8/15/24 Grosse Pointe Times

Court’s ruling on wages, sick time reverberates across region

WORKERS, BUSINESSES AND ASSOCIATIONS REACT TO DIVIDED

MICHIGAN SUPREME COURT DECISION

BY NICK POWERS AND K. MICHELLE MORAN npowers@candgnews.com, kmoran@candgnews.com

METRO DETROIT — A recent 4-3 ruling by the Michigan Supreme Court affecting the state’s laws governing minimum wage and sick time is sending shockwaves through many businesses, including the restaurant industry.

All workers will receive a pay bump to more than $12 an hour in 2025 with tipped workers gradually reaching $12 in 2029. The final amounts will be determined by the 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

See RULING on page 16A

Sewer and capital improvements bond passes in Grosse Pointe City

BY K. MICHELLE MORAN kmoran@candgnews.com

GROSSE POINTE CITY — A millage that will enable Grosse Pointe City to take advantage of more than $22 million in federal funds for sewer and other infrastructure improvements was passed overwhelmingly by Aug. 6 primary voters.

Voters approved a stormwater sewer separation and capital improvements bond not to exceed $15 million that’s expected to reduce the chances of catastrophic flooding like the city experienced in the summer of 2021. According to

Voters approve operating millage for Grosse Pointe public schools/5A

Primary marked by strong voter turnout/14A

LEFT: Grosse Pointe City election workers Cathy Victor and Bill Rooney assist voters at the information desk at Maire Elementary School during the primary Aug. 6.

BELOW: Outside Maire Elementary School in Grosse Pointe City, Kelly Laurenceau campaigns for Wayne County Circuit Court judicial candidate Nicole Castka.

Photos by K. Michelle Moran

— Dan McCrary

When Dan came to The Helm, he had no idea how his life was going to change. Alongside a newfound sense of community, he discovered chair yoga. After just four months of active participation in these classes, Dan no longer needed a wheelchair or walker for his chronic Guillain Garre Syndrome. Meet Dan at The Helm for chair yoga.

Unlocked vehicles with key fobs leading to more thefts in Park

BY K. MICHELLE MORAN kmoran@candgnews.com

PARK — Along with pre-bedtime rituals like brushing their teeth and setting their alarm, Grosse Pointe Park Public Safety Director James Bostock would like to see people add a new one: Make sure the car key fob is inside the house.

Although crime overall is down in the Park, Bostock said there’s been a recent spike in larcenies from vehicles and vehicle thefts. In the majority of those incidents, he said, the vehicles were unlocked. As for the vehicle thefts, Bostock said that since July 17, of about 11 vehicle thefts, 10 were unlocked vehicles with key fobs left inside them. As Bostock pointed out, that’s more than 90%.

“Please lock your cars,” Bostock said during an Aug. 12 Park City Council meeting. “Don’t leave anything of value in your car. Don’t make it tempting (for criminals). … Don’t leave your key fobs in the cars.”

It’s not a problem specific to the Park — it happens in many other communities, including the other Grosse Pointes. Unfortunately, the Park seems to have been especially hard-hit in recent weeks by crooks in search of an easy score.

“This is more than a pattern now,” Mayor Michele Hodges said during the meeting of the key fob issue. “It is surprising that this continues to be a problem in the community.”

From the increasing number of doorbell and home security camera footage police have reviewed, Bostock said officers have seen “it doesn’t take long” for suspects going through a neighborhood to find unlocked vehicles.

“We’re fortunate to be in a community where crime is relatively low, but crime does happen everywhere,” Bostock said after the meeting. “We have to be vigilant.”

The Public Safety Department also has a limited number of steering wheel locks available for free for residents. Anyone interested in obtaining one can visit the Public Safety Department or call (313) 822-7400. Residents who see suspicious activity in their neighborhood are also encouraged to call the Public Safety Department immediately to report it.

Call Staff Writer K. Michelle Moran at (586) 498-1047.

Walk your pooch to help pups in need

BY K. MICHELLE MORAN kmoran@candgnews.com

SHORES — The family of Edsel and Eleanor Ford were known for their love of dogs, and that affection for canines is reflected in dog-friendly events held on the grounds of their Grosse Pointe Shores estate.

From 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Aug. 20 to 25, people can stroll the grounds with their pooches during Dog Days of Summer, a fundraiser for Michigan Humane. Typically, only Friends of Ford House members can bring their dogs for a walk at Ford House, so

Photo provided by the Edsel and Eleanor Ford House

Attendees of the Dog Days of Summer dog walks at Ford House will have a chance to meet Moss, a border collie who works to discourage Canada geese from gathering on the estate grounds.

Assumption Greek Orthodox Church to host GreekFest

BY ALYSSA OCHSS aochss@candgnews.com

ST. CLAIR SHORES — Eventgoers can “be Greek for a day,” celebrating Greek culture and art by attending the GreekFest in St. Clair Shores

The festival runs from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Aug. 15, 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. Aug. 16, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Aug. 17, and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Aug. 18. The event is held at the Assumption Greek Orthodox Church at 21800 Marter Road.

Tom Thomas, GreekFest co-chair, said folks can expect excellent Greek food, entertainment and festivities.

“It’ll be an exciting four days,” Thomas said.

According to a press release, Braylon Edwards, University of Michigan wide receiver, is the guest of honor, and will be available to sign autographs and take photos from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Aug. 17.

“Join us for this captivating celebration where community, culture, and sports legends unite. Fans are encouraged to arrive early, as this event is expected to draw a significant crowd,” the release said. “For more information about the festival, visit assumptionfestival.com.”

Enigma Detroit is playing at the festival this year. The lead singer, Niko Varlamos, is a member of the church and a chanter.

Thomas said the Ladies Philoptochos Society will be making pastries for the festival. They will be serving a variety of traditional Greek pastries and others, including honey balls called Loukoumades.

The festival will include a raffle featuring monetary prizes and jewelry. First place will win $10,000 and second place will win a signature Ahee diamond pendant valued at $3,600, donated by Ahee Jewelers. Third prize will win $500, and fourth, fifth and sixth place will win $200.

Thomas said a marketplace will be available for eventgoers to browse through, featuring goods from Greece, the United States and other places.

“There’s some wonderful shopping in the marketplace, and as Tom mentioned they’re from all over the country as well as all over the world,” said Joan DeRonne, administrator of the Assumption Cultural Center.

She went on to say products available for purchase include clothing, jewelry and more.

DeRonne said there will also be a raffle in the marketplace.

Activities available for children to enjoy include magic shows, rides, puppet shows, jugglers, balloon artists and more.

“Parents can sit and watch their kids and take a break from their own fun,” DeRonne said.

Photos provided by Joan DeRonne GreekFest is right around the corner and offers a taste of Greek food, culture and life.

Voters approve operating millage for Grosse Pointe public schools

BY K. MICHELLE MORAN kmoran@candgnews.com

GROSSE POINTES/HARPER

WOODS — Voters in the Grosse Pointe Public School System district — which encompasses the five Grosse Pointes and part of Harper Woods — showed strong support for an operating millage that was on the Aug. 6 primary ballot.

Unofficial voting results available at press time from Wayne County showed that 72% of voters approved the operating millage restoration and extension. As GPPSS Superintendent Andrea Tuttle explained in May, the millage was a renewal and represented “no tax increase for homeowners.”

Voter approval allows the district to levy up to 18 mills — the statutory limit — for general operations. Everything from salaries for teachers and staff to building maintenance and educational programs is covered by this millage.

For homeowners, the rate is capped at 7.5337 mills. By law, the district can only levy the amount of the millage needed to enable the district to get its full per-pupil foundation allowance; currently, that amount is 3.7113 mills.

The millage question calls for an increase to 20 mills for non-homestead property, but no more than 18 mills can be levied. Tuttle said they’re building in a cushion in the event of millage rollbacks.

“Today, our community reaffirmed its commitment to education and the wellbeing of our youth,” Tuttle said via email Aug. 7. “I extend my sincere gratitude to all who dedicated their time and effort to the operating millage education campaign and to everyone who participated in the voting

process. We now look forward to the important work of maintaining and enhancing our educational programs.

“Being a part of the Grosse Pointe community and the GPPSS team is an honor, but the pride I feel today is particularly profound. Thank you, Grosse Pointe, for demonstrating that the future of our youth is a top priority.”

The Alliance for GP Public Schools, a nonprofit not affiliated with the district that had been advocating for passage of the millage, issued a statement on its Facebook page after the election that reads: “Strong Schools = Strong Communities. Thank you to Grosse Pointe and Harper Woods community members for your enthusiastic support of GPPSS schools with 72% voting YES for the School Operating Millage Renewal! The revenue from the operating millage will help our schools continue to thrive.”

