14A BEHIND THE WHEEL
Trustees vote against ITC, hospital power lines
BY DEAN VAGLIA dvaglia@candgnews.com
CLINTON TOWNSHIP — After a long, hot night in council chambers at the Robert J. Cannon Civic Center, Clinton Township trustees voted to deny a power
line project along 19 Mile Road on June 2.
First brought to the board in 2024 with the purpose of connecting the Henry Ford Macomb Hospital expansion to the power grid, the project became embroiled in controversy after residents of the Westchester Village Condominiums took issue with
the expected route as it would suspend the lines roughly 50 feet away from their homes. What followed were months of outreach, experiments, Freedom of Information Act requests and lobbying from the township to back an alternative route that would send the lines along Dalcoma Drive on land
owned by Macomb Community College — an alternative that was handedly rejected by the college’s trustees on May 21.
“I started this process looking at the issue knowing we need power to the hospital,” Township Supervisor Paul Gieleghem
Miller slams Oakland drain office over discharge response
BY DEAN VAGLIA dvaglia@candgnews.com
CLINTON TOWNSHIP — Macomb County Public Works Commissioner Candice Miller released a statement on June 5 criticizing the office of Oakland County Water Resources Commissioner Jim Nash over its response to a state agency about recent discharges into the Red Run.
On April 29, the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy sent a letter to the Oakland County Water Resources Commission about a sanitary sewer overflow that occurred at the Red Run on April 3. The agency’s letter required the commission to provide information about the April 3 overflow, an evaluation of operating procedures at the George W. Kuhn Retention Treatment Basin that could affect overflows and provide a corrective action plan to prevent further over-
The outfall of the George W. Kuhn Basin at the Red Run on April 3, 2025, hours after a 1.2-million-gallon overflow of sanitary sewage.
Photo provided by Macomb County Public Works Office
SECOND FRONT PAGE
Summer reading program brings art to Fraser
BY ALYSSA OCHSS aochss@candgnews.com
FRASER — Library patrons are invited to create art and keep up on their reading with the Fraser Public Library’s 2025 summer reading program.
Lorena McDowell, library director, said this year the theme for summer reading is “Color Our World.” She said they have a lot of programs this year focused on art.
Tina Milosavljevic, programming assistant, said opening day will have a lot of
different art-themed activities including making your own stickers, Pewabic pottery and more.
“We want you to keep reading during the summertime, too,” Milosavljevic said.
Different activities will be hosted during the summer for adults, teens and children. Teens will have an opportunity to create their own book covers while children and toddlers will have a messy paint day, Milosavljevic said.
Summer reading lasts from June 14 to
Polish festival returning to Sterling Heights for 43rd year
BY BRIAN WELLS bwells@candgnews.com
STERLING HEIGHTS — A celebration of Polish food and culture is returning to Sterling Heights later this month.
Now in its 43rd year, the American Polish Festival will bring a mix of Polish bands, local music, folk dancers, arts and crafts, and Polish/American cuisine to the grounds of the American Polish Century Club June 2022.
“We’re very excited to be hosting our 43rd annual Polish festival,” Festival Chair Arnie Beller said in a statement. “We’ve had second- and third-generation families coming every year for all of the music, fun, food and crafts.”
According to a press release, this year’s craft show will feature over 50 different crafters displaying their works. Additionally, each day will feature a number of performances from different artists as well as different ac-
Students raise money for at-risk STARBASE program
BY DEAN VAGLIA dvaglia@candgnews.com
CHESTERFIELD TOWNSHIP —
In a dimly lit gymnasium inside Francis A. Higgins Elementary School on May 30, fifth grade students fueled by orange juice and sugar cookies celebrated the end of their school year in only the most excit-
ing way possible: simulating the real estate market.
Equipped with slideshows and miniature homes of their own design, the students of Brooke Niskar’s class in the L’Anse Creuse Public Schools district are upselling their peers’ parents on the opportunity to take home their final elementary school
Photo provided by Darryl P. Onderik
The 43rd annual American Polish Festival and Craft Show is being held June 20-22 at the American Polish Century Club, 33204 Maple Lane, in Sterling Heights.
Photo by Alyssa Ochss
Various prizes will be available for patrons to try to win during the summer reading program at the Fraser Public Library.
Bank demolition expected in midsummer
FRASER — According to a Facebook post by the city of Fraser, demolition on the old State Bank of Fraser building is anticipated to take place in July or August.
In the post, the city stated the property owner has received a permit valid until the end of September “with the option for extension if necessary.”
They also stated that Sheetz, which intends to build a gas station with an attached convenience store on the site, is finalizing a site plan that is expected to go before the Planning Commission in July. The city expects Sheetz to proceed with construction after the demolition is completed.
STATE OFFICIALS URGE CAUTION DURING TICK SEASON
LANSING — While warm weather may be the sign to ditch the pants for shorts and buttonups for tees, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources is urging Michiganders to take steps to protect themselves from tick bites.
According to a press release from the DNR, tick-borne diseases are on the rise and Lyme disease cases here have increased 168% over the last five years.
“Preventing tick bites is the best way to prevent tick-borne diseases,” Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services chief medical executive, said via press release. “If you find a tick attached to your body, promptly remove it. Monitor your health, and if you experience fever, rash, muscle or joint aches or other symptoms, or if you suspect a tick has been attached for more than 24 hours, consult with your medical provider.”
Ways to prevent tick bites include using insect repellent, wearing long clothing, performing daily tick checks and bathing or showering as soon as possible after coming in from outdoors.
For more information visit Michigan.gov/Lyme. If ticks are discovered, send pictures to MDHHS-Bugs@Michigan.gov for identification help.
County Sheriff Anthony
and his executive staff shake hands with Meritorious Award recipients Deputies Aaron Schmittler, Morgan Cooney, Corey Babbitt and Michael Valken during the 2025 Sheriff’s Recognition Awards on May 22.
Sheriff Anthony Wickersham honored members of the Macomb County Sheriff’s Office and select members of the community at the 2025 Sheriff’s Recognition Awards. Honors were awarded based on exceptional performance and nominations from coworkers. Categories included lifesaving, professional excellence, various “of the year” awards and the Sheriff’s Star Award. The awards were emceed by Simon Shaykhet of WXYZ.
