City to county: Step up homeless enforcement
BY DEAN VAGLIA dvaglia@candgnews.com
MOUNT CLEMENS — City commissioners approved a new law enforcement services contract with the Macomb County Sheriff’s Office at their Sept. 16 meeting, while officials and residents had much to say about the laws they want to see enforced going forward.
Residents and city commissioners alike expressed dissatisfaction about how the county had been approaching a perceived recent influx of homeless people within the city. While Mount Clemens is no stranger to having homeless residents, some have lately been accused of being disorderly and aggressive.
“This group is pretty rough,” Mount Clemens Downtown Development Authority coordinator Michelle Weiss said. “They’re smoking pot openly. They are doing crack. They are drinking openly, and (the Macomb County Sheriff’s Office) can’t take them and arrest them unless they are doing something wrong. I feel almost bad for the sheriff’s department because their hands are somewhat tied.”
Other actions attributed to the homeless include the alleged theft of Weiss’ cart, fighting, urinating on windows and generally creating a hostile atmosphere downtown.
Some said certain homeless people seem to be increasingly avoiding resources and shelters within the city, prefer-
See HOMELESS on page 8A
CLINTON TOWNSHIP HONORS THOSE LOST ON SEPT. 11
Veterans of America 154 Assistant Chaplain Mike Schneider delivers the invocation at Patriot Day observance on Sept. 11 at Resurrection Cemetery in Clinton Township.
BY NICK POWERS npowers@candgnews.com
CLINTON TOWNSHIP — It’s been 23 years since the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2011. Clinton Township hasn’t forgotten.
On the anniversary, those lost on that day were remembered at Resurrection Cemetery in Clinton Township. The ceremony is part of Patriot Day, commemorated and observed nationally by putting flags at half-staff.
See HONOR on page 9A
Vietnam
Photo by Nick Powers
Oakland County pushes back over Red Run sewage dumping
OFFICIALS SAY COMBINED SEWER OVERFLOW DUMPS ARE ‘FULLY TREATED’
BY NICK POWERS npowers@candgnews.com
MADISON HEIGHTS — Oakland County officials have pushed back against accusations that the county has been dumping untreated sewage into the Clinton River and, ultimately, into Lake St. Clair.
Oakland County Water Resources Commissioner Jim Nash provided a rebuttal of claims made by officials in Macomb County at a press conference at the George W. Kuhn Retention Treatment Basin on Sept. 18. Nash called the facility “state of the art” and said it meets all the requirements from the state. He said claims made against it by officials in Macomb County and, most recently, Clinton Township, were false.
“It’s important to understand water quality issues in Macomb County are longstanding and they’re not caused by this facility,” Nash said. “We follow all environmental laws, especially the Clean Water Act, and work closely with EGLE (the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy) to make sure we meet or exceed these standards.”
See RED RUN on page 25A
ANDIAMO PASTA & CHOPS OPENS ITS DOORS
BY NICK POWERS npowers@candgnews.com
CLINTON TOWNSHIP — Andiamo Pasta & Chops held its grand opening on Sept. 12 at The Mall at Partridge Creek.
Blendi Suvaria, co-owner of Andiamo Pasta & Chops, said he felt “very good” about the restaurant opening its doors. Suvaria has been with the company for 25 years, starting as a busser and working his way up to his current post.
“We had a very successful opening,” Suvaria said. Andiamo previously had a location on Hall Road for 17 years before closing in 2020.
“We wanted to get back in that market,” said Joe Vicari, co-owner of Andiamo Pasta & Chops, in a previous interview. “This opportunity came, and we liked it.”
“Everybody’s very happy we’re here,” Suvaria said.
“This Andiamo is not just a normal Andiamo, it’s more of a modern style.”
While the new restaurant will feature Andiamo favorites, it’ll have a different focus. Because Andiamo owns Joe Muer Seafood, Vicari said it will also specialize in those items.
“We’re going to expand our steaks and our chops,” Vicari said. “I live in that area, and it’s underserved for a good seafood/steakhouse.”
Vicari said items customers can expect are veal, pork and lamb chops, ribeye steaks and bone-in filets. He said the restaurant will try to provide sides with the meals, unlike some steakhouse restaurants.
“Just things you would see at a high-end steakhouse,” Vicari said. “But we’re going to keep the prices affordable.”
Andiamo has seven locations in the metro Detroit area, including the new one. The company also has a restaurant in Las Vegas.
Server Shelby Winn, pictured left, polishes a glass before Andiamo Pasta & Chops opens for dinner. Winn said, though the glasses are clean, polishing each one provides a finishing touch. The new restaurant, located at The Mall at Partridge Creek, held its grand opening Sept. 12.
Photos by Nick Powers
Clinton Township gets ‘clean’ audit, taxation questioned
BY NICK POWERS npowers@candgnews.com
CLINTON TOWNSHIP — Though an audit of Clinton Township’s finances came back with no irregularities, it didn’t stop the discussion about where the township’s money goes.
Plante Moran came to break down the results of the 2024 audit at the Board of Trustees meeting on Sept. 9. The firm looks at the township’s financial statements and compliance with federally funded grant programs. Ali Hijazi, a partner at Plante Moran, said the township’s audit was “clean.” This means the township complied with federal program requirements, accounting requirements and grant money administration requirements for the audit.
“That’s what you want to see as the outcome of your audit,” Hijazi said.
Plante Moran Assurance Manager Veronica Tuazon went over key points in the firm’s presentation. Many of the changes to the township’s general fund from 2023 to 2024 have to do with American Rescue Plan Act funds, which are federal funds for COVID-19 relief. This led to a decrease in the general fund from $36,739,000 to $25,310,000. General fund expenditures from 2023 to 2024 jumped due to an increase in transfers because of the accumulated ARPA funds being moved into a capital projects fund.
The general fund balance is expected to be steady in future years. Clinton Township Treasurer Paul Gieleghem said in the past there would be significant fluctuations.
Finance Director Mary Hein said there were meetings to remove discretionary items and remove positions that had been left vacant and didn’t need to be filled. Fees were raised for the township’s senior center, parks and recreation and building department. Grant funding also increased.
Trustee Julie Matuzak asked if an audit would turn up any malfeasance. She cited the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy, which had clean audits, but reportedly had missing funds over multiple decades. She stressed that this was a general question and wasn’t directed at anyone.
“We’ve just seen the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy missing $40 million over 10 years with clean audit reports every year,” Matuzak said. “Can you please explain to me how this happens and how we’re not in this situation?”
“An audit is not designed to detect fraud,” Hijazi said. “Part of what we’re required to do is look at internal controls. If we identify an opportunity for fraud to potentially occur, we would be required to report that as what we called a control deficiency.”
Hijazi said none of these were found during the township’s audit.
Township Attorney Jack Dolan explained that when the audit is done it can be difficult to get a clear view of a township’s finances. He said that it’s important when looking at the audit to look at the unassigned fund balance versus the. available fund balance.
“You’re seeing us, so to speak, right after we got paid,” Dolan said.
He said this money has to stretch through the rest of the fiscal year. The collection period for the township begins on Dec. 1 and lasts through the end of February.
Resident Paul Schorsch spoke during public comment and voiced his concern about how much residents were taxed and not seeing a benefit. For Schorsch, this means not seeing a section of Moravian Drive being fixed by his home.
“I feel like I’m sticking up for the citizens here, they’re getting taxed to death,” Schorsch said.
Following Schorsch’s comment, Cannon urged residents to look to see where their money is going. He explained that the township has public services others don’t.
“There’s only so much we can do,” Cannon said. “We try to spread it out and do the best we can for the whole of the community.”
Gieleghem put together a breakdown of where residents’ tax dollars go. The document can be found here: www.clintontownship.com/DocumentCenter/View/ 2937/Whats-in-a-Tax-Dollar-PDF.
“The people have voted to pay for these services,” Clinton Township Clerk Kim Meltzer added.
Treasurer’s report
Later, Gieleghem gave a quarterly treasurer’s report. He said he expected the interest revenue for the general fund to be higher for 2025 than what is projected in the audit.
He said the report was routine and laid out what his office attempts to do when investing township funds.
“Over the past seven and a half years as
SMART AIMS TO IMPROVE EXISTING SERVICE
BY NICK POWERS npowers@candgnews.com
CLINTON TOWNSHIP — The Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation is looking to improve service on its routes.
At the Clinton Township Board of Trustees meeting on Sept. 9, marketing consultant Janai Williams Smith and SMART Vice President of Planning and Innovation Harmony Lloyd gave a presentation to inform the board and public about the proposed changes. The two laid out two scenarios for community members to give input on. The first scenario would provide increased frequency, and the second would increase coverage.
The first scenario would increase reliability and provide more service on the weekends, according to SMART’s presentation. Improvements outlined in the presentation include five “fast” routes, 11 routes every 30 minutes and 25 routes every 60 minutes. The scenario offers five new routes and four new “flex zones” for customers. Flex zones are areas where roundtrip pickups
coming and they want it to operate more hours and more days of the week than maybe it does currently,” Smith said.
The second scenario offers up five “fast” routes, three routes every 30 minutes and 37 routes every 60 minutes. The 60-minute routes would have expanded hours, including weekends. The presentation states that the scenario would make schedules more predictable. It would add 11 new routes and five new flex zones.
“This is looking at areas that are underserved or completely unserved by transit,” Smith said during the presentation.
Smith said the process will include community input about what works in each scenario. SMART will then create a hybrid proposal that is expected to be finalized by spring 2025.
from the proposed changes for Clinton Township residents. She also asked if the residents would be footing the bill for the changes even if they wouldn’t benefit.
“We’re not asking for an increase or anything like that,” Lloyd said. “This is, as Janai mentioned, financially constrained. We are planning these changes to operate within the current funds that we have and what we have projected for budgets in coming years.”
Lloyd went on to explain that this is why there aren’t any major changes, just improvements to routes.
are possible with a separate, smaller bus for things like doctor’s appointments.
“People want the service to get them there quickly, they want to know when it’s
The changes are part of the SMARTer Mobility Program. The program, which started in 2023, studies possible improvements to the service. This was, in part, spurred by Oakland County’s increased SMART millage.
