SPOTLIGHT ON WOMEN IN BUSINESS/18A
Police arrest suspect after 2 men found dead inside used car dealership
BY MARY BETH ALMOND malmond@candgnews.com
SHELBY TOWNSHIP — Police are investigating a double homicide and have a suspect in custody after two men were found dead inside a used car dealership in Shelby Township Nov. 7.
The Shelby Township Police Department dispatched officers to Star Auto Sales, 47092 Ryan Road, north of Auburn Road, for a welfare check at approximately 12:28 p.m.
Officers entered the business and discovered two deceased men, a 48-year-old Clinton Township resident and a 40-year-old Shelby Township resident, according to a post on the department’s Facebook page. Authorities said they are investigating the incident as a double homicide.
The next morning, at approximately 5:45 a.m., the Shelby Township Police Department’s Tactical Re-
ARREST on page 14A
Utica prepares for holiday season
BY SARAH WRIGHT swright@candgnews.com
UTICA — In preparation for the upcoming holiday season, the Utica City Council during the Oct. 14 meeting unanimously approved the hiring of Landscape Services Inc. to install the Christmas lights throughout the downtown and the Van Dyke corridor.
The city of Utica worked with Landscape Services Inc. on Christmas light installation during the previous year.
“Last year, we were under a crunch a bit because we had good weather and then it got bad quick, and they asked if they could install early, and the timing with council meetings didn’t work,” Utica Mayor Gus Calandrino said. “So, I reached out to them and said, ‘Can we just get this on the agenda early so that you have permission and we don’t have to worry about timing?’”
For the 2025 holiday season, Landscape Services Inc. intends to install mini LED lights around 77 light poles with al-
The Utica Christmas tree lighting and fireworks, seen here last year, will begin at 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, at Memorial Park. File photo by Erin Sanchez
• Comprehensive & Diabetic Eye Exam
• Dry Eye Treatments
• Contact Lens (soft and hard)
• Myopia Control
• Specialty Contact Lens Fitting (including Hybrid, Scleral, RGP Lens)
• Corneal Disease Treatment
One of 6 suspects convicted in Shelby Township abduction, robbery
PLEADS GUILTY TO HIS CHARGES
BY MARY BETH ALMOND malmond@candgnews.com
SHELBY TOWNSHIP — A 31-year-old man from Florida was convicted of all charges for his role in violently abducting a man outside a Shelby Township gym in 2023.
Library exhibits Shelby Township Fine Art Society fall art show
BY MARY BETH ALMOND malmond@candgnews.com
SHELBY TOWNSHIP —
The Shelby Township Fine Art Society’s fall art show is on display at the Shelby Township Public Library through Nov. 24.
“We have 80 pieces on display from 40 artists or so,” said Sara Katsavrias, the society’s president.
On Oct. 31, a Macomb County Circuit Court jury found Xavier Gardner guilty of one count each of carjacking, conspiracy to commit carjacking, armed robbery, conspiracy to commit armed robbery, torture, unlawful imprisonment, conspiracy to commit unlawful imprisonment, firstdegree home invasion and conspiracy to commit first-degree home invasion, as well as three counts of felony firearm. He will be sentenced Dec. 17.
According to the Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office, Gardener and five others carjacked a man at gunpoint, restrained him in his own vehicle and drove away. The suspects, according to reports, tortured the man, drove to his house and entered the residence.
Sterling Heights police responded to Lifetime Fitness, where the carjacking occurred, before heading to the victim’s house.
Authorities say Gardner fled from police and was located months later and extradited from Florida to Michigan.
Garth Glazier, who judged the show, presented awards for first, second and third place, as well as three honorable mentions.
Artist Tony Warren won first place for his watercolor, “Portal,” of Warren’s “great friend, student and neighbor John.”
“This portrait is John looking through the portal of his life at the time,” Warren said.
Sue Michels’ acrylic painting “Ghost Forest” was awarded second place.
Michels’ drew inspiration for the piece during a plein air retreat at Pierce Cedar Creek in Hastings, Michigan. The painting, she said, is from one of the lakes in the area.
“It caught my attention because of all the dead trees in the marsh area,” she said. “A swamp with dead trees is called a ‘ghost forest,’ and the dead trees remaining are called ‘snags.’”
Third place went to Katsavrias for her painting “Soaring High in Zion.”
Gardner
ABOVE: “Portal,” by Tony Warren, won first place in the Shelby Township Fine Art Society’s fall art show. The show is on display at the Shelby Township Library through Nov. 24.
LEFT: Sue Michels found inspiration for “Ghost Forest” in Hastings, Michigan. The painting was the second-place winner in the Shelby Township Fine Art Society’s fall art show.
BELOW: “Soaring High in Zion,” by Sara Katsavrias, won third place in the Shelby Township Fine Art Society’s fall art show.
Photos provided by the Shelby Township Fine Art Society
CRIME WATCH
Intoxicated driver arrested
SHELBY TOWNSHIP — A police officer patrolling the area of 22 Mile and Ryan roads observed a gray GMC Acadia swerve out of its lane at 2:17 a.m. Oct. 31. The officer conducted a traffic stop and met with the driver and two other occupants in the vehicle. The driver reportedly said he was coming from a local bar and had had a couple of drinks. He was advised to exit the vehicle, where he was instructed to conduct a roadside sobriety test. After a preliminary breath test was given, the driver was arrested for operating while intoxicated, police said. The driver was processed and lodged at the Shelby Township Police Department until he was sober.
Man caught stealing from store
SHELBY TOWNSHIP — A police officer was dispatched to 8200 Van Dyke Ave. for a subject who was caught stealing at 8:51 p.m. Oct. 31. The loss prevention officer said he recognized the subject from a previous theft from a couple of days ago and was now watching him in the store, selecting items and passing all points of sale without offering to pay for the items. Between a couple of days ago and today, police said the man took more than $250 in
merchandise and will be charged with two counts of third-degree retail fraud.
Domestic assault reported
SHELBY TOWNSHIP — Police officers were dispatched to the area of 23 Mile and Mound roads for a possible domestic assault at 6:45 p.m. Oct. 30. Upon the officers’ arrival, they met with a son and a father, who had been fighting. The officers spoke with both parties and found that the son was the aggressor and placed him under arrest for domestic assault, according to police. Police said the case will be forwarded to the Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office to be reviewed for charges.
Catalytic converters stolen from work trucks
SHELBY TOWNSHIP — An officer was dispatched to Water To Go, near 22 Mile Road and Van Dyke Avenue, for a larceny at 11:42 a.m. Oct. 27. Upon the officer’s arrival, he met with the owner, who said someone cut the catalytic converter off two work trucks that were parked in the lot sometime between Oct. 24 and Oct. 27. Detectives were investigating.
Operating while intoxicated
SHELBY TOWNSHIP — Officers were dispatched to the Shelby West mobile home park, near 22 Mile Road and the Van Dyke Freeway for a vehicle that struck a home on Cranberry Court at 4:38 p.m. Nov.
