Man charged after police say he scammed woman out of over $100,000
BY MARY BETH ALMOND malmond@candgnews.com
SHELBY TOWNSHIP — A man from Georgia was arrested after he allegedly scammed a woman from Shelby Township into wiring him $100,000, according to police.
The man — identified by police as Kelly Umana, of Georgia — reportedly contacted the woman over the phone in February claiming to be “Shawn Taylor” from the U.S. Treasury Department and Social Security Administration Office.
Authorities say Umana told the woman that someone had been using her Social Security number and there was a warrant for her arrest. He then allegedly advised the woman to “protect the rest of her money” by transferring a large sum to him. When she did, Umana reportedly contacted her again and requested she transfer more money, totaling almost $110,000, according to police.
A detective identified Umana by looking into the bank accounts that received the wire transfers and using Flock Safety, a public safety operating system that utilizes license plate recognition cameras and other surveillance tools. Police then obtained an arrest warrant and notified Georgia authorities, who took Umana into custody late last month.
Umana was transferred to the Macomb County Jail July 10 and arraigned the next day in 41-A District Court on charges of false pretenses, a felony. He was given a $20,000 cash or surety bond.
Shelby Township Police Chief Robert J. Shelide said that stealing from
PACKARD PROVING GROUNDS HOSTS EASY RODDERS CAR SHOW
ABOVE: The Easy Rodders Car Club hosted a car show at the Packard Proving Grounds on Sunday, July 20. At 11 a.m., more than 400 cars were on display at the grounds. TOP LEFT: Mark Ricketts, of Utica, and children, Ava and Mark, attended the car show in Mark’s unique and pristine 1932 Ford. BOTTOM LEFT: A 1965 Pontiac LeMans with ghosted flames catches the eyes of many at the car show.
Umana
Photos by Erin Sanchez
What
• On-time, unhurried, same-day or next day appointments
• Annual Wellness Program which focuses on prevention with ongoing coaching and online tools
• Longer visit times to ensure all of your concerns are addressed
• Your own website with your online personal health record, secure communication with me and expert resources that support healthy living
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Kids enjoy food from the Utica Community Schools Food and Nutrition Services Department, which recently won an award from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
UTICA COMMUNITY SCHOOLS EARNS INNOVATION IN NUTRITION AWARD
BY SARAH WRIGHT swright@candgnews.com
UTICA — The Utica Community Schools Food and Nutrition Services Department has been honored with the Innovation in Nutrition Award from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service.
The goal of the award is to honor school districts that implement nutritional activities that create connections between the cafeteria, the classroom, the community and home. UCS provides students more than 3 million meals annually.
“This award demonstrates the vital See NUTRITION on page 18A
Two men sentenced for dumping hazardous waste in Bear Creek
BY BRIAN WELLS bwells@candgnews.com
WARREN — Two men were sentenced for charges related to hazardous waste violations that caused the Bear Creek in Warren to turn blue.
On Thursday, July 3, Saad Somo, 50, of Washington Township, and Marvan Talal-Razooqi Batoo, 40, of Shelby Township, pleaded no contest to one count of hazardous waste — operating a facility without a license, one count of hazardous waste — generator and facility operator records and attempted water resources protection violation, each of which are one-year misdemeanors, and liquid industrial waste — general violation, a six-month misdemeanor.
Representatives from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources agreed with the final plea offer after both men cooperated with the DNR, as well as the Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy, to rectify the spill, according to a press release from the Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office.
Their cooperation required both Somo and Batoo to pay over $172,000 in reme-
The Bear Creek in Warren turned “bright fluorescent green/blue on Sunday, Feb. 11, 2024,” after contaminants from a former commercial metal finishing building in Warren were dumped in a storm drain.
File photo provided by Macomb County Public Works Office
See WASTE on page 14A
Photo provided by Utica Community Schools
HOMES
4A/JULY 23, 2025
Consider your goals before starting to organize a home office
BY SARAH WRIGHT swright@candgnews.com
METRO DETROIT — While many people may have a home office for work, hobbies or other purposes, different furniture items and organizing techniques can be useful when trying to maintain the coordination of these spaces.
According to the United States Census Bureau, “In 2023, 13.8% of U.S. workers usually worked from home — more than twice the 5.7% that did so in 2019, despite a decrease from 17.9% in 2021 and 15.2% in 2022.
“In 2019, around 9 million people worked from home in the United States. By 2023, that number had soared to more than 22 million.”
This rise is generally due to the CO-
VID-19 pandemic and related lockdown restrictions, though different organizations have made some efforts to return to in-person work.
“Everybody was working from home, kids were at home, so we had to do a lot of reconfiguring of shared spaces, creating spaces,” said Jade Zygner, owner of O.C.Declutter Solutions, which uses “Organization Concepts to Declutter and Provide Solutions.” “So yeah … I was kind of thrown into the mix and that was certainly home offices.”
With this in mind, some people might still use their home office for work-related purposes as well as other recreational activities.
“I would say, you know, after the pandemic or during the pandemic, it was a lot of remote work and creating home offices in just about any space that we could find a
SMART TOILETS
lot of times,” said Janelle Azar, owner of A Meaningful Space LLC. “But now it’s more so about just having a dedicated office space. … I think it’s definitely changed. A lot of people have gone back into, you know, corporate settings versus more of a hybrid or work-from-home lifestyle.”
A Meaningful Space LLC is a business that provides organization support for homes and businesses as well as digital organization services and moving support around the
Macomb County Area and Ottawa and Erie counties in Ohio. Azar has been in this sort of professional organization business since 2018.
“So, I actually was in retail management for several years and got a little disheartened by the industry in and of itself, and wanted to find some of the things that I really liked about it and combine it with my own twist, and I love organization and I love working
See ORGANIZE on page 5A
Jade Zygner, owner of O.C.Declutter Solutions, provides before and after examples of one of the many home offices that she has organized.
Photos provided by Jade Zygner
Organize
from page 4A
with people, and it just seemed like the perfect fit,” Azar said.
O.C.Declutter Solutions is another business that provides professional organization services around metro Detroit. It was started in 2019 and aims to assist clients in the efforts of sorting, omitting and storing for various spaces.
“I was working, you know, in corporate America, but I wanted to do something to serve my community,” Zygner said. “So, I have always had an innate sense of talent with organizing, setting spaces, curating, things like that. So, I started (the) business, what was supposed to be a weekend kind of gig, and it turned full time and I’m helping all kinds of people, so it’s been great.”
At the start of Azar’s services, she urges patrons to consider their goals for the space before delving further into the process of going through items and setting up the space.
“So we start with the goal. … It’s usually offices or places that are multifunctional and have a lot of different purposes, so we want to think about those things as well,” Azar said. “I have a lot of clients who do some sort of crafting or painting, or sometimes they like to have a reading space in their home office or even a place for kids to come and do homework. So, it’s important to incorporate that into the overall picture and then really start to categorize items that are in the office.”
Categorizing allows clients to see what they have and how much they have, which leads to downsizing or editing and later considering what to do with the items that are leftover.
Zygner’s process for organization is done in stages, starting with getting easy stuff or stuff with very little attachment out of the room. This moves on to creating some new habits in a client’s system.
“So, now we’ve gotten rid of what you don’t need, so now we need to put categories of what you do need,” Zygner said. “So, we’re going to sort like with like, we’re going to kind of create zones, and so that’s how it kind of starts, and then the more you declutter and start to put like with like, the room just sort of reveals itself.”
In terms of furniture and different organization items, Azar recommends utilizing vertical space in the office, either through bookcases, shelving or pegboards as well as three-tier utility carts for crafts and electronics. Cord management can be another big concern for clients.
“One of the other organization jobs I did was for someone who was in the IT (information technology) industry, and in his home office, it was really important to have all the cords corralled,” Azar said.
“There’s different kits that you can get out there that have little sleeves where you can keep cords together or you can also use tags to identify what goes where, which can be really helpful if you’re dealing with kind of like a rat’s nest of tangled cords.”
Zygner recommends shelves, cubbies, paper trays and hooks as well as kanban boards, calendar systems and apps for logistical needs. She also suggests that potential clients do their due diligence when reaching out to professional organizers.
“Everybody has different work styles, so if you call a few different organizers, go with who you connect with,” Zygner said.
For more information, visit ameaning fulspace.com or ocdecluttersolutions.com.
LEFT: Janelle Azar, whose business is A Meaningful Space LLC, recommends using shelving to take advantage of the vertical space in a home office. RIGHT: Jade Zygner, owner of O.C.Declutter Solutions, helped organize a client’s computer accessories in this drawer.
Photo provided by Jade Zygner
Photo provided by Janelle Azar
Schuchard Elementary teacher to attend band competition in Switzerland
BY SARAH WRIGHT swright@candgnews.com
STERLING HEIGHTS — Tyler Schreiber, a music teacher at Schuchard Elementary School, will be joining his fellow members of the Five Lakes Silver Band in the 35th annual Besson Swiss Open Competition in Switzerland.
“Tyler brings great energy and dedication to Schuchard,” Schuchard Elementary Principal Steve Slancik said in a Utica Community Schools press release. “Thanks to his hard work, our band program has never been stronger.”
The Besson Swiss Open Competition invites multiple brass bands to compete for the title of “Besson Swiss Open Champion Band” along with a chance to earn other prizes as they are evaluated by five jurors. This year’s competition will be going on in September.
“There will be 10 bands,” Schreiber said. “Each band will play two pieces in the morning, they’ll all play a set test piece … and then in the afternoon every band will play a piece that they got to choose.”
Five Lakes Silver Band, a British-style
brass band based in Southfield with around 35 members, is the first band from North America to get invited to compete. The band was founded in 2006 under its previous name, the Oakland Brass Band, and was later changed to its current name in order to distinguish it from the Oakland University Brass Band. Over the years, the band has earned national honors at competitions across the country.
“We have people all over Michigan, as far north as Mount Pleasant, and there are some people living pretty far west, over in Adrian,” Schreiber said.
“So, it’s a big commitment for all 35 of us,” he said.
