Demolition underway for blighted motel
OVER 110 APARTMENTS EXPECTED BY 2027
BY DEAN VAGLIA dvaglia@candgnews.com
MOUNT CLEMENS — For decades, a motel has sat at the corner of North River Road and Gratiot Avenue, abandoned and left to exist as an eyesore on the doorstep to Mount Clemens.
It will be an eyesore no more.
The much hyped and awaited demolition of the old motel began on the morning of July 30. An excavator’s bucket gave an upper floor suite a fantastic view of the city’s downtown, ripping out the exterior wall and window as part of the ceremonial start of demolition.
See DEMOLITION on page 18A
Inn — will make way for a four-story, 117-unit apartment complex known as the Manchester Mount Clemens.
Photo by Patricia O’Blenes
PATTON EDGES KEYS IN PRIMARY FOR CLINTON TOWNSHIP TREASURER
BY NICK POWERS npowers@candgnews.com
Clinton Township voters were able to weigh in on contested primary races for township supervisor, treasurer and trustees.
According to the clerk’s office, 21.44% of
CLINTON TOWNSHIP — It was a late night for Clinton Township candidates in the Aug. 6 primary. The unofficial results from Macomb County Clerk’s office trickled in early the next morning.
registered voters cast a ballot in the election.
“You’re on pins and needles, right?”
Clinton Township Trustee candidate Shannon King said about waiting for the results.
“You put in all the hard work, you know you did everything you could do. You still wonder, ‘Hey could I have done something more? How could I have connected more to the community and made a larger impact?’ When all those emotions come together at one time it gets to be a bit much.”
See PRIMARY on page 20A
Demolition of the motel at One North River Road — at times in its life known as A Victory Inn and Holiday
Court’s ruling on wages, 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.
See RULING on page 12A
VANCE: TRUMP CAN ‘DELIVER SECURITY IN OUR STREETS’
BY ERIC CZARNIK eczarnik@candgnews.com
SHELBY TOWNSHIP — Surrounded by local law enforcement and airing his intent to “back the blue,” Republican vice presidential candidate and U.S. Sen. JD Vance stopped by the Shelby Township Police Department Aug. 7 to pitch Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump’s campaign platform on crime, immigration and more.
During Vance’s speech, he delivered sharp attacks on the Democratic presidential candidate, Vice President Kamala Harris, whom he called “border czar.” The Ohio senator accused Harris of wanting to make it harder for police to do their job, and he blamed her for criminals entering via the U.S.
southern border.
In contrast, Vance said former President Trump deported “illegal aliens,” partially built a border wall and “did not grant mass amnesty.”
Vance urged voters to help law enforcement by giving them a federal government that makes it easier for them to keep Americans safe.
“I’d ask you to vote for a candidate who wants to support our police officers, not make their lives harder,” he said. “I’d ask you to support a candidate who wants to make it easier to deport illegal aliens and not harder. I’d ask you to support the candidate who has shown that he can deliver security in our streets.
“We just have to give him the opportunity
Photo by Nick Powers Crazy Gringo’s Clinton Township Manager Dawn Mathews makes a margarita at the bar.
Photo by Erin Sanchez
Ohio Sen. JD Vance, the Republican vice presidential nominee, promotes former President Donald Trump’s presidential campaign platform on crime, immigration and more while speaking outside the Shelby Township Police Department Aug. 7.
See VANCE on page 21A
NEWS & NOTES
4A/ JOURNAL • AUGUST 14, 2024
Selfridge renovations send National Guard packing
HARRISON TOWNSHIP — A midsummer construction project at Selfridge Air National Guard Base has left the airspace quieter for the past few weeks.
Members, missions and the equipment of the 127th Wing have been sent away to accommodate runway repairs. The A-10 Thunderbolt II mission has been sent on an undisclosed deployment, while the KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft mission is splitting time between Detroit Metro Airport in Romulus and Marquette Sawyer Regional Airport in Gwinn.
“Our mission is global reach, and temporarily operating from dispersed locations affords us the opportunity to train as we fight, which enhances our mission capability,” Col. Leah Voelker, 127th Air Refueling Group commander, said. “We are still flying, maintaining and training in aerial refueling for the Air Force, just in dispersed locations.”
The $9.8 million project will see 20 acres of runway removed and replaced, as well as structural repairs in three spots. Cadillac Asphalt of Canton was awarded the contract for the work.
Flight traffic is expected to be impacted by construction until mid-to-late fall. Other activities at the base, such as the Coast Guard Air Station Detroit and the Border Patrol’s operations, are not impacted by construction.
Harrison Township library hosts concert, coffee talk
HARRISON TOWNSHIP — As part of its slate of events for August, the Harrison Township Public Library is hosting a coffee talk about recycling and a concert.
On Saturday, Aug. 17, the library is hosting a 1 p.m. concert by the Lakeshore Ukulele Strummers. The Strummers will perform “Love Through the Ages,” an hour-long collection of love songs from the 1920s to 1960s. Any tips collected will be donated to the Friends of the Library.
On Wednesday, Aug. 21 at 10 a.m., Green For Life Community Education Coordinator Victoria Czapski will swing by the library to discuss the ins and outs of recycling. For more information about library events, visit htlibrary.org/ events.
Free diapers for families though Diaper Bank
METRO DETROIT — The Metropolitan Detroit Diaper Bank, in association with Priority Health, is giving away 100 free diapers and a package of wipes to families in Macomb, Oakland and Wayne Counties throughout the month of August. To schedule a pickup of diapers from one of 25 locations throughout the region, visit detroitdiaperbank.com/diapers.
Parade lights up Clinton River
ABOVE: Boats of all kinds sail down the Clinton River in the 2024 Harrison Township Parade of Lights. RIGHT: Jerod Syrocki’s “Ghostbusters” boat was the best-in-show winner of the 2024 Harrison Township Parade of Lights. FOR MORE PHOTOS, VISIT CANDGNEWS.COM
by Patricia O’Blenes
HARRISON TOWNSHIP — The Harrison Township Parade of Lights once more lit up the shores of the Clinton River on Sunday, Aug. 3.
“As far as the night went, everything was great,” said Julie Angst, Parade of Lights chair and the manager of Lambrecht Marina. “It was a beautiful night. We had a lot of spectators out there. I think most people had a great time.”
Led by the Pride of Michigan research vessel, over 20 decked and decorated boats sailed from Lambrecht Marina to Bridgeview Street, the mouth of the river at the Harley Ensign boat launch and finally back to the marina. Vessels began the journey around 9 p.m. and sailed into the night.
Angst estimates over $16,000 was raised through spon-
sorship for the Macomb Charitable Foundation, a Washington Township-based nonprofit that aims to support Macomb County children and families living near or below poverty level by providing food, clothing, personal care items, rent and utility assistance, vehicle repair, educational assistance and more.
The best decorated boat award went to Jerod Syrocki with a “Ghostbusters” theme, followed by the plastic cup-themed boat of Adam Suarez and the jellyfish-themed boat of Wilson Marine. George Dogariu won the resident award, which is reserved for the best decorations for a home along the river.
The 2025 Parade of Lights is set to take place on Saturday, Aug. 2.
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— DEAN VAGLIA
Photos
Priority Waste works to address concerns about transition
BY NICK POWERS AND MARK VEST npowers@candgnews.com mvest@candgnews.com
CLINTON TOWNSHIP — Priority Waste’s massive acquisition of GFL Environmental’s assets began on July 1. With such a large change, hitches are inevitable.
