Mayors Lori Stone, of Warren, and Michael Taylor, of Sterling Heights, signed a $500,000 agreement April 16 between their cities, aimed at growing the defense industry in the area.
‘WE’RE IMPORTANT, WE MATTER’
STERLING HEIGHTS, WARREN ENTER INTO ARSENAL ALLIANCE AGREEMENT
BY BRIAN WELLS bwells@candgnews.com
STERLING HEIGHTS/WARREN — The mayors of the two largest cities in Macomb County have signed an agreement aimed at growing the defense industry, an industry officials referred to as a national asset.
Mayors Lori Stone, of Warren, and Michael Taylor, of Sterling Heights, signed a $500,000 agreement April 16 between their cities.
The initiative is being called the Arsenal Alliance. It aims to build on the strong defense industry already present in Macomb County by driv-
See AGREEMENT on page 26A
LINCOLN BOYS BASKETBALL
CELEBRATES
BY SCOTT BENTLEY sbentley@candgnews.com
WARREN — The Warren Lincoln boys basketball team held a city-wide parade on April 17 to celebrate the program’s second consecutive Division 2 state title.
The team had a phenomenal 23-4 record in the regular season and went a perfect 9-0 in the Macomb Area Conference Red Division before going undefeated in postseason play.
“Coming back after winning one, it made
SPORTS
BACK-TO-BACK STATE TITLES
it special,” Lincoln head coach Wydell Henry said. “These guys all stick together.” Sticking together was exactly what this team did. Sacrifices had to be made on the personal side of things for players in order to get the most out of the team, and that’s what Lincoln was able to do.
“I preached togetherness all season… We
See TITLE on page 23A
Warren residents celebrate the Lincoln basketball team’s state title. The team has won states each of the last two seasons.
Photo by Patricia O’Blenes
Photo by Brian Wells
The 3 Most Common Problems Young Athletes Have and 5 Ways Physical Therapy Helps
Barnett, MHS, PT
Physical Therapy for ACL Injuries
What is an ACL Tear?
This article emphasizes the role of physical therapy in addressing ACL injuries, particularly among young athletes. It outlines common challenges during recovery, such as the risk of re-injury, mental barriers like fear of re-injury, and muscle weakness or imbalance. The article also highlights five key prevention strategies, including strength training, neuromuscular exercises, proper technique, dynamic warm-ups, and core stability training. These approaches aim to rebuild strength, improve balance, and reduce the likelihood of future ACL injuries, all while ensuring safe recovery through professional guidance.
The ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) is a key ligament in the knee, connecting the femur (thighbone) to the tibia (shinbone).
In an ACL tear:
• The ligament is stretched or completely torn, usually in the middle or where it attaches to the bones.
• Swelling, pain, and instability in the knee o en follow.
• The injury commonly occurs during sports involving sudden stops, pivots, or changes in direction.
ACL Injury Statistics
ACL injuries are influenced by both age and sex. Here are three key statistics:
1. Age: ACL injuries are most common among individuals aged 15 to 30 years, particularly those actively involved in sports. The incidence increases during adolescence and peaks in early adulthood.
2. Sex: Female athletes are at a higher risk of ACL injuries compared to males, especially during high school and college years. This is due to factors like anatomical di erences, hormonal influences, and biomechanics.
3. Children and Adolescents: ACL injuries are rare before the age of 10 but increase significantly between 11 to 17 years, with girls experiencing a higher rate of injuries during this period.
3 Most Common Problems for ACL Recovery, and How Physical Therapy Helps
Recovering from an ACL injury can be challenging, especially for young athletes. Here are three common problems young athletes o en face:
1. Re-injury Risk: Young athletes may feel eager to return to sports too soon, which increases the risk of re-injuring the ACL or other parts of the knee. That’s why your physical therapist is an important part of guiding you through your rehabilitation and helping you adhere to recovery timelines.
2. Mental Barriers: Physical therapists are trained extensively to help you manage the mental barriers associated with ACL injuries. Your physical therapist will provide strategies for helping you deal with the fear of re-injury or lack of confidence in your knee’s stability.
3. Muscle Weakness and Imbalance: A er an ACL injury, the muscles around the knee, particularly the quadriceps and hamstrings, may weaken. This can lead to imbalances that a ect your movement and increase the risk of further injuries. Targeted physical therapy for ACL injuries is essential for rebuilding your strength and balance.
5 Ways Physical Therapy Can Help Prevent ACL Injuries
Preventing ACL injuries involves a combination of strengthening, training, and awareness. Here are some e ective strategies:
1. Strength Training: Focus on building balanced strength in the quadriceps, hamstrings, and glutes. Exercises like squats, lunges, and hamstring curls can help stabilize the knee.
2. Neuromuscular Training: Programs that improve coordination, balance, and body mechanics are highly e ective. These include agility drills, plyometric exercises, and proprioception training.
3. Proper Technique: Learning and practicing correct techniques for jumping, landing, and pivoting can reduce stress on the ACL. For example, landing so ly with knees bent and aligned can minimize injury risk.
4. Dynamic Warm-Ups: Incorporate warm-ups that include dynamic stretches and movements to prepare the muscles and joints for activity.
5. Core Stability: A strong core provides better control over body movements, reducing the likelihood of awkward landings or sudden shi s that can strain the ACL.
6. Rest and Recovery: Overtraining can lead to fatigue, which increases the risk of injury. Adequate rest and recovery are essential.
Melissa J. Orille, DPT, NCPI
Christopher
SECOND FRONT PAGE
3A/ WARREN WEEKLY • APRIL 30, 2025
Stone focuses on infrastructure in 2026 budget presentation
WARREN MAYOR’S REMARKS HINT AT OPIOID SETTLEMENT PLANS
BY NICK POWERS npowers@candgnews.com
WARREN — Warren Mayor Lori Stone stepped up to the lectern at the Warren Community Center on April 14 to present her hopes for the 2026 budget.
“Going into 2024, we can all agree that Warren’s elected leadership inherited a bit of a dysfunctional budget process,” Stone said. “Together, we worked really hard to rebuild trust, mutual respect and successfully restored this process.”
Stone laid out themes for the budget: fiscal responsibility, addressing aging infrastructure, respecting the hard work of city employees and getting additional grant funding for city projects.
Infrastructure
Stone said the city’s wastewater incinerator was at the “end of its life.” She said the incinerator has been taken offline three times since she took office in November 2023. The city has been looking into replacements.
“They discovered state-of-the-art, next-generation incineration technology that will improve upon our already excellent air quality, recycle the heat energy used during the drying and incineration process and have the potential to prove the destruction of low levels of PFAs in our
Fitzgerald to place bond proposal on Aug. 5 ballot
BY MARIA ALLARD allard@candgnews.com
WARREN — Community members who reside in the Fitzgerald Public Schools district will be asked to consider two ballot proposals in the Aug. 5 election.
At the April 14 Board of Education meeting, the school board voted unanimously to place a $42 million bond initiative on the ballot and a second proposal to combine the school district’s two current sinking funds into one.
According to school officials, the $42 million bond is zero-taxrate increase, and it will focus on three areas: enhancing safety and security; enhancing educational spaces and technology; and upgrading school infrastructure and sites.
The sinking fund replacement proposal, if approved, would
RECORD STORE DAY HITS THE RIGHT NOTES
BY MARIA ALLARD AND NICK POWERS allard@candgnews.com npowers@candgnews.com
METRO DETROIT — Andrew Dore and Andy Colohan were ready to shop on Record Store Day April 12.
The Madison Heights residents stood in line outside Solo Records in Royal Oak with about 40 other music collectors before the store opened, hoping to find a few titles to be released only on Record Store Day.
“I’m looking for the Jerry Garcia Band re-release and the Prince record,” said Dore, 26. “They also put out non-Record-Store-Day records. It’s fun to see what gems they have. I lean toward jam bands. This is the record store I go to the most.”
Colohan, 26, was in search of Joey Valence & Brae. Even if he didn’t find it, “I’m just here to have fun,” the hip-hop and jazz music fan said. “Coming out early is always fun to get the exclusives and all the new Record Store Day picks.”