District officials said the operating millage represents a critical portion of the district’s annual budget and without it, the district couldn’t operate its current schools and programs.

“If this doesn’t pass, the school district as we know it doesn’t exist,” Board member Ahmed Ismail said May 28.

The millage will raise an estimated $22.4 million in its first year. The district’s total budget is roughly $101 million.

The operating millage just approved by voters takes effect in 2025 and runs for five years, until December 2029. It doesn’t overlap the existing operating millage, for which the district will collect its last payment in December 2024.

Call Staff Writer K. Michelle Moran at (586) 498-1047.

kmoran@candgnews.com

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CRIME WATCH

Man accused of making threats

FARMS

— A 52-year-old Ferndale man was arrested Aug. 6 after he reportedly entered a bank on the Hill at around 3:45 p.m. Aug. 6 and allegedly told someone in an office to give him money or he would “go on a killing spree in Grosse Pointe.”

The branch manager told police the suspect had had problems with other banks in the area, and she alleged that he was in litigation with one of the banks. The branch manager told police that the suspect had applied for a loan Aug. 2 and became enraged when he called the branch Aug. 6 and learned his loan had been denied.

The suspect reportedly told a bank employee, “I better get a card or a loan to save my business or I will go on a killing spree in Grosse Pointe.” The manager said the suspect told her he would close his account. She told police that she told the suspect she would reach out to the loan department to see if there was anything they could do to help him. Because of the call, an official from the bank called police to do a welfare check on the suspect.

The suspect later went to the branch in person and asked to speak with the manager he had spoken with on the phone. Because of the threat the suspect had made when he was speaking with the manager by phone, she called for bank security. The manager asked the suspect if she could help him and he asked to talk to her in her office, but when he tried to close the door, she stopped him. The manager told the suspect the bank was terminating its relationship with him due to his actions and threats. The suspect denied having made the threat and told the manager she must have misunderstood him. He allegedly said most people would want to go on a killing spree if they were denied a loan.

Police said they arrested the suspect inside his office in Grosse Pointe City. The suspect could be facing a charge of raising a false active shooter alarm in a public place.

Stolen vehicle recovered

PARK — A 2007 Chrysler Town & Country was stolen from the street in the 1200 block of Berkshire Road between the hours of 8 p.m. Aug. 7 and 1:30 p.m. Aug. 8. Police said the vehicle was unlocked at the time and the keys were inside. The vehicle was later recovered. Anyone with more information can call (313) 822-7400.

Vehicle stolen

WOODS — For the second time, a

resident in the 2100 block of Vernier Road reported to police that someone had stolen his 2003 Chevrolet pickup truck, which had been parked in his driveway when it was taken by an unknown suspect between the hours of 2:30 a.m. Aug. 5 and 8:30 a.m. Aug. 6. Anyone with more information can call (313) 343-2400.

Suspects sought in vehicle theft

PARK — Two unknown people were caught on surveillance video stealing a silver 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee from the street in the 1300 block of Maryland Street between the hours of 8 p.m. Aug. 9 and 10 a.m. Aug. 10. The vehicle was unlocked and the keys were inside, police said. The footage is said to show the car thieves checking vehicle doors until they reached this particular vehicle, at which point they got inside and drove away. Anyone with more information can call (313) 822-7400.

Vehicle damaged during larceny

WOODS — Between Aug. 7 and 10 a.m. Aug. 9, an unknown suspect allegedly smashed a window on a vehicle parked in the North Lot of Ascension St. John Hospital and stole an Amazon tablet valued at $200. Police said the driver’s side door lock was punched as well. Anyone with more information can call (313) 343-2400.

Larceny from auto reported

WOODS — Police were called to the 19000 block of Linville Street at 1 a.m. Aug. 12 on a report of a Dodge Durango circling the block and the Durango’s occupant peering into a pickup truck. According to a police report, as officers checked vehicles parked in the area, they discovered a Ram pickup truck with its rear driver’s side window smashed out and a center console computer system removed. Anyone with more information can call (313) 343-2400.

Suspect sought in wallet theft

CITY — A suspect described in a police report as a thin woman who was approximately 5 feet, 1 inch tall is said to have stolen a wallet from a shopper while the shopper was at Trader Joe’s in The Village at around 12:15 p.m. Aug. 9. The suspect is then said to have tried to use the victim’s credit cards at Lululemon. Anyone with more information can call (313) 886-3200.

Suspect arrested for multiple larcenies from vehicles

FARMS — An 18-year-old Detroit man was arrested after reportedly rifling through the interiors of vehicles while they were parked in the 200 block of Merriweath-

er Road and 200 block of Kenwood Court Aug. 2. The suspect was found in possession of a screwdriver and multiple pairs of glasses, including a Burberry prescription pair. The glasses didn’t appear to belong to the victims whose vehicles had been rummaged through. Anyone with more information about these incidents or who might have also been a victim can call (313) 885-2100.

Vehicle paperwork stolen

FARMS — Sometime between the hours of 5 p.m. Aug. 7 and 7 a.m. Aug. 8, an unknown suspect is said to have entered a silver Lexus RX350 while it was parked in the 300 block of Moran Road and stolen the owner’s manual, proof of insurance and vehicle registration. Police said they found no evidence of forced entry and the victim said he might have forgotten to lock the vehicle. Anyone with more information can call (313) 885-2100.

Suspects seen trying vehicle doors

FARMS — Police were called to the 300 block of McKinley Road at 5:24 a.m. Aug. 8 about three unknown male suspects who were spotted trying vehicle door handles in the area. A witness told police that the suspects were “skipping and laughing

down the street” as they went from vehicle to vehicle. He told police he yelled at the suspects, at which point they fled to an awaiting getaway vehicle.

Police discovered a vehicle in the 200 block of McKinley that had its dome light on, and when police peered inside, they saw that the interior contents had been strewn about. The suspects are described as a group of four males — one of them was the driver of the getaway vehicle — who were seen in the area in a white Ford Edge. Anyone with more information can call (313) 885-2100.

Landscaping equipment stolen

FARMS — Police were called to the 400 block of Lexington Road at 11:48 a.m. July 31 after two unknown suspects reportedly stole a RedMax backpack leaf blower and an Echo weed trimmer from the trailer of a landscaper working on a lawn in the neighborhood. The victim told police the suspects were two young men, and they entered a gray minivan that fled the area headed northbound toward Mack Avenue. The same suspects are believed by police to have committed a similar larceny in Grosse Pointe Woods less than an hour earlier. Anyone with more information can call (313) 885-2100.

— K. Michelle Moran

Code(s) of Silence, Racial and Otherwise

Last month we again called on the Grosse Pointe Public School System to release a report they commissioned at taxpayer expense about possible misconduct by a Board Trustee. Some of us have followed that up by filing FOIA requests for additional information. The issue is far larger than just one report. It’s the deeply embedded idea that covering things up is better than addressing them. It’s the belief that the purpose of power includes control over inconvenient information. It is a pillar of perpetuating racial and gender injustice.

GPPSS School Board RELEASE THE REPORT!

The report by the Miller Johnson law firm exists. The Board should publish it so that we can all read it and then go from there.

the date of September 25 at 6:30 PM for a discussion with Tracie McMillan author of THE WHITE BONUS at Next Chapter Books.

New backup generator coming this fall to Farms water plant

BY K. MICHELLE MORAN kmoran@candgnews.com

FARMS — When it comes to providing clean drinking water for residents and businesses in Grosse Pointe Farms and Grosse Pointe City, Farms officials are taking no chances with regard to keeping their water treatment plant operational.

The Farms City Council unanimously approved a low bid from Bruce Townshipbased Rauhorn Electric Inc. of $320,826.45 for installation of a new 550-kilowatt natural gas generator at the plant at a meeting July 8.

The generator itself will cost about $250,000, plus a 10% contingency, City Councilman Neil Sroka said. City Manager Shane Reeside explained to the council that they were voting July 8 on installation, which also includes a 10% contingency and a $35,000 allowance for DTE Energy to provide elevated gas pressure service required to operate this generator.

Reeside said this will replace the existing backup generator, which dates back to the 1940s.

The new backup generator “is also a slightly higher capacity,” Reeside said.

He said a backup generator was used

before to provide power to the plant when the city lost electricity for several days during a major outage, enabling the Farms to continue to supply residents with water.

“If we lose the dual feed, we can rely on the backup generator,” Reeside said.

One Farms resident asked if there was anything allocated in the project’s budget to address noise, aesthetics and pollution from the new generator. Reeside said all those things had been considered.

City Councilman Lev Wood said “over $30,000 of this (project) cost” had been allocated toward landscaping, with many new plants to be placed around the generator.

Reeside said the hill on the property will also minimize the appearance and visibility of the generator.