According to Matt Allen, who is the company’s director of public relations and government affairs, Priority Waste took over operations in 73 communities and for 70,000 subscription customers in five counties across southeast Michigan July 1.
At the July 22 Clinton Township Board of Trustees meeting, resident Michele Tucker said her recyclables had not been picked up for three weeks.
“I’ve called Priority, and they say they’re going to send someone out and it’s going to be taken care of,” Tucker said.
Tucker said that calls to the township had not been fruitful, either. She said the township informed her that Priority said the issue was already resolved.
“It’s not being taken care of,” Tucker said.
Donna Wallace said the trash days prior to the changeover have not been adhered to by Priority Waste.
“We’d like to have clarification about when we should be putting our trash out,” Wallace said.
“We have all been concerned about rubbish pickup and the length of time it’s taken to change over to the new company and the equipment,” Clinton Township Supervisor Bob Cannon said at the meeting.
He said someone will respond to each resident’s concern. Following the meeting, Clinton Township Department of Public Services Supervisor Mary Bednar said the concerns had been relayed to Priority Waste.
Tucker said, during an August 2 interview, that her rubbish had been picked up on the correct day. However, the recycling was collected later than usual, and the cans were scattered.
See PRIORITY on page 15A
SPORTS
Players to watch in the CHSL football league and C & G Newspapers projected standings for CHSL football
& G Newspapers
reporter Jonathan Szczepaniak looks at players to watch in the Catholic High School League, as well as C & G Newspapers’ projected standings for the Catholic High School League’s 2024-2025 CHSL football season — both regular season and division records from last year.
IN THE MAC FOOTBALL LEAGUE, THESE ARE SOME PLAYERS TO WATCH
BY JONATHAN SZCZEPANIAK jszczepaniak@candgnews.com
C & G Newspapers sports reporter Jonathan Szczepaniak looks at players to watch in the Macomb Area Conference.
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 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.
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.
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.
See PLAYERS on page 8A
C & G NEWSPAPERS
PROJECTS THE STANDINGS FOR MAC FOOTBALL
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.
Harrison Township L’Anse Creuse senior Donovan Rey celebrates after scoring a touchdown.
File photo by Erin Sanchez
Roseville head coach Vernard Snowden leads his team during a game last season. File photo by Donna Dalziel
Standings
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 allregion 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 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
See STANDINGS on page 9A
Players
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).
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.
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,
OTHER 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
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.
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, 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.
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
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Standings
from page 7A
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.
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 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.
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.
COMMUNITY BRIEFS
Pipe replacement partially closes Hubbard Street
MOUNT CLEMENS — Residents and travelers along Hubbard Street will be impacted by road closures and water service interruptions as sewer pipes are replaced along the street.
Existing clay pipes are being replaced with new high-density polyethylene pipes.
“What they do is they use a machine and they actually pull a brand-new pipe through an existing pipe,” Leonard Bertrand, public services director, said. “What it does is that it breaks the old clay pipe and when it’s all done the new HDPE plastic pipe will be inside of there.”
The project is part of an overall project to improve water infrastructure paid for with a Clean Water State Revolving Fund loan. The pipe bursting work on Hubbard Street, along with similar work on Park Street and Logan Street, will cost approximately $1.5 million. The work is not related to the Great Lakes Water Authority Connection.
West Nile detected in Macomb County
MOUNT CLEMENS — The Macomb County Health Department announced on July 29 that West Nile Virus was detected in two samples of mosquitoes taken in the county. No human cases were identified at the time of the announcement.
“This discovery by our surveillance team is important because it lets us know that this season’s mosquitoes are now carrying the virus – which could spread to humans,” Andrew Cox, director/health officer of Macomb County Health and Community Services, said in a press release. “We encourage everyone to take steps to prevent mosquito bites to the greatest extent possible.”
People are encouraged to take precautions to avoid catching West Nile Virus by wearing long sleeves and using bug spray that contains DEET or picaridin on exposed skin. Oil of lemon eucalyptus can be used as a natural repellent. Standing water should be dumped or avoided, if possible, as mosquitoes use still water to lay eggs.
— DEAN VAGLIA
Feasibility study for hotel, conference center in the works
BY ALYSSA OCHSS aochss@candgnews.com
ST. CLAIR SHORES — At the State of Lake St. Clair address on July 31, the idea of a potential hotel and conference center along the coast of Macomb County was again floated.
Officials say these plans are still in their beginning phases.
The idea first surfaced at the State of the Lake event in 2023.
Gerard Santoro, Macomb County Parks and Natural Resources program director, said in 2023 they completed a Lake St. Clair coastal study. In the study, they looked at items relating to the county’s “blue economy.”
“Any part of the economy that would create businesses and quality of life associated with the water,” Santoro said. “Lake St. Clair in Macomb County scored really high at every level except for lodging.”
The plans for a possible hotel and conference center along the shores of Lake St. Clair in Macomb County are still in their early stages. Santoro said they just signed a contract with JLL, a broker and advisor company, for a feasibility study a week before the interview.
“We’re glad to announce that we got this far because it took several months to assemble the means to pay for the study,” Santoro said. “So that’s what I’ve been working on through our Planning and Economic Development department.”
Santoro said the option for lodging came out of the study as a “potential highvalue opportunity.”
“Not just for Macomb County, but for the entire region to have a small to medium size hotel and conferencing center,” Santoro said. “Because those are utilized actually quite more oftenly than even a larger hotel or conference center.”
He went on to say more diverse groups can use a smaller center than other bigger centers in the region.
Working with the Macomb Chamber of Commerce, the feasibility study and a location analysis were done with the cooperation of Visit Detroit. Santoro said the lodging would have a lake view or would be located right on the lake.
“What we hope is that our findings will show us where the best locations might be and then it would be up to developers and hoteliers to sort of collaborate on potentially
developing something as a second phase,” Santoro said.
Santoro said the probable recommendation for the building is a multiuse facility with restaurant and retail options. They hope to have a walkable district around it with possible lake accessibility and lake views.
“We’ll be looking at all of that and we’ll be working with our local governments along the coast and hopefully we’ll find some suitable locations that we would be able to have the developers and hoteliers do a second phase site analysis,” Santoro said.
This proposed building could be anywhere along the coast of Macomb County.
“Most of it’s private land so you would have to have willing sellers,” Santoro said. “And you’d also have to have a zoning district in a master-planned area that a local government would say, ‘This fits our master plan,’ so that it could move forward. We’re going to be looking at all of that from a planning perspective.”
Santoro said the local governments were informed of plans and are willing to work with them. The communities are even participating in the feasibility study and location analysis. The feasibility study is estimated to take around three to six months.
Macomb County hosts a lot of major bass tournaments, Santoro said.
“Lake St. Clair is perhaps one of the most preferred lakes for these professional anglers of anywhere in North America,” Santoro said. “It’s already got a reputation that precedes it with the visitor’s bureau.”
Santoro said hotel and conference center use during the winter months will be evaluated.
“The whole world of hotels and conferencing centers is evolving and a lot of times it’s associated with place. Place-making,” Santoro said.
He brought up the Nautical Mile and Harrison Township as places offering great restaurants, walkable districts and other amenities. He stated all of those factors will be looked at when considering a place.
