UTICA
Summer Fest heats up in Shelby Township June 20-21
MARY BETH ALMOND malmond@candgnews.com
SHELBY TOWNSHIP — Summer is officially here and Shelby Township is celebrating with two days of family fun this weekend.
Presented by the Shelby Township Downtown Development Authority, the township’s second annual Summer Fest will run June 20-21 at the Shelby Township Civic Center Campus, 52700 Van Dyke Ave.
Shelby Township Downtown Development Chair Greg Gagnon said Summer Fest 2025 is more than just an event; it’s a celebration of community and shared joy.
“With its diverse activities, live entertainment, and family-friendly atmosphere, it’s an excellent opportunity to make cherished memories. Don’t miss the chance to attend and be part of this vibrant community gathering in the Shelby Township Civic Center Campus,” he said in an email.
Community Relations Director Brad Bates and his
See SUMMER FEST on page 10A
ABOVE: Event staff and volunteers pose with dogs up for adoption during a photo session at Jimmy John’s Field in Utica on June 14. From left, Steve Wallace is fostering Sticks, a 9-year-old Lab mix; Anna Young, of Macomb County Animal Control, stands with Darla, a 2-year-old Lab mix; volunteer Alexa Hamlin stands with Buddy, a 5-yearold, Lab mix; volunteer Mariam Donovan poses with Cleopatra, a 3-year-old terrier mix; and Donna Paradis stands with Joshua, a 3-year-old Lab mix.
Photo day at Jimmy John’s Field provides opportunities for shelter dogs
BY SCOTT BENTLEY sbentley@candgnews.com
UTICA — Jimmy John’s Field hosted Adoptable Dog Photo Day on Saturday, June 15, to help boost adoptions for shelter dogs who might have difficulty getting adopted.
The event was run by Ruff Life Photography with the help of
See DOGS on page 2A
ABOVE: Cleopatra roots on the Utica Unicorns while wearing her jersey.
Photos by Erin Sanchez
Dogs
ProDOGtions, and it has proven to be helpful in getting dogs adopted who might not have gotten a look from families otherwise.
Last weekend, dogs went to Jimmy John’s Field and were put in baseball-themed settings to have their pictures taken. Most of the dogs that were getting their pictures taken are senior pets, longtime shelter residents, special-needs dogs or dogs who are suited to be the only pet in a home. Dogs that fall under one of these categories often take longer to be adopted.
“Dogs that had been sitting (in a shelter), when you tweak it to make it and gear it towards these fans … all of the sudden people are like, ‘I’ve been thinking about this and now there’s this dog with this jersey,” Ruff Life Photography’s Christine O’Brien said. “When it’s the sports team stuff, it really works.”
Most of the dogs came from Macomb County Animal Control and the Humane Society of Macomb. Once they arrived at the park, they took photos on the field in jerseys and with players.
One of the special stories from this year’s event was Utica Mayor Gus Calandrino coming to the park.
“He couldn’t come last year, but he came this year,” O’Brien said. “He’s actually going to go pick up one of the dogs. … He’s going to adopt her.”
Calandrino connected with a dog named Fuzzy at the event and had thoughts about adopting her almost right away.
“I went by myself, but when I got there, I just fell in love with this dog named Fuzzy,” Calandrino said. “She was just the sweetest thing … all over me and wouldn’t leave me alone.”
After stopping by, Calandrino immediately went home to talk to his wife about adopting Fuzzy and making an addition to their family.
“I came home and actually brought my wife back to Jimmy John’s (Field). ... We’d love to adopt her and we think it’s going to work out,” Calandrino said.
The dogs who had their photos taken and will be available for adoption also get a background story related to the theme. These pooches will be decorated baseball players.
“It’s somewhat fictional but it’s real. … When we write a story on them, it gets the shares,” O’Brien said. “There was one dog from Ford Field … I think he went from zero applications to 57.”
The event is not only a way to get dogs in need adopted, but it’s also a communal experience.
“It’s so emotional for people. It’s sports and dogs,” O’Brien said. “People want to help. They want to be a part of it.”
For more information, visit rufflifepho tography.com or follow rufflifephotog on Instagram.
ABOVE: Joshua rocks a Utica Unicorns jersey for his pictures. TOP: Anna Young, of Macomb County Animal Control, plays with Darla, a 2-year-old Lab mix. Photos by Erin Sanchez
Utica High School marching band hosts can and bottle drive
BY SARAH WRIGHT swright@candgnews.com
UTICA — Community members came out on June 14 to help support the Utica High School Marching Band through its Can & Bottle Drive Fundraiser.
This year, the marching band has around a hundred members and the funds from the can and bottle drive will go toward covering the band’s various expenses.
“This fundraiser is important because it costs about $80,000 to
See BOTTLE DRIVE on page 11A
Utica Palooza brings community together to bolster Alzheimer’s projects
BY SARAH WRIGHT swright@candgnews.com
UTICA — The Utica Palooza 5K Walk & Vendor Market on June 14 provided fundraising opportunities for projects associated with Sparkle Network and Woman’s Life Chapter 911-Macomb Angels.
