EXPERTS GIVE TIPS FOR FEEDING BIRDS
Keego Harbor City Council OKs contract for new police chief
BY GENA JOHNSON gjohnson@candgnews.com
KEEGO HARBOR — Keego Harbor City Council members voted unanimously to authorize the contract for Robert Barnes to be the city’s police chief and swore him into office at their meeting March 20. Barnes’ contract is for three years with a negotiated salary and fringe
See BARNES on page 15A
BY GENA JOHNSON gjohnson@candgnews.com
Local physician faces sentencing for sex crimes against young athletes
OAKLAND COUNTY — A local physician who provided medical assistance to youth hockey teams recently pleaded no contest to 28 counts, including for charges of criminal sexual conduct and sexual abuse.
He awaits sentencing April 29 in Oakland County Circuit Court in Pontiac.
The majority of the charges facing Zvi Levran, 68, of Farmington, stem from incidents of allegedly sexually abusing teenage boys, many of whom he reportedly met while providing medical assistance to youth hockey teams, according to a press release issued by Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald. The plea was entered in March. The charges against Levran, who had a urology practice in West Bloomfield, include 11 counts of criminal sexual conduct in the fourth-degree, 10 counts of criminal sexual conduct in the third-
See SENTENCING on page 16A
ABOVE: Keego Harbor Police Department Chief Robert Barnes poses with retired Madison Heights Police Department Sgt. Stephen “Sarge” Worton, who hired Barnes as a Madison Heights Police Department reserve officer in 2001. LEFT: Prior to becoming a police officer, Barnes worked as a graphic designer for more than 17 years. He still uses his artistic talents and designed the logo for the department’s vehicles, business cards, IDs and letterhead.
Photos provided by Robert Barnes
Levran
Advance prep key to avoiding probate at worst possible time
BY SCOTT BENTLEY sbentley@candgnews.com
METRO DETROIT — The last thing that a family wants amidst the passing of a loved one is to wind up in court. Figuring out how to share an estate is expensive, time-consuming, and complicated for many and probate court can lead to drama within a family unless the right steps are taken.
The most important step anyone can take to avoid probate court is to simply be prepared. It may sound fairly obvious, but making sure you have a will, trust, or some form of legal document involving your assets can go a long way in avoiding family tension.
“I’ve been practicing law for over 40 years. The best way to avoid the probate court is to prepare,” attorney Randall Shepard of Colbert, Shepard & Sadowski LLP said. “Talk to an attorney or talk to a specialist that can help you prepare your estate plan so that you don’t have to end up going through probate.”
Experts address adverse effects of rat poison
Rat poison can have a negative effect on wildlife, from squirrels to raptors.
BY ALYSSA OCHSS aochss@candgnews.com
METRO DETROIT — Rat poison, while effective at getting rid of a rodent problem, can have adverse effects on creatures that aren’t meant to get their claws on it.
Laura Mikulski, a Ferndale city councilwoman and a member of the Ferndale Rat Patrol, said rat poison has a massive impact on wildlife because anticoagulant rat poison “bioaccumulates up the food chain.”
“When we’re using it, if the rat takes it and starts accumulating it in its body, oftentimes the rat doesn’t die immediately,” Mikulski said. “But even if it does, if anything eats it, it moves up the food chain into that next animal and bioaccumulates in them.”
R. Scott Larsen, a Michigan Department of Natural Resources state wildlife veterinarian, said there are several types of rat poison that can cause death, including poisons that affect the nervous system, ones that release phosphate gases and more. All of these could be used in the household.
Larsen said they see problems when
See POISON on page 19A
Photos provided by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources
Our next edition will come to homes April 23. Stay current by visiting
BY CHARITY MEIER cmeier@candgnews.com
Motor City Comic Con to spring back this May with iconic nostalgia
DNR ‘Hunters Feeding Michigan’ program assists those in need
BY NICK POWERS npowers@candgnews.com
MICHIGAN — A Department of Natural Resources program is aiming to expand and provide more for those in need.
The DNR’s Hunters Feeding Michigan program allows hunters to donate their harvest at select processing locations throughout the state. The DNR is contracting with the Food Bank Council of Michigan to facilitate the program. The council links up donors, wild game processors and charities.
“It’s a privilege to work side by side with the Food Bank Council of Michigan to grow the Hunters Feeding Michigan program and to help channel venison donated by hunters to local food agencies throughout the state,” Joe Presgrove, DNR Hunters
See DNR on page 9A
The biannual convention, which caters to everything pop culture, has become synonymous with special celebrity and comic guests, events, attractions, and a welcoming atmosphere for all.
“I wouldn’t say that we ever really go for a theme. Pop culture is so en-
NOVI — The 2025 Motor City Comic Con is set to take over the Suburban Collection Showplace May 16-18. This year, the show will be flying in with all the superpower aspects it’s known for, but with an additional nostalgic punch.
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compassing that it’s hard to really nail it down to just one theme,” said Samantha Yankee, show manager. “But there is definitely a lot of nostalgia for this show.”
The show this year will feature many celebrities, some of whom are
File photo by Erin Sanchez
Motor City Comic Con attendees admire items for sale at one of the numerous vendor booths during the fall show in November 2024.
Photo provided by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources Hunters Feeding Michigan program allows hunters to donate their harvest to those in need. In this photo, packages of frozen venison await distribution.
BY SCOTT BENTLEY sbentley@candgnews.com
NOVI — Emilea Zingas and Vadym Kolesnik make up one of the most promising ice dance teams in the country, as the duo training in Novi aims to make the 2026 Olympics.
U.S. Figure Skating has taken notice of the two skaters after a successful season this year and the potential for another successful season after this one.
“Overall, just a good season for us. A lot of positives and a lot of learning,” said Zingas, who is from Grosse Pointe Farms. “Hopefully, that will take us in a good direction for next season.”
The team has been on a fantastic run over the last two years, and after consistent top-five finishes at events like the Four Continents Figure Skating Championships, the U.S. Figure Skating Championships and the Warsaw Cup, they are looking ahead to the next two years.
“We’re on the short list for making that Olympic team,” Zingas said. “We’ve proven ourselves as a top contender. So right now, it’s just about us having really good material for next season.”
Kolesnik is from Kharkiv, Ukraine, and moved to Novi about eight years ago for training. Eventually, he found his perfect skating partner.
“I was searching for a partner for quite a bit of time after my successful junior career,” Kolesnik said. “I got a call from coach Igor
ICE DANCERS WHO TRAIN IN NOVI MAKE OLYMPICS PUSH
(Shpilband). ... He said, ‘But she’s a singles skater.’ ... And I said I was looking forward to it.”
After almost 16 years of skating by herself, Zingas made the transition to skating with Kolesnik and never looked back.
“I had no prior experience in ice dance,” Zingas said. “So, (we) were kind of an underdog in ice dance. … Definitely a shock to most of the community.”
The duo is not an underdog anymore. The team is ranked 11th in the world, according to Zingas, which puts them as the third-highest-ranked team in the U.S.
“(The U.S.) sends three teams to the Olympics,” Zingas said. “If we continue to put in the work to establish ourselves as that No. 2 or 3 team in the U.S., I think we have a great chance of making it.”
If they do make it, they’ll be representing metro Detroit and Novi on a national stage.
“I moved about eight years ago to Novi and I’ve been in love with it ever since,” Kolesnik said. “And I’ve been to so many Olympic camps (here) because our coach (Shpilband) is extremely famous. He basically built U.S. Ice Dance from the ground up.”
