NEWSPAPERS Special Edition
SEPTEMBER 24, 2025
candgnews.com
Macomb County and Grosse Pointe papers
Lucido continues push for child support specialty court
HEARINGS WOULD BE LAST CHANCE FOR UNPAID CHILD SUPPORT PROVIDERS
BY DEAN VAGLIA dvaglia@candgnews.com
MACOMB COUNTY — Following a meeting with judicial officials on Sept. 4, Macomb County Prosecutor Peter Lucido is moving forward with the creation of a child support specialty court within the 16th Circuit Court in Mount Clemens.
Under Lucido’s plan, the proposed court would operate similarly to other specialty courts within the 16th Circuit by directly handling cases where child support payers are in arrears. The goal of the court is to get compliance from the payers, thereby helping reduce the amount of unpaid child support across Michigan.
“Today, the state of Michigan has $5.6 billion in outstanding uncollected child support, of which Wayne County is about $3.5 billion — more than half,” Lucido said. “Macomb County is at about $300 million, and
See LUCIDO on page 10A
Work within the office of Macomb County Prosecutor Peter Lucido has already recovered $3.3 million in unpaid child support in the last two years by simply seeking compliance from payers. The child support specialty court would take the mission of securing compliance further by bringing on Michigan Works! Macomb/St. Clair to help place unemployed child support payers into jobs or job training programs with court supervision.
WARREN RESIDENT WILL HONOR PARENTS WITH OFRENDA AT THE DIA
BY MARIA ALLARD allard@candgnews.com
WARREN/DETROIT — When Ruffy B. Lim thinks about his parents, Rufino and Lordenita Lim, so many memories come to mind.
“They were both very generous with their time and resources,” Lim said. “They were the unofficial patriarch and matriarch of the family. They sponsored my nephews and nieces to go through school. They did it out of love.”
He becomes emotional when speaking about them. His father, Rufino Lim, a U.S. Navy veteran, died in 1989. Lim’s mother, Lordenita Lim, died in 2024.
Lim, of Warren, will pay tribute to his parents over the next several weeks at the Detroit Institute of the Arts. Lim has been chosen to display an altar in the DIA’s 13th Annual Ofrendas: Celebrating el Dia de Muertos. The ofrendas (altars) will be showcased at select locations on all three floors of the museum
See PARENTS on page 9A
Warren resident Ruffy B. Lim will honor his parents, Lordenita, left, and Rufino, right, with an ofrenda now through Nov. 2 in the Detroit Institute of Art’s 13th Annual Ofrendas: Celebrating el Dia de Muertos exhibit.
Photo provided by Ruffy B. Lim
Photo by Patricia O’Blenes
SECOND FRONT PAGE
MACOMB CENTER’S NEW SEASON STEALS THE SPOTLIGHT
BY MARIA ALLARD allard@candgnews.com
CLINTON TOWNSHIP — The 2025-2026 season at the Macomb Center for the Performing Arts pays homage to classic rock ‘n’ roll, children’s theater and “All That Jazz.”
There will be a little bit of doo-wop, music for the “soul,” pirate tales, some southern charm, and a Merry Christmas in December.
The Macomb Center for the Performing Arts is located on the Center Campus of Macomb Community College at 44575 Garfield Road.
“Broadway is lighting up our stage once again, and we couldn’t be more excited,” Kerrie Augustine, sales and marketing manager at Macomb Community College, said in a prepared statement. “This season brings a mix of comedy, concerts, family fun and jawdropping spectaculars. One stage. Endless possibilities. From free parking, superb acoustics and not a bad seat in the house, your night out just got better. We look forward to welcoming you to the theater this season.”
The new season kicked off in July.
“We’re off to a great start,” said William Wood, director of cultural affairs and community engagement at Macomb Community College.
