1/17/24 C & G Special Edition — Oakland by C & G Newspapers

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JANUARY 17, 2024 candgnews.com Oakland County papers

‘TEDDY’S LAW’ PASSED AS STATE LAW BY ALYSSA OCHSS

aochss@candgnews.com

ST. CLAIR SHORES — “Teddy’s Law” was recently passed as state law in Michigan, and those who worked on the bill package are excited for what it means for animals throughout the state. State Sen. Kevin Hertel, D-St. Clair Shores, said the package of bills was signed into state law on Dec. 13, 2023, and went into effect immediately. Hertel said he’s thankful his colleagues allowed that to happen. According to the state documents, the bills were sponsored by both Hertel and state Sen. Dayna Polehanki, D-Livonia. “Taken together, the bills would require a research facility to first offer a dog or cat that would otherwise be euthanized to an animal shelter for adoption and prescribe administrative fines for failing to do so,” a Senate Fiscal Agency summary from June stated. “They would provide research facilities and shelters with civil liability immunity in the transfer of the animals.” Hertel said his bill, Senate Bill 149, sets up the requirements for the adoption while Polehanki’s bill, Senate Bill 148, sets up reporting mechanisms and penalties “for those that do not obey by the law.” Hertel said he started working on the bill around 2017 or 2018 when he was still in the Michigan House of Representatives. He met with St. Clair Shores City Council-

Photo provided by Nathan Benton

AoE Esports will host a program showcasing potential scholarship opportunities for college esports teams on Friday, Jan. 19.

Esports Q&A tointroduce students to potential gaming scholarships BY BRENDAN LOSINSKI blosinski@candgnews.com

Photo by Patricia O’Blenes

Teddy the beagle, the namesake of the recently passed law, stares up at the camera. man Dave Rubello as well as the Humane Society of the United States. He said there wasn’t much movement in the state House at the time. He also said they did get a committee hearing once but it was not taken up for a vote. “But it was always a priority for us and so we continued to work on it and thankfully as I moved over to the Senate and this legislative session we were able to get the support of both the committee chairs in the Senate and the House and move the bills forward,” Hertel said. See TEDDY’S LAW on page 4A

METRO DETROIT — Students looking to break into the world of esports are invited to attend a meeting with esports coaches and players at an upcoming program known as The Esports Scholarship Initiative. The event is hosted by AoE Esports and is designed to share opportunities regarding numerous college esports teams, most notably in regard to potential scholarships. “This kind of makes it more of a tangible experience for the parents and kids pursuing scholarships,” said Harry Greenspan, the co-founder of AoE Esports. “Some parents don’t even realize this is a real sport in college or how much they can get in scholarships. This will not only talk about the basics, but go into the specifics about what is out there and how much people can get.” See ESPORTS on page 11A

C & G NEWSPAPERS OAKLAND COUNTY SPECIAL EDITION • JANUARY 17, 2024

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3A/ C & G NEWSPAPERS OAKLAND COUNTY SPECIAL EDITION • JANUARY 17, 2024

SPORTS

Lawrence Technological University named Clinton Township Chippewa Valley’s Scott Merchant the head coach of its football program on Dec. 19.

LAWRENCE TECH HIRES CHIPPEWA VALLEY’S SCOTT MERCHANT AS HEAD FOOTBALL COACH

Photo by Patricia O’Blenes

BY JONATHAN SZCZEPANIAK jszczepaniak@candgnews.com

SOUTHFIELD/CLINTON TOWNSHIP — Lawrence Technological University football has been on the upswing since its revival in 2017 after a 60-year absence, and the program just made a major splash by hiring a Hall of Fame coach. Scott Merchant, a staple of Clinton Township Chippewa Valley football during his coaching tenure from 2009 to 2023, was named the head football coach at Lawrence Tech on Dec. 19. “We believe Scott (Merchant) will be a fine leader for the young men in our football program,” Lawrence Technological University Director of Football Operations Lou Bitonti said in a press release. “The coaching staff he is putting together are people who have coached at a high level and are educators in their own right, who will teach our players what it takes to be See MERCHANT on page 6A

Marine killed in training accident

The Hazel Park Fire Department remembers U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Matthew Bylski, a 2018 graduate of Hazel Park High School.

