City Council approves development at former Kmart headquarters
BY SARAH WRIGHT swright@candgnews.com
TROY — The Troy City Council approved items related to upcoming development plans for the former Kmart headquarters, at 3100 W. Big Beaver Road, during its June 9 meeting.
The former Kmart headquarters has been vacant since 2006. Forbes/ Frankel Troy Ventures LLC, which also owns Somerset Collection, purchased the 40-acre property in 2009 and demolition began in November 2023 and finished in July 2024.
University of Michigan Health purchased 7.28 acres of the property for $4.42 million to build a health care center that would focus on
BY GENA JOHNSON gjohnson@candgnews.com
WEST BLOOMFIELD — Drivers are needed to make deliveries for the Meals on Wheels program in West Bloomfield, bringing food to those in need.
The nonprofit provides more than just a meal. For many older adults who are homebound, the delivery drivers also provide friendly human contact on a regular basis.
With summer approaching, more people will be going on vacation. As a re-
sult, many of the regular drivers are away and cannot make deliveries, so more volunteers are needed.
“People go out of town a lot, so when they’re gone, then you have to keep on asking the people you already have to deliver (to these routes),” said Candie Hovarter,
MEALS ON WHEELS SEEKS HELP FROM COMMUNITY
the outreach director for the Livingston County Senior Nutrition Program and Western Oakland Meals on Wheels. “You don’t want to burn them out.”
This branch of Meals on Wheels services all of Livingston County and much See MEALS on page 17A
File photo by Patricia O’Blenes
This file photo shows the former Kmart headquarters. A new multi-faceted development is slated for the space. Following approval from the Troy Planning Commission, the Troy City Council approved the project at its June 9 meeting.
STAR LINCOLN CELEBRATES FATHER’S
DAY EVERY DAY FOR 55 YEARS
Star Lincoln in South eld boasts a 55-year history of family tradition and celebrating the work of fathers throughout the dealership. Started by Hoot McInerney in 1970, Hoot passed the dealership on to his son’s Bob and Jim in 2015. Grandson’s Ryan McInerney (Executive Manager) and Patrick Leonhard (Sales Manager), both fathers themselves, also play signi cant roles in the family business.
Star Lincoln currently employs 25 fathers in their sales, service, parts and administrative departments.
Star’s newest celebrated father, General Sales Manager, Tom Brown, typi es Star’s continued motivation of being a “family-focused” business since day one; from employees to customers.
part of accomplishing that goal.”
Brown, a graduate of the esteemed Vehicle Operations Program at Northwood University, has 6 children of his own. He started working for the McInerney family for over 16 years at Oakland Dodge in Madison Heights from January 1994 - February 14, 2010 when it closed its doors. With over 31 years experience in the car business, Brown has assisted over 1000 customers and friends buy brand new vehicles.
“Being a father of 6 children, I have learned to be patient and listen, more than being aggressive to make the sale. A great sales experience is more about caring and helping.”
e strong family connection shared between the Star Sta and Metro Detroit continues with Star’s current motto and ethos, “ e Star Treatment”.
I’ve gotten to know the entire McInerney family over the last 31 years. e best part about working for them is that they care about you as a person. ey give you a great work environment. If you purchase a vehicle at Star Lincoln, you will become part of the family - just like I feel.”, Brown continued.
“I have helped many folks buy their very rst car to a senior 85-yearold customer from Warren buy their next car, as I can recall. I love the satisfaction of personally assisting someone take ownership of a new vehicle they have been dreaming about for years and being
Star Lincoln has been serving the area for 55 years now, come see why and experience the Star Treatment. Star will celebrate Father’s Day this Sunday, June 15 alongside their customers. Stop by Star Lincoln to receive that “fatherly experience”. Celebrate your love for your Ford or Lincoln and schedule your in-person or mobile service appointment at Hoot McInerney’s STAR LINCOLN. Visit: www. starlincoln.com or in person at 24350 W 12 Mile Rd. South eld MI 48034. Call 248-354-4900 Monday–Friday 8am-6pm.
¹Not all buyers will qualify for low-mileage Lincoln AFS Red Carpet Lease®.
SECOND FRONT PAGE
BY SARAH WRIGHT swright@candgnews.com
TROY — The Troy Police Department is investigating a May 30 shooting that left a 9-year-old boy with serious injuries.
A report from the department de-
Police investigate shooting involving 9-year-old boy
MAN CHARGED WITH IMPROPER FIREARM STORAGE
scribed the shooting as accidental. A man who was living in the residence where the shooting occurred has been charged in connection to the incident.
According to the release, officers re-
sponded to a request for an ambulance to transport an injured child at around 4:12 p.m. When first responders arrived at the home on Crooks Road, they found a boy bleeding from his head.
The boy was transported to the hospital where he underwent emergency surgery. He was in critical condition, according to police.
The child’s mother was reportedly at the home when the shooting happened. A firearm was recovered from
County faces ‘complicated’ economic future, has good fundamental metrics
BY CHARITY MEIER cmeier@candgnews.com
NOVI — Oakland County’s economic future is “complicated” as Michigan’s economy slows, and national and global policies coming from Washington, D.C., are very fluid, according to economist Gabriel Ehrlich, of the University of Michigan.
Ehrlich co-authored the county’s 2025 economic outlook report with fellow University of Michigan economist Donald Grimes.
“The message in this year’s report is … it’s complicated because Michigan’s economy has been slowing down recently,” said Ehrlich. “And that’s at the same time as we’re now facing new challenges with an uncertain policy environment going forward.”
Nationwide, Gross domestic product growth is expected to slow down this year, dropping from 2.8% in 2024 to 1.4%, according to the economists.
“This is given we do expect higher tariffs and a lot of economic uncertainty going forward,” he said.
He said they expect GDP to slowly go back up over the next couple of years. He said they anticipate it to go to 1.6% in 2026 and 2.2% in 2027.
“You know the tariffs have been getting all of the attention lately, but there are other things going on in the economy that should boost growth,” Ehrlich said.
Ehrlich emphasized that they are not forecasting a recession in the U.S. at the moment. They are relatively optimistic about the U.S. economy because they expect the Federal Reserve to continue to cut interest rates at a moderate pace, and large tax cuts are on the horizon that should provide a short-run stimulus to the economy.
It is expected that, as a result of tariffs, there will be a sharp decline in light vehicle sales. The sales pace is expected to bottom out at just under 50 million units during the third quarter of this year before a modest recovery begins.
Payroll employment in Oakland County declined by 0.1% last year. There were job losses in manufacturing, professional and technical services, and administrative support services.
However, he said they are forecasting that the county will have a job growth of 0.5% per year over the next three years.
