Macomb Township Supervisor Frank Viviano, center, speaks with Township Treasurer Leon Drolet, right, and Macomb County Commissioner Joe Sabatini, R-District 4, at a party for area Republicans at The Hub Sports Bistro on Thursday, Aug. 8.
BY DEAN VAGLIA dvaglia@candgnews.com
MACOMB TOWNSHIP — The makeup of the Macomb Township Board of Trustees will change very little as a result of the Aug. 6 Republican primary election. All contested incumbents will be on the ballot for the general election in November.
Frank Viviano will remain as the Republican Party’s pick for township supervisor, winning out
over challenger Mark Grabow with 6,187 votes to Grabow’s 2,445 votes. The flower magnate’s win with 71.55% of the vote marks the first successful defense of his political career, which began in 2020 after another primary win over Grabow for supervisor.
“The results speak for themselves,” Viviano said shortly after results came in. “I don’t think they’re only a reflection on the job that I’ve done, but I think it’s a reflection on the job our entire
BY DEAN VAGLIA dvaglia@candgnews.com
MACOMB TOWNSHIP — When the heat is on, it pays to keep cool, especially when the heat is an inferno.
Full-time firefighters of the Macomb Township Fire Department will stay safe and comfortable against any conflagration thanks to a grant for turnout gear from the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity.
“We’re excited that we were able to save taxpayers money by being awarded the grant, which we can put back into our operations to continue to provide services,” said Adam Munro, deputy chief of the Macomb Township Fire Department.
The Fire Department keeps inventory for full-time firefighter turnout gear on a 10-year rotation. Gear is purchased and used for five years
WORKERS, BUSINESSES AND ASSOCIATIONS REACT TO DIVIDED MICHIGAN SUPREME COURT DECISION
BY NICK POWERS npowers@candgnews.com
METRO DETROIT — A recent 4-3 ruling by the Michigan Supreme Court affecting the state’s laws governing minimum wage and sick time is sending shockwaves through many businesses, including the restaurant industry.
All workers will receive a pay bump to more than $12 an hour in 2025
See RULING on page 9A
BY ERIC CZARNIK eczarnik@candgnews.com
SHELBY TOWNSHIP — Surrounded by local law enforcement and airing his intent to “back the blue,” Republican vice presidential candidate and U.S. Sen. JD Vance stopped by the Shelby Township Police Department Aug. 7 to pitch Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump’s campaign platform on crime, immigration and more. During Vance’s speech, he delivered sharp attacks on the Democratic presidential candidate, Vice President Kamala Harris, whom he called “border czar.” The Ohio senator accused Harris of wanting to make it harder for police to do their job, and he blamed her for criminals entering via the U.S. south-
ern border.
In contrast, Vance said former President Trump deported “illegal aliens,” partially built a border wall and “did not grant mass amnesty.”
Vance urged voters to help law enforcement by giving them a federal government that makes it easier for them to keep Americans safe.
“I’d ask you to vote for a candidate who wants to support our police officers, not make their lives harder,” he said. “I’d ask you to support a candidate who wants to make it easier to deport illegal aliens and not harder. I’d ask you to support the candidate who has shown that he can deliver security in our streets.
“We just have to give him the opportunity to govern, and that’s President Donald J. Trump.”
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board did over the last four years. Things have been going really well in the township and obviously the very heavy majority of the voters agree with that direction. … I’m very grateful that the community supports me and supports my vision for the township, and I am just as committed to doing the right thing for our community as I was four years ago.”
Further down the ticket, three of the current four trustee incumbents were elected to represent the GOP in November. Trustees Peter Lucido III, Frank Cusumano and Charlie Oliver won with 5,923 votes, 5,561 votes and 4,789 votes respectively. Ronald Papa Jr., an Oakland University adjunct professor, rounded out the party’s four trustee candidates for the general election with 3,971 votes.
“It’s just been this roller coaster of campaigning and the highs and lows, and to finally be done and be successful, I’m just super excited,” Papa said.
Papa first ran in the 2020 Republican primary for trustee, placing eighth out of 18 candidates with 2,716 votes. Papa’s win can seem like an upset of sorts considering fifthplace finisher Terri Kowal appeared in ads alongside the three incumbents and Viviano. Kowal was Viviano’s deputy supervisor from November 2020 to September 2022 but was unable to translate her time in township hall into a trustee seat.
“As somebody who has been on the Macomb Township Board of Ethics, I know this board,” Papa said. “I know this board. I’m familiar with these folks, so it’s not like I’m working with total strangers or anybody who I haven’t (worked
with) in the past, so it’s good from that point of view. I totally expect this to be very collaborative. I appreciated the manner in which this board has governed over the past four years, and I don’t look to be any sort of disruption to that, but I am my own person and will bring my own ideas and opinions and things like that to certain issues.”
Papa entered the campaign believing standing out in a field dominated by incumbents was the most important approach. Bridging the name recognition gap required putting himself out there by attending community events and meetings, going door to door and promoting himself wherever possible. Papa’s campaign signage, which parody the Dr. Pepper brand of soda while making reference to his doctorate in management information systems, could be found throughout the township.
“I was always confident that our three incumbents were going to return, and I figured that the last spot would be a very close race between Terri Kowal and Ron Papa and that proved to be the case,” Viviano said. “Ron worked really hard. He had a very strong ground game, and he came out on top in that race. It’ll be great to get to know him better as a board member and we’re looking forward to adding some new blood to our group.”
Kowal fell short with 3,429 votes, joining fellow dashed hopefuls John Parkinson and Daniel Hickson. Parkinson received 2,211 votes while Hickson received 1,665 votes. Trustee Nancy Nevers did not run for reelection.
Primary elections determine which candidates the Republican and Democratic parties put forth in the general election, but the electoral history of Macomb Township means the Republican primary essentially decides the
election for local offices. Macomb Township has not voted a Democrat into local office since 2008 when Grabow beat John Brennan by around 1,500 votes. Alyssia Diebolt, chair of the Macomb County Democratic Committee, said the party does not plan on fielding write-in candidates for November as of Aug. 8.
