Court’s ruling on wages and sick time reverberates across region
Workers, businesses and associations react to divided Michigan Supreme Court decision
BY NICK POWERS npowers@candgnews.com
METRO DETROIT — A recent 4-3 ruling by the Michigan Supreme Court affecting the state’s laws governing minimum wage and sick time is sending shockwaves through many
businesses, including the restaurant industry.
All workers will receive a pay bump to more than $12 an hour in 2025 with tipped workers gradually reaching $12 in 2029. The final amounts will be determined by the
Eastpointe man accused of strangling wife to death
BY ANDY KOZLOWSKI akozlowski@candgnews.com
EASTPOINTE — An investigation into the suspicious death of an Eastpointe woman has led to the arrest of her husband, who is accused of fatally choking his wife and then trying to clean up the scene.
At around 2 p.m. July 27, police officers were dispatched to the 22000 block of Shakespeare Avenue, between Nine Mile Road and Toepfer Drive, on a report of a woman who had died.
The suspect — Steven Kolson, 41 — had called 911 claiming that his wife — April Vitale, 43 — was on the floor not breathing.
Preliminary findings reportedly showed that a struggle had occurred, and when Eastpointe detectives arrived at the scene, it was further determined that Kolson had allegedly tried to clean up the house prior to calling police.
ABOVE: Crazy Gringo’s Clinton Township Manager Dawn Mathews makes a margarita at the bar.
He was arrested and taken into custody. A crime scene unit with the Michigan State Police was then called in to process evidence. An autopsy by the Macomb County Medical Examiner’s Office concluded that Vitale’s death was caused by strangulation.
WAGES on page 17A See ACCUSED on page 19A
Photo by Nick Powers
Kolson
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SECOND FRONT PAGE
3A/ EASTSIDER • AUGUST 14, 2024
The Jerry Ross Band to perform at 7 p.m.
BY MARIA ALLARD allard@candgnews.com
EASTPOINTE — Members of the Recreation Authority of Roseville
and Eastpointe want to express their gratitude to community members for all their support this past year.
So, everyone is invited to RARE’s annual summer party, Rockin’ Summer Night, from 5 to 9 p.m. Aug. 14 at Kennedy Park, 24517 Schroeder Ave. The event will be held rain or shine.
Kennedy Park will be rockin’ on Aug. 14
“We believe it is important to hold this event to wrap up the summer and bring everyone together for an enjoyable evening filled with various activities for all to enjoy,” RARE
Assistant Director Sara Frederick said via email. “We welcome all to join.” The evening will include a video game truck, balloon art, face paint-
ing, caricature drawings by Andrew Sigman, and a craft station from the Anton Art Center. Entertainment from Mr. Wilde’s Magic Show will begin at 5:45 p.m., and the Eastpointe Lions Club will again have its beer/wine pavilion for those 21 and older.
At
Eastpointe OKs development district to help Winter’s Sausage expansion plans
Real Estate Advertising: Paula Kaspor pkaspor@candgnews.com candgnews.com facebook.com/candgnews @candgnews instagram.com/candgnews
BY BRIAN WELLS bwells@candgnews.com
EASTPOINTE — At a recent Eastpointe City Council meeting, the council voted unanimously to establish an industrial development district to allow for a longtime local business to expand.
Winter Sausage Manufacturing Co., which has been located at 22011 Gratiot Ave. in Eastpointe since 1951, submitted a notice of intention to file an application for the establishment of an industrial development district/plant rehabilitation district. The notice states the company intends to expand its facility in a two-phase project,
which will create new jobs and retain 65 more. The company said the district will help it in its eventual goal of securing an industrial facilities tax exemption certificate for its real property investments.
“Winter’s Sausage is an Eastpointe family-
Photo by Patricia O’Blenes
its July 16 meeting, the Eastpointe City Council voted to establish an industrial development district for Winter’s Sausage that will help it to expand.
NEWS & NOTES
4A/ EASTSIDER • AUGUST 14, 2024
Local election results
EASTPOINTE/ROSEVILLE — For the races on the Aug. 6 primary ballots in Eastpointe and Roseville, the following candidates will advance to the general election in November.
In the race to be Michigan’s next U.S. senator, Elissa Slotkin won the Democratic Party nomination and Mike Rogers won the Republican Party nomination. They will face each other Nov. 5 for the seat in Washington, D.C.
For the seat representing the 10th District in the U.S. House of Representatives, Carl Marlinga won the Democratic Party nomination while incumbent John James was unopposed in the Republican primary for the party’s nomination.
The 12th District primary for a seat in the Michigan House of Representatives saw voters choose incumbent Kimberly L. Edwards to win the Democratic nomination. She will run against Randell J. Shafer, who was unopposed for the Republican nomination.
The 13th District primary for a seat in the Michigan House of Representatives resulted in incumbent Mai Xiong winning the Democratic nomination and Ronald Singer winning the Republican nomination.
The 62nd District primary for a seat in the Michigan House of Representatives featured candidates who were unopposed. Michelle Levine-Woodman advanced with the Democratic nomination, and incumbent Alicia St. Germaine advanced with the Republican nomination.
The candidates for Macomb County prosecuting attorney were unopposed in the primary. Democrat Christina Hines and incumbent Republican Peter J. Lucido will contest the office in November.
For Macomb County sheriff, incumbent Anthony M. Wickersham was unopposed for the Democratic nomination while Terence Mekoski received the most votes to win the Republican nomination.
In the race for Macomb County clerk and register of deeds, David Adams won the Democratic nomination and incumbent Anthony G. Forlini won the Republican nomination.
Both candidates were unopposed in the primary for Macomb County treasurer. Democrat Matthew T. Churchwell will face incumbent Republican Larry Rocca in November.
The same was true of the Macomb County public works commissioner primary. Democrat Kevin Higgins will face incumbent Republican Candice S. Miller in the general election.
The incumbent Macomb County commissioners for Roseville and Eastpointe — respectively Harold Haugh and Sarah A. Lucido, both Democrats — were unopposed in the primary. No Republicans filed to run against them in November.
Lastly, in the race for judge of the Probate Court, Benjamin A. Schock and Aaron J. Hall received the most and second-most votes, respectively, and will contest the seat in November.
TALKING CARS OVER COFFEE AT MILITARY MUSEUM
EASTPOINTE — Vintage car owners are invited to display their prized possessions during the Michigan Military Technical & Historical Society’s monthly “Cars and Coffee at the Museum” from 10 a.m. until noon Aug. 17. In addition, the museum is open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. this summer on Saturdays, and other times by appointment. The entry fee is $5 for ages 16 and older; $7 for families of two adults and children younger than 16; and $3 for senior citizens, military members and students with IDs. Admission is free for Eastpointe residents and EBT cardholders. The museum is located at 16600 Stephens Road. Visit mimths.org for more information.
MAKING THE CUT
ST. CLAIR SHORES — Macomb County Assistant Prosecutor Fred Bartolomei, center, went a cut above July 26 when he donated his own hair to Maggie’s Wigs 4 Kids of Michigan.
After growing out his hair for a few years, Bartolomei had his locks shed when he and Macomb County Prosecutor Peter Lucido, right, visited Maggie’s Wigs 4 Kids of Michigan and toured its Wellness Center. Bartolomei and Lucido also met with Maggie Varney, center, founder & CEO of Maggie’s Wigs 4 Kids of Michigan.
Maggie’s Wigs 4 Kids of Michigan provides wigs and support services to children between 3 and 18 who are experiencing hair loss due to cancer treatment, alopecia, Down syndrome, burns, lupus, skin and blood disorders, and more.
Bartolomei’s donated hair will become a wig for a Michigan child in need. He received a certificate that recognized his contribution to helping children.
Lucido is a friend-level sponsor of Maggie’s Wigs 4 Kids of Michigan’s annual signature gala and a galaxy star member with his name on the Galaxy wall, which continues to support the cause.
For more information about Maggie’s Wigs 4 Kids of Michigan, visit wigs4kids.org or call (586) 772-6656.
Art contest underway
MACOMB COUNTY — State Sen. Veronica Klinefelt, D-Eastpointe, is holding a summer 2024 legislative art contest for students in grades K-12 who reside in Klinefelt’s district, the 11th Senate District. Visit senatedems.com/find to check your residency. The artwork must be two-dimensional and no larger than 26 inches by 26 inches in size. The art must be a photo, painting, drawing or digital art piece of a favorite place in metro Detroit.
The submissions must be original in concept, design and execution and may not violate U.S. copyright laws. The deadline for submissions is at 5 p.m. Aug 23. Visit senatedems.com/ klinefelt/art-contest for details and to submit your artwork.
Resident input sought for Joint Parks and Recreation Master Plan
EASTPOINTE/ROSEVILLE — The Recreation Authority of Roseville and Eastpointe is in the process of updating its Joint Recreation Master Plan. Staff members are seeking input from residents about the city’s parks in Eastpointe and Roseville and programs offered through RARE. The joint master plan helps upgrade the cities’ parks, recreation amenities, programs and services. To take the survey, visit surveymonkey.com/r/24RARE.
Once I get the right diagnosis for the cause of your heel pain, I will provide you with a tailored treatment plan, which outlines exactly how we can fix your heel pain and keep you free from future foot pain. If you are ready, call me for an appointment to start your journey back to normal life, free from heel pain.
Klinefelt
Sock hop dance will raise money for scholarship program
MACOMB COUNTY — Ed Syrocki, pictured, who prior to his retirement owned EMS Classic Car Care in Warren, wants to inspire others to consider working in the vehicle restoration business.
So, he created the Ed and Emica Syrocki Legacy Scholarship through the Macomb Community College Foundation. The scholarship will benefit Macomb Community College students who want to pursue a career in the skilled trades, which includes the automotive area.
The requirements to apply for the scholarship include the following: half-time enrollment at six credit hours or more each semester; be enrolled in a skilled trades program either credit or noncredit at Macomb; and a minimum GPA of 2.5 at time of application. New incoming students must upload their most recent high school/ college transcript. The award — starting in the 2024-2025 academic year — can be used for tuition, fees and other education expenses.
To help raise money for the scholarship, Syrocki has planned a 1950s sock hop dance to be held from 5 to 9 p.m. Sept. 28 at the Croatian American Center, 11390 22 Mile Road in Shelby Township. The cost is $30 per person and includes food, a Hula-Hoop contest and an award for the best dressed ’50s style.
