5/29/24 C & G Special Edition — Oakland

NEWSPAPERS Special Edition

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, Franklin,

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 three-six people each. He said they study homes with cameras and trail cams to research their targets.

“Sometimes they’ve used trackers on cars, and

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

Photo by Patricia O’Blenes

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

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. Photos provided by Spaulding for Children

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The frequency in severe weather has led to an increase in power outages. More than ever, you need to be prepared. Without power, your everyday modern essentials are rendered useless. Think about it, you’ll have no lights, heating or cooling, or refrigeration. You can’t even charge your cell phone. But when you have a Generac home standby generator, you will have power when you need it the most. It’s time to get serious about preparing your home.

The frequency in severe weather has led to an increase in power outages. More than ever, you need to be prepared. Without power, your everyday modern essentials are rendered useless. Think about it, you’ll have no lights, heating or cooling, or refrigeration. You can’t even charge your cell phone. But when you have a Generac home standby generator, you will have power when you need it the most. It’s time to get serious about preparing your home.

Trusted Protection During Unpredictable Weather

Call or go online today for more information

Call or go online today for more information

The frequency in severe weather has led to an increase in power outages. More than ever, you need to be prepared. Without power, your everyday modern essentials are rendered useless. Think about it, you’ll have no lights, heating or cooling, or refrigeration. You can’t even charge your cell phone. But when you have a Generac home standby generator, you will have power when you need it the most. It’s time to get serious about preparing your home.

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A memorial wreath was placed at the Officer Gary Davis Memorial Bench by the Honor Guard during a 20th anniversary memorial service May 13.

Bloomfield Township celebrates life of fallen officer during National Police Week

BY MARY BETH ALMOND malmond@candgnews.com

BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP — Every day, law enforcement officers enter harm’s way to protect the people and communities they serve.

In 2023, 136 federal, state, tribal and local law enforcement officers died in the line of duty, according to data from the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund. Of those fallen officers, 47 were shot and killed, making firearms-related fatalities the leading primary cause of death for officers.

Bloomfield Township Police Chief James Gallagher said 2024 has already marked “a violent year” for law enforcement thus far.

“There’s been 58 officers killed in the line of duty as of today (May 13),” he said. “What’s scary is that nearly half of them happened in April of this year, and 11 of those have been by gunfire.”

National Police Week, held this year May 12-18, recognizes the men and women who were killed in the line of duty. The annual observance dates back to 1962, when President John F. Kennedy signed a proclamation.

See POLICE on page 8A

STUDENTS PARTICIPATE IN SALMON-RAISING PROJECT

BY SARAH WRIGHT swright@candgnews.com

TROY — Classrooms from four Troy School District schools participated in a project that allowed students to assist in taking care of a batch of Chinook salmon before releasing them into the Clinton River at River Bends Park in Shelby Township May 9.

The project is through the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, and the purpose is to give students a unique experience that connects them to their Great Lakes ecosystem. During this procedure of hatching, raising and releasing the salmon, students conducted water testing, fed the salmon and ensured they were well taken care of.

Marie Woodman, a science curriculum and instruction specialist for the Troy School District, said in a press release that the project connected students from elementary to high school, adding that the high school

See SALMON on page 4A

Representatives from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, the Great Lakes Fishery Commission, and Shadbush-Burgess Nature Center helped the students.

Photos provided by the Troy School District

Students and staff from Troy District Schools released salmon into the Clinton River at River Bends Park May 9.

Photo provided by the Bloomfield Township Police Department

Students awarded for rug design competition

BIRMINGHAM — The 2023-2024 Student Rug Design Competition winners were recognized by Edmond Hagopian and Angela Hagopian Snow at the 2023-2024 at the 2024 College for Creative Studies Student Exhibition.

After students competed through the creation of area rugs inspired by American art from the 1960s through the 1980s, Hagopian awarded several students with recognition and scholarships. First place went to Rachel Barker, second place went to Milena Pukalo and third place went to Hoda Solati. Honorable mentions went to Samantha Mantua, Morgan Newby, and Kyleigh Kotulis.

The Hagopian Family of Companies is known for supporting arts and culture in metro Detroit, the company said. They are also longtime hosts of the Detroit Chamber Winds “Night Notes” series, which is held in their Birmingham showroom.

— MARY GENSON

Salmonfrom page 3A

students taught lessons to the middle and elementary students.

