Artists embrace the ‘Blues’ in new exhibition
BY K. MICHELLE MORAN kmoran@candgnews.com
FARMS — Six decades after he burst onto the music scene, Bob Dylan is back in the headlines, thanks to the success of “A Complete Unknown,” a film that has generated awards and buzz thanks to Timothee Chalamet’s performance as a young Dylan.
BY K. MICHELLE MORAN kmoran@candgnews.com
PARK — A new honor was part of Grosse Pointe Park’s public safety awards for exemplary work in 2024.
Grosse Pointe Park Public Safety Director James Bostock presented the awards during a Feb. 3 Park City Council meeting that was attended by family, friends and fellow officers.
“This is a really special night for public safety,” Bostock said. “We get to recognize some public safety (officers) for outstanding work throughout the year. … Everybody that’s here is well deserving of the award.”
The artists behind “Subterranean Homesick Blues” — an exhibition of work inspired by the music, lyrics and era behind the Dylan song of that title — are hoping the happy coincidence of their show and movie awards season brings more visitors to see their pieces. Open through April 6 at Grosse Pointe Congregational Church in Grosse Pointe Farms, “Subterranean Homesick Blues” features
Bostock created a new award for Supervisor of the Year, and its first recipient is Detective Sgt. Jeremy Pittman. Pittman, who earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Western Michigan University, was first hired by the Pontiac Police Department in December 1996, where he was assigned to the Narcotic Enforcement Section and the SWAT team in 1998, a job that found him facing off against barricaded gunmen and conducting drug raids. Pittman started work in the Park on Feb. 15,
From left, artists Kari Rasmussen, Jackie Brooks, Kathleen McNamee, Jackie Rybinski and Nina Goebel stand in the gallery with their artwork, which drew its inspiration from a Bob Dylan song.
Photo by K. Michelle Moran
Werenski shines in 4 Nations Face-Off SPORTS
BY SCOTT BENTLEY sbentley@candgnews.com
GROSSE POINTES — The 4 Nations Face-Off tournament final between Canada and the United States of America Feb. 20 was one of the most-watched hockey games ever, and in the thick of it all was Grosse Pointe North High School alumnus Zach Werenski.
Werenski has made a name for himself with the Columbus Blue Jackets over his nine-year NHL career. He’s not only been one of the better defensemen in the league, but he’s also an alternate captain for the playoffcontending Blue Jackets and was chosen to be a part of Team USA in this year’s 4 Nations Face-Off.
“I’ve been fortunate in my hockey career and it’s
taken me to this point,” Werenski said. “You can never really imagine that you’re actually going to play for Team USA and play in an event like this. … It was an incredible experience for me.”
Going into the tournament, which consisted of four national teams — Canada, Finland, Sweden and the United States — there was speculation on if the event would be successful. The tournament was replacing the NHL All-Star Game, which had become an unattractive game in the opinions of many due to its lack
See WERENSKI on page 15A
Artist filled his paintings, photos with emotion and humanity
BY K. MICHELLE MORAN kmoran@candgnews.com
DETROIT — The people and places John Osler painted came to life with vibrancy and intuitiveness, and that’s something visitors will see in a new exhibition of work created over the artist’s career.
The exhibition, which comes nearly two years after Osler’s death at the age of 87 on March 27, 2023, will be open to the public from 4 to 8 p.m. March 15, 1 to 5 p.m. March 16 and 1 to 5 p.m. March 22-23 at Design Studio 6 in Detroit. The opening reception is March 15 and there will be a talk by family members and others during the closing, between 2 and 4 p.m. March 23.
“He loved to paint — absolutely loved to paint,” said Phyllis Osler, of Grosse Pointe Shores, to whom John Osler was married for 62 years. She said her late husband painted almost every day, either in his studio or, during the summer, in the backyard
$8995
The late Grosse Pointe Shores artist John Osler spent almost every day painting.
Photo provided by the family of John Osler
Zach Werenski warms up in Montreal for Team USA in the 4 Nations Face-Off
Photo provided by USA Hockey
The Detroit Concert Choir, led by Artistic Director Michael Mitchell, will present “Music of Triumph” at 7:30 p.m. March 15 at Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church, 467 Fairford Road in Grosse Pointe Woods. The concert will feature George Frideric Handel’s coronation anthem, “The King Shall Rejoice,” as well as works by favorite composers including Benjamin Britten, Ralph Vaughan Williams, Moses Hogan and more, as the group pays tribute to founding conductor Gordon Nelson.
Tickets cost $15 for students and youths, $20 for seniors and $25 for regular admission. The concert will also be performed at 3 p.m. March 16 at Our Shepherd Lutheran Church, 2225 E. 14 Mile Road in Birmingham. For advance tickets or more information, contact the DCC at dcc@detroitconcertchoir.org or (313) 882-0118.
Students to perform play set in silent film era
The University Liggett School Players will perform the musical “Mack and Mabel,” a love story set during the silent film era, at 7:30 p.m. March 6, 7 and 8 and 2 p.m. March 9 at the ULS Auditorium, 1045 Cook Road in Grosse Pointe Woods. The show — which is celebrating its 50th anniversary since its Broadway debut — is about the real-life courtship between director Mack Sennett and silent film star Mabel Normand, and features characters and actors from the period such as the Keystone Cops, Charlie Chaplin and Roscoe “Fatty” Arbuckle.
The cast features ULS seniors Ari Medvinsky, of Grosse Pointe Woods, as Mack; and Alexa Kalyvas, of Grosse Pointe Shores, as Mabel; along with Madison Reeves, Nico Abule, Sishir Chamiraju, Max Brown and Zaire Polk. Tickets cost $8 and can only be purchased online at uls.seatyourself.biz.
Lenten concert planned
Grosse Pointe Memorial Church, 16 Lake Shore Road in Grosse Pointe Farms, will present an organ concert at 7 p.m. March 15 dedicated to Parisian organist and composer Louis Vierne (1870-1937), who endured many tragedies in life but also wrote several significant works for organ despite everything he was experiencing. Viene’s Third and Sixth Organ Symphonies will be performed. Admission is free. For more information, visit gpmchurch.org or call (313) 882-5330.
Rev. Todd Meyer
Boats, boaters to receive blessing
It might still be too chilly to be out on the water, but it’s not too early for professional and recreational boaters and anglers to receive a blessing for themselves and their vessels in advance of the coming boating season.
Mariners’ Church of Detroit, 170 E. Jefferson Ave. in Detroit, will hold its 61st annual Blessing of the Fleet service at 11 a.m. March 9. Boaters are invited to bring their burgees, pennants, banners and flags for a blessing for themselves and their crew. Those who can’t attend in person can do so virtually by visiting the church’s YouTube channel, @MarinersChurchofDetroit.
