Soil and environmental testing have been completed at Scott Street Park, and officials say the area will soon welcome an above-ground “plazastyle” skate park.
Aging bridge on Paint Creek Trail to be replaced with grant funding
BY MARY BETH ALMOND malmond@candgnews.com
ROCHESTER — Two grants will cover the replacement of Bridge 31.7 along the Paint Creek Trail, just north of downtown Rochester.
ROCHESTER APPROVES FUNDING FOR OUTDOOR SKATE PARK
BY MARY BETH ALMOND malmond@candgnews.com
ROCHESTER — After over 10 years of advocacy from members of the community, the city of Rochester finally has plans for an outdoor skate park.
The Rochester City Council recently approved $500,000 for a skate park in its 2025 fiscal budget, which began July 1, 2024.
The Greater Rochester Skate Park Leadership Advisory Team, or SPLAT, has been working to secure a skate park in the city since 2013 following the closing of the former indoor South Street Skatepark.
South Street Skateshop owners Von and Linda Gallaher and former Rochester Mayor Cathy Daldin have been at the helm, urging the City Council to provide a dedicated environment for skateboarders that they say would help foster a
See SKATE PARK on page 17A
“The numbers are mile markers that are remnants of the former railroad, when they signified the mileage from the center of Detroit,” explained Paint Creek Trail Manager Tom Correll.
The bridge is located in Rochester, just north of the Woodward and Ludlow crossing, near the trail entrance to Dinosaur Hill Nature Preserve, over the Paint Creek.
State Rep. Donni Steele recently supported a legislative initiative, Senate Bill 817, which includes $27.3 million for 18 land acquisitions and 35 recreational development projects throughout the state with revenue from the Natural Resources Trust Fund. Locally, the funding included a $300,000 Michigan Natural Resources Trust Grant to develop a stress truss bridge on the Paint Creek Trail.
“I was a member of the Paint Creek Trailways commission for more than 10 years, serving as the chair for a time,” said Steele, in a statement. “This project was part of our master plan. I’m so glad we could secure the funding to finally get this failing bridge
See BRIDGE on page 22A
Photo by Erin Sanchez
SECOND FRONT PAGE
Rochester proposes first pet license fee increase in decades
BY MARY BETH ALMOND malmond@candgnews.com
ROCHESTER — Pet owners may soon have to dig a bit deeper into their pockets to assure their pet is properly licensed in the city of Rochester.
The Rochester City Council is proposing to increase its annual pet licensing fees for dogs and cats.
City Clerk Lee Ann O’Connor recently presented the idea to the City Council in an effort to “right-size the fees” for pet licensing.
someone you can always lean on
Meet Fran Scislowicz: Historic coach turned full-time grandfather is
BY JONATHAN SZCZEPANIAK jszczepaniak@candgnews.com
ROCHESTER HILLS — Trips to Brandon Township Public Library have become a frequent adventure for Rochester Hills native Fran Scislowicz and his 2-year-old grandson, Stanley.
It’s a new chapter in Scislowicz’s life, but he’s still utilizing the same qualities that made him a legendary coach at Rochester Adams over the
course of 37 years.
Scislowicz, a grandfather to three children, is someone that coaches, faculty members, students and players could always count on, trust and have comfort in knowing they were cared for and thought of.
“He was someone I could lean on and that would tell me what I needed to know and not what I needed to hear,” said longtime Adams
See SCISLOWICZ on page 8A
Oakland County currently handles pet licensing for 47 cities, townships and villages, charging $15 for an annual license for spayed or neutered dogs, $25 for intact dogs, and at least a $40 late fee, with the fee increasing each year.
The county charges seniors $14 for an annual license for spayed or neutered dogs, and $23 for intact dogs, and also offers three-year licensing options at varying costs. The county licensing program does not include cats.
O’Connor said Rochester is among other local communities that do not use the county and use their own fee structures, including Berkley, Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, Hazel Park, Huntington Woods, Oak Park, Royal Oak, and Southfield.
In Rochester, any person owning or harboring a dog or a cat is currently required to license the pet by March 1 of each year. To obtain a license,
Photo by Patricia O’Blenes
Feral cats have been known to roam Griggs Street, according to Rochester City Councilwoman Sara King.
See PET LICENSE on page 20A
Longtime Rochester Adams softball head coach Fran Scislowicz smiles while standing with his team.
Photo provided by Fran Scislowicz
Oakland pitcher Brandon Decker selected by New York Yankees in 19th round of MLB Draft
BY JONATHAN SZCZEPANIAK jszczepaniak@candgnews.com
ROCHESTER HILLS/FARMINGTON HILLS — Oakland University right-handed pitcher Brandon Decker’s Instagram post, “Official,” said it all.
Decker repped the pinstripes and iconic New York Yankees hat to celebrate his draft selection in the 19th round (571 overall) in the 2024 Major League Baseball Draft.
A 2020 North Farmington High School graduate, Decker was dominant for the Golden Grizzlies, earning Reliever of the Year in 2023 and Pitcher of the Year in 2024 while earning first team All-Conference honors both seasons.
Decker is the first Oakland pitcher to receive Pitcher of the Year honors since the university joined the Horizon League in 2013 and was also the first player in Horizon League history to ever win Reliever and Pitcher of the Year in back-to-back seasons.
“On the surface, he’s got a great size, great frame, and he’s got a very versatile arm, but he’s got great stuff,” Oakland head coach Brian Nelson said. “Stuff is not the question. The thing that makes Brandon Decker so enticing, especially at the next level, is all the intangibles. Him between the ears is as good as anybody out there. He knows himself better than
See DECKER on page 22A
Oakland University right-handed pitcher Brandon Decker throws a pitch during a game. Decker was selected in the 19th round by the New York Yankees. Photo courtesy of Clarence Round, Oakland University Athletics
Florida man charged with fraudulently selling jewelry as ‘Native-American Made’ participated in Art & Apples
BY MARY BETH ALMOND malmond@candgnews.com
ROCHESTER — A 45-year-old Florida man has been charged with fraudulently selling jewelry at local art fairs as Native American-made.
According to a release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Wisconsin, Jose Farinango Muenala, 45, of Casselberry, Florida, is charged with wire fraud, mail fraud and misrepresenting Indian-produced goods.
Paint Creek Center for the Arts Executive Director Shaun Hayes confirmed that Farinango Muenala was accepted into and participated in the Art & Apples Festival in 2022, “based on the quality of his work.”
“The 2023 festival saw an increase in the number of artists that applied, and he was not invited to participate due to other artists in the same category scoring higher with our jury. This artist did not apply to be included in this year’s show and will not be returning accordingly,” Hayes said in an email.