Sparkle Network is a metro Detroit-based nonprofit that focuses on charity and business, among other areas, in order to create awareness of and promote organizations and causes based in Michigan. Some of its signature programs include Prom Closet Project/Dress Into A Dream, Operation Little Princess, and Sparkle Wrapped Tour comedy events. The 5K walk will help to fund Sparkle Network’s efforts with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.
“It is extremely humbling to have someone trust you with their most private matters,” Moe Lietz, Sparkle Network founder, said in an email.
Sparkle Network helps people with all the paperwork that families going through Alzheimer’s disease need to fill out, has mini grants to help with respite and in-home care and maintains a library of online videos that discuss many topics related to Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.
Woman’s Life Chapter 911-Macomb Angels is a group of active individuals based in Utica
See UTICA PALOOZA on page 7A
Photo by Erin Sanchez
From left, senior Tyler Wilson, freshman Evan Wilson and senior Niklas Sebolka help run the can and bottle drive fundraiser at Utica High School, 47255 Shelby Road, for the Utica High School marching band.
Community members participate in the Utica Palooza 5K Walk June 14 at Grant Park to help fund Alzheimer’s disease and dementia support through Sparkle Network, and the Adopt a Senior Citizen Holiday Project with Woman’s Life Chapter 9-11 Macomb Angels.
Photo by Erin Sanchez
CRIME WATCH
Man charged with stealing car
and eventually deployed a Taser, according to a Shelby Township police press release.
Authorities said Jackson continued to flee from the officer and produced a handgun, and after the officer gave several verbal commands to drop the handgun, the officer fired and struck the suspect.
was arrested for operating while intoxicated. Several open cans of beer were later found in the driver’s vehicle, according to police.
The man was lodged at the Shelby Township Police Department and released once sober.
— Mary Beth Almond
SHELBY TOWNSHIP — A Shelby Township police officer took a report of vehicle theft June 9 in the area of Shelby and 25 Mile roads, and the case was turned over to the Special Investigation Unit. The vehicle was located on the Flock camera system in the area of 21 Mile Road and Gratiot Avenue, police said. Police said they conducted a traffic stop and identified the driver as Michael Patrick. He was taken into custody and lodged at the Shelby Township Police Department. The stolen vehicle was recovered.
Jackson was taken to a local hospital, where he died from his injuries.
The officer has been placed on administrative leave according to department policy and the Macomb County Sheriff’s Office is investigating.
Police said this is not the first time that Patrick was arrested for this type of crime. He is currently on parole in another state for stealing vehicles, according to the Shelby Township Police Department.
Patrick was arraigned June 10 at 41-A District Court in front of Magistrate James VerPloeg and given a $10,000 cash or surety bond. Patrick requested a court-appointed attorney who had not yet been appointed at press time. He is due back in district court for a probable cause conference June 24.
“We take auto theft seriously. If you steal a vehicle from Shelby Township, know that our officers and detectives will work around the clock to track you down. We are tough on crime to keep our community safe,” Shelby Township Chief of Police Robert J. Shelide said in a press release.
Man identified in fatal shooting in Shelby Township
SHELBY TOWNSHIP — The 41-year-old man who died June 3 after being shot by a Shelby Township police officer has been identified.
The person who died has been identified as Thomas Antonio Jackson, of Troy, according to the Macomb County Sheriff’s Office.
The incident stemmed from a traffic stop on a white Dodge Caravan near Van Dyke Avenue and 22 Mile Road at approximately 3:17 p.m. June 3.
Jackson, the sole occupant of the vehicle, reportedly exited the vehicle and fled on foot. The chase led behind businesses in the area, according to police. The officer pursued the suspect, gave commands to stop
More details are expected to be released when the Macomb County Sheriff’s Office and the Shelby Township Police Department provide a media briefing after the investigation ends, officials said.
Car window smashed
SHELBY TOWNSHIP — Officers were dispatched to the 48000 block of Hayes Road, which is north of 21 Mile Road, for a smashed vehicle windshield at 4:34 p.m. June 6. The victim reportedly heard a loud bang while she was walking out of her business and observed a large rock hitting the ground and rolling next to her feet. When she looked up, she saw the windshield had been damaged. While the victim did not see anyone in the area, another employee observed four juveniles in the area. Surveillance footage was retrieved and turned over to detectives for follow-up.
Fraud reported
SHELBY TOWNSHIP — A man came into the Police Department to report fraud that he found on his credit statement at 1:40 p.m. June 10. The man said he was trying to refinance his home when a credit check was run, finding an outstanding bill for over $50,000. The man told police that he found his ex-business partner had opened the line of credit in his name at his bank. The case was turned over to the detective bureau.
