6/19/24 Shelby-Utica News

SPOTLIGHT ON SENIOR LIVING/14A

97-YEAR-OLD’S BASEBALL PAST

Man charged in crash that killed 2 women

BY KARA SZYMANSKI kszymanski@candgnews.com

LOOK INSIDE: Shelby Township Fountain Summer Newsletter

SHELBY TOWNSHIP — Jose Eugenio Medina-Hernandez, who resides in Westland, was arraigned in 41A District Court June 7 in connection with a traffic incident that killed two people in Shelby Township.

It is alleged that at 12:52 p.m. June 6, Medina-Hernandez, age 33, was driving an Enterprise box truck southbound on M-53 near 22 Mile Road in Shelby Township when he rearended a Buick Verano, which caused a chain reaction involving two other vehicles.

When Shelby Township police officers arrived, they discovered two severely injured occupants. The occupants of the Buick were 88-year-old Nancy Richmond and her daughter, 63-year-old Crystal Brunn, who were killed in the crash.

UCS MOM, DAUGHTER GRADUATE HIGH SCHOOL TOGETHER AT SAME CEREMONY

BY KARA SZYMANSKI kszymanski@candgnews.com

SHELBY TOWNSHIP — A Utica Community Schools mom and daughter graduated high school together at the same ceremony this month.

Maria Ramirez López saw her children struggling to finish their education and she decided to join in with them on the journey by returning to school for her own high school diploma.

While living in Texas, Ramirez López had left school at a young age to help her mother provide for and raise her siblings.

The challenge worked and Ramirez López graduated this year with her daughter, Ashley Rivera, at the same Utica Community Schools commencement ceremony at the O’rena at Oakland University June 8.

Ramirez López graduated from the UCS Adult Education program and Rivera graduated from the Utica Alternative Learning Center.

Both plan to continue their educations. Rivera will be attending Macomb Community College

See GRADS on page 11A

Maria Ramirez López and her daughter, Ashley Rivera, graduated June 8 at the same Utica Community Schools commencement ceremony at the O’rena on the campus of Oakland University.

Photo provided by Jennifer Kane

See CRASH on page 11A

MedinaHernandez

Utica Academy finishes great season at quiz bowl national championship tournament

BY KARA SZYMANSKI kszymanski@candgnews.com

SHELBY TOWNSHIP — Students from the Gene L. Klida Utica Academy for International Studies joined 319 of the top high school quiz bowl teams at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis for the 2024 High School National Championship Tournament to determine who was the best May 25.

Quiz bowl is a competitive academic activity for teams of four students. Quiz bowl teams use buzzers to answer questions about science, math, history, literature, mythology, geography, social science, current events, sports and popular culture.

The Gene L. Klida Utica Academy for International Studies team consisted of Tony Anderson, Benjamin Edmunds, Yousif Hadoo, Colin Mondoux and Brendan Pawlicki. The team was coached by Zach Crossen and William Dobbie.

Crossen said the team put in a lot of work to make it so far in the competition.

“To a casual observer, there’s really no trick to quiz bowl aside from knowing things, but there’s a lot of work that goes into success. I’ve never worked with a nicer, harder working team,” he said.

Utica Academy was one of 17 Michigan teams competing at the national championship.

See QUIZ BOWL on page 12A

UCS SENIOR EARNS FULL SCHOLARSHIP TO UDM LAW PROGRAM

BY KARA SZYMANSKI kszymanski@candgnews.com

STERLING HEIGHTS/SHELBY TOWNSHIP/ UTICA — Antonio Noto always had a dream to have a career in law.

Noto, a Henry Ford II High School senior, has received a full scholarship to attend the University of Detroit Mercy’s Accelerated Law Scholars program.

The program puts students on track to earn a bachelor’s degree and a Juris Doctor in six years instead of seven.

Noto said he is really excited about this opportunity.

“I will leave with more than just a law degree — I will leave with a business degree that I can earn in three years,” he said in a prepared statement.

Noto said the opportunity will put him on a faster track for his career goal, which is to become a prosecuting attorney.

“I want to help people get justice for what happened to them and be able to keep bad people off the streets,” he said.

During his four years in high school, Noto was part of the Achievement Via Individualized Determination program with teacher Jamie Davis.

The program is for students who teachers recognize as having potential for rigorous coursework, but who might need additional support in a smaller, family-like environment. AVID promotes organizational and other

NOTO on page 12A

The Gene L. Klida Utica Academy for International Studies quiz bowl team consisted of Tony Anderson, Benjamin Edmunds, Yousif Hadoo, Colin Mondoux, and Brendan Pawlicki. The team was coached by Zach Crossen and William Dobbie.

Photo provided by William Dobbie

See

Noto

At Chippewa Valley Schools we inspire and empower students to achieve a lifetime of success. State-of-the-art facilities, tech-enhanced classrooms, and comprehensive instruction ready our learners for the rigors of the 21st century.

ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE

From the moment your child enters school until the day they leave us, CVS is committed to their development and success. We provide a strong, challenging curriculum that ensures college readiness and creates productive, responsible, and caring students who love to learn.

SAFE & SECURE

Students learn best when they feel safe and secure. Our Safe Schools, Strong Schools bond improvements fund essential security enhancements district wide. School guard glass, emergency alert systems, security cameras, and improved locks and door systems ensure our students feel safe at school.

CTE PATHWAYS

At CVS, we’re committed to preparing students for post-high school success. Our award-winning Career and Technical Education program is launching students into high-paying careers. With 15 comprehensive pathways to choose from, we support all our students’ diverse interests.

DEDICATED EDUCATORS

Our learning community would be nothing without our tremendous teachers and support staff, who feel like family. They all help to create a warm, inspirational learning environment in which your child will feel at home. Our teachers share a clear focus to ensure an outstanding classroom experience for every student.

CLOSE-KNIT COMMUNITY

A close-knit school community is one of our biggest assets. We believe parent involvement and community support are key to student success. Parents and families volunteer, attend meetings, conferences, and extracurricular events throughout the school year to show students they care.

FINE ARTS

Fine arts programs give learners the chance to explore their passions. Our students receive local, state, and national awards in the arts. With classes in art, photography, music, band, choir, theater, and more, we’re igniting students’ creativity.

ATHLETICS

Athletics at CVS are an essential part of learning cooperation, teamwork, sportsmanship, and leadership - qualities that last a lifetime. They make players into community leaders and teach them how to strive for a goal, handle mistakes, and cherish growth opportunities.

Carmella Sabaugh, who spent decades serving the public as the Macomb County clerk/ register of deeds, died June 8 at the age of 85.

‘PUBLIC SERVICE WAS HER TRUE CALLING’ COMMUNITY REMEMBERS

BY MARIA ALLARD allard@candgnews.com

MACOMB COUNTY — When Matthew Sabaugh was first appointed to the 37th Judicial District Court in Warren in 2008, his mom, Carmella Sabaugh, offered him some sound advice.

“The office is not yours. It belongs to the people,” she told him. “You are only a caretaker. Try your best to leave it better than you found it.”

Matthew Sabaugh, who is currently a Macomb County Circuit Court judge, is remembering his mother for her love, encouragement, enthusiasm, spirited conversations, tireless work ethic and public service.

Carmella Sabaugh, who spent 24 years as the Macomb County clerk/register of deeds from 1992 to 2016, died on June 8 at the age of 85. She is survived by her former spouse, Richard Sabaugh, and their five children: Richard, Michael, Renee, Jeanine and Matthew. Sabaugh also is survived by 13 grandchildren, two great grandchildren, her sister Pauline Peterson, and many loving nieces and nephews.

“The outpouring of support and condolences over these past few days has shown us how much Carmella was loved and supported by her community,” Matthew Sabaugh said via email. “We are forever grateful for that.”

A trailblazer in Macomb politics

Sabaugh was a presence in local politics

CARMELLA SABAUGH

for decades. After marrying Richard Sabaugh in 1960 and starting a family, she became a trailblazer for women in the workplace. The Democrat was first elected to the Warren City Council in 1975, serving one fouryear term. She was then elected as Warren’s city clerk in 1979 and as Macomb County’s clerk/register of deeds in 1992.

With a genuine desire to help others, she is credited with using technology to modernize the Macomb County Clerk’s Office to make it more efficient. She also spearheaded registration efforts to encourage people to vote, regardless of party affiliation.

“Her motto was, ‘Your vote is your voice!’ She believed the best democracy was through maximum participation. Carmella was a bright woman who wanted to help her community with the challenging issues of the time,” Matthew Sabaugh said. “Public service was her true calling. As Warren City Clerk and later Macomb County Clerk, her name is on countless birth certificates, marriage licenses and death certificates. Through all the significant milestones of our lives, Carmella was right there.”

She even once opened the clerk’s office on the weekend to help a constituent get married.

“She built the Sabaugh name and made us all proud. To this day, whenever I meet people, it is still most often Carmella they remember when they hear my last name,” Matthew Sabaugh said. “She was on a first-

See SABAUGH on page 6A

Trustee Lisa Casali is committed to enhancing pedestrian safety and ensuring our Senior Center has the resources necessary to provide a fulflling lifestyle for our seniors.