The service will include inspirational music by the church’s choir, accompanied by the 4,100-pipe organ, along with an honorary color guard of Ship masters and military personnel.
Free parking is available in the Ford Auditorium parking garage, which is across Jefferson from the church. For more information, visit marinerschurchofdetroit.org.
FORMER WOODS OFFICIAL RECEIVES STATE HONOR
Former Grosse Pointe Woods Recreation Supervisor Nicole Gerhart — who left in June 2024 to become the director of recreation for Van Buren Township — was slated to receive a Recreation Leadership Award from the Michigan Recreation and Park Association at the organization’s conference March 3-6 in Traverse City. According to a press release, Gerhart “has expanded community programming, strengthened regional partnerships, and revived the mParks Aquatics Focus Area, ensuring Michigan’s aquatic professionals have the support they need.”
Event fuses jazz and art
Live jazz by Gwen and Charles Scales will be performed while people enjoy appetizers and look at artworks by local artists, as curated by Posterity Art & Framing Gallery owner Michelle Boggess, during an event from 6 to 7:30 p.m. March 25 at The Helm at the Boll Life Center, 158 Ridge Road in Grosse Pointe Farms. Beverages will also be served. The cost is $25 for Helm members and $35 for nonmembers, and reservation are required. To make a reservation, visit helmlife.org or call (313) 882-9600.
Classes will keep local residents safe, healthy
Two new classes at The Helm at the Boll Life Center, 158 Ridge Road in Grosse Pointe Farms, will help keep participants safe and healthy. Taking the Mystery Out of Balance and Posture, 1:30 to 3 p.m. March 26, is a talk aimed at preventing falls and improving posture, balance and body movement. The program is free for Helm members and $5 for others. Reduce online risks with Online Security Behaviors and Practices from noon to 1:30 p.m. March 27. Attendees will learn to spot the signs of spam email, how to use a password manager and more. This program is free. Registration is required for all Helm programs and can be made by visiting helmlife.org or calling (313) 882-9600.
Osler
of their Grosse Pointe Shores home.
The home the Oslers shared is filled with his artwork, and Phyllis Osler said she wants to see some of it find a cherished home with other art lovers. The purpose of this new exhibition, she said, is “just to get his work out there so people can enjoy it.”
April McGee-Flournoy, the owner of Design Studio 6, said the show will feature more than 50 of Osler’s artworks, mostly oil paintings and a limited number of prints. She’s the daughter of the late Charles McGee, a legendary Detroit artist John Osler admired but didn’t know personally. McGee-Flournoy’s gallery space is housed in the building where her father once had his art studio.
Visitors to the exhibition “will see his regard for humanity and his respect for everyday people,” McGee-Flournoy said.
She met Osler circa 2013 or 2014 at a meeting of the Fine Arts Breakfast Club.
“He was just a pleasant person to sit with and have a conversation with,” McGeeFlournoy said. “(He was) definitely a people person. He cared about having an experience with you. … The little time we had together had a big impact on me.”
Longtime friend and fellow artist Lori Zurvalec, of Grosse Pointe City, said Osler was “a Renaissance man” who excelled in multiple media, most notably oil and photography. She said she was as struck by his subtle landscapes as by his dynamic photos of jazz musicians performing.
“It was like he could depict the feeling of jazz in a photograph,” Zurvalec said.
John Osler grew up in the Bloomfield area, when he said it was “in the country” and not the developed suburban area it is today. His father was an illustrator and his mother was an art teacher, so he grew up in a creative household, but his parents — products of the Great Depression — urged their son to pursue a less unpredictable career. Osler studied engineering at Cornell University and briefly worked as an engineer for North American Aviation in California in the 1950s before returning to metro Detroit, where he began to work as a commercial artist at a studio his father founded.
He later co-founded and served as a principal of Midcoast Studio in Troy. Osler spent 30 years in commercial art and photography before leaving that behind in the 1990s — when he was in his 50s — to focus on painting, with an emphasis on portraits of significant figures — many of them musicians — from Detroit and his trips to the Delta and New Orleans. As part of this work, he started shooting photos at the Dirty Dog
Jazz Café in Grosse Pointe Farms and the Detroit Jazz Festival to use as references for future paintings. His photos were so strong on their own that they became artworks themselves, some of which appeared in a 2014 art book, “Detroit Jazz: Documenting the Legacy of Gretchen Valade.”
Osler’s love of jazz started when he was a young man in the 1950s, when he used to sneak downtown with a friend to go to jazz clubs like the Graystone Ballroom and Klein’s Show Bar.
“I was always a fan of jazz, just because of the freedom of it,” Osler said in 2014.
Osler received multiple awards for his art, including gold medals from the acclaimed Scarab Club in Detroit, and his pieces can be found in collections not only in the United States, but around the world.
“I always found his work to be very sensitive and exquisite,” Zurvalec said. “His ability to capture mood in his paintings was outstanding.”
Osler maintained a blog for many years in which he reflected on art, issues of the day and other topics. An entry in February 2022 spoke to his work in art, as he wrote, “Thirty some years ago I decided that I was an artist. I bought art supplies and turned my back on most of my responsibilities, only to find that art ain’t easy. It takes work and it is humbling. What lifted me up were those people who accepted me for trying and those whose honesty pointed me in the right direction. But it was the people who ended up in my paintings who have made my creative journey so joyous. If my work has value it is because the people that I painted had value.”
From musicians to elected officials to homeless people he encountered, Osler painted them all with the same passion and care.
“He painted people he felt he had an emotional attachment to, even if he didn’t know them well,” Phyllis Osler said. “He had to have that emotional attachment (to his subject). He really respected the people he painted.”
Osler was also committed to social justice issues and making the world around him a better place, which included collecting and delivering food for people in need.
His love for family, friends and the wider world around him is a big reason why exhibition organizers want to commemorate his legacy.
“We’re going to honor him,” McGeeFlournoy said. “We’re going to celebrate him and his work.”
Design Studio 6 is located at 8626 W. McNichols Road in Detroit. Osler’s art can also be viewed by appointment between the hours of 4:30 and 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from March 15 to 23; call (313) 505-9657 to schedule an appointment.
page 1A
works by Kari Rasmussen, of Grosse Pointe Park, and Grosse Pointe Farms artists Jackie Brooks, Nina Goebel, Kathleen McNamee and Jackie Rybinski.
The artists decided to create work that draws from the Dylan song well before “A Complete Unknown” was released last year.
“We didn’t know there was a movie coming out about (Bob Dylan),” Brooks said.
The works are diverse, but common threads emerge. Shades of blue and earthtones are prevalent throughout the exhibition.
“The Arts Ministry is delighted to have this amazing exhibition by five very talented Grosse Pointe artists,” said Lori Zurvalec, of Grosse Pointe City, chair of the arts ministry at Grosse Pointe Congregational Church. “You have five different artists, yet the show has this sense of continuity. … It just flows together. The cohesiveness of the colors and the palette is remarkable.”
