution amount for each year. Even with the expected loss, the general fund would have a fund balance of $21.2 million at the end of the 2025-26 fiscal year. This would roughly be a $2 million decrease from the 2024-25 fiscal year.

Losses are also expected in the police fund and capital improvement revolving fund. Gains are expected in the fire fund, sanitation fund, senior housing fund and the water and sewer fund.

To look over the full budget, visit clintontownship.com/129/Agendas-Minutes where it can be found under item four in the March 3 meeting packet. Residents can contact the finance department at m.hein@clintontownship-mi.gov or by calling (586) 286-9353 extension 8001.

The budget will be discussed and likely voted on at the March 17 meeting.

Inclusive playground plaque

Trustees also approved the placement of signs acknowledging donors to the township’s inclusive playground. The signs will be placed on the fence surrounding the playground.

“This was started as a committee that was formed by the board, but they said, ‘Go out and raise the money for it,’” Clinton Township Supervisor Paul Gieleghem said. “We started with private donations, received grant funding from the state and then, as the costs continued to escalate because construction costs were going up dramatically, the board … used federal infrastructure money.

“We did have a general fund commitment to the inclusive playground but, because this was a donor effort, the committee would like to recognize many of those big donors,” Gieleghem said.

No budget amendments are required to install the signs, which Public Services Director Mary Bednar said costs less than $1,000.

Call Staff Writer Dean Vaglia at (586) 498-1043.

Social worker

from page 3A

The social worker will be employed by CARE, which is currently looking for someone to fill the role. The social worker will be based at the Police Department on a full-time basis.

“(The police social worker) will be embedded, meaning they will be sitting in the Police Department five days a week during a designated (schedule) to be able to support the runs of the police officers, whether it is that person going out to address an issue or the police officers are coming back and saying, ‘Hey, this happened, and this family or this household may benefit from additional support,’” said Dominique Schroeder, CARE chief program officer.

The social worker program is the most recent embedded community partnership made by the Clinton Township Police Department in recent years. The department began working with Mount Clemens-based anti-domestic violence organization Turning Point around four years ago, while representatives from the probation office are available on a weekly basis to provide assistance to residents currently on probation.

“Partnerships are critical to work together to have a positive impact on the community,” Clinton Township Police Chief Dina Caringi said. “The department needs these community partners to ensure we are using all of our resources to problem-solve and to help people live their best lives, and we know that we can’t do it alone.”

Caringi said the social worker may also receive referrals from the Clinton Township Fire Department when it encounters anyone needing assistance.

Call Staff Writer Dean Vaglia at (586) 498-1043.

‘Savage’ marks new ground for Chippewa Valley Drama Club

BY DEAN VAGLIA dvaglia@candgnews.com

CLINTON TOWNSHIP — If it takes a village to stage a musical, a small team of Chippewa Valley High School students are setting out to prove it takes a club to stage a play.

Known for prior productions of murder mysteries “Clue” and “The Plot, Like Gravy, Thickens,” the Chippewa Valley High School Drama Club returns to the stage with a student-run production of the midcentury comedy “The Curious Savage.”

Written by playwright John Patrick, “Savage” follows elderly millionaire widow Ethel P. Savage after she is placed in a sanatorium by her stepchildren as retribution for setting up a memorial fund rather than allowing them to inherit the money. Much of the play revolves around the stepchildren attempting to acquire the inheritance bonds from Ethel while the collective Savages deal with the eccentric residents and staff of the sanitorium.

The club was inspired by how the show questions the nature of “sanity” and how certain club members would enjoy putting it on. “Savage” marks the Drama Club’s first performance since 2023. Having fizzled out

in the wake of initial COVID-19 precautions, rebuilding the club and its place in Chippewa Valley student life has been a key goal for students since in-person schooling resumed.

“We’ve been really focused on bringing it back and building it back up to something big again,” said senior Mackenzie Martin, director of the production and the Chippewa Valley High School Drama Club’s president. “We’re trying to do more events and less, ‘We’re having a meeting; come if you would like to come,’ and more, ‘We’re having a meeting; bring a friend. Bring two friends.’ Because we’ve been able to grow and get more involvement in the past few years, we knew we would be able to pull off doing a show.”

Through open auditions in January, the club was able to pull together a cast of eight students running the full range of ages and prior experience with theater.

“Some of our cast members, this is their first show,” Martin said. “And some of them, this is the first show where they’ve been featured as a lead, whereas in the past they’ve been ensemble in some of our musicals that we do.”

