4/17/24 Shelby-Utica News

UTICA PUPPY PARADE TO RETURN AT END OF MONTH

BY KARA SZYMANSKI kszymanski@candgnews.com

UTICA — Dog lovers will once again gather for the annual Utica Puppy Parade at 2 p.m. April 27 in downtown Utica with all sorts of activities and animal support groups brought together for a cause.

Utica Mayor Gus Calandrino said the Utica Puppy Parade continues to grow each year.

“I’m proud that this event brings attention to the prevention of cruelty to animals. The Utica Puppy Parade brings together so many important organizations who are advocating for this cause,” he said.

He said he’d like to thank John Johnson and the Southeast Michigan Chamber of

FAR RIGHT: The city of Utica will be hosting its annual Puppy Parade April 27. This year’s special guest is Fritz, who received care from the Michigan Anti-Cruelty Society. He is currently under the foster care of Michelle Laskowski. NEAR RIGHT: Participants in the Utica Puppy Parade sometimes dress up their pooches.

BY KARA SZYMANSKI kszymanski@candgnews.com

SHELBY TOWNSHIP — The Shelby Township Police Department arrested three suspects in connection with vehicles that had been broken into in March.

At around 6:30 a.m. March 14, the Shelby Township Police Department received four different reports of vehicles having windows broken out with personal items being taken from the vehicles.

Shelby police make 3 arrests in connection with vehicle break-ins

Police said that security video shows that two suspects arrived in a silver Mazda SUV, broke into vehicles, and then fled the scene. Detectives reportedly were able to identify the suspect vehicle and determined that it was a rental vehicle from Florida. The vehicle was later located in Rochester with help from Troy police. In the early morning hours of March 15, detectives followed a vehicle from the address and saw the same suspects breaking into another ve-

Photos provided by Gus Calandrino

SECOND FRONT PAGE

Village Vinyl

owner John Lehl, left, and manager Adam Davey will be on hand to welcome customers on Record Store Day April 20. Pictured with them are posters from past Record Store Day events.

Wrong-way driver arrested in Shelby Township

BY KARA SZYMANSKI kszymanski@candgnews.com

SHELBY TOWNSHIP — Wrong-way drivers have been in the news lately, and the Shelby Township Police Department was notified of a wrong-way driver heading northbound on the M-53 Freeway in the southbound lanes of traffic in the area of M-53 and 23 Mile Road at 11:56 p.m. March 18.

BY MARIA ALLARD allard@candgnews.com

METRO DETROIT — The spirit of independent record stores will make music on Record Store Day, set for April 20 this year.

Record Store Day, held internationally, was launched in 2007 to give employees and customers the chance to gather and celebrate the culture of the indie record store, including those that sell used and new titles.

The event can trigger feelings of nostalgia for anyone who grew up listening to vinyl on their par-

Music fans tune in to Record Store Day

ents’ turntables or met up with friends at the neighborhood shop in their youth.

It’s also a day on which artists release new music or re-release albums and CDs that have been out of print or previously weren’t available. That could include music from current bands and also from groups no longer together. Some titles are limited releases.

From the mainstream to the obscure, Record Store Day will have artists from all genres: classic rock, rap, blues, jazz, punk and country. Each individual record store owner decides what titles to order.

Several metro Detroit stores will participate in

See RECORDS on page 16A

Officers arrived and saw a black Ram pickup truck continuing to travel in the wrong direction on the freeway. Several officers then arrived on the freeway to try to get the wrongway driver stopped and to shut down the freeway to prevent a possible head-on collision. The wrong-way driver continued to 27 Mile Road, where police said that she eventually stopped her vehicle.

Police identified the driver as Alexandria Marie Remington, a 37-year-old woman from Macomb Township.

As officers were talking with her, they reportedly could smell the odor of intoxicants on her breath. Officers conducted field sobriety tests on her, and then police offered her a preliminary breath test. Police said Remington refused to take the PBT and was then placed under arrest.

Sgt. Mark Benedettini, of the Shelby Township Police Department, said that with the help of concerned residents, the Police Department was able to keep everyone safe.

“Our department is thankful for the citizens who immediately notified our department of this wrong-way driver. This allowed us to get officers in the area immediately before a serious crash occurred,” he said.

The Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office authorized charges of operating while intoxicated and possession of analogues. Remington was arraigned in 41-A District Court. Bond was set at $25,000 cash or surety, 10%, by Magistrate James Verploeg.

According to court records, Remington’s next court hear-

Photo by Patricia O’Blenes

Remington

CRIME WATCH

Police arrest fleeing domestic violence suspect

SHELBY TOWNSHIP — Officers were dispatched to an apartment in the area of West Utica and Dequindre roads for a domestic violence report at 1:33 p.m. March 20. The caller stated she was watching her Ring doorbell camera and could see her daughter being assaulted in front of the apartment by her daughter’s boyfriend. Officers arrived and spoke to the daughter, who stated that she got into an argument with her boyfriend, who then smashed her phone and threw her to the ground. The boyfriend fled on foot prior to police arrival.

Officers were able to set up a perimeter around the area and located the boyfriend running through backyards of homes on Gable Inn Street. He was taken into custody and arrested for domestic violence.

Cellphone taken, returned later

SHELBY TOWNSHIP — Officers were dispatched to the 2100 block of Crystal Lake Drive, near 23 Mile and Dequindre roads, for a larceny report at 8:10 p.m. March 17. Upon arrival, officers spoke to the caller, who reportedly stated that her exboyfriend came to her apartment and stole her cellphone. Officers followed up with the victim a couple of days later, and she stated that the phone had been returned to her, and she did not wish to press charges. The case has been closed.