In the absence of any opposition and a history of electing Republicans, it is likely to assume Viviano will be supervisor, Kristi Pozzi will be clerk, Leon Drolet will be treasurer and the trustees will be Lucido, Cusumano, Oliver and Papa.
“I think Macomb Township has proven that conservative governance works,” Viviano said. “I think that we’re the only community, certainly in the region and probably in the state, that has lowered taxes each of the last four years, and we’ve done that by sticking to conservative financial principles.”
With the next four years of government likely ahead of them, Viviano says time will be spent building upon the current government’s work.
“The first year — the first couple years, really — our board spent a lot of time and energy restructuring the township’s operation, cleaning up old messes and really raising the standard at which we operate as a local government,” Viviano said. “I think we started to see the results in the last year, finally. We got a new park built, we have a lot of road projects, we sought new funding sources and what I see in the next four years is, now that we have a very solid base to operate from, we’re going to continue to make even more improvements. I think there will be a lot of very positive changes in the next four years.”
See ELECTION on page 6A
▪ Kitchen/ Bath remodel ▪ Finished basement
mudroom
from page 1A
and is then kept as a backup for five more years before it needs to be replaced. Equipping full-time firefighters with new turnout gear costs $5,800 per firefighter or $168,200 for all 29 township firefighters.
“We had 29 that met the requirement, and we submitted for those 29 sets of turnout gear and were awarded $3,500 a piece for the total of $101,500,” Macomb Township Fire Chief Robert Phillips said.
Boots, pants and jackets purchased from the grant are made from more breathable materials than prior versions of turnout gear. This will allow firefighters to perform better in different ambient weather conditions while still having enough protection from fires.
“Yesterday was almost 88, 90 (degrees) outside,” Munro said. “The temperature right now is about 67 (degrees). If you take the two extremes of those, the gear is based on the amount of protection you get from the thermal insulation from the fires as well as how much you’re able to release through the gear. As you get into different climates as you have over the last two days, it makes it a lot easier for the firefighter to be able to function while still keeping them protected going from one extreme to another.”
Development in turnout gear technology continues as Joe Longo, a firefighter on the gear procurement committee, says ma-
Democrat Deneen Brewer and Republican incumbent Joe Sabatini faced no opposition in their Macomb County Board of Commissioners District 4 primary elections, while Edlira Sako secured the Democratic nomination over Frank Borsellino to face Republican incumbent James Perna in the District 7 county commissioner race.
Incumbent Doug Wozniak defeated challenger Jean Zott for the state House of Representatives District 59 Republican primary to challenge Democrat Jason Pulaski in November. House District 60 contained two uncontested primaries, setting the stage for a November faceoff between Republican incumbent Joe Aragona and Democrat Shelly Fraley.
Democrat Carl Marlinga will have a rematch with incumbent Republican John James for a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives representing District 10. Marlinga faced three challengers and one write-in
jor manufacturers are now offering PFASfree gear. PFAS are a collection of chemicals used in a variety of products as a heat and water suppressant. They have come under fire because they do not degrade in natural environments and are carcinogenic. PFASfree turnout gear has only recently made it to market. Longo expects the department will purchase PFAS-free gear when available going forward.
Money saved though the grant is put back into the fire improvement budget and used to purchase other equipment.
Call Staff Writer Dean Vaglia at (586) 498-1043.
competitor in the primary while the Republican primary was uncontested. Only 585 votes — 0.2% of all ballots cast — separated Marlinga and James in 2022.
Millages approved
Township residents voted overwhelmingly to support a millage for the Fire Department with 12,406 voting in favor and 3,322 voting against.
The millage authorizes the township to levy up to 2 mills ($2 per $1,000 of taxable value) with only 1.9 mills being levied normally and the remaining 0.1 mills only coming into effect to recover tax revenue lost in a Headlee Amendment tax rate reduction.
The Chippewa Valley Schools nonhomestead operating millage passed with 12,212 votes for and 6,717 votes against.
The millage allows the district to levy 18 mills on non-homestead properties with an option to go up in 19 mills in case of a Headlee Amendment tax rate reduction.
Call Staff Writer Dean Vaglia at (586) 498-1043.
MONDAY-FRIDAY
Life
with tipped workers gradually reaching $12 in 2029. The final amounts will be determined by the state’s treasurer. The current minimum wage is $10.33 and $3.93 for tipped workers.
All employees, including part-time and temporary workers, are entitled to paid sick leave. Every 30 hours an employee works generates one hour of paid sick leave. Employees get 72 hours paid sick time a year at large companies. However, employers with fewer than 10 employees need to only pay for 40 hours of sick leave a year.
These sweeping changes will go into effect Feb. 21, 2025. For some, it’s a step toward a living wage for workers. For others, it’s a hit to businesses across the state and possibly tipped workers.
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
See RULING on page 24A
Saturday, September 7, 2024, Noon - 6 p.m. St. Clair Shores Memorial Park, 32400 Jeferson at Masonic
Check-in begins at 11 a.m. Lunch and Beverages served 2-4 p.m.
COST: BEFORE 8-12-24 ~ $ 45 per person AFTER 8-12-24 ~ $ 55 per person
For more information, go to www.stmartinreunion.com Or call Pat Preston, 1-586-939-4118 0099-2433
(Southfeld, MI) Full body MRI clinics have gained national attention lately, as TV personalities publicly share their personal full body scan experiences. One actress credits the scan for saving her life after doctors dismissed her unexplained pain for months. After various tests, including a CT scan, had “unremarkable” results, the pregnant actress became her own advocate, searched out a full body MRI clinic and discovered she had pancreatic cancer. Tanks to early detection the tumor was removed successfully.
As a general rule, when symptoms occur related to cancer, it usually has progressed to stage three or four. Even with annual physicals, there are limitations. Most screenings only cover about 29% of cancers with 71%
occurring outside of where doctors are able to screen. However, full body MRI scans can detect cancer in every organ from the top of the head through the pelvis and can detect it very early.
For a long time, full body MRI scans were available only in select areas outside of Michigan, requiring expensive fights like in Vancouver or California. However, this changed when a facility opened in Southfeld, making these screenings available to Metro Detroit residents.