6. Witnesses said a woman left the area after the crash. The woman was located and admitted to having been drinking alcohol prior to driving, police said. The officers conducted a roadside sobriety test prior to arresting her for operating while intoxicated. The woman had two prior operating while intoxicated arrests, according to police.
Damage to car reported after being egged
SHELBY TOWNSHIP — A police officer was dispatched to the area of Ryan and Hamlin roads for a destruction of property report at 9:39 p.m. Nov. 4. The victim said that while he was driving down the road, he heard a loud bang on his vehicle. When he pulled over, he noticed what appeared to be a raw egg that had been thrown at his vehicle. When the victim washed off the egg, he noticed damage to the left pillar of his vehicle. There were no suspects at the time of the police report.
Domestic assault
SHELBY TOWNSHIP — Police officers were dispatched to the area of 25 Mile Road and Van Dyke Avenue for a possible domestic assault at 7:44 p.m. Nov. 4. Upon arrival, the officers met with a woman, who said her ex-boyfriend had left the area prior to the officers’ arrival. The woman stated that she and her ex got into a verbal argument in the driveway. The woman stated that she did not want to fight in front
of her child, so she started to walk away when her ex-boyfriend grabbed her arm and then smashed her phone, according to the report. Officers attempted to call the suspect, but he never answered. A warrant was requested from the Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office for his arrest.
Identity theft
SHELBY TOWNSHIP — A woman came into the Police Department at 8:28 a.m. Nov. 4 to make a report that her identity had been stolen. She noticed an unauthorized account that had been opened in her name and that a new cellphone had been purchased under her name. Detectives were investigating.
Truck stolen
SHELBY TOWNSHIP — An officer was dispatched to the 4700 block of 22 Mile Road, near Ryan Road, for a stolen vehicle at 7:59 a.m. Nov. 4. Upon the officer’s arrival, he met with a man who said his 2022 Chevrolet Silverado was stolen while he was at work. Detectives were investigating.
Experience our Newly Remodeled Design Center!
Our showroom has undergone a stunning transformation – and we’d love for you to be among the frst to experience it! Please join us to explore our newly remodeled space, designed to inspire and showcase our latest oferings in a fresh, modern setting. Whether you're looking for innovative solutions, design inspiration, or simply want to reconnect, we look forward to welcoming you.
— MARY BETH ALMOND
Shelby Police Department to participate in Maggie’s Wigs 4 Kids fundraiser
SHELBY TOWNSHIP — During the month of November, the Shelby Township Police Department is participating in the Maggie’s Wigs 4 Kids fundraiser called “Pigs 4 Wigs.”
Maggie’s Wigs 4 Kids of Michigan Inc. is a nonprofit organization that provides free wigs and support services to children, ages 3-18, who have lost their hair due to cancer and other medical conditions. By making a $50 per person donation, male officers in the department can grow facial hair and female officers can wear nail polish/jewelry for the month of November. All money raised will be dropped off to Maggie’s Wigs 4 Kids in early December. For more information, or to donate, call the Police Department at (586) 731-2121.
Photo by Patricia O’Blenes
Police Department to host free self-defense class for females
SHELBY TOWNSHIP — The Shelby Township Police Department’s R.A.D. (Rape Aggression Defense) class is back this December. The R.A.D. women’s self-defense class is a 12-hour course broken into three hours of instruction over four days. Instruction consists of classroom literature, physical demonstrations and repetitive practice. The class is free for females only, ages 12 and older, who live in Shelby Township. Class will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. Dec. 9, 11, 15 and 17, and attendance all four days is mandatory. For more information or to sign up, contact Officer Lauren Weiss at lweiss@shelbytwp.org or (586) 522-3680.
Model train show pulls into the Packard Proving Grounds
SHELBY TOWNSHIP — The Packard Proving Grounds Historic Site will welcome model train enthusiasts and collectors for a one-day model train show from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 29. Designed specifically for hobbyists, the show will feature vendor tables filled with locomotives, rolling stock, track, scenery and other rare finds.
“Events like this bring together the heart of the model train community,” Mary Anne Demo, executive director of the Packard Proving Grounds, said in a press release. “There’s a special excitement in the air when collectors come together, swap stories, and uncover that one piece they’ve been searching for.”
Admission costs $5 per person, which can be paid at the door. The event is open to the public but tailored for the model train community and those who appreciate the craftsmanship and history of the hobby. For more information, visit PackardProvingGrounds.org/TrainShow or contact Mike at mikelj318@ gmail.com or (248) 509-5540.
DETROIT ZOO WILD LIGHTS BEGINS THIS MONTH
The
Santa photos available for purchase; a camouflage art exhibition; seasonal drinks, eats and sweet treats for purchase; 4D theater and glow with the show lanyard add-ons, and more.
Ticket prices may vary by date, time and demand between $17 and $27. All guests 2 and older are required to have a ticket.
Parking costs $8 per vehicle; zoo members park free. Members get 10% off Wild Lights general admission. For more information visit detroitzoo.org.
HOMES
TIME TO GET THE LAWN AND GARDEN READY FOR WINTER
BY GENA JOHNSON gjohnson@gandcnews.com
METRO DETROIT — Warm autumn days will soon be followed by winter’s frigid temperatures, frost on the plants and frozen ground. With this in mind, the owner of Red Chair Gardens and a consumer horticulture educator shared tips on preparing the garden for winter.
Each day, trees are dropping leaves that can be used to enrich the soil.
“We bag and throw away our leaves, and this is a great time to just mulch them into the grass, and it provides 25% of the fertilization your yard needs throughout the year, and it’s free,” said Louise Sloan, owner of Red Chair Gardens in Bloomfield Hills and a certified master gardener.
Sloan uses a push mower and slowly goes over the leaves multiple times until they are very fine and it forms a thin layer of mulch.
Studies have shown that in addition to fertilizing the lawn, this creates a mulch barrier in the spots in between the grass, preventing future weed germination, according to Sloan.
“After three years of using this technique, they saw a 100% reduction in dandelion production,” Sloan said. “It’s not going to get rid of all your dandelion seeds, but it will reduce it by a lot.”
Some gardeners cut back their ornamental grasses this time of year, while others leave them up throughout the winter and cut them back in late February or early March. It’s the gardeners’ choice, she said.
“I do that, so I can see something in the landscape,” Sloan said. “I found that it is really pretty when the snow falls on them.”
This is the time to plant spring bulbs.
“Daffodils are great because the deer don’t eat them. Hyacinths, also, deer tend to leave them alone and allium bulbs,” Sloan said. “Plant them now and come spring you’ll have some beautiful flowers to welcome you into the new year.”
The bulbs should be placed a couple of inches below the soil. They will not be damaged by the cold weather if they are planted correctly, according to David Lowenstein, consumer horticulture educator at Michigan State University Extension.
If there are old vegetables in the vegetable garden, Lowenstein suggests adding them to the compost bin or to get rid of them. This is to prevent spores from germinating and infecting the plants the next season.
“You don’t want to accidentally introduce any kind of fungus that might have been on the vegetables,” Lowenstein said.