“It’ll also mitigate the noise,” City Councilwoman Beth Konrad Wilberding said of the landscaping.

Reeside said that the landscaping will include arbor vitae.

“The nice thing about the new generators is that they’re encapsulated to reduce noise,” Reeside said.

Officials said the generator is slated to arrive in October.

Call Staff Writer K. Michelle Moran at (586) 498-1047.

Juried art fair returns

For the second year, the Grosse Pointe Art Fair — presented by the nonprofit Art as Healing Foundation — will take place on the grounds of the Edsel and Eleanor Ford House, 1100 Lake Shore Road in Grosse Pointe Farms. The hours will be 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 17-18. Original works by approximately 60 artists will be featured in this juried event, including pottery, woodworking, painting, jewelry and ceramics. Food and beverages will be available for purchase from Ford House as well, both on the grounds and inside the Visitor Center. Live acoustic music will be performed both days, with Mark Reitenga from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 17 and Ralph Koziarski from 2 to 3:15 p.m. and 4 to 5 p.m. Aug. 17, and John Davis from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 18. Admission to the art fair includes a Ford House grounds pass and costs $7 for adults, $5 for children ages 4 to 12 and is free for children under age 4; admission is also free for Friends of Ford House members. For more information, visit artfairfun.com/grosse-pointe-art-fair.

FINAL AFTER 6 EVENT OF SEASON PLANNED

The last After 6 on Kercheval event of the summer will happen from 6 to 10 p.m. Aug. 24 in Grosse Pointe Park’s Kercheval Avenue business district, between Nottingham Road and Maryland Street. The popular free street festivals include food trucks, entertainment and activities. For more information, visit the Park’s Facebook page closer to the event.

Seniors invited for complimentary lunch

Thanks to the Detroit Area Agency on Aging’s Silver Café Initiative, those ages 60 and older from the Grosse Pointes and Harper Woods are invited to have a free lunch. From 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Sept. 17, The Helm at the Boll Life Center, 158 Ridge Road in Grosse Pointe Farms, will be hosting a visit from the Simply Spanish food truck, which will be serving up Spanish-inspired sandwiches. Diners can choose from among ribeye, vegetarian or chicken options.

“Last year’s event was hugely successful,” The Helm Executive Director Krista Siddall said in a press release. “More than 100 people joined us for lunch. We enjoyed hosting everyone. It’s a great opportunity to get out of the house, have a delicious lunch and spend time with others. We’ll have tables and chairs set up inside our house as well as outside on the various patios and front lawn.”

Reservations must be made by Aug. 20, as walk-ups cannot be accommodated. Participants need to provide their sandwich selection, along with their name, birthdate, phone number and address. To register or for more information, call The Helm at (313) 882-9600.

EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS OFFERED

The Helm at the Boll Life Center, 158 Ridge Road in Grosse Pointe Farms, will offer a program on staying safe at home presented by the Grosse Pointe Farms Public Safety Department from 6 to 7 p.m. Aug. 20, with a special appearance by K-9 Rocco. Attendees will learn about some of the most common crimes and how they can reduce their chances of being a victim. This event is free, but advance registration is required.

The Detroit Area Agency on Aging will present an educational program on opioids and seniors from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Aug. 21 and Sept. 24 that will include information on how to properly use, store and dispose of these medications, along with resources for anyone struggling with addiction or anyone who has a loved one battling addiction. This free program also requires registration. To register or for more information, call The Helm at (313) 882-9600.

SUPERHEROES TO BE SPOTLIGHTED

From Aug. 22 to Sept. 9, all three branches of the Grosse Pointe Public Library will be displaying more than 50 posters from the Superhero Project.

According to a press release from the GPPL, the Superhero Project “empowers youth impacted by serious illnesses, disabilities and other complex mental health, developmental or medical needs” by interviewing them about how they want to make a difference and creating a superhero poster based on how these young people want to impact the world.

“We’re honored to share this powerful exhibit,” Library Director Jessica Keyser said in a press release. “I encourage everyone to stop by one of our branches to see how the Superhero Project uses the power of art as a tool for healing.”

In conjunction with the exhibition, the GPPL will be hosting a Superhero Exploration program at 11 a.m. Aug. 22 at the Woods branch, 3 p.m. Aug. 22 at Central branch and 11 a.m. Aug. 23 at the Ewald branch of the library. The program is for elementary and middle school students and will look at superhero themes and representation in art. Participants will be able to create their own art as well. Registration is needed and can be made by clicking on the event on the library website’s calendar page at grossepointelibrary.org.

HOSPITAL RECEIVES RECOGNITION

Corewell Health Beaumont Grosse Pointe recently received the American Heart Association’s Get With the Guidelines — Stroke Gold Plus award for its stroke care and treatment. The hospital also received the American Heart Association’s Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll award for its work helping Type 2 diabetes patients who might be at greater risk for complications to receive the most current type of care when hospitalized from a stroke.

“This recognition from the American Heart Association validates our commitment to providing the highest quality stroke care to our community,” Corewell Health Beaumont Grosse Pointe Hospital President Derk Pronger said in a press release. “At Corewell Health Beaumont Grosse Pointe Hospital, we’re dedicated to implementing best practices and evidence-based treatments that give our patients the best possible outcomes. This award reflects the hard work and expertise of our entire stroke care team.”

Concert scheduled

Grosse Pointe Woods is inviting Woods residents and their guests to a free concert by Vavoom from 7 to 10 p.m. Aug. 23 outside on City Hall property at 20025 Mack Plaza as part of the Music on the Lawn series. Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets. Food will be available for purchase from Katrina’s Italian Kitchen. Wine and beer will also be available for purchase, but via cash only, and identification must be provided.

Nonprofits invited

The Grosse Pointe Chamber of Commerce is inviting local nonprofits to take part in a free mixer from 5 to 7 p.m. Aug. 22 at the Edsel and Eleanor Ford House, 1100 Lake Shore Road in Grosse Pointe Farms. The event will offer an opportunity for nonprofit leaders to network with colleagues as well as members of the local business community. Admission is free, but nonprofits should register if they want a table. For more information, email info@grossepointechamber.com.

Free smoke alarms available

Grosse Pointe Park’s Public Safety Department is offering free smoke alarms to its residents. And the best part? Public Safety Director James Bostock said they’ll even come to people’s homes and install the alarms, by appointment. To make an appointment or for more information, residents can call the department at (313) 822-7400.

GreekFest

from page 4A

“It’s a festival for all ages, too,” Thomas said. “It’s got something for everyone.”

DeRonne said there will be a pop-up exhibit from the Hellenic Museum of Michigan in the Hellenic room inside the church. The exhibit will show the history of the Olympics from the ancient games to their rebirth in Athens in 1896 to modern times.

“That will be a nice tie-in right now with all the Olympic games to see from the modern era now from 1896,” DeRonne said.

DeRonne went on to say the exhibit will highlight the Olympic spirit and the continuity of the games. The exhibit is called “Olympic Echoes: Athens 2004 and the Ancient Games Legacy.”

Dogs

from page 3A

this event will give everyone a chance to do it. Ford House officials say 40% of proceeds from Dog Days of Summer will go to Michigan Humane.

“We’re thrilled to expand our relationship with Michigan Humane,” Ford House Director of Visitor Experience Amanda Rutland said in a press release. “Having supported their Mutt March for years, this event is a wonderful opportunity to further our shared commitment to animal welfare and community engagement while also welcoming new guests to Ford House.”

Michigan Humane held its 35th annual Mutt March fundraiser on Ford House grounds earlier this summer. A pit bull ban enacted by the Grosse Pointe Shores City Council had threatened to end that tradition — many of the dogs Michigan Humane has adopted out have been pit bull mixes — but when the council reversed the ban in a split vote last fall, Michigan Humane announced that the Mutt March would remain at the Ford House.

“We value the longstanding relationship Michigan Humane has had with Ford House,” Michigan Humane President & CEO Matt Pepper said by email. “Both organizations understand the value of celebrating our relationships with our pets. Our hope is that Dog Days of Summer brings people and their dogs together, recognizing the fact that everything is better with pets.”

Ford House President and CEO Mark Heppner said its partnership with Michigan Humane wasn’t something they wanted to

Also available to view is an art exhibit with works from “Greek culture and artistic traditions” DeRonne said.

According to a press release, the festival draws the attention of over 10,000 eventgoers. DeRonne called it a giant class reunion, saying it brings friends, family and neighbors together.

“It’s a wonderful time in the community itself,” DeRonne said.

Thomas said eventgoers are excited to be there at the festival and enjoy everything it has to offer.

“Everything is just a wonderful, wonderful weekend,” Thomas said. “Our church enjoys putting it on for the community and, of course, it helps with our community programs and church programs as well.”