MATTHEW BYLSKI WAS A ROYAL OAK NATIVE BY ANDY KOZLOWSKI akozlowski@candgnews.com

ROYAL OAK/HAZEL PARK — A tragic accident recently occurred during a military training exercise, killing a 2018 graduate of Hazel Park High School.

Photo by Brian Louwers

Celebrating 46 Years!

Sgt. Matthew Bylski died in a vehicle rollover Dec. 12 at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, located in Oceanside, Calif., according to a statement by the Marine Corps. A native of Royal Oak, Bylski joined the Marines in January 2019 and trained as an amphibious combat vehicle crewman assigned to Battalion Landing Team 1/5, 15th Marine Expeditionary See BYLSKI on page 8A

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C & G NEWSPAPERS OAKLAND COUNTY SPECIAL EDITION • JANUARY 17, 2024

Teddy’s Law

Dave Rubello, a St. Clair Shores city councilman and C & G Newspapers employee, and his wife, Greta Guest Rubello, hold Teddy. The couple adopted Teddy in 2019.

from page 1A

Rubello said the bill will save thousands of cats and dogs that go through laboratories from being destroyed. Teddy the beagle, the namesake of the law, was adopted by Rubello, who works at C & G Newspapers. “These bills introduced will now make it possible for them to live in regular homes and stuff,” Rubello said. “Be adopted out through special adoption agencies for dogs and cats. So, great feeling. It’s been a threeyear fight, and a lot of people worked hard.” He went on to say the Humane Society of the United States worked hard on the bill with him and he gave a special thanks to Hertel. The law started when a group of 36 beagles were released from a laboratory, with 32 of those beagles being adopted out. Rubello said an undercover investigator went into a laboratory, filmed what they were doing and revealed to the public what was going on in the lab. He said there were fights between a major company, who hired the laboratory, and the Humane Society of the United States to get the dogs released. He also said he located 27 of the 32

Photo by Patricia O’Blenes

beagles that were released, and he got the owners involved in the case as well. “First-time-ever case,” Rubello said. “But the nice thing about it is it’s great to be part of something that will change the lives of families, certainly save thousands and thousands of test animals, cats and dogs. And it’s great to make a difference.” Blake Goodman, the state director of the Humane Society of the United States, said the group conducted the undercover investigation in 2019. “That was released to the public with footage (from the) undercover investigator

of what those dogs went through,” Goodman said. Goodman said they’ve done a number of the investigations, with the largest being in Virginia, where around 4,000 beagles were rescued from a facility in 2022. The beagles were placed in shelters across the country and the Humane Society of the United States helped those beagles get adopted. Goodman said, so far, there have been 16 states with similar laws enacted, with Iowa being the most recent before Michigan. “We’re pretty proud of this work,” Goodman said. “It represents a good first

step in a lot of states to moving on from animal testing. We really think it’s the least that labs could do.” He said he’s excited Teddy’s Law was passed. “We’re thrilled,” Goodman said. “Teddy’s Law is the biggest, the most consequential animal protection legislation to be passed since 2019. With this new legislature in charge, animal issues are finally getting a look in.” He also said it gives people in his field hope that Michigan is turning in a positive direction. He said his gratitude goes to Hertel and Polehanki. Hertel is excited that the bills became state law. “This has been a priority for my office both in the house and now in the senate for a while to get this accomplished,” Hertel said. “And really because we know the impact it will have on animals across the state to make sure they’re going to loving homes.” He also said in recent history this is one of the most “monumental bills to pass for animal rights here in the state of Michigan.” “I think it’s important that folks know that these dogs will be available, dogs and cats will be available for adoption, and I look forward to so many (going) into loving homes across our state,” Hertel said.