Record Store Day, launched internationally in 2007, gives employees and customers a day to celebrate the culture of the independent record store. Artists, even bands no longer together, release new music or re-release material previously not available. Many record shops in metro Detroit participated and some held give-aways and discounts. Post Malone was this year’s ambassador.
Record Store Day wasn’t on Mark Iacobelli’s radar, but his 19-year-old daughter Emilina, at college in Grand Rapids, asked if he could get a copy of Kelsea Ballerini’s “The First Time: 10 Year Anniversary Edition.” She struck out when she tried to find the country’s singer album, one of the most indemand releases on Record Store Day. Iacobell, 50, of Macomb Township,
Photo by Nick Powers
Warren Mayor Lori Stone delivered her proposed city budget for the 2025-2026 fiscal year at the Warren Community Center on April 14.
Photo by Patricia O’Blenes
Trinity Lutheran Church to close after nearly 100 years
BUILDING MAY HAVE SECOND LIFE
BY NICK POWERS npowers@candgnews.com
WARREN — After nearly a century in the community, Trinity Lutheran Church will soon cease operations.
However, its building could still be used to carry out its core mission.
“The people here have a heart for the community and want to share the love of Jesus,” Trinity Lutheran Church member Doris August said. “But, because of the different circumstances, we’re hoping these other organizations can continue to use the building to continue to shine Christ’s love to our neighbors and our brothers.”
August has been in the church’s congregation since 1984. She originally taught at the church’s school and stayed with the church after it closed.
“I taught here for four years and just never left,” she said. “I felt like there was a reason God wanted me here…I always felt like the people in this area need Jesus and we’ve got to keep this place going.”
The church’s current congregation has dwindled to 15-20 members, none younger than 60 years old. A handful of members are older than 90. The church had an uptick in attendance during Easter, drawing in about 40 attendees. The church’s last full-time pastor, the Rev. Ryan D. Reese, moved to a church in Illinois in 2024.
“My thoughts and prayers remain with you all in this time,” Reese said in a Facebook comment to a post announcing the closure. “May you have the most blessed of Easter
TOP: This photo shows Trinity Lutheran Church, which has been in Warren for almost 100 years. The church’s final service will be June 8. ABOVE: Russ Pouliot, left, and Doris August both joined Trinity Lutheran Church in 1984. The two posed for a picture near the church’s entrance. Trinity will hold its last service June 8.
Photos by Nick Powers
Trinity
from page 4A
and Pentecost as you begin a new chapter.”
In the winter, for the last three years, the nonprofit WAVE Project has run a warming center out of the building.
“It has helped up to 100 people a night, who would’ve been outside in the snow if we did not have the emergency warming center,” August said. “A lot of the shelters in the area said, ‘We’re full, we’re full.’ You just have to have the people off the street.”
For the last year, a Baptist minister, the Rev. Robert Lodge, has held services at the church. The Lutherans had the 10 a.m. spot and the Baptists followed at noon. Lodge’s church is called People’s Fresh Start, which used to be in Detroit.
“Pastor Lodge brought a lot of energy,” August said.
Additionally, Detroit’s Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church held its Camp Restore program at the building during the summer.
“We’ve tried to use the building as best we can,” said Russ Pouliot, who also joined the church in 1984.
Pouliot attributes the dwindling congregation to demographic changes in the area. He said the church’s membership numbered about 1,000 in its heyday during the 1960s. By 1995, attendance was over 200. Pouliot said the members have fanned out further from Detroit over the years.
“Where are those members? Well, if you go down this road (Van Dyke), down to 20 Mile Road, there’s a church called Trinity (Lutheran) Utica (Church & School). That’s probably got 3,500 members,” Pouliot said.
Trinity Lutheran has been in Warren since 1928, according to a history of the church made during its 50th anniversary. The church was fully organized as Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Congregation and its constitution was signed by J. Frank Werner, Louis Schauer, Herman Sees and John Englehardt. Prior to the church being built, services were held in a community hall on Nine Mile Road. In October of 1928, the church purchased the plot of land near the intersection of Automobile Boulevard and Chapp Avenue. The following February, a church was erected on the land. The church started hosting a school in its basement in 1934. It expanded in 1938, offering instruction for grades one through eight. A new church building broke ground in 1957. A preschool was added in 1981.
In 1967, the church broke ground on an above-ground wing for its school. The school closed in 1990, sending students to the now closed-Peace Lutheran Church in Warren. Its preschool continued until 2004.
Martin Wuggazer was the first reverend at the church with a tenure from 1927-1948. Then came the Rev. Harold J. Maleske from 1948-1955, the Rev. Wilton H. Flugge from 1955 to 1987, the Rev. Douglas C. Breite 1988-1995, the Rev. Paul C. Monsoon 1997-2005 and Reese from 2006-2024.
For the last year, the Rev. Lewis Stier has been the church’s pastor on a part-time basis. He was previously a pastor at Trinity Utica and worked as a full-time pastor for 22 years.
“We hired him part-time to help us figure out what to do,” August said.
The church will have services on May 4 and May 18. The church’s final service will be June 8. After the May 4 service, a complimentary catered dinner will be available for attendees. To reserve a spot for the dinner, text Don August at (586) 601-8040 or email donaugust4@gmail.com.
Call Staff Writer Nick Powers at (586) 498-1059.
Photo provided by Trinity Lutheran Church
This provided photo shows Rev. Wilton H. Flugge, who was the pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church from 1955 to 1987.
Concert band plans ‘extra special’
Mother’s Day concert
BY NICK POWERS npowers@candgnews.com
WARREN — The Warren Concert Band will be performing a special Mother’s Day showcase on May 11.
The performance features renditions of Morton Gould’s “American Salute,” Gene Milford’s “Heart of Gold March,” Robert W. Smith’s “A Mother’s Hymn,” “Lincoln” arranged by Jay Bocook and Norman Dello Joio’s “Scenes from the Louvre.” Jeremy Duby is the music director for the performance.
“I look forward to the side by side concert every year. It is a great way for the WCB to give back to our community by sharing our music making with area students” said Duby in an email. “These students always bring a great deal of energy to our space, and we are able to offer musical growth to them to take back and share with their home programs. Students also learn about the performance opportunities after high school and
have a home group to perform with when they graduate.”
The WCB has had a spring showcase with band students every year since 2017. However, WCB clarinetist Maureen Michaels said it’s rare that the performance falls on Mother’s Day. This year marks the WCB’s 53rd season.
“This is the first Mother’s Day concert by the Warren Concert Band in many years, so we are planning something extra special,” WCB President Bob Hoy said in a press release.
Hoy also mentioned that flowers will be given to all the mothers in attendance at the performance.
The WCB will be accompanied by students from Warren Consolidated, Warren Woods, Fitzgerald, Van Dyke and Center Line school districts.
“The whole thought is nurturing students and getting them exposed to sitting on a beautiful stage with acoustics that are
The Warren Concert Band will be performing a Mother’s Day concert at the Warren Woods Middle School Auditorium on May 11.
Photo provided by the Warren Concert Band
NEWS & NOTES
8A/ WARREN WEEKLY • APRIL 30, 2025
Garden Club hosts plant exchange
OUR NEXT EDITION WILL DELIVER TO HOMES MAY 14
WARREN — The Warren Garden Club will hold a plant exchange May 17 at United Methodist Church-East.
The exchange takes place from 10 a.m. to noon. All plants are free, and a few plants will be available for attendees without plants to trade. The event is located at 5005 Chicago Road. For more information, call Madelyn at (586) 215-4288.
The club’s monthly meeting will be on May 14 and will feature Macomb County Public Works Community Service Coordinator Steve Duchane. The speaker was supposed to be at the club’s February meeting, but it was delayed due to weather. He will talk about the hundreds of open and closed drains in Warren.
The meeting is free to attend, and refreshments will be served. For more information, call Linda at (810) 656-6490.