Call Staff Writer Alyssa Ochss at (586) 498-1103.

lose. Heppner and Pepper met for the first time last year in the wake of the Shores breed ban, and Heppner toured Michigan Humane facilities, where he said he was impressed by “the services and what they offer to the community. It really opened my eyes.”

Those conversations have led to stronger ties between the two nonprofits.

“I think a lot of new and exciting things will come down the pike” with Michigan Humane, Heppner said.

Attendees will have a chance to meet Moss, the Ford House border collie who discourages Canada geese from congregating and fouling the grounds. Moss has been working at the estate for seven years. He was born in 2016 in Canada.

Participants must keep their dogs on 6-foot leashes at all times and cannot bring them onto Bird Island or inside any of the buildings.

“The most important thing is that it helps raise awareness of the important work of Michigan Humane for our community,” Heppner said. “We hope it (reminds) people that we love dogs (at Ford House) and we’re a safe place for dogs.”

Dog Days of Summer tickets are free for Friends of Ford House members or $10 for adults and $5 for children ages 4 to 12. Children under age 3 will be admitted for free with adult admission. For tickets or more information, visit fordhouse.org or call (313) 884-4222.

Call Staff Writer K. Michelle Moran at (586) 498-1047.

PRIMARY MARKED BY STRONG VOTER TURNOUT

BY K. MICHELLE MORAN kmoran@candgnews.com

GROSSE POINTES/HARPER WOODS — Voters in the Grosse Pointes and Harper Woods decided which candidates would be representing their parties in November when they cast ballots for the Aug. 6 primary election.

Incumbent Democratic U.S. Rep. Shri Thanedar, of Detroit, will once again represent his party in the general election. He defeated challengers Shakira Lynn Hawkins and Mary Waters in the primary. According to unofficial vote tallies available at press time from Wayne County, Thanedar received 54.14% of the vote to 34.19% for Waters and 11.41% for Hawkins.

“We were able to get $342 million for infrastructure projects and $15 million for community projects throughout the district for workforce development, infrastructure upgrades, surviving extreme weather events, and more,” Thanedar said in a post-election statement. “I’m especially thankful that I was able to bring federal dollars to municipalities that haven’t received federal money in decades.”

That local funding includes approximately $1.6 million for Grosse Pointe Park’s extreme emergency relief valve, or EERV, which Park City Manager Nick Sizeland said can be used for future upgrades and some qualifying reimbursement. Sizeland said the funding came from the U.S. Depart-

ment of Housing and Urban Development.

Thanedar said he served as the ranking member of the Small Business and Homeland Security subcommittees.

In November, Thanedar will face Republican challenger Martell D. Bivings, who ran unopposed for his party’s nomination.

In the race for who would represent Democrats in the newly drawn State House District 10, state Rep. Veronica Paiz, of Harper Woods, defeated challenger Justin Counts, of Grosse Pointe Park. She earned almost 76% of the vote on the Democratic side. Paiz is currently serving as the District 11 representative. She will square off against Republican Griffin Wojtowicz in November, who ran unopposed for the Republican nomination.

Incumbent District 1 Wayne County Commissioner Tim Killeen, D-Detroit, ran unopposed in his bid to secure his party’s nomination. There were no Republican candidates on the primary ballot in this race.

Wayne County voters also approved a parks millage renewal by over 75% and an auditor selection amendment by just over 54%.

Voter turnout was strong in the Farms, where 31.39% of the city’s 9,483 registered voters — or 2,977 — cast ballots. This marked only the second time that all the city’s precincts were consolidated at The War Memorial, following the presidential primary in February.

“It is working out well,” Farms Assistant City Manager/ City Clerk Derrick Kozicki said. “Each election here, we learn new things and make adjustments to improve the voters’ experience.”

If there’s ever a contest for most scenic polling location, the Farms would certainly rank high on the list: Voters got to cast ballots inside the ballroom, with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking War Memorial gardens and Lake St. Clair. Kozicki said many voters commented on the view.

“Turnout has been very steady, despite the weather,” Kozicki said. “Even during the heavy downpours, people were still coming in.”

That observation was echoed by Jerome Pokorney, who was outside The War Memorial campaigning for incumbent Wayne County Sheriff Rafael Washington; Washington, a Democrat, won his race.

“Even during the hardest of rain, people were coming,” Pokorney said. “I was giving people damp (campaign) literature.”

Jon Turner, also campaigning at The War Memorial for Washington, likewise noted a “steady flow” of voters all day.

And this comes at a time when voters have more options than ever, with no-excuse absentee ballots and early voting available. Kozicki said the Farms “did very well” with early voting, with 254 voters casting ballots that way.

See TURNOUT on page 15A

unofficial vote tallies available at press time, almost 84% of voters said yes to the 21-year millage, which starts at a levy of 1.8894 mills in 2025.

“We are very pleased that the residents have understood that this is our best hope of mitigating future flooding, and we’re delighted that we’re going to be able to proceed with the project and not lose federal money,” Mayor Sheila Tomkowiak said.

In October 2023, city leaders learned that they had qualified for $21,627,583 from the Federal Emergency Management Agency for sewer system improvements that were estimated two years ago to cost about $28,571,344. City Manager Joseph Valentine said they arrived at the bond amount of $15 million because costs of labor, materials and the like are expected to be as much as 40% higher today. To get the FEMA funds, the project must be completed within two years of when the city submitted its application.

Turnout

from page 14A

“Maybe it’s that cumulative effect,” speculated Maria Catalfio, who was campaigning at The War Memorial for Mary Waters. “The more opportunities you give people to vote, the more (likely) they (are to) vote.”

In recent years, Grosse Pointe Park has consolidated all its polling locations into one spot — Windmill Pointe Park. For the primary, about 30.92% of the city’s 10,438 voters — or 3,227 — took part.

“There’s been a steady stream of voters all day,” said Walter Evans, who was campaigning at Windmill Pointe Park for Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Hill Harper. Harper lost the race to Elissa Slotkin.

Michael Florian, an election inspector for the Park’s Precinct 5, said it had been “very slow in the morning,” but turnout started to pick up greatly as people got home from work and headed out to vote.

Like Catalfio, Park Precinct 5 Chair

Valentine said the engineering phase on the sewer project would take about a year. He said they would most likely go out to bid on the project this fall and start work next year.

Officials are hoping to use some of the bond money to cover needed equipment costs as well, such as two new garbage trucks, a front-end loader truck and a 10yard dump truck.

In addition, the bond will enable the city to take advantage of federal funds for roadwork. In 2025, the City expects to receive federal matching funds through the Michigan Department of Transportation for the resurfacing of St. Clair Avenue from St. Paul Street to Waterloo Street. That project, which is slated to cost about $695,890, would be largely covered by federal funds — to the tune of $569,585 — with the city paying the remaining construction cost of $126,305, plus $142,090 in engineering and testing, for a total cost to the City of $268,395.

Combining the federal funds with bond proceeds means that the city can reduce the cost of these expenses to taxpayers.

Just over 32% of the city’s 5,194 reg-

Alison Kulas saw a benefit to offering voters various ways to cast their ballots.

“It’s really nice having the three different options to vote at your convenience,” Kulas said.

Those who cast ballots in-person were not only able to pick up “I Voted” stickers, but also to share their electoral experience on social media by taking snapshots at selfie stations in the Farms and Park. The Park’s station even had accessories for voters to don, including patriotic sunglasses, a cowboy hat, headbands and leis. Kulas said one first-time voter’s family made him pose in the hat at the selfie station.

“He was a champ (about it),” Kulas said of the young voter, who was excited about being able to cast his first ballot.

In Grosse Pointe Shores, 701 of the city’s 2,533 registered voters — or 27.67% — participated in the primary. Grosse Pointe Woods saw 33.91% of its 14,600 registered voters — or 4,951 — cast primary ballots.

Call Staff Writer K. Michelle Moran at (586) 498-1047.

istered voters — or 1,664 — cast ballots in this election, a solid showing for a summer primary.

Campaigning for Wayne County Circuit Court judicial candidate Nicole Castka in the early evening hours outside Maire Elementary School was Kelly Laurenceau, who said she wasn’t seeing many voters.

“It’s been slim. (It’s) better than earlier (today), from what I’ve heard,” Laurenceau said. “(The) weather’s not playing nice today.”

In the morning, heavy downpours

might have dampened the desires of some voters to venture out to the polls.

General Chair Kara Hardenbrook — who helped election officials at both of the city’s precincts — said turnout overall had “been fantastic,” with many absentee ballots cast and early voting “picking up.”

“The rain delayed voters for a little bit, but everyone’s coming in after dinner,” Hardenbrook said. “It’s been picking up. It’s been great (voter) turnout this evening.”