Tickets, limited to 300 guests, are available by presale only. Several sponsors have signed up to support the event. For tickets, call Ed Syrocki at (586) 754-3728 or (586) 566-8413.
Local organization helps teens ‘sparkle’ at homecoming
MACOMB COUNTY — Sparkle Network will again help young ladies enjoy their high school homecoming dances this fall.
Sparkle Network Founder Moe Lietz, a 1992 Romeo High School graduate, is holding her annual Dress Into a Dream Homecoming Dress Sale. Dresses of all sizes and lengths are available for $10 each.
Lietz has set up a number of locations where students can shop. Some dresses are gently used, while others are brand-new.
For the first time this year, Sparkle Network will offer separate pieces, including pants, tops and skirts in limited sizes for $5 each. All proceeds will be used to replenish items for the nonprofit organization’s Prom Closet Project Tour 2025, which offers dresses for prom night.
The program is by appointment only. Students must register in advance to set up a time to shop. Appointments are available at the Sparkle Network website at sparklenetwork.org.
The following dates and locations are scheduled: Aug. 23-24 at American House East 1, located at 17255 Common Road in Roseville, and Aug. 25 at Front Door Housekeeping, 11255 Hall Road, Unit No. 104, in Utica.
Other dates include Aug. 30 at the Meadowbrook Center for Learning Differences, 811 Oakwood Drive, Suite No. 203, in Rochester; Aug. 31 and Sept. 1 at T-Tech Solutions, 1172 E. Big Beaver Road in Troy. For more information, email sparkle.network3@ gmail.com, call (248) 840-8136 or visit the website.
Photo provided by Moe Lietz
Photo by Maria Allard
PLAYERS TO WATCH
BY JONATHAN SZCZEPANIAK jszczepaniak@candgnews.com
It’s been some time since a Macomb Area Conference team hoisted a state championship title — Clinton Township Chippewa Valley in 2018 to be exact — but the MAC is still as strong as ever.
Below is C & G Newspapers’ projected standings for the 2024-2025 MAC football season (regular season and division records from last year in parentheses).
MAC Red Division
• Macomb Dakota (8-3, 3-2)
• Chippewa Valley (9-3, 4-1)
• Romeo (4-6, 3-2)
• Utica Eisenhower (9-2, 4-1)
• New Baltimore Anchor Bay (2-7, 0-5)
• Sterling Heights Stevenson (4-6, 1-4)
It will be a feeling-out year for the MAC Red with longtime Chippewa Valley coach Scott Merchant moving to Lawrence Technological University and Utica Eisenhower and Romeo each graduating a core of talent, but don’t be surprised if Macomb Dakota is league champion when it’s all said and done.
Chippewa Valley, who won a share of the league last year with Eisenhower, was the thorn in Dakota’s side both in the regular season and the playoffs, eliminating the Cougars in districts.
Like Eisenhower and Romeo, Chippewa Valley graduated four all-region players including longtime quarterback Andrew Schuster, who is now at Grand Valley State University.
Eisenhower lost its four-year starter at quarterback, with Preston Crum now with Merchant at LTU, while also graduating all-region players Hayden Bills, Devin Steele and Cody Raymond, who anchored a defensive unit that allowed 15.6 points per game against MAC Red opponents.
For Dakota, the return of senior quarterback Jadon Ford, who missed some action due to injury last year, will be a key boost along with the return of all-region players Brady Hamby (RB/LB), Nick Battaglia (OL), Tyler Torey (DL) and Michigan
BY JONATHAN SZCZEPANIAK jszczepaniak@candgnews.com
C & G Newspapers Staff Writer Jonathan Szczepaniak previews who to look for in the MAC. For CHSL players, visit candgnews.com/news/sports.
C & G projects standings for MAC, CHSL
The Catholic High School League is shaping up to have a memorable season on its hands with a slew of teams fighting for the top spot in the Central Division and movement between Intersectional 1 and Intersectional 2 teams shaking up the divisions.
Below is C&G Newspapers’ projected standings for the 2024-2025 CHSL football season (regular season and division records from last year in parenthesis):
CHSL Central Division
• Warren De La Salle Collegiate (11-3, 5-1)
• Toledo Catholic Central (16-0, 6-0)
• Orchard Lake St. Mary’s (3-6, 3-3)
• Detroit Catholic Central (8-3, 4-2)
• Bloomfield Hills Brother Rice (0-9, 0-6)
• Toledo St. John’s Jesuit (4-7, 2-4)
Similar to how the Macomb Area Conference Red or Oakland Activities Association Red operate, the CHSL Central Division is truly a dogfight each week, and expected improvements from Bloomfield Hills Brother Rice and Orchard Lake St. Mary’s only makes it more of a gauntlet.
Warren De La Salle Collegiate, which lost to Muskegon in the Division 2 state finals, and Toledo Central Catholic, which won its sixth Ohio state title last year, are the two heavyweights hoping one of its league counterparts can do some dirty work and give one of the top teams a loss before DLS and Central Catholic meet up on Sept. 20.
Central Catholic won the first meeting between the two schools 28-23 on their turf, but DLS will have the home field advantage this time around.
It’s always been about retooling a graduating class for DLS, but the Pilots return a healthy amount of all-Region talent in Jacob Hoffman (OL), Damion King IV (WR), Sante Gasperoni (QB), Jacob Tur (DL), Anthony Presnell (DL), Dalton Drogosh (LB) and Isaiah Jones (DB), who are not only motivated to regain control of the Central Division but to take back the D2 state championship.
Eric Slater, Roseville
Roseville has had an abundance of athletes the past few years under head coach Vernard Snowden, and Slater stands out among the crowd.
Standing at 6-foot-3, Slater’s size creates matchup nightmares on its own, but it’s his ability to catch in traffic and athleticism that separates him from other receivers in the MAC.
Earning first team all-state honors last year, Slater tallied 1,000 receiving yards and six touchdowns for Roseville and should be ready for another impressive season with Ferris State University commit Jordan Simes back at quarterback.
Get Slater in space and he will make teams pay, or throw it up and let his size and pass-catching ability go to work.
Brady Hamby, Macomb Dakota
If Dakota needs a couple of yards to earn a first down, it knows who to turn to.
The Cougars’ Swiss Army knife, Hamby is one of the more versatile players in the MAC courtesy of his ability to run the ball down the defense, throw to an open receiver or just dominate an opposing team’s offense at the linebacker position.
In 2023, the Ferris State University commit posted 927 total yards and 16 touchdowns offensively while racking up 120 total tackles (75 solo), five sacks and 12 tackles for a loss defensively, earning first team all-state honors as a linebacker.
While Dakota’s quarterback, Jadon Ford, battled injuries throughout the year, Hamby stepped up and made an
The Utica Eisenhower sideline cheers after a touchdown last season. File photo by Erin Sanchez
File photo by Patricia O’Blenes Roseville senior Eric Slater makes an impressive touchdown catch.
Eastpointe police uncover chop shop operation
BY ANDY KOZLOWSKI akozlowski@candgnews.com
EASTPOINTE — A man stands accused of receiving and concealing stolen vehicles and stripping them of valuable parts after Eastpointe police said a tip led them to a chop shop operation at a home in Warren.
Authorities in Eastpointe originally received information April 8 regarding possible stolen vehicles being stripped at a location in the 24000 block of Valley Avenue,
near Stephens Road and Hayes Avenue. Investigators identified two vehicles in the backyard that had been reported stolen out of Jackson County: a gray Ram TRX and an orange Dodge Charger.
They also found two individuals who were allegedly removing parts from the vehicles. The two suspects cooperated with detectives and provided additional information to the Eastpointe Special Investigations Unit, which in turn led to a house in the
Woman faces 15 charges in domestic violence shooting case
BY ANDY KOZLOWSKI akozlowski@candgnews.com
EASTPOINTE — An argument between a woman and her boyfriend escalated dangerously when the woman allegedly slashed her boyfriend with a knife and then attempted to shoot him.
Tiana Luckett, 34, of Detroit, was arraigned on 15 counts by Magistrate Mark Makoski in the 38th District Court July 26.
Among the charges: one count each of assault with intent to murder, a life felony; discharge of a firearm in a building, a 10year felony; assault with intent to cause great bodily harm less than murder, a 10-year felony; possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, a five-year felony; possession of ammunition by a prohibited person, a five-year felony; careless discharge of a firearm causing property damage over $50, a one-year misdemeanor; and domestic violence, a 93-day misdemeanor.
She also faces two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, a four-year felony, and six counts of felony firearm, a two-year mandatory felony. Luckett is being charged as a habitual second offender. Her bond was set at $750,000 cash or surety.
Luckett’s attorney, Robyn Kennedy, did not return a request for comment by press time.
According to police, the incident occurred at around 4:20 a.m. July 25 at an apartment complex on Nine Mile Road near Cushing Avenue in Eastpointe. Investigators
believe Luckett and her boyfriend were arguing when Luckett allegedly grabbed a kitchen knife and slashed at him. The boyfriend reportedly tried to defend himself.
Luckett then allegedly grabbed a gun and fired a shot, which missed the boyfriend and penetrated the wall of the apartment, entering the neighboring unit. The two people in the adjoining apartment were unharmed.
“Luckily, no one was struck by the bullet,” said Eastpointe Police Detective Lt. Alexander Holish. “It is extremely dangerous to discharge a firearm when not on the range.”
Holish also took the opportunity to remind gun owners that they must be responsible and keep firearms locked away in a safe and secure place where children cannot access them.
He also noted that those who find themselves in abusive relationships can turn to resources such as the Eastpointe Police Department or agencies like Turning Point. The 24-hour hotline for Turning Point is (586) 463-6990. If one feels their life is in danger, they should call 911.
Peter Lucido, the Macomb County prosecutor, said that work remains to be done.
“We must hold individuals accountable for their actions, especially when those actions result in harm or endanger lives,” Lucido said in a prepared statement. “Our goal is to seek justice for the victims while addressing the broader issues of domestic violence within our community.”
The Eastpointe Police Department can be reached by calling (586) 445-5100.
Call Staff Writer Andy Kozlowski at (586) 498-1046.
Luckett
See CHOP SHOP on page 16A
Roseville Community Schools turns 100 years old
Celebrations to begin Aug. 17 with Panther Day
BY MARIA ALLARD allard@candgnews.com
ROSEVILLE — Roseville Community Schools is turning 100 years old this year, and educators have a series of events scheduled during the 2024-2025 school year to commemorate the milestone.