One production sure to “Razzle Dazzle” the crowd is the Broadway hit “Chicago,” in town for one night only at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 25, 2026. Set in the vaudevillian days of the 1920s, the famed musical centers on rivals Roxie Hart and Velma Kelly. They are thrown in jail for separate murders and throughout the show sing and dance their way to freedom.
The luck of the Irish will leave an impression when “A Taste of Ireland — The Irish Music & Dance Sensation” performs at 4 p.m. Oct. 26. Audience members will be treated to traditional Irish music with a modern twist.
Homegrown favorites the Macombers, the Macomb Symphony Orchestra, the Macomb Youth Chorus, the Macomb Community College Jazz Band and Jazz Combo, and the Macomb Ballet Company are on the marquee this season.
Wood has a couple favorites of his own this season, including “The Barricade Boys Broadway Party”
See SHOWS on page 5A
Police Citizen’s Award presented to bystander who detained McDonald’s suspect
BY MARIA ALLARD allard@candgnews.com
EASTPOINTE — Devonte Pace, the McDonald’s customer who did all he could to stop the attack on Jennifer Harris July 10, was recognized last month for his actions. At the Aug. 19 City Council meeting, Police Chief Corey Haines presented Pace with the Police Citizen’s Award.
“This award can be given to any citizen that assisted the Police Department during a criminal investigation and has assisted the community while doing so,” Haines said.
Haines shared the details in which Pace, who was in the drive-thru line at the fast food eatery, witnessed allegedly Afeni Badu Muhammad stabbing Harris. During the act, Haines said, Pace yelled multiple times at the attacker to “stop.”
“Mr. Pace then used his handgun to fire a warning shot in the air,” Haines said, adding that Pace is a concealed pistol license holder. “His weapon was licensed.”
The suspect reportedly stopped and left the building.
“At this time Mr. Pace exited his vehicle and went to the other side of the building where the suspect was exiting the building in
Photo by Jeremy Daniel
“Chicago” brings the aura of 1920s jazz center stage this season at the Macomb Center for the Performing Arts in Clinton Township.
Screenshot from Eastpointe City Council meeting broadcast
Last month, Eastpointe Police Chief Corey Haines presented Devonte Pace, at the far left, with the Police Citizen’s Award for his role in trying to stop the stabbing of Jennifer Harris at McDonald’s in July.
Photos by Patricia O’Blenes
on Feb. 6, 2026, and the Soweto Gospel Choir on Nov. 1.
“The Barricade Boys all played lead roles in ‘Les Misérables’ in London. They are fantastic, and they’re the most requested group I’ve had that I can remember,” said Wood, adding that after their last show two years ago he heard comments like, “You’ve got to get them back.”
The Soweto Gospel Choir’s concert is called “Peace,” and highlights South African freedom and gospel songs alongside the music of Aretha Franklin, Harry Belafonte, Peter Gabriel, Kate Bush and Judy Garland.
“Their music is so good and so impactful,” Wood said. “There is a lot of energy and a lot of color. They look and sound wonderful. They just have a spirit to them that’s hard to find.”
Theater staff members always try to come up with new acts and returning favorites to book every season.
“We get a lot of input from different places, artists, agents, venues. There is a whole checklist you go down, cost and availability,” Wood said. “We want to have a diverse selection artistically and culturally. I want to make sure the quality is there. We’re here for the patrons to have a good experience the whole evening.”
One such artist is Chris Ruggiero, who will bring his style of ’50s, ’60s and ’70s hits to the stage at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 25. With a
live band and new orchestrations by Charlie Calello, Ruggerio will perform a number of classics, including “Unchained Melody,” “My Cherie Amour” and “This Magic Moment.”
“He is very much like Michael Bublé. He does a lot of the same kind of music. He’s very much a crooner,” Wood said. “Another interesting one in March, the Tartan Terrors. They got bagpipes but they do rock ‘n’ roll music. It’s a wild time.”
Wood encourages residents to take in a show at the Macomb Center for the Performing Arts.