The charges against Farinango Muenala were the result of an investigation by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Department of the Interior Indian Arts and Craft Board.
“Safeguarding Native American culture, traditions and the consumers who purchase authentic Native American art are a critical part of these investigations,” Edward Grace, the assistant director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife’s Office of Law Enforcement,
said in a statement.
Indian Arts and Crafts Board Director Meridith Stanton explained that the board administers and enforces the Indian Arts and Crafts Act.
“The Act is intended to rid the Indian arts and crafts marketplace of fakes to protect the economic livelihoods and cultural heritage of Indian artists, craftspeople, and their Tribes, as well as the buying public,” Stanton said in a statement. “Authentic Indian art and craftwork is an important tool for passing down cultural traditions, traditional knowledge, and artistic skills from one generation to the next.”
The indictment alleges that from Dec. 3, 2015, to Jan. 17, 2024, Farinango Muenala applied to art shows across the United States to sell jewelry, falsely representing that he was Native American and that he made the jewelry he was selling.
On Aug. 2, 2023, Farinango Muenala allegedly sold the misrepresented jewelry during the Loon Day Festival in Mercer, Wisconsin, in violation of the Indian Arts and Crafts Act, a truth-in-marketing law.
“Jose Farinango’s false tribal affiliation cheated customers and impacted the economic and cultural livelihood of Native American artists,” Grace said in a statement.
If convicted, Farinango Muenala faces a maximum of 20 years in prison for the wire and mail fraud charges. He faces a maximum of five years in prison on the misrepresentation of Indian produced goods charge.
Farinango Muenala’s attorney could not be reached for comment at press time.
NEWS & NOTES
7A/ ROCHESTER POST • AUGUST 1, 2024
PCCA to open ‘The Art of Abstraction’ Aug. 3
ROCHESTER — The Paint Creek Center for the Arts invites audiences to challenge their opinions of abstract art in “The Art of Abstraction” exhibition on display in PCCA’s gallery Aug. 4-24.
An opening reception will be held 4-7 p.m. Aug. 3 in the gallery at the art center, 407 Pine St. The event is free.
The exhibition will showcase 54 individual pieces of artwork that staff say “obscure the objective” by focusing less on concrete representation and more on expression.
Last spring, the PCCA invited Michigan artists age 16 or older to submit work in all mediums, as long as it “represented the spirit of abstract art” and “suited the all-ages nature of PCCA’s public gallery space.” Forty-three artists will have their work displayed.
The exhibition is made possible through the National Endowment for the Arts, Art Works, and the Michigan Arts and Culture Council. Sponsorship was provided by Seven South Technology Consulting. Desserts for the reception are provided by Bakehouse 46.
Paint Creek Center for the Arts’ gallery has recently expanded its exhibition programming, with a Halloween show and the annual student and faculty exhibition, both scheduled for later this year.
For more information, visit www.pccart.org/exhibitions/art-of-abstraction.
Junior Women’s Club donates Little Free Library
ROCHESTER — The Rochester Junior’s Women’s Club recently donated and held a ribbon cutting for a Little Free Library on the north side of Avon, between John R and Dequindre Road.
Vera Ruczynski, a club member, spearheaded the initiative and collaborated with several other members to complete the project.
The purpose of the Little Free Library, club members say, is to be a catalyst for building community, inspiring readers and expanding book access for all.
The Little Free Library is a “take a book, share a book” free book exchange. People are invited to take a children’s book or bring a children’s book to share. The club will be monitoring the Little Free Library to ensure it remains stocked.
The Rochester Junior Women’s Club, founded in 1956, is a group of women whose mission statement calls “to promote education, strive to preserve natural resources, work to benefit older adults and support the arts in our community.”
Since its inception, the club has donated more than $1 million hours of community service and raised more than $920,000 to support the community.
To learn more about becoming a member, participating in events or donating, visit www. rjcwc.org, email rjwccommunications@gmail.com or call (248) 266-2913.
VOTE AUG. 6
As you prepare to cast your ballot next week, check out our election guide and profiles on the candidates running for local and national office at www.candgnews.com, “Elections.”
Early voting for the primary election underway
LANSING — Through Sunday, Aug. 4, registered Michigan voters across the state can cast a ballot in person at an early voting site for the Aug. 6 primary election.
Voters can find their local sites and hours at Michigan.gov/EarlyVoting.
“Every citizen has the power to make their voice heard at the ballot box,” Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson said in a statement. She said it’s important for voters to know they have convenient options for casting their vote.
“Early voting kicks off this weekend – that’s two Saturdays, two Sundays and a whole week in between to walk in and vote. No matter which option you choose to cast your ballot, Michigan’s clerks and bipartisan election workers will make sure the process is safe, secure, and the results reflect the will of the voters,” she said in a press release.
Early voting sites operate similarly to Election Day polling places – voters walk in, receive a ballot, mark the ballot and put it in a tabulator. Tabulators count ballots throughout the early voting period, but results are not known or released until election night. A voter’s early voting site may not be the same as their regular polling place. Additional information is available at Michigan.gov/EarlyVoting. Election Day is Tuesday, Aug. 6. Polls will be open 7 a.m.-8 p.m. statewide.
To learn more about voting and elections in Michigan, visit Michigan.gov/Vote.
LIBRARY PRESENTS ‘MEDICARE 101’ AUG. 20
ROCHESTER — The Rochester Hills Public Library will present “Medicare 101” at 7 p.m. Aug. 20 to help people understand the basics in partnership with the AgeWays Area Agency on Aging. This event is open to the public. Registration is required at calendar.rhpl.org or by calling (248) 656-2900.
NEIGHBORS IN THE NEWS
ROCHESTER RESIDENT TURNS 100
Thelma Childress, a resident of Cedarbrook, turned 100 July 26 and was honored with a party. Childress moved to Rochester from Texas, and she worked at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church for about 30 years as the Christian educator and a diaconal minister. She and her husband raised their daughter and retired in Rochester.
Anniversary — John and Barbara Thompson recently celebrated 60 years of marriage. They met and wed in Long Island, New York, in 1964, and raised five children. Following retirement in 2003, they moved to Rochester, Michigan, to be close to some of their grandchildren, and they also became involved at the former Rochester Community Center and the Knights of Columbus. The couple lived locally for 19 years and is now “enjoying the sunshine and warm weather” in Dunedin, Florida.
Scislowicz
Athletic Director Jason Rapp, who retired after 24 years at the position in 2020. “He was very supportive of all the programs at Adams. He wasn’t in his own silo. He was a team player all around. He was a source for other coaches because he was established.”