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NEWS & NOTES

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5A/ C & G NEWSPAPERS OAKLAND COUNTY SPECIAL EDITION • JANUARY 17, 2024 File photo by Patricia O’Blenes

Local theater presents ‘Brighton Beach Memoirs’

MLK JR. TASK FORCE TO HOST 39TH ANNUAL PEACE WALK

SOUTHFIELD — The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Task Force, in partnership with the city of Southfield, will host the 39th annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Peace Walk at 9 a.m. Jan. 15. This year’s theme is “Peace and Justice for the Next Generation.” In a press release from the city, Faira Glenn, the president of the task force, stated, “Our theme of ‘peace and justice for the next generation’ provides the backdrop for our event ... We will continue to remember Dr. King and his commitment to dreaming of a world that recognized and believed in the humanity of all.” The walk will begin at Hope United Methodist Church, 26275 Northwestern Highway, followed by a program at 11 a.m. at the Southfield Pavilion, 26000 Evergreen Road. The program will feature Kamilia K. Landrum, the executive director of the Detroit Chapter of the NAACP, and performances of “The Star-Spangled Banner” by Tatum Payton of the Detroit Youth Choir and “Lift Every Voice and Sing” by Tylar Smith of Renaissance High School. A free international taste fest will be held in the Southfield Pavilion following the program. For more information about the walk, call Dorothy Dean at (248) 790-0531. For more information about the program, call Kyle Van Lopes at (248) 331-3113 or visit www.mlktaskforcemi.org.

OAKLAND COUNTY ANNOUNCES REBATE PROGRAM

OAKLAND COUNTY — Oakland County announced it will be accepting applications for RainSmart Rebates, the county’s first residential green stormwater infrastructure pilot program. According to a news release, the “two-year initiative is geared towards homeowners in the George W. Kuhn Drain Drainage District, offering up to $2,000 for implementing sustainable stormwater practices such as tree planting, rain barrel installation, or creating a rain garden. The primary goals of the program include fostering awareness about stormwater management and promoting environmental stewardship.”

BLOOMFIELD HILLS — St. Dunstan’s Theatre Guild of Cranbrook will present “Brighton Beach Memoirs” Jan. 12-27. “Brighton Beach Memoirs,” written by Neil Simon, is a coming-of-age tale set in 1937 Brooklyn. The story follows a Jewish teenager named Eugene Morris Jerome as he navigates the challenges in his life. “Like all immigrants, the Jewish people have always tried to strike the balance between wanting to belong or assimilate into American society while still seeking to preserve their own identity and traditions,” said Director Tony Targan. “In the play, each family member deals with this conflict in their own way. Eugene fantasizes about baseball, and Nora about Broadway, as their ticket to realizing the American dream, while Kate remains fearful of others and prefers isolation to protect her family from outside influences. It’s a struggle that continues to this day.” Performances will take place Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. St. Dunstan’s Theatre is located at 400 Lone Pine Road, Bloomfield Hills. Purchase tickets online at stdunstanstheatre.com/tickets or at the ticket counter. Tickets cost $20-$22. There will be a $3 service fee when purchased online. Visit stdunstanstheatre.com or email tickets@stdunstanstheatre.com for more information.

The George W. Kuhn Drain serves all or part of Berkley, Beverly Hills, Birmingham, Clawson, Ferndale, Hazel Park, Huntington Woods, Madison Heights, Oak Park, Pleasant Ridge, Royal Oak, Royal Oak Township, Southfield and Troy. The step-by-step process includes applying to the program, conducting a site assessment to determine eligible projects, receiving confirmation of approved green stormwater infrastructure projects, installing stormwater projects and requesting the rebate. People can find out if their property is eligible for the program by visiting oakgov.com/rainsmart.