MAY THE FOURTH BE WITH YOU
WARREN — A toy and comic show featuring “Star Wars” items, music memorabilia, comic books and more will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 4 at the Macomb Elks Lodge No. 2292, located at 25950 Schoenherr Road. There will be 70 tables. Admission is $3 per person, and children are free. For more information, contact Jacquie at (586) 329-8213 or email jpellegrino567@comcast.net.
SURVEY SAYS
UTICA — Trinity Lutheran Church, 45160 Van Dyke Ave., is hosting a “Family Feud” event at 5 p.m. May 3 to benefit the Interfaith Volunteer Caregivers (IVC) program.
“Family Feud” will feature a live version of the popular game show, a silent auction and strolling food. Tickets are $10 each. Half of the proceeds will benefit IVC.
IVC, headquartered in Roseville, provides support to older and disabled adults who are struggling to remain safe and independent in their own homes. IVC works throughout Macomb, Oakland and St. Clair counties to recruit, support and train volunteers who share their time and skills with neighbors in need.
For tickets or to donate silent auction items, visit www.ivcinfo.org or call (586) 757-5551.
Free veterans resource fair May 12
ST. CLAIR SHORES — State Rep. Mai Xiong, D-Warren, will host a free veterans resource fair from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. May 12 at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Bruce Post No. 1146, 28404 Jefferson Ave.
Done in conjunction with state, county and local partners, the fair will be a chance for Macomb County veterans in the 13th Michigan House District to find a wide variety of resources and support they need.
Xiong represents the 13th District, which includes Roseville, the eastern part of Warren, and parts of St. Clair Shores. Xiong
Warren Civic Theater puts on ‘Little Shop of Horrors’
WARREN — The Warren Civic Theater will be putting on “Little Shop of Horrors” at the Owen Jax Community Center May 2-11.
The horror-comedy is focused on a floral shop worker who discovers a plant with a taste for human blood. Charles B. Griffith wrote the screenplay for the original 1960 film. The film was adapted into a musical in 1982, featuring music by Alan Menken and lyrics by Howard Ashman. The musical was adapted as a film in 1986 starring Rick Moranis.
The Warren Civic Theater version will be directed by Joe Colosi with musical direction from Emily Olson and choreography by Geri Elise Conner. Tickets for the show are $20 and available at warrencivic.org/tickets.html.
CENTER STAGE
CENTER LINE — The Center Line High School Drama Club will perform its spring musical “The Sound of Music” at 7 p.m. May 2-3 and at 3 p.m. May 4 inside the school’s auditorium, located at 26300 Arsenal St. The school’s band students will provide the music for the show. Tickets are $6 for students and seniors, and $8 for adults.
TESTING THEIR ROBOTICS SKILLS
TOP: Lawrence Technological Institute and Warren Woods Middle School Robotics hosted a Robofest April 5 at the middle school. Five teams competed: three from Warren Woods Middle School, including the Platypi, We’re Costco Guys and Ziggy Bop, shown; Southfield Christian were the Iron Eagles, and the Speedy Snail 5.0 were sponsored by Turbo in Troy, which won first place. ABOVE: The Warren Woods Middle School eighth grade team, We’re Costco Guys, watch as the robot maneuvers the course and completes the tasks. Christian Dias sent the robot on its way as Kolton Perry stands and watches the robot’s progression on the course. The team also includes Ethan Pinks and Kyzer Carey.
Photos by Patricia O’Blenes
The Warren City Council voted to declare the Motor City Sports Bar & Grill a public nuisance at its April 22 meeting. BELOW: These signs are posted throughout the Motor City Sports Bar & Grill’s parking lot.
Photos by Nick Powers
City Council deems bar public nuisance
BY NICK POWERS npowers@candgnews.com
WARREN — A public nuisance order was issued for the Motor City Sports Bar & Grill with a unanimous vote by the Warren City Council at its April 22 meeting.
The bar, located on Mound Road near Eight Mile Road, was deemed a public nuisance by council members for its inability to control gatherings on its premises and nearby.
“This item has at least been a problem for a year that I’ve known about,” Council Secretary Mindy Moore said. “It was first brought to my attention by residents around the Motor City Sports Bar.”
Moore said there have been 253 calls to law enforcement in three years about the bar. Council showed videos of crowds outside of the bar and overflow parking spilling out onto the side streets in the area.
“The problems are not inside the bar, that’s not where the calls are, it’s outside in the parking lot in the streets around it,” Moore said. “The police have done targeted enforcement. They’ve tried many different things, and it’s had no effect whatsoever.”
Chapter 21 of the city’s ordinance outlines how the bar may be in violation.
“Making or causing a commotion or unnecessarily loud noise, or loud or profane music from a motor vehicle, be it in motion or stationery, whereby the peace and good order of the neighborhood is disturbed, or persons owning or occupying property in the neighborhood are disturbed or annoyed is unlawful,” the ordinance states.
The bar does have signs stating that loitering, littering, drinking and loud music are prohibited from the parking lot area.
Maria Nuculaj is the owner of the Motor City Sports Bar & Grill, which also has a location in Hamtramck. The Warren location celebrated its 14-year anniversary last March.
Nuculaj said she feels “attacked” by the public nuisance order. She said there is often inaccurate information spreading about the bar on Facebook. She said the scrutiny on her Warren location has been happening for about two years, usually during the summer.
“I feel like my business is being harassed,” she said.
The bar has a camera in its parking lot that costs $5,000 a month, according to Nuculaj. She said the device also sends out an audio warning to not loiter on the premises.
The bar has its own security and Nuculaj said that the local police are called if there is an incident.
“As soon as I say, ‘Warren police,’ they’re gone,” Nuculaj said.
She also questioned the figure Moore gave at the meeting and said some of the calls could be to the surrounding area.
Nuculaj said her other location, which has been in Hamtramck for 25 years, has not had any of the same issues. She is currently being represented by the Sam Bernstein Law Firm.
LEFT:
WCS sells 2025 school building and site bonds
BY MARIA ALLARD allard@candgnews.com
WARREN — Last month, the Warren Consolidated Schools Board of Education reported the successful sale of its 2025 school building and site bonds, known as the “2025 Bonds.”
According to a district press release issued March 21, the 2025 Bonds were sold at a tax-exempt fixed interest rate of 4.28%, with a final maturity of 2045.
Bond dollars will be used for building updates throughout the district, athletic field improvements, and playground and technology upgrades. The 2025 Bonds are the second phase of the $150 million bond issue that passed in May 2022.
Superintendent John C. Bernia Jr. thanked the community for approving the bond proposal.
“Much of the important work of the bond program will enhance and preserve our facilities for many years to come,” he said in a prepared statement. “In addition to protecting our facilities, the bond program will also support critical student needs at all levels.”
In preparing to sell the 2025 Bonds, school officials requested a credit evaluation from S&P Global, and the district’s credit rating was upgraded to “A-.” S&P Global cited the district’s maintenance of structural balance and stable reserves as the reason for the upgrade, the press release states. The 2025 Bonds also were assigned a rating of “AA” due to the district’s participation in the Michigan School Bond Qualification and Loan Program.
Bernia also thanked the board members for their actions.
its “2025 Bonds.” District Superintendent John C. Bernia Jr. thanked community members for their support in passing the $150 million bond in May 2022.
“The Board of Education should be commended for their fiscal responsibility,” Bernia said. “Due to the Board’s fiscal management, the district received a credit upgrade which delivered a competitive market of investors ready to purchase the district’s 2025 Bonds.”
The district’s financing is structured and coordinated by PFM Financial Advisors LLC, and the law firm serving as bond counsel, Miller, Canfield, Paddock and Stone, P.L.C. The managing underwriter of the 2025 Bonds is Huntington Capital Markets.
For more information about the bond projects, go to wcs.k12.mi.us/Bond2022/.
File photo by Maria Allard Warren Consolidated Schools recently sold
Independence Festival, Cruisin’ 53 return to Center Line
BY NICK POWERS npowers@candgnews.com
CENTER LINE — Being a small city tucked in Warren, the third largest municipality in Michigan, means you have to show what sets you apart. Center Line’s Independence Festival and Cruisin’ 53 aim to do just that for the “heart of metro Detroit.”
