5/23/24 Rochester Post

Sheriff hosts town hall to address high-end home robberies

BY MARK VEST mvest@candgnews.com

BLOOMFIELD HILLS — A recent town hall meeting drew more attention to an issue that has been a source of concern for some Oakland County residents going back at least as far as last year.

More than 200 people attended a meeting at

Christ Church Cranbrook in Bloomfield Hills May 13 to address concerns about international organized gangs that have been targeting affluent neighborhoods in the county, according to a press release from state Rep. Donni Steele.

“Obviously, the Bloomfields have been very much in the crosshairs, Birmingham, Novi, Frank-

See SHERIFF on page 18A

Propane tank explosion injures seven in downtown Rochester

BY MARY BETH ALMOND malmond@candgnews.com

ROCHESTER — A propane tank caught fire and exploded on the sidewalk in downtown Rochester, injuring seven people, including five who were taken to the hospital, May 18.

Rochester Fire Chief John Cieslik said the firefighters were dispatched to the 400 block of Main Street for a fire at about 8:41 p.m., and while enroute, an explosion occurred on the sidewalk in front of 423 Main Bar, Grille & Rooftop.

The explosion sent debris flying through the area, causing dam-

See EXPLOSION on page 12A

Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard addresses a May 13 town hall meeting at Christ Church Cranbrook in Bloomfield Hills.

Photo by Patricia O’Blenes

Photo provided by the Rochester Fire Department

A propane tank from an outdoor heater caught fire in downtown Rochester before exploding.

Home Selling Specialist

Olympic Rower’s daughter gets a rehabilitated shoulder from Rochester

Physical erapist.

From not even being able lift my right arm above my head, to what you see in the picture - I was not an easy case. With a father whose shoulders helped him win an Olympic medal, to my desire to easily carry a 2-year-old up my stairs, to my never having worked out with weights in my life – they probably thought “Lady, you better just move in!” Today I owe Mark so much more than my accolades because there’s no right words, nor price tag for quality of life.

Mark Kast and his team at Rochester’s HealthQuest Physical Therapy are on my superhero list. I obviously recommend them for all things Physical Therapy, but it’s more than that.

Aside from his stellar credentials and 33 years as a physical therapist, Mark spent the rst 25 years of his career working at the hospital with children who have severe challenges. He’s a Rochester father of four, who took on a second job at HeathQuest in hopes of one day owning his own. Fast forward to today, Mark owns and directs both Rochester locations and we are the bene ciaries! You can nd these heroes at Rochester & Tienken or Crooks & Hamlin or ring them at (248) 289-5447.

So I throw up my hands and praise Him again and again! Thank you, Lord, for this local business.

FORCE Team arrests six in auto theft ring with help of local police

BY SARAH WRIGHT swright@candgnews.com

TROY — The state’s Focused Organized Retail Crime Enforcement team has arrested six members of a crew suspected of stealing over 400 vehicles in southeast Michigan.

The alleged criminal ring targets new vehicle storage lots at manufacturing facilities, as well as car dealerships, parking lots and individual residences. State Attorney General Dana Nessel said the operation is alleged to have operated in over 40 jurisdictions in Oakland, Washtenaw, Macomb and Wayne counties, with other instances occurring in Eaton and Kent counties.

The stolen vehicles are worth approximately $8 million, though the Nessel’s department said the stolen vehicles are sold below market value on the black market to buyers seeking unregistered vehicles.

The stolen vehicles have been linked to armed robberies, weapons offenses, felony evasion of police, carjackings, murder and attempted murder, according to Nessel.

The group is suspected of using countersurveillance to steal vehicles quickly and efficiently, allegedly shooting at officers and ramming security vehicles if confronted.

See ARREST on page 10A

Rochester High educator named Michigan’s Teacher of the Year

BY MARY BETH ALMOND malmond@candgnews.com

ROCHESTER/ROCHESTER HILLS/OAKLAND TOWNSHIP — A passion for teaching runs in the family of Rochester High School teacher Kelley Cusmano, who was recently named the 2024-25 Michigan Teacher of the Year.

As children, Cusmano and her twin sister, Sarah, often helped their now-retired kindergarten teacher mother, Kathy Youmans, in class.

“I have always been a high school teacher, and it’s because my mom was a kindergarten teacher. I helped her a lot, and I was like, ‘Man this is a different kind

of help. I can’t tie that many shoes and wipe that many noses,’” Cusmano recalled with a giggle. “I spent a lot of time in her classroom growing up.”

The identical twins, now married with different last names, followed in their mom’s footsteps pursuing a career in education. Sarah Giddings is now a principal, and Cusmano, a high school teacher.

Cusmano earned a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction, a bachelor’s degree in English, and an administrative K-12 certificate, all from Michigan State University. She has been an educator for more than 18 years, the last 16 years at Rochester High School.

Cusmano joined Rochester Community Schools

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Rochester High School teacher Kelley Cusmano celebrates with members of the school’s student council after being named the 2024-25 Michigan Teacher of the Year.

Photo provided by Rochester Community Schools

See CUSMANO on page 6A

Seven sentenced for drive-thru drug operation in Detroit

BY MARY BETH ALMOND malmond@candgnews.com

METRO DETROIT — Seven defendants, including Oakland and Macomb county residents, have been sentenced for their roles in a drug conspiracy scheme.

Investigators said the group operated a drug business for years on Yacama Street in Detroit that caused several overdoses, including at least one death.

An FBI investigation revealed the group of dealers operated an on-demand drive-thru for drugs — including crack cocaine, heroin and fentanyl — for years on Yacama Street. According to investigators, drug customers who drove down the street were served at their car window with drugs at any time of day, as many times as they could afford. Residents of the area were plagued with drug activity, resulting in home abandonments, homes that authorities said were in turn used to further the distribution.

Seven members of the conspiracy, most of whom authorities said had lengthy criminal histories, were charged in federal court.

Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Michigan Cheyvoryea Gibson said the sentencing marks “a significant victory” in the “relentless fight against opioid trafficking and its devastating impact on our community.”

“This case sends a strong message that we will not tolerate activities that endanger our citizens’ lives and will continue to work tirelessly to hold those responsible accountable,” Gibson said in a statement.

All seven defendants pleaded guilty to offenses related to the sales of controlled substances on Yacama.

Locally, Justin Fields, 33, of Rochester Hills, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute a controlled substance and was sentenced to one day custody with credit for time-served, followed by three years of supervised release. An attorney for Fields could not be reached at press time.

Other defendants who pleaded guilty include:

• Lavante Brown, 30, of Detroit, who pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute with the intent to distribute a controlled

substance and distribution of fentanyl resulting in death May 16, 2023.

• Anthony Foster, 38, of Detroit, who pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute a controlled substance and was sentenced to 15 years in prison.

• Willie Swift, 58, of Detroit, who pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute a controlled substance and was sentenced to over 10 years in prison.

• Terrance Hall, 34, of Eastpointe, who pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute with the intent to distribute a controlled substance and was sentenced to 10 years in prison.

• Dana Hudson, 46, of Detroit, who pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute a

controlled substance and was sentenced to five years in prison.

• David Terry, 41, of Harper Woods, who pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute a controlled substance and was sentenced to over four years in prison.

“These defendants believed that they could take over areas of our city, destroy neighborhoods, and risk others’ lives with impunity, but these sentences should serve as notice that federal law enforcement will not stand idly by while drug dealers do harm to our community,” U.S. Attorney Ison said in a statement.

The case was investigated by special agents of the FBI and the Oakland County Gang and Violent Crime Task Force.

Call Staff Writer Mary Beth Almond at (586) 498-1060.

Cusmano

in 2008 as an English language arts teacher at Rochester High School. The following year, she accepted the additional role as student council advisor — a position that she has held for the past 15 years.

“I know it sounds cliche, but I feel very honored and blessed to work where I do, do what I do, and be a teacher. It’s the best job in the world,” Cusmano said.