This is the second year Troy students have participated in this project, and the classes included Michelle Dodson’s AP environmental students at Athens High School, Nate Reynolds’ seventh grade students from Boulan Park Middle School, Colleen Cain’s seventh grade students from Larson Middle School and Scott Binford’s fourth grade students from Martell Elementary.

“Raising Chinook salmon in the classroom was more than just a project, it was a journey of discovery and connection,” Larson Middle School seventh grader Ian Guilbault said in an email. “From raising them through their life cycles to releasing them into the water, every moment was a step towards helping these salmon in the wild.”

Starting in November, the students harvested eggs from fish in their classrooms, watching as the eggs morphed into the sac stage and hatched. They fed the young salmon, or smolts, and closely monitored their classroom tanks to make sure they were

Nowthere’shopefor hormonalhealthrecovery formenandwomen

exactly 52 degrees. They then carefully modulated the water temperature to match the Clinton River watershed.

“We were in charge of testing the water leading up to the introduction of the salmon eggs,” Boulan Park Middle School seventh graders Ella Stokes and Erin Christensen said in an email. “It was really fun seeing the changes in the color testing. We were really good at getting a yellow ammonia test. We are very excited for the incoming 7th graders to get to have the same experience.”

Around 250 fish were eventually released into the wild, guided by DNR conservation officers. Guests from the Great Lakes Fishery Commission and the Shadbush-Burgess Nature Center were also present.

The young fish will spend up to two months in the Clinton River before migrating to Lake St. Clair to grow and potentially move on to one of the Great Lakes. The salmon will likely face many challenges and predators, but the ones who make it two years or more could return to the waters of River Bends Park to find their environmental imprint, and to spawn the next generation, which would complete their cycle of life.

For more information, visit troy.k12. mi.us or michigan.gov/dnr.

Dr. Rona Wadle, D.O., doesn’t hold back when talking about the life-changing bioidentical hormone replacement therapy that she received - and now offers to others at RenewMyWellness in downtown Birmingham.

“After suffering through severe menopausal symptoms myself, this therapy has given me my life back,” Dr. Wadle said.

Dr. Rona Wadle, D.O., doesn’t hold back when talking about the life-changing bioidentical hormone replacement therapy that she received - and now offers to others at RenewMyWellness in downtown Birmingham.

Dr. Rona Wadle, D.O., doesn’t hold back when talking about the life-changing bioidentical hormone replacement therapy that she received - and now offers to others at Renew My Wellness located in Birmingham.

Since the 1930’s patients throughout Europe, Japan and the United States have successfully used bio-identical hormones. Many studies show that when prescribed and administered correctly, bio-identical hormone pellets can help a variety of conditions and symptoms. They don’t present the potential hazards that many synthetic medications do.

“After suffering through severe menopausal symptoms myself, this therapy has given me my life back,” Dr. Wadle said.

As a registered nurse who later went to medical school and became board certified in emergency medicine, Dr. Wadle owned and operated an urgent care center in Birmingham. Based on her own medical journey and personal experience with hormone depletion, she founded RenewMyWellness.

“After suffering through severe menopausal symptoms myself, this therapy has given me my life back,” Dr. Wadle said.

As a registered nurse who later went to medical school and became board certified in emergency medicine, Dr. Wadle owned and operated an urgent care center in Birmingham. Based on her own medical journey and personal experience with hormone depletion, she founded RenewMyWellness.

As a registered nurse who later went to medical school and became board certified in emergency medicine, Dr. Wadle owned and operated an urgent care center in Birmingham. Based on her own medical journey and personal experience with hormone depletion, she founded Renew My Wellness.

For men and women dealing with fatigue, depression, apathy, anxiety, weight gain, decreased libido, decreased exercise endurance and muscle mass there is a bioidentical way to improve these symptoms. “What we’re offering is hormone replacement therapy in the form of testosterone and estradiol pellets for both women and men,” Dr. Wadle explains.“Pellets provide a delivery system that mimics the human body so that even improved physiologic levels can be achieved.”

For men and women dealing with fatigue, depression, apathy, anxiety, weight gain, decreased libido, decreased exercise endurance and muscle mass there is a bioidentical way to improve these symptoms. “What we’re offering is hormone replacement therapy in the form of testosterone and estradiol pellets for both women and men,” Dr. Wadle explains.“Pellets provide a delivery system that mimics the human body so that even improved physiologic levels can be achieved.”