Trustee Lucia DiCicco has dedicated herself to organizing family events such as Christmas A Glow & Summerfest to enhance our community.

Trustee Vince Viviano brings decades of fnancial, infrastructure, and new road construction experience to Shelby Township.

Photo provided

Sabaugh

name basis with countless friends and neighbors. Carmella made friends everywhere she went. I remember her as a loving mother who would do anything for us and always challenged us to be our best.”

Growing up on Sutherland Avenue in Warren, Matthew Sabaugh remembers the family home “often filled with the hallmarks of grassroots campaigning: stuffing literature, canvassing, sign building and spirited discussions and debate.” He said it was his dad who encouraged Carmella to run for public office.

“She was charismatic, hard-working and kind of a pioneer in the idea of woman having the right to run for office,” former Warren Mayor James Fouts said. “I think she made a great impact upon the population, particularly when it comes to voting for a woman in a major office.”

Fouts attributes getting elected to the Warren City Council in 1981 to Sabaugh.

“I was an unknown candidate when I ran. No one hardly knew me, and she endorsed me and I think that played a very sig-

nificant role in my election back in the early 1980s,” Fouts said.

‘She certainly had an impactful life’

Although they belonged to different political parties, Macomb County Public Works Commissioner Candice S. Miller, a Republican, and Sabaugh became good friends when, in 1992, Sabaugh ran for county clerk, Miller ran for Macomb County treasurer and Mary Chrzanowski ran for a seat on the bench in Macomb County Circuit Court. All three were elected and would occasionally meet for breakfast or lunch.

“We just hit it off and got along very well. She was a remarkable woman. She had high energy and was very organized,” Miller said. “She was very creative and innovative. She certainly had an impactful life. She was an excellent public servant. She certainly will be missed.”

Something state Sen. Paul Wojno, DWarren, noticed about Sabaugh when they both worked at Warren City Hall during the Mayor Ronald Bonkowski administration in the 1980s was how friendly she was with all the employees.

“She really liked to communicate with people. She really got to know everyone in

City Hall from the department heads to the office clerks,” Wojno said. “She wanted to know what was going on in everyone’s personal lives. She was so down to earth. She really loved people. We always had a friendship and working relationship.”

Wojno and Sabaugh connected again when he became the Warren city clerk during Sabaugh’s tenure as the Macomb County clerk.

“With the local clerks, she was very supportive of what we did,” Wojno said. “She was probably the most well-respected county clerk in the state of Michigan. Carmella was great to work with. She was always accessible and had a great staff.”

Each time she ran for office, Sabaugh would be out on the campaign trail talking to people and listening to their concerns.

“On Election Day, she was always out at the polls,” Wojno said. “She really enjoyed interfacing with the constituents in Warren. She cared about seeing individuals in her role as in the City Council and county clerk.”

Warren City Treasurer Lorie Barnwell crossed paths with Sabaugh many times over the years.

“For me, watching her innovations in the County Clerk’s Office was very sig-

nificant. She was such an important figure,” Barnwell said. “She blazed the way for a lot of women not just in Warren but in the county.”

Barnwell said Sabaugh worked to make the community feel more connected to the Macomb County Clerk’s Office.

“She had a drive to offer the best customer service,” Barnwell said. “Sometimes, there’s a fear in government of technology and moving things forward. She thought outside of the box. She won all kinds of awards for what she was able to accomplish. Her reputation in the community was bar none.”

Aside from politics, Barnwell saw Sabaugh as a woman who was “an outstanding parent.” She never missed an opportunity to talk about her family.

“Her kids and grandkids were her everything,” Barnwell said. “She was so devoted to those kids and grandkids.”

Miller echoed that.

“She was very family-oriented,” Miller said. “For her, it was family first.”

The Sabaugh family will receive friends from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. June 23 at the WujekCalcaterra funeral home, 36900 Schoenherr Road, in Sterling Heights.

SCHOOL BRIEFS

Two UCS students to enter U.S. Naval Academy

STERLING HEIGHTS/SHELBY TOWNSHIP/UTICA — According to Utica Community Schools, only 1,200 new students are admitted annually to the United States Naval Academy, and this year two Henry Ford II High School students were accepted.

Henry Ford II 2024 graduates Ava Hess and Brady Sheats are heading to Annapolis, Maryland, this summer after successfully completing the application process that requires strong academics, a physical, a recommendation from teachers and an interview and sponsorship by a member of Congress. U.S. Congressman John James sponsored both students.

It’s a dream come true for both students, according to a UCS press release. Hess grew up in a military family and said the Navy was always her career plan.

Hess plans to study computer science while serving her country with the goal of

working in the cybersecurity field.

Her computer science teacher — Jamie Davis — described Hess as dedicated and hardworking in the press release.

“She is a pleasure to be around, inspiring and uplifting those she encounters with her positive attitude and commitment to excellence,” Davis said.

In high school, Hess was a team leader for Relay for Life, a member of the National Honor Society and a team captain for the varsity swim team.

Teacher Jeff Hume said Sheats is “knowledgeable, curious and fearless in seeking understanding.”

At Ford II, Sheats took part in the National Honor Society and was also a member of the debate team.

He plans to take his debate skills to the next level by pursuing a law degree while at the academy, with a goal of becoming a Judge Advocate General military lawyer.

— Kara Szymanski

Hess

Sheats

NEWS & NOTES

FOUND BICYCLE

SHELBY TOWNSHIP — Shelby Township police would like to find the owner of this bike. While on patrol, they found this mountain bike in the area of Switzer Elementary School, near 24 Mile Road. Contact Shelby Township police at (586) 731-2121 if you or someone you know owns this bike.

UPCOMING:

Utica meetings at City Hall

• Planning Commission, 6:30 p.m. June 26.

Shelby Township meetings at Township Hall

• Planning Commission, 7 p.m. June 24.

• Board of Trustees, 7 p.m. July 2.

Planning Commission to hold public hearings

UTICA — At the 6:30 p.m. June 26 Utica Planning Commission meeting, two public hearings are on the agenda. One is to get resident input on proposed amendments regarding marijuana facilities. The other is to get resident input on a zoning ordinance text amendment regarding Article X — MXD, mixed-use district.

Copies of the proposed ordinance amendments can be reviewed at City Hall, 7550 Auburn Road, during normal business hours. Comments prior to the public hearing can be emailed to cityclerk@cityofutica.org or made by phone to (586) 739-1600.

POLICE DEPARTMENT PROMOTES OFFICERS

RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVE

SHELBY TOWNSHIP — From 1:30 to 7 p.m. June 20, there will be an American Red Cross blood drive at the Shelby Township Activities Center, 14975 21 Mile Road. Organizers prefer appointments to help them schedule staff. Call the center at 586-739-7540 or go to redcrossblood.org to make an appointment.

Shelby Township Summerfest is almost here

SHELBY TOWNSHIP — Shelby Township Summerfest will take place June 28-29 at the township’s municipal campus at 52700 Van Dyke Ave. There will be a touch-a-truck, strolling princesses and superheroes, face painting, magicians, a petting zoo and a live taping of Shelby TV’s “The Treehouse” from 4-10 p.m. June 28. The next day’s festivities from 6 to 10 p.m. will feature a Macomb Symphony Orchestra live performance with a synchronized grand finale drone show. For more information, check the township’s Facebook page at facebook.com/TheShelbyTwp and access the event guide for Summerfest through the township calendar at shelbytwp.org.

SHELBY TOWNSHIP — The Shelby Township Police Department in recent months promoted multiple officers. Mark Benedettini was promoted to lieutenant, and Andrew Boehm and Jordan Haughee were promoted to sergeant. The department also hired new officers Nikkel and Webberly.

POLISH FESTIVAL TO PLEASE APPETITES FOR FOOD AND FUN

BY ERIC CZARNIK eczarnik@candgnews.com

Pierogi fans and people hankering for kielbasa will be most welcome at the 2024 American Polish Festival and Craft Show June 21-23.

As always, the event will take place on the campus of the American Polish Century Club, located at 33204 Maple Lane Drive in Sterling Heights.

According to organizers, the menu promises a mix of Polish and American meals. Kielbasa sandwiches, pierogi dumplings, Polish egg rolls, Polish nachos, Polish sliders, stuffed cabbage and “city chicken” meat skewers are several notable offerings. Attendees of legal age may also wash it all down with Polish or American beer.

Leonard Palermino, the general manager of the American Polish Century Club’s Century Banquet Center, said this year’s event is also delving into other alcoholic beverages.

“We are doing a vodka tasting,” he said. “We are doing that with one of our major sponsors, Zubrowka Vodka.”

Palermino also mentioned the meal he is most looking forward to: city chicken. “It’s something my mother always made,” he said. “Ever since I was a child, she made city chicken.”

In a statement, festival chair Arnie Beller said the event is now drawing second and third generations of families.

“Our members work long hours each year preparing over 5,000 Golabki, over a ton of city chicken, 750 pounds of potato pancakes, and over 20,000 Pierogi for the Polish dinners,” Beller said. “For those that like American foods, we have an American Kitchen, as well.”