“The blue-collar industries have been leading the
Murphy
Photo by Patricia O’Blenes Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter discusses the 2025 Oakland County Economic Outlook during a press conference May 22 at Novi’s Suburban Collection Showplace.
Troy Police Department provides information on distracted driving
BY SARAH WRIGHT swright@candgnews.com
TROY — Following National Distracted Driving Awareness Month in April, the Troy Police Department has provided more information on the safety risks and the department’s protocols associated with distracted driving.
Towards the end of April, law enforcement agencies in the metro Detroit area took part in Operation Ghost Rider, a safetydriven initiative aimed at reducing injuries and fatalities caused by distracted driving. Launched in 2017, Operation Ghost Rider uses unmarked vehicles staffed with law enforcement officers who spot distracted drivers and alert nearby marked units to make traffic stops. The campaign is led by the National Transportation Safety Organization (NTSO) — formerly the Transportation Improvement Association — and funded by the Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning (OHSP).
“Every time a driver chooses to look at their phone or engage in any distraction, they’re putting lives at risk,” Jim Santilli, CEO of NTSO, stated in a press release. “In 2023 alone, 40,091 people were killed and an estimated 2.44 million injured in traffic crashes across the U.S. It’s time we all commit to making traffic safety a priority again, and that includes bringing back highly visible enforcement.”
According to the NTSO, Michigan saw 15,136 distracted driving crashes in 2023, which led to 59 deaths and 5,889 injuries. Over a third of these crashes happened at intersections and nearly 20% involved a lane departure. The five counties with the highest number of distracted driving crashes were Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Kent and Washtenaw. Data from the U.S. Department of Transportation highlights the risk: drivers using a handheld device are four times more likely to be involved in an injury-causing crash and texting increases crash risk by 23 times.
“Studies reveal that sending or reading a text diverts your eyes from the road for approximately 4.6 of every 6 seconds,” Santilli stated in a press release. “At 55 miles per hour, that’s equivalent to driving the entire length of a football field while blindfolded.”
In 2023, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed into law a package of bills that made it illegal to hold or manually use a cellphone or other mobile electronic devices while operating a vehicle on Michigan roads. This includes situations where a vehicle is stopped at a light or in traffic, but does not apply when the vehicle is legally parked.
Penalties for violations include: a $100 fine and/or 16 hours of community service for a first offense; a $250 fine and/or 24 hours of community service for second or subsequent violations; and a mandatory driving improvement course for three violations within a three-year period. Additionally, fines are doubled if a traffic crash occurs and the at-fault driver was found to be holding or manually using a mobile device while operating the vehicle.
During National Distracted Driving Awareness Month, the Troy Police Department’s Traffic Safety Unit (TSU) collaborated with the Auburn Hills Police Department, Oakland County Sheriff’s Office and Michigan State Police in multiple targeted enforcement efforts.
“Distracted driving remains a persistent issue on our roadways, even with the increasing availability of advanced in-vehicle technologies designed to minimize manual device use,” TPD Traffic Safety Sergeant Brian Warzecha stated in an email. “Despite features such as voice-to-text, hands-free calling, and integrated GPS systems, many drivers continue to hold and manipulate their phones while operating a vehicle. The most common behaviors we observe include making phone calls, entering GPS destinations, or otherwise handling the device, all tasks that could be completed through hands-free alternatives.”
A total of 78 citations specifically for distracted driving were issued by Troy officers and, during that same time frame, there were 20 arrests made for drunk driving.
“While both behaviors are dangerous and preventable, these figures highlight the growing prevalence of distracted driving violations compared to impaired driving, at least in terms of observed enforcement,” Warzecha stated in an email. “When comparing distracted driving to driving under the influence within the Troy area, the drunk driving cases are typically easier to document due to standardized testing procedures and clear legal thresholds. Distracted driving, on the other hand, requires direct observation by officers. As we continue our education and enforcement efforts, our goal is to encourage drivers to fully utilize the hands-free technology already present in most modern vehicles and to understand the serious safety risks associated with distracted driving. Public awareness, combined with consistent enforcement, remains key to improving roadway safety.”
For more information, visit troymi.gov/ departments/police/index.php.
Call Staff Writer Sarah Wright at (586) 498-1068.
UCFS-CALC launches new Summer Study Camp
TROY — This summer, United Community Family Services–Chaldean American Ladies of Charity (UCFS-CALC) will introduce its inaugural Summer Study Camp, aimed at combating the “summer slide” and ensuring academic momentum for local students.
Founded more than 64 years ago by a group of women interested in helping their neighbors, the Chaldean American Ladies of Charity has a long-standing tradition of service. Nearly a decade ago, the organization adopted the name United Community Family Services (UCFS) to better reflect its mission of serving all members of the community.
“Whether they’re distributing groceries in our food pantry, sorting essentials in the Sharehouse Basic Needs Center, or helping out with seasonal programs, our volunteers are truly the heart of everything we do,” Kristin Olmedo, President & CEO of UCFS-CALC, stated in a press release.
The Summer Study Camp is built upon Project Achievement, UCFS-CALC’s tutoring program during the school year that supports children from ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) and low-income households.
“Each week, students receive one-on-one homework help and work closely with a Reading Specialist to strengthen literacy skills — something especially critical following the setbacks many experienced with remote learning during the pandemic,” Olmedo stated in a press release.
After academic work is completed, students dive into hands-on STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) activities, blending learning with play. These interactive sessions not only deepen academic engagement but also nurture social development and boost self-confidence.
The program is funded by UCFS-CALC and starts June 17 and runs through Sept. 2. It will be offering lunch for the students and will be asking for donations to fund the daily lunch.
In addition, UCFS-CALC is looking for volunteer tutors to help during the Summer Study Camp. The organization partners with volunteers from varied backgrounds in Southeast Michigan.
“Over the past several years, we’ve seen tremendous growth — growth that simply wouldn’t have happened without our volunteers,” Olmedo stated in a press release. “Thanks to them, our food pantry has expanded from serving 155 families a month to over 900.”
For more information, visit ucfamilyservices.org.
Bemis Elementary wins big at 2025 National Math Pentathlon
TROY — The Bemis Elementary School Math Pentathlon Team has been named the 2025 National Math Pentathlon First Place Gold Trophy Champions.
Math Pentathlon is a program utilizing interactive problem-solving games, supportive curricular and instructional activities and assessment tools for students in grades K-7.
The Gold Trophy is presented annually to the highest-scoring team in the nation. This is based on cumulative performance across all grade levels, requiring teams to include boys and girls from five grade levels and meet tournament game monitor quotas. This year, Bemis Elementary met these standards and also achieved the highest team score recorded in the last 24 years of the competition from Michigan.
