'Daylighting’ of Rouge River under way in Northville 

For the first time in more than 70 years the section of the Rouge River under the City of Northville has been unearthed and exposed to daylight. Members of the city council and city officials gathered last week to watch history in the making as the river, hidden beneath a culvert since 1962, was uncovered, a major milestone in the Downs Redevelopment project. The Northville development is one of the largest projects in the state and includes plans for homes, townhomes, offices, retail space and a river walk and park. Officials said the final design of the project will restore a visible, natural waterway in the heart of the community. Daylighting is the process of removing a structure, such as a culvert or concrete channel, to expose and restore a natural river or stream to a free-flowing state. The Downs development will include 31 percent green space, with the river running through multiple parks. The effort is a significant environmental undertaking that involves uncovering a quarter mile of the river previously buried in a concrete culvert since the 1960s. The project, a collaboration between the city and developer Hunter Pasteur. The river has been underground for most of last century because additional land was needed for the Wayne County Fair which took place on the site. The county fair was larger than even the State Fair at that time. Additionally, more than 1200 trees have been brought in to beautify this area which was once used for horse racing. Pasteur aims to restore ecological health, create a public park and riverwalk, and reconnect the community to the historic waterway, officials said. Construction began with demolition in spring 2024, and work is ongoing. The new river will feature a 30-foot-wide channel with stone riffles, which are areas of shallow water with a wave or ripple. The banks will be stabilized with toe-wood and root balls, planted with live stakes to form a riparian buffer. The project is being financed in part by state tax incentives, leveraging private investment in the redevelopment of the site. Daylighting helps restore the river ecosystem, potentially leading to the return of fish and aquatic life, according to environmentalists involved in the project. For more information and ongoing updates, visit the official City of Northville website and the Northville Downs website at northvilledowns.info

David Patrick Druyor

March 11, 1969 – August 21, 2025

 

David Patrick Druyor was born at Seaway Hospital in Trenton, Michigan on March 11, 1969.  He was one of four children born to the union of Robert E. Druyor and Lysbeth M. (Conroy) Druyor.  He was a 1987 graduate of Romulus High School. 

Following high school, Dave moved to Georgia, taking a position at a steel plant.  He married Dena Bostick, and the couple was blessed with a daughter: Brittany Nicole.  They soon returned home to Romulus, and he took a position with the City of Romulus Department of Public Works.  At the DPW he earned the respect of fellow employees and the nickname “Peanut”.  He was a Crew Leader in the Roads Department for many years, just recently completing his 37^th year with the city.  He was a proud member of the Teamsters.

After his relationship with Dena ended, Dave married the former Merrie Engel and was then blessed with two more children: David and Lauren.  He later married Doreen Savage.  For the past thirteen years he had shared his life with Jeanette Burkhart.

Being the son of a veteran, Dave was extremely patriotic.  He couldn’t be prouder of his son: David; daughter: Lauren; and son-in-law: Brighton who all served in the military as well.  To give back, Dave became a member of the Romulus Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 78. 

Dave loved sports and was an avid fan of the hometown teams, Detroit Tigers and Red Wings.  For many years he enjoyed hunting, loved camping being a favorite pastime from when the kids were young, and looked forward to his annual two-week trip to the same place with Jen.  Many fishing excursions can be recalled when Dave baited the hooks with hot dogs.

David Patrick “Dave” “Peanut” Druyor, age 56 of Romulus passed away unexpectedly on Thursday; August 21, 2025, at his home.  His passing was preceded by his parents; a brother: Robert Edward Druyor II; a brother-in-law: John Gilbert; and his beloved feline companion: Oreo, whom Dave lovingly slept in bed with and gave up his recliner to when watching television. 

To cherish his memory, he leaves three children: Brittany Nicole Hawkins of Peru, Indiana, David (Kasey) Druyor of Romulus, and Lauren (Brighton) Huels of Acworth, Georgia; four grandchildren: Edda, Samuel, Olivia, and Ezra; and two sisters: Marilyn (Mike) Birmingham and Sylvia Gilbert; a sister-in-law: Teresa Druyor, and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.