In fact, two of the most notable camps in the sport are out of Novi and Canton, as the sport has found a gold mine in Michigan.
“I actually think Michigan is one of the epicenters of ice dance,” Zingas said. “Some of our biggest competitors are training just
Emilea Zingas and Vadym Kolesnik pose after a second-place finish at the Warsaw Cup in 2024.
Photo provided by Emilea Zingas
Experts give tips for feeding birds as weather changes
BY BRIAN WELLS bwells@candgnews.com
METRO DETROIT — The changing of the seasons doesn’t only bring warmer weather to metro Detroit — it also brings different wildlife, including birds to the area.
“You see different birds at different times of the year, and you can also observe their behavior patterns over this time,” said Ben Ihde, a co-owner of Wild Birds Unlimited in Novi. “That can be a wonderful way to mark, let’s say the springtime, which for most folks is a sign of positivity.”
Besides birds bringing a sign of positive change, connecting with nature can also provide mental health benefits, Ihde said.
“There are many studies that show watching birds can lower stress and anxiety, lessen worry and bring about a general feeling of joy and well-being,” he said. “Better mental health directly connects to better physical health.”
Bob Gors, who owns Wild Birds Unlimited in Macomb Township, said his store saw an increase in people wanting to feed birds during the pandemic.
“We found that people who had started the bird feeding at some point in their life and for whatever reason stopped, when they couldn’t go anywhere, they said, ‘We can feed birds — we’ve done it. It’s fun. Let’s do it.’ And then people who had never fed the birds before had heard about it and said, ‘I want to try it,’” Gors said.
Gors also said people feed the birds to help them in times when there’s no natural food. But when the weather warms up and food becomes more available, Gors suggested people cut back on how much they’re feeding.
“We feed the birds to help them because any natural food that was left on the plants from late summer into fall has been pecked off all the shrubs and everything, so really, there is no natural food out there,” he said. “During that time of year, during nesting season, when they need that extra food, droughts, winter storms, heavy rains, when areas flood and all that food is covered under water, we provide about 20% to 25% of their diet by feeding them.”
Gors said winter is one of the most important times to feed the birds because of the scarcity of natural food. He also added that many types of birds can puff their feathers to help
See BIRDS on page 13A
A wren and a sparrow stop by at a bird feeder filled with mixed seeds. Shutterstock image
CALENDAR
APRIL 16
Paying for College: Presented by Oakland University Senior Financial Aid Outreach Adviser Carrie A. Gilchrist, learn about financial aid, Free Application for Federal Student Aid, private resources and more, 6-7 p.m., West Bloomfield Township Public Library - Main Branch, 4600 Walnut Lake Road, registration required, (248) 682-2120, wblib.org
APRIL 17
Egg scramble: Ages 1-2 search for whole eggs and ages 3-7 find bottoms to match tops for prizes, outdoor event also includes trackless train ride for kids, farm animal petting zoo and family photos with Mr. Bunny, plus Friendship Factory hosting “Build Your Own Stuffed Animal Friend” station and Little Donut Factory selling concessions, 4-7 p.m., Drake Sports Park, 6801 Drake Road in West Bloomfield, register for time slot at wbparks.org/event/eggscramble
APRIL 19
Egg hunt: Free event held rain or shine, 10-11:30 a.m., Central United Methodist Church, 3882 Highland Road in Waterford, (248) 681-0040, info@ waterfordcumc.org, waterfordcumc.org/upcomingevents/easter-egg-hunt
APRIL 23
Trivia night: Test knowledge against Yelp reviews, for
ages 14 and older, 6:30 p.m., Walled Lake City Library, 1499 E. West Maple Road, register at bit.ly/3Frndsq
What’s Cooking? series: Demonstration and samples from new Crosswinds Mall restaurant My Big Fat Shawarma, 6-8 p.m., West Bloomfield Township Public Library - Main Branch, 4600 Walnut Lake Road, free but seating limited, (248) 682-2120, wblib.org
MAY 1-3
‘Matilda The Musical’: Story about psychokinetic girl with unloving parents and hateful school headmistress who uses wit, smarts and powers to create better life, based on 1988 Roald Dahl novel, presented by nearly 100 students, 7 p.m. May 1-3, also 1 p.m. May 3 with American Sign Language interpreters on site, West Bloomfield High School, 4925 Orchard Lake Road, wbhstheatrearts.ludus.com
MAY 3
Book It! 5K and Mile Fun Run/Walk: Supports Waterford Township Public Library, 10 a.m., check in at 9 a.m. at The Warming House, 5050 Civic Center Drive in Waterford, runsignup.com
Private vehicle collection open to public: See Ken Lingenfelter’s 150-plus rare and classic cars, freewill donation benefits American Cancer Society, Trinity Health Michigan on site with colorectal cancer screening kits, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., 7819 Lochlin Drive in Brighton, facebook.com/thelingenfeltercollection
See CALENDAR on page 12A
Start building a better life
you and your
NEWS & NOTES
7A/
Metro Detroit composer hosts fundraising event for children in Armenia
OAKLAND COUNTY — Metro Detroit composer Dan Yessian, of Farmington Hills, in partnership with the Children of Armenia Fund, will present, “An Armenian Trilogy: Expressions of Love, Hope, and Faith” at 7 p.m. May 14 at the Steinway Piano Gallery in Commerce Township, located at 2700 E. West Maple Road.
According to a press release, the event will feature a blend of film, live music, and inspirational speakers centered around Yessian’s classical composition, “An Armenian Trilogy.” The evening will raise funds to support music education for children in Armenia’s rural communities.
The program will feature Kimberly Kennedy, an associate concertmaster for the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, television personality and media host Chuck Gaidica, vocal performances by Kenny Watson, Justin Noroyan, and Nancy Ingles, and an appearance from Pastor Emeritus Father Garabed Kochakian of St. John Armenian Church.
Tickets are available at givebutter.com/armeniantrilogy.
The Children of Armenia Fund is a nonprofit transforming the lives of children in rural Armenia through education, healthcare, social services and economic development, according to the release.
Celebrate Earth Day in West Bloomfield
WEST BLOOMFIELD — Earth Day activities are scheduled to take place at “Celebrate Earth Day” from 4-6 p.m. April 22
Nature walk scheduled at Orchard Lake Nature Sanctuary
WEST BLOOMFIELD —The Greater West Bloomfield Historical Society has fun events scheduled for April. Join naturalist Carol Fink for one of them, as she is set to lead a guided walking tour through rolling terrain, with attendees given the opportunity to explore the breathtaking spring flowers. The event is set to take place from 2-3 p.m. Sunday, April 27, at the Orchard Lake Nature Sanctuary, located at 4700 Pontiac Trail.
For more information, send an email to contact@gwbhs.org.
Admission is free, although donations are appreciated, according to the GWBHS.
at the West Bloomfield Recreation Activities Center & Nature Room, located at 4640 Walnut Lake Road. Activities include recycled crafts, live animals to interact with and free tree seedling to the first 50 families.
Guided nature hikes start at 4:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. Preregistration is required. The cost is $5 per family. For more information visit: https://www.wbparks.org/ event/earth-day-celebration.
Compiled by Gena Johnson
Probate
from page 2A
There are several ways to organize assets in a way that prevents going to court. Trusts, ladybird deeds and wills can be simple ways to make sure your estate ends up in the right hands.