“Our advanced MRI screening can detect cancers very early when they are as small as a pencil eraser and are more easily treatable. If cancer goes undetected, however, it can grow into stage three or stage four with difcult treatments. We can also identify
hundreds of conditions such as brain, abdominal, chest, and groin aneurysms,” stated the founder of the Southfeld clinic called Bionicc Body Screening.
MRI full body screenings are safe, non-invasive and emit zero radiation. Book in August to save $450.
Te primary focus of Bionicc Body Screening is to deliver peace of mind, ofering a comprehensive and detailed imaging of the body’s internal structures. Te ultimate hope is for excellent health. However, in the event that something is detected, the advanced screening aims to catch any potential issues at their earliest stages. Tis approach ofers the best opportunity for successful treatment outcomes, should the need arise.
Robert B., age 50, opted for a
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Members, missions and the equipment of the 127th Wing have been sent away to accommodate runway repairs.
HARRISON TOWNSHIP — A midsummer construction project at Selfridge Air National Guard Base has left the airspace quieter for the past few weeks.
Members, missions and the equipment of the 127th Wing have been sent away to accommodate runway repairs. The A-10 Thunderbolt II mission has been sent on an undisclosed deployment, while the KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft mission is splitting time between Detroit Metro Airport in Romulus and Marquette Sawyer Regional Airport in Gwinn.
“Our mission is global reach, and temporarily operating from dispersed locations affords us the opportunity to train as we fight, which enhances our mission capability,” Col. Leah Voelker, 127th Air Refueling Group commander, said. “We are still flying, maintaining and training in aerial refueling for the Air Force, just in dispersed locations.”
The $9.8 million project will see 20 acres of runway removed and replaced, as well as structural repairs in three spots. Cadillac Asphalt of Canton was awarded the contract for the work.
Flight traffic is expected to be impacted by construction until mid-to-late fall. Other activities at the base, such as the Coast Guard Air Station Detroit and the Border Patrol’s operations, are not impacted by construction.
MACOMB TOWNSHIP — On July 29, the United States Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the dismissal of former Macomb Township Attorney and Human Resources Director Thomas Esordi’s lawsuit against the township, Township Clerk Kristi Pozzi and former Township Supervisor Janet Dunn.
Esordi’s contract with the township was first terminated by the Board of Trustees on Feb. 19, 2020, but a hearing to determine if the board had “just cause” to terminate him deadlocked. Esordi returned to work on May 11. A new Board of Trustees was elected on Nov. 3 and fired Esordi on Nov. 25 and did not conduct a similar hearing. Esordi sued the township in April 2020 with state-law claims and added federal due process violation claims in March 2021. The motion to dismiss the federal case was filed by the township to the Sixth Circuit in March 2023. Judges Ronald Gilman, Richard Griffin and Andre Mathis were assigned the appeal.
“In sum, because Esordi’s employment agreement was void under Michigan law and because Esordi could not create a lawful implied contract with the Township, Esordi has failed to show that he had a property interest in his employment,” the judges said in the written opinion. “Therefore, his procedural-due-process claim against the Township fails as a matter of law.”
The dismissal applies to the cases against Pozzi and Dunn as well.
“Three different courts have now ruled that his employment contract was invalid,” Township Supervisor Frank Viviano said in a press release. “I knew from my first day on the job that eliminating the dual HR director and general counsel role was the right decision for Macomb Township.”
Esordi declined an opportunity to comment on the case.
CLINTON TOWNSHIP — The Michigan State University Extension has opened registration for its upcoming Foundations of Gardening course.
Running from Sept. 3 to Nov. 19, the online program aims to teach aspiring and active gardeners alike about plant science, soils, common pests and diseases, lawn care, trees, shrubs, growing fruits and vegetables, and environmental gardening. The curriculum is self-paced with weekly modules that include videos and online activities, as well as weekly live lectures from MSU Extension educators. Students who complete the program will earn a certificate of completion and can apply to become an MSU Extension Master Gardener Volunteer if desired.
Course tuition is $350 per person. For more information visit canr.msu. edu/courses/foundations-of-gardening.
ROSEVILLE — Interfaith Volunteer Caregivers is celebrating its 32nd anniversary with an annual charity golf outing at the Cracklewood Golf & Banquet Center in Macomb Township on Friday, Sept. 27. Beginning at 9:30 a.m. with an 11 a.m. shotgun start, golfers will be able to tackle the course’s 18 holes, have a steak dinner and take part in the festivities of the event. The full-day golf package is $150, dinner-only tickets are $40 and sponsorship packages begin at $150. Visit ivcinfo.org or call (586) 757-5551 for more information and to register.
Local criminal cases mentioned
During the event, multiple speakers brought up local criminal cases that allegedly involved people who are unauthorized to be in the country.
Before Vance spoke, Shelby Township police Chief Robert Shelide said his department has faced three cases over the past few months that involved suspects who illegally entered the U.S.
“Two of those acts have been horrific, and the third involved an illegal Venezuelan who shot a coworker and has now since fled the state of Michigan,” Shelide said. “Public safety is everyone’s business, and we need leadership in Washington that supports that.”
Vance said that while Shelby Township is geographically far from the southern border, “It’s not far away from its problems.”
Vance mentioned a case in which the defendant allegedly sexually assaulted a minor.
“And I heard just earlier about a criminal who was deported from this community who came back in and then raped an 11-year-old girl, just in the past couple of months,” Vance said.
“I’m the father of a 2-year-old girl. I cannot imagine having a government that cares
so little about you that they’re letting people who come into our communities get deported and come back in, and then they rape our children,” Vance said.
On July 30, the Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office announced that a suspect identified as Joel Quintana-Dominguez, 32, from Shelby Township, was arraigned on three counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct with a person under 13 years old while the defendant is 17 or older.
Prosecutors said Quintana-Dominguez sexually assaulted a relative multiple times this year, and they also said he “has an immigration hold from the Department of Homeland Security.”
The office of Quintana-Dominguez’s listed attorney, Neal J. Brand, declined to comment about his client.
Macomb County Prosecutor Peter Lucido also briefly spoke at the event and said that “in Macomb County, we follow the law,” including working with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement on cases involving undocumented people.