Synonymous with the culture he brought to Adams, Scislowicz has now transferred his attention and passion to his family after hanging it up with the softball program following 37 successful seasons with the Highlanders, compiling a 803-487 record.
Scislowicz’s career achievements as the frontman in the Highlanders dugout is extensive when counting up all the winning seasons and earning a spot in the Michigan High School Softball Coaches Association Hall of Fame, but statistical measurements of success were never what Scislowicz set his focus on.
“When people ask him how his team was, his response was always, ‘Well, they’re good right now, but we’ll see how they are in about 20 years,’” Ryan Scislowicz, Fran’s oldest son, said. “That’s why he has so many longtime relationships with so many of the people he’s coached over the years and talks to them well into the future.”
Long before he was the man everyone at Adams would come to know — whether it was from coaching football for a couple years, boys basketball, girls basketball for 23 years (1991-2014), or softball, Scislowicz was growing accustomed to figuring out any challenge life seemed to hand him.
A 1975 graduate of Madison Heights Bishop Foley, Scislowicz was a three-sport athlete at Foley in baseball, basketball and football — all attached to his name having grown up around two older and athletic brothers, Ken and Stanley.
Scislowicz had his brother Ken as both a baseball coach and health teacher at Foley
while also being under the tutelage of Foley head football coach Walt Wyniemko, who Scislowicz said helped him find the right course in life.
“He (Wyniemko) really kind of took me under his wing,” Scislowicz said. “I came from a little bit of a broken background, and coach presented two parts of the road — the good road and the dangerous road. He sent me on the good road more than once. I would say that’s where my love of wanting to serve, teach and help through coaching came from, because I really appreciated what he gave me.”
Scislowicz would then treat his college years like a modern day athlete, entering the transfer portal any chance he had.
His first stop was Albion College to play football and baseball. Next was Macomb Community College for sophomore year. He threw on the Wayne State University hat for junior year, and finally closed the college chapter at the University of Detroit Mercy.
“I don’t know if there’s too many people who went to four schools and graduated in four years, but that’s what happened to me,” Scislowicz said.
Similar to his college journey, Scislowicz’s fast-paced lifestyle slammed the accelerator as the 22-year-old was hired as the athletic director; the baseball, football and basketball coach; and physical education teacher at St. Hugo of the Hills Catholic School in Bloomfield Hills.
“When I got to Hugo, I was hired a week before the football season, maybe Aug. 1, and the football season started on the 8th,” Scislowicz said. “I remember Sister Marian and Sister Margaret hired me on the spot and said, ‘Here’s your keys,’ and there had to be 15 keys on that ring.”
As he played a never-ending guessing game for each key, Scislowicz settled in for seven years at St. Hugo, working around 70 hours a week. Scislowicz said he gives his wife, Nancy, who will be celebrating
their 40th anniversary in September, all the thanks he can offer for her patience.
“There was only one superior Coach of the Year, and that was my wife,” Scislowicz said. “For her to allow me to be gone each day, raising three kids that were born in the early 90s when we had them. Her supportiveness and her getting on me, and when you go into marriage you decide who’s going to be the home support and who’s going to be the wage-earner, and Nancy was just awesome.”
If he could handle it at the middle school level, then why not at the high school level? Rochester Adams took full advantage of Scislowicz’s chaotic, yet impressive work ethic when he was hired in 1987.
Scislowicz joined the varsity basketball and football coaching staff in ‘87 before being approached in ‘88 about the head coaching position for softball.
“They actually called me and said, ‘Hey, Mr. Scislowicz, you’re the new soft-
ball coach,’” Scislowicz said. “I kind of said, ‘Do you know who you’re talking to? I never coached girls and I’ve never coached softball.’ They said, ‘Well, we remember you offering to help us, and we’d really like for you to help us and pinch-hit for us with softball.’”
Having never coached softball, or girls sports, for that matter, Scislowicz, who was umpiring high school and college softball at the time, transitioned to the best of his ability.
But the softball players who also played girls basketball grew eager to have him on the court, and Scislowicz was again called upon to embark on a coaching journey in uncharted land.
“Once again the same story that never flies, I guess. I never coached girls basketball,” Scislowicz said. “They said, ‘Oh, you’re coaching boys basketball. You can do it.’”
Winning 24-straight games in his first season and reaching the quarterfinals, it’s no secret as to why Scislowicz ended up spending more than two decades on the sidelines.
“Those are some of the girls that are in their 50s now, and I’ve had the chance to go to their weddings and they celebrated with some of my kids and now with my grandkids,” Scislowicz said. “A couple of them came this spring and came into the dugout and wanted to say hi. Those were lifelong memories that when I was teaching that I would tell them that we won’t remember the wins and losses, but your teammates and your coaches, and lo and behold that worked.”
She may not have been part of the 1990s group that saw a Final Four basketball appearance in ‘93 and a semifinals appearance for softball in ‘94, but Scislowicz’s daughter Claire D’Addario, the youngest out of his three children, will always hold the memories of her time at Adams special because of her father.
A 2011 Adams graduate and three-year varsity starter at first base, D’Addario said she cherishes the time she was able to share
Photo provided by Fran Scislowicz
Fran Scislowicz and his grandson, Stanley, enjoy some quality bonding time.
See SCISLOWICZ on page 16A
We Help Oakland County’s Economy Thrive
At Oakland Thrive, we believe that strong economies mean strong communities. Our goal is to support and grow the economic ecosystem in Oakland County by giving businesses of any size the tools and support they need to achieve success and propel our communities forward. When opportunity knocks in Oakland County, Oakland Thrive makes sure that businesses are equipped to answer.
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Experience power washing the way it should be done, by ‘Honest Guys’
Whether it’s dirty from the elements or everyday wear and tear, your property’s exterior takes a beating. For your home or business, maintenance is the key to preserving your investment.
When it’s time to clean and freshen up the look of almost anything, Honest Guys Power Washing is the only call you need to make. Owner Dan Taylor and his “guys” handle expert power washing for everything: homes, decks, brick pavers, cement, gutters, siding, industrial buildings, and even construction vehicles.
Dan said decks and brick pavers are their specialty, where they o er a better quality of service than the competition, the materials they use leave a longer lasting finish and the scope of work goes beyond power washing.
“We’ll refinish decks, replacing boards and fixing structural issues,” Dan said. “We fix patios and pavers that are falling apart.
Not only do we li and level and repair the base, we get the moss out of the cracks and put polymeric sand in the joints that prohibits weed growth and prevents moisture penetration.”
The power washing season heats up in mid-April and runs through October, which means now is the perfect time to protect
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Grand Opening Open House: Discover the Brand-New Academy of Troy!