“This recognition reflects the school’s exceptional performance across all three competition divisions—solidifying its place at the top of a field that includes thousands of students across the United States,” a press release from the city of Troy stated.
This achievement was further celebrated during an event in Bemis Elementary School’s cafeteria on June 2.
For more information, visit bemis.troy.k12.mi.us.
Compiled by Sarah Wright
Photo provided by the City of Troy
This photo shows members of the Bemis Elementary School Math Pentathlon Team and their advisors.
Troy quiz bowl teams compete in High School National Championship Tournament
BY SARAH WRIGHT swright@candgnews.com
TROY — Quiz bowl teams from Troy High School and International Academy East recently competed in the 2025 High School National Championship Tournament at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis and the Hilton Atlanta.
For quiz bowl, teams of four compete to answer questions about science, math, history, literature, mythology, geography, social science, current events, sports and popular culture.
“The matches feature a blend of individual competition and team collaboration, since no individual player is likely to be an expert in all subject areas,” a press release National Academic Quiz Tournaments (NAQT) states. “Participation in quiz bowl both reinforces lessons from the classroom and encourages players to develop new intellectual interests.”
NAQT, founded in 1996, organizes the premier middle school, high school and college quiz bowl championships in North America. Their 2025 High School National Championship Tournament featured 336 teams from 37 states, the District of Columbia and Guatemala. Nineteen of the competing teams came from Michigan.
Troy High School’s team consists of Arin Barman, Samik Barman, Himank Bhat, Cole Cambell, Mithesh Raja Govindaraja and Pratyush Neelakantan. The team was coached by Lisa Cova.
This team finished the preliminary rounds with a 3-7
record, though they lost to a team from Burnsville, Minnesota. The loss ended their shot at the playoffs.
Troy High School proudly acknowledges the participation of six outstanding students . . . at the National Academic Quiz Bowl Tournament (NAQT) held in Atlanta,” Cova
stated in an email. “These students represented Troy High School with distinction, demonstrating exceptional academic ability and teamwork throughout the competition. Although the final standings did not fully reflect the depth
Photo provided by Troy High School and the National Academic Quiz Tournaments
Members of Troy High School’s quiz bowl team pose for a photo.
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, facepainting 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 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
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.
Troy Chamber app promotes connecting with local businesses
BY SARAH WRIGHT swright@candgnews.com
TROY — The Troy Chamber of Commerce’s new app provides more opportunities for community members to connect with Troy businesses for information on deals and events.
Troy Chamber of Commerce is a nonprofit organization, founded in 1959, that aims to provide different opportunities for their members to further grow their businesses. With over 700 members, the chamber provides a wide range of networking chances, discounts and promotion resources for the businesses they work with.
The chamber had been considering creating an app for several years though recently, with Jay Adams from The Gold Innovision Team joining the chamber in 2024, it decided this would be a good time to get the app rolling.
“The app took about 6 months to perfect before we launched,” Tara Tomcsik-Husak, Troy Chamber of Commerce President/CEO, stated in an email. “We also could not have done it without the support of DTE who helped sponsor the app to come to fruition.”
The app provides information on local chamber member businesses; registration for
events throughout the city of Troy; and discounts for local restaurants, hotels and business services.
“Currently, we are around 200 users, but that number grows daily,” Tomcsik-Husak stated in an email. “We have seen many users take advantage of some of the member discounts like taking 15% off your bill at Firebird Tavern or the 10% off discount at Fresh and Pressed Juice.”
The app is available in the Apple and Android app stores. It does not require users to be a chamber member to download and use the app.
“It’s an exciting time for our Troy Community. The Troy Chamber app is more than just a platform for discounts — it’s a bridge that connects residents with the heartbeat of our local economy,” Mayor Ethan Baker stated in an email. “By making it easier to discover, support, and engage with hometown businesses, this app will build a stronger, more vibrant community for everyone.”
For more information, visit troychamber. com.
Call Staff Writer Sarah Wright at (586) 498-1068.
Organizers Ready To Bring Art Bash Back To Berkley: Saturday, June 14
Downtown Berkley will be transformed into an “art-flled street party” as the city welcomes the Art Bash back for its 23rd year on Saturday, June 14.
More than 180 artists, food trucks and activities for kids will set up shop along 12 Mile Road from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
“As a local business owner, the Art Bash is always one of our busiest days of the whole year,” said April McCrumb, the Art Bash director and the owner of Catching Firefies in Berkley.
McCrumb said.
The Art Bash ofers patrons a chance to peruse and purchase a wide variety of handmade items from local artists.
April McCrumb Berkley Art Bash Director
“This show has always highlighted the talent we have in our own backyard and even many of our makers live right in Berkley. No doubt, this busy day defnitely gives a great economic boost to our artists and locally owned shops in the area,”
Bashgoers will also get a chance to sample delicious cuisine from local food truck vendors. Beyond the art, food and activities set up for the Art Bash, many shops in the 12 Mile and Coolidge Highway area will be hosting sidewalk sales with added entertainment and activities.
Free parking is available.
“It will defnitely be a wonderful time to explore Berkley’s family-friendly, charming downtown district,” McCrumb said.
For more information about the 2025 Art Bash in downtown Berkley, go to www.berkleyartbash.com
Troy Chamber of Commerce’s app provides opportunities for discovering new businesses as well as information on events and discounts with Chamber members.
Photo provided by the Troy Chamber of Commerce
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.
Photo provided by Tom Thelen Patios with hidden lights are trending locally, according to Tom Thelen, of Thelen Landscape Inc.
BEHIND THE WHEEL
Contact Staff Writer Maria Allard at allard@candgnews.com or at (586) 498-1045, and
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-
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
Development
specialty and diagnostic services in March 2024. Also, during a Planning Commission meeting in Sept. 2024, Forbes/Frankel representative Nathan Forbes presented potential plans for a development project that could include 750 residential units, 500,000 square feet of office space, 300,000 square feet of retail space and a 250-room hotel, as well as associated amenities and open space.
Forbes presented these plans in order to receive feedback before submitting a formal conceptual development plan application. During the Planning Commission’s April 22 meeting, the commission considered a proposed Somerset West Concept Development Plan and Preliminary Development Plan for Phase 1A.
The Concept Development Plan is still the same as what was originally discussed during the September meeting. However, the applicant also proposed to develop this
project in a series of phases, with most of the first three phases occurring south of Cunningham Drive and the fourth phase will occur north of Cunningham Drive.
“Phase 1A allows the applicant to grade the site, install the private roads, and underground utilities,” a document from Carlisle/ Wortman & Associates states. “Outside of lots/parcels designed for Constitutional Corporation use, each individual lot/parcel would come in for Preliminary Development Plan approval.”