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C & G NEWSPAPERS OAKLAND COUNTY SPECIAL EDITION • JANUARY 17, 2024

Merchant

into and you’re very happy. It makes it very difficult to leave.” Merchant and the Big Reds also made a significant impact in the community as well, earning academic all-state accolades, the Steve Spicer Award for community service and raisfrom page 3A ing thousands of dollars for the Van Andel Institute for cancer research and the Wounded Warrior Project. great students, great athletes, and great representatives of Lawrence Tech, both on and It will be a difficult task for Chippewa Valley to replace Merchant and what off the field.” he’s been able to accomplish during his tenure, but Merchant’s focus will Merchant was inducted into Michigan High School Football now be on turning a Lawrence Tech team that has suffered back-to-back Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2022 after coaching 30 years at losing seasons into a consistent winner. The Blue Devils finished 3-7 the high school and college level. Getting his coaching career started in 2023. at Albion College as an assistant, Merchant’s tenure from 1993 to “ The type of player I’m looking “One thing about my job as the head football coach is to at1997 included a Division III national championship for Albion in for is obviously someone who has tract the right student athletes,” Merchant said. “It has to be the 1994. ability not only on the field but in the right fit. It has to be the right fit for them, and they need to be After Albion, Merchant was the head football coach at Uniclassroom. Lawrence Tech is a strong the right fit for us. The type of player I’m looking for is obviously versity of Detroit Jesuit from 1998 to 2006 and an assistant at academic institution, so if you don’t someone who has ability not only on the field but in the classroom. Bloomfield Hills Brother Rice in 2007 and 2008 before landing like school or you struggle in school, Lawrence Tech is a strong academic institution, so if you don’t like at Chippewa Valley. that’s not going to be a good fit for us.” school or you struggle in school, that’s not going to be a good fit for Merchant’s impact on the Chippewa Valley football program us. We want student-athletes who love to play football, enjoy school was immeasurable during his time with the Big Reds, compiling — Scott Merchant, Lawrence Tech head and are good students, and want to get a quality degree and graduate a 104-53 record and earning a Division 1 state championship in football coach and go on to do great things with their degree when they graduate.” 2018. He was named a Regional Coach of the Year six times and Merchant said he is currently filling out his coaching staff while Coach of the Year in 2018. He led the team to three Macomb also preparing for national signing day on Feb. 7, when football recruits Area Conference Red Division championships and four district across the country will announce their collegiate commitment. championships. Chippewa Valley has made 12 consecutive playoff While the final chapter at Chippewa Valley has closed for Merchant, he said the appearances under Merchant. “The Chippewa community is special,” Merchant said. “They love their school whether Chippewa Valley community will always have a special place in his heart. “I’m extremely grateful to the entire community — they were amazing,” Merchant they’re in it, parents or alumni. They have a lot of pride. They took a lot of pride in all their programs. Mike Carr, Bob Schroeder, and those guys really started the foundation of Chip- said. “It was a wonderful experience and opportunity, and I feel humbled and honored to pewa football back in the late ’80s with coach Schroeder and then coach Carr. I was fortunate have been able to serve them and lead that program. I’d like to think that, hopefully, I had a to kind of take over a good program and kind of put my own spin on it. It was great to be a positive impact on it and left it in a good place. I wish them all the success in the world. I’ll part of the community. That’s one of the difficult things is when you leave a place you love, always be a Big Red.” Call Sports Writer Jonathan Szczepaniak at (586) 498-1090. there’s people that you care about and a program you put 15 years of blood, sweat and tears

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C & G NEWSPAPERS OAKLAND COUNTY SPECIAL EDITION • JANUARY 17, 2024

Bylski from page 3A

Unit. He served as a vehicle commander. Amy Kruppe, superintendent of the Hazel Park Public Schools district, recalled him fondly. “It was my honor to know and watch Matt here in Hazel Park,” Kruppe said. “He was an incredibly kind, smart and dedicated young man. As a student, athlete and person, we are proud to call him a Viking.” She added that during his time at Hazel Park High School, Bylski was in the school band and that he also played on both the football and baseball teams. During his four years in the Marines, Bylski achieved such distinctions as the Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation, the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, and two Navy and Marine Corps

achievement medals. On Jan. 3, a plaque inscribed with Bylski’s name was added to the Salute to Heroes memorial installation in front of Hazel Park City Hall. According to the Marines, the amphibious combat vehicle rollover occurred during training with 14 other Marines. At the time the statement was issued on Dec. 14, one of the Marines remained at the hospital in good condition and the others had been treated and released. The vehicle was making a ground movement when the accident occurred. The Marine Corps is still investigating the incident. In a statement, Col. Sean Dynan, commanding officer of the 15th MEU, offered his condolences. “Words fail to express our sorrow at the tragic loss of Sgt. Bylski: an outstanding Marine and a leader within his platoon,” Dynan stated. “The MEU — the Marines who lived, trained and learned from Sgt. Bylski — mourn alongside his family and friends. The entire 15th MEU ‘Vanguard’ family is affected by his absence.”