Drunken driver arrested

SHELBY TOWNSHIP — At 9:47 p.m. March 24, officers were dispatched to the area of Auburn and Ryan roads for a report of a driver passed out in his vehicle in the middle of the intersection. Officers arrived at the scene and made contact with the driver. Upon talking with the driver, an officer smelled the odor of alcohol, and the motorist reportedly was slurring his speech. Officers then had the driver exit his vehicle

Remington from page 3A

ing will be July 3. Remington’s attorney, Avis Hany Choulagh, could not be reached before press time.

Shelby Township Police Chief Robert Shelide said he is proud of the way and how quickly the officers handled the situation.

to perform field sobriety tests. After completing the tests, the driver was offered a preliminary breath test. He agreed to take a PBT, with the results being 0.16% blood alcohol content. The driver was then arrested for operating while intoxicated.

Driver hits parked vehicle

SHELBY TOWNSHIP — Officers were dispatched to the 47000 block of Ladd Avenue, near Auburn and Ryan roads, for a property damage accident at 10:15 p.m. March 21. Upon arrival, officers spoke to the driver, who had hit a parked vehicle. Police said that the driver’s eyes were glassy and bloodshot, and the officers could smell the odor of intoxicants on her breath. Officers then had the driver perform field sobriety tests. After completing the field sobriety tests, the driver was offered a preliminary breath test. The driver agreed to take the PBT, with the results being 0.137% blood alcohol content. The driver was placed under arrest for operating while intoxicated.

Resident reports fraud

SHELBY TOWNSHIP — At 4:20 p.m. March 20, a woman came into the Shelby Township Police Department to file a fraud report. The woman stated that there were some fraudulent transactions on her Bridge Card. The card had been used in Chicago for $203.85. The woman stated that she did not make this transaction and didn’t authorize anyone to make this transaction. Shelby Township police said that they had no suspects.

Windshield smashed

SHELBY TOWNSHIP — At 11:52 a.m. March 17, Shelby Township police officers were dispatched to the 6000 block of Windemere Drive, near 25 Mile and Mound roads, for a vandalism report. Upon arrival, officers spoke to the caller, who stated that someone had smashed out the windshield to his vehicle. The estimated cost for the damage is $400 to $800. The Shelby Township Police Department’s detective bureau was investigating.

— Kara Szymanski

“I am thankful for our officer’s quick response to alert other drivers and shut down the freeway, helping to avoid a serious headon crash. Our department will continue to have zero tolerance for drivers who choose to drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs in Shelby Township,” he said in a prepared statement.

Call Staff Writer Kara Szymanski at (586) 498-1029.

SPOTLIGHT ON TUSCANY

October 29, 2024

• Starting at $3,449*

• 9 Days • 11 Meals

Highlights: Montecatini Terme • Lucca • Pisa • Winery Tour

• Florence • Cooking Class • Cheese Farm • San Gimignano

Tuscany & the Italian Riviera

9 Days • 11 Meals • $2,399*

• Italian Riviera • Cinque Terre • Lucca • Tuscan Estate

• Florence • Greve in Chianti

Rome & the Amalfi Coast

10 Days • 13 Meals • $2,999*

Highlights: Turin • Langhe Wine Country • Barolo Winery

• Sorrento • Pompeii • Winery Visit and Lunch

Reflections of Italy

10 Days • 12 Meals • $3,099*

Highlights: Rome • Trevi Fountain • Pantheon • Piazza Navona • Colosseum • Montecassino • Amalfi Coast

Highlights: Rome • Vatican Museums • Assisi • Sistine Chapel • St. Peter’s Basilica • Perugia • Cortona • Florence

• Michelangelo’s David • Chianti Winery & Cooking Class

• Venice • Murano Island • Lake Maggiore

For more information or to book your trip of a lifetime, call Jeffrey Leonardi of Travel Time Vacations at 586-323-6100 or email

jeffrey@586travel.com

Laundries | Pantries | Wall Beds | Wall Units

PAWS TO READ

SHELBY TOWNSHIP — The Shelby Township Library will be hosting its Paws to Read event from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. April 27. Children and their caregivers can check in at the children’s desk and take turns reading to a certified therapy dog who will be there with the dog’s handler. It’s a way to work on reading skills with a supportive furry friend. For more information, visit shelbylib.events.mylibrary.digital.

EARTH DAY EVENTS

MACOMB BALLET TO PERFORM ‘PETER PAN’

SHELBY TOWNSHIP — From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Burgess-Shadbush Nature Center, 4101 River Bends Drive, will have an Earth Day program. The program will feature the Balduck Mountain Ramblers playing live bluegrass music and live animal ambassadors for participants to meet and learn about. Eco-friendly crafts, educational stations, face-painting, story time and scheduled guided hikes will also be part of the festivities. The event will include a local artisan market and a tree planting ceremony at noon. The program is free, but registration is preferred at register.shelbytwp.org.

CLINTON TOWNSHIP — The Macomb Ballet Company will perform an original production of “Peter Pan” at the Macomb Center for Performing Arts from April 26-28.

Based on the book by J.M. Barrie, the MBC’s production was created for the stage by Artistic Director Amber Megna Michalik and Associate Directors Hannah Carden, Brandon Koepsell and Mary Sherman.

“Peter Pan has been a decade-long dream for MBC and we are thrilled to bring the magic of Neverland to our home stage,” Michalik said in a press release.