Clinton Township Clerk Kim Meltzer questioned if there would be any impact
“You hear around here about how metro Detroit has a terrible public transit system,” Lloyd said. “We’re really working hard. This is about trying to make those changes within the reality of our budget, so people do feel like they do have an effective system they can use.”
At the meeting, resident Sam Buschell questioned whether SMART works with the Macomb County Department of Roads to make sure bus stops are safe and accessible to residents. He mentioned that a stop near See SMART on page 10A
Screenshot taken from Clinton Township Board of Trustees meeting broadcast
Marketing consultant Janai Williams Smith and SMART Vice President of Planning and Innovation
Harmony Lloyd gave a presentation on the SMARTer Mobility Program at the Clinton Township Board of Trustees meeting on Sept. 9.
Homeless
from page 1A
ring to remain on the streets.
“I’ve been in (Mount Clemens) for 28 years this past August and I have never had to look over my shoulder,” Mount Clemens resident Charles Smith said. “I fear for my wife coming in and out of our home. I’m finding myself looking over my shoulder and it’s really becoming a problem. I’ve gotten to know a lot of the homeless that have been (downtown) for a while; (I’ve) never had any problems. They’re nice. We help them out whenever we can. This new group, I don’t know where they came from. It’s no good.”
Mount Clemens Mayor Laura Kropp was less than pleased with how the Macomb County Sheriff’s Office had been dealing with the issue prior to the Sept. 16 meeting.
“We had a work session with the sheriff already and one of the specific complaints that we had was that their substation literally looks at the bridge that we have had to spend $5,000 to $6,000 for the last two to three years, repeatedly, because we have hazmat situations going on because there are homeless people living underneath the bridge that they can see from their substation, and it has never been dealt with,” Kropp said. “I’ve told them, basically that fact, that until they can get things under control, don’t ask us for more. … I have nothing against the deputies, they’re fine men and women, but I am not happy with the service we are getting currently and specifically because of this homeless issue that we have had sit-down meetings and tried to address, tried to come up with solutions, tried to ask for their input in how it can be dealt with, told them to arrest them when they’re breaking the law. All the things (public commenters) have mentioned — smoking pot in public? Against the law. Drunk and disorderly? Against the law. Aggressive to people? Against the law. I am only asking them to uphold our ordinances and the law. It’s all we’re asking.
“We want to be kind to everyone but if you’re going to make this place unsafe, you’re not welcome here,” Kropp said.
With the city agreeing to pay the county $3.8 million to $4 million a year from 2025-27 for the sheriff’s law enforcement services, commissioners hashed out possible ways of pressing the issue with the county government. Kropp recommended the City Commission go before the Macomb County
Board of Commissioners when the sheriff’s office’s upcoming budget is presented for approval to voice their concerns. Other approaches discussed included speaking with District 8 County Commissioner Antoinette Wallace about the issue, as well as speaking with Face Addiction Now about how they may be able to aid the situation.
Commissioners urged residents to call 911 when they noticed people committing illegal acts. City Manager Gregg Shipman mentioned the new substation commander is requiring deputies to make patrols within the downtown area.
While commissioners expressed their overall issues with some among the current group of homeless people in the city, effort was taken to distance their actions from those of the city’s already established homeless residents. There was no desire expressed to make being homeless a criminal offense within Mount Clemens.
“Our community is specifically not in the business of criminalizing homelessness,” City Commissioner Spencer Calhoun said. “I was homeless. I came to Mount Clemens and thankfully I was housed in Family Youth Interventions so I didn’t have to be on the street here in Mount Clemens, but I just want to be so clear that we are not trying to criminalize homelessness. We want to make sure that there are more resources for people out there who need them. At the same time, we need to make sure that people downtown across the city are safe. We have to balance those.”
Parking study
Commissioners hired engineering firm Fishbeck to perform a study of the city’s parking situation for around $46,600. The study will look into the current conditions and future needs of the existing parking system, which has struggled to be self-sufficient with respect to revenue.
“The parking fund has run in a deficit several times in its history,” Shipman said. “The fund will continue to suffer shortfalls if changes are not implemented. Those shortfalls would be subsidized by the general fund, which is something the city should avoid if possible.”
The study is expected to take six months to complete. A survey will be part of the study, which will be available online with physical copies in city hall.
Call Staff Writer Dean Vaglia at (586) 498-1043.
Clinton Township Supervisor Bob Cannon said the event ensures that what happened in New York, Washington D.C. and Pennsylvania on Sept. 11, 2001, is not forgotten.
“Remembering also gives us an excellent opportunity to teach,” Cannon said. “The events, the aftermath and the pulse of our nation during that time needs to be passed on to those who were not here or too young to understand the gravity of the attack on our country.”
Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 154 Assistant Chaplain Mike Schneider delivered the invocation. Schneider touched on the deep feelings of loss on that day.
“It is right that it should not pass from our memory but today and in this prayer, along with our remembrance of profound loss, it also seems right that we give voice to our deep longing for peace,” Schneider said.
The event featured several speakers who paid tribute to those who were lost and shared personal stories.
Clinton Township Police Capt. Anthony Coppola said adherence to service, honor and remembrance is the best way to honor those who were lost that day.
“As we pause our busy lives and think back as we saw those two great pillars of modern mankind’s marvel come crashing down near New York City,” Coppola said. “Near the same time, to have one of America’s symbols of military organization subject to attack in the Washington D.C. area. We can neither forget those who were aboard United Airlines Flight 93, who lost their lives resisting the offenses brought about them.”
Clinton Township firefighter Ronald Gnesda gave an accounting of the day and praised his fellow firefighters for their efforts at ground zero.
“Their courage and dedication were a beacon of hope in our darkest hours,” Gnesda said.
Gnesda was a sophomore in high school when the attack happened. The school was in lockdown and those inside were glued to the TV as the attack unfolded.
“I can still see the disbelief and the horror on the faces of my classmates and teachers as we watched the second plane crash into the south tower,” he said. “It was at that moment that the reality of what was happening set in. This was not an accident. This was an attack on our country.”
Gnesda said seeing that changed some-
thing in him and helped move him toward a career in public service.
“Each day on the job is a reminder of the responsibility we carry as first responders,” Gnesda said. “To be there when people need us the most. To offer hope in the face of despair. To make a difference no matter the cost.”
Col. David Spehar, deputy commander of the 127th Wing, shared his personal story about what it was like at the Selfridge Air National Guard Base on Sept. 11. Spehar said he hadn’t had enough experience to go out on missions but was on the base that day. There was a “skeleton crew” at the base at Selfridge, according to Spehar. He heard about the attack on the radio and rushed over. He said the line of National Guardsmen that came to the base that day to lend a hand was so great that some had to be turned away.
“By the time I got there, those people that were left had accelerated and got everything they could get flying ready to go,” Spehar said. “All the munitions were sitting out there on a line.”
Thinking back, Spehar remembers how angry he was about the attack being on American soil. He explained how he was ready to defend his country if there were further attacks and a full-scale invasion.
“I remember going home every night thinking, ‘I can’t believe it’s here, it’s in our backyard,’” Spehar said. “We can look back now and say, ‘Well, we know it was over after that.’ We didn’t know that at the time. There were coordinated strikes. It was wellplanned and thought (out).”
He called on those in attendance to remember those who were lost on that day and those who served their country during and after the attack.
“Remember what it feels like to be bound together as Americans here over something that was supposed to be the darkest day in our history, turned into something that we can all bind on and be American brothers and sisters,” Spehar said.
The Spectrum Female Barbershop Quartet did renditions of “God Bless America” and the “The Star-Spangled Banner.” Clinton Township Police Department Sgt. Joshua Lundin performed “Amazing Grace” on bagpipes. The Police Department color guard presented and retired the colors. The ceremony was capped off by a rifle volley and taps by the VVA Chapter 154 Honor Guard.
Call Staff Writer Nick Powers at (586) 498-1059.
HEALTHY FOOD CHOICES AT AFFORDABLE PRICES
Now Taking Meat Bundle Orders
ABOVE: A Patriot Day observance was held on Sept. 11 at Resurrection Cemetery in Clinton Township.
LEFT: Clinton Township Police Department Sgt. Joshua Lundin performs “Amazing Grace” on bagpipes at the Patriot Day observance on Sept. 11 at Resurrection Cemetery in Clinton Township.
Photo by Nick Powers
Audit
from page 4A
treasurer, we’ve been a department that’s very aggressive with our investments but, at the same time, maintaining safety and liquidity for the township,” Gieleghem said.
He laid out three goals his department sets: to not lose principal, to make sure money is there when the township needs it, and to make sure the township gains as much as possible on investment from revenue.
“I think we’ve met and exceeded that standard in most cases,” he said.
Trustee Dan Kress brought the conversation back to taxation.
“People are looking, they need property tax relief,” Kress said. “Is there any path to freeze property taxes where they’re at and reduce our investments?”
Gieleghem explained he invests the money while it’s being held by the township, knowing that its bills will come due. He said the money is utilized to meet obligations.
“If we don’t invest these dollars, we’re basically giving up the ability to meet the needs of our residents,” Gieleghem said. “It’s
page 6A
15 Mile and Kelly roads is especially treacherous.
Lloyd said that SMART is aiming to do a bus stop inventory in the future to assess problematic stops. She said the study will look at 8,000 stops and check to see if they make sense where they’re located. If they don’t, they’ll be removed. She estimated the project will take three to five years and the work will be done hand in hand with municipalities.
Township
appropriate to do so. It’s not a profit-making enterprise. It’s a delivery of service.”
Kress pushed the issue, asking if a freeze was possible. Property tax revenue, as projected in the audit, is set to rise from $2.876 million to $3.025 million from 2024 to 2025.
Gieleghem said the township is constrained by the state of Michigan when it comes to property taxes. This tax is derived from millage rates and taxable value of the property. Taxable value isn’t able to be altered by the township, but millage rates are different.
“We have control over those millage rates,” he said. “When our community grows, we roll the rate back.”
