COUPLE WINS FREE WEDDING FROM MACRAY HARBOR / 5A
Trustees weigh in on court funding
BY DEAN VAGLIA dvaglia@candgnews.com
CLINTON TOWNSHIP — Trustees gave their approval to the 41B District Court’s 2026 budget at the board’s Nov. 17 meeting, but it was not without comment.
Represented by Chief Judge Sebastian Lucido, the court will operate with about $4.6 million in revenues and expenses with no change to its $1.15 million fund balance. The board had no initial comments on the budget, but a question from Treasurer Mike Aiello led to discussion on how the court’s debts could be paid off.
Aiello brought up the matter of a Clinton Township Police Department traffic division as a way to bring funds in, though implementing such a thing would be easier said than done.
“I think what needs to be recognized here (is that) in our heyday with the police department, we had 113 officers; now we’re down to 94,” Trustee Bruce Wade said. “You have to realize that if you were to take some of those 94 off the road and dedicate them to a specialized unit like traffic — being that we’re down 20 people from our heyday — you’re going to really lose response time. The first priority of the Police Department is to respond to emergency calls. A traffic bureau would be nice. It’s a luxury.”
BY ALYSSA OCHSS aochss@candgnews.com
FRASER — On Nov. 12, Fraser officials, staff from the Detroit Institute of Arts and other guests unveiled a new mural on the side of the Senior Activity Center.
The mural, called “Unity Garden,” was in part of the DIA’s Partners in Pub-
lic Art program. The program has placed murals in communities since 2018 as a vehicle for community engagement. A different artist creates each mural. There are also murals located in Harrison Township, Detroit, Rochester, Center Line and so many more communities.
Fraser Parks and Recreation Coordinator Chris Delmege said it was a great experience
NEW MURAL UNVEILED IN FRASER
Photos by Patricia O’Blenes
Fraser Mayor Michael Lesich and artist Chelsea Hensergen stand in front of the mural at the Senior Activity Center.
Our next edition will come to homes Dec. 10. Stay current by visiting candgnews.com.
BY DEAN VAGLIA dvaglia@candgnews.com
There are not many traditions that have been running for 50 years, but the Mount Clemens Santa Parade is one of them.
Expected to step off on Saturday, Nov. 22, after the Chronicle went to press, Parade President Erik Rick says parade planners aimed to bring the same fun and cheer attendees have come to expect from the past half decade of holiday festivities.
“I don’t think anything will (be different this year), and I think that’s the beauty of it,” said Rick, who is a Mount Clemens city commissioner and an experienced volunteer of the parade. “It’s not supposed to. It’s supposed to be a continuation of a
Santa Parade good as gold for 50th running
decades-long tradition. The lineup looks like it will be comparable to prior years … It’s a great milestone to hit, but also (the Santa Parade is) the kind of thing that’s going to keep going for another 50 years no matter what. So we’re just celebrating the milestone and continuing on.”
Santa’s route through the city was expected to go down Main Street starting from Church Street and moving north to Clinton Street. Leading Santa in the procession were a planned 90-plus groups including the Mount Clemens Fire Department, Macomb County government officials and the Macomb County Sheriff’s Office, marching bands from around the region and various Scouting troops, civil organizations, veterans groups and more. Those looking to meet with the man in the red hat were
Biernat reappointed, reflects on career and talks about future
BY BRIAN WELLS bwells@candgnews.com
MACOMB COUNTY — Since taking the bench in 2011, Macomb County Chief Judge James Biernat has been involved in a number of memorable cases.
Biernat See SANTA PARADE on page 17A
In 2013, he saw a jury find Daniel Daniels guilty of physically and sexually abusing his two daughters. And in 2023, he saw a jury reach an almost $10 million settlement against Henry Ford Macomb Hospital after a jury found that a 41-year-old woman died after her surgical wound infection wasn’t properly treated by a doctor.
“That stood out because I’ve never had a jury award almost $10 million, and I don’t think there has been a jury verdict in Macomb County over $10 million,” Biernat said.
Biernat also recalls presiding over the case of “The Backpage Murders,” a series of killings committed by James Brown in Macomb County in 2014.
Brown killed four women he met through an adult website, backpage.com, and stuffed their bodies into car trunks. The trial, Biernat said, took over a month. In the end, Brown continually refused to attend the sentencing.
See BIERNAT on page 13A
Santa and Mrs. Claus wave to Mount Clemens Santa Parade attendees at a recent parade.
File photo by Deb Jacques
NEW FACES, TITLES FOR CLINTONDALE BOARD
CLINTON TOWNSHIP — As of its Oct. 14 meeting, the Clintondale Community Schools Board of Education has been shuffled around.
Trustee Jared Maynard was voted 5-1 to serve as the board’s new president. It is the second time Maynard has served as board president since being elected to the board in November 2022.
“I am committed to moving this Board and the district forward,” Maynard said via press release. “We have a lot of hard work ahead, but we are all committed to making sure that everything we do is for the students of Clintondale to prepare them for their future.”
Ava McDowell was appointed in a 4-2 vote to fill a vacancy created by the September resignation of then-Board President Felicia Kaminski. McDowell was unanimously voted to be board secretary on Oct. 27. McDowell currently serves as academic coordinator for Oakland University’s Project Upward Bound College Prep Academy where she develops curriculum, manages instructional staff and mentors students preparing for college.
Current Trustees Barry Powers and Lisa Valerio-Nowc were respectively elected treasurer and vice president.
Clinton Township Kiwanis taking part in ‘Wreaths Across America’
CLINTON TOWNSHIP — The Clinton Township Kiwanis Club is taking part in Wreaths Across America by laying wreaths on the graves of veterans at Resurrection Cemetery in Clinton Township on Saturday, Dec. 13.
One of the largest Wreaths Across America events in Michigan, the Dec. 13 event will have Brig. Gen. Leah Voelker, base commander of Selfridge Air National Guard Base, serving as the keynote speaker. State Rep. Joe Aragona, R-Clinton Township, will emcee.
Those looking to support the event by funding wreaths can reach out to Kerry Jantz at (586) 610-3511 or Barry Burnham at (586) 703-4435.
PAC-MAN is out for blood
METRO DETROIT — The video icon PAC-MAN is helping the American Red Cross. The nonprofit organization has teamed up with Bandai Namco Entertainment America Inc., to recruit blood donors. Anyone who donates blood until Dec. 7 will receive a classic pair of Red Cross x PAC-MAN socks and a one-of-a-kind PAC-MAN Gashapan collectible, both while supplies last.
Donors of all blood types are needed. To make a blood donation, visit RedCrossBlood.org, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, or call (800) RED CROSS. See RedCrossBlood.org/PACMAN for additional details.