Plants, shrubs and trees that are less than two or three years old should be watered regularly until the ground freezes.
According to Lowenstein, the current climate in southeastern Michigan is in a drought even though there have been a couple of days of rain.
“Just because we’ve had a frost already doesn’t mean you don’t need to water again,” Lowenstein said. “If the ground is not frozen and it has been dry, it’s a good idea to water those trees or plants in the garden that remain alive.”
According to Lowenstein, the lack of water is the reason plants and trees don’t do well the next season. For proper pruning, identify when the plants bloom and prune after that. Pruning is cutting off parts of the plant that are not growing in the right direction. It thins out the branches that are too rooted together. Although the plant will survive if pruned too early, the blooms will not be as plentiful, Lowenstein said.
“This is a great time of year to divide your plants that have outgrown their current locations,” Lowenstein said.
If the lawn has not been reseeded yet, wait until the spring.
“The seeds need about two-three weeks for the grass seed to germinate. The lawn has to be gently watered every day. If the lawn freezes in that twothree weeks, your lawn is not going to set well,” Lowenstein said.
Other tips include:
• Clean up the garden by removing weeds, dead blooms, leaves and vegetables.
• Don’t cover roses with the white container coverings. It can present a hot/cold differential in the environment, which is not good for the flowers, according to Sloan.
• Think about what went well in your garden this year and what you would like to replicate. Conversely, think about what didn’t go well and determine how you will change it.
• Clean and oil tools to reduce rust. Make sure they receive proper maintenance for another season.
“Once the ground freezes and there is a good snow cover, there is not much else to do,” Lowenstein said.
For gardening questions, the Michigan State University Extension gardening hotline can be contacted Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9 a.m. to noon at (888) 678-3464.
Oakleaf hydrangea thrive and exude their
ABOVE Instead of throwing leaves away, make a mulch which adds nutrients to the soil.
LEFT: Winter pruning involves cutting back deciduous trees and shrubs during their dormant period. Shutterstock images
ABOVE:
brilliant colors well into November. BELOW: Ornamental grasses can serve as cover crops adding nutrients to the soil. Young trees and shrubs need to be watered regularly until the ground freezes.
Photos provided by the Michigan State University Extension
BEHIND THE WHEEL
10A/ SHELBY-UTICA NEWS • NOVEMBER 12, 2025
Do you own a vehicle with an interesting history?
Contact Staff Writer Maria Allard at allard@candgnews.com or at (586) 498-1045, and you could be featured in an upcoming Behind the Wheel. For more stories, visit candgnews.com/news/auto or use the QR code.
Learn history to a ‘T’ with Eastpointe’s antique 1921 fire truck
BY MARIA ALLARD allard@candgnews.com
DETROIT — Anyone who visits the Ford Piquette Avenue Plant Museum in Detroit will see an important piece of Eastpointe history.
Eastpointe’s first-ever fire truck is among the many antique vehicles on display. The 1921 Ford Model T was purchased a little more than 100 years ago when Eastpointe was known as Erin Township.
A group of business owners pooled their money to buy the chemical fire truck. They were concerned about fires as the township grew and felt the horse and wagon used in town to douse flames wasn’t enough. The proprietors wanted a truck to carry more water and also allow for the pumping of water.
For the next five years, the red 1921 model will remain at the museum for public viewing. At the Aug. 19 Eastpointe City Council meeting, the council voted 4-0 to approve the automobile loan agreement between Eastpointe and the Ford Piquette Avenue Plant Museum for five years, beginning Aug. 1, 2025, and expiring Aug. 1, 2030. Council member Rob Baker was absent.
Eastpointe Fire Chief Jason Clark said there was no exchange of money involved in the loan agreement, just that the museum will house and maintain the fire truck for the next five years. This is the second five-year cycle for a loan agreement.
“It’s still looking good,” Clark said. “They seem like they’re doing a good job taking care of it.”
On the late morning of Oct. 31, Clark, retired Eastpointe Fire Chief Danny Hagen, retired Fire Capt. Don Schmidt and his wife, Kim; and retired firefighter Joe Radzwion III toured Piquette with museum operations manager Samantha Wilkinson. Eastpointe Mayor Pro Tem Cardi DeMonaco Jr. and Eastpointe City Council members Harvey Curley and Baker joined them.
Eastpointe’s first-ever fire truck was used by the city’s firefighters until 1942. Although the vehicle ceased fighting fires, it remained in the city — which for decades was called East Detroit — for parades and other events over the years.
One memorable moment for Hagen came in 1981 when he and his bride, Mary, cruised in the historic truck on their wedding day. They drove from St. Jude Catholic Church, on Seven Mile Road in Detroit, to
the Eastpointe Fire Station on Nine Mile Road near Gratiot Avenue, where they switched vehicles for the reception. The newlyweds drew plenty of onlookers.
“We went down Kelly Road and it started to rain. My wife was the best sport in the world,” Hagen remembered. “The people were going bonkers when they saw the truck.”
The museum provides informational signs for all the exhibited cars. According to the Eastpointe sign, the 1921 Model T chemical fire truck had 20 horsepower and weighed 1,439 pounds.
The truck was either assembled at the Ford Highland Park Plant or a branch of the plant. The gas-powered truck drove about 25 mph and came with a two-speed
transmission. It was equipped with standard pneumatic non-skid tires, and hard rubber tires were optional. Hagen said there was a siren system in town to alert when there was a fire.
“There was one hose and they used axes to open the door and open the roof to let out smoke and gases,” Hagen said, adding that
ABOVE: Samantha Wilkinson, Ford Piquette Avenue Plant Museum operations manager left; retired Eastpointe Fire Chief Danny Hagen, center; and Eastpointe Fire Chief Jason Clark discuss Eastpointe’s 1921 Model T chemical fire truck.
ABOVE: Eastpointe’s first-ever fire truck — a 1921 Model T — had 20 horsepower and weighed 1,439 pounds.
LEFT: Kim Schmidt, left, holds a photo of her husband, Donald Schmidt, a retired Eastpointe Fire Department captain, as he drives the fire truck in a Memorial Day parade.
Photos by Patricia O’Blenes
Time to consider a business retirement plan?
If you’re a business owner, you’re always thinking about the days ahead: How can I boost sales in the next year? What trends should I be watching? But there’s another question to ask about your future: Do I have a good retirement plan in place?
A retirement plan can beneft you in several ways.
First, of course, it can help you build resources you will need afer you’ve lef your business and retired.
Second, a retirement plan can help you attract and retain good employees.
And third, you’ll get tax benefts. Your contributions to a retirement plan — on behalf of yourself and your employees — can be tax deductible. Plus, you can get tax credits for starting a new plan.
You have several retirement plan options available. You may be eligible for an owner-only 401(k). Or you might consider a personal defned beneft plan, which is similar to a traditional pension plan.
And, depending on the number of employees you have, you might also look at an SEP-IRA or a SIMPLE-IRA.
To learn more about these and other plans, contact your fnancial professional or tax advisor. But don’t wait too long — the future will be here sooner than you think.