Call Staff Writer K. Michelle Moran at (586) 498-1047.

Nonsurgical spinal decompression now available in the Grosse Pointes

CANDGNEWS.COM

Ruling

40 hours of sick leave a year.

These sweeping changes will go into effect Feb. 21, 2025. For some, it’s a step toward a living wage for workers. For others, it’s a hit to businesses across the state and possibly tipped workers.

How this happened

This ruling was years in the making. It’s the result of wrangling to keep the issue off the ballot in Michigan by legislators against the changes.

It started with two petitions in 2018 that received the required number of signatures to potentially appear on the ballot.

One petition would have given workers gradual wage increases until the minimum wage became $12 in 2022. After 2022, the wage would be increased each year, as determined by the state, according to inflation. The minimum-wage gap between tipped workers and all other workers, 38% in 2018, would be eventually closed by 2024.

The other petition required employers to give employees one hour of paid sick time for every 30 hours worked per week.

The Legislature adopted the unaltered

initiatives in September 2018. This kept them off the ballot and allowed lawmakers to alter them.

They did this in two bills. One caused the minimum wage increases to not exceed $12 until 2030 and removed the increases for tipped workers. It also removed increases to the wage based on inflation. The second made changes to sick time. It exempted employers with under 50 employees from providing paid sick time. It reduced the amount of paid sick time hours for larger businesses from 72 hours to 40.

The changes, led by Republicans, were approved along party lines by margins of 6048 in the Michigan House of Representatives and 26-12 in the state Senate in a lame duck session in December 2018. They were signed by then-Gov. Rick Snyder and went into effect March 29, 2019.

In the Michigan Court of Claims, it was determined that the Amended Wage Act and the Amended Earned Sick Time Act were unconstitutional on July 19, 2022. This was reversed by the Michigan Court of Appeals, but was ultimately upheld by Michigan Supreme Court’s July 31, 2024, ruling.

“We hold that this decision to adopt the initiatives and then later amend them in the same legislative session (what has been referred to as ‘adopt-and-amend’) violated the people’s constitutionally guaranteed right to

propose and enact laws through the initiative process,” the majority opinion states.

Business owners, associations react

Many business owners and associations have decried the decision.

The Michigan Retailers Association released a statement in the wake of the news.

“Bedrock principles of capitalism and a competitive labor market are thwarted by extending the paid leave law to employers with only one employee, dramatically altering the paid leave requirements for those with 50 or more employees, and mandating substantial changes to the minimum wage,” the association stated in a press release.

Other organizations including the Michigan Chamber of Commerce and the Small Business Association of Michigan struck a similar tone in press releases.

Joe Vicari, founder and CEO of the Joe Vicari Restaurant Group, spoke out against the changes. The Vicari Group, which includes mostly Michigan businesses under the Andiamo brand, has over 20 restaurants.

“This ruling will devastate the restaurant industry,” Vicari said in an emailed statement. “Many hard-working people will lose their jobs. Eighty-three percent of the restaurant industry did not want this law to pass!”

Restaurant owners and workers in the Grosse Pointes are concerned about the

changes.

Daniel Curis has owned a Big Boy for 46 years and Champs Rotisserie and Seafood for almost 20; both are in Grosse Pointe Woods.

“It’s going to hurt a lot of the little guys like me,” Curis said.

But he’s even more worried about the impact the changes will have on his waitstaff, some of whom have been working for him for 10 to 20 years.

“A lot of my waitstaff is not very happy about that because they feel that’s going to limit their income,” Curis said. “Ultimately, (the ruling) is going to hurt tipped employees because people aren’t going to tip (anymore).”

While a bartender at one restaurant in the Pointes thought the addition of paid sick time might be a positive development for workers, a bartender at a different restaurant said it wouldn’t be beneficial, since she said sick employees typically exchange shifts with a co-worker.

Bartenders and servers believe that their tips will either decline or people will stop tipping altogether, which would hurt them financially, as the new minimum wage doesn’t come close to what they earn per hour in tips on a busy day.

“The people that were behind (the new laws) have probably never worked in a restaurant,” said a female bartender at a restaurant

See RULING on page 17A

Ruling

in the Pointes, who asked not to be named. “I’m not happy about it at all. Customers are going to be paying more money (for food) and servers are going to be making less.”

Yvonne Beckwith, a server at Champs, has worked in the industry for about 20 years. She’s worried her income will fall dramatically when the new rules take effect.

“We depend on this money,” said Beckwith, a mother of three. “I make more on tips here than I made at my last job, where I made $17 an hour. … Good servers work very hard, and I think we deserve to get the tips.”

Ava Hopko, who also works at Champs, said she might make more money when hostessing with the change, but not when waitressing. The college student said she’d prefer to see the current tipping model remain in place.

“Honestly … if we weren’t making the tips, I would consider going to a different job,” Hopko said.

The Grosse Pointe Chamber of Commerce is raising the alarm about the changes after hearing comments like these from their members.

“Responses we have received from restaurant employees do not support the new laws set to take effect in 2025 and are considering seeking employment in other fields,” GPCC President and Executive Director Jenny Boettcher said in an email interview. “One employee specifically, who has dedicated over 20 years to the industry, is now exploring opportunities in a different sector. It is truly disheartening to hear.”

Inflation and rising fuel and labor costs have already increased food and beverage prices, and critics of the new law say restaurant owners — who’ve had to raise menu prices because of these factors — will have to do so again because they’ll need to pay higher wages to their tipped employees.

“The problem with inflation the last few years is, you can only go so high (with menu prices),” Curis said. “It just cuts back on how many times people can go out to eat.”

Restaurant workers and owners fear rising menu prices will reduce the number or frequency of customer visits and, in turn, force restaurants to close or reduce their hours of operation.

The changes come at an already challenging time.

“Many businesses are still grappling with the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic, and now they are facing another significant challenge that could potentially devastate the industry,” Boettcher said. “Feedback from our members indicates that this new challenge has the potential to further cripple their restaurants.”

There was more than a little uncertainty on the part of some.

One restaurant manager in Grosse Pointe City, who asked not to be named, said he didn’t know yet what impact the changes might have.

“I just want the best for my employees,” he said.

The GPCC plans to continue to monitor the new laws, and they encourage anyone impacted by the changes to make their voices heard in Lansing.

“The Chamber is dedicated to keeping businesses well-informed with the backing of the Michigan Chamber of Commerce,” Boettcher said. “It is imperative for tipped employees to write their local representatives a letter letting them know this will hurt their income.”

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 Republican-controlled legislature’s flagrant disregard for the citizen initiative process has robbed Michigan workers of wages and sick leave for the past five years. Republicans in the legislature quite literally stole out of the pockets of Michigan workers and today’s ruling by the Supreme Court is the first step in righting this wrong and making workers whole.”

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)

C & G NEWSPAPERS PROJECTED STANDINGS FOR CHSL FOOTBALL

BY JONATHAN SZCZEPANIAK jszczepaniak@candgnews.com

The Catholic High School League is shaping up to have a memorable season on its hands with a slew of teams fighting for the top spot in the Central Division and movement between Intersectional 1 and Intersectional 2 teams shaking up the divisions.

Below is C&G Newspapers’ projected standings for the 2024-2025 CHSL football season (regular season and division records from last year in parenthesis):

CHSL Central Division

Warren De La Salle Collegiate (11-3, 5-1) Toledo Catholic Central (16-0, 6-0) Orchard Lake St. Mary’s (3-6, 3-3)

Detroit Catholic Central (8-3, 4-2) Bloomfield Hills Brother Rice (0-9, 0-6) Toledo St. John’s Jesuit (4-7, 2-4)

Similar to how the Macomb Area Conference Red or Oakland Activities Association Red operate, the CHSL Central Division is truly a dogfight each week, and expected improvements from Bloomfield Hills Brother Rice and Orchard Lake St. Mary’s only makes it more of a gauntlet. Warren De La Salle Collegiate, which lost to Muskegon in the Division 2 state finals, and Toledo Central Catholic, which won its sixth Ohio state title last year, are the two heavyweights hoping one of its league counterparts can do some dirty work and give one of the top teams a loss before DLS and Central Catholic meet up on

Photos by Patricia O’Blenes

LEFT: Warren De La Salle Collegiate head coach Dan Rohn looks on during the Catholic High School League’s media day on July 31 at Farmington Hills Mercy High School. CENTER: Macomb Lutheran North head coach Garrett Wenzelburger speaks at the Catholic High School League media day on July 31 at Farmington Hills Mercy High School. RIGHT: Bloomfield Hills Brother Rice head coach Aaron Marshall smiles in his new uniform as he enters his first year leading the Brother Rice sidelines.