In an email, Beller added that the festival’s Polish dishes are award winning and made from scratch.

For music and entertainment, the event will feature folk dancers, and a dance floor will invite people to dance while polka bands play. An estimated 50 vendors will offer their creations for sale at the craft show.

On June 23, the hungriest contenders will chow down on dozens of potato and cheese pierogi while competing in “Srodek’s Pierogi Eating Challenge.” Other Sunday events include a noon polka Mass.

General festival hours are 4-11 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday.

Adult admission costs $5; minors (ages 17 and younger) may enter for free. Attendees may park for free at Sterling Heights High School or the Career Prep Center and take a shuttle.

Learn more about the event by visiting american polishfestival.com.

ABOVE: Attendees dance to music during a previous American Polish Festival and Craft Show in Sterling Heights.

LEFT: Adrienne Hazey, of Rochester Hills, makes potato pancakes during the festival.

File photos by Erin Sanchez

Grads

to pursue a career in the medical field. Ramirez López plans to pursue a culinary arts degree through MCC.

Ramirez López said that she decided to go back to school because she has her daughter and son, and then four more little ones behind them.

“And the reason is I would see my two older ones look like they were giving up on school, and I needed to motivate them to not give up. I sat one day and talked to my husband that I had heard about this adult education program right there on 17 Mile and Dodge Park. I said I am going to get information,” she said.

She said she thought it was one of the only ways that she could make sure that her kids were not going to drop out of school.

“I want them to finish high school and not to give up like I did. I had to give up for my mom, and I don’t want the same story to repeat. I called and got information, and I enrolled myself,” she said.

She said at first she was really scared.

“What if I do not have the time or I don’t make it? I have a 2-year-old. I thought, ‘I am going to take a shot. I am going to go as far as I can.’ At first, it was scary for me, but then I met all of the teachers there. They made me feel I was home — like I was in Texas. I pushed myself to keep going,” she said.

She said she made a bet with her two older kids: “Let’s see who graduates first.”

“So it became a competition. It was something that after a while became a lot of fun and it really motivated us. I feel so happy. I feel like I accomplished what I wanted to accomplish but was not able to, because I had to help out my mom. She had to work three or four jobs. And I thought, you know what, my mom had done so much for me that I thought it was time for me to give up my education and start working,” she said.

She said to never give up on your dreams. You just have to motivate yourself and keep pushing.

Rivera said that once her mom enrolled, she was like, “We are both going to get through this together.”

“She was always, ‘You’ve got this. You just need to do all of your work.’ She is my No. 1 supporter,” Rivera said.

Cheryl Wajeeh, UCS director of Community Education, said the staff of Utica Community Schools Adult Education was happy to work with Ramirez López in developing a plan of action to help her reach her goal of attaining her high school diploma.

“I am proud to have been a part of her success this year and help her achieve her dream. We look forward to seeing all the things Maria can accomplish in the future,” she said.

Call Staff Writer Kara Szymanski at (586) 4981029.

Crash

from page 1A

The initial police investigation determined that MedinaHernandez was the at-fault driver. Medina-Hernandez, police said, failed to slow while driving in a construction area.

Sgt. Kevin Bailey, of the Community Service Unit at the Shelby Township Police Department, said it appears that Medina-Hernandez was traveling too fast in the construction zone on southbound M-53 just north of Hall Road.

Shelby Township police officers transported Medina-Hernandez to a local hospital to be checked out for injuries from the crash and later placed him under arrest for charges of moving violation causing death.

Medina-Hernandez was charged with two counts of moving violation causing death, which are one-year misdemeanors. Shelby Township District Court Magistrate James Verploeg set bond at $250,000 cash or surety.

Medina-Hernandez was unable to post bond and was lodged at the Macomb County Jail. His next court date is a pretrial hearing on June 25. His attorney, John J. Kennedy, could not immediately be reached.

“Our office is committed to ensuring that justice is served and that the responsible party is held accountable for their actions in this incident. We extend our deepest condolences to the families affected by this senseless loss,” Macomb County Prosecutor Peter J. Lucido said in a press release.

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

Quiz bowl

from page 3A

At the tournament, Utica Academy began with a four-game winning streak in which it defeated Fairview from Boulder, Colorado; Maggie Walker Governor’s School B from Richmond, Virginia; Midtown from Atlanta, Georgia; and Amador Valley from Pleasanton, California. Utica Academy finished the preliminary rounds with a 7-3 record, which qualified it for the playoffs.

Utica Academy suffered a narrow loss to Winston Churchill from Potomac, Maryland, 330-310 during round 16 and defeated Johns Creek B from Georgia by the narrow margin of 355-340 during round 22.

Unfortunately, Utica Academy lost to Mission San Jose from Fremont, California, ending the team’s shot at the title.

Edmunds was honored as a Sophomore Rising Star for correctly answering 62 tossup questions — 15 of them for power, which

meant he answered early enough during the reading of the question to earn extra points — in the preliminary rounds.

Gene L. Klida Utica Academy for International Studies finished in 49th place.

The tournament champion was the A team from Barrington High School, of Barrington, Illinois.

The 2024 High School National Championship Tournament’s field featured 320 teams from 38 states, the District of Columbia and China.

Dobbie said this year’s Utica Academy team had high expectations going into the season, and the team, led by senior captain Pawlicki, surpassed all the expectations as it finished the regular season in the Macomb Area Conference league undefeated and won the Class B Michigan state championship.

“Returning team members will begin summer practices next week to bring even more success next year,” Dobbie said.

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

skills while having high expectations for students regarding college and career. AVID is offered at all UCS secondary schools.

“The teacher is great. She helped us apply for scholarships and the application for colleges. She helped us complete our (Free Application for Federal Student Aid forms). She has really helped us prepare for college, even when it comes (to being) successful in the classroom, like taking notes and being organized,” he said.

Davis said in a prepared statement that Noto is a driven and determined student who has worked hard to achieve his goals.

“He is respectful and kind to everyone he meets, making him a valued member of

his community. With a bright future ahead, Antonio is set to pursue a career in law, where his integrity and work ethic will undoubtedly lead him to success,” he said.

In addition to AVID, Noto is part of the Henry Ford II National Honor Society.

He said he felt good to get the UDM acceptance letter, because it is the best program for law that he has seen.

Lori Singleton, the principal at Henry Ford II High School, said she is thrilled that Noto has embraced all the opportunities available to him at the school.

“At Ford, we encourage and empower our students to strive for excellence. Our entire Ford Family is proud of all that Antonio has accomplished, and it is clear he has a bright future ahead of him. Go Falcons!”

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

A FISCAL PERSPECTIVE Jean will fight for the Michigan Taxpayer with over 35 years experience as a CPA, Controller and Small Business owner

REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE for the Michigan House of Representatives District 59 (Shelby Township & Northern Macomb Township)

WWW.JEANZOTTFORMICHIGAN.COM

Custom Closets | Garage Cabinets | Home Of ces

Laundries | Pantries | Wall Beds | Wall Units

Hobby Rooms | Garage Flooring | and more... Contact

Walk in Closet

Garage Cabinets

Walk in Closet

SPOTLIGHT ON SENIOR LIVING

FAR RIGHT: Ron Teasley suited up for the Carman Cardinals from 1949 to 1950, hitting around .300 and making the All-Star team, but the league never received the proper recognition of MLB scouts. NEAR RIGHT: The Tigers have called upon Teasley several times to throw out the ceremonial first pitch during the times the former Negro Leagues were celebrated.

RON TEASLEY:

SOME CALLED HIM ‘SCHOOLBOY,’ MOST CALL HIM MR. TEASLEY, EVERYONE KNOWS HIM AS AN ICON

BY JONATHAN SZCZEPANIAK jszczepaniak@candgnews.com

METRO DETROIT — Growing up, Lydia Teasley couldn’t comprehend the importance of her last name, and who could blame her?

To Lydia Teasley, her father, Ron Teasley, was a renowned basketball and baseball coach at his high school alma mater, Detroit Northwestern High School, compiling numerous Detroit Public School League and district championships across both sports.

Ron Teasley was also the first African American student to play basketball, the first African American team captain, and the second African American to play baseball for the high school.

It wasn’t until elementary school when she first reaped the rewards of the Teasley name by being able to have complete freedom in gym class.

“I got to do anything I wanted to do,” Lydia Teasley said. “I thought, ‘Oh wait, this is pretty cool.’ I still didn’t really understand it, but as I got older, that would happen a lot. I would go somewhere and people would say, ‘Teasley? Like Ron Teasley?’ Then the person is going crazy telling me how he was my coach or my teacher. He was this or he was that. I thought, ‘Oh, this is pretty cool.’”

Ron Teasley, 97, is much more than a former coach in the dugout or faculty mem-

ber in the school, and one quick internet search could speak a thousand words about his achievements.

One of three surviving members to compete in the original 1948-era Negro Leagues alongside Willie Mays and Bill Greason, Teasley accomplished just about every feat a baseball player could imagine.