McNamee said the five artists “all grew up in that time period” when the Dylan song was released.
Some of the artists drew inspiration from the mid-1960s, while others used the song title or the lyrics as a jumping-off point.
“It’s rich material,” Brooks said. “We didn’t want to restrain anyone’s interpretations.”
Rybinski drew on concepts like nostalgia, homesickness and activities from the past. Loneliness also reverberates through many of her works in the show.
“I’m continuing to paint things from my childhood, like roller-skates,” Rybinski said. “That’s what I loved to do as a kid.”
She said she considered, “What were those times like, and what do people miss from those times?”
McNamee said she took a “very literal” approach, with works that include the opening of a cave and catacombs — both subterranean spaces.
Rasmussen, whose works tend to be more abstract, said she found the theme challenging until she zeroed in on a lyrical reference to inkwells and thought of the term’s meaning in scuba diving, as a place where visibility is so limited that it’s like diving into a container of ink.
“I’m using lots of media in this show,” said Rasmussen, whose works include ceramics and oil paintings, among others.
Goebel’s works all use elements from nature like driftwood and dried flowers. She painted snippets from the lyrics on her pieces as well. While the November 2024 election was on Goebel’s mind as she created her
pieces, she hopes viewers will find their own meanings in her artworks.
“That was my goal, that everyone would have their own interpretation,” Goebel said. “I want to be playful with (the works).”
Brooks said she was struck by Dylan’s frustration with the “futility and unfairness” of life.
“My work in this show attempts to address my feelings about our lack of power to stop time, or influence forces beyond our control,” Brooks wrote in a statement about the show.
The lyrics to Dylan’s song have been printed and put on display in the gallery so that visitors can see some of the points of inspiration the artists drew upon.
Grosse Pointe Congregational Church is located at 240 Chalfonte Ave. in Grosse Pointe Farms. The gallery is open to the public from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sundays or by appointment. For an appointment or more information, email arts@gpcong.org or call (313) 884-3075.
Call Staff Writer K. Michelle Moran at (586) 498-1047.
Photo by K. Michelle Moran
Kathleen McNamee poses with her oil painting, at left, “Little Red Wagon, Little Red Bike.”
The oil painting at top, “Sunday Book Review,” by Jackie Rybinski, features her husband reading the paper.
From Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s March 14, 1968
Grosse Pointe High School
speech:
“…on some positions cowardice asks the question is it safe? Expediency asks the question is it politic? Vanity asks the question is it popular?
“The conscience asks the question is it right? And there comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic nor popular, but…must do it because conscience (says) it is right.”
On March 14 and April 4, at 7PM CHANGE IS THE POINTE will present a twopart Webinar on Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s historic Grosse Pointe speech. The Webinar will include a documentary about the speech, a reading of excerpts and discussion of the impact then and now.
Watch our Facebook page for more information. To receive the registration link for our March 14/April 4 webinar, email us at: grossepointechange@gmail.com.
Paid for by Grosse Pointers Saja Barnes, Mary Anne Barnett & Frank Joyce, Joe Corrado & Sunanda
Samaddar Corrado, Kathy Fulgenzi, Elisa Gurule, Jim Jacobs, Clarence Jones, Jackie Kalogerakos, John Kalogerakos, Moira Kennedy-Simms, Elizabeth McQuillen, Donna Miller, Beth Pellegrini
Storm sewer separation on Jefferson in Park to start this spring
BY K. MICHELLE MORAN kmoran@candgnews.com
PARK — In another of the multiple efforts Grosse Pointe Park officials are taking to reduce the influx of stormwater into the sewer system, work is expected to start next month to begin separation of stormwater from the sanitary sewer system on Jefferson Avenue.
City Manager Nick Sizeland told the Park City Council during a Feb. 3 council meeting that the infrastructure project has been in the discussion and planning stages since December 2022. City Attorney Morgan Martin said work is expected to start at around the middle of April.
Sizeland said the project will be done over two phases, with Phase I to involve sewer separation along Jefferson from Maryland to Lakepointe streets. Phase II, which city officials said will take place in the future, will cover the stretch of Jefferson from Lakepointe to Somerset Avenue. Sizeland said the storm sewer will be built in the East Jefferson Avenue right of way, which is managed by the Wayne County Department of Public
Services. The city received a permit from the county to do this work last year and then the city’s engineers with OHM Advisors sought bids for the work.
The Park separated most of its storm and sanitary sewer system circa 1998. The last payment toward a special assessment that covered the cost of that project was made in 2018.
“Although we separated a significant amount of the city… we still have quite a bit of (stormwater) flow into the sanitary system,” said City Engineer Patrick Droze, of OHM Advisors.
Park officials wanted to address separation along Jefferson because it’s expected to help reduce the amount of water entering the city’s sewer system, thus hopefully helping to prevent future flooding and basement backups during heavy rains, like the ones that happened during the summer of 2021. Sizeland said officials and engineers identified this project “as a priority.”
“It’s the single biggest nonseparated (area)” in the Park, Mayor Michele Hodges said.
Droze said Jefferson sewer separation
will reduce the risk of flooding, although the city also needs to continue to address other mitigation efforts as well, including downspout disconnection and sewer separation in alleyways.
“We still need to work to dry out the system,” Droze said.
City Councilman Max Wiener said the Park’s sewer system is getting “drier and drier” and more resilient each year because of projects like this one, and he said separation on Jefferson will be an important piece of that puzzle.
“It makes a huge difference,” Wiener said.
When the city drafted its budget last May for the 2024 to 2025 fiscal year, Sizeland said they set aside about $400,000 toward this project.
“It turns out the cost was quite a bit more than that,” Martin said.
A low bid — out of seven total bids — from New Haven, Michigan-based Pamar Enterprises Inc. came in at $962,217.
Because the project will benefit the forthcoming A. Paul and Carol C. Schaap Center for the Performing Arts and the
Richard and Jane Manoogian Art Gallery in the Park — located next to Park City Hall on Jefferson — Martin said Paul Schaap and the Urban Renewal Initiative Foundation agreed to contribute $600,000 toward this project.
The URIF was, at press time, in the process of building what is usually referred to as the Schaap Center, which is expected to open later this year.
“Taxpayers would have been responsible for the entire cost if not for the Schaaps,” Hodges said.
Paul Schaap and his late wife, Carol, were two of the earliest and largest donors toward the building that will bear their name.
The council voted unanimously Feb. 3 to approve a sewer separation agreement between the city and the URIF, award the contract to low bidder Pamar and approve a budget resolution reflecting the actual cost of the project.
Martin said Phase I of the sewer separation project is expected to be substantially completed by Aug. 1 and fully completed by Aug. 15.