THOSE HONORED INCLUDED:
• Sheriff’s Star Award: Project Manager Crystal Montagne
• Command Officer of the Year: Sgt. Eric Holmes
• Deputy of the Year: Deputy Bret Sypniewski
Corrections Deputy of the Year: Corrections Deputy Philip Camus Dispatcher of the Year: Dispatcher Cidnee Schramm Employee of the Year: Fiscal analyst Julie Patterson
Once I get the right diagnosis for the cause of your heel pain, I will provide you with a tailored treatment plan, which outlines exactly how we can fix your heel pain and keep you free from future foot pain. If you are ready, call me for an appointment to start your journey back to normal life, free from heel pain.
Macomb
Wickersham
Photos by Patricia O’Blenes
File photo by Patricia O’Blenes
Someone, somewhere, reading this right now is thinking you wrote this for me. And you’re right, we did. You’re the one who just can’t bring yourself to pick up the phone. It doesn’t matter if you’re a woman, a man, a black belt in karate, or 90 lbs. soaking wet. You’re scared, embarrassed and just overwhelmed. We can help, we’re positive we can. We know the pain you experienced wasn’t just “in your head.” We will not lecture you and most certainly won’t make you feel “bad” about whatever is going on. No blame, no lectures, just the rst step on getting back your smile and health.
Pet boarding offers safe, secure option for vacationgoers
BY BRIAN WELLS bwells@candgnews.com
METRO DETROIT — Vacation season is here, and while you’re packing your bags, don’t forget about your pet’s plans.
Nearly all pet owners at some point are left wondering if they should board their pet, or ask a trusted friend or relative to take care of them?
Sarah Ignash, who owns All American Pet Resorts in Roseville, said one advantage of boarding your dog instead of having a friend or relative check in is that your dog will be with trained professionals who can prevent a dog from getting loose.
“I’ve actually had quite a few people where people who don’t normally take care of dogs, somebody comes to the front door, they just open it wide and the dog goes running out, or they drop the leash when they’re on a walk,” she said. “Boarding is secure.”
Before selecting a boarding facility, Jim Blau, with Mid-Michigan K9 Academy, said it’s important to know who you’re leaving your dog with.
“You want someone that’s going to make sure all the dogs there are vaccinated, including yours,” he said.
Ensuring the dogs are vaccinated can help to prevent health problems, Blau said. He also said owners should choose a facility that does regular health checks, and that allows dogs time to be out of their cages.
Blau stated that because a facility might cost less than others, it doesn’t mean that it might be better for the dog.
“You save 10 bucks a night or 20 bucks a night and went to a cheaper facility and they use bleach instead of the more expensive, pet-friendly cleaning agents, and so your dog comes back with rashes, or they don’t check all the immunizations,” he said.
Blau also urged pet owners to visit the facility and do a walkthrough before agreeing to board your pet there.
“(Owners) can use their own eyes, and they can use their own judgment,” he said. “Is this some place where they would want their dog to stay?”
Ignash also said pet owners should look for a boarding facility that is staffed 24 hours. Having staff overnight can help in case of an emergency, she said.
“Most places don’t tell you that they leave at maybe 8 p.m. and don’t come back until 6 a.m.,” she said.
Once a boarding facility has been selected, Ignash said many boarders will want to get to know your dog and its history, which can help the staff know how to keep it happy and relaxed.
“You didn’t tell your dog that you were going on vacation. Your dog has no idea why they’re there,” she said. “So we’re doing the best we can to keep your dog happy and calm and giving them lots of pets, lots of attention.”
Call Staff Writer Brian Wells at (248) 291-7637.
Dogs enjoy play time at All American Pet Resorts in Roseville.
Photo courtesy of Sarah Ignash
STARBASE
from page 3A
project. Yet this is not some elaborate lesson in business studies or anything of the sort, but the final step in a months-long STEM education project turned fundraiser for one of Macomb County’s most notable educational institutions — STARBASE One, located on the premises of Selfridge Air National Guard Base.
“I really like it,” Kate Luplow, a fifth grade student in Niskar’s class, said of the auction fundraiser. “I was nervous for it, but it turned out really well.”
For those lucky enough to have attended it, STARBASE One is the field trip to end all field trips. The first-in-the-country nonprofit education center has combined science, technology, engineering and mathematics education with a hands-on, fun experience for grade schoolers since 1991.
As the name suggests, STARBASE One takes its theme after space exploration. Students get to explore a full-scale recreation of the International Space Station’s Destiny lab module, learn how to program robots by trying to get a rover across a simulated Martian landscape, dine under a re-creation of Alan Shepard’s Freedom 7 capsule at the Milky Way Cafe and try their hand at technologies like 3D printing and computer-aided design software.
A common highlight of a STARBASE One excursion is a chance to take a seat in the facility’s space shuttle nose simulator. Students and teachers alike rave about get-
ting to experience a takeoff from the retired space plane’s cockpit, as well as getting a front-row view of docking with a space station and trying their luck at gliding the shuttle back down to Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
Even with all the space paraphernalia and simulators, STARBASE Director Rick Simms says it is the nonprofit’s team of educators that make the experience as unforgettable as it is.
“They are so dynamic, and they really engage the students,” Simms said. “They’re very attentive to the students because we have all different kinds of kids that come through here. Everybody learns at a different level, and our teaching staff is very adaptable at working with all these different students. To me, that’s really what makes (STARBASE) memorable; that human connection that they’re having with our teaching staff.”
STARBASE funding at risk
Free for schools to visit so long as they provide transportation to and from Selfridge, Simms says a typical STARBASE One engagement takes place over 25 hours, spread across five weeks. But when Niskar’s class visited this winter, the Higgins Elementary fifth graders had their STARBASE adventure cut short after the fourth week. STARBASE One lost its funding.
Though starting at Selfridge with a W. K. Kellogg Foundation grant and volunteer help from base personnel, STARBASE has since become a Department of Defensefunded program with over 80 programs lo-
Photo by Dean Vaglia
Higgins Elementary fifth grade students Bryce Sampier, left, Christian Mortinger and Kate Luplow pose with their solar home project. The students’ class auctioned off their solar home projects to raise money for the Selfridge-based STARBASE STEM education program.
Where fantasy becomes a reality
Have a fantastical time at the Michigan Fantasy Fest June 14-15
BY ALYSSA OCHSS aochss@candgnews.com
METRO DETROIT — Fantasy and reality will meet in St. Clair Shores at this year’s Michigan Fantasy Fest.
Aubrey Meade, an organizer, said she has an entertainment background including opera and stilt walking. She said she loves outdoor events such as Renaissance festivals and concerts which inspired her to create her own event.
“I think the performance aspect and how fun these events are and how I guess how many performances there kind of are around the grounds and things, that was really interesting to me, and I’ve always wanted to organize bigger events,” Meade said.