Probate also isn’t strictly used when someone passes away, as a lot of families find themselves in court for guardianship and conservatorship.
“Conservatorship is, of course, when the court oversees the management of somebody’s finances,” Shepard explained. “You really want to avoid that at all costs if you can. You’re better off having that set up ahead of time.”
In order to prepare in advance, one of the best things a person can do is have an expert in their corner. There are so many possible outcomes in probate and having a specialist to help with documentation that “speaks the language” is sometimes all a client needs.
“My advice is to get someone to help you. Don’t try and do it yourself,” Shepard said. “It can be a nightmare… Try to have an attorney that helps you resolve your case, not make it worse.”
Arguably the most common reason for probate is housing. Real estate is something that many families end up going to court
over and it is an area of law that can get very complicated very quickly.
“Especially in real estate, you can encounter some family situations where it can be contentious,” Re/Max First certified probate specialist Ray Nadolski said. “Do you want sons and daughters to become enemies after you die? That’s the message I would send to people.”
A joint tenant, a trust or a will can help make the process easier for everyone involved. The best way to accomplish this is by working with someone in real estate that specializes in probate. In some cases, even with documentation, families find themselves in court because there are errors or missing statements from those involved.
“Some of the longest, most contentious and expensive probate battles come from unforeseen mistakes made by a person seeking to avoid probate,” Nadolski said. “I see a lot of issues in real estate… Do this just in case so it’s not all hearsay.”
Nadolski is now an expert in probate and has been working with former Macomb County Probate Court Judge Carl Marlinga to help make the transition of assets easier for families. Nadolski and Marlinga provided C&G Newspapers with a document that highlights important background information about probate and what advice they have after many years in the field.
The advice that is most commonly told
from people that work in probate is about how to avoid it. As Nadolski and Marlinga explained, even a will that has been witnessed and notarized can still be subject to the jurisdiction of probate court. People will argue that the deceased may have been acting “under duress” or “undue influence.” Finding a lawyer that specializes in probate is the best court of action.
In the long run, planning ahead is also far cheaper than the alternative of probate court.
“The money you spend now would be less expensive than what your estate would have to spend if you don’t,” Shepard said.
“It goes back to the theme of avoiding these problems.”
Perhaps the most important reason to get assets aligned and avoid probate is simply because it’s fair. The management of finances, housing or anything else should be decided by the owner of those assets while the person is still able.
“You’re better off spending the money now while the person is able to make the decisions of where they want their property to go,” Shepard said. “If you don’t have anything planned, then a judge makes the decision.”
Call Staff Writer Scott Bentley at (586) 498-1090.
DNR
from page 3A
Feeding Michigan program specialist, said in a press release. “Together we will help many Michiganders in need!”
Hunters Feeding Michigan was established in 2005 by legislation and really got off the ground in 2007, according to Presgrove. He said the program’s numbers have been increasing each year. Since Oct. 1, 2024, Presgrove said, over 75,000 pounds of meat have been donated, working out to about 300,000 servings for the fiscal year so far. Presgrove estimates over 2.8 million servings have been provided since the program started.
The FBCM is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and was started in 1984. It has seven regional food banks, covering all of Michigan’s 83 counties.
“We are excited to help partner with the participating deer processors and hunters to expand the Hunters Feeding Michigan program and are looking forward to what the future holds,” Garrett Zuver, Food Bank Council of Michigan Agriculture Program specialist, said in the release.
Hunters Feeding Michigan is primarily funded by voluntary donations when hunters and anglers sign up for licenses. Presgrove said these funds go toward processing expenses.
“We see the demand for good, clean protein at the food banks, so we’re trying to get creative with raising additional revenue or donations to put toward processing,” Presgrove said in a phone interview. “We reimburse our processors at a certain rate, and we want to make sure it’s a reasonable rate for them to continue processing deer for us.”
This year the DNR is getting some help from a local business. Sterling Heights-based Deer Camp Coffee Roasting Company & Outfitters, which started up in 2015, has partnered with the DNR to raise funds for the program. The funds support the processing and distribution of the donated meat. Donations at Deer Camp can be made by buying coffee bags of medium roast Donor Doe or dark roast Traditions. With Traditions, an embroidered DNR deer patch from the past is included.
“At Deer Camp, we believe in great coffee, strong traditions, connecting and giving back
See DNR on page 11A
• Anti-Infammation • Anti-Pain (Analgesic) • Accelerated Tissue Repair and Cell Growth • Improved Vascular Activity • Increased Metabolic Activity • Trigger Points and Acupuncture Points
Reduced Fibrous Tissue Formation
Improved Nerve Function
Immunoregulation
Faster Wound Healing
COUPLE GEAR UP FOR THE BRITISH INVASION
BY MARIA ALLARD allard@candgnews.com
Ken and Melody Klemmer “are preservationists at heart.”
They live in a historic home built in 1925, and a favorite pastime is driving their antique cars. The Klemmers buy and sell different vintage models every few years.
“I’ve had American cars, Model Ts and involvement with the Franklins,” said Ken, who has also owned Austin-Healey, Lotus and Mini Cooper cars. “We don’t tend to keep them for very long. There are so many cool ones out there that we want them all. We buy them and we fix them up. We drive them for a year or two and then we sell them and buy something else.”
TOP RIGHT: The prewar 1931 MG D-Type Midget is parked in front of the historic Farmington Hills home of Ken and Melody Klemmer.
TOP LEFT: Ken and Melody Klemmer, along with their dog, Cocoa Puff, love to drive their prewar 1931 MG D-Type Midget. Directly behind them is their 1930 MG M-Type.
RIGHT: The passenger compartment and frame sets off the cerulean blue prewar 1930 “Wiggy” MG M-Type that the Klemmers own.
Photos by Liz Carnegie
DNR
from page 9A
to the community,” Julie Majewski, Deer Camp’s director, said in the release. “This partnership with the DNR is more than just a collaboration — it’s a way for us to support hunters, conservation efforts and those in need. Every purchase makes a difference, and together, we can create lasting change, one cup at a time.”
According to Mike Tocco, who does media relations for Deer Camp, the company got involved with the program through Uncle Henry’s Gourmet Meats. Uncle Henry’s is one of the participating processors in the DNR program, and Deer Camp has a relationship with the company. He said the contribution from each coffee bag purchased is “very significant.”
“From our standpoint, because of the benefit from what they’re trying to do, it’s over $6 in some cases that we’re donating back,” Tocco said in a phone interview.
The Sterling Heights business is no stranger to getting involved in the community. Tocco pointed to Deer Camp’s partnerships with other local businesses, like Tennerra Winery. Tocco said students with disabilities from Utica Community Schools help bag and package coffee as part of a work training program. The company sponsors the Pure Michigan Hunt and has previously partnered with the DNR for a tree planting program.
“We did a tree planting program, which basically created wildlife in the Upper Peninsula that allowed deer to come in and habitat it,” Tocco said. “It also created more opportunities for them to not only be fed during harsh winters, but also manage the herds in an effective way.”
For a list of processors taking part in the DNR program, visit michigan.gov/dnr/about/ get-involved/hunters-feeding-michigan.