PAC-MAN is celebrating its 45-year anniversary this year.
Clinton-Macomb Township Public library hosting December events
CLINTON TOWNSHIP/MACOMB TOWNSHIP — For a final time in 2025, the Clinton-Macomb Public Library is hosting events across its three branches throughout the month of December.
The month kicks off at the South Branch, located at 35679 South Gratiot Avenue in Clinton Township, with a lesson in using Ancestry Library Edition to make family trees on Wednesday, Dec. 3 at 6:30 p.m. The South Branch will also play host to Santa Claus on Thursday, Dec. 11 at 6:30 p.m.
The North Branch, located at 54100 Broughton Road in Macomb Township, will host family yoga on Saturday, Dec. 13 at 11 a.m.
The Main Library, located at 40900 Romeo Plank Road in Clinton Township, will host a winter-themed playtime program for toddlers and preschoolers ages 2-5 and their caregivers on Monday, Dec. 8 at 10 a.m. Teens and tweens are also invited to the Main Library for a winter lantern craft project on Wednesday, Dec. 17 at 6 p.m. and a retro game night on Thursday, Dec. 18 at 6 p.m. For the full list of events at all CMPL locations, go to cmpl.org.
Donating blood takes about an hour, including talking to a health official about your medical history to ensure you are a good candidate. Blood transfusions are given to patients in a wide range of circumstances, including serious injuries such as car crashes, surgeries, child birth, anemia, blood disorders, cancer treatments and more.
Through the end of November, the Red Cross is providing free A1C testing, commonly used to screen for prediabetes and diabetes. The test measures an individual’s blood sugar level over the past three months. While no fasting is required for the test, blood donors should eat a nutritious meal ahead of their appointment. To receive A1C results, donors must make a successful blood, platelet or plasma donation and have not received an A1C result with their donation in the past 12 months.
MICHIGAN RESIDENTS TRAVEL FOR TURKEY
DEARBORN — According to AAA, more than 2.6 million Michiganders are expected to travel at least 50 miles from home during the Thanksgiving holiday period, from Nov. 25 to Dec. 1. This marks a 1.4% increase over last year and sets a new record for Thanksgiving travel in the Great Lakes State.
AAA predicts about 2.3 million Michigan residents will travel by car and 224,600 will travel by airplane. Around 80,000 people will reach their destination by other means, including bus, train or a cruise.
According to INRIX, Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons will be the most congested travel times before Thanksgiving. Heavy traffic is expected all day Sunday as travelers return home. AAA recommends leaving early and staying alert for construction, crashes, or weather delays. Remember to slow down and move over for emergency responders and stopped vehicles.
Founded in 2004, INRIX pioneered intelligent mobility solutions by transforming big data from connected devices and vehicles into mobility insights.
Compiled by Dean Vaglia and Maria Allard
CONGRATULATIONS! COUPLE
BY ALYSSA OCHSS aochss@candgnews.com
HARRISON TOWNSHIP — Through hardship and long distance, this couple has stayed together. The icing on the cake? They won a free wedding at MacRay Harbor in Harrison Township.
Haley Grooms and James Pratt, who goes by Riley, were informed they won the wedding around six months ago and have been planning for their Nov. 21 wedding date ever since.
A press release tells their story.
Grooms worked three jobs while completing a degree at the University of Michigan. The release stated she faced extreme financial and personal hardship when she met Pratt.
“After losing her late partner in a tragic accident, Haley never imagined she would love again — until a chance encounter with James rekindled her hope,” the release stated. “Their relationship has since endured long deployments, time apart, and countless sacrifices, yet their devotion never wavered. When James proposed on their anniversary at the Detroit Riverfront, the couple began planning their dream day — only to be met with the news of another deployment just months later.”
MacRay Harbor partnered with Elite Wedding Co., Viviano Flower Shop, Christine’s Cakes and Pastries, and Ackerman & Co. to give the couple a wedding. Kelli Matthes, MacRay Harbor sales manager, will officiate the wedding.
Pratt has been in the United States Navy for around seven years. He and Grooms said they met at a bar. Pratt got a ride from Grooms,
See WEDDING on page 18A
Haley Grooms and James Pratt won a free wedding from MacRay Harbor in Harrison Township.
Photo provided by MacRay Harbor
COMMUNITY CALENDAR
6A/ FRASER-CLINTON CHRONICLE • NOVEMBER 24, 2025
NOV. 26
Spaghetti dinner: 11:30 a.m.-7 p.m. (or until gone), Lt. Wood-Cpl. Reid VFW Post #6691, 17075 Anita Ave. in Fraser, continues every fourth Wednesday of month, (586) 899-9883
NOV. 28
‘Dog Man’ celebration: Includes crafts, games and comic-inspired fun for all ages, 10:30 a.m., ClintonMacomb Public Library - Main Branch, 40700 Romeo Plank Road in Clinton Township, (586) 226-5020, cmpl.libnet.info/events
NOV. 29
Model train show: Geared toward hobbyists but public welcome, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Packard Proving Grounds, 49965 Van Dyke Ave. in Shelby Township, contact Mike at (248) 509-5540 or mikelj318@gmail.com, packardprovinggrounds.org/trainshow
Craft and vendor show: Also food and drinks, 50-50, bake sale and raffle, free admission, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. (Santa visit from noon-2 p.m.), Macomb Elks Lodge #2292, 25950 Schoenherr Road in Warren, (586) 873-7188, ksanti01@yahoo.com
NOV. 30
‘A Merry Rockin’ Christmas’: Hear Michael Cavanaugh perform classic and modern holiday hits along with pop and rock songs from Billy Joel, Elton John and more, 3 p.m., Macomb Center for the Performing Arts on Macomb Community College - Center Campus, 44575 Garfield Road in Clinton Township, (586) 2862222, macombcenter.com
DEC. 3
Start family tree: Learn using Ancestry Library Edition, 6:30 p.m., Clinton-Macomb Public Library - South Branch, 35679 S. Gratiot Ave. in Clinton Township, register at (586) 226-5073, cmpl.libnet.info/events
DEC. 5
Recycled Percussion: Interactive performance features comedy, music, unique staging and drumming, “junk rock band” took third place on season four of “America’s Got Talent,” 7:30 p.m., Macomb Center for