A celebration of David’s life took place last Tuesday at Merkle Funeral Service, (formerly Crane Funeral Home); 36885 Goddard Road, Romulus, Michigan 48174 (734) Romulus; with Pastor Seth MacDonald of Hillcrest Bible Church, in Wayne, officiating. A procession followed to United Memorial Gardens in Plymouth for burial.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Private James D. Donovan/ Romulus VFW Post 78.  Online guests may leave words of inspiration and comfort or share a photo by visiting www.merklefs.com.

 

Reopening of renovated Mary Ann Banks Park is celebrated

Romulus residents and officials celebrated the grand reopening of Mary Ann Banks Memorial Park last week, following a major renovation supported by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Recreation Passport Grant program and the Romulus Downtown Development Authority.

This marks the first use by Romulus of a Recreation Passport grant which provided $112,400 toward improvements. Funded by voluntary donations from Michigan residents during license plate renewals, the program has awarded more than 280 grants and invested more than $20 million in local parks across the state since 2011—including nearly half a million dollars in Wayne County.

The revitalized Mary Ann Banks Memorial Park features new amenities, including a more ADA-accessible design, an all-ability whirl spinner, a multi-use surface for ice skating and pickleball, and an all-new playscape for children of all ages to enjoy.

Mayor Robert McCraight celebrated the milestone as part of a broader vision.
“Mary Ann Banks Park is the first completed project under our long-term revitalization effort known as Project ”R-Parks”. This initiative is designed to breathe new life into our city’s parks. Placemaking for our families to enjoy and be proud of.”

Mike Laskaska, director of communication and community services, highlighted the teamwork behind the project.
“Getting this project across the finish line took the hard work, patience, and commitment of everyone involved, from city staff to project partners, and community leaders. We are incredibly grateful for the collaboration that made this vision a reality.”

Romulus officials extended gratitude to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Romulus Downtown Development Authority for their contributions to the project.

Chicken Sunday

Plymouth Rotary Club prepares to serve 8,500 dinners during Fall Festival

The committee members responsible for the famous Rotary Chicken Barbeque dinners served during the Plymouth Fall Festival are sporting smiles lately as ticket sales for the charity fundraiser are already selling quickly.

The festival will take place Sept. 6,7, and 8, this year. As it has for nearly 70 years, the community event will take place the weekend following Labor Day. Last year, nearly 80,000 people attended the weekend festival and one of the highlights is traditionally the chicken barbeque, the Rotary Club event that began the decades-old tradition.

Rotary Barbeque Committee Chairman Eric Joy said he and the committee members haven’t made any drastic changes to the long-time barbeque production this year, other than adding what they hope will be more efficiency and quality control. The committee, which includes Rotary members Todd Raska; Doug Willett; Bari Lizsey and Kirk and Debbie Sivic have been meeting regularly for weeks and communicating nearly daily as ‘Chicken Sunday’ nears. The committee members were determined, Joy said, that there would be no price increase for the dinners this year. The meals will remain at $17 if purchased in advance and $20 if purchased at the door. Dinners are served at The Gathering, across from Kellogg Park in downtown Plymouth from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. or until sold out. As usual, carry out dinners are available at West Middle School.

The behind-the-scenes effort to produce nearly 9,000 chicken dinners in a single afternoon takes enormous effort and organization. Each of the committee members usually takes responsibility for one or two facets of the event and each behind the scenes job requires time, effort and attention to detail.

Annually, club volunteers gather just before the event to clean and sanitize the grills used to cook the famous chicken dinners while another group prepares the ‘secret spice’ mixture used during grilling.

Committee members also marshal the crews constructing the huge fire pits in the parking lot behind The Gathering and ready the charcoal for the early morning “smoke eaters” who start lighting the pits as early as 7 a.m.

The Chicken Barbeque usually generates about $50,000 for the Rotary Club after all expenses are paid, all of which is awarded to local community projects. The Noon Rotary Club awarded more than $34,000 in scholarships to local students and donated significantly to multiple civic and community projects last year.