The University of Michigan facility will also be focused on during phase one and two while other development aspects of the project will be worked on later in the process.
During the April 22 meeting, the item was postponed with multiple conditions. The conditions that had to be met were laid out in the May 13 meeting:
• Specify the 17 acres that is anticipated to be purchased by University of Michigan and show how the University of Michigan will develop the 17 acres. Updated information was provided for these conditions,
though more on this will likely be provided at a later date.
• Remove repair shop, trade school, drive-thru, hardware store, appliance sales, townhomes, single family homes and nursing homes from the permitted use list. The applicant requested to retain townhomes and a single drive-thru use limited to a financial institution, though the rest were removed.
• Re-examine open space south of University of Michigan Health, increasing its size from 1 acre. “The revised application will not provide for any changes to the park,” a letter from the applicants to the Planning Commission stated. “The required open space is 15%, we exceed that on both the northern 12-acre parcel at approximately 43% open space and approximately 26% open space on the southern 28-acre parcel. We feel that the proposed 1-acre urban park
plus the east-west pedestrian spaces in an urban setting provides more than adequate green space and common areas for the development. Additionally, if we were to increase the size of the urban park, we would have to reduce the size of our parking areas abutting the park which are needed to service the buildings and potential retail/restaurant uses that front Big Beaver. We have already received concerns from potential restaurant users regarding the available parking based upon the current plan, so we believe any further increase in the size of the urban park will compromise our ability to develop these buildings for their potential uses.”
• Provide a phasing timeline for construction. Five distinct phases were included, though a timeline was not.
• Specify square footage/unit mini-
See DEVELOPMENT on page 21A
Fantasy
from page 8A
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.
Shooting
from page 3A
the home following the incident and investigators were working to determine how the child gained access to the weapon and the exact circumstances that led to the incident.
On June 5, 23-year-old Zanious Terell Murphy was arrested. He is charged with violation of firearm safe storage causing serious injury to a minor. He was arraigned in 52-4 District Court by Magistrate Lewis
Quiz bowl
from page 6A
of their knowledge or the rigor of their preparation, the experience served as a valuable opportunity for personal and intellectual growth. Their dedication to the THS Quiz Bowl program is commendable and sets a strong foundation for future success.”
International Academy East also finished the preliminary rounds with a 3-7 record, though they lost to the Chattanooga School for Arts and Sciences from Tennessee.
Their team consisted of Aryan Khedkar, Sesha Sai Aasrith Modem, Sameer Pai, Nidheesh Suresh, Zhedong Zhao, and Raghav Karur as captain. The team was coached by Toby Klein, Amanda McSween and Natalie Selweski.
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 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.
Langham on June 6, and Murphy’s bond was set at $30,000, no 10%.
Murphy did not have an attorney listed in court records at press time.
According to the updated press release, there is no relation between Murphy and the 9-year-old child, other than living in the same residence.
The release states that the investigation is active, and the department stated it will provide updates when more information is available.
Call Staff Writer Sarah Wright at (586) 498-1068.
“Being able to represent International Academy East at the HSNCT national competition in Atlanta was an unforgettable experience,” Karur said in an email. “As captain of our Quiz Bowl team, I’m proud of our team’s incredible dedication, collaboration, and efforts these past months. Finishing in the top 300 nationally really showed that we can compete with the best in the country. We’re excited to build on this momentum next season and will continue proudly representing our school and city!”
The tournament champion was the A team from Livingston High School in Livingston, New Jersey.
For more information, visit troy.k12. mi.us or naqt.com.
Call Staff Writer Sarah Wright at (586) 498-1068.
COMMUNITY BRIEFS
New IMAX auditorium to open at MJR Troy
TROY — Movies Just Right Theatres has announced that the largest IMAX with Laser auditorium in metro Detroit will be opening at the MJR Troy Grand Cinema this summer.
“We were so excited in 2014 when MJR opened their theatre in the City of Troy,” Troy Mayor Ethan Baker said in a press release. “MJR has brought to countless audiences, young and old, hours and hours of entertainment to our community. Now we are so excited that their existing EPIC auditorium will be transformed into the largest Laser IMAX screen in Michigan and existing seating will be replaced with recliners! Troy’s MJR Theatre will become an outstanding entertainment destination in Oakland County. Thank you MJR!”
This auditorium will feature IMAX’s 4K Laser projector, promising increased picture quality. The space will also feature improvements in audio.
The MJR Troy IMAX will also feature fully powered, zero-gravity luxury recliners, similar to the MJR Southgate Cinema IMAX. Additionally, select rows will also offer MJR’s VIP Seats. This concept features premium heated reclining chairs, two convenient side tables, storage compartments for personal belongings, coat hooks and a surrounding privacy enclosure.
“We’re thrilled to bring this next-level IMAX experience to our guests at MJR Troy,” Joel Kincaid, VP of Operations for MJR Theatres, stated in a press release. “Combining the cutting-edge visuals and sound of IMAX’S 4K Laser technology with
our signature zero-gravity recliners, VIP Privacy Pods and LUX Loungers, this will undoubtedly be the golden standard for moviegoing in Metro-Detroit.”
MJR Troy Grand Cinema is located at 100 E. Maple Road. For more information, visit mjrtheatres.com/theatres/x0tux-mjrtroy-cinema/.
AAA calls this time ‘The 100 Deadliest Days’
DEARBORN — On June 3, AAA issued a press release warning that the stretch between Memorial Day and Labor Day is known as “The 100 Deadliest Days” for teen drivers, a period when crashes involving teen drivers spike.
AAA’s review of crash data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration shows a 30% increase in deadly crashes involving teen drivers during summer compared to the rest of the year.
The key risk factors for teen drivers include distractions from cellphones and infotainment systems, speeding, driving with other teen passengers, and failure to wear a seatbelt.
AAA offers parents the following tips:
• Lead by example. Model good driving behavior by avoiding distractions, obeying speed limits and always buckling up.
• Provide at least 50 hours of supervised driving practice. Give teens experience driving in diverse conditions such as nighttime, inclement weather, and on highways and busy streets.
• Teach defensive driving skills. Encourage teens to anticipate hazards, stay alert and maintain a safe following distance.
• Create a parent-teen driving agreement. Establish clear rules about when, where, and with whom your teen can drive. Clearly outline the consequences for breaking the rules and rewards for driving safely.
Meals
of Oakland County, which includes West Bloomfield, Keego Harbor, Orchard Lake and Sylvan Lake.
Also included are Berkley, Beverly Hills, Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, Bloomfield Township, Ferndale, Novi, Southfield and Troy.