They will also look at monetizable seasonal events such as ice sculpture festivals and sports that can be hosted indoors such as hockey.
Macomb County Department of Public Works Commissioner Candice Miller said she is very supportive of the proposed building.
Superintendent seeks excellence in Mount Clemens schools
BY DEAN VAGLIA dvaglia@candgnews.com
MOUNT CLEMENS — Julian Roper’s office has a nice view. A look left from his desk reveals the interior courtyard of Mount Clemens High School, a common area with planters and trees that gives a nice break from the concrete parking lot and fluorescent light reflecting off the floors of the school’s hallways.
Straight across from Roper’s desk, however, is a whiteboard bearing what the Mount Clemens Community School District’s latest superintendent has his vision set on.
“This is our driving mantra, a new standard of excellence,” Roper said. “I demand excellence from all of us, including myself. Our kids deserve excellence and our families, our community deserves excellence.”
Finding excellence in a district known for its falling enrollment and shuttering of campuses can seem like a tall order — perhaps even a wholly audacious task — to those outside of the district. Roper, though, has reason to believe excellence can be achieved. It is only his second year as superintendent, but he has been in this position before.
Roper credits his journey into education as a desire to impact lives, much like how his own life was impacted by education professionals.
“I grew up on the eastside of Detroit and came from a very impoverished community and background,” Roper said. “When my dad died, it was just my mom and I. It left me with choices. I could have gone left or right, and one of the things that kept me from going left was the educators in my life, in my school. I attended Detroit Western International High School and from my football coaches to my principal, who was a mentor, those relationships and those people stepped up and filled that father role and
Hotel
from page 10A
“That’s something that we do lack here in Macomb County,” Miller said. “And yet we have some great potential sites for some sort of a small convention center. Certainly some sort of waterfront accommodations.”
Miller went on to say if the land can be put together, developers will be interested.
mentor role for me, and kind of became who I wanted to be for somebody else.”
The goal of being a principal or superintendent was never Roper’s primary goal. His first job after returning from Grand Valley State University was a special education role in his old high school, and a year later he began working as a Title I parent and community liaison in the Detroit Public Schools central office. Despite the parent-facing role, Roper found himself mentoring students from Southeastern High School. His work caught the attention of several district officials; Roper says Southeastern High School’s principal Brenda Gatlin wanted him to work in the school, while DPS Superintendent Connie Calloway encouraged him to become a principal. Roper ended up having a job made for him at Southeastern while taking on other roles throughout the district.
“There’s a huge need and the county has already done the study of really looking at the void that we have of having something like that on the shores of Lake St. Clair,” Miller said.
She said a lot of people who come to the area would like to stay there as well.
“It would be a huge driver for the economy as well,” Miller said.
Call Staff Writer Alyssa Ochss at (586) 498-1103.
Photo provided by Mount Clemens Community Schools
Julian Roper is the superintendent of Mount Clemens Community School District. He was hired for the position ahead of the 2023-24 school year.
Ruling
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 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 Representa-
tives 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
See RULING on page 13A
Ruling
from page 12A
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 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 AFL-CIO President Ron Bieber said in a press release. “The Republicancontrolled 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 legisla-
Editor:
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Reporter:
Dean Vaglia | (586) 498-1043 | dvaglia@candgnews.com Nick Powers | (586) 498-1059 | npowers@candgnews.com
Sports: Jonathan Szczepaniak | (586) 498-1090 | sports@candgnews.com
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ture 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.
| (586) 489-8117 | drubello@candgnews.com
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GRAND
RAINBOW EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER
The foundation for a quality education is laid in early childhood through teachers, experiences and opportunities.
A range of services for families with students in preschool, kindergarten, “young 5s” and tuition-based daycare programs will be available this fall through the new Clintondale Community Schools Rainbow Early Childhood Center.
Clintondale will celebrate the center’s grand opening from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 15. Families with children ages 4 and 5 ready for the Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP) preschool and kindergarten will be able to register. Those who register will receive a free T-shirt and a rainbow pinwheel while supplies last. Light refreshments will be served.
Daycare tours can also be scheduled for families interested in learning more about the district’s comprehensive early childhood programs.
“We are thrilled to see the vision of the Rainbow Early Childhood Center become a reality,” said Clintondale Superintendent Kenneth Janczarek. “We understand the importance of quality education early on, and this new center will play a crucial role in setting
children up for future academic success.”
The festivities on Aug. 15 will include a short ceremony outside at 10 a.m. where district leaders will join children for a ceremonial groundbreaking.
“We invite the community to join us for this special event and celebrate the opening of the Rainbow Early Childhood Center,” Janczarek
added. “Together, we are building a brighter future for our children.”
future
Clintondale Community Schools Board of Education President Jared Maynard applauded the expansion of the district’s early childhood offerings as a service for its families.
“The Rainbow Early Childhood Center allows us to expand our early childhood programs and serve an important and growing segment of our community,” Maynard said. “We are here for our community. It’s exciting to know that we will be able to offer our programs to more families and watch the benefits of early childhood education multiply over the years.”
Clintondale Community Schools serves approximately 1,800 students annually through two elementary schools, a middle school and a high school, a virtual learning campus and now, an early childhood center.
The opening of the Rainbow Early Childhood Center is part of the district’s mission of nurturing all students for success in childhood, college, career and life.
The Rainbow Early Childhood Center is located at 33749 Wurfel St., north of 14 Mile Road and west of Gratiot Avenue, in Clinton Township.
For more information, go to rainbow.clintondaleschools.net or call (586) 791-3500.
After the meeting, Clinton Township Treasurer Paul Gieleghem, who chairs the Refuse Disposal Committee, said that Priority is trying its best to honor the contract.
“I think that is a lot for any company to take on,” he said. “I was pleased that they added in some weekend days to catch up in our community, but I want to encourage residents to call the township and call their elected officials if they’re having issues.”
Gieleghem said this happening in the summer months made the lapses in collection even more glaring.
“Garbage in a bin starts to smell really quickly,” he said. “This is one of the core, foundational issues of municipal services.”
One of the issues specific to the township is garbage haulers walking up the driveway to pick up garbage cans for disabled residents.
“Those have probably been the biggest challenge for Priority,” Gieleghem said. “I’ve gotten quite a few of those calls.”
A large part of the blame can be attributed to a lack of serviceable trucks. Accord-
Looking for that signature piece or design element to take any interior space to the next level? Look no further than Consign Couture Interiors & Inspiration.
Now celebrating three years on 18 Mile Road in Clinton Township, Consign Couture founder Rosemarie Baldwin said she wanted to create a personalized shopping experience offering consignment pieces, builder’s model merchandise and new furniture, home decor and oneof-a-kind gifts.
“When you come into my store, it’s somewhat of a treasure hunt,” Baldwin said. “The store is flled with national name brands, all at amazing prices. It’s perfect for very
ing to Allen, there was an expectation that about 380 trucks were going to be coming into Priority’s fleet from GFL June 30.
“Over half of that fleet was non-roadready, was non-serviceable — would not meet MDOT minimum requirements for operation or safety,” Allen said, referring to the Michigan Department of Transportation. “Those are the facts. We had to deal with it. … We knew what we needed to do to get them fixed to be put onto the road.”
“I think this all of this stuff takes time,” Gieleghem said
Even without that issue, Allen was not expecting a problem-free transition.