Troy, MI – July 29, 2024 – Te Learning Grove Academy of Troy is thrilled to announce the grand opening of its brand-new daycare and preschool, located in the heart of Troy, Michigan! Te open house is on August 15, from 6:00 – 8:00 PM at 5940 John R Rd, welcoming families to explore the state-of-the-art facility. Programs are open for infants through pre-kindergarten with an additional Montessori classroom.
A child’s frst fve years are crucial, and Te Learning Grove Academy is designed to provide a nurturing and stimulating environment for young children.
Teir goal is to foster a love of learning, build confdence, and develop critical thinking skills through positive learning experiences. Tis new school features bright and spacious classrooms equipped with brand-new toys and educational materials.
Key highlights include:
• Brand New Facility: A modern, purpose-built space designed to meet the highest standards of safety and comfort for young children.
ing, and math. Overall, their curriculum promotes cognitive, social, and emotional development through a variety of hands-on activities.
“I am excited to open our doors to the Troy community,” said Danielle Walker, Center Director of Learning Grove Academy of Troy. “ My family-oriented approach extends seamlessly into my work, where I value building strong relationships with both the children and their families. My commitment to creating a warm and supportive atmosphere is evident in every aspect of my life.”
• Four New Playgrounds & Indoor Gym: Te outdoor play areas feature the latest equipment, providing a safe, fun environment for children. Additionally, a new indoor gym is available for physical activities and motor skill development.
• STEM Lab & Engaging Curriculum: A dedicated STEM lab fosters interest in science, technology, engineer-
Families attending the open house will have the opportunity to tour the facility, meet the staf, and enjoy refreshments and activities. Enrollment information and special promotions for families will be available.
For more information about Te Learning Grove Academy of Troy, please visit www.learninggroveacademy.com or contact them at (248) 466-0846. RSVP is not required.
Join us as we celebrate the opening of a new chapter in early childhood education in Troy!
About Te Learning Grove Academy of Troy: Opening in Fall 2024, Te Learning Grove Academy of Troy takes a child-centered approach to curriculum. From infants to pre-k students, our dedicated educators will provide engaging hands-on experiences that foster curiosity, creativity, and success!
Scislowicz
the field with her father.
“I feel like on the field, I felt more pressure. I know he wasn’t putting it on me, but I felt like I needed to perform really well,” D’Addario said. “It was awesome. Looking back now, I wish I would’ve cherished it more instead of thinking about how everyone saw me as the coach’s daughter.”
Now an adult and no longer carrying the last name after getting married, D’Addario has realized the “Scislowicz” last name carries less pressure and more perks because of her father.
“We seriously can’t go to the grocery store or McDonald’s or anything without someone knowing him,” D’Addario said. “My husband and I just went to a pediatrician a few weeks ago for our newborn daughter, and the lady weighing our daughter was like, ‘You look really familiar. What’s your last name?’ I told her, and then she asked me what my maiden name was, and she was like, ‘Yep, that’s it. You’re coach’s daughter. I have him on Facebook and I see you all over his Facebook.’ It was almost like being a celebrity in the community and it still feels like it when I go back.”
But, courtesy of D’Addario and her husband having their first child, Adelynn, in May and his middle son, Kyle, and his wife having Stanley and a newborn girl, Della, also in May, Scislowicz felt it was finally time to hang up the clipboard and transition into life as a grandparent.
“My philosophy in coaching was always faith, family, and then my sport,” Scislowicz said. “With my grandchildren, I had no idea how God could wire a grandfather’s heart unbelievably different than anything else I’ve achieved or did in my life. That’s how special, between Stan and my two granddaughters, it is. It’s just so unique.”
Stanley, who is named after Scislowicz’s older brother who died in a hit-and-run accident at the age of 21, already has an unspoken bond with his grandfather after having a play named after him for the seventh grade Van Hoosen basketball team this year under the direction of Scislowicz, which went 11-0.
Kyle Scislowicz said it was a moment he’ll never forget when he called his father and told him his son’s name.
“When we had Stanley, I got to call my dad and let him know,” Kyle Scislowicz said. “Safe to say there were some waterworks — he was crying a little bit. He was not expecting it at all, which is the best part.”
Stanley isn’t quite old enough yet to play T-ball, which kicks off at age 3, but he’s already grown accustomed to the game with a
smooth swing.
On top of having the impressive ability to play baseball already, Kyle Scislowicz said his son’s baseball IQ is off-the-charts.
“It was funny. He saw one of my old Tigers shirts in our laundry basket, just the Old English D,” Kyle Scislowicz said. “Just the orange English D was on the shirt at the other side of the room, and he goes, ‘baseball.’ I went over there and was thinking to myself how there’s no baseball over there, but then I realized he was already coordinating the Old English D with the Tigers as a baseball team.”
While Fran Scislowicz enjoys retirement before inevitably coaching Stanley’s T-ball team, longtime Adams assistant coach Toni Bisaro will lead the charge as the newly appointed Adams head softball coach alongside longtime pitching coach Bob Kolvedt, who both expect it to be an odd spring season without their leading man.
“He just taught those kids so much with so many life lessons,” Bisaro said. “Just being with him was so inspirational and just everything that I’ve learned and picked up from him. He’s not only a great coach, but he’s also a great human being. It’s going to be lonely. I was basically beside him there. There’s a cool picture there from one of our parents who took all of our pictures, and she was amazing. She probably has 5,000 pictures, but she took a picture of me standing over Fran and that just depicts how close we are as not only coaches, but as friends. It’s going to be different. It’s going to be very, very different.”
“He missed a doubleheader this year and it was just Toni and I, and it was a little weird,” Kolvedt said. “We always bounced stuff off one another, and now he just won’t be there to do that.”
You can’t keep a good coach down, especially when you have the strength of passion and love for coaching as sports that Scislowicz does, but he said it’s time for his grandkids to have the opportunity to fully lean on him.
The list of players and students positively impacted by Scislowicz is immeasurable — whether it was on the field, on the court or in the classroom — but Scislowicz said he can’t thank all of them enough for what they’ve done for him.
“I think they had way more on me,” Scislowicz said. “Their kindness, their acceptability, their receptiveness to tough coaching and changing on the fly and being flexible. There’s so many things that they gave me that I don’t think they realize the love and kindness I felt each and every season. I think the longevity of being at Adams for both sports was because I was being filled up. Everybody thought I was giving, giving, giving there, but I was receiving probably as much, if not more to keep wanting to come back each season.”
Skate park
sense of community and belonging among youth.
“It’s been a very trying process, that’s for sure,” Von Gallaher admitted. “We’ve been working on this for 11 years, with multiple government administrations and multitudes of people that have gone through the City Council that have been really, really supportive. I’m without words that it’s happening. It’s been a long haul.”