“It’s a very good venue. It’s got great acoustics. Our size makes it a much more intimate venue,” Wood said. “There really isn’t a bad seat in the house. We’re close by and we’ve got free parking.”
To see a complete list of shows or purchase tickets, go to MacombCenter.com or call (586) 286-2222. Tickets also can be purchased in person at the box office. The hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, and also 90 minutes prior to each performance.
College officials have added a disclaimer to the website reminding patrons to be aware of unauthorized ticket resellers, and that tickets purchased from secondary sites often come with high prices and fees. Box office staff cannot guarantee entry with tickets bought from third parties and won’t be able to assist with such tickets, because they won’t have any record of your purchase and will not be able to inform you of any changes/ updates about the performance.
lent homicide suspect into custody,” Haines said. “Thank you sincerely, Mr. Pace, and congratulations for your selfless act for our great community.”
an attempt to flee,” Haines said. “Mr. Pace pointed his weapon at the suspect and told the female suspect to get on the ground.”
Pace held the suspect until police officers arrived.
“Mr. Pace’s quick and heroic actions surely protected other employees and customers from being harmed and placed a vio-
During the meeting, a number of police officers also were recognized for their lifesaving efforts in the line of duty. After the brief ceremony, Mayor Michael Klinefelt acknowledged the honorees.
“Congratulations to everyone,” Klinefelt said. “Thank you for your service.”
Chevy Camaro rides along ‘in memory of Mom’
BY MARIA ALLARD allard@candgnews.com
METRO DETROIT — Each time Roger Cremont parks his 1991 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 at a car show, he isn’t interested in trophies or awards.
Instead, the Shelby Township resident passes out stuffed animals, Hot Wheels miniature cars and Beanie Babies to spectators, including kids and adults.
The gesture is done in memory of his mother, Louise Cremont, who died from esophageal cancer in 2018. Cremont, 56, places the items on the ground in front of his convertible. Spectators can pick something out to take home with them.
“It’s always set up for the kids,” Cremont said. “The little boys, the little girls and women all flock to the Hot Wheels. The kids just light up. They’re all smiles. That makes me happy. It’s just a blessing all the way around. That’s all the gratification I need.”
Cremont, also known as “Big Dog” to family and friends, replenishes his goodies supply with donations he receives. Through a friend, he’s able to purchase brand-new Hot Wheels for a nominal fee. Cremont, too, decorates the Camaro with car culture memorabilia, tributes to his mom and Old Glory.
“The U.S. flags are in memory of all of the people who fought for our country,” he said. “Just respect for the people who have served our country.”
That includes his uncle, Roger Cremont, an Army veteran for whom he was named.
Cremont takes the burgundy-colored Camaro to different car shows and cruises around town.
“Every weekend there is something going on,” Cremont said.
One of his favorite hangouts is Eddie’s Drive-In, a throwback to the 1950s where carhops on roller skates serve hamburgers, corn dogs, ice
See CAMARO on page 7A
ABOVE: Roger Cremont, of Shelby Township, brought his 1991 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 to the Patrick L. Rinke Memorial Peach Festival Car Show Aug. 31. RIGHT: Cremont passes out stuffed animals and Hot Wheels miniature cars in memory of his mom, Louise Cremont, who died from esophageal cancer in 2018. Photos by Maria Allard
Camaro
from page 6A
cream treats and more. Cremont meets up with car buffs at the Harrison Township eatery, which hosts a classic cruise-in from 4 to 8 p.m. on Sundays during the warmer months. Part of the fun is getting there in his convertible.
“It’s a nice, scenic drive,” he said. “When you got the top down, it’s so freeing. The wind is blowing in your hair. It’s just awesome.”
On Aug. 31, Cremont brought his Camaro to the Patrick L. Rinke Memorial Peach Festival Car Show at Blue Water Trucking in Bruce Township. He mingled with families, including 4-year-old Avery Bazydlo, her 6-year-old sister, Aaliyah Bazydlo, and their family members.