For men and women dealing with fatigue, depression, apathy, anxiety, weight gain, decreased libido, decreased exercise endurance and muscle mass there is a bioidentical way to improve these symptoms. “What we’re offering is hormone replacement therapy in the form of testosterone and estradiol pellets for both women and men,” Dr. Wadle explains. “Pellets provide a delivery system that mimics the human body so that even improved physiologic levels can be achieved.”

Since the 1930’s patients throughout Europe, Japan and

the United States have successfully used bio-identical hormones. Many studies show that when prescribed and administered correctly, bio-identical hormone pellets can help a variety of conditions and symptoms. They don’t present the potential hazards that many synthetic medications do.

RenewMyWellness also offers testosterone injections for men and a prescription weight loss program for both men and women that is monitored to ensure it is safe and effective.

Since the 1930’s patients throughout Europe, Japan and the United States have successfully used bio-identical hormones. Many studies show that when prescribed and administered correctly, bio-identical hormone pellets can help a variety of conditions and symptoms. They don’t present the potential hazards that many synthetic medications do.

Renew My Wellness also offers testosterone injections for men and a prescription weight loss program for both men and women that is monitored to ensure it is safe and effective.

RenewMyWellness also offers testosterone injections for men and a prescription weight loss program for both men and women that is monitored to ensure it is safe and effective. Dr. Wadle said she founded RenewMyWellness to promote wellness through a holistically-integrative approach to patient care that combines conventional and functional medicine. The results leave patients with improved confidence and a whole-body sense of well-being.

Dr. Wadle said she founded RenewMyWellness to promote wellness through a holistically-integrative approach to patient care that combines conventional and functional medicine. The results leave patients with improved confidence and a whole-body sense of well-being.

RenewMyWellness is located at 33466 Woodward Ave., in downtown Birmingham. To schedule a consultation or for more information, call 248-602-3177.

RenewMyWellness is located at 33466 Woodward Ave., in downtown Birmingham. To schedule a consultation or for more information, call 248-602-3177.

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Dr. Wadle said she founded Renew My Wellness to promote wellness through a holistically-integrative approach to patient care that combines conventional and functional medicine. The results leave patients with improved confidence and a whole-body sense of well-being.

Scan to receive more information & monthly newsletters.

Renew My Wellness is located at 33466 Woodward Ave., in Birmingham.

To schedule a consultation or for more information, call 248602-3177. Or visit www.renewmywellness.com.

Dr. Rona Wadle, D.O.

Dr. Rona Wadle, D.O.

Photo provided by The Hagopian Family of Companies

Artists, celebrities from Michigan took many paths to get to Motor City Comic Con

BY CHARITY MEIER cmeier@candgnews.com

NOVI — People from all over the world came to the Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi May 17-19 to attend the Motor City Comic Con and have the chance to meet their favorite celebrities and comic book artists.

Some of those celebrities and artists were Michigan natives, and they took the time to share how they got to be featured at “Michigan’s largest pop-culture event,” along with some words of advice for those aspiring to follow in their footsteps.

Comic artist Jay Fosgitt, of Westland, said he always knew he wanted to write comics and said he has a really special connection to the con. He recalled attending the very first Motor City Comic Con in Dearborn, back in 1989, at the age of 14.

“It was just the most amazing experience,” Fosgitt said. “Even back then, I knew I wanted to be in comics. I thought I wanted to do comic strips, but I was always a big fan of comic books, and then coming here, which was my first major comic convention, it inspired me. I’m like, ‘Maybe I can do comic books.’ It’s not just people doing superheroes. There’s cartoony guys like me who draw like animation style, I guess you would say, and so it was very inspiring to me.”

He said he kept coming back to MC3 regularly, and then in 2008 he broke into the comics industry, and MC3 was one of the first shows he attended as a professional artist as well.

“It was just such an amazing sort of full-circle moment for me,” he said.

Fosgitt said he always knew he wanted to be a cartoonist, but he didn’t know how he was going to get there. He said he drew caricatures for parties when he was younger and did cartoons for

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TOP: Artist K. Lynn Smith, from Mason, talks about her art Saturday, May 18, at Motor City Comic Con in Novi. ABOVE: Michigan-based author Johnathan Rand signs a copy of one of his books for some of his fans LEFT: Fans dressed in costumes pose for photos.