Edward Jones, its employees and fnancial advisors cannot provide tax or legal advice. You should consult your attorney or qualifed tax advisor regarding your situation.
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Fire truck
from page 10A
axes also were utilized “for quick entry” into the home or building. Firefighters did not have all the updated equipment and safety gear available now.
“There were no masks, no (compressed) air,” Hagen said. “It wasn’t in existence at the time.”
While on the tour, a group of local students crossed paths with the firefighters, who shared their experiences with the fire truck.
“Driving it is like driving a go-kart in the wind. It’s a big open vehicle,” Radzwion III said. “It was like an icon in every Memo-
rial Day parade. It was awesome. You felt so proud.”
“I was one of the few that drove it,” Schmidt said of those fun city events through the decades. “It brings back so many memories.”
According to its history, the Eastpointe Fire Department and the East Detroit Historical Society together restored the truck and won awards at the 2008 Detroit Autorama. In 2009, the Michigan Historical Commission presented the Michigan Week Gov. John B. Swainson award to Hagen for his “outstanding contribution to the preservation of Michigan history.”
The Halfway Model T chemical fire truck contains a plaque dedicated to the founding members of the department in
1921: Fire Chief Lorenz Rein, and firefighters Cyril Derdaele, Ray Woodcock, Frank Schustler, August Zado, Fred Rader, Jess Hamner, WM Yuckey, Gottfried Eschmann and Richard Paetsch.
The Ford Piquette Avenue Plant Museum is a Michigan historic site. Piquette was the first factory Ford Motor Co. built, and where models B, C, F, K, N, R, S and T were manufactured. Visitors can view antique cars that are from private collections or that the museum has purchased, including a 1903 Ford Model A Tonneau, a 1911 Hupmobile model 20 C, and a 1916 Studebaker.
The museum also has a replica of
Henry Ford’s office, including a safe used to hide blueprints so corporate spies would not find them and a telescope for bird-watching. Ford, however, didn’t spend much time in his office, as he preferred to be on the assembly floor.
The Ford Piquette Avenue Plant Museum is located at 461 Piquette Ave. in Detroit. Free parking is available in the paved courtyard lot next to the building, and in the gravel lot directly across from the museum on Piquette Avenue. The museum is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays. It is closed on holidays. For more information, go to fordpiquetteplant.org.
Arrest
from page 1A
sponse Unit, with assistance from the Sterling Heights Police Department’s Special Response Team, executed a search warrant in connection with the case at a hotel in Romulus, near Detroit Metro Airport.
Police said they arrested the suspect in the double homicide case and also recovered evidence from the hotel room in connection with the case.
The suspect’s name was not released at press time, as he had not yet been arraigned.
Holidays
from page 1A
“We would like to thank the Sterling Heights Police Department, Utica Police Department, Michigan State Police, Romulus Police Department, and the F.B.I. for their assistance in this investigation,” Lt. Mark Benedettini said in a statement.
Police did not release any additional information at press time. A press conference was scheduled for Tuesday morning, after press time. Check candgnews.com and the next issue of the Shelby-Utica News for updates.
Call Staff Writer Mary Beth Almond at (586) 498-1060.
ternating green, red and white lights. This process will cost $4,190, which is the same as last year. Additional costs may be incurred if light strands require replacement.
“Labor rate is $70.00 per man hour. LSI will install, remove and store all Christmas material,” a proposal from Landscape Services Inc. states. “Any additional products will be charged accordingly. Usually 10%-15% of the lights will not work from the previous year and will need to be replaced. Additional lights will be charged $16.00 per 50 Ct. LED string.”
The lights will not go up immediately, as the proposal from Landscape Services Inc. stated they will not be installed until Utica installs its wreaths on the poles.
During the City Council meeting, there were some concerns from council members about whether it would be cheaper for the city to install the lights itself, though other members spoke in favor of the work that the company does.
“It’s a full package deal, though,” Utica City Council member Thom Dionne said. “It’s putting up lights, and then taking them down and then storing them.”
Removal of the lights will likely begin after Jan. 2, depending on the weather.
Also for the holiday season in Utica, the annual Christmas tree lighting celebration is scheduled for 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, at Memorial Park.
“This is a huge event and includes a big fireworks show,” Calandrino said in an email.
For more information, visit cityofutica.org.
Landscape Services Inc. dates to 1995 and performs landscape design and installation, lawn care, gardening, irrigation, turf fertilizing, commercial snow removal, de-icing and holiday decorating.
Call Staff Writer Sarah Wright at (586) 498-1068.
Photo by Erin Sanchez Shelby Township police investigate a double homicide at Star Auto Sales on Ryan Road, north of Auburn Road, Nov. 7.
Anyone
Utica Community
Schools students will be participating in ‘An Irish Nutcracker’
BY SARAH WRIGHT swright@candgnews.com
UTICA — Seven Utica Community Schools students will be performing in “An Irish Nutcracker” at 5 p.m. Dec. 20 at the McMorran Place Theater, 701 McMorran Blvd. in Port Huron.
The classic version of “The Nutcracker” is a two-act ballet by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, where a young girl receives a nutcracker from her godfather as a Christmas present and later goes on to fight a mouse king and meet citizens from a magical world with her newly animated nutcracker.
The version of this story planned for ‘An Irish Nutcracker’ will swap out ballet and classical music with Irish dancing and music but will otherwise follow the same classic storyline.
“Act I starts at Claire’s house, a cottage in Ireland, where Claire’s friends and family gather for an Irish dance party, with traditional group ceili dancing to Irish music,” Hillary Snook, associate artistic director for the performance, said in a press release. “Act II explores the world of Irish folklore in Tír na nÓg, the ‘Land of Eternal Youth,’ a mythical realm where fairies and mortals are said to live forever.”
‘An Irish Nutcracker’ was created by Sarah Allison Houghtelin, owner and founder of the Celtic Dance Academy in Phoenix.
“Sophia Wyzgowski, former student of Sarah, acquired production of An Irish Nutcracker in 2012 in Michigan,” Snook said in an email. “The dancers in the show are all students for Sophia Wyzgowski’s school, The Shannon Irish Dance Academy.”
Rehearsals for the winter performance began in early September and will continue every weekend up until show day.
“Among all those rehearsals our danc-
ers are also training during the week for our regionals, the Mid-America Oireachtas this November in Milwaukee, WI,” Snook said in an email.
The Utica Community Schools students performing in this production are:
• Hailey Jacobs, Bemis Junior High, seventh grade.
• Emma Mullett, Morgan Elementary, fifth grade.
• Meagan Mullett, Eisenhower High School, 10th grade.
• Taylor Patterson, Gene L. Klida Utica Academy for International Studies, 12th grade.
• Scarlett Vincent, Beacon Tree Elementary, sixth grade.
• McKenzie Wagner, Eppler Junior High, ninth grade.
• Kaylee Wallace, Utica High School, 12th grade.
Jacobs will have a solo as a night pixie and also portray Tuatha Dé Danann (Warrior).