the Performing Arts on Macomb Community College - Center Campus, 44575 Garfield Road in Clinton Township, (586) 286-2222, macombcenter.com
DEC. 6
Christmas Aglow: Includes tree lighting, visits with Santa, cookies and cocoa, music and more, 6 p.m., Clinton Township Civic Center gazebo and Senior Center, 40700 Romeo Plank Road, free but donations of nonperishable foods appreciated, facebook.com/ myctpr
Christmas in Fraser: Features tree lighting with Santa and Mayor Michael Lesich, performances by Fraser High School marching band, Encore Dance Centre and Sunshine Fire Entertainment, live ice sculpting, polar plunge, petting zoo, fire pits and s’mores, and more, 5:30-8 p.m., Fraser City Hall, 33000 Garfield Road, macombgov.org/event/christmas-fraser-youre-invited
Holiday bazaar: Also raffles and photos with Santa, 1-3 p.m., Rose Senior Living Facility, 44003 Partridge Creek Blvd. in Clinton Township, (248) 513-8877
‘My Mother’s Italian, My Father’s Jewish and I’m Home for the Holidays’: One-man comedy show by Steve Solomon, 3 p.m., Macomb Center for the Performing Arts on Macomb Community College - Center Campus, 44575 Garfield Road in Clinton Township, (586) 286-2222, macombcenter.com
Christmas on the Frontier: Participate in historically accurate games and activities and learn how early European settlers celebrated holiday, 1-5 p.m., also photos with Santa, 2-4 p.m., plus live music, traditional dances and carols with Too Happy Voyageurs, Burgess-Shadbush Nature Center, 4101 River Bends Drive in Shelby Township, (586) 323-2478, shelbytwp. org/our-township/christmas
DEC. 7
Holiday concert: Performance by Macomb Symphony Orchestra, 3 p.m., Macomb Center for the Performing Arts on Macomb Community College - Center Campus, 44575 Garfield Road in Clinton Township, (586) 2862222, macombcenter.com
DEC. 7 & 14
‘Joy To The World’ concert: Performances by Metropolitan Detroit Chorale and North Oakland Concert Band, 4 p.m. Dec. 7, Christ the Redeemer Catholic Church, 2700 Waldon Road in Lake Orion, and 4 p.m. Dec. 14, Fraser High School, 34270 Garfield Road, (586) 792-7464, metropolitandetroitchorale.org
DEC. 11
Visit Santa: Also crafts and photo opportunites, 6:30 p.m., Clinton-Macomb Public Library - South Branch, 35679 S. Gratiot Ave. in Clinton Township, register at (586) 226-5073, cmpl.libnet.info/events
DEC. 14
Christmas Big Give: Free gifts for Macomb County families in need, noon, Lakeside Assembly of God, 46155 Schoenherr Road in Shelby Township, register or volunter at lakesideag.org/biggive, (586) 7261120
DEC. 18
Retro game night: For ages 8-12, 6 p.m., ClintonMacomb Public Library - Main Branch, 40700 Romeo Plank Road in Clinton Township, register at (586) 226-5030, cmpl.libnet.info/events
DEC. 19-21
‘The Nutcracker’: Performance by Macomb Ballet Company, 7 p.m. Dec. 19, 1 and 7 p.m. Dec. 20, and noon and 5 p.m. Dec. 21, also sensory-friendly performance at 1 p.m. Dec. 19, Macomb Center for the Performing Arts on Macomb Community CollegeCenter Campus, 44575 Garfield Road in Clinton Township, (586) 286-2222, plus holiday lunch and sweets, story time with Clara, themed craft, meet-and-greet and photos with characters, and keepsake or party favor during “The Nutcracker Tea,” 11 a.m. Dec. 20, Lorenzo Cultural Center on Macomb Community College - Center Campus, 44575 Garfield Road in Clinton Township, (586) 445-7348, macombcenter.com
ONGOING
Santa photos: Select times and dates until Dec. 24, also bring dogs Dec. 1-7, The Mall at Partridge Creek, 17420 Hall Road in Clinton Township, (586) 2260330, shoppartridgecreek.com/events
Medicare open enrollment assistance: Macomb County residents 60 and older can meet with trained counselor, must be current Medicare beneficiary, bring medications and Medicare card, 9 a.m.-1:15 p.m. Tuesdays-Thursdays until Dec. 7, VerKuilen Building, 21885 Dunham Road (Suite 9) in Clinton Township, make appointment at (586) 469-5228, macombgov. org/seniors
Widowed Friends breakfasts: 10:30 a.m. every second Monday of month, Big Boy, 16880 Hall Road in Clinton Township, RSVP to Victoria at (586) 566-7936, widowedfriends.com
Macomb County Quilt Guild meetings: 7 p.m. (fellowship at 6 p.m.) every first Monday of month through June (second Monday if holiday), Trinity Lutheran Church, 38900 Harper Ave. in Clinton Township, macombcountyquiltguild.org
Live entertainment: 9 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, Great Baraboo Brewing Co., 35905 Utica Road in Clinton Township, (586) 792-7397, greatbaraboo.com
Book clubs: Find meetups about historic American figures (Presidential Book Club), solving cases (Mysteries & Munchies), quiet reading for adults and kids (Silent Book Club and Silent Book Club Jr), and recipes and sharing dishes (Cookbook Club), Fraser Public Library, 15260 15 Mile Road, (586) 293-2055, fraserpubliclibrary.org
Men overcoming loss ofpartner/spouse meetings: 6-7:30 p.m. every third Tuesday of month, virtual and in person, Hospice of Michigan, 39531 Garfield Road in Clinton Township, wlawton@hom.org, (586) 263-8514
Holiday Art Market: Find handmade gifts and seasonal decor (including some by young entrepreneurs), also see solo exhibit “Mary’s Garden” with 40-plus floral watercolors by Mary R. Hartman, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sundays and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays (closed Mondays and Nov. 26-27) until Dec. 21, Anton Art Center, 125 Macomb Place in Mount Clemens, theartcenter.org, read story at candgnews.com
See CALENDAR on page 9A
Detroit Historical Museum opens new Red Wings centennial exhibition
BY SCOTT BENTLEY sbentley@candgnews.com
DETROIT — The Detroit Historical Museum opened the Detroit Red Wings at 100: Becoming Hockeytown exhibition to the public on Nov. 20.
The exhibition features artifacts from the Detroit Historical Society’s collection, the Red Wings’ archives and from the Hockey Hall of Fame.
“It’s an honor to see a century of Red Wings history brought to life at the Detroit Historical Museum,” Ilitch Sports + Entertain-
ment Senior Vice President of Brand Marketing Asia Gholston said in a press release. “Every decade has its own defining moments, and this exhibit gives our fans a special opportunity to celebrate the passion, pride, and legacy that have defined 100 years of Red Wings hockey.”