Drunken driver arrested
SHELBY TOWNSHIP — An officer from Shelby Township observed a traffic violation in the area of Van Dyke Avenue and 25 Mile Road at 7:38 p.m. June 10. The officer conducted a traffic stop and met with the driver, reportedly smelling an odor of intoxicants on the driver’s breath. The driver advised he had “a couple of beers” after leaving the golf course and refused sobriety tests, as well as a roadside preliminary breath test, police said. According to reports, the officer observed enough clues to indicate the driver was intoxicated while driving. The driver
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Patrick
NEWS & NOTES
REMEMBER ERNIE HARWELL
SHELBY TOWNSHIP — Jeremy Dimick, of the Detroit Historical Society, will talk about Detroit Tigers broadcaster Ernie Harwell’s life and legacy during a free, all-ages event at 7 p.m. June 25 at the Shelby Township Library’s Legacy Room, 52610 Van Dyke Ave. Harwell, who died in 2010, broadcast more than 7,000 games during 42 seasons with the club, according to the event information. No registration is required.
Help shape the future of housing in Macomb County
SHELBY TOWNSHIP — The Macomb County Department of Health and Community Services and the Macomb Regional Housing Partnership are working together to better understand the current housing landscape in Macomb County — and they want to hear from as many people as possible.
Residents, landlords, businesses, nonprofits and community leaders are asked to take an online survey that takes approximately three to five minutes to complete and share the survey with friends and family who live or work in Macomb County. Officials said the input will help shape future decisions that affect housing throughout Macomb County — including affordability, accessibility and neighborhood stability. The survey can be found at macombgov. org/departments/health-and-community-services/macomb-county-community-and-housingneeds-assessment. If you have any questions, contact Macomb County Health and Community Services at dohcs@macombgov.org or (586) 469-7190.
One lane open on northbound M-53 in Shelby Township
SHELBY TOWNSHIP — Northbound M-53, from 25 Mile to 26 Mile roads, requires emergency road repair, leaving only one lane open through July. The construction is part of a larger project on M-53 (Van Dyke Freeway) in northern Macomb County. For more detailed information and updates, visit Michigan.gov/drive.
Shelby Township meetings at Township Hall Planning Commission, 7 p.m. June 23.
Utica meetings at City Hall Police and Fire Pension Board, 11 a.m. June 25.
POLICE WARN COMMUNITY OF CIRCULATING SCAM
ABOVE: Macomb County Sheriff Anthony Wickerham awards and shakes hands with Meritorious Award recipients Deputies
Aaron Schmittler, Morgan Cooney, Corey Babbitt and Michael Valken at the 2025 Sheriff’s Recognition Awards.
LEFT: Macomb County Sheriff Anthony Wickersham and his executive staff shake hands with new hires and promoted members of the Macomb County Sheriff’s Office during the 2025 Sheriff’s Recognition Awards on May 22.
Sheriff recognizes deputies, community members with awards
CLINTON TOWNSHIP — On May 22 at the John R. Armstrong Performing Arts Center, Macomb County 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
SHELBY TOWNSHIP — Shelby Township police would like to make the public aware of a scam going around. If you get a text message claiming to be from the Michigan Department of Motor Vehicles or DMV, do not respond or send money. Police said scammers are getting sneaky and the messages look legit, but legitimate agencies will never ask for your personal information or money by text message. If you or one of your loved ones receive this text, authorities say to delete it and don’t respond.
Photos by Patricia O’Blenes
COMMUNITY CALENDAR
6A/ SHELBY-UTICA NEWS • JUNE 18, 2025
JUNE 20-21
Shelby Township Summer Fest: Includes toucha-truck, strolling princesses and superheroes, magicians, “Swiftie” dance party, live music, craft beer tent, food truck rally, rock wall, obstacle course, inflatable slide, drone show and more, 4-11:30 p.m. June 20 and 6:30-10 p.m. June 21, Shelby Township Civic Center Campus, 52700 Van Dyke Ave., full schedule at shelbytwp.org/our-township/summer, (586) 731-0300
JUNE 20-22
American-Polish Festival: Includes live polka, country, pop and rock music, dancing, authentic food and beverages, craft show, pierogi-eating contest, vendors, polka Mass, dance performances and more, 4-11 p.m. June 20, 10 a.m.-11 p.m. June 21 and 10 a.m.-7 p.m. June 22, American Polish Century Club, 33204 Maple Lane in Sterling Heights, americanpolishfestival.com, (586) 264-7990
JUNE 27
Widowed Friends event: Cards, games and fellowship, bring snack to share and own beverage, also lunch/ dinner TBD, noon-3 p.m., St. Therese of Lisieux, 48115 Schoenherr Road in Shelby Township, RSVP to Victoria at (586) 566-7936, widowedfriends.com
JULY 12
Daylily exhibition and plant sale: Program presented by Southern Michigan Daylily Society, 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m., Telly’s Greenhouse, 4343 24 Mile Road in Shelby Township, marietta.crabtree@gmail.com, (586) 612-1848
JULY 12-13
Utica Antiques Market: Browse thousands of items from approximately 100 dealers from around country, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. July 12 and 8 a.m.-4 p.m. July 13, Knights of Columbus Grounds, 11541 21 Mile Road