“The key part people need to understand is we told all the municipalities during the month of June, as part of the transition … that it would be about three weeks to clear away the backlog of everything that was left behind by the previous provider,” he said. “Some communities were experiencing two weeks of non-pickup, and in some areas, regretfully, they were up to five weeks. … Over half the fleet that was delivered was not serviceable. It needed to be repaired, which we have been diligently doing that — outsourcing for mechanics, fixing them … here and getting leased vehicles in here — substi-
savvy consumers who really know their brands.” Baldwin spent 35 years in retail and was a vice president of visual merchandising and marketing for national retailers. She said she wanted to put that national experience to work at the local level.
At Consign Couture, you’ll fnd new high-end home decor items from brands including Uttermost — accent pieces, vases, statues, furniture and tables. Merchandise in the store on consignment bears famous brand names, including
tution vehicles in order to bolster the operational needs to service all the communities.”
Aside from the approximately threeweek time period that was anticipated to “clear the slate,” Allen anticipates it taking another 60 to 90 days to implement Priority’s technology on the trucks.
“This was going to be a very challenging month of July under the best of circumstances, and then when the trucks were not road-ready, it exacerbated the issue,” he said. “We have cleared away a tremendous amount of backlog off the streets.”
Gieleghem said the Refuse Disposal Committee is set to meet in the near future, but no date has been set. He said, following this meeting, there would likely be an update from the committee at the next township board meeting.
“Our role is to make sure we hold our contractor accountable for performing up to the provisions of the contract,” Gieleghem said.
Allen also addressed wait times that people have reported when attempting to contact a Priority representative.
“I understand that in this day and age everybody wants everything within 15 minutes, so on, so forth, but when you’re dealing with
West Elm and Pottery Barn.
“We’ve curated a selection of stylish and unique items, perfect for refreshing your space and treating your loved ones,” Baldwin said. “We have an extensive collection of funky items if you’re looking for something that makes a big statement in your decor. I love to enhance atmospheres, to tie rooms together and help designers make a bold statement.”
Baldwin said she’s already looking forward to the weeks and months ahead, and the interior
5,000 inquiries in a 10-hour day … sometimes it’s two, three, four hours before they can be answered, and sometimes the solution is already on the way, we just haven’t got to your subdivision yet or we haven’t got to your street yet,” Allen said. “So we’re dealing with the normal issues, and we’re dealing with (a) huge backlog. So we’re doing those two things simultaneously and fixing a very broken fleet, which we inherited in the purchase.”
Allen shared an optimistic perspective.
“A tremendous amount of progress has been made,” he said. “So what you would normally consider to be regular service without interruptions or delays and so on, that’s coming. We hear everybody, but people need to understand that we were the solution. The problem didn’t start on July 1. The fix started on July 1, and that’s what we’ve been executing.”
For more information, visit prioritywaste.com or call (586) 228-1200.
Gieleghem recommended that residents call the Department of Public Services at (586) 286-9300 if they have any issues with waste collection.
Call Staff Writer Nick Powers at (586) 498-1059. Call Staff Writer Mark Vest at (586) 498-1052.
Consign Couture
design inspirations that will change with the seasons. “What I’m really excited about is celebrating the fall season and a spectacular holiday season ahead,” she said. “I will be selling seasonal holiday things such as different lighted orbs, beautiful garlands, holiday candles, decor pieces, pillows and throws.”
Consign Couture Interiors & Inspiration is located at 16989 18 Mile Road in Clinton Township. For more about the shop and its wares visit consigncouturemi.com.
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CLASSIC CARS, FAMILY FUN ON HAND AT GRATIOT CRUISE
CLINTON TOWNSHIP — The Clinton Township Gratiot Cruise rumbled through the sweltering heat for its 21st year on August 4.
The event allowed participants to take their prized rides down Gratiot from 14 Mile Road to Wellington Crescent. The event also featured a Family Fun Zone for kids attending the event with several activities, including crafts and pedal cars.
The cruise was back to its full capacity, following issues with construction and restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Paul Silvestri, director of media relations for the Gratiot Cruise.
“The last couple of years I would say haven’t been bad, but hit and miss,” Silvestri said. “This year we were back and better than ever. I think we’re going to use this momentum going forward into next year to put on an even better event.”
Silvestri said all events went off at the event without a hitch.
“The 21st year went as well as we could’ve expected it to go,” Silvestri said. “I think it actually went better than we expected.”
For every vehicle that was registered at the event for $20, the Macomb Foster Closet received $5. Silvestri said a $500 check will be given to the nonprofit. This was the first year the event has worked with the organization.
— Nick Powers
ABOVE: Classic cars rolled down Gratiot on Aug. 4 for the Clinton Township Gratiot Cruise’s 21st year.
TOP LEFT: Tim Patricca shows off his 1934 Ford five-window deluxe coupe at the Clinton Township Gratiot Cruise.
BOTTOM LEFT: Carter Jones, 3, of Clinton Township paints a truck with washable paint.
BELOW: From left to right: Adryanna Faith Brown, 8, of Clinton Township; Nellie Blehm, 11, of Fraser; and Isaac Brown, 10, of Chesterfield Township work on making bracelets with the help of Caila Domingo, 19, at the Clinton Township Gratiot Cruise. The Aug. 4 event offered a “Family Fun Zone” in addition to the car show.
Photos by Liz Carnegie
Teenager, police officer help save man’s life at car wash
BY NICK POWERS npowers@candgnews.com
CLINTON TOWNSHIP — According to his doctors, Eddie Fortuna was clinically dead for 14 minutes.
But, thanks to the swift actions of a teenager and a police officer, the 55-year-old survived.
Richard Blackwell, 13, of Oak Park sprang into action when Fortuna collapsed at a car wash on Harper Avenue between Cottrell Street and 15 Mile Road. According to Blackwell, he and his cousin Lamar had just pulled in when they saw Fortuna on July 13.
“My cousin Lamar flipped him over and he saw the blood coming down his head,” Blackwell said at an Aug. 1 press conference at the Clinton Township Police Department. “Then we saw officer Collins and we ran to go get him.”
Blackwell flagged down Clinton Township Police Department Sgt. Richard Collins, telling him he saw an unresponsive man at a car wash.
“On July 13, Richard saw a man lying on the ground and he was aware of his surroundings,” Collins said at the press conference. “He had the courage to step in and made a difference in Mr. Fortuna’s life.”
When Collins made it to the scene, around 5 p.m., Fortuna was unresponsive. He didn’t have a pulse, and he wasn’t breathing. Collins rendered CPR and, after a minute, noticed Fortuna’s heart was beating once again. The Clinton Township Fire Department arrived shortly after to transport Fortuna to the hospital. After that, Collins found Blackwell to tell him that he helped save someone’s life.
“We gave each other a fist bump and I could see the look on his face, and he just started glowing,” Collins said.
Collins said the experience stood out.
“In 24 years of doing this, this is probably one of the most compelling things that has happened to me on this job,” Collins said.
Clinton Township Fire Chief John Gallagher said the township’s Fire Department responded in 38 seconds with a rig that was in the area, once the call was put out.
“We could not be more proud of the response to this call for service,” Gallagher said.
Gallagher presented Fortuna with a cardiac arrest survivor coin at the press conference.
Collins was presented with the lifesaving non-perilous award by the Clinton Township Police Department.