Hot meals are delivered Monday through Friday to homebound seniors ages 60 and older. This is the only criteria, Hovarter said. The program is not based on income. Some recipients are in their 90s, while others are more than 100 years old.
For some, Meals on Wheels is their only food source, noted Hovarter. In addition to their hot meal delivered on Friday, they also receive frozen meals so they have food for the weekend. The program remembers folks during the holidays and delivers hot meals on Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas, as well.
Volunteers can choose their own schedule.
“We like for the volunteer drivers to commit to a day,” Hovarter said.
The volunteer schedule is flexible and is based on the volunteer’s availability. They can commit to a single day every week or every other week, or whatever their schedule allows.
“There’s an immense satisfaction in helping people,” said Ruth Dziuba, who has been a volunteer driver for nearly five years. “And you’re only doing two and a half hours a week. It’s not hard or difficult to do.”
Dziuba enjoys seeing how the recipients improve. She has seen residents go from using a walker to using a cane and then walk-
ing without assistance.
“That’s really encouraging,” she said.
In addition to the meals, the program gives seniors some company and assesses them so they can stay in their homes. Hovarter said aging in place is the preferred option.
“You can certainly feel you’ve done a good deed,” she said.
The assessing process is simple, according to the director.
“Just talking to them, making sure they are coherent and everything is good,” she said. “Once you remove a senior, especially, from their home, it’s really disruptive to them. … When the seniors are moved, they don’t get it. They wonder where their kitchen or bathroom is.”
On the rare occasion when she thought the seniors were not OK, Hovarter called an emergency contact or the local police to conduct a wellness check. As it turned out, the senior was asleep and didn’t hear the door, or in other cases was out with family.
Most drivers are met at the door when they deliver the meals. There may be times when they are asked to bring in the food, put it on a bed tray set up in the living room, or place the food in the refrigerator so it can be had later. Some drivers call ahead of time so that the recipient can move their pets first.
“I have never had any concerns,” said Dziuba when asked about how she felt entering a stranger’s home. “I can’t think of a time when anybody was ever rude, ever, in all my time.
“The people I meet (are) always pleasant and happy to see me,” she said. “Partially because I bring them food, but also because they need to talk to somebody, and it’s just really nice to have that contact with people.”
Dziuba said she’s scared that funding might be cut from the program.
“I know that at times we provided breakfast, as well as lunch. And I’m worried that Meals on Wheels needs financial support from the community too,” she said.
The food is prepared in the Meals on Wheels office in Brighton and then brought to the West Bloomfield Department of Recreation, where the drivers pick up the meals.
Hot meals are in insulated bags, while a cooler is provided for storing milk and returned to the recreation center once the deliveries are complete.
There are about a dozen stops on each route. The stops are put in order of their location to prevent the drivers from going back and forth. The drivers are also provided with an iPad to help them navigate the
route. They can also download an app on their phone.
Volunteers undergo a background check, training and orientation. It takes about a week for the drivers to get started. Those interested in becoming a Meals on Wheels driver for West Bloomfield can visit the website mealsonwheelsmi.org or call (810) 632-2155. The same number and website can be used to request assistance or make a donation.
Farmington and Farmington Hills residents looking for a Meals on Wheels delivery can contact (248) 473-1825 for more information.
Call Staff Writer Gena Johnson at (586) 498-1069.
Photo by Patricia O’Blenes
Drivers for Meals on Wheels meet at the West Bloomfield Parks and Recreation building to pick up meals Monday through Friday. The deliveries are stored in insulated bags and coolers to keep them fresh in transit.
COMMUNITY CALENDAR
18A/ TROY TIMES • JUNE 12, 2025
JUNE 14
Celebrate Troy’s 70th birthday: Includes live music by Weekend Comeback, bookmobile, selfie station, cake, photo opportunities, ice cream truck, inflatable obstacle course and bounce house, roller skating, kids coloring contest, fire and police vehicles, special guests, and more, 1-4 p.m., Stine Community Park, 241 Town Center, troymi.gov/70yearsoftroy
JUNE 19-22
‘Curtains School Edition’: Musical about a muscial in which leading lady dies on stage during opening night in 1959, comedy adapted from original Broadway production for Teen Actors of Ridgedale, 7 p.m. June 19-21 and 3 p.m. June 22, Ridgedale Players, 205 W. Long Lake Road in Troy, (248) 988-7049, ridgedaleplayers.com
JUNE 20-22
Opa! Fest: Celebrate Greek history and culture with authentic food, drinks, folk dancing, cooking demonstrations, iron chef contest, live performance from Enigma Detroit, marketplace shopping and more, 4-11 p.m. June 20-21 and 11 a.m.-7 p.m. June 22, St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, 760 W. Wattles Road in Troy, admission by tickets or donation of three canned goods for Gleaners Food Bank, stnicholastroy.org
JUNE 25
Pups & Pop-Ups: Fundraiser for Rebel Dogs Detroit,
includes rescue dogs available for adoption and products from several local small businesses, 6-8 p.m., hosted by State Farm and 86 Plastic in parking lot at 5075 Livernois Road in Troy, facebook.com/ statefarmtroy48098, facebook.com/86plasticco
JUNE 26
‘The Underground Railroad in Oakland County’: Learn about abolitionists and freedom seekers with local ties, also see “The Underground Railroad in Michigan” exhibit, 2 p.m., Troy Historic Village, 60 W. Wattles Road, monthly Thursday Teas program continues with “Pontiac: The People, The Place, and Their Wheels” July 17 and “Enjoying the Ride: Michigan’s Inland Lake and River Excursion Boats, 1835-2020” Aug. 28, register at troyhistoricvillage.org/programs/ teas-at-two, (248) 524-3570
JULY 2
Blood drive: 7:30 a.m.-noon, Corewell Health Beaumont Troy Hospital, 44201 Dequindre Road, (866) 642-5663, donate.michigan.versiti.org
JULY 9
Garden Stories 2025: Troy Garden Club’s 50th garden walk showcases five local home gardens and one bonus venue, also see plein air artists painting in gardens, 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m. and 5-8:30 p.m., plus arts and crafts boutique, plant sale and raffle, 9 a.m.-6
Club Studio Fitness, now open on East Maple Road in Troy, celebrated its ribboncutting on June 5.
The club itself offers a cutting-edge fitness experience that brings state-of-the-art amenities and boutique fitness together in one gym. The new 48,000 square-foot Club Studio Fitness features five boutique fitness studios — boxing, ride, yoga, reform, and strength training — along with recovery services, plenty of free weights, strength and cardio areas, and a functional training area.
Club Studio Fitness is known for its focus on providing a diverse range of fitness classes and programs to cater to various fitness levels. The club also offers a lap pool, basketball court, saunas, and outdoor pickleball courts.