B.L.O.C.K. now accepting after-school student registrations

The B.L.O.C.K. Youth & Teen Center, which has been a leader in providing youth development programs for thousands of teens in the Canton community since 2001, is once again offering an after-school program, which safely engages students ages 11-17 with educational and enrichment activities during after-school hours. 

At a cost of less than $23 per week for the 2025-2026 academic school year, The B.L.O.C.K. After School Program is available Monday – Friday on school days from September through June, providing a safe and supervised social environment for participants, said Canton Recreation Coordinator Chelsea Straub.  Membership also includes pick up from area schools at dismissal time and transportation to The B.L.O.C.K.. School locations where pickups are available include Canton Charter Academy, Canton Preparatory High School, Discovery Middle School, East Middle School, Liberty Middle School, Achieve Charter Academy, Plymouth-Canton Educational Park, Pioneer Middle School, and South Canton Scholars Charter Academy.

“The B.L.O.C.K. Youth and Teen Center is proud to offer a dynamic and inclusive space where participants can discover new interests, build valuable life skills, and forge lasting friendships,” said Straub. “There truly is something for everyone in this safe and supervised environment during out-of-school hours and beyond that keep kids active and engaged.”

After school participants also have access to The B.L.O.C.K. kitchen, lounge, and a quiet study space. Free enrichment programs, such as tutoring, art classes, cooking classes, library time, and Summit gym time, are available daily and included with each membership. Additional amenities include video games and leisure activities such as pool, foosball and more. Participants must be picked up from The B.L.O.C.K. by 7 p.m. 

Registration for The B.L.O.C.K. After School Program, which takes place on school days during the academic year starting Sept. 2,  is now available online at www.cantonfun.org/register.  After School Program membership fees are $634 for Canton residents and $804 for non-residents. Drop-in memberships are also available for those participants who do not attend one of the schools provided in the after-school membership or for those with drop-off and pick-up arrangements. Drop-in membership fees 2025-2026 school year fees are $313 for Canton residents and $386 for non-residents. Payment plans are also available. Fees are also prorated, so students can register at any time. Daily drop-in opportunities are also available for $9 per day for Canton residents and $10 per day for non-residents.

The B.L.O.C.K. Youth and Teen Center, a 3,000 square foot, state-of-the-art teen center, is located on the third floor of the Canton Administration Building, 1150 S. Canton Center Road in Canton. Center hours are from 2:30 - 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday and from 2:30 until 6:30 p.m. Friday.

For more information and registration for The B.L.O.C.K.’s After School Program and other fall offerings, call ( 734) 398-5570 or visit www.cantonmi.gov/theblock. 

Community Calendar

Hazardous Waste Day set

The annual Hazardous Waste Round-up in Canton Township will take place from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 6 at the Canton Division of Public Works Building, located at 4847 Sheldon Road, just south of Michigan Avenue.

This free event is open to Canton residents only and ID will be required. To obtain a detailed list of what is and is not accepted, visit www.cantonmi.gov/248. Participants should be prepared for long lines as this is a high-volume event.

For more information please call ERG at 734/437-9650 or visit www.ergenvironmental.com.

 

Hike With a Naturalist

All ages can participate in a ‘Hike with a Naturalist” on Saturday, Sept. 6 on the Flodin Nature Trails, located in Flodin Park at Saltz and Morton Taylor Roads in Canton Township.

An expert from Huron-Clinton Metroparks will lead free interactive hikes through the flora and fauna of the nature trails at 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. A scavenger hunt for kids and light refreshments will be served after each session. Online registration is now open at  www.cantonfun.org or call (734) 394-5460

 

Annual Brews, Brats & Bands returns to Heritage Park

Brews, Brats, and Bands will return to the Heritage Park Amphitheater in Canton Township next month. The event is planned from 6 until 9 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 13.  The amphitheater is located behind the Canton Administration Building at 1150 S. Canton Center Road. 