CARPET • CUSTOM RUGS • STAIR RUNNERS
HARDWOOD
WATERPROOF FLOORING
Vote f
One of Grosse P nte’s Own...
Photos by K. Michelle Moran
Sanitary sewer pump in City to be removed for repairs
BY K. MICHELLE MORAN kmoran@candgnews.com
CITY — One of Grosse Pointe City’s sewer pumps will need to be removed temporarily for repairs.
Public Service Director Peter Randazzo said that Warren-based Detroit Pump, the city’s vendor for pump service, visited the Neff Road pumping station recently to see what was wrong with pump 5, one of the three pumps in that station that handle sanitary sewage. The three pumps alternate with each other on a rotational basis, which Randazzo said has led to them having longer, more usable lifespans.
Randazzo said Detroit Pump determined that they would need to bring the pump back to their shop to see what needed to be done and how much work was required to get it back to operational status. If the work isn’t extensive, the price tag is projected to be $15,585. However, Randazzo said that if a great deal of wear and tear is found and work like casting parts or a complete rebuild is needed, it could cost as much as $25,000.
At a meeting Feb. 10, the Grosse Pointe City Council agreed unanimously to allow Detroit Pump to make the necessary repairs. If the price exceeds $15,585, city administrators will be notified. The council vote allows the city manager to authorize expending up to $25,000 for pump repair.
“This wasn’t budgeted … but there is money for this” because repairs are anticipated,
See PUMP on page 11A
GOVERNOR APPROVES BILLS FOR SICK TIME, MINIMUM WAGE
BY NICK POWERS npowers@candgnews.com
METRO DETROIT — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed two bills into law that headed off automatic changes to the state’s paid sick time and minimum wage on Feb. 21.
“Michigan workers deserve fair wages and benefits so they can pay the bills and take care of their family, and small businesses (need) our support to keep creating good jobs in Michigan,” Whitmer said in a press release. “I’m proud to sign these two bipartisan bills into law that will raise wages, ensure workers can take time off to care for themselves or their loved ones, and continue growing our economy. This commonsense compromise was made possible by the Republicans and Democrats who worked together to forge a fair, bipartisan deal. I hope we can build on this momentum to keep passing commonsense, bipartisan legislation that makes a real difference in people’s lives. I’ll keep working with anyone to protect working families and make sure our economy is competitive.”
Whitmer’s action closes the door on an issue that dates back to 2018. Two petitions for increased wages and paid sick time received the necessary number of signatures to appear on the ballot in Michigan. Republican legislators, in a move to keep them off the ballot, adopted the two petitions. Once adopted, the measures were significantly altered.
In the Michigan Court of Claims, it was determined on July 19, 2022, that the adopted and altered acts were unconstitutional. This was reversed by the Michigan Court of Appeals but was ultimately upheld
Pump from page 10A
Randazzo explained.
Money for the work will come from the city’s water and sewer fund.
A new pump would have cost the city roughly $80,000, plus modifications, Randazzo said.
Randazzo said these pumps are usually only good for about 20 years until they need to be fixed or rebuilt. Pumps 4 and 5 were both installed in 1992; pump 4 was rebuilt in 2016.
by a 4-3 Michigan Supreme Court ruling July 31, 2024.
The Supreme Court outlined changes that would have been true to the petitioners’ original intent. This included changes to paid sick time and the state’s minimum wage for tipped and nontipped workers.
Legislators in the Michigan House of Representatives and Senate scrambled to pass legislation that would alter the changes set to take effect Feb. 21. House Bill 4002, introduced by Rep. Jay DeBoyer, R-Clay Township, and Senate Bill 8, introduced by Sen. Kevin Hertel, D-St. Clair Shores, were the bills ultimately signed by the governor.
What the adopted bills do
SB 8, which became Public Act 1 of 2025, raised the minimum wage to $12.48 from $10.56, which mirrors the automatic changes due to take effect after the Supreme Court’s ruling. Each year on Jan. 1, the wage will rise until it hits $15 in 2027. After 2027, the state’s treasurer will determine the wage.
PA 1 gives tipped workers 38% of the $12.48 minimum wage. This will raise the wage from $4.01 to $4.74. The wage will rise in 2% increments each Jan. 1 until hitting 50% in 2031.
HB 4002, which became Public Act 2 of 2025, deals with paid sick time. Employees at small businesses, those with 10 or fewer employees, earn one hour of sick time for every 30 hours worked. This is capped at 40 hours a year. For larger businesses, employees also earn one hour of paid sick time for every 30 hours worked with a cap at 72 hours.
Those working for small businesses can carry over up to 40 hours of unused sick time.
See BILLS on page 12A
“So, we’re getting more life out of these pumps,” Randazzo said.
“Is there some kind of warranty?” City Councilman Dave Fries asked of the work.
Randazzo said if future issues are caused by wear and tear, no.
Randazzo said the work is expected to take about three to six weeks to complete, depending on the scope.
The Neff Road pump station contains a total of seven pumps. The other four are for stormwater, Randazzo said.
Call Staff Writer K. Michelle Moran at (586) 498-1047.
Bills
At larger companies, employees can carry over up to 72 hours of unused sick time.
The changes for small businesses go into effect Oct. 1. For larger companies, the changes took effect Feb. 21. For both large and small businesses, employees hired after the acts go into effect can start accruing time immediately. However, an employer can require an employee to wait 120 days before taking any time.
Reasons to take paid sick time in Michigan for employees or an employee’s family member include mental or physical illness; injury or medical treatment; and domestic or sexual violence. For employees, meetings regarding a child’s health or abuse, and closure of a business due to a public health emergency, also qualify.
Reactions
Justin Winslow, president and CEO of the Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association, praised the legislation.
“With Governor Whitmer’s signature today, thousands of community restaurants and tens of thousands of servers and bartenders can exhale, knowing their voice was
heard,” Winslow said in the same press release that included the governor’s comments. “They can now begin the work of planning for their collective future with the knowledge that a tip credit has once again been preserved. We’re especially grateful to all those who took the time to truly understand what was at stake — the servers who showed up in Lansing to share their stories, the legislators who visited countless restaurants to learn firsthand how the tip credit works and the many small business owners who opened their books to show the real numbers.”
Not everyone was thrilled with the outcome. Progress Michigan Executive Director Sam Inglot criticised legislators for deviating from the original intent of the petitions.
“It is disappointing that the Michigan Legislature caved to a spin campaign pushed by corporate lobbyists and voted to roll back a well-deserved raise and paid sick leave for working families in Michigan,” Inglot said in a press release. “Hundreds of thousands of Michiganders took action to sign petitions and demand that we give workers a raise, eliminate the subminimum tipped wage, and implement paid sick leave in 2018. Advocates fought back against the Republican adopt-and-amend scheme and won, only to face the same betrayal in 2025 — this time in a bipartisan fashion.”