Senior Lilianna Moss, who plays Ethel

Photo by Dean Vaglia

Chippewa Valley High School students rehearse “The Curious Savage,” a production of the school’s drama club, on March 5. The student-led production marks the club’s return to the stage after a year off and a departure from its prior murder mystery plays.

CRIME WATCH

Scam job listing

MOUNT CLEMENS — On March 3, Macomb County Sheriff’s Office deputies were dispatched to the 20 block of Moross Avenue to speak with a 60-year-old Mount Clemens woman about a fraudulent job offer she received.

The woman found an offer for a remote job on Facebook Marketplace and interviewed with two people representing the “company” behind the offer for four hours. The position claimed to be a commissionbased role writing reviews of companies. Questions from the woman about the legitimacy of the company and offer were regularly deflected over the course of the call.

The woman ended the interview after being told she would need to pay $20 in order to begin working.

Missing license plate

MOUNT CLEMENS — On March 3, Macomb County Sheriff’s Office deputies were called to 1-800 Get A Car to speak with

a 32-year-old New Baltimore man about a stolen license plate.

The man bought a 2016 Dodge Charger from 1-800 Get A Car in 2024 and brought it back in late February for work. Having stopped into the business to check on the car earlier on March 3, the man noticed his license plate was missing from the Charger.

Shop staff reportedly said they did not remove the plate.

Wrong registration

MOUNT CLEMENS — While patrolling on the afternoon of Feb. 26, Macomb County Sheriff’s Office deputies ran a LEIN query on a Ford Escape license plate that ended up coming back as registered to a Volkswagen Jetta.

Deputies pulled the Ford over and spoke with the driver, a 36-year-old Detroit man, who said he bought the car on Facebook Marketplace and did not have insurance or his registration for the car. The driver did not know where the Jetta-registered license plate came from.

The car was towed, the license plate was confiscated and the man was released on the scene.

Stolen packages

HARRISON TOWNSHIP — On Feb. 17, Macomb County Sheriff’s Office deputies were sent to an apartment in the Metro Towers complex to speak with a 26-year-old Harrison Township resident about stolen packages.

The woman said she ordered some clothes for her toddler online, which were delivered to the complex on Feb. 15. The woman saw the packages before heading out to work on the evening of Feb. 15 but discovered upon returning that the packages were no longer there.

Van damage

HARRISON TOWNSHIP — On Feb. 25, Macomb County Sheriff’s Office deputies were called to the Hidden Cove Apartments for a property damage report.

A 62-year-old Harrison Township man told deputies he parked his white van outside of the complex overnight. When he went to the van on the morning of Feb. 25, he discovered the rear window was broken.

No items were reported stolen from the van and no working security cameras were found in the area.

— Dean Vaglia

A RACE TO THE FINISH LINE

PERSONAL TRAINERS SHARE HOW TO PREPARE FOR A 5K

BY MARY BETH ALMOND malmond@candgnews.com

METRO DETROIT — The first race for many runners, the 5K, is a tangible goal for just about anyone, if you commit to the proper training.

Because the 5K is one of the shortest race distances — at 3.1 miles — many say it’s a great choice for beginners and seasoned athletes alike.

“Running a 5K is not an easy task — it’s achievable, but it’s not an easy task,” said Brian Gibes, personal training director for Champion Health Club.

The first, and arguably the most crucial, step is to make sure you have the proper footwear — including comfortable socks and a new, well-fitting and supportive pair of shoes.

“Running is very violent. It’s a lot of impact, so the proper footwear is important,”

Gibes explained. “You lose that shock absorption with shoes that are two, three, four or more years old.”

Shock-absorbing shoes are important because they help reduce the impact of each step on your body, preventing injuries and limiting the amount of force on your joints, bones and muscles.

To provide the best fit for your feet, Christine Utter, a certified personal trainer and nutrition coach at YMCA Farmington Hills, recommends getting fitted for shoes at a running store.

Utter, who has trained many runners over the years, has competed in many races herself, including 5Ks, marathons, and her longest, a 50K.

She says it’s important to train for the race in your new shoes to help break them in.

“Wear the same gear you will wear on race

See 5K on page 11A

Gasso, a trainer at

Health Club in St.

track

runs

Gentner is in training for the U.S. Border Patrol. He is wearing a mask that simulates the oxygen level at 5,000 feet above sea level. Gasso recommends high intensity treadmill and cardio

We’re never done making health care better.

Jev

Champion

Clair Shores, keeps

of Justin Gentner as he

treadmill.

exercises for runners.