Miranda Marshall, another organizer, also has a background in performance and theatrical displays. She said she has done performances with Mead and that they have been friends for a long while. She has also worked at many different pop culture conventions and has taken part in game design.
“Both of us really just loved fantasy in general and so while working on another project we had mentioned like this would be something that would be perfect for both of us to do, that we’re both really into, that would utilize both our skillsets,” Marshall said. “And we’ve been having a lot of fun.”
Many different vendors, performers and food options will be at the festival. A few notable performances include mermaids swimming in a tank, a stilt walker and stage performers. Meade said they have over 100 merchants with different items for sale including jewelry, body care, henna, face-painting and wands.
The event will be held from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on June 14 and June 15. It will be held at
See FANTASY on page 21A
SPORTS SHORT
Team takes first place
The Lakeside Aviators 11U baseball team took first place at the Armed Forces Classic May 18 at Macomb Corners Park in Macomb Township. The Aviators defeated four opponents in the nine-team bracket, including the Macomb Mavericks, 9-8, in the title game. The roster comprises Alex Turner, Andrew Kaiser, Charlie Cox, Flynn Bullinger, Jonathan O’Neill, Matthew Tapert, Patrick Crane, Sylas Davis, Victor Michaels and Vincent Stanza. The team is led by head coach Rick Stanza and assistant coaches Brian O’Neill, Paul Cox, Tim Bullinger, Alex Turner and Josh Kahn.
NEUTRALS, LOW-MAINTENANCE FEATURES LEAD 2025 PATIO TRENDS
BY MARY GENSON mgenson@candgnews.com
METRO DETROIT — Warm weather is finally here, meaning outdoor projects are likely well underway. To have a party-ready backyard by the Fourth of July, residents might be updating their patios.
Local experts share what trends they have been noticing this year in terms of patio design.
Colors
Roberto Guzman, co-owner of Leig’s Landscape LLC, said that many of their customers are interested in neutral color schemes for their patios. Specifically, he said charcoal and champagne colors are popular.
“Almost every customer looks into dark charcoal bullnose bricks for the borders,” Guzman said.
He added that many customers have recently been ordering bricks in vintage colors and styles.
Tom Thelen, president at Thelen Landscape Inc., said he has seen light beiges and grays trending for patios, which may have more reasoning to it than aesthetics.
“It used to be that patios were really dark; the problem is they get warm,” Thelen said.
Shelters
Thelen said more people are moving toward certain shelter options for their patios.
While some people consider moveable awnings, he said an increasing number of customers are asking for gazebos and pergolas. One option in particular that Thelen said people are showing interest in is a pergola with adjustable slats, also called a louvered pergola.
This option is particularly practical in Michigan due to the varied weather and precipitation that residents see each year.
“You can let the sun in during the wintertime and not pile a big bunch of snow on it,” Thelen said.
Pavers
Josh Vokal, of Natura Design and Build, said he has noticed more people wanting brick pavers over concrete or aggregate concrete. He said this is partially due to the new bricks that companies have been coming out
DRIVERS SCHOOL BUS
Photo provided by Tom Thelen
Tom Thelen, of Thelen Landscape Inc., said they have been installing many stone steps at residences.
See PATIO on page 16A
STARBASE
cated across the United States and the territories of Puerto Rico and Guam. Despite its nationwide reach and a broad mission to teach more students about STEM-related subjects, Simms says the STARBASE program has fallen off the nonbinding presidential budget recommendations since the Obama administration and has required legislators, namely Michigan’s U.S. Senate delegation of Sen. Gary Peters and the retired Sen. Debbie Stabenow, to get STARBASE back onto the federal budget.
But as Higgins Elementary students were visiting STARBASE One in the early spring, Congress was failing to pass a budget. The budget for the 2025-2026 fiscal year had been delayed since fall 2024 and while stopgap funding was made available through continuing resolutions, the nature of the resolutions means only so much funding is made available. STARBASE was seeking $60 million in the 2025 budget, but the Senate was only willing to give the program $20 million, and the Department of Defense comptroller ran with the $20 million budget number.
“What that meant was, as they kept extending the continuing resolution, for our sites here in Michigan, funding ran out on Feb. 7,” Simms said.
Michigan’s three STARBASE programs ran out of federal funds on Feb. 7, leading to educational staff being furloughed and the indefinite closure of the programs — the first-ever such closure in STARBASE One’s 34 years.
The closing and the loss of the STARBASE One trip struck Niskar’s students hard, but not just because they lost out on their year-defining field trip.
“STARBASE was a great experience for us, and we wanted other kids to have that same experience,” Luplow said. “We really just wanted the future fifth graders to have the same experiences.”
As Niskar recalls, the progression of some curriculum items was not going as quickly as she expected, which meant the big project of building a solar-powered home was at risk of being dropped due to time constraints. However, the 27-year veteran teacher made the decision to adjust the lesson plans to bring the home project, which was originally part of the math curriculum, in as a catch-all STEM project to close out the school year.
“I knew we weren’t going to get to (the solar home math unit) because the end of the school year was coming up, but it looked and sounded so cool that I didn’t want to pass it up,” Niskar said. “I decided to squeeze it in … it really did capture all of the science, technology, engineering, mathematics. My boyfriend actually is an engineer, and I had to ask him for some help at some points.”
The project, which was “extremely involved” in Niskar’s words, saw students group up and try building a scale-sized home that would retain the most energy when exposed to sunlight. Work for the project included testing the heat-absorption of different materials and paints, becoming adept at reading thermometers, developing different kinds of solar collectors, trying out different insulation materials and performing other
Photo provided by STARBASE
A student at STARBASE has a turn at a flight simulator.
Power lines
from page 1A
said. “The approach and the tactics were not above board, were not straightforward, were not presented fairly. I would not want power lines that close to my doorstep; no one from ITC, no one from any organization that’s here, would want power lines placed that close to their door and an easement that extends into the bedrooms (where) they lay their head at night.”
The 6-1 decision to deny the ITC project — Treasurer Mike Aiello providing the lone vote in favor of it — came with cheers and claps from attendees that packed the board’s chambers, where they put up with unbearable heat as the building’s air conditioning was broken. Many stayed throughout the three-hour meeting to see the final and almost inevitable vote be made.
Few defenders of the project took to the floor, limited mostly to representatives from ITC and the hospital. ITC released a statement on June 3 condemning the board’s decision.