“We need to be clear that bad actions by the undocumented should not have a chilling effect on those who came here legally, like our ancestors,” Lucido said.
“However, the problem today is that law enforcement is challenging enough without adding immigration issues into the equa-
tion. That should never have happened here. This onslaught of undocumented crimes has brought a drastic impact on our law enforcement partners,” Lucido said.
‘Unless you have a border, there is no peace’
When Vance followed his remarks with a press conference, C & G Newspapers asked about comments Vance had made earlier that week.
In a discussion with conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt, Vance said “the Iranians have leverage over us,” and he suspected that “probably a number of Iranian-related militias” have terrorist agents who have entered the U.S.
In Shelby Township, Vance was asked about that leverage and if he believed that these agents could be plotting a terrorist attack in the U.S. similar to the Oct. 7, 2023, one in Israel. In response, Vance confirmed that he believes that Iranian-backed militia groups are in the U.S. “because we know thousands of people have come across the U.S. southern border who have ties to terrorism.”
“Well, it really endangers your country, and I fear we’re going to have a very bad headline here and a lot of people who could lose their lives because Kamala Harris refuses
to keep terrorists out of our country,” Vance said.
“It’s disgraceful, but it highlights the fact that unless you have a border, there is no peace and there is no security for American citizens, even in a place as far north as Shelby Township, Michigan.”
In a press release, the Michigan Democratic Party called Vance’s Shelby Township stop “a stunt visit where he will lie to Michiganders about his and Trump’s record and agenda.” The release also accused Vance of “making weird comments about people without children while constantly voting against reproductive care like birth control or IVF.”
MDP Chair Lavora Barnes predicted that Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris and her newly named running mate for vice president, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, would use a Detroit appearance that same day to present Michiganders with a “drastically different campaign and a brighter vision for a future they can believe in.”
“Don’t be fooled, Vance will only fearmonger and spread misinformation at his event — because Republicans know they don’t have solutions to offer Michiganders,” Barnes said. “This rally will make it crystal clear that he doesn’t understand Michigan and he sure doesn’t understand our values.”
Looking for that signature piece or design element to take any interior space to the next level?
Look no further than Consign Couture Interiors & Inspiration.
Now celebrating three years on 18 Mile Road in Clinton Township, Consign Couture founder Rosemarie Baldwin said she wanted to create a personalized shopping experience offering consignment pieces, builder’s model merchandise and new furniture, home decor and oneof-a-kind gifts.
“When you come into my store, it’s somewhat of a treasure hunt,” Baldwin said. “The store is flled with national name brands, all at amazing prices. It’s perfect for very
savvy consumers who really know their brands.”
Baldwin spent 35 years in retail and was a vice president of visual merchandising and marketing for national retailers. She said she wanted to put that national experience to work at the local level.
At Consign Couture, you’ll fnd new high-end home decor items from brands including Uttermost — accent pieces, vases, statues, furniture and tables. Merchandise in the store on consignment bears famous brand names, including
West Elm and Pottery Barn.
“We’ve curated a selection of stylish and unique items, perfect for refreshing your space and treating your loved ones,” Baldwin said. “We have an extensive collection of funky items if you’re looking for something that makes a big statement in your decor. I love to enhance atmospheres, to tie rooms together and help designers make a bold statement.”
Baldwin said she’s already looking forward to the weeks and months ahead, and the interior
design inspirations that will change with the seasons. “What I’m really excited about is celebrating the fall season and a spectacular holiday season ahead,” she said. “I will be selling seasonal holiday things such as different lighted orbs, beautiful garlands, holiday candles, decor pieces, pillows and throws.”
Consign Couture Interiors & Inspiration is located at 16989 18 Mile Road in Clinton Township. For more about the shop and its wares visit consigncouturemi.com.
25% OFF ONE ITEM Excludes Furniture
Regular price items. Not to be combined with any other coupons or promotions. W/coupon. Exp. 9/30/24
You can’t wait until the cold winds blow to start planning your next escape to the sun and sea on a beach or a cruise ship.
Travel Time Vacation & Cruises has you covered.
“ is is a good time for people to book their travel for the end of the year and also for next year,” said Je rey Leonardi, a travel sales professional and the owner of Travel Time Vacations & Cruises.
Leonardi has been booking winter and spring break getaways, annual trips and vacations of a lifetime for his clients for 28+ years. He knows how to do it, and when to do it.
“For people who wait until the last minute, they think they’re getting a really good deal on a cruise. When you take a look at the whole
picture, the air travel at the last minute could be more than the cruise,” Leonardi said. “It’s good to book these in advance. I will always nd the very best deal for everyone.”
ose who wait to book not only risk losing the best price. ey risk losing the chance to go at all.
“For example, for Alaska, now is the time to book for next year, because it was all sold out last year,” Leonardi said.
He said he’s putting together a group deal with Royal Caribbean for an Alaskan Cruise in 2025.
“And the Caribbean tends to sell out as well for spring break season. It’s the best time, the best weather. It’s incredible in the winter and in
the spring, as it’s past hurricane season,” Leonardi said.
When you book with Travel Time, Leonardi is your booking contact and your only contact. He personally takes care of everything, so all you have to do is relax on vacation.
Travel Time Vacations & Cruises o ers its clients the world, including a trip to “Southern Italy & Sicily” (see below) from April 27 to May 9, 2025.
To inquire about booking your next trip through Travel Time Vacations & Cruises, call (586) 323-6100. For more information, visit 586travel.com.
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).
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
social skills and emotonal growth. Our experienced teachers radiate the love of Jesus daily in their words and actons. Sharing the love of Jesus is an important part of every class session.
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):
MAC Red Division
Macomb Dakota (8-3, 3-2)
Chippewa Valley (9-3, 4-1)
Romeo (4-6, 3-2)
Utica Eisenhower (9-2, 4-1)
New Baltimore Anchor Bay (2-7, 0-5)
Sterling Heights Stevenson (4-6, 1-4)
It will be a feeling-out year for the MAC Red with longtime Chippewa Valley coach Scott Merchant moving to Lawrence Technological University and Utica Eisenhower and Romeo each graduating a core of talent, but don’t be surprised if Macomb Dakota is league champion when it’s all said and done.