Photo by Liz Carnegie

Snap Fitness Harrison Township

At The Heart Of The All

•

Nonsurgical spinal decompression now available in the Grosse Pointes

Living with chronic back pain turns everyday activities into monumental tasks for most people — and the search for relief becomes a constant struggle.

Thanks to Grosse Pointe Spine Center, pain relief is in sight for those suffering with conditions such as bulging discs, arthritis, pinched nerves, sciatica, herniated discs, spinal stenosis, degenerative disc disease and other disorders of the spine.

Dr. Lawrence Mosurak III moved his chiropractic ofﬁce from Warren to Grosse Pointe Woods in January and is now offering nonsurgical spinal decompression therapy.

“As residents here, we were eager to establish our ofﬁce and provide care to our neighbors,” he said. “What makes our chiropractic ofﬁce unique is that we are among a select handful in the state of Michigan providing DRX9000 treatment. We started incorporating it into our practice last year and saw our success rates go through the roof. Chiropractic care typically yields positive outcomes, but decompression therapy is great. In fact, research linked to the Mayo Clinic, Stanford and Johns Hopkins has shown this method achieves a success rate of 88% to 90% in treating patients. Our goal is to save the disc to the point where spinal surgery is no longer necessary.”

Dr. Mosurak explained that the DRX9000 targets speciﬁc problem areas, such as the lower back or neck, by expanding disc space. This expansion creates a vacuum effect, drawing in nutrients, oxygen and water to rejuvenate and stabilize the discs.

“The discs crave water, much like a kitchen sponge,” he added. “If left on the counter too long, the sponge becomes thin and hard. Similarly, discs can become brittle. Through decompression, we reintroduce water to rehydrate and make the discs healthy again.”

Dr. Mosurak recalled one patient in his mid-30s who was unable to walk after an accident left him with severe disc herniation: “After a few treatments, he progressed from being carried in to driving himself and sitting comfortably. By the end of our protocol, he showed enough improvement to return to his work in construction.”

Lumbar and Cervical

His greatest satisfaction, he said, comes from helping individuals reclaim their lives and resume their daily routines without surgical intervention. Mention this ad to receive a complimentary, no-obligation consultation.

Dr. Lawrence Mosurak III Chiropractor

from page 8A

day just to make sure there is no chafing or rubbing or anything that will be agonizing at the end,” she shared.

To conquer your first 3.1-mile race, you need to commit to at least a two- to three-month training program with a mix of stretching, strength training, cardiovascular exercise and rest days.

“It’s going to take a little bit of preparation, some focus, discipline, and that includes nutrition, hydration, proper footwear, and strength training. It’s really surrounding yourself with a support system and a good coach,” Gibes said.

An important piece of your routine is to start your workout — your practice run, your race run, or any strength training that you’re doing — with dynamic stretching.

“Dynamic stretching is a moving stretch where you are swinging your legs, running with high knees, or doing hamstring curls, also known as butt kicks,” Utter explained.

For the best results, racers should also commit to strength training two to three times a week, ideally with a personal trainer

to oversee proper exercises and form.

“You should do strength training two, three times a week focusing on the lower body, since legs are used in the running — especially calves, which I think are most overlooked, but are important for stability, propulsion and speed on runs. You also need to include upper body and core strength, because it affects your posture, your balance and your form,” Utter said.

In between strength training days, you can mix up easy runs, long runs and interval runs. There are many good running apps to help you train, including the classic, Couch Potato to 5K.

“These will give you increments, increasing the intensity to help you build your endurance, so following a program like that, you can go from a coach potato to a 5K in

just a couple of months, if you follow the app,” said Utter. “And make sure you get a rest day or two in there as well. Rest is just as important. Your body has to recover.”

Following this plan — paired with the proper nutrition and hydration — you will gradually build up your cardiovascular and muscular endurance enough to conquer race day.

“You just need to take a couple of months to get your body accustomed to the endurance that’s needed to do the 5K, and strength training as well, to make sure you have proper form and don’t injure yourself,” said Utter.

William Downing prepares a protein shake for a member of the Champion Health Club. Downing works the front desk and juice bar at the club.

Photo by Liz Carnegie

Harrison Township Board of Trustees approves bathhouse renovations

BY ALYSSA OCHSS aochss@candgnews.com

HARRISON TOWNSHIP — At their meeting on March 10, the Harrison Township Board of Trustees voted 6-0 to approve interior renovations to the bathhouse at Waterfront Park on Jefferson Avenue.

Trustee Brian Batkins was excused for the meeting.