Admission limited to those 21 and older includes seven tasting tokens each good for beer, cider, or seltzer tasting samples, as well as two grilled brats (vegetarian option available), a pretzel necklace-making station, water, chili cook-off tastings, and a commemorative mug. The fundraiser is presented by the Village Arts Factory.

Tickets are $45 plus a per ticket service charge and can only be purchased online at Beerfests.com by searching Canton, MI. For additional event details, visit www.cantonfun.org.  

 

Plymouth library will close for summer renovations

Renovations at the Plymouth District Library began in June and continue. The library launched a drive-thru service last month so users can easily pick up books on hold. Renovations will continue throughout the summer.

The library will be closed for main level renovations from Sept. 1 through 14. The main and upper levels will reopen Sept. 15 while lower-level renovations begin.

Lower-level collections will re-open in October with some areas temporarily cordoned off during the installation of the play space.

More information is available at info@plymouthlibrary.org

 

Romulus seeking heroes

Nominations for the annual Hometown Hero awards are now being accepted in Romulus. The annual awards are presented to individuals who made a real difference in the city.  Educators, community members, seniors, neighbors, students and businesses are all eligible for the award. For more information and qualifications or an application, access fromulsgov.com or UnityAbb@gmail.com

 

Summit shut down for annual maintenance

The Summit on the Park will be closed starting at noon Monday, Sept. 1 and will reopen at 7 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 6.

All regularly scheduled classes will resume after the shutdown. For more information, visit www.summitonthepark.org or contact the Summit front desk at (734) 394-5460.

 

Canton Farmers Market now open each Sunday

The Canton Farmers Market has returned to Preservation Park for open-air shopping from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. Sundays, through Oct. 12. 

The market has now returned to the renovated Preservation Park 500 N. Ridge Road, for the remainder of the season.  No markets will take place Aug. 31, and Sept. 1.

 

Craft and merchandise applications available

Applications are now available for craft and merchandise vendors wishing to participate in the Romulus DDA Pumpkin Festival. The festival will take place Sept. 19, 20 and 21. Applications must be submitted by July 1 for consideration.

To submit and for more information, visit here- https://www.romulusgov.com/207/Pumpkin-Festival.

Stalking ‘victim’ now facing felony charges in hoax

Rida Rustam, an 18-year-old Canton Township honor student, is facing multiple felony and misdemeanor charges after allegedly using threatening emails she sent to herself to implicate a student at Plymouth High School.

The victim of the hoax, Kumayl Raza, was exonerated after his attorney hired forensic cellphone expert Avery Thompson. The computer crimes investigator found evidence that the elaborate scheme was perpetrated by Rustam who sent sexually explicit and violent threats in texts, emails, notes and on Instagram to herself. In the escalating messages, she made it appear that Raza had threatened to shoot up the high school graduation ceremony, was sexually threatening and stalking her and threatened to violently murder her.

Raza was jailed twice due to the elaborate hoax and during one arrest was taken from a class at Plymouth High School in handcuffs. His friend, Ibraheem Haq, who was also implicated in sending the threatening messages, was arrested, charged with stalking and spent three nights in jail. Those charges have been dropped by the Wayne County Prosecutor after a review of forensic evidence proving neither Raza or Haq wrote or sent any of the criminal messages.  

Thompson, examining an electronic trail left in Rustam’s two cell phones and I-pad, proved in a few hours that she had written and sent the messages to herself. “Within an hour, I saw her as a suspect, not a victim,” Thompson said. He added he was stunned at the level of sophistication demonstrated in the hoax.

"Law enforcement has to be very cautious about what is being presented to them as fact. ... I think this is going to occur more often as we integrate AI into our lives. This is kind of the dark side of AI,” Thompson said. The girl used an AI engine to perform a risk assessment of her actions and then bought a Virtual Private Network (VPN) from a provider in Mexico. She then used that network to shield her identity and location on Instagram, Thompson discovered.

Thompson said that was how she managed to dupe police investigators during a three-month investigation. He said local police do not have the expertise or technology to dismantle electronic communications to identify actual senders.