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10A/JANUARY 17, 2024 C & G NEWSPAPERS OAKLAND COUNTY SPECIAL EDITION

TOP COLORS TO DECORATE WITH IN 2024 INCLUDE PEACH FUZZ, CRACKED PEPPER BY BRIAN WELLS

bwells@candgnews.com

aint companies including BEHR, Benjamin Moore and Sherwin-Williams have chosen neutral and muted tones as the 2024 colors of the year, while Pantone is inviting people to “embrace the warmth” with its choice. The BEHR paint company’s 2024 color of the year is Cracked Pepper — a color that associate broker Laurie Glass, of Cooper Glass Homes with Max Broock Realtors, in Birmingham, said can make a room feel very “rich,” “warm” and “inviting.” “It’s a striking color that you can really make exciting and warm by adding some rich woods in front of it, and like a warm leather or chocolate sofa, or even a honeycolored sofa,” Glass said. “And then gold, and then a white rug to contrast — it’ll really feel rich. … Very cozy for winter. You’re taking a very striking color and making it very cozy and inviting for winter.” BEHR’s website describes Cracked Pepper as “a versatile, soft black that elevates every environment.” According to its website, Cracked Pepper brings a modern appeal that pairs with complementary colors, finishes and materials in both residential and commercial spaces. Glass added that Cracked Pepper can also give a room a more modern look. “The thing about Cracked Pepper is that it takes something that may look old and it modernizes it. It can crisp it up, make it look fresh,” she said. “It can also take an imperfect wall and make it look striking.” Benjamin Moore’s 2024 color of the year is Blue Nova, which the company’s website said will “elevate the everyday and expand horizons through juxtaposed color that is sure to inspire.” “With Blue Nova leading the way, depth and intrigue are balanced by an undercurrent of reassurance,” the website states. “This alluring mid-tone features an enchanting duality, capturing the spotlight with endlessly classic appeal.” Glass said Blue Nova would work well as a backdrop or an accent wall in a bathroom with white cabinetry and white tile. She also said it could work well as an accent wall in a child’s room, or even as a ceiling color. “It could also be very interesting as a ceiling paint color, underneath the front porch or even in the basement,” she said. “I’m not really fond of these black and dark gray basement colors. I think they sit very heavy. But something like this blue could bring some real personality to a modern, clean, minimal basement.” For 2024, Sherwin-Williams named Upward its color of the year, describing the color as “a breezy, blissful blue” on its website.

TOP RIGHT: BEHR’s color of the year is Cracked Pepper. Photo provided by BEHR

ABOVE LEFT: Pantone chose Peach Fuzz as its 2024 color of the year. Photo by PhotoIris2021 | Dreamstime.com

ABOVE RIGHT: Sherwin-Williams describes its 2024 color of the year, Upward, as “a breezy, blissful blue.” Photo provided by Sherwin-Williams

RIGHT: This bedroom features walls painted in Blue Nova, which is Benjamin Moore’s 2024 color of the year. Photo provided by Benjamin Moore

The website adds that Upward is “the color found when we slow down, take a breath and allow the mind to clear.” Glass said Upward would be a nice color for a dining room, depending on how it’s decorated. She also added that it could give a room a “beachy” feel. “It’d be fairly pretty with gold accent pieces as well,” she said. In contrast to the paint companies, Pantone named Peach Fuzz its 2024 color of the year. “Peach Fuzz captures our desire to nurture ourselves and others,” Pantone states on its website. “It’s a velvety gentle peach tone whose all-embracing spirit enriches mind, body and soul.” In a prepared statement, Leatrice Eiseman, executive director for the Pantone Color Institute, said Peach Fuzz “echoes our innate yearning for closeness and connection.” “A shade that resonates with compassion, offers a tactile embrace and effortlessly bridges the youthful with the timeless,” she said. Glass said that, while Peach Fuzz isn’t her favorite color, it would make a nice accent wall in a kid’s bedroom or a bathroom with warm wood.