Photo by Nick Powers
Clinton Township Police Sgt. Richard Collins, left, Eddie Fortuna, center, and Richard Blackwell pose for a picture following a press conference at the Clinton Township Police Department on August 1. Fortuna was found unresponsive at a car wash on Harper Avenue near 15 Mile Road on July 13. Blackwell flagged down Collins who provided CPR and revived Fortuna.
Demolition
from page 1A
“This is really a momentous day for Mount Clemens,” said state Rep. Denise Mentzer, D-Mount Clemens. “This building behind us in its day was state of the art. It was a beautiful building. It attracted residents and guests and people to Mount Clemens. But if you look at it now, it’s a cesspool and has been for years. This day, with Jim George and his company knocking this down and building new homes for people, it is just the most wonderful thing. It’s transformational for Mount Clemens and it’s transformational for this whole entire southeast Michigan community.”
Demolition of the motel at One North River Road — at times in its life known as the Victory Inn and a Holiday Inn — will make way for a four-story, 117-unit apartment complex known as the Manchester Mount Clemens, set to charge rents at market rates for the area. George, the developer, is spearheading the project with the help of $10 million in state incentives brought to the city through the work of Mentzer and state Sen. Kevin Hertel, D-St. Clair Shores.
“This could not have happened without their (Hertel and Mentzer’s) hard work,” George said. “They saw the vision … This is going to be something that we believe is going to revitalize Mount Clemens and hopefully it is the first of more projects to come.”
Full demolition and construction preparation will take about three months. Construction is expected to last 18-24 months. George believes the funding should be enough to see the project through to completion.
Many people, from city officials to passersby, stopped to see the first walls fall in the motel’s demolition. Few, if any, were sad to see it go. Mount Clemens City Manager Gregg Shipman, who booked a room at the Holiday Inn for his 1986 prom and visited the building on a near daily basis as a Mount Clemens firefighter, was glad to see the mo-
Lifesaving
from page 17A
Blackwell was presented with a citizen lifesaving award by the Clinton Township Police Department. He was joined at the press conference by his parents and members of his extended family.
“To Richard’s mother and pops, thanks for putting young Richard in that spot that day,” Clinton Township Police Operations
tel beginning to come down.
“It has been a source of blight and crime as far back as most people can remember,” Shipman said. “We shut this building down as a fire department and as a city more times than I can count, and they would always find a way to do just enough to reopen just to ultimately be shut down again. It’s just a relief. I drive by here every day to and from work, and for years I’ve said to myself ‘We’ve got to find a way to get this building torn down and get something there.’”
For a moment, the demolition was bittersweet for City Commissioner Theresa McGarity, who spent the night of her wedding at the then Holiday Inn in 1990. But once a second of nostalgia-fueled sorrow passed, McGarity began imaging how the apartments would reshape the attitude within the city’s northeast.
“When you ride past and there’s broken glass, buildings and houses people are living in where their yard isn’t cut, there’s a spirit in that area and it’s very depressing,” McGarity said. “To have something different is going to give positive energy to this side of town. You’ll see the difference; putting something better is going to be better for this side of town — actually, for the whole city.”
Another city commissioner bullish about the future apartments was Erik Rick. Stating the project would “change the face of downtown for 100 years,” Rick said having more than 100 new apartment units downtown would attract resident-essential businesses to the city.
“You get these folks here and the other apartments that went up on the river, and you might be able to have a viable grocery store downtown,” Rick said.
A key benefit of the development to Shipman was how the apartments could increase the city’s tax base. Up and down Gratiot Avenue are various county buildings — the courthouse and the vacant lot next to it, the Old Macomb County Building, the newer administration building, the clerk’s office just north of the motel and all the parking required for them — taking up a vast amount of land without providing tax
Capt. Anthony Coppola said at the event.
Fortuna spoke at the event, calling Blackwell “a true superhero.”
“Your swift actions snatched me back from death and gave me a second chance at life,” Fortuna said. “Thanks to your bravery and selflessness, you are a true guardian angel, a superhero among young men and women. I hope your courageous example will inspire others in crisis.
“Thank you for a second chance,” Fortuna said. “I’ll make sure I do good with it.”
revenue. With funding woes always on the minds of city officials, the chance for a stable local funding source is a desperately needed lifeline that could be built upon.
“I can’t thank the politicians enough for having the foresight to put money into a project like this, because this is going to help our city in ways beyond, I think, what most people realize,” Shipman said. “And Mount Clemens being over 50% nontaxable, we need help — but I don’t want help forever. What a project like this does is it gives us the gift of future sustainability. If we can get more things like this going on we can sustain ourselves, which is what we want … Mount Clemens has a great sense of pride and history and we want to be able to sustain ourselves without help, and it’s things like this that can bring us back and get us to where we need to be.”
Getting the project going has required a significant amount of state funding and the use of funding mechanisms. The initial deal in July 2023 to begin the project began with a $5 million enhancement grant to reimburse Geroge for buying the property and demolishing the motel. City commissioners approved a brownfield redevelopment plan on June 3, 2024, which will see the Macomb County Brownfield Redevelopment Authority capture the increases to the property’s taxable value to reimburse George for demolition and construction preparation. The plan estimates $4.6 million of work is eligible for reimbursement. Another $5 million enhancement grant will come to Mount Clemens this fall through the fiscal year 2024-25 state budget; those funds will be put toward the project.
The project has become a sort of case study for opponents of earmark funding. In May and June, Bridge Michigan ran stories critical of earmarks citing One North River Road and the involvement of Geroge. The developer has been tied to more than $500,000 in campaign donations. Recipients include Mentzer, Hertel, other statelevel politicians in eastern Macomb County and the state funds and committees for Republicans and Democrats.
Without being asked about earmarks, Rick said demolition and development would not have occurred without collaboration between the public and private sectors.
“This kind of public-private partnership is the only way you can make something like this viable,” Rick said. “If anything else would have worked, it would have been done by now. Only with the public-private partnership and multiple levels of government partnerships could we even have a shot at getting something like this done in our little city. It’s very cool to have it finally starting.”
George’s business in Mount Clemens is not limited to apartments: He owns the Gibraltar Trade Center. An Alro Steel distribution center will be built near that.
Metzner and Hertel were able to secure $8.5 million in total earmarked funds for Mount Clemens in the upcoming state budget, including $2 million for a waterfront redevelopment project. Shipman said the project is still in its infancy but will involve repairs and upgrades to infrastructure along the Clinton River and could reconnect the downtown to the waterfront.
“We’ve got everything that a community could want,” Shipman said. “We’ve got a historic downtown district and we’ve got the water, but we need to be able to reconnect that water with the downtown and then get (the river) more usable for boat traffic and all the other things that come along with having a waterfront right in your downtown area.”
Moving Mount Clemens’ city government from its current site at One Crocker Boulevard to somewhere else in the city is being considered for the project. Shipman stated that the decision would be to either refurbish or replace the buildings at the City Hall site or move elsewhere. Shipman says this is “not completely a settled question” given it has been floated among city officials for the better part of his 25-year municipal career. No alternative City Hall location has been decided upon.
Call Staff Writer Dean Vaglia at (586) 498-1043.
Call Staff Writer Nick Powers at (586) 498-1059. 13650
CMPL modernization means temporary relocations, closures
CONSTRUCTION TO BE COMPLETED BY 2026
BY DEAN VAGLIA dvaglia@candgnews.com
CLINTON TOWNSHIP — Perhaps you have noticed a bit of redecorating at the Clinton-Macomb Public Library’s main branch. Plain white walls block off parts of the inside to guests, while anyone hoping to use the drive-thru book return has been turned away with portable fencing and orange barriers. But the most striking addition has to be the large drill driving deep beneath what has historically been a rear parking lot.