Schreiber plays the E flat tuba with the band, and he has been playing with the Five Lakes Silver Band for four years. He has been playing an instrument for around 15 years.
“I think part of it was a social part in the very beginning,” Schreiber said. “My friends started doing it, and when I started playing after getting to test all the instruments, I just enjoyed being able to do something I was good at, and I had really good teachers who encouraged me and gave me words of affirmation.”
Five Lakes Silver Band meets each Wednesday, which gives Schreiber an opportunity to network with other music teachers around the state who are part of the band.
“So it gives me a huge plethora of weekly conversations,” Schreiber said in a press release. “And then on top of that, playing at a
musically high level allows me to understand what I need to do to accomplish it, how I achieve it, and then how to convey it to my students so that they can understand it at the basic level.”
For more information, visit fivelakes silverband.com or worldbandfestival.ch/pro gramm/besson-swiss-open-contest.
Michigan Family Physician Diagnosed with Late-Stage Cancer After Experiencing is One Symptom
(South eld, MI) It’s a terrifying reality: a life-threatening illness could be silently developing inside your body, completely undetected by routine check-ups. By the time symptoms appear, especially cancer, the disease is often advanced, limiting treatment options.
LATE DETECTION
is agonizing truth was personally experienced by Dr. Warren Ringold, a respected family physician and the visionary behind Bionicc Body Screening. He shockingly discovered he had stage four cancer with tumors as large as softballs, only after experiencing shortness of breath. His brutal treatments and subsequent brain tumor recurrence ignited a profound mission: there had to be a better way to nd serious conditions before they became critical.
FULL BODY MRI SCANS
Dr. Ringold founded Bionicc Body Screening in 2022, establishing Michigan’s rst MRI full body screening center. His purpose was to empower individuals with groundbreaking insights into their health through advanced body screening
technologies. Today, his son, Ryan, passionately carries on this mission and understands the urgency: “We all know someone who awoke with an unexplained symptom and discovered they had stage four cancer. Once you have symptoms, cancer is usually advanced,” he states. “My father never wanted another person to su er from late detection. He wanted to save lives.”
71% OF TUMORS GROW UNDETECTED
While annual physicals are important, they have critical limitations. Standard screenings only detect about 29% of cancers, leaving a staggering 71% to potentially develop undetected in other areas of your body. Bionicc Body Screening o ers a comprehensive solution. Proactive full-body MRI screenings provide an unparalleled picture of your
internal health, going beyond traditional checkups. State-of-the-art MRI technology can detect tumors as small as a pea, along with aneurysms, stroke risk, and hundreds of other conditions that might otherwise go unnoticed. ese comprehensive scans image your head through the pelvis. MRI scans are safe, noninvasive, and emit absolutely no radiation. And, crucially, they are available without a doctor’s referral.
A LIFE SAVED
Mark B. was initially skeptical, but his proactive screening revealed a 3 cm lung mass that tested positive for cancer. He credits the scan for saving his life after three-fourths of his lung was removed. e fee for a full body MRI is an investment in your health and wellbeing, but the true cost of delaying could be far greater. Schedule your scan today.
Schuchard Elementary School music teacher Tyler Schreiber poses for a photograph with some of his students. Photo provided by Utica Community Schools
GOING FOR GOLD
RIGHT: Violet Odykirk, 3, of Shelby Township, runs the 40-yard hurdles during the Shelby Township 2025 Kids Summer Olympics at Whispering Woods Kiwanis Park July 12. The Parks, Recreation and Maintenance Department organized the event.
ABOVE LEFT: Zayan Ibrahim Mohamed-Edress, 4, of Farmington Hills, throws the ball 7 feet, 10 inches in the baseball toss event during the Kids Summer Olympics, sponsored by Faygo and the Kiwanis Club of Utica-Shelby Township. The event was open to boys and girls ages 3–12. ABOVE RIGHT: Adriana Forton, 5, of Shelby Township, completes a running long jump of 4 feet, 2 inches.
Umana
from page 1A
others through lies and deception is just as serious as any other crime.
“Here in Shelby Township we will not tolerate it. A suspect who swindled over $100,000 from an innocent victim is now behind bars, thanks to the sharp, determined
work of a great detective. Shelby Township will continue to be tough on fraud and stand up for those who have been taken advantage of,” Shelide said in a prepared statement.
Police believe Umana did not act alone and said more arrests likely will be coming.
Umana’s attorney, Jeffrey Cojocar, could not be reached for comment by press time.
Call Staff Writer Mary Beth Almond at (586) 498-1060.
BRICK REPAIR
Photos by Erin Sanchez
Shelby Township native wins Outstanding Young Judge Advocate of the Year
SHELBY TOWNSHIP — Maj. Filomena “Mena” Gehart, 90th Missile Wing deputy staff judge advocate, has been selected as the Outstanding Young Judge Advocate of the Year for her work inside and outside the Air Force.
To win this award, officials said a Judge Advocate General’s Corps member must always prioritize the mission, to have strong leadership skills, and professionally represent the Air Force day in and day out.
Gehart, according to officials, demonstrated excellence in her primary duty by providing key advice on the largest strikes in the area of responsibility within the last five years in support of Operation Inherent Resolve, and advising on airstrikes employing 220 weapons against 85 targets on an adversary militia group, leading to the deterrence of attacks on troops.
“I have never viewed awards as a priority of mine, but I am humbled and honored by this one,” Gehart said in a prepared statement. “It motivates me to find new ways to better the Air Force. We are in a constantly evolving environment, and I am excited to do what I can to play a small part in helping prepare us.”
After completing officer training, Gehart started her JAG career in the legal office advising command teams on any and all legal issues that came up across the base. She later transitioned to the Area Defense Counsel, defending airmen at more than 20 bases. After being an ADC, she specialized in labor and employment law and civilian personnel issues. She now handles bigger, more sensitive issues as well as making sure her personnel are taken care of.
Gehart, who grew up in Shelby Township, is the daughter of John and Maria Gehart. She is currently serving in the United States Air Force at F. E. Warren Air Force Base in Wyoming.
VAN DER GRAAF CELEBRATES 40TH ANNIVERSARY
SHELBY TOWNSHIP — Van der Graaf, which said in a press release that it is the world’s leading manufacturer of drum motors for all types of belt conveyor applications, celebrated 40 years of innovation, growth and commitment to North American manufacturing at its production facility in Shelby Township July 11.
“VDG has spent the last four decades pushing the boundaries of reliability and performance in motorized pulley systems,” President of VDG Alexander Kanaris said in the press release. “And we’re proud to be manufacturing the VDG Drum Motor here in North America and especially in the great state of Michigan.”
Officials said the company’s more than $50 million investment in advanced production technology and local talent continues to fuel job growth, innovation, and pride across the region. Having started manufacturing in 1985 in Canada, VDG established U.S. operations in 2003 to better serve its growing American customer base with after-sales service. This eventually grew into the first service and assembly plant in Shelby Township in 2010, a full-scale manufacturing facility by 2018, and followed by the opening of a second facility in 2023.
Today, VDG said it is continuing its commitment to U.S. manufacturing with plans to move more manufacturing capabilities from Canada to the United States to support increased demand and reinforce its commitment to American industry.
Summer concert series held
SHELBY TOWNSHIP — The Shelby Township Parks and Recreation Summer Concert Series at River Bends Park, located at 5700 22 Mile Road, has begun. Each concert features a unique theme and performances from various bands. The band Magic Bus, July 23 sponsored by Genisys Credit Union, will perform from 7 to 8:30 p.m. July 30. Sponsored by the Shelby Township Senior Center Steering Committee, the band Four Stories will entertain audiences from 7 to 8:30 p.m. July 30. The final performance, featuring Bandwagon, will take the stage from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Aug. 20. Admission is free and all ages are welcome.
Fifteenth annual Shelby Township Flea Market to be held July 26
SHELBY TOWNSHIP — The 15th annual Shelby Township Flea Market will be held 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, July 26, at Whispering Woods Kiwanis Park, off 21 Mile Road, east of Van Dyke Avenue. Whether you’re looking to declutter your home, showcase your handmade crafts, or sell collectibles and resale items, organizers say this is an opportunity to set up shop and enjoy a day of buying, selling and browsing in the park. Admission is free for shoppers.
Shelby Township student named valedictorian
SHELBY TOWNSHIP — Shelby Township’s own Angel Zanger has been named valedictorian of Michigan Great Lakes Virtual Academy Class of 2025, topping a graduating class of 359 students from across the state. Zanger enrolled at MGLVA in second grade and recently walked the stage at the school’s graduation ceremony as one of this year’s valedictorians. She plans to take a short gap year before beginning an associate degree in radiologic technology at Lake Michigan College, with the goal of becoming a radiology technician.
Calling
all entries for the
seventh annual Shelby Township Better Pie Baking Contest
SHELBY TOWNSHIP — Make your summer even sweeter by entering your favorite pie in the seventh annual Shelby Township Better Pie Baking Contest. Taking place from 1 to 3 p.m. Aug. 9 at River Bends Park, the contest invites baking enthusiasts to showcase their skills. Judges will crown the “Better Pie” baker on appearance, creativity and taste. The top three pies win prizes, and a special package awaits the top junior baker under 13. Even if you’re not competing, being a spectator promises to be a treat. Entrants must complete the entry and ingredients forms. For complete rules and guidelines for the 2025 baking contest, visit shelbytwp.org/summer.
COMMUNITY BRIEFS
Macomb County accepting Community Mental Health Board applications
MOUNT CLEMENS — The Macomb County Board of Commissioners is accepting applications to fill one seat on the Macomb County Community Mental Health Board for a partial term that will run through March 31, 2027.
The board oversees Macomb County Community Mental Health and is charged with providing a comprehensive array of mental health services appropriate to the needs of the individuals within its service area, regardless of the ability to pay. By statute, the members are representatives of providers of mental health services, recipients of mental health services, agencies and occupations having a working involvement with mental health services and the general public. Applicants should have an aware-
Autos for Autism cruises into town
CHESTERFIELD TOWNSHIP — Stahls Motors and Music Experience, located at 56516 North Bay Drive, will hold the annual Autos for Autism fundraiser to benefit the Ted Lindsay Foundation July 25-26.