Chippewa Valley, who won a share of the league last year with Eisenhower, was the thorn in Dakota’s side both in the regular season and the playoffs, eliminating the Cougars in districts.
Like Eisenhower and Romeo, Chippewa Valley graduated four all-region players including longtime quarterback Andrew Schuster, who is now at Grand Valley State University.
Eisenhower lost its four-year starter at quarterback, with Preston Crum now with Merchant at LTU, while also graduating all-region players Hayden Bills, Devin Steele and Cody Raymond, who anchored a defensive unit that allowed 15.6 points per game against MAC Red opponents.
For Dakota, the return of senior quarterback Jadon Ford, who missed some action due to injury last year, will be a key boost along with the return of all-region players Brady Hamby (RB/LB), Nick Battaglia (OL), Tyler Torey (DL) and Michigan 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 10-9, 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 clin-
from page 18A
ic 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.
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 Fitzger-
ald 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.
Marine City (9-2, 5-0)
Marysville (8-3, 4-1)
Eastpointe (1-8, 0-5 Gold)
Center Line (3-6, 2-3 Bronze)
St. Clair Shores South Lake (3-6, 1-4)
St. Clair (2-7, 0-5)
Marine City has won five straight MAC Silver titles with its last regular season league loss coming on Sept. 14 of 2018.
Marysville will likely put up a fight and have people wondering if this will be the year Marine City goes down, but until proven otherwise, the MAC Silver belongs to the Mariners.
See MAC on page 26A
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
Brookie Cookie, the mother peregrine falcon of the Old Macomb County Building nest, incubates eggs. Brookie Cookie was hatched at the University of Michigan in 2019 and has a black/blue band with code 52/K.
BY DEAN VAGLIA dvaglia@candgnews.com
METRO DETROIT — Over the weekend of Memorial Day, a very delicate ecological operation took place.
Two peregrine falcon chicks were removed from a nest at Detroit Metropolitan Airport and rehomed within Mount Clemens’ Old Macomb County Building. The chicks were located in a spot that would have put both them and humans at the airport in danger, forcing the Michigan Department of Natural Resources’ hand to undertake the risky rehoming.
“The DNR generally doesn’t want to do this, to foster and rehome,” said Danielle Durham, DNR peregrine falcon nest coordinator. “It was kind of an experiment … The (foster parent falcon) pair could not accept them. Luckily their maternal and nurturing instincts are high, and they just want to do what they do and raise chicks and rear young, but they could easily not have accepted those chicks.”
Indeed, it went well and the two birds, later named Dorothy and Bonner (in honor of Dorothy and Bonner Upshaw,) joined the recently hatched falcon chick, Gabe (named in honor of Gabe Anton), under the care of the ever-dutiful mother falcon, Brookie Cookie, at the county nest above Mount Clemens. The rehome occurred not long after the DNR fitted Gabe with tracking bands, making him the first Mount Clemens falcon chick to receive bands since 2016.
Between rehoming and fostering, the DNR shows a deep interest in the survival and care of the peregrine falcon. That’s for good reason: The bird has historically been on the endangered and threatened species lists in Michigan and across the United States.
Peregrine falcons are native to Michigan, making their home along the cliffs of Lake Superior and Isle Royale. Recently, peregrine falcons have found homes among the “pseudo cliffs” of skyscrapers and water towers. Though
the birds are traditionally migratory, falcons that make their homes in cities have little need to migrate. Durham says peregrine falcon migration is food-based, and cities supply the raptors with “copious amounts” of prey yearround.
The ability to work within the humanbuilt environment allowed peregrine falcons to thrive and gave birders a chance to see a dynamic bird in action.
“On October 4, 1993, Ruth Glass arranged a Macomb Audubon field trip to the Book Building in Detroit to meet with Judy Yerkey, a peregrine falcon nest monitor for the Michigan DNR,” Barb Baldinger, a longtime birder in southeastern Michigan, said via email. “We were able to see where the peregrine falcons were nesting and saw one of them fly to the nest. Knowing how rare peregrine falcons were at the time, it was very exciting!”
Peregrine falcons are commonly known as the fastest animals on Earth, capable of reaching over 200 mph and up to 240 mph in a dive. The high speeds peregrines are capable of can produce magnificent hunting scenes, alongside other daring maneuvers the bird can pull in flight.
“I have observed peregrine falcons catch their prey in the air as well as defend their territory by chasing off birds larger than themselves,” Baldinger said via email. “On several occasions, I watched a peregrine falcon fly under a turkey vulture, grab it by the talons and flip it upside down.”
There was, however, a major problem. The pesticide DDT killed raptors all across the United States. DDT would accumulate in the fat of prey animals, building more and more as prey was consumed by animals higher up the food chain. Small animals may be able to withstand the DDT, but larger animals were less resilient to the pesticide.
“As they continue to eat it accumulates in their system, and in the case of their peregrines and the ospreys and the bald eagles, it affect-
ed their ability to reproduce,” Durham said. “They would lay their eggs, but the eggshell would be thin, and when they would go to incubate the eggs, they would crush the eggs. You were not having new eggs hatched, so you were not having new peregrines added to the population and the old ones were still dying.”
DDT contamination decimated peregrine falcon populations, which reached record lows in the 1960s and several subspecies of peregrine falcon were declared endangered in 1970 under the Endangered Species Conservation Act of 1969. Peregrine falcons were all but extinct in the Michigan wilderness.
Responding to DDT pollution and its poisoning of birds took multiple forms across various levels of governmental agencies. Federal endangered species protections offered some aid to the raptors, while the Environmental Protection Agency banned DDT for most uses in 1972. At the state level, reintroduction efforts sought to kickstart the rebound of affected raptors. Baldinger says Canada began its reintroduction efforts in Ontario in 1977. The Michigan DNR reintroduced peregrine falcons between 1986-1992.