Call Staff Writer Nick Powers at (586) 498-1059.
from page 6A
MAY 6
Food Truck Tuesdays: 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., held in tent between West Bloomfield Township Public Library and Recreation Activities Center at Civic Center complex, 4600 Walnut Lake Road, continues weekly until Sept. 30, see scheduled businesses at wbtown ship.org
‘Healing After Hate’: Presented by Jewish Family Service of Metro Detroit, hear from former white supremacist who now works to counter extremism and promote compassion, 7 p.m., Temple Israel, 5725 Walnut Lake Road in West Bloomfield, jfsspotlight event.org
MAY 7-10
Great Lakes Mega Meet Scrapbook Convention: Round robin mini class preview event from 6-9:30 p.m. May 7, crops from 9 a.m.-10 p.m. May 8, 9 a.m.-midnight May 9 and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. May 10, and workshops from 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m. May 8-9 and 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. May 10, Suburban Collection
Showplace, 46100 Grand River Ave. in Novi, www. suburbancollectionshowplace.com, www.greatlakes scrapbookevents.com/events/glmm
MAY
10
Household Hazardous Waste collection: 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Oakland Community College, 27055 Orchard Lake Road in Farmington Hills, rrrasoc.org
SibShop: Support group meeting for siblings of children with special needs, 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Monaghan Banquet Center, 19801 Farmington Road in Livonia, also meets Aug. 9 and Nov. 8, dawnsmith@ restorativetherapysolutions.com, (734) 748-6432
ONGOING
Open Play at The J: Drop-in program for ages 4 and younger, 9 a.m.-noon most Mondays while school is in session, The J, 6600 W. Maple Road in West Bloomfield, jlive.app/events/9144
‘A Doll’s House’: Play about woman whose happy life takes turn after husband’s promotion reveals unforeseen consequence from choice she made in past, 8 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays April 25-May 11, The Inspired Acting Company, 1124
E. West Maple Drive in Walled Lake, (248) 863-9953, inspiredacting.org
‘Sister Act’: Musical-comedy about woman put in protective custody in covenant and disguised as nun — even to actual sisters — after witnessing murder, based on hit 1992 movie, 8 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays April 25-May 18, Farmington Players Barn, 32332 W. 12 Mile Road in Farmington Hills, (248) 553-2955, farmingtonplayers.org
Game nights: For Sylan Lake residents only, 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays, Sylvan Lake Community Center, 2456 Pontiac Drive, (248) 682-1440, sylvanlake.org/ community_center
• 5-6:30 p.m. every first and third Wednesday of month, Commerce Township Community Library, 180 E. Commerce Road, (248) 669-8108, commercetwp. com/library
Live music: 8 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays, Fork n’ Pint, 4000 Cass-Elizabeth Road in Waterford, (248) 7913256, forknpintcasslake.com
Grief and loss support group: 4:30-5:45 p.m. every
second Tuesday of month through April, Adat Shalom Synagogue, 29901 Middlebelt Road in Farmington Hills, jfsdetroit.org/upcoming
Free food distribution: Drive-up program for families and individuals in need, presented by Gleaners Community Food Bank, see dates and locations at pantrynet.org/mobile-distribution-events
Oakland County Farmers Market: 7 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Saturdays in April, then Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays starting in May, 2350 Pontiac Lake Road in Waterford, ocmarket@oakgov.com, (248) 858-5495, oakgov.com/community/oakland-county-parks/ parks-trails/farmers-market
Farmington Cruisin’ the Grand: Free weekly car show, also door prizes, 50-50, music and snacks, 4-7 p.m. Mondays until Sept. 29 (weather permitting), Sidecar Slider Bar, 32720 Grand River Ave. in Farmington
Health workshops: For hypertension, diabetes, pre-diabetes and more, hosted by Corewell Health, free and virtual, corewellhealth.org/classes-events/ southeast-michigan
For more events, visit candgnews.com/calendar.
Birds
heat themselves, but it requires a lot of energy and they need extra food to help give them the energy.
Elizabeth Schultz-Correll, coordinator at the Burgess-Shadbush Nature Center, said insects are the most important food source for birds during the springtime, since baby birds don’t eat seeds. She suggested people focus on pollinator plants to help supplement bird feeders.
Shultz-Correll also said feeding the birds and keeping a variety of food out helps keep species out of decline.
“Most of our species are in decline, so anything we can do to help them, that’s a benefit for the birds and increasing biodiversity; making sure that we’re putting out a variety of foods will also bring those birds in,” she said.
Ihde suggested feeding birds based on the season due to the loss of habitat and stress that birds are under.
“Birds only get a small percentage of their daily food from your feeder, even in the winter,” he said. “They will always go after natural food sources over your feeder. So offering a quick, easy meal even when there is some food available is just helping them survive.”
The late Dr. Ringold founded Bionicc Body Screening in 2022 after battling cancer twice. He believed MRI full body screenings could empower individuals to take control of their health.
Softball Size Tumors Silently Grew
Dr. Ringold discovered he had stage four cancer with tumors as large as softballs silently growing inside his body after experiencing shortness of breath. His treatment was brutal. He su ered cruel side e ects. After his cancer went into remission, it returned a year later as a brain tumor. Dr. Ringold believed there had to be a better way. He envisioned a future where individuals could take control of their
However, while feeding birds does have a number of positive benefits, there can also be some perceived negatives, such as waste falling on the ground or feeders attracting unwanted critters.
Ihde suggested using a no-mess bird seed, which has the shells removed so only the seed hearts or nuts remain. He also said anyone who feeds birds should check what’s in the blend, as many are packed with fillers.
“These are seeds or grains that are used to lower cost but in many cases birds do not even eat. … They kick out these fillers and go for the few desirable seeds in the mix,” he said. “That waste falls to the ground and attracts pests, grows weeds and can generally be messy.”
After seeing an increase in rodents that was believed to be related to bird seed waste, the city of Royal Oak added a section to its rodent control ordinance stating residents must keep approved bird feeders at least 4 feet off the ground and prohibited residents from throwing food on the ground for birds or animals.
Ihde also suggested using baffles to help prevent other animals from getting into bird seed.
“These are obstructions that can be placed on poles or hooks to stop critters from reaching the feeder,” he said. “They are inexpensive and cause zero harm.”
Call Staff Writer Brian Wells at (248) 2917637.
Advertorial
A Father’s Legacy, A Son’s Mission: Full Body MRI Scans Without a Doctor’s Referral
(South eld, MI) e late Dr. Warren Ringold knew rsthand the devastating impact of late-stage cancer diagnoses. As a respected family physician, he witnessed countless patients battling illnesses that could have been detected earlier. His own grueling battle with late-stage cancer ignited a passion, leading him to create Michigan’s rst MRI full body screening center called Bionicc Body Screening.
health and detect potential problems before they escalated. In his nal days, Dr. Ringold passionately advocated for MRI full body screenings, a proactive approach he believed could empower individuals to take control of their health.
Raising Awareness
Today, his son Ryan carries on this mission. ough not a medical professional himself, Ryan’s dedication to his father’s legacy drives him to raising awareness of this service for families of Michigan. “Every week I learn of another person who felt perfectly ne, only to wake up with an unexplained symptom and discover they have stage four cancer. Once symptoms manifest cancer is usually advanced,” says his son Ryan. “My father never wanted another family to su er the emotional and physical hardships that our family and he endured. He wanted to save lives.”
Full Body MRI Scans Without a Doctor’s Order
Bionicc Body Screening o ers elective, full-body MRI screenings that provide a comprehensive picture of your internal health, going beyond what traditional checkups often reveal. State-of-the-art technology can detect tumors as small as a pea, aneurysms, risk of stroke and a multitude of other conditions that might otherwise go unnoticed. Screenings include scans of the head, neck, chest, abdomen, pelvis, hips, shoulders and spine.
