4/17/24 Warren Weekly

Women of Warren envision a new city/3A

Big dips in Warren backyards led to a large sinkhole repair

BY GENA JOHNSON gjohnson@candgnews.com

WARREN — A group of Warren residents in the area south of 12 Mile Road between Hoover Road and Van Dyke Avenue recently reported their backyards were sinking, which led to a large sinkhole project being repaired by the Macomb County Public Works Office.

Public Works conducted an inspection and found there was an issue with the Lorraine Drain. The drain is an 11-foot

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 parents’ 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

Photo provided by the Macomb County Public Works Office Backyard dips reported by Warren residents led to an inspection in January and repairs by the Macomb County Public Works Office.

LEFT: A near total solar eclipse happened in Michigan on April 8.

BELOW: The Wolfe Middle School students viewed the near total solar eclipse last Monday with special glasses that science teacher Amber Baaso purchased through an educational grant.

OUTTA SIGHT

WOLFE STUDENTS, STAFF GATHER TO SEE NEAR TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE

BY MARIA ALLARD allard@candgnews.com

CENTER LINE — Many Wolfe Middle School students couldn’t contain their excitement as they gathered outside on the afternoon of April 8 to view the near total solar eclipse.

With their safety glasses on, they headed outdoors at about 2:45 p.m. with their teachers to observe the historic moment. They saw the eclipse safely with special glasses science teacher Amber Baaso obtained through an education grant.

Last year, Baaso applied for a $600

See ECLIPSE on page 13A

WOMEN OF WARREN ENVISION A NEW CITY

BY GENA JOHNSON gjohnson@candgnews.com

WARREN — In keeping with Women’s History Month, the Women of Warren shared their vision board for the city at the March 26 City Council meeting.

A vision board is a collection of pictures that exemplify the goals and the desires of those who created it. The presentation included the group’s goals for Warren: diversity and inclusion, economic prosperity, education, building community, and a revitalized downtown that is walkable and uniquely reflective of Warren.

“We also want to bring other cultures, nationalities and diversity into the city,” said Rebecca Zainos, one of the group’s board members, as she explained its view of inclusion. “We want to expand our horizons outside the box.”

Many neighboring communities have walkable downtowns, but Warren residents want its downtown to exemplify their community, according to Rochelle Kelley, the group’s treasurer.

See WOMEN on page 10A

Photos by Patricia O’Blenes

Women of Warren show off their new vision for the city with a vision board: from left, Rebecca Zainos, Monica Papasian, Alex Kelley and Rochelle Kelley.

Photo by Gena Johnson

Healing Choices offers hope, help and healing

BY MARIA ALLARD allard@candgnews.com

WARREN — As a child, Cindy Kupinski was physically, sexually and mentally abused by adults around her who she said were involved in a satanic cult.

“It was so traumatizing,” Kupinski said. “I suppressed the abuse. It was the only way I could survive.”

However, when she was in her 30s, she started remembering the brutality she had been through as a child, the bruises and the broken bones, the hospital stays, time spent in foster care so she could get away from her abusers. Knowing she needed help due to all she endured, Kupinski went into therapy and has used faith, counseling and a desire to get healthy to heal.

“The only way to heal from it is to relive it,” she said. “I had to feel it. I had to know that it was real. Your childhood impacts your adulthood. It’s been 20 years, and I’m still going to counseling.”

Kupinski, now 57, has become an advocate to help other domestic violence survivors. One way she is doing that is through her book, “The Light Through My Eyes,” which was published in 2019. The book, which chronicles her painful journey, is available at amazon.com and barnesandnoble.com.

“Fear controlled my life. I know there are many women and men who need to hear my story,” she wrote. “I need to tell it because I believe that, with the help of God, with God in me, I can help make a difference.”

Kupinski grew up in Detroit and now resides in Clinton Township with her husband, Dave. Many community members already know the Kupinskis. They own D & P Auto, located in Warren, which relocated from Roseville and has served countless customers over the years.