New parks and recreation software program coming to Grosse Pointe City
BY K. MICHELLE MORAN kmoran@candgnews.com
CITY — A new software program will make it easier and more convenient for Grosse Pointe City residents to register for recreation programs.
The current program, RecPro — which the city acquired in 2009 — is being discontinued on Sept. 30, 2025, Parks and Recreation Coordinator Rebecca Jenzen told the Grosse Pointe City Council at a meeting Feb. 10. As a result, they need to switch to a new program.
Jenzen said they looked at five software providers and got presentations from all of them, but only two — Civic Rec and Rec Desk — met most of the city’s needs. And of those two, only Civic Rec has the ability at this time to print and issue membership cards — such as park passes — directly through the program, rather than having to buy additional card-printing software, she said.
City Councilman Christopher Walsh asked Jenzen if the local communities that use recreation software, such as the Grosse Pointes and St. Clair Shores, had explored the possibility of getting a discount if several of them decided to go with Civic Rec. Jenzen said they hadn’t. She said the Park had already switched to Civic Rec before the city and Grosse Pointe Shores last summer opted to go with Rec Desk. Some of the other cities haven’t made a decision yet.
“Our price point is lower than the other (neighboring) communities because it is based on the amount of money running through the software,” Jenzen said.
Because Grosse Pointe City is smaller, the number of people registered for its programs and lessons is smaller as well.
Jenzen said they had originally wanted to try to sign up for the new software as a group of municipalities, but that didn’t happen. She added that the new software cost is “actually less than we’re paying now,” and that Civic Rec reduced their original price
The cost to the city will be a one-time installation fee of $7,588 and a fee of $3,500 for usage of the software for the first year, and $3,675 for software usage for the second year.
The late Dr. Ringold founded Bionicc Body Screening in 2022 after battling cancer twice. He believed MRI full body screenings could empower individuals to take control of their health.
Softball Size Tumors Silently Grew
Dr. Ringold discovered he had stage four cancer with tumors as large as softballs silently growing inside his body after experiencing shortness of breath. His treatment was brutal. He su ered cruel side e ects. After his cancer went into remission, it returned a year later as a brain tumor. Dr. Ringold believed there had to be a better way. He envisioned a future where individuals could take control of their
quote for the city.
“Trying to find a software that meets our needs was very difficult,” Jenzen said.
Jenzen said residents who want to register for programs via the website now are taken from the city’s site to a separate site, and the same will be true with Civic Rec.
One of the big advantages of Civic Rec is that unlike RecPro, which only permitted one email address per household to use as a login, Jenzen said Civic Rec will allow households to have multiple email addresses.
“That’s huge,” Mayor Sheila Tomkowiak said. “(It’s) quite an overdue improvement.”
All scheduling rentals and session-based class reservations can be made on the new software as well, Jenzen said. She said the software will also allow the city to sell items at Neff Park.
Being able to register for more programs and rentals online will improve ease and convenience for residents.
“People are going to be very happy about that,” City Councilman Seth Krupp said.
However, Jenzen said people still need to make an appointment to get their park pass because parks and recreation staff need to confirm their residency. Because the park gets the most usage during the summer, she said they have staffers available for this purpose six to eight hours a day and on weekends in the summer.
The council unanimously approved the new software purchase, but asked administrators to ask about additional possible discounts on the program.
Because of the lead time needed to make the change and implement the new software program, Jenzen said they won’t be switching to Civic Rec until the fall — after the busy summer season.
Call Staff Writer K. Michelle Moran at (586) 498-1047.
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Werenski
of intensity, defense and checking.
“I knew hockey fans would watch it, but I guess I didn’t realize how many other people it would reach,” Werenski said. “We were all just taken aback by how much this tournament traveled worldwide. … The media tripled.”
According to ESPN, the tournament finale between Canada and the U.S. was watched by more than 10 million viewers, which was the most for a non-Stanley Cup hockey game in more than a decade. And in the middle of it all was Werenski, who not only made a name for himself on the national stage, but ended up leading the entire tournament in points with 6. He had more points than players including Sidney Crosby, Connor McDavid and Auston Matthews, who have all won the NHL’s Hart Memorial Trophy as the league’s most valuable player in their careers.
“There’s no denying that I noticed it,” Werenski said. “I’m on social media. … The follows and the likes and the direct messages and just seeing your name from prominent sports writers … I really don’t care about it. That’s not why I do it, but it is cool.”
Someone who undeniably noticed the attention Werenski and Team USA received was Zach’s father, Ken Werenski.
“As a parent, to see your kid grow and achieve his goals … I’m fortunate I get to experience it with him,” Ken Werenski said. “It’s nice to see him go down the list of his bucket list and knock things off that he wants to achieve. … It gives me strength.”
Ken Werenski is the director of the Grosse Pointe Shores Public Safety Department and has worked in the community for more than 30 years. Seeing the impact of someone from the area thrive on the biggest stage is not lost on him or his family.
“It is pretty special. I work in the com-
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munity too, and I see it,” Ken Werenski said. “I could be at the gas station or the bank and somebody will stop me (and talk about Zach). ... It’s really nice that everyone in the community follows (him).”
Zach Werenski graduated from Grosse Pointe North High School and played at the University of Michigan before being drafted by the Columbus Blue Jackets in the first round of the 2015 NHL Draft. And he’s always keeping an eye on the hockey landscape back home.
“I’m a Grosse Pointer through and through,” Zach Werenski said. “Me and my fiancee love it there. It’s always fun going back there and seeing the young hockey players. … It’s all kind of coming full circle now.”
His family was able to be at the entire tournament to support him in games at Montreal and Boston. Having his family there was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
“They’re the main reason I was even on that stage,” Zach Werenski said. “To have them enjoy the experience with me, that’s what it’s all about.”
Next for him is a playoff push for the Columbus Blue Jackets, which included a Stadium Series outdoor game at Ohio Stadium against the Detroit Red Wings on March 1, a 5-3 victory for the Blue Jackets. That is another game with plenty of ‘full circle moments’ for Werenski.
“I’m fortunate to be a part of it. It couldn’t have worked out better that it’s against the Red Wings,” Werenski said days prior to the game. “They’re playoff games essentially.”
And soon, all eyes will shift to the Winter Olympics that will be held in 2026. Werenski showed he was one of the best players on the ice this year, and he will be eyeing a roster spot on the Olympic team next winter.
“I don’t know what in my hockey career will ever top (the 4 Nations Face-Off),” Werenski said. “Maybe the Olympics or maybe a Stanley Cup one day … but I’m just very grateful for it.”
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Zach Werenski and his father, Grosse Pointe Shores Public Safety Director Kenneth Werenski, smile during a Columbus Blue Jackets dads trip in 2023.