Roseville head coach Vernard Snowden leads his team during a game last season.

File photo by Donna Dalziel

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, 927

See MAC PLAYERS on page 23A

Harrison Township L’Anse Creuse senior Donovan Rey celebrates after scoring a touchdown.

File photo by Erin Sanchez

PLAYERS TO WATCH IN THE MAC FOOTBALL LEAGUE IN THE MAC FOOTBALL LEAGUE, THESE ARE SOME PLAYERS TO WATCH

Mahti Gwilly (ATH), Utica

Donovan Rey (RB), Harrison Township L’Anse Creuse

Conner Temple (WR), Utica Eisenhower

Deshaun Lanier (WR), Chippewa Valley

Eric Thomas Jr. (WR), Chippewa Valley

Brady Hamby (LB/RB), Macomb Dakota

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

Eric Slater (WR), Roseville

Jordan Simes (QB), Roseville

Michael Chude (DE), Roseville

Bobby Clark II (OT), St. Clair Shores Lakeview

Nathan Wolschleger (OL), Macomb L’Anse Creuse

North

Derek Grygorcewicz (WR/CB), Port Huron

Mike Kronner (QB), Warren Mott

Amir Morelan (WR/DB), Port Huron Northern

Lincoln Watkins (TE), Port Huron Northern

Kameran Hayward (WR/DB), Warren Cousino

Corshaun Williams (WR/DB), Fraser

Michael Brown (QB/WR/DB), Utica Ford II

Evan Bainbridge (OL/DL), Grosse Pointe North

Demontae Edwards (WR/DB), Warren Fitzgerald

Aidan Grzesikowski (QB/DB), Madison Heights

Lamphere

Ja’Sean Dean (WR/DB), St. Clair Shores Lake Shore

Amari Richardson (TE), Warren Woods Tower

Jawuan Kimble (WR/DB), Sterling Heights

Collin Gabler (TE/DE), Marine City

Mason Delor (LB/CB), Marysville

Masai Ali (RB), Center Line

Rafeal Payne (RB/LB), St. Clair Shores South Lake

Ben Farkas (QB/ATH), St. Clair

Montrell Parker (RB/DB), Hazel Park

Hunter Garrison (RB/DB), Clawson

Jeremiah Hutson (WR/DB), Warren Lincoln

Joseph Celaj (K), Romeo

PLAYERS TO WATCH IN THE CHSL FOOTBALL LEAGUE

BY JONATHAN SZCZEPANIAK jszczepaniak@candgnews.com

C & G Newspapers sports reporter Jonathan Szczepaniak looks at players to watch in the Catholic High School League.

Damion King IV, Warren De La Salle Collegiate

You have to keep your head on a swivel as a defensive back when King is lined up across from you.

With a play style that mirrors Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill, King, who stands at 5-foot-8, is lethal as both a pass catcher and ball carrier.

His crisp route running and physical pass catching ability make him a threat on the outside and when he’s lined up in the slot, and he showed his breakaway speed in the 2023 Michigan High School Athletic Association Division 2 state championship game when he took a 15-yard catch at the

CHSL

from page 18A

Sept. 20.

Central Catholic won the first meeting between the two schools 28-23 on their turf, but DLS will have the home field advantage this time around.

It’s always been about retooling a graduating class for DLS, but the Pilots return a healthy amount of all-Region talent in Jacob Hoffman (OL), Damion King IV (WR), Sante Gasperoni (QB), Jacob Tur (DL), Anthony Presnell (DL), Dalton Drogosh (LB) and Isaiah Jones (DB), who are not only motivated to regain control of the Central Division but to take back the D2 state championship.

Orchard Lake St. Mary’s (OLSM) and Detroit Catholic Central (DCC) are prime candidates for throwing a wrench in the plans of a DLS or Central Catholic, but the two schools are also geared up for another battle after a 16-14 DCC win over OLSM last year ultimately swung DCC to finish third and OLSM to finish fourth in the league.

This year will be on OLSM’s turf as the Eaglets host DLS and DCC in back-to-back weeks.

For Brother Rice, you hope the offseason splash of hiring former Southfield A&T football coach Aaron Marshall motivates the guys this year.

Marshall, who led Southfield A&T to its first state title in school history last year, can only improve on a record that saw Brother Rice go winless for the first time since

middle of the field and broke away for a 55-yard touchdown.

A state champion already in 2022 as a freshman, King led all De La Salle receivers in the 2022 state finals with seven receptions for 91 yards.

The spotlight doesn’t faze him nor does any number of defensive backs on the opposite side, because King will always find a way to get open.

Entering his junior season, King currently holds D1 college offers from the University of Illinois, Western Michigan University, and Kent State University and has his eyes on returning to Ford Field in search of another ring.

Jabin Gonzales, Orchard Lake St. Mary’s

It was quite the freshman season for the 6-foot-2 quarterback, especially going against the heavy hitters the CHSL throws at you each week.

Showcasing his elite-level mobility and strong arm, it’s no secret as to why Gonzales has already garnered a ton of

1963, but his squad will start out with an immediate test in Roseville, which blanked Brother Rice 41-0 to open the 2023 season.

CHSL AA Division

Jackson Lumen Christi (13-1, 3-0)

Detroit U of D Jesuit (7-3, 2-1)

Dearborn Divine Child (6-5, 1-2)

Toledo St. Francis De Sales (1-9, 1-5 Central)

The CHSL AA Division is really in the hands of Jackson Lumen Christi, which is looking for its third-straight Division 7 state championship.

Lumen Christi outscored league opponents 105-19 en route to an unbeaten league record and 13-1 season.

Toledo St. Francis De Sales will make the jump from the Central Division to the AA, but De Sales hasn’t shown enough to prove it’s a worthy challenger to the Titans.

Until Jesuit or Divine Child steps up, it will more so be about the battle for second as Jesuit and Divine Child continue to put on great matchups.

Our projected standings favor Jesuit this season, which has beaten Divine Child in six-straight matchups and returns a core of all-Region talent in Jacob Bellinger (OL), Elijah Dotson (WR), Zach Green (DL), Kasim Gozic (LB), and DaCari Gilkey (DB).

Intersectional 1 Division

Detroit Loyola (4-6, 0-3 AA)

Riverview Gabriel Richard (8-5, 2-2)

Macomb Lutheran North (9-3, 4-0)

attraction from D1 colleges.

Entering his sophomore year, Gonzales currently has offers from Bowling Green State University, Marshall University, Central Michigan University, Kent State University, Miami (Ohio) University, and the University of Toledo.

Sure, you can make the case that what jumps out on his film is his ability to tuck the ball down and scramble for massive gains or extend plays in the pocket to find the open man, or maybe it’s the arm talent that showed precise accuracy for a freshman.

What really stands out is Gonzales’ poise in the pocket, knowing he’s going to take a hit and deliver a strike to his receiver.

As St. Mary’s looks ready to contend for the CHSL Central Division, Gonzales looks like the right man to lead the Eaglets.

Grosse Pointe Woods University Liggett (7-3, 4-1 Int 2)

Ann Arbor Father Gabriel Richard (8-3, 3-1)

Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood (2-7, 1-3)

Aside from the Central Division, this may be one of the more fun league title races to watch for the upcoming year.

You could spend hours putting multiple teams in different spots to finish, and the likelihood is it will still be incorrect by the time the season is over.

Detroit Loyola, which is picked to finish in first in the Catholic League’s preseason poll, and Grosse Pointe Woods University Liggett, which played in Intersectional 2 after leaving Intersectional 1 in 2021, are the two unknowns for this league.

Loyola played one Intersectional 1 opponent last year in Cranbrook Kingswood, and they beat them 59-20, but that’s also a last place Cranbrook Kingswood team.

Liggett, on the other hand, is no stranger to Intersectional 1 play, but it would be better to have an elephant’s memory when trying to think about its tenure in the league.

The Knights were a bottom-half team, but the program is in a much better place than when the division last saw it.

Macomb Lutheran North and Riverview Gabriel Richard both return a core of talent that should have both teams contending again for a league title, but don’t count out Liggett to be a dangerous play each week.

Lutheran North is coming off a season where the program brought home its first

district title and the most regular season wins in school history.

Lutheran North will travel to Riverview Gabriel Richard High School on Oct. 11, and Riverview Gabriel Richard has had Lutheran North’s number at home.

Since 2015, Riverview Gabriel Richard has four-straight wins over Lutheran North at home.

CHSL Intersectional 2 Division

Clarkston Everest Collegiate (9-3, 5-0) Marine City Cardinal Mooney (6-5, 3-2) Madison Heights Bishop Foley (1-8, 0-4 Int #1)

Allen Park Cabrini (5-6, 2-3)

Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes (3-6, 1-4) Royal Oak Shrine Catholic (1-8, 0-5)

It’s Clarkston Everest Collegiate’s league and everyone else is just playing in it.