“We want to celebrate with our community, staff, alumni, parents and students. We have provided educational opportunities for our community for 100 years, and that’s something to celebrate,” Superintendent Mark Blaszkowski said. “Schools will be doing activities throughout the year, honoring our hundred years. It is going to be an exciting time for our entire school community.”
For starters, the community is invited to the district’s annual Panther Day from 4 to 8 p.m. Aug. 17 at Roseville High School, 17855 Common Road. The event will include food trucks, performances by the RHS marching band and cheer teams, the annual “Red vs. Black” football game, and bounce houses and games for the kids. Get ready for the punt, pass and kick competition too.
School officials also hope community members will participate in this year’s homecoming festivities Oct. 11. The parade will
start at 5 p.m. and be followed by the homecoming game at 7 p.m.
“Homecoming is always the event where we welcome back our alumni, and we would like to see more community members than ever help us celebrate 100 years,” RHS Principal Jason Bettin said in a prepared statement. He added that educators are planning to incorporate the 100-year anniversary into themes for prom and graduation while also acknowledging the 100th class to graduate from RCS in 2025.
“It is important to understand, remember, and honor the past. This school year provides an excellent opportunity for us to do that as a community by celebrating all the accomplishments and alumni of RCS,” he said.
Under the direction of Superintendent A.A. Nevereth at the time, Roseville’s first graduating class in 1925 had nine students
To honor the district’s 100-year anniversary, Roseville Community Schools officials dedicated a new logo.
Photo and logo provided by Roseville Community Schools
Roseville’s first graduating class in 1925 had nine students under the direction of Superintendent A.A. Nevereth.
Ordinance aims to cut down on contaminants in sewer system
BY NICK POWERS npowers@candgnews.com
ROSEVILLE — The Roseville City Council is aiming to make the city’s sewers a bit cleaner and last a bit longer with the unanimous approval of two ordinances at its June 25 meeting.
According to Department of Public Services Director Rob DeBruyn, fats, oils and greases in the sewer system become acidic and can eat away at cement pipes. He predicts that regulating the disposal of these substances will become the standard in the future for municipalities.
“This is a policy that will require businesses that prepare food and have the necessity for grease traps to enter into an inspection program,” DeBruyn said.
DeBruyn said this will cut down on the time spent by DPS employees cleaning out sewers.
“With controlling the amount of fats, oils and greases that get in there, it’s going to reduce us doing that,” he said. “It’s trapping grease in the establishment, cleaning it out and disposing of it properly at that point, instead of throwing it in the sewer and letting everybody else worry about it at that point.”
•
•
The two ordinances are preliminary regulations. This program is still in its early stages and is subject to change, according to DeBruyn. The first ordinance establishes annual fees for businesses to have a sewer clean-out and inspection. The second ordinance sets out what businesses need to do to properly dispose of grease. Traps can come in a variety of forms depending on the business, from under the sink to bins outside.
DeBruyn said many newer fast-food restaurants have grease traps on the outside that are cleaned on a regular basis, meeting the new ordinances.
DeBruyn said the city worked closely with its engineering firm, Anderson, Eckstein & Westrick, on the project.
“We’re stepping slowly into this because we don’t want to adversely affect the businesses, but we do want to protect our sewers,” DeBruyn said.
ers” and will be finalized when the policy is drawn up.
“We don’t want this to become punitive; we want this to be a cooperative kind of thing,” DeBruyn said.
Businesses started after the ordinance change will be required to have an “adequately sized” grease trap. A change in occupancy can also trigger the need for a business to install one of these traps.
“We’re going to work closely with them to make sure they have the proper standards, because most, if not all, of the businesses want to comply,” DeBruyn said. “I just don’t know if they’re clear on how to comply.”
FRASER FITS YOUR FAMILY
Restaurants in the city will have to pay an annual $300 fee to clean the grease in the sewers (or $75 per quarter). These charges will be added to the water and sewer bill. If DPS determines that more clean-outs and/or inspections are necessary, businesses might have to pay additional fees. However, DeBruyn said these figures are “placehold-
cess in the second phase,” he said.
Robert Wojtacha, Logan’s Roadhouse general manager at the Roseville location, said the restaurant utilizes two systems to keep grease out of sewers.
“The water and grease goes into one, the grease rises to the top. Then it goes into the next trap system, the grease rises to the top and then that water would go into the sewer system,” Wojtacha said. “It doubly prevents it.”
•
and tuition-based preschool
• Established young fives program
• Innovative classroom design
• iPads/MacBooks for all students
needs.
Wojtacha said that every two months the grease traps at Logans are cleaned out by a contractor and the restaurant is given a report about the health of the system. This report is also sent to the business’s corporate office.
• GSRP and tuition-based preschool
• Established young fives program
DeBruyn said older businesses are not included currently, but will be when the policy is in place. He said at this point information will be given out to those businesses so they can be compliant. Though, he said, many may already be doing the right things. The newly set bundle of ordinances is the first step in the process. DeBruyn said a more comprehensive policy will be drafted by early 2025. He said businesses impacted will be made aware of the changes throughout the process.
• Innovative classroom design
“To me, that $75 that they might charge to somebody who doesn’t have it up, I think that’s a dime compared to what they charge if your grease makes it out into the sewer and then starts backing stuff up,” Wojtacha said. He said he doesn’t see anything wrong with the heightened precautions by Roseville. He said, compared to other cities he’s run restaurants in, the city is easy to work with.
• iPads/MacBooks for all students
“It’s going to be an education process in the first phase and an implementation pro-
“I don’t see anything bad about it,”
See SEWER on page 16A
• Nationally recognized performing and visual arts • 17 state-certified career technical education programs
AP and accelerated courses
Opportunities to earn free college credit
• Nationally recognized performing and visual arts
• 17 state-certified career technical education programs
• AP and accelerated courses
• Opportunities to earn free college credit in high school
for all students
• Nationally recognized performing and visual arts
• 17 state-certified career technical education programs
• AP and accelerated courses
• Opportunities to earn free college credit in high school
CLPS has much to celebrate this year!
EYES ON THE FUTURE
1 only 4
Center Line Public Schools is a Ford Next Generation Learning Community-1 of only 3 school districts in Michigan to earn this designation!
With the support of multiple local fre departments, seven of our students passed their practical exams for their state Firefghting Certifcation this year.
FRESHMAN ACADEMY
•Helps with transition from middle to high school
•Forms small learning community
•Builds skills to be successful
•Explores interests and careers
Two of our Heath & Human Services (HHS) Academy students took 2nd place at the National Skills USA Competition in EMT. Two others qualifed for National HOSA Competition in First Aid/CPR.
HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES ACADEMY
•Health & Wellness
•First Responders
•Law and Justice
•Public Service
ACADEMY OF INDUSTRY, TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION
•Engineering Technology
•Innovative Art & Design
•Business, Commerce & Entrepreneurship
•Digital Design & Communication
Center Line High School is bridging the world of work and school.
Connections with local and nationally recognized businesses help prepare our students for life after high school, providing students with hands-on, real-world experiences. CLPS students can graduate with college credits and/or industry certifications in high demand jobs, increasing graduates’ chances of finding future employment while filling a need in the community for skilled trade workers. CLPS participates in the Early College of Macomb and Dual Enrollment programs, where students can earn college credits at no cost while still in high school.
In partnership with AIS, Center Line High School ofers a Heavy Equipment Technology Program that teaches the safe operation, maintenance, and repair of common of-road construction equipment.
CLPS provides support for our students beyond academics. In addition to a full complement of counselors and social workers, our high school also hosts an Ascension School-Based Health Center that provides free services to the children of our community.
All CLPS schools are one-to-one. Each student receives a personal laptop with all the necessary tools to be successful.
CLPS does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age in its programs and activities and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups.
Plans for Eastpointe Neighborhood Watch move forward
BY MARIA ALLARD allard@candgnews.com
EASTPOINTE — Eastpointe Police Chief Corey Haines and Fire Chief Brian Marquardt are working together to bring the city’s Neighborhood Watch back, but they can’t do it without help from the community.
On July 17, Haines and Marquardt held their second Neighborhood Watch meeting at City Hall with approximately 20 people in attendance. During the meeting, Haines encouraged attendees to join the Eastpointe Police Neighborhood Watch Facebook page so they can view a map in which the city has been divided into eight sectors.
“That way you’ll know what sector you’re in and that will give you a better idea of where you need to make contact and see how many people you can find,” Haines said. “It used to be that we knew everybody who lived next door to us. Now we’re kind of siloed in our homes.”
From there, he asked participants to contact their neighbors to get their names and addresses to garner interest for the Neighborhood Watch group.
“We need to have it so that your neighbors are involved as well. You can’t have a successful neighborhood watch unless you have a group of people in your neighborhood that are willing to be part of the neighborhood watch. I would like to see a couple people on every block,” Haines said.
The Eastpointe Neighborhood Watch Program is a collaborative approach designed to make residents more aware of their surroundings. It will consist of a group of people living in the same area who work together to make the community safer. Members will learn how to identify crime areas, suspects, suspicious activity and crime patterns and bring that information to Eastpointe police. Eventually, officers will be assigned to the different sectors.
“It takes all of us to work together,” Haines said. “It takes us to be able to contact our neighbors and be able to share and exchange a little bit of information.”
There also are plans to create a new informational pamphlet about the program. During the meeting the subject of Ring home security cameras came up. Sometimes fire and police personnel are able to utilize
See NEIGHBORHOOD on page 14A
Photo by Patricia O’Blenes
Eastpointe Police Chief Corey Haines and Fire Chief Brian Marquardt are bringing back the city’s Neighborhood Watch program.
Neighborhood
from page 13A
them for cases under investigation.
“Sometimes people offer up the information,” Marquardt said. “Sometimes it shows something and sometimes it doesn’t. It depends on where you have the setting at and how far out the sensitivity is.”
One resident at the meeting, Walter Martin, already has a Neighborhood Watch in the city with some other neighbors off Beaconsfield Avenue and several residential streets north of Nine Mile Road. So far, things are going well.
“We got out and went door to door to get many people involved. We’ve got block captains on each block. We have very few issues,” Martin said. “That’s because our neighbors are watching out. We talk to each other. We have an email group. When the chief sends something out, I send it to about 60 people. It’s a collective effort.”