Teasley’s life contains memories with some of the most prolific people across sports, including racing Jesse Owens, hitting a triple off Satchel Paige, signing with the Brooklyn Dodgers, and conversing with the likes of Norman “Turkey” Stearnes, Jackie Robinson, Buck Leonard and other Negro League legends.

Growing up around the game

Like most young ballplayers growing up, Ron Teasley had a player he idolized. The only issue was being able to see him play live.

“When I was young, my father wouldn’t take me to a Tigers game because of segregation,” Teasley said. “I didn’t go to any Tigers games when I was young, but I used to listen to the Tigers games on the radio. My favorite player was a player by the name of Charlie Gehringer, who was a second baseman. He was an outstanding player. He was my hero.”

Baseball was the epicenter of the Teasley household, with six children all invested in the sport, and even his older sister sported the nickname “Babe Ruth” because of her

Photos provided by the Teasley family

WUJEK-CALCATERRA & SONS: Round-the-Clock Compassion since 1913

With 15 licensed funeral directors, totaling 350 years of combined experience, Wujek-Calcaterra & Sons is uniquely qualifed to bring peace and comfort to grieving families in their time of need. And these aren’t ordinary funeral directors. Each one was specifcally sought out by the Wujek and Calcaterra families based on their individual talents and expertise.

Licensed funeral director Dominick Astorino, managing director at Wujek-Calcaterra & Sons, is honored to be a part of this exceptional team. “My colleagues and I are career professionals,” stated Astorino. “Most of us have been with Wujek-Calcaterra for over 20 years. We are dedicated to our career in a long-standing way.

“We also have an excellent collection of younger funeral directors. As the embalming professor at Wayne State University School of Mortuary Science, I have taught many of them. I see their potential from the frst day I meet them and watch them develop.”

Tese devoted individuals represent a variety of religious and cultural backgrounds. Tey have formed enduring relationships with local families and the community. Tey are familiar with the neighborhood churches and have worked alongside their pastors. Tis allows them to connect with all types of families, putting them at

ease at a most difcult and overwhelming time.

Furthermore, their compassion isn’t strictly confned to business hours. Wujek-Calcaterra & Sons is one of the few funeral homes in the area where there is someone present 24/7.

According to Astorino, “We have never taken a day of since opening our original location in Detroit back in 1913. Christmas, holidays, brownouts, the worst snow storms – there has always been someone here to pick up the phone. We treat our families the way we would like to be treated. Tey never have to talk to an answering machine, and they know their loved one is never lef unattended.”

In addition to the 15 funeral directors, there is a support staf of 35 capable and compassionate individuals to complete the team at Wujek-Cacaterra & Sons. “We can serve all of our families, giving them everything they need – much like a personalized concierge.”

From preplanning to afercare services, Wujek-Calcaterra & Sons is available seven days a week, 365 days a year. Tey ofer two welcoming locations: 36900 Schoenherr Road in Sterling Heights, phone (586) 588-9117; and 54880 Van Dyke Avenue in Shelby Township, phone (586) 217-3316. For more information, visit wujekcalcaterra.com or follow Wujek-Calcaterra & Sons on Facebook.

Book your ‘bucket list’ trip with confdence through Travel Time Vacations & Cruises

Life moves pretty fast, and everyone is keenly aware of that. It’s never too late to plan your trip of a lifetime, until things change, and it becomes too late.

Travel expert Jefrey Leonardi of Travel Time Vacations & Cruises says the best thing you can do is book your bucket list trip or tour now, and do it with confdence through a professional who knows what it takes to get you there and back safely with minimal risk of hassle abroad or loss before you depart due to unforeseen circumstances.

Trough Travel Time Vacations & Cruises, Leonardi is now booking all tours and cruises including but not limited to “Cuba Discovery” starting in February 2025,

“A Culinary Journey Trough Tuscany & Florence” in April 2025, the “Iceland Explorer” in May/June 2025, and the “Burgundy & Provence France River Cruise” in October 2025 on a chartered boat. Tose are all air-inclusive vacations.

Leonardi brings 28 years of travel booking experience to the table for his clients. As a former talent agent for a roster of stars from classic Hollywood in his life before travel, he’s programmed to mind every detail to ensure his clients are well taken care of.

“We are booking groups next year, and we are looking for anyone who has a group that we can get a discounted rate for,” Leonardi said. “If someone has a group and they can

get me a minimum of 32 people, one couple would go for free.”

Concierge services included cancelation for medical emergencies or pre-existing conditions through insurance at the time of deposit. Clients also get the beneft of Leonardi’s expertise at planning trips and tours.

“I don’t charge a fee for my services, with the exception of domestic air travel,” Leonardi said. “Tere’s never a service charge. I ofer all of it at no charge.”

To inquire about booking your bucket list trip or tour through Travel Time Vacations & Cruises, call (586) 323-6100 or visit www.586travel.com.

Teasley

baseball prowess growing up.

“They talked a lot about baseball, and sometimes my father would go to Chicago to watch what they called the Negro League All-Star Game,” Teasley said. “There was a lot of talk about it (baseball), and my father and I would play catch. My brothers and sisters all played baseball. After that, I joined the junior baseball program in Detroit. I became very successful.”

The earliest memories for Teasley began at Hamtramck Stadium, where his father would take him to watch the Detroit Stars play, but Teasley said he was also more focused on playing with rocks under the stands.

That was until he grew into the sport through the junior baseball program. A walk outside the local recreation center one day would be life changing.

“One day I came out of the recreation center and I looked across the field and saw some men playing baseball,” Teasley said. “I said, ‘I think I’ll just go over there and join them.’ So I went over there and started chasing foul balls. I was 13 or 14 years old, and they were nice to me and told me, ‘Why don’t you come around and practice with us?’ So I started practicing with them.”

The men playing baseball weren’t just average joes taking in a game of pickup, but rather experienced ballplayers, some former Negro League players, who were double the age of Teasley, taking him under their wing and showing him the beauties of the game.

If someone wasn’t able to make it to the game, Teasley would be thrown into right field as a boy surrounded by grown men, earning the nickname “Schoolboy” from his older teammates.

“They usually put me in right field hoping nothing would be hit my way,” Teasley said. “I really think about those fellas, because they taught me a lot of life lessons. They meant a lot to me.”

Creating a baseball legacy

On the collegiate circuit at Wayne State University, Teasley, a Southfield resident, became the first player to ever hit above .400, still holding the single season record with a .500 batting average.

Teasley was a standout basketball and baseball player for the Tartars (now Warriors) before joining the U.S. Navy in 1945 with tours in Saipan and far Pacific areas from 1945 to 1946.

Once he returned home, he picked up right where he left off, dominating his opponents on the baseball field, so much so that

the Brooklyn Dodgers caught wind of it and offered a tryout in Vero Beach, Florida, to Teasley and Detroit native Sammy Gee from Miller High School.

Upon his arrival to Vero Beach, Teasley exchanged pleasantries with Dodgers infielder Jackie Robinson, widely known for breaking the color barrier in Major League Baseball.

Teasley spent two weeks before being assigned to the Dodgers minor league affiliate, the Olean Oilers of the PennsylvaniaOntario-New York League, but was promptly cut despite impressive numbers early on.

“When I was in the Dodgers organization batting .270, that wasn’t good enough,” Teasley said. “They released me. I never could understand that. I was actually leading the league in home runs when they released me. It’s something you always think about, no matter how old you are. You think about that, you know? What did they expect of you?”

Instead of being discouraged, Teasley continued his professional baseball career in the Negro Leagues as a member of the New York Cubans, but the league would soon become a picking ground for the MLB following the signing of Robinson, who played in the Negro Leagues in 1945 with the Kansas City Monarchs, in April 1947.

With Robinson’s performance came plenty of eyes looking for the next talent in the league, and the inevitable downfall of the Negro League began as teams were gutted, their best players departing for MLB clubs.

Robinson was the face of the broken color barrier, and with the title came plenty of scrutiny and racial discrimination towards him, but Teasley said the opinion of Negro League players towards Robinson’s signing began to split down the middle.

“We had a couple thousand players playing in the league, and then they were taking our best players,” Teasley said. “Then the owners were backing out. Some of the players were suggesting, and even the owners as well, that we have an all-Star team of Negro League players and put them in the league, but that was turned down. They didn’t want to do that. The players were coming and going quite a bit.”

Many players like Teasley, moved north to the Mandak League in Manitoba and North Dakota.

Teasley suited up for the Carman Cardinals from 1949 to 1950 in the league, hitting around .300 and making the AllStar team, but the league never received the proper recognition of MLB scouts.

The league had a solid fanbase, but Teasley said the fans provided a different game day environment than what he was accustomed to.

“I can recall one game where I was

playing third base and I made a double play where there was one player running to third base and another returning to third base, and I tagged each one of them out, and the fans were just quiet,” Teasley said. “There wasn’t that much of a reaction. I thought, ‘Wow.’ They enjoyed the game, and it turned out quite well.”

Life outside the dugout

Teasley would turn to factory work after the 1951 season and head back to Wayne State, earning a bachelor’s degree in physical education in 1955 and joining the Detroit school system soon after. He earned his master’s of administration degree in 1963.