On the path to getting healthy, Kupinski has started her own charity, Healing Choices, on her own. Her goal is to speak to people about how childhood trauma impacts people as adults and the choices they make. Healing Choices is not a shelter, but it provides resources for men, women and children who have suffered abuse.

can hug them, if I can help them, even if it’s just one person, then it’s all worth it. I want them to feel safe that somebody does care. There is a tomorrow.”

Kupinski is working on organizing support groups “even for spouses trying to help their spouses that have been abused.” Kupinski said she endured two abusive marriages. She has one child from her first marriage and two from her second marriage. She suffered from anxiety and panic attacks and said there were times in which she wanted to take her life but then thought, “What’s going to happen to my kids?”

“If it wasn’t for God, there’s no way I would survive,” Kupinski said.

Dave is Kupinski’s third husband. Between the two of them, they have seven grandchildren, and Kupinski has three stepdaughters.

Healing Choices received a financial boost recently when members of Elks Lodge Macomb No. 2292, located at 25950 Schoenherr Road in Warren, donated $4,000 to Kupinski’s cause. When the Elks members learned of Healing Choices, they wanted to lend a hand.

“Our purpose is to help those in need,” Elks Lodge Macomb No. 2292 Exalted Ruler/President Bill Harris said. “We applied for a grant through the Elks National Foundation to help a charity in need in our community.”

“Healing Choices is giving them inspiration. I want to hold their hands. By sharing my story and sharing my experience, I do understand what they’re going through,” Kupinski said. “It’s me not wanting other people to hurt as much as I was hurting. If I See KUPINSKI on page 8A

Cindy Kupinski, 57, wrote the book “The Light Through My Eyes” to share her story about abuse and to help others heal.

Photo by Patricia O’Blenes

WCS RECOGNIZED NATIONALLY FOR MUSIC EDUCATION PROGRAMS

BY MARIA ALLARD allard@candgnews.com

WARREN/STERLING HEIGHTS/ TROY — The music education programs in Warren Consolidated Schools are hitting the right notes.

The district was recently honored with the Best Communities for Music Education designation from the National Association of Music Merchants Foundation.

The Best Communities for Music Education selection is awarded to school districts that display outstanding achievement to provide music access and education to all students.

“The benefits of music education for students is immense,” the district’s Chief Academic Officer David Meengs said in a prepared statement. “Warren Consolidated Schools is fortunate to have a team of music educators who work tirelessly to offer music education in our schools.”

Music education is offered at all WCS elementary, middle and high schools. Sev-

eral music educators filled out the application to apply for NAMM recognition.

To qualify for the Best Communities designation, a team of music educators from WCS answered questions about funding, graduation requirements, music class participation, instruction time, facilities and more. Responses were verified by school officials and reviewed by the Music Research Institute at the University of Kansas.

“We were excited we got chosen. This reinforces our kids are getting the best quality in music education,” Cousino High School Band Director Jason Rose said.

“It recognizes our district is on the right track and how the teachers each support education. I’m really happy that Warren Consolidated Schools was recognized. Our administration does put a lot of faith and resources in us to make sure we’re successful.”

Music instruction is offered in grades K-5, and each middle school has bands at each grade level. While in high school, stu-

dents can participate in concert, jazz and marching bands.

“We want our students to learn to love and appreciate music. They start to see music is valued,” Rose said. “I get to see these kids grow and become adults.”

While many of the district’s students don’t pursue music professionally, Rose added, “We want them to develop other skills that will be beneficial.”

That includes leadership, determination, goal setting, social skills and the importance of practicing.

Rose, a saxophonist and clarinet player, has had a small group of students go onto careers in music, including those who have become band directors at local high schools.

WCS was among approximately 1,000 school districts in the country awarded the Best Communities for Music Education designation, including several from Michigan. This year marks the 25th year the NAMM Foundation has celebrated the Best Communities for Music Education.