A Life Saved
Mark B. and his younger brother decided to visit Bionicc Body Screening last spring for a proactive screening because cancer ran in their family. Mark was skeptical until his results returned a 3-centimeter mass on his lung, which tested positive for cancer. He had three-fourths of his lung removed. He credits the scan for saving his life. Meanwhile, his brother’s results were clean.
Scans are safe, non-invasive, emit no radiation and are available without a doctor’s referral.
LIMITED TIME OFFER - Learn more now. Visit BioniccBodyScreening.com to download a free Welcome Information Kit and $200 savings o er. Book an appointment by calling 1-833-BIONICC.
The newest collection includes a cerulean blue prewar 1930 “Wiggy” MG M-Type they bought in 2022, and a maroonish/black prewar 1931 “Edwin” MG D-Type they’ve owned since 2023. Neither car is its original color although the M-Types were available in blue. According to Ken, most early D-Types were black, and then green and red were available often in two-tones.
The Farmington Hills residents belong to several MG car clubs, including the Windsor-Detroit MG Club; the North American MMM Register, which stands for Midget, Magna and Magnette; and Melody is president of the Michigan Chapter of the New England MG T Register, and Ken is the vice president.
The couple attend many local British car shows or drive through country roads with other MG enthusiasts, stopping for ice cream, at cider mills or museums for friendship and camaraderie. The annual Old Car Festival at Greenfield Village in Dearborn is a favorite spot. The national Gathering of the Faithful is another regular haunt. There are a few different locations, and the Klem-
mers frequent the central show in the Midwest.
Ken has studied the history of the MGs extensively.
“This M-Type we have, they built 3,000 of those cars. Quite a few survived, I would say close to 500 worldwide, which is shocking for a car like that,” Ken said. “It was just a cheap sports car. It’s got a wood body. It rotted and rusted and it went through World War II. They were loved so much. People hung onto them and didn’t junk them when they got old.
“The D-Type is the rarest road car MG made. They only made 250 in total. There’s about 40 in the original condition still left. The guys at the MG factory would be shocked to know that we’re still driving these 100 years later,” Ken said. “MG was super prolific in the early years. They built a lot of different models. They were very innovative. There were some really interesting things with chassis and suspension.”
There are different groups of MGs, depending on the year the model was built. Because they are English cars, the steering wheel is on the right side.
“The Triple-M cars are the cars we like to specialize in. Those were built from 1929 through 1935, 1936,” Ken said. “The TripleM cars had innovative suspension systems.
Very quick steering, very nimble cars, very lightweight.”
The style also had small, high-RPM engines with overhead cams.
“The overhead cam was kind of unusual for that time. It made for a very high revving engine,” Ken said. “These cars were all raced in amateur and professional racing. The racing scene in the 1930s in England was big, and then a lot of those cars would go over to Europe to race there as well.”
The Klemmers take out their cars often, several times a week, even in less-thanfavorable weather. That includes trips to the grocery store, meetings and out to dinner. There are times they feel like they are in a time warp and even dress in 1930s clothing and wear race jackets. A third passenger sometimes is their dog, Cocoa Puff.
“You’re on the wheel on the other side, so there is already a difference there,” Ken said. “It looks intimidating, but it’s easy.”
It’s guaranteed they’ll meet people who want to know all about the MGs.
“The looks on the kids’ faces,” said Melody, who always lets people sit in the cars. “We let them in. We take pictures with them.”
“People come up to you and talk to you about them,” Ken said, who challenges teens to try to figure out how to start the MGs.
“The most prevalent question is, ‘Did GM build these?’ because they see the MG and they reverse the letters.”
Melody said many want to know if the 1930 “Wiggy” MG M-Type is a boat.
The Klemmers attribute the MG’s popularity to different factors.
“It’s a passion,” Melody said.
“Cars were bought by young people and they traded around a lot,” Ken said. “Also, the war and the Depression helped because Britain was in such austerity by the time the war started. After that, people couldn’t afford to buy new cars so they kept old cars running for a long time. They patched them up and they made them work and they stayed on the road. That’s why we have a pretty high survival rate for British cars.”
Ken discovered MGs when he was a preteen after reading the book, “The Red Car,” by Don Stanford.
“That really had a formidable allure to me,” Ken said.
His father also made an impact.
“My dad was a designer for Chrysler, and I had been around cars all my life,” Ken said. “But my dad always bought really boring cars, and the MGs sounded so exotic. But he told me about MGs. The MGs sounded exciting.”
We’re never done making health care better.
benefit package that was agreed upon by Barnes and City Council.
“We are entering this contract to help show that Bobby’s had exemplary service to the city for (20) years. The citizens have been here to support him; we’re here to support him,” Keego Mayor John Fletcher said at the City Council meeting. “We want our officers to see promotion from within.”
Barnes comes to the position after serving six months as the interim police chief, following the retirement of the city’s previous chief, John Fitzgerald. Prior to that, he was the acting officer in charge.
According to him, he put his hat in the ring later in the process, after many of the prospective candidates had been interviewed.
“We were all worried. The morale was a little down because we weren’t sure who was going to walk through the door as chief,” Barnes said. “Keego is our own unique little place. We were worried we would have someone come in from a bigger department who may not have understood the dynamics of Keego Harbor or the department, or use this as a stepping stone to be chief at a big-
ger department somewhere down the road,” Barnes said.
After receiving the support of business owners, residents and his fellow officers, Barnes talked to Keego Harbor City Manager Tammy Neeb.
“Give me a shot at it for six months to see what direction I am bringing this department,” he said.
As interim police chief, Barnes said that he got his “ducks in a row.”
While that meant learning a lot of things very quickly, he didn’t want to put himself out there by attending chiefs’ meetings or posting on the department’s Facebook page. Instead, during that time, according to him, he stayed in the station when he was not working patrol.
He offered his perspective for deciding to take that approach.
“The city can decide they want to go in a different direction,” Barnes said. “It would just be more appropriate if I did all that once I got the permanent position.”
After the permanent position became official, Barnes had Stephen Worton, a retired sergeant with the Madison Heights Police Department, pin the chief’s pin on the newly-minted top cop of Keego Harbor.
Worton selected Barnes as a Madison Heights Police Department reserve officer in
2001, which started the chief’s law enforcement career. The reserve position was unpaid and on a volunteer basis.
Barnes was 33 at that time. Although he had worked as a graphic designer for 17 years, he “always had a hankering to be a cop.”
“I recall I wanted to become a police reservist so bad. I was so nervous,” Barnes said. “He (Worton) was a little intimidating, but he ended up hiring me.”
According to Worton, he does not see himself as an intimidating person. From his perspective, it was the sergeant stripes and the power he had that was intimidating to Barnes.
“If an applicant is not nervous, then that’s something I would worry about,” Worton said. “They’re coming in and asking for your permission or blessing to use one
of your police cars, carry a gun, and have, somewhat, authority over people in your area. That’s an intimidating situation.”
According to Worton, lots of people have gone through the reserve officer’s program to move up the ranks in law enforcement.
After graduating from the police academy in 2003, Barnes secured a part-time position with Clarkston Village. He was hired by Keego Harbor in 2005 as a part-time officer and has been with the department ever since.
The man who Barnes affectionately refers to as “Sarge” shared some thoughts about the City Council’s decision.