The July 25 date includes a charity cruise beginning at 8:30 a.m. to Port Sanilac and back and dinner with automotive designers from 5-10 p.m. The July 26 date from noon to 3 p.m. includes a car show, live music, bounce houses, lawn games, face painting, food trucks, raffles, 50-50 and more.
The mission of the family-founded Ted Lindsay Foundation nonprofit is to support research and educational programs focusing on the cause and management of autism spectrum disorder. Lindsay, who died in 2019, was a hockey legend who played in the National Hockey League for 17 years with the Detroit Red Wings and the Chicago Black Hawks.
For more information and to purchase tickets, visit stahlsauto.com/afa2025.
— MARIA ALLARD
ness of the need for the provision of mental health services in Macomb County, knowledge of the evolving mental health landscape and basic understanding of Medicaid regulations in the state of Michigan, as well as the mental health code in the area the services are provided. Applicants also must be at least 18 years of age, a resident of Macomb County and cannot be employed by state or county health agencies.
Applications must be received by 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 12. Applicants are expected to attend the Government Operations Committee meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 19 at 3 p.m. for a public interview. Appointments will take place at the Thursday, Aug. 21 meeting of the full county board. For more information or to apply, go to bocmacomb.org, contact the commission’s office at (586) 469-5125 or email bocadmin@macombgov.org. Additional information regarding MCCMH can be found at mccmh.net.
Newspapers
Editor: David Wallace | (586) 498-1053 | dwallace@candgnews.com
Reporters:
Mary Beth Almond | (586) 498-1060 | malmond@candgnews.com
Sarah Wright| (586) 498-1068 | swright@candgnews.com
Sports: Scott Bentley | (586) 498-1090 | sports@candgnews.com
Artroom: (586) 498-1036 | ads@candgnews.com
Oakland and Wayne counties:
retail ad rates: Michele Sunday | (586) 498-1073 | msunday@candgnews.com Karen Bozimowski | (586) 498-1032 | kboz@candgnews.com Legals and Obits: (586) 498-1099
Classifieds: For ad rates (586) 498-8100
Automotive Advertising: Jeannine Bender | (586) 246-8114 | jbender@candgnews.com Real Estate Advertising: Paula Kaspor | (586) 498-1055 | pkaspor@candgnews.com
photos by Patricia O’Blenes
SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS
ABOVE: Chris Harris, fourth from right, and his daughter next to him, help carry on the family business of Midas Auto Service and Tires that Chris’ dad, Gil, started in 1990 with encouragement from Gil’s wife, Patricia. Photo provided
LEFT: Randy Booden, right, opened B&B Collision in Royal Oak with his dad Bill Booden July 1, 1977. One year later, Randy Booden’s sister Wendy Tomassi, center, joined the family business and keeps the operation running smoothly as office manager. Although not a family member, Randy Booden credits manager Nick Olsowy, left, for “making his life so much better.”
Photo by Liz Carnegie
FAMILY TIES DRIVE LOCAL AUTO REPAIR SHOPS
BY MARIA ALLARD allard@candgnews.com
METRO DETROIT — When Bill Griffin, who owns Griffin’s Neighborhood Auto Clinic in Farmington Hills, injured his back in 2009, he was unable to work for a period of time.
The shop had only been open for two years, so his younger brother, Tom Griffin, stepped in to handle the business until Griffin got back on his feet.
“Had it not been for my brother the shop would have failed,” Griffin said.
Griffin’s Neighborhood Auto Clinic, located at 23905 Freeway Park Dr., offers many services. Talented staff members offer auto repair; suspension, steering and alignment; cooling system and engine repair;
Village of Rochester Hills Transformed Into Outdoor Art Gallery
Fine Art at the Village of Rochester Hills, MI NE corner of Walton and Adams
Saturday, July 26th 10am - 6pm & Sunday, July 27th Noon - 6pm
e charming location of the Village of Rochester Hills shopping center will be transformed into an outdoor art gallery when it hosts the 21st Annual Fine Art at the Village of Rochester Hills on Saturday, July 26 and Sunday, July 27, 2025.
is outstanding juried art show is curated by the same people who have established the Village Fine Art Gallery located in the Village of Rochester Hills – assuring that this summer event is of the highest caliber.
brake services and more on everyday cars as well as classic cars and hot rods.
Family ties are a main reason why Griffin’s Neighborhood Auto Clinic has been a success. Along with his brother’s help, Griffin’s two daughters, Kelsey and Hannah, worked at the front counter of the shop after school. Doing clerical work and running for parts were among their many responsibilities. They also had to remember working with their dad came with boundaries.
“When you’re here, I’m your boss and not your dad,” he reminded them.
His daughters are now married with their own families and careers and no longer work at the shop. Their presence is missed, and their hard work over the years added to the growth of the family business.
Over 60 artists from across the United States have been invited to show their work at Fine Art at the Village of Rochester Hills. An outside panel of experts juried the entries and asked artists with the highest scores to participate. Free admission, free parking, free entertainment, free children’s activities. Located on the NW corner of the parking lot, behind Bravo’s rear entrance.
Artwork in every media will be featured including ceramics, glass, painting, drawing, multi – media, sculpture, photography, ber art, wood, jewelry and more. Creative Arts Council, a non-pro t art group, sponsors the juried art festival.
Again this year, there will be plastic Easter Eggs hidden around the art fair. Some eggs will contain $1.00 Bills and others will contain $25.00 & $100.00 Coupons can be used as cash at artist’s booths only.
Driver arrested for allegedly having gun in hidden compartment
BY MARY BETH ALMOND malmond@candgnews.com
SHELBY TOWNSHIP — A man who was pulled over for a routine traffic stop was arrested after police reportedly discovered a gun hidden behind a loose panel in the man’s car.
An officer from the Shelby Township Police Department conducted a traffic stop on a silver Chrysler in the area of Van Dyke Avenue and 21 Mile Road at 2:01 a.m. June 24.
The officer asked the driver — who was identified as 20-year-old Rolando Hunt Jr., of Detroit — for consent to search his vehicle, and when Hunt Jr. gave permission, the officer noticed the vehicle had several loose panels inside, police said. The officer was able to remove a loose panel just below the radio and discovered a Glock .40-caliber semiautomatic handgun in a hidden compartment, according to police. A fully loaded magazine reportedly was also found under a seat in the vehicle. Hunt, according to police, did not have a concealed pistol license, and the gun was not registered to him. He was arrested and lodged at the Shelby Township Police Department.
On June 24, Hunt Jr. was arraigned at the 41-A District Court in front of Magistrate James A. VerPloeg for carrying a concealed weapon, a felony. He was given a $5,000 personal bond and released. His next court appearance, a probable cause conference, is scheduled for Aug. 25.
“I want to take a moment and recognize the outstanding work of our officers that located a firearm hidden in a concealed compartment during a traffic stop,” Shelby Township Chief of Police Robert J. Shelide said in a prepared statement. “This is exactly the type of police work that helps keep the streets of Shelby Township safer from criminals like this. Great instincts, great training, and great follow-through. I’m proud of the dedication and determination from our Shelby Township officers.”
Hunt’s attorney, Richard Cervenak, had no comments at press time.
diation costs. This resulted in a charge of water resources protection violation, a two-year felony, against each man being dismissed once the attempted water resources protection violation charge was added.
After both pleas were entered, 37th District Court Judge John Chmura sentenced each man to pay fines, costs and a special assessment totaling $3,500, despite Assistant Prosecutor Lisa Lozen arguing that both men should receive probation, the press release states.
The charges came after the Bear Creek in Warren turned a “bright fluorescent green/blue on Sunday, Feb. 11, 2024,” ac-
cording to the release.
“The source of the contamination was found to be a former metal finishing commercial building in Warren owned by Somo and Batoo,” the release states. “The building was not heated, resulting in frozen water lines breaking and stored chemicals being spilled.”
The release states the two men disposed of the chemicals through a storm drain.
“Reckless handling of hazardous chemicals poses a serious threat to both public health and our environment,” Macomb County Prosecutor Peter Lucido said in a statement.
Attorney Amir Makled, who represented both men, did not return a request for comment.
Call Staff Writer Brian Wells at (248) 291-7637.
My approach, using advanced treatments, personalized care, and a commitment to saving limbs and lives, offers a new horizon for those afflicted with chronic foot wounds. If you or someone you know is navigating the challenges of foot wound care, the opportunity to transform this struggle into a story of healing and hope is within reach. Call me for an appointment today.
Hunt
“They did bring a good element to the shop and a little more of a draw. They played an integral role in building the company,” Griffin said. “We were one big family working here.”
His ex-wife also was heavily involved in the family business and Griffin said she deserves much of the credit for helping to build Griffin’s Neighborhood Auto Clinic. For many years, Griffin, an Automotive Service Excellence master certified technician, worked for other people and used that experience to open up his own garage. He likes the variety the business brings.
“Every day is a different day,” Griffin said. “You never know what you’re going to do from day to day.”
‘I’d do it again in a heartbeat’
Family bonds also added strength at B&B Collision, located at 919 South Main St., in Royal Oak.
On July 1, 1977, Randy Booden and his father, Bill Booden, went into business together. They had both been working for different car dealerships and when Bill asked his son if he wanted to start a family business, Booden told him, “You bet.” They took their passion for cars and created B&B Collision, a family-owned auto repair facility offering a number of services including collision repair. Nearly 50 years ago, Royal Oak looked a lot different than it does today.
“It was a ghost town,” Booden said.
But the Boodens settled on Main Street because of the other auto-related businesses they neighbored with, including a transmission shop and a radiator store. B & B Collision employs a number of experienced and highly-trained certified technicians. The state-of-the-art repair facility, managed by Nick Olsowy, uses high-tech equipment.
One year after B&B Collision opened for business, they recruited Booden’s sister, Wendy Tomassi, to work as the office manager. Even on their busiest days, they are able to separate the work they do from their personal lives. Depending on each person’s strengths, the family members took on different roles.