Plymouth Township police arrested Raza on graduation day and executed a warrant search at his home. As the search was taking place, Thompson spoke online with police and clearly demonstrated that the messages had not come from Raza, but rather from Rustam herself. Thompson said it was clear to investigators that the purported victim had “created all this chaos, not Kumayl.”

Police records indicate the motive may have been prompted by Rustam’s unrequited romantic interest in Raza and the subsequent removal of Rustam from membership in some student groups. While Raza and Rustam did not attend Plymouth High School, they were acquainted through their involvement in the Pakistani Muslim community and met at a homeless shelter where they each  volunteered.

Rustam’s attorney, Mark Haider, claimed she had no ill intent and described her as an inexperienced and impressionable adolescent. He said she was “tremendously remorseful.” Rustam reportedly confessed to creating the elaborate ruse during a police interview. She told police she was angry at Raza and Haq for removing her from some student groups but reportedly did not sign a written confession.

Raza’s attorney, Michael Bullotta, said the entire Raza family has suffered tremendously during the entire investigation. Members of the Pakistani community began to shun the family and gossip among Raza’s fellow students was embarrassing and humiliating, Raza said.

"These people have been through hell," said Bullotta, a former federal prosecutor with extensive experience in computer fraud crimes and corruption. “The police were manipulated so badly here. My beef is that the police didn't just use common sense."

Rustam, arrested June 13, has been charged and arraigned on four felony counts of making a false report of a felony; six felony counts of using a computer to commit a crime; four counts of lying to a police officer and two counts of misdemeanor stalking. If convicted, punishments range from one to five years in prison on each count. She is free on an electronic tether and her next appearance in Circuit Court is scheduled for Aug. 26.

All for fall

69^th annual Plymouth Fall Festival celebrates community spirit

One of the most popular and highly anticipated events of the season will return to Plymouth the weekend of Sept. 5 through 7, transforming downtown city streets into a celebration of community, food, and fun.

This year, the 69^th year of the event, the festival will again offer entertainment for every age — while raising vital funds for dozens of local non-profit organizations.

“This event is about more than rides and music,” said Festival Manager James Gietzen. “It’s about the power of neighbors coming together and supporting the groups that make our community such a great place to live.”

The festivities begin Friday, Sept. 5 with the ever-popular Vietnam Veteran’s Association Rib Dinner from 3 until 6 p.m. behind E.G. Nicks. Evening activities include Bingo at the Plymouth Gathering from 6 until 9 p.m. leading into a live performance by Geff Philips and Friends at 7 p.m. on the Kellogg Park Main Stage.

Saturday Sept. 6 begins with the traditional Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast from 7 a.m. until noon followed by the Optimist Pet Show at 9 a.m. Entertainment fills the Kellogg Park Main Stage all afternoon, featuring:

• Noon – The Plymouth Library Presents: MellyPop! Productions puppet show
• 2 p.m. – Dance Beat / Forever After Productions
• 3 p.m. – Plymouth Fife and Drum Corps
• 4:30 p.m. – Polish National Alliance Centennial Dancers
• 7 p.m.– The Phoenix Theory Band

Car lovers will have two chances to browse the festival’s Car Show, open from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday featuring a stunning collection of classic and custom vehicles.

Sunday, Sept. 7 begins with the Midwest Tae-Kwon Do demonstration at 10 a.m. followed by performances from the Chiefettes, Saberttes, and Rocket’s Pompon squads at 11a.m. Afternoon music includes:

• 12:30–2:30 p.m. – Dearborn Big Band
• 3 until 6 p.m. - Steve Taylor 3

The weekend wouldn’t be complete without the Plymouth Noon Rotary Club famous Chicken BBQ, served starting at 11 a.m. until nearly 9,000 dinners are sold out.

Carnival Hours:

• Friday: Noon – 10 p.m.
• Saturday: 7 a.m. – 10 p.m.
• Sunday: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Vendor/Craft Show Hours:

• Friday: 3 -8 p.m.
• Saturday: 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.
• Sunday: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

For the full schedule and updates, visit PlymouthFallFestival.com or follow @plymouthfallfestival on social media.