“It makes your skin feel warm,” she said. “And it just brings a warmth and an attractiveness to the bathroom.” Emily Sikora — of Just By Happenstance in Clinton Township, who refinishes furniture and deals in home decor, wall art and more — said all the colors pair well together. “There are so many uses, using the deepness of the Cracked Pepper and Blue Nova on your larger furniture pieces (allows) you to set the accents with the softer colors with pillows, artwork and other decor,” she said in an email. “I would also use the lighter colors to refinish smaller pieces of furniture to add a whimsical feel to it.” Sikora added that Blue Nova and Cracked Pepper allow the softness of Peach Fuzz and Upward to “really pop.” When it comes to renovating a house, Glass added that, in her opinion, there’s more value in painting than anything else. “We often say that there’s more bang for your buck in paint than anything else you can do in terms of dollar-fordollar return,” she said. Call Staff Writer Brian Wells at (248) 291-7637.

11A

C & G NEWSPAPERS OAKLAND COUNTY SPECIAL EDITION • JANUARY 17, 2024

Photo provided by Nathan Benton

Esports from page 1A

The event will take place 5-7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 19, at Troy College and Career High School, 1522 E. Big Beaver Road, in Troy. Registration is free and can be completed online at www.aoeesports.com under the “events” tab. There are 200 spots available. “This is for students who aren’t 7 feet tall or can’t run a fast 40-yard dash,” said Greenspan. “You just need good critical thinking and good dexterity. I used to be a noob and not be able to tell the difference between these games. People will get scholarships based on what games they play and what position they perform in each game. Someone who plays Overwatch may be a tank or may be a healer, and that is what they can get scholarships in if a team is looking for a particular role.” Nathan Benton will be among the coaches meeting prospective players at the event and is currently a coach at Cleary University. He also used to be employed with AoE Esports. “I’ve been working in esports in some capacity since 2019. Seeing how much it’s grown in the last few years is crazy. The biggest thing holding it back is that some people just don’t know about it. That’s why events like this are important, because they get these opportunities out there,” he said. “The big four games in competition right now are League of Legends, Overwatch 2, Super Smash Bros. and Rocket League. Basically, every school will have those games in competition. Other games, like Call of Duty, Valorant, and some sports titles, are also pretty common.” The event will feature coaches and representatives from local universities, including the University of Michigan, Michigan State University, Oakland University, Lawrence Technological University, Central Michigan University, Cleary University and Rochester University. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage with coaches and gain first-

hand knowledge about the various types and amounts of esports scholarships available, as well as the criteria for qualification. “It varies from school to school. Some schools will offer students who are appropriately talented a full ride,” said Benton. “The average school is probably offering $2,000 to $5,000 a year scholarships. At Cleary, for instance, we can offer up to 50% tuition, which is about $12,000 a year.” “High GPAs and whether they live in or out of the state are factors in how much can be offered,” added Greenspan. AoE Esports is the official provider of esports for the Troy School District and describes itself as being dedicated to fostering talent and creating opportunities for aspiring gamers. “This is the first time we’ve held an event like this,” said Greenspan. “We’ve had smaller events. … Many of our members have gone on to be coaches or players, and they have gone to specific schools, but this is the first time we’ve gathered everyone together.” Greenspan said that esports in general is still fairly new, so the industry and culture are still being established, describing it as “an exciting time.” “This is an emerging sport. More than 1,000 schools across the country offer scholarships, and that number is only growing as universities realize they want to get more of these students at their institutions,” he said. “We are an organization for individuals or teams to come and play esports in structured leagues or teams or run a club or clinic. We are similar to a tennis club. … Players work like players in every other sport. They meet up and practice and work on strategies, just like any other sport. We’ll have another event in the summer where coaches will come in and watch players play and see what they can do.” Benton hopes that any students who think that they can take their gaming to a competitive level will check out the event. “My parents always told me, ‘You’ll never make a living playing video games,’” said Benton. “Now you kind of can.”

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Students interested in opportunities in competitive gaming can explore different college teams and scholarship opportunities with universities such as the University of Michigan, Michigan State University, and Cleary University, pictured.

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