in Shelby Township, also held Sept. 6-7, (586) 2543495, uticaantiques.com
ONGOING
Shelby Farmers Market: 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturdays until Oct. 18, Packard Proving Grounds, 49965 Van Dyke Ave. in Shelby Township, packardprovinggrounds. org/farmersmarket, (586) 739-4800, read story at candgnews.com
Splash pad: 11 a.m.-7 p.m. daily until Aug. 31 (11 a.m.-3 p.m. July 4), also toddler time from 10-11 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, for Shelby Township and Utica residents only, Chief Gene Shepherd Park, 2452 23 Mile Road in Shelby Township, shelbyprm@ shelbytwp.org, shelbytwp.org/our-township/summer, (586) 731-0300
Weekend Unwind: Free concert series runs 7-10 p.m. Fridays until Sept. 5, Memorial Park next to Utica Public Library, 7530 Auburn Road, see band lineup at cityofutica.org, read story at candgnews.com
Tuesday fitness classes: Blend yoga and pilates with focus on biomechanics while listening to live saxophone, led by fitness instructor Ivy Schwartz with music by Greg Racette, 6:30-7:30 p.m. July 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29, held by patio at Shelby Township Library, 52610 Van Dyke Ave., register at shelbytwp.org/library or (586) 739-7414
Weekly car show: 4-8 p.m. Mondays until Sept. 29 (3-6 p.m. Sept. 1), NAPA Auto Parts, 48081 Van Dyke Ave. in Shelby Township, funtimecruzers.com, (586) 260-3459
United Shore Professional Baseball League: See Birmingham-Bloomfield Beavers, Eastside Diamond Hoppers, Utica Unicorns and Westside Woolly Mammoths on select Thursdays-Sundays until Sept. 6, Jimmy John’s Field, 7171 Auburn Road in Utica, (248)
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.
601-2400, uspbl.com
Feeding Time: Learn about and see what animals eat, 1-2 p.m. Saturdays, Nature Center at Stony Creek Metropark, 4300 Main Park Road in Shelby Township, metroparks.com/events
Shelby Writers’ Group meetings: 6:30 p.m. Thursdays, Shelby Township Library, 52610 Van Dyke Ave., (586) 739-7414
Monthly book clubs: Evening Book Club (meets 6:30 p.m. every second Tuesday), Mystery Book Club (10:30 a.m. every second Saturday) and Afternoon Book Club (1 p.m. every third Thursday), Shelby Township Library, 52610 Van Dyke Ave., also Not Your Parents’ Book Club (7 p.m. every last Tuesday), 22nd Street Steakhouse, 48900 Van Dyke Ave. in Shelby Township, shelbytwp.org/government/departments/library
• 11 a.m.-noon every first Friday, Utica Public Library, 7530 Auburn Road, uticalibrary.com
Open mic nights: Hosted by Shelby Music Society, 7 p.m. every second Saturday of month (doors at 6:30 p.m.), Shelby Township Activities Center, 14975 21 Mile Road, shelbymusic society@yahoo.com
Widowed Friends events: Breakfasts at 10:30 a.m. every third Tuesday of month, Pancake Factory, 13693 23 Mile Road in Shelby Township, RSVP to Ellen at (586) 489-2569, widowedfriends.com
• Games from 1:30-3:30 p.m. every first Thursday of month, bring snack to share, Ss. John and Paul Parish, 7777 W. 28 Mile Road in Washington Township, optional dinner after, RSVP to Ellen at (586) 489-2569, widowedfriends.com
Confident Communicators Club meetings: Held virtually from 8-9:30 a.m. every first and third Wednes-
days of month, confidentcommunicatorsclub.com
Bereaved Parents of Macomb Support Group: Also for grandparents and siblings, meets 7-9 p.m. every first Thursday of month, Washington Senior Center, 57880 Van Dyke Ave. in Washington Township, (248) 953-5970, bpmacombleader@gmail.com
Health workshops: For hypertension, diabetes, pre-diabetes and more, hosted by Corewell Health, free and virtual, corewellhealth.org/classes-events/ southeast-michigan
Lupus support groups: 10 a.m. every second Tuesday of month and 7 p.m. every last Wednesday of month, Zoom, (248) 901-7299, milupus.org/support-groups
Concerts at Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre: Hear
BABYMETAL with Black Veil Brides and Bloodywood July 3, Primus with Ty Segall July 16, Collective Soul and LIVE with Our Lady Peace and Greylin James Rue July 22, Slightly Stoopid with Iration and Little Stranger Aug. 3, Cake Aug. 13, Goo Goo Dolls with Dashboard Confessional Aug. 16, Chevelle with Asking Alexandria and Dead Poet Society Aug. 19, Coheed and Cambria and Taking Back Sunday with Foxing Aug. 22, Simple Plan with 3OH!3, Bowling For Soup and LØLØ Aug. 23, Rob Thomas with A Great Big World Aug. 24, Indigo Girls and Melissa Etheridge Aug. 26, Leon Bridges with Charley Crockett and Noeline Hofman Aug. 27, Ice Nine Kills with Dayseeker, Kim Dracula and The Funeral Portrait Aug. 29, The White Concert: A Tribute to Frankie Beverly featuring Dru Hill, Ginuwine, Stokley and TMF Aug. 30, Ted Nugent with Tommy’s RockTrip Aug. 31, Alison Krauss & Union Station featuring Jerry Douglas with Willie Watson Sept. 6, Quinn XCII with Wild Rivers Sept. 12, Goose Sept. 19, Kevin Gates hosted by DJ Chose Oct. 10, and Seether and Daughtry with P.O.D. and Kami Kehoe Oct. 11, Freedom Hill County Park, 14900 Metropolitan Parkway in Sterling Heights, 313presents.com
Utica Palooza
from page 3A
that focuses on helping those in need through volunteer service projects and matching-fund fundraisers in Macomb County.