Former Inkster mayor sentenced to prison for soliciting bribes

Former Inkster Mayor Patrick Wimberly was sentenced to 37 months in federal prison last week following his guilty plea on public corruption charges.

Wimberly, 50, entered a guilty plea to charges he accepted $50,000 in bribes while serving as mayor of Inkster from 2019 through 2023.

United States Attorney Dawn N. Ison and Cheyvoryea Gibson, Special Agent in Charge of the Detroit Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) said they were pleased with the verdict. Court documents accused Wimberly of demanding $100,000 in cash payments in the spring of 2022 to facilitate the sale of property owned by the city to an outside party.

“Public officials who act in their own best interests, motivated by greed, betray the trust of their communities and the general public,” Ison said. “We will continue to aggressively prosecute corrupt public officials for their illegal actions.”

Prosecutors claimed that Wimberly was provided with monthly cash bribes to secure the purchase of the property by a buyer referred to as Person A in court documents. The monthly payments started at $5,000 but Wimberly demanded, and Person A agreed, to eventually increase that amount to $10,000. Person A increased the monthly payments to $10,000, giving Wimberly $50,000 in cash for the purpose of winning the bid for the property. Agents from the FBI intervened before the property could be transferred to the buyer, according to court documents.

The bribery charge, a violation of 18 U.S.C. § 666, carries a maximum sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment and a fine of $250,000.

“Investigating public corruption is a primary concern and priority of the FBI in Michigan,” said  Gibson, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Michigan. The former City of Inkster Mayor Patrick Wimberly’s guilty plea is a step forward in reminding public officials that they will be held accountable for their actions and should always operate with the highest level of integrity. Members of the FBI’s Detroit Area Corruption Task Force will continue to investigate any allegations of criminal misconduct from our public officials, in an effort to maintain the public’s trust.”

Poetry meets artwork in new Heritage Park building mural

The writing is on the wall in Heritage Park in Canton Township as a new mural combining poetry and artwork has been completed.

Canton officials hosted a special unveiling ceremony last week to celebrate the introduction of the new mural created by artist John Hicks. The ceremony, led by Canton Supervisor Anne Marie Graham-Hudak, showcased the new poetry installation designed to provide thought-provoking verses to encourage positivity and mindfulness.

The initiative is a result of the second collaboration of the township with the Poetry Project, which uses the words of United Kingdom-based poet James McInerney to spread moments of joy and reflection through poetry in public places, officials said.

The single-story mural design was placed on the outside wall of a permanent restroom building, located on the south side of Heritage Park. The design, which combines the poetry of  McInerney and the artwork of  Hicks, is a colorful example of how the Poetry Project uses the fusion of spoken word and mixed media.

"Canton is excited to continue to work with poet James McInerney on this latest mural that enabled us to share the talents of local artist John Hicks with visitors to Canton’s most popular park,” said Laura Mortier, recreation and performing arts manager. “Through a collaborative effort with the Poetry Project, we are fortunate to turn ordinary walls into vibrant canvases that invite passersby to pause and reflect on such a positive message.” 

Hicks incorporated the words of McInerney into the design for all to see: “Always be kind to everyone you meet and remember that flowers bloom when the sun shines.  They open up because they trust its warmth; people do too." Hick’s visual elements were not only inspired by McInerney’s poetry, but also by the striking visuals that can be found in Heritage Park – blue skies, green grass and flourishing trees, as well as the amphitheater and pathways that connect points of interest throughout the 105-acre park, officials said.

This latest public art project, which was authorized by the Canton Commission for Culture, Arts, and Heritage, was made possible with funding provided by the Optimist Club of Plymouth-Canton,  and the Golden Home Care Group, LLC. 

The Canton Commission for Culture, Arts, and Heritage meets quarterly at the Canton Township Administration Building.  For more information on this commission, visit www.cantonmi.gov or email culturalcommission@cantonmi.gov. 