Club Studio Fitness is located at 3501 E. Maple Road in Troy. For more information, call (248) 602–2065 or go to clubstudiofitness.com.
BUSINESS CLIP
Reflective Therapy Center, now open on West Big Beaver Road in Troy, celebrated its ribbon-cutting on May 22.
It is a place where the therapists are passionate about working with each client, utilizing an eclectic approach to best match individual needs. They understand the fears associated with facing life’s struggles, and Reflective Therapy Center offers a safe place to do so with compassion, support and patience. Therapy services are tailored to the unique needs of each client. They offer support for clients of all ages to work through anxiety, depression, stress, trauma, concentration problems, school worries/fears, behavioral issues, grief and more.
To view more Community Calendar and to submit your own, use the QR code or visit candgnews.com/calendar. To advertise an event, call (586) 498-8000.
p.m., Troy Historic Village, 60 W. Wattles Road, (248) 321-8291, troygardenclubmi.com/garden-walk
ONGOING
Troy Family Aquatic Center: Outdoor pool open daily until Sept. 1 (Labor Day), 3425 Civic Center Drive, see hours and more at rec.troymi.gov/visittfac, (248) 524-3514
Weekly car show: Also DJ, 5-7:30 p.m. Thursdays, Big Boy, 200 W. Maple Road in Troy, (248) 362-0840
Widowed Friends events: Breakfasts for men only at 10 a.m. every first and third Thursday of month, Lukich Family Restaurant, 3900 Rochester Road in Troy, RSVP to Ed at (586) 909-1444, widowedfriends.com
• Lunches at 1:30 p.m. every second Thursday of month, Alibi of Troy, 6700 Rochester Road, RSVP to Louise at (248) 338-6743, widowedfriends.com
Line dancing and contra dancing: Sponsored by Oakland County Traditional Dance Society, line dancing from 7:30-9:30 p.m. every second Saturday of month and contra dancing from 7:30-10 p.m. every fourth Saturday of month, also lessons for beginners at 7 p.m., First United Methodist Church of Troy, 6363 Livernois Road, (248) 642-3306, info@octds.org, facebook.com/OCTDS
Heritage Concert Band of Troy practices: For adult musicians, 7 p.m. every first and third Wednesday of month, Troy Community Center, 3179 Livernois Road, troyheritageband@gmail.com
Top of Troy Toastmasters: Meets noon-1 p.m. Wednesdays, Troy Public Library, 510 W. Big Beaver Road, (248) 872-6603
Monthly book clubs: Find meetups for romance, mystery, learning English, kids/beginners and more, Troy Public Library, 510 W. Big Beaver Road, troypl.org
• Silent Book Club-Troy meets 6:30-8:30 p.m. every second Wednesday of month, bring own books, ebooks and audio books (with headphones), Grand Tavern Troy, 1317 Coolidge Highway, silentbookclubtroy@ gmail.com, silentbook.club/blogs/events/troy-mi
Troy Newcomers: Social group for women, activities include service projects, bowling, euchre, wine tasting, book club, games nights, golf, scrapbooking and more, meets at various times and locations, clubactivities@ troynewcomers.com, troynewcomers.com
Troy Women’s Association: Nonprofit dedicated to supporting local causes and enhancing lives of others, meets 7 p.m. every first Tuesday of most months, Boys & Girls Club of Troy, 3670 John R Road, troywomens association.org
Reflective Therapy Center is located at 1700 W. Big Beaver Road, Suite 260. Call (734) 265–0841 or visit reflectivetherapycenter.com for more information.
BUSINESS CLIP
Bike
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.”
Economic forecaster from the University of Michigan Gabriel M. Ehrlich, Ph.D., presents some highlights of the 2025 Oakland County Economic Outlook to members of the press May 22 at the Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi.
Economy from page 3A
way in Oakland County’s recovery from the pandemic. Job gains are expected to be modest this year, as tariffs weigh on these industries, but growth then picks up in 2026, 2027, bringing blue-collar employment to nearly 6% above its pre-pandemic level,” Ehrlich said.
He said that growth is coming from outside the auto sector, which is losing a small number of jobs from 2023 to 2027.
Higher education service industries they expect to grow to their pre-pandemic level by the middle of next year, with private health and social service jobs accounting for 70% of those job gains.
Jobs that don’t require a degree will remain nearly 8% below their pre-pandemic level by the end of the forecast period, they project.
“This reinforces the importance of education in building Oakland County’s economy going forward,” he said.
They forecast that real wages, which increased by 1% last year, will continue to grow by 0.5% per year through 2027.
“That may not sound like a lot, but with real wages, that’s what we want to see: moderate, but steady growth,” he said.
“We’re forecasting ongoing wage growth, you know, growth in the real living standards over the next couple of years, despite a period of very uncertain economic policy,” Ehrlich said.
All counties in Michigan had a higher unemployment rate at the start of this year than they did at the start of 2024. The state’s unemployment rate rose from 4% at the
start of 2024 to 5.5% in April 2025. Every county in Michigan had a higher unemployment rate this year. Oakland County’s unemployment rate rose from 3.1% at the beginning of 2024 to 4.2% as of March 2025, according Ehrlich.
“That was a significantly smaller increase than most of Michigan,” he said. “In fact, Oakland’s unemployment increase was tied for the fourth smallest out of 83 counties in the state. So, you know, not immune from the statewide trend but doing better relatively than most of Michigan.”
Ehrlich said he believes the key reason Oakland County has fared well is that it has solid fundamentals.
He said that they rank Oakland County against its peer counties throughout the country annually based on educational attainment, child poverty, median family income, the share of high-income senior citizens, and the share of professional and managerial occupations. This year, Oakland County was ranked 11th overall out of 27 counties. He said it ranked in the top 10 as far as low poverty rate, high educational attainment, and a high share of professional and managerial occupations.
“So those fundamental metrics that we always look at every year, they are holding up well in Oakland County, and that is part of why we believe that the county has been relatively resilient in the face of a little bit of an economic wobble here in Michigan recently,” he said.
This year, Oakland County looked at the state of its small businesses. Small businesses are those with 49 or fewer employees. The economists found that Oakland County is home to nearly 25,000 small businesses
Photo by Patricia O’Blenes
Development
mums and maximums for residential, retail, office and hotel uses. Maximums were provided, but minimums could not be provided due to potential changes.
• Narrow the scope of uses in use diagram to allow more specificity as it relates to specific sites. The list of permitted uses for the University of Michigan parcels has been narrowed, but it has not done so for the remaining parcels as they would like to retain maximum flexibility in allowable uses for those areas.
• Address Planned Unit Development (PUD) standards, which were addressed in the updated materials.