On May 7, cheers of joy erupted from a crowd of 1,600 students as State Superintendent Michael Rice announced that, of over 85,000 public school teachers in Michigan, Cusmano was named the 2024-25 Michigan Teacher of the Year.

A humbled and emotional Cusmano accepted the award during a surprise, allschool assembly at Rochester High School.

“I am not the best teacher in Michigan, but I have a really loud voice,” Cusmano said, with a chuckle. “And I love what I do, and I love who I do it with.”

Rochester High School Principal Josh Wrinkle said Cusmano is “an amazing teacher” and “the perfect example of who you would want to have your kids in the classroom.”

“The students love her. I think the biggest thing for them is she’s always finding a way to be engaging — she’s always finding a way to make things real for them,” he said. “When you’re talking about a high school kid in a classroom, those are the two things that really lock those kids in and make them love learning, and Kelley is certainly a teacher that does that every single day.”

To be a successful teacher, Cusmano believes it’s important to have “the ability to

roll with it.”

“It’s the ability to change and think on your feet. It’s the ability to read people — you have to read people and make judgments every single day — and it’s the ability to understand the responsibility that you have every day. Every day, parents give us their precious cargo, and we are responsible for that,” said Cusmano.

Cusmano’s family was thrilled to be in attendance for the big announcement.

“My mother is one of the best teachers you could get in the state of Michigan, and that’s probably why she won this award,” said Cusmano’s daughter Mia. “I don’t think there was anyone better they could give the award to.”

“There’s nobody more deserving,” added Kathy Youmans, Cusmano’s mom. “She is so passionate about this. She gives every bit of herself to these kids and she loves them just like they are her own.”

Giddings said her twin sister has a “passion” for teaching and “does it so well.”

“She’s amazing and she’s going to represent the state of Michigan so well. She lives and breathes Rochester,” she said.

As MDE Teacher of the Year, Cusmano will represent more than 85,000 Michigan teachers and will serve on the Michigan Teacher Leadership Advisory Council, where she can advocate for students and influence education policies and initiatives statewide.

“We know how hard she works and she can balance everything,” said Kelley’s husband, John Cusmano. “She just puts so much into being an educator and being a leader — 18 years in and she’s just getting started.”

Call Staff Writer Mary Beth Almond at (586) 498-1060.

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NEWS & NOTES

Paint Creek Center for the Arts’ ‘Members Biennial’ returns

ROCHESTER — The Paint Creek Center for the Arts has announced the return of the Members Biennial exhibition at PCCA’s gallery during business hours through June 15.

The Members Biennial showcases the artwork of 48 Michigan-based artists who have contributed to and shown support for the PCCA’s mission through the purchase of an annual membership.

With no set theme, the 2024 Members Biennial encouraged member artists to submit work in a broad range of mediums and subject matters so long as it suited the all-ages nature of PCCA’s public gallery space at 407 Pine St. Nearly 60 individual artworks are on display in the exhibition.

Church to host River Strings of St. Clair County in concert

ROCHESTER HILLS — First Congregational Church United Church of Christ Rochester is hosting a concert by a local mountain dulcimer group, the River Strings of St. Clair County, at 7 p.m. June 1. The concert is free. Freewill offerings will be collected during intermission and after the concert to support the church’s music program. The church is located at 1315 N. Pine St. For more information, visit, http://fccrochester.org.

June is wear orange month for gun violence awareness

ROCHESTER — The local Moms Demand Action group is putting orange ribbons around the lampposts in downtown Rochester for gun violence awareness month in June.

On Jan. 21, 2013, Hadiya Pendleton marched in President Barack Obama’s second inauguration parade. One week later she was shot and killed on a playground in Chicago. Her friends commemorated her life by wearing orange, her favorite color.

Moms Demand Action is a grassroots movement of Americans fighting for public safety measures that can protect people from gun violence, they said. It was started on Facebook after the Sandy Hook Elementary School shootings. The group works in communities and with business leaders to encourage a culture of responsible gun ownership. According to reports, 40,000 people are killed with guns, and 85,000 are shot and wounded every year. For more statistics, visit Everytown.org.

Whitmer makes appointment to 52-3 District Court

LANSING — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has announced the appointment of Laura Polizzi to the 52-3 District Court for Oakland County.

Whitmer said in a press release that Polizzi “brings a diverse range of experience and knowledge to the bench, and a strong commitment to serving as a role model for attorneys across Michigan. I am confident she will serve the people with distinction and uphold the rule of law.”

Polizzi is a partner at Polizzi & Medley Law, and she litigates domestic, business, real estate, juvenile, and criminal matters.

She was recognized by Super Lawyers as a Michigan Rising Star 201824. She serves on the board of directors for the Macomb County Bar Association and Macomb County Bar Foundation. Previously, she served as president of the Women’s Lawyers Association of Michigan, Macomb Region. Polizzi is also a representative in the State Bar of Michigan Representative Assembly, and she is on the State Bar of Michigan Character and Fitness Committee. Polizzi is a resident of Rochester Hills, where she and her husband raise their two children. She is bilingual and represents many Spanish-speaking clients. She received her bachelor’s in political science and international relations from Oakland University and her Juris Doctor from Western Michigan Thomas M. Cooley Law School.

Polizzi said she is honored and thankful for the opportunity. “I am humbled by this opportunity, and I will work to ensure that all individuals are treated fairly, with respect, and equal access to justice,” she said in a press release.

The appointment was made to fill a partial term following the resignation of Judge Julie A. Nicholson. Polizzi’s term will commence May 26 and expire Jan. 1, 2025.

Polizzi

Photos by Erin Sanchez

Arrest

from page 3A

“The activities of criminal organizations like these go far beyond theft,” Nessel said in a press release. “They cause millions in financial losses to our retail partners, sow fear, and endanger lives. Vehicles stolen as part of this criminal enterprise go on to become tools in violence, posing additional threats to public safety. I commend the hard work of the FORCE Team, Troy Police Department, and other local law enforcement agencies to investigate and dismantle this operation.”

The Troy Police Department has been investigating this crime ring since August of last year and partnered with the FORCE Team in early 2024 to bring down this expansive criminal organization, officials said.

Other agencies involved include police agencies in Auburn Hills, Canton, Dearborn, Detroit, Eastpointe, Farmington Hills, Lansing, Livonia, Novi, Roseville, Royal Oak, Sterling Heights, Southfield, Walled Lake and Warren, as well as the Oakland County Auto Theft Group and the Macomb County Auto Theft Unit.

“I am extremely proud of the work that has been done by my staff and all of the participating agencies to arrest and prosecute these violent and reckless criminals,” Troy Police Chief Frank Nastasi said in a press release. “Auto theft has been a significant crime trend in our region that has impacted both the residents and many community stakeholders. In addition to the economic impact of auto theft, the violent and reckless manner in which these individuals operated put all of us in danger. I deeply appreciate the work of each of the officers on the frontline yesterday morning as they stepped up to protect the residents of the State of

Michigan. I also thank the State Attorney General’s Office for their guidance and resources during this complex investigation.”

Currently, the Troy Police Department has reported a rough estimate of around 40 vehicles stolen in 2024, with some of them related to the activity of the car theft ring.

“Officers in our Special Investigations Unit, which includes Officers from Troy, Bloomfield Township, Royal Oak, Auburn Hills, and Birmingham, have worked tirelessly to identify and gather evidence on several of those who are most responsible for this dangerous crime trend,” Troy Officer Benjamin L. Hancock said in email. “As they progressed through the case it was evident that the cooperation of local, state, and federal law enforcement partners would be crucial for a successful enforcement outcome.”

The Troy police and over 200 officers from more than a dozen other state, federal and local law enforcement agencies executed eight arrest warrants against southeast Michigan men May 15. Six are in custody, and officers have recovered seven stolen vehicles, hundreds of car parts linked to stolen vehicles, a large quantity of electronic key fobs, stolen dealership license plates, burglary tools — including some devices specifically for stealing cars — thousands in cash, and a significant volume of additional evidence, including nine guns.