Detroit Red Wings at 100: Becoming
Hockeytown will occupy parts of the City of Champions Gallery, the New Motor City Showcase and the Detroit Artist Showcase. The exhibition filling three different galleries at the museum is unique and highlights the team’s extensive history. See RED WINGS on page 9A
Gordie Howe’s and Steve Yzerman’s retired-number banners hang in the Detroit Historical Museum.
Photo provided by Sari Cicurel
TIME TO GET THE LAWN, 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 veg-
Photo provided by the Michigan State University Extension
Oakleaf hydrangea thrive and exude their brilliant colors well into November.
from page 6A
Ice skating: Open 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Sundays, noon-9 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays, noon-10 p.m. Fridays and 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturdays starting Dec. 1, Dodge Park Farmers Market Pavilion, 40620 Utica Road in Sterling Heights, (586) 446-2711 (weather hotline), see holiday hours and special events in 2026 at sterlingheights.gov/1650/dodge-park-ice-rink
Tunnel of Lights: 5-9 p.m. Dec. 6-31, Blossom Heath Park, 24800 Jefferson Ave. in St. Clair Shores, (586) 445-5350
Kid’s Club events at Macomb Mall: Storytime for ages 5 and younger, 10:30 a.m. every second Wednesday of month, held near Dick’s Sporting Goods, also arts and crafts for ages 12 and younger,
Red Wings
from page 7A
Visitors will see memorabilia and photos from Olympia Stadium and Joe Louis Arena, information and artifacts from players in Red Wings history, and history related to the team’s earlier names — the Detroit Falcons and the Detroit Cougars. There are also interactive parts of the exhibition, including flashing Joe Louis Arena lights and the sounds of the organ from Olympia Stadium.
Detroit Red Wings at 100: Becoming Hockeytown will be on display all season long. The Detroit Red Wings were an integral part in the development of the new exhibit, according to the press release from the Detroit Historical Society. The museum parking lot is available for $10 a day.
For more information on tickets, hours and the Detroit Historical Society. Visit detroithistorical.org.
Call Sports Writer Scott Bentley at (586) 498-1090.
Editor: Brian Louwers | (586) 498-1089 | brianlouwers@candgnews.com
Reporters: Dean Vaglia | (586) 498-1043 | dvaglia@candgnews.com
Alyssa Ochss | (586) 498-1103 | aochss@candgnews.com
Sports: Scott Bentley | (586) 498-1090 | sports@candgnews.com
Artroom: (586) 498-1036 | ads@candgnews.com
6-7 p.m. every fourth Tuesday of month (third Tuesday in December), near Old Navy, 32233 Gratiot Ave. in Roseville, shopmacombmall.com, rosevillelibrary.org
Eat Smart, Move More, Weigh Less: Virtual 15-week program presented by AgeWays Nonprofit Senior Services and led by registered dietitian nutritionist, free for first-time participants ages 60 and older, register at (833) 262-2200 or wellnessprograms@ageways. org, tinyurl.com/agewaysworkshops
Health workshops: Hosted by Corewell Health, free and virtual, corewellhealth.org/classes-events/ southeast-michigan
Lupus support groups: 10 a.m. every second Tuesday of month and 7 p.m. every last Wednesday of month, Zoom, (248) 901-7299, milupus.org/support-groups
To view more events and to submit your own, visit candgnews.com/calendar.
retail ad rates: Paula Stelzer | (586) 498-1076 | pstelzer@candgnews.com Karen Bozimowski | (586) 498-1032 | kboz@candgnews.com Legals and Obits: (586) 498-1099
Classifieds: For ad rates (586) 498-8100
Automotive Advertising: Jeannine Bender | (586) 246-8114 | jbender@candgnews.com
Real Estate Advertising: Paula Kaspor | (586) 498-1055 | pkaspor@candgnews.com
Photo provided by Sari Cicurel
This Border Cities Arena program is from 1925. The Cougars would eventually move to Detroit and later be renamed the Red Wings.
Wade gave props to Police Chief Preston Susalla for coming up with “innovative things to generate some traffic enforcement,” and Township Clerk Kim Meltzer reminded people that the lack of a dedicated traffic enforcement division did not mean traffic violations would go unenforced in the township.
Lucido, as the court’s representative, was open to the idea of a traffic division.
“We would love a traffic division from the court’s perspective,” Lucido said. “The most efficient thing that we do at the court for our budget is process a traffic ticket. It takes very little clerk time and a big percentage of the revenue goes to our funding units, which is (Clinton Township), Harrison Township and Mount Clemens. Obviously, that’s not our call whether there’s a traffic division or not, but we would support one. We used to have one in the past and it did very well for the court. If that ever came about, we would support that 100%.”
Trustee Julie Matuzak said the solution to issues surrounding the court’s funding should not come from tickets written in Clinton Township, but from decisions made in Lansing.
“The only real solution to this is for the state to step up and fund their responsibility for funding courts,” Matuzak said. “Otherwise, communities are going to be balancing or paying for the courts on the backs of their citizens by writing traffic tickets. There’s lots of places that do that ... I would rather see the state step in, step up for their responsibility and pay for the functioning of their courts, which is their responsibility.”
Lucido mentioned that both the Michigan Legislature and the Michigan Supreme Court are moving in such a way that will bring state funding to the district courts,
though it is believed communities would still have to fund their local district courts.
Southern township recreation discussion
Trustees also authorized a discussion about the creation of a recreational center in the south end of the township. Trustee Shannon King brought the discussion to the board.
“There’s been a number of people, in the south end in particular but across the township, that have interest for us to move forward with more programming and more accessible things in the south end, and I think it would be prudent if we listened to them and took the opportunity to see what opportunities we have to be able to do it,” King said.
King initially brought the matter as staff-led study, then as a work session before having it become something to be discussed by the Budget Ways and Means Committee.
As the board discussed the subject further and went over some of the financial difficulties that would surround the possible creation of a physical center, Township Supervisor Paul Gieleghem offered his concerns regarding “false expectations” that community members may have versus whatever the township may end up going through with.
“I don’t think we’re there (to build a center yet) and I think we have to be very, very careful about how we approach this issue so that we do it in a way that’s fiscally responsible, that is open, that is focused in on programming (and) that seeks everyone’s input,” Gieleghem said.
The next Budget Ways and Means Committee meeting for the study will be on Tuesday, Dec. 2 at 9:30 a.m. at the board chambers in the Robert Cannon Civic Center located at 40700 Romeo Plank Road.
Call Staff Writer Dean Vaglia at (586) 498-1043.
LEFT: Chief Judge Sebastian Lucido of the 41B District Court speaks to the Clinton Township Board of Trustees on Nov. 17.