Other stops this past summer for Cremont included the Yale Bologna Festival, Rockin Rods n’ Rochester, and the Shorewood Kiwanis Club of St. Clair Shores Harper Charity Cruise. Cremont purchased the Camaro two years after his mom died. He found the 1991 model in Inkster and paid $7,000 cash for it. But it needed $7,755
in repairs. When he discovered his mom had left $7,780 in her checking account, he felt that was ‘kind of a sign from heaven — let’s go ahead and get that car done.’”
“She always wanted a convertible, but never got one,” Cremont said.
The Santa Bears that Cremont gives out at car shows once belonged to his mother. At one time, she owned 30 of them. Her collection grew while working for the J.L. Hudson’s Department Store and continued when the retailer became Macy’s. In all, she put in 49 years of service at Oakland Mall in Troy and Lakeside Mall in Sterling Heights. On the side, she taught catechism at St. Kieran Catholic Church in Shelby Township.
“Everyone loved her,” Cremont said. “Just a good soul. I was taking her to her first cancer treatment, and five days later she was gone.”
Cremont also has dealt with cancer. Last year, he was diagnosed with Stage 4 head and neck cancer. He is in remission, which gave him his health back, which he feels is his chance to bring happiness to others with Hot Wheels and stuffed animals.
“I think that is why God put my cancer on pause,” Cremont said. “I’m just thankful every day.”
FIRST YEAR OF MHSAA-SPONSORED FIELD HOCKEY BEGINS
BY SCOTT BENTLEY sbentley@candgnews.com
METRO DETROIT — The six high school girls field hockey matches Aug. 19 were the first field hockey games in Michigan played as a Michigan High School Athletic Association-sponsored sport.
The 2025 school year is the inaugural season for girls field hockey in the MHSAA after a vote in May of 2024 approved the addition. The committee also voted to add boys volleyball, which will play its first season as an MHSAA sport in the spring of 2026.
“Field hockey has been among the sports that have shown interest in receiving sponsorship … for a little while,” MHSAA Director of Communications Geoff Kimmerly said. “And we found ourselves in a position over the last couple of years to add a sport or two.”
Field hockey is growing across the nation and the MHSAA sponsorship will provide more of an opportunity for girls to participate in the sport.
“Having that MHSAA attached to it potentially brings more attention, obviously,” Kimmerly said. “I’m hoping that charges things up in that community. I think we’re excited because we’re always looking to add activities that our students are most excited about.”
Another factor in the addition to the MHSAA lineup is when the season falls in the school calendar. In terms of multisport athletes, soccer and lacrosse is where there is expected to be the most overlap. Girls field hockey will be a fall sport, while girls lacrosse
SPORTS
and soccer will stay in the spring.
“We think that there’s enough of a connection between lacrosse and soccer that we won’t necessarily be taking athletes away from other fall sports,” Kimmerly said.
Girls field hockey has been an established sport in the area for a while now, even if it wasn’t a sponsored activity. The MHSAA will help promote and guide the sport from the foundation that’s been in place for a while.
“It’s been really exciting. It’s something we’ve been working for and wanting for a long time,” Novi coach and MHSAA Field Hockey Committee member Amy Kilgore said. “We had a great representative body that organized our tournament, and we’ve had a state title since the ’80s … but the perception will change dramatically.”
This sponsorship will add to a sport that also already has an established network of club teams around the state. The club
field hockey scene is vital for recruiting and playing at the next level, and this move can help grow the club scene significantly.
“There’s a really robust club system in the US,” Kilgore said. “But not in Michigan, Michigan just has three clubs. … It’s exciting to see those changes and opportunities for girls to get recognized.”
Kilgore herself runs the Live Oak Field Hockey Club, which aims to grow the sport in Livingston and Oakland counties. The club wants to make sure the experience is fun and is open to all skill levels.