Check the Eastpointe Police Neighborhood Watch Facebook page for the group’s next meeting.
Call Staff Writer Maria Allard at (586) 498-1045.
100
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who completed their educations. While the district wasn’t always called Roseville Community Schools, Blaszkowski said for 100 years the general area has been educating students.
Throughout the years, as the community has evolved, so did the district. RCS currently serves approximately 4,500 students and has seven elementary schools, two middle schools, and one high school.
“RCS has a long, rich history of commitment to educating students in this community, and 100 years is evidence of a dedicated commitment to this community,” Blaszkowski said. “We’ve been able to adapt with all the STEM (curriculum.) We look forward to continuing that commitment for the next hundred years.”
For example, a new drones class will be offered at RHS this year. Another popular class will be a guitar course that educators will implement.
“That got a lot of response from our students,” Blaszkowski said. He also said there seems to be more excitement for the new school year to begin because of the anniversary.
In an RCS press release, Board of Education President Theresa Genest said the district could not have made it this far without community support.
“The successful bonds and millages our community has passed have helped us create great programs and opportunities for our students,” Genest said. “On behalf of myself and the other board of education members, I would like to say how excited we all are to be celebrating our 100th anniversary.”
To honor the centennial, each school will hold different activities throughout the school year. Other opportunities for the community, alumni and former staff members to join in the celebration will be announced at a later date. At the scheduled events, alumni will get the chance to join the district’s “R Club,” which represents Roseville alumni varsity letter winners. School officials also designed a new district logo highlighting the milestone anniversary.
Dave Bommarito plans to participate in some of the upcoming events. The 1971 Roseville High School graduate is a local historian who plans an all-class reunion every year for graduates of Roseville, Brablec, Sacred Heart, Eastland and Burton. Bommarito attended the now-closed Holy Innocents Catholic school and Guest Junior High School in RCS, which “is no longer there.”
He had an after-school job while in high school and didn’t have a lot of time for socializing much, other than cheering on the team at football games. What he really loved about RHS was just being with his friends every day. He also recalled the various styles he went through with his peers.
“We were greasers or rockers that quickly changed to socs, and then hippies. The long hair and the bell bottoms came in,” said Bommarito, whose favorite teachers were Mr. DeStefano, who taught biology, and Mr. Swartout, who taught history and reportedly played minor league baseball.
Call Staff Writer Maria Allard at (586) 498-1045.
State University commits Di’Mari Malone (LB) and Justin Bell (OT).
It’s the MAC Red, so home field advantage and breather weeks don’t tend to exist in this space. Since 2010, Dakota leads the head-to-head series against Eisenhower 109, Romeo 12-6, and Chippewa Valley 13-9.
As much attention as the top four teams received last year, Anchor Bay and Stevenson were playing solid brands of football to put multiple league opponents on potential upset alert.
Stevenson suffered one-score losses to Romeo, Dakota and Eisenhower in three straight weeks after starting the season 2-0, while Anchor Bay had one-score losses to Chippewa Valley, Eisenhower and Dakota after starting its season 2-0.
You’ll never know how the tide might have turned if Anchor Bay or Stevenson squeaked out a win against one of the heavyweights to move to 3-0, but you certainly have to keep your eyes wide open for them this season in the MAC Red.
MAC White Division
• Grosse Pointe South (9-2, 5-0)
• Roseville (8-4, 3-2)
• St. Clair Shores Lakeview (7-3, 4-1)
• Utica (4-6, 2-3)
• L’Anse Creuse (4-6, 1-4)
• L’Anse Creuse North (2-7, 1-4 Blue)
Roseville was looking like an unstoppable force last year after beating Romeo in the second game of the season, but a loss to league rival St. Clair Shores Lakeview spun the Panthers’ wheels out of control.
That’s life in the MAC White, and Grosse Pointe South has owned the MAC White for the past two seasons, posting a 10-0 league record and back-to-back league titles.
Returning Jack Lupo (QB) and all-region talents Vince Vachon (WR), Lex Wilson (LB), and Wyatt Hepner (DB), South is retooled for another strong season in the league.
The only thing that stopped South’s reign in the MAC White was its two years in the MAC Red in ’20 and ’21, but prior to that, the Blue Devils were league champions for four straight seasons.
To put it in perspective, South last lost a MAC White regular season game on Sept. 4 of 2015 to Romeo, who is now in the MAC Red.
Until proven otherwise, the MAC White belongs to the Blue Devils.
Roseville still has impact players in Desmond Straughton (RB/DB), Eric Slater
(WR) and Jordan Simes (QB), along with returners on the defense, and even got the better of South in the playoffs, but will have to make it happen in the regular season in order to be league champions.
Lakeview still has a puncher’s chance to make some noise, but graduating all-region players Branden Harris (RB) and David Osagiede (DL) along with Corion Lattimore, Keonte Woolf and Tucker Weddle will make it tough.
MAC Blue Division
• Port Huron (7-3, 5-0)
• Warren Mott (6-4, 3-2)
• Port Huron Northern (7-3, 4-1)
• Warren Cousino (6-4, 4-1 Gold)
• Fraser (4-5, 2-3)
• Utica Ford II (2-7, 0-5 White)
Going for its fifth straight MAC Blue title, Port Huron continues to put on a clinic in league play.
Warren Mott gave Port Huron a run for its money, but ultimately ended up on the losing side of a 32-31 affair.
Port Huron is 2-0 against Warren Mott since Mott rejoined the MAC Blue in 2022, but Port Huron Northern will look for its rubber match against Mott this season as both schools are deadlocked at 1-1.
Cousino, who tied with Grosse Pointe North and Warren Fitzgerald for first in the MAC Gold last year, is intriguing because the Patriots have a chance to rewrite a rather disappointing finish to their time in the MAC Blue in 2019, when a winless season dropped Cousino to the MAC Gold.
File photo by Donna Dalziel
Roseville head coach Vernard Snowden leads his team during a game last season.
Chop shop
from page 7A
11000 block of Packard Avenue in Warren.
Here, the SIU determined that the homeowner — Korey White, 26 — allegedly was stripping stolen vehicles of parts to resell them. Several vehicle shells and numerous parts, including two engines, were found scattered around the yard at the Warren home, according to police.
In the months and weeks that followed, Eastpointe detectives continued their investigation, executing a search warrant July 25 that reportedly recovered a handgun from the house and led to five vehicles being impounded along with two engines.
Among the vehicles was a 2016 Chrysler 300, reported as stolen from Blackman Township. One of the engines belonged to a stolen 2020 Dodge Charger Scat Pack, reported stolen in Dearborn Heights, while the other engine belonged to a 2015 Jeep Cherokee SRT, reported as stolen in Brownstown Township.
White was arrested and arraigned before Magistrate Mark Makoski in 38th District Court on July 26, charged with one count of motor vehicles — operating a chop shop, a 10-year felony; one count of receiving and concealing stolen property valued at $20,000 or more, a 10-year felony; and one
Sewer
from page 10A
count of receiving and concealing a stolen motor vehicle, a five-year felony. His bond was set at $75,000 cash or surety, with a GPS tether upon release.
White’s attorney, Grace Crivello, did not return a request for comment by press time.
Eastpointe Police Detective Lt. Alexander Holish said that the Eastpointe SIU went to great lengths to fully uncover the criminal operation.
“They (the SIU) spent countless surveillance hours in order to obtain the valid search warrant that led to the discovery of important evidence,” Holish said. “If you’re a thief or engage in any other criminal activity in Eastpointe or the surrounding area, you never know when you’re being watched. Your apprehension is only a matter of time.”
Holish said residents should be vigilant and report any suspicious activity to police.
“If you observe your neighbor constantly taking apart vehicles, working on vehicles during the night or having new vehicles dropped off at their homes, do not hesitate to report this activity to your local police department,” Holish said.
“Currently, chop shops are popping up in every city at an alarming rate,” he added. “However, no amount of money is worth anyone’s freedom. If anyone has the idea to operate one, they need to know that they will be caught and prosecuted.”
The Eastpointe Police Department can be reached by calling (586) 445-5100.
Call Staff Writer Andy Kozlowski at (586) 498-1046.
Wojtacha said. “I think it’s going to be a win-win situation for everybody.”
Roseville isn’t the only community that has done this. At the June 25 meeting, DeBruyn discussed the program’s similarities to Clinton Township. Chuck Bellmore, assistant superintendent of water and sewer in Clinton Township, said the program has been in the community for over a decade. Bellmore said that restaurants have gotten used to the process.
“I was just talking to the inspector two weeks ago and he said everybody pretty much knows he’s going to be around,” Bellmore said.
Like DeBruyn, Bellmore sees these regulations catching on more and more. He cites the example nicknamed the “fatberg,” a mass of solid waste pulled from the sewer system in Macomb County in 2018, as raising awareness about the impact of harmful substances in the sewer system. The mass was pulled out at the Clintondale Pump Station and cost about $100,000 to clean up, according to Bellmore.
“It was detrimental to the entire county,” Bellmore said. “It was a combination of grease and oils from all the communities. If we can get the food services to take it out before it ends up in the sewer, it’s going to be a good thing.”
Bellmore compares the negative effects of fats, oils and greases to nutrition in the human body.
“It’s a very bad product in the sewers, just like it would be in the veins, heart and arteries,” Bellmore said. “If it’s managed properly, everything goes well.”
Call Staff Writer Nick Powers at (586) 498-1059.
Spotlight on business...
Roseville has a new laundromat, and it’s raising the bar for laundry services in the area.
Launched in June by entrepreneurs Leslie and Walt Czarnecki, the laundromat is designed to offer a modern, customer- and community-focused approach.
The couple’s frst location, opened in Pontiac in October 2023, has become a popular spot to do laundry. Now, with their Roseville location, they aim to replicate and expand on that success with their unbeatable services and amenities at affordable prices.
“We want LaundroLab to be everyone’s new favorite laundromat,” Leslie said. “We offer services you can’t fnd elsewhere, like wash, dry and fold, 24/7 video security, a children’s area and free Wi-Fi.” Complimentary coffee is available every morning, and vending machines offer laundry products, snacks and water. There is also ample parking.
As an added perk, customers who choose to wash and fold their own laundry never have to worry about carrying cash. They can pay with their phone and earn points with the LaundryPay app. No more quarters!