According to items attached to the meeting’s agenda, the township requested $75,000 to complete the renovations. The renovations themselves cost an estimated $65,000. Exterior renovations were approved at the October 2024 board meeting and the work has begun, Township Supervisor Kenneth Verkest said. Verkest said he is asking for up to $75,000 because of anticipated higher costs.

Renovations will include new plumbing fixtures, heating and cooling and more.

Harrison Township Clerk Adam Wit said that he asked for estimated costs for a residential bathroom and was told the cost was $25,000.

“To do two full bathrooms including a new furnace facility, you know, new furnace, new water heaters, all the

Blevins

from page 3A

“I got a new baby. Being away from the child and my wife — it’s definitely hard at times, not being able to go home and go to sleep,” Blevins said.

Blevins said his wife is his biggest supporter, along with his parents and sister.

“It’s hard to come home sometimes when you’re exhausted or frustrated here,” Blevins said. “She’s been amazing, because I know I can talk to her and open up to her and vent to her when needed. And she listens and tries to be as understanding as she can.”

Blevins said he is proud of the work he’s done and called the experience a journey. He is the person who suggested to Fire Chief David Bostater that the department use video laryngoscopes, which were used the day of the meeting to save someone’s life.

He said he is proud of the work done by the Fire Department.

“Proud to be able to work with such a great group of guys,” Blevins said. “Everybody here takes their job serious.”

Through his nine years, he said, there have been a lot of ups and downs. He said they have a culture now where everybody keeps a positive attitude.

“Your crew and the guys here, I mean, we mean everything,” Blevins said. “It’s a second family here.”

Harrison Township Fire Department

duct work associated with that it just seems really in line if not reasonable,” Wit said.

Trustee Dean Olgiati asked about the possibility of getting metal toilets due to vandalism.

Verkest said they talked about industrial toilets, but not stainless steel.

He later said in a phone call that the renovations to the bathhouse are happening at the same time as other improvements at the park.

“It shouldn’t disrupt the summer use of the park. However, we are nearing the end of a $1.3 million improvement to the shoreline which also includes the installation of a 100-foot fishing pier and that work, because of the heavy equipment, requires the park to be closed,” Verkest said.

He added if they’re lucky, everything will be done at the same time, and they can open the park all at once. They don’t have a set opening date for the spring.

“The majority of the big work is done,” Verkest said. “There’s some finishing work to be done to the pier.”

He added there is also restoration work, and they want to have some time for everything to be established.

battalion chiefs start thinking about who to give the award to in February. They send the list of firefighters to Bostater, and he chooses who to give it to. Blevins said that since he’s been there, the plaque listing previous firefighters of the year has always been filled up.

Bostater said the standouts were Blevins, Sgt. Brian Bilinski, engineer Dustin Currie, firefighter Michael Panczyk and firefighter Bruce Weisgerber. He said at the meeting that Blevins is empathetic and humorous.

“Joe is a husband, a father and a son,” Bostater said. “Family is of the utmost importance to him. Both his immediate family and his Fire Department family.”

Bostater also said Blevins has been “instrumental” in training new probationary firefighters.

“Since my time, since I was appointed in 2019, we’ve hired 15 firefighters,” Bostater said.

He went on to say it takes a lot of effort and training, including orientation and behind the scenes work.

“Joe’s one of those people who has always stood up and been a mentor and been a leader,” Bostater said. “Joe will help anyone at any time, whether they ask for it or not.”

When Blevins was first hired, he fell in love with the community, which is something he wasn’t expecting.

“It’s definitely been a blessing, having this job and working for this community. Yeah, I love it,” Blevins said.

Blevins said he definitely plans to finish

“Once we open it up, we expect some pretty heavy use,” Verkest said.

Preliminary work started in early September last year. The money for the interior renovations comes from the general fund, but American Rescue Plan Act money was transferred into the account to pay for it. Verkest said the state of Michigan incentivized municipalities to spend the money by a certain time.

“They said if you allocate or spend your ARPA funds by this particular date, I think we received an extra 1% of revenue sharing from the state,” Verkest said.

Verkest said they could transfer the money because the money could be used for revenue replacement up to $5 million and the township received $2.6 million.

Verkest said he is excited for residents and others to use the park and said that it is a popular destination. The park also features a new mural paid for by a grant through the Detroit Institute of Arts.

A plan to rename the park the Don and Candice Miller Park is in the works, but the main goal right now is to open it to the public.

out his career in Harrison Township.

“I got about 16 years left to go,” Blevins said. “Yeah, I’ll definitely stay here for the

rest of my career.”