Kress asked if there’s a “rainy day” fund. Gieleghem responded that there is and that it’s in the audit report under general fund balance.
“And that is within an appropriate range,” Gieleghem said.
The board voted unanimously to receive and file both reports. Trustees Tammy Patton and Mike Keys were absent from the meeting.
Call Staff Writer Nick Powers at (586) 498-1059.
encouraged residents to visit SMART’s website and attend future meetings to “mold” any future plans for the service.
“The focus of this is to get public input,” Gieleghem said.
The board unanimously approved receiving and filing the presentation.
More information about future meetings and contact information can be found at smarter-mobility.org.
Call Staff Writer Nick Powers at (586) 498-1059.
Screenshot taken from Clinton Township Board of Trustees meeting broadcast Clinton Township Trustee Dan Kress, right, questions Treasurer Paul Gieleghem about property taxes at the Board of Trustees meeting on Sept. 9.
Treasurer Paul Gieleghem
CMPL gears up for TeenTober and Halloween
CLINTON TOWNSHIP — October is for the teens at the Clinton-Macomb Public Library as the library celebrates TeenTober, which recognizes teens services at libraries.
Teenage-geared CMPL events this October include a monster guts bookmark activity on Monday, Oct. 7 at 7 p.m. at the South Branch; blackout poetry at the South Branch on Tuesday, Oct. 15 at 7 p.m.; a tech take apart on Monday, Oct. 21 at 6:30 p.m. at the South Branch; and a haunted art activity on Monday, Oct. 28 at 6 p.m. at the North Branch.
Those interested in learning how to cook at home can visit the South Branch to learn about cooking with fall flavors. On Wednesday, Oct. 9 at 6:30 p.m., Nicole Seals will visit to present a program on fall flavors and fall appetizers while on Tuesday, Oct. 22 at 6:30 p.m., Mary Spencer from Taste: A Cook’s Place will demonstrate how to make healthy skillet dinners.
Librarians are getting ready for the spooky season with all types of events. Families are invited to the South Branch on Saturday, Oct. 5 at 3 p.m. for a notso-spooky, family-friendly magic show with A2Magic. A Halloween party for children is being held at the South Branch on Thursday, Oct. 10 at 6:30 p.m., where costumes are encouraged. The North Branch will host author Tobin Buhk on Wednesday, Oct. 30 at 3:30 p.m. to discuss true crime tales of Michigan’s most dangerous women.
For more information about events and to sign up, visit cmpl.libnet.info/events.
CRUISING IN CHESTERFIELD
CHESTERFIELD TOWNSHIP — Going for over a decade now, the 2024 North Gratiot Cruise & Craft Fair is taking place along M-3 in Chesterfield Township on Saturday, Sept. 28.
The day begins at 8 a.m. with check-ins for the Chesterfield 5K, beginning at the Value City Furniture at 50400 Gratiot Avenue. The craft fair kicks off at Value City at 11 a.m. and runs until 4 p.m., with around 40 crafters expected to show off their wares.
Cruisers can check in at the Kohl’s at 50500 Gratiot Avenue to get registered for a shot at their share of prize cash, including the $1,000 best in show prize.
Funds raised by the cruise organization benefit local charities.
“Over the years we’ve paid out about $100,000 to various small organizations,” said Donna Weatherby, head of marketing for the Southeast Michigan Chamber of Commerce. “We don’t give it all to one organization because we feel like there’s so much need with these little groups.”
For more information about the cruise and to sign up for its events, visit cruisegratiot.com. Weatherby can be reached at (313) 510-8340.
Waterfront Park closed for construction
HARRISON TOWNSHIP — Waterfront Park, located along Jefferson Avenue, is closed for the construction of a new pier, a shoreline “softening” project, upgrades to facilities and other work. The $1.3 million project is expected to be completed by Spring 2025.
For more information read the “Harrison Township Waterfront Park to see $1.3 million project” from the July 31 edition of Journal, available online at candgnews.com.
Advancing Macomb hosts summit at Metro Beach
HARRISON TOWNSHIP — Mount Clemens-based nonprofit Advancing Macomb is hosting its second-annual Community Engagement Summit at the Welsh Activity Center at Lake St. Clair Metropark on Friday, Sept. 27, from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
“We are excited to host the second annual Community Engagement Summit and invite business, community and civic leaders from across Macomb County and metro Detroit to join us on September 27,” Phil Gilchrist, executive director of Advancing Macomb, said in a press release. “Attendees will gain valuable insights and powerful tools to help address community challenges and turn them into opportunities for growth.”
The event aims to help people better engage with their communities by offering tools and strategies to do so, while learning about why community engagement is essential for community development, improving quality of life and encouraging economic growth.
Jeanette Pierce, founder and president of the City Institute in Detroit, will serve as the keynote speaker. Pierce founded the City Institute to help cities attract and retain residents through fostering an understanding and appreciation of their local environments.
General admission tickets for the event are $50 and may be purchased at www.advancingmacomb.com.
Macomb County moves WIC office
WARREN — The Macomb County Health Department recently relocated its Women, Infants, and Children program from the Max Thompson Family Resource Center on Hupp Avenue, in Warren, to the Southwest Health Center located at 27690 Van Dyke Avenue. The new office, which is also in Warren, reopened on Sept. 16.
According to Lauren Cody, public health services manager, the move to the Southwest Health Center provides residents improved customer experience and co-locates department services. The move places WIC services in the same building as the family planning, immunization and STI/HIV programs. WIC appointments are available five days a week.
COME CHECK OUT THIS SPRAWLING
RANCH
in the highly sought-after Shelby Twp, Cedar Lakes Subdivision. Boasting an open concept layout, this residence features stunning custom woodwork and crown molding throughout, enhancing its elegant charm. Additional highlights include, oversized private yard, hardwood flooring in the bedrooms, custom closets, Anderson windows, partially finished basement, newer AC unit, central vacuum system, and first-floor laundry. This home seamlessly combines luxury and comfort, making it the perfect place to call home.
586-531-5038
elect
WILCZYNSKI, WADE, STROLIS CLINTON TOWNSHIP TRUSTEE
Derek Wilczynski
•Practicing Attorney in Macomb
•Member of Clinton Twp Police and Fire Civil Service Commission
•Husband, Father, and lifelong resident of Clinton
Costs of living continue to rise, and citizens are being priced out of our homes. We are running on the promise of making life in Clinton Township more affordable
Bruce Wade
•Clinton Township Police Chief, served 37 1⁄2 years
•Manager of Macomb College
Advanced Police Training
•Chippewa Valley School Board
Vito Strolis
•Local Business Owner
•35+ Year Resident of Macomb
•Fraternal Order of Police Member for 35+ Year
SPOTLIGHT ON SENIOR LIVING
ABOVE: Jennifer Tommajin, of Real Estate One in Troy, designed this home that showcases the amount of space and functionality a multigenerational home could use. The 6,938-square-foot home includes five bedrooms, four full baths, and one half bath.
LEFT: One of the benefits of extended families living together is strengthening bonds between generations. Shutterstock image
MOVING INTO THE MULTIGENERATIONAL-LIVING ERA
BY TAYLOR CHRISTENSEN tchristensen@candgnews.com
METRO DETROIT — Multigenerational housing is making a comeback.
Studies by the Pew Research Center indicate that the concept has grown for the past five decades, and there is no sign of peaking.
According to the Pew Research Center, the number of people living in multigenerational homes quadrupled since 1971, reaching 59.7 million in March 2021.
Shaun Shaya, of Shaya Realty in Birmingham, works closely with the senior community, helping them sell their homes or move into assisted living arrangements. He said moving into a multigenerational household can provide plenty of emotional benefits for the older generation.
Having a senior move into a home with their adult children or grandchildren means more accessibility to caregiving and a sense of social inclusivity.
But the change between living on their own and moving in with family can be difficult.
“I think they are in a place where they have a lot of stress in their life. It is stressful because it is change. They have lived in their home for a long time,” he said. “But on the other side, you know that it is easier.”
Shaya has seen first hand the positive impact living with other people has on the senior community while helping seniors move into assisted living homes.
Seniors in assisted living homes experience more social interaction and less stress of
• Installing window shades, storm windows and weather stripping
• Replacing lightbulbs, locks and faucets
• Cleaning appliances, carpets, windows and washing walls
The person must be at least 60 years of age and a Macomb County resident Macomb County Office of Senior Services’ Handy Helpers program is here to assist seniors needing minor home maintenance.
• And much more! The program provides non-continuous assistance with tasks such as:
Photo by Brian Kurtz
Housing
taking care of themselves. Shaya said multigenerational housing provides the same effect.
“The key is the emotional well-being of the seniors that choose to live in multigenerational housing,” he said. “As you get older, it becomes very isolating, and socializing becomes more of a challenge.”
Jennifer Toomajian, of Real Estate One in Troy, said she sees a lot of multigenerational living situations in Troy and the surrounding areas of metro Detroit.
“Multigenerational homes are huge in areas that have diverse populations,” she said. “I think our population is different today, so you have people that live in the areas that are culturally used to taking care of their grandparents or their parents.”
To accommodate the current wants or needs for multigenerational homes, Toomajian said that the housing market is beginning to build homes specifically for multigenerational housing.
“Developers have been adjusting new construction floor plans to accommodate multigenerational families,” she said via
email. “Adding first-floor full bathrooms with showers and first-floor flex rooms that have a multi-purpose: guest room, bedroom, playroom, gym, or an office.”
Creating homes that are designed for the purpose of multigenerational family living situations opens up the doors for saving money in other aspects of life, according to Toomajian.
“What ends up happening is today’s home prices are so high that both parents have to work,” she said. “Then if both parents are working, who is home with the kids? Then grandma moves in to help take care of the kids while the parents are working.”
Shaya said that the desire for a single family home and land will never diminish, but multigenerational living is the most attainable option as he believes that housing affordability will not change anytime soon.
“Economics will sort of dictate that a different model will be more efficient and more welcome for a lot of people,” he said. “I think that multigenerational housing is going to be an integral part of that model to help with the housing availability issue that many people face.”