“ITC is disappointed that the Clinton Township Board of Trustees voted to deny a Special Use permit to construct an electric transmission line on 19 Mile Road,” the statement sent by ITC Lead Communications Specialist Andrew Johnson said. “Henry Ford Macomb Hospital continues to operate with an electrical deficiency and is relying on backup generators. This decision significantly delays our ability to provide the hospital with the reliable power it urgently needs. If approved, ITC could have completed the project 6-8 weeks from the start of construction. The proposed 19
Mile Road route is the result of a thorough engineering process — and it remains the only feasible route. ITC remains committed to supporting Henry Ford Macomb Hospital. Our next steps are to review all options to complete the project, despite the significant delay due to the Board’s application denial.”
Marc Corriveau, Henry Ford Health System’s vice president of government affairs, shared with the board some insight into what those next steps may be.
“I’ll let the lawyers talk to (consequences of not approving the project) but as described to me, there would be litigation,” Corriveau said. “There would be an application that would have to go through the (Michigan) Public Service Commission. And I’m being told, worst case scenario, it could be another two years.”
Recreational restructuring?
Prior to the vote against the power line project, trustees voted unanimously to contract with consulting firm Plante Moran for up to $28,000 to study a possible merger of the Senior Center and Recreation Department. The study would consider the possibility of combining the two departments, which respectively cost $1.4 and $1.5 million to run annually, into a new “Senior and Family Recreation” department. The decision to consider this merger was brought forth by Plante Moran in light of the Senior Center director’s retirement.
Plante Moran expects to present its findings to the board in the fall, and a potential second study phase could be approved later at a cost of up to $15,000.
Call Staff Writer Dean Vaglia at (586) 498-1043.
Photo by Dean Vaglia
An electrical substation sits east of Henry Ford Macomb Hospital with the hospital behind it. The Clinton Township Board of Trustees voted against a plan to run power to the expansion along 19 Mile Road.
MCLAREN MACOMB NURSES, STAFF HOLD PICKET
MOUNT CLEMENS — On May 22 from noon to about 1:30 p.m., nurses and support staff held an informational picket outside of McLaren Macomb Hospital.
Organized by the Office and Professional Employees International Union Local 40, the picket aimed to raise awareness of the union’s desire for higher staffing levels and “highlight the hospital’s union-busting tactics, stalled negotiations, inadequate proposals and abusive regressive language, along with retaliation on our members’ rights,” according to an email from OPEIU Local 40.
“McLaren Macomb has always been a community hospital,” Dina Carlisle, OPEIU Local 40 president, said via press release. “This is our reputation. These are our family members, our patients and our friends. We’re trying to do what’s best for our community, not just McLaren’s pocketbook. The ongoing unfair labor practices — such as direct dealing, regressive bargaining, refusing to bargain in good faith and targeting our members — must stop. We are fighting for our rights and for the safety of everyone who comes through our doors.”
McLaren Macomb president and CEO Tracey Franovich stated that McLaren hopes to reach a contract with the union.
“Our goal is to establish a contract for each group that is beneficial to both parties, and we are committed to that outcome,” Franovich said via press release. “As negotiations continue, our hospital leadership and physicians remain focused on patient safety, and the bargaining process has not compromised that focus. However, the union has chosen to conduct an informational picket, which is within their rights.
“McLaren Macomb has earned recognition for quality patient care and remains committed to providing the highest quality care to the community we serve. Our team members work diligently every day to improve clinical outcomes and maintain a safe environment for care. The current union activities will not distract our team from this dedication to our patients. We are hopeful that we will reach mutually agreeable contracts in the very near future. Until that time, our focus will continue to be serving the patients who come to our hospital and entrust us with their care,” Franovich said.
— Dean Vaglia
Photo by Patricia O’Blenes
Nurses and support staff hold an informational picket outside of McLaren Macomb Hospital on May 22.
BEHIND THE WHEEL
Contact Staff Writer Maria Allard at
or at (586) 498-1045, and you could be featured in an upcoming Behind the Wheel. For more stories, visit candgnews.com/news/auto or use the
TAKE IT EASY RIDER
,
FATHER AND SON BUILD THEIR OWN ‘CAPTAIN AMERICAʻ E-BICYCLE
BY MARIA ALLARD allard@candgnews.com
David Royce was a kid in 1969 when the movie “Easy Rider” was released.
His favorite part of the film was the custom-built Harley-Davidson Panhead chopper motorcycle, “Captain America,” that Peter Fonda’s character, Wyatt, rode across the country.
David owned a Schwinn StingRay bicycle at the time. But whenever he gazed at promotional posters of “Easy Rider,” he wished for his own motorcycle with similar features.
Now he’s “racing with the wind” because David finally has his own replica of Fonda’s “Easy Rider” motorcycle. He and his son, Grant, custom built their own “Captain America” electric bicycle.
“It was a boyhood dream,” David said. “It’s a tribute to the chopper movement.”
It took the Rochester Hills duo
about 2 1/2 years to make the electric vehicle from scratch. A lot of planning went into it. During the process and with various materials, the guys created a few prototypes before completing the final version of the electric bicycle.
The e-bike is equipped with many modern-day safety features, including front and rear hydraulic disc brakes. David and Grant installed an electric motor in the rear hub to assist with the pedaling.
Each part of the bike serves a purpose. Two batteries help make the e-bike run. A larger battery is for propulsion, which David said is the pedal assist. A smaller battery operates the LED lighting system, which includes glow lights of different colors. The e-bike features fishtail exhaust pipes, and David even purchased a starsand-stripes helmet like Fonda’s “Easy Rider” character. The license plate reads “Grant’s Garage.”
Grant, 17, is an avid bicyclist. He was a member of the Rochester Unit-
ed Mountain Bike Racing Team while in school. The Rochester High School senior graduated last month and will now be a coach for the team. David knows quite a bit about working with machinery. His first career was as an aircraft mechanic. He eventually went back to school and earned a mechanical engineering design degree.
Building their own “Captain America” e-bike chopper required the pair to enroll in several classes at Maker Works in Ann Arbor, where they became skilled in woodworking, welding and more.
“We both did a little bit of everything. We had to cut and weld and design each piece,” Grant said. “I think it was a really good interpretation of the concept my dad had. I think it turned out really well.”
While building the bike, the father and son frequented salvage yards to look for motorcycle and car parts, which Grant described as “very in-
See BIKE on page 17A
TOP LEFT: David Royce, left, and his son, Grant, of Rochester Hills, spent about 2 1/2 years making the custom-built “Captain America” electric bicycle. BOTTOM LEFT: David Royce fashioned the e-bike after the Harley-Davidson Panhead chopper motorcycle “Captain America” that Peter Fonda’s character rode in the 1969 movie “Easy Rider.”