“Policing relies on teamwork,” Col. James F. Grady II, the director of the Michigan State Police, said in a press release. “We depend on each other to effectively serve the public. This case is an excellent example of that collaboration. Yesterday’s operation will make an immediate positive impact on public safety as we continue to build a Michigan where everyone feels safe and secure.”

Each defendant has been charged with conducting a criminal enterprise and the

CRIME WATCH

Drunken driver caught swerving

ROCHESTER — An officer on patrol in the area of Main and Second streets saw a vehicle traveling 37 mph in a 25 mph zone at 2 a.m. May 8.

The vehicle was also observed swerving in its lane. The officer conducted a traffic stop and made contact with the driver, observing signs of impairment. The driver failed field sobriety tasks and was offered a preliminary breath test, which resulted in a 0.14% blood alcohol content.

The driver was arrested, transported to the police station and offered a chemical breath test, which resulted in a blood alcohol content of 0.16%. The driver was lodged until sober and was released with a pending court date.

— Mary Beth Almond

use of a computer to commit a crime, both 20-year felonies, along with other charges:

• Kevin Lamont Stevenson Jr., 21, of Detroit, has been additionally charged with nine counts of receiving and concealing a stolen motor vehicle.

• Joseph David Doyle, 25, of Onsted, has been additionally charged with six counts of receiving and concealing a stolen motor vehicle.

• Braylen Jeese Green, 20, of Wixom, has been additionally charged with nine counts of receiving and concealing a stolen motor vehicle.

• Dejhon Trevon Bush, 20, of Detroit, has been additionally charged with seven counts of receiving and concealing a stolen motor vehicle.

• Zamarr Terrell Johnson, 18, of Troy, has been additionally charged with 12 counts of receiving and concealing a stolen motor vehicle, and two counts of fourthdegree fleeing or eluding.

• Desmond Maurice Wilson, 21, of Detroit, has been additionally charged with nine counts of receiving and concealing a stolen motor vehicle, and one count of

breaking and entering with intent.

Police are working to locate and arrest two additional suspects.

“In my tenure of 30-plus years, I have never seen such bold and brazen thefts from new car auto dealerships,” Rod Alberts, the co-executive director of the Detroit Auto Dealers Association, said in a press release. “This has become an epidemic of organized criminals preying on businesses in our communities and putting law enforcement and the general public in harm’s way, not just during the theft itself, but on the streets after they have stolen the vehicles. I want to thank the Attorney General and her staff for the steps and actions they have taken. It will make a difference.”

The investigation is ongoing, and the officials are working to establish cases against other members of the auto theft ring, as well as the buyers of the stolen vehicles. Each of the six defendants is presently jailed at various locations throughout Oakland and Macomb counties. No dates have yet been set by the court for subsequent proceedings, and attorneys for the suspects could not be reached by press time.

0468-2419

Explosion

age and injuries.

“When we pulled up, the scene was very chaotic, lots of people. The firefighters stepped into action to go ahead and get things under control, and they quickly realized that there were multiple people that were seriously hurt in the explosion,” Cieslik said.

“When things got sorted out, we realized there were five seriously injured people that continued to need attention, along with two other people that we checked out and they did not want to go to the hospital.”

Two injured children were transported to Royal Oak Beaumont, while the three injured adults were taken to either Troy Beaumont or Ascension Providence Rochester.

“We don’t have a handle on the types of injuries, because of the incident. With the explosion, they were immediately transported to the local hospitals,” Cieslik said.

First responders believe the propane tank from an outdoor heater first caught fire and then fell on its side, causing an explosion.

“We are still trying to gather all of the facts, but what we think happened at this point was someone from the restaurant, at 8:43 p.m., was lighting a propane heater out front of the building and something happened — we don’t know what yet, so we are investigating,” Cieslik said. “That caught fire, and then, in a few minutes, exploded,

so it was a propane tank that exploded.”

Some have questioned why someone would be lighting a propane heater on a hot evening in May.

“That’s part of our investigation,” Cieslik explained. “We’re asking that same question.”

Although nothing else besides the propane tank caught fire that evening, the explosion caused damage to nearby buildings, from 423 Main to the corner of Main Street and University.

“There were signs that were blown off the front of the building and damage done to lighting along that corridor, from the middle of the block north to University and Main Street,” Cieslik added.

Emergency responders from Rochester Hills, Oakland Township, Auburn Hills, Addison, Bloomfield Township, Bruce-Romeo, Orion, Shelby Township, Sterling Heights, Washington Township and the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office assisted Rochester fire and police.

“It was a tragic incident that happened, but the police and fire in the area rose to the occasion and really brought some coordination to a very chaotic incident, which limited the injuries and got the people who were injured to the hospital in the quickest possible way,” said Cieslik.

A representative from 423 Main Bar, Grille & Rooftop could not be reached for comment at press time.

Call Staff Writer Mary Beth Almond at (586) 498-1060.

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BEHIND THE WHEEL

14A/ ROCHESTER POST• MAY 23, 2024

Do you own a vehicle with an interesting history?

Contact Staff Writer Maria Allard at allard@candgnews.com or at (586) 498-1045, and you could be featured in an upcoming Behind the Wheel. For more stories, visit candgnews.com/news/auto or use the QR code.

Dodge Super Bee 1970 creates a buzZ

BY MARIA ALLARD allard@candgnews.com

METRO DETROIT — If you were to dig into Mike Mazelis’ vehicle history, you’d find someone who, at one time, had an interest in off-road trucks.

“I was always going out into the mud and mud-bogging and things like that,” he said. “I was always breaking the truck. Every time I’d come back, I’d have to fix something new.”

Eventually, the Warren resident switched gears and found a new pastime: muscle cars. In 2008, while perusing Craigslist, Mazelis found out about a 1970 Dodge Super Bee for sale in Hazel Park. He decided to check out the car, but when he did, it didn’t look like much.

“It was just a shell. There’s nothing on it but wheels. There’s no interior, there’s no engine,” he said. “The engine, transmission and all these boxes were just next to the car.”

Even though he “didn’t have any tools or knowledge” of restoring the car, he purchased the vehicle anyway.

“Everybody’s like, ‘How are you going to do this?” Mazelis, 51, said. “‘How are you even going to put this car together?’”

Mazelis learned from friends, watched YouTube videos and did plenty of reading to learn how to build the Super Bee.

“I spent almost every day of two years to get the car on the road, learning as I went, buying tools as I went,” Mazelis said. “A lot of trial and error.”

He made the car his own, including the sublime green paint job and addition of comfortable seats.

“It’s got a five-speed manual transmission in there. It had an automatic before. I added the wheels that I wanted. I added some suspension upgrades. That’s a custom hood that’s on there. It’s a steel hood with a fiberglass scoop,” he said. “I’m still modifying, adding parts, do-

See SUPER BEE on page 15A

When Warren resident Mike Mazelis found his 1970 Dodge Super Bee in 2008, “It was just a shell.” Mazelis created the Detroit Area Only Twisted Axle Car Club on social media. The club meets at 7 p.m. every Friday at Gratiot Coney Island, 28560 Gratiot Ave. in Roseville.

Photos by Maria Allard

Super Bee

ing things to the car. People that have classic cars, they always say they’re never done because they’re always fixing things.”

One change Mazelis recently made was the engine.

“The car had a 440 six pack in it. That was getting pretty tiring,” Mazelis said. “I recently put a 512 cubic inch stroker engine in there, so it makes 650 horse (power). At least 600.”

Mazelis’ main goal was to drive the car as much as possible. During the summer, most Sundays are spent cruising Lake Shore Drive with his wife, Stacy; daughter Alaina, 15; and son Evan, 11. They’ll stop for lunch somewhere or grab an ice cream.

“It’s a special thing. It’s just quality time,” Mazelis said. “I like being able to share it with my family, driving around and going places.”