Photos by Brian Wells

Comic Con

a couple of college newspapers, and eventually he made his first graphic novel. He said he found a publisher for it at a con in Chicago and eventually started networking with some of the major artists that come to MC3, and he became professional friends with them.

“So doing conventions, particularly this one, has been extremely important to my career,” Fosgitt said.

Fosgitt, who has worked for such corporations as Marvel, Disney and the Jim Henson Co., said he encourages aspiring comic artists to create their own comic books. He said many of the young artists they meet aspire to work for Marvel or DC. However, he recommends that they create their own books instead.

“It doesn’t matter how polished or perfect it is. Create your own thing and bring it to conventions and show it to artists like myself. Get feetback. Get encouragement and start networking, because networking is like 99% of how I got into the industry and the rest was talent and perseverance,” Fosgitt said. “That’s what I encourage young artists to do. Come out and talk to us. That’s why we are here. We want to meet new creators. We want to meet young people that want to get into comics and encourage them and tell them whatever knowledge we might have that could help.”

K. Lynn Smith, a comic artist from Mason, said she got her start in the business thanks to the encouragement of Deana Morse, who was an animation professor at Grand Valley State University in Grand Rapids, who pushed Smith to enter her work in contests and to get out of her comfort zone. She said Morse pushed her to enter a storyboard contest, which is very similar to comic books, and that is how she got her start in the business.

Smith said she loves meeting people at the cons and seeing returning faces. She said she hasn’t done MC3 in a while, but that the MC3 staff are great to work with.

“Being in this room inspires me,” Smith said. “Seeing all the different art and, like, seeing how different people are doing their projects and their approach is an inspiration for me.”

Martin Klebba, who portrayed Marty in the “Pirates of the Caribbean” movie franchise, grew up in Troy. Klebba said he attended Troy Athens High School and he discovered his love for acting thanks to his drama instructor, Krista Manfredi, who

encouraged him to perform in the high school’s production of “Peter Pan.”

He said when he was a young man he had wanted to become a police officer, but in his second year attending Oakland University for criminal justice, a teacher pulled him aside and informed him that he could never be a cop because of his short stature and the height regulations in the industry at the time. So he went on to Broadway and eventually made his way to Los Angeles, and thanks to his connections, discovered that he really liked the motion picture industry. He said he would never recommend anyone go into the industry today, as it is really difficult to get into. However, if someone does still desire to, he said to get acclimated to self-taped auditions, as those have become standard in the industry.

He said that many little people think they should go into the industry and just take any role just to be on film.

“It’s like, no. If you’re going to have them laugh, they’ve gotta be laughing with you, not at you,” Klebba stressed. “You got to have good comedic timing. I feel like too many people wanna make a buck and get out. They’re willing to do anything, like ‘Jackass.’”

Robert Dieterle, who grew up in Michigan and is one of the writers of OMG comics, said he got into comics by default. Dieterle said he owns a construction company and was asked to help finance a woman’s book. However, after the woman only completed nine pages, Dieterle was left with the task of completing it, and therefore entered the industry.

“I learned that to make a comic book, it’s $5,000 before you print it,” Dieterle said.

Dieterle said he would advise comic artists and writers to always save all their work, because you never know what could be worth something someday.

“Just do what you love,” Dieterle said he would advise young people today.

Johnathan Rand, of Grayling, writes horror books and owns a shop that solely carries his work.

“I think I was inspired by all the authors I read. I would get excited when I read a good story, and I would think, ‘Man I wish I could write like that,’” Rand said.

Rand advises those who seek to be a writer to write every day.

“Five minutes a day can be beneficial. It’s like anything else: The more you do it, the better you will get at it. Write when you don’t want to write. It’s a discipline and that’s one of the things I found out a long time ago is that if you want to produce, if

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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

Comic Con

you want to write, you have to write even when you don’t feel like writing,” Rand said. “The other thing I say is to read every day. If you want to write scary books, read all kinds of scary stuff. Don’t just read one author that you’re into, but expand … because it helps you create your own unique author’s voice.”

WWE wrestler Ethan Page moved to Michigan two years ago from Canada and now resides in Milford. He said he wanted to eliminate the constant border crossing, as he is a frequent traveler, but its close proximity to the border enables his family to visit him frequently.