Clinton Township Trustee Bruce Wade speaks about the feasibility of a traffic bureau within the Clinton Township Police Department.
Photos by Dean Vaglia
Winter
from page 8A
etable 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 two-three 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) 6783464.
Call Staff Writer Gena Johnson at (586) 498-1069.
Shutterstock images
LEFT: Instead of throwing leaves away, make a mulch which adds nutrients to the soil. RIGHT: Winter pruning involves cutting back deciduous trees and shrubs during their dormant period.
SPOTLIGHT ON CHARITIES & NONPROFITS
ABOVE:
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November 28th 7am-9pm
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Groups work to ensure there is
‘No
TBY TAYLOR CHRISTENSEN tchristensen@candgnews.com
he holiday season is upon us, and families all over are preparing for the next few months of fun, food and gifts. But some families are wondering how they are going to pull it off for their children.
To help, local charities and nonprofit organizations come together each year to supply families in need with gifts and food for the holiday season.
For the 31st year, the Troy Police Department is hosting “Operation Blue Sleigh,” a program aimed at helping families in need in the Troy area have the best holiday ever.
Child Without a Christmas’
Officer Greg Pokley, with the Troy Police Department, said that the team is helping 41 families this year.
Pokley said that 95% of the families selected are identified through the school system and can include kids who are on the free lunch program, or those that teachers know need help the most. The other 15% are chosen by road patrol officers who notice families in need.
“Operation Blue Sleigh encompasses our gift card drive, Shop with a Cop, and then adopt a family,” Pokley said. “This year I have 41 families and that number keeps going up every year.”
MACOMB MALL
Gratiot Ave. & Masonic Blvd. in Roseville • www.ShopMacombMall.com
Free Family Fun Night
Wednesday, December 3 4:30pm-6:30pm
Santa Parade
Featuring Roseville High School Marching Band
Meet & Greet –
5:15pm-6:30pm (in center court)
• Face painting
• Cookies with Mrs. Claus provided by Roseville High School Culinary Students
• Goody bags while supplies last
Operation Blue Sleigh organizers pose together for a photo with Santa.
BELOW: Gifts are piled up at the Troy Police Department for Operation Blue Sleigh.
Photos provided by Greg Pokley
“He was literally afraid of the victim’s family. It was the only time I can think, especially in a capital case, where the defendant refused to show up at sentencing,” he said.
Biernat was elected as a judge in 2012. In 2015, he began serving as chief judge after former Chief Judge John Foster retired. Since 2016, he has been reappointed as chief judge every two years.
Since then, Biernat has overseen massive renovation projects, including moving all of the county’s circuit and probate courts into one downtown location.
“When I first became chief in April of 2015, we were in the process of a massive, multimillion-dollar building project, which I helped usher in,” he said. “And bringing all the probate judges down here into the one building, along with building out all the archaic structures we had here and helping to finish our downtown campus, so to speak.”
He has also seen the addition of other courts, such as the sobriety and mental health courts.
On Nov. 14, Biernat was reappointed as chief judge by the Michigan Supreme Court.
“It is my honor to once again be appointed chief judge of these Macomb County courts,” Biernat said in a statement.
As the chief judge, in addition to maintaining a docket he said is about 90% the size of his fellow judges, he oversees the staff that manages the court system.
“That doesn’t mean I don’t have a docket,” he said. “I still have trials.”
Biernat also serves as the chief judge for the Macomb County Probate Court and the 42nd District Court in New Baltimore and Romeo. With his reappointment, he will also begin serving as chief judge in the 38th District Court in Roseville, though he won’t be added as a judge until it gets approved by the state’s House, Senate, and governor, and the Eastpointe City Council.
Looking ahead, in addition to finding room to add another judge in Eastpointe, Biernat is also looking to also find more space to expand the probate court.
“If that new space is in the bill, that could be in the building we’re in, or a new building, so that would be the new project in the future. Where is probate going to go, what space does probate need right now, how can we accomplish it, because of course, Macomb County is growing,” he said.
Call Staff Writer Brian Wells at (248) 291-7637.
The Wujek and Calcaterra families wish you a Thanksgiving flled with blessings and surrounded by the ones you love. We would like to take this opportunity to thank the wonderful families in this community who have chosen us to serve them. We are humbled by your
Groups
During the Shop with a Cop portion of the program, officers take the kids through Walmart and buy the kids a gift with a $100 gift card provided by Walmart.
“We have 41 families and 41 sponsors, generous, generous sponsors, throughout the city of Troy,” he said. “That can include businesses or just residents in Troy that want to donate to families in need.”
Sponsors of the program essentially adopt a family in need. The families send Pokley a wish list which he then sends over to the sponsors.
“I recommend (to the sponsors) sending roughly $100 per person that is in the family. I divide the families into small, medium, and large so that way the sponsors can pick what size they want, because it will give them an idea of what their budget will be,” he said.
Once all of the gifts are collected from the sponsors, the Troy Police Department hand delivers the gifts to the families at home on Dec. 22.
“We get a bunch of police cars, and we have some large vehicles that are blue, and we load up the vehicles and deliver them to each house that morning,” he said. “The officers get a kick out of that. They love doing that.”
During this time the Troy Police Department is also accepting donations, including money and gift cards. He said they recommend grocery store gift cards.
“We know that the kids, sometimes their best meal is when they are at school, and over the holidays, when they are on break, they don’t get that same food,” he said. “So we ask for grocery store gift cards, and we provide those families with gift cards as well as the sponsors providing the gifts.”
‘No Child Without a Christmas’
In St. Clair Shores, the Goodfellows have been providing holiday help for 99 long years, according to president of the St. Clair Shores Goodfellows organization, Mike Cook. The Goodfellows motto is “No Child Without a Christmas.”
Each year, the Goodfellows gather volunteers to sell newspapers on city street corners and collect food donations from the surrounding schools.
The newspaper sale is always on the first Saturday in December, which this year is Dec. 6. Volunteers fill the streets from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. selling newspapers for donations.
With the money collected from the
newspaper sale, Goodfellows volunteers purchase food and gift cards.
Schools around St. Clair Shores also collect nonperishable items to donate, according to Cook. That food is then put into food baskets that are delivered by volunteers to needy families in the St. Clair Shores area.
“We collect nonperishable food through the holidays and then we have a help line that needy families can call and request help, and we interview those families and for every child under the age of 16 we give out a gift card so that parents can go buy Christmas presents for the kids,” he said. “Along with that on Christmas Eve morning, we take the food that was collected by all of the schools and deliver that to the needy families on Christmas Eve morning.”
Cook said that the food baskets even include turkeys to ensure the families have a full Christmas meal.