Life postbaseball was everything Teasley could’ve dreamed of, spending time with his wife of 71 years and high school sweetheart, Marie Teasley, who passed away in 2020, and raising their three children: Lydia, Ronald and Tim.

Marie Teasley was a writer and editor for the Michigan Chronicle newspaper for 25 years, taking after her father, who was the first African American to own and publish a newspaper in Hannibal, Missouri.

“She was an outstanding journalist,” Ron Teasley said. “She started out when she was 7 years old because her father owned a newspaper in Missouri, the home of Mark Twain.”

In true love story fashion, Ron Teasley was his wife’s photographer when they would go to events, which included the controversial 1986 Goodwill Games in Russia.

The Goodwill Games were brought to the forefront after the United States boycotted the 1980 Olympic Games in Russia and Russia boycotted the 1984 Summer Olympics in California.

An array of political issues surrounded the games itself, with certain countries being banned from competing.

“The first thing that struck you when you landed (in Russia) was there were no people at the airport,” Teasley said. “There’s nobody but guards. In this country, airports are jammed. There, there was nobody. The guards searched you, and we were detained for about a half an hour or so before we were even allowed to come into the country.”

The Teasleys today

Lydia Teasley knows the prominence of her last name, and her kindergarten students at Dorothy Montessori School in Oak Park also get to share in the knowledge.

Each February, Teasley instructs her students on the Negro Leagues, reading books, playing baseball outside or playing hot potato around the classroom.

She’ll show the children a video of her father talking about his playing days, but

at such a young age, Lydia Teasley said, it’s difficult for the children to comprehend the importance of the Negro Leagues and how long ago it was.

She especially found this to be true when her classroom watched the Detroit Tigers opening day game, and students asked her if her dad was playing or not.

It’s innocently hilarious, and Lydia Tealsey said it means a lot to her to pass the meaning of the game and her father’s impact on to her students.

“It’s super important, and it also turns out to be fun, because the questions they ask me are just hilarious, but they’re interested,” Lydia Teasley said. “They’ll say, ‘Oh, your dad played baseball?’ I’ll tell them all the history of what happened, and I think they get it a little bit. I think they’re more interested in how to play, so I’ll take them outside and teach them some skills myself. It means so much to me to be able to talk about my dad and for them to see him on the video. It just brings it to life, and they can appreciate the history.”

Even at 97 years old, Ron Teasley is a busy man, but he prefers it that way. Whether it’s taking walks to the park, watching any baseball he can, or playing Wii bowling, Teasley stays active.

The Tigers have called upon him several times to throw out the ceremonial first pitch during the times the former Negro Leagues were celebrated, trading in their traditional home uniforms for the Detroit Stars uniforms.

He’s also made a trip with his family to the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City, Missouri, to speak and sign autographs, and is involved in the Negro Leagues Family Alliance, which was founded by families of former players.

Lydia Teasley said her father is a popular man at the meetings because he’s able to tell stories to the families of Norman “Turkey” Stearnes, Josh Gibson, Walter “Buck” Leonard, and many other players about their loved ones.

Ron Teasley’s passion for baseball is immeasurable, but it doesn’t compare to the impact he’s made on others around him as a player, a coach and teacher.

Lydia Teasley continues the impact with the Ron and Marie Teasley Foundation, which aims to assist students in metro Detroit through scholarships, mentorships and training.

A person like Ron Teasley should always be reminded of what he brought to the game, and Lydia Teasley said she and her siblings always try to do just that.

“I just want to have him keep talking about all the great things he’s done,” Lydia Teasley said. “I never want him to stop talking about that.”

Eagles girls tennis soars to highest finish in school history at D1 state finals

BY JONATHAN SZCZEPANIAK jszczepaniak@candgnews.com

SHELBY TOWNSHIP — Utica Eisenhower girls tennis could have done a lot of things after setting the school record for the highest finish at the Michigan High School Athletic Association Division 1 state finals meet last year, so the team chose to double down.

Jumping five spots from their seventh place finish in 2023, Eisenhower finished state runner-up on June 1 at Greater Midland Tennis Center in Midland.

Sophomore Gabriella Sadowski, who battled a tendonitis issue in her left wrist this season, cruised through

the singles flight No. 1 bracket to take on Rochester Adams junior Nicole Fu, whom Sadowski is all too familiar with.

“Nicole (Fu) and I are very good friends,” Sadowski said. “She is an extremely talented player and I feel blessed to be able to hit with someone as good as her as regularly as we do. Because we play all the time, I know what her game is like and she knows what mine is, so there weren’t many surprises. It was just a matter of who was going to play better that day.”

Sadowski, who was named Macomb County MVP for girls tennis, won the state championship in three sets,

See TENNIS on page 19A

Ike’s Hurley carried ‘clear mind’ en route to 2 all-state honors, at D1 track finals

BY JONATHAN SZCZEPANIAK jszczepaniak@candgnews.com

SHELBY TOWNSHIP — A year ago, Utica Eisenhower junior Bryce Hurley would’ve told you he wasn’t feeling like the best version of himself.

Coming off a broken tibia in February of 2023, Hurley was able to compete in the track and field season when the Eagles needed him, and while he was extremely efficient while still not at full strength, it was a tough break for the talented football/track star who qualified for the state finals as a freshman.

Utica Eisenhower girls tennis took state runner-up in the Michigan High School Athletic Association

Division 1 state finals June 1 at Greater Midland Tennis Center in Midland.

Photo provided by Eisenhower Athletics

Photo by Patricia O’Blenes

Utica Eisenhower sophomore Brody Kelsey finished fourth in the 100-meter at the MHSAA Region 10 meet May 17 at Romeo High School.

See TRACK on page 26A

Tennis

putting a stamp on her sensational sophomore campaign that included a 15-0 record and another addition to her high school career, which currently includes a 42-1 career record so far.

Eisenhower coach Michael Pearson said Sadowski is a student of the game and has a bright future ahead of her because of her work ethic.

“She’s been playing since she was 4 years old,” Pearson said. “Nick (Sadowski) has pictures of her at Peachtree (Tennis Club) holding a racket where she was hitting the foam balls. She just works her butt off. Ever since she’s been able to hit, she’s been playing people older than her. Ever since she’s been in the fifth or sixth grade, Nick’s had her playing college-level players in some of the tournaments.”

On the doubles side, senior Brooke Nicholson was looking to end her final year on a high note after anchoring Eisenhower tennis for four years.

A four-time all-state selection, fourtime Macomb County Dream Team, and three-time team captain, Nicholson’s 110 career wins set a new school record, but she wasn’t done there.

Teaming up with sophomore Alexis Gabriel in doubles flight No. 1, Nicholson and Gabriel, who were named all-county Dream Team this year, became the first doubles squad to win a state championship in school history, holding the top seed and delivering throughout the entire tournament.

“I created this goal after finishing in the quarterfinals my junior year at states, because I knew we could work to finish at the top,” Nicholson said. “Achieving this position to close out my senior season made it more special than I could have imagined. I am so proud of the work Alexis and I put in to accomplish this achievement of being

state champions.”

The duo went 32-2 on the season, a school record, and were undefeated against Division 1 opponents.

Nicholson is the youngest of three Nicholson sisters who all played tennis for Eisenhower, and Nicholson said her sisters were role models for her tennis career.

“They taught me the importance of good sportsmanship, hard work and determination to reach my goals. My sisters helped me set my goals for my tennis career and led me on the path to achieve them,” Nicholson said.

All eight flights scored for Eisenhower for the first time in school history, with junior Annabelle Murphy (singles 4) and sophomores Sofia Gardner and Lauren Volaric (doubles 3) all-county first team selections, reaching round three (top eight) while junior Jillian Rodzik and sophomore Addison Virga (doubles 2), all-county Dream Team selections, and freshmen Kara Lu and Maria Khami (doubles 4) made it to the semifinals.

Other key contributors for Eisenhower, who won the Macomb Area Conference Red for the second straight season, were freshman Mia Miller (singles 2), an all-county first team selection, junior Alayna Aamodt (singles 3), an all-county honorable mention, and junior Madison Emerick.

Eisenhower head coaches Pearson and Kevin Donahue were Macomb County cocoaches of the year alongside Macomb Dakota head coach Hayden Carey. Eisenhower was also crowned regional champions.

With so many accomplishments this season, Sadowski said this year is only a building block for the team moving forward.

“I think we’re all proud of what we did this year as a team, but there’s still room for improvement,” Sadowski said. “We’re going to dedicate ourselves to more time on the court in the offseason and also focus on building our chemistry with one another.”

Call Staff Writer Jonathan Szczepaniak at (586) 498-1090.

NOTICE OF REGISTRATION FOR THE ELECTION TO BE HELD ON TUESDAY, AUGUST 6, 2024

SHELBY TOWNSHIP, MICHIGAN

TO THE QUALIFIED ELECTORS OF SHELBY TOWNSHIP:

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that any qualifed elector of Shelby Township who is not already registered to vote may register at the offce of the Shelby Township Clerk, the offce of the Macomb County Clerk, a Secretary of State branch offce, or other designated state agency; or if eligible, at mvic.sos. state.mi.us/RegisterVoter. Registration forms can be obtained at mi.gov/vote and mailed to the Township Clerk. Voters who are already registered may update their registration at www.expressSOS.com or through one of the methods listed above.