Banding falcons, placing metal bands with alphanumeric codes around the legs of the birds, is an essential part of tracking the growth of Michigan’s peregrine falcon population. Bands are color-coded and are based on which agency banded the bird — the silver bands are federally-owned, and the colored bands are the Michigan DNR’s — and people who spot the bands can report the codes to the appropriate agency. Bands allow wildlife management to track a bird throughout its life; with Brookie Cookie’s bands — black/blue, 52/K — we know she was hatched in the North Quad Tower of the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor in 2019.
“Being successful in reading the band numbers on individual peregrine falcons is a
challenge,” Baldinger said via email. “You may spend nearly an hour staring into a spotting scope, waiting for the bird to scratch its face, preen its feathers, or lift its feathers in takeoff for flight, before you get a fleeting look at the band. Sometimes, it takes several visits of trying to get the ID. It is very exciting to discover that a new adult at a nesting location is one that is one that previously hatched in our local area.”
Bans and bands have helped the peregrine falcon population rebound. Only the Eurasian subspecies remains on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s endangered species list, while peregrine falcons are listed as threatened.
“I have actually seen a trend recently in the last couple of years where I’ve seen fewer banded birds at my nest sites than I do banded birds,” Durham said. “So that’s a good thing to see that they’re really recovering and able to reproduce without us. These are truly wild birds. These aren’t ones that we’re touching, and they’ve rebounded wonderfully.”
So wonderful has the peregrine falcon’s rebound in Michigan been that the future of the banding program is in jeopardy. Federal delisting and a reduction from endangered to threatened at the state level combined with the sightings of birds without bands all contribute to the idea that the peregrine falcon can thrive on its own once again. An MSUToday article from June 3 notes the 2024 DNR bandings at Spartan Stadium are likely to be the last ones performed there.
“That’s good news for peregrine conservation,” Durham said. “They’ve met all of the criteria to be removed from that endangered status, which is wonderful.”
Durham says the peregrine falcon population is stable in Michigan and will likely remain so for years to come thanks to the existing protections and learning from the mistakes of DDT overuse.
Call Staff Writer Dean Vaglia at (586) 498-1043.
Macomb Community College Center Campus
University Center One Building Lecture Hall B 44575 Garfeld Rd Clinton Twp, MI 48038
August 22nd 6:30pm-8:30pm
September 26th 6:30pm-8:30pm
This course will discuss: • Medicare Parts A, B, C, & D • Benefts and cost • Who can and when to enroll • How to enroll • Do I enroll if I’m still working
Presented by Medicare Learning Services
Te professionals at Medicare Learning Services in Clinton Township, a privately funded nonproft, provides residents with information they need to make informed decisions on their Medicare insurance choices. Anyone who has been through the Medicare process knows how valuable accurate, timely information can be.
Medicare Learning Services ofers a free course open to anyone in the area and targeted for adults 60 and over or their caregivers and family members. Tere is no fee to attend the course, which typically is held the third Tursday of each month at Macomb Community College. A regular advertisement about the free session runs in C & G Newspapers.
Attendees beneft from a relaxed environment where they will not be sold anything, but instead are there to learn everything they can about Medicare. Tey will leave the course with a better understanding of their options so they can make more informed decisions. For example, guests will receive information to help them understand the available enrollment periods, Medicare-related costs, diferences between Medicare Parts A, B, C, and D, and more. Each session lasts two hours, and there is time for a robust question and answer session at the end.
Tere’s no fancy dinner, just water and information that is designed to help couples and individuals make the right Medicare choices based on their specifc situation. While the topic is serious, the presentation is entertaining and easy-tofollow. Guests can learn how to establish a Medicare account without having to go to a Social Security ofce in person.
Since Medicare Learning Services began hosting these free sessions, the local nonproft has helped thousands of individuals make more informed Medicare decisions. Tere are changes on the horizon that will impact Americans and their Medicare in the coming months, so now is the time to sign up if you are eligible for Medicare.
Finding the correct answer to a Medicare question online can be difcult and impossible. Fortunately, residents don’t have to feel uncomfortable or embarrassed about the challenges of dealing with the Medicare system when they attend a free informational session from Medicare Learning Services. To sign up for a class or for a list of upcoming free courses, call (586) 465-0588.
Warren De La Salle Collegiate (11-3, 5-1)
Toledo Catholic Central (16-0, 6-0)
Orchard Lake St. Mary’s (3-6, 3-3)
Detroit Catholic Central (8-3, 4-2)
Bloomfield Hills Brother Rice (0-9, 0-6)
Toledo St. John’s Jesuit (4-7, 2-4)
Similar to how the Macomb Area Conference Red or Oakland Activities Association Red operate, the CHSL Central Division is truly a dogfight each week, and expected improvements from Bloomfield Hills Brother Rice and Orchard Lake St. Mary’s only makes it more of a gauntlet.
Warren De La Salle Collegiate, which lost to Muskegon in the Division 2 state finals, and Toledo Central Catholic, which won its sixth Ohio state title last year, are the two heavyweights hoping one of its league counterparts can do some dirty work and give one of the top teams a loss before DLS and Central Catholic meet up on Sept. 20.
Central Catholic won the first meeting between the two schools 28-23 on their turf, but DLS will have the home field advantage this time around.
It’s always been about retooling a graduating class for DLS, but the Pilots return a healthy amount of all-Region talent in Jacob Hoffman (OL), Damion King IV (WR), Sante Gasperoni (QB), Jacob Tur (DL), Anthony Presnell (DL), Dalton Drogosh (LB) and Isaiah Jones (DB), who are not only motivated to regain control of the Central Division but to take back the D2 state championship.
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 1963, but his squad will start out with an immediate test in Roseville, which blanked Brother Rice 41-0 to open the 2023 season.
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
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
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).
Detroit Loyola (4-6, 0-3 AA)
Riverview Gabriel Richard (8-5, 2-2)
Macomb Lutheran North (9-3, 4-0)
Grosse Pointe Woods University Liggett (7-3, 4-1 Int 2)
Ann Arbor Father Gabriel Richard (8-3, 3-1)
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
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 un-
Brady Thomas, Bloomfield Hills Brother Rice See CHSL on page 26A
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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.
Many business owners and associations have decried the decision.