The MBC is a pre-professional ballet company for performers ages 8-18. The company aims to provide experience to its performers while “reaching, educating and enriching the audiences of Macomb County and beyond through special performances and formal concerts.” Tickets to “Peter Pan” are $25 and can be purchased by visiting macombcenter.com or calling (586) 286-2222.

Adopt-A-Highway volunteers take to state roads

STATEWIDE — Thousands of volunteers across Michigan will flock to state highways, cleaning them up during the first Adopt-A-Highway week of the year from April 13-21.

“Our Adopt-A-Highway volunteers come back year after year to keep roadsides in their communities clean,” Brad Wieferich, state transportation director, said in a press release from the Michigan Department of Transportation. “Some of these groups have been with the program since it started more than 30 years ago. We want to thank them for their hard work and remind everyone to help them stay safe. Please drive cautiously during the pickup periods and watch out for them on the roadside.”

UTICA LIBRARY HAS EARTH DAY PROGRAM

UTICA — The Utica Public Library, 7530 Auburn Road, will host the TechKnow Kids Earth Day Program for children from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.

Better Business Bureau warns of test preparation scams

STATEWIDE — The Better Business Bureau issued a consumer advisory about SAT and ACT prep scams. According to the BBB, scammers are offering fake test preparation materials in exchange for expensive payments.

The scam, according to the BBB, involves unsolicited phone calls to parents from people who claim to represent well-known educational organizations such as the College Board, which produces the AP tests. The scammers use personal information, such as student names, addresses and schools to falsely claim that the students requested the preparation materials for the SAT or the ACT. The scammers demand that parents pay for the materials with a price tag of several hundred dollars, the BBB reports.

The BBB offered these tips to protect against the scam:

Verify caller identity: Always be cautious of unsolicited calls demanding payment. Research the organization claiming to contact you before sharing personal information or agreeing to any transactions.

Check with your child: If the caller alleges that your child requested the service, verify with your child before proceeding. Confirm the legitimacy of the claims before making any payments.

Familiarize yourself with college board policies: Understand the official practices of organizations like the College Board. Be aware that they will never request sensitive financial information over the phone or via email.

Guard your financial information: Never disclose financial details to unfamiliar individuals. Refrain from making payments for uninitiated purchases or services.

If you encounter suspicious activity related to test prep scams, immediately discontinue correspondence, and report the issue at BBB.org/ScamTracker.

The Michigan Adopt-A-Highway program began in 1990 and since then more than 2,900 organizations have signed up to clean over 6,000 miles of state highways. MDOT assists the groups by providing gloves and bags and arranging trash pickup, while all crew members are required to wear high visibility vests.

The first Adopt-A-Highway week coincides with National Work Zone Awareness Week, which begins on April 15. The week aims to make motorists aware of workers in roadside and traffic construction projects. In 2023, there were 7,237 work zone crashes in Michigan — 17 of the crashes were fatal.

Utica meetings at City Hall City Council budget work session, 7:30 p.m. April 23.

Planning Commission, 6:30 p.m. May 1. Parks and Recreation Commission, 6 p.m. May 8.

Shelby Township meetings at Township Hall Planning Commission, 7 p.m. April 22. Zoning Board of Appeals, 6:30 p.m. May 2. Board of Trustees 7 p.m. May 7.

Selfridge museum restoring warbirds

BY DEAN VAGLIA dvaglia@candgnews.com

HARRISON TOWNSHIP — At one time they were the knights of the skies, and soon they will be teachers from the ground.

The Selfridge Military Air Museum, at Selfridge Air National Guard base, is restoring two historic planes: a Vought F4U Corsair, and a Curtiss JN-4 Jenny. While both planes will share a hangar for static display and are expected to be completed this autumn, their histories before coming to the Selfridge museum could not be any more different.

Although the Corsair was built for combat in the Pacific theater, design issues meant it would serve much of the war as a ground-based fighter for the Marines before it was ready for carrier-based duty for the Navy. Corsairs remained in service and production into the 1950s but were replaced by jet fighters by the end of the decade.

The phasing out of the Corsair saw one arrive at Selfridge. Although it never served in combat, the military did not give the plane an easy life in retirement.

“The plane came to the museum in the middle 1970s, and before that it was used as a gunnery target out at the Army proving grounds in Mesa, Arizona,” said Steve Sibal, Corsair restoration team leader. “It was pretty shot up when we received it. The Navy on the base here did a quickie restoration. Primarily they filled all of the bullet holes with automotive body filler, quick and dirty job, threw some paint on it and it was then parked outside for 35 years.”

See WARBIRDS on page 18A

Monday, April 29, 2024 at Shelby Gardens from 5pm to 8pm Dinner and dessert will be served! Cash

Utica revises marijuana ordinance to allow 2 new establishments

BY DAVID WALLACE dwallace@candgnews.com

UTICA — The Utica City Council reviewed the marijuana business ordinance that it had approved at its Feb. 13 City Council meeting and determined March 12 that some changes needed to be made in order to be fair, competitive and transparent.

The revised ordinance, passed 5-1 March 12, changed the action taken in February of allowing one new marijuana business on Park Avenue in the city’s hotel district to instead allow for two on Park Avenue.

“We approved an additional location in the hotel district at the last council meeting (Feb. 13),” Mayor Gus Calandrino said. “After legal review with the city attorney, she recommended some changes. It’s also our obligation to make this a fair, open and competitive process. We didn’t really think that was possible with one location being in the mix alone, so this amendment adds one location.”