“We want them to have everything they need for a Christmas dinner so we go out and purchase turkeys so they have turkeys and stuffing and cranberries and all of the good stuff to go along with it, so they can have a nice Christmas dinner,” he said.
Cook said that prospective families that need Christmas help can call the Goodfellows hotline at (586) 980-0400. They start taking calls the day after Thanksgiving.
Being such a big part of these families’ lives is a heartwarming experience according to Cook, who has been with the Goodfellows for around 38 years now.
“Everybody deserves to have a nice Christmas. All children deserve to have a nice Christmas. It’s heartwarming when we can show up at someone’s house on Christmas Eve morning and bring them food and bring them the things they need, you know, maybe for some reason, they are less fortunate that year,” Cook said. “It doesn’t mean they are bad people, or they have had issues. Something has happened in their life that they need help. They may have lost their job, had an injury, they may have been hospitalized for something. So they have had an event in their life that they need assistance. And if we can help them just to brighten their day a little bit, it makes it all worthwhile.”
For more information about the Troy Police Department, go to troymi.gov. For more information about Goodfellows organizations in metro Detroit, go to detroit goodfellows.org.
For Christmas help from the St. Clair Shores Goodfellows, call (586) 980-0400. Donations can be made at any time at the St. Clair Shores Goodfellows, located at 26700 Harper in St. Clair Shores.
Call Staff Writer Taylor Christensen at (586) 498-1081.
Ati’s Jewelry Celebrates 25 Years of Excellence
Ati’s Jewelry is proudly celebrating 25 years of serving the community with exceptional craftsmanship and value. Truly wholesale, Ati’s omits the middleman to pass savings directly to the public. Specializing in custom design, their award-winning designer brings European craftsmanship to every piece, ensuring each creation meets your complete satisfaction. All design and repair work is expertly done in-house. As a licensed buyer of precious metals, Ati’s pays top dollar for scrap gold and can even transform it into a stunning new piece. Owner Sandra loves working with the public and continually supports local fundraisers and charities. At Ati’s, customers are treated like family. Visit them at 42337 Garfield Rd., Clinton Township, or call 586-266-3722.
BUSINESS CLIP
Mural
from page 1A
to bring the mural to life. He said they had the opportunity to choose the artist, location and other details.
“Artist Chelsea Hensbergen did an amazing job capturing the spirit of our city,” Delmege said.
He said it was inspiring seeing the simple idea grow to something that represents the city.
Delmege thanked the city staff who did a lot of the work behind the scenes.
Fraser Mayor Michael Lesich thanked Hensbergen for her hard work. He said a friend of his reminded him about the importance of art, and though Lesich said he cannot draw, he’s come to appreciate it.
“I think this kind of thing reminds people that Fraser is here, a small community,” Lesich said.
Lesich hopes this will help start something in Fraser and they can continue to make murals like that. He ended his statements by thanking city staff, the DIA and Hensbergen.
The mural starts with community outreach and refining the design processes. Hensbergen said they wanted the work to represent the core concepts Fraser residents value including community, growth, inclusion, bold colors and more.
“The whole concept originated from the idea that we all come from the same earth,” Hensbergen said. “We all have roots and lineage in the same soil, and we all have the ability to create. So all the hands in the mural are holding flowers to represent that we all have certain powers inside of us that we
See MURAL on page 19A
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Fraser city officials, Detroit Institute of Arts staff and other guests cut the ribbon to unveil the mural called “Unity Garden.”
Photo by Patricia O’Blenes
HOMES
Real estate professionals share tips to prepare for a home inspection
MARY GENSON mgenson@candgnews.com
Ahome inspection — which can bring attention to major issues in a house that the buyer can request that the seller repair before closing — is an essential part of the buying and selling process that ensures buyer satisfaction and safety.
As a seller, the idea of one’s home being inspected might be daunting — especially knowing that the report directly impacts the sale. Cleaning and fixing simple repairs are some of the ways that sellers can prepare for their inspection to help minimize the issues.
A local real estate agent and a local inspector shared insights on how sellers can best prepare for an inspection to ensure it goes as smoothly as possible.
Ensuring access and decluttering
A seller can try to eliminate surprises during the inspection by evaluating all areas of the house — even the ones that are hard to reach.
For example, attics are a place that many sellers might not regularly go to, which can result in an unpleasant surprise if an issue is found during an inspection.
“My No. 1 tip is for the seller to go up into their attic and make sure there isn’t any moisture up there, because that can be an expensive thing on a home inspection if the buyer wants it all remediated,” said Michelle Carey, a Clinton Township real estate agent from Century 21.
President and CEO of Home Inspection Professionals Kevin Stripling said it is also important that the attic is accessible. For homes where the attic access is in the garage, it is ideal for cars to be parked elsewhere.
“Keep in mind that we have to go into the attic. So attic access-wise, we like it when the closets are cleared out so we can set the ladder up and we can go up inside the attic areas,” Stripling said.
In addition to attics, Stripling said it is important to make sure that clutter is cleared from all important areas such as furnaces, hot water heaters and crawl spaces. Before an inspection, a seller can ensure convenient entry into all parts of the house by tidying up clutter.
Though the seller is not usually present for a home inspection, the buyer usually is present. Even though the buyer has already put in an offer, it is important to keep up the positive image of the home for the buyer. A seller should make sure the house is as clean as it was when it made its first impression on the buyer.
“Just as you would for a showing of your home, have it looking really good and clean, because the buyers come for the home inspection. … It is important for the house to be looking its best, because you don’t want the buyer to come and all of a sudden, it doesn’t look as good as it did when they wrote the offer,” Carey said.
Another important tip from Stripling is to make sure pets are caged or kenneled. Even though he said they try to be cautious
and keep the doors closed, it is possible for pets to accidentally get out during an inspection.
It can be exciting when a house goes under contract; however, the inspection is an
It is important to
a home so inspectors
important step in securing the sale. Before packing boxes, a seller should think about how to prepare ahead of a home inspection. Call Staff Writer Mary Genson at (586) 498-1095.
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LEFT: A home inspection can uncover major and minor issues in a house, such as water damage, mold, termites and more.
ABOVE:
declutter
can access the attic, furnace, electrical panel and other key areas of the home.
Photos provided by Kevin Stripling
Santa Parade
asked to head to the municipal Market Street green parking lot, located near Main Street and Clinton Street, after the parade.