“Participating in ‘An Irish Nutcracker’ is just so fun, because you get to use your acting skills which you normally don’t use,” Jacobs said in an email. “At the beginning of the Nutcracker season, you get to try out for a solo part. I did this year and got the solo part of Night Pixie.”
Wallace will have a solo as Joseph MacDrosselmeyer (The Godfather) and also portray a Tree and Tuatha Dé Danann (Warrior). Performing on the McMorran stage again is what excites Wallace most about the production.
“It’s been two years and it’s one of my favorite stages to dance on. I love the backstage, makeup rooms, and everything in between. I have been in every production of the Irish Nutcracker and I’m excited to share
Seven Utica Community Schools students will be participating in the production of ‘An Irish Nutcracker’ Dec. 20 at the McMorran Place Theater in Port Huron.
Photo provided by Utica Community Schools
page 3A
Katsavrias said she loved traveling to Zion National Park in Utah last year because it offered so many opportunities for paintings.
“I’m absolutely delighted the judge thought it was worthy of a third-place award,” she said.
The three honorable mentions went to Cathy McCarthy for “Swim Lessons,” Rebecca Smith for “That All May Be Better” and Pat Sosnowski for “Crack of Dawn.”
McCarthy said her oil painting on canvas of a waterfowl and her offspring was inspired by a photographer friend who often gives her “painting challenges.”
Smith’s “That All May Be Better” was inspired by a Civil War reenactment that friends of hers participated in during a parade.
“I was taken away by the flag and how it enveloped the soldier as he marched toward battle,” Smith explained.
Sosnowski’s piece was inspired by the sunrise on her way to church.
The works, many of which are available for purchase, can be seen during normal hours through Nov. 24 at the Shelby Township Library, 52610 Van Dyke Ave. in Shelby Township.
“Our show comes just in time for the holidays with unique gift giving,” Katsavrias added. “Most of the pieces are on sale and at very affordable prices. Please stop by the library and view our show and check out the talent that our great club has.”
Founded in 2001, the Shelby Township Fine Art Society aims to “promote, educate and encourage” fine art through monthly meetings, workshops, exhibits and demonstrations. The society meets at 6:30 p.m. the second Wednesday of every month at the Shelby Township Activities Center, 14975 21 Mile Road in Shelby Township. Each meeting includes an artist demonstration. The club is open to new members of all ages.
For more information about the Shelby Township Fine Art Society, email society President Sara Katsavrias at smkatsa@yahoo.com.
ABOVE RIGHT: One of three honorable mentions went to “Crack of Dawn,” by Pat Sosnowski.
BOTOM RIGHT: “That All May Be Better,” by Rebecca
ABOVE LEFT: “Swim Lessons,” by Cathy McCarthy, won an honorable mention in the show.
Smith, won an honorable mention.
Photos provided by the Shelby Township Fine Art Society
SPOTLIGHT ON WOMEN IN BUSINESS
TWO LOCAL WOMEN SHARE THEIR TRIUMPHS, TRIALS IN BUSINESS
BY GENA JOHNSON gjohnson@candgnews.com
METRO DETROIT — Colette Hughes of Warren and Jennifer Taylor Boykins of West Bloomfield credit being able to pivot as a key to their success.
Hughes is the owner, broker and coach of Virtual Real Estate Services, a full-service real estate company in Warren with clients all over the world. She started in real estate in 1988 as an office administrator and quickly moved up the ranks to become a real estate agent, making herself valuable at the two real estate offices she worked at prior to starting her own business in 2015.
A year before starting her business, Hughes joined a Toastmasters International club in Warren and attributes this to contributing to her success.
Toastmasters is a nonprofit public speaking organization that trains speakers.
“I was the shyest person in Michigan,”
Hughes said. “I was great working behind the scenes, but I couldn’t go up to people and talk to them.”
Hughes credits Toastmasters for helping her to find her voice.
She was inspired to start her own business when she and a broker where she worked attended a real estate event.
“When it was time for me to be introduced at the event, I was left out,” Hughes said. “I cannot be left out when I am doing all the work. So I started my own business and could no longer be a secret agent.”
She left that real estate office and has continued to prosper even during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Hughes is a proponent of the power and support of women’s groups in business.
She is currently on the board of directors of the National Entrepreneurs Association and was named one of Career Masters’ 2025 Women to
See BUSINESS on page 20A
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TOP LEFT: Colette Hughes, center, owner and broker of Virtual Real Estate Services in Warren, makes her clients a top priority in servicing all real estate needs.
Photo provided by Colette Hughes
BOTTOM LEFT: Jennifer Taylor Boykins, center, and her team at Nothing But Education, Nicole McDowell, left, and Kaylee Jackson have implemented literacy programs in school districts throughout the country.
Photo provided by Jennifer Taylor Boykins
Watch.
“It’s a new day when it comes to women in business,” Hughes said. “Women’s groups help to empower them.”
Hughes also believes in the art of pivoting.
The holiday months are slow for real estate housing sales. As a result, she started a real estate holdings company, where she holds real estate licenses for those agents not making money from real estate currently but want to hold onto their license. She pays all the yearly fees they would incur and negotiates sales on their behalf, sharing a portion of the commission with them.
“When I saw the help was needed, I started the holdings company,” Hughes said.
In business, Hughes said, “Women have to yell louder, fight harder and stand taller.”
Nothing But Education in West Bloomfield was created to change the lives of children and inspire them by providing strategic thought, collaborative partnerships, industry best practices and resource sharing to school districts across the country and internationally in 2019.
Founder Jennifer Taylor Boykins is a former Detroit Public Schools teacher and vice president at Scholastic, the world’s largest publisher and distributor of children’s books, according to the company’s website, where she worked for more than 20 years.
Less than a year after launching her business, the pandemic hit. When that happened, people weren’t talking as much and when they did it wasn’t an in-person meeting but by telephone. By the time she had the opportunity to use her marketing materials, they were out of date.
“From the early point of business, I learned you have to be able to pivot,” Taylor Boykins said. “What you think may be ideal in the marketplace, the marketplace
can change…. Pivot is the name of the game when you are in business for yourself.”
That prompted Taylor Boykin and her team to develop materials that would promote continuous education while students were out of school during the pandemic or on summer vacation. It includes books, worksheets and journals.
The books are designed to engage the students. The worksheets are created to promote a deeper dive into the materials they read, and the journals prompt further reflection on what the student has read.
“Things to help them really think about what they are reading and why it is important,” Taylor Boykins said. “They received it (the materials) with open arms and joy.”
This program was first implemented in some of the Los Angeles area school districts four years ago and has been implemented every summer vacation since.
It was a huge, hard-fought project, and a major triumph for Nothing But Education. Being in contact with the students in their space “is the best part of the business,” she said. “The tales are always around the lives that you change, the lives that you touch.”
That led to her nonprofit, Bravehearts, which funds scholarships for high school seniors who are aging out of the foster care system. Students from school districts across the country have received scholarships. One student studied to be a graphic artist in Japan. Some go to college, attending toptier schools, while others have gone to trade school, including the field of cosmetology. To date, Bravehearts has funded around 40 scholarships.