Call Staff Writer Taylor Christensen at (586)-498-1081.
BEHIND THE WHEEL
18A/JOURNAL • SEPTEMBER 25, 2024
End of Watch
BY MARIA ALLARD allard@candgnews.com
ROSEVILLE — Car buffs who attend this year’s Jammin’ at the Junction will have the opportunity to pay their respects to four Roseville police officers who died in the line of duty.
The annual car show will be held from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 28 on Utica Road between Gratiot Avenue and 12 Mile Road in Roseville. The event is open to the public and free to spectators.
During the day, car owners will display their souped-up muscle cars, classic models, coupes, convertibles and more. The festivities also will include live music, food vendors and awards.
One car that will catch the public’s attention is a 1977 Chevrolet Caprice Classic, which Roseville City Manager and Police Commissioner Ryan Monroe owns and maintains. He purchased the vehicle with his own money a few years ago to honor the dedicated Roseville patrolmen who died while serving and protecting the residents of the city.
“I plan to have the car there,” said Monroe, a former police officer. “When you work the road, that is your office. It’s a nice thing for the department and community to have the police vehicle at Jammin’ at the Junction. People like it.”
When shopping around for a commemorative car, Monroe “looked at all kinds of vehicles.” While the ’77 model was never a police car, Monroe felt the spacious and comfortable sedan was the best representation for the officers who lost their lives.
The honored patrolmen are: Albert O. DeSmet, Robert Alfred Young, William Oliver and Lawrence Cooney. All four men are remembered on the Officer Down Memorial Page website at odmp.org. The website tells brief stories of the law enforcement officers and the circumstances in which
they died.
CHEVY CAPRICE CLASSIC PAYS TRIBUTE TO FALLEN ROSEVILLE OFFICERS
DeSmet was killed when his patrol car was struck during a high-speed pursuit Nov. 5, 1987. DeSmet, 44, was survived by his wife, son and two daughters.
According to the website, Clinton Township police were pursuing a vehicle traveling into Roseville after the driver had rammed and hit two vehicles. DeSmet and his partner, James Edwards, activated their emergency lights and pulled onto the southbound lanes of Gratiot Avenue when the vehicle struck them from behind.
DeSmet’s patrol car slid into the median and he was killed while Edwards was reportedly injured. The driver continued on until he crashed at an intersection. As time went on, the driver of the vehicle was found not guilty by reason of insanity. He was committed to a state hospital for four years and released.
Young’s “End of Watch” occurred Feb. 18, 1978, when he suffered a fatal heart attack shortly after pursuing a suspect on foot. The 51-year-old officer was assisting an ambulance crew that was having trouble restraining a man. The suspect then broke free and ran from the scene.
Young chased after him, tackled and handcuffed him and returned him to the ambulance. After a few minutes, the patrolman collapsed. The married father of three was transported to a local hospital where he died.
The Officer Down Memorial Page states that Oliver and Cooney — on duty together June 15, 1937 — died by gunfire after they apprehended a youth who was under arrest for burglarizing a local gas station.
The suspect and a second juvenile were handcuffed and being placed into a patrol car when one of them grabbed Oliver’s handgun and shot him. When Cooney heard the gunshots, he rushed to the scene and was shot at by the suspects.
“He began to chase the suspects and as he rounded the corner he was shot several times,” the website states. “Al-
though wounded, he continued to fire at the suspects.” Cooney drove himself to the police station and collapsed. A milkman passing by took him to a local hospital, but he did not survive his injuries, leaving behind his wife and two sons. Oliver succumbed to his wounds about one month later on July 12. He was survived by his wife and four children.
The 19-year-old suspect in the shootout was arrested and sentenced to life in prison. According to the Officer Down Memorial Page website, he was paroled Jan. 25, 1963.
“I wanted to acknowledge those officers and draw attention to the police and city,” Monroe said. “I think it’s so important to remember their sacrifices.”
Many local organizations have offered their time to help restore the Chevy without any cost to the city of Roseville or the Police Department, as no city funds were used for the project.
“The Roseville Auto Shop was generous to give it a good tune-up and make it road ready,” Monroe said. “Lafata Auto Body helped with some of the body work.”
Other contributors listed on a display plaque include Automotive Color Supply Inc., in Roseville; Van’s Towing & Transport in Roseville; US Farathane, of Sterling Heights; ABS Storage Products in Detroit; Majik Graphics in Clinton Township; and Roseville officers Brian Dobrzycki, David Lukasavage, Matthew Lesperance and his dad, Dennis Lesperance. The police officers volunteered on their own time.
The Caprice Classic is stored in a city building and taken out on occasion for events, including parades.
“It’s a pet project of mine,” Monroe said. “It’s more for the police and the city of Roseville.”
For more information on Jammin’ at the Junction or to register your car, visit roseville-mi.gov/CivicAlerts. aspx?AID=58.
LEFT: This 1977 Chevrolet Caprice Classic is scheduled to be on display at Jammin’ at the Junction from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 28 on Utica Road, between Gratiot Avenue and 12 Mile Road, in Roseville. The car pays tribute to four Roseville police officers who died in the line of duty.
Photo by Patricia O’Blenes
ABOVE: This display plaque lists the many local businesses and Roseville police officers that helped restore the 1977 Chevrolet Caprice Classic on their own time at no cost to the city.
Photo by Maria Allard
CRIME WATCH
Man dies in canal
HARRISON TOWNSHIP — On Sept. 13, deputies were dispatched to the 41000 block of Bayhaven Drive to investigate a report about a missing 80-year-old Harrison Township man.
Upon arrival, deputies discovered the man unresponsive in the canal behind his home. Deputies retrieved the man and brought him ashore to begin performing CPR, with the Harrison Township Fire Department continuing CPR upon its arrival.
The Harrison Township Fire Department transported the man to a nearby hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Bomb hoax leads to arrest
HARRISON TOWNSHIP — On Sept. 10 at around 9:05 a.m., Macomb County Sheriff’s Deputies were called to the 24000 block of Bradford Drive to investigate a report about a suspicious situation.
A 45-year-old Harrison Township man had attached propane tanks and electrical wiring to his sedan and had affixed warning signs to the car, claiming the car was rigged to explode if touched. Deputies closed the street and evacuated homes while the Michigan State Police bomb squad was called in to search the vehicle. The device was ultimately determined to be fake.
The Harrison Township man was arrested without incident.
Stolen sunglasses
HARRISON TOWNSHIP — Deputies were called to the 35000 block of Dumbarton Street at around 9 a.m. on Sept. 11 to investigate a report of a theft.
A resident reported that her sunglasses were stolen from her car. She discovered her car door ajar upon approaching it that morning, realizing on further inspection the center console had been opened and a $1,500 pair of sunglasses were no longer there.
The resident last used her car on Sept. 8 and told deputies the doors were locked. No signs of damage were found on the car.
Unlicensed driver
HARRISON TOWNSHIP — At around 3:30 p.m. on Sept. 10, Macomb County Sheriff’s Office deputies initiated a traffic stop near the intersection of Metropolitan Parkway and Crocker Boulevard for a suspected distracted driver.
The driver, a 26-year-old Harrison Township woman, presented her ID dur-
ing the stop, which came back as suspended when ran through a police database. The driver was arrested and taken to the Macomb County Jail.
Drunken stumbler
MOUNT CLEMENS — On Sept. 7 at around 8 p.m., Macomb County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to reports of an intoxicated man in public.
Deputies found the man, a 33-yearold Californian, on the porch of a Crocker Boulevard home with an alcoholic seltzer and slurred speech. Deputies spoke with the homeowner through their security camera doorbell, who said he had never seen the man before. A preliminary breath test on the man revealed a blood alcohol content of 0.273.
The man was taken to a hospital for detoxification and cited for violating the city’s disorderly conduct ordinance.
Dispensary harassment
MOUNT CLEMENS — On Sept. 7, Macomb County Sheriff’s Office deputies were dispatched to the Bloomery dispensary on northbound Gratiot at around 1:20 p.m. to investigate a report about someone harassing customers in the parking lot.
Staff told deputies that the suspect, a 24-year-old Mount Clemens woman, was approaching people waiting in their cars and that she grabbed the hair of a dispensary worker. The woman denied the accusations, telling deputies she was there to buy marijuana and then left.
No charges were filed.
Dine and dash
MOUNT CLEMENS — On the evening of Sept. 6, Macomb County Sheriff’s Office deputies were called to Three Blind Mice Irish Pub about a party that failed to pay their full tab.
A party of four reportedly came in for dinner and drinks, with one member of the party asking a server to make change. The group left with around $125 on an unpaid bill.
Security footage from the restaurant showed people who matched the party’s description entering a red Chevrolet Corvette owned by a 74-year-old Auburn Hills man. Auburn Hills police were able to contact the man at his home and turned his phone number over to the Macomb County Sheriff’s Office. The restaurant owner expressed to deputies that charges would be filed unless the suspect returned to pay the tab.
Cash-to-crypto scam
MOUNT CLEMENS — At around 6
a.m. on Sept. 17, Macomb County Sheriff’s Office Deputies arrived at the Shell gas station on Market Street to investigate a case of fraud.
Earlier that morning, the gas station’s clerk received a call from someone claiming to be with the “Macomb County Fire Department” requesting payment for an incoming shipment of fire extinguishers and smoke detectors. The caller then received a text message from a sender claiming to be the clerk’s manager and instructing the clerk on how to carry out the payment, asking the clerk to gather up cash and send it to a QR code using the gas station’s cash-to-bitcoin transfer kiosk. The sender asked the clerk to find cash in an envelope, bank bag, the manager’s office and even to break open the Michigan Lottery kiosk with a hammer.
By the time the clerk realized a scam was underway, around $1,000 of the station’s cash was converted to bitcoin and transferred to the perpetrator.
Disorderly drinker
MOUNT CLEMENS — On Sept. 12 at around 6 p.m., Macomb County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrived at Rotary Park to investigate a public disturbance.