“They help individuals and families who have had a house fire, medical bills, funeral expenses, or a one-time emergency need,” Lietz said. “They also help raise funds and awareness for local nonprofits, such as Macomb Foster Closet, Sterling Heights Lioness Club, Vets Returning Home, Detroit BullDog Rescue, Next Steps for Seniors, Gianna House, and many more. They also adopt 150 Senior Citizens each year throughout the year to give them something to look forward to each season. They are 100% Community Funded and raise our money through Fundraisers like this.”
This year was the 5K walk and vendor market’s fourth year, and the event took place at Grant Park from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Registration for the 5K began at 8 a.m., and the walk began at 9 a.m. and included individual and team participants. The vendor market included different small businesses and local crafters.
One of the vendors was Stephanie Duscenbury, of SD Creative Designs MI, who makes handmade crafts and custom decal items like tea towels, bookmarks, earrings and glasses. Duscenbury has been working on these items since January 2025 when she bought a diecutting machine, which uses different cutting methods on a variety of materials.
“I’m interested in any vendor shows or working with anyone locally,” Duscenbury said.
Another vendor present during the event was Ashley Siedlarz, of Michigan Craft Mama, who sells different embroidered clothing items and accessories. Siedlarz had been crafting her whole life before starting her business. She sells a lot of Michigan-themed and sports-teamrelated items.
“I’m interested in continuing more vendor events and hopefully (owning) a little shop,” Siedlarz said.
For more information, visit sparklenetwork.org or facebook.com/WL911.
Call Staff Writer Sarah Wright at (586) 498-1068.
ABOVE: Community members enjoy the Utica Palooza 5K Walk & Vendor Market. LEFT: Sparkle Network founder Moe Lietz and Emialy Renaud, a 17-year-old from Shelby Township and Sparkley Network scholarship winner, pose for a picture at the Utica Palooza 5K Walk & Vendor Market at Grant Park. Photos by Erin Sanchez
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 exciting 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 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 getting 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 located 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
Thursday 6/19
Jimmy Buffett Night
Presented by
The first 1,000 fans will get a FREE Hoppers Hawaiian Shirt, courtesy of Pepsi & Gatorade. &
Friday 6/20
Fireworks Spectacular
Presented by First Pitch 7:05 p.m.
Saturday 6/21 Scout Night Doubleheader First Pitch 7:05 p.m. First Pitch 5:30 p.m. Saturday Night Shin-Dig Stick around after the game for the best fireworks show in town! Approx. 7:30 PM, or 30 minutes after the conclusion of Game One
Photo provided by STARBASE
LEFT: 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. ABOVE: A student at STARBASE has a turn at a flight simulator.
Photo by Dean Vaglia
STARBASE
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 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
CITY OF UTICA
WATER CUSTOMERS
The City of Utica Consumer Confdence Report for the year 2024 is complete and available for any customer of the service to review the report.
Copies can be reviewed at the following locations: Utica Municipal Building, 7550 Auburn Road, Utica Public Library, 7530 Auburn Road
The report can also be viewed online: www.cityofutica.org Lori Cooke, City Clerk City of Utica Published: Shelby-Utica News 06/18/2025
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.”
CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF SHELBY ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
AGENDA/PUBLIC HEARING
The Charter Township of Shelby ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS meeting will be held on Thursday, July 3, 2025, at 6:30 p.m., in the Shelby Municipal Building, Board Room, 52700 Van Dyke Avenue, Shelby Township, Michigan 48316.