Photos by Patricia O’Blenes
Fraser High School to host Marine Corps Sports Leadership Academy wrestling camp
BY SCOTT BENTLEY sbentley@candgnews.com
FRASER — Fraser High School will be hosting one of the largest high school wrestling camps in the state on June 14 with an impressive lineup of coaches and leaders running the event.
The camp is completely free to sign up for and will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. for a full day of learning from experts in the field.
The event will be run by the United States Marine Corps Sports Leadership Academy and will also teach life and leadership lessons to the participants, along with the day of wrestling.
Fraser High School wrestling coach Kyle Tucker will be in attendance, along with wrestling coaches from all over southeast Michigan. At press time, there were 25 coaches signed up to help run the camp.
Along with all the coaches, Olympic bronze medalist Myles Amine and three-time Southern Conference champion Taye Ghadiali will be present to guide the wrestlers. Amine went to Detroit Catholic Central High School before a great wrestling career at the University of Michigan, and Ghadiali graduated from Warren Fitzgerald before attending Campbell University. This year, Ghadiali will transfer to the University of Michigan and wrestle as a graduate transfer.
The camp was a success last year and is on track to have more participants this year. The camp is for high schoolers ages 14-19. To register for the free event, visit usmcsports.com/ register.
Call Sports Writer Scott Bentley at (586) 498-1090.
Photo provided by Kyle Tucker
Wrestlers gather to watch coaches and instructors during the 2024 United States Marine Corps Sports Leadership Academy wrestling camp at Fraser High School. The 2025 camp will be on June 14.
COMMUNITY BRIEF
Downtown Mount Clemens events
MOUNT CLEMENS — Despite the construction on Macomb Place, plenty of events are planned to take place in Mount Clemens this month.
The Uptown Friday Night Concert Series returns for its 15th season, taking place every Friday between June 6 and Aug. 8. The first six concerts will take place on the Main Stage located on North Walnut between Macomb Place and New Street, while the remaining six concerts will take place on the Main Stage on Macomb Place between Pine Street and southbound Gratiot across from the Anton Art Center.
June 14 will be a packed day of events with the Anton Art Center’s Super SatARTday taking place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.; the Bohemian Goat’s Urban Street Fair will run from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.; and the Natural Health & Wellness Fair, organized by the Urban Naturopath, will take place from noon to 4 p.m.
Juneteenth celebrations will commemorate the end of slavery across Mount Clemens on June 17. One celebration is set to take place at the Cairns Community Center at 11 a.m., and the Mount Clemens Public Library will host its own celebration with trivia and traditional Black American foods from 6-7 p.m.
For more information about events in Mount Clemens go to downtownmountclemens. org/events.
— Dean Vaglia
Patio
from page 9A
with, which have a more modern look. He said brick pavers are customizable, which also draws customers.
“They can always change a lot fairly easily compared to prior concrete, and bricks tend to be a little bit less maintenance as well over time,” Vokal said.
Thelen said they are seeing customers who want bricks that come with a coating on them. This can lessen the need for a sealant; therefore, it helps residents cut out a step in their project. However, he said that the patio would still need to be sealed eventually — a couple of years later.
This can also be convenient because, according to Thelen, patios are not sup-
posed to be stained in the first year anyway due to efflorescence that needs to be washed out by rain and sun.
Other trends
As for lighting, Thelen said patios with hidden lights are popular. He said residents can have landscape lighting installed in a wall with the wires underneath the brick.
“You get to enjoy the view of the patio, even if you’re not sitting on it,” Thelen said.
Thelen said they have also been doing a lot of stairs lately — stone steps that go from the driveway and into the back patio area.
“Then they can walk down through landscaping instead of across their grass,” Thelen said.
Call Staff Writer Mary Genson at (586) 498-1095.
Aug. 9 with the kickoff party on June 14 from noon to 4 p.m. The kickoff is for everyone, but, McDowell said, the activities are geared more towards children. There will also be a closing event with reptiles on Aug. 9.
“Everyone can come. It’s geared towards children and teens, but we don’t say no, you can’t come,” McDowell said about the kickoff party.
Patrons can register at any point during the summer reading time period by visiting the library at 15260 15 Mile Road or online.
“They have either option if they want to talk to a person or if they don’t want to, they have both options,” McDowell said.
Adults, children and teens will be given different methods to track their reading. Each age group will get different trackers with different ways to record their progress. Patrons can try to win raffle prizes for all age groups. One of the prizes, Milosavljevic said, is a giant Lego Vincent Van Gogh painting.
“We have a lot of painting and drawing and coloring for different age groups,” Milosavljevic said.
To get a raffle ticket, all age groups must reach certain reading goals. Toddlers must
read 15 books to enter; children, 10 books; teens, every book they read; and adults, every five books. Milosavljevic said once the milestones are hit, patrons will get a free book and sticker for a community poster.
“You go and you put the stickers on and slowly throughout the summer it will reveal the picture that we have,” Milosavljevic said.
McDowell said this year’s summer reading program will be a lot of fun. Both sections of the library are decorated with handmade items including giant crayons and markers.
The library has been planning its summer reading offerings for around six months.
“It starts in December, January. You start thinking about what’s happening for the summer,” McDowell said.
Themes were announced at the end of the previous year, McDowell said.
McDowell said the library has recently purchased portable CD players for those who don’t have a CD player in their car.
“Because some of those books are not available over e-book, like, we can’t get them through Libby and stuff like that,” McDowell said.
For more information about summer reading, visit the library website at fraserpubliclbirary.org.
Call Staff Writer Alyssa Ochss at (586) 498-1103. Reading
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Bike
from page 14A
teresting.” The handlebars, for instance, are from an old Harley-Davidson they found.
“We had to make adapters to go inside the handlebars to accept these,” David said. “A really fun part of the project was adapting motorcycle stuff to a bicycle application and adapting old stuff to new technology. We traipsed over a lot of old motorcycles that were scrapped out.”
The e-bicycle can go as fast as 25 mph. The bike will travel about 20 miles after it is charged. It’s a single-seater, but aesthetically it’s made to look like a two-seater.
“The seat on the back is more just for looks,” Grant said.
The bike did have some professional work done.
“The paint job was done at a professional place,” David said. “There’s some purchased parts — the tires, the fenders. The batteries are purchased.”
David and Grant also have another ebicycle, so they often go riding together on both vehicles in good weather. David loves to cruise to downtown Rochester and one stop is always O’Connor’s Public House. He also
rides “Captain America” to work, a 4-mile commute from home. The unique bike always starts a conversation. Many people initially think it’s a motorcycle.