The Michigan Retailers Association released a statement in the wake of the news.
“Bedrock principles of capitalism and a competitive labor market are thwarted by extending the paid leave law to employers with only one employee, dramatically altering the paid leave requirements for those with 50 or more employees, and mandating substantial changes to the minimum wage,” the association stated in a press release.
Other organizations including the Michigan Chamber of Commerce and the Small Business Association of Michigan struck a similar tone in press releases.
Joe Vicari, founder and CEO of the Joe Vicari Restaurant Group, spoke out against the changes. The Vicari Group, which includes mostly Michigan businesses under the Andiamo brand, has over 20 restaurants.
“This ruling will devastate the restaurant industry,” Vicari said in an emailed statement. “Many hard-working people will lose their jobs. Eighty-three percent of the restaurant industry did not want this law to pass!”
Crazy Gringo owner Tommy Vasilos said the change will negatively impact his businesses. The Mexican restaurant chain has three locations in metro Detroit and approximately 22 employees. Vasilos said, with inflation and other high operating costs, the minimum wage increase is another added strain for business owners.
“I’ll be hurting; we’re all going to get hurt,” Vasilos said. “I think it’s going to affect everybody down the line.”
Vasilos said many restaurants will either need to raise costs or shut down. He said other restaurant owners he’s talked to are feeling “the crunch.”
“I just have a really bad taste in my mouth, thinking that it might have a big ef-
fect on restaurants and they’ll start closing their doors,” Vasilos said.
Vasilos said higher costs could drive away customers who are also struggling with inflation. Though, he said he didn’t mind an increase in the minimum wage. But, when compounded with other costs, it makes things more difficult on restaurants.
Lauryn Tillman, a bartender and server in Macomb County, said she was concerned about people tipping and going out to dinner in the current economy. She said customers may be less likely to tip if the minimum wage for servers gets too high.
“I truly believe that,” Tillman said. “Basically, I rely on my tips to live.”
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel praised the ruling.
“This is a landmark victory for Michigan voters and a resounding affirmation of the power of direct democracy,” Nessel is quoted as saying in a press release. “The Legislature cannot manipulate its power to undermine the will of the people. This ruling sends a clear message that elected officials cannot disregard the voices of their constituents. I am glad to see the Court recognize and respect that the people reserved for themselves the power of initiative, a crucial tool meant to shape the laws that govern them.”
The Restaurant Opportunities Center called the day of the ruling “an important day to remember,” calling the decision a win for working families and democracy.
“This ruling is the answer to economic opportunities and job protections that every worker, every voter and every person— Black, white, Latino, Asian, gay and straight, binary and non-binary, Democrat and Republican, immigrants and Native Americans, young and senior—deserves,” Chris White, director, ROC Michigan, is quoted as saying in a statement. “Together with our coalition partners and allies, I am proud of what we have accomplished!”
The Michigan AFL-CIO also commended the ruling.
“We commend the Court for ruling what we all clearly witnessed back in 2018,” Michigan AFL-CIO President Ron Bieber said in a press release. “The Republicancontrolled legislature’s flagrant disregard for the citizen initiative process has robbed Michigan workers of wages and sick leave for the past five years. Republicans in the legislature quite literally stole out of the pockets of Michigan workers and today’s ruling by the Supreme Court is the first step in righting this wrong and making workers whole.”
Call Staff Writer Nick Powers at (586) 498-1059.
MAC Bronze Division
Hazel Park (4-5, 3-2)
Clawson (7-3, 5-0)
Warren Lincoln (5-4, 4-1)
Clinton Township Clintondale (4-6, 2-3 Silver)
New Haven (1-8, 1-4)
Madison Heights Madison (0-9, 0-5)
The MAC Bronze could have one of the more exciting finishes this season with four teams potentially fighting for the top spot in the league.
Hazel Park has hung around the past two seasons and given Clawson a fight when they play, but you can’t count out Warren Lincoln or Clintondale either as teams who could make some noise.
knowns 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 fourstraight 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.
You could make an argument that Cardinal Mooney gave Everest Collegiate its toughest test in the league, but returning only three players on offense and four on defense leaves a lot of questions that only its play on the field can figure out.
University Liggett was the only team to really make Everest Collegiate sweat in a 31-29 game favoring Everest Collegiate, but the Knights are no longer the concern of any Intersectional 2 teams.
Allen Park Cabrini and Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes hope their returning starters can help improve on last year’s finish with the CHSL preseason poll picking league newcomer Bishop Foley to finish ahead of both the schools in third while Cardinal Mooney is slated to be in second.
It was a disaster year for Bishop Foley across the board in 2023, but it’s hoping to find its footing in Intersectional 2 play. Even in as tough of a position as Foley was in, it handled Shrine Catholic 33-6 last year, a Shrine Catholic team that had close losses with Cabrini (13-7) and Our Lady of the Lakes (28-21).
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With 15 licensed funeral directors, totaling 350 years of combined experience, Wujek-Calcaterra & Sons is uniquely qualifed to bring peace and comfort to grieving families in their time of need. And these aren’t ordinary funeral directors. Each one was specifcally sought out by the Wujek and Calcaterra families based on their individual talents and expertise.
Licensed funeral director Dominick Astorino, managing director at Wujek-Calcaterra & Sons, is honored to be a part of this exceptional team. “My colleagues and I are career professionals,” stated Astorino. “Most of us have been with Wujek-Calcaterra for over 20 years. We are dedicated to our career in a long-standing way.
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Tese devoted individuals represent a variety of religious and cultural backgrounds. Tey have formed enduring relationships with local families and the community. Tey are familiar with the neighborhood churches and have worked alongside their pastors. Tis allows them to connect with all types of families, putting them at
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Furthermore, their compassion isn’t strictly confned to business hours. Wujek-Calcaterra & Sons is one of the few funeral homes in the area where there is someone present 24/7.
According to Astorino, “We have never taken a day of since opening our original location in Detroit back in 1913. Christmas, holidays, brownouts, the worst snow storms – there has always been someone here to pick up the phone. We treat our families the way we would like to be treated. Tey never have to talk to an answering machine, and they know their loved one is never lef unattended.”