Preliminary plans include an aboveground “plaza-style” skate park to be built in the grassy area just north of the baseball diamond at Scott Street Park, located at 580 Woodward.
The ball is already rolling, with crews recently finishing soil and environmental testing in the area.
“When you’re building a skate park, you have to understand what type of earth you’re building in, so that you can determine the footings,” Von Gallaher said. “The results have come back … and everything looks good.”
The next step in the process is to devel-
op a request for proposals and have skatepark builders bid for the project, which Gallaher said should be “happening pretty quick.”
“Once we get the bids back and the project is awarded to the builders, then we’ll go into the planning phase of the park. Once we do that planning phase, then we’ll start opening it up to the community of skaters that want input as to what they’re looking for, what key elements they would like to see in this park,” he explained.
“We just want to make sure that we are building what people actually want and what they will actually skate on,” added Rochester Department of Public Works Director Alek Mizikar.
Typically, Gallaher said, skateboard parks run between $45-$55 per square foot.
“$500,000 would probably build a 10,000-square-foot park, which is a nice size park,” he said. “I’d like it to be a little bigger, but certainly, 10,000 square feet is a nice park.”
Construction will likely begin next spring or summer.
“I couldn’t be more excited — I just couldn’t,” said Von Gallaher. “I can’t wait to be the first on that skatepark.”
funds for additional elements of the park via a 501(c)(3) created through the Rochester Community Foundation.
For more information or to donate to the skatepark, scan the QR code, right, visit www.facebook.com/GRSPSPLAT or email GRSPSPLAT@gmail.com.
Call Staff Writer Mary Beth Almond at (586) 498-1060.
SPLAT is continuing to try to raise
The city’s first outdoor skate park will be built in the grassy area just north of the baseball
CRIME WATCH
Five weapons surrendered after report of shots fired
ROCHESTER HILLS — Deputies responded to the 500 block of Grace Avenue for shots fired at 3:25 p.m. June 16.
The complainant, a neighbor, reported hearing gunfire from his neighbor’s backyard.
Upon arrival, deputies met with the complainant, who directed them to the 600 block of South Boulevard. Deputies met with a 60-year-old man who stated he had a concealed pistol license and that he had been shooting at a bottle. The man willingly surrendered five firearms to deputies for safekeeping. A warrant request has been submitted.
Deputies assist in finding subject wanted for domestic assault
ROCHESTER HILLS — Deputies became aware that the Auburn Hills Police Department was looking for a subject wanted in the investigation of a domestic assault at 4:31 a.m. June 14. The subject was reported to live in Rochester Hills.
Upon arrival, deputies were informed that the subject had left the house two minutes prior. Deputies immediately established a perimeter and deployed a drone. A short
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while later, the drone operator discovered a heat signature and was successfully able to guide a K-9 unit and other ground units to the subject, and he was taken into custody without incident. The subject was turned over to the Auburn Hills Police Department.
Deputies assist in investigating fire
ROCHESTER HILLS — The Rochester Hills Fire Department requested the assistance of the Sheriff’s Office Fire Investigations Unit in the 300 block of Highland Avenue for a residential structure fire at 1:17 a.m. June 16. No injuries were reported. A fire investigator responded to the scene for a cause and origin investigation. The incident remains under investigation.
Police nab drunken driver
ROCHESTER — A Rochester officer on patrol in the area of Main and University saw a vehicle traveling between two lanes on University at approximately 2:03 a.m. June 23. A traffic stop was conducted, and the officer observed signs of impairment from the driver, who failed field sobriety tests. The driver was given a preliminary breath test, which resulted in a 0.17% blood alcohol content, and he was placed under arrest. He was transported to the Rochester Police Department and was given a chemical breath test, resulting in a 0.19% blood alcohol content. The driver was held until sober and was released with a court date.
Police help suicidal subject in woods
ROCHESTER HILLS — The Oakland University Police Department requested assistance with locating a suicidal person in the woods at 4:56 p.m. June 21. Officers found the victim’s vehicle parked near a wooded area on campus, with the keys in the ignition. The victim, a 20-year-old man from Rochester, had previously made suicidal statements and had been displaying ongoing mental health needs to family members. Officers attempted to ping the victim’s cellphone, but the phone was broken into pieces inside the victim’s vehicle.
Officers eventually located the subject walking near a building on campus. The initial information indicated the victim was armed with a knife, but he was not. Paramedics from the Rochester Hills Fire Department responded. The victim was transported to the hospital for a mental health commitment. OU police completed a mental health petition and will be handling the follow-up investigation.
Drunken driver arrested after veering on the road
ROCHESTER — An officer on patrol
in the area of Fourth and Main observed a vehicle make a wide right turn onto Main and then veer over the lane line at approximately 12:30 a.m. June 27. The officer conducted a traffic stop and observed signs of impairment. The driver was offered a preliminary breath test, which resulted in a 0.24% blood alcohol content, and was placed under arrest. The driver was transported to the station and was offered a chemical breath test, which resulted in a 0.25% blood alcohol content. The driver was lodged until sober and was released pending a later court date.
Tinted license plate reveals suspended license
ROCHESTER — An officer on patrol in the area of Main and University observed a white pickup truck with a tinted license plate at approximately 10:50 a.m. July 2. A search revealed the registered owner was suspended. The officer conducted a traffic stop and made contact with the driver, who was placed under arrest and was transported to the Rochester Police Department for processing. The driver was released a short time later with a citation pending a later court date.
— Mary Beth Almond
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Pet license
residents must show a current rabies vaccination certificate from a veterinarian licensed in Michigan and pay the license fee. After March 1, a late fee is charged.
The city currently offers an annual pet license for $3 for spayed or neutered dogs or cats, $15 for intact dogs or cats, and a $12 late fee per animal.
“We are currently the lowest in the county and (our pet license fees) haven’t been adjusted in many decades,” O’Connor noted.
If at some point the city decided to switch its licensing to Oakland County, O’Connor said, there would be no benefit, as the city would still be required to be a point of sale for the licenses, so there would be no staff time saved.
“The bigger concern would be they would have to be our animal control and service our animal control and repeal that, and the Police Department would no longer handle that,” she noted. “And the county informed Chief George that they would only come to calls that were related to state law violations that were issued under a warrant — torture, fighting, things like that — so that would take away our local control of our laws and all the other things — barking dogs and running at large.”
“I want to maintain local control,” said Councilman Steve Sage. “We don’t want to do a disservice to the residents to have to go down to the county to maintain this.”