Deputies approached the suspect, a 34-year-old Clinton Township man, and informed him he could not drink in public. The man’s beer was discarded, and deputies issued him a misdemeanor citation for having an alcoholic beverage. Deputies informed the man he could remain in the park as long as he did not cause a disturbance.
Bothersome barker
MOUNT CLEMENS — On Sept. 15 at around 10:20 a.m., Macomb County Sheriff’s Office deputies were called to a home in the 150 block of Eastman Street to handle a barking dog complaint. Upon arrival, deputies discovered a small dog barking outside of the home. Another dog was heard barking inside. After running the plates on vehicles outside of the home and being unable to make contact with the homeowner, deputies let the small dog into the home through the unlocked rear door.
— Dean Vaglia
13650 E. Eleven Mile Rd. Warren, MI 48089
Paid for by Friends of Michelle Woodman
37205 Jefferson Ave Harrison Township, MI 48045
Harrison Township Trustees unhook homes from Crocker pipe
BY DEAN VAGLIA dvaglia@candgnews.com
HARRISON TOWNSHIP — Township trustees took a step toward the inevitable at their Sept. 9 meeting by approving an engineering contract to disconnect several homes from Mount Clemens water.
The move comes after years of movement from Harrison Township’s neighboring city on plans to switch from its municipal water system to the Great Lakes Water Authority system used by Harrison Township and other communities. With those plans now in the early stages of execution, several properties on the fringes of the Mount Clemens system need to be addressed.
“Initially, when there was a previous proposal, we thought we had some condensed timing,” Township Supervisor Ken Verkest said. “(With) the latest proposal that Mount Clemens has accepted this work doesn’t have to be completed for two years.”
The line down Crocker Boulevard leads right to the Mount Clemens Water Filtration Plant, which has supplied the over 130-year-old system with water from Lake St. Clair. Along the line are 84 residences that will need to be connected to Harrison Township’s water infrastructure. Engineering firm Wade Trim was awarded a $16,900
contract to provide engineering services for the project, which it expects will take place in summer 2025 at an estimated cost of between $80,000 and 100,000.
The water plant and property are planned to be sold as part of the GLWA switchover.
Elections grant
On Sept. 9, trustees accepted an $18,000 grant from the Institute for Responsive Government for use during the current election cycle.
Funds will be used for the planning and operation of the election, with a particular focus on public notice of early voting via updated signs and mailers.
Hometown heroes
Trustees also passed a resolution honoring Sue and James Keehn as the recipients of the township’s 2024 Hometown Hero award.
The Keehns are known for their contributions to the community, including their service on the township’s Beautification Commission, and their role in bringing sculptures to the township.
“When Brian had a chance to send us the email, I was visibly excited. I thought they are the definition of Hometown He-
NOTICE
To the residents of the Charter Township of Harrison, County of Macomb, Michigan.
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Clerk’s Offce for the Charter Township of Harrison will post, for public inspection, the Agenda for Township Board Meetings and a Synopsis of the approved Meeting Minutes at the Clerk’s Offce located at 38151 L’Anse Creuse Road, and to the Rosso Hall bulletin board located at 38255 L’Anse Creuse Rd. The Agenda and a full text of the Minutes will be available on the Township Website, www.harrisontownshipmi.gov and, upon request from the Clerk’s Offce.
Adam Wit, MMC, MiPMC, Clerk Charter Township of Harrison
Published: Journal 09/25/2024
Harrison Charter Township Proposed Master Plan
Notice of Public Hearing
0035-2439
roes,” Harrison Township Trustee Dean Olgiati said. “Every time you ask Sue and Jim to do something, they do it with a smile and never say no. I don’t know how many times I almost went off the road seeing you in those flower beds pruning them. It’s four seasons in the year and I feel guilty that I don’t do more for our community because I see what Sue and Jim do on a regular basis and it is touching. Always a smile, never expecting anything, never even asking for any type of
See HARRINSON on page 23A
The Charter Township of Harrison NOTICE OF REGISTRATION
For the General Election to Be Held On Tuesday, November 5, 2024
To the qualifed electors of the Charter Township of Harrison, County of Macomb, Michigan.
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that any qualifed elector of the Charter Township of Harrison who is not already registered, may register to vote at the offce of the Township Clerk; the offce of the County Clerk; a Secretary of State branch offce, or other designated state agency. Registration forms can be obtained at mi.gov/vote and mailed to the Township Clerk. Voters who are already registered may update their registration at www.expressSOS.com.
The last day to register in any manner other than in-person with the local clerk is Monday, October 21, 2024
After this date, anyone who qualifes as an elector may register to vote in person with proof of residency (MCL 168.492) at the Harrison Township Clerk’s offce, located at 38151 L’Anse Creuse, Harrison Township, MI 48045 at the following times:
• Regular business hours: Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Saturday, November 2nd from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
• Election Day, Tuesday November 5th from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
For the purpose of electing candidates for the following offces:
FEDERAL: President/Vice President, U.S. State Senator, Representative in Congress
STATE: Representative in State Legislature, State Board of Education, U of M Regents, MSU Trustees, WSU Governors
COUNTY: Prosecuting Attorney, Sheriff, Clerk/Register of Deeds, Treasurer, Public Works Commissioner, County Commissioner, MCC Trustees
TOWNSHIP: Supervisor, Clerk, Treasurer, Trustee, Library Board
JUDICIAL: Justice of Supreme Court, Judge of the Court of Appeals, Judge of Circuit Court, Judge of Probate Court, Judge of District Court
SCHOOL: School Board Member
And for the purpose of voting on the following proposals: Continuation of Macomb County E 9-1-1
Surcharge For the purpose of continuing funding for 9-1-1 emergency call answering and dispatch services within Macomb County, shall Macomb County be authorized to assess a surcharge of up to $0.42 per month on all service users, except for users of a prepaid wireless telecommunications service, located within Macomb County for a period of four (4) years, effective from July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2029?
Proposal to Elect a Charter Commission for the Purpose of Generally Revising the Home Rule Charter of the County of Macomb
Shall the county of Macomb elect a charter commission for the purpose of generally revising the Home Rule Charter of the County of Macomb and framing and submitting to the electorate of the county a revised home rule charter for the county under the constitution and laws of Michigan?
L’ANSE CREUSE PUBLIC SCHOOLS BOND PROPOSAL
Shall L’Anse Creuse Public Schools, Macomb County, Michigan, borrow the sum of not to exceed One Hundred Eighty-Eight Million Seven Hundred Thousand Dollars ($188,700,000) and issue its general obligation unlimited tax bonds therefor, in one or more series, for the purpose of:
• remodeling, furnishing and refurnishing, and equipping and reequipping school buildings, including for school security;
• acquiring and installing instructional technology;
• equipping, preparing, developing, and improving athletic felds and facilities, playgrounds, and sites; and
• purchasing school buses?
The following is for informational purposes only:
The estimated millage that will be levied for the proposed bonds in 2025, under current law, is 0.00 mill ($0.00 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation) for a 0.00 mill net increase over the prior year’s levy. The maximum number of years the bonds of any series may be outstanding, exclusive of any refunding, is twenty-fve (25) years. The estimated simple average annual millage anticipated to be required to retire this bond debt is 2.29 mills ($2.29 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation).
Notice is hereby given that, pursuant to state Public Act 33 of 2008, as amended, the Harrison Township Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on Thursday, October 17, 2024, at 7:00 p.m., at the Harrison Township Rosso Hall, located at 38255 L’Anse Creuse, Harrison Township, Michigan, 48045.The public hearing is intended to provide an opportunity for interested citizens to express their opinions regarding all aspects of a proposed Master Plan. The Master Plan serves as a guide for the physical development of the township, by setting forth goals and policies and providing a comprehensive view of the preferred future.
An electronic copy of the proposed Master Plan can be downloaded from the township website at the following internet address: www.harrisontownshipmi.gov.You may also request to view a hard copy of the proposed Master Plan during regular business hours at the Harrison Township Offces.
Those unable to attend the public hearing are invited to submit written comments to the attention of the Township Clerk by e-mail to awit@harrisontownshipmi.gov or by mail to the Township Offces located at 38151 L’Anse Creuse, Harrison Township, Michigan, 48045. All written comments must be received no later than 4:00 p.m., on October 17, 2024. To comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), any citizen requesting accommodations for this meeting, and/or to obtain this notice in alternate formats, please contact the Township Clerk at (586) 466-1406 or awit@harrisontownshipmi.gov.
0009-2439
The school district expects to borrow from the State School Bond Qualifcation and Loan Program to pay debt service on these bonds. The estimated total principal amount of that borrowing is $7,790,232 and the estimated total interest to be paid thereon is $13,005,718. The estimated duration of the millage levy associated with that borrowing is 10 years and the estimated computed millage rate for such levy is 7.00 mills. The estimated computed millage rate may change based on changes in certain circumstances. The total amount of qualifed bonds currently outstanding is $187,750,000. The total amount of qualifed loans currently outstanding is approximately $25,336,495. (Pursuant to State law, expenditure of bond proceeds must be audited and the proceeds cannot be used for repair or maintenance costs, teacher, administrator or employee salaries, or other operating expenses.)
The full text of the ballot proposition may be obtained from the Macomb County Clerk Elections page at https://www. macombgov.org/departments/clerk-register-deeds/elections under the NOVEMBER 5, 2024 Election Section. ADAM WIT, MMC, MiPMC, CLERK TERI SALGOT, MiPMC, DEPUTY CLERK CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF HARRISON (586) 466-1406
Published: Journal 09/25/2024
Published: Journal 09/25/2024
accolades whatsoever. They truly deserve it.”
Sue and James both accepted the honors, which had been kept secret from them in the run-up to the meeting due to Sue’s role on the award’s selection committee. Jennifer Iannuzzi, director of the township’s senior center, nominated the Keehns for the award.
“We are incredibly honored to be here among so many hardworking, wonderful
people who volunteer their time outside of this environment all the time even though they don’t have the time for it,” Sue said.
“We are among amazing people. We have a lot of eagles here that we’re grateful to have that run our township, and a lot of great friends and beatification members and commissioners and a wonderful group of folks. Thank you so very much. We are just delighted beyond measure and so humbled by everything you do too.”