Nelson and Diane Jackson were tapped to serve as the grand marshals this year. An educational power couple celebrating their own 50th anniversary this year, both are graduates of Western Michigan University and Wayne State University. Nelson worked across Mount Clemens Community Schools as an ombudsman and held various principal positions, including at Mount Clemens High School. Diane worked as an educational consultant for pre-college programs for the University of Whitewater-Wisconsin from 1997-2007 and was an educator in the city for 37 years with roles at Christian Clemens Elementary School, Washington Junior High School and Mount Clemens Middle School.
Theresa McGarity, a parade volunteer and a city commissioner, said her husband was tutored by Diane after she caught him trying to escape detention.
“They took the time out (to help students),” McGarity said. “It wasn’t just go to school, teach the kids and go home. They spent their summer helping the students excel.”
Parade preparation is a year-long effort for volunteers. Work begins as soon as the parade ends.
“The putting away of one parade is the beginning of the next parade,” Rick said.
And while most of the year involves core volunteers meeting and fundraising, the execution of the parade heavily relies on volunteers. There are a variety of roles
for volunteers typically falling either on the operations side or being a character marching in the parade. Rick himself has more experience on the operations side, leaning on experience managing amphibious landings in the Navy to order the parade’s floats and marchers. However, he also has experience as a marcher.
“I’ve only done a costume once and it was an interesting experience,” Rick said. “The kids love it, but just when you get to the end and you think you have a chance to take a break, that’s when kids then surround you and want to play and get pictures and whatnot. For any costume volunteers, it’s worth knowing that marching in the parade is part of it, but at the end of the parade sometimes there’s more fun to be had as well.”
While having a part in making sure a storied local tradition continues on has been rewarding for Rick and others, his favorite part of the volunteering experience is getting to see those personal, magical moments that happen before and after things kick off on parade day.
“I know where Santa gets ready for the parade, and I’m not going to say where,” Rick said. “And I know one little kid knocked on the door to that location … and the door opened, and Santa leaned out and put his lips in a ‘shush’ motion so that little child could keep his secret. If you’re not a volunteer you’re not going to see those moments or hear about them. Knowing that we’re all part of this tradition that makes moments like that for hundreds of Mount Clemens kids is pretty fun.”
Santa first made his way down Mount Clemens’ Main Street in 1975. The man from the North Pole came to Bath City in order to visit Prieh’s Department Store,
See SANTA PARADE on page 19A
Photo provided by Mount Clemens Public Library
The Mount Clemens High School marching band plays down Main Street during the 1984 Mount Clemens Santa Parade.
Wedding
and she said he was begging for her phone number and told his friend he was going to marry her.
“I didn’t know her name,” Pratt said. “I think I might have said maybe one, two sentences to her the whole night, but when we got in there something in me knew.”
Grooms said she and Pratt are the same person in different genders.
“We do everything together,” Grooms said.
They bowl together and go everywhere together.
“We really are each other’s biggest teammates, biggest supporters,” Grooms said. “If you find me, you find him.”
Pratt said he had a “deer in the headlights” moment when he found out they won the wedding. Grooms said she started crying, stating it’s not something that usually happens to her.
“I’ve never experienced so much joy, and it was really overwhelming,” Grooms said.
Grooms said her dad cried when he found out about the free wedding. It’s a big deal for her whole family as her grandparents are nearly 90 years old. She didn’t think they’d be there for her special day.
Pratt said he’s excited to see Grooms walk down the aisle while Grooms is excited to dance the night away. Pratt and Grooms also said they’ve taken dance classes for months to surprise their friends and family with a choreographed first dance.
Grooms said their story is one of resilience.
“It really shows that love can find you in some really unpredictable places, and never give up, not just on yourself, but on relationships, and push through because there’s always going to be a light at the end of the tunnel,” Grooms said.
She went on to say even when you think you’re not deserving of love, there will be someone out there who will prove you wrong. Pratt said they’ve been together almost three years.
“We’ve had over long distance, the hard conversations and the high-stress situations, but we always knew we were each other’s rocks throughout,” Pratt said.
Grooms advised couples to not go to bed angry.
“That’s just a recipe for disaster,” Grooms said. “Trust and communication is huge. I mean, don’t stress over small things because they’re not going to matter in five, 10 years from now.”
Maybe even a week or two, Pratt added. Call Staff Writer Alyssa Ochss at (586) 498-1103.
Mural
from page 15A
can extend to our community, our friends and our family to help each other grow and to create something beautiful.”
To complete the mural, Hensbergen created a doodle grid and overlaid it on top of her digital image.
“And I used those sizes and shapes as a map to make my main shapes and outlines,” Hensbergen said.
She used spray paints, exterior latex paint and acrylic all sealed with a clear coat. The senior center wall is textured and she said she loves using spray paint on textured surfaces.
“It gets in all the little cracks and crevices,” Hensbergen said.
They also had to level part of the ground so she could have a flat surface for the scissor lift.
Hensbergen went to the College for Creative Studies for photography and advertising a long time ago. She started painting at home in 2018 and it turned into a job. This was her second project with the DIA with the first one in 2023 in New Haven. She paints murals full time.
“I would love to do more projects specifically with the DIA or publicly funded projects in the future just because they make such a huge impact and they’re so fun,” Hensbergen said.
Call Staff Writer Alyssa Ochss at (586) 498-1103.
Santa Parade
from page 17A
journeying into town upon a lone float. Mr. Claus returned in 1976 and from then until the 2000s, the parade cemented itself as a core part of the Mount Clemens civic calendar. It was helped along in major part by First National Bank in 1989 and Mount Clemens General Hospital in 1994, both coming in to sponsor and organize the budding tradition.
The parade’s future came into doubt in 2006 when the hospital pulled its sponsorship. A campaign was launched to save the parade, and since then it has been handled by groups of volunteers operating with some kind of charitable partner. This year, the parade is organized with the Downtown Development Committee Foundation — the Mount Clemens Downtown Development Authority’s charitable arm — while registering with the state and federal governments to
form a nonprofit parade organization. This year’s presenting sponsors are the Mount Clemens Lions Club and JARS Cannabis. Other parade sponsors include local clubs and businesses within the greater Mount Clemens area.
“We have lots of floats and a lot of the same people who have supported us through the years; the car clubs and the dance studios and the ice arena with their Zamboni and the figure skaters, and of course Santa and Mrs. Claus,” DDCF Treasurer and Parade Sponsorship Coordinator Michelle Weiss said. “I’m just grateful that people find value in not just putting it on but supporting it … The kids look forward to it (over) generations. We have families that came when they were little and now, they’re parents and grandparents, and it means a lot to them to come here.”
For more information about the parade and its history, go to mountclemenssantapa rade.com.
Call Staff Writer Dean Vaglia at (586) 498-1043.