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

Savage, has a wealth of experience on the Chippewa Valley and other stages. While “Savage” only recently became known to her when the club selected it as its spring production, Moss is glad that the more underground work is what the club settled on.

“I definitely think younger audiences will think it’s a little confusing at first, but there’s definitely some funniness that they’ll get along with well,” Moss said. “I think that the audience will love this show. I think that they’ll feel for the characters, and I really do think that they’ll enjoy this.”

Students and club members have not only volunteered to perform in “Savage.” The Drama Club spends a considerable amount of time focusing on technical aspects of theater and has put those skills into practice building the set and getting ready to crew the show’s three performances.

“We built the set entirely ourselves,” Martin said. “The walls, the bookshelves, the window, the things you see through the window — that was all made by us. We came in during break and we were here every day from 10 to 4 o’clock just building, painting, putting stuff together, finding props, finding furniture, all that stuff. It’s been a big project.”

Senior Nina Como, an experienced stage manager on prior Chippewa Valley productions and the Drama Club’s vice president, has added assistant director duties to her plate for the run of “Savage.” Under her command are around 10 students handling lights, sounds and props, all of whom have been hard at work on the technical details during rehearsals. But compared to the large,

rented sets of the school’s prior musicals, members of the crew have more manageable tasks ahead of them with the club’s production.

“It was nice, in a tech sense, knowing that (the crew) wouldn’t have to run,” Como said. “During ‘Cinderella’ (the club’s fall 2024 musical) we had a lot of big moving structures, so it’s definitely a show that’s a lot more lax and we have people backstage in case anything happens with mics or if the worst case happens.”

Martin believes a good run of “Savage” would open new doors for the club. Not only could it boost its relevance among students and let them know about an alternative to the school’s musicals, but it could also give the club the standing to do more activities.

“If we have a good three-night run — everything goes smoothly, we have audiences — that will open doors to opportunities and things that we’re allowed to do, such as trips going downtown and seeing a play (or) going to see a movie, because there have been so many movie adaptations of shows coming out,” Martin said. “It raises our funding that we have, so it gives us more opportunities for things we’re able to do, and it also opens the door to bigger productions that we’re able to do.”

The Chippewa Valley High School Drama Club’s production of “The Curious Savage” will play at the school’s theater at 6 p.m. Thursday, April 3; 7 p.m. Friday, April 4; and 7 p.m. Saturday, April 5. Tickets can be purchased at cvhsmusicals.org.

Chippewa Valley High School students interested in the Drama Club can find them in the auditorium on Wednesdays.

Call Staff Writer Dean Vaglia at (586) 498-1043.

Air race

Selfridge and the origins of United States air power.

“The race is an honor to our historical 1st Pursuit Group home — Selfridge Air National Guard Base — and the Mitchell Trophy Air Race actually began at Selfridge in 1922,” Tech. Sgt. Matthew Coleman-Foster of the 1st Fighter Wing said.

Named after the brother of military aviation advocate Billy Mitchell, the first Mitchell Trophy air races served as tests of speed and skill for the 1st Pursuit Group.

According to a statement from Selfridge’s 127th Wing of the Air National Guard, six pilots commanded open-cockpit biplanes in a five-lap race over a 20-mile-long course marked by pylons. Lt. Donald Stace was the first pilot to complete the 100-mile challenge, claiming the first Mitchell Trophy on Oct. 14, 1922. Mitchell Trophy races ran until 1936.

Nearly 90 years since the race’s last running, much has changed with American air power and the participating units. The United States Air Force is now its own branch of the military. The 1st Pursuit Group that formed the initial base of competitors has become the 1st Fighter Wing and moved to Virginia. It upgraded from biplanes to the state-of-the-art F-22. With a glass cockpit, supersonic capabilities, radar-absorbing surfaces, beyond-visual-range combat capabilities and supermaneuvrability, the F-22 is a far cry from the wood and canvas biplanes that made up Selfridge’s early fleets.

The rules of the air race have changed as well. Instead of laps around pylons that dazzle spectators, the race now tests pilots’

abilities to take off, land, navigate in the air and ready their aircraft with minimal support. The roster of competitors has remained the same with six planes in teams of two representing the 1st Fighter Wing’s three component squadrons — the 27th, 71st and 94th Fighter Squadrons — with one pilot tasked with carrying out the challenges and the second serving as support.

“Our wing’s intent with this is that 1st Fighter Wing airmen will face adversities that are resourced and determined to disrupt our techniques, our tactics and procedures at all phases of combat,” Coleman-Foster said.