“That’s where the name Center Line Independence Festival came from,” Center Line City Manager Dennis Champine said. “It was not because of the Fourth of July; it was independence separate from that of Warren.”
“We’re really happy to have it,” Center Line Mayor Bob Binson said. “We’re happy it draws so many people from all the surrounding areas. We’ve very excited to be doing this.”
Champine said that Center Line became a city 21 years prior to Warren becoming a city.
“They always had this community pride, and this want to be independent,” Champine said.
The Independence Festival runs from May 30 to June 1. The Cruisin’ 53 car cruise
from page 10A
“There is nothing that they asked that I didn’t comply with,” she said of her interaction with the city.
The problems could stem from the bar’s available parking. Warren Police Capt. Paul Houtos said the owner is responsible for what goes on inside the bar and its parking lot. The spillover has impacted Syracuse and Albany avenues, according to Houtos.
“It’s like a tailgate or even pregaming for the people that are going in the bar,” he said. “It’s a smaller venue. The parking lot is too small for capacity and it’s not in really good condition so you get a lot of the overflow that parks on Albany, which would be fine except people don’t leave their cars when they’re on Albany. They’re playing their music and it’s only going to get worse.”
Nuculaj said the city could do a better job with controlling how many vehicles are parked on the side streets. She added that it’s possible that the cars aren’t all patrons from her business.
“They’re just assuming those cars are probably here,” Nuculaj said.
Council Vice President Melody Magee asked if the bar had received a warning. Houtos said the owner was aware of the issue.
Moore explained that a bar in the past had made tweaks to avoid shutdown.
“Maybe the owner wants to change what sort of music he plays, what kind of place it is to alleviate these problems,” Moore said. “If not, I think we have to shut them down…Somebody’s going to get hurt really bad one of these days. Somebody’s going to get run over or worse.”
City Council Attorney Jeff Schoder said the request would be referred to the city attorney’s office and a nuisance action would be filed in circuit court. The city would need to show that the business has been a problem in court for it to be shut down, though the bar’s owner could act to resolve the issues before it gets shut down.
“Ultimately, you’re getting the place closed and padlocked because it’s a nuisance and certainly, just reading the definition of public nuisance in the ordinances and in common law, it certainly seems to fit,” Schroder said.
Councilman Jonathan Lafferty suggested looking at additional “no parking” signs on Albany Avenue that wouldn’t im-
pact the residents who lived there. Houtos suggested building a wall on the west side of the property, which currently just has a fence, to help with the issues.
Ballot proposal bumped
On April 22, the City Council unanimously approved moving the police and fire safety millage to the Nov. 4 ballot. The millage is set to add a renewal of the levy of 4.6083 mills.
The millage was originally approved at the council’s March 11 meeting to appear
on the Aug. 5 ballot. Acting City Attorney Mary Michaels said that an informal review by the attorney general’s office caused the city to move the proposal. She said moving the election ultimately came down to the costs associated with getting it on the ballot.
“We anticipate other ballot proposals in November that will be citywide,” Michaels said. “This way we’re not duplicating costs, we’re not duplicating staffing resources. It was just an economical decision.”
Call Staff Writer Nick Powers at (586) 498-1059.
ABOVE: Ken, pictured, and Kristin Lingenfelter will hold their annual Lingenfelter Collection Spring Open House from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 3 at 7819 Lochlin Drive in Brighton. Atwill donations taken at the door will benefit the American Cancer Society.
LINGENFELTER COLLECTION ANNUAL SPRING OPEN HOUSE IS MAY 3
DONATIONS WILL RAISE MONEY FOR THE AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY
BY MARIA ALLARD allard@candgnews.com
BRIGHTON — The Lingenfelter Collection, in Brighton, is a private car collection that pays tribute to America’s love for the automobile.
Owned by Ken and Kristin Lingenfelter, the collection is closed to the public, except for a few times a year in which it opens for charity events.
The
LEFT: The 1963 Chevrolet Corvette split-window coupe is probably Ken Lingenfelter’s favorite car. He first discovered the sports car at age 10.
Car fans, start your engines because it’s time for the Lingenfelters’ annual Spring Open House. The Lingenfelter Collection will be open to the public from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 3. While there is no set cost to attend the family-friendly event, visitors are asked to make at-will donations at the door. Money raised from the event will benefit the American Cancer Society. Neither tickets nor reservations are required.
“Cancer has touched everybody at some point,” Ken said. “I lost my father, Charles, and my sister, Karen, to it. This is a way to help the American Cancer Society.”
Attendees can view the whole collection, which includes 150 Corvettes, muscle cars, exotic European models and race cars. The collection is spaced out in three rooms that measure about 30,000 square feet. The Spring Open House not only raises money for a worthy cause, but it kicks off cruising season for car buffs.
“This is kind of a celebration of being able to get their favorite cars out. It’s actually very fun. People can come in and we’ll lead them to the collection,” Ken said. “Car enthu-
See LINGENFELTER on page 27A
Photos provided by Ken Lingenfelter
ABOVE:
Superformance Corvette Grand Sport will be on display.
Festival
will run in conjunction with the festival on June 1. Champine said the event is one of the first of the season in Macomb County.
Festival Vice Chair Shawn Massaria said there will be nine food trucks at the event and over 20 craft vendors. She said both have increased from previous years.
Champine said there are more food trucks and vendors set to appear at this year’s festival. The festival is located in Memorial Park.
“We’ve made a lot of investment in the park itself to make sure it can handle such an event,” Champine said.
The carnival will be set up near the corner of Lawrence and Bernice avenues on property owned by Crest Ford, according to Champine. The carnival requires a wristband, which is $25 before midnight on May 29. After that, they’ll be $30 at the event.
Cruisin’ 53 will take place at a lot owned by Ed Rinke Chevrolet Buick GMC, due to the ongoing construction on 10 Mile Road. If you want to show off your vehicle, registration for the event is $30. Check-in begins at 8:30 a.m. with vehicles lining up by 11:30 a.m. for the parade down Van Dyke Avenue at noon. Awards will be announced at 4 p.m. Those who register will receive a free T-shirt. The Warren Community Foundation donates a portion of proceeds from registration to nonprofits and charities. The foundation is a nonprofit established under the umbrella of the Warren Center Line Chamber of Commerce, one of two area-specific subchambers of the Southeast Michigan Chamber of Commerce, according to the Cruisin’ 53 website.
Champine said to register early to make sure you get a spot.
There will be a space for kids at the event featuring bounce houses and, replacing the petting farm, a foam party. Entry is $10 for an all-day wristband. The zone will be open on all three days of the event.
On Saturday night the festival will feature a fireworks display at dusk. If there’s rain, it’ll get pushed to June 1.
There will be live music on each day of the festival. May 30 will feature Set N Stone, Larry Lee and the Back in the Day
Band, and Sunset Blvd. The following day, the BlueSkye Band, Band Wagon, Bernadette Kathryn and the Lonely Days Band, and Family Tradition will perform. The final day will feature music from The Prolifics, a Jimmy Buffett tribute band called Island, and Magic Bus.
“We’ve got a lot of good bands coming,” Binson said.
A social district will be made along Van Dyke Avenue between Sandbaggers Bar & Grill and Te Roma, which are the only two bars in the city.
“You could have an adult beverage along Van Dyke between those two bars,” Champine said.
The Independence Festival has been around since 2016. Cruisin’ 53 was added to the event in 2019. In 2020, the festivities paused during the COVID-19 pandemic. The festival started in the wake of former Center Line Mayor David Hanselman’s death, according to Champine.
“It was at that time he (Binson) and I began speaking about how we could expand the typical Tuesday night fireworks display we did every year for many years,” Champine said. “We came up with this idea of doing a three-day event.”
“We just felt there needed to be something that brought people to the community,” Champine said. “We’ve successfully been able to do that. We’ve averaged 35,000 a weekend for the three-day event, which isn’t too shabby for a small town.”