“Everywhere we go, we get all kinds of compliments from people. It’s so much fun. Every day people yell, ‘What a cool bike,’” David said. “The prime one had to be I was riding to the gym and I had the glow lights on for the evening. The high school boys working at the burger place stuck their heads out of the drive-thru and yelled, ‘Dude, that thing is awesome.’”
David remembers his first cruise on the bike.
“It was wonderful. It was a great feeling,” he said. “First I rode it on pedals, and then I rode it with electric-motor assist. It was very smooth.”
David, an Air Force veteran, said “it was very special” to tackle the project with his son.
“He was very attentive. He was very patient in taking these classes while we meticulously went through every safety precaution. I do believe he learned a lot,” David said. “There are some skills you just can’t learn online, like when you’re operating the mill to cut away metal. You have to feel that with your hands. You can’t teach that on YouTube or LinkedIn or anything else.”
CLINTON TOWNSHIP — The Clintondale High School Class of 2025 has graduated, but seniors had one final tradition to go through on May 23 before they were officially sent into the world.
All 72 graduates boarded buses and toured the district for the annual senior Clap Out, where students and teachers across Clintondale Community Schools cheer the class on for their future endeavors.
NEAR RIGHT: McGlinnen Elementary School students high five and cheer for the Clintondale High School class of 2025 during the graduation Clap Out on May 23. FAR RIGHT: Jayshawn Blue and Jayla Foy tearfully say goodbye.
Photos by Patricia O’Blenes
Dakota teacher named Educator of the Year
LANSING — On July 3, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced Dakota High School teacher Kelly Heberholz as the 2025 winner of the Michigan Lottery’s 2025 Educator of the Year award, which comes with a $10,000 prize.
“Congratulations to Kelly Heberholz for her well-deserved recognition as the Michigan Lottery’s Educator of the Year,” Whitmer said via press release. “For over a decade, Kelly has brought her A-game to the classroom, teaching students at Dakota High how to love science and work together to solve problems. She is an exceptional campus leader, helping to pull together school-wide events that connect students to the community. I’m so grateful for educators like Kelly who not only prepare the next generation for the rest of their lives but also embody values every day that we should all aspire to live up to.”
Herberholz teaches science and is currently an administrative team intern at Dakota High School in Macomb Township, part of the Chippewa Valley Schools district. Herberholz earned a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree from Michigan State University and has taught at Dakota for the past 12 years.
tivities, including traditional Polish dance performances throughout each day, a Pierogi eating contest and a Polka Mass at noon Sunday.
This year’s festival will also feature three Polish beers, including one that was brewed specifically for the festival, as well as domestic beers and Polish and premium spirits, according to the press release. There will also be American food available.
“Our trademarked Polish nacho and Polish egg rolls are the best anywhere, and this year we will have new comfort food items on the menu at the Kielbasa Kafe,” Beller said.
Leonard Palermino, general manager of Century Banquet Center, which hosts the event, said the festival is an important way for the Polish community to reminisce about its culture while also being able to share it with newer generations.
“We like to keep our newer generation informed, to share the upbringing that we had and the culture that we had by passing that to the next generation,” he said. “One way to pass that is to show, by example.”
For the American Polish Century Club, Palermino said the festival is a way for it to honor its commitment to its members and the community by promoting Polish heritage.
“It’s nice to know that we’re part of the succession of traditions and culture that we’re passing on,” he said.
The 43rd annual American Polish Festival and Craft Show is being held June 20-22 at the American Polish Century Club, 33204 Maple Lane, in Sterling Heights. Admission costs $5 per person and anyone under 17 is free. Free parking and shuttles can be found at the Career Prep Center and Sterling Heights High School.
For a complete schedule of events, visit americanpolishfestival.com.
Call Staff Writer Brian Wells at (248) 291-7637.
Photo provided
Michigan Lottery Commissioner Suzanna Shkreli, left, poses with Dakota High School teacher Kelly Heberholz during a ceremony honoring Heberholz as the 2025 Michigan Lottery Educator of the Year.
Drain
from page 1A
flows. The third request included four specific requests about what the plan needed to include: hydraulic modeling of the sewers, evaluation of the capacity limitations and restrictions of the overflow chamber and short-term and long-term corrective action implementation plans to eliminate overflows.
The office’s response was made on May 29 via a letter signed by Chief Engineer Evagelos Bantios. Bantios’s responses about the modeling of the sewers and the evaluation of the overflow chamber’s capacity limitations were as follows:
“Concerning Item No. 3a and 3b, we have not seen areas of high infiltration and inflow in the system from the local communities,” Bantios said via email. “Nor have we seen capacity limitations or restrictions or other impacts that may cause the hydraulic grade line to overtop the overflow chamber in the Dequindre Interceptor with the (George W. Kuhn Drainage District) system.”
Regarding the short-term improvements, Bantios said the commission would “store as much flow as possible” in the system ahead of heavy weather events and “continue to discharge through the (George W. Kuhn Retention Treatment Basin)” under the impression that this will allow for more storage in the Dequindre Interceptor for backwater and reverse flow. Regarding long-term plans, Bantios said the Oakland County Water Resources Commission would work with the Great Lakes Water Authority “to determine how the GLWA system interacts with the (George W. Kuhn Retention Treatment Basin) system to see what improvements can be made
to either or both the GLWA and (George W. Kuhn Retention Treatment Basin) systems” and that it would implement any improvements later.
“The Oakland County Water Resources Commissioner’s response shows a total lack of concern about what Oakland County discharges into the Red Run Drain and the damages these discharges do to our environment,” Miller said via press release. “After years of sanitary sewage overflows, and only after constant demands by Macomb County that state regulators do something, their response is that they’ll continue to discharge but they’ll look into it. That is NOT a corrective plan.”
Miller’s recommendation would be to build a larger retention basin or upgrade old infrastructure. She called on EGLE to require a definitive plan for improving the infrastructure as a requirement for renewing Oakland County’s discharge permit.
“If EGLE allowed them to actually do what Oakland County is suggesting, the end result would be more discharges by Oakland County into Macomb County and more flooding because the Red Run doesn’t have the capacity to handle even more during large rain events,” Miller said. “At a time when EGLE is involved in studying flooding in southeast Michigan, I can’t imagine that EGLE would approve of their response.”
Miller’s statement included an overture to Nash, calling on him to join her to lobby state and federal legislators to provide more funding and resources for infrastructure improvements.
Sanitary sewer overflows from Oakland County have been blamed for solid waste entering the Clinton River and Lake St. Clair.