Kilgore currently coaches a competitive Novi team and had a successful playing career before making the jump to coaching. She became used to hearing things that try to delegitimize the sport.
“We would get comments growing up, ‘I play a real sport,’ ‘Your sport isn’t even recognized,’ and ‘Oh, you’re just a club,’ Kilgore said.
“Winning a MHSAA state title or regional title … it certainly carries a different weight,” Kilgore said.
This sponsorship will also provide more opportunities to recognize players. Now that the sport has the MHSAA structure, there will be the chance for district, regional and conference titles that weren’t available before. Athletes will have a more clear path to playing at the next level.
“To watch it grow both in metro Detroit and on the west side of the state I think would be a huge thing for us,” Kilgore said. “For girls to have a certain sense of pride … that it’s no different than any other sport, that’s the hope.”
The state finals will be played on Oct. 25 at a location that has yet to be announced. For more information on the Live Oak Field Hockey Club, visit liveoakfield hockeyclub.com or email liveoakfieldhock eyclub@gmail.com.
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FAR LEFT: Novi’s girls field hockey team squares off against Saline at Novi High School.
NEAR LEFT: Novi High School’s girls go on the attack in a field hockey game against Plymouth-Canton Educational Park.
Photos provided by Steven Angus
Parents
from page 1A
from Sept. 27 through Nov. 2. A total of 12 ofrendas will be exhibited by various artists from across Michigan, Los Angeles and Mexico City.
Día de los Muertos — Day of the Dead — is generally celebrated in Mexico, with variations observed in other Latin American countries and different parts of the world. The holiday celebrates the lives of the departed through decorative altars of sugar skulls, candles, water, bright-colored tissue paper, flowers and photos.
People also remember their loved ones with their mementos that include favorite recipes, books, clothing, stuffed animals, dolls, instruments and Christmas lights. The ofrendas are displayed Nov. 1-2 — and sometimes Oct. 31 — and coincide with the Catholic observances of All Saints Day on Nov. 1 and All Souls Day on Nov. 2.
“We are proud to present the 13th annual Ofrendas exhibition in collaboration with our community partners – the Mexican Consulate of Detroit, the Southwest Detroit Business Association and the Mexicantown Community Development Corporation,” Julie McFarland, DIA executive director of
public affairs & community engagement, said in a prepared statement. “This year, we’re offering our community a new way to experience the exhibition. We hope that while exploring the museum to discover each ofrenda, visitors will engage with the richness of our galleries and connect with the art in new and meaningful ways.”
Lim’s altar is titled “Mementos: Honor Thy Father and Thy Mother.” This is the first time he will display a Day of the Dead altar at the DIA.
“I’m very, very excited. I’m creating something positive and honoring both of their memories in the process,” said Lim, a Detroit Public Schools art teacher. “I hope it translates like that.”
Rufino and Lordenita were both born in the Philippines, as was Lim. Rufino denounced his Filipino citizenship to become a U.S. citizen so he could serve in the U.S. Navy during World War II. Lim is on the hunt for a U.S. Navy cap to place on the DIA altar.
“My mother was a dress maker throughout her lifetime,” Lim said. “I always see her sewing things.”
That included a button-down polo shirt she made for him from a sketch he designed. If he finds it, he’s going to add that to the display.
Although he lives an ocean away, Lim kept in touch with his parents overseas. Every year on his birthday, Lim called his mom twice “because of the 12-hour time difference.” On Lim’s last birthday in August, he had a dream about his parents. His mother was seated on a piece of furniture.
“My father was standing not saying anything,” Lim said. “Both were smiling. They were kind of like greeting me with a happy birthday in their own way.”
Their wedding was the inspiration for his ofrenda. One piece will include a replica of Lordenita’s wedding bouquet with the na-
tive flower of the Philippines known as the sameaguita. Other keepsakes will adorn the altar.
“Traditionally ofrendas are very, very colorful,” Lim said. “This is white.”