“I guess just being familiar with the other person, you know how to work with them,” Booden said. “We knew how to leave the shop and leave the work here. Outside the shop, we didn’t talk about business. What we talked about was family.”
But working with family also brought challenges.
“We have our differences of opinion. We were able to work it out,” Booden said.
“We can put everything out on the table, sit there and yell at each other, and 10 minutes later we’re fine. You can move forward.”
The trio worked together for many years until Bill retired. He passed away in 2008, and Booden and Tomassi carry on his legacy.
“He’s the one who taught me to be the person I am today,” Booden said. “I love it. I’d do it again in a heartbeat.”
Family bonds
Gil Harris opened up a family business when he found himself unemployed in 1990. He and his wife, Patricia, attended a franchise show and a new career was born when Gil opened Midas Auto Service and Tires at Eight Mile Road and Van Dyke Avenue in Warren 35 years ago.
“I didn’t know anything about the automotive world,” Gil said. “I knew how to deal with people.”
He worked 60- to 70-hour weeks, determined to make sure the business was profitable. Patricia encouraged her husband all along.
“She was confident in me. She was all for it. I was scared to death,” Gil remembered. “You put every ounce of your money and security into others’ lives and hope and pray like hell that it works.”
The gamble paid off because the family, including their son, Chris, was able to open four different Midas locations over the years with several highly skilled staff members. That first year, Gil was named National Rookie of the Year for Midas.
With support from Patricia and Chris, Gil eventually sold two of the shops and continues to operate two locations: 2995 E. Big Beaver Road in Troy, and 41300 Garfield Road in Clinton Township.
“I actually enjoy what I do,” Gil said. “It was a learning process. The franchise (representatives) helped. I know how to hire people that have anything to do with cars, oil changes to air conditioners, changing engines. I had to be able to provide security in their jobs. That’s what we do. My wife did the financial part, and I operated the hiring. I’m very happy.”
Currently, Chris is the general manager of the family franchise. He got his start running the Detroit location and fit right in with the automotive world. Gil is “mostly retired” and Patricia is “fully retired.” They are celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary this year. Working together proved positive for the Harris family, including Chris’ children.
“We always got along. We got along very well,” Gil said. “That doesn’t mean we don’t have some issues along the way. We sit down and work through the issues and come to an agreement on what needs to be done. It’s not always easy. Everyone is entitled to their opinions. Everyone has to find common ground.”
BEHIND THE WHEEL
Travel back to the late 1970s in a Volkswagen Westfalia
BY MARIA ALLARD allard@candgnews.com
METRO DETROIT — Setting up camp inside Dawn Bols’ Volkswagen Westfalia camper bus T-2 is like entering a time machine that dates back to 1979.
The sage-green van also is a reminder of the Michigan camping trips that Bols took as a child with her family, often to Wilderness State Park near Mackinaw City.
“It was like heaven to me playing with the kids on the beach,” the Harrison Township resident said. “It was so fun.”
Many of those family vacations were spent traveling in one of her dad’s Volkswagen vehicles. The first Volkswagen was not a camper bus, but the family still traveled in it and camped in tents.
Bols’ dad, Brian Bukantis, was always a fan of the Volkswagen bus and also owned a T-3 model in which the family did camp. The camping trips eventually stopped, but they still traveled up north via Volkswagen to a chalet in Houghton Lake, even in the wintertime.
“We used to freeze in the back,” Bols said. “My brother used to hog the little air vent in the back.”
And it was a tradition for Dad to play music from Frank Zappa during every ride.
“It’s always a fond memory for sure,” Bols said.
When Bols was 15, her dad took a break from driving Volkswagen buses. He eventually got back into the Westfalia’s driver’s seat. After Bols’ mom, Betty, died, Dad purchased the sage-green 1979 Volkswagen Westfalia camper bus T-2. He often cruised with his buddies at different local events, including the Woodward Dream Cruise and the Shorewood Kiwanis Club of St. Clair Shores Harper Charity Cruise. Bols is now the owner of the Volkswagen Westfalia camper bus T-2.
“I got it a couple years ago after my dad passed away,” Bols said.
Bols has taken good care of the vehicle, which has about 130,000 miles on it. The interior — with a warm, checkered decor — is all original. The vehicle has different components, including a comfortable sitting area with a table that swings out
ABOVE: Dawn Bols’ 1979 Volkswagen Westfalia camper bus T-2 has special meaning because it once belonged to her dad, Brian Bukantis.
RIGHT: The Volkswagen Westfalia can sleep four people. The rear bench seat folds down to make a bed for two, and, when opened, the pop-up roof lifts off to become a two-person bed.
Photos by Erin Sanchez
Nutrition
from page 3A
role our food service team plays in the success of our students,” Superintendent Robert Monroe said in a press release. “The Food and Nutrition Services Department remains committed to making sure our students have the nourishment they need to focus on their learning.”
Some of the activities, noted for this award, that UCS has implemented include:
• Introducing a wide variety of fruits and vegetables to students, like figs, candy cane beets or kumquats.
• Serving items that feature whole grain
and have lower sugar and fat than items found at grocery stores.
• Posting regular information on the department’s social media sites from registered dietitian Vinnie Kape, who also visits classrooms to promote healthy eating habits.
• Involvement in the district’s annual family wellness fair.
“We are excited to provide new food and new healthy experiences for our students, staff, and the community,” Food and Nutrition Services Director Mandy Sosnowski said in a press release. “We love introducing things to students they may have never heard of or tried before and then being able to explain how they can be part of a healthy lifestyle. We are also fortunate
SYNOPSIS OF MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF SHELBY BOARD OF TRUSTEES HELD ON TUESDAY, JUNE 17, 2025, IN THE BOARD ROOM OF THE MUNICIPAL BUILDING, 52700 VAN DYKE, SHELBY TOWNSHIP, MICHIGAN.
The meeting was called to order at 7:01 p.m. by Supervisor Richard Stathakis.
The Invocation was led by Pastor Nate Kingsbury from Stoney Church - Washington, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by Veterans Event Coordinator Phil Randazzo and Barbara Brown from the Stoney Creek Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution.
AWARDS & PRESENTATIONS
Award Presented by the Daughters of the American Revolution - Stoney Creek Chapter (Requested by Supervisor’s Office)
A Community Service Award was presented by Barbara Brown of the Stoney Creek Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution to Shelby Township’s Veteran Events Coordinator Phil Randazzo for his service to veterans in the community throughout the years, organizing the Shelby Township’s Memorial Day, Patriot Day, Veterans Day ceremonies, other veteran support services, along with his service in the Army during the Vietnam War. ROLL CALL
Members Present: Richard Stathakis, James Carabelli, Lucia Di Cicco, Lisa Casali, John Vermeulen
Member Absent/Excused: Stanley Grot, Vince Viviano Also Present: Rob Huth, Township Attorney
APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA
A. Minutes: Board Meeting -- May 20, 2025 (Requested by Clerk’s Office)
To approve the minutes, as presented.
B. MIDC Interlocal Agreement with Macomb County (Requested by Financial Management)
To concur with the recommendation of the Director of Financial Management Allan McDonald and approve the extension of the interlocal agreement with the Macomb County Public Defender Office for the 2025 - 2026 grant year for administrative services relating to the appointment of attorneys for indigent defendants and authorize the Township Supervisor to sign on behalf of the Township.
C. Amendment to Building Department Fee and Performance Bond Schedules (Requested by Building Department)
To concur with the recommendation of Building Director Tim Wood and approve resolutions amending Building Department Fee and Performance Bond Schedules, effective September 1, 2025.
D. ESO EMS Reporting Software Renewal 2025 (Requested by Fire Department)
To concur with the recommendation of Fire Chief Frank Pierce and approve to pay the June 15, 2025 through June 14, 2026 EMS software bill, invoice number ESO-168213, to ESO Solutions, Inc. in the amount of $14,090.50. Funds are to be taken from Fire Fund line item 206-336-810-600.
E. Parks, Recreation & Maintenance Assistant Supervisor Job Description (Requested by Human Resources)
To concur with the recommendation of Human Resources Director Lisa Suida and approve the job description for the newly created Supervisory Union position of Parks, Recreation and Maintenance Assistant Supervisor in the Department of Parks, Recreation, and Maintenance, Senior Center, and Nature Center, as presented.
F. Neptune Tariff Fees (Requested by DPW)
To concur with the recommendation of Public Works Director Danielle Allen and approve the 5% tariff placed on all previously ordered meters received after June 1, 2025 from Ferguson Waterworks for a total not to exceed $18,000.00. Funds are to be taken from Water and Sewer line Item 592-106-000.
G. Intergovernmental Agreement Washington Twp. (Requested by DPW)
To concur with the recommendation of Public Works Director Danielle Allen and sign the attached Intergovernmental Agreement for Emergency Water Service with Washington Township.
H. Single Household Mailing - Priority Waste (Requested by Solid Waste and Recycling Committee)
To authorize up to $25,000.00 to be used by the Shelby Township Solid Waste and Recycling Committee to mail information to each Shelby Township single family household regarding the terms of the Township’s new waste contract with Priority Waste. Funds are to be taken from General Fund line item 101-261-955-500 and amend the budget accordingly.
I. Investment Policy Statement (Requested by Treasurer’s Office)
To concur with the recommendation of Treasurer James Carabelli and adopt the Investment Policy Statement, as presented.
J. Cancellation of July 1, 2025 Regular Board Meeting (Requested by Clerk’s Office)
To cancel the regular meeting of the Board of Trustees on July 1, 2025, due to the 4th of July holiday.
K. Credit Card Purchases in the Amount of $59,359.09 (Requested by Treasurer’s Office)
To approve the Credit Card Purchases in the amount of $59,359.09, as presented.
L. Bill Run in the Amount of $3,990,453.33. (Requested by Financial Management)
To approve the Bill Run in the amount of $3,990,453.33, as presented.
MOTION carried to approve the Consent Agenda, as presented.