“I think the city was very lucky and made a good decision, and they’ve got a wonderful chief,” Worton said. “He’s done a lot for their city.”
BRICK REPAIR
Ice dancers
from page 4A
30 minutes away. I think it’s really special.”
It also goes beyond just the Olympic training programs offered across the Detroit area. Sports played on the ice are ingrained in the community from a young age.
“I grew up on the ice. That was just something I think just everyone (in the area) learned when they were a kid,” Zingas said. “I feel encouraged when we go to the rink and are able to coach young kids and see the popularity of the sport is growing. It’s definitely special being from Grosse Pointe.”
The two have dedicated their lives to this sport. Kolesnik recently received his
master’s degree and Zingas is a neuroscience major at Wayne State University, all while traveling the world and performing at the highest level.
“For most people, they would call this a job,” Kolesnik said. “You go in there from 7 (a.m.) to 3 (p.m.) and do your best every single day. … Emi has been doing a lot on and off the ice.”
Ultimately, the tandem is in a great position to represent Novi, the Grosse Pointes and the state of Michigan in the Olympics in 2026.
“I think U.S. Figure Skating is starting to recognize that maybe we show some promise,” Zingas said. “I’m so passionate about it and I think I can speak for both of us when I say that.”
Call Sports Writer Scott Bentley at (586) 498-1090.
Sentencing
from page 1A
degree, three counts of criminal sexual conduct in the second-degree, two counts of child sexually abusive material, and two counts of child sexually abusive activity over several years.
According to McDonald, the ruling holds Levran accountable for his crimes and provides justice for his victims.
“The victims were heard, and their stories were believed. Zvi Levran is guilty,” McDonald stated via the release.
Each count of criminal sexual assault in the third-degree is punishable by up to 15 years in prison, according to the prosecutor. She intends to ask the court for a maximum sentence, according to the release.
McDonald shared what Levran’s plea means.
“Levran’s victims will not be re-traumatized by the burden of testifying at trial. It also spares them any further uncertainty about the outcome of this case,” McDonald stated via the release.
According to court records, Levran was booked in November 2022 and remains in the Oakland County Jail.
“The case has gone on for a long time. This was an important step to bringing it to resolution,” said Levran’s attorney, Jonathan Jones. “We expect that many of the complainant witnesses will speak at sentencing, as is their right. There is a lot to do to prepare for that and we look forward to that day.”
Call Staff Writer Gena Johnson at (586) 498-1069.
from page 3A
known for iconic roles, such as Bill Nye and the “Blue’s Clues” team.
“All these people who you watched when you were a kid, now they’re coming in and you can meet them,” said Beth Burland, show manager. “I would agree nostalgia’s definitely there.”
Yankee said that show guests are not chosen necessarily at random, because they try to get people who are not filming or working anymore as well as actors who are currently working. She said the latter definitely makes scheduling more of a challenge. It’s all about the timing, she said.
“So, a lot of the guests are people we have maybe been trying to get for a few shows now, but the schedules finally lined up,” Yankee said.
Jeremy Renner, known for his roles in “Mission Impossible” and the Marvel Cinematic Universe, where he plays Hawkeye, was among them. The timing of the con worked out well with the release of his memoir, “My Next Breath,” on April 29. The show will provide an opportunity for Renner to meet fans and promote his book, Yankee said. Renner will be appearing at MC3 on Saturday, May 17, only.
Burland said she doesn’t think there are specific challenges with putting the show together, but she always questions “if they are bringing in the right guests that the fans will enjoy.”
“There’s a lot of different moving pieces to go through the whole time and keeping juggling all those pieces to come out with a great convention for the fans is always a goal that we want to reach,” Burland said.
File photo by Brian Wells
A Motor City Comic Con attendee takes a photo of other cosplaying attendees during the spring show on May 18, 2024.
Barnes
from page 15A
Keego Harbor’s crime is down compared to a few years ago, according to Barnes.
“Right now, I want to focus on prosecutions,” he said.
In order to help do that, he would like to implement Flock security cameras in the city, which, according to the chief, makes prosecutions of crimes easier.
Flock cameras are automated license plate-reading cameras designed to capture license plate data from vehicles that are in public view.
According to Barnes, West Bloomfield and Waterford use Flock cameras and have found it to be beneficial.
The chief cited an incident at El Cami-
no restaurant last year, when a couple dined and dashed.
According to a report around the time of the incident, as the vehicle the couple was in started to drive away, one of the restaurant’s servers went outside to confront the pair and the vehicle “ran over her legs.” The male driver then proceeded to leave the scene.
Although police learned that the vehicle was a black Mercedes, there was only partial license plate information.
“If we had the Flock cameras at that time, we could have gotten that case resolved a lot sooner,” Barnes said. “Getting on board with the modern times is definitely a focus of mine.”
According to Barnes, Flock cameras would have been able to capture information from the entire license plate.
The driver was later identified and charged with failure to report an accident and defrauding an innkeeper.
He was sentenced to probation for 12 months and ordered to do seven days of community service. He was scheduled to be back in court for a review Oct. 28, according to court records.
Barnes would also like for Keego Harbor to be part of a co-responder program, which involves police departments partnering with specialists in the mental health field who render aid, referrals and other sources to individuals suffering from mental health issues, substance abuse disorders and other
The public is able to suggest guests on MC3’s website and social media. Yankee said that guest suggestions are always taken into account when they are trying to decide what guests to seek for the con.
“We like to make sure that we are listening to our fans and if there is a specific person that somebody is wanting us to bring in, then it lets us know if maybe we have a handful of people requesting that celebrity guest or maybe we have a hundred people requesting them,” Yankee said. “ When we are making our decisions on who to bring in, that definitely helps.”
New to MC3 this spring is Rough Magic games, which Burland said she is exited to have. The group will be hosting free Dungeons & Dragons games throughout the entire weekend. Burland said the group will also host panels on what D & D is all about and how to get into it.
Also new to the con this year is “Do You Want to be a Voice Actor.” The group will bring in a soundproof booth where guests will be able to record one to three lines of script. The group will edit it and add music and give a copy to the guests.
“Those two are very original and I’m looking forward to having those,” said Burland. “Something completely different that we haven’t had before.”
Another group that piggybacks off Dungeons & Dragons is Thunderforge Studios, which offers show attendees the chance to paint miniatures that can be used to play D & D games and other role-playing games. There is no cost for the miniatures.
As usual, authentication services for au-
tographs will be available for MC3 attendees to purchase through JSA, but this year they have partnered with CGC, which specializes in comic book grating. So the show will have both autograph authentication and comic book, trading card and memorabilia grading services available to attendees.
The show is known for providing the opportunity for guests to experiment with and or partake in cosplay. This year the show is expanding to feature several cosplay guests, three of whom will be judging the cosplay contests and one of whom is a professional cosplayer.
“We have always had cosplay as a thing at our show, but because it has become such a big thing that people are turning this into a profession, we have expanded what are the guests that we bring in,” Yankee said. “We might expand this even further, but we are really trying it out for the show.”
The show will also include the traditional MC3 cosplay contests for both adults and children, and numerous panels, vendors and children’s activities.
“One of the things we are striving for each show is to bring in new attendees who are maybe a little bit timid about going to a comic con or maybe have the wrong idea about what a comic con is,” Yankee said. “It’s not just comic books. We have a lot of nostalgic guests that we are bringing in hoping to reach a new audience. So they understand there’s a lot more than just comic books at our show. We have local artists, we have vendors from all over the country, we’ve got activities and panels and after-hours events. There’s a lot going on that I think maybe people going to their first comic con might really enjoy.”