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.

“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

“It was the perfect place for us. … I like all the lakes, the parks all over. … It’s just beautiful,” Page said of his Michigan home.

Page said he was attracted to MC3 as it is one of the best cons in America and just a 20-minute drive from his home.

He advises aspiring wrestlers that the sport will break their heart a million times, but the victories are always worth it.

“If it’s something you love, it’s always worth chasing,” Page said.

Erik Hodson, an illustrator from Grosse Pointe, said he “just loves telling stories.”

“I want to make stuff that children nowadays can enjoy, just like I enjoyed stuff when I was a kid,” Hodson said. “I want to just tell exciting stories and just give people a break from the world and some entertainment.

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 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 ev-

ery 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 benefit 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.

Police

“May 12-18 is known as National Police Week, where we honor the sacrifice, courage and service of all law enforcement officers, especially those who gave their life trying to protect our communities,” Gallagher explained.

On May 13, the Bloomfield Township Police Department commemorated the passing of one of its own — Officer Gary Cooper Davis — in a 20th anniversary memorial service.

Gallagher shared details of the tragic morning on May 13, 2004, when Davis was killed by a drunk driver.

“Officer Gary Davis — known to ‘Coop,’ to all of us — was tragically killed in an automobile accident just after arresting a drunk driver. On his way back to the police station, just there at Coolidge and I-75, he went to do that turn-around in the median, where he was struck by a drunk driver in excess speeds, not even giving him a chance. Unfortunately, we had some officers there on the scene to witness that, and I know that this day is in memory for them forever. Officer Davis was transporting a prisoner at that time, and (the prisoner) was seriously

injured as well.”

Davis, who was 36 years old, was a 12year veteran of the township Police Department. He is survived by his wife Nicole, who was a Waterford Township police officer at the time of the accident.

“Gary was taken from us by a drunk driver way too soon. We remember Officer Davis not only for his bravery and his dedication, but for his personality, practical jokes and humor,” Gallagher said during the ceremony.

Remarks concluded with a memorial wreath being placed at the Officer Gary Davis Memorial Bench by the Honor Guard, followed by the unveiling of a new shadow box to honor Davis that will be displayed in the roll call room.

“Our promise is to never forget Officer Gary Davis and the courageous police officers who have given their lives to uphold justice and uphold our values,” Gallagher said. “As we remember and pay our respects to Gary, let us not only remember his service, but also his memory to inspire us to continue to lead and serve our communities, modeling our core values here at Bloomfield Township of integrity, respect, fairness, accountability and pride.”

Bloomfield Township Supervisor Dani Walsh said her brother-in-law introduced

her to Gary Davis at the age of 18.

“It was a pleasure to know Gary. We played softball together, and he was at a lot of our friend and family picnics. He was a wonderful man,” Walsh recalled. “His memory will live on forever in our hearts.”

This year, the names of 282 officers who died in 2023 were engraved on the National Law Enforcement Memorial wall in Washington, D.C., including two from Michigan — St. Clair County 72nd District Court Officer Robert J. Silver and Detroit Police Lt. Frederick Charles Bowens Jr.

“This year, there will be 282 names added to the memorial wall, adding to the 24,000 heroes that are already on that wall,” Gallagher said.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said she pays tribute to the brave officers who made the “ultimate sacrifice in service” to the state.

“These men and women have tough jobs and step up every day to protect their communities, risking their own safety to protect public safety. Let’s learn from their example of public service and honor their memory,” she said in a statement.

Photo provided by the Bloomfield Township Police Department

Officers from the Bloomfield Township Police Department bow their heads in remembrance of Officer Gary Cooper Davis during a 20th anniversary memorial service May 13.

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 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.

Volunteers assist at the dessert table during a past Spaulding for Children holiday party for foster families at First Baptist Institutional Church.

Photo provided by Spaulding for Children

The Exterior Painters Celebrate 20 Years of Transforming Properties, Neighborhoods

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

The Exterior Painters have been revitalizing properties for 20 years.

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

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

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

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

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

The Exterior Painters also specialize in brick staining.

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

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

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

also

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

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

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

Scott said his crews often see their work spread from house to house in siding repairs and much-needed improvement you can do

“Compared to other home improvements,

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

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

contractor in Rochester two years in a row. It’s to get.”

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