Roll Call: Ayes – Casali, Vermeulen, Carabelli, Di Cicco, Stathakis Nays – none Absent/Excused – Grot, Viviano APPROVAL OF AGENDA
MOTION carried to approve the agenda, with the removal of a legal opinion in Closed Session from Item #15 and replacing it with Recommendation Regarding a Contract Extension for the Sidewalk Gap program, as presented. CORRESPONDENCE
1. Appeal of Freedom of Information Act Fees (Requested by Human Resources)
MOTION carried to concur with the recommendation of Human Resources Director Lisa Suida and uphold the fees related to FOIA request 25-15709 by Daniel Alton and deny the appeal.
Roll Call: Ayes – Di Cicco, Vermeulen, Carabelli, Casali, Stathakis Nays – none Absent/Excused – Grot, Viviano
2. Appeal of Freedom of Information Act Response - PD4JUN10 (Requested by Human Resources)
MOTION carried to concur with the recommendation with the FOIA Coordinator’s Office and uphold the FOIA Coordinator’s correspondence dated PD4JUN10 regarding Daniel Alton’s Freedom of Information Act request and deny the appeal.
Roll Call: Ayes – Vermeulen, Di Cicco, Carabelli, Casali, Stathakis Nays – none Absent/Excused – Grot, Viviano PLANNING COMMISSION
3. Site Plan Special Land Use #25-01 Michael
to partner with some amazing educators to help keep the healthy message alive in the classroom as well as the cafeteria.”
UCS Coordinator of Public Relations Jennifer Kane noted that the Food and Nutrition Services Department does source some items locally, such as Blake’s and Peterson Farms for apples, Prairie Farms for milk, and Bosco Sticks, which are produced in Warren.
Also, the department is coordinating free meals for children 18 years or younger this summer. The Summer Meals program is at 15 different sites in the district and is expected to serve over 60,000 meals to children in the community.
“Last year UCS participated in the
Michigan School Meals program which provided all Michigan public school students with one free breakfast and lunch for the 2024-25 school year,” Kane said in an email. “There was no criteria to qualify for the free meals during the school year, and there is none to qualify for the free meals this summer.”
“The recognition awards are an opportunity to showcase innovative school nutrition practices that provide children with access to nutritious school meals,” Robe Bisceglie, executive officer and president of Action for Healthy Kids, said in a press release.
For more information, visit uticak12. org.
MOTION carried to concur with the recommendation from the Planning Commission and approve Site Plan Special Land Use Application #25-01 Michael Foon (Admiral Metals, LLC); 4150 22 Mile Road & 49920 Ryan Road, Parcel No(s). 23-07-20-300-026 & 23-07-20-300-052; located on the southeast corner of 22 Mile Road and Ryan Road; Admiral Metals Recycling Facility. The applicant demonstrated that the special land use request has met the standards presented in Zoning Ordinance Section 6.5, Special Land Use Standards and Section 3.34.D, Industrial District Regulations, and Section 4.50, Junk Yards, Auto Wrecking Yards and Storage of Industrial Wastes of the Township Zoning Ordinance that pertains to the proposed use.
Roll Call: Ayes – Casali, Di Cicco, Stathakis, Vermeulen, Carabelli Nays – none Absent/Excused – Grot, Viviano
4. Site Plan Special Land Use #25-05 Phil Brecht (Giant Properties, LLC) (Requested by Planning and Zoning)
MOTION carried to concur with the Planning Commission and approve Site Plan Special Land Use #25-05 Phil Brecht (Giant Properties, LLC); 52759 Lembke Drive, Parcel No. 23-07-14-100-043; located south of 24 Mile Road, east of Shelby Parkway; proposed outdoor storage yard for equipment. The applicant has met the standards in the Zoning Ordinance, including Section 6.5, Special Land Use Standards and Section 4.53, Outdoor Storage. Revised site plans must be submitted to comply with all the Planning Commission, engineering and department comments.
Roll Call: Ayes – Casali, Carabelli, Di Cicco, Stathakis, Vermeulen Nays – none Absent/Excused – Grot, Viviano
DEPARTMENTAL & COMMITTEE
5. 2025 Tap Fee Schedule (Requested by DPW)
MOTION carried to concur with the recommendation of Public Works Director Danielle Allen and approve the proposed Water and Sewer Tap Fee Schedule, effective July 1, 2025.
6. Meter Purchase (Requested by DPW)
MOTION carried to concur with the recommendation of Public Works Director Danielle Allen and authorize the bulk purchase of 5/8” water meters from Ferguson Waterworks at a cost not to exceed $93,198.00. Funds are to be taken from Water and Sewer Fund line item 592-106-000 and amend the Capital budget accordingly.
7. 2025 Sanitary Sewer Cleaning and CCTV Investigation (Requested by DPW)
MOTION carried to concur with the recommendation of Public Works Director Danielle Allen and Anderson, Eckstein & Westrick Inc. (AEW) to award the 2025 Sanitary Sewer Cleaning and CCTV Inspection project to Pamar Enterprises, Inc. for the bid amount of $181,897.50 with 10% contingency of $18,202.50 and approve Anderson, Eckstein & Westrick, Inc. (AEW) to inspect, review, assess, administer the contract, update GIS and make recommendations at an estimated cost of $67,500.00, for a total project cost not to exceed $267,600.00. Funds are to be taken from Water and Sewer line item 592-441-935-600.
8. Vehicle Purchase - Auction (Requested by Police Department)
MOTION carried to concur with the recommendation of Police Chief Robert J. Shelide and approve the purchase vehicles from Motor City Auto at a cost not to exceed $120,000.00 and related up-fitting costs from Cynergy Inc. at a cost not to exceed $5,000.00, for a total cost of $125,000.00. Funds are to be taken from Police Fund line item 207-301-981-000 and amend the budget accordingly.
9. New Vehicle - Insurance (Requested by Police Department)
MOTION carried to concur with the recommendation of Police Chief Robert J. Shelide and approve the purchase of one (1) 2025 Ford Police Utility Interceptor from Signature Ford at a cost not to exceed $48,715.00, vehicle equipment from Cynergy Products at a cost of $11,195.99 and graphics from Minuteman Press at a cost of $780.00. Funds are to be taken from Police Fund line item 207-301-981-000 and amend the budget accordingly.
10. Message/Traffic Trailer (Requested by Police Department)
MOTION carried to concur with the recommendation of Police Chief Robert J. Shelide and approve the purchase of a message trailer from Applied Concept Inc. at a total cost of $22,250.00. Funds are to be taken from Capital Improvement Fund line item 427-301-985-000.
11. Motorola Service Agreement (Requested by Police Department)
MOTION carried to concur with the recommendation of Police Chief Robert J. Shelide and approve the renewal of the radio service agreement with Motorola Solutions at a cost of $175,215.97 for a period covering August 1, 2025, through July 31, 2029. Funds are to be taken from the 911/Emergency Response Fund line item 261-306-857-000.
12. Radio Encryption Software (Requested by Police Department)
MOTION carried to concur with the recommendation of Police Chief Robert J. Shelide and approve the purchase of encryption software from Motorola Solutions at a cost of $25,273.13. Funds are to be taken from the 911/Emergency Response Fund line item 261-306-857-000.
13. Adoption of Ordinance 305 - Peddler/Solicitor, International Fire Code, and Twp. Parks Governing Amendments (Requested by Clerk’s Office)
MOTION carried to adopt and publish for the second time Ordinance No. 305, an Ordinance to amend the Code of Ordinances of the Charter Township of Shelby as follows:
To amend Chapter 54, Articles I, II, and III, to revise the requirements for licensing of peddler and solicitation activities within the Township;
To amend Chapter 26, Article V, to adopt the 2021 International Fire Code as the official fire code of the Township;
To amend Chapter 50, Article II, to amend and update the rules and regulations governing Township parks; and provide repealer and severabilility.
Roll Call: Ayes – Casali, Di Cicco, Stathakis, Vermeulen, Carabelli Nays – none Absent/Excused – Grot, Viviano
14. Resolution 25-2 - Hawker/Vendor/Peddler/Solicitor License Fees (Requested by Clerk’s Office)
MOTION carried to approve Resolution 25-2, a Resolution Regarding Hawker/Vendor/Peddler Solicitor License Fees for the Charter Township of Shelby pursuant to Ordinance No. 305, with an effective date of July 25, 2025.
Roll Call: Ayes – Di Cicco, Vermeulen, Carabelli, Casali, Stathakis Nays – none Absent/Excused – Grot, Viviano
15. Legal Opinion Regarding Ford Field (Requested by Township Attorney)
The item was removed from the agenda during the regular agenda approval.
15. Replacement for Item #15
Sidewalk Gap Contract Extension (Requested by Township Engineer)
MOTION carried to extend the current contract with L. Anthony Construction Inc. regarding the Shelby Township Sidewalk Gap program under the existing terms and conditions except to increase the price by 3% for a total cost not exceed $484,000.00 and to exempt this matter from the Township policy regarding bids because the Contractor has kept prices in line since it submitted its bid and time is of the essence.
MOTION carried to adjourn at 8:06 p.m. A COMPLETE SET OF MINUTES IS AVAILABLE IN THE
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, August 7, 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 July 3, 2025
APPLICATIONS:
1. ZBA #25-031 PAUL MYDLARZ; 5920 Wilmington Drive, Parcel No. 23-07-16-153-001, located south of 24 Mile Road, east side of Mound Road. Requesting a variance to Code of Ordinances, Chapter 10, Article VIII, Section 10-324(b) to permit a fence to encroach into the front yard.
2. ZBA #25-051 GARY 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 Zoning Ordinance No. 212.138, Section 5.2.A.4.a, to permit a detached accessory structure to be located in the front yard.
3. ZBA #25-052 IMAD POTRES for D & H Shelby Property, LLC; 4840 23 Mile Road, Parcel No. 23-07-20-129-020, located at the southwest corner of 23 Mile Road and Shelby Road. Requesting a variance to Zoning Ordinance No. 212.138, Section 5.22.D to permit loading and unloading in the front yard.
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 07/23/2025
0437-2530
CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF SHELBY MACOMB COUNTY, MICHIGAN
S.A.D. 4-D-2024
TWIN LAKE – STORM SEWER REPAIR
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING ON PETITION FOR IMPROVEMENT. ON THE IMPROVEMENT TO BE MADE AND ON A PROPOSED SPECIAL ASSESSMENT DISTRICT.