Call Staff Writer Dean Vaglia at (586) 498-1043.
Stink bugs: The bumbling pest
BY DEAN VAGLIA dvaglia@candgnews.com
METRO DETROIT — As the days get shorter and the air cooler, the telltale signs of fall emerge: cider and donuts, gourds, pumpkin spiced lattes and, of course, the great stink bug hibernation.
Homes throughout metro Detroit will be breached and besieged by the bumbling but harmless brown marmorated stink bug this fall and winter, seeking safe shelter over the darker months.
“When we get about less than 13 hours daylight, there is a chemical change within the stink bug that makes it move from reproducing and feeding to searching for a place to spend the winter,” said David Lowenstien, a Michigan State University Extension consumer horticulture educator. “Naturally, stink bugs will spend the winter in leaf litter or tree bark, but where there’s a lot of homes or barns or sheds, that can be a more protective place to spend the wintertime.”
Making their way inside through the smallest of cracks and crevices, brown marmorated stink bugs choose to spend their time doing as little as possible. The daylightinduced chemical change prohibits them from reproducing, and they cannot find food indoors, so they spend the months doing as much as they can to save their energy.
Brown marmorated stink bugs are an invasive species of stink bug. It was first detected in the United States in 1996 in Allentown, Pennsylvania, possibly arriving stateside by hitching a ride in shipping containers from either China or Japan. They then spread across the eastern U.S.
“Around the 2000s was when the midAtlantic fruit growers really became very alarmed by them and had a lot of fruit damage in their orchards,” said Julianna Wilson, a Michigan State assistant professor of tree fruit entomology.
Brown marmorated stink bugs have a long straw-like mouth, which they use to suck the juices of fruits, vegetables and other plants. This leaves a lumpy, brown and corklike plant drained of its juices, potentially ruining whole crop yields. As the bugs made landfall in Michigan in 2010, finding a way to manage the stink bug was a top priority for agricultural scientists.
Ultimately however, the brown marmorated stink bug never became as much of an agricultural threat as it was on the Atlantic coast. For one, there is a large variety of food sources for stink bugs in Michigan, allowing the bugs to spread out and not target only
a select few crops. Parasites have also played a role in managing the brown marmorated stink bug. A microsporidian, or parasitic fungus, found to infect native stink bugs has made the jump to the brown marmorated stink bug, reducing the bugs ability to lay eggs when populations grow too large.
Another nonnative insect species from Asia, the samurai wasp, has made its way to the U.S. and preys on brown marmorated stink bug populations. The tiny one-eighth of an inch long black wasp specializes in attacking brown marmorated stink bug eggs, using the eggs to lay their own larvae. The samurai wasp is incapable of stinging humans and has not been observed targeting native stink bug eggs.
“(The samurai wasp) came here (and) we haven’t seen any big effects other than with this particular stink bug, which it does really well on in its native host range,” Wilson said. “It has not become the pest that we thought it would become.”
While research into brown marmorated stink bug management is still ongoing, the species has largely found its place in the environment.
“We have the tools we need when they’re needed to be able to combat this pest,” Wilson said. “We’re not in the, ‘Oh no it’s an invasive species’ stage anymore. It’s here and established and we know how to deal with it, so it’s not an emergency or big concern like it was.”
In the home, the biggest threat brown marmorated stink bugs post to humans is increased irritation. A stink bug sighting is commonly marked by the brown guitar pickshaped creature slowly stumbling out from a windowsill or curtain or some other hiding place. Perhaps once disturbed they will take flight, flapping wings and meandering through the air with all the subtlety of a 747. And should you try squishing one, its namesake cilantro-scented pheromone will stink up the air around where it is struck down.
“They’re a moderate garden pest,” Lowenstien said. “The main issue with brown marmorated stink bugs are nuisance issues in the fall when they might congregate inside or outside of people’s homes … The only risk would be squishing them on fabrics; I would not recommend squishing them on furniture or squeezing them indoors, because they will release that smell, and they can stain furniture.”
To get rid of stink bugs indoors, Lowenstien recommends drowning them in soapy water or sucking up stink bugs with
LEFT: Brown marmorated stink bugs arrived in the United States from Asia in 1996, spreading from Pennsylvania into Michigan in 2010.
Photo by Susan Ellis, Bugwood.org
RIGHT: The samurai wasp uses brown marmorated stink bug eggs to lay its own larvae, providing a check on the brown marmorated stink bug population.
Photo by Guido Bohne, Bugwood.org
Red Run
from page 3A
Who’s polluting?
Macomb County officials, including Macomb County Public Works Commissioner Candice Miller, have referred to combined sewer overflows from the basin into the Red Run as being partially treated. Nash said this is false.
“All the water that leaves this facility is fully treated,” Nash said.
Nash went on to say that the water goes through a screening process and is treated with bleach. He said the water from the basin is not polluted and has been examined in third-party scientific studies. According to Nash, the water is safe enough to swim in but not to drink.
In a video before the meeting, Miller questioned the status of the water.
“How can you say with a straight face that dumping billions of gallons of partiallytreated and, in some cases, untreated sewer water on your neighbor is OK?” Miller said. “If it’s OK, why doesn’t Oakland County just take care of it themselves? Why dump it on us, on their neighbor?”
She said there was a recent discharge where the E. coli count was 80,000.
“Remember, they close beaches when the E. coli count is 300,” Miller said.
Nash lays the blame at Macomb County’s feet, saying the city of Warren’s water recovery facility has, over the course of 18 years, spilled 1.4 billion gallons of raw sewage into the Red Run.
In a 2020 video, Miller points out sanitary wipes strewn around the Red Run, pointing to this as evidence of Oakland County dumping partially-treated combined sewer overflows.
Nash said this was a spill from the Dequindre Interceptor, which is a sewer interceptor that goes down the road of the same name. He said this interceptor is separate from the basin and the water never goes through it.
“This was out at the end, beyond our facility,” Nash said.
When there is an overflow
Nash said the basin sends sanitary sewage into the Red Run to keep sewer water from getting into the basements of homes in the area.
“If we’re dumping sewage in their basements, we’re not protecting the health and safety of the citizens,” Nash said.
Nash said a discharge violation in May, which is being investigated by EGLE, happened because of a door that is part of the chlorine treatment process. He said this was a result of human error and that measures were taken to make sure it never happens again.
“The door that did that froze up and didn’t work. That is why we had that violation,” Nash said. “Before we even got a response by EGLE when we reported it, we fixed the problem. They recognized there was a violation but, since it was fixed before they really did anything about it, this is the kind of thing you don’t even get an issue
CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF HARRISON NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the HARRISON TOWNSHIP PLANNING COMMISSION will hold a PUBLIC HEARING on THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2024 AT 7:00 P.M. to hear and consider comments, both verbal and written, relative to the following:
Applicant: Captain’s Party Store – Case #27-24-RZ
Purpose of Request: Rezoning from LC to GC for the future development of a gas station
By Reason Of: Charter Township of Harrison Zoning Ordinance
Article 14.00 Zoning Districts
Article 14.00, Section 14.15, LC – Local Commerical
Article 14.00, Section 14.16, GC – General Commercial
Property in Question: 25450 North River Rd. - #17-12-18-302-014
Harrison Twp, MI 48045 (Zoned LC)
ANY INTERESTED PERSON (S) MAY APPEAR OR BE REPRESENTED AT SAID MEETING.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AND / OR COMMENTS, WRITTEN OR ORAL, WILL BE RECEIVED AT THE HARRISON TOWNSHIP OFFICES, 38151 L’ANSE CREUSE ROAD, HARRISON TOWNSHIP, MICHIGAN, 48045, (586-466-1461)
BETWEEN THE HOURS OF 8:00 A.M. AND 4:30 P.M., MONDAY - FRIDAY.
Individuals with disabilities or impairments who plan to attend this meeting should contact the Planning / ZBA Department at (586) 466-1461 or email pc-zba@harrison-township.org if auxiliary aids or services are needed.
Published: Journal 09/25/2024
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Service:
Your neighborhood auto mechanic
Dave’s Complete Auto Service is a standout in the automotive industry, thanks to 40 years of professional service that owner Dave Pannecouk himself brings to the table. With a lifelong passion for mechanics, Dave has built a business that’s as much about top-notch service as it is about integrity and quality.
“I’ve been working on cars and machines since I was 10 years old,” Dave said. “I guarantee everything we do here at the shop because there’s nothing more rewarding than taking care of my customers.”
Dave specializes in suspensions, alignments and comprehensive engine work. Known for resolving complex mechanical issues with ease, the shop ensures every vehicle is restored to optimal performance. He is backed by a seasoned team of three mechanics, each with an extensive background in the industry, whom he affectionately refers to as “a bunch of old guys.” Their expertise and shared commitment to quality service means that customers can expect not only a warm welcome but also thorough attention to detail and transparent evaluations of their vehicle’s needs. The enduring presence of Dave’s shop
in a competitive market highlights the quality of service and trust it has earned from customers. For reliable auto repairs delivered with trust and integrity, the shop’s stellar Google Reviews show that it remains a top choice. One satisfed customer wrote, “Defnitely the most honest car repair place I’ve come across! Thank you for the wonderful service; it is reassuring to know I can bring our cars and know you won’t try to sell us something we don’t need.” Adding to the praise, another customer commented, “Dave is a brilliant mechanic. He can repair anything. He has kept my 1999 Wrangler on the road.” Echoing these sentiments, a third customer shared, “All these great reviews about Dave and his repair shop are absolutely true. This guy knows what he’s doing and does an excellent job. He diagnosed my problem accurately and was able to turn the job around pretty quickly even though he was down a couple guys. Thanks Dave, I really appreciate you, and your candid approach to your business and clients!”
Dave’s Complete Auto Repair is located at 36510 Jefferson Ave. in Harrison Township. To book an appointment, call (586) 741-5834.
Photo by Nick Powers
Oakland County Board of Commissioners Chair Board David Woodward, left, and Water Resources Commissioner Jim Nash address questions about the George W. Kuhn Retention Treatment Basin on Sept. 18.