The laundromat is also fully staffed and ready to assist customers who desire to drop off their dirty laundry and pick it up the next day. Additionally, local businesses may be interested in the convenient drop-off service, where their linens can be professionally washed, dried and folded with care, saving them time and ensuring their laundry needs are met effciently.
To celebrate their newest location, a ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 28, with the Roseville Chamber of Commerce, followed by an all-day grand opening celebration on Sunday, Sept. 8. Dryers will be free from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. The event will also feature food, activities, raffes and giveaways.
LaundroLab is already receiving fve-star Google reviews. One customer remarked, “This is an amazing and great place to go and do your laundry. It was very peaceful. Also, the customer service was one-of-a-kind. I highly recommend.” Another noted, “Best laundromat hands down! I own a portfolio of Airbnbs in the area and this is now our new home for laundry. Nice equipment, friendly staff, clean — and can pay with my phone while earning loyalty points. We’ll be back!” A third declared, “Defnitely will be my go-to laundromat!”
The Czarneckis are excited to be part of the community. “It’s rewarding to see how engaging everybody is, and we’re already seeing familiar faces,” they said.
LaundroLab Roseville is located at 28735 Gratiot Ave. Hours: 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week. For more information, visit laundrolabusa.com or call (586)
White
state’s treasurer. The current minimum wage is $10.33 and $3.93 for tipped workers.
All employees, including part-time and temporary workers, are entitled to paid sick leave. Every 30 hours an employee works generates one hour of paid sick leave. Employees get 72 hours paid sick time a year at large companies. However, employers with fewer than 10 employees need to only pay for 40 hours of sick leave a year.
These sweeping changes will go into effect Feb. 21, 2025. For some, it’s a step toward a living wage for workers. For others, it’s a hit to businesses across the state and possibly tipped workers.
How this happened
This ruling was years in the making. It’s the result of wrangling to keep the issue off the ballot in Michigan by legislators against the changes.
It started with two petitions in 2018 that received the required number of signatures to potentially appear on the ballot.
One petition would have given workers gradual wage increases until the minimum wage became $12 in 2022. After 2022, the wage would be increased each year, as determined by the state, according to inflation. The minimum-wage gap between tipped workers and all other workers, 38% in 2018, would be eventually closed by 2024.
The other petition required employers to give employees one hour of paid sick time for every 30 hours worked per week.
The Legislature adopted the unaltered initiatives in September 2018. This kept them off the ballot and allowed lawmakers to alter them.
They did this in two bills. One caused the minimum wage increases to not exceed $12 until 2030 and removed the increases for tipped workers. It also removed increases to the wage based on inflation. The second made changes to sick time. It exempted employers with under 50 employees from providing paid sick time. It reduced the amount of paid sick time hours for larger businesses from 72 hours to 40.
The changes, led by Republicans, were approved along party lines by margins of 6048 in the Michigan House of Representatives and 26-12 in the state Senate in a lame duck session in December 2018. They were signed by then-Gov. Rick Snyder and went into effect March 29, 2019.
In the Michigan Court of Claims, it was determined that the Amended Wage Act and the Amended Earned Sick Time Act were unconstitutional on July 19, 2022. This was
reversed by the Michigan Court of Appeals, but was ultimately upheld by Michigan Supreme Court’s July 31, 2024, ruling.
“We hold that this decision to adopt the initiatives and then later amend them in the same legislative session (what has been referred to as ‘adopt-and-amend’) violated the people’s constitutionally guaranteed right to propose and enact laws through the initiative process,” the majority opinion states.
Business owners, associations react
Many business owners and associations have decried the decision.
The Michigan Retailers Association released a statement in the wake of the news.
“Bedrock principles of capitalism and a competitive labor market are thwarted by extending the paid leave law to employers with only one employee, dramatically altering the paid leave requirements for those with 50 or more employees, and mandating substantial changes to the minimum wage,” the association stated in a press release.
Other organizations including the Michigan Chamber of Commerce and the Small Business Association of Michigan struck a similar tone in press releases.
Joe Vicari, founder and CEO of the Joe Vicari Restaurant Group, spoke out against the changes. The Vicari Group, which includes mostly Michigan businesses under the Andiamo brand, has over 20 restaurants.
“This ruling will devastate the restaurant industry,” Vicari said in an emailed statement. “Many hard-working people will lose their jobs. Eighty-three percent of the restaurant industry did not want this law to pass!”
Crazy Gringo owner Tommy Vasilos said the change will negatively impact his businesses. The Mexican restaurant chain has three locations in metro Detroit and approximately 22 employees. Vasilos said, with inflation and other high operating costs, the minimum wage increase is another added strain for business owners.
“I’ll be hurting; we’re all going to get hurt,” Vasilos said. “I think it’s going to affect everybody down the line.”
Vasilos said many restaurants will either need to raise costs or shut down. He said other restaurant owners he’s talked to are feeling “the crunch.”
“I just have a really bad taste in my mouth, thinking that it might have a big effect on restaurants and they’ll start closing their doors,” Vasilos said.
Vasilos said higher costs could drive away customers who are also struggling with inflation. Though, he said he didn’t mind an increase in the minimum wage. But, when compounded with other costs, it makes
Expansion
from page 3A
owned business that’s been in operation since 1951, and it is one of the only large industrial employers that we have in our city,” said Ian McCain, Eastpointe’s economic development manager, at City Council’s July 16 meeting.
McCain said that even though other cities have attempted to convince them to relocate, the company has stayed in Eastpointe and has “given back to the community on numerous occasions over the years.”
Greg VanHazenbrouck, the company’s vice president, said the two-stage plans involve adding onto the existing building.
“What we’re doing is we are attaching to the existing building itself. We are putting on a refrigerated facility, production space, floor space,” he said.
The project is being completed in two stages due to DTE Energy doing what VanHazenbrouck called “an underground reattachment on power.”
“We don’t have the quote for that, so that is forcing our hand to do stage one, which we can actually start building half of the addition and hopefully (be) using it before DTE would even have the quote ready to go,” he said.
VanHazenbrouck mentioned the expansion would involve relocating some of the existing power poles along Gratiot Avenue.
“We have to get moving on the addition because our business has grown to a point where we’re running out of space,” he said.
According to VanHazenbrouck, Winter Sausage purchases beef, pork, chicken and turkey meat and processes it into different products including hot dogs, bratwurst, knockwurst, Slovenian and Italian sausages, and more. He said he expects each stage of the project to bring on seven additional jobs, or 14 total.
“We have a great customer base. We have a good volume of business right now,” VanHazenbrouck said. “And the volume, of course, we pretty much exceeded it throughout the summer months here. … Without the expansion we are a stagnant company, which is very, very good right now, but
going to give North another fight this year in the league, but keep tabs on Madison Heights Lamphere, who has posted four straight seasons with seven or more wins.
there’s no more room for further growth.”
Before council voted on the motion, Council member Harvey Curley — the only council member to speak about the motion — asked VanHazenbrouck if the landmark cow statue would remain on top of the building.
“We fully intend to do that,” said VanHazenbrouck.
“Thank God,” Curley said. “People drive into Eastpointe from Detroit and if they don’t see that cow, they won’t know what city they’re in.”
Before the company’s plans to rezone the district came to council at the July 16 meeting, a public comment portion was held to give residents the opportunity to voice their concerns about and support for the company. Due to some confusion, the residents spoke regarding renewing the company’s business license, not the development plans, despite Eastpointe Mayor Michael Klinefelt’s attempt to clarify.
“That whole conversation — we’re not talking about if the business gets a license or not, or if we’re going to allow them to continue operating or stop them operating,” City Council member Cardi DeMonaco Jr. explained.
Call Staff Writer Brian Wells at (248) 291-7637.
MAC Gold Division
• Grosse Pointe North (7-4, 4-1)
• Warren Fitzgerald (4-6, 4-1)
• Madison Heights Lamphere (7-3, 3-2 Silver)
• St. Clair Shores Lake Shore (3-6, 2-3)
• Warren Woods Tower (2-7, 1-4)
• Sterling Heights (0-9, 0-5 Blue)
Grosse Pointe North was able to extend its league-winning streak to two, tying with Warren Cousino and Warren Fitzgerald for first, but it has to be kicking itself for not winning it outright after falling to Warren Fitzgerald in the final league game of the season. North would eventually eliminate Fitzgerald in the first round of districts, but it was just the type of loss you shake your head at after North beat Fitzgerald 50-0 a year prior.
Warren Fitzgerald has athletes and is
MAC Silver Division
• Marine City (9-2, 5-0)
• Marysville (8-3, 4-1)
• Eastpointe (1-8, 0-5 Gold)
• Center Line (3-6, 2-3 Bronze)
• St. Clair Shores South Lake (3-6, 1-4)
• St. Clair (2-7, 0-5)
Marine City has won five straight MAC Silver titles with its last regular season league loss coming on Sept. 14 of 2018.
Marysville will likely put up a fight and have people wondering if this will be the year Marine City goes down, but until proven otherwise, the MAC Silver belongs to the Mariners.
MAC Bronze Division
• Hazel Park (4-5, 3-2)
• Clawson (7-3, 5-0)
• Warren Lincoln (5-4, 4-1)
• Clinton Township Clintondale (4-6, 2-3 Silver)
• New Haven (1-8, 1-4)
• Madison Heights Madison (0-9, 0-5)
The MAC Bronze could have one of the more exciting finishes this season with four teams potentially fighting for the top
spot in the league.
Hazel Park has hung around the past two seasons and given Clawson a fight when they play, but you can’t count out Warren Lincoln or Clintondale either as teams who could make some noise.
Call Staff Writer Jonathan Szczepaniak at (586) 498-1090.
Accused
from page 1A
Kolson was arraigned before Magistrate Mark Makoski in the 38th District Court July 30 on a felony count of first-degree homicide, punishable by up to life in prison without the chance of parole.
His bond was set at $5 million, cash or surety only, and if released, he must wear a steel-cuff GPS tether with home confinement, and he is prohibited from contacting any witnesses or members of the victim’s family.
Records with the 38th District Court show that Kolson did not have an attorney at press time.
“This tragic case underscores the urgent need to address and stop domestic violence,” Macomb County Prosecutor Peter Lucido said in a prepared statement. “We must work together as a community to protect the vulnerable and prevent such senseless acts of violence.”