CALL MEETING TO ORDER: ROLL CALL:
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Zoning Board of Appeals Regular Meeting June 5, 2025
APPLICATIONS:
1. ZBA #25-044 ERIC JOHNSON; 45667 Joseph Street, Parcel No. 23-07-31-327-038, located north of West Utica Road, east of Dequindre Road. Requesting two variances to Zoning Ordinance No. 212.138, Section 5.2.A.4(b) to permit an accessory building to exceed the maximum height of 15 feet (16 feet proposed) and Section 5.2.A.4(d) to permit an accessory building to exceed 75 percent of the foor area of the principal building.
2. ZBA #25-047 GABRIELA LEONARD (Tacos La Cantina, LLC); 51200 Van Dyke Avenue, Parcel No. 23-07-15-352-017, located north of 23 Mile Road, on the east side of Van Dyke Avenue. Requesting a minor temporary use to Code of Ordinances No. 300, Section 14-704.1(c) to permit a food truck for the duration of one year.
3. ZBA #25-049 LISA BAKER (Sign Fabricators for Crawford Retail, LLC); 56052 Van Dyke Avenue, Parcel No. 23-07-03-1536-013, located south of 26 Mile Road, on the east side of Van Dyke Avenue. Requesting a variance to Zoning Ordinance No. 212.138, Section 5.24.B.2.b(4) to permit more than one wall sign for a single tenant in a shopping center (2 proposed).
4. ZBA #25-048 SHAWN TEMEROWSKI (Michigan Fence Solutions, LLC for Gary & Tresha Butterworth); 13212 Banbury Court, Parcel No. 23-07-26-428-009, located north of 21 Mile Road, west of Schoenherr Road. Requesting a variance to Code of Ordinances, Chapter 10, Article VIII, Section 10-324(b) to permit a fence to encroach into a front yard setback.
PLANNING DIRECTOR’S REPORT:
ADJOURNMENT:
All interested persons may attend and be heard on any item on the agenda. The Zoning Ordinance and a copy of the application may be examined at the Municipal Building, Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. or you may call (586) 726-7243.
RUSS RICE, CHAIRMAN ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
Individuals with disabilities requiring auxiliary aids or service at the meeting should contact the Shelby Township Clerk’s Offce at 586-731-5102, TDD 586-726-2731
Published: Shelby-Utica News 06/18/2025
Summer Fest
from page 1A
team created the event last year to help save the township’s Independence Day Celebration and popular fireworks show.
“Unfortunately, but fortunately, we had development in the lot where we used to light off the fireworks, so we couldn’t do fireworks anywhere in the township anymore — we didn’t have the open space. So the supervisor and the DDA asked community relations to think about how we could save that Independence Day Celebration, which had become a big part of our summer calendar,” Bates said.
The solution was to combine two former events — the Summer Kick-Off and the Independence Day Celebration — into a two-day event, adding a patriotic drone show in lieu of fireworks.
Township Supervisor Rick Stathakis said he had no idea how the event Bates’ team created would turn out last year.
“They exceeded our expectations and I know they are going to make it even better this year,” Stathakis said in a statement.
During Summer Fest’s inaugural year, the event drew between 7,500 and 10,000 people. Even more are expected to join in the festivities this year.
“It was a surreal event to see everything come together last year,” Bates said. “People loved it and we had fantastic feedback after year one of combining those two signature events into one Summer Fest.”
This year’s event will kick off Friday, June 20, with entertainment and activities for all ages from 4 to 11 p.m. — including a DJ, touch-a-truck, strolling princesses and superheroes, face painting, magicians and a
petting zoo. New this year, festivalgoers can enjoy a Swiftie Dance Party at 5 p.m. June 20, where fans of all ages can trade friendship bracelets and get their hair braided with tinsel and glitter before starring in music videos broadcast on the township’s 24-foot video walls while they sing and dance along to their favorite Taylor Swift songs. After the dance party, children can join “The Treehouse” for a live taping of special segments like science demonstrations from the Michigan Science Center and animal encounters from the Reptarium, followed by a live performance by Detroit cover band Parallel Fifth at 8:30 p.m.
On Saturday, June 21, the excitement will continue from 6 to 10 p.m. as the township will celebrate America with a patriotic spectacle featuring a live performance by the Macomb Symphony Orchestra. That day,
families can enjoy the kids zone, presented by the Friends of the Shelby Township Library, with a rock-climbing wall, toddler bounce house, a 60-foot obstacle course, a 24-foot inflatable slide, backyard games and more. There will be face painting, a petting zoo and DJ entertainment from 4 to 7 p.m.
Starting at 7 p.m. June 21, the celebration of America will begin with the 1st Michigan Colonial Fife & Drum Corps presenting the colors before the Macomb Symphony Orchestra takes the stage. The night will conclude with the Independence Day Grand Finale drone show from Firefly Drone Shows during the symphony’s finale.
“The finale on June 21 should be a standout moment with the Macomb Symphony Orchestra’s performance followed by the breathtaking drone show. The combination of music and visual spectacle is likely to
leave a lasting impression and is a definite crowd-pleaser,” Gagnon added.