Everest Collegiate outscored returning league opponents 147-39 last year en route to an unbeaten record, which didn’t include Everest Collegiate’s second win over Cardinal Mooney in the playoffs.

University Liggett was the only team to really make Everest Collegiate sweat in a 31-29 game favoring Everest Collegiate, but the Knights are no longer the concern of any Intersectional 2 teams.

Allen Park Cabrini and Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes hope their returning starters can help improve on last year’s finish with the CHSL preseason poll picking league newcomer Bishop Foley to finish ahead of both the schools in third while Cardinal Mooney is slated to be in second.

CHSL players

Jaden

Pydyn, Detroit Catholic Central

When you see the way Jaden Pydyn plays the game of football, it shouldn’t come as a surprise why he’ll be calling West Point home soon.

The three-star recruit (according to 247sports) and Army football/baseball commit plays an aggressive brand of football, which is a perfect fit for DCC’s run-heavy offense.

Whatever you need of Pydyn, he’ll execute it and do it with extreme efficiency. For DCC, it was all about lowering the shoulder and driving through the defense, and 161 carries for 1,091 yards and 16 TDs speaks for itself.

Just when the defense thinks they have him wrapped up, he’s making a house call down the field.

Pydyn also tallied three passing touchdowns and one receiving TD while also manning the safety position, playing just as aggressively on the defensive side as he does offensively.

Catholic Central has won eight games every year of Pydyn’s high school career, so maybe the Shamrocks will send him off with a nine-win season, or maybe even a CHSL Central Division title.

Brady Thomas, Bloomfield Hills Brother

Rice

There’s nothing like staring down an

0-9 season and facing a CHSL Central Division to have you battle-tested, and Brother Rice’s junior quarterback is just that.

Earning his stripes as the starter last year, Thomas displayed a strong, accurate arm that is well equipped to lead Brother Rice back to its winning ways.

Thomas has had an impressive camp so far this summer and will have an early test with Roseville as Brother Rice’s season opener. Roseville beat Brother Rice 41-0 to start the 2023 season.

Gary Stacy, Grosse Pointe Woods University Liggett

The Knights’ senior running back better be prepared for another lion’s share of the carries as Liggett makes the jump to the CHSL Intersectional 1 division, but Stacy is the kind of guy they can always lean on.

Tallying 1,525 rushing yards and 25 TDs on the ground last year, Stacy was the ultimate workhorse for the Liggett offense, handling carries, catching out of the backfield, or laying a block on a rushing defender.

His physicality, breakaway speed, and ball-carrier vision make him one of the top running backs in the CHSL, but the recruiting trail doesn’t seem to give him the respect he deserves.

Stacy currently holds an offer from Lawrence Technological University, but another year with video game-like numbers in a stronger division could boost his recruiting stock.

Someone is going to get a diamond in the rough with him.

PLAYERS TO WATCH IN THE CHSL FOOTBALL LEAGUE

Sante Gasperoni (QB), Warren De La Salle

Damion King IV (WR), Warren De La Salle

Collegiate

Jacob Tur (DL), Warren De La Salle

Dalton Drogosh (LB), Warren De La Salle

Jabin Gonzales (QB), Orchard Lake St. Mary’s

Charles White (LB), Orchard Lake St. Mary’s

Bryson Williams (ATH), Orchard Lake St. Mary’s

Jayden Savoury (TE), Orchard Lake St. Mary’s

Jaden Pydyn (ATH), Detroit Catholic Central

Benjamin Eziuka (OL), Detroit Catholic Central

Lee Krueger (RB/LB), Detroit Catholic Central

Kadale Williams (RB), Jackson Lumen Christi

Dante Banks (ATH), University of Detroit Jesuit

Zachary Green (DL), University of Detroit Jesuit

Marcello Vitti (ATH), Dearborn Divine Child

Antonio Sobush (RB/SS), Riverview Gabriel

Richard

Joseph Calhoun (RB/LB), Riverview Gabriel

Richard

Bryson Franklin (OL), Ann Arbor Father Gabriel

Richard

Raylon Murry (MLB/ATH), Detroit Loyola

Owen Steinke (WR/DB), Bloomfield Hills

Cranbrook Kingswood

Mitchell Brewer (OL/DL), Madison Heights

Bishop Foley

Lucas Roman (RB/LB), Allen Park Cabrini

Cam Spezia (WR/DB), Marine City Cardinal Mooney

James Nedwick (ATH), Clarkston Everest Collegiate

Alex Asai (RB/LB), Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes

Josh Cairo (SB/LB), Royal Oak Shrine Catholic

Gary Stacy (RB), Grosse Pointe Woods University

Liggett

Hudson MacDonald (QB/WR), Macomb Lutheran

North

Brady Thomas, Bloomfield Hills Brother Rice

It will be a feeling-out year for the MAC Red with longtime Chippewa Valley coach Scott Merchant moving to Lawrence Technological University and Utica Eisenhower and Romeo each graduating a core of talent, but don’t be surprised if Macomb Dakota is league champion when it’s all said and done.

Chippewa Valley, who won a share of the league last year with Eisenhower, was the thorn in Dakota’s side both in the regular season and the playoffs, eliminating the Cougars in districts.

Like Eisenhower and Romeo, Chippewa Valley graduated four all-region players including longtime quarterback Andrew Schuster, who is now at Grand Valley State University.

Eisenhower lost its four-year starter at quarterback, with Preston Crum now with Merchant at LTU, while also graduating 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 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)

MAC players

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

from page 22A

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

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.

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 Ver-

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)

nard 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, 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

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.

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.

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.

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COMMUNITY CALENDAR

AUG. 15-18

Assumption Greekfest: Food, music, dancing, taverna and kids activities, 4-10 p.m. Aug. 15, 4-11

p.m. Aug. 16, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Aug. 17 and 11

a.m.-8 p.m. Aug. 18, Assumption Cultural Center, 21800 Marter Road in St. Clair Shores/Grosse Pointe Woods, (586) 779-6111, assumptionfestival.com

AUG. 16

CLASS REUNIONS

Franklin School - all alumni and family/friends: 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

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

Family movie night: Free showing of “Trolls Band Together” at 7:30 p.m., also food truck on site, Ghesquiere Park behind Grosse Pointe Woods City Hall, 20025 Mack Plaza, www.gpwmi.us/parksrec/page/ movie-park-2024

AUG. 17-18

Grosse Pointe Art Fair: Nearly 100 juried artists, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., also live acoustic music by Mark Reitegna and Ralph Koziarski Aug. 17 and John Davis Aug. 18, Ford House, 1100 Lake Shore Road in Grosse Pointe Shores, artfairfun@gmail.com, artfairfun.com

AUG. 21 Summer concert at War Memorial: Hear Jimmy Buffet tribute Air Margaritaville, 7:30-9 p.m., 32 Lake Shore Drive in Grosse Pointe Farms, free but registration required, warmemorial.org/summerfest24

AUG. 22

Benefit on the Bay - VIP Night: Fundraiser for Capuchin Soup Kitchen of Detroit, includes gourmet food by Chef Bobby, premium bar by Celani Wines, desserts by On The Rise Bakery Cafe and visit with Capuchin Ministries brothers, 6-9 p.m., Hook Restaurant, 24214 Jefferson Ave. in St. Clair Shores, benefitonthebay.org/VIP-night

AUG. 23

Benefit on the Bay: Fundraiser for Capuchin Soup Kitchen, includes 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. 23

Summer concert at Ford House: Hear Michigan Philharmonic play SCAN FOR STORY

VIEW MORE! Visit candgnews.com/ calendar or use this QR code

Sept. 1 at Franklin Historical Museum, 26165 13 Mile Road, open house 2-4 p.m. at former Franklin School (now Huda School & Montessori), 32220 Franklin Road, and happy hour 4-6 p.m. at Franklin Community Association Park, 26495 Carol Ave., RSVP for happy hour by noon Aug. 31 at fcamichigan.org/form/m/284879

Cousino High School Class of 1969: 55-year reunion, classes of 1967-1971 also welcome, 7 p.m. Sept. 6, Roger’s Roost, 33262 Schoenherr Road in Sterling Heights, RSVP to Larry Wilk at lwilk@ comcast.net

Mount Clemens High School — all alumni: Cash food and

car-inspired songs from movies and TV, 6:30 p.m., 1100 Lake Shore Road in Grosse Pointe Shores, (313) 884-4222, fordhouse.org

AUG. 27

International Overdose Awareness Day: Event includes overdose rescue training, memorial tributes and more, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Wayne County Community College District’s Mary Ellen Stempfle University Center, 19305 Vernier Road in Harper Woods, familycenterhelps.org

AUG. 28

Shorewood Kiwanis Harper Charity Cruise: 5-9 p.m., 8 1/2 Mile to 12 Mile roads on Harper Avenue in St. Clair Shores, facebook.com/ HarperCharityCruise

AUG. 28-29

Fever Candlelight Open Air Concerts: “From Bach to The Beatles” at 7 p.m. and “The Music of Hans Zimmer” at 9:15 p.m. Aug. 28, and “The Soul of Detroit featuring Aretha Franklin, Marvin Gaye and More” at 7 and 9:15 p.m. Aug. 29, doors and open bar 45 minutes before each show, The War Memorial, 32 Lake Shore Drive in Grosse Pointe Farms, warmemorial.org/eventcalendar

SEPT. 7 Tunnel to Towers 5K Run/Walk: 9:30 a.m., Lake St. Clair Metropark,

WANT TO SEE YOUR OWN EVENTS ONLINE & IN PRINT — FOR FREE?