The Rochester City Council, at its June 10 meeting, ultimately recommended keeping its pet licensing and animal control programs in-house and increasing the annual pet licensing fee to $5 for spayed or neutered dogs or cats, and $25 for intact dogs or cats.
The increase in pricing was a compromise — with Sage, Mayor Stuart Bikson and City Councilman Christian Hauser wanting to keep rates the same; Council members
Debbie Jones and Marilyn Trent in favor of an increase; Councilmember Sara King indifferent; and Mayor Pro-Tem Nancy Salvia absent from the meeting.
“Three dollars is almost like you do it for free. You can’t even buy a $3 cup of coffee,” said Trent. “It’s costing us, at this point, to do it. We’re not making a load of money, but just to cover our costs of the city would be nice to do.”
Sage said he would accept “a modest increase,” as long as it was offset in subsidizing seniors. Hauser said he would also accept an increase if the late fee was dropped.
So council also recommended dropping the licensing late fee, decided to give seniors a new licensing discount — at a fee of $3 for spayed or neutered dogs or cats, and $15 for intact dogs or cats — suggested one-year and three-year licensing options and recommended moving the license expiration dates from March 1 to Dec. 31 to fall with the calendar year.
While King said she didn’t really care either way about the fee structure, she was firm in saying she wants any extra funds generated to tackle what she referred to as “a cat problem” in the neighborhoods within the city, specifically near Griggs Street.
“The amount of cats roaming the neighborhoods (is unreal). You can hear them all hours of the night in the alleys and they are going to continue to multiply. There are so many strays. … I don’t know what can be done. People are talking about getting live traps and trying to catch them, but you don’t want to catch racoons or skunks and have to deal with that,” said King. “There are cats everywhere.”
O’Connor said the proposed pet licensing changes will require an ordinance amendment, which she plans to work with City Attorney Jeffrey Kragt on and bring before council during an upcoming meeting.
For more information, contact the Rochester City Clerk’s Office at (248) 7333700.
Congrats Graduate
Dr. Lance Jones
Oakland University William Beaumont Medical School
Congratulations to Dr. Lance Jones, who graduated from OUWB Medical School!
We’re so proud of you!!
Love you, Mom and brother, Paul! 0225-2431
fixed.”
The structure will replace a 100-year-old timber railroad structure that currently spans Paint Creek. A 2016 inspection of the bridge by city engineers noted extensive decay of the bridge’s structural components.
Right now, the bridge is load-restricted, so heavy vehicles cannot cross it. The renovation, trail officials say, will improve accessibility for trail users and emergency vehicles.
Not only is the bridge itself old and having some structural issues, but the way it was originally designed — with piers in the water — causes logs to get stuck, especially in the spring, negatively affecting the creek’s fish habitat.
Decker
from page 5A
anybody else out there. He has an unbelievable work ethic.”
From 2022-2024, Decker compiled a 19-13 record with a 4.97 ERA and 219 strikeouts in 222.2 innings of work. His arsenal consists of a mid-to-low 90s fastball, a changeup, a cutter, a curveball and a slider.
Decker’s best statistical season came in 2023, when he tallied an 8-3 record with 71 strikeouts in 69.2 innings of work for the right-hander.
Collecting 16 saves in three years, Decker’s versatility was vital to Oakland’s pitching staff, utilizing him as a starter, a reliever and a closer throughout the season.
“That’s what makes Brandon Decker so enticing in the big leagues, is that he can fit in multiple roles,” Nelson said. “He’s just like a utility position player. I’m not sure where he fits, but he’s got a lot of options. If it doesn’t work out here, he can go over
Earlier this year, the city of Rochester secured approximately $721,000 in Transportation Alternatives Program funding for the project from the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments.
Amy O’Leary, the executive director of SEMCOG, said the project will make “a significant difference in the ability of all people, especially those who walk or bike, to reach their destinations with greater comfort and safety.”
The grant funding was crucial for the project to commence, according to Correll.
“The current cost estimate has the combined grants covering the total cost of the project, pending any unknowns,” he said.
Construction is estimated to begin in March 2025. For more information, contact Paint Creek Trail Manager Tom Correll at (248) 651-9260.
here. I think that’s what’s special about Brandon, with how he could legitimately have a career path as a starting pitcher, a long reliever, a short guy, or a back end guy because of just having that mentality of wanting to be on the mound with the ball in his hand is just so important to him.”
The Yankees’ strong suit for the past several years has been its bullpen, and versatility such as Decker’s would fit well.
It’s a grueling journey to the MLB stage, but Nelson said he believes Decker still has yet to reach his full potential.
“I think the things that will help Brandon Decker continue to climb the ladder will be physical development and maturation of his body,” Nelson said. “He’s still a young man with great physical skills, but as he continues to get older and his body continues to mature I think you’ll see another significant increase in stuff with Brandon Decker. By stuff I mean more break, more spin, more explosion and more velocity. I think a lot of that is coming.”
Enjoy a Carefree Summer at Waltonwood
We cater to seniors who desire social opportunities and a carefree lifestyle. With great locations, and warm, caring staff, you’ll feel right at home at any Waltonwood community.
MOVE NOW AND ENJOY
:
• Chef-prepared dining experiences with desserts created by our Pastry Chef.
• A variety of Life Enrichment programs providing social and wellness opportunities.
• Personal care services available when needed - age in place as your needs change!
• A variety of apartment styles to fit every lifestyle.
• Housekeeping services, home maintenance, and scheduled transportation.
OUR COMMUNITIES ARE PET FRIENDLY! Schedule a tour today.
Move to Waltonwood and spend time doing the things you love most. We’ll take care of the rest!
Waltonwood communities are participating in Clear the Shelters, a national campaign helping pets find loving homes. Contact us and see how you can help!
We are accepting pet supply donations for local shelters through August 16th.
live 8/3/2024, 10 a.m. 516 Brandon St., Owosso 48867. Online Absentee Bidding at NarhiAuctions. com. 810-266-6474. Public Farm Equipment Online Auction, Aug. 14, 8 a.m. Tractors, trailers, farm equipment, snow mobile, wood splitter, welder, sand blaster cabinet, generator, more! CrydermanAuctions.com to view catalog, other auctions. Call 586-784-8890.
Aug. 5. John Deere JD 300 backhoe/loader, Massey Ferguson 180 diesel tractor, boom sprayer, farm implements, chain fall log splinter, antiques, more. Visit Bid.SherwoodAuctionServiceLLC. com. Call 1-800-835-0495.