File photo by Patricia O’Blenes

The Cousino High School marching band performs at the Twinkle Town debut Nov. 9, 2022, at Gardner White Furniture in Warren. The Warren Consolidated Schools district was recently honored with the Best Communities for Music Education designation from the National Association of Music Merchants Foundation. The Best Communities for Music Education selection is awarded to school districts that display outstanding achievement to provide music access and education to all students.

MCC job fair set for April 18

WARREN — Macomb Community College will hold its annual job fair from 4 to 7 p.m. April 18 at the Sports & Expo Center on the college’s South Campus, located at 14500 12 Mile Road.

Co-sponsored by the city of Warren, the job fair offers community members the opportunity to connect with approximately 200 employers looking to hire for both full- and part-time positions. The job fair is free and open to the public with no registration required.

Employers participating in the job fair include American Axle, Henry Ford Health System, United Wholesale Mortgage, Smith Bros., Sacred Heart Rehabilitation Center, and Macomb and Oakland County police and fire departments.

Additional resources will also be available on-site, including Macomb’s Office of Veteran and Military Service and Michigan Works! Macomb/St. Clair, with information about the programs they offer.

For more information, visit events.macomb.edu/event/job_fair_2024.

MENTORS NEEDED IN WINNING FUTURES

METRO DETROIT — Winning Futures, a program in which professionals from the community mentor high school students, is seeking volunteer mentors for the 202425 school year.

The mentors help students with life skills, financial literacy, job readiness training, goal setting and career exploration.

The students attend schools in Detroit, Harper Woods, Warren, Sterling Heights and Pontiac. For more information, call (586) 294-8449 or visit the website at winningfutures.org.

New appointments at Warren City Hall

WARREN — Mayor Lori Stone has made five new appointments to her administration across various departments.

Danuta (Donna) Dordeski was recently appointed the city’s wastewater treatment sanitary engineer. She has worked for the city of Warren for nearly 30 years.

With more than 30 years of heavy truck and equipment mechanic experience, Russ Galorneau was appointed to the position of associate manager of fleet maintenance with Warren’s Department of Public Works.

Olu Jabari is Warren’s new community outreach director, with more than 25 years of experience in organizing community and statewide partnerships.

Ayasha Bahar was appointed to the administrator coordinator position in the mayor’s office. Bahar has more than six years of experience in customer assistance.

Jeff Reeves is the city’s new building maintenance superintendent. In his more than 15 years with the city, he has held various positions in the sanitation, water and building maintenance departments.

MDOT program plows into town

LANSING — The Michigan Department of Transportation is seeking talented high school students to help with its 2024-2025 “Paint the Plow” program.

This year’s theme is “Go hands-free. Just drive. It’s the law.” Students are invited to submit designs that reflect their schools while also promoting a safety theme.

The program reminds motorists that recent legislation has made it illegal to hold and use an electronic device in Michigan.

MDOT will accept Paint the Plow design applications until May 17. For more information or to apply, visit michigan.gov/PaintThePlow.

COUSINO HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF 1969 TO HOST 55TH REUNION

WARREN — Join in the fun at the Cousino High School Class of 1969 Reunion at 7 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 6, at Roger’s Roost, 33262 Schoenherr Road in Sterling Heights.

Admission is free, but individuals will be charged for their food and drinks in a private dining room. Cousino classes of 1967 through 1971 are also welcome to attend.

Attendees are asked to RSVP by contacting Larry Wilk at lwilk@comcast.net.

For more information, contact planning committee members Fran (Mancuso) Ortman at (586) 504-0442 or Tortoise5@aol.com, Carol (Abrahamsson) Shepherd at (248) 535-3079 or Carolashepherd@me.com, or Sue (Ruthenberg) Wilk at (586) 420-6611 or suewlk@comcast.net.

A grand goodbye to the ‘GOAT’ of law enforcement

WARREN — Hundreds gathered in the Larsa Palace Banquet Center in Warren on April 11 to say farewell to former Warren Police Commissioner Bill Dwyer and honor his more than 60 years of police work.

Many in attendance referred to Dwyer as a friend, media genius and law enforcement’s greatest of all time.