Call Staff Writer Charity Meier at (586) 498-1092.
challenges. Such professionals can lend expertise and help resolve situations after a scene is secured, according to Barnes.
The program is a collaboration between local police and the Oakland Community Health Network.
The chief is hopeful that and other initiatives will soon be put on the City Council’s agenda.
In the meantime, his talents as a graphic artist can be seen via the decal on the side of Keego’s police vehicles, as well as on the city’s business cards, ID cards and letterhead.
Call Staff Writer Gena Johnson at (586) 498-1069.
Editor: Mark Vest | (586) 498-1052 | mvest@candgnews.com
Reporter:
Gena Johnson | (586) 498-1069 | gjohnson@candgnews.com
Sports: Scott Bentley | (586) 498-1090 | sports@candgnews.com
Artroom: (586) 498-1036 | ads@candgnews.com
retail ad rates: Karen Bozimowski | (586) 498-1032 | kboz@candgnews.com
Advertising: Louise Millar | (586) 498-1054 | lmillar@candgnews.com Real Estate Advertising: Paula Kaspor | (586) 498-1055 | pkaspor@candgnews.com
Classifieds: For ad rates (586) 498-8100 Legals
CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF WEST BLOOMFIELD SECURE DOCUMENT SHREDDING
Spring: Friday, May 23, 2025 (4:00pm – 7:00pm)
Fall: Friday, October 10, 2025 (4:00pm - 7:00pm)
West Bloomfeld Civic Center - 4550 Walnut Lake Road
West Bloomfeld will be offering a special day for the on-site shredding of PERSONAL documents. The event is open to residents of West Bloomfeld, Orchard Lake, Sylvan Lake, and Keego Harbor. No appointments are necessary, but a photo I.D. will be required to enter. Each vehicle will be limited to 50 pounds (approximately 5 bags/boxes) of personal (non-business or commercial) shredding. Acceptable items include paper, carbonless forms, catalogs or magazines, envelopes, junk mail, large prints, laser paper, letterhead, manila folders, newspaper, phone books/soft-covered books, stationary, and stickers. Staples and small paperclips are acceptable, however, please be sure that no large metal objects or household batteries are intermixed with the documents to be shredded. Items not accepted include binders, black carbon, bubble wrap, cardboard, cloth, flm, foil, hanging folder fles, napkins, plastic, styrofoam, wax paper, metal, or wood. For more information, please contact the Development Services Department at (248) 451-4818.
Published: West Bloomfeld Beacon 04/16/2025
0203-2516
Main Office: 13650 E. 11 Mile Road • Warren, MI 48089 (586) 498-8000
Poison
from page 2A
predators eat rats poisoned with anticoagulants.
“We also see problems with animals that are not the target, so things like squirrels and chipmunks that will get into a rodent bait and then they will have the same problems that the rodent will have in terms of those clotting problems,” Larsen said.
Wildlife such as raptors have a very quick death from poison, while coyotes and foxes can exhibit symptoms due to the stress on their immune system. Mikulski said second generation anticoagulants can last in an animal’s liver for up to eight months. Some symptoms can include lethargy, bruising and blood pooling. Also included is mange, which Mikulski said can be a major red flag.
“When they have that much anticoagulant in their body, at a critical stage you can see nose bleeds, you can see bleeding from the rectum,” Mikulski said. “There’s a lot that goes wrong very quickly.”
She also said a small amount of the dye found in rodenticides can be seen in the animal’s poop.
Larsen said they don’t see many cases of rat-poisoned animals.
“The analysis for those poisons is pretty expensive, so we only look at cases where we have a high suspicion,” Larsen said.
They do see it a lot in squirrels and foxes.
“We are only seeing it in the select cases that get to us,” Larsen said. “We’re not doing any broad studies looking to the exposure in our wild population.”
He said animals that die without being found or turned in to the DNR could have exposures that the DNR doesn’t know about.
The danger for humans isn’t necessarily ingestion and bioaccumulation because humans do not eat wildlife. The real risk for humans is if a child gets into rat poison.
“Because it’s brightly colored, they may think it’s candy, and that poses a real risk,” Mikulski said.
She said to better prevent a child from getting into it, get a secured storage box. However, this does not completely eliminate the threat, because rats travel around the property and hide the poison in their cheek pouches.
“If they get scared while they run back to their home, they can drop that rat poison. That’s why we sometimes see cases where kids (get) first-hand poisoning from rat poison out in the backyard,” Mikulski said.
She said this occurrence is very rare.
Pets can also get into rodenticides if they scavenge in the backyard.
“Anytime that you suspect that your dog has eaten a rat, killed a rat, there is a risk involved,” Mikulski said.
She said the first thing pet owners should worry about if a dog kills a rat is leptospirosis. That comes from rat urine.
“That has a certain bacteria that attacks the liver, and when it attacks the liver the dogs can get jaundice and they can die,” Mikulski said. “It’s very serious. There are vaccines for it, but the vaccine does not cover all strains.”
If a dog eats a rat, pet owners should watch their dog for any symptoms, such as lethargy.
“And if you suspect that the rat was poisoned — for instance, if the rat was behaving oddly or if you see that your dog picked up something in your backyard — first-hand digestion of a rat poison can be very critical,” Mikulski said.
She said in those cases, it’s best to take the dog to a vet.
Larsen suggested that pet owners keep rat poison out of areas where pets can get to it.
“Most of those baits are not going to be designed to be attractive to those animals, but certainly they can get into, and that can also be a concern if you have a rodent that
dies or is sick because it gets into that rodenticide,” Larsen said.
He said the concern is if a pet finds the rat, eats it and gets sick from there.
Rat poison alternatives include snap traps placed at night. Mikulski suggested these traps have some sort of protection over them so non-targeted species aren’t hurt or affected.
Homeowners can use dry ice in a method Mikulski called “burrow busting.” The CO2 sublimating from the dry ice sinks in the burrow when the rats are sleeping, euthanizing them. Mikulski called the method “wildly effective.”
“But local pest control people cannot do that because they have to use something that is an EPA-approved pest control device or application,” Mikulski said.
A number of other methods could be used instead of rat poison. Larsen said decreasing their food supply helps.
“Enclosing containers if there’s any sort of feed,” Larsen said. “If there’s bird feeders, making sure that there’s not fallen seed around on the ground attracting rodents, potentially even bringing those in at night.”
He said sealing up basements and crawlspaces and also having a domestic cat could help as well. He said prevention is going to be one of the biggest keys.
Call Staff Writer Alyssa Ochss at (586) 498-1103.