Help Wanted General
Navistar, Inc. is seeking an Emerging Tech Project Engineer Senior in Rochester Hills, MI with the following requirements: Master’s degree in Engineering or Engineering Technology and 6 years of experience in product design/development, including 1 year leading others in engineer/design activities OR Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or Engineering Technology and 8 years of experience in product design/development, including 1 year leading others in engineer/design activities OR Phd in Engineering or Engineering Technology and 3 years of experience in product design/development, including 1 year leading others in engineer/design activities. Required Skills: Design and Define BMS control requirements based on customer feedback and vehicle program requirements and develop battery model simulations to predict realtime system behavior using MATLAB & Simulink tools (2 yrs); Develop battery model simulation to predict real-time system behavior using MATLAB, Simulink tools, and BMS controls (2 yrs); Analyze vehicle CAN (controller area network) logs using CAN tools to troubleshoot and root cause field software & hardware bugs (3 yrs); Identify battery component requirement gaps by following the FMEA (Failure Mode Effects Analysis) process (3 yrs); Use Polarian to document and control robust system requirements (3 yrs); Develop the validation test plans and reports to identify and eliminate any production issues (3 yrs); Design and develop high and low-voltage battery harnesses for bench interface with other components to test vehicle functionality (2 yrs). 20% travel required; 40% telecommuting allowed; must live within normal commuting distance of Rochester Hills, MI. Apply at https://careers.navistar.com/jobs. Refer to Job #5698 0142-2431
Help Wanted General
Sales Director sought by Faurecia Interior Systems, Inc. in Auburn Hills, MI. 10% Domestic & Int’l Travel. Lead Sales Orgs of given Customer Business Unit, resp for sales dev. for whole Product Life Cycle for a specific Region/Division. Reqs: Bach deg in Auto Engg, or closely rel tech’l field or frgn deg equiv, + 5 yrs exp in sales in the auto industry. Res to postingjobs@forvia.com (Req. No. 58746). 0111-2431
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COMMUNITY CALENDAR
AUG. 3
Movies in the Moonlight: Watch “Barbie” at 8:30 p.m. (lot opens around 7 p.m.), corner of East Third and Water streets in Rochester, downtownrochestermi.com/movies-in-the-moonlight
Color of Wellness 5K: 8 a.m., starts and finishes at Rochester Municipal Park, 400 Sixth St., top finishers receive prize package from Woodhouse Day Spa and tickets (courtesy of New Day Foundation for Families) to Celebrity Lip Sync Battle Sept. 12 at Sound Board at MotorCity Casino, proceeds from run/walk benefit local families facing cancer, (248) 564-9577, foundationforfamilies.org
AUG. 6
Rochester Community Concert Band: Food trucks at 6:30 p.m. and outdoor concert at 7 p.m., St. Mary of the Hills Catholic Church, 2675 John R Road in Rochester Hills, rain date Aug. 7, (248) 462-9043, rochestercommunityconcertband@gmail.com, www.rochester communityconcertband.org
AUG. 7
Mt. Avon Cemetery Walking Tour: 6:30-7:30 p.m., 200 Wilcox St. in Rochester, register by noon Aug. 6, rochesterhills.org/musprograms
AUG. 8
Rochester Under the Bridge: Historical walking tour discussing South Hill Bridge, 6:30 p.m., meet at parking lot where Clinton River Trail crosses Diversion Street, $5 donation suggested, registration required, (248) 266-5440, rahsupdates@gmail.com, www.rochesteravon historicalsociety.org/events
2 3 Create a CitySpark account using your name, email and password Fill in your event information, click “Review,” then “Submit and Finish” Visit candgnews.com/calendar or use this QR code Events should appear online within 2 hours. We’ll use them in print as space permits. Login information is for account purposes only.
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AUG. 10
Book signing: Meet local authors Deb and Bruce Potts (their Christian Indie Award-winning “Love on Life Support” is set in Rochester), 11 a.m.-1 p.m., The Spice & Tea Exchange of Rochester, 120 E. Fourth St., (248) 841-1289
Rochester Grangers: Live “base ball” games featuring teams using equipment, uniforms and rules circa late 1800s, 1 p.m., Rochester Hills Museum at Van Hoosen Farm, 1005 Van Hoosen Road, www. rochesterhills.org/musprograms
AUG. 11 Rockin Rods n’ Rochester: Event limited to 375 vehicles, also food, collectibles, music, 50-50, door prizes and more, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Walnut Street in downtown Rochester, proceeds support Leader Dogs for the Blind and other Rochester Lions Club charities, www. rochesterlionsclub.org
AUG. 14
Harmony in the Hills concert series: Featuring Detroit Symphony Orchestra String Quartet, 7 p.m., St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, 620 Romeo St. in Rochester, www.stpaulsrochester.org/index.php/ harmony-in-the-hills
AUG. 15
Honey Harvest: Try sweet treat and talk to resident beekeepers, 6:30-8 p.m., Rochester Hills Museum at Van Hoosen Farm, 1005 Van Hoosen Road, registration required, rochesterhills.org/musprograms
AUG. 16
Music in the Meadows: Motortown All-Stars, 7 p.m., Bear Creek Nature Park, 740 W. Snell Road in Rochester, oaklandtownship.org
ONGOING
Summer Concert Series at Meadow Brook: 7-9:30 p.m. Aug. 1
(Dueling Pianos) and Aug. 8 (Ben Sharkey), also cash bar, snacks and self-guided tour of historic mansion, guests encouraged to bring picnic dinner, 350 Estate Drive in Rochester, meadowbrookhall.org/ concertseries
Farmers market: 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays until Oct. 26, corner of East
Third and Water streets in Rochester, downtownrochestermi.com/ farmers-market
Summer in The Village of Rochester Hills: Live music for adults and kids at Festival Park (north of Walton Boulevard and east of Adams Road), food trucks and exotic bugs/doughnuts events at Fountain Park (north of Walton and east of Adams), and yoga next to Von Maur (400 N. Adams) and Eddie Bauer (388 N. Adams), select times and dates until Aug. 31, details at thevorh.com
Dinosaur Hill Nature Preserve: Ages 6-11 can learn about habitats from 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and dinosaurs from 1-4 p.m. Aug. 5-8, and space from 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Aug. 12-15, also all-ages can make and launch miniature “floatable boatables” at 2 p.m. Aug. 11 and hear about Indiana bats and toast s’mores over campfire from 6-8 p.m. Aug. 14, plus Story & STEAM (for ages 3-5, 10-11 a.m. every second and fourth Friday of month) and Nature Tales Classic (story, snack and craft for ages 3-5, 10-11 a.m. every third Thursday of month), 333 N. Hill Circle in Rochester, dinosaurhill.org
Stream Science: Use nets, magnifying glasses, bug boxes and more to learn about what’s living in Stony Creek, 10 a.m.-noon and 1-4 p.m. Thursdays until Aug. 15, Rochester Hills Museum at Van Hoosen Farm, 1005 Van Hoosen Road, rochesterhills.org/musprograms
Free days at Lost Lake Nature Park: Themed indoor and outdoor activities, noon-3 p.m. Aug. 10 and 25, 846 Lost Lake Trail in Oakland Township, oaklandtownshipparksrec@gmail.com
Rochester Toastmasters: Meets 6:30 p.m. every first and third Thursday of month, Pixley Memorial Hall, 322 W. University Drive in Rochester, (248) 828-5649, www.4890.toastmastersclubs.org
Live music: Summer concerts include Aug. 2 (Who’s Bad - The Ultimate Michael Jackson Experience), Aug. 9 (Killer Flamingos), Aug. 10 (Red Hot Chili Pipers), Aug. 11 (Sugaray Rayford), Aug. 16 (Pop Rocks), Aug. 17 (Kat Mandu, Bob Seger tribute), Aug.