Taylor Boykins says a lot is put on women in business.
“They keep piling it up, she said. But sometimes you have to say, ‘Yes, I can do that for you but not now.’”
Taylor Boykins is also on the West Bloomfield Planning Commission and sits on the West Bloomfield Library’s Board of Directors.
Irish
from page 16A
the stage with my teammates and friends again,” Wallace said in an email. Tickets for “An Irish Nutcracker,” which range in price from $27.25 to $48.25, can be purchased at mcmorran.com/events/an-irish-nutcracker-4. Also, those interested in volunteering for the performance and who have some experience with hair, makeup, costuming or stage setup may contact Hillary Snook at hillarysnook715@gmail.com.
“This has been an amazing experience,” Snook said in a press release. “Our amazing cast this year has put in so much work and I can’t wait to see them all perform on show day!”
Call Staff Writer Sarah Wright at (586) 498-1068.
COMMUNITY CALENDAR
NOV. 13
‘Night Lighting Magic’: Presented by Shelby Gardeners Club, hear from Sue Grubba of Creative Scapes about illuminating gardens and pathways, 1-2 p.m., Burgess-Shadbush Nature Center, 4101 River Bends Drive in Shelby Township, (586) 873-3782
Turkeys and Touchdowns luncheon: Dress in Lions gear and hear speaker from Detroit Historical Society discuss home team during traditional Thanksgiving lunch, 11 a.m. (doors at 10:30 a.m.), Shelby Township Activities Center, 14975 21 Mile Road, registration required, (586) 739-7540, seniors@shelbytwp.org, shelbytwp.org
NOV. 15
Mom-to-mom sale: 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Shelby Township Activities Center, 14975 21 Mile Road, shelbytwp.org
NOV. 16
Wedding garage sale: Shop for gently-used decor, dresses, accessories, signage, centerpieces and more, 1-4 p.m., Packard Proving Grounds, 49965 Van Dyke Ave. in Shelby Township, packardprovinggrounds.org, (586) 739-4800
NOV. 19
‘Three Needles and Suture’: Play about Bertha Van Hoosen, her sister and niece and their roles in medicine, society and more, 7-8:30 p.m., Shelby Township Library, 52610 Van Dyke Ave., (586) 739-7414, shelbylib.events.mylibrary.digital
NOV. 20
Watch ‘A Minecraft Movie’: Kids must be accompanied by caregiver, 6-7:45 p.m., Shelby Township Library, 52610 Van Dyke Ave., free but registration required, (586) 739-7414, shelbylib.events.mylibrary. digital
page 3A
The day before the trial, the first of the six defendants — Romeo Jaquez Osorio, 25 — pleaded guilty to all eight of his charges: carjacking and armed robbery, and conspiracy to those two charges; as well as torture and conspiracy to commit first-degree home invasion, and unlawful imprisonment and conspiracy to commit unlawful imprisonment, according to court documents. Under an agreement, his prison term will be capped at 10 years when he is sentenced Jan. 7.
Three other suspects — Angel Andujar-Ruiz, Angel Pantoja, Renado Coleman — are scheduled for pretrial conferences. Pantoja has a pretrial conference Nov. 26,
NOV. 22
Charity craft show: Also baked goods, benefits Neighbors United (nonprofit assists firefighters battling cancer), 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Disabled American Veterans Chapter #129, 47326 Dequindre Road in Shelby Township, free admission but donations appreciated, (248) 565-6357, kathyandmichellescreations@yahoo. com, walkforthered.org
NOV. 23
‘How The Packard Proving Grounds Was Saved’: Presentation by John MacArthur about his committee’s 2 1/2 year negotiation and eventual agreement with Ford Motor Land Development Corporation, 1-2 p.m., Packard Proving Grounds, 49965 Van Dyke Ave. in Shelby Township, Historical Speaker Series continues in 2026 with “Ocean to Ocean in a Model T” Feb. 8, (586) 739-4800, packardprovinggrounds.org/allevents/historical-speaker-series
DEC. 5
Shelby Township Christmas Aglow: Includes tree lighting, horse-drawn wagon rides, reindeer, holiday music, visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus, and more, 6-9 p.m., Shelby Township Civic Center Campus, 52700 Van Dyke Ave., shelbytwp.org/our-township/christmas
DEC. 7
Holiday concert: Performance by Symphonia Chorale, 3 p.m., Romeo United Methodist Church, 280 N. Main St., concerts continue May 1 and 3, mcintyrejkm@ yahoo.com, symphoniachorale.weebly.com
ONGOING
Fall art show and sale: Presented by Shelby Township Fine Art Society, 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays until Nov. 24, Shelby Township Library, 52610 Van Dyke Ave., group also hosts meetings from 6:30-9 p.m. every second
Andujar-Ruiz will appear in court Dec. 8 and Coleman is scheduled for Dec. 15.
Prosecutors said a sixth suspect is in Florida facing federal charges.
In a prepared statement Macomb County Prosecutor Peter J. Lucido said the Prosecutor’s Office will continue to pursue and prosecute each individual alleged to have been involved in this case “to the fullest extent of the law.”
“We will work tirelessly to ensure that those who break the law are held accountable,” Lucido said in a prepared statement.
Gardner’s attorney, Daniel N. Garon, declined to comment. Osorio’s attorney, Joshua Van Laan, could not be reached for comment at press time.
Call Staff Writer Mary Beth Almond at (586) 498-1060.
To view more Community Calendar and to submit your own event, use the QR code or visit candgnews.com/calendar. To advertise an event, call (586) 498-8000.
Wednesday of month through June, Shelby Township Activities Center, 14975 21 Mile Road, (586) 243-2056
Feeding Time: Learn about and see what animals eat, 1-2 p.m. Saturdays, Nature Center at Stony Creek Metropark, 4300 Main Park Road in Shelby Township, metroparks.com/events
Tour Packard Proving Grounds: Free for individuals (45-minute sessions) and small or large groups (60 minutes), 49965 Van Dyke Ave. in Shelby Township, sign up for time slot at packardprovinggrounds.org/ visit/#tour
Shelby Writers’ Group meetings: 6:30 p.m. Thursdays, Shelby Township Library, 52610 Van Dyke Ave., (586) 739-7414
Monthly book clubs: Evening Book Club meets 6:30 p.m. every second Tuesday, Mystery Book Club meets 10:30 a.m. every second Saturday and Afternoon Book Club meets 1 p.m. every third Thursday, Shelby Township Library, 52610 Van Dyke Ave., also Not Your Parents’ Book Club meets 7 p.m. every last Tuesday, 22nd Street Steakhouse, 48900 Van Dyke Ave. in Shelby Township, www.shelbytwp.org/government/ departments/library
• 11 a.m.-noon every first Friday, Utica Public Library, 7530 Auburn Road, uticalibrary.com
Open mic nights: Hosted by Shelby Music Society, 7 p.m. (doors at 6:30 p.m.) every second Saturday of month, Shelby Township Activities Center, 14975 21 Mile Road, shelbymusic society@yahoo.com
Widowed Friends events: Breakfasts at 10:30 a.m.