Community calendar 

Township weekend sale set

Sumpter Township will host a Vendor Market Craft Show and community-wide weekend yard sale from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. starting tomorrow, Aug. 22. The sale will continue on Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 23 and 24. The vendor sale will take place at the Sumpter Township Community Center and at the old fairgrounds, 23501 Sumpter Road in Belleville. The three-day sale will include crafts, vendors, and yard sale items. This is the annual township no permit required weekend when residents can host yard sales without a permit. Spaces can be reserved at the Sumpter Township clerk’s office in Township Hall, 23480 Sumpter Road. Fees are $10 for an indoor space in the community center or$5 for an outdoor space at the old fairgrounds.

 

Emergency Traffic Order issued in Plymouth Township

Due to the LIV Golf Championship Tournament at St. Johns, Chief of Police James Knittel has issued an emergency traffic order.

Effective tomorrow,  Aug. 22, Five Mile Road between Sheldon and Northville roads will be closed to traffic from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. The same area will be closed Saturday, Aug. 23, from 6 a.m. until 6 p.m.

Five Mile Road will be closed again Sunday between Sheldon and Northville roads from 9 a.m. until 10 p.m.

 

Hazardous Waste Day set

The annual Hazardous Waste Round-up in Canton Township will take place from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 6 at the Canton Division of Public Works Building, located at 4847 Sheldon Road, just south of Michigan Avenue.

This free event is open to Canton residents only and ID will be required. To obtain a detailed list of what is and is not accepted, visit www.cantonmi.gov/248. Participants should be prepared for long lines as this is a high-volume event.

For more information please call ERG at 734/437-9650 or visit www.ergenvironmental.com.

  

Hike With a Naturalist

All ages can participate in a ‘Hike with a Naturalist” on Saturday, Sept. 6 on the Flodin Nature Trails, located in Flodin Park at Saltz and Morton Taylor Roads in Canton Township.

An expert from Huron-Clinton Metroparks will lead free interactive hikes through the flora and fauna of the nature trails at 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. A scavenger hunt for kids and light refreshments will be served after each session. Online registration is now open at  www.cantonfun.org or call (734) 394-5460

 

Annual Brews, Brats & Bands returns to Heritage Park

Brews, Brats, and Bands will return to the Heritage Park Amphitheater in Canton Township next month. The event is planned for 6 until 9 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 13.  The amphitheater is located behind the Canton Administration Building at 1150 S. Canton Center Road. 

Admission limited to those 21 and older includes seven tasting tokens each good for beer, cider, or seltzer tasting samples, as well as two grilled brats (vegetarian option available), a pretzel necklace-making station, water, chili cook-off tastings, and a commemorative mug. The fundraiser is presented by the Village Arts Factory.

Tickets are $45 plus a per ticket service charge and can only be purchased online at Beerfests.com by searching Canton, MI. For additional event details, visit www.cantonfun.org.  

 

Plymouth library will close for summer renovations

Renovations at the Plymouth District Library began in June and continue. The library launched a drive-thru service last month so users can easily pick up books on hold. Renovations will continue throughout the summer. The library will be closed for main level renovations from Sept. 1 through 14. The main and upper levels will reopen Sept. 15 while lower-level renovations begin.

Lower-level collections will re-open in October with some areas temporarily cordoned off during the installation of the play space.

More information is available at info@plymouthlibrary.org

 

Romulus seeking heroes

Nominations for the annual Hometown Hero awards are now being accepted in Romulus. The annual awards are presented to individuals who made a real difference in the city.  Educators, community members, seniors, neighbors, students and businesses are all eligible for the award. For more information and qualifications or an application, access fromulsgov.com or UnityAbb@gmail.com

 

Summit shut down for annual maintenance

The Summit on the Park will be closed starting at noon Monday, Sept. 1 and will reopen at 7 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 6. All regularly scheduled classes will resume after the shutdown. For more information, visit www.summitonthepark.org or contact the Summit front desk at (734) 394-5460.

 

Canton Farmers Market now open each Sunday

The Canton Farmers Market has returned to Preservation Park for open-air shopping from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. Sundays, through Oct. 12. 