0459-2439
Red Run
with. They just recognized that you had a problem.”
He claims the output from the basin is only 1% of the total flow into Lake St. Clair.
“Many federal, state and regional entities have shown there is no link between our facility and beach closings or the muck on Lake St. Clair,” Nash said.
He attributed the problems to runoff from animal waste, fertilizer and invasive species.
Nash said Macomb County drains go directly into the Red Run and impact the water quality. He cautioned against separating storm water and wastewater systems.
“Let me be clear: Separating our systems would cost our residents many billions of dollars, years of infrastructure and economic disruption and offer no tangible benefits to water quality in Lake St. Clair or anywhere in Macomb County,” Nash said.
Passed due permit
In a press release before the press conference, Miller’s office said the basin was operating under an expired permit.
Nash said no enforcement action has been taken against the basin in its history, adding that when there is a problem it gets cleared up “immediately.”
“We submitted all required documentation to EGLE months in advance of the expiration renewal date for our permit,” Nash said. “EGLE acknowledged the receipt of those submissions and current regulation by EGLE spells out that such facilities as ours continue their operations under an old per-
mit while a new one is being processed. This is routine and should not be misconstrued as a sign of noncompliance with clean water standards.”
Nash confirmed that the permit was not in limbo because of any corrective actions that need to be taken by the basin.
Politics?
The issue has been picking up steam in Macomb County. Municipalities including Sterling Heights, Warren, Center Line, Clinton Township, Harrison Township and Mount Clemens have passed resolutions criticizing Oakland County for its combined sewer overflows. The Macomb County Board of Commissioners has also passed a resolution.
Nash traces the accusations back to politics.
“This accusation is an example of a classic political scapegoating tactic, shifting attention away from the real issues at hand: Macomb County’s own costly infrastructure challenges,” Nash said. “For over a decade, Macomb County has failed to address recommendations from EGLE designed to protect the residents and Lake St. Clair.”
Nash touted off-site storage as the largest in the country and green solutions like its rain barrel program to limit combined sewer overflows. Macomb County recently introduced a similar pilot program in Roseville.
At the event, Oakland County Board of Commissioners Chair Board David Woodward provided a full-throated defense of the county’s water management.
“When Macomb County points fingers at Oakland County, and they’ve been doing it for a while, you can bat it away as a distraction of covering up for the fact they’re
not making anywhere near the level of investments we are here in Oakland County,” Woodward said.
However, recent accusations by the county have “crossed the line” for Woodward.
“The staff of the Public Works Commissioner in Macomb County knows it’s wrong, the state of Michigan knows it’s wrong and enough is enough,” Woodward said.
Woodward challenged Macomb County.
“It’s time to step up, do your part and meet us halfway,” Woodward said.
Following the press conference, Nash said the Red Run Intercounty Drain Drainage Board would be one avenue through which to hash out some of these details. One
Editor: Brian Louwers | (586) 498-1089 | brianlouwers@candgnews.com
Reporter: Dean Vaglia | (586) 498-1043 | dvaglia@candgnews.com Nick Powers | (586) 498-1059 | npowers@candgnews.com
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of the meetings, which happen monthly, was before the press conference. Members of the board can include “surrounding County Public Works Commissioners wherein the drain traverses,” according to the county’s website. Miller did not bring up these concerns at the meeting.
“She has never brought this up to the board that controls this system,” Nash said. “That seems odd to me.”
He said the county collaborates regionally on many different things. He said this, in the case of Macomb County, is an exception.
“They’ve never come to us with these complaints directly,” Nash said. “If she really wants to solve it, we should solve it together.”
Call Staff Writer Nick Powers at (586) 498-1059.
| (586) 489-8117
drubello@candgnews.com Karen Bozimowski | (586) 498-1032 | kboz@candgnews.com Classifieds: For ad rates (586) 498-8100 Legals and Obits: (586) 498-1099
Once I get the right diagnosis for the cause of your heel pain, I will provide you with a tailored treatment plan, which outlines exactly how we can fix your heel pain and keep you free from future foot pain. If you are ready, call me for an appointment to start your journey back to normal life, free from heel pain.
The proposed site plan for the Harrison Township municipal campus features the library and engineering buildings linked by a new structure. The township administration building will be demolished for parking space.
Township and library team up on campus plan
BY DEAN VAGLIA dvaglia@candgnews.com
HARRISON TOWNSHIP — Plans for overhauling the Harrison Township government offices have changed as township officials settle on a new direction for the existing municipal complex.
Officially put into motion at the Aug. 26 Harrison Township Board of Trustees meeting, the new plans call for combining Rosso Hall, which houses the library and the township’s primary meeting space, with the engineering building located just south of the hall.
“Imagine the engineering building and the library (and) connecting the two,” Harrison Township Supervisor Ken Verkest said. “In doing that, we’re sharing some common space.”
Thinking about space was common around the township last year. Both the township and the library staff were conducting their own reviews of their spaces, each contracting architects to do so.
“We have looked at several ideas with our architect including mobile units, construction using shipping containers, and building an addition onto the current structure,” Harrison Township Library Director Melissa Goins said via email. “Once we ran the numbers on the cost for each option, it
was clear that we could get the most square footage with our dollars by building onto the current space. The current library is significantly small for the size of our community. We had to go with a plan that would get us the most square footage at the lowest possible cost.”
The township, meanwhile, was entertaining the idea of leaving its campus entirely. In the summer of 2022, the township contracted architectural firm Wakely and Associates to assess the condition of the campus and, among other things, evaluate the feasibility of moving the township’s government offices to a site at Tucker Park. Trustees hired Wakely and Associates to develop a campus redevelopment concept based on its report in November 2023.
When township officials found out about the library’s approach, talks began about backing the library’s plan. Going with one plan made sense cost wise, and township officials voted to hire the library’s architect for the project, Daniels and Zermack, on Aug. 26, 2024.
“It just makes sense that pooling our resources gets us both more,” Goins said via email. “The township and the library were working on individual construction projects and neither of us initially set out in this di-
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Bugs
from page 24A
a vacuum cleaner. Stink bugs can be trapped into drowning by placing a light over a pan of soapy water; the light will attract the bugs, causing them to fall into the pan.
Keeping stink bugs out of the home, however, is a futile effort. Checking for openings and gaps in walls is the most that can be done, as stink bugs will get inside though any little crack they can find. Stink
Plan
from page 28A
rection. But now that we’re here, it’s exciting to think about the possibilities.”
While the project is very much still in the preliminary stages, ideas for what will go into this connection are being considered. Verkest highlighted new meeting spaces as a key addition of this project, with township board meetings moving into the addition from its current location at Rosso Hall. Modern accommodations such as lactation rooms, which are present in newer government buildings, were another part of the project highlighted by Verkest. Goins noted the library would have dedicated programming space in the addition as well as a “community meeting space with kitchen amenities.”
Changes would not be limited to just the library and engineering building. Rosso Hall becoming the domain of the library gives the Harrison Township Public Library a large space to work with, though it will re-
bugs may congregate on the west and south sides on the exterior of homes in the fall, and spraying them with water or vacuuming them up is enough to remove them.
“Having them inside of your house doesn’t mean that you have failed to protect your home in any way,” Lowenstien said. “Insects are very smart at finding small gaps and cracks to make their way indoors, because they know that winter is coming, too.”
Call Staff Writer Dean Vaglia at (586) 498-1043.
quire some updating.
“All of the township buildings are aging and in need of repairs, including Rosso Hall and the current library,” Goins said via email. “There are big problems we’ll have to address. In order to use the entire space (both the upstairs and the basement of Rosso Hall) for the public library, we have to make those spaces ADA compliant and accessible. We know we’ll need an elevator to get there. In addition, modern libraries serve technological needs that older buildings aren’t equipped to handle. I would love for our community to have a makerspace for all ages to explore various technologies. No doubt upgrades to support modern technology are needed. We’re still early in the planning phase and while I’m not certain what it all looks like yet, these things are definitely on the radar.”
The township’s administration building, located in the southeastern corner of the campus, is planned to be demolished as part of this project.
Call Staff Writer Dean Vaglia at (586) 498-1043.
CANDGNEWS.COM
Birthday — Oliver John Mulawa celebrated his first birthday July 2. Parents are Michael and Ashley Mulawa, of Sterling Heights, and big brother is Brayden. Grandparents are Rick and Chris Evans, of Warren; Cathy Carlone, of St. Clair Shores; and John Methric, of Clinton Township.
Mulawa
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Armed robbery reported
ST. CLAIR SHORES — At 5:03 a.m. on Aug. 30, a report was made about an armed robbery that occurred in the 25000 block of Jefferson Avenue.
The night shift store clerk, a 34-year-old woman, stated she was alone in the building when a man came up to the register and told her to give him the money in the cash register. The woman misunderstood what he said and asked him again. The suspect repeated what he said and reportedly lifted up his shirt revealing a black handgun in his waistband. The clerk then took around $340 out of the cash register and gave it to the man. He stuffed the cash in his pockets and then left in an unknown direction.
The clerk called her manager before she called the police, which she said was a couple minute delay. The clerk stated the man came in before wanting to buy cigarettes earlier in the morning, but then changed his mind. Video surveillance shows similar events to what was described.
A DNA swab was done on the door and the counter.
Larceny from lockers reported
ST. CLAIR SHORES — At 1:54 p.m. on Aug. 8, a report was made about a larceny that occurred at a business in the 20000 block of Eight Mile Road.
The manager, a 23-year-old woman, stated that several patrons had told her a person had stolen money from their lockers. Four men reportedly had money taken from their locker ranging in value from $60 to $200 stolen from each locker. One man said the suspect left him around $15. All victims had locks on their lockers and reported that only their lock and cash were missing. The manager stated that the suspect has hit multiple other locations in the area including Ann Arbor and more.
The suspect was taken into custody by the Plymouth Police Department. He has a history of crimes, is a wanted person in Illinois and is a listed sex offender in Wisconsin. There were no convictions in Michigan on his record. A warrant was requested through the Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office after investigators reviewed the evidence and the request was authorized on four counts of larceny.