The eye-catching vehicle has been featured in many shows, including Detroit Autorama. The farthest trip he’s taken in the Super Bee was an 11-hour drive to Wisconsin for a car show.

Looking to connect with other car buffs, Mazelis created the Twisted Axle Car Club on Facebook and Instagram in 2013. At first, 30 people joined the group, and then 70 car enthusiasts came aboard. After a while, the pages went global as they reached car owners in Germany, Australia and Canada.

“Now it’s 50,000 people,” Mazelis said.

From that, Mazelis started the Detroit Area Only Twisted Axle Car Club on social media. He also has a presence on social media with Dynamic Detroit Mopars on Facebook.

“A lot of these people became my best friends. The car community’s just great, always trying to help each other out,” Mazelis said. “Metro Detroit is very diverse. You have all different kinds of cars, all cars that span decades. It’s just a very rich culture that we have here.”

The Detroit Area Only Twisted Axle Car Club meets at 7 p.m. every Friday at Gratiot Coney Island, 28560 Gratiot Ave. in Roseville. All are welcome. Car enthusiasts are also encouraged to check out the website twistedaxlemotorsports.com.

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

Photo by: Lori Hannon

Turkey vultures return as janitors of the sky

BY DEAN VAGLIA dvaglia@candgnews.com

MICHIGAN — When you get a moment, look up. Overhead, you may spot a group of large birds (or a single one) gliding around in circular patterns. From a distance, it may seem like a group of falcons or hawks or eagles but, more likely than not, it is a bunch of turkey vultures.

Spring is when turkey vultures make their way back to Michigan for the warmer months. Given these birds will be an evermore common sight as the season goes on, there’s no better time to get to know the turkey vulture than when they’re moving in.

“A lot of people group (turkey vultures) with the birds of prey, but they aren’t birds of prey because they don’t eat live animals,” said Cathy Wesley, instructional guide and naturalist at the Johnson Nature Center in Bloomfield Township. “They eat carrion or dead things, and that tells you what their role is in the ecosystem.”

Serving as nature’s cleanup crew, turkey vultures eat the dead animals left roadside or in the wild. They have evolved to exceptionally fill this role, developing a uniqueamong-birds sense of smell and a strong, super-acidic gut.

“The pH of their digestive system is less than one, so it doesn’t matter how rotten and bacteria-filled the meat is,” Wesley said. “After it passes through their digestive system, it

actually kills all the bacteria and everything so when they defecate, the bacteria has been killed.”

Turkey vultures have an interesting relationship with hygiene. Their bald heads prevent messes while eating carrion and they have long talons to clean themselves once

Photo by Dean Vaglia A turkey vulture rests on a branch.

lin, Farmington, Hills, Oakland Township, Rochester. I mean, you can name a bunch of them, but, obviously, the Bloomfields have been very much part of the targeting,” Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard said at the event.

He said that two teams have been arrested in Oakland County.

“All seven were from Chile and violated the Visa Waiver Program.” He said that just the Chilean gangs alone are estimated to have more than 100 teams in the country of threesix people each. He said they study homes with cameras and trail cams to research their targets.

“Sometimes they’ve used trackers on cars, and sometimes we’ve now seen drones. … So they try to determine when you move, when you come and go, when you’re out of town, when you’re out to dinner, what your patterns of life are.”

He said Michigan has seen mainly Chilean crime gangs, but other parts of the U.S. are seeing gangs from Columbia.

The Chileans criminal crews are contact averse and will flee if they see someone at the home, Bouchard said.

“Columnbians are not so contact averse, so they have been more violent in other parts of the country. We’ve seen mostly the Chileans. … That has been a pattern, but it’s not something we can count on. We know for a fact that Columbians were in our county two weeks ago.”

He said the Visa Waiver Program is part of the problem because it does not include vital safeguards. Currently, it is only offered for Chile.

“We’ve asked the (Biden) administration to shut the VWP off until there’s some kind of handle on how many teams and people are coming here, because that doesn’t mean they can’t come visit — just have to get a traditional visa. … But so far that program has not been terminated or even put on pause, and in fact, Columbia has an application pending now for the VWP. So that’s a concern to us, because we can’t get a handle on how many teams are operating here and we may catch a team or two or three or even 10, but if there’s a 100 and 100 more in the pipeline — because they’re well trained.”

He said that the crews come in with equipment to breach the home, jam the wireless alarm systems and carry out heavy safes.

“They’re all ninja’d up,” he said.

He recommended having a hard-wired

motion detector on every floor, considering a safety deposit box instead of a safe, and putting the home’s police department number in your phone contacts so you can call the right number if you see someone on cameras while you are out of town, since a 911 call would route to the vacation-area police. He also said people should not announce their tips on social media.

See SHERIFF on page 19A

Photo by Patricia O’Blenes

Concerned residents line up to speak at the event. According to a press release, nearly 200 people attended the town hall meeting that focused on robberies that have taken place of high-end homes in Oakland County.

“One of the best ways to prevent yourself from being a crime victim is to be situationally aware and to know steps you can take to better protect yourself and your family,” Bouchard said in a press release. In December, Bouchard organized a task force of more than 20 local, state and federal law enforcement agencies — the Southeast Michigan Capture/ Arrest/Prosecute task force — and the town hall event was sponsored by Michigan Realtors, the North Oakland County Board of Realtors, and the Greater Metropolitan Association of Realtors.

The meeting was hosted by Bouchard, with Bloomfield Township Police Chief James Gallager and Bloomfield Hills Police Department Capt. Tom Van Simaeys.

Last September, Bouchard held a news conference about a transnational crime ring

consisting of organized and trained thieves targeting certain areas of the United States and breaking into homes, with the intent of stealing cash and jewelry, and high-end clothing, purses and products.

Teams of criminals from Central and South America have reportedly targeted wealthy homes, stealing millions of dollars worth of jewelry, cash and other items, according to the release.

Last year it was reported that the thieves had begun targeting homes with the highest net value in Oakland Township.

Bouchard reported that the belief is that the thieves have entered the country illegally across the southern border or through the Visa Waiver Program.

They typically break in around 5-9 p.m., preferring homes that are isolated and back up to wooded areas, trails and golf courses, and in which nobody is home.

Bouchard reported that the thieves purchase fake identifications, often overstay their

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visas and cancel their return dates.

At the townhall meeting, Bouchard warned that international gangs arrive in teams sent intentionally for robberies, with each gang member having a backpack with specialized equipment, including breaching tools, alarm jams and more.

“I don’t think people realize the full extent of what’s happening in Oakland County,” Steele stated in the release. “The number of people at the town hall showed just how scared people are. Homeowners in Oakland County are living in constant fear that their homes may be next on the hit list. This is the kind of fear that makes you jump at every shadow you see in the window and go to sleep with the lights on.”

Steele said she supports a House Republican plan to target criminals illegally entering the country on behalf of transnational criminal organizations. House Bill 5650 would increase penalties for crimes committed to ben-

efit transnational crime organizations and for felonies committed by individuals who return to the country illegally after being deported, according to the release.

“We’re not talking about kids stealing stuff out of a garage,” Steele stated. “These are professional criminals who illegally entered our country to wreak havoc on our communities.”

The bill was referred to the House Government Operations Committee, according to the release.

Making sure that home security systems are on and tested, with quality cameras and layered systems throughout a home, along with securing valuables in a heavy-duty safe that is anchored, are some measures that homeowners can take.

Residents are also encouraged to contact law enforcement if they see something suspicious.

Staff Writers Mary Genson and Mary Beth Almond contributed to this report.

City

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT THE ROCHESTER CITY COUNCIL will hold a Public Hearing for the consideration of approval for 704 Woodward proposed Paint Creek Townhomes (Former site of Solaronics) to be rezoned from ‘I-1’ to ‘RM1’. The public hearing is scheduled for Monday June 24, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. at the Rochester Municipal Of ces, 400 Sixth Street, Rochester, MI 48307.