“I think this will be continuing for a long time, people really like it,” Binson said.
Free parking will be available at Mopar Parts on Liberal Street west of Lawrence Avenue and south of 11 Mile Road, and there is a free shuttle service that can take attendees from the parking lot to the festivities.
Binson offered some advice to those wishing to attend.
“I would recommend that everyone avoids 10 Mile Road as much as possible,” he said.
Those interested in showing off their ride at Cruisin ’53 have to register at cruisin53.com.
For more information about the festival, go to centerlinefestival.org.
Call Staff Writer Nick Powers at (586) 498-1059.
CANDGNEWS.COM
SPOTLIGHT ON WOMEN IN BUSINESS
BREAKING BARRIERS
WOMEN FORGE NEW PATHS IN THE TRADES
BY KATHRYN PENTIUK kpentiuk@candgnews.com
METRO DETROIT — Monroe resident Traci Longenbarger has been breaking barriers for women in the trades for a decade now, working as a female carpenter.
Longenbarger is a business agent for the Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters and Millwrights, a union that represents 14,000 carpenters and millwrights across Michigan. She also serves as a part-time instructor for the International Code Council’s Contractor/Trades examination program, and is a career correction specialist, which grants her the opportunity to speak at career fairs and schools.
She is also a Sisters in the Brotherhood point of contact, which is a mentoring group for women in carpentry.
Having gone from Dundee, Michigan, to Hawaii right out of high school, to South Dakota and then back to Metro Detroit, Longenbarger worked a variety of jobs, from carpet cleaning to corrections in the
sheriff’s department, to a 10-year career in security.
After she was let go from her security position, Longenbarger started over again at age 34.
“We had a shift in management. I got fired. So here I am, 30-something years old, 10 years I worked in that field. I was devastated,” she explained.
After a year of struggling to make ends meet, an encounter with her dad’s neighbor led her to find a new passion.
“I went and visited my parents back in Dundee. My dad does what old guys do, and they work out in their yard, and they talk to their neighbors,” Longenbarger said. “I went home that day and my dad’s like, ‘Hey, you should go talk to the neighbor.’ I’m like, ‘I don’t know who your neighbors are anymore. I’m not going to go talk to some stranger. No.’ He’s like, ‘No, you’re going to go talk to this guy.’”
Longenbarger’s dad introduced her to his neighbor who was in the MRCC union, and the rest is history for her.
She explained that it was difficult when she first
See TRADES on page 25A
ABOVE: Traci Longenbarger poses at a site early in her carpentry career.
Photo provided byTraci Longenbarger
LEFT: Paige Sornig poses next to a pipe she constructed during a timed exercise in a mechanical class.
Photo provided by Paige Sornig
S:10"
T:10"
said that if he couldn’t find it, he’d pick up something from Taylor Swift.
Solo Records owner Heath Craig welcomed customers at 9:30 a.m.
“It’s the busiest day of the year and it’s the most fun,” Craig said. “We’re happy to share in our love of music.”
The line for Record Store Day at Ferndale’s Found Sound stretched down Nine Mile Road, ending near Pops for Italian restaurant just before the record store opened at 10 a.m.
“It’s not as big as it’s been and it’s not as small as it’s been,” said Ray Hayosh, manager of Found Sound. “It’s somewhere in between.”
He predicted the “Wicked” soundtrack, Charli XCX’s “Guess” single with Billie Eilish and Post Malone’s tribute to Nirvana would sell well.
“Those are definitely the ones we’ve got the most calls about,” Hayosh said. “Usually, there’s one in particular that everybody seems to want and that’s not the case this year.”
Davion Jackson, who hails from Detroit’s westside, was first in line. In order to get the spot, he’d camped out around midnight. Jackson came for Lil Uzi Vert’s threerecord set, the Thompson Twins’ “Into the Gap: Live!” and the “Wicked” soundtrack. Jackson has over 200 records.
“I’ve been doing it for over two years now,” Jackson said. “Last year, I went to Dearborn Music in Farmington. This is my first year here.”
Lynae Peres, of Ferndale, who’s taken part in the event for three or four years,
camped out with folding chairs and blankets around 7 a.m. Peres was waiting to add Swift’s “Fortnight” single and Gracie Abram’s “Live from Radio City Music Hall” to a collection that numbers at least 100.
Ken Bernard, from Royal Oak, who got in line just before 10 a.m., came for Joni Mitchell’s “Live 1976” and George Harrison’s “All Things Must Pass.” This is his fifth year attending the event. He’s been collecting records since he was 11 years old and his first was a Jackson 5 record. The following year, he rode his bike to the now-defunct Korvette’s to pick up Elton John’s “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road.” He currently has about 400 records and CDs in his collection.
“The line is really long today. It’s huge!” Bernard said. “I think I’ve gotten in line earlier in previous years. I was sitting at Java Hut, just relaxing and thinking, ‘Oh, I should really get in line.’ I think it might’ve doubled while I was sitting there.”
‘Both Joe and I love music’
Some music fans went to great lengths to track down the music they love, including a crowd that camped out overnight outside Village Vinyl in Sterling Heights. When the store opened Saturday morning, at least 200 people were lined up around the strip mall.
“Everybody was super cool. Everybody was bonding and making new friends,” Village Vinyl owner John Lehl said. “It’s kind of cool to see people sitting together.”
Lehl said pop star Swift was the top seller of the day. Other popular female artists were Abrams, Eilish and Charli XCX. Many customers also bought Post Malone’s “Tribute to Nirvana,” Wallows, Oasis and the “Wicked” soundtrack, which had a “very
Blast in the Past in Roseville took part in Record Store Day on April 12.
Photo by Erin Sanchez
Records
limited” release.
As music from Gladys Knight, Marvin Gaye, Club Nouveau and Billy Paul played through the speakers, the store remained busy throughout the day. Macomb Township resident Rick Paulus, 57, stopped in to pick up Mark Morton’s “Without the Pain.”
“He’s the guitar player from Lamb of God, and this is a country album he did,” Paulus said. “I’ve heard a little bit of it, and it sounds good.”
Paulus himself plays guitar in a local band called the Violators, set to play May 3 at Roger’s Roost in Sterling Heights. He likes the idea of Record Store Day, although that’s not the only time he picks up music at Village Vinyl. About a month ago he traded in some of his collection to help pay for the first Badlands album, featuring guitarist Jake E. Lee.
Over at Blast in the Past, owners Jacquie and Joe Pellegrino welcomed a steady stream of music fans and even set up a sidewalk sale in front of the store.
“The first 10-12 girls were looking for Taylor Swift. They were happy,” Jacquie said. “We had Post Malone. That was a pretty popular one.”
“We sold almost all of the Fleetwood
Concert
from page 7A
on par with Orchestra Hall in Detroit and a bigger audience,” Michaels said. “It helps to make them feel comfortable. They’re sitting side by side with adults like me.”
“Some of the finest musicians in Michigan come from the Warren Consolidated, Warren Woods, Fitzgerald, Van Dyke and Centerline districts,” Robert Christie, chair of the WCB’s High School Honor Band committee, said in the release. “The audience is going to be in for a real treat. It’s going to be a real delight to see such a large group of talented musicians on stage performing the program we have in store.”
Michaels said the concert will have personal significance for her.
“It’s going to be a very touching con-
Mac and Stevie Nicks today,” Joe said. “We have people coming in for Dolly Parton.”
“Both Joe and I love music. That’s been our passion for years. We’ve made a lot of friends through the years. We like all types of music, rock ‘n’ roll, jazz,” Jacquie said. “Joe has built up a very good, strong clientele. The Beatles go very well for us. Pink Floyd is a good seller, the Rolling Stones. We sell a lot of jazz and blues.”
Joe began doing record shows on and off in the 1970s.
“When I lost my job in ’87, I took my hobby and turned it into a business,” Joe said.
In the early 1990s, when vinyl was being phased out, Joe bought a lot of those records from the now-closed Harmony House Records and Tapes chain “for less than a dime apiece.” They sold well at record shows.