To the Owners and Parties in Interest of the following described lands situated in the Township of Shelby, County of Macomb, State of Michigan; to-wit:
Lot Nos. 1 through 36 inclusive, Twin Lakes Subdivision, according to the plat thereof as recorded in Liber 64, Pages 31 through 33, Macomb County Records
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the Township Board of the Charter Township of Shelby has tentatively declared its intention to construct, improve and/or maintain the following improvement:
STORM SEWER REPAIR
Twin Lakes Subdivision, lots 1-36 inclusive;
PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that the Township Board has tentatively designated the boundaries of a Special Assessment District against which the cost of said improvement is proposed to be assessed as consisting of all the above-described lands which are to be beneftted by the improvement.
PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that the plans describing the improvement and the location thereof with the estimate of the cost of the improvement on a fxed basis and on a periodic basis is on fle with the Township Clerk for public inspection.
PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that the Township Board of the Charter Township of Shelby, Macomb County, Michigan, will hold a public hearing on August 19, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. at the Shelby Township Municipal Building located at 52700 Van Dyke Avenue, Shelby Township, Michigan 48316-3572 to hear any objections to the Petition, the proposed improvement, and the proposed Special Assessment District. It is hereby contemplated that said Special Assessment District shall be perpetual and an annual hearing will be held for the review and determination of the annual Special Assessment levy, preparation of the Special Assessment roll and the spread of the assessment levy on all property in the proposed Special Assessment District.
PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that appearance and protest at the aforesaid public hearing is required to appeal the amount of the special assessment to the state tax tribunal.
Such appearance and protest by an owner or a party in interest, or his or her agent may be made by appearance in person at the aforesaid public hearing to protest the special assessment, or by fling his or her appearance and protest by letter on or before the date and time of the aforesaid public hearing. An owner or any person having an interest in the real property located within the proposed Special Assessment District may fle a written appeal of the special assessment with the state tax tribunal within thirty (30) days after the confrmation of the special assessment roll if the special assessment was protested at the public hearing held for the purpose of confrming the roll.
STANLEY T.
GROT
Township Clerk
SYNOPSIS OF MINUTES OF THE WORK SESSION OF THE CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF SHELBY BOARD OF TRUSTEES HELD ON FRIDAY, JUNE 27, 2025, IN THE LOWER LEVEL CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE MUNICIPAL BUILDING, 52700 VAN DYKE, SHELBY TOWNSHIP, MICHIGAN.
The work session was called to order at 10:00 a.m. by Supervisor Richard Stathakis.
ROLL CALL
Members Present: Richard Stathakis, Stanley Grot, James Carabelli, John Vermeulen, Vince Viviano (via phone) Members Absent/Excused: Lisa Casali, Lucia Di Cicco Also Present: Allan McDonald, Finance Director; Brian Greene, Mariner Wealth Advisors, LLC; Lisa Suida, Human Resources Director
OPEN SESSION
OPEB Changes Discussion (Requested by Financial Management Department & Human Resources Department)
MOTION carried to adjourn at 10:34 a.m. A COMPLETE SET OF MINUTES IS AVAILABLE IN THE CLERK’S OFFICE FOR REVIEW OR AT WWW.SHELBYTWP.ORG.
Published: Shelby-Utica News 07/23/2025
Published: July 23, 2025 August 6, 2025
Published: Shelby-Utica News 07/23/2025
0399-2530
SYNOPSIS OF MINUTES OF THE WORK SESSION OF THE CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF SHELBY BOARD OF TRUSTEES HELD ON THURSDAY, JUNE 19, 2025, IN THE LOWER LEVEL CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE MUNICIPAL BUILDING, 52700 VAN DYKE, SHELBY TOWNSHIP, MICHIGAN.
The work session was called to order at 2:00 p.m. by Supervisor Richard Stathakis.
ROLL CALL
Members Present: Richard Stathakis, Stanley Grot, James Carabelli, Lisa Casali, Lucia Di Cicco, John Vermeulen, Vince Viviano (via phone) Also Present: Brad Bates, Community Relations Director; Chelsea Schneider, Community Relations; Allan McDonald, Finance Director; Nick Fiore, Planning and Zoning; Julie Misich-Rasawehr, Building, Planning & Development Director; Rosemary Davis, Township Attorney; Craig Cowper, Deputy Clerk; Carol Septer, Code Enforcement
OPEN SESSION
Website Renewal and Agenda Software Discussion (Requested by Community Relations & Clerk’s Offce)
Wayfnding Project Update (Requested by Community Relations)
No Hunting Sign Locations & Expense Discussion (Requested by Code Enforcement)
Macomb County Animal Control Best Practices Discussion (Requested by Code Enforcement)
Server Room AC System Discussion (Requested by Clerk’s Offce)
MOTION carried to adjourn at 3:28 p.m.
A COMPLETE SET OF MINUTES IS AVAILABLE IN THE CLERK’S OFFICE FOR REVIEW OR AT WWW.SHELBYTWP.ORG.
Published: Shelby-Utica News 07/23/2025
CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF SHELBY NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
0398-2530
Notice is hereby given that the Planning Commission for the Charter Township of Shelby, Macomb County, Michigan has received a request for approval of a Site Plan Special Land Use:
CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF SHELBY NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
APPLICANT: Jonyar Abro
Notice is hereby given that the Planning Commission for the Charter Township of Shelby, Macomb County, Michigan has received a request for approval of a Site Plan Special Land Use:
APPLICANT: Jonyar Abro
Shelby Car Wash, LLC 164 East Maple Road, Suite E Troy, MI 48083
Shelby Car Wash, LLC 164 East Maple Road, Suite E Troy, MI 48083
PROPOSED USE: Gas Station & Convenience Store
PROPOSED USE: Gas Station & Convenience Store
LOCATION: 54100 Van Dyke Avenue
LOCATION: 54100 Van Dyke Avenue
Located north of 24 Mile Road, on the east side of Van Dyke Avenue Site Plan/SLU #25-03
Located north of 24 Mile Road, on the east side of Van Dyke Avenue Site Plan/SLU #25-03
SIDWELL NO(s): 23-07-10-152-001
SIDWELL NO(s): 23-07-10-152-001
LEGAL DESCRIPTION:
LEGAL DESCRIPTION: L 178B1B1 V T3N R12E
The Planning Commission will meet on Monday, August 11, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. in the Shelby Township Municipal Building, Board Room, 52700
Dyke Avenue, Shelby Township, Michigan, 48316; (586-726-7243) for the purpose of holding a public hearing on the
request.
The application for the Site Plan Special Land Use may be examined at the Planning and Zoning Department in the
through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Written comments may be submitted to the Planning Commission at the
The Planning Commission will meet on Monday, August 11, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. in the Shelby Township Municipal Building, Board Room, 52700 Van Dyke Avenue, Shelby Township, Michigan, 48316; (586726-7243) for the purpose of holding a public hearing on the Site Plan Special Land Use request
comments will be heard during the public hearing.
This notice is provided pursuant to the requirements of Michigan Public Act 110 of 2006, as amended.
The application for the Site Plan Special Land Use may be examined at the Planning and Zoning Department in the Municipal Building, Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Written comments may be submitted to the Planning Commission at the above address prior to the hearing. Oral comments will be heard during the public hearing.
Publication Date: July 23, 2025
Volkswagen
from page 16A
for meals. The two front seats swivel around to face the back of the vehicle for conversation. The retro ride is equipped with a sink, a holding tank and can be hooked up to running water.
When camping, the Volkswagen Westfalia can sleep four people. The rear bench seat folds down to make a bed for two. The pop-up roof lifts off to become a two-person bed when opened. But sometimes a little help is needed.
“It’s not the most comfortable sleeping arrangement,” Bols said. “We usually put an extra mattress down.”
The Westfalia has curtains that can be drawn shut to get a good night’s sleep, and Bols added some special touches to give the van a late 1970s vibe. Her husband gave her a handheld radio to display next to a clock radio. Bols also found a 1978 Coleco Football Electronic Quarterback handheld game, and a friend passed on a handheld Merlin electronic game — first made by Parker Brothers in 1978 — that feel right at home inside the bus.
While cruising and camping are fun, Bols prefers just to take the van to local car shows.
“Because it’s in such good shape, I want to preserve it,” she said.
Another reason is because the vehicle doesn’t gather much speed when on the road. It only drives about 55 mph. To alert other drivers, Bols placed a magnet on the back window that reads “Slow moving vehicle.”
“It’s a stick shift. It’s a smooth ride but there’s no power steering,” Bols said. “Get-
ting used to driving it is a little bit of a challenge.”
The camper bus draws plenty of attention from onlookers. Many comments about the vintage vehicle come from people in their 20s.
“I always get peace signs out the windows and people honking,” Bols said.
Bols sometimes brings the bus to the monthly car shows from 5 to 8 p.m. on the third Thursday of the month at Sanders Chocolate and Ice Cream Shoppe, 23770 Hall Road in Clinton Township. At the last Sanders car show, the employee pick of the month was the Volkswagen bus.
“I was shocked,” said Bols, adding that she received a bag of candy for the recognition.
She also won an award last month during Eastpointe Cruisin’ Gratiot, a five-day event that ended with a car show and cruise June 14. Again, she was surprised. She didn’t plan to attend the Eastpointe event, but her brother, Doug Bukantis, invited her, and at the last minute she decided to go.
An annual pastime has been heading up to Port Crescent State Park, in Port Austin, during the Halloween season for its annual fall harvest. It’s something the family did with Dad, who got into the spirit of the holiday by becoming “Skull Man.” He’d wear a skull mask and cape to greet trick-or-treaters through a fog machine that he set up. The bus was also decorated with skeletons and spider netting, and the tradition has continued.
According to the website autobarnclassiccars.com, Volkswagen began production of the Type 2 Microbus in 1967. Manufacturing continued through 1979, and there were many configurations of the Type 2 model.