The last day to register in any manner other than in-person with the Township Clerk is Monday, July 22, 2024

After this date, anyone who qualifes as an elector may register to vote in person with proof of residency (MCL 168.497) at the Shelby Township Clerk’s Offce, located at 52700 Van Dyke Ave., Shelby Township, MI 48316 at the following times:

• Regular business hours: Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

• Saturday, August 3, 2024 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

• Election Day, Tuesday, August 6, 2024 from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE THAT THE PURPOSE OF THE AUGUST 6, 2024 ELECTION IS TO DECIDE WHO SHALL BE ELECTED TO THE FOLLOWING OFFICES:

CONGRESSIONAL United States Senator, Representative in Congress

LEGISLATIVE Representative in State Legislature

COUNTY Prosecuting Attorney, Sheriff, Clerk and Register of Deeds, Treasurer, Public Works Commissioner, County Commissioner

TOWNSHIP Supervisor, Clerk, Treasurer, Trustee, Delegate(s) to County Convention

JUDICIAL Judge of Probate Court

A sample ballot may be viewed at mi.gov/vote or at the Shelby Township Clerk’s Offce, 52700 Van Dyke Ave., Shelby Township, MI 48316, telephone: (586) 731-5102.

Persons with special needs as defned by the Americans with Disabilities Act should contact the Clerk’s Offce.

Stanley T. Grot

Shelby Township Clerk Published: Shelby-Utica News 06/19/2024

LEFT: Utica Eisenhower senior Brooke Nicholson and sophomore Alexis Gabriel won the state championship in doubles flight No. 1.

RIGHT: Utica Eisenhower sophomore Gabriella Sadowski was crowned state champion in singles flight No. 1 June 1 at Greater Midland Tennis Center in Midland. Photos provided by Eisenhower Athletics

CRIME WATCH

Portable toilets destroyed

SHELBY TOWNSHIP — Officers were dispatched to Whispering Woods Kiwanis Park on 21 Mile Road for a malicious destruction of property complaint. The portable toilets at the park had been destroyed. Anyone who knows what happened or who did it is asked to contact Detective Sgt. Jordan Haughee at (586) 731-2121, ext. 333, or jhaughee@shelbytwp.org.

Altercation occurs

SHELBY TOWNSHIP — At 10:15 p.m. May 19, police officers were dispatched to the area of Auburn and Woodall roads for a domestic assault. Upon officers’ arrival, they met with a woman who stated that her 29-year-old daughter came to her home. Soon after arriving, they got into an argument and the daughter was asked to leave. The daughter refused to leave and then physically assaulted her mother, according to the report. The daughter was arrested for domestic assault and was taken to the Police Department, police said.

Man threatens person with gun

SHELBY TOWNSHIP — Police officers were dispatched to the area of West Utica Road and Green Court for a possible felonious assault at 2:04 p.m. May 19. The caller stated he was walking his dog when another man walking with his family felt that the dog was too close to him and his family and threatened the caller with a stun gun, according to the police report. The caller then quickly took a picture of the man, and the man reportedly became more upset and said that he had a gun as well.

Officers located the suspect and reportedly arrested him while he had a stun gun and pistol in his possession. The man was taken to the Shelby Township Police Depart-

ment, and the case was turned over to the department’s detective bureau.

Resident reports identity fraud

SHELBY TOWNSHIP — A woman came into the Shelby Township Police Department to report that her identity had been stolen at 5 p.m. May 15. The woman stated that she was doing a credit check when she noticed that her Social Security number had been used in New York back in 2022. The woman placed a freeze on her account. The case was turned over to the detective bureau for further investigation.

Windshield smashed

SHELBY TOWNSHIP — Officers were dispatched to the area of Hayes and Hall roads for a malicious destruction of property report at 1:14 p.m. June 2. A caller stated that her child’s father had smashed out the windshield of her Dodge Charger. The caller stated that she and her child’s father had an argument, and after leaving the apartment, he smashed the windshield. The man had left prior to the arrival of police. The case was turned over to the detective bureau for follow-up with the suspect.

Truck smashes into pole, driver intoxicated

SHELBY TOWNSHIP — At 6:56 p.m. June 2, police officers responded to the area of 22 Mile and Hayes roads for a vehicle that smashed into a pole.

Prior to the accident, dispatch had received calls for a Ram truck driving recklessly in the area. Upon officers’ arrival, they observed a Ram completely wrapped around a pole. The vehicle also took out several mailboxes in the process.

Police reportedly made contact with the driver of the vehicle and determined that alcohol had played a factor in the crash. The driver was placed under arrest and taken to a hospital for injuries suffered in the crash.

Jewelry goes missing

SHELBY TOWNSHIP — Shelby Township police officers were dispatched to the area of Dequindre and Hamlin roads for a larceny complaint at 8:47 p.m. May 19. The complainant stated that while she was in the hospital, she let a family member watch her house and feed her animals. When the complainant returned home from her stay at the hospital, she noticed that items were missing from her jewelry box. The complainant believed that the missing items were valued at around $300. The case was turned over to the detective bureau for further investigation.

— Kara Szymanski

BEHIND THE WHEEL

22A/ SHELBY-UTICA NEWS • JUNE 19, 2024

‘I love each of them for different reasons’

BY MARIA ALLARD allard@candgnews.com

SHELBY TOWNSHIP — Kevin Dombrowski always knows which classic car shows to attend with his wife, Karen.

He keeps track of them on an Excel spreadsheet, and many of the couple’s summer weekends are spent at car events at their favorite Michigan sites.

From metro Detroit to the western side of the state — and everywhere in between — the Dombrowskis can be spotted mingling with the other car buffs during cruising season.

The only challenge is deciding which car to take: the 1960 Chrysler Imperial, the 1965 Buick Riviera or the 1947 Ford Coupe. When Kevin purchased each vehicle, he didn’t want the cars to sit in the garage. The idea was to get out and drive them as much as possible.

“It’s about the cars, but it’s really about the people,” Kevin said. “You meet all sorts of interesting people.”

“It’s a really good group of people,” Karen agreed.

Cruisin’ Hines in Westland, the Mount Clemens Cruise and Greenfield Village’s Motor Muster in Dearborn are among the many car shows for the Shelby Township residents. Vicksburg and St. Ignace also are regular haunts. Many times, Kevin and Karen take leisurely drives along scenic back roads instead of main highways to get to or from their destinations.

“We take the country roads. With the sun going down, it’s so nice and relaxing,” Karen said. “It takes the hectic out of the city. You’re floating down the country roads.”

Each car is special in its own way. For starters, the Ford Coupe is just like the one Kevin’s dad had when he was a child.

“He passed away in 1981 when I was 7,” Kevin said.

Kevin holds on to plenty of under-the-hood memories, including the times he played junior mechanic helping his dad, Tony Dombrowski, doing upkeep on the Coupe.

“I would work on the car with him. Then we would go to car shows,” Kevin said. “As a kid, I remember bouncing around in the back seat. The suspensions back then didn’t have shocks.”

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.

Kevin had his dad’s car for many years and was in the process of having it restored. However, too many obstacles got in the way, so Kevin bought a Coupe that looked just like his dad’s. He even kept

some of the original parts as a momento.

“The intent of the car is still there,” Kevin said. “When I see it, my dad is still there.”

ABOVE: Every summer Kevin and Karen Dombrowski, of Shelby Township, attend car shows in metro Detroit and across the state with their 1960 Chrysler Imperial, left; 1965 Buick Riviera, center; and 1947 Ford Coupe.

FAR LEFT: Kevin Dombrowski has always been a fan of classic cars with fins, including his 1960 Chrysler Imperial

NEAR LEFT: One feature of the 1965 Buick Riviera are the hidden headlights. Photos by Erin Sanchez

See CARS on page 24A

from page 22A

Because his father spent so much time tinkering with the Ford, it was jokingly named “The Mistress.” Keeping with tradition, Kevin’s orangish-red Ford Coupe also has taken on the same moniker.

“I love each of them for different reasons. The Ford reminds me of my dad,” Kevin said. “In the sun, you see the orange. In the evening, it looks more red.”

“It’s a hot rod,” Karen said. “You feel every little bump.”

“The Riviera is such a pleasure to drive. You just get in the car and go. The other thing that I like about the Riviera, it’s everyone’s second-favorite car,” said Kevin, describing how car enthusiasts who grew up with either Chrysler, Ford or GM often stick with those models when they become adults. “The Riviera welcomes everyone. It’s like the girl next door. You don’t see them as often. That, to me, was one of the things that was sort of special.”

For Kevin, the Imperial — with its Alaskan white exterior — is a throwback to his “favorite era of cars of the late ’50s and early ’60s.”

“The big fins and the chrome, I’ve always been in love with that style of car,” he said.

Kevin first spotted the Imperial a couple of years ago at the Packard Proving Grounds Historic Site in Shelby Township. He knew the gentleman, Bill, who owned it and said, “If you ever think about selling that car, just remember me.” About a year later, Bill sold it to Kevin.