Editor: David Wallace | (586) 498-1053 | dwallace@candgnews.com
Reporters: Mary Beth Almond | (586) 498-1060 | malmond@candgnews.com Sarah Wright| (586) 498-1068 | swright@candgnews.com
Sports: Scott Bentley | (586) 498-1090 | sports@candgnews.com
Artroom: (586) 498-1036 | ads@candgnews.com
every third Tuesday of month, Pancake Factory, 13693 23 Mile Road in Shelby Township, RSVP to Ellen at (586) 489-2569, widowedfriends.com
• Cards, games and fellowship every fourth Friday of month, bring snack to share and own beverage, noon3 p.m., St. Therese of Lisieux, 48115 Schoenherr Road in Shelby Township, also lunch/dinner TBD, RSVP to Victoria at (586) 566-7936, widowedfriends.com
• Games from 1:30-3:30 p.m. every first Thursday of month, bring snack to share, Ss. John and Paul Parish, 7777 W. 28 Mile Road in Washington Township, RSVP to Ellen at (586) 489-2569, widowedfriends.com
Symphonia Chorale rehearsals: 7-9 p.m. Tuesdays, St. John Lutheran Church, 246 Benjamin St. in Romeo, concerts scheduled for Dec. 5 and 7 and May 1 and 3, mcintyrejkm@yahoo.com, symphoniachorale.weebly.com
Confident Communicators Club meetings: Bi-weekly meetups to improve public speaking and leadership skills, 8:15-9:30 a.m. every first and third Wednesdays of month, on Zoom or in person at Shelby Gardens, 50265 Van Dyke Ave. in Shelby Township, vpm@ confidentcommunicatorsclub.com, www.confident communicatorsclub.toastmastersclubs.org
Bereaved Parents of Macomb Support Group: Also for grandparents and siblings, meets 7-9 p.m. every first Thursday of month, Washington Senior Center, 57880 Van Dyke Ave. in Washington Township, (248) 953-5970, bpmacombleader@gmail.com
Washington Art Guild: Meets 6:30-9 p.m. every first Monday of month, Romeo Community Center, 361 Morton St. in Washington Township, (586) 752-3721, bonwrite1@att.net, find group on Facebook
Sunday | (586) 498-1073 | msunday@candgnews.com Karen Bozimowski | (586) 498-1032 | kboz@candgnews.com Legals and Obits: (586) 498-1099 Classifieds: For ad rates (586) 498-8100
The frst report card can be a wake-up call — and that’s okay. If math grades weren’t what you hoped for, Mathnasium is here to help turn things around.
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Permanent full-time Utility Worker position, $48,484 - $64,230 annually (40 Hours per week) includes benefit package. Successful completion of Civil Service Examination is required, and applicants must meet all requirements set forth in the Employees Civil Service Ordinance, possession of a valid Michigan driver’s license and a good driving record. Pre-employment background investigation and substance abuse testing is required. Interested, applicants must submit application to the Clinton Township Employees Civil Service Commission, 40700 Romeo Plank Rd., Clinton Twp., MI 48038 on or before the close of business, Tuesday, December 2, 2025. The Charter Township of Clinton is an Equal Opportunity Employer, applicants are considered for all positions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, or disability. For further information pertaining to this position or to download employment application please refer to www.clintontownship.com, click on employment.
JATC for the Pipefitters, Steamfitters, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Service Local Union #636 of the United Association will be accepting applications for our Construction Apprenticeship beginning December 1st, 2025, through
at https://www.pipefitters636tc.org
collected when submitting your application online. You MUST schedule a test at this time for your application to be accepted. This is a drug free Program. An individual tentatively selected for entrance into the Program after testing and interview will be required to submit to a drug test, which will include testing for marijuana. The Pipefitting Industry Training Center is located at 636 Executive Drive in Troy, MI between John R. and Dequindre north of E. 14 mile Road. PH: 248-585-0636 No resumes please. For more information please contact our web site at: https://www.pipefitters636tc.org
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Driver hits cyclist
GROSSE POINTE CITY — A 36-year-old Grosse Pointe City man was arrested after he reportedly hit a cyclist in the area of Kercheval Avenue and Washington Road at 5 p.m. Oct. 17. Police said the driver didn’t have a valid license. The cyclist sustained minor injuries during the crash. The suspect was cited and then released, a police report states.
Man leaves without paying for massage
GROSSE POINTE FARMS — A 31-year-old Detroit man was facing possible charges after reportedly booking a massage at a business in the 18000 block of Mack Avenue Oct. 16 and then leaving without paying the $50 he owed for his massage. The suspect is said in a police report to have exited the business quickly and was last seen walking westbound on Mack Avenue. Police said they know who the suspect is because he booked the massage under his own name.
Intoxicated driver flees crash scene
GROSSE POINTE WOODS — Police who responded to a crash scene in the 2200 block of Hollywood Avenue at midnight Oct. 24 said that the driver involved in the crash fled as they arrived. Officers followed the driver, who they said eventually stopped in the area of Ridgemont Road and Harper Avenue in Harper Woods. According to a police report, the driver — a 36-year-old St. Clair Shores woman — smelled of alcohol, had glassy and bloodshot eyes, and had difficulty speaking and explaining what happened, leading police to believe she was intoxicated. Police said the driver was “belligerent and difficult” with them and admitted having had “a little” to drink that evening at a club. She refused to take any field sobriety tests — including a preliminary breath test — so she was arrested for operating under the influence of alcohol and a warrant was obtained to have her blood drawn at a local hospital to determine her blood alcohol content. Police said the driver remained belligerent during her visit to the hospital, being “combative” with hospital and security staff.
Another larceny from Ram truck reported GROSSE POINTE PARK — In what has been a string of similar larcenies throughout the Grosse Pointes, an unknown person is said in a police report to have removed the infotainment system from a 2024 Ram pickup truck while it was parked in a driveway in the 600 block of Middlesex Road between the hours of 3:30 p.m. and 5:45 p.m. Oct. 17. The infotainment system is valued at $1,000, police said.
Wheel and tire theft reported
ST. CLAIR SHORES — At 7:33 a.m. on Oct. 17, a theft of wheels and tires was reported in the 20000 block of Eight Mile Road.
The victim, a 56-year-old woman, stated she parked her vehicle in the apartment parking lot the previous afternoon. She went out that morning at around 6:50 a.m. to place items in her vehicle and noticed it was leaning. Closer inspection revealed all four of her tires and rims were taken off and the vehicle now sat on cinder blocks. The vehicle was locked and showed no sign of entry. At the time, the victim didn’t know how much it would cost to replace them.
Retail fraud reported
ST. CLAIR SHORES — At 7:20 a.m. on Oct. 17, a case of retail fraud was reported in the 22000 block of Harper Avenue.