Photo provided by Kenneth Werenski
Officers
2008. He was promoted to detective in 2012 and to sergeant on Aug. 5, 2019.
Bostock said Pittman’s specialized training includes the Advanced Reid School of Interview and Interrogation, FBI Law Enforcement Executive Development Association certification in internal affairs, FBI LEEDA certification in supervisor leadership and being a certified evidence technician.
“Jeremy’s my right hand in the department here,” Bostock said.
Bostock explained that the criteria for Supervisor of the Year includes being a good mentor, inspiring and motivating the team, setting an example of professionalism, being ethical, working well with other departments and organizations, being respected by peers, and demonstrating fairness and integrity.
“In addition to his leadership qualities, Sgt. Pittman has an exemplary record of service,” Bostock said. “He has successfully led numerous operations, displaying strategic thinking and quick decision-making under pressure. His ability to remain calm and composed in high stress situations has earned him respect and trust with his colleagues and supervisors alike.”
Bostock also presented an Officer of the Year award, to Scott Gilchrist. Gilchrist, who joined the department on July 10, 2017, serves as a bike officer, youth officer, evidence technician, defensive tactics instructor, field training officer and emergency medical technician. Bostock said Gilchrist recently passed a test to earn his drone pilot’s license as well.
“He has set the bar pretty high,” Bostock said of Gilchrist. “(He demonstrates) you can be a leader without rank.”
Officer of the Year, another new award, will be presented annually to someone who shows courage, leadership, community engagement, professionalism, problem-solving,
teamwork, ethics, tremendous service and values aligning with the department, among other criteria, Bostock said.
Over his nearly eight-year career in the Park, Bostock said Gilchrist has earned four department commendations, one department unit commendation and one lifesaving award.
Receiving a department citation was Detective Ryan Willmer. Bostock said the award was in conjunction with Willmer’s response to a home the night of Aug. 16, 2024, where someone had forced their way into the home and appeared to have started a fire on the stove. Bostock said Willmer was familiar with the address and its residents, and he located the female resident — the victim — to ensure her safety and speak to her.
“Detective Willmer gained the trust of a domestic assault victim who had previously been apprehensive to give law enforcement details of the abuse she had endured at the hands of the suspect,” Bostock said. “The victim described to Detective Willmer a history of abuse including strangulations, death threats and threats to burn her house down. Detective Willmer made use of all the resources available to him and coordinated a multi-jurisdictional effort to locate and arrest the suspect.”
The suspect was arrested and charged with five felonies, Bostock said.
Willmer joined the department on Dec. 12, 2001. He was named to the detective bureau on Oct. 31, 2019.
Receiving a commendation was Detective Paul Pionk, who was hired on July 21, 2003, and was appointed to the detective bureau on Nov. 15, 2021.
Mayor Michele Hodges congratulated the award recipients and thanked Bostock for his leadership. The fact that a number of other officers were on hand for the ceremony served as a “really outstanding testament to the quality of the team,” Hodges said. “They’ve committed themselves to our residents and their property.”
ABOVE: Holding his daughter, Morgan, 1, Grosse Pointe Park Detective Ryan Willmer listens as Public Safety Director James Bostock talks about Willmer’s public safety award in front of the Feb. 3 Grosse Pointe Park City Council meeting.
TOP RIGHT: Grosse Pointe Park public safety officer Scott Gilchrist is given the Officer of the Year award by Public Safety Director James Bostock.
BOTTOM RIGHT: Grosse Pointe Park Detective Sgt. Jeremy Pittman receives the new Supervisor of the Year award from Public Safety Director James Bostock.
Photos by K. Michelle Moran
Woods Planning Commission member recognized for long tenure
WOODS — A longtime member of the Grosse Pointe Woods Planning Commission was recently recognized for his many years of service to his community.
During a volunteer appreciation event Feb. 7 at Lochmoor Club in Grosse Pointe Woods, Mayor Arthur Bryant presented John Vitale with an award for being an outstanding volunteer. Vitale has served on the city’s Planning Commission since 1992, a tenure of more than 30 years.
“It’s quite a distinguished award,” Woods Planning Commission Chair Christian Fenton said during a Feb. 25 Planning Commission meeting. “Congratulations. And I hope (your term lasts) for 30 more (years).”
Vitale is a principal of Stucky-Vitale Architects, which is based in Royal Oak. Vitale has been with the firm for more than 40 years and brings knowledge of a wide range of architectural topics to his work on the Planning Commission.
Vitale’s firm has done a considerable amount of work locally, including Chene Trombley Park in the Woods, recent renovations at Woods City Hall, Dox Grillhouse in St. Clair Shores, the Fred M. Alger Center at The War Memorial in Grosse Pointe Farms and Grosse Pointe Park’s new Department of Public Works building on Mack Avenue.
— K. Michelle Moran
John Vitale
CRIME WATCH
Jeep taken
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. Anyone with more information can call (313) 3432400.
Vehicle stolen
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 start, was left running in the driveway, but the victims said they had the keys with them. Police contacted OnStar to track down the vehicle and stop it, but officers said the two suspects inside the vehicle fled and officers were unable to find them; they believe the suspects were either picked 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. Anyone with more information can call (313) 885-2100.
Fraudster thwarted
CITY — An unknown suspect pretending to be a Wayne County sheriff’s deputy called a Grosse Pointe City resident Feb. 25 and tried to convince the resident that she owed the county $8,000 in fees and charges for 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.
Stolen property recovered
FARMS — A laptop computer bag containing a computer charger, key fob, EpiPen and other items was recovered in the area of Grosse Pointe Boulevard near Stanton Lane by a Grosse Pointe Farms man walking his dog at around 11:18 a.m. Feb. 18.
The bag had been stolen out of the back seat of 2021 gray Jeep Grand Cherokee while
it was parked in the first block of Mapleton Road Feb. 17. The victim said his vehicle was locked at the time of the larceny, and his laptop had been in his home. The victim told police nothing else appeared to be missing from the vehicle. He said the theft might have occurred at about 11:30 p.m. Feb. 17, as he heard a loud noise outside at that time. Anyone with more information can call (313) 885-2100.
Retail fraud reported
CITY — An unknown man in his 20s is said to have stolen a black True Identity Card Case valued at $28 from the Lululemon store in The Village at around 4:30 p.m. Feb. 24. Police said the suspect fled the scene in a white Hyundai Kona heading westbound on Kercheval Avenue. Anyone with more information can call (313) 8863200.
Vehicle broken into
FARMS — An officer on routine patrol found a backpack and clothing in the middle of the 100 block of Ridge Road at around 1:26 a.m. Feb. 17. Upon further investigation, the officer also discovered a gray Nissan Rogue with its front left window smashed out.