ABOVE: Dawn Bols’ 1979 Volkswagen Westfalia camper bus T-2 has a living space with a table that swings out for meals, games and conversation. LEFT: The camper bus has all the original interior and has won a couple of awards at local shows.
Photos by Erin Sanchez
“It was dubbed the Bay-Window Microbus with a one-piece windshield, sliding
side door and a total of eight elongated windows for great visibility,” the website stated.
CRIME WATCH
ID theft reported
SHELBY TOWNSHIP — A Shelby Township police officer was dispatched to the lobby of the Police Department to take a report of an identity theft at 11:15 a.m. July 6. The complainant told the officer that in the month of May, an unknown person attempted to log into her T-Mobile account. The complainant then started to get text messages from an unknown person claiming to be an employee from T-Mobile, and started to receive emails regarding loan applications for $8,000 in her name. Detectives were investigating.
Man arrested for domestic assault
SHELBY TOWNSHIP — Officers were dispatched to the lobby of the Shelby Township Police Department for a domestic
assault report at 8:45 p.m. July 6. A woman told police that while she was with her boyfriend driving in Shelby Township, they had a verbal argument. The argument, she said, became physical when the man pinched her, causing pain. The physical altercation continued at the home and the man grabbed the woman by the arms and shoulders several times, preventing her from leaving the home, according to the police report. The man then reportedly grabbed the woman by the neck. The woman was able to escape the home. Officers went to the home and found the man, who was interviewed and arrested for domestic assault.
Car stolen from driveway
SHELBY TOWNSHIP — Officers were dispatched to the 54000 block of Queensborough Drive, in the area of Jewell and 25 Mile road, for a stolen 2023 Jaguar at 5:14 a.m. July 3. The owner of the vehicle, which had been parked in the driveway, had surveillance footage of two subjects start-
Shelby Township woman found dead after suspicious 911 call
BY MARY BETH ALMOND malmond@candgnews.com
SHELBY TOWNSHIP — Police are investigating after finding a woman dead in her apartment in Shelby Township.
Officers from the Shelby Township Police Department responded to the Lakeside Park Apartments, near Hayes and 21 Mile roads, after a 911 hang-up at 6:32 a.m. July 19. Upon arrival, they found a deceased woman inside the apartment.
The name of the woman was not im-
mediately released, pending notification of the family.
The Police Department’s detective bureau is investigating the incident as a homicide.
Although an arrest was made, police said the investigation is ongoing. Police said there is no threat or danger to the public.
Anyone with information regarding the incident should reach out to Shelby Township police at (586) 731-2121.
Call Staff Writer Mary Beth Almond at (586) 498-1060.
ing up the vehicle and backing it out of the driveway. The owner stated that the vehicle was locked and the keys were inside the home. Police were investigating.
Police investigate motorcycle crash
SHELBY TOWNSHIP — Officers were dispatched to the area of Shiloh Way and Yorktown Lane, in the area of Shelby and 21 Mile roads, for a motorcycle crash at 8:26 p.m. July 2. An officer arrived on scene and observed a man lying on his back on Shiloh Way. The man was unresponsive,
at first, to officers. The man, who smelled of alcohol, then awakened and began to speak with officers. He denied drinking prior to the crash, but the officers noticed other indicators that he had been drinking, according to the report. He was taken to the hospital for a checkup and a blood draw for alcohol. The man was turned over to the hospital due to his injuries, police said. Charges were to be determined based on the results of the blood draw.
— Mary Beth Almond
COMMUNITY CALENDAR
22A/ SHELBY-UTICA NEWS • JULY 23, 2025
JULY 26
Shelby Township Flea Market: 15th annual event for buyers and sellers, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Whispering Woods Kiwanis Park, 11000 21 Mile Road in Shelby Township, (586) 731-0300, shelbytwp.org/our-township/ summer
Classic car show: Approximately 30 vehicles expected with voting for favorite, also DJ, 50-50, Italian sausage and hot dogs, and refreshments, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Pine Ridge Villas of Shelby, 4200 W. Utica Road in Shelby Township, rainout date July 27, (586) 739-5520
JULY 29
Fitness class: 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., held by patio at Shelby Township Library, 52610 Van Dyke Ave., register at shelbytwp.org/library or (586) 739-7414
AUG. 2
Kid-to-Kid Sale: Ages 4-16 can buy, sell or trade used toys, video games, books, sports equipment, trading cards and more (no clothing), noon-2 p.m., Shelby Township Activities Center, 14975 21 Mile Road, (586) 731-0300, shelbytwp.org/our-township/summer
Charity car show: Benefits Samaritan House and other local charities, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Jack Frost Museum, 61741 Campground Road in Washington Township, (586) 786-8003, jackfrostautomuseum.com
AUG. 7
Shelby Township Art Fair 5K Run/Walk: Dogs welcome, 6:30 p.m., River Bends Park, 5700 22 Mile Road, runsignup.com
SCAMS presentation: Stopping Crimes Against Michigan Seniors, led by Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office, noon, St. Therese of Lisieux, 48115 Schoenherr Road in Shelby Township, RSVP to parish office at (586) 254-4433
AUG. 9-10
Shelby Township Art Fair: 120-plus artist and
marketplace vendors, food, live music, kids craft and activity area, pie baking contest (Aug. 9 only) and more, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., River Bends Park, 5700 22 Mile Road, shelbytwp.org/our-township/summer
AUG. 14 & 21
Macomb Ballet Company auditions: Expand training through rehearsals and perform in classical productions while continuing at primary studio, 4:30-6:15 p.m. (ages 13-19 as of Jan. 1, 2026), 6:30-7:45 p.m. (12 and older) and 6:30-7:30 p.m. (7-11), 51504 Danview Technology Court in Shelby Township, macombballet.org/auditions
AUG. 16
Health and Wellness Fair: Free event features nearly 70 vendors, therapy dogs, vibroacoustic harp therapy and meditation sessions, massages, yoga and expressive art station, face painting, appearance by Detroit Pistons mascot Hooper, health screenings, interactive activities and more, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Macomb Intermediate School District, 44001 Garfield Road in Clinton Township, facebook.com/wearemccmh
AUG. 24
Wedding Garage Sale: Sell used items to new couples, 1-4 p.m., Packard Proving Grounds, 49965 Van Dyke Ave. in Shelby Township, (586) 739-4800, packardprovinggrounds.org
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, 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
Summer Concert Series: Hear Led Detroit (Led Zeppelin tribute) July 25, Taylor Tucky (country) Aug.
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.
8 and Pink Floyd vs The Doors (tribute band) Aug. 22, 7-8:30 p.m., Eastwood Beach at Stony Creek Metropark, 4300 Main Park Road in Shelby Township, metroparks.com/events
Summer Concerts in the Park series: Hear Magic Bus July 23 and Four Stories July 30, bring chair, 7 p.m., River Bends Park, 5700 22 Mile Road in Shelby Township, shelbytwp.org/our-township/summer
Weekend Unwind: Free concert series features Raputa July 25, Rock Mob Aug. 1, Circle of Fifths Aug. 8, Collin Aug. 15, Nathan Grant Aug. 22, Highway 23 Aug. 29 and DC Marx Sept. 5, 7-10 p.m., Memorial Park next to Utica Public Library, 7530 Auburn Road, cityofutica.org
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) 601-2400, uspbl.com
Feeding Time: Learn about and see what animals
Ford’s Garage opens in Utica
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
Ford’s Garage fired up its engines for a grand opening on Tuesday, June 24, bringing its signature automotive-themed dining to 12575 Hall Road in Utica. This Macomb County location is the third Ford’s Garage in Michigan, delivering a high-octane experience with vintage vibes and nostalgic dining. Guests will dine surrounded by engine parts, vintage vehicles, the famous ice rail at the bar, and roaring sound effects that celebrate automotive heritage.
The menu is a road trip of flavors, featuring the famous Giant Piston Onion Tower, half-pound Black Angus “Burgers of Fame,” and local craft brews on tap. Franchise owner Billy Downs says it’s all about offering a fun, family-friendly pit stop with top-notch comfort food. With seating for over 250 guests, Ford’s Garage Utica is revved up and ready to serve the community all week long with dine-in and carryout options. For more information, call (586) 799-3673.
BUSINESS CLIP
Macomb Pain Management celebrates grand opening in Shelby Township
Macomb Pain Management celebrated its grand opening July 25 at its new location, 8152 25 Mile Road in Shelby Township. The clinic is dedicated to offering advanced solutions for chronic and acute pain through a patient-centered, comprehensive approach.
MPM specializes in a range of interventional procedures, including spine and joint injections, nerve blocks, radiofrequency ablation (RFA), spinal cord stimulators, and peripheral nerve stimulation, each designed to target the root cause of pain and restore quality of life. While patients undergo interventional care, their symptoms are managed with medications for comfort and continuity. The clinic also offers regenerative therapies such as platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and stem cell treatments to promote healing and reduce inflammation.
With a team of experienced specialists and a focus on innovation, Macomb Pain Management is committed to helping patients regain function and live pain-free. For more information, call (248) 844-8281 or visit macombpainmanagement.com.
BUSINESS CLIP
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Man arrested outside library
GROSSE POINTE PARK — An 18-year-old Detroit man who reportedly was experiencing suicidal thoughts and was seen outside the Ewald Branch of the Grosse Pointe Public Library at around 2 p.m. June 25 was arrested after an encounter with police. According to a report, the man “became confrontational” with a public safety officer who approached him. Police said the man was found with a stolen handgun in the fanny pack he was wearing. He was arrested and was facing charges for violation of the carrying a concealed weapon law.
Rental vehicle stolen
GROSSE POINTE PARK — An unknown suspect stole a rented 2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee while it was parked in the 500 block of Pemberton Road between the hours of 12:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. June 27. The Jeep, which had been rented from Avis, reportedly might have had a key fob inside.
Former employee arrested for embezzlement
GROSSE POINTE CITY — A woman who formerly worked for Lululemon in The Village was arrested June 23 after an investigation determined that she allegedly embezzled an estimated $7,000 through fraudulent transactions over the last year, a police report states. Police said the investigation was in progress.