All interested citizens are requested to attend the Hearing. Public comments may be submitted in writing or presented orally at the time of the meeting. To submit written comments in advance, or for assistance and questions about accessing and/or making public comment during the meeting, our Planning Coordinator can provide assistance; please reach out to Jeremy Peckens at (248) 733-3700 or by email: Jpeckens@rochestermi.org

If you are unable to be present at the Public Hearing, please submit your written comments to the Of ce of the City Manager, Rochester Municipal Of ces, 400 Sixth Street, Rochester, MI 48307, PRIOR to the scheduled Public Hearing.

For further information, please contact Nik Banda, Community Development Director, at 248-733-3700. See Planning Commission Agenda Packet for Zoom participation information.

NOTE: Anyone planning to attend the meeting who has need of special assistance under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is asked to contact the City Clerk’s Of ce at 248-733-3700 forty-eight (48) hours prior to the meeting. Staff will be pleased to make the necessary arrangements to provide necessary reasonable accommodations, including auxiliary aids and services, such as signers for the hearing impaired and audiotapes of printed materials being considered at the meeting. Published: 05/23/2024 Rochester Post

City Council

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT THE ROCHESTER CITY COUNCIL will hold a Public Hearing for the consideration of an ordinance amendment to deal directly with Short Term Rentals. The public hearing is scheduled for Monday June 24, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. at the Rochester Municipal Of ces, 400 Sixth Street, Rochester, MI 48307.

All interested citizens are requested to attend the Hearing. Public comments may be submitted in writing or presented orally at the time of the meeting. To submit written comments in advance, or for assistance and questions about accessing and/or making public comment during the meeting, our Planning Coordinator can provide assistance; please reach out to Jeremy Peckens at (248) 733-3700 or by email: Jpeckens@rochestermi.org

If you are unable to be present at the Public Hearing, please submit your written comments to the Of ce of the City Manager, Rochester Municipal Of ces, 400 Sixth Street, Rochester, MI 48307, PRIOR to the scheduled Public Hearing. For further information, please contact Jeremy Peckens, Planning and Zoning Administrator, at 248-733-3700. See Planning Commission Agenda Packet for Zoom participation information.

NOTE: Anyone planning to attend the meeting who has need of special assistance under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is asked to contact the City Clerk’s Of ce at 248-733-3700 forty-eight (48) hours prior to the meeting. Staff will be pleased to make the necessary arrangements to provide necessary reasonable accommodations, including auxiliary aids and services, such as signers for the hearing impaired and audiotapes of printed materials being considered at the meeting. Published: 05/23/2024 Rochester Post

FOSTER CARE MONTH HIGHLIGHTS NEED FOR LOVING HOMES, SUPPORT FOR FOSTER CHILDREN

BY MARY BETH ALMOND malmond@candgnews.com

METRO DETROIT — Around 10,000 children in Michigan are currently in foster care, but the need for loving homes remains constant.

Foster mom Michele Austin decided to open up a foster closet in her own home in 2013 to give other foster families access to items that she knew foster kids needed.

“When my very first foster child came to me, he didn’t have anything, so I started talking to family and friends and opened up the closet in my home to help other foster families,” she said.

The closet grew by leaps and bounds, and in 2018 the Oakland County Foster Closet opened as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and expanded into an office building. Today, the Oakland County Foster Closet, a nonprofit

based in Farmington Hills, offers supportive services, supplies and aid to children in the foster care system and to those in crisis situations at no cost.

“We offer all of the basic essentials that kids need in life: hygiene items, clothing, socks, underwear, school supplies — everything that they would need, and we do that absolutely for free for our foster kids and for low income,” she said.

The closet is currently in dire need of hygiene items such as shampoo, conditioner, soap, lotion toothbrushes, toothpaste and more.

“We’ve seen a significant amount of need, because people are really struggling right now,” said Austin.

The Oakland County Foster Closet also has many volunteer options available, including one-time, once-in-a-while, and

ABOVE: Volunteers and staff at Spaulding for Children help make a past holiday party at First Baptist Institutional Church in Detroit a great time for foster children and families. RIGHT: Volunteers assist at the dessert table during a past Spaulding for Children holiday party for foster families at First Baptist Institutional Church. Photos provided by Spaulding for Children

weekly opportunities for individuals and groups. For more information, call the Oakland County Foster Closet (248) 419-4487.

“It’s a really fulfilling type of volunteering because you’re seeing the impact and feeling the impact,” Austin said.

May is Foster Care Month, and Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Director Elizabeth Hertel said she is thankful for the thousands of families across the state who have already opened up their hearts and homes to care for youth in foster care, but she said more foster families are needed to provide temporary care while the state works to reunify kids with their parents.

“There continues to be a need for more foster families to provide stable and safe family homes for children of all ages in the state’s care,” Hertel said in a statement.

Many foster children have been victims of abuse and neglect, and officials say they need a nurturing environment until they can be safely reunified with their parents or — in a smaller number of cases — until

they can find adoptive homes if it’s not safe for them to return home.

In Michigan, the first step to becoming a foster parent is contacting a “foster care navigator” — experienced foster parents who can answer questions, help individuals find an agency that’s right for them, assist families with the foster home licensing process and provide guidance along their journey to becoming a foster parent. A foster care navigator can be reached at 855-MICHKIDS or www.Fcnp.org.

Spaulding for Children — a private, nonprofit child welfare agency located in Southfield — was established in 1968 to find permanent and safe families for children.

Spaulding for Children President and CEO Melissa Jenovai said there is an increased awareness of the need to search out relatives for foster children in Michigan.

“If we can’t prevent them from coming in, we know the next best place for them to go would be with a relative,” she said. “We have put a lot more effort into searching for those relatives up front, and the outcomes tend to be much greater for children and youth who are placed with their kinship families — there’s more stability, and there

are better mental health outcomes for those kids.”

But, oftentimes, kids who enter the system don’t have a family member available, so the need for nonrelative foster homes remains constant.

“It can take a person, on average, seven years from the time they inquire about becoming a foster or adoptive parent, all the way up until the point that they decide to take that step and become one,” Jenovai noted.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services provides foster families a daily rate to help with the care of foster children based on the age and needs of the child. Foster families also receive a semi-annual clothing allowance, and many families qualify for reimbursement for the costs of day care, according to state officials. Children in foster care are eligible for Medicaid, which pays for medical, dental and mental health care.

Spaulding for Children offers monthly online orientation classes for those interested in becoming a foster or adoptive family. In June, orientation sessions will be held 6-7:30 p.m. June 12 and 1-2:30 p.m. June 20. Register by contacting Stacey Oakes at

(248) 443-0300 or soakes@spaulding.org, or visit www.spaulding.org.

“Coming to an orientation does not commit you to anything. It really just helps you to learn about the need, and maybe if you decide this isn’t something for you, then you can encourage others to reach out and provide support or learn about it to eventually become an adoptive or foster parent,” Jenovai said.

Those who aren’t ready to become a foster or adoptive parent can still offer support to foster children through monetary donations to organizations dedicated to helping those in the system, volunteering during an event and more.

“We really believe that the more opportunities that we involve the community in and offer our families these positive experiences that in turn helps offset some of the trauma that our kids and families have experienced over the years. The more positive events we can have, the better outcomes we hope to be able to provide with our kids and our families,” Jenovai said.

To learn more about foster care, visit Michigan.gov/HopeforaHome.

Call Staff Writer Mary Beth Almond at (586) 498-1060.

22A/MAY 23, 2024

REFLECT ON THE BEST BACKYARD POND BUILDING OPTIONS

BY ERIC CZARNIK eczarnik@candgnews.com

METRO DETROIT — With spring in full bloom and the summer drawing near, more people are feeling the urge to head to the water. But for suburban homeowners, is it possible to gaze upon some calming aquatic scenery without living along a lake or taking a trip to the beach?