Police were able to run the license plate to find the name of the Nissan’s owner, who was visiting someone on Ridge. The owner checked her vehicle but said nothing appeared to have been taken. The vehicle is believed to have been broken into between the hours of 8 p.m. Feb. 16 and 1:26 a.m. Feb. 17. It isn’t clear who the clothing and backpack belonged to. Anyone with more information can call (313) 885-2100.
Car purchased fraudulently
CITY — A resident in the 400 block of University Place filed a report with police Feb. 24 after learning that an unknown suspect purchased a 2022 Mercedes Benz for $47,000 in the victim’s name from a dealership in Gaithersburg, Maryland.
Traffic stops lead to arrests
PARK — A 35-year-old Harper Woods woman stopped by police for allegedly speeding in the area of Jefferson Avenue and Park Lane at 2:44 p.m. Feb. 25 was arrested after police said they discovered that the driver had a warrant against her out of Grosse Pointe Park.
In a similar incident, a 20-year-old Detroit man was taken into custody after a traffic stop for having defective equipment in the area of Kercheval Avenue and Alter Road at 10:57 a.m. Feb. 28. Police said the driver was wanted on a warrant out of Grosse Pointe Shores. He was turned over to the
Shores Public Safety Department, according to a report.
Valuables stolen from vehicle
WOODS — Sometime between the hours of 11 p.m. Feb. 25 and 2:45 a.m. Feb. 26, an unknown suspect is said to have gotten into a vehicle parked in the 19000 block of Linville Street and stolen the car radio, a wheel lock attached to the steering wheel and a bag containing a laptop computer and headphones. The victim told police the vehicle was locked. Police said they found no
signs of forced entry at the scene. Anyone with more information can call (313) 3432400.
Change taken
WOODS — Sometime between the night of Feb. 24 and the morning of Feb. 25, an unknown suspect is said to have stolen change from a vehicle while it was parked in the 1500 block of Edmundton Drive. Anyone with more information can call (313) 343-2400.
— K. Michelle Moran
COMMUNITY CALENDAR
19A/ GROSSE POINTE TIMES • MARCH 6, 2025
MARCH 7
Luck of the Irish Dinner & Concert: Three-course meal from in-house chef and Gaelic music by Black Murray Band, 6:30 p.m. doors for dinner or 7:45 p.m. for just concert guests, The War Memorial, 32 Lake Shore Drive in Grosse Pointe Farms, tickets and menu details at warmemorial.org/eventcalendar
MARCH 9
Your Old Mansion lecture series: Watch film clips and learn about techniques used to create classic characters like Mickey Mouse, Felix the Cat, Popeye and Betty Boop, 2-4 p.m., The War Memorial, 32 Lake Shore Drive in Grosse Pointe Farms, register and see topic for next talk at grossepointeartcenter.org
Pre-K Prom: For ages 3-6 and their families, features DJ, dancing, red carpet entrance, photo booth, appearance by Belle and Cinderella, craft crown, and more, 3-5 p.m., The War Memorial, 32 Lake Shore Drive in Grosse Pointe Farms, register at warmemorial. org/eventcalendar
MARCH 13
Trivia night: For ages 21 and older, maximum groups of six, snacks provided and drinks for purchase, 6 p.m., Edsel and Eleanor Ford House, 1100 Lake Shore Road in Grosse Pointe Shores, register at fordhouse. org/events
U.S. Navy aircraft carriers presentation: Meeting and program hosted by Grosse Pointe War Memorial Veterans Club, 2-4 p.m. (social hour until 5 p.m.), The War Memorial, 32 Lake Shore Drive in Grosse Pointe Farms, (313) 881-4125
MARCH 15
‘Music of Triumph’ concert: Performance by Detroit Concert Choir, 7:30 p.m., Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church, 467 Fairford Road in Grosse Pointe Woods, (313) 882-0118, detroitconcertchoir.org
Royal Oak St. Patrick’s Day Parade: Family-friendly event featuring bands, floats, sports teams, scout groups and more, noon, starts at Royal Oak Middle
School (709 N. Washington Ave.) and travels south on Washington Avenue before heading west on West Seventh Street, royaloakstpatricksdayparade.org
MARCH 15-16
Eucharistic miracles: Free exhibit featuring 60-plus miracles from past to present, noon-7 p.m. March 15 and 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m. March 16, Our Lady Queen of Apostles Parish, 3851 Prescott St. in Hamtramck, (313) 365-7614, scotty313@comcast.net
ONGOING
Fish fries: 5-6:45 p.m. Fridays March 7-April 11, St. Paul on the Lake Catholic School, 157 Lake Shore Road in Grosse Pointe Farms, (313) 885-8855, stpaulonthelake.org/lent
• Also shrimp, grilled cheese and macaroni and cheese, 5-7 p.m. Fridays March 7-April 11, Our Lady Star of the Sea, 467 Fairford Road in Grosse Pointe Woods, dine in and carryout, (313) 884-5554, online ordering at olsos.org/posts/fish-fry
• 4-8 p.m. Fridays March 7-April 18, VFW Bruce Post #1146, 28404 Jefferson Ave. in St. Clair Shores, dine in and carryout, cash only (ATM on site), facebook. com/vfw1146brucepost
Peace and Justice Forum: Monthly gatherings with leaders discussing various topics, also potluck dinners, 5-7 p.m. March 16, April 27 and May 18, Grosse Pointe Memorial Church, 16 Lake Shore Drive in Grosse Pointe Farms, RSVP required, gpmchurch.org/ peace-and-justice-forum
‘Groundhog Day: The Musical’: Based on hit 1993 movie about weatherman covering Punxsutawney Phil story while reliving same day over and over, presented by Grosse Pointe Theatre, 7:30 p.m. WednesdaysThursdays, 8 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays March 28-April 6, Pierce Middle School, 15430 Kercheval Ave. in Grosse Pointe Park, (313) 881-4004, gpt.org
Nooks & Crannies: Guided tours of private staircases, hidden spaces and more at Edsel and Eleanor Ford
To view more Community Calendar and to submit your own, use the QR code or visit candgnews.com/calendar. To advertise an event, call (586) 498-8000.