The DIA is located at 5200 Woodward Ave. Museum hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays; 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Fridays; and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. General admission is free for Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb County residents.
For more information go to dia.org or call (313) 833-7900.
Oakland County is about the same.
“How do we make any headway or progress when nothing is being done to collect these child support arrearages?” he said. “They’ve gone up every year, they haven’t come down and the question is do we need to support the children when they’re children or get the money to the parent that is being paid after they become adults?”
Work within the prosecutor’s office has already recovered $3.3 million in unpaid child support in the last two years by simply seeking compliance from payers, but the specialty court would take the mission of securing compliance further by bringing on Michigan Works! Macomb/St. Clair to help place unemployed child support payers into jobs or job training programs with court supervision. Those programs or jobs would help the payers avoid a felony charge, stay out of prison and fulfill their obligation to provide for their children.
“Michigan Works! is most known for sending people back to school, but one of the lesser-known services we do is direct placement,” said Justin Al-Igoe, executive director of Michigan Works! Macomb/St. Clair. “Most of our work with this population, while training is certainly an option if needed, we’re looking to do a direct placement to get them into a job. The types of jobs can vary based on the job seeker’s background and education level. Generally, we do a lot of work with manufacturing and health care, but we are certainly looking to place people in any job that is hiring and fits their skill set and salary goals.”
Details about how the child support specialty court will operate remain determined. The biggest result of the Sept. 4 meeting was the creation of an advisory board for the specialty court that will include Al-Igoe, Macomb County Sheriff Anthony Wickersham and several members of the prosecutor’s Cooperative Reimbursement Unit. Circuit Court Chief Judge James Biernat is expected to assign a judge to the specialty court, likely bringing the assigned judge on as a member of the advisory board. Other invitees will be representatives from the public defender office, Friend of the Court, Probation Department, the Macomb County Board of Commissioners and the Michigan attorney general’s office.
“We already have courts such as the drug court, the sobriety court, the veterans court, the mental health court,” Lucido said. “We believe, here at the Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office, that this county will take the initiative and bring together all those
units of government — probation, court, Friend of the Court, prosecutor — and join together to assist each other doing their jobs to have a success for those that need the jobs though Michigan Works! and have a success to get the money to the parent that needs it when the child is young and ultimately have a success that (children) will absolutely have the best chance in life to survive.”
From here, the plan is to run the court as a pilot program to test its effectiveness and see if any legal or statutory hurdles arise that would need to be resolved at the state level. One such hurdle is that the court initially, according to Biernat, will not have the grant funding or statutory support like the 16th Circuit Court’s other specialty courts. Biernat believes this may change should the legislature pass statutes supporting it.
A successful pilot program for the court could lead to the wider adoption of the specialty court, and Lucido says interest in the program across the state is already building.
“There’s other counties that have already made inquiries and that have asked us, ‘What is it that we can look at from your blueprint that we can get ours started,’ so I know it’s already a talk,” Lucido said. “Other judges have had discussions with each other and said, ‘We were really looking forward and excited to see how this rolls out.’”
Along with preparing the advisory board and setting the groundwork for the pilot program, the prosecutor’s office is also working with the Michigan Legislature to allow deferred convictions to extend beyond the current one-year limit, giving payers more time and flexibility to repay owed child support while retaining access to support services.
“Do we bring warrants and have individuals who don’t pay their child support convicted?” Lucido said. “That’s not what our philosophy is here. Our philosophy is let’s get them in, let’s get them on track, let’s get compliance and we don’t have to have a felony on their record because having a felony is another inhibitor standing in the way of getting a good job.
“Compliance is what we’re looking for and this is the way we’re doing it,” Lucido added. “We’ve given you every chance to try to communicate with us. Show up and do your job.”
Beyond getting unemployed payers into employment through Michigan Works!, Lucido says payers who are on Social Security and disability should be able to have the state transfer child support funds from their regular payments.