The library is currently undergoing an estimated year-long construction and renovation project to bring the main branch, which is 20 years old, into the 21st century.
“We have a really good team,” CMPL Director Larry Neal said. “Our architect and the construction management firm were the same for our North Branch; that was a new building that opened in 2021. Many of the team members from that project are on this project … They know this library board’s philosophy of doing things right and doing things that make sense. Our architects did a great job with the North Branch and are very much aware that there are many aspects of this building that people love and don’t want to see changed when they come through the door. So, it’s not something that’s going to be radical when you come in, but it will have a fresh look.”
Renovations will take place inside and outside of the Romeo Plank Road campus. Upgrades include purchasing new and reupholstering current furniture, refinishing the parking lot, repairing the tile floors and installing new carpet, replacing the lighting with LED bulbs and constructing dedicated programing and computer training rooms, among other additions.
Arguably the most striking part of the construction, the giant drill behind the library, is facilitating the construction of a new geothermal heating and cooling system. Between the new HVAC system and the addition of solar panels, the CMPL Main Library will be more sustainable and energy efficient. Neal says about 100 geothermal wells need to be dug.
“What we did at the North Branch is (dig) some of the wells under parking areas,” Neal said. “We needed that because there was not enough land to accommodate the wells on the east side of the building and we didn’t want to start tearing up more land-
scaping on the public side. They’re in the midst of digging the 100 wells that go 500 feet deep.”
All of this cannot occur without disruption. Anyone who has visited the library this summer has already encountered some degree of disruption in some form, and full closures of the branch are expected in the future.
“We have terrazzo floor in the main lobby area and there’s repair work that has to go on for that,” Neal said. “And when that happens the lobby will be closed and (the) building will be closed to the public because they have to break some of that up. They have to bring the marble in and that involves a lot of work, a lot of noise … We’ll have a period of closure sometime early next year when that work is done.”
Disruptions have affected library staff as much as they have affected guests. Special events have been a regular feature of the Main Library throughout its nearly 21 years, but event spaces in the library have been repurposed in recent months. This has sent events packing to either the library’s northern and southern branches or, in the case of events where a large crowd is expected, to larger off-site locations like the Macomb Intermediate School District.
“When possible, I’ve been trying to do things at the North Branch,” said Phil Skeltis, a CMPL adult services librarian. “That isn’t to say I’ve been excluding the South Branch. Some of my colleagues have been handling the South Branch stuff, but I came from the North Branch, so I am familiar with that building. It’s a newer building and it’s a great building and I love doing programs at the North Branch. It’s of no inconvenience to me to offer some of my Michigan history programs up there.”
While Skeltis had some concerns about sending events north an extra 10 miles or so, the response from event speakers has been negligible to positive. Speakers from areas south of Clinton Township, including many from Detroit who come up to speak about the city or the region’s history, have only needed to add about 15 more minutes to their drives.
The Macomb Township location has also made the library accessible to other types of events and speakers as well. At least one speaker made the trip down from Port Huron, while Skeltis says he’s tailored some events to fit within the rural environment of Macomb Township.
“I had a program on birds of prey, and of course right behind the North Branch is a very natural wetland habitat, so I thought
that a birds of prey program would go on well there — and it did,” Skeltis said. “I’ve done programs on the science of trees changing colors in the fall up there, and I’ve even done an astronomy stargazing program up there. The light pollution is diminished up there because it is further north and further away from buildings in the city. We brought out a big telescope and had a NASA ambassador come, and that went over well.”
Gretchen Krug, manager of the North Branch, has seen an increase in traffic to the branch since construction began.
“We’re seeing more study room usage when I compare May to June,” Krug said. “We’re noticing an uptick in checkouts of
system is one piece of the ongoing construction at the branch.
materials when I compare May to June, and even when you look at the foot traffic, we’re seeing more people. And just anecdotally, I know that as I go out on the floor, I’m seeing people everywhere.”
Krug says increased checkouts are likely due to a mix of traffic redirected from North Branch events and the general checkout bump that comes with summer reading.
Construction projects at the CMPL Main Library are expected to last through summer 2025. The library posts construction updates on its website at cmpl.org/ alert_detail.php.
Call Staff Writer Dean Vaglia at (586) 498-1043.
PUBLIC NOTICE
CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF HARRISON
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT THE HARRISON TOWNSHIP ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS WILL HOLD A PUBLIC HEARING ON TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2024 AT 7:00 P.M. IN ROSSO MEMORIAL HALL, 38255 L’ANSE CREUSE ROAD, IN SAID TOWNSHIP, FOR THE PURPOSE OF CONSIDERING AN APPEAL BY: CASE #06-24-ZBA: Xhaferr Gaci – 39539 Jefferson Property #17-12-16-331-047 Harrison Twp., MI 48045 (V-1)
PURPOSE OF REQUEST: Requesting a 39.2’ variance from Article 14, Section 14.17, for an addition to be built onto the existing Benvenuto restaurant. BY REASON OF: Charter Township of Harrison Code of Ordinances Article 14, Section 14.17 – V-1
Notice is further given that the Charter Township of Harrison Zoning Board of Appeals may modify or change the variance(s) as requested, including granting of variance(s) for said purpose, which may create another and different variance(s) from the requirements of the above cited Charter Township of Harrison ordinance, all within its discretion and as otherwise permitted by law. Any interested person(s) may appear or be represented at said meeting.
Additional information or comments, written or oral, will be received at the Harrison Township Offces, 38151 L’Anse Creuse Rd, Harrison Twp., MI, 48045 (586-466-1461) between the hours of 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Monday - Friday. Individuals with disabilities or impairments who plan to attend this meeting should contact the Planning / ZBA Department at (586) 466-1461 or email pc-zba@harrison-township.org if auxiliary aids or services are needed.
Published: Journal 08/14/2024
A drill digs a 500-foot hole into the ground behind the CMPL’s Main Library, allowing for the construction of a geothermal heating and cooling well. A geothermal HVAC
Photo by Dean Vaglia
Primaryfrom page 1A
Tammy Patton, who is currently on the Clinton Township Board of Trustees, beat fellow Trustee Mike Keys in the Democratic primary for township treasurer. The win was narrow: Patton secured the win by 91 more votes, according to the unofficial results.
Patton called winning the primary exhilarating, but also humbling. She said that she’s grateful for the community’s support and trust in her campaign, as well as her supporters.
“I couldn’t have done it without them,” Patton said.
She said she feels a lot of “optimism and determination” about the general election.
“We still have a lot of work to be done,” Patton said. “I’m going to continue to be committed to our continued momentum and engage more with the community. I’m going to continue doing what I’ve been doing: Be there for people…I just want to achieve some great things and move forward.”
Patton will face Republican Mike Aiello, who ran unopposed in the primary, in the general election on Nov. 5.
Republican Bob Cannon, the township’s supervisor for the last 24 years, did not seek reelection this year. Republican Vicki Wolber and Treasurer Paul Gieleghem, a Democrat, will vie for the spot in November.
Wolber won in the primary against Republican Noah Cannon, who is of no relation to Bob Cannon.