“In this case, I think we need to give the applicant a little more flexibility based on several factors,” Planning Commission member Dave Lambert said at the meeting. “1. They removed the old Kmart building that had been sitting empty for 18 years or so. 2. The fact that they’re bringing in the University of Michigan hospital as an important anchor to that site. 3. …Getting some new multi-use businesses and residential units on that property will be a nice supplement to the Somerset Collection.”
For the University of Michigan’s portion of the property, there are plans to consider expansions in the future and construction could begin by mid-June 2025, with patient care beginning in Spring 2027.
“They will be purchasing approx. 12 of the 17 acres that are designated for a constitutional corporation,” Peter Van Dyke, CEO with VVK PR + Creative, stated in an email.
“This is an iterative process,” Forbes said at the meeting. “We are learning as we go, we are pushing the University of Michigan, we have a voice at the table. I’m in every call and every meeting and you have to take some comfort in the fact that we are there, not only representing our interest. We’re representing the interests of Somerset Collection, the entire Big Beaver corridor, and the entire city of Troy.”
After unanimous approval from the Planning Commission during its May 13 meeting, the City Council considered plans during its June 9 meeting, which remained mostly unchanged with a proposed Somerset West Concept Development Plan and Preliminary Development Plan for Phase 1A.
City Council members did amend its motion to require the concept development plan to have a buffer of 120 feet on the northern section of the property near Cunningham Drive in consideration of those who live around this area.
“I am incredibly excited about the project and I think that buffer zone of 120 feet is a good compromise . . .,” Councilman Hirak Chanda said. “I understand how people feel about the privacy of their homes . . . so it is a good thing to compromise. I’m glad that we are going home with both parties are happy.”
“It warms my heart that we were able to come to a good compromise,” Councilwoman Theresa Brooks said. “Obviously, I said my peace. I’m really excited about this project, I think it is going to . . . help revitalize the Big Beaver corridor and just add to what we already have.”
It was unanimously approved by the council. Additional aspects of this project could be considered by the council at a later date.
For more information, visit troymi.gov.
Call Staff Writer Sarah Wright at (586) 498-1068.
Economy
page 20A
and about 3,600 large businesses. This means that small businesses account for nearly 7 of every 8 businesses in Oakland County.
“Something that we found that really was cool to see and that I had not known is that small businesses in Oakland County tend to pay significantly higher wages than those in Oakland County’s peer group,” said Ehrlich.
According to Ehrlich, small businesses in Oakland County on average pay almost $5,700 per year more, or about 12% higher than the average in one of its peer counties. Oakland County ranks fourth for average wage in small businesses.
Oakland County saw a population increase over the last year.
“The reality is Oakland County is better off today than it was 10 years ago, and so I’m really excited to hear about the future,” said Peter Provenzano, chancellor of Oakland Community College.
Oakland County Executive David Coulter said that he firmly believes that uncertain times call for innovation and investment. He said the county is doing this with
organizations such as Oakland Thrive and Main Street Oakland County.
“This report is maybe not as rosy as some have been in the past, and Oakland County isn’t immune to the effects of the national and global economy, or what I would call the uncertainty being driven by the seesawing policy decisions, issues like taxes and tariffs, coming from Washington, D.C. We can’t immune ourselves from them,” Coulter said. “But despite these headwinds, which communities across Michigan are facing and I would say the country … you don’t back away or shy down or cower, but you invest and you innovate and that is how we will meet the current moment as well.”
“We continue to think there’s a path to growth for Oakland County’s economy over the next few years despite the speed bumps that may be coming from national economic policy,” Ehrilch said. “The reasons are the ones we traditionally highlight. They’re Oakland County’s investments in its people, its communities and its businesses. Oakland County’s high quality of life and well-educated workforce should provide resilience in the face of the day’s economic uncertainty.”
Call Staff Writer Charity Meier at (586) 498-1092.
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Patios
from page 11A
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 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 supposed 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.
Photo provided by Tom Thelen
Tom Thelen, of Thelen Landscape Inc., said they have been installing many stone steps at residences.
SPOTLIGHT ON PETS
PET BOARDING OFFERS SAFE, SECURE OPTION FOR VACATIONGOERS
BY BRIAN WELLS bwells@candgnews.com
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
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Dogs enjoy play time at All American Pet Resorts in Roseville.
Photo provided by Sarah Ignash
CRIME WATCH
Man scammed by fraudulent arrest warrant claims
TROY — A 34-year-old man from Mountain Drive reported, on May 27 at 6:16 p.m., that he received a phone call from an unknown person who claimed there was a warrant out for his arrest due to missing federal jury duty.
The scammer said the matter could be resolved by purchasing Bitcoin and sending it to them via a kiosk. The man borrowed money from a family member and sent $5,000 to the suspect in bitcoin.
Scammer persuades woman to give up personal information
TROY — On May 22 at 12:21 p.m., a 97-year-old victim from Somerset Boulevard reported that she received a phone call from a man claiming to be with the government’s investigation sector.
The man told her he needed to obtain some of her personal information to prevent her from being scammed. The woman was hesitant to provide the information, and the male told her the government would come to her house and arrest her if she didn’t cooperate.
The woman provided her personal information and account information to the scammer.
Woman reports product promotion dispute
TROY — A woman from Drexel Drive reported, on May 29, that she was contacted on TikTok by a company offering her $300 to promote their product.
They also said they would send her $1,500 to send to a vendor for jewelry.
She never received the money and the company is now demanding she send back the $1,500, claiming that the payment went through to her account.
Pets
from page 24A
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
Facebook purchase leads to fake account discovery
TROY — On May 15, a 44-year-old man from Old Creek Road reported that he agreed to purchase $810 in sports cards that he found for sale in a Facebook group.
He received a USPS tracking number from the suspect, but became suspicious when he reviewed the tracking information.
The victim and other members of the group determined that the seller had a fake account and the sale was a scam.
Reportedly intoxicated driver apprehended after accident
TROY — Officers were dispatched to the Southbound I-75 and Maple Road area when a 2019 Ram 2500 was seen driving all over the road on May 28 at 9:18 p.m.
Moments later, an additional call was received reporting the Ram had crashed. Upon arrival, officers observed the Ram on the right shoulder of southbound I-75 with the driver passed out at the wheel. The vehicle had fresh damage on the front right side, consistent with crashing into a guardrail.
Officers woke the driver, a 30-year-old male from Holly. While speaking with him, officers noted the driver’s slurred speech and disorientation. The driver was asked to perform several sobriety evaluations, which he did, but the officers noted he performed poorly. He submitted to a preliminary breath test with a result of .000%.