House, Tuesdays-Sundays through May, 1100 Lake Shore Road in Grosse Pointe Shores, find times and register at fordhouse.org/events
Indoor Walking Club: 2-4 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, The Helm at the Boll Life Center, 158 Ridge Road in Grosse Pointe Farms, helmlife.org
Teen Leadership Council: Meetings for kids in grades 9-12 every first Wednesday of month, pizza and snacks provided, 6-7 p.m., Grosse Pointe Public Library - Woods Branch, 20680 Mack Ave., (313) 6404775, grossepointelibrary.org
Book clubs: Nearly a dozen hosted by Grosse Pointe Public Library at various branches, restaurants and on Zoom, grossepointelibrary.org/book-clubs
Grosse Pointe Community Chorus: Open rehearsals 7:30-9 p.m. Tuesdays, Grosse Pointe North High School, 707 Vernier Road in Grosse Pointe Woods, spring concert at 3 p.m. May 4, St. Clare of Montefalco Church, Whittier Road and Mack Avenue in Grosse Pointe Park, grossepointecommunitychorus.org
Art classes: 10:30 a.m.-noon every first and third Tuesday of month for seniors, 6-8 p.m. every second and fourth Tuesday of month for veterans, The War Memorial, 32 Lake Shore Drive in Grosse Pointe Farms, (313) 881-3454, grossepointeartcenter.org
‘Big Fun Murder’: Planet Ant Theatre presents improvised and interactive show about ghost trying to unravel truth about his/her death in 1970s, each performance features different character, location and murder, 8 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays and 3 p.m. Sunday March 7-15, Ant Hall, 2320 Caniff St. in Hamtramck, planetant.com
‘Tales from the D’: Watch Emmy-nominated public television series about Detroit musicians, also live performances on site, new episode screens monthly at 6:45 p.m. March 21, April 25 and May 30, VIP experience with drinks, appetizers, musicians and more at 5:45 p.m., Detroit Historical Museum, 5401 Woodward Ave., detroithistorical.org
‘Tyrannosaurs – Meet the Family’: See skeleton casts, fossils and life-size displays, also multiple interactive elements, exhibit extended until May, Michigan Science Center, 5020 John R St. in Detroit, mi-sci.org
Health workshops: For hypertension, diabetes, pre-diabetes and more, hosted by Corewell Health, free and virtual, corewellhealth.org/classes-events/ southeast-michigan
Lupus support groups: 10 a.m. every second Tuesday of month and 7 p.m. every last Wednesday of month, Zoom, (248) 901-7299, milupus.org/support-groups
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Help Wanted General
TOWNSHIP OF CLINTON
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EMPLOYEES
Seasonal general laborer positions, $15.30 - $16.32 hourly, no benefits. Successful completion of Civil Service Examination is required, and applicants must meet all requirements set forth in the Employees Civil Service Ordinance. Pre-employment background investigation is required. Interested, applicants must submit application to the Clinton Township Employees Civil Service Commission, 40700 Romeo Plank Rd., Clinton Township, MI 48038 on or before the close of business, Thursday, April 17, 2025. The Charter Township of Clinton is an Equal Opportunity Employer, applicants are considered for all positions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, or disability. For further information pertaining to this position or to download employment application please refer to www.clintontownship.com, click on employment.
0262-2510
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Seasonal Assessing Canvasser positions, $15.30 hourly, no benefits. Successful completion of Civil Service Examination is required, and applicants must meet all requirements set forth in the Employees Civil Service Ordinance. Pre-employment background investigation. Interested, applicants must submit application to the Clinton Township Employees Civil Service Commission, 40700 Romeo Plank Rd., Clinton Township, MI 48038 on or before the close of business, Thursday, April 17, 2025. The Charter Township of Clinton is an Equal Opportunity Employer, applicants are considered for all positions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, or disability. For further information pertaining to this position or to download employment application please refer to www.clintontownship.com, click on employment.
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his accounts was being used for suspicious activity and that they needed $2,500 to make it go away. The man bought $2,000 in Sephora gift cards and $500 in Bitcoin and gave the information to the alleged scammers.
An officer advised the man a report would be made, but that the chances of arrest were slim because some scammers live in different countries. The officer also advised him to contact the Federal Trade Commission and ask local law enforcement in the future before sending anyone large amounts of money.
Forgery on Little Mack Avenue
ST. CLAIR SHORES — At 9:42 a.m. on Feb. 7, an act of forgery was reported in the 24000 block of Little Mack Avenue.
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Bar fight reported
MACOMB TOWNSHIP — On Feb. 3 at around 2 a.m., Macomb County Sheriff’s Office deputies were called to The Hub at 21 Mile Road for a fight between patrons on their way out.
According to the report narrative, a 30-year-old Shelby Township man said he noticed a 37-year-old Washington Township man inappropriately touch a woman earlier that evening. The Shelby man confronted the Washington man, leading to an argument that turned into a fight as both men’ s parties left. Deputies arrested the Washington man for assault and battery.
Collateral damage
MACOMB TOWNSHIP — On Feb. 2 at around 10:30 a.m., Macomb County Sheriff’s Office deputies were alerted to a Dodge Avenger that hit two cars and was going west on Hall Road.
Deputies located the suspect Dodge on the right shoulder of Hall Road near Chateau Thierry Drive along with two other damaged cars. Drivers of the other cars told deputies they were hit by the Dodge.
A 21-year-old Clinton Township woman exited the Dodge and allegedly tried to leave the scene. She reportedly became combative with deputies and was ultimately handcuffed.
The woman was reportedly given breath tests that showed blood alcohol content levels of 0.149 and 0.141.
Fraud on Colonial Court
ST. CLAIR SHORES — At 7:29 p.m. on Feb. 3, a case of fraud was reported in the 23000 block of Colonial Court.
The victim, a 60-year-old man, stated he received an email that he thought was from the U.S. Marshals Service. The man stated it made him believe one of
An officer was at a local credit union when the assistant branch manager stated there was recently a case of fraud. A 40-year-old woman wrote a check for $162.52 to the credit union and placed it in her mailbox. When she checked it later, the check had been cashed for $762.52.
A 24-year-old man, the suspect, arrived at a location on foot and cashed the check. He presented his driver’s license to the credit union. He allegedly had washed the check, writing in his name and amount from the woman’s account. The woman filed a report with the Chesterfield Township Police Department.
License plate swapper
HARRISON TOWNSHIP — At around 4 p.m. on Feb. 1, Macomb County Sheriff’s Office deputies were dispatched to the 32000 block of North River Road after receiving a call about a stolen license plate.
The caller, a 58-year-old Harrison Township resident staying in Florida at the time, initially received a call from the Taylor Police Department informing her that the license plate to her truck was turned in. She called Macomb County deputies after having a friend visit her home and confirm the plate on her truck was not the correct plate.
The plate on the Harrison Township truck belonged to a vehicle registered in Detroit. Deputies reached out to the Taylor police, who said someone initially came in earlier that day reporting the plates on his vehicles had been stolen and swapped with other vehicles’ plates.
Suspect in retail fraud caught
SHELBY TOWNSHIP — Police officers from Shelby Township were dispatched to the area of 23 Mile Road and Van Dyke Avenue for a retail fraud that had just occurred at a gas station Feb. 5. The suspect left in a red pickup truck. An officer located the vehicle in question and conducted a traffic stop. Upon meeting the driver, police were able to observe the merchandise that was taken from the gas station. The suspect was arrested for retail fraud.
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