“Our airmen must be able to execute effective combat operations in dynamic environments that lack information and time; that is an overarching item that we try to stress ourselves on when it comes to training and preparing for doing what we need to do.”

The training nature of the modern air race means this edition was no spectator affair. While pilots from Langley often dazzle crowds with the F-22 Demonstration Team, the air race was strictly business with only a limited heads-up given to the public via social media.

Upon receiving their orders at Langley, the teams had to inspect, arm, fuel and launch their jets for the sprint to Selfridge. Once the pilots navigated their way to Selfridge without outside support, the main pilot was tasked with running two miles across the base in freezing temperatures and 30 mph winds to the Selfridge Military Air Museum to add their name to the guest register while the second stayed behind to inspect and refuel the jets.

Capt. “Marbro” of the 27th Fighter Squadron, identified by his callsign, was the first to mark their name in the register, followed by Lt. Col. “Devil,” commander of the

Charter Township of Harrison Property Owners

Notice To Cut Noxious Weeds

Section 34-103 – Limit on height, distance from building; shrubs, brush.

It shall be unlawful for the owner or occupant of any lots or lands, either public or private, within the township to allow or permit grass or weeds of any kind to grow upon such lots or lands to a height of more than 9 inches from the ground or within a distance of 80 feet from any existing building on the property of another or from the property line. It shall be unlawful to permit the growth of shrubs, wild bushes or brush on any property in the township to a height or density which might constitute a traffc or fre hazard. The obligation of the owner or occupant of any property in the township is to cut down, remove or destroy any grass, weeds, shrubs, bushes or brush that shall extend to the center of the road fronting on the property of such owner or occupant.

Section 34-105 – Removal by Township

Whenever it appears to the ordinance enforcement offce, the township supervisor or the weed commissioner(s) or complaint that grass, noxious weeds or weeds of any kind, or in any combination, has grown more than allowed in section 34-103, the township shall remove any such violation. The ordinance enforcement offcer or any person appointed by the township board shall possess the authority to enter the property to cut or otherwise remove any such grass or weeds after May 1 of that year.

Section 34-106 – Collection of expenses

The full amount of any charges assessed pursuant to section 34-105, with respect to each lot or parcel of land upon which grass or noxious weeds have been cut or removed pursuant to this article, shall be a special assessment to be spread against such land and property to be assessed, levied and collected at the same time and in the same manner for nonpayment.

Published: Journal 03/19/2025

94th Fighter Squadron. “Devil’s” time at the museum was prolonged by shaking hands with about 20 bystanders before making his way back to the flight line. This, however, would prove no more than a speedbump for “Devil” and teammate, Capt. “Rizz,” as the team took off from Selfridge and became the first duo to make its way back to Langley, claiming the Mitchell Trophy for the 94th Fighter Squadron.

The air race was not the first time F22s have been to Selfridge — the demonstration team served as the headlining act for the base’s 2022 air show and open house — and 2025 is a pivotal time for Selfridge to play host to a contest for advanced fighter aircraft. While the 127th Wing’s refueling mission seems secure after the arrival of new KC-46A Pegasus tanker planes, the A-10 Thunderbolt II fighter mission has yet to find a suitable replacement once the planes are no longer part of the Air Force’s arsenal. Attempts to bring an F-35 Lightning II mission to the base have borne no fruit with Selfridge being passed up to host a foreign-customer training academy in 2023,

and base supporters have since turned to finding other ways of attracting a replacement fighter mission to the base. Members of Michigan’s congressional delegation have been campaigning for a F-15EX Eagle II program to be stationed at Selfridge, and the state has allocated $13 million to expand the base’s runway to the north in hopes of attracting a fighter mission.

“The opportunity to showcase Selfridge’s capabilities during the Mitchell Trophy Air Race is a testament to the enduring fighter mission that’s been here for more than a century,” Brig. Gen. Matthew Brancato, commander of the 127th Wing and Selfridge Air National Guard Base, said via press release. “As the largest Air National Guard installation in the United States, Selfridge is equipped to handle the most advanced aircraft and weapons systems in the military fleet.”

Plans for future runnings of the Mitchell Trophy Air Race remain up in the air at press time.

Call Staff Writer Dean Vaglia at (586) 498-1043.

CITY COMMISSION PASSES PRO-BONDS RESOLUTION

BY DEAN VAGLIA dvaglia@candgnews.com

MOUNT CLEMENS — In response to upheaval at the federal level, Mount Clemens city commissioners sent a statement calling on its representatives to be careful.