In addition to the 15 funeral directors, there is a support staf of 35 capable and compassionate individuals to complete the team at Wujek-Cacaterra & Sons. “We can serve all of our families, giving them everything they need – much like a personalized concierge.”
From preplanning to afercare services, Wujek-Calcaterra & Sons is available seven days a week, 365 days a year. Tey ofer two welcoming locations: 36900 Schoenherr Road in Sterling Heights, phone (586) 588-9117; and 54880 Van Dyke Avenue in Shelby Township, phone (586) 217-3316. For more information, visit wujekcalcaterra.com or follow Wujek-Calcaterra & Sons on Facebook.
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AUG. 15 Sweet Treats and Sweet Rides: Cars on display, music and in-store specials, 5-8 p.m., also Sept. 19, Sanders Chocolate and Ice Cream Shoppe, 23770 Hall Road in Clinton Township, (586) 464-5372
AUG. 17
Elton John tribute: Presented by Tom Cridland, 7 p.m., Macomb Center for the Perfoming Arts on Macomb Community College - Center Campus, 44575 Garfield Road in Clinton Township, macombcenter. com
Macomb County Pride: Family-friendly event featuring drag queen show and story time, LGBTQIA community performances, food trucks, vendors and DJ, noon-6 p.m., North Main Street in Mount Clemens, macombcountypride.com/pride2024
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. 19
As The Pages Turn: Middle school book club, next selection includes “Ahmed Aziz’s Epic Year” by Nina Hamza, 3-4 p.m., meets at Pitchford Park, 49625 Romeo Plank Road in Macomb Township, facebook.com/ MacombTwpParksandRec
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. 24
Electronic & Shred Waste Drop-Off Day: For residents only, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., Macomb Township Offices, 54111 Broughton Road, see acceptable items at macombtwp.org/trashservices
AUG. 25
Wedding Garage Sale: 1-3 p.m., also Nov. 24, Packard Proving
VIEW MORE! Visit candgnews.com/ calendar or use this QR code
CLASS REUNIONS
Franklin School - all alumni and family/friends: 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sept. 1 at Franklin Historical Museum, 26165 13 Mile Road, open house 2-4 p.m. at former Franklin School (now Huda School & Montessori), 32220 Franklin Road, and happy hour 4-6 p.m. at Franklin Community Association Park, 26495 Carol Ave., RSVP for happy hour by noon Aug. 31 at fcamichigan.org/form/m/284879
Cousino High School Class of 1969: 55-year reunion, classes of 1967-1971 also welcome, 7 p.m. Sept. 6, Roger’s Roost, 33262 Schoenherr Road in Sterling Heights, RSVP to Larry Wilk at lwilk@ comcast.net
Mount Clemens High School — all alumni: Cash food and
Grounds, 49965 Van Dyke Ave. in Shelby Township, www.packard provinggrounds.org
AUG. 27
PAWS for Reading: Kids can tell stories to therapy dog, 6:30-7:30 p.m., Clinton-Macomb Public Library - North Branch, 54100 Broughton Road in Macomb Township, (586) 226-5082, cmpl.org
ONGOING
NorthFlicks: Grades 6-12 can watch “The Outsiders” (2-4 p.m. Aug. 19), all ages can see “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” (1:30-4:30 p.m. Aug 22) and adults can view “Grease 2” (6-8:30 p.m. Sept. 5), Clinton-Macomb Public Library - North Branch, 54100 Broughton Road in Macomb Township, (586) 226-5082, cmpl.org
Widowed Friends events: Breakfasts 10 a.m. every fourth Monday of month, Amore’s Grill, 53100 Gratiot Ave. in Chesterfield Township, RSVP to Loree at (810) 335-2096
• Lunches 1:30 p.m. every second Tuesday of month, Moni’s Restaurant, 16600 24 Mile Road in Macomb Township, RSVP to Joanna at (586) 777-4651
Garden art sale: Open until Sept. 2, Schramm’s Farm, 21701 24 Mile
With the same link, click and sign in using your Google or Facebook information, or easily create a CitySpark account.
refreshments, 5 p.m. Sept. 13, Rec Bowl, 40 Crocker Blvd. in Mount Clemens, contact Ron Hiestand at (586) 463-6386 or drron82@ yahoo.com with questions
Osborn High School Class of 1974: 50-year reunion includes dinner and open bar, 6-11 p.m. Sept. 20, Blossom Heath Inn, 24800 Jefferson Ave. in St. Clair Shores, osborn1974.com
Grosse Pointe North High School Class of 1974: 50-year reunion includes cash bar, food stations, photo booth and GPN gift, 5:30 p.m. Sept. 21, Grosse Pointe Yacht Club, 788 Lake Shore Road in Grosse Pointe Shores, also casual gathering 7 p.m. Sept. 20, WaterMark Bar and Grille, 24420 Jefferson Ave. in St. Clair Shores, grossepointenorth1974.com
Road in Macomb Township, all proceeds benefit Macomb Charitable Foundation
Macomb Motivators Toastmasters Club: Meets 6:30-8 p.m. every second and fourth Thursday of month, St. Isidore Church, 18201 23 Mile Road in Macomb Township, www.6104644.toastmastersclubs.org
Rockin’ Roll In Cruise In: 4-7:30 p.m. select Thursdays until Aug. 29, Stahls Auto Museum, 56516 North Bay Drive in Chesterfield Township, stahlsauto.com
Ostomy peer support group: Meets 2-3 p.m. every third Sunday of month, Northside Church, 25600 23 Mile Road in Chesterfield Township, ostomyinfo@yahoo.com, ostomysupport-macomb.org, (586) 765-8976
Bereaved Parents of Macomb Support Group: Meets 7-9 p.m. every first Thursday of month, Washington Senior Center, 57880 Van Dyke Ave. in Washington Township, neilflyer@yahoo.com, (248) 425-2999
Washington Art Guild: Learn about art, listen to demonstrators and speakers, practice art in workshops, and exchange ideas, meets 6:309 p.m. every first Monday of month, Romeo Community Center, 361 Morton St. in Washington Township, washington-art-guild.homestead. com
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. WANT TO
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