Call Staff Writer Dean Vaglia at (586) 498-1043.
Photo provided by Macomb County Public Works Office Sanitary wipes and other debris cling to bushes and tree branches in the Red Run following a sanitary sewer
8A
the Cpl. Walter F. Bruce VFW Post 1146, located at 28404 Jefferson Avenue. There will be food available for purchase. Admission is $10 for those 12 and older and $5 for those younger than 12. Parking is available at the post, but there is an overflow parking lot on Saturday at Lakeshore Presbyterian Church, located at 27801 Jefferson Avenue.
Eventgoers can dress up in cosplay or Renaissance and fantasy-inspired garb, Meade said, but it is not required to attend the event. There will also be merchants there who will be selling clothing items inspired by the Renaissance and fantasy.
Performers will wander the festival, Meade said, interacting with guests and taking photos with them.
This event is family friendly with things available for both adults and children.
“If you have kids, you don’t have to be worried about coming in because all the programming is designed to be kid friendly but it’s also a space for adults that just want to come in and enjoy some time, too,” Meade said.
No real weapons are allowed inside the event.
“At the Renaissance faire, some people will try to bring swords and stuff like that. Obviously, we’re not encouraging that,” Meade said.
She does encourage people to bring sunglasses and sunscreen. Marshall said the rules are the same as any other public space.
“Just being respectful to other people,” Marshall said. “As people in the community say cosplay isn’t consent so stop and ask people if they’d like to take a picture with you so that they’re able to kind of pose and you both get a good picture.”
Outside alcohol is not allowed inside the event, but there will be adult beverages at the post for people to buy on Saturday.
Both Meade and Marshall are excited about the festival.
“Miranda and I have talked about doing an event like this forever and we’ve done so many other theatrical events. I think this is the first time we really focused on making it a marketplace, too,” Meade said.
She said she’s also happy that the event is held in St. Clair Shores.
“When we talked about it, we were like, ‘What kind of area doesn’t have that experience yet that’s local?’” Meade said. “Because not everybody can go to Holly to go to a huge festival, but they want to do something
Birmingham-Bloomfield Eagle • Farmington Press • Fraser-Clinton Township Chronicle • Grosse Pointe Times • Macomb Township Chronicle Madison-Park News • Mount Clemens-Clinton-Harrison
(Oakland Co.) C & G Newspapers publishes 21 papers in Macomb, Oakland and Wayne counties:
Editor: Brian Louwers | (586) 498-1089 | brianlouwers@candgnews.com
Reporters:
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Artroom: (586) 498-1036 | ads@candgnews.com
For retail ad rates: Paula Stelzer | (586) 498-1076 | pstelzer@candgnews.com Karen Bozimowski | (586) 498-1032 | kboz@candgnews.com
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Classifieds: For ad rates (586) 498-8100
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kind of close by, and so St. Clair Shores really is the perfect place for it.”
Marshall added that they’ve had this date set for over a year.
“It has been quite a journey, so we’re really excited to see it come to fruition,” Marshall said.
Tickets can be purchased at shorturl.at/ qLOzQ or at the door. They take cash and cards, but there is a surcharge for any credit card transactions for tickets.
Call Staff Writer Alyssa Ochss at (586) 498-1103.
Photo provided by Aubrey Meade
Many different vendors, performers and food options will be at the Michigan Fantasy Festival June 14-15 at the Cpl. Walter F. Bruce VFW Post 1146, located at 28404 Jefferson Ave. in St. Clair Shores.
STARBASE
from page 11A
experiments in order to build the toastiest home possible. Size of the homes mattered as the area of windows was tied to how big the homes were.
“We actually did the measurements of the windows,” fifth grader Sam Sherrill said. “The total dimensions of the windows had to be exactly 1/8th of our house’s total dimensions.”
Students were given leeway in how they chose to design and build their homes. Sherrill said his group built a sunroof into their design.
Niskar planned to have the students present the homes to their fellow students at the end of the year, but then students in the class had an idea. Luplow presented the idea of auctioning the projects off to parents like they were real homes, while peer Noah Kodra jumped in with the idea of donating the raised funds to STARBASE One. The ideas won the support of the students, and Niskar got the word out to parents that an “open house” was scheduled for Friday, May 30. Before the day would arrive, students would also write letters to legislators asking them to support restoring funding to the STARBASE program.
“It was attempting to free STARBASE and try to get other children to experience it,” Kodra said.
And by the time the homes were sold, the parents came through by raising $1,170 for STARBASE.
Along with anticipating how excited the students would be once they found out the final raised amount, Niskar was proud to know the students had taken the initiative to develop and put on the fundraiser.
“For me, that’s more important than anything else,” Niskar said. “I teach the kids the curriculum, but for me it’s more important that they leave my classroom as good human beings. They came in as good human beings, but they got even better with their empathy and their kindness, so for me that was the most important (thing) of all, that they could help others.”
Niskar believes the students’ experiences visiting and fundraising for STARBASE will follow them throughout their educational careers.
“I think that they’re going to remember this more than anything else, quite honestly,” Niskar said. “I think it already has inspired kids to possibly one day become involved with a STEM profession of some sort.”
By the time the fundraiser was held, STARBASE One was already back in operation. Funding for the program was restored in April after Congress passed another continuing resolution, leading to students across
the region once again making memories at the Selfridge-based nonprofit.
But Simms has not ceased finding funds to support STARBASE’s survival.
Simms says the goal of STARBASE is to operate as though it is going to continue forever — the program is already booked full for the 2025-26 school year.
“We always look ahead that we’re going to be in full operation, because we do not want to make an assumption … and not schedule people right now,” Simms said. “We want to hit the ground running come the start of the school year and get the classes out here first thing in September.”
Along with running as though there’s no end in sight, Simms and the STARBASE team are working to add more funding streams. A fundraiser at a Buffalo Wild Wings was held in Chesterfield, a golf outing is planned to take place this summer on the SANGB golf course, and the program is working with a grant writer to apply for funding. Several state legislators toured STARBASE One earlier in the year, and Simms said the program is in conversation with state and federal legislators about future support.
“This is a community asset that has been here for 34 years,” Simms said. “To lose that I think would be a shame because all of the knowledge that we have guarded over these years and the delivery of a very highquality STEM program would go away, and that wouldn’t be something that’s available to the community anymore.”
Call Staff Writer Dean Vaglia at (586) 498-1043.
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STARBASE’s High Bay includes a space shuttle flight simulator and a replica of an International Space Station module.