The market has now returned to the renovated Preservation Park 500 N. Ridge Road, for the remainder of the season.  No markets will take place Aug. 31, and Sept. 1.

 

Craft and merchandise applications available

Applications are now available for craft and merchandise vendors wishing to participate in the Romulus DDA Pumpkin Festival. The festival will take place Sept. 19, 20 and 21. Applications must be submitted by July 1 for consideration.

To submit and for more information, visit here- https://www.romulusgov.com/207/Pumpkin-Festival.

Radioactive waste disposal plan halted by court

The planned dumping of radioactive waste created during the development of the atomic bomb during World War II will not be arriving at Wayne Disposal in Van Buren Township.

Local communities including Canton Township, Van Buren Township, Belleville, Romulus and Wayne County won a preliminary injunction enjoining Wayne Disposal Inc. from accepting the waste “during the pendency of this case.” Third Circuit Court Judge Kevin Cox issued a ruling Aug. 6 which maintains and expands a temporary restraining order preventing the shipment of the waste created during the secret government project to develop atomic bombs during World War II to Waste Disposal. More than 6,000 cubic yards of waste matter were to be shipped to the Van Buren Township site. 

The radioactive waste, referred to in the industry as TENORM, was stored at facilities across the county under the Formerly Utilized Sites Remedial Action Program of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (FUSRAP) management. Plans were to bring waste from the Manhattan Project that had been stored at the Niagara Falls Storage Site (NFSS) in Lewiston New York to the Van Buren hazardous waste disposal site. In his ruling, the judge prohibited Wayne Disposal from accepting “"any FUSRAP TENORM, including any FUSRAP TENORM waste from NFSS, during the pendency of this case..."

The communities won an initial restraining order last fall when plans to ship the waste by truck and rail to the disposal site located near the I-94 Service Drive in Van Buren were revealed during a contentious town hall meeting. Residents and local officials vigorously protested the planned shipments to the Van Buren site and filed a lawsuit to prevent the scheduled action.  Last July, Wayne County Executive Warren Evans said plans had been altered and the hazardous waste would be shipped to another state. It was later announced that an alternate site in Texas would dispose of the radioactive matter.

"We stood strong with our community allies speaking collectively with one voice that we do not want this type of waste in our community. By doing so, we sent a statement to our lawmakers that has triggered legislation providing further protection against receiving radioactive waste that is pending in the state Legislature," Van Buren Township Supervisor Kevin McNamara said regarding the Aug. 6 ruling. 

Canton Township Supervisor Anne Marie Graham-Hudak said the latest ruling was a victory for local residents.

"I am pleased with today's ruling from Judge Cox, stopping radioactive waste from coming to Michigan,” Graham-Hudak said in a prepared statement. "…this new court decision shows that the communities fighting radioactive waste from entering Michigan are on the right side of history. Together we fight, and together we are winning."

Romulus Mayor Robert McCraight was pleased with the ruling but urged local leaders to be prepared to continue to fight to preserve the safety of residents. "Where I am pleased to see a favorable decision in this specific instance, we must continue to work diligently to stop Michigan from being the nation's dumping ground for hazardous materials,” McCraight noted.

Belleville Mayor Ken Voight continued his strong criticism of the effort to bring the waste to a community near Belleville Lake.

"I've said it repeatedly and I'll continue to say it. The location of the Wayne Disposal facility in Van Buren Township is one of the worst you could pick for a toxic waste dump of any kind. We must protect our citizens and assure the safety of 21 percent of the world's water supply."

Republic Services Media Relations provided a statement criticizing the court ruling.  

"The Circuit Court's ruling is overly broad and will have detrimental impacts on the remediation of sites within the FUSRAP program, and both the federal and state regulatory programs designed to safely and effectively manage the disposal of wastes throughout the country. Responsible management and disposal of these waste streams is an essential need, and Wayne Disposal, Inc. is designed and permitted to safely manage this material. Wayne Disposal will continue to pursue a just and proper resolution of the matter."

The next court hearing on the matter is set for Aug. 18.