NEWSPAPERS n o i t i d E l a i c e Sp
JULY 5, 2023 candgnews.com
Grosse Pointe and Macomb County papers
HOLD THE PHONE, GET A TICKET OFFICIALS REACT TO NEW DISTRACTED DRIVING LAWS BY ERIC CZARNIK eczarnik@candgnews.com
METRO DETROIT — If you want to avoid a traffic ticket, keep your cellphone out of your grasp. Freshly passed state legislation that will penalize drivers for holding or using their cellphones or other electronic mobile devices while driving will be effective June 30. The adopted bill package, which started in Lansing as House Bills 4250-4252, generally and more broadly prohibits drivers from using a mobile device — such as browsing social media, making calls or recording video — while operating a vehicle. That includes while stopped at a traffic light or stop sign, though not when the vehicle is parked legally. The legislation also prohibits drivers from holding a mobile device with the hands, arms or shoulders. The laws do permit using hands-free or voice-operated technology for cellphone calls while behind the wheel. The bill package includes exemptions for certain emergency situations. In addition, the legislation directs the Michigan State Police to issue a report to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Lansing lawmakers about the issue 42 months after implementation. Whitmer signed the anti-distracted driving bills into law June 7, making them Public Acts 39-41 of 2023. She said in a statement that she was proud to do so. “Too many Michiganders have lost loved See DISTRACTED on page 9A
HARRISON SCOUT BUILDS GARDEN AT SENIOR CENTER BY DEAN VAGLIA
dvaglia@candgnews.com
HARRISON TOWNSHIP — On the road to becoming an Eagle Scout, members of the Boy Scouts of America give back to their communities. For Harrison Township Scout Milan Edwards, giving back came in the form of helping seniors. On June 10, Edwards and other Scouts from Troop 1407, based in St. Clair Shores, took to the Harrison Township Senior Center and spent the day building amenities for its garden. The group of Scouts built standing flower planters, swivel-back benches, wall planters and a sign for the garden. “Additionally, thanks to the Central Macomb Optimist Club, we donated a bike rack for them,” said Edwards, 16. The road to Edwards’ Eagle Scout project began when he joined the Scouts as a fourth grader. “It looked fun and interesting and just different, I suppose, because there was nothing quite like it around,” Edwards said. “It was also the people there as well, which were really welcoming and fun to be around.” He kept with the organization through middle school and into high school, finding friendship among those who remained with the troop through camping trips and other activities. One fateful trip took Troop 1407 down to Indiana where everything went terribly wrong. “It was a disaster from the start,” Edwards said. “A tornado had come in the day before and closed off the road
ABOVE: Harrison Township Scout Milan Edwards stands with two planters built as part of his Eagle Scout project. Edwards and other Troop 1407 Scouts built standing flower planters, swivel-back benches, wall planters and a sign for the Harrison Township Senior Center garden. RIGHT: Hand-built planters and benches bring new life to the Harrison Township Senior Center garden, built as part of Edwards’ Eagle Scout project. Photos provided by the Edwards family
access, so we slept in a church. Throughout the whole week we were there, it was rainy and muddy, but we made the most of it from just having fun, experiencing
the merit badges and making our own ways to pass the time and enjoy it. It was still an overall fun camp despite the See EDWARDS on page 11A