Township Trustee Lucia Di Cicco, who also serves on the DDA, said Shelby Township is home to a lot of veterans and activeduty families, loves America, and loves to show it off.
“If you come out to the show on June 21 and you see the drum and fife corps, the symphony, the red, white, and blue drones, and all of the flags being waved, you can’t help but get caught up in the celebration of our great nation,” she said in a prepared statement.
Also new to the event this year is the “Sensory Space” in the historic Hope Chapel — a space for those with sensory sensitivities to relax and enjoy the festivities in a setting free from loud noises, bright lights and crowded areas. Offered in partnership with Oakland University’s Joanne and Ted Lindsay Foundation Autism Outreach Services, commonly known as OUCARES, the sensory room will be open both days of Summer Fest. There will also be a craft beer tent and food truck rally courtesy of Connect Macomb, both days.
Visitors are encouraged to park at one of the three shuttle locations and take a bus to the event. Shuttle locations include: parking at the Zebra Holdings at 50074 Mound Road, Shelby Junior High at 51700 Van Dyke Ave. or at Beacon Tree Elementary School at 55885 Schoenherr Road. Shuttles will run from 3 p.m. to 12 a.m. June 20 and 5:30 to 11 p.m. June 21. Handicapped parking is available at the 41A District Court building, and golf carts will take guests to and from the event area.
For more information, visit shelbytwp. org/summer or call the township at (586) 731-5100.
The Independence Day Grand Finale drone show lights up the sky during last year’s Shelby Township Summer Fest. The drone show will take place June 21 this year.
Photo provided by Shelby Township
Bottle drive
from page 3A
run our program for one year, and while we do charge our students a fee to attend our band camp, it does not cover the entire cost for everything we need for the year, so we supplement by doing fundraisers,” Utica High School Band Director Brett Bays said in an email.
From 10 a.m. to noon, donors could drop off returnable bottles and cans to Utica High School, Eppler Junior High School, Shelby Junior High School, Flickinger Elementary School, Wiley Elementary School, West Utica Elementary School, Issac Monfort Elementary School, George F. Roberts Elementary School, and Dresden Elementary School. Those dropping off cans and bottles could drop off their items without
the need for sorting.
Sophie Bowers, an upcoming senior, drum major and alto saxophone player with the marching band, said that her favorite thing about band is the people, as she enjoys going to football games and band camp among other things with best friends.
“The bottle drive is such an exciting new opportunity for our band,” Bowers said in an email. “We work hard to fundraise, so something like this that is easily accessible for most people will do great things for us. Knowing that the community surrounding our band is coming together for this is amazing, I know we’re all grateful. My favorite thing about being in the marching band is definitely the people.”
For more information, visit uticak12. org/uticahigh. Call Staff Writer Sarah Wright at (586) 498-1068.
Photos by Erin Sanchez
ABOVE: Multiple cans and bottles were collected at Utica High School to support the Utica High School marching band. TOP: Students advertise the can and bottle drive for the Utica High School marching band to passing traffic at Utica High School, 47255 Shelby Road.
The Prime Time for Math? Summer!
Summer is fnally here, and with it comes the perfect opportunity to help your child thrive mathematically! While summer brings exciting adventures and well-deserved relaxation, these months also offer the perfect opportunity to strengthen your child’s math foundation through fexible sessions that work around your vacation plans. Our programs are designed to fll learning gaps, advance skills, and build confdence in a fun, supportive environment.
Being proactive now means your child can return to school in the fall feeling prepared and excited about math!
June 24 thru August 25 8 weeks - 16 1-hour sessions Tuesdays 3-4 pm & Thursdays 2-3 pm
Call (586) 532-6500 to register
Last day to join is June 23. Sign-up with a friend! Tournament during last week. PRIZES!
• Purchase a 10 session or 20 session summer package (20 sessions recommended)
• Sessions are valid until Aug 31, 2025
• Flexible sessions can be scheduled around summer activities and vacations.
• Special pricing - up to 18% off - ends June 30!
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Suspected arsonist arrested
GROSSE POINTE WOODS — A 60-year-old Detroit man was taken into custody after police said he set fire to multiple trash cans at around 2:20 p.m. May 30. Police at first responded to the city dog park at Mack Avenue and Torrey Road about a fire in a trash can there, but while extinguishing that one, a second fire was reported in the area of Mack Avenue and Hunt Club Road.
A police report states that detectives began canvassing the area and looked at surveillance footage of foot traffic on Mack, where they spotted the suspect heading south from Oxford Road. Police said they saw the suspect reach into a garbage can in front of Henry’s Cleaners that soon began to spew smoke. Detectives raced toward the suspect as they said they witnessed him attempting to set a fire in a fourth trash can, near Ashby’s Ice Cream. The suspect was arrested and was facing possible arson charges, police said.
Tax refund stolen
GROSSE POINTE WOODS — A resident in the 1600 block of Bournemouth Road filed a report with police May 27 after discovering that an unknown suspect filed taxes using the victim’s name and personal information, and then claimed the victim’s tax refund of nearly $17,000.