Diana Lewis, a WXYZ-TV Channel 7 news anchor for 35 years, described Dwyer neither as a police chief nor a police commissioner but as friend she has known, along with his late wife, Doris, for more than four decades.

“My message tonight is to a man who is my friend, whom I love dearly,” said Lewis. “My girls call him Uncle Bill because it’s just a real family relationship.”

Dwyer was lauded for working well with the media.

“He was a media genius,” said Ed Glomb, a retired chief of police and a former executive board member of the Southeastern Michigan Chiefs of Police. “He was the first police chief to embrace the media and bring them aboard on everything.”

The former commissioner was referred to as the greatest of all time.

“Football has their GOAT, Tom Brady. Basketball, Michael Jordan. Police, we’ve got ours too, and that GOAT is Bill Dwyer,” Glomb said.

LEFT: Bill Dwyer’s 60-year career in law enforcement spanning service in Detroit, Farmington Hills and Warren was celebrated on April 11.

ABOVE: Hundreds gathered in Warren on April 11 to honor Dwyer, who retired last month after decades of service in metro Detroit.

Photos by Patricia O’Blenes

Suspect charged after man shot, left in critical condition

BY GENA JOHNSON gjohnson@candgnews.com

WARREN — A 37-year-old Warren man has been charged after a shooting left another man critically wounded after a party on April 6.

Derrick King was arraigned in 37th District Court on April 8 on one count of assault with intent to murder, a felony punishable up to life in prison, and felony weapons charges punishable by up to five years in prison.

According to police, King, his girlfriend and the victim were at a party in Detroit when the couple had an altercation and the 24-year-old victim allegedly intervened.

In a release from Macomb County Prosecuting Attorney Peter Lucido’s office, it was stated that the girlfriend reportedly shouted that King may have her registered firearm.

The three reportedly parted ways and left the party, according to the release from Lucido’s office. The girlfriend reportedly went to the home she shares with King and stayed in her vehicle. King reportedly rode up on his motorcycle, and moments later,

Kupinski

from page 4A

The club members received a $4,000 grant, which they gave to Kupinski. She can use it for supplies, clothing and anything else needed.

“It couldn’t be for ourselves. It’s a good way to help a neighbor,” Harris said. “Cindy is selfless, kind and friendly and wants to give back. She just wants to help people in need.”

To reach Healing Choices, call (586) 899-0236. Monetary donations are always welcome, as are gift cards to help families that are healing.

New Elks Lodge Macomb No. 2292 members are always welcome. For more information, call (586) 771-8550 or send an email to warrensterling2292@mielks.org.

the victim pulled in front of the house and exited his vehicle while King was still standing in his driveway. The victim and King allegedly started fighting and then separated. The victim reportedly backed up, and King allegedly fired 12 rounds at the victim and hit him multiple times.

The victim remained in a local hospital in critical condition at press time.

King was charged as a habitual third offender, according to the prosecutor’s office.

Judge Michael Chupa set bond at $300,000 cash or surety only.

According to 37th District Court records, a public defender had not been assigned for King as of April 9.

King was in the Macomb County Jail ahead of a probable cause conference scheduled for 8:45 a.m. April 16, according to court records. A preliminary exam is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. April 23 before Judge Michael Chupa, according to the prosecutor’s office.

“The alleged 12 shots fired at an unarmed man walking away, shows a total disregard for human life. We will not tolerate this behavior in Macomb County,” Lucido said in a written release.

CHARITY DRIVE

Healing Choices and Macomb Elks No. 2292 will join together for the Drivin’ 2292 Charity Car Show from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 9 at the Macomb Elks Lodge No. #2292, located at 25950 Schoenherr Road in Warren.

The event will include classic cars, food and fun. Awards will be distributed at 2 p.m. Proceeds will benefit both charitable organizations.

Car owners interested in displaying their vintage vehicles can register by email at webmaster2292@gmail.com.

Early registration is $20 per car. Those who register before June 1 receive a swag bag. The registration fee on the day of the car show is $25 per car.