Pond maintenance experts say yes.

Matt Niemiec, aquatic manager at AguaFina Gardens International in Sylvan Lake, said a typical backyard pond could fit in a space as small as 10 feet by 10 feet.

typical pond

“And obviously, you can go as big as you want,” Niemiec said.

Nick Salvatore, owner of the Sterling Heights-based online business The Pond Shop, said in an email that ponds can be constructed to fit almost any space.

“That’s the great thing about decorative ponds,” he said. “They can be small to quite large depending on the customer’s wants and yard space.”

Salvatore explained that it’s important to consider a pond’s size and function before building one.

“If a customer wants to have beautiful plants, fish, or to

“If a customer wants to have beautiful plants, fish, or to just hear the soothing sounds of water, they can easily create it with a little vision and getting their hands dirty,” he explained.

Salvatore said The Pond Shop offers pond kits that include a pond liner, pump, filtration equipment and more. He said the

See PONDS

ABOVE: Rocks surround a pond outside The Pond Shop, an online business located along Mound Road in Sterling Heights. CleanPond.com is a website affiliated with The Pond Shop. LEFT: For ponds stocked with fish, it’s important to have a filtration system in place that will suit the number of creatures living in it.

Photo by Patricia O’Blenes

e Whole-Body MRI Debate: Are Doctors Missing Something?

(South eld, MI) e recent buzz around full-body MRI screenings has sparked a lot of debate. While some question this approach, the controversy itself signals an advance in how we think about proactive health. It means we’re not just waiting around for symptoms when it might be too late.

Full body screenings use MRI technology to scan from the top of the head through the pelvis looking for potential abnormalities and early signs of diseases like cancer.

Tyler, age 52, lost his grandfather to lymphoma, so when the results of his full body MRI highlighted enlarged lymph nodes in his chest it gave him concern. “I felt completely healthy, but I wanted to be proactive so I did the scan. My results were concerning, so I saw an oncologist who ordered additional testing.”

e controversy comes from MRI body scans producing false positives. ese ndings are eventually proven

to be benign. Critics claim that false positives create unnecessary worry for people and needless follow up tests.

Tyler says he would rather be safe than sorry. “I hear some doctors on TV saying not to do get full body screenings, but why wouldn’t you? It’s about taking control of your health and being proactive. I had some follow up tests to make sure I don’t have cancer – big deal. But what if it turned out to be cancer?

en it’s caught as early as possible, and without this scan I never would have known until it was too late!”

Proponents of MRI full body screenings say that false positives should not outweigh the bene ts, stating that early detection is key to easier treatments and better outcomes.

“Early detection saves lives,” says Ryan Ringold who leads the MRI full body screening center in South eld, called Bionicc Body Screening. His father, the late Dr. Ringold, founded the company after battling cancer – twice. “My father

became short of breath one day and discovered he had stage four cancer with tumors as large as softballs inside of him. He endured brutal treatments and never wanted to see others su er because of late detection,” says Ryan.

MRI does not replace annual physicals nor routine screenings like a colonoscopy or mammogram. Although, it may be surprising to learn that routine screenings only cover 29% of cancers and 71% of cancers occur in other areas.

“ is is an additional tool to be proactive. MRI can reduce the enormous blind spot where cancer may be silently growing. ere are no routine screenings for areas like the pancreas, liver, brain, chest or abdomen,” says Ringold. “My father was oblivious to hundreds of tumors growing inside his body and his story is not unique. You rarely hear of someone getting diagnosed with stage one pancreatic cancer because nobody knows until they have symptoms. By that time, it’s almost always stage

The debate over full-body MRIs heats up as some doctors criticize the scans, while others quietly get them done.

four.”  In addition to tumors, MRI can detect hundreds of abnormalities like brain aneurysms, MS, fatty liver and spinal disc disease to name a few. “It’s quite remarkable,” Ringold adds.

Robert B. credits his scan to saving his life. A full-body MRI caught the kidney tumor his CT scan missed. “I consider it a lifesaver,” he says. Stories like these highlight the power of MRI body screenings.

For a limited time, you can request a $200 o coupon when you visit their website at BioniccBodyScreening.com. Schedule today at 1-833-BIONICC. 0065-2420

Ponds

kits let their owners “use their visions and creativity to create pieces of visual and functional art, by mimicking Mother Nature.”

Niemiec said it’s common to incorporate rocks into a pond — including putting them on the bottom and along the sides — to provide a natural look. While such a setup may be harder to clean, he added that “muck and debris isn’t always bad.”

He explained that “there’s no such thing as a maintenance-free pond.” Besides installing a filter and a pump for circulation, he also recommended a special device that he believes should be installed in every pond: a skimmer that collects surface debris for removal. It’s better than using a net, and regular use of a skimmer can cut down on pond maintenance later, he explained.

Another way to tend to a pond is to introduce beneficial bacteria, which keeps the water clean while keeping algae under control. Keeping the pond aerated with an aerator, along with the pump and filter, also helps fight algae, Niemiec said. He also recommended some algaecides such as GreenClean and Algaway — the latter especially when algae is more widespread.

“Most of the time, I like to first combat the algae by using more natural systems like using bacterial or barley products,” he said.

Salvatore said ponds should be cleaned annually and maintained on a weekly to monthly basis to keep the water clean and clear.

“Although ponds are a great addition to a landscape or backyard, they do come with a fair amount of maintenance,” Salvatore said. “There are many products available that will assist with this, from natural water treatments to filtration, which is a big part of the design and build process.”

A pond’s location can also affect the level or type of required maintenance. For

instance, a pond that is under a bunch of trees with falling leaves or buds may require more surface skimming, Niemiec said. He also said adequate filtration is all the more important if a pond is in full sunlight, since that encourages algae to spread.

Niemiec said that if someone is looking to stock a pond with fish, it’s important to have a filtration system in place that will suit the number of creatures living in it. He also said any fish pond should be at least 2 feet deep or deeper so fish can survive the winter.

“It also keeps wildlife from catching the fish easily,” Niemiec said. “Putting in some hiding spots in there too — a little cave you can build out of rocks, plants like lily pads — also help out. They create a little bit of shade.”

Salvatore also pointed out the problem of predators.

“If pond owners are going to have a pond with fish, they will need to be aware of predators,” he said. “Even in urban settings, predators can cause havoc on their fish and also create issues with damage to their pond liner, pumps and filters. This is another reason why some regular maintenance and proper planning of their pond build is important.”

Find out more about The Pond Shop, which does not conduct walk-in business, by visiting thepondshop.com or by calling (800) 527-9420. Learn more about AguaFina Gardens International in Sylvan Lake by visiting aguafina.com or by calling (248) 738-0500.

Call Staff Writer Eric Czarnik at (586) 498-1058.

Vultures

they’ve finished feasting. They also spend the hot months urinating on themselves to cool down, evaporating the heat away in much the same way that sweat works in humans. There’s also the creative ways turkey vultures utilize their vomit as both a territory marker and a defense mechanism of their groundbased nests.

“To help protect their nests, the adults will actually vomit around the nest to keep predators away because it smells so bad,” Wesley said. “And also, the young, even before they can fly, are able to projectile vomit on any predators that come up to them.”

The craftiness of turkey vultures is not limited to weaponizing vomit. Turkey vultures have historically lived around more southern latitudes, but Wesley says they started making their way north as the nation’s highways were built.

“When the highways went in, that created more roadkill, which is what they eat.,” Wesley said.

Changing temperatures have also led to turkey vultures moving northwards, making them a common sight in the southeastern

Michigan skies.

Though turkey vultures certainly do not have the most graceful appearance of any bird, they pose very little threat to humans and pets.

“Very, very, very occasionally they will eat something alive, and it’s usually something very small; more like rodents,” Wesley said. “But especially with the abundance of carrion, they don’t pose a threat to pets at all.”