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Police investigate driver who allegedly brandished a gun
ROCHESTER HILLS — On March 10, a woman reported a traffic altercation involving the brandishing of a handgun that occurred at 8:10 p.m. March 7. The victim stated that she was traveling westbound on M-59 when a 2019 white Camaro pulled up behind her in the left-hand lane. She said she changed lanes so that he could pass her, and as he did, he gave her the middle finger. They both ended up getting slowed by construction, at which time she passed him again. As she was driving by him, the driver of the white Camaro looked at her and held up a black handgun. She indicated that he did not point it at her but raised it in a manner to intimidate her. She slowed down so that she could get behind him and he ended up getting in front of her. At this time, she took a picture of the vehicle and license plate. They both exited M-59 onto Crooks Road, at which time the suspect continued driving south as she drove in the opposite direction. Police have identified the driver and vehicle, adding that the registered owner of the vehicle, a 32-year-old man from Sterling Heights, does have a “KIE 45cal 8 shot handgun” registered to him. The victim stated that she could identify the suspect if she saw him again. Police were investigating. Women arrested for retail fraud
ROCHESTER HILLS — Deputies were dispatched to Lululemon, 340 N. Adams Road, for a retail fraud that had just occurred at 3:40 p.m. March 18. A store employee stated that five females entered the store with empty bags. Once inside the store, the five females started putting clothing into the bags and once the bags were full, the females exited the store after making no attempt to pay for the items. The females were observed fleeing the scene driving a Mazda CX-30. The store employee obtained the license plate and provided it to the responding deputies. Deputies located the vehicle and conducted a traffic stop at Walton Road and Walnut Road. A search of the vehicle revealed all the stolen items. An inventory of stolen clothing totaled over $2,600. Deputies requested store video footage and a statement of loss. The suspects — which included a 22-year-old female from Pontiac, a 17-year-old female from Saginaw, an 18-year-old female from Saginaw, a 19-year-old female from Saginaw, a 17-year-old female from Saginaw, and a 15-year-old female from Saginaw — were arrested and transported to the Orion Substation for processing.
Man arrested for drunken driving
BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP — Police made an arrest for operating while intoxicated near Telegraph Road and Hickory Grove Road March 16. Officers responded to the area for a report of a rollover crash. The vehicle was located, but the occupants fled on foot. A K-9
Telegraph Road into a wooded area near Hickory Grove Road where they were located.
The driver of the vehicle, a male, admitted to having consumed “a couple beers,” according to reports, and was arrested for operating while intoxicated. He was transported to the nearest hospital for his injuries and was released from custody. Blood toxicology results were pending.
Woman arrested for retail fraud
BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP — Officers made an arrest for retail fraud third-degree at Target, 2400 S. Telegraph Road, March 13. A Target loss prevention officer detained a woman for stealing two Barbie dolls valued at $33.90. Loss prevention stated the woman entered the store with an unopened “Ken” Barbie doll in a Target plastic bag. The woman went to the toy section and selected two more of the same kind of Ken dolls off the shelf. She then brought all three of the dolls to customer service and tried to return all three of them, but was denied. She then started to walk toward the exit with all three dolls, passing all points of sale without attempting to pay for the merchandise. She was issued a citation for retail fraud and released from the scene pending a court date at the 48th District Court.
Clothing stolen from porch
BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP — Police took a report for a larceny near the 1200 Block of Hidden Lake Drive March 14. The victim stated they put several items of custom clothing on their porch for their dry-cleaning service to pick up in the early morning. A short time later, they discovered the clothing was stolen off their porch. The clothing reportedly totaled $3,950. Police were investigating.
DTE impersonators on the loose CLAWSON — On March 14, the Clawson Police Department posted a warning on its facebook page outlining a threat involving fake DTE Energy workers.
The post reads: “We recently had a resident approached by three unknown male suspects. They claimed to be with DTE and were checking electrical issues in the area. One of the males told the resident that he needed to check the electrical panel in the basement.”
While downstairs, the resident began to hear footsteps upstairs. She then pushed her way past the men, who fled the scene in a white pickup truck.
“If anyone arrives at your home or business claiming they are DTE, please ask to see a badge with a photo ID,” DTE Energy said in a prepared statement. “If the person refuses to show their badge, do not allow them entry into your home. If the person becomes agitated or acts in a strange manner, call 911 immediately.”
Contractor reportedly scams resident WEST BLOOMFIELD — On March 6, a 60-year-old homeowner reported a fraud complaint to the West Bloomfield Police Department
The homeowner hired a contractor to install a sunroom in his home on Autumn Hill Drive last July. The total price was $121,000. The homeowner paid a 63-year-old contractor from White Lake a deposit of $31,000 by personal check.
According to police, the suspect cashed the check and never returned to the home to do any work. Although the homeowner has demanded to receive his money back from the suspect, it has reportedly not been returned.
Senior gets scammed WEST BLOOMFIELD — On March 6, an 81-year-old resident reported a fraud to the West Bloomfield Police Department.
After completing a Google search for Amazon returns, the senior found an “855” telephone number that he thought was Amazon.
According to police, the victim spoke to a person claiming to be Alex from Amazon. The senior gave “Alex” his username, password, and personal financial information.
“Alex” kept him on the phone for more than two hours and told him his account had been hacked.
“Alex” reportedly had the senior buy $500 in gift cards. He also had the senior give him the card and PIN numbers.
Later, the victim discovered an unauthorized $25,000 withdrawal from his credit union checking account.
Driver arrested after drugs, gun found
SOUTHFIELD — Officers stopped a vehicle for traffic offenses at 8:11 p.m. March 15 at West Eight Mile and Southfield roads. During the stop, police located a Taurus G3c compact 9mm pistol, marijuana and unprescribed pills. The driver was arrested.
Fake text message scams elderly victim
TROY — At 1:34 p.m. March 14, a 71-year-old resident of Lovington Drive reported that she received a text message thanking her for her $255.79 subscription to Netflix.
The victim called the number provided to cancel since she had not subscribed. She spoke to a female who advised the resident that she had $240,000 in a bank account that she was not aware of.
The resident called a second number and spoke with a male who claimed he was an agent with the Department of Investigations. He instructed the resident to go to various locations and purchase gift cards
account. The resident purchased 10 gift cards totaling $2,000 and provided pictures of each to the male.
Fraudulent email leads to loss of money TROY — At 1 p.m. March 14, a 46-year-old resident of Livernois Road reported he received an email that was supposedly from DTE. The email informed him that his bill was overdue and provided a barcode for him to pay the balance and avoid shutoff. The victim was instructed to go to 7-Eleven and have the clerk scan the code, which he did, paying $494.61. He later contacted DTE and was informed it was a scam.
Firearms stolen MADISON HEIGHTS — A resident of East China Township told police that sometime between 9 p.m. March 20 and 12:30 p.m. March 21, a West Bloomfield resident stole several firearms from the building he was renting in the 700 block of West 11 Mile Road. Police were investigating.
Drunk driver caught after hit-and-run
BIRMINGHAM — At approximately 1 a.m. March 15, officers were dispatched to a nearby gas station regarding a vehicle accident that had occurred shortly before in Bloomfield Township. The suspect, a 37-yearold male from Troy, rear-ended the vehicle of the victim, a 60-year-old male resident, and left the scene. The victim followed the suspect and contacted the police. Upon speaking with the suspect, officers immediately noticed signs of intoxication. Upon failing field sobriety evaluations, the suspect was placed under arrest and given a citation for driving while under the influence of alcohol.
Intoxicated man punches resident at bar
BIRMINGHAM — At approximately 8 p.m. March 12, officers were dispatched to a bar in the 100 block of Willits Street for a report of an individual who assaulted somebody and refused to leave the establishment. After arriving at the restaurant, officers escorted the suspect, a 35-year-old male resident, out of the bar. The suspect was visibly intoxicated. Officers then spoke with the victim, a 32-year-old male resident, who stated that while watching a sports game on TV, the suspect sat in the empty seat next to him. Shortly after, the suspect punched the victim in the shoulder without provocation.
The suspect has had multiple public intoxication incidents in Birmingham in the past. The suspect was given a citation for disturbing the peace.
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