Eastpointe Police Detective Lt. Alexander Holish said that detectives arrived at their conclusion after careful deductions.
“This was an extensive investigation due to no obvious injuries on the victim that were observable to the naked eye. I want to praise the responding officers and their supervisors that made initial observations and determined that something was not adding up. They conducted further investigation and contacted the detective bureau for follow-up,” Holish said.
He said it’s important to remember that Kolson is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law. He also said that anyone experiencing domestic violence shouldn’t hesitate to reach out to authorities for help.
“Unfortunately, domestic violence is way too prevalent in our society,” Holish said. “It should never be accepted.”
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, call 911 or Eastpointe police at (586) 445-5100.
Call Staff Writer Andy Kozlowski at (586) 498-1046.
Wages
from page 17A
things more difficult on restaurants.
Lauryn Tillman, a bartender and server in Macomb County, said she was concerned about people tipping and going out to dinner in the current economy. She said customers may be less likely to tip if the minimum wage for servers gets too high.
“I truly believe that,” Tillman said. “Basically, I rely on my tips to live.”
A ‘landmark victory’
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel praised the ruling.
“This is a landmark victory for Michigan voters and a resounding affirmation of the power of direct democracy,” Nessel is quoted as saying in a press release. “The Legislature cannot manipulate its power to undermine the will of the people. This ruling sends a clear message that elected officials cannot disregard the voices of their constituents. I am glad to see the Court recognize and respect that the people reserved for themselves the power of initiative, a crucial tool meant to shape the laws that govern them.”
The Restaurant Opportunities Center called the day of the ruling “an important day to remember,” calling the decision a win for working families and democracy.
“This ruling is the answer to economic opportunities and job protections that every worker, every voter and every person—Black, white, Latino, Asian, gay and straight, binary and non-binary, Democrat and Republican, immigrants and Native Americans, young and senior—deserves,” Chris White, director, ROC Michigan, is quoted as saying in a statement. “Together with our coalition partners and allies, I am proud of what we have accomplished!”
The Michigan AFL-CIO also commended the ruling.
“We commend the Court for ruling what we all clearly witnessed back in 2018,” Michigan AFLCIO President Ron Bieber said in a press release. “The Republican-controlled legislature’s flagrant disregard for the citizen initiative process has robbed Michigan workers of wages and sick leave for the past five years. Republicans in the legislature quite literally stole out of the pockets of Michigan workers and today’s ruling by the Supreme Court is the first step in righting this wrong and making workers whole.”
Call Staff Writer Nick Powers at (586) 498-1059.
Band
Attendees can visit with more than 25 local craft and business vendors, and food trucks will be on-site. Kids can have fun in a foam pit, Spider-Man will make an appearance, and families can take each other on in “Nerf Wars.” The event is free to attend, but there are costs associated with the food vendors, the beer/wine tent, and purchases made with local craft vendors.
For a fee, residents will have the opportunity to leave Eastpointe Mayor Michael Klinefelt and Mayor Pro Tem Cardi DeMonaco Jr. all wet in a dunk tank, hosted by the Eastpointe Memorial Day Parade Committee. Frederick described the atmosphere at Rockin’ Summer Night as “lively and festive.”
“Families and friends gather at the park, enjoying the music and the warm summer evening,” she said. “Laughter and excited chatter fill the air as children play, while the scent of delicious food from local vendors wafts through the crowd. The overall vibe is one of joy and togetherness, creating a memorable experience for all ages.”
At 7 p.m. it will be time to get on your dancing shoes with the Jerry Ross Band. With its high energy show, the 12-piece band of professional musicians promises to entertain. The band primarily performs at weddings, corporate events and private parties, so the public show Aug. 14 is a bit of a change.
“We’re looking forward to a great show,” said vocalist and violinist Stacey Mason, who co-leads the band with Levi Jensen. “This is a wonderful opportunity to perform for the public.”
CHSL
from page 6A
Orchard Lake St. Mary’s (OLSM) and Detroit Catholic Central (DCC) are prime candidates for throwing a wrench in the plans of a DLS or Central Catholic, but the two schools are also geared up for another battle after a 16-14 DCC win over OLSM last year ultimately swung DCC to finish third and OLSM to finish fourth in the league.
This year will be on OLSM’s turf as the Eaglets host DLS and DCC in back-to-back weeks.
For Brother Rice, you hope the offseason splash of hiring former Southfield A&T football coach Aaron Marshall motivates the guys this year.
Marshall, who led Southfield A&T to
The band members — many of them with music degrees from different universities — include five vocalists, a three-piece horn section, drums, guitar, bass and keyboards. All stand out through their musicianship and talent. Last year, for instance, vocalist Gwen Foxx was inducted into the National Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame.
During Rockin’ Summer Night, the band will treat the audience to a selection of Motown hits, a Michael Jackson medley and a number of crowd pleasers, including the popular Bruno Mars song “Uptown Funk.” There’s also a good chance Mason will pull out her violin for the band’s rendition of Charlie Daniels’ “The Devil Went Down to Georgia.”
The Jerry Ross Band has been together since 1966. That’s when Ross — who from 1950 to 1966 played clarinet in the Blue Notes — formed the Jerry Ross Band. His talent as an instructor for the Arthur Murray Dance School had led the Cass Technical High School graduate on a path to pursue music, eventually becoming a bandleader.
“An acquaintance of mine said, ‘Let’s start a band,’” Ross said.
Over the years, many of the musicians have come and gone, but the group has always remained a tight unit. At age 90, Ross no longer performs on stage, but he stays busy managing the group and working behind the scenes.
“Jerry still has advice for us every week. We are so grateful and so blessed he still guides us,” Mason said. “After every job I call him and tell him how things went so we can continue to improve the group.”
One of the best compliments Ross ever received came after a show in Chicago when one attendee told the bandleader, “I’ve never seen the dance floor so packed.”
its first state title in school history last year, can only improve on a record that saw Brother Rice go winless for the first time since 1963, but his squad will start out with an immediate test in Roseville, which blanked Brother Rice 41-0 to open the 2023 season.
CHSL AA Division
• Jackson Lumen Christi (13-1, 3-0)
• Detroit U of D Jesuit (7-3, 2-1)
• Dearborn Divine Child (6-5, 1-2)
• Toledo St. Francis De Sales (1-9, 1-5 Central)
The CHSL AA Division is really in the hands of Jackson Lumen Christi, which is looking for its third-straight Division 7 state championship.
Lumen Christi outscored league opponents 105-19 en route to an unbeaten league
Rockin’ Summer Night event organizers said they are grateful to Motor City Pawn Brokers, Consumers Energy, Mega Shine Car Wash and the Eastpointe-Roseville Chamber of Commerce for sponsoring the event. As for parking, there are two parking lots located off Schroeder. Guests can also
use Schroeder and residential side streets to park where it is permitted.
For more information on Rockin’ Summer Night, visit rare-mi.org or call (586) 445-5480.
Call Staff Writer Maria Allard at (586) 498-1045.
Photo provided by Killer Creations Photography
The Jerry Ross Band will get the audience on its feet during Rockin’ Summer Night Aug. 14 at Kennedy Park, 24517 Schroeder Ave. in Eastpointe.
CHSL
from page 20A
record and 13-1 season.
Toledo St. Francis De Sales will make the jump from the Central Division to the AA, but De Sales hasn’t shown enough to prove it’s a worthy challenger to the Titans.
Until Jesuit or Divine Child steps up, it will more so be about the battle for second as Jesuit and Divine Child continue to put on great matchups.
Our projected standings favor Jesuit this season, which has beaten Divine Child in six-straight matchups and returns a core of all-Region talent in Jacob Bellinger (OL), Elijah Dotson (WR), Zach Green (DL), Kasim Gozic (LB), and DaCari Gilkey (DB).
CHSL Intersectional 1 Division
• Detroit Loyola (4-6, 0-3 AA)
• Riverview Gabriel Richard (8-5, 2-2)
• Macomb Lutheran North (9-3, 4-0)
• Grosse Pointe Woods Universit Liggett (7-3, 4-1 Int 2)
• Ann Arbor Father Gabriel Richard (8-3, 3-1)
• Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood (2-7, 1-3)
Aside from the Central Division, this may be one of the more fun league title races to watch for the upcoming year.
You could spend hours putting multiple teams in different spots to finish, and the likelihood is it will still be incorrect by the time the season is over.
Detroit Loyola, which is picked to finish in first in the Catholic League’s preseason poll, and Grosse Pointe Woods University Liggett, which played in Intersectional 2 after leaving Intersectional 1 in 2021, are the two unknowns for this league.
Loyola played one Intersectional 1 opponent last year in Cranbrook Kingswood, and they beat them 59-20, but that’s also a last place Cranbrook Kingswood team.
Liggett, on the other hand, is no stranger to Intersectional 1 play, but it would be better to have an elephant’s memory when trying to think about its tenure in the league.
The Knights were a bottom-half team, but the program is in a much better place than when the division last saw it.
Macomb Lutheran North and Riverview Gabriel Richard both return a core of talent that should have both teams contend-
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ing again for a league title, but don’t count out Liggett to be a dangerous play each week.
Lutheran North is coming off a season where the program brought home its first district title and the most regular season wins in school history.
Lutheran North will travel to Riverview Gabriel Richard High School on Oct. 11, and Riverview Gabriel Richard has had Lutheran North’s number at home.
Since 2015, Riverview Gabriel Richard has four-straight wins over Lutheran North at home.
CHSL Intersectional 2 Division
• Clarkston Everest Collegiate (9-3, 5-0)
• Marine City Cardinal Mooney (6-5, 3-2)
• Madison Heights Bishop Foley (1-8, 0-4 Int #1)
• Allen Park Cabrini (5-6, 2-3)
• Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes (3-6, 1-4)
• Royal Oak Shrine Catholic (1-8, 0-5)
It’s Clarkston Everest Collegiate’s league and everyone else is just playing in it.
Everest Collegiate outscored returning league opponents 147-39 last year en route to an unbeaten record, which didn’t include Everest Collegiate’s second win over Cardi-
nal Mooney in the playoffs.
You could make an argument that Cardinal Mooney gave Everest Collegiate its toughest test in the league, but returning only three players on offense and four on defense leaves a lot of questions that only its play on the field can figure out.