After revising the action taken in February, the City Council voted unanimously for two related items. It voted to hire a new planner, Steve Cassin, specifically to review the city’s zoning ordinances as they relate to the marijuana ordinance. The marijuana license application fees will pay for his services, according to the agenda packet information. The city also voted to establish a scoring and ranking process for marijuana business licenses. The scoring system has a

potential of 110 points and emphasizes filling vacant properties and improving them.

“I feel that this is a long way towards improving it, making it open and making it competitive,” Calandrino said of the scoring system’s potential effect on the licensing process.

“I believe that you did a wonderful job with the ordinance,” Royal Oak attorney Michael Stein said during the meeting’s time for public comment. He represents a potential license applicant.

During the public comment time that began the meeting, many residents said there were already two marijuana centers in Utica and that is enough, while some said it could help bring in money, fill vacancies and bring traffic to existing businesses.

Justin Gretch, who lives in Utica, practices law and previously served on the Rochester Planning Commission for seven years, said he felt that this had been “a not-so-fair and not-so-transparent process.”

“I’m worried about No. 1, the city’s interests, and No. 2, other businesses that want to do business in the city, their interests.”

Janet Lemerise, who has lived in Utica since 1977, said the city doesn’t need more marijuana stores to improve the tax base.

“I am actually quite disappointed in the council for not representing the residents. That’s what you’re here for. We keep hearing about the interest of the city. Well, who is the city if not the residents? I am very op-

Photo by Kara Szymanski

The Utica City Council approved a revision to its marijuana ordinance March 12.

FLOWER SEASON APPROACHES AS WEATHER IMPROVES

BY MIKE KOURY mkoury@candgnews.com

METRO DETROIT— The weather has been slowly getting warmer in Michigan, which means homeowners can start planning their flower beds for their properties.

The first thing people should think about when getting their flower beds ready, said Brad Wethy, manager for the Oakland County Farmers Market, is how to prepare the beds, what needs to be removed, what needs to be deadheaded and cut down, and what can last through the wintertime.

“It’s gonna be cleaning up that flower bed, making sure that when things do want to actually sprout through the ground, that they’re not having any extra obstacles such as branches, piles of leaves from the previous fall, things of that nature,” he said.

Wethy also recommended adding things to the soil that will help with plant growth, such as compost.

Matt Colonius, co-owner of Piechnik’s Greenhouse & Garden Gate in Oakland Township, said that people moving into newly built homes have to mend the soil.

“You buy a new house and it’s just an empty lot. The foundation that they dig, they bring up the old soil from the job,” he said. “They usually don’t replenish

At Shelby Floor and Tile, we provide a premium selection of hardwood,

and luxury vinyl plank options with full-service, professional, e cient installation by a team of experts with over 60 years of combined experience.

Photo by Erin Sanchez

The Exterior Painters Celebrate 20 Years of Transforming Properties, Neighborhoods

Nothing transforms a property and makes it shine brighter than a fresh coat of paint. It’s simply the best and most cost-effective investment you can make for your home draped in the colors of yesterday.

The Exterior Painters have been revitalizing properties for 20 years.

“We specialize in just exterior painting, and the reason why we do that is we believe that repetition is the mother of all skill,” said owner Brian Scott. “For 20 years, that’s all we’ve been doing is outside work. When it comes to that, we do wood replacement and siding replacement. It makes us the perfect fit for homeowners who don’t want to re-side their whole house.”

The Exterior Painters replace damaged siding and boards as needed, but they’re not looking to push for a full siding replacement.

“It gets people by another 10 years and transforms the look of the house, bringing it to the next color trends of today,” Scott said.

“Another thing we do that makes us unique, we have a full-time color consultant,” Scott added. “For most people, that’s the hardest, most stressful part, choosing what color they want. Our consultant comes out and

meets with the homeowners and gives them an idea of what the new color trends are so they can make a good color choice that complements their landscaping, brickwork and architectural features.”

The Exterior Painters also specialize in brick staining.

“A lot of younger people are buying houses. We’re taking it from grandma’s house of the ’50s, ’60s or ’70s and bringing it to that HGTV look,” Scott said.

you’re getting a bigger bang for your buck.”

It’s a win for everyone, from the crews The Exterior Painters employ and pay well to the homeowners who see their neighborhoods transformed. The company paints 30 houses a week on average in Macomb, Oakland, Wayne and Livingston counties, and boasts a five-star Google review average.

Power washing the siding — and for an additional charge, soft washing the roof if needed — can also make a big difference in terms of curb appeal.

charge, soft washing the roof if needed — can also

transformed through fresh paint,

Scott said his crews often see their work spread from house to house in a neighborhood as the properties are transformed through fresh paint, siding repairs and much-needed washing.

“It’s the cheapest home improvement you can do without breaking the bank,” Scott said.

“With us you’re buying certainty. We don’t ask for a large deposit, and you don’t have to worry about anyone running off with your deposit,” Scott said.

“Compared to other home improvements,

“We stand by our work. We provide a warranty and proven results by taking care of everybody in the community. We’re Nextdoor’s No. 1 preferred contractor in Rochester two years in a row. It’s that certainty factor. You know what you’re going

“It’s the cheapest home to get.”

The Exterior Painters are located at 2365 Avon Industrial Drive in Rochester Hills. To request a quote or for more information, call (248) 844-8888.

Flowers

from page 10A

the topsoil. So you’re stuck with this topsoil. It’s just not got any nutrients or anything in it. So it takes time the first year to establish your plants when you’re buying a new house. You have to add topsoil and nutrients.”

The best way to clean the flower beds, Wethy said, is to use simple gardening tools.

“You don’t need to go too in depth with it,” he said. “You don’t need power tools, nothing of that nature. A simple trowel, a simple … rake and just knowing what to remove and what not to remove can do leaps and bounds for your garden.”

Colonius said that if homeowners are cleaning up the yard, they should do a walkthrough to see if anything was damaged over the winter.

Items for homeowners to search for include broken branches caused by the weather and rodent damage.

“Be careful, if you have any perennials, not to disturb the perennials. Leave the mulch around them until the danger of frost is over, which is usually the beginning of

May, but it can be as late as Memorial Day,” he said.

As for what to plant right now, Colonius said flowers including pansies, daffodils and tulips would grow well.

“You might want to consider whether you have deer in your yard or not,” he said. “When you make the choices, you want some deer-tolerant, cold-tolerant plants. So you know pansies are wonderful. They can take the cold but … there’s a lot of problems with the way the deer have cohabitated with us and it’s causing a lot of issues with landscapes in the area.”

Besides sun and water, Wethy said the best way to keep the flowers healthy is to keep an eye out for pest and fungi issues, and issues with overcrowding.

“I even had issues with overcrowding. … As I removed certain things from the garden or gave them more space, they were actually able to flourish better,” he said.

He said it’s important to know the space and light requirements for plants — what needs more space, what grows in shade and what grows in direct sunlight.

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

Paul Viaene helps out at the flower stands and gives advice to Marsha Milton, of Lathrup Village.

Photo by Erin Sanchez

Records

from page 3A

Record Store Day. It has become a tradition for record collectors to wait in line before the stores open for the day in hopes of getting that one special title they have been patiently waiting for.

“People make a day of it,” said Todd Fundaro, owner of Flipside Records in Berkley, which will be open from 9 a.m. until 7 p.m. on April 20. “It’s the busiest day of the year by far.”

Flipside Records will offer discounts on used merchandise. Customers may even get a chance to see their favorite bands live this year as Fundaro will have ticket giveaways to 14 different upcoming concerts, including Santana, Green Day and Incubus.

The alternative rock group Paramore was crowned as the Record Store Day 2024 ambassadors. The musicians will pay tribute to the Talking Heads with their version of “Burning Down the House” on 12-inch vinyl; on the B-side will be Paramore’s song “Hard Times,” performed by David Byrne.

See RECORDS on page 17A

SETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHT

According to the website recordstoreday.com, the following stores in the C & G Newspapers coverage area are participating in Record Store Day:

• Dearborn Music-Farmington, 33025 Grand River Ave., Farmington.

• Found Sound, 234 W. Nine Mile Road, Ferndale.

• Ripe Records Detroit, 15212 Charlevoix St., Grosse Pointe Park.

• Weirdsville Records, 61 Macomb Place, Mount Clemens.

• Blast in the Past, 28071 Gratiot Ave., Roseville.

• Solo Records, 30148 Woodward Ave., Royal Oak.

• The Detroit Record Club, 28834 Woodward Ave., Royal Oak.

• UHF Music, 512 S. Washington Ave., Royal Oak.

• Media Reload, 13285 Hall Road, Utica.

Participating record stores are subject to change.

Bergeron has comprehensive

Records

from page 16A

“That’s been getting some buzz,” Fundaro said.

As Record Store Day approaches, pop music’s biggest star right now — Taylor Swift — will drop her new album the day before. Swift’s “The Tortured Poets Department” is set for release April 19, and Fundaro expects “a bunch of Swifties” to go record store shopping to pick up the new release. “Dark Matter” from Pearl Jam is due out April 19, which could prompt fans of the Seattle rockers to hit the stores on Saturday.

Music from many other artists will come out on April 20 including selections from the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, The Doors, Linda Ronstadt, Willie Nelson, Mavis Staples, The Offspring, Public Enemy, Queen Latifah, The Sisters of Mercy and many, many more. There are singles, full albums and picture discs. A list of new releases also can be found on recordstoreday.com.

‘There are a lot of good releases this year’

“We always have a great turnout,” said John Lehl, who owns Village Vinyl in Sterling Heights, which will open at 8 a.m. April 20. “There are 300 releases, and we should have most of them.”

For Lehl, the Mudhoney box set “Suck You Dry: The Reprise Years”’ is the title he’s most interested in. Village Vinyl recently moved from its digs on Chicago Road in Warren to its new spot at 34230 Van Dyke Ave., between 14 Mile and 15 Mile roads. Something Lehl always notices about Record Store Day is the camaraderie between customers.

“It’s a lot of people talking music and

having a good time,” he said. “I think people are on the move all day bouncing from store to store. Every store has different sales.”

One piece of music people have been asking about is the release from folk-pop performer Noah Kahan.

“There’s a regular release and a split with Olivia Rodrigo, which is going to be pretty big,” Lehl said.

Village Vinyl has been in business for seven years.

“I enjoy everything about music,” Lehl said. “It’s always exciting to see what people will buy and what people will bring in. We see a little bit of everything.”

Melodies & Memories, located at 23013 Gratiot Ave., in Eastpointe, will get into the vibe of the occasion by offering a 20% discount on used merchandise all day. The store will be open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

“We do Record Store Day every year. A lot of the people are our regular customers,” said Dan Zieja, who owns the business with his wife, Denise. “There are a lot of good releases this year.”

Over the years, vinyl records have been the biggest seller for the Ziejas. They’ve also witnessed a recent resurgence of 45 RPM sales, and plans are underway to start stocking vintage T-shirts. Melodies & Memories recently celebrated 36 years in business.

“We’re like an old slipper,” Zieja said. “We’ve been here a long time. People know our store from all over the world.”

According to Zieja, past shoppers have included rappers Eminem and Kanye West, and Motown great Martha Reeves.

“Aretha Franklin used to shop here,” he said. “Questlove (from) Jimmy Fallon’s show was just in here.”

Record Store Day is held twice a year, in April and every November on Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving.

Photo by Patricia O’Blenes Village Vinyl, which recently moved from Warren to Sterling Heights, will participate again in Record Store Day April 20. On Record Store Day, artists release new music or rerelease albums and CDs that have been out of print or previously weren’t available.

Warbirds

from page 7A

After the Marines told the museum to either fix the Corsair or kiss it goodbye, work began in 2014 to properly restore it in a presentable state. Small teams of volunteers — nine working at most and currently five — have spent the past decade taking the plane apart, sourcing or fabricating new parts and are now putting everything back together.

“Part of the difficulty we’re running into now trying to put the plane together

is in 2014 and 2015, as we started disassembling the aircraft, there were a number of people involved with (disassembly) that are no longer here,” Sibal said. “As a result, we’re learning how to put this airplane back together. Primarily by looking at drawings, just trying to figure it out.”

Recently, the team has incorporated 3D printing into its fabrication process. Parts, such as rudder pedals, have been 3D printed by volunteer Fred Joyner.

Although the Corsair was never stationed at Selfridge, the final plane will be

See WARBIRDS on page 22A

CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF SHELBY ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS

AGENDA/PUBLIC HEARING

The Charter Township of Shelby ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS meeting will be held on Thursday, May 2, 2024, at 6:30 p.m., in the Shelby Municipal Building, Board Room, 52700 Van Dyke Avenue, Shelby Township, Michigan 48316.

CALL MEETING TO ORDER:

ROLL CALL:

APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Zoning Board of Appeals Regular Meeting April 4, 2024

APPLICATIONS:

1. ZBA #23-080 JOHN JAMES; 5680 25 Mile Road, Parcel No. 23-07-08-227-029, located on the south side of 25 Mile Road, west of Mound Road. Requesting a variance to Code of Ordinances, Chapter 10, Article VIII, Section 10-324(a) to permit a fence to encroach into the front yard setback.

2. ZBA #24-013 DIANE DUYM; 9060 Lone Pine Court, Parcel No. 23-07-22-257-023, located south of 23 Mile Road, west of M-53. Requesting a variance to Code of Ordinances, Chapter 6, Article I, Section 6-3(g) to permit the number of household pets to exceed the maximum number of three (proposed 3 cats, 1 dog).

3. ZBA #23-079 ANDREA HESSELSWEET & MICHAEL O’NEILL; 52010 Eastmoor Lane, Parcel No. 23-07-17-251-013, located south of 24 Mile Road, west of Mound Road. Requesting a variance to Code of Ordinances, Chapter 10, Article VIII, Section 10-324(b) to permit a fence to encroach into the front yard setback.

4. ZBA #24-014 CHARLES MOLL; 47204 Ryan Road, Parcel No. 23-07-29-351-039, located north of Auburn Road, east side of Ryan Road. Requesting multiple variances to Zoning Ordinance No. 212.129:

a. Section 5.2.A.4.a to permit an accessory structure to be in a side yard.

b. Section 5.2.A.4.d to permit an accessory structure to exceed 75% of the foor area of the principal building.

c. Section 5.2.A.4.e to permit an accessory structure to be closer than 10 feet to a main building (5 feet proposed).

d. Section 5.2.A.4.f to permit an accessory structure to be closer than fve feet to the side lot line (3 feet proposed).

5. ZBA #24-015 JASMINE MONTIEL; 8150 Rondale Drive, Parcel No. 23-07-15-304-016, located north of 23 Mile Road, east of Van Dyke Avenue. Requesting a variance to Code of Ordinances, Chapter 6,

LEFT: The Vought F4U Corsair was used by the Marines in the 1940s and 1950s. Its large propeller required the fuselage to be lifted above the wings.

Photo by Dean Vaglia

BELOW: The Curtiss JN-4 Jenny as it arrived at Selfridge on Aug. 11, 2023. Volunteers unloaded the broken plane as it arrived by truck, just as the base’s first JN-4s arrived in 1917.

Photo provided by Selfridge Military Air Museum

Photo by Dean Vaglia

Lacking its cloth skin, the fuselage of the Curtiss JN-4 Jenny reveals its wood beam and metal cable innards. The plane’s prior owner was able to bring the 110-year-old plane into airworthiness before it was broken during a hard landing in 2023.

Arrests

from page 1A

hicle in Rochester Hills, according to Shelby Township police. Detectives arrested two suspects and recovered the stolen items from the incident, police said.

Shelby Township’s Tactical Response Unit executed a search warrant and detained three more suspects at the address in Rochester, and more stolen property was said to be recovered. Police said they found the vehicle used in the Shelby Township crimes in the garage of the residence.

Three people were arraigned in the 41-A District Court in Shelby Township March 19 in relationship to these incidents: Danarius Travon Young, 28, from Lake Worth, Florida; Chauncey Javon Franklin, 24, from Dania, Florida; and Kayln Marie Croom, 34, from Cleveland, Tennessee.

Young, Franklin and Croom each were arraigned in 41A District Court in Shelby Township on the same 13 charges. Those charges are conducting criminal enterprises; conspiracy to commit possession of burglar’s tools; conspiracy to commit identity theft; three counts of conspiracy to commit breaking and entering a vehicle with damage; three counts of conspiracy to commit the stealing of a financial transaction device; four counts of conspiracy to commit malicious destruction of property.

Young was given a $250,000 cash or surety bond. Franklin was given a $200,000 cash or surety bond. Croom was given a $100,000 cash or surety bond.

On April 8, Young and Franklin were bound over to Macomb County Circuit Court on all 13 charges. At press time, Young was scheduled to be arraigned in circuit court on April 23, and Franklin was scheduled to be arraigned in circuit court on April 24.

Croom’s case remained in 41A District Court, where a probable cause conference was scheduled for May 7.

The attorneys for the three defendants could not be reached before press time.

Shelby Township Police Chief Robert Shelide said in a prepared statement that if someone comes to Shelby Township to commit a crime, the Police Department will track the person down.

“These three individuals, all from Florida and Tennessee, obviously didn’t listen (to) my warnings and had to learn the hard way,” he stated.

Young Franklin Croom

Parade from page 1A

Commerce for their generosity in providing the grant for the event’s featured organization, the Michigan Anti-Cruelty Society.

Every year, the Utica Puppy Parade honors a dog as its “special guest.”

“This is a dog who has survived extraordinary abuse and neglect and is thriving due to the love and care of a rescue or shelter group. This year’s ‘special guest’ is Fritz who received his care from the Michigan AntiCruelty Society. He is currently under the foster care of Michelle Laskowski,” he said.

He said he also is grateful to the Southeast Michigan Chamber of Commerce for its generous offer to sponsor Fritz’s caregiver with a $1,000 grant.

“This money will help the Michigan Anti-Cruelty Society recoup some of the cost of caring for Fritz and allow them to help other dogs in need of care,” Calandrino said.

He said this year’s Utica Puppy Parade will be the biggest and best yet.

“We will be introducing our new 25foot inflatable puppy named ‘Chief.’ We will also feature a bounce house for the kids, Pop’s Eats on the Streets food truck, and of course the Puppy Parade. The always dynamic Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson will be in attendance and offering a few words about the importance of caring for our animals,” he said.

Michelle Laskowski said she was introduced to Fritz when he was around a week old.

“Fritz, a five-month-old Rottweiler puppy, was discovered in a park merely a day or two old, where he had been mishandled by two young children. Upon arrival at the

Michigan Anti-Cruelty Society, it was evident that Fritz was in distress, with his left eye bleeding and his right ear swollen and also bleeding. Fortunately, the veterinary clinic manager, Katie, took Fritz under her wing, nurturing him back to health through dedicated care, including bottle feeding and round-the-clock monitoring. While Katie was at work, Fritz accompanied her to the clinic, where the exceptional staff assisted in nurturing this endearing young pup throughout the workday,” she said.

Weekly photography sessions and videos showed Fritz’s growth and development.

“By the time Fritz reached 7 weeks (old), I had the privilege of fostering him,” Laskowski said.

She said Fritz’s intelligence and playful nature, coupled with his large paws, make him a delightful companion.

“As Fritz matured, it became evident that he would face enduring challenges stemming from his challenging beginnings, necessitating multiple surgeries in the days ahead. On February 22, 2024, Fritz underwent several surgeries led by Dr. Alice from the Michigan Anti-Cruelty Society Vet Clinic. The procedures involved the removal of the remaining tissue from his eye, closure of the affected eye, correction of facial scarring, extraction of extra toes and dewclaws from his hind feet, and neutering. Following the surgeries, Fritz returned home with me and is progressing remarkably well,” she said.

Organizers of the Utica Puppy Parade hope people will come out and have some fun and meet Fritz. The parade starts at Grant Park and ends at Pioneer Dog Park.

For more information, visit cityofutica. org.

Call Staff Writer Kara Szymanski at (586) 498-1029.

File photo by Erin Sanchez

Lots of people and dogs — including special guest Blu, left, a 2-year-old dog in the care of Saving Destiny Animal Rescue — take part in last year’s Utica Puppy Parade April 29, 2023. The parade will take place once again April 27.

Warbirds

from page 18A

modeled after one used by VMFA-251. The Marine fighter squadron flew Corsairs out of the Philippines in World War II and was later based out of Grosse Ile. Three mannequins will accompany the plane: one as a pilot, and two as ground crew members maintaining the engine and loading the plane’s guns.

Sharing the hangar with the Corsair will be the Jenny, which is a Selfridge plane through and through. Curtiss Jenny aircraft were mass produced in the early 1900s and used as trainer planes, going on to teach Selfridge’s first pilots how to fly in 1917.

Selfridge’s Jenny originally visited the base in 2022 for that year’s airshow under the ownership of Dorian Walker, who restored the plane to an airworthy state and took it to shows around the country. Museum staff left a good impression on Walker while he was in town, which worked in the museum’s favor after Walker and his copilot suffered a hard emergency landing outside of Bowling Green, Kentucky that broke the plane. Walker offered the plane to the museum for $65,000. Although the museum raised funds to reach Walker’s price, it was a donation

from FreeStar Financial Credit Union that helped bring the pioneering airplane back to the base.

Under the watch of Fred Lobeck, the Jenny restoration team leader, volunteers peeled away the fabric body, wholly unprepared for what damage lay beneath the buffcolored cloth.

“Once you got the fabric off, then you could find out all the damage that was underneath,” said Fred Lobeck, Jenny restora-

tion team leader. “We found a lot of broken cables.

The wings and the fuselage are being built separately by a team of eight people. Woodworking and cloth-stitching are the primary tasks being performed, with each volunteer playing a part to restore the plane to be as cutting edge as it was in the 1910s.

“It’s going to be designated as a Selfridge Air Force Base plane to replicate what was here originally,” Lobeck said.

Peek Inside Your Health: Full Body MRI Screenings

Unveil Silent Issues Before Symptoms Arise

SOUTHFIELD- Full body MRI clinics have gained national attention lately, as TV personalities publicly share their personal full body scan experiences. One actress credits the scan for saving her life after doctors dismissed her unexplained pain for months. After various tests, including a CT scan, had “unremarkable” results, the pregnant actress became her own advocate, searched out a full body MRI clinic and discovered she had pancreatic cancer. Tanks to early detection the tumor was removed successfully.

As a general rule, when symptoms occur related to cancer, it usually has progressed to stage three or four. Even with annual physicals, there are limitations. Most screenings only

cover about 29% of cancers with 71% occurring outside of where doctors are able to screen. However, full body MRI scans can detect cancer in every organ from the top of the head through the genitals and can detect it very early.

For a long time, full body MRI scans were available only in select areas outside of Michigan, requiring expensive fights like in Vancouver or California. However, this changed when a clinic opened in Southfeld, making these scans available to Metro Detroit residents.

“Our advanced MRI screening can detect cancers very early when they are as small as a pencil eraser and are more easily treatable. If cancer goes undetected, however, it can grow into stage three or stage four with difcult

Neither plane will be airworthy once finished, but both the Corsair and the Jenny are expected to be completed and dedicated this September.

For more information on the museum, visit selfridgeairmuseum.org.

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

treatments. We can also identify conditions such as brain, abdominal, chest, and groin aneurysms,” stated the founder of the Southfeld clinic called Bionicc Body Screening.

Te primary focus of Bionicc Body Screening is to deliver peace of mind, ofering a comprehensive and detailed imaging of the body’s internal structures. Te ultimate hope is for excellent health. However, in the event that something is detected, the advanced screening aims to catch any potential issues at their earliest stages. Tis approach ofers the best opportunity for successful treatment outcomes, should the need arise.

Robert B., age 50, opted for a full body scan from Bionicc Body Screening and a very small tumor

was detected. He said, “It saved my life. Teir MRI found a kidney tumor that had been missed by a recent CT scan. I cannot recommend this service more.”

Take the first step to learn more about full body scans by visiting www.BioniccBodyScreening.com and request a free, no obligation Information Kit. Request it today and you’re also guaranteed a copy of their FREE eBook, Catching Cancer Before It’s Too Late! (Tis is a limited time ofer.) Schedule today at 1-833-BIONICC

Photo by Dean Vaglia

A Vought F4U Corsair is being restored by the Selfridge Military Air Museum.

from page 9A

posed to this, and we already deal with a massive headache of traffic,” she said.

Councilman Thom Dionne sought to delay a vote on the ordinance revision to give more time for review. When it came time to vote for a motion that he had made with that goal in mind, the council deadlocked 3-3, which meant the motion failed. Councilwoman Faith Terenzi was not at the meeting.

“I’m not opposed to having marijuana stores. I just want to make sure that the process is beyond reproach. That’s why I felt like maybe it was necessary to take a second look,” Dionne said.

The council then took up the motion to allow for two new establishments on Park Avenue. It passed 5-1, with Mayor Pro Tem Kenneth Sikora voting no.

“I want business to thrive. I just don’t see this as our answer to the situation,” Sikora said.

“We live in a capitalistic society, free enterprise. We can’t have just one. That’s just not how it works,” Councilman Brad O’Donnell said in voting for the revision.

Stein had urged the council not to tinker with the ordinance revision, which he felt had addressed all issues.

“I believe that there’s a market to be served by the addition of two additional adult-use dispensaries,” Stein said.

For more information, call the city at (586) 739-1600.

Staff Writer Kara Szymanski contributed to this story. Call Editor David Wallace at (586) 498-1053.

Permanent part-time Custodian position, $18.01 - $22.92 hourly (32 Hours per week) includes benefit package. Successful completion of Civil Service Examination(s) is required, and applicant must meet all requirements set forth in the Employees Civil Service Ordinance, as well as possession of a

APRIL 18

Senior expo: Meet experts about medicare, assisted and independent living, mobility solutions, veterans benefits, travel, financial planning and more, plus free admission, health screenings, refreshments, prizes and giveaways, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Century Banquet Center, 33204 Maple Lane in Sterling Heights, seniorexpousa.com

APRIL 25

Walking group: Hosted by Troy Historic Village, 6 p.m., Woodall Neighborhood Park and Burgess-Shadbush Nature Trails in Shelby Township, troyhistoricvillage.org/programs/walking-group, (248) 524-3570

APRIL 25-27

Jukebox Jam: ’50s and ’60s variety show, presented by Heart of the Hills Players, 2 p.m. April 25 and 7 p.m. April 26-27, D.A.V. Building, 47326 Dequindre Road in Shelby Township, hohplayers.org

APRIL 26

Crime survivors assistance: Learn about criminal justice system and support services available, also meet other survivors, hosted by Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office Crime Victim Rights Unit, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Velocity Center, 6633 18 Mile Road in Sterling Heights, (586) 469-5675

MAY 2 Stepping Out with the Stars: Fundraiser for Turning Point, features community members performing dance routines after training with professionals, also survivor speaker, dinner, premium open bar, silent auction, raffles and wine pull, emcee by Fox 2 Detroit’s Jessica Dupnack,