Laundries | Pantries | Wall Beds | Wall Units

Women

from page 3A

“We don’t want to make a new Royal Oak or a new Ferndale. We want to make a downtown Warren, where people from Royal Oak, Ferndale and Birmingham, (who) have their quaint downtowns that everybody enjoys visiting, (we) want them to come here and visit us,” Rochelle Kelley said. “I know they have been working on a downtown for a long time, but without the help of the community, that downtown can’t be.”

The Women of Warren do a vision board every year at the beginning of the year.

“To set the tone and envision the future we want for the year going forward,” said Alex Kelley, the group’s graphic designer and a member of its communications team. “This is central to our mission because it is thinking of ways we can improve ourselves and therefore the community.”

Women of Warren Vice President Heather Zielinski further explained the importance of their vision board.

“As women we have to be able to explain to the city what we need from them and the way to do that is by visualizing our needs,” Zielinski said. “That way, they have a decision to make about how they are going to help us achieve the goals we need to raise our families in the city of Warren.”

Zielinski continued, “I think it is very important to be able to have that (the vision board) to look forward and set your goals and to then look backwards and to say, ‘I have achieved all of these things.’”

According to its members, the Women of Warren is open to any woman who is a Warren resident.

“For me it’s about empowering and uplifting, and the energy when this group of women get together is just dynamic and so supportive,” said Monica Papasian.

Papasian, who has been a member since the group’s inception three years ago, has been bringing her now 9-year-old daughter

Olive to the meetings.

“She (Olive) gives great ideas,” Zainos said.

“The Pajama Jam event that we did last year was Olive’s idea,” said Rochelle Kelley.

“It was wildly successful,” Alex Kelley said.

The group celebrated its one-year anniversary as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in January and talked about starting a Junior Women of Warren for young girls but has no immediate plans to do so.

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

Photo by Gena Johnson

Records

from page 1A

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 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.

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.

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.

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

As Record Store Day approaches, pop

Participating record stores are subject to change.

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.

See RECORDS on page 16A

Photos 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.

grant through the Center Line Public Schools Educational Foundation to purchase the specialized glasses for the entire school.

“I knew this was happening and I wrote the grant last year,” Baaso said. “It’s memorable. It’s a big deal. It’s a good way to tie in learning to something real.”

As the students waited for the event, they took photos of the sky with their cellphones and shared them with Baaso and the other teachers. Several chairs were set up for students to sit on if they wanted while others stood or relaxed on the grass. Baaso and several other teachers kept a countdown.

“We’re almost there, guys. We got 10 minutes. It’s getting colder and darker,” Baaso said. “I peeked. The moon shadow is already casting over the sun.”

According to the website science.nasa.gov, a total solar eclipse happens when the moon passes between the sun and earth, completely blocking the face of the sun. The celestial event went through Mexico, the U.S. and Canada.

“The path of the eclipse went through Mexico, the United States in Texas, and traveled through Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine,” the website states. “Small parts of Tennessee and Michigan will also experience the total

solar eclipse.”

In metro Detroit, the eclipse occurred at approximately 3:15 p.m. For a short period of time, the temperature dropped several degrees and the sky turned dark when the sun was blocked.

“This is crazy,” seventh grader Inarah Dillon said. “It’s basically a moon shadow.”

“I’m excited for it. This is my first time seeing an eclipse,” seventh grader Dottie Pickens said. “I keep looking at it. It’s definitely getting colder and darker.”

Baaso, along with science teachers Chanel Maloney and Jaclyn Smith, had class discussions with the students prior to the eclipse.

“The students have come up with great questions asking why this is so special,” Baaso said.

Eighth grader Landon Cobb called the event “really cool.”

“I looked at it. It was an orange ball, but it was covered up. It’s once in a lifetime. It gives you a great view of life,” he said. “It’s really special to be part of it. I appreciate being able to participate.”

The students had to have permission slips signed by their parents or guardians to view the eclipse. The next total solar eclipse in the contiguous United States is set to happen in 2044.