University Liggett was the only team to really make Everest Collegiate sweat in a 31-29 game favoring Everest Collegiate, but the Knights are no longer the concern of any Intersectional 2 teams.
Allen Park Cabrini and Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes hope their returning starters can help improve on last year’s finish with the CHSL preseason poll picking league newcomer Bishop Foley to finish ahead of both the schools in third while Cardinal Mooney is slated to be in second.
It was a disaster year for Bishop Foley across the board in 2023, but it’s hoping to find its footing in Intersectional 2 play. Even in as tough of a position as Foley was in, it handled Shrine Catholic 33-6 last year, a Shrine Catholic team that had close losses with Cabrini (13-7) and Our Lady of the Lakes (28-21).
Call Staff Writer Jonathan Szczepaniak at (586) 498-1090.
Players
from page 6A
impact in the passing game like his older brother, Ethan Hamby, now a quarterback at Northwood University, used to do on the field for the Cougars.
Whatever head coach Greg Baur needs from Hamby, he’ll deliver. Hamby possesses a nose for the football and has great tackling mechanics and pursuit, making him one of the more polished tackles around.
Similar to his style of defense, Hamby is simply a bulldozer with the ball in his hands and the only time he stops is when he crosses the endzone.
Conner Temple, Utica Eisenhower
Eisenhower carried the best defense in the MAC Red last year by allowing only 15.6 points per game against league opponents, and Eisenhower will lean heavily on Temple to help anchor the defense again.
The Eagles graduated a slew of starting defensive players in 2023, but teams shouldn’t be eager to test the defense with Temple still leading the way.
A physical player in the secondary, Temple does a great job of tracking the quarterback’s eyes and reading the pass.
On the offensive side, he’s one of the Eagles’ premier weapons at the wideout spot, hauling in 790 yards receiving and seven touchdowns in 2023, earning all-MAC honors.
If Eisenhower is going to stay competitive in the MAC Red, Temple, who currently holds an offer from Grand Valley State University, will be a key reason why.
Mahti Gwilly, Utica
One of the more underappreciated players around the MAC, Gwilly hasn’t gained the type of traction on the recruiting trail as he should.
He’s only entering his junior season, but when you talk about elite-level playmakers who take over a game, Gwilly is that type of player.
He carries the same type of explosive speed and impact that his older brother, Numehnne Gwilly, a Siena Heights University commit and 2024 graduate, did for Utica the past few seasons, but now it’s time for the younger Gwilly to make his mark.
Posting 68 tackles, nine tackles for a loss, three sacks, four pass breakups, and a forced fumble and fumble recovery on the defensive side, the edge rusher and hybrid linebacker was a force for the Chieftains defense.
He displays the type of speed not possessed by most edge rushers or linebackers, but brings a type of physicality only a threetime all-state powerlifter would know how.
On the offensive side, when given the chance to showcase his quickness, he tallied three touchdowns.
Other MAC players to watch
• Deshaun Lanier (WR), Chippewa Valley
• Eric Thomas Jr. (WR), Chippewa Valley
• Di’Mari Malone (LB), Macomb Dakota
• Justin Bell (OT), Macomb Dakota
• Jadon Ford (QB), Macomb Dakota
• Isaiah Domey (RB), New Baltimore Anchor Bay
• Gerry Hanson III (WR/DB), New Baltimore Anchor Bay
• Jude Osanaiye (DE), Sterling Heights Stevenson
• Andrew Knight (QB), Sterling Heights Stevenson
• Jack Lupo (QB), Grosse Pointe South
• Wyatt Hepner (DB), Grosse Pointe South
• Vince Vachon (WR), Grosse Pointe South
• Desmond Straughton (ATH), Roseville
• Jordan Simes (QB), Roseville
• Michael Chude (DE), Roseville
• Bobby Clark II (OT), St. Clair Shores Lakeview
• Nathan Wolschleger (OL), Macomb L’Anse Creuse North
• Derek Grygorcewicz (WR/CB), Port Huron
• Mike Kronner (QB), Warren Mott
• Amir Morelan (WR/DB), Port Huron Northern
• Lincoln Watkins (TE), Port Huron Northern
• Kameran Hayward (WR/DB), Warren Cousino
• Corshaun Williams (WR/DB), Fraser
• Michael Brown (QB/WR/DB), Utica Ford II
• Evan Bainbridge (OL/DL), Grosse Pointe North
• Demontae Edwards (WR/DB), Warren Fitzgerald
• Aidan Grzesikowski (QB/DB), Madison Heights Lamphere
• Ja’Sean Dean (WR/DB), St. Clair Shores Lake Shore
• Amari Richardson (TE), Warren Woods Tower
• Jawuan Kimble (WR/DB), Sterling Heights
• Collin Gabler (TE/DE), Marine City
• Mason Delor (LB/CB), Marysville
• Masai Ali (RB), Center Line
• Rafeal Payne (RB/LB), St. Clair Shores South Lake
• Ben Farkas (QB/ATH), St. Clair
• Montrell Parker (RB/DB), Hazel Park
• Hunter Garrison (RB/DB), Clawson
• Jeremiah Hutson (WR/DB), Warren Lincoln
Gwilly is one of the more gifted athletes on the football field and it would be a surprise to no one if he’s a first team all-state selection soon.
Donovan Rey, Harrison Township L’Anse Creuse
Similar to Gwilly, Rey is a player who should be earning much more love on the recruiting trail than he currently is.
A do-it-all kind of player, L’Anse Creuse relies heavily on Rey to be its primary ball carrier and anchor for the defensive unit.
In 2023, Rey rushed for 1,126 yards and 12 touchdowns while tallying 52 tackles, three interceptions, 11 pass breakups, See PLAYERS on page 23A
COMMUNITY BRIEFS
Kids invited to make pencil cases
ROSEVILLE — Children ages 5-12 are invited to make a canvas pencil case for school at the Roseville Public Library. The activity will be held at 6 p.m. Aug. 20.
Supplies are limited; therefore, registration is required. For more information, call (586) 445-5407 or email rsvlibraryservice@ roseville-mi.gov. The Roseville Public Library is located at 29777 Gratiot Ave.
Players
and four tackles for a loss.
He’s an all-around athlete who can make plays no matter where you put him, and a college coach is going to find a diamond in the rough if Rey is given a chance.
Joseph Celaj, Romeo Kickers, especially at the high school level, don’t get enough love for what they can provide for their team.
In the case of Celaj, Romeo is always a threat to put up three points as long as it’s in the opposing team’s territory.
Calling all teen artists
EASTPOINTE — Local teenagers are invited to make “bad art” during a program offered at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 21 at the Eastpointe Memorial Library.
Participants will be encouraged to make “fun, ridiculous and horrible” art using mixed media. The Eastpointe Memorial Library is located at 15875 Oak Ave. To register or for more information, call (586) 445-5096.
— Maria Allard
Currently a four-star ranked kicker by Kohl’s Professional Camps, a camp and evaluation resource for kickers, long snappers and punters, Celaj puts on a show with each kick.
He easily has the leg to make a 60-yarder and showed his efficiency in 2023 by going 18/18 in PATs and 12/13 on field goals, hitting five from 40-plus yards (including a 49-yarder).
Only entering his junior season, there are a few state records Celaj has within his sights, such as the career field goals made at 39 (held by former Northville kicker Jake Moody) and the longest field goal at 59 yards (held by former Warren Woods Tower kicker Doug Kochanski).
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Handyman Services
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COMMUNITY CALENDAR
AUG. 14
Back to School Meet and Greet: Supply giveaway and gift card raffle, meet “The Super Bros.,” information tables, face painting and balloon twisting, 1-3 p.m., East Court at Macomb Mall, 32233 Gratiot Ave. in Roseville, shopmacombmall.com
AUG. 15
Bubble Bash: Design bubble wand, create bubble painting and more during outdoor event (weather permitting), 2 p.m., Roseville Public Library, 29777 Gratiot Ave., (586) 445-5407, rsvlibraryservice@ roseville-mi.gov, rosevillelibrary.org
AUG. 17
Cars and Coffee: Also raffles and prizes, 10 a.m.-noon, Michigan Military Technical & Historical Society Museum, 16600 Stephens Road in Eastpointe, (586) 872-2581, mimths@mimths.org, mimths.org
AUG. 21
Back to School Extravaganza: Get backpacks, supplies, vaccinations, information about enrollment and VFW-sponsored scholarships, and more, for parents of Eastpointe students, 5-7 p.m., VFW Shafer-Rachelle-Latham Post 6782, 17645 E. Nine Mile Road in Eastpointe, (586) 776-4552
AUG. 22
Mystery Book Club: Meets every third Thursday of month (August discussion of “The Devil and the Dark Water” by Stuart Turton is fourth Thursday), 6:30 p.m., Roseville Public Library, 29777 Gratiot Ave., (586) 445-5407, rsvlibraryservice@roseville-mi.gov, rosevillelibrary.org
Benefit on the Bay: Fundraiser for Capuchin Soup Kitchen of Detroit, includes gourmet food by Chef Bobby, premium bar by Celani Wines, desserts by On The Rise Bakery Cafe and visit with Capuchin Ministries brothers, 6-9 p.m., Hook Restaurant, 24214 Jefferson Ave. in St. Clair Shores, benefitonthebay.org/VIP-night
AUG. 25
Battle of the Bands fundraiser: Hosted by Live Rite Structured Recovery Corp., also guest speakers and educational support, 50-50 and raffle baskets, princesses and superheroes, face painting, magician
CLASS REUNIONS
Franklin School - all alumni and family/friends: 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Sept. 1 at Franklin Historical Museum, 26165 13 Mile Road, open house 2-4 p.m. at former Franklin School (now Huda School & Montessori), 32220 Franklin Road, and happy hour 4-6 p.m. at Franklin Community Association Park, 26495 Carol Ave., RSVP for happy hour by noon Aug. 31 at fcamichigan.org/form/m/284879
Cousino High School Class of 1969: 55-year reunion, classes of 1967-1971 also welcome, 7 p.m. Sept. 6, Roger’s Roost, 33262 Schoenherr Road in Sterling Heights, RSVP to Larry Wilk at lwilk@ comcast.net
Mount Clemens High School — all alumni: Cash food and
and more, 1-5 p.m., Veterans Memorial Park, 27325 Barkman St. in Roseville, (586) 217-5899, outreach@liveritecorp.org, facebook.com/ liveritestructuredcorp
Bingo: Also light dinner, 5-8 p.m., Metropolitan Church of the Nazarene, 18945 Frazho Road in Roseville, (586) 778-5010
AUG. 26
Deal Me In!: Card games and social night for players of all levels, 6-7:45 p.m., Roseville Public Library, 29777 Gratiot Ave., free but registration required, (586) 445-5407, rsvlibraryservice@roseville-mi. gov, rosevillelibrary.org
AUG. 29
Craft-A-Thon: Free for all ages, 11 a.m.-7 p.m., Roseville Public Library, 29777 Gratiot Ave., (586) 445-5407, rsvlibraryservice@ roseville-mi.gov, rosevillelibrary.org
ONGOING
Fallout shelter exhibit: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturdays and noon-4 p.m. Sundays, Michigan Military Technical & Historical Society Museum, 16600 Stephens Road in Eastpointe, (586) 872-2581, mimths@ mimths.org, mimths.org
Summer concerts: 7 p.m. Aug. 14 (Jerry Ross Band, Kennedy Park,
With the same link, click and sign in using your Google or Facebook information, or easily create a CitySpark account.