The driver was arrested and transported to the Troy Police Lock-up facility. During an inventory search of his vehicle, officers located a small baggie in the center console that contained 1.5 Xanax pills and a powder. The powder later tested positive for Heroin. Officers also located multiple THC vape pens and various marijuana paraphernalia.
In lock-up, the driver was read his Chemical Test Rights and agreed to submit to a blood draw. His blood was drawn by medical personnel. The case was turned over to the detective bureau for appropriate warrants once the blood results are in.
—
Sarah Wright
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.
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Fight escalates after thrown croissant
BIRMINGHAM — On May 1 at approximately 6 a.m., officers were dispatched to a restaurant in the 100 block of North Old Woodward for a fight between two employees.
Both parties and witnesses reported that a verbal argument escalated after a 57-year-old Sterling Heights man threw a croissant at a 41-year-old Detroit man, who then punched the Sterling man in the neck and pushed him to the ground, at which point employees separated the two. The suspect was arrested and charged with assault and battery.
Woman accused of punching man at restaurant
BIRMINGHAM — At approximately 8:30 p.m. May 4, officers were dispatched to a restaurant in the 400 block of North Old Woodward, where a 36-year-old Sterling Heights man said he had been punched in the face by a 41-year-old Farmington woman. She was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct.
Senior reports a larceny
FARMINGTON — At approximately 7 p.m. May 16, Farmington Public Safety was dispatched to a late report of a larceny in the 33200 block of Freedom Road.
The victim, an 87-year-old woman, reported she left a bag with items in it sitting in a common area of her apartment building. When she went back to retrieve it, it was gone.
There were no suspects. The case was forwarded to the detective bureau for investigation.
Parent reports kid missing
FARMINGTON — Farmington Public Safety officers were dispatched at approximately 7:48 p.m. May 9 to the area of Farmington High School for a possible missing juvenile.
Officers met with a concerned parent from a neighboring jurisdiction, who said that their child had been gone for about three hours and was not answering their phone. The reporting party advised that their child was not where they were supposed to be, and their phone is now shut off.
Using the phone’s location, the parents were concerned that the phone was last observed in the city of Farmington near the high school. Officers used investigative resources to locate the missing subject, who was found safe in a nearby home.
Suspect arrested for shoplifting
HAZEL PARK — According to the Hazel Park Police Department, at 7 p.m. May 16, officers were
on a report of retail fraud.
The store reported that a person had allegedly walked out of the store without paying for merchandise. Police allegedly found the suspect — a 42-yearold Roseville man — across Nine Mile Road in the Tim Horton’s parking lot, with about $175 worth of groceries in a blue bag, including nine steaks (ribeye and strip).
The suspect was also reportedly wanted on several out-of-state warrants and had two prior convictions for retail fraud in Michigan. Police were investigating.
Vehicle stolen
ROYAL OAK — A complainant reported that between 8 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. May 12, an unknown person stole the complainant’s vehicle from a street parking spot near East Parent Avenue and Morse Avenue.
Electric bike stolen
ROYAL OAK — A complainant reported that at 4:30 p.m. May 9, an unknown person stole the complainant’s unsecured electric bicycle at Royal Oak Gym on Stephenson Highway.
Phone stolen from movies
ROYAL OAK — A complainant reported at 11:30 p.m. May 10 that an unknown person stole the complainant’s phone from the Emagine movie theater on Main Street.
Fleeing driver arrested
BERKLEY — A 29-year-old Hamtramck man was arrested on several felonies in Berkley.
According to police, officers attempted to stop a vehicle speeding at 12:57 a.m. May 16 on 12 Mile Road. The driver initially appeared to comply with police but then reportedly fled toward Woodward Avenue.
The driver lost control of the vehicle and struck a light pole and crashed near National Shrine of the Little Flower Basilica. He attempted to flee on foot, police said, but he was arrested with assistance of the department’s K-9, Bear. He was facing charges of third-degree fleeing and eluding, carrying a concealed weapon, felony firearm, felon in possession of a firearm, driving while license suspended and operating while intoxicated.
Someone punctures
4:30 p.m. May 10 and that he found them punctured and deflated at 8:15 a.m. May 11, according to the report. The man told police that he had no idea who would have done it. The case was documented so that the owner could file an insurance claim. It has since been closed.
Man caught allegedly attempting to steal phone
NOVI — Store security caught a man allegedly stealing a phone and trespassing at 7:08 p.m. May 10 at a business on Wixom Road. The man tried to walk away from security before police arrived, but he ended up being apprehended by Novi police as they arrived on the scene. The store’s security officer told police that the man had tried to give the phone back once he was caught. The phone was valued at $100. The man was arrested and charged with second-degree retail fraud and trespassing.
Driver pulled over for being on phone, arrested for warrant
ROCHESTER — An officer performing traffic enforcement near University and Walnut saw a driver using a cellphone while driving at approximately 4 p.m. May 19.
The officer conducted a traffic stop and made contact with the driver, who had an active warrant and was placed under arrest.
Teen on motorcycle arrested after reportedly head-butting man in neighborhood
ROCHESTER HILLS — Deputies were dispatched to the 2000 block of Melvin Avenue on a report of two men fighting in the street at 9:13 a.m. May 11.
Deputies learned that the two individuals were fighting over a traffic altercation involving one of the combatants allegedly driving his motorcycle at a high rate of speed through the neighborhood. It was reported that the motorcyclist, while wearing his motorcycle helmet, head-butted a 45-year-old man from Rochester Hills, and then proceeded to attack him, striking him several times with his fists.
Deputies arrived and separated the two subjects. Witnesses said the suspect on the motorcycle, a 19-year-old Rochester Hills man, was the aggressor and attacked the other man.
The suspect fought with deputies trying to arrest him and had to be restrained. Once he was placed in the patrol vehicle, he continued screaming and yelling, attempting to kick out the patrol vehicle windows.
Deputies eventually calmed the suspect with the help of his mother. Rochester Hills Fire Department para-
tion. The suspect was arrested for felonious assault, assault and battery, and resisting and obstructing a police officer, and was lodged at the Oakland County Jail pending prosecutor review.
Man takes out a machete during fight SOUTHFIELD — A fight escalated at the 29000 block of Southfield Road.
During an altercation on May 7 at 8:25 p.m., an intoxicated man allegedly pulled out a machete. He dropped the machete and was removed from the building. The suspect then fled the area.
Victim loses around $5,500 after getting alerts from multiple accounts
TROY — On May 15 at 1:58 p.m., a man from Warbler Court reported that an unknown person gained access to his Gmail account and used it to transfer/attempt to transfer funds from his online accounts.
He received an attempted withdrawal notification from his Coinbase account and was able to lock the account. When he checked his binance.us