“I’m very thankful for the support from the Clinton Township voters and the good they see in me that I can do in the township,” Wolber said following the win. “I’m looking forward to working hard with November’s election coming up.”
Prior to the election, Bob Cannon had voiced his doubts about Noah Cannon running. He echoed this following Wolber’s win, saying Noah was put up to running in the election.
Ultimately, the outgoing supervisor was happy with the result.
“I’m very happy she won,” Bob Cannon said. “I think she will make an excellent supervisor for the township. She’s a very good candidate with very good credentials.”
Gieleghem won the Democratic primary for township supervisor by defeating Ken Reiff. Gieleghem said he was “humbled and honored” by the support.
“I look forward to the next few months of communicating with this wider universe of township voters and sharing a vision of what kind of community I think we can be,” he said. “Even though it’s a race right now, if elected supervisor, I know it’s my job to bring people together to solve problems and move our community forward.”
Democrats Iona Means, King, Diane Zontini and incumbent Julie Matuzak secured their spots on the general election ballot for trustee.
Zontini, Matuzak and King all thanked the voters for choosing them. Means was not available for comment at press time.
“I’m excited about change coming to Clinton Township,” Matuzak said. “I’m honored that I was the top vote-getter among the trustee candidates. I’ve been working hard to work for the residents of Clinton Township, and I think it showed.”
“The hard work is now really going to kick in, but I’m ready for the challenge and willing to work hard to accomplish it,” Zontini said.
“The real work starts today,” King said. “I’m focused on being the change the township needs and together we can make a difference.”
They will run against Republicans Vito Strolis, Bruce Wade, Derek Wilczynski, and incumbent Dan Kress in November. The four GOP candidates ran in the primary unopposed.
In the Democratic primary for Macomb County Commissioner in District 7, Edlira Sako bested Frank Borsellino. The district covers portions of Clinton Township, Macomb Township and Shelby Township.
Sako is a teacher and has lived in Clinton Township for 12 years, according to her campaign profile submitted to C&G Newspapers. This is her first time being elected to political office. She will run against Republican incumbent James Perna, who ran unopposed in the primary, in the November general election.
“I’m happy, it’s obvious,” Sako said following the win. “I’m excited to share the vision for the county.”
Call Staff Writer Nick Powers at (586) 498-1059.
to govern, and that’s President Donald J. Trump.”
Local criminal cases mentioned
During the event, multiple speakers brought up local criminal cases that allegedly involved people who are unauthorized to be in the country.
Before Vance spoke, Shelby Township police Chief Robert Shelide said his department has faced three cases over the past few months that involved suspects who illegally entered the U.S.
“Two of those acts have been horrific, and the third involved an illegal Venezuelan who shot a coworker and has now since fled the state of Michigan,” Shelide said. “Public safety is everyone’s business, and we need leadership in Washington that supports that.”
Vance said that while Shelby Township is geographically far from the southern border, “It’s not far away from its problems.”
Vance mentioned a case in which the defendant allegedly sexually assaulted a minor.
“And I heard just earlier about a criminal who was deported from this community who came back in and then raped an 11-year-old girl, just in the past couple of months,” Vance said.
“I’m the father of a 2-year-old girl. I cannot imagine having a government that cares so little about you that they’re letting people who come into our communities get deported and come back in, and then they rape our children,” Vance said.
On July 30, the Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office announced that a suspect identified as Joel Quintana-Dominguez, 32, from Shelby Township, was arraigned on three counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct with a person under 13 years old while the defendant is 17 or older.
Prosecutors said Quintana-Dominguez sexually assaulted a relative multiple times this year, and they also said he “has an immigration hold from the Department of Homeland Security.”
The office of Quintana-Dominguez’s listed attorney, Neal J. Brand, declined to comment about his client.
Macomb County Prosecutor Peter Lucido also briefly spoke at the event and said that “in Macomb County, we follow the law,” including working with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement on cases involving undocumented people.
“We need to be clear that bad actions by the undocumented should not have a chilling effect on those who came here legally, like our ancestors,” Lucido said.
“However, the problem today is that law enforcement is challenging enough without adding immigration issues into the equation. That should never have happened here. This onslaught of undocumented crimes has brought a drastic impact on our law enforcement partners,” Lucido said.
‘Unless you have a border, there is no peace’
When Vance followed his remarks with a press conference, C & G Newspapers asked about comments Vance had made earlier that week.
In a discussion with conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt, Vance said “the Iranians have leverage over us,” and he suspected that “probably a number of Iranian-related militias” have terrorist agents who have entered the U.S.
In Shelby Township, Vance was asked about that leverage and if he believed that these agents could be plotting a terrorist attack in the U.S. similar to the Oct. 7, 2023, one in Israel. In response, Vance confirmed that he believes that Iranian-backed militia groups are in the U.S. “because we know thousands of people have come across the U.S. southern border who have ties to terrorism.”
“Well, it really endangers your country, and I fear we’re going to have a very bad headline here and a lot of people who could lose their lives because Kamala Harris refuses to keep terrorists out of our country,” Vance said.
“It’s disgraceful, but it highlights the fact that unless you have a border, there is no peace and there is no security for American citizens, even in a place as far north as Shelby Township, Michigan.”
In a press release, the Michigan Democratic Party called Vance’s Shelby Township stop “a stunt visit where he will lie to Michiganders about his and Trump’s record and agenda.” The release also accused Vance of “making weird comments about people without children while constantly voting against reproductive care like birth control or IVF.”
MDP Chair Lavora Barnes predicted that Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris and her newly named running mate for vice president, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, would use a Detroit appearance that same day to present Michiganders with a “drastically different campaign and a brighter vision for a future they can believe in.”
“Don’t be fooled, Vance will only fearmonger and spread misinformation at his event — because Republicans know they don’t have solutions to offer Michiganders,” Barnes said. “This rally will make it crystal clear that he doesn’t understand Michigan and he sure doesn’t understand our values.”
Roper’s work caught the attention of a colleague from the YMCA, who reached out to him about a role in their upcoming charter school project. Roper was hesitant to accept the project, but having the nonprofit YMCA operate the school eased some concerns he had toward the school’s motivations. Roper accepted the offer and became the founding administrator of Detroit Leadership Academy.
“That experience really prepared me for leadership as a principal and a superintendent because not only was I an administrator, but I started this school from scratch,” Roper said. “I didn’t know what phase we were in. It was myself (as) the superintendent at the time, so everything from the paint on the walls to the carpet to the first student recruited to first staff recruited, my principal and I at the time developed that district, which still exists to this day.”
When the YMCA began to move away from the charter school, Roper began looking for other opportunities. His next move would not be too far away from home — his new home, that is, in Center Line. Roper’s kids attended Center Line Public Schools, where Roper ended up becoming a principal.
In 2023, a former assistant principal emailed Roper the job listing for the superintendent’s job in Mount Clemens, telling Roper, “They need you here.” He had no aspirations in going above a principal position, but felt like the job listing was written for him. After going through the interview process, the Mount Clemens School Board agreed. Roper was chosen from three finalists in a quick meeting May 31, 2023, after a long meeting of interviews and board deliberation on April 25-26.
Roper says he had no set expectations for Mount Clemens upon arriving. He had heard negative things about the district throughout the job search process, but was not deterred from continuing with the task.