Commissioners on March 3 unanimously approved a resolution calling on the members of Michigan’s congressional delegation to preserve federal tax exemptions for municipal bonds.

“Local governments of all sizes rely on tax-exempt municipal bonds as a critical tool to finance infrastructure projects and essential public services,” Mount Clemens City Manager Gregg Shipman said. “These bonds help fund everything from schools and hospitals to roads and utilities — projects that are vital to the well-being of communities across the country. However, with Congress expected to focus on sunsetting tax provisions next year, the National League of Cities anticipates that tax-exempt municipal bonds may be at risk.”

The City Commission’s resolution brings it in line with a campaign co-run by the National League of Cities and the Government Finance Officers Association. The campaign, #BuiltByBonds, aims to protect the status of tax-exempt municipal bonds.

Mayor Laura Kropp and Commissioner Erik Rick both claimed to have brought the campaign to the attention of the city. Kropp said the resolution was an extension of advocacy she performed during an early February trip to Washington D.C. she took with the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments, of which she is a vice chair.

“This was definitely something we addressed with all of the congressional delegation when we were in their offices,” Kropp said. “(We) talked about the importance of this tool for municipalities when you have to do large-scale projects that cost significantly more than what your annual budgets are and how this is something that enables us to do those projects. We really tried to drive that point across, so hopefully all of the communities will participate in this and drive that point further.”

Legal services agreement

Commissioners also approved a legal services agreement with law firm Kirk, Huth, Lange & Badalamenti.

The new agreement, which lasts for one year with the option of a one-year renewal, replaces the agreement that expired on Dec. 31, 2024, and subsequent month-to-month arrangements between the city and firm.

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Six-figure scam

HARRISON TOWNSHIP — On Feb. 18 at around

5:30 p.m., Macomb County Sheriff’s Office deputies spoke with an 80-year-old Harrison Township woman about scams she was involved in.

Several weeks prior, the woman received a text claiming a pair of headphones were purchased on her card. She called the texter’s number and was told by a man that she was flagged for “money laundering and drugs” and that he could help her because he worked for the FBI.

Over the next few weeks at the man’s instruction, the Harrison Township woman purchased numerous gift cards, made Bitcoin transactions, emptied her retirement accounts and bought 120 gold bars from Gold Cove in Roseville. She delivered the bars to someone behind the Roseville Chili’s on Feb. 14.

The woman said she wished to press charges against the scammer.

Fire engine hit

HARRISON TOWNSHIP — On Feb. 16 at around

3:40 a.m., Macomb County Sheriff’s Office deputies were dispatched to a scene on westbound Interstate 94 to assist the Harrison Township Fire Department with an incident.

Firefighters parked a fire engine across two lanes of the highway to control traffic. As firefighters handled the scene, a semi-truck struck the engine and did not stop. No firefighters were injured.

Suspicious visitor

HARRISON TOWNSHIP — On Feb. 14 at around 12:20 p.m., Macomb County Sheriff’s Office deputies spoke with a 42-year-old Harrison Township woman about a suspicious person she encountered.

On Jan. 25, a man came to her door in the 27000 block of Willowood Drive. He claimed to be a private investigator and demanded she give him a package containing drugs and clothes or else he would call the FBI.

The man provided some identification when requested and fled after the woman threatened to call the police.

Gas pump hit at station

MOUNT CLEMENS — On Feb. 11, Macomb County Sheriff’s Office deputies were called to the Mobil gas station at 24701 N. River Road for a property damage report.

At around 4:45 a.m., a gray GMC pulled into the gas station and reportedly struck a pump. Video footage showed the driver exiting the truck and entering the store, during which time the truck rolled forward and struck a garbage can and another pump. The man returned to his truck and drove off.

Breaking and entering reported

ST. CLAIR SHORES — At 9:21 p.m. on Feb. 22, a forced entry complaint was reported in the 22000 block of Maxine Street.

Two officers met with the victim’s daughter who stated she was made aware of the situation by her mother, a 62-year-old woman. Before she arrived, the officers searched the inside of the residence with no results. They requested a K-9 and were told Roseville police would be dispatched.

The daughter had a video that showed two suspects exit the residence carrying bags. The victim arrived on scene and stated nothing seemed to be taken from the first floor, but it was ransacked. One of the upstairs bedrooms was similarly ransacked and many valuable items were taken from it. The other bedroom was also ransacked but nothing seemed to be taken.

The woman advised that she left to babysit at her other daughter’s house at approximately 3:30 p.m. and was notified of the break-in by the same daughter at 9:07 p.m. She called the police at this point.