“People want to have something they can relate to,” he said of vinyl. “When you pick up an album, you read about all the people and the producers.”
This was the second year Blast in the Past participated in Record Store Day. Not only does the Roseville business have vinyl, CDs, laser discs and 8-tracks, its shelves are filled with all kinds of memorabilia, including dolls, lunch boxes and Funko Pops. Blast in the Past will celebrate 30 years in business next February.
cert,” Michaels said. “I’m honoring my mother, my grandmother and my motherin-law. I chose a piece, ‘Heart of Gold.’”
Michaels said WCB members volunteer their time to the nonprofit. Members from the WCB hail from different parts of metro Detroit and three even come in from Canada. The WCB is funded primarily by ticket sales, advertisers and sponsors.
“It’s a lot of fun,” Michaels said. “I have a blast, I look forward to it every Tuesday when we rehearse.”
The performance will be at 3 p.m. at Warren Woods Middle School Auditorium located at 13400 12 Mile near Schoenherr Road. Admission for adults is $10. Children and students are admitted for half that price when accompanied by a paying adult. Tickets can be purchased at the door with cash or check.
BUSINESS CLIP
Big
Apple Deli & Grill celebrates grand opening
Big Apple Deli & Grill is now open in Warren. Big Apple Deli & Grill serves breakfast, lunch and dinner from 9 a.m. to 1 a.m. every day. A halal menu specializing in grilled sandwiches includes the most popular Philly cheesesteak, cold cuts, salads, burgers, paninis, gyro, quesadilla, chicken or lamb over rice, breakfast croissants, omelets, pancakes, chicken wings and tenders, milk shakes and smoothies. Delivery is available with Grubhub, DoorDash and Uber Eats. Big Apple Deli & Grill is located at 13501 E. 12 Mile Road, just west of Schoenherr Road in Warren. Stop by or call (586) 486-4130.
Celebrating 30 years, ANTHONY’S PIZZERIA in Warren
For 30 years Anthony’s Pizza has been serving delicious authentic Italian dinners at an exceptional value with no price increases over the recent 2 years. Including the famous Chicken Siciliano with house made AMOGUE sauce, baked Lasagna, Chicken Parmesan, homemade meat balls and the classic New York Big Style sweet sauce pizza. Anthony’s also crafts a Chicago deep dish 3 cheese pizza topped with pizza sauce & fresh garlic and their popular Detroit style square pizzas. Fresh salads made to order, oven baked subs, plump & meaty hot wings and lightly breaded chicken tenders baked to a golden brown. Located at 26150 Schoenherr, south of 11 Mile in Warren. Open Tuesday to Sunday for pick up and limited times and areas for delivery. Call 586-445-3366 today!
combine the two current sinking funds levied by the school district into a single fund, which will result in a slight tax reduction for residents.
$42 million bond is zero-tax-rate increase
A bond is a state-approved funding process for large-scale projects. When approved by the voters, the school district sells bonds in the authorized amount and uses the bond sale proceeds to pay for the projects. Bonds measures are usually for 20-30 years. The Fitzgerald bond, if it passes, is for 25 years.
“This bond proposal is intended to protect the community’s educational investment,” interim Superintendent Laurie Fournier said in a prepared statement. “By addressing identified needs and enhancing our facilities, we plan to create an environment where students can thrive academically, socially and emotionally.”
According to school officials, the bond proposal would not increase the current tax rate, because the district would extend the current tax rate for the entirety of the bond. As the district’s previous bonds are paid off, the tax rate would remain unchanged with the new bond replacing the old debt. The district will use the existing millage rate to secure funding for new projects.
If the bond passes in August, a number of building projects will be slated throughout the district. Depending on the school, projects will include replacing damaged concrete sidewalks and masonry, installing emergency alert systems, roof repairs, remodeling media centers, LED lighting replacements, and more. Upgrades in technology, including computers, mobile devices, interactive whiteboards and document cameras also are included in the bond updates.
Bond dollars cannot be used for em-
TOP: The $42 million bond initiative, if passed, will provide a number of building enhancements and technology updates throughout the district, including at the district’s Career Tech/Auto Center on the Fitzgerald High School campus. ABOVE: The Neigebaur Building will undergo updates should the bond pass in August.
ployee salaries, textbooks or for repair, maintenance or other operating expenses.
Sinking fund replacement
School officials also are asking voters to approve combining the district’s two current sinking funds into one. If approved, the sinking fund replacement will take effect in 2026.
A sinking fund is a limited property tax and a pay-as-you-go method for school districts to fund small-scale repairs without incurring interest on loans or bonds.
Sinking funds can be used for purchasing school property sites; the construction or repairs of school buildings; improvements in school security; the purchase and support of student transportation vehicles; and acquiring or upgrading technology. A sinking fund
cannot be used for employee salaries, preventive maintenance or general operating costs. School officials are putting the sinking fund proposal on the ballot for two reasons. For starters, replacing the current sinking funds will allow the district to take advantage of revisions in the state of Michigan’s regulations that expand the use of sinking fund revenue. That includes the purchase of security improvements, technology, buses and other means of student transportation, and building maintenance vehicles, and parts, supplies and equipment to maintain
the vehicles.
Also, replacing the two current sinking funds with a single 3-mil sinking fund will allow the district to slightly reduce the overall sinking fund levy for taxpayers. The two sinking funds currently levy at 3.15 mils. Combining the sinking funds will reduce the fund by 0.15 mils.
For more information about the proposals, visit fitz.k12.mi.us or contact interim Superintendent Laurie Fournier at (586) 757-1750 or laufou@myfitz.net. A list of projects also is available at the website.
Photos by Patricia O’Blenes
page 1A
probably weren’t going to have a guy averaging 20 or 25 points, and if they were OK with that then we could win,” Henry explained. “If they weren’t, then we were in trouble. So credit to them, they all stepped up.”
The togetherness that was preached went beyond the court, too, as Warren Lincoln prioritized a bond between students and treating the team like a family.
“We did bonding things together. Going to church together and doing different things in the community,” Henry said. “You got to have your brother and teammates’ back.”
The parade was a great way to highlight a special team that has given back so much to the community. Not only is Lincoln winning, but the program has become a pillar off the court as well.
“We do a lot of things in the community. Whether it’s passing out food or just coming up to the school and have a cleanup day,” Henry said. “We do a lot of team exercises.”
One of the more notable sights from the parade was seeing the number of children that came out to support the high school basketball team. The players realize that the next generation is looking up to them, and it was important that they were able to celebrate together.
“We started an elementary basketball league, and I had my guys come up on Saturdays and they were the coaches,” Henry said. “We try to make it a family with the Van Dyke Public School District… Lincoln pride.”
The program was 10 weeks long and it allowed the young
students in the district to look up to the players and to know the players on the team. The sense of family was felt throughout the season and at the parade.
The players assembled in the school gym after the parade ended so that members of the community and students of the elementary and middle schools could meet the players. The players were signing autographs and taking pictures with the crowd that turned out.
“I think it was a really great event… It really felt like a lot of support,” Lincoln senior Markus Blackwell said. “We’re really grateful for it.”
The parade also perfectly highlighted what made this team so successful: a family bond that reaches the entire city.
“It’s a bond that will last forever,” Blackwell said. “It shows how our team is built… Those kinds of things helped us overcome anything.”
After back-to-back titles, a lot of the core players of Warren Lincoln will go on to do different things, but the brotherhood and legacy that the unit has will be a part of the community forever.
“We talk to each other every day… We’re all mostly going to different colleges, but we stay connected,” Blackwell explained. “We’re always going to be together, and we know we’ll be connected forever.”
The 2024-2025 Warren Lincoln boys basketball team will be known as one of the best basketball teams in program history, but it will also be remembered as a team that cared about its community. The team deserved to be celebrated by the city as this team’s chapter closes.
“I really couldn’t be more proud of us,” Blackwell said. “I’m just very grateful that I had great teammates and coaches and
people around me… just thankful.”