“As I came to visit and started investigating a little more, that was even more motivation for me, the fact that people had given up on this community,” Roper said. “There are kids here. At the time there were 700-and-something souls here that needed somebody to believe in them. From day 1, as if I have been here forever, I take offense to any negative connotation or conversation about Mount Clemens Community Schools … These kids deserve a quality education and quality opportunities. The fact that people, whoever they are, have written off this district, that means you’ve written off these
kids.”
His first year in Mount Clemens made Roper familiar with the district. He said the district had many “unhealthy practices” and that a cultural shift in operations was needed.
“There was a lack of data-driven decisions,” Roper said. “It was a culture of, in my opinion, a culture of feelings. We’re doing things because it’s comfortable, because we’ve been doing it like this and not necessarily that the data shows it’s impactful. I didn’t feel it was a culture of data-driven decisions, which means it can’t be in the best interest of our students … It’s not what Mr. Roper thinks, it’s not what you think. It’s about what we can prove and what the evidence shows.”
From 2014 to 2023, data shows enrollment steadily fell from more than 1,200 students to 753. According to the state, the mean SAT scores for Mount Clemens High School went down from 842.1 in 2015-16 to 746.3 in 2022-23.
One statistic that was going up was expenditures — $15.07 million in 2014 to $15.21 million in 2023.
Roper spent his first year developing a strategic plan for the district.
“My team and I were able to lead this strategic planning process throughout this first year,” Roper said. “It involved over 100 community members and stakeholders and people from students, staff, alumni, business owners, city officials all took a part in developing our strategic plan. We finally have a finished project with measurable metrics that we are going to implement and are going to be the pillars of this district going forward.”
District enrollment has gone up to around 810 students, which Roper contributes to word of mouth surrounding developments of his first year. He has high expectations for his second year in the superintendent’s office.
“They can expect us to be better,” Roper said. “They can expect us to be open, honest and do what’s best for the kids and deliver on the promises that we’ve made to this community … I want people to know that they can trust us and I want them to trust us based on what we do and what they see.”
Getting the community’s trust and delivering on the district’s promises is a financial necessity as much as a reputable one. Roper says the district will try for a bond some time in 2025, though details of the bond will be discussed in meetings over the course of the 2024-25 school year. Classes in the district begin on Tuesday, Sept. 3.
Call Staff Writer Dean Vaglia at (586) 498-1043.
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COMMUNITY CALENDAR
AUG. 15
Macomb County Community Baby Shower: For expectant moms and those with children 2 and younger, hosted by The Rial Glam Life, 1-3:45 p.m., Mount Clemens Public Library, 150 Cass Ave., (586) 2725489, therialglamlife@gmail.com
Sweet Treats and Sweet Rides: Cars on display, music and in-store specials, 5-8 p.m., also Sept. 19, Sanders Chocolate and Ice Cream Shoppe, 23770 Hall Road in Clinton Township, (586) 464-5372
AUG. 17
Macomb County Pride: Family-friendly event featuring drag queen show and story time, LGBTQIA community performances, food trucks, vendors and DJ, noon-6 p.m., North Main Street in Mount Clemens, macombcountypride.com/pride2024
BBQ-Bourbon-Beats Childhood Cancer: Also 50-50, raffles and whiskey tasting, hosted by nonprofit 13forever and Mt. Clemens Eagles #1269, 6-11 p.m., 25455 S. River Road in Harrison Township, (586) 913-7439, www.13forever.org/events
Elton John tribute: Presented by Tom Cridland, 7 p.m., Macomb Center for the Perfoming Arts on Macomb Community College - Center Campus, 44575 Garfield Road in Clinton Township, macombcenter. com
Concert on the Lawn: Hear Lakeshore Ukulele Strummers play popular love songs from 1920s-1960s, 1 p.m., Harrison Township Public Library, 38255 L’Anse Creuse (Suite A), free but tips donated to Friends of the Library, htlibrary.org/events
AUG. 21
Recycling 101: Learn about sustainable solutions while enjoying coffee and doughnuts, 10 a.m., Harrison Township Public Library, 38255 L’Anse Creuse (Suite A), registration requested, htlibrary.org/events
Movie night: See “The Little Mermaid” (2023), 6-8:15 p.m., Clinton-Macomb Public Library - South Branch, 35679 S. Gratiot Ave. in Clinton Township, (586) 226-5072, cmpl.org
AUG. 23
Benefit on the Bay: Fundraiser for Capuchin Soup Kitchent, includes
Visit candgnews.com/ calendar or use this QR code
CLASS REUNIONS
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 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
food and desserts, live entertainment and dancing, and auctions and raffle, also guest host Jay Towers, doors at 5:30 p.m., MacRay Harbor, 30675 N. River Road in Harrison Township, benefitonthebaymi.org
AUG. 28
Toshokan Anime Club: For grades 6-12, 7-8 p.m., Clinton-Macomb Public Library - South Branch, 35679 S. Gratiot Ave. in Clinton Township, register at (586) 226-5072, cmpl.org
SEPT. 7
Tunnel to Towers 5K Run/Walk: 9:30 a.m., Lake St. Clair Metropark, 31300 Metropolitan Parkway in Harrison Township, t2t.org, runsignup. com/races
ONGOING
Mexican art exhibit: “Tlatecayotl Caucualtzin” (Art is Beautiful) on display 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesdays-Fridays until Sept. 13, also 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sept. 7 and 14, Lorenzo Cultural Center on Macomb Community College - Center Campus, 44575 Garfield Road in Clinton Township, lorenzoculturalcenter.com
Summer Sounds: Concerts run 5-8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 3-6 p.m. Sundays, and 3-6 p.m. Labor Day, The Mall at Partridge Creek, 17420 Hall Road in Clinton Township, see lineup at shoppartridge creek.com
Wellness Wednesdays: Free yoga classes hosted by Henry Ford Health, 9 a.m. Aug. 14, 21 and 28, The Mall at Partridge Creek, 17420 Hall
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.
Osborn High School Class of 1974: 50-year reunion includes dinner and open bar, 6-11 p.m. Sept. 20, Blossom Heath
grossepointenorth1974.com
Road in Clinton Township, (586) 416-3849, facebook.com/themallat partridgecreek
Farmers markets: 7 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays until Nov. 23, City Park & Ride Lot, 141 N. River Road in Mount Clemens, (586) 493-7600, facebook.com/MountClemensFarmersMarket
• 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Sept. 14, John F. Kennedy Knights of Columbus Council #5460, 33320 Kelly Road in Clinton Township, (586) 610-2990
Splash pad: 11 a.m.-7 p.m. daily until Sept. 2, Lake St. Clair Metropark, 31300 Metropolitan Parkway in Harrison Township, metroparks. com/lake-st-clair-metropark
Car shows: 4-8 p.m. Wednesdays, Louie’s Towne Grill, 79 N. Main St. in Mount Clemens
• 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays during summer, Eddie’s Drive-In, 36111 Jefferson Ave. in Harrison Township, (586) 469-2345
Widowed Friends breakfasts: 10:30 a.m. every second Monday of month, Big Boy, 16880 Hall Road in Clinton Township, RSVP to Gerry at (586) 556-9471
• 10 a.m. every third Friday of month, The Pantry, 44945 Morley Drive in Clinton Township, RSVP to Loree at (810) 335-2096
Social groups: Find meetups for chess, knitting and crocheting, book clubs and more, Harrison Township Public Library, 38255 L’Anse Creuse St. (Suite A), (586) 329-1261, htlibrary.org/events
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