The officers saw that the rear door of the residence was forced in. Tracks appeared in the snow and a small bottle of whiskey as well as sunglasses and a hammer were found in the backyard. The woman said the sunglasses were hers, but that the whiskey and hammer were not.

A K-9 conducted a search with negative results.

Retail fraud reported

ST. CLAIR SHORES — At 10:26 a.m. on Feb. 16, a case of retail fraud was reported in the 22000 block of Harper Avenue.

An employee, a 44-year-old woman, told officers a suspect was seen concealing items in his jacket and bag. She confronted him, asking him to give the items back. He gave her several items including stolen meat. He then came back in the store to make a complaint about her before leaving again on his bike.

Another officer located the suspect, and he was searched. They found more bottles of liquor on his person and the bottles were returned to the store. The total value of the stolen merchandise was $285.25.

Carjacking suspect arrested

ST. CLAIR SHORES — According to a press release, a Detroit man was arrested for allegedly carjacking a man at Kroger in St. Clair Shores on Feb. 21.

The release states the suspect tried to steal a woman’s purse when another customer intervened, hitting him with her shopping bag. The suspect then allegedly got into the driver’s seat of a running vehicle and drove off with a male victim in the passenger side.

The suspect allegedly demanded the man give him all his money or he would shoot. The victim managed

pect with a fork, according to police. The suspect then fled to a nearby store where he was apprehended by St. Clair Shores police.

The suspect was charged with unlawful imprisonment, a 15-year felony, and unarmed robbery, a 15-year felony. He was arraigned in the 40th District Court and Judge Joseph Oster set his bond at $250,000 cash or surety only, no 10%.

Police arrest shoplifter

SHELBY TOWNSHIP — At 4:32 p.m. Feb. 9, Shelby Township police officers were dispatched to Meijer on Hall Road for a report of a known shoplifter inside the store. The suspect had about $2,000 worth of merchandise in his possession at the time of the call.

Dispatch updated the officers on the suspect inside the store with information from Meijer’s loss prevention employees. They advised that the suspect had left the store with the merchandise without paying for the items.

The suspect was apprehended once outside the store and was taken into custody. The Police Department said it was able to recover just over $2,000 worth of merchandise. The suspect was arrested and lodged at the Shelby Township Police Department. A warrant was requested for first-degree retail fraud.

Welfare check

MACOMB TOWNSHIP — On Feb 15 at around 1:30 p.m., Macomb County Sheriff’s Office deputies were called to a home in the 54000 block of Malheur Drive for a welfare check.

A resident in the area called 911 reporting that a neighbor, a 60-year-old man, had not been seen for several days. The caller had been around the man’s house earlier that day and heard what sounded like a cry for help.

After arriving at the house and not receiving a response at the door, deputies walked around the property and saw a man on the floor through a window. Deputies breached their way in and approached the man, who told them he had been on the ground for three days. The man was taken to a hospital.

Jeep taken

GROSSE POINTE WOODS — An unknown suspect is said by police to have stolen a 2015 Jeep from the driveway of a home in the 1900 block of Anita Avenue. The victim discovered the vehicle missing at 7:30 a.m. March 1 and reported it to police. The victim wasn’t sure if the vehicle was locked when it was taken. An AirTag in the vehicle showed that it was located on the east side of Detroit, but when police arrived at that location, they said they were only able to recover some stolen property but not the vehicle.

GROSSE POINTE FARMS — A pair of unknown suspects are said to have stolen a black 2024 Chevrolet Silverado Bison edition from the 400 block of Moran Road between the hours of 9:45 and 10:15 p.m. Feb. 19. The vehicle, which has a push-button

up by a different vehicle or live in the area. When the vehicle was recovered, valuables that had been inside — including an iPad and a MacBook Pro — were missing. Some of the missing contents were later found scattered around the community.

Stolen property recovered GROSSE POINTE FARMS —

Fraudster

and

not showing up for jury duty, but the resident realized it was a scam and instead called the City Public Safety Department to report it.

Detroit Zoo’s Greenfest back in April

zoo admission, and free for members. Attendees can connect with local environmental groups and organizations, a sustainable marketplace shopping experience, sustainable food options, animal engagements throughout the zoo, hands-on and educational activities, live music, and more. In addition to the events, the zoo will be accepting old or unwanted electronics to safely recycle them during the annual e-recycling event that takes place at the 10 Mile Road parking lot from 9 a.m. to noon April 12-13. People who recycle electronics get a free ticket to the zoo. For more information on Greenfest, visit detroitzoo.org/ events/greenfest.