FREE 2025 Memorial Day Weekend Events:
Friday, May 23, through Monday, May 26: White Chapel Memorial Park Cemetery invites you and your family to once again honor all those who have served and defended our cherished rights and freedoms. See an inspiring display of over 500 large American fags lining our many causeways.
Starting at 3PM, Sunday, May 25: Enjoy a stirring Patriotic Concert by the renowned Birmingham Concert Band.
Starting at 11AM, Monday, May 26: Memorial Day Service, with a special tribute to the Polar Bear soldiers of WWI. See reenactors in authentic WWI military garb salute “Michigan’s Own Polar Bears.” After WWI, they were the frst Americans to fght Russians on Russian soil.
Photo by Patricia O’Blenes
Warren Lincoln senior Jimmy Williams signs an autograph for local elementary school students with his new state championship ring on.
wastewater,” Stone said. “With this technology Warren will be on the cutting edge.”
Stone explained that the project started receiving funding last year with increased water and sewer rates. The price tag for estimated updates to the city’s Water Recovery Facility, formerly the Warren Waste Water Treatment Plant, total $83.5 million. The city obtained a loan through the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy, totaling approximately $75 million at a 2% interest rate. Of that total amount, $10 million is forgivable.
Stone touted the recently opened 21.5-million-gallon detention basin on Stephens Road, between Gratiot Avenue and Groesbeck Highway.
“It definitely helped manage this last rain occurrence,” Stone said.
She said she hoped to see the Eckstein Skate Park, the splash pad at Wiegand Park and updates to the Warren Community Center. The Warren Community Center’s parking lot could get a $4 million update. She also stressed the importance of technology improvements, aiming to add an online hiring portal and making the city’s website more accessible.
The mayor proposed $16.9 million for road improvements. The projects include Martin Road from Ryan Road to David Givens Street, Hayes from Martin Road to Rudland Street, Audrey Avenue from Nine Mile to Hudson Avenue, Cunningham from Nine Mile to Stephens Road, Sherwood Avenue from Toepfer Road to Nine Mile Road, Haverhill Drive from Interstate 696 to McKinley Road and Cyman Avenue from Toepfer Road to Nine Mile. Additionally, $8.6 million of the proposed budget is carved out for water main replacements.
Water and sewer rates are set to increase by 5.78%, which Stone said is almost 2% less than last year’s increase.
“We’ve seen that failing to adequately fund infrastructure is what results in community catastrophes like Flint,” Stone said.
Opioid settlement
A multibillion-dollar settlement gave municipalities nationwide funding to address negative impacts of opioids.
“The opioid settlements refer to offers from opioid manufacturers, distributors, and pharmacies to settle various lawsuits against their companies across the U.S.,” the state of Michigan website states. “Some states, including Michigan, will also receive settlement funds from local pharmacies.”
The majority of the funds must be used
for opioid remediation, the website states.
The mayor said the city had $2,409,481 available from the settlement. Rather than spending all the money up front, Stone wants to endow the money so it’ll continue to perpetually provide for residents. She cited what Florida did with dollars from its settlement with the tobacco industry.
“Instead of spending it down, they endowed it,” Stone said. “That means they invested it, and they only spent the interest that had accrued.”
Stone wants Warren to use the funds similarly.
“This is a proposal I’m anxious to bring and share now we are prepared to move forward with the process of committing our funds,” she said. “Let’s do it in a smarter way that makes it work for Warren.”
The numbers
The mayor’s budget put total expenditures for 2026 at $430,524,301. The largest slice of that pie was the general fund at 48.2%. The next largest, at 24.2%, is the special revenue fund, followed by enterprise at 23.2%. The total requested by department heads for the 2026 year was $177.7 million. Stone whittled that down to about $159.7 million.
Stone expects to pull in $159,699,017 in general fund revenue. Just over 57% of that comes from property taxes. The next largest source is intergovernmental revenues at 21.7%. Stone projects that state revenue sharing will continue to increase, following the upward trend since 2020.
The general fund expenditures, at $159,699,017, are mostly eaten up by police and fire costs. Public safety accounts for about 62% of the expenditures. Stone mentioned that the key to maintaining quality public services is renewal of the Police & Fire Public Safety Millage that’s on the Aug. 5 ballot.
“Warren’s spending on public safety is in alignment with our commitment to keep Warren a safe place to live,” Stone said.
Stone said the city’s Fire Department is “fully staffed.” She highlighted the 34 police officers that have been hired since she took office.
However, the Police Department is short on employees. Warren City Councilman Dave Dwyer said at the council’s March 25 meeting that the department was short 25 officers.
“We are not currently advertising anywhere, so we’re just crawling along,” Dwyer said. “We’ve got three that have applied in the last hiring cycle. We have four that are being hired in early April, but then we got two officers that are retiring in June. We’re just not making a lot of progress here.”
According to Stone, most general fund expenditures are wages and fringe benefits. She showed that over 50% of employees are involved in public safety.
Pension funding for general government employees and police and fire are both above the 60% recommended by the state. Funding for general government employees is at 75.6% and police and fire is at 63.1%.
Now that Stone has laid out her vision, it’s the City Council’s turn to consider it. The council will hold hearings April 26,
April 28 and, if necessary, April 29. Adoption of the city’s budget is on the council’s May 13 agenda. All the meetings are open to the public. Stone encouraged residents to get involved in the process.
“Citizenship goes beyond casting a vote at a ballot box,” she said. “Democracy demands actively holding elected officials accountable by participating.”
Call Staff Writer Nick Powers at (586) 498-1059.
CITY OF WARREN
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
The Council of the City of Warren has adopted resolutions declaring that a nuisance existed upon the following described property:
PARCEL NO. 13-33-411-025, also known as 7003 Westminster, LOT 78, KROLL GARDENS SUBDIVISION, according to the plat thereof as recorded in Liber 7, Page 10 of Plats, Macomb County Records.
NUISANCE: Vacant, fre damaged one story house (696 sq. ft.) with crawl space and wood sided garage 20 ft. x 14 ft. and remove 88 ft. of 4 ft. chain link fence west along Memphis Ave and remove debris.
The City Clerk has notifed the owners of the previously mentioned property that said nuisance shall be removed; and whereas the nuisance was removed in accordance with notifcation.
The Director of Public Service has fled his report of the work done and the expenses incurred in the abatement of the nuisance. The City Council has determined that expenses and administrative costs incurred in the abatement shall be levied as a Special Assessment against the property.
Be it further resolved that the City Clerk gave notice by FIRST CLASS MAIL to the owners of the property upon which the aforesaid charges are levied. They are given until the hearing date to make payment.
This hearing will be held as follows:
Time and Date: 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, May 13, 2025
Place: Warren Community Center Auditorium
City Council Chambers 5460 Arden Warren, Michigan 48092
If payment is not made before aforesaid date, the public hearing will be held for the purpose of considering any objections to the special assessment as prepared.
SONJA BUFFA CITY CLERK
Published in Warren Weekly 04/30/2025
NOTICE OF NUISANCE ABATEMENT CITY OF WARREN
COUNTY OF MACOMB, MICHIGAN
N0531 8081 HUPP
N0532 21005 VAN DYKE
N0533 11028 LOZIER
N0534 13350 SHERMAN
N0536 3925 TOEPFER
N0537 11220 DODGE
N0538 24472 LORETTA
N0540 11208 STEPHENS
NOTICE OF SPECIAL ASSESSMENT CITY OF WARREN
COUNTY OF MACOMB, MICHIGAN ASSESSMENT DISTRICT S0535
12-13-36-153-030 13691 TOEPFER Published in Warren Weekly 04/30/2025
0213-2518
0450-2518
Trades
started out and that it was a hard field to break into because it was predominantly male.
“It was hard in the beginning. I would call places to try to get hired. They would say no because I’m a woman; I’m a liability. It was really hard to get my foot in the door back then,” Longenbarger said.
She said all it took was one “yes” amid all of the “noes” to build the confidence that she needed to break out as a woman in the trades.
When Longenbarger first started out in carpentry 10 years ago, she only had two other women in her apprenticeship program that she rarely saw because their classes were on different days.