An officer responded to a retail fraud in progress and was told a man was seen stuffing liquor bottles in his pants. The officer and a sergeant went to the bathroom where the man was last seen and heard inside. The man exited the bathroom where the officer told him to raise his hands and place them on the wall. Two liquor bottles were found in his drawstring backpack. The man was homeless and arrested for retail fraud.
He was taken into custody without incident. The stolen booze was valued at around $22.13.
Truck stolen from apartment complex
SHELBY TOWNSHIP — A police officer from Shelby Township was dispatched to the 45000 block of Spring Lane, the Spring Hill Apartments, near West Utica and Ryan roads, for a stolen vehicle at 1:34 a.m. Oct. 24. The officer met with the owner of the vehicle, who stated he last saw the car parked in the parking lot of the apartment complex. The owner stated he still had both sets of keys for the vehicle, a silver 2016 Ram pickup truck. The vehicle was entered into a police database as stolen. Detectives were investigating.
ID theft reported
SHELBY TOWNSHIP — A woman came into the Shelby Township Police Department to make an identity theft report at 1:37 p.m. Oct. 23. She had received a letter in the mail from Wells Fargo advising that a new account had been opened in her deceased husband’s name. The woman completed a credit check and found that there were several attempts at ID theft using her deceased husband’s Social Security number. The report was documented and the woman did not want any police action.
Domestic assault investigated
SHELBY TOWNSHIP — Police officers from Shelby Township were dispatched to the 45000 block of Utica Green West, near Mound and West Utica roads, for a domestic assault at 2:45 a.m. Oct. 18. The caller advised dispatch that his girlfriend had assaulted him before leaving the apartment. The caller said the woman slapped him at a bar in Royal Oak, according to police. After the man asked the woman to come to his apartment so she could get some belongings back, the man said the woman walked up to him again and slapped him across the face, scratched his neck and ripped his shirt. The officers on the scene attempted to make contact and have the woman return to the scene, but she refused to come back. The case was being reviewed for charges by the Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office.
Discarded Jeep
MACOMB TOWNSHIP — On Oct. 11 at around 6:10 a.m., Macomb County Sheriff’s Office deputies were called to the area of Hidden Meadows Drive and 21 Mile Road for an unoccupied Jeep in the road.
The owners of the Jeep, a 38-year-old woman and 43-year-old man living in the 22200 block of Woodlake Drive, had left the car in their driveway with the doors unlocked and keys inside.
Camera footage from the neighborhood shows the Jeep with a black SUV at around 1:45 a.m. that morning. The driver of the Jeep was seen exiting it and entering the SUV before leaving.
The Jeep owners indicated they wished to press charges.
Stolen Ford
MACOMB TOWNSHIP — On Oct. 9 at around 6:40 a.m., Macomb County Sheriff’s Office deputies spoke with a 38-year-old Macomb Township man about his stolen car.
The man told deputies that he parked his Ford SUV outside of his home in the 17600 block of Hilldale Drive the prior evening, leaving a set of keys in the car. The car was noticed missing in the morning.
Security camera footage showed two people gaining access to the car overnight and driving away. Trackers on the car placed it in the 1500 block of Wayburn Street in Detroit.
Stolen Jeep
MACOMB TOWNSHIP — While following up on a report of a suspicious person checking door handles on cars at around 3:40 a.m. on Oct. 9, Macomb County Sheriff’s Office deputies spotted speeding vehicles traveling west along 21 Mile Road toward Interstate 94.
PACKARD PROVING GROUNDS HOSTS WEDDING GARAGE SALE NOV. 16
SHELBY TOWNSHIP — The Packard Proving Grounds Historic Site will host its next wedding garage sale from 1 to 4 p.m. Nov. 16. The sale will give couples the opportunity to resell décor from their special day while offering shoppers the chance to find unique wedding items at a fraction of retail cost.
DETROIT ZOO WILD LIGHTS BEGINS IN NOVEMBER
Jeep Wagoneer, by visiting the owner’s residence in the 48500 block of Park Place Drive. The owner, a 33-year-old Macomb Township man, said his wife last drove the Wagoneer and left keys in the car. Another Jeep at the residence appeared to have been rummaged through.
Tracking information from the Wagoneer indicated it was out of gas in the 19300 block of Hershey Street in Detroit.
Theft from trailer
MACOMB TOWNSHIP — On Oct. 8 at around 1:15 p.m., Macomb County Sheriff’s Office deputies were called to the 20100 block of 23 Mile Road for a larceny report.
Deputies spoke with a 53-year-old Macomb Township man who found his trailer’s lock cut and several items — a Honda generator, Yamaha ATV, some tools and a toolbox — were stolen. The man said he would like to press charges if a suspect is identified.
Misplaced mail
MACOMB TOWNSHIP — On Oct. 7 at around 10:50 a.m., Macomb County Sheriff’s Office deputies spoke with an 84-year-old Macomb Township man about a misplaced letter. The man’s son received a letter from the Secretary of State on Oct. 6 for a commercial driver’s license for a 43-year-old Macomb Township man. The 84-year-old gave the letter to deputies, who brought it to the 43-year-old’s home.
Loose dog MOUNT CLEMENS — On Oct. 16 at around mid-
Damaged door HARRISON TOWNSHIP — On Oct. 14 at around 1:30 p.m., Macomb County Sheriff’s Office deputies were called to the 37900
Couples who were married at the Packard Proving Grounds may participate at no cost. All other couples will pay a $25 fee for a selling space. These are not traditional vendors, but couples reselling items from their own celebrations — everything from table décor and signage to large mirrors, arches and floral arrangements.
“This event gives our couples more than just a way to pass along their décor,” Packard Proving Grounds Executive Director Mary Anne Demo said in a press release. “It’s also an opportunity to connect with other Packard couples and share experiences — what worked well, which vendors they used, or advice they’d offer for planning a wedding at our site.”
The sale is open to the public, with $1 admission for shoppers. For more information, visit PackardProvingGrounds. org/NovemberWeddingGarageSale.
REPRESENTATIVE INTRODUCES RESOLUTION TO HONOR DETROIT RED WINGS’ 100TH SEASON
UTICA/SHELBY TOWNSHIP — On Oct. 22, state Rep. Ron Robinson,
R-Utica, introduced a resolution in the Michigan House of Representatives to commemorate the Detroit Red Wings on their 100th season in the National Hockey League.
“For a century, the Detroit Red Wings have been a proud part of Michigan’s identity,” Robinson said in a press release. “Their legacy of hard work, determination, and perseverance reflects the values we hold, not just in Detroit, but across every corner of our state.”
The franchise was founded in 1926 and has evolved from the Detroit Cougars to the Red Wings. The resolution highlights Red Wings
milestones like the team’s 11 Stanley Cup championships as well as more than 3,000 total wins and more than 1,000 players who have worn the winged wheel. It also honors the team’s charitable contributions through the Detroit Red Wings Foundation, which has supported youth programs and community initiatives across Michigan.
“The Red Wings represent more than just championships,” Robinson said in a press release. “They represent community, tradition, and pride in where we come from. Generations of Michiganders have grown up watching this team and wearing that Winged Wheel with pride. Their story is part of our story.”