When not in the sky, humans tend to come across turkey vultures while they are eating on roadsides or resting on a perch. According to Dr. Kevin Smyth, a veterinarian specializing in raptors at Morrison Animal Hospital in Garden City, roadside encounters are usually where human-caused injuries to vultures occur.

“The most common ones we see are wing injuries, usually from automobiles, although I’ve had at least one that someone saw run into a power line,” Smyth said. “Some of them get shot.”

Smyth finds turkey vultures to be “cantankerous” birds to treat when they come in. They tend to bite and twist with their beaks and throw up in self-defense.

Other common human-related injuries to turkey vultures include poisoning from lead ammunition and pesticides.

If an injured turkey vulture (or any wild animal) is found, Smyth says to call a Michigan Department of Natural Resources licensed rehabilitator for the closest veterinarian to treat them.

As time goes on, Wesley expects more vultures will make their homes in the metro Detroit area.

“The population is increasing, and that’s because when you have more people, you have more cars and more roadkill,” Wesley said. “And again, more people mean more garbage, which means more animals going to the landfills, which again attracts turkey vultures.”

More than 29,000 turkey vultures were spotted migrating over the Detroit River in the fall of 2023. Increasing temperatures open the door for Michigan and other northern latitudes to become year-round homes for turkey vultures, though increasing spring temperatures could make it too hot for vultures to lay eggs and raise young birds in Michigan.

For now, turkey vultures can be expected to remain a staple of summer skies and roadsides, cleaning up any mess that is left behind.

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

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PIPEFITTER APPRENTICESHIP

PIPEFITTER APPRENTICESHIP

The JATC for the Pipefitting Industry and Pipefitters, Steamfitters, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Service Local Union #636 of the United Association will be accepting applications for our Construction Apprenticeship beginning Monday, June 10th, 2024, through June 27th, 2024. Application days and times will be as followed: Monday, Tuesdays & Wednesdays from 7:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Thursdays from 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 PM. Saturday June 15th, 2024 and June 22nd, 2024 from 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM

– Qualifications necessary for an applicant to be considered are:

1. Must be 18 years of age or older.

2. Complete the application and return to the Pipefitting Industry Training Center with:

a. A valid driver’s license.

b. High School diploma or high school equivalency (GED) certificate.

c. There is a $45.00 OR $100.00 testing fee that will be collected when turning in application.

This is a drug free Program. An individual tentatively selected for entrance into the Program after testing and interview will be required to submit to a drug test, which will include testing for marijuana. ThePipefittingIndustryTrainingCenterislocatedat636ExecutiveDriveinTroy,MIbetween JohnR.andDequindre north of E. 14 mile Road. PH: 248-585-0636 Noresumesplease. For more information please contact

block of North Old Woodward. Police recovered a green-and-red toy gun in a search of the man, and they noticed signs that he was intoxicated. Multiple witnesses at the scene reported seeing the suspect point the toy gun and a phone at passing people and vehicles and pretend to shoot. The suspect was arrested and issued a citation for disorderly conduct.

Bowling bag stolen from unlocked car

ROYAL OAK — A complainant reported that between midnight and 6 a.m. on April 22, an unknown person stole a bowling bag containing the complainant’s shoes and multiple bowling balls from the complainant’s unlocked car in the 200 block of South Wilson Avenue, near East 11 Mile and South Campbell roads.

Man reportedly stops traffic, arrested

HAZEL PARK — According to a police report, officers were called to the area of Eight Mile Road and South Chrysler Drive around 2 p.m. April 15 to investigate a report of an aggressive man who was stopping traffic while drinking beer. He was stopped by police and found to have warrants.

When told to put his hands behind his back, the man allegedly pulled away from officers and began to flee on foot. An officer stumbled to the ground briefly, but the police were ultimately able to capture and arrest the man. The officer later went to the hospital, having suffered a broken finger.

The suspect, 32, of Detroit, faces a felony charge for allegedly resisting and obstructing a police officer.

An investigation was ongoing.

Woman steals beer, baby wipes

BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP — A woman stole beer and baby wipes from a drugstore in the 6500 block of Telegraph Road at 6:45 p.m. April 15. According to reports, a woman loaded two 12-pack cases of Stella Artois beer, two six-packs of Stella Artois beer, and one pack of Huggies baby wipes into a cart and left the store without paying. The suspect was seen loading the merchandise into a U-Haul box truck before leaving the parking lot. Police were investigating.

Man staggering in traffic found with meth

FARMINGTON — Officers were dispatched to a welfare check for a man seen staggering into traffic

in the area of Grand River Avenue and Orchard Lake Road at 12:30 p.m. April 26. Officers made contact with the man and conducted an investigation, leading to the discovery of methamphetamine. The case was to be forwarded on to the Oakland County Prosecutor’s

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ROZECEMENTLLC CONCRETE,MASONRY &LANDSCAPING 10%OffPre-Spring! •Driveways•Patios •Brick/Stone•Pavers •Sidewalks Free-Estimates Requests: roze cementllc@gmail.com Andre-586-354-7791

STEVE S CONCRETE COMPANY Licensed.Bonded. Insured.Freeestimates. MichiganBuildersLicense #2101118415 (248)588-9808 Cleaning Service

CLEANINGLADY with10-yrexperienceis lookingforwork.Weekly, bi-weekly,monthly Excellentreferences. Flexiblehours. Bonded&insured. 248-890-8830

2024SPECIALS CustomDeck Building/Repair, Power-Washing, DecksRemoved, Composite,Treated &CedarMaterials, CustomRailingMaterials, CustomFence Installation. 586-260-5218

586-755-3636 Father&Son MasterElectricians Dr.Electric Same-Day-Service! All-Residential-Wiring, ChangeFuseBoxto CircuitBreakerPanel, Troubleshooting, ElectricVehicleChargers, BackupGenerator TransferSwitch, License#6109094 Senior/Discounts! Visa/MC/Lic./Insured

CASTLEELECTRIC

586-634-1152

(directcellphone#) Panelupgrades, generators,hottubs, 220lines.ALLSERVICE Licensed&Insured Dependable,quality work! License#-6111359

PREPARE forpower

outagestodaywithaGeneracHomeStandbyGenerator.Actnowtoreceive aFREE7-Yearwarranty withqualifyingpurchase. Call1-855-773-8191 todaytoscheduleafree quote.Itʼsnotjustagenerator.It sapowermove.

Fence Service

COPPER

COUNTRYFENCING

SpecializingInAll FencingNeeds. CustomWood/Gates, Chain-link,Vinyl,Aluminum,SteelandComposite AllRepairs.Insured. CallForFreeEstimate 313-828-4062

Gutters

A.M.G. Gutters&Downspouts.Owneroperated. Seamlessgutter installationandrepair specialist.Builders License#2101202369 www.amgapplied services.com FullyInsured 248-828-7998

*”STEVE'S SEAMLESSGUTTERS” Made&installedonthe spot.5”&6”Gutter Cleaning.Treetrimming, exteriorpainting, powerwashing. 586-778-3393 586-531-2111

ELIMINATE gutter cleaningforever!LeafFilter,themostadvanced debris-blockinggutter protection.Schedulea FREELeafFilterestimate today.20%offEntire Purchase.Plus10%Senior&MilitaryDiscounts. Call1-866-495-1709

POWERWASHING

GUTTER&WINDOW CLEANING Veteran/Firefighter Owned/Operated championwindow cleaning.net 248-765-0613

Kitchens/ Cabinets/ Countertops MR.BACKSPLASH ·CUSTOM BACKSPLASHES ·CUSTOMKITCHENS ·COUNTERTOPS *Granite*Quartz* ·CustomBathrooms ·TILEREPAIRS *FREEESTIMATES* 586-552-5416 mrbacksplash.com Landscaping & Water Gardens ALLTIMATE OUTDOOR SERVICES DrainageSystem Professionals New-Construction, Yard-Drainage,Grading, Sod/Seed,Retaining