The Center Line Public Schools Educational Foundation distributes grants during the school year to teachers for supplies and educational materials not available in the general budget.

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

TWO ARRESTED AFTER JEWELRY HEIST IN WARREN Warren man charged in murder-for-hire plot

BY GENA JOHNSON gjohnson@candgnews.com

CLINTON TOWNSHIP/WARREN

— On April 1, in 41B District Court in Clinton Township, a Macomb County Jail inmate and his alleged co-conspirator were arraigned and charged with plotting to kill the husband of the co-conspirator.

Aaron Muterspaw, 36, of Warren, is currently in the Macomb County Jail and according to the Macomb County Sheriff’s Office has been communicating via the jail telephone with the second suspect, Carmen Marchetti, 35, of Chesterfield Township. The two were allegedly discussing hurting or killing Marchetti’s soon-to-be ex-husband. The conversations were reportedly discovered when the husband’s attorney made a Freedom of Information Act request for Muterspaw’s jailhouse phone call recordings.

Muterspaw and Marchetti were each charged with one count of conspiracy to commit homicide – solicitation of murder, a felony which carries a life sentence, and one

count of telecommunications services – malicious use, a sixmonth misdemeanor.

Marchetti also faces one count of homicide – solicitation of murder, a felony punishable by up to life in prison.

Muterspaw’s attorney of record is Joshua D. Jones, and Marchetti is represented by James T. Bowden. Both attorneys declined comment, according to their respective offices.

Magistrate Ryan Zemke issued a personal bond of $100,000 for Marchetti. Muterspaw’s bond was set at $500,000 cash or surety.

Muterspaw and Marchetti are scheduled for a probable cause conference at 8:30 a.m. April 15 before Judge Sabastian Lucido in 41B District Court in Clinton Township. Call Staff Writer Gena Johnson at (586) 498-1069.

WARREN — Two suspects allegedly stole more than $25,000 worth of jewelry from a local store on March 28 and were later arrested.

According to Warren police, the two suspects were allegedly posing as customers in a jewelry store located in the area of 13 Mile Road and Hoover Road. They allegedly left the store without paying for items. Officers were dispatched to the store just before noon after employees alerted the police, where they gathered evidence including descriptions of the suspects and their vehicle.

The information was relayed to patrol units in Warren and surrounding jurisdictions. Officers from the Hazel Park Police Department reportedly located the suspect vehicle traveling south on Interstate 75. The vehicle was occupied by a man and a woman, according to Warren police. Based on the description of the people involved in the jewelry store theft, Hazel Park police were able to identify the man and woman in the car as fitting that description. The officers recovered all the alleged stolen jewelry and large amounts of cash, according to a written release.

Warren police were called to the scene, arrested the suspects, and transported them to the Warren Police Department’s jail for follow-up investigation.

According to police, this investigation remained active and ongoing as detectives looked to determine whether the suspects are linked to additional crimes.

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

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 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.

Customers show interest in buying pansies April 6 at the Oakland County Farmers Market.

Photo by Erin Sanchez

Records

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.

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.”

from page 12A candgnews.com

Village Vinyl has been in business for

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.

Warren residents get a taste of police work

BY GENA JOHNSON gjohnson@candgnews.com

WARREN — A group of 32 Warren residents recently completed an eight-week Citizens Police Academy where they learned aspects of police work and celebrated with a graduation ceremony at Warren City Hall on April 2.

Mayor Lori Stone, Warren Police Commissioner Charles Rushton and other members of the Police Department were in attendance to support the graduates, who range in age from their 20s to their 70s. Each participant received a certificate for their attendance and participation.

The Citizens Police Academy is a community policing initiative that brings the public and the Police Department closer. In the program, citizens learned about some of the duties of an officer.

According to a release from the Warren Police Department, “Connecting with the community in a fun and interactive way, all the while providing insight and education, is the essence of community policing.”

Although the graduates of the program have no police authority, Rushton said, “It’s just to educate the public on what police officers do day to day. It teaches them a little bit about criminal law, traffic stops, drunk driving investigations, and some of our K-9 work.”