“That stigma is still out there, that women shouldn’t be out there in the field doing the work but it’s changing. It has changed so much in 10 years,” Longenbarger said. “Back when I came in, and I’m lucky, I had a few incidences that happened to me, but I held my ground. I knew who I was. I stood up for myself, and I had great guys working around me and saw me for the hard worker I was.”
Now, in her current role, Longenbarger gets to encourage and inspire other women in the trades.
“I get to go to high schools to talk. I get to talk at career fairs, women’s events, anywhere that they give me the opportunity to chat about our facility and our career and our opportunities that we offer,” she said. “I am so more than proud to do that, because the MRCC has given me so much, and I’ve given them as well. It’s a give-and-take relationship, but I get so much out of it.”
Third-year Ferris State University construction management student Paige Sornig always knew that she didn’t want a desk job.
“I like the idea of getting to see the project being built, and helping people, especially with newer buildings,” Sornig said.
As a Rochester Adams High School student, she was granted the opportunity to at-
tend Oakland Schools Technical Campuses during her junior and senior years, where she caught a glimpse at the construction program.
She shared that after touring Ferris State, she was hooked because it was like OSTC “on steroids.”
She said there was some apprehension expressed by some family members and friends when she chose this field.
“My own mom, at first, she seemed kind of against it,” she said. “But I think the more she looked into it, and the more I talked to her about it, she definitely opened up a lot more. And now she even was like, there’s no other job she could see me doing.”
As she heads into her final year at Ferris, she is interested in pursuing entertainment construction, which includes sites like amusement parks, stadiums and venues.
She added that she also likes the idea of building schools.
“Last year, I built a school in Detroit, and I had a parent come up to me, and they were just crying,” Sornig said. “They were like, ‘Thank you for making the school safer for my kids. I feel so much more comfortable and confident with them going here. It means a lot, and it especially means a lot that you’re a female, because I was telling my daughter, ‘Girls can do anything,’ and she saw you and she was like, ‘Whoa, Mom, look at her.’”
Longenbarger and Sornig encouraged other women to find a trade that they enjoy if they’re interested.
“I like to stress to women coming in, we are a sisterhood, and it is a brotherhood, but sisters coming into this, there’s more than one position. You can work with other women. It doesn’t have to be you versus them, like, it should be us united working together,” Longenbarger said.
For more information about the MRCC, visit hammer9.com.
To find out how to apply for a carpentry apprenticeship, visit buildmifuture.com.
For more information about Ferris State’s construction management program, go www.ferris.edu/CET/construction-man agement.
Agreement
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ing development, job creation and retention.
Taylor said the agreement is a partnership between the two cities that will make one of the biggest industries in Macomb County even stronger.
The two cities are natural partners, being that they’re so similar and share a border, he said.
“It’s long past time that we collaborate on more issues like this for the benefit of our people and for the betterment, really, of the nation,” he said.
The agreement, Taylor said, will take funding from Sterling Heights and Warren to create a joint venture to support the contractors that are already there while also helping to find new government contracts through the Department of Defense.
“This is not a competition,” Taylor said. “We’re working for the betterment of the entire region.
Stone said the partnership is meant to show a strong commitment to defense and is meant to be celebrated. It continues to build on a legacy started before World War II, she said.
“Our region has long been known as the Arsenal of Democracy, a title earned through the determination, ingenuity and industrial power that helped win World War II,” she said. “This legacy continues today.”
Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel, who also spoke at the event, said the defense industry in the county isn’t just a regional asset, but a national asset.
“We are making things here that protect those who protect us,” he said.
Taylor said the timing of the agreement is good because of the current state of the national economy.
“The global economic situation right now is chaotic,” Taylor said. “The national economy is chaotic, so this is
the best time for us to be undertaking an initiative like this. To put a statement out and say Macomb County, Sterling Heights and Warren, we’re important, we matter.” Call Staff Writer Brian Wells at (248) 291-7637.
RIGHT: Sterling Heights Mayor Michael Taylor and Warren Mayor Lori Stone present a signed agreement between the two cities April 16 at the Defense Corridor Center for Collaboration and Synergy in Sterling Heights.
Photo by Brian Wells
Lingenfelter
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siasts love this museum. There’s something for everybody. We get a lot of young kids.”
The Ferrari and Corvette models seem to be the crowd favorite. Spectators can also view late ’60s and early ’70s muscle cars, among other unique styles. Ninety percent of the collection is the Lingenfelters’ with 10% owned by friends displaying their vehicles.
Ken’s wife, Kristin Lingenfelter, will be at the open house. She is such a sports car enthusiast that she races in regional and national events with the Sports Car Club of America and the National Council of Corvette Clubs. In 2022, the racing competitor was named NCCC Rookie of the Year in the Michigan Region.
“She tried it out once and fell in love with it,” Ken said.
Ken is the owner of Lingenfelter Performance Engineering, which offers engine building, engine and chassis tuning components, and installation for most GM vehicles, “with a large presence of Corvettes,” Ken said.
In 2008, Ken acquired Lingenfelter Performance Engineering, founded by his distant cousin John Lingenfelter. The company’s headquarters is located in Brighton where the annual Spring Open House will be. Lingenfelter Performance Engineering has two more locations: a build center in Wixom, and a build center in Decatur, Indiana.
“We build race cars as well, and we also build performance engines,” Ken said. “Many times (customers) want the engine rebuilt to get the performance.”
Recently, Ken joined the National Cor-
Photo provided by Ken Lingenfelter
vette Museum Board of Directors as an atlarge member. Ken’s dad was a General Motors executive, so he’s always had an interest in high-performance cars. His favorite car is the 1963 split-window Chevrolet Corvette Stingray. He first spotted the sports car when he was 10 years old, and years later bought one of his own.
“It was so exotic and profound. It’s such a great design. It’s a sports car that is very fun to drive,” Ken said. “I love Corvettes more than any other car. It’s an amazing product built by GM.”
The Lingenfelter Spring Open House has raised more than $392,000 for the American Cancer Society since 2016. The American Cancer Society funds cancer research, provides support and access to care for all cancer patients, and continues its work to prevent, find and treat cancer.
“Each year we are blown away by the generosity of the car enthusiast community,” Jenni Beamer, senior executive director of the American Cancer Society in Michigan, said in a prepared statement. “The American Cancer Society is grateful to the Lingenfelters for this amazing opportunity that raises critical funds for our work right here in Michigan to end cancer as we know it, for everyone.”
Attendees at the spring open house will have the opportunity to pick up a free colorectal cancer screening kit on-site. Trinity Health Michigan will distribute the kits and provide educational materials and information about colorectal cancer screening at the event.
The Lingenfelter Collection is located at 7819 Lochlin Drive in Brighton. There is also a retail store on-site. For more information, visit the Lingenfelter Collection Spring Open House on Facebook.
SALE OF GOODS TO SATISFY WAREHOUSEMAN’S LIEN THE UNDERSIGNED WILL SELL AT PUBLIC AUCTION BY ACCEPTING SEALED BIDS AT 4:00 PM ON May 16, 2025, AT 24660 DEQUINDRE, WARREN, MI 48091
TO SATISFY WAREHOUSEMAN’S LIEN THERON FOR STORAGE AND OTHER LEGAL CHARGES, THE GOODS AS DESCRIBED AND STORED BY OR FOR THE PERSONS NAMED BELOW. THIS IS A CLOSED LOT AUCTION.
INVENTORIES ARE AVAILABLE STARTING May 15, 2025 TO VIEW PRIOR TO AUCTION, DURING NORMAL BUSINESS HOURS
SEALED BIDS WILL BE ACCEPTED ANYTIME PRIOR TO 4:00 PM ON May 16, 2025
Matouk, John W-926-22HOUSEHOLD ITEMS
PALMER MOVING & STORAGE
of other Treasures!
Garage/Yard Sale
ALEXANDER ANNUAL45TH STREETSALE 11Mile/Jefferson, St.ClairShores, May3rd,9am-5pm May4th,11am-4pm