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 Inn, 24800 Jefferson Ave. in St. Clair Shores, osborn1974.com Grosse Pointe North High School Class of 1974: 50-year reunion includes cash bar, food stations, photo

in St. Clair Shores, grossepointenorth1974.com

31300 Metropolitan Parkway in Harrison Township, t2t.org, runsignup. com/races

ONGOING Farmers market: 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays until Sept. 14, parking lot on the southeast corner of Kercheval Avenue and Lakepointe Street in Grosse Pointe Park

Teen Leadership Council: Meetings for grades 9-12 every first Wednesday of month, pizza and snacks provided, 6-7 p.m., Grosse Pointe Public Library - Woods Branch, 20680 Mack Ave., (313) 6404775, grossepointelibrary.org

Book clubs: Nearly a dozen hosted by Grosse Pointe Public Library at various branches, restaurants and on Zoom, more at www.grossepointe library.org/book-clubs

Art classes: 10:30 a.m.-noon every first and third Tuesday of month for

nutrition education and more, hosted by Corewell Health, free and virtual, beaumonthealth.digitalsignup.com

For questions, email calendar@candgnews.com

assembling crossbow

GROSSE POINTE FARMS — A 59-year-old Shelby Township man who was reportedly known to police is said to have pulled next to an officer who was parked and monitoring for speeders on Moross Road at around 8:42 p.m. July 24 and asked the officer if he knew how to assemble a crossbow.

The Shelby Township man, who police said was driving on a suspended license, then drove away from the officer and went to the Public Safety Department with the crossbow, seeking the same help putting it together. Police told the suspect that he wasn’t free to leave when he entered the lobby and asked him for his vehicle keys, which he initially denied having with him. A police report states that the keys were in the suspect’s pocket.

Police impounded his vehicle and issued the suspect a ticket for driving with license suspended. During an inventory search of the vehicle before it was impounded, police said they found a box containing a new, unassembled crossbow on the front passenger seat. The weapon was placed into the property room for safekeeping.

Earlier in the day, police said, the suspect presented them with a note telling them some people were looking for him and were going to shoot him in the face. An officer asked him if he intended to use the crossbow to protect himself, and he responded, “Possibly.” Police pointed out that the suspect would be no match for someone with a gun, to which the suspect answered, “You know what? If I leave my car somewhere and they come up to it, who knows, you know what I mean?” Police warned the suspect that lying in wait for someone with the intention of shooting them with a crossbow would constitute first-degree murder.

Breaking and entering suspects sought

GROSSE POINTE WOODS — Police said that for the second time in two weeks, several unknown young male suspects allegedly broke into a business in the 20000 block of Mack Avenue and stole multiple liquor products. The most recent incident took place at around 5 a.m. July 22.

Suspects arrested

GROSSE POINTE CITY/PARK — At around 3:45 a.m. July 25 in the area of Kercheval Avenue and Nottingham Road, Grosse Pointe City officers apprehended one of two suspects sought in connection with a larceny from auto while assisting their colleagues in Grosse Pointe Park; this suspect is said in a police report to have been an 18-year-old Detroit man who fled on a stolen bike. A report states that a second suspect was arrested as well. The second suspect, a 20-year-old

Park Public Safety reported that both suspects admitted to have been breaking into vehicles in the 1100 block of Nottingham and stealing items.

Fraud reported

ST. CLAIR SHORES — At 12:29 p.m. on July 8, a report was made about a case of fraud that occurred on July 5 in the 22000 block of Sunnyside Street.

An officer was working the front desk at the St. Clair Shores Police Department when the victim, a 19-year-old man, came in to make a report. He stated he received a text from his bank that said there was a charge for $1,502. He declined the charge and was called by a person claiming to be the bank.

The person on the other line stated the victim would have to put his money in a secure spot and advised him to set up a Zelle account. The victim did so and transferred money to the person. The amount lost was $1,500.

Larceny reported

ST. CLAIR SHORES — At 7:07 p.m. on July 16, a report was made about a bike theft in the 23000 block of Greater Mack Avenue.

The officer met the caller, a 66-year-old man, who stated he left his bicycle outside before he went into the business at that location. When he came back out, the bike was gone. Video surveillance provided by the shift supervisor, a 28-year-old woman, showed a man exit the store, walk toward the bicycle and ride away on it.

The suspect was also carrying a tote that appeared to be full. The shift supervisor said the man did not buy anything. The officer checked the area for the man and the bike.

More fraud reported

ST. CLAIR SHORES — At 7:12 p.m. on July 14, a report was made about a case of fraud that occurred in the 27000 block of Grant Street.

An officer was working the front desk of the St. Clair Shores Police Department when the victim came in to make a report. He stated he was outside working when a truck pulled up and three men walked out of it. They asked if a man the victim knew did his roof. He confirmed that he did, and he assumed the men worked with the person. The men asked if the victim wanted some work done on his house and the victim asked them to give him a quote. The men started working on his house and when the victim asked how much it was going to cost, one of the men said a price you can’t refuse.

When the victim went into the house and came out 10 minutes later, the three men were sitting on

work. The victim stated he didn’t have any cash. One of the men stated they didn’t have a card reader and the price would go up to $9,900 due to taxes and fees. The victim got in the car to go to the bank and the men followed him, stating that if he wanted to pay with a card to follow them. They led the victim to a jeweler where he paid a total of $10,400 for gold coins. The man who walked into the jeweler with the victim seemed to know the guy at the counter. The man that the victim paid for the coins and the man he walked in with said they’d be back tomorrow with more material and left with the coins.

Medication goes missing

SHELBY TOWNSHIP — At 4:51 p.m. July 1, an officer from the Shelby Township Police Department responded to an address in the area of 22 Mile Road and Van Dyke Avenue for a larceny complaint. The director of the business at this location was notified that medication for a patient was missing. There were no suspects at the time of the officer’s arrival and the case was turned over to the Police Department’s detective bureau for follow-up.

Woman found screaming, lost

SHELBY TOWNSHIP — Shelby Township police officers responded to Village Club Apartments on Dequindre Road for loud noises at 1:51 a.m. July 7. Upon officers’ arrival, they observed a woman in the area of one of the apartments yelling and screaming. The woman was quickly detained and interviewed, police said. The woman was found to be suffering from a mental health crisis, according to police. The woman reportedly believed she was at her mother’s apartment and started to damage property. The suspect’s mother no longer lives at that address, police said. The woman was treated for mental health issues and the case was turned over to the Shelby Township Police Department detective bureau.

Shoplifter tries to steal belts, candy

STERLING HEIGHTS — Police were notified July 12 that a suspect at Target, 2310 Metropolitan Parkway, scanned an applesauce container while allegedly trying to steal Cat & Jack belts and candy. The value of the stolen merchandise was $16.39, police said. The suspect was apprehended and cited for third-degree retail fraud.

Woman yells at bank staff, annoys customers

STERLING HEIGHTS — Police investigated a July 15 report of a customer at a bank in the 36000 block of Van Dyke Avenue allegedly being a nuisance to

and said she was “emotional” and that she wanted to make a wire transfer but was told she had to have an appointment.

According to bank staff, the woman yelled at them that they weren’t nice and that they didn’t have God in their lives. The bank also said the woman started pestering customers and causing them to leave. Police said they told the woman to make an appointment at nearby bank branches, and then she left.

Phone charger thief makes threat

STERLING HEIGHTS — Police said a woman reportedly grabbed a cellphone charger July 15 from a business in the 5000 block of 19 Mile Road before running off with it.

Police said that when a worker followed the suspect, the suspect allegedly put her hand under her shirt and threatened, “Go away or I’ll hurt you.” No weapons were visible, staff reportedly said.

The suspect apparently left