Larceny reported
ST. CLAIR SHORES — At around 11:42 a.m. on Sept. 1, a report was made about a larceny that occurred in the 23000 block of Euclid Street.
The victim, a 34-year-old woman, parked her vehicle in her driveway at around 7 p.m. Aug. 31. She went to bed at around 1:30 a.m. and was awakened at around 3:30 a.m. by fraud notifications from her finan-
SEPT. 27
COMMUNITY CALENDAR
the car overnight, allowing the vehicle to be unlocked and entered.
When she checked her car, her purse was under the rear tire and her credit cards and her boyfriend’s credit cards were missing. She went to CVS, where three transactions were recorded, and they told her she must file a police report for them to turn over the surveillance footage to law enforcement.
Attempted vehicle theft reported
ST. CLAIR SHORES — At 9:19 p.m. on Sept. 3, a report was made about an attempted vehicle theft that occurred in the 22000 block of Visnaw Street.
The neighbor and witness, a 32-year-old man, stated he heard a noise and looked outside his window. When he looked, he said he saw a man looking into his neighbor’s car. The witness yelled, “Hey, what are you doing?” The witness then observed a gray vehicle slowly pull up to the victim’s driveway.
The suspect slowly walked to the vehicle and got in before speeding off on westbound Visnaw. The victim stated his vehicle had been stolen before and anti-theft devices were installed when it was recovered. Both men said their neighbor might have security cameras facing the driveway.
Retail fraud reported
ST. CLAIR SHORES — At 2:46 p.m. on Sept. 3, a report was made about a case of retail fraud that occurred in the 23000 block of Little Mack Avenue.
The president of the business, a 60-year-old woman, stated the suspect pulled into the rear of the store and had employees assist him in loading sod into his vehicle. When the sod was loaded, the suspect left the store, but he never came in to pay.
The woman stated she lets customers load sod before paying because they don’t know how much they will need. After some digging by employees, they managed to find the business that was on the side of the vehicle. The woman called the business with no answer. The amount of sod stolen was worth $276.92.
Shoplifter attempts theft of kids items
STERLING HEIGHTS — Police learned Aug. 25 about a reported shoplifting incident at Walmart, 33201 Van Dyke Ave. According to store staff, a suspect paid for some but not all merchandise at the self-scan checkout. Upon then allegedly trying to leave with unpaid items, the suspect was caught by staff. The stolen items included kids clothing, kids shoes, a bag and milk bottles, police said. Police cited the suspect for third-degree retail fraud.
Garth Tribute LIVE!: Homage to country music star Garth Brooks, 7:30 p.m., Macomb Center for the Perfoming Arts on Macomb Community College - Center Campus, 44575 Garfield Road in Clinton Township, (586) 286-2222, macombcenter.com
SEPT. 28
World of Possibilities: Special Needs Expo: Free event featuring 60-plus vendors and resource tables, hot dog lunch, cider and doughnuts, touch a truck, exotic zoo and petting farm, magician, and goodie bag and book giveaways, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Macomb Intermediate School District, 44001 Garfield Road in Clinton Township, registration required, (586) 228-3458, lmiskelly@misd.net, misd.net/sehome/ expo
SEPT. 29
Witch’s Paddle: Dress in costume and paddleboard up and down Clinton River, 5:30-8 p.m., starts and ends at Bumpers Landing, 31970 North River Road in Harrison Township, also get ticket for free drink and enter raffle, register at eventbrite.com
OCT. 4
Blood, Sweat & Tears: Hear latest incarnation of famed jazz-rock ensemble, 7:30 p.m., Macomb Center for the Perfoming Arts on Macomb Community College - Center Campus, 44575 Garfield Road in Clinton Township, (586) 286-2222, macombcenter.com
OCT. 4-6
Lakeview High School - Class of 1969: 55-year reunion includes relaxed gathering at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 4 (Total Sports, 40501 Production Drive in Harrison Township), afternoon golf outing and casual reception at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 5 (Fern Hill Golf Club, 17600 Clinton River Road in Clinton Township), and farewell brunch at 10 a.m. Oct. 6 (Grosse Pointe Historical Society, 375 Kercheval Ave. in Grosse Pointe Farms), contact Bill Griffith about golf at billgriff9@gmail.com, all others RSVP to Patti Giorlando Timmins at pattihope0311@att.net
OCT. 5
Cemetery Walk: Fundraiser for Crocker House Museum & Gardens, features reenactors sharing stories of deceased, also cider and
swimming pool argument
STERLING HEIGHTS — Police went to a hotel in the 36000 block of Van Dyke Avenue Aug. 24 upon hearing that some patrons had been arguing with a worker.
According to police, guests from two rooms had reportedly been celebrating a birthday party at the swimming pool, and a worker reportedly told them that too many people were in that area. This reportedly made several patrons mad, and they allegedly yelled and “got into her face,” according to staff. Police said a hotel manager wanted the patrons to leave, so police passed on the message, and they followed the order. Police took no further action.
Vehicle stolen from outside SHAP
STERLING HEIGHTS — Police went to the Stellantis Sterling Heights Assembly Plant, 38111 Van Dyke Ave., the night of Aug. 23 upon hearing that a silver Honda Sonata had been stolen there sometime between 2 and 10 p.m. Police said the vehicle’s owner still had the vehicle’s keys.
Moped wheelies reported
STERLING HEIGHTS — Police heard a complaint the evening of Aug. 23 about two mopeds doing wheelies along a trail in the area of Dodge Park, near Utica Road. Police did not say in the report what sort of action they took in response.
Teen bothers waitress at restaurant
STERLING HEIGHTS — A male teen was allegedly bothering a waitress Aug. 23 at a restaurant near 15 Mile and Schoenherr roads. Police said the suspect had left the restaurant by the time they got there, and they told staff to call again if he returns.
Vehicle taken
GROSSE POINTE PARK — A white 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee was stolen from the 15500 block of Mack Avenue at 7:18 a.m. Sept. 7. A surveillance camera captured the incident, which police said shows a newer model silver Dodge Durango with tinted windows pull up next to the Jeep, after which the suspect pushes the Jeep by hand and then uses the Durango to push the Jeep out of the area.
Worker arrested for embezzlement
GROSSE POINTE CITY — An 18-year-old Detroit woman who worked at a store in the 300 block of money from the register on two occasions
doughnuts, raffle baskets and museum gift shop items, guided tours start every 20 minutes from noon-4 p.m., Clinton Grove Cemetery, 21189 Cass Ave. in Clinton Township, crockerhousemuseum.org/ cemetery-walk, (586) 465-2488
OCT. 6
Macomb Symphony Orchestra: Concert about folklore and celebratory tales, 3 p.m., Macomb Center for the Perfoming Arts on Macomb Community College - Center Campus, 44575 Garfield Road in Clinton Township, (586) 286-2222, macombcenter.com
OCT. 9
Holiday Appetizers: Flavors of Fall: Learn to cook for the season, 6:30 p.m., Clinton-Macomb Public Library - South Branch, 35679 S. Gratiot Ave. in Clinton Township, registration required, (586) 2265073, cmpl.libnet.info/events
SCAMS presentation: Stopping Crimes Against Michigan Seniors, led by Macomb County Prosecutor Peter J. Lucido, 10 a.m.-noon, Lorenzo Cultural Center on Macomb Community College - Center Campus, 44575 Garfield Road in Clinton Township, register at www.lorenzo culturalcenter.com/events
OCT. 10
Halloween party: Wear costumes and enjoy treats and activities, 6:30 p.m., Clinton-Macomb Public Library - South Branch, 35679 S. Gratiot Ave. in Clinton Township, registration opens Sept. 26, (586) 226-5073, cmpl.libnet.info/events
OCT. 11
Euchre tournament: Card playing for ages 21 and older at 7 p.m. (dinner at 6 p.m. and sign-in at 6:30 p.m.), St. Peter Catholic Church, 95 Market St. in Mount Clemens, RSVP by Oct. 9, (586) 468-4579
OCT. 17
Trivia Night: Also pizza, salad and soft drinks, sign up as team of six or be paired with other individuals, 6:30 p.m., Total Sports, 40501 Production Drive in Harrison Township, also Nov. 14 and Dec. 12, (586) 329-1261, htlibrary.org/events
OCT. 19
Halloween Spooktacular: Free events include trick-or-treating, trunk-
the same link, click and sign in using your Google or Facebook information, or easily create a CitySpark account.
Input the details, upload a photo and select “Review Changes,” then “Submit and Finish.” Events should appear online within 2 hours, and will appear in print as space permits. There’s no limit as to how many you can submit.
Check
Stolen
kid-friendly haunted hallway, cake walk and more, noon-3 p.m., also Rosco the Clown at 1 p.m., downtown Mount Clemens, facebook.com/DowntownMountClemens
ONGOING
Medicare open enrollment assistance: Hosted by Macomb County Office of Senior Services, meet with trained counselors by appointment, 9 a.m.-1:15 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays Oct. 15-Dec. 7, Verkuilen Building, 21885 Dunham Road, Suite 6, in Clinton Township, (586) 469-5228
• Hosted by Michigan Medicare Assistance Program and AgeWays, meet with trained counselors by appointment, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Oct. 15 and 18, Clinton-Macomb Public Library - South Branch, 35679 S. Gratiot Ave. in Clinton Township, and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Oct. 21, Harrison Township Public Library, 26980 Ballard St., (800) 803-7174
Widowed Friends breakfasts: 10:30 a.m. every second Monday of month, Big Boy, 16880 Hall Road in Clinton Township, RSVP to Gerry at (586) 556-9471
• 10 a.m. every third Friday of month, The Pantry, 44945 Morley Drive in Clinton Township, RSVP to Loree at (810) 335-2096
Social groups: Find meetups for yoga, chess, knitting and crocheting, anime, teens, book clubs, Lego and more, Harrison Township Public Library, 38255 L’Anse Creuse St. (Suite A), (586) 329-1261, htlibrary. org/events Live music and dancing: 8:30 p.m.