Gutters GUTTERS &WINDOW CLEANING INSURED TOMMICOLI 313-656-9402 Handyman Services AA4DABLE HANDYMAN HomeImprovement, Tile,Hardwood-Floors, Kitchen/Bath-Remodeling Plumbing,Electrical, Painting,Hauling,Cleanouts,AnyHomeRepairs, FreeEst.30%Disc. AllMajorCredit CardsAccepted 586-822-5100

MOWTOWNSERVICES "OldSchoolWorkEthic" Plumbing,Electrical, WoodRepair(Inside/Out), Drywall,Painting,Roof Repair,PaverRepair, Landscaping,Gutter Cleaning,Drainage Problems,ShrubTrimming,CementRepair. 248-709-4992 Hauling & Waste Removal

***AAA HAULING*** JUNKREMOVAL Wehaulitall! DemolitionBig&Small Residential/Commercial RubberWheelDumpsters-10,15,20-Yards, Clean-outs,Construction Material,Small-Moving, Appliances,Furniture& More!LowestRates!!! Free-Estimates Senior/MilitaryDiscounts 586-360-0681 ucallwehauljunk.com

ABLEJUNK REMOVALAND DUMPSTERS Since1991. 5-starGooglereviews. Driveway-safedumpster trailers.Fullyinsured. Junkremovalexperts. 248-333-3933 ablejunk.com

BURLYGUYS JUNKREMOVAL removesANYTHING! Appliances,furniture, basementcleanouts, hoardersallwelcome! CallorText 248-224-2188

Hauling & Waste Removal

**CLUTTERGUY'S** Removal-Experts Residential/Commercial Houses/Offices Garage/Storage-Areas EfficientCourteous Workers Reasonable-Rates Free-Estimates NEEDCLUTTER REMOVED? LETUSDOTHEWORK! 586-258-6672

Heating & Cooling

AFFORDABLE HeatingandCooling Greg'sHeatingLLC Familyowned company 89$servicecall 79A/Ctuneup SeniorDiscounts 586-422-8528

Home Improvement

STYLELINE REMODELING COMPLETE,QUALITY, CustomKitchenand BathroomRemodeling, Framing&Finish Carpentry, ReferencesAvailable SeniorDiscounts Call586-354-7549

GOLDENBUILT CONSTRUCTION New-garages/additions &dormers,New-siding/ roofingandallrepairs, Interior/exterior-renovations,Supportingwallsremoved/rebuilt,Seamless gutters/downspouts, Concrete-sidewalks/ driveways/foundations. Licensed/Insured 586-948-4764

HOMEREMODELING Kitchens,Baths, Mudrooms Licensed&Insured FreeEstimates-Call HomefrontServicesLLC 248-670-0507 Home Repairs EXTERIOR REPAIRSLLC. Since1999 Roofing,Siding, GuttersandMore! Reliable Ask,WeMightDoIt! FREEESTIMATES 248-242-1511

Roofing

SILVERSMITHROOF MAINTENANCE FlatRoofSpecialist $225•MinorShingle ReplacementSpecial •GutterRepairs Residential/Commercial InsuranceWork 30-yrsexp/Family-Owned WeAcceptAll MajorCreditCards 248-707-4851

Roofing PREFERRED BROTHERSROOFING •FullTear-off•Recover •ShingleRepair •Leak's•AllRepair •Flat-Roof•TourchDown •SeamlessGutters& GutterGuards Senior/Military-Discount Upto20%Off 586-944-8898

AA4DABLE ROOFING Hurry&SaveBig-$$$! SPRING-SPECIALS Upto30%-Off!!! Roofing/Siding/Gutters, All-Leaks/Repairs, Residential/Shingles/ Commercial-FlatRoofs/Torch-downs 30yrs-exp.Allmajor creditcardsaccepted. 586-822-5100

MAY 23

MICHAELNORTON BUILDERSINC. BuildingValueEveryday 586-436-9600 Licensed/Insured Since1965 Servicing-Roofing, Siding,Basement, Bathroom,Kitchen Remodeling,Decks& AllYourHome ImprovementNeeds. Tree Service BERGBROS.LLC. “Fullyinsured, highlyreferred.” Seniordiscounts. Tree-removal,stump grinding,tree-trimming, hedging,shaping, Emergency-Service Residential/Commercial Freeestimates! (586)262-3060

DAVE'S

TREE&SHRUB 20%-SpringDisc.Insured, EmergencyStorm Damage,Large-Tree Removals,Trimming, Stump-Grinding,Gutters, Season-Firewood (100acord)Free-Estimates/10%Senior-Disc. (586)216-0904 davestreeandshrub.com

ELITETREE SERVICE "Bringing30yearsof experiencetoyourdoor!" Treetrimming, removals&stump grinding.Insured&FREE estimateswithfairprices! FirewoodForSale 586-756-0757

Walking group: 1-2.5 mile tour of Macomb Orchard Trail and Clinton River Trail, 6 p.m., park at Suburban Ice Rochester, 52999 Dequindre Road, (248) 524-3570, troyhistoricvillage.org/programs/ walking-group

MAY 25

Spring native plant sale: Hosted by Rochester Pollinators, 8 a.m.-1 p.m., Downtown Rochester Farmers’ Market, corner of East Third and Water streets, rochesterpollinators.org

MAY 25 & 26

Car shows: Heritage Rod & Custom Car Festival, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. May 25, and Festival of Cars, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. May 26, both events benefit Leader Dogs for the Blind and Rochester Lions Club charities, also awards, 50-50, door prizes, music, food and more, Rochester Municipal Park, 816 Ludlow Ave. in Rochester, rochesterlionsclub.org/ index.php

MAY 27 Parade of Heroes: 9-10:30 a.m., begins with flag lowering at Mt. Avon Cemetery, 400 Sixth St. in Rochester, ends with closing ceremony at Veterans Memorial Pointe, 1015 S. Livernois Road in Rochester Hills, rrc-mi.com/memorial-day

MAY 27

Planting Pizza: Gardening lessons and snacks for grades 2-5, 4:30-6 p.m., Dinosaur Hill Nature Preserve, 333 N. Hill Circle in Rochester, dinosaurhill.org

JUNE 1

Paddlepalooza: 8-mile course from Auburn Hills to Rochester Hills, events for kayakers (single person) and canoeists (double) at 8:30 a.m., non-competetive adventure paddle at 9 a.m., and race results, lunch, trophy presentation and door prizes at 10 a.m., starts at 3311 Parkways Blvd. in Auburn Hills, register online until May 31, more information at Eventbrite.com

5K Run & Walk: 8 a.m. (registration at 7 a.m.), OPC Social and Activity Center, 650 Letica Drive in Rochester, fundraiser for OPC’s Meals on Wheels program, opcseniorcenter.org

rhpl.org, (248) 656-2900

ONGOING Farmers markets: 8 a.m.-1

and clumsy

Bound

61. Domingo, Pavarotti and Carreras, e.g.

62. Nicholas II of Russia, e.g.

63. Key next to spacebar

64. Where users review

DOWN

1. Fa follower

2. Between Ohio and Ontario

3. *Opposite of on land 4. Fluffy dessert

Hillsides in Scotland

Anti-seniors sentiment

*Opposite of awak-

26, corner of East Third and Water streets in Rochester, www.downtownrochestermi. com/farmers-market

‘Little Shop of Horrors’: 8 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays May 24-26, May 31-June 2 and June 7-8, Avon Players, 1185 Washington Road in Rochester, avonplayers.org

First Lady of

starring

Michigan

Ella

select dates May 29-June 23, Meadow Brook Theatre on campus of Oakland University, 378 Meadow Brook Road in Rochester, mbtheatre.com

Disposable camera photo contest: Opening reception for “Rochester: No Filter Event. No Filters, no Photoshop, just Rochester” exhibit 5-8 p.m. June 6, framed works on display and for

‘Ella,

Song’:

premiere about

Fitzgerald

Freda Payne,

Photo by Sean Carter Photography