Costco charges escalate to international crime claims
TROY — On June 21, a Troy resident reported that in the beginning of May, he had received a phone call from an unknown male claiming to be with Costco customer service.
The caller said the man’s credit card had been used at a Costco in China and that the charges on the card had not been paid. The Troy man stated he had not been to China in years, and the caller told him he needed to make a report with police in China to document the fraud, and the caller transferred him, supposedly to the Chinese police.
The Troy resident then spoke with a man who said a report would be taken via Zoom. The Troy man spoke with a subject wearing a full police uniform who asked him questions about the incident. The subject then told the Troy man he was a suspect in a multi-million dollar theft by an international crime organization involved with the kidnapping of children.
The Troy man was transferred to a “case supervisor,” who contacted him daily. He was asked to transfer $115,000 to a Wells Fargo bank account and then was asked to transfer additional money to hold for his bail during the investigation.
Fake PayPal rep attempts fraudulent transaction
TROY — A resident on Hamman Drive reported June 11 that he received an email that he thought was from PayPal about a recent charge on his account.
He googled a phone number for PayPal and called the number that came up. The victim spoke with an unknown woman, who stated PayPal would give him a refund and to type the amount of $400 into the refund box, but when he did, it turned into $40,000.
The victim was then instructed to go to his bank and complete a wire transfer for the $40,000. When he arrived at his bank, the suspect told him not to tell the bank employees it was for PayPal. The victim realized it was a scam and hung up.
Customer spits at Wendy’s drive-thru
TROY — A customer reportedly caused a disturbance at the Wendy’s at 3995 Rochester Road at 5:14 p.m. June 20 due to some issues with a credit card machine.
Officers found the customer standing at the drive-thru window yelling toward the inside of the building at the employees.
Officers spoke to the customer, a 37-year-old man from Sumter, South Carolina, who initially stated nothing had happened to cause a police response.
subject was upset over the credit card machine being down. They said he eventually approached the drive-thru window on foot and began yelling at the employees before spitting at the employee at the window. The employee closed the window, and the customer allegedly tried to open it and spit again, at which point police arrived.
When asked if he had spit at the employee, the man denied it, but he admitted to spitting at the drive-thru window.
He was arrested and transported to the Troy police lockup, where he was issued a citation for assault and battery.
Obscene images found painted at Troy Athens High School
TROY — A Troy Athens High School employee reported that an unknown suspect spray painted obscene images onto the outside and inside of the girls’ softball dugout and two of the home plates on the field, located at 4333 John R Road. The incident reportedly happened between 2:30 p.m. June 21 and 7:30 a.m. June 25, according to a police report.
Victim reports compromised Social Security account
TROY — A Troy resident reported June 17 that he had failed to receive his expected monthly Social Security check.
He checked online and discovered that the check had been issued and then deposited into a bank account that does not belong to him after someone fraudulently accessed his Social Security account and changed his information.
Hundreds of dollars of Nike items stolen from store
BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP — Police were dispatched to a sporting goods store in the 2100 block of South Telegraph Road for a retail fraud at approximately 7:30 p.m. June 29. Employees stated that at approximately 7 p.m. three females entered the store and placed several Nike apparel items into their shopping cart before walking out without paying for them. Around $400-$600 worth of goods were stolen. Police were investigating.
Facebook marketplace exchange turns into unarmed robbery
BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP — The Bloomfield
Township Police Department was dispatched to a market in the 1500 block of South Opdyke Road for
imately 11:30 a.m. June 30.
The victim had posted her Apple iPhone 15 for sale on Facebook Marketplace and was supposed to meet the buyer at a grocery store in the area to make the exchange. The buyer arrived and began to bargain the price down. When the victim stated that the price was firm, the buyer allegedly grabbed the phone from the victim’s hand and ran away with it.
The victim and officers canvassed the area but were unable to locate the suspect.
The case was assigned to the Bloomfield Township investigations divisions.
Laundry detergent, diaper stolen from store
BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP — Police were dispatched to a grocery store in the 3600 block of West Maple Road for a retail fraud at approximately 3:30 p.m. June 26. Employees said two men and a woman pushed a shopping cart full of liquid Tide laundry detergent and diapers out of the store without paying for them. It is believed there were approximately 10 containers of detergent and 10 packages of diapers in the cart. The estimated total loss is $500. Police were investigating.
Purse stolen after car accident
SOUTHFIELD — A witness saw two vehicles get into an accident around 3:37 p.m. July 1 in the 20000 block of Southfield Road.
One of the individuals involved in the accident began yelling at the other. The witness then saw one of the parties reach into the other’s vehicle and steal a purse containing an iPhone and wallet.
Officers recover stolen vehicles with the help of trackers
SOUTHFIELD — At 1:42 a.m. July 2, officers arrived at a business in the 20000 block of Telegraph Road after four individuals broke in and stole multiple vehicles. Police recovered all of the vehicles thanks to the owner’s trackers on the cars.
Water gun stolen SOUTHFIELD — At 9:04 p.m. July 7, a complainant reported that his water gun was stolen from his home in the 18000 block of Jeanette Street.
Motorcycle chase terminated due to pedestrian traffic downtown FARMINGTON — An officer saw a motorcycle with no plate heading east at Grand River and Farmington Road around 7:30 p.m. July 5. The officer attempted
the motorcycle fled eastbound on Grand River,
left of center and accelerating. Due to
in the
area, the officer did not pursue the motorcycle. The motorcycle was described as a red and black sports-bike style motorcycle. The case was forwarded to the detective bureau for further investigation.
Man cited for CPL violation at bar FARMINGTON — Police were dispatched to a local bar regarding a man with a firearm on his hip drinking in the
Stolen