Paradegoers wave and follow along as Santa Claus is pulled down Main Street during the 1987 Mount Clemens Santa Parade. Photo provided by Mount Clemens Public Library
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EASTPOINTE — Police officers were dispatched at around 1:40 p.m. Nov. 4 to DeRonne Hardware in the 18000 block of East Nine Mile Road on a report of retail fraud.
Officers were advised that two men had entered the store and helped themselves to more than $5,000 in merchandise before fleeing the scene.
Video of the suspects was provided to police.
Patrol officers, detectives and members of the Eastpointe Special Investigations Unit were able to locate the suspects the next day, Nov. 5. Both were arrested and a search warrant was conducted at their Detroit residence. Most of the stolen merchandise was also recovered, police said.
Charges were pending following a review by the Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office.
Larceny from auto
EASTPOINTE — At around 9 a.m. Oct. 31, police officers were dispatched to the 16000 block of Sprenger Avenue to investigate a larceny from auto complaint. Their investigation reportedly revealed that an unknown person had stolen a handgun from the center console of a black Ram truck.
Dumping reported
ST. CLAIR SHORES — At 3:09 p.m. on Nov. 4, a complaint was made about alleged dumping in the 3000 block of Country Club Drive.
The officer spoke to a 78-year-old man who is the president of the neighborhood association. The man stated they’ve had residents on several occasions view a 34-year-old man dumping large amounts of garbage in the building’s dumpsters. The suspect is a former resident.
The man had photos of the suspect and was advised to keep them. The officer also advised the man and any tenants to call the police if they see the suspect continuing the behavior.
Check fraud reported
ST. CLAIR SHORES — At 5:43 p.m. on Oct. 24, a report was made about a case of check fraud in the 21000 block of Greater Mack Avenue.
The officer spoke with the victim, a 64-yearold woman, who stated she noticed her checking account was overdrawn. Around $620 was missing. A photocopy of a check showed the same amount was cashed out in a check addressed to an individual she doesn’t know. The signature was reportedly fraudulent, and the check was cashed in July.
The woman needed a police report so the bank could conduct its investigation.
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 was to be charged with two counts of third-degree retail fraud.
Vehicle strikes home
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.
Stolen car
MACOMB TOWNSHIP — On Oct. 14 at around 5
a.m., Macomb County Sheriff’s Office deputies were called to the 52800 block of Harmony Drive for an auto theft report.
Deputies were told by the caller, a 40-year-old Macomb Township woman, that the car was stolen overnight and last seen parked on the street around 7:30 p.m. the night before. The woman’s 43-year-old husband told deputies he noticed the car was stolen at around 4:30 a.m.
The couple wished to press charges if a suspect was found.
Stolen license plate
MACOMB TOWNSHIP — On Oct. 14 at around
were called to the 17900 block of Red Oaks Drive for a larceny report.
Deputies spoke with a 31-year-old Macomb Township man who worked in Shelby Township. At around 4 p.m. the day before, the man noticed his license plate was stolen from his car. He said the theft most likely occurred in Shelby Township.
Damaged decoration
MACOMB TOWNSHIP — On Oct. 20 at around 6 p.m., Macomb County Sheriff’s Office deputies spoke with a 49-year-old Macomb Township woman about damaged garden decorations.
At around 5 a.m., the woman discovered the severed head of her Ms. Frankenstein lawn decoration when she had stepped outside of her home in the 23100 block of Inwood Drive for a cigarette. The woman was unsure about who did the damage.
Suspect makes smooth getaway
GROSSE POINTE CITY — Police were looking for an unknown man who is said to have stolen an estimated 12 bottles of EOS lotion — valued at about $160 — from The Village CVS store at around 9:40 p.m. Oct. 27.
Retail fraud suspect sought
GROSSE POINTE CITY — Around closing time at 11 p.m. Oct. 29, an unknown man between 40 and 50 years old is said by police to have run into The Village CVS store, grabbed an estimated $100 worth of merchandise and fled from the store without paying.
Caregiver suspected of stealing from senior GROSSE POINTE PARK — A person described as a trusted 58-year-old female caregiver was suspected of making an estimated $1,700 worth of withdrawals and unauthorized charges against the accounts of a Grosse Pointe Park senior whom the suspect was working for, according to a police report filed Oct. 30. The suspect was facing possible charges including identity theft and unauthorized use of a financial transaction device.
Vehicle broken into GROSSE POINTE WOODS — In what police believe might have been an attempt to steal the infotainment system — a crime that has happened repeatedly to Ram vehicles in metro Detroit in recent weeks — an unknown suspect smashed the rear driver’s side window on a Ram truck while it was parked on the street in the 1700 block of Bournemouth Road between the night of Oct. 28 and 9:29 a.m. Oct. 29,
ANTI-BULLYING PROGRAMMING CONTEST UNDERWAY
METRO DETROIT — Detroit-area Planet Fitness franchisees, EPIC Fitness Group and Impact Fitness Group, and the Detroit Red Wings have again teamed up for its third annual Shut Out Bullying contest, offering one school or youth organization $10,000 in funding for anti-bullying programming.
The contest opened Nov. 2 and concludes at 11:59 p.m. on Dec. 21. Educational institutions and youth organizations throughout Michigan serving students in grades K-12 are invited to apply by completing a short entry form and answering questions about their current or proposed bullying prevention initiatives. The 2026 winner will be honored during a special on-ice presentation on Jan. 18, 2026, prior to the Red Wings vs. Ottawa Senators game at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit. For full contest details, eligibility requirements, and the application form, visit DetroitRedWings.com under the Fans contest page. A direct link to the contest page can also be found here: DetroitRedWings. com/ShutOutBullyingContest.
Future movie makers sought
METRO DETROIT — Emagine Entertainment and Folktellers Studios have partnered to invite young readers to bring stories to life on the big screen in a storytelling and literacy initiative that blends reading, imagination, and movie magic. The program invites students to dive into Josef Bastian’s award-winning seven-book series, “Excerpts from an Unknown Guidebook.” After reading the books, participants will create their own three-minute movie trailers inspired by the series’ characters, worlds, and themes. Folktellers Studios and Emagine will distribute program kits and connect with classrooms and community groups across the region to make the program accessible to as many young storytellers as possible. The program is open to elementary and middle school aged students and to educators, schools, and community organizations in Michigan. Program registration began Nov. 3 at folktellersforliteracy.com.
was missing from the vehicle. Wallet taken GROSSE POINTE WOODS — A wallet was removed from the console of an unlocked vehicle while it was parked in a driveway in the 900 block of North Brys Drive between the night of Oct. 27 and the
Suspicious circumstances reported MOUNT CLEMENS — On Oct. 16 at around 8:40 p.m.,
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