“He’s always buying and selling,” Kevin said.

Kevin brought the Imperial home Dec. 22, 2022, right before a snowstorm. There was just enough time for him and Karen to rearrange the garage to fit in their new 18 1/2-foot automobile that is 6 inches wider than most cars.

Kevin said the original owner of the Chrysler Imperial is a woman who lives in New Jersey. He’s tried to get in touch with her, but hasn’t been successful yet.

“She owned the car until 1979 and then she sold it to a dealership,” he said.

For Karen, the Riviera is her favorite of the three.

“It rides like a dream,” she said. After being at a car show all day, she likes to fall asleep in the passenger seat on the way home. “It floats down the road at 55 (mph).”

Each car attracts a different crowd.

“The ’47, it’s the older, gray guys. The Riviera draws a very different niche of people. Many people don’t know the Riviera. It’s a rather uncommon car. It’s the perfect balance between muscle and luxury,” Kevin said. “The Imperial draws women. It oozes luxury and extravagance. It is a challenge to drive because it is so large.”

Kevin is a member of the Detroit Area Only Twisted Axle Car Club, which meets at 7 p.m. every Friday at Gratiot Coney Island, 28560 Gratiot Ave. in Roseville. All are welcome.

“It’s a growing club,” Kevin said. “We’re always talking about getting out and driving.”

The Detroit Area Only Twisted Axle Car Club is accepting registration for the second annual Track Day from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sept. 28 at the Ubly Dragway. For registration details, text or call Kevin at (586) 822-7968.

“It was always in my head, that the thought of something worse could happen or it could happen again,” Hurley said. “Even though I was told I was all right, it’s still in the back of your head.”

This season was different. This season, Hurley felt like he was back to full strength, and it was on full display at the Michigan High School Athletic Association Division 1 state finals June 1 at East Kentwood High School.

Qualifying for states as the regional champion in the 100-meter and earning third in the 200-meter, Hurley would take state runner-up in the 100-meter and fourth in the 200-meter at states, receiving all-state honors in both events and leading Eisenhower to 17th-place out of 61 teams.

Hurley became the first male sprinter to place at the state meet in school history, and he was the Macomb County and Macomb Area Conference White champion in both events as well.

“It just felt so good,” Hurley said. “I had a clear mind and I was prepared coming into it. I was fully ready for the season. That’s the best feeling as an athlete, where you just feel like yourself.”

Hurley also qualified for states in the 4x100 relay alongside seniors Joshua White and David Scheel and sophomore Brody Kelsey, which placed 21st.

The 4x100 squad, which earned a regional title, set a school record this year with a time of 47.29, while Hurley himself set records in the 100-meter (10.61) and 200-meter (21.58).

It was a long road to recovery from both a physical and mental aspect for the junior standout, but Eisenhower head coach Christopher Smith said Hurley’s work ethic and persistence allowed him to return to the top of his game after injury.

“Even when he came back, he was a county champ and league champ, but he just missed qualifying for the state meet last year,” Smith said. “He just wasn’t at his top form yet. This year, he was healthy all season. The kid works his butt off and trains hard. I think the progression was just being healthy and being able to train.”

Kelsey (200-meter) and White (long jump) both added individual state qualifications for Eisenhower, while senior Jenna Vansant, senior Mariana Stojcevski, junior Lily Pantaleo and freshman Maggie Baginski earned the lone state qualification on the girls side in the 4x400 relay.

On top of an impressive state finals showing, Eisenhower also claimed runnerup at the Macomb County championships for its best finish at the county meet since it started recording team scores.

Eisenhower will have an array of talent on the boys side set to return with Hurley and Kelsey at the helm, but Smith expects junior Colden Gray, who ran the 800-meter and the 4x400 and 4x800 relays, and fresh-

man Ryan Varner (long jump), who just missed out of qualifying for states, to make a name for themselves next year.

“He’s (Gray) a kid that’s really stepped up his game, and he’s got another year to go,” Smith said. “We’re expecting some good things out of him.”

Call Staff Writer Jonathan Szczepaniak at (586) 498-1090.

Michigan

Photo by Patricia O’Blenes

Utica Eisenhower junior Bryce Hurley, second from left, took first in the 100-meter at the MHSAA Region 10 meet May 17 at Romeo High School.

12-MileBetween

June20th-22nd,9-6pm, Clothes/Furniture, GreatBuys! Miscellaneous For Sale

Help Wanted General

Fori Automation LLC has an opening for a Controls Engineer in Shelby Township, MI. Responsible for engineering a well-defined section of a larger project or acting as a project engineer on a small project. Must have Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or related. Must have 2 years of experience as an Automation or Controls Engineer or related, including 2 years of experience with Rockwell RS Logix 5000 and FactoryTalk View HMI or 2 years of experience with Siemens TIA Portal (PLC and WinCC HMI). Qualified applicants (principals only) should apply at https://foriauto.com/careers. (No calls). Equal Opportunity Employer. 0113-2425

Khrushchev’s domain, acr.

44. *What the gang did in 1988’s “A Fish Called Wanda”

46. Exploding star

47. Clarified butter

48. Airport surface

50. Highway hauler

52. Breed

53. Miss Muffet’s repast

55. Not flow

57. *Tim Burton’s 1989 and 1992 title character

60. *It featured the song “Summer Lovin’”

63. Popular fashion magazine

38. “Keep this information” button

42. Name-chooser

45. Wyatt Earp and such 49. Cuban dance syllable

51. Letter-resembling supports 54. End of a poem 56. Primary 57. Like

Cosine’s buddy

U2 member

Vigor’s partner

It would

Comic book cry of horror

SAFE Step.NorthAmerica's#1Walk-InTub. Comprehensivelifetime warranty.Top-of-the-line installationandservice. NowfeaturingourFREE showerpackageand $1600Offforalimited time!Calltoday!Financingavailable.CallSafe Step1-855-861-4501 WHEN veterinarycareis unavailableorunaffordable,askforHappyJack® animalhealthcarefor cats,dogs,&horses.At TractorSupply® (www.happyjackinc.com)

64. Road in Rome

66. Comment to the audience

68. Deposit the ashes

69. Giant Hall-of-Famer Mel ____

70. Canine skin infection

71. Humble and docile

72. Name badges, acr. 73. Streamlined DOWN

1. Bonkers

2. Sir Mix-____-____

3. Kind of boots in the ‘60s

4. One M in MMR vaccine

5. Slowly and graceful-

ly, in music 6. Mass number 7. Snake-like reef dweller 8. Teacher of Torah 9. *”Oppenheimer” subject 10. Popular smoothie berry 11. Pinnacle 12. Hula dancer’s necklace 15. B in FBI 20. Open up 22. Half of NFL 24. a.k.a. Hansen’s disease 25. *1990 Swayze/ Moore blockbuster 26. Trattoria staple 27. Petroleum tanker 29. *It premiered in the U.K. on 6/6/76, with The 31. Chemical cure 32. Revered Hindu 33. Drawing support 34. *2001 blockbuster ogre 36. Type of rich soil

HELP WANTED Security for Corp. Bldgs & up scale gated residential home community in Rochester Hills. Looking for polished professionals for front gate concierge & access control duties. Perfect for retirees. Great pay & hours. Part/full-time

Help Wanted General 0449-2412

certain china

Malaria symptom

Ankara native

Gangster’s pistols

SUMMER BLOCKBUSTERS

Tuck-pointing,Driveways, Sidewalks,Patio's, AggregateCement. Stamped-Concrete, Military/Senior-Disc. NoJobTooBig orTooSmall! 313-303-9403

RottenWood ReplacementSpecialist

Electrical BEST-Price-Period Licensed/Insured. Additions,Remodels, Basements,Kitchens, 30-yrs.-experience. Callforfree-estimates. Open7-daysaweek 24/hrs-day. HotchkissElectric 586-291-3143 Lic.#6211028

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

Landscaping & Water Gardens DOLL'S LANDSCAPING SPRINGCLEAN-UPS! Shrub&Tree-Trimming, Planting,Removal.Mulch, SodInstallation,Pavers, Garden/RetainerWalls, PorchSteps,Raise Backyards/DrainTiles, Powerwashing/Sealing, Powerrake,Aeration, Seeding,DebrisRemoval 586-634-0033

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

POBLETECEMENT BrickPavers,LLC. •Driveways•Patios •Porches•Steps •Stamp•Color •Exposed•Floors•Walks •Licensed/Insured 30+years!Troy,MI 248-743-1220 248-496-4964(Cell)

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.It snotjustagenerator.It sapowermove. Garage Door Service

GARAGE DOOR TUNE UP SPECIAL $80

• Garage Doors, Openers Installed/ Serviced, Broken Springs Repaired!