Motorists found in possession of marijuana
GROSSE POINTE FARMS — A 19-year-old Harrison Township woman and a 19-year-old Harrison Township man were arrested after a traffic stop during which police found that the vehicle they were operating had multiple containers of marijuana and synthetic equivalents. According to a police report, the vehicle was pulled over in the area of University Place and Mack Avenue at 10:52 p.m. June 30 after police noticed that their driver’s side headlight wasn’t working. During the traffic stop, an officer reportedly saw four jars of marijuana inside a blue duffel bag on the back seat. Police said the female driver and her male passenger claimed that the vehicle belonged to the driver’s mom and the marijuana was hers, but when police called the mother, she didn’t claim ownership of the marijuana.
The suspects said they were picking up a friend in the Pointes and heading to downtown Detroit for the evening. The driver gave police consent to search her vehicle, and police found three small jars and one large jar of marijuana, almost 50 vape cartridges, more than 30 vape pens, a bag of narcotic mushrooms, THC oils, multiple marijuana edibles, a scale, sandwich bags and $450 in cash in the male suspect’s wallet and $90 in cash in the center console, according to the police re-
and therefore not legally allowed to be in possession of marijuana in Michigan, so they were both arrested. It was unknown if they might face additional charges.
Possibly high driver takes out streetlight
GROSSE POINTE FARMS — A 24-year-old Harper
Woods man who police believe was driving under the influence of drugs is said to have crashed into a DTE light pole in the 400 block of Moross Road at around 8:04 p.m. June 27, sheering it off at the base, and then leaving the accident scene.
Police said a neighbor heard a loud noise outside at the approximate time of the crash and when she looked out a window, she saw a tan, mid-size truck heading south on Moross veer into the northbound lane before veering back into the southbound lane. Using the license plate of the vehicle, police were able to track the driver to an address in Harper Woods, where they said they found the driver and the damaged truck.
Police said the driver admitted he had been driving the truck that evening. After they searched the truck, police said they found several empty pill bottles.
Police said the driver had dilated pupils and foam coming from his mouth, and he told them he had gone to a marijuana dispensary after work. The driver told police he had rear-ended a white pickup truck but didn’t remember being in the Farms or crashing into a light pole there. The suspect was found to be in possession of pills concealed in a lip balm case. He was arrested for operating under the influence of drugs. Police said the driver refused medical attention for the crash.
Fraud victim instructed to buy Bitcoin
GROSSE POINTE FARMS — A 72-year-old Grosse
Pointe Farms woman contacted police June 26 after she was the victim of an apparent fraud June 17. The woman was browsing the internet when she said a popup window appeared on her iPad telling her to contact Microsoft. When she called the phone number provided in the pop-up window, the woman was told she would be contacted by the Federal Trade Commission and her credit union as far as what she needed to do.
The woman said a man who claimed to be “Daniel” from the FTC told her to withdraw $15,000 from her credit union account, saying someone was trying to use her funds to buy illegal internet content. The woman was only allowed to withdraw $5,000 from her credit union; she used the money to make deposits — as directed by “Daniel” — into various Bitcoin ATMs in metro Detroit, ultimately depositing $4,800. The woman then received a text message allegedly from Apple telling her someone was trying to charge $221.99 to her Apple account, as well as a text claiming someone
using her account data. The woman thought about the incident and found the whole ordeal suspicious, which led to her filing a police report. Police said the woman was the victim of an internet/telephone scam.
Vehicle stolen
GROSSE POINTE WOODS — Officers were dispatched to the 1900 block of Lennon Street at 6 a.m. June 29 after learning that a vehicle — a Ford F-150 — connected to that address had been used in a crime in Dearborn. When they arrived and spoke with the owner of the vehicle, the owner — who knew nothing about the crime in Dearborn — discovered that his truck had been stolen.
Infotainment system stolen
GROSSE POINTE WOODS — An unknown suspect is said to have stolen an infotainment system from a Ram pickup truck between the late night of June 23 and 12:30 p.m. June 24. A police report states that the suspect broke a rear window on the truck to gain access to the interior.
Operating under the influence of drugs
SHELBY TOWNSHIP — Police officers were dispatched to the area of Van Dyke Avenue and 24 Mile Road for a crash June 20. Upon the officers’ arrival, they observed one of the occupants from the crash lying on the ground unconscious. An officer found out the unconscious person was the at-fault driver and might be under the influence. The officer recognized signs that the man might be overdosing and needed Narcan. The officer administered Narcan and the driver started to react to the medication before going unconscious again. The male driver was transported to a local hospital.
While the man was being loaded in the ambulance, police said he was awake long enough to admit to using fentanyl. Officers reportedly located what appeared to be drugs in the driver’s vehicle. An officer went to the hospital and completed a blood test. The at-fault driver was medically discharged from the hospital and taken to the Shelby Township Police Department. The man was released once sober. Charges were pending the results of the blood test.
Stolen car
SHELBY TOWNSHIP — A police officer was dispatched to the 45000 block of Revere Drive, near Hall and Schoenherr roads, for a stolen vehicle at 1:30 p.m. June 22. The owner stated he last saw his vehicle the night before, parked in front of his home. The owner advised that he still had both sets of keys to his vehi-
SHIELD’S
From now through July 28, customers at the Troy location (1476 W. Maple Road), Southfield location (25101 Telegraph Road) and Detroit location (5057 Woodward Ave.) can submit their version of a prize-winning pizza. One winner from each Shield’s location will receive a $100 Shield’s gift card and be entered into the Pizza Bake-Off contest.
Birmingham-Bloomfield Art Center
BBAC holds annual competition
BIRMINGHAM — The 44th annual Michigan Fine Arts Competition will be taking place at the Birmingham-Bloomfield Art Center through Aug. 14. The competition is juried by Laurie Ann Farrell — a Dallas-based curator, art historian and writer. She selected 84 pieces out of the over 600 works of art submitted.
This is an annual event that awards talented artists in a range of mediums. See the full list of artists at bbartcenter.org/2025-mfac-exhibiting-artists. METRO DETROIT — Shield’s Restaurant and Pizzeria is hosting its annual summer Pizza Bake-Off Contest with proceeds benefitting Grace Centers of Hope in Pontiac.
hours to explore the Detroit Zoo, including full access to habitats, buildings and attractions, and live music from local artists in the Main Picnic Grove. New to this year, guests arriving after 6 p.m. on event nights can get reduced admission at the gate. No pre-purchase is needed; the prices are $13 for general admission and $12 for youth and seniors.
If you have been at the zoo all day on event days, the event is free with zoo admission. For more information, visit detroitzoo.org.
Police were investigating Larceny from auto SHELBY TOWNSHIP — A police officer was dispatched to River Bends Park for a larceny from auto complaint at 5:30 p.m. June 21. The victim stated she had parked her vehicle, with the windows and doors locked, before heading out for a walk. When she returned, she noticed her window was smashed out and several personal items were taken from within the vehicle. While the officer was on the scene, Utica police were also checking local parks for two male suspects looking into vehicles. Police were investigating.
Man walking dog attacked by another dog
SHELBY TOWNSHIP — An officer was dispatched to Henry Ford Macomb Hospital for a dog bite report at 11:26 a.m. June 19. A man said that while he was walking his dog on a leash in the 11000 block of Conservation Trail, near 22 Mile Road and the Van Dyke Freeway, an unleashed brown pit bull mix started to attack his dog. The man was able to pull his dog to safety, but the dog then started to attack the man and bit him on both hands. The officer
and enjoy salad and soft drinks.
“We’ve been doing this in some fashion for a while now and the customers love it, especially the winner who gets to see his or her pizza on our menu,” said Paul Andoni, representative of Shield’s, in a press
At 6 p.m. Aug. 5, the three winners will gather at Shield’s in Troy along with a panel of local celebrity judges, including Charlie Langton (FOX 2 and WWJ), Ryan Ermani (FOX) and Kevin Deitz (WJR), who will sample the food and choose the winner. The grand champion pizza designer will receive a $200 Shield’s gift card, and his or her pizza will be featured on the Shield’s menu for a week.
State Supreme Court rules on county charter cases
LANSING — On June 16, the Michigan Supreme Court ruled against Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel in two cases about the powers of the county executive under the Macomb County charter. First, the court ruled in favor of the Macomb County Board of Commissioners, requiring Hackel to grant the commission’s director of legislative affairs real-time, read-only access to the county’s financial management software for budgeting purposes. Access was first requested in 2017 and written into the general appropriations ordinance for fiscal year 2018, though Hackel never granted this access.
Penned by Justice Elizabeth Welch, the court found Hackel must grant the access based on “the plain language” of the fiscal year 2018 budget and remanded the case back to the circuit court.
The court found Hackel must grant the access based on “the plain language” of the fiscal year 2018 budget and remanded the case back to the circuit court.
“We thank the Supreme Court for its thorough opinion and respect its decision,” Board Chair Joe Sabatini said in a press release. “The Supreme Court recognized the Board’s valid ordinance requirement that the Board be provided accurate and timely financial information. With that information, the Board looks forward to working together with the County Executive for the common goal of accountable and efficient government for the citizens of Macomb County.”
The court ruled in favor of Macomb County Prosecutor Peter Lucido regarding his desire to have external counsel. The Macomb County Board of Commissioners appropriated $42,500 to the Prosecutor’s Office in the fiscal year 2024 budget for “contract services,” which Hackel vetoed on Dec. 8, 2023, and the board overrode on Dec. 14, 2023. After attempting to contract with five law firms in January 2024, Lucido began proceedings against Hackel. The Michigan Court of Appeals ruled in favor of Lucido, and Welch wrote the order concurring with the appellate court on the grounds that the county charter “does not impose any limits on the purpose for which independent legal counsel can be retained using public funds.” “The Court has again sent Mr. Hackel a clear message that he cannot rule like a king, and his abuse of power must end,” Lucido said in a press release. “These are historic decisions that protect Macomb County taxpayers and the integrity of justice in our county.” Andrew McKinnon, deputy Macomb County executive, said the rulings were a matter of seeking clarification about the executive’s limits in the county charter. “(The
Lucido Sabatini Hackel
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