Input the details, upload a photo and select “Review Changes,” then “Submit and Finish.” Events should appear online within 2 hours, and will appear in print as space permits. There’s no limit as to how many you can submit.
refreshments, 5 p.m. Sept. 13, Rec Bowl, 40 Crocker Blvd. in Mount Clemens, contact Ron Hiestand at (586) 463-6386 or drron82@ yahoo.com with questions
Osborn High School Class of 1974: 50-year reunion includes dinner and open bar, 6-11 p.m. Sept. 20, Blossom Heath Inn, 24800 Jefferson Ave. in St. Clair Shores, osborn1974.com
Grosse Pointe North High School Class of 1974: 50-year reunion includes cash bar, food stations, photo booth and GPN gift, 5:30 p.m. Sept. 21, Grosse Pointe Yacht Club, 788 Lake Shore Road in Grosse Pointe Shores, also casual gathering 7 p.m. Sept. 20, WaterMark Bar and Grille, 24420 Jefferson Ave. in St. Clair Shores, grossepointenorth1974.com
24517 Schroeder Ave. in Eastpointe), 6-8 p.m. Aug. 28 (Matthew Ball, a.k.a. the Boogie Woogie Kid, Eastpointe City Hall Amphitheatre, 23200 Gratiot Ave.), 7-9 p.m. Sept. 5 (Mainstream Drive, alley at Erin Commons, 28363 Gratiot Ave. in Roseville) and 6-8 p.m. Sept. 11 (Detroit Social Club Band, Eastpointe City Hall Amphitheatre)
Car shows: Featuring Twisted Axle Car Club, 7 p.m. Fridays, Gratiot Coney Island, 28560 Gratiot Ave. in Roseville
Bike shows: Featuring and benefitting Crusaders for Children, also 50-50 and raffle, 6-11 p.m. Mondays, The Lucky Leprechaun, 32456 Gratiot Ave. in Roseville, facebook.com/CrusadersforChildrenMichigan Story time: 1:30 p.m. every second Wednesday of month, near Dick’s Sporting Goods at Macomb Mall, 32233 Gratiot Ave. in Roseville, shopmacombmall.com
Euchre Night + More: 6-8 p.m. every first Saturday of month, Metropolitan Church of the Nazarene, 18945 Frazho Road in Roseville, bring finger foods to share (drinks provided), www.metronaz.org/ adult-ministry-events
Gamblers Anonymous: Meetings 7:30 p.m. every Wednesday, Live Rite Structured Recovery Corp., 27700 Gratiot Ave. in Roseville, (586) 217-5899
assembling crossbow
GROSSE POINTE FARMS — A 59-year-old Shelby Township man who was reportedly known to police is said to have pulled next to an officer who was parked and monitoring for speeders on Moross Road at around 8:42 p.m. July 24 and asked the officer if he knew how to assemble a crossbow.
The Shelby Township man, who police said was driving on a suspended license, then drove away from the officer and went to the Public Safety Department with the crossbow, seeking the same help putting it together. Police told the suspect that he wasn’t free to leave when he entered the lobby and asked him for his vehicle keys, which he initially denied having with him. A police report states that the keys were in the suspect’s pocket.
Police impounded his vehicle and issued the suspect a ticket for driving with license suspended. During an inventory search of the vehicle before it was impounded, police said they found a box containing a new, unassembled crossbow on the front passenger seat. The weapon was placed into the property room for safekeeping.
Earlier in the day, police said, the suspect presented them with a note telling them some people were looking for him and were going to shoot him in the face. An officer asked him if he intended to use the crossbow to protect himself, and he responded, “Possibly.” Police pointed out that the suspect would be no match for someone with a gun, to which the suspect answered, “You know what? If I leave my car somewhere and they come up to it, who knows, you know what I mean?” Police warned the suspect that lying in wait for someone with the intention of shooting them with a crossbow would constitute first-degree murder.
Breaking and entering suspects sought
GROSSE POINTE WOODS — Police said that for the second time in two weeks, several unknown young male suspects allegedly broke into a business in the 20000 block of Mack Avenue and stole multiple liquor products. The most recent incident took place at around 5 a.m. July 22.
Suspects arrested
GROSSE POINTE CITY/PARK — At around 3:45 a.m. July 25 in the area of Kercheval Avenue and Nottingham Road, Grosse Pointe City officers apprehended one of two suspects sought in connection with a larceny from auto while assisting their colleagues in Grosse Pointe Park; this suspect is said in a police report to have been an 18-year-old Detroit man who fled on a stolen bike. A report states that a second suspect was arrested as well. The second suspect, a 20-year-old
Park Public Safety reported that both suspects admitted to have been breaking into vehicles in the 1100 block of Nottingham and stealing items.
Fraud reported
ST. CLAIR SHORES — At 12:29 p.m. on July 8, a report was made about a case of fraud that occurred on July 5 in the 22000 block of Sunnyside Street.
An officer was working the front desk at the St. Clair Shores Police Department when the victim, a 19-year-old man, came in to make a report. He stated he received a text from his bank that said there was a charge for $1,502. He declined the charge and was called by a person claiming to be the bank.
The person on the other line stated the victim would have to put his money in a secure spot and advised him to set up a Zelle account. The victim did so and transferred money to the person. The amount lost was $1,500.
Larceny reported
ST. CLAIR SHORES — At 7:07 p.m. on July 16, a report was made about a bike theft in the 23000 block of Greater Mack Avenue.
The officer met the caller, a 66-year-old man, who stated he left his bicycle outside before he went into the business at that location. When he came back out, the bike was gone. Video surveillance provided by the shift supervisor, a 28-year-old woman, showed a man exit the store, walk toward the bicycle and ride away on it.
The suspect was also carrying a tote that appeared to be full. The shift supervisor said the man did not buy anything. The officer checked the area for the man and the bike.
More fraud reported
ST. CLAIR SHORES — At 7:12 p.m. on July 14, a report was made about a case of fraud that occurred in the 27000 block of Grant Street.
An officer was working the front desk of the St. Clair Shores Police Department when the victim came in to make a report. He stated he was outside working when a truck pulled up and three men walked out of it. They asked if a man the victim knew did his roof. He confirmed that he did, and he assumed the men worked with the person. The men asked if the victim wanted some work done on his house and the victim asked them to give him a quote. The men started working on his house and when the victim asked how much it was going to cost, one of the men said a price you can’t refuse. When the victim went into the house and came out 10 minutes later, the three men were sitting on
work. The victim stated he didn’t have any cash. One of the men stated they didn’t have a card reader and the price would go up to $9,900 due to taxes and fees. The victim got in the car to go to the bank and the men followed him, stating that if he wanted to pay with a card to follow them. They led the victim to a jeweler where he paid a total of $10,400 for gold coins. The man who walked into the jeweler with the victim seemed to know the guy at the counter. The man that the victim paid for the coins and the man he walked in with said they’d be back tomorrow with more material and left with the coins.
Medication goes missing
SHELBY TOWNSHIP — At 4:51 p.m. July 1, an officer from the Shelby Township Police Department responded to an address in the area of 22 Mile Road and Van Dyke Avenue for a larceny complaint. The director of the business at this location was notified that medication for a patient was missing. There were no suspects at the time of the officer’s arrival and the case was turned over to the Police Department’s detective bureau for follow-up.
Woman found screaming, lost
SHELBY TOWNSHIP — Shelby Township police officers responded to Village Club Apartments on Dequindre Road for loud noises at 1:51 a.m. July 7. Upon officers’ arrival, they observed a woman in the area of one of the apartments yelling and screaming. The woman was quickly detained and interviewed, police said. The woman was found to be suffering from a mental health crisis, according to police. The woman reportedly believed she was at her mother’s apartment and started to damage property. The suspect’s mother no longer lives at that address, police said. The woman was treated for mental health issues and the case was turned over to the Shelby Township Police Department detective bureau.
Shoplifter tries to steal belts, candy
STERLING HEIGHTS — Police were notified July 12 that a suspect at Target, 2310 Metropolitan Parkway, scanned an applesauce container while allegedly trying to steal Cat & Jack belts and candy. The value of the stolen merchandise was $16.39, police said. The suspect was apprehended and cited for third-degree retail fraud.
Woman yells at bank staff, annoys customers
STERLING HEIGHTS — Police investigated a July 15 report of a customer at a bank in the 36000 block of Van Dyke Avenue allegedly being a nuisance to
and said she was “emotional” and that she wanted to make a wire transfer but was told she had to have an appointment.
According to bank staff, the woman yelled at them that they weren’t nice and that they didn’t have God in their lives. The bank also said the woman started pestering customers and causing them to leave.
Police said they told the woman to make an appointment at nearby bank branches, and then she left.
Phone charger thief makes threat
STERLING HEIGHTS — Police said a woman reportedly grabbed a cellphone charger July 15 from a business in the 5000 block of 19 Mile Road before running off with it.
Police said that when a worker followed the suspect, the suspect allegedly put her hand under her shirt and threatened, “Go away or I’ll hurt you.” No weapons were visible, staff reportedly said. The suspect apparently left in a black Ford Flex. Police said the business declined to pursue charges, but doesn’t want the suspect to ever come back.
Vehicle with work tools inside stolen STERLING HEIGHTS — A man reportedly parked his