• Entry, Storm Doors, Patio Doors Installed/Serviced

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

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

Decks/Patios 2024SPECIALS

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

COMPLETEDECK MAINTENANCE Our30thYear! PowerWashing, Repairs,Stain/Paint HouseWashing/ HousePainting FreeEst./Insured WearetheDeckDoctors! 586-463-9564 marathonpowerwash.com Drywall

LAKESHORE DRYWALL MasterFinisher SmallandLarge Repairs SmallHangJobs AnySizeFinishJobs DonePerfectly Shon- 586-801-6190

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

**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 586-610-1209

TOTALBRICKPAVING LANDSCAPINGPROS 586-420-3531 Brickpaving,Patio, Walkways,Driveways, Porches,Repairs, Powerwash,Rock Installation,Mulch,Sod, CompleteLandscape Design.

0096-2332

Gutters A.M.G. Gutters&Downspouts.Owneroperated. Seamlessgutter installationandrepair specialist.Builders License#2101202369 www.amgapplied services.com FullyInsured 586-323-0755

*”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

GUTTERS &WINDOW CLEANING INSURED TOMMICOLI 313-656-9402

PaintingInterior/Exterior RemodelingKitchens, Bathrooms,Finish Basement,Tiles, Drywall,Repairs, RemoveWallpaper, RepairingandStaining Decks,Powerwashing. FreeEstimates. A-1PETROLERE CONSTRUCTION Kitchen,Bath,Basement, Remodeling,Decks, Interior/ExteriorPainting AndRepairs.WeAlso OfferHandymanServices Licensed/Insured 586-954-2708

Home Repairs EXTERIOR REPAIRSLLC. Since1999 Roofing,Siding, GuttersandMore! Reliable Ask,WeMightDoIt! FREEESTIMATES 248-242-1511

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 Walls/Walkways/Patios, Senior/Military-Discounts Credit-Cards-Accepted Free-Estimates 586-719-1202

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

GUTTER CLEANING/REPAIR Rottenfaciareplaced Minorroof/animal holes/sidingrepairs Flatroofsrepair/installed Creditcardsaccepted Insurancework Freeestimate SilversmithRoofing Maintenance 248-707-4851

CITYROOFING -Commercial& ResidentialRoofRepairs -FullRoofReplacement (Shingles) -FlatRoofReplacement -24/7EmergencyRepairs -Eavestroughs(Gutters) andLeafGuard Installations. 586-733-3004 cityroofinginc@gmail.com

49965 Van Dyke Ave. in Shelby Township, also Aug. 17, www.packard provinggrounds.org

JUNE 28-29 Shelby Township Summerfest: Inaugural event featuring touch a truck, face painting, petting zoo, live taping of Shelby TV’s “The Treehouse,” princess singalong and outdoor movie, 4-10 p.m. June 28, then patriotic performance by Macomb Symphony Orchestra and drone show, 6-10 p.m. June 29, also food truck and craft beer tent both days, Municipal Campus, 52700 Van Dyke Ave., shelbytwp.org/our-township/summer

JUNE 29

Packards & Pints: Beer, wine, cocktails and cars, also DJ, food, commemorative pint glass and tours, 7 p.m. (VIP at 6 p.m.), Packard Proving Grounds, 49965 Van Dyke Ave. in Shelby Township, www.packardprovinggrounds.org

JUNE 30

Run Drugs Out of Town 5K Run/Walk: Fundraiser hosted by Families Against Narcotics, also vendors, music, ceremony and more, 10 a.m., starts at new location at Jimmy John’s Field, 7171 Auburn Road in Utica, (586) 4388500, familiesagainstnarcotics.org/rundrugsoutoftown

ONGOING

Farmers markets: 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturdays until Oct. 19, Packard Proving Grounds, 49965 Van Dyke Ave. in Shelby Township, shelbyfarmersmarket.org

Splash pad: Open 11 a.m.-7 p.m. daily until Sept. 2 (toddler time 10-11 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays), for Shelby Township and Utica residents, Chief Gene Shepherd Park, 2452 23 Mile Road in Shelby Township, (586) 731-0300, shelbyprm@shelbytwp.org, shelbytwp.org/our-township/ summer

Roofing 248-371-8628

CRIME

DANZ'SROOFING CertainTeed,IKO, Tamko,GAF,Timberline, WeUseAllMajorBrands RoofingRepairs&Leaks CallForFree-Estimates 10%SeniorDisc. 45-YearsExperience 313-303-9403

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

•

Ducklings saved GROSSE POINTE CITY — Officers were called to the 300 block of St. Clair Avenue at around 7 a.m. June 1 after someone noticed that several ducklings had fallen into a storm drain and couldn’t get back out. Using a pike pole and a basket, officers were able to safely retrieve the ducklings and return them to the custody of their worried mother.

Vehicle stolen, recovered

GROSSE POINTE WOODS — Sometime between the hours of 9 p.m. May 28 and 12:45 p.m. May 29, an unknown suspect is said to have stolen a 2024 Ford Escape from a driveway in the 600 block of Peach Tree Lane. The victim told police the vehicle was unlocked and the key fob was left inside it. Police said they recovered the missing vehicle in Detroit.

Resident scares off larceny suspect

GROSSE POINTE PARK — A resident in the 600 block of Lakepointe Street is said to have startled a larceny suspect when the resident spotted the suspect going through the interior of the resident’s vehicle — which was unlocked and parked in the driveway — at around 4:31 a.m. May 30. The victim told police he called out to the suspect, who fled the scene. The victim said a pair of Ray-Ban sunglasses worth $100 were missing from the vehicle when he checked to see if anything had been taken.

Retail fraud reported

ST. CLAIR SHORES — On May 24, a report was made about a case of retail fraud that occurred in the 23000 block of Harper Avenue.

An officer made contact with the manager of the establishment, a 40-year-old woman, who stated she had to make a police report about stolen merchandise for her corporate office. The theft occurred on April 28 between 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Two pairs of Beats headphones as well as two pairs of Bose headphones were stolen. The total value of the stolen merchandise was $1,200. Investigators advised the manager that there was clear video evidence of the theft occurring. The manager was present during the theft. She told the officer the store’s loss prevention investigators could email the video to detectives.

Larceny at English Gardens

EASTPOINTE — According to a police report, Eastpointe police officers were dispatched to English Gardens on Kelly Road at around 10:40 a.m. May 19 to investigate a larceny that occurred the night prior. Police were told that three men arrived in a black Ford F-150 pickup truck that night, loaded up

Weekend Unwind: Free concert series, 7-10 p.m. June 21 (American Ages Band), June 28 (Classic Maniacs), July 5 (Acoustic Madness), July 12 (WAVES), July 19 (The Mixx), July 26 (DC Marx), Aug. 2 (Stumbling Mice), Aug. 9 (Nina Sofia and Thrown Out Bones), Aug. 16 (Classic Maniacs), Aug. 23 (American Ages Band), Aug. 30 (The Geri’s) and Sept. 6 (The Detroit Social Club), Memorial Park next to Utica Public Library, 7530 Auburn Road, fireworks can be seen from nearby Jimmy John’s Field, cityofutica.org

Widowed Friends events: Breakfasts 10:30 a.m. every third Tuesday of month, Pancake Factory, 13693 23 Mile Road in Shelby Township, RSVP to Ellen at (586) 489-2569

• Cards, games and friendship, 1-3:45 p.m. every fourth Friday of month, bring snack to share and own beverage, St. Therese of Lisieux, 48115 Schoenherr Road in Shelby Township, RSVP to Victoria at (586) 566-7936

• Golf every Monday, Stony Creek Metropark Golf Course, 5140 Main Parkway in Shelby Township, RSVP to Ted at (248) 425-4879

Shelby Writers’ Group: Meets 6:30 p.m. Thursdays, Shelby Township Library, 52610 Van Dyke Ave., (586) 739-7414

Shelby Township Fine Art Society: Meets 6:30-9 p.m. every second Wednesday of month January-June and September-November, Shelby Township Activities Center, 14975 21 Mile Road, facebook.com/ShelbyTownshipArt

Open mic: Hosted by Shelby Music Society, 7 p.m. every second Saturday of month, doors at 6:30 p.m., Shelby Township Activities Center, 14975 21 Mile Road, shelbymusic society@yahoo.com Confident Communicators Club: Virtual meetings 8-9:30 a.m. every first and third Wednesday of month, www. confidentcommunicatorsclub.com

the truck bed with numerous flower pots and left the scene. Later in the morning, they returned, jumped the fence and reportedly stole clay pots along with other gardening items.

Man attempts to break into home

SHELBY TOWNSHIP — At 1:25 p.m. May 7, Shelby Township police were dispatched to the 50000 block of Timbers Edge Drive, near 25 Mile Road and Van Dyke Avenue, for an attempted home invasion report. The caller stated she responded to her home for an alarm that was going off. At the time of the alarm, nothing suspicious was found. Later that day, the caller stated that a neighbor had video surveillance of a male suspect attempting to enter her home. The video shows that the male was not able to gain entry into the home. The case was turned over to the Shelby Township Police Department detective bureau for follow up.

Altercation occurs

SHELBY TOWNSHIP — At 2:12 p.m. May 7, an officer responded to the area of Dequindre Road and Benedict Lane for a possible assault. A male caller had left the home and was in the area waiting for officers to meet with him. The man had visible marks on his face, police said. The man stated that he had gotten into a verbal and physical altercation with his mother-in-law. The man reportedly had arrived at the mother-inlaw’s