The victim told police he checked on the status of his refund and saw that someone else had filed his taxes and claimed a refund in his name; the victim said his actual refund was supposed to be much lower than the amount the suspect obtained. The suspect reportedly had the refund sent to a post office box in Mount Clemens. Police said the IRS was investigating the incident.
Intoxicated driver hits
multiple vehicles
GROSSE POINTE PARK — Police responded to the area of Pemberton Road and Essex Avenue May 30 after getting a report of a vehicular crash. Police said the driver who caused the crash was a 29-yearold St. Clair Shores man. The driver, who police said was intoxicated, veered off the road and struck vehicles parked in a driveway. Police said the driver sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was taken to a local hospital for treatment. He was expected to face a charge of operating while intoxicated.
Person found in resident’s vehicle
GROSSE POINTE PARK — A 52-year-old Pontiac man was arrested after he was found living inside a Grosse Pointe Park resident’s vehicle in the 1400 block of Balfour Road. Police responded to the scene
from people about a person who appeared to be sleeping — and possibly living — inside the vehicle. Police said they found the suspect in the vehicle with an open beer, clothing and a backpack. The suspect told police he was looking for a place to “stay and rest,” according to a report. Police said the suspect had multiple warrants against him. He was arrested and was facing a possible charge of disorderly person.
Retail fraud suspects sought
GROSSE POINTE CITY — At press time, police were looking for two people who are said to have stolen merchandise from the Staples store in the 17000 block of Mack Avenue within minutes of one another at around 1:10 p.m. June 1.
According to a report, the first suspect took an HP OfficeJet printer valued at $400. The second suspect is said to have stolen two or three items, possibly ink toner. Both suspects are said to have fled northbound across Mack Avenue on foot after taking the items.
Police investigate possible animal abuse
GROSSE POINTE CITY — Police said a 23-yearold Grosse Pointe City man was under investigation for possible animal abuse after he was reportedly seen dragging a dog down the street in the area of Lorraine and Notre Dame streets at around 2:50 p.m. May 30. A witness reported that the dog didn’t seem to want to go with the suspect and was afraid of the suspect.
Packages pilfered from porch
GROSSE POINTE FARMS — An unknown person is said by police to have stolen multiple packages after they were delivered to a home in the 400 block of Maison Road between the hours of 7 p.m. May 26 and 1 a.m. May 27. Police found empty packages at a nearby home and contacted the victim, who said she had been out of town when the packages were delivered. Missing were four packages from JC Penney containing towels and chair covers, a package with designer perfume and a box containing items from Bath & Body Works. The victim estimated the total loss from all the packages to be nearly $400.
Larcenies from vehicles under investigation
GROSSE POINTE FARMS — A police report states that officers responded to a home in the 400 block of Maison Road after an unknown person is said to have rummaged through the interior of a burgundy
May 26 and 8 a.m. May 27. The victim said nothing appeared to have been taken, but the suspect left evidence behind. A similar incident happened at a neighboring house, where a resident found the rear driver’s side door left unlocked and a lotion bottle left out instead of being in the center console of the resident’s black 2010 Mercury Milan. The victim said nothing appeared to have been stolen from the vehicle.
Peddler reported
GROSSE POINTE FARMS — Police arrested a 50-year-old man from Creswell, Oregon, in the 400 block of Lake Shore Road at 4:54 p.m. June 5 after the man was allegedly soliciting door to door without a license or permit. Police said the suspect was confrontational and started recording his interaction with police on his phone. The suspect told police he had a First Amendment right to go door to door for political or religious reasons, but police said the suspect was trying to sell magazines, according to a resident who had encountered the suspect at his door. The suspect was found to have warrants for public order crimes and soliciting in California, Arizona and Missouri. The suspect was advised that soliciting in the Farms without a permit was illegal. He was given a citation for soliciting/peddling without a permit/license and released from custody on the scene.
Body in river
MOUNT CLEMENS — On May 29 at around 2:30 p.m., Macomb County Sheriff’s Office deputies were dispatched to the Clinton River for a possible body in the water beneath the southbound Gratiot Avenue bridge.
Deputies recovered the body, which was determined to belong to a 59-year-old Eastpointe man. The Macomb County Medical Examiner’s Office concluded that nothing was suspicious with the body and determined that the cause of death was drowning.
Hit-and-run
MACOMB TOWNSHIP — On May 29 at around 9 a.m., Macomb County Sheriff’s Office deputies were dispatched to the 50000 block of North Avenue for a hit-and-run crash.
Deputies spoke with a 70-year-old Emmett man who said his car was struck by a white truck that tried passing him on 23 Mile Road. After they made contact, the truck turned around and left the scene.
Bank account fraud
MACOMB TOWNSHIP — On May 29 at around 11:10 a.m., Macomb County Sheriff’s Office deputies
CHARLIE BROWN MEMORIAL GOLF OUTING