Photo provided by STARBASE
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Clinton Township man sentenced to 40 years for sex crimes
DETROIT — On May 16, the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan announced Stephen Gentry, of Clinton Township, was sentenced to 40 years in federal prison for creating images and videos depicting the sexual exploitation of children.
Gentry, already a registered sex offender, pleaded guilty to sexual exploitation of children on Feb. 12. His recent crimes came to light after the FBI learned that he was distributing images of child sexually abusive material that he created. An FBI search of Gentry’s home found evidence supporting the alleged offenses.
United States District Court Judge Terrence Berg’s sentence for Gentry includes a lifetime of supervised release upon leaving prison. The investigation was conducted by the FBI and the case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Sarah Alsaden, Tara Hindelang and Christopher Rawsthorne.
Scheming mail
MACOMB TOWNSHIP — On May 13 at around 5 p.m., Macomb County Sheriff’s Office deputies spoke to a 32-year-old Macomb Township woman about a suspicious person in her neighborhood.
The witness reportedly saw a woman placing envelopes in mailboxes in the 16000 block of Via Montella. Inside the envelopes were a “$500 gift card” and a QR code that linked to the website of a known pyramid scheme.
Deputies recommended that the woman contact the Federal Trade Commission.
Retail fraud
MACOMB TOWNSHIP — On May 13 at around 3 p.m., Macomb County Sheriff’s Office deputies were called to Meijer at 24 Mile Road and Hayes Road for a retail fraud report.
The store’s loss prevention staff and management informed deputies that a 33-year-old Detroit man left the store without paying for over $360 worth of alcohol and other items.
A records search of the man showed he had three prior retail fraud convictions.
A state warrant authorization for retail fraud was completed and the store representatives indicated they wished to press charges.
Drunk driver in denial
MACOMB TOWNSHIP — On May 11 at around 4:40 p.m., Macomb County Sheriff’s Office deputies were dispatched to the intersection of Wellington Valley and 24 Mile Road for a car crash.
wide turn at the intersection and T-boned another car.
Deputies noted the odor of intoxicants on the man and that he appeared to have trouble with his motor functions. The man told deputies he was returning from a golf outing and denied drinking any alcohol. He refused to take field sobriety tests and, before taking a breath test, told deputies he “knew he was going to fail.”
The man reportedly registered a 0.36 blood alcohol content level and was taken to jail.
Stolen motorcycle
HARRISON TOWNSHIP — On May 6 at around 3:10 p.m., Macomb County Sheriff’s Office deputies were sent to the 37000 block of Willowood Court for a stolen vehicle report.
Deputies spoke with a 25-year-old Harrison Township man who said his KTM motorcycle was stolen. He first noticed the motorcycle was gone when he returned from work.
The man did not have any suspects in mind and no cameras were in the area to document the theft.
Cycle swiper
MOUNT CLEMENS — On May 4 at around 4:17
a.m., Macomb County Sheriff’s Office deputies were dispatched to an apartment in the 20 block of Dickinson Avenue to speak with a 28-year-old Mount Clemens man about his stolen bike.
The man rode his bike to Fast Eddie’s Bar & Grill on Crocker Boulevard the night before, placing it by the rear door with a fake lock before going inside. He saw the bike from the bar during the night, but discovered it was missing around 2 a.m.
He did not see anyone steal the bike and had no suspects in mind.
Parking lot arrest
MOUNT CLEMENS — On May 2 at around 4:10 p.m., Macomb County Sheriff’s Office deputies were dispatched to the 300 block of Cass Avenue for a report of property damage in the parking lot.
At the scene, deputies discovered a 65-year-old Macomb Township man had struck four cars while attempting to leave the lot. The Macomb Township man was observed to be uneasy on his feet. He reportedly agreed to take field sobriety tests.
Following the tests, the man reportedly submitted a breath test with a 0.153 blood alcohol content result. The man was arrested.
Pepper spray assault
MOUNT CLEMENS — On May 2 at around 12:40 p.m., Macomb County Sheriff’s Office deputies were
Deputies spoke with a 42-year-old Warren man, who said he was pepper sprayed by a 46-year-old Mount Clemens man in the park after telling him to shut up.
Deputies located the Mount Clemens man behind 170 Northbound Gratiot Ave., where he admitted to pepper spraying the man because he believed the man was going to assault a woman he was with.
Deputies arrested the Mount Clemens man.
Welfare check
MOUNT CLEMENS — On May 1 at around 4:30 p.m., Macomb County Sheriff’s Office deputies were dispatched to Park Place Towers for a welfare check on a resident.
A neighbor told deputies that the resident in question, an 85-year-old woman, had not been answering her door. Deputies entered the apartment and discovered the woman on the floor in her kitchen, next to a chair she appeared to fall out of.
The woman was transported to a hospital by Medstar.
Man defrauded of $101
SHELBY TOWNSHIP — At 8:10 p.m. May 7, a police officer from Shelby Township was dispatched to the lobby of the Police Department regarding a fraud report. The victim stated that he had been attempting to contact Amazon in an attempt to return some purchased items. The victim stated he searched online for the number for Amazon and thought he was speaking to a representative. The representative advised the victim to download an app on his phone that gave the representative full access to his phone. Once the representative had access to the phone, he asked the victim to send him pictures of his credit card and driver’s license. At the time of the police report, the victim was out $101. The victim later found out that the number he had was not the correct number that went to Amazon. The case was turned over to the detective bureau for follow-up.
Property damage reported on Pleasant Street
ST. CLAIR SHORES — At 10:03 a.m. on May 16, a report was made about property damage in the 22000 block of Pleasant Street. The victim, a 59-year-old woman, stated she got home at around 2 p.m. on May 15 and didn’t see any damage to her vehicle. When she went out the next morning, she noticed damage to her vehicle as well as a broken cinderblock on her lawn. The residence next to her had a brick wall divider between the plaza and the victim’s residence and it was possible the
found in the area.
Retail fraud reported on Harper Avenue
ST. CLAIR SHORES — At 11:09 a.m. on May 17, a report was made about a case of retail fraud that occurred in the 22000 block of Harper Avenue. The officer spoke to the manager of a business, a 49-year-old woman, who stated two women paid for some items, but not all of the items in their overflowing cart. Among the items stolen were ribeye steaks and bags of shrimp. What they did pay for totaled out to $19.49. The vehicle the women drove was found in Harper Woods.
Larceny reported on Shore Club Drive ST. CLAIR SHORES — At 2:23 p.m. on May 16, an act of larceny was reported in the 1100 block of Shore Club Drive. The victim, a 32-year-old man, came into the police station and stated he
Unwanted