One of the biggest highlights occurred when participants engaged in a virtual use of force and shoot-don’t-shoot simulation via

the department’s VirTra training simulator, according to police.

“For the Warren Police Department there is little cost for the program,” said Rushton. “The community policing program organizes the program and depending on the subject matter, all of our instructors are in-house. It’s part of the community policing officer’s duties.”

The next Citizen’s Police Academy will start in the fall, according to Rushton.

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

Photo provided by city of Warren Communications Department

A group of 32 Warren residents recently graduated from the Citizens Police Academy.

Man arrested after ‘stranger danger’ report

BY GENA JOHNSON gjohnson@candgnews.com

WARREN — Warren police said an arrest was made less than 24 hours after a Cousino High School student reported that a stranger approached her and attempted to persuade her into his vehicle as she was walking home from school on April 3.

Kevin Regan, 35, of Warren, was arraigned in the 37th District Court on April 5 and charged with one count of disturbing the peace and one count of having an improper license plate. The charges are misdemeanors punishable by up to 93 days in jail.

The charges were not more severe because the student was 16 years old, police said.

Regan was reportedly in the area of Shawn Drive and Jenny Drive, near Masonic Boulevard and Bunert Road, at approximately 4 p.m. on April 3 when he allegedly approached the student and tried to get her to enter his vehicle. According to police, Regan fled the scene after the girl pointed her cellphone in his direction and began recording him.

Sinkhole

pipe which is about 8 feet underground. A total of three dye tests were administered and exposed the drain leaking from 18 joints, according to Macomb County Public Works Commissioner Candice S. Miller.

“So we decided to fix the drain and fill it all in,” said Miller in an informational video.

According to Miller, most of the sinkholes they find are small but whatever the size, it needs to be repaired.

“They (sinkholes) all need to be fixed and they all impact people,” Miller said. “When we find them, we fix them.”

This project was larger than anticipated.

“We thought this was going to be a small, relatively inexpensive project,” Miller said. “Once we started grouting the pipes and filling in the various voids, the voids took in a lot more of that material than we had originally anticipated.”

That material is a flowable mixture of sand and cement that is used to pump into the cavity to fill it, according to Miller.

According to Miller, the Lorraine Drain originated when Warren was an agricultural

The suspect was driving an older-model white Jeep Grand Cherokee with a black luggage rack and damage near the rear door on the driver’s side. The driver reportedly neither exited the vehicle nor used any physical force on the girl. In addition, no weapons or threat of weapons were implicated in this incident, police stated in a written release.

According to court records, no public defender had been assigned to Regan’s case as of April 5.

A “not guilty” plea was entered at Regan’s arraignment before visiting 37th District Court Judge Ted Metry, who set bond at $5,000 cash or surety with additional conditions, including no contact with the teen or any minors and a mandatory GPS tether.

According to police, the bond and its conditions were recommended due to the alleged circumstances of the case.

Police said Regan has previous drugrelated convictions. The case remained under investigation at press time and police encouraged anyone with information about it to call (586) 574-4707.

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

community. The drains were uncovered during that time but as neighborhoods evolved and Warren became more of a city, the drains were covered up with soil and other things. Miller referred to the drains as old and having a finite life expectancy. According to the Macomb County Public Works Office, the Lorraine Drain was installed in 1960.

Aging infrastructure is a community concern.

“This project turned out to be almost a $200,000 project. That’s a big project for a drain in people’s backyard, but what are you going to do?” Miller said.

She said a small child could get their foot stuck in the sinkhole, or other things could happen, and that such situations are not safe.

“These drains are under our jurisdiction, and we have to take care of them, and we did that in this case,” said Miller.

Fifty percent of the cost to repair the drain will be paid by the office’s drain match program funded by the Macomb County Board of Commissioners. The other half will be paid by the cities of Warren and Center Line, both of which are served by the Lorraine Drain, according to Miller’s office.

“We’re all